Underwater robot offers new insight into mid-ocean "twilight zone" An innovative underwater robot known as Mesobot is providing researchers with deeper insight into the vast mid-ocean region known as the "twilight zone." Capable of tracking and recording high-resolution images of slow-moving and fragile zooplankton, gelatinous animals, and particles, Mesobot greatly expands scientists' ability to observe creatures in their mesopelagic habitat with minimal disturbance. This advance in engineering will enable greater understanding of the role these creatures play in transporting carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to the deep sea, as well as how commercial exploitation of twilight zone fisheries might affect the marine ecosystem. In a paper published June 16 in Science Robotics, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) senior scientist Dana Yoerger presents Mesobot as a versatile vehicle for achieving a number of science objectives in the twilight zone. "Mesobot was conceived to complement and fill important gaps not served by existing technologies and platforms," said Yoerger. "We expect that Mesobot will emerge as a vital tool for observing midwater organisms for extended periods, as well as rapidly identifying species observed from vessel biosonars. Because Mesobot can survey, track, and record compelling imagery, we hope to reveal previously unknown behaviors, species interactions, morphological structures, and the use of bioluminescence." Co-authored by research scientists and engineers from WHOI, MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute), and Stanford University, the paper outlines the robot's success in autonomously tracking two gelatinous marine creatures during a 2019 research cruise in Monterey Bay. High-definition video revealed a "dinner plate" jellyfish "ramming" a siphonophore, which narrowly escaped the jelly's venomous tentacles. Mesobot also recorded a 30-minute video of a giant larvacean, which appears to be nearly motionless but is actually riding internal waves that rise and fall 6 meters (20 feet). These observations represent the first time that a self-guided robot has tracked these small, clear creatures as they move through the water column like a "parcel of water," said Yoerger. "Mesobot has the potential to change how we observe animals moving through space and time in a way that we've never been able to do before," said Kakani Katija, MBARI principal engineer. "As we continue to develop and improve on the vehicle, we hope to observe many other mysterious and captivating animals in the midwaters of the ocean, including the construction and disposal of carbon-rich giant larvacean 'snot palaces.'" Packaged in an hydrodynamically efficient yellow case, the hybrid robot is outfitted with a suite of oceanographic and acoustic survey sensors. It may be piloted remotely through a fiberoptic cable attached to a ship or released from its tether to follow pre-programmed missions or autonomously track a target at depths up to 1,000 meters (3,300 feet). This autonomous capability will one day enable Mesobot to follow a target animal for over 24 hours without human intervention, which is enough time to observe its migration from the midwater twilight zone to the surface and back. Future studies with Mesobot could provide researchers with valuable insight into animal behavior during diel vertical migration, known as "the greatest migration on Earth" because of the vast number and diversity of creatures that undertake it each night. "By leveraging the data we've collected using Mesobot, and other data that we've been curating for 30-plus years at MBARI, we hope to integrate smarter algorithms on the vehicle that uses artificial intelligence to discover, continuously track, and observe enigmatic animals and other objects in the deep sea," Kakani said. ### The design, construction, and initial testing for Mesobot was funded by the U.S. NSF program for Ocean Technology and Interdisciplinary Coordination (OTIC). The research in this paper was supported by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and WHOI's Ocean Twilight Zone (OTZ) Project, funded as part of The Audacious Project housed at TED. See more Mesobot here: https:/ / youtu. be/ 5hjZtBvsmVY About Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) is a private, non-profit organization on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, dedicated to marine research, engineering, and higher education. Established in 1930, its primary mission is to understand the ocean and its interaction with the Earth as a whole, and to communicate an understanding of the ocean's role in the changing global environment. WHOI's pioneering discoveries stem from an ideal combination of science and engineering--one that has made it one of the most trusted and technically advanced leaders in basic and applied ocean research and exploration anywhere. WHOI is known for its multidisciplinary approach, superior ship operations, and unparalleled deep-sea robotics capabilities. We play a leading role in ocean observation and operate the most extensive suite of data-gathering platforms in the world. Top scientists, engineers, and students collaborate on more than 800 concurrent projects worldwide--both above and below the waves--pushing the boundaries of knowledge and possibility. For more information, please visit http://www. whoi. edu About MBARI MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) is a private non-profit oceanographic research center founded by David Packard in 1987. Shortly after he funded the creation of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Packard recognized the need for a separate research institution focused on developing innovative technologies for exploring and understanding the ocean. MBARI partners with the Aquarium to educate the public and inspire ocean conservation and works to share the knowledge and solutions gained with the global science and conservation community. Key takeaways: Mesobot is an underwater robot capable of capturing high-resolution images and oceanographic data in the mid-ocean known as the "twilight zone," located approximately 200-1,000 meters (600-3,300 feet) below the surface. Designed to minimize disturbance of fragile twilight zone creatures, Mesobot features red lights (which most mid-ocean creatures cannot see) and low-power thrusters that allow it to hover in place and track animals as they ride internal waves. Mesobot is a hybrid vehicle, meaning it can be piloted remotely through a fiberoptic cable attached to a ship, or released from its tether to follow pre-programmed missions or autonomously track a target. In tests, Mesobot successfully tracked two gelatinous animals without human intervention, recording valuable video of predation and filter-feeding behavior. The data and imagery collected by Mesobot will allow scientists to study a relatively unknown part of the ocean and the creatures that live there, as well as how commercial exploitation of twilight zone fisheries might affect the marine ecosystem. Mesobot will enable greater understanding of the "biological carbon pump," in which animals transport carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to the deep sea. Media contacts: Suzanne Pelisson spelisson@WHOI.edu Raul Nava raul@mbari.org mediarelations@stanford.edu This story has been published on: 2021-06-16. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Hong Kong: 5 arrested under security law Police National Security Department today conducted a search operation at a media company in Tseung Kwan O with a warrant and arrested five company directors who are suspected of contravening the National Security Law. Police said the warrant was issued under Article 43(1) of the National Security Law and Schedule 1 of the Implementation Rules, covering the power of searching and seizure of journalistic materials. The search operation aimed to gather evidence for a case of suspected contravention of the National Security Law, the force added. The four men and one woman arrested, aged 47 to 63, are suspected of collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security, contravening Article 29 of the National Security Law. They are detained for investigation. Police also conducted searches at the arrestees' residences. This story has been published on: 2021-06-17. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. South Africa: Nzimande welcomes sentencing of Ramabulana's murderer Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, has welcomed the sentencing of Aubrey Manaka for the brutal rape and murder of Capricorn TVET College student, Precious Ramabulana. Ramabulana, aged 19, was found dead in her room off campus in November 2019. Law enforcement reports said she suffered multiple stab wounds. At the time of her unfortunate death, Ramabulana was studying for a N6 Business Management qualification and preparing for her final examinations. The 29-year-old Manaka pleaded guilty and was sentenced by the Limpopo High Court to two life sentences for rape and murder, eight years for robbery with intent to rape and 15 years for robbery with grievous bodily harm. This was a barbaric and shameful act, which must be denounced. Our young women must feel safe in society. May Preciouss soul rest in eternal peace, and may her loved ones and friends find strength and peace, said the Minister in a statement on Tuesday. The Minister has since tasked the Department of Higher Education and Trainings agency, Higher Health, with ensuring that issues of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) are addressed on all campuses in order to create safe spaces for all students. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2021-06-17. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. South Africa: National Police Commissioner appointed as SARPCCO chairperson South Africas National Police Commissioner General, Khehla John Sitole, will assume the chairship of the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation (SARPCCO) from August. SARPCCO, which was established in 1995 for police forces, combines resources and expertise in fighting transnational crime across borders in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. The appointment was marked by a ceremonial handing over of the Sword of Honour during the 26th General Meeting of SARPCCO, which was held through video conferencing on Wednesday. Sitole takes over the role from Botswanas Keabetswe Makgophe, whose 12 months in office comes to an end. South Africa will be assuming the chairship for the seventh time, having done so in 1997, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2015. In his acceptance speech, Sitole expressed gratitude to Makgophe for his resolve in leading the organisation during a time of uncertainty. The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, which unfortunately has continued to claim the lives of many of our citizens, including gallant men and women of our Police Services/Forces, has led us to change the way we conduct our policing business, said Sitole. Given this prevailing situation, Sitole said Commissioner Makgophe was dynamic enough to adapt to the new philosophy of policing, responsive to the current terrain now referred to as the new normal, where almost every regional engagement had to be done virtually. This is evident from the Tenure of Office Report that the outgoing Chairperson just shared with us this morning, he said. The incoming Chairperson also acknowledged the role played by other member countries for ensuring stability and cooperation on safety and security related matters within the region. The challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic to policing were also brought to the fore and discussed by General Sitole. Sitole has committed to ensure greater cooperation within the region and also outlined his plans to devise new ways of combating international organised crime syndicates, as well as cross border crimes through the introduction of the Policing Nomics Concept: a study of policing methodologies and practice through the lens of modern economics, innovation and creativity. Since its inception, the body has been able to establish a comprehensive approach in terms of regional policing through cooperative engagement of member countries such as joint cross-border operations, joint training, harmonisation of legislation, and the sharing of good practices to contribute to the grand economic strategy for each country. SARPCCO countries include South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Namibia, DRC, Lesotho, Madagascar, Seychelles, Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania, Mauritius, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2021-06-17. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. South Africa: President Ramaphosa pays tribute to Jabu Mabuza President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his deep sadness at the passing of Jabu Mabuza, describing him as an outstanding business leader. Mabuza, 63, passed away on Wednesday from complications associated with COVID-19. "The Presidents thoughts are with Mr Mabuzas family, friends, business associates, employees and members of his global network of business partners and leaders," the Presidency said. Mabuza is a former board chair of Telkom and Eskom. As an entrepreneur and mentor to many, Mabuza built an outstanding career in business, which spanned his entrepreneurship as a taxi driver and owner, and his rise to chairing some of South Africas largest industrial groups and multinational enterprises. "He will be remembered for his pathfinder contribution to township and rural economic participation during the apartheid era through his roles in the Southern Africa Black Taxi Association and the Foundation for African Business and Consumer Services (FABCOS)," the Presidency said. Mabuza also championed black economic participation and inclusive growth through his leadership of Business Leadership South Africa and Business Unity South Africa. COVID-19 has once again struck deep, hard and indiscriminately to deprive our nation of one of our finest and most inspiring compatriots. Jabu Mabuza was a monumental figure on so many terrains of our national life. He provided inspiration and leadership to many, from Daveyton, where he started his illustrious career as a taxi driver, to Davos, where he made his presence and values felt in global debates. We will miss the warmth of his personality, the forthrightness of his engagement on questions of national importance and the multiple precedents he set and led in the transformation of our economy. It is a profound loss that someone who believed so passionately in a better future for our country has been taken from us in the prime of his contribution to our nation, the President said. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2021-06-17. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. South Africa: Department allocates 15% of squid catch to small scale fisheries In a historic step forward for transformation of the small-scale fishing sector, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has allocated 15% of the squid catch to the small-scale fisheries sector. Prior to this decision, squid was not in the basket of species available to the 15 co-operatives and 600 individual small-scale fishermen and women operating in the areas of the Eastern Cape where squid is harvested. This apportionment will be reviewed at the beginning of every fishing season, with the view of increasing the portion available to the small-scale fisheries sector to 25% of the total allowable catch. The review will be subject to the annual status of squid resources, fishing patterns and fishing practices of new and existing rights holders, and the needs of coastal communities, which are dependent mainly on fishing. Across the world, small scale fishermen and women play an important role in promoting household food security and providing livelihoods in areas where there are little other means of support, said Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment Minister, Barbara Creecy. In March 2020, the department allocated 15-year rights to fishing co-operatives across the Eastern Cape. The success of these co-operatives depends on, amongst others, having a commercially viable basket of species, Creecy said. The limited basket of species has been raised repeatedly by small scale fishing co-operatives across the country. Accordingly, in October 2020, Creecy invited interested and affected stakeholders to comment on the proposed resource split between local commercial and small-scale fishing in the traditional line fish, squid and abalone fishing sectors. The departments Director General, as the as the delegated authority in terms of the Marine Living Resources Act, 1998, decided in terms of Section 14(2), to apportion 15% of the Squid Total Allowable Effort to the small-scale fisheries sector and 85% of the squid total allowable effort to the commercial squid sector. This apportionment will be reviewed annually with the intention of increasing it to 25% over the next few years, said the department. Small-scale fishermen in the Eastern Cape have welcomed the announcement and believe that it will enable them to feed their families and look after their communities. Chief Dion Spandel, chairman of the Eastern Cape Khoisan Small Scale Fishers, applauded the departments decision. I know that it was not an easy decision, but it had to be taken. With the 15% that the department has put in our baskets, we can now go to sea and look at buying our own boats, and sending our guys to some kind of training. It is really appreciated it, said Spandel. The apportionment will take effect from the start of the upcoming squid season. Implementation In the coming weeks, the department will be engaging with the commercial and small-scale fishing sectors on how the apportionment will be implemented, taking into account compliance with the relevant sector policies and the conditions of fishing in those respective sectors. The squid sector is lucrative and to ensure optimal management and sustainability, the department will be introducing a Capacity Management Regime in the commercial and small-scale squid sector to better manage fishing effort in the sector in future. The Record of Decision on the split can be accessed on https://www.environment.gov.za/sites/default/files/legislations/publicnotices/recordofdecision_squidfishingresourcesplit.pdf. - SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2021-06-17. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. South Africa: Deadline for industrialisation support applications extended The Free State Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (DESTEA) has extended the deadline for Industrialisation Support Incentives applications to Friday, 18 June 2021. DESTEA MEC, Makalo Mohalo, launched the Industrialisation Support Incentives on 28 May 2021, aimed at assisting industrialists in the province. The incentives form part of an economic transformation strategy to resuscitate and revitalise the provincial economy, while ensuring job retention and job creation. Applications opened from 31 May 15 June 2021, and applicants were encouraged to apply online on the departments website. The department has since received requests for an extension to accommodate applicants who have been working on their compliance. Applications will therefore remain open online till midnight on 18 June 2021, the department said in a statement on Thursday. The incentives are divided into three categories, including established manufacturers, emerging manufacturers, and informal manufacturers. The established manufacturers incentive aims to provide established enterprises involved in manufacturing and industrialisation with factory space rental subsidies of R2 million maximum, per applicant. The emerging manufacturers incentive aims to provide enterprises at the incubation or start up stage, who are in manufacturing and industrialisation, with factory rental subsidies of R1 million maximum, per applicant. The informal manufacturers incentive aims to provide informal/unregistered manufacturers with factory space rental subsidies, and set-up costs grants to support manufacturing and industrialisation operations of R300 000 maximum, per applicant. To qualify, applicants should provide a bankable business plan; Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) registration; Central Supplier Database (CSD) registered; valid tax clearance; licensing (Business Act no 7 of 1991), where applicable; business plan or proposal, and financial statements (12 months bank statements). The applicants should also provide a Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) status Level 1 contributor; procure locally manufactured products from other South African small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), and demonstrate the ability to produce theirown products. They must further be South African citizens and Free State residents. All qualifying applicants are encouraged to apply online on the departments website using the link http://www.destea.gov.za/?page_id=5103. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2021-06-17. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. South Africa: Teachers to be vaccinated from next week The National Health Department says it is ready to start vaccinating teachers in their numbers from next week. Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccines are expected to arrive in the country tomorrow afternoon. This is according to the departments Technical Advisor, Dr Aquina Thulare, who was briefing Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Health. Thulare said the aircraft carrying the consignment of 300 000 COVID-19 J&J shots will touch down at OR Tambo International Airport on Friday, 18 June 2021. The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared this batch for use in the country. The rollout of the single-dose vaccine suffered some setbacks after the FDA halted production following the investigation of good manufacturing practice (GMP) violations at the J&J factory in Baltimore, United States. Because of these problems, two million vaccine doses that had already been produced, were declared unusable. However, the countrys vaccination rollout programme will soon gain momentum, as millions of doses are expected to be released from this month. The School Governing Body (SGB) databases have been verified and private school databases have been verified, Thulare said, adding that vaccination centres have also been identified. She told the committee that a special Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS) programme will be dedicated to the education sector. Meanwhile, single-dose vaccines have already received South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) exemption on labelling and genetically modified organisms (GMO) certificates. The National Control Laboratory is ready to ensure that these vaccines are released on the 21st of June and will start distributing on the 22nd of June, and will start vaccinating immediately thereafter, said Thulare. She has also confirmed that the vaccine expiry date has been extended. The FDA did some stability studies on the vaccines they were going to supply to us and the expiry date has been extended by four weeks from the initial date. She said she was confident that the department will be able to vaccinate 300 000 education sector staff out of the 499 000 in 10 working days. Thereafter, the 199 000 remaining staffers will be inoculated with the additional 1.2 million J&J vaccines arriving next week. We believe that all the educators will be covered. She said that all teachers will be vaccinated regardless of their age. Thulare said the department is in discussions with the other sectors, including the South African Police Service, South African National Defence Force and Correctional Services. Keep safe The Acting Minister of Health, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, has since called on citizens to adhere to safety protocol as the country entered the third wave of COVID-19. This is what is worrying us now. Gauteng is our major concern. She said she was concerned about mass gatherings, including those of political parties on June 16, despite the country now operating under lockdown level 3. We hope that law enforcement agencies will assist us in this regard, said Kubayi-Ngubane. Meanwhile, she said the department will embark on mass testing, as the country recorded over 13 000 new cases on Wednesday. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2021-06-17. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Hong Kong: Cash allowance scheme set (To watch the full press conference with sign language interpretation, click here.) The Government will launch a three-year Cash Allowance Trial Scheme in late June to alleviate the livelihood difficulties faced by grassroots families who have been waiting for public rental housing for a long time. At a press conference this afternoon, Permanent Secretary for Transport & Housing (Housing)/Director of Housing Agnes Wong said the cash allowance is not a rent subsidy and the recipients are not required to use it to pay for rent. This is purely to relieve their financial pressure while waiting for public rental housing. We aim to send out around 90,000 application forms to the eligible applicants by the end of this month. We urge them to complete the form and return it to us as soon as possible. The cash allowance amount is determined by the number of people in a public rental housing application who meet all eligibility criteria. Along with other criteria, they must be general applicant households who have been waiting for public rental housing for more than three years without the first flat offer. Also, they must not be receiving Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA). The cash allowance levels are about half of the current maximum rent allowance under the CSSA, ranging from $1,300 for a one-person household to $3,900 for a household with six or more people. Successful households will receive the cash allowance on a monthly basis via bank transfer. An initiative announced by the Chief Executive in early 2020, the scheme will run until mid-2024. The Government will conduct a review at an appropriate time. For enquiries, call 3105 3333 or email: [email protected]. This story has been published on: 2021-06-17. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Hong Kong: MTR joins outreach jab service Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip and Secretary for Transport & Housing Frank Chan today visited the Mass Transit Railway Corporation's (MTRC) Kowloon Bay depot to view the administration of COVID-19 vaccines to its staff through the Government's outreach vaccination service. The MTRC is the first public transport operator to participate in the outreach vaccination service. About 720 staff and their family members are expected to receive the Sinovac or the BioNTech jab today and tomorrow. Mr Nip said that MTR workers, whether they are frontline staff working at customer service centres and railway stations' platforms or maintenance staff performing support duties in depots, have a wide range of contact with the public every day. Therefore, it is very important for them to get vaccinated, not only to protect themselves and their families, but also to safeguard passengers' health in an indirect way, he said. Mr Chan thanked the MTRC for supporting the Early Vaccination for All campaign, adding that vaccination can protect the health of its employees and build an immune barrier for their families and the community. Vaccination is also an effective way to allow society to return to normal, the transport chief noted. The officials hope other public transport operators will arrange for their employees to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Mr Nip also called on various sectors and industries to join the Government in promoting the campaign and encourage their staff to get vaccinated. Enterprises and groups can call 3904 1490 between 9am and 6pm from Monday to Friday to arrange for the outreach vaccination service. This story has been published on: 2021-06-17. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Mystery of Galaxy's Missing Dark Matter Deepens When astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope uncovered an oddball galaxy that looked like it didn't have much dark matter, some thought the finding was hard to believe and looked for a simpler explanation. Dark matter, after all, is the invisible glue that makes up the bulk of the universe's matter. All galaxies appear to be dominated by it; in fact, galaxies are thought to form inside immense halos of dark matter. So, finding a galaxy lacking the invisible stuff is an extraordinary claim that challenges conventional wisdom. It would have the potential to upset theories of galaxy formation and evolution. To bolster their original finding, first reported in 2018 (Dark Matter Goes Missing in Oddball Galaxy (hubblesite.org)), a team of scientists led by Pieter van Dokkum of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, followed up their initial study with a more robust Hubble look at the galaxy, named NGC 1052-DF2. Scientists refer to it simply as "DF2." "We went out on a limb with our initial Hubble observations of this galaxy in 2018," van Dokkum said. "I think people were right to question it because it's such an unusual result. It would be nice if there were a simple explanation, like a wrong distance. But I think it's more fun and more interesting if it actually is a weird galaxy." Determining the amount of the galaxy's dark matter hinges on accurate measurements of how far away it is from Earth. If DF2 is as far from Earth as van Dokkum's team asserts, the galaxy's dark-matter content may only be a few percent. The team's conclusion is based on the motions of the stars within the galaxy; their velocities are influenced by the pull of gravity. The researchers found that the observed number of stars accounts for the galaxy's total mass, and there's not much room left for dark matter. However, if DF2 were closer to Earth, as some astronomers claim, it would be intrinsically fainter and less massive. The galaxy, therefore, would need dark matter to account for the observed effects of the total mass. A Better Yardstick Team member Zili Shen, from Yale University, says that the new Hubble observations help them confirm that DF2 is not only farther from Earth than some astronomers suggest, but also slightly more distant than the team's original estimates. The new distance estimate is that DF2 is 72 million light-years as opposed to 42 million light-years, as reported by other independent teams. This places the galaxy farther than the original Hubble 2018 estimate of 65 light-years distance. The research team based its new result on long exposures with Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys, which provide a deeper view of the galaxy for finding a reliable yardstick to nail down the distance. They targeted aging red giant stars on the outskirts of the galaxy that all reach the same peak brightness in their evolution. Astronomers can use the stars' intrinsic brightness to calculate vast intergalactic distances. "Studying the brightest red giants is a well-established distance indicator for nearby galaxies," Shen explained. The more accurate Hubble measurements solidify the researchers' initial conclusion of a galaxy deficient in dark matter, team members say. So the mystery of why DF2 is missing most of its dark matter still persists. "For almost every galaxy we look at, we say that we can't see most of the mass because it's dark matter," van Dokkum explained. "What you see is only the tip of the iceberg with Hubble. But in this case, what you see is what you get. Hubble really shows the entire thing. That's it. It's not just the tip of the iceberg, it's the whole iceberg." The team's science paper has appeared in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. A Stealthy Galaxy DF2 is a giant cosmic cotton ball that van Dokkum calls a "see-through galaxy," where the stars are spread out. The galactic oddball is almost as wide as the Milky Way, but it contains only 1/200th the number of stars as our galaxy. The ghostly galaxy doesn't appear to have a noticeable central region, spiral arms, or a disk. The team estimates that DF2 contains at most 1/400th the amount of dark matter than astronomers had expected. How the galaxy formed remains a complete mystery based on the team's latest measurements. DF2 isn't the only galaxy devoid of dark matter. Shany Danieli of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey, used Hubble in 2020 to obtain an accurate distance to another ghostly galaxy, called NGC 1052-DF4 (or simply DF4), which apparently lacks dark matter, too. The researchers think both DF2 and DF4 were members of a collection of galaxies. However, the new Hubble observations show that the two galaxies are 6.5 million light-years away from each other, farther apart than they first thought. It also appears that DF2 has drifted away from the grouping and is isolated in space. Both galaxies were discovered with the Dragonfly Telephoto Array at the New Mexico Skies observatory. "Both of them probably were in the same group and formed at the same time," Danieli said. "So maybe there was something special in the environment where they were formed." The researchers are hunting for more of these oddball galaxies. Other teams of astronomers are searching, too. In 2020, a group of researchers uncovered 19 unusual dwarf galaxies they say are deficient in dark matter (Off the Baryonic Tully-Fisher Relation: A Population of Baryon-dominated Ultra-diffuse Galaxies - IOPscience). However, it will take uncovering many more dark matter-less galaxies to resolve the mystery. Nevertheless, van Dokkum thinks finding a galaxy lacking dark matter tells astronomers something about the invisible substance. "In our 2018 paper, we suggested that if you have a galaxy without dark matter, and other similar galaxies seem to have it, that means that dark matter is actually real and it exists," van Dokkum said. "It's not a mirage." ### The Hubble Space Telescope is a project of international cooperation between NASA and ESA (European Space Agency). NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, manages the telescope. The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in Baltimore, Maryland, conducts Hubble science operations. STScI is operated for NASA by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy in Washington, D.C. Release Credit: NASA, ESA, STScI Media Contact: Claire Andreoli NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland Donna Weaver Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Maryland Ray Villard Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Maryland Science Contact: Zili Shen Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut Shany Danieli Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, New Jersey Pieter van Dokkum Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut This story has been published on: 2021-06-17. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Mountain fires burning higher at unprecedented rates Forest fires have crept higher up mountains over the past few decades, scorching areas previously too wet to burn, according to researchers from McGill University. As wildfires advance uphill, a staggering 11% of all Western U.S. forests are now at risk. "Climate change and drought conditions in the West are drying out high-elevation forests, making them particularly susceptible to blazes," says lead author Mohammad Reza Alizadeh, a PhD student at McGill University under the supervision of Professor Jan Adamowski. "This creates new dangers for mountain communities, with impacts on downstream water supplies and the plants and wildlife that call these forests home." Climate warming has diminished 'flammability barrier' In a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the researchers analyzed records of fires larger than 405 hectares in the mountainous regions of the contiguous Western U.S. between 1984 and 2017. Their results show that climate warming has diminished the 'high-elevation flammability barrier' - the point where forests historically were too wet to burn regularly because of the lingering presence of snow. The researchers found that fires advanced about 252 meters uphill in the Western mountains over those three decades. The amount of land that burned increased across all elevations during that period, however the largest increase was at elevations above 2,500 meters. Additionally, the area burning above 8,200 feet more than tripled in 2001 to 2017 compared with 1984 to 2000. Over the past 34 years, rising temperatures have extended fire territory in the West to an additional 81,500 square kilometers of high-elevation forests, an area similar in size to South Carolina. "Climate change continues to increase the risk of fire, and this trend will likely continue as the planet warms. More fire activity higher in the mountains is yet another warning of the dangers that lie ahead," says co-author Jan Adamowski, a Professor in the Department of Bioresource Engineering at McGill University. ### About this study "Warming enabled upslope advance in western US forest fires" by Mohammad Reza Alizadeh, John T. Abatzoglou, Charles H. Luce, Jan F. Adamowski, Arvin Farid, and Mojtaba Sadegh was published on June 1, 2021 in in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. DOI: https:/ / doi. org/ 10. 1073/ pnas. 2009717118 About McGill University Founded in 1821, McGill University is home to exceptional students, faculty, and staff from across Canada and around the world. It is consistently ranked as one of the top universities, both nationally and internationally. It is a world-renowned institution of higher learning with research activities spanning two campuses, 11 faculties, 13 professional schools, 300 programs of study and over 40,000 students, including more than 10,200 graduate students.?? McGill's commitment to sustainability reaches back several decades and spans scales from local to global. The sustainability declarations that we have signed affirm our role in helping to shape a future where people and the planet can flourish. https:/ / www. mcgill. ca/ newsroom/ This story has been published on: 2021-06-17. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Beijing (Gasgoo)- Baidu Apollo, along with Arcfox, an EV brand from BAIC Group, today unveiled its fifth generation of autonomous ride-hailing vehicle, the Apollo Moon. Under an all-new strategic cooperation agreement, both companies will build 1,000 Apollo Moon vehicles within 3 years. Apollo Moon; photo credit: Baidu The Apollo Moons production cost is RMB 480,000 yuan ($74,736), only one third of many autonomous vehicle models, which will help to accelerate the commercialization of its ride-hailing services. The latest generation of Apollos autonomous vehicle has an operating cycle of over 5 years, much longer than the previous four generations. The Moon adopts the ANP-Robotaxi architecture, making it lightweight and capable of sharing intelligent driving vehicle data with other vehicles. A customized LiDAR and corresponding unmanned redundancy functions also make it possible to realize fully driverless autonomy. Apollo Moon; photo credit: Baidu The Apollo Moon will be geared with omni-sensors and computing unit redundancy functions as well as a precise failure detector and degradable processing algorithms, while 5G remote driving service and V2X will also be supported. Compared with its predecessors, the overall capabilities of Apollo Moon will have improved tenfold with a 99.99% success rate of ride-hailing in complex urban cityscapes. Apollo Moon; photo credit: Baidu On the exterior body, an electronic display is attached to the sunroof to exhibit the status of a robotaxi and allows passengers to identify their ride from afar. In terms of passenger convenience, Apollo Moon contains new features including a seat belt reminder for rear passengers, AI voice assistant, mobile app climate control, intelligent car doors and more. Apollo Moon; photo credit: Baidu Baidu and ARCFOX also reached a new strategic cooperation agreement to roll out 1,000 Apollo Moon robotaxis within three years, giving more people access to Apollos fully autonomous ride-hailing services. Recently, Baidu Apollo has begun to offer Robotaxi ride-hailing services in such cities as Beijing (newly added Tongzhou area), Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing. Besides, ARCFOX also worked with Huawei on the ARCFOX S HI, which is the first model equipped with Huaweis HI solution for self-driving EVs. The starting price of the HI version is 388,900 yuan ($60,552) and the premium version is priced at 429,900 yuan ($66,935), both lower than the Apollo Moon. Alveda King of Priests for Life Responds to Abortion Bill in Senate: These Statements are Racist NEWS PROVIDED BY Alveda King Ministries June 16, 2021 ATLANTA, June 16, 2021 /Christian Newswire/ -- "It's racist to suggest Black women can't handle the responsibilities of motherhood. "It's racist to insist Black women should be having more abortions. "It's racist to continue to perpetuate the lie that every Black woman is destitute and in need of government assistance to kill the child in her womb." -- Alveda King Alveda King, a Pastoral Associate of Priests for Life and a spokeswoman for the Silent No More Awareness Campaign, said today's hearing on H.R. 3755, the Women's Health Protection Act, before a Senate subcommittee was the latest example of how Black babies are being sacrificed for the cause of racial justice. "In terms of poverty, the situation for Black people is improving," Ms. King said, citing figures that showed 18.8 percent of the nation's Blacks live in poverty, down from 20.8 percent in 2018. "That's the lowest poverty rate for Blacks ever measured, and it means that 80.2 percent of American Blacks do not live in poverty," she said. "Abortion advocates like those we saw today testifying to the Senate continue to insist that abortion is the way to end Black poverty. That is a lie. And it's racist." Three women of color were invited to give testimony in favor of the Women's Health Protection Act to the Constitution Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee. The act would: Negate mandatory waiting periods before abortion. Eliminate requirements for ultrasound prior to abortion. Prohibit abortionists or staff from providing information about the developing baby, potential risks of abortion or the possibility of halting a chemical abortion. Eliminate bans on telemedicine. Repeal laws calling for abortion businesses to meet standards of other ambulatory surgery centers; requiring abortionists to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals; Eliminate bans on certain abortion procedures, including dismemberment abortion. Eliminate bans on abortion after fetal viability based on ability to feel pain. Prohibit abortionists or staff from asking the reason for the abortion for instance, sex-selective abortion or abortion for Down syndrome. Eliminate a ban on abortion after a heartbeat is detected. Eliminate conscience protection rights for healthcare providers. Eliminate the Sanctuary City designation in more than two dozen U.S. cities that have declared themselves abortion-free zones. "Contrary to what these speakers asserted, the Black community does not need more abortion, later abortion or taxpayer-funded abortion," said Ms. King, who had two abortions as a young woman. "What we need is the recognition that abortion has legally ended the lives of 20 million Black Americans and that when a woman in this country dies from a 'safe and legal' abortion, she is most likely a woman of color. "To insist that the way to improve Black lives is to kill even more of our children is the biggest racist lie I have ever heard. If Black lives matter, then ALL Black lives must matter." Among those speaking in favor of the act today was a representative from "We Testify" an organization that brings together women who have had abortions and remain abortion advocates. Janet Morana, executive director of Priests for Life and co-founder of the Silent No More Awareness Campaign, said that if the panel was interested in both sides of the story, women of color from the campaign would have been invited to give testimony. "Since 2003 women who have had abortions and suffered physical and emotional repercussions sometimes for decades have been carrying signs that say 'I Regret My Abortion' and speaking publicly about that regret," Mrs. Morana said. "The Senate needs to hear their stories, too." Read the testimonies of Black women who regret their abortion experiences here and here. Alveda King's testimony is here. Her new video on racism can be found here. Father Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, described the Women's Health Protection Act as "all abortion, all the time." "This bill was introduced by abortion advocates in the House and Senate who have never seen or heard of an abortion they don't like," Father Pavone said. "Passage of the bill would be a catastrophe for our nation, especially for the unborn, their mothers and healthcare workers who do not want to participate in the slaughter of innocent boys and girls." SOURCE Alveda King Ministries CONTACT: Leslie Palma, 917-697-7039 Share Tweet Vietnam receives nearly one million Covid-19 vaccine doses from Japan Vietnam on Wednesday received nearly one million doses of the AstraZeneca's Vaxzevria vaccine which were donated by the Japanese government and people. A batch of nearly one million Covid-19 vaccine sent by the Japanese government arrives at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi late on June 16. The batch arrived at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi late on June 16. Speaking at the airport when receiving the vaccine, Vietnamese Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long thanked the Japanese government and people for the valuable gift which he said demonstrates the good relationship between Vietnam and Japan, especially in the context that Covid-19 vaccines are in short supply globally. The minister vowed to use the vaccine effectively, adding that this batch of the vaccine would be immediately transported to the virus hotspot of Ho Chi Minh City on June 17. Addressing the event, Japanese ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio stressed that the gift is a testament to the long-standing friendship between Japan and Vietnam, and that Japan would like to work alongside the international community, especially Vietnam, to weather the Covid-19 crisis together. CPC has global vision and strong sense of responsibility: President of the Communist Party of Peru (Red Fatherland) 10:11, June 17, 2021 By Zou Zhipeng ( People's Daily China advocates peace, development, and cooperation, actively supports multilateralism, proposes building a mutually beneficial future for all mankind, which demonstrates global vision and a strong sense of responsibility of the Communist Party of China (CPC), said Alberto Moreno, president of the Communist Party of Peru (Red Fatherland), in a recent interview with Peoples Daily. The fundamental reason why China has witnessed remarkable achievements in development is that it has embarked upon a unique development path - the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics - under the leadership of the CPC, said Moreno, who noted that the CPC preserves in seeking truth from facts and keeps blazing new trails in a pioneering spirit, which shows its advanced nature. Visitors review the oath of the Communist Party of China at the Baota Mountain in Yan'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, April 25, 2019. (Xinhua/Liu Xiao) At the invitation of Chinese government departments including the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, Moreno has visited China several times and seen in person the development and changes in China. He marvels at the CPCs governance theory and practice. Moreno is a senior theorist and revolutionist of Peruvian left-wing political forces, and has written many books on researches into socialist theories and education and training for political party cadres. In 1966, when Moreno was 25 years old, he visited China at the invitation of the Chinese side for the first time as a young cadre of the Communist Party of Peru. I stayed in China for more than half a year and traveled to many places. For the first time, I had close contact with the CPC and the Chinese people, and observed first-hand the practice of the New China in exploring and building socialism, he said. At the end of the visit, Morenos delegation was invited to meet with Mao Zedong, late leader of the CPC Central Committee as well as the New China. Comrade Mao suggested that we shouldnt simply copy the experience of other countries in development, which made me realize that real revolution and construction are unique and creative, Moreno recalled. Since it was founded, the CPC has shown great wisdom in overcoming all possible difficulties, correcting mistakes in time, and finding and adhering to the right path, the Peruvian politician pointed out. Looking back at the century-long journey of the CPC and the over 70 years of history of the New China, Moreno is convinced that only a Marxist political party, which has withstood tests, forged strong leadership, and gained keen insights into Chinas history and reality, is able to shoulder the responsibility of building and developing China. When people visit the Jinggang Mountains in east Chinas Jiangxi province, Yanan city in northwest Chinas Shaanxi province, and other revolutionary bases, they may wonder how strong-willed and wise CPC members needed to be to have struggled through such harsh conditions and terrible ordeals in these places and eventually won a victory, Moreno said. Moreno admires the CPC for always sticking to the original aspiration and winning sincere support of the Chinese people, which he believes is why the political party has survived all kinds of difficulties and threats. Such a noble and moral political party, which has remained united, acquired comprehensive capabilities, enjoys wide public support, and has strategic vision, deserves the respect of people in all countries, according to him. Basing all actions on actual conditions is a golden rule of the CPC in solving various problems in different stages, Moreno pointed out, adding that the CPC has fully integrated the fundamental principles of Marxism into its own reality and adapted Marxism to the Chinese context through practice, summarizing experience, reflection and innovation. Political parties in various countries should learn and draw inspirations from the thought of Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, on socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era, which has not only provided fundamental guidance for the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics under the new circumstances, but also made major contributions to the cause of world socialism, according to him. Moreno is impressed by Xis aspiration to put aside his own well-being for the good of the Chinese people. It is because the CPC has put people first and maintained its close ties with the people that it is able to enjoy an inexhaustible source of strength, he pointed out. When faced with the sudden COVID-19 outbreak, the CPC and the Chinese government have decidedly prioritized peoples lives and health, made quick decisions and deployment, and mobilized the whole society to fight the virus in an efficient and orderly manner, thus containing the spread of the virus in a short time, said Moreno. Meanwhile, China has actively provided medical assistance for other countries, and carried out international cooperation on COVID-19 vaccines, making new contributions to building a global community of health for all, which Moreno considers a mirror of the CPCs philosophy of centering the work around people as well as the embodiment of Chinas institutional advantages and governance capabilities. The world today is troubled by a multitude of global challenges in economy, politics, science and technology, and environment, among other fields, which require global response and solutions, Moreno noted, adding that while some Western countries pursue hegemonism and power politics and have aggravated the turbulence and uncertainties in the international situation, China has proposed building a community with a shared future for mankind, meeting the needs of the times. The contacts between the CPC and the Communist Party of Peru (Red Fatherland) have always been based on equality and sincerity. We have learned a lot from the experience of the CPC, said Moreno, who noted that the CPC never interferes in the internal affairs of political parties of other countries. He called on both sides to bring into full play the important role of inter-party exchanges and jointly defend national sovereignty, safeguard multilateralism, and promote peaceful development. It is believed that standing at a new historical starting point, the CPC will lead the Chinese people toward more glorious achievements in reform, innovation, and construction, according to Moreno. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) Putin lashes out at U.S. after meeting with Biden Xinhua) 08:33, June 17, 2021 U.S. President Joe Biden (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet at the Villa La Grange in Geneva, Switzerland, June 16, 2021. (Denis Balibouse/Pool via Xinhua) Although the two sides discussed a wide range of issues from climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, arms control, cyberattacks, to regional conflicts in Ukraine and Syria, a joint statement from both sides focused on a bilateral strategic stability dialogue for future arms control and risk reduction measures. GENEVA, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday lashed out at the United States on arms control, human rights, cyber-attacks, among other issues, after "constructive" talks with his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden. "As for the general assessment, I believe there was no hostility at all," Putin said during his solo press briefing, adding that the meeting, the first of its kind since Biden took office in January, was "open" and with "no pressure of the parties on each other." Putin said that the two sides "differ in many respects" but "showed willingness to understand each other and seek ways to bring the positions closer," and the pivotal face-to-face discussions, held at the 18th century Villa La Grange in Geneva, was "quite constructive." Although the two sides have agreed to allow their ambassadors to return to Moscow and Washington respectively, and to launch a strategic stability dialogue for future arms control and risk reduction measures, the Russian head of state refuted critics against Russia on such issues as policy predictability, human rights and cyber-security. "The West believes that the Russian policy is unpredictable. Well, let me reciprocate. The U.S. withdrawal from the ABM (Anti-Ballistic Missile) Treaty in 2002 wasn't predictable," Putin told journalists. As for human rights issues, Putin cited the Black Lives Matter movement in the United States, the U.S. attacks in Afghanistan, and the existence of the Guantanamo Bay prison. "One single strike can kill ... (about) 120 people. All right, assuming this was a mistake that happens in a war, but shooting from a drone, (at) an unarmed crowd, clearly the civilian crowd, what is this about? How would you call that? And who's responsible for this?" said Putin. "And how would you call this person? Who is the killer now?" he asked. On cyberattacks, Putin said that it is of vital importance in the world in general, "for the United States in particular, and for Russia as well in the same volume." Putin noted that his country has not yet received any response from the U.S. to Russia's dozens of requests regarding cyberattacks so far since last year. Swiss President Guy Parmelin (C), U.S. President Joe Biden (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) are seen on a screen in the media center of the U.S.-Russia summit in Geneva, Switzerland, June 16, 2021. (Xinhua/Guo Chen) While describing the entire meetings as "good and positive", Biden somehow warned at his separate press conference that he will "take action" if the U.S. continues to be interfered by other countries during its presidential elections. "I made it clear that we will not tolerate attempts to violate our democratic sovereignty or destabilize our democratic elections, and we would respond," Biden said. "The bottom line as I told President Putin was that we need to have some basic rules ... that we can all abide by." The U.S. president added that he gave his Russian counterpart a list of 16 specific entities, ranging from the energy sector to water systems, which were defined by the U.S. as critical infrastructures and should be off-limits to attack by cyber or any other means. "The last thing he (Putin) wants now is a Cold War with the U.S. ... I don't think he's looking for a Cold War with the United States," he said. However, Putin attributed the worsening of bilateral relations to the American side. "All steps in regard to the deterioration in the Russian-American relations were not initiated by us, and they were taken by the American side," he said. "On the whole, we do realize what our American partners speak about, and they know well what we speak about, when it comes to the so-called 'red lines'," Putin said. "But I must sincerely say that we are still far from making emphases and starting to make divisions." Although the two sides discussed a wide range of issues from climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, arms control, cyberattacks, to regional conflicts in Ukraine and Syria, a joint statement from both sides focused on a bilateral strategic stability dialogue for future arms control and risk reduction measures. The two nuclear powers have "demonstrated that, even in periods of tension, they are able to make progress on our shared goals of ensuring predictability in the strategic sphere, reducing the risk of armed conflicts and the threat of nuclear war," said the statement. As "a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought," the two sides "will embark together on an integrated bilateral Strategic Stability Dialogue in the near future," seeking to "lay the groundwork for future arms control and risk reduction measures," it said. (Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun) China builds world-class smart, green ports 10:02, June 17, 2021 By Sheng Yulei ( People's Daily Photo taken on March 3, 2021 shows a container terminal of Weihai Port under the management of Shandong Port Group Co., Ltd. (People's Daily Online/Zhu Chunxiao) Recently, a cargo train loaded with 104 TEUs of 240 commercial vehicles departed Zhengzhou, central China's Henan province, and were later loaded onto a container ship at Qingdao Port, east China's Shandong province before being exported to Iran. Despite the negative impacts from COVID-19 on global shipping industry, ports in Shandong province are offering efficient whole-chain logistics services reaching every corner of the world, contributing to the building of a new development paradigm. Ports are fundamental and pivotal facilities, as well as important pillars for economic development. Chinese President Xi Jinping once stressed the strategic importance of the ocean in China's pursuit of high-quality development, urging progress in the construction of world-class sea ports, a modern maritime industry system, and a green and sustainable marine ecological environment to push for the building of maritime power. The Shandong Port Group Co., Ltd. established two years ago is now serving as a playmaker of the logistics industry. Regarding maritime transport, it has opened new sea routes, expanded shipping capacity, and reinforced transfer capability; in terms of land transport, it has launched train services, built land ports and exploited cargo resources. With 19 land ports and 72 combined sea-rail routes, the group has established a broad channel of international logistics, which has forcefully protected the smooth operation of the industrial and supply chains. Thriving ports lead to prospering trade. Currently, the Shandong Port Group Co., Ltd. is accelerating the development of emerging businesses, such as shipping finance, to expand its pivotal role. It has also launched multiple cold-chain express routes to Southeast Asia and reinforced its handling capability of basic commodities. At present, high-end cold-chain logistics, cross border trade, and bulk commodity distribution centers are under construction, while freight trains are running busily between the province and Europe, bringing products from thousands of miles away to more and more Chinese families. Cities and industries are interdependent. Establishing interaction between port construction and urban development, Shandong Port Group Co., Ltd. is magnifying its influence with port-industry-city integration. It has joined hands with 16 cities in Shandong province to develop featured logistics park and chain-style industrial parks. By placing headquarters of ports in downtown areas, it is investing in port-centered projects to promote local economy. Besides, Shandong Port Group Co., Ltd. is also advancing overseas port projects such as the Port of Vado in Italy. By tackling a series of technical problems and building a whole set of technical standards, a technical team from Qingdao Port under the management of Shandong Port Group Co., Ltd. has independently built a fully automated terminal, becoming a successful case of industrial internet application in port scenarios. Shandong Port Group Co., Ltd. is also working to apply new transport methods, building home ports of offshore wind farm, as well as demonstration ports of green energy and low-carbon development. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) US' ban on DNA equipment over lies about Xinjiang will only help local firms: experts (Global Times) 10:32, June 17, 2021 Children play in a lavender farm in Huocheng County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 13, 2021. (Photo: Xinhua) A US blockade on sales of DNA equipment and related products to Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region would be just another way for US politicians to target China over widely debunked lies about Xinjiang, and it will only speed the rise of domestic substitutes, Chinese industry insiders and experts said on Wednesday. The comments came as some US politicians and experts called on the US government to toughen supervision of US exports to China, especially Xinjiang, after news reports that a large amount of DNA equipment produced by US companies had still flowed to Xinjiang despite restrictions. The New York Times reported that hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of DNA equipment produced by Thermo Fisher and Promega, two US biochemistry giants, were still sold to China despite US government efforts to prevent such transactions based on claims that those products might be used by local authorities to track people. Chinese experts noted that sales of DNA equipment are normal among countries and that US politicians' and media outlets' claims of human rights abuses in Xinjiang have been widely debunked and proven to be lies. A customer service staffer at Thermo Fisher said on Wednesday that the company's exports to the Chinese market were "all normal at the present." "Many Chinese customers approached us directly to place orders, and products sell well," she said. The person said that she wasn't clear about the US export ban on DNA sequencers or other products to China. The reported flow of US-made DNA equipment to Xinjiang drew criticism from some anti-China US politicians. The New York Times, for example, cited US Senator Marco Rubio as calling on the US government to "use all tools at their disposal" to prevent US companies from selling surveillance equipment or other technologies to any Chinese security forces. Chinese experts and industry sources criticized the US for using any "excuses or means" to just crack down on China and stressed that such a blockade would only help China to develop its own technologies and products at a faster speed. In terms of genetic testing products, Chinese companies already have the capacity to supply the domestic market, Tian Hongjian, a director with the China Medicinal Biotech Association, told the Global Times. According to Tian, although China has relied on imports from Europe and the US in terms of genetic testing reagents for some time, Chinese companies have launched many similar products. Although these may be somewhat less precise than US products, they can fully meet market demand. "China can produce enough biological reagent products, and many of the US' advanced biological reagent companies have set up plants in China. The US toughening controls on exports of those products to China will only push Chinese companies to gradually replace US firms in domestic supplies," Tian said. For instance, as early as 2015, Chinese genetic research company BGI Group had launched its own DNA sequencer, which was based on the company's self-developed Complete Genomics technology. Also, Chinese provinces are already moving to reduce reliance on imports of US medical products amid deteriorating US-China bilateral relations. South China's Guangzhou Province, for example, reduced the categories of medical equipment imports from 132 to 46 in a recently published list. The Chinese government also issued a guideline recently to support South China's Hainan Province to make advanced medical facilities. Cong Yi, a professor at the Tianjin University of Finance and Economics, said that the US crackdown would prompt Chinese companies to speed up technological research to fulfill the gap left by US companies that are being pressured out of the Chinese markets by US politics. "The more the US government blocks US companies from Chinese consumers, the faster Chinese companies will replace them. Market demand is the biggest driver of innovation," Cong told the Global Times on Wednesday. US politicians are following a short-sighted strategy to cater to anti-China sentiment, but US companies will lose market share in the long run in China, he said. (Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun) China's top political advisor stresses strategic strength in science, technology Xinhua) 10:32, June 17, 2021 Wang Yang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, attends a symposium with heads of the central committees of non-Communist parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC) in Beijing, capital of China, June 16, 2021. The symposium was convened by the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee to discuss research results on strengthening national strategic capacity in science and technology. The research was conducted by relevant non-Communist parties and organizations. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) BEIJING, June 16 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Wang Yang Wednesday called on non-Communist parties and people's organizations to continue conducting consultations and building consensus and make contributions to building China into a leader in science and technology. Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks while attending a symposium with heads of the central committees of non-Communist parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC). The symposium was convened by the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee to discuss research results on strengthening national strategic capacity in science and technology. The research was conducted by relevant non-Communist parties and organizations. Wang called on the non-Communist parties and organizations to give full play to their advantages in talent and intelligence and take an active part in implementing major national scientific projects. The heads of the central committees of the participant non-Communist parties and the ACFIC pointed out the problems and obstacles in enhancing China's strategic scientific and technological strengths. They also raised suggestions on improving related legislation, accelerating public health system reforms, and supporting enterprises in leading scientific innovation, among others. (Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun) Main structure of longest bridge along China-Laos Railway completed Xinhua) 11:18, June 17, 2021 Photo taken with a drone on June 15, 2021 shows the Phonethong super major bridge under construction in Vientiane, Laos. (CREC-5/ Handout via Xinhua) With the last pier cemented, the main structure of the Phonethong super major bridge, the longest China-Laos Railway bridge with a length of 7,528.56 meters and 231 piers, was completed. VIENTIANE, June 17 (Xinhua) -- The China Railway No. 5 Engineering Group (CREC-5) has completed the construction of the main structure of the longest bridge along the China-Laos Railway, the Phonethong super major bridge. The Chinese engineering company, the CREC-5, told Xinhua on Wednesday that with the last pier cemented on Monday, the main structure of the Phonethong super major bridge, the longest China-Laos Railway bridge with a length of 7,528.56 meters and 231 piers, was completed. The construction of the Phonethong bridge was kicked off in last July in Lao capital Vientiane, the southern end of the China-Laos Railway. The CREC-5 engineering team has overcome a series of difficulties including the lengthy rainy season, complex geological conditions and the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, to advance the bridge's construction. Photo taken with a drone on June 15, 2021 shows the Phonethong super major bridge under construction in Vientiane, Laos. (CREC-5/ Handout via Xinhua) The China-Laos Railway's construction has been confronted with huge challenges and difficulties in the epidemic, but the work progressing in an orderly and balanced manner has strengthened the confidence in the timely completion of the railway by this December, Bounthong Chitmany, Vice President of Laos said, when talking to Xiao Qianwen, general manager of the Laos-China Railway Co., Ltd., which is responsible for the construction and operation of the railways. The China-Laos Railway is a docking project between the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and Laos' strategy to convert itself from a landlocked country to a land-linked hub. The over-400-km railway will run from Boten border gate in northern Laos bordering China, to Vientiane with an operating speed of 160 km per hour. The electrified passenger and cargo railway is built with the full application of the Chinese management and technical standards. The construction of the project started in December 2016 and is scheduled to be completed and open to traffic in December 2021. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Hongyu) Interview: China's transformation "not possible without the visionary leadership of CPC", says former Malaysian envoy Xinhua) 11:45, June 17, 2021 KUALA LUMPUR, June 17 (Xinhua) -- "China has made very strong strides in its development and I think China has gone through a very strong transformation, which is not possible without the visionary leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC)," a former Malaysian ambassador to China has said. "I think the Party has played its role and brought up China to what it is today, a strong country economically, and has many friends in the world. China's success has contributed to the region and to the world," Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan, who served as Malaysia's ambassador to China in 1998-2005, told Xinhua in a recent interview. Serving as the president of Malaysia-China Friendship Association now, Majid still works to promote friendship and cooperation between the two countries. The veteran diplomat noted that China has adopted pragmatic diplomatic policies and "not only contributed economically but also in peace and stability" for the region and the whole world, he said. "For us in Malaysia and also for the region, we are happy because China's diplomacy has always given priority to the region, to countries in Southeast Asia," he said. Majid said that with China's development, the world would welcome the country to share its experience and resources. The Belt and Road Initiative is "very timely," which could bring greater connectivity, he said. "This will facilitate globalization, expedite internationalization and exchanges." China's successful containment of the COVID-19 pandemic and its early economic recovery also demonstrated the successful leadership of the CPC, said Majid. The success reflects the discipline and strong enforcement of the Chinese system, he said. From his own experience in China and his interactions with the Chinese people, Majid said he could feel that the CPC leadership is well appreciated by the Chinese people. "Speaking to the Chinese people themselves, they are very thankful that the Party has created social stability in China and also for themselves to feel the economic power, which created this self-confidence in China vis-a-vis the world," he said. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Majid said, has highlighted how the world is a shared community and that global cooperation is essential to overcome such common challenges. "COVID-19 has shown how a small virus has actually frozen us globally, our movement, our activities, (and) our interaction," said Majid, "so the only way to combat this is through cooperation, through the sharing of common interest, I think that is the way forward." (Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun) Record PLA exercise warns Taiwan secessionists, US carrier activity (Global Times) 13:26, June 17, 2021 Two Su-35 fighter jets and a H-6K bomber fly in formation on May 11, 2018. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) air force conducted patrol training over China's island of Taiwan on Friday. Su-35 fighter jets flew over the Bashi Channel in formation with the H-6Ks for the first time, which marks a new breakthrough in island patrol patterns, said Shen Jinke, spokesperson for the PLA air force.Photo:China Military The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) reportedly dispatched on Tuesday a record-breaking fleet of warplanes to conduct an exercise surrounding the island of Taiwan, with analysts saying on Wednesday that the drill indicated a stronger control over the Taiwan Straits by the PLA, and sent a strong signal to the Taiwan secessionists and their Western supporters following recent provocations, as well as to the activity by a US aircraft carrier near the region. A total of 28 PLA aircraft, namely 14 J-16 fighter jets, 6 J-11 fighter jets, four H-6 bombers, two KJ-500 early warning aircraft, a Y-8 electronic warfare aircraft and a Y-8 anti-submarine warfare aircraft, entered the island of Taiwan's self-proclaimed southwestern air defense identification zone on Tuesday, with some flying through the Bashi Channel to the eastern side of the island, media on the island reported on the same day, citing the island's defense authorities. This marked the largest number of aircraft in a single day in the PLA's routine exercise in the region since the island started to track and publish similar PLA activities in September 2020, the reports said. The expanded exercise indicates the PLA's enhanced combat capability, as the PLA has gained greater control over the Taiwan Straits, Wei Dongxu, a Beijing-based military expert, told the Global Times on Wednesday. Some reports linked the PLA exercise to the G7 summit, which ended on Sunday and issued a communique extending support to the secessionists in the island of Taiwan. The exercise is also the first large-scale one following the recent US provocation of sending a military transport aircraft to the island. Wei said that Taiwan secessionists are eager to interact with the US to gain a feel of security, but the US is giving them only a rubber check to take advantage of them to provoke and contain the Chinese mainland. "Facing the mighty PLA that safeguards the national unity, these attempts are bound to fail." "We will not allow anyone to separate Taiwan from China in any way," Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said at a regular press conference on Wednesday, when asked about the PLA exercise. On Monday, the Ronald ReaganCarrier Strike Group of the US Navy sailed through the Bashi Channel and entered the South China Sea, according to the monitoring of the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative, a Beijing-based think tank. The US aircraft carrier is flexing its muscle and provocatively creating instability near China, Wei said, noting that the PLA exercise near Taiwan, which came only one day after and was very close to the course of the US carrier group, and could be seen as a response that demonstrates the PLA's capabilities. China's determination and will in safeguarding its core national interests over topics including those relating to Taiwan and the South China Sea are unswerving, said Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Wei Fenghe at the 8th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus on Wednesday. In a separate development, the PLA 73rd Group Army and the Eastern Theater Command Navy recently held a series of exercises featuring vehicles and amphibious landing ships, with the aim of enhancing the troops' cross-sea delivery capabilities, the command said in a statement released on Tuesday. (Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Hongyu) NY state lights up landmark buildings to celebrate 70% vaccination rate Ecns.cn) 13:37, June 17, 2021 Photo shows fireworks are set off in the New York Harbor, lighting up the skyline on June 15. (Photo/ Liao Pan) Andrew Cuomo, the New York State Governor, announced on the same day that since 70% of adults in the state have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccines, New York State will lift most of the restrictions related to the pandemic from now on. Many places in New York State set off fireworks that night. More than ten landmark buildings lit blue and gold lights to celebrate reaching a key COVID-19 vaccination rate. (Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Hongyu) Hong Kong holds forum to mark 100th anniversary of founding of CPC Xinhua) 14:02, June 17, 2021 HONG KONG, June 16 (Xinhua) -- An international symposium was held Wednesday in Hong Kong to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), with the attendance of scholars, political figures and business elites from home and abroad. When addressing the forum, Carrie Lam, chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said the country and the CPC as its ruling party always put its people first, citing that unparalleled economic progress have been achieved and 850 million people have been lifted out of poverty over the past decades. The central government and the CPC have always been committed to the thorough implementation of the great concept of "one country, two systems," she said. The implementation of the national security law in Hong Kong has effectively restored stability and the improvement to the electoral system will ensure "patriots administering Hong Kong," which shows the central government's and the CPC's unwavering determination in upholding "one country, two systems" and ensuring the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, Lam said. Faced with multiple challenges in the past two years brought about by the turbulence over the extradition bill, the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in the external environment, the CPC has enacted the national security law in the HKSAR, improved its electoral systems, and maintained Hong Kong's constitutional order, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Tan Tieniu said in his speech. The CPC also supports Hong Kong's participation in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Hong Kong's integration into the national economy to maintain Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability, he said. Looking ahead, Tan believes that Hong Kong's future is bound to be even brighter. With the implementation of the national security law in the HKSAR and the improvement of the HKSAR's electoral system, Hong Kong has gone through a major transformation from chaos to stability, and "one country, two systems" has entered another stage of enduring success, Liu Guangyuan, commissioner of the Chinese foreign ministry in the HKSAR said. The commissioner's office will more vigorously oppose external interference, serve Hong Kong's development and put people at the center, and join hands with the Hong Kong community to take diplomatic work relating to Hong Kong to new heights, he said. Mao Chaofeng, chairman of Bauhinia Culture Group Co., Ltd. said the CPC has pioneered, advanced and upheld the cause of "one country, two systems." During the past two decades, the CPC has remained committed to safeguarding Hong Kong's prosperity and stability and the enduring success of the practice of "one country, two systems," he said. More than 300 people attended the forum in person or remotely, discussing topics including the CPC's contribution to the world. The event was organized by the liaison office and Bauhinia Culture Group. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Hongyu) Chinese premier stresses new breakthroughs in revitalizing northeast China Xinhua) 14:18, June 17, 2021 Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visits farmland in Songyuan City, northeast China's Jilin Province, June 15, 2021. Li made an inspection tour to the cities of Songyuan and Changchun in northeast China's Jilin Province from Tuesday to Wednesday. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) CHANGCHUN, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has urged efforts to deepen reform and opening-up, cultivate market entities, and make new breakthroughs in revitalizing northeast China. Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during an inspection tour in northeast China's Jilin Province from Tuesday to Wednesday. He visited farmlands in Songyuan City and stressed effective measures to stabilize the prices of agricultural materials and keep grain prices at an appropriate level. When inspecting the ecological and environmental protection work of Chagan Lake, one of the largest freshwater lakes in the country, Li underscored continuous efforts to protect the water environment and promote the development of fishery and other industries with a sound ecological environment. Li visited Jilin Panpan Foods and called on the company to develop more healthy food products to meet diverse consumer needs. Efforts should be made to deepen reform and build a market-oriented, law-based and internationalized business environment so that both domestic and foreign enterprises will be more confident in investing in northeast China, said Li. During his visit to a demonstration zone for international cooperation between China and the Republic of Korea in Changchun City, Li urged efforts for northeast China to open up wider, especially to Northeast Asia, seize the opportunity of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership to strengthen regional cooperation and form a shared industrial chain. When visiting Ferry Innovation Works, Li called for continuous efforts in promoting mass entrepreneurship and innovation to further stimulate social creativity. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Hongyu) More young Chinese opting for flexible employment People's Daily Online) 14:20, June 17, 2021 After graduating from the Communication University of China in Beijing, Liu Ninger, who was born after 1995, decided to follow her passion and became an e-sports host. To stand out in this relatively new field, she maintains a highly disciplined lifestyle: she begins to practice dancing at 10 a.m., prepares for her work from 1 p.m., and works at her online job from 4 p.m. till midnight. On top of this tight schedule, she has to travel from one city to another during the e-sports season. Wang Xiaonan shoots a short video at her hometown in a village in Huaxian county, central Chinas Henan province. (Photo/Xinhua) Liu is a striking example of the roughly 200 million Chinese people who are now opting for flexible employment so that they can enjoy more freedom at work and also do the things they love. Driven by the surging development of the online economy, flexible employment, which covers individual businesses, part-time jobs, and new types of employment, has brought more opportunities for job-hunters in China. Zhang Chenggang, director of the Research Center for New Employment Patterns in Capital University of Economics and Business, explained that most of the people in flexible employment are college graduates born after 1995 or 2000, and work in industries related to the online economy. In general, they earn a little bit more than those in conventional industries and enjoy more freedom at work. Experts said that recent years have seen a growing number of college graduates make this choice in some provinces. In east Chinas Jiangsu province, those in flexible employment accounted for 2.9 percent of total graduates in 2019, up by 0.4 percentage points compared with 2017. From the perspective of employers, 55.7 percent of all enterprises nationwide adopted this flexible approach in 2020, up about 11 percentage points from 2019, while nearly 30 percent of enterprises planned to maintain or expand the scale, according to a report on flexible employment in China released by the School of Labor and Human Resources at Renmin University of China. The online economy has brought vast opportunities and more suitable positions for young people who want to be flexibly employed, said Zhu Di, an analyst from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Zhu has carried out research on young peoples employment habits and found that many of them hope to keep a balance between work and family or want to be masters of their own lives due to a longing for a free life, which accounts for the popularity of this new employment mode. A few years ago, Wang Xiaonan, who was born after 1995, resigned from her job and became a vlogger in her hometown, a village in Huaxian county, central Chinas Henan province, as this allowed her to look after her father, who suffered from kidney disease. The young woman draws inspiration from her daily life in the countryside, such as enjoying dinner with her father, and sees vlogging as a new career choice. Zhang Chenggang noted that flexible employment will give young people in third- and fourth-tier cities more opportunities to thrive. However, some experts are also calling for a new social insurance system to better protect the rights and interests of people in flexible employment in the long term. (Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji) Large majority of Australians support strong relations with China: poll Xinhua) 14:33, June 17, 2021 SYDNEY, June 16 (Xinhua) -- More than 60 percent of Australians believed that their country should continue to try to build strong connections and ties, and have a strong relationship with China, showed an annual public opinion poll released Wednesday. In the online survey conducted by the Australia-China Relations Institute (ACRI) and the Center for Business Intelligence & Data Analytics at the University of Technology Sydney, 61 percent of the 2,000 completed respondents said Australia needs to build strong ties with the Asian country, and 74 percent expressed concerns about the current relations. However, Australians were not optimistic about the short to medium-term prospects for improvement of the bilateral relationship, with 27 percent, or just over one-quarter, respondents thought the relationship would improve in the next three years, the pollster concluded. Elena Collinson, ACRI senior project and research officer, told Xinhua that the results painted a complicated picture of the public opinion, highlighting that beliefs on many issues were not particularly clear-cut. "Australians are clearly still trying to make sense of this period of tumult and understand a constantly evolving strategic situation," she said. "Australians remain broadly supportive of continuing to forge strong ties with China despite being clearly concerned about a number of dimensions of the relationship at the same time," she noted. As for the trade and economic relationship, about 63 percent noted that "without close engagement with China, Australia would not be as prosperous as it currently is." Those who believed that "it is beneficial for Australia to work with China on global issues, such as climate change and global health" are at 74 percent, nearly three-quarters, and those backing their country "to work with China on regional issues, such as ending malaria in the Pacific," are of 72 percent. "Despite tensions, there remains some goodwill and support for building stronger bilateral ties with China and for working cooperatively in multilateral fora," Collinson said. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Hongyu) Commentary: "Build back better world" needs open mind, not confrontational mentality Xinhua) 15:07, June 17, 2021 Police officers patrol outside the G7 media center in Falmouth, Cornwall, Britain, on June 11, 2021. (Xinhua/Han Yan) With common challenges facing the world, countries across the globe should adhere to the philosophy of openness, cooperation, mutual respect and shared benefits. The exclusive mindset as well as confrontational and zero-sum mentalities are outdated in modern times as they run against the goal of common development and undermine the foundation of international cooperation. BEIJING, June 16 (Xinhua) -- The Group of Seven (G7) countries have announced the launch of the Build Back Better World (B3W) initiative, a global infrastructure development plan they said would meet the tremendous needs in low- and middle-income countries. However, widely seen as a tool to counter China's growing influence in many parts of the world, the plan is nothing but another product of the exclusive group's deeply-entrenched ideological prejudice and confrontational thinking. As major industrialized countries with advanced technologies and abundant experience, the G7 is welcome to shoulder its due global responsibility to help poorer countries tackle pressing issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, and enhance their economic growth and development. However, the ideologically-biased B3W plan makes the world skeptical about the G7's true purpose: Will those rich countries follow their commitments and act sincerely like what they have elaborated in the statement, or is it just a political anti-China show under the guise of supporting global development? British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (R) meets with U.S. President Joe Biden in Carbis Bay, Cornwall, Britain, on June 10, 2021. (Andrew Parsons/No 10 Downing Street/Handout via Xinhua) It is not strange that the international community feels suspicious. In recent years, some Western countries, especially the United States, have repeatedly hyped up the so-called "China threat," deliberately creating confrontation and fueling conflicts between China and the rest of the world. Their malicious acts have severely eroded mutual trust between countries and disrupted global solidarity and cooperation which are highly essential to and badly needed in the human race's pursuit of sustainable and common development. Currently, people in a large number of third-world countries are still struggling with extreme poverty, low income and inequality in health and education. The international community needs to work together to help address the huge development deficits. With common challenges facing the world, countries across the globe should adhere to the philosophy of openness, cooperation, mutual respect and shared benefits. The exclusive mindset as well as confrontational and zero-sum mentalities are outdated in modern times as they run against the goal of common development and undermine the foundation of international cooperation. For years, China has been making sincere efforts in promoting South-South cooperation, and working closely with partners worldwide to support the independent development of developing countries and help boost their industrialization process by training local workers, building infrastructure, facilitating investment and expanding trade relations. People work on the construction site of China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC)'s Central Business District (CBD) project in Egypt's New Administrative Capital, about 50 kilometers east of Cairo, on June 1, 2019. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) China's cooperation with other developing countries features equality and mutual benefits, and attaches no political conditions. It always remains open and inclusive to any other friendly and sincere participators to seek shared benefits and make joint contributions to long-term development and common prosperity. While the lethal coronavirus is still ravaging the world and the post-recession rebound is expected to be uneven across countries, the troubled world is crying for more equitable distributions of medical resources and vaccines, as well as more opportunities and room for growth and development. What those wealthy countries have done is far from enough. During a virtual news conference at the G7 Summit, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated his call for G7 nations to fulfill their pledge to deliver 100 billion U.S. dollars in climate finance every year to developing countries, an action he described fundamental to build trust and meet the climate actions goals. On Monday, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock slammed the group for failing to come up with a global vaccination plan. "These sporadic, small-scale, charitable handouts from rich countries to poor countries is not a serious plan and it will not bring the pandemic to an end," he said. China is ready to cooperate with all genuine partners to provide more global public goods for the benefits of all. Global cooperation is needed more than ever, and the rich bloc is advised to abandon its ideological confrontations and stop creating differences and disputes, and play a positive role in global development with an open and cooperative mind. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Hongyu) Female CPC members share fulfilling work experience Xinhua) 15:53, June 17, 2021 BEIJING, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Representatives of female Party members from different fields recounted at a press conference in Beijing how their work has helped fulfill original aspiration and mission. China now has over 25 million female members of the Communist Party of China (CPC) among the more than 90 million Party members, according to the press conference organized by the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee. Lu Shengmei, who was the vice president of a county-level hospital in northwest China's Shaanxi Province before retirement, has devoted over 50 years of her life practicing medicine at the grassroots level. She said that about half of the medical staff are women and they always choose to treat their patients before taking care of their own families. Guan Gaiyu is a high-speed railway worker who usually walks more than 10 kilometers along the railway looking for any damage to the track every working day. Guan said that whenever she encounters difficulties she tells herself not to back down but to persevere. "Although there are not many women in this field, we can hold up 'half the sky' as long as we work hard," she said. Also among the representatives were a primary school principal, a rural energy and environmental protection institute director and a community Party secretary. (Web editor: Shi Xi, Hongyu) Biden, Putin meet amid high tensions in bilateral ties Xinhua) 16:23, June 17, 2021 U.S. President Joe Biden (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet at the Villa La Grange in Geneva, Switzerland, June 16, 2021. (Denis Balibouse/Pool via Xinhua) As widely predicted, the summit produced limited results, including a joint statement on strategic stability. Experts prefer to regard the meeting as an effort to prevent the confrontation from further escalation, not as a "reset" in bilateral relations. GENEVA/WASHINGTON, June 17 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin had an hours-long summit on Wednesday at a lakeside villa in the Swiss city of Geneva, the two leaders' first face-to-face meeting since Biden took office in January and perhaps the most-watched part of Biden's European tour. The summit came at a time when the international community largely agrees that the U.S.-Russia relations are at their lowest point in years, with the two sides deeply at odds over a list of things, ranging from alleged election interference and cyberattacks to human rights and regional conflicts. At two solo press conferences, Putin described the summit as "constructive" while Biden said the tone of the meeting was "positive." Nevertheless, disagreement and differences still prevailed as the two leaders laid out their respective views on specific issues. As widely predicted, the summit produced limited results, including a joint statement on strategic stability. Experts prefer to regard the meeting as an effort to prevent the confrontation from further escalation, not as a "reset" in bilateral relations. LIMITED OUTCOME Biden and Putin first had a smaller meeting lasting about 90 minutes and then an expanded meeting of more than an hour with five officials on each side. The two leaders then held separate press conferences, unlike three years ago when Biden's predecessor Donald Trump met journalists together with Putin following their summit. At his press conference, which came before that of Biden, Putin said that their conversations were "constructive" and had "no hostility," with an "enabling" atmosphere, while calling Biden "a seasoned politician." Putin also said there were "glimpses of confidence and hope." Reiterating that the United States and Russia must create a "stable" and "predictable" relationship, Biden, in his press conference that followed, described the tone of the meetings as "good, positive." "There wasn't any strident action taken," he added. The United States and Russia released a joint statement on strategic stability following the summit. The statement said that the two heads of state noted that the two countries "have demonstrated that, even in periods of tension, they are able to make progress on our shared goals of ensuring predictability in the strategic sphere, reducing the risk of armed conflicts and the threat of nuclear war." "The recent extension of the New START Treaty exemplifies our commitment to nuclear arms control. Today, we reaffirm the principle that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought," the statement said, adding that both countries will embark on an integrated bilateral Strategic Stability Dialogue in the near future. Putin also told reporters that the U.S. and Russian ambassadors will return to their diplomatic posts and both countries will begin consultations on cybersecurity. OBVIOUS DIVISIONS At their respective press sessions, the two heads of the state clarified their stances, often sharply divided, on some specific issues, including Ukraine and human rights. Swiss President Guy Parmelin (C), U.S. President Joe Biden (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) are seen on a screen in the media center of the U.S.-Russia summit in Geneva, Switzerland, June 16, 2021. (Xinhua/Guo Chen) Putin said the concerns of the American side about the militarization of the Arctic region are "absolutely baseless" and defended Russia's military exercises in Crimea. "The West believes that the Russian policy is unpredictable. Well, let me reciprocate. The U.S. withdrawal from the ABM (Anti-Ballistic Missile) Treaty in 2002 wasn't predictable," Putin said. "I can say all the actions related to the deterioration of Russia-U.S. relationship were initiated by the U.S., not Russia. Congressmen are quite inventive, and I do not know what they will invent further on," Putin said, regarding the worsened bilateral ties since the last U.S.-Russia summit. Biden, in his summary of the meeting, stressed "human rights is always going to be on the table." "Where we have differences, I want President Putin to understand why I say what I say, and why I do what I do, and how we'll respond to different actions that harm America's interests. I told President Putin my agenda is not against Russia or anybody else. It's for the American people," Biden noted. When asked if he trusts Putin, Biden said, "This is not about trust. It's about self-interest and verification of self-interest." Biden said the two sides discussed in detail arms control and cybersecurity and also exchanged concerns about "more challenging" areas like Ukraine and Belarus. Other issues covered during the meeting included Syria and the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the two leaders. NO RESET Experts believed the face-to-face meeting was a positive sign, but did not mean a reset in bilateral ties. Alexei Mukhin, director general of Russian think tank the Center for Political Information, told Xinhua on Wednesday that "a long game between Washington and Moscow has just begun." "Both Russia and the United States have a rather inert policy, and we cannot make a sharp turn or even deviate from this chosen path," Mukhin said, adding that the meeting itself was nevertheless valuable as Russia and the United States demonstrated to the rest of the world that they can meet for dialogue. Robert Legvold, a professor of political science at Columbia University, also believed there was "no reset in the relationship." "I think it's a mutual objective, putting the relationship on a more predictable and stable basis. That's the language the Biden administration began with, but I think Moscow is embracing that," Legvold told Xinhua. "The purposes of this summit are modest," Michael O'Hanlon, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, told Xinhua. "I don't sense we have a full idea yet of our Russia strategy in this administration," O'Hanlon said. Dmitry Suslov, deputy director of the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies at the National Research University Higher School of Economics in Moscow, predicted that U.S.-Russian relations "will remain confrontational in the foreseeable future." "The meeting is taking place because both the United States and Russia have come to the conclusion that further escalation of the confrontation is not profitable for them, and both sides are interested in stabilizing their relations," Suslov told Xinhua. That process could be long, according to John Erath, senior policy director at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation in Washington D.C. "Big achievements take time. They need years of very careful discussions among experts from both sides," Erath said during a virtual conference earlier this week. "But it's good if the leaders were to start the process, not even negotiations, but if the preliminary discussions that will lead to negotiations." Speaking of future U.S.-Russia relations, Thomas Greminger, director of the Geneva Center for Security Policy, said, "I expect co-existence of dialogue and selective cooperation against the backdrop of a continued confrontation with explicit and implicit red lines to be identified in due course." (Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Hongyu) China-Africa solidarity, cooperation raise hope of overcoming COVID-19 globally Xinhua) 16:25, June 17, 2021 Medical supplies donated by China are unloaded from a plane at Robert Mugabe International Airport in Harare, Zimbabwe, on May 11, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuliang) "China has walked its talk with African countries and other developing countries around the world in an effort to manage this pandemic," said Cavince Adhere, a Kenya-based international relations scholar. "Countries cannot act in compartments. They must be willing to shed off the tag of nationalism and begin to speak in a language that resonates with the cross-border challenges that we're facing today," he added. NAIROBI, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Thursday marks the one-year anniversary of the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity against COVID-19, which has delivered an important message to the world that countries must stand together to rein in the devastating pandemic before it causes further harm. Chinese President Xi Jinping, when addressing the summit on June 17, 2020, said that in the face of COVID-19, China and Africa have enhanced solidarity and strengthened friendship and mutual trust, reaffirming China's commitment to its longstanding friendship with Africa. As the war against the coronavirus continues, especially when new waves of COVID-19 infections hit some parts of the world, the China-Africa solidarity throws light on the right way to fight a common enemy of mankind. RUSH TO WHERE NEEDED During the extraordinary summit last year, Xi said people and their lives must be put front and center, and that China and Africa should do whatever it takes to protect people's lives and health. As the developing world is still facing a huge vaccination gap due to a dire shortage of vaccines, China has been trying its best to supply vaccines to where they are most urgently needed, having donated vaccines to more than 80 developing countries. China has pledged to make COVID-19 vaccines a global public good. Currently, more than 30 African countries have received or will receive Chinese vaccines. In Cameroon, Antoinette Fatimatu, a 38-year-old nurse who conducts COVID-19 tests at the Yaounde General Hospital, said the most difficult part of her job is to tell people they are positive for COVID-19. "I have seen people die within days after I test them positive. I need protection and can't wait to be vaccinated," her colleague Judith Maya told Xinhua. China's Sinopharm vaccines are seen at an airport in Yaounde, Cameroon, April 11, 2021. (Photo by Jean Pierre Kepseu/Xinhua) In April, Cameroon received its first batch of COVID-19 vaccines when 200,000 doses of China's Sinopharm vaccines arrived. In Zimbabwe, 65-year-old Deborah Birch, who has an underlying condition, took her first jab of a Chinese vaccine in March. "I am confident that I have taken the Chinese vaccine," she said. China also supports its own vaccine manufacturers in transferring technologies to other developing countries and carrying out joint production with them. Last month, Egypt received from China the first batch of raw materials to locally manufacture the Sinovac vaccine with the target of producing 40 million doses within a year. 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) STANDING SHOULDER TO SHOULDER China and Africa have stayed committed to fighting COVID-19 together. After the Chinese city of Wuhan reported its first infections, leaders of more than 50 African countries offered sympathies and provided support to China's anti-virus fight. The goodwill and kind gesture by African countries have been returned with China's ensuing support. In February, Equatorial Guinea became the first African country to receive Chinese vaccine aid. In March, China agreed to expand and modernize the Juba Teaching Hospital so as to offer better medical services in South Sudan, a country that has suffered from years of conflict. Members of the Chinese medical expert team communicate with local frontline health workers at a COVID-19 testing facility in Juba, South Sudan, Aug. 21, 2020. (Chinese Embassy in South Sudan/Handout via Xinhua) At the Yaounde Gynaeco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital of Cameroon, Chinese medical team members have been helping with medical training for local staff. "From the start of the pandemic until now, we feel the presence of the Chinese medical team alongside the Cameroonian team to effectively contain this pandemic," Nsom Mba Charles, deputy director-general of the hospital, told Xinhua. Data showed that 46 Chinese medical teams in Africa have been mobilized for Africa's response efforts. China also 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. Workers work on the construction site of the China-aided future headquarters of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, June 2, 2021. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde) In December 2020, construction of the Chinese-aided headquarters project for the Africa CDC commenced. Fantahun Hailemichael, project coordinator at the African Union, said the landmark project, presently progressing smoothly, is a generous gift to the 1.3 billion people in Africa. "The Africa-China partnership is very strong and we hope it will last for a very long period of time. This will continue because it's based on trust and mutual interest. It can not be shaken by events or circumstances," Hailemichael said. COMMUNITY OF HEALTH FOR ALL During last year's summit, Xi called for building a China-Africa community of health for all and pledged that once the development and deployment of COVID-19 vaccine is completed in China, African countries will be among the first to benefit. Last month, at the Global Health Summit, Xi said that confronted by a pandemic like COVID-19, we must champion the vision of building a global community of health for all and tide over this trying time through solidarity and cooperation. To Cavince Adhere, a Kenya-based international relations scholar, China has demonstrated its tangible commitments to assist Africa, as China has really been offering the continent therapeutics, epidemic control information and vaccines. A woman receives her first jab of Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine at Mbare Polyclinic in Harare, capital of Zimbabwe, April 14, 2021. (Xinhua/Tafara Mugwara) "China has walked its talk with African countries and other developing countries around the world in an effort to manage this pandemic," Adhere said, noting that China is also the first country to assist Africa with local production of vaccines. "I think the spirit of shared humanity that is being fronted by China is something that is very progressive and has seen a lot of valued acceptance and resonance around the world," Adhere said, adding, "Countries cannot act in compartments. They must be willing to shed off the tag of nationalism and begin to speak in a language that resonates with the cross-border challenges that we're facing today." (Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun) Yunnan animal center works to save Asian elephants, expand their population People's Daily Online) 16:50, June 17, 2021 Located in dense and lush tropical forests in Xishuangbanna, southwest Chinas Yunnan province, the Asian Elephant Breeding and Rescue Center is dedicated to giving careful and effective protection to wild elephants. Though the jungles provide rich sources of food and water for the elephants, they can also pose a threat to them if they become ill or injured, making it difficult for them to survive in the wild. Veterinarians conduct a physical examination of a baby elephant at the Asian Elephant Breeding and Rescue Center in southwest Chinas Yunnan province. Photo courtesy of the Wild Elephant Valley in southwest Chinas Yunnan province In August 2015, a baby elephant that was less than one month old was abandoned by her herd at the doorway of a farmers house in Simiao, Puer city. Veterinarians from the Asian Elephant Breeding and Rescue Center came and took the animal to their center for treatment. She was found to have intra-abdominal infections and heart failure. She was also at risk of septicemia, or blood poisoning. The baby elephant finally recovered after proper treatment by the keepers at the center. However, without the presence of her mother, she became malnourished due to a lack of breast milk. At that time, she weighed only 76 kilograms, much smaller than an average newborn elephant. The vets decided to feed her goat milk, and as she was born in the Chinese Year of the Goat, the elephant was named Yang Niu (Yang is Chinese for goat, and Niu means girl). The elephant is now about 6 years old, 1.8 meters tall and weighs 1.3 tonnes. Currently, there are 11 rescued Asian elephants living at the center and being cared for by 27 keepers, who spend more than 10 hours with them each day. Thanks to these efforts, the population of Asian wild elephants in the province has reached 300 from 150 over the past 30 years, maintaining steady growth. A veterinarian conducts an examination of the oral cavity of a baby elephant. Photo courtesy of the Wild Elephant Valley in southwest Chinas Yunnan province Another important job done by the rescue center is to help the elephants adapt to living in the wild. Some skills can only be learnt in the wild, said Zhou Fangyi, a staff member at the center. Every day, Zhou spends at least 6 hours training the elephants in the wild, helping them obtain skills such as looking for food, and adapting to the environment. The center has also made great efforts to improve the success rate of breeding. Thanks to improvements made in breeding technologies, a total of nine elephants have been bred at the center since its establishment. The local government has designated a place as a source of food for the elephants so that they do less damage to villagers crops while looking for food. Theyve also monitored the elephants using technologies such as drones to keep track of their activities and prevent encounters between villagers and the elephants. The local government has also purchased commercial insurance for residents to compensate them if the elephants attack them. (Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji) University releases investigation report on Xinjiang's cotton labor CGTN) 16:58, June 17, 2021 A cotton harvesting machine works in a field in Manas County, Hui Autonomous Prefecture of Changji, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Oct. 17, 2020. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) China's Southwest University of Political Science and Law (SWUPL) released its findings on Tuesday after an extensive, prolonged investigation into Xinjiang's cotton industry, in the wake of the Western allegation of "forced labor" in one of the biggest industries across the far western land of China. In March 2021, researchers from the Human Rights Institute and Non-traditional Security Institute of SWUPL set off to Aksu, Kashgar and other prefectures in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to carry out field research. They interviewed some 70 cotton farmers and textile factory workers to find out more about their life. Below are some highlights of the report. What's behind the high level of mechanization of cotton production? The research group found that cotton farmers in southern Xinjiang have been purchasing new machinery and equipment to assist the production process, including precision sowing, water and fertilizer integration, soil testing and formulated fertilization, and efficient cotton harvest. In 2020, the number of cotton-picking machines reached 834 in Aksu area, covering 71.3 percent of the cotton planting area in the whole region. Many cotton farmers said that their cotton production has been fully mechanized. The increasing mechanization rate in recent years has significantly lowered the labor cost. "Last year, the price of machine picking was 120-130 yuan ($18.7-20.3) per mu (0.067 hectares). When using manual labor, if the output of one mu is estimated 500 kilograms, it will cost 1,000 yuan on picking payment," Ning Zuofu, a local cotton farmer, told the researchers. "When using machines, one mu of land will save 700 to 800 yuan. The benefit of using machines is obvious." The payment for cotton-picking in Xinjiang is calculated based on the amount of the cotton picked, according to the report. Many respondents said that the high labor costs have affected the profits from cotton growing and production. Compared with manual picking, mechanized picking can reduce cost and increase income for cotton farmers by 500-600 yuan per mu. Yumiti, another local cotton farmer, said that before mechanization, 700-800 cotton pickers were needed every year, but now only 60-70 people are needed to take charge of the daily management of cotton fields. In the prefecture of Aksu, cotton cooperatives have been widely established. Under this model, farmers with less land can use the land contracted management right to exchange shares in the cooperative to obtain dividends, and participate in the production of cooperatives to obtain labor income. Farmers can also directly transfer the land to the cooperative, and go out to work for themselves. Another phenomenon is that many commercial service providers are emerging in the market in southern Xinjiang. Those enterprises provide various kinds of cotton production services for cotton farmers, such as plowing, sowing, cultivation, plantation and harvesting. The commercial service has been widely accepted by cotton farmers as it improves the level of planting specialization and the quality of cotton, as well as reduces the cost of cotton production. The implementation of governmental funding for agricultural machines also contributes to the high rate of mechanization. In recent years, the government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has invested more in cotton-picking machinery. Data show the government released 1.034 billion yuan in the first four months of 2021 as agricultural machinery subsidies. What's the income of cotton pickers? Normally, full-time cross-regional cotton pickers can pick 100 to 160 kilograms of cotton each day, and some can go up to 200 kilograms. In the 70-day cotton boll blossom period of upland cotton, even if a cotton picker only works for 50 days, he or she can earn at least 10,000 yuan, and some can earn more than 20,000 yuan. Part-time cotton-picking can also bring in thousands of yuan for the entire season. Cotton pickers can choose from daily settlement, weekly settlement, monthly settlement and others in terms of salary settlement. According to the Statistical Bulletin of National Economic and Social Development of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in 2019, the per capita disposable income of rural residents is 13,122 yuan. For cotton pickers, the income generated during the cotton-picking season (September to November) can easily reach or even exceed the annual per capita disposable income of rural residents. The relatively high income also explains why cotton pickers from other provinces like Shandong, Henan and Gansu come to Xinjiang to work in cotton-picking every year during the picking season. However, the shrinking demand for manual cotton pickers intensifies competition in cotton-picking. To ensure that they can obtain income in the cotton-picking season, many land managers would request cotton farmers to reserve them certain amount of cotton land for manual picking, otherwise they will not sign the land management contract. The adjustment in the contracts protects the rights and interests of cotton pickers. The research shows that cotton production in southern Xinjiang has achieved large-scale mechanization through high-standard farmland construction, land transfer and national agricultural machinery subsidies. Compared with other occupations, the high income of cotton-picking makes it a very attractive job. The right of cotton pickers like remuneration for labor, occupational safety and health are also guaranteed. It partly explains why cotton-picking in Xinjiang is a promising industry and will further bring benefits to local people. (Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Hongyu) Joint research centers and knowledge sharing initiative launched People's Daily Online) 17:28, June 17, 2021 The main venue of the signing ceremony of the Contemporary China and World Joint Research Centers and launch ceremony of "Knowledge Sharing Initiative" in Beijing An online ceremony launching the Contemporary China and World Joint Research Centers and the Knowledge Sharing Initiative was held on June 16 by the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies (ACCWS), University of Buenos Airess Gino Germani Research Institute of the School of Social Sciences, Pakistans Pakistan-China Institute, and Frances Bridge Tank. Gao Anming, vice-president and editor-in-chief of China International Publishing Group, delivers a speech. Gao Anming, vice-president and editor-in-chief of China International Publishing Group, attended the event and delivered a speech. He said that the joint research centers and knowledge sharing initiative provide exchange platforms which will help the world know more about China, and promote mutual understanding, mutual trust and friendship between China andother countries. I hope that the initiative will boost global cooperation and expand achievements in research to offer Chinese wisdom and solutions for the world by developing accessible and reliable public knowledge products, Gao added. Yu Yunquan, president of Academy of Contemporary China and World Studiesdelivers a speech. Yu Yunquan, president of ACCWS, said that the exchange and cooperation mechanism and knowledge sharing initiative can make information resources from all parties more accessible, provide better services for experts and scholars on Chinese issues in the world, and minimize the time cost for peopleto understand China. Julian Rebon, secretary of Advanced Studies of the School of Social Sciences at University of Buenos Aires, Mushahid Sayed, chairman of Pakistan-China Institute and Joel Ruet, president of the Bridge Tank, shared their opinion that the joint research centers and knowledge sharing initiative will strengthen global knowledge sharing and cultural exchanges, address differences, eliminate estrangement, and promote mutual understanding and common development among peoples of all countries. Julian Rebon, secretary of Advanced Studies of the School of Social Sciences at University of Buenos Aires, delivers a speech. Mushahid Sayed, chairman of Pakistan-China Institute, makes a speech. Joel Ruet, president of the Bridge Tank, makes a speech. The joint research centers will conduct joint research on topics such as global governance, mutual learning between civilizations, Belt and Road Initiative, climate change, national and region-specific studies through collaborative research, online and offline multilateral and bilateral academic seminars and field visits. The knowledge sharing initiative will pool resources of ACCWS and its partners to provide knowledge products about China and create an online knowledge and resource sharing platform. On one hand, it makes official information more accessible for overseas scholars to do studies on China; on the other hand, it explores the value of research results and cultural products. The official website of this initiative will be launched soon. Participants pose for a group photo MoU Signing Ceremony between the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies and the "Gino Germani" Research Institute of the School of Social Sciences at University of Buenos Aires MoU Signing Ceremony between the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies and Pakistan-China Institute MoU Signing Ceremony between the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies and the Bridge Tank SourceThe Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies (Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji) Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visits farmland in Songyuan City, northeast China's Jilin Province, June 15, 2021. Li made an inspection tour to the cities of Songyuan and Changchun in northeast China's Jilin Province from Tuesday to Wednesday. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visits Ferry Innovation Works in Changchun City, northeast China's Jilin Province, June 16, 2021. Li made an inspection tour to the cities of Songyuan and Changchun in northeast China's Jilin Province from Tuesday to Wednesday. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has urged efforts to deepen reform and opening-up, cultivate market entities, and make new breakthroughs in revitalizing northeast China. Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during an inspection tour in northeast China's Jilin Province from Tuesday to Wednesday. He visited farmlands in Songyuan City and stressed effective measures to stabilize the prices of agricultural materials and keep grain prices at an appropriate level. When inspecting the ecological and environmental protection work of Chagan Lake, one of the largest freshwater lakes in the country, Li underscored continuous efforts to protect the water environment and promote the development of fishery and other industries with a sound ecological environment. Li visited Jilin Panpan Foods and called on the company to develop more healthy food products to meet diverse consumer needs. Efforts should be made to deepen reform and build a market-oriented, law-based and internationalized business environment so that both domestic and foreign enterprises will be more confident in investing in northeast China, said Li. During his visit to a demonstration zone for international cooperation between China and the Republic of Korea in Changchun City, Li urged efforts for northeast China to open up wider, especially to Northeast Asia, seize the opportunity of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership to strengthen regional cooperation and form a shared industrial chain. When visiting Ferry Innovation Works, Li called for continuous efforts in promoting mass entrepreneurship and innovation to further stimulate social creativity. People sang a revolutionary red song on a glass bridge in Maren Qifeng Scenic Area, Wuhu City, Anhui province. (Photo by Liu Yucai) Recently, thousands of students and tourists sang "Sing a Folk Song to the Party" in the Maren Qifeng Scenic Area in Wuhu City, Anhui province, to express their best wishes for the centenary of the Party's birth. As the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC) approaches, there has been a nationwide upsurge in singing revolutionary "red" songs in China. Tourists and students sang a revolutionary red song while holding the flag of CPC in Maren Qifeng Scenic Area, Wuhu City, Anhui province. (Photo by Liu Yucai) Thousands appeared at the scene of singingrevolutionary red songs in Maren Qifeng Scenic Area, Wuhu City, Anhui province. (Photo by Liu Yucai) Thousands appeared at the scene of singingrevolutionary red songs inMaren Qifeng Scenic Area, Wuhu City, Anhui province. (Photo by Liu Yucai) HEFEI, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Whenever Luo Qixia, a retired teacher, passes by a primary school, she can't help but pause and look fondly at the school for a while -- a habit which emanates from her lifelong contribution to bolstering rural education. Hailing from a small village in Wangjiang County of east China's Anhui Province, Luo, 100, did not attend Sishu, or traditional private school, which were usually run by families and mainly teaching traditional Chinese classics, until she was eight years old. It was her father who made relentless efforts to convince the school to enroll their first-ever female student. "After I was admitted, our neighbor followed suit and sent their daughter to the Sishu," she said. "I am so grateful to my parents for sending me to the school as it was quite rare for girls to receive education back in the 1920s." Luo's parents, however, could not afford to buy her textbooks, after they managed to pay the tuition fee from their meagre resources. To overcome this challenge Luo developed a habit of copying whatever the teacher wrote on the blackboard into her own notebook. Even now she copies parts of government documents from newspapers, a practice which she believes has helped her brain stay active and kept her informed of the country's latest development. In 1946, Luo became a Chinese teacher at a local primary school. "I was teaching seven students from the first and third grades and they used to share the same classroom. The third-grade students had to study by themselves when I taught the other class and vice versa," said the centenarian, recalling the bygone era. To encourage more children to study, Luo went door to door after school, visiting families and persuading the parents to let their kids receive education despite their grinding poverty. Luo succeeded in her endeavor as her classroom expanded from only seven students to 51 in just over a year. Luo's two daughters were also in her class yet she devoted more time to the other students rather than her own kids. "My mother rarely asked me to answer questions in class although I raised my hand high, as she wanted to give more chances to other students," said Tao Tao, Luo's second daughter. During the summer holidays, Luo offered free daycare lessons to the students whose parents had to work in the fields. She cannot remember the exact number of students she has taught during her teaching career spanning more than 42 years. But Luo does know well about the students who have become university professors, civil servants and diplomats, and as she takes immense pride in their success. In 1983, Luo was awarded the honorary title of "outstanding worker of children's cause" by the education department of Anhui Province, the only person in her county to receive the honor. A year later, she submitted her application for membership of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Considering Luo's performance and consistent contribution to China's rural education, the Party branch of her workplace approved her application. Luo did not retire until she was 68 years old, working 13 years extra compared to the normal retirement age for women in China. In 2018, China's Ministry of Education accorded her an honorary certificate for teaching in rural schools for over three decades. She had several promotion offers which gave her the opportunity to leave the teaching position. But she turned down all such proposals, insisting on her firm determination of serving as a primary school teacher. All together, Luo had taught at five different schools before retiring. In April this year, Luo turned 100. Four staff members from one of her former schools including the current school president drove from Wangjiang County to the provincial capital Hefei, where Luo lives with her daughters. They presented her with a plaque as a gesture of their gratitude and appreciation for her service to the school. Luo still enjoys taking down notes as long as her health permits. "My hands tremble a lot these days and I sometimes cannot come up with many Chinese characters, but I won't give up, just like my lifelong pursuit of teaching," Luo wrote in her diary. Eight years ago, Edward Snowdon changed the overall posture of global cybersecurity by exposing the U.S. PRISM project. Cybersecurity has become the biggest risk and challenge in both international and national security; however, there has been no global consensus on the most basic concept of cybersecurity. This is mainly because the international community has seriously lacked reflection on the PRISM incident. Only a small number of countries, China and Russia among them, have reflected on the project's threat to international and national security. Not long ago, media reports exposed large-scale U.S. surveillance of the EU, including German and French leaders, via Denmark. The incident again attracted broad international attention. But unless there is serious reflection on the matter in the international community, the U.S. will simply continue its large-scale surveillance all over the world, similar scandals will continue to be exposed, peace and security will be difficult to preserve in cyberspace and there will only be increasing threats to international security. Why has the U.S. been conducting large-scale cyber surveillance? We must be very clearheaded about the fact that cyberspace has become the main source of intelligence for the U.S. as well other members of the Five Eyes. There have been reports that nearly 70 percent of the content of the daily briefings presented to President Barack Obama by the U.S. intelligence community were from the Tailored Access Operations (TAO) office under the National Security Agency, which is mainly engaged in signal intelligence collection. Rob Joyce, currently special assistant to the president and a cybersecurity coordinator on the U.S. National Security Council, had once been in charge of the office. On the other hand, the U.S. is willing to pay any price to preserve cyber intelligence collection. Former NSA director Keith Alexander, who had denied the existence of large-scale surveillance at a Congressional hearing, was dismissed for openly lying to Congress after the PRISM-gate revelations. U.S. officials have insisted on all occasions that cyber intelligence collection is legal and legitimate. According to media reports, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management was the target of a cyberattack in 2015, resulting in the leaking of personal data on nearly 20 million government employees. Then Director of National Intelligence James Clapper openly claimed the incident was a matter of intelligence collection and not in violation of international law. In order to conduct cyber intelligence collection, the U.S. wouldn't make an exception for its allies, or even their leaders. While the U.S. president and the secretary of state once made promises to leaders of allied countries on cyber surveillance following the PRISM exposure, U.S. intelligence agencies represented by the NSA obviously think otherwise, continuing to undertake all kinds of surveillance programs worldwide. The U.S. has been even more outrageous when it comes to such identified rivals as China and Russia. The NSA has hacked into the core networks of Huawei and China Telecom to install a back door in the Russian power grid. Ironically, the U.S. once proposed the clean network plan, which looks like a joke today. The so-called clean network was meant to get rid of all factors that impede U.S. collection of cyber intelligence. China and its leading 5G telecommunications equipment provider have become the biggest obstacles. Huawei once claimed it wouldn't cooperate with the intelligence agencies of any country if it would endanger user security. This was the main reason that U.S. intelligence departments have launched relentless attacks against Huawei. While excluding Huawei from their 5G networks, countries like Germany and France are actually voluntarily opening a window to large-scale U.S. cyber surveillance. Large-scale surveillance conducted by the U.S. has already become the most important enemy that threatens international and national security. It ruins diplomatic confidence and international rule-making for cyberspace. Judging from past experience, condemning the U.S. intelligence community will be useless. The international community must engage in serious discussions about whether cyber intelligence collection is necessary and, if it is, where the boundaries should be. Any ambiguity or hesitation on the part of the international community will lead others to mimic the U.S., the malicious consequences of which will only grow worse. Therefore, multilateral institutions like the UN should immediately launch corresponding discussions and strictly limit cyber intelligence collection, especially prohibiting illicit invasion into other countries' cyberspace and the theft of other countries' network data in the name of intelligence collecting. Meanwhile, intelligence collecting activities at key infrastructure sites around the globe such as DNS resolvers, submarine cables and cable landing points should also be banned. Only in this way can we stop America's illicit actions in cyberspace. At the bilateral level, if the U.S. wants to reach an agreement with China in the field of cybersecurity, it must also stop its large-scale cyber surveillance against China. The two sides may communicate over the negative impacts of cyber intelligence collection and other cybersecurity issues in their relationship, and reach a consensus not to conduct cyberattacks against each other. This is of significant importance to preserving peace and restoring mutual trust in cyberspace. By Sun Chenghao Thirty NATO member states held a summit at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on June 14. According to the joint communique reached at the summit, working with allies to unanimously deal with China has become one of the most important topics of Biden's Europe trip. As for the backgrounds for the convening of this NATO summit, there are two noteworthy points. First, Biden has been eager to repair transatlantic relations after taking office, and he emphasized on many occasions that the US valued NATO. This is different compared with his predecessor Trump's contempt for NATO. Second, the Biden administration continues to push forward its strategy of "major power competition" with China and Russia and requires NATO allies to work together to avoid the US from falling into the disadvantaged position of fighting alone. In this case, this NATO summit focused on two major goals. The first is to revitalize the alliance's strength by launching the NATO 2030 agenda. Although the agenda does not point to China everywhere, it actually foreshadows full-scale competition with China, including deepening NATO's internal political consultation and cooperation, strengthening deterrence and defense capabilities, maintaining technological advantages, improving transatlantic cooperation in various aspects, including key technologies, and maintaining the so-called "rules-based international order ". The second is to strengthen the unity of the alliance by coordinating policies against China and Russia. The joint communique issued by the NATO summit mentioned Russia and China many times. The document believes that the two countries pose a challenge to the "rules-based international order", including the rise of China that "fundamentally shifts the balance of power " and that China presents "systemic challenges" to NATO. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has stated on many occasions that NATO and China have completely different values, and NATO must face up to China's challenges while maintaining dialogue with China. Driven by the positioning of the "most severe strategic competitor" and the strategy of "great-power competition" by the US, NATO is inevitably becoming a part of the US alliance system against China. It is the first time that NATO has positioned China as "systemic challenge", but this statement should also be viewed rationally. On the one hand, raising China to "systematic challenge" proves that NATO is increasingly being sucked into the strategic track of competition against China by the US. Judging from the current situation, the Biden administration promotes the establishment of a categorized anti-China alliance system around the world. For example, the US launched the Build Back Better World (B3W) initiative targeting the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in the field of infrastructure; proposes a global summit of democracies in the ideological field; upgrades the US-Japan-India-Australia Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) mechanism in the military field; builds a US-Europe technology alliance in the scientific and technological field. Only by emphasizing that China poses all-round "systemic challenges" to NATO can the US logically incorporate NATO into this system against China. On the other hand, judging from the wording of the NATO joint communique, "systematic challenges" do not mean that NATO has regarded China as an imminent threat. Russia is positioned as a "threat" in the joint communique, and the number of occurrences far exceeds that of China. It can be seen from the traditional geopolitical perspective that NATO's main security concerns originate from Russia, not China. At the same time, the communique also emphasizes that NATO should maintain a constructive dialogue with China and engage with China in fields such as climate change that concern the alliance. This reflects the consideration of NATO's European members to balance Washington's tough stance towards Beijing. It also indicates that NATO will encounter resistance in implementing the China-related decisions in the future. The debate about NATO's future and destiny has never stopped since the end of the Cold War. NATO, which came into being during the Cold War, should end its mission. However, the US has always been reluctant to give up the important mechanism that governs transatlantic relations, and Europe, which enjoys the peace dividend, can hardly end its security dependence on the US. However, China is not the Soviet Union during the Cold War and has never posed any challenge or threat to NATO. NATO cannot simply characterize China as "systemic challenge" and therefore ignore the areas where the two sides can have dialogues and cooperation. Creating imaginary enemies to maintain the alliance will only make NATO lose its direction. The biggest crisis encountered by NATO is that the legitimacy of its existence is constantly being questioned, and listing China as "systematic challenge" does not revive its life. At the same time, the biggest challenge it currently faces is not the external threat or potential aggression it faced during the Cold War, but the deep-seated contradictions that are difficult to resolve within NATO. Since the Obama administration, the US has gradually reduced the status of transatlantic relations in its global strategy, implemented the strategy of withdrawing from Europe and shifting to the Asia-Pacific region, and NATO's role has decreased simultaneously. Although Biden emphasized the importance of NATO after taking office, he obviously paid more attention to "diplomacy for the middle class of the US". Therefore its allies have become the tools and helpers of the Biden administration to enhance the US's global competitiveness. At the same time, Europe's awareness of "strategic autonomy" has been awakened, and the pace of building autonomous defenses has been accelerated, lest the "Trump-style" American president makes a comeback. During the Cold War, both sides of the Atlantic understood why such a military alliance was needed. However, the world is changing rapidly, and NATO could not keep up with the times. If NATO still lets go of itself mired in obsolete thinking, rejects any change, and falls into the quarrel of resorting to foreign enemies to seek unity, Trump's previous view that "NATO is now obsolete " may be true. (The author is a scholar from the Institute of American Studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations.) Editor's note: This article is originally published on huanqiu.com.cn, and is translated from Chinese into English and edited by the China Military Online. The information, ideas or opinions appearing in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn. By John Ross Illustration: Liu Rui/GT The G7 summit held in Cornwall, the first visit abroad as president by Joe Biden, was surrounded by a number of grand declarations. These included the signing of a new "Atlantic Charter" between the US and Britain - named after the agreement between President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill in August 1941. The original Atlantic Charter was a document of great significance with major practical consequences. It was the formalization of the US-British alliance for World War II, laying down what became the US and Britain's war goals. Its principles prefigured key institutions for the post-WWII order in creating the United Nations and establishing the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade - which became the World Trade Organisation. This Atlantic Charter also provided a template for US-British cooperation in the Cold War which started post-WWII. The name "New Atlantic Charter" was likely chosen because British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is author of a book The Churchill Factor: How One Man Made History and he wished to try to make a comparison of his own initiatives to the undoubtedly historically significant ones of his predecessor. Not only the name but even the form of the "New Atlantic Charter" deliberately chose to resemble the original Charter - both have precisely eight numbered points. But immediately the content of the Charter and its historical context is examined, its hollow bombast becomes evident. Indeed, it might be taken as a list of hypocritical statements by the US and British governments. Taking points in the Charter in order: "First, we resolve to defend the principles, values, and institutions of democracy and open societies." This is entirely false. The US and UK support numerous anti-democratic regimes. The US, and the well documented activity of the CIA and other US agencies, are the greatest instigator of coup d'etats and similar anti-democratic activities in the world - as numerous countries such as Chile, Iran, Bolivia and others bear witness. Then: "Second, we intend to strengthen the institutions, laws, and norms that sustain international co-operation We will work through the rules-based international order." In fact, the US is the greatest violator of the rules-based international order - bypassing the UN Security Council in launching illegal wars in Iraq and other countries, tearing up international nuclear treaties with Iran, unilaterally imposing economic sanctions etc. The Charter then declares: "Third, we remain united behind the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the peaceful resolution of disputes. We oppose interference through disinformation or other malign influences." In fact, as is publicly documented, the US is by far the world's biggest interferer in the internal affairs of other countries - particularly active recently in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. Going beyond this list of false formal declarations, the real character of the Charter is then revealed by looking at the context of its signing. In 1941, when the original Atlantic Charter was signed, Britain was still ruler of the world's largest Empire. It was, when WWII concluded, one of three greatest powers in the world with the US and the Soviet Union. Britain today has lost its Empire and in real terms its economy is only the world' 10th largest - smaller than not only the US, China and Russia, but also India, Germany, Japan, France, Brazil and Indonesia. Britain also recently exited from the European Union, thereby ending its role as a valuable agent for the US within the EU - regarding which Biden has made no secret of his displeasure. Britain, from one of the world's great powers in 1941, has become a somewhat isolated medium-sized power. The US, which makes realistic estimates, undoubtedly regards its relations with Britain as less significant than with a series of other countries and blocs - China, the EU, Japan, Russia, Germany and India to take only the most obvious. It costs the US nothing to flatter the ego of Britain's government by recalling in words the original truly significant Atlantic Charter but the US is quite realistic enough not to take such inflated rhetoric seriously. Examining the real situation, the actual content of the Charter is therefore the following. The Johnson government, after Brexit, has decided to attempt to make up for powerlessness in relation to the US by attempting to gain favour by supine agreement to US demands even when these are against the interests of the British people and the British economy. In particular, this means agreement to the US "cold war" against China. This is the real content of its supposed strategy of "Global Britain." The first manifestation of this policy was the British government changing its previous position, under US pressure, to prevent Huawei participating in the development of Britain's 5G system - thereby raising the price of telecommunications for the British people. This was followed by attempts to interfere in China's internal affairs in Hong Kong. Now the British government has announced it is sending an aircraft carrier to the Pacific - with the threat of it entering the South China Sea. Such actions are not merely against the interests of China but also entirely against the interests of the British people and economy. China-UK economic ties have been growing - China recently replaced Germany as Britain's largest source of imports. Therefore, to act in the interests of the British people, instead of engaging in actions against the interests of the British economy, and in military provocations, the British government should be seeking calm and stable relations with China. The real purpose of Biden at the G7 summit was summarized by Rafael Behr in the British Guardian: "He is not flying across the Atlantic to wallow in nostalgia for the alliances [of] the first cold war. He is drumming up recruits for the second one." The original Atlantic Charter was a genuinely historically important document. Due to Britain's decline, the grandiosely titled "New Atlantic Charter" will have no significance compared to the original. It merely registers the British government, due to US pressure, acting against the interests of the British economy and the British people. The author is a senior fellow at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, Renmin University of China. He was formerly Director of Economic Policy for the Mayor of London. Illustration: Liu Rui/GT US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin held a meeting with his counterparts from France, Germany and the UK on Tuesday in Brussels. Austin said on Twitter that the meeting was "the first Euro Quad Defense Ministerial since 2014." This so-called Euro Quad meeting was held one day before the Putin-Biden summit. It was another move by Washington to pile pressure on Moscow with the attempt to show that the four countries have a concrete consensus: Russia is their main adversary in Europe. Austin wrote on Twitter, "we discussed how we will adapt to face increasing regional and global security challenges." This is a strategically ambiguous narrative, but all people know at whom he is pointing the gun at, because NATO has already clearly lined out the targets in its statement. On the other hand, with the Putin-Biden summit at the doorstep, the US is being reluctant to name Russia to create a benign atmosphere for the meeting. But Washington hasn't changed its norm to deter Moscow when it needs. Nonetheless, within the four countries, the US and the UK are synergic, while Germany and France hold different stances over certain topics. Berlin and Paris to some extent prefer cooperation with Moscow rather than engage in comprehensive containment over it. However, the US and the UK view Russia as enemy, or at least adversary. In addition, there is discord between the UK and Germany and France due to Brexit. All these factors together determine that a meeting of the so-called Euro Quad cannot address the four countries' differences - nor can they reach any real consensus. As for Russia, President Vladimir Putin will probably just laugh the meeting off. Austin's emphasis on "Euro Quad" reflects US intention to build more "small circles" like this around the world. These small circles are specifically aimed at certain targets: Quad at China, and Euro Quad at Russia. In building these small circles, the US has roped in countries with great regional influence to strengthen their consensus. It cannot be ruled out that the US aims to form a "big circle" against China and Russia by uniting all those small circles, on the basis of meeting the interests of all parties involved. Making a big circle is actually a move to expand NATO - with the aim to turn the outdated group into an international military organization. This is obviously a demonstration of the US' Cold War mentality. But such a path only leads to a dead end. Quite a few countries don't agree with many US policies, especially those that have de facto inherited the "America First" doctrine. Different from the US, more countries in Washington's "circles" view China as an opportunity rather than a threat. Against this backdrop, it is not realistic for the US to continue obsolete Cold War-style suppression of China. The Quad, a coalition forged by the US, Japan, Australia and India, is viewed by some as "Asian NATO." Meanwhile, the Euro Quad is more like an elite group within NATO - it aims to unite the most elite countries in the bloc to form more solid consensus. But such a move will inevitably classify all NATO members into different hierarchies. At the same time, the US is also planning to have more countries increase their contribution to the cost of US troops, while trying to sell them more weaponry. As a result, some NATO countries will probably feel unvalued, and thus be reluctant to go on contributing their finance, material and personnel strength to the group. Hence, this US approach is tantamount to shooting itself in foot. The author is a military expert and TV commentator. China welcomes the consensus reached between the U.S. and Russia on continuing "strategic stability" dialogue, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian. He made the remarks at Thursday's press conference after United States President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreeing to engage in a bilateral dialogue on "strategic stability" during their Wednesday meeting in Geneva. A joint statement published on the Kremlin's website after the summit said Russia and the U.S. "will embark together on an integrated bilateral strategic stability dialogue in the near future that will be deliberate and robust." "The recent extension of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) exemplifies our commitment to nuclear arms control," it read. As countries with the largest nuclear arsenals, the U.S. and Russia should earnestly fulfill their special and primary responsibilities in nuclear disarmament in accordance with UN General Assembly documents and international consensus, Zhao said. This will help foster the eventual realization of general and complete nuclear disarmament and is the most effective way to maintain global strategic stability and promote international peace and security, he added. Noting that "nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought", Zhao said China has been actively encouraging the nuclear-weapon states to jointly reaffirm this concept to reduce the risk of nuclear war. China always supports discussions with all parties on a wide range of issues concerning strategic stability within the framework of the P5 mechanism and is ready to continue bilateral dialogue with all parties concerned on relevant issues on the basis of mutual respect and equality, he said. China, France, Russia, the UK and the U.S., as the nuclear-weapon states designated by the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), formed the five nuclear-weapon states mechanism as a coordination mechanism during the review process of the NPT. The five states have maintained regular communication on important issues concerning strategy and security since 2009, jointly promoting the review process of the NPT. U.S. President Joe Biden (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet at the Villa La Grange in Geneva, Switzerland, June 16, 2021. (Denis Balibouse/Pool via Xinhua) GENEVA/WASHINGTON, June 17 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin had an hours-long summit on Wednesday at a lakeside villa in the Swiss city of Geneva, the two leaders' first face-to-face meeting since Biden took office in January and perhaps the most-watched part of Biden's European tour. The summit came at a time when the international community largely agrees that the U.S.-Russia relations are at their lowest point in years, with the two sides deeply at odds over a list of things, ranging from alleged election interference and cyberattacks to human rights and regional conflicts. At two solo press conferences, Putin described the summit as "constructive" while Biden said the tone of the meeting was "positive." Nevertheless, disagreement and differences still prevailed as the two leaders laid out their respective views on specific issues. As widely predicted, the summit produced limited results, including a joint statement on strategic stability. Experts prefer to regard the meeting as an effort to prevent the confrontation from further escalation, not as a "reset" in bilateral relations. LIMITED OUTCOME Biden and Putin first had a smaller meeting lasting about 90 minutes and then an expanded meeting of more than an hour with five officials on each side. The two leaders then held separate press conferences, unlike three years ago when Biden's predecessor Donald Trump met journalists together with Putin following their summit. At his press conference, which came before that of Biden, Putin said that their conversations were "constructive" and had "no hostility," with an "enabling" atmosphere, while calling Biden "a seasoned politician." Putin also said there were "glimpses of confidence and hope." Reiterating that the United States and Russia must create a "stable" and "predictable" relationship, Biden, in his press conference that followed, described the tone of the meetings as "good, positive." "There wasn't any strident action taken," he added. The United States and Russia released a joint statement on strategic stability following the summit. The statement said that the two heads of state noted that the two countries "have demonstrated that, even in periods of tension, they are able to make progress on our shared goals of ensuring predictability in the strategic sphere, reducing the risk of armed conflicts and the threat of nuclear war." "The recent extension of the New START Treaty exemplifies our commitment to nuclear arms control. Today, we reaffirm the principle that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought," the statement said, adding that both countries will embark on an integrated bilateral Strategic Stability Dialogue in the near future. Putin also told reporters that the U.S. and Russian ambassadors will return to their diplomatic posts and both countries will begin consultations on cybersecurity. OBVIOUS DIVISIONS At their respective press sessions, the two heads of the state clarified their stances, often sharply divided, on some specific issues, including Ukraine and human rights. Swiss President Guy Parmelin (C), U.S. President Joe Biden (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) are seen on a screen in the media center of the U.S.-Russia summit in Geneva, Switzerland, June 16, 2021. (Xinhua/Guo Chen) Putin said the concerns of the American side about the militarization of the Arctic region are "absolutely baseless" and defended Russia's military exercises in Crimea. "The West believes that the Russian policy is unpredictable. Well, let me reciprocate. The U.S. withdrawal from the ABM (Anti-Ballistic Missile) Treaty in 2002 wasn't predictable," Putin said. "I can say all the actions related to the deterioration of Russia-U.S. relationship were initiated by the U.S., not Russia. Congressmen are quite inventive, and I do not know what they will invent further on," Putin said, regarding the worsened bilateral ties since the last U.S.-Russia summit. Biden, in his summary of the meeting, stressed "human rights is always going to be on the table." "Where we have differences, I want President Putin to understand why I say what I say, and why I do what I do, and how we'll respond to different actions that harm America's interests. I told President Putin my agenda is not against Russia or anybody else. It's for the American people," Biden noted. When asked if he trusts Putin, Biden said, "This is not about trust. It's about self-interest and verification of self-interest." Biden said the two sides discussed in detail arms control and cybersecurity and also exchanged concerns about "more challenging" areas like Ukraine and Belarus. Other issues covered during the meeting included Syria and the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the two leaders. NO RESET Experts believed the face-to-face meeting was a positive sign, but did not mean a reset in bilateral ties. Alexei Mukhin, director general of Russian think tank the Center for Political Information, told Xinhua on Wednesday that "a long game between Washington and Moscow has just begun." "Both Russia and the United States have a rather inert policy, and we cannot make a sharp turn or even deviate from this chosen path," Mukhin said, adding that the meeting itself was nevertheless valuable as Russia and the United States demonstrated to the rest of the world that they can meet for dialogue. Robert Legvold, a professor of political science at Columbia University, also believed there was "no reset in the relationship." "I think it's a mutual objective, putting the relationship on a more predictable and stable basis. That's the language the Biden administration began with, but I think Moscow is embracing that," Legvold told Xinhua. "The purposes of this summit are modest," Michael O'Hanlon, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, told Xinhua. "I don't sense we have a full idea yet of our Russia strategy in this administration," O'Hanlon said. Dmitry Suslov, deputy director of the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies at the National Research University Higher School of Economics in Moscow, predicted that U.S.-Russian relations "will remain confrontational in the foreseeable future." "The meeting is taking place because both the United States and Russia have come to the conclusion that further escalation of the confrontation is not profitable for them, and both sides are interested in stabilizing their relations," Suslov told Xinhua. That process could be long, according to John Erath, senior policy director at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation in Washington D.C. "Big achievements take time. They need years of very careful discussions among experts from both sides," Erath said during a virtual conference earlier this week. "But it's good if the leaders were to start the process, not even negotiations, but if the preliminary discussions that will lead to negotiations." Speaking of future U.S.-Russia relations, Thomas Greminger, director of the Geneva Center for Security Policy, said, "I expect co-existence of dialogue and selective cooperation against the backdrop of a continued confrontation with explicit and implicit red lines to be identified in due course." According to a White House official, the summit ended at 5.05 CEST Wednesday when the P+5 expanded bilateral between the two delegations concluded. The P+5 on the American side included five high-level officials in addition to Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The session was concluded after one bilateral meeting, according to the official, not two as was previously scheduled. Putin said that in a bid to lower tensions, he and Biden agreed to return their ambassadors to their posts. U.S. Ambassador John Sullivan and Russian Ambassador Anatoly Antonov returned home earlier this year amid worsening U.S.-Russia relations. Both of them participated in the P+5 part of the summit. In a press conference after the summit, Putin, speaking through an interpreter, described the meeting as "constructive" and said there were "no hostilities," calling the U.S. leader a "constructive person, well balanced and experienced, a seasoned politician." U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have ended their summit in Geneva, chosen as a location for the talks for its history of political neutrality. Putin also said that both sides will begin consultations on strategic stability and cybersecurity, noting that as nuclear powers, the U.S. and Russia have a special responsibility to maintain relations. The issue of Ukraine's ascension to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and Putin critic Alexey Navalny seem to be the sticking points. "This man knew that he was breaking the law of Russia. He has been twice convicted," Putin said of Navalny, keeping his habit not to say the opposition activist's name aloud. Repeating Russia's official position, Putin said Navalny had violated bail conditions last year by going abroad while unconscious after an apparent Novichok poisoning and failing to check in with Russian officials as required. The two leaders discussed Ukraine, Putin said, but as far as Kyiv joining NATO, the Russian president added, "I don't think there is anything to discuss there." Following Biden's summit with NATO leaders Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy tweeted that NATO agreed that his country could join the alliance, causing some analysts to speculate that Putin might cancel his Wednesday summit with Biden. Asked during his press conference at the end of his summit on whether Ukraine should join NATO, Biden said, "It depends on whether they meet the criteria." "The fact is they still have to clean up corruption. They still have to meet other criteria. School's out on that question; it remains to be seen," Biden said Monday. But Biden defended Ukraine against Russia. "We will do all that we can to put Ukraine in the position to be able to continue to resist Russian physical aggression," he said. Putin said Biden did not invite him to Washington but said that he and Biden spoke "the same language." For that they don't "need to peek into each other's soul and swear eternal love," he said. The Kremlin put out a statement following Putin's press conference, noting that the "United States and Russia have demonstrated that, even in periods of tension, they are able to make progress on our shared goals of ensuring predictability in the strategic sphere, reducing the risk of armed conflicts and the threat of nuclear war." Biden was scheduled to speak shortly after Putin's press conference concluded. Low Expectations Before their talks, the leaders thanked each other during the brief, and chaotic press opportunity at the beginning of their meeting where American and Russian media jostled each other. "Mr. President, I'd like to thank you for your initiative to meet today. I know that youve been on a long journey," said Putin via an interpreter. "The U.S. and Russian relations have a lot of issues accumulated that require the highest-level meeting. And I hope that our meeting will be productive," he added. Biden responded in kind. "Thank you," Biden said. "As I said outside, I think it's always better to meet face-to-face." Both sides have been underscoring opportunities for cooperation but downplayed expectations for any improvement in tense relations between Moscow and Washington. The meeting was expected to be more of an airing of grievances than a platform to reach significant agreements. The meeting concludes Biden's first trip abroad as president. During the past week, he attended the G-7 summit and held talks with NATO and European Union leaders, seeking to boost relations with allies and consult with them about the U.S.-Russia talks. In an interview with NBC News, Putin said U.S.-Russia ties had deteriorated to their "lowest point in recent years." In April, Biden expelled 10 Russian diplomats and imposed new sanctions on six Russian technology companies that provide support to the cyber program run by Putin's intelligence services linked to the hacking of the SolarWinds information technology company. In May, two key U.S. businesses -- Colonial Pipeline, which transports fuel in the southeastern United States, and the JBS meat production company -- were targeted in cyberattacks believed to have originated in Russia. Both Colonial and JBS paid millions of dollars in ransom to restore their business operations, although U.S. law enforcement officials have recovered more than half of the money Colonial paid. Putin has rejected U.S. claims that Moscow and Russian hackers are carrying out debilitating cyberattacks on American companies and government agencies. Korean Air won't resume flights to several Japanese cities until late July. The flagship carrier said Wednesday it would continue to suspend its routes to Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Niigata, Okayama, Okinawa and Sapporo. After Japan barred entry to Korean nationals in March last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, Korean Air suspended all flights to Japan except on major routes from Incheon to Tokyo and Osaka. It then resumed a weekly flight between Incheon and Nagoya last November. A statue commemorating Korean victims of wartime sexual slavery will not be able to find its place in a public park in Aurora, Colorado. The Aurora City Council last week voted down the proposal to set the statue up in the Aurora Municipal Center. The city is the third most populous in the state and has a substantial Korean community. Korean activists there urged the council to set up the statue, not least for educational purposes. Mayor Mike Coffman said, there is "no question that an extraordinary atrocity occurred during [World War II]," but he added that the placement in the municipal area has not been justified. The Colorado Times, a local Korean newspaper, claimed that the Japanese government pressured the city government and council members on the issue, insisting that the matter is between Korea and Japan. The labor unions of Korea's three major car manufacturers Hyundai, Kia and GM Korea filed a petition to the National Assembly on Wednesday to push back the retirement age of workers. But young staff at the automakers then wrote to Cheong Wa Dae saying they oppose the idea. The unions insist that a later retirement age is inevitable due to longer life expectancy and a rapidly aging population. But the young employees argue it would squeeze jobs available for young people even tighter amid record youth unemployment. With the transition to electric vehicles, job cuts on production lines look increasingly inevitable, and now the issue has divided workers along generational lines. The unions have persistently demanded raising the retirement age from 60 to 65, when workers become eligible for the national pension. "When people are forced to retire at a physically active age, they face greater financial pressure in later age, and we expect a shortage of labor in future due to the low birthrate," the unions wrote. "Companies can create more value-added products with a seasoned labor force." The state-run Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute has punished an expert who wrote a report saying the release of contaminated water from Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant will have only a miniscule impact on Korea. The expert, identified only by his surname Hwang, worked for the Korean Nuclear Society and wrote a report in August last year which concluded that even if Japan releases all of the contaminated water stored in the destroyed power plant compound over a one-year period without dilution, it would only lead to a radiation exposure dose of just one-three hundred millionth of the annual limit allowed per person. After the report was published in April this year, KAERI accused Hwang of writing it without the authorization of his director and reprimanded him. Hwang published a similar report in a scholarly journal in September last year along with his colleagues, but the contribution was withdrawn a month later for unspecified reasons. Contaminated water released into the ocean from Fukushima is carried by currents around the Pacific Ocean before arriving in Korea, and other experts have pointed out that the impact would be minimal. The fact that Japan must handle the release of the contaminated water in a transparent manner is one thing and scientific studies of its impact are another. The Korean Nuclear Society revealed the crux of the report in April and called on the Japanese government to allow Korean nuclear experts to take part in the monitoring of the released water. But the Korean government must have played a role if Hwang was reprimanded anyway. The previous head of KAERI stepped down in November 2018 with 16 months left in his tenure. There are rumors that he irked government officials by presenting a position at the National Assembly that countered President Moon Jae-in's nuclear phaseout policy. How can scientists be pressured to hide facts that may not be in line with the government's view? How can a country that suppresses science possibly prosper? The mad cow-disease panic that gripped Korea years ago was triggered by similar gross exaggeration of scientific data to fit political aims. Now the same thing is happening with Korea's nuclear power industry. The same political forces that stoked the BSE panic are in power now. Science should transcend politics, and the only rebuttal should be hard data. These fanatics who are patting themselves on the back because Korea was invited to peep into the meeting rooms of the G7 last week must remember that it was science and technology that raised the country's status in the world, not bigotry. Ambassadors visit CPC memorial to learn of China stories By:Eastday | From:english.eastday.com | 2021-06-17 18:15 A delegation of ambassadors from more than 40 countries learnt the history of the Communist Party of China during a visit to the Memorial of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China on June 16. In the eyes of Gabonese Ambassador to China, Baudelaire Ndong Ella, the memorial is very important. That makes me realize that the CPC is still working hard to improve the wellbeing of China, he added. Having read several books about China, Baudelaire Ndong Ella used three words to describe the Party: solid, successful and unbending. Having been working in China for three years, he said Chinas stories are inspiring for people in Gabon. Selim Belortaja, Albanian Ambassador to China, felt it is a special moment to review the CPCs history as this year marks the CPCs centenary. China is functioning well in all aspects even compared to some highly developed countries. If you fly and look down, you see the infrastructure of China. That is amazing and very impressive. The results are very obvious. The role of the CPC in all these achievements is obvious because it is the leading political force in China, said Selim Belortaja. After visiting the memorial, the delegation attended a special dialogue between the Party and political parties in other countries held on Wednesday evening. In the next few days, they will tour around Shanghai to learn more China stories and see how Shanghai is practicing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Story by Wang Xiaoyang, Zheng Qian Video by Ding Yihan Fudan scholars share views on Party after attending special dialogue By:Eastday | From:english.eastday.com | 2021-06-17 19:25 Attending in person or online on June 16, more than 740 guests from about 100 countries took part in a special thematic dialogue between the Party and other political parties in other countries. At a branch venue in Fudan University, teachers and students coming from both Chinese and foreign countries listened to the dialogue, where representatives from the Management Committee of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, Shanghai Construction Group (SCG), Liwayway China, the Baoxing Neighborhood Committee of Waitan Sub-district in Huangpu, and Shanghai-based firm Bilibili, gave themed speeches respectively. Some of the audience members in Fudan University shared their feelings about the meeting. From the perspective of academia, Prof. Cosimo Bambi from Italy commented that Chinas biggest change over the past decades has been the shift of its development focus from quantity to quality. He is now a Xie Xide Junior Chair Professor at the Department of Physics at Fudan University. In his eyes, Shanghai is a well-developed place. Whats more, he noted that the local government is spending more on higher education and research, thus providing more opportunities for researchers, especially for younger people. Now studying for her doctors degree at the School of International Relations and Public Affairs, Francesca Ran Rositudottir from Iceland is interested in the growth story of Bilibili, a Chinese video streaming website. As a frequent user of Bilibili, she likes to watch anime, TV series and variety shows on the platform. She can speak fluent Mandarin and knows a lot of Internet memes. Her Chinese name is Tian Yi. During the COVID-19 outbreak last year, Francesca happened to be travelling in Yunnan province. Although her parents wanted her to return to Iceland, she had her own ideas. From what she saw and heard in China, she believed that it may be safer to stay in the country. As she said, that was because people responded to the call of the Communist Party of China and the government and strictly implemented various anti-epidemic regulations. It has been proved that her judgment was correct. In her opinion, the Chinese nation has a strong national cohesion and pioneering spirit, and China keeps developing and has achieved world-renowned achievements under the leadership of the CPC. People from different fields telling their own stories, that reflects the development of Shanghai. This form of storytelling is very good, said Huang Yujie of the dialogue. A senior student from the Department of Chinese Language and Literature of Fudan University, she has recently worked as a volunteer for the tenth China Flower Expo. After learning that the participating ambassadors from other countries were to visit the Expo, she was very confident that they would be surprised by what Chongming looks like. Story by Wang Xiaoyang Translation: Wu Qiong New Braunfels, TX (78130) Today A mix of clouds and sun. High near 95F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 75F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Woburn, MA (01801) Today A steady rain this morning. Showers continuing this afternoon. Cooler. High 67F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.. Tonight Cloudy with showers. Low 58F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%. As the energy crisis in Texas deepens , millions of people have no electricity, heating, or even running water. In the end, although millions of Texans who did not have access to the severe cold have restored electricity, they were destroyed The nightmar... Birds of a feather: San Jose Mayor Liccardo and CA Rep. Eric Swalwell look forward to nuking your right to keep and bear arms. "Nearly two weeks after a gunman fatally shot nine coworkers at a San Jose light rail yard, the mayor of Northern California's most populous city is proposing first-of-its-kind gun safety restrictions that would require gun owners in the city to obtain insurance and pay an annual fee to cover the cost of gun violence," CNN "reports." I put "reports" in quotation marks because even though the story is presented as news, it's really an advocacy piece, the first telltale sign being the editorial assertion that these latest infringements have anything to do with "gun safety." To give the pretext of "balance," several paragraphs down in the article CNN quoted Gun Owners of California executive director Sam Parades raising preemption objectives, noting California law supposedly precludes cities from enacting their own "gun control" edicts. He's right, of course, but laws can be changed by Democrat majorities. Besides, Liccardo's going after bigger fish, 'the Supreme Law of the Land." "The Second Amendment protects the right of Americans to own guns but does not require that every other taxpayer pays for that right," San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo misdirects. "Requiring gun users to pay fees will help fund critical emergency medical and police response and reduce our taxpayers' burdens." "The reality is the public taxpayers are footing the bill for those that choose to own guns," CNN anchor Ana Cabrera dutifully quotes the mayor via Twitter. "It's appropriate that if gun owners believe in the importance of this right then they pay for the costs of the guns incur on the public." ..... INDIANAPOLIS, June 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Noodle, the country's fastest-growing online learning network, announced a partnership with Butler University, named the Midwest Region's #1 Most Innovative School by U.S. News & World Report. The partnership will build on Butler's strategy of increasing adult learners' access to higher education by immediately launching three online programs with plans for adding more in the near future. With an aggressive rollout, Butler will offer three online graduate degrees in Spring 2022: a Master of Business Administration (MBA), a Master of Science in Strategic Communication, and a Master of Science (MS) in Data Analytics. As Butler looks to expand the University's impact through its new strategic direction, Butler Beyond, the partnership will lead to a wide array of additional online programs, aligning with Butler's mission of innovating in an ever-evolving academic world. Innovation is, in fact, a Butler hallmark: in March 2021, the University announced it had received a nearly $10 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through Charting the Future for Indiana's Colleges and Universities, a statewide initiative. Lilly Endowment designed Charting the Future to help Indiana's 38 colleges and universities "engage in thoughtful discernment about the future of their institutions and advance strategic planning and implementation efforts to address key challenges and opportunities." An earlier Charting the Future planning grant helped Butler research, identify and prioritize the needs it wanted to address. A portion of funding from the latest Charting the Future grant will support the University's efforts to address the needs of both adult learners and employers. "We are excited to help Butler University build on its reputation for academic excellence and become a vibrant online destination," notes Noodle CEO John Katzman. "I founded Noodle to provide world-class online programs that meet adult learners' needs. Butler's ambitious plan will increase access and improve students' and communities' quality of life." "Butler University recognizes that different learners have different needs, and may require different models of education," Butler University President James M. Danko said. "As an institution of higher education, we are committed to embracing and supporting learners of all life stages and backgrounds. I'm confident that these newly created online graduate programs will prove to be popular with adult learners who value a high-quality Butler University education that can be delivered in a manner that accommodates their extremely busy work-life schedules." Information about Butler's graduate and online programs, including the three new programs that will launch next year, is available at www.butler.edu/graduate-professional. About Butler University: Butler University is a nationally recognized comprehensive university encompassing six colleges: Arts, Business, Communication, Education, Liberal Arts & Sciences, and Pharmacy & Health Sciences. Approximately 4,600 undergraduate and 800 graduate students are enrolled at Butler, representing 45 states and 30 countries. More than 75 percent of Butler students will participate in some form of internship, and Butler students have had significant success after graduation, as demonstrated by the University's 98 percent placement rate within six months of graduation. The University was recently listed as the No. 1 regional university in the Midwest, according to the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings, in addition to being included in The Princeton Review's annual "best colleges" guidebook. About Noodle: Support Local Journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by making a contribution. Contribute Noodle is a certified B Corp that creates excellent online and agile programs that elevate campus-wide teaching and technology. Since January 2019, Noodle has launched as many online programs with elite US universities as have all of our competitors combined. Our network of universities, higher education leaders, providers and students fuel innovation and efficiency in learning design, marketing, recruitment, technology, student and faculty support, and clinical placement. For more information, visit partners.noodle.com and follow us on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/noodleeducation and Twitter @NoodleEducation. MEDIA CONTACT: Renee Young Noodle 914-523-5320 ryoung@noodle.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/butler-university-invests-in-online-graduate-degrees-for-adult-learners-through-collaboration-with-noodle-301314047.html SOURCE Noodle CROWN POINT The new Lake County Judicial Nominating Commission is continuing to come together. On Wednesday, the Lake County Commissioners unanimously appointed three of the six voting members to the panel that evaluates and recommends judicial candidates to the governor when there's a vacancy on the Lake Superior Court bench. The individuals selected were: Alfredo Estrada, a partner at the Burke Costanza & Carberry law firm in Merrillville; Brandy Darling, Lake County deputy prosecutor; and Aimbrell Holmes, Gary city court administrator. WATCH NOW: Casinos drop face mask requirement for vaccinated guests They join Indiana Supreme Court Justice Mark Massa, the commission chairman who doesn't vote except in case of ties, and three other members yet to be named by Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb. Records show Darling and Holmes both were members of the nine-member Lake County Judicial Nominating Commission that was reconstituted this year by the Republican-controlled General Assembly in House Enrolled Act 1453. Support Local Journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by making a contribution. Contribute Previously, half the commission members were selected by Lake County lawyers and judges, instead of by the governor who also fills a judicial vacancy by selecting a candidate from the list recommended by the nominating commission. Lake County voters then decide two years later whether to retain the new judge for a renewable six-year term. WATCH NOW: Riding Shotgun with NWI Cops Patrolling Lowell with Cpl. Aaron Crawford Democratic Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. last month filed a federal lawsuit seeking to do away with the judicial nominating commissions in Lake, St. Joseph, Allen and Marion counties. McDermott claims it's unconstitutional for the General Assembly to mandate gubernatorial appointment of criminal, civil and juvenile court judges in four counties with large minority populations when Hoosiers living in Indiana's 88 other counties all elect their superior court judges. Meet the 2021 Northwest Indiana legislative delegation LANSING All of Al Phillips's professional career has been spent with the Lansing Police Department. Now he gets to lead it. WATCH NOW: Riding Shotgun with NWI Cops Patrolling Lowell with Cpl. Aaron Crawford After more than two decades in the department, Phillips was sworn in as police chief at Tuesday night's village board meeting. He replaces Dennis Murrin Jr., who retired in January. Phillips grew up across the state line in Lake Village. He joined the Lansing department as an officer 23 years ago, "(When) Chief Dan McDevitt came in," Phillips said, "he created a rotating detective position that really sparked my career." Since then, Phillips has served in a variety of roles, including patrol sergeant, working in emergency preparedness, patrol lieutenant and detective lieutenant. He said his interest in leading the department grew out of his most recent stint in investigations. His goals going forward? "One of the biggest things is to continue to work on community policing, community relations and getting out with the public," Phillips said. He hopes to establish regular "Chat with the chief" listening sessions. "I'm looking to make this a little more hands-on," he said. "'You want to talk to the chief of police? Here I am.'" Support Local Journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by making a contribution. Contribute Making sure the department is adequately staffed is another priority, along with working with the village's Human Relations Commission on diversity and inclusion. Lansing is one of the Chicago area's more diverse communities. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimate from 2019, the village is 43% black, 37% while and 17% Hispanic. "Let's work together instead of butting heads with one another," Phillips said. Lansing Mayor Patty Eidam, a former police officer in the village, said she is "really, really happy that we could choose an individual from within." Eidam, who said there were more than 100 applicants for the job, noted Phillips's support within the department. "There were 35 officers there to see him sworn in," she said. Also on hand was Robert Collins, a Lansing resident and the police chief in Dolton, who was named to the Police and Fire Commission. "He's a huge, huge asset," Eidam said. "He has a background that's going to be very valuable moving forward." Gallery: The Times Photos of the Week Press Release June 17, 2021 De Lima thanks Canadian Senators, int'l organizations for expressing concern over her continued unjust detention Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima is grateful to international leaders and organizations who recently expressed their solidarity with her by condemning her continued political persecution and calling for her immediate release. In separate letters, De Lima extended her gratitude to Canadian Senators Marilou McPhedran and Leo Housakos and Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) President Duarte Pacheco. In thanking McPhedran, De Lima wrote, "I am writing to extend my most sincere appreciation for your recent call condemning my current unjust situation as a persecuted Senator and woman human rights defender. I laud your boundless bravery in lending your voice to amplify awareness on my indefinite detention due to trumped-up drug charges." "Your recent motion at the Senate of Canada to 'condemn the Philippine government's unjust and arbitrary detention of Senator Leila M. de Lima' places a global spotlight on my situation and highlights the urgent need for continuing vigilance of the international community on what is happening in our country," De Lima added. De Lima told Housakos that "I am indeed indebted to you, dear Senator, for your unwavering and continuous support for my plight." Recently, McPhedran filed Motion No. 75 before the House of Commons of Canada condemning the wrongful imprisonment of De Lima. The said motion was supported by Housakos, who, like McPhedran, delivered a speech expressing support for the Filipina Senator. In her letter to Pacheco, meanwhile, De Lima said she appreciates IPU's "unfaltering commitment in calling for my immediate release and for tirelessly condemning my unjust situation as a legislator, prisoner of conscience, and woman rights defender under the Duterte administration." During its 207th session conducted virtually last May 25, the IPU Governing Council approved a nine-point recommendation by the IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians, including, among others, a call for De Lima's freedom and an appeal to ensure that she benefits from the Senate's move towards teleconferencing. The lady Senator from Bicol said the support she continues to receive from international leaders like McPhedran and Housakos and groups like IPU continues to strengthen her resolve. "All of your support further lifts my spirit to continue pushing for our shared causes of promoting democracy, defending the rule of law and upholding human rights," De Lima told McPhedran. "I remain strong, inspired and motivated to continue to fight for our common causes because I know that I have the support of a majority of the Filipino people and the international community as well, including parliamentarians all over the world such as your good self. This knowledge gives me inspiration and motivation," she told Housakos. De Lima told Pacheco that it "humbles" her that IPU has maintained its dedication in monitoring her case and believing in her innocence, adding that "your dedication inspires me to remain undeterred in pushing for our common causes and advocacies." In a separate statement, De Lima also thanked the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) for their steadfast resolve to ensure that she gets the justice she deserves. "Through the years, members of APHR have stood by me and I can never thank you enough for your continued trust and support for our shared causes for human rights, justice and democracy," she said. In a Twitter post last June 14, APHR wrote: "Solidarity from MPs across the world. Canada's @SenMarilou and @SenatorHousakos repeat calls for the immediate release of APHR member @SenLeiladeLimain #Philippines @FreeLeilaNow#MPsAtRisk." Press Release June 17, 2021 Dispatch from Crame No. 1,077: Sen. Leila M. de Lima on the Duterte Government's Protests Against the ICC The hypocrisy of the Duterte Administration is again exemplified by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque in his condemnation of the ICC investigation as requested by former ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda. The presidential spox does protest too much, considering that through the years, his principal has invariably admitted to ordering the murders committed by his death squads, first in Davao, then in the whole country. In fact, a great part of the evidence mentioned by Bensouda that made her arrive at the OTP's conclusions is none other than Duterte's public declarations. If only Duterte has shut his mouth, there might not even be an OTP preliminary examination. But no. Because Duterte cannot be humble about his murders, it would have been foolish for anybody in any international investigation body not to consider Duterte's public declarations ordering the summary execution of drug suspects as prima facie evidence of the fact that indeed the killings have been precipitated by Duterte's own policies and orders to conduct the systematic attack on civilians, criminals or not. Roque cannot blame anyone else but his own boss who cannot be humble about the fact that he is a murderer, he just has to shout it out to the world every so often. And now that the world has taken notice, all this breast-beating that would shame even the worst dramatic actors cannot but amuse all of us. Hindi lang pang-Famas ang acting ni Roque. Pang Oscars pa. Best Dramatic Actor in an Overacting Role. Mahiya ka Roque. Abogado ka pa naman. Sa dami ng beses na pag-amin ni Duterte, kahit anong korte sa mundo ay kaya na siyang husgahan ng isandaang beses. Huwag kang OA. Perhaps what is most telling about Bensouda's Report is that the OTP had already taken steps to preserve the evidence it has so far gathered. I am fairly certain that this would include protecting the witnesses it had already talked to, including former DDS hitmen. This only goes to show how insipidly pretentious is Menardo Guevarra's DOJ investigation of the drug war killings. Five years into the murders and thousands of deaths since, Guevarra still has to file even just one percent of the so-called "death under investigation" cases in court. Guevarra's so-called drug death investigations are nothing but a show for the UNHCHR, while everybody knows who the real masterminds are: Guevarra's own boss, his police chief executioners and their social media enablers. This brings us to this government's protestations on the issue of complementarity. Roque poured his heart, guts, and oily sweat out in saying that there is nothing more painful to a Filipino lawyer than to hear that the Philippine justice system is not working. Bravo Harry. If not politics, definitely you have a future in the movies. We all know that Duterte and all his police chiefs are not being investigated by any domestic institution. Not by the Ombudsman, much less the DOJ. The one case that has been filed against Duterte by former DDS executioner Edgar Matobato has been dismissed by the Ombudsman on the ground of presidential immunity, without said office even filing an impeachment case against Duterte as mandated under the Ombudsman Act. In my own case, the Supreme Court has said that I have no legal remedy against Duterte when he destroyed my reputation and continues to libel me. How can your justice system, Harry, be working when it cannot even uphold the basic Republican principles of democracy and equality, but instead has ensconced the Duterte royalty in Malacanang Palace, free to ruin any person without any consequences whatsoever? There is no other recourse, when every institutional safeguard created by the Constitution to protect the people from a murderous President and his murdering police and collaborator officials have entirely and absolutely failed to deliver justice to thousands of dead human beings. That is what the ICC is for. It is not to go after every inconsequential Tom, Dick and Harry who pulled the trigger, but to run down 'til kingdom come the masterminds behind them: the presidents, the dictators, their generals and ministers. In short, the ICC is there to go after the highest officials who get away with crimes against humanity precisely because they have caused the justice system in their own country to fail, deliberately and absolutely, so that they can get away with murder. And in that instance, any court of law in any nation that is minded to can, as a matter of international law, proceed against them as enemies of mankind, like pirates, like terrorists, like genocidal maniacs. Because they are monsters among men, they do not deserve to live among us, but in a cage on an island of their own. ### (Access the handwritten version, here: https://issuu.com/senatorleilam.delima/docs/dispatch_from_crame_no._1077) Press Release June 17, 2021 Bong Go pushes for Rental Housing Subsidy Act to help poor and displaced families get proper housing and alleviate homelessness in the country Senator Christopher "Bong" Go seeks to address homelessness in the country through the passage of his proposed measure, Senate Bill No. 1227, or the Rental Housing Subsidy Program Act of 2019. "Hangarin ko na wala nang squatter sa sariling bayan. Gusto kong magkaroon ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino ng isang maayos at disenteng bahay," said Go who is the Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Housing. The Senator emphasized that the continuing onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the situation of Filipinos living in congested urban centers, particularly in Metro Manila and other big cities, and has brought not only health problems but also adverse economic effects which resulted to poor quality of life. "This dilemma resulted in a host of other issues, such as poverty, inequality, hunger and malnutrition, as well as lack of sustainable livelihoods, among others," the Senator pointed out. "Sa pag-iikot ko at pagbibigay tulong sa mga kababayan nating nasunugan, I have witnessed, first-hand, the worsening situation of the lives of our fellow Filipinos, especially those who have no permanent place to call home," he added. Go lamented that many homeless families are either living in shelters, temporary housing or, worse, in the streets, adding that Filipinos deserve decent homes where they can feel safe and secure. "Ngayon na patuloy ang paglaban natin sa pandemic, mas lumala pa ang kalagayan nila. Madalas, mas takot pa ang ating mga kababayan na mawalan ng matitirahan kaysa magkaroon ng COVID-19," he said. "Hindi po ito tama. Every Filipino family deserves a decent home and not one at the expense of their health and safety," Go added. The need to address housing woes in the country, said Go, prompted him to file SBN 1227. "Now, more than ever, we need to provide homes for displaced families and help them sustain livelihoods by offering various options during the interim process of construction and relocation," he said. Senate Bill No. 1227 or the Rental Housing Subsidy Program Act of 2019 aims to establish a housing and social protection program with the end view of enabling Informal Settler Beneficiaries to lead decent lives by supporting them in accessing the formal housing market by offering a rental subsidy. This shall also be made an option to address the temporary relocation of displaced families due to natural and man-made disasters. Amid the ongoing pandemic, Go's team continues to aid communities in crisis situations particularly in instances where homes are lost due to fires and calamities. "Isa sa mga pagsubok na nakikita ko sa aking pag-iikot ang kakulangan ng maayos na tirahan na nagreresulta sa mas malalang mga problema ngayon tulad ng sunog, mabilis na pagkalat ng sakit, at kakulangan ng critical services," he lamented further. "Pero huwag kayo mag-alala dahil kahit saang sulok kayo ng Pilipinas, basta nasunugan, nabahaan o tinamaan kayo ng lindol, pupuntahan ko kayo para magbigay ng tulong, pakinggan ang inyong mga hinaing at mag-iwan ng ngiti sa oras ng inyong pagdadalamhati," reassured Go. Based on this proposed measure, the amount of the subsidy will be determined by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development. It will be a percentage of the total amount of rentals as determined by the rental or lease contract between the eligible beneficiary and the lessor. For eligible beneficiaries below the poverty threshold as determined by the Philippine Statistics Authority, the subsidy will be at least 50 percent of the total amount of rentals. The Senator also assured that he and President Rodrigo Duterte will fight for the right of all Filipinos to have decent homes. "Uulitin ko po: Hangga't andito po ako susubukan kong magkaroon ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino ng isang maayos at disenteng tirahan," assured Go. "Pangako po ito naming dalawa ng Pangulong Duterte, bigyan ng mas maginhawang buhay ang bawat Pilipino, lalong lalo na po ang mga mahihirap," he added. He also commended the Committee of Urban Planning, Housing, and Resettlement, chaired by Senator Francis Tolentino, for tackling vital measures to alleviate the burden of poverty-stricken and homeless Filipinos amidst the pandemic during a committee hearing on June 16. Aside from the Rental Subsidy Act, also tackled during the hearing were SBNs 2248, 2140, and 2098 which propose to strengthen the National Housing Authority. During the start of the 18th Congress, Go also filed SBN 203, entitled "National Housing Development, Production and Financing Act of 2019", which aims to institutionalize a program to address the housing needs of Filipinos by generating and mobilizing sustainable funds for housing, and encouraging public and private sector participation in the said program. Earlier, he called for renewed support for the measure, acknowledging that many Filipinos want to relocate back to their home provinces after the COVID-19 pandemic. "Nananawagan po ako sa mga kapwa kong mambabatas na suportahan ang NHDPF Act. Makakatulong din ito sa ating mga kababayan na gustong umuwi sa kanilang mga probinsya pagkatapos ng COVID-19 pandemic," Go said. Go is also the main proponent of the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program (BP2) which is a long-term plan of the government to decongest urban areas, boost countryside development, and improve quality of life in all regions. BP2 roll-outs are presently temporarily suspended due to the pandemic and shall resume once conditions are deemed safe. However, preparations by local government units and partner agencies are underway. Press Release June 17, 2021 Hontiveros issues ultimatum to ERC over "anomalous, exorbitant" WACC rates Senator Risa Hontiveros has issued an ultimatum to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to act on the "anomalous and exorbitant" rate of the weighted average cost of capital (WACC). The senator says these computations have been adding up to the consumer's electricity bill for five long years. The senator says the agency has been remiss in lowering the charge for WACC to fair and realistic levels since 2015. "Limang taon na tayong tinataga sa pasentimo-sentimong singil nitong WACC. Dapat matagal nang natugunan ng ERC ang hinaing na pababain yan sa isang makatarungang presyo. Abot ng milyones kapag pinagsama-sama ang lahat ng nakulekta nila. ERC, get your shop in order," Hontiveros said. The senator insists, WACC rates, which are basically the return a company expects on the capital it has invested in a business, should have been lowered much earlier in order to temper other new arising issues of power rate hike and adjustments amidst the pandemic. The statement comes as the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) claimed a price increase could allegedly be in the offing if more ancillary services or reserves were requested for the grid. "Naghigpit ng ang sinturon ng lahat, lalo na ngayong pandemya. At imbes na makatulong, lalo pa raw tayong pahihirapan ng NGCP pagdating sa pagdukot sa ating mga bulsa. Maraming paraan para maibaba pa ang napakamahal na presyo ng kuryente sa ating bansa, pero mas hinihintay pa yata ng ERC ang isang consultant na hindi pa nila ma-hire kaysa pakinggan na lang ang hinaing ng mga kababayan nila," Hontiveros stressed. "The ERC should have already acted on reducing the excessive WACC rate of 15% for NGCP and 14.97% for Meralco, which are way higher compared to the WACCs of Indonesia at 2.3%, Malaysia at 7.5% and Thailand at 7.2%. All the more that we should start the investigation on the cost structure of electricity in our country under the ERC and the failed promises of EPIRA to reduce power costs," she added. She adds, once it is proven that the NGCP failed to comply with the transmission development plan despite raking in profits through the WACC under the transmission charges, then the government should consider taking back the whole transmission sector of the power industry, which according to her, "should not have been privatized in the first place". Hontiveros said that a system of strict oversight must be established so that only individuals who possess utmost integrity, discipline and professionalism would be allowed to operate the national power grid. "Taking back control of our main power grid system requires a system of strict oversight by the state. It also entails choosing the right people to manage the whole system. Abuses and corruption are not and should never be tolerated, whether you are from the private or public sector. Let's reclaim our interest in our national power grid," Hontiveros concluded. Pangilinan wants govt to shoulder swab testing of all inbound passengers THE national government should shoulder the cost of swab tests requirements for all inbound passengers, especially returning Filipinos, to spare them from incurring additional expenses, Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan said Thursday. The senator pointed out that people are already financially burdened by the pandemic and requiring them to shell out hard-earned money for testing is unwarranted. Also, Pangilinan said private testing companies -- and their corrupt backers in government -- seem to be profiting from the said requirement, at the expense of the public. "Bakit hinahayaan ng gobyerno na pinagkakakitaan ang proteksyon sa ating kalusugan?" Pangilinan asked. "Mas mainam na sagutin na ng pamahalaan ang swab test ng lahat ng inbound passengers, lalo na ng ating OFWs, para mabawasan ang kanilang pinansiyal na pasanin," he added. Pangilinan said the national government should follow the lead of Cebu province, which provides free swab tests to returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs). Earlier, Pangilinan backed the Cebu provincial government's double-swabbing policy for ROFs, saying the process should be implemented nationwide. "I believe it is an efficient and cost-effective way of managing the spread of the virus given the current situation. It is worth adapting as a national policy," Pangilinan said in an earlier statement. The Cebu Provincial Board passed an Ordinance that does away with mandatory 14-day facility quarantine for ROFs following a negative Covid-19 RT-PCR test result upon arrival in Cebu. The swab test shall be free of charge and shall be made upon arrival in the province. Pending the results of the test, the returning overseas Filipino passenger shall be transferred to a pre-booked hotel for quarantine. If the test is negative, passengers will be allowed to continue their 14-day quarantine at home, where they will be tested on the seventh day from the arrival. 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. Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries Manufacturers, Julphar, based in the UAE, has announced it sold its 51 per cent stake in Alpha Pharma, a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia, Zawya reports. The company announced the transaction to be completed in the third quarter of 2021, in in a disclosure to the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX). The operation will reduce Julphar Groups consolidated total assets by 10 percent to 12 percent. The management does not expect a material impact [of the sale] on the operations of the Group, the company said. Julphar and Cigalah Group launched in 2017 Alpha Pharma in the Saudi city of King Abdullah Economic City. The health care distributor produces up to 1 billion tablets, 300 million capsules and 30 million bottles of syrups and suspensions per year. Jordanian security forces have nabbed outlawed Member of Parliament Osama Al-Ajarmeh following an arrest warrant issue against him by the kingdoms top public Prosecutor, reports say. The arrest took place Wednesday at the demand of the top prosecutor, interior minister Mazen Al-Faraya told state-news agency. Al Ajarmeh, member of the lower house of the Jordanian parliament has been under the scrutiny of the countrys security apparatus after making some comments believed offensive towards King Abdellah II. The lawmaker was early this month expelled from the legislature after the house revoked his immunity for poor conduct. He also raised eyebrows after he was seen in a video insulting King Abdullah II while carrying a sword and a gun in a shoulder holster. He reportedly said: If I had a gun, I would kiss his forehead with a bullet. Days after a street sign bearing his name was burned down, COTU secretary general Francis Atwoli has spoken on a different matter, this time the 2022 elections. Atwoli, speaking in Nakuru, has declared that under no circumstance will the country go to the next election before we hold a referendum to determine the fate of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI). One month ago, the High Court declared BBI process null and void, but the government has filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal. The matter threatens to go all the way to the Supreme Court, which would cause even more delays, further derailing its proponents schedule. The biggest challenge is of course the 2022 election, and at this current speed, it appears that the anti-BBI group will win. However, Atwoli has likely revealed what himself and other political schemers are planning postponing the elections by 1 year to give more time to the BBI referendum. If something happens and we dont get it, we will move to the Supreme Court. If we cant get it, then we will have to start it afresh and we will appeal our parliamentarians to extend the election by an year, he declared. He spoke like a man with privy knowledge of the schemes being drawn up by Uhurus allies. What I know for sure is that BBI will be there and if there will be no BBI, this one I can tell you with authority, we will look into an issue of making sure that we have BBI before we go for elections. We want peace in this country.. I dont want to talk too much because everything is in court. We will wait and I know the court will determine because the ruling, according to me, had nothing to do with BBI, he said. Atwolis statements will undoubtedly be very unpopular, and perhaps add to the reasons why Kenyans do want him honored with a street name in Nairobi. Following the death of billionaire tycoon Chris Kirubi, stories have been emerging about his impact on the many people he interacted with. The businessman was evidently a social butterfly who interacted with among others: the high and mighty, activists like Boniface Mwangi, and people you would least expect from someone of his class. One such person was Huddah Monroe, the often controversial nude model turned entrepreneur. Apparently, Chris Kirubi played a role in transforming Huddah from just another sex symbol with questionable sources of wealth to a business-savvy CEO. Huddah disclosed that she often met Kirubi at the airport during her many travels around the world. In one such encounter, Kirubi upgraded her air ticket to first class. He also asked her what she did for a living and as you would expect, Huddah didnt have a definite answer. This man used to see me in Business Class, in almost all my travels. Theres no first-class lounge in NBO(Nairobi) so yall sit there in the Business Class lounge waiting for the Emirates flight. When he asked what I do for a living, I didnt have an answer. He proceeded to upgrade me to first class, she shared on social media. The 29-year-old added that she had a lengthy talk with Kirubi which motivated her to start her eponymous cosmetics line. We had a lengthy talk coz I like to ask and learn from people. And I am happy that he was part of what inspired me to start Huddah Cosmetics, she said. Huddah was also unashamedly smitten by Chris Kirubi; in 2018 she revealed she was in love with him and always wanted to marry him. She was reacting to a post shared by the billionaire, advising men not to buy flowers for their women as they could wither but instead buy them a tree. H-Town Kids, an ensemble of talented children from Huruma slums in Nairobi, are making international waves after they were featured on CNN. The kids have Larry Madowo to thank in part after the CNN journalist waxed lyrical about their recent production on his socials earlier this month. The Huruma Town Kids are known for their creative and unique video parodies, and they recently recreated a report by Larry Madowo on the state of the tourism sector in Kenya. These @hurumatown80 kids have done it again! This is the coolest thing to ever happen to any story Ive ever done, Larry Madowo captioned a video on June 7. A week later, Huruma Town Kids gained a global audience after they were featured on CNNs One World hosted by news anchor Zain Asher. The talented kids brilliantly re-enacted Madowos piece. The group is called H-Town Kids, they are based in Nairobi and they recreate all sorts of things such as music videos and celebrity photos, Asher noted. Larry Madowo was once again full of praise for H Town Kids as they marked yet another feat. The @hurumatown80 kids made it to CNN! They recreated my story and then CNN aired their version! Theyre brilliant and Im glad the whole world got to see their work. Happy Day of the African Child to them, he shared. The Huruma kids made it to CNN! The brilliant @HTownKidsKE made a parody of my CNN story then CNN aired it and it was perfect pic.twitter.com/0wCb2jSDfF Larry Madowo (@LarryMadowo) June 16, 2021 The CNN feature comes barely a month after H Town Kids caught the eye of American record producer DJ Khaled. Taking to social media, DJ Khaled lauded Huruma Town Kids for recreating scenes from his music video for Let It Go featuring Justin Bieber and 21 Savage. Bless up @hurumatown80 bless up the young world ! #LETITGO @djkhaled @justinbieber @21savage. Fan love the love is felt worldwide, the producer wrote. Students who witnessed the murder of their colleague at Mount Kenya University have been placed under a guidance and counselling programme. In a statement Wednesday, the Principal in charge of School Affairs, Peter Waweru, said the affected students would be closely monitored to help them cope with the traumatic incident. He said the students have also been accomodated in the institution as they undergo counselling. All the affected students including those that witnessed the grotesque incident, have all been taken under guidance and counseling, Waweru said. Adding: Some of the affected students were residing outside of the main campus when the incident happened and thus the University has accorded them accommodation in the University hostel for free and for an unlimited amount of time just to closely monitor and ensure all their counseling needs are being met and observed closely. During the Monday night incident, an unidentified man killed Celestine Muthengei, a Second-Year student pursuing a Bachelors Degree in Community Development. Celestine was in a room with all her four roommates at a commercial hostel near the Thika-based university. The man who had a cap and a mask on arrived at the hostel at around 8 pm and asked to see Celestine. We allowed him in after he asked to see Celestine, said one of the roommates who thought the man was Celestines classmate. The man looked polite, sounded polite. No one would suspect he was up to no good. We even thought hed come to look for [study] notes. According to reports, Celestine did not immediately recognise the man, given he was in a mask and his cap had covered a part of his face. Media reports indicate that she told him: Ive heard you youre looking for Celestine; I am the one. Reportedly, the man responded: Ulidhani sitakupata. Unani-cheat (You thought I wont find you. Youve been cheating on me). He, thereafter, whipped out a kitchen knife from his coat pocket and stabbed her multiple times in the chest, back, head and arms, an unnamed source told the media. The attacker is also said to have locked the door from the inside, leaving Celestines roommates terrified. We feared hed turn on us. Our distress screams did not stop him from harming Celestine, said the student. The suspect then fled the scene leaving the victim in a pool of blood. The roommates said the man did not look like the deceaseds boyfriend. We had never seen him. We still dont know who he is, she said. Celestine Muthengei, 19, succumbed to her injuries shortly after admission to Thika Level Five Hospital. The Nairobi Metropolitan Services is blaming hackers for approval of at least 18 illegal buildings. NMS Director-General Mohamed Badi said that Nairobi Countys online development plan system was hacked into early this month, resulting in the approval of the buildings. According to Badi, the hackers were City Hall staff who colluded with outsiders. Some have since been arrested after the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) was brought on board to help with investigations. The hacking paved the way for illegal building approvals to be made and there were 18 illegal approvals done when the system was hacked into, forcing us to suspend it, said Mr Badi. The hackers are not strangers or outsiders but retired county staff who had access to the system and are now working with outsiders to do illegal approvals. Its unfortunate that desperate city residents landed in the hands of these conniving dealers and got illegal approvals, he added. Badi stated that the city will not allow the construction of the illegally approved buildings. City residents have suffered in the hands of conmen but unfortunately as NMS we will not allow a single building to go up without the proper approval by the technical committee on urban planning. We shall go for it and bring it down, he said. Meanwhile, he revealed that they have now sealed the loopholes in the system after a 2 weeks exercise. We handed over the e-construction system to the experts to look into the situation. It took us almost two weeks to close those loopholes, said Mr Badi. Inspector General of the Police Hillary Mutyambai has banned all police officers from using social media platforms to air grievances related to the police service. In recent months, videos of police officers expressing disappointment with their employer have gone viral on social media, embarrassing and putting pressure on the leadership. In a bid to stop that, the IG has forbidden the practice, terming it criminal. A memo signed by Mwangi Wanderi of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has been distributed to senior officers across the country. The Inspector General has noted with a lot of concern that officers have developed a habit of using social media to advance their grievances without exhausting the laid down channels which include quality assurance/complaint and gender offices at service headquarters and the internal affairs unit, Wanderi said in the Memo. According to the memo, it is an offence against discipline under section 6(w) chapter 30 of the standing orders, to disclose or convey any information on police matters without proper authority. Sharing information with the media whether verbally or otherwise must be done in accordance with the regulations. Serious disciplinary action will be taken against any police officers found abusing the use of social media and sharing information with the press without authority, he wrote. Police bosses across the country have been instructed to get the message out to their juniors. The whole of the Nairobi city centre is among areas that are set to experience dry taps for 24 hours. The Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company (NWSC) on Wednesday, June 16 said it will cut off water supply along the Uhuru Highway due to ongoing construction of the Expressway. This will facilitate interconnection of the new and old water pipelines on Uhuru highway between Museum Hill and KBC area to enable the release of the road median to the Expressway road contractor, part of the notice read. The water interruption commences on Thursday, June 17, at 6:00 am and ends on Friday, June 18 at 6:00 am. The areas to be affected include the whole of city centre, areas along Mombasa road, South B and South C areas and the neighbourhoods, University of Nairobi main campus, Coca Cola factory. Others are: University of Nairobi main campus, the Coca Cola factory, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, the whole Industrial Area, areas along Jogoo Road, City Stadium, Maringo, Bahati, Buruburu, and the surrounding areas. NCWSC MD Nahashon Muguna urged the affected city dwellers to use the available water sparingly as the utility company worked towards restoring the supply. According to a press release published by MBDA on June 17, 2021, the firm has been awarded a contract to equip the Brazilian Navys new Tamandare-class frigates with the Sea Ceptor air defence missile system. Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link Artist rendering of the future Tamandare-class frigates based on Meko A-100 class (Picture source: TKMS) Sea Ceptor is a smart weapon control system (WCS) that together with the fully-active Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM) provides comprehensive self-defence and local area air defence (LAAD). This will enable Brazils Tamandare-class frigates to protect themselves, consorts and fixed infrastructure against the full range of threat types at sea or in harbour, and in the most stressing operational scenarios. Sea Ceptor is in operational service with the Royal Navys Type 23 frigates, and has been selected for the new Type 26 and Type 31 frigates. Brazil joins Chile, New Zealand and Canada in a growing list of international Sea Ceptor users. The CAMM missile has also been delivered to the British Army in the Ground-Based Air Defence (GBAD) role. The Tamandare class is a new class of future general purpose frigates for the Brazilian Navy, based on the MEKO family of ships. The project is being developed by the Ministry of Defence and the Aguas Azuis consortium, composed of Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) and Embraer Defense & Security. The construction of the four planned frigates will begin in 2021 and are scheduled to be delivered between 2025 and 2028. The Tamandare-class frigate will be armed by OTO Melara 76 mm main gun, a Rheinmetall Sea Snake 30mm machine gun, two .50 machine guns, two triple Mark 46 anti-submarine torpedo launchers and two twin anti-ship missile launchers for MANSUP missile. The frigates will be powered by diesel engines and will have a hangar capable of operating an SH-60 Seahawk, Super Lynx Mk.21B or Eurocopter EC725. The Rheinmetall Sea Snake 30mm a versatile revolver gun designed specifically for maritime applications. [June 16, 2021] Colony Capital to Present Strategic Priorities and Rebrand as DigitalBridge at its Upcoming 2021 Investor Day Colony Capital, Inc. (NYSE:CLNY) ("Colony" or the "Company") today announced that the Company will be holding its inaugural Investor Day virtually on Tuesday, June 22, 2021 starting at 11:00 am ET. During the virtual event, investors will get exposure to the broadest, deepest team in digital infrastructure as the Company shares its strategic priorities, including: Next Chapter as DigitalBridge: Reflecting the significant business transformation the Company has undergone, Colony Capital will rebrand as DigitalBridge and begin trading under a new ticker DBRG, effective June 22, 2021 and will provide more background on the new name, rebrand and logo. Digital Infrastructure Opportunity: The Company's leadership team will outline the fast-growing digital infrastructure thematics DigitalBridge is levered to and provide insight into how it is executing on these opportunities - past, present, and into the future. Financial Overview: An update to the Company's medium and longer-term financial outlook and guidance. Buy vs Build: Where are the opportunities 'today' across a dynamic digital infrastructure landscape. To register and for additional information, please visit the event's site: DigitalBridge Investor Day or the Events Presentations page of the Shareholders section of the Company's website at www.clny.com About Colony Capital Colony Capital, Inc. (NYSE: CLNY) is a leading global investment firm with a heritage of identifying and capitalizing on key secular trends in real estate. Colony Capital, structured as a REIT, is headquartered in Boca Raton with key offices in Los Angeles, New York, London and Singapore. Cautionary Statement regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations, beliefs, projections, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "expects," "intends," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," or "potential" or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases which are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and which do not relate solely to historical matters. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control, and may cause actual results to differ significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. Factors that might cause such a difference include, without limitation, the timing and pace of the Company's digital transformation, including the Company's ability to rotate the balance sheet and redeploy capital into digital infrastructure, whether the Company will realize any of the anticipated benefits of such transformation, and other risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in Colony Capital's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, and its other reports filed from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements reflect the Company's good faith beliefs, assumptions and expectations, but they are not guarantees of future performance. Colony Capital cautions investors not to unduly rely on any forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Colony Capital is under no duty to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this press release, nor to conform prior statements to actual results or revised expectations, and Colony Capital does not intend to do so. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210616005979/en/ [ Back to the Next Generation Communications Community's Homepage ] Walmart Inc's Flipkart and Amazon.com Inc have filed legal challenges against the resumption of an antitrust investigation into their business practices, according to sources and a legal filing viewed by Reuters. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) launched an investigation in January last year after a complaint accused Flipkart and Amazon of promoting select sellers on their e-commerce platforms and using deep discounts to stifle competition. The companies have denied wrongdoing and near-immediate legal challenges from the pair stalled the investigation for more than a year until a court last week ruled it could resume, having dismissed arguments that the CCI lacked evidence. The fresh appeal from Flipkart filed on June 16, argues that decision by the Karnataka court to allow the probe to resume was erroneous and must be put on hold. "Irreparable injury will be caused to the appellant if the investigation was to continue pending the present appeal," the Flipkart filing, which was not made public but has been viewed by Reuters, said. It also urged the court to quash the initial CCI order for the investigation. Amazon has mounted a similar challenge, two sources familiar with the matter said. Both are likely to be heard by a two-judge panel this week, sources said. Flipkart and CCI did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Amazon declined to comment on its appeal. Sources told Reuters this week that the CCI planned to speed up the investigation as it increases its scrutiny of big-tech firms. The CCI plans to demand information from Flipkart and Amazon on the accusations "as quickly as possible", one source said. Such investigations usually run several months. Both Amazon and Flipkart are currently battling accusations from offline retailers that their complex business structures let them circumvent foreign investment rules for e-commerce. In February, a Reuters investigation based on Amazon documents showed it hadgiven preferential treatment for years to a small group of sellers on its Indian platform. Amazon has said it "does not give preferential treatment to any seller". Also Read: Karnataka HC rejects Amazon, Flipkart plea to quash antitrust investigation Also Read: How Amazon, Facebook, Apple, Google are shifting to hybrid work regimes Google's philanthropic arm Google.org announced on Thursday that it will provide Rs 109 crore ($15 million) to India to assist in the fight against coronavirus. The fund will be used to support procurement and installation of around 80 oxygen generation plants in healthcare facilities in high-need and rural locations. The funds will go to GiveIndia and PATH. The two organisations will oversee the oxygen programme and provide project management support. PATH, Google.org said, will identify the target locations and provide technical assistance and work with state governments as well as other authorities. The tech giant will also invest in Apollo Medskills' initiative to upskill 20,000 frontline health workers in COVID-19 management. Google.org aims to help the stressed rural health workforce and health systems. Google.org will also provide Rs 3.6 crore ($500,000) grant to non-profit ARMMAN that will run upskilling programmes for 180,000 Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and 40,000 Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) in 15 states. "Our hearts go out to those in India impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, and we continue to look for ways to help. Today @Googleorg will provide an additional $15.5 million to build oxygen generation plants and train healthcare workers in rural India," said CEO Sundar Pichai. Our hearts go out to those in India impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, and we continue to look for ways to help. Today @Googleorg will provide an additional $15.5 million to build oxygen generation plants and train healthcare workers in rural India. https://t.co/OzoKFe1n1c a Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) June 17, 2021 Country Head and VP, Sanjay Gupta said, "As the pandemic has unfolded in India, it's been humbling and inspiring to see individuals, communities, institutions, and governments work together to manage the impact of a crisis on a scale we haven't experienced before. Technology has played a critical role, and our focus at Google has been on making sure people have the information and tools they need to stay informed, connected, and safe." This round of grants come after Google.org announced Rs 135 crore ($18 million) in April to expand the reach of public health information campaigns and support emergency relief work. It said that as India emerges from the crisis, Google.org now turns its focus to strengthen India's healthcare infrastructure and workforce, especially in rural areas. Also read: Google saves $1 billion a year from WFH due to COVID-19 An First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against Patanjali co-founder Baba Ramdev in Raipur, Chhattisgarh for allegedly spreading "false" information regarding medicines used by the medical fraternity for COVID-19 treatment, according to police officials. The case was filed against Ramdev on Wednesday night. It is based on a complaint lodged by the Chhattisgarh's unit of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), according to Raipur's Senior Superintendent of Police Ajay Yadav. "Ramdev has been booked under sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and others of the IPC and provisions of Disaster Management Act, 2005," Yadav said, according to PTI. He further added that investigation in the case is currency underway. The individuals who had earlier filed the complaint against Ramdev include Chairman of Hospital Board IMA (CG) Dr Rakesh Gupta, IMA's Raipur President and Vikas Agrawal. The complaint registered against Ramdev stated that for the past one year, the yoga guru has been allegedly spreading false information against medicines being used by the medical fraternity, the government, ICMR, and other frontline organisations in COVID-19 treatment. The complaint states that there are various videos of Ramdev on social media in which he has made misleading remarks. "At a time when doctors, paramedical staff and all branches of government and administration have been together battling COVID-19, Ramdev has been allegedly misleading people about established and approved treatment methods," the complaint said. "During the investigation of the complaint, it was found that his statements amount to violation of the notification of the Chhattisgarh government dated March 13 last year," an official told the news agency. The state government notification in question had noted that no person, organisation or institution will use any print or electronic media for information regarding COVID-19 without prior permission of the state's Health Department. Chhattisgarh government had issued this notification in order to curb rumours and misinformation about COVID-19. Also Read: IMA vs Ramdev: Medical body challenges yoga guru for open debate Also read: Baba Ramdev vs IMA's Dr Lele: Yoga guru and shut ups The initial public offer (IPO) of Dodla Dairy has been subscribed 3.16 times on June 17, the second day of bidding. According to the subscription data available on the exchanges till 16:15 IST, the offer has received bids for 2,69,00,125 equity shares against the IPO size of over 85,07,569 equity shares. Dodla Dairy IPO offer comprises a fresh issue of up to Rs 50 crore and an offer for sale of up to 1,09,85,444 equity shares by promoters and investors. The price band for the offer has been fixed at Rs 421-428 per equity share. The offer for sale consists of 92 lakh equity shares by investor TPG Dodla Dairy Holdings, and 4,16,604 equity shares by Dodla Sunil Reddy, 10,41,509 equity shares by Dodla Family Trust, and 3,27,331 equity shares by Dodla Deepa Reddy. The leading dairy company of South India has raised a little over Rs 156 crore from anchor investors. SBI Mutual Fund (MF), Aditya Birla Sun Life MF, Edelweiss MF, Kuber India Fund, Saint Capital Fund, and Integrated Core Strategies Asia Pte among others took part in the anchor bidding. "Considering FY 21 annualized EPS of 26.08 on a post-issue basis, the company is going to list at PE of 16.41X with a market cap of Rs.25,463 mn while its listed peers namely Hatsun Agro and Parag Milk are trading at a PE of 81.1X and 67.6X. ," said analysts at Marwadi Financial Services. Analysts have given a 'subscribe' rating to the issue as the company is one of the largest dairy companies in the branded consumer market with a strong distribution network and is available at a reasonable valuation compared to its peers. Anand Rathi is also positive on prospects of the IPO. "Considering the company has a diversified product basket, strong brands and wide distribution network, we believe that the company will continue to perform well on both the top-line and the bottom-line front. Hence, we recommend investors to Subscribe to the issue from a longer-term perspective," the brokerage said. The funds raised through the IPO will be utilised for repaying debts of Rs 32.26 crore availed from ICICI Bank, the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC), and HDFC Bank, and for capital expenditure requirements of around Rs 7.15 crore. Dodla Dairy Limited is an integrated dairy company in South India that is engaged in the procurement, processing, distribution, and marketing of milk and other dairy products. They are among the private dairy players with a significant presence in the southern region of India and have the third-highest position in terms of milk procurement per day with an average procurement of 1.03 million liters of raw milk per day ("MLPD") and second highest in terms of market presence across all of India. The Hyderabad-based company has a strong distribution network of 40 sales offices, 3336 distribution agents, 863 milk distributors, and 449 product distributors across 11 states in India. Allotment of shares for the Dodla Dairy IPO is likely to be carried out on June 23, 2021, and the tentative date of listing on BSE and NSE is June 28. Amidst WhatsApp's own privacy policy havoc, many have questioned the irony of WhatsApp's recent challenge to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (Intermediary Rules) on grounds of privacy. That said, WhatsApp's challenge brings some key issues to light, especially with respect to compatibility of these rules with end-to-end encryption technologies and the consequent privacy implications. Encryption technologies in India have long been a bone of contention, especially with the government's authority to require decryption of content under Information Technology laws. Also Read: WhatsApp sues Indian govt, says new media rules mean end to privacy The recently notified Intermediary Rules on 25 February 2021 for 'intermediaries' (e.g. WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter) and digital media publishers (e.g. online news portals and video streaming platforms) have now created a pandemonium in the industry by requiring tracing and identification of users and deploying technological tools for content moderation. Though these tracing and content moderation obligations apply only to 'Significant Social Media Intermediaries' (SSMIs) (i.e. social media intermediaries having over five million registered users in India), these rules create serious implications for online platforms and users across the board. Notably, WhatsApp has challenged these rules before the Delhi High Court as the 3-month timeline given to SSMIs to implement these obligations came to an end on May 26, 2021. Identification of 'first originator' Under the new Intermediary Rules, SSMIs 'primarily' providing messaging services are obligated to identify the first originator of information in India (without identifying the contents of the information) when required by court or executive order on grounds such as national security, public interest etc. This is a step further in the existing obligations to decrypt content upon government orders and maintaining decryption keys. This is likely to be an obstacle for popular messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Signal and Telegram deploying the signal protocol end-to-end encryption technology. With this cryptographic protocol, the users on such platforms are generally allotted numeric fingerprints (e.g. adding users through QR codes) and the messages are secured and only visible to the sender and receiver. This is an attractive feature for users to protect their privacy. However, pursuant to these new obligations, the privacy of users will be impacted with platforms implementing technical changes to enable user tracing. Citing the landmark Supreme Court decision in KS Puttaswamy v Union of India (2017) 10 SCC 1 (Puttaswamy) on the fundamental right to privacy, WhatsApp, in its challenge, has reportedly contended that this obligation violates users' privacy rights as traceability of users will require collection and storage of user data on a massive scale. As per the recent statement published by WhatsApp on its website, "in order to trace even one message, services would have to trace every message". Though there have been several petitions challenging these rules (including WhatsApp's), there is presently no stay on the operation of these rules. Also Read: MeitY defends new social media rules after WhatsApp lawsuit, assures right to privacy While it may be argued that SSMIs can trace users by fingerprinting content with numeric codes, there are doubts about the accuracy of tracing without undermining encryption protocols. For instance, WhatsApp has argued that tracing will be impacted if there are even microscopic changes in the information being shared and the format of sharing (e.g. sharing of an image versus screenshot of that image or adding an extra character or space to a text message). Interestingly, in separate ongoing litigations since 2019, WhatsApp has objected to suggestions for enabling tracing, such as displaying the originator's information to the recipient of a forwarded message or encrypting original messages with special encryption keys (and corresponding private keys) known only to WhatsApp. News reports also suggest that WhatsApp has also not confirmed the latest government proposal to the messaging platform for assigning alpha-numeric hash to messages exchanged on its platform. Technology experts have had an apathetic response to the feasibility of such measures, citing concerns such as difficulty in storing hashed copies of millions of messages exchanged on the platform, creating a virtual partition for the platform features across various countries, etc. Content moderation Apart from tracing and identification of users, another controversial obligation for SSMIs is to 'proactively' identify and moderate certain categories of information (such as child sexual abuse materials) using technology-based measures (including automated tools or other mechanisms). Adding another layer of review, the rules also require human oversight and periodic review of such measures by SSMIs. This obligation is another challenge for platforms using encryption technology since, in order to identify and filter content, the content transmitted by users would need to be visible to the platform operators. In parallel, WhatsApp had also expressed its reluctance to implement measures for content filtering before the Supreme Court in In Re: Prajwala (Videos of Sexual Violence and Recommendations) Suo Motu W.P. (Crl.) No. 3 of 2015 due to its end-to-end encryption. Since the present rules also envisage human oversight and periodic review of these measures, it appears that simply using automated tools (to analyse the encrypted content through numeric codes) to enable content moderation will not be sufficient. Implementing human oversight on content moderation without disrupting end-to-end encryption technology and ensuring accuracy and fairness with automated tools seems to be a Herculean task at this stage. Also Read: 'User privacy remains highest priority': WhatsApp responds to Centre's 'trick consent' remark Commercial implications and way forward Circulation of fake news, child abuse material and other unlawful content has been a rapidly growing problem in India. While encryption protects users' privacy and security, it also leaves unlawful activities online unchecked. It is undeniable that regulation of online content is required to some extent and identification of perpetrators could be useful, but, on the other hand, there is also potential for arbitrary executive orders for user identification and content monitoring on vague and overbroad grounds. The shield of encryption protecting the users' privacy may have to be redevised to comply with the new Intermediary Rules. Further to the proportionality test propounded by the apex court in the Puttaswamy decision, it is vital to ensure that there is a proportionate balance between regulatory scrutiny and privacy rights. Regulatory scrutiny should not be at the cost of users' privacy. Although there are some safeguards prescribed under the rules, the existing review mechanisms under information technology laws should also be duly implemented against executive orders. To balance commercial concerns with regulation by the government, it is also crucial to have autonomous review mechanism and independent oversight by industry bodies (similar to some recommendations for regulation of cloud communication and the proposed data protection framework). These rules are also riddled with certain ambiguities, such as interpretation of 'messaging' services, extent of moderation required, scope of human oversight and periodic review, etc., which may open doors to overcorrection, excessive regulation and potential misuse by administrative authorities. Another aspect wreaking havoc on the industry is the impact on global practices of such platforms. For instance, storing meta data and location data for tracing the first originator may require weakening the encryption standards and open risks to data breaches and potential violations under stricter data protection laws like in the European Union. Gaps in legislative guidance and unrest in the industry have rendered the burning question for stakeholders (and the industry at large) - is end-to-end encryption technology compatible with these obligations? While the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has stated that the new Intermediary Rules will not force platforms to break their end-to-end encryption, some stakeholders and experts have repeatedly argued that traceability and encryption cannot co-exist. Evidently, these additional obligations will significantly impact the commercial and technical operations of platforms that use encryption. It will be interesting to see the outcome of WhatsApp's recent challenge to the new rules and how the leading messaging platforms (or other SSMIs using encryption protocols) in India implement the necessary technical changes to comply with the new obligations. (Harsh Walia (Partner), Abhinav Chandan (Partner) and Tanya Varshney (Associate), Khaitan & Co.) Highlights US President Joe Biden proposed to work on a "specific understanding" between the US and Russia on cyberattacks. He stated that certain critical sectors should be off-limits for such attacks. Putin responded to the appeal in a separate press conference. In the wake of increased cyberattacks from Russia, US President Joe Biden told Russian President Vladimir Putin that some critical infrastructure should be "off-limits" to cyberattacks. The statement meant to address destructive hacks rather than intelligence gathering by the concerned agencies. Biden made the proposal on Wednesday following a lakeside summit with Putin in Geneva. "We agreed to task experts in both our countries to work on specific understandings about what is off-limits," he stated. He noted that the two countries would find out whether they have "a cybersecurity arrangement that begins to bring some order." Biden did not specify the sectors that were to be off-limits. However, he mentioned 16 infrastructure types which include telecommunications, healthcare, food and energy. These are the 16 sectors labelled as critical by the US Homeland Security Department. Putin responded on the matter in a separate press conference, confirming that the two leaders had agreed to "begin consultations" on such cybersecurity issues. "We need to throw out all kinds of insinuations, sit down at the expert level and start working in the interests of the United States and Russia," Putin told reporters. Simultaneously, he denied any wrongdoings in this regard from Russian soil. The US blamed several cyberattacks in the recent past on hackers working with the Russian government or belonging to Russian territory. These attacks were spread out across the US, Ukraine and Saudi Arabia. Maintaining the repeated denial of any involvement of Russia with the attacks, Putin, in turn, blamed the US for several cyberattacks and malicious digital activity. "We certainly see where the attacks are coming from. We see that this work is coordinated from US cyberspace," Putin said. In a report by Reuters, Keir Giles, a Russia expert with international affairs think tank Chatham House, points out that any understanding between the two countries would require "an outbreak of honesty" and is unlikely to be any more successful than previous attempts made in the direction. The report also highlights a dismal result from a similar agreement between former US President Barack Obama and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. It mentions that while the theft of intellectual property for commercial gain was banned under the agreement, Beijing did not follow on the deal as per many cyber experts. Highlights Sony India on Thursday announced a 4-day sale for World Music Day with special offers on select audio products. These audio products range from headphones, truly wireless series, portable Bluetooth speakers and soundbars. Sonys special prices are aimed at music lovers and audiophiles looking to buy premium audio products, working professionals and students. Sony India on Thursday announced a 4-day sale for World Music Day with special offers on select audio products, ranging from headphones, truly wireless series, portable Bluetooth speakers and soundbars. Sony's special prices are aimed at music lovers and audiophiles looking to buy premium audio products, working professionals and students looking for audio devices for their work from home and learn from home requirements. The special price offer starts from June 18, 2021, and will be valid till June 21, 2021, and can be availed across Sony retail stores, www.ShopatSC.com portal, major electronic stores, and Amazon and Flipkart e-commerce portal. Following are the special price offers that Sony has introduced for its users: Earphones and neckbands under Rs 5000: Sony has put earphones and neckbands on sale. These are student-friendly and will cost under Rs 5000. Sony has listed earphones WI-SP510 which are priced at Rs 6990 for Rs 3990, WI-C310 which are priced at Rs 3290 for Rs 2190 and W-C200 originally priced for Rs 2990 at Rs 1699. Headphone and TWS earbuds under Rs 10,000 Sony notes that noise-cancelling headphones are seeing an accelerated demand due to working professionals and students working from home and smart features like Speak to Chat, voice assistance. Following Noise cancelling headphones and TWS earbuds will be priced under Rs 10,000 during this special sale. Noise cancelling headphone WH-CH710N which is originally priced at Rs 14,990 will come for Rs 7990. Another headphone WH-CH710N which is priced at Rs 14,990 will come for Rs 7,990. Coming to TWS earbuds, Sony will offer WF-H800 and WF-XB700 for Rs 8,990 and Rs 6,990 respectively. Headphone and TWS earbuds under Rs 20,000 There are TWS earbuds that are priced at Rs 6,990, Rs 7,990, Rs 8,990 and Rs 16,990. Noise cancelling headphones with model numbers WH-1000XM3, WH-XB900N, WH-H910N and WH-CH710N are priced at Rs 19990, Rs 14990, Rs 10990, and Rs 7990. A headphone WH-1000XM4 is priced at Rs 24,990. Sony is also giving special offers on home audio products like soundbars and home theatres as people aim to recreate the cinematic experience at the comfort of their homes. Sony is offering discounts up to 22 per cent on Home Theatres and Soundbars and up to 31 per cent on Bluetooth speakers to enhance the TV viewing experience with the compatible sound quality for movie and music lovers. The lowest price Bluetooth speaker is priced at Rs 7990 and goes up to Rs 14,990 while soundbars range from Rs 16,990 and go up to Rs 24,990. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Dalondo Moultrie is the assistant managing editor of the Seguin Gazette. You can e-mail him at dalondo.moultrie@seguingazette.com . Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on June 17, 2021 2021/06/17 Shenzhen TV: At 9:22 this morning, the crewed Shenzhou-12 spaceship successfully blasted off to dock with the space station's core module Tianhe, marking the start of an era of Chinese astronauts staying in space for extended periods of time. The international community is following this very closely. Do you have a comment? Zhao Lijian: This morning, Shenzhou-12 was lifted from the ground and soared into the skies. I witnessed this historical and exciting moment on TV like many of you. The last Shenzhou spaceflight was made five years ago. This launch is the seventh time Chinese astronauts knock on the door to the vast universe. It is also the first crewed mission since China's manned spaceflight entered the phase of space station construction. Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo, the three astronauts on board, will be the first visitors to the Chinese space station's core module Tianhe. They will stay in orbit for three months, conducting extravehicular activities, in-orbit maintenance, scientific experiment and technical tests, among others. In the past 18 years since the first manned mission was made with Shenzhou-5 in 2003, China's manned space missions have been making constant progress, from allowing one astronaut to stay in orbit for one day only to multiple astronauts for multiple days, from working in the capsule to spacewalk, from short-term stay to medium-term stay. Every step forward embodies the courage and perseverance of astronauts in pursuing the space dream and marks China's contribution to mankind's peaceful uses of space. Exploring the universe is the shared dream of mankind. The Chinese government is committed to peaceful use of outer space and has conducted extensive cooperation and communication with relevant countries in the manned space sector in line with the principles of "peaceful use, equality, mutual benefit and common development". Entering the phase of space station construction, China will continue to engage in international cooperation and exchanges at wider scope and deeper level, and make Chinese space station a space lab that can deliver benefits to mankind. We hope that Chinese and foreign astronauts can visit Tiangong together in the near future. Bloomberg News: A question about President Joe Biden's nominee to be assistant secretary of defense for the Indo-Pacific region. Ely Ratner said that the US should be "combat-credible" to help deter and stop potential Chinese aggression. What's the foreign ministry's comment? Zhao Lijian: It bears repeating that some in the US have habitually hyped up the so-called "China threat" and taken China as an imaginary enemy in an attempt to justify their attempt to increase military might and spending and seek regional and global hegemony. It has been seen through by people around the world. The US should discard the Cold-War mentality, view China's development in a rational and objective way and play a constructive role in safeguarding regional and global peace and stability. China Review News: Some on the US side have continued to hype up the so-called "lab leak" in Wuhan. Shi Zhengli, a researcher at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, again refuted such false accusations in an interview with the New York Times on June 14. Do you have any comment? Zhao Lijian: Researcher Shi Zhengli of the Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, denounced the "lab leak theory" as baseless in the interview on June 14. I want to stress that in March, the WHO released the origin-tracing study report of the China-WHO joint mission, drawing a clear conclusion that lab leak is extremely unlikely. The report was co-authored by more than 30 top global experts in various fields. It is widely representative and highly professional. Regrettably, some in the US have chosen to ignore the report, and have been hyping up the "lab leak theory" and politicizing the origin-tracing issue. This constitutes an affront to WHO-led origin-tracing study, a serious travesty of scientists and the spirit of science, and a major damage to the solidarity of the international community in the fight against the epidemic. If the US is truly transparent and responsible, it should be as open as China and immediately invite international experts to Fort Detrick and other places in the US to conduct a detailed investigation. Dr. Ju Liya, who gained her PhD in immunology at the Pasteur Institute in France, said in a recent interview that origin tracing is not to make far-fetched connections, but about rigorous scientific research. The genome sequence of COVID-19 was first identified by Chinese scientists, but that does not mean Wuhan is the source of the coronavirus, nor can it be inferred that the coronavirus was made by Chinese scientists. If those that first publish high-quality viral genomes were to be accused of making the virus, then professor Luc Montagnier, who first discovered Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) would be considered the culprit of AIDS rather than awarded the Nobel Prize, and Mr. Louis Pasteur, who discovered microbes, would be held accountable for the disease-causing bacteria all around the globe. By analogy, the team in Wuhan should be awarded the Nobel Prize in medicine for their research on COVID-19, instead of being criticized. Since last year, the WIV has given in-depth interviews to media outlets including foreign media like Reuters, Science and NBC, and repeatedly said the coronavirus was not man-made or leaked from a lab. Shi Zhengli sharply pointed out that the origin-tracing has been politicized by the West, and asked emphatically that "How on earth can I offer up evidence for something where there is no evidence? I don't know how the world has come to this, constantly pouring filth on an innocent scientist?" RIA Novosti: The President of Russia and the President of the US held talks in Geneva. They didn't reach much agreement, but they agreed to launch a new Strategic Stability Dialogue between the two countries to lessen the dangers of conflict and nuclear wars. And this time the US did not mention China. I wonder if the foreign ministry has any comment? Zhao Lijian: China welcomes the agreement reached between the US and Russia on engaging in a bilateral dialogue on strategic stability. As countries with the largest nuclear arsenals, Russia and the US should follow relevant UNGA instruments and international consensus, fulfill their special and primary responsibilities in nuclear disarmament, and further substantively slash their nuclear stockpile in a verifiable, irreversible and legally-binding way to create conditions for the ultimate comprehensive and complete nuclear disarmament. This is the most effective way to uphold global strategic stability and promote international peace and security. We also noted that the heads of state of both sides reaffirmed the principle that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought. China has been working to bring the five nuclear weapon states to reaffirm this principle so as to reduce the risk of nuclear war and safeguard global strategic stability. China always actively supports international efforts in nuclear arms control, and will continue to hold discussions on a broad range of issues bearing on strategic stability with relevant parties within such frameworks as the cooperation mechanism of the five nuclear weapon states, Conference on Disarmament, and the UNGA First Committee. We also stand ready to have bilateral dialogue with relevant sides with mutual respect and on an equal footing. China Daily: The remains of 215 children, some as young as three years old, were found at the site of a former residential school for indigenous Indian children. Special Rapporteurs of the UN Human Rights Council urged the Canadian side to launch full investigations in a joint statement. Do you have any comment? Zhao Lijian: The recent discovery of the remains of 215 Indigenous Canadian children at the site of a former Indian residential school is heartbreaking. Experts from the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council have issued a joint statement on this, including Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence, Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, Special Rapporteur on sale and sexual exploitation of children, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances. They urged the Canadian side to launch full-fledged investigations and said that justice and full reparation must be urgently pursued. They added that the Canadian judiciary should conduct criminal investigations into all suspicious deaths and allegations of torture and sexual violence against children hosted in residential schools, and prosecute and sanction the perpetrators and concealers who may still be alive. Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau admitted the discovery was not an isolated incident. The investigations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada found that over 150,000 indigenous children were forcibly separated from their families and sent to the so-called "boarding schools". They were forced to convert to Christianity or Catholicism, speak English or French, adopt customs of the white people and completely disconnected from their faith, native language and customs. These children, malnutritional and unattended, even suffered from physical and sexual abuse. Some pointed out that what happened at the schools was akin to "cultural genocide". It is particularly distressing that the commission ultimately determined that at least 3,200 children died at the residential schools, but reports said the actual number far exceeded that. Many were buried nearby on school grounds because the government didn't want to pay to carry the bodies elsewhere. The discovery of the remains of 215 children is the latest evidence to the heinous crime. Instead of lecturing others on human rights in a condescending manner and pointing fingers citing rumors and lies, Canada should learn lessons from its past, show deep remorse, take a hard look at and probe into its own poor domestic human rights record, and offer a sincere apology to the victims and their families. Bloomberg News: Regulators in the US are poised to ban products from Huawei and other Chinese companies. This would mean that sales would be forbidden for specific equipment in the US by these companies. Does the foreign ministry have any comment? Zhao Lijian: We noticed that the relevant companies have already responded to this. We've repeatedly elaborated on our position on the relevant issue. Till this day, some people in the US are still stretching the concept of national security and abusing state power to crack down on certain country and companies without providing any proof. This typical and unveiled economic and technological bullying is a flagrant denial of market economy principles that US claims to champion. The US should immediately stop abusing national security and exerting unjustified suppression on certain Chinese companies, and create a fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for the normal operation of Chinese companies in the US. China will continue to support relevant companies in upholding their legitimate rights and interests in accordance with law. Xinhua News Agency: The 410 members of the 19th batch of Chinese peacekeeping force to Lebanon were awarded the United Nations peacekeeping medal on June 16. Can you brief us on the situation? Zhao Lijian: On the morning of June 16, the medal-awarding ceremony of the 19th batch of Chinese peacekeeping force to Lebanon was held at the Chinese troops' camp in southern Lebanon. All 410 peacekeepers were conferred the medal. Over 200 people including Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Major General Stefano Del Col, Chinese Ambassador to Lebanon Qian Minjian, representative of the commander of the southern command of the Lebanese government forces and Chinese peacekeepers attended the ceremony. In his remarks, Del Col expressed appreciation to Chinese peacekeepers for their dedication, saying that their excellent capabilities and noble humanitarian spirit stand as an epitome of China and the Chinese military. China is an active participant of and important contributor to UN peacekeeping operations. China is the second largest contributor to UN peacekeeping assessments. We have dispatched a total of over 40,000 peacekeepers, more than any other permanent member of the Security Council. Chinese peacekeepers abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, act in strict accordance with their mandates, faithfully fulfill their peacekeeping missions, and make important contributions to safeguarding world peace and promoting common development. At a time when COVID-19 is intertwined with threats such as regional hotspots, ethnic conflicts and terrorism, the role and significance of UN peacekeeping operations are further highlighted. China will continue to work closely with the international community to enhance the efficacy and efficiency of UN peacekeeping operations and play a bigger role in safeguarding international peace and security. CCTV: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the Senate Committee on Appropriations the other day that China had failed to fulfil its basic responsibility of transparency and information sharing in terms of virus origin-tracing, and that WHO was lagging behind in its research because it didn't get good cooperation from China. What is China's comment on this? Zhao Lijian: Relevant remarks from the US side is utterly groundless. Facts speak for themselves. Soon after the COVID-19 outbreak, China reported the situation to the WHO and published the genome sequencing of the novel coronavirus at the first opportunity available. China put in place the strictest, professional and efficient information release system to provide authoritative information in a timely manner, carried out epidemic-related technical exchanges and shared information with more than 180 countries and over 10 international and regional organizations. China has been cooperating with the WHO in virus origin-tracing study in an open and transparent manner, and has invited WHO experts in twice. China did a lot of administrative, technical, logistic and supporting work for the joint study. China offered the joint mission every convenience, arranged a rich itinerary with many site visits, and presented item by item raw data of particular concern. Many experts on the joint mission spoke highly of China, saying that they were granted full access to every place they asked to see, everyone they wanted to meet. Regrettably, some in the US, in disregard of the preliminary results of the WHO-led origin-tracing study, repeatedly spread false information that target China with presumption of guilt. Their intention is to deflect attention from their botched epidemic response, and shift the blame to others before the American people hold them accountable for their reckless actions. Their political manipulation can neither fool the world nor cover up the truth, and is doomed to fail. A lot of people are wondering: How come the US, a country equipped with the world's most advanced medical technology, is reduced to one with the highest number of COVID-19 infection cases and death tolls, and no US politician is held accountable? What is the role of the coronavirus in the respiratory diseases of unknown causes in Northern Virginia in July 2019 and large-scale EVALI outbreaks in Wisconsin? How does the US explain the NIH study result that shows the coronavirus was present in the US as far back as December 2019? Why does the US remain reticent on Fort Detrick and its 200 plus biological laboratories around the world? Why does the US want its intelligence service, not scientists, to study the origin of the virus? Why doesn't the US follow China's example, and invite WHO experts to the US for origin-tracing study with an open, transparent and science-based attitude? Dr. Manojkumar Dhansukhlal Panwala, 52, of Southern Maryland, unexpectedly passed away on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at his residence. Manoj was born in Mumbai, India on July 28, 1968, and came to the US when he was fifteen (15). He went to medical school and practiced medicine for twenty-three (23) years. He was a beloved father, treasured son, loving brother and forever friend to all he knew. He enjoyed fishing, sailing, wind surfing, cooking and flying planes. Manoj is survived by his mother, brothers, sister, respective families, two sons, and a daughter. He will be remembered fondly. The family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, June 18, 2021 at Brinsfield Funeral Home & Crematory, P.A., 30195 Three Notch Road, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622. The funeral service will be at 4:00 p.m. at Brinsfield Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to https://tinyurl.com/manojpanwala or mail a check to St. Jude Children's Fund, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com All arrangements have been made at Brinsfield Funeral Home & Crematory, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622. These images, taken with the SPHERE instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope, show the surface of the red supergiant star Betelgeuse during its unprecedented dimming, which happened in late 2019 and early 2020. The image on the far left, taken in January 2019, shows the star at its normal brightness, while the remaining images, from December 2019, January 2020 and March 2020, were all taken when the star's brightness had noticeably dropped, especially in its southern region. The brightness returned to normal in April 2020. CREDIT ESO/M. Montarges et al. When Betelgeuse, a bright orange star in the constellation of Orion, became visibly darker in late 2019 and early 2020, the astronomy community was puzzled. A team of astronomers have now published new images of the star's surface, taken using the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (ESO's VLT), that clearly show how its brightness changed. The new research reveals that the star was partially concealed by a cloud of dust, a discovery that solves the mystery of the "Great Dimming" of Betelgeuse. Betelgeuse's dip in brightness -- a change noticeable even to the naked eye -- led Miguel Montarges and his team to point ESO's VLT towards the star in late 2019. An image from December 2019, when compared to an earlier image taken in January of the same year, showed that the stellar surface was significantly darker, especially in the southern region. But the astronomers weren't sure why. The team continued observing the star during its Great Dimming, capturing two other never-before-seen images in January 2020 and March 2020. By April 2020, the star had returned to its normal brightness. "For once, we were seeing the appearance of a star changing in real time on a scale of weeks," says Montarges, from the Observatoire de Paris, France, and KU Leuven, Belgium. The images now published are the only ones we have that show Betelgeuse's surface changing in brightness over time. In their new study, published today in Nature, the team revealed that the mysterious dimming was caused by a dusty veil shading the star, which in turn was the result of a drop in temperature on Betelgeuse's stellar surface. Betelgeuse's surface regularly changes as giant bubbles of gas move, shrink and swell within the star. The team concludes that some time before the Great Dimming, the star ejected a large gas bubble that moved away from it. When a patch of the surface cooled down shortly after, that temperature decrease was enough for the gas to condense into solid dust. "We have directly witnessed the formation of so-called stardust," says Montarges, whose study provides evidence that dust formation can occur very quickly and close to a star's surface. "The dust expelled from cool evolved stars, such as the ejection we've just witnessed, could go on to become the building blocks of terrestrial planets and life," adds Emily Cannon, from KU Leuven, who was also involved in the study. Rather than just the result of a dusty outburst, there was some speculation online that Betelgeuse's drop in brightness could signal its imminent death in a spectacular supernova explosion. A supernova hasn't been observed in our galaxy since the 17th century, so present-day astronomers aren't entirely sure what to expect from a star in the lead-up to such an event. However, this new research confirms that Betelgeuse's Great Dimming was not an early sign that the star was heading towards its dramatic fate. Witnessing the dimming of such a recognisable star was exciting for professional and amateur astronomers alike, as summed up by Cannon: "Looking up at the stars at night, these tiny, twinkling dots of light seem perpetual. The dimming of Betelgeuse breaks this illusion." The team used the Spectro-Polarimetric High-contrast Exoplanet REsearch (SPHERE) instrument on ESO's VLT to directly image the surface of Betelgeuse, alongside data from the GRAVITY instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI), to monitor the star throughout the dimming. The telescopes, located at ESO's Paranal Observatory in Chile's Atacama Desert, were a "vital diagnostic tool in uncovering the cause of this dimming event," says Cannon. "We were able to observe the star not just as a point but could resolve the details of its surface and monitor it throughout the event," Montarges adds. Montarges and Cannon are looking forward to what the future of astronomy, in particular what ESO's Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), will bring to their study of Betelgeuse, a red supergiant star. "With the ability to reach unparalleled spatial resolutions, the ELT will enable us to directly image Betelgeuse in remarkable detail," says Cannon. "It will also significantly expand the sample of red supergiants for which we can resolve the surface through direct imaging, further helping us to unravel the mysteries behind the winds of these massive stars." More information This research was presented in the paper "A dusty veil shading Betelgeuse during its Great Dimming" (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-03546-8) to appear in Nature. Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. Trot Insider has learned that iron-tough open class pacing millionaire Sand Olls Dexter has passed away at the age of 23. A son of Dexter Nukes and Princess Cammie, Sand Olls Dexter was bred by Alex McColl of Rodney, Ont. The colt was a $11,500 Forest City Yearling Sale purchase by trainer Daryl Roberts, John Kwiatkoski and Petrina Lawrence. In 14 freshman starts, Sand Olls Dexter banked a respectable $73,504 while racing against a couple of local colts that were Grand Circuit calibre Intrepid Seelster and Twin B Champ. His next six seasons on the track all boasted six-figure bankrolls, averaging more than $155,000 over his career from ages three through eight. In terms of a purse, his most lucrative victory came in an Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Final as a three-year-old at Windsor Raceway. But his most memorable victories came in consecutive editions of the Gold Cup & Saucer in 2003 and 2004. He's just one of three horses to win back-to-back editions of one of Canadian harness racing's most coveted races. Sand Olls Dexter raced at 16 tracks over his career, making 237 starts while sporting a career summary of 64 wins, 39 seconds and 29 thirds. He banked $1,070,875, took his lifetime mark of 1:50.1 at the age of eight while racing against warhorses the likes of Admirals Express, Whosurboy, Rair Earth, Artesian, Our Lucky Killean, Tigerama, Escape The Wind, Life Source, Casimir Camotion, Royal Mattjesty, Royalflush Hanover and Four Starzzz Shark. Of his 64 wins, more than 40 of them came in stakes races, Open or Preferred events. After his racing days were over, and at times during his racing career, Sand Olls Dexter performed limited stallion duty. His most notable offspring from his 17 starters was 27-time winner Hellsapoppin p,5,1:55h ($156,162). Under the care of original owner Petrina Lawrence, Sand Olls Dexter lived out his days at her Rodney, Ont. area farm until having to be euthanized on Thursday, June 10. "I was very privileged to have him in life for 23 years," said Lawrence, grieving the loss of her longtime racehorse who was laid to rest on her farm. "He was a constant warrior on the track and a gentle giant in the barn." Lawrence conveyed a story of the stallion's nature, noting that a rabbit made its way into the barn and became friends with Sand Olls Dexter. In fact, Lawrence would feed both apple slices while the rabbit was situated around the stallion's front feet, and the kind horse willingly shared snack time with his farmyard friend. Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of Sand Olls Dexter. ACSI Announces Appointment of New Vice President of Flourishing Initiatives NEWS PROVIDED BY Association of Christian Schools International June 17, 2021 COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., June 17, 2021 /Standard Newswire/ -- The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Cindy Dodds as the Vice President of Flourishing Initiatives. Her responsibilities will include facilitating collaboration across departments to ensure the integration of the Flourishing Schools Research within ACSI. She will begin this new role June 17, 2021. Dodds has served ACSI for four years in a variety of capacities, most recently as the Director of Professional Development. Before her time in the Professional Development Department, Dodds led and resourced hundreds of Christian school leaders as the ACSI Northeast Regional Director. Before joining ACSI, she served 20 years in Christian education as an administrator for two Christian schools in Pennsylvania. Dodds has served on the ACSI Board, Accreditation Commission and Regional Council. She was also a field director for the Children's Tuition Fund and an advocacy team member for ACSIPA, a network of Pennsylvania Christian Schools advocating for Public Support of School Choice. According to ACSI President Dr. Larry Taylor, Dodds brings the right skill set and experience to the position. "As Director of Professional Development, Cindy Dodds has shown exceptional leadership," he said. "I have witnessed her commitment to school growth and her passion for leadership development. I believe she'll bring a unique perspective to this role." Dodds' focus will be ensuring organizational alignment with the Flourishing Schools Research. This will include accreditation revisions, field-level consulting/convening activities, and all professional development offerings, including leadership development programs, digital content development, speaker or organizational engagements/partnerships and Flourishing School Networks. In anticipation of coordinating a variety of educational offerings on behalf of the association, Dodds is excited to assume the new role. "I am both humbled and honored to become the steward of ACSI's groundbreaking Flourishing Schools Research," she said. "As a former head of school, I realize the incredible impact this research will have on the culture of our Christian schools. I am grateful to work alongside such a deeply committed leadership team in serving our members." According to Taylor, the creation of this position is intentionally aligned with ACSI's Strategic Plan. "All work at ACSI is informed by the strategic plan," he said. "The position of Vice President of Flourishing Initiatives will help to truly advance the Kingdom. I believe Dodds' transition to this role will be seamless." To learn more about ACSI, please visit the website at ACSI.org or connect with the ACSI Care Team by calling (800)367-0798 or at careteam@acsi.org. About ACSI: Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., ACSI exists to strengthen Christian schools and equip Christian educators worldwide as they prepare students academically and inspire them to become devoted followers of Jesus Christ. ACSI advances excellence in Christian schools by enhancing the professional and personal development of Christian educators and providing vital support functions for Christian schools through multiple services including teacher and administrator certification, school accreditation, legal/legislative assistance, and curriculum publishing. Serving more than 25,000 schools in 108 countries, ACSI helps more than 5.5 million students worldwide connect to Christian education. Follow ACSI on our social channels: Facebook | Twitter | Linkedin | Instagram SOURCE Association of Christian Schools International CONTACT: Caitlyn Berman, 719-867-0243, Caitlyn_Berman@acsi.org Nutanix announced Toyota Motor Corp (Head office: Toyota-city, Aichi; President and Representative Director: Akio Toyoda) has adopted the Nutanix cloud platform to build a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) environment that can run 3D CAD software, delivering a new way of working for its Engineering Design Group. TOYOTA, an automobile manufacturer with approximately 360,000 employees worldwide, was quick to announce its commitment to work style reform in 2016 and has introduced a work-from-home program for about 13,000 employees. However, there were varying degrees of adoption among different departments. For example, the Engineering Design Group was not able to support a remote-work model for all employees. Team members had to work from their physical workstations in the office whenever working on design projects using 3D CAD software. In addition, the DX Promotion Division was facing challenges with workstation maintenance and procurement costs. To shift gears and solve the issue, TOYOTA decided to leverage hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) to build a VDI environment that can support high-performance applications and run 3D CAD software. The Nutanix cloud platform stood out for its ability to support Virtual Graphics Processing Unit (vGPU) functions required to render 3D graphics in HCI virtual environments. In addition, Nutanixs flexibility and scalability were important factors to help the team quickly respond to changing business demands. The Nutanix cloud platform enabled a VDI environment for approximately 1,000-devices and was up and running far ahead of TOYOTAs initial schedule to expand its VDI environment. Employees in the Engineering Design Group also said the move enabled them to work in a new way, and this became even more important when they were forced to work from home due to the spread of COVID-19 but were able to continue performing design work without interruptions. Moving forward, our plan is to roll out similar systems not only to Toyota Motor but also to Toyota group companies, said the DX Promotion Divisions Masanobu Takahisa. In the future, we hope to also support CAE software on the VDI environment, and continue to promote work-style reform in the Engineering Design Group. In addition to expanding work-style options for employees in its Engineering Design Group, the move to Nutanix enabled TOYOTA to consolidate shared and underutilized workstations into its VDI environment, with the aim of eventually cutting the number of workstations to approximately half, which would also result in significant cost reductions. TOYOTA is a leading global company in the manufacturing industry, enabling employees to embrace the future of work. We are proud to have helped TOYOTA implement a new way of working, which was previously thought to be difficult to achieve, said Matt Young, SVP of Sales, Asia Pacific and Japan at Nutanix. At Huaweis Better World Summit for 5G + AR, Huawei Carrier BG CMO Bob Cai delivered a keynote speech titled 5G + AR, Turning Dreams into Reality. In this speech, Cai said that 5G will switch on AR, and AR will light up 5G. He also announced the release of the AR Insight and Application Practice White Paper, which offers insights into the AR industry in terms of devices, applications, and networking. Cai called on the entire industry to work together for a prosperous 5G + AR ecosystem. When concluding his speech, Cai said, If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together. The development of AR requires the entire industry to work together and create a prosperous 5G + AR value chain. AR and 5G are combining at the right time. 5G switches on AR, and AR lights up 5G. Naqel Express, Saudi Arabias leading express logistics and supply chain company with the largest seamless network, has officially opened its gateway facilities at King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) as well as its new Pharma and Cold Chain warehouse facilities in Jeddah. The facilities were inaugurated earlier this week by the President of Saudi Post and Chairman of Naqel Anef Bin Ahmad Abanomi in the presence of senior company officials. These are part of new investments of more than SR200 million ($53 million) being made by Naqel in the Western Province of Saudi Arabia to further facilitate imports and trading. Commenting on these developments, Engineer Ammar Al Harbi, the Director of Gateway at Naqel Express, said: "With this expansion, we have strengthened our handling and clearance capabilities in all three major airports in Saudi Arabia. These airport facilities will facilitate smooth exports and imports into the kingdom from all around the world." Fahad Al Salhi, Chief of Solutions Division, Naqel Express, said: "Our new state-of-the-art warehousing facilities in Jeddah will facilitate storage, inventory control, packaging and distribution of imported goods across the kingdom and rest of the Gulf region, complementing our cold supply chain solutions offered within the region." The facility is equipped with the highest standards in the cold chain industry, offering various solutions catering to the specific requirements of pharmaceutical, healthcare, FMCG and other related industrial sectors, noted Al Salhi. Besides, Naqel has also invested in the development of new warehousing and facilities in Asir and Riyadh that will support warehousing and meet the requirements of businesses from a cross-section of industrial sectors in the kingdom, he added. With continued expansion across all Gulf countries and by increasing its footprint and presence in the source countries of the US, Europe, UK and China, Naqel aims to establish its leadership position in the region. With these investments, Naqel is going from strength to strength with its people and network and gearing up for accelerated growth in alignment with Kingdoms Vision 2030 goals.-Tradearabia News Service Leading real estate developer Sodic said it has signed a partnership agreement with Orange Egypt, a leading provider of integrated telecommunications services, to deploy the latest integrated smart solutions across all its real estate projects in the country. The partnership between Sodic and Orange Egypt entails offering Sodic residents a full solution of services, including those of IoT applications, smart homes and smart cities. These services will utilize the advanced infrastructure already in place in Sodics projects via expandable fiber optic cables to cater to the needs of Sodics residential and commercial projects, said the Egyptian developer. The services provided also include Triple Play services which will enable access to high speed internet as well as IPTV services for high-quality TV and landline service. The agreement was signed at a ceremony attended by Magued Sherif, the Managing Director of Sodic; Yasser Shaker, CEO of Orange Egypt. On the deal, Sherif said: "We are excited to partner with Orange Egypt with its strong and proven track record, a strategic move that comes in line with our customer-focused approach to offer state-of-the art solutions to our residents that greatly improve their day-to-day experience and overall quality of life." "We have equipped our projects with the most advanced technology infrastructure, which enables us to introduce the latest solutions that cater to our customers needs," stated Magued. Shaker said Orange Egypt was aware of the changing needs of the Egyptian market and hence was working tirelessly to stay ahead with the evolving developments in telecommunications and IT to introduce different solutions to its customer base. "We are keen to provide key real estate developers with our state-of-the-art services as the first network to introduce Triple-Play services in Egypt in 2011. We are also willing to develop IT infrastructure and data centers in new gated communities to help support digital transformation in different sectors all over Egypt," he added.-TradeArabia News Service The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has signed an agreement with Dubai-based Enpy, a specialist in medical artificial intelligence (AI), explore the use of AI-powered device for remote-patient monitoring. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by Dr Younis Kazim, CEO of Dubai Healthcare Corporation at the DHA and Sam Taleb, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Enpy at the DHA headquarters. Dr Kazim highlighted that DHA will continue to focus on research, innovation and implementation of smart technologies across all aspects of healthcare delivery and management. DHA plans to implement such technologies across its primary healthcare centres to foster its remote patient monitoring initiatives to empower patients, ensure they stay on-track with their health and to aid in early detection. Remote-patient monitoring will also help healthcare professionals by providing them with vital patient data to ensure regular follow-up and better patient compliance. Dr Kazim highlighted that the DHA keen to continue collaborating with firms locally and globally to implement healthcare technologies after an evidence-based analysis. Sam Taleb said: We embarked on making advanced AI based preventive healthcare easily accessible to all and we are proud of unique collaboration we have with the DHA and its Dubai Health Innovation Centre. We are delighted to be part of the great Innovation and Artificial Intelligence Hub that Dubai has become. Epsys innovative all-in-one non-invasive medical device is paired with a smartphone/tablet application, it is powered by Artificial Intelligence and measures vital signs. It is an all-in-one advanced AI-powered healthcare companion at home, combining integrated medical sensors, embedded electronics, and a unique user-interface to guide users regularly in making the best decisions for their health. TradeArabia News Service The Dubai Branch of BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), a leading global medical technology company, will bring its latest innovations at this years Medlab Middle East, a top medical laboratory exhibition running from June 21-24 in Dubai. Last year, the world was exposed to undesirable medical extremities, said Maher Elhassan, Vice President & General Manager, BD Mena & Turkey. Now is the time when communities in the region and throughout the world need our continued support and expertise to be able to fight all adversaries and recover. As part of our mission to advance the world of health, BD is determined to leave no stone unturned in our quest to impact peoples lives. Our participation at Medlab Middle East reiterates the companys efforts to support the regions healthcare sector with our latest innovations that deliver on patient care, safety, diagnostic accuracy, automation and more. During Medlab, the company will showcase its latest MedTech innovations such as rapid diagnostic testing solutions to enable caregivers perform high number of tests in a short duration of time; advanced informatics and integrated diagnostics to enhance testing, automate workflows and help expedite decision-making; cutting-edge solutions for microbiology testing to facilitate rapid implementation of infection prevention and control measures; as well as microbiology automation amongst others. Experts from the BD team will also be present at the companys booth to host various in-depth sessions, share best practices, and demonstrate an array of innovative solutions to tackle the regions ongoing healthcare challenges. The healthcare sector continues to face challenges ranging from shortage of skilled staff, rising costs, and lack of real time insights that can enable better patient outcomes, said Shahzad Khan, Regional Business Director EMA, BD Integrated Diagnostic Solutions. Some of the innovations that we will showcase at this years Medlab speak directly to these challenges. Therefore I invite industry professionals to attend the live demonstrations and gain first-hand knowledge on how to overcome such obstacles, and help reshape the future of healthcare. TradeArabia News Service Kaspersky has saved one of its clients $1.7 million representing a 135% return on investment (ROI) through using the Kaspersky Industrial CyberSecurity for Networks, according to a commissioned Total Economic Impact (TEI) study conducted by Forrester Consulting, a global cybersecurity and digital privacy company. Following an interview with the client, an electricity provider with 400 substations, Forrester calculated the saving based on the benefits, costs, and risks associated with the investment, before projecting a three-year financial analysis. Since implementation, the business interviewed had faced zero security incidents as a result of the solutions success. To reach the $1.7 million saving, Forrester balanced the reduced risk of a cybersecurity breach, the reduced risk of damaged equipment and the improvement in the asset management program against the cost of Kaspersky Industrial CyberSecurity for Networks licenses and the cost of training employees to learn the capabilities of the solution. The reduced risk of a cybersecurity breach and the reduced cost of damaged machinery was calculated to be worth $2.9 million over three years, while the cost of licenses and training was calculated to be $1.2 million over the same period. The pandemic has clearly resulted in tough choices for businesses when it comes to cutting back and making difficult budgetary decisions. This Forrester analysis is therefore very timely in demonstrating that the cost of not investing in cybersecurity solutions can be far greater than making a smart, strategic investment in building a strong cybersecurity posture, said Alexander Moiseev, Chief Business Officer at Kaspersky. Weve also seen that cyberthreats are becoming more sophisticated and can result in severe consequences. The recent cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline in the US, which resulted in a six-day outage, underlines the potential harm of attacks on critical infrastructure. Its clear that businesses in the industrial sector must ensure stringent protection measures are in place, added Moiseev. Kaspersky Industrial CyberSecurity for Networks provides visibility over industrial assets alongside alerts about potential threats. It achieves this through asset discovery, network monitoring and integrity control and intrusion detection, all without affecting continuity or having a detrimental influence on critical processes.TradeArabia News Service The technology group Wartsila is active in its support for a co-programmed partnership between the European Commission and the Waterborne Technology Platform. The aim of the partnership is to demonstrate zero-emission solutions for all main ship types and services before 2030, which will enable zero-emission waterborne transport before 2050. An agreement for the partnership is to be signed during the European Research and Innovation Days event on June 23. Wartsila contributed to the preparation phase of the partnership agreement and will support the programmes internal processes by helping to define the partnership's strategic goals, monitoring and guiding its progress, and ensuring proper functioning of the partnership. Wartsila has, through its research of carbon-neutral fuels and development of related engine technology, taken a leading role in efforts to decarbonise shipping. The fuels researched include bio- and synthetic LNG, ammonia, methanol, hydrogen, and bio-fuels. As early as 2015, Wartsila successfully converted a Ro-Pax vessel to operate on methanol fuel. Wartsila is also a participant in the EUs ShipFC project to develop fuel storage systems for the worlds first ammonia powered vessel. During this year, the ship will also be fitted with an internal combustion engine fuelled by ammonia another world first breakthrough. We fully support the goals and work of this partnership and those of the IMO, which are completely in-line with our own strategies and commitment to delivering emission-free shipping solutions. Time is short if the partnerships goals are to be achieved, so collaboration with qualified partners, customers and industry stakeholders is essential, as is the need to implement those smart technologies that already exist. This is why we will continue to be very much involved, says Mikael Wideskog, Director, Sustainable Fuels & Decarbonisation, Wartsila Marine Power. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has set a goal of reducing the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping by at least 50 percent by 2050, compared to 2008 levels. In addition, a target has been set to reduce the carbon intensity of shipping by 40 percent by 2030, thus emphasising the need for the rapid introduction of existing and new smart technologies. The partnership brings together the majority of the European waterborne transport sector, including the European maritime technology sector (shipyards and maritime equipment manufacturers), most of the container transport capacity worldwide, excellent research and cluster organisations, academia, class societies, the inland navigation sector as well as associations representing the broader waterborne transport sector.--TradeArabia News Service Bain & Company has announced the launch of FurtherSM, its integrated suite of ESG capabilities to deliver the firms collective ambition of creating a more sustainable, equitable and inclusive world. This announcement builds on Bains decades of industry leadership, working to create transformative impact against the worlds most pressing challenges, including the sweeping effects of climate change, structural inequities and environmental degradation. Bain has been on this journey for many years and made meaningful progress, from becoming carbon neutral certified 10 years ago to committing $1.1 billion in investments toward social impact work, said Manny Maceda, Worldwide Managing Partner of Bain & Company. The challenges of this past year made it all the more evident that a new model of leadership and collaboration is needed, one that inspires bold action and allows organisations to move out in front of the systemic issues facing businesses and communities. Steady progress is no longer enough. In 2020, Covid-19 increased the urgency of this mission. Bain teams worked to increase supply of critical equipment and expand treatment options for Covid-19. The firm worked alongside a global biopharmaceutical leader to redesign its operational processes and facilitate partnerships with industry peers to support clinical trials for the development of a Covid-19 hyperimmune therapy. The pandemic has proven that the old ways of doing business and running operations is no longer efficient and unprepared companies are bound to collapse in times of crises if they remain behind. The world today needs dynamic and realistic solutions that can address pressing challenges such as inequality, security breaches, effects of climate change and many others, said Tom De Waele, Middle East Managing Partner at Bain & Company. Bain & Company has been playing an active role in the Middle East to ensure that businesses recover, and communities can proactively address any obstacles they may face. FurtherSM brings a full force of talent, expertise, and energy to step beyond the incremental and deliver positive impact for all stakeholders. Additionally, in support of Stop the Spreada consortium of more than 1,300 business leaders who have pledged to help Americans weather the pandemicBain has helped bring more PPE, ventilators and testing equipment to the market, building more than 30,000 critical care ventilators through a Bain-organised partnership. As tragic injustice reminded the nation of the critical need for racial equity and social justice reforms, Bain worked to help form OneTena coalition of more than forty CEOs and executives across industries committed to hiring, training and promoting one million Black Americans over the next 10 years into family-sustaining jobs with opportunities for advancement. As evidenced in these recent examples, Further works to apply Bains talent, energy and expertise to create transformative impact across three levelsas a partner to its clients, as a champion for global communities and as a firm. Today, 2,500 Bain team members are actively involved in this work. Bains clients are facing increasing and often existential demands around sustainability, social impact, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Through new models of leadership and collaboration, organisations can create growth engines for the business and energise employees while having a transformative impact on communities. Going Further means taking a step beyond the incremental to deliver positive impact for all stakeholders. A decade ago, Bain formalised its Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility practice to support the firms corporate clients on their journeys. The practice has grown significantly since. In the past two years alone, it has served more than 500 client projects that tackled sustainability and corporate responsibility, carbon emissions and the energy transition. In 2020, Bain launched a global DEI practice to directly support its clients goals of increasing diverse representation, achieving more equitable outcomes and creating a more inclusive environment. For example, Bain recently helped a global private equity fund define its DEI ambition and chart a course for progress across its portfolio of companies in North America. Bain is on track to achieve its commitment to invest $1.1 billion in pro bono consulting over ten years to help leading social pioneers scale and amplify their impact. Since setting this commitment in 2015, the firm has invested nearly $500 million in pro bono support of more than 260 nonprofit organisations. In recent years, Bain has used this investment as a springboard to mobilise the kind of innovative, multistakeholder partnerships needed to deliver systemic change. In addition to the OneTen coalition, Bains teams have also recently invested in catalysing partnerships to build more inclusive, sustainable and nutritious food systems, including: Scaling profitable, farmer-allied African food companies. African food systems are under stress from growing urbanisation, youth unemployment and the climate crisis. Farmer-allied intermediaries are linchpin firms in unlocking Africas food production and economic potential. Along with the Global Dairy Platform and Land OLakes Venture37, Bain has designed and launched Dairy Nourishes Africaa public-private partnership to create a more resilient, inclusive and environmentally sustainable dairy industry in East Africa through supporting the growth of farmer-allied dairy processors. The business case for sustainable tuna. Bain partnered with The Nature Conservancy to set up a canned tuna company focused on fair labor practices and environmentally sound operations, in collaboration with stakeholders from both the private and public sectors. This work will prove the business case for a more sustainable and commercially viable tuna supply chain that retailers and consumers can trustand other companies can emulate. Bains dedication to social and environmental standards starts at home. The firm embeds these values into its business strategy, taking steps every day to reduce its environmental footprint, create a more diverse and welcoming workplace for employees, procure supplies and services sustainably, and practice high levels of ethics. This year, Bain celebrates 10 consecutive years of carbon neutrality across its global operations, and it is ranked as Glassdoors #1 Best Place to Work. -- TradeArabia News Service Al Madina Group, a leading retail chain in the UAE, celebrated its 50th anniversary with the opening of two new projects - Crown Mall and Mango Hypermarket - at Jebel Ali Industrial Area-1 in Dubai. It also unveiled a new logo of the groups upcoming online platform. The Crown Mall will spread over a 123,000 sq ft area and will offer customers a unique shopping experience across 35 retail shops including money exchange houses, clinic, pharmacy, jewellery outlets, mobile shops and a variety of restaurants, a saloon and cafeteria, said a statement from Al Madina. The Mango Hypermarket, occupying a full single floor in the mall, will be the largest of its kind spread across 60,000 sq ft. Addressing a press conference, Group Managing Director Abdullah Poyil said: "As part of our 50th year of business success, we are also lining up exciting promotions and shopping experiences which will run for a year." "We will be offering a huge inaugural discount and up to one kilogram of gold in prizes while various gift schemes have also been lined up to delight customers. Customers can also download our loyalty app `Maddy which offers opportunity to earn points at each shopping which can later be redeemed," he added. Poyil also unveiled the group's UAE expansion plans which include a 1.5 million sq ft shopping mall in Dubai Investment Park and a 2.5 million sq ft retail destination in Al Khail Heights. He later showcased the new logo of the groups upcoming online platform, Al Madina Daily.-TradeArabia News Service Until June 24, UAE's Etihad Airways has launched reduced and flexible fares to quarantine-free destinations globally. Whether travellers are looking for a short city break or a week relaxing on the beach, its time to see the world from a new perspective. With limited or no quarantine when travellers fly to and from Etihads sale destinations, experience a Spanish fiesta with fares from Abu Dhabi to Barcelona from AED1,995 ($543.1) or soak up the cultural vibrance Rome has to offer from AED 1,995. For those that are looking for a bit of extra room on board, Economy Space offers just that - with extra legroom for more space and comfort. Until June 24, all new bookings will receive a 30 per cent discount on Economy Space seats. The sale extends across all of Etihads cabins, with return Business fares starting from AED9,495 ($2,707.3) out of Abu Dhabi to Seychelles beautiful islands and AED 10,995 ($2,993.1) from Abu Dhabi to Athens ancient ruins, sun-kissed coastlines. With Etihads flexible fares, guests can change their flight for free if they need to. Etihad Guest members who book during the promotional period will earn double miles. To simplify the travel experience and provide additional peace of mind, Etihad recently launched Verified to Fly, allowing guests to validate their Covid-19 travel documents before arriving at the airport. Travellers who use Verified to Fly can enjoy fast track check-in at the airport by going to the dedicated Verified to Fly desk for a quicker and smoother experience. To use the Verified to Fly service, guests can sign-up by visiting Manage my Booking and will receive further information on how to submit their documents. For more convenient travel options, guests can also check in for their Etihad flight from the comfort of their own home by visiting etihad.com/homecheckin up to seven hours before their flight. This means passengers can check in their bags, choose their seat and collect their boarding pass and luggage tags from their home in Abu Dhabi. Once at Abu Dhabi International Airport, all non-transit passengers who have used the home check-in service can skip the queues bag-free, making the airport journey seamless. Luggage will need to be collected at the destination baggage belt. Flying to, from, and via Abu Dhabi is supported by the airlines fully redesigned sanitisation and safety programme, Etihad Wellness, which ensures the highest standards of hygiene are maintained at every stage of the customer journey. Those wishing to book are advised to visit etihad.com and the app to view their options, and to remain informed on the appropriate entry regulations at their end destination. Flights are also available for booking through the mobile app, by calling the Etihad Airways Contact Centre on +971 600 555 666 (UAE) or through a local or online travel agency. A list of other local Etihad contact centres is available at etihad.com/contacts. The sale ends on Thursday, June 24 at etihad.com. - TradeArabia News Service by Vladimir Rozanskij A summit in Geneva after the tensions of recent months. The respective ambassadors return to the offices in Washington and Moscow. Focus on cyber security, the pandemic, Libya, Syria, Afghanistan and North Korea. Major differences over Ukraine and human rights in Russia. Moscow (AsiaNews) - Russia and the United States have decided to restore diplomatic relations returning their respective ambassadors. The two envoys were recalled home in March and April after escalating tensions between the Kremlin and Washington. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the move to the press yesterday after meeting his US counterpart Joe Biden. The Russian leader also stated that we talked face to face for more than two hours, and this does not happen with all leaders. There was no hostility during the meeting. There was an exchange of respective principles, on which our positions do not coincide, but the conversation was constructive. Last spring, ambassadors Anatolij Antonov and John Sullivan returned to Washington and Moscow. Russia had placed the US on the list of "non-friendly countries", banning Russian citizens from working in US diplomatic offices. Many senior officials have been expelled or sanctioned by both sides, including the deputy head of the Russian presidential administration Sergei Kirienko, predicted by many as a possible successor to Putin (if needed). The head of the FSB (former KGB) Aleksandr Bortnikov is also part of the list. Among others, Russian sanctions hit US Justice Secretary Merrick Garland and FBI Director Christopher Wray. The meeting between Putin and Biden on Lake Geneva recalled the memorable summits of the time of the Cold War, which in recent years seems to have been revived by the many reasons for hostility between post-Soviet Russia and the West of post-globalization. Putin interrupted his long break from travel abroad caused by the Covid-19 pandemic in order to travel for the meeting at Villa La Grange. He met directly with Biden, who not long ago had called him a "killer" and made it clear that he did not want to give discounts to the Russian tsar, increasingly seen as a dictator by Washington. The last Russia-US summit was held in Helsinki in July 2018, amid the ambiguity of the relationship of loving opposition between Putin and Donald Trump. The initial surprise was the unusual punctuality of Putin, famous for his great delays at these levels, while this time he even arrived first, welcomed by Swiss President Guy Parmelin. In reality, the meeting with the new US president, at the beginning of his mandate, is almost a tradition for Putin: he met with Bush junior in May; with Obama in April; and with Trump, in fact, in July of their inaugural years. Biden's predecessor also met Putin on his first European tour, coming from Britain. Relations between the two great enemies of the twentieth century have further deteriorated in the last three years, and there were no particular illusions about the outcome of the Geneva summit. The Russian Foreign Minister himself, Sergej Lavrov, declared on 9 June that "we do not expect any particular openings or surprises, but there is an objective need for an exchange of views at the highest level between the two main nuclear powers in the international arena." The Russian judgment on Trump was very positive at first; on June 12, in an interview with NBC, Putin recalled him as "a politician of exceptional talent", compared to Biden defined as "a professional politician". The next day Biden avoided using offensive terms against his Russian counterpart, while referring to him as an "autocrat". According to all forecasts and advances, the first topic on the agenda was cyber security. Putin said that on this point all insinuations must be put aside, and we have agreed to start consultations on the matter. You have to sit down and get to work. In addition to the issue of the fight against the coronavirus, the two powers need to find a certain agreement on various global issues: Ukraine, Libya, Syria, North Korea and Afghanistan. The summit in Switzerland started "from the lowest point of mutual relations since Soviet times", the only aspect on which both sides were in complete agreement. For this reason, a joint press conference of the two leaders was excluded from the outset. As for Ukraines entry into NATO, Putin declared that "it was only touched upon because there is nothing to discuss here". On the issue of human rights in Russia, the Russian leader said Biden presented his view, reiterating that "Naval'nyj knew what awaited him, given his two sentences, and he chose to be arrested". About 900 children and young people between the ages of three and 17 are involved, including children and grandchildren of the royal family of Abu Dhabi. The goal is to start with a "mass vaccination campaign in the near future". In Dubai, about two-thirds of the adult population has already received both doses of the vaccine. Abu Dhabi (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) are currently launching a clinical trial for the use of the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine on children under 18. According to official media reports, the test involves a group of children and young people - boys and girls - between the ages of three and 17; among these there would also be some members of the royal family of Abu Dhabi, who wanted to join the initiative. The trial phase intends to verify the immune response of at least 900 children and minors, in preparation for "a mass vaccination in the near future," the Abu Dhabi Media Office explained in a note released yesterday afternoon. Local sources add that Sheikh Theyab bin Mohammed, son of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and de facto leader of the country Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, accompanied his children and grandchildren to the vaccination centre to join the clinical trials. Last month the United Arab Emirates approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for emergency use in young people between the ages of 12 and 15, but that age has not yet fallen below that threshold. In June Dubai, the second most important member state of the federation, officially launched the immunization campaign while the other emirates have yet to begin. The United Arab Emirates, one of the countries in the world with the highest immunization rate in relation to the population, yesterday recorded 2,011 new coronavirus infections, for a total of 603,961 cases and a total of 1738 deaths since the start of the health emergency. However, the health authorities do not provide the data on the infections spread over each of the seven emirates. An estimated two thirds of the adult population in Dubai received both doses of the vaccine. In addition, the Gulf state has initiated "phase three" clinical trials of the vaccine manufactured by Sinopharm and has begun manufacturing it thanks to a joint venture between the Chinese pharmaceutical company and Group 42, a technology company based in Abu Dhabi. by Paul Nguyen Hung The province has reported 70 cases in the last two weeks. Although not among the most affected, many locals are in solitary confinement. Caritas and local parishes are close to the sick and people forced into quarantine. Hanoi (AsiaNews) Vietnamese authorities have called on the population to make an effort to eradicate the coronavirus. Since April 27, Vietnam has reported 8,569 cases. The most affected province is Bac Giang with 4,767 cases, followed by Bac Ninh with 1,448, and Ho Chi Minh City with 1,105. Ha Tenh province reported 70 cases in the last two weeks. It is therefore not among the most affected, but locals have taken immediate action to help the sick. Some businesses have contributed financially to procure 150,000 swabs for testing in 13 provincial districts. Yesterday alone, the health department received 40,000 swabs to analyse. In Ha Tinh, Caritas urged the faithful to help people in hospital or in isolation. In Kim Lam, working with the local parish, the Catholic charity is preparing meals for people in isolation. On 11 June, feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, some 1,340 free meals and nearly 500 kilos of vegetables were delivered to quarantined patients. Even the poorest contribute what they can. A 70-year-old woman told Caritas members that she had no money, "just some rice to share with those who are sick." Father Aung Ling was freed after 11 hours of questioning. Priests have been picked up and forced to sign documents in which they pledge not to support opposition forces. A village is razed to the ground by a fire. Yangon (AsiaNews/Agencies) The Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) continue to commit acts of violence against the Catholic Church and civilians. Yesterday a Catholic priest was kidnapped, interrogated for 11 hours and then released. Michael Aung Ling, parish priest in Hakha Parish, was suspected of supporting resistance forces in Kanpetlet, a town in Chin State. He was let go only after signing a document declaring his commitment not to support groups or movements that oppose the military. The same fate befell yesterday six priests and another person who were abducted from a village in Mandalay because they were accused of helping young rebels. On Tuesday evening, the military set fire to Kin Ma, a village in Magway, a region in central Myanmar, killing at least two elderly people trapped in their homes, local residents told Reuters. Myanmar state TV blamed terrorists for the fire claiming that media reporting a different version of the incident were deliberately plotting to discredit the military. According to residents, soldiers set the village on fire after clashes with forces opposing the military junta. More than 200 houses were reduced to ashes while only 30 were left standing. Most of the population took refuge in the forests to escape the violence. Days earlier, junta forces had raided villages in the Tabayin area and opened fire on civilians after cutting off the power supply. According to The Irrawaddy, soldiers perhaps sought to take revenge for the killing of an informant's daughters. Five, including the chief editor of the newspaper owned by pro-democracy magnate Jimmy Lai are taken. They are charged with conspiring with foreign forces to threaten national security. More than 200 policemen searched the editorial office. Assets for 1.9 million euros of the publishing company are frozen. Concern for press freedom. Hong Kong (AsiaNews / Agencies) - This morning the national security police arrested five executives of Apple Daily, the independent newspaper of democracy magnate Jimmy Lai. Those arrested include the chief editor of the newspaper Ryan Law, his deputy Chan Pui-man and the executive director Cheung Chi-wai. The others arrested are Cheung Kim-hung and Chow Tat-kuen, two managers of Next Digital, the holding company that publishes the newspaper. The police arrested the five in their homes. They are charged with conspiring with foreign forces to threaten national security: one of the crimes envisaged by Beijings security provision that was introduced last year. The authorities are targeting more than 30 articles that the police say call for sanctions against the Hong Kong executive and the central Chinese government. More than 200 policemen instead carried out a raid on the offices of Apple Daily; during the operation, journalists were prevented from approaching their posts. The anti-establishment tabloid had undergone a search as early as August. Jimmy Lai has been in prison for months accused of crimes against national security and for having participated in two unauthorized demonstrations in August 2019. The prosecutor also accuses him of illegally sub-letting some premises destined for Next Digital. The offices are located in a building owned by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, a state-funded entity. In May, the national security police seized 70% of his shares in Next Digital from the democratic activist. Steve Li, senior commissioner of the national security, announced that authorities have frozen Apple Daily assets for HK $ 18 million ( 1.9 million). Immediately after the arrests, Next Digital suspended trading on the stock exchange. The citizen association of journalists has expressed concern over the raid and the arrests. Its president Chris Yeung objected that journalism could contravene the national security law. He also objected to the confiscation of journalistic material, noting that the search order shows that press freedom in Hong Kong is being seriously eroded. by Sumon Corraya Local NGOs speak out against this terrible practice. Growing poverty is behind the rise in child marriages. A victim, who can no longer go to school, tells her story. Bangladesh is one of the top 10 countries in the world for child marriage. Dhaka (AsiaNews) Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, child marriages are on the rise in Bangladesh, up by 13 per cent since the start of the health emergency, this according to data presented at a recent virtual seminar organised by NGOs opposed to this terrible practice. Bangladesh is already one of the top 10 countries in the world in terms of child marriage with 51 per cent of brides aged under 18, this according to a UN report, this despite the fact that, in Bangladesh, the legal age for marriage is 18, in some cases16. During the seminar a child bride named Arju Akter spoke about her experience. During the pandemic my father lost his job. He arranged a marriage for me when I was in Grade 7. I tried to refuse, but failed. Now that she's married and no longer going to school. For Chandan Gomes, senior operations director at World Vision Bangladesh, this is painful since sustainable development goals include ending child marriage. According to a survey by this NGO, 95 per cent of families in Bangladesh have faced economic difficulties due to the pandemic, which has increased poverty in the country. As a result many parents have arranged marriages for their children, Gomes explained. Child marriages declined in the past noted Rashed Khan Menon, a member of the Bangladeshi parliament and chairman of the Standing Committee on the Ministry of Education; however, this trend has been reversed. The lawmaker, who plans to bring the issue to the attention of the government, points to various causes, such as poverty, culture, security as well as child labour. Child marriage is a significant violation of children's human rights, added Shaheen Anam, executive director of the Manusher Jonno Foundation, depriving them of the possibility of growing up properly. A parent who thinks about marrying a minor child must be stopped by the government. A zero tolerance policy must be adopted, she said. Child marriage is not an issue in Bangladeshs small Catholic community, thanks to strict supervision Church authorities. Theres no reason to think were in a better place now than we were 15 months ago, said Luke Kalb, a public health researcher and director of the informatics program at Kennedy Kriegers Center for Autism and Related Disorders. We know there were mental health impacts. As we emerge out of the pandemic, well see the effects of that. The lights were low and a spotlight of many colors was played on the moving dancers. When left in the dark, the sound of fervent kisses could be heard as the dancers held each other close as their bodies heaved with pent-up emotion. More frequently than not, two men would be seen dancing together with one of the duo gazing soulfully into the eyes of the other, The Baltimore Afro-American reported on March 26, 1932. Maryland lawmakers introduced bills during this past session of the general assembly that would have altered the school resource officer program. Some county school boards, such as Howard, were considering whether the program should be removed from its public schools. But Carroll leaders, and some parents, wanted to keep the program. It is not fair for some of our citizens to have three members in the Maryland General Assembly and others to have one, she said. If you live in one of those districts with only one representative, do you actually have the same level of support you would if you didnt? We express no view here on when he might become eligible to file a motion or on the merits of any motion he might file, but he seems squarely to be among the individuals whom this change in the law was designed to reach, Nazarian wrote in the opinion. We havent heard from Harris about this. (His office did not respond to my request for a comment.) But youd think he would want to join the chorus of those who say the Ocean City police did nothing wrong or that they gave the young men what they deserved for being profane and resisting arrest after they were caught vaping outside of designated areas. We would normally dismiss this exercise as just another example of hyper-partisanship and hypocrisy by dyed-in-the-wool Back the Blue and Freedom Caucus types Marjorie Taylor Greene, Matt Gaetz and Paul Gosar (all fellow nay votes). These are the kind of House members who live primarily for shoutouts from QAnon and Tucker Carlson, not for accomplishing anything of substance on the Hill. But then Mr. Harris explained his vote. It turns out it was not merely his customary subservience to all things Donald Trump that proved decisive. It was not even some fig leaf such as cost of the medals or that some defenders were or absent from the list or that the whole thing was Chinas fault and five people didnt actually die in the riot. Nope, it turns out there was a language barrier. News Around the Republic of Mexico Ken Salazar Nominated to be Ambassador to Mexico Salazar, 66, a fifth-generation Coloradan whose family has long operated a ranch in the San Luis Valley, has been considered the likely nominee for the critical diplomatic post for months. Salazar, 66, a fifth-generation Coloradan whose family has long operated a ranch in the San Luis Valley, has been considered the likely nominee for the critical diplomatic post for months, and in late May Mexican diplomats confirmed his nomination was imminent. Salazar's nomination will now go to the U.S. Senate, which must confirm him before he can take over the U.S. embassy in Mexico City. Salazar is a former Colorado state attorney general and a former Democratic senator who left the Senate to join President Barack Obama's administration in 2009 and lead the Interior Department. Colorado Democrats applauded the announcement, calling the pick "a terrific choice" with the potential to reset relations with the crucial U.S. neighbor and ally. "Ken Salazar is an exceptional leader who has served Colorado and our country at the highest levels. As ambassador to Mexico he will revitalize the relationship with a neighbor, ally, and one of our biggest trading partners," said U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper. In a tweet, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser noted that the Salazar family ranch was once part of Mexico. "Ken Salazar never forgot where he came from - and that his family did not come to the US; the US came to his family, which has lived in the San Luis Valley for generations," Weiser said. "There is not a better person to serve as our Ambassador to Mexico." Salazar, a native Spanish-speaker, co-chaired Biden's Latino Leadership Committee and served as an honorary co-chair of the Biden campaign's Colorado Latino Leadership Council. Sources: coloradopolitics.com, cnbc.com U.S. President Joe Biden has nominated Ken Salazar, a former interior secretary and senator from Colorado, to serve as ambassador to Mexico, the White House said Tuesday.Salazar, 66, a fifth-generation Coloradan whose family has long operated a ranch in the San Luis Valley, has been considered the likely nominee for the critical diplomatic post for months, and in late May Mexican diplomats confirmed his nomination was imminent.Salazar's nomination will now go to the U.S. Senate, which must confirm him before he can take over the U.S. embassy in Mexico City.Salazar is a former Colorado state attorney general and a former Democratic senator who left the Senate to join President Barack Obama's administration in 2009 and lead the Interior Department.Colorado Democrats applauded the announcement, calling the pick "a terrific choice" with the potential to reset relations with the crucial U.S. neighbor and ally."Ken Salazar is an exceptional leader who has served Colorado and our country at the highest levels. As ambassador to Mexico he will revitalize the relationship with a neighbor, ally, and one of our biggest trading partners," said U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper.In a tweet, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser noted that the Salazar family ranch was once part of Mexico."Ken Salazar never forgot where he came from - and that his family did not come to the US; the US came to his family, which has lived in the San Luis Valley for generations," Weiser said. "There is not a better person to serve as our Ambassador to Mexico."Salazar, a native Spanish-speaker, co-chaired Biden's Latino Leadership Committee and served as an honorary co-chair of the Biden campaign's Colorado Latino Leadership Council. Site Map Print this Page Email Us Top Support local journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by making a contribution. Got a question or tip? Contact us at bizmojoidaho@gmail.com. Duluth, MN (55816) Today Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. High 87F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Clear skies. Low 68F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. 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. 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. Des combattants separatistes archives Six Divisional Delegates in Ndian Division are still in the captivity of armed separatist fighters 48 hours after their abduction. At around 9 am on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, officials say armed separatist fighters abducted six divisional delegates in Masore Balue village in Ekondo-Titi Subdivision, near Mundemba. Forwang Lawrence, the Senior Divisional Officer (SDO) for Ndian Division told Equinoxe Television that those kidnapped include:- -the Divisional Delegate of State Property, Land Tenure, and Surveys -the Divisional Delegate of Housing and Urban Development -the Divisional Delegate of Water and Energy Resources -the Divisional Delegate of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Social Economy and Handicraft -the Divisional Delegate of Economy, Planning and Regional Development -the Divisional Chief of Service for Surveys According to Equinoxe TV, the abductors have identified themselves as separatist fighters led by a certain General Ten Kobo who hails from Bekora in Ekondo Titi Subdivision. The SDO for Ndian is quoted as saying that he is in communication with the abducted divisional delegates who are being held in two separate camps. The armed fighters are said to be demanding FCFA 28 million to free those in one of the camps and FCFA 32 million for the others. Reports say those abducted were on a mission to demarcate and plant pillars on a parcel of land to be allocated to the electricity utility company, ENEO. The company seeks to construct a power plant that will stabilize the electricity supply in Ndian Division. Administrative and security officials are said to be working round the clock to free the captives as family members become restless. Cameroons state forces have been battling to dislodge armed separatists who pitched their tents in the North West and South West Regions since Anglophone protests transformed into an armed conflict in 2017. Corporate demands by Common Law Lawyers and Anglophone Teachers led to protests in November 2016. The street demonstrations later morphed into ongoing running gun battles between state forces and armed separatist fighters in the predominantly English-speaking regions, leading to untold destruction of human lives, their habitats, and livelihoods. Tit-for-tat killings, kidnappings, arsons, maiming, and outright terror have become part of daily lives in some parts of the English-speaking regions. Give a friend a forever home. The SPCA of Anne Arundel County is open for services by appointment only. If interested in adopting an animal, please view adoptable animals online and email an adoption application. Once your application has been processed, the SPCA will contact you to schedule a meet and greet. Please be patient, as the process will be delayed. The SPCA of Anne Arundel County is still accepting donations of new and unopened pet supplies (food, treats, etc), but can not take any used or opened donations at this time. Emergency services such as animal surrender, euthanasia and cremation will be available by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, please call and leave a message at 410-268-4388 ext 141. Anne Arundel County Animal Care and Control is located off Interstate 97 at the police and fire headquarters complex in Millersville, 411 Maxwell Frye Road. Anne Arundel County Animal Care & Control, 411 Maxwell Frye Rd., Millersville, has reopened by appointment only to the public. If you see an animal here or on our website (aacounty.org/pets) that you would like to meet and possibly adopt, please fill out the form found under adopt a pet on its website and email it with the required items to ACCFrontDesk@aacounty.org. All available animals are shown during a live video on their Facebook page at 9:30 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays; additional pets that are in foster homes are included on the website. It is important as we come out of COVID that we begin to reconnect with the youth in our community, Pindell-Charles said in an announcement. We want them to know what is available, where they can go for jobs, services and resources. Mayo, who lives in the Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood, cant use sidewalks to reach the post office or the Light Rail. Jackson, a resident of Loch Raven, cant travel by wheelchair to go shopping. When Goodlaxson is invited to go somewhere, she said she has to first get in the car and scout out the area to see if she can make it over the sidewalk. So please bear with us as we fix this problem, but also know we are preparing for the long term solution for this, he said. Adding a second water main to service this area will create a loop in the system that we need to ensure that these kinds of breaks dont cause additional problems. Following the abolition of slavery in the United States, it took time for word to travel to people who were enslaved and for them to be freed. Juneteenth marks when the news finally reached people who were enslaved in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865 two months after Confederate soldiers surrendered in the Civil War and more than two years after President Abraham Lincolns Emancipation Proclamation. Lahore Police have registered a case against a cleric after a video of him sexually assaulting one of his students went viral. The case against JUI-F's Mufti Azizur Rehman was registered under Section 377 (unnatural offences) and Section 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Pakistan Penal Code, Dawn reported on Thursday. According to the first information report (FIR), the victim got admission to Jamia Manzoorul Islamia in 2013. He said during the exams, Mufti Rehman had accused him and another student of cheating by getting someone else to sit for the exams. "Over this, I was also banned from giving exams at the Wafaqul Madaris for three years," he said in the complaint. Also Read: Jharkhand Shocker: Minor girls sexually assaulted at shelter home He said that he pleaded to Mufti Rehman, but the latter was unmoved. But Mufti Rehman said that he might be able to think of something if I engaged in sexual activities and "make him happy", the victim said, adding that he had no choice but to be subjected to sexual assault. "Mufti Rehman claimed that the ban would be removed and that he would also pass me in the exams. But despite a passage of three years, during which I was assaulted every Friday, he did nothing and started to blackmail me more," the victim said. The victim said he complained to the madrassah's administration but they refused to believe him as Mufti Rehman was an "elder and a pious man" and instead accused him of giving a false statement. The victim said this was when he began recording the abuse and showed it to Wafaqul Madaris al Arabia Nazim. "After this Mufti Rehman started threatening me with dire consequences as well as my life," he said. He said because of audio and video recordings, the administration of the Jamia Manzoorul Islamia removed Mufti Rehman which angered the cleric. He added that he was now being threatened by Mufti Rehman and his sons and asked for action to be taken against them. The disturbing video, which surfaced a couple of days ago, stirred up a storm on social media as citizens called for action to be taken against the JUI-F leader. Meanwhile, Mufti Rehman, in a video message, claimed his innocence and said that the boy in the video had drugged him due to which he was not in his senses. (ANI) Also Read: Man murders 80-year-old mother; what he does next with her body organs will shock you! Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V vaccine will be available in nine more cities across India, including Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Baddi, Kolhapur and Miryalaguda, informed the official twitter handle of Sputnik V. "The Sputnik V vaccine will be available in 9 more cities across India, including Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Baddi, Kolhapur and Miryalaguda," Sputnik V tweeted. The Russian vaccine's local distribution partner Dr Reddy's had also issued a statement on Wednesday saying that the project launch of Russian Covid vaccine Sputnik V has now been extended to nine other cities. Initially, it was launched only in Hyderabad. In its statement, the pharmaceutical company had said the pilot launch is in its final leg and necessary arrangements are being made to ensure the availability of both doses. Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy's Laboratories has partnered with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) for the rollout of the two-dose vaccine in India. The first phase of the Sputnik V rollout by Apollo Hospitals and Dr Reddy's Laboratories had started on a pilot basis on May 17 in Hyderabad and on May 18 in Visakhapatnam. Besides Apollo Hospitals, the vaccine is also available in Hyderabad at Continental Hospitals. The price per dose of Sputnik V at private hospitals as per the pricing schedule issued by the central government has been capped at Rs 1,145. RDIF, earlier on June 10, announced that the efficacy of the Sputnik V vaccine during a vaccination campaign by Bahrain's Ministry of Health was estimated to be at 94.3 per cent. (ANI) Also Read: Myths and facts about COVID-19 vaccines Indian American Republican politician and 2024 GOP (another name for the Republican Party -- Grand Old Party) Nikki Haley on Wednesday (local time) said the United States must act "strongly" against China, stating that if Beijing takes control of Taiwan, it will be emboldened to seize other territories around the globe. According to The Hill, Haley during a closed-door meeting with members of the Republican Study Committee (RSC) said that if China takes control of Taiwan, Beijing will be emboldened to seize other territories around the globe. "The US must take stronger action against China," the former President Trump's ambassador to the United Nations said, starting with organising a boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing with allies like India, Australia, Japan, South Korea and Canada. "The last Olympics that they had [in 2008] was their coming out. That's how they saw it. They were introducing themselves to the world. This next Olympics, if it goes unscathed, this is their way of showing that they are now the superpower of the world," Haley told nearly 70 GOP lawmakers in the basement of the Capitol. "And if we don't boycott, if we don't do something to really call them out, mark my words: Taiwan is next. And if they take Taiwan, it's all over, because they will think that gives them free rein to grab any territory, not in the region, but anywhere they want to go." She also blasted the joint statement from President Biden and other Group of Seven leaders this week calling out China's human-rights abuses as extremely weak, arguing the G-7 instead should have established that Taiwan -- the East Asian island whose autonomy is in constant dispute -- is a "sovereign country." On Tuesday, Taiwan witnessed the largest daily incursion as over two dozen Chinese military planes flew into the country's Air Defence Identified Zones (ADIZ). Beijing claims full sovereignty over Taiwan, a democracy of almost 24 million people located off the southeastern coast of mainland China, even though the two sides have been governed separately for more than seven decades. Taiwan has complained in recent months of repeated missions by China's air force near the island, concentrated in the southwestern part of its air defense zone near the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands. Tensions in the Taiwan Strait are escalating. China ramped up political pressure and military threats against Taiwan, with almost daily incursions into Taipei's air defence identification zone. Taipei, on the other hand, has countered the Chinese aggression by increasing strategic ties with democracies including the US, which has been repeatedly opposed by Beijing. China has threatened that "Taiwan's independence" means war. (ANI) Also Read: COVID-19: US CDC calls coronavirus Delta variant a 'variant of concern' If you are old enough to remember the hit comedy movie of 1980, Caddy Shack, then you will recall that a gopher infestation was threatening a golf course in Nebraska. The somewhat deranged groundskeeper was tasked with getting rid of the pest. His efforts at eradication include shooting, f The Tribal Council elections are coming up and Char-Koosta News has new election logos. We can't decide which is the best. That's where you come in. Check out the logo options below and then vote. Which logo do you prefer? Answer below! You voted: If you caught the past tense I used earlier in this piece, you probably know where this is all heading. Chris wrote: I received a call last week from Dad that Cooper wasnt doing so good and had been to the vet a few times because he had lost his drive to even chase a ball. If you know Cooper, you know its serious if hes not chasing a ball. Unfortunately this morning I received another call from Dad again and he had to put Cooper down on Saturday. The 2020 agreement with the government, which was among the documents recently made public by congressional investigators, promised Emergent $542 million to reserve the three plants for periods ranging from three to 20 months. Until last week, the suspended factory in Baltimores Bayview section had failed to deliver a single usable vaccine dose, and then only with a special warning from the Food and Drug Administration. In addition, the production lines at the two other sites in the Camden section of Baltimore and in Rockville, Maryland have mostly sat idle. One way the show wrangles so much together is by stopping periodically for brief spotlights on connecting threads. Take Charles Johnson, a former cartoonist for Ebony and the Chicago Tribune (better known today as a National Book Award-winning author) whose pointed, single-panel comics on race echo in the works of rising star Bianca Xunise, whose own gags anchor the final gallery. Or Gary Leib, who died at 65 last year of a heart attack, becomes a missing link between bulbous 60s styles and the more formal bitterness of early Chris Ware and Daniel Clowes. (In true Midwest working-class form, Leib also pulled double-duty as a founding member of the 80s roots rock band Rubber Rodeo.) Lynda Barry, whose beautiful memoirs of growing up furious and (occasionally) delighted wisely dominate their own space, emerges as a catalyst for generations of graphic memoirists. Same with Ivan Brunetti, a longtime instructor at Columbia College; Drnaso, one of his students, gets nearly a whole gallery himself. In fact, Brunetti is a kind of avatar for community here: Beyond his delicate New Yorker covers of Weeble-like characters, his hilariously dour comics (The Horror of Simply Being Alive ), his Macys Thanksgiving Parade balloon-ish sculptures, hes represented by a Christmas card to Ware, and a set of papier-mache and cardboard figures of Drnasos characters. In the wake of global uprisings in response to the murder of George Floyd, many Americans learned about the once Texas-based Juneteenth holiday for the first time last year. If one was not black or simply from a region outside of the central southern United States, Juneteenth may have been a new discovery. Impromptu concerts and celebrations emerged across the city. One year later, however, Juneteenth has been declared a statewide and federal holiday and more formal concerts and celebrations have become part of the citys fabric. Two such events a weekendlong festival and a livestreamed jazz music performance kick off the celebration. A: I think the pandemic has made safety top priority for most people, as it should. The pandemic showed us how global we really are: One thing would happen in one country, and then next month its happening in another, and that is a very tough thing to swallow. But it hasnt necessarily changed my thinking that travel is the best education. If were doing it safely, if were protecting ourselves and others, its still how I personally live my life and how I encourage others to explore and to learn about themselves in the world. Im excited to see travel opening up again. What I hope people get from the show is encouragement to just get out there, see the world and really look at travel not so much as this glitz-and-glam unattainable thing, but as an opportunity to experience a rich life, to learn things that you wouldnt have ever learned. And to just realize how much bigger the world is. The boy was shot in his right leg about 3:30 p.m. Thursday in the 12200 block of South Stewart Avenue, according to police. For the rest of my life, Im going to be telling the story of my son and what happened to him and keeping his name alive, Lane said. I feel like Im still having a really bad dream and that one day my son is going to walk through the door. Im just at home waiting for that to happen. Authorities said they are looking for the woman, who is described as Black with short, natural black hair, brown eyes, and who stands about 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall, and is trim and fit. She was last seen wearing a pink top, black tights with jean shorts over the top of them and white sneakers. When he woke up Tuesday morning, his phone went off nonstop. He knew something had to be wrong. No one ever called him at 5 or 6 in the morning. He went on Facebook and saw people tagging his sister in posts about the shooting. He hopped onto the expressway and drove to the scene. He said he had to see it for himself. Two people from the car started shooting from outside the front passenger seat and the rear seat while Stevens drove off, prosecutors said. Courtney-Clarks was shot and collapsed on the street. The second person was not shot. The prosecutor said the killing was caught on surveillance video. According to the release, officials found an unloaded firearm magazine and rounds of 9 mm ammunition in Morris bedroom at his residence in the 8100 block of South Avalon Avenue in the Avalon Park neighborhood. Officials also found two guns in a book bag with Morris ID, 10 other firearms, a pellet gun, brass knuckles and 889 rounds of ammunition of various calibers. Lightfoot also didnt act on the 2016 recommendation of her reform task force that anyone arrested gets a phone call within an hour. Last summer, with no such rule in place, the city was deluged with complaints of people being held incommunicado following arrests at Chicago protests over the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd. Those complaints were among the many allegations of abuse stemming from a police response that the inspector generals office described as plagued by confusion and lack of coordination. Officers stopped a sedan in an alley in the 300 block of South Kilbourn Avenue about 8:30 p.m. in the West Garfield Park neighborhood when they saw the cars occupants were not wearing seat belts, according to police. Pritzker and Exelon reached an agreement in the closing hours of the legislatures spring session that would put customers on the hook for nearly $700 million in subsidies over five years for three plants, including two the company has threatened to close this year if it doesnt get state help. Juneteenth will become an official state holiday in Illinois, and the city of Chicago could be next to sign off on the designation. The holiday is widely celebrated as a day of freedom and pride for Black Americans and was the subject of renewed calls for recognition after racial injustice protests took over the streets of American cities last summer following the Minneapolis police murder of George Floyd. When we think about racism, many of us think about its visible and audible forms, Lightfoot said. But the reality is, the insidious nature of systemic racism has other impacts that are every bit as deep and harmful but are often ones we cant see, like impacts on the psyche and other impacts on our bodies that are just as, if not more, deadly. Eventually, it was decided that payments were going to be doled out to the relative in $500 installments over a period of eight weeks, according to the indictment filed against Doherty in February 2020. To hide the purpose of the bribes, the money would come from a company where Doherty was a manager, the indictment stated. Long Daneat, a 23-year-old Cambodian student majoring food science and engineering in a Chinese university, was very excited after receiving the three-volume book "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" from Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian weeks ago. The third-year university student at Jiangnan University in Wuxi city, east China's Jiangsu Province, had his mind set on the book in April 2017 when he saw Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen launched the book's Khmer version. At present, Daneat stays in Cambodia and has studied online for one and a half years since January 2020. But the pandemic didn't hold back the young man's eagerness for the book. "China's successful experience in fighting against COVID-19 is a testament of the efficiency and advantages of the Chinese way of governance. I really want to know more about it," he said. The book is a three-volume collection of speeches and writings by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. News of the publication of the book's third volume last year aroused his thirst for better understanding of the governance of China. However, it was not easy to acquire the latest issue here in Cambodia, because many book stores were closed. "I sent a message to the Chinese embassy on Facebook to ask for a copy of the book," said Daneat. "I know they must be very busy, but I wanted to give it a try." His endeavors paid off on May 31 when the Chinese ambassador provided him the book upon his request. "To my surprise, Ambassador Wang replied to me very fast and offered me five books: three Chinese version volumes, one Khmer version book and one English version book." "I feel very excited to get the book because I have never expected that the ambassador would reply to me since I'm just a student," he said. "I really appreciate his humbleness and kindness." Daneat said he was keen to read the book since he first heard of it, because he wanted to learn about Xi's thoughts and strategies on governance, the Chinese Dream, roadmaps for long-run development and promoting a sense of a community with a shared future for mankind. He said that he has finished 63 pages of the book so far, and what impressed him the most was Xi's aspiration to bring a better life for the Chinese people. "This book really caught my interest because it was written by a revered leader, who has a long-term and clear vision to build a prosperous China," he said. "This book is a really great book that taught great lessons from experiences, and many of Cambodian government officials have admired and recommended it to youth to read." Daneat said he had lived in China for two and a half years and loved his life there very much, adding that he would use the book to learn better about China. "It is a meaningful gift for me and I will see it as one of my most valuable things," he said, adding that he will share good thoughts in these books with his classmates when he finishes reading all of them. Talking about the quick response to Daneat's need, Wang told Xinhua that he hopes Daneat will work hard in learning Chinese to better understand the Chinese culture and introduce the splendid Cambodian culture to his Chinese friends. "I hope that Daneat can grow to be a bridge for the mutual learning between Chinese and Cambodian cultures and a successor of China-Cambodia friendship," said Wang. A visitor flips through a book on the history of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) at the site. [Photo by Deng Rui/China Daily] A set of warehouses in Chongqing on the southern bank of Yangtze River is 130 years old. In spite of its plain appearance, this former site of Anderson Firm, a Swedish trading house built in 1891, witnessed a gathering of precious cultural relics in the 1930s. The compound of 2,500 square meters has a memorial hall that opened to the public on Friday on the eve of China's Cultural and Natural Heritage Day. Left unused for long, the house finally embraced its new life after a renovation from 2018 to 2020. "This place once made a great contribution to protect our national treasures and inherit the lineage of Chinese civilization," says Xing Jun, deputy director of Chongqing Cultural Heritage Administration. In 1933, when the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) was approaching Beijing, administrators of the Palace Museum decided to move key cultural relics housed there southward in case they fell into invaders' hands. The museum, China's imperial palace from 1420 to 1911, also known as the Forbidden City, is home to myriad national treasures. The salvage campaign saw 13,492 boxes of cultural relics, including artifacts from the Summer Palace and Guozijian (the former imperial academy), embark on a journey to safety. The relocation work lasted for a few years and the artifacts arrived in cities, including Shanghai and Nanjing in today's Jiangsu province. However, when the war zone expanded to East China in 1937, they had to be shipped westward again along three routes. Consequently, 9,331 boxes of the cultural relics arrived in Chongqing that year through the middle route. They were secretly stored in three locations in the city, among which 3,694 boxes were put in four warehouses of Anderson Firm, according to Yan Hongbin, deputy director of the Palace Museum. You are here: Business With the June 18 online shopping festival"618"nigh, China's top industry regulator has asked e-commerce platforms to desist from illegal and pesky marketing practices. The warning is a response to more and more online sellers targeting consumers with unsolicited marketing messages about offers, promotions, lottery draws, contests, schemes or discounts. Typically, such short messages are delivered to consumers' short message service (SMS), social media accounts and email. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said it has noticed a spike in some companies' marketing texts that not only violate regulations, but also disturb people's daily lives. The ministry said it attaches great importance to such problems. It held a meeting on Friday to ask e-commerce platforms to standardize 618 marketing campaigns and to strengthen self-discipline. Major e-commerce platforms such as Alibaba, JD and Pinduoduo, as well as telecom operators and SMS firms, attended the meeting. Since late May, the ministry has found that some e-commerce companies have sent unsolicited short messages to consumers, often intruding on the latter's digital privacy. This trend triggered complaints from exasperated consumers who felt such aggressive marketing infringes upon their rights and interests. Wang Liming, a white-collar worker in Anyang, Henan province, said she has received dozens of short messages from online stores recently. Some of the stores are those she had never heard of. "It's very troublesome and annoying. It seems that my telephone number has been leaked to strangers," Wang said. At the meeting, the ministry highlighted the need to crack down on spammers and protect consumers, a responsibility that, it said, enterprises should also shoulder. The MIIT also said companies must attach importance to such problems, raise awareness and take effective measures during the pre-audit, in-process monitoring and post-term disposal stages to curb spamming and to ensure consumers' information security is not compromised. The industry players concerned promised to strictly implement relevant requirements, conduct comprehensive self-examination and self-correction, improve the management system and optimize user services. "China is deploying more resources like big data and artificial intelligence technologies to crack down on spam and telecom fraud," said Fu Liang, a telecom industry analyst. As part of telecom operators' efforts to address such challenges, the Zhejiang provincial branch of China Mobile has developed a big data-powered anti-fraud system, called Tiandun (Sky Shield). The system is equipped with machine-learning technologies. Based on details of a large number of fraud cases provided by police departments, Sky Shield can recognize fraudulent communication behavior, differentiate it from normal calls and intercept spam calls and texts, Fu said. You are here: Business Huawei on Wednesday announced that it had invested 60 million U.S. dollars in the construction of two technological training centers in Angola. Chu Xiaoxin, representative of Huawei in Angola, made the announcement after an audience with Angolan President Joao Lourenco. Chu said that the centers with capacity to accommodate 2,000 young people will help discover talent in the telecommunications and information technology sector of Angola. The project, he said, is included in the digital economy development program in the country. The meeting with the president is aimed at updating him on the execution of the projects and the company's contribution in the southern African country, said Chu. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has urged efforts to deepen reform and opening-up, cultivate market entities, and make new breakthroughs in revitalizing northeast China. Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during an inspection tour in northeast China's Jilin province from Tuesday to Wednesday. He visited farmlands in Songyuan city and stressed effective measures to stabilize the prices of agricultural materials and keep grain prices at an appropriate level. When inspecting the ecological and environmental protection work of Chagan Lake, one of the largest freshwater lakes in the country, Li underscored continuous efforts to protect the water environment and promote the development of fishery and other industries with a sound ecological environment. Li visited Jilin Panpan Foods and called on the company to develop more healthy food products to meet diverse consumer needs. Efforts should be made to deepen reform and build a market-oriented, law-based and internationalized business environment so that both domestic and foreign enterprises will be more confident in investing in northeast China, said Li. During his visit to a demonstration zone for international cooperation between China and the Republic of Korea in Changchun city, Li urged efforts for northeast China to open up wider, especially to Northeast Asia, seize the opportunity of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership to strengthen regional cooperation and form a shared industrial chain. When visiting Ferry Innovation Works, Li called for continuous efforts in promoting mass entrepreneurship and innovation to further stimulate social creativity. You are here: China Taiwan on Wednesday reported 170 COVID-19 cases, including 167 local infections, and 18 deaths from the disease, the island's disease monitoring agency said. Of the 11,907 confirmed cases between May 11 to Monday, 6,373 people, or 53.5 percent, have recovered and left quarantine, the agency said. Among the new local infections reported on Wednesday, 85 were men and 82 were women, aged from under 5 to over 90, who showed symptoms between June 1 and Tuesday. The 18 deaths included nine men and nine women, aged in their 30s to 90s, who passed away between June 6 and Monday. On the same day, Taiwan reported three imported COVID-19 cases, all from the Philippines. The total number of confirmed cases on the island since the epidemic began has risen to 13,409, including 12,195 local ones. A total of 478 deaths have been recorded, the agency said. You are here: China The January to May period this year saw public security authorities across China uncover 114,000 telecommunications and internet fraud cases, dealing a heavy blow to such offenses. The figure represented a 60.4% increase year on year, according to a Ministry of Public Security press conference on Thursday. The number of captured criminal suspects in relation to the offenses was 154,000 during the period, up 146.5% year on year. Also due to the persuasion of public security agencies, about 7.71 million individuals did not fall for fraud. With the rapid growth of telecom and internet scams being curbed, around 84,600 such cases were newly registered in May nationwide, down 14.3% month on month, official data showed. Flash Shanghai Disney Resort celebrated its fifth anniversary earlier this week with a giant birthday cake, singing and dancing, a spectacular fireworks show, the premiere of the new stage show Mickey's Storybook Adventure, and the release of a new anniversary theme song performed by Jane Zhang, among many highlights. Yang Jinsong, chairman of Shanghai Shendi Group, Jin Mei, executive deputy director-general of Administrative Commission of Shanghai International Resort, and Joe Schott, president and general manager of Shanghai Disney Resort, are joined by several classic Disney characters at Shanghai Disney Resort's fifth-anniversary party, hosted in front of the Enchanted Storybook Castle on June 16, 2021. [Photo/China.org.cn] Thousands of guests joined numerous Disney characters and cast in front of Shanghai Disneyland's iconic Enchanted Storybook Castle to sing "Happy Birthday" on Wednesday morning, an emotional moment that was the culmination of years of hard work by the team. "The happy smile on your faces, your voices, and the passion that you approach every visit to this magical place are what makes myself and the team so excited to see you each and every day," Joe Schott, president and general manager of Shanghai Disney Resort, said during his speech, extending gratitude to the visitors. The Shanghai resort first opened its gates to the public on June 16, 2016, delivering an array of magical experiences, promising park-goers that Disney is a place "where dreams come true." For Bob Iger, executive chairman of The Walt Disney Company and who invested significant personal effort in overseeing the establishment of the resort, the most memorable part was watching people "actually enjoy the park that we had designed and built." "I still get tears in my eyes when I remember being there for the first time when we let guests in, and the feeling of watching the people of China enjoying the Disneyland was just so powerful," Iger described. "I'll never forget the experience of seeing people streak down what we call Mickey Avenue, waiting to get to their first attraction, waiting to see the castle, waiting to meet our characters." "It's hard to believe we are celebrating Shanghai Disney Resort's fifth anniversary, an amazing milestone," said Bob Chapek, chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company. "Eighty years after Walt brought his first-ever animated film, 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' (1937), to Shanghai for its Asia premiere, Disney opened the gates to its most ambitious project to date: a state-of-the-art theme park that has quickly become the premier destination of its kind, not only in China but across Asia," Chapek said. He noted that one of the most incredible aspects has been "seeing people throughout China embrace it as their own." Shanghai Disney Resort, which is comprised of two owner companies and a management company, is a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and China's Shanghai Shendi Group. "Since the opening, the two shareholders have continuously created magic together by combining global standards with the best local practices," said Yang Jinsong, chairman of Shanghai Shendi Group. Built around the unique design philosophy of "authentically Disney and distinctly Chinese," the resort has paid tribute to China over the past five years by incorporating Chinese elements and art into every facet. The resort has had a profoundly positive impact on the local community and economic development in the region, becoming a major employer in Shanghai with currently more than 12,000 cast members and staff. Flash Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday lashed out at the United States on arms control, human rights, cyber-attacks, among other issues, after "constructive" talks with his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden. "As for the general assessment, I believe there was no hostility at all," Putin said during his solo press briefing, adding that the meeting, the first of its kind since Biden took office in January, was "open" and with "no pressure of the parties on each other." Putin said that the two sides "differ in many respects" but "showed willingness to understand each other and seek ways to bring the positions closer," and the pivotal face-to-face discussions, held at the 18th century Villa La Grange in Geneva, was "quite constructive." Although the two sides have agreed to allow their ambassadors to return to Moscow and Washington respectively, and to launch a strategic stability dialogue for future arms control and risk reduction measures, the Russian head of state refuted critics against Russia on such issues as policy predictability, human rights and cyber-security. "The West believes that the Russian policy is unpredictable. Well, let me reciprocate. The U.S. withdrawal from the ABM (Anti-Ballistic Missile) Treaty in 2002 wasn't predictable," Putin told journalists. As for human rights issues, Putin cited the Black Lives Matter movement in the United States, the U.S. attacks in Afghanistan, and the existence of the Guantanamo Bay prison. "One single strike can kill ... (about) 120 people. All right, assuming this was a mistake that happens in a war, but shooting from a drone, (at) an unarmed crowd, clearly the civilian crowd, what is this about? How would you call that? And who's responsible for this?" said Putin. "And how would you call this person? Who is the killer now?" he asked. On cyberattacks, Putin said that it is of vital importance in the world in general, "for the United States in particular, and for Russia as well in the same volume." Putin noted that his country has not yet received any response from the U.S. to Russia's dozens of requests regarding cyberattacks so far since last year. While describing the entire meetings as "good and positive", Biden somehow warned at his separate press conference that he will "take action" if the U.S. continues to be interfered by other countries during its presidential elections. "I made it clear that we will not tolerate attempts to violate our democratic sovereignty or destabilize our democratic elections, and we would respond," Biden said. "The bottom line as I told President Putin was that we need to have some basic rules ... that we can all abide by." The U.S. president added that he gave his Russian counterpart a list of 16 specific entities, ranging from the energy sector to water systems, which were defined by the U.S. as critical infrastructures and should be off-limits to attack by cyber or any other means. "The last thing he (Putin) wants now is a Cold War with the U.S. ... I don't think he's looking for a Cold War with the United States," he said. However, Putin attributed the worsening of bilateral relations to the American side. "All steps in regard to the deterioration in the Russian-American relations were not initiated by us, and they were taken by the American side," he said. "On the whole, we do realize what our American partners speak about, and they know well what we speak about, when it comes to the so-called 'red lines'," Putin said. "But I must sincerely say that we are still far from making emphases and starting to make divisions." Although the two sides discussed a wide range of issues from climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, arms control, cyberattacks, to regional conflicts in Ukraine and Syria, a joint statement from both sides focused on a bilateral strategic stability dialogue for future arms control and risk reduction measures. The two nuclear powers have "demonstrated that, even in periods of tension, they are able to make progress on our shared goals of ensuring predictability in the strategic sphere, reducing the risk of armed conflicts and the threat of nuclear war," said the statement. As "a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought," the two sides "will embark together on an integrated bilateral Strategic Stability Dialogue in the near future," seeking to "lay the groundwork for future arms control and risk reduction measures," it said. You are here: World Flash China and Russia's aerospace authorities have jointly released a roadmap and a guide for the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), inviting all interested countries, international organizations and partners to cooperate in the project. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) and its Russian counterpart Roscosmos Wednesday announced the invitation online at the 2021 Global Space Exploration Conference. The roadmap and guide released by the CNSA and Roscosmos introduced the definition, scientific objectives, implementation approaches, cooperation domains and cooperation opportunities of the ILRS in the planning, demonstration, design, development, implementation, operation and scientific research phases. The ILRS development includes three phases -- reconnaissance, construction and utilization. From 2021 to 2025, the ILRS project will focus on lunar reconnaissance, ILRS design and ILRS site selection, and technology verification for a secure high-precision soft landing. From 2026 to 2035, the project will carry out technology verification for the command center of the ILRS, lunar sample returns, massive cargo delivery and a secure high-precision soft landing. In addition, the ILRS project will try to complete the in-orbit and surface facilities for energy, communication and transportation services. It will also do research, exploration and verification of in-situ utilization of resources. Starting from 2035, the ILRS project will aim at lunar research and exploration, technology verification, supporting human lunar landings, and expanding and maintaining modules as needed. Flash Malaysia is set to receive a contribution of CoronaVac COVID-19 vaccine developed by Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinovac Biotech, Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said on Wednesday. Hishammuddin said the vaccine doses would greatly assist Malaysia in its efforts to combat the outbreak of the coronavirus epidemic. "Malaysia is highly appreciative of the invaluable support extended thus far by the People's Republic of China. Through this recent initiative, Malaysia hopes the close and friendly ties will be further consolidated for the mutual benefits of our two countries," he said in a statement. "This timely contribution will bolster the vaccination process and assist the ongoing rollout of Malaysia's national COVID-19 immunization program," he added. In a statement announcing the vaccines' donation, the Chinese embassy in Malaysia said the governments and the peoples of China and Malaysia have stood shoulder to shoulder and extended assistance to each other since the pandemic. Malaysia was the first country to sign an intergovernmental cooperation agreement on COVID-19 vaccines and make a reciprocal arrangement for vaccination with China. Both countries have engaged in all-round cooperation in vaccine production, development, trials, procurement, among others, highlighting the two countries' joint efforts to fight against the pandemic, said the embassy. "The donation of vaccine made by China to Malaysia is another testament of the deep friendship between the two countries as a Malay proverb that goes, 'bukit sama didaki, lurah sama dituruni,' which means to climb the hill together and go down the ravine together," said the embassy, adding that China and Malaysia will deepen cooperation to improve health and wellbeing of the two peoples to make contribution to a global community of health for all. The Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine has been used in Malaysia's national immunization program since its National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) granted the vaccine conditional approval in March. Malaysia's leading pharmaceutical company Pharmaniaga is also in partnership with Sinovac to produce locally fill-and-finish vaccine as the first ever human vaccine produced in Malaysia, which in turn is a significant milestone for Malaysia's pharmaceutical industry. Malaysia on Tuesday has also conditionally approved emergency use of the single-dose COVID-19 vaccine developed by Chinese company CanSino Biologics, with the company set to supply Malaysia with finished products and currently working with Malaysian partners over local manufacturing. Flash Two officials at the Pakistan Embassy in Beijing were presented with Pakistan Civil Awards on Tuesday. The awards were granted in acknowledgement of their efforts as frontline workers in Wuhan last year and for their outstanding services to their home country in strengthening China-Pakistan relations. Pakistani Ambassador to China Moin ul Haque on behalf of Pakistani President Arif Alvi, presented the honor to Muhammad Junaid, the embassy's second secretary, and Muhammad Suleman Mahsud, the education attache at the embassy. According to the embassy, Junaid was part of their core team which provided relief to more than 1,200 Pakistani nationals under lockdown in Wuhan during the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak. In February last year, he and Suleman spent 53 days in Wuhan where they provided support and reassurance to members of the Pakistani community. Ambassador Haque spoke highly of their experiences working on the frontline and the compassion and care they demonstrated. He added that they had been risking their lives for the sake of others and that their volunteering was an inspiration. The two officials maintained close contact with Wuhan local authorities during their stay and worked to provide immediate assistance to Pakistanis in need in the city, the embassy said. The embassy highly recognized their contributions to deepening the "all weather strategic partnership" between China and Pakistan. As this year marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the time-honored friendship has been further strengthened. In April, China and Pakistan renewed their pledges to safeguard the vital role of the UN, support multilateralism, uphold the use of political and peaceful means to resolve global and regional issues, strengthen cooperation on anti-terrorism, and consolidate strategic coordination on human rights issues. Flash Kenya on Wednesday hosted a seminar on the centenary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) amid calls for enhanced political collaboration to achieve mutual goals. Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Zhou Pingjian, senior government officials, scholars and students attended the forum to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC under the theme of 'Governance and Experience.' At the seminar, organized by the University of Nairobi, the country's oldest educational institution, Zhou said that under the leadership of the CPC, China has been able to achieve phenomenal economic, technological, and industrial feats besides rallying the masses toward the ideals of peace and harmonious co-existence. John Mutinda Mutiso, director of international relations with Kenya's ruling Jubilee Party, applauded the CPC "for delivering happiness to the people through consistent leadership and hard work." Choteau, MT (59422) Today Sunshine and a few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 95F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 57F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. The anonymous author of the Chinese politics blog Program-Think has been captured and detained by CCP authorities and is being subjected to "brutal interrogations" to force a "confession" out of him. The Program-Think hacker turned blogger has evaded government surveillance for 12 years and is now in the hands of Chinese authorities who are punishing him for running a blog encouraging personal critical thinking, effectively converting CCP supporters from blind submission to communist ideologies. "Program-Think's family is asking for help. Last week, he went on a business trip to a big city in East China, and lost contact with us the next day," a comment posted on the blog on May 24 read, Radio Free Asia reported. "There were no unusual messages before he lost contact. It has been almost a week now." The commenter also shared that the night before, the Chinese authorities "gave an official response" saying that they were "processing his case" but refused to give out any additional information. The Twitter account @GFWfrog claims to have a source inside the state security police who said on June 4 that the unnamed owner of the Program-Think blog was detained by the Shanghai police in early May. The blog post on the blog on May 9 was scheduled. The Twitter account shared that the author of the Program-Think blog has been "undergoing brutal interrogations to ensure a conviction" and that his case would be "a gift to the CCP on its centenary" on July 1st. Another source with the last name of Xu told RFA that the author is indeed under the custody of the Chinese authority who is subjecting him to "harsh interrogation." Xu said he could not "accept the persecution of a person of such conscience and outstanding ability" and leaked the information despite the risks for persecution himself. Xu believed that the unnamed owner of the Program-Think blog was detained because he exposed the hidden wealth of high-ranking officials of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and heavily criticized its brainwashing campaigns, causing his followers, including Xu to convert from being a CCP supporter to a detractor and critic of the communist state's government. He even admitted that he now desires freedom and democracy after regularly following the Program-Think blog. "I think Program-Think had a bigger impact than anyone on the Chinese internet," Xu argued. "Particularly his posts laying out very complete evidence to refute [government] propaganda." According to the Epoch Times, the owner of the pro-freedom blog converting CCP supporters would report on topics that could "stir up the regime," such as the Tiananmen Square massacre, the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, and "the corruption of the elite families in China." The Program-Think blog would also speak out on the personal and business information on what it calls "Princeling" children of various Chinese leaders and high-ranking officials, details that are posted on the CCP's websites and Western mainstream media that is inaccessible from China. The report quotes a source with the last name Zhao who said that Program-Think is "the man the CCP most wanted to crush." In a landslide vote to discuss writing a document to prevent U.S. President Joe Biden from receiving Holy Communion, American bishops came together to decide that there is a need for an in-depth conversation about the "devout Catholic" president's radical views on abortion, same-sex marriage, and LGBT rights. Over 85% of American bishops on Wednesday voted yes, agreeing there has to be a discussion on how to preach the Catholic Church's teachings about the Holy Communion and considered delivering a statement on "the meaning of the Eucharist in the life of the Church." According to Yahoo! News, the next three days will see the bishops discussing "in detail" whether Catholic political figures such as President Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, deserve to receive Holy Communion despite being "stained with a serious sin," as these politicians have strong radical views on abortion and LGBT issues, topics that are considered the "worst offenses against God." CBN News reported that the Vatican had already warned against denying President Biden, the country's second Catholic president, Holy Communion over his radical views on abortion. But according to Maxwell School Syracuse University professor Margaret Susan Thompson, there has been "a tension between bishops that...has always existed in the USCCB, It's just a question of what is predominant." The Vatican's Cardinal Luis Ladaria wrote in a letter in May that politicians' radical views on abortion and LGBT issues and their right to Holy Communion may become a "source of discord" among religious and pro-abortion groups. Pro-life advocates are gearing up to support the U.S. bishops in denying the president from taking Holy Communion. "Denying communion is a bit like shunning, with a distinctive Catholic wallop," Celia Viggo Wexler wrote for NBC News. "Not only are Catholics shamed before their fellow worshippers; they are also denied access to the divine." Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America, argued that denying the U.S. President Holy Communion is an "important issue for Christians" because "supporting abortion is incapable with faithful practice of Christianity" and is a "non-negotiable issue with the church." Wexler believes that the Catholic Church is also flexing their power. She argued, "By naming themselves the leaders of a mini-Inquisition that can shame and shun any Catholic who fails to toe the line, the bishops believe they can restore their authority in the church." "To deny a practicing Catholic communion is a serious weapon, which makes the bishops even stronger soldiers in the culture wars," Wexler observed. This may be the first time Catholic leaders are exerting such power. According to the National Catholic Reporter, the late Pope John Paul II gave communion in 2001 to the former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair, a pro-choice Anglican, and the Mayor of Rome, Francesco Rutelli, a Catholic who campaigned for liberalized abortion laws. Pelosi also received communion during a papal Mass when Pope Benedict XVI visited the U.S. in 2008. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) denied a tax-free status to a Texas-Christian non-profit on the grounds that "Bible teachings are typically affiliated with the Republican party and candidates." CBN News reports that "Christians Engaged," an organization devoted to educating and empowering Christians to pray for the country and its elected leaders was refused tax status by IRS Exempt Organizations Director Stephen A. Martin. "Specifically, you educate Christians on what the Bible says in areas where they can be instrumental including the areas of the sanctity of life, the definition of marriage, biblical justice, freedom of speech, defense, and borders and immigration, U.S. and Israel relations," states the letter signed by Martin. "The Bible teachings are typically affiliated with the Republican party and candidates. This disqualifies you from exemption under IRC Section 501(c)(3)." Based on their website, "Christians Engaged" is an educational, Christian, and non-partisan organization that promotes Christian values. The group offers nonpartisan religious and civic education, with a particular emphasis on encouraging and teaching Christians to be active citizens as a component of their faith. They were officially established in July 2019 as a Texas nonprofit group. Christians Engaged is currently represented by First Liberty Institute, a religious liberty legal firm, which has filed an appeal against the IRS's decision. "Organizations that serve exempt purposes do not cease to serve public interests when they advocate positions on public policy issues or share opinions on controversial issues," reads an argument in the appeal. It also states that by concluding that Christians Engaged does not meet the operational test, Director Martin errs by creating an unfounded requirement that exempt organizations "be neutral on public policy issues," incorrectly concluding that Christians Engaged primarily serves private agenda, and violating the First Amendment's freedom of expression as well as the Establishment Clause. Additionally, Lea Patterson, Counsel for First Liberty Institute, said that "only a politicized IRS could see Americans who pray for their nation, vote in every election, and work to engage others in the political process as a threat. The IRS violated its own regulations in denying tax exempt status because Christians Engaged teaches biblical values." "We just want to encourage more people to vote and participate in the political process. How can anyone be against that?" comments Christians Engaged Founder and President Bunni Pounds. Not the first time In what seems to be an intentional move, previous reports show that the Internal Revenue Service has repeatedly done the same thing against conservative groups and Christian organizations. For instance, in a court settlement reached in 2017, the Internal Revenue Service "expresses its sincere apology" for mistreating a conservative nonprofit named Linchpins of Liberty as well as 40 other conservative organizations in their applications for tax-exempt status, as per NPR. Similarly, in a second case, the NorCal Tea Party Patriots and 427 other organizations that had sued the Internal Revenue Service achieved a "substantial financial settlement" with the government. In 2013, IRS employee Lois Lerner stated that conservative organizations seeking tax-exempt status had been subjected to increased scrutiny because their names included terms such as "tea party" or "patriots." A Colorado court has issued a ruling forcing controversial baker Jack Phillips to violate his religious belief to serve his transgender client, and has now prompted his legal counsel to appeal the decision. WND reported that the Second Judicial District Court's Judge A. Bruce Jones has ruled on Tuesday that the state can force Phillips to submit to the demands of his transgender client, Autumn Scardina, irregardless if it is against his religious beliefs. Scardina filed the case after being refused of his order of a pink and blue cake from Phillip's Masterpiece Cakeshop to celebrate his "transition" to a woman. Phillips, being a Christian, implements a policy for Masterpiece Cakeshop where messages against his religious beliefs are not accepted. The policy cites messages on racism, alcohol, Halloween, marijuana, and others as unacceptable. Phillip's legal counsel, Alliance Defending Freedom, released a statement on Wednesday announcing that they will file an appeal against the court's decision. Alliance Defending Freedom said that the court's decision "punishes" Phillips for not designing the cake activist attorney Scardina has asked him to. "We will appeal this decision and continue to defend the freedom of all Americans to peacefully live and work according to their deeply held beliefs without fear of punishment," ADF said in the statement. The case, "Scardina v. Masterpiece Cakeshop," was originally filed in 2017 at the Colorado Civil Rights Commission who closed the administrative case in 2019 after it has determined that "Scardina had exhausted her administrative remedies" before issuing a closure order that "dismissed with prejudice the administrative complaint." Scardina, however, did not file an appeal for the dismissal but did file the law suit in court in June 5, 2019 on the grounds of discrimination stated in the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act. According to the 28-page court resolution signed by Jones, Phillips violated the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act by refusing to provide his product and services to Scardina and is then subject to the monetary penalty mentioned in the law. "As set forth above, Defendants violated CADA's prohibition against discrimination in a place of public accommodation. In consideration of all of the facts of this case, the Court orders Defendants to pay Ms. Scardina $500.00 as a penalty for their violations of CADA," the resolution said. Although the resolution cited Phillips' openness to serve transgender clients, it stressed that he could not use religious freedom as grounds for refusal of service to a transgender client since it is out of context. It also criticized Phillips' citing of the "West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette" case where the state was prevented to impose its rulings against a person on the basis of it going against "their faith." "That is quite different than preventing places of public accommodation from discriminating against transgender persons. The anti-discrimination laws are intended to ensure that members of our society who have historically been treated unfairly, who have been deprived of even the every-day right to access businesses to buy products, are no longer treated as 'others.' This case is about one such product-a pink and blue birthday cake-and not compelled speech," Jones explained. Faithwire reported that Jones' ruling downplayed the significance of the cake's design, saying that it's but a "pink and blue birthday cake... not compelled speech." In reality, the cake communicates the message of gender transition, which Phillips does not support. Jones' ruling also gave little concern to the Christian beliefs held by Phillips, as well as, the obvious attempt of Scardina to manufacture a lawsuit just to test those religious convictions. "Jack Phillips serves all people but shouldn't be forced to create custom cakes with messages that violate his conscience," Alliance Defending Freedom General Counsel Kristen Waggoner pointed out. "In this case, an activist attorney demanded Jack create custom cakes in order to 'test' Jack and 'correct the errors' of his thinking, and the activist even threatened to sue Jack again if the case is dismissed for any reason," she stressed. "Radical activists and government officials are targeting artists like Jack because they won't promote messages on marriage and sexuality that violate their core convictions." Eighth grade English teacher Caleb Wells from Illinois caught media attention this week for defending Marxist critical race theory teachings in the classroom, saying that it refusing to teach such ideas would constitute racism. The woke Illinois teacher with the username "tiktoksmellyboi" on TikTok used his the social media platform to share a video of himself discussing his pro-Marxist critical race theory stance. "When you don't want to teach about how these systems were designed to oppress people, you're taking the side of the oppressor and being racist," Wells said in a TikTok video that was posted to Twitter and got a lot of attention, FOX News reported. The woke Illinois teacher argued that critical race theory helps students understand how allegedly "oppressive systems" work in America, including the prison-industrial complex. Wells said in the video that critical race theory explains how American's "systems" and "laws" such as the prison-industrial system, the military-industrial system are all "designed to oppress people groups." He believes that teaching such Marxist ideology in the classroom will show kids "what systems need to be challenged and thought about differently." More shockingly, Wells believes that racism cannot be addressed by kindness. He took a grander, more revolutionary approach, saying, "We can dismantle racism by dismantling systems of oppression, not by being nice to people." Wells' TikTok video cannot be accessed as of writing time. Fighting back against CRT Elana Yaron Fishbein, a mother of two students who attended Gladwyne Elementary School in the suburbs of Philadelphia, began an advocacy against anti-racist teaching when she learned that her kids were being indoctrinated with critical race theory and the school did not respond to her letter, NBC News reported. She moved her kids to a private school and founded the advocacy group, No Left Turn in Education, which now has 30 chapters in 23 states following an appearance at Tucker Carlson's FOX News show. "The schools have been hijacked," Fishbein declared. "Our kids are captive audiences. And they think they can do whatever they want with our kids." But parents aren't the only ones fighting back against critical race theory. A North Korean defector who fled the communist state as a young woman and became a U.S. refugee is sounding the alarm on universities and educators such as the woke Illinois teacher for promoting critical race theory in the classroom. Yeonmi Park, a North Korean defector who came to the U.S. to study at Columbia University was shocked when she learned that critical race theory was being taught in school. She revealed to the New York Post, "They are forcing you to think the way they want you to think." Lawmakers from different states are already mobilizing to block Marxist critical race theory from entering classrooms. According to the Boston Globe, the Florida State Board of Education approved a measure last week to prohibit public schools from teaching critical race theory. Republicans across 22 states have also proposed similar legislation. Ed Litton, a pastor from Alabama, was elected as president of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). The new president gained 52% of votes from the SBC's more than 15,000 delegates in a runoff against Pastor Mike Stone of Georgia, Faithwire reported. "It is a tremendous honor that Great Commission Baptists would put their trust and dependence upon me for this very important role in our fellowship and our convention of churches," Litton said in the press conference. As per the Baptist Press, Pastor Litton bested Stone, receiving 6,834 votes (52.04%) to Stone's 6,278 (47.81%). Litton takes the helm from North Carolina pastor J.D. Greear, who served an extra year the 2020 SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando was cancelled. "We are a family, and at times we may seem dysfunctional. But we love each other. ... This is a family, and sometimes families argue in a way that the neighbors get to see it, and that's kind of what you (the media) have been witnessing. But the reality is we're going to leave this place focused. We'll leave this place with a direction - and I believe a better direction - for the future," he further stated. Addressing the racial issue, the delegates approved a consensus measure that dismisses any view which sees racism as rooted in "anything other than sin." They also affirmed the "Resolution on Racial Reconciliation on the 150th Anniversary of the Southern Baptist Convention," a resolution created in 1995 that apologizes "for condoning and/or perpetuating individual and systemic racism" in the denomination. Litton was nominated by New Orleans pastor Fred Luter Jr., the convention's only black president. Luter commended Litton for his commitment with the racial reconciliation and compassionate handling of sexual abuse issues within the SBC. He is an active member of Pledge Group, a movement of leaders that addresses racial division in Mobile. Litton has been serving as a senior pastor since July 1994 at First Baptist North Mobile, or currently known as Redemption Church, in Alabama. Prior to being a senior pastor, he was a home missionary under the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention and later moved to Tucson where he founded the Mountain View Baptist Church. He was also the SBC's first vice president, serving the convention from 2001 to 2002. He graduated with Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Theatre from Grand Canyon University. He completed Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He then went to The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary for his Doctor of Ministry degree. Litton was married to Tammy and they have three children together, including Josh, Tyler, and Kayla. But Tammy died in a car crash on August 16, 2007. He found love again and married Kathy, a widow of Pastor Rick Ferguson, who was also killed in an automobile accident. The new SBC president did not come from a religious home. His father was an alcoholic. He was about eight years old when his parents' marriage was about to dissolve. But a Southern Baptist pastor shared the Gospel to his father who later "cried out to God." Upon seeing the change in his father's life, which he said only God can do, Litton gave his life to Christ and began serving the Lord. A Democrat senator from Connecticut declined to answer whether a 15-week old unborn child is a human being, reports say. Relative to the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization case which will be tackled by the Supreme Court this year, Sen. Richard Blumenthal was asked about the humanity of an almost four-month baby in the womb. "The Supreme Court this fall will review a Mississippi law that bans most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Is an unborn baby at 15 weeks a human being?" CNSNews.com asked Blumenthal. The Democratic senator, however, did not answer the question directly. "You know, I'm going to wait for the Supreme Court decision. Right now, abortion at that point in a pregnancy is legal and constitutionally protected, and I believe it should be," he replied. When the news outlet asked again about the unborn baby's humanity, the senator did not respond. Blumenthal was Connecticut's former attorney general. As a senator, he supported abortion rights and sponsored the Women's Health Protection Act, forbidding what proponents called "restrictive" laws and regulations on abortion. In the "Dobbs" case, the constitutionality of the state's "Gestational Age Act" was challenged by the Jackson Women's Health Organization, a Mississippi abortion facility. The law, enacted in March 2018, prohibits abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, in exception to cases of fetal abnormalities or medical emergencies. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi sided with the clinic. The court ruled that the law was unconstitutional and halted its enforcement in the state, holding that "viability marks the earliest point at which the State's interest in fetal life is constitutionally adequate to justify a legislative ban on nontherapeutic abortions." When it was appealed, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit affirmed the district court's ruling. Thomas Dobbs, the health officer of Mississippi's Department of Health, appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court on June 15, 2020. On May 17 this year, the country's highest court agreed to hear the case. Three questions were presented by the petitioner but the Supreme Court has decided to look into the question, "whether all pre-viability prohibitions on elective abortions are unconstitutional." Despite enacting laws to restrict this procedure, abortion is still rampant in United States. In 2016, the country recorded about 623,000 legal abortions, according to the database company, Statista. Abortion rate is highest among women aged 20-24 years, with 19 abortions for every 1,000 individuals. The number is significantly large but the database company said that the figure is already a decrease from what the nation had in the previous years. Americans are divided on the issue of abortion. A survey conducted in May 2019 reportedly showed that 46% of the American people considered themselves as "pro-choice" while 49% said that they are "pro-life". The New Yorker said that the "Dobbs" case could set the end of the Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood of Southeast Pennsylvania v. Casey, two rulings that legalized abortion and have since killed millions of unborn babies in United States. What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 319-283-2144 or email circ@oelweindailyregister.com. What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 319-352-3334 or email legals@waverlynewspapers.com. A lubricant is a substance utilized to reduce friction between surfaces that are mutually in contact, ultimately reducing the heat generated when the surfaces move. In addition to industrial applications, lubricants are used for many other purposes mainly in the automotive industry. A steady surge in commercial activities along with demand in number of automobiles globally has spurred the growth in the automotive lubricants market. Immense popularity of motorsports and auto racing, as well as increasing number of passenger cars, are also driving the market to peak levels. Moreover, increasing demand for passenger and commercial vehicles is fuelling the steadily growing market. Use of lubricants is very crucial in automobiles for heat generation, combustion products, friction/wear, sealing and material protection. Engine oil ensures easy ignition of the vehicle by the driver along with less fuel consumption as well as less wear. Automotive engine oils are used as pour point depressant, defoamer, detergent/dispersant, oxidation inhibitor, antiwear (AW)/extreme pressure (EP), and corrosion inhibitor. Access Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/automotive-lubricants-market-1225 Transmission fluids are high-performance lubricants that aim to protect gears from wear and also improves the ease with which gears are changed. Grease is also used as an automotive lubricant, where sealing is difficult and are at lower speeds. The automotive lubricants industry relinquish various opportunities for technology leaders to deliver value propositions targeted to specific needs. Market Segmentation The automotive lubricants market is segmented by type into gear oil, engine oil, grease, engine coolant, transmission fluids, and other fluids. Gear oil is a type of lubricant which is made specifically for transfer cases, transmissions, and differentials in trucks, automobiles, and various types of machinery. Basic properties include high viscosity and usually contains organosulfur compounds. On the other hand, engine coolant is a water-based liquid that tends to absorb the heat from the engine; then the coolant turns hot itself which is then transferred to a radiator located at the front of the car. Engine coolant is the best option rather than using water in the cars, as water is corrosive and destroys the inside of the engine and the water pump. By vehicle, the market has been segmented into light, commercial, and heavy. High-performance lubricants are used to ensure that the vehicle works on optimized fuel consumption, increased torque, and reduced carbon emission. Regional Analysis The global automotive lubricant market is spread across Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Asia Pacific and Africa. The region of Asia-Pacific currently dominates the market due to developing countries such as China and India, where the automotive industry is surging at a tremendous rate. The growing demand for light passenger vehicles, the rise in the average lifespan of vehicles in operation, and the increasing number of vehicle manufacturing facilities owing to the low cost of production in these countries have fueled the increase in the production capacity. Increasing demand for light and heavy commercial vehicles propels the growth of markets for lubricant and coolant in these countries. The U.S in the North America region will grow with the highest annual growth as estimated. Demand for automotive lubricants accounts for the substantial increase in demand for lubricants with performance and environmental advantages. The accelerating number of automotive vehicles in use will also generate profits. Automotive Lubricants Market Competitive Analysis Some of the key players in the automotive lubricants market are ExxonMobil Corporation (U.S.A), Chevron Corporation (U.S.A), Fuchs Lubricants Co. (U.S.A), ConocoPhillips Corporation (U.S.A), and BP Plc. (U.K.) Industry News British Petroleum Plc. is planning to get into a swap deal with ConocoPhillips. BP Plc. is in considerations of undertaking Conoco's 24 percent interest in the Clair field. In exchange, ConocoPhillips is likely to take BP Plc.'s assets based in Alaska. This will help both the companies focus on the projects that yield higher outputs. Russia based Lukoil, owner of Neftochim Burgas refinery in Bulgaria, is planning to construct a petrochemical complex at the site of the refinery. It is intended to be an upgrade compared to the old production unit. The company has undertaken this expansion to increase the access to cheap raw materials and to quench the demand for polypropylene complex in the markets of Bulgaria. This would be profitable for the company and in turn, will increase the value added. Get a FREE Sample Now @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1225 Strategically, competing companies have economically invested heavily in R&D activities to develop advanced products to cater to the demands of the market. Various strategies are adopted to retain and expand their market share. The main approach of most companies within the global automotive lubricant market is that of expansion and entering into merger & acquisition as well as swap deals which allows two parties to exchange financial instruments. These strategies are widely adopted to achieve operational efficiencies and also spread their geographical presence in the global market. The market demands regular product innovation for product diversification and hence help secure a strategic market position. In todays tech-savvy world where everything, right from a can to a car can be ordered from online websites and apps, it is high time that medical treatment, which is mostly exclusive to the doctors clinic or hospital right now, should also make a change for the better. This is where Telemedicine comes into the picture. Telemedicine as a process, seeks to distribute health information and its related services through electronic media to the general public. It helps the patients and clinician to contact each other remotely, go through the previous care, review its data and delineate the future course of treatment. In addition to this, it also allows patient follow-ups, reminders, education, intervention, monitoring and remote admissions. Telemedicine has really come through for many of us in these hard times of pandemic and has seen a remarkable growth in its market share. The infographic below is made to highlight those key market drivers, its challenges and important bifurcation of the market in terms of telemedicine type preferred by the general public. Also, there are some supportive facts that can stir your interest right up in the market. Thank me later! Telemedicine Market What & How! The next section is for those, who were intrigued by the information inside and thought to themselves, What about other market segmentations? or I wish, I got to know more about the market players! To you my curious friend, I say, et voila! Some of the important market statistics The global telemedicine market size is expected to reach USD 298.9 billion by 2028 size is expected to reach USD 298.9 billion by 2028 In Technology , the store and forward segment dominated with largest revenue share of around 40.0% in 2020 , the store and forward segment dominated with largest revenue share of around 40.0% in 2020 When it comes to Applications, teleradiology segment ruled the roost with more than 26.0% revenue share in 2020 teleradiology segment ruled the roost with more than 26.0% revenue share in 2020 The web/mobile based delivery model dominated the market for telemedicine and accounted for the largest revenue share of 78.6% in 2020 dominated the market for telemedicine and accounted for the largest revenue share of Regional market-wise, North America dominated the market for telemedicine and accounted for the largest revenue share of 34.4% in 2020 owing to high demand in the recent past followed by Europe for telemedicine and accounted for the largest revenue share of 34.4% in 2020 owing to high demand in the recent past followed by Europe COVID-19 has provided a major boost to the telemedicine and is the big reason that telemedicine market is receiving such great demands form all around Cool facts and Its sources According to GlobalMed, 74% of millennials prefer telehealth visits to in-person doctor exams 74% of millennials prefer telehealth visits to in-person doctor exams According to MDPI, up to 89% of patients are willing to accept telemedicine as a sufficient form of medical care up to 89% of patients are willing to accept telemedicine as a sufficient form of medical care MDPI also states that, 85% of patients who receive telemedicine services are satisfied with their medical care 85% of patients who receive telemedicine services are satisfied with their medical care On the basis of data from McKinsey, 82% of consumers view digital options as the best way to monitor health Some Major Market Players MDlive Inc. SteadyMD Inc. Maven, Inc. iCliniq HealthTap, Inc. BioTelemetry, Inc. American Well CVS Health Synapse Medicine Practo Teladoc Health, Inc. Doctor On Demand, Inc. AMD Global Telemedicine Aerotel Medical Systems (1998) Ltd. Plantronics, Inc. (Polycom) To have a further understanding about the market, you can visit the official website of Grand View Research, Inc. In-Vitro Diagnostics Market -Overview The advancement in medical diagnostic systems such as in-vitro diagnostics is estimated to spur the global in-vitro diagnostics market. The medical device reports are made by Market Research Future, which includes market options for expansion. An 8.16% CAGR is projected to motivate the development of the in-vitro diagnostics market in the coming period. The signs of progress in molecular diagnostics is projected to bolster the in-vitro diagnostics market in the upcoming period. The popularity of precision medicine is anticipated to further sway the growth of the market constructively in the impending period. ALSO READ @ https://www.medgadget.com/2020/05/in-vitro-diagnostics-market-share-2020-global-size-report-study-new-technology-developments-clinical-trials-updates-industry-growth-rate-in-depth-analysis-top-company-revenues.html In-Vitro Diagnostics Market Segmental Analysis The segmentation of the in-vitro diagnostics market has been conducted based on technology, application, product & services, region and end-user. On the basis of technology, the in-vitro diagnostics market has been segmented into clinical chemistry, immunoassay/ immunochemistry, molecular diagnostics, microbiology and haematology. By end-user, the in-vitro diagnostics market has been segmented into laboratories, hospitals, and academic institutes. Based on the regions, the in-vitro diagnostics market has been segmented into the Middle East, North America, South America, Europe, Africa and the Asia Pacific On the basis of product & services, the in-vitro diagnostics market has been segmented into reagents & kits, instruments, and data management software. Based on the application, the market has been segmented into infectious diseases and non-infectious diseases. In-Vitro Diagnostics Market Regional Analysis The regional review of the in-vitro diagnostics market includes regional markets such as the Middle East, North America, South America, Europe, Africa and the Asia Pacific. The North American and South American regional in-vitro diagnostics market together were responsible for close to 40% portion of the market in 2017. The North American in-vitro diagnostics market, in particular, is anticipated to continue to be a very profitable market for in-vitro diagnostics. More effortless ease of access, along with great healthcare expenditure, has an inspiring impact on the regions market. The in-vitro diagnostics market in the region of Asia Pacific is to be expected to upsurge at a comparatively higher CAGR by the year 2023. In-Vitro Diagnostics Market Competitive Analysis The tone of diversification is likely to induce the growth of the global market with contenders trying to reduce the risk of volatility that is common in the market currently. The introduction of new products is estimated to range between lots of launches for individual companies to selected product launches in exclusive regional markets. The government bodies around the world are expected to have a dominant role in getting the global economy on track with conducive policies and subsidies. The effectiveness of market strategies is estimated to be keenly observed to goad the consumer sentiments in the right angle and culminate in the purchasing of the various products and services. The inflow of funding in critical transactions can be estimated to have an overall positive effect on the global market in the appraisal period. The impact of disruptive technologies is also estimated to be carefully calculated in the coming period to reduce disturbances in the market structure. The market is estimated to create its trajectory for development in the period ahead owing to the individual contributions of the market stakeholders. The eminent contenders in the in-vitro diagnostics market are DiaSorin S.p.A, Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., Becton Dickinson and Company, Abbott Laboratories, Sysmex Corporation, Thermo Fisher Scientific, BioMerieux S.A, Qiagen N.V., Grifols S.A, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Siemens AG, and Danaher Corporation. In-Vitro Diagnostics Industry Updates: Oct 2020 Quanterix Corporation, a company digitizing biomarker analysis to improve the science of precision health, announced it has moved into a non-exclusive royalty-bearing license contract with Abbott Laboratories. The non-exclusive license allows Abbott access to Quanterix collection of bead-based technology patents for usage in vitro diagnostic (IVD) uses. Get Premium Research Report, Inclusive of COVID-19 Impact Analysis, Find more information @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/in-vitro-diagnostics-market-1165 RELATED REPORTS Atopic Dermatitis Market Research Report- Global Forecast till 2023 Dental Implants Market Research Report - Global Forecast till 2023 Lung Cancer Market Research Report - Global Forecast till 2023 About Market Research Future: At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. The Influenza Diagnostics Market is poised to reach US$ US$ 2.5 Billion from 2020 to 2030 at a CAGR of 6%. With chronic ailments on the rise, its a tad difficult to maintain the historical data of the patients herein. As such, enhancements in predictive analysis and data science have helped the healthcare personnel in delving deeper into the patients history, thereby aiding in the detection of patients at higher risks of these diseases. It could be concluded that the healthcare vertical is inclined towards analytics. Influenza, or flu, is a respiratory infection caused by viruses. According to the WHO, the average global burden of seasonal influenza is in the order of 600 million cases, with 3 million cases of severe illness and 250,000 - 500,000 deaths per year. Diagnostic tests available for influenza include rapid reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), viral culture, immunofluorescence assays, serology, antigen testing, and rapid molecular assays. However, commercial rapid influenza diagnostic tests are mostly used for influenza detection, owing to their ability to detect influenza viruses within 15 minutes, with low to moderate sensitivity and high specificity. Since the past few years, RT-PCR tests and nucleic acid amplification technique have been widely developed in clinical microbiology labs for routine influenza infection diagnostics. This factor will boost the growth of the influenza diagnostics market during the forecast period. Strategizing The Moves For The Next Decade? See Through Sample Of Influenza Diagnostics Market Report! https://www.persistencemarketresearch.co/samples/13246 Companies covered in Influenza Diagnostics Market Report Abbott Laboratories Endress+Hauser (Analytik Jena AG) Becton, Dickinson and Company Biocartis bioMerieux Inc Danaher Corporation (Cepheid) F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd GenMark Diagnostics, Inc. Luminex Corporation Meridian Bioscience, Inc Quidel Corporation Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Hologic Starting With The New Decade On A Diligent Note In The Influenza Diagnostics Market? https://www.persistencemarketresearch.co/methodology/13246 According to a latest report published by PMR, the global influenza diagnostics market is projected to account for over US$ 2.5 Bn by 2030, in terms of value. The report further projects that, the influenza diagnostics market will expand at a CAGR of 6% through 2030. Key Takeaways of Influenza Diagnostics Market Study The traditional diagnostic tests segment, under test, is expected to contribute more than 45% of revenue share in the influenza diagnostics market. of revenue share in the influenza diagnostics market. Various product launches by key players along with rapid diagnosis methods are expected to dominate the demand for commercial rapid influenza diagnostic tests. Leading players in the influenza diagnostics market are collaborating with diagnostic laboratories as well as research institutes to strengthen their market position. North America is dominating the global influenza diagnostics market, while East Asia is expected to offer lucrative opportunities, owing to rapid increasing healthcare programs and industrialization. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, there is increased influenza testing across the world, which is positively affecting market growth. Availability of commercial rapid influenza diagnostic tests, and seasonal flu outbreaks and their complications every year, are expected to propel the growth of the global influenza diagnostics market, says a PMR analyst. How About Obtaining Insights About The Region To Enter Concerning The Influenza Diagnostics Market? Press The Purchase Now Button To Have Our Influenza Diagnostics Market Report! https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/13246 Acquisitions & Partnerships - Key Strategies amongst Market Players Key players in the influenza diagnostics market are focussed on improving their product portfolios though the launch of new products. For instance, In April 2017, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd launched the cobas Liat PCR System with four assays for respiratory disease diagnosis. In February 2019, GenMark Diagnostics, Inc launched a multiplex serological assay to identify avian influenza subtypes. Various players in the influenza diagnostics market are focusing on growth strategies such as acquisitions and partnerships. For example, in September 2016, Danaher Corporation announced the acquisition of Cepheid at approximately US$ 53 per share in cash. What Does the Report Cover? Persistence Market Research offers a unique perspective and actionable insights on the influenza diagnostics market in its latest study, presenting historical demand assessment of 20152019 and projections for 20202030, on the basis of test (molecular diagnostic tests, traditional diagnostic tests), type of flu (type A flu, type B flu, type C flu), and end user (contract research organizations (CROs), research & academic institutes, hospitals, and diagnostic laboratories), across seven key regions. About Us :- The Angiography Catheters Market is on the verge of reaching US$ Expand 2X at the rate of 7% CAGR from 2020 to 2030. Healthcare vertical being subject to sensitive, personal data, is at a higher risk of cyber-attacks (with the majority opting for EHR). This calls for semantic interoperability, which lets the information management systems interpret as well as derive insights through shared data. This would help in proper tracking of patients records in a coordinated way to out-of-network as well as in-network providers. A catheter used in angiography with the help of X-ray imaging guidance. The use of a catheter makes it possible to combine treatment and diagnosis in a single procedure. Various catheters available for angiography include coronary catheters, renal catheters, and microcatheters. However, coronary catheters are the most-used product due to increasing incidence of cardiovascular disease. Since the past few years, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death, worldwide, taking approximately 18 million lives each year. This factor will propel the growth of the angiography catheters market during the forecast period. Furthermore, technological advancements in cardiovascular procedures and development in healthcare infrastructure are some other factors that will boost the angiography catheters market in the future. Want Insights To Angiography Catheters Market? Ask For Sample! https://www.persistencemarketresearch.co/samples/31549 Companies covered in Angiography Catheters Market Report Cordis, a Cardinal Health company Medtronic Boston Scientific Corporation AngioDynamics Cook Medical Merit Medical Systems, Inc. Cook Medical Terumo Interventional Systems Abbott Laboratories Alvimedica Medical Device Planning To Conclude Your Strategy On A Decisive Note In The Angiography Catheters Market? Glance Through The Methodology Implied! https://www.persistencemarketresearch.co/methodology/31549 According to a latest report published by PMR, the global angiography catheters market is expected to witness a CAGR of nearly 7% during the forecast period (20202030). Key Takeaways from Angiography Catheters Market Study The coronary catheters segment, under product, is expected to contribute more than 53% revenue share in the angiography catheters market. revenue share in the angiography catheters market. Various product launches by key players along with advanced technology are expected to dominate the demand for angiography catheters. Increasing heart healthcare programs are spreading awareness, which is creating significant demand for angiography catheters. Leading players in the angiography catheters market are collaborating with various other players to strengthen their market position. North America is dominating the global angiography catheters market, while East Asia is expected to offer lucrative opportunities, owing to increasing healthcare programs and industrialization. Manufacturing challenges as a result of various COVID-19-pandemic-related restrictions will stunt the growth of the angiography catheters market in the near-term. Rise in the prevalence of vascular disorders, owing to sedentary lifestyle, and increase in obesity and hypertension across the world, will boost the growth of the global angiographic catheter market over the next decade, says a PMR analyst. How About Knowing The Product/Technology Driving The Angiography Catheters Market Before Investing Therein? Click The Purchase Now Button Of Our Angiography Catheters Market Report! https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/31549 Acquisitions and Partnerships - Key Strategy amongst Market Players Key players in the angiography catheters market are looking forward to strengthening their product portfolios through the launch of new products. For instance, in 2019, Medtronic launched a telescope-guided extension catheter to support complex coronary cases. In 2018, Cook announced the re-launch of the Beacon Tip Torcon NB Advantage 5 Fr Catheter in the United States. Various players in the angiography catheters market are focusing on growth strategies such as acquisitions and partnerships. For example, in 2019, Boston Scientific Corporation announced the acquisition of BTG plc. What Does the Report Cover? Persistence Market Research offers a unique perspective and actionable insights on the angiography catheters market in its latest study, presenting historical demand assessment of 20152019 and projections for 2020 2030, on the basis of product (cerebral catheters, visceral catheters, coronary catheters, renal catheters, microcatheter, and pigtail catheters), application (coronary, endovascular, neurology, and oncology), and end user (hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and cardiac catheterization laboratories), across seven key regions. About Us :- Future Market Insights (FMI) has delivered a comprehensive, insightful, and unbiased research report titled Automotive Microcontrollers Market: Global Industry Analysis (2012-2016) & Opportunity Assessment (2017-2022). The report provides a detailed analysis of the global automotive microcontrollers market, covering its dynamics comprehensively, and offering key trends influencing the market expansion. The report also provides analysis of market data across various parameters, for arriving at the accurate market numbers. In addition, competitive landscape of the global automotive microcontrollers market has been covered by the report, offering information about key players contributing to growth of the market. Report Structure The first chapter of the report offers an executive summary of the global automotive microcontrollers market, followed by a detailed market introduction as well as definition of product automotive microcontrollers. The executive summary gives 360-degree view of the market, particularly focusing on regional segments included in the report. The executive summary also provides the most significant and relevant market numbers, including the historical CAGR for 2012 to 2016, as well as the forecast CAGR for 2017 to 2022. This chapter of the report also sheds light on lucrative regions on the basis of fastest expansion, and largest revenues share. Visit For Sample>>https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-5060 The introduction of the global automotive microcontrollers market enables the report readers to understand the wide scope of the market. The next chapter of the report renders information about key dynamics impacting expansion of the global automotive microcontrollers market. Key points that are covered in this chapter include global economy, and list of suppliers. In subsequent chapter of the report, information related to cost structure analysis & pricing analysis of the market have been offered. Moreover, the report has also provided an analysis on presence of leading market players in form of an intensity map. Market Taxonomy The report has offered a segmentation-wise analysis and forecast of the global automotive microcontrollers market based on vehicle type, application, material type, and region. This chapter comprises imperative market numbers associated with the market segments in terms of revenue comparison, market share comparison, and Y-o-Y growth comparison. The report has segmented the global automotive microcontrollers market based on region into Europe, Latin America, North America, Japan, Middle East & Africa (MEA), and Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ). Region North America Latin America Material Type Tinned Steel Nickel-Cobalt Ferrous Alloy Copper Alloy For any queries linked with the report, ask an analyst >>https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ask-question/rep-gb-5060 Competitive Landscape The concluding chapters of the report focus on the markets competition landscape, providing information about leading market participants in detail. The information about market players is offered in the form of product overview, company overview, key developments by market players, and financials related to the specific company. The competition landscape also provides the SWOT analysis of selected players, providing information about strengths, opportunities, weaknesses and threats, which these companies are facing in the global automotive microcontrollers market. This chapter is an indispensable part of the report, containing necessary information for analysing global leaders operating in the global market for automotive microcontrollers. This chapter also provides analysis of the way these companies are implementing their strategies and vision for gaining a competitive edge in the market. Research Methodology The report on the automotive microcontrollers market has been backed by an exhaustive research methodology, which relies on both primary as well as secondary research for gaining all necessary information about the global automotive controllers market. The report has been validated a number of times with the help of expert analysts at FMI. Table Of Content 1. Global Automotive Microcontrollers Market Executive Summary 2. Global Automotive Microcontrollers Market Overview 2.1. Introduction 2.1.1. Global Automotive Microcontrollers Market Taxonomy 2.1.2. Global Automotive Microcontrollers Market Definition 2.2. Global Automotive Microcontrollers Market Size (US$ Mn) and Forecast, 2012-2022 2.2.1. Global Automotive Microcontrollers Market Y-o-Y Growth 2.3. Global Automotive Microcontrollers Market Dynamics 2.4. Supply Chain 2.5. Cost Structure 2.6. Pricing Analysis 2.7. Raw Material Sourcing Strategy and Analysis 2.8. List of Distributors 2.9. Key Participants Market Presence (Intensity Map) By Region Buy Report >>https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/5060 3. Global Automotive Microcontrollers Market Analysis and Forecast By Material Type 3.1. Global Automotive Microcontrollers Market Size and Forecast By Material Type, 2012-2022 3.1.1. Tinned Steel Automotive Microcontrollers Market Size and Forecast, 2012-2022 3.1.1.1. Revenue (US$ Mn) Comparison, By Region 3.1.1.2. Market Share Comparison, By Region 3.1.1.3. Y-o-Y growth Comparison, By Region 3.1.2. Nickel-Cobalt Ferrous Alloy Automotive Microcontrollers Market Size and Forecast, 2012-2022 3.1.2.1. Revenue (US$ Mn) Comparison, By Region 3.1.2.2. Market Share Comparison, By Region 3.1.2.3. Y-o-Y growth Comparison, By Region 3.1.3. Copper Alloy Automotive Microcontrollers Market Size and Forecast, 2012-2022 3.1.3.1. Revenue (US$ Mn) Comparison, By Region 3.1.3.2. Market Share Comparison, By Region 3.1.3.3. Y-o-Y growth Comparison, By Region 4. Global Automotive Microcontrollers Market Analysis and Forecast By Vehicle Type 4.1. Global Automotive Microcontrollers Market Size and Forecast By Vehicle Type, 2012-2022 4.1.1. Compact Passenger Cars Microcontrollers Market Size and Forecast, 2012-2022 4.1.1.1. Revenue (US$ Mn) Comparison, By Region 4.1.1.2. Market Share Comparison, By Region 4.1.1.3. Y-o-Y growth Comparison, By Region 4.1.2. Mid-sized Passenger Cars Microcontrollers Market Size and Forecast, 2012-2022 4.1.2.1. Revenue (US$ Mn) Comparison, By Region 4.1.2.2. Market Share Comparison, By Region 4.1.2.3. Y-o-Y growth Comparison, By Region 4.1.3. Premium Passenger Cars Microcontrollers Market Size and Forecast, 2012-2022 4.1.3.1. Revenue (US$ Mn) Comparison, By Region 4.1.3.2. Market Share Comparison, By Region 4.1.3.3. Y-o-Y growth Comparison, By Region 4.1.4. Luxury Passenger Cars Microcontrollers Market Size and Forecast, 2012-2022 4.1.4.1. Revenue (US$ Mn) Comparison, By Region 4.1.4.2. Market Share Comparison, By Region 4.1.4.3. Y-o-Y growth Comparison, By Region 4.1.5. Light Commercial Vehicles Microcontrollers Market Size and Forecast, 2012-2022 4.1.5.1. Revenue (US$ Mn) Comparison, By Region 4.1.5.2. Market Share Comparison, By Region 4.1.5.3. Y-o-Y growth Comparison, By Region 4.1.6. Heavy Commercial Vehicles Microcontrollers Market Size and Forecast, 2012-2022 4.1.6.1. Revenue (US$ Mn) Comparison, By Region 4.1.6.2. Market Share Comparison, By Region 4.1.6.3. Y-o-Y growth Comparison, By Region 4.1.7. Electric vehicle Automotive Microcontrollers Market Size and Forecast, 2012-2022 4.1.7.1. Revenue (US$ Mn) Comparison, By Region 4.1.7.2. Market Share Comparison, By Region 4.1.7.3. Y-o-Y growth Comparison, By Region About FMI Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in Dubai, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India. FMIs latest market research reports and industry analysis help businesses navigate challenges and make critical decisions with confidence and clarity amidst breakneck competition. Our customized and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. A team of expert-led analysts at FMI continuously tracks emerging trends and events in a broad range of industries to ensure that our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers. Contact Mr. Abhishek Budholiya Unit No: AU-01-H Gold Tower (AU), Plot No: JLT-PH1-I3A, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates MARKET ACCESS DMCC Initiative For Sales Enquiries: sales@futuremarketinsights.com For Media Enquiries: press@futuremarketinsights.com Website: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com Litchfield (06759) Today Rain showers in the morning with thunderstorms developing for the afternoon. High 68F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Rain likely. Low around 55F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. He said there was nearly a kilogram, or 2.2 pounds of cocaine, in the house, with a street value of $50,000. They also found the five handguns and multiple high-capacity magazines including one that could hold about 50 rounds. Obviously, people are very attached to this structure, Jane Davey, director of acquisition and asset management at LAZ Investments, told the citys historic preservation commission Wednesday. Its beautiful. It has a lot of historical significance. So our point is that we are doing what we can to have it remain available to everyone and potentially, even usable. For some business and real estate owners, the pandemic has prompted a rethinking of office space. Questions include whether companies will need more space so employees can spread out, or conversely, whether employers will want less space because many workers can do their jobs remotely. The response has been great so far. You can put them in the front lawn of your house or in the window of your apartment. Its just a great way for people to see the pride Farmington has, said Suzanne Truong Hoyer, an organizer of the new group. It fell to Bartolomeo last year to defend the agencys response. The Department of Labor was forced to close 18 American Job Centers in Connecticut that would otherwise have helped workers with their applications and job searches, she said. In addition, the agencys 40-year-old IBM system using COBOL, an out-of-date programming language, had been scheduled to be retired this year, forcing officials to make do with what they had, she said. The legislation, which passed the Senate by a vote of 16-11, aims to undo the historic damage that the criminalization of cannabis has done to Black and brown people, said Sen. Gary Winfield, a Democrat from New Haven and one of the architects of the bill. He noted that the debate came on the anniversary of President Richard Nixons June 17, 1971, speech declaring drug abuse as public enemy No. 1. Steinbeck wrote Murder at Full Moon under a pseudonym, and once he became an established author, he did not choose to seek publication of this work, a representative of the New York-based agency, McIntosh & Otis, wrote. There are several other works written by Steinbeck that have been posthumously published, with his directions and the careful consideration of the Estate. As longtime agents for Steinbeck and the Estate, we do not exploit works that the author did not wish to be published. In April, The Guardian revealed that Norfolk police Lt. William K. Kelly III anonymously donated $25 to the legal defense of Kyle Rittenhouse, who is charged with shooting and killing two Black Lives Matters protesters and severely injuring one more in Wisconsin last summer. The donations and a comment that said, God bless. Thank you for your courage. Keep your head up. Youve done nothing wrong were traced to Kellys city government email address. The city fired Kelly in April. Lisa Vernon Sparks Staff writer Lisa Vernon Sparks covers Hampton for the Daily Press. Originally from New York, she has held staff writer stints at Providence Journal and Newark Star-Ledger covering local government, education, business and features. She holds writing awards from the Rhode Island and Virginia press associations as well as the Society of Professional Journalists. There were just individuals from English who were contacted by ODU Counsel (not the attorney who wrote the statement) and asked a series of questions. Those people would have had little, if any, context and would have almost certainly been caught off-guard by the questions, Sheri Reynolds wrote in an email to her faculty Wednesday evening. After speaking with some who were interviewed, I know that there are people who feel that they were misquoted or that the context was stripped from their comments. Two popular WFOS DJs, Larry Williams and Jerry Carter, will host their own shows. Schedules are still being worked out. Williams is known for his weekend beach music show and Carter plays blues on the weekdays. Both have been on a hiatus for the past few weeks during the transition over to WHRO. Theyre not yet on the air, but Doud hopes to introduce them next Saturday. Critical race theory came to the fore after the death of George Floyd, an African American man, in Minneapolis in 2020. However, the concept is more than 40 years old, Education Week reported. The core idea is that racism is a social construct, rather than the product of individual prejudice that is embedded in Americas legal systems and policies. This month, NBC News reported on how activists are showing up at School Board meetings across the country to condemn CRT. Spread over an area of about 27 sq km, Jharia CBM Block-I has CBM resource of over 26 BCM. (Representative Image: AFP) New Delhi: State-owned CIL has given a go-ahead to a domestic firm for a Rs 1,880-crore coal bed methane (CBM) extraction project. The coal behemoth has in the second week of June invited bids from both domestic and overseas companies for two more coal bed methane projects. The letter of acceptance was issued to a coal bed methane developer by Coal India Limited (CIL) this month. "Stepping into a new era of coal bed methane (CBM) extraction within its own leasehold area, CIL in a first has issued letter of acceptance to a CBM developer this month. "This is for extraction of CBM, the unconventional form of natural gas found in coal seams," CIL said in a statement. The bid for Jharia CBM Block-I of Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL), the Jharkhand-based subsidiary of CIL, was won by the CBM developer through a global bidding process. To come up at a tentative capital of Rs 1,880 crore as per project feasibility report, BCCL will invest 20 per cent of the capital, while the rest would be put up through the CBM developer. In yet another development, accelerating its intent on CBM extraction, CIL in the second week of June floated global bids for two more projects having a combined resource potential of 2.7 billion cubic metre (BCM) to look for developers. Raniganj CBM block under Eastern Coalfields Ltd, West Bengal, has 2.2 BCM resource; while Sohagpur CBM Block under South Eastern Coalfields Ltd has 500 million cubic metre resource of methane. Spread over an area of about 27 sq km, Jharia CBM Block-I has CBM resource of over 26 BCM. Average production capacity is pegged at 1.3 million metric standard cubic metres per day once the commercial operation kick starts. With the life span of this methane extraction project spread over 25 years, the development and production are expected to start from 2026. "This is a big step for Coal India. It is for the first time that the company has taken up CBM extraction on its own in its leasehold area. CBM extraction is part of our diversification portfolio under clean coal initiatives," CIL said. Methane has energy potential, and the captured gas can be put into use for many commercial uses. The commissioning of gas pipeline in eastern India under URJA Ganga project is in the works by GAIL. CBM produced may be used for city gas distribution or through pipeline for potential users. Central Mine Planning and Design Institute, the consultancy arm of CIL, will be the principal implementing agency for CIL's CBM development in its leasehold areas. "Useful exploitation of CBM would not only lead to its efficient use as energy fuel but would also prevent its release into atmosphere during coal mining," the company said. CIL accounts for over 80 per cent of domestic coal output. The Centre told the bench that CBSE will be adopting 30:30:40 formula to evaluate class 12 students based on the results of Class-X, XI and XII examinations respectively. (PTI Photo) New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday accepted the formula of CBSE and CISCE to evaluate the Class 12 students, whose board examinations were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A special bench of Justices AM Khanwilkar and Dinesh Maheshari said after perusing the scheme presented by the concerned Boards, prima facie, we have no hesitation in accepting the same and permit the Boards to proceed on that basis. The Centre told the bench that CBSE will be adopting 30:30:40 formula to evaluate class 12 students based on the results of Class-X, XI and XII examinations respectively. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) said that for evaluating Class XII students, after their board examinations were cancelled for the academic year 2020-21, it has entered into consultative process with stakeholders to know the factual position of the students and the schools. The CBSE said that consultation process was held with principals of affiliated schools, feedback was obtained from 229 Sahodaya School Complex comprising of 7,734 schools and 13-members committee of experts. Based on the recommendation given by the Committee, feedback received from Sahodaya School Complex, feedback received from school principals and representation received from various corners, CBSE has decided that the assessment of theory portion of Class-XII will be done by the schools, the CBSE affidavit filed in the top court said. It said that theory paper evaluation formula will be of 30 per cent weightage will be given to class X marks, 30 percentage weightage to Class XI marks and 40 per cent weightage to Class XII marks obtained in unit test/mid-term/pre-board exams. The CBSE said that 20 marks will be given for practical in class-XII and the result will be declared by July 31. The CBSE scheme further elaborated that for Class X-30 per cent marks based on average theory component of best three performing subjects out of main five subjects will be taken. For Class XI-30 per cent marks based on theory component of final exam will be taken and for Class XII-40 per cent marks based on unit test/mid-term/pre-board exams will be taken. The marks of practical/internal assessment of Class XII will be on actual basis as uploaded by the school on the CBSE portal, the CBSE said, adding that the total marks awarded should be in consonance with the past performance of the school in class-XII board examinations. The board said that each school shall form a result committee comprising of five members (principal of the school as chairperson, two-senior most teachers of the school, teaching class-XII and two teachers from neighbouring senior secondary school teaching class-XII) and it may decide weightage to be given to each exam based on credibility and reliability of the assessment. It said that the marks of class XI and class XII component will be awarded at school level; they will strictly not be comparable across schools due to variations in the quality of question papers, the evaluation, standard and processes, the mode of conduct of exams. Therefore, to ensure standardisation, each school will have to internally moderate the marks to account for the school level variations by using a reliable reference standard, the CBSE said, adding that the historical performance of the school, in terms of the best overall performance in the previous three years' Board examination, will be taken as the reference for moderating the marks assessed by the schools for 2020-21. The board further said that in case, any student is not able to meet the qualifying criterion; he/she will be placed in essential repeat or compartment category. Students who are not satisfied with assessment, done based on the policy will be given an opportunity to appear in examinations to be conducted by the board when conditions are conducive for holding the examinations. As per this policy, marks scored in later examination will be considered as final, the CBSE said. The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) has also informed the top court that it will declare the Class XII results by July 20, after evaluating the students based on its well defined objective criteria. The components adopted by CISCE for arriving at the evaluation formula is --marks percentage in class X board examinations, the Project and Practical Work in the subjects, the performance of the candidates in the school examinations in the subjects in classes XI and XII, measured through their best marks obtained in the two years (referred to as raw marks) and the best performance of the school in the last six years. It has said that assessment of students would be done based on their marks obtained in Class X examination, performance in school examinations in class XI and XII along with practical and performance of school in the last six years. The CISCE has said that among the factors used in the computation include best year for school-from among the years 2015-2020, the best year for a school is the year when the school achieved the best average percentage in terms of the total scores (out of 500). Like CBSE, CISCE has also said that students who are not satisfied with the evaluation criteria may opt for giving the examination to be held when the COVID situation in India improves. Hyderabad: The state government is most likely to lift the lockdown entirely from June 20, except in a few places in Khammam and Nalgonda districts where Covid-19 cases are yet to come under control. The government is also considering a proposal to continue with a shortened night curfew from 9 pm to 7 am for few more days. The ongoing lockdown from 6 pm to 6 am will end on June 19. Official sources said Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao was in favour of lifting the lockdown as the Covid-19 situation had come under control. The health department is learnt to have submitted a report to the CM stating that the restrictions since mid-April have helped contain the spread of the Coronavirus. The daily Covid-19 case numbers have fallen fell below the 1,500-mark and nine districts have reported zero positivity rate. The health department opined that the situation does not warrant extension of the lockdown. It also cautioned that that strict measures should be taken to ensure that people follow Covid-19 norms like mandatory wearing of masks, social distancing and preventing mass gatherings. Against this backdrop, the CM is likely to take a decision on lifting of lockdown from June 20. The CM has also decided to undertake surprise visits of the districts from June 20 to inspect the progress of Palle Pragathi and Pattana Pragathi programmes besides inaugurating new collectorate complexes and launching several development programmes. The CM also wants to revive economic activity in the state which was impacted due to the restrictions since April. Kharif agriculture activity has also picked up across the state due to incessant rains in districts. Official sources said CM is considering all these factors before taking a final call on the lockdown. Washington: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and several US lawmakers have said that they are appalled by the ongoing acts of hate against Asian Americans and condemned hate, racial discrimination and violence in all forms. More than 3,000 incidents of abuse against Asian Americans were reported between March and December 2020, according to Asian American advocacy groups. There were only 216 reported cases in 2019, according to FBI statistics. "I am appalled by the ongoing acts of hate against Asian Americans and the Asian community globally. Racism, hate and violence have no place in our society. I am united with the Asian and Asian American community in standing against this injustice," Nadella said in a tweet, a day after US President Joe Biden said that the 'vicious' hate crimes against Asian Americans in the country amidst the pandemic was 'un-American' and it must stop. Denouncing 'violent' attacks on the Asian Americans, Biden in his first prime-time address to the nation since assuming office in January, said that members of the community were harassed, blamed and scapegoated. In a statement, Microsoft said that it condemns hate, racial discrimination, and violence in all forms. Meanwhile, prominent lawmakers have joined hands to introduce a legislation to address the rise of hate crimes and violence against Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Congressman Donald M. Payne, expressed concern over an increase in racist attacks against Asian Americans during the COVID-19 global pandemic. "I want to condemn the abuse and assault that has happened to Asian Americans during his pandemic in the strongest words possible," Payne said. Hate and violence have no place in America at all. These attacks must stop because they are cowardly attempts to scapegoat and blame Americans for a pandemic that started thousands of miles away. Thankfully, we have a president who supports diversity and will protect all Americans in his language and his actions. It is time for us to come together as a country and that includes all Americans, he said. Senator Dianne Feinstein said that over the past few weeks, nominees for the top three leadership positions at the Justice Department have appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee, as has the director of the FBI. At each hearing the topic of hate crimes came up, in large part due to steep increases in attacks against Asian Americans, she said. The increase appears to be based on a fabricated connection between the Asian-American community and the COVID pandemic, a conspiracy theory with no basis in fact that is pure racism. We must rebut the conspiracy theory itself and also directly confront the rise in hate crimes, Feinstein said. Senator Alex Padilla, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined Senator Mazie Hirono and Congressmen Grace Meng in introducing legislation to address the rise of hate crimes and violence against AAPI communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. "I am disturbed by the recent increase in hate crimes and violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in California and across the country," Padilla said. "It is clear that this uptick in violence against Asian Americans is the direct result of the racist rhetoric used by political leaders with regard to the pandemic and we must take action to address it. The COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act will direct law enforcement to better collaborate across jurisdictions and expedite the response to COVID-19 related hate crimes, and will work to mitigate racially discriminatory language used to describe the pandemic," he said. The COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act would direct the US Attorney General to designate an official whose sole responsibility will be to expedite review of COVID-19 hate crimes from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The legislation also directs the Attorney General to issue guidance to state and local law enforcement agencies on appropriate public education campaigns and the collection of data on COVID-19 hate crimes. "The ongoing anti-Asian hate crimes and incidents, especially against our elderly Asian Americans, is absolutely horrific, said Congresswoman Meng. Since the beginning of the pandemic there have been nearly 3,000 reported incidents of physical, verbal, and online attacks against Asian Americans," she said. Acting US Attorney Tessa M Gorman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Donald M. Voiret said that currently federal prosecutors and the FBI are reviewing two cases involving assaults on Asian-American neighbours that have been charged by the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. "These crimes, and other acts of hate and bias, have no place in our community. I urge members of our community to report hate-based crimes to either local or federal law enforcement and to contact our office's civil rights line with information about discrimination in areas like housing, employment, education, or public accommodations," Gorman said. Workers paste the overlay on the wall of the National Stadium, where opening ceremony and many other events are scheduled for the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics, on June 2, 2021, in Tokyo. Tokyo: Japan is set to announce a decision Thursday to ease a coronavirus state of emergency in Tokyo and six other areas this weekend, with new daily cases falling just as the country begins making final preparations for the Olympics starting in just over a month. Japan has been struggling since late March to slow a wave of infections propelled by more contagious variants, with new daily cases soaring above 7,000 at one point and seriously ill patients straining hospitals in Tokyo, Osaka and other metropolitan areas. Daily cases have since subsided significantly and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is expected to downgrade the state of emergency when it expires on Sunday to less stringent measures. Despite concerns by medical experts and the public over the potential risks of holding the Olympics, Suga has said he is determined to hold a safe and secure Games starting July 23. Holding the Olympics before elections in the fall is also a political gamble for Suga, whose support ratings have tumbled over dissatisfaction with his handling of the pandemic, a slow vaccination drive and a lack of explanation how he intents to ensure the virus doesn't spread during the Olympics. Experts at a virus panel meeting Thursday gave preliminary approval for government plans to downgrade the emergency in Tokyo, Aichi, Hokkaido, Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo and Fukuoka. We must do everything we can, and provide firm financial support as well, said Dr. Shigeru Omi, head of a government COVID-19 panel. At a parliamentary Health and Labour Committee last week, Omi cautioned that holding the Olympics in the middle of the pandemic is abnormal and warned that it would increase the risk of infections. The measures will remain in Okinawa, where hospitals are still overwhelmed, while Hiroshima and Okayama will be taken off the list. Suga is expected to announce a final decision later Thursday. . Japan does not enforce hard lockdowns and the state of emergency allows prefectural leaders to order closures or shorter hours for non-essential businesses. Those that comply are compensated and violators fined. Stay-at-home and other measures for the general population are only requests and are increasingly ignored. Ryuji Wakita, the director-general of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases who heads a government COVID-19 advisory board, said infections have decreased in many areas, but the slowing has bottomed out in the Tokyo region. He warned that infections could increase and that signs of a rebound are already seen among younger people. Even as more people are getting the jabs and most of the country's 36 million senior citizens are expected to be fully inoculated by the end of July, younger people are largely unvaccinated and infections among them could quickly burden hospitals, Wakita said. In order to prevent another upsurge, it is crucial to prevent the people from roaming around during the Olympics and summer vacation, he said. Experts say it is crucial to accelerate the vaccine rollout for the Olympics to be safe. Suga has opened up mass inoculation centers and started vaccinations at major companies, part of an ambitious target of as many as 1 million doses per day. As of Tuesday, only 5.6% of Japanese were fully vaccinated. In hard-hit Osaka in western Japan, hospital capacity has improved and new infections dropped to 108 on Tuesday, down from more than 1,200 a day in late April. In Tokyo, new cases are down to around 500 per day from above 1,100 in mid-May. Tokyo Gov Yuriko Koike has said effective virus measures need to be kept in place. This story does seem to have some facts to back it up but there are more questions than answers, such as; if this thing really has been f... We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Get 25% off of the regular $65 annual All Access rate. With this subscription you will get: Digital access to ElPasoInc.com and archives (value $45) Print subscription home or business delivered (value $65) Book of Lists (annual rate only, value $50) El Paso Inc. Magazine (value $20) El Paso Kids Inc. Special sections - OR - Get 15% off of the regular $45 annual Digital-only rate. With this subscription you will get: Complete digital access to ElPasoInc.com. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Fort Hood, TX (76544) Today Scattered clouds with the possibility of an isolated thunderstorm developing this afternoon. High 91F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Variably cloudy with scattered thunderstorms. Low 74F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. This blog covers software patent news and issues with a particular focus on wireless, mobile devices (smartphones, tablet computers, connected cars) as well as select antitrust matters surrounding those devices. What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 574-583-5121 or email cgrace@thehj.com. Global Bearing Demand to Climb Rapidly During Post-Pandemic Period Ball and roller bearings to remain top applications through 2025 Ball and roller bearings will continue to comprise the largest share of sales in dollar terms, as they are well-established technologies and are necessary in the manufacture of wide range of products. Additionally, these product types are more expensive than plain bearings, which are also used widely around the world and seeing increased use in applications such as aerospace equipment and wind turbine manufacturing. The decision about which bearings to use is mainly determined by the specific requirements of the application being considered: In some instances, manufacturers have the option of using several different product types and can take other factors into consideration (e.g., price), while more demanding applications may require a specific type of bearing. While most types of bearings have similar growth prospects because of the wide range of uses for each, market share in specific applications can change. For instance, technological innovation has allowed roller bearings to operate at higher speeds; as a result, roller bearings made inroads in some applications that were historically dominated by ball bearings. If you are looking for 15125 bearing or get more information about bearings, please send an email to sales@spark-bearing.com . The market demand for 15125 bearing ? The global bearing market value in 2020 is 123.34 billion U.S. dollars and is expected to reach 153.62 billion U.S. dollars by 2027, and the compound annual growth rate will also increase steadily. A bearing is a mechanical element that supports relative movement and helps reduce friction caused between moving parts. Bearings are widely used in various industries such as automobiles, wind turbines, construction machinery, mining machinery, agricultural equipment, and machine tools. It is used in automobiles to ensure smooth driving of automobiles, electric vehicles (EV) and other types of vehicles (such as light commercial vehicles and heavy vehicles such as trucks). Due to the increasing utilization of bearing 15125 bearing in various end-use industries, rolling mills and electric vehicles, the global 15125 bearing market has become more and more important. The development of technology has improved the overall efficiency of bearing products in the field and extended the product shelf life. The market trend of 15125 bearing ? The cost of raw materials is still the biggest concern for manufacturers. Raw materials account for approximately 60-62% of bearing manufacturers revenue. The price of raw materials for bearings fluctuates continuously according to market economic conditions. Such fluctuations in raw material prices are becoming a real challenge for companies to maintain competitiveness and ensure sustainable profits. As high-grade steel and alloy steel are the main raw materials used to manufacture 15125 bearing , bearing prices are highly correlated with global steel price trends. Therefore, fluctuations in the price of raw materials have brought challenges for bearing manufacturers to compare prices and quality to manufacture bearings. In addition, the bearings require regular maintenance to avoid failures and extend their service life, which further increases maintenance costs. Therefore, factors such as raw material price fluctuations and regular maintenance costs are expected to hinder the growth of the bearing market. How to contact WSBC bearing ? (The Center Square) Hundreds of people concerned about the integrity of the Nov. 2020 election gathered outside the Michigan Capitol Thursday to protest and deliver roughly 7,000 affidavits claiming fraud and demanding a forensic audit. Michigan Conservation Coalition spokesperson Matt Seely said thousands of Michigan voters have questioned the integrity of the 2020 election. If we do a deep-dive forensic audit similar to Arizona, it will do either one of two things. It will prove that all of the politicians who say theres nothing to see there, that they were right. Or it will prove that theres a big problem with the integrity of our elections and that we need to address it in a major way, he told The Center Square in a phone interview. Seely said election integrity isnt a Democrat or Republican issue. He cited one poll saying 70% of Republicans dont believe the 2020 election was free or fair. Another survey says between 20-30% of Democrats said it was very likely that Democrats stole votes or destroyed pro-Trump ballots in several states to ensure that Biden would win. If the politicians who are trying to stop this from taking place truly believe theres nothing to see there, then what would be the harm in just proving to the electorate that the concerns are unwarranted? Seely asked. Seely said five governors in swing states changed election rules and procedures that ended up determining the election. "Why did 45 other governors dealing with states of emergency and COVID, didn't feel it was necessary to change election rules and procedures and violate the U.S Constitution?" he asked. "We owe voters the truth." Those gathered say Secretary of State Jocelyn Bensons audit only recounted votes and didnt go far enough to inspect votes and ensure those voting were on the Qualified Voter Roll (QVR). Former state Sen. Patrick Colbeck said it only took 150 affidavits to get the attention of Arizona legislators. Colbeck called for a new hearing, alleging election machines were hackable. He claims Antrim County now cant find 1,061 voters in the QVR. Colbeck said hes aiming for legislators to complete a forensic audit. If such an audit shows evidence of fraud it would significantly affect the election. He says lawmakers could demand an audit. However, 13th Circuit Court Judge Kevin Elsenheimer in May threw out a lawsuits seeking a recount in Antrim County. "A petitioner ... does not get to choose his own audit criteria," Elsenheimer said. "Rather the Legislature has given that authority ... to the secretary of state." Benson pushed back against the election fraud claims saying, Enough is enough. Those sincerely wanting credible audits of our elections should be reminded that here in Michigan election officials - including 1,300 Republican, Democrat and non-partisan local clerks - have conducted more than 250 actual, by the book, transparent audits of the November 2020 election - and each confirmed that it was safe and secure, and the results are an accurate reflection of the will of the people, Benson said in a statement. We only need look to Arizona to see that anyone who claims they want access to our secure election materials and machines under the guise of performing a fake audit is hiding the fact that they are actually trying to find ways to deceive the public about the integrity of our elections to further their own partisan agenda and have taxpayers foot the bill, Benson added. Scenes from Luca / Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea A brisk and bright sun-dappled fable of above-ground adventure and below-the-surface identity, Enrico Casarosa's ''Luca'' a summery, shimmering fish-out-of-water fairy tale is one of Pixar's most pure and condensed enchantments. Pixar has plunged into the sea before, of course, in the aquatic ''Finding Nemo'' and ''Finding Dory.'' Lushly detailed waters have been sprinkled through many of the studio's films, from the rushing river of ''The Good Dinosaur'' to the frothy seaside surf of ''Piper.'' One personal favorite: how, after the frantic Paris chase in ''Ratatouille,'' the diminutive Chef Skinner bobs furiously in the Seine. But in ''Luca,'' we're in the ocean to look longingly upon another world, which happens to be our own. Luca Paguro (Jacob Tremblay) is a 13-year-old sea monster who lives off the coast of the Italian Riviera. He's a farm boy, like many protagonists before him, with dreams of another, forbidden realm only Luca shepherds goatfish, instead of goats, on rolling underwater pastures. To him, the surface is a magical, unknowable place that he's only heard rumors of from his grandmother (Sandy Martin), who's quickly shushed by his protective parents (Maya Rudolph, Jim Gaffigan). But curiosity and the urgings of another, more land-accustomed sea monster, Alberto (Jack Dylan Grazer), compel Luca to swim up to a beach and stride ashore. He watches Alberto do it first. When Luca gets up the nerve, the transformation is immediate. Fin turns to foot. Tail disappears. And a very sea-legged boy steps forward, swiftly falling on his face and flopping on the ground like a fish. Walking comes quickly enough, though, and through Luca's eyes we see the wonders of surface-dwelling anew the blue sky, the swaying trees, the rustling grass. Luca and Alberto (who already has a fort with collected treasures) rush to frolic in all the fun of being human. Luca, feeling guilty, keeps saying he's about to rush home. But he can't help himself. In ''Luca,'' young life is a stolen adventure. They don't have everything quite figured out. Alberto, more confident and reckless than Luca, calls a phonograph a ''magic singing lady machine'' and believes the stars in the night sky are little glittering anchovies. But they are absolutely certain of one thing: the Vespa is the single greatest human invention. That draws them to the nearby town of Portorosso (the name seems a nod to the great and most European of the Studio Ghibli canon, ''Porco Rosso''), a quintessential Italian hamlet with a village fountain and a ''La Strada'' poster on the wall. It's the late 1950s. They quickly recognize an unexpected danger. Portorosso is adorned with pictures of slayed and slaughtered sea monsters. The whole town lives in fear of them a concern mirrored by Luca's family who quake at the thought of ''land monsters.'' Revealing their true natures would be suicidal, and all it takes is a water balloon or a bit of rain to ruin their human disguises. Still, that doesn't stop Luca and Alberto from entering a triathlon with the hope of winning a Vespa, or from befriending a village girl, Giuilia (Emma Berman), with a fearsome fisherman father (Marco Barricelli). It would be easy to label ''Luca,'' which arrives Friday on Disney+, ''minor Pixar.'' Its visuals, while beguiling, don't push new digital ground the way many Pixar animations have. There isn't an existential journey into the mind, beyond the grave or into the heavens. It's a couple of kids coming of age over a sun-kissed summer. But I think the modesty of ''Luca'' is part of what makes it great. As much as Pixar's recent output (''Soul,'' ''Onward,'' ''Coco'') has been daringly conceptual, it has sometimes felt as though the studio and its artists are too focused on charting new narrative territory. ''Luca,'' Pixar's shortest feature since its first (''Toy Story''), is modest, straightforward and classical. It feels like Pixar's page out of Italo Calvino's ''Italian Folktales.'' Casarosa's film comes and goes like a soft summer breeze, but that doesn't stop it from being utterly charming and, by the time of its magnificent final shot, a little devastating, too. In sweet sea monsters that just want to do what other kids do, ''Luca'' finds a simple and beautiful metaphor for all those who feel like they need to hide themselves to fit in. It left me, anyway, with a fish-eating grin. ''Luca,'' a Walt Disney release, is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America for rude humor, language, some thematic elements and brief violence. Running time: 95 minutes. Three and a half stars out of four. (AP) South Korea's top economic policymaker said Thursday the government will focus on increasing the housing supply in a bid to curb market expectations for continued rises in home prices. Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki said the supply of homes is expected to increase after 2022 as the construction of new properties has increased since May. Amid sluggish housing transactions, the growth of home prices has picked up in recent months in Seoul on expectations for eased rules on the reconstruction of old apartments in the capital. Hong earlier warned of potential adjustments in housing prices, saying that the government has a strong commitment to curbing high-flying home prices. The minister also said the government plans to soon come up with measures to help ordinary people and first-time homebuyers find homes, including an expansion of state-backed lending programs. The government has unleashed a series of comprehensive measures to stem rising home prices, but the regulations have resulted in only a short-term letup in rising housing prices. In February, the country unveiled a plan to increase the number of new homes by up to 836,000 nationwide in the next four years. (Yonhap) By Lee Kyung-min Lee Sang-wan, an associate professor in the department of bio and brain engineering at KAIST, was named as a 2021 recipient of one of the IBM Academic Awards, the university said Thursday. The award was given in recognition of his contributions in the field of neuroscience-inspired artificial intelligence. Lee is the founding director of the KAIST Center for Neuroscience-inspired Artificial Intelligence. The IBM Academic Awards are given to those who foster collaboration between researchers at leading universities and IBM researchers and technologists worldwide. The awards seek to promote curriculum innovation to stimulate growth in emerging academic disciplines. Recipients receive "hardware, software, services, IBM Cloud access and cash," according to the IBM website. "The study of interpreting the brain's complex information processing processes using machine learning theory and transplanting the brain's high-level information processing into an artificial intelligence model is still in its infancy. Further joint studies will be conducted with IBM researchers," Lee said. The joint research with IBM will utilize brain-artificial intelligence co-evolution technology, a scientific advancement project financed by the Samsung Science & Technology Foundation. Also contributing to the global research will be frontal lobe meta-reinforcement learning, a technology developed with the help of the Institute of Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation. Lee's work was published in Science Robotics, a publisher of original, peer-reviewed, science- and engineering-based research articles that advance the field of robotics. The journal also features editor-commissioned reviews. Another publisher of his work is Nature Communications, a peer-reviewed, open access, scientific journal published by Nature Research. It is a multidisciplinary journal and it covers the natural sciences, including physics, chemistry, earth sciences, medicine and biology. The KAIST Center for Neuroscience-inspired Artificial Intelligence established in 2019 has since led studies and personnel exchange programs with leading global research institutes such as the research laboratory DeepMind Technologies and British artificial intelligence subsidiary Alphabet, the parent company of Google, as well as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Oxford. Lee won recognition at the Google Faculty Research Awards in 2016 for his research contribution in the field of computational neuroscience. This award program focuses on supporting world-class technical research in computer science, engineering and related fields performed at academic institutions around the world. North Korea held a key Workers' Party meeting for the second day with a focus on economic issues, according to state media Thursday, amid speculation that foreign policy could also have been discussed. Photos released by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) showed leader Kim Jong-un presiding over a panel discussion during the second-day plenary meeting of the party's Central Committee on Wednesday. Foreign Minister Ri Son-gwon was seen taking down notes in one of the photos. Ri's attendance suggests that policy directions for the U.S. and South Korea could have been discussed. Wednesday's meeting consisted of a series of panel discussions and consultative meetings to "successfully push ahead with the fighting tasks for the second half of the year without any deviation," the KCNA said. The sector panels included various areas, such as metal, railway transport, the chemical industry, electricity, coal, the light industry, the agricultural industry, anti-epidemic emergencies and the struggle against anti-socialist practices, it said. "The participants studied the draft resolution to be suggested to the plenary meeting and confirmed the draft measures and planned figures of which scientific accuracy and practicality are guaranteed," the KCNA said. Top officials also separately convened the consultative meetings, including Ri Pyong-chol, vice chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party and Jo Yong-won, secretary for Organizational Affairs of the party's Central Committee. The plenary meeting, the third of its kind this year, has been drawing keen attention as the North could unveil its policy directions for Washington and Seoul given that Washington completed its North Korea policy review and President Moon Jae-in and U.S. President Joe Biden agreed at a summit to pursue diplomacy to resolve the North's nuclear issue. The KCNA said that the meeting will continue, without mentioning when it will end. (Yonhap) Moon Chung-in, chairman of the Sejong Institute and former special advisor to President Moon Jae-in for foreign and national security affairs, speaks during a webinar "Nurturing Negotiations: How to Jumpstart and Sustain Diplomacy with North Korea," co-hosted by the Washington-based National Committee on North Korea and the Seoul-based East Asia Foundation, Wednesday. Captured from YouTube Experts express concerns over weakening of combined nuclear deterrence capabilities By Jung Da-min A debate has arisen over whether South Korea and the U.S. should cancel their annual joint military exercises scheduled to be held in August, with some government officials and experts who advocate engagement with North Korea saying Pyongyang will not return to denuclearization talks as long as they continue to be held. However, others question whether such a cancellation would have any effect at all noting the distinct probability that the North will not take any corresponding actions. In August, the allies are scheduled to hold the annual Ulchi Freedom Guardian (UFG) command post exercise without the large-scale mobilization of troops. Pyongyang has long denounced such joint military drills, calling them a rehearsal for invasion. In the past couple of years, Seoul and Washington have cancelled or scaled down the exercises, either for diplomatic reasons or, as in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sejong Institute Chairman Moon Chung-in, a former special advisor to President Moon Jae-in on foreign and national security affairs, said that South Korea and the U.S. should announce the cancellation of UFG this month so as to send a signal to North Korea that the allies were prepared to open a dialogue. He said that June was the most critical moment considering the timing of the South Korea-U.S. summit held May 21, and South Korea's domestic political situation with the next presidential election less than nine months away. "Obviously the No. 1 issue is the ROK-U.S. joint military exercise, which is scheduled in August. Unless we resolve this issue, it is very unlikely that North Korea will come back to us for dialogue. The North may be very, very hesitant about starting dialogue with the United States because North Korea has been arguing that there is a sign of hostile intent and policy from the United States," Moon said during a webinar titled, "Nurturing Negotiations: How to Jumpstart and Sustain Diplomacy with North Korea," co-hosted by the Washington-based National Committee on North Korea and the Seoul-based East Asia Foundation, Wednesday. "Therefore, the first thing is whether our government, after consulting with the United States, announces that the joint military exercise will be suspended. Not reduced in sizethat may not work on North Korea, but suspended. That is the most important variable through which we can tell whether North Korea will come back to dialogue or not." Moon said Pyongyang has yet to issue a response to the May 21 summit between South Korea and the United States, which is a good sign in that it has not criticized the results of the meeting and has left room for the possibility of dialogue. But he said it is a bad sign at the same time in that the countries could lose momentum for dialogue if the North maintains its silence, considering the uncertainties in the international community. "If we miss this month of June, then it would be very difficult for the incumbent government to do anything. Because starting from September, we will be entering the presidential campaign period, even if North Korea shows a goodwill gesture, then that would be a northern wind that North Korea is considering South Korea's domestic politics, therefore June is the most critical month," Moon said. Earlier this month, Unification Minister Lee In-young also called for "maximum flexibility" in deciding on whether and how to conduct the joint exercises. "One obvious thing is that combined drills should never work in a way that causes or further escalates tensions on the Korean Peninsula," he said in a KBS radio interview. Military helicopters at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, are seen in this March 7 photo. Yonhap A citizen gets COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination center in Seoul, June 17. Yonhap South Korea plans to administer COVID-19 vaccines to 22 million people of the general public aged between 18 and 59 starting next month as part of its inoculation campaign, health authorities said Thursday. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced the list of third-quarter vaccine recipients to achieve its goal of vaccinating 36 million people in the country of 51.3 million by September. The country's vaccination campaign started on Feb. 26 with some virus-vulnerable groups and front-line medical workers being prioritized for inoculations. Slightly more than 14 million people have received their first shots of COVID-19 vaccines here, accounting for around 27 percent of the country's population. "Vaccinating general members of the population kicks off in full-scale in the third quarter," KDCA chief Jeong Eun-kyeong said, urging people to receive vaccines during their designated period to help the country achieve the goal of herd immunity by November. People in their 50s will begin receiving their first shots in late July, with those aged between 18 and 49 in mid-August, the KDCA said. Among the 18-49 age group, high school students to take the national college entrance exam and teachers aged under 30 at nursery schools, primary, middle and high schools will first get the shots. A total of 170,000 people initially scheduled to receive their first shots in June but who failed to get inoculated due to supply issues will also be the first priority group in July, the KDCA said. The KDCA said a total of 10 million doses of vaccines from four pharmaceutical firms AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson's Janssen are scheduled to arrive in the country in July. The country has secured enough vaccines to inoculate about 100 million people. The KDCA said it will also allow combining AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines in two-shot regimens among some groups starting next month to boost efficacy. Major European countries and Canada have already allowed combining two mRNA vaccines interchangeably following safety concerns of the AstraZeneca vaccine earlier. A total of some 760,000 people, including home-visit caretakers aged over 30, medical workers at neighborhood clinics and pharmacies, as well as other personnel, such as police officers and fire workers will be subject to such a two-shot schedule. The group received the AstraZeneca vaccine as the first dose in April and will be followed by a Pfizer vaccine as the second dose after July 5, the KDCA said. The authorities, however, said they can receive an AstraZeneca vaccine for the second booster if they do not want different vaccines. The move is partially due to the belated delivery of AstraZeneca vaccines through the global COVAX scheme. Initially, some 835,000 AstraZeneca vaccines were to arrive in the country later this month, which was pushed back to after July. The KDCA said while many studies are ongoing globally, there is no safety issue and some studies even suggest such a mix and match schedule may create higher antibody levels than two doses of a single vaccine. A study published in Spain showed that vaccinating COVID-19 patients who have received an AstraZeneca jab and the Pfizer vaccine is safe and effective, and provides greater protection against the virus. The neutralizing antibodies in the people who received a second dose of the Pfizer vaccine increased sevenfold compared with those who received just one AstraZeneca dose, according to the study. In August, workers at key businesses, such as steelmaking and chipmaking, will be able to receive COVID-19 vaccines at their workplaces as part of efforts to reduce any disruptions caused by the virus outbreak among the employees. On Thursday, the country reported 540 more virus cases, remaining in the 500s for the second day, the KDCA said. The total caseload increased to 149,731. (Yonhap) A senior citizen receives a COVID-19 vaccine shot at a vaccination center in Seoul's Yeongdeungpo District, Thursday. Yonhap Inoculation to be expanded to people in 50s beginning from July By Jun Ji-hye The government is facing growing calls to raise the age limit for the administering of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, following the death of a man in his 30s who was being treated for a blood clot, a side effect from receiving the vaccine. On April 12, health authorities decided not to administer the AstraZeneca vaccine to people under the age of 30 due to concerns over possible blood clots. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), the man, who had received the vaccine on May 27, died at around 2:10 p.m., Wednesday, after suffering from thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS). He had no pre-existing condition, according to the authorities. It marked the country's second clotting case and the first death among those who have received the AstraZeneca vaccine. The first patient who was confirmed to have blood clot symptoms on May 31 after receiving the vaccine at the end of April was recently discharged from the hospital after recovering, according to the KDCA. This patient was also in his 30s. As these two blood clotting cases occurred among recipients of the AstraZeneca vaccine in their 30s, controversy has risen over whether the government's age limit of 30 was appropriate. When announcing that decision, the authorities at the time said that there would be a greater risk of side effects than advantages when administering the vaccine to people in their 20s in other words, the advantages outweigh the risk of side effects when the vaccine is administered to people over 30. But the authorities are showing a subtle change to this position, following reports of the two blood clot cases. "There is a need to review the matter with the relevant experts, based on the number of recipients of the vaccine and the patients who suffered from the side effects," a KDCA official said, Thursday, noting that 458,246 people have so far received the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine as of June 13. Some other countries have already readjusted the age limit for the AstraZeneca vaccine, including Italy, which recently stopped administering it to people under the age of 60. In May, the United Kingdom raised the age of people prohibited from receiving the vaccine from those under the age of 30 to those under the age of 40. Korea, which began its nationwide vaccination program on Feb. 26, is now administering vaccines from pharmaceutical giants AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson's Janssen and Moderna. KDCA Commissioner Jeong Eun-kyeong said that more than 14 million people, or 27.2 percent of the entire population, have had at least their first shots of a vaccine. Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) Commissioner Jeong Eun-kyeong speaks during a media briefing at the KDCA headquarters in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, Thursday, announcing vaccination plans to be applied during the third quarter. Yonhap President Moon Jae-in looks at a map of the "Kingdom of Korea" made in 1737 by a French cartographer, which included Dokdo as territory of Korea, at the senate library in Madrid, Wednesday (local time), during his three-day state visit to the country. Yonhap By Kim Rahn, Joint Press Corps Spain has shown President Moon Jae-in an old map that describes Dokdo as part of the territory of Korea, according to Cheong Wa Dae, Wednesday (local time). The map showing came amid Japan's renewed territorial claim over Dokdo, Korea's easternmost islets, on its website for the Tokyo Olympics. According to presidential spokeswoman Park Kyung-mee, Moon visited the Spanish senate library after delivering a speech at the senate. A Joseon-era map of the Korean Peninsula made in 1737 by a French cartographer and now owned by the Spanish senate library in Madrid. It shows the islets of Dokdo, over which Japan has made territorial claims, as part of the "Kingdom of Korea." / Yonhap The library officials showed Moon the map, titled "Royaume de Coree" (Kingdom of Korea), which was made by French geographer and cartographer Jean Baptiste Bourguignon d'Anville (1697-1782), in 1737 when the territory was known as the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). The map is a part of an atlas of the Qing Empire (present-day China). Now owned by the library in Madrid, it is known as the oldest map among those existing of the Joseon Kingdom made by a European. A hole drilled into a tree on a street in Jeonmi-dong, Jeonju, South Jeolla Province / Courtesy of Jeonju City By Bahk Eun-ji Jeonju City, North Jeolla Province, said it has recently asked police to investigate a series of cases where holes were drilled into trees. According to the Jeonbuk Provincial Police Agency and Jeonju local government, Wednesday, trees at three places in the city have been damaged over the past three months by someone drilling holes into them. The incidents took place near an apartment complex in Pyeonghwa-dong, a residential area in Junghwasan-dong, and a village in Jeonmi-dong, police said. So far 54 trees have been found to have the holes in them, with each having one to three in the lower part of their trunks, all of a similar size and apparently made with an electric drill. Police and the city government have no idea whether the holes were made by an individual or a group and the investigation has not progressed as there are no surveillance cameras in the vicinity of any of the damaged trees nor were any witnesses. Among the trees, 41 showed signs of withering, raising suspicions that the culprit may have injected chemicals into the trees via the holes. The city government is treating the remaining trees and is also conducting inspections to determine if there are more with similar damage. "Investigations are ongoing based on reports from residents who found damaged trees, but we have not been able to find any clue yet," an official from the police agency said. A person who intentionally damages trees in city-managed areas is subject to up to three years in prison or a 30 million won ($26,850) fine, according to the relevant law. If the trees are on private land, the culprit is subject to up to three years in prison or a 7 million won fine for damaging property. People Power Party (PPP) chairman Lee Jun-seok speaks at the party's supreme council meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, June 17. Yonhap The conservative main opposition People Power Party (PPP) has seen an influx of new members, especially those in their 20s and 30s, in the wake of the sensational ascent of young new party leader Lee Jun-seok. According to party officials, some 23,000 people nationwide have joined the PPP as new members since May 12, including 10,000 who joined through online processes. The figure marks about a tenfold increase from the same period a year earlier, which came amid Lee's surprise ascent to the party leadership. "The PPP is witnessing an increase of new members throughout all generations, but it has seen an obvious, noteworthy growth in the ratio of (party members in their) 20s and 30s," a PPP official noted. The 36-year-old Harvard-educated politician without experience as a lawmaker entered the PPP's leadership race as an underdog but won a surprise victory in the primary in late May against big-name senior rival candidates and was finally elected as the new party chairman last week. Rep. Ryu Ho-jeong of the progressive minor Justice Party has taken a bold step in her campaign to liberalize strict regulations on tattooing: revealing her back full of erasable tattoos in a purple dress. Ryu delivered the performance during a joint news conference with a group of tattooists at the National Assembly on Wednesday, to promote a bill she proposed last week. "Tattoos you can easily see on the streets are still illegal," she said, claiming a decades-ago court ruling that has prohibited tattoos by non-medical people is "too old for South Korea in the year of 2021." In Korea, tattooing itself is not illegal but should be only conducted by professional doctors. This dates back to a 1992 Supreme Court ruling that defined tattooing as a medical service. Article 27 of the Medical Service Act indicates that "medical practices," including tattoos, can only be conducted by licensed medical personnel. Ryu's bill seeks to create a licensing system that allows licensed non-medical workers to perform body art on other people. According to the Korea Tattoo Association, there were an estimated 220,000 tattooists and beauty technicians in the country in 2017. Ryu said some may admonish her for such a performance. "But lawmakers exist to do things like this," she said. Ryu, 28, is one of the youngest legislators in Korean parliamentary history. She has often drawn controversy for unconventional moves, such as wearing a red mini dress during a National Assembly session. "I will speak for people who have been oppressed by social and cultural prejudices and become a sandbag to withstand the consequent counteractions," she said. "It is OK if some people feel uncomfortable with tattoos because I believe they will not use their discomfort to infringe upon others' freedom." (Yonhap) Former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun announces his intention to run for president in Seoul, June 17. Yonhap Former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun on Thursday announced his intention to run for president next year, promising to become a leader to build a strong economy and stamp out inequality. Chung launched his bid for the nomination of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) under the slogan of "Strong Korea, Economic President." "I will be an economic president of a strong Republic of Korea, who fights all inequalities," he said during an event in Seoul to kick off his candidacy. "If I can heal wounds of the people and eradicate all gaps caused by unfairness and inequality, I am willing to devote all my life lived and the rest of my life," he said. He is expected to face an uphill battle to win the DP ticket, as he comes in a distant third among DP hopefuls after Gyeonggi Province Gov. Lee Jae-myung and former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon. In a survey conducted this week and released Thursday by four pollsters, Chung ranked sixth with support of 1 percent along with four other minor potential candidates. Lee Jae-myung led the poll with 25 percent, closely followed by former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl. Chung, 70, considered a moderate, was appointed prime minister in January 2020 and led the nation's response to the coronavirus pandemic. He resigned in April to prepare to run in the presidential election to be held in March next year. The businessman-turned-politician was a parliamentary speaker during the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye in 2017 over a massive corruption scandal. Born to a poor family in the southwestern county of Jinan in 1950, he worked for a general trading company under Ssangyong Group for 17 years after university graduation. He entered politics in 1995 and was elected to the National Assembly six times. He served as industry and energy minister in 2006 under then President Roh Moo-hyun and headed the then ruling Uri Party, the forerunner of the DP, two times between 2005 and 2007. He is nicknamed "Mr. Smile" for his gentle demeanor. He is known for balanced views and a stable style but also showed strong leadership when he steered a nationwide drive to curb COVID-19 as prime minister. During the event, he focused on his economic vision to achieve US$40,000 income per capita and reduce income inequality. He proposed a social compromise that calls for freezing dividends for large shareholders of conglomerates and salaries of their executives and workers for three years, and instead increasing their subcontractors' product prices and wages. He also promised to increase compensation for non-regular workers, expand state funding for youth employment and provide 1 million public rental homes and 30,000 public apartments. The ceremony was held as a talk with youths, reflecting the increasing power of young voters. It was also attended by about 40 lawmakers, including Lee Nak-yon and Chung's other potential rivals in the DP primary. (Yonhap) Main opposition People Power Party (PPP) Chairman Lee Jun-seok, right, and ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Song Young-gil hold hands during the former's courtesy visit to the latter at the National Assembly, Thursday, six days after Lee was elected to lead the PPP. Korea Times photo by Oh Dae-geun Members of the Parcel Delivery Workers' Solidarity Union demand the Korea Post to complete the on-going negotiation to prevent overwork, June 17. Yonhap The delivery workers union strongly demanded Thursday the government step in to complete the on-going negotiation to prevent overwork. A second deal failed to be completed "due to resistance from the Korea Post," Jin Kyung-ho, head of the Parcel Delivery Workers' Solidarity Union, said during a press conference in Seoul on Thursday. "We make it clear that the union can never sign a deal if the issue with the postal service is not resolved." On Wednesday, logistics firms and delivery workers reached a tentative deal to end a protracted strike that disrupted parcel delivery nationwide. Under the deal, delivery workers, starting Jan. 1, will be barred from sorting parcels, a lengthy and exhausting job that was blamed for overwork and work-related deaths, and that they work no more than 60 hours a week. The two sides, however, failed to narrow differences on the demand of postal service workers that a final draft specifically mention that Korea Post, the national postal service, will implement an agreement. Postal service workers, who take up more than a majority of the union, have reported their company for violating the Labor Standards Act, saying that the state-run company has demanded excessive parcel delivery from its workers and shifted the responsibility for work-related accidents to workers. "Private logistics companies also strongly request that a final deal should specifically mention Korea Post. They said they otherwise cannot sign a deal," Jin said, adding that the postal service should take responsibility if a complete deal is not reached. Yoon Joong-hyun, head of the union's postal service team, criticized the state firm for not making good on its promises despite an agreement reached in January. "Korea Post promised to hire additional workers for sorting and to pay extra money for the job. But it neither hired a single worker nor spent a dime," he said. The union urged the government to take the lead in solving the issue and warned that the union's leadership will begin a hunger strike if the matter is not solved within this week. The union launched an indefinite walkout last Wednesday after talks with the government and logistics firms on implementing a January deal fell through. They also staged an overnight strike in Seoul earlier this week, which was timed with the resumption of the meeting over the implementation of overwork prevention measures. Under the January deal, the companies had agreed to provide extra workers to sort parcels and take other steps to ease the burden on couriers, who have long complained of overwork from sorting parcels before delivery and doing so without additional pay. The agreement also calls on logistics firms to provide extra money to workers for sorting parcels and to work to automate the job. The deal was reached after 16 delivery workers died last year apparently due to overwork. (Yonhap) By Dick Polman I must warn you in advance that this is not satire. This news is real. Recently, the Republican governor of Texas signed a law creating "The 1836 Project," a feat of "patriotic education" that will celebrate the purportedly glorious founding of the Texas Republic. At his signing photo-op, Gov. Greg Abbott said: "To keep Texas the best state in the nation, we can never forget WHY our state is so exceptional." The 1836 Project will ensure that future generations will "understand Texas values. Together, we'll keep our rich history alive." The project will promote "the principles that make Texas Texas," especially the state's "legacy of economic prosperity." Hey, bring it on! I trust that the Texas white people's party, in its quest to provide a true education about 1836, will feature Section 9 of the original Texas Constitution: "All persons of color who were slaves for life previous to their emigration to Texas, and who are now held in bondage, shall remain in the like state of servitude. (The Texas) Congress shall pass no laws to prohibit emigrants from bringing their slaves into the republic with them, and holding them by the same tenure by which such slaves were held in the United States; nor shall Congress have the power to emancipate slaves; nor shall any slaveholder have the power to emancipate his or her slave without the consent of Congress " After featuring that provision in The 1836 Congress, I trust that the current citizens of Texas will also be told why Section 9 was enacted in the first place: Because Mexico, which ruled the territory at the time, had recently enacted a law abolishing slavery. The Anglo settlers in Texas wouldn't stand for that (John Durst, a prominent white landowner, wrote: "We are ruined forever"). Defending slavery was a major impetus for the decision to break away from Mexico and establish an independent republic. It worked beautifully between 1840 and 1850, the Texas slave population increased 500 percent, propping up the state's most precious commodity, on which roughly 95 percent of the economy was based: Cotton. Surely those facts will be highlighted in The 1836 Project. After all, Gov. Abbott's law promises to patriotically educate people about the state's "legacy of economic prosperity." Perhaps The 1836 Project will also teach citizens that Texas seceded from the Union in 1861 because it was determined to defend what the state's leaders called their "beneficent and patriarchal system of African slavery," a system that enabled slaveholders to amass more than 70 percent of the state's economic wealth. The secession statement decreed that Texas would be preserved as "a commonwealth holding, maintaining and protecting the institution known as negro slavery the servitude of the African to the white race." Perhaps that too will be featured in The 1836 Project, because Abbott promised to educate people about what made Texas Texas. Actually, I'll go way out on a limb and predict that a true accounting of the roots of "Texas values" will not happen. What a missed opportunity. As historian Seth Cotlar rightly tweeted, "it is the responsibility of a state's leaders to speak honestly about its past. Whitewashing history serves only to perpetuate historical injustices. Teaching rising generations the truth about history won't magically make everything better. But it will at least enable us to move forward together with a relatively shared and accurate understanding of where we've been." Alas, the problem in Texas echoed everywhere by racist MAGAts who take refuge in myths is that "patriotic education" is just an Orwellian con, further proof that those living in fear of the future are determined to whitewash the past. Dick Polman (dickpolman7@gmail.com), a veteran national political columnist based in Philadelphia and a writer in residence at the University of Pennsylvania, writes at DickPolman.net. DPK seems to have lost momentum for change The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is struggling to shake off its "old image" of the political establishment bent on protecting its own vested interests and sticking to rigid leftist ideologies. Yet it is finding it difficult to transform itself into a new party that can bring hope to the people and the country. The DPK has begun to feel a sense of crisis since it suffered a humiliating defeat in the April 7 mayoral by-elections in the country's two largest cities Seoul and Busan. The June 11 election of Lee Jun-seok, a 36-year-old politician with no experience as a lawmaker, as chairman of the conservative main opposition People Power Party (PPP) has also put more pressure on the ruling party to embrace the winds of change. On Wednesday, DPK Chairman Rep. Song Young-gil promised to bring drastic changes to the party. He said in a speech to a plenary session of the National Assembly that he would push for party reform to regain the public's trust. He also apologized for his party's failure to listen carefully to the people's voices. Song announced a set of measures to innovate his party and the Moon Jae-in administration. One of them was the proposed appointment of a new special minister for youth issues who will deal with housing, education and employment for young people. He said he would request President Moon to create a ministry in charge of setting policies to better cater to young people. His proposal is apparently in reaction to Lee's meteoric rise to the leadership of the PPP. Lee has become the youngest-ever politician to lead a major political party in Korea's modern history. His election represented the growing calls for political change and innovation among the people, especially those in their 20s and 30s. It has also signaled a generational change in the country's politics which have long been based on hierarchy and seniority. The PPP had been reeling from the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye, who once led one of the party's predecessors. But now, it is seizing the opportunity to be reborn under the leadership of a young leader. According to a survey conducted by Realmeter last week, the PPP's support rate climbed to 39.1 percent, compared with the DPK's 29.2 percent. The poll showed a growing number of people, particularly centrist voters, shifting their support to the conservative PPP in the wake of Lee's election. However, the DPK seems to have lost its momentum to turn the tables and change the political landscape to its advantage. In fact, the governing party has been continuing to suffer from the corruption and admissions fraud scandal involving former Justice Minister Cho Kuk and his family. The scandal has actually undermined the values of fairness and justice. President Moon's much-touted pledge to create a fair and just society has only proven to be lip service. A set of policy failures to bring housing speculation under control have also made matters worse. The DPK and the Moon administration should put action before words if they really want to win back the hearts and minds of the people. They also must shed arrogance, self-righteousness and hypocrisy. Otherwise, they cannot survive in the face of the sweeping winds of change. By Donald Kirk The search for peace and reconciliation between North and South Korea burns bright in one province of South Korea that endured far more suffering than other regions before the Korean War had even begun.The rest of the world is unaware of what happened on the island of Jeju, but a movement led by Ko Chang-hoon of Jeju University offers reminders of the slaughter that raged from April 3, 1948, at least until the outbreak of the Korean War in June 1950. Ko has been organizing panel discussions and debates that not only publicize Jeju as a "world peace island" but also foster dreams of Jeju's own special dialog with North Korea.The ultimate dream, as one participant in the discussion, Grant McCall, an anthropologist at Sydney University, articulates it, is for cruise ships from Jeju to go regularly to Wonsan, the port on North Korea's southeastern coast, bearing COVID-19 vaccines and medical equipment, among other items direly needed by the North Koreans.Why Wonsan? Kim Jong-un hopes to turn the Wonsan region, famed for its beaches and scenery, just an hour north of Mount Geumgang, North Korea's prime tourist attraction, into a major resort. Since Jeju, with its own beautiful beaches and rocky coastline, dominated by Mount Halla, ranks as South Korea's top tourist attraction, why not a special Jeju-Wonsan relationship with ships carrying people as well as medicine?Inevitably the dream fades amid the realities of politics and COVID19. North Korea remains closed to visitors during the pandemic though the North steadfastly refuses to acknowledge that any of its citizens have died or even been stricken by the disease. Also, sanctions imposed by the United Nations and the U.S., adhered to by South Korea, rule out such exchanges for now.Then too, equally problematic, South Korea stopped tourists from visiting Geumgang in July 2008 after a middle-aged South Korean woman was shot and killed by a North Korean soldier when she wandered outside the tourist zone to look at the sunrise.A liberal president, Moon Jae-in, now governs the South while the conservative Lee Myung-bak, who issued the order banning tourism to Geumgang, languishes in prison, having been convicted of massive corruption. As long as North Korea remains essentially closed, however, there's no chance of tourism resuming to Geumgang and therefore no way for cruise ships to be going to Wonsan.Nonetheless, the dream does not have to die.The notion of a cruise taking tourists from Jeju to Wonsan, then to Geumgang and back to Jeju, is so alluring you have to believe on some distant day, if North and South Korea patch up some differences, that tourism will revive. It's not inconceivable that Kim Jong-un, so worried about the economy, may see the advantages giving the impression he might give up bits and pieces of his nuclear-missile program or at least guarantee not to test them.If cruises between Jeju and Wonsan are for now more the stuff of fantasy than reality, Ko Chang-hoon wants the world to know what happened on Jeju that led to the deaths of 30,000 people. His panel discussions often revolve around the need to grasp the full extent of the massacres that began in the last few months of U.S. military occupation of South Korea and worsened after the rise to power on August 15, 1948, of Syngman Rhee, the first president of the fledgling Republic of Korea.Some participants in these discussions believe the U.S. owes "reparations" for the deaths on Jeju since the U.S. command ordered reinforcements to Jeju to stamp out the revolt.It's easy to imagine the Americans saying the rebels were all Communists influenced by North Korea and urging their South Korean "friends" to wipe them out, but there's no documentary evidence to verify that assumption, no transcripts of conversations between U.S. and South Korean officers. Nor did any reporters go to Jeju to check the reports they may have been hearing from their sources.Unfortunately, however, tourists today remain largely uninterested in going on a "dark tour" to sites of massacres or visiting the Jeju Museum of War History and Peace, depicting dramatic scenes of mass killing. Whenever I visited, the museum was mostly empty.Still, even if tours between Jeju and Wonsan are for now a figment of wishful thinking, Ko performs a service by increasing awareness of the legacy and tragedy of Jeju, an "island of peace" in a region under the constant vague threat of war.Donald Kirk ( www.donaldkirk.com ) writes from Seoul as well as Washington. Coupang board chair Kang Han-seung, left, its head of product development division Chun Joon-hee, center, and Yoo In-jong, who manages the company's safety management division are seen in this photo, Thursday. Chun and Yoon are named as Coupang's new board members. Korea Times file By Kim Yoo-chul Kim Bom-seok, founder of Coupang, decided to step down from the board of the company in order to spend more time on developing its business overseas, the company said, Thursday. "Coupang Board Chair Kim Bom-seok stepped down from the board. The decision reflects his desire to dedicate more time to help the company find greater opportunities for overseas business," a company official said. The departure means Kim will no longer be involved in the company's Korea-centric business. Coupang said despite Kim's absence from his daily role in managing the Korean business, the founder will retain his CEO and board titles at Coupang Inc., which owns 100 percent of Coupang. Chun Joon-hee, head of Coupang's product development division, and Yoo In-jong, who manages the company's safety management division, were named as the new board members. Kang Han-seung was named as Kim's replacement. The change in the founder's position came after Coupang's stock price on the New York Stock Exchange plunged around 35 percent from an all-time high of $69 and was trading at about $40 per ordinary share after a surge following the initial public offering (IPO) earlier this year. At the time some Wall Street investors were asking Coupang to widen its business portfolio. Coupang is referred to as the Amazon of South Korea, due to similarities in their core businesses. Analysts said Kim's departure from his previous role in the Korean market will help him explore opportunities on how to reinvest the company's cash in international markets, considering Coupang's latest decision to set up its affiliates in Japan and Singapore as part of its long-term commitment to build a differentiated, technology-orchestrated infrastructure. Coupang is on track to strengthen its presence in Southeast Asia through Rocket Wow membership (expedited delivery for members), Rocket Fresh (grocery delivery), Coupang Eats (food delivery), and Coupang Pay (digital financial services). One of the top concerns facing Coupang is the intensifying competition in the Korean e-commerce market. President Moon Jae-in speaks during his visit to City Hall in Madrid, Spain, June 15 (local time). Yonhap By Baek Byung-yeul While European nations are seeking to attract LG Energy Solution (LGES) to build electric vehicle (EV) battery-manufacturing facilities on their turf, Spain is apparently ahead of the U.K. in the race, according to a high-ranking industry official, Thursday. "In the race to invite LGES's new battery cell-manufacturing factory, Spain is taking the lead over the U.K. in the race," the official said on condition of anonymity, adding that Spain, which has a large automotive industry, will be a more attractive destination for the battery-making affiliate of LG Group to establish a factory. LGES has operated a battery cell-manufacturing facility in Wroclaw, Poland, since 2016. The plant has an annual production capacity of 70 gigawatt-hours. Through the Poland facility, the company has supplied its battery cells to numerous carmakers such as Volkswagen, Audi and BMW. Clearly, Poland has advantages in terms of the supply of water, electricity and relevant infrastructure. The company recently unveiled plans to expand the production capacity in Poland to 100 gigwatt-hours and add a new facility in Europe. According to a senior government official, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed his wish to attract LGES's factory during President Moon Jae-in's visit there last week. However, industry officials presumed that the U.K. wouldn't be a favorable option for LGES, considering the country's high labor cost and relatively rigid union culture. "The reason why Spain is considered a more favorable choice for LGES is that the country already has industrial facilities for the automotive business. Spain is the second-largest car manufacturer in Europe, after Germany, but the country doesn't have any factories for producing EV batteries," the government official said. Earlier this year, Spanish media reported that Spain's government was pushing for a plan to convert Nissan Motor's car production factory in Barcelona into an EV battery production facility. Nissan has operated the factory since 1983, but decided to close the facility in December of this year to streamline its business operations. To preserve thousands of jobs, the regional government of Catalonia is planning a project to build a battery production facility. Against this backdrop, there is speculation that an investment proposal in Spain may be made as LGES CEO Kim Jong-hyun accompanied President Moon's state visit to that country. During his visit to Spain, President Moon emphasized the two countries need to forge a partnership in the green mobility sector including EVs and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Regarding the issue of establishing a new battery manufacturing plant in Europe, LGES said it is seeking to add a battery-making facility, while nothing has been decided. "LGES has been reviewing various countries for expansion, but nothing has been decided yet," the company official said. Industry watchers say Spain is expected to see a rapid growth in the EV business due to growing demand for new types of cars and the Spanish government's efforts to nurture related industries. According to the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), the Spanish government continues to offer incentives for EV purchases to expand the number of registered EVs to 250,000 by 2023. Also, the country plans to secure more than 100,000 EV charging stations by 2030, opening new business opportunities for Korean companies in related industries. "It is expected that Korean companies will be able to advance into the Spanish market by supplying equipment needed for charging stations or EVs. Due to the weak manufacturing base there, Korean firms are expected to have more export opportunities," the agency said. Chinese astronauts, from left, Tang Hongbo, Liu Boming, and Nie Haisheng wave as they prepare to board for liftoff at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan in northwestern China, June 17. AP-Yonhap The first astronauts for China's new space station are set to blast off Thursday for the country's longest crewed mission to date, a landmark step in establishing Beijing as a major space power. The trio will launch on a Long March-2F rocket for the Tiangong station, where they will spend three months. Liftoff is expected at 9:22 am local time (0122 GMT) from the Jiuquan launch center in northwest China's Gobi desert. Their Shenzhou-12 spacecraft will dock with the Tianhe main section of the space station, which was placed in orbit on April 29. The module has separate living spaces for each of them, a treadmill for exercise, and a communication center for emails and video calls with ground control. It is China's first crewed mission in nearly five years. The launch represents a matter of huge prestige in China, as Beijing prepares to mark the 100th anniversary of the ruling Communist Party on July 1 with a massive propaganda campaign. To prepare for the mission, the crew has undergone more than 6,000 hours of training, including hundreds of underwater somersaults in full space gear. The mission's commander is Nie Haisheng, a decorated air force pilot in the People's Liberation Army who has already participated in two space missions. The two other members are also members of the military. Over the next year and a half, another 11 missions are planned to complete the construction of Tiangong in orbit. The first crew will test and maintain the systems onboard, conduct spacewalks and undertake scientific experiments. China's space ambitions have been fueled in part by a U.S. ban on its astronauts on the International Space Station, a collaboration between the United States, Russia, Canada, Europe and Japan. It is due for retirement after 2024, even though NASA said it could potentially remain functional beyond 2028. Tiangong is to be much smaller than the ISS, and expected to have a lifespan of at least 10 years. (AFP) Japan is expected to ease a coronavirus state of emergency in Tokyo and most other areas this weekend, with the Olympics starting in just over a month. Daily cases have since significantly declined and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is expected to downgrade the state of emergency when it expires on Sunday to a less-stringent quasi-emergency for several weeks. Despite concerns raised by medical experts and the public over the potential risks of holding the Olympics, Suga has said he is determined to hold a ''safe and secure'' games on July 23. Japan since late March has struggled to slow a wave of infections propelled by more contagious variants, with daily cases soaring above 7,000 and serious patients overwhelming hospitals in Tokyo, Osaka and other metro areas. In Tokyo, infections are now down to around 500 per day from above 1,100 in mid-May. Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike has said effective coronavirus measures need to be kept in place. Health experts say it is crucial to accelerate the vaccine rollout to hold the Olympics safely in one of the world's least vaccinated developed countries. As of Tuesday, only 5.6 percent of Japanese were fully vaccinated. (AP) Russian president Vladimir Putin, left, talks with U.S. President Joe Biden, right, during the U.S. - Russia summit in Geneva, Switzerland, Wednesday, June 16. AP-Yonhap There was no talk of gazing into Vladimir Putin's "soul" and the Russian president didn't try to gaslight a rookie US leader. Instead, Putin's first summit with the fifth US president of his tenure, Joe Biden, was about mutual respect and the meeting in Geneva could, both of them said, lead to a more predictable, if still tense, relationship. In contrast to his predecessors, Biden made no suggestion he expected to reset the relationship and he has already piled pressure on Russia over concerns including alleged election meddling, attacks by cybercriminals against the Colonial Pipeline and other US infrastructure and over the poisoning and jailing of dissident Alexei Navalny. But after earlier remarks that included calling Putin "a killer," Biden on the eve of the summit described the Russian leader as "a worthy adversary" and at a news conference afterward said that they would see where they had common interests. Putin, who at his 2018 summit with Donald Trump in Helsinki was widely seen as dominating the reality television star turned president, called Biden "a very experienced politician" who was able to speak in rare detail in the "very constructive" more than three hours of talks. "Biden generally is someone who wants constructive relations. He doesn't consider Putin a friend," said Ian Bremmer, president of the Eurasia Group political risk firm. Similar to his view of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Biden "doesn't trust them but he does expect Russia will act in its interest and the two countries have some interests that overlap and where we should work together," Bremmer said. Bremmer said the test of the relationship will come afterward. "I want to see that in the next three months we have materially fewer ransomware incidents and nothing of the scale that we had against Colonial Pipeline that comes from Russia. That's absolutely critical." Groundwork for future Putin made no promises at his news conference on cybercrime, appearing to deny Russian involvement, but Biden, signaling that he sent a warning, said that Putin "knows there are consequences" for Russian actions. BTS and TXT are making great global successes with their latest releases! On music charts, Big Hit Music's boy groups have been claiming the top spots together, particularly on Billboard and Oricon. BTS and TXT Grab High Ranks on Billboard Charts On June 15 local time, Billboard unveiled the charts for the week ending on June 19. BTS and TXT proved their popularity in the United States and worldwide as their new releases secured high ranks on the main charts. BTS's "Butter" took the No. 1 place on Billboard Hot 100, marking the song's third week on the chart. The digital single becomes the group's first song to spend three consecutive weeks at No. 1 on Hot 100. BTS's 2020 hit "Dynamite" scored the first position on Billboard Hot 100 for three non-consecutive weeks. This means "Butter" has tied with "Dynamite" as the longest-charting song by a Korean act at No. 1 on the said chart. Billboard stated that BTS's "Butter" accumulated 15.4 million streams and 138,400 downloads in the US in the week ending on June 10. The single also had 24.6 million radio airplay audience impressions in the week ending on June 13. "Butter" also grabbed first place on Billboard Global Exc. U.S for the third time and landed on the second spot on the Global 200 chart. Meanwhile, BTS's junior boy group TXT is dominating several album charts with their new release "The Chaos Chapter: FREEZE." TOMORROW X TOGETHER ranked first not only on Billboard World Albums Chart but also on the Top Album Sales and Top Current Album Sales. Moreover, TXT's "The Chaos Chapter: FREEZE" peaked at No. 5 on Billboard 200, another main chart in the United States. BTS and TXT Enter Oricon Charts Simultaneously BTS and TXT also didn't fail to take the top spots on Japan's largest music site Oricon Chart. On June 16, Oricon released the rankings for the week of June 7 to 13 (dated June 21). BTS's "Butter" sits at No. 1 on the Weekly Streaming Chart with a total of 13,664,924 streams. Over on the Weekly Digital Single, the song took the No. 3 position with 12,502 downloads. In addition to "Butter," BTS's new Japanese album "BTS, THE BEST" has debuted atop the Oricon Daily Album Chart on June 16. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: TXT Becomes First 4th Generation Group to Have 3 Albums Last for Weeks on Billboard Top Album Sales Chart "BTS, THE BEST" sold 571,589 copies, setting a new record for not only the 2021 highest first-day sales but also the 2021 highest first-week sales. The previous highest album sales in the first week achieved this 2021 was SixTONES's "1st" with 467,000 copies in January. Additionally BTS surpassed their initial first-week sales record attained by their Japanese album "MAP OF THE SOUL: 7 ~THE JOURNEY~ with 564,000 copies sold in July 2020. As for TXT, their new album "The Chaos Chapter: FREEZE" took first place on the Weekly Album Ranking with 76,806 estimated sales. It also claimed the top spot on the Weekly Total Album with 78,321 sales points. Congratulations to BTS and TXT on their global success with their new releases! Watch the music video for BTS's "Butter" and TXT's "0X1=LOVESONG" below to celebrate! For more news updates about other K-Pop news, always keep your tabs open here at Kpopstarz. Owned by Kpopstarz. Written by Mhaliya Scott Business/Economic Teacher Half-Time Catholic Schools of Broome County The Catholic Schools of Broome County is looking to hire for the following position, Half-Time Business/Economic Teacher. Responsible for providing instruction on areas such as labor relations, finance, accounting, stock market, economy, human resources, and business operations. Click apply and send resume recblid 49i6992p9j4b1zj0j8y4ne7gobc97k Position Details Status: Full-time regular position, non-exempt Salary: Full salary range from $27.13 - $31.73 per hour ($56,430 - $65,998 annual) Benefits: Qualifies for full-time benefits date of hire Location: City Center Hours: Rotating shift work; 5 days on/3 days off; 8.75 hour day Reporting Relationship: Reports to PSAP Supervisor Police Department The Eden Prairie Police Department is comprised of the Patrol, Investigations, and Support Divisions who protect and serve Eden Prairie residents by providing quality law enforcement services through active and professional engagement. Eden Prairies Police Department is committed to offering a customized service to the community, exercising discretion and fairness in enforcement, building public trust in the department, and promoting the professional development of its members. Fire Department The Eden Prairie Fire Department is comprised of four fire stations and a staff of 95 duty crew firefighters and 9 full-time firefighters who protect and serve Eden Prairie residents. Eden Prairies Fire Department leads and strives to minimize risk, increase safety, and improve the quality of life in our community through education, code compliance and emergency response. Position Responsibilities The Public Safety Telecommunicator answers citizens call for help to fulfill the mission of the police and fire department to protect and serve. This position is responsible for simultaneously prioritizing calls for service, determining effective resources, and responding within set policies and procedures. The primary position responsibilities and areas of impact are: Answers emergency and non-emergency calls, makes sound decisions for successful emergency management, formulates a line of questioning to effectively prioritize and dispatch resources to the public. Ensures officer safety through accurately documenting information obtained, disseminating relevant facts, and maintaining the status of all patrol officers and firefighters while on call. Supports the police and fire departments in the legal process by ensuring policies and procedures are upheld and followed; tracks and queries information to maintain an accurate CAD system for future retrieval; documents hazard and location history to provide better services. Maintains knowledge related to laws, statutes, ordinances and resources to properly refer information to others when requested. Maintains full-access BCA CJIS certification and knowledge of all aspects of the CJDN (Criminal Justice Data Communications Network). Effectively maneuvers through several different systems to perform all facets of the position; utilizes Voiceover Internet Protocol (VOIP) telephone technology, participates in the Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency Response (ARMER), knowledgeable in accessing numerous criminal justice related databases. Responsible for monitoring video cameras located throughout the community. Liaison between the public and the various departments of the city, serving as the primary contact for various departments after hours, on weekends, and on holidays. While these areas are the primary focus of the position, we believe strongly in teamwork and employees will be called upon to perform a variety of duties as a part of their role with the City. Position Requirements Education: Two-year degree or two years of experience as a Public Safety Telecommunicator or related field required. Training in First Responder, Crisis Negotiations, Terrorism, and Suicidal Callers preferred. Work Experience Preferred: Two years of experience demonstrating progressive abilities in the areas of switching gears/multi-tasking, immediate decision making, prioritizing information quickly, and dealing with critical/high stress incidents. Must be able to type at least 60 words per minute. Physical Requirements: Physical effort is light for the majority of work with lifting or carrying limited to 25 pounds intermittently. Report preparation and writing at times requires extensive use of a keyboard. Work interruptions are frequent. Frequent time spent on the phone using a headset. Working Conditions: Most work is performed in a normal office environment. The job may involve dealing with and calming individuals who are emotionally charged over an issue or in an emergency situation. City of Eden Prairie Values We are a service organization. We take pride in what we do. We cultivate a supportive, encouraging and productive culture with a strong customer focus. We promote wellness and plan work/life balance into our goals. We value differences and foster inclusion. We achieve success by exhibiting our core values: collaboration, innovation, integrity, performance and relationships. Position Specific Expectations Legal Expertise: Displays an in depth understanding of specific legal area; routinely guides others to make lawful decisions. Communication: Able to convey a message to get a point across; communicates in a clear and concise manner; able to write clearly and succinctly; tailors message to a variety of communication settings and styles. Accountability: Follows through on commitments; focuses on appropriate tasks throughout the shift; takes responsibilities for actions both as an individual and on behalf of the organization; actions and words are in sync; follows all policies and procedures; maintains confidentiality; is prepared and punctual to all scheduled shifts. Composure: Exhibits self-confidence and asserts self appropriately in several different situations; maintains professionalism while under pressure; can handle stress; energized by tough challenges. Decision Making: Makes good decisions based upon a mixture of analysis, experience and judgment in a timely manner; determines a course of action after weighing and analyzing different options; seeks out additional information when necessary; presents solutions and suggestions within the appropriate channels. Attention to Detail: Able to find errors in work and solve problems; anticipates issues and performs at a high level of accuracy; sets up systems to ensure errors are not repeated. Technical Learning: Effective at acquiring skills, abilities and knowledge; quickly learns new industry, organization, and product information; has an aptitude for retaining and applying technical information; able to communicate techniques, software or product to others; is a quick study; able to work under tight deadlines and pressure. City of Eden Prairie Pre-employment Process The City of Eden Prairie conducts the following pre-employment checks for this Public Safety Telecommunicator position: Professional Reference Check Background Check Drug/Alcohol test Pre-employment physical (audiogram) Psychological evaluation All final candidates must successfully complete and pass the Citys evaluation of the pre-employment process before their first day of employment. Apply online at www.edenprairie.org under Employment. City of Eden Prairie Application Timeline Position Posted: June 16th, 2021 Position Closes: July 7th, 2021 at 4:00pm Review Applications: Week of July 12th First Round Interviews: July 20th & July 21st Final Interviews: August 3rd, 2021 Potential Start Date: September/October 2021 recblid m355n6upqsi4kprxpew0o72lc0fubn Stock Market News JD. Share Price - BT Group share price: what are the news releases from the past month? 17-06-2021 02:19 Stock News headlines are gathered from financial news sources around the web. Views and opinions on each item are from their respective authors and website. They are not opinions of LiveCharts.co.uk Magnolia, AR (71754) Today Scattered showers and thunderstorms. High 86F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Africas insurance market is poised for rapid expansion with the second fastest growth in the world after Latin America. It is growing nearly twice as fast as North America and over three times faster than Europe. With 7% year-on-year growth, the region even outpaces Asia. However, this recent growth has taken place against an extremely low baseline and Africa continues to be severely underinsured. It was against this backdrop that Africa Specialty Risks (ASR) (www.ASR-re.com) was founded in 2020 with support from Helios Fund IV. We spoke to Mikir Shah, CEO of ASR about how (re)insurance can unlock investment in Africa and why he is optimistic about the growth of the Continents (re)insurance sector. Africa is one of the last real growth markets, Shah begins, but the provision of covers have never been the full range of covers we get in the West. The structure of Africas insurance market has historically been fragmented and dominated by a number of regional and local insurers. The nature of local insurers,, Shah explains, is that they have small balance sheets and they really look after the retail and SME markets. Options for corporate and specialty risks are far more limited. It was in this context that ASR was founded with financial backing from Helios and major international investors such as CDC, IFC and Fairfax. Both we and Helios saw that there was a gap in the market to provide the end-to-end covers needed by businesses across the Continent. Filling this coverage gap represents a significant step towards unlocking investment across the Continent. Building capacity among local insurers is an essential piece of this puzzle as international investors and corporates have been limited to sourcing covers in the global market. ASRs mandate is focused on Africa and to deliver what those investing in Africa need in terms of risk mitigation. To do this ASRs teams work closely with local insurers, providing training and, crucially, leveraging the companys technical abilities to insure against complicated local risks. We have technical skills that can complement and enhance local stakeholder capabilities, Shah explains. This approach allows ASRs experience of complex risk mitigation drawn from across the Continent as well as other global markets to be deployed by local insurers who provide ASR with further on-the-ground knowledge. This kind of localised risk insurance can provide real comfort to international investors and corporates. Credit and currency risks have long been seen by investors as a barrier to entry for African markets. Fluctuating exchange rates threaten returns and exits while political instability makes for challenging operational climates. Investors and businesses need to know that assets wont be taken away or whittled down to zerothats the first stepthen they can invest the money. For development finance institutions as well as private investors, helping Africas insurance market reach maturity is a critical to achieving wider economic and social development goals. Ultimately, political risk and uncertainty are not a uniquely African phenomenon Shah highlights the risk exists no matter where you are. With the Covid-19 pandemic providing the ultimate unforeseen event and political destabilisation in many Western markets, weve seen a rebalancing of the perception of risk over the last 24 months. Political risk mitigation products play a critical role in building a healthy investment ecosystem no matter the market and were available in the West prior to their adoption in Africa. According to Shah, across the Continent youre now seeing awareness of different productsand thats the most important part. For the insurers across the Continent, the priority is now to build out products specifically tailored to the African market. For ASR, this on-the-ground presence and knowledge are essential to building targeted products across country and regional levels. Building out African-focused insurance and reinsurance products now can also lay the groundwork to support businesses and investors against future risks such as climate change. As insurance companies, we cant have the same impact on climate change as other industries, Shah explains, but what we can do is have products that mitigate the impact of the volatility driven by climate change. Despite its minimal contribution to emissions, Africa is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Temperatures in North and Sub-Saharan Africa are expected to rise by as much as 3.5C from pre-industrial levels by 2050. For a continent where agriculture provides employment for over half the population, the impact on livelihoods is severe. Weather variation is an area where insurance can have a significant impact of individual farmers. Parametric insurance, which guarantees a direct payout after a qualifying event offers a means to mitigate against unpredictable external risks in a way that traditional insurance products cannot. Farmers, for example, can use such packages to quickly secure seeds to replant after a flood or drought. Given the dominance of the agricultural sector in Africa such products allow resilience to be built into local commodities. Technology is another area set to define insurance markets in the years to come. For ASR, digitalisation is available in every single product line. Using technology to improve the risk mitigation process is very important and were looking at it in every aspect of what we do. Technological advances have the potential to democratise access to insurance by raising awareness and improving the affordability of products. According to a recent study 70% of insurers plan to drive forward digital strategies over the next two years. ASR plans to utilize digitalisation in its interactions with local insurers. Through an online platform information can be shared easily by local brokers and AI can efficiently extract information from risk assessments. Shah remains bullish about both the growth of Africas insurance sector and the economic development of the Continent as a whole. The innovation you get in Africa is on a different level because of the need, he concludes. The Continent has been a leader in the uptake of mobile money, for example, which has been used to solve specific challenges around financial inclusion and confidence in transactions. Shah is confident that this same innovative approach will grow in the insurance sector enabling investors and businesses to expand across the Continent. Partager et informez vous aussi...... 0 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn The second edition of the ATU Africa Innovation Challenge was today launched by the African Telecommunications Union (ATU). ATU made the announcement in Nairobi-Kenya, in a virtual ceremony hosted with competition partner-the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). Announcing the initiative, Secretary-General of the ATU, Mr John OMO said: This initiative will be instrumental in supporting institutional solutions that will boost innovation in Africa and address some of the challenges facing the African community. The ATU Africa Innovation Challenge is a programme that seeks to provide both short and long-term solutions and opportunities to the African Youth. This years competition, themed, Best ecosystem practices in Africa enabling youth ICT innovation, will run from 15th June to 28th September 2021. The competition, sponsored by Huawei (title sponsor) and Intel Corporation, is open to all ecosystem stakeholders such as regulatory authorities, entrepreneurial support organizations, incubators, accelerators, or institutions such as colleges or universities from Africa. African organizations and institutions that have created an enabling environment for youth ICT innovations to thrive are eligible to participate. The winning entity will be awarded USD 10, 000 aside which will make the former gain recognition as the best ecosystem practice in Africa, enabling youth ICT innovation. I want to thank our sponsors especially the headline sponsor Huawei for once again demonstrating their commitment to promote innovation and the wider ecosystem in Africa, said John OMO. Honourable Dr. Peya MUSHELENGA, Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Namibia who was the chief guest for the event, applauded the two organizations for the initiative and acknowledged the significance of public-private partnerships in promoting development. The collaboration between ATU, Huawei, and other partners is a tool delivered to our hands. Let us use it to generate sustained economic growth in Africa, he said. ITU is proud and pleased to partner with ATU for this particular Challenge as it aligns with our vision for inclusion of youth in digital transformation. Youth innovators are centrally placed to ensure sustainability of innovation in Africa, and they need an enabling environment that fosters and nurtures innovation for them to thrive, said Mr. Stephen BEREAUX from ITU, a specialized United Nations agency responsible for all matters related to information and communication technologies. The inaugural ATU Africa Innovation Challenge that took place in 2020 recognized and awarded 11 finalists across Africa who had developed mobile applications helpful in benefiting Africas fight against COVID-19 and its effects. Egypts Mai Nagy topped the competition, followed by Mr. Abdinoor Yerrow from Kenya and Ms. Bequerelle Matemtsap Mbou from Cameroon. Other countries that made it to the top 11 were Zimbabwe, Senegal, Lesotho, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Benin, and Tanzania. Reflecting on the first Innovation Challenge and the anticipated benefits of the second innovation Challenge, the title sponsor for the Challenge for two years in a row, Mr Samuel Chen, Vice President for Huawei Southern Africa Region highlighted the strong partnership with ATU and noted that: Huawei is committed to developing innovations that bring the benefits of technology to all alongside supporting and enabling innovation and digital ecosystem development in Africa by Africans through training and partnerships alongside infrastructure and digital services. Participants will be required to submit (via the ATU website, www.atuuat.africa) a unique practice that has created an enabling environment for youth ICT innovation to thrive together with success stories of two innovators that are beneficiaries of the practice. The practice must be an original idea/concept developed by the ecosystem stakeholder and must have been successfully implemented (and running) for a minimum of one year. It can be in the form of a policy, an initiative, or a programme. Partager et informez vous aussi...... 0 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn Comme attendu le ministre du Commerce a repondu a la Private Notice Question du Leader de lOpposition sur le paiement de dommages et interets par la State Trading Corporation a Betamax Limited apr8s le jugement de la Privy Council. PRIVATE NOTICE QUESTION 17th JUNE 2021 Whether, in regard to the legal notice served by Betamax Limited on the State Trading Corporation, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Corporation, information as to the (a) total sum claimed; (b) date limit for payment; and (c) means by which the Corporation intends to finance the said payment. REPLY Mr Speaker Sir, In 2006, the then Government constituted a Steering Committee for the implementation of a feasibility study regarding procurement of a medium sized container vessel, chartering of a product carrier/oil tanker and stabilisation of maritime freight rates. After an invitation for expression of interest regarding Investment Opportunities in Tanker Project launched by the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Bhunjun Group (Betonix) responded to the invitation in the project. In November 2009, Government agreed that a Contract of Affreightment be signed between the State Trading Corporation and Betamax Ltd for a period of fifteen years for the transportation of petroleum products from Mangalore, India to Mauritius. The annual requirements of petroleum products for Mauritius is around 1.1 million Metric Ton. Prior to 2009, STC used to charter vessels for the transportation of petroleum products under a G to G agreement that existed between the Government of India and the Government of Mauritius. The STC had contracts with two shipping companies in India namely Pratiba Shipping and ST Shipping for transportation of petroleum products and the freight rate payable at that time ranged from USD 21 to USD 26 per Metric Ton. The total capacity of the vessel of Betamax Ltd, the Red Eagle, was 64,300 Metric Tons (MT) and the freight payable for each consignment of Red Eagle was made up of the following costs: Basic Freight USD 18 per MT for year 2015 (with a provision for escalation of 1.5% as from year 6 to year 10 and subsequently increases by 2% as from year 11 to Year 15. Bunker cost for 700 MT Fuel Oil and 22 MT Gas Oil at the price prevailing on arrival date. Port Dues at Loading and Discharge Ports USD 145,000 per voyage Demurrage Costs- USD 42,500 for each day pro rata for the first five years The total freight including all the above costs paid for Red Eagle during the period 2011 to February 2015 worked at an average of USD 30.79 per MT as opposed to the USD 21 per MT under the previous arrangements. Notwithstanding any fluctuation in prices and regardless of whether the vessel carried full load, STC had to pay Betamax Ltd a fixed freight rate and any demurrage fees had to be paid by STC. Betamax Ltd was also granted a right of first refusal for transportation of any petroleum products which STC would import in excess of Red Eagles capacity. Thus, the contract guaranteed Betamax Ltd an annual rent of USD17.6 Million for 100% of the freight capacity of its vessel, regardless of whether the vessel carried a full load for an uninterrupted period of 15 years plus costs of fuel, port dues and demurrage charges irrespective of fall in world prices of freight and lesser number of trips undertaken from Mangalore to Mauritius. Furthermore, they had the guarantee for increase of 1.5% from year 6 and by 2% as from year 10. This meant that Betamax would be shielded from any downward fluctuations in freight rates. Mr Speaker Sir, At the very outset, let me remind the House that under the previous Government in 2009, the Contract of Affreightment was unfortunately very much skewed in favour of Betamax Ltd at the detriment of the State Trading Corporation. It was clear that the contract had been tailor-made for Betamax Ltd so that in case of a scenario of termination of contract, it was guaranteed an out of an ordinary payment up until the end of the contract. Betamax Ltd would have had to be paid as if their services had been undertaken for the whole period of 15 years. Since STC was paying more for freight with Betamax Ltd than it could have paid on the spot market and after considering the abusive clauses of Betamax Ltd, in December 2014. Government decided to renegotiate the contract. In this connection, three meetings were held with Betamax Ltd to review the Contract of Affreightment. However, Betamax Ltd did not demonstrate any genuine willingness to renegotiate the Contract. Thus, on 30 January 2015, as a responsible Government, we took a decision in the public interest for the STC to terminate forthwith the Contract of Affreightment with Betamax Ltd. Betamax Ltd then filed a Notice of Arbitration with the Singapore International Arbitration Centre as provided for in the dispute resolution mechanism under the Contract of Affreightment. Betamax Ltd also claimed a sum of USD 176,345,494.52 plus interest, legal fees and costs. On 5 June 2017, the Singapore International Arbitration Centre issued an award in favour of Betamax Ltd ordering STC to pay damages of USD 115,267,199 (about MUR 4.7 billion) with costs and interests. In August 2017, STC lodged an application to the Supreme Court of Mauritius to set aside the Award pursuant to section 39 of the International Arbitration Act 2008. In September 2017, Betamax Ltd applied to the Supreme Court of Mauritius for recognition and enforcement of the Award. On 07 September 2017, the Supreme Court of Mauritius granted a provisional order for the recognition and enforcement of the Award. On 19 September 2017, STC made an application to set aside the provisional order granted by the Supreme Court of Mauritius. On 31 May 2019, the Supreme Court of Mauritius delivered judgement in favour of STC setting aside the arbitral Award issued on 5 June 2017 and the provisional order granted by the Supreme Court of Mauritius on 07 September 2017 for recognition and enforcement of the Award. In September 2019, the Supreme Court of Mauritius granted Betamax Ltd final leave to appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council against the judgement delivered on 31 May 2019 by the Supreme Court of Mauritius. The case was heard before the Privy Council in January 2021. On 14 June 2021, the Privy Council rendered its judgement to set aside the order of the Supreme Court of Mauritius and to allow the application of Betamax to enforce the Award given by the Singapore International Arbitration Centre. The reasons put forward by the Privy Council for their judgement are as follows: The Supreme Court was not entitled to review the decision of the arbitrator on the legality of the Contract of Affreightment under the public procurement legislations in place in Mauritius; and The Contract of Affreightment was not in breach of the public procurement legislations. Mr Speaker Sir, With regard to parts (a) and (b) of the question, the total sum claimed by Betamax Ltd, according to a Legal Notice served on the STC on 15 June 2021, amounts to around Rs 5.68 Billion as follows: damages in the sum of USD 115,267,199 (about Rs 4.7 billion); the legal and arbitration costs incurred by Betamax Ltd in the arbitration in the sums of USD 2,823,547.20 (about Rs 116.3 million), SGD 272,077.79 (about Rs 8.6 million), GBP 880,296 (about Rs 51.3 million); and interests at the rate of 3% per annum of the sums above, from the date of the Award to the date of full payment, which as at 15 June 2021 amounts to USD 14,287,362.61 (about Rs 588.6 million), SGD 32,917.69 (about Rs 1 million) and GBP 106,503.76 (about Rs 6.2 million). That figure excludes the legal costs associated with the hearing of the review before the Supreme Court of Mauritius and the appeal before the Privy Council, which are not yet known. According to the Legal Notice, payment should be effected on or before 22 June 2021. Mr Speaker Sir, The STC will honour its obligation to Betamax Ltd. The payment modalities are currently being finalised in consultation with the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development. Payment will be financed partly from STC reserves and from Government resources. All persons who missed their 2nd Dose of Covishield/AstraZeneca (Covid-19 Vaccine) at their respective vaccination centre are informed that a new vaccination sessions have been scheduled . Persons attending the above vaccination sites for their 2nd dose are kindly requested to bring their National Identity Card and COVID-19 Vaccination Card along with them. Partager et informez vous aussi...... 0 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn As the administrative team at the St. Lukes Lehighton Campus prepares for the opening of its new St. Lukes Carbon Campus in Franklin Township, so do the leaders of the hospital auxiliaries that supported the former Gnaden Huetten and Palmerton hospitals. The two groups will merge to create a new auxiliary to support the Carbon Campus. With the pandemic and the peak season, we kind of had the perfect storm, Kubat said. We had the election balloting. We had the pandemic, which caused a huge spike in parcel delivery. We did have some people who were out of work due to the pandemic, and then we had the holiday season on top of that. Data combined from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Health Department and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health show that 7.8 million people 70.5% of the states 12-and-older population have gotten at least one of the 13.4 million shots administered in the 67 counties, including more than 6 million who are fully vaccinated 54.5% of those eligible. The other 1.77 million people are awaiting the follow-up shot. During the day, it will be your regular Middle Eastern restaurant, and were going to be pushing the food toward the downtown residents and businesses, said Boutros, who will be operating the establishment with his wife, Ranim. But as the night goes on, and people are looking to hang out with some hookahs, well also have a nice outdoor area. Mulling what Carly Shay and her friends are up to, nearly a decade after Nickelodeons popular teen sitcom iCarly ended its five-year run? A Paramount+ sequel is here to satisfy your curiosity. The new iCarly brings Miranda Cosgrove back as the title character, now a 20-something coping with love and life, original cast members Jerry Trainor as Carlys brother Spencer and Nathan Kress as her pal Freddie are along for the ride, with newcomers Laci Mosley as Carlys best friend and roommate and Jaidyn Triplett as Freddies stepdaughter and a social-media pro. The 13-episode season debuts Thursday on the streaming service. But Jesus is not done yet with this life lesson. If adults act as stumbling blocks to children, it is the same as the worst possible disaster happening to them: death, not just ordinary death, but death by millstone wrapped around your neck and you thrown into the sea. And moving yet a step further, Jesus warns them not to despise these little ones and their faith, for like a shepherd, God loves the little lost one of 100 sheep, and will seek them with the ardor and passion of a loving father or mother. Leeson found that under the circumstances alleged in the lawsuit, Emanuel laid out a sufficient claim that the request was reasonable because Emanuels son was not infected with COVID-19 and did not have any symptoms of the virus and the number of customers in the store that day was limited. He also found that Emanuel made a sufficient claim that the exception to the mask policy was necessary by alleging her sons autism spectrum disorder made it so unpleasant to wear a mask that he would pull it off after a few seconds. Now, the House has to consider the Senates amended version of the bill. If it signs off, the bill would go to Wolf, who would have to decide whether it would do more good than harm. They could, though, vote to amend the agenda to add an item, and then take action on it. That still would allow surprise votes, something that should be prohibited. Id like to see that struck from the bill. Lehigh Township will not allow early or door-to-door canvassing, early ballot counting, or even the distribution of food or water to voters who will clearly be waiting in long lines due to this resolution. All that this does is make it more difficult to vote, especially for Black, brown, Asian, and young voters and anyone who has been purged from the voter rolls. As a current print subscriber, you receive 24/7 access to our website and online e-edition at no additional charge. All you have to do is activate your access. To activate digital access, you will need your account number. You can find your account number on any recent subscription notice or bill. Sayre, PA (18840) Today Rain showers in the morning with thunderstorms developing for the afternoon. High 72F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with more showers at times. Low 58F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. International Afghan army men killed in clashes with Taliban KABUL, JUN 17 (IANS) | Publish Date: 6/17/2021 1:52:33 PM IST At least 23 members of an Afghan Armys special unit were killed during fierce clash with the Taliban in the northern province of Faryab, a security official said on Thursday. The clash took place in Dawlat Abad district after the commandos and local troops launched a clearing operation, TOLO News quoted the official as saying, adding that six policemen were also injured in the violence. The security forces have retreated from the centre of the district following the heavy clashes are now stationed in Qaramqol district, the official said. The centre of Dawlat Abad district fell to the Taliban a week ago following heavy clashes. Violence remains high in the country amidst a stalled peace process. Official sources on Wednesday reported fighting between Afghan security forces and the Taliban in at least 80 districts in a day. According to the sources, over 100 Taliban fighters and 90 security force members were killed during this period. Neither the Taliban nor the government have provided the exact number of casualties. Data collected by TOLO News reveal that centres of at least 30 districts have fallen to the Taliban since the beginning of the official withdrawal of the US and other NATO troops on May 1. International Guterres calls for full respect of Israel-Hamas ceasefire Antonio Guterres UNITED NATIONS, JUN 17 (IANS) | Publish Date: 6/17/2021 1:51:15 PM IST United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for the full respect of the ceasefire agreed between Israel and the Islamic Hamas movement which brought an end to the 11-day bloodshed in Gaza Strip late last month. Responding to a question about the Secretary-Generals reaction to Tuesdays escalating violence, Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for Guterres, said at a regular press briefing on Wednesday that the UN chief expresses concern over the most recent round of violence, reports Xinhua news agency. Haq added that Guterres would like to see the cessation of hostilities be maintained and solidified in order to give space for the relevant parties to work out arrangements to stabilize the situation. The Israeli army said on Wednesday that it had carried out the first airstrike in the Gaza Strip since the ceasefire which came into effect on May 21. In the overnight attack, Israeli war jets struck military compounds belonging to Hamas in the city of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, the military said in a statement. The statement accused Hamas of being responsible for all events transpiring in the Gaza Strip and warned that the group will bear the consequences for its actions. The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) is prepared for any scenario, including a resumption of hostilities, in the face of continuing terror activities from the Gaza Strip, the statement read. Hundreds of Israeli ultra-nationalists marched on Tuesday in East Jerusalem, waving Israeli flags. Some of them chanted Death to Arabs and other anti-Arab slurs. Militants in Gaza responded to the march by launching arson balloons that caused at least 13 fires in southern Israel. All species in the animal kingdom for sure have their own unique feature that makes them special. For long-eared owls, it is definitely their amazing vision. If you happen to be an owl's prey, your life will probably be short-lived. An Asio otus long-eared owl is an excellent night hunter with low-light owl sight and superb hearing. Its flame-colored eyes on a neck that can rotate through 270 degrees gives less chance for prey to escape from the winged predator. Adult long-eared owls can detect, capture, and bring five voles home to their brood in a span of 20-minute period. They typically prey on voles, small rodents that are related to lemmings and hamsters. In the low vegetation where they hunt, you would have assumed the place was abundant with voles, but it is doubtful that the human eye can detect them through the thick, knee-high grass. Common Behaviors of Long-eared Owls If it's not yet obvious, long-eared owls are arboreal and nocturnal in nature, spying their prey in a distance from tree branches. It is easy for them to move from one place to another during seasonal movements between breeding and wintering grounds. While they are colonial in nature, they enjoy living alone in solitude. Have I mentioned that their necks can rotate through 270 degrees? This mechanism enables them to use their eye like a telescope. Journals have described long-eared owls to have seen the world differently than humans, incorporated with their laser-like acuity of hearing and 'soft flight mode like the warm breeze'. Like other animals, these owls are also preys themselves. Adult long-eared owls are preyed upon by raptors such as great-horned and barred owls, golden eagles, red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks, northern goshawks, eagle owls, common buzzards, and peregrine falcons. Adult females were once predated by raccoons, while smaller nestling owls are vulnerable to predation from porcupines, bull snakes, American crows, black-billed magpies, and several hawk species. Also read: Mistaken to be Extinct, Sea Eagles Spotted in Loch Lomond for the First Time in 100 Years Conservation and Economic Importance While the long-eared owl population is hard to track, records suggest that their number within U.S is 'largely stable'. However, there have been declines in the local states including New Jersey, Minnesota and California. The possible causes for the decline are starvation, predation, and habitat loss through destruction of vegetation. Other times, rare cases of adult owls are being killed by cars or shot by hunters in the U.S. At this time, long-eared owls are protected under CITES Appendix II and the U.S. Migratory Bird Act. While they are not federally endangered or threatened in the United States, they are considered threatened in the state of Michigan. Long-eared owls brought economic importance to humans by controlling populations of rodents that are considered to be agricultural pests. So far, their species have not imposed negative effect on humans. One might think, what is the owl's wildlife purpose? Quoting Country diary on twitter, "Owls help me see that I see so little, that we are party to something vaster than we know. Owls make the world richer, wider and deeper for us all." Also read: In 30 Years, African Great Apes Risk Being Homeless as Their Territory Faces Degradation Major earthquakes - and massive volcanoes - are nothing new in Mexico. In reality, on the 32nd anniversary of an even more destructive quake, a huge quake-damaged town across the nation (including the capital, Mexico City) in 2017. Scientists are particularly concerned about a recent swarm of earthquakes in the Mexican state of Michoacan, which they believe might be the consequence of a new and fast-developing volcano. Possibility of a New Volcano Scientists in Mexico are examining the prospect of a new volcano developing in Michoacan due to increased seismic activity for the second time in less than two years. There were 236 low-magnitude earthquakes and six temblors of a magnitude greater than 4.0 in the region near Uruapan between May 1 and June 8. In the first four months of the year, there were over 300 micro-earthquakes in the same area. Carlos Valdes Gonzalez, a researcher at the National Autonomous University (UNAMInstitute) 's of Geophysics and a former director of the National Disaster Prevention Center, said it's critical to keep an eye on earthquake swarms, which are defined as a series of earthquakes of similar magnitude that occur in a local area over a short period of time. Related Article: USGS Raises Volcano Alert Level in Mt. Gareloi Due to Increased Seismic Activity Increased Seismic Activities He told the daily Milenio that seismic activity is required for a volcanic eruption and the formation of a new volcano. "... Mexico is a volcanically active region, particularly in that area [near Uruapan], where the so-called Michoacan-Guanajuato volcanic area has over 1,200 minor volcanoes," Valdes added. Following a series of small earthquakes, the Paricutin volcano, roughly 30 miles from Uruapan, erupted in a cornfield in 1943. The volcano had risen to over 1,400 feet tall during its nine-year eruption and had seriously destroyed an area of more than 90 square miles with the ejection of stone, volcanic ash, and lava. Three individuals were murdered, two villages were totally evacuated and engulfed in lava, and three were severely impacted. Hundreds of people were forced to migrate permanently, and two new towns were built to accommodate them. Scientists are keeping a close eye on potential developments in the aftermath of that cataclysmic explosion. After more than 3,000 low-magnitude earthquakes were reported in January and February of last year, a team of specialists conducted similar research, but it was eventually concluded that the heightened seismic activity would not create a new volcano. The majority of the magma motions identified were horizontal rather than vertical, leading scientists to believe that the molten material would not rise to the surface. Considering Many Factors Another UNAM researcher, Denis Xavier Francois Legrand, acknowledged that while an earthquake swarm is an essential indicator of a new volcano's growth, it is not the only one. Experts are also looking for deformation in the Earth's crust that would allow a volcano to burst through below, and magma flows upward rather than sideways. "We believe these [earthquake] swarms are linked to magma flow, although magma does not always reach the surface. These swarms happened in 1997, 1999, and 2006, but no magma reached the Earth's surface. Perhaps something similar is occurring today, but it's critical to keep an eye on [magma movements]," Francois said at a virtual news conference on Tuesday. Also Read: Swarms of Earthquakes Detected in California Lake Over the Past Few Days For similar news, don't forget to follow Nature World News! Carcasses of five dolphins and more than 30 sea turtles have been discovered along Sri Lanka's western coast following the burning of a cargo ship near the capital Colombo, raising fears that the tragedy would have a disastrous impact on the region's marine biodiversity. The Singapore-flagged X-Press Pearl caught fire near the harbor on May 20, spilling oil, chemicals, and plastic pellets into a sea that is home to several species of large marine mammals, including non-migratory blue, humpback, and pilot whales, spinner, spotted, and bottlenose dolphins, and thresher and whitetip sharks. This region of the Indian Ocean is also home to hundreds of sea turtles and millions of reef fish, making it a popular spot for marine tourism, animal research, and fishing. Suing the Ship's Operator Sri Lanka has filed an interim claim with the ship's operator, Singapore-based X-Press Feeders, for US$40 million (S$53 million). The sum represents reimbursement for firefighting expenditures incurred from May 20 to June 1. The cost to animals and the maritime environment has yet to be properly assessed by Sri Lanka's Marine Environment Protection Authority (Mepa). According to the Sri Lankan navy, the fire was started by the ship's chemical cargo, which comprised more than 22 tonnes of nitric acid and other chemicals, the majority of which were destroyed in the fire. There is currently no oil leakage, according to Mepa chair Dr. Darshani Lahandapura. But, on the other hand, the burnt-out cargo ship is sinking, and its bottom has already reached the shallow seabed. Related Article: Sea Turtles in Danger as Oil Spill Hits Lebanon Endangering Marine Life Environmentalists are concerned that leaking oil and any leftover pollutants such as sodium dioxide, copper, and lead would devastate the region's rich marine life. According to the Department of Wildlife Conservation, spinner dolphins, humpback dolphins, turtles, and eels have washed up along Sri Lanka's coastlines up to Colombo and Kosgoda in the last week. Tissue samples were taken from the dead animals, and necropsies were being conducted, according to Wildlife Department Director-General Chandana Sooriyabandara. 'The carcasses that wash ashore might represent just a percentage of overall fatalities,' said Ranil Nanayakkara, a conservation scientist based in Colombo. The majority of deceased animals will sink to the bottom, be devoured by others, or be carried around the planet by ocean currents. To figure out what's going on, we need to do research quickly." Dr. Nanayakkara has ruled out nitric acid since it is "not powerful enough" to kill animals, according to the information given by the government. Not Entirely Responsible Dr. Asha de Vos, a marine biologist and blue whale researcher who founded Oceanswell, Sri Lanka's first marine conservation research organization, cautioned that the ship disaster was not to blame for all deaths. Leftover Plastics All experts, however, were concerned about the thousands of tons of plastic pellets that have already accumulated on several beaches, including Kalpitiya, like a blanket of poisonous snow. The fish-egg-like pellets are tenacious contaminants that strangle marine life and clog the digestive systems of fish that eat them, choking them to death. The navy is the only one cleaning up the plastic pellets on the beaches since Sri Lanka is under quarantine to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Heavy rains and winds also wreak havoc, but environmentalists insist that the plastic must be removed as soon as possible. He was also concerned that if the pellets made their way up the coast, they would devastate the beautiful seagrass meadows in the Palk Strait between India and Sri Lanka, which are home to dugongs, sharks, rays, seahorses, and prawns. In some ways, the issue focuses on the fragile maritime ecosystem, which also serves as a naval corridor. Also Read: 'Sea Snot' Continues to Wreak Havoc in Turkish Coasts For more animal and environment news, don't forget to follow Nature World News! THERE is panic at Zimbabwes Harare Polytechnic College after a staffer died of Covid-19. Fourteen other positive cases were recorded among staff members. Harare Polytechnic College Principle Engineer Tafadzwa Mudondo confirmed the development saying one of the support staff members had succumbed to the virus. We have 14 members of our staff who have tested positive here after our regular testing. Unfortunately one of our support staff members has succumbed to covid-19 today. We are engaged with the ministry on this and we are continuing with testing measures, he said. Eng Mudondo said the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education and Health authorities would determine the closure of the institution after a surge in cases. A tense atmosphere swamped Harare Polytechnic College as the staffers at the institution were not at ease to welcome students and visitors. Thorough testing is being carried at the main entrance into the campus following the recorded cases. H Metro Since we didnt have the time or budget to find someone to do acting references I had to do (them) for the entire film. So every single thing you see a character do every walk, every sit down, every facial expression, every hand gesture I did on my camera, he explained. Then the animators were drawing the picture to what they saw me doing. And that was all happening while running lines for Batwoman. A Connecticut man who chose not to get away with killing was sentenced Thursday to 15 years in prison for a 1978 fatal shooting in Spanish Harlem that he confessed to last year. In the past, he said, whenever you had people who were drug users, or paranoid schizophrenics, or violent people, they would get pushback from park regulars. It was just like a system that was set up. But because of the pandemic, nobody was outside... they just had the space all to themselves. NYPD detectives coerced Huwe Burton, who was only 16 at the time, into confessing to the 1989 stabbing. Authorities said Burton was a crack-crazed teen who killed his own mom to pay off a drug debt. He was tried as an adult and found guilty of second-degree murder. When I turned around, thats when I saw him grabbing (the victim) by his neck, deli worker Hector Ponce, 35, told The News. I heard him say, Oh, you dont want to give me money? Well, if you dont want to give me money, Ill give you a punch. And he was standing there with his fist clenched in the air. We believe if the jury knew that Joan Harmon and her son were subpoenaed, but refused to testify, they would have reached a different verdict, Griffiths said. If the jury had known that the person who claimed to find the shell casing did not pass the police polygraph, they would have reached a different verdict. New disturbing details of the girls death and the days leading up to it were revealed by Majelics 13-year-old sister in new documents linked to the case. In an interview with police, the teen alleged her younger sister was forced to stand in their laundry for three days straight as punishment for defecating in her shorts. The teen claimed Bennett forbid her from the leaving the space and would not allow her daughter to sit down at any point. The attack is the latest in a spate of attacks on the Asian community across the U.S. Officials in New York said last month that half of the attacks were committed by the mentally ill. The Pioneer Ridge Trail stretches 4.5 miles at up to more than 5,000 feet, with views of the Knik Glacier, the Matanuska River Valley, the Talkeetna Mountains and Denali, according to the Matanuska-Susitna Boroughs guide. Today, Council UNANIMOUSLY passed the creation of Cincinnati Pride Way on 7th Street between Central and Plum, he wrote, adding that the area is where the citys Pride parade kicks off. Its going to stay up until June 30th, Plominski said. We as a community worked really hard to earn and get to where we are today. Were not going to back down on this one. Ms. Carter will receive an Election of Rights, allowing her to select which option she would like to elect, including surrender of her certificate for permanent revocation, negotiate a settlement agreement with the Florida Department of Education, a formal hearing before an administrative law judge at the Division of Administrative Hearings, or an informal hearing before the Education Practices Commission, the statement reads. Laquitta Willis was working the checkout aisle at a Big Bear Supermarket in DeKalb County on Monday afternoon when she got into an argument with a customer who was not wearing a face mask. According to a press release from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the suspect, identified as Victor Lee Tucker Jr., walked out of the store without completing his purchase, only to return a short time later with a gun. That camera focuses where its pointed. It is not an indicator of what the officer is seeing. It is not an indicator of where theyre looking, Graf said. It points straight ahead and it doesnt move. Human beings inside vehicles move quite a bit, whether looking side to side, looking down, looking over. I just want to make that clear. That is not through the eyes of an officer. In October, the couple were each hit with two charges each of exhibiting a weapon and tampering with evidence both felony charges. In order to avoid a trial and possible jail time, the two pleaded guilty to lesser misdemeanors on Thursday and were sentenced to fines. In this file photo, Alphonso David speaks during a swearing-in ceremony at the Court of Appeals in Albany, N.Y. In 2021, LGBTQ activists view opposition to the Equality Act that would extend federal civil rights protections to LGBTQ people, as a consequence of longstanding hostility to their communitys advances, such as the legalization of same-sex marriage and the growth of a transgender rights movement. David, an attorney who heads the Human Rights Campaign, a national LGBTQ-rights organization, says, Our opponents are seeking to expand religious exemptions and create a second class of citizens. ... In their narrative I could walk into a store as a Black man and not face discrimination, but walk in as a gay man and get thrown out." (Mike Groll/AP) We dont know the nexus, we dont know what the motive was, we dont have an idea of what this person was thinking when he went out and did this, said Peoria Police spokesman Sgt. Brandon Sheffert, according to NBC News. Obviously, we want to figure this out because theres a lot scared people and people this affected. We have come far, and we have far to go. But today is a day of celebration. It is not only a day of pride. Its also a day for us to reaffirm and rededicate ourselves to action, Harris said. In an interview, Farhadian Weinstein told The Associated Press that she and her husband followed the law and that the issue would have no bearing on her handling of the Trump case, which has involved scrutiny of his tax records. In its article, part of a series on tax strategies of the wealthy, ProPublica said there was no indication the Weinsteins did anything illegal. This could have been ... a great opportunity to have dialogue, Noaman, 30, told the Daily News on Thursday. He chose instead to curse in front of children and in front of people who were there to have a conversation. The ruling rejected the conservative states argument that it is unconstitutional to require that individuals have health coverage. But it did so in a narrow way that could leave open the door to future challenges to the sweeping law. What Senator Manchin is putting forward are some basic building blocks we need to ensure that democracy is accessible, Abrams said on CNN. The provisions that he is setting forth are strong ones that will create level playing field (and) create standards that do not vary from state to state. At around 7:30 a.m. local time, police raided the office of the newspaper known for its criticisms of the Chinese Community Party. Despite all the entrances and exits to the newsroom being blocked off, the paper managed to broadcast a livestream of the raid in real time on its Facebook account. No longer would a U.S. president reject the conclusions of his own intelligence agencies to give credence to a Russian leaders denials about interfering in American elections, while praising that leader as extremely strong and powerful. Biden instead met the press after a three-hour tete-a-tete with Putin and minced no words about malignant Russian actions, while simultaneously committing to working constructively with Putin on areas of agreement. Nor was this cheap anti-Moscow chest-thumping, the likes of which gets the better of some Democrats; it was the leader of the worlds most powerful and proudest democratic government standing up to a mischief-maker and articulating the principles for which our country, at its best, represents. The shift in cannabis policy has been swift, stark and valuable, as more than a dozen states have legalized it for adults. Yet the persistence of idiotic federal policy underlines how dangerously entrenched the drug wars punishing approach remains. The Drug Enforcement Administration has, for nearly half a century, classified marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug, lumping pot in with far more dangerous substances, as having high potential for abuse and no medical value, despite the fact medicinal marijuana is legal in 36 states. That, and parallel policies remaining in many states, turn many Black and Brown Americans into criminals for doing what whites routinely do with impunity. And while removing criminal penalties for all drugs is the biggest step we can take right now and the one that will do the most to stop giving cops the pretext to harass people on the streets and in their homes it is not the finish line, but just the beginning. We have to go further and be bolder in our imagination of the world that is possible and within reach. And that means shining a light on the ways the drug war has contaminated the systems that touch our lives daily, like housing, education, employment and more. This is not just one movie that just happened to forget seeing Black Latin people, Felice Leon of The Root, who had asked director Jon M. Chu and some cast members directly about the lack of dark skin, told the Daily News on Tuesday. This is part of the larger problem, which is really colorism, pigmentocracy, which is really pervasive in the Latinx community. I almost feel like I cant even talk about my feelings because they dont even measure up to the pain that they went through and are still going through. But yes, much love to her entire family her brother, her sister, her child, and her ex-husband as well. Our income is definitely down, theres no getting around that, but weve been extremely good over the last year of managing our operating expenses, Ennis said. We know that we still have a lot of work to do over the next 12 to 18 months to get our business back to where it was pre-COVID, but thats not just the revenue side of the business, its also the side of being able to serve the girls. This is a reminder that although there have been fewer infections in Florida, we havent turned the corner yet, said Marco Salemi, a professor in the Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Florida College of Medicine Emerging Pathogens Institute. This is not the time to relax. We need to track this aggressive variant and see how it goes in the next few months and keep up with efforts to vaccinate as many people as possible. Even as the death toll for COVID has topped 600,000, states such as Tennessee and North Carolina have given millions of doses back to the federal government, and Oklahoma has refused its weekly allotment, the Associated Press reported. Florida officials wont say whether the state has stopped placing orders for new doses in recent weeks because of its large inventory, or whether health officials have returned vials to the federal stockpile. State and federal health officials did not respond to requests for information regarding Floridas vaccine inventory. We have not only been focused on our COVID-19 response but have also been ensuring that final preparations are in place for what is expected to be another active hurricane season, she said. I must take this opportunity to remind you to be prepared. Have a plan. interactive_content HOW TO SUBSCRIBE TO PODCAST, WATCH LIVE AND PARTICIPATE Listen to the podcast using the player above or subscribe to Orlando Sentinel Conversations to listen to all the daily updates using these providers: At the time, DJJ spokeswoman Amanda Slama defended the agency, saying Florida law requires it to release minors in their custody after 21 days, even those accused of violent crimes. FUMCH CEO Kitwana Taylor said the shooting was the result of the system failing our children, adding that the facility would no longer accept children as part of its emergency shelter program as it is beyond the scope of our capabilities. A 23-year-old man was taken to the hospital after he was shot several times at an apartment complex near Metro West Wednesday evening, according to the Orlando Police Department. The board is to vote on its new face mask rules July 13, likely repealing a face mask requirement put in place last summer to help the school district safely open campuses during the coronavirus pandemic. If the board votes to approve the new policy, face masks would become voluntary by Aug. 2, or just ahead of the new school year that starts Aug. 10. Susan Finch, a registered nurse since 1995 who works at UCF Healths east Orange County clinic, said she and at least nine other colleagues called their supervisors before 7 a.m. on Tuesday to tell them they wouldnt be at work. Instead, they attended a job fair hosted by AdventHealth and several walked away with job offers. Yet the day the Sentinel published a story with Karvoskis comments, someone claiming to be Karvoski emailed the newspaper saying he was mistaken and now remembered making the $100 contribution. But Karvoski never responded to a phone call from a reporter trying to confirm he sent that email and, when the reporter visited his apartment again, a woman who came to the door said he was not home. Young referenced a video compiled of the event hosting 50,000 people packed onto the beachside with only 300 officers present, the paper reported. A Daytona Beach woman compiled the video which showed fistfights, skidmarks, and a man standing on the curb drinking and urinating on the street as cars drove by, according to the report. Failing a change in state law, DeSantis now says he might just ignore state law in much the same way he ignored the state constitution by choosing Palm Beach Circuit Judge Renatha Francis for the Florida Supreme Court. The court didnt let him get away with it, ruling Francis was unqualified to become a justice because she hadnt been a member of the Florida Bar for 10 years as the constitution requires. Americans now realize what many national security leaders have said for years: our digital borders can be easily penetrated and cause turmoil in our daily lives. We live in an ever-increasing digitalized world that offers amazing future technological possibilities for everyday Americans. However, this is sprinkled with the downside of cyber threats within our interconnected society. These threats are not only disruptive but can be very costly (as the $11 million ransom that JBS paid to its attackers shows), as well as cause significant loss of property or life. I didnt set out to snub all those rides for the past several months, but thats how it shook out most days. So now Im going back, with fresh eyes, to see a lot of attractions. But for those who do travel without the vaccine, the CDC states they should get tested 1-3 days before their trip and 3-5 days after their trip. The CDC also states that those not fully vaccinated should self-quarantine for seven days after cruise travel, even with a negative COVID-19 test result, and quarantine for 10 days if they take no test following their voyage. Oswego, NY (13126) Today Rain showers in the morning with thunderstorms developing for the afternoon. High 69F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely, especially this evening. Low 58F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Banjul, Gambia (PANA)- United States Centre for Disease Control (CDC) has issued a Level One (1) Travel Health Notice for The Gambia in its recent global risk assessment level for COVID-19, the Gambian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad announced here Thursday Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have condemned the return of more than 270 migrants and refugees to Libya by a ship that rescued them GduH is SigmaRocs Benelux production and distribution subsidiary PLC ( ), a buy-and-build construction materials group, said it signed a joint venture agreement with major Calais-based high-grade limestone and construction materials company, Carrieres du Boulonnais (CB). CB is part of Groupe Carrieres du Boulonnais (Groupe CB), a family run business which has become a 25% shareholder in Granulats du Hainaut (GduH) with the aim of expanding GduH into a Benelux and Northern France wide supplier of limestone products. GduH is s Benelux production and distribution subsidiary. Groupe CB is a major operator in the French construction materials market. It runs a large network of quarries and concrete plants across France and is active in 30 countries via several joint ventures. It is a real privilege to sign a joint venture agreement with a quarried materials group of the renown of Groupe CB, said SigmaRoc chief executive Max Vermorken. Our collaboration is strategically, technically and financially a major step forward as we build our footprint in the Benelux and North French markets. We thank Groupe CB for their confidence in SigmaRoc and aim to make our collaboration a real success." CB will provide financial and technical assistance to help develop GduH and materially increase GduH's market presence in Benelux and Northern France and beyond. SigmaRoc will continue to wholly own its quarrying assets in Belgium. CB will co-fund the new crushing and screening installations planned to be built by 2024 at GduH's aggregates operations at Carrieres du Hainaut. "We are very proud to become part of SigmaRoc development in Continental Europe, said Gilles Poulain, Groupe CBs chief executive. The great quality of the knowhow we have found in Sigmaroc's teams is expected to put all of us on the track of success." Shareholder activism is on the rise across the City and BT Groups new 12% shareholder is not expected to sit quietly in the background. is unlikely to get an easy ride from new shareholder and likely new board member Patrick Drahi, at least thats a view emerging in the City of London. The French billionaire last week spent some 2bn to acquire 12% of the British telco's shares. Drahi arrives on the shareholder register with a reputation for deal-making and, according to analysts at JP Morgan, he is unlikely to be satisfied by modest double-digit return on his investment in BT. Drahi, via his vehicle Altice, has ambitious return expectations for all of his investments and hes not likely to simply be a passive shareholder, says JPM, which expects Altice to gain a seat on the board. JPM suspects that Altices strategic focus will be on accelerating BTs infrastructure monetisation, towers and fibre, along with financial engineering initiatives, or shifting capex off the balance sheet. The American bank, which repeated an overweight, reckons Drahis entry confirms an upbeat view on BTs cash flow and also suggests the risk posed by new private equity-backed fibre optic network operators is over-estimated. With a 225p price target, JPM sees some 30% upside to BTs current price of 195.5p. Altice went on record quickly, and somewhat customarily, to say it wont make a takeover bit for BT, but, an initial City consensus sees a push for the break-up of the group as potentially an alternative proposition. Who is Altice Drahis Altice is now Frances second-largest mobile phone company and a significant player in the US. It was formed and grown through a series of carefully selected acquisitions mostly using debt finance. A watershed was the 2013 acquisition of SFR, which was formerly a partner of and part-owned by Vodafone. Vivendi bought out Voda in 2011, before selling the business to Altice two years later. By 2015, Altice bolstered the group further with the acquisition of US telcos Suddenlink Communications (a 70% stake) and Cablevision for S$9bn and US$18bn respectively, before merging the American units today the combined group, Altice USA Inc ( ), has a market cap of around US$16bn. Why is Altice targeting BT? The analyst view on BT is that the UK telco has its problems, but, a big prize is on the horizon as it will soon benefit from a significant first-mover advantage, once a new fibre network is up and running. At such a point the network will flip from being a cash drain to a cash cow. Nonetheless, challengers are lurking. So-called altnets such as are targeting some of the most lucrative urban territories, whilst the Virgin-O2 merger presents another potential headache. Intriguingly, however, major rival Vodafone has recently hinted it might be prepared to invest in Openreach. On top of that, BT has shareholders that are used to getting a meaty dividend and theres still is a pension fund deficit to fill. One option floated is a break-up and splitting off of the Openreach arm, analysts reckon the network unit is worth up to 25bn at least - something thats speculated to be potentially of interest to Altice. It remains to be seen precisely how it will all play out, but, should a noted dealmaker get a place on the board it's evidently not to take the role of passenger. The company is also continuing to focus on its mining licence application in Mali and has now paid the licence application fee ( ) said geochemical sampling continues to return high grade surface samples at its Dabakala gold concession in central Cote d'Ivoire. We are making great progress with our gold exploration programmes in Cote d'Ivoire, said chief executive Bernard Aylward. The wide-spread, consistent surface gold anomalism at Dabakala is an enticing prospect with multiple newly defined gold trends in a previously unexplored region. We are excited to undertake the reconnaissance drilling here to determine the potential for primary gold mineralisation to be discovered." The AIM-quoted company also said that aircore and reverse circulation drilling has been completed at the Nielle concession, also in Cote d'Ivoire, with all samples dispatched to the laboratory for gold analysis. Our work at the Nielle Concession has targeted a strong zone of gold mineralisation identified from earlier work and our geologists have reported encouraging information from the drilling chips, said Aylward. The company also said it is continuing to focus on its mining licence application in Mali, which is progressing as expected, and welcomed the confirmation of Monsieur Lamine Seydou Traore as the country's Minister of Mines, Energy and Water. Kodal said it has now paid the mining licence application fee. READ: Kodal Minerals moves a step closer to getting mining licence for Bougouni lithium project In addition to our mining licence application, we note the recent news of the proposed development partnership between our close neighbours at the Goulamina lithium project in the Bougouni region of Mali, and Chinese lithium manufacturer, Ganfeng, said CEO Aylward. This joint venture is a very positive indication of support for the Mali lithium sector and further indicates the strength of the lithium sector overall. Kodal is well placed with its Bougouni lithium project moving closer to full permitting and the support of our major shareholder and off-take partner, Suay Chin International Pte, as well as other parties who continue to review and assess the development of our primary project. A look at the major movers on the London market on Thursday Power products group ( ) has seen its shares spark up after it turned in its best performance in 20 years despite the pandemic. Full year revenues rose 13.3% to US$443.3mln while pretax profits jumped 36.8% to US$41.6mln, boosted by sales of products for use in electric vehicles. Its operating margin improved from 8.1% to 9.7% helped by efficiency savings and increased sales of more complex products. The company also bought De-Ka Elektroteknik in Turkey to create what it said is the only truly global power cord manufacturer, which lifted revenues in its consumer electronics business. Sales in its medical division dipped by 3% but it is now seeing signs of recovery, while its industrial technology business saw strong demand from data centres in the first half of the year. It is positive about the outlook: "We have delivered a strong start to the new year across all regions with continued momentum in Electric Vehicles and Complex Industrial Technology. "There is an exciting pipeline of acquisition opportunities and strong financial flexibility. "The longer-term prospects for our business remain strong and we continue to invest in capacity and strengthening our capabilities with a particular focus on growth areas." Its share climbed 5.22% to 373p. 2.39pm: Kingswood hits the acquisition trail after surge in revenues Kingswood Holdings Limited ( ) has seen its shares head higher after full year figures and a complaint it was undervalued. The investment management group said revenues had risen 153% to 25.5mln and operating profits climbed 309% to 0.9mln, reflecting a number of acquisitions during the year. These include independent financial advisors Sterling and Regency in the UK, and Chalice and a majority stake in Manhattan Harbour Capital in the US. As well as its results it also announced a deal to buy financial planning firm Admiral Wealth Management. It has an agreement with Pollen Street Capital whereby the latter can subscribe for up to 80mln worth of convertible preference shares, which Kingswood can draw on for acquisitions. The group said it had been a challenging year, especially for a company built on personal relationships and face to face connections with clients, but it had adapted well. But chief executive Gary Wilder said: ""Disappointingly, Kingswood remains significantly undervalued relative to its fully integrated peer group and wealth managers in general, and a major focus of myself and the board in the coming months is to develop and deepen our shareholder register and to remain completely focussed on executing our organic and inorganic growth strategy at pace and it is through this that we will maximise value and returns to shareholders." It is a little less undervalued now, with the shares up 10.87% or 2.5p to 25.5p. 11.35am: Pharma group surges after positive drug delivery news (LON: MTPH) has issued an update which has injected life into its share price. The biotech company announced what it called "breakthrough" data relating to its Q-Sphera technology, which uses 3D printing to put drugs into injectable microspheres. It said the data demonstrated Q-Sphera's potential to formulate proteins into long-acting injectable products. It believes the results could open up significant opportunties for the technology: " A significant number of latest generation medicines are protein based and reformulation as long-acting injectables could provide significant benefits to patients, physicians and payors." After it announced a strategic review 13 months ago, it has moved from focusing on just one potential product to expanding its pipeline which now has nine earlier stage programmes. It has also cut costs by shutting its Bibao operations. Among other developments it has begun talks with potential licencing partners for MTD211, a treatment for schizophrenia marketed under the brand name Rexulti. It is also in talks about a potential co-development deal with a third party although this has proceeded more slowly than planned due to issues associated with the pandemic. It is not all good news. Secura Bio Inc, the owner of patents previously licenced to the company, is claiming breach of the terms even though the licence has now been terminated. Secura wants, among things, that the company grant it a non-exclusive, free licence to its intellectual property and know-how. Midatech says the claims and demands are without any merit. In all, the update has pleased investors, with the company's shares surging 80% or 22p to 49.5p. 10.17am: Dr Martens shares stumble after profits fall due to flotation costs ( ) has slipped up in its first results since a 3.7bn flotation in January. The bootmaker said pretax profits fell by 30% to 70.9mln, after an 80.5mln charge related to the IPO. This included bonuses for all staff. But revenues rose 15% despite store closures during lockdown, as it beefed up its sales online. Chief executive Kenny Wilson said: "The pandemic presented challenges to our operations and ways of working, and our priority throughout was to keep our people and consumers safe.... "We continue to prioritise selling directly to our consumers, and, with retail severely impacted by COVID-19 restrictions, we focused our efforts on a step-change in ecommerce, achieving revenue growth of 73%, representing 30% of total mix. The investments and improvements we made in our supply chain in recent years, along with our multi-country sourcing model and close supplier relationships allowed us to quickly react to a rapidly changing environment, ensuring minimal disruption and maintaining good availability throughout." He added that the guidance laid out at the IPO was unchanged: "Whilst the global trading environment remains uncertain, the strength of our iconic global brand means we look to the future with confidence." But the shares have fallen 8.77% or 43.4p to 451.6p after the update, although this is still well up on the 370p flotation price. AJ Bell financial analyst Danni Hewson said: "There may be some disappointment that, despite a robust sales performance, the outlook given by Dr Martens has remained unchanged. Newly listed firms often set the bar low on guidance so they can clear it early in their life as a public company. The company continues to push a strategy of increasing the amount of product it sells direct to consumers, something a lot of major brands are targeting as it gives them greater control over the way it engages with customers. The relationship with brand devotees is an important issue as Dr Martens continues to faces grumbling in some quarters over a deterioration in the quality of the product, particularly since moving its manufacturing base to Asia nearly two decades ago. 9.21am: Automation group marches higher as losses reduce Blue Prism PLC ( ), the automation software specialist, is heading higher after confirming it is on track to break even this year. The company has reported a 24% rise in first half revenues to 80.4mln, with operating losses reduced from 53.8m to 20.9mln. Chairman and chief executive Jason Kingdon said: "Whilst remaining disciplined on spending and re-confirming our aim to be cash break-even by the end of the full financial period, we have significantly invested in R&D, enabling a record number of product releases to enhance scale and usability of the core product." The company's shares have added 6.9% or 62p to 960.5p. 8.31am: Filtronic sees shares fly as delays to key telecoms projects ease ( ) has dialled up a better than expected result in recent weeks as key projects got back on track. The company, which supplies equipment such as antennae and filters for the telecoms and defence markets, said trading improved in the second half of its financial year after a weaker first six months. So revenues are expected to be in line with forecasts, but a favourable product mix at higher margins means profits will be slightly better than anticipated, up from 1.2mln to 1.8mln. The final quarter saw demand for its critical communications products improve, as COVID-19 delays to new installations and system upgrades in the US started to ease. In particular it shipped the first significant orders for for its new Tower Top Amplifier. The pandemic has delayed the roll out of many proposed 5G networks, so it has seen stable order flow during the year but at a reduced rate. Orders in the aerospace and defence markets remained stable. Overall it has started the new year with a strong order book despite the disruption. Like many companies, it is facing the problem of shortages of key components. It said: "Market conditions across the electronics industry are expected to be impacted by supply chain challenges and component shortages for several months. We have asked customers to pay increased attention to forecasting and adequacy of forward order cover, and this has gone some way to providing a stronger opening order book for the new financial year." The update has pushed its shares 10.11% or 1.19p higher to 12.94p. Elsewhere Rainbow Rare Earths Ltd (LON:RBW) has risen 6.58% to 14.39p. The company unveiled a better than expected mineral resource estimate for its Phalaborwa Project in South Africa. The report estimated resources of 38.3Mt, arger than the original 35Mt expected. It show high value Neodymium and Praseodymium oxide, the essential metals for green-friendly permanent magnets. Chief executive George Bennett, said: "The Maiden Mineral Resource Estimate for Phalaborwa marks an important milestone for Rainbow, underpinning the opportunity for the rapid development of a low capital and operating cost, high value processing facility in South Africa to provide the essential metals to power the green revolution from an extremely environmentally beneficial project." Eco Atlantic Oil & Gas Ltd's (LON:ECO, TSXV:EOG) Gil Holzman presents his new drill schedule in offshore Guyana to Proactive Investors, which is due to kick off in the coming months. This will follow the completion of desktop work this summer to reprocess seismic data and fresh exploration drilling is set at offshore Guyana in 2022. Holzman says 'we are positioning ourselves at the right time to go ahead to resume exploration'. Copper and nickel will both play key roles in the greening of the future economy The key thing about the new Exchange Trade Commodities products (ETCs) launched today by Global Palladium Fund is that they are actually supported by physical metal thats housed in a warehouse in Rotterdam. This type of ETC is fairly common in the precious metals space, although its by no means necessarily the norm, but to date no physically-backed ETC for copper or nickel has existed anywhere in the world. From today though, investors will be able to buy the Global Palladium Funds new products on the London Stock Exchange and on the Borsa Italiana. The advantage of buying a physically-backed ETC is that investors know that the ETC price is actually benchmarked against a real physical asset rather than devised by complicated financial modelling. ETCs that are not backed by physical assets can be more risky in the event of a significant liquidity event after all, if youre buying a product that tracks the copper or nickel price but doesnt actually have any relationship to physical copper or nickel, then theres no guarantee that when you want to cash in therell be any money to pay out. If the ETC has to go into the market physically to buy the asset its supposed to be tracking, what if there isnt any available, or the price is already moving in a different direction? All those doubts are dispelled by ETCs which are backed by physical metal, and this is why products like this are particularly popular with gold investors who dont want to own actual bars, but want the next best thing. The ETCs use Blockchain technology to provide investors with enhanced transparency and security by recording bar information into distributed ledger technology. There is some cost, of course. The new copper and nickel ETCs have annual total expense ratios of 0.85% and 0.75% respectively. But given the significant size of the price moves that weve seen in commodity markets in recent months, investors are likely to be willing to shoulder such charges. The listings follow the launch of GPFs physically-backed, low-cost gold, silver, platinum and palladium ETCs earlier this year. General Fusion and UKAEA intend to collaborate on a range of fusion energy technologies for power plant design and operation A company backed by Microsoft and Amazon's Jeff Bezos has won approval to build and operate a nuclear fusion demonstration plant in the UK. Approval was announced by the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) today and construction is expected to start next year ahead of the planned starting of operations in 2025. General Fusion, a startup is based in Vancouver, Canada that has been supported by Bezos since 2011 and Microsoft since 2019, will build and operate its fusion demonstration plant (FDP) at UKAEAs Culham Campus, just south of Oxford. The Canadian company expects to benefit from the cluster of fusion supply chain activities in the UK, where scientists have also been making significant progress of late. General Fusion will enter into a long-term lease with UKAEA once a new facility has been built at Culham to host the FDP, which will then demonstrate General Fusions proprietary Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF) technology. Successful demonstrations will pave the way for the companys subsequent commercial pilot plant, General Fusion said, as it hopes to show that the MTF technology "can create fusion conditions in a practical and cost-effective manner at power plant relevant scales, as well as refine the economics of fusion energy production, leading to the subsequent design of a commercial fusion pilot plant". Amanda Solloway, UK science minister, said: This new plant by General Fusion is a huge boost for our plans to develop a fusion industry in the UK, and Im thrilled that Culham will be home to such a cutting-edge and potentially transformative project. Fusion energy has great potential as a source of limitless, low-carbon energy, and todays announcement is a clear vote of confidence in the region and the UKs status as a global science superpower. General Fusion and UKAEA intend to collaborate on a range of fusion energy technologies for power plant design and operation. Christofer Mowry, CEO of General Fusion said it was "incredibly exciting news for not only General Fusion, but also the global effort to develop practical fusion energy". The Culham campus includes various fusion experiments, including currently home to the Joint European Torus (which is moving to France) and the MAST Upgrade, which is part of the wider STEP plan. General Fusions MTF technology takes a non-traditional approach to fusing atoms, where tremendous heat built from fusion is transferred from plasma into a molten metal cavity, where it is channelled to turbines that produce power. The company has so far been supported by over US$190mln of investment, according to Crunchbase, with Bezos and Microsoft contributing to a US$127mln investment round two years ago. Bezos and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates are also invested in another nuclear fusion startup, Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS), looking to bring fusion energy technology to the market. The spin-off from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is building a compact fusion power plant based on the SPARC tokamak concept, a precursor to a practical, emissions-free power plant. A column by Morgane Delledonne, director of research at Global-X ETFs The pandemic has exposed the underlying vulnerabilities of global supply chains in the semiconductor industry, where barriers to entry are notoriously high, technological competition is cut-throat, lead times are long, and the balance of power overwhelmingly tilts towards a few gargantuan companies. The problem has escalated to the point where governments are getting involved to help alleviate near-term bottlenecks and to develop long-term policies. However, it is important not to lose sight of the long-term trends, with a wide range of industries and products depending on semiconductors to provide the latest technologies: automobiles, personal electronics, and home appliances. Before discussing the reasons for the underlying shortages and how securing semiconductor supply chains in the future will be critical to geopolitics and technological advancements, it's worth noting that the semiconductor supply chain is notoriously rigid and difficult to enter. This is mainly because of three reasons: High R&D requirements for chip design An uneven geographical distribution of power in chip manufacturing The difficulty of building new factories or adjusting orders America is the global leader in the field of chip design and sales (47% of global semiconductor sales in 2019), while its R&D spending as a percent of sales in the semiconductor industry, leads the world at 16.4%.[i] In Europe, the UK semiconductor industry is still a key centre for design of high-end silicon chips, and has the second highest number of design companies outside the US; with companies such as Infineon Technologies, , XMOS and Graphcore. However, while UK is the home to chip designers ARM Holdings (bought by Softbank and recently snapped up by Nvidia) and Imagination Technologies (bought by US private equity firm US-Chinese firm Canyon Bridge in 2017), they do not manufacture the advanced silicon chips needed by the telecommunications and automotive sectors. Like the rest of the world, the UK is reliant on Asian manufacturers, particularly Taiwan and South Korea, which account for 43% of global manufacturing capacity, led by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) and Samsung. [ii] R&D Spending as % of Sales Building a new company to meet growing demand is simply not a feasible solution for short-term disruptions because of the immense capital and time required to do so (building and bringing it up to full capacity can take anywhere from 24 to 42 months at a price tag of anywhere from $1.7bn to $5.4bn).[iii] On the demand side, the uncertainty of COVID caught companies and consumers off guard. In particular, demand for household electronics remained resilient with consumer electronics companies continuing to order chips. PC Vendor Shipments and Sales The semiconductor shortage has escalated to the point where governments feel the need to act. In the United States, the Biden administration signed an executive order calling for a 100-day review of supply chains; in Japan, the Abe and Suga administrations dispatched a delegation in June to negotiate with and invite TSMC to build a company in Japan. However, reshoring the semiconductor industry is difficult and not all efforts to do so will succeed. The geographical centres of power have shifted. Japan once dominated as its companies took in 49% of integrated circuit sales in 1990. In 2017, that number dwindled down to 7%, with most of it going to Japans rapidly growing neighbours.[iv] Integrated Circuit Sales by Location In China, there is an increasing sense of urgency over the independence of the domestic semiconductor. Meanwhile, European Union (EU) officials have put forth a plan that aims to bring EU chip production up to 20% of world supply by 2030.[v] A reshoring of the semiconductor industry could bring about a decline in the design, market and outsource manufacturing model as companies vertically integrate from chip design to manufacturing. There is plenty of room for that as Moores Law, which predicts that the number of transistors that can fit on a chip will double every two years, has generally stayed true. The semiconductor shortage will have a palpable impact across multiple industries in 2021. As semiconductors become increasingly important to a digitalized economy, governments and businesses are reassessing their dependence on supply chains that run through foreign countries. Companies are questioning the sector model and their lack of vertical integration, while policymakers are looking for ways to incentivize breakthroughs in semiconductor research, innovation, and production. With the growing importance of innovation for economic growth, we expect to see greater investment in chip design and manufacturing alongside attempts to reshore strategic components of the chip industry to domestic markets. Risk warning: Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. International investments may involve risk of capital loss from unfavourable fluctuation in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles, or from economic or political instability in other nations. Emerging markets involve heightened risks related to the same factors as well as increased volatility and lower trading volume. Securities focusing on a single country and narrowly focused investments may be subject to higher volatility. The companies in which the funds invest may be subject to rapid changes in technology, intense competition, rapid obsolescence of products and services, loss of intellectual property protections, evolving industry standards and frequent new product productions, and changes in business cycles and government regulation. The investable universe for thematic ETFs may be limited. The funds are non-diversified. There is no guarantee the trends discussed will continue. Shares of ETFs are bought and sold at market price (not NAV) and are not individually redeemed from the fund. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns. References: ( ) (FRA:1KX) has a clear pathway to mine development at its flagship Murchison Gold Project in Western Australia, with a cash position of $9.5 million. There have been several major discoveries recently, both in the Murchison and other parts of the Yilgarn, where a new strike orientation has been identified and the resulting discoveries have been found to host significant mineralisation. The high-grade gold explorer plans to test this potential at the Murchison Gold Project as it pushes ahead with the Phase 2 exploration program at an aggressive pace. Assay results from the 10,000 metres Phase 1 drill program at the Murchison Gold Project are being received and will be progressively reported over the coming weeks. There is cash flow potential as the company works towards open pit and underground mining. Large existing high-grade gold resource LCD bought the high-grade Murchison Gold Project from Silver Lake Resources Limited ( ) for $10 per resource ounce or a total of $8 million in February 2021. The strategic landholding in Murchison Gold Field covers 343 square kilometres of mining leases and exploration licences. It is also central to three large gold processing mills. The project has a high-grade, high confidence 1.1 million ounces gold mineral resource with 65% in the measured and indicated classifications. Latitude Consolidated has also acquired $30 million worth of geological dataset with the project, covering 786,500 metres drill hole database, aeromagnetic, sub-audio magnetics and gravity data. Andy Well The Andy Well produced 330,000 ounces at 8 g/t up until 2017 when the gold price was at A$1,600/ounce. It has a high confidence mineral resource with 73% in the measured and indicated classifications. The resource has 1,000 ounces per vertical metres (OVM) in places and remains open along strike and at depth. Further, three high-grade lodes have never been previously mined. Existing gold resources remain open at depth and along strike, with high-grade exploration targets outside the mineral resource including: Suzie North Lode 3.6 metres at 8.8 g/t gold including 0.5 metres at 59.0 g/t. Highway Lode 5.0 metres at 5.2 g/t including 1-metre at 11.5 g/t; and 10.0 metres at 2.0 g/t including 3.0 metres at 6.0 g/t. Eastern Link Lode 32 metres at 2.5 g/t including 1-metre at 71.9 g/t; and 3 metres at 13.5 g/t including 1-metre at 40.2 g/t. Margaret Lode 5 metres at 3.6g/t including 1-metre at 17.6 g/t; and 5 metres at 4.5 g/t including 2 metres at 10.4 g/t. Wendy Lode 24 metres at 1.3 g/t including 12 metres at 1.9 g/t; and 56 metres at 0.9 g/t including 9 metres at 3.1 g/t. New mineralised trend at Andy Well Drilling completed by Latitude at the Suzie North Exploration Target was designed to target a northwest-southeast striking system, the first time this style of mineralisation has been specifically targeted at Andy Well. Hole 21AWRC0003 that intersected Suzie North lode returned 7 metres at 1.90 g/t gold from 121 metres, including 1-metre at 9.59 g/t. The two other holes completed at Suzie North appear to have intersected a parallel footwall lode. The company has remobilised the drill rig to Suzie North to commence follow-up drilling and to further test the strike and down plunge extent of mineralisation with an additional 1,500 metres of drilling at this target. Chief executive officer Tim Davidson said: This is an extremely exciting step forward for Latitude with the newly identified northwest-southeast mineralisation providing a new exploration targeting lens at Andy Well. Well-funded for exploration In May, the company received binding commitments to raise $6.75 million to fund the next phase of exploration activity at the flagship Murchison Gold Project. The placement has been strongly supported by existing significant shareholders of the company as well as new institutional, sophisticated and professional investors. Davidson added: The proceeds ensure the company is well funded over the coming 12 months to unlock the enormous value we have identified at the Murchison Gold Project. Turnberry resource increase Latitude has grown its total mineral resource for the Turnberry deposit to 1,115,000 ounces following a 125% increase to the resource estimate, which now stands at 610,000 ounces. Turnberry forms a key part of the companys broader Murchison Gold Project, which covers 343 square kilometres in the Murchison Goldfields. This is the first mineral resource update to be completed since May 2019, when it was considered a non-core asset by previous owner Silver Lake Resources. Turnberry remains open to the north and south within a broad 5.5 kilometres trend of gold anomalism evident in drilling and associated with a similar geological stratigraphy. The most advanced of these targets is the St Annes prospect, which displays a similar magnetic signature to Turnberry and similar grade and width intercepts in drilling, including: 20 metres at 2.4 g/t gold from 57 metres including 8 metres at 5.0 g/t; and 15 metres at 1.5 g/t from 104 metres including 4 metres at 4.7 g/t. The St Annes corridor presents a significant exploration opportunity, given the limited drilling completed along the 3.5 kilometres strike south of the Turnberry mineral resource and the anomalous gold observed in this drilling. Given the large number of anomalous gold results within this corridor, Latitude intends to drill test the magnetic anomalies and existing identified mineralisation. Results from drilling specifically targeting the 5.5 kilometres Turnberry-St Annes corridor are expected in July. Suitable for open pit mining Turnberry is suitable for open pit mining and is close to large operating gold processing facilities - 55 kilometres to Westgold's 1.8Mtpa Bluebird mill and 130 kilometres to Superior's 1.8Mtpa Plutonic mill. Initial metallurgical test work shows excellent gold recoveries with overall gold recovery at 90%, oxide and transitional recovery at 96% and gravity recovery at 43%. Clear plan to grow existing resource Davidson said at the time: We continue to build on our large, existing high-grade gold resource and this 125% upgrade at Turnberry is a fantastic outcome for Latitude. In short order, we have been able to clearly demonstrate the true scale and growth potential of our high-grade gold projects in the prolific Western Australian gold producing region of the Murchison. We have a clear plan in place to grow the existing resource base through systematic drilling and with a suite of high-grade gold targets outside of the existing resource base, we are looking forward to delivering further success. Mining studies underway The company is undertaking open pit and underground scoping study with the outcome due in December 2021. Three options are being considered for processing: toll mining which has a low start-up capital, refit/expand existing Andy Well mill which offers greater operating flexibility and control and a hybrid model which will see an initial toll milling with cash flow used to expand the existing plant. The identification of a copper-bearing diorite porphyry intrusion at Gordonbrook Hill Prospect in 2020 significantly advanced the prospectivity of the Mt Gilmore Project. Activities are also underway to enable the recommencement of drilling at the Lynn Lake Nickel Sulphide Project in Canada. ( ) (OTCMKTS:CRZNF) has started drilling at Mt Gilmore Copper-Cobalt-Gold Project in New South Wales, targeting the 8-kilometre long Gordonbrook Hill-May Queen copper-cobalt-silver-gold anomaly within the 20-kilometre long Mt Gilmore Trend. This is the maiden drill program at the Gordonbrook Hill target and is designed to test the area near the Gordonbrook Hill mineralised porphyry, coincident with a large multi-metal geochemical anomaly and an IP chargeability geophysical anomaly. The initial program will include two core holes for an estimated 900 metres. First holes into high priority target Corazon managing director Brett Smith said: We are excited about the very first drill holes into the high priority Gordonbrook Hill target at Mt Gilmore. The drilling will test new concepts, targeting one area of what looks to be a very large mineralised hydrothermal system. This phase of drilling is expected to be completed over the next two months, with results released as they become available. Gordonbrook Hill porphyry target The identification of a copper-bearing diorite porphyry intrusion at the Gordonbrook Hill Prospect in 2020 significantly advanced the prospectivity of the Mt Gilmore Project. This intrusion is on the margin of a strong copper, cobalt, silver and gold soil geochemical anomaly, which is coincident with the surface projection of a concealed, high-value, Induced Polarisation (IP) geophysical anomaly. These coincident geochemical and geophysical anomalies at Gordonbrook Hill represent a significant mineralised porphyry target and are the priority targets at Mt Gilmore. Mt Gilmore Project location plan. Lynn Lake exploration activities Meanwhile, exploration activities at the Lynn Lake Nickel Sulphide Project in Canada are continuing as a priority, with the company aiming to recommence drilling as soon as practicable. Recent work has focused on regional exploration, in particular drill testing geophysical anomalies at the Fraser Lake Complex (FLC), around 10 kilometres south of the Lynn Lake Mining Centre. Drill testing of the conductor plates defined by the recent down-hole electromagnetic (DHEM) surveys and the new more discrete anomalies defined by recent reprocessing of the aerial MobleMT geophysical survey data are a priority for the company. Drilling is expected to be undertaken once ground conditions improve, subsequent to the spring melt, which is currently in progress. Both Lynn Lake and Mt Gilmore place Corazon in a strong position to take advantage of the growing demand for commodities critically required for the booming rechargeable battery sector. The company is undertaking infill drilling in preparation for planned maiden resource estimates on the NE Bankan and Bankan Creek deposits. Auger drilling is continuing subject to suitable drill access being available during the rainy season. ( ) has received further encouraging results from Bankan Gold Project in Guinea with eight reverse circulation (RC) holes and one diamond drill (DD) hole for a total of 1,182 metres producing broad mineralised intersections. Shallow RC drilling at Bankan Creek has added potential higher grade near-surface resource ounces to an emerging, significant satellite deposit, including: 36 metres at 3.1 g/t gold from 14 metres (to EOH), including 2 metres at 17.5 g/t from 41 metres; 45 metres at 2.0 g/t from 11 metres; and 15 metres at 1.2 g/t from 10 metres, and 17 metres at 1.3 g/t from 49 metres. These results confirm earlier intercepts and reinforce the companys belief that this prospect will contribute significantly to the planned maiden resource estimate. Step-out diamond drilling at NE Bankan continues to increase the central gold mineralised zone at depth, with further very broad, good grade gold intercepted in the deepest hole so far. Results include: 44 metres at 2 g/t from 310 metres; 9 metres at 1.3 g/t from 357 metres; and 6 metres at 2.5 g/t from 448 metres, including 2 metres at 6.2 g/t from 452 metres (to EOH). Great start to resource drill-out The company is undertaking the infill drilling in preparation for the planned maiden resource estimate on both the NE Bankan and Bankan Creek deposits. PDI managing director Paul Roberts said: To intersect significant broad zones of good-grade gold from infill and step-out holes at Bankan Creek is a great start to the resource drill-out on that prospect. Over at NE Bankan, the excellent new DD result has given us the deepest intercept so far, confirming that the mineralised system continues with good widths and grades to at least 300 metres below surface. Results of the remaining step out holes testing to similar depths beneath the centre of the gold deposit are now keenly awaited. NE Bankan Cross section 1174940N showing new DD hole BNERD0074 (red result labels). Estimate expected in September quarter All of the planned (initial) resource holes at NE Bankan have now been completed. The maiden resource estimate remains on track for completion in the September quarter. Roberts said: The Bankan Creek diamond drilling program is now expected to be completed in early July. Beyond this, drilling will continue right through the rainy season with at least one multipurpose rig to test for extensions to the known gold deposits and to explore the new targets being regularly identified by ongoing power auger drilling. The Crown Project is considered highly prospective for nickel-copper-PGE and gold mineralisation and is near the Gonneville discovery of Chalice Mining. Oar Resources Ltd ( ) (FRA:F1S) intends to move quickly to on-ground exploration after being granted the Crown Project tenement in a highly sought-after region close to Perth in WA that hosts s ( ) Gonneville nickel-copper-PGE discovery. The company has received confirmation from the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) in relation to the anticipated granting of Exploration Licence E70/5406 that covers the Crown Project. Highly prospective This project area contains numerous magnetic features interpreted to represent mafic volcanic rocks considered to be highly prospective for nickel-copper-PGE (platinum group elements) and gold mineralisation. A detailed interpretation of regional magnetic data by independent consultants Southern Geoscience highlighted at least 20 separate target areas that require further investigation. Aim to get boots-on-ground OARs general manager of geology Tony Greenaway said: We are very pleased to have now received the eagerly anticipated notification of grant for our Crown Project tenement. "With this now finalised, we can meaningfully engage with our landholders in the area to secure land access agreements enabling the commencement of our initial low impact on-ground exploration. We very much look forward to getting boots-on-ground at Crown - an area which has had little to no previous exploration, and which we believe has significant prospectivity for the potential discovery of gold and other mineralisation. Oars Crown Project showing detailed geological interpretation and prioritised target areas. Crown Project is just 9 kilometres west of the Julimar Complex in the western part of the Yilgarn Craton, where Chalice Mining made the Gonneville discovery, and around an hour outside Perth. Recent Chalice results include 50 metres at 1.8 g/t palladium, 0.5 g/t platinum, 0.9 g/t gold, 0.2% nickel and 1. 1% copper. Land access negotiations With the tenement granted to OAR, land access negotiations will begin immediately, to enable initial on-ground reconnaissance exploration work to be undertaken. OAR will initially undertake a program of reconnaissance mapping and rock chip sampling to verify the geophysical target areas, followed up by systematic geochemical soil sampling. This will enable the company to finalise potential drill targets for a maiden drilling program proposed in the second half of 2021. The company believes that the extensive experience of Amber Stanton in law, corporate governance and mining industry M&A, will be vital in achieving its goal of becoming a significant WA gold producer. BGL is making the transition to becoming a gold producer at the Bellevue Gold Project. ( has appointed highly experienced commercial lawyer Amber Stanton as general counsel and joint company secretary effective from July 26, 2021. Stanton brings a wealth of experience in law, corporate governance and mining industry M&A, further strengthening Bellevues executive management team as the company prepares for the transition to being a significant Australian gold producer. Extensive experience She has more than 19 years of legal, commercial, strategic and corporate governance experience and most recently was general counsel and company secretary at ( ) and was previously a partner in two international law firms. During this time, she played key roles in an extensive range of transactions, including mergers and acquisitions and capital market raisings, and provided advice on mining law, corporate governance and general corporate and commercial matters. Skills and experience invaluable Bellevue managing director Steve Parsons said Stantons skills and experience would be invaluable as the company made the transition to being a major Australian gold producer at its Bellevue Gold Project. He said We are delighted that Amber has joined the Bellevue team. She has a wealth of experience in areas which will be increasingly vital to our company as we close in on our goal of being a significant WA gold producer. Businesswoman award Stanton won the 2011 WA Telstra Business Woman of the Year Award in the private & corporate sector category. Following the appointment, Michael Naylor has resigned as joint company secretary effective July 26, 2021, but remains an executive director and chief financial officer. Maddison Cramer remains joint company secretary. The companys proposed drilling program, which consists of four diamond drill holes for a total of 1,000 metres will test for tin and copper mineralisation. Elementos has developed drill targets from the analysis of historical data. Elementos Limited ( ) ( ) (FRA:9EM) has been awarded a grant of up to A$70,000 under the Tasmanian Governments Exploration Drilling Grant Initiative (EDGI) program as a part of its plan to drill four exploration holes at its wholly-owned Cleveland Tin Project. The grant is comprised of $50,000 to co-fund direct drilling costs and $20,000 for helicopter support if required. Elementos proposed drilling program, which consists of four diamond drill holes for a total of 1,000 metres will test for tin and copper mineralisation along strike and to the northeast of the historical tin mine. The drill targets have been developed from analysis of historical geological, geophysical and geochemical data. Work program approval application Previous exploration by Elementos resulted in the definition of a hard-rock JORC Resource for Cleveland of 7.47 million tonnes at 0.75% tin and 0.3% copper. The new primary targets are four self-potential geophysical anomalies that were detected by previous work but were never drill tested. A standard work program approval application has been lodged with Mineral Resources Tasmania for the drilling program. Elementos has conducted tendering for work packages and on approval of the works will award the contracted packages and commence the program. EDGI scheme The EDGI scheme was started by the Tasmanian Government in 2018 to assist in the identification of new greenfield mining opportunities and to provide support to existing mining operations, preferentially funding high-quality, technically and economically sound projects. To date, more than $1.5 million has been provided under this initiative and the grant awarded to Elementos is one of 16 grants, awarded in round 5 of the EDGI program. Create your account: sign up and get ahead on news and events NO INVESTMENT ADVICE The Company is a publisher. You understand and agree that no content published on the Site constitutes a recommendation that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction, or investment strategy is... In exchange for publishing services rendered by the Company on behalf of named herein, including the promotion by the Company of in any Content on the Site, the Company receives from said issuer annual cash... The company is focused on gold exploration, with several 100%-owned projects in the northeast of Tasmania and is establishing a portfolio of exploration assets in the Pilbara and Yilgarn gold regions of Western Australia. Drilling the first hole at the Brilliant prospect, Golden Ridge. Ltd (ASX:FG1) started trading on the ASX today following an oversubscribed IPO which raised the maximum amount of $10 million through the issue of 50 million shares at $0.20 per share - giving the company a market capitalisation of around A$19 million at the IPO price. Shares opened today at 15.5 cents and have traded in the range of 14 cents to 17.5 cents. The company is focused on gold exploration across its Tasmanian assets and is establishing a portfolio of exploration assets in the Pilbara and Yilgarn gold regions of Western Australia. Flynn also owns prospective zinc-silver projects on Tasmanias mineral-rich west coast. Listing a significant milestone Funds raised under the offer will be used to undertake a focused exploration program including substantial drilling efforts over two of the companys key projects in northeast Tasmania (Golden Ridge and Portland) and for further sampling, geophysics and other surveys over the remainder of the portfolio. Flynn Gold executive director Sam Garrett said: The listing of Flynn Gold is a significant milestone for the company, and we are already on the ground drilling at our flagship project. I would like to take the opportunity to thank our shareholders for the trust and confidence they have placed in our team. We look forward to working towards realising the potential of our exciting projects in northeast Tasmania and the Pilbara. Diamond drilling underway The company has already commenced drilling at its flagship Golden Ridge Intrusive Related Gold System (IRGS) Project in Tasmania. Diamond drilling commenced at the Brilliant Prospect in late April, where previous trenching and drilling by Billiton Australia and MPI Gold Pty Ltd intersected gold mineralisation associated with sheeted quartz-sulphide veins over a zone up to 40 metres wide and to depths of over 200 metres - but only tested a limited strike length of 200 metres. Flynn Golds planned drilling program at Brilliant comprises both infill and step-out drill holes designed to confirm historical gold grades, test continuity of mineralisation, and test for along-strike extensions to known mineralisation. North East Tasmania: under-explored Mathinna Beds Geology and mineralisation analogous to Victoria Goldfields. The first phase of the planned drilling at Brilliant is expected to comprise 16 planned drill holes, with two completed to date, totalling around 4,100 metres of diamond core drilling. First assay results are anticipated in four to six weeks subject to completion of the logging and sampling, and the workloads at the assay laboratories. Trafalgar Prospect drilling grant The company has recently been notified by Mineral Resources Tasmania that its application for a co-funded drilling program at the Trafalgar prospect, Golden Ridge has been successful. Flynn has been offered an EDGI Program Grant to the value of up to $50,000, for a 600-metre diamond drill hole at the prospect. The drill hole is planned to intersect the granodiorite-sediment contact below the only other previous diamond drill hole at the prospect which did not reach the sediment contact, intersected quartz veining in altered granodiorite, with a zone containing visible gold which assayed 5 metres at 12.56 g/t from 202 metres, and a lower interval of 6 metres at 1.68 g/t from 217 metres. Map of the central area of the Golden Ridge project showing summary geology and surface geochemistry. Gravity survey at Golden Ridge In addition, the company completed a detailed gravity survey over the Golden Ridge project grid during May 2021. A total of 357 gravity station readings were collected and Flynn Gold anticipates that the detailed gravity data, which is being processed and modelled, will provide improved mapping of the highly prospective intrusive-hornfels contact zone underlying the project. After listing on the ASX, which is likely to happen next month, the company will focus on rapidly progressing its portfolio of projects in Guinea, West Africa. Ltd has received a positive response for its Initial Public Offer (IPO) to raise $5 million, ahead of listing on the Australian Securities Exchange. Trading of the companys shares on ASX is targeted for early July 2021, under the proposed ASX code POL. Polymetals is an Australian mining and exploration company, incorporated on September 30, 2020, for the purpose of acquiring, exploring and developing gold projects, the first being its Guinea project. Rapidly progressing portfolio CEO Alex Hanly said: We are very pleased about the positive response Polymetals has received to our IPO from a mix of institutional, sophisticated and retail investors. We would like to thank our shareholders for their vote of confidence in us and look forward to delivering value to them in the period ahead. We anticipate rapidly progressing our exciting portfolio of projects in Guinea, West Africa, once we have finalised our ASX listing which is anticipated to be early July. Beer & Co acted as the lead manager to the IPO. Operations in Guinea Polymetals has a 100% interest in Golden Guinea Resources SARL which owns two exploration licences within the Siguiri Basin in Guinea. The Siguiri Basin occupies the countrys north-eastern corner and hosts several large active gold mining operations and is notable for its widespread gold anomalism. This basin is broadly covered by exploration or exploitation tenure and there is little vacant land available for new exploration participants in the region. The region is considered highly prospective for gold and relatively immature from an exploration perspective and produces over 500,000 ounces of gold/year. Largest operation is the s Siguiri Gold Mine, around 37 kilometres west of the Golden Guinea licences, which to date has produced more than 6 million ounces of gold over its 20-year life. The companys two exploration licences, Alahine and Mansala, host many historic and current small-scale gold mining operations conducted by local individuals known as artisans. Post IPO plan Following a successful listing on the ASX, the companys focus will be to continue with its exploration within the Alahine and Mansala licences and start its next drilling program. Polymetals board of directors consists of non-executive chairman David Sproule, independent non-executive director Christopher Johnston and independent non-executive director Christopher Schroor who together have a broad range of experience in gold exploration, mining, production and corporate management. The company is marching ahead with its top-tier Sunburst program which includes Gemini 1, 2, 3 and 4 wells which are being drilled into the existing Sunburst oil pool. The companys program is funded from operational cash flows and National Bank debt facility. s ( ) (OTCMKTS:RLTOF) (FRA:R1Y) drilling program for the Gemini 1, 2, 3 and 4 development wells in Alberta, Canada is progressing well as the oil price hovers above the US$70 mark. The company has finished drilling the second well or Gemini 2 well, of the 4-well Sunburst horizontal drilling program. Calima has drilled the well within 7 days and drilling costs came in about C$100,000 under budget, at C$675,000. The well was drilled to 1,686 metres (measured depth), with 486 metres of horizontal open hole after the intermediate casing point (ICP). Oil and gas shows were excellent throughout the reservoir that was drilled. Gemini 1 After further 3D seismic interpretation, refinement and utilising the geological data received from drilling Gemini 1, the geoscience team have determined that the productivity of Gemini 1 can be further optimised by drilling a second horizontal leg out of the same intermediate casing. With the Bonanza rig less than 1 kilometre away from the well site, the decision was made to undertake the work now for an incremental cost of C$350,000. The Bonanza rig #8 has now moved back to Gemini 1 well location, and the work is anticipated to take 3 days to complete. Upon completion of the additional horizontal leg, the rig will move to the Gemini #3 location, which is about 15 kilometres away. Top-tier Sunburst program Calima Energy CEO and president Jordan Kevol said: I am pleased with the solid progress of the Gemini drilling campaign and happy we are able to efficiently optimize the Gemini 1 well whilst the rig is close by. Calima has committed to drilling an additional well in the campaign and continues to review adding one more Sunburst well. With the oil price above US$70 WTI the company is very enthusiastic about completing our top-tier Sunburst program. Gemini 3 and 4 wells Gemini 3 is going to be drilled on a multi-well pad, that is designed to also accommodate Gemini 4. After the two wells are drilled, completed and equipped, they will both be tied into the Blackspur oil processing facility that is on the same section as the multi-well pad. According to the company, it is economies of scale like this that help keep costs low for Calima in both of its core areas of Brooks and Thorsby. Calima always aims to either drill wells from existing well pads with the ability to have an on-lease tie-in, or else drill multiple wells at a time on a new pad, to create efficiencies, and keep costs low. The company has ample room at its existing oil processing facilities for all of the production for these new wells, as well as gas takeaway solutions through third parties for the associated gas from the drilling of these new wells. Gemini 5 Well With the continued strong WTI oil and AECO natural gas pricing, the company is reviewing plans to add one additional Sunburst well bringing the Sunburst Well Campaign to 5 wells. This additional well is expected to be drilled in early July 2021 and Calima continues to add more locations to its Sunburst count of 143 sites in the Greater Brooks Area, through continued mineral leasing, and participation in Crown land sales. Sunburst wells The Sunburst wells being drilled are conventional horizontal wells, meaning they require no stimulation such as hydraulic fracturing. The true vertical depth (TVD) of the target Sunburst zone is around 1,000 metres and the average lateral length of the horizontal section is 775 meters. The combination of the shallow target depth, relatively short horizontal length and lack of need for stimulation keep the estimated cost for each well to be around C$1 million. A recent acquisition in the insurance industry will result on a step-change in assets under management. The financial implications of this have probably yet to be fully absorbed by the market, Alpha's supporters reckon There looks to be a quiet transformation taking place at the alternative asset manager ( ) and one the market has possibly yet to fully understand. While that may be the source of some short-term annoyance for the management, led by Gobind Sahney, it could be looked on as an opportunity for those with an eye for hidden value. In late March, Alpha completed the acquisition of Bermuda-based holding company Northstar Group and its wholly-owned Providence Life Assurance Company, backed by an oversubscribed share placing of 3.75mln. Deal expected to have significant impact In one fell swoop, assets under management jumped to US$300mln from US$10mln at the start of last year. Analysts point out that the consequent significant uptick in revenues should render the business EBITDA positive. Crucially, the transaction moves Alpha into insurance, which is complementary to the existing business in the longevity asset space and was part of the firms long-term strategy. Chairman Sahney, in an interview with Proactive when the deal was first announced, called the transaction transformative. Our objective has always been to increase our assets under management that generate long-term revenue, which we call sticky revenue, he explained. That said, we have mentioned in the past we were looking at establishing an insurance company essentially to supplement the activity we have in the longevity asset space. So, when this opportunity came up last year, we took a serious look at it and determined an existing insurance company with assets under management and generating revenue was a better route than starting de novo. He explained the plan was to aggressively grow the insurance arm via a build or buy strategy. Life settlements explained At the same time, the longevity business, which specialises in life settlement assets via its BlackOak Alpha Growth Fund, is growing at a decent clip. For the uninitiated, life settlements effectively create a secondary market for life insurance policies. The example below, provided by a person with knowledge of the sector, describes practically and at an individual level how the process works: Someone might have a life insurance policy that is set to pay out US$1mln on their death; however they would like the cash today to spend with their family. They can request an early payment of say US$700,000. Alpha will then take over the monthly payments and upon the clients, passing will receive the US$1mln. All beneficiaries have to be aware and theres consent; so there are no surprises down the line. Years in the making A secondary market in life settlement assets has been years in the making and has now gathered investment scale. As a result, institutional investors have waded in by investing billions of dollars. Alphas stated aim is to provide specialist services in this particular sector for institutions, family offices, and high net worth investors looking for stable returns. Certainly, its BlackOak Alpha Growth Fund seems to be doing just that. In 2020 it returned a net 10.63% for the calendar year, putting it in the top five of the Barclays yearly hedge fund performance rankings. This success will inevitably breed further success, but it will also help a new senior hire who has been brought to lead the growth in this arena. Key hire flies under the radar Head of business development Michael Malloy has over 20 years experience of in building relationships and growing assets under management - and raised over US$300mln for a fund in his previous role. Observers believe the addition of Malloy and the recent acquisition bode well for the business but add that Sahney and his team probably arent getting the credit they deserve. One source who has followed the company since its start-up told Proactive: Gobind has worked tirelessly for the last two years to build the foundation of a solid business and increase the assets from US$10m a year ago to over US$300mln today.it should lead to a very exciting 12 months for the company. For more information on Alpha and the BlackOak Alpha Growth Fund, click here C3 Metals Inc's (CVE: CCCM) VP of Exploration Steve Hughes discusses with Proactive the start of a geophysical program at the Jasperoide project in Peru to guide deeper drilling of high-grade copper-gold mineralization intersected near the Montana de Cobre zone and to define additional targets for drilling. The program will include an 1,800 line km helicopter-borne magnetic and radiometric survey and a 43 line km ground Induced Polarisation survey. Braxias study will look at the use, safety and efficacy of repeated doses of intravenous ketamine in patients who suffer from bipolar depression The fully-funded, multi-site clinical trial is the largest registered study of its kind in the world Braxia Scientific Corp ( ) ( ) ( ) is set to start the largest registered trial of ketamine treatment for depression with funding from the Canadian government. The psychedelic medicine company announced it was awarded funding from the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR), part of the Government of Canada, to support the clinical trial for bipolar depression. The fully-funded, multi-site clinical trial is the largest registered study of its kind in the world, Braxia said. Braxias study will look at the use, safety and efficacy of repeated doses of intravenous ketamine in patients who suffer from bipolar depression. The study includes 100 participants across two sites: Torontos University Health Network and Braxias Canadian Rapid Treatment Center in Toronto. The company told investors that the governments support will allow research teams led by Braxias Chief Medical and Science Officer Joshua Rosenblat to advance studies to support the pathway to getting ketamine approved as an alternative treatment for bipolar disorder. Currently, there are only two Health Canada-approved treatments for the condition, which affects nearly 3% of the total Canadian population. Nearly two-thirds of patients that receive conventional treatment for bipolar depression do not fully recover, according to Braxia. "As the global COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our communities and our lives, mental health challenges have increased during this time for those with bipolar depression, especially those at high risk of suicide. We are grateful to the Canadian Government for its support of researchers and research conducted at Braxia," Roger McIntyre, CEO, Braxia Scientific said in a statement. "It is anticipated that the results of this rigorous study will replicate and extend separate data published in peer-reviewed journals about ketamine treatment at Braxia, suggesting that ketamine is a safe and effective treatment for persons with bipolar depression." Braxia develops ketamine and psilocybin derivatives and other psychedelic products from its IP development platform. Braxia Scientific, through its wholly owned subsidiary, the Canadian Rapid Treatment Center of Excellence, currently operates multidisciplinary community-based clinics offering rapid-onset treatments for depression located in Mississauga, Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal. Contact Angela at angela@proactiveinvestors.com Follow her on Twitter @AHarmantas The gold explorers flagship asset, Fortuna consists of approximately 55,000 hectares containing 12 contiguous exploration concessions, including the Wayka gold discovery Exploration and field work continue across the Fortuna property with samples being submitted bi-monthly to ALS Chemex Labs in Quito Inc ( ) ( ) (FRA:LKY) said it has received sample assay results from its ongoing work at the Wayka epithermal gold discovery at the Fortuna property in southern Ecuador. The gold explorers flagship asset, Fortuna consists of approximately 55,000 hectares containing 12 contiguous exploration concessions, including the Wayka gold discovery. Recent analyses of rock samples taken from the southern zone of Wayka outlined an area of advanced argillic alteration with outcrops of vuggy silica that measures approximately 800 meters by 1,000 meters and remains open to the south. Within this newly explored area, the company said a rock panel sample returned 4.15 grams per ton (g/t) gold from a siliceous volcanic breccia. The discovery prompted the extension of the alteration zone to the south by approximately 500 meters. We are extremely pleased with the results being returned from our work in the field. Not only have we found the highest gold grade in a surface sample to date at Wayka, but we have also demonstrated the scale of the high-temperature alteration to be of kilometric size," Francois Perron, Lucky Minerals president and CEO said in the release. We look forward to continuing to narrow in our focus on the underlying feeder zones. In total, 51 assay results have been received from ALS Chemex Labs to date, of which 29 chip panel samples not previously released displayed gold above 0.020 g/t. An additional, 83 rock samples have now been submitted for terraspec analyses to determine the type of alteration minerals associated within this mineralized system. These results will assist in identifying potential feeder zones. Exploration and field work continue across the Fortuna property with samples being submitted bi-monthly to ALS Chemex Labs in Quito. Analytical work is then completed at the ALS lab facility in Lima, Peru. Contact the writer at georgia@proactiveinvestors.com Follow her on Twitter @MissInformd Adumbi boasts an inferred resource of 41.32 million tons grading 2.37 grams per ton for 3.15 million ounces of gold SENET, a subsidiary of international contractor DRA Global, is one of Africas leading engineering firms when it comes to mineral processing Loncor Gold Inc ( ) ( ) (FRA:LO51) said it has been awarded a contract to South Africa-based SENET to complete a preliminary economic assessment on the Adumbi gold deposit. Minecon Resources and Services Limited will assist with the geological, mineral resource, mining and environmental studies, including mining capital and operating costs. Located on Loncors flagship Imbo project in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Adumbi boasts an inferred resource of 41.32 million tons grading 2.37 grams per ton (g/t) for 3.15 million ounces of gold. SENET, a subsidiary of international contractor DRA Global, is one of Africas leading engineering firms when it comes to mineral processing. The firm has completed a number of big-ticket contracts such as Barrick Gold and s Kibali mine that is located 220 kilometres from Adumb. SENET will help with metallurgical testwork and design a mineral processing plant and flowsheet, as well as project infrastructure like water, power and tailings. SENET has a major track record in Africa, including the DRC, of undertaking projects from the early study to the EPCM stage and this experience will greatly assist in unlocking the economic potential of the companys Adumbi deposit, Loncor president Peter Crowley said in a statement. We look forward to the completion of the PEA during 4Q of this year. Toronto-based Loncor is currently drilling at Adumbi to add underground ounces below the inferred resource pit shell, where higher grades are being intersected. Loncor is focused on projects in the prolific Ngayu Greenstone Gold Belt in northeast DRC. Contact Angela at angela@proactiveinvestors.com Follow her on Twitter @AHarmantas "It is essential as a scientist that you evolve your opinion and your recommendations based on the data as it evolves. ... And that's the reason why I say people who then criticize me about that are actually criticizing science. That's the way science works. You work with the data you have at the time." Dr. Anthony Fauci Sensex rises by 166.07 points to end at 52,484.67; Nifty advances 42.20 points to 15,722.20. Rupee falls by 19 paise to close at 74.74 (provisional) against US dollar. Three organized criminal group members sentenced to life imprisonment in Russia Moskva city news agency 11:37 17/06/2021 MOSCOW, June 17 (RAPSI) A court in Russia has sentenced three members of an interregional criminal group that committed murders and robberies to life terms, the press service of the Russian Investigative Committee informs RAPSI. The men committed crimes in Moscow, Chelyabinsk, the Moscow and Rostov regions, as well as the Krasnodar Krai. The court found eight members of the gang guilty of committing more than 40 grave and especially grave crimes. Based on the jurys verdict, Dmitry Lesnikov, Dmitry Zavyalov and Radif Faizov were sentenced to life imprisonment in a special regime colony. The rest of the members of the criminal group were sentenced to imprisonment for terms in general and strict regime colonies ranging from 12 to 23 years, the statement reads. Among the gangs victims were persons coming into conflict with its leaders and controlled commercial organizations, according to the case materials. State Duma passes bill obliging media to indicate terrorist organizations banned in Russia RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 16:13 17/06/2021 MOSCOW, June 17 (RAPSI) The State Duma has passed in the third and final reading a bill introducing administrative responsibility for disseminating information about terrorist organizations without indicating that those had been liquidated or activities thereof had been banned in Russia, according to the official website of the lower house of the Russian parliament. Failures to comply with this requirement are to be punished with fines of up to 2,500 rubles (about $35 at the current exchange rate) imposed on journalists and up to 50,000 rubles ($700) imposed on the editorial boards of the media involved, the statement reads. The authors of the initiative are Chair of the Committee on Informational Policy Alexander Khinshtein and First Deputy Chairman of this Committee Sergey Boyarsky. A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. The CBSE, in an affidavit, informed a bench headed by Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and comprising Justice Dinesh Maheshwari that the performance of the students in Class 11 and Class 10 exams will also be factored in while making the assessments for Class 12 students. The CBSE said for Class 12, marks based on unit test/mid-term/pre-board exam will have 40 per cent weightage; Class 11, marks based on the theory component of the final exam will have 30 per cent weightage; and Class 10 marks based on average theory component of the best three performing subjects out of the main 5 subjects will have 30 per cent weightage. The CBSE informed the top court that results for Class 12 will be declared by July 31. Attorney General K.K. Venugopal, representing the CBSE, contended that for Class 12, the marks will be based on unit test/mid-term/pre-board exam and 40 per cent weightage will be given. He added that the total marks awarded should be in consonance with the past performance of the school in Class 12 board examinations. The CBSE finalized the formula after obtaining feedback from 229 Sahodaya School Complex comprising of 7,734 schools and a 13-member committee of experts, comprising of IAS officers and education experts, constituted on June 4. According to the policy, a result committee under the principal of the school will be formed in each school comprising of two senior most PGT from the same school and two PGT from the neighbouring schools. The committee has been given liberty to prepare the result by following the policy. "In case where any candidate is not satisfied with the assessment done, based on the policy, such candidates will be given an opportunity to appear in examinations to be conducted by the Board, when conditions are conducive for holding the examinations. As per this policy, marks scored in the later examination will be considered as final", said the CBSE's affidavit. Elaborating on the criteria for the Class 12 assessment, the CBSE said: "The computation of theory marks for Class 12 will be based on performance in one or more Unit Test(s)/Mid-Term/Pre-Board(s) theory examination. The result committee of the school may decide weightage to be given to each exam based on the credibility and reliability of the assessment. For example, if the committee may be of the considered view that only the Pre-Board exams may be taken into consideration, then full weightage can be given to that component. Similarly, another school result committee may decide to give equal weightage to Pre-Board exams and Mid-Term exams". Computation of Class 12 theory marks will be on the basis of the year end final theory exam in the respective subjects. "Computation of Class 10 theory marks shall be based on average theory marks obtained by the student(s) in best three performing subjects out of the main 5 subjects. This average will be uniformly awarded to all the Class 12 subjects based on theory weightage", added the affidavit. Most counsel appearing for the students concurred with the CBSE assessment plan. CISCE counsel J.K. Das informed the Supreme Court that it will take the performance of students in the last six years while awarding the final marks to Class 12 students. The top court suggested there should be an inbuilt mechanism in the scheme to address grievances of students after the declaration of results. The AG said that he would consult the authorities. The top court said the two boards can go ahead and notify their evaluation schemes after incorporating the suggestions of the court. The top court said it would hear the matter on June 21 again to find out whether any other suggestion could be placed before the CBSE for consideration. The Supreme Court also agreed to hear petitions for the cancellation of state board examinations for Class 12 in the states of Assam, Punjab, Tripura and Andhra Pradesh. A massive fire broke out at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Wednesday night, following which 22 fire tenders were rushed to douse the blaze, fire officials said. A fire official said that a call was received at 10.32 p.m. reporting a fire at the ninth floor of the hospital block near gate number two. "Twenty two fire tenders have been rushed to the spot to douse the flames," the official said. Asked about the cause of the blaze, the official said it is too early to assess the reason. Russian President Vladimir Putin lashed out at the US on arms control, human rights, cyber-attacks, among other issues, after "constructive" talks with his American counterpart Joe Biden. "As for the general assessment, I believe there was no hostility at all," Putin said during his solo press briefing, adding that the meeting, the first of its kind since Biden took office in January, was "open" and with "no pressure of the parties on each other." Putin said that the two sides "differ in many respects" but "showed willingness to understand each other and seek ways to bring the positions closer," and the pivotal face-to-face discussions, held at the 18th century Villa La Grange in Geneva, was "quite constructive", the Xinhua news agency reported. Although the two sides have agreed to allow their ambassadors to return to Moscow and Washington respectively, and to launch a strategic stability dialogue for future arms control and risk reduction measures, the Russian head of state refuted critics against Russia on such issues as policy predictability, human rights and cyber-security. "The West believes that the Russian policy is unpredictable. Well, let me reciprocate. The US withdrawal from the ABM (Anti-Ballistic Missile) Treaty in 2002 wasn't predictable," Putin told journalists. As for human rights issues, Putin cited the Black Lives Matter movement in America, the US attacks in Afghanistan, and the existence of the Guantanamo Bay prison. "One single strike can kill ... (about) 120 people. All right, assuming this was a mistake that happens in a war, but shooting from a drone, (at) an unarmed crowd, clearly the civilian crowd, what is this about? How would you call that? And who's responsible for this?" said Putin. "And how would you call this person? Who is the killer now?" he asked. On cyberattacks, Putin said that it is of vital importance in the world in general, "for the US in particular, and for Russia as well in the same volume." Putin noted that his country has not yet received any response from the US to Russia's dozens of requests regarding cyberattacks so far since last year. While describing the entire meetings as "good and positive", Biden somehow warned at his separate press conference that he will "take action" if the US continues to be interfered by other countries during its presidential elections. "I made it clear that we will not tolerate attempts to violate our democratic sovereignty or destabilize our democratic elections, and we would respond," Biden said. "The bottom line as I told President Putin was that we need to have some basic rules...that we can all abide by." The US President added that he gave his Russian counterpart a list of 16 specific entities, ranging from the energy sector to water systems, which were defined by the US as critical infrastructures and should be off-limits to attack by cyber or any other means. "The last thing he (Putin) wants now is a Cold War with the US... I don't think he's looking for a Cold War with the US," he said. However, Putin attributed the worsening of bilateral relations to the American side. "All steps in regard to the deterioration in the Russian-American relations were not initiated by us, and they were taken by the American side," he said. "On the whole, we do realise what our American partners speak about, and they know well what we speak about, when it comes to the so-called 'red lines'," Putin said. "But I must sincerely say that we are still far from making emphases and starting to make divisions." Although the two sides discussed a wide range of issues from climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic, arms control, cyberattacks, to regional conflicts in Ukraine and Syria, a joint statement from both sides focused on a bilateral strategic stability dialogue for future arms control and risk reduction measures. The two nuclear powers have "demonstrated that, even in periods of tension, they are able to make progress on our shared goals of ensuring predictability in the strategic sphere, reducing the risk of armed conflicts and the threat of nuclear war," said the statement. As "a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought," the two sides "will embark together on an integrated bilateral Strategic Stability Dialogue in the near future," seeking to "lay the groundwork for future arms control and risk reduction measures," it said. Edison, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/17/2021 -- Latest released the research study on Global Agriculture Crop Insurance Market, offers a detailed overview of the factors influencing the global business scope. Agriculture Crop Insurance Market research report shows the latest market insights with upcoming trends and breakdown of the products and services. The report provides key statistics on the market status, size, share, growth factors of the Agriculture Crop Insurance. The study covers emerging player's data, including: competitive situation, sales, revenue and global market share of top manufacturers are: Zurich American Insurance Co. (United States), Chubb Limited (United States), QBE Insurance (Australia), China United Property Insurance (China), American Financial Group (United States), Prudential Financial (United States), AXA SA (France), Everest Re Group (Bermuda), Sompo Holdings Inc. (Japan), CGB (United States), Agriculture Insurance Company of India (India), ICICI Lombard (India). Free Sample Report + All Related Graphs & Charts @ : https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/sample-report/25131-global-agriculture-crop-insurance-market Definition: Agriculture is the mainstay of various economies including India, Brazil, China, United States, South Korea etc. and considered to be a catalyst for the overall economic development of the nation. Numerous countries' governments have entered into a partnership with private crop insurance providers indemnify the insured against losses which occur during the crop year. Crop insurance is considered as a risk management tool for farmers in both emerging and emerged economies. As per World Bank, demand for food will increase by 70% by 2050, at least 80 billion dollar annual investments will be needed to meet this demand. In the current scenario, only a fraction of farmers opt for crop insurance because of its irregular payouts in developing nations. According to the World Bank, agriculture finance empowers poor farmers to increase their wealth and food production to be able to feed 9 billion people by 2050 Analyst at AMA have conducted special survey and have connected with opinion leaders and Industry experts from various region to minutely understand impact on growth as well as local reforms to fight the situation. A special chapter in the study presents Impact Analysis of COVID-19 on Global Agriculture Crop Insurance Market along with tables and graphs related to various country and segments showcasing impact on growth trends. Market Trend - Increased Sustainable Productivity, Particularly Through Climate-Smart Approaches Market Drivers - Surging Demand of Food, its Flexibility and Availability - Stringent Rules and Regulations Regarding Agriculture Crop Insurance Opportunities - Increasing Client Understanding About Insurance to Improve Claims and Payout - Developing Economies - Significant Investments Made by Local Bodies to Provide Insurance Against Potential Risk for Crop Failure Challenges - The Limited Availability of Insurance Products that Meet the Needs of Poor and Low-Income Farmers - Insufficiently Funding by Government Scheme - Lack of Policy Clarity as to Role of MNOs Serving as Insurance Agents The Global Agriculture Crop Insurance Market segments and Market Data Break Down are illuminated below: by Type (Crop/MPCI Insurance, Crop/Hail Insurance, Livestock Insurance, Others), Application (Agencies, Brokers, Bancassurance, Digital & Direct Channel) Enquire for customization in Report @: https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/enquiry-before-buy/25131-global-agriculture-crop-insurance-market Region Included are: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Oceania, South America, Middle East & Africa Country Level Break-Up: United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, South Africa, Nigeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Germany, United Kingdom (UK), the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Austria, Turkey, Russia, France, Poland, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, China, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, India, Australia and New Zealand etc. What benefits does AMA research studies provides? - Latest industry influencing trends and development scenario - Open up New Markets - To Seize powerful market opportunities - Key decision in planning and to further expand market share - Identify Key Business Segments, Market proposition & Gap Analysis - Assisting in allocating marketing investments Strategic Points Covered in Table of Content of Global Agriculture Crop Insurance Market: Chapter 1: Introduction, market driving force product Objective of Study and Research Scope the Agriculture Crop Insurance market Chapter 2: Exclusive Summary the basic information of the Agriculture Crop Insurance Market. Chapter 3: Displaying the Market Dynamics- Drivers, Trends and Challenges of the Agriculture Crop Insurance Chapter 4: Presenting the Agriculture Crop Insurance Market Factor Analysis, Post COVID Impact Analysis, Porters Five Forces, Supply/Value Chain, PESTEL analysis, Market Entropy, Patent/Trademark Analysis. Chapter 5: Displaying the by Type, End User and Region/Country 2015-2020 Chapter 6: Evaluating the leading manufacturers of the Agriculture Crop Insurance market which consists of its Competitive Landscape, Peer Group Analysis, BCG Matrix & Company Profile Chapter 7: To evaluate the market by segments, by countries and by Manufacturers/Company with revenue share and sales by key countries in these various regions (2021-2026) Chapter 8 & 9: Displaying the Appendix, Methodology and Data Source Finally, Agriculture Crop Insurance Market is a valuable source of guidance for individuals and companies in their decision framework. Get More Information: https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/reports/25131-global-agriculture-crop-insurance-market Key questions answered Who are the Leading key players and what are their Key Business plans in the Global Agriculture Crop Insurance market? What are the key concerns of the five forces analysis of the Global Agriculture Crop Insurance market? What are different prospects and threats faced by the dealers in the Global Agriculture Crop Insurance market? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors? Definitively, this report will give you an unmistakable perspective on every single reality of the market without a need to allude to some other research report or an information source. Our report will give all of you the realities about the past, present, and eventual fate of the concerned Market. Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia. About Advance Market Analytics Advance Market Analytics is Global leaders of Market Research Industry provides the quantified B2B research to Fortune 500 companies on high growth emerging opportunities which will impact more than 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Our Analyst is tracking high growth study with detailed statistical and in-depth analysis of market trends & dynamics that provide a complete overview of the industry. We follow an extensive research methodology coupled with critical insights related industry factors and market forces to generate the best value for our clients. We Provides reliable primary and secondary data sources, our analysts and consultants derive informative and usable data suited for our clients business needs. The research study enable clients to meet varied market objectives a from global footprint expansion to supply chain optimization and from competitor profiling to M&As. Northbrook, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/17/2021 -- The report "Cooler Box Market by Type (Disposable, Reusable), Raw Material (Polyurethane Foam, EPS, EPP, XPS, Others), End-Use Industry (Pharmaceuticals, Food & Beverages) and Region - Global Forecast to 2025" The cooler box market is projected to grow from USD 4.6 billion in 2020 to USD 8.1 billion by 2025, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.1% during the forecast period. Growth in the pharmaceutical industry, ongoing COVID-19 vaccination drives, technological advancements in the cooler box industry for the transportation of processed and fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and other perishable food products are contributing to the growth of the cooler box market. Download PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=214662409 Based on type, reusable cooler box segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The reusable cooler box segment accounted for the larger share of the cooler box market in 2019. Reusable cooler boxes available in the consumer market are becoming more robust in terms of their exterior, with hard shells being deployed in comparison to the cardboard and foam of disposable cooler boxes. These cooler boxes are primarily used in the pharmaceutical industry, wherein maintaining the temperature of products for a longer time is a critical factor. PU Foam is expected to be the fastest-growing raw material segment of the cooler box market. PU foam segment accounted for the larger share of the cooler box market in 2019. This raw material segment is expected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period. PU foam has the lowest thermal conductivity among insulation materials, which enables space saving by using lower insulation thickness while achieving the same insulation efficiency as with other materials. This is especially important in space-limited cold chain logistics. Speak to Analyst @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalystNew.asp?id=214662409 Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing regional segment in the cooler box market. The cooler box market in the Asia Pacific region is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. China, Japan, South Korea, and India are the key countries contributing to the high demand for cooler boxes in the Asia Pacific region. Availability of cheap labor and raw materials has resulted in making Asia Pacific a preferred region for manufacturing facilities of cooler boxes. This makes Asia Pacific the fastest-growing region of the cooler box market. Some of the leading players operating in the cooler box market include Sonoco ThermoSafe (US), B Medical Systems (Luxembourg), Blowkings (India), ISONOVA (Italy), Eurobox Logistics (Romania), Softbox Systems Ltd. (UK), va-Q-tec AG (Germany), Coldchain Technologies, Inc. (US), Sofrigam Group (France) and FEURER GmbH (Germany). COVID-19 Impact on the Global Cooler Box Market The cooler box market includes major Tier I and II companies like Sonoco ThermoSafe (US), B Medical Systems (Luxembourg), Blowkings (India), ISONOVA (Italy), Eurobox Logistics (Romania), Nilkamal Ltd. (India), AOV International LLP (India), Cool Ice Box Co Ltd (UK), Apex International (India), Softbox Systems Ltd. (UK), va-Q-tec AG (Germany), Coldchain Technologies, Inc. (US), Sofrigam Group (France), FEURER GmbH (Germany), ORCA Coolers (US), Cold Chain Controls (India), CIP Industries CC (South Africa), Igloo Coolers (US), Liderkit (Spain), YETI Coolers, LLC (US), Dhruvraj Syndicate (India), MB Plastic Industries (India), Rollawaycontainer (Italy), K2 coolers (US), Grizzly Coolers LLC (US), Koolatron (Canada), Coleman Company, Inc.(US),Cambro (US), Engel Coolers (US), Harwal Group of Companies (UAE), Polar Tech Industries Inc. (US), Embalex S.L.U., and AUCMA Company Limited (China). These suppliers have their manufacturing facilities spread across various countries across Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East & Africa. COVID-19 has impacted their businesses as well. - In December 2020, B Medical Systems announced the establishment of a new manufacturing factory in Gujarat, India. This facility is projected to cater the increasing demand for medically certified vaccine cold chain products in India. This is expected to help the country reinforce the critical cold chain required to deliver COVID-19 vaccines. In November 2020, Coldchain Technologies Inc. opened a new facility in Lebanon, Tennessee (US) to increase the production of reusable and single-use passive thermal boxes to meet the unprecedented demand for the delivery of the COVID-19 vaccine to the public. - In October 2020, Va-Q-Tec AG expanded its TempChain service network in Scotland and the US. The expansion of the network is expected to further optimize the global availability of va-Q-tec's container and box rental fleet. Get 10% Customization on this Report @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=214662409 About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve. MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledgestore" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA : 1-888-600-6441 sales@marketsandmarkets.com London, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/17/2021 -- First Collect International (FCI) is associated with streamlined, professional overdue account collection solutions. The London based company is comfortable working on multiple accounts simultaneously across 130 countries through a network of partners and associates. The focus is on reducing the client's debtor days significantly through ethical and legal means. FCI prefers applying Directive 2000/35/EC of the European Parliament to ensure the debtor contributes to the collection costs and interest at 7 points exceeding the rate specified by ECB. That typically translates to international collections at an actual price to the client of a few percentage points. The spokesperson at First Collect International recently stated, "FCI has been around for over four decades, serving the world's leading corporations, credit insurance companies, international debt collection services providers, law firms, debt purchasers, utilities, accountancy firms, and more. We have handled upwards of 79,000 claims worth $700,000,000 with 300% higher collection rates than the competition. Per an ACA study, FCI's average collections were at $1.5 Million per collector, while the industry average languished at $497000. Also, we are recommended by Berne Union Members, and an active member of CSA, ACA, LIC and IACC." FCI is led by ex-credit managers of the world's leading corporations, including Hertz Car Rental, Exxon Mobil Oil Company, Conoco Oil Company, Europcar Mobility and more. The company has expanded its execution capabilities to 130 financial markets worldwide, including the UK, Africa, France, South America, Germany, Italy, Holland, Russia, and Spain. Over the years, FCI's service portfolio, too, couldn't stay immune to expansion. Besides Sovereign Debt Recovery & Purchase, the company also delivers specialist services, such as Asset Disposal, and Dispute Resolution, International Credit Reporting and Terms & Conditions Review, and more. On debt recovery in Italy, the spokesperson further stated, "As the top debt collection company in Italy, FCI has set precedents in service delivery. We do whatever it takes for quick, efficient and economic collections in line with the Italian and international laws and ethical standards. Our methods are hands-on, tailored to each client and each situation. We have put together a team of local lawyers, agents and other professionals in Italy. They are intimate with the local language, financial markets, and legal and compliance requirements. That shows up in the results we have been producing, day in and day out for the past forty years." FCI initiates the recovery process immediately upon receiving the debtor's details, such as full name and address, contact numbers, email ID, overdue amount and more. The debtor is approached through registered mails, phone and in-person. If it all goes in vain, FCI can initiate legal proceedings through a team of lawyers on its payroll. The company backs each account with a 'No Result, No Fee service' guarantee. Depending on the age, size and location of debt, the fee is competitive. For volume collections, FCI charges as low as 3%. About First Collect International First Collect International is the leading debt collection company with over four decades of experience and a terrific track record. The company's expertise includes international tracing, credit reporting, terms and conditions review, sovereign debt recovery and purchase, asset disposal and dispute resolution. Presently, FCI is the only stop needed for businesses seeking a debt recovery agency in Italy. Contact Information: First Collect Inc 34-36 High Road, South Woodford, London E18 2TX United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)20 8532 9637 Fax: +44 (0)20 8532 9638 Website: www.firstcollect.com Boca Raton, FL -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/17/2021 -- GovernmentAuction.com is a private company that works closely with various government agencies to find and purchase parcels of land in bulk. They run and manage an online auction platform where individuals can bid for government land for sale. The company buys the lands from the state, county, and city governments through bankruptcies, foreclosures, tax lien sales, surplus land, and liquidation sales. They purchase them at incredible prices and provide them to clients at up to 60 percent savings. With them, there's never a need to pre-qualify, and they guarantee an easy, smooth transaction. Answering a query, the company spokesperson said, "Yes, on our online land auction platform, clients will find a variety of government surplus empty land for sale and government foreclosures or farmland being auctioned as a straight sale. Clients will find auctions of government farm and ranch land located in areas established specifically for this use, such as Colorado, Wyoming, and Texas. Furthermore, if one is interested in building a retirement or vacation home, we also offer properties in popular retirement and vacation areas such as Florida, Hawaii, Arizona, and California. To learn more, clients can contact us." Wyoming has plenty to offer to investors. Majority of citizens residing in the state work in the farming or ranching industry. The state is tied for third in United States production of wool and ranks fourth in the production of sheep and lambs. The majority of cattle raised in the state are grass-fed on the state's rolling plains, producing a higher-quality meat product than grain-fed herds from other locations. The lands used in Wyoming for farming and ranching produce a variety of foods. All these imply that lands in Wyoming are favorable for livestock keeping and agriculture. To buy land for sale in Wyoming for farming or ranching, clients can visit GovernmentAuction.com's online auction platform. Clients will find a vast selection of discounted government surplus land for sale at incredible prices. Most of their lands for farming sell very cheap and, in fact, below the retail value. Responding to an inquiry on whether one can use a credit card to make payment, the company spokesperson said, "Yes. In fact, paying with a credit card is the easiest and preferred method of paying for the land one buys from our online land auction platform. So, clients can use a credit card to buy land from us in one single payment, or they can finance their sales and use their credit cards to make their monthly payments. We accept MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover credit cards." Buying land from GovernmentAuction.com is an excellent opportunity for investors to diversify their investment portfolio and invest in government surplus land at substantial savings. Since the company is run and managed by the most experienced individuals, clients are assured of having access to the best land deals across the US. Their platform is secure and transparent. The company's parcel of government surplus land for sale ranges in size from less than one acre lots to 640 acres. Typically, all the lands are sold with a guaranteed free and clear title. Those wanting to know how to buy land for sale on the company's online auction platform can contact the company. About GovernmentAuction.com GovernmentAuction.com is one of the top and most reputable online surplus land auction companies in the United States. To know about land for sale in Colorado, clients can contact the company. Contact Details GovernmentAuction.com 3914 NW 53rd St. Boca Raton, FL 33496-2704 Telephone: (661) 823-1543 Email: chrisb@governmentauction.com Website: https://www.governmentauction.com/ Edison, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/17/2021 -- Latest released the research study on Global Muesli bars Market, offers a detailed overview of the factors influencing the global business scope. Muesli bars Market research report shows the latest market insights, current situation analysis with upcoming trends and breakdown of the products and services. The report provides key statistics on the market status, size, share, growth factors of the Muesli bars. The study covers emerging player's data, including: competitive landscape, sales, revenue and global market share of top manufacturers are Kellogg Company (United States),General Mills, Inc. (United States),Quaker Oats Co. (United States),NestlA SA (Switzerland),Clif Bar (United States),Atkins Nutritionalas (United States),Kashi (United States),General Mills (United States),McKee Foods (United States),Pharmavite. (United States),Naturell (India). Free Sample Report + All Related Graphs & Charts @: https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/sample-report/150480-global-muesli-bars-market Definition: Muesli bars contains ingredients such as ats, nuts, seeds, free-range eggs and extra virgin olive oil that will provide a healthy snack. It is inexpensive convenient and can be a good source of vitamins, minerals and fiber. However, majority of the time they are full of added sugar and are too low in fiber to keep the individual full for long. Due to these benefits and healthy ingredients the demand of muesli bars is increasing among the health-conscious individuals. Analyst at AMA have conducted special survey and have connected with opinion leaders and Industry experts from various region to minutely understand impact on growth as well as local reforms to fight the situation. A special chapter in the study presents Impact Analysis of COVID-19 on Global Muesli bars Market along with tables and graphs related to various country and segments showcasing impact on growth trends. Market Trend: Changing Lifestyle of Consumers Market Drivers: Increasing Demand for Convenience Food Health Benefits of Muesli Bars Challenges: Lack of Awareness Among the Consumers Opportunities: Increasing Disposable Income in Developing Economies Increasing Health Consciousness Among the Consumers The Global Muesli bars Market segments and Market Data Break Down are illuminated below: by Type (Snacks Bar, Energy & Nutrition Bar), Distribution channel (Online, Convenience store, Supermarkets) Enquire for customization in Report @: https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/enquiry-before-buy/150480-global-muesli-bars-market Region Included are: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Oceania, South America, Middle East & Africa Country Level Break-Up: United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, South Africa, Nigeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Germany, United Kingdom (UK), the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Austria, Turkey, Russia, France, Poland, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, China, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, India, Australia and New Zealand etc. What benefits does AMA research study is going to provide? - Latest industry influencing trends and development scenario - Open up New Markets - To Seize powerful market opportunities - Key decision in planning and to further expand market share - Identify Key Business Segments, Market proposition & Gap Analysis - Assisting in allocating marketing investments Strategic Points Covered in Table of Content of Global Muesli bars Market:? Chapter 1: Introduction, market driving force product Objective of Study and Research Scope the Muesli bars market Chapter 2: Exclusive Summary the basic information of the Muesli bars Market. Chapter 3: Displaying the Market Dynamics- Drivers, Trends and Challenges of the Muesli bars Chapter 4: Presenting the Muesli bars Market Factor Analysis Porters Five Forces, Supply/Value Chain, PESTEL analysis, Market Entropy, Patent/Trademark Analysis. Chapter 5: Displaying market size by Type, End User and Region 2015-2020 Chapter 6: Evaluating the leading manufacturers of the Muesli bars market which consists of its Competitive Landscape, Peer Group Analysis, BCG Matrix & Company Profile Chapter 7: To evaluate the market by segments, by countries and by manufacturers with revenue share and sales by key countries (2021-2026). Chapter 8 & 9: Displaying the Appendix, Methodology and Data Source Finally, Muesli bars Market is a valuable source of guidance for individuals and companies in decision framework. Get More Information: https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/reports/150480-global-muesli-bars-market Key questions answered - Who are the Leading key players and what are their Key Business plans in the Global Muesli bars market? - What are the key concerns of the five forces analysis of the Global Muesli bars market? - What are different prospects and threats faced by the dealers in the Global Muesli bars market? - What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors? Definitively, this report will give you an unmistakable perspective on every single reality of the market without a need to allude to some other research report or an information source. Our report will give all of you the realities about the past, present, and eventual fate of the concerned Market. Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia. Edison, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/17/2021 -- Advance Market Analytics published a new research publication on "Orthodontics Market Insights, to 2026" with 232 pages and enriched with self-explained Tables and charts in presentable format. In the Study you will find new evolving Trends, Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities generated by targeting market stakeholders. The growth of the Orthodontics market is mainly driven by the increasing R&D spending across the world. Scope of the Report of Orthodontics An increase in the aging population and a surge in the prevalence of dental diseases boost the growth of the global orthodontics market. The brackets segment occupied the largest share in the orthodontics industry, owing to an increase in concerns for facial aesthetics. The rise in focus of vendors on emerging markets, such as Asia-Pacific and LAMEA, is expected to boost the market growth. Owing to an increase in the incidence of dental disorders, a rise in the geriatric population, and government support to spread awareness about oral hygiene boosting the market in the forecasted period. In Sept 2020, River Valley Smile Center, a leading dental practice in Fort Smith, Ark., is teaming up with Roblee Orthodontics, an established orthodontics clinic in Fayetteville, Ark., to now offer their patients orthodontic services under one umbrella. Paired with the teamas commitment to their patients and making each person feel comfortable, the partnership is another reason why River Valley Smile Center is one of the regionas most reliable and preferred dental teams. Some of the key players profiled in the study are: A-Dec, Inc.(United States),3M Company (United States),Align Technology (United States),American Orthodontics (United States),Danaher Corporation (United States),Dentaurum (United States),Dentsply International, Inc.(United States),G&H Orthodontics (United States),Henry Schein, Inc. (United States),Rocky Mountain Orthodontics (United States),Midmark Corporation (United States) The titled segments and sub-section of the market are illuminated below: Type (Brackets (Fixed and Removable), Anchorage Appliances (Bands & Buccal Tubes and Miniscrews), Ligatures (Elastomeric Ligatures and Wire Ligatures), Archwires), Application (Adults, Children, Teenagers), End User (HospitalA , Dental ClinicA , Others) Get Free Exclusive PDF Sample Copy of This Research @ https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/sample-report/98842-global-orthodontics-market The Orthodontics Market report provides a basic overview of the industry including its definition, geography segment, end use/application segment and competitor segment and manufacturing technology. Then, the report explores the international major industry players in detail. Market Trends: Ongoing Research and Development in Orthodontics Rising Adoption of Digital Dentistry Market Drivers: Rising Number of People Opting for Orthodontic Procedures Increasing Prevalence of Dental Disorders Challenges: Risks and Adverse Effects Associated with Orthodontic Treatment Opportunities: Improving Healthcare Infrastructure leading to Favorable Reimbursement Policies Growth Opportunities in Emerging Countries Region Included are: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Oceania, South America, Middle East & Africa Country Level Break-Up: United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, South Africa, Nigeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Germany, United Kingdom (UK), the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Austria, Turkey, Russia, France, Poland, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, China, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, India, Australia and New Zealand etc. Have Any Questions Regarding Orthodontics Market Report, Ask Our Experts@ https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/enquiry-before-buy/98842-global-orthodontics-market Strategic Points Covered in Table of Content of Orthodontics Market: Chapter 1: Introduction, market driving force product Objective of Study and Research Scope the Orthodontics market Chapter 2: Exclusive Summary the basic information of the Orthodontics Market. Chapter 3: Displaying the Market Dynamics- Drivers, Trends and Challenges of the Orthodontics Chapter 4: Presenting the Orthodontics Market Factor Analysis Porters Five Forces, Supply/Value Chain, PESTEL analysis, Market Entropy, Patent/Trademark Analysis. Chapter 5: Displaying the by Type, End User and Region Chapter 6: Evaluating the leading manufacturers of the Orthodontics market which consists of its Competitive Landscape, Peer Group Analysis, BCG Matrix & Company Profile Chapter 7: To evaluate the market by segments, by countries and by manufacturers with revenue share and sales by key countries in these various regions. Chapter 8 & 9: Displaying the Appendix, Methodology and Data Source Research Methodology: - The top-down and bottom-up approaches are used to estimate and validate the size of the global Orthodontics market. - In order to reach an exhaustive list of functional and relevant players who offer Orthodontics various industry classification standards are closely followed such as NAICS, ICB, SIC to penetrate deep in important geographies. - Thereafter, a thorough validation test is conducted to reach most relevant players specifically having product line i.e. Orthodontics. - In order to make priority list sorting is done based on revenue generation as per latest reporting with the help of paid databases such as Factiva, Bloomberg etc. - Finally, the questionnaire is set and specifically designed to address all the necessities for primary data collection after getting prior appointment. This helps us to gather the data for the players' revenue, profit, products, growth etc. - Almost 80% of data is collected through primary medium and further validation is done through various secondary sources that includes Regulators, World Bank, Association, Company Website, Annual reports, press releases etc. Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @ https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/reports/98842-global-orthodontics-market Try a limited scope research document specific to Country or Regional matching your objective. GET FULL COPY OF United States Orthodontics market study @ --------- USD 2000 And, Europe Orthodontics market study @ --------- USD 2500 Note In order to provide more accurate market forecast, all our reports will be updated before delivery by considering the impact of COVID-19. (*If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.) Contact Us: Craig Francis (PR & Marketing Manager) AMA Research & Media LLP Unit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJ New Jersey USA 08837 Phone: +1 (206) 317 1218 sales@advancemarketanalytics.com Page Content The Government of St. Maarten, through the Office of Disaster Management, hosted a conference at the Government Administration Building with VNG International, the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (Vereniging van Nederlandse Gemeenten) and communication and public relations personnel and officers from the Department of Communication, the Ministers cabinet, and various branches of the Emergency Support Function (ESF) members. The name of the conference is: Crisis communications for Communications advisors, PR officers and DCOMM and the training was provided by the VNG organization, which represents since 1950 all Dutch municipalities, including, since 1995, the public bodies Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba as well as the constituent countries of Aruba, St. Maarten, and Curacao. VNGs general goal, according to their website, is to support and promote the strength and quality of local administrations and facilitates municipalities with the exchange of knowledge and experience regarding the implementation of national and local policies. The aim of the conference on St. Maarten is to work along and assist with disasters and crisis communication issues. Secretary General of the Ministry of General Affairs, mr. Hensley Plantijn, provided some opening remarks to the session. After Hurricane Irma, we realized again that communication is vital to the whole organizational structure of Government. To preserve the integrity of Government, corrective, clear, and informative communication messages had to go out to the public in a timely and accurate manner to information the general public about the current crisis situation. This conference serves as a team building exercise among different communication organizations that will be keep working together. The fact that you reserve your time to participate, is highly appreciated, and shows that you all understand the importance of accurate information be provided to the community, Plantijn said. VNG (International) members Anke Hendriks and Esther Lans, who moderated and facilitated the conference training, were honored to be part of this unique first conference for all the communication professionals on Sint Maarten who share the responsibility of informing the public and stakeholders during crises. We were impressed by the level of professionalism and the collective ambition to expand collaboration between communication professionals. We are confident that these professionals will form a solid network for crisis communications on Sint Maarten. Being stronger together means sharing knowledge and learning together, and this conference today has laid the foundations. The conference focused on key principles of crisis management; explored different experiences and perspectives and the ramifications thereof; stipulated possibilities for future collaboration All in all, the conference was a success, Maurice Lake, Head of the Department of Communication, said at the end of the conference. I am glad for the contribution of Anke Hendriks and Esther Lans of VNG International and of all the participants here today. We shall continue as ever before in providing up-to-date and accurate information to the public of St. Maarten. Present at the conference were members from the different Government communication sectors, Vaccine Management Team, St. Maarten Medical Center, Police, National Detectives, Airport, Port, Prosecutors office, NRPB/National Recovery Bureau, GEBE, Tourism Board, and the DCOMM. Meet the Bengaluru 'radio man' who's teaching thousands of students about ham radio, Morse code Thought that radio comms were obsolete in the age of the smartphone? Well, next time there's a disaster, you should know who may just end up saving lives During disasters like earthquakes or floods, the first thing that goes kaput is the power. Mobile networks tumble next. Cut off from our hyper-connected world, you'd think that there's no way to communicate till your cell phones comes back to life, right? Dead wrong. Ham radios have existed as a mode of communication for decades. And the humble ham radio and its amateur operators have played a part during the pandemic too. The credit for pruning the ham radio culture in Bengaluru goes to Dr S Sathyapal, whose call sign is VU2FI. An avid ham radio operator who has trained thousands of youngsters to operate the device and the Q codes used to communicate, he is also the moving force behind the Indian Institute of Hams (IIH). In April 2020, when the COVID-19 cases were rising, Dr S Sathyapal got a call from a bureaucrat to set up a ham radio station in the CM's war room, which he rushed and got done. "We started establishing contact with operators across the country on a defined frequency. We would help people from Karnataka if they were stuck in different states or had some issue related to COVID-19. For instance, once there was a KSRTC bus returning from Gujarat with a team of doctors. They weren't able to find food as all the hotels were closed. We alerted the Pune network to deliver water and food packets to them. I will not say that we played a major role in handling the COVID situation but it was like a drop of water in a ocean," explains Sathyapal happily. This year too, the operators haven't remained idle. As soon as they got a call from the government, they established a ham radio station at one of the command centres in Bengaluru. "The main idea to establish a radio station in the command centre was to assist the task force and see that people don't stand in queues or suffer for a long time to perform last rites. We would monitor 16 crematoriums using nearly 30 ham radio operators, who lived there and would relay info," explains Sathyapal. Read the full story at https://www.edexlive.com/people/2021/jun/16/meet-the-bengaluru-radio-man-whos-teaching-thousands-of-students-about-ham-radio-morse-code-21731.html Parsippany Emergency Management hosting amateur radio event In New Jersey, Parsippany's Office of Emergency Management and about 40K in North America will communicate via ham radios in the Field Day Challenge. Video can't kill the amateur-radio star. Later this month, Parsippany's Office of Emergency Management and thousands of others around the continent will have their day in the Field Day Challenge. The office's Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) Communications Team will participate in the Field Day Challenge. The National Association of Amateur Radio's annual event gets about 40,000 hams throughout North America setting up temporary transmitting stations in public places. Parsippany officials will set up from 2 p.m. June 26 to 2 p.m. June 27 in Jannarone Park. The public is encouraged to visit. During the 24-hour event, Parsippany RACES members will contact fellow radio operators throughout the world. The RACES mission as stipulated by FEMA is to augment or, if necessary, temporarily replace damaged or destroyed governmental communications infrastructure during times of crisis. Find out more here about RACES or volunteering with the Office of Emergency Management. Or contact Director Eric Hubner at ehubner@parsippany.net. https://patch.com/new-jersey/parsippany/parsippany-emergency-management-hosting-amateur-radio-event New York (United Nations) 17 June 2021 (SPS)- Mozambique called on the UN General Assemblys Committee on Decolonisation (C-24) to fully assume its responsibilty towards the Saharawi people with a view to enable them exercise their right to self-determination and independence, in a statement delivered last Monday before the meeting of the C-24 in New York. The statement delivered by the First Secretary of the Mozambican Embassy, Mr. Inacio Virgilio, stressed the Mozambiques firm belief that the right to self-determination and independence is an inalienable fundamental right to all peoples in the World. For this, the Mozambican diplomat adds, Mozambique continues to support efforts aimed at finding the acceptable solution to allow the people of Western Sahara to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination and independence, in accordance with the General Assembly resolution 1514. following is the full text of the statement as dilivered Monday 14 June 2021: Statement by: Mr. INACIO VIRGILIO, Firs Secretary The meeting of the Special Committee on the situation with regards to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples NEW YORK, 14 JUNE 2021 Chairperson, At the outset, I would like to congratulate you and the entire Bureau for the excellent manner in which you have been presiding over our deliberations. We assure you the full cooperation of Mozambique. I would also like to acknowledge the comprehensive working paper prepared by the Secretariat on the Western Sahara which we studied with keen interest. Chairperson, The third International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism (2011-2020), declared by the UN General Assembly, has just ended. Despite all efforts that have been carried out, there are still 17 non-self-governing territories to be decolonized. This includes the Western Sahara. Mozambique strongly believes that the right to self-determination and independence is an inalienable fundamental right to all peoples in the World, as clearly enshrined in the UN Charter and other important documents of our Organization. It is in this context that Mozambique continues to support efforts aimed at finding the acceptable solution to allow the people of Western Sahara to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination and independence, in accordance with the General Assembly resolution 1514. The lack of progress, three decades after the resolution establishing the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), is an unfortunate situation which perpetuates the suffering and deterioration of conditions of the people of Western Sahara. Therefore, Mozambique calls on the Special Committee on Decolonization to assume its full and effective responsibility towards the self-determination of Western Sahara. Mozambique also calls upon Morocco and the Frente Polisario to resume negotiations towards finding a lasting, fair and sustainable solution. While supporting the international efforts to find peaceful and lasting solution to the question of Western Sahara, Mozambique would like to reiterate the importance of the role of the African Union in addressing this issue. We consider that the two parties, members of our continental organization, should give high priority to the decisions adopted by the African Union. Chairperson, As I conclude, I would like to reiterate Mozambiques support to the global efforts for the settlement of the Question of Western Sahara, in compliance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and the provisions of international law. I thank you. (SPS) 090/500/60 (SPS) All is possible in a country where money buys everything, and may convert clearly and visibly intended cast votes either as invalid or as a vote for the opponent. by Peter Koenig On 28 July 2021, Peru, with her 33 million inhabitants, celebrates 200 years of Independence. The People of Peru may have chosen this Bicentennial celebration, to bring about a drastic change to their foreign and national oligarchy-run country. In a neck-on-neck national election run-off on 6 June 2021, the socialist Pedro Castillo, a humble primary school professor from rural Cajamarca, a Northern Peruvian Province, rich in mining resources, but also in agricultural land, seems to be winning by a razor thin margin of less than 100,000 votes against the oligarch-supported Keiko Fujimori, daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori, currently in prison or rather house arrest for ill-health for corruption and crimes against humanity during his presidency 1990-2000. Election results have been considered as fair by the pro-US, pro-capitalist Organization of American States (OAS). The same organization that supported the post-election US-instigated coup against Evo Morales in November 2019. Either they have learned a lesson of ethics, or there were too many international observers watching over OASs election observations. Or, as a third option, Washington may have yet a different agenda for this part of their backyard. Keiko Fujimori, before becoming a Presidential candidate she was in prison under preventive arrest, while under investigation into corruption and human rights abuse. She is currently collecting millions from her ruling-class elite supporters and spending her own ill-begotten money to turn the election result around. Ten days after the elections, there has no definite result been published yet. For Keiko becoming President is not only a question of power, it is also a question of freedom under government immunity, or back to prison, at least until the investigation into her alleged crimes is completed. All is possible in a country where money buys everything, and may convert clearly and visibly intended cast votes either as invalid or as a vote for the opponent. This is Peru, but to be sure, election fraud happens even in the most sophisticated countries, including in Perus North American neighbor, who pretends to run the world. However, should this turn-around happen, Keiko Fujimori and her capitalist supporters are working so hard to achieve, the country risks a civil war. Because this is the moment for the vast majority of Peruvians that they have been waiting for; those Peruvians that have always been considered as non-people by the oligarchy. They should now finally get their justice, get their piece of the very rich pie that is Peru. After two hundred years of an oligarchy-ruled nation, this mostly silent majority truly deserves a break. They were good enough to work, to rake in the millions from low paid, health-risky mining jobs, from low-paid agriculture work, from living lives at the margin by discrimination from their white capitalist rulers. No more. Pedro Castillo is one of us. Looking back in history just blending in a few landmark moments. The 1989 Washington Consensus that not only coincidentally preceded the collapse of the Soviet Union, but more importantly perhaps for the Global South, it meant the rolling out in warp speed of neoliberal politics and economics, the enslavement of the Global South into poverty many of them into extreme poverty. There was no escaping. The IMF, World Bank FED and all related so-called regional development banks played along. Why is it that Peru is so different in how they treat their natives, the so-called indigenous people, the original landowners of their country, if you will, so different from, for example, neighboring Bolivia, Ecuador and even Colombia? And why do these discriminated lesser people react so different in Peru than they do in neighboring countries? It is my guess that it has a lot to do with the Kingdom of Spain officially creating on 18 August 1521 (500 years ago by coincidence?) the Kingdom of New Spain in what today is Peru. It later became the first one of four Viceroyalties Spain created in the Americas. Ever since Peru became the first Spanish Viceroyalty, the white descendants of Spain, later extended to the immigrants from the Old Continent, had the audacity to oppress and discriminate the natives. As of this day, this is the impression I get as a foreigner having been partially working and living in Peru for almost the last four decades. Especially the Lima elite they treat the indigenous as lesser people, even though they invaded their territory, but they feel and many of them still pretend being descendants of the Royal Court of Spain. That gives them a superiority which is hard to ignore. It is also reflected in the still largely centralized education system, where Lima decides what the pluri- and multi-ethnicities cultural nation of Peru should be taught in uniformity. Aside from the different ethnicities, Peru is divided economically and culturally into three distinct geographic areas: The Coastal Region, mostly desertic, but very fertile when irrigated, where 70% of Perus agricultural produce is grown; the Highlands of the Andes, also called the Sierra, where people survive on patch-work agriculture on small pieces of land; and then there is the Amazon area that covers about 70% of Perus landmass, with only about 5% of the countrys population. They are the most independent people, with a culture close to Mother Earth. Their lives are still largely tied to traditional shamanism, starkly different from western values. Education, basic infrastructure but foremost exploitation of Perus enormously rich natural resources is all decided by Lima, by the oligarchs, the self-styled descendant of the Spanish Royals not in spoken words, of course, but in deeds and behavior. Lima has a population of 11 million, i.e., a third of the countrys populations, of which about two thirds live at the edge of poverty or below. This situation may have become worse during covid-times. The lack of proper and appropriately decentralized education, has left the original owners of Peru, the indigenous people, including a high proportion of ethnic mixtures, at a stark and decisive disadvantage. This is the ethnic composition of Peru: Amerindians (or purely indigenous people) account for 45 % of the population; 37 % is mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white), 15 percent is white, and 3 percent is black, Japanese, Chinese and other. See this. In other words, 85% of the population is ruled by a white immigrant minority. It is high time that Peru gets an indigenous president who pays attention to the real needs and interests of the majority of the Peruvian population. This time, it seems, after more than 500 hundred years of a lopsided rule, the 85% of the population will demand a government of more equilibrium. Pedro Castillo may be their man. Here some history to connect the dots up to June 2021and to help understand what is happening now in Peru. Extreme social injustice and differences between the majority peasant society and a small ruling elite, brought about the revolutionary Shining Path in 1980, led by Abimael Guzman, or by his nom de guerre, Chairman Gonzalo. He was a professor of philosophy strongly influenced by the teachings of Marxism and Maoism. He developed an armed struggle, what became to be known as the Shining Path Spanish, Sendero Luminoso for the empowerment of the neglected and disadvantaged indigenous people. Acts of terrorism abounded throughout the 1980s, also and largely to the detriment to the peasant population. The Shining Path emerged as the country had just held its first free elections after a 12-year military dictatorship, first by Juan Francisco Velasco Alvarado (1968 1975), pursuing what the Peruvians called a Maoist socialism. Velasco organized a disastrous totally unprepared land reform, and nationalized most foreign investments, creating massive unemployment and perpetuating poverty. Towards the mid-1970s, Velasco was very sick with cancer and appointed on 29 August 1975 his Prime Minister, Francisco Morales Bermudez, as his successor. Bermudez began the second phase of the Peruvian armed Revolution, promising a transit to a civilian government. However, Bermudez soon became an extreme right-wing military dictator, pursuing a policy of leftist cleansing. He kept his promise, though, and led Peru to democratic elections in 1980, when Fernando Belaunde Terry was elected, the very Belaunde, who was deposed as president in the 1968 Velasco military coup. There was no doubt, that a clear pattern of US-influenced brutal right-wing military dictatorships became omnipresent throughout Latin America, with General Jorge Rafael Videla in Argentina (1976-1981); General Augusto Pinochet in Chile (1973 to 1981); Alfredo Stroessner of Paraguay (1954 1989); General Juan Maria Bordaberry of Uruguay (1973 1985); the Brazilian military dictatorship of various successive military leaders (1964 1985). The Bolivian history of successive military dictatorships (1964 1982), also fit the pattern of the epoch. The South American US-supported military dictatorships, prompted the creation of the Shining Path in Peru, loosely following the objectives of the Uruguayan Tupamaro guerilla organization, named for Tupac Amaru II, the leader of an 18th-century revolt against Spanish rule in Peru. The Shining Path was open and transparent about its willingness to inflict death and the most extreme forms of cruelty as tools to achieve its goal, the total annihilation of existing political structures. We ae a rising torrent at which they will launch fire, stones and mud; but our power is great. We turn everything into our fire, the black fire will become red, and red is the light. Abimael Guzman Guzman was caught in 1992 and convicted to life imprisonment. In 1990, Alberto Fujimori, a little-known Rector of and professor at the Agrarian State University of Lima, with the support of Washington, became President, defeating Nobel Prize-winner adversary Mario Vargas Llosa, in a landslide victory of 62.4% against 37.6%. Fujimori imposed neoliberalism in Peru from the get-go of his presidency in 1990. He followed closely the mandates of the IMF and the World Bank. His other main objective was to finish with the Shining Path. Other than stopping terrorism for humanitarian reasons, there were a myriad of commercial and economic interests at stake. For example, the entire mining industry was largely in control of foreign corporations. As soon as elected, Fujimori was given a top CIA advisor, Vladimiro Lenin Ilich Montesinos. The CIA agent soon called the shots for all affairs of international importance. There was little left for Fujimori to decide, let alone for the Peruvian Parliament. In 1992 Fujimori instigated an auto-coup, with Washingtons tacit consent, dissolving Parliament and becoming the sole ruler, who also changed the Constitution allowing him to be reelected for another 5 years, until 2000, when he fled the country returning to his native Japan. Many analysts say he was actually born in Japan and was lying having been born in Peru, so he could ascend to the presidency. Just for the record, his registered birthday 28 July Perus Independent Day is kind of suspicious. Fujimori was accused of corruption, abuse of power and human rights violations. During a visit to Chile in 2005, Fujimori was arrested and eventually extradited to Peru where he was convicted in 2009 to 25 years in prison for corruption, human right abuses and for his role in killings and kidnappings by the Grupo Colian Death Squad during his governments battle against the Senderos Lumiosos in the 1990s. During the two decades of Shining Path, some 69,000 people, mostly Peruvian peasants died or disappeared. According to the Peruvian Truth and Reconciliation Commission (PTRC), at last as many people died at the hands of the Fujimory military commandos, as were killed by the Shining Path. The PTRC is also called Hatun Willakuy, a Quechuan expression meaning the great story, signifying the enormity of the events recounted. Before the commission, Peru had never conducted such a comprehensive examination of violence, abuse of power, or injustice. See this. To this day father Fujimori is in prison or under house arrest for his alleged ill-health while his daughter Keiko Fujimori was largely running Congress with a majority of her Party Popular Force Fuerza Popular. It is not exaggerated to claim that during the past three decades Fujimorismo and the APRA (American Popular Revolutionary Alliance a left-turned-right party) largely ran the country with crime and corruption, selling off the countrys riches to international corporatism, mainly in the US and for the benefit of Peruvian oligarchs, but leaving the large majority of Peruvians behind. Peru has a wealth of mineral resources. Copper, iron, lead, zinc, bismuth, phosphates, and manganese exist in great quantities of high-yield ores. Gold and silver are found extensively, as are other rare metals, and petroleum fields are located along the far north coast and the northeastern part of Amazonia. Perus GDP of US$ 270 billion (World Bank 2019) is misleading, as a great proportion is generated by mostly foreign majority holding extractive industries, manufacturing and ever-increasingly also agriculture, leaving little in the country which is why the poverty level has hardly changed over the last 30 years. While in the first decade of 2000 Peru had a phenomenal GDP growth, between 5% and 7% annually about two thirds went to 20% of the population and the rest was trickling down to the other 80%, with the bottom 10% to 20% getting next to nothing. The poverty rate after covid encompasses at least two thirds of the Peruvian population, with up to 50% under extreme poverty. Exact figures are not available. Those listed by the World Bank indicating a 27% poverty rate are simply fake. In addition, the informal sector in Peru amounts to at least 70%. While it is informality that keeps Peru somewhat going, it is also the informal sector that has plunged masses of people into poverty. Candidate Pedro Castillo, if finally declared the winner, has a challenging job ahead. He is aligned with a seasoned and well-experienced and nationally respected politician, socialist Veronica Mendoza from Cusco. She also identified the current economic advisor for Mr. Castillo, Pedro Francke, who has a center-left reputation. Mr. Francke served as director of the Cooperation Fund for Social Development (FONCODES), a Peruvian government -controlled social services and small investments institution, promoting small and medium size enterprises and creating jobs. He also had several roles at the Peruvian Central Bank and worked as an economist at the World Bank. In a political statement, Francke separated a potential Castillo presidency from what he called Chavez socialism of currency control, nationalizations and price controls. In fact, this is an easy and purely partisan statement, because the two economies are so fundamentally different that there is simply no comparison. But the intent is to tranquilize a worried and right-wing media indoctrinated populace. The right-wing, mostly El Comercio and affiliated media dominated news outlets, control about 90% of Peruvian media. Mr. Francke told Reuters, Our idea is not to have massive interventionism in the economy, indicating that Castillo would respect market economy. Francke also said that a Castillo Government would not proceed with nationalization and expropriation at all. They may, however, renegotiate some of the corporate profit-sharing. Having experienced the Velasco Government in the 1970s, this is one of the major worries of more senior Peruvians, who lived through the Velasco years. Pedro Francke also repeated what Castillo said in his campaign speeches, that he would encourage local over foreign investments, a valid assertion, because at present the Peruvian economy is to about 70% dollarized, meaning that local banks finance themselves largely by Wall Street, while locally earned money is invested abroad rather than at home. Hopefully Castillo will be able to muster the necessary trust to bring about local investments with local money. If so, this would be among the healthiest economic moves for Peru moves towards fiscal autonomy and monetary sovereignty. At the time of this writing, 10 days after the ballot, the vote recounts and quarrels over voter fraud is growing, creating a chaotic ambiance, one that becomes increasingly volatile. We can just hope that the Peruvian Election Commission applies fair rules and is able to avoid civil unrest. Peter Koenig is a geopolitical analyst and a former Senior Economist at the World Bank and the World Health Organization (WHO), where he has worked for over 30 years on water and environment around the world. He lectures at universities in the US, Europe and South America. He writes regularly for online journals and is the author of Implosion An Economic Thriller about War, Environmental Destruction and Corporate Greed; and co-author of Cynthia McKinneys book When China Sneezes: From the Coronavirus Lockdown to the Global Politico-Economic Crisis (Clarity Press November 1, 2020). EQS Group-Ad-hoc: Kuros Biosciences AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous Kuros Biosciences to present at upcoming U.S. spine conferences 17-Jun-2021 / 07:00 CET/CEST Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Schlieren (Zurich), Switzerland, 17 June, 2021 - Kuros Biosciences (SIX: KURN), a leader in next generation bone graft technologies and a pioneer in the emerging field of osteoimmunology, today announced that high-profile surgeons will present on the STRUCTURE clinical trial with Fibrin-PTH and on preclinical and clinical data for MagnetOs bone graft at the upcoming 16th annual meeting of the Korean American Spine Society, and at the Spine Summit 2021. Company management will also attend several U.S. clinical conferences in June, July and August. MagnetOs bone graft is supported by a growing set of preclinical data demonstRating equiva-lence to the current gold standard, autograft, with over three years of clinical experience since its first use in the UK in May 2017. Details of the conferences are as follows: 55th Annual Meeting of the Rocky Mountain Neurosurgical Society Jackson, WY, U.S. June 19 - 23, 2021 Jackson, WY, U.S. June 19 - 23, 2021 16th Annual Meeting of the Korean American Spine Society Carlsbad, CA, U.S. July 1-3, 2021 Presenter: Dr. John H. Chi, MD, MPH Carlsbad, CA, U.S. July 1-3, 2021 Presenter: Dr. John H. Chi, MD, MPH Spine Summit 2021 - The 37th Annual Meeting of the AANS/CNS Section on Disor-ders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves San Diego, CA, U.S. July 28-31, 2021 Presenter: Dr. Alpesh. A. Patel, MD, Texas Association of Neurosurgeons 2021 Annual Meeting Bastrop, TX, U.S. August 5-8, 2021 Augusta Spine Symposium North Augusta, SC, U.S. August 13, 2021 North Augusta, SC, U.S. August 13, 2021 Michigan Association of Neurological Surgeons 39th Annual Meeting Traverse City, MI, U.S. August 27-29, 2021 For further information, please contact: Kuros Biosciences AG LifeSci Advisors Michael Grau Mary-Ann Chang Chief Financial Officer Investors Tel +41 44 733 47 47 +44 7483 284 853 michael.grau@kurosbio.com mchang@lifesciadvisors.com About Fibrin-PTH (KUR-113) Fibrin-PTH (KUR-113) consists of a natural fibrin-based healing matrix with an immobilized targeted bone growth factor (truncated human parathyroid hormone (PTH) analog). Fibrin-PTH (KUR-113) is designed to be applied directly into and around an intervertebral body fusion device as a gel, where it polymerizes in situ. Fibrin-PTH (KUR-113) functions via the well-established mechanism of action of parathyroid hormone; has been demonstrated in animal models of spinal fusion to be comparable to rhBMP-2; and has been shown in preclinical studies to be easy to use and ideal for open or minimally invasive techniques. The safety & efficacy of Fibrin PTH (KUR-113) has not yet been evaluated for spinal fusion in humans. About MagnetOs bone graft MagnetOs bone graft has an advanced submicron surface topography that leads to the formation of bone in spinal fusion defects rather than scar tissue. In preclinical models, MagnetOs preferentially directs the body's early wound healing response toward the bone-forming pathway, an effect that is so potent that bone can be formed even in soft tissues without the need for added cells or growth factors. This ground-breaking research led to Kuros attaining an osteoinductive claim for MagnetOs in Europe and it is now supported by more than three years of clinical experience since its launch in the United Kingdom in May 2017. Results from in vitro or in vivo laboratory testing may not be pre-dictive of clinical experience in humans. MagnetOs is not cleared by TGA or FDA as an osteoinductive bone graft. Indications statement U.S.: MagnetOs is an implant intended to fill bony voids or gaps of the skeletal system, i.e., posterolateral spine. Mag-netOs must be used with autograft as a bone graft extender in the posterolateral spine. These osseous defects may be surgically created or the result of traumatic injury to the bone and are not intrinsic to the stability of the bony structure. All markets: Please refer to the instructions for use for your local region for a full list of indications, contraindications, warnings, and precautions. About Kuros Biosciences AG Kuros Biosciences is a leader in next generation synthetic bone graft technologies for targeted and controlled bone healing. Kuros's bone graft substitute, MagnetOs, is commercialized in the U.S. and UK for use in posterolateral spinal fusions. Kuros's lead product in development, Fibrin PTH, a drug-biologic combination for spinal interbody fusion, has started a phase 2 clinical trial in the U.S. Kuros is located in Schlieren (Zurich), Switzerland, Bilthoven, The Netherlands and Burlington (MA), U.S. The Company is listed according to the International Reporting Standard on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the symbol KURN. Visit www.kurosbio.com for additional information on Kuros, its science and product pipeline. Forward Looking Statements This media release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to be materially different from historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. You are urged to consider statements that include the words 'will' or 'expect' or the negative of those words or other similar words to be uncertain and forward-looking. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements include scientific, business, economic and financial factors, Against the background of these uncertainties, readers should not rely on forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no responsibility for updating forward-looking statements or adapting them to future events or developments. End of ad hoc announcement Lake Charles, LA (70615) Today Isolated thunderstorms this morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely. High near 90F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy overnight with thunderstorms likely. Low near 75F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. I started baking with my son 10 years ago. As my son was growing up and going through his teenage years, I was trying to figure out, What can I do to spend time with him? Shaffer says. And we just baked and baked and baked. We still bake. A neighbor captured the incident on a dashboard camera in her car as she was driving home with her daughter. The video, obtained by the Sun Sentinel, shows a police SUV quickly pulling in front of the neighbors car and coming to an abrupt stop. The video then shows an officer running across the grass and sidewalk next to the road. More than 75% of Kabbages approved loans were processed by computer and without review by a person, Bloomberg.com reported. Many of the fraudulent applications were tied to farms registered to residential addresses in areas such as southern New Jersey and Palm Beach County, according to Bloomberg. He was proposing 21 stories it was just a monster project, said Stan Eichelbaum, president of the Downtown Fort Lauderdale Civic Association when the city rejected the Alexan project in 2018. The scale was a huge issue, the number of units and the height. I think the commission assessed the impact to the community and rightly rejected the plan. When the two men went into the house, shots were fired. Both men fled, but the victim fell to the street where police later found him dead. The second man was also shot, Santiago said, and the shooter is at large. But the psychologist called by prosecutors testified Haliburtons true IQ as being in the 79-80 range, rather than on the low end of 70. The expert said the mans vocabulary was rich with words that would be expected from someone who was well within their upper high school years. Alexander Michael Jerich perceived, knew, or had reasonable grounds to perceive or know, that the City of Delray is an ally to the LGBTQ community and the owner of the Pride Streetscape ... and intentionally selected the City of Delray Beachs Pride Streetscape because of that perception ... the arrest report says. This will be a beautiful memorial to a very special Broward County champion, said state Rep. Christine Hunschofsky, D-Parkland, who sponsored the bill in the House. This is a fitting tribute to honor her legacy as an advocate for Floridas environmental assets. This has not been approved to be consistent at all with anything that were doing with Everglades restoration. I mean, its not like this is going to happen, DeSantis said. I mean, theyve got to go through all those environmental reviews. And so, I think its premature to say its going to do some of the things, because I think if some of the things that are happening that are positive do happen, I dont think its going to get permitted by South Florida Water Management District. Ryanair, the Irish low-cost airline, will link Malaga airport with the Italian city of Turin from October. The leading operator by passenger numbers at the Costa del Sol airport will fly twice a week to the capital of the Piedmont region, located in northern Italy and surrounded to the northwest by the Alps. Ryanair announced the route as part of its winter schedule, the start of which coincides with the time change at the end of October. The Irish company has said that it will also fly to Turin from Lanzarote, Madrid and Seville. Susana Brito, Ryanairs sales and marketing director for Spain and Portugal highlighted that as the vaccination campaigns progress and taking into account that winter will be an extension of the holiday season, we are delighted to announce four new routes which will connect Lanzarote, Madrid, Malaga and Seville with Turin, starting in October. In addition, she announced that, given the uncertainty imposed by the pandemic with continuous changes in travel restrictions, the airline "allows up to two free flight date changes. This will allow our clients greater flexibility with the peace of mind of being able to postpone or change their travel dates, if necessary, free-of-charge. Ryanair handled five million passengers at Malaga airport in 2019, the leading flight operator by passenger numbers on the Costa del Sol. Malaga province is once again fully in health alert level 1 for the coronavirus. In recent weeks the La Vega (Antequera) health district remained at level 2, but after the meeting this Wednesday (16 June) of the Territorial Committee of High Impact Public Health Alerts of Malaga, it too moved into level 1 after the data was picked over by experts. Malaga and Almeria are the only Andalusian provinces that have all their health districts at level 1 of the health alert for Covid-19. In Malaga, the La Vega health district now has a cumulative incidence rate of 176.1 in 14 days per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to 302.2 the previous week, so after two weeks at level 2 it returns to level 1 from Thursday, 17 June. The incidence rate of the Serrania (de Ronda) health district also decreased standing at 112.7, compared to 163.6 last week. The Axarquias health district stands at 95.2 compared to 99.3 seven days ago; and in the Guadalhorce Valley it is 184.3 compared to 203.5 a week ago. On the other hand, the cumulative incidence rate per 100,000 inhabitants in 14 days has increased in the Costa del Sol health district going from 166.7 last Wednesday to 182.1. The Malaga health district rate has also risen, going from 136.1 to the current 143.5. The cumulative incidence rate for the entire province is registered at 156.8, which represents a decrease compared to the previous week when it stood at 161.0 per 100,000 inhabitants in two weeks. No municipality has more than 1,000 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 14 days and only one, Alozaina, exceeds 500 with a rate of 630.8. This has gone down from 1,116. seven days ago. Gaucin, which had the highest rate a week ago (2,139), has now dropped to 440.5. There are 37 municipalities out of the 103 in Malaga province, which have not registered Covid-19 infections in two weeks, two more than the previous week. By health districts, in Axarquia there are 13 municipalities that have not registered infections in 14 days; four in the La Vega district; three in Malaga; 16 in the Serrania and one in the Guadalhorce Valley. However, all towns in the Costa del Sol health district have registered infections in that period. iframe title="Situacion de los 103 municipios de Malaga " aria-label="Mapa" id="datawrapper-chart-l4c5B" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/l4c5B/120/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="719"> Spain's reform and investment plan has obtained a "positive assessment" from the European Commission. It has passed the first hurdle to access the 69.5 billion euros in the EUs direct subsidies. The next step, to be taken by the finance ministers of the 27 members at an Ecofin meeting in July, would allow the advance of 13 per cent, around 9 billion euros, in the coming weeks. The Spanish plan will help to effectively address the challenges identified; it contains measures that effectively support the green and digital transitions; and contributes to strengthening the potential for growth, job creation and economic and social resilience, according to an announcement from Brussels that coincided with the arrival of Ursula von der Leyen in Madrid before she moved on to Lisbon to confirm a positive assessment of the Portuguese government's recovery plan too. While delivering the news of the approval of Brussels to the Spanish plan to PM Pedro Sanchez in Madrid, Von der Leyen highlighted the "determination, strength and solidarity" of the Spanish during the pandemic and considers that the reforms and investments included in the project "will see Spain come out of the crisis stronger." During the press conference, Pedro Sanchez, announced that in the coming weeks, probably in July, he will convene the regional presidents to reel off the objectives of the Recovery Plan approved by the European Commission. It will be then when, if everything goes according to plan, the first funds arrive in Spain, which throughout the year will receive 19 billion euros compared to the 27 billion budgeted. "It will be a challenge and an unprecedented opportunity to work together. This plan concerns us all, it is a country mission," he insisted. The prime minister pointed out that Spain was one of the first countries to present its Recovery Plan and to receive approval from Brussels. "It is a recognition of a job well done," he said. Spains plan indicated that "40 per cent of its total allocation would go to measures that support climate objectives", via initiatives to promote sustainable mobility, increase the energy efficiency of buildings, decarbonise industry and reduce energy dependence, as well as the deployment of new technologies for green hydrogen and renewable energies as well as mitigate the adverse effects of climate change "by preserving coastal spaces, ecosystems and biodiversity", in addition to "improving water and waste management. The other major objective is a digital transformation with an allocation of 28 per cent of the funds. It includes the digitisation of public administration, industry and small businesses as well as tourism, digital skills training and 5G connectivity. One of the key measures aimed at strengthening the resilience of the Spanish economy is the transformation of its tourism sector, increasing its digitisation and sustainability with an investment of 3.4 billion. Spain will also be required to make some major reforms to its labour market, pension and taxation systems to continue receiving the EU economic aid. "We have supported this plan because it is ambitious, forward-looking and will help build a better future for Spaniards," stressed Ursula von der Leyen. It seemed impossible just a few months ago, but Spain and Andalucia are going to reach the summer with a high percentage of the population vaccinated, something that will be essential to reactivate the economy and tourism during the summer period. Andalucia is beating its own vaccination records every week and has already begun to jab those under 40 years of age, a milestone. In addition, thousands of Andalusians have already requested their Covid-19 digital certificate, that proves that they are fully vaccinated or that they have beaten the disease. The next big goal is to reach the desired herd immunity, based on vaccines reaching 70 per cent of the target population - over 16 years of age. This Wednesday, 16 June, the president of the Junta de Andalucia, Juanma Moreno, assured that the region will reach this goal in July while speaking at the opening ceremony of the CC OO trade union. "In this year and a half we have all experienced difficult moments, none of us thought we would live through such a harsh pandemic, with the worst social and economic crisis in Andalucia in decades, but I want to convey a message of hope. The vaccination of 70 per cent of the target population in Andalucia is expected to be reached in the second week of July, although obviously this is subject to the doses of vaccines reaching us," he declared. Moreno said, "This shield will allow us to reactivate the economy and rebuild the damaged fabric." The president of the Junta made reference to the meeting he has this Thursday with Spains PM. Now we are going to have the opportunity to start managing the funds for reconstruction in September. Spain can only succeed if Andalucia succeeds, we have to play a fundamental role in that reconstruction," he argued. During his meeting with Spain's PM Pedro Sanchez this Thursday (17 June), the president of the Junta de Andalucia raised a list of 68 demands from the region to the central government. Although the issue of regional financing and the distribution of European funds were the issues that were addressed as a priority, Juanma Moreno carried the long list in a folder when he arrived at the La Moncloa palace. Among other demands, the regional government head called for support for tourism and the backing of the International Exhibition that Malaga plans to hold in 2027. There was also a proposal for the reduction in VAT for the tourism sector from 21 per cent to 4 or 5 per cent, and for the promotion of sustainable tourism plans. "Tourism needs the collaboration of the State," he said. Moreno also demanded that Pedro Sanchez and Spain should put all its diplomatic machinery into operation to get the United Kingdom to allow its nationals to travel without restrictions to Spanish destinations. Regarding the progress of the vaccination campaign, Moreno stressed that Andalucia is, according to the data, the leading region and that if the forecasts are met, in July 70 per cent of the target population in the region could be vaccinated. For this reason, he urged Sanchez to guarantee the current supply of doses so that the rate of vaccination does not stop and the planned schedule can be met. Government spokesperson, Maria Jesus Montero, speaking after the meeting said that there was agreement between Sanchez and Moreno on the strategic importance of tourism and the need to guarantee that visitors can reach Andalucia and the whole of Spain safely. The Junta de Andalucia's Minister of Health, Jesus Aguirre, has revealed this Thursday (17 June) that he does not foresee that the mandatory use of the face mask can be eased in the region until "the end of July or mid-August". The councillor was speaking on Canal Sur Radio, and he criticised the public debate about the possible relaxation of the mandatory use of masks, after both the Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, and the national Minister of Health, Carolina Darias, suggested that the face mask will cease to be mandatory, mainly in outdoor spaces, soon. "It is a debate that I do not like because we create false expectations, said the Andalusian Minister of Health. We do not gain anything, only lower our guard, he said. Aguirre said that in Andalucia the mask requirement will not be lifted, until the law - which obliges the masks to be used in public places both indoors and out - is lifted", and "until we have at least 75 per cent of the Andalusian population vaccinated", and with that, "herd immunity", he stressed. He insisted that, after the vaccine, the mask, "well placed and worn properly is what most protects us most against coronavirus infections. What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 712-243-2624 or email circ@ant-news.com. Unlimited website access 24/7 Unlimited e-Edition access 24/7 The best local, regional and national news in sports, politics, business and more! With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. Clearfield, PA (16830) Today A few showers early with scattered thunderstorms arriving for the afternoon. High 71F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies. Scattered thunderstorms this evening. Low around 55F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%. The technology group Wartsila has signed support agreements for LNG carriers owned by Qatar-based Nakilat, owner of the worlds largest LNG carrier fleet. The agreements were signed in April this year and are valid for five years, Wartsila said in a statement. Wartsila is the supplier of the LNG reliquefaction systems onboard all of the QFlex vessels covered by the agreements. Under the contract terms, Wartsila will provide 24/7 technical remote support for the vessels onboard gas process plants. The customer has direct access to Wartsilas dedicated team of LNG technical experts for specialized technical advice and remote troubleshooting, thereby reducing potential equipment downtime, and when possible, avoid time consuming and costly onboard visits by service engineers. Furthermore, following each cargo loading, selected operational data from the running reliquefaction systems is analysed by Wartsilas LNG technical experts to ensure the operability and readiness of the system. This also creates a traceable operational data history. As the global leader in energy transportation, the efficiency and reliability of our reliquefaction systems is a key element to efficient cargo-handling operations and vessels serviceability to the customer. Such support agreements are intended to give the assurance that the reliquefaction systems are operated safely and optimally within plant design parameters, thereby ensuring the integrity of our global operations, said Samir Bailouni, Nakilat Chief Operating Officer, Nakilat. Lifecycle support to our customers installations is a central pillar in the strategy of Wartsila Gas Solutions. Agreements such as these are the best way for ensuring that the products, systems and solutions that we deliver are properly maintained, and that their reliability and performance are at the optimal level, commented Rene Christian Olsen, Director Services, Gas Solutions. Wartsila has a long-standing relationship with Nakilat and has supplied multiple products for their fleet, the statement added.TradeArabia News Service The Gulf Petrochemicals & Chemicals Association (GPCA), the voice of the chemical industry in the Arabian Gulf region, today (June 17) announced the re-election of its Chairman Yousef Al-Benyan, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic), for a new three-year term. Al-Benyan has served in this position since May 2016, having previously served on GPCAs Executive Committee. A new Board of Directors and a Vice Chairman was also announced today at the GPCAs 2021 Annual General Assembly Meeting which was held at the Habtoor Palace Dubai, LXR Hotels & Resorts, UAE. Dr Mohamed Al-Mulla, Managing Director and CEO, Qapco was elected as GPCA Vice Chairman, replacing Dr Abdulrahman Jawahery, President of the Bahrain-based Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC). Dr Jawahery was elected as Treasurer. All three executives will serve on the associations Executive Committee, GPCA said in a statement. Dr Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, Secretary General, GPCA, commented: I am pleased to welcome the newly elected Members of the Board who bring decades of leadership experience acquired at the helm of some of the largest chemical and petrochemical companies in the GCC. Their wealth of knowledge, expertise and commitment to advancing the industrys contribution to socio-economic development in the region make them an exceptional addition to the GPCA Board and I look forward to working closely with them in the coming years to take the Association to new heights. I would also like to thank all of the esteemed leaders who served on the GPCA Board for their valuable contribution to advancing GPCAs strategic vision. The success and achievements of the Association over the last few years would not have been possible without their astute leadership and dedication and I wholeheartedly thank them for this. The new members elected on the GPCA Board of Directors are: Ali Mohammed Al-Asiri, CEO, Chemanol; Ahmed Al Jahdhami, CEO Downstream, OQ; Abdel Hadi AlSuhaimi, Executive President, S-Chem; Othman A. Al-Ghamdi, President and CEO, PetroRabigh; Abdulrahman M. Al-Suwaidi, Managing Director and CEO, Qafco; Mohammed Y Al Qahtani, SVP Downstream, Saudi Aramco; and Abdullah Saif Al-Saadoon, CEO, Sipchem. GPCA founding members who retain their seats on the GPCA Board include: Yousef Al-Benyan, Vice Chairman and CEO, Sabic, Saudi Arabia; Dr. Abdulrahman Jawahery, President, GPIC, Bahrain; Dr Mohamed Al Mulla, Managing Director and CEO, Qapco, Qatar; Hazeem Al Suwaidi, CEO, Borouge, UAE; Naser Aldousari, CEO, Equate, Kuwait; Mutlaq Al-Azmi, CEO, PIC, Kuwait; Mutlaq Al-Morished, CEO, Tasnee, Saudi Arabia; and bdullah A. Al-Hussaini, Executive VP Marketing, Qatar Petroleum. The 2021 GPCA Annual General Assembly Meeting was held following the inaugural edition of the GPCA Leaders Forum which took place on June 16 in Dubai under the theme In pursuit of resurgent growth during turbulent times.--TradeArabia News Service Palo Alto Networks said that it is significantly expanding its customer support offering across EMEA, investing in an enlarged footprint and applying a centre of excellence model to provide customers with access to the support they need, whenever they need it. The company will deliver support services out of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Spain and Poland as well as further expand existing support services in Israel and the Netherlands. The announcement marks a significant expansion in EMEA that will provide Palo Alto Networks customers with comprehensive support across the region. With 2020 ushering in a cybercrime gold rush, it is more important than ever that businesses have access to local support when they need it. According to the Unit 42 Cloud Threat Report, 1H 2021, organisations in retail, manufacturing and government saw incidents rise 402%, 230% and 205%, respectively. The expanded customer support resources will help ensure that Palo Alto Networks customers have access to high-level engineers located in their time zone. The region-wide expansion will also reinforce Palo Alto Networks commitment to respecting local data sensitivities and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requirements. By making this investment in the EMEA region, Palo Alto Networks remains at the forefront of customer service excellence, which is widely recognised by the cybersecurity industry. Palo Alto Networks is recognised by J.D. Power and the Technology Services Industry Association (TSIA) for providing An Outstanding Customer Support Experience for its Global Assisted Technical Support and Self-Service Support for six years in a row. At a time of unprecedented pressure on our customers and their IT teams, it is vitally important that we stand beside them to provide the support they need to keep their organisations safe from harm, said Wadad Kafka, vice president of Global Customer Support, EMEA, Palo Alto Networks. This expansion of highly skilled engineers across the EMEA region means that our customers will always have access to the expertise that they need whether for day-to-day queries or at the most critical moments. TradeArabia News Service Italy's justice ministry ordered an inquiry into the conduct of two prosecutors in a corruption case involving energy groups Eni and Shell in Nigeria, Reuters reported. Milan prosecutors Fabio De Pasquale and Sergio Spadaro were placed under official investigation by magistrates earlier this month for allegedly not filing documents that would have supported Eni's position. De Pasquale and Spadaro declined to comment on the latest development. Milan's top prosecutor said last week that he backed the two men, after a trial lasting more than three years. The Justice Ministry said in a statement it had decided to move in the wake of the judicial investigation and following criticism of the pair by the trial judges. "The ministry has asked the inspectorate to carry out preliminary investigations to correctly reconstruct the facts by acquiring the necessary documents," it said. A Milan court in March acquitted Eni and Shell in the industry's biggest corruption case, which revolved around the $1.3 billion acquisition of a Nigerian oilfield a decade ago. In papers filed on June 9, the judges criticised the way the prosecutors had carried out their work, saying they had failed to file with the trial documents a video shot by a former Eni external lawyer, which they said was relevant to the case. --Reuters Expanding its presence in the capital city of Saudi Arabia , IHG Hotels & Resorts is bringing the Hotel Indigo brand to the kingdom with the signing of a new hotel in Riyadh. This development also marks the first hotel to be signed under the Master Development Agreement (MDA) between IHG and RIVA Development Company via its wholly owned subsidiary RIVA Hospitality for Hotel Services Company. A new built property, Hotel Indigo Riyadh King Abdallah Road will feature 228 design-led rooms and will open its doors to guests in March 2025. Offering authentic local experiences combined with a modern design, the hotel will also feature two dining options, a pool and a fitness center. Additionally, the hotel will offer 353-sq-m of meeting and events space to cater to the demands of business travelers visiting Saudi Arabias capital city. Speaking on the announcement, Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG, said: We are pleased to announce the signing of a new Hotel Indigo in Saudi Arabia in partnership with RIVA Development Company, aligned to our robust expansion plans in the Kingdom over the coming years. Hotel Indigo is a unique brand that allows every individual property to draw inspiration from the local surroundings and offer an immersive and authentic experience to guests. As a result of the Saudi Tourism Development Strategy, there will be a rising wave of travellers coming to Saudi Arabia and seeking differentiated travel and an increasing demand for hotels that offer authentic and refreshingly local experiences. Hotel Indigo Riyadh King Abdallah Road will seamlessly address these needs. Guests will be able enjoy local experiences, modern design and intimate service with the peace of mind and consistency of staying with one of the worlds largest hotel groups. Engineer Mugbel S. Al Thukair, Co-Founder, RIVA Development Company, Chairman, RIVA Hospitality for Hotel Services Company added: We are pleased to bring a global boutique hotel brand, Hotel Indigo, to a distinct location in Saudi Arabia. Hotel Indigo Riyadh King Abdallah Road will be an ideal choice for travellers seeking a uniquely local hotel experience in the city of Riyadh, where the culture of the surrounding neighborhood will be reflected in the vibrant sights, sounds and flavour of the hotel. It also gives us great confidence to partner with IHG, and to be able to leverage their wide experience, expertise in the industry and reputation as one of the leading and most trusted hotel companies in the world. We look forward to welcoming guests when we open our doors in March 2025 and providing them unique experiences that will make their stay with us a truly memorable one. Established in 2004, Hotel Indigo now has a presence in more than 20 countries with over 120 hotels, and over 100 hotels in the pipeline. Across India, Middle East and Africa, IHG opened Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown - its first Hotel Indigo in the region last year. Hotel Indigo Riyadh King Abdallah Road joins a growing pipeline for the brand including properties in Doha and Oman. IHG currently operates 38 hotels across 5 brands in Saudi Arabia, including: InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn , Staybridge Suites and voco with a further 20 hotels in the development pipeline due to open within the next three to five years. - TradeArabia News Service Finnish flag carrier Finnair has updated its offering for September-October and for the winter season 2021/2022 (November March), flying to some 70 destinations during winter 2021/2022. Destinations for autumn and winter include Canary Islands, with flights starting already in September as well as Miami and Thailand in the winter season. The travel restrictions continue to impact air travel, but many countries are opening for tourism, said Ole Orver, Chief Commercial Officer at Finnair. When planning our offering, we have taken into account the favourite destinations and holiday seasons of our customers for example, we will reopen flights to Miami and offer great connections to Thailand, Southern Europe as well as to Scandinavia. The Finnish Lapland continues to attract travellers, and in September Finnair offers frequent flights to Kittila and Ivalo in northern Finland great destinations to experience the wonderful autumn colours of Lapland. Frequencies to Scandinavia are increased in October when Finnair flies to Oslo and Copenhagen three times per day, making one day business trips smoother. During the winter season Finnair will fly daily to New York and three times a week to Miami and Los Angeles. Bangkok, Phuket and Krabi will be in the offering for Thailand. Altogether 70 destinations will be operated in the winter season. As the offering for the late autumn and winter season is updated, adjustments also will occur. Finnair will contact those customers affected directly. Customers can either opt for a full refund or to be rerouted if possible. Compared to a normal situation, our traffic program evolves as the travel guidance and restrictions continue to change impacting the demand for our flights, said Orver. We try to provide our customers with the most reliable view of winter travel opportunities, but changes to flights are still possible. - TradeArabia News Service New Delhi, Jun 16 (UNI) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved the proposal of the Department of Fertilizers for fixation of Nutrient Based Subsidy Rates for Phosphorus(P) and Potash (K) Fertilizers for the year 2021-22 (till the present season). Briefing media persons about the decision, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Mansukh Mandaviya said Farmers will get subsidy of Rs 1200 per bag of Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertilizer instead of Rs 500 and a bag of DAP fertilizer for Rs 1200 instead of Rs 2400 per bag. Subsidy has been given on Nitrogen above Rs 18 per kg, on Phosphorous above Rs 45 per kg and on Potash above Rs 10 per kg. The Union Government is making available fertilizers, namely Urea and 22 grades of P&K fertilizers (including DAP) to farmers at subsidized prices through fertilizer manufacturers/ importers, an official statement said. The subsidy on P&K fertilizers is being governed by NBS Scheme w.e.f. April 1, 2010. In accordance to its farmer friendly approach, the Government is committed to ensure the availability of P&K fertilizers to the farmers at affordable prices. The subsidy is released to fertilizer companies as per NBS rates so that they can make available fertilizers to farmers at affordable price. In last few months, the international prices of raw materials of DAP and other P&K fertilizers have increased sharply. Prices of finished DAP etc in international market have also increased. Despite this sharp increase, DAP prices in India were initially not increased by the companies however, some companies increased the DAP price in the beginning of this financial year. Government is fully sensitive to the concerns of farmers also and is already taking steps to tackle the situation so that farming community can be saved from the effects of this price rise of P&K fertilizers (including DAP), the statement said. As anticipated that international prices may come down in few months, the Government may review the situation accordingly and decide regarding subsidy rates at that point of time. The estimated additional subsidy burden for such an arrangement will be around Rs 14,775 crore, the statement said. UNI NY JAL 2109 New Delhi, Jun 17 (UNI) Detained in jail despite being granted bail by the High Court in the Delhi riots case, student activists Devangana Kalita, Natasha Narwal and Asif Iqbal Tanha have moved the Delhi High Court again seeking immediate release. The students, in their applications filed before the High Court, have argued that the Trial Court delaying their orders in spite of the bail granted by the High Court was a violation of their fundamental rights. The matter is likely to be considered by a bench comprising Justices Sidharth Mridul and Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani today. As per the plea, all the sureties and their bonds and their FDs have been placed before the Additional Sessions Judge. On Wednesday, Additional Sessions Judge Ravinder Bedi of Karkardooma Courts had deferred the order on their release citing "heavy board" after the Delhi Police sought time for verification of the addresses of the accused and their sureties. As per a High Court order, the lawyers for the students said, "..the continuing custody of the Applicant, despite the clear mandate of law, beyond 24 hours since the direction to verify sureties, is illegal, and the Applicant merits release forthwith." The Delhi Police had stated that the outstation permanent addresses of the student activists need to be verified for the purpose of their release. It could not be completed due to paucity of time, the Delhi Police said in the application filed before the Court. Apart from this, the Delhi Police also seeks directions to the UIDAI to verify the Aadhar card details of the sureties. The Delhi Police had filed chargesheet against Pinjra Tod activists Kalita and Narwal, and Students Islamic Organisation activist Tanha under the UAPA anti-terror law for their alleged role in the Delhi riots last year. In a related development, the Delhi Police on Wednesday approached the Supreme Court challenging the aforesaid bail orders. UNI XC SB GK 1302 New Delhi/Brussels/Tokyo, Jun 17 (UNI) Japan on Thursday urged the European Union nations to "visibly increase their military presence" in the Indo-Pacific region, where China is beefing up its military capacity. "We strongly hope that a strong message will be included (in an EU strategy) to secure the EU and its member states' unwavering commitment to the Indo-Pacific region." Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi told a European Parliament subcommittee on Security and Defence, ahead of a debate on the EU-Japan Strategic Partnership Agreement. He said Japan and EU nations are faced with a common challenge; unilateral attempts to change the status quo by coercion. "In order to tackle the challenge, DM Kishi also emphasized the importance of Japan and EU nations confronting them together, sharing common values, and cooperating for maintaining and enhancing the vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific irreversible," said the Ministry of Defence. In April, the EU adopted a document on the planned strategy, in which the 27-member bloc pledged to play a more active role in promoting democracy, human rights, the rule of law and respect for international law in the Indo-Pacific. The EU is finalising a security strategy on the Indo-Pacific. Kishi in his online speech said Japan has opposed China's unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force in the East and South China seas, where Beijing is engaged in territorial disputes with its neighbours. He said safety of the South China Sea is vital to European countries as well, because a third of world trade and some 40 per cent of European countries' external trade go through the sea area. India also on Wednesday called for a free, open and inclusive order in the Indo-Pacific, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh saying that New Delhi supports freedom of navigation, overflight, and unimpeded commerce in the international waterways, including the South China Sea. Kishi criticized a Chinese law implemented in February that allows China's coast guard to use weapons against foreign ships Beijing sees as illegally entering its waters. Among EU members, France, Germany and the Netherlands have already adopted their own Indo-Pacific policies. Outside the EU, Britain also said in its March defense and foreign policy review that it will be "deeply engaged" in the region. Britain's aircraft carrier Queen Elizabeth and its strike group, as well as a frigate from the Netherlands, last month embarked on a seven-month voyage to the Indo-Pacific region. Germany has also said it plans to send a frigate to the area. UNI SRJ SY 1845 Pyongyang, June 17(UNI) North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Thursday acknowledged that his country is facing severe food shortages. He said, "The people's food situation is now getting tense" while addressing a meeting of senior leaders of the Workers' Party central committee in Pyongyang Mr Kim said the agricultural sector in the country had failed to meet its targeted production of grains due to typhoons last year, which had led to widespread flooding and loss of crop. However, during the meeting, Mr Kim said that national industrial output had grown by a quarter compared to the same period last year. Reports coming out from North Korea suggest that food prices have risen dramatically, with NK News reporting that a kilogram of bananas costs $45 (32). The COVID pandemic has forced the country to close its borders even with its closest ally China which has resulted in trade between the two countries plummeting drastically leading to shortages in food items, fertiliser and fuel. DPRK is also struggling because of international sanctions, imposed on it because of its nuclear programmes. UNI XC ACL1452 Dhaka, Jun 17 (UNI) Chinese Ambassador to Dhaka Li Jimming assured Bangladesh of continuing vaccination cooperation as a friend to prevent coronavirus. Lee Jimming made the assurance at a virtual meeting organized by the Bangladesh Seed Association (BSA) on Thursday day in memory of Professor Yuan Longping, the father of hybrid rice, as per a release of the Seed Association. According to the press release, the name of Professor Yuan Longping as the inventor of the hybrid variety of rice is recognized all over the world. Through the invention of this rice, this scientist has contributed to the socio-economic development including poverty alleviation. Yuan Longping died at the age of 91 in a hospital in China's Hunan province on May 22. A virtual meeting was organized in his memory. At the meeting, Chinese Ambassador Li Jimming said the identity of the friend in danger. Despite the huge demand for corona vaccine in China and in the international market, the government and people of Bangladesh are trying their best to cooperate in this regard. Lee Jimming said, Bangladesh has already been given 1.1 million vaccines in two phases as a gift to prevent corona. The last 6 lakh gift vaccines arrived in Dhaka on 13 June. As a development partner of Bangladesh, this cooperation of China will continue in the prevention of corona. Not only corona resistance, China will always be by Bangladesh's side in any need. ' Chairman of BSA President and former President of FBCCI Abdul Awal Mintu presided over the function attended by many including chairman of Supreme Seed Company Limited Mohammad Masum, BSA General Secretary FR Malik and Syndicate Member of Bangladesh Agricultural University and Managing Director of ACI Agribusiness FH Ansari Rahim Khan Shahriar UNI XC SB 1521 JORDAN MEAD is News Editor for The Vidette. Contact her at jnmead@ilstu.edu. Follow Mead on Twitter at @meadjordan19 IF YOU SUPPORT THE VIDETTE MISSION of providing a training laboratory for Illinois State University student journalists to learn and sharpen viable, valuable and marketable skills in all phases of print and digital media, please consider contributing to this most important cause. Thank you. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. In an effort to strengthen the national system of advance rulings, the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) has stepped up its efforts to review the arrangements in place to ensure their full alignment with the relevant international standards. This topic was at the centre of a workshop held by the BURS on 11 June 2021 in Gaborone, Botswana, organized with the support of the EU-WCO Programme for Harmonized System in Africa (HS-Africa Programme), in cooperation with the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) Secretariat. Prior to the workshop, the BURS had made a self-assessment of the existing national programme of advance rulings in terms of its compliance with the basic WCO standard - the WCO Recommendation on the introduction of programmes for binding pre-entry classification information (1996). The self-assessment outcomes have shown that only a limited number of amendments to the system will be needed for it to be fully in line with the Recommendation. Speaking on behalf of the BURS, Mrs Bophone Matshidiso Selebatso, Manager of Classification, Valuation and Origin, stressed that the implementation of a comprehensive and trade facilitative advance ruling system was recognized as one of the priorities by her administration at the level of the strategic plan. She expressed her confidence that Botswana would very soon be able to implement all of the required changes of the system to bring it in full conformity with the standards of the WCO, the WTO and the AfCFTA, with the support of the HS-Africa Programme and the SACU. The HS-Africa Programme pledged to provide continued support to the BURS to implement the advanced ruling system in Botswana, working hand in hand with the SACU Secretariat and all relevant stakeholders. For more details, please contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org. The World Customs Organization (WCO) organized an online Regional Workshop on Free Zones for the North of Africa, North and Middle East(MENA)region from14-16June2021with the financial support of the General Authority of Customs of Qatar. 45 participants from 15Member administrations gathered and actively joined the dialogue to explore ways for the sustainable development of free zones with enhanced Customs involvement. This was the second regional workshop in a series of regional events aimed at discussing the harmonized and efficient implementation of the WCO Practical Guidance on Free Zones (FZ Guidance) that was endorsed by 2020 December Council Session. Qatar Customs provided Arabic translation of the FZ Guidance for this workshop. Free zones often mean free from Customs duties but should not be free from necessary Customs procedures and controls. Customs should be there as one of main authorities and needs to coordinate with all public and private authorities, with the objective of contributing to a safe and sustainable global trade ecosystem., said the Deputy Secretary General of WCO, Mr. Ricardo Trevino Chapa, in his opening remarks. Opening remarks were also offered by H. E. Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Jamal, the Chairman of Qatar Customs. He highlighted the importance of facilitating entrance and exit of cargo to FZs during the COVID-19 pandemic and capacity building for effective implementation of the WCO FZ Guidance in the MENA region. He also emphasized this workshop embodied the WCO theme for this year, "Customs to foster recovery, renewal, and resilience for a sustainable supply chain" in FZs. Experts from Customs administrations, FZ authorities from Qatar and Morocco, the private sector and the UNCTAD delivered insightful presentations during the three-day workshop. Four pre-accredit WCO Experts also join the workshop to moderate and provide presentations. This workshop covered the key elements identified by the WCO FZ Guidance for adequate Customs procedures in FZs. These include Customs involvement in FZs, effective Customs control including onsite check and Customs audit, risk management in FZs, origin determination of goods produced in FZs, reporting requirements with the use of IT, multidisciplinary and international cooperation and expanding the concept of Authorized Economic Operator in FZs. Through in-depth discussions on these topics, participants recognized the impact of the extraterritoriality of FZs and the significance of Customs involvement in the development and operation of free zones for the competitiveness and sustainability of free zones. Some Members shared their experience on strengthening Customs involvement via application of better customs control and by conducting joint onsite inspection with a FZ operating body. Also, the effectiveness and importance of connecting IT systems between Customs and FZ operating body were stressed. They also recognized that the sharing and use of data and advanced technologies as well as enhanced cooperation were prerequisites for improving the safety and security of FZs. Please share the results of this workshop within your administration with a message that now is the time when Customs needs to fully involve in FZs based on the WCO FZ Guidance. said Mr. Pranab Kumar DAS, Director of Compliacnce and Facilitation, in his closing remarks. He closed by expressing his desire that this workshop would trigger further discussions within all administrations on what Customs can do to obtain a safe, secure and competitive business environment in FZs. The WCO Practical Guidance on Free Zones is available in four languages that can be consulted via below links: *Arabic version was developed by Qatar Customs. ** Spanish version was developed by Dominican Republic Customs. On 10 June 2021, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) and the EU-WCO Programme for Harmonized System (HS) in Africa (HS-Africa Programme) held a consultation meeting on implementation of the new version of the HS in Zimbabwe. The meeting was organized in the context of ZIMRAs ongoing efforts to implement the seventh edition of the HS in a timely and coordinated manner. The meeting took stock of the processes and the timeline put in place by the ZIMRA to streamline the migration exercise for the upcoming implementation of the HS 2022 and prepare the necessary instruments in advance of the implementation date. This will add an extra layer of certainty to ensure timely implementation of the HS 2022 and future versions of the HS. The HS-Africa Programme stressed the importance of developing a robust, transparent and participative national mechanism for the implementation of HS amendments, as well as reaching out to all the relevant stakeholders of the implementation process, both public and private. WCO experts congratulated the ZIMRA for their inclusive and consultative approach involving other government agencies and the trade community in the migration exercise. The HS-Africa Programme has committed to support the ZIMRA in their efforts to streamline the HS migration process and enhance its capacities on tariff classification for better trade facilitation and revenue collection. A work plan has been established covering consultations with other national government agencies and private sector stakeholders as well as awareness-raising campaigns. These actions will be conducted in all six regions in Zimbabwe. The HS-Africa Programme reiterated its unwavering commitment to support Zimbabwe in this important area of Customs work, and other initiatives will be launched with the ZIMRA soon, namely on digitalization and advance rulings. For more details, please contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org. West Hartford (06107) Today Showers this morning then thundershowers developing during the afternoon hours. High 69F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Cloudy with periods of rain. Low 58F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. Details Released from West End Pursuit By West Kentucky Star Staff PADUCAH - West Kentucky Star has learned more details about the Sunday night arrest of two men following a vehicle and foot pursuit on Paducah's west end.Just before midnight Sunday, a Kentucky State Trooper attempted to pull a vehicle over on Buckner Lane, but the driver wouldn't stop. The vehicle crashed a short time later at Pines Road and Buckner Lane, and two men attempted to flee on foot.Kentucky State Police said the driver, 38-year-old Jonathan White, was taken into custody after a Taser was deployed.Paducah Police said a local resident reported a man fleeing through the area on foot. They pursued 26-year-old Damareon Prather into a wooded area near Pines Road and Whitney Drive, and he was found under a porch in a back yard.As the officers had Prather walk backward toward them, a handgun and bag of marijuana reportedly fell from his pants.Prather was arrested and charged with alcohol intoxication, fleeing or evading police on foot, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.White faces charges of DUI with aggravating circumstances, fleeing or evading police in a vehicle and on foot, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, trafficking in a controlled substance 1st degree 1st offense, and multiple traffic charges.Both men were taken to McCracken County Jail. Paducah Narrows City Manager Search to Four By West Kentucky Star Staff PADUCAH - The City of Paducah has narrowed its search for a new city manager down to four candidates.The candidates are comprised of three current city managers; Shane Horn of Lakeland, Tennessee; Daron Jordan of Paris, Kentucky; Todd Thompson of Galesburg, Illinois; and the outgoing superintendent of the Marshall County School District, Trent Lovett.The candidates will visit Paducah Thursday and Friday to tour the City, and to participate in interviews with the Board of Commissioners, City Manager's office, Leadership Team, as well as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Community Panel.In January, Paducah City Manager Jim Arndt announced plans to move back to Illinois to be closer to family and open a business providing local government management consulting. The Board recently extended Arndt's employment contract through July 31.Since then, the city has received nearly 50 applications for the position. Paducah Prayer Event Today Over Recent Violence By West Kentucky Star Staff PADUCAH - Former city commissioner Richard Abraham is holding an event this afternoon to pray for Paducah.Abraham is inviting the community to gather at the intersection of South 3rd street and Jefferson street at 7 p.m. to "pray against the darkness in our community."Abraham said the prayer meeting is in response to the recent uptick in violence, including six shootings in Paducah and McCracken County in the past two weeks.He encourages anyone that can't make it to stand in prayer every evening at 7 p.m. for Paducah. Paducah Shooting Suspect Turns Himself In By West Kentucky Star Staff PADUCAH - A wanted suspect in a shooting from Sunday night in Paducah has been arrested after turning himself in.According to the Paducah Police Department 29-year-old Stanley D. Crume of Cairo, Illinois turned himself in to authorities Wednesday morning and was arrested on a warrant charging him with first-degree wanton endangerment.Sunday night, officers were called to multiple reports of shots fired in the area of Glenwood Drive. No injuries were reported, but one home on Glenwood Drive was struck by gunfire.Officers allege that Crume went to a home on Glenwood Drive looking for someone related to 20-year-old Darrius White, who was killed in the Colony Drive shooting on June 8. Crume reportedly produced a handgun, and an argument ensued. Authorities say that Crume then fled and fired multiple shots as he ran. Traffic Stop Leads to Drug Charges for Paducah Man By West Kentucky Star Staff MCCRACKEN COUNTY - A routine traffic stop on Beiderman Street Wednesday afternoon resulted in a Paducah man being charged with drug offenses, in addition to traffic violations.According to the McCracken County Sheriff's Department, deputies made the stop at 12:41 pm.The driver, 48-year-old Shane Lee Jones, was arrested after a K-9 unit alerted to illegal drugs inside the vehicle, and methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia were allegedly found.Jones was taken to the McCracken County Regional Jail, charged with first degree possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine first offense, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, failure of owner to maintain required insurance, and failure to or improper signal. Woodville Road Reopened in McCracken County By West Kentucky Star Staff MCCRACKEN COUNTY - After more than a month of repair work, a section of KY 725/Woodville Road in western McCracken County has reopened.The road had been closed since April 8, due to a failed culvert. A repacement had to be ordered and fabricated due to the size of the drainage pipe.A temporary cap has been placed on the excavation work and the site will be allowed to settle for several months before it is covered with a permanent asphalt driving surface. Harrah's Donates Over $3,000 to Project Hope By West Kentucky Star Staff METROPOLIS - Harrah's Metropolis Casino recently donated over $3,000 to Project Hope.The $3,715 donation consisted of $2,500 in company contributions and $1,215 raised by employees.Project Hope opened in 1997 and strives to temporarily home animals in as natural of an environment as possible. Their mission is to provide quality care for animals daily until they find their forever home.It is within our caring culture that we are committed to sharing our financial success with our community by donating a portion of company profits to these deserving causes," said Chad Lewis, Advertising and Public Relations. "Getting the employees involved in the jeans day fundraisers is always successful. Its quite simple. Each employee is allowed to wear jeans to work on designated days each month by paying $5 each time, if they choose. Its a win/win for both the employees and the organizations receiving the funds. Unsafe Graves County Bridge Ordered Closed By West Kentucky Star Staff GRAVES COUNTY - The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has closed a portion of Beech Grove Road in Graves County and barricaded the Mayfield Creek Bridge after it was determined to be unsafe.The bridge is located halfway between Antioch Church Road and Barnetts Chapel Road.Kentucky Transportation Cabinet certified bridge inspectors and consultants have been evaluating timber pile structures statewide. In a recent inspection of the Mayfield Creek Bridge they found all timber piles in one of the piers had sustained additional damage from overweight vehicles crossing the structure.Engineers will further evaluate the bridge to determine if it can be repaired or should be replaced. TVA Names New Regional Vice President By West Kentucky Star Staff WESTERN KENTUCKY - TVA's vice president of Federal Affairs, Justin Maierhofer, has been named as the new regional vice president over their North region.In the new role, Maierhofer will lead engagement strategies with local power companies and directly serve customers, state and local government officials, and community groups throughout central Tennessee and TVA's territory in Kentucky.Maierhofer's appointment completes the selection of four regional vice president positions, joining recently announced regional vice presidents Jared Mitchem in the South region, Carol Eimers in the East region, and Mark Yates in the West region.The TVA named the new regional vice presidents as part of its new long-term vision to expand on the relationships with all of their key stakeholder groups, play a more active role in local communities, and make life better for the people they serve."I'm excited for the opportunity to help enhance the shared impact TVA and its partners have across the North region of the Tennessee Valley," Maierhofer said. "Our work with state officials and state legislatures will certainly be key to our efforts, but our team will also be just as focused on delivering the maximum benefits of the public power model to smaller towns and rural communities across both central Tennessee and the Commonwealth of Kentucky."You can find more details at the link below.On the Net: Court Ruling Could Favor Sunrise Children Services By The Associated Press/West Kentucky Star Staff FRANKFORT - After a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on a similar case, Republicans have turned up the pressure on Kentuckys Democratic governor to renew a contract with Sunrise Children's Services, a Baptist-affiliated foster care agency.The state's GOP attorney general, state office holders and lawmakers reacted to the ruling Thursday, saying it should settle the Kentucky dispute between religious beliefs and gay rights.The Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the city of Philadelphia wrongly limited its relationship with a Catholic foster care agency based on its policy, which says its religious views prevent it from working with same-sex couples as foster parents.The Kentucky standoff revolves around a clause in a new contract with the state that bans discrimination based on sexual orientation, which Sunrise Childrens Services is refusing to sign. An exemption to that clause has been included in the contract with Sunrise every year since the 1970s, until now.Gov. Andy Beshear was noncommittal Thursday about the future contract status with Sunrise. Beshear acknowledged that at least some of the initial language in the ruling suggests it might resolve the Kentucky dispute. Sunrises attorney, John Sheller, says the high court ruling applies fully to the Kentucky dispute.Sheller said Thursday that if Kentucky fails to follow the Supreme Court ruling, they would be inviting litigation, and the state would surely lose. His statement says the facts and the law are identical in both cases.Attorney General Daniel Cameron, Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles, State Treasurer Allison Ball, House Speaker David Osborne, and Speaker Pro Tem David Meade all issued statements urging the governor to abide by the federal ruling.Sunrise is the largest private residential childcare provider in Kentucky, serving over 1,000 children and families. They have facilitated more than 500 adoptions of Kentucky children and have worked with the commonwealth through 14 gubernatorial administrations. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-16 23:33:20|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Photo taken on June 15, 2021 shows a creative artistic installation combining with the Arabic letters in a calligraphy exhibition held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou) RIYADH, June 16 (Xinhua) -- A calligraphy exhibition named "Scripts and Calligraphy: A Timeless Journey" kicked off on Wednesday at the national museum in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh. The exhibition will take visitors on a time travel to discover the development of calligraphy through 180 artworks, including pieces from Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and France. Photo taken on June 15, 2021 shows a creative artistic installation combining with the Arabic letters in a calligraphy exhibition held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou) Artists of Arabic calligraphy and designers from 17 countries are invited to show the role played by Arabic calligraphy in promoting cultural relations among the countries across the Middle East, North Africa and Asia. Chinese artist Mi Guangjiang, one of the international artists invited to showcase their masterpieces at the exhibition, will display two pieces of Arabic calligraphy written with a Chinese brush and mounted in the form of traditional Chinese scrolls. Two pieces of Arabic calligraphy written by Chinese Arabic calligrapher Mi Guangjiang are on display in the exhibition held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou) "I can not attend the event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I sincerely hope that people can defeat the coronavirus as soon as possible and wish the exhibition a complete success," Mi told Xinhua in an online interview. The exhibition will run until Aug. 21. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 01:00:24|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close This photo taken on June 16, 2021, shows an international symposium held in Hong Kong to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. (Wang Shen/Xinhua) Scholars, political figures and business elites from home and abroad gathered at an international symposium in China's Hong Kong to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, highlighting the party's contribution to the world. HONG KONG, June 16 (Xinhua) -- An international symposium was held Wednesday in Hong Kong to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), with the attendance of scholars, political figures and business elites from home and abroad. When addressing the forum, Carrie Lam, chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said the country and the CPC as its ruling party always put its people first, citing that unparalleled economic progress have been achieved and 850 million people have been lifted out of poverty over the past decades. The central government and the CPC have always been committed to the thorough implementation of the great concept of "one country, two systems," she said. The implementation of the national security law in Hong Kong has effectively restored stability and the improvement to the electoral system will ensure "patriots administering Hong Kong," which shows the central government's and the CPC's unwavering determination in upholding "one country, two systems" and ensuring the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, Lam said. Faced with multiple challenges in the past two years brought about by the turbulence over the extradition bill, the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in the external environment, the CPC has enacted the national security law in the HKSAR, improved its electoral systems, and maintained Hong Kong's constitutional order, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Tan Tieniu said in his speech. The CPC also supports Hong Kong's participation in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Hong Kong's integration into the national economy to maintain Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability, he said. Looking ahead, Tan believes that Hong Kong's future is bound to be even brighter. With the implementation of the national security law in the HKSAR and the improvement of the HKSAR's electoral system, Hong Kong has gone through a major transformation from chaos to stability, and "one country, two systems" has entered another stage of enduring success, Liu Guangyuan, commissioner of the Chinese foreign ministry in the HKSAR said. The commissioner's office will more vigorously oppose external interference, serve Hong Kong's development and put people at the center, and join hands with the Hong Kong community to take diplomatic work relating to Hong Kong to new heights, he said. Mao Chaofeng, chairman of Bauhinia Culture Group Co., Ltd. said the CPC has pioneered, advanced and upheld the cause of "one country, two systems." During the past two decades, the CPC has remained committed to safeguarding Hong Kong's prosperity and stability and the enduring success of the practice of "one country, two systems," he said. More than 300 people attended the forum in person or remotely, discussing topics including the CPC's contribution to the world. The event was organized by the liaison office and Bauhinia Culture Group. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 02:03:08|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close GUANGZHOU, June 16 (Xinhua) -- South China's Guangdong Province, the country's manufacturing heartland, has been battling the resurgence of COVID-19 since late May. With strict epidemic prevention and control measures in place, the manufacturing enterprises in the province have managed to ensure uninterrupted production activities and a stable global supply chain. MASS TESTING Since the first confirmed COVID-19 case was reported on May 21, the provincial capital Guangzhou had reported a total of 135 locally confirmed cases as of June 12. To contain the spread of the virus, Guangzhou has conducted over 36 million nucleic acid tests. It is believed to be the largest nucleic acid testing ever carried out in a city in such a short time since the outbreak of COVID-19 last year. PRODUCTION AMID PREVENTION With ramped-up anti-epidemic measures in place, Guangdong's manufacturing enterprises are running smoothly. On June 8, the world's largest cargo ship exclusively for trains --"CHEROKEE" -- independently designed and built by China, was delivered to Schulte Marine Concept (SMC) during an online ceremony in Guangzhou. Stephen Nolan, a manager at SMC, said that despite the pandemic, the design, construction and delivery of the highly customized ship were completed just within two years and a half. Yang Yuanshi, director of the development and reform bureau of Huangpu District, which accounts for 40 percent of Guangzhou's total industrial output, said that the district is still implementing a batch of over 500 projects as planned, with an annual investment of over 100 billion yuan (around 15.3 billion U.S. dollars). Data shows that from January to May, Huangpu's gross industrial output value increased by 23.8 percent and fixed-asset investment increased by 74 percent year on year. According to a research report released by China International Capital Corp. Ltd., Guangdong's current import and export freight index is rising, and relevant economic indicators have not experienced an abnormal decline. SUPPLYING GLOBAL MARKET As the country's major producer of zongzi, Guangdong did not halt the export of the traditional Chinese delicacy for the celebration of the Dragon Boat Festival, which fell on June 14 this year. Li Xinshun, chairman of Katolee Foods Co. Ltd., said that the company's production has not been greatly affected by the latest COVID-19 resurgence. "Orders from Japan increased rapidly, with 58 tonnes of zongzi exported to the country this year." On May 30, the country's first China-Europe freight train bound for the city of Odessa in Ukraine departed from Guangzhou. The train was loaded with 100 standard containers of lawnmowers, rice cookers, tea and other goods, with a value of 10.59 million yuan. "Since the COVID-19 outbreak, the China-Europe freight train has become an important logistics channel to ensure the China-European trade exchange and stabilize the international supply chain," said Kang Qi, with the Guangzhou Customs. Data from the Guangdong branch of the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) showed that the province's imports and exports volume in May saw an annual increase of 16.4 percent to nearly 648.9 billion yuan, a record high in the same period. Xin Yang, with the Guangdong Branch of GACC, said that Guangdong's foreign trade will continue to see robust growth as major global economies implement large-scale fiscal stimulus policies to resume production, which will have a large demand for China's products. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 02:06:34|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, June 16 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday warned that land degradation from climate change and the expansion of agriculture, cities and infrastructure "undermines the well-being of 3.2 billion people." "Humanity is waging a relentless, self-destructive war on nature. Biodiversity is declining, greenhouse gas concentrations are rising, and our pollution can be found from the remotest islands to the highest peaks," the secretary-general said in his message for the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought. "We must make peace with nature," he noted. The top UN official said that while "land can be our greatest ally," currently it's "suffering." Land degradation is harming biodiversity and enabling infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, to emerge, he explained. "Restoring degraded land would remove carbon from the atmosphere ... help vulnerable communities adapt to climate change ... and it could generate an extra 1.4 trillion U.S. dollars in agricultural production each year," Guterres spelled out. And best of all, land restoration is "simple, inexpensive and accessible to all," he added, calling it "one of the most democratic and pro-poor ways of accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals." To meet an ever-growing demand for food, raw materials, roads and homes, humans have altered nearly three quarters of the earth's surface, beyond land that is permanently frozen. Avoiding, slowing and reversing the loss of productive land and natural ecosystems now, is both urgent and important for a swift recovery from the pandemic and for guaranteeing the long-term survival of people and the planet. Restoring degraded land brings economic resilience, creates jobs, raises incomes and increases food security, according to the UN. Moreover, it helps biodiversity to recover and locks away carbon, while lessening the impacts of climate change and underpinning a green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. "This year marks the start of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration," reminded the secretary-general, calling on everyone to "make healthy land central to all our planning." The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is a United Nations observance celebrated each year on June 17. Its purpose is to raise awareness of the presence of desertification and drought, highlighting methods of preventing desertification and recovering from drought. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 04:21:26|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close People enjoy themselves along the waterfront in the Brooklyn borough of New York, the United States, June 15, 2021. (Xinhua/Michael Nagle) "If the vaccination rollout is not fast enough, the Delta variant may progress to a dominant strain, and may also evolve into even more dangerous mutant," a health expert said. by Xinhua Writer Tan Jingjing WASHINGTON, June 16 (Xinhua) -- More rapid COVID-19 vaccination rollout across the United States, combined with other precaution measures, are essential to prevent emerging coronavirus variants from causing new outbreaks, a leading expert told Xinhua on Wednesday. The United States has reached another grim milestone Tuesday with over 600,000 coronavirus deaths and more than 33.4 million confirmed cases. The country remains the nation worst hit by the pandemic, accounting for nearly 20 percent of the global cases and over 15 percent of the global deaths. Though progress has been seen in key COVID-19 indicators since peak in January, emerging coronavirus variants, including the Delta variant which was first discovered in India, are posing new threats. "This variant is very dangerous and highly transmissible, greater than the Alpha variant which is currently the dominant strain in the United States," Zhang Zuofeng, professor of epidemiology and associate dean for research with the School of Public Health at the University of California, Los Angeles, told Xinhua in an interview. People enjoy their leisure time at the San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, California, the United States, June 15, 2021. (Photo by Liu Yilin/Xinhua) It may be associated with an increased disease severity, such as hospitalization risk, compared to Alpha, he added. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has elevated the Delta variant from "variant of interest" to "variant of concern." Currently, a total of six variants were classified by the CDC as "variants of concern." The Alpha variant, the dominant strain, has led to 69.5 percent of new COVID-19 infections across the country, according to the latest CDC data. Zhang said whether the Delta variant would replace the Alpha variant to become the dominant strain in the United States depends on the vaccination rate. "If the vaccination rollout is not fast enough, the Delta variant may progress to a dominant strain, and may also evolve into even more dangerous mutant," he noted. People unvaccinated and partially vaccinated are most at risk, as study suggests strong protection from COVID-19 vaccines against variants after two doses, Zhang said. People dine at an outdoor area of a restaurant in San Francisco, California, the United States, June 15, 2021. (Photo by Dong Xudong/Xinhua) The Pfizer/BioNTech shot is 96 percent effective against hospitalization of those infected with the Delta variant after two doses, according to an analysis announced Monday by health authorities in Britain. Those results are comparable with the protection offered against the alpha variant, which first emerged in Britain, the data show. Zhang urged more people to get vaccinated as soon as possible to keep the variant from taking hold. He also stressed the importance of keeping social distance, wearing masks and personal hygiene as vaccines could not offer 100 percent protection. Research is still underway on how long the protection from COVID-19 vaccines will last, and when a booster is required, Zhang told Xinhua. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 07:24:27|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, June 16 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday called for the full respect of the ceasefire agreed between Israel and militant groups led by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on May 20. Responding to a question about the secretary-general's reaction to Tuesday's escalating violence, Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the secretary-general, said at a regular press briefing that the secretary-general "expresses concern over the most recent round of violence." Haq added that the secretary-general "would like to see the cessation of hostilities be maintained and solidified in order to give space for the relevant parties to work out arrangements to stabilize the situation." Israeli army said on Wednesday that it had carried out the first airstrike in the Gaza Strip since a ceasefire ended its fighting with Gaza's ruler Hamas in May. In the overnight attack, Israeli war jets struck military compounds belonging to Hamas in the city of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, an Israeli military spokesperson said in a statement. The statement accused Hamas of being responsible "for all events transpiring in the Gaza Strip" and warned that the group "will bear the consequences for its actions." "The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) is prepared for any scenario, including a resumption of hostilities, in the face of continuing terror activities from the Gaza Strip," the statement read. Hundreds of Israeli ultra-nationalists marched on Tuesday in East Jerusalem, waving Israeli flags. Some of them chanted "Death to Arabs" and other anti-Arab slurs. Militants in Gaza responded to the march by launching "arson balloons" that caused at least 13 fires in southern Israel. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 09:42:57|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close by Xinhua writer Chen Chen BEIJING, June 17 (Xinhua) -- China's Shenzhou-12 manned spacecraft with three taikonauts aboard blasted off from northwest China's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center Thursday morning, marking another major milestone in the country's space exploration endeavor. It has been almost five years since China sent its taikonauts into space last time. During the current mission, the Chinese astronauts, the first visitors to the space station core module Tianhe, will spend three months conducting multiple tasks in and out of the cabin. The vast space is a common wealth for the human race. The Chinese people share with people worldwide both the dream and the right to explore the mysterious universe. China's purpose of space exploration has all along been the peaceful use of what many call the final frontier of humanity. Beijing has never intended to join a zero-sum space race or compete for global space leadership. From the moon to Mars, from unmanned planet roaming to manned space missions, China goes into the deep space with an open mind as well as steadfast readiness to cooperate with others and to share its achievements. One tangible proof is that China and the United Nations released in 2019 the first nine international cooperation projects for China's then planned space station. They involve 23 entities from 17 countries in the fields of aerospace medicine, space life sciences and biotechnology, microgravity physics and combustion science, astronomy and other emerging technologies. In contrast, U.S. lawmakers have set a legal bar for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to cooperate with China. Their narrow-mindedness and selfishness have failed to undermine both the ambition and progress of China's space program. Shenzhou-12, China's seventh manned space mission so far, is also a comprehensive test of the country's cutting-edge technologies and innovation capabilities. Thursday's successful launch comes just weeks ahead of the centennial of the Communist Party of China, an occasion reminiscent of the fact that while international cooperation has been a key booster for China's space quest, the spirit of self-reliance and the country's growing overall national strength over the decades have been fundamental for the development of its space enterprise. The beautiful Chinese names of Shenzhou and Tianhe, which literally mean "the divine vessel" and "harmony of the heavens," crystallize Chinese people's infinite longing for the distant stars and unknown space. As China is building the new space station as an outpost for humanity's future exploration of the unknown universe, it intends to turn the outer space into a new field for cooperation instead of another battleground for you-win-I-lose competition. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 10:03:23|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SINGAPORE, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Singapore's non-oil domestic exports (NODX) grew by 8.8 percent year on year in May, compared to the 6 percent rise in April, according to Enterprise Singapore, a government agency, on Thursday. The growth was mainly due to exports of non-electronics, especially specialized machinery, petrochemicals and primary chemicals, which grew by 58 percent, 55.7 percent and 96.8 percent year on year respectively. In all, Singapore's non-electronics NODX grew by 8.1 percent year on year in May, following the 4.7 percent growth in April. Meanwhile, the electronics NODX grew by 11 percent year on year, compared to the 10.9 percent growth in the previous month. On a month-on-month seasonally adjusted basis, Singapore's NODX decreased by 0.1 percent in May to 15.4 billion Singapore dollars (about 11.53 billion U.S. dollars), after the 8.8 percent decrease in the previous month. Singapore's NODX to the Chinese mainland increased 36.9 percent year on year in May, following the 55.5 percent increase in April. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 11:13:27|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan, who served as Malaysia's ambassador to China in 1998-2005, speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 12, 2021. (Photo by Chong Voon Chung/Xinhua) KUALA LUMPUR, June 17 (Xinhua) -- "China has made very strong strides in its development and I think China has gone through a very strong transformation, which is not possible without the visionary leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC)," a former Malaysian ambassador to China has said. "I think the Party has played its role and brought up China to what it is today, a strong country economically, and has many friends in the world. China's success has contributed to the region and to the world," Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan, who served as Malaysia's ambassador to China in 1998-2005, told Xinhua in a recent interview. Serving as the president of Malaysia-China Friendship Association now, Majid still works to promote friendship and cooperation between the two countries. The veteran diplomat noted that China has adopted pragmatic diplomatic policies and "not only contributed economically but also in peace and stability" for the region and the whole world, he said. "For us in Malaysia and also for the region, we are happy because China's diplomacy has always given priority to the region, to countries in Southeast Asia," he said. Majid said that with China's development, the world would welcome the country to share its experience and resources. The Belt and Road Initiative is "very timely," which could bring greater connectivity, he said. "This will facilitate globalization, expedite internationalization and exchanges." China's successful containment of the COVID-19 pandemic and its early economic recovery also demonstrated the successful leadership of the CPC, said Majid. The success reflects the discipline and strong enforcement of the Chinese system, he said. From his own experience in China and his interactions with the Chinese people, Majid said he could feel that the CPC leadership is well appreciated by the Chinese people. "Speaking to the Chinese people themselves, they are very thankful that the Party has created social stability in China and also for themselves to feel the economic power, which created this self-confidence in China vis-a-vis the world," he said. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Majid said, has highlighted how the world is a shared community and that global cooperation is essential to overcome such common challenges. "COVID-19 has shown how a small virus has actually frozen us globally, our movement, our activities, (and) our interaction," said Majid, "so the only way to combat this is through cooperation, through the sharing of common interest, I think that is the way forward." Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 12:30:55|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, June 17 (Xinhua) -- China will further release its state reserves of copper, aluminum and zinc to ensure stable prices of commodities and ease cost pressure on firms, the country's top economic planner said Thursday. The National Development and Reform Commission will work with other departments to release the nonferrous metals reserves in multiple batches as needed in light of market price changes, said Meng Wei, a spokesperson with the commission. The National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration on Wednesday announced that it would release national reserves of copper, aluminum and zinc via public bidding. The release will be open to nonferrous metal processing and manufacturing enterprises, and small and medium-sized enterprises will be favored in participating in the bidding, Meng said. The commission has taken various measures to rein in market speculations and correct the overly high commodity prices, Meng said, adding that price declines have been seen in commodities including iron ore, steel and copper. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 15:14:30|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close by Xinhua writers Zhu Shaobin, Qiao Benxiao, and Wang Ping NAIROBI, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Thursday marks the one-year anniversary of the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity against COVID-19, which has delivered an important message to the world that countries must stand together to rein in the devastating pandemic before it causes further harm. Chinese President Xi Jinping, when addressing the summit on June 17, 2020, said that in the face of COVID-19, China and Africa have enhanced solidarity and strengthened friendship and mutual trust, reaffirming China's commitment to its longstanding friendship with Africa. As the war against the coronavirus continues, especially when new waves of COVID-19 infections hit some parts of the world, the China-Africa solidarity throws light on the right way to fight a common enemy of mankind. RUSH TO WHERE NEEDED During the extraordinary summit last year, Xi said people and their lives must be put front and center, and that China and Africa should do whatever it takes to protect people's lives and health. As the developing world is still facing a huge vaccination gap due to a dire shortage of vaccines, China has been trying its best to supply vaccines to where they are most urgently needed, having donated vaccines to more than 80 developing countries. China has pledged to make COVID-19 vaccines a global public good. Currently, more than 30 African countries have received or will receive Chinese vaccines. In Cameroon, Antoinette Fatimatu, a 38-year-old nurse who conducts COVID-19 tests at the Yaounde General Hospital, said the most difficult part of her job is to tell people they are positive for COVID-19. "I have seen people die within days after I test them positive. I need protection and can't wait to be vaccinated", her colleague Judith Maya told Xinhua. In April, Cameroon received its first batch of COVID-19 vaccines when 200,000 doses of China's Sinopharm vaccines arrived. In Zimbabwe, 65-year-old Deborah Birch, who has an underlying condition, took her first jab of a Chinese vaccine in March. "I am confident that I have taken the Chinese vaccine," she said. China also supports its own vaccine manufacturers in transferring technologies to other developing countries and carrying out joint production with them. Last month, Egypt received from China the first batch of raw materials to locally manufacture the Sinovac vaccine with the target of producing 40 million doses within a year. STANDING SHOULDER TO SHOULDER China and Africa have stayed committed to fighting COVID-19 together. After the Chinese city of Wuhan reported its first infections, leaders of more than 50 African countries offered sympathies and provided support to China's anti-virus fight. The goodwill and kind gesture by African countries have been returned with China's ensuing support. In February, Equatorial Guinea became the first African country to receive Chinese vaccine aid. In March, China agreed to expand and modernize the Juba Teaching Hospital so as to offer better medical services in South Sudan, a country that has suffered from years of conflict. At the Yaounde Gynaeco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital of Cameroon, Chinese medical team members have been helping with medical training for local staff. "From the start of the pandemic until now, we feel the presence of the Chinese medical team alongside the Cameroonian team to effectively contain this pandemic," Nsom Mba Charles, deputy director-general of the hospital, told Xinhua. Data showed that 46 Chinese medical teams in Africa have been mobilized for Africa's response efforts. China also 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. In December 2020, construction of the Chinese-aided headquarters project for the Africa CDC commenced. Fantahun Hailemichael, project coordinator at the African Union, said the landmark project, presently progressing smoothly, is a generous gift to the 1.3 billion people in Africa. "The Africa-China partnership is very strong and we hope it will last for a very long period of time. This will continue because it's based on trust and mutual interest. It can not be shaken by events or circumstances," Hailemichael said. COMMUNITY OF HEALTH FOR ALL During last year's summit, Xi called for building a China-Africa community of health for all and pledged that once the development and deployment of COVID-19 vaccine is completed in China, African countries will be among the first to benefit. Last month, at the Global Health Summit, Xi said that confronted by a pandemic like COVID-19, we must champion the vision of building a global community of health for all and tide over this trying time through solidarity and cooperation. To Cavince Adhere, a Kenya-based international relations scholar, China has demonstrated its tangible commitments to assist Africa, as China has really been offering the continent therapeutics, epidemic control information and vaccines. "China has walked its talk with African countries and other developing countries around the world in an effort to manage this pandemic," Adhere said, noting that China is also the first country to assist Africa with local production of vaccines. "I think the spirit of shared humanity that is being fronted by China is something that is very progressive and has seen a lot of valued acceptance and resonance around the world," Adhere said, adding, "Countries cannot act in compartments. They must be willing to shed off the tag of nationalism and begin to speak in a language that resonates with the cross-border challenges that we're facing today." Enditem (Xinhua reporters Feng Yiwei, Li Hualing, Zhang Yuliang, and Zhang Gaiping contributed to the story.) Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 15:31:15|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HONG KONG, June 17 (Xinhua) -- The Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) said Thursday that it firmly supports the police's law enforcement action against three companies including Apple Daily and five directors of the newspaper. According to the national security law in Hong Kong, any institution, organization or individual in the HKSAR shall abide by the national security law and other laws of the region in relation to safeguarding national security and shall not engage in any act or activity which endangers national security, a spokesperson of the office said in a statement. The office firmly supports the police in fulfilling their duties according to the law and taking resolute actions against any act endangering national security, the spokesperson said. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 15:50:33|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, June 17 (Xinhua) -- China's centenarian translator Xu Yuanchong passed away Thursday morning, said Peking University. Born in 1921, Xu began his literary translation career in 1938, when he enrolled in a foreign language program at the former National Southwest Associated University in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province. Xu began teaching at Peking University in 1983 and taught there until his retirement. Throughout his lifetime, the revered translator had pursued the beauty of language and was committed to forging literary ties between Chinese, English and French speakers. In 2014, the International Federation of Translators (FIT) granted Xu the Aurora Borealis Prize for Outstanding Translation of Fiction Literature, the highest award in the profession. Xu is also the first Asian translator to receive the honor since the establishment of the FIT in 1999. Through his pursuit of excellence, the master had enabled English and French-speaking audiences to better understand the beauty of Chinese literature and the Chinese wisdom beneath. "I am the only translator capable of rendering Chinese poems in English and French," read Xu's business card. He contributed a mind-boggling quantity of translations in his life, including more than 180 novels, anthologies and plays that have reached millions of readers around the world. Xu's work is more than just translating words from one language to another. He adapted the original wording when necessary to make it readable and relatable to its target readers. A translation should be as beautiful as or even more than the original, said Xu. Regarding translation as an art, he encouraged innovation and creation, which stands in stark contrast to many other academics who advocate translation as a science and produce a strict equivalent of the original. Many of Xu's translation works are aesthetically pleasing. Examples are easily found in his extensive achievements ranging from the "Book of Poetry," the oldest collection of Chinese poetry, to the Confucian masterpiece "Thus Spoke the Master." Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 16:07:06|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Mahinda Rajapaksa (on screen), prime minister and leader of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, delivers a speech during a virtual conference to mark the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) via videolink in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on June 15, 2021. Leaders of major Sri Lankan political parties and cabinet ministers have attended a virtual conference to mark the 100th anniversary of the CPC. During the conference hosted by the Communist Party of Sri Lanka on Tuesday, Mahinda Rajapaksa, prime minister and leader of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, made a speech to commemorate the CPC centenary. (Xinhua/Tang Lu) COLOMBO, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of major Sri Lankan political parties and cabinet ministers have attended a virtual conference to mark the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC). During the conference hosted by the Communist Party of Sri Lanka on Tuesday, Mahinda Rajapaksa, prime minister and leader of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, made a speech to commemorate the CPC centenary. "We appreciate the commitments made by the Chinese Government for our independence during and after the war, forever," Rajapaksa said. Quoting a Sinhala classic to describe Sri Lanka-China friendship, the prime minister said, "The friend will always be there, both in sorrow and pleasure. Like the murals on a wall, they never look away." Maithripala Sirisena, former Sri Lankan president and leader of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, said that Sri Lankans are proud of their historic collaboration with China. Ranil Wickremesinghe, former prime minister and leader of the United National Party, said that the CPC has led China to become one of the largest economies in the world. Communist Party of Sri Lanka veteran and former General Secretary Dew Gunasekara said the CPC had contributed to the rise of Asia, especially regarding the fight against extreme poverty and the Belt and Road Initiative. Tissa Vitarana, General Secretary of the Lanka Sama Samaja Party, the oldest political party and first socialist party in Sri Lanka, said the party wishes to strengthen bonds with the CPC. "The CPC always stood on the people's side and served the people in China to become a powerful nation," said Asanka Nawaratne, general secretary of the Sri Lanka Mahajana Party (People's Party). From the Chinese side, Song Tao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and Qi Zhenhong, Chinese ambassador to Sri Lanka, also spoke at the event. Tao reviewed the history of the CPC and emphasised the party's continuous support for its original aspirations. He noted that China and Sri Lanka have similar historical experiences and called for strengthened exchanges and mutual learning. Ambassador Qi said that the conference "clearly represents the special friendship from different parties of Sri Lanka towards the Communist Party, the government and the people of China." Up to 11 political parties, including the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna and its allies, jointly issued a statement at the conference praising the CPC's domestic and international accomplishments. Noting that the CPC remains a steadfast champion for developing countries, the statement said the Belt and Road Initiative help such countries improve their infrastructure and production while respecting sovereignty. It also called for "bolstering mutual support, practical cooperation, and promoting progress and peace" between the CPC and Sri Lankan political parties. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 16:57:00|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close by Xinhua writer Wang Xiaopeng NAIROBI, June 17 (Xinhua) -- China and Africa's joint fight against the COVID-19 pandemic is illustrative of a strong relationship built on mutual trust, solidarity and cooperation. One year ago, China and its African partners voiced a willingness to work together to build a China-Africa community of health for all at the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity Against COVID-19. One year on, the two sides have supported each other with good faith in the pandemic fight, further enriching an already strong friendship. Meanwhile, China has proven a reliable friend in need which honors its pledges of support in deed. To help Africa fight the pandemic, China has delivered urgently-needed supplies and sent over medical teams, while working with other G20 members on debt suspension in Africa. The measures and suggestions put forward by China during the summit have benefited the continent. Sustaining Africa's economic development and ensuring people's livelihoods amid the ongoing pandemic is of great importance. Despite the continued spread of the virus, a number of Belt and Road projects in Africa remain ongoing, with Chinese technical personnel and engineers remaining at their posts, rain or shine. The China-assisted railway linking the southwestern cities of Lagos and Ibadan in Nigeria is now in full commercial operation. Construction work of the future headquarters of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, started last December ahead of schedule, and its foundation has almost finished. Furthermore, the two sides have continued high-level exchanges and supported each other in global affairs over the past year. China, president of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for May, and Africa, have jointly launched the Initiative on Partnership for Africa's Development at the UNSC high-level meeting to address the root causes of conflict while promoting post-pandemic recovery on the continent. China has also called on the international community to beef up its support for Africa in combating the pandemic, post-pandemic reconstruction, trade and investment, debt relief, as well as food security. China and Africa together firmly believe in multilateralism and jointly issued concerns against foreign interference, racial discrimination, and efforts to exploit the pandemic for political purposes. At the site of the future headquarters of the Africa CDC, the flags marking temporary roads are imprinted with the words "For Shared Future." What China has done since the summit testifies to its determination to build a closer China-Africa community with a shared future. Expect more stellar outcomes from this relationship in the future. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 18:00:11|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, June 17 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said Thursday that it would enrich its policy toolbox to alleviate the pressure of commodity price spikes on foreign trade companies. Import diversification has been promoted, and stable channels of commodity trade established, with joint efforts from the ministry and other authorities, MOC spokesperson Gao Feng told a regular news briefing. Looking ahead, the ministry will enhance the policy effects of export credit insurance and credit support, closely monitor commodity prices, and help enterprises reduce costs and expand markets, Gao said. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 18:01:13|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, June 17 (Xinhua) -- The January to May period this year saw public security authorities across China uncover 114,000 telecommunications and internet fraud cases, dealing a heavy blow to such offenses. The figure represented a 60.4 percent increase year on year, according to a Ministry of Public Security press conference on Thursday. The number of captured criminal suspects in relation to the offenses was 154,000 during the period, up 146.5 percent year on year. Also due to the persuasion of public security agencies, about 7.71 million individuals did not fall for fraud. With the rapid growth of telecom and internet scams being curbed, around 84,600 such cases were newly registered in May nationwide, down 14.3 percent month on month, official data showed. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 18:10:21|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close 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) One year on, China and Africa have supported each other with good faith in the pandemic fight, further enriching an already strong friendship. Meanwhile, China has proven a reliable friend in need which honors its pledges of support in deed. by Xinhua writer Wang Xiaopeng NAIROBI, June 17 (Xinhua) -- China and Africa's joint fight against the COVID-19 pandemic is illustrative of a strong relationship built on mutual trust, solidarity and cooperation. One year ago, China and its African partners voiced a willingness to work together to build a China-Africa community of health for all at the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity Against COVID-19. One year on, the two sides have supported each other with good faith in the pandemic fight, further enriching an already strong friendship. Meanwhile, China has proven a reliable friend in need which honors its pledges of support in deed. An Egyptian receives a box of food donated by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Egypt during a charitable event in Cairo, Egypt, on April 24, 2021. (Photo by Mohamed Asad/Xinhua) To help Africa fight the pandemic, China has delivered urgently-needed supplies and sent over medical teams, while working with other G20 members on debt suspension in Africa. The measures and suggestions put forward by China during the summit have benefited the continent. Sustaining Africa's economic development and ensuring people's livelihoods amid the ongoing pandemic is of great importance. Despite the continued spread of the virus, a number of Belt and Road projects in Africa remain ongoing, with Chinese technical personnel and engineers remaining at their posts, rain or shine. The China-assisted railway linking the southwestern cities of Lagos and Ibadan in Nigeria is now in full commercial operation. Construction work of the future headquarters of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, started last December ahead of schedule, and its foundation has almost finished. Trains park on the track at the Mobolaji Johnson Railway Station of the Lagos-Ibadan railway in Lagos, Nigeria, on June 10, 2021. (Photo by Emma Houston/Xinhua) Furthermore, the two sides have continued high-level exchanges and supported each other in global affairs over the past year. China, president of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for May, and Africa, have jointly launched the Initiative on Partnership for Africa's Development at the UNSC high-level meeting to address the root causes of conflict while promoting post-pandemic recovery on the continent. China has also called on the international community to beef up its support for Africa in combating the pandemic, post-pandemic reconstruction, trade and investment, debt relief, as well as food security. China and Africa together firmly believe in multilateralism and jointly issued concerns against foreign interference, racial discrimination, and efforts to exploit the pandemic for political purposes. China's medical supplies for 18 African countries arrive at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Ghana, April 6, 2020. (Xinhua/Xu Zheng) At the site of the future headquarters of the Africa CDC, the flags marking temporary roads are imprinted with the words "For Shared Future." What China has done since the summit testifies to its determination to build a closer China-Africa community with a shared future. Expect more stellar outcomes from this relationship in the future. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 19:29:51|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WINDHOEK, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Namibia recorded 33 COVID-19 deaths and 2,075 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, the highest daily count since the pandemic broke out in the country in March last year, Minister of Health and Social Services Kalumbi Shangula said on Thursday. Shangula attributed the spike in cases to a slow vaccination drive and the proliferation of fake news about vaccines. "We have noted with dismay that proponents of Ivermectin have resorted to falsehood via social media to solicit support under false pretense. They assert that the number of new infections and deaths has increased following mass vaccination," said the minister. "There is no shred of evidence to support this narrative," he stressed. Shangula noted with concern that among those who died from COVID-19 was someone who had received one dose of vaccine. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 19:36:27|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A worker loads beds for government hospitals and quarantine centers amid the COVID-19 pandemic at a factory in Colombo, Sri Lanka, June 1, 2021. (Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua) -- AstraZeneca vaccine recommended for Australians aged above 60; -- Japan to lift state of emergency for Tokyo, 8 other prefectures from Monday; -- New Zealand announces vaccine rollout plan for general population; -- India records 67,208 new cases, tally rises to 29,700,313. HONG KONG, June 17 (Xinhua) -- The following are the latest developments of the COVID-19 pandemic in Asia-Pacific countries on Thursday: COLOMBO -- Sri Lankan authorities said the highly transmissible B.1.617.2 variant found in India had been detected for the first time from the community in capital Colombo. Director of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine of Sri Jayewardenepura University Dr. Chandima Jeewandara said this variant was detected in five samples obtained from the Dematagoda area in Colombo. People are seen at a vaccination site in Bangkok, Thailand, June 7, 2021. (Xinhua/Rachen Sageamsak) BANGKOK -- Thailand has administered 7,003,783 doses of COVID-19 vaccines so far, as the nation accelerates its vaccination to fight against the spread of the coronavirus. Over 2.9 million doses of the vaccines have been given since the country launched its mass inoculation campaign 10 days ago, according to the data released by the Center for the COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA). About 63 percent of residents in southern Thailand's Phuket island have received their first shot of a COVID-19 vaccine as the island is scheduled to reopen on July 1, said a senior government official. A staff member works at a COVID-19 testing center at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, on June 17, 2021. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei) CANBERRA/SYDNEY -- Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt said the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has advised that the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine be administered to people aged 60 and over, rather than those aged 50 and over as was previously recommended. Locally acquired COVID-19 cases increased in Australia's largest city of Sydney after a man tested positive on Wednesday. A professor wearing personal protective equipment is seen in a classroom during a limited face-to-face class at National University in Manila, the Philippines on June 8, 2021. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali) MANILA -- The Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) reported 6,637 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Southeast Asian country, bringing the total tally to 1,339,457. The death toll rose to 23,276 with 155 more deaths recorded from the coronavirus epidemic, the DOH said. File photo taken on Jan. 22, 2021 shows a pedestrian wearing a face mask walking past a poster with epidemic prevention information in Tokyo, Japan. (Xinhua/Du Xiaoyi) TOKYO -- The Japanese government decided to lift the COVID-19 state of emergency for nine prefectures from Monday, following its coronavirus advisory panel approving the move earlier in the day. Photo taken with a mobile phone shows staff unloading China-aided COVID-19 vaccines at Velana International Airport in Male, the Maldives, March 24, 2021. (Photo by Zhang Feng/Xinhua) MALE -- The death toll resulting from COVID-19 in the Maldives has crossed 200, local media reported. Maldives' death toll from COVID-19 reached 200 on Wednesday, according to data from the Health Protection Agency (HPA). This includes 183 Maldivian nationals and 17 expatriates. Passengers to New Zealand line up to check in at Sydney Airport International Terminal in Sydney, Australia, April 19, 2021. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei) WELLINGTON -- New Zealanders aged over 60 will be offered vaccination from July 28 and those aged over 55 from Aug. 11, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said. The rollout of the vaccine to the general population will be done in age groups as is the approach commonly used overseas, with those over 45 years old to receive vaccine invitations from mid to late August, those over 35 years old from mid to late September, and everyone else being eligible from October, Ardern told a press conference. New Zealand reported two cases of COVID-19 in managed isolation and no new cases in the community. People wait in line to register for COVID-19 vaccines at a mass vaccination center in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, June 3, 2021. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal) ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan on Wednesday confirmed 1,119 new COVID-19 cases, the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) said. The NCOC, a department leading Pakistan's campaign against the pandemic, said that the country's number of overall cases had risen to 945,184, which include 887,095 recoveries. People dine in a restaurant after relaxation in restrictions of COVID-19 lockdown in Amritsar district of India's northern state Punjab, June 16, 2021. (Str/Xinhua) NEW DELHI -- India's COVID-19 tally rose to 29,700,313, with 67,208 new cases recorded in the past 24 hours, said the federal health ministry. Meanwhile, 2,330 more patients died since Wednesday morning, taking the death toll to 381,903. A man wearing a mask waits for a bus in Seoul, South Korea, June 1, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Jingqiang) SEOUL -- South Korea reported 540 more cases of COVID-19 as of midnight Wednesday compared to 24 hours ago, raising the total number of infections to 149,731. The daily caseload was slightly down from 545 on the prior day, staying above 500 for two days. The daily average caseload for the past week was 490. Health workers conduct an investigation to trace chains of infection to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Suva, Fiji, May 26, 2021. (FIJI SUN/Handout via Xinhua) SUVA -- Fiji recorded 121 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, including 61 cases linked to existing clusters and two newly identified clusters, according to the Ministry of Health. The ministry's permanent secretary James Fong said the majority of new cases are within known clusters in areas already under a lockdown or are individuals under home quarantine. Passengers are seen at a railway station in Dhaka, Bangladesh on May 24, 2021. (Xinhua) DHAKA -- The Bangladeshi government has extended the countrywide COVID-19 restrictions on public movement and transport for a month from Thursday. The ongoing restrictions, which are to expire Wednesday midnight after having been extended several times, will now run through the midnight of July 15. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 19:37:19|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close YINCHUAN, June 17 (Xinhua) -- A strong wind blew over Zhongwei, a city near the Tengger Desert in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, one of the driest places in the country, covering everything with a thin layer of dust. Zhao Yang, an associate fellow at Shapotou Desert Research and Experiment Station (SDRES) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), was working in a lab culturing a kind of cyanobacteria that is key to new desert-control technology. The station was the birthplace of vast stretches of artificial straw-checkerboard, a technique to stop sand encroachment that was implemented in China over 60 years ago. Today, Chinese researchers at SDRES are dedicated to developing new techniques to combat desertification in China, which in the past 20 years has contributed to the world's largest greening areas. COMBATING DESERTIFICATION Zhao is happy to see the progress taking place with the new desert-control technique. According to Zhao, it naturally takes about 10 years to form a cyanobacteria crust on the surface of the sand that can prevent it from moving. However, by hybridizing a special bacterial strain extracted from the biological soil crust in the Tengger Desert with the cultured cyanobacteria, researchers at SDRES have successfully cut the crust formation time to only one year. "The new technique has been implemented. The experimental field under my supervision alone is as large as 33.3 hectares, not to mention the fields supervised by my colleagues in other parts of China," said Zhao, who has been working at SDRES for 11 years. Zhao's work is a microcosm of China's efforts to combat desertification, which dates back over 60 years ago. When China's first railway through the Tengger Desert began operation in 1958, foreign experts who were invited to design the railway had predicted that it would be buried by sand in 30 years. However, Chinese researchers' wisdom gave them a way out. Straw structures, which resemble checkerboards, proved to be the most convenient, environmentally friendly and cheap way of stopping sand encroachment. Within the checkerboards, the surface of the sand forms a hard crust over time which prevents the sand from moving. With ample sand-control experience, Ningxia is building its first highway crossing the Tengger Desert, which is expected to be completed in 2021. In recent years, China has pushed ahead with its greening efforts across the country. Official data showed that in 2020 alone, the country improved the ecology of 2.83 million hectares of grassland and carried out desertification prevention-and-control work on over 2.09 million hectares of land. SHARING EXPERIENCE WITH THE WORLD While making headway in combating desertification over the past decades, China shared its techniques and experience in sand control with other countries. In 1977, China shared the anti-desertification technique used in Shapotou at the UN Conference on Desertification in Nairobi. Dry straw checkerboards have now been used in many parts of the world as an effective way to combat desertification. "The Chinese experience can benefit the world," said Iraqi agricultural engineer Sarmad Kamil Ali, who was in China in 2013 to learn about sand control. "The Chinese always surprise the world with creative methods to overcome the difficulties they face. They have different methods to fix the dunes, and I found out recently that they are using more advanced technologies in fixing the sand dunes," he said. Since 2005, the research team from Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) of the CAS has been exporting mature desertification control technologies to Central Asia and Africa. Demonstration bases have been built in many countries, such as those for ecological restoration of shrub grassland in Ethiopia, desert plants breeding and mechanical desertification control in Mauritania, according to Zhang Yuanming, head of the XIEG. Noam Weisbrod, director of the Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel, was impressed by the sand control efforts during his trip to China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region several years ago. The impact of climate change is very similar in different drylands around the globe, Weisbrod told Xinhua in an interview. "I'm a great believer in international cooperation. There is a lot of room for Israel-China cooperation on these topics." DESERT BIODIVERSITY Despite China's achievements in desert control, researchers believe that the country's anti-desertification methods still need to withstand the test of time. "We should not be complacent with what we have found in desert control," said the SDRES director Li Xinrong. "We need to do more theoretical research in the field." For Li, the ultimate goal of sand control is not to eliminate the deserts, but to improve the biodiversity of desert ecosystems and find a way for humans and deserts to live harmoniously. "Deserts are an indispensable part of nature and a valuable resource," said Li. "The Earth would not be a beautiful place without them." Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 21:05:04|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Charles Mwaniki (C), dean of the school of engineering and technology at Machakos University, demonstrates how to set up WiFi and bluetooth networks to students Peter Kariuki (R) and Owen Alikula (L) at the institution's Luban workshop in Machakos, Kenya, May 19, 2021. TO GO WITH "Economic Watch: Amid the pandemic, China's Luban Workshops boost vocational skills for African youth" (Photo by James Asande/Xinhua) by Xinhua Writers Wang Xiaopeng, Naftali Mwaura NAIROBI, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Peter Kariuki, a 23-year-old Kenyan university student majoring in science and telecommunications technology, has ambitions to be on the frontlines of the country's fourth industrial revolution. Kariuki is enrolled at Machakos University, about 65 km southeast of the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, where a Luban Workshop launched in 2019 has raised the bar in vocational training. A Luban Workshop provides technical and vocational training across a variety of fields to boost practical skills. Though the COVID-19 pandemic has affected learning institutions worldwide, China has been working with African countries to establish more workshops. China's Tianjin City Vocational College jointly built the workshop with Machakos University. The workshop held a five-day training on cloud computing back in January. Nineteen trainees from Kenyan universities, including those from Machakos University, took part. Kariuki said the training was a game changer in his quest to refine his technical skills and has paved the way for a promising career in the industry. ADDITIONAL LEARNING SOURCE "I have been taking a Huawei Certified ICT Associate (HCIA) routing and switching hardware (course) at Luban workshop for the last four months and have been able to gain hands-on skills on HCIA, R&S, AI Routing and Switching," Kariuki told Xinhua in a recent interview. He said joining the program named after Lu Ban, an ancient Chinese woodcraft master, has improved his grasp of state-of-the-art networking technologies and their real-life applications, since the knowledge he learned in school has not adequately prepared him for a demanding career in network engineering. "In HCIA routing and switching here at the Luban workshop, you get to learn a lot of skills, hands on skills unlike in class where we do a lot of theories," said Kariuki. Kariuki said he is confident of establishing small- to medium-sized networking platforms in the near future with the skills acquired at the workshop. Charles Mwaniki, dean of the school of engineering and technology at the institution, told Xinhua that training has enabled learners to have greater space to hone their technical skills. "By introducing the Luban Workshop, the training has been more practical than before. We have more resources for students," said Mwaniki. Philip Muchiri, head of the department of computing and information technology at the university, said his department has trained about 20 academic staff to teach students at the workshop. "By the end of this year, we will have the first group of students graduating," said Mwaniki. Owen Alikula, a 23-year-old university student majoring in information technology, said he never had the opportunity to interact with data centres until he joined Luban. "It is a place that transforms young minds," Alikula said, adding that "Luban Workshop is the best additional learning source." FULFILLING PLEDGE Kenya is among a growing number of African countries where the launch of a Luban Workshop lines up with China's plans to boost capacity building including vocational training on the African continent. The launch of the learning program in Nigeria's Abuja University in November 2020 was hailed as critical in meeting the rising demand for high-end technical skills in Africa's largest economy. Adamu Adamu, Nigeria's education minister, said the Luban Workshop, whose target beneficiaries are local youth, will boost socio-economic progress in the country. "This laudable initiative by the Chinese government is commendable due to the technical and professional training for the good and development of our nation," said Adamu. China announced in September 2018 that 10 Luban Workshops would be established in Africa to provide vocational training for the continent's youth under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. Abdulrasheed Na'Allah, vice chancellor of the University of Abuja, said the program -- established with support from the Tianjin Sino-German University of Applied Sciences and Tianjin Railway Vocation and Technical College -- will enable Nigerians to acquire marketing skills. Offered are courses on urban rail traffic management, urban train transit vehicles, railway bridges and tunnels, electronics and telecommunications. SKILLS FOR GLOBAL MARKET The April launch of the Luban Workshop at Ethiopian Technical University (ETU) based in the capital of Addis Ababa will pave the way for training in industrial sensor technology, mechatronics and robotics. "It will make our graduates familiar with the 21st century skills and knowledge," said Teshale Berecha, president of ETU, adding that the facility will accommodate about 150 students and has the capacity to offer training to batches of students every year. Habtamu Sisay, a student pursuing a post-graduate degree in automotive engineering at ETU, said studying at Luban will fulfill his dream of advancing mechatronics and robotics technologies in his country. According to Sisay, the absence of well-equipped facilities hindered his quest for knowledge on emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence that could fuel Ethiopia's industrial transformation. He said a visit to the workshop made him appreciate the practical learning experience. "With the Luban Workshop, we will be able to directly engage in practical classes with the help of modern machinery," said Sisay. Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia Zhao Zhiyuan said the workshop boosts cultural and educational opportunities between the two countries. A workshop in eastern Uganda was launched in December 2020. Elioda Tumwesigye, Uganda's former science and technology minister, praised China for establishing such a workshop that trains local youth on the application of modern technology in order to secure better jobs. "After this particular training, and when students graduate, we are very sure that they are going to secure good jobs," Muchiri said, "because the demand is very high for cloud computing engineers." Enditem (Xinhua reporters Bai Lin in Nairobi, Wang Ping in Addis Ababa, Guo Jun in Abuja, Jing Jing in Johannesburg and Zhang Gaiping in Kampala also contributed to the story) Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 21:36:15|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SANAA, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi militia said they launched two bomb-laden drones toward the Saudi international airport of Abha at noon on Thursday. "The armed drones hit military targets inside the airport," Houthi military spokesman Yehya Sarea said in a statement aired by the rebel-run al-Masirah TV. Meanwhile, Saudi-owned Alarabiya TV reported that the Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed a bomb-laden drone that the Houthi militia launched toward the Saudi southwestern city of Khamis Mushait. The Iran-backed Houthi group has intensified cross-border missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia since February when the group launched a large offensive against the Saudi-back Yemeni government army to capture the oil-rich province of Marib in central Yemen, which hosts nearly 2 million internally displaced persons. The United Nations has warned that the offensive on Marib could lead to a major humanitarian catastrophe. Last week, an Omani delegation visited Yemen's capital Sanaa as part of the international efforts to convince the Houthis to accept a recent UN-proposed cease-fire. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 22:31:04|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close -- Chinese researchers are dedicated to developing new techniques to combat desertification in China, which in the past 20 years has contributed to the world's largest greening areas. China also shared its experience in sand control with other countries. -- For researchers, the ultimate goal of sand control is not to eliminate the deserts, but to improve the biodiversity of desert ecosystems and find a way for humans and deserts to live harmoniously. YINCHUAN, June 17 (Xinhua) -- A strong wind blew over Zhongwei, a city near the Tengger Desert in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, one of the driest places in the country, covering everything with a thin layer of dust. Zhao Yang, an associate fellow at Shapotou Desert Research and Experiment Station (SDRES) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), was working in a lab culturing a kind of cyanobacteria that is key to new desert-control technology. The station was the birthplace of vast stretches of artificial straw-checkerboard, a technique to stop sand encroachment that was implemented in China over 60 years ago. Today, Chinese researchers at SDRES are dedicated to developing new techniques to combat desertification in China, which in the past 20 years has contributed to the world's largest greening areas. File photo taken on Sept. 7, 2020 shows desertification control workers making straw checkerboard barriers in the Tengger Desert along the construction site of the Qingtongxia-Zhongwei section of the Wuhai-Maqin highway in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua) COMBATING DESERTIFICATION Zhao is happy to see the progress taking place with the new desert-control technique. According to Zhao, it naturally takes about 10 years to form a cyanobacteria crust on the surface of the sand that can prevent it from moving. However, by hybridizing a special bacterial strain extracted from the biological soil crust in the Tengger Desert with the cultured cyanobacteria, researchers at SDRES have successfully cut the crust formation time to only one year. "The new technique has been implemented. The experimental field under my supervision alone is as large as 33.3 hectares, not to mention the fields supervised by my colleagues in other parts of China," said Zhao, who has been working at SDRES for 11 years. Zhao's work is a microcosm of China's efforts to combat desertification, which dates back over 60 years ago. When China's first railway through the Tengger Desert began operation in 1958, foreign experts who were invited to design the railway had predicted that it would be buried by sand in 30 years. However, Chinese researchers' wisdom gave them a way out. Straw structures, which resemble checkerboards, proved to be the most convenient, environmentally friendly and cheap way of stopping sand encroachment. Within the checkerboards, the surface of the sand forms a hard crust over time which prevents the sand from moving. With ample sand-control experience, Ningxia is building its first highway crossing the Tengger Desert, which is expected to be completed in 2021. In recent years, China has pushed ahead with its greening efforts across the country. Official data showed that in 2020 alone, the country improved the ecology of 2.83 million hectares of grassland and carried out desertification prevention-and-control work on over 2.09 million hectares of land. Aerial photo shows workers making grids to contain the moving sand dunes along Linhe-Ceke railway in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, April 14, 2021. (Xinhua/Liu Lei) SHARING EXPERIENCE WITH THE WORLD While making headway in combating desertification over the past decades, China shared its techniques and experience in sand control with other countries. In 1977, China shared the anti-desertification technique used in Shapotou at the UN Conference on Desertification in Nairobi. Dry straw checkerboards have now been used in many parts of the world as an effective way to combat desertification. "The Chinese experience can benefit the world," said Iraqi agricultural engineer Sarmad Kamil Ali, who was in China in 2013 to learn about sand control. "The Chinese always surprise the world with creative methods to overcome the difficulties they face. They have different methods to fix the dunes, and I found out recently that they are using more advanced technologies in fixing the sand dunes," he said. Since 2005, the research team from Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) of the CAS has been exporting mature desertification control technologies to Central Asia and Africa. Demonstration bases have been built in many countries, such as those for ecological restoration of shrub grassland in Ethiopia, desert plants breeding and mechanical desertification control in Mauritania, according to Zhang Yuanming, head of the XIEG. Noam Weisbrod, director of the Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel, was impressed by the sand control efforts during his trip to China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region several years ago. The impact of climate change is very similar in different drylands around the globe, Weisbrod told Xinhua in an interview. "I'm a great believer in international cooperation. There is a lot of room for Israel-China cooperation on these topics." A researcher examines plants at Shapotou Desert Research and Experiment Station (SDRES) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, June 16, 2021. (Xinhua/Lu Ying) DESERT BIODIVERSITY Despite China's achievements in desert control, researchers believe that the country's anti-desertification methods still need to withstand the test of time. "We should not be complacent with what we have found in desert control," said the SDRES director Li Xinrong. "We need to do more theoretical research in the field." For Li, the ultimate goal of sand control is not to eliminate the deserts, but to improve the biodiversity of desert ecosystems and find a way for humans and deserts to live harmoniously. "Deserts are an indispensable part of nature and a valuable resource," said Li. "The Earth would not be a beautiful place without them." (Video reporter: Sun Yi, Xie Jianwen, Lu Ying, Dong Bohan, Zhang Xiaocheng, Zhang Yirong, Zhang Yuan; Video editor: Luo Hui) Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 23:08:28|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, June 17 (Xinhua) -- As China's Shenzhou-12 manned spaceship successfully docked with the space station core module Tianhe on Thursday, experts and media worldwide applauded the moment of landmark progress in China's manned space expeditions, saying that the Chinese station would become a new platform for international space cooperation. TREMENDOUS STRIDE IN SPACE RESEARCH Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo, members of the three-man space crew, are scheduled to stay in orbit for three months, the longest in China's manned mission to date, to build the country's space station. "This is a great moment," said Philippe Coue, a French space expert, when commenting on the Chinese astronauts' rendezvous with the station's core module. "And I am extremely amazed at the speed of development. There is a real dynamic in China, it is very impressive," he told Xinhua on Thursday. In recent months, the world has witnessed the fruitful results of China's building of the space station and the country is moving steadily forward in this regard, said Vitaliy Egorov, a Russian journalist and popular writer about space research, adding that he believed China's space research will advance to a new stage. China has made great efforts in the field of aerospace and has "managed to excel" in the realm, said Ali Sarosh, associate professor with the Institute of Avionics and Aeronautics at the Air University in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. "The successful launch of the Shenzhou-12 manned spaceship is another big achievement made by China in the aerospace field," he said. A SPRINGBOARD TO DEEP SPACE In recent years, China's space program has had a very successful series of launches and landings, The New York Times reported on Wednesday. "These successful endeavors have added to the likelihood that China will keep to its proposed timelines for other deep space missions," an article in the newspaper said. "Keeping the station up and running smoothly involves much detailed and complicated work, as we saw on the International Space Station during its early days," Chen Lan, an analyst at GoTaikonauts, an online news portal about China's space program, told the AFP on Tuesday. The astronauts will aim to "get their new home in space kitted out and ready to use," said Jonathan McDowell, an astronomer at the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. "It's a practical goal rather than a groundbreaking one," he told AFP reporters. "They build a space station, go to the moon, and probe Mars because they want to demonstrate China's technological advancements to its (the Chinese) people and the international community," Kazuto Suzuki, professor of space security at the University of Tokyo was quoted by a Nikkei commentary as saying. A PLATFORM FOR JOINT VENTURES Coue said the project will provide fresh opportunities for international cooperation, as "there are countries that China naturally cooperates with that I think will join the station." "That can be an important vector of cooperation," he said. Egorov noted that Russia's space authority has laid out plans for cooperation with China, whose success in aerospace will also help Russia's research and development in the field. Any scientific achievements will ultimately benefit mankind as a whole, he said, adding that China's success also contributes to enhancing humankind's understanding of the surrounding world, the universe and even humankind itself. The successful launch of Shenzhou-12 "is going to be a great benefit to the country in the future, as it will act as a platform for the country to carry out various experiments in space, besides acting as a launch pad for astronauts for research on the moon and space," Sarosh said. In the coming years, "many of the existing and new experiments will be shifted to the Chinese space station, which will promote China's cooperation with international partners in conducting experiments in space," he added. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 23:40:39|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ABUJA, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday visited troops fighting Boko Haram in the frontline and paid tributes to them for their efforts in tackling security challenges in the country's northeast region. "We owe you a debt of gratitude. Give no breathing space to terrorists and criminals," Buhari said while addressing troops at the Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri, capital of the northern state of Borno. "I am delighted to be with you this afternoon, to address you on this special occasion of my official visit to Borno State. I want to seize this opportunity to put it on record that our nation will forever be indebted to you, for your patriotic commitment to the defense of our fatherland against insurgency and criminality," the president said. The Nigerian leader's official visit to Borno was to assess the security situation in the northeast region and also inaugurate some completed government projects, including 4,000 housing units for the people displaced by the 12-year-old Boko Haram militancy. He charged the armed forces and other security agencies not to give breathing space to the terrorists and criminals in various parts of the country, saying the war must be concluded with the restoration of peace and reconstruction of all the affected areas. "We should not allow our adversaries the opportunity or breathing space to challenge or undermine our national interests and core values," he said. "The defense and security agencies should rest assured of the Federal Government's unalloyed commitment to winning the battle against terror and criminality." According to him, several interventions by the government had led to the procurement and delivery of large consignments of critical combat enablers, including high-caliber weapons and ammunition to end the menace of Boko Haram. "Many have been injected into the theater, and soon other equipment that have just arrived in the country would also be deployed to the theater of operations. Much more equipment will be procured for the Armed Forces to cater to both the short and long-term requirements," Buhari added. The president also sent condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers, assuring that his administration will spare no effort or resources to ensure that their widows and children are well cared for. Boko Haram has been trying to establish an Islamist state in northeastern Nigeria since 2009. The terror group has also extended its attacks to other countries in the Lake Chad Basin. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 23:45:58|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIRUT, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon's General Labor Union held on Thursday a general strike across the country to protest the deteriorating political, living and economic conditions and demand the formation of a salavation government, the National News Agency reported. Laborers and representatives of different economic sectors, both public and private ones, took part in the strike. Lebanon's Ministry of Interior announced that many of the main roads in the capital Beirut, the north and east of the country were blocked by burning rubber tires and waste containers. In a sit-in near the headquarters of the General Labor Union, Bechara al-Asmar, president of General Labor Union, warned against the collapse of all health, educational and economic systems, pointing out that the minimum monthly wage in Lebanon stands at fewer than 30 U.S. dollars after the Lebanese pound lost 90 percent of its value. In his speech, al-Asmar called for "protecting what is left for Lebanon and forming a rescue government that paves the way for political stability and economic solutions." "Stop killing the Lebanese and take the initiative of forming a rescue government, as the Lebanese people have become desperate about their lives," he said, warning against complete chaos in the absence of a powerful state. Lebanon has been mired in a governmental deadlock since the resignation of former Prime Minister Hassan Diab's cabinet on Aug. 10, 2020, days after the huge blasts that rocked the Port of Beirut. Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri was appointed on Oct. 22 but he hasn't been able to form a cabinet because of his disagreement with President Michel Aoun over the distribution of ministerial posts. The poverty rate in Lebanon has exceeded 50 percent, according to a World Bank report. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 23:48:44|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close -- Three Chinese astronauts aboard the Shenzhou-12 spaceship have entered the country's space station core module Tianhe, dedicating to four major tasks in the in-orbit construction of the station in the following three months. -- With a maximum diameter of 4.2 meters, Tianhe is more spacious than a train or subway carriage, providing astronauts with six zones for work, sleep, sanitation, dining, healthcare and exercise. -- After the five launch missions this year, China plans to have six more missions, including the launch of the Wentian and Mengtian lab modules, two cargo spacecraft and two crewed spaceships, in 2022 to complete the construction of the space station. by Xinhua writers Li Mi, Quan Xiaoshu and Liu Xin JIUQUAN, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Three Chinese astronauts aboard the Shenzhou-12 spaceship have entered the country's space station core module Tianhe, dedicating to four major tasks in the in-orbit construction of the station in the following three months. The spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gobi Desert at 9:22 a.m. (Beijing Time) on Thursday. The crewed spacecraft Shenzhou-12, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, is launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gobi Desert, June 17, 2021. (Xinhua/Ju Zhenhua) About 573 seconds after the launch, Shenzhou-12 separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. The Shenzhou-12 crew is in good shape and the launch is a complete success, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) declared. At 3:54 p.m., the spaceship, measuring about nine meters in height and around eight tonnes in weight, completed orbital status setting after entering the orbit and conducted a fast autonomous rendezvous and docking with the front docking port of Tianhe, forming a three-module complex with the cargo craft Tianzhou-2. The whole process took approximately 6.5 hours. It is China's seventh crewed mission to space and the first during the construction of China's space station. It is also the first in nearly five years after the country's last manned mission. The three astronauts are commander Nie Haisheng, a 56-year-old veteran who participated in the Shenzhou-6 and Shenzhou-10 missions, Liu Boming, 54, who was part of the Shenzhou-7 mission, and Tang Hongbo, 45, who is in his first space mission. By 6:48 p.m., Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo had entered the Tianhe module one by one, signifying that for the first time the Chinese have entered their own space station, said the CMSA. They will stay in orbit for three months, setting a new record for China's manned space mission duration. The current 33-day record was kept by the Shenzhou-11 crew in 2016. MORE CHALLENGING WORK The work for the Shenzhou-12 astronauts will be more complicated and challenging than previous crewed missions, according to CMSA director Hao Chun. Screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center in Beijing, capital of China, June 17, 2021 shows China's Shenzhou-12 manned spaceship having successfully docked with the space station core module Tianhe. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) The Shenzhou-12 crew will complete four major tasks in orbit, said Ji Qiming, assistant to the CMSA director, at a press conference held at the launch center on Wednesday. First, they will operate and manage the complex, including the in-orbit test of the Tianhe module, verification of a variety of subsystems and equipment. Second, they will perform two extravehicular activities (EVAs) for assembling and installing. Third, they will carry out space science experiments and technology experiments, as well as public outreach activities. Fourth, they will manage their own health through daily life care, physical exercise, and regular monitoring and assessment of their own health status. China launched its space station core module Tianhe on April 29 and cargo craft Tianzhou-2 on May 29. The two completed a computer-orchestrated rendezvous and docking on May 30, waiting for the first crewed mission to unpack the cargo. According to the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), more than 160 large and small packages, including supplies for astronauts and space-science equipment, were delivered by Tianzhou-2. Hao noted that it is a critical technology for a long-term crewed mission to guarantee the astronauts' life and work in space. Meanwhile, EVAs will be more and more common for astronauts in later missions for the space station construction, posing new challenges for them, Hao added. He said that EVAs will be a comprehensive assessment of the technologies in EVA spacesuits and supporting systems, the EVA procedures, as well as the astronauts' operation, commanding and coordination. According to Hao, the two EVA spacesuits for this mission have been improved to enable more complicated and longer-duration operations, and a variety of equipment inside and outside Tianhe, including a mechanical arm, will also support the spacewalk. "After passing the assessment, we will be more proficient and experienced in EVAs. In the following missions, EVAs will be regular work that must be done," he said. Liu Weibo, deputy chief designer of the astronaut system of China's manned space program, said that the improved spacesuits, both designed and developed by Chinese engineers, can enable astronauts to have EVAs for seven to eight hours. The Tianzhou-3 cargo craft and the Shenzhou-13 manned spaceship will also be launched later this year to dock with Tianhe, and another three astronauts will then begin their six-month stay in orbit, according to the CMSA. After the five launch missions this year, China plans to have six more missions, including the launch of the Wentian and Mengtian lab modules, two cargo spacecraft and two crewed spaceships, in 2022 to complete the construction of the space station. COZY HOME IN SPACE The Tianhe module will be the 'home in space' for the three astronauts in the upcoming three months. The total length of the core module is 16.6 meters, around the height of a five-story building. With a maximum diameter of 4.2 meters, it is more spacious than a train or subway carriage, providing astronauts with six zones for work, sleep, sanitation, dining, healthcare and exercise. Screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center, June 17, 2021 shows three Chinese astronauts onboard the Shenzhou-12 spaceship saluting after entering the space station core module Tianhe. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) Every astronaut will have their designated sleeping area and toilet. Treadmills, spin bikes and resistance expanders will help them exercise to maintain physical health. Astronauts will use a device called the neuromuscular electrical stimulator to stimulate the nerves in muscles in order to restore function and strength and prevent muscle atrophy. Experts on the ground can adjust the device according to the status of the astronauts. According to Liu Weibo, dozens of medical equipment have been put together to build a cabinet measuring about one meter in width and 1.8 meters in height. Astronauts will have regular physical check-ups every four to five weeks, which include ultrasound examinations and complete blood count. Space food, including many classic Chinese cuisines, has been delivered by the cargo freighter Tianzhou-2. From staple foods to non-staples, from meat to vegetables, the menu design is of high quality and appetizing for astronauts. Famous stir-fried Chinese dishes like shredded pork with garlic sauce and Kung Pao chicken are both on the menu. A foldable kitchen, with two cabinets, microwave, refrigerator and water dispenser, had been sent to space by Tianzhou-2 last month. Ventilation is important for a comfortable indoor environment. To prevent astronauts from getting cold, the space station is designed to offer different wind speeds in sleeping and working areas. The wind speed is 0.08 meters per second in the working area and 0.05 in the sleeping area. The noise level is 58 decibels in the working area and 49 in the sleeping area. The noise level for an ideal sleeping environment is 30 to 50 decibels. The astronauts can remotely control the household appliances in the cabin through tablets, such as the refrigerator, water dispenser and microwave. They will work and rest according to Beijing time. It takes the space station 90 minutes to circle the Earth, allowing the astronauts to see up to 16 sunrises and sunsets in 24 hours. To keep their biological clock from being disrupted, the space station features a scene lighting system in the cabin, including the dusk and daytime modes. The waste and human excrement will be stored in Tianzhou-2, which will eventually depart from orbit and burn up on re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere. (Wang Chenxi, Yuan Quan, Shen Feng, Huang Ming, Li Guoli and Zhang Mimi also contributed to the story. Video reporter: Zou Jianpu, Darihan, Xu Yang. Video editor: Zhao Yuchao) Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-18 00:01:38|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close JAKARTA -- Indonesia on Thursday recorded 12,624 newly-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, marking the highest daily spike since Jan. 30 and bringing the total tally to 1,950,276, the Health Ministry said. The COVID-19 related death toll added by 277 to 53,753, the ministry reported. Additional 7,350 recovered patients were discharged from hospitals, bringing the total number of recoveries from the pandemic in the Southeast Asian country to 1,771,220. (Indonesia-COVID-19) - - - - NEW DELHI -- India's COVID-19 tally rose to 29,700,313 on Thursday, with 67,208 new cases recorded in the past 24 hours, said the federal health ministry. Meanwhile, 2,330 more patients died since Wednesday morning, taking the death toll to 381,903. This was the 10th consecutive day when less than 100,000 cases were registered across the country, after peaking to over 400,000 for several days in April and May. (India-Pandemic) - - - - MANILA -- China sustained the COVID-19 vaccines supply to the Philippines with the delivery of an additional batch of Sinovac CoronaVac on Thursday. Health Secretary Francisco Duque, who received the vaccines at the airport in Manila, said the arrivals of Sinovac vaccines help the Philippines achieve immunity. (Philippines-China-Vaccines) - - - - VIENTIANE -- The China Railway No. 5 Engineering Group (CREC-5) has completed the construction of the main structure of the longest bridge along the China-Laos Railway, the Phonethong super major bridge. The Chinese engineering company, the CREC-5, told Xinhua on Wednesday that with the last pier cemented on Monday, the main structure of the Phonethong super major bridge, the longest China-Laos Railway bridge with a length of 7,528.56 meters and 231 piers, was completed. (Laos-China-Railway) Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-18 01:42:04|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close RABAT, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Morocco's COVID-19 tally rose to 525,443 on Thursday as 468 new cases were registered during the past 24 hours. The country's coronavirus death toll rose by four to 9,225, while 187 people were in intensive care units, said a statement by the Moroccan Ministry of Health. The total number of recoveries from COVID-19 in Morocco increased to 512,487 after 390 new ones were added, the statement said. Meanwhile, 9,372,198 people have received so far the first vaccine shot against COVID-19 in the country, with 7,889,708 having received the second dose. The North African country launched a nationwide vaccination campaign on Jan. 28 after the arrival of the first shipment of China's Sinopharm vaccines. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-18 05:13:40|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close GAZA, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Israeli warplanes struck on Thursday some military posts of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) that rules the Gaza Strip, Palestinian security sources said. Israeli media reported that the Israeli airstrikes on Hamas military facilities came in response to the launching of dozens of incendiary balloons into southern Israel from Gaza for the third consecutive day. The Palestinian sources and eyewitnesses said that several explosions were heard in the northern and southern Gaza Strip, following the Israeli fighter jets airstrikes on Hamas military posts. The sources said that severe damage was caused to the military posts, but no injuries were reported. The Israeli media reports said that the incendiary balloons launched from Gaza caused at least eight fires in Israeli communities close to the borders. Launching incendiary balloons at Israel has been going on since Tuesday, in protest against the Israeli rightists' holding of a flag march in East Jerusalem. On Tuesday night, Israeli fighter jets attacked Hamas military posts in the Gaza Strip, the first since the end of the May 10-21 fighting between Israel and the Hamas-led militants. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 02:06:55|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi looks at the 1,098.30-carat diamond discovered by the Debswana Diamond Company in Gaborone, Botswana, on June 16, 2021. The Debswana Diamond Company on Wednesday presented a 1,098.30-carat diamond to Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi and the Cabinet in Gaborone, capital of Botswana. According to the company, the stone, discovered on June 1 from the south Kimberlite pipe at Jwaneng mine in the southern part of the country, is the largest of gem quality in the history of the company, a joint venture between the Botswanan government and the global diamond giant De Beers, since diamonds were discovered in Botswana in 1967. (Photo by Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua) GABORONE, June 16 (Xinhua) -- The Debswana Diamond Company on Wednesday presented a 1,098.30-carat diamond to Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi and the Cabinet in Gaborone, capital of Botswana. According to the company, the stone, discovered on June 1 from the south Kimberlite pipe at Jwaneng mine in the southern part of the country, is the largest of gem quality in the history of the company, a joint venture between the Botswanan government and the global diamond giant De Beers, since diamonds were discovered in Botswana in 1967. The stone is thought to be among the top five largest gems discovered in the world, and it provides hope to a struggling nation at this time. "This discovery at this point in time really signifies a new journey for us as a country," said Debswana's Acting Managing Director Lynette Armstrong. Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi praised the two workers who discovered the diamond and stated that the diamond's profits would help to meet the country's development needs. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 09:17:04|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LUANDA, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Huawei on Wednesday announced that it had invested 60 million U.S. dollars in the construction of two technological training centers in Angola. Chu Xiaoxin, representative of Huawei in Angola, made the announcement after an audience with Angolan President Joao Lourenco. Chu said that the centers with capacity to accommodate 2,000 young people will help discover talent in the telecommunications and information technology sector of Angola. The project, he said, is included in the digital economy development program in the country. The meeting with the president is aimed at updating him on the execution of the projects and the company's contribution in the southern African country, said Chu. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 12:08:24|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KATHMANDU, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Nepali experts welcomed the commitment of Group 7 (G7) nations to providing 1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines to poor countries over the next year, but they doubt whether the vaccines would be available anytime soon for Nepal. Nepal, one of the poorest countries in the world, has suffered badly during the second wave of the coronavirus infections that hit the Himalayan country in early April. Due to a short supply of vaccines, it has managed to have just over 2 percent of its roughly 30 million population administered with both shots of COVID vaccines. The developed countries initially prioritized inoculating their own population, thus undermining the vaccination efforts in poor countries, said Ram Sharan Mahat, Nepal's former finance and foreign minister. "Had they supported the poor countries, particularly from South Asia, by giving vaccines alongside with their own vaccination drives, people here would not have suffered as badly as they did during the second wave of the pandemic," he told Xinhua. Nepal has received some 4 million doses of vaccines, including grants from China and India, but has not got a single shot from any G7 nation so far, though the United States listed Nepal as a receiver of its vaccines early this month. The number of COVID-19 infections has been dropping lately in Nepal, but the Ministry of Health and Population warned about a potential third wave of the pandemic. "As the threat of a new wave of the pandemic persists, Nepal should not rely fully on when the G7 nations would give the vaccines," Mahat said. "The government should take (the) initiative to procure vaccines as early as possible to inoculate the population at the earliest." At a time when rich countries are facing criticism for ignoring the world's poor in vaccinating against COVID-19, it is a welcome move that the developed countries finally agreed to provide vaccines to poor countries, Mahat added. Yubaraj Sangroula, executive director at Kathmandu School of Law, told Xinhua that he doubted whether the vaccine doses promised by G7 nations would arrive in Nepal in the next 7-8 months. "We cannot put our population at risk until they provide us vaccines. We cannot rule out another wave of the pandemic hitting the country before the vaccine supplies arrive from the developed countries," said Sangroula, a former attorney general. He said that protectionism adopted by the developed countries in the early days of the vaccination drives had deprived many poor countries of COVID-19 vaccines. "It appears geopolitical factors also have played a role in big announcements from G7 nations regarding the COVID-19 vaccines," Mahat said. Govinda Nepal, a senior Nepali economist, told Xinhua that he was not sure whether the vaccines promised by G7 nations would be distributed anytime soon, as it would take months to manufacture and deliver them. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 13:17:23|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NAIROBI, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Kenya on Wednesday hosted a seminar on the centenary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) amid calls for enhanced political collaboration to achieve mutual goals. Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Zhou Pingjian, senior government officials, scholars and students attended the forum to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC under the theme of 'Governance and Experience.' At the seminar, organized by the University of Nairobi, the country's oldest educational institution, Zhou said that under the leadership of the CPC, China has been able to achieve phenomenal economic, technological, and industrial feats besides rallying the masses toward the ideals of peace and harmonious co-existence. John Mutinda Mutiso, director of international relations with Kenya's ruling Jubilee Party, applauded the CPC "for delivering happiness to the people through consistent leadership and hard work." Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 17:37:45|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WINDHOEK, June 17 (Xinhua) -- African minister attending the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Brand Africa Summit on Thursday released a communique, agreeing to work together to find a solution to revitalize the continental tourism industry currently financially battered by COVID-19. The African ministers through the UNWTO summit pledged that African member states will work together to establish a new narrative for tourism across the continent. The pledge is meant to better realize tourism's potential to drive recovery, they said. "UNWTO and its members will also work with the African Union and the private sector to promote the continent to new global audiences globally positive, people-centered storytelling and effective branding," the UNWTO said in the communique. With tourism recognized as an essential pillar of sustainable and inclusive development for the continent, UNWTO welcomed high-level delegates to the first Regional Conference on Strengthening Brand Africa, which featured the participation of the political leadership of host country Namibia, alongside public and private sector leaders from across the continent. UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili welcomed the common determination to rethink as well as restart tourism. "African destinations must take the lead in celebrating and promoting the continent's vibrant culture, youthful energy and entrepreneur spirit, and its rich gastronomy", he said. As the Windhoek Pledge made by African ministers responsible for tourism puts people first on the back of a series of workshops and a ministerial think tank, UNWTO's African member states unanimously endorsed the Windhoek Pledge on advocating Brand Africa. "Under the terms of the Windhoek Pledge, members will engage both public and private sector stakeholders as well as local communities to build a new, inspiring narrative for tourism across the continent," they said. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 21:04:01|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TRIPOLI, June 16 (Xinhua) -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Wednesday reiterated their opposition against returning rescued illegal migrants to Libya. "The two organizations reiterate that no one should be returned to Libya after being rescued at sea. Under international maritime law, rescued individuals should be disembarked at a place of safety," the IOM and UNHCR said in a statement. Over 270 migrants and refugees rescued on June 14 were handed over to the Libyan Coast Guard, which returned them to the main port of Tripoli on June 15, from where they were taken into detention by the Libyan authorities, the statement said. "IOM and UNHCR staff are in Libya, providing life-saving humanitarian assistance. However, the agencies reiterate that the basic preconditions to ensure the safety and protection of rescued migrants and refugees post-disembarkation are lacking; therefore, Libya cannot be considered a safe place," the statement added. The IOM and UNHCR called on countries to coordinate so that merchant vessels rescuing people in distress are granted swift permission for disembarkation in a place of safety, to avoid lives being placed at risk. The statement also said that migrants and refugees who return to Libya often end up in appalling conditions where they may be exposed to abuse and extortion, while others go missing and are unaccounted for, "raising fears that some may have been channeled into human trafficking networks." The IOM and UNHCR also called for an end to arbitrary detention in Libya through the establishment of a judicial review process, and advocated for alternatives to detention starting with the immediate release of the most vulnerable. Libya has been suffering insecurity and chaos since the fall of late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, making the North African country a preferred point of departure for illegal migrants who want to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores. More than 13,000 migrants have been returned to Libya so far this year, already surpassing the number of people intercepted or rescued and disembarked in the whole year of 2020, while hundreds of others have perished at sea. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 23:17:55|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ABUJA, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Unknown gunmen on Thursday attacked a secondary school in Nigeria's northwestern state of Kebbi, according to the police. The police said the gunmen killed one police officer and abducted an unspecified number of students and teachers. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 23:28:15|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Representatives from Ethiopian government, World Bank and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation attend the groundbreaking ceremony of Modjo dry port expansion project in Modjo, Ethiopia, on June 17, 2021. Chinese construction firm, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), on Thursday launched the construction of a 110-million-U.S. dollar Modjo dry port expansion project in central Ethiopia. (Photo by Elias Gebreselassie/Xinhua) ADDIS ABABA, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese construction firm, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), on Thursday launched the construction of a 110 million U.S. dollars Modjo dry port expansion project in central Ethiopia. The Groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Ethiopia's largest dry port was attended by senior Ethiopian government and World Bank officials. Speaking at the ceremony, Dagmawit Moges, Ethiopia Minister of Transport, said the expansion of Modjo dry port will modernize landlocked Ethiopia's logistics sector. The Modjo dry port is a key transportation and logistics facilitator between Ethiopia's hinterland and ports in neighboring Djibouti. The expansion project encompasses construction of six warehouses, several road and pavement works, multipurpose buildings and various operating facilities. "In the logistics sector, the effect of undertaking successful work on quality, modernization and efficiency isn't limited to our country, but will also highlight the role of our trade and logistics in the region as well as globally," Moges said. "Increasing our logistics capacity will make Ethiopia a prosperous and a preferable destination for investment inflow," Moges said. Moges also detailed her country's long-term commitment to expand and modernize the logistics sector. "In our new 10-year development plan of the sector, we plan construction of many road and rail projects," said Moges. "This includes development of road expressways, development of corridor lines individually and in clusters as well as development of new dry ports," she said. Ousmane Dione, the Ethiopian country director of the World Bank which finances the project, praised the expected benefits of the expansion project. "This is a long awaited, but extremely important civil works for the advancement of Modjo as a colorful logistics hub of Ethiopia," Dione said. "It is a transformative initiative which comprises comprehensive infrastructure enhancement of the port and associated facilities that are currently not available such as export consolidation, dry port storage and multi-model transfer platform to make import-export activities more seamless," he said. Wu Jiuyi, Deputy General Manager of the CCECC Ethiopia Branch, expressed commitment to undertake a speedy, efficient construction of the project. "Our company is one of the builders and currently an operator of the 752.7 km Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway. The Modjo dry port expansion will increase the capacity of the railway," Wu said. "We will try our best to complete this project with quality and efficiency," he said. The 752.7 km Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway, the first electrified transnational railway in East Africa, is contracted by two Chinese companies, China Railway Group and CCECC. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-18 00:11:13|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ABUJA, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Unknown gunmen on Thursday attacked a secondary school in Nigeria's northwestern state of Kebbi, killing one policeman and abducted an unspecified number of students and five teachers, according to the police. Nafiu Abubakar, a spokesman for the police in Kebbi, told Xinhua on telephone that a group of gunmen emerged from a nearby forest and attacked the Federal Government College in Birnin Yauri area of the state on Thursday, and were engaged in a gunfight with several policemen guarding the school. "There was gunfire between the gunmen and policemen who attempted to repel the attack. It was in the gunfight that we lost a policeman and some student sustained injuries," Abubakar said. He said an unspecified number of students and five teachers were taken away by the gunmen after the attack. "Five teachers have been taken away, four male and one female, but the number of students abducted are not known yet," he said. A series of gunmen attacks recently happened in the northern part of the most populous African country, including attacks on schools and the kidnapping of students. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 14:56:10|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HERAT, Afghanistan, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Taliban militants' attempts to overrun Zinda Jan district of Afghanistan's western Herat province have been foiled and the militants fled away after leaving 20 bodies behind, said a statement of provincial government released here Thursday. The Taliban militants launched massive offensive early Thursday to overrun Zinda Jan district but their multi-pronged attacks have been repulsed, and the militants fled away after leaving 20 bodies behind and 17 more injured, the statement said. In the fighting which lasted for several hours, one security personnel had been killed and three others injured, the statement confirmed. Taliban militants, who have captured more than a dozen districts since the start of the U.S.-led forces' withdrawal from Afghanistan on May 1, have not made a comment. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 15:42:48|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BANGKOK, June 17 (Xinhua) -- About 63 percent of residents in southern Thailand's Phuket island have received their first shot of a COVID-19 vaccine as the island is scheduled to reopen on July 1, said a senior government official on Thursday. Disease Control Department Director General Opas Kankawinphong confirmed in a press briefing that 346,855 residents of Phuket have been so far given the first shot of COVID-19 vaccine, accounting for 63.3 percent of the island province's population. The southern island province has planned to have a total of 383,308 people, accounting for 70 percent of its population, injected with a vaccine against the coronavirus with the first shot to be given within this month and the second shot within August, the department chief said. According to anti-pandemic measures set by the Center for the government-run COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), foreign travelers, who may have been fully vaccinated for no less than 14 days and tested negative for no more than 72 hours in their home country, may visit the island from July 1 onwards. Those vaccinated visitors may leave Phuket for other destinations in Thailand after they have spent a period of 14 consecutive days on the tourist island. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 15:57:28|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MALE, June 17 (Xinhua) -- The death toll resulting from COVID-19 in Maldives has crossed 200, local media reported Thursday. Maldives' death toll from COVID-19 reached 200 on Wednesday, according to data from the Health Protection Agency (HPA). This includes 183 Maldivian nationals and 17 expatriates. Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC) Spokesperson Dr. Fathimath Nazla Rafeeq was quoted in state media as saying that there are six variants of COVID-19 in circulation in Maldives. These include the Alpha variant and Delta variant which account for 20 percent and 27 percent of samples sent for gene sequencing. The HPA has eased anti-epidemic restrictions by allowing salons, barbershops and construction sites to resume operations under guidelines. State media reported that these decisions were made in light of losses suffered by small businesses and construction companies amid the pandemic. A total of 71,138 cases of COVID-19 have been detected in Maldives since the pandemic began. There are currently 7,747 active cases of COVID-19, out of which 67 patients have been hospitalized for treatment. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 16:17:25|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WELLINGTON, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Following a further public health assessment of the COVID-19 outbreak in greater Melbourne, New Zealand's quarantine-free travel pause with Australia's Victoria state will lift next Tuesday, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said on Thursday. It has been determined that the risk to public health in New Zealand continues to decrease and, at this time, public health officials consider it unlikely there is further widespread community transmission in the Australian state, Hipkins said in a statement. "However, in line with our precautionary approach we consider this short extension to be prudent," Hipkins said, referring to the extension of the pause till next Tuesday. New Zealand health officials will keep a close watch on developments in the Australian state but at this point their advice is that the government would expect to be in a position to lift the pause at the end of the five-day extension. This will be reviewed if the situation changes, he said. Australia's second largest city and capital of the Victoria state Melbourne is expected to further ease COVID-19 restrictions from midnight Thursday. On Wednesday, the local health authorities reported five new locally acquired cases in the 24 hours up to midnight Tuesday, bringing the number of active cases to 55. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 16:30:32|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SEOUL, June 17 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's top nuclear envoy will hold talks in Seoul next week with U.S. and Japanese counterparts over the Korean Peninsula issues, the South Korean foreign ministry said Thursday. Noh Kyu-duk, South Korea's special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs, will talk bilaterally on Monday with Sung Kim, the newly appointed U.S. special representative for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) policy. The U.S. envoy will make his first visit to Seoul for five days until Wednesday since he took office on May 21. Noh will hold bilateral talks in Seoul with Takehiro Funakoshi, the director-general for Asian and Oceanian affairs of the Japanese foreign ministry, as well as the trilateral talks with the U.S. and Japanese diplomats on Monday. It would come after the U.S. administration recently completed the review of its policy towards the DPRK. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 17:51:04|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Photo taken on June 15, 2021 shows cherries growing in a tree in Gilgit city in Pakistan's northern Gilgit-Baltistan region. According to Pakistan's Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, cherry is grown at over 2,500 hectares of land in Pakistan with Gilgit-Baltistan and the southwestern Balochistan province being the two major cherry producing areas of the country, and Pakistan's collective yield of cherry in 2016 was over 6,000 tons. (Photo by Miraj/Xinhua) by Misbah Saba Malik ISLAMABAD, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Soaked in summer sun, scarlet cherries glow softly in trees standing tall at the foothills of the Himalayas and Karakoram mountain ranges in Pakistan's northern Gilgit-Baltistan region, a land with ample varieties of fruits including sweet cherries, tangy apricots and juicy pears during this part of the year. Nourished by fresh glacial water, and ripened in golden sunbeams coupled with gentle breeze whirling to and fro in the lap of world's highest peaks, the cherries can relish the taste buds, and experts believe that the cherries will also bloom the lives of people in the area if they reach in high-end Chinese and other markets of the world. According to Pakistan's Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, cherry is grown at over 2,500 hectares of land in Pakistan with Gilgit-Baltistan and the southwestern Balochistan province being the two major cherry producing areas of the country, and Pakistan's collective yield of cherry in 2016 was over 6,000 tons. Pakistan is currently not so competitive in terms of cherry production and processing as compared to some countries in the world, but the situation could get better if farmers in the cherry-growing areas are given proper guidance, knowledge and technology to meet the demands of international markets, experts say. Pakistani cherry has not been so far able to reach any international market, except being sold in a few markets in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), because local farmers do not know the process and procedures to register their products in the international markets. And due to lack of knowledge, it is hard for them to get international certifications to have an access to foreign high-end trading hubs. Zulfiqar Ali Ghazi, 47, grows cherries in Gilgit and also exports the fruit to the UAE after collecting it from locals. Ghazi, who has been associated with the cherry production and distribution business for more than one and a half decade, said in a conversation with Xinhua that currently there are 19 varieties of cherries in the Gilgit-Baltistan region, and only a few of them are suitable for export. The government gave away many cherry plants to farmers this year to enhance the fruit production in the area and to support locals, he said, adding that it is the right time to focus on growing the varieties which are being demanded in international markets. "The government should work on getting the international certificates to approve exports of cherries and help us develop a cold chain to preserve the cherries whose current shelf life is seven to 10 days. Pakistani cherries have a huge potential, but they need urgent concentration and support to make their mark in international markets," he said. Talking to Xinhua, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam said that the cherry fruit has not made any significant entry into the international market despite having potential and the government is devising plans to uplift the agricultural sector which will eventually benefit all farmers including the cherry producers. "Distinctive flavor of our fruits will have an impact on high-end markets, and to achieve that target, we must have a system to regulate the standard and quality of cherries to meet the requirements of international markets, eventually leading to a greater international demand for it," he said. Pakistan's cherry production is small due to which it is not eyeing so many foreign markets except China which is a big consumer market for cherries, the minister said, adding that the cooperation between the two countries in agriculture under the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will also encourage Chinese investors to invest in the country. "Many Chinese have shown interest in investing in Pakistan and if they invest in cherry growing areas in the form of corporate farming, value addition and food processing, it will not only give benefit to the investors, but will also be a win-win situation for local public too." Cherry prices stand high in the Chinese market, and once Pakistani cherries enter the country, it will give a big profit margin to local farmers and others around them to increase planting, the minister added. Worth of fruits grows manifold after drying them, brewing juices from them or making jam and jelly to enhance their value addition. Chinese are experts in food processing and their support in the form of joint ventures with local traders, and in corporate farming will help uplift the lives of local people greatly, Yasar Saleem Khan, a provincial team manager at the Pakistan office of the Center for Agriculture and Bioscience International, told Xinhua. He also stressed on the renovation of old low-density and low-yield orchards with modern varieties, applying improved management practices to enhance yields and improve quality. "The renovation process of the value chain and processing infrastructure will not only improve productivity of the fruit and reduce post-harvest losses, but also enhance quality of cherry for domestic and international consumption, enabling local farmers to get higher profits. These need to be initiated by the government and executed in collaboration with, and participation of the private sector including joint ventures with Chinese, farmers, traders and their groups and associations," he said. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 19:59:12|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TASHKENT, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Police and the security service in the central Syrdarya region of Uzbekistan have arrested 20 suspected members of an extremist group, local authorities said on Wednesday. The members of the group had created a channel on the Telegram app, where they distributed audio and video materials promoting ideology of extremist and terrorist organizations, the Syrdarya police department said. According to the police, joint raids to detain the suspects were carried out in the Mirzaabad district and Yangiyer town of the Syrdarya region. The law enforcement bodies have seized materials of an extremist nature at the residence of the detainees, and an investigation is underway, police said. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 21:04:11|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KABUL, June 17 (Xinhua) -- A total of 2,313 new COVID-19 positive cases have been registered in Afghanistan over the past 24 hours, taking the number of COVID-19 affected patients to 98,844 in the country, a statement from the Public Health Ministry said Thursday. According to the statement, 101 patients have died due to the disease over the same period, taking the number of COVID-19 related deaths to 3,943 since February last year in Afghanistan. The spread of COVID-19 has been on a constant rise in the conflict-battered country with over 1,500 daily positive cases on Wednesday and Tuesday. A total of 301 patients have recovered over the past 24 hours, bringing the number of recovered ones to 62,698 in the country, the statement added. The public health ministry has warned Afghans to respect the security measures and guidelines of health clinics to avoid outdoor activities and wear masks in public buses and crowded areas. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 22:25:50|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close JAKARTA, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia has again officially imposed an export ban on baby lobsters after the country's Fisheries Minister issued a ministerial decree concerning lobsters, true crabs and flower crabs. In a statement released on Thursday, Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono said that the issuance of the decree was in accordance with his commitment since he was appointed as a minister in December last year, replacing his predecessor Edhy Prabowo who lifted the ban. Prabowo was arrested by the country's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in late November last year on allegations of bribery related to the issuance of permits for the export of lobster larvae. In 2016, Susi Pudjiastuti, who headed the ministry during President Joko Widodo's first term, instituted a ban on larvae exports to prevent the overfishing of wild lobsters in the Indonesian waters. During the president's second term, the ban was lifted by Prabowo, who said he wanted to cater to small fishers who depended on export markets. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-27 20:43:17|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NICOSIA, May 27 (Xinhua) -- Cypriot Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou announced further easing of COVID-19 restrictions on Thursday, citing improved conditions in relation to new COVID-19 cases and the progress in the vaccination program. Ioannou said after a meeting of the Council of Ministers, which endorsed the decision, that a night curfew in force for several months will be limited between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. as of Saturday and will be fully lifted as of June 10. He added that as of June 1, the maximum number of people allowed to gather in private houses will be increased from 10 to 20, while casinos, trade exhibitions, conferences, theaters and other performing venues will operate at 50 percent capacity. Indoor dining will also be allowed, provided that health protocols are observed. From June 10, nightclubs will reopen. Up to 50 percent of the staff can be physically present in the working premises of private businesses and the public sector, the minister noted. "The above decisions, which are another big step towards normal conditions, are the result of cooperation by the vast majority of the people in applying health protocols," Ioannou said. The easing of COVID-19 restrictions came as the Health Ministry announced that new COVID-19 cases dropped to 65 on Wednesday from an all-time high of 941 just over a month ago. Ioannou also said that 51 percent of those eligible to be vaccinated have received the first dose of a vaccine, while 25 percent have completed their vaccination. "Cyprus ... has made progress towards achieving its target for vaccination coverage of 65 percent of the population with at least the first dose by the end of June," the minister said. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 06:55:49|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close GENEVA, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday lashed out at the United States on arms control, human rights, cyber-attacks, among other issues, after "constructive" talks with his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden. "As for the general assessment, I believe there was no hostility at all," Putin said during his solo press briefing, adding that the meeting, the first of its kind since Biden took office in January, was "open" and with "no pressure of the parties on each other." Putin said that the two sides "differ in many respects" but "showed willingness to understand each other and seek ways to bring the positions closer," and the pivotal face-to-face discussions, held at the 18th century Villa La Grange in Geneva, was "quite constructive." Although the two sides have agreed to allow their ambassadors to return to Moscow and Washington respectively, and to launch a strategic stability dialogue for future arms control and risk reduction measures, the Russian head of state refuted critics against Russia on such issues as policy predictability, human rights and cyber-security. "The West believes that the Russian policy is unpredictable. Well, let me reciprocate. The U.S. withdrawal from the ABM (Anti-Ballistic Missile) Treaty in 2002 wasn't predictable," Putin told journalists. As for human rights issues, Putin cited the Black Lives Matter movement in the United States, the U.S. attacks in Afghanistan, and the existence of the Guantanamo Bay prison. "One single strike can kill ... (about) 120 people. All right, assuming this was a mistake that happens in a war, but shooting from a drone, (at) an unarmed crowd, clearly the civilian crowd, what is this about? How would you call that? And who's responsible for this?" said Putin. "And how would you call this person? Who is the killer now?" he asked. On cyberattacks, Putin said that it is of vital importance in the world in general, "for the United States in particular, and for Russia as well in the same volume." Putin noted that his country has not yet received any response from the U.S. to Russia's dozens of requests regarding cyberattacks so far since last year. While describing the entire meetings as "good and positive", Biden somehow warned at his separate press conference that he will "take action" if the U.S. continues to be interfered by other countries during its presidential elections. "I made it clear that we will not tolerate attempts to violate our democratic sovereignty or destabilize our democratic elections, and we would respond," Biden said. "The bottom line as I told President Putin was that we need to have some basic rules ... that we can all abide by." The U.S. president added that he gave his Russian counterpart a list of 16 specific entities, ranging from the energy sector to water systems, which were defined by the U.S. as critical infrastructures and should be off-limits to attack by cyber or any other means. "The last thing he (Putin) wants now is a Cold War with the U.S. ... I don't think he's looking for a Cold War with the United States," he said. However, Putin attributed the worsening of bilateral relations to the American side. "All steps in regard to the deterioration in the Russian-American relations were not initiated by us, and they were taken by the American side," he said. "On the whole, we do realize what our American partners speak about, and they know well what we speak about, when it comes to the so-called 'red lines'," Putin said. "But I must sincerely say that we are still far from making emphases and starting to make divisions." Although the two sides discussed a wide range of issues from climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, arms control, cyberattacks, to regional conflicts in Ukraine and Syria, a joint statement from both sides focused on a bilateral strategic stability dialogue for future arms control and risk reduction measures. The two nuclear powers have "demonstrated that, even in periods of tension, they are able to make progress on our shared goals of ensuring predictability in the strategic sphere, reducing the risk of armed conflicts and the threat of nuclear war," said the statement. As "a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought," the two sides "will embark together on an integrated bilateral Strategic Stability Dialogue in the near future," seeking to "lay the groundwork for future arms control and risk reduction measures," it said. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 12:21:05|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A visiter views exhibits at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, Greece, June 7, 2021. The imposing golden mask of Agamemnon welcomes visitors at the National Archaeological Museum here, standing out among other finds from the royal cemetery of the ancient city of Mycenae on the Peloponnese peninsula dating back to the 16th century BC. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos) ATHENS, June 16 (Xinhua) -- The imposing golden mask of Agamemnon welcomes visitors at the National Archaeological Museum here, standing out among other finds from the royal cemetery of the ancient city of Mycenae on the Peloponnese peninsula dating back to the 16th century BC. The five in total funeral golden masks and the full face and body coverings of an infant displayed here are still engulfed in mystery, and are a unique case in ancient Greece, Dr. Constantinos Paschalidis, curator of Antiquities at the National Archaeological Museum, told Xinhua in a recent interview. When German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann discovered the elegant mask with the intense facial characteristics in 1876, he was certain he had found the tomb of Mycenaean king Agamemnon mentioned in Homer's epic poem Iliad. The mask was later dated four centuries before the legendary Trojan War, but is still world-famous as Agamemnon's mask. "Nowadays we say that it is a conventional name. Agamemnon is a literature person, like Romeo and Juliet. He never existed as a historical person, but we love such connotations, therefore we keep the name due to the romantic aspect of archaeology," Paschalidis said. Most of the Mycenaen masks at the museum are rather simple and do not depict individual features with the exception of Agamemnon's, which is more or less the portrait of a man who died at the age of around 30, he noted. The man was bearded, with a mustache and a long "Greek" nose, and whoever he was, he was buried as a king, with all honors, covered with gold, the expert said. The Mycenaen death-masks are very precious and rare objects which were created for very important people, both men and women, he said. Three of them depict men and two women. A few meters further are the golden sheets covering the face and body of a baby, girl most likely, some months old. All the items belong to a single or two generations and don't have much of chronological difference between each other. The sheets of pure gold of some 24 carats in nowadays terms were hammered from the backside. The repousse technique was used to form the shape, according to Paschalidis. "There is a huge question regarding the wealth and the gold of Mycenae. Actually, we don't know where it came from and how it started," he told Xinhua. "We know that these people used to be poor farmers and cattle breeders for centuries, living in the Argolide (region) or the Peloponnese (peninsula) in general and within one generation or one generation and a half around the year 1,600 BC they became extremely wealthy, extremely rich and they started burying their dead covered with gold and exotic materials coming from all over the known or unknown world of that time," he added. Together with the precious objects that came from Crete island, from other regions of the Balkan peninsula, from Egypt or the Baltic Sea, it seems that also new, fresh and extravagant ideas like covering the faces of dead with gold, reached Mycenae by 1,600 BC. "We don't know where exactly the idea came from and who brought it, but it looks like they never had such a tradition before, it only happened in this royal cemetery with these people and it ended with these people. We don't have a tradition going on in the later centuries. Therefore, we consider this phenomenon a unique phenomenon which has to do with Mycenae and these five dead plus the baby, the royal girl," Paschalidis said. "If one dares to propose something we may say that covering the faces of the dead was a trait which happened in Egypt at that time in the Second Transitional period to the New Kingdom, but then again this doesn't look Egyptian at all. Therefore, keeping the answer strict and archeologically, let's say, correct, we may say it's an open question and a mystery," the curator said. The masks of Mycenae were offerings to the deceased and not gifts to the gods, he noted. Paschalidis warmly welcomed the latest great archaeological discovery at the Sanxingdui Ruins site in China's Sichuan Province, where this spring archaeologists unearthed hundreds of objects, including gold masks, dating to about 1,200 BC. "The recent finds in Sanxingdui ancient city in Sichuan Province is great news for the whole archaeological world and we all feel very happy and excited about it," he said. "This is a great great find and event. Although China and the Aegean and Mycenae, Sichuan and Mycenae, are very far away, we cannot have a direct connection between these two, but one may see that this is more or less a huge archaeological discovery and it is a huge joy and a cause for celebration for the archaeologists over the world," Paschalidis said. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 19:54:00|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BERLIN, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Two people were shot dead on Thursday in Germany's western town of Espelkamp, according to local police. One was shot before a house and the other shot on the nearby street, according to the initial report. The police have cordoned off the area. The suspect is still on the run and supposedly carries a weapon, local media reported. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 21:13:44|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close by Burak Akinci ANKARA, June 17 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan's meeting in Brussels on the sidelines of a NATO summit didn't produce a major breakthrough for the strained relations between the two countries but a practical dialogue has been set in motion, experts said. "There is no problem with the U.S. that we cannot solve," Erdogan said following the first meeting since Biden took office. Meanwhile, Biden told reporters that the meeting was productive and the two countries "have big agendas" where he is "confident we'll make real progress." Their agendas include last year's U.S. cancellation of Turkey's participation in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program and sanctions on the Turkish defense industry for its purchase of Russia's S-400 missile defense system. Washington insists that the Russian air defense system is incompatible with NATO systems and could potentially be used by Moscow to covertly obtain classified information on the F-35 jets. Ankara, however, argues that the S-400 would not be integrated into NATO systems. A Turkish diplomatic source told Xinhua that the Turkish government has submitted to the U.S. side a "long list of grievances, and ways and methods to overcome the current differences" in bilateral relations including the S-400 issue and U.S. support for Syrian Kurdish militants considered by Turkey as terrorists. "This first meeting was important and meaningful. However there cannot be major breakthroughs in one single meeting," the source said on condition of anonymity. "There is no easy solution to the S-400 row, and the United States will not stop supporting the the People's Protection Units in northern Syria," Serkan Demirtas, a foreign policy analyst, told Xinhua. However, "an opportunity to introduce a new framework in the bilateral ties is present because it's a long-term relationship and covers a vast area of cooperation under the NATO roof," he noted. Afghanistan, for instance, may emerge as a joint working area between Ankara and Washington as Turkey has said it could stabilize the country after the American complete pullout by Sept. 11. Tulin Daloglu, a TV news presenter and expert in American affairs, remarked that the Turkish leader abandoned his aggressive narrative in foreign politics and toward the United States, in an attempt to seek a normalization with regional foes and Washington. "The geostrategic realities are forcing Erdogan to move back to the traditional foreign policy settings," she told Xinhua, arguing that this new narrative "is a good thing for Turkey." For the United States, it "wants neither to push Turkey further to the side of Russia nor to be supportive of Erdogan's regime as it used to in the past," Daloglu observed. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 22:39:50|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SOFIA, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Stella Kyriakides, European commissioner for health and food safety who visited Bulgaria on Thursday, urged the public there to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The vaccination rate in Bulgaria is among the lowest in the European Union (EU). "Over 50 percent of the European adult population have already received the first vaccine dose. The number in Bulgaria is close to 15 percent," Kyriakides said at a press conference. "The way to get out of this pandemic is to vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate. This is my strong message for today," she said. The citizens need to trust the vaccines, said Kyriakides. On one of her first missions to EU member states to assess and support their vaccination campaigns, Kyriakides met with Bulgaria's caretaker Health Minister Stoicho Katsarov to discuss ways to help accelerate the country's vaccination campaign. In a press release issued on Thursday, the Health Ministry explained the low vaccination rate by the unwillingness of a large part of Bulgarian citizens to be vaccinated and by the recent decrease in the number of new COVID-19 infections. Katsarov, who took office on May 12 this year, said his ministry was launching a belated information campaign on the benefits of vaccines. "This is something that should have been done at the beginning of the year for it to be effective. We could have avoided mistrust in vaccines and the circulation of myths and false information," Katsarov said. According to a nationwide survey conducted by the Mediana Polling Agency between June 10 and June 15 - the results of which were released on Wednesday -- only 29 percent of the adult Bulgarians had already been vaccinated or wanted to be vaccinated. Another 29 percent were hesitant, and 42 percent did not intend to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 23:05:32|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HELSINKI, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Finland on Thursday extended intra-EU (European Union) border controls until July 11, but announced the easing of travel restrictions as of next Monday. Kirsi Pimia, the permanent secretary of the Finnish Ministry of the Interior, said at a press conference that it is necessary to extend the controls as the alternative measures for border health controls require parliamentary approval and have not been submitted to parliament yet. However, from June 21, Finland will allow travel by sea, land and air from the EU and Schengen area, if the traveler has proof of a completed COVID-19 vaccination at least two weeks earlier, or proof of having recovered from the COVID-19 infection within the last six months. The decision also allows tourism. As an exception, all workers employed in Finland can enter the country without the vaccination requirement, but must be tested upon arrival and remain in voluntary quarantine until a second testing in 72 hours. Besides, Finland on Thursday ceased border controls for arrivals from Poland and Hungary while continuing to control arrivals from other Schengen countries. Of the non-Schengen countries, Finland lifted restrictions for Monaco, Romania and San Marino. Finland has already abolished restrictions for arrivals from Australia, South Korea, Israel, Singapore, Rwanda and New Zealand. Cruisers can call on Finnish ports but travelers cannot enter the country, according to the current Finnish border restrictions. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-18 03:00:08|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close COPENHAGEN, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Children in Denmark between the ages of 12 and 15 will soon be offered the opportunity to be voluntarily vaccinated against COVID-19, "possibly" from this September, Soren Brostrom, director general of the Danish Health Authority, said at a press conference here on Thursday. "In September, we will finish offering the vaccines against COVID-19 to everyone above the age of 16. ... But we need more population immunity. Therefore, we will offer the vaccine to 12 to 15-year-olds. This will help us maintain epidemic control over the winter," Brostrom said. According to the director, the health authority will consult international experiences and safety data on vaccination of children and young people before the rollout. The decision to allow the vaccination of 12 to 15-year-olds in Denmark has been greatly assisted by approval of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use in children aged 12 years and older by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in May. The Statens Serum Institute (SSI), the country's infectious diseases agency, has registered 331 new COVID-19 infections and one death in the past 24 hours, bringing the national totals to 291,017 cases and 2,528 deaths. The SSI said on Thursday that 49.5 percent of the Danish population, or nearly 2.9 million people, had already received at least one vaccine dose. Of them, some 1.57 million, or 26.9 percent, are fully vaccinated. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 06:11:59|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HOUSTON, June 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Wednesday announced providing 250 million U.S. dollars in state funds as initial payment for the state to build its border barrier with Mexico. During a press conference in the state capital of Austin, Abbott said: "Texas will build a border wall in our state to help secure our border." Also on Wednesday, Abbott directed the Texas Facilities Commission to hire a program manager for the construction, but he did not give details about how long the wall would be or where it would be built. "My belief based upon conversations that I've already had is that the combination of state land, as well as volunteer land, will yield hundreds of miles to build a border wall in Texas," he said. According to local media report, Abbott hinted last week that he would create a border barrier to stem the flow of immigrants and illegal drugs into the state, but he did not give details on where the barrier would be built or how it would be funded. Earlier this week, Abbott told "Ruthless," a podcast about Republican politics, that the state would solicit donations from across the country to help pay for the wall. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 06:39:57|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WASHINGTON, June 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Wednesday that the United States retains the option to impose retaliatory tariffs on countries that don't remove digital service taxes (DSTs), which she says discriminate against U.S. technology companies. "We share your goal of making discriminatory digital service taxes a thing of the past. And we've made substantial progress here," Yellen told lawmakers at a hearing held by the Senate Finance Committee. "We are pursuing absolutely every avenue toward a swift and comprehensive standstill and rollback of our DSTs. Our partners are well aware of the importance of this issue," Yellen said, adding the "discriminatory" nature of these taxes is "unacceptable" to the United States. "By conveying this message multilaterally, rather than through threats and retaliation, we've also prevented a series of trade disputes that are harmful to U.S. businesses, workers, and consumers," she said. Yellen also noted that the United States is retaining all options for discouraging the use of DSTs, as the U.S. trade representative (USTR) has started trade retaliation procedures via investigation in sanctions under the so-called Section 301. "We're keeping that tool available to use if it were to become necessary to get prompt action to eliminate DSTs. While we very much hope to avoid trade conflicts, this tool remains a useful lever to bring countries to the bargaining table," she said. Yellen's remarks came after the USTR's Office announced earlier this month that it will suspend retaliatory tariffs on certain goods from Austria, Britain, India, Italy, Spain and Turkey for six months to provide additional time to complete the ongoing multilateral negotiations on international taxation, following the one-year Section 301 investigations of DSTs adopted by the six countries. "We're committed to resolving this issue, both on its merit and because it risks standing in the way of a once in a generation opportunity to create a new international tax system to end this serious and very long-standing problems of profit shifting and corporate tax competition," Yellen said. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-17 13:52:20|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close GENEVA/WASHINGTON, June 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin had an hours-long summit on Wednesday at a lakeside villa in the Swiss city of Geneva, the two leaders' first face-to-face meeting since Biden took office in January and perhaps the most-watched part of Biden's European tour. The summit came at a time when the international community largely agrees that the U.S.-Russia relations are at their lowest point in years, with the two sides deeply at odds over a list of things, ranging from alleged election interference and cyberattacks to human rights and regional conflicts. At two solo press conferences, Putin described the summit as "constructive" while Biden said the tone of the meeting was "positive." Nevertheless, disagreement and differences still prevailed as the two leaders laid out their respective views on specific issues. As widely predicted, the summit produced limited results, including a joint statement on strategic stability. Experts prefer to regard the meeting as an effort to prevent the confrontation from further escalation, not as a "reset" in bilateral relations. LIMITED OUTCOME Biden and Putin first had a smaller meeting lasting about 90 minutes and then an expanded meeting of more than an hour with five officials on each side. The two leaders then held separate press conferences, unlike three years ago when Biden's predecessor Donald Trump met journalists together with Putin following their summit. At his press conference, which came before that of Biden, Putin said that their conversations were "constructive" and had "no hostility," with an "enabling" atmosphere, while calling Biden "a seasoned politician." Putin also said there were "glimpses of confidence and hope." Reiterating that the United States and Russia must create a "stable" and "predictable" relationship, Biden, in his press conference that followed, described the tone of the meetings as "good, positive." "There wasn't any strident action taken," he added. The United States and Russia released a joint statement on strategic stability following the summit. The statement said that the two heads of state noted that the two countries "have demonstrated that, even in periods of tension, they are able to make progress on our shared goals of ensuring predictability in the strategic sphere, reducing the risk of armed conflicts and the threat of nuclear war." "The recent extension of the New START Treaty exemplifies our commitment to nuclear arms control. Today, we reaffirm the principle that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought," the statement said, adding that both countries will embark on an integrated bilateral Strategic Stability Dialogue in the near future. Putin also told reporters that the U.S. and Russian ambassadors will return to their diplomatic posts and both countries will begin consultations on cybersecurity. OBVIOUS DIVISIONS At their respective press sessions, the two heads of the state clarified their stances, often sharply divided, on some specific issues, including Ukraine and human rights. Putin said the concerns of the American side about the militarization of the Arctic region are "absolutely baseless" and defended Russia's military exercises in Crimea. "The West believes that the Russian policy is unpredictable. Well, let me reciprocate. The U.S. withdrawal from the ABM (Anti-Ballistic Missile) Treaty in 2002 wasn't predictable," Putin said. "I can say all the actions related to the deterioration of Russia-U.S. relationship were initiated by the U.S., not Russia. Congressmen are quite inventive, and I do not know what they will invent further on," Putin said, regarding the worsened bilateral ties since the last U.S.-Russia summit. Biden, in his summary of the meeting, stressed "human rights is always going to be on the table." "Where we have differences, I want President Putin to understand why I say what I say, and why I do what I do, and how we'll respond to different actions that harm America's interests. I told President Putin my agenda is not against Russia or anybody else. It's for the American people," Biden noted. When asked if he trusts Putin, Biden said, "This is not about trust. It's about self-interest and verification of self-interest." Biden said the two sides discussed in detail arms control and cybersecurity and also exchanged concerns about "more challenging" areas like Ukraine and Belarus. Other issues covered during the meeting included Syria and the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the two leaders. NO RESET Experts believed the face-to-face meeting was a positive sign, but did not mean a reset in bilateral ties. Alexei Mukhin, director general of Russian think tank the Center for Political Information, told Xinhua on Wednesday that "a long game between Washington and Moscow has just begun." "Both Russia and the United States have a rather inert policy, and we cannot make a sharp turn or even deviate from this chosen path," Mukhin said, adding that the meeting itself was nevertheless valuable as Russia and the United States demonstrated to the rest of the world that they can meet for dialogue. Robert Legvold, a professor of political science at Columbia University, also believed there was "no reset in the relationship." "I think it's a mutual objective, putting the relationship on a more predictable and stable basis. That's the language the Biden administration began with, but I think Moscow is embracing that," Legvold told Xinhua. "The purposes of this summit are modest," Michael O'Hanlon, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, told Xinhua. "I don't sense we have a full idea yet of our Russia strategy in this administration," O'Hanlon said. Dmitry Suslov, deputy director of the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies at the National Research University Higher School of Economics in Moscow, predicted that U.S.-Russian relations "will remain confrontational in the foreseeable future." "The meeting is taking place because both the United States and Russia have come to the conclusion that further escalation of the confrontation is not profitable for them, and both sides are interested in stabilizing their relations," Suslov told Xinhua. That process could be long, according to John Erath, senior policy director at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation in Washington D.C. "Big achievements take time. They need years of very careful discussions among experts from both sides," Erath said during a virtual conference earlier this week. "But it's good if the leaders were to start the process, not even negotiations, but if the preliminary discussions that will lead to negotiations." Speaking of future U.S.-Russia relations, Thomas Greminger, director of the Geneva Center for Security Policy, said, "I expect co-existence of dialogue and selective cooperation against the backdrop of a continued confrontation with explicit and implicit red lines to be identified in due course." Enditem The Head of Greensprings School, Lekki Campus, Mrs. Feyisara Ojugo, has enjoined parents to instil a growth mindset in their children using what she described as "the power of yet." Ojugo, who said this during a presentation on the Thinking School philosophy held by the school, added that "the power of yet" is a growth mindset language that builds children's confidence and motivates them to keep persisting in the face of challenges while learning a new skill. She said: "Children - and even adults - easily get discouraged when it appears they aren't making meaningful progress towards learning a new skill. The majority of them would conclude that they can't do it, and this saying stems from a fixed mindset, which demoralises repeated trials until a skill is mastered. "To inspire children to be confident in their ability to learn and acquire new skills, parents should encourage a growth mindset, using the 'power of yet.' Instead of watching children say they can't do something, parents should ask their children to add the word 'yet' to the statement. For example, instead of allowing a child to conclude that he or she can't ride a bicycle after several trials, the child should be made to say he or she can't ride a bicycle yet." Ojugo emphasized that encouraging children to add the word "yet" to statements helps them imbibe a positive attitude towards learning, and basically helps them to become life-long learners. She also suggested that the "power of yet" growth mindset language should be adopted in Nigerian schools, as it would remind teachers that children are a work-in-progress. "The power of yet isn't only useful to parents at home. In fact, it should be used more in the school, as that us the place children learn new things and pick up new skills. "In Greensprings School, the growth mindset is ingrained in our school's culture, and the power of yet helps remind both our teachers and students that everyone is a life-long learner and work-in-progress. I believe that by using the power of yet in our various homes and schools across the country, we would be raising children who understand that practice makes perfect and never doubt their ability to achieve anything," she said. A Professor of Educational and Administrative Management, David Olufemi Bamgbose, has called on the federal government to deploy modern technology such as drones to fight banditry, kidnapping and other crimes in the country. Bamgbose, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the 2015 election in Ogun State said if the war against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping must be won, the federal government must invest drones and other security gadgets. The don, who said this in an interview with newsmen in Abeokuta, Ogun State, lamented the recent attack on Igangan community in Oyo State by suspected Fulani herdsmen. He berated the uncoordinated reaction of Southwest governors to attacks by killer herdsmen in different parts of the region and called on the governors to rise to the insecurity challenge in their states before it escalates to the level it has attained in the Northeastern part of the country. Bamgbose also called on the governors to urgently convey a security summit of stakeholders to address the rising insecurity in the region. "There is a need for us to reach out to other countries and organisations outside Nigeria to help us fight insecurity," he added. An Abeokuta magistrate court on Tuesday ordered that a 15-year-old boy be remanded in a correctional centre for allegedly killing a female student. The police are charging the minor with murder. Magistrate Dehinde Dipeolu, who did not take the plea of the minor, ordered that he be remanded for 30 days in the Boaster Home Correctional Centre pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). Dipeolu adjourned the case until July 16 for mention. Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Insp. Olu-Balogun Lawrence, told the court that the minor committed the offence on Feb. 24 at about 1:30 pm, at Nawair ud-Deen Grammar School area in Abeokuta. Lawrence said the 15-year-old beat the 14-year-old girl to death. He said the boy and the deceased were students of Rev. Kuti Memorial Grammar School and Nawiar ud-Deen Grammar school. Lawrence said the minor accosted the victim on her way home from school and asked her to be his girlfriend but she refused. "As a result of the beating, the victim was taken to the General Hospital at Ijaye for treatment and was later transferred to the Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta, where she died," he said Lawrence said the offence contravened sections 316 and 319(1) of the Criminal Code, Law of Ogun, 2006. NAN The direct appointment of a company owned by President Mokgweetsi Masisi's friend, Steve Harvey Global by PPADB (read Botswana Government) with all the critical details kept secret and hidden from the public is mind-boggling. Now Government is clutching at straws in a miserable attempt to explain away why over P470 million of public money should be spend on one man whom they claim is the Lord of Radio and Television Broadcasting. This cannot and will never be acceptable - because our equally gifted and qualified people who would not require to be taught about our culture have long been waiting. Officials are pitifully embarrassing themselves in the process of trying to justify such crockery. By telling us that there is neither a Scope nor an ITT, yet PPADB has already given an approval to directly appoint Steve Harvey Global (SHG) not only raises red flags and is self-incriminating. Is that how PPADB operates, or how contracts are awarded in this country? For what is worth, the toothless Directorate of Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) should jump to action and investigate the SHG contract approval by PPADB because it goes against the basic norms and rules of procurement. How, on earth, can an approval be granted to SHG to come and do a job we don't even know its specifications or how much such contract is likely to cost? In short SHG has been given a blank cheque, to decide what figure they sign in there. The PPADB Act stipulates when the direct appointment method can be used, among others during emergencies or if for whatever reason there happens to be only one service provider in that field. In the Botswana television productions contract case none of those apply. SHG is not the only entity that can provide this service and there is no emergency at Btv. No wonder perhaps, they want to do away with PPADB as it is - they want to open the floodgates of corruption! The only logical conclusion is that there are some exceptional reasons only known to our leaders, which are not for public consumption. The end result of a prolonged State of Public Emergency, is it? Could this be the ways of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) government? Until proven otherwise, those who opine that these are ways in which millions are siphoned from public coffers using unscrupulous backhand deals, are onto something. Let's refresh our minds a bit with a flashback! Back in 2014, one Jeffrey Atkins (commonly known as Ja Rule), a disgraced convicted felon who could not sell a single CD in his homeland, struck gold in Botswana. Brand Botswana splashed undisclosed amounts, estimated at U$ 23 000 in the hope that after being taken on a whirlwind tour of our precious Jwaneng mines he would market our diamonds in the US... not just rough stones, the best diamonds in the world by value! Never mind that the felon was convicted of heinous crimes among them gender based violence, drug abuse and tax evasion. Botswana just could not be bothered about the checkered history of such a character. In another case, what quantifiable benefit have we derived from the P30 million Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) poured into that Mma Ramotswe sham back in 2007! A few extras, who appeared in that ridiculously boring excuse of a movie and that dilapidated Kgale View set? Has Botswana sent anybody to star in Hollywood movies as promised yet? Zero, zilch! Elsewhere, the Botswana Mine Workers Union (BMWU), in a recent statement on citizen economic empowerment (CEE) in the mining sector, when reacting to the termination of Majwe Mining JV Cut 9 contract with Debswana Diamond Company and the looming resuscitation of BCL mines by Canadian firm PNR still rings loud and true. The mine workers posit therein, convincingly so, that there will never be any meaningful citizen economic empowerment until locals are given big multimillion Pula contracts in mining rather than being roped in (by foreign entities) at the tail end as sub-contractors to do menial jobs and mop up leftovers/crumbs. BMWU proposition is that big value mining contracts must be awarded to citizen companies, for what it is worth even if it is to build the very capacity often used as a barrier for locals. Citizen contractors, will in turn find partners in case they lack capacity in some areas just like the multinationals that have dominated mining contracts have been doing over the years. Even then, such shortcomings or lack of capacity by citizen contractors are and will be an indictment on Botswana government that after 50 years of independence we have failed to develop requisite capacity among ourselves in the very sector that anchors our economic being. Such a shame! Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Botswana Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Through SHG, one can only assume that our leadership wants to acculturise us - to Americanise Batswana. This money should rather be reserved for local producers who should bid to produce high quality products. We can only doubt their ability once we have given them the opportunity. Even more critical at this stage is the question - where did Government suddenly find money to splash on SHG when it has failed to bug Covid 19 vaccine and is appealing for private sector support. Key infrastructure projects, including supply of water to residents, have been put on hold - only for Steve Harvey to raid the bank. Perhaps Government should just own up and say they were pulling one of the Harvey jokes on us! Anything else, will be a betrayal of public trust placed on Government to do things properly and above question! The government said Lagos-Ibadan, Abuja-Keffi-Lafia and Abuja-Kano highways have the highest number of accident casualties. The Nigerian government has expressed worry over the increasing number of motor accidents on the nation's highways. Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, stated this while briefing journalists after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday. He said the reports received from the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), showed that in January alone, the number of people who died from road crashes exceeded the combined number of people who died from malaria and COVID-19. "Because of the importance, council was of the considered view that I brief about the need to take notice of the increased number of road traffic crashes on federal highways because every month we get reports from the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), who are usually one of the first arrivals at crash sites on the highways," Mr Fashola said. "Those reports are addressed to the Presidency through the Secretary to Government of the Federation, where the FRSC is domiciled but they are copied to my office and we pay attention to these things and we notice unusually high numbers in January 2021, which we compared with January 2020, 2019 and 2018. "We saw that in January 2021, the number of people who died from road crashes exceeded the combined number of people who died from malaria and COVID-19 in the same month and while malaria and COVID were receiving national concerted attention, we considered it necessary to bring this to the attention of government as part of our strategy for protecting lives and property." The minister stated that from the data analysed three federal highways in the country had the highest number of casualties. He listed them as Lagos-Ibadan, Abuja-Keffi-Lafia and Abuja-Kano highways. He said if the number of accidents on the three highways was reduced, the government would have succeeded in curtailing the problem. He said, "So, we identified the need for various actions to be taken from municipal, local government level to state and national level and I acknowledge the fact that after this memo was listed, I got the notice of a Presidential Committee, the National Road Safety Advisory Council, which will be inaugurated tomorrow (Thursday) by the Office of the Vice President. This is one-step in the right direction under the aegis of the National Economic Council (NEC). Therefore, that should bring all the 36 States together. We can take this conversation there. "We highlighted the fact that my office has asked the FRSC to focus on three roads - the Lagos-Ibadan Highway, the Abuja-Kano Highway, and Abuja-Keffi-Lafia Highway, which show from the data we studied that they had the cumulative highest number of accidents. If we reduce accidents in those three main highways, we would have really dented the number," he said. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Coronavirus Nigeria Malaria By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Mr Fashola said drivers were responsible for 70 per cent of the causes of the road crashes on the nation's highways. Steps The minister also highlighted some steps being taken to address the problem. These include installation of road traffic signs and more patrol. "So, we started the process in April. We should collate the figure by the end of June, hopefully, into July. This includes installation of road traffic signs and more patrol. We are also looking at putting speed metres on the highway. There is a combination of factors and we are also trying to educate drivers. "We saw that the biggest factor for these accidents; from over speeding, loss of control, wrongful overtaking, brake failure, tyre blow-out points to the role of the driver. Consistently, over the years and this data is available, the impact of bad roads and accidents was less than two percent. "These factors I have mentioned; over speeding, loss of control, wrongful overtaking cumulate to over 70 per cent. If we reduce this, we bring the numbers down. "So, I think our focus as a government is that we've agreed that the driver has a role to play, starting from education and certification. So, this is going to be a multi-disciplinary activity from the Ministry of Education, Ministries of Information, FRSC, state and local governments in terms of how they test and certify drivers," he said. Jeffrey Moyo was reunited with his wife, Purity, and young son, after his release on June 16, 2021, from prison in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Bulawayo, Zimbabwe International correspondent Jeffrey Moyo, who was a released from detention today after being arrested for breaching Zimbabwe's Immigration Act by helping two foreign journalists work in the country, says press freedom is undermined when journalists cannot work undeterred. "I feel relieved as it was so horrible inside for 21 days without my freedom," Moyo told IPS upon his release from Bulawayo Prison today, Jun. 16. "The detention is a complete infringement of press freedom in Zimbabwe." Moyo (37), a correspondent for Inter Press Service (IPS), the New York Times and other media, was arrested in Harare on May 26 and detained at Bulawayo Prison. He was released after 21 days when he was granted ZWL5000 bail unopposed by the state, which admitted to erring in finding him a threat to national security. In May, Bulawayo Magistrate, Rachel Mkanga denied Moyo bail on the grounds that the journalist was a threat to national security and the county's sovereignty. Moyo has been charged with violating Section 36 of the Immigration Act, based on an allegation that he made a false representation to immigration officials. This pertains to the accreditation of two of his colleagues, Christina Goldbaum and Joao Silva from the New York Times. Fight for press freedom The accreditation of journalists should not offend anyone or any authority in the country, Moyo said, arguing that the accreditation of journalists in Zimbabwe should be a right and not a difficulty. "Journalists are not dangerous and do not cause any harm to any particular individual or government," said Moyo, who was welcomed by his wife, Purity, and son outside Bulawayo Prison. "I am scared about what happened but I will not stop my work. ... I am committed to doing my job as journalist no matter what the authorities say to me as long as I tow the line in terms of the law. I will continue to do my job." Moyo was granted bail on Jun. 14 and was set to be released on Jun. 15 but an error with his release papers at the Bulawayo prison resulted in him spending another night in jail. "I am just happy that he has been released, I am relieved," Purity Moyo, Jeffery's wife, told IPS. She was prevented from seeing her journalist husband in prison and had communicated with him via letters. "I thank my wife who brought me something to eat every day," Moyo told IPS. "The letters my wife communicated to me gave me hope as did visits from colleagues from the media. I thank God that I am out and united with my family." Horrible prison Moyo was arrested in May 26 and detained in Central Police Station in Harare. He was later moved to the city of Bulawayo, 400km from Harare, and detained at the Bulawayo Central Police Station under conditions he described as horrible and traumatising. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Zimbabwe Media By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "I was detained overnight at the Bulawayo Central Police Station under horrible conditions; no bedding, no blankets and I was sleeping on the concrete floor and there was no food at the police station." It was only to get worse. Moyo said conditions at the Bulawayo Prison were inhumane. He said he was placed in a crowded prison cell with 18 other people. The food was bad. "Health wise I am okay but the food in prison is horrible," he said explaining that he was served porridge with no sugar or salt, plain sadza (a type of maize or cassava porridge) and dried vegetables and beans without cooking oil. Violated rights Moyo's lawyer Doug Coltart told IPS that his client's detention was a series of appalling violations of his human rights. The state, after three weeks of opposing bail, made a turn around to say it had no case against Moyo and that the grounds it cited for opposing his bail were baseless. This demonstrates precisely how the denial of bail at the magistrate's court is being used to punish innocent people, Coltart said. He also noted that in being denied the right to see his wife and relatives as well as his extended detention, despite being granted bail, were all violations of Moyo's rights. "The prison officials continue to refuse to show us the purported error in the warrant of liberation and this raises our strong suspicion that it was all a lie and an abuse of the detention process to keep him for an extra night," Coltart told IPS. Moyo is set to appear in court on Jun. 24 in preparation for trial. If convicted he could face 10 years in jail. Media rights organisations have welcomed Moyo's release. Dendera musician Sulumanin Chimbetu is up in arms with a Zanu-PF affiliate for a new controversial song that satirically criticices President Mnangagwa's ascension to power. In the song, Sulu says it is taboo to install a king during the month of November, which in most Shona cultures is considered a sacred month. President Emmerson Mnangagwa rose to power through a military intervention that disposed of former president, the late Robert Mugabe. The Zimbabwe Revolutionary and Patriotic Youth Network (ZIRAPAYON) wrote to the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) and Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi complaining about the lyrics in the song. The Zanu-PF affiliate further called on Sulu to explain what some of his lyrics meant. "ZIRAPAYON Harare province was not pleased by a song released by the ambassador of the ZPCS Assistant Commissioner Sulumani Chimbetu featuring one chanter popularly known as Hwindi President," the letter read in part. "We seek clarity on what he meant. We are sure that your esteemed office would also want to understand what the goodwill ambassador implied. "We join hands with you and all patriotic Zimbabweans in demanding an explanation. A proactive response will be highly appreciated." Ever since taking power in 2017, Mnangagwa has found it difficult to manage a crisis-hit Zimbabwe with more problems bedeviling his tenure as president. The economy has been on a downward trajectory but there was hope last week when the World Bank projected positive growth for the country by 3.7% despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The song featuring Zim Dancehall chanter, Hwindi President, further talks about the suffering that the world is going through due to the COVID-19 pandemic which continues to ravage lives. Chimbetu has been in the pits recently with both the opposition and ruling party members fighting for him. He caused a stir with opposition members when he appeared in a Zanu-PF garb before the ruling party members chided him for being pictured with ZINASU president, Takudzwa Ngadziore, and MDC-A member, Joanna Mamombe. Meanwhile, the song has not been played on national radio stations. Ethiopians voters went to the polls in the early hours of the morning in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, June 21, 2021. opinion Barely three years ago, little-known Abiy Ahmed burst onto the Ethiopian political scene at the height of another tumultuous period in the country's history. He quickly won national admiration and international attention. He was a fresh breath of air - he spoke different and acted different. Abiy also brought calm to a nation that was on the edge. Unity, harmony, love and forgiveness became the hallmark of his political narrative in the following months. This helped Abiy, who recently turned 44, to amass support across the nation as never seen before in the Ethiopian political scene. His international standing also soared after he mended relations with Eritrea for which he won the Nobel Peace Prize. A lot has changed since then. Instances of communal violence, some of them bordering on ethnic cleansing, have taken place. High profile political assassinations have stunned the nation time and again. Internal displacements have become common. Worse still, the disputed regional election in Tigray has led to the current war with the Tigrayan Liberation Front, now rebranding itself as the Tigrayan Defence Force. The conflict has dented the Prime Minister's reputation domestically as well as internationally. In the meantime, Ethiopia is gearing for a general election in one of the most precarious times in nations history. These are due to be held on June 21. There is one major question being asked: will the election bring any meaningful change? Same problem, same wrong remedies The crux of the challenge facing Abiy is not his own making. The problem of ethnic diversity and the question of fair share of power and resources is as old as medieval Ethiopia. It's a challenge that's prompted a series of wrong remedies over the decades, or even centuries. The old political paradigm - from Solomonic dynasty to Mengistu Hailemariam's Marxist regime - opted for a blanket unionism. They did not sufficiently articulate the grievances of those who felt they were in the margins and provide solution based on dialogue. The regime that followed - the Tigrayan Liberation Front-led ethno-federalist Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF)- went to the opposite to extreme. It granted the right for self-governing including the right to cessation to those they described as "nations, nationalities and people groups". Instead of solving the problem, this arrangement became a breeding ground for conflict entrepreneurs. Regardless of the response the issue is receiving from the two seemingly polarised political approaches, the same principle operated behind the two of them - ethnic domination. Abiy came in a time when, on the one hand, some pockets of the society are deeply disenchanted with ethno-nationalist system. Others, on the other hand, were demanding even more enhanced federal states in which ethnic communities form political parties which bear their names and promote their interests. Abiy, however, has remained an enigma. At times he personified rhetorical unionism, at others practical ethno-federalism. While the Tigrayan Liberation Front and other ethno-nationalist group feel that Abiy is going to undo the system they put in place in the last three decades, the unionist groups are uneasy that he is not moving fast enough to dismantle the ethno-federalist system. This provided another recipe for the conflict in Tigray. However, to the surprise of many, it looks as though Abiy is leaning more strongly towards a unionist political outlook. Many expect him to amend the aspect of the constitution that grants the right of cessation for ethnic-based regional states. Winning this election could give him a popular mandate to clearly define his position on the thorny issue. The politics of elimination Ethiopia is one of those countries that struggle to embrace the idea of winning by way of dialogue and moderation. Political competitors perceive each other as arch enemies. The typical tactic for winning has been eliminating the competitor. Dialogue and compromises remain alien concepts. The war in Tigray is emblematic of this culture. It's mainly fuelled by undue heroism rather than cool headed political manoeuvring. The Tigrayan Liberation Front could not accept the loss of power and privilege when Abiy came to power. Then mutual suspicion and enmity ensued. In this scenario, ordinary people bear the brunt of war including unlawful killings, rape and now starvation. The credibility of this election is already dented by the fact that some of the opposition members have either withdrawn or they have been jailed. Prominent examples include Jawar Mohammed of Oromo Federalist Congress and Eskinder Nega of Baldaras for True Democracy. It is hard to imagine any election taking place in Tigray because of the ongoing conflict. Ethiopian politicians, oppositions and incumbents, have found it difficult to undo the political culture of winning by elimination. It remains a big threat for the process of democratisation in Ethiopia. What next after the election? It is very likely that the prime minister's Prosperity Party will win this election. This will be partly because most Ethiopians might think that a dramatic leadership change at this time would be risky. The other factor is that there's no political opposition that can mount a meaningful challenge. Some have suggested that Abiy has made sure that the opposition is weak. The reality, however, is that the cultural division applies for intra-party politics as well. The Oromo elites, for example, are deeply divided. Not only that, there is a crippling division within the Oromo Liberation Front - one of the oldest parties to stand for the cause of Oromo people. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Ethiopia Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. If Abiy wins, there are two possible trajectories that he could follow. The first is that he begins nation building. The other is that he takes a more authoritarian course. If he takes the nation building route he would do well to listen more and - contrary to his preferred style - lecture less. This listening and dialoguing process needs to start with his own constituency - Oromia - and to extend to war-torn Tigray. But he may in fact choose the authoritarian path. There will be no shortage of pretexts if this is deemed politically profitable. Abiy can project himself as the leader of law and order. There is already widespread lawlessness and the loss of a sense of security and safety among the masses. Ethiopia is at a stage where democracy can be seen as a luxury. This, needless to say, is less a desirable direction. It is a real possibility nevertheless. This election, if Abiy wins, is a huge opportunity for him to correct his past missteps. He needs to worry less about the optics such as delivering big signature projects and striking unexpected peace deals with neighbours. These are all important. But he needs to go down to address the roots of fear, mistrust and violence that is threatening to tear down the social fabric of the nation. Mohammed Girma, Visiting Lecturer, University of Roehampton Last week, the government said it will source funding to develop two key rail lines, from Standard Chartered Plc. The Nigerian government has revealed plans to take more loans from China in a bid to extend rail services to more states in the country. The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, said this when he featured on Arise TV's Morning Show Tuesday, a week after he said the government would get credit from Standard Chartered Bank and not China. Mr Amaechi did not mention the amount the government is seeking but said the federal government has already begun negotiations. Nigeria owed China $3.402 billion as of March 31, according to the Debt Management Office. The amount covers 11 loan facilities from the China Exim Bank since 2010. Last week, the government disclosed its intention to source funding to develop two key rail lines, and said the funding will come from Standard Chartered Plc and not China. When the loans are granted, it will increase Nigeria's public debt stock, which stood at $87.2 billion as of the end of March. Mr Amaechi said the monthly revenue from the Abuja-Kaduna railway operations increased from N70 million to N350 million as of May. "When you take the loan, you are expected to pay back and as we are talking today we are paying back," he said. "Under the regime of former President Goodluck Jonathan, the loan for Abuja - Kaduna was about $500 million. As of today, we have paid over $150 million on that loan. "I am not aware that there is any clause in the loan agreement that hands over any of our national assets to China. "Yes, by default they go to court and it depends on the outcome of the court case, but I am not aware that there is anything in all the clauses signed by this government or the previous government of Goodluck Jonathan that mortgaged any of our national assets." Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Business Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Nigeria's loan history The loans obtained between 2010 and 2020 are for these projects : the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Project; 40 Parboiled Rice Processing Plants Project (Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development); Abuja Light Rail Project; Nigerian ICT Infrastructure Backbone Project; and the Nigerian Four Airport Terminal Expansion Project (Abuja, Kano, Lagos & Port Harcourt). Others include the Nigerian National Public Security Communication system Project; Nigerian Railway Modernization Project (Idu- Kaduna section); Nigeria Supply of Rolling Stocks and Depot Equipment for Abuja Light Rail Project; and the Nigeria Greater Abuja Water Supply Project. Nigerian Railway Modernization Project (Lagos - Ibadan section); Nigeria Rehabilitation and Upgrading of Abuja - Keffi Makurdi Road. Loans for the National Public Security Communication system Project of $399 million and the Nigerian Railway Modernization Project (Idu- Kaduna section) of $500 million were secured in December 2010 and will be due for repayment in September 2030. OUTSPOKEN legislator, Temba Mliswa has advised Dendera maestro, Sulumani Chimbetu not to involve himself in politics, but to stick to his music. The counsel comes after Chimbetu, popularly known as 'Sulu' ruffled feathers with some ruling Zanu PF members after he appeared in Zimdancehall musician, Hwindi President's 2020 song, 'Chirwere'. In the song, Sulu is featured lamenting the challenges Zimbabwe is facing since the rise to power of President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2017. "Takatadza... makagadza mambo munaMbudzi varume (we failed... you appointed a leader in November)," he sings. Mnangagwa assumed the top office in November 2017 following a military coup that toppled former late President Robert Mugabe from power. The month of November is considered sacred in the Shona culture. In response, some youths affiliated with Zanu PF have written a letter to Justice Minister, Ziyambi Ziyambi and Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) Commissioner-General Moses Chihobvu demanding clarification on the song's lyrics. Sulu is a ZPCS goodwill ambassador with the rank of assistant commissioner. "Zimbabwe Revolutionary and Patriotic Youth Network (ZIRAPAYON) Harare province was not pleased by a song released by the ambassador of the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) Ass-Comm Sulumani Chimbetu featuring one chanter popularly known as 'Hwindi President'," the letter reads in part. "We seek clarity on what he meant. We are sure that your esteemed office would also want to understand what the goodwill ambassador implied. We join hands with you and all patriotic Zimbabweans in demanding an explanation." However, in a tweet Wednesday, Mliswa urged the Orchestra Dendera Kings band front-man to emulate the late music great Oliver Mtukudzi and stay away from politics. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Zimbabwe Entertainment By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Mtukudzi died in 2019 and was declared a national hero. Sulu is the son of the late Dendera music icon, Simon Chimbetu, who was also declared a Mashonaland West provincial hero. Through his late father, Sulu is a beneficiary of the land reform programme and owns a farm in Chegutu. "Sulu, a great musician in his own right, should learn lessons from the late, great, Dr. Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi: not to mix music with politics," Mliswa, an independent MP for Norton wrote on Twitter. "Tuku stuck to music no matter what and despite many accusations, he remained consistent and was eventually declared a national hero upon his passing." Last week, Sulu set tongues wagging after pictures of him clad in Zanu PF regalia went viral on social media. Before then he had been captured several times on camera with MDC Alliance Harare West MP Joanna Mamombe. He also rallied behind Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) president, Takudzwa Ngadziore when he was incarcerated on politically motivated charges. However, Mliswa, a former Zanu PF MP before he was booted out ruling party, went on to blast the governing party for interfering with Sulu's work and attempting to stifle his rights. "That's one of the problems with @ZANUPF_Official they think they should own people or are entitled to them. Sulu is a musician and must be allowed the freedom of association unless of course, Zanu PF is willing to give him an exclusive rights contract and pay him accordingly. "Let Sulu carry on and do his job properly, music is universal and transcends beyond borders, boundaries, and political affiliations. Music is for the people and has the power to unite and lift spirits. I like Sulu, just stay out of politics as it jeopardises your following." Insurgents suspected to be members of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) overran a military formation in the southern part of Borno State on Tuesday and cart away weapons after a fierce gun battle with the troops. It was learnt that the fighters rode on about 10 utility vehicles to storm the military formation at Kwamdi village, Damboa local government area, on Tuesday evening. They were said to have burnt down one Ammour Personal Carrier(APC) and a gun truck. According to a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF), Hamidu Abu, the deadly group targeted soldiers camp but not residents. He further disclosed that the base was razed down as arms and ammunition were stolen by the invaders. "They came at about 4 p.m. and due to the sand storms it was difficult for soldiers to repel them. They burnt down the base including APC and four other vehicles. "I can't ascertain if there was any causality figure," Abu said. A security source confirmed that the base came under attack from gunmen believed to be ISWAP fighters at about 4 pm and it lasted for about an hour and 30 minutes. The source added that fighters seized the opportunity of the sand storm to penetrate the base. "Our base at Kwamdi came under attack but we didn't lose any of our personnel to the attackers, unfortunately the base suffered some damages," the security source told Daily Trust. There has not been any official reaction from the Nigerian military. "I want to add that internet broadcasting and all online media should be included in the bill," Mr Mohammed said. The Minister of information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has asked the House of Representatives to include internet broadcasting under the control of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC). The request was contained in his submission at the public hearing into a bill to amend the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission Act organised by the House Committees in Information, Ethics and Values. Mr Mohammed said all online and internet broadcasting entities should be included in section two (c) of the bill. Section two proposes to give NBC the powers to "receive, process and consider applications for the establishment, ownership of radio and television stations including... ... ." "I want to add that internet broadcasting and all online media should be included in the bill," Mr Mohammed said. The bill, if passed with the recommendation of Mr Mohammed, online broadcasting entities will have to get approval from the NBC before operating. They would also be mandated to act within the control of the Nigerian government. Opposition The Executive Director of the Institute of Media and Societies, Akin Akingbulu, opposed the inclusion of online digital platforms, saying it would further stifle the civic space. "The inclusion of the following among categories of broadcasting services licences will be injurious to the civics space, freedom of expression and media freedom in Nigeria," he said. Mr Akingbulu said the NBC Act fails to provide independence of the regulatory body. He recommended that section 23, which gives the information minister powers to participate in the making of regulations should be expunged. He argued that the involvement of the minister will turn NBC into a tool for political interference. "The power to give directives to the commission, vested in the minister of information in section six should be removed and replaced with powers which include policy formulation for the broadcasting sector, the negotiation of international agreements, notification of the policy direction of government and ensuring that the independence of the commission is protected at all times," Mr Akingbulu stated. Also speaking on the bill, the International Press Centre (IPC) and Centre for Media Law and Advocacy, in a joint presentation called for stronger independence of the regulator. The Executive Director of IPC, Lanre Arogundade, who presented on behalf of the groups, said "the conduct of the NBC overtime presents it as an extension of the office of the minister of information which rarely acts independently." Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Buhari govt stifling civic space The present administration appears to be exploring all avenues to regulate the media, particularly online media. On June 4, Mr Mohammed announced the ban of Twitter, a few days after the microblogging site removed a tweet by Mr Buhari for breaching its rules. The government also announced that all social media must register with the government to operate in Nigeria. Last week, NBC, in a newspaper advertorial, asked all social media platforms and online broadcasting service providers in Nigeria to apply for the broadcast licence. The announcement was placed in the Nation newspaper and signed by the then acting NBC's director-general, Armstrong Idachaba. The Twitter suspension and the moves to censor social media have been criticised by many Nigerians, civil society organisations and the international community, which believe it would stifle freedom of expression and shrink the Nigerian civic space. The lawmakers of the ruling All Progressives Congress have also made efforts to regulate social media with draconian laws. The Land Swap Initiative, designed to remedy the infrastructure deficit in the FCT, was started by the previous Abuja administration before it was suspended. The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the resumption of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) Land Swap Initiative to address infrastructure deficit in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammed Bello, made this known at the end of the council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday at the presidential villa, Abuja. According to the minister, the land swap initiative was started by the previous FCT administration before it was suspended. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the initiative whose worth was put at about one trillion naira under the previous dispensation was designed to remedy the infrastructure deficit in the FCT by swapping land with private investors who would in turn provide necessary infrastructure. Mr Bello said the resumption of the initiative followed a memo he presented to the council, adding that some amendments were made to the original form of the initiative by establishing a legal framework to protect all parties The minister said: "Today at the Federal Executive Council meeting I presented a memo and an update on the FCT Land Infrastructures Swap Initiative to the Federal Executive Council. "And after a lot of deliberations, the Federal Executive Council approved the FCDA Land Infrastructure Swap Initiative which is popularly known as Land Swap which was commenced some time ago by previous FCT administration. "After a review of what has transpired over the years and also the changes made, the Federal Executive Council approved that we now should continue with the land swap initiative on the basis of amendments to the procedures as well as new safeguards introduced so that investors, FCT (the government) as well as up-takers would be protected." He expressed the hope that the initiative would reduce the overall housing deficit within the FCT. Presidente @FSagasti: Los invoco a trabajar juntos para consolidar las instituciones democraticas que nos costo construir. Eso implica respetar las reglas y formas democraticas, asi como los organismos y autoridades electorales. pic.twitter.com/gVDF8eh1rg 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 Titular de la PCM: hoy aprobamos un decreto de urgencia que dicta medidas extraordinarias en materia economica y financiera para el apoyo de recursos humanos y formacion de salud, como respuesta ante la emergencia sanitaria por la #COVID?19. pic.twitter.com/xPaRs2VU6e YEREVAN, JUNE 17, ARMENPRESS. The international observers of the CIS Inter-parliamentary Assembly are starting their short-term monitoring for Armenias early parliamentary elections. On June 19 the CIS observers will attend a ceremony of laying flowers at the Mother Armenia monument in Yerevan. On the same day they are scheduled to have several meetings in the Armenian Parliament. The observer mission will hold discussions with the leadership of the Parliament, as well as with the representatives of political forces participating in the elections. In particular, meetings with heads of election headquarters of Prosperous Armenia, Civil Contract and Bright Armenia parties are expected. On June 19 the CIS observers will also meet with Chairman of the Central Electoral Commission of Armenia Tigran Mukuchyan to exchange views on the election processes. Thereafter, they will meet with the representatives of the Armenia alliance, the alliance With Honor, Our Home Is Armenia. They will continue their observer mission on June 20 the voting day. The observers will also meet with the representatives of the OSCE/ODIHR. The CIS observer mission will give a press conference on June 21 summing up the results of the elections. CIS observers will conduct their mission in Armenia at the invitation of Speaker of Parliament Ararat Mirzoyan. The early parliamentary elections in Armenia will take place on June 20. Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, JUNE 17, ARMENPRESS. Parents of missing servicemen are meeting with caretaker Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in the government. Pashinyans assistant Nairi Sargsyan told reporters in the government the meeting has been requested by the parents of missing soldiers. He added that at the moment the number of missing servicemen is 275. We have had more than 1000 missing in action as of November. Later, as a result of DNA examinations, bodies of missing servicemen have been identified, he said, adding that the bodies of more than 800 missing persons have been identified and have been buried. On June 16 the Office of the 3rd President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan has released a document which presented a report about the actual expenditures made by the Military Insurance Fund. The Office drew the attention on the fact that the number of missing persons in the document is 1064, whereas earlier Pashinyan announced their number as 321 in the parliament. Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, JUNE 17, ARMENPRESS. 2nd President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan, who is leading the Armenia alliances electoral list, met with the residents of Vardenis town in Gegharkunik province on the sidelines of the pre-election campaign. During the meeting Robert Kocharyan divided the problems facing Armenia into three groups security issue, economic and domestic-political crisis. He noted that by coming to power they will bear a heavy burden, but their team is capable of solving all these issues. Dear residents of Vardenis, the problems facing the country can be divided into three groups. The first one is the security issue. You feel that problem like Syunik, unprotected borders, the situation of the army. The second one is connected with the economic situation. Today, in fact, we have economic crisis which will deepen, unemployment, poverty increase and migration. The third group is the domestic political situation. If there was no domestic political crisis, the snap elections wouldnt exist, he said. I do not have an unfulfilled promise. When I came to Armenia, the Sotk mine was not operating, the prices of gold were extremely high. I put a goal and the mine started operating 7-8 months later and then started to develop, he said. The early parliamentary elections in Armenia will be held on June 20. Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, JUNE 17, ARMENPRESS. The European Union and WHO today handed to the Armenia Ministry of Health 22 ventilators, which can help save lives of patients with severe cases of COVID-19, the EU Delegation to Armenia told Armenpress. The delivery of the shipment is a part of a larger assistance package to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country. Andrea Wiktorin, the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Armenia joined Armenias Deputy Minister of Health Lena Nanushyan, the WHO Representative in Armenia Egor Zaitsev, and UN Resident Coordinator Shombi Sharp at the National Center of Providing Drugs and Medical Supplies SNCO to receive the equipment. The European Union stands by Armenia with continuous support to strengthening the capacity of health systems. In the time of COVID-19 pandemic, it is of vital importance to ensure an adequate response to public health emergencies, and save peoples lives. Together we will be stronger and will overcome the pandemic faster, said Andrea Wiktorin, the EU Ambassador to Armenia. Ventilators are of vital importance for COVID-19 patients with severe cases as they assist the patients by maintaining optimal air pressure and providing the lungs with oxygen. The ventilator can either partially or fully take over the breathing process for the patient. JERMUK-YEREVAN, JUNE 17, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Armed Forces continue strengthening the state border of Armenia and establish new defensive lines in areas that border the territories which have come under the Azerbaijani control after the recent Artsakh War. Intensive works are being carried out to establish new defensive lines on the border of Vayots Dzor. On June 16, a group of Armenian reporters, accompanied by the representatives of the General Staff, visited the new military positions located in the direction of Jermuk to get acquainted with the border situation and ongoing works. Photos by Tatev Duryan The representatives of the armed forces told reporters that the Armenian servicemen fully control the situation and are ready to fulfill their duties at any moment. After the November 9 statement, we, the servicemen, have fulfilled all our tasks. In the period of November 17-29 the regiment built a new defense post where we are currently deployed in. The post ensures the defense of the state border, and currently large scale of works on engineering equipment of the post, construction of roads are underway, Commander of N military unit Colonel Gegham Martirosyan said adding that its just a month the weather allows to carry out these works in the military positions. But not only the weather, the location of the site also complicate this process, he said. The situation in that part of the Armenian state border was calm. The servicemen said no aggressive actions or incidents by the adversary are taking place. The Azerbaijani posts are at different distance from different positions, in some areas they are 1000-1500 meters away, and in others 100-150 meters. The commander said the Azerbaijani side hasnt advanced to the territory where the reporters visited, but stated that there has been some violation of the border in a separate section of the overall unit. It took place during the incidents of May 12 when the Azerbaijani armed forces carried out a military aggression against Armenia, infiltrating into several sections of Armenias border. However, the commander noted that overall the situation in this border area is calm. There is no tension, there is no provocative action by the adversary at this moment, Colonel Martirosyan said, stating that the border units of the Armenian Army, including the position-holders of this particular post, are always ready to fulfill their combat duties at any moment and resist any provocation and encroachments of the Azerbaijani side. Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, JUNE 17, ARMENPRESS. Caretaker Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, who is leading the Civil Contract partys electoral list for the June 20 early parliamentary elections, is inviting citizens to a rally today at the Republic Square, stating that the most important during this meeting must be the participation of everyone, the recording of a political will, unity. 4 hours have been left for our final pre-election meeting which must become our biggest event during this pre-election campaign, the caretaker PM said live on Facebook. He reminded the time and the venue of the meeting, which will start at 20:00 today. Pashinyan will deliver a program speech and will talk about their plans. But the most important of todays event should become the presence of each you at the Republic Square and the recording of a political will, unity in Armenia through which we must undoubtedly record that there is future Armenia. And the people will definitely and undoubtedly win the upcoming parliamentary elections, he said, adding that he is looking forward to seeing everyone in the Republic Square. Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, JUNE 17, ARMENPRESS. On 17th June 2021, EU Ambassador to Armenia Andrea Wiktorin gathered representatives of UNDP Armenia, OxYGen Armenia and two domestic observer groups, Akanates and Independent Observers, to mark important EU contributions to consolidate democratic election processes in Armenia, the EU Delegation told Armenpress. The organizations are key recipients of EU electoral funding; they provide technical electoral assistance and support citizens access to information and participation respectively. It is time to come together and overcome the crisis in a spirit of reconciliation and solidarity. All generations of Armenians deserve to enjoy a better future in peace and stability. We hope Armenia will be governed in a spirit of collaboration, responsibility and mutual respect. I call upon all electoral stakeholders, their supporters and those who use the mass media and social media to increase efforts to contribute to making 20th June a day in which democracy wins, for the future of Armenian children, declared Ambassador Wiktorin. Over recent years, the EU has stepped up its investment in democratization and electoral reform. At the early 2021 elections, the EU is again a generous donor with almost 1 million Euros of financial support. As the largest donor, the EU once again makes an important contribution together with several EU Member States as the Team Europe. YEREVAN, JUNE 17, ARMENPRESS. The Dutch parliament adopted a resolution with an overwhelming majority of votes (147 for, 3 against), demanding the release of Armenian war prisoners and civilian detainees. ARMENPRESS reports, the resolution reads as follows, Whereas a ceasefire was signed between Armenia and Azerbaijan through the Russian mediation, which includes the exchange of the bodies of victims, prisoners, hostages, other detainees, Whereas the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners (III) obliges Armenia, Azerbaijan to release them immediately after the end of hostilities; Whereas those countries have an obligation to treat prisoners with dignity; to protect detained civilians; Recording that Azerbaijan has not yet released all Armenian captives, The parliament urges the Minister to exert pressure on Azerbaijan at the (European) Council for an immediate release of all Armenian hostages and detained citizens. YEREVAN, JUNE 17, ARMENPRESS. The Russian Foreign Ministry thinks its not the right thing to relate issues connected with Nagorno Karabakh with the relations of Armenia or Azerbaijan with third countries, ARMENPRESS reports official representative of the Russian MFA Maria Zakharova said in a briefing, referring to the declarations signed in Shushi between Azerbaijan and Turkey. We believe the bilateral relations in the region, including in the direction of military cooperation, should not be directed against other countries, Zakharova said. She added that Russia confidently supports the steps aimed at the restoration of dialogue between Yerevan - Baku and Yerevan-Ankara. Cooperation in the South Caucasus should develop based on friendship, and of course, considering the interests of all the regional countries, Zakharova concluded. YEREVAN, JUNE 17, ARMENPRESS. President of the National Assembly of Armenia, member of Civil Contract Party Ararat Mirzoyan thinks that Armenia has two paths, assessing the upcoming early parliamentary elections decisive for the choice between the two paths, ARMENPRESS reports Mirzoyan said in the concluding pre-election rally of the Civil Contract Party at the Republican Square. Mirzoyan first presented what they have done during the last 3 years, reminding that during the 1st year they had no parliamentary majority, therefore, had no tools for necessary reforms, as well as reminded about the coronavirus pandemic and the war. Speaking about the reforms, Mirzoyan noted that adoption of the new Electoral Code and amendment of the Law on Parties. Mirzoyan acknowledged that, unfortunately, reforms in the judicial sphere have not been completed. Addressing the people who have gathered at the square and those who are disappointed or still hesitate, Mirzoyan said, The upcoming elections will not decide if we will stay in power or no, but the issue if the mentioned reforms will continue or no. You may be disappointed with us, but you cannot be disappointed with your dreams, your visions about your country. You may be disappointed with us, but you cannot endanger freedom, equality and democracy, Mirzoyan announced, adding that choice is between returning to the past, or continue the necessary reforms and step by step shape the future of Armenia. To prepare for unmanned aircraft system threats they may see on the battlefield, Soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division participated in the U.S. Armys first Counter-Small UAS home-station training session at Fort Carson, Colorado, from April 19-May 7 in advance of an upcoming deployment to the U.S. Central Command region. Soldiers simulated using the Mobile-Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Integrated Defeat System, or M-LIDS, which is a system of sensors and shooters mounted on a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle. Joseph Lacdan, Army News Service, reports. Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link U.S. soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division took part in the first home-station training for the Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems from April 19-May 7, 2021, prior to deployment. Soldiers used a system of sensors and shooters called the Mobile-Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Integrated Defeat System, or M-LIDS. (Picture source: U.S. Army/courtesy photo) The U.S. Army will also deploy five-person C-sUAS mobile training teams that will remain stationed in the CENTCOM area of responsibility to train other deployed units. At Fort Carson, 4th ID Soldiers learned skills that included power-up procedures and connecting different systems and components, said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Randy Jones, the systems integrator for the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team. The training will help counter UAS threats, which provide enemies with assets capable of collecting intelligence and performing reconnaissance and lethal attacks at low costs, such as drones. There are lots of enemy UAS threats that are out there on a pretty regular basis and that's likely what we're going to be faced with, Jones said during an interview in May. It's really great to be able to have that opportunity to execute the training, and have the time to digest that information, because once we do get downrange, we don't always have a lot of time to learn a new system. The training included classroom lessons, hands-on interaction with the C-sUAS systems and a live-fire training session. The class, which consisted mostly of infantry Soldiers, was designed in accordance with the Defense Departments recently approved C-sUAS strategy that focuses on the posturing of mission-ready forces capable of deterring UAS threats. U.S. soldiers huddle during Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems home-station training at Fort Carson, Colo. The Soldiers were preparing for a deployment to the U.S. Central Command region. (Picture source: U.S. Army/courtesy photo) The mobile training teams will be comprised of a team lead and about four system trainers with expertise in a range of disciplines, including threat systems, UAS pilots and air defense artillery. The curriculum will be tailored to each units needs and will cover topics from basic threat identification and tracking to joint service primary UAS operations. In 2019, then-Secretary of Defense Mark Esper assigned the Army as the DODs executive agent for C-sUAS activities and former Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy then established the Joint C-sUAS Office, or JCO, under director Maj. Gen. Sean Gainey. Through the JCO, the Army will develop integrated plans, technologies, training concepts, and doctrine, while focusing resources on efficiently countering the UAS threat. As part of the effort, the DOD released its C-sUAS Strategy providing the framework for addressing sUAS across the spectrum from hazards to threats in the homeland, host nations, and contingency locations. The strategy outlines three efforts: ready the force by developing innovative solutions, defend the force with the provision of mission-ready forces that are able to deter and defeat UAS threats, and building the team by leveraging partnerships. Jones said that the Soldiers may face such threats during their deployment and the training presented the first opportunity of its kind to train at home. Jones added that the training will help ready them for what they may encounter in a forward operating location by teaching C-sUAS skills to Soldiers who dont typically see these threats. Many of these Soldiers in the class are your typical infantry Soldiers who don't deal with a complex system of systems like this on a regular basis as well as enemy UAS threats, Jones said. They're focused on a lot more of your standard infantry tasks. This is a really eye-opening experience for a lot of them to understand the threat that's out there, and understand this system, how we can use [it] to counter these threats. DOD contractors and representatives from each original equipment manufacturer participated as Soldiers learned how to identify enemy threats from friendly forces. Those representatives included experts on radar systems, electronic warfare and gunner systems. Instructors broke down the course into separate training blocks, including sections on command and control, radar, and network, said Gary Cathcart, who works as the M-LIDS logistics lead for the Logistics Management Directorate, Army Rapid Capabilities Office. [The training] definitely enhanced unit readiness by giving the Soldiers familiarization on the operations of the system, Jones said. This is a new system that none of us have ever seen before and none of us have ever used before It's a complex system of systems, that each of these individual components on these trucks needs to integrate and work together. Cathcart said that the Army currently has been gathering feedback from Soldiers and will use student input to build the next iteration of the course. He added that as more Army units train with the C-sUAS software they will look to incorporate the other branches. The biggest thing is that we're getting this threat awareness spread out there to the warfighter making sure that people are aware of the threat, and then aware of what systems and what capabilities we have to defeat that threat, Jones said. Better access to India and waking up old alliances on agriculture are next for Australia as it sharpens its trade diplomacy. Australia is tackling the most complex Indo-Pacific environment since World War II, Trade Minister Dan Tehan told an Australian Farm Institute conference in Toowoomba on Thursday. He reiterated Australia's calls for a WTO dispute settlement process that works. "We have a current dispute with China on barley. We're considering actively a further dispute when it comes to wine," Mr Tehan said. He says liberal democracies need to set the global trade rules and have all countries adhere to them. "We've got to get the World Trade Organisation back in the paramount place that it used to hold a decade ago." The new WTO director-general Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who took office in March, is going to need a lot of help with her agenda and Australia is "leaning heavily in" at the moment, the minister says. "It's not just the World Trade Organisation we're looking at," he said. "Our economic partnership with India, we continue to try to see how we can grow that and get more access to agreements that would provide rules around further liberalisation between Australia and India." After successive governments had stumbled on a comprehensive deal for more than a decade, Mr Tehan said he would be putting a proposal to his Indian counterpart in the coming weeks. "Then hopefully, with a little bit of patience we'll be able to see whether we can get an outcome." Regional ministers will meet in July to try to deal with fisheries subsidies, unresolved for more than a decade at the WTO. Mr Tehan said a "re-invigorated" Cairns Group was meeting next week so agriculture subsidies could get back on the agenda. Made up of 19 developed and developing agricultural exporting economies, the group was an influential voice in agricultural trade reform after it was set up in 1986. Pacific rim ministers met two weeks ago and reiterated the need for the WTO to maintain a rules-based order. Mr Tehan said the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum was also looking at other opportunities to free up trade in the region, particularly for "environmental goods" such as solar panels and wind turbines. U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, a Texas Republican, questioned the process the bill didn't pass through committee before being considered on the floor and the name of the holiday. He thought that concerns about the name could've been addressed if it was reviewed by House committees. Another Republican, U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, made a similar argument. He believes there will be confusion between Juneteenth National Independence Day and Independence Day that's celebrated on July 4. "Why ask Americans to pick one of the two independence days to celebrate?" Massie asked. Last year, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson opposed the bill because it would cost too much. According to Johnson's argument, those costs would stem from giving federal employees a paid holiday. There was a similar case made on the House floor. U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, an Illinois Democrat, responded: "I guarantee you that whatever the cost, it will not come close to the cost of slavery." The House passed the Juneteenth bill by a 415-14 vote. Massie and Roy were among the 14 Republicans who voted against it. Most Republicans, including U.S. Rep. John Katko, supported the legislation. Participating restaurants must be local and operate with a food menu (bars that only provide chips, for example, would not be allowed). National chains are not eligible to take part. County officials will work the Cayuga Economic Development Agency to sign up restaurants for the program, and McNabb-Coleman hopes to involve establishments from throughout the county, not just the city of Auburn. Diners will be able to use a county website to download and print out a free local restaurant voucher, which would valued in $25 increments. They could then take the voucher to the restaurant and match that value with their own money to purchase a gift card. "You, as the customer, would get a $50 gift card that you only paid $25 for," said Donald Carr, the county's director of purchasing, during a presentation to the Legislature. The restaurants would then turn in the vouchers submitted by customers to the county to get reimbursed. Legislator Hans Pecher expressed concerns about having the vouchers available online. "How do you limit people from getting all the coupons who are quick on the computer?" he asked. U.S. Rep. John Katko is asking the European Union to reconsider new trade requirements scheduled to take effect this summer that would impact dairy, food and other agricultural products from the United States. The European Union is planning to institute new entry certificate requirements for U.S. agricultural and food exports on Aug. 21. Katko, R-Camillus, criticized the requirements as duplicative and onerous. He thinks it could lead to central New York dairy farmers being shut out of European markets. Katko wrote a letter to EU Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis urging the European Union to reconsider the requirements. He also asked the EU to delay the effective date of the new trade rules. In the letter, Katko also noted that U.S. dairy producers should have more access to European markets. U.S. dairy exports to Europe are less than one-tenth of the dairy exported from Europe to the U.S. annually, he explained. "The dairy industry plays a vital role in our regional economy and supports hundreds of workers and families," Katko said. "For this industry to grow, we need to ensure our producers have reliable market access and are not subjected to unfair trade practices." MINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Minnesota House launched into a long, contentious debate Thursday that delayed its first floor votes on the big budget bills that lawmakers were unable to pass before time ran out on the year's regular session last month. The House had four bills teed up for final floor votes. But minority House Republicans were unhappy with being shut out of the closed-door negotiations between House Democrats and Senate Republicans that shaped them. And they showed it by launching a long filibuster that was expected to last into the night. They also filed about 60 amendments in advance. I think we're going to have a bumpy ride in the Minnesota House, Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman, of Brooklyn Park, told WCCO Radio on Thursday morning, before the debate began. The House minority is determined to make things take a little bit longer than they need to, but we'll get it done no matter how long it takes. An angry House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt, of Crown, blamed Democrats for disregarding GOP concerns while a narrow group of committee chairs worked out the details in private, and he vowed to vet all of the bills thoroughly on the floor. "The Diocese believes that continued dialogue and negotiation among the Diocese, its insurers and the Creditors Committee that is guided by reasonable and realistic expectations on the part of all concerned and a dedication to swift and just resolution for survivors is the best and proper course to benefit survivors," the statement said. Attorneys for survivors have suggested that the bankruptcy process has just presented survivors with another roadblock rather than moving these cases towards a conclusion. "Historically, Catholic dioceses have used Chapter 11 bankruptcy as a shield to stop litigation and prevent jury trials, allowing the institution to continue business uninterrupted while maintaining its secrets, hiding assets, and silencing survivors," said attorney Jeffrey Anderson, whose firm represents roughly 170 survivors in the diocese's bankruptcy case. A decision about the amount of money the diocese's insurers would contribute to the settlement survivors is one of the major hurdles in the bankruptcy process, but likely not the last one. Still at issue is how much the diocese itself will have to contribute and the impact on individual parishes. "We hope for the Courts approval and we pray this settlement will be a catalyst for fruitful dialogue and progress in negotiations among the remaining concerned parties in the case," the diocese said. "We are committed to all reasonable efforts to bring this Chapter 11 case to a conclusion for the sake of survivors and the continued mission of the Diocese of Rochester." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 More than a year ago, when it appeared that there may no semblance of high school graduation ceremonies in New York state in June 2020, The Citizen launched a new online feature aimed at helping to fill a small portion of the potential void. The virtual graduations page proved to be a hit with students, their families and friends. It was also loved by our readers, even though it turned out that Cayuga County-area school districts were able to hold restricted in-person graduation ceremonies. Because of the popularity of that online feature, we've launched the virtual graduations page again this year. A letter recently went out to school district officials asking them to share the information about how students and families can take part, and we've had a nice-sized batch of submissions of already. Every graduating senior can have their profile posted at the page, which can be found at auburnpub.com/virtual_graduations. Each profile features the student's name and school, with an option for a photo and a bunch of informational fields that can be filled out or skipped at their discretion. Among the fields for these profiles are "future plans," "accomplishments," "extra-curriculars," "favorite quote," "favorite memory" and "advice to future generations." Barcelona, Jun 16 (AP) Daniel Sanchez is one of the luckier electric car owners in Spain. With a free recharging station less than a kilometer from his home just north of Barcelona, he can keep his Tesla ready to roll. I cannot imagine stopping at a gas station ever again," the 41-year-old transport company owner said. "We feel like those people who got off a horse-drawn carriage and climbed into a car. There is no going back." Other Spaniards are considerably less enthusiastic. The dearth of places to plug in, compared to western and northern Europe, and the price of electric cars have left Spain lagging as the continent races to get greener. Now the government wants to usher the entire country into this new paradigm. The ruling left-wing coalition plans to use a chunk of the 140 billion euros (USD 166 billion) Spain is set to receive from the European Union's pandemic recovery plan to kickstart its electric car industry. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is set to visit Madrid on Wednesday while Spain awaits the approval of its plan by Brussels. She will meet with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who has compared the EU Next Generation funds to a new Marshall Plan." Spain's Secretary of State for Industry Raul Blanco told The Associated Press that the government is aiming at spending around 5 billion euros (USD 6 billion) over the next three years on its electric vehicle initiative. Spain produced 2.2 million cars and trucks in 2020, second only to Germany in Europe. But only 140,000 of these were electric or hybrids, according to ANFAC, the Spanish Association of Automobile and Truck Manufacturers. What we are doing is accelerating a change that is already taking place," Blanco said. This is a unique opportunity. The automakers are on board, and there are resources to carry out the investments." A leader in highspeed electric trains, Spain wants to put 250,000 more electric vehicles on its roads within two years, adding to the current 96,000. The push for electric cars should reduce CO2 emissions by 450,000 tons, according to government projections as Spain aims to completely convert to renewable energy by 2050, in line with EU targets. Spain can carry out these industrial activities with green energy," Blanco said. Compared to other countries of central and eastern Europe that still rely on fossil fuels, or other countries which use nuclear, Spain can rely on renewable energies since it has wind and solar." Spain is counting on its robust car industry, and the deposits of lithium key to battery production for electric vehicles that it shares with Portugal. The goal is to establish a supply chain by encouraging private investment to build a battery factory, along with assembly plants and software design, all with the goal of driving more climate-friendly cars off production lines. The plan's success, however, faces hurdles. Spain has fewer than 2 public plug-in points per 100,000 square kilometers, compared to over 10 in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, according to a 2020 report by the European Court of Auditors. It is a snake that bites its own tail," said Salvador Ejarque, president of Spain's Association of Electric Car Users, or AUVE. People don't buy cars because they can't charge them, and those who can invest don't do it quickly enough because the bureaucracy is complex and slow going," The government wants to boost the total number of recharging points nationwide from 11,500 to 100,000 in three years. ANFAC, the carmakers' group, said more may be needed. We must overcome the autonomy anxiety' of drivers by assuring them that charging their car is as easy as filling up with gas," spokesman Jose Lopez-Tafall told the AP. It is necessary to set up a calendar with set goals to reach 340,000 charging points by 2030." Price, too, matters. The average annual income in Spain is 15,000 euros (USD 18,100) below the EU mean. Luxury cars are a rare sight in Spanish cities, where economy models and motorbikes reign. So while electric vehicles can lure more affluent Europeans, they give many Spaniards sticker shock. To overcome this, the government has already dedicated 400 million euros (USD 484 million) for rebates of up to 7,000 euros (USD 8,400) on purchases of electric and hybrid vehicles. It must also convince carmakers that Spain is their best investment bet, while Germany and France have the advantage of having major manufacturers based in their countries. Spanish carmaker SEAT, a member of the Volkswagen group, has committed to producing an electric car in the 20,000-25,000 euro range that Blanco believes will hit the price points for domestic shoppers. Ford's president for Europe, Stuart Rowley, spoke with Prime Minister Sanchez in April about Ford's battery sourcing strategy and the importance of support from the Spanish Government in the framework of the EU Next Generation funds," the company said in a statement provided to the AP. Renault has also reaffirmed its focus on making hybrids at its Spanish plants. Labor unions have welcomed the huge public investment in an industry that provides 10 per cent of Spain's GDP and 9 per cent of its employment. Garbine Espejo, general secretary of industry for the CCOO trade union confederation, said the recent decision by Nissan to close plants in and near Barcelona was a warning of what could come if the private and public sector don't join hands. Spain's auto industry is in good health," Espejo told the AP. But if we do not seize this opportunity to transform Spain into a leader in new technologies, the impact for industry and jobs will be dire." As activity on the Slate Fire north of Flagstaff and the Cornville Fire south of Sedona appears to be winding down, firefighters responded to a new blaze even farther south Thursday morning. That fire, which fire managers believed was about 150 acres, was burning about 12 miles west of Strawberry near the old Childs power plant off a landscape feature named Ikes Backbone. The fire was first spotted at about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday evening and forced several campers in the area to evacuate. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Meanwhile, containment increased on both the Slate and Cornville fires. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} The Cornville Fire that began midday Sunday and initially forced some evacuations is at 92% containment. Its size is estimated at about 1,200 acres and there are two fire engines and about 15 personnel on the scene monitoring what is left of the blaze. The Slate Fire remains somewhat more active, although in recent days its growth has largely stalled in the face of firefighters' efforts on the ground. The Coconino County Flood Control District is proposing an increase in secondary property taxes of $815,138 or 21.13%. The proposed tax increase would cause Coconino County Flood Control Districts secondary property taxes on a $100,000 home to be $26.20. Currently, the total taxes that would be owed on a $100,000 home would be $21.63. Lastly, the Coconino County Library District is proposing an increase in secondary property taxes of $209,187, or 4.24%. That proposed tax increase would cause Coconino County Library Districts secondary property taxes on a $100,000 home to be $25.56. At the moment, the total taxes that would be owed on a $100,000 home would be $24.52. Residents interested in weighing in on the proposed increases can take part in the June 24 meeting either through Zoom or by calling. To take part in the Zoom conference, go to https://zoom.us/j/91901866999. Residents can call in by dialing (833) 548-0276. The webinar ID is 919 0186 6999. The increases come as the board is also moving forward with the countys fiscal year 22 budget that was tentatively passed last week. It is obvious we need to find and create space for an inclusive and engaged dialogue for informed discussion of this plan before we adopt it, Salas said. I implore Council to take a step back and seek expanded perspective." In the chambers letter, it was suggested that business owners saw municipal actions like as water delivery services and street maintenance as greater priorities. In a survey, the letter said, business owners ranked climate action dead last. But still, the letter contends that business owners are willing to listen to environmental concerns. If the city was willing and able to engage the business community on this issue, it would know that both the chamber and our membership are eager to participate in environmental programs that will help mitigate emissions, the letter reads. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} After receiving the letter and hearing Salas' comments, other councilmembers pointed out that the Carbon Neutrality Plan only establishes a framework for future action, and that there remains opportunity for further input and fine-tuning of specific measures. This is how Dan honed his craft back in the day, and its what he wants to impart to younger artists. When Dan talks about his first art teacher on the Hopi Reservation, the crows feet of his eyes deepen and he smiles with remembrance. We were provided material and she showed us how to use it and then just let us go (creatively), he recalled. She allowed us to create whatever we saw or felt, freely. Oil paint, watercolors, pastels. We experimented. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Once he mastered the technical skills, Namingha cultivated his creative side as a student at the Institute of American Indian Arts during a period in the 1960s where free expression and experimentation of all kinds was paramount. During those times at school, it was almost free-form, he said. Students were allowed to just freely express themselves through whatever medium. Of course, you had certain instructions, they just let you go. Some of it had social, political and spiritual content; it ran the gamut. Nature and natural resources were really stressed. In the 1960s, what they referred to as the happening, it was the psychedelic era. So a lot of going on. Father and son master artists want to re-create such as atmosphere -- on a smaller scale and, of course, sans 60s psychedelics at MNA. On this date in 1899, John B. Pie Allen died in Tucson. Allen was elected to three terms in the Arizona Legislature and served as Territorial Treasurer from 1867 to 1872. On this date in 1965, James Mitchell Barney, Arizona historian and nephew of Col. James Barney who owned the Silver King Mine, died. Wednesday, June 16 On this date in 1888, the entire downtown section of Holbrook was destroyed by a fire that originated in a wool warehouse. The town was quickly rebuilt, however, with even larger and more substantial buildings. On this date in 1896, the new electric plant at the Yuma Territorial Prison was destroyed by fire. On this date in 1910, the Tucson Fire Departments horse drawn wagons raced through city streets at 9 p.m. in response to an alarm. Suddenly a man appeared in the middle of the street waving a red lantern. The drivers veered to one side, and learned later they had barely avoided plunging into a 6-foot ditch which had been dug across the street for a sewer line. On this date in 1913, the establishment of an aviation school in Phoenix, the first in the Southwest, was announced. The schools instructor, Jacques Neyvatte, guaranteed to make students expert fliers in six weeks. The 31st of July doesn't seem like a bad compromise, he said last week. Edwards said he was trying to find a reasonable balance between helping the jobless and assisting businesses that say they're having trouble finding people to fill their employee ranks. More than half of states, nearly all led by Republicans, already have announced they were turning off the federal benefits early. Louisiana's Democratic lawmakers were split on the tradeoff, which was inserted into a bill sponsored by Rep. Chad Brown, a Plaquemine Democrat, in the final hours of the legislative session. I just cant believe youre doing this, turning down federal unemployment for people who have had the hardest year of their life, Rep. Mandie Landry, a Democrat from New Orleans, said during the House debate on the measure. Brown said he had heartburn about the tradeoff, but he said that a permanent increase going forward is desperately needed. Erasing the stigma In August 2020, Norquist publicly announced the formation of a task force to study the matter. The goal, he said, was in part to remove the stigma of pilots talking about strange things they saw. Officials wanted to "start educating our pilots and get them to the point where they understand this is credible enough [that] we really need you to report this and you shouldn't be afraid that you're going to get grief from the department because you said this." At that point, the former official said, the small task force working the issue understood that the data surrounding these encounters -- including radar and other technical information that theoretically couldn't be spoofed or attributed to pilot misperception -- pointed to a real event. "You sort of had to get the ritual joke out of the way," Norquist said. "But everyone who dealt with it, when they saw the information understood, it is sufficiently credible [and] we need to find out why." Erasing the stigma surrounding a serious discussion of UFOs was also the goal for lawmakers in 2020 when they passed legislation requiring the Pentagon and intelligence community to provide more information about these UFO encounters, details that have, until recently, largely remained shrouded in secrecy. In addition, by consistently refusing to take questions about her role, it was inevitable that, when she visited the region in early June, she would be asked. What was not inevitable was that she would be so ill-prepared to reply. The question that has come up and you heard it here and youll hear it again Im sure, is, why not visit the border? NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt asked Harris. We have to deal with whats happening at the border, she replied, adding that her focus was on why people were coming. When Holt asked if she had any plans to visit the border, she replied, At some point, you know, we are going to the border, then added three times, Weve been to the border apparently a reference to visits while a California senator. You havent been to the border, Holt said. And I havent been to Europe, Harris said, a flip answer that hardly helped her out of the political hole she had dug. The next day, talking to reporters in Mexico City, Harris tried to explain her position, saying, You cant say you care about the border without caring about the root causes, and declaring again, Ive been to the border before. I will go again. I've heard a lot of different things that haven't been taught in school like Juneteenth. I don't know why these things weren't taught . Clayton Kershaw, June 2020 I hope he does now. But if not, the greatest pitcher of his generation need only look at what's going on in his home state of Texas for answers. Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to sign House Bill 3979, a piece of legislation in the Lone Star State that mirrors other Republican-led efforts across the country to limit (if not flat-out ban) discussions of systemic racism in the classroom which, of course, is the epitome of systemic racism. Remember a year ago, when the country was all about Juneteenth? There were television commercials and proclamations about trying to understand each other better as an uncomfortably high number of white people like Kershaw questioned why they hadn't heard of Juneteenth before George Floyd's murder. On Tuesday, the Senate unanimously approved a bill making Juneteenth a federal holiday. That's good news. But it won't stop the political attacks on critical race theory, which began back in the 1970s. The GOP needed a new boogey man, so here we are. Ahram Online Caption : Egypt's Minister Hala Zayed of Health during the video conference meeting on Wednesday (Photo : Egyptian Health Ministry) Health Minister Hala Zayed said on Wednesday that Egypt is going to produce 40 million COVID-19 vaccine doses locally in six months. In a video conference meeting with Germanys State Secretary of the German Federal Ministry of Health Sabine Weiss, Zayed stated that Egypt is producing 100% of the COVID-19 treatment protocol medications locally. The two ministers discussed the latest developments of Coronavirus in Egypt, where Minister Hala Zayed shared that Egypt has a low rate of infections despite its large population. She also noted that despite having three waves of the Coronavirus pandemic, the highest single-day tally of cases has never exceeded 1,700 in Egypt. Zayed and Weiss discussed ways to boost medical cooperation between the two countries, especially between the German federal government agency and research institute responsible for disease control and prevention, the Robert Koch Institute, and the Egyptian Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Egypt is currently manufacturing two million doses of the Sinovac vaccine through the production lines of the country's drugmaker VACSERA as part of a wider deal with the Chinese company to produce a total of 40 million doses by the end of 2021. The local production of the Sinovac vaccine was approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for emergency use on 1 June and by the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) in April. Egypt's aim is to become a vaccine manufacturing hub for Africa, after meeting local needs. Egypt is also in talks to locally manufacture the British AstraZeneca vaccine, according to previous statements by Health Minister Hala Zayed. Nebraska District 30 Senator Myron Dorn of Adams visited the Beatrice Kiwanis groups meeting at Valentinos on Wednesday to discuss recent legislative sessions, the passing of LB103 and plans for the rest of the year. Dorn said hes been through three sessions now, and explained how last years was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the senators had roughly 20 days of session before adjourning and returning in August to finish. What I took away from one of the main comments was a comment that [District 47 Sen. Steve Erdman] made at the end of the year, Dorn said. Our last day, he said we started with 49 senators, and we ended up with 49 senators. So it was a successful sessionIt was a successful year in the fact that we got it done. Dorn discussed how LB103 was passed this year. LB103 was signed by Gov. Pete Ricketts in May, and will provide $2 million in state funds for each of the next two years to cover federal judgments against counties. The bill would apply to any Nebraska county that meets certain guidelines, but was driven by hopes the state would pay a portion of the federal judgment against Gage County in the Beatrice 6 case, a $28.1 million federal judgment awarded to the six people wrongfully convicted of murder. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem indicated Tuesday that she will try again to hold a fireworks display over Mount Rushmore to celebrate Independence Day on the heels of President Joe Biden's announcement that the White House will be hosting its own independence from the virus bash. The National Parks Service in March denied the states application to hold the pyrotechnic display, reasoning that fireworks caused safety concerns at the monument, local Native American tribes objected to the celebration being held on land they hold as sacred, and a mass gathering could still defy coronavirus precautions. In an effort to overturn that decision, the Republican governor has written a letter to the president, bashed Biden in the media, and sued the U.S. Department of the Interior. All of those efforts have failed. But after Biden announced Tuesday that he would be encouraging nationwide celebrations to mark the countrys effective return to normalcy, Noem said on Twitter that she would resubmit a request to hold fireworks at the monument on Saturday, July 3. MORENO: Yes. But I have to say that after I saw the documentary for the very first time my daughter and I saw it together I left the screening room saying, "Wow, that's quite a life I've led!" (Laughs) But you don't think that way about yourself. Very likely, if you had something like this done about you, you would also say the same thing about yourself. AP: In watching what has and hasn't changed in that time, what stands out to you? You were there when Martin Luther King Jr. gave his "I Have a Dream" speech. MORENO: I feel extremely fortunate that I'm still around to see the sea changes that are taking place. I'll be 90 in December and I don't think I'm going to see the women's movement really progress more because I won't be around. But I've seen it change. I've seen a change in such meaningful ways and I'm grateful for that. What still concerns me mightily and profoundly is that Hispanics haven't gotten their hold on our profession, I don't know what the hell is wrong. I don't know what is not working right. The Black community has done incredibly and I have nothing but the deepest admiration for the Black professional community. They've done it and I think we can take some lessons from them. But where is our "Moonlight"? Why are we not advancing? AP: Do you have any answers? It appeared Scheihing also had tried to spray paint over some of the blood left on the garage wall, he said. Tucker was the lead investigator on the homicide case. The search of the home turned up clear evidence of the murder, including the hammer Scheihing had used. Following Scheihing's arrest that night, Tucker interviewed him and Scheihing confessed to killing his wife and said he welcomed the death penalty. Scheihing was then booked into the county's jail early in the morning on New Year's Day and placed under a care watch a less formal kind of suicide watch until he could be evaluated by a mental health professional. Roger Bodine, the jail commander, testified that all homicide suspects are placed under this care watch until they receive a formal mental health evaluation, which usually happens in the first 24 to 48 hours. Scheihing was evaluated that first evening by Ashley Owens, a licensed clinical social worker, who found him to be in a good mental state and removed the care watch. McQuillan said that the hope is that the investigation can be completed and turned over to the county attorney next week. After evacuations were ordered in areas around Red Lodge at about 4 p.m. Tuesday evening, fire officials feared the approaching blaze could force the evacuation of the resort town, bustling this time of year with tourists and summer residents. As of this morning (Wednesday), there are no plans to evacuate Red Lodge, said Billy Chapman, a spokesman for the Custer Gallatin National Forest. Red Lodge Fire Chief Tom Kuntz was asked during the community meeting what the threat to Red Lodge is. Kuntz said weather and wind influence that judgment and that right now the threat is low. He explained that such a scenario would require the fire to go west into a west fork and then a west wind would be needed to continue pushing the fire up towards the town. "That would be the situation that would put Red Lodge truly at risk," he said. "Currently where we sit I would say it's a lower risk to Red Lodge, right now." One of the ongoing concerns is the damage that could be caused if the fire moves into the Rock Creek drainage, Kuntz said. Cerroni estimated if the fire were to spread into the horse range that there would be 130 to 140 horses most affected. The horses in all likelihood would be able to move to a lower elevation should the fire reach the range, but Cerroni said the concern from there would be that there might not be enough water at lower elevations to support them since the horses rely on ponds and existing snow along the range. "The rest of the mountain's pretty dry," she said. "There's very little water source down there for that many horses." If the fire were to consume some of the upper meadows where the horses graze, that could also affect the animals. She said the area between the horses and the fire could act as a decent buffer because it is traditionally among the last areas to dry out. June is typically an active period for the horses in which they congregate on the mountain and foals are born. Cerroni and her husband also lead tours of the area, some of which she has started to cancel due to fire-related closures on the mountain. In a non-pandemic year some of those tours would come from international customers. This year Cerroni said she's booked tours for people from Georgia, New York, Maine, Washington, California, North Carolina, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Some of those people set up their tours last year. CASPER, Wyo. A wildfire has destroyed one home, an outbuilding and two campers on the edge of a small town in northeastern Wyoming, authorities said Thursday. The fire burning near Pine Haven is now 85% contained after charring 103 acres. No injuries were reported. Mop up operations have started on the Pine Haven Fire, and crews have built a line completely around the blaze, according to an update released Thursday by authorities in the area. Evacuation orders for people living in the northwest section of Pine Haven have been lifted, and Highway 113 into the town has been opened. However, Wind Creek Campground at nearby Keyhole State Park will remain closed until further notice. Vegetation was expected to continue burning inside the containment line on Thursday, with smoke continuing to be visible in the area. Several fire agencies from the area worked to contain the blaze. They were assisted by a helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft. The nearby Keyhole Reservoir provided an accessible supply of water, one fire official said. The cause of the fire, which ignited Wednesday, remains under investigation. Before I retired from the military as a doctor, I spent a year flying in combat in Vietnam as a company grade officer. I later learned that some of the military ribbons and medals that I was awarded for flying in combat could also be awarded for other reasons. I remember an awards and decorations officer telling me that people who were awarded things like air medals, distinguished flying crosses and bronze stars who had not been in combat were those who were the commanders favorite for some reason. He referred to them as boot lickers and butt kissers. The way you can tell why an award was earned is to read the citation that accompanies it. It will tell you what type of combat was involved and where. The name and rank of the person that proposed the citation could tell you a lot. So is Big Salmon Lake, where the biologists hiked into the Bob Marshall Wilderness with lightweight pack rafts to try their luck. It takes a lot of time to get back in there, Bourret said. We brought in two nets, and used rocks we found there for weights. Trying to pull a 125-foot-long net in a 7-foot pack raft is pretty tough. To avoid catching other species, such as the federally protected bull trout, the FWP crew used nets with mesh just or half-an-inch in width. Bull trout tend to thrash about in larger nets, eventually getting so tangled they tie their own gills closed and suffocate. They just bounce off the finer mesh, however, eliminating the bycatch problem. Pygmy whitefish probably got established in the Rockies during the last Ice Age, when Glacial Lake Missoula inundated most of the major valleys west of the Continental Divide between 10,000 and 20,000 years ago. When the big lake receded with the glaciers, these deeper lakes were left behind with the right conditions for pygmy whitefish to survive, said FWP spokesman Dillon Tabish. Pygmy whitefish are also found or suspected in Glacier Parks Logging, Quartz, Bowman and Kintla lakes as well as outside the park in Bull, Horseshoe, Little Bitterroot, Ashley, Whitefish, Lindbergh and Holland lakes along with Hungry Horse Reservoir. Farmers also are worried about erosion of topsoil on their land due to high winds. They want permission from the government to plant cover crops on land they can't grow a cash crop on. The government typically doesn't allow that out of fear that farmers will "double-dip," or collect a crop insurance payment while also profiting from a cover forage crop. But Neshem sees a potential double benefit if farmers could plant a cover crop and harvest the forage, as well. "You're going to lose a lot of topsoil this winter, if we can't get something growing out there, some sort of stubble to hold this ground," he said. "It would be a huge win-win if we could get something growing out there and help these cattle guys that are really struggling for feed." Wildfires update Dry conditions this spring have led to nearly 1,400 wildfires in North Dakota scorching more than 100,000 acres -- about eight times what burned in all of 2020, according to the North Dakota Forest Service. With Independence Day right around the corner, we need to raise awareness now to reduce wildfire risk," State Forester Tom Claeys said. "We all can do our part to practice fire safety and protect property and lives. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) South Dakota health officials warned Wednesday that despite coronavirus cases declining to the lowest rates since the early days of the pandemic, the state could see a resurgence of the virus in the fall if not enough people are vaccinated against COVID-19. State epidemiologist Josh Clayton explained the coronavirus is a respiratory virus, meaning there is a risk of a resurgence when people gather indoors as the weather cools. Currently, with the weather hot and virus cases dropping, it's easy to see why many would let their guard down: South Dakota reported just 10 new cases Wednesday, meaning there are 170 active cases statewide. But last year, the state saw virus infections decrease going into the summer, only to surge throughout the fall and peak in November with intensive care units brimming with COVID-19 patients. Clayton hopes that scenario will be avoided this year with the arrival of vaccinations. WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden on Tuesday installed an energetic critic of Big Tech as a top federal regulator at a time when the industry is under intense pressure from Congress, regulators and state attorneys general. The selection of legal scholar Lina Khan to head the Federal Trade Commission is seen as signaling a tough stance toward tech giants Facebook, Google, Amazon and Apple. Khan was sworn in as FTC chair just hours after the Senate confirmed her as one of five members of the commission on a 69-28 vote. Khan has been a professor at Columbia University Law School and burst onto the antitrust scene with her massive scholarly work in 2017 as a Yale law student, Amazons Antitrust Paradox. She helped lay the foundation for a new way of looking at antitrust law beyond the impact of big-company market dominance on consumer prices. As counsel to a House Judiciary antitrust panel in 2019 and 2020, she played a key role in a sweeping bipartisan investigation of the market power of the tech giants. At 32, she is believed to be the youngest chair in the history of the FTC, which polices competition and consumer protection in industry generally as well as digital privacy. Biden faced considerable criticism for the vote during the Democratic primary campaign. He and his aides, including now-Secretary of State Tony Blinken, initially defended the vote by saying the Bush administration wanted more leverage against Hussein and that Biden hadnt intended his vote as a blank check. Biden eventually called the resolution a mistake. Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee of California, the bills sponsor, said that 87% of the current members of the House were not in Congress in 2002 and that the authorization for military force passed at that time bears no correlation to the threats the nation faces today. She also was the lone vote against the 2001 auhtorization following Sept. 11. To this day, our endless war continues costing trillions of dollars and thousands of lives in a war that goes way beyond any scope that Congress conceived or intended, Lee said. Schumer had said on Wednesday that the Iraq War has been over for nearly a decade and that the authorization passed in 2002 is no longer necessary in 2021. The White House said Biden is committed to working with Congress to update the authorization with a narrow and specific framework appropriate to ensure that we can continue to protect Americans from terrorist threats." In one of the reversals, Garland restored a 2014 case that defined married women in Guatemala who are unable to leave their relationship as a group deserving of asylum, a decision that eased the way for other victims of domestic violence. In 2018, then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions overturned that guidance and added that victims of gang violence also should be largely ineligible, extending the scope to large swaths of non-government actors. In another case involving a Mexican man who claimed his father was targeted by a drug cartel, Garland reversed a decision by former Attorney General William Barr that said such family ties were insufficient grounds for an asylum claim. Jason Dzubow, an immigration attorney in Washington who focuses on asylum, said he recently represented a Salvadoran family in which the husband was killed and gang members started coming after his children. While Dzubow argued they were in danger because of their family ties, he said the immigration judge denied the case, citing the Trump-era decision among the reasons. Dzubow welcomed Garland's changes but said he doesn't expect to suddenly see large numbers of Central Americans winning their asylum cases, which remain difficult under U.S. law. Moreover, the far more pressing emergency is the Republican Party's loosening attachment to democratic procedures and to truth itself. As we saw in the aftermath of 2020, 147 Republican officeholders were willing to decertify the Electoral College count. A few brave local Republican officials resisted tremendous pressure to alter or misreport the results of elections. They demonstrated integrity. For their trouble, instead of being lauded and celebrated as heroes of democracy, they have been censured by GOP committees across the country as the legend of the Big Lie has seized the minds of rank-and-file Republicans. The Republican Party is barreling toward disregarding the actual vote count in a presidential contest. The John Lewis Act does not address this. There is something Democrats can do at the federal level to respond to the threat: They can amend the Electoral Count Act of 1887. Republicans would be unlikely to filibuster this law, so Democrats can pass it with a simple majority vote. This law was passed following the contentious Hayes-Tilden election in 1876 -- a contest that was so close it threatened to tear the country apart just 11 years after Appomattox. Here is a sample of its brilliant draftsmanship: Agree or disagree with his positions, it therefore becomes easy to respect someone like Manchin when his votes are based on what he believes is right rather than what maintains power for his party. Imagine the pressure that is brought to bear on Manchin from fellow Democrats adamant about claiming victory. Imagine the personal stress inflicted simply as a result of holding firm to your beliefs. There are others in both parties who have demonstrated the ability to put personal convictions ahead of political ideology, but precious few. When the votes are being counted, chalking up a win or inflicting a loss is the main motivator. Thats why were always in election season. Even before the 2021 class of senators was sworn in, attention had turned to the 2022 midterm elections and hopes, by both sides, of reclaiming a majority. Before Biden had even marked his first 100 days, Republicans were making plans for how they might win back the White House in 2024. Dozens of them are waiting to throw their hats in the ring, holding back only to see if Trump will try again. When the focus is on maintaining power, or taking power back, and keeping the other side from winning, we end up divided. Is there still room to hope that all of us, especially those who are privileged to serve, remember our responsibility to do more to unite this country before it is too late.? Steve Andrist, Bismarck, is former executive director of the North Dakota Newspaper Association. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Thanks almost entirely to the killing of George Floyd, Black Lives Matters approval rating has more than doubled from where it stood four years ago, surging from 27% in 2016 to 57% today. While the slogan wins public support, the racially tinged socialism espoused by the organization Black Lives Matter should concern everyone who cherishes freedom. BLM proudly proclaims its belief that all black Americans should receive a guaranteed minimum income and free healthcare, schooling, food, real estate, gender reassignment surgery, and abortion; bring an an end to all jails as we know them; disrupt the traditional family; demand reparations on behalf of foreign nations; and form a global liberation movement that will overturn US imperialism [and] capitalism. Americans could be excused for not knowing that BLM is a political organization with an agenda no less comprehensive than reshaping the entire world. The media have not reported its aims at least, not in context of the recent riots. In the public imagination, Black Lives Matter is nothing more than a ubiquitous black square on social media platforms. Americans rightly outraged by incidents like the indefensible killing of George Floyd by a police officer with a long history of complaints adopted the slogan to demand proper treatment under the law one of cornerstones of Western civilization. They often protest to this end and, as long as those protests are peaceful, they are exercising the first freedom enshrined in the Bill of Rights. However, they have no inkling that Black Lives Matter is not just a maxim or a graphic to be posted online. It is a radical pressure group that embraces a vista of controversial, extremist positions. Those who march under its banner are unwittingly putting themselves in a position to be identified by BLMs activists as endorsing these beliefs. BLM activists have made no secret of their views. When we started Black Lives Matter, it wasnt solely about police brutality and extrajudicial killing, one of BLMs three co-founders, Opal Tometi, confessed to The New Yorker. The issue was just a spark point to begin calling for the defunding of police, a moratorium on rent, a moratorium on mortgages and utilities and issuing demands relating to housing and education and health-care systems. To present their demands more completely, the Black Lives Matter Network joined dozens of like-minded groups to found the Movement for Black Lives, sit on its united front, and adopt its policy platform. [T]he U.S. is a country that does not support, protect or preserve [b]lack life, the M4BL original statement says. And so we seek not reform but transformation. While the planks often amount to little more than platitudes, replete with grammatical errors, the platform offers a clear demand for socialism under the cover of racial reconciliation. The steps the organizations propose include: Reparations through racial socialism: The M4BL platform, which BLM endorses, states, We demand reparations for past and continuing harms, including both corporate and government reparations for a litany of ills that include food apartheid and racialized capitalism. Government reparations will take the form of a guaranteed minimum livable income for all Black people. M4BL/BLMs universal health care policy mandates that wealthy residents pay for a portion of their services while low-income and working class folks receive free services. The new system will be modeled on France or Germany. Black Americans will also receive government-funded control of food sources, housing and land. Robust reparations programs will include full and free access for all Black people (including undocumented and currently and formerly incarcerated people) to lifetime education at any university, community college, or technical education facility, as well as retroactive forgiveness of student loans. Replacing education with agitprop and welfare services: Under the M4BL/BLM manifesto, public schools would be transformed from centers of education to the delivery points of intersectional/multicultural studies and comprehensive welfare programs, including free abortion for minors (without specifying a minimum age): A constitutional right at the state and federal level to a fully-funded education which includes a clear articulation of the right to: a free education for all, special protections for queer and trans students, wrap around services, social workers, free health services (including reproductive body autonomy), a curriculum that acknowledges and addresses students material and cultural needs, physical activity and recreation, high quality food, free daycare, and freedom from unwarranted search, seizure or arrest. To ensure an intersectional approach, the group continues, the public school budgeting process must include representation from specific populations of people, including formerly and currently incarcerated people. Defunding the police and ending prisons: BLMs best-known demand is to defund the police. M4BL also proposes an end to arrests of any black students, and an end to all jails, detention centers, youth facilities and prisons as we know them. House arrest would be promoted equally with imprisonment. The government would also expand Pell grant funding to educate inmates and [a]llow access to gender affirming surgeries in penitentiaries at taxpayers expense. Dismantling the family: Black Lives Matter endorses two contradictory policies: We make our spaces family-friendly, it states. It then looks forward to the destruction of the traditional family: We disrupt the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure requirement by supporting each other as extended families and villages that collectively care for one another, especially our children, to the degree that mothers, parents, and children are comfortable. Children raised in fatherless homes are more likely to drop out of school, abuse drugs or alcohol, be victims or perpetrators of physical and sexual abuse, live in poverty, commit other crimes, and go to prison than those raised in intact, two-parent householdsthe nuclear family structure BLM is warring against. Two out of every three black children live in single-parent families, making them 271% more likely to do so than non-Hispanic white children. To leave this out of racial disparities calculations is reckless, as Thomas Sowell has noted. Without loving families, no society can long govern itself, says Jennifer Roback Morse, the founder of the Ruth Institute and a frequent collaborator with the Acton Institute. BLM agrees but chooses to outsource much of the parents responsibilities to the government. Start a global liberation movement to overthrow capitalism: The interlinked systems of white supremacy, imperialism, capitalism and patriarchy shape the violence we face, the M4BL/BLM platform states. As oppressed people living in the US, the belly of global empire, we are in a critical position to build the necessary connections for a global liberation movement. Until we are able to overturn US imperialism, capitalism and white supremacy, our brothers and sisters around the world will continue to live in chains. The BLM-endorsed document adds that its struggle is strengthened by our connections to the resistance of peoples around the world fighting for their liberation. The movement for [b]lack lives must be tied to liberation movements around the world. It does not list the foreign liberation movements with which it wishes to align. However, they will hold the United States and Israel in contempt. America is an empire, and American wars are unjust, the M4BL manifesto states baldly. And Israel is an apartheid state. Americas alliance with Israel makes the U.S. complicit in the genocide taking place against the Palestinian people.it makes US citizens complicit in the abuses committed by the Israeli government. BLM does not state what punishment it would mete out to civilians complicit in genocide. However, it demands lawmakers cut the US military budget by 50%, which will lead to the closure of the over 800 U.S. military bases the U.S. [operates] around the world and the return of troops deployed overseas a move many Americans, especially libertarians, support. Higher taxes, with a specifically racial focus: The group writes confusingly that governments have increasingly decreased the use of progressive taxation. As a result, the wealthiest Americans and powerful corporations continue to evade their fair share of taxes, it says. The top 1% of U.S. income earners pay 37% of federal income taxes, and the top 10% pay 47% of all taxes, while the bottom 44% pay nothing. Begin by raising the top marginal rate first to 50 percent and then gradually up to 80 percent, M4BL suggests. The federal government should focus on taxing bads not goods. BLM would increase the death tax, the capital gains tax, impose new taxes on real estate transfers and financial speculation, and create a national wealth tax. Each state would follow suit by imposing a heavily progressive state income tax on individuals and corporations and 50 state wealth taxes. All tax reform legislation must be drawn up in accordance with racial equity goals to help build the wealth of households of color. Reparations for drug dealers: M4BL/BLM would legalize prostitution and the possession and sale of all drugs, no matter the quantity. Prisoners convicted of these crimes would be released and their records retroactively expunged. But thats not far enough for Black Lives Matter: Any government savings must be invested into reparations to all people who have been adversely impacted by the drug war and enforcement of prostitution laws. The government must also ensure that people criminalized by the war on drugs are able to participate in legal drug markets where decriminalization has already taken place. Many libertarians support decriminalizing some or all drugs (and prostitution), but they typically envision government regulations on the manufacture and sale of narcotics. One of their most resonant selling points is that repeal of drug prohibition will take the drug business out of the cartels hands. BLM would guarantee the Medellin cartel a piece of the action. Reparations for foreign nations and terrorist states: The M4BL/BLMs thirst for racialized wealth redistribution doesnt stop at the waters edge. Their manifesto demands reparations for foreign nations, as well. The group insists the U.S. make reparations to countries and communities devastated by American warmaking, such as Somalia, Iraq, Libya and Honduras. Let incarcerated prisoners, illegal immigrants, and felons vote: The M4BLs voting reforms demand universal voter registration, as well as preregistration for 16-year-olds, enfranchisement of formerly and currently incarcerated people, local and state resident voting for undocumented people, and a ban on all disenfranchisement laws. Felon disenfranchisement laws date back to ancient Greece. M4BLs drive to expand the range of eligible voters sleights the rule of law while favoring core Democratic Party constituencies, which favor more expensive government welfare policies. This list of policy proposals is far from comprehensive. If anything, BLMs demands are more expansive and government-expanding yet. However, this gives an accurate flavor of the platform Black Lives Matter would implement if given the opportunity. It is not one that should be shared by people of faith or supporters of limited government, unalienable rights, and equal justice under the law. (Photo credit: Shutterstock) A new poll reveals the disquieting extent of young Americans support for Marxism. However, it also divulges the reasons behind the popularity of collectivism and the seeds of its destruction. The number of young Americans who have a favorable view of Marxism has increased five-fold in just one year. According to the new survey, nearly one-third of the members of Gen Z Americans between the ages of 16 and 23 deem Marxism worthy of support. The terms favorability has skyrocketed to 30% among Gen Z respondents, up from 6% in 2019. Gen Zs approval of socialism also crept up nine points since last year (49% favorable in 2020, compared to 40% in 2019). The results come from the newest edition of the Report on U.S. Attitudes Toward Socialism, Communism, and Collectivism which is commissioned annually by the Victims of Communism Memorial (VOC) and conducted by YouGov. But the latest VOC poll, which was released Wednesday, contains an internal contradiction: Americans increasingly distrust the government to take care of their interests, with 87% saying they trust themselves over the government and their community (a 7% increase from 2019). This is especially the case in younger generations, with only 6% of Gen Z and 5% of Millennials trusting the government to take care of their interests, down 8% and 11% from 2019, respectively. How can young Americans distrust the government to look after their interests yet endorse socialism, which entrusts the government with the power to redistribute wealth, direct all economic activity, and control their access to such necessities as healthcare? The polls results highlight two simple answers: ignorance of socialism and a jaundiced view of the United States induced by critical theory. Americans suffer a two-pronged ignorance of socialism: what it is and what is has done. As Simon van Zuylen-Wood explained in New York magazine last March, the word [socialism] had lost its meaning by the time it got hot again. Thus, 31% of VOC respondents say they believe that socialism [m]eans a free market economy with private property in which the government provides ample social welfare benefits, as in many Scandinavian and Western European countries. In reality, Scandinavian countries have tried for years to inform Americans in general (and Bernie Sanders, in particular) that they are not socialist, and that democratic socialists like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez fundamentally misunderstand the Scandinavian model. The Nordic countries jettisoned policies like the ones AOC proposes after their economies crashed during the 1980s. Researchers have found that socialisms popularity grew in tandem with public confusion about the economic system. Only 20% of registered voters in the U.S. associated socialism with government ownership of some (13%) or all (7%) of the economy in a Hill-HarrisX survey taken last May. One in three said socialism meant the government would end poverty and provide basic things. The same is true for Americans as a whole. A Gallup poll from October 2018 found that less than one in five U.S. citizens said socialism means abolishing private property, while 23% said socialism stands for equality equal standing for everybody, all equal in rights, equal in distribution. Americans also have no grasp of Marxisms bloody past and present. The VOC finds that 32% of Americans think that Donald Trump is responsible for the deaths of more people than North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. Twice as many Americans (64%) say they are unaware that the Chinese Communist Party is responsible for more deaths than Nazi Germany. However, young Americans are aware of one nations failings: their own. Gen Z is almost twice as likely to believe America is a racist nation with a long history of discrimination (51%) as to say that America is a leading defender of freedom around the world (27%). Only 44% of Gen Z thinks that the American flag most accurately represents freedom, the poll finds. Hence, Americans are more likely to advocate toppling statues depicting Robert E. Lee (30%) or Christopher Columbus (26%) than Marxist mass murderer Che Guevara (24%). Gen Z even believes U.S. President Trump did more to spread COVID-19 than Chinas Xi Jinping. It shocks the conscience that four-in-ten Americans believe that their country is a racist nation, says VOC Executive Director Marion Smith. Smith attributes these views to a total failure of our education system, as well as the basic dishonesty in our media and popular culture. When one-in-four Americans want to eliminate capitalism and embrace socialism, we know that we have failed to educate about the historical and moral failings of these ideologies, he says. Or perhaps the educational establishment has indoctrinated American students too well. By the time the Pulitzer-Prize-winning 1619 Project backtracked on its central claim that the introduction of slavery represented Americas true founding, public schools had already taught its curriculum to tens of thousands of students in all 50 states at your expense. Academia has long inculcated the neo-Marxist view of America as a patchwork of competing victim groups (racial, sexual, and gender minorities) and oppressors (straight, white, cisgender males). Discrediting the U.S. Constitution, with its checks on mob rule and embrace of a free-market economic system, as systemically racist represents the high-water mark of Italian Communist Antonio Gramscis long march through history an effort to form a Marxist consciousness in society. Identity politics succeeded where Das Kapital fell flat. Americans who see themselves as members of impermeable and warring tribes require the government to mediate their differences and to assure that resources are evenly distributed between groups, according to a viral speech from Thomas Klingenstein, who is president of the Claremont Institute. But, he warns, achieving this proportional representation requires a never-ending redistribution of wealth and power by the federal government. Such a massive redistribution can only be achieved by a tyrannical government where dissenters are silenced. Such a government could traditionally be labeled socialist or Marxist. To succeed, socialists must get us to believe we are bad. In reality, America has brought more freedom and more prosperity to more people than any country in the history of mankind. To further that understanding, he has unveiled a petition to declare every election day when Americans celebrate their right of self-determination as America is Good Day. The petition has been signed by such notable figures as former Secretary of Education William J. Bennett, former Sen. Jim DeMint, and Hilldale College President Larry Arnn. In the Cold War, the struggle against Marxism was geostrategic. Today, it takes place within societies and hearts. Halting socialisms ascendancy in the United States demands that we educate young people about socialisms history of poverty and oppression and replace the masochism masquerading as history with an appreciation of Western civilization. The treasures of earth may be employed for heavenly ends, and thus there is nothing inherently wrong with earning them. But we should always strive first for the treasures of heaven and, like Tobit, trust God to provide should times come when earthly treasures are wanting. [] Tobit is one of the lesser-known books of the Bible, in no small part because Protestant Bibles since the 19th century commonly omit it. But any Christian, Protestant or otherwise, would benefit from Tobits biblical theology of work. Whether or not it is included in any traditions biblical canon, Tobit reflects a deep immersion in the Hebrew law and prophets in the form of an inspiring story of family, duty, faithfulness, and even romance. It tells the story of Tobit, his wife Anna, and their son Tobias. While the whole narrative is fascinating, Id like to focus on the beginning. It starts with some background information on Tobit, of the tribe of Naphtali, living in exile in Nineveh after the Assyrian conquest of the northern kingdom of Israel. Tobit, it says, walked in the ways of truth and righteousness all the days of [his] life (1:3). The book illustrates this through two practices: Tobit gave alms to the poor and buried the dead. Tobit recounts how he remained faithful to the Lord during Israels apostasy, worshiping him at the temple in Jerusalem in Judah rather than offering sacrifices to Baal. In obedience to the law, he gave one tenth of his income to the priests, one tenth to Jerusalem, and [a] third tenth I would give to the orphans and widows and to the converts who had attached themselves to Israel (1:8). After Israel was conquered in fulfillment of the warnings of the prophets, Tobit and his family were carried off into exile in Nineveh. Because I was mindful of God with all my heart, Tobit recounts, the Most High gave me favor and good standing with [the Assyrian king] Shalmaneser, and I used to buy everything he needed. Until his death I used to go into Media, and buy for him there (1:12-14). Thus, as a blessing in reward for his faithfulness, God raised Tobit up to become a sort of minister of trade for Assyria. This, in turn, enabled Tobit to continue to give to the poor and bury the dead (1:16-18): In the days of Shalmaneser I performed many acts of charity to my kindred, those of my tribe. I would give my food to the hungry and my clothing to the naked; and if I saw the dead body of any of my people thrown out behind the wall of Nineveh, I would bury it. I also buried any whom King Sennacherib put to death when he came fleeing from Judea in those days of judgment that the king of heaven executed upon him because of his blasphemies. For in his anger he put to death many Israelites; but I would secretly remove the bodies and bury them. This, however, did not go over well with the Assyrians (1:18-20): So when Sennacherib looked for them he could not find them. Then one of the Ninevites went and informed the king about me, that I was burying them; so I hid myself. But when I realized that the king knew about me and that I was being searched for to be put to death, I was afraid and ran away. Then all my property was confiscated; nothing was left to me that was not taken into the royal treasury except my wife Anna and my son Tobias. Here, in just the first chapter of this book, we see the following: The importance and value of almsgiving The even greater importance of faith in the resurrection, evidenced through the burial of the dead How material prosperity can enable good and faithful works How good works and faith are more important than material prosperity, even more than all ones possessions John Wesley famously exhorted Christians in his day to Gain all you can Save all you can Give all you can. Gaining enables saving, and saving enables giving. Tobit follows this same pattern but offers an additional qualification about what to prioritize if one must choose between honest material gain, even for a noble purpose, and faithfulness to God. Indeed, it stands as an Old Testament example of that saying of the Lord: Do not worry, saying, What will we eat? or What will we drink? or What will we wear? For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. The treasures of earth may be employed for heavenly ends, and thus there is nothing inherently wrong with earning them. But we should always strive first for the treasures of heaven and, like Tobit, trust God to provide should times come when earthly treasures are wanting. Contrary to the common caricatures, capitalism is worth conserving not because free markets are a necessary tool for economic growth, but because economic freedom honors the dignity and creative capacity of the human person. [] Amid the waves of populism and protectionism sweeping across the American Right, capitalism has become a favorite target of many prominent conservatives, blamed for the decline of religion, the demise of the family, and the erosion of civil society. Whether the critiques come from politicians like Josh Hawley or pundits like Tucker Carlson, free-market conservatives are increasingly scolded for being overly committed to economic freedom. To no surprise, the Left continues its own critiques as it always has, spurring a strange, unspoken alliance among otherwise ideological foes. But if we hope to restore the social order, success will not come by succumbing to the illiberalism of populists and progressives, adopting zero-sum mythologies and Pollyanna-ish protectionism in hopes that government can somehow piece us back together again. Instead, the modern right needs a renewed understanding of what economic freedom actually is and what its ultimately for how it affirms our dignity, unleashes our creativity, and empowers our communities to respond to the various moral crises we face. In a recent column, Ross Douthat addresses some of the key tensions at play, noting that while certain economic idols have surely played a role in the rise of Western decadence and decay, the cultural factors are far more complex than the popular narrative suggests. For example, while many of todays anti-capitalism traditionalists are (rightly) fond of romanticizing our communitarian past, few seem to realize that Americas Tocquevillian utopia of associational life was a byproduct, not a precondition, of economic dynamism: If the anti-traditional churn of capitalism inevitably doomed religious practice, communal associations or the institution of marriage, you would expect those things to simply decline with rapid growth and swift technological change. Imagine, basically, a Tocquevillian early America of sturdy families, thriving civic life and full-to-bursting pews giving way, through industrialization and suburbanization, to an ever-more-individualistic society. But thats not exactly what you see. Instead, as Lyman Stone points out in a recent report for the American Enterprise Institute (where I am a visiting fellow), the Tocquevillian utopia didnt really yet exist when Alexis de Tocqueville was visiting America in the 1830s. Instead the growth of American associational life largely happened during the Industrial Revolution. The rise of fraternal societies is a late-19th- and early-20th-century phenomenon. Membership in religious bodies rises across the hypercapitalist Gilded Age. The share of Americans who married before age 35 stayed remarkably stable from the 1890s till the 1960s, through booms and depressions and drastic economic change. After the 1960s, however, something changed, with churches dividing, families failing, associational life dissolving. Its a trend thats continued to this day, explored at length by folks like Robert Putnam, Charles Murray, and Yuval Levin. And it is here where conservatives now begin their complaints about capitalism. Here, too, the historical reality is a bit more complex. Douthat duly recognizes the role of the economic and sexual individualism of the neoliberal age, but he also reminds us that economic dynamism has been on the decline, as well. It cant just be capitalist churn undoing conservatism, exactly, if economic stagnation and social decay go hand in hand, he writes. Further, such decline has been largely mirrored (and preceded) by similar trends across Western Europe, which has seen its share of decline in family formation and institutional life. These countries are not exactly bastions of unfettered capitalism, boasting massive, state-based welfare programs and cultures that are far less individualistic in their ethos. In light of such evidence, wed do well to make a distinction between economic freedom and humanitys ongoing propensity to abuse its many fruits. Its not that capitalist dynamism inevitably dissolves conservative habits, Douthat writes. Its more that the wealth this dynamism piles up, the liberty it enables and the technological distractions it invents, let people live more individualistically at first happily, with time perhaps less so in ways that eventually undermine conservatism and dynamism together. These are predictable problems of plenty, temptations toward materialism, individualism, and complacency that tend to increase with widespread prosperity, however it comes. We ought to treat them accordingly, addressing Western decadence at the level of the human soul and spirit, not by turning to the federal government as a new and improved fatted calf. If the decay of faith or family were really a simple matter of too much capitalism, you could imagine a right that eventually got over its rugged individualism and chose redistribution and sustainability instead, Douthat says. Instead, conservatives actually need to somehow jump-start a lot of forms of dynamism all together. For Douthat, the task of jump-starting dynamism involves a particularized approach to traditionalist-friendly government policy. Yet even he is willing to acknowledge that the best and brightest policy proposals will not be sufficient to overcome the struggles we face. The more difficult work is cultural work, requiring a deeper, wider revival of American communities and institutions. If we routinely castigate the causes of liberty outsourcing protection and planning to the administrative state will we really have what it takes to confront moral challenges in the places and spaces where it matters the most? For conservatism to truly thrive, and more importantly, for American communities to be revived, we need an embrace of freedom on all fronts, economic, religious, political, and otherwise, as well as the wisdom and cultural wherewithal to rise to the moral challenges that true freedom actually requires. Social conservatism can be undermined by economic dynamism, but also respond dynamically in its turn, Douthat concludes, through a constant reinvention of tradition, you might say, manifested in religious revival, new forms of association, new models of courtship, even as older forms pass away. The critics of capitalism are right about one thing: Free markets, by themselves, are not enough. We also need virtue. We need spiritual formation and transformation. We need healthy institutions and moral communities. But these pieces cant possibly come together if we pretend that economic freedom isnt a crucial part of the picture. As Rev. Robert Sirico once wrote: It is a telling commentary on our times that the political and ethical cognoscenti associate freedom with licentiousness, antinomianism, atomistic individualism, and an array of similar vices antithetical to virtue. Despite this attitude on the part of many professional intellectuals, common sense tells any sane person that a society that is both free and virtuous is the place in which he would most want to live. But what exactly would it mean to advocate and work toward the construction of such a society? The Reverend Edmund Opitz, a Congregationalist minister who has been writing on these themes for many years, puts it this way: Political theory in our tradition is based on the assumption that men must be free in society because each person has a destiny beyond society which he can work out only under conditions of liberty. If it is true that each individual has such a destiny, then he cannot be treated merely as a means to an end, but as an end in himself. And if each individual is an end in himself, then it would be a gross violation of the essential nature and basic dignity that each person possesses to treat him as a means to someone elses ends. In addition to the violation of human dignity that would result, such a treatment of people (as means rather than ends in themselves) would undermine the very foundation of civil organization. Contrary to the common caricatures, capitalism is worth conserving not because free markets are a necessary tool for economic growth, but because economic freedom honors the dignity and creative capacity of the human person. If we hope to battle the social corrosion of our day and build an economy that is both dynamic and humane, we ought to set our sights where virtue actually begins: in each and every human heart. Economic freedom is but one step on the path to human flourishing, but its one we cant do without. In our era of hyper-partisanship, often we think of political divides in simple terms of Republicans versus Democrats, or progressives versus conservatives. Nevertheless, even today there are some divides that cut across party lines. One such divide is that between nationalists and globalists or imperialists (both pejorative terms given by nationalists to those who support greater international cooperation). On the right, former President Donald Trump opposed many international trade relationships and generally called for an America first approach to foreign policy, including protectionist economic measures, less interference in foreign military conflicts, and withdrawal from the Paris climate accord, among other things. Many conservatives went along with some or all of these goals. On the left, Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), as well as President Joe Biden, continue to support many of the same economic policies, including tariffs, even while strongly disagreeing with other points. These are all nationalistic in their own ways. There are many possible varieties of nationalism. As for the more internationalist position, this cuts across right and left as well. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton negotiated and initially supported the failed Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, only walking back her support due to pressure from Sanders and his supporters. On the right, supporters of free trade can be found as well, such as Senator Charles Grassley (R-Iowa). While bigger issues still divide us and our parties today, this is one division that cuts across political partisanship. Thus, it should be of interest to all Christians, no matter their political persuasion, whether there is any guidance in the Christian tradition for sorting out these debates. On the one hand, these are matters over which sincere Christians can disagree. On the other hand, the New Testament is clear that such disagreements should not be sources of division: Now it came to pass in those days that [Jesus] went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles: Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot; Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor. (Luke 6:12-16) Okay, clear might be an overstatement, but thats not the New Testaments fault. When most of us read this today, we see a list of names whose significance is generally determined by who these men became rather than who they were at the time. Peter and Andrew were fishermen before Jesus called them, but we know them today as saints, apostles, and martyrs, for whom many churches are named. The two names that speak to our present division over nationalism and internationalism are Matthew and Simon called the Zealot. Matthew tells us in his account of the Gospel that he was a tax collector before Jesus called him. Tax collectors were generally hated by the Jewish people in Jesuss time for their relative wealth (they were part of a very small middle class), and because collecting taxes for Rome, the foreign Empire occupying Judea, was perceived by many as traitorous to their own nation. Simon, by contrast, was a Zealot, a fourth Jewish philosophical school alongside the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes. In his Antiquities of the Jews, the ancient Jewish historian Flavius Josephus tells how the Zealots came about and what they stood for. According to Josephus, Cyrenius, a Roman senator, came to Judea to take a census an account of their substance for purposes of taxation. While many Jews decided to comply with his requests for an account of their estates, others were not so inclined: Yet was there one Judas, a Gaulonite, of a city whose name was Gamala, who, taking with him Sadduc, a Pharisee, became zealous to draw them to a revolt, who both said that this taxation was no better than an introduction to slavery, and exhorted the nation to assert their liberty. All sorts of misfortunes also sprang from these men, and the nation was infected with this doctrine to an incredible degree; one violent war came upon us after another, and we lost our friends which used to alleviate our pains; there were also very great robberies and murder of our principal men. Josephus, who seems to have identified as a Pharisee and wanted to show the Romans that the Jews were generally peaceful, does not present the Zealots in a very favorable light: This was done in pretense indeed for the public welfare, but in reality for the hopes of gain to themselves. Whatever the case, a few observations can be made. The census in question was the very same referenced by Luke as the occasion for Mary and Josephs journey to Bethlehem and the fulfillment of the prophecy that Jesus, the promised Christ or Messiah, would be born there. Meanwhile, as we learn from Josephus, Judas the Galilean was leading a violent attempt at revolution against imperialist taxation, seeking to once again establish a free Jewish kingdom. For some, this was exactly the sort of person they expected the Messiah to be. This Judas is even referenced in the book of Acts, when the Jewish council is debating what to do with the apostles they apprehended for preaching in the name of Jesus: Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. And he said to them: Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow itlest you even be found to fight against God. (Acts 5:34-39) So what did it mean for the apostle Simon to have been called the Zealot? It meant that he was a nationalist and likely inclined to support violent revolution to free his people not just from imperialism but from a literal empire. Yet Jesus calls both Matthew and Simon to be his disciples, apostles, and friends. They both go out and preach the Gospel. Both, according to tradition, were later martyred for the same Lord. And this isnt all. When asked whether it is lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, Jesus called his hearers to think beyond the politics of their day Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle [Jesus] in His talk. And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the tax money. So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, Whose image and inscription is this? They said to Him, Caesars. And He said to them, Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesars, and to God the things that are Gods. When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went their way. (Matthew 22:15-22) The trick worked like this: If Jesus were to have said no to the Pharisees, he would have been identifying as a Zealot and a revolutionary, and the Herodians supporters of Herod, the Roman-appointed ruler of Judea would report him. If he had said yes, many people who believed Jesus to be the Christ would begin to doubt, for everyone knew that the Messiah would reign on the throne of King David. How could he acknowledge the legitimacy of Roman rule by approving of Roman taxes? But Jesuss kingdom is not of this world. And he points out how truly trivial the point is by his answer: Give to Caesar his little coin that bears his image, and give to God what bears his image i.e., yourself. For God created man in His own image (Genesis 1:27). The kingdom of God is so big as to render the kingdom of Caesar unimportant by comparison. And it was the Gospel of the kingdom of God that Jesus and his disciples proclaimed, not the gospel of Rome or Judea, neither imperialism nor nationalism. None of this is to say that debates over national sovereignty and international cooperation are not worth having, but only that Christians would do well to put them in perspective in the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Does one come before the other or are religion and the ability to practice religion freely and openly mutual and indivisible? [] The contributions of religious life to economic prosperity are increasingly evident, prompting many to study the relationship between the two. A recent study from Canada found that religion adds billions to the economy. In the United States, research has shown much of the same, pointing to growth that outsizes that of the worlds leading companies. Whats less explored are connections between the underlying freedoms themselves, which many believe to be mutually reinforcing and indivisible. Both economic and religious freedom tend to exist together in the same societies, writes Jay Richards in Actons collection of essays, One and Indivisible. They are both based on the same principles; they tend to reinforce each other; and over the long haul, they arguably stand or fall together. As a result, when Catholics and other Christians surrender economic freedom, they unwittingly surrender their religious freedom, as well. In a new research paper, Religious, Civil, and Economic Freedoms: Whats the Chicken and Whats the Egg?, Christos Makridis of Stanford University goes a bit further down this path, exploring whether religious freedom is the driver of economic freedom or whether it is the other way around. The paper begins with an overview of the research thus far, detailing a growing scientific consensus about the contributive role of religious liberty in human flourishing. In one of his own studies, for example, Makridis assessed relevant data from 150 countries, concluding that increases in religious freedom are associated with robust increases in measures of human flourishing, with specific gains in the realm of civil liberties empowerment of women, freedom of expression, and more. But what about its connection to economic freedom, specifically? To answer the question, Makridis compares a mix of data and rankings from sources such as the Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem), World Bank, and Heritage Foundation Index of Economic Freedom, while controlling for various country- or culture-specific characteristics. His conclusion? Religious liberty appears to be more the egg than the chicken. The results suggest that religious liberty is not only a much stronger predictor of economic freedom than the other way around, Makridis writes, but also that lagged increases in economic freedom do not show up as increases in religious freedom, but they do the other way around. Furthermore, this paper provides new evidence on the spillover benefits of religious liberty on other behavior in society and the public sector. Those spillover benefits are significant, pointing to the interplay not just between religious liberty and economic freedom, but between and across a range of other contributors to institutional health (e.g., civil liberties). Taken together, it illuminates the general direction of causality, with religious liberty at the front end; but, given the questions that remain, it mostly serves to affirm the interconnectedness of individual rights of every stripe. Put in perspective, the effects of religious liberty are greatest for civil liberties, freedom of expression, and freedom from physical violence, Makridis said. This is important since these three characteristics are routinely viewed as necessary (but not sufficient) determinants of the exchange of goods and services. For example, with the threat of violence and expropriation, even formal designations of property rights are meaningless since the safety of the owner is in question. Some may be surprised by the confidence of Makridis conclusion. Based on previous research, property rights seemed to be somewhat predictive of religious freedom. On this, Makridis points out that, despite a robust correlation, weve seen a substantial decline in religious liberty over the past decade concentrated among countries with stronger property rights. In each case that he studied, there is no evidence that the countries with stronger property rights also exhibited greater growth in religious liberty. Given the ongoing turbulence of the global situation, and the drastic declines in religious liberty weve seen over just the past 10 years, we should hesitate to see Makridis conclusion as definitive. He himself acknowledges there are many questions left to be asked, and the fruits of the latest global trends are yet to be fully seen. One wonders, for example, if economic freedom still does have a strong casual role to play in such matters, depending on how it is imagined or embraced in a particular culture or country. Given the mutually reinforcing relationship of the two, one also wonders if chicken and egg analysis is the best path to uncovering the mysteries in the first place. And yet, in a certain respect, such findings may help to explain the extent to which religious freedom is, as many say, our first freedom. As Michael Novak explains in One and Indivisible: Religious liberty is a natural right. Indeed, it is the first and most fundamental of natural rights from which all others spring. The American founders recognized that once a person recognizes the full meaning of creature and Creator, he recognizes as self-evident the duty in conscience of the former to the latter. He recognizes as well that this duty is inalienable. For Christians at least, such a ground for religious liberty means that the right of conscience extends to all persons, even to those who have not yet seen evidence for recognizing a Creator. Economic liberty, as we have seen, is indispensable for allowing human persons to fulfill the creative impulse in our nature, felt even by those who do not admit that we are made in the image of the Creator of all things. The historical evidence is clear and inarguable. Systems that respect and promote economic liberty are far more creative, habitually inventive, and self-improving. Best of all, they produce the best results, both for individual persons and for the common good. In such a way, religious liberty and economic freedom are intimately related. Religious liberty is deeper and more basic, and gives a more granite grounding to all other freedoms. And as studies such as Makridis affirm, the fight to preserve it is essential to the fight for all else. While many orphanages are doing good and necessary work, others have contributed to cycles of child abandonment, family disintegration, and poverty. Unbeknownst to many American Christians, the majority of children living in orphanages have living parents, and such families would likely be better served by a different kind of support altogether. The lesson isnt necessarily that churches ought to abandon their current orphan care initiatives. The real takeaway is that we ought to reimagine our efforts around the person, the family, and the community. [] Orphan care has long been a central focus of Christian missions, prompting many churches to offer significant support for orphanages around the world, whether through financial donations, short-term missions trips, or actual adoption. But while many orphanages are doing good and necessary work, others have contributed to cycles of child abandonment, family disintegration, and poverty. Unbeknownst to many American Christians, the majority of children living in orphanages have living parents, and such families would likely be better served by a different kind of support altogether. In a new study by the Barna Group, researchers surveyed 3,000 U.S. Christians to understand their attitudes about the issue, as well as giving patterns and levels of volunteerism. In total, 19% of U.S. Christians donate to orphanages, totaling $3.3 billion annually across various programs. Roughly 4 million say theyve taken mission trips to orphanages or a childrens home. Unfortunately, the study concludes, this substantial support of orphanages may be perpetuating a model of orphan care not best for children. Decades of research has shown that families not orphanages are the best environment for children to receive the care they need in order to flourish. U.S. Christians support needs to shift to strengthening families to care for these children. The reports key findings are summarized below: U.S. Christians are major supporters of orphanages: 19% of survey respondents report financially supporting orphanages, childrens homes and other forms of residential care. Projected to the U.S. Christian population, that is an estimated 34 million individuals giving approximately $3.3 billion to these types of programs annually. While donation amounts range considerably, median reported giving per person was $300 dollars over three years, or $100 annually. Short-term mission trips are a primary point of reference: Of respondents who had been on mission trips, 21% had visited an orphanage or childrens home. Projected to the U.S. Christian population, 4 million Christians have visited an orphanage or childrens home on their mission trip. 72% of those who have gone on a mission trip to a residential care facility have gone with a church group. U.S. Christians are not well informed on orphan care: Responses suggest the U.S. Christian population is not well-educated on residential care realities. 96% agree that family structures are optimal, but also 91% believe orphanages are essential and 86% see them as positive. The next generation of U.S. Christians has a stronger preference than previous generations for supporting residential care and often holds misconceptions about the needs of the vulnerable. The underlying attitudes and institutional norms appear to be highly entrenched. Even still, nearly all respondents (96%) affirmed that original family structures are, indeed, optimal. The main obstacle, then, may be a lack of education about how orphanages actually operate, as well as a lack of imagination about available alternatives. People across the U.S. and the world agree that all children, including those who are orphaned and vulnerable, grow and thrive best in families, says Mark Lorey of World Vision International, a partner in the studys release. This report shows how important it is to build support for family and community care for the most vulnerable children: because its sustainable, scalable, affordable, and most of all, because its best for kids. The research demonstrates there are not bad and good orphanages, the narrator concludes. Rather, orphanages are simply not a good solution for children. Children grow up best in families. Foster families, extended families, and other arrangements. But families, not institutions. The issue is discussed at length in Actons 2014 documentary, Poverty, Inc., which acknowledges the corruption of the current system while pointing to a different approach: Creating economic opportunity so families can afford to stay together. In a segment titled Power to the Parents, the film highlights the story of Corrigan and Shelley Clay, who traveled to Haiti with plans to start an orphanage, but soon realized the perverse incentives at play. After living in an orphanage for a year and getting to know the language and the culture and the people and really building relationships, we began to see that the system of addressing the needs of orphans was actually a system that was creating orphans, Corrigan explains. Upon learning that many of the children in the orphanage had parents who would visit their children frequently, Shelley was shocked. Im spending $20,000 on this adoption to be able to raise a child that the mother of this child wants, she explains. The injustice of that just took me. Unfortunately, their experience isnt unique. Of the roughly 30,000 children in Haitian institutions and the hundreds adopted by foreigners each year, the Haitian government estimates that 80 percent have at least one living parent, writes Emily Brennan in The New York Times. The decision by Haitian parents to turn their children over to orphanages is motivated by dire poverty. Also, large families are common, and many parents unable to afford school fees believe that orphanages at least offer basic schooling and food. Stirred by the situation, the couple decided to abandon their plans and start a business instead, aimed at bringing economic provision to the local community that could hopefully keep local families intact. Their business, Apparent Project, now employs over 250 employees and produces artisan products that are sold around the world. There is a better way to help, says Shelley. Giving power to the parents is exponential in how many kids you can help. Ive estimated with 250 employees were helping at least 750 children, possibly 2,000 people, if you think theyre supporting their whole families. Its an inspiring story. But the lesson isnt necessarily that churches ought to abandon their current orphan care initiatives or attempt to copy-cat the case study of the Clay family. The real takeaway is that we ought to reimagine our efforts around the person, the family, and the community. The way that charitable organizations are addressing orphans is symptomatic of a larger belief that says these are issues that must be addressed, versus these are people that must be addressed, Corrigan explains. Issues are addressed institutionally and programmatically; people are addressed in their story, in reflexive dialogue through questions and listening. As Christians, we have the opportunity to change the churchs approach on these matters, realigning our imaginations and efforts to support families, not just orphanages. We have the honor of offering not just distant donations or quick-and-fast missions trips, but active partnership in advocating for the tools, access, and opportunities that families need to stay intact, both now and forever. Far from being the Utopian mode of government its proponents would have you believe it to be, socialism is actually a poisonous worldview that pits neighbors against each other, scorns success and breeds negativity. [] Its hard to feel happy for people who are more successful than you. Its easier to envy them but doing so means forgetting that high achievers pave the way for others to succeed. Free societies make it possible for more people to rise up. Envy is a poison. Its also a weapon. In his 19th century encyclical Rerum Novarum, Pope Leo XIII condemns socialism in harsh terms. He explains that socialists work on the poor mans envy of the rich and later adds that if socialism were to be implemented: The door would be thrown open to envy, to mutual invective, and to discord. While capitalism gets a bad rap for promoting or allowing the vice of avarice, socialism is not immune from the problem of human immorality. The regime of 20th century Cambodian revolutionary Pol Pot was notorious for arousing envy amongst peasants against city-dwellers through the phrase Trees in the country, fruit in the town. This adage which is based on traditional maxims convinced the peasants that the extermination of city-dwellers was right and just and was used to advance Pots worldview which seeks to create a peasant society free of class distinctions. The vice of envy is defined by the Christian monk St. John Damascene as pain over the good fortune of others (De Fide Orth. ii, 14). The scholastic theologian St. Thomas Aquinas clarifies that we can sorrow over anothers good in multiple ways which may or may not be sinful. For instance, one may sorrow over anothers good due to a genuine fear that it might harm himself or another good and this is not necessarily sinful. However, one who sorrows over anothers good in so far as the good of the other surpasses his own good necessarily commits a sin. It might make sense to be concerned and sorrowed at the possessions of the rich if the economy were a zero-sum game. That is to say, it might be reasonable to sorrow at anothers material gain if that somehow harms you. This, however, assumes an inaccurate picture of the way a market economy works. The economy consists of goods and services, and the value and quantity of these are not fixed. If they were, it would not be possible that drastic poverty reduction has occurred since 1990 despite the population growing by nearly 2 billion individuals in the same time period. In other words, the rich mans amassing of possessions does not present a loss of material wealth for you. The increase of his wealth does not diminish your ability to increase your wealth. As free markets and freer trade have spread globally, poverty has fallen dramatically. According to the American Enterprise Institute, US Census Bureau data shows definitively that US poverty was at an all-time low prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and has been falling from 2014-2019 even after accounting for reporting bias due to the pandemic. The poverty decline was true for all demographic groups and even when using the official poverty measure, which disregards government benefits when calculating poverty. The free market is a rising tide that lifts all ships while socialism sinks them. Finish this article for as low as $1 when you purchase a day pass. Just click the sign up button to purchase. If you are already a subscriber, just click log in to continue reading. The two academic years abstract painter Elizabeth Murray spent in the late-1960s as a college instructor in Buffalo has long been seen as a blip on her artistic timeline between Oakland and New York City. It also hasn't helped that little of the art Murray produced during that time survived. Much of it was left on the curb outside her Masten Park rowhouse for the sanitation truck and scavengers to pick up, days before she moved away. But, as Robert Scalise, the director of UB Art Galleries came to discover, Murray's time in Buffalo was a formative period of artistic growth and experimentation. It also set the stage for the critical acclaim she would later receive for her unconventionally shaped canvases and cartoonish figuration. Murray's last major show occurred in 2005, two years before her death, when she was just the fifth woman artist to have a retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art. In her first posthumous retrospective, Scalise has curated "Elizabeth Murray: Back in Town" to focus on how Murray's time in Buffalo shaped her artistic style. The exhibition is on display through Oct. 3 at UB Anderson Gallery. Nearly all Buffalo Public School students will be back in the classrooms full-time in the fall. According to a letter to parents Wednesday, only those with a valid medical exemption will have access to remote learning. BPS students to have choice between remote, in-person learning in fall All students will be invited back to in-person classes five days a week, but Superintendent Kriner Cash said he anticipates that about one-fourth of the districts 31,000 students might choose to start the year remotely. At the start of the 2021-2022 school year, all students, from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, are expected to return to full in-person instruction five days a week, School Superintendent Kriner Cash said. The announcement comes on the heels of the lifting of Covid-19 policy restrictions by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state Department of Health. Cash said district officials over the summer will build student schedules, prepare school buildings, coordinate transportation and plan for the deployment and scheduling of all of its staff, in response to the lifting of restrictions. NYS schools required to report remote vs. in-person attendance Schools need to report for each student, for each day from September through June, whether they attended, and whether they were in person or remote. Students in the district will be automatically enrolled for full-time, in-person instruction five days per week. Remote instruction will be offered only for students with an eligible medical exemption after consultation with medical professionals and district staff, Cash said. Two Kentucky men arrested in connection with an armed carjacking in Buffalo last week now face federal charges. Aweys Hussein, 20, and Jeylani Bakari, 22, both of Louisville, were charged by criminal complaint in federal court with carjacking and brandishing firearms in furtherance of a crime of violence, U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy said in a statement Thursday. The federal charges were filed in lieu of the state charges, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Just before 12:30 a.m. on June 11, three young men approached a Dodge Charger at gunpoint on Woltz Avenue, between Sycamore Street and Walden Avenue, and drove away, Buffalo police said. According to federal prosecutors, one of them approached the passenger side with a Glock handgun, told one victim to get out of the vehicle and said: Give me the money, give me the keys, or you're going to die," adding an expletive. A second victim was taken out of the vehicle, pushed to the ground, and another of the suspects went through that victim's pockets. The three suspects then fled the scene in the Charger, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremiah E. Lenihan. The SUNY Erie Community College Board of Trustees is extending its search for a new president after two finalists dropped out of the running to take positions elsewhere. The board was really hoping to deliberate over three candidates for this position, so we just decided to cast another net, and that is being led by our search firm now, said Danise C. Wilson, chairwoman of the ECC board. Wilson said she anticipated the search committee meeting again in late August or early September with a new list of applicants and potential candidates. The board brought two finalists Tracy Johnson and Kirk Young to campus for interviews and virtual presentations at the end of May. A third finalist already had dropped out earlier to become president of a college in California. Johnson dropped out more recently to stay at Dallas College in a new post. Because they were such quality candidates they were in high demand, said Wilson. All of our candidates were tremendous ... We just wanted to have three strong candidates to pick from at the end of this process. The interim president of SUNY Erie offered a painfully blunt assessment Thursday of the community colleges finances and said the time has come to examine whether it can continue with three full-service campuses. If not for more than $16 million in one-shot revenues from federal stimulus funds and county aid over the past two school years, the community college would have been sunk financially, William Reuter said. "We are at the point where I could honestly say, this college may not even be in business if not for those one-time revenues," he told Erie County lawmakers. While the idea of consolidating the college's Buffalo, Amherst and Orchard Park campuses has been floated before, Reuter said the college has been doing "analysis work" and hopes to start the conversation with the community this summer. "We're starting the process of really examining the future alignment of ECC," he said. "We cannot continue to fully support three full-service campuses." Reuter appeared before the Legislature to present the college's budget for 2021-22. It became clear Reuter wanted to impress upon the elected leaders the precarious position of the college's finances and the need for action. What do you get for the autocrat who has everything? President Biden knows: He gave Vladimir Putin a crystal bison sculpture at their summit meeting Wednesday. Now that is a power move. Nothing says America like an American bison. We forget sometimes that the bison on the helmets worn by the Buffalo Bills is not only a symbol of our fair city. The bison is an enduring symbol of the American West and, since 2016, officially our national mammal. The White House put out a statement on why it chose the sculpture, by Steuben Glass, as a gift for the Russian president. It called the crystal bison on a base of cherry wood a stately interpretation of one of our nations most majestic mammals and representative of strength, unity, resilience. Its also, of course, representative of Buffalo. And were happy to share. The White House statement noted that the national mammal designation was made when the Obama-Biden Administration signed the National Bison Legacy Act into law. Such a deck would offer "spectacular" views of Goat Island without being a tower, Vilardo said. Another state project would be a park and interpretive site around the last remaining remnant of a hydraulic canal that used to take river water to plants located along the gorge. A railing about 40 feet long off Second Street between Main and Niagara streets marks the spot. "It won't be an unearthing, like at Canalside," Ray said. Most of the canal was filled in after the collapse of the Schoellkopf Power Plant in 1956. In addition to new construction, PAU envisions a 1.5-mile walking trail called the Heritage Path to connect the sites, or "checkpoints," each of which will feature explanatory signs, and to link to the state park. "We think downtown Niagara Falls can be a very walkable neighborhood," said Vishaan Chakrabarti, founder and creative director of PAU. "The near-term development of these three pieces the Heritage Path, the Hydraulic Canal Park and the observation deck will be the starting point of this large puzzle that, combined with the first request for proposals for the Old Falls and First street site, will advance the future of downtown Niagara Falls," Chakrabarti said. Five development sites He said Lear persuaded him to liquidate the gold and silver in his IRA and instead invest in platinum bars and coins purchased through the company, according to his affidavit. Later that year, he also sent Lear an additional 640 ounces of silver bullion in exchange for more platinum. "I eventually realized that I had paid approximately $42,300 in cash and silver bullion for approximately $28,000 worth of platinum and in my IRA I sold gold and silver worth approximately $29,000 to purchase platinum worth approximately $19,640," the Akron resident said. The state's lawsuit described how Lear claimed it had consent from the investors for the 33% commission. After multiple unrecorded sales calls, Lear would tell investors who had agreed to buy coins that Lear needed to make a recording to verify terms of purchase, according to the filing. Investors were told that they needed to answer yes to every question on the recording, that the recording was a formality, and that if they gave any other answer or asked any questions, they would have to start over. "But the true purpose of the recording was to cheat the investor," according to the lawsuit. "Buried among a series of innocuous questions, Lear asked: Do you understand that the ask to cost fee is 33%, yes or no. After Cornwall, the scene shifted to Brussels where many of the same faces met for a gathering at NATO. Biden used the moment to highlight the renewed U.S. commitment to the 30-country alliance that was formed as a bulwark to Moscows aggression but frequently maligned by his predecessor. He also underscored the U.S. commitment to Article 5 of the alliance charter, which spells out that an attack including, as of this summit, some cyberattacks on any member is an assault on all and is to be met with a collective response. Trump had refused to commit to the pact and had threatened to pull the U.S. out of the alliance. Article 5 we take as a sacred obligation, said Biden. I want NATO to know America is there. When Air Force One touched back down in Washington, Biden again faced an uncertain future for his legislative agenda, the clock ticking on a deadline to land a bipartisan infrastructure deal as the president was confronted with growing intransigence from Republicans and mounting impatience from fellow Democrats. But Biden and his aides believe he accomplished what he set out to do in Europe. Michael Fanone, who was stun-gunned several times and beaten with a flagpole during the riot, told CNN's Don Lemon on "Don Lemon Tonight" that he encountered Clyde in the Capitol and had been dismissed by the congressman after approaching him outside an elevator Wednesday afternoon. "I was very cordial. I extended my hand to shake his hand. He just stared at me. I asked if he was going to shake my hand, and he told me that he didn't who know I was. So I introduced myself. I said that I was Officer Michael Fanone. That I was a DC Metropolitan Police officer who fought on January 6 to defend the Capitol and, as a result, I suffered a traumatic brain injury as well as a heart attack after having been tased numerous times at the base of my skull, as well as being severely beaten," Fanone said. "At that point, the congressman turned away from me." I need to square the balance here. I owe you a firm answer, Milley told Feinstein. His spokesman, Butler, elaborated: Although we cant yet verify the numbers reported by AP, the chairman believes this is another example of the free press shining a light on the important subjects we need to get right. Top officials with the Army, Marines and Secretary of Defenses office have said missing weapons are not a widespread problem and noted that the number is a tiny fraction of the militarys stockpile. Before publication of the APs investigation, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in an interview that the armed services can account for 99.999% of their several million firearms. Though the numbers are small, one is too many, Kirby said. Lawmakers focus so far had been a new reporting requirement, not systematic reform. The Pentagon used to share annual updates about stolen weapons with Congress, but the requirement to do so ended years ago, apparently in fiscal year 1994. In more recent years, the Office of the Secretary of Defense has decided when to advise lawmakers of significant losses or thefts. ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) Former President Laurent Gbagbo returned home to Ivory Coast on Thursday, a decade after his refusal to concede defeat in a presidential election sparked months of violence that left more than 3,000 people dead. Gbagbo was extradited to the International Criminal Court at The Hague in 2011 and spent eight years awaiting trial on war crimes charges. A judge acquitted him in 2019, saying prosecutors had failed to prove their case. The verdict was appealed but upheld in late March, clearing the way for Gbagbo to leave Belgium, where he had spent the past two years. After coming down the steps to the runway, Gbagbo soon made his way to a vehicle that was then surrounded by crowds as it headed toward the city. He later made a brief but emotional speech to his supporters at his former campaign headquarters in Cocody. I am happy to return to Ivory Coast and to Africa, he said before adding: I know that I am Ivorian but in prison I knew that I belonged to Africa. If anything, remote school widened the gap between the haves and have-nots among the districts 33,000 students. More affluent families could more easily organize their children into learning pods to study together, sometimes led by a paid tutor. Those families also tend to have more reliable internet service and better technology, among other resources. Students on the lower end of the economic rung in some cases have less adult supervision when doing schoolwork at home. Their parents frequently are required to be at work, not having the luxury of a remote option. Their spotty internet connections make online learning more of a gamble. In a district committed to the values of equity and inclusion, BPS administrators surely know the toll that remote learning took on many of the students and their families who live in impoverished circumstances. Cash had announced in May a plan to make remote learning an option for anyone who wanted it, and had floated the idea of using part of the districts $290 million in aid from the American Rescue Plan to create an online high school. Were glad to see his change of heart. In a news release Wednesday, a district spokeswoman, Elena Cala, said the CDCs recent recommendation that 12- to 17-year-olds receive the Covid-19 vaccine was behind Cashs new policy imperative. The June 3 Buffalo News editorial, New York can bid good riddance to Green, Independence parties and all the other minor parties, too, argues for the largest disenfranchisement of voters in New York State history. In last years Covid-19 relief bill, New York tripled vote totals required for minor parties to stay on the ballot, leaving more than 500,000 people in this state without a political party. In New York, there are now far more voters not enrolled in a party than there are registered Republicans. Enabling fewer parties and making it harder for candidates to get on the ballot doesnt help an electorate that is increasingly shut out of the process. Actions like these fuel anger and division that drive events like the Jan. 6 insurrection. New York is in the minority with a closed primary that leaves unaffiliated voters with no ability to vote in already low-turnout primary elections that often decide winners in uncompetitive general election races. Voters understand that our political system would be strengthened with more choice, not less. Consolidating power to major party bosses and fewer primary voters weakens the influence of voters and is the reason movements like Unite NY are gaining momentum. (Bloomberg) -- Bank of America Corp. expects all of its vaccinated employees to return to the office after Labor Day in early September, and will then focus on developing plans for returning unvaccinated workers. BlackRock Inc. will allow only fully-vaccinated workers to come back to work starting next month. The U.K. recorded the most cases in a day since mid-February, amid warnings the current wave of infections driven by the highly transmissible delta variant may still be weeks from peaking. Portugal is limiting weekend travel to and from Lisbon because of a surge in cases, also apparently driven by the variant. The World Health Organization sounded the alarm over Africa, warning urgent action is needed to curb a third wave of infections sweeping across the continent. Key Developments: Global Tracker: Cases exceed 177.1 million; deaths pass 3.8 millionVaccine Tracker: More than 2.47 billion doses administeredJapans Dr. Fauci damps Olympic mood with call to ban fansPockets of unvaccinated Americans threaten to prolong pandemicDouble-lung transplants rise after Covid honeycombs organsSubscribe to a daily update from Bloombergs Prognosis team here. Columbia Nears 100,000 Deaths (4:21 p.m. NY) Protest-wracked Colombia is fast on track to surpass 100,000 deaths from Covid-19 as the government tries to balance letting citizens work -- and eat -- with protecting them from the pandemic by reopening large swathes of the economy. A slow vaccination rollout and social upheaval have meant that infections and mortality in Colombia continue to rise. Just in the past five days, the country of 50 million has marked records in daily deaths, registering as many as 599 fatalities on Tuesday alone. At the current rate, Colombia will hit 100,000 deaths as soon as Sunday. NYC Subways Hit Pandemic High (4:19 p.m. NY) New York Citys subway system reached a record 2.5 million customers on Wednesday, about 44% of pre-pandemic era ridership, and the highest level since the Covid-19 outbreak, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said Thursday. Story continues The MTA is the largest mass-transit provider in the U.S. While the 2.5 million customers is below the pre-pandemic weekday average of 5.5 million, subway ridership has been increasing as New York City fully reopens, with more businesses asking employees to work from their offices, and cultural and entertainment venues loosening restrictions. Washington Expands Lottery to Military (3:51 p.m. NY) Governor Jay Inslee expanded Washington states vaccine lottery to veterans and people in the military, offering a prize of $250,000 for those who are vaccinated. He said in a news conference that military members or veterans who received shots from the federal government would be eligible for the prizes, which also include two giveaways of $100,000 in cash and other awards starting at the end of June. We want to say thank you to our veterans and active duty personnel, the Democratic governor said at a news conference on Thursday. Washington is one of more than half a dozen states offering lottery prizes and tuition as an incentive for people to get vaccinated. Overall, the states grand prize is $1 million, to be awarded after a July 13 drawing. Gambia Runs Out of Astra Shots (3:21 p.m. NY) Gambia, which started its vaccination campaign against the coronavirus in March, has already run out of AstraZeneca shots. The Ministry of Health wishes to inform the public that the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine is out of stock in the country, the government said in a statement Thursday. The statement did not say when new doses would be imported. Illinois Reports 64 Cases of Delta Variant (2:03 p.m. NY) Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said his biggest concern about the more-transmissible delta variant first found in India is children younger than 12 years old, who arent eligible for vaccination. The state reported on Thursday that it had identified 64 cases of the variant. The delta variant seems to have been predominant among people who are unvaccinated, so those kids are who Im focused on, the Democratic governor said in a news conference on Thursday. So far it appears that the available vaccines are resistant to the delta variant. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday classified delta as a variant of concern and said it now made up 10% of sampled cases. CDC data show it accounts for just above 2% of cases in Illinois. The state with the highest percentage is Missouri, at almost 7%. BlackRock to Allow Back Vaccinated Workers (12:48 p.m. NY) BlackRock Inc. is adjusting its plans for U.S. employees to return to the office, allowing only fully-vaccinated workers to come back to work starting next month. The worlds biggest asset manager said that U.S.-based employees whove been inoculated can resume in-person work in July and August if theyd like to, according to a memo from the New York-based company. Unvaccinated staffers are not allowed in the office as of then, the memo said. Tanzania Ends No-Vaccine Policy (12:42 p.m. NY) Tanzania has submitted a formal request to the Covax facility to receive vaccines, potentially bringing to a close the downplaying of the disease that left the country as one of three in Africa with no plans to inoculate its people. Tanzania has submitted to the Covax facility its vaccine request form and is currently preparing a Covid-19 vaccine deployment plan, said Richard Mihigo, coordinator of the immunization programme at the World Health Organizations Africa office. Portugal Limits Lisbon Travel (12:37 p.m. NY) The Portuguese government will limit travel to and from the greater Lisbon area during the weekend following an increase in cases in the region. The restrictions on movement will apply from 3 p.m. on Friday, with exceptions including international travel, Presidency Minister Mariana Vieira da Silva said on Thursday. Apparently there is a greater prevalence of the delta variant in the region, the minister said. U.K. Cases Surge (12:19 p.m. NY) The U.K. recorded the most coronavirus cases in a day since mid-February, amid warnings the current wave of infections driven by the highly transmissible delta variant may still be weeks from peaking. More than 11,000 new cases of the disease were reported on Thursday, along with 19 deaths, according to the Department Health. A study by Public Health England showed infection rates increasing across all age groups, but are highest among peopleaged 20 to 29. U.S. Invests in Antiviral Drugs (12:08 p.m. NY) The U.S. will invest $3.2 billion into developing antiviral medicines to combat Covid-19 and other viruses with pandemic potential, the Health and Human Services Department said Thursday. Dubbed the Antiviral Program for Pandemics, the effort led by U.S. health agencies will support the discovery, development and production of antiviral treatments for Covid-19 and future viral threats, HHS said. The collaboration, bringing together the National Institutes of Health and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, aims to develop antivirals that could be taken at home soon after someone gets sick. U.S. Shots to Reach Taiwan Soon (11:06 a.m. NY) Jonathan Fritz, the U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state for China, Mongolia and Taiwan coordination, said shipments may be headed to Taiwan in less than a few weeks. Fritz, testifying to a Senate Foreign Relations Committee panel, said getting the vaccines to Taiwan is a priority, keeping in mind a number of critical industries including semiconductors, for example, could be affected. BofA Sets Office Return Date (10:18 a.m. NY) Bank of America Corp. expects all of its vaccinated employees to return to the office after Labor Day in early September, and will then focus on developing plans for returning unvaccinated workers to its sites. More than 70,000 of the firms employees have voluntarily disclosed their vaccine status to the bank, Chief Executive Officer Brian Moynihan said in a Bloomberg Television interview Thursday. The firm, which has more than 210,000 employees globally, has already invited those who have received their shots to begin returning. Kuwait To Ease Foreign Visits (10:09 a.m. NY) Non-Kuwaitis will be permitted to enter the country from August 1, provided they have received two doses of the Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Moderna vaccine or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson shot. Expatriates will also have to quarantine at home for seven days, unless a PCR test during that time is negative, according to government spokesman Tareq Al-Mezrem. As of June 27, no one will be permitted to enter numerous public places without at least one dose of the vaccine. Kenya Restricts Internal Travel (10:05 a.m. NY) Kenya announced restrictions on movement into and out of 13 counties located in the western part of the country nearing Uganda.The areas constitute 60% of the national caseload and the surge of infections in the region is further compounded by their proximity to Uganda, which has recorded a spike in cases, according to an emailed statement from Mutahi Kagwe, Kenyas Health secretary. WHO Warns on Third African Wave (8:45 a.m. NY) African cases rose by more than a fifth week-on-week, pushing infections to more than 5 million, WHO Regional Director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti said on Thursday. The spike in infections should push countries and governments into urgent action to expand vaccinations and inoculate priority groups, she said. U.K. Weighs Easing Foreign Travel (8:30 a.m. NY) British officials are considering plans to open up international travel for passengers who have been fully vaccinated. Under the policy, which is still being discussed inside government, people who have received both doses of Covid vaccines would not need to quarantine on returning from medium-risk countries on the so-called amber list. Airline shares surged on the possible adjustment. Under current rules, destinations are coded red for the highest infection risk, amber for medium risk and green for the lowest risk. Travelers are advised against going to amber or red-list countries. CureVac Shot Falls Short (4:30 p.m. H.K. ) CureVacs shares plunged more than 52% in German trading, wiping out almost $9.6 billion in market value, after the company said the vaccine was only 47% effective in an early trial analysis. The interim analysis of data from about 40,000 volunteers included 134 Covid cases, the German company said. The findings throw the future of the vaccine into question as wealthy nations around the world move swiftly to inoculate their populations with shots already available. Austria to Ease Lockdown (2:57 p.m. HK) Austria will end a daily curfew from July as its infections continue to drop. Sport and cultural events will be allowed at full capacity and the requirement to wear more protective FFP-2 masks in most public places will no longer stand, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz told reporters. The nation of about 9 million people registered an average 188 new cases a day in the week through Wednesday, the least since August. Further lockdown easing steps may be announced later in July. South Africa Positivity Surges (2:42 p.m. HK) South Africa recorded 13,246 confirmed coronavirus cases over 24 hours and a positivity rate of 21.7% on tests, the highest since January, the National Institute of Communicable Diseases said. 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. OTTAWA The federal government will provide $115 million in aid over two years for millions of Venezuelan asylum seekers living in countries in South and Central America and the Caribbean, said International Development Minister Karina Gould. The continued departure of refugees and migrants from Venezuela is one of the largest external displacement crises in the world with over 5.6 million people leaving the country in the last few years, the United Nations refugee agency says. A donors conference hosted Thursday by Canada raised US$954 million in grants committed by 30 countries and US$600 million in concessional loans pledged by the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank, Gould said. The conference aimed to raise US$1.44 billion needed to implement a response plan put together by 159 organizations across the countries that host refugees and migrants from Venezuela. The plan is aimed at establishing longer-term resilience and integration solutions for close to 3.3 million Venezuelans and host community members. Gould said the refugee crisis is having a significant effect on host countries especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Canada wants to help them aid Venezuelan asylum seekers through food assistance, health care, education and employment opportunities. "It is a very fragile situation right now," she said in an interview. "So many Venezuelan migrants were the first to lose their jobs, and have had a really difficult time regaining employment because of the pandemic." UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi told the conference that one out of four Venezuelan immigrant and refugee children are now separated from one or both of their parents. One-third of them go to bed hungry and nearly two-thirds have not made it to school since the start of the pandemic, he said. "This conference comes at a critical juncture," Grandi said. "As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage Latin America and the Caribbean, refugees and migrants from Venezuela are facing growing protection challenges." Story continues Eduardo Stein, who is the joint special representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration, told the conference the exodus of Venezuelans risks becoming a forgotten crisis. The host countries have shown solidarity with Venezuelan refugees during the COVID-19 pandemic but their national capacities have been dangerously strained by the virus. "The task is more challenging than ever," Stein said. The international community has a responsibility to support hosting countries to ensure regional stability, as a shortfall in funding would leave hundreds of thousands unprotected, with few options to rebuild a life in dignity, he added. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said many Venezuelans had no option but to leave their country after six consecutive years of economic contraction and social and political crisis. Gould said Canada has separated the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela from the political crisis there to avoid politicizing the assistance. "That is a really important principle to stand by to ensure that (the aid) gets to the people who need it," she said. However, Gould said the crisis in Venezuela is not the result of a conflict or a natural disaster but a political crisis and the only way to solve it will be through a political solution. "Canada, through the work of the minister of foreign affairs and the Lima Group, is actively involved in trying to find a political solution." Ottawa has contributed $86 million to support Venezuelan refugees since 2019, Gould added. This report was first published by The Canadian Press on June 17, 2021. This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship. Maan Alhmidi, The Canadian Press Representative image New Delhi [India], June 17 (ANI): Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V vaccine will be available in nine more cities across India, including Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Baddi, Kolhapur and Miryalaguda, informed the official twitter handle of Sputnik V. "The Sputnik V vaccine will be available in 9 more cities across India, including Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Baddi, Kolhapur and Miryalaguda," Sputnik V tweeted. The Russian vaccine's local distribution partner Dr Reddy's had also issued a statement on Wednesday saying that the project launch of Russian Covid vaccine Sputnik V has now been extended to nine other cities. Initially, it was launched only in Hyderabad. In its statement, the pharmaceutical company had said the pilot launch is in its final leg and necessary arrangements are being made to ensure the availability of both doses. Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy's Laboratories has partnered with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) for the rollout of the two-dose vaccine in India. The first phase of the Sputnik V rollout by Apollo Hospitals and Dr Reddy's Laboratories had started on a pilot basis on May 17 in Hyderabad and on May 18 in Visakhapatnam. Besides Apollo Hospitals, the vaccine is also available in Hyderabad at Continental Hospitals. The price per dose of Sputnik V at private hospitals as per the pricing schedule issued by the central government has been capped at Rs 1,145. RDIF, earlier on June 10, announced that the efficacy of the Sputnik V vaccine during a vaccination campaign by Bahrain's Ministry of Health was estimated to be at 94.3 per cent. (ANI) OnePlus just launched a cheaper 5G phone, then slid in some major business news alongside it. After some time working with Oppo (which is owned by the same company BBK), OnePlus CEO Peter Lau announced that after the positive impact of working together, the team is cozying up even closer. Although OnePlus will live under Oppo's umbrella, Lau said it will remain independently operated. But if youve been scrutinizing the world of smartphones especially those from BBK players like Oppo, Vivo, Realme, OnePlus theres been a lot of feature and spec overlap. For example, the OnePlus 8 Pro was an awful lot like the Oppo Find X2 Pro. The Morning After Some of these phone brands focus on China and India, while OnePlus pushes (and often thrives) into Western countries and gets its phones into European and American hands. More recently, Oppo and Vivo have made moves into some countries in Europe, but neither has the brand power of OnePlus. Will this closer partnership result in even more similar phones with different badges? Or another major mobile power able to go up against Samsung and Apple? Mat Smith With a 1-inch camera sensor and '240Hz' display. The Morning After Talking of same phones, different badges, Leicas first smartphone is a device thats pretty much already launched. Following collaborations with Huawei and the more recent Sharp Aquos R6, Leica is finally launching its own smartphone. The Leitz Phone 1 is Leica's first self-branded mobile phone (and, yep, its an Aquos R6 underneath that red Leica logo), and it'll launch in Japan next month. Though there are aesthetic tweaks to the camera UI, the phone also comes with a largely monochrome take on Android 11, which sounds pretty cool. Just like the Aquos R6, the Leitz Phone 1 packs a 1-inch 20-megapixel sensor for its f/1.9 main camera, along with a 12.6-megapixel selfie camera on the other side. Continue reading. Story continues It opens in New York City today. Google This isn't Google's first physical retail space, of course the company's held several pop-ups featuring its hardware products in the past. But a new store on 76 Ninth Avenue, which will open today at 10 am ET, occupies the bottom of Google's building in Chelsea. Not only will it sell Google hardware (across the Pixel, Nest and Fitbit portfolios) but itll also give you tech support on a broad ecosystem of products, a la Apples Genius Bar. Continue reading. The first ones will appear inside "Blaston." In the coming weeks, Facebook plans to start testing ads Oculus Quest owners see while playing games and using apps with their headsets. The first of these will appear in Blaston, a first-person bullet-hell title from Resolution Games, followed by software from two other unnamed developers sometime in the next few weeks. "For now, this is a test with a few apps," the company said in a blog post. Continue reading. Driving Citroen's pint-sized Ami EV Available to drivers as young as 14 years old. The Morning After Carmakers have gone on and on for years about urban mobility solutions, but have you ever seen one on the streets? French automaker Citroen finally did something about that by transforming its adorable Ami concept into an actual adorable car with two seats and a top speed of 28 MPH. By a quirk of French law, the Ami is not technically a car but a quadricycle, so users in the nation as young as 14 can drive it. But unlike Renaults Twizy quadricycle, its a fully enclosed vehicle. Paris-based Associate Editor Steve Dent had to try it out. Continue reading. We played Stranger in Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin. Square Enixs new approach to the first-ever Final Fantasy didnt get off to a good start. The trailer was rough and possibly the most meme-able video at this years E3. Sometimes thats good. Usually, its bad. This was the latter, with nonsensical dialogue and a game that looked rather dated given its coming to the PS5. I played through the demo (which also had its own problems), and while theres room for improvement the developers are chasing feedback from players there could be a very enjoyable, if tough, game that offers a different perspective on the Final Fantasy universe. Continue reading. But wait, theres more... Amazon will reduce Appstore fees for smaller developers later this year Apple has reportedly considered launching its own primary healthcare service Luca lets Pixars house style finally shine Star Trek: Picard season two trailer marks the return of Q How the rising popularity of EVs could lead to a resurgence of drum brakes The doses coming to Canada are among the 80 million the U.S. has pledged to donate globally. (Tyson Koschik/CBC - image credit) The United States is donating one million additional doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to Canada. The doses, which were produced in the U.S., will arrive in Toronto later today, according to a White House official speaking on the condition they not be named, as they are not authorized to speak publicly on the matter. White House COVID-19 co-ordinator Jeffrey Zients later confirmed doses were arriving in Canada on Thursday in a briefing to the media. This delivery is part of a broad donation strategy previously announced by the Biden administration. By the end of this month, the U.S. is expected to have donated some 80 million doses worldwide. The one million shots being sent to Canada are a part of this allocation. In addition, U.S. President Joe Biden announced during the G7 summit in the U.K. that the U.S. will purchase and donate 500 million Pfizer doses over the next year. At that same meeting, Canada also pledged to donate up to 100 million doses as part of the global effort to end the pandemic. The U.S. also loaned 1.5 million doses of Astra Zeneca to Canada earlier this year. Public Services and Procurement Minister Anita Anand confirmed the new doses are set to arrive this evening, and thanked the Biden administration for its partnership. "We continue to work with partners around the world, including the United States, to ensure access to vaccines for Canadians, as well as to help meet demands internationally," she said in a statement to CBC News. Why does it matter? While Canada's vaccine rollout has sped up in recent weeks, it still lags behind the U.S. when it comes to delivering second doses. So far, over 44 per cent of the American population is considered fully vaccinated. In Canada, that number is just over 14 per cent. Overall, vaccine enthusiasm appears to be much higher in Canada. Some 65 per cent of Canadians have had a first dose. That number in the U.S., according to the Centres for Disease Control, is 52 per cent. Story continues Some American politicians are keen to see more Canadians become fully vaccinated, in the hopes that the Trudeau government will start lifting border restrictions. Ottawa has said that it hopes to lift some border restrictions by early July, though would not commit to a specific time frame. What's next? In addition to this U.S. allotment, Canada was already set to receive about 8.2 million shots this week - 5.8 million from Moderna and another 2.4 million from Pfizer. WATCH | Variants mean even greater need for vaccine sharing, says WHO: Editors Note: This story was first published on June 16, 2021. CALEDONIA When Andrea Beaugrand-Jorgensen was diagnosed with colon cancer in February at the age of 39, there were things she did not have, chiefly health insurance. Working part-time, she did not have $800/month to buy into her employers benefits package. Later, when she became too sick to work, she would not have a paycheck to support herself and her 12-year-old daughter. However, as is typical of people who are genuine and kind, she was rich in people who loved her. Andreas Angels A committee of friends and family was formed to support her, even though most of them didnt know each other beforehand. There was Alissa Malacara, who could not remember a time when she did not know Beaugrand-Jorgensen because their mothers were best friends. There was Karen Rasmussen, who mentored Beaugrand-Jorgensen when she first became a hair dresser and remained a dear friend. There was Terra Petro, who doesnt cry unless shes talking about her cousins illness. These women and many others came together to support Beaugrand-Jorgensen, her daughter and family. They call the committee Andreas Angels. Were definitely friends for life now, Malacara said. We all love her and were rallying for her. How to donate Go to gofund.me/86f0314a to donate to support Andrea Beaugrand-Jorgensen as she battles terminal colon cancer or to learn more about her journey. GoFundMe raises $23K, and thats just the start Beaugrand-Jorgensens friends and family did not want to just talk about supporting her. They wanted to do something really meaningful to ease her situation. The first effort, a GoFundMe page, was launched in late February by Malacara. It has raised more than $23,000 as of this week. Then Malacara decided to throw a benefit event. It was all just a little idea one day, Malacara said. The committee met every Sunday at Rasmussens business, The Main Credentials salon, 309 Main St., Racine, for months until the little idea became a large event held at Fountain Hall in Sturtevant on June 6 with two live bands, a DJ, face painting, cookie decorating, a bake sale and raffle baskets. The committee members could not say enough about the generosity of the community, who donated food, gift certificates and more than 200 gift baskets that could be raffled off. Businesses, friends, family and even people they had never met demonstrated an amazing benevolence in taking the benefit from just an idea to a success that raised $24,800. Andrea Beaugrand-Jorgensen Andrea Beaugrand-Jorgensen at a recent rummage sale hosted by Andrea's Angels, the committee working to support her during her battle with Sta The third event was a large yard sale held on Saturday that raised $3,068. With all three fundraisers they raised $51,728. Malacara said the money is not just for Beaugrand-Jorgensens most immediate needs, but to ensure she has money to create memories with her daughter, such as an upcoming trip to Disney World. For her part, it would ease Beaugrand-Jorgensens mind if there were money tucked away in a trust account for her daughters future. Bad diagnosis getting worse Cancers of the colon and rectum, frequently referred to as colorectal cancer, are still relatively rare in people younger than 50. But it is quickly becoming the deadliest cancer for people under age 50. According to the National Institutes of Health-National Cancer Institute, colorectal cancer is the deadliest for men and the third-deadliest for women, behind breast and lung cancer, in adults ages 20-49. Worse, these rates are climbing doubling since the 1990s, even as rates among those older than 50 decrease, due primarily to early screening. The recommended age for colorectal cancer screening has been lowered from 50 to 45. Beaugrand-Jorgensen had just turned 39 years old when she was diagnosed. T-shirts for Andrea Andrea's Angels are selling T-shirts to help raise money for their friend who has stage four colon cancer. Sharing her story The woman who found it difficult to be the center of attention, at yet another benefit thrown on her behalf Saturday in Caledonia, agreed to share her story not to draw attention to herself but to the realities of cancer in young adults, particularly the rise of colon cancer. In the early stages of the disease, the patient may experience no symptoms. According to the NIH-NCI, the early symptoms could include a change in bowel habits that may include diarrhea or constipation. There could also be blood in the persons stool or constant abdominal pain. For Beaugrand-Jorgensen, the first symptom was vomiting, on occasion, which she attributed to stress. The second symptom was an extended stomach that grew and grew until she began to look pregnant. Then came the pain. That is when she pursued medical attention. I had seen Andrea the week before, and she looked fine, Malacara said. When she sent me the picture a week later of her extended stomach, it was crazy it happened so fast. Then came the bad news: colon cancer, stage 4. More bad news: the cancer had metastasized from her colon to her liver, stomach lining, and hip bone. Then the worst news: Her condition was terminal. Staying positive Despite the devastating news, Beaugrand-Jorgensen works to stay positive. She is keeping a journal for her daughter and writes letters to her for special occasions, such as a high school graduation, just in case she is not there to say what she wants to say in person. She plans to try applying to Medicaid again and will pursue local programs that help people with terminal illnesses. She also plans to continue to raise awareness of cancer in young adults and to encourage people to go to the doctor earlier rather than later. Beaugrand-Jorgensen continues to live by her motto, the one she turned into a tattoo when she was 30: Dream as if youll live forever and live as if you only have today Her friends and family continue to work on her behalf, adopting the motto on the T-shirts theyre selling that read: Her Fight is Our Fight: Andrea Strong. Andreas Angels include: Alissa Malacara, Karen Rasmussen, Terra Petro, Jessica Malacara, Erica Jensen, Katy Petro, Katie Nissen, Amy Michelson, Rebecca Welter, Jody Andersen, Natalie Caspers, Danielle Love, Chelsea Sullivan, Danielle Fliss, Tuna Kueny and Sheryl Petro. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Emmanuel Yeboah first joined the Ghana Street Children Apprenticeship Program in 2010 just after his mother passed away. Emmanuel had to resort to street trading in order to support his 3 siblings and was unable to finish school. Emmanuel heard about African Enterprise and the SCAP program from a friend and shortly after he was accepted for the tailoring course. He completed his training in 2013 and was able to set up a small workshop at home. By 2015 Emmanuel had his own shop with 2 industrial machines. Ben Sachie, the Team Leader for AE Ghana, has recently paid a visit to Emmanuel. He still has his shop and is doing well, he even makes the school uniforms for one of the local schools. Here is what Emmanuel recently shared about his time after finishing the program: By the space of one year after completing the vocation, I was having so many clients who brought their materials for sewing. It was too much on me that I had to teach my sister how to sew so that she can help me to serve our customers because the demand was very high. One and half years later I had my own shop. I think this is the doing of the Lord. My encounter with African Enterprise has been a blessing to me which I cannot express at all. God is indeed working through them and all their sponsors. I have decided that some time to come I will also give back to society. Ben Sachie, AE Ghana Team Leader, wrote the following about Emmanuel: Emmanuel is the epitome of hope and encouragement to every young person pursuing his carreer. His way of life, mannerism and character demonstrate his passion to work no matter how conditions become an impediment. His life summarizes a quote from Franklin Roosevelt which states that Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort. We will continue to pray for Emmanuel Yeboah that God will help him achieve greater height. Thank you for your support and for transforming lives across Africa. Your faithful support of African Enterprise and our programs has helped many like Emmanuel to gain skills and improve their quality of life. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) When stay-at-home orders took effect last year, many found themselves spending more time in the kitchen. Home cooking has become a coping mechanism for most of us while under confinement. It helps us prepare healthier meals, try new recipes, and even save money as daily take-outs could easily empty our digital wallets. This trend was a silver lining for Gourdos, a retailer of good quality specialty kitchenware and houseware. In this difficult time where people are home a lot more, supporting a business like ours will help bring a difference to everyones home life, shared Gourdos General Manager Susan San Miguel. We fulfill the needs and provide preferred tools and home goods to make staying at home more enjoyable and more relaxing. PHOTO FROM GOURDO'S Instead of getting out of the kitchen, Gourdos took the heat. The company put more effort into their online platforms and boosted their product selection and services. Aside from making improvements to their website, they also strengthened their digital presence at e-commerce platforms and added more delivery and payment options as well. For those who still prefer in-person interactions, Gourdos also takes phone-in orders and addresses social media inquiries to give customers a more personal touch. For operations, Gourdos put safety measures in all store locations, complied with mall requirements, and conducted regular store sanitation. For marketing, they adopted a more active social media presence and worked with mall marketing to boost exposure. PHOTO FROM GOURDO'S I would say that this pandemic has shown us what needs to be streamlined, how to be more in tune with the customers changing needs and demands, and to move at a faster pace to address current issues, San Miguel said. Gourdos management learned how to trust their employees to do their work from home. Remote work is doable. Not only does our team complete their workload, but theyre also keeping pace with production, and the morale is high. Teamwork is a must, especially during these stressful times, she added. The company also encourages innovative ideas from their workers as they all navigate this crisis together. PHOTO FROM GOURDO'S As part of the Shop Small movement, an initiative of American Express and BDO to help local businesses especially those affected by the pandemic, Gourdos customers with BDO-issued American Express Cards can enjoy 5x Rewards for purchases made until June 30, 2021. Points earned can be used to redeem a reward of choice from a selection of gift certificates, gadgets, appliances, air miles, and more. Support for retailers and local businesses will in turn, also help our employees during these difficult times and will help keep the malls stay relevant. It will also help open opportunities for other people who want to start their own businesses, San Miguel added. Shop Small is a movement founded by American Express to ignite passion for small and local businesses, call attention to the valuable contributions they make to their communities and the economy, and encourage shoppers to support them. Learn more at americanexpress.com.ph/shopsmall. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 17) Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Steven Robinson announced on Thursday Australia's additional donation of 480.2 million to procure COVID-19 vaccines for the Philippines. "This will make an important contribution to meeting the countrys vaccine needs in 2021," Robinson said in a tweet. Robinson said the new commitment is in addition to Australia's support through the global initiative COVAX to which it has contributed AU$ 130 million. The COVAX is co-led by Gavi, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, and the World Health Organization. It aims to ensure all countries get fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. The Philippines has so far received 5,025,870 COVID-19 vaccine doses from the COVAX facility. Early this week, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez said the country is expected to receive 44 million total doses from COVAX. Robinson said Australia also provided AU$ 7.52 million in vaccine delivery support to the Philippines through UNICEF Philippines and WHO Philippines. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 17) House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez has yet to decide if he will run for vice president in 2022 despite President Rodrigo Dutertes expression of support for his candidacy. Romualdez on Thursday thanked Duterte for his endorsement, but said he is focused for now on the administrations legislative agenda. Right now, Ive actually not made any concrete plans vis-a-vis a national run, pero vis-a-vis our work in the House, nakatutok pa rin tayo [we are still focused on that], he said in a press briefing. Romualdez, president of the political party Lakas-CMD, sidestepped questions about possibly running alongside Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte. However, he said he wants his party to strengthen its alliance with the mayors Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP). As we look towards the 2022 elections, kumbaga hindi kami maghihiwalay [in other words, we will not separate], in fact we will strengthen our alliance and we will formalize that very soon, he said. Romualdez also downplayed the possibility of a conflict between him and his cousin, former senator Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. due to Dutertes endorsement. Marcos emerged as a possible running mate of Mayor Duterte after visiting her in Davao City last month. I dont foresee any conflict as what youre anticipating. Kasi alam mo naman lahat ng mga conflict, mga problema, basta harapin natin, mag-usap-usap tayo bago magkaroon ng problema, maso-solve natin, he said. [Translation: I dont foresee any conflict as what youre anticipating. Because you know that all conflicts, problems, as long as we face them, and we talk before about them, we will be able to solve the problem before it arises.] Meanwhile, former Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Nonoy Andaya Jr. shrugged off Dutertes support for Romualdez. Andaya, an ally of former Defense Secretary Gilberto Gibo Teodoro, Jr., noted that Duterte made the promise to support Romualdez before his daughter emerged as a strong presidential contender. Things have changed dramatically. Sara wasnt even in the picture at that time. So obviously kumbaga outdated na yung promise na yun [in other words, that promise is outdated]," he said. "Probably, pinapakita lang ni Pres. Duterte na [Pres. Duterte is just showing that] hes a man of his word but deep down he knows na hindi yun ang gusto ni Sara [that's not what Sara wants], he added. Andaya said Teodoro will fly to Davao again on July 3 to meet with Sara and get his second shot of the COVID-19 vaccine. Teodoro had said he is willing to run for vice president alongside Sara once she firms up her political plans. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 17) The Philippines continued to bulk up its supply of COVID-19 vaccines made by Chinese drugmaker Sinovac Biotech after 1.5 million doses arrived in the country on Thursday. The shipment is the third batch of Sinovac vaccines to be delivered to the Philippines this month. One million more CoronaVac shots are arriving on June 24, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez said. The government expects to receive this month 4.5 million of the 6.5 million Sinovac shots it procured. Among the latest batch of Sinovac vaccines, one million were procured by the government, while the remaining were purchased by the Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. In a statement, Galvez said most of the government purchased doses will be allocated in areas with emerging and surging number of infections. These include areas in the Visayas and Mindanao, namely Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, General Santos, Dipolog, Cotabato City, Iloilo, Bacolod, Negros, Ormoc, Northern Samar, and Tacloban. Luzon areas, like Isabela and Calabarzon, are also part of the priority list. Meanwhile, FFCCCII President Henry Lim Bon Liong said half of their purchased vaccines will be distributed to provinces like Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod, Iloilo, and Dagupan, while the other half will be for Metro Manila. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said these coronavirus shots will be immediately deployed as the government waits for the vaccines certificate of analysis. He noted that regions have been instructed that administration will only start once this arrives, which is expected to be within three to four days. This document being issued by the manufacturer certifies that the doses the country received are of good quality and have the same specifications with the doses that were granted emergency use authorization. This is also a pre-requisite prior to the administration of the vaccines. The Department of Health on Monday said it has yet to distribute the one million Sinovac shots that were shipped last week pending the submission of the said document by the vaccine maker. (CNN) US President Joe Biden said he warned Russian President Vladimir Putin Wednesday of consequences if jailed Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny were to die in prison, though he declined to specify which actions he would take. "I made it clear to him that I believe the consequences of that would be devastating for Russia," Biden said. He continued, "What do you think happens when he's saying it's not about hurting Navalny, all the stuff he says to rationalize the treatment of Navalny, and then he dies in prison?... It's about trust. It's about their ability to influence other nations in a positive way." The State Department has said the US believes Navalny was poisoned by the Russian security services last year when he felt ill during a flight to Moscow and fell into a coma. Navalny was evacuated to Berlin after being hospitalized. That evacuation later led the Russia Federal Penitentiary Service to accuse Navalny of violating the terms of his probation by failing to show up for scheduled inspections while in getting medical care in Germany. Following his return to Russia in February, Navalny was sentenced to prison, where he remains. This past spring, Navalny went on a hunger strike to protest against prison officials' refusal to grant him access to proper medical care. During his time in prison, Navalny's supporters have said the opposition leader's health deteriorated and his legal team has said his condition was exacerbated by alleged "torture by sleep deprivation." Biden, who has posed autocracy versus democracy as a central theme of this moment, suggested he raised human rights extensively with Putin during the Geneva summit. "I also told him that no president of the United States could keep faith with the American people if they did not speak out to defend out democratic values, to stand up for the universal and fundamental freedoms that all men and women have in our view," he said. Biden also said he specifically discussed "concerns" about Navalny, and that he also raised the case of two imprisoned American citizens, Paul Whelan and Trevor Reed. Additionally, Biden said he emphasized the ability of Radio Free Europe to operate, as well as "the importance of a free press and freedom of speech." Asked about the Russian crackdown on Navalny's organizations and supporters, Putin responded during his earlier solo news conference in Geneva by talking about the Black Lives Matter demonstrations across the United States and the January 6 Capitol attack. "We sympathize with what is happening in the states, but we do not wish that to happen in Russia," Putin said. Putin said Navalny returned to Russia in order to be detained, knowing he had broken the law, but refused to say the opposition activist's name aloud. "This man knew that he was breaking the law of Russia. He has been twice convicted," Putin said. He repeated the official Russian position that Navalny had violated bail conditions by going abroad while unconscious after apparent Novichok poisoning last year, and failing to check in with Russian legal officers as required. "He consciously ignored the requirements of the law," Putin said. "The gentleman in question went abroad for treatment. As soon as he went to the hospital he showed his videos on the internet. ... He wanted consciously to break the law. He did exactly what he wanted to do. So what kind of discussion can we be having (about him)?" This story was first published on CNN.com, "Biden warns of 'devastating' consequences for Russia if Navalny dies in prison." Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 17) Gokongwei-led Cebu Pacific is sticking with its projection that the local air travel industry will start witnessing a pre-pandemic demand by 2022 as the Philippines' COVID-19 vaccine rollout is gradually gathering momentum, an official said Thursday. In a virtual briefing, Candice Iyog, Cebu Pacific vice president for marketing and customer experience, said that while uncertainties remain, the group is hopeful of experiencing a rebound next year when more Filipinos have been vaccinated against COVID-19. "To be honest, initially when it started rolling out and we were monitoring the inoculation rate, we were pleasantly surprised with 130,000 [vaccinees] a day. Now that A4 and private vaccinations [have already begun], were cautiously optimistic," she said. "Wed like to stick to what weve said before, but again so many things can still happen. What we do right now is we prepare for the bounce back and do everything that is within our control to support and aid that," Iyog added. As of June 14, the government said the 6.9 million vaccine doses million had been administered to 5.06 million Filipinos, including 1.87 million who have already received their second dose. For this year, the administration's target is to provide coronavirus shots to at least 50 million Filipinos. "We remain optimistic with the arrival of more vaccines and the pace at which the vaccines are being rolled out. With that pace, thats giving us the hope and optimism, that in due time our network will recover to pre-pandemic levels," the executive said. Iyog added the low-cost carrier is focusing on its local operations as it sees "a long way" to restore its international network. It currently operates flights to 32 Philippines destinations. In a disclosure dated May 10, Cebu Air Inc., operator of Cebu Pacific, said its net loss in the first quarter widened by a whopping 516.9% to 7.29 billion against the 1.18 billion posted a year earlier. READ: Cebu Pacific operator secures $250M in fresh capital as Q1 net loss widens to 7.29B Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 17) The operator of flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) may not have seen the worst of the coronavirus pandemic yet as it continues to suffer losses, bleeding by 73 billion in 2020 alone. The losses incurred last year were way higher than the 9.7 billion recorded in 2019 as its operations were "severely affected", PAL Holdings said in its financial report released on Thursday to the Philippine Stock Exchange. READ: PAL, Cebu Pacific seen to survive COVID-19 bankruptcy fears Revenues dropped to 55.26 billion in 2020 compared to the 154.53 billion a year earlier as the virus scared off travelers, coupled with government leaders' decision to close their borders or limit the operations, the company reported further. While PAL Holdings was able to cut its consolidated operating expenses by 46% to 81.84 billion from 151.66 billion amid limited flight operations, it said this was offset by weaker revenues in the period. Over a year into the COVID-19 crisis, the group is not yet out of the woods as it also booked losses in the first three months of 2021 totaling 8.57 billion, slightly down from the 9.27 billion in the same period last year. As a move to boost revenues, PAL has added more regular flights, in addition to new all-cargo services and special repatriation flights to North America, the Middle East, Asia, and across the Philippines. The group said its comprehensive restructuring plan is now in "the final stages". "PAL management will make the necessary disclosures at the proper time, once details are finalized," it said in a separate disclosure Thursday. "We are confident that the restructuring will enable PAL to strengthen its capital structure, meet stakeholder obligations and position the company for long-term success," the group added. Reports floated anew in May about PAL's alleged plan to seek bankruptcy protectiona move seen to help the flag carrier survive the coronavirus pandemic as it faces severe financial difficulties. PAL, however, remains mum on the alleged plan. The company had also conducted mass layoffs to cut expenses. RELATED: PAL to let go of 2,300 workers by mid-March Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 17) The government should find ways to verify inbound travelers vaccination status instead of shortening the COVID-19 quarantine period, an expert recommended on Thursday. I know that theres a debate in our country about shortening the quarantine, OCTA Research fellow and molecular biologist Fr. Nicanor Austriaco said in a Palace briefing. Let us follow the science. Instead of shortening the 10-day quarantine, we should seek ways to verify the vaccine status for returning Filipinos. Austriaco said he supports the implementation of a strict 10-day quarantine period for arriving passengers in both Metro Manila and Cebu, arguing that the policy will help prevent the entry of the more transmissible coronavirus variants. Why? Because the science shows that this quarantine is 99.7% effective at preventing variants from entering a country, he added. Under the Inter-Agency Task Forces rules, travelers are mandated to adhere to a 14-day quarantine upon arrival the first 10 days to be observed in a government-approved quarantine facility, while the remaining four days can be completed in their respective hometowns. Passengers would also have to wait until the seventh day of quarantine before getting tested. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 17) A team developing a COVID-19 vaccine administered orally may score funding straight from the government, the Palace said Thursday. Sa ngayon po, ang matutulong ng gobyerno ang DOST, Father (Nicanor) Austriaco, I'm sure you know already, can fund a clinical trial for the oral vaccine that you have, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said during his virtual briefing. We can even fund it using government money and the clinical studies would be conducted by leading universities, he added. Austriaco, an OCTA Research fellow and a molecular biologist, said theyre currently forming a scientific team at the University of Santo Tomas to perform the animal studies needed to apply for permission to conduct clinical trials for the human probiotic yeast-based vaccine. While his group in the United States conducted research and development on the vaccine, Austriaco clarified they did not use any funding from the US National Institutes of Health and utilized private funds instead. Im in conversations with UST to begin the process of patenting the oral vaccine here in the Philippines, he added. The OCTA Research fellow also shared that the vaccine is intended for the poor and they want to make it as cheap as possible. Roque mentioned that a reward awaits Austriaco and his team should the vaccine theyre developing be proven to be effective and safe, in line with President Rodrigo Dutertes promise last year. The chief executive in April 2020 offered a 10 million reward for any Filipino who can come up with a vaccine against the highly contagious disease. Unfortunately, that didnt happen in 2020 as last years Hometown Interns were denied the opportunity to meet in-person with the other interns and the rest of the NCF network. It was obvious how much that was missed as we observed this day of connecting for the 2021 interns and supervisors. Both virtually and in-person, one thing I can assure you is that the Hometown Internship program is connecting these students to their hometowns. In just the first couple years of its existence, we already have evidence that these summertime experiences are opening interns eyes to the possibility and benefits of life in Greater Nebraska. As internships are shifting from a tactic to find cheap labor to a true workforce development strategy, employers are learning they must connect these interns not only to a summer job, but just as importantly to a community. Thats part of the magic of the Hometown Internships: the job IS the community! Two of the NCF Hometown Interns will live and work in this area for the summer: Emily Erickson is in Albion, where the University of NebraskaOmaha student will manage social media for the Boone County Foundation Fund, as well as help with planning an asset map, newsletters and the Boone County Big Give event. Supervising Emilys work on behalf of the Boone County Fund are Tina Stokes and Mollie Morrow. Prime Minister Jean Castex said Wednesday that France is returning to a form of normal life again, as he announced that people wont have to wear masks outdoors any more, except in crowded places. The government confirmed children can remove masks in school playgrounds yet they remain compulsory in class for those aged 6 and above. The 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew will be lifted on Sunday. On Thursday, Health Minister Olivier Veran said night clubs will be able to reopen in July under strict regulations a first since the France's initial lockdown in March last year, The French tourist industry hopes to rebound over the summer as the country welcomes foreign visitors again on condition they have received one of the four EU-approved vaccines. Travelers are banned from 16 countries, including India, South Africa and Brazil, that are wrestling with virus surges and worrisome variants. France started gradually reopening its economy last month. Monuments and museums, including major sites like the Louvre and Versailles, are open, as well as hotels, cafes and restaurants. Tourists will still have to wait for the Eiffel Tower, set to reopen on July 16 after major renovation work. Local top story Cumberland County Hampden Township residents ask for authorities to re-engage after bureaucratic conflict over rock dam at Orr's Bridge Zack Hoopes, The Sentinel Residents who live along the Conodoguinet Creek in Hampden Township say creek levels are continually low after the removal of a dam at Orrs Bridge. Zack Hoopes, The Sentinel The new Orrs Bridge Road bridge is pictured crossing the Conodoguinet Creek in Hampden Township. Cumberland County says it will work with state and federal authorities to address issues purportedly created by the removal of a rock dam next to Orrs Bridge on the Conodoguinet Creek. However, no promises are being made, given that the matter appears, in the words of one official, to be a textbook case of bureaucratic quagmire. A group of residents from the area around the bridge appeared at Mondays county commissioners meeting to present their concerns. Since the structure in the creek has been removed, water levels upstream have dropped by roughly half, making the creek difficult to navigate for kayakers and other recreational activities, they said. The water level right now is about the same as it was when we were going through a drought emergency 10 or 15 years ago, resident Evan Jenkins said. Watch Now: New Orrs Bridge opens for traffic in Hampden Township The total allocation for the project is more than $7.9 million, 80% funded by the federal government, 15% from state government and 5% from the county. County officials arent sure that the rock dams removal is entirely to blame or that it could be legally replaced. The countys attempt to restore the dam last year resulted in the county being hit with a violation by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for an unpermitted water obstruction. Its not as simple as saying, Hey, lets put this back the way it was, county Planning Director Kirk Stoner said. An old permit from 1960 unearthed by resident Mike Blanchfield and displayed at Mondays meeting shows the dams proportions; a photo from the early 20th century shows calm water above the dams location with increased flow below, indicating the structure has likely existed for over a century, Blanchfield said. In 2008, according to Blanchfields documents, the DEP had issued notice that the dam had been breached, but that it required no further attention. This lowered the water level upstream, Blanchfield and other residents said, but not as low as it now stands. The county dismantled the rock dam to build a new Orrs Bridge in 2019, with the new span located adjacent to the old one. The new bridge opened in September 2020, after which the county went about rebuilding the rock dam to its original configuration. But in October, the DEP and the corps informed the county that the structure was unpermitted, hitting the county with a violation and ordering the work to be removed. The countys mitigation settlement, in lieu of a fine, is to build a new public boat ramp, which is tentatively to be sited in Hampden Townships Conodoguinet Youth Park just upstream of Orrs Bridge, Stoner said. Blanchfield and other residents questioned the wisdom of the arrangement, given that the removal of the dam means the water is too shallow to launch much of anything, they said. The confusion came from residents who had called state and county officials because they were either dissatisfied that the dam was being rebuilt or dissatisfied that the structure was too high and causing standing water, Stoner said. The stone finger sticking out into the Conodoguinet was for construction purposes and not the final reconstruction of the rock dam, according to Stoner; the finished product would have been adjusted to meet the height that the dam stood at before. But as soon as the DEP and corps heard about it, they ordered everything to be ripped out. Watch Now: Bridge replacement project gets robotic in Hampden Township TyBot, an autonomous rebar tying robot, is being used to help build an new bridge on Orrs Bridge Road in Hampden Township over the Conodoguinet Creek as part of Cumberland Countys initiative to replace aging bridges. Confusion This appears to be the result of confusion over what sort of dam existed prior to bridge construction, and if this constitutes a causeway, according to emails between the county and DEP that Commissioner Jean Foschi referenced during Mondays meeting. The rock dam was shown on the countys bridge construction plans as approved by the DEP, Foschi said, but the DEP referenced the dam in later emails as a causeway for which the county did not obtain a permit. They clearly saw that we were going to put the now-unpermitted rock dam back in the water, Foschi said. I am baffled, I am befuddled, by all these letters from the Army Corps of Engineers and the DEP telling us we have to take it out. We did exactly what the plan said. Blanchfield and other residents said their goal would be to have the rock dam rebuilt as it was before, or, for the time being, at least get some clarity on what it would take to get there. But the efficacy of a status quo solution is debatable, the county indicated Monday. Blanchfield presented water flow data from the federal gauge site in Hogestown indicating that average water flows on the Conodoguinet have remained steady since the Orrs Bridge rebuild project; but recent comparison photos show water levels upstream of Orrs Bridge lower relative to two years ago, with the lack of the rock dam being the controlling variable, Blanchfield said. But Commissioner Vince DiFilippo pointed out that some of the comparison photos were made when the water flow for those particular days was different; other than residents reckoning, theres no way to be sure that average water levels are consistently lower and that this is specifically due to the dams removal, county officials said. I cant see where ... the removal of [the dam] was the sole reason for the lower water level, DiFilippo said. I cannot render an informed judgment at this point, Commissioner Gary Eichelberger said. I have a hard time determining that anything is really different. Stoner cautioned against the county acting as a mediator to determine if the water levels were in fact different because of the dams removal, or if public opinion believed this was a good or bad thing. For us to play the mediator here ... is not within our authority, Stoner said. The DEP and corps can be re-engaged with regard to permitting, but its not a sure outcome. Theres a strong chance the DEP would simply determine that leaving the rock dam out is best for the health of the stream, Stoner said, and such a determination would come after significant time and money was invested into hydrological studies. If discussions with the DEP lead down that path, Stoner said, you dont do anything in the middle of a waterway that is quick and cheap. The Hamilton Restaurant has seen 15 U.S. presidents, economic depression, World War II and the rise, fall and rebuilding of downtown Carlisle as it served generations of the towns residents. On Thursday, the children of the past and present owners of the iconic restaurant unveiled a new marker celebrating its most famous offering the Hot-Chee Dog. The unveiling was held on the 83rd anniversary of the restaurants founding by Charlie and Mary Kollas. I am surprised and my father would be so humbled, said Helen Kollas, Charlies daughter, as she thanked the crowd for their support. He came here to the United States at the age of 15 with 50 cents in his pocket. Speaking for his father, Tommy Mazias who is in Greece for the first time since the onset of the pandemic, John Mazias offered his gratitude on behalf of the Mazias family. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Without you guys, this is not possible. For all the years that hes been here, hes enjoyed conversations and everything, he said. Destination Carlisle received a grant from the William G. Pomeroy Foundations Legends & Lore program to fund the marker. Consider all of last year prep for what lies ahead in summer 2021. Brace yourself to be challenged as things are about to get rough across America. The next viral controversial police shooting will soon occur, if it hasnt already. Police shoot and kill nearly 1,000 people a year. Many cases are questionable under honest assessments. George Floyds murder stands outside of the so-called gray area of these tragedies it was straightfowardly heinous and utterly preventable. However, the next case will likely be less clear. The person, probably a Black man, will be just as dead. His family just as devastated. Black activists, people who have spent their lives working to prevent such deaths, will be justifiably enraged. Will white gazes be averted, their attention less rapt this time around? Will they be able to sustain their fledgling activism through another protest-filled summer? Well see. Its unquestionable that many white Americans had their moral compass shaken by Floyds murder. To watch a man have the life literally choked out of him, that was a step too far to ignore. But generally, across the country, many white people are safely isolated from the brutal ways that policing looks different for people of color. Herbst, who reportedly was wearing a seat belt, was not injured. The report lists damage to the car as "total" and truck as "moderate." In a separate accident early Wednesday morning, a Cadet man was seriously injured on Highway 47 in Washington County. According to the MSHP report, Donald J. Eckoff, 19, was driving a 1998 Chevrolet Lumina southbound on Highway 47 at Jackpot Road at 1:30 a.m. when he failed to negotiate a curve to the left and over-corrected. The vehicle traveled off the left side of the road and overturned. Eckoff was taken to Washington County Memorial Hospital by Washington County Ambulance. The report says he was wearing a seat belt. The vehicle damage was listed as "total." As on early Wednesday morning, an Ironton 15 year old was moderately injured in an accident on Highway 32 in Iron County, a MSHP report said. At 3:30 a.m., 2013 Honda Civic was being driven by the juvenile eastbound on Highway 32, one mile east of Banner Road, when it ran off the right side of the road and struck multiple trees. The juvenile, who was listed as wearing a seat belt, was taken by ambulance to Parkland Health Center in Farmington. The other pending case stemmed from an alleged November attack on staff at the prison. A probable cause statement from that incident states that on Nov. 15, at 2:45 p.m., Heflin was in one of the facility's dayrooms and struck an officer repeatedly in the head and upper torso with a metal handicap rail. The report states two other officers entered the wing and directed Heflin to stop the assault. The man reportedly refused all directives and continued hitting the officer. At that point, the report states, an officer administered a short burst of pepper spray, which struck Heflin on the back. The man then became compliant, and an officer placed him in wrist restraints. As a result of the reported assault, the officer involved was transported to Parkland Health Center in Bonne Terre and treated for injuries to his left wrist, left upper arm, left ear, and the right side of his face. According to court documents, Heflin has two previous 2013 convictions of endangering a corrections officer with bodily fluids. He was sentenced to three years in prison for one of the convictions and two years of incarceration for the other. Both sentences were ordered to be served consecutively for a total of five years. Records show Heflin has multiple other prior convictions for crimes, including burglary, stealing, property damage, and possession of a weapon in jail/DOC. Bobby Radford is a reporter for the Daily Journal. He can be reached at bradford@dailyjournalonline.com Love 2 Funny 1 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 3 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. BRED Head of the South Pacific Operation and Acting CEO to BRED (Vanuatu) Limited, Mr. Darryl Constantin (l) and Alliance Francaise President, Mr. George Cumbo (r). Entrance to the school with school name and motto. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. UNIONVILLE The 550 cows at Keith and Deanne Marshalls Unionville dairy farm would seem to live an enviable life. They eat when they want. They get milked when they want. They have high-energy organic grasses in their pastures and they rotate among those daily. They even have waterbed-like stalls in the milking parlor that further their comfort before their milking. Its quite an operation. And its definitely not a traditional dairy farm. We cater to their every need, Deanne Marshall says with genuine affection for their 550-member, mixed-breed herd. Theyre very comfortable. Theyve got it made! Thats not to mean the dairy business is easy, though. For the Marshalls cows it may be, but the dairy didnt get here easily. Marshall said her husband, his brother and her father-in-law purchased the farm more than 40 years ago, but only in the last few years have she and Keith reimagined and specifically re-engineered their dairy farm operation to more of what she called a European operation. I dont think there is anyone else in the United States with an operation like this, she said. Were definitely the only organic, robotic dairy in this area. Following the end of Virginias state of emergency, people in Charlottesville and Albemarle County will not be prosecuted for continuing to wear masks for health reasons. Per a joint statement from Jim Hingeley and Joe Platania, commonwealths attorneys for the county and city, respectively, will not be prosecuted for violating the states concealed identity law. The state of emergency prompted by COVID-19 will end June 30, and a state law making it unlawful to wear a mask in public with the intent to conceal ones identity will go back into full effect on that day. However, per the release, the same law permits the wearing of masks to protect the safety of the wearer and other persons. Those who wish to continue to wear masks in public to mitigate the risks of COVID-19 spread and exposure may do so without fear of prosecution in Albemarle and Charlottesville, the joint statement reads. Please be safe and respectful of your fellow citizens. A Locust Grove woman has been charged with DUI and other infractions in the recent two-vehicle wreck in which another woman was rescued from a burning car. Virginia State Police Trooper J. Tanner is investigating the crash that occurred at 2:14 p.m. June 15 along Route 604 (Gold Dale Rd) at Childress Road off Route 20 near Locust Grove. The Orange County Sheriffs Office issued a release on the same accident earlier on Thursday in commending a deputy for saving a woman involved in the wreck. A 2013 Honda Civic was traveling east on Rt. 604 when it crossed a double solid yellow center line at a high rate of speed while attempting to pass an eastbound 2014 Mercedes C300, according to a news release from VSP spokesman Sgt. Brent Coffey. The Honda ran off the left side of the road, overcorrected, and collided with the Mercedes. The impact caused the Mercedes to collide head-on with a tree, and catch fire. The Honda ran off the right side of the road, overturned, and collided with a fence. The driver of the Honda, Sky L. Travers, 21, of Locust Grove, suffered minor injuries in the crash and was transported to Mary Washington Hospital. She was not wearing a seatbelt. The official Twitter account for the Virginia Chiefs of Police echoed Schrads comments in a post on Saturday. The statement brought about swift criticism. Princess Blanding, an activist and third-party candidate for governor whose brother, Marcus-David Peters, was fatally shot by a Richmond police officer during a mental health crisis in 2018, said online that permission to use discretion is permission to discriminate. We know and we continue to see, especially if youre Black and brown, how that ends, Blanding said in an interview, calling Northams decision reckless and unnecessary. When you say police can use their discretion, I can see an officer saying, Oh, well, I thought she looked like this or I thought she did that. Inconsistency and subjectiveness is very dangerous, especially when someone has the power to take your life, incarcerate and brutalize you. Northam spokeswoman Alena Yarmosky said that Virginians who wear masks for health reasons, and not to conceal their identities, would not run afoul the law. She said clarifying or changing the law to protect against people being unduly arrested or charged is a job for the legislature. RICHMOND Virginia wont extend key pandemic-era eviction protections past the end of the month, Gov. Ralph Northams office said Thursday. The decision came as two of the states foremost legal aid organizations urged Northam to keep certain safeguards in place using his executive authority. In a letter sent Thursday, the Legal Aid Justice Center and the Virginia Poverty Law Center asked the governor to preserve the protections currently slated to cease when Virginias State of Emergency expires June 30. Thousands of families could be at risk of losing their homes if the protections lapse and eviction filings and judgments return to pre-pandemic levels. These protections were originally enabled for the benefit of tenants and landlords to assure housing stability during this crisis a crisis that has not yet ended and will not immediately evaporate come July 1, the letter stated. If Northam does not step in, Virginia will no longer require landlords to notify tenants about how to apply for rent relief through a state-run program, or apply or seek the funds to cover delinquent balances tenants owe. A provision that forbids landlords from proceeding with an eviction for 45 days while waiting for a relief application to be approved also would end. Nearly 10% of Virginias 6,047 licensed child care facilities were still closed as of May 28, according to data from the Virginia Department of Social Services. But even when centers reopen, they may be doing so with less capacity. The industry is still subject to the same masking, sanitation and distancing guidelines put in place last year. And because children younger than 12 still arent eligible for the COVID-19 vaccines, Cutchins said facilities are still required to cohort children and employees in smaller groups. The bottom line is that it makes staffing and staffing patterns more difficult, she said. Before the pandemic, for example, it was possible for one employee to watch two children from different classes if they arrived before the school day started. But under the current guidelines, those children would need to stay separate to lower the potential risk of exposure. As a result, most providers need more staff than usual to reopen fully. Currently, many of those positions are going unfilled. Rich Schultz, president of Smart Beginnings of Greater Richmond, a nonprofit coalition focused on early childhood education, said his coalition began polling local providers and found that of the 26 child care programs theyve reached so far 85% reported staffing shortages. In total, there were 114 open teaching positions across all of the facilities. Yes. I will do my part to conserve household energy usage, even if I'm uncomfortable in my home. No. It is too hot to conserve household energy usage. I already conserve, even before ERCOT requested it. Maybe, depending on the reason ERCOT provides and whether or not I am home during that time. Vote View Results Andhra Pradesh: Ice & fuel prices tie down fishing boats to coast by Vasu Potnuru June 17,2021 | Source: The Hans India Even as the 61-day-long ban comes to an end, the fishing harbour is yet to bounce back to life in Visakhapatnam. The surge of fuel price, ice and essential supplies have poured cold water on the plans of fishermen as most of them defer fishing until the situation improves. Last year, the cost incurred for a fishing trip was about Rs 3 lakh to Rs 4 lakh. Now, it costs around Rs 8 lakh to Rs 10 lakh per trip. Depending on the boat's capacity, each trip might last for five days to three weeks. Around 700 mechanised boats are registered with the Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour. Of them, only 40 to 50 per cent of the boats are planning to set out for fishing on Wednesday night. Sharing their woes with The Hans India, vice-president of Matsya Parisramikula Sankshema Sangham V Thathaji said, "Compared to last year, the number of mechanised boats has been reduced by 20 per cent. Even if lakhs of rupees were invested for each fishing trip, there is no guarantee that we could reach at least break-even. Ever since the breakout of the coronavirus pandemic, the situation is unlikely to improve." In Visakhapatnam, close to 15,000 families depend on fishing, while 20,000 families rely on its allied sectors. The boats were anchored at the harbour on April 15 at midnight. There are as many as 739 upgraded vessels and 3,400 engine boats in Visakhapatnam. Traditional boats sum up to 1,000. Stressing on the precautionary measures to be considered, Deputy Director of Fisheries P Lakshman Rao says, "Since the boats remained idle for 61-days, the maintenance works need to be completed before venturing into the sea." Keeping the sea condition in view, the Deputy Director of Fisheries recommends group fishing. Since the weather is not conducive, fishermen are advised to use the GPS facility to ensure tracking of the vessel. The Fisheries Department has been building awareness about Covid-19 safety protocols for the past few days. Announcements on safety measures are made through a public addressing system at the Fishing harbour. Tough to keep boats afloat Though the fishing season begins, the rise in the cost of supplies, ice and fuel has added to the difficulties of fishermen. As a result, the boat owners are yet to ready the finance required for the fishing even as the 61-day-long annual fishing ban concluded. Not just that, the steep hike in the diesel prices which is close to a century is going to add to the woes of fishermen. Ice, which is extensively used for shelving the catch both onboard the vessel and offshore, has gone beyond the common man's reach as its price has been hiked by 50 per cent. In addition, the price of most essential supplies has increased more than 50 per cent. With 20-30 per cent of the mechanised boats being run, availing loans from private finance firms, the financial burden of the fishermen has only doubled during the current year with increased costs. 2021 Hyderabad Media House Limited/The Hans India. India: Fishermen advised not to venture into sea till tomorrow June 17,2021 | Source: The Hindu The district administration has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea till June 18 as strong winds are likely along the Kerala and Karnataka coasts and the Lakshadweep region. District Collector Navjot Khosa referred to an India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning that wind speeds could reach 40-50 kmph in these regions during this period. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has warned that high waves in the range of three to four metres are likely along the Kerala coast till 11.30 p.m. on June 17. Coastal communities have been asked to remain alert. The district administration has urged fishermen to secure equipment, including boats, stored on the beaches. The administration has also asked the public to avoid trips to the beaches. The district is likely to receive only light to moderate rainfall till June 20, as per an IMD update on Wednesday evening. 2021, THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD. Himachal Pradesh: Breeding season on, 2-month ban imposed on fishing June 17,2021 | Source: The Tribune The fishing in the Pong Dam reservoir on the foothills of Kangra district was banned for the next two months today in view of fish breeding season. Sprawling over 24,000 hectares, the manmade water body, which is 42-km long and 19-km broad, is providing livelihood to nearly 2,800 fishermen. As per official information, the Pong reservoir is producing Singhara fish species which is around 60 per cent of the total fish production. It fetches the highest price in the market. Apart from this, species of Rahu, Katla, Common Carpe and Mahasheer are also produced here which are in huge demand. Sat Pal Mehta, Director, Fisheries Department, Bilaspur, said the department planned to put fish seed worth Rs 29 lakh in the Pong reservoir in the current breeding season and 360 tons of fish production was expected this season. During fish breeding season each fishermen will be paid Rs 1,500 per month as off-season allowance-cum-financial relief. The department is also providing free accidental insurance cover of Rs 2 lakh to every fisherman apart from providing quality fishing nets and boats on subsidized price to them, he said. Mehta said to check illegal fishing during the two-month fishing breeding season the Fisheries Department had geared up its machinery and deployed a flying squad which would use motor boat to keep close look on illegal fishing in the Pong reservoir. A special patrolling camp comprising department and outsourced employees had also been set up at Nagrota Surian for conducting round the clock patrolling around the reservoir. The Fisheries Department imposes blanket ban on fish catching every year in Gobindsagar, Pong, Chamera, Kol Dam and Ranjit Sagar reservoirs. Fishing has also been banned in all rivers in HP for two months from today. The Tribune Trust, 2021 The Lebanon school board is continuing to examine its options for a potential bond measure in 2022. Lebanon Community Schools has the opportunity to receive between $4 million and $8 million in state matching funds if voters approve a bond to pay for necessary maintenance and improvements. The question is how large a bond and how high a property tax rate voters will be willing to approve. The board members discussed the issue during their public session on June 10. The discussion centered on the Lebanon Community Pool, which needs extensive repairs. The price tag for a full remodel of the pool is about $9.5 million. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Lebanon Express. Superintendent Bo Yates asked the board if they support the pool project in that form. What I need is some direction on if you feel comfortable with us moving forward in this process at that price point, where that is going to be a total rehab, Yates said. School board chair Tom Oliver said the decision will ultimately fall to the voters. He is interested in hearing from the community before putting the bond on the ballot. The district is currently working to hire a polling firm which will survey voters later this summer or in the early fall. After a momentous test run, the dragons donors got free joyrides before the carousel opened to the public. Cecilia reverted back to a little kid while she giddily bobbed up and down atop the dragon as the carousel spun. Its normal for anyone to look child-like when riding on a carousel, but Cecilia has a special childhood connection to this animal in particular. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Albany Democrat-Herald. The Gores, who live in Corvallis, have been supporters of the historic carousel for decades. Their names can even be found on the walls of the building itself, high up toward the rafters in a place of honor reserved for people and businesses who donate large sums to the organization. But Yun Hsiang is a symbolic addition for the Gores since its name, Yun, was Cecilias maiden name when she grew up in China and then Taiwan and the Chinese character found on the pearl that the dragon clutches is actually a physical representation of her maiden name. Hsiang means, harmony and the symbolism of the dragon, both in Chinese culture and in the hopes of the Gores when they donated it, is to promote friendship and unity. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} The creation of something beautiful is always worthwhile, said Cecilia Gore of why they sponsored the new installation. Our hope is that it will make the world brighter and more enchanting for children. Milley also acknowledged that a collapse of the government or takeover by the Taliban could have broader impacts on the strides women have made in Afghanistan. And the military has said it will be far more difficult to collect intelligence on terror groups in the country, if there is no American presence there. Once the withdrawal is completed, U.S. military and intelligence agencies' ability to monitor and counter extremist groups inside Afghanistan will be limited, but the Pentagon says it will use over-the-horizon" forces to keep a lid on the threat. The hope is to place surveillance aircraft and other assets in one or more neighboring countries, but no such arrangements have yet been made. That means the counterterrorism effort will have to be conducted from bases farther away, in the Persian Gulf area. A related concern is that the Taliban, which are seeking greater political leverage in Kabul and could attempt to take power, may retain its associations with al-Qaida, whose presence in Afghanistan was the reason the U.S. invaded in the first place. U.S. officials have questioned whether the Taliban will fulfill a promise made in a February 2020 agreement with the Trump administration to disassociate itself from al-Qaida and to prevent any extremist group from launching attacks on the U.S. from Afghan soil. Recently a congressman who perhaps slept through his high school physics class suggested altering the moons orbit as a way to avoid the climate emergency. Here is another harebrained idea that might even be workable: The big corporations cannot consider all possible routes forward, because by law they may do only things that enhance shareholder income. That sidelines a lot of good ideas! There is another source of good ideas, many of which will be workable, hiding in plain sight. This is that we put aside all notions of getting rich on the solution, and ask the women. There are presently 3-plus billion of us, most of whom have never been consulted on anything that really matters. We have thousands of years experience in keeping our families alive and keeping people together in the face of adversity. We have good minds. The ideas we come up with may not do much for corporate profits in fact, we might even steer away from that model. But they will surely be humane and practical, and will respect the earths environment. Really, can we afford to ignore the intelligence and experience of half the worlds population? Marjorie Smith * Username This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely! University_of_north_texas featured How a Dave Ramsey financial program has sparked outrage at UNT Don Campbell, The Herald-Palladium/AP file photo Personal money management expert Dave Ramsey signs books for fans in Benton Harbor, Mich., in 2017. His company, Ramsey Solutions, is behind SmartDollar, a workplace financial wellness program that the University of North Texas has adopted. A financial literacy tool proposed earlier this year by the University of North Texas is drawing flak from some employees who question the universitys motives. SmartDollar, a workplace financial wellness program, caught some of the criticism, but the bulk of faculty members concerns have been pointed instead at the company that produces the tool Ramsey Solutions. The purpose of this was to try to raise our employees overall financial wellbeing, UNT President Neal Smatresk said earlier this month. SmartDollar is a program designed for companies to offer to their employees to save them money the implication being, some critics have suggested, that its a cheaper way to give workers a pseudo-bump in pay. An executive summary packet for the tool instructs employers to stop the employee money stress thats hurting your bottom line. The reality is Americans are struggling with their money, and these problems follow your employees to work, it continued. This is killing your business! The program is built on the back of financial advice from founder Dave Ramsey. In addition to his company, Ramsey is an author and hosts a popular radio show where he discusses finances and Christianity. Ramsey and his company gained a degree of infamy over the past year as at least two former employees filed lawsuits naming his company. The first centered around a woman who claimed she was fired for becoming pregnant while not married, which the employer claimed broke the companys righteous living policy. One lawsuit filed against Ramsey Solutions The latter was filed by an employee who claimed he was fired for speaking out against Ramseys alleged lack of pandemic safety protocols that looked down upon employees who wore masks instead of placing faith in God. Smatresk said the university didnt know about those controversies until after signing a contract with SmartDollar. He had shown interest in bringing SmartDollar to the Denton campus as early as Dec. 1, 2020, according to emails the Denton Record-Chronicle obtained through a Texas Public Information Act request. The Record-Chronicle analyzed 369 pages of emails related to UNT administrators conversations about SmartDollar and Ramsey. Records were redacted for a variety of reasons under the law, but it wasnt clear how extensively because UNT makes all redactions using white instead of black boxes. Emails showed that, internally, UNT higher-ups were pitching the SmartDollar program at least partially on the back of Ramseys reputation, and at least once acknowledged there was some disagreement about how helpful his advice was to many people. Records also showed that Debbie Rohwer, chief of staff and vice president for planning at UNT, emailed a SmartDollar representative in early April asking for guidance. She said shed just come from a UNT Faculty Senate meeting where they blasted the Dave Ramsey company for the bad press around firing and asked if the company could provide any information to combat that lest the Faculty Senate continue on that theme and hurt participation in the program. The program had been fairly well received at the UNT Health Science Center in Fort Worth, and it fit nicely into Smatresks existing affordability initiative. He told those attending UNTs Faculty Senate meeting on April 14 that roughly 15% of eligible employees had enrolled in SmartDollar so far. Five percent of them signed up within the first few hours of program launch, according to internal emails. Typical enrollment for all clients ranged closer to 30-35% on average, according to email records obtained by the Record-Chronicle. That number hadnt shifted much when Smatresk was asked in early June, but he was clear the program was still in its pilot launch. He said those who were enrolled were largely happy with their experience so far. Screenshot UNT President Neal Smatresk is shown during his State of the University address given earlier this year. Smatresk had internally greenlit staffers to accept a roughly $55,000-per-year price for SmartDollar by Jan. 7. He acknowledged via a phone interview in early June that there are lecturers, instructors and faculty members still making relatively modest salaries, but he saw SmartDollar as a relatively inexpensive way to help alleviate some of that burden. For less than one salary, in many cases, we can help a lot of our people gain financial independence, he said at the time. Smatresk said he feels a great responsibility to continually improve the quality of life, the pay equity structures and the future financial security of everyone who works for UNT because of its status as a major employer for the Denton area. Deliberations between the university and company were virtually complete by Feb. 3, the paperwork was signed by Feb. 25, and the first payment made the following day. The final three-year contract, also obtained by the Record-Chronicle, showed the first year would cost $60,500. That included a $15 charge for each of the 3,700 eligible employees and a one-time eligibility fee of $5,000. By March 10, administrators were more seriously considering how to bring the SmartDollar program to UNT Dallas and UNT System employees. Between then and the programs May 1 launch for eligible employees and graduate students, a series of national articles from a variety of news organizations reported more widely on the twin lawsuits facing Ramsey and his namesake company. Caitlin OConnor, the former employee-turned-litigant who was pregnant, filed her lawsuit on July 20, 2020, and the Tennessean reported fully on that filing when it was entered the next day. Despite that, it didnt find more widespread coverage until a month or so after UNT signed on the dotted line with SmartDollar. Smatresk has repeatedly contended he had no knowledge of the lawsuits or their contents before the contract was signed with SmartDollar. In statements to the Faculty Senate in April, Smatresk said multiple times he wasnt attempting to defend the companys actions but that its not the universitys responsibility to vet the morality of each company it contracts with. He compared SmartDollar to Chick-fil-A in that regard. At the time of our selection, there had been no controversy surrounding [Ramsey Solutions] that we were aware of, he told those in virtual attendance. Despite that, he did seem at least partially aware of what to expect before he came on camera at the April Faculty Senate meeting. A professor let Smatresk and Provost Jennifer Evans-Cowley know ahead of time that senators would like to know more about the Smart Money program. Such as how it came about etc. Smatresks reply via email, in its entirety: Thanks I am sure they want to talk about Dave Ramsey sigh. He didnt quite come out of the gate swinging during that meeting, but he had this to say before he opened up for questions: About a month ago, there were two different articles that were published which you can call articles, you can call clickbait or you can call attack articles or slam articles, depending on what youd like He said he wasnt exactly clear on the truth of the matter, but the articles were based upon legal filings and comments only from the former employees attorneys. Professor Tracy Everbach, when her time came to speak several minutes later, responded to Smatresks criticism of various newspapers. As a journalist, I want to say that I did review the same stories that you talked about, and I did not see those stories as hit jobs, she said. I saw those stories as factual information being reported about a lawsuit. She and other senators were clear that women on campus were uncomfortable being asked to give a variety of personal information to a financial tool operated by the same company that is alleged to adversely target female employees who engage in premarital sex. Smatresk was clear, as were assurances from SmartDollar via email, that all information given to SmartDollar is kept confidential. Graduate student Tiffany Miller, addressing UNTs plan to roll out SmartDollar to graduate students, was among multiple speakers who spoke against how strongly the university was promoting the program. Its almost insulting to have a program pushed towards you to help you manage your money when the problem isnt that youre not managing your money well, she said. Its that youre not making enough to cover your cost of living, so I want to make you aware. She also suggested the university put its money where its mouth is if it truly wants to be an inclusive, diverse community that supports women and the LGBTQ community by not contracting with companies that make a point of not supporting those very causes. Earlier in the meeting, Smatresk had made a suggestion regarding people who dont support a companys stances: What I would suggest is that if there are concerns about SmartDollar, just like if there were concerns about Chick-fil-A, one does not need to partake of the product. Denton, TX (76205) Today Cloudy skies this morning followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. High 88F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Increasing clouds with showers arriving overnight. Low 74F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. The consumer durables and electronics manufacturer Arcelik Global has signed a strategic business agreement with Nokia and Turk Telekom to deploy the first private wireless network in Turkey. Under the terms of the partnership, the 5G-ready private wireless network will be deployed at Arceliks Cayrova-based washing machine manufacturing facility. Leveraging Nokia technology, the 5G-ready network will create a platform for Arcelik to accelerate its digital transformation and deliver 4.0 use cases. At Arcelik, we are committed to integrating new technologies into our business model and this deployment positions Arcelik at the forefront of manufacturing digitalization, said Utku Bars Pazar, Chief Strategy and Digital Officer, Arcelik. According to a joint press release, an initial application will see the network deliver pervasive, reliable low-latency coverage throughout the facility to enhance automated guided vehicle (AGV) performance. With AGVs used throughout the manufacturing process for component logistics, improved connectivity will enhance AGV speed, control, and operational efficiency. Nokia and Arcelik plan further collaboration to develop and implement additional use cases in the mid-term. The network will support high-accuracy indoor positioning for real-time asset location tracking as well as enabling new video analytics-based applications for site safety and security, it said. The release said that further potential use cases include augmented and virtual reality, digital twins, inventory control, safety, and facility management, quality control, high-resolution video for remote inspection, and facility-wide voice and video communication. Under the agreement, Nokia will also provide solution design, deployment and ongoing managed services. Turk Telekom will provide a 4.9G/LTE spectrum and also will be responsible for the project end-to-end management and governance model. Nokia will deliver industrial-grade private wireless infrastructure based on the Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (DAC) platform. Nokia DAC is a digitalization platform capable of providing reliable high-bandwidth, low-latency, private networking. It also incorporates local edge computing capabilities, voice and video services, and a catalog of digital-enabler applications. 6/17/2021 Page Content The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and Pacify, a health technology company that provides 24/7 infant feeding support to new and expecting parents, announced the first Diversity in Lactation Consulting scholarship winner. Crystal Lovett will receive $1,000 to cover the cost of the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners exam required to become an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). The scholarship is designed to improve diversity among lactation consultants. Lovett is the first Diversity in Lactation Consulting scholarship winner in West Virginia. Crystal is the perfect choice for this award, said Jodi Giancola, State Breastfeeding Coordinator for the WV WIC program. She is a mission-driven person who cares deeply about improving health outcomes for families in her community. Pacify enables new and expecting parents to connect to a nationwide network of IBCLCs who provide infant feeding support via video chat. Pacify works to implement evidence-based strategies that not only increase rates of breastfeeding initiation, duration, and exclusivity but also boost engagement with vulnerable populations, which leads to improved outcomes and a reduction in costs associated with care. One strategy is ensuring parents have an opportunity to connect with a provider with whom they can relate. This can be accomplished by ensuring more local IBCLCs are available in every state. Crystal will be an amazing lactation consultant, said Melanie Silverman, chief clinical officer of Pacify. The lactation profession has a long way to go to improve diversity but Crystal joining the ranks of lactation consultants is a bright spot as we work towards better representation of minority groups within the field. I truly believe she will be a valuable asset to West Virginia, and we are excited about the opportunity to be a part of her journey. West Virginia professionals can apply for the next round of scholarships by visiting https://www.pacify.com/diversity-in-lactation-award /. Applications must be completed by December 31, 2021 and will be reviewed by February 2022. After receiving amazing support from hospital and community lactation consultants following the births of my children, I knew I wanted to work in the maternal child health space and help other families navigate their journeys through pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding, Lovett said. Becoming an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant will equip me with knowledge and skills to reach many families in diverse situations. The West Virginia WIC program provides nutrition counseling, parenting advice, breastfeeding support, food assistance and referral support to help families live more healthy lives. WIC services are free for pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women and children up to the age of 5. Pacify is the leading health technology company that provides 24/7 clinical and social support to new and expecting parents. Pacifys nationwide network of IBCLCs, and registered nurses have helped more than 100,000 families, resulting in reduced costs and improved outcomes for clients across the public health sector such as WIC, Departments of Health, home visiting programs, managed care organizations, hospitals, non-profit organizations, and employers. Learn more about Pacify by visiting https://www.pacify.com Is Cubas New Policy Towards MSMEs a Response to Brussels? If the Government has decided to support MSMEs now, it is likely because it is enticed by the lure of European money. The Cuban government certainly "shines" for its decidedly deliberate decisionmaking. In the last 62 years, things have only happened when and if it suited the regime. Public opinion, economic benefit and the people's rights are only taken into consideration once the State, after it has decided to do something in its own interest, seeks to wrap it up in good intentions for the populace. Often the Government spends years and not just a few mulling over an issue, "investigating" what is already known and about which there is plenty of international experience, including that of pre-Castro Cuba; and then creates commissions that study it, then micro-experiments that it fine-tunes to its liking, then a pilot plan in a municipality that is only later extended to the province ... And then one must wait for a congress of the Party, the ANAP, the Pioneros, or whatever occurs to them, to take the final step, which is always a little one. In view of the calamitous state of the country's infrastructure, the infinite difficulties the people are suffering daily, the gloomy scenario in light of the lack of medicines and basic foods, how can the authorities be so cynical and move so slowly (and claim that it is for the good of the people) towards the urgent and radical transformations the Cuban economy needs? The only thing forcing Castroism to change are the circumstances spawned by its own ineptitude. If it weren't for the fact that it no longer has an international victim to exploit, we would not even be seeing these timid, hesitant and very sluggish steps towards some degree of economic freedom if permits for ventures that do not usually go beyond earning basic levels of subsistence can be classified as such. Along this line came the recent announcement that the Council of Ministers approved a "refinement for actors in the Cuban economy", which includes socialist state enterprises, non-agricultural cooperatives, MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises), and the self-employed." This, when it would be so simple to deregulate private property and grant people freedom! But this will not happen; Prime Minister Manuel Marrero announced that "initially (the MSMEs) will not engage in some professional activities, including those that can be carried out by self-employed workers." The Government is in no hurry. It is probing and experimenting, terrified of losing the control it wields over the people, and dreading the emergence of an autonomous social sector that could live without the State, or even confront it. The people's dependence on the State is an unshakable, basic principle of Castroist doctrine. Nor have the Cuban authorities lost all hope that, at some point, they will find another source of external funding (if only Biden listened to them...) so that they can then halt and quash any advances towards individual freedom, as they have done on previous occasions. So, why now the announcement that they "approved" this "refinement" (God only knows what that means) affecting the country's economic actors? Why now, after so much posturing, have they tackled this issue? Clearly, approving the MSMEs pains them, which is why they will be saddled with more restrictions than "self-employment." The natural thing would be for it to be integrated, not for it to exist in parallel to the MSMEs, because, what are a cobbler, a farmer or a slushie seller if not businesspeople? The reason why they have done so now may be closely related to a recent news item: the mediation of the Cuba Humanista platform, led by the Christian Democrat Yaxys Cires, who appealed to the US State Department and the European Union, the latter showing willingness to "support the development of capacities and access to financing by Cubas non-State sector." Financing? Anyone who has seen the old show Sabado Gigante, on Univision, will remember its catchphrase: "Where's the dough, where are the bills, where's the money?" And that is, now the Cuban Government's "Hail Mary full of grace..." and it more willing than Judas to do anything for a few coins. If the European Union has money to help Cuban MSMEs, "the only thing missing to get our hands on that jackpot is to create them," the Communist government, characterized by its passion for capitalists money, must reason. To finish where we began: the only sure thing in Castroist Cuba is that nothing happens if the Government does not deem it to be in its best interest. If it is moving to bolster MSMEs now, it is probably because it is enticed by the prospect of European money. Moscow, ID (83843) Today Mostly sunny skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 91F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight A mostly clear sky. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 59F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. The green, metal box was stuffed inside a bright pink pillowcase and stashed in the bushes behind Christopher Zacherys house. He hauled it out for a better look. Stenciled on the box: Cartridges for weapons. Inside were 30 armor-piercing grenades. I was scared, said Zachery, who runs a construction company. And confused. How did these high-powered explosives end up in his southwest Atlanta backyard? Where did they come from? Investigators determined the waylaid grenades were last seen eight month prior on an ammunition train that rolled out from Florida. Someone had stolen them somewhere on the rails to Pennsylvania, another example in an Associated Press investigation that shows how the militarys vast supply chain is susceptible to theft. Marines call the squat, 40mm rounds that appeared in Zacherys yard on that sunny morning in February 2018 40 mike-mikes. Theyre linked together to feed into an MK 19 launcher, a weapon that is like a machinegun for grenades, able every second to shoot one nearly a mile. Awaiting the bomb unit, Atlanta police evacuated five houses in both directions, as well as neighbors across the street. The rounds can penetrate three inches of steel and have a kill radius of nearly 50 feet. MIAMI (AP) Royal Caribbean International is postponing for nearly a month one of the highly anticipated first sailings from the U.S. since the pandemic began because eight crew members tested positive for COVID-19, the company's CEO said. The brand new Odyssey of the Seas was to set sail from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on July 3 but is now postponed to July 31. Royal Caribbean Internationals CEO Michael Bayley said late Tuesday on Facebook that the decision had been made out of an abundance of caution," adding that the company is also rescheduling a simulation cruise scheduled for late June. While disappointing, this is the right decision for the health and well-being of our crew and guests, he said. Bayley said all 1,400 crew members aboard the Odyssey of the Seas were vaccinated on June 4, but two weeks had not passed for their bodies to build protection against the virus. Six of the crew members who tested positive are asymptomatic and two are mildly sick, he said, adding that the company has quarantined all crew members for 14 days and will continue routine testing. Detectives are interviewing and re-interviewing people who might hold the keys to knowing why a gunman opened fire on his co-workers at an Alabama fire hydrant factory, but the answer might prove elusive, a police official said Wednesday. Andreas Horton, 34, used a handgun to kill two co-workers at the Mueller Co. plant in Albertville and wound two others before dawn Tuesday, authorities said. A few hours later, Horton was found dead in his vehicle in nearby Guntersville from what police said was a self-inflicted gunshot. He had parked along a road beside the cemetery where his mother was buried after dying of cancer at age 40 in 2011. The Albertville police forces entire detective division is working on the case and trying to learn the motive, Assistant Police Chief J.T. Cartee said Wednesday. But he said that based on his experience and the fact that Horton is dead people might never know why it happened. They're trying to get that answer to that question that everyone wants to know why?," Cartee said. We might not ever know why. That doesnt sit well with folks but in my years of experience, I've learned that we dont always get all the answers." Wallace Community College has extended scholarship offerings to assist students in the wake of the financial stress created by COVID-19. Wallace added 45 institutional scholarships totaling $576,000 for students enrolling fall 2021 and has extended the application deadline for 144 private scholarships totaling $200,000 through the Wallace and Sparks Foundations. The College also offers several fine arts scholarships (music, both instrumental and voice, art, and theatre) year-round. According to Anthony Jouvenas, director of financial aid, the college awarded 67 two-year scholarships in June totaling nearly $900,000; however, the need was such that Wallace created the 45 additional funding opportunities. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Finances can be a big hindrance for students who are getting into school, Jouvenas said. We wanted to offset a portion of the expense for those who want to further their education. Institutional scholarships are funded by the college and include assistance for two years with academics, as well as career-technical and health sciences programs. The college also offers 144 privately funded scholarships through its two foundations in Dothan and Eufaula. Dr. Tracy Brooks notes these scholarships are available for specific programs as well as general studies. Iranians were voting Friday on who should be the country's next president amid tensions with the West over its tattered nuclear deal with world powers. While the race is wide open due to President Hassan Rouhani being term limited from running again, authorities barred his allies and nearly every reformist from entering the race. That has analysts believing hard-line judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi is the clear front-runner. The only competitor who represents a stand-in for Rouhani's administration, the former Central Bank chief Abdolnasser Hemmati, has argued others in the race serve as proxies for Raisi and allow the cleric to avoid criticizing him directly. Heres a look at the candidates competing. EBRAHIM RAISI Raisi, 60, is a hard-line cleric close to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who has vowed to combat poverty and corruption. In 2016, Khamenei appointed Raisi as head of the Imam Reza charity foundation, which manages a vast conglomerate of businesses and endowments in Iran. Khamenei called Raisi a trustworthy and highly experienced person, causing many to wonder if he might also be a possible successor to the supreme leader himself. The SBC has passed many resolutions reaffirming the importance of human life at all stages of development, but we have yet to call for the immediate abolition of abortion without exception or compromise, the resolution stated. Past conventions had included the single exception of abortion being permissible when the physical life of the mother is in imminent danger, but Wednesday's resolution didn't mention that exception. The resolutions committee of the convention had not planned to offer this one for a vote, saying the convention's opposition to abortion was already well-established, but the delegates voted to bring it to the floor. The measure declared the murder of preborn children is a crime against humanity that must be punished equally under the law. It did not say who would be prosecuted, and whether that would include a woman procuring an abortion. A separate resolution approved the previous day, opposing taxpayer funding for abortion, called on Baptists to love, care for, and minister to women who are victimized by the unjust abortion industry. Ed Stetzer, executive director Wheaton College's Billy Graham Center, attributed the push for a second resolution to Southern Baptists' frustration with the lengthy battle on what they consider an urgent moral issue. Vietnam plans to tax 1.5 percent of annual e-commerce revenues of VND100 million ($4,297) and higher as part of leveling the field between traditional and online retail merchants. A decree with new regulations is set to take effect on August 1, but authorities have said they might give e-commerce platforms more time to prepare for taxation regime. E-commerce platforms will need to provide authorities with monthly reports on their merchants, revenues, bank accounts and types of goods. Tax officials had said earlier that the current taxation regime is unfair to traditional sellers who have to pay other overheads, while online sellers have been escaping several taxes. Taxing sellers through e-commerce platforms would also help prevent the sales of contraband and fake goods, the officials said. Vietnams e-commerce market expanded by 18 percent last year to $11.8 billion, the only country in Southeast Asia to record double-digit growth amid the pandemic, according to the Vietnam e-Commerce and Digital Economy Agency. The Amazon logo seen at Amazon campus in Palo Alto, California, U.S. Photo by Shutterstock/Tada Images. Global giants Amazon and Alibaba are racing to recruit more Vietnamese vendors on their platforms seeking to boost their share of a booming e-commerce market. Amazon saw the number of Vietnamese merchants exporting at least $1 million worth of goods from Vietnam triple last year. The surge was driven by demand for tools, kitchenware, handicrafts, home goods, and apparel. "Vietnamese sellers have enriched our global product selection," Gijae Seong, head of Amazon Global Selling in Vietnam, told Nikkei Asia. Amazon Global Selling is a business set up to recruit more Vietnamese merchants on Amazon, seeking to boot e-commerce trade between Vietnam and its largest export market the U.S. The company opened a Hanoi office in March to train new sellers, adding to its Ho Chi Minh City branch. Seong said companies "have competitive advantages in manufacturing" in Vietnam, where a wave of factories have relocated from China to sidestep the trade war with the U.S. and to reduce other costs and risks. Chinas Alibaba has also been making moves to have more Vietnamese sellers. In March, a company representative said that it planned to have over 10,000 Vietnamese small and medium-sized enterprises selling on its platform by 2025. It has been working with government authorities since last year to run training programs for Vietnamese vendors. As of March, over 300 companies have been provided consultancy in online cross-border sales. The competition between the two giants is heating up as e-commerce booms in Vietnam with rising demand for online shopping amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Its e-commerce market expanded by 18 percent last year to $11.8 billion, the only country in Southeast Asia to record double-digit growth amid the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the Vietnam e-Commerce and Digital Economy Agency. Many foreigners are stressed over the uncertainty of their present and future in Vietnam, especially during pandemic times, if visa policies are tightened. Over the past month, Olivia Taylor (name changed), an Australian residing in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), has been living in "a state of nervousness." She's been informed that authorities were going to stop renewing both tourist visa and business visa extensions. Taylor, who has a tourist visa, has been waiting for Vietnam's borders, closed over Covid-19, to open up for everyone. She has been in Vietnam for nearly two years and works as an English teacher. She is not planning to return to Australia because it will be expensive for her to stay in quarantine there (more than $2,300). Furthermore, she loves being in Vietnam, where she has felt safe during the pandemic, and wishes "to be part of" the life here. So she asked her school where she teaches to apply for a work permit which would cost her around $1,000. Taylor has 10 days left, "but I still don't know if my application will be accepted or not. I hope that everything will work out for me." Foreigners are at beach in Mui Ne, Binh Thuan Province, March 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Viet Quoc. In a worse situation, Robert Miller (name changed), an American, said he'd just lost his second job as an English teacher when his employer, an English teaching center in Bac Giang, closed as the northern province became the country's new Covid-19 epicenter. Miller had already given up his main job in the IT sector. Without any income, unable to afford paying rent in Hanoi, he moved to Da Lat in the Central Highlands to live with his friends. Describing his predicament as an "impossible situation" in terms of getting a work permit, Miller said he had just days left on his visa. He was advised to pay for a Temporary Residence Card (TRC) but agents have increased the price. It used to be around $1,600 and now they require much more. Miller, like Taylor, loves being in Vietnam and wishes to find a job to settle down here. But the pandemic has made getting a new job extremely difficult. Miller does not want to return to the U.S. as "the vaccine doesnt solve the issues of mutant strains. "I don't know what to do right now." Miller and Taylor are one of the few people who agreed to share their plight. Meanwhile, many expats in different groups on social media have expressed their worries about Vietnam's so-called new visa policy. Most of those posting their concerns were very busy finding a way to extend their visa. Undue haste Miller felt the authorities had "hurried" in issuing the new regulation on visas. He suggested that foreigners should be given more time, around a few months, instead of a few weeks to prepare to change. Vietnam can try to create a better system to root out illegal workers while allowing people on legal visas to extend their stay during the Covid-19 crisis, he said. Concurring with Miller on the advisability of "longer preparation", Taylor said she would like the Vietnamese government to give people who want to submit new visa applications around three months time. With that, they could find a way to save money for their tickets to return to their home countries, or explore job opportunities in other countries. Then there would be more people with legal work permits and visas in Vietnam. Taylor said that many of her friends had lost their jobs because of social distancing regulations in various provinces. They were having to use their savings, which would otherwise be spent on plane tickets or visa extension, to buy food and pay rent. In other words, they can't afford to leave or start again with other plans because they are financially constrained without enough work. "It has been a very hard time, it's like running around in circles. People feel very stuck." Taylor hoped that in the next six months, Vietnam eases regulations thanks to vaccines, so that foreigners can have enough money and leave safely. Alternative destinations At present, many foreigners were discussing the chance of going to Mexico as they could not extend their visas in Vietnam, Taylor said. Mexico had a similar cost of living in Vietnam and people could become part of the society there too, she added. People were also considering other places like Croatia and Portugal that offer special visas for those who can prove that they make online incomes. It's called a visa for digital nomads, she said. "However, I don't know if making a big change like that (going to other countries) would be a very wise decision." As a person who has been stuck in Vietnam due to Covid-19, William Wilson (name changed), also felt that the new regulation on visas was issued in haste. Wilson, who did not want to reveal his nationality, said that the issue now is that there were not enough flights for foreigners to leave. He estimated that planes had very limited capacity for reservations, around 30 percent. Therefore, if people can book a ticket to go home they should be given a visa until that time, which is "not that hard. "The solution is not that complicated, let them buy a ticket and leave," he said, adding that he has a family back home and wanted to see them. Choosing an option to leave Vietnam at the end of May, Curtis Edmonds, a retired veteran American, said he had come in on a tourist visa as he traveled to different parts of the world. He didn't plan to stay as long as he did, but "he fell in love with the place." Edmonds lived in Vietnam since 2018 and conducted a visa run every 90 days. Later, his agent offered him a business visa that would allow him to stay an entire year without doing visa runs. "I said yes! I had no clue it was illegal or under a shell company, until this new wave started." One day, his agent informed him that he should try to find a sponsor or get a job before his visa expired on June 1, 2021. After examining the situation, Edmonds knew it was his time to leave Vietnam for good. Though he had never done anything illegal in the country, "finding that I was living there illegally was a very scary situation." He and his girlfriend and her family were heartbroken as they said goodbye. Later, he found that it would take a minimum of one year for her to be able to go to America. But Edmonds remained upbeat. "I hope I will be back in Vietnam by 2022." Containers with Covid-19 vaccine doses aided by Japan arrive at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, June 17, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Tran Minh. A Japanese donation of 966,320 doses of a Covid-19 vaccine arrived in Hanoi on Wednesday night. The AstraZeneca vaccines are meant for Ho Chi Minh City to immunize priority groups. Receiving the consignment at Noi Bai Airport, Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said Vietnam is the first Southeast Asian nation to receive vaccine support from Japan. "Vietnam is committed to using this batch of vaccines effectively and quickly. On Thursday the vaccines will be transported to HCMC to inject people in priority groups, especially factory workers." HCMC has been dealing with complicated pandemic developments with multiple clusters of unknown sources. The city recorded 99 local cases on Wednesday, its highest daily number since Covid-19 broke out in Vietnam. Yamada Takio, the Japan ambassador to Vietnam, said his country wishes to cooperate with the international community to overcome the pandemic. "Try your best, Vietnam, lets beat the pandemic," he said. With the new arrivals, Vietnam has around four million doses of vaccines now. As of Thursday around 1.77 million people have got shots, mainly frontline Covid workers, with 72,325 getting two. Vietnam aims to secure 150 million vaccine doses this year to cover 70 percent of its population. A medical worker performs Covid-19 genetic sequencing at a laboratory in HCMC, February 22, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Huu Khoa. Vietnam recorded 212 local Covid-19 cases Thursday noon in five localities, the Ministry of Health announced. 178 cases were recorded in the northern province of Bac Giang, 30 in Ho Chi Minh City, two in the southern province of Tien Giang and one each in the central neighbors Ha Tinh and Nghe An. The cases in Bac Giang are all associated with existing outbreaks in the province's industrial parks. All the cases in Tien Giang, Ha Tinh and Nghe An had made contact with confirmed Covid-19 patients. 25 cases in HCMC had made contact with coronavirus patients, two are associated with a Christian mission Covid-19 cluster, and for the other cases, the sources of infection are unknown. The country has recorded a total of 370 cases so far on Thursday. In the new wave that started in late April, 8,781 local infections have been recorded in 40 cities and provinces. Bac Giang has the highest number of infections with 4,945 cases, followed by Bac Ninh with 1,448 cases and HCMC with 1,135. Vietnam would cooperate with Cuba to produce a Cuban Covid-19 vaccine after the Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals (IVAC) receives the necessary production tech. The Abdala vaccine produced by Cuba has passed all three phases of human trials, with the third involving around 48,000 people aged 19-80. However, the vaccine has yet to undergo clinical trials in any other country, Cuban Minister of Public Health Jose Angel Portal Miranda said Wednesday. Initial trial results showed the vaccine is effective against certain coronavirus variants (Beta and Gamma), safe to use and immunogenic. The vaccine requires three shots, spaced 14 days apart. It could be stored between 2-8 degrees Celsius. Cuba could produce around 100 million Abdala vaccine doses a year, of which only 30 million doses would be reserved for domestic use. As such, Cuba is willing to cooperate with Vietnam on vaccine supply and tech transfer to produce it, said Miranda, adding it could even open two production facilities in Vietnam in case of high demand. Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long supported the decision, adding the ministry would report to higher authorities to decide on how many doses Vietnam would purchase. Vietnam is also producing four domestic Covid-19 vaccines: Nanocovax by Nanogen, Covivac by IVAC, and two others by the Vaccine and Biological Production Company No. 1 (Vabiotech) and the Center for Research and Production of Vaccines and Biologicals. Nanocovax has entered its third phase of human trials, being tested on 13,000 volunteers and expected to last until the end of September. Besides its domestic vaccine sources, Vietnam is also seeking foreign Covid-19 vaccines either through contracts or global vaccine access mechanism Covax. The country has inoculated over 1.5 million people since March using a Covid-19 vaccine produced by AstraZeneca, mainly prioritized for frontline Covid-19 fighters. Vietnam is looking to secure 150 million doses to cover 70 percent of its population. On April 14, President Joe Biden announced that the United States will pull the last of its military personnel out of Afghanistan by September 11, 2021. However, President Biden explained that although the United States will cease its military involvement in Afghanistan, U.S. assistance will continue. Well continue to support the government of Afghanistan. We will keep providing assistance to the Afghan National Defenses and Security Forces, he said. On June 4, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced in a written statement that as part of this commitment to the people of Afghanistan, the United States will provide more than 266 million dollars in new humanitarian assistance. This assistance from the American people will help our international humanitarian partners provide support to some of the estimated 18 million people in need in Afghanistan, including more than 4.8 million Afghans internally displaced, said Secretary Blinken. This year alone, more than 115,000 persons have been displaced by conflict inside Afghanistan, and nearly 500,000 have returned to Afghanistan in need of assistance. The funds will go to providing shelter, job opportunities, basic healthcare, emergency food, water, sanitation, and hygienic services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, this assistance helps to address protection needs for the most vulnerable Afghans. This includes women and girls facing particular risks, including gender-based violence, as a result of the pandemic and decades of conflict, said Secretary Blinken. For many years, the United States has prioritized support for Afghan returnees, refugees, and displaced persons. As the United States withdraws military forces from Afghanistan, our enduring commitment is clear. We remain engaged through our full diplomatic, economic, and assistance toolkit to support the peaceful, stable future the Afghan people want and deserve. We urge Afghan leaders and the Taliban to accelerate progress toward a negotiated political settlement and permanent and comprehensive ceasefire to bring an end to over forty years of conflict and create the conditions that will allow refugees to return to their homes safely. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently announced a commitment to the people of Afghanistan of more than $266 million in new humanitarian assistance. Taylor Marie Brummet, 27, of Roseville, California, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit possession of a controlled substance and was sentenced to 60 days in jail. March 22 Ralph Joseph Hodges, 69, of Rawlins, Wyoming, pleaded no contest to one count of luring a child and one count of open or gross lewdness and was sentenced to two years in jail. Department 2 Judge Al Kacin April 15 James Ryan Blake, 34, of San Bernardino, California, pleaded no contest to one count of possession of visual presentation depicting sexual conduct of a person under 16 years of age, four counts of statutory sexual seduction and one count of sale or transportation of a controlled substance and was sentenced to 7 to 18 years in prison. April 20 Steven Neil Ackerley, 39, of Wyoming, pleaded no contest to conspiracy to commit battery with the use of a deadly weapon and was given a suspended sentence of 180 days in jail and was placed on probation for one year. ----- ELKO Great Basin Elks held a flag presentation on Flag Day, June 14. After the public educational session on the history of the American flag, a member of the scholarship committee introduced regional student winners for this years scholarship program. This program helps young people with their education and their future, said committee chair Nancy Neef. Our scholarships are a prime example of the many projects our Elks do throughout the country. The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks offers scholarships nationally through our Elks National Foundation, through state Elks organizations, which ours is called Nevada State Elks Association, and local lodges throughout the country. In spite of the Covid restrictions impacting our fundraising this year, we were able to raise $8,100, Neef said. Four thousand came from our Nevada State Elks Association and $4,100 came from our local lodge. This year our local lodge is granting a total of seven scholarships, five for high school students in our county, which we are awarding today, Neef said. Two additional awards will be granted to Great Basin College students this fall. Neef introduced the local scholarship recipients who were able to attend the ceremony. NDOT was resurfacing sections of the road when the shooting occurred. The agency released a statement on the condition of their employee, stating he remains in stable condition at an area hospital. All of us at NDOT were heartbroken to learn about the tragic shooting of one of our valued team members, said Kristina Swallow, Director of the Nevada Department of Transportation. I want to wish our team member a speedy recovery, and I want to thank the law enforcement agencies and medical professionals for responding quickly to the scene and providing first aid. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} NDOT has more than 800 highway maintenance experts statewide dedicated to keeping Nevada highways safe and clear, NDOT said. Safety is NDOTs top priority, and any fatal or serious injury on Nevada roads is truly a tragedy. For NDOT, that is never more true than when an incident involves an NDOT team member working to keep highways open and safe for Nevada drivers. The identity of the suspect will be released in the next few days, according to the NHP. No other outstanding suspects connected to the shooting, the NHP added, and there is no risk to the public. As of 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, State Route 278 remains closed from US-50 to the Eureka/Elko County line, the NHP said. A CDC-led study published in December 2020 that analyzed 7,000 samples from American Red Cross blood donations suggested the virus infected some Americans as early as the middle of December 2019. The latest study, published Tuesday online by the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, is by a team including researchers at the National Institutes of Health. They analyzed blood samples from more than 24,000 people across the country, collected in the first three months of 2020 as part of a long-term study called "All Of Us" that seeks to track 1 million Americans over years to study health. Like the CDC study, these researchers looked for antibodies in the blood that are taken as evidence of coronavirus infection, and can be detected as early as two weeks after a person is first infected. The researchers say nine study participants five from Illinois, and one each from Massachusetts, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin were infected earlier than any COVID-19 case was ever reported in those states. One of the Illinois cases was infected as early as Christmas Eve, said Keri Althoff, an associate professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the study's lead author. NEW ORLEANS (AP) The Biden administrations suspension of new oil and gas leases on federal land and water was blocked Tuesday by a federal judge in Louisiana who ordered that plans continue for lease sales that were delayed for the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska waters and all eligible onshore properties. The decision is a blow to Democratic President Joe Biden's efforts to rapidly transition the nation away from fossil fuels and thereby stave off the worst effects of climate change, including catastrophic droughts, floods and wildfires. U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty's ruling came in a lawsuit filed in March by Louisiana Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry and officials in 12 other states. Doughty said his ruling applies nationwide. It grants a preliminary injunction technically a halt to the suspension pending further arguments on the merits of the case. The omission of any rational explanation in cancelling the lease sales, and in enacting the Pause, results in this Court ruling that Plaintiff States also have a substantial likelihood of success on the merits of this claim, he wrote. CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) A northern Nevada attorney who has questioned the results of the 2020 presidential election and was outside the U.S. Capitol the day it was violently stormed has announced he's running for governor. Republican Joey Gilbert told an applauding audience at the Ahern Hotel in Las Vegas over the weekend that he planned to challenge Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak in Nevada's 2022 gubernatorial race, according to a video of the event posted on Facebook. Gilbert's assistant Andrea Wexelblatt said he was unavailable to comment Tuesday but she confirmed his campaign announcement to The Associated Press. Gilbert, a former professional boxer, said in his remarks Saturday that he believed Donald Trump won the 2020 presidential election and was still our president." Let me say this: If election integrity is not the No. 1 issue of these guys running, then theyre either lost, confused, or too stupid to be running, he said, referencing other Republicans who intend to run. He positioned voter fraud allegations at the center of his campaign, falsely claimed COVID-19 vaccines were unproven and urged people not to take them. He also referred to the coronavirus as a plandemic, using a term that suggests the pandemic was intentionally created. As the Senate returns to work and faces a fistful of thorny issues from upgrading infrastructure to upholding voting rights the ghost of a man named Jim Jeffords haunts the Capitol. Jeffords, who died in 2014, served three terms as a senator from Vermont. And 20 years ago, in May of 2001, he rocked the political world. At that point, the Senate was equally divided between 50 Democrats and 50 Republicans, just as it is now. Because George W. Bush was president, however, Vice President Dick Cheney could break ties, so Republicans controlled the chamber. Jeffords was a classic progressive New Englander in a Republican party whose center of gravity was shifting to the South, to the West, and especially to the right. Increasingly, I find myself in disagreement with my party, he stated. Given the changing nature of the national party, it has become a struggle for our leaders to deal with me and for me to deal with them. Finally, that tension overwhelmed Jeffords. He left the GOP, became an independent and threw his support to the Democrats. Overnight, Tom Daschle of South Dakota replaced Trent Lott of Mississippi as majority leader, Democrats took over the committees, and Jeffords became head of the Environment and Public Works panel. Since March 2020 the federal government has been offering out-of-work Americans an extra $300-per-week in unemployment benefits, but 25 Republican-led states have now decided to cut that short. The payments were scheduled to continue until 6 September, after President Biden extended the programme that was introduced during the Tump administration. But now an estimated four million Americans will have the support cancelled before the end of July, with Alaska, Iowa, Mississippi and Missouri having already removed the additional payments. From 19 June residents of Alabama, Idaho, Indiana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, West Virginia and Wyoming will no longer be able to receive the payments after their Governors decided that it was impeding the job market's recovery. Indiana lawsuit demands that additional unemployment benefits remain One of those set to end the programme this week is Indiana, but state Gov. Eric Holcomb is now facing a legal challenge over the decision. Indiana Legal Services, an organization which provides free legal assistance, and the Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis filed a complaint on Monday on behalf of five residents who are set to lose their unemployment benefits. The lawsuit claims that the federal unemployment programme has served as a vital lifeline for thousands of Hoosiers," using the colloquial term for Indiana residents. It continues: "By prematurely deciding to stop administering these federal benefits, Indiana has violated the clear mandates of Indiana's unemployment statuteto secure all rights and benefits available for unemployed individuals." The lawsuit argues that for gig workers and some self-employed workers the additional unemployment benefits provide the only financial support available and are therefore essential to cover food, rent and other essentials. The claimants attorneys are requesting a preliminary injunction which would extend the payments while the case continues. What has the White House said about the decision? Biden was eager to see the additional unemployment benefits extended when he entered office and he maintains that September is an appropriate time for the programme to end. Speaking on 4 June, upon announcing the latest jobs report, Biden said "it makes sense" for the additional payments "to expire in 90 days." However on this issue the Labor Department has no power to oblige states to participate in the federal unemployment programme and must respect the decisions made by the respective state governors. There is concern that the decision to end the additional benefits will disproportionately affect people of colour, who have generally been worse-hit by the pandemic. The National Employment Law Project said: The brunt of the impact will be felt by Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and other people of colour. What has Federal Reserve Chairmen Jerome Powell said about inflation? Officials from the Federal Reserve -- the US Central Bank -- have met this week to discuss and plan the next steps as the economic recovery continues. In a press release put our by the organization yesterday, 16 June, projections to inflation were increased and more information was provided on how the bank will apply quantitative easy practices. During the meeting, participants were asked to provide projections on, "the most likely outcomes for real gross domestic product (GDP) growth, the unemployment rate, and inflation for each year from 2021 to 2023 and over the longer run." These projects are based on the information available as well as their individual perspective on what "appropriate monetary policyincluding a path for the federal funds rate and its longer-run valueand assumptions about other factors likely to affect economic outcomes." GDP Growth Most of those who participated in the meeting estimated that GDP would rise more than seven percent this year, followed by increases around 1-3 percent over the next three years. Unemployment Rate The officials estimated that unemployment would reach pre-pandemic levels in 2023, but could move up slightly in the long run. Inflation Inflation has been a major topic of conversation in economic circles lately. The projections from the meeting show that most present believe inflation will rise around 3% this year, but return to normal levels next year and into the future. See all projections and models here. What could the Fed to do lower inflation? The main tool used to lower inflation is to increase interest rates. By increasing interest rates, the price of borrowing money increases which usually leads to a decrease in the money circulating throughout the economy. Inflation can be an indicator that too much money is flowing, causing prices to rise artificially which can send markets into chaos. However, abrupt changes to interest rates often impact the most economically vulnerable people as businesses and the government tighten their wallets and less money becomes available. https://flv1.gmw.cn/gma/20210617/20210617153946492_4647.mp4 Foreign residents participated in a zongzi-making activity held on June 9, 2021, in Konggang Sub-district, Shunyi District, Beijing. Zongzi is a pyramid-shaped sticky rice dumpling wrapped up with bamboo or reed leaves. Making and eating zongzi is a tradition to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival, which falls on June 14 of the Chinese calendar this year. For the foreign residents participating in the activity, it was a great opportunity to have a taste of Chinese culture. [ Editor: SRQ] A Uygur family in Yuli county, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, April 15, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua] It is regrettable but true that genocides have taken place throughout human history. They have wiped out many ethnic groups, nations, and sects from the face of the earth. The massacre of Native Americans left millions of indigenous people dead. According to some estimates, as many as 100 million Native Americans died from diseases that Europeans brought to their land. Throughout the 1700s and 1800s, the US continued to kill the remaining natives. One of the most horrific genocides is the Holocaust. The Nazi government in Germany exterminated the Jewish population from Europe during the Holocaust. The Nazi-run concentration and mass extermination camps killed about six million Jews. During the period, the Nazis also exterminated other ethnic groups, including Slavs, the Romani, and even the mentally handicapped. The Nazis killed more than 16 million people before World War II came to an end in 1945. The death of Rwandan President Habyarimana ignited the spark for the Hutu majority to lash out against the Tutsi minority resulting in the barbaric Rwandan genocide. Then, extremist Hutu groups killed around one million Tutsi across the country in only 100 days. History proves that genocides happened in various countries for different reasons, and the targeted populations have been massacred. The wholesale killings are fairly common in genocides. Thus the words "genocide" and "mass-killings" have been used interchangeably. But now we have a situation where we are seeing a "genocide" that has killed nobody but helped the growth of the population of the targeted ethnic group. This ethnic group is the Uyghur in Xinjiang of China. The US and its allies have long been spreading the lies of the genocide of this ethnic group in Xinjiang, but the Uyghur population has constantly been growing for decades. As far as I can remember, former US secretary of State Mike Pompeo first used the term "genocide" against China. Just one day before the Biden administration took office, Pompeo said that China was committing genocide and crimes against humanity in its repression of Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang. Though Pompeo came up with the accusation last year, the US and its allies have long been working on creating a suitable pretext of making the allegation against China. Therefore, some like-minded Western politicians and their favorite media are running a propaganda war over Xinjiang. As part of the war, they are disseminating one after another fake news of concentration camps, mass detentions, mass surveillance, human and labor rights violations, genocides, crimes against humanity, forced birth control, etc. However, many delegations of the Organization of Islamic Countries, UN Human Rights Commission, journalists, diplomats, religious leaders, and politicians have debunked the propaganda by visiting Xinjiang and witnessing the situation on the ground by themselves. They have also praised China for the vast development and poverty eradication in the region. Just as the devil would not listen to the scripture, so too the US and its allies never take into account the actual situation on the ground in Xinjiang. They never pay heed to the accounts of the aforesaid official eye-witnesses. They are still declining all rational points and evidence. Nothing can stop them from running the propaganda of genocide in Xinjiang. Their outright lies have naturally been debunked as the truth can never be suppressed. Many experts and analysts have dug out the truth behind the Western propaganda stories. The population of the Uyghur community in Xinjiang speaks volumes of their real conditions. Everyone knows if the accusations of genocide are true, the population of the group would decline. But the fact is that in the four decades between 1978 and 2018, the Uyghur population in Xinjiang has increased from 5.55 million to 11.68 million, accounting for 46.8 percent of the total population of the region. The latest census data released by the regional statistics bureau said that the population of the Uyghur rose by 1.62 million, or 16.2 percent from a decade ago, to more than 11.62 million. The Uygur still stand as the majority, with 44.96 percent of the overall population of Xinjiang. Over the decades, not only the population has increased, but also people's education levels have considerably improved, and population mobility and the urbanization development level have grown, the statistics bureau noted. Education attainment has increased in the region, with people receiving a better education and more years of schooling. The number of people with a university or college education rose to 16,536 per 100,000, from 10,635 per 100,000 in 2010, which was 1,069 more people than the national average. With stable socio-economic development in Xinjiang in recent years, the region has attracted talents and investors to work or start a business, ensuring a steady growth of the local population. As a result, abject poverty has bid adieu from the region forever. In 2020, the per capita disposable income across urban areas of Xinjiang stood at 34,838 yuan, posting an average annual growth of 5.8 percent during the past five years. In rural areas in Xinjiang, it was 14,056 yuan, up about 8.3 percent each year over the same period. Given this information, questions have arisen as to what type of genocide has happened in Xinjiang where the population has witnessed a fresh rise. Many wonder how Xinjiang continues to post vast economic growth and socio-educational development if there are any crimes against humanity in the region. They have raised the question whether the "genocide" is helping the Uyghur population grow in Xinjiang. Md Enamul Hassan is a news editor and broadcast journalist at China Media Group in Beijing. The opinions expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of China Daily and China Daily website. [ Editor: Zhang Zhou ] Harald Simeon Buchmann, Intellisia Senior Research Fellow Different president, same tactic: when lacking success at home, blame China. Those hoping President Biden would although still opposed to China at least be more diplomatic, fact-based, and honest have recently been disappointed. On the big picture, while his foreign minister Anthony Blinken tried and failed to lecture China on the "international rule based order" in an embarrassing performance in Anchorage, Alaska, Biden already illegally bombarded Syria, killing dozens of people outside of any legal justification, broke a deal between the US and the Taliban about withdrawing US troops from Afghanistan by end of May, and now has launched a propaganda mission against China, politicizing Covid-19 in the style worthy of his predecessor Donald Trump. The fact that Biden advises not a medical team, but the US secret service to "look into" the origins of Covid-19, and the fact that all major Western news networks had articles on Wuhan published within one or two days after this announcement, clearly indicate that the public opinion is much more the target of President Biden, than actual facts or research. The fact that President Biden demands outcomes within a fixed and very short timeline of three months, further raises the suspicion that this "investigation" is not about finding facts, but rather about controlling the narrative. What could Biden's spies find within three months that medical experts of the WHO couldn't find within more than a year? To be fair, many Americans feel the terms and conditions under which the most credible international body, the WHO, is working with China does leave room for Chinese manipulation, as the WHO teams don't have completely free and unsupervised access to all sites and people in China. To also be fair, the Chinese may be quite uneasy at the thought of American delegations walking around in Wuhan without any eye witnesses doing things that nobody can verify afterwards, and there's good reason for the Chinese suspicion: After disguising CIA agents as vaccination teams to find Osama bin Laden and for other covert ops, combined with the famous lie about Weapons of Mass destruction to justify the devastating invasion into Iraq by US led military forces, leading to millions dead, displaced or economically ruined, there's understandably little trust in any accusations coming from the US, not just in China. And given the very strong grip of the White House over all Western media when it comes to reporting about Asia, the Chinese know if a covert ops team inside Wuhan plants and communicates fake evidence, no scientific proof could undo the damage and later discovery of the truth would most likely not make it into the headlines or only after the damage to China is done. It's perhaps an irony of history that the journalist Michael R. Gordon is now an important voice pushing the narrative of alleged "staff at a Wuhan virus research lab getting sick in late 2019", exactly 20 years after the very same Michael R. Gordon was an important voice for promoting the debunked idea of Iraq having Weapons of Mass Destruction - Iraq didn't have those weapons, but the mass destruction that followed in form of a US-led, illegal invasion was not just against international law and the rules based order at the time, it also led to the direct death, the impoverishment, and the displacement of millions of people. Mr. Gordon being involved in both narratives may just be coincidence, or not. To avoid joining the hysterical noise of different factions accusing each other of lying, lets have a look at the historic facts: Research on archived blood samples has shown, that Covid-19 viruses were already present in both Europe and in many states in the US in late 2019, i.e. before the virus was first discovered by Chinese scientists - and importantly also before the now famous Wuhan physician Li Wenliang informed some people privately that there may be an unknown SARS virus. Li Wenliang is a frequently misunderstood figure in the West, or his action is distorted on purpose, so a quick word on him: first, he didn't try to inform the public, but a small circle of friends, who then forwarded his message until it became public. Second, he never suggested there was any form of cover up from authorities, in other words he never saw himself a "whistleblower" who leaks a "secret". Third, in a situation where the scientific evidence is still unclear whether there is an unknown virus at all and whether such a virus is actually dangerous, the last thing anyone could wish for is a mass panic. As some have argued, had people in Wuhan believed in a dangerous virus before any scientific evidence, a mass exodus could have taken the virus all across China and the world in a much faster pace and containment of the spread would have been impossible. This brings us to the important question, why containment ultimately failed in most parts of the world: living in a place with 24 million inhabitants - a mid-sized country in Europe but just a city in China - I can personally testify that containment of Covid was possible. Almost nobody died of Covid-19 in Beijing (or any other region in mainland China outside Hubei), in Vietnam, in Mongolia, or in North Korea (though data on North Korea may be questioned). In late January China had analyzed the DNA of the virus, developed test kits and invented the methods of social distancing and wearing masks, which in combination were sufficient to prevent the spread of Covid-19. In April China opened up and travelling on a national scale was possible again. No major outbreak happened on mainland China after that. Europe and the US in late January had all the information available in China, from the lockdown of Wuhan indicating the seriousness of the danger, to the DNA sequence and test kits, to the social methods applied in China. At the same time the number of detected cases was still very low. By fully implementing thorough testing, social distancing and a mask mandate, Europe and the US could have fully prevented a spread, like Beijing or Shanghai had prevented it despite being much closer to Wuhan. So we have a fake narrative about an alleged "whistleblower", we have a fake narrative about China being responsible for the outbreak in Europe and the US which started only in February, when all information from China was available to the governments in Europe and the US, and we should discuss the politicization of the disease also when blaming China for the mere existence of the virus: As Paul O' Brian makes the compelling comparison to the Horse Meat Scandal in Europe, China discovering Covid, doesn't mean it originated in China. Ireland discovered horse meat in packaged meat labeled as veal and beef. In a first response international media pointed the finger at Ireland and a lack of quality in hygiene oversight in the country. When it later became clear that the scandal spread across all of Europe and even parts of the Americas, the argument had to be reversed: exactly because Ireland had such a high quality in hygiene oversight it was the one place where the problem was discovered. The author goes on to describe the highly efficient and professional medical system in China, which may explain how it was possible that researchers discovered a new virus amidst countless flu patients during flu season with similar symptoms. Now, none of this proves that Covid-19 didn't originate in China. And, it is very important to remember that even if it originated in China, it doesn't mean China has caused it. A vast majority of scientists declare a very high probability for the virus to be of natural origin. Whether we like it or not, medical scientists are best suited to determine where Covid-19 came from. Theories of a biological weapon from the US Fort Detrick lab, combined with the mysterious lung problems allegedly from vaping e-cigarettes, which only occurred in the US and seem to have disappeared after Covid-19 was discovered, are just as unproven as any theory relating to Wuhan. Politicizing Covid-19 will lead discoverers of a future disease to think twice before making their findings public. This is the lasting damage from the Trumpian US response to Covid-19, and it's a tragedy President Biden seems to follow down the same path. As if the deaths because by the botched response in the West hadn't brought enough suffering already, this non-scientific response puts future generations at risk. (Contributed by Harald Simeon Buchmann, Intellisia Senior Research Fellow, for Guangming Online) [ Editor: GSY ] Pushkarenko Arsenii, People's Deputy of Ukraine The President Big Construction Program revives confidence that the state can tackle large-scale strategic tasks. Zaporizhzhya and Kremenchug bridges, dozens of completed long-term construction projects throughout the country, thousands of kilometers of roads, hospitals, schools, kindergarten, stadiums. All the above represents successful stories. Our task as people's deputies is to create conditions for successful realization of the program. The time has come for another long-term construction project and, more precisely the Kyiv bypass road. I am going to tell you why there is no betrayal and why it will no longer be possible to create hype around the Kyiv bypass road criticism. Traffic jams in Kyiv annually take up to UAH 260 billion to cities and countries The absence of a full-fledged bypass road in the capital of Ukraine is the historical mistake. Nowadays the residents and all other road users have to deal with the consequences of this mistake. The transit road transport, aiming to go from the left bank of the city to right one or vice versa, requires transit through the capital because of the shortage of bridges across the Dnipro River. And the absence of a bypass road means the entrance to the city center. Up to 40% of transport in Kyiv is transit. On the level of traffic jams the Ukrainian capital has taken the 7th placein the Tom-Tom world rating-list. On average, Kyiv drivers spend about 9.5 days or 230 hours in traffic jams annually. In monetary terms, the average loss from standing in traffic jams for only 1 driver is about $ 490 per year. In total, according to various estimates, Kyiv loses from UAH 190 to 260 billion per year from traffic jams. And its a great deal of money. The largest metropolitan area of the country without comfortable communication with the city center According to various estimates, the population of the Kyiv agglomeration ranges from 4.2 to 5.5 millioninhabitants. The modern layout in the capital is designed for 900 thousand cars. Now this number in the city fluctuates between 1.2-1.5 million. Without a bypass road residents of the suburbs cannot comfortably use the basic infrastructure of the region: Zhuliany and Boryspil airports. Conversations about a bypass / ring / alternative road in Kyiv go on for several decades. It is not surprising that any new initiative in this direction is perceived skeptical. The scale of the project and the complexity of its implementation seemed overwhelming for Ukraine. Nevertheless, eyes are afraid, but the hands are doing job. Last year the state began the long-awaited construction of the decade. The design of the first sections of the road has started. There are plans to build a 150-kilometer half-ring around the capital. It will be an autobahn with more than 20 transport interchanges and a new bridge across the Dnipro River. How to find funds for one of the largest infrastructure projects of independent Ukraine? The estimated cost of the project reaches UAH 85 billion, but these are only preliminary calculations. Even now, this amount is comparable to the annual budget of Ukravtodor. Focusing exclusively on budgetary funds, we risk pausing the restoration of roads and bridges in other areas. We cannot allow this. On the other hand, postponing the implementation of the project means restraining the growth of the economy of the capital and the country as a whole. The solution is the funds of international investors. However, there is a problem. The current legislation, building standards and norms, pricing, all of those things hinder a large construction company with a powerful investor from entering the Ukrainian market. In turn, international investors expect from us an international competition with transparent conditions for participation and according to recognized international rules. Why Prozorro? Nowadays some politicians are trying to manipulate this topic by merging the Prozorro system with the Law of Ukraine "On Public Procurement", but thats different. In one case, its an IT product that can really be improved and into which new operating mechanisms can be implemented. And in another case, its a law with specific requirements and procedures that are designed exclusively for the budgetary sphere. We all believe in Prozorro and are confident that there will be opportunities for new forms of international contracts, but these changes will take years. The Kyiv bypass road project does not have that much time. Since 2008, 11 memorandums have been signed on the Kyiv bypass road project with companies from 6 different countries, such as China, Germany, Lithuania, France, Turkey and Spain. However, large international companies do not want to work on the unreformed Ukrainian road market. Their main requirement is an open international competition for international standards FIDIC, CIPS, and the like. What will happen to the construction tender of Kyiv bypass road? On June 3, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted bill No. 5309, which amended the legislation accordingly. Immediately after that, a flurry of criticism rained down on parliament. But let's accept the way things really are. Firstly, the amendment does not override the provisions of the Ukrainian legislation and all by-laws. State bodies (National anti-corruption bureau of Ukraine, National Agency on Corruption Prevention, Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, the State Treasury Service of Ukraine) continue to work and monitor this story at all stages. Secondly, Prozorro is an e-procurement system. This is not a panacea. It has its own problems and disadvantages. The cases with the division of road sections by 40 meters or with tender trolls clearly confirm this. Why do I believe in the success of this project? For me, the indicator is the reaction of the big business. Not long ago, the largest investment company in Ukraine Dragon Capital became the owner of an office and logistics complex with an area of more than 100 sq. m. in the village of Belogorodka. It is 6 km from the future Kyiv bypass road, between the M-06 Kiev - Chop and M-05 Kyiv - Odesa highways. By the way, this section is already being designed. As for me, this is a signal that construction will would begin. Thirdly, our goal is to create a new practice of competitive selection process of contractors, taking into account international standards and norms. And the selection criteria should not be just the price, but the ability of the contractor to attract funding. The Kyiv bypass road should not become a new long-term construction through an unreliable contractor or underfunding. The country should get comfortable routes for transit transport and additional investments, a powerful stimulus for the economy. After amending the legislation, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine passes the baton to the Ministry of InfrastructureUkraine. In its turn the Ministry of Infrastructure with the help of the world's best consultants has to develop a new flawless and transparent tender for international companies. Applicants will need experience in implementing large-scale infrastructure projects and the most cost-effective mechanism for attracting funding for the project. Ukraine is moving into a zone of ultra-high temperatures and cataclysms due to weather changes, and in the next 30-40 years, the country is threatened with desertification of vast territories, which threatens the loss of biodiversity, lack of water, the spread of poverty, hunger and mass migration of the population, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources reported on its website on Thursday. According to the ministry, in Ukraine, 13 million hectares of agricultural land are exposed to the harmful effects of water erosion, more than 6 million hectares - of wind, up to 20 million hectares are covered by dust storms. The ministry clarified that the development of degradation processes is largely influenced by the high level of plowing of the land (54% of 33 million hectares of the total arable land). The ministry noted that for Ukraine, combating desertification and land degradation is one of the priority areas of environmental policy. For this, an action plan to combat this phenomenon until 2025 was approved and a coordination council was created to combat land degradation and desertification. "Our state has joined the process of establishing and implementing voluntary national targets to achieve a neutral level of land degradation. This work is being carried out within the framework of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification. To achieve a neutral level of land degradation, we must implement measures to stabilize the increase in the content of humus in soils," the ministry quoted Minister of Ecology Roman Abramovsky as saying. Earlier, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Roman Leshchenko said that two-thirds of Ukraine's territory is located in the zone of risky farming, 6 million hectares of agricultural land require conservation, this process is especially noticeable in the south of the country. Ukraine should resume the work of the National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), resume criminal liability for inaccurate and late declaration, as well as adopt a new wording of the draft law of the High Council of Justice to continue cooperation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Finance Minister of Ukraine Serhiy Marchenko has said. "In this case, these are three key issues - the resumption of work of the NABU, the resumption of work of the NACP (the National Agency on Corruption Prevention)- to resume criminal liability for inaccurate and untimely declaration," he said on the air of Channel 24, adding that the third condition is the draft law on the High Council of Justice. At the same time, the minister added that the issue of resuming work of the NABU is the most difficult issue. "As for the NABU, it is more difficult, now negotiations are underway [in particular, with the IMF] on the configuration of the commission for the selection of the NABU head," he explained. He clarified that he highly appreciates the likelihood of reaching an agreement with the fund, although the negotiations are difficult. The State Agency of Automobile Roads of Ukraine (Ukravtodor) plans to build 1,400 km of cement-concrete roads in Ukraine by 2025, while the southern region will be the target, Andriy Ivko, the director of the road development department of Ukravtodor, has said. "Currently, we have about 1% of state roads in cement concrete, but one of the tasks of Ukravtodor is to increase this percentage to 3%. These will be southern directions, the regions including Odesa, Kherson, Mykolaiv. It will also be roads to ports, roads near quarries, elevators, etc., because there is more transport that overloads our roads there," he said during the Infrastructure of the South of Ukraine forum. According to him, in the future, it is planned to make cement concrete roads on the following routes: Kharkiv-Pereschepyne, Blahovischenske-Mykolaiv, Odesa-Novy Buh, Boryspil-Mariupol. Ivko noted that such roads as Dnipro-Reshetylivka, Oleksandrivka-Mykolaiv (work done on 8 km), bypass roads around Zhytomyr, Odesa-Yuzhny, Odesa-Novoazovsk are already under construction or are being designed. "Regarding M-28 Odesa-Yuzhny with Odesa seaport. A contract has already been signed, this road is 5.3 km ... At the moment we have already stage B the work has begun. This project is large-scale, we will complete it in 2022," Ivko added. Russia does not plan to take any additional obligations concerning Ukraine, except for "assistance" in the implementation of the Minsk agreements to resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said. "As for the obligations regarding Ukraine, we have only one obligation to promote the implementation of the Minsk agreements. And if the Ukrainian side is ready for this, we will follow this path. Without a doubt," Putin said at a briefing in Geneva. He made the relevant statement, answering a question from journalists about whether Russia plans to take on additional obligations regarding Ukraine. Putin said that last November the Ukrainian delegation presented its views on how it thinks to implement the Minsk agreements. The Russian president said that this document provides that "first of all, it is necessary to submit proposals on the political integration of Donbas into the Ukrainian legal system and into the Constitution." "For this, it is necessary to make changes to the Ukrainian Constitution, it is spelled out there," Putin said. In addition, Putin said, "the border between Russia and Ukraine along Donbas line begins to be dealt with by the border troops of Ukraine the day after the elections." Meanwhile, according to the Russian president, "Ukraine has proposed the first step to return the Armed Forces of Ukraine to their places of permanent deployment, which means that the troops of Ukraine must enter Donbas, and the second is to close the border between Russia and Ukraine in this part, and third to hold elections three months after these two steps." "No need to be any lawyer, to have a special education to understand, this has nothing to do with the Minsk agreements, it completely contradicts them," Putin said adding: "What additional obligations can Russia undertake here? That the answer is clear." Deputy Head of the President's Office of Ukraine Roman Mashovets met with representatives of the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine, in particular with Defense Attache Brittany Stewart, during which the issue of reforming the security and defense sector of Ukraine was discussed, the presidential press service said. "The interlocutors touched upon key issues of reforming the security and defense sector of Ukraine, in particular on improving the system of military command and control, defense planning, strengthening democratic civilian control over the defense forces and distributing powers between the Defense Minister of Ukraine and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces," the office said. According to the statement, these issues are planned to be settled by the bill on amendments to certain laws of Ukraine concerning the improvement of defense planning procedures, which is being processed by the Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence and is being prepared for second reading in the Verkhovna Rada. It is reported that during the meeting, they also discussed the preparation of the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the United States and the preparation of bilateral agreements to deepen Ukrainian-U.S. defense cooperation, develop research and test projects, and provide the U.S. security assistance to Ukraine. "Roman Mashovets said the decision, promulgated on June 11 of this year by the U.S. Department of Defense, to provide the second part of assistance within the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative worth $150 million, is important for strengthening the Ukrainian defense capability," the President's Office said. Meanwhile, the President's Office deputy head also informed the U.S. side about the progress of the reform of the military and industrial complex and the preparation of the Strategy for the Development of the Defense Industry Complex of Ukraine for approval by the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC). "Roman Mashovets said the approach to the management system of state-owned property in the defense industry is changing, the ultimate goal of which is to create two vertically integrated structures public management holding companies. Following the reform, the Ukrainian defense industry should become more efficient, transparent and open for international cooperation, including with the United States," the President's Office said. In turn, Stewart spoke about the work carried out by the U.S. Embassy in preparation for the visit of Zelensky to the United States, and assured of the continued support of the Ukrainian security and defense sector. The preparation of the annual pilgrimage to Uman for the Jewish New Year was the subject of an online meeting between the Ambassador of Ukraine to the State of Israel Yevhen Korniychuk and the President of the United Jewish Organization of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn David Niedermann and the President of the Rabi Nachman International Charitable Foundation Nathan Ben Noon. The Embassy reported this at Facebook. During the conversation, the topics related to the preparation of the annual visit of pilgrims from all over the world to the city of Uman during the celebration of the Jewish New Year of Rosh Hashanah were discussed. In particular, it was emphasized the need to comply with the requirements of Ukrainian legislation during the visit to Ukraine, - the statement reads. In addition, the interlocutors agreed to make efforts and take the necessary measures to resolve disputes related to illegal construction in the city of Uman. The Ambassador of Ukraine stressed the readiness of local authorities and the central government to provide the necessary assistance in the development of the memorial complex and the preservation of Jewish burials, - the Embassy noted. Ukraine's score in Global Peace Index in 2020 improved by 0.22 or 7.6%, to 2.66, which recorded the largest increase in peacefulness globally among 163 countries, according to the Global Peace Index (GPI) report posted by the London-based Institute for Economics and Peace on Thursday. "Indictors that improved included violent crime, violent demonstrations, political instability and the intensity of internal conflict," the authors of the report said. The country rose six places in the GPI to 142 GPI rank between Iran and Israel. "Although Ukraine had the largest increase in peacefulness, concerns remain about the outbreak of future conflict. Russia massed troops on its border with Ukraine in the early part of 2021 Despite the withdrawal of troops from the border region, tensions are likely to remain high for the foreseeable future," according to the study. The worst deterioration was shown by Burkina Faso (0.254) and Belarus (0.183), which took 134th and 117th ranks. Belarus recorded the largest deterioration in the region and the second largest deterioration globally as Belarus experienced the largest anti-government protests in its history, organised by the opposition in response to President Lukashenko seeking a sixth term in office. Russia is the least peaceful nation in the region and is one of the least peaceful countries in the world on the 2021 GPI, with an overall rank of 154. In the past year, 87 countries recorded an improvement in peacefulness, while 73 countries recorded a deterioration, and the average level of global peacefulness deteriorated by 0.07% in the 2021 Global Peace Index the second lowest indicator of change in 15 years of calculating the index. "It is still too early to fully gauge the long-term effects of the pandemic on peace. However, the changing economic conditions in many nations increases the likelihood of political instability and violent demonstrations," the study said. Over 5,000 pandemic related violent events were recorded between January 2020 and April 2021 Iceland remains the most peaceful country in the world, a position it has held since 2008 with GPI of 1.1. It is joined at the top of the index by New Zealand, Denmark, and Portugal. Afghanistan is the least peaceful country in the world for the fourth consecutive year, followed by Yemen, Syria, and South Sudan. From October 2021, the Irish airline Ryanair will launch flights from Kyiv to Turin (Italy) as part of the winter schedule. As the company's press service said on Wednesday evening, the flights will be operated twice a week. At the same time, due to regular changes in restrictions in connection with the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, clients can postpone or change travel dates up to two times with zero commission until the end of December 2021, Sales and Marketing Manager for Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans at Ryanair Olga Pawlonka is quoted as saying in the press release. There are currently no direct flights from Kyiv to Turin. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (MFA) is working to open up new infrastructure opportunities for Ukraine, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said. "Ukraine is part of important transport corridors, and we are constantly working to involve investors, open up new infrastructure opportunities for Ukraine, new business projects and construct transit corridors," Kuleba said at the Infrastructure of Ukraine's South forum, in which he took part via video communication, the MFA press service said on Thursday. The minister said that at the talks between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and the head of the Foreign Ministry, there is always the theme of the development of the Ukrainian maritime industry, ports, raising investment in concessions, and the development of transit routes. It is noted that Kuleba gave a specific example of his conversation a few days ago with the head of Turkmen diplomacy on transit communication between Central Europe and Central Asia with the involvement of Ukraine and Turkmenistan. "We are fighting for Ukraine's place in the sun, and this fight is especially relevant now, when supply chains are changing due to COVID-19 pandemic. Some new problems are also new opportunities. The task of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to minimize problems and maximize the benefits for Ukraine and Ukraine's business," he said. Kuleba said the MFA will always be a reliable partner for Ukrainian business and is constantly working to create opportunities in foreign markets, support Ukrainian exporters in certification issues, establish contacts with authorities, and settle problems. "A separate important issue is the security of the Black Sea region. If there is no security, there will be no safe trade. Along with international partners, we are working to stabilize the situation in the Black Sea. So that Russia does not create obstacles to trade with its exercises and actions. This is one of the priority tasks of the Foreign Ministry," the minister said. The Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine, the head of Ukrzaliznytsia, the mayor of Odesa and the head of Odesa Regional State Administration, executive directors of the logistics business and freight operators, as well as ambassadors and trade representatives of the countries of Europe and the Middle East took part in the forum. The ambassadors of the G7 countries in Ukraine, following a meeting with representatives of the Central Election Commission of Ukraine (CEC), the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and the Opora Civil Network, on June 16, called for local elections to be held as soon as possible in 18 territorial communities of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. "Ambassadors highlighted the need to: support the CEC; deliver timely further improvements to electoral code to ensure fair, trusted election outcomes; increase gender equality; hold local elections in 18 Donbas communities ASAP; and properly regulate money in politics," the G7 Ambassadors said on Twitter on Thursday. The ambassadors also emphasized the success of the electoral reform and modernization of the CEC in Ukraine. KYIV. June 17 (Interfax-Ukraine) The Human Rights Agenda Coalition demands the exclusion of a number of people whom it considers erroneously included in the sanctions lists of "kingpins" and "crime bosses" by the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) decision dated May 14, 2021. During a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine, the human rights activists said that the NSDC sanction list of May 14, 2021, which includes 674 people, including 557 "kingpins," most of whom live abroad and 111 foreign "crime bosses," contains a group of persons against whom the sanctions were applied unreasonably. They recalled the statement of Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Arsen Avakov of June 4, which mentioned that "since the beginning of the year there were 34 people on the territory of Ukraine who had the status of 'kingpins,' who are no longer in the country." At the same time, "out of 111 'crime bosses' in Ukraine, 42 remained, in respect of whom the procedure of expulsion from the country continues." "Some 34 'kingpins' in Ukraine at the beginning of 2021 is a plausible number, if we recall the recent numerous publications in the media about 'kingpins.' Some 557 'kingpins' are meaningless data. Suppose that in Ukraine there really were 111 foreign criminals, including about 80 Russian citizens, for whom the NSDC sanctions were applied reasonably. Then the grounds for applying sanctions against at least 450 people on the list are completely incomprehensible," the coalition said in the statement. According to human rights activists, most of the persons on the sanctions list are from the Caucasus or Transcaucasia. At the same time, there are 366 natives of Georgia on the list, some 48 from Azerbaijan, some 37 from Armenia, some 36 form Chechnya, some 15 from Dagestan and one from Abkhazia. In total, 503 people. There are 15 stateless persons on the list, six more have no citizenship. "There were mistakes when Ukrainian citizens were named as Russian citizens," the human rights activists said. According to the human rights coalition, the list includes seven Russian citizens, who participated in hostilities in Donbas, defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. "The inclusion of this group of persons in the sanctions lists violates Articles 3 and 5 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR). They cannot return to Russia, they face torture and death. They will also not be able to decide the NSDC status. Such actions of the government towards their defenders are simply immoral," the coalition said. As noted by human rights activists, "there are many people on the list who did not commit crimes and administrative offenses, but by the decision of the NSDC they are forced to leave the country." "They are canceled all permits [permanent residence, permanent residence, immigration permit], squeezed out of Ukraine, and if they were abroad when making a decision, they are not allowed to enter. Committing such actions by the state is a typical political persecution," the coalition said. As noted in the human rights coalition, "the law enforcement agencies of Ukraine justify the need to apply sanctions against these persons by violating the rules of stay in Ukraine, lack of permanent sources of income or permanent residence, etc." At the same time, according to the statement, "there is not a single piece of evidence to support these charges." As noted, "in a situation of applying such measures, the state must ensure the observance of the right to a fair trial, the principle of the presumption of innocence, the right to respect for private and family life, and an effective remedy." "None of these guarantees were observed. Thus, the applied sanctions grossly violate Articles 6, 7, 8, 13 of the ECHR, as well as Article 1 of Protocol 1 to the European Convention," the human rights activists said. In addition, as noted, "the sanctions provide for the expulsion of hundreds of foreigners from several countries of origin." "This is a gross violation of Article 4 of Protocol 4 to the ECHR, which prohibits the collective expulsion of foreigners. Such actions of the state are not only a violation of international obligations, but will also entail an international scandal with great damage to the reputation of Ukraine." "We see how the NSDC constantly removes people from the sanctions lists according to its decisions of past years. We demand to correct our mistakes in relation to people mistakenly included in the sanctions lists by the NSDC decision dated May 14, 2021," the human rights coalition said. They also said that according to the Law on Sanctions, the public authorities that applied the sanctions can lift them." KYIV. June 17 (Interfax-Ukraine) Post-COVID rehabilitation is necessary for patients even at the time of stay in a medical facility, and 20-40% of patients who have recovered will suffer from post-COVID syndrome, a number of experts voiced this opinion during a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine. "Out of 100% of people who are sick with COVID-19, some 20% need hospitalization. Some of these patients need hospitalization in intensive care units, as well as mechanical ventilation. Rehabilitation for such patients is necessary even in the intensive care unit, especially for patients with artificial lung ventilation. Rehabilitation is also important for patients who move from the intensive care unit to the hospital," Vadym Kerestey, the head of the rehabilitation department of the Adonis network of medical clinics, said. At the same time, the expert emphasized that currently in Ukraine, very few rehabilitation measures are carried out in intensive care units, and rehabilitation centers do not cover all needs. He noted that the majority of patients who had been ill in a mild form also need post-COVID rehabilitation, since patients have impairments from different systems. Patients often have tachycardia, lung problems, reduced ability to work, acute disorders of cerebral circulation, thrombosis, which increases the risk of strokes, disorders of the nervous system. In addition, the country also has a demand for post-COVID rehabilitation among foreigners, the expert emphasized. Physical therapy is especially important, he said. "Physical therapy will accelerate the recovery of patients. Physical therapists teach patients to move, breathe correctly, determine the physical condition and the body's ability to exercise," Kerestey said. The head of the department of inflammatory eye pathologies and microsurgical treatment of their consequences of the Filatov Institute of Eye Diseases and Tissue Therapy of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Oleksandra Zborovska, in turn, noted that patients after coronavirus also need to undergo rehabilitation with ophthalmologists. "From the point of view of an ophthalmologist, everyone needs rehabilitation, even those who were not sick, since we were all on isolation, which significantly increased the time of contact with gadgets. There is evidence that an increase in myopia in children is recorded. Therefore, visual hygiene and a dosage visual load regimen are of great importance. Regarding post-COVID rehabilitation, patients come with different complaints and need to be observed by a doctor," she said. At the same time, Vitaliy Usenko, the medical adviser to Farmak, noted that, according to the latest data, 20-40% of patients who have recovered will suffer from post-COVID syndrome. "Post-COVID syndrome has been included in the international classifier of diseases. The Ministry of Health of Ukraine has signed an order with a protocol for rehabilitation care for patients with coronavirus disease. It is impossible to implement the protocol with the help of one health system, and it is very good that rehabilitation services appear," he added. According to Usenko, during post-COVID rehabilitation, drugs that are used in the treatment of COVID-19 can be used, but only as directed by a doctor. On June 28, 1996, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the basic law - the first Constitution of the newest Ukrainian state. In a difficult time for our state, as never before, we understand the importance of the fundamental law and comprehend responsibility for each step we take on the way to implementing its key principles. The Constitution has a fundamental character, establishes the foundations of the socio-economic system of the state, the national-territorial structure, the organization and system of state power and local self-governance, defines the fundamental rights, freedoms, duties of a person and citizen, creates political and legal conditions for the formation of structures of a civil society. The exceptional nature of the Constitution as a legal document, first of all, lies in the fact that in its best historical examples, it is not so much an act of the state as of a civil society. International European University not only confidently opens the doors to the future, and guarantees high-quality education according to European standards, but takes an active position in the scientific world, organizing various scientific programs to highlight topical issues. For this purpose, we are holding a scientific and practical conference dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Constitution of Ukraine. Conference topic: "The 25th anniversary of the Constitution of Ukraine: the national tradition and European standards of constitutionalism." Purpose: Bringing Ukraine closer to the best European standards of the rule of law and protection of human rights and freedoms is one of the obligations undertaken by Ukraine when joining the Council of Europe, as well as one of the requirements for joining the EU. Study and discussion of new scientific and practical research topics in various fields of legal science. Exchange of views on their application and implementation. Exchange of experience in administration of law in various branches of law. Thematic areas of the conference: 1. Scientific and practical paradigm of constitutionalization of the European integration process. 2. Social and legal standards and democratic values in the modern Constitution of Ukraine. 3. The constitutional process in the context of Ukraine's European integration. 4. Constitutional foundations of the economic system of Ukraine. 5. Constitutional dialogue: availability and quality of higher education. 6. The role of the Constitution of Ukraine in the formation of the health care system in Ukraine. 7. Constitutional reform of the judicial and law enforcement agencies of Ukraine. 8. Sociological analysis of topical problems of a modern society. Start of the conference: June 22, 2021 09:00 - 10:30 - registration of participants and media Location: In the premises of the Institute of Mathematical Machines and Systems Problems of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 4th floor, assembly hall, 42 Akademika Hlushkova Avenue, Kyiv. To participate in the conference, we ask you, by June 21, to send an application for participation and the abstracts of the report by e-mail. The collection of conference materials is to be posted on the official website: https://ieu.edu.ua/ The working language of the conference: Ukrainian, Russian, English. Organizer: International European University Co-organizers: Regional center for provision of free legal assistance in Kyiv Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University Education and Science Department of Kyiv City State Administration Argument law firm National Lawyer international human rights association Association of Alumni of the Faculty of Law of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv Media partners: Lenta.UA Interfax-Ukraine PravdaTUT media group Expert Club Bagnet website Rupor website www.open4business.com.ua For more information, contact: +380636548430 Gariachun Veronika Oleksandrivna Official website: www.ieu.edu.u U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris hosts members of Texas State Senate and Texas House of Representatives, who in May blocked passage of legislation that would have made it significantly harder for the people of Texas to vote, (Photo : REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein) U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday promoted the Biden administration's efforts to advance voting rights when she met 16 fellow Democrats from the Texas state legislature who successfully blocked a bill they said would make it harder for Blacks and Hispanics to vote. President Joe Biden appointed Harris this month https://reut.rs/3cHKiWs to lead the charge against Republican state lawmakers across the country seeking to enact voting restrictions. Advertisement White House and civil rights groups say the Republican-led efforts would make it harder for Americans to vote. It follows Republican former President Donald Trump's false claim that he lost the 2020 election to Biden because of widespread fraud. So far, 14 other U.S. states have enacted 22 laws this year that make it more difficult for Americans to vote, according to a report by the Brennan Center for Justice. "What we are seeing are examples of an attempt to interfere with that right, an attempt to marginalize and take from people, a right that has already been given," Harris said. Democrats in the Texas statehouse walked out on a legislative session last month to deprive Republicans of a quorum needed to pass a voting bill. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, has vowed to bring the legislature back in a yet-to-be-called special session. Under the Texas proposal, drive-through voting would no longer be allowed, early voting would be limited, 24-hour polling sites would be scrapped, and absentee ballots would be more difficult to cast. Critics say such measures keep many Black and Hispanic voters, traditional supporters of Democrats, from the polls. Harris plans to bring together elected officials and concerned Americans to build a coalition to work on voting rights and will seek legislation that improves access to the ballot box, senior administration officials said. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland has said his Justice Department will aggressively enforce voting rights https://reut.rs/3vFl4il, prosecute threats against election officials, double the number of prosecutors devoted to the issue and closely examine how states conduct their elections. The United States has been coming to grips with a rise in threats from white supremacists and militia groups, while last year's murder of George Floyd, a Black man, by a white police officer sparked nationwide protests against racial inequity Voting rights is the second high-profile assignment for the vice president. In March, Biden entrusted her with leading U.S. diplomatic efforts with Mexico and the Northern Triangle countries of Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala to lower migration from the region. Harris recently visited Mexico and Guatemala https://reut.rs/3cGRtOL as part of those efforts. People wait to receive an AstraZeneca coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine during a vaccination campaign (Photo : REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes/File Photo) The primary issue with lagging COVID-19 vaccinations in the Americas is access to doses, not acceptance of vaccine safety or efficacy, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) said on Wednesday, urging donor countries to send shots as soon as possible. The Group of Seven rich nations said on Sunday they will provide 1 billion vaccine doses over the next year to help poorer countries inoculate their populations. Advertisement "I want to be clear that the primary issue in the Americas is vaccine access, not vaccine acceptance," PAHO Director Carissa Etienne said during the organization's weekly news conference. "We're counting on our leaders and the support of the global community to ensure the Americas have the doses they need - as soon as possible - to save lives." The G7 pledge offers fresh hope the region will overcome supply barriers, she said. But even with the donation the Americas remains a long way from protecting its population. "We hope G7 nations will prioritize doses for countries at greatest risk - especially those in Latin America that have not yet had access to enough vaccines to even protect even the most vulnerable," she said. "Vaccines are urgently needed today." Over 1.1 million new cases of COVID-19 and 31,000 deaths were reported in the Americas last week, Etienne said, with particular upticks in six Mexican states, Belize, Guatemala, Panama and some places in the Caribbean. Hospitals in Bolivia, Chile and Uruguay are largely seeing COVID-19 patients between the ages of 25 and 40 as the trend toward younger patients continued. In Brazil's Sao Paulo, 80% of intensive care units (ICU) occupants are COVID-19 patients. Colombia's COVID-19 situation is at its highest point nationally, with ICU beds largely filled in major cities, Etienne added, urging countries to tighten public health measures in places with high transmission. Haiti, which has not yet begun vaccinations, will be prioritized for doses from the COVAX vaccine distribution program expected to arrive in July, PAHO subdirector Jarbas Barbosa said. Countries must provide clear information about when people can get shots and make sure they get their second doses, Etienne said. People skipping their second dose does not seem to be a widespread phenomenon, she added. No country will be safe until high vaccination coverage is reached, Sylvain Aldighieri, PAHO's COVID-19 incident manager added. "No country and definitely no region of the world is protected from new peaks of transmission." Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O'Leary gestures during a signing ceremony at the 50th Paris Air Show, at the Le Bourget airport near Paris, (Photo : REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol/File Photo) Ryanair finally took possession of its first Boeing 737 MAX jet after a delay of more than two years on Wednesday, saying that it would have 12 of the 'gamechanger' aircraft in time for this year's summer peak. The Irish airline is the largest European customer for the jet, which was grounded for 20 months after two fatal crashes, with 210 firm orders of the 197-seat MAX200 model. Advertisement Ryanair was initially due to take delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX two years ago "We are delighted to take delivery of our first new technology Gamechanger aircraft," Group Chief Executive Michael O'Leary said in an emailed statement. The aircraft registered to Ryanair was expected to land on Wednesday afternoon in Dublin, after the airline took possession of it earlier in Seattle. Ryanair said it expected to take delivery of 12 Boeing 737-8200s this summer, with 6 delivered in Ryanair colours and 6 in Malta Air colours. It expects an additional 50 to be delivered before summer 2022. The airline has announced repeated delays to the arrival of the jet in its fleet, cutting its planned deliveries in time for use in summer 2021 from 40 to 16 to possibly zero. In May, Ryanair said it feared it would not take delivery of the first 737 MAX aircraft until after its peak summer period and that the airline was "quite upset with Boeing". Chinese astronauts Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming, and Tang Hongbo wave as they meet members of the media behind a glass wall (Photo : REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins) China will send three astronauts into orbit on Thursday in a high-stakes mission, the first of four crewed space flights to complete the country's space station by the end of next year. China will launch Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo into orbit aboard the spacecraft Shenzhou-12 at 9:22 a.m. (0122 GMT) on June 17 from Jiuquan in northwestern Gansu province. Advertisement Nie, 56, a former air force pilot, will be the oldest Chinese astronaut to go to space. Shenzhou-12, meaning "Divine Vessel", is the third of 11 missions needed to build China's space station. Construction began in April with the launch of Tianhe, the first and largest of three modules. The Shenzhou-12 crew are to live on the Tianhe, which means "Harmony of the Heavens", a cylinder 16.6 m (55 ft) long and 4.2 m (14 ft) in diameter. The three-month stay for Nie, Liu and Tang will be the longest for any Chinese astronauts, and one focus will be seeing how the men handle their relatively long time in orbit. "The (mission) is longer this time, and not only do we have to set up the core module - this 'home' in space - we've to carry out a series of pivotal technical tests," Nie told reporters in Jiuquan. "This mission is more arduous and the challenges are greater." Shenzhou-12 will be Nie's third space outing, the second for Liu, 54, and the first for Tang, 45. On Liu's Shenzhou-7 mission in 2008, his first, he almost did not get to perform a space walk to plant the Chinese flag on the exterior of the spacecraft. Liu, with the help of another astronaut, used a crowbar to pry open the hatch after it refused to budge. "We experienced some dangerous situations and encountered some difficulties on that mission," Liu said on Wednesday. "The amount of time spent outside the cabin on this mission is much longer, and there will be many rounds of extra-vehicular activity. The mission has thus become extremely complex and tough." BARRED FROM ISS Chinese astronauts have had a comparatively low international profile. U.S. legislation bars NASA from any cooperation with China, and Chinese astronauts have not been to the more than two-decade-old International Space Station (ISS), which has been visited by more than 240 men and women of various nationalities. The ISS may be decommissioned in 2024 if the project does not receive new funding, and China could end up being the operator of the only space station in Earth's orbit. "After the completion of the Chinese space station, in the near future, we will see both Chinese and foreign astronauts jointly participate in the flight of the Chinese space station," said Ji Qiming, assistant director at the China Manned Space Agency, told reporters in Jiuquan. China's space launches drew intense international attention last month after remnants of the rocket that carried the Tianhe module into space fell back to Earth with no official forecast of their expected landing location until literally the final minutes. "We're willing to carry out more extensive international exchanges and cooperation with other countries on the issue of debris from spacecraft and in space," Ji said. Backup astronauts for the mission on Thursday are Zhai Zhigang, 54, Wang Yaping, 41 and Ye Guangfu, 40. China's last crewed flight mission was in 2016 when two men - Chen Dong and Jing Haipeng - were sent via the Shenzhou-11 spacecraft to Tiangong-2, a prototype of the space station where they later stayed for about a month. Deputy Manager of the Egyptian Centre for Strategic Studies (ECSS) Mohamed Ibrahim El-Dwiery asserted that Egypt will not allow anyone to harm its water rights as the Niles water is pivotal to the countrys survival. In an article published by Al-Ahram daily newspaper on Thursday on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, El-Dwiery said that the international community has to move before the situation reaches a point of no return. Egypt is still clinging to a peaceful negotiable track in spite of all the hindrances posed by Ethiopia in the face of African, regional, and international efforts that have been exerted to find suitable solutions for all parties, he said. Egypt is committed to the importance of reaching a legal, comprehensive, and binding agreement on the filling and operation of the dam, he said. The country is also working on including the international community in this crisis after the three-way negotiations failed, he added. Egypt has moved regionally and internationally to explain all the efforts it made in the past years on the negotiation track while Ethiopia was adopting an unjustified inflexible stance, said El-Dwiery. Short link: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) stressed the priority of Egypt and Sudans water security amid the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) crisis with Ethiopia. The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman welcomed during the 48th ministerial meeting a resolution by the Arab League that affirmed the rejection of any unilateral measures that could undermine the rights of Egypt and Sudan in the Nile. The GCC ministers asserted their support to all efforts aiming to reach a resolution that would take into account the interests of all involved parties and the importance of continued negotiations to reach a fair accord as soon as possible Wednesdays statement by the six-member council comes one day after the Arab League said, following an extraordinary meeting by Arab foreign ministers over the dam crisis in Doha, that Egypt and Sudans water security was an integral part of Arab national security. In a resolution on Tuesday, the Arab League stressed its rejection of any measures that would undermine the water share of Egypt and Sudan, in reference to Ethiopias planned second filling of the dam in July despite the lack of an agreement between the three countries on its filling and operation. It has also called for the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to intervene in the crisis, which risks aggravating tensions in the region. Egypt and Sudan have been negotiating for almost a decade now with Ethiopia to reach a legally binding and comprehensive deal on the GERDs construction, which Addis Ababa started to build on the Blue Nile in 2011. Ethiopias rejection of several proposals by Egypt and Sudan on the negotiation mechanism, which includes mediation by an international quartet, has led to the collapse of the Kinshasa talks sponsored by the AU in April. Egypts 100 million-plus population depends on the Nile for over 95 percent of its fresh water. Sudan fears the GERD will put the operation of its Roseires dam and the lives of 20 million Sudanese citizens at a very high risk if an agreement regulating the operation and filling of GERD is not reached before the second filling. Short link: UK Club, an insurer for the giant Ever Given ship that ran aground and blocked Egypts Suez Canal in March, said it is currently engaged in serious and constructive negotiations with the canals authority over its compensation claim. In an official statement on Wednesday, the UK Club said its now involved in talks regarding the authoritys claim over the grounding of the ship for six days. It is hopeful of a positive resolution to these negotiations in the near future, it said, signaling renewed efforts to reach a settlement over the ship crisis amid an ongoing legal dispute and an exchange of blame over which party was at fault over the crisis. Last month, the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) rejected claims by UK Club that the speed of the Ever Given was controlled by the canals operator before it ran aground in the canal. The SCA said that exceeding set speeds at the countrys strategic canal is the sole responsibility of the ships captain. The ship insurers statement came in response to statements by SCA officials that the ship was sailing too fast and that the error was entirely the responsibility of the Ever Given's captain and not that of the canals operator, whose opinion is non-binding. The dispute over which party is at fault, which crippled the global supply chain in March for nearly a week, comes amid a continuing legal dispute over the ship. In late May, a trial over the Ever Given was adjourned to 20 June to allow for further negotiations on the compensation value. The Ismailiya Economic Court postponed the hearing upon requests made by the lawyers representing the SCA and the ship owner. The lawyers said the postponement is meant to allow for an amicable solution to the ship crisis to be reached. The SCA had slashed its compensation claim of $916 million to $550 million to settle the current judicial dispute, with the mega-ship to be allowed to leave if nearly 40 percent of the sum is paid in cash. The Ever Givens insurers say the demanded sum is still too high, previously offering to pay $150 million in compensation for the six-day traffic halt. The ship ran aground across the canal on 23 March and was refloated on 29 March by a fleet of Egyptian tugboats and diggers with the assistance of the tide. The vessel has since been anchored in a lake between two sections of the canal. Short link: The head of Egypt's General Intelligence Service (GIS) Abbas Kamel arrived in Tripoli on Thursday upon the directives of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, a short statement by the GIS said. The visit aims to boost cooperation and support the political process and stability in Libya. Kamel conveyed a message from President El-Sisi to Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibeh expressing Egypt's support for the Libyan people and their government, which aims to achieve stability in Libya. El-Sisi also stressed the importance of reaching national reconciliation in Libya as an important step towards achieving stability. The Egyptian president reiterated the importance of supporting the efforts to unify the Libyan military institution, praising the role the 5+5 military committee in safeguarding the stability of Libya. He also voiced Egypts support for holding the Libyan elections on the agreed upon date later this year as one of the ways to build a modern democratic civilian state. Kamel and Dbeibeh discussed bilateral relations between Egypt and Libya and ways to boost those relations. He also met with the head of the Presidential Council of Libya Mohamed Al-Menfi. PM Dbeibeh expressed his appreciation for Egypts president and people for their constant support of Libya. Short link: President Abdel Fattah El Sisi said that Egypt welcomes opening new horizons for cooperation with Malaysia in different fields, especially in the commercial and industrial fields Sisi's remarks came during a video-conference call on Thursday with Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, said Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady. During the virtual communication, the two sides probed means of fostering bilateral ties and exchanged views on the most prominent regional and international issues of mutual concern, the spokesman added. The call tackled ways to boost cooperation between Egypt and Malaysia with regard to countering terrorism and extremist thought, as well as cooperation in religious education, the spokesman noted. They also explored the possibility for luring further Malaysian investments into Egypt, given the great privileges and incentives provided by the Egyptian government in various sectors, notably the auto industry, electronics and energy. For his part, the Malaysian premier said that his country looks forward to cementing ties and cooperation with Egypt in several areas, mainly the economic, industrial, commercial and educational ones, lauding the significant improvement in the Egyptian investment climate. The pair shared opinions about regional and international issues of mutual concern, notably the Palestinian cause and efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East, the spokesman said. In this regard, the Malaysian prime minister praised Egypt's endeavors that led to stopping escalations between Palestinian factions and Israel in the Gaza Strip, as well as the Egyptian initiative to rebuild the enclave. Yassin also lauded the efforts led by Egypt to urgently re-launch the Palestinian and Israeli peace talks, with the aim of reaching a fair solution to the long-running conflict in accordance with international terms. Short link: The head of Egypts General Intelligence Service (GIS) Abbas Kamel met with the General Commander of the Libyan National Army Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar on Thursday in Benghazi where they discussed boosting cooperation, the GIS said in a statement. Kamel conveyed a message from Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to Haftar praising the efforts of the Libyan army in achieving stability and fighting terrorism. During the meeting between the two officials, Kamel expressed Egypts appreciation for the efforts and sacrifices of the Libyan army in its war against terrorism, asserting the continued Egyptian efforts to support Libyas stability. Field Marshal Haftar expressed his deepest appreciation for President El-Sisis concern for Libya as well as the influential role Egypt is playing to ensure the success of efforts to return stability to the country. Earlier on Thursday, Kamel met with Libyan PM Abdul-Hamid Dbeibeh and other Libyan officials in Tripoli and delivered a message from President El-Sisi praising their efforts in bringing stability to the country. Short link: An employee at Cairo International Airport has been convicted of taking non-consensual photos of a woman at the airport and has been sentenced to three years in prison and an EGP 20,000 fine. The Cairo misdemeanour court convicted the defendant of taking photos of the victim that are of a sexual nature and violating her privacy. The incident went viral on Monday when Egyptian blogger and influencer Basma Bishy recounted the story on livestream of how she caught the employee taking photos behind her back as she was retrieving her luggage at Cairo International Airport following her arrival from Beirut. The employee denied any wrongdoing when confronted by Bishy and her husband. As soon as she finished streaming the incident online and the video went viral, authorities in the airport arrested the employee and found photos of the victim as well as those of other female travelers. The prosecution said in a statement that the employee claimed to have taken the photos to document and report over-crowdedness to his managers. On Wednesday, the prosecution referred the employee to an urgent trial. This is a first degree ruling that can be appealed. Short link: Niger on Tuesday launched a week-long drive to expand its coronavirus vaccination programme after early efforts to inoculate the population met widespread reluctance. Health Minister Illiassou Mainassara told a press conference that the "mass vaccination campaign" will aim at reaching the maximum number of people, focussing on adults aged 18 and above. "Niger started to vaccinate the public against Covid-19 on March 29, but unfortunately, progress is still slow," he said. In December last year, the government set the goal of vaccinating 47 percent of the population of 22.4 million by the end of 2021. But as of late May, only 170,000 people had received the jab, going to vaccination centres that are often thinly attended. Local media have blamed fears stoked by rumours and false information on social networks. In a shift of strategy, vaccination teams will fan out to government offices, police and military installations and transport companies, where they will vaccinate workers and users, Mainassara said. Niger has received 780,000 coronavirus vaccine doses, comprising 400,000 of China's Sinopharm, 355,000 doses of AstraZeneca acquired through the international Covax scheme for poor countries, and a donation from India of 25,000 doses, also AstraZeneca. The landlocked West African state is the poorest in the world by the yardstick of the UN's Human Development Index. Niger has recorded 5,452 cases of Covid-19 infection, of which 192 have been fatal. The country swiftly imposed tough anti-coronavirus restrictions after its first cases surfaced in March 2020. Many of these measures have since been eased, although land borders remain closed. Short link: Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed outlined his vision of a peaceful, united and prosperous Ethiopia on Wednesdayat a final campaign rally ahead of key elections next week. The upbeat speech, in the southern town of Jimma, comes at a time of widespread ethnic unrest and economic difficulties, as well as a conflict in the northern Tigray region where the UN warns 350,000 people face famine. Abiy's rhetoric, though, went down well in a packed stadium full of cheering supporters eager for Monday's polls to get underway and to deliver victory for his Prosperity Party. For Abiy, the June 21 poll is an opportunity to win a popular mandate after rising to power in 2018 following years of anti-government protest. Despite being billed as a nationwide poll, elections will not be held in nearly one-fifth of the country's 547 constituencies, including all 38 seats in Tigray and 64 others across the Horn of Africa nation. Opposition parties in some pivotal regions are boycotting the election, the sixth since the end of military rule in Ethiopia 30 years ago. Most of the delayed votes are scheduled for September 6 but no date has been set yet for Tigray. Fighting there continues more than seven months after Abiy ordered troops into the region after accusing its former ruling party of orchestrating attacks on federal army camps. Home crowd Wearing sunglasses and a tuxedo fashioned from traditional local cloth, Abiy spoke in a mixture of his native tongue -- Afan Oromo, the language of the region -- and the national Amharic language, to dismiss international concerns surrounding Monday's vote. "When the entire world is saying we will fight on election day, we will instead teach them a lesson," he declared. "I say to all Ethiopians (engaged) in the struggle to ensure a peaceful, democratic and prosperous Ethiopia: as long as Ethiopians stand together in one spirit and one heart, there is no force on earth that can stop us." "Our issue isn't protecting Ethiopia's unity, rather it is making Ethiopia the strength of the Horn of Africa," he said. For Abiy, who won the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize for his detente with Eritrea, it was something of a homecoming, and a guaranteed supportive crowd, as he hails from the nearby village of Beshasha. Residents of Jimma echoed Abiy's expectations of a peaceful and democratic election that will signal a new dawn and confound critics at home and abroad. "The country will be stable after this election," said schoolteacher and excited voter Edile Abbajobir. "We are counting down the days to go and vote." Self-employed Kedir Jemal said those predicting violence are simply "wired to violence" themselves. "The election will be peaceful," he said. Rally for change In the capital Addis Ababa, opposition parties also took to the streets, cramming into town squares and blocking traffic with noisy parades and singing and dancing. The Balderas party, whose leader is behind bars, marched downtown in a raucous procession lead by men on horseback trailed by a convoy of ear-splitting loudspeakers. "We are rallying for the people, even if we don't believe this vote will be fully free or fair," said Zebiba Ibrahim, a 25-year-old candidate running for the opposition party. "We are doing the best we can, so our voice can be heard." In Meskel Square, in the heart of the capital, another opposition party, Ezema, gathered supporters wrapped in Ethiopian flags and chanting slogans for a final rally. "In previous elections, you couldn't do rallies, you couldn't do anything," said Temesgen Getahun, a 37-year-old hotel worker watching the nearby festivities. "If you took to the streets you were jailed so... considering those elections, this one is fine." The United States has criticised the decision to push ahead with twice-delayed elections, while the European Union has said it will not send observers as it could not guarantee their freedom to work independently. Staging the polls in the vast country of 110 million is a logistical challenge at the best of times, worsened by unrest, conflict and Covid-19. The coronavirus pandemic triggered the initial 10-month postponement of the original August 2020 vote, while technical hitches forced a subsequent weeks-long delay last month. Short link: Tunisian President Kais Saied called on Tuesday for a dialogue with political parties on creating a new political system and amending the 2014 constitution, which he described as with locks everywhere, in an effort to ease the ongoing political crisis. Saied's comments could pave the way for an end to a months-long political standoff with Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi, who is backed by parliament Speaker Rached Ghannouchi, leader of the moderate Islamist Ennahda party, over powers and political alliances. The Tunisian constitution, approved following the 2011 revolution, has been widely praised as a modernist constitution. But many politicians admit that it includes many controversial chapters and needs amendment. "Let us enter into a credible dialogue... to a new political system and a real constitution, because this constitution is based on putting locks everywhere and institutions cannot proceed with locks or deals", Saied said during a meeting with Mechichi and three former prime ministers. In April, Saied said that his powers as commander of the armed forces also cover the internal security forces, not only the army, escalating his dispute with Mechichi. He relied also on a controversy over the interpretation of a constitutional chapters. While Ennahda, the biggest party in parliament, supports a full parliamentary system, Saied wants a presidential system. The current system is mixed, in which the president is elected directly, while most of the powers are in the hands of the prime minister, who is appointed by the ruling coalition. Tunisia is the only Arab country to have managed a peaceful transition to democracy after the Arab Spring uprisings that swept through the region in 2011. But the North African nations economy has been crippled by high debt and deteriorating public services, made worse by the global coronavirus pandemic. Short link: A Palestinian teenager died Thursday after being shot by Israeli troops in the occupied West Bank during a protest against a settlement outpost, the fourth demonstrator to be killed since the outpost was established last month. Tensions remain high in the region following Israel's 11-day military campaign on Gaza Strip in May. The Israeli military said Wednesday that a soldier stationed near the wildcat outpost saw a group of Palestinians approaching, and that one ``hurled a suspicious object at him, which exploded adjacent to the soldier.'' The army said that the soldier fired in the air, then shot the Palestinian who threw the object. The Palestinian Health Ministry said Ahmad Shamsa, 15, died of a gunshot wound sustained a day earlier. Settlers established the outpost, which they refer to as Eviatar, near the northern West Bank town of Nablus last month and say it is now home to dozens of families. Palestinians say it is built on private land and fear it will grow and merge with other large settlements nearby. Israeli authorities have evacuated the outpost on several occasions. They appear reluctant to do so this time because it would embarrass Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and other right-wing members of the fragile government sworn in over the weekend. Palestinians from the nearby village of Beita have held several protests in which demonstrators and Israeli troops have fired tear gas and live ammunition. Four Palestinians have been killed since mid-May, including Shamsa and another teenager. In a separate incident, the Israeli military shot and killed a Palestinian woman on Wednesday, saying she had tried to ram her car into a group of soldiers guarding a West Bank construction site. The family of Mai Afaneh insisted she had no reason or ability to carry out an attack. Palestinians and Israeli human rights groups say the soldiers often use excessive force and could have stopped some assailants without killing them. In some cases, they say that innocent people have been identified as attackers and shot. The Palestinians seek the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where the Palestinian Authority exerts limited self-rule in population centers, as part of a future state along with the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem. Israel captured all three territories in the 1967 war and says Jerusalem is indivisible. There have been no substantive peace talks in more than a decade. *This story was edited by Ahram Online. Short link: President Joe Biden and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan agreed in a meeting this week that Turkey would take a lead role in securing Kabul airport as the United States withdraws troops from Afghanistan, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said on Thursday. However, the two leaders were not able to resolve the long-standing issue of Turkey's purchase of Russian S-400 defense systems, Sullivan said, a bitter dispute that strained ties between the NATO allies. He added that dialogue on the issue would Sullivan told reporters that Biden and Erdogan, in their meeting on Monday at the NATO summit, discussed the Afghanistan issue. Erdogan sought certain forms of U.S. support to secure the airport and Biden committed to providing that support, Sullivan said. "The clear commitment from the leaders was established that Turkey would play a lead role in securing Hamid Karzai International Airport and we are now working through how to execute to get to that," Sullivan said, giving the first details from the U.S. side of the meeting which the Turkish presidency has not provided details of. Turkey and the United States have been at odds over a host of issues including Ankara's purchase of Russian weaponry, policy differences in Syria and the Eastern Mediterranean and expectations for a breakthrough in first face-to-face meeting between Erdogan and Biden were slim. The two leaders sounded upbeat after their meeting although they did not announce what concrete progress they made. One potential area of cooperation has been Afghanistan, where Ankara has offered to guard and operate Kabul airport after U.S. and NATO forces withdraw in coming weeks. The security of the airport is crucial for the operation of diplomatic missions out of the Afghanistan as Western forces pull out. Last week, a Taliban spokesman said Turkey should withdraw its troops from Afghanistan under the 2020 deal for the pullout of U.S. forces but Sullivan said the Taliban comments did not deter the "detailed and effective" security plan the United States was putting together. "Obviously we take seriously the concern that Taliban or other elements in Afghanistan will attack the Western or the international presence...We do not believe that what Taliban has said publicly should or will deter the efforts underway right now to establish that security presence," he said. As president, Biden has adopted a cooler tone than predecessor Donald Trump towards Erdogan. Biden quickly recognised the 1915 massacre of Armenians as genocide - a position that angers Turkey - and stepped up criticism of Turkey's human rights record. But it was not clear if Biden raised the human rights issue with Erdogan during his meeting and Sullivan provided little details on how, if at all, the impasse over the S-400s, which prompted Washington to remove Ankara from the F-35 fighter jet program and impose sanctions, would be resolved. "They discussed it. There was not a resolution of the issue. There was a commitment to continue the dialogue on the S-400 and the two teams will be following up on that coming out of the meeting," he said. Short link: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday praised the outcome of his summit with U.S. President Joe Biden and called him an astute and shrewd negotiator. The two leaders concluded three hours of talks Wednesday at an opulent villa facing Lake Geneva by exchanging expressions of mutual respect but firmly restating their starkly different views on cyberattacks, the conflict in Ukraine, political dissent and other issues. At the same time, they announced an agreement to return each other's ambassadors and mapped more talks on arms control and cybersecurity. Putin, who hailed Biden as a highly experienced and constructive interlocutor at a news conference in Geneva, offered more praise of the U.S. leader on Thursday in a video call with graduates of a government management school. Biden kept him on his guard with his savvy negotiating skills, Putin said. ``He perfectly knows the matter,`` Putin said. ``He is fully concentrated and knows what he wants to achieve. And he does it very shrewdly.'' He dismissed what he described as media attempts to cast Biden as physically frail, noting that the 78-year-old U.S. president was in great shape even though the meeting wrapped up a European tour for him that included the G-7 and NATO summits. ``He was on a long trip, he flew in from across the ocean, involving jetlag,'' the 68-year-old Putin said, adding that he knows how tiring travel can be. ``The atmosphere was quite friendly,'' he added. ``I think we managed to understand each other, we managed to understand each other's positions on key issue, they differ on many things and we noted the differences. At the same time, we established areas and points where we can possibly bring our positions closer in the future.'' Putin particularly emphasized the importance of an agreement to conduct dialogue on cybersecurity between experts, saying it would help reduce tensions. Biden said he and Putin agreed to have their experts work out an understanding about what types of critical infrastructure would be off-limits to cyberattacks. The agreement follows a flood of ransomware attacks against U.S. businesses and government agencies that U.S. officials said originated from Russia. Putin, who has strongly denied any Russian state role in the cyberattacks, argued Thursday that ``instead of finger-pointing and bickering, we should better combine efforts to fight cybercrime.'' Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the summit as positive and productive, saying it allowed the leaders ``to directly put forward their positions and try to understand where interaction is possible and where there can be no interaction due to categorical disagreements.'' Peskov particularly noted the joint statement from the presidents that said the two countries will conduct a dialogue on strategic stability issues and reaffirmed that ``a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought'' _ a principle declared by U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev at their Geneva summit in 1985. Restating the principle was a ``significant achievement'' amid current tensions between Moscow and Washington, said Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, who attended the talks. The strategic stability dialogue would cover a wide range of issues related to nuclear and other weapons and is key to reducing the risk of conflict between the two superpowers. The talks follow a decision this year to extend the New START, the last remaining U.S.-Russian arms control pact and would be aimed at working out a follow-up agreement after it expires in 2026. The negotiations will be complex and strenuous. The U.S. is worried about new destabilizing weapons developed by Russia, such as the atomic-powered, nuclear-armed Poseidon underwater drone, while Russia wants to include U.S. missile defense and potential space-based weapons in an agreement. ``It's a difficult task to conjugate the approaches and formulas,'' Ryabkov said. ``But we are ready to try to solve it.'' Konstantin Kosachev, a deputy speaker of Russia's upper house of parliament, hoped that talks between experts would help reduce the bad blood. ``The more often experts will meet, the less room the politicians will have for speculation and manipulation,'' he told The Associated Press. The decision to return the ambassadors, who left their posts amid the tensions, was also widely billed by Russian officials and experts as an important move to stabilize ties. Russia recalled its ambassador, Anatoly Antonov, for consultations in March after Biden described Putin as a killer in an interview. John Sullivan, the U.S. ambassador to Moscow, flew home in April after public suggestions from Russian officials that he should leave to mirror Antonov's departure. U.S.-Russian ties have plummeted to all-time lows after Moscow's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, accusations of Russian interference in elections and cyberattacks, and Western criticism of the Kremlin's crackdown on the opposition. Biden criticized the imprisonment of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and other moves by the Kremlin to stifle dissent and independent media. Putin shot back, keeping to his practice of never mentioning his chief political foe by name, saying Navalny knew he was breaking the law and was duly punished. He added that government critics designated as ``foreign agents'' were pursuing malign Western interests. In comments posted to his Instagram account, Navalny denounced Putin's comments as lies. ``He just doesn't say a word of truth,'' Navalny said. ``Clearly, he just physically can't stop lying.'' Navalny 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 _ an accusation that Russian officials reject. In February, Navalny was given a 2 1/2-year prison term for violating the terms of a suspended sentence from a 2014 embezzlement conviction that he dismissed as politically motivated. Navalny's supporters held a protest in Geneva ahead of Putin's visit and dotted the city with billboards blasting the Kremlin for refusing to investigate his poisoning. On Ukraine, Russia reaffirmed its view that the country's bid for NATO membership represents a red line, while the U.S. has restated that the alliance's doors remain open for its membership. Some in Ukraine voiced hope the summit could help ease tensions that spiked this year when Russia bolstered its forces near Ukraine. ``Reducing the conflict potential in U.S.-Russian relations could help lower tensions on our border with Russia,'' said Volodymyr Fesenko, head of the Penta Center think tank. But independent Kyiv-based political expert Vadim Karasev warned of a danger that the lack of resolution of the conflict with Russia-backed separatists in Ukraine's eastern industrial heartland known as the Donbas would make it frozen, and the country would steadily drift to the fringes of international politics. ``The results of the Putin-Biden meeting will cool Kyiv's aspirations,'' Karasev said. ``Ukraine won't be able to quickly join NATO, and the conflict in Donbas will become a chronic one. The Ukrainian issue will lose its acuteness, leaving Kyiv on the periphery of the global agenda.'' Experts say that sharp differences rule out any quick progress on the divisive issues. ``Confrontation will continue, but there is a hope now that instead of being uncontrollable it could become more orderly,'' said Valery Garbuzov, the head of the U.S. and Canada Institute, the government-funded think-tank. Short link: An extremist group like al-Qaeda may be able to regenerate in Afghanistan and pose a threat to the U.S. homeland within two years of the American military's withdrawal from the country, the Pentagon's top leaders said Thursday. It was the most specific public forecast of the prospects for a renewed international terrorist threat from Afghanistan since President Joe Biden announced in April that all U.S. troops would withdraw by Sept. 11. At a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., asked Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Gen. Mark Milley whether they rated the likelihood of a regeneration of al-Qaeda or the Islamic State group in Afghanistan as small, medium or large. ``I would assess it as medium,`` Austin replied. ``I would also say, senator, that it would take possibly two years for them to develop that capability.`` Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, said he agreed. ``I think that if certain other things happen _ if there was a collapse of the government or the dissolution of the Afghan security forces _ that risk would obviously increase, but right now I would say `medium' and about two years or so,`` Milley said. The U.S. invaded Afghanistan after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks on America, when the Taliban allowed al-Qaeda safe haven in the country. The key goal of U.S and coalition troops in Afghanistan since then has been to prevent a resurgence and another attack against America or other allies. Military leaders have consistently said that combat operations in Afghanistan have greatly reduced the number of al-Qaeda there. But they say that both al-Qaeda and IS continue to aspire to attack America. The Pentagon has said the U.S. withdrawal after nearly 20 years in Afghanistan is a little more than half completed, and U.S.-led coalition partners also are leaving. Short link: The Chinese Huawei Technologies, an information and communication technology solutions company, has announced the establishment of the Cairo New Campus Club (CNCC) on the sidelines of the New Network Solutions for Enterprise Summit that was held in Sharm El-Sheikh. The company said the action came in partnership with more than 100 industrial partners in the field of education and urban expansion in Egypt aiming to develop new and smart network solutions for enterprises in the two sectors, which helps Egypt advance the Urban wheel development and digital transformation. The New Network Solutions for Enterprise Summit included 26 participants from 19 entities from the education sector represented by the Ministry of Higher Education, 10 public universities, 8 private universities, and 24 companies from the real estate development sector. Huawei aims to digitise all industries and different sectors through providing information and communication technologies and by providing new and smart network solutions to suit each sector and industry in order to achieve inclusive growth in the country, according to Leo Hongliang the Vice President of the Enterprise Business Group of Huawei North Africa. I am pleased with the establishment of Cairo New Campus Club by Huawei and the response of Huaweis partners to this summit, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Of course, 2020 was undoubtedly a challenging year, and COVID-19 had a major negative impact on every aspect of life, which made us receive 2021 with new challenges but with the desire to overcome the epidemic and return the world towards the right track. Huawei continues its work by providing the latest technological solutions at the local level, said Vincent Sun, the CEO of Huawei Egypt. Nisreen Lashin the head of the investor support unit at Egypts Ministry of Finance stressed that the government is working hard to provide all facilities to investors to help them participate in the governments efforts in achieving Egypts Vision 2030 through cooperation with social funds or foreign invested funds in education and building smart cities. Search Keywords: Short link: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday that New Zealands Muslim community should be the focus of any film about the Christchurch mosque attacks after some people raised objections to a movie focussing on her response to the bloodshed. A film called They Are Us is being planned about the attacks on two mosques by a white supremacist gunman on March 15, 2019, in which 51 people were killed, the Hollywood Reporter said last week. The magazine described the film as an "inspirational story" about Ardern's response to the violence. Ardern's office said last week she and the government had no involvement with the film. Asked about it at a news conference, she said the Muslim community should be at the centre of any film about the shootings, not her. "This is very raw event for New Zealand and even more so for the community that experienced it," Ardern said. "I agree that there are stories that at some point should be told from March 15. But they are the stories from our Muslim community so they need to be at the centre of that. I don't consider mine to be one of the stories that needs to be told," she said. She said, however, it was not for her to say whether a project should go ahead or not. The film's title is drawn from Ardern's words on the day of the shootings. The 40-year-old leader's compassionate response united her shocked country and was praised globally. New Zealander Andrew Niccol would write and direct the film, the Hollywood Reporter said. It quoted him as saying it was not so much about the attacks but Ardern's handling of it. But some Muslims questioned the plan to make a film when the pain of victims' families, friends and the wider community was still so raw. They also questioned the plan to focus the film on the prime minister and not the victims. Muslim community advocate Guled Mire told the 1 NEWS network that he thought the film was "distasteful". "It completely feeds into this white saviour mentality," he said. Armed with high-capacity semi-automatic weapons, Australian Brenton Tarrant killed the 51 people and injured dozens when he opened fire in the two mosques during Friday prayers in Christchurch. Tarrant was last year sentenced to life in prison without parole. For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture Short link: On 6 June, CEO of the Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Hani Salem Sonbol paid a five-day official visit to Egypt, his first since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. During his stay, Sonbol met with Hala Al-Said, minister of planning and economic development, and governor for Egypt at the IsDB Group, as well as Ali Moselhi, minister of supply and internal trade, to discuss the corporations provision of $400 million to the General Authority for Supply Commodities. He also met with Tarek Al-Molla, minister of petroleum and mineral resources, to discuss the $700 million provided to the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation, and Rania Al-Mashat, minister of international cooperation, to pave the way for further cooperation and the implementation of the $1.1 billion 2021 financing programme. In an exclusive interview with Al-Ahram Weekly while in Cairo, Sonbol talked about the efforts needed to overcome the fallout from the pandemic and how the ITFC can help. How does the ITFC perceive the investment and business atmosphere in Egypt? Despite the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, economic activity in Egypt is rebounding. According to the World Bank, remittances, portfolio inflows, and external financing continue to support the countrys international reserves. The government of Egypt is committed to strengthening its pandemic-containment efforts, pushing ahead with fiscal and structural reforms, strengthening social protection, and advancing its human capital efforts, all of which provide a more stable investment and business environment. As part of its national development strategy, the government intends to increase exports to $100 billion cumulatively within the next five years, as well as to strengthen private-sector development and tap into its productive capacities to meet the countrys economic ambitions. With the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which as the largest free-trade area of its kind stands to increase Africas exports by $560 billion, mostly in manufacturing, Egypt is well placed to be a driver of inter-regional trade with emerging African economies and surrounding regions. The AfCFTA represents an important opportunity for Egypt, especially in supporting the countrys ambitions to build fourth-generation cities that will accommodate an estimated 30 million people, providing millions of jobs and catalysing the role of the private sector in driving growth. This is where programmes such as the Arab-Africa Trade Bridges (AATB) Programme, which aims to drive inter-regional trade and investment flows between Arab and African countries, are supporting both the Egyptian public and private sectors to identify and build stronger commercial partnerships, develop export capacity, and enhance trade potential across key growth sectors. How are the ITFC facilities good for Egypt? Egypt has always been an important member of the ITFC. The corporation continues to build strategic relationship with Egypt, supporting the country to meet its trade finance and development needs, enhance its export potential, help strengthen the capacity of its SMEs, and support private-sector development amongst others, with a total financing of $12 billion through five framework agreements. The most recent, the fifth framework agreement, signed in January this year for $1.1 billion, focuses on integrated trade solutions to support Egyptian entities through trade financing and trade development components, boosting the countrys export potential, developing value chains in sectors such as cotton, driving female entrepreneurship, enhancing SME growth, and providing strategic commodities for the country. In relation to strengthening the economic participation of women, the ITFC has, in coordination with the International Trade Centre (ITC), launched the She Trades Egypt Programme within the framework of the Aid-for-Trade Initiative for Arab States (AfTIAS). Through this programme, 50 women-led SMEs from the Egyptian Womens Union Association and Egyptian Businesswomens Association will be able to take advantage of expanded trade networks and be empowered to upskill, identify new market trends, and exploit new technologies and environments such as the digital economy and virtual learning. Furthermore, given Egypts ideal location between the Arab and African regions, the country is a major partner and governing board member of the Arab-Africa Trade Bridges Programme (AATB). Between 2018 and 2019, Egyptian companies have benefited significantly from enhanced trade relations and partnerships with African countries, particularly in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Under the AATB alliance, the ITFC also supports the Egyptian Export Development Authority (EDA) to implement a comprehensive programme for Egyptian exporters in various projects between 2020 and 2021. Amongst these projects are capacity development workshops for furniture exporters in Cairo and Damietta, allowing them to tap into African markets. Additionally, a partnership with the Egyptian Exporters Association (EXPOLINK) is underway to organise an export incubator programme in cooperation with the Foreign Trade Training Centre (FTTC). What kind of assistance has the ITFC extended to Egypt in relation to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis? The ITFCs pandemic-response strategy had been part of the Islamic Development Bank Groups response programme, with a total allocation of $2.3 billion as part of its Rapid Response Initiative to support the immediate needs of member countries. The ITFCs trade finance approvals reached $605 million in the Rapid Response phase, exceeding the initial targeted allocations. Egypt was amongst the first beneficiaries for emergency funding through the provision of $200 million to the General Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC) to cover the Egyptian governments immediate needs for basic strategic commodities, including food staples. In addition, the ITFCs ongoing trade solutions agreements as part of the 2021 development plan for Egypt are all geared towards protecting the continuity of trade to sustain the Egyptian economy by building the capacities of important export sectors such as SMEs, strengthening the economic participation of women through trade, and building stronger value chains in sectors such as cotton, all of which contribute to the governments ongoing pandemic-containment measures. How has Egypt benefited from the AfTIAS? Egypt is a vital member of the AfTIAS, having played a key role in the establishment of the first phase of the programme and directly contributing to the supervision of 28 projects geared towards driving foreign trade between the Arab countries. During the first phase of the AfTIAS, the Egyptian trade ecosystem benefited from nine initiatives aimed at facilitating trade, addressing non-tariff measures, building export capacity, and enhancing the role of women in trade. Egypt also contributed to the design of the second phase of the AfTIAS, which included addressing priorities to overcome the negative effects of the pandemic on Arab trade. The government has committed $1.25 million to improving the capabilities of export development institutions and strengthening access to foreign markets, as well as strengthening the participation of Arab countries in global value chains. This sum will also go towards improving the skills of youth and women and drive SMEs in the e-commerce sector, digitise commercial operations in vital foreign-trade sectors, and address barriers to accessing Arab and international markets. How do you see the impact of Covid-19 on intra-Arab trade and on trade between Arab and African countries? The Covid-19 pandemic has shown just how important programmes such as AfTIAS and AATB are in ensuring ongoing trade and investment flows and safeguarding economies. Now more than ever, Arab and African countries should embrace greater trade integration and cooperation and build regional supply chains to boost local industries and exports. Under the two programmes, several key initiatives have already been held this year to drive trade continuity. As part of the AfTIAS, the first-ever International Virtual Exhibition for Madinah Dates was held, aimed at increasing internal and external demand for the provinces dates and enhancing their competitiveness on the global market. Over 35 exhibitors, date-export companies and government agencies participated in the event. More than 90 business-matching meetings between exhibitors and potential buyers from targeted international date markets were also held. Additionally, an agreement with the Arab Tourism Organisation (ATO) laid down a general framework for cooperation and coordination to support the development of the tourism sector in the Arab region, especially in view of the impacts of Covid-19. In terms of securing Arab-Africa trade, earlier this year the ITFC alongside the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC) and the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) hosted a webinar for over 1,000 development institutions, sovereign funds, banks, investment and private equity companies, and key government and corporate sector representatives. Held under the AATB programme, the event set out to identify channels to bridge the gap between regions by leveraging the programmes investment, trade, and insurance pillars to drive business opportunities across key industries such as agro-food, health and pharmaceuticals, building and construction materials and equipment, and machinery and electrical equipment. Another AATB initiative was the launch of the Market Access Requirements Programme for African Markets in partnership with the Export Development Authority (EDA) to enable Egyptian exporters to access African markets across industries such as building materials, chemicals, medical and pharmaceuticals, engineering, printing, packaging, paper products, and furniture. Target African markets include Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Rwanda in the East, along with Senegal, Cote dIvoire, Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, and Guinea in the West, and South Africa, Angola, Zambia, and Zimbabwe in the South. In March, a workshop was held for over 70 furniture-exporting companies in Damietta aimed at facilitating knowledge-transfer on the technical requirements, export-planning, and marketing services required to effectively access African markets. Both the AfTIAS and AATB programme platforms will continue to address the need for enhanced trade integration and identify opportunities to protect trade continuity in these key regions. How can the Arab countries deal positively with challenges in the near term and beyond? The Covid-19 pandemic revealed the priority sectors that are critical to the development and recovery of the Arab countries. Prioritising healthcare and inclusive human capital through the creation of decent and sustainable jobs is integral to building the resilience of communities. There is immense opportunity to increase dialogue with the private sector and identify ways to overcome various challenges. Earlier this year, as part of the AfTIAS programme a roundtable was held on post-Covid-19 economic recovery through inclusive job creation. The virtual roundtable highlighted key areas of intervention, ranging from poverty alleviation to inclusive job creation, enhancing stability in fragile states, and curbing migration. Over the course of the year, additional workshops will be held for the private sector to provide it with a wider understanding of the Arab market and identify opportunities for enhanced trade collaboration in these challenging times. What were some of the additional outcomes of your five-day visit to Cairo this month? One of the most important outcomes was the signing of a partnership agreement with the Egyptian Exporters Association (EXPOLINK) to support young entrepreneurs seeking trade and trade-finance opportunities in Egypt and beyond under the umbrella of the AATB. The partnership agreement comes in response to the conditions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic to enable Egyptian exporters to enter new markets and grow their competitive edge, particularly understanding the requirements of electronic exports and their importance to targeting a larger number of potential customers around the world. The programme also supports entrepreneurs in identifying future export trends and handling various issues related to shipping, customs, electronic contracts, and transactions. The training programme for exporters on Entering African Markets also successfully concluded last Thursday in Cairo. Organised by the ITFC in cooperation with the Export Development Authority under the AATB programme, this was the first in a series of initiatives to train Egyptian exporters on tangible mechanisms to access African markets and benefiting representatives from 50 companies from the targeted exporting sectors in many fields. The workshop helped to spotlight opportunities for trade in Africa, forge an integrated export strategy for the African market, understand the legal landscape of the continent, and map opportunities across Africas diverse countries and cities. *A version of this article appears in print in the 17 June, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Short link: For the second year in a row, millions of Muslims around the world will miss out on the fifth pillar of their faith: Hajj, or the Pilgrimage to the Kaaba, which a practising Muslim who is able to is required to visit at least once in a lifetime. The Saudi authorities arrange the number of pilgrims every year and set allocations to each country. Last week, Saudi Arabia announced the Hajj would be restricted to only 60,000 of those resident in the kingdom, in contrast to 10,000 residents last year. The decision, taken in reponse to the coronavirus pandemic, was widely anticipated, yet many are frustrated with being denied the opportunity. Despite increasing vaccine use and restrictions being lifted, viral mutations and hotspots of infection make such measures necessary. Saudi Health Minister Tawfik Al-Rabiah has justified the decision: The decision (was made) to guarantee the safety of Hajj amid uncertainty over the coronavirus Despite the availability of the vaccine, there is uncertainty over the virus and some countries still record high numbers of Covid cases. The other challenge is the different variants of the virus, that is why it was decided to restrict Hajj. The minister also said only those who had received Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines would be allowed to perform Hajj. Once again no country will not be able to send citizens to Mecca, which means another two million people will not perform the ritual. According to Saudi official figures, in the year before the pandemic more than 2.4 million foreign and domestic pilgrims performed the Hajj. Out of those, 70 per cent, or around 1.75 million, travelled from abroad. In fact, the coronavirus situation in Saudi Arabia is not so bad with daily infection numbers at just over a thousand and a very low mortality rate. So far, about 462,000 cases of the virus have been reported, along with 7500 deaths. Vaccination is also increasing, as some 15.4 million vaccine doses have been administered in a country of some 30 million people. Caution on the part of the Saudi authorities reflects their fear of an uncontrollable outbreak during the week-long event next month, where protection measures could prove unsustainable. Hajj season was previously marred by unfortunate incidents that led to loss of life. These were not confined to accidents or fires but also included infectious disease outbreaks. In the AD 632, pilgrims fought off a malaria outbreak, and in 1821 cholera killed some 20,000 people and another cholera outbreak killed 15,000 in 1865 before it spread worldwide. More recently, in 2012 Saudi Arabia faced Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), another coronavirus (different from Covid-19), and has since intensified its public health measures during the Hajj urging the sick and the elderly not to take part. It also bans pilgrims from countries affected by Ebola. No doubt limiting the Hajj was no easy decision for a country trying to diversify its economy away from complete reliance on oil. Hajj, and Umrah, are the pillars of religious tourism, generating around $12 billion a year. It is not the direct revenue that matters, but the many economic activities associated with the influx of pilgrims. Hundreds of thousands of seasonal workers rely on these times to make a living. One example of a sector in recession due to restrictions is the jet fuel local market, which traditionally rises during peak summer and religious holidays. As angusmedia.com reported this week, according to latest data from the Joint Organisations Data Initiative (JODI), in Saudi Arabia the domestic consumption of jet fuel, including kerosene, dropped to an average of around 44,000 barrel a day last year from 103,000 b/d in 2019, the lowest annual level since it began keeping records in 2002. Petrol and diesel demand will probably also fail to gain a boost, as road vehicles are normally used to transport pilgrims to the holy sites. Not only is there loss of revenue from investments, Saudi Arabia also allocated funds to developing the holy sites in Mecca and Medina. In recent years the kingdom invested billions of dollars in expanding the venues and improving services, aiming to raise the number of pilgrims to more than four million a year. Negative economic impact is not confined to the kingdom, but also affects countries sending hundreds of thousands of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. Apart from regular staff, pilgrim welfare boards in those countries usually engage hundreds of personnel on a contract basis to facilitate the smooth running of the exercise. Travel agencies, airlines, airports and other services in those countries are devastated by the cancellation of their businesses for the second year in a row. Still, the possibility of loss of human life outweighs any financial or economic losses incurred. *A version of this article appears in print in the 17 June, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: Iranian voters are about to head to the polls to elect a new president. Once again, the debate in the Arab world is about whether the elections will bring any meaningful change in the Islamic Republics policies towards the region. There is almost unanimous agreement that in a system in which the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has absolute power over the government, Irans elected officials have negligible political weight when it comes to changing the status quo. But while democracys fate remains Irans problem when seen from home, there are key reasons to believe that the upcoming elections, which come at a pivotal time for Iran and the region, should also be closely watched abroad. For Arabs who are weary of Irans belligerent policies in the region, there is much to hope for to help establish some boundaries in the tense relationship with Iran, though they are not holding their breath for a breakthrough. Iranians will go to the polls on 18 June to choose a new president from a list of just seven men who have been carefully selected by a constitutional watchdog and include five ultraconservatives and two reformists. At the top of the list is Ebrahim Raisi, a 60-year-old ultraconservative cleric who has headed Irans judiciary since 2019 after a three-decade career in the legal system and having held the key post of guardian of Irans most holy shrine in Mashhad. Raisi won 38 per cent of the vote in the last presidential elections in 2017. In the current elections, with no powerful candidates in the running after all the leading reformists and centrists were disqualified, he has emerged as the only front-rank candidate. Irans 13th set of presidential elections since the Islamic Revolution in 1979 comes amid mounting calls for a boycott, however. Many Iranians seem inclined simply to stay away from the polling booths, and several surveys have found that more than 30 per cent of them will not vote. However, if elected, Raisi is expected to strengthen the extremists grip on power, amid increasing political uncertainty, social unrest and economic problems in Iran caused by crippling US sanctions and the Covid-19 pandemic. While Fridays presidential elections may not be a tool for positive change in Iran, they could still be one of the most important votes for the country in many years. The timing is ostensibly important, and some say the elections could mark a transition for Iran if Raisi is elected after conservatives garnered 230 seats in the countrys parliament last year. The results of the two elections would mean that hardline elements would increase their power as the country comes out of crippling economic sanctions after an expected deal to bring the US and Iran back into compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal. The changeover would also come amidst increasingly chaotic politics in Iran as the country prepares for the succession to Khamenei. Rumours about the supreme leaders health have raised speculation about who might be his successor. Khamenei is 82 years old and is believed to be in failing health. Raisi, who like the supreme leader was born in Mashhad, is believed to be the most likely candidate to succeed Khamenei. His possible ascent to the highest posts has suggested that he has been groomed for the role to ensure that a hardliner wins. But Raisis path to the top job of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic will not be easy. Though he studied at the Shia seminary in Qom for his religious education, he is not known as a marji taqlid, a title only given to the highest level of Shia clergy. In theory, there are many religious figures who meet the requirements for the job, and Raisis succession may be met with discontent by many in Iran who have concerns about his accreditation. Though he has connections with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), this powerful force in Iran has yet to decide how to respond to Raisi amid increasing signs that the paramilitary force wants to hold a strong hand in Irans politics. Many in Iran have predicted that the IRGC, which has always touted its role as the countrys saviour, will use the next elections to secure its legacy and will take over the Iranian presidency as it has the parliament. Parliamentary Speaker Mohamed Bagher Ghalibaf is a former brigadier-general of the IRGC, and two-thirds of the assemblys presiding board are either former members or are still affiliated with the Corps and its auxiliary organisations. Hardliners also now control the judiciary, the mainly appointed and powerful Guardianship Council, key financial and economic institutions, the state media networks and most of Irans security apparatus. An audio tape leaked in April in which Irans Foreign Minister Mohamed Javad Zarif bemoaned the fact that the IRGC dominates the countrys foreign policy has caused a political firestorm across Iran and underscored the schism between reformists and hardliners. The exclusion of moderates from the elections, many of whom would have been expected to push for political reform and make changes in Irans foreign policies, could exacerbate the countrys crisis, paving the way for the IRGC to keep pursuing its agenda. While Irans main power blocs and political factions have a deep interest in shaping the succession, the question of who will succeed Khamenei remains a matter of great concern to the region and the rest of the world. Most of the world probably sees little at stake in the results of Fridays elections, and as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made clear last week, the US priority is to get a deal with Iran and see it back in the box. Yet, the upcoming vote remains consequential to many in the region who want to address Irans interference and fear significant impacts if the Islamic Republic moves further towards extremes. For Iraqis who have been forced to live under governments built in the shadow of Iran in their country since the 2003 US-led invasion, the signs of hardliners getting further control do not look good, and they should be a flashing warning beacon for what the future holds. Most of Irans malignant activities in Iraq are run by the secretive Al-Quds Force, a branch of the IRGC and the agency in charge of Irans influence overseas that goes beyond political and security efforts to commercial, business and cultural ties. The rise of the extremists in Tehran could also shape the fate of Irans relationships with the Sunni powerhouses in the Gulf, which have a range of disagreements with Iran and are directly affected by the direction of Iranian politics. Tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia, the most powerful Arab nation in the Gulf, have escalated precipitously in recent years over Irans growing influence and because of the two countries support for opposing sides in several regional conflicts. The two powerful neighbours are locked in a strategic rivalry for regional dominance, and more assertive policies pursued by a new Iranian leadership in the region could be a watershed moment in their relations. Saudi Arabia is trying to contain rising Iranian influence in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen, where Irans proxies are engaged in extending the influence of the Islamic Republics revolutionary theocracy beyond its borders. Despite their deep suspicions of Iran, however, the countrys Arab rivals are grudgingly recognising the need to have a working relationship with Tehran to avert a showdown. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been in secret talks with Iran in an effort to reduce the tensions and revive strained relations with the neighbouring regional power. But so far there has been no evidence of a major breakthrough in the Saudi-Iran talks, which are sponsored by Iraq, or the UAE de-escalation efforts with Tehran, which many have hoped would usher in a new start in relations between the Arabs and Iran. The failure to push Iran to negotiate wider regional concerns such as Irans arsenal of missiles, drones and proxies at the nuclear talks and the chance of a diplomatic opening between the US and Iran following an expected deal will certainly embolden Iran. With a new government in Tehran led by ultraconservatives bent on further expanding in the region, the strategic rivalry between Iran and its Arab neighbours is expected to sharpen. Iran in many ways could yet win the regional struggle. *A version of this article appears in print in the 17 June, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: For close to 20 years, Mohamed Ibrahim, a retired general, was Egypts go-to man for managing inter-Palestinian quarrels. He was also very hands-on in managing Palestinian-Israeli relations, especially when it came to relations between Israel and Hamas. As a prominent Egyptian defence official, the name of Ibrahim is most associated with the details of the 2011 Cairo Agreement, which set out the basis for the end of the deep Palestinian divisions that had dominated since 2007. His name is also closely associated with the crucial swap deal that allowed for the release of Israeli prisoner Gilad Shalit in the autumn of 2009 in exchange for over 1,000 Palestinians held by Israel. Today, as deputy chairman of the influential Egyptian Centre for Strategic Studies (ECSS), Ibrahim is certainly well-placed to follow the interrupted path of Palestinian reconciliation that Cairo was hoping to officially kick-start this week and the on-again-off-again negotiations on the widely anticipated prisoner-swap deal that should allow for the release of two Israelis and the bodies of two others in return for what Yehia Al-Senwar, a top political leader of Hamas in Gaza, promised would be 1,111 Palestinians. According to Ibrahim, since 2011 when the Egyptian authorities managed to get the Palestinian factions to sign the Cairo Agreement, there have been continuous efforts on the part of Egypt to build on it to bring about an end to the overall Palestinian split. However, he explained, there has not been enough political will to move on. Today, Ibrahim argued, one of the sticking points that mediators are trying to resolve is the structure and role of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO). Established in 1964 as an umbrella organisation for the liberation of Palestinian territory through means not excluding armed struggle, the PLO has been through quite a metamorphosis over recent decades. Following the 1973 October War, it effectively abandoned the liberation of all of historic Palestine. In the 1980s, it announced the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the territories that were taken by Israel by military force in 1967. In the 1990s, Yasser Arafat, leader of Fatah and the Palestinians historic leader, signed the Oslo Accords with Israeli politicians Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres that established a step-by-step approach towards the establishment of a Palestinian state on parts of the territories captured in 1967. Upon the death of Arafat in 2004, Mahmoud Abbas took over control of both the PLO and the Palestinian Authority (PA) that was established to rule Gaza and parts of the West Bank according to the Palestinian-Israeli agreements. In 2006, Hamas, founded in 1987, managed to secure a wide legislative electoral victory, and one year later it decided to take over Gaza, allegedly to halt the PA repression of members of the Islamic resistance movements and in protest at PA security cooperation with Israel. According to Ibrahim, today all this is history. The idea now is to keep the PLO intact, given the fact that it represents the Palestinian people, and to allow factions like Hamas and Islamic Jihad to be included in it, he said. This should mean that anyone joining the PLO will need to acknowledge and honour all the agreements and commitments taken by the PLO, he explained. Ibrahim admitted that the conflicting characters of the Palestinian leaders, essentially but not only of Fatah and Hamas, have not always been helpful to the cause of reconciliation. However, he insisted that whatever happens, the path of reconciliation will have to be pursued and that Egypt is fully committed to walking this path with the Palestinian factions, no matter how tough it may be. Without reconciliation, things cannot move forward. No political path that serves Palestinian rights can be launched effectively without securing Palestinian reconciliation, Ibrahim stated. Today, he added, the Palestinian leaders need to put aside their differences. They will surely be able to work together. They have often met, and they can certainly work together. Meanwhile, he said that the path of Palestinian reconciliation was independent from that of the prisoner-swap deal. In 2011, he said, the swap deal that included Shalit had been concluded despite persistent differences among the Palestinian factions. There was no reason, he added, that a similar deal could not be concluded today. Egypt, Ibrahim said, is very well placed, with its accumulated experience and well-connected and highly skilled intelligence teams, to handle both paths simultaneously. However, he cautioned that a prisoner-swap deal was in and by itself a tough deal to make. It took five years of negotiations to secure the Shalit deal, he said. The negotiations of such deals are usually very laborious, as they have to cover so many details, including the number of prisoners on the Palestinian side, their political associations, the nature of the sentences they are facing, and so on. It is never easy, and work is under way, but these things take a lot more time than some people may think, he stated. Ibrahim would not say whether imprisoned Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti was on the list of Palestinian prisoners that is currently being negotiated. This is a complicated matter. It has to be subject to Israeli agreement. Barghouti is serving several life sentences, he said. He added that Egypt tried to include Barghouti on the list of Palestinian prisoners exchanged for Shalit, but Israel declined. Meanwhile, Ibrahim said that Egypt had allocated the required resources to embark on its ambitious participation in Gaza reconstruction. Besides the hard work that Egypt had done to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in May, he added, President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi was committed to contributing to the Gaza reconstruction. This was a huge political message. It was a message to the Palestinian people about Egypts commitment to the Palestinian cause. It was also a very clear message to the international community that it needs to follow suit on the path of the reconstruction of Gaza, Ibrahim argued. Egypts work on the reconstruction, he explained, is not about the Palestinian factions or the PA. Egypt has excellent relations with all the Palestinian political factions, and of course it has exceptionally good relations with the Palestinian leadership under Abbas. Meanwhile, Ibrahim said that Egypt is at the same distance from all the factions. But he added that while Egypt deals with Hamas as a Palestinian faction on the ground, there is inevitably particular coordination in view of the fact that Hamas has been in control of Gaza since 2007, which means that it has joint borders extending over 14km with Egypt. So, there are also security coordination and border security issues to be managed. Northern Sinai was certainly an issue. Our military and police forces have been remarkably successful in facing up to the terrorist groups that had been using the tunnels between Gaza and Egypt, he said. Such connections and mediation efforts are meant to allow for the resumption of the political process leading to the two-state solution that should lead to a Palestinian state that lives in peace and security next to the state of Israel. *A version of this article appears in print in the 17 June, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: According to the president of the 22nd Ismailia International Film Festival for Documentaries and Shorts (IIFFDS, 16-22 June), the renowned film critic Essam Zakaria, the delay of the 22ed edition in 2020 due to the pandemic has had negative effects. But it has also had a positive side: We were able, for the current edition, to select the best of the best films in two years, in addition to some 2021 productions as well. The postponement of festivals and most audience activities is an international phenomenon anyway. So it is better to focus on the bright side, which is that life is coming back and that weve been working hard for two years which proves very fruitful. Due to state regulations, in fact, the festival was delayed twice again this year, from April to May and from May to June. This round, Zakaria goes on, is two editions in one. But at the same time we had to limit the program and to reduce some of its activities and film numbers to meet the health precautions of the pandemic. We were able to create a good balance between the quality of films and making everything available to the audience at the same time. Turning the IIFFDS into an online event was not an option Online screening is not the best choice for every filmmaker, but it is the special quality of this festival, its connection with the local audience of Ismailia where people not only see the films but also communicate with the filmmakers and the festivals guests. That is why the online option was not open to us. The festival, which used to screen some of its films in open-air spaces and social clubs, in addition to the Ismailia Culture Palace halls, will this year add an open-air opening and closing ceremony including an open-air screening of the opening film. We did our best to secure high-tech audio-visual devices to ensure that the open-air screenings would have the best quality. According to Zakaria, one of the main problems posed by the delays was the choice of jury members. Thankfully the festival was able to secure a prestigious jury for each o its competitions. The jury of the documentary competition has the Iraqi filmmaker Abbas Fadel as president as well as the Emirati filmmaker Nujoom Al-Ghanem, the Egyptian filmmaker Hala Khalil and the Serbian filmmaker Dejan Petrovic. The fiction and animation competition jury has Moroccan filmmaker Abdelilah Al-Johary, Russian distributor Elena Korzhaeva, Chilean screenwriter Tomas Welss, Egyptian screenwriter Tamer Habib and Macedonian producer Benjamin Kirtishi. This year the festival opens with Fiancees (2019), the Swiss filmmaker Julia Bunters debut feature documentary, on which she accompanies three Egyptian young women preparing for their wedding in Cairo. Their fate reveals deeper insights into Egyptian society and its youth, which is torn between tradition and the desire for freedom. One of the more interesting programmes this year is Stars in Shorts, which pays homage to Egyptian film stars who starred in short movies either at the beginning of their career or after they became stars. The programme invites seven Egyptian film stars to celebratory seminars where they talk about the importance of short movies in their careers and their most recent short films. They are Sabry Fawaz, Ahmed Kamal, Ahmed Wafik, Safia Al-Emary, Basma, Salwa Mohamed Ali and Ahmed Bedir. The films to be screened in the programme are Habib (2019) by Shady Fouad, starring Sayed Ragab and Salwa Mohamed Ali; What Remained (2021) by Rogina Bassaly, starring Mahmoud Qabeil and Safia El Emary; Wintery Spring (2015) by Mohamed Kamel, starring Ahmed Kamal and Eman Moustafa; and Out of The Box (2020) by Ahmed El Basosy, starring Basma.***Considering the Egypt-Russia Cultural Year, which was scheduled for 2020 but delayed, IIFFDS celebrates the event with a special Russian film programme since Russia is the guest of honour this year. According to Zakaria, there was a special consideration to promote recent productions from Russia rather than presenting classical films. We wanted people to watch those films that have less opportunity to be seen through the digital platforms, so the audience can look forward to something different on the big screen, Zakaria said.The Russian programme includes nine Russian recent productions. The screening list includes Yuliya Kiselevas feature length documentary Brain Evolution (2019), a journey exploring the work of the brain, perception and the self from a scientific perspective.There are also two short documentary films. Dead Season (2020) by Natalia Savras is about Sasha, an animation director trying to find a comfortable position in a new country where she faces her first major inner conflict between her creative ambitions and the desire to make money.The other short documentary is Dont Speak (2020) by Anton Azarov. It is the story of Bichiko who moves to Batumi, Georgia to meet his childhood friend Nuzgari in an attempt to recover from a breakup with his girlfriend, only to discover a secret that may end his relationship with his friend too.In the Russian programme as well as two animation shorts, Butterflies and Wandering there are also three short fiction films: NABAT (2020) by Darkhan Tulegenov, Mama (2018) by Vladimir Kott, and Pitfall (2019) by Damir Ibragimov. ***For Zakaria, one way or another animation seems like the future of world cinema: It is part of every kind of filmmaking, being fiction or documentary. In this round, we tried to bring local attention to this point by focusing on the importance of animation through a well-designed programme that introduces the most influential animation schools in the world today.The animation programme is another special event in the 22nd round of IIFFDS, with three of the most important world animation schools represented by 25 short animation films each: the Animation Workshop/ VIA University College (Denmark), ASIFA HELLAS - Hellenic Animation Association (Greece),and The National Film Institute (Hungary).IIFFDS has four competitions in the international programme: the Feature Length Documentary, the Short Documentary, the Short Fiction, and the Short Animation competitions; in addition to the Student Film competition. In the four international competitions there are a number of interesting international and Arab films. In the Feature Length Documentary Competition 10 films, either world premieres or award winners, include three Arab films.A home of ones own (2019) by the Lebanese director Ruba Atiye premiered at the Carthage Film Festival in 2019, and participated in the Jihlava International Documentary Film Festival 2020; Sugar Cage (2019) by the Syrian director Zeina Al-Qahwaji premiered at Dok Leipzig; and The Fifth Story (2020) by the Iraqi director Ahmed Abd, won the FIPRESCI Prize for Best Documentary at the Amsterdam International Documentary Film Festival (IDFA) Competition for First Appearance.The Feature Length Documentary Competition also includes Exemplary Behaviour (2019) by Audrius Mickevicius and Nerijus Mileriuswhich won three film awards at Dok Leipzig (the FIPRESCI Prize for Best Documentary Film, the Golden Dove for the best Long Documentary and Animated Film, and the Prize of the Interreligious Jury); Punks (2019) by Maasja Ooms, the winner of Best Dutch Documentary, Best Cinematography, and Best Editing from Amsterdam International Documentary Film Festival (IDFA); Island of Souls (2020) by Lotta Petronella, which received an Honorable Mention at the Copenhagen International Documentary Festival (CPH: DOX); Tales from the Prison Cell (2021) by Abel Visky, which received a special mention at the Budapest International Documentary Festival; When the Persimmons Grew (2019) by Hilal Baydarov, the winner of the Interreligious Prize and the Jury Prize from Nyon Visions du Reel in 2019, and the Best Documentary Award at the Sarajevo Film Festival 2019.The Short Documentary Competition includes 15 films, among them Behind a Transparent Cement Barrier (2020) by the award-winning Egyptian filmmaker Amr Bayomi, and A City and a Woman (2021) by the Lebanese director Nicolas Khoury. The Short Fiction competition includes 16 films, among them Maradonas Legs (2019) by the Palestinian director Firas Khoury, the winner of the Best Short Film from Montpellier Mediterranean Film Festival 2020; Somewhere in Time (2020) by the Emirati director Nawaf Al-Janahi; Al Sit (2020) by the Sudanese director Suzzanah Marghani, which won six international awards including the Jury Prize from the Busan International Short Film Festival 2021, and the Canal+ Award from Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival 2021; Bint Werdan (2020) by the Kuwaiti director Maysaa Almumin, which received an honorable mention at the Cinefantasy International Fantastic Cinema Festival in 2021; and Aicha by the Morrocan director Zakaria Nouri. The Short Animation competition has 15 films including Falling into the Summit by the Jordanian filmmaker Aya Radi. The Student Film competition, dedicated to Egyptian film school students, has 14 short fiction and documentary films from the film students of the German University in Cairo, the Jesuit Culture Centre of Alexandria, the Jesuit Cairo, the Cinema High Institute, the Zat Studio, the French University in Cairo, and the Beni Suef University (Faculty of Mass Media). According to Zakaria, the competition this year sees an increasing number of quality films, and for the first time there will be a financial award for the best student film. Honoured is the renowned film critic Kamal Ramzy: He is one of the pillars of Egyptian film criticism who had a great long career starting from 1965 serving the mission of raising awareness of cinematic culture through his lectures, articles, and books. Also honoured is the name of the late animator Faiza Hussain. She is one of the pioneers of animation in Egypt and a founding member of the Egyptian Society of Animation. Honorary mentions go to the late star Ragaa Al-Geddawi (1934-2020) as the daughter of Ismailia and for her honorable film career, the late documentary film and television director and presenter Shafi Shalabi (1947- 2021). A special programme will be dedicated to some of his works screenings in addition to a seminar discussing his role in film and television. Regarding this years publications, which used to be one of the fixtures of IIFFDS, they include a book celebrating the renowned film critic Kamal Ramzy, Unknown Pages in the History of Egyptian Cinema by the film critic Mahmoud Kasem, The Cinema of Youssef Edris by Atef Beshay, The History of Documentary Cinema in Egypt by Hashim Al Nahas and Papers on the Hybrid Cinema by a group of film critics belong to the Egyptian Film Critics Association. According to Zakaria, the world is recovering from an extended freeze, and the Ismailia Film Festival is no exception. It is going to take some time for people to put aside their fears of social gathering but in every case the concept of a film festival is based on networking and social gathering. We cannot turn film festivals into an online event because this is not the role of the film festival. Still, he believes that future film festivals are going to be rather minimal in the number of screenings and activities. Instead, film festivals will be cosy events for filmmakers and audience to meet and to network. But ievery case film festival with their direct human interaction will remain, he added. One should not be afraid of online platforms because when television started to threaten the existence of cinema in the 1950s people realised later the importance of this device for the film industry itself. It is a matter of time to realise the pros and cons of the current changes. *A version of this article appears in print in the 17 June, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Short link: Egypt's Ministry of Health said on Thursday that the country will locally produce coronavirus vaccines to be exported to other African countries, with the assistance of the Egyptian Unified Procurement Authority (UPA), a government body tasked with making purchasing orders for medical supplies. During a meeting held earlier today with UPA head Bahaa El-Din Zidan, Health Minister Hala Zayed assured that the production lines of the country's drugmaker VACSERA are ready to meet the planned target. "The meeting tackled the plan for locally producing COVID-19 vaccines and exporting them to Africa in cooperation with the Unified Procurement Authority after fulfilling local self-sufficiency," the ministry said in a statement following the meeting. Zayed also reviewed the results of her latest visit to Geneva earlier this week, which she said aimed at receiving the World Health Organization's (WHO) accreditation for the vaccines Egypt is currently manufacturing. Egypt is currently manufacturing 2 million doses of the Sinovac vaccine through VACSERA as part of a wider deal with the Chinese company to produce a total of 40 million doses by the end of 2021. Egypt is also in talks to locally manufacture the British AstraZeneca vaccine. A group of WHO experts were dispatched to Egypt in September to evaluate the production lines of the country's drugmaker, Zayed said during Thursday's meeting. Egypt has so far received a total of 3.3 million doses of the British-Swedish AstraZeneca vaccine, 2.2 million of which come under the COVAX agreement, which aims to ensure that vaccines are provided to all countries. Cairo has also been supplied with a total of 3 million Chinese Sinopharm jabs over the past six months, along with 500,000 doses of the Sinovac vaccine, another China-made vaccine. Over 2 million citizens of the countrys 100 million-plus population have received the vaccines since the inoculation campaign started earlier this year. Today's meeting also touched upon means of cooperation to localise the collection and manufacturing of plasma derivatives, a national project on which the country has been focusing recently. Short link: KYODO NEWS - Jun 17, 2021 - 09:58 | World, All, Japan, Coronavirus A plane carrying 1 million coronavirus virus vaccine doses donated by Japan arrived in Vietnam's capital Hanoi on Wednesday night, with the country's health minister expressing gratitude for the goodwill gesture. Vietnam has been battling a surge in virus cases since late April as variants make their way into the country, but it has struggled to secure vaccine doses, with less than 2 percent of its population having received at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot so far. Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long indicated the donated vaccine, developed by Britain's AstraZeneca Plc, will be distributed mainly in Ho Chi Minh City in southern Vietnam where cases are increasing. Vietnam had confirmed 11,635 infections as of Wednesday, but about 70 percent of them were confirmed in May or later. Japan donated 1.24 million AstraZeneca shots to Taiwan earlier in the month. Tokyo is also considering donating COVID-19 vaccines to Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand in July, according to Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. Related coverage: Japan donated COVID-19 vaccines arrives in Taiwan, irritating China KYODO NEWS - Jun 17, 2021 - 21:39 | World, All, Japan A comical illustration titled "The Last G-7" has been spreading online in China, depicting Japan as a dog pouring mysterious green water into a glass from a kettle with a radiation warning symbol. A Chinese cartoonist collaged Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper," with the Communist-led government lambasting Japan's decision to release treated radioactive water into the sea from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in two years. Portraying animals, the picture mocks the Group of Seven countries -- Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States -- as well as Australia and India, all of which have been trying to counter China's growing assertiveness. Japan is an "Akita dog," said the Global Times, a tabloid affiliated with the ruling Communist Party, in reporting on the political satire, adding, "Without a seat, it is busy serving the others a 'drink' -- pouring green radioactive water into the glasses of the other animals." It said, "The green water is the contaminated water that Japan plans to release to the Pacific from the destroyed Fukushima nuclear plant," citing some users of Weibo, China's equivalent of Twitter. In late April, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian also drew criticism for using a parody picture of a "ukiyo-e" work by Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai to take a jab at Tokyo's decision on the treated water at the Fukushima plant. Japan's Foreign Ministry lodged a protest with China over Zhao's post that insults Japanese culture, calling for its deletion. China, meanwhile, has apparently restricted media reports on fuel rods being damaged recently at a nuclear power plant at home, as the leadership of President Xi Jinping has been promoting exports of nuclear reactors to other nations. In the Last G-7, nine animals sit around a table, on which a cake with a Chinese-map-shaped decoration is put. A bald eagle wearing a bowler hat with a U.S. flag sits in the middle of the table as if it were Jesus in The Last Supper. A rooster, France's national bird, and black hawk, obviously representing Germany, sit on the right and left sides of the table, respectively, showing "less enthusiasm" for the U.S. propaganda, the Global Times said. In a communique, released after their three-day summit through Sunday in Britain, the G-7 leaders called for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and urged China to respect the human rights of the Muslim Uyghur minority in Xinjiang and freedoms in Hong Kong. Related coverage: China apparently restricts media reports on damaged nuclear fuel rods China's spokesman draws flak for using ukiyo-e to rap Fukushima water China summons Japan's envoy to protest Fukushima water release By Reito Kaneko, KYODO NEWS - Jun 17, 2021 - 21:37 | All, Japan, World Japan's Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi told a European Parliament subcommittee Thursday he expects EU member states to "visibly increase their military presence" in the Indo-Pacific region, where China is boosting its clout. In an online speech to the parliament's Subcommittee on Security and Defence, Kishi said, "We strongly hope that a strong message will be included (in an EU strategy) to secure the EU and its member states' unwavering commitment to the Indo-Pacific region." The remarks by Kishi, the first Japanese defense minister to speak to the subcommittee, suggest Tokyo's wish to have its view reflected in the detailed strategy on the Indo-Pacific that the European Union plans to draw up by September, according to the Defense Ministry. In April, the EU adopted a document on the planned strategy, in which the 27-member bloc pledged to play a more active role in promoting democracy, human rights, the rule of law and respect for international law in the Indo-Pacific region. In the speech, Kishi noted Japan has opposed China's unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force in the East and South China seas, where Beijing is engaged in territorial disputes with its neighbors, including Tokyo. The Japanese defense minister also said the security of the South China Sea is vital to European countries as well because a third of world trade and around 40 percent of European countries' external trade pass through the waters. Kishi criticized a Chinese law implemented in February that allows China's coast guard to use weapons against foreign vessels viewed by Beijing as illegally entering its waters. With China increasing its military pressure on Taiwan, Kishi said Japan expects a "peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues" through dialogue. China regards the democratic island as a renegade province to be reunited with the mainland by force if necessary. Answering questions regarding China and Russia, Kishi said it is crucial that Japan, the United States and the bloc "work together to monitor developments" and deal with any concerns in a coordinated manner, expressing hope to promote joint military training with EU members. Among EU member states, France, Germany and the Netherlands have already adopted their own Indo-Pacific policies. Outside the bloc, Britain also said in its March defense and foreign policy review that it will be "deeply engaged" in the region. Britain's aircraft carrier Queen Elizabeth and its strike group, joined by a Dutch frigate, last month embarked on a seven-month voyage to the Indo-Pacific region. Germany has said it plans to send a frigate to the area. Japan's Self Defense Forces held a large-scale joint exercise with the United States, France and Australia last month. It was the first exercise involving French troops on Japanese soil. Japan is seeking to deepen security ties with like-minded countries that share democratic values, in addition to its alliance with the United States. Related coverage: Japanese defense chief calls for Taiwan Strait stability in ASEAN meet NATO says China poses "systemic" challenges, to enhance Japan ties G-7 calls for peace across Taiwan Strait, backs Tokyo Olympics KYODO NEWS - Jun 17, 2021 - 17:00 | World, All China has apparently restricted media reports on fuel rods being damaged at a nuclear power plant, sources close to the matter said Thursday, as the leadership of President Xi Jinping has been promoting exports of nuclear reactors to other nations. The Communist Party may be trying to prevent concerns over the safety of the country's nuclear technology from mounting, the sources said, while Chinese media have only reported the government's announcement on the incident. Citing the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Global Times emphasized Wednesday that the radiation levels around the Taishan Nuclear Power Plant in Guangdong Province are normal. The tabloid affiliated with the ruling party also denied a CNN report that China's safety authority has raised the acceptable limits for radiation detection around the plant in order to avoid shutting it down. Other media have not touched on the incident. Following the accident at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in 2011, growing fears about potential radioactive contamination prompted Chinese citizens to stage a campaign against constructing a nuclear facility in the nation's inland area. The Communist-led government, which has emphasized nuclear power to tackle climate change, has effectively prohibited Chinese media from reporting news that would generate a negative impression on its nuclear strategy, the sources said. Regarding the novel coronavirus, first detected in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019, Beijing is believed to have attempted to cover up information about it in the initial stages of the outbreak. The virus eventually spread worldwide. The Taishan plant in the southeastern Chinese province is located about 130 kilometers from Hong Kong. Hong Kong and China's neighbors, including Japan, have expressed concern about the possible radioactive leakage from the country's nuclear power plant, urging Beijing to provide an explanation to the international community with transparency. The Japanese government has said monitoring posts installed at home have not shown any worrisome radiation levels so far. Related coverage: China says fuel rods damaged at nuclear plant, but denies leakage China summons Japan's envoy to protest Fukushima water release Q&A: 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster and current status New Delhi: The government is exploring options of absorbing Air India employees in public sector enterprises and voluntary retirement package as it moves ahead with the airlines disinvestment amid stiff opposition from worker unions, sources said. While foreign direct investment of up to 49 per cent has been allowed in the debt-laden carrier, efforts are on to ensure a smooth strategic disinvestment and a group of ministers are weighing various options. Air India, estimated to have a debt burden of more than Rs 50,000 crore, is staying afloat on taxpayers money and the divestment plan is aimed at reviving the airlines fortunes. Sources in the know said the government is mulling providing airline employees the option of joining public sector companies. The possibility of having a VRS package is also under consideration, sources said while adding that a final decision is yet to be made. Various options are under consideration to protect the interests of the employees, Civil Aviation Secretary R N Choubey told PTI. His response came to queries on whether the government is looking at giving Air India employees the option to join public sector firms apart from extending VRS package. Air India and its subsidiaries have around 29,000 employees, including those on contract. A group of ministers is in the process of finalising the modalities for the proposed strategic stake sale and expression of interest is likely to be invited from bidders soon. Various Air India unions are opposed to the divestment plan. On January 10, the government allowed overseas entities, including foreign airlines, to own up to 49 per cent stake under the approval route in Air India subject to certain conditions. Substantial ownership and effective control of Air India shall continue to be vested in an Indian national, the government had said. Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju had said permitting 49 per cent foreign direct investment in Air India brings the airline at par with other domestic carriers and does away with the preferential treatment that was extended to the national carrier. The move has also been opposed by the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) and RSS-affiliated Swadeshi Jagaran Manch, among others. Meanwhile, a parliamentary panel is likely to suggest that Air India should be given at least five years for revival. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture concluded that the government should review its decision to privatise or disinvest Air India and explore the possibility of an alternative to disinvestment of our national carrier which is our national pride. Under a turnaround plan approved by the previous UPA regime, Air India is to receive up to Rs 30,231 crore from the government subject to meeting certain performance thresholds. The ten-year bailout package began from 2012. For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) is not in favour of granting minority status to Vedic Brahmans and Sindhis. It has also said that if the request of World Brahman Organisation and Purbouttar Bahubhashiya Brahmin Mahasabha is agreed to by the government, other castes like Rajputs and Vaishyas would also make similar demands leading to "manifold and unwarranted fragmentation" of the Hindu community. "Vedic Brahmans are part and parcel of the Hindu religion. Merely claiming that Vedic Brahmans are only a select few does not warrant a view that they should be declared as a minority community by the government of India," the Commission said in its annual report for 2016-17. It also said that the community's claim that they are committed to protecting their tradition and culture does not add any further weight to their claim for minority status. The UNESCO urging to protect the Vedas and Vedic culture is also not supporting their case to declare them as a separate minority community, it added. According to the commission, in case the government agrees to the demand of the Brahman organisations, it may result in other castes seeking similar status. "In view of the above, the commission finds no merit in the claim for declaring Vedic Brahmans as a separate minority community," the panel said. On the demand for grant of minority status to Sindhis, the commission observed that the community members based their claim primarily on the ground that they are a "linguistic minority". "It is not their case that Sindhis living in different parts of the country are not part of the Hindu religion. Moreover, the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992 deals only with religious minorities. "Therefore, the commission finds no merit in their claim for being declared as a minority community," the panel said. The report is yet to be tabled in Parliament, sources said. The previous commission, whose tenure ended in March last year, had made the observations during its meeting held on May 3, 2016. It was not clear from the report when did the communities demand the minority tag. At present, there are six notified communities namely Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, Sikhs, Parsis and Jains. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif issued a nuclear threat to India while responding to a statement of Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat on Saturday. Asif tweeted, Very irresponsible statement by Indian Army Chief, not befitting his office. Amounts to invitation for nuclear encounter. If that is what they (India) desire, they are welcome to test our resolve. The general's doubt would swiftly be removed, inshallah." The Indian Army chief on Friday had dismissed Pakistan's reckless threats about its tactical nuclear weapons being an effective counter to India's conventional military superiority. Very irresponsible statement by Indian Army Chief,not befitting his office. Amounts to invitation for nuclear encounter.If that is what they desire,they are welcome to test our resolve.The general's doubt would swiftly be removed, inshallah. Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) January 13, 2018 Also read: Army Chief General Bipin Rawat says India capable of handling China's assertiveness along border "Pakistan's nuclear bogey will be thoroughly exposed if it actually comes to a war, Rawat said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Social media platform Facebook was on the verge of losing 17 billion pound ($23 billion) of its value after its announcement of making changes to its News Feed. The new update on the News Feed will allow the users to see more updates from family and friends rather than posts from business, brands and media. This means that now the user will get more news from known relatives and friends rather than advertising of a brand or business. According to reports, the companys share fell 4 per cent within hours of the official announcement by CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Zuckerberg, who took to Facebook to clarify why the amendments were justified, said, One of our big focus areas for 2018 is making sure the time we all spend on Facebook is time well spent. Research shows that strengthening our relationships improves our well-being and happiness, he added. He also said, We feel a responsibility to make sure our services arent just fun to use, but also good for people's well-being. So we've studied this trend carefully by looking at the academic research and doing our own research with leading experts at universities. Also Read: Facebook changes News Feed to stop publishers from posting contents? As we roll this out, you'll see less public content like posts from businesses, brands, and media. And the public content you see more will be held to the same standard -- it should encourage meaningful interactions between people, he confessed. Zuckerberg also admitted that the new changes might not be welcomed easily by the users and can result in a downfall, but believes that meaningful social interactions are important for the users. Washington: NASA scientists have spotted the farthest known galaxy in the universe, a primitive cluster of stars just 500 million years old. An intensive survey deep into the universe by NASA's Hubble and Spitzer space telescopes has yielded the image of the galaxy named SPT0615-JD, stretched and amplified by a phenomenon called gravitational lensing. Though a few other primitive galaxies have been seen at this early epoch, they have essentially all looked like red dots given their small size and tremendous distances. However, in this case, the gravitational field of a massive foreground galaxy cluster not only amplified the light from the background galaxy but also smeared the image of it into an arc. "No other candidate galaxy has been found at such a great distance that also gives you the spatial information that this arc image does," said Brett Salmon of the Space Telescope Science Institute in the US. "By analysing the effects of gravitational lensing on the image of this galaxy, we can determine its actual size and shape," said Salmon. First predicted by Albert Einstein a century ago, the warping of space by the gravity of a massive foreground object can brighten and distort the images of far more distant background objects. Astronomers use this "zoom lens" effect to go hunting for amplified images of distant galaxies that otherwise would not be visible with today's telescopes. SPT0615-JD was identified in Hubble's Reionization Lensing Cluster Survey (RELICS) and companion S-RELICS Spitzer programme. "RELICS was designed to discover distant galaxies like these that are magnified brightly enough for detailed study," said Dan Coe, Principal Investigator of RELICS. By combining the Hubble and Spitzer data, Salmon calculated the look back time to the galaxy of 13.3 billion years. Preliminary analysis suggests the diminutive galaxy weighs in at no more than 3 billion solar masses. It is less than 2,500 light-years across. The object is considered prototypical of young galaxies that emerged during the epoch shortly after the Big Bang. The galaxy is right at the limits of Hubble's detection capabilities, but just the beginning for the upcoming NASA James Webb Space Telescope's powerful capabilities, said Salmon. "This galaxy is an exciting target for science with the Webb telescope as it offers the unique opportunity for resolving stellar populations in the very early universe," he said. For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Jerusalem: Israel said today it used a combination of air strikes and other means to destroy a tunnel stretching from the Gaza Strip into the country and continuing into Egypt. Israeli military spokesman Jonathan Conricus said the tunnel belonged to Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas and was intended for attacks as opposed to smuggling. Such tunnels have been used to carry out attacks in the past. He said he was not aware of any casualties from the destruction of the tunnel, which was still being built. It ran underneath the main goods crossing between Israel and the blockaded Gaza Stripknown as Kerem Shalomas well as gas and fuel pipelines, he said. According to Conricus, Israeli air strikes late Saturday along with other unspecified means were used to destroy the tunnel. The strikes occurred within the Gaza Strip, while further means were carried out in Israeli territory. The tunnel began east of the city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip, crossed into Israel some 180 metres, then continued into Egypt for an unspecified length, with no exit point detected, he said. Conricus said Israel had coordinated with Egypt on the operation. The tunnel stretched a total length of around a kilometre and a half, he said. Israel says it has been developing a new method to identify and destroy such tunnels, though it does not comment on details. It is also building an underground wall in the area around the Gaza Strip to stop such tunnels. The latest tunnel was the third destroyed since late October by Israel, but it comes at a particularly sensitive time. Tensions between Palestinians and Israel have been high since US President Donald Trumps recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital on December 6. Unrest has included rockets being fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel, with Israels military responding with air strikes. Conricus said today Israel was defending its sovereignty with the destruction of the tunnel and was not seeking an escalation. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be reaching New Delhi as part of the six-day tour to India. Prime Minister Netanyahu will arrive on Sunday and depart from Mumbai on Friday, January 19. His itinerary includes visits to Gujarat and Mumbai. Prime Minister Netanyahu will hold meetings in New Delhi with President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj. In addition, he will give an inaugural speech at the Raisina Dialogue and meet with the Indo-Israeli CEO forum in Delhi. In Gujarat, both the Prime Ministers will visit the Center of Excellence in Vadrad and inaugurate Center of Excellence for date palms in Bhuj. They will also visit the iCreate innovation campus and center. In Mumbai, Prime Minister Netanyahu will meet Jewish community leaders and select members of the Indian business community. He will also reach out to Bollywood in an exclusive Shalom Bollywood event. Israel Ambassador Daniel Carmon said, The Prime Ministers visit to India is the grand finale to the celebrations of 25 years of Growing Partnership between India and Israel. The visit will focus on the progress made between India and Israel since Prime Minister Modis visit to Israel last summer, and on shaping the next 25 years of relations between our countries and our peoples. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The controversy over the national anthem has reached the state of Jammu and Kashmir where the family members of a few policemen came in for sharp criticism for insulting the paean. It is reported that the family members did not stand up while the national anthem was being played at a passing out parade at the Subsidiary Training Centre in Reasi area of the state. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti was the chief guest at the attestation-cum-passing out parade and Director General of Police SP Vaid was also present at the event which saw the graduation of 911 recruit constables. A video of the incident reportedly shows family members of a few policemen sitting in chairs even as others stood up for the national anthem. "We have taken note of the incident and action would be taken against the guilty," said a police official. (With PTI inputs) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Claiming that the National Medical Commission Bill was anti-people, the Resident Doctors Association of AIIMS has invited Health Minister J P Nadda for an open debate on the proposed legislation, which seeks to replace the existing medical education regulator with a new body. The doctors of the premier All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) said the bill carried several provisions that were serious enough to distort the future of medical education in the country. The association claimed that the proposed legislation puts medical education into the hands of the rich and the powerful. The bill, which seeks to replace the Medical Council of India (MCI) with a National Medical Commission (NMC), has been referred to a parliamentary standing committee. In a letter to Nadda, association president Harjit Singh Bhatti said that the doctors fraternity was frightened from the day the bill was introduced in Parliament. Issues such as nomination of majority of members of NMC by bureaucrats and politicians, full control of corporate sector to decide fees of more than 60 per cent of seats, national licentiate exam, no provision of grievances redressal for student, and bridge course...are serious enough to distort the future of medical education in this country, Bhatti said. The association has also sought an appointment from the minister on the matter, its president said. The proposed legislation triggered nationwide protests by the medical fraternity including the Indian Medical Association (IMA). The IMA had also called for a 12-hour shutdown of private hospitals across the country last year in protest against the bill. The bill also has provisions for granting permission to the doctors under Indian systems of medicine, including Ayurveda, to be allowed to practice modern medicine after clearing a bridge course. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Sanjay Leela Bhansalis upcoming period drama Padmavat has been mired in controversy since inception. From fringe political groups to national parties to royals, various groups have raised the demand for films ban. Be it Deepika Padukones Ghoomar or ruler of Khalji dynasty Alauddin Khilji, the magnum opus has managed to be in the headlines for every single matter. Based on 16th century Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasis epic poem Padmavat, the movie faced resistance due to misinformation campaigns and rumour-mongering. Amidst these controversies over the release of Deepika Padukone-starrer, Gujarat government on Sunday issued a notification banning the screening of Padmavat across the state, saying the step was necessary to maintain law and order. While issuing the notification on Sunday, Minister of State for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja said the ban on the movie was necessary to maintain law and order. As per the notification, the ban was imposed as per the provisions of the Gujarat Cinemas (Regulation) Act of 2004. In exercise conferred by sub-section 1 of section 6 of the Act, Government of Gujarat hereby imposes the ban on Hindi feature film Padmaavat...No cinema owners or distributors shall exhibit the said movie in any cinema/multiplex/ video cinema/touring cinema within the jurisdiction of Gujarat, the notification read. Also Read: CONFIRMED! Deepika Padukone-starrer 'Padmavat' (Padmavati) to hit screens on January 25 It added that the ban was imposed in public interest and to maintain law and order situation in the state. Talking about this latest development Jadeja said the act had a provision wherein the state can ban a movie if it has the potential to dilute the law and order situation and public order. We have learnt that the movie, originally named as Padmavati will be released with a new name Padmaavat. However, people across the country are against the movie, as they feel that history has been distorted. With this notification, the movie will be considered as a non-certified one and will not be screened in the state, Jadeja added. The notification was issued days after the Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani announced that the ban on the movie will continue despite the change of name. Starring Deepika Padukone as Rani Padmavati, Shahid Kapoor as Maharawal Ratan Singh & Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji, the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial is slated to hit the screens on January 25, 2018. Also Read: CBFC suggests 5 modifications, no '26 cuts' for 'Padmavati'; clarifies Prasoon Joshi The film will also be released in Tamil and Telugu, in addition to Hindi. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. United Nations : The Twitter account of Syed Akbaruddin was hacked on Sunday, with the unperturbed Indian envoy to the UN asserting that it would take more than a hack to keep him down. The unidentified hackers, suspected to be based overseas, posted two pictures and a video, and changed the name of Akbaruddins twitter account from @AkbaruddinIndia to @AkbaruddinSyed. After the hack was noticed, Twitter briefly blocked the twitter handle of Indias permanent representative to the UN. The account was later restored by the micro-blogging site which also launched a probe. Im back. It will take more than a hack to keep me down. Thanks to @TwitterIndia & many others who helped. https://t.co/h9RCJVrU4m Syed Akbaruddin (@AkbaruddinIndia) January 14, 2018 Akbaruddin thanked Twitter and said that it would take more than a hack to keep him down. Im back. It will take more than a hack to keep me down. Thanks to Twitter India and many others who helped, Akbaruddin said in a tweet. Netizens noticed the cyber attack and retweeted the two photos and the video posted from Akbaruddins hacked account. One picture was of Pakistans President Mamnoon Hussain and the other one showed the flags of Turkey and Pakistan. The video song of Bollywood actor Raj Kapoors Awara Hoon was also posted by the hackers. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: In a grim reminder of the infamous December 16, 2012 Nirbhaya gang rape of a 23-year-old paramedic student in New Delhi, a 15-year-old Dalit girl was brutally gang-raped and killed in a very ruthless manner. The body of the minor Dalit girl was found with severe injury marks at the bank of a water channel in Jind district, Haryana on Saturday. She was missing from her home in Kurukshetra since January 9. The postmortem of the body which was conducted at Rohtak forensic lab revealed that she suffered brutalities similar to Nirbhaya before her death. According to the autopsy reports, the assailants inserted a blunt object into her genitals. Her lungs were also found to be crushed suggesting somebody sat on her chest. Reports also showed at least 19 injury marks including on her face, head, chest, and hands. She had several internal injuries suggesting foreign objects were inserted into her private parts. The body had many injury marks, private parts were mutilated and there were a lot of internal injuries. Signs of sexual assault are visible and looks like 3-4 people were responsible. A hard and blunt thing was inserted into her, signs of drowning also found, said Dr SK Dattarwal, PGI Rohtak. Deputy SP Kaptan Singh said an FIR has been registered under section 302 IPC and 2 SITs have been constituted for investigation in the case. Two culprits have been arrested in connection with the case, informed Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in Karnal on Sunday. My daughter was kidnapped and raped, culprits should be punished. We want justice for her. If the administration had done its job well, an incident like this would have never happened, said the victims father. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra on Sunday assured a Bar Council of India delegation that the crisis in the Supreme Court resulting from a virtual revolt against him by four colleagues will be sorted out soon, the council chief said. Also on Sunday, the son of special CBI judge B H Loya said in Mumbai that his father died of natural causes and not in suspicious circumstances. Loya's death, while he was hearing the politically sensitive Shohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case, is the subject of a PIL in the Supreme Court that was one of the triggers for the revolt against Misra. The Indian judiciary was thrown into a turmoil on Friday when four senior Supreme Court judges -- J Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, M B Lokur and Kurian Joseph convened an unprecedented press conference to complain about "selective" case allocation by Misra and passing of certain judicial order. Misra had assigned the Loya death PIL to Justice Arun Mishra, a relatively junior judge. In their press conference, the four justices said India s democracy is at risk unless the wrongs in the Supreme Court are set right. Capping a weekend flurry of activity by jurists, lawyers and politicians, a delegation of the Bar Council of India, the highest body of lawyers in the nation, today met Misra at his residence for 50 minutes. "We met CJI in a congenial atmosphere and he said everything will be sorted out soon," BCI chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, who led the delegation, told reporters. He said that before meeting the CJI, the panel also discussed the crisis plaguing the apex judiciary with other judges including the three out of the four judges who have made the allegations against Misra. Mishra said the panel met justices Chelameshwar, Lokur, and Joseph, who also gave an assurance that the crisis will be resolved. He did not mention whether the panel had a meeting with Gogoi, who is out of town. Gogoi is next in line to succeed Misra as the chief justice. The BCI will hold a press conference on Monday. Earlier, Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Vikas Singh met the CJI and handed over a resolution in which the association has asked for a full court discussion to defuse the present crisis. "I met the CJI and handed over a copy of the resolution. He said that he would look into it and ensure there was congeniality in the Supreme Court at the earliest," Singh told PTI after his 15-minute meeting with the CJI. In another major development on Sunday, Anuj Loya, the son of the deceased CBI judge, held a press conference in Mumbai to say his family was "pained" by the recent developments surrounding his father's death. He claimed NGOs and politicians should stop "harassing" his family members over the issue. "My father died of natural causes. Our family is convinced that it was a natural death," the 21-year-old Anuj told reporters, adding that although he and his family had earlier been suspicious about his father's sudden death three years ago, they no longer harboured doubts. "I had an emotional turmoil, hence I had suspicions about his death. But now we don't have any doubts about the way he died," Anuj said. "Earlier, my grandfather and aunt had some doubts about his death, which they shared. But now neither of them has any doubts," he said. The deceased judge's father and Anuj's aunt had alleged foul play in his death. Judge Loya, who was hearing the sensitive Sohrabuddin Sheikh "fake encounter" case, had allegedly died of a cardiac arrest in Nagpur on December 1, 2014, when he had gone to attend the wedding of a colleague's daughter. BJP chief Amit Shah was an accused in the case but has been discharged. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Monday greeted the Army personnel and their families on the occasion of the 70th Army Day. Addressing the officers and soldiers of the Indian Army at the Army Parade Ground in Delhi Cantt, General Rawat said ceasefire violations by Pakistan happen frequently, to which we respond effectively. Our army shall take even stronger steps against our enemies if we are compelled to do so. The Army Chief reviewed a magnificent parade at the Cariappa Parade Ground in Delhi and gave away gallantry awards to men in uniform who displayed undaunting acts of courage to protect the territorial integrity of the nation. The Chief added that the Indian Army's military intelligence based and people-friendly operations in the north-east have managed to limit terrorism to a large extent. The Army supremo was quite candid in his approach to the role of social media in the country. General Rawat said that social media is being used against us, we have to be careful in its use. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Indian Army is celebrating its 70th raising day on Monday. The showcase event of the Army Day will be the annual parade at the Cariappa Parade Ground in New Delhi. The parade commenced at the Army Parade Ground in Delhi Cantonment at 10:30 am. The parade is being reviewed by Army Chief General Bipin Rawat. He will also present gallantry and other awards to army personnel who displayed acts of bravery and courage to defend the territorial integrity of the nation. Army Day is celebrated on 15th January every year, in recognition of Field Marshal Kodandera M. Cariappa's (then a Lieutenant General) taking over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from General Sir Francis Butcher, the last British Commander-in-Chief of India, on 15th January 1949. The President and Prime Minister extended their greetings to the men and women in uniform for their valiance and courage in guarding the borders of the country. The showcase event of the Army Day will be the annual parade at the Cariappa Parade Ground in New Delhi. Army Day is celebrated on 15th January every year in India, in recognition of Field Marshal Kodandera M. Cariappa's (then a Lieutenant General) taking over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from General Sir Francis Butcher, the last British Commander-in-Chief of India, on 15th January 1949. The day is celebrated in the form of parades and other military shows in the national capital New Delhi as well as in all headquarters. Army Day marks a day to salute the valiant soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect the country and its citizens. In 1942, K M Cariappa becomes the first Indian Army Officer who was passed on to command a unit. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday invited Israeli defence companies to India for co-production, as he held comprehensive talks on strategic issues with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, who called him a revolutionary leader. The two countries also inked nine pacts to boost cooperation in key areas such as cyber security and gas and oil after extensive delegation-level talks between their prime ministers. During the talks, the issue of India voting against Israel at the UN on the Jerusalem issue also figured with Indian officials maintaining that both sides put forth their views. However, the officials asserted that the two leaders agreed that the ties are not determined by a single issue. India had last month joined 127 other countries to vote in the UN in favour of a resolution opposing the recent decision of the US to recognise Jerusalem as Israels capital. Terming their talks as wide-ranging and intensive, Modi, at a joint press event with Netanyahu, said they reviewed the progress in the bilateral relations and agreed that the possibilities and the opportunities that beckon the two countries need to be seized. We will strengthen the existing pillars of cooperation in areas that touch the lives of our peoples. These are agriculture, science and technology, and security...In defence, I have invited Israeli companies to take advantage of the liberalised FDI regime to make more in India with our companies, Modi said. According to a joint statement, the leaders noted the grave threat that terrorism poses to peace and security including from non-state actors, and reiterated that there can be no justification for acts of terror on any grounds. They advocated strong measures against terrorists, terror outfits, those who sponsor, encourage or finance terrorism or provide sanctuary to terrorists and terror groups, the statement said. At the press event, Netanyahu said, Indians and Israelis know too well the pain of terrorist attacks. We remember the horrific savagery in Mumbai. We grit our teeth, we fight back, we never give in. Also Read: India-Israel relationship a marriage made in heaven, one UN vote cant change it: Benjamin Netanyahu The two leaders also noted that the next meeting of the Joint Working Groups on Homeland and Public Security will be held in February 2018, the statement said. They reiterated the importance of building comprehensive cooperation in counter-terrorism, including cyber-space, the statement said. On whether the multi-million Israeli missile Spike deal figured in the talks, Vijay Gokhale, Secretary (Economic Relations), did not give a direct answer and said defence and security cooperation was discussed. He did not get into specific details. On defence cooperation, the statement said the two prime ministers consider it important to set the direction for developing more business models and partnerships for joint ventures and joint manufacturing, including transfer of technology as well as joint research and development in defence and security fields. The two leaders asked their respective defence ministries to hold discussions this year with active involvement of the public and private sectors, in order to create the basis for viable, sustainable and long-term cooperation in the defence industry, the statement said. The bonhomie between the two leaders was on full display with Modi starting his press statement welcoming Netanyahu in Hebrew and the visiting leader describing the Indian prime minister as a revolutionary leader. You are a revolutionary leader and you are revolutionising India. You are catapulting this magnificent state into the future. And you have revolutionised the relations between Israel and India, Netanyahu, popularly known as Bibi, said. Dubbing Netanyahus visit as a long-anticipated moment in the journey of friendship between India and Israel, Modi said the visit was also a fitting climax to the commemoration of 25 years of bilateral diplomatic relations and marked a special beginning to the new year calendar. Asserting that their discussions were marked by the desire to do more, Modi said, Prime Minister, I have a reputation of being impatient in getting results. If I may let out an open secret, I know that so are you. Referring to his visit to Israel last year, Modi said they had promised each other and their people to build a strategic partnership as also progress of diverse and cutting-edge cooperation, and of joint endeavours and shared successes. He said last year in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu had expressed the intent to cut down bureaucratic red tape with a machete and forge ahead with speed. Also Read: Israel-India sign 9 pacts in areas of cyber cooperation, tech I am happy to tell you that in India, we are well on our way to doing just that. We have imparted our shared impatience to the implementation of our earlier decisions, he said, asserting that the results were already visible on the ground. The two leaders also exchanged views on scaling up the centres of excellence that have been a mainstay of agricultural cooperation by bringing in advanced Israeli practices and technology. Modi said the two countries are also venturing into the less explored areas of cooperation, such as oil and gas, cyber security, films, and start-ups. Asserting that they are committed to facilitating the flow of people and ideas between their geographies, Modi said, We are working with Israel to make it easier for our people to work and visit each others countries, including for longer work durations. To bring people closer on both sides, an Indian Cultural Centre will soon open in Israel. He also said that they have decided to start an annual exchange of bilateral visits by 100 young people from science-related educational streams. Modi said that he was looking forward to accompany Netanyahu to his home state, Gujarat. There, we will have another opportunity to see the fulfilment of the promise, which our mutual cooperation holds in diverse areas such as agriculture, technology, and innovation, he added. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Indian Army on Monday killed seven Pakistani soldiers in retaliatory action along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district. "Army has carried out retaliation against Pakistani troops across Jaglote area along the LoC in Mendhar sector of Poonch district", PTI quoted a senior Army officer as saying. "In the retaliatory action, there were seven fatal causalities to Pakistani troops and four others injured," he said. The retaliatory action comes after an Indian army soldier was killed by Pakistani firing along LoC in J&Ks Rajouri on Saturday. Also Read | Security forces foil infiltration bid in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri, 6 JeM militants killed However, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) of Pakistan has accepted that only four soldiers were killed in PoK. Pakistani Armys media wing also claimed that three Indian soldiers were also killed in the action. The killing of seven Pakistani soldiers also coincided with Army Chief General Bipin Rawats Army Day speech in which he said, "If we are forced, then we may resort to 'other action' by stepping up military offensive." "We are using our might to teach them a lesson. We will keep effectively retaliating to any provocative action by Pakistan," Rawat said accusing Pakistan of helping terrorists sneak into India. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday lashed out at the Indian Army chief Bipin Rawat over his comments on Kashmir school students in the state being taught about two maps India and other J&K. Altaf Bukhari, Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister, said, Chief of the ARMY Staff (COAS) is not an educationist . The state government knows how to run schools. The education minister further added, The Indian Army chief is a well-decorated officer in the country. I have no doubts on his professionalism. He should not give sermons on issues that are not his domain. The education minister further said that all schools across the country teach students about India and the state they live in. Every state has its own constitution. Every school in every state has two maps. You need to teach students about the country and the state as well, added Bukhari. Also read: Army Chief General Bipin Rawat says India capable of handling China's assertiveness along border The education minister further said, Separatism would not be anywhere if the army does its job properly. I will be very happy if they do what they are supposed to do. Bukharis retort was in response to Army Chiefs statement that schools in Jammu and Kashmir were teaching two maps Indias and Jammu and Kashmirs to the students, which he said was radicalising youth. Rawat had made the two map comment while addressing the media on the eve of Army Day on Friday. He had then said, Why do we need a separate map for Jammu and Kashmir. What does it teach the children? Two map is radicalising the youths. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Israel: In view of the morbidity in the country, the Health Ministry of Israel added the United Arab Emirates to the list of countries under severe travel warning, it announced on Wednesday. The list currently includes Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Maldives, Namibia, Nepal, Paraguay, Seychelles, Tunisia, Uganda and Uruguay. The UAE has become one of the most popular destinations for Israeli tourists since a normalisation agreement was signed between the two countries in September 2020. Besides the UAE, there are currently "severe" travel warnings from Israel to over 10 countries. The Ministry warned on Wednesday that if the situation in those countries does not improve, they could be added to the list of those countries to which Israelis are barred from travelling. Israeli citizens and permanent residents who want to travel to the six destinations must apply to an exceptions committee. All passengers arriving in Israel from these countries must go into quarantine, including those vaccinated and recovered from the virus. Meanwhile, the Ministry removed the "severe" travel warning for Peru. According to several experts, Israel paid a heavy price for the government's decision not to restrict traveling to the UAE that fall, with thousands of infected people bringing the disease back to the country. Israeli Troops: Palestinian Lady Shot Dead After West Bank Car-ramming Attempt China effectively launches first crewed mission for space station construction WTC Final Pitch report: Find how the Ageas Bowl pitch is suitable for the pacers Patna: Heavy rains in Nepal have threatened the Terai region and Bihar with floods. The water level in bihar's rivers is continuously rising and the water reaching Nepal is becoming a disaster after heavy rains. According to met department, 11 districts of Nepal and Bihar are likely to receive heavy rainfall till June 18. The Met department has issued a red alert for the state. With this, orange alert has been issued in 13 districts of Bihar. Yellow alert has also been sounded for some districts. The water level of Gandak river is continuously rising after the rains in the Terai areas of Nepal. The operation of boats in gandak river has been completely stopped. Cm Nitish Kumar has held a high level meeting in view of the seriousness of the situation. In Bihar, CM Nitish Kumar has asked district magistrates of West Champaran, East Champaran and Gopalganj districts to exercise special vigilance. In addition, CM Nitish Kumar has directed the Disaster Management Department, Water Resources Department and all concerned district magistrates to remain on full alert in view of the heavy flood situation. The Met department has said that the atmospheric conditions are not up to the mark for the Monsoon to reach Rajasthan, remaining parts of Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana and Delhi, so the rains in these states may take some time. Karnataka: Centres of excellence to use Israeli technologies to boost horticulture WTC Final Pitch report: Find how the Ageas Bowl pitch is suitable for the pacers 'The Tomorrow War' trailer: Chris Pratt time travels to future to save his present New research shows the UK's COVID-19 management decisions were based on an outdated pandemic modelling structure and suggests a more resilient approach would have been more effective. In the initial months of the pandemic, regular updates using graphs showing how the R number was behaving was the mainstay of the Government's strategy for tackling COVID-19. This type of infection transmission is usually mathematically-based on dividing the population into 'compartments'. Such an approach has been criticised for its limited scope and inability to capture critical factors, such as the effects of testing, contact tracing and isolation. In addition, these existing models tend to look back at what the outcomes were, rather than look forward at future outcomes. Professor Ashraf Labib, Professor of Operations and Decision Analysis in the Faculty of Business and Law at the University of Portsmouth, is the author of a new paper published this month in the journal of Safety Science. He urges Governments to use a more holistic approach, which provides a much richer modelling and in-depth decision analysis that can lead to better decision making. Professor Labib has developed a hybrid model - a combination of resilience triangle modelling, which, provides a specific time of 'when' to act and the bowtie modelling that deals with the question of 'how' to act. He then added five guiding principles* which together provide an improved model from which lessons for the future can be learnt. Professor Labib explains: "Resilience-based modelling with the five proposed principles can enhance public policy decisions. The aim of such modelling is to provide a learning environment on how to absorb failure and provides an opportunity to achieve quick recovery. "Resilience modelling can offer the answer to 'when' to do things, whereas the bowtie modelling deals with causal analysis and can provide information on the 'how' questions. By combining the two, a balance is achieved in terms of dealing with a disaster, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, at both strategic and operational levels respectively. "At a strategic level, the phases of prevention of the cause, response and mitigation of the consequences are visualised and strategic milestones can be set accordingly. Whereas, through bowtie modelling more operational details of causal factors and barriers analysis are achieved. Such analysis helps to improve knowledge related to assessing existing barriers and the need for new or improved ones. In addition, the bowtie modelling provides insight to visualise and communicate the complexity of risks in a concise form." The paper also suggests it is vital that public health simulation exercises are extended to include not just policies related to health, but also include different economic scenarios caused by pandemics. Professor Labib says: "Given the complex nature of a pandemic and the experiences with COVID-19 in terms of multiple waves, emerging variants and the variety of available vaccines, the main lesson learnt from all of this is to embrace uncertainty rather than to confront it or shy away from it. This is the way we will learn and prepare for future pandemics. "Resilience as a conceptual idea is profound and considered to have a key role in dealing with disasters such as pandemics. However, there is little research on modelling resilience and integrating it with other approaches in order to systematise its operation. This paper aimed to contribute to this gap through the proposed hybrid enriched model of resilience and bowtie approaches." Professor Labib urges policy makers to shift the way they approach things. Firstly, a shift in focus of decision making from efficiency to resilience and secondly to embrace the unknown and learn from it. ### Notes to editors: *The five principles: Principle of Continuity: the idea is that ideally suffering should produce perseverance and endurance; these are good ingredients of resilience which constitute learning to cope with future similar incidents. Principle of Vector Analysis: in terms of the principle of vector analysis, each side of the resilience triangle is a vector; which is defined as 'a quantity having a direction as well as magnitude' (Oxford Dictionary). For example, redundancy in terms of maintaining safety stocks helps firms to gain time during disruption, and hence causes a change in the direction of the vector. Principle of Curvature Analysis: Here deterioration in performance can also be described as a degree of becoming more vulnerable. For example, on reflection of why the UK has suffered from Covd-19 relatively more than other countries, one can attribute the fragmentation and delay in decision making to response as an outcome of similar fragmentation in the preceding negotiation and decision making related to Brexit. Principle of Antifragility Analysis: This is the theory that you can benefit from disorder. Your new state is even better than before the incident. In the context of Covid-19 pandemic, it has been observed that one of its remarkable positive impacts has been the accelerated innovations in on-line education and remote working. Principle of Moving Upstream: The term upstream is preferable to preventive or proactive because the stream metaphor nudges us to extend the resilience modelling approach proposed in this paper into focussing more on earlier prevention and solutions. Upstream also means a systematic approach towards reduction or mitigation of harm caused by those problems. For example, teaching kids to swim is an upstream strategy to prevent drownings. Reflecting on COVID-19, we need to enhance education in schools related to hygiene and coping with the prevention of the spread of viruses. The upstream concept can also relate to both space and time. Being nearer to the source of risk can also be conceptualised as 'psychological distance', which is the real or perceived distance between a person and the risk. It is now clear that those countries which were both geographically and culturally 'near' to the source of pandemic as a risk in the Far East, easily accepted the wearing of face masks, whereas it took some time to convince Western cultures to follow such a tradition as it was initially perceived as a restriction of personal freedom. Congress New bill looks to ramp up penalties for ransomware crooks A bipartisan group of senators on Thursday introduced legislation aimed at creating stricter penalties for cyberattacks against critical infrastructure and providing the Justice Department more leeway in bringing charges against criminals in foreign countries. The International Cybercrime Prevention Act is co-sponsored by Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). Whitehouse said the bill takes the existing legal statutes for racketeering, money laundering and forfeiture and "brings them to bear on cyber criminals." The bill permits law enforcement to seize funds generated from the sale of spyware and to take equipment such as illegal intercept devices used in the commission of hacking campaigns, ransomware and other nefarious activity, according to a fact sheet provided by the lawmakers. The bill would also make it easier for DOJ to go after botnets by expanding the list of reasons the federal government can seek injunctive relief. Under the current law, DOJ can only seek relief when a botnet is engaged in fraud or illegal wiretapping. The new bill would broaden that activity to include the destruction of data, denial of service attacks and certain violations in the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. Versions of the bill have been introduced in the past in the House and the Senate, but lawmakers cited the recent attack against Colonial Pipeline as an impetus for reintroducing the bill now. "How could the single source of gasoline for the East Coast be shut down in 2021," Graham asked during a June 17 press conference announcing the bill. "Clearly, the private sector has not done its job and I would argue if you're a shareholder of the Colonial Pipeline, you should be really pissed." (Colonial Pipeline is a privately held concern, founded as a joint venture by a group of oil companies, and now owned mostly by pension funds.) The senators hope to attach their bill to the highly anticipated infrastructure bill that Congress and the Biden administration have been negotiating for several weeks. Asked about how the bill will deter foreign actors, most of whom reside in host countries that will often passively allow criminal activities such as ransomware attacks, Whitehouse cited DOJ charges brought up under the Obama administration against Chinese military officials that acted as a "shot across the bow" warning to other countries. President Joe Biden during his Wednesday meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin gave the Russian leader a list of 16 critical infrastructure areas that should be considered off-limits to cyber intrusions. That list presumably maps to the list of 16 critical infrastructure areas designated by the Department of Homeland Security. Workforce Feds to get Juneteenth off as a federal holiday, starting Friday Juneteeth Celebration in Grant Park, Chicago on June 19, 2020 (Image credit: Antwon McMullen / Shutterstock) Most feds will get Friday, June 18, off from work to celebrate the newest federal holiday, Juneteenth. Congress passed bills ordering the new holiday this week, which commemorates the day the news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached Texas in 1865 at the end of the Civil War. The Senate approved Juneteenth legislation via unanimous consent, and the House passed the bill by a 415-14 vote, with all the 'no' votes coming from Republicans. President Joe Biden signed the legislation into law on Thursday. "When we establish a national holiday, it makes an important statement," Vice President Kamala Harris said at the White House signing ceremony. "National holidays are something important. These are days when we as a nation have decided to stop and take stock, and often to acknowledge our history.... So as we commemorate the history of Juneteenth as we did just weeks ago with the history of the Tulsa Race Massacre, we must learn from our history, and we must teach our children our history because it is part of our history as a nation. It is part of American history." The Office of Personnel Management said in a tweet that this means "most federal employees will observe the holiday tomorrow, June 18," since June 19 falls on Saturday. "Black history is American history, and I am proud that Congress is following the lead of the Congressional Black Caucus in reaffirming that sacred principle," Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, said in a statement. "Because we can't change the future if we can't acknowledge the past." This article was updated June 17 with additional information FCW Insider: June 17, 2021 Lawmakers worry the Army's modernization efforts could be undermined by a flat budget proposal for fiscal 2022. The permanent federal firefighting force should help combat a longer fire season, the department says. The Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity Talent Management System has been years in the making, but officials say it will finally come online this fall. Quick Hits *** The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Wednesday unanimously reported President Joe Biden's nominees to be the national cyber director, director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the head of the General Services Administration favorably to the full Senate. However, Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) said he would place holds on all three nominations until Biden travels to the southern border. Scott has previously said he would also hold up the nominations for three senior roles at the Department of Homeland Security. *** One of the strategies the new National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource Task Force is considering to spur innovation is to give AI researchers secure access to anonymous data the government collects from vehicle sensors to health information -- and provide the computing power to analyze that data. GCN has more on this story. *** General Dynamics IT has withdrawn its protest of a $2 billion U.S. Patent and Trademark Office contract, but the other protesters continue to object to the so-called BOSS vehicle. Read more in Washington Technology. By Sonali Paul MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Australia's biggest exporting state on Tuesday urged Canberra to stop antagonising China, the country's top trade partner, in remarks that came amid escalating criticism of Beijing led by the United States, Australia's main ally. "This isn't about kowtowing to other countries and giving in," Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan said at Australia's biggest oil and gas industry conference, being held in Perth. "There needs to be a national reset in that relationship." Ties with China worsened last year when Australia called for an independent investigation into the origins of the novel coronavirus, which sparked trade reprisals from China, hitting Australian goods ranging from barley and coal to lobster and wine. Relations had already soured after Australia banned Chinese tech giant Huawei from the country's 5G network in 2018. Beseeching the federal government to stop talk of conflict and trade retaliation, McGowan asked: "How is it in our interests to be reckless with trading relationships that fund and drive our prosperity and our nation forward?" McGowan's comments came two days after Group of Seven leaders meeting in Britain chided China over a wide range of issues, sparking an angry response from Beijing. Attending the G7 meeting as a guest, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison met with U.S. President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to discuss Indo-Pacific security. Western Australia's top exports, iron ore and liquefied natural gas (LNG), have so far escaped China's trade reprisals, with China heavily dependent on Australia's iron ore for its steel industry and increasingly reliant on gas for power generation as it looks to cut emissions from coal. Western Australia exported A$104 billion ($80 billion) worth of goods to China in 2020, making up 71% of Australia's goods exports to China. ($1 = 1.2990 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Sonali Paul; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore) By Terje Solsvik and Victoria Klesty OSLO (Reuters) - Norway's central bank said on Thursday it expected to raise interest rates four times by mid-2022 as the economy shakes off the effects of COVID-19, breaking ranks with the still ultra-loose policy outlook of counterparts in other developed nations. A day after the Federal Reserve signalled U.S rates would probably rise from 2023 rather than 2024, Norges Bank's monetary policy committee kept its key rate unchanged at a record low 0.0% but said a hike was likely in September and others soon after. "Given the rate path we see now, rates will be raised by 0.25% in (each of) the next four quarters," Governor Oeystein Olsen told a news conference. Announced delays in vaccine deliveries to Norway in the third quarter did not "shift the big picture" on the economic recovery, he added in an interview with Reuters. With many of the world's central banks laying the groundwork for a post-pandemic transition to life with less stimulus, the Fed on Wednesday also opened talks on how to end its crisis-era bond-buying. Norges Bank looks set to be be the first of the G10 group of developed economies' central banks to raise the cost of borrowing, however, having previously signalled a hike this year. Economists polled by Reuters had been almost evenly split over whether it that would happen in September or December. But few had predicted two hikes by year-end. In stark contrast, the Swiss National Bank on Thursday signalled monetary policy would stay ultra-loose for the foreseeable future, saying projected higher inflation was no reason to change course and citing a highly valued Swiss franc. REAL ESTATE BOOM Norway's currency, the crown, firmed to trade at 10.12 against the euro from 10.15 just before Norges Bank's policy announcement. It then fell back to 10.21. "In the light of today's hawkish message from Norges Bank, we will revise our policy rate forecast upward," economists at Handelsbanken wrote. Story continues The central bank said the monetary policy committee's revised forecasts implied a slightly faster series of rate rises towards 2024 than in previous predictions issued in March. Part of the reason behind the accelerated timetable is a rapidly recovering economy. Norges Bank on Thursday held its forecast for GDP growth of 3.8% in 2021, but raised its prediction for next year to 4.1% from 3.4%. Another factor is house price inflation, which has gathered pace since Norway cut rates three times last year to combat the impact of COVID-19, contributing to a property boom as borrowers took advantage of cheap credit. While core inflation was expected to ease to 1.7% this year from 3.0% last year, below the central bank's 2% goal, it forecast house prices would rise by 9.2% in 2021 after expanding by 4.5% in 2020. In a related statement on Thursday, Norway's finance ministry said it would force banks to hold more supplementary buffer capital, 1.5% of its balance sheet instead of 1%, boosting the system's solidity while making less capital available for lending. (Additional reporting by Victoria Klesty and by John Revill in Zurich; Editing by Gwladys Fouche and John Stonestreet) MONTREAL, June 17, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Computers for Success Canada (CFSC-OPEC) is grateful to TELUS for its ongoing support of the Computers for Schools Plus (CFS+) program, a commitment that is reflected in TELUS involvement as a founding member of the newly launched CEO Pledge. The CEO Pledge is a joint effort from some of Canadas leading businesses, initiated by Microsoft Canada, to commit their used technology to the Government of Canadas Computers for Schools Plus program. In donating its used technology to the CFS+ program, TELUS continues to play a key leadership role to the programs goal of delivering improved access to digital tools and skills for Canadians most at risk of digital exclusion, said Toby Harper-Merrett, Executive Director, CFSC-OPEC. For the past 25 years, the CFS+ program has provided millions of Canadians with resources and opportunities to participate in the digital economy, thanks to support from long standing donors like TELUS. Since 2001, our TELUS team has proudly donated more than 35,000 computers to the Computers for Schools program, and our participation in the Pledge is a reflection of our ongoing commitment to improve the lives of Canadians by bridging digital, social and economic divides, said Darren Entwistle, TELUS President and CEO. At a time when the human connection is more important than ever, TELUS remains committed to ensuring Canadians stay connected to the people, information and resources that matter the most. Through our longstanding support of the CFS+ program, combined with our Internet for Good program, which provides low income families, youth aging out of care and people with disabilities with vital access to high-speed internet, we are helping make it easier for hundreds of thousands of Canadians to learn, work, socialize, access healthcare and find information online in our digital world. Since 1993, the CFS+ program has refurbished and redistributed over 1.7 million computers to schools, libraries, not-for-profit organizations, Indigenous communities, and eligible low-income families. The program also provides beneficial work experience to Canadian youth through paid internships. Interns help refurbish the used technology while acquiring essential digital skills. Story continues Technology partners like TELUS choose this program as a secure and sustainable solution for their end-of-life technology, contributing to its environmental, youth employment, skills and economic development impacts, added Toby Harper-Merrett. About TELUS TELUS (TSX: T, NYSE: TU) is a dynamic, world-leading communications technology company with $16 billion in annual revenue and 16 million customer connections spanning wireless, data, IP, voice, television, entertainment, video, and security. We leverage our global-leading technology and compassion to enable remarkable human outcomes. Our longstanding commitment to putting our customers first fuels every aspect of our business, making us a distinct leader in customer service excellence and loyalty. In 2020, TELUS was recognized as having the fastest wireless network in the world, reinforcing our commitment to provide Canadians with access to superior technology that connects us to the people, resources and information that make our lives better. TELUS Health is Canadas leader in digital health technology, improving access to health and wellness services and revolutionizing the flow of health information across the continuum of care. TELUS Agriculture provides innovative digital solutions throughout the agriculture value chain, supporting better food outcomes from improved agri-business data insights and processes. TELUS International (TSX and NYSE: TIXT) is a leading digital customer experience innovator that delivers next-generation AI and content management solutions for global brands across the technology and games, ecommerce and FinTech, communications and media, healthcare, travel and hospitality sectors. TELUS and TELUS International operate in 25+ countries around the world. Together, lets make the future friendly. Driven by our passionate social purpose to connect all citizens for good, our deeply meaningful and enduring philosophy to give where we live has inspired TELUS, our team members and retirees to contribute more than $820 million and 1.6 million days of service since 2000. This unprecedented generosity and unparalleled volunteerism have made TELUS the most giving company in the world. For more information about TELUS, please visit telus.com , follow us @TELUSNews on Twitter and @Darren_Entwistle on Instagram. About Computers for Schools Plus Computers for Schools Plus (CFS+) is a national partnership-based program that refurbishes digital devices from government, private business and individuals for use by schools, libraries, not-for profit organizations, Indigenous communities and eligible low-income individuals. This program is funded by the Government of Canada. About CFSC Computers for Success Canada Inc.| Ordinateurs pour lexcellence Canada Inc. (CFSC-OPEC) is a not-for-profit organization established in 2005, supporting Government of Canada digital inclusion and economic development programs. CFSC-OPECs services include project management, communications, partnership development, and strategic planning. Contact Julie Brouard Manager, Communications and Partnerships Computers for Success Canada Inc. julie.brouard@cfsc-opec.org 514-793-8073 Saara Rahikka TELUS Media Relations saara.rahikka@telus.com Connecticut has become the latest U.S. state to pass legislation authorizing adult recreational use of marijuana. Washington D.C., Guam, and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Island have also legalized adult recreational use. On Thursday, the states legislature voted to broaden its policy that so far has limited use of the drug for medical purposes. Gov. Ned Lamont, who helped introduce the bill, is expected to sign the bill into law. Its fitting that the bill legalizing the adult use of cannabis and addressing the injustices caused by the war of drugs received final passage today, on the 50-year anniversary of President Nixon declaring the war," Lamont said in a statement on Thursday. "The war on cannabis, which was at its core a war on people in Black and Brown communities, not only caused injustices and increased disparities in our state, it did little to protect public health and safety." Under Senate Bill 1201, approved by the state's senate on Thursday, slated to become effective on July 1, adults 21 and older can legally purchase and possess marijuana for recreational use. Individual possession limits are capped at 1.5 ounces of cannabis or equivalent cannabis concentrate, with up to 5 ounces of cannabis or equivalent cannabis concentrate permitted in a locked container. University of Connecticut grad student Peter Apicella works with a cannabis plant in a UConn greenhouse growing THC-free hemp.(Mark Mirko/Tribune News Service via Getty Images via Getty Images) Recreational retail sales are not scheduled to begin until May of next year, according to the measure. And residents looking to grow marijuana plants for their own recreational use will have to wait to do so until 2023. Home cultivation for authorized medical patients can begin as soon as October this year. In February, Lamont published revenue projections estimating that sales from an adult-use cannabis program starting in May 2022 would generate tax revenues of approximately $33.6 million by fiscal year 2023. According to the estimate, that number would jump to $97 million by fiscal year 2026. The vote by Connecticut's lawmakers comes amid a wave of recent state legalizations, including by regional neighbors New Jersey and New York, and others still scheduled to take effect this year. Story continues New Jersey residents officially voted to legalize recreational weed beginning January 1. New York followed and green-lighted adult use on March 31. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. New Mexicos law authorizing recreational adult use and retail production and sales goes into effect on June 29. Virginia lawmakers voted in April to legalize personal use, possession, and cultivation of marijuana, starting July 1. In South Dakota, an amendment to the state's constitution to legalize recreational use, adopted by voters in November, was scheduled to take effect July 1. However, a challenge to the amendment is currently pending in the states Supreme Court. Connecticut had previously decriminalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use. The new law both provides for expungement of certain criminal cannabis possession convictions handed down between January 2000, and September 15, 2015, based on possession of less than 4 ounces, and prohibits employers from taking adverse action against workers based solely upon positive cannabis tests. The newly passed bill also provides for a Social Equity Council and Social Equity and Innovation Fund to appropriate marijuana sales tax revenues and marijuana business licenses to lower-income applicants who have lived in geographic areas disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs. Particulars of the provision proved a sticking point in the days prior to the final vote. Alexis Keenan is a legal reporter for Yahoo Finance and former litigation attorney. Follow Alexis Keenan on Twitter @alexiskweed. Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, LinkedIn, YouTube, and reddit STOCKHOLM, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Aldevron is a leader in manufacturing high-quality plasmid DNA, mRNA and recombinant proteins Aldevron's products empower biotech companies to achieve scientific and medical breakthroughs During EQT's ownership, Aldevron has experienced strong organic growth and made significant investments to position itself for further expansion EQT is pleased to announce that the EQT VIII fund ("EQT Private Equity") has agreed to sell Aldevron to Danaher Corporation for an enterprise value of USD 9.6 billion. EQT Private Equity acquired a majority interest in Aldevron in 2019, investing alongside TA Associates, founders, and management. Founded in 1998 by Michael Chambers and John Ballantyne, Aldevron is a leading global provider of high-quality plasmid DNA, mRNA and recombinant proteins used in vaccines, gene and cell therapy, gene editing and diagnostic applications. Aldevron employs approximately 600 people, and is headquartered in Fargo, North Dakota, with additional operations in Madison, Wisconsin. Together with the founders and management team, EQT supported Aldevron in its mission to develop and manufacture high quality biologics that help make meaningful changes in people's lives worldwide. Aldevron's custom manufacturing capabilities enable scientists and biotech companies to develop and supply new breakthrough genetic medicine, and Aldevron has played an important role in combating COVID-19 by supplying plasmid DNA used to manufacture mRNA vaccines. Under EQT's ownership, Aldevron has experienced strong organic growth, expanded its management team and made significant investments to position the business for continued expansion. Aldevron recently completed the construction and validation of a new, state-of-the-art 189,000 sq ft facility on its 14-acre Breakthrough Campus in Fargo, adding significant GMP manufacturing capacity. Kevin Ballinger, CEO of Aldevron, commented, "Genetic medicine is the future and our field is expanding rapidly. EQT has been a great partner to us and played an important role in supporting our company as we scale. Danaher is an excellent strategic fit and new home for Aldevron, and we look forward to working with them." Story continues Michael Chambers, Founder and Executive Chairman of Aldevron, commented, "Aldevron helps advance breakthrough science, and is a critical player in the medical community. We are grateful for EQT's support over the past few years, and I am excited for Aldevron to partner with Danaher as we continue our journey." Eric Liu, Partner and Global Co-Head of Healthcare at EQT, commented, "Aldevron is integral to the development and supply of new types of therapies that address previously uncurable medical conditions. We are proud to have supported Aldevron and its mission to deliver the highest quality products that help improve patient lives across the world. It has been a pleasure partnering with Michael, Kevin, and the entire team, and we look forward to following the next phase of Aldevron's growth." The transaction is subject to customary conditions, including receipt of applicable regulatory approvals. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC acted as exclusive financial advisor to Aldevron, and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP provided legal counsel. Contact US inquiries: Stephanie Greengarten, +1 646 687 6810, stephanie.greengarten@eqtpartners.com International inquiries: EQT Press Office, press@eqtpartners.com, +46 8 506 55 334 About EQT EQT is a purpose-driven global investment organization with more than EUR 67 billion in assets under management across 26 active funds. EQT funds have portfolio companies in Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas with total sales of approximately EUR 29 billion and more than 175,000 employees. EQT works with portfolio companies to achieve sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership. More info: www.eqtgroup.com Follow EQT on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram About Aldevron Aldevron is a premier manufacturing partner in the global genetic medicine field. Founded in 1998 by Michael Chambers and John Ballantyne, the company provides critical nucleic acids and proteins used to make gene and cell therapies, DNA and RNA vaccines, and gene editing technologies. Aldevron's 600 employees support thousands of scientists who are developing revolutionary treatments for millions of people. More info: www.aldevron.com This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/eqt/r/eqt-private-equity-to-sell-aldevron-to-danaher-corporation-for-enterprise-value-of-usd-9-6-billion,c3369788 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/87/3369788/1433650.pdf Aldevron Press Release_06.17.21 Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eqt-private-equity-to-sell-aldevron-to-danaher-corporation-for-enterprise-value-of-usd-9-6-billion-301314773.html SOURCE EQT TORONTO, June 17, 2021 /CNW/ - Excellon Resources Inc. (TSX: EXN) (TSX: EXN.WT) (NYSE: EXN) (FRA: E4X2) ("Excellon" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the filing of an independent technical report for the Platosa Mine in Durango, Mexico, which has been prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 with an effective date of March 31, 2021. A copy of the technical report is available on both SEDAR at www.sedar.com and the Company's website at www.excellonresources.com. Excellon Resources Inc. Logo (CNW Group/Excellon Resources Inc.) About Excellon Excellon's vision is to create wealth by realizing strategic opportunities through discipline and innovation for the benefit of our employees, communities and shareholders. The Company is advancing a precious metals growth pipeline that includes: Platosa, Mexico's highest-grade silver mine since production commenced in 2005; Kilgore, a high quality gold development project in Idaho with strong economics and significant growth and discovery potential; and an option on Silver City, a high-grade epithermal silver district in Saxony, Germany with 750 years of mining history and no modern exploration. The Company also aims to continue capitalizing on current market conditions by acquiring undervalued projects. Additional details on Excellon's properties are available at www.excellonresources.com. Forward-Looking Statements The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this Press Release, which has been prepared by management. This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 27E of the Exchange Act. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding mineral resources estimates, the future results of operations, performance and achievements of the Company, including potential property acquisitions, the timing, content, cost and results of proposed work programs, the discovery and delineation of mineral deposits/resources/reserves, geological interpretations, proposed production rates, potential mineral recovery processes and rates, business and financing plans, business trends and future operating revenues. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, variations in the nature, quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, significant downward variations in the market price of any minerals produced, the Company's inability to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for its activities, to produce minerals from its properties successfully or profitably, to continue its projected growth, to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies. All of the Company's public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials. This press release is not, and is not to be construed in any way as, an offer to buy or sell securities in the United States. Story continues Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors: The terms "mineral resource," "measured mineral resource," "indicated mineral resource" and "inferred mineral resource," as used on Excellon's website and in its press releases are Canadian mining terms that are defined in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). These Canadian terms are not defined terms under United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") Industry Guide 7 and are normally not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC by U.S. registered companies. The SEC permits U.S. companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only those mineral deposits that a company can economically and legally extract or produce. Accordingly, note that information describing the Company's "mineral resources" is not directly comparable to information made public by U.S. companies subject to reporting requirements under U.S. securities laws. U.S. investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in the Company's Form 40-F which may be secured from the Company, or online at http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml . SOURCE Excellon Resources Inc. Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/June2021/17/c9754.html GATINEAU, QC, June 17, 2021 /CNW/ - Through Strong, Secure, Engaged, the Government of Canada is modernizing its military equipment to support the Canadian Armed Forces and keep Canadians safe. Following an open, fair and transparent competitive process, Public Services and Procurement Canada, on behalf of National Defence, has awarded two contracts, valued at a total of $186 million (taxes included), to Thales Canada Inc. for the purchase and in-service support of three new tactical control radars. These new radars will enable the Royal Canadian Air Force to detect, identify and direct fighter interceptors to potential threats in Canadian and North American aerospace. These radars can also be transported and deployed world-wide to support operations and training exercises for the Royal Canadian Air Force. Two of these radars will replace the existing ones located at 4 Wing Cold Lake, in Alberta, and 3 Wing Bagotville, in Quebec, and the third one will be used as needed, based on Canadian Armed Forces operational requirements. First deliveries of the new radars are expected to begin in 2023. The contracts for tactical control radars are expected to create or maintain more than 85 jobs annually across the Canadian economy and contribute more than $63 million ($11 million annually) to Canada's gross domestic product throughout the life of the project. Quick facts Thales Canada Inc. is being awarded two contracts. The first contract is for the acquisition of three new tactical control radar systems, sub-systems and associated equipment, for an estimated value of $154 million (taxes included). The second contract is for in-service support for an initial work period of five years, for an estimated value of $32 million (taxes included), plus two one-year options. The new radars will be ready to accommodate changing technology and improve the systems throughout their life-cycle, leading to an overall reduction of life-cycle costs. The radars provided by Thales Canada Inc. are manufactured by Lockheed Martin. The radars are expected to be fully operational within three and a half years of the contracts being awarded. Until replacements are delivered, the government will continue to maintain and employ the existing Northrop Grumman TPS-70. Repair and overhaul services have been put in place for the existing TPS-70 to cover the period up to and including the implementation of the new radars. The Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy applies to this procurement, including a Value Proposition requiring Thales Canada Inc. to undertake business activities in Canada equal to the value of the contracts. A fairness monitor oversaw the whole procurement process and concluded the procurement was conducted in an open, fair and transparent manner. Associated links Story continues Replacing Canada's tactical control radars Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook SOURCE Public Services and Procurement Canada Cision View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/June2021/17/c1112.html BANGKOK, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Huawei and BayWa r.e. have extended their partnership agreement following two years of successful collaboration, to continue to provide premium solar products and solutions in Thailand. Huawei and BayWa r.e. extend their partnership to support Thai renewables growth Since 2019, BayWa r.e. a leading solar product distributor has been Huawei's partner in sales, distribution, and a Certified Service Partner. During 2020, the company saw estimated growth of 30% in the Thai market compared to 2019. Huawei in turn, offers leading Smart PV solutions harnessing more than 30 years of expertise in digital information technology. This continued partnership will bring industry leading solar inverter, energy storage technology and services to customers in Thailand. Thailand has clear ambitions to further advance renewable energy adoption; this is critical to meet the country's target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) to 20.8% below business-as-usual levels by 2030. Solar power, with a focus on distributed generation, offers the easiest path for renewable energy development. To achieve this, advanced solar technology with reliable and efficient service is vital to ensuring increased uptake of solar installations. Having local players like BayWa r.e. in partnership with technology providers such as Huawei will be a key enabler to support renewable energy growth in Thailand. Junrhey Castro, Managing Director at BayWa r.e. Solar Systems Corporation, said: "Huawei is a key supplier and partner of BayWa r.e.'s distribution business. The technological advancement of Huawei products is excellent. The latest innovation of Huawei's smart string Energy Storage Solution (ESS) further solidifies its strong position in the solar industry. On top of solar inverters, the energy storage products are now available with BayWa r.e. for distribution to bring technological benefits to our customers. We are glad to continue our growth in Southeast Asia, being Huawei's key partner." Story continues Mr. Jason Wu, Huawei's Director of Digital Power Business in Thailand, said: "Huawei is proud to continue the close collaboration and VAP agreement with BayWa r.e. The global trade and distribution experience of BayWa r.e. is key for us to further expand Huawei's leading solar technology footprint in the Southeast Asia region. We look forward to broadening our business relationship with BayWa r.e." About BayWa r.e. At BayWa r.e. we r.e. think energy - how it is produced, stored and can be best used to enable the global renewable energy transition that is essential to the future of our planet. We are a leading global developer, service supplier, distributor and solutions provider and have brought over 4 GW of energy online and manage over 10 GW of assets. We are also an Independent Power Producer with an expanding energy trading business. BayWa r.e. has one of the most experienced renewable energy teams in Asia Pacific with close to 200 employees working in the region across offices in Tokyo, Perth, Melbourne, Ho Chi Minh City, Cyberjaya, Seoul, Manila and our regional headquarter in Bangkok, Thailand. BayWa r.e. works with businesses worldwide to provide tailored renewable solutions. Operating 100% carbon neutral, we are also committed to our own sustainability journey. Every day, we are working hard to actively shape the future of energy in a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace. Our shareholders are BayWa AG, a 17.2 billion global business, and Energy Infrastructure Partners, a leader in energy infrastructure investment. Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.: Founded in 1987, Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. We have more than 194,000 employees, and we operate in more than 170 countries and regions, serving more than three billion people around the world. We are committed to bringing digital to every person, home and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world. To this end, we will: Drive ubiquitous connectivity and promote equal access to networks; Provide the ultimate computing power to deliver ubiquitous cloud and pervasive intelligence; Build digital platforms to help all industries and organizations become more agile, efficient, and dynamic; Redefine user experience with AI, making it more personalized for people across all scenarios, whether they're at home, in the office, or on the go. BayWa r.e. renewable energy Logo Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1532312/BayWa_r_e_Huawei.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/752091/BayWaRE_renewable_energy_RGB_Logo.jpg SOURCE BayWa r.e. AG The quality and cost of broadband remain issues for households across the US, and the Biden administration wants to draw attention to that unfortunate reality. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has published what it says is the first interactive public map detailing the "digital divide" in broadband access. You'll not only see areas where broadband speeds fall below official targets (25Mbps down and 3Mbps up), but correlate that with high-poverty areas. You can look for specific locations, including Tribal lands and minority-serving institutions. As you can see from the image above, the map isn't particularly flattering. The performance shortfalls are spread across the country, and aren't as concentrated in specific areas as you might think. There's a political motivation behind the map, of course. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo saw this as supporting President Biden's American Jobs Plan, which includes a "once-in-a-lifetime" effort to connect everyone in the country with fast, affordable internet access. It's also a not-so-subtle criticism of the previous administration, suggesting that past rural broadband efforts didn't do enough to meaningfully close gaps in internet service. Of course, changing this map for the better won't be easy. In addition to any political hurdles, officials need to refine broadband maps and secure the cooperation of internet providers that haven't always been eager to serve rural and low-income areas. The data merely underscores the problem it's another matter entirely to fix it. Uruguay-based medical cannabis operator NetCann announced Wednesday a new partnership with Megalabs, one of Latin Americas leading pharmaceutical companies. Under the agreement, Megalabs will have rights to distribute NetCanns branded pharmaceutical products across 27 countries in Latin America. As a leading global pharmaceutical laboratory, the partnership between Megalabs and NetCann is a major milestone for the rapidly growing cannabis industry in Latin America. This partnership will ensure that NetCann has the capability to reach both international and Latin American markets and, as a leading GMP certified producer in the region, NetCann will continue to execute on our strategic growth plan to expand our production, reach, and patient access to the highest quality cannabis, Gabriel Rodriguez, founder of NetCann, told Benzinga. NetCann produces cannabis in Uruguay under the rigorous agricultural and pharmaceutical standards. Also based in Uruguay, Megalabs boasts 17 pharmaceutical plants and 6 R&D centers in Latin America. Encuentra nuestro contenido sobre cannabis y otros teams en Espanol en El Planteo: See more from Benzinga 2021 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Lincoln Motor will launch its first all-electric vehicle in 2022 followed by three other EVs as part of the luxury brand's goal to electrify its entire portfolio by the end of the decade. The first EV will come to market just in time for Lincoln's 100th birthday celebration and nearly four years since initial reports emerged that the brand was aiming to electrify its lineup. Like GM's luxury brand Cadillac, Lincoln doesn't have an all-electric vehicle in its lineup. But Lincoln is keen to catch up and has set a lofty target for half of its global sales to be zero-emissions vehicles by 2025. These new vehicles fall under Ford's commitment to invest $30 billion into electric vehicles through 2025. The announcement by Lincoln follows a string of EV-related news from Ford and its competitors. On Wednesday, rival GM said it planned to invest $35 billion in EVs and autonomous vehicles an $8 billion increase from its financial commitment made back in November 2020. The Lincoln EV was originally going to be built on Rivian's skateboard platform. However, those plans were scrapped in April 2020. The companies said at the time that they still plan to co-develop a vehicle in the future. A Lincoln spokesperson confirmed those co-development plans were still intact, but did not reveal any more information. For now, Lincoln's electric vehicles will be based on a new, dedicated EV architecture developed by Ford. The automaker announced in May during its Capital Markets Day for investors that it was developing two flexible platforms, one for smaller SUVs and sedans and another for larger pickups. This is a different architecture used in the current Ford Mustang Mach-E and upcoming Ford F-150 Lightning. The new flexible platform, which allows for rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive vehicles, is expected to underpin EV versions of the Lincoln Aviator and Ford Explorer. Story continues According to Lincoln, the automaker's first fully electric car will join the likes of plug-in hybrid SUVs Aviator and Corsair. Lincoln has not yet revealed what model the new EV will take, but it hinted the design might be similar to the Lincoln Zephyr Reflection concept sedan revealed at Auto Shanghai this year, made specifically for the Chinese market. Lincoln's electric car will be available for sale in both the United States and China. Lincoln also shared information on the interior of its new EV, attempting to make it a minimalistic and expansive space with a panoramic roof vista to create a more airy feel, one that befits a "sanctuary," as the automaker is referring to its vehicle. Perhaps most notable is the upcoming EVs will have a digital platform built off the Android operating system, which will allow the company to offer third-party apps and services and update the software remotely. The vehicle will also be equipped with advanced driver-assist features, including hands-free driving on certain highways. C$ unless otherwise stated TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC SEHK: 945 TORONTO, June 17, 2021 /CNW/ - For the second year in a row, Manulife is giving its entire global workforce, a "Thank You Day" off this Friday, June 18, 2021. In addition, Manulife is dedicating the afternoon of the day before for everyone on its global team to learn more about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), in a first-ever Global Afternoon of Reflection and Learning. The Global Afternoon of Reflection and Learning on June 17 will feature a range of learning activities, including allyship and how to become better advocates for change. Sessions include keynote speeches, fireside chats, and webinars hosted by leaders and various Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). These include an interactive session with business leader Kimberly Blackwell, hosted by Manulife Global CHRO Pam Kimmet in North America; a Pride and Prejudice research presentation by The Economist in Asia; and various webinars hosted by senior leadership and ERGs across the organization. "We care deeply about the well-being of everyone on our team, and we know that starts with having an inclusive workplace," said Pam Kimmet, Chief Human Resources Officer, Manulife. "Having expanded our DEI commitments last year, these two important events allow us to take stock of our progress and devote time to gaining a greater appreciation of the many dimensions of diversity. They also support our team in observing two important days, with Juneteenth in the US and Indigenous People's Day in Canada." One year ago, Manulife declared its five-year Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) recruitment and leadership goals in North America. Since that time, the company: Achieved fifty-two per cent of new graduate hiring as BIPOC talent in 2020, double the goal set a year earlier. Launched a new bursary program for Indigenous Students at Wilfrid Laurier University as well as at Seneca College which also offers internships for Indigenous students. Story continues Joined the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business. Created Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) interview guides for hiring managers. Hired 36 high school students through John Hancock's (a subsidiary of Manulife) Dr. Martin Luther King (MLK) Scholars Program for summer 2021. Six former MLK Scholars are also returning to the company as college interns and an additional 570 roles were facilitated at nonprofits. Expanded school recruitment, with a focus on diverse colleges and universities, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the US. Launched two new partnerships specific to its new grad hiring, ICON Talent Partners and ONYX Initiative, with whom it will be welcoming new graduate hires for summer 2021. Partnered with Accenture to launch two learning platforms Inclusive Leadership and All Against Racism globally for 3,500 leaders. Additionally, members of the executive leadership team currently have performance goals linked to diversity, equity, and inclusion, employee engagement, and leadership accountability. "I'm excited about the progress Manulife has made on its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts," said Michelle Taylor-Jones, Vice President, Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Manulife. "While there is still more to be done, our accomplishments in this first year demonstrate that we are taking action and holding ourselves accountable in both the short-term, as well as over the long-term. As a global organization, Manulife is committed to fostering an environment where all employees can truly thrive and feel a strong sense of belonging." Stay updated on DEI at Manulife by visiting: manulife.com/en/careers/diversity-equity-inclusion About Manulife Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider that helps people make their decisions easier and lives better. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we operate as Manulife across our offices in Canada, Asia, and Europe, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States. We provide financial advice, insurance, and our global wealth and asset management segment, Manulife Investment Management, serves individuals, institutions and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2020, we had more than 37,000 employees, over 118,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 30 million customers. As of March 31, 2021, we had CAD$1.3 trillion (US$1.0 trillion) in assets under management and administration, and in the previous 12 months we made $31.3 billion in payments to our customers. Our principal operations are in Asia, Canada and the United States where we have served customers for more than 155 years. We trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges and under '945' in Hong Kong. Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/manulife-gives-37-000-employees-dedicated-afternoon-to-reflect-on-diversity-followed-by-thank-you-day-off-301314262.html SOURCE Manulife Financial Corporation Cision View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/June2021/17/c6316.html Fresh coronavirus outbreaks in Southern China are threatening to create new bottlenecks at Americas largest port again, even as the recovery in Western economies help to dramatically reduce its inventory. In an interview with Yahoo Finance Live, Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said he expected to see "a little bit of a lull" with roughly a third of its cargo coming in from the Pearl River Delta in the Guangdong Province. What were seeing is that 50% of normal productivity is taking place, Seroka said. Some of the liner shipping companies are omitting those South China ports. There is some cargo that's moving cross-border into Hong Kong. Hong Kong's five terminals are really full right now. With nearly 60% of its containerized imports coming from China, the Port of Los Angeles remains acutely sensitive to any delays in Asia. China reported just 20 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. While that number remains well below the countrys peak last year, concerns about an outbreak linked to the Delta variant, first detected in India, have led to strict lockdowns in the vital industrial province of Guangdong. That has contributed to massive shipping delays in major Chinese ports. In Shenzhen, an outbreak among dockworkers at the Port of Yantian brought traffic to a near halt. The Wall Street Journal reports some ships have had to wait up to two weeks to take on cargo at Yantian, causing the price of shipping to soar more than 60% since the start of the year. The worlds largest container line Maersk recently warned of delays of up to 16 days outside of Yantian, saying the situation was far worse than delays caused by a vessel blockage in the Suez Canal in March. I don't think we have an answer to [the extent of the delays]. We'll probably see a little bit of a lull, if they're working at 50% of capacity, Seroka said. When folks get back healthy, and on the job, we'll see the business pick up a little bit. But at a third, and with the information system, the port optimizer that we have being able to see three weeks out with some precision, we'll be able to manage this. Story continues Shipping containers are unloaded from a ship at a container terminal at the Port of Long Beach-Port of Los Angeles complex, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., April 7, 2021. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson The potential bottlenecks come as the Port of LA continues to rebound from the lows of the pandemic, with Western countries leading the economic recovery. In May, the port processed more than a million container units, marking the busiest month in the ports 114-year history. Inventory is down by 75%, while the number of ships anchored and waiting to be processed is likely to reach near zero by the end of this month, Seroka said. Outside of Los Angeles, port congestion continues to snarl supply chains causing significant challenges across sectors. On Monday, the National Retail Federation sent a letter to the White House, requesting a meeting with the Biden administration, to discuss solutions to alleviate the disruptions. In a recent survey of NRF member companies, more than 95% of retailers said they had been affected by port and shipping delays. Seroka said maritime traffic is likely to ease in the second half of the year. We're going to be coming up on back-to-school season fall fashion, as well as year-end holidays. What remains to be seen, though, is how the American consumer pivots from buying these retail goods as we have for the last 11 months to getting back into the service sector, he said. Akiko Fujita is an anchor and reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter @AkikoFujita DALLAS, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Math and Science Initiative today announced that it has expanded its board of directors, elevated two members from its board of advisors and added to its roster of external advisors. The moves build on NMSI's work to expand how it provides services and support to American schools while continuing to achieve top ratings among non-profit organizations. We're transforming education. (PRNewsFoto/National Math and Science Initiative) Talia Milgrom-Elcott and Phil Sprick move from the advisory board to the board of directors. Milgrom-Elcott is founder and executive director of 100Kin10. Sprick is vice president of human resources for Service Corporation International. In addition, Tom Finke and Raymond Pierce join as new board members. NMSI Chairwoman Dr. Shirley Malcom said, "We are excited to have Talia and Phil continue their leadership at the board level, and we're very honored to have Tom and Raymond join us in our work to expand access and opportunity to high-quality learning across the country." Finke, chairman of Adara Acquisition Corp., recently retired as chairman and CEO of the asset management firm Barings LLC. He will join the board's Development Committee and provide guidance on investments and fundraising opportunities. Pierce is president and CEO of the Southern Education Foundation. He previously served as Dean of the School of Law at North Carolina Central University and as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights. Pierce will join the board's Policy Committee to help inform NMSI's state and federal government relations. In addition to the new board members, NMSI has added Sharif El-Mekki, CEO of the Center for Black Educator Development, and John Herrington, President and CEO of Herrington Aerospace Ltd. Co., to NMSI's board of advisors. Like NMSI CEO Dr. Bernard Harris, Herrington is a former NASA astronaut. In 2002, Herrington became the first Native American to travel in space. Story continues NMSI contributes to produce better outcomes for all students by providing evidence-based training and resources for school leaders and teachers, particularly in math, science, computer science and English. It also provides unique study support for students and hands-on learning through out-of-school programs. NMSI's services are provided through government, corporate and foundation grants, as well as government appropriations and contributions from individual donors. School systems also can directly purchase support using local, state and federal funding, including COVID-19 recovery funds approved by Congress. NMSI holds top ratings from Charity Navigator and GuideStar for its financial transparency and the percentage of its funds that go to providing services. Founded in 2007, NMSI also works across the country to promote STEM education and ensure public policies that support high-quality education. The organization supports all types of school systems, with a focus on schools that serve military-impacted students and historically underserved and under-represented communities. "Our recent board moves have added experienced leaders from diverse personal and professional backgrounds to bring additional thought partnership for our staff," said Harris, who also sits on the board. "Most important, our board members share NMSI's commitment to expanding students' future opportunities and improving our communities through access and achievement in high-quality education." Media Contact: Juan Elizondo, 214-346-1249 Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nmsi-expands-board-adds-new-external-advisors-301314434.html SOURCE National Math and Science Initiative ORION CORPORATION STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE / MAJOR SHAREHOLDER ANNOUNCEMENTS 17 JUNE 2021 at 15.40 EEST Orion Corporation: Disclosure Under Chapter 9 Section 10 of the Securities Market Act (BlackRock, Inc.) Orion Corporation has received a disclosure under Chapter 9, Section 5 of the Securities Market Act, according to which the total number of Orion shares owned directly, indirectly or through financial instruments by BlackRock, Inc. and its funds decreased on 16 June 2021 below five (5) per cent of Orion Corporations total shares. Total positions of BlackRock, Inc. and its funds subject to notification: % of shares and voting rights (total of point A) % of shares and voting rights through financial instruments (total of point B) Total of both in % (points A + B) Total number of shares and voting rights of issuer Resulting situation on the date on which threshold was crossed or reached Below 5% shares Below 5% voting rights Below 5% shares Below 5% voting rights Below 5% shares Below 5% voting rights 141,134,278 shares 806,883,011 voting rights Position of previous notification (if applicable) 5.07% shares Below 5% voting rights 0.02% shares Below 5% voting rights 5.10% shares Below 5% voting rights Notified details of the resulting situation on the date on which the threshold was crossed: Point A: Shares and voting rights Class/type of shares ISIN code Number of shares and voting rights % of shares and voting rights Direct (SMA 9:5) Indirect (SMA 9:6 and 9:7) Direct (SMA 9:5) Indirect (SMA 9:6 and 9:7) FI0009014377 Below 5% shares Below 5% voting rights Below 5% shares Below 5% voting rights SUBTOTAL A Below 5% shares Below 5% voting rights Below 5% shares Below 5% voting rights Point B: Financial Instruments according to SMA 9:6a Type of financial instrument Expiration date Exercise/ Conversion Period Physical or cash settlement Number of shares and voting rights % of shares and voting rights Securities Lent N/A N/A Physical Below 5% shares Below 5% voting rights Below 5% shares Below 5% voting rights CFD N/A N/A Cash Below 5% shares Below 5% voting rights Below 5% shares Below 5% voting rights SUBTOTAL B Below 5% shares Below 5% voting rights Below 5% shares Below 5% voting rights Orion Corporation Story continues Timo Lappalainen President and CEO Olli Huotari SVP, Corporate Functions Contact person: Tuukka Hirvonen, Investor Relations, Orion Corporation tel. +358 10 426 2721 Publisher: Orion Corporation Communications Orionintie 1A, FI-02200 Espoo, Finland http://www.orion.fi/en http://www.twitter.com/OrionCorpIR Orion is a globally operating Finnish pharmaceutical company a builder of well-being. Orion develops, manufactures and markets human and veterinary pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. The company is continuously developing new drugs and treatment methods. The core therapy areas of Orion's pharmaceutical R&D are neurological disorders, oncology and respiratory diseases for which Orion develops inhaled pulmonary medication. Orion's net sales in 2020 amounted to EUR 1,078 million and the company had about 3,300 employees at the end of the year. Orion's A and B shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki. NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / June 17, 2021 / The Law Offices of Vincent Wong announce that class actions have commenced on behalf of certain shareholders in the following companies. If you suffered a loss you have until the lead plaintiff deadline to request that the court appoint you as lead plaintiff. There will be no obligation or cost to you. Danimer Scientific, Inc. (NYSE:DNMR) If you suffered a loss, contact us at:https://www.wongesq.com/pslra-1/danimer-scientific-inc-loss-submission-form?prid=16957&wire=1 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: July 13, 2021 Class Period: October 5, 2020 - May 4, 2021 Allegations against DNMR include that: (i) Danimer had deficient internal controls; (ii) as a result, the Company had misrepresented, inter alia, its operations' size and regulatory compliance; (iii) Defendants had overstated Nodax's biodegradability, particularly in oceans and landfills; and (iv) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. Ubiquiti Inc. (NYSE:UI) If you suffered a loss, contact us at:https://www.wongesq.com/pslra-1/ubiquiti-inc-loss-submission-form?prid=16957&wire=1 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: July 19, 2021 Class Period: January 11, 2021 - March 20, 2021 Allegations against UI include that: (1) the Company had downplayed the data breach in January 2021; (2) attackers had obtained administrative access to Ubiquiti's servers and obtained access to, among other things, all databases, all user database credentials, and secrets required to forge single sign-on (SSO) cookies; (3) as a result, intruders already had credentials needed to remotely access Ubiquiti's customers' systems; and (4) as a result of the foregoing, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:SPCE) If you suffered a loss, contact us at:https://www.wongesq.com/pslra-1/virgin-galactic-holdings-inc-loss-submission-form?prid=16957&wire=1 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: July 27, 2021 Class Period: October 26, 2019 - April 30, 2021 Story continues Allegations against SPCE include that: (i) for accounting purposes, Social Capital Hedosophia Holdings Corp.'s ("SCH") warrants were required to be treated as liabilities rather than equities; (ii) Virgin Galactic had deficient disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting; (iii) as a result, the Company improperly accounted for SCH warrants that were outstanding at the time of the business combination; and (iv) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. To learn more contact Vincent Wong, Esq. either via email vw@wongesq.com or by telephone at 212.425.1140. Vincent Wong, Esq. is an experienced attorney who has represented investors in securities litigations involving financial fraud and violations of shareholder rights. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: Vincent Wong, Esq. 39 East Broadway Suite 304 New York, NY 10002 Tel. 212.425.1140 Fax. 866.699.3880 E-Mail: vw@wongesq.com SOURCE: The Law Offices of Vincent Wong View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/652115/SHAREHOLDER-ALERT-DNMR-UI-SPCE-The-Law-Offices-of-Vincent-Wong-Reminds-Investors-of-Important-Class-Action-Deadlines WASHINGTON, June 17 (Reuters) - Top U.S. military leaders said on Thursday that international militant groups like al Qaeda could pose a threat to the U.S. homeland and America's allies in two years. "It would take possibly two years for them to develop that capability," U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said during a Congressional hearing. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley said he agreed with the timeline and there was a medium risk at the moment. "If there was a collapse of the government, or a dissolution of the Afghan security forces, that risk would obviously increase," Milley said. (Reporting by Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart Editing by Chizu Nomiyama) TOKYO (Reuters) - The chairman of Toshiba Corp, facing calls to resign amid a corporate governance scandal, said he may step down after revamping its board and appointing a new CEO, according to the Wall Street Journal. An independent investigation has alleged that Toshiba management colluded with Japan's trade ministry to block foreign investors from gaining board influence, reviving concerns about Japanese corporate governance and prompting calls for Board Chairman Osamu Nagayama to resign. "These are the two major tasks if I remain as a board member and the chairperson of the board," Nagayama was quoted as saying in the Journal interview. When I see the whole thing set in the right order, its an appropriate time I consider myself to resign. (Reporting by Tokyo Newsroom; Editing by Stephen Coates) The In-Pen Weighing Positions measure individual animal body weight and growth in a stress-free natural way. The technology weighs every second an animal is standing at the trough, which can equate up to 450 weights a day. The In-Pen Weighing Positions measure individual animal body weight and growth in a stress-free natural way. The technology weighs every second an animal is standing at the trough, which can equate up to 450 weights a day. KANSAS CITY, Missouri, June 17, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vytelle and the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) announce today the demonstrated accuracy and reliability of In-Pen Weighing Positions with the use of appropriate conversion factors for native South African cattle breeds and crosses. The use of In-Pen Weighing Positions reduces labor requirements associated with chute weight collection, stress, and injury in animals and handlers. Nicky Lansink, SENSE Product Manager for Vytelle commented on the pitfalls of chute weights alone, The challenge is that, although chute weights may be correct, they are not accurate since there can be large variations between consecutive weights of the same animal. Data was collected at the ARC Animal Production facility in Pretoria, South Africa, from October 2017 to December 2020 over several different trials. Data was collected on bulls from 18 different breeds, including purebred and crossbred animals of the following breeds: Afrikaner, Angus, Bonsmara, Brahman, Holstein, Nguni, Simbrah and Simmentaler with an average weight of 342 kg (Std Dev = 86 kg), and a minimum and maximum weight of 142 kg and 630 kg, respectively. Animals were on trial for at least 70 days, with a maximum trial length of 203 days. On average, animals were chute weighed every 11 days during the trial period and on average each animal had 12 chute weights collected. This study was specifically designed to learn the accuracy of estimated full body weights for native South African cattle breeds and its crosses with Vytelles In-Pen Weighing Positions. More than 4,000 records demonstrated In-Pen Weighing Positions accurately and reliably measure body weights of cattle from South African breeds, when the appropriate conversion factors are used, said Professor Scholtz, of the Agricultural Research Council. Story continues The In-Pen Weighing Position measures individual animal partial body weight and growth. It weighs every second an animal is standing at the water trough, which can equate up to 450 weights a day. Vytelles In-Pen Weighing Positions and integrated livestock technology platform is available globally to cattle producers. Visit www.vytelle.com to learn more. ### About Vytelle Vytelle is a precision livestock company reshaping how cattle producers worldwide optimize their herds. Through Vytelles integrated technology platform, generations of genetic gains can be made in just a few years. This allows producers to sustainably deliver more protein with fewer inputs, helping to ensure meat and milk are viable, competitive food choices for future generations. Attachments CONTACT: Danielle Starr Vytelle +1 816 886 8363 danielle.starr@vytelle.com By Aditya Kalra NEW DELHI (Reuters) -Walmart Inc's Flipkart and Amazon.com Inc have filed legal challenges against the resumption of an antitrust investigation into their business practices, according to sources and a legal filing viewed by Reuters. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) launched an investigation in January last year after a complaint accused Flipkart and Amazon of promoting select sellers on their e-commerce platforms and using deep discounts to stifle competition. The companies have denied wrongdoing and near-immediate legal challenges from the pair stalled the investigation for more than a year until a court last week ruled it could resume, having dismissed arguments that the CCI lacked evidence. The fresh appeal from Flipkart filed on June 16, argues that decision by the Karnataka court to allow the probe to resume was erroneous and must be put on hold. "Irreparable injury will be caused to the appellant if the investigation was to continue pending the present appeal," the Flipkart filing, which was not made public but has been viewed by Reuters, said. It also urged the court to quash the initial CCI order for the investigation. Amazon has mounted a similar challenge, two sources familiar with the matter said. Both are likely to be heard by a two-judge panel this week, sources said. Flipkart and CCI did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Amazon declined to comment on its appeal. Sources told Reuters this week that the CCI planned to speed up the investigation as it increases its scrutiny of big-tech firms. The CCI plans to demand information from Flipkart and Amazon on the accusations "as quickly as possible", one source said. Such investigations usually run several months. Both Amazon and Flipkart are currently battling accusations from offline retailers that their complex business structures let them circumvent foreign investment rules for e-commerce. In February, a Reuters investigation http://reut.rs/2OCOT2W based on Amazon documents showed it had given preferential treatment for years to a small group of sellers on its Indian platform. Amazon has said it "does not give preferential treatment to any seller". (Reporting by Aditya Kalra in New Delhi; editing by Jane Wardell) Reorganization Strengthens Mission of 'One Company with One Vision' MADRID, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Zamora Company, owner of popular wine and spirits brands including Licor 43, Yellow Rose Whiskey, Martin Miller's Gin, and Ramon Bilbao wines, has announced organizational changes for its U.S. business unit The Zamora Americas based in Dallas. Zamora Company USA's portfolio of world-class spirits and wines Bill Corbett, currently CEO of Zamora Company USA, will now also assume responsibility for The Zamora Americas and for Houston-based Yellow Rose Distilling which specializes in handmade, blended and bottled premium whiskey and bourbon (and the first legal whiskey distillery in Houston). Corbett will continue to report to Thomas Clamens, International Managing Director at Madrid-based Zamora Company. "Three years ago, we opened the doors at Zamora Company USA with a dozen people and two brands. In that short time, we've now proudly grown to more than 50 people and a portfolio of 10 world-class spirits and wines," said Corbett. "I'm especially honored for the privilege of leading the exceptionally talented team at Yellow Rose Distilling, truly the top craft distillery in the U.S. Together, consolidating under one umbrella reinforces our global mission of 'One Company with One Vision.'" Included in the organizational changes, Zamora Americas Finance Director Edward Johnmeyer has also assumed responsibility for all back-office operations (finance, IT, and supply chain), and Lauren Wollin-Ramirez has been promoted to HR Director, for all three U.S. entities. Michael Langan will continue as Head of Distillery/Plant Manager at Yellow Rose. Johnmeyer, Wollin-Ramirez, and Langan will all report to Bill Corbett. About Zamora Company USA: Zamora Company USA, based in Dallas, Texas, brings together a collection of unique luxury brands along with an experienced, passionate, and dedicated team of over 50 people. The organization manages sales, distribution, execution, and marketing of the following brands: Licor 43, Double Cross Vodka, Yellow Rose Whiskey, Don Papa Rum, Martin Miller's Gin, Lolea Sangria, Villa Massa Limoncello, plus Spanish wines Ramon Bilbao, Cruz De Alba, and Mar de Frades. For more information, please visit zamoracompany.com/usa Story continues Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zamora-company-announces-organizational-changes-in-the-us-301314513.html SOURCE Zamora Company USA Sky L. Travers, also 21 of Locust Grove, was charged with DUI-maiming, failure to drive on the right side of the road and failing to wear a seat belt. She was placed in the Central Virginia Regional Jail. A release from the Orange Sheriffs Office states that McFarlane showed up shortly after the accident and assisted Travers. Bystanders were yelling at the deputy to alert him to the other vehicle about 100 yards away that was starting to catch on fire. Police said McFarlane emptied his fire extinguisher and poured a gallon of water on the fire, but that didnt put it out. Several Virginia Department of Transportation employees and citizens emptied other fire extinguishers on the fire but were also unable to quench it. The fire was gaining intensity, the release said, when the deputy hooked a tow strap to his vehicle and the wrecked door in an attempt to open it. The first attempt failed, but McFarlane was finally able to get the victims door open long enough for the VDOT employees and others to pull the woman out of the burning car. Also on Thursday, the Sheriffs Office released information about a June 3 wreck in Locust Grove on Zoar Road in which Sheriffs Sgt. John Berry and Deputy Jacob Ganoe rolled an overturned car off a motorist who was trapped underneath. EMS arrived shortly thereafter and transported the victim to the hospital, the release said. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Sharks, bass and other fish that prey on other animals could not be allowed to remain in a perfect world free of violence. Somehow we must do away with the thunder and the lightning and the hurricanes because they are forces of violence. In a totally nonviolent world, there would be no storms to cause us anguish and destroy life and property. Even fire, that invention that aided man since the cradle of civilization, is too violent for a perfect word. Somehow me must harness earthquakes and volcanoes because of their violent nature and force them to abide by the rules of a nonviolent world. We must literally change nature to fit our own demands. What about man? After we have destroyed all the predators and conquered the elements, how do we deal with man, who is also violent by nature? Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} First, we confiscate all the guns and knives and tools of violence. Then we disband armies and police forces and all other groups that might perpetrate violent acts. But what of the evil and the thoughts of violence in the human mind? How do we address those? After all, it is those evil thoughts that lead to evil deeds and acts of violence within human societies. One of the programs core goals is to support early childhood teachers, who are often women of color. These teachers provide an essential service in educating and caring for young children, yet are paid less than K12 teachers and even many service jobs, McGill said. One of the challenges of hiring is that people are seeing signs in McDonalds for $15-an-hour jobs and were not paying that, unfortunately, and the responsibilities of this job are so great, McGill said. And we cant ask parents to pay more. Teachers at facilities that are part of the PDG program and work for at least 30 hours per week with children up to age 5 are eligible for a stipend of $1,500, and McGill said the stipend has been helpful for her staff. Northam said she and her husbands administration have worked to raise the profile of early childhood educators, beginning by moving oversight of child care and preschool facilities from the Department of Social Services to the Department of Education. This workforce needs to be recognized as so much more than babysitters, she said. Northam said the pandemic made clear how crucial child care is to a functioning economy. What about the laws? Maybe we need more? Dr. Robert Cottrol, a distinguished law professor at George Washington University, issued an emphatic No to InsideSources. We keep adding ruffles and flourishes to the existing lawsfor this special victim class and that special victim class, he argued. The laws are already on the books; just enforce them. Last I checked, there are laws against attempted murder and murder, which is what these mass shooting incidents are. However, many locales around the country are re-imagining the role of police, a movement that can be a help but also a hindrance. While Cottrol advised that we shouldnt be drowning in laws, former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe spoke to CNN about todays new challenges. The traditional way that law enforcement has addressed spikes in gun violence, McCabe asserted, is to more vigorously patrol people who are carrying guns. ... The problem is those same tactics and policies that target guns also tend to have disparate impacts on communities of color. Visitors to The Durham Museum have the opportunity to view the North American premiere of a major new immersive exhibition. James Cameron CHALLENGING THE DEEP, featuring the work of acclaimed explorer and film-maker James Cameron, is on display at the Omaha museum. It will remain on display through Sept. 12. The exhibit takes museum visitors to the depths of the oceans through the lens of Camerons underwater cameras and his other technological innovations that have enabled people to see the least known places on earth. Cameron has had a lifelong fascination with the deep oceans. He has led eight major deep-sea expeditions and many submersible dives, setting world firsts including the historic solo dive to the bottom of the Mariana Trench in the revolutionary Deepsea Challenger submersible Cameron designed and built, the first exploration of the interior of the wreck of RMS Titanic, and the first seafloor-to-surface live broadcast. Camerons expeditions, in collaboration with oceanographic and scientific institutions, have documented the shipwrecks of RMS Titanic and the German battleship Bismarck, explored deep ocean phenomena such as black smoker hydrothermal vents and discovered new species from the lowest point on earth. Of course, they were expecting the phone call to come from someone in Sacramento or the surrounding areas not from someone over 1,400 miles away. Three years later, Calvin Freouf of Scottsbluff called Ben Martinez, one of the family members who stayed behind but lived at a different house in Scottsbluff. Freouf was a neighbor to the Martinez family before they left the house, and he was the one who discovered the white German shepherd sniffing around the old Martinez home in March 1964. Ben headed over right away. When he arrived, he called, Chinook! and the dog came bounding over to him. Chinook responded to his name and to several commands given by Ben. He even seemed to recognize Bens son, Ben Jr., who was only 2 years old when Chinook left Scottsbluff for Sacramento. Somehow, Chinook managed to trek halfway across the country through desert, mountains and more to come home. When the rest of the Martinez family who had been on the initial California trip got the news that Chinook was back, they couldnt believe it. Antonio, who had moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for the military and was working at a brokerage firm, jumped on the next flight to see his long-lost pup. The farmers were really happy that we did what we did, so the road looks really nice, he said. Huppert said his crew would move to work on County Road H between County Roads 11 and 12 before moving to County Road 24 between County Roads G and H, where they would remove a bridge. The bridge is very unstable as of right now, so we would be doing that probably starting right after the Fourth of July, he said. Huppert said the project would include placing a 9-foot culvert about 120 feet long in the area. During committee reports, Chairman Bob Missel said he had attended the National Association of Counties Annual Conference in Kearney with Supervisor Greg Beam. It was one of the best conferences Ive been to. Maybe that was because it had been a while and there was a lot of information to put forth, Missel said. But our new director of NACO, Jon Cannon, did a great job. He was there every step of the way, kind of leading the process. Beam said he had met with someone with Homeland Security over a free program concerning cybersecurity for various entities that he was interested in having in Dodge County. Nelson said Cahill abused his discretion when he denied earlier requests to move the trial out of Hennepin County, postpone the trial and sequester the jury. Prosecutors disagreed, saying Chauvin got a fair trial and nothing requires the court to take the extraordinary step of overturning the verdict. They said the court made sound decisions to manage the trial and those decisions did not prejudice Chauvin. They cited the lengthy process of jury questioning, the fact that the judge kept the jury anonymous and that two seated jurors were dismissed because it was determined they could not be impartial after learning of the city's settlement. They also noted that each side got additional strikes, and the defense still had strikes remaining when a jury was picked. They said Nelson did not meet his burden of showing that specific jurors in this case were impacted by publicity, and each juror was carefully vetted, noting that 326 potential jurors returned answers to more than 69 written questions. A jurors mere exposure to pretrial publicity does not create a reasonable likelihood of an unfair trial, prosecutors wrote, adding: This process was well-designed to weed out biased jurors." U.S. national-security adviser Jake Sullivan has welcomed Turkey's clear commitment to take a lead role in securing Kabul's international airport after the planned U.S.-led withdrawal of allied troops from Afghanistan later this year. Meeting on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Brussels earlier this week, U.S. President Joe Biden and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had a "detailed discussion" about the fate of the airport, Sullivan told reporters on June 17. "The two of them tasked teams just to work out the final details. But the clear commitment from the leaders was established that Turkey would play a lead role in securing Hamid Karzai International Airport," he told reporters in Washington. Erdogan said Turkey needed "certain forms of support," to which Biden agreed, he said. Biden has ordered the withdrawal of all American forces from Afghanistan by the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, Al-Qaeda attacks on the United States that prompted the U.S.-led invasion and ouster of the Taliban government that sheltered the terrorist network. There have been concerns among U.S. officials and others that the Taliban could topple the Western-backed Afghan government in Kabul and the battered Afghan security forces once the last foreign troops leave. At a U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on June 17, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and General Mark Milley were asked whether they rated the likelihood of a regeneration of Al-Qaeda or the Islamic State extremist group in Afghanistan as small, medium, or large. I would assess it as medium," Austin replied, adding that he thinks "it would take possibly two years for them to develop that capability." Milley, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said he agreed. The security of the airport is crucial for the operation of diplomatic missions out of Afghanistan as Western forces withdraw from the war-torn country. At a summit in Brussels on June 14, Biden, Erdogan, and the other NATO leaders vowed to provide transitional funding to ensure continued functioning of Hamid Karzai International Airport after the pull out of allied troops, as well as training and financial support to the Afghan security forces. Erdogan told a press conference that Turkey would need diplomatic, logistic, and financial support from the United States to protect Kabul's airport. Turkey, a majority Muslim nation, currently has some 500 soldiers in the country. Ankara and Washington have been at odds over a number of issues, including Ankara's purchase of the S-400 missile defense system from Russia. Sullivan said Biden and Erdogan were not able to resolve the long-standing issue when they met in Brussels, adding that dialogue would continue. The impasse over the S-400s prompted Washington to remove Ankara from the F-35 fighter jet program and impose sanctions. With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and AP Colorado Springs, CO (80903) Today Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High near 75F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 58F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. VDOT automates the dull out of doing business The Virginia Department of Transportation is leaning into automation as it works to increase efficiency. VDOT's IT Division stood up the Business Enablement Services Team to bring together the agencys IT and business units to find opportunities for automation and then develop robotic process automation (RPA) tools and other low- and no-code applications to boost efficiency. If there is a repeatable task being performed on a computer somewhere, then we see that as a candidate for intelligent automation, Robert Osmond, chief of technology and business strategy at VDOT, said at the Blue Prism World virtual conference last month. We see it as filling a huge gap in our solution portfolio. Traditionally, he said, VDOT has had two options for incorporating IT into its operations: through manual work or expensive custom or commercial applications. Intelligent automation is another way to provide targeted solutions that can quickly augment business processes. When these tools are co-created with the business units, they tend to be more popular with end users, Osmond said. As a result, technology is increasingly becoming part of every job at the department. The trucks that we use, theyre becoming mobile IT platforms with computers and wireless networks, Osmond said. Our tunnels, our bridges, our corridors and our buildings are becoming sprinkled with sensors and becoming increasingly intelligent. Our field forces, theyre all using tablets and robots to make work safer and more efficient. VDOT encourages workers who need to move data from one system to another to consider RPA after the department used it to successfully move data between financial systems and transfer work order data from a service management application to an application development system. For example, we use a tool called Ivanti to manage our service management -- thats our customer requests for IT goods and services. We use Microsoft Team Foundation Server to manage our code development, Osmond said. We created an automation to take the parts of the service requests and transition that into the Team Foundation Server. That allowed us to maintain the continuity of the data and also saved time. He shared two other use cases. One used automation, rather than analysts, to generate data visualizations. VDOT took a list of all small businesses by category from the Small Business Administration and created an automation to ingest it and display the data in map form. The tool allowed residents or agency staff to search for different categories of small businesses in a specific area and see the results on a map. It helped us connect the people that needed goods and services to those small businesses in the area that could provide them, Osmond said. The third use case grew out of a periodic need for applications to ingest large amounts of data. VDOT created automations to pull data from the source system and load it into its own systems. For a human resources analyst who previously had to spend time gathering and moving salary data, it meant being able to grab the data in minutes, not hours, Osmond said. At VDOT, we see automation as a solution to work that is dirty, dangerous or dull. We have robotic mowers that can cut grass on dangerous slopes, he said. We have drones to gather data around difficult terrain. Were even deploying an automated dog called Spot that can crawl through drainage pipes to assess damage. In the office, where repetitive tasks can be very dull, the duller the task, the better the candidate for automation, he said. Our advice for people that are looking for opportunities to automate is to look for those process pain points. Molander is looking to potentially use his enthusiasm for magic tricks to build a business. He said he joined the Youth Entrepreneurial Academy to learn how he can further his goals as an entrepreneur. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} The reason I chose to do the program is because I want to be an entrepreneur. I want to own my own business, Molander said. Its been awesome so far. Another student taking full advantage of all the Youth Entrepreneurial Academy offers is Mason City High School graduate Christian Rodriguez. Rodriguez, who will be attending NIACC starting this fall, has been running a lawn maintenance and decorative landscaping company called, A Cut Above Lawn and Landscape. Rodriguez has been running A Cut Above Lawn and Landscape, which he admits hes thinking of changing the name of, for the past three years. When (ORourke) mentioned it to me, it sounded really interesting, Rodriguez said. A lot of my friends have done it, and a lot of business owners I know went through this same academy when they were in high school, so putting all of that together, I thought it would be beneficial for me. One of the things that makes the Youth Entrepreneurial Academy special is how students dont just cut ties upon completing the program. Local alert top story Former workers, owner respond after news of 1910 Grille closure in Mason City Lisa Grouette / LISA GROUETTE, Globe Gazette A post on Tuesday on the Facebook page for 1910 Grille at the Historic Park Inn in Mason City indicated the restaurant was shuttering after nine years due to staffing issues. The post goes on to read that the 1910 Lounge will remain in operation. Lisa Grouette / LISA GROUETTE Globe Gazette A post on Tuesday on the Facebook page for 1910 Grille at the Historic Park Inn in Mason City indicated the restaurant was shuttering after nine years due to staffing issues. The post goes on to read that the 1910 Lounge will remain in operation. Editor's note: This story has been updated to further clarify the business and building ownership. While the 1910 Grille announced Tuesday it would close its doors after nine years due to continued staffing issues, former staff members say they quit, feeling overworked and underpaid. The 1910 Grille is located in the Historic Park Inn in downtown Mason City. "We want to thank all our guests for your support over the past 9 years. We've enjoyed the opportunity to provide you with a 5 Star Dining experience," a Facebook post said. According to two staff members who were interviewed separately and wished to remain anonymous because they fear retaliation, the majority of the staff of the 1910 Grille quit last weekend. According to them, the issues that ultimately led to the restaurants closure began in October 2020 when the head chef left. We were doing (the) numbers that we were pre-COVID with a lot less people working, one former employee said. It was just hard to keep up knowing that we were going to get our butts kicked and not give the service that we were expected to give at a five-star restaurant. I and my coworkers were sent to run the place ourselves and were expected to keep standards the same, the other said. From October through April 2021, one staffer said that they and other coworkers continued to insist to management that they needed to address the hiring situation by getting in as many applicants, at a solid starting wage, as possible. On April 22, a staffer said that workers shared a list of grievances in a sort-of meeting with management. They said issues were related to the stocking for liquor, which management addressed, as well as hiring. It all finally broke last Friday, one of the former staff workers said, when two workers put in their two-week notices. By the end of the next day, management at the restaurant had prohibited the two from entering the restaurant entirely. A third kitchen staff member was going to college, which left the restaurant with no kitchen staff. In a mix of solidarity and frustration, the former workers said that at least one bartender and server also quit over the weekend. Im very, very sad; it was a wonderful place to be, said one staff member. Its a shame it was managed the way it was Were just really disappointed they (management) wouldnt listen to us." Following 1910 Grille closure, former head chef offers his perspective Following the publication of a recent story from the Globe Gazette about the closure of 1910 Grille in Mason City, the restaurant's former head chef has reached out to offer additional comment. Steve Noto, the owner of the 1910 Grille, pointed to his inability to hire new staff, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the cause for the restaurants closure. The last year was not fun for any restaurant, Noto said. Lately, business has been picking up and I cant get any staff hired to help out the staff I had. I think they were just burnt out, Noto said. I wasnt able to get anyone hired, Ive been looking for six months to get a new hire. It made it difficult to get (remaining staff) any help. Stoney Creek Hospitality Corp, which is owned by Noto and manages the 1910 Grille and Historic Park Inn Hotel, was one of four Mason City businesses to receive more than $2 million in Paycheck Protection Program funding last year. The Historic Park Inn building is owned by Wright on the Park. According to an Indeed.com post, the Historic Park Inn Hotel had posted a job opening for a line cook and dishwasher/prep cook seven days prior to the closure. The 1910 Grille also posted an advertisement on Facebook seeking a bartender/restaurant server around two months ago. The 1910 Grille's employee shortage is reflected all over North Iowa and beyond. Across the U.S., employers added 599,000 jobs in May while the unemployment rate moved from 6.1% in April to 5.8% in May, an increase that fell well short of employers need for labor, according to an Associated Press report. Some of the jobless are likely seeking better positions than they had before the pandemic triggered widespread layoffs. Or they still lack affordable child care. Others still worry about contracting COVID-19 or have decided to retire early. A temporary $300-a-week federal unemployment benefit, on top of regular state jobless aid, has likely led many unemployed Americans to take time to consider their options. In Iowa, Gov. Reynolds made the decision to end federal unemployment benefits after June 12. Asked to respond to criticism of the management of the restaurant, Noto said, If youre disappointed, you have a different perspective. Im just running a business. Noto said that the future of the 1910 Grille is up in the air, and he has not made a final decision. He also clarified that any decisions regarding the restaurant wont be coming anytime soon. The 1910 Grille announced it had updated its menu via Facebook on June 8. Its dining room had reopened April 28 after temporarily closing for HVAC repairs; during that time, guests had the opportunity to dine in the Skylight Room for the first time in about 60 years. Noto thanked those who made the 1910 Grille such a success in the Mason City community for nearly a decade. Im very appreciative of the Mason City community, and all of our out-of-town guests that we were able to serve over the last nine years, Noto said. I think we made a real impact in North Iowa with five-star dining We decided to go out on top. The 1910 Lounge will remain open; the owners are seeking bartenders. Just $1 for 6 months of your community's news Related According to the Cerro Gordo Republican newspaper 1869, Nov. 6, a McGregor & Missouri River train pulled into Mason City at 11:10 a.m. with engineer Seneca Brown at the throttle. An exuberant crowd of residents and settlers from the area gave a wild cheer as Mason City welcomed its first train. In 1869 a railroad meant opening up a community to the outside world and unimaginable growth for that lucky community. Shortly, other railroads saw the possibilities Mason City had to offer. Mason City & Fort Dodge railroad ran to the south. Chicago, Milwaukee, St Paul & Pacific railroad headed for South Dakota while opening up a life line to Chicago. Within the next century, 19 railroads serviced Mason City, some of them with passenger trains that made it possible to connect with any city, town or small village in the country or world. Over 1,600 men worked at depots, roundhouses, car shops and yard jobs, along with train crews consisting of engineers, conductors, and brakemen. Mason Citys vast potential of resources created a market for its cement, brick, tile, fertilizer, sugar, livestock and meat industries which accounted for the interest by railroad investors. However, through the 40s and 50s, transportation and markets changed. The major change from steam power to diesel accounted for much of that change Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} AMES Friederich Burson said he has benefited from the help offered by a nonprofit youth support services organization, and his hope is that a new state law will help others in similar need. Burson, a 17-year-old from Sioux City, spoke Wednesday at a public ceremony as Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law a package of tax provisions that includes a new method for funding mental health care services across the state. Mental health care advocates and stakeholders were on hand to celebrate the new law. This will ensure that others can succeed just like I have, Burson said during the ceremony at YSS in Ames. Dozens were on hand to witness Reynolds sign into law Senate File 619, which includes a wide range of tax reforms. Mental health care advocates celebrated the legislations provision that gradually shifts the funding for mental health care services from local property taxes to the states general fund. Our thoughts are with all those impacted by this tragic situation, said university spokeswoman Anne Bassett, who said counseling and other services were available for students and employees. Alex Jackson graduated from Kennedy High in 2019, a year before his sister graduated, according to a spokeswoman for the Cedar Rapids school district. He played the flute and his sister played the oboe in the school's symphony band in 2019. Sabrina Jackson introduced then-presidential candidate Andrew Yang when he visited Cedar Rapids to discuss global warming in December 2019, according to news reports. Alex Jackson became an Eagle Scout in 2017 after working with the Save Cedar Rapids Heritage organization on a project to fix up a historic home. He spent hours painting the walls and ceiling of the home, originally built in the late 1800s, so that low-income families could move in, according to Boy Scouts of America Troop 766. Alex Jackson had no prior criminal record in Iowa, not an even a speeding ticket, according to a search of the states online court database. His parents and sister also had no record of legal troubles in Iowa. Before moving to Cedar Rapids in 2011, the family had previously lived in Oregon. The action taken by the Board on Tuesday night was only to approve revisions of the ordinance. A special called meeting has been scheduled for 4 p.m. Tuesday at 39 Bank St. in Chatham. The board will consider permit applications for multiple music festivals that Purpose Driven Events is planning at the Blue Ridge Amphitheater. Pittsylvania County Administrator David Smitherman said the revised ordinance enables the county to effectively regulate music festivals. Our board of supervisors wanted to make sure that music festivals can proceed safely and efficiently in our county, and updating our ordinance was a necessary step in making that happen, Smitherman said in a prepared statement. With the new ordinance in place, each music festival promoter will have to demonstrate their plans and prove that their event can happen safely. The changes to the ordinance were needed to for the interests of public health and citizens living near the venue, said Planning Director Emily Ragsdale. The revisions that the board of supervisors adopted were necessary to minimize impacts to adjacent property owners as much as possible and to ensure that the ordinance could protect the interest of public health, safety, and welfare of county residents, Ragsdale told the Danville Register & Bee. Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson again play frenemies and their exchanges still crackle with electricity (and lots of potty language). Reynolds is bodyguard Michael Bryce, a careful, safe professional (Boring is always best, is his motto) who has found himself on hard times. Jackson is Darius Kincaid, a shoot-first, reckless hitman. If The Hitmans Bodyguard was a bromance between these two, The Hitmans Wifes Bodyguard is a threesome, thanks to the scene-stealing role of Kincaids wife, played with insane energy by Hayek. Shes as lethal and profane and impulsive as her husband. (Your mouth needs an exorcism, a shocked Bryce tells her). But the effect is that this talented trio are unbalanced and awkward; three is definitely a crowd. If there was a stylish chic in the first film, its gone in the second, which sometimes seems cloying in its attempt to recreate the first. In addition to Ace of Base, returning this time are repeat references to: Hello by Lionel Richie, a gaggle of nuns, the deadly use of a penknife, a Richard E. Grant cameo, someone ejected from a car for not wearing a seatbelt and the leads getting kidnapped by having their heads put in a bag. This feels familiar, cracks Bryce. We know the feeling. A marimba piece called Etude in E Minor, by Casey Cangelosi. Its a virtuosic solo. Its fast, engaging, pleasing to the ear. What is the weirdest or funniest thing that has happened at one of your shows? One time I had a piece with electronics, and was using the Apple headphones, and they got completely tied up in a knot. As I was speaking to the audience, telling them about the next piece, I went back to grab my headphones, and the music had started and the rest of the ensemble had started, and now Im sitting here in the middle at the beginning of piece trying to untie these headphones, and literally a second before I had to come in, I was able to get one ready and in my ear. How did you get involved with Eurovision? That was with a group of drummers from A&T. We were sort of the exhibition from the United States. One of our performers had connections with (German hip-hop artist) Peter Fox, and that year, 2011, Eurovision was held in Dusseldorf, Germany. We got to go out onstage in front of 40,000 people. There were about 20 drummers, and we put on a show that was entertaining and also technical. We had players doing tricks, doing stunts. We had the whole crowd clapping and jumping up. Whats next for you? The biggest thing right now is creating the album, which is happening this summer. The idea, of course, is putting all these different musicians together. So were just getting all the resources, the locations, shooting spots. And I hope to release it before the year is out. And, ideally, once the album is out, Id like to do a college tour, where I go to different colleges and perform some of the music from the album and speak about music desegregation. As told to Robert C. Lopez, roberto.lopez79@gmail.com The U.S. government is catching up with Black people who have been commemorating the end of slavery in the United States for generations with a day called Juneteenth. President Joe Biden signed a bill Thursday that was passed by Congress to set aside Juneteenth, or June 19th, as a federal holiday. I hope this is the beginning of a change in the way we deal with one another, he said. The Senate approved the bill unanimously; only 14 House Republicans many representing states that were part of the slave-holding Confederacy in the 19th century opposed the measure. What is this federal holiday, and what is its history? Here's a look: THE ORIGINS The celebration started with the freed slaves of Galveston, Texas. Although the Emancipation Proclamation freed the slaves in the South in 1863, it could not be enforced in many places until after the end of the Civil War in 1865. Laura Smalley, freed from a plantation near Bellville, Texas, remembered in a 1941 interview that the man she referred to as old master had gone to fight in the Civil War and came home without telling the people he enslaved what had happened. From May to early June, the latest data available, cases of the delta variant increased nationwide from 2.8% to 9.5%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In the four weeks before June 22, the latest available data, just 0.7% of cases in North Carolina were the delta variant, but state health officials expect that rate to increase in the coming weeks. Sen. Joe Manchins unsuccessful pursuit of bipartisanship might be more successful if the senator confirmed whether his Republican colleagues are using the same spelling and meaning. Indeed, just because it sounds like its the right thing to do doesnt mean its the right thing to do. Howard Becker Greensboro Afghan translators The Thursday airing of the CBS sitcom The United States of Al presented an unpublicized aspect of one of the real-world consequences of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan: What is the status of the many Afghan translators whose assistance was so valuable to our troops? Their future is extremely grim, given the brutal nature of the Taliban, who are already pressuring them as the withdrawal begins. These translators have more than earned the right to be resettled in the United States. Or will it be Thank you for your service and good luck in the future, which would be morally reprehensible? Hans Roethling Greensboro Trump worship You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close A Wednesday update from Crow Agency Bureau of Indian Affairs Fire and Aviation reported that the Buffalo Pasture fire in the Little Bull Elk Canyon of the Bighorn Mountains had so far grown little beyond the 250 acres it reached Tuesday. Fire officials expect to be working for weeks on the fire, which is burning on part of the Crow Indian Reservation. Air resources and elite crews were diverted from the fire Wednesday to work higher priority incidents nearby, according to the fire update. The fire is burning in dense timber, with 800 to 1,000 tons per acre of wood and it's been deemed unsafe for firefighters to dig line until the fire cools significantly. Retardant drops have slowed the fire's initial run north toward Bighorn Lake, which is about 7 miles from the fire site, according to the fire update. Limestone walls have boxed in some of the fire's edge and lookouts will continue to watch the fire using UTVs positioned on Little Bull Elk Ridge to the southwest of the fire. Tribal Game Wardens have closed the mountains at Cowboy Camp near Windy Point. Resources ordered for the fire include a heavy and light helicopter, hotshot crew, water tender, local firefighting crew, and camp crew. North of Billings, Musselshell County Disaster and Emergency Services responded Wednesday to a timber fire at Woody Drive and Slater Road. That area is located roughly 2 miles southeast of Roundup. DES reported that the fire was contained shortly after 5 p.m. In Billings, crews from Lockwood Fire Department and Blue Creek Volunteer Fire Department quickly doused a grass fire on Coburn Road near Four Dances Recreation Area Wednesday afternoon. The fire in a hay field burned less than 5 acres. Neither the proposed rules or Glimm's bill define what surgical procedure would qualify. Dr. Lauren Wilson, a pediatrician in Missoula and vice president of the Montana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said the bill and subsequent rule were based on a misunderstanding of what transitioning involves for transgender people. "Surgical care is not really part of the care for transgender (minors)," Wilson said, adding that many transgender people don't end up having surgical care. Studies in this area show "systemic barriers" to surgical care and note that information about the prevalence of procedures is limited by a lack of good data. The type of medical care a transgender person receives is highly personal, Wilson said, and sometimes early care can make surgery unnecessary. "This would penalize people for following best-practice guidelines," Wilson said. There's not one standard gender-affirming surgery, Wilson said, asking for a broad definition to be included in the rule. "There's no real defining gender-transition surgery. There are a number of procedures that can be done, but this is really an individual choice," Wilson said. Some lawmakers are trying to stop 144 U.S. cities from losing their designations as "metropolitan areas" as the federal government updates its standards, doubling the minimum number of residents required in a city's urban core to 100,000 people. Sens. John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, and Mark Kelly, a Democrat from Arizona, introduced legislation on Tuesday that would stop the Office of Budget and Management from making the change. Under the federal government's proposal, a metro area would need double the 50,000-person threshold that has been in place for the past 70 years in order to count as a metropolitan statistical area. Cities losing this status, with core populations of 50,000 to 99,000 people, would become "micropolitan" statistical areas instead. More than a third of the current 392 metro areas would become micro areas, including state capitals such as Bismarck, N.D.; Carson City, Nevada; Cheyenne, Wyoming; and Santa Fe, New Mexico; as well as the college towns of Ames, Iowa; Auburn, Alabama; Charlottesville, Va.; Lawrence, Kansas; and State College, Pennsylvania. The lawmakers said the downgrade would cause real harm, preventing urban areas from getting designated federal funding and making them less attractive for economic development. "Officer Fanone did stop by our office and meet with our chief but there was no altercation," said Fones on Thursday. Two men came into our office, unannounced, one dressed in plainclothes and one in uniform including a firearm, Fones said. Our chief politely asked if they were on duty and for their names as well as badge number, since we had individuals that had now entered our office, unannounced with a firearm and dressed as an officer. They stated they were not on duty, refused to give their badge number, and only Officer Fanone provided a name and email address. Our chief suggested that they would make time to meet with them soon. Our office intends to follow up on that promise if they reach out. Our chief provided them with business cards, shook hands, and they left. Asking a person to identify themselves, especially one with a firearm, isnt an altercation. We ask anyone not on staff who enters our offices who they are, this is a standard safety protocol in every Hill office Ive entered, Fones said. The medals vote, which took place June 15, was the second time the House had voted on the issue this spring. Lawmakers voted on the medals in March, at which point Rosendale voted to award the medals. Holding the Olympics before elections expected in the fall is also a political gamble for Suga, whose support ratings have tumbled over dissatisfaction with his handling of the pandemic, a slow vaccination drive and a lack of explanation about how he intends to ensure the virus doesn't spread during the Olympics. Experts at a virus panel meeting Thursday gave their approval for government plans to downgrade the emergency in Tokyo, Aichi, Hokkaido, Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo and Fukuoka. We must do everything we can, and provide firm financial support as well," to minimize risks of a resurgence of infections, said Dr. Shigeru Omi, head of a government COVID-19 panel. Japan does not enforce hard lockdowns and the state of emergency allows prefectural leaders to order closures or shorter hours for non-essential businesses. Those that comply are compensated and violators fined. Stay-at-home and other measures for the general population are only requests and are increasingly ignored. At a parliamentary Health and Labor Committee last week, Omi cautioned that holding the Olympics in the middle of the pandemic is abnormal and warned that it would increase the risk of infections. The Second Amendment is the Bill of Rights cornerstone. It guarantees our God-given right to defend ourselves, our families, our property, and our freedom. President Joe Bidens nomination of David Chipman to head the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is an attack on that right and on the hundreds of thousands of law-abiding gun owners in Montana and the U.S. Senate must vote against his confirmation. Our state has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the nation. Far beyond a hobby or even passion, firearms are a part of our heritage and everyday life. We use them to hunt, protect livestock, and provide peace of mind when law enforcement may be miles away. Mr. Chipman has a long history of involvement with and lobbying for organizations whose mission is to diminish the Second Amendment. For the last five years, he has been a senior policy adviser for Giffords. In an attempt at the U.S. Supreme Court to defend Washington, D.C.s complete ban on the possession of handguns, this organization argued that nothing in the Second Amendment restrains the authority of states or their political subdivisions when enacting firearm regulations. This dangerous position would allow politicians to run roughshod over the rights of their citizens. Sen. Jon Tester has been a public lands champion and a reliable supporter of legislation that improves public access, most recently as co-sponsor of the Great American Outdoors Act, which fully funded the best access tool we have, the Land and Water Conservation Fund. And now, Sen. Tester has a golden opportunity to put that money to good use. The Modernizing Access to Our Public Land (MAPLand) Act would digitize -- and make available to the public -- all sorts of recreational use and access information, helping both public land owners on the landscape and our land-management agencies by clearly illustrating in real time where easements exist, what sort of recreational restrictions are in place and when, and where we'd get the most bang-for-our-buck in terms of new opportunities for public access. After a long winter and a challenging year, now more than ever we crave the outdoors. With 3.1 million acres of public lands in Montana that we currently can't get to, the time to pass this bill has never been better. As an avid sportsman, I look to Sen. Tester to continue his legacy of defending our outdoor pursuits by cosponsoring the MAPLand Act and helping it become law. Dane Rider Lewistown Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 'Hitman's Wifes Bodyguard' You know when you're obsessively assembling a puzzle during a pandemic and you gradually accumulate chunks of joined parts of the puzzle but yet they don't fit together into a whole? That's exactly what watching "Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard" feels like. The movie skips past sequences that would explain how we got from one picturesque locale to another or why someone who was a bad guy in the last scene is suddenly good, but individual moments are fun. The eye-popping views of sun-drenched Italian locations such as Tuscany, Portofino and Capri are better than a Rick Steves rerun. And there are several actors you'll probably be delighted to see Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, Salma Hayek, Antonio Banderas, Morgan Freeman who work to their strengths. Those top names are both the movie's biggest asset (because they're all capable of making the material sound better than it is) and its biggest weakness (because you know exactly what all of them, with the possible exception of Banderas, are going to do the minute you see them). There's a sense that the sequel was rushed into production to capitalize on the unexpected success of its less-wordily titled predecessor, "The Hitman's Bodyguard," with no time to work out a script. Instead, it leans hard on the idea that we will enjoy seeing these performers do the thing they're best known for. Reynolds whips off self-deprecating wisecracks. Jackson is tough and sarcastic. Hayek is feisty. Freeman is authoritative and a bit secretive. Best of the bunch is Banderas. At its most amusing, "Bodyguard" feels like a decent placeholder for the Bond movie that's on the way in October: 90 minutes with handsome people dodging gunfire and making evil plans in handsome places that it would be swell to visit someday. (R, 2 of 4 stars, 1 hr. 39 min.) Chris Hewitt, Star Tribune (Minneapolis) In the Heights In the Heights is a hugely enjoyable fairy tale, in which everyones about to be priced out of their Upper Manhattan neighborhood of Washington Heights, thanks to rich folks and hipsters, but theyre too busy chasing their dreams and delivering musical numbers to worry about tomorrow. In the Heights is a blast of positive energy, roughly 50 times more innocent and pure of heart than Grease and a bunch of movies your preteens have already seen. So far, its also the easiest studio movie to see twice in this nervous pandemic year, especially if you have an abiding interest in why movie musicals work, or dont. Not everything in director Jon M. Chus film clicks, or needs to be there. Not every change or deletion or addition to Lin-Manuel Mirandas 2008 Broadway original (created before Hamilton) feels optimal. But it rolls, and the screen stays full to the brim at any given moment with genuine triple threats. As narrator, guide and focal point to this story, Anthony Ramos couldnt be better in the role of Usnavi de la Vega, the Dominican American bodega proprietor originated on stage by Miranda. As the opening number already online reveals, In the Heights has one foot in life and the other on a stack of old Playbills from musicals Miranda adores. Collaborating with librettist Quiara Alegria Hudes, who wrote the screenplay, composer/lyricist Miranda sets it all up with a title song deftly folding in the character intros. Usnavi, whose parents died young, works the corner store with his cousin Sonny (Gregory Diaz IV). His friend Benny (Corey Hawkins) works at a taxi dispatch service run by Mr. Rosario (Jimmy Smits), whose daughter Nina (Leslie Grace) is back for the summer from Stanford University harboring a secret; shes sick of the fancy-school white privilege and not-so-veiled racism. Everyones itchy for whats next. Usnavi dreams of relocating back to the Dominican Republic to reopen his late fathers beachfront bar. Meantime hes sweet on Vanessa (Melissa Barrera), a budding fashion designer who works in the hair salon owned by Daniela (Daphne Rubin-Vega, a killer in the original Rent ensemble). The salon, soon to become a casualty of neighborhood gentrification, symbolizes change; the contrasting symbol of tradition, Abuela Claudia (Olga Merediz), serves as honorary grandmother to all, and one of many who may have purchased a winning $96,000 lottery ticket. Chus film succeeds on its own terms. Like the modest but wholly winning precursor to Hamilton it is, In the Heights works as an essentially apolitical embrace of the American possibility and the American roadblocks to that possibility, in a canny variety of musical styles, from hip-hop to salsa. (PG-13, 3 of 4 stars, 2 hr. 23 min.) Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune 'Luca' Stop me if youve heard this one before: a young, magical sea creature, heard of only in fairy tales and sailors legends, dreams of life beyond the surface, on land, and takes a leap to explore the world beyond the safety of their brightly jewel-toned underwater world. You may be thinking that this sounds a lot like The Little Mermaid, and indeed, Pixars new film, Luca is very much like that iconic animated Disney film. Its like The Little Mermaid with boys, but Prince Eric has been replaced with a Vespa scooter. Luca is another one of Pixars wondrous and warm creations; a fantastical tale thats deeply rooted in human emotion and quandary. Though it would have been delightful on the big screen, at home, kids and parents alike will enjoy this fishy tale of tolerance. Directed by Enrico Casarosa, written by Jesse Andrews and Mike Jones, the film is set in and around a picturesque coastal Italian fishing village called Portorosso, and reflects the kind of idyllic life one dreams of in a place like this: pasta, gelato and quaint town squares. But people who make their living from the sea are ruled by legend and superstition, and the townspeople have a healthy fear of sea monsters from the deep, depicted frequently in their local artwork. Fear comes from what we dont understand, what we dont know, and these townspeople have never met a sea monster until the friendly, curious and determined Luca (Jacob Tremblay) comes along. Young Luca dreams of exploring beyond his watery kingdom, having heard that the sea monsters can shape-shift into human form on dry land. He befriends another young sea monster, Alberto (Jack Dylan Grazer) living the land-lubbers life, and soon the two best friends are dreaming of exploring the world via Vespa, living a life of freedom (as long as it doesnt rain). Posing as visitors from another village, the boys befriend a young girl, Giulia (Emma Berman), who takes them under her wing, and the trio begin training for a local race, in order to win the cash to purchase a rusty old Vespa. Thanks to their secret identity, mischief and misunderstandings arise. Luca and Alberto represent two different approaches to their outsider status: Luca wants to reveal and assimilate, while Alberto believes hell never be accepted and chooses the rebellious life instead. Its the tried-and-true story of what it means to be different, and what it means to be afraid because others fear you for being different. Sea monsters, nationality, race, sexuality, gender, it could be anything, but what matters is who you stand with and who you stand up for. (PG, 3 of 4 stars, 1 hr. 39 min.) Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 We don't get to choose the Song of the Summer. It chooses us. It's the definitive song of the summer airwaves, the one that you hear blasting out of passing cars, on street corners, and this summer, from collective gatherings, which are returning after the pandemic put a damper on 2020's summer parties. Last year, that definitive summer song wasn't so definitive. It was either The Weeknd's omnipresent earworm "Blinding Lights," which continued to reign throughout the fall and winter months, and only recently started to recede; Taylor Swift's "Cardigan," an appropriately intimate anthem for a year when everything turned inward; or Fleetwood Mac's 40-plus-year-old "Dreams," which enjoyed an unexpected resurgence thanks to a popular TikTok video, which shows just how unpredictable the Song of the Summer race can truly be. As long as another song from yesteryear doesn't crash the boards and make a run for summer supremacy (Cyndi Lauper's "All Through the Night," anybody?), here are 10 contemporary candidates for Song of the Summer, 2021 edition. Lorde, "Solar Power" It doesn't matter what the calendar says; Lorde says it's summer, so it's summer. The New Zealand mood-pop sensation returned last week with this light, airy, upbeat celebration of the sun, which nods to A Tribe Called Quest ("can I kick it? Yeah, I can!" Lorde says, sounding, gulp, happy) and is genetically engineered by producer Jack Antonoff to get the summer party rolling. You have no choice but to submit. BTS, "Butter" The latest smash from the worldwide K-pop sensations is a smooth, fun, melty summer dance track that nuzzles right up to its fan base it's never a bad idea to shout out your fans, in this case the BTS Army, in song and which happens to go great with a certain limited-time-only value meal at McDonalds. Olivia Rodrigo, "good 4 u" Can an entire album be the Song of the Summer? Teen-pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo is making a pretty good argument for the case, with her full debut album "Sour" blanketing the charts since its release last month. This punk-pop kiss-off is the current favorite to rule the airwaves we still need justice for "deja vu," the overlooked middle child between this and "driver's license," but that's another story which is part of a popular resurgence of guitars (remember those things?) which also includes recent hits by MGK and Willow Smith. Progress! Silk Sonic, "Leave the Door Open" Bruno Mars doesn't miss. So in teaming with multi-hyphenate performer Anderson .Paak this is the first offering off the duo's upcoming debut album, "An Evening with Silk Sonic" he's created a timeless-sounding, retro-R&B love jam that is crafted with care and precision and actually sounds romantic, a quality missing from so many of today's wham-bam odes to hooking up. Here's to hoping the album fully carries on that vibe. Billie Eilish, "Lost Cause" Slamming a loser boyfriend (I know you think you're such an outlaw," Eilish whisper-sings, "but you got no job"), the 19-year-old (she turns 20 in December!) returns with her most rubbery single since "Bad Guy." One potential roadblock in its path to airwaves dominance, however, is that without it's accompanying girls-night-in video which finds Eilish and a group of pals dancing, eating potato chips, drinking Faygo and generally having the best time the song loses a bit of its punch. Doja Cat ft. SZA, "Kiss Me More" With a chorus that borrows its chord progression from Olivia Newton John's former No. 1 knockout "Physical" songwriters Stephen Kipner and Terry Shaddick are credited on the song this playful ode to making out features a shimmering disco-lite beat and a bassline that grooves for days and begs for repeat listens. (Warning: explicit lyrics.) Dua Lipa featuring DaBaby, "Levitating" With its hand claps, nostalgic disco feels and nimble contribution from chart-topper DaBaby, "Levitating" is the mirror ball spinning, roller rink anthem that makes you want to glide across the hardwood and spin in circles. It's current and a throwback all at once, the encapsulation of Dua's current "Future Nostalgia" era. Cardi B, "Up" If it's up, then it's up, then it's up, then it's stuck in your head. Say what you will about Cardi B, but she knows how to make hits that breathe their own air and make their own space in the culture, and she's got no problem releasing them one at a time (see last summer's "WAP"), album cycles be damned. "Up" is catchy, colorful and motivational, and works just as well in the background at a summer cookout (depending on who's around, you may want to opt for the clean version) or at the gym. (Explicit lyrics, to say the least.) Masked Wolf, "Astronaut in the Ocean" Australian rapper Masked Wolf's recent Top 10 hit has been hanging around since 2019 but got a recent bump from TikTok, as its opening which goes silent before Wolf's first line and a hard-hitting beat drop make it perfect for the video platform. It's the rare song that peaks at the very beginning, which makes it ideal to cross-fade into mixes; you don't need to hear the whole thing to get the full effect. John Mayer, "Last Train Home" Is it summer 2021 or summer 1988? Pop-rock survivor Mayer channels Bruce Hornsby on this synth-heavy light-rock throwback, which seems custom built for cracking a cold one after mowing the lawn or taking the dog for a walk. We can't all be late night partyers or cutting edge cool kids, and "Last Train Home" is the sound of enjoying the sunshine at your own leisurely pace. If uncool is the new cool, Mayer's got the summer on lock. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The internet has been a great unifier, enabling people to join others around the globe in pursuit of common interests. And now, the internets largest platform operators Facebook, Amazon, Apple and Google are uniting Democrats and Republicans on the House antitrust subcommittee in pursuit of their common interest: reining in Big Techs power. Members of the subcommittee on Friday introduced five bills, each with bipartisan co-sponsors, that aim to bar platform operators from using those platforms to benefit their other businesses and to increase competition in their markets. They zero in on some of the biggest problems these companies pose, but their proposed fixes are partial at best not surprising, given that they look at the companies through the lens of antitrust policy. For example, nothing in the bills would address the thorny speech-related issues raised by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle the complaints by Republicans that the platforms are censoring conservatives (a bias that some researchers have refuted) and by Democrats that the platforms arent doing enough to stop the spread of misinformation and hate speech. Nor would any of the bills provide the kind of privacy protections that California provides and that internet users throughout the country need. Nevertheless, each measure tees up a debate well worth having, and its a shame that bipartisan bills like these are so rare on issues of this magnitude. Antitrust in particular should be a natural area of agreement between the parties generally speaking, Republicans want markets to work, and Democrats dont like Big Anything. It was the Reagan administrations Justice Department that broke up Ma Bell, after all. But the GOP has been conflicted, and in recent decades Republican administrations pulled back on antitrust enforcement. Not that Democratic administrations have been much more effective when it comes to stopping Big Tech companies from buying up potential competitors witness how the Obama administration green-lit Facebooks purchases of Instagram and WhatsApp. For my money, the most important of the five bills is the Augmenting Compatibility and Competition by Enabling Service Switching Act because it could open the door to a flood of innovation in the fields now dominated by Big Tech companies. As Cory Doctorow has argued, the main barrier to competing with Facebook and other dominant social media companies isnt their scale, its the inability to stay linked to the friends youve assembled on those networks when you move to a different service. The bill would require Big Tech platforms to enable users to securely transfer their data to competing platforms. While the bill would require that data transfers be secure, however, thats a poor substitute for giving consumers privacy rights that protect their personal information. If lawmakers are serious about increasing competition, enacting a privacy bill of rights for internet users should be a prerequisite. Two other bills the American Innovation and Choice Online Act and the Ending Platform Monopolies Act try to address a significant anticompetitive problem that the subcommittee reported last year. They would bar Big Tech companies from leveraging their services to advance their own products and interests potentially forcing companies to spin off some of their holdings. The prohibitions could reach such things as Googles use of its search results to favor its Googles services over its rivals (think Yelp and Kayak) and Amazons use of data generated by third-party sellers in the Amazon marketplace to influence the products it develops under its own brand. The last two bills would expand the reach and enforcement of federal antitrust law. Lawmakers have been sounding the alarm about alleged anticompetitive activity by Big Tech companies for years. Now there are some specific proposals to respond to those complaints. Theyre a long way from becoming law, but at least the first real step on that journey has been taken. Jon Healey is the deputy editorial page editor of the Los Angeles Times. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 If you can get past the whining Illinois of Republicans who misrepresent every issue, its amazing the barrage of lies these un-American hacks tell to undermine our democracy at every level of government. In their zeal to gain control of Illinois through re-districting, there is no lie they wont tell. Where would Illinois be if they were in power? We would have massive voter suppression, massive assaults on our constitution, and undermining of our democracy. How many Illinoisans would have died from Republicans denying science, refusing mask mandates, refusing to close risky facilities? How many vote recounts, denials of election results, and changing laws to satisfy Trumpism would we have to endure? With all the whining by Rose, Rodney Davis, Dan Caulkins and many more, it is amazing not one of them have spoken on all the un-American activities committed by Trump. Not one has publicly spoken on voter suppression, the Jan 6 riot, Matt Gates, Marjorie Taylor Green, the online tirade by Chris Miller, the vote to overturn the election by Mary Miller, you know, un-American activities. Does Rodney Davis represent Illinoisans or Donald Trump? He made that clear by supporting everything Trump did! If you did not speak against Trumpism or remained silent, you are complicit. Davis helped Trumpenstein divide our nation. I am really saddened by the unbalanced reporting by the Herald & Review. Whatever spin Rose, Caulkins and Davis gives has become gospel. Davis and the Republican Mafia is greatest threat to our democracy of this century. Sure makes Adam Kinzinger one of the few real Republicans left. Abraham Lincoln would weep. Mike Griffin, Decatur Love 256 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 67 Its been a very intense 21 hours, said Hawkins County Sheriff Ronnie Lawson. At least 19 agencies from across the region have been in the Beech Creek area searching for Summer. About 60-80 people searched the woods near her home Tuesday, and more than 100 people continued the search Wednesday. Our main goal is to find Summer and to find her safe, Lawson said. We have plenty of help. We dont need any assistance from the local people. We have professional people out searching. The area near Summers home is described as dense woods and difficult terrain, Lawson said. There is also virtually no cellphone service or radio communication, making it more difficult to find the missing girl, the sheriff added. Lawson said communication between search teams in the woods, command posts and those away from the area is challenging. He noted that its difficult to send and receive calls or text messages via cellphone. Lawson said Summers family has been cooperative during the search. Anyone with information about Summer should contact the Hawkins County Sheriffs Office at 423-272-7121 or the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND. This article has been updated. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. However, the threat of variants remains, and populations with low vaccination rates are at greater risk for transmission of these variants among the community. These variants seem to be transmitted more easily and (are) making people sicker. We are still at risk of seeing an impact from variants if our vaccination coverage is not high enough, Forbes Hubbard said. As of Wednesday, fewer than 101,000 residents of the 10 counties and two cities in far Southwest Virginia 33% are fully vaccinated, while 39.8% have received at least one dose, according to the Virginia Department of Health. About 212,700, or 34.7%, of residents of 10 Northeast Tennessee counties are fully vaccinated, and 38.9% have received at least one dose, according to the Tennessee Department of Health. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} This regions vaccinated population grew by less than 3 percentage points so far during June. That breaks down to about 4,200 more people in Southwest Virginia becoming fully vaccinated and about 11,300 more in Northeast Tennessee. Comparatively, 48% of Virginia residents, 35% of Tennesseans and 44.1% of all U.S. residents are fully vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control. More than half of U.S. residents 52.7% have received at least one dose of vaccine. What Sen. Manchin is putting forward are some basic building blocks that we need to ensure that democracy is accessible," Abrams told CNN. Still, in a narrowly divided Senate where Democrats must count on Vice President Kamala Harris to cast tie-breaking votes, any compromise will likely be for naught unless changes are made to Senate filibuster rules, which Manchin and others oppose. For now, it takes 60 votes to overcome a filibuster and advance legislation. Over a dozen Senate Republicans took turns at the microphone during a Thursday news conference to denounce the bill, which they view as a federal overreach into state and local elections. McConnell predicted all Republicans would remain in lockstep opposition regardless of what changes are made. Sen. Roy Blunt, the No. 4 ranking Senate Republican, noted the endorsement by Abrams, who is a lighting rod for GOP criticism. I actually think when Stacey Abrams immediately endorsed Sen. Machins proposal it became the Stacey Abrams (bill), not the Joe Manchin (bill), he told reporters Thursday. Books will be exchanged monthly, but facilities also will receive some free books to keep, she said. The coordinator has designed reading tree posters to help monitor the childrens progress. Each child places a sticker on their reading tree when they engage in reading or have someone read to them. The goal is for each participant to fill up the tree with stickers by the conclusion of the outreach program on July 9. Morrell-Lamie will bring each participating facility a gift basket of items, including books, crayons, sidewalk chalk, jump ropes and bubbles. But thats not all. The outreach coordinator will deliver frozen treats to children and employees at each participating facility. Well be turning the transit van into an ice cream truck for the occasion, she said with a laugh. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} All employees at the facilities will be entered in a drawing for a free Kindle. If you see me driving the transit van, be sure to honk and wave, she said. 2021 Tails and Tales Summer Reading Challenge By the narrowest of margins the party elected Poots, a social and religious conservative, to replace Foster as leader. He broke with tradition by deciding not to serve as first minister. Poots was elected May on 14, formally ratified as leader on May 27 and resigned 21 days later, making him the shortest-serving leader in the party's history. he DUP, which is rooted in the fundamentalist Free Presbyterian Church, opposed Northern Irelands 1998 peace accord. It later became reconciled to it and has shared power with the Irish Republican Army-linked Sinn Fein. The British government retains an array of powers affecting Northern Ireland, but the Belfast assembly can make laws in areas including agriculture, education and health. The power-sharing relationship has often been strained, and Britains economic split from the European Union at the end of 2020 has further shaken the political balance in Northern Ireland. Post-Brexit trade rules have imposed customs and border checks on some goods moving between Northern Ireland and the rest of the U.K., angering Northern Irelands British unionists who say the new checks amount to a border in the Irish Sea and weaken ties with the rest of the U.K. Tensions over the new rules contributed to a week of street violence in Northern Irish cities in April that saw youths pelt police with bricks, fireworks and gasoline bombs. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. And last, the New York Times revealed that Trumps Justice Department also took the unusual step of seizing records from U.S. House Democrats as part of the administrations investigation into leaks related to the Russia probe and other national security issues. That news, appropriately, has now drawn the attention of the departments internal watchdog. All of these revelations are deeply troubling. Press freedom is foundational to democracy. Citizens cannot hold their government accountable if they dont know what it is doing. Thats why the founders of this nation made press freedom part of the First Amendment. When deployed to learn reporters sources, government subpoenas, search warrants and gag orders are an infringement of that freedom, intended to intimidate reporters and sources alike. After news reports surfaced of President George W. Bushs warrantless wiretapping program, his administration began investigating reporters sources. Under President Barack Obama, with Biden as vice president, the Justice Department seized journalists records at The Associated Press in 2013, and used a search warrant to obtain the emails of a Fox News reporter. That created enough of an uproar that then-Attorney General Eric Holder tightened guidelines on leak investigations, including a ban on describing journalists as criminal co-conspirators, as had been done with the Fox reporter. MORGANTON After a pandemic-induced cancellation in 2020, Burke Countys Berry archaeology site is once again the focus of the Warren Wilson College Archaeology Field School this June. More than 50 students from around the country are gathered to learn their craft under the direction of archaeologists from Warren Wilson College, Tulane University, the University of Michigan, UNC-Chapel Hill, and Harvard University. The Berry site (just north of Morganton) is the location of the sixteenth-century Native American town of Joara, whose people are ancestors to the modern Catawba, Sara, and Cheraw tribes of North and South Carolina. In late December 1566, Spanish soldiers under the command of Captain Juan Pardo, arrived at the native town and proceeded to build a settlement called Fort San Juan. Fort San Juan represents the earliest European settlement in the interior of the United States, 40 years before Jamestown and nearly 20 years before the Lost Colony at Roanoke. The discovery of Fort San Juan in 2013 was named as one of the Top 100 Discoveries of the year by Discovery Magazine and in November 2019, the project archaeologists received a Discovery Award for their book, "The Limits of Empire: Colonialism and Household Practice at the Berry Site, 1566-1568," at the international Shanghai Archaeology Forum in Shanghai, China. Professor Bronwyn Fox is the CSIRO's new Chief Scientist. Image: Supplied CSIRO, Australias national science agency, has appointed Professor Bronwyn Fox as its new Chief Scientist. Professor Fox is a materials and engineering scientist with deep knowledge in manufacturing and Industry 4.0. She was founding director of Swinburne Universitys Manufacturing Futures Research Institute, and is a Fellow of both the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE), and the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI). It is wonderful to return to CSIRO as Chief Scientist after starting as a 22-year-old research assistant, and to be able to champion science research and capability, working with industry and fostering STEM careers, Professor Fox said in a statement. The depth of scientific research at CSIRO and its committed people are a unique and special national treasure and I look forward to taking up the role. Professor Fox is the CSIROs fourth female Chief Scientist, and follows in the footsteps of Dr Cathy Foley who became Australias Chief Scientist late last year. Dr Larry Marshall, CEO of the national science agency, said Professor Fox was brilliant but humble and a generous collaborator. She has a long history of bringing together researchers from across multiple scientific domains and institutions, leveraging digital science, and helping industry to translate brilliant ideas into real world solutions, Dr Marshall said. COVID-19 highlighted the need for advanced economies to develop sovereign advanced manufacturing industries. A lack of vaccine production slowed down the governments rollout strategy as it awaited international supply that was being held up in Europe. While internationally, the global computer chip shortage has forced the US to radically reconsider its heavy reliance on off-shore silicon production. Dr Marshall said Professor Bronwyn was an important figure in helping improve local manufacturing. Her sustained commitment to supporting the growth of the manufacturing industry in Australia strongly supports our purpose to deliver solutions from science that drive Australias economic recovery and resilience, he said. Local sentiment has swung over the past year with Australian business expecting to bring manufacturing back on-shore while politicians on both sides of the aisle have called for more industry focus with the government putting together a $1.5 billion Modern Manufacturing Strategy. Representative Image Jerusalem [Israel], June 17 (ANI): In a bid to combat a fresh surge in COVID cases, Israel has issued a "severe" travel warning to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), adding the Gulf state to a list of countries which Israelis are advised not to visit. Times of Israel reported that the Health Ministry on Wednesday issued a "severe" warning against travel to the UAE and added the Gulf state to a list of countries which Israelis are advised not to visit due to COVID-19 outbreak. The country has removed Peru from the list, which now includes the UAE, Uganda, Uruguay, Seychelles, Ethiopia, Bolivia, Maldives, Namibia, Nepal, Paraguay, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica and Tunisia. Citing the Ministry statement, TOI said that if there is not a "significant improvement" in morbidity figures in those countries, they could be added to another list of countries deemed "maximum risk" to which Israelis are barred from traveling. That list includes Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, India, Mexico and Russia. The ministry noted quarantine requirements for travelers coming from those nations -- including those vaccinated or who recovered from coronavirus -- are in force until June 27 "and will be extended in accordance with the need in light of the morbidity levels in the various countries. According to the latest figures, 28 new COVID cases were confirmed Tuesday, with 0.1 per cent of the 28,056 tests performed coming back positive, after an outbreak in which 11 students were infected at a school in Modiin, according to TOI. (ANI) Scientists wanted to recognise the British rock bands extraordinary and influential music (David Brito-Zapata) Scientists have named a newly discovered frog species in honour of Led Zeppelin. Pristimantis ledzeppelin is a ground-breeding frog found in a part of the Ecuadorean Andes known as the Cordillera del Condor. There are more than 500 known frogs in this genus and Ecuador has the highest number. The countrys National Institute of Biodiversity said the new frog had been given its name to honour Led Zeppelins extraordinary and influential music. The amphibian was found in a cloud forest some 1,700m above sea level with a tree canopy up to 20m high, where many of the trunks are covered in moss and leaf litter covers the ground, researchers said. It has brown eyes and mottled black, brown, green and yellow skin. Males are about 24mm long but females can reach 36mm. P ledzeppelins home region is ecologically important but under serious threat from a number of vectors, they warned, while urging the creation of a plan for the conservation of small animals found nowhere else. The Cordillera del Condor is an important area of the Andes between southeastern Ecuador and northeastern Peru, they wrote in Neotropical Biodiversity. Due to its geographical position, topography and environmental characteristics, this emblematic mountain range encompasses an extremely particular flora and fauna with high endemism. The Cordillera del Condor is part of one of the most threatened eco-regions in the world, since it is part of the tropical Andes. The main conservation threats that this area faces ... are expansion of the agricultural and livestock borders, logging, small- and large-scale mining, introduction of disease and the possible effects of climate change. Particularly in the type locality of P ledzeppelin livestock activities, timber extraction [and] small-scale mining can be observed, and large-scale mining is likely to become active because the area is within a mining concession of a multinational company. Due to the high endemism of the Cordillera del Condor, the new species here described is likely to be found only in this restricted area, therefore it is important to consider new long-term initiatives for small vertebrate conservation actions. Story continues Read More UK less prepared for climate crisis now than five years ago, government advisers warn UK-Australia trade deal: Why environmentalists are worried about bee-killing pesticides and carbon emissions UK failing to plant enough trees despite governments climate pledge, figures show BEIJING (Reuters) -ByteDance founder Zhang Yiming told staff on Thursday he was already shifting away from a chief executive's daily responsibilities and his work pace was less intense, according to two people who attended the meeting. In May, Zhang unexpectedly announced that he will step down as CEO of the TikTok owner amid Chinese' regulators' tightened scrutiny of the country's biggest technology firms. He said at the time he would complete the transition work with his successor Liang Rubo by the end of this year. Zhang told staff he was currently studying other companies' organizational structures and managing styles, and doing research on the education industry. Zhang remains chairman of ByteDance and has the absolute voting power at the company. The company told staff at the same meeting that its total revenue more than doubled in 2020 to $34.3 billion and its operating loss was $2 billion, according to a memo seen by Reuters. The loss was partly attributable to accounting norms for share-based compensation of employees, a person familiar with the matter said. Reuters has reported that ByteDance, one of the world's biggest private tech companies with an estimated value of about $300 billion in recent trades, had a revenue goal of around $30 billion for 2020. ByteDance posted a widening net loss of $45 billion and a gross profit of $19 billion, representing 93% growth year-over-year, the company told employees in the staff meeting, upon which the memo was based. The wider net loss was partly due to fair value appreciation on convertible redeemable preferred shares, according to the person. Beijing-based ByteDance declined to comment on its financials or Zhang's remarks. It had 1.9 billion global monthly users in December 2020 for all its apps including TikTok, its Chinese version Douyin and news aggregator Jinri Toutiao. (Reporting by Yingzhi Yang and Tony Munroe; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman, Kim Coghill and David Evans) Majorca beach The bosses of Jet2, Easyjet and Manchester Airport have criticised the government for not putting the Balearic Islands, including Majorca, on the green travel list. The boss of Jet2 said he was "bewildered" over why they couldn't fly to those destinations. While UK travel is limited, Germans are flocking to popular holiday spots. The government said it would continue to explore how to open international travel safely. Currently very few countries are on the government's green list, which means they are approved for leisure travel, requiring less testing and no quarantine on return. "When you take the UK government's own criteria for deciding where holidaymakers can travel to, and apply it to the Balearics, we are left bewildered as to why we cannot fly there," said Jet2 and Jet2 Holidays' chief executive Steve Heapy. Charlie Cornish, chief executive of Manchester Airport Group (MAG) said EU countries were taking a more positive approach to resuming international travel. "Hundreds of thousands of people from places like Germany are travelling freely and safely to low-risk holiday destinations," he said. MAG has joined with low cost airline Ryanair to launch a legal action against the government over its traffic light system, particularly focusing on the lack of transparency over how countries are classified. The Spanish island of Majorca, a favourite of British tourists for decades, is currently on the amber list; travel there is not advised and quarantine is required on return to the UK. But rates of the virus are lower there than in the UK and in recent weeks, German tourists have started arriving in Majorca in large numbers. German travellers need just a digital pre-registration and either an antigen test or proof of vaccination. Dutch and Belgian tourists are also flying to the Balearics but in fewer numbers than those travelling from Germany. Story continues Palma de Majorca Airport confirmed to the BBC that during May, 397,931 tourists arrived from Germany on 3,363 flights. In contrast 5,813 UK tourists arrived on 333 flights from UK airports. Local businesses in the Balearics that usually rely on British tourists and their holiday spending, are feeling their absence for a second summer. Mark Steenson owns Francey O'Connor's, an Irish pub in Ca'n Picafort, a Majorca resort that usually welcomes thousands of British holiday-makers. But with Brits still advised not to travel there, he has begun to gear his trade to those who can. "I went and got a Borussia Dortmund shirt and had the bar sign redone in German to get the German football fans in," said Mr Steenson. "If it weren't for the Germans, we'd be broke. Ca'n Picafort is rammed with Germans," he said. "It is a joy to see." But rapid adjustments have had to be made, he says: "I've gone out and bought German beers and I've started trying to learn some German words so I can chat to them." The Germany and France game in the Euro 2020 tournament earlier this week was a big pull and for the first time this summer, the terrace at Francey O'Connor's filled up. But while German visitors are a lifeline for Mark Steenson, the absence of their British counterparts has angered Manchester Airport Group boss, Charlie Cornish. The UK's current traffic light system had not recognised the progress many countries have made in reducing rates of the virus, he said. "The government's lack of transparency is unacceptable and makes operating a business in the travel sector almost impossible after what has already been the most challenging year in our history." Epidemiologists worry that mass travel before more people are fully vaccinated, both in the UK and at holiday destinations, will allow the virus to spread more rapidly. And if Covid cases spiral suddenly on holiday islands, it is not clear if healthcare systems there are in a position to manage their care. Added to this, there are now concerns amongst EU nations about the Delta variant now dominant in the UK. The EU has not added the UK to its "white list" permitting travel. But this list is only guidance and EU nations can make their own decisions. That's not a pressing issue for most EU governments yet, with the UK's largest tour operators almost completely grounded. But when UK tourists are eventually allowed to travel again, the delays may put them at a price disadvantage, according to Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of the Advantage Travel Partnership. "We are closed for businesses, we really are," she said. "Our counterparts in Germany and Europe are flocking to the Med. "What that will mean is a reduction in product for when we restart, and access to uncompetitive pricing, because everyone else will have picked best rates." "As an industry it demonstrates that you can't plan an operation at the last minute. But there is no comprehension in government of the complexity of this story." Earlier this week, Easyjet announced it was increasing capacity from Germany to Majorca, to cope with swelling holiday demand. "We've just recently added 150,000 seats from Berlin into Palma to try meet the huge pent-up demand that has been released from those restrictions lifting," said Garry Wilson, chief executive of easyJet Holidays. "It is a shame we can't do the same for UK customers, because we know demand is there." The government says it is looking at how to reopen international travel, including the idea that travellers who have received both doses of the vaccine would not have to quarantine when they return from amber list destinations. Jesse Norman, financial secretary to the Treasury, told Sky News: "We don't want to get left behind by countries who are adopting a two-jabs approach if it can be done safely." A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "Our first priority is protecting the public and saving lives, and the traffic light system we have in place categorises countries and territories based on risk, using the latest data. "As set out in the Global Travel Taskforce, we continue to engage with international partners to explore how we can open international travel safely." People waiting at Humberto Delgado International Airport in Lisbon Labour said it had repeatedly called for ministers to publish the data and criteria around their traffic light system, but they had refused to do so. Shadow transport secretary Jim McMahon added: "When will they deliver on the sector-specific support promised for aviation 15 months ago? It's now clearer than ever that this government is actively choosing to turn its back on the industry at a time when thousands of jobs are on the line." Steve Heapy, boss of Jet2 said the continued exclusion of UK tourists risked inflicting long-term damage on the travel industry. "Other nationalities are going, German customers are arriving on jumbo jets that are being put into Majorca and hotels are filling up. "Hotels will give rooms in the future to these other nationalities and British tour operators and customers could be squeezed out. He said he hoped the government would review its decision after reexamining the data on 24 June. "If that is the case, and Malta, Balearic and Canary Islands continue to have low infection rates, I expect them to be on the list. If they are not - I expect an explanation. " Indian Ambassador in Madagascar Abhay Kumar called on the country's Prime Minister Christian Ntsay on Thursday. Antananarivo [Madagascar], June 17 (ANI): Indian Ambassador in Madagascar Abhay Kumar called on the country's Prime Minister Christian Ntsay on Thursday and informed him about the progress made in bilateral relations between the two countries. "Ambassador Abhay Kumar called on Christian Ntsay, @ntsayc Prime Minister of the Republic of Madagascar, today and apprised him of the progress made in bilateral relations between India and Madagascar," the Indian embassy in Madagascar and Comoros said in a tweet. This meeting comes after Ambassador Kumar met the Secretary-General of Presidency of Madagascar Valery Fitzgerald Ramonjavelo on Wednesday, and discussed ways to deepen bilateral relations. Prior to that, Ambassador Kumar had met Madagascar's Foreign Minister Tehindrazanarivelo Liva and Defence Minister Gen. Leon Jean Richard Rakotonirina earlier this month. Recently, India sent INS Jalashwa with 1000 tonnes of rice for the people of drought-hit Southern Madagascar in March. A special training team of the Indian navy trained Malagasy armed forces in the same month. Madagascar's Defence Minister visited India in February to attend the Indian Ocean Region Defence Ministers Conclave and AeroIndia exhibition in Bangalore. The ties between the two Indian Ocean neighbours are growing in all spheres. There are about 20,000 people of Indian origin, mostly from Gujarat, who live and work in Madagascar. (ANI) AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (Credit: Reuters) Moscow [Russia], June 15 (ANI/Sputnik): AstraZeneca announced on Tuesday that the clinical trial of its long-acting antibody cocktail has not provided evidence of effectiveness in protecting people exposed to the coronavirus. The trial involved 1,121 adult participants who had been exposed to a person who tested positive for COVID-19 within eight days. The placebo group had 17 cases, while a group where participants were administered with AZD7442 - a combination of two different monoclonal antibodies - had 23. The company noted that the antibody cocktail lowered the risk of developing a symptomatic infection by 33%, which is not a statistically significant result. "The trial did not meet the primary endpoint of post-exposure prevention of symptomatic COVID-19 with AZD7442 compared to placebo," AstraZeneca said in a statement. The company promised to publish the results from the trial in a peer-reviewed medical journal. AZD7442 is produced from two long-acting monoclonal antibodies acquired from plasma of convalescent COVID-19 patients. (ANI/Sputnik) Former US Ambassador to UN and Indian American politician Nikki Haley Washington [US], June 17 (ANI): Indian American Republican politician and 2024 GOP (another name for the Republican Party -- Grand Old Party) Nikki Haley on Wednesday (local time) said the United States must act "strongly" against China, stating that if Beijing takes control of Taiwan, it will be emboldened to seize other territories around the globe. According to The Hill, Haley during a closed-door meeting with members of the Republican Study Committee (RSC) said that if China takes control of Taiwan, Beijing will be emboldened to seize other territories around the globe. "The US must take stronger action against China," the former President Trump's ambassador to the United Nations said, starting with organising a boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing with allies like India, Australia, Japan, South Korea and Canada. "The last Olympics that they had [in 2008] was their coming out. That's how they saw it. They were introducing themselves to the world. This next Olympics, if it goes unscathed, this is their way of showing that they are now the superpower of the world," Haley told nearly 70 GOP lawmakers in the basement of the Capitol. "And if we don't boycott, if we don't do something to really call them out, mark my words: Taiwan is next. And if they take Taiwan, it's all over, because they will think that gives them free rein to grab any territory, not in the region, but anywhere they want to go." She also blasted the joint statement from President Biden and other Group of Seven leaders this week calling out China's human-rights abuses as extremely weak, arguing the G-7 instead should have established that Taiwan -- the East Asian island whose autonomy is in constant dispute -- is a "sovereign country." On Tuesday, Taiwan witnessed the largest daily incursion as over two dozen Chinese military planes flew into the country's Air Defence Identified Zones (ADIZ). Story continues Beijing claims full sovereignty over Taiwan, a democracy of almost 24 million people located off the southeastern coast of mainland China, even though the two sides have been governed separately for more than seven decades. Taiwan has complained in recent months of repeated missions by China's air force near the island, concentrated in the southwestern part of its air defense zone near the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands. Tensions in the Taiwan Strait are escalating. China ramped up political pressure and military threats against Taiwan, with almost daily incursions into Taipei's air defence identification zone. Taipei, on the other hand, has countered the Chinese aggression by increasing strategic ties with democracies including the US, which has been repeatedly opposed by Beijing. China has threatened that "Taiwan's independence" means war. (ANI) Pakistan's Army Chief of Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa (Photo Credit - Reuters) Islamabad [Pakistan], June 17 (ANI): Pakistan's Army Chief of Staff General Qamar Bajwa has said that the country's Army should maintain "high standards of operational preparedness" along the Line of Control (LoC) and the Pakistan-Afghan border, in view of the "evolving geo-strategic milieu". These comments came on Tuesday during the two-day 78th Formation Commanders' Conference that was held at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, which saw the participation of the country's corps commanders, principal staff officers and all formation commanders, The News International reported. In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that the army's top brass evaluated the current "geostrategic environment and challenges to (Pakistan's) national security". "Forum was also briefed on the cutting edge technologies being harnessed to modernise Army's outfits besides up-gradation of logistics infrastructure corresponding to emerging operational imperatives," said the Pak's military media wing. "COAS laid special emphasis on maintaining high standards of operational preparedness along the LOC/Working Boundary and Pakistan-Afghanistan international border in the wake of evolving geo-strategic milieu," it added. Last month, the Pakistan Army had expressed concern about the recent cross-border firing incidents along the Afghan border area. "Taking serious note of the recent cross border firing incidents from Afghanistan and regrouping of terrorist leadership/outfits across, forum expressed hope that Afghanistan soil will not be used against Pakistan," the ISPR had said in a tweet. This statement came after Army Chief Bajwa chaired a meeting with the country's top army brass at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. (ANI) Naga Sadhus (Hindu holy men) take a holy dip in the waters of the Ganges River on the day of Shahi Snan (royal bath) during the religious Kumbh Mela festival (AFP via Getty Images) Indias northern state of Uttarakhand has ordered a police inquiry into allegations of thousands of fake Covid tests used during the religious festival of Kumbh Mela in April. A case has been registered against private labs which were hired by the state to screen festival attendees for Covid. Orders have been issued to file a case against labs from Delhi and Haryana, which conducted testing at five places in Haridwar during Kumbh Mela, Subodh Uniyal, Uttarakhand government spokesperson, told ANI news agency. Earlier, the district administration of the city of Haridwar, one of the festival sites, ordered a probe following Indian media reports that over 100,000 fake Covid-19 tests had been conducted during the month-long gathering. The Kumbh Mela is the biggest Hindu festival. At least seven million devotees are believed to have participated in the religious gathering this year. It took place at a time when a deadly second wave was wreaking havoc in India. The state and the federal government, both led by Bharatiya Janata Party, were heavily criticised for allowing the massive gathering to go ahead, as images showed crowds of thousands of maskless people gathering near the Ganges river. Back then, the government assured the public that all safety precautions had been taken to allow the gathering. According to Indian media reports, some of the private labs contracted to carry out Covid tests used fake phone numbers and addresses in order to meet the required daily testing target of 50,000 tests. The scam came to light after a complaint by Punjab resident received an SMS for results of a Covid test the never booked. According to the Times of India, one firm responsible for testing also submitted a fake phone number and address for their business to the state departments. A building they claimed was their Delhi address did not exist, and another address from Noida, a satellite city of Delhi, turned out to be a tin shed. The government has withheld payment to all the labs that were conducting tests during the Kumbh due to the ongoing investigation. Story continues Even before the scam emerged, the Kumbh was being considered a super spreader after more than 2600 visitors tested positive during the religious gathering. Read More Watch live as Joe Biden signs Juneteenth National Independence Day Act Indian police summon Twitters top executive in case over viral video of elderly Muslim mans beating Australian girl, 5, reunited with parents after 18 months stuck in India due to pandemic Most people believe we should have a decent minimum wage for full time employees. (It has not changed in over 14 years). Most of the GOP does not. Most people believe the two parties should have platforms of policy initiatives vs. blindly following a cult leader or an aristocracy without an agenda. Most people in the USA wish to keep a democratic form of government. Yet we are not getting what most people want or need. Even a massive civil up-rising or insurrection on our national capital is not important enough to warrant a thorough investigation. We are caught up in a party over country phenomenon whereby power is the ultimate goal vs. the good of the populace. Many states are enacting restrictive voting rights measures to limit voting. States are also re-litigating the 2020 Presidential election through biased third party recounts, wasting taxpayers funds. Our fragile democracy is in jeopardy if we do not consider public opinion in formulating national and state-wide policies. We can and should do a whole lot better. Power should give way to a more just society. LeRoy Deabler LeRoy Deabler is a retired Hospital CEO and national healthcare consultant. CHARLESTON Jessica Meadows has announced her departure next month as the president of the Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce. Meadows, who has served in the position since 2019, has decided to pursue a masters degree in counseling with her alma mater, Eastern Illinois University, where she originally graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications. Meadows briefly lived in Colorado, working for the chamber on a part-time basis during the pandemic, before returning to Illinois in January. She then served as president full time. The announcement comes as the Charleston Chamber and the Mattoon Chamber of Commerce are moving toward a possible merger. Meadows said she will remain on staff through the completion of the merger vote. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} "This is a perfect time for me to pursue another career path," Meadows said in a news release. "It will also allow the new board and leadership to pick their own staff team in the important days ahead." "Jessica has provided great enthusiasm for the CACC these past couple of years and we thank her for serving us in the most challenging times during a global pandemic," said Jeff Baker, chairman of the Charleston Chamber's board of directors. According to Baker, one of Meadows' duties was to help obtain grant funds during the pandemic. She eventually assisted both member and non-member local businesses in receiving $250,000 in grant funds. I thank the CACC for the opportunity provided me and believe their success will continue, Meadows said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention no longer recommends that fully vaccinated people wear a mask in many situations, but masks are required on buses, planes and trains, and in hospitals, prisons, homeless shelters and businesses that require them. Its recommended that unvaccinated people continue to wear masks in many public settings. But seeing a mask on a friend, family member or stranger triggers some people to offer an opinion often a negative one. A new version of mask shaming and blaming has broken out, leaving vaccinated people who intend to keep wearing masks open to ridicule. We talked to Laurie Zoloth, a bioethicist at the University of Chicago who has advised federal health agencies and considered many of the complicated moral questions raised by the pandemic, including the prioritizing of vulnerable populations and how people can make the best individual and ethical decisions. We also talked to Dr. Mark Loafman, chair of family and community medicine for Cook County Health about mask shaming now that more faces are less covered. The following interviews have been condensed and edited. Q: Have masks become politicized in this country? Laurie Zoloth: It is odd, in a country that so values personal autonomy that people feel so critical of ones choice, because the very people who are shaming you for wearing a mask are the same people who insisted on the right not to wear a mask, and not to be shamed for it. Its an interesting reversal that again signals to us who are observing it that this is just a matter of political differences playing out in the public arena. We have to have a serious discussion about kindness in America; the rapidity with which people resort to anger and upset is really quite startling. Q: What is behind the mask shaming? Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} LZ: There was a moment for every one of us when we realized that we were being overcome by an extraordinarily powerful force (the pandemic) that we couldnt control. People reacted to it in two very different ways. Some people wore a mask, saying I take this seriously, Im in reality and Im cautious. They have a story that involves a scientific grasp of whats going on. And for others, the mask served to remind them of a painful truth they would rather deny. For those people, seeing someone wearing a mask is very destabilizing, because heres someone wearing the visible sign of catastrophe, and they dont want to be reminded of that tragic reality. One way to do that is to politicize it and to mock it and to make the person wearing the mask feel like they have it wrong. Then they reassert their vision of reality. Thats whats behind the politicalization. We dont share a vision of what America is supposed to look like in our particular history. And thats behind many of our political fights right now: what reality your vision of America is. You shouldnt be shamed for not feeling like the epidemic is completely over. You could be wearing a mask because you have an autoimmune disease, or because youre not fully vaccinated, or because you live with someone whos health is considered fragile, or you just had surgery, or any number of health conditions that really are not anyone elses business. People should keep their masks handy, and a sense of humility. Understand that putting one on is not an admission of defeat or signal that youre neurotic. Its just a sign that you understand how profound this pandemic was and how it still represents a threat. We should be very grateful that we got this far. But we should be really humble and understand how much further we have to go. Mark Loafman: Its a moving target. Whats making everybody in the public health world a little bit cautious is that there are a small percentage of people that are vaccinated who will contract the infection. What were telling people in low-risk settings, like being outdoors, physically distanced with people that are vaccinated indoors, an outdoor dining experience, even going to the ballpark or out to a picnic event in the open, its generally very safe right now. Its not 0% risk. So, if you have a loved one at home who is incredibly susceptible, those folks should continue to use the mask. We just need to get comfortable with this level of variability. Were advising people to have your mask and take it on or off based on the circumstances. If youre working your way through Wrigley Field and the corridors are really crowded and relatively closed off, leave your mask on. If you get to your seat and theres a nice breeze and youre out in the open and youre comfortable taking your mask off to have your lunch, snacks and drinks, then that seems reasonable if youre vaccinated. If youre in a restaurant and the server comes over, have your mask on. When youre out in the open and youre eating, youre not nearly as likely to have a problem. Its not being disingenuous to do that; its an appropriate use of masking. And I think people need to get more comfortable with that. Political analysts say Cooper is likely to veto the bill if it clears the Senate. With 71 yes votes, which includes seven Democrats, it was one vote short of being able to override a Cooper veto. Nationally The national unemployment insurance claims outlook rebounded from the lowest level of the pandemic to increase by 37,000 to 412,000 for the week that ended June 12. There were 14.83 million individuals nationwide with an active claim as of May 29. About 3.55 million workers drew state benefits and 11.28 million received federal benefits. What the claims information doesnt tell us is how much faster the job market will heal, or where so-called full employment will ultimately be, said Mark Hamrick, senior economist analyst with Bankrate.com. The current strains in the economy are well advertised, including shortages of labor and supplies and higher prices. Hamrick said that the path ahead is uncertain with many questions yet to be answered. We dont know how successful businesses will be in finding the workers they want, or how many they will ultimately hire, Hamrick said. We found that people feel less perceived pain when asked to round up versus when they are asked for a donation, said Stephane Robinson, an assistant professor of marketing at N.C. State, who helped with the study. But we still dont understand why that is the case. Thats a question for a future study we have some ideas. Nicole Case, a communications specialist for Harris Teeter, explained how its Round Up program works at that chain. While we cannot speak to programs hosted by other retailers, we can share 100% of funds collected through Harris Teeters Round Up campaigns are donated to the non-profit organization designated as the beneficiary at the time the donation is made, Case said. If the campaign benefits multiple organizations, 100% of the funds collected are split evenly among the organizations. These donations are tax deductible by the individual who generously gave at checkout. Harris Teeter cannot and does not claim these donations for tax credits or deductions. Our current Round Up campaign is called Backpack Boosters. It began June 16 and will run through Aug. 24. This campaign will support local Food Banks across our marketing areas, while stores in Mecklenburg and surrounding counties will support Classroom Central. An impassioned Winston-Salem Police Chief Catrina Thompson took the podium during a Wednesday morning news conference on reducing gun violence to hammer home the message that police "can't do it alone." The police department used the press conference to outline new efforts to curb violence that are being put in place, including a gunshot detection system and the networking of private security cameras. Police highlighted other existing efforts that include the department's Gun Crime Reduction Unit and its Violent Firearms Investigation Team. Thomson said the key for reducing gun violence is for people in crime-ridden neighborhoods to decide that they aren't going to harbor any wrongdoers among them. "It's not a police problem, it's a community problem," Thompson said. "And it's going to take this whole community, and communities across the country, doing their part to address it. We're telling you what our part is. Now we want to know what investment other people are willing to make to stop this crime." Thompson drew from recent high-profile cases to make her point that everyone has a stake in fighting crime: Families are mourning loved ones who died of coronavirus after being hesitant to get the Covid-19 vaccine. CNN's Ed Lavandera reports. New COVID-19 cases remain at pandemic lows in Forsyth County, but with another related death reported by state health officials. There were four new cases reported Thursday by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. On Wednesday, DHHS reported Forsyth with no new daily cases for the first time since the pandemic began 15 months ago. DHHS lists COVID-19 cases and deaths on the day they are confirmed by medical providers and public health officials, so people may have been infected or may have died days before their cases were counted. Forsyths case count is at 36,843, while the death toll is at 409, including 21 so far in June. The average daily case count over the past 14 days has dropped from the mid-40s in early May to 16 as of Monday, according to Joshua Swift, the countys health director. Yet, Swift and other local public health officials remain concerned that Forsyth could experience clusters of new cases, particularly among unvaccinated individuals. In the previous drought, it took (the reservoirs) three years to get this low as they are in the second year of this drought, Lund said. The lakes record low is 646 feet (197 meters), but the Department of Water Resources projects it will dip below that sometime in August or September. If that happens, the state will have to close the boat ramps for the first time ever because of low water levels, according to Aaron Wright, public safety chief for the Northern Buttes District of California State Parks. The only boat access to the lake would be an old dirt road that was built during the dams construction in the late 1960s. We have a reservoir up there thats going to be not usable. And so now what? said Eric Smith, an Oroville City Council member and president of its chamber of commerce. The water level is so low at Lake Mendocino, along the Russian River in Northern California, that state officials last week reduced the amount of water heading to 930 farmers, businesses and other junior water-rights holders. Unless we immediately reduce diversions, there is a real risk of Lake Mendocino emptying by the end of this year, said Erik Ekdahl, deputy director for the State Water Boards Division of Water Rights. President Biden should have used yesterdays summit to show that the United States will hold Russia accountable for its long list of transgressions, Instead, he gave Vladimir Putin a pass," McCarthy tweeted. We need real leadership that puts the American people first again. Calling into Sean Hannitys Fox News Channel show, Trump said Biden's summit had accomplished too little repeating criticism Trump himself faced for holding two summits with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that produced few measurable changes, while elevating the dictator on the world stage. "We gave a very big stage to Russia and we got nothing, Trump said Wednesday night. And you know, you have to form your own judgments, its not for me to say. But I will say that I think it was a good day for Russia. I dont see what we got out of it. Pompeo told The Associated Press that Biden had missed a chance to make it clear to the Russians that their maligned activity was not acceptable and to make clear that we were going to impose real costs in the event that they continued it. Householder reiterated his innocence in a House floor speech before the vote and predicted again he would be acquitted of accusations that he orchestrated a $60 million bribery scheme meant to approve legislation to prop up two nuclear power plants and then kill a ballot issue trying to overturn the law. Householder and four associates were arrested in July in an investigation connected to the nuclear bailout legislation, House Bill 6, which contained a $1 billion ratepayer-funded rescue that would have added a new fee to every electricity bill in the state and directed over $150 million a year through 2026 to the plants near Cleveland and Toledo. Householder faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. The bill would cost ratepayers too much, fall short of clean energy goals, hamper job recruitment and weaken the Utilities Commission which exists to provide accountability for utility companies, Cooper said in a emailed statement. It takes some steps toward more renewable energy but not nearly enough and its clear they need to go back to the drawing board and negotiate with a broader spectrum of stakeholders in order to get a better plan. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} The measure would direct subsidiaries of Charlotte-based Duke Energy, the states dominant electric utility, to retire coal-fired plants at Marshall, Allen, Roxboro, Cliffside and Mayo plants by the end of the decade. Marshall would transition to a plant powered by natural gas, while Allen would go to a combination of solar and battery power. Many environmental advocates contend the bill would force the states energy resources to depend on fossil fuels longer than necessary when alternatives are becoming more plentiful and affordable. The bill, while well intentioned, does far too little to transition our state away from coal and towards cleaner sources of power and at too great a cost, said Greg Andeck of Audubon North Carolina, addressing the House Energy and Public Utilities Committee. A North Carolina Chamber representative later expressed support for the measure. As for Down syndrome, our states Republicans wont even help families with disabled people on the Registry of Unmet Needs. Republicans only pretend to care about these things when they can use them as a cudgel against vulnerable pregnant women. The Republican Party shows its cruelty and un-Christian disdain for the least of these in a variety of ways, over and over again, but never more than when theyve got a desperate woman on the ropes. I guess its easier than finding solutions to the states problems. Helen Batterton Winston-Salem Horrible apartments People want houses; not the horrible apartments we have downtown and that are being built in Ardmore. It would be a much better idea to make a park or houses. If houses were built in Ardmore, theyd need to fit in with the rest of the area. If someone wants to live in a shipping crate, they should go to Charlotte. This is a historic town and we should keep it that way! Winston-Salem desperately needs some laws and rules keeping things historic. When I heard the Ardmore apartments were being torn down, I was devastated. My mom and grandmother both lived in those and they were absolutely beautiful. Article In Brief Neurologists in India discuss how neurology patients and clinicians are faring as a new surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths occurs, the status of vaccine distribution, and what neurologists in the US can do to help. As the devastating second wave of COVID-19 washes across India, neurologists in that country are scrambling to understand why hundreds of individuals who have COVID-19 or have recently recovered from it are developing rhinocerebral mucormycosis, a fungal infection that can spread rapidly from sinuses to the brain. Nirmal Surya, MD, president-elect of the Indian Academy of Neurology (IAN), said members of the Maharashtra Association of Neurology, serving Mumbai and the rest of that state, have reported nearly 200 cases since a registry was created in early April. Based on telephone and social media conversations with neurologists, surgeons, ear-nose-and-throat specialists, and ophthalmic surgeons, he believes nearly 500 cases have been treated across India. The fungus, which primarily attacks patients with diabetes or other underlying conditions, has a mortality rate of about 30 percent, he said. Some believe that the problem stems from a misuse of immunosuppressive drugs, but that is not yet proven. It's too early to say, but the fact is that we are seeing lot of mucormycosis and other fungus in the lung sinuses going into the brain, Dr. Surya, chair of IAN's Tropical Neurology section, said. And we really will need the guidance from all across the world. That complication, which has not been common in other parts of the world, is just one of many challenges that neurologists and their colleagues are dealing with in India, where the official tally of COVID-19-related deaths was 246,116, as of May 13. The Council on Foreign Relations and others say this is a significant undercount of the pandemic's toll in that country. Home to nearly 1.4 billion people, India is projected to have nearly 1.5 million COVID-19 deaths by September, according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington. I only hope that people realize what the neurologists and other doctors are going through in this country, said Dr. Surya, chairman of the Surya Neuro Center in Mumbai. We are communicating with other people across the globe so that we are not left out on any information that somebody else knows. The pandemic's second wave, which started in February, is a fast-evolving crisis. As of early May, more than 400,000 new daily infections were being reported daily. Although the wave appeared to be flattening by mid-May, virologist Shahid Jameel, MD, director of the Trivedi School of Biosciences at Ashoka University, suggested that it will linger into July, according to media reports. The virus seems to be highly virulent because it has mutatedwhat is being called a double-mutation, Dr. Surya said. In the earlier wave, the exposure time required for infection was more than 45 minutes but now it seems that it could be just 15 minutes for you to catch the virus. Also new in the second wave: Young people are not spared. The virus is affecting the whole family, Dr. Surya said. Everyone, including the children, are getting infected and also having high mortality. How Neurology Patients Are Faring Like other consulting physicians at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai, Annu Aggarwal, MD, a specialist in cognitive and behavioral neurology, has treated patients via telehealth since April 2020, and also offered in-person visits with appropriate safety protocols. Still, there has been a decline in the number of patients accessing non-COVID-19 care, and the consequence of that is showing up in hospital admissions. We are seeing patients with chronic neurologic conditions getting admitted with advanced sepsis or multiorgan failure, unattended fracture hips or vertebral fractures, behavioral problems, poor nutrition, and bedsores, Dr. Aggarwal said in an email. Subjectively, a larger number of patients with Alzheimer's and other chronic disabling diseases are dying at home from non-COVID related causes than would be normally expected. Beyond that, Dr. Aggarwal is worried about the dramatic increase in reported mental health issues in patients and their families. Loneliness, anxiety, and concerns about unpredictability about the future are common, and COVID-19 related long-haul symptoms have further worsened pre-existing neurologic disability, she said. Because of this public distress and the anxiety fed by the social media, people are testing themselves without medical advice and seeking seemingly preventative or protective therapies that may not be indicated.DR. AARTI SARWAL How Neurologists Are Faring More than 850 physicians have died from COVID-19, according to the Indian Medical Association; Dr. Surya believes that includes at least eight neurologists. The huge nation is served by just 2,500 neurologists, which means one neurologist for every one million people, according to the IAN. Neurologists' role in treating COVID-19 patients depends on their employment. Those who work in government-supported academic medical centers are generally not managing patients with active COVID-19, but some who work in private hospitals are doing so, Dr. Surya said. Some neurologists in semi-urban areas work in small hospitals that have been converted into COVID hospitals. So, they would treat all the patients, including the patients with neurologic problems, in that setup because the government asked them to, he said. Rural areas are perhaps the most dangerous area in which to practice. Many of the neurologists who are practicing solo got the COVID infection, he said. Some of them, in fact, stopped going to the hospital where there is a high level of severe infection. As elsewhere in the world, the pandemic has triggered rapid adoption of telehealth, and IAN formed a subsection on teleneurology to promote it among its members. Telehealth platforms allow neurologists to write prescriptions that go to a patient's telephone app, allowing the script to be downloaded and taken to a pharmacy. How Hospitals Are Faring Hospitals' resilience to handle the onslaught of cases varies widely from one area of the country to the next. Although Mumbai is among the cities hardest hit by the second wave, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital (KDAH), a 750-bed private teaching hospital, has not experienced the oxygen shortage affecting many areas of the country, Dr. Aggarwal said. Her hospital has piped oxygen available to all beds and, thus, is not dependent on oxygen cylinders. However, elective surgeries are currently suspended citywide to conserve oxygen supplies. Residents and fellows in all specialties, including neurology, have been recruited for rotations in COVID-19 intensive care units and wards. The Diplomate of National Board, the body that oversees resident admissions and tenure, has extended the tenure of the current residents to provide manpower to battle the pandemic. Neurologists and other specialists support the core COVID-19 teams, usually via video, Dr. Aggarwal said. I should point out that this is not necessarily typical of the situation faced by other medical facilities in India, she said. As a private, tertiary-care center in the financial capital of India, KDAH is likely an outlier in terms of the medical facilities, staff, and management available. Vaccination Progress to Date As of mid-May two COVID-19 vaccinesCovishield (ChAdOx1 nCoV- 19 Corona Virus Vaccine-Recombinant manufactured by Serum Institute of India, Oxford Astra-Zeneca) and Covaxin (Bharat Biotech)were available in India. Physicians and other frontline health workers have been able to receive vaccinations since January and the majority are immunized, Dr. Surya said. Its too early to say, but the fact is that we are seeing lot of mucormycosis and other fungus in the lung sinuses going into the brain. And we really will need the guidance from all across the world.DR. NIRMAL SURYA Both vaccines require two doses. As of mid-May, nearly 10 percent of India's population had received a first dose but only about 2 percent were fully vaccinated. Lately though the supply has been sporadic and the pace of vaccines administered reduced, Dr. Aggarwal said. Dr. Surya worries that some isolated cases of strokes occurring shortly after Covid-19 vaccination may fuel vaccine hesitancy. Yesterday another patient who had taken the vaccine last week came in with headache and he has a venous sinus thrombosis, he said. So, it is very difficult to convince people that these things are not because of vaccine, they were going to get it anyway. These are some of the issues which neurologists are facing. Neurologists in the US Offer Support Colleagues in India Neurologists outside of India are collecting money from their colleagues to send directly to India. Others are vetting nonprofit organizations that can deliver supplies to the hospitals there that need it most. And others are volunteering on phone lines that support their peers during the country's COVID-19 crisis. I know of people who have not taken a break for several days because they've been working in hospitals to take care of these patients, said Sanjay P. Singh, MD, immediate past president of the Association of Indian Neurologists in America (AINA). We are extremely proud of our neurology colleagues there, and we are standing shoulder to shoulder with them to help them in any way that we can. More than 1,000 neurologists of Indian origin practice in the US, the first country in which the pandemic overwhelmed emergency departments, left dead bodies stacked up in refrigerator cars and sowed dissension about how the disease should be prevented, curtailed or treated. Knowing what lies ahead for COVID-19 survivors and their families, they are pained by what they see happening in the country in which they were trained, said Sayona John, MD, FNCS, FAAN, associate professor of neurological sciences at Rush University Medical Center. As physicians of Indian origin, it has been particularly hard for us to sit back and watch, said Dr. John, head of critical care neurology at Rush. We feel deeply for what is happening and the helplessness in the situation has been incredibly hard to deal with. Dr. Singh, professor and chair of the neurology department at the Creighton University School of Medicine, said the most immediate need is money for supplies. Beyond that, however, neurologists who have experience with the long-term neurologic effects of COVID-19 must help their colleagues in Indiathe world's second most populous countrydeal with the burdens they will face in the months and years ahead. In the long-term I think a more intense collaboration with India is needed to see how we can help them in terms of manpower, education, and resources, he said. Annu Aggarwal, MD, a cognitive and behavioral neurologist at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital & Medical Research Institute in Mumbai, agrees. Once the current wave has passed, attention can and should return to minimizing morbidity in each and every individual patient, she said in an email. That would include improved care of the neurologic problems. Neurologists around the world can contribute to this effort by continuing to develop and disseminate better treatment strategies for patients with COVID-19. NEUROLOGISTS TAKE ACTION Shilpa Chitnis, MD, PhD, a professor of neurology at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, earned her medical degree at Grant Medical College in Mumbai. When the pandemic's second wave hit this spring, a physician friend approached her to discuss the supply shortage that was costing lives. They decided to find a way to get supplies to two Mumbai hospitalsGrant Medical College Hospital and King Edward Memorial Hospital, where some of their UT Southwestern colleagues had trained. People started texting each other and calling each other and basically trying to see if we could just collect money, Dr. Chitnis said. We became the point people for getting funds directed to our Venmo accounts and Apple Pay accounts. Within three days, nearly $17,000 was raised, mostly from UT Southwestern faculty members but also individuals who responded to Dr. Chitnis' social media posts. Dr. Chitnis is confident that the money is being used as intended because the head of the anesthesiology department at King Edward Memorial identified a trustworthy distributor that had a list of supplies and equipment that the two hospitals needed. AINA is working with a US-based nonprofit, Sewa International, that provides disaster relief in India and other countries, said AINA President Prakash Kotagal, MD, a pediatric epileptologist at Cleveland Clinic. I spoke with the director of Sewa International to make sure that the money will be used for the intended purpose, he said. They have the infrastructure for buying equipment and medications, and arrangements with cargo carriers to send this aid to India. As of mid-May, AINA was nearly halfway to meeting its $50,000 goal; the campaign will run through early June. We are not specifying which part of the country it should go to or how much money should be spent on equipment versus humanitarian reliefjust that it has to be COVID-related, Dr. Kotagal said. The AINA has posted a link for information about the crisis and ways the neurology community can help here: https://www.4aina.com. SUPPORT BY TEXT Just as in the US, misinformation about COVID-19 has been widely disseminated via social media in India and many people have misconceptions about symptoms, treatments and vaccines, said Aarti Sarwal, MD, FAAN, professor of neurology at Wake Forest School of Medicine. But unlike the US, health care in India is less regulated so that consumers can get examsfrom COVID-19 tests to CT imageson demand at freestanding laboratories and, in some cities, buy any type of drugs without a prescription. Also, unlike the US, people in India will very commonly seek three or four opinions until they connect with a medical professional that they want to trust, she said. Because of this public distress and the anxiety fed by the social media, people are testing themselves without medical advice and seeking seemingly preventative or protective therapies that may not be indicated. Dr. Sarwal, a neurointensive care specialist at Wake Health, said. Those patients are burdening a health care system already overloaded by the influx of COVID-19 patients. To provide support for their colleagues in India, Dr. Sarwal, Dr. John and about 50 other intensive care physicians from the US, the United Kingdom, Australia and other countries worked with the Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine to develop a medical counseling service using WhatsApp. They volunteer for shifts during which they are available for text exchanges from individuals who want reassurance from an intensivist outside India. This is not telemedicine service, but a way for intensivists who have COVID-19 experience to share information with those who need it. When you're dealing with their level of (COVID patient) numbers, what India needs is not necessarily a neurologist, but a neurologist that can help manage COVID-19 as a disease process, Dr. John said. And that is where we felt that we would be helpful because as neurointensivists that is what we had to do when it happened in the United States. The service opened on May 1 and received nearly 500 requests in the first 48 hours, Dr. Sarwal said. Sometimes it's a physician who just needs a sounding board, who just wants another doctor to say Yes, you're doing it right, she said. Or it might be a family member that basically wants to hear for the fifth time that their doctor is doing the right thing. THE NEUROLOGIST'S VOICE When asked to identify how neurologists can help with India's crisis, Dr. Aggarwal made this plea to her international peers: Advocacy about safety and benefit of vaccination and continuation of social distancing and use of masks. Discouraging post-vaccination complacency. Physicians based in the US tend to be more trusted than Indian physicians, in part because they have more experience with overwhelming waves of COVID-19 infection. That's why Dr. Sarwal, Dr. John and others reached out to high-profile medical leadersAnthony Fauci, MD; US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD; CNN's Sanjay Gupta, MD; the leaders of professional medical organizations; and othersto ask them to speak boldly to the Indian public and government leaders. We emailed everybody that we knew and some people that we do not know, Dr. Sarwal said. We asked them to reemphasize the need for social distancing, lockdowns, stopping elective surgeries and supporting the medical providers in India so that the system can address this crisis. Although India had not returned to a national lockdown as of May 14, some states have imposed lockdowns. I believe the message has been delivered to some extentDr. Fauci was very clear when he said that India has to go into a mandatory lockdown, Dr. John said. That's all we can do as a country who has gone through this experience: have the most reliable sources make recommendations. Neurologists can use social media and other opportunities to educate Indian clinicians and the public about the neurologic problems associated with COVID-19, but they must avoid making assumptions that lead to unhelpful comments. Indian guidelines for management of COVID-19 patients may differ from U.S. guidelines because of different resources or practice patterns. Upholding respect for Indian physicians is the top priority, she said. The most critical piece for any physician trying to help is not to make recommendations that cannot be followed and not to belittle recommendations that are being made currently in India, she said. Confidence about their physicians and the recommendations that are being given by their physicians must not be taken away. GOING FORWARD The AINA has collaborated with the Indian Academy of Neurology on COVID-19 related continuing medical education offerings in the recent past and plans to do so in the future, Dr. Singh said. We are working to see if we can together come up with guidelines that might help the physicians in the field, he said. We have to share what we have gained from our experience, unfortunately, of what happened in New York City and other places because those lessons can prove to be very useful to them at this point. Andrea Braein Hovig is Anja, who returns to the Oslo home she shares with Tomas (Stellan Skarsgard) and three of their six children. To say that they are distanced is an understatement; even the kids note that the pair, who have never married in two decades, essentially lead separate lives. When she gets her diagnosis, however, that separation is forced to change. Those changes, painful and revealing, largely take place outside the sight of the kids three they have had together and three from Tomas previous marriage, who are preparing for and trying to celebrate the holidays. That is, until the diagnosis is revealed to them. Sodahl keeps the focus on the couple and their conversations, often in their car on the way to and from appointments. Anja, who is facing the incurable diagnosis, persistently delivers her long-suppressed feelings. Tomas, sympathetic and hurt, reels and reacts. The expressive Hovig is beyond convincing as a woman whose life is seemingly ending in a few months, all emotion and frantic action. Skarsgard, one of the worlds great actors, is quiet, conveying Tomas feelings and changes as much through expressions as words. Together, they are captivating, creating a sense that we are watching a real couple go through lifes largest trauma. Navigator CEO Matt Vining said the Environmental Protection Agency has approved carbon sequestration in that area. The proposed pipeline would be centered in Iowa but extend into northeast Nebraska, eastern South Dakota and southwest Minnesota. According to Vining, the company expects to spend in excess of $2 billion to build the pipeline, which would become active in late 2024 and early 2025. Vining said Navigator will spend the next few years gathering information and seeking government permits. In a project that is this big, its not like a light switch, he said. Not everybody comes on at the same time. You have to kind of put it into service in phases. Vining said Valero, which operates about eight ethanol plants in the five states, including one in Albion, will be the pipelines anchor customer. Vining added that about a dozen other companies have expressed interest in connecting to the pipeline. Investment management firm BlackRock will primarily finance the pipelines construction. Navigator said it doesnt intend to seek public money. There was a time when the Keystone XL pipeline, which was officially declared dead and laid to rest last week after more than a decade of legal wangling, made perfect sense. In fact, when it first came to our attention sometime in 2009, this editorial board was in favor of it. It supported the project because of the safety of pipelines relative to other forms of transporting oil, such as rail, and the construction jobs it promised to bring. That was at a time when America was digging itself out of the Great Recession. Jobs -- any jobs -- were considered a good thing, as were the easement payments landowners would have received to subsidize their income at a time when their farms were struggling. A dozen years later, we've done an about face. We support doing away with the pipeline because our world today is a far different place than it was back then and continued delays made the pipeline increasingly less feasible. Sometime in March, cement barriers were placed in front of the Erickson Truck-n-Parts' entrance on Frontage Road, blocking the only way the owners could get in and out. The village is mum about what's going on, even after one of the Ericksons was cited for trespassing on his own property. An attorney representing the Ericksons wrote in a letter to a Mount Pleasant official: "In Catch-22 fashion, my client has been directed to clean up its property, but its owners and employees are not allowed on the premises." In October 2020, the federal courts ruled it was OK for communities to accept grants from private organizations to fund their presidential election operations. Now, eight months later, the City of Racine and the Wisconsin Elections Commission are still dealing with complaints about that very topic. In a response (that was notarized Monday) to the complaint (that was received by the WEC on April 23), the City of Racine stated that it dispute(s) the facts as alleged by Complainants in their entirety as inaccurate, misstated, and inflected with bias. An overarching and tainting flaw in the Complaint is that there was something unique or targeted about the City of Racines award, acceptance, and use of CTCL COVID-19 elections grant funds, or that of the Cities of Green Bay, Kenosha, Madison, and Milwaukee. MOUNT PLEASANT As a business owner, you never forget the first time you open your doors to customers. Laotian-style beef jerky Laotian-style beef jerky is one of the items in SapSap's menu. For Alex Hanesakda, who has run his Laotian barbecue restaurant SapSap out of different kitchens since 2017 and has never had a space of his own, the first time means everything. SapSap finally opened its new, permanent location at 2343 Mead St. on Thursday, where it will continue to spread its message of love and healing through delicious delicious food SapSap directly translates to meaning delicious-delicious in Laotian. For now, the restaurant is only open for takeout, with orders able to be placed at SapSapEats.com or by calling 262-456-0556. Hanesakda hopes to have dine-in available soon. It is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, with pop-ups at other locations (like Burlington and Oak Creek and Milwaukee) still to come. In the new kitchen Alex Hanesakda, owner of SapSap, works in the new restaurant's kitchen at 2343 Mead St. in Mount Pleasant on Monday, three days before opening. Opening day SapSap saw both first-time and loyal customers during its opening day. Phill Klamm was the former; he and his family drove about an hour and 15 minutes from Walworth just to have Hanesakdas food. Klamm, originally from Burlington, had been following SapSap for a long time on Facebook, where the restaurant already has nearly 10,000 likes. I just love the story and the tie to Laos, said Klamm of why he chose SapSap. Im really excited about the chicken sandwich. Although the chicken sandwich is perhaps SapSaps most famous dish, patrons rave about its egg rolls, based on Hanesakdas moms recipe. Fried rice is also so popular that it is prepared in mounds in the restaurants kitchen. Beer In partnership with Burlington's Low Daily, Alex Hanesakda has launched a Lao-inspired beer, the Thum Phuk Sticky Rice Lager. From Laotian, Thum is roughly translated as "cheers" and Phuk means "to chop." To learn more or to purchase, go to ThumPhuk.com or visit Low Daily (lowdailybeer.com) at 700 N. Pine St., Burlington. Continuing a legacy SapSap has moved into where the space occupied by Toteros restaurant before it closed in 2014 after being open for 75 years. The renovated space is about 75% different, Hanesakda said: The walls are green, the ceiling is no longer popcorned, theres a new bar and kitchen equipment. And the famous sign is gone, to soon be replaced with SapSaps own, of course. But one thing remains: the heart. Toteros, they did it for the love, Hanesakda said. And I think we do it for the love, too. Preparing fried rice Alyce Ausse prepares rice, which will be used to make fried rice, at SapSap on Monday. Hanesakda said he chose to house SapSap in this little corner of Mount Pleasant over other more popular areas, like Downtown Racine, because of the heart of it. Though business is important, Hanesakda said, Were not really thirsty to be strictly business. Were like, Create where youre at versus, Lets go where its at. With that mindset, youre doing work where its needed the most, Hanesakda said. He noted the local neighborhood is considered as a low-income, poverty-stricken area, but there are good, hard-working people here and he wants SapSap to be a part of the community. We were one of these families, I grew up in these neighborhoods, Hanesakda said. Hanesakda grew up in Burlington. His dad, who fought alongside American soldiers in southeast Asia, suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder throughout his life. SapSap is continuing to give back to the community through several projects, like a partnership with We Help War Victims, a Wisconsin-based nonprofit. Through WHWV, SapSap will soon carry Laotian coffee; any proceeds from its sales will go back to the organization. Blessing at SapSap Alex Hanesakda held a blessing for SapSap's new permanent location on June 4. He invited Buddhist monks from Milwaukee and Waukesha to bring u Blessing the restaurant In the days leading up to SapSaps opening, Hanesakda hosted a blessing at its new location. Its traditional in many cultures and groups to have a new house, business or even vehicles like motorcycles blessed. In general, blessings are meant to bring good fortune, typically signifying a fresh step in life. Growing up, we always would have blessings for birthdays, funerals, opening businesses, Hanesakda said. Its funny because Im not really religious. But I dont think Buddhism is really a religion, either. Its more a way of life. Thats why I gravitated towards it, because of the simplicity of it, and the logic behind it. He added that the goals of practicing Buddhism to develop awareness, kindness, wisdom and change resonate with him. So, Hanesakda invited Buddhists from nearby temples in Milwaukee and Waukesha to commemorate the new location in early June with his loved ones. More importantly, however: My mom really wanted me to do it, he said. With their hands pressed together, Hanesakdas family and friends prayed for not only SapSaps prosperity, but for each others over bountiful food. It felt really important for us, Hanesakda said. It was super special. To make it even more meaningful, one of the monks at the blessing fought in war with Hanesakdas late father. Bowls of food were laid out for his father in an offering. This is more than a business for us, Hanesakda said. We cant forget why we got into this, to spread our culture. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Im excited to join the University of WisconsinWhitewater community as the University moves forward with planning and shaping its academic program to meet the needs of its students and the State of Wisconsin, said Henderson. UW-Whitewater is a gem, and Im looking forward to working with the University community, the larger Whitewater and Rock County communities, the UW System, and other stakeholders in Wisconsin to help set the University on a course that will provide a strong foundation for the selection of the next Chancellor. The state Assembly on Wednesday passed a wide-ranging package of policing bills that would ban police chokeholds in most cases, though Republicans delayed passage of a bill that would create a statewide use of force standard and require officers to report and intervene in cases where use of force standards are violated. The dozen policing bills the Assembly passed on Wednesday mostly by voice vote would also require the Department of Justice to collect information on how often no-knock warrants are authorized and executed as well as on use of force incidents, including demographic information. Gov. Tony Evers on Wednesday said he intends to sign that bill into law. The bills originated from the work of the bipartisan Speaker's Task Force on Racial Disparities that took place in the wake of nationwide protests against police brutality and systemic racism following the Minneapolis police killing of Black man George Floyd. As Wisconsin citizens, we would not accept the Joint Finance Committee turning to our friends and family members who are business owners and had a tax-free PPP loan forgiven, and declaring they now would have a dramatic tax increaseespecially when the state has a healthy rainy day fund. We should not be willing to accept the Joint Finance Committees decision to harm our K-12 school system at a time when the state has the resources to support the increases in funding Governor Evers proposed. Unfortunately, the committees decision has created an even worse situation for our schools. The U.S. Department of Education has already communicated that the vote places the stimulus money earmarked for Wisconsin schools at risk. This would be like the federal government suddenly requiring all businesses in the state to pay back their PPP loans. Business owners rightfully argue that, for their companies to be successful, they need certainty and the ability to plan ahead. The Joint Finance Committees decision has required school districts to hit the pause button on their planning for the next school year. They have no idea if they will receive any additional funds from the state, nor whether they will be eligible to receive the federal stimulus dollars. 1. Yes. Its a serious public health issue; unvaccinated workers put others at risk. 2. Yes. Some colleges and school districts are mandating it. Its a necessary step. 3. No. Employees should have the option of getting vaccinated or not. Its up to them. 4. No. Some people have serious side-effects. Geting jabbed should be optional. 5. Unsure. Getting people vaccinated is important, but so is having a choice. Vote View Results Killeen, TX (76540) Today Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High 91F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Variably cloudy with scattered thunderstorms. Low 74F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. Killeen, TX (76540) Today Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 91F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Low 74F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. WASHINGTON (AP) The White House and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer are endorsing efforts to terminate the 2002 authorization of military force against Iraq, a step that supporters say is necessary to constrain presidential war powers even though it is unlikely to affect U.S. military operations around the world. Schumer announced Wednesday that he intends to bring repeal legislation to the Senate floor this year. The Iraq War has been over for nearly a decade, Schumer said. The authorization passed in 2002 is no longer necessary in 2021. The White House said in a statement earlier this week that it supports the legislation, which the House is expected to pass on Thursday, and stressed that no ongoing military activities are reliant on the 2002 authorization. It also said that President Joe Biden is committed to working with Congress to replace outdated authorizations of military force with narrower frameworks designed to ensure the U.S. can protect Americans from terrorist threats. AP Key Wisconsin policing use of force bill in jeopardy Steineke Stubbs MADISON A bill that would set a statewide use of force policy for police in Wisconsin, and offer protections for officers who report abuses, was in jeopardy in the state Assembly on Wednesday despite winning broad bipartisan support in the Senate. Republicans skipped over the bill, saying an amendment was being worked on, making it uncertain whether the measure would be sent to Gov. Tony Evers along with others that ban the use of chokeholds and require the reporting of incidents when force was used. Republican Majority Leader Jim Steineke, who co-chaired a bipartisan task force that recommended the policy changes being considered Wednesday, said he hoped the measure would still be approved later in the day. The bill, which the Senate passed last week 30-2, creates a statewide use-of-force standard and a duty to report and a duty to intervene in certain situations in which a law enforcement officer observes another officer failing to comply with the statewide use-of-force standard. It makes it a misdemeanor for a police officer who intentionally fails to report noncompliant use of force or who fails to intervene to stop such use of force. It also provides whistleblower protections to officers who report when another officer may have violated use of force policies. Other bills the Assembly passed Wednesday on bipartisan voice votes would require police departments to report information about how often no-knock warrants are authorized and executed; create statewide standards and require training for police officers stationed in schools; require prospective police officers to pass a psychological exam before being hired; and mandate four hours of crisis management training for police officers every two years designed to help de-escalate situations involving people with mental illness. All of those bills now go to the Senate. The Assembly sent Evers a bill banning chokeholds, except in cases of self defense or when the officer felt their life was in danger. Some, including Evers last year, had called for an outright ban on chokeholds. Democratic Rep. Shelia Stubbs, who is Black, and Steineke, who is white, praised the bipartisan work of the task force they led and the bills that grew out of it. Steineke acknowledged that some wanted the bills to go farther, while others thought they werent doing enough. Its a good start, Steineke said. Its not too often in this body were able to bring together very different viewpoints on a single topic and find consensus on those issues. Democrats faulted Republicans for not taking action sooner, including ignoring a special session call from Evers last year to pass a variety of police reform measures, and not taking more forceful steps like banning no-knock warrants. We could do more, said Democratic Rep. David Bowen, of Milwaukee, who is Black. We are not allowed to have that bipartisanship because it is too controversial. Stubbs said the bills provided meaningful reform in response to demands from the community following police shootings, including of Jacob Blake last August in Kenosha. Stubbs said the measures will promote transparency, mandate more training, hold officers to a higher standard and take a step toward a more equitable Wisconsin. We cannot continue to stand in partisan gridlock as our communities continue to be failed by law enforcement, Stubbs said. The bills are working their way through the Legislature a year after George Floyds death in Minneapolis. Floyd, who was Black, died after white police Officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee into his neck for 9 minutes, 29 seconds. Chauvin lost his job and was found guilty of murder. Numerous other shootings of Black people by white police officers across the country, including in Wisconsin, have placed greater attention on policing policies and accelerated calls for change. A 17-year-old former Viterbo University student implicated in setting fire April 18 inside a campus residence hall was charged during an initial appearance Wednesday in La Crosse County Circuit Court. Victoria C. Unanka faces a single misdemeanor charge of negligent handling of burning material. Unanka appeared with her attorney Chris Zachar via Zoom before Judge Ramona Gonzalez. Zachar entered a not guilty plea on Unankas behalf. The fire occurred as Viterbo officials were investigating racist and anti-LGBTQ messages that were scrawled in one of the resident halls. According to the criminal complaint, Unanka texted a friend that the fire was a potential hate crime because it had started next to her dorm room. However, security cameras installed in response to the graffiti incidents reportedly showed Unanaka leaving her room around 2:09 a.m. and glancing around and checking the area for other people. During the next five minutes, surveillance shows her entering a lounge area and a bathroom before returning to her room. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} The School District of La Crosse is inviting community input on long-range school facility plans, intended to provide the best possible learning environments for local students. The district is exploring its options as enrollment declines and buildings age. Over the past two decades, district enrollment has declined by over 1,400 students and, as districts are funded on a per-pupil basis, this has resulted in the loss of revenue dollars with which to educate students. With fewer students, the number of needed facilities has also declined, and the district has been accounting for lost funding by reducing the number of staff, eliminating overhead by consolidating two schools and building Northside Elementary, and cutting budgets. However, declining enrollment has still led to a deficit, affecting the opportunities available to students and the ability to retain high quality staff. The district also maintains a series of aging buildings at the end of their designed life cycles, with five of the buildings over 80 years old. The schools are safe and acceptable for educating students but require tens of millions of dollars in maintenance to bring them up to modern codes and address critical needs. These structures, the district says, were designed for education in the 1920s and 1930s, not 2021. In an interview, Farhadian Weinstein told The Associated Press that the issue would have no bearing on her handling of the Trump case, which has involved scrutiny of his tax records. In its article, part of a series on tax strategies of the wealthy, ProPublica said there was no indication the Weinsteins did anything illegal. ProPublica has an ideology that theyve been trying to put out with this series of articles, and I think its interesting and worth discussing whether we should have a wealth tax rather than an income tax, Farhadian Weinstein told the AP. But right now we have an income tax system. And so in the years that you dont earn income, you dont pay taxes. ProPublica reported that Farhadian Weinstein and her husband listed negative income for two of the four years in which they paid no federal income taxes. In the other two years, the nonprofit news organization reported, she and her husband listed about $1 million in earnings but were able to trim their bill through deductions. Boaz Weinstein took issue with ProPublica's reporting and an assertion in the article that he and Farhadian Weinstein paid a federal income tax rate of 25.9% between 2010 and 2018. The street was open to traffic Wednesday afternoon. Though obstructions to traffic were removed, a memorial featuring messages in chalk and flowers left by mourners remained intact. The Minnesota National Guard tweeted that at the request of the city it was prepared to send about 100 soldiers to Minneapolis in the event of unrest. Witnesses have said Kraus was driving an SUV when he struck a parked car, sending it into the crowd of demonstrators. Police said protesters pulled Kraus from his vehicle and witnesses reported demonstrators struck him. Kraus was arrested and treated for injuries at a hospital. Kraus has five convictions for driving while impaired dating back to a 2007 incident, according to online court records. At one point, he told officers that the SUV he was driving on Sunday was in another person's name because he had no license due to his drunken driving offenses, the complaint says. Court records show his drivers license was canceled in 2013. A Boston-based real estate investment firm has spent nearly $21 million to buy two West Donegal Township industrial warehouses from another Boston-based real estate investment firm. Cabot Properties bought the two warehouses in Conewago Industrial Park in May from Novoya Foxfield Industrial, which built them in 2019 along with New York-based Drake Real Estate Partners. Situated near the Nordstrom e-commerce fulfillment center, the warehouses at 1405 and 1473 Zeager Road total nearly 200,000 square feet of space. They are 100% leased by New York-based Bel-Aqua Pool Supply and Illinois-based Packaging Corp. of America. The sale was arranged by CBRE Group, a Dallas-based real estate services and investment firm. Elizabethtown locations strong leasing fundamentals, excellent labor force, and proximity to major logistics infrastructure have attracted both institutional investors and a deep roster of regional and global tenancy, CBRE said in a press release announcing the sale. Joel Makeci is ready for Lancaster County to hear his music. Admittedly, he and his band, NGGBC, or New Generation Gospel Band of Christ, have been performing together since 2018, though in several states other than Pennsylvania. Makeci will bring his 11-piece group, comprising mostly vocalists, to the Binns Park stage at 5 p.m. on Friday for a concert in honor of World Refugee Day. Church World Service Lancaster is sponsoring the free concert, which will also feature food from the Kabab Station. The concert is a partnership between CWS Lancaster, Music for Everyone and Everence Financial Services. Makeci is an immigrant himself, having been born in the Democratic Republic of Congo before moving to Tanzania as a child. Makeci and his family immigrated to the United States, living in Montana for almost two years before eventually landing in Lancaster County in 2017. It was very hard, because our country was in a lot of war, a lot of fighting and ethnic conflict, so we fled, Makeci says in a phone call. So I was in Tanzania for 20 years of my life, and thats where I grew up. And then the blessing of getting to come to America. I landed in Miami, Florida, and then after that went to Montana. Makeci describes his difficulty figuring out his way in the music world, due in part to the musics lyrics being in Swahili. However, musics status as a universal language allows the rhythms and melodies to shine through. Though his music has racked up tens of thousands of views on YouTube and performed in states as far as Tennessee and Kentucky, Makeci says the bands first Lancaster show in 2018 failed to draw a crowd. The Binns Park performance will be a second opportunity to grow in the city where he lives. In Lancaster, nobody knows me, Makeci says, grinning. I dont know if they know that there is someone here from Africa making music. When Im not singing in English ... I dont know what theyll think, but they're going to love it. Other events This weeks celebrations mark the 20th anniversary of World Refugee Day (June 20). The programming kicks off today, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with the virtual event Shining the Light on Lancasters Welcoming Community. The event will feature a short film by LampHouse films, a conversation with award-winning author and former CWS staffer Omar Mohamed (When Stars are Scattered), and Hambright Elementary School teacher Katie Harnish, who shared Mohameds book with her fifth grade class. To tune into tonights event, visit cwslancaster.org/stronger-together-virtual-gathering. For more information on the World Refugee Concert and the music of Makeci and NGGBC, click here. Kitchen Kettle Village, 3529 Old Philadelphia Pike, Intercourse, will welcome guests to its Splash into Summer Celebration on Saturday, June 19, to benefit Lancaster nonprofit Music for Everyone. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event will feature live music, grilled foods, yard games and more. Performers include the Music for Everyone Community Chorus, the Chuck Oettel Duo, Kiana Corley, Matt Woodson and Big Boy Brass. Saturday will also mark the grand opening of Happy Camper, the newest shop at Kitchen Kettle Village, and the grand reopening of the shop Village Handmade. For more information, visit kitchenkettle.com. Public concern about COVID-19 has declined sharply in Pennsylvania as the coronavirus pandemic recedes and vaccination rates increase, a new Franklin & Marshall College poll of registered voters finds. Only 7% of respondents named COVID-19 as the most important problem facing Pennsylvania, down from 31% in F&Ms March poll. COVID, for a lot of people, is in the rearview mirror, said Berwood Yost, director of F&Ms Center for Opinion Research, which interviewed 444 registered voters from June 7-13. Its less of a top-of-mind concern. In March and in four other F&M polls since the pandemic began, COVID-19 was the top concern. In June, it ranked fourth, behind government and politicians (30%), unemployment, personal finances and the economy (15%) and taxes (8%). The number of poll participants who said they had been vaccinated against COVID-19 increased sharply from March, when 31% said they had received at least one dose. In the new poll, the figure was 79%. The vaccination rate was higher for the poll participants Democrats (94%) than for independents (84%) and Republicans (61%). (Citing federal data, the state Department of Health reported Wednesday that 61.1% of Pennsylvanias total population had received at least a first dose of vaccine, and the figure was 73.7% for those 18 and older). Of the 89 F&M poll participants who had not yet received the vaccine, more than two-thirds said they probably or definitely would not be getting it. The poll included 205 Democrats, 177 Republicans and 62 independents. Hundreds of under-resourced families in Lancaster County will now have access to free internet through Comcasts Lift Zones program. The program offers free Wi-Fi service with faster speeds to community centers nationwide for use by students and adults. Comcast announced it has equipped Tec Centro, the Lancaster Recreation Commission, two of Boys & Girls Club of Lancasters clubhouses, the YWCA of Lancaster and the Emerald Foundation Community Campus with the service. During the pandemic most programs were shut down, but as we move out of the pandemic, our programming has adopted a strong digital focus because thats how we can be competitive with educational opportunities, both for kids and adults, said Emerald Foundation interim executive director Martha Besecker. Emerald Foundation promotes education, youth development, safety and awareness through STEM-inspired platforms, while promoting a culture of inclusivity and meeting the needs of the underserved. We are trying to educate them to become digital warriors, and the Lift Zone is the gas tank to move us forward with our programming and how we offer it as an outreach to the community, Besecker said. Comcast works with a network of nonprofit partners within their range of operation to provide Wi-Fi connectivity in facilities they have identified to help students get online, participate in distance learning, and do their schoolwork. There are 45 Lift Zones already operational in Comcasts Keystone Region, with others currently under consideration. At Tec Centro, a workforce development center of the Spanish American Civic Association, the plan is to have Lift Zones services available to help students with after-school programs and college preparation studies. This is a great service for students but also adults who have a need to learn new skills, director Marlyn Barbosa said. Besides free internet access, the program also offers access to hundreds of hours of educational and digital skills content to help families and site coordinators navigate online learning. Most locations already have existing distance learning programs so it is just a matter of providing Wi-Fi connectivity to those exiting programs in the spaces theyve made available for students to use. We increase their speed to the internet and Wi-Fi amplifier throughout the building, said Comcast senior public relations manager Josephine Posti. Lift Zones complements Comcasts Internet Essentials program, which focuses on enabling cities, school districts and community-based organizations to connect large numbers of low-income students to the internet at home to support distance learning. Internet Essentials has helped connect more than 10 million low-income people to broadband internet at home since its inception in 2011, including approximately 44,000 people in Lancaster County. ATLANTA (AP) Atlanta police had no justification for pulling two students from their car and hitting them with stun guns while they were stuck in traffic caused by protests over George Floyd's death, a lawsuit filed Thursday says. The federal lawsuit by Taniyah Pilgrim and Messiah Young students at historically Black colleges in Atlanta accuses police of assault and false arrest and says one officer dangerously escalated the confrontation by falsely claiming the pair had a gun. Accountability is what relieves pain and brings peace, and unfortunately there has been no accountability, Mawuli Mel Davis, an attorney for Young, said. The suit names the city, nine officers and Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms as defendants. The mayor's office said it had not been served with the lawsuit and could not comment. Video of the May 2020 confrontation shared widely online shows officers shouting at Pilgrim and Young, firing Tasers at them and dragging them from the car. The pair can be heard screaming and asking what they did wrong. They were heading home on May 30 during a curfew declared hours earlier by Bottoms when an officer instructed Young, 23, to leave the area, according to the suit. Young unaware of the curfew moved forward a few yards to comply with the officer but was again stuck in traffic, the suit says. He had been filming police confronting someone else on the side of the street, and the suit claims the officer retaliated by going after him and Pilgrim, 21. Police swarmed the vehicle, and one officer repeatedly shouted that they had a gun, though he had no reason to believe that, according to the suit. The suit claims another officer responded by pulling out and aiming his gun at Young and dragging him violently out of the vehicle and slamming him to the ground. Young was punched repeatedly and suffered a deep laceration to his arm that required 13 stitches, according to his attorneys. Another officer said concern about a gun led him to hit Pilgrim with a stun gun, according to the suit. There was no gun. There was no weapon," attorney L. Chris Stewart, who represents Pilgrim, said. Yet he screamed multiple times from a distance, Hes got a gun,' which could have gotten these kids killed." Attorneys played video of the encounter at a news conference announcing the suit. Young turned his head away from the screen, and Pilgrim dabbed tears from her eyes. Bottoms and then-Police Chief Erika Shields decided two officers had used excessive force and should be fired immediately, though those decisions were overturned earlier this year. At least two other officers named in the suit are no longer with Atlanta police. Prosecutors have filed criminal charges against six officers in the incident. Young and Pilgrim said they have had trouble moving on with their lives. Everyday, Im reminded of something from that night, Young said. Pilgrim said she experiences anxiety and nightmares. Its like life took a total turn for something that we didnt ask to be involved with, she said. Associated Press writer Kate Brumback contributed to this report. A majority of Pennsylvania registered voters say they support major changes to the states election law, including photo identification and signature validation rules favored by Republicans in the General Assembly, a new Franklin & Marshall College Poll found. The poll also found increased pessimism about the states direction among respondents, including about their own personal finances. That sentiment likely contributed to dipping approval ratings for Gov. Tom Wolf and President Joe Biden: just 39% of respondents rated the governors job performance as excellent or good, and less than half (44%) said the same of Bidens performance. In the wake of the 2020 election, Republican lawmakers in Pennsylvania and across the country began advocating new election rules designed to roll back reforms like no-excuse absentee ballots and generous registration deadlines. That message appears to have sunk in with voters in Pennsylvania. The F&M poll found that 81% of commonwealth voters said they support requiring election officials to match signatures on mail-in ballots to the signatures on file at local election offices. Republicans support restricting voter access at much higher rates than Democrats or independents: almost all Republican respondents (95%) favor adding voter ID requirements, compared to 47% of Democrats and 77% of third-party or independent voters. Fifty-nine percent of Republicans said they support eliminating no-excuse mail-in voting, which was part of a set of voting reforms championed by the GOP-controlled Legislature in 2019. Additionally, 61% of Republicans do not support allowing election officials to begin counting mail ballots prior to Election Day -- a change county election officials have been asking for since the laws passage Stephen Medvic, a Franklin & Marshall College government professor who worked on the poll, said the support for election law changes shows voters are taking cues from their elected leaders. One example, he said, is that 61% of Republican respondents oppose expanding the pre-canvassing window for mail-in ballots (i.e. opening and preparing mail-in ballots for counting ahead of Election Day), a change that wouldnt have been controversial prior to last years election. Just to be efficient, this shouldnt really be that controversial, but it has taken on a partisan edge to it, Medvic said of pre-canvassing. Medvic also said respondents likely have a superficial understanding of these issues, speculating that fewer Democratic respondents would have said they support signature verification efforts if they had been questioned more carefully in a focus group. People havent thought as much about signature matching, it sounds reasonable, Medvic said. But when you get into questions like, How exactly do you match a signature? Is it foolproof? If you start to hear leaders in your party saying signature matching is iffy [to execute], I suspect Democrats would then start to be skeptical. Growing pessimism The poll found that few voters continue to view COVID-19 as a top concern. But it found rising pessimism about Pennsylvanias trajectory among respondents: Just 35% of voters believe the state is headed in the right direction, down from 57% in October 2019, prior to the pandemic. Thirty percent of voters said they are most concerned about government and politicians, followed by 15% of voters who said they are most worried about the economy, including unemployment and personal finances. These concerns about politics could be attributed to ever-increasing partisanship and growing frustration with government generally, Medvic said. Maybe its not the disease thats now threatening us, its our political dysfunction, he added. President Biden continues to have higher approval ratings on his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic than his overall job approval, according to the poll. His approval rating is also about 20 percentage points lower than former President Barack Obamas ratings at the same point in his presidency, though it outpaces former President Donald Trumps rating at the same point. Approval ratings for national officials are becoming less of an indicator of how good of a job a politician is doing, Medvic said. Instead, they now most often show party polarization. Wolf also hit a low approval rating in his second term as governor, following a blow to his record in the May 2021 primary election, where 53% of voters wanted to rein in his emergency powers. Still, this does not reach his lowest approval rating since hes been in office, which was during the nine-month 2015-16 budget impasse that left him with a 31% approval rating at the time. This dip in Wolfs approval rating is not surprising, said Berwood Yost, the director of the Franklin & Marshall College Poll. They used to call it at the presidential level the six year itch, Yost said. After about six years, an executive can expect to have some sagging ratings and some electoral consequences. The F&M poll findings are based on phone or online interviews with 444 registered Pennsylvania voters conducted between June 7 through June 13. The poll surveyed 205 Democrats, 177 Republicans and 62 independents, which is a sample size determined by the total number of voters in the state, with Democrats having more registered voters than Republicans. The poll had a 6.4% sample error. This article appears in the June 18, 2021 issue of Executive Intelligence Review. I. Resistance to a Green Hyperinflation U.S. Western, Farm States Revolt Against 30 x 30International Front Line Against the Green Deal [Print version of this article] June 12One of the strongest international lines of resistance against the deadly Green (New) Deal/Great Reset is from the U.S. Western and farm states. Their lawmakers, other leaders, and citizenry are in motion to stop, in particular, the attempted 30 by 30 plank of the Green agenda, which asserts that by 2030, 30% of U.S. lands and waters should have no human economic activity on themagriculture, minerals, or any such functions, which, the Green dogma asserts, will save the overheating of the planet by reducing emissions of CO 2 . Secondly, the Green ideology declares that reducing mankinds activity makes way for more biodiversity of plants, animals, insects, etc. On June 10, U.N. agencies issued a 28-page report on this titled, Biodiversity and Climate Change. The 30x30 directive was issued by President Joe Biden on January 27, in his Executive Order 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis, at Home and Abroad. Before that, on inauguration day, Biden issued EO 13990, titled, Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis mandating that regulations be developed on how to capture and monetize CO 2 and other emissions. Within weeks, EIR released a 68-page Special Report, The Great Leap Backward: LaRouche Exposes the Green New Deal. In March, The LaRouche Organization released a hard copy, mass circulation version, The Great Leap Backward: LaRouche Crushes the Green New Deal Fraud. Bidens 30x30 action lines up with similar moves in Canada and Mexico, and over 50 other nations, pushed along by the World Economic Forum and the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People (HAC), to achieve what they call a global deal for protecting at least 30 percent of the planet. This 30 percent set-aside concept is a soft sell of the 50x50 fantasy of the likes of E.O. Wilson, the American biologist, who has long campaigned for half the Earth to be kept human-free by 2050, to preserve biodiversity. The area of U.S. land already owned by the Federal government (for all purposes, and in all conditions) is about 28 percent (540 million acres) of the total land area (2.27 billion acres) of the nation. However, only a portion of that Federal landa portion estimated at 10 to 12 percent of all U.S. land area, is what is called protected land, generally defined as wilderness, plus national parks. But how is the full 30 percent of U.S. land area to be set aside to meet the 2030 mandate? Section 216 of EO 14008, which calls for conserving 30 percent of the U.S. land area, i.e. ending any human economic use of it, is worse than vague on specifics. The obvious questions are hotwill the Federal government stop human use (e.g., grazing, mining, transportation) on already Federally owned land? Will the Federal government take over more land, or will it designate greenie groups or local and state governments to acquire land, to then designate this area to remain out of production? Who will be dispossessed? One unilateral move was made in mid-April, by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to expand the land in its Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), which contracts with farmers to take land out of production for a set time period, for an annual fee. Just before Bidens April 22 World Leaders Summit on Climate, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced he will raise the CRP by four million acres. Vilsack told Illinois Public Radio that, The President has committed to a 30x30 effort: 30 percent of our working lands and public lands being dedicated in some form or fashion to conservation [by 2030.] I think that also plays to the strength of CRP. I think itll play a particularly important role in that. View full size Courtesy of Ron Wieczorek People in farm states with a low percentage of their land in Federal control already, are furious that they will be targeted. For example, Iowa has only 0.3% of land under Federal control. Nebraska has 1.1% under Federal control. Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts has been leading the charge against the 30x30 plan, including holding town hall meetings throughout his state. On April 21, he and 14 other governors sent a letter to Biden, charging that, We are not aware of any Constitutional or statutory authority for the President, the U.S. Department of the Interior, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, or any other Federal agency to set aside and permanently conserve 30 percent of all land and water in the Unites States.... Obtaining the 30 percent goal from state or private lands would require your Administration to condemn or otherwise severely limit the current productive uses of such lands, infringing on the private property rights of our citizens and significantly harming our economies. The 14 other states were, beginning with the Farmbelt, Iowa, Oklahoma, Texas, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Idaho, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Utah, Arizona, Tennessee, and Alaska. In the four months since Biden took office, a raft of actions has come out against his green Executive Orders, and specifically the 30x30 mandate. The measures include a multi-state lawsuit in Federal Court, several bills filed in Congressthe main one in both chambers, titled, The 30x30 Termination Act, joint letters against 30x30 by governors, and resolutions passed by dozens of counties in the western states and the Farmbelt. Influential regional media have kept up attention to the fight. For example, the Montana-based Western Ag Reporter ran a series of four articles exposing the 30x30 scheme and Executive Order 14008. In this charged context, the Biden Administrations report released May 6, titled Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful, which was mandated by his Executive Order for publication after 90 days of preparation by relevant government agencies (Interior, Commerce, and Agriculture), was a whimper, not a shout. It was supposed to present more mechanics on which lands and waters would be locked out of human usein which states, by what means, etc. Instead, it stuck to low-key blather about collaborative and inclusive discussion on what lands to reserve from use, and so on. Even so, it rankles. The report announced that the government will start an American Conservation and Stewardship Atlas to track the amount of protected land and water and report to Congress each year. Green Fraud There is no science behind the 30x30 demand, or other green dictates declaring that the Earth is overheating from too much human activity. The dynamics affecting large-scale shifts in the Earths climate are located in the domain of changing solar activity and beyond. This was addressed, for example, by Wyoming rancher Robert M. Harshbarger, who wrote a letter to the editor of the Western Ag Reporter (April 8), headlined, Whats the Rush? He used the example of the record of post-glacial sea level rise, happening long before the industrial revolution and widespread use of fossil fuels, to debunk the claims of the Green New Deal. He asked, Are we really going to eviscerate our current, reliable, energy infrastructure ... to replace it with intermittent, unpredictable, and more expensive green energy, based on the manufactured fear of a world ending in climate catastrophe? That catastrophe has been ongoing for the past 6,000 years. What the proponents of the 30x30 plan are proposing is to destroy production of energy, food, water and other necessities of life for millions of people, by cutting economic activity in the name of saving the planet. This point is addressedat least implicitly, in many of the objections to 30x30. Otherwise, the most widespread accusation, is that Executive Order (EO) 14008 is Federal overreach and a land grab. Its a threat to personal and property rights. Legal, Legislative Counterpunch On March 8, a lawsuit was filed against Bidens EO 13990, in Federal Court by 12 state attorneys-general, led by Missouri AG Eric Schmitt. The suit charges that Biden does not have the authority to put social costs of greenhouse gases into Federal regulations, and the potential impact of all this will be to harm the economy and the population. Schmitt said on March 8, From higher energy bills to lost jobs, this massive expansion of Federal regulatory power has the potential to impact nearly every household in this statethats why today Im leading a coalition of states to put a stop to this executive order and protect Missouri families. The other 11 states are: Arkansas, Arizona, Indiana, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Utah. Through the spring, local town hall meetings in these and other states saw large crowds gather to get briefed on how to oppose the green orders. A featured speaker has been Margaret Byfield, whose Texas-based organization, American Stewards of Liberty, posts draft texts for resolutions and statements of opposition against the 30x30 land grab. As of early June, nearly 50 counties in 11 statesfrom Montana to Texashave passed resolutions against 30x30, with still more pending a vote. In May, bills titled the 30x30 Termination Act were filed in both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. The House bill was filed May 7 by Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) and Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA,) with 20 more co-sponsors. Her press release at the time of filing, gave statements of support from eight of these sponsors, plus many other elected officials, including Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts and Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy; and nine county commissioners from Idaho to New Mexico. In addition, 31 business and political organizations, and six individuals endorsed the initiative to stop the 30x30 plan, ranging from the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association to the Industrial Minerals Association-North America. The Senate version of the bill was introduced May 18 by Roger Marshall, MD (R-KS) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND). The House and Senate bills followed a March 16 letter from Republican members of the House and Senate Western Caucus, demanding answers of President Biden, on what the 30x30 mandate concretely involved. The mandate showed a lack of information and ambiguous goals, amounting to a dangerous thoughtlessness, the letter said. The Caucus leaders, respectively, are Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT). Their letter is signed by 50 House and 12 Senate lawmakers. Tim Rush and Mark Bender contributed to this article. marciabaker@larouchepub.com This transcript appears in the June 18, 2021 issue of Executive Intelligence Review. Why Trump FailedAnd Why Many Trump Supporters Fail to See Why [Print version of this transcript] June 12The March 17, 2017 issue of EIR published the transcript of a presentation called Why the British Hate Trump, a presentation by this author. The article reviewed the primary issues proposed by Donald Trump during his campaign which won over the American electorate, including many working class and minority Democrats. Many of these issues reflected ideas which Lyndon LaRouche had initiated and promoted during his fifty years of political organizing in the United States and around the world. Unlike Trump, LaRouche had also identified the core enemy of those ideas as the still-functioning British Empire and the Empires influence in both U.S. political parties, in the U.S. intelligence community, in the military-industrial complex, and on Wall Streetwhich had long since abandoned the American System of Physical Economy in favor of the British System of free trade, neo-liberalism, Malthusian ideology, and the geopolitical division of the world into warring blocs. LaRouche Proposes, Trump ... A review of a few issues which LaRouche promoted, and which Trump threatened to implement, will make this clear: View full size Ronald Reagan Library Russia. Trump emphasized, over and over throughout his campaign, that Getting along with Russia is a good thing, not a bad thing. LaRouche had carried out a back-channel contact with the Soviet Union on behalf of President Ronald Reagan in 1982-83, promoting LaRouches idea of U.S.-USSR cooperation on the development of space-based anti-ICBM defense systems, an idea that Reagan adopted under the name, Strategic Defense Initiative, intending, in his words, to make nuclear weapons obsolete. This was a policy which would end the British Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD) madness, which kept the world permanently divided between opposing blocs and in a perpetual state of nuclear war preparation, while also allowing the British (and their dumb giant American assets) to wage colonial wars, with less concern that it could escalate into a nuclear war. When the Soviets rejected Reagans offer in 1983, LaRouche told them that their economy and their system of government would collapse within five years. It took six. When that collapse came, LaRouche established working relations with the scientific and political institutions in Russia, and later, following the 2008 financial breakdown of the trans-Atlantic financial system, called for Russia, China, India and the U.S. to cooperate (with others) in a New Bretton Woods agreement, to put the post-2008 western financial system through bankruptcy reorganization. When Trump arrived, and threatened to build friendly relations with Russia, the British were so panicked that they deployed their leading intelligence operatives, including GCHQ chief Robert Hannigan and MI6 assets Christopher Steele and Richard Dearlove, to create and foster the Russiagate hoax and other coup attempts against Trump in the U.S. View full size President Trump (@POTUS) on Twitter China. Although Trump campaigned with a promise to resolve the huge U.S. trade deficit with China, he never blamed that deficit on China, but rather on the speculators on Wall Street and in the financial system generally, who sabotaged the industrial and scientific sectors of the U.S. economy in favor of maximizing short-term profit, outsourcing, globalization, and chasing cheap labor in China (and elsewhere) rather than protecting the U.S. economy and the American workforce. As late as May 2019, Trump told a rally: I blame us, I dont blame them. I dont blame President Xi. I blame all of our presidents, and not just President Obama. You go back a long way. You look at President Clinton, Busheverybody. They allowed this to happen. LaRouche had introduced the term globalony into American politics, as merely a shorthand expression for imperialism. He denounced deregulation of the American System policies that had directed credit into the real economy and the general welfare. Soon after taking office, in April 2017, Trump invited President Xi Jinping to Mar-a-Lago, followed by his own highly successful visit to Beijing in November 2017, after which he repeatedly referred to China as a great nation and Xi as a great leader. He was, in fact, well on the way to resolving the trade deficit through large-scale trade agreements, although he never endorsed LaRouches proposal for the U.S. to join with China in the Belt and Road Initiative. Here too, it was LaRouche and his wife Helga who had introduced the idea of the New Silk Road to China following the collapse of the Soviet Union, and published a 370-page Special Report, The New Silk Road Becomes the World Land-Bridge, in 2014 as a contribution to Xi Jinpings adoption of the concept in 2013 with his Belt and Road Initiative. Trump never accepted LaRouches proposal to join the Belt and Road Initiative, but nonetheless, it was only after the disastrous impact of the COVID-19 pandemic that Trump allowed himself to be convinced by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that he needed to attack China, blaming it for the pandemicone of the worst mistakes of his presidency. American System. Trump made occasional references to the American System of Alexander Hamilton, as opposed to the free market system of the British. That British system is driven only by the profit margins of individual banks and businesses rather than the profit of the nation as a whole. LaRouche had much earlier taken the lead in promoting the restoration of the Hamiltonian system, writing extensively in EIR, and presenting numerous half-hour national broadcasts during his several presidential campaigns, educating the American public on the American System, and the economic disaster which would follow an acceptance of the British system taking over our economic policy, as it has, especially following the take-down of Franklin Roosevelts Glass-Steagall laws in the 1990s. View full size USAF/Lorie Jewell Colonial wars. Under Bush and Obama, the U.S. proved itself to be what the British refer to in their expression, British brains with American Brawn, allowing the U.S. military to fight illegal, genocidal warsessentially colonial warson behalf of the Empire, the British-American military-industrial complex, and their Wall Street-City of London financiers. These massive crimes against humanity were a major reason that LaRouche demanded the impeachment of George W. Bush (although he added, Impeach Cheney first) and, later, Barack Obama. Again, Trump terrified the British with the echo of Lyndon LaRouche when he kept insisting on an immediate end to the endless wars. But when the Commander-in-Chief, President Trump, ordered the Pentagon to get out of Afghanistan and Syria, they refused. Treason? Indeed. View full size NASA Space exploration. One of Trumps greatest accomplishments was the restoration of the space program, dramatically dismantled under the Bush and Obama administrations. The launching of Artemiswith NASA and private sector companies collaborating to return human beings to the Moon, establish permanent settlements there, and to use those settlements to proceed on to Marsprovided a major spark of optimism to American citizens, and citizens around the world, that mankind is not Earth-bound, but has an entire universe to explore. Such optimism frightens the British Empire, as a scientifically optimistic population will not succumb to the limits to growth fraud or the Green New Deal Malthusianism. LaRouche had fought for a renewed and expanded space program throughout his life. During his 1988 presidential campaign, he produced a half-hour national TV broadcast called The Woman on Mars, in which he described a 40-year program to colonize Mars (that would have been accomplished by 2028!). For years the media slanders of LaRouche would include the accusation that he must be crazy, since he wants mankind to go to Mars! And yet, neither Russia nor China are to be part of Artemis as currently structured. Perhaps the greatest example of international cooperation between powerful nations to achieve the common aims of mankind was the Apollo-Soyuz program, with the Cold War opponents, the U.S. and the Soviet Union, working hand-in-hand to build an International Space Station (ISS). When the U.S. foolishly gave up its capacity to lift astronauts into space, the Soviet (and later, Russian) Soyuz rockets graciously carried their American (and others) friends to the ISS. Why did President Trump, who understood that it is a good thing, not a bad thing, to be friends with Russia, allow Artemis to exclude them? Again, the military-industrial complex won the day. Climate hoax. Trump never directly exposed the scientific fraud which asserts that carbon is the cause of an impending climate disaster, as LaRouche did, in collaboration with real scientists and scientific organizations internationally, as opposed to the computer programmers who are passed off as scientists by the climate hoaxters. But Trump nevertheless threw a massive scare into the Royal Family and the Bank of England by pulling out of the Paris Climate Accord (although he described it only as unfair rather than as an anti-scientific and genocidal fraud). View full size Schiller Institute The recently published pamphlet by The LaRouche Organization, Great Leap BackwardLaRouche Crushes the Green New Deal Fraud, details the role of Prince Charles and former Bank of England Governor Mark Carney in running the climate hoax, to the purpose of justifying their Malthusian hatred of humanity and their frantic effort to divert credit away from scientific and industrial progress in order to bail out the bankrupt western financial system. But Trump essentially agreed with the premise of LaRouches 1983 book, There Are No Limits to Growth, and fought against the shutting down of fossil fuels. Trump created an even greater panic when he brought Professor Emeritus Will Happera highly respected physicist who had been chairman of Princetons University Research Boardonto the National Security Council with the explicit intention to hold a public debate on the science behind climate change. Dr. Happer, who co-founded an organization called the CO 2 Coalition, has scientifically exposed the lie that carbon dioxide causes climate change, including in his presentation to a Schiller Institute conference on March 20, 2021. The British React The British imperial interests were openly terrified that Trump would implement these and other policies which they had believed were adequately contained by the demonization of LaRouche in the media and the Congress, and by the illegal criminal prosecution of LaRouche and several of his associates by a Department of Justice which had abandoned the Constitution, functioning as a Star Chamber to prosecute political enemies of the City of London and Wall Street. Not coincidentally, the FBI operative who was chosen to run the Get LaRouche Task Force in the late 1980s, Robert Mueller, was subsequently chosen to run the Get Trump operationthe Special Counsel Investigation of Trumps supposed ties to Russia. Although the Mueller investigation of Russiagate failed to find any evidence of Russian collusion, it played a significant role, together with the media (both left and right mainstream press and networks) and the massive corruption of the Congress (both parties), in sabotaging each and every significant policy which Trump had originally supported. Trumps Anti-American Cabinet While it is popular among Trump supporters to blame the amorphous Deep State for undermining Trumps efforts, the culprits were in fact within his own Cabinet, and whose allegiance was to British intelligence. That Cabinet was made up of representatives of precisely those institutions denounced by President Trump. His defense officials were all from the military-industrial complex which Trump correctly identified as hating him, saying on September 7, 2020, that they want to do nothing but fight wars so that all of those wonderful companies that make the bombs and make the planes and make everything else stay happy. They were also the same people who gave us the regime change wars starting with Iraq, which Trump had correctly described as the worst single mistake made in the history of our country. And yet his Defense Secretaries were Gen. Jim Mattis, who led forces in Afghanistan and Iraq; Patrick Shanahan, who oversaw military helicopter and missile defense programs during his 20 years at Boeing; and Mark Esper, who came to the position from his role as a lobbyist for Raytheon. It was Mattis who refused the order from his Commander-in-Chief to pull U.S. troops out of Afghanistan and Syria. View full size White House/Ricky Harris Similarly, Trumps Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin was not only a leading hedge fund operator on Wall Street, but was infamous by the fortunes that his OneWest Bank made by pumping up the housing market, then foreclosing on homeowners, often outside of existing laws, following the 2008 mortgage bubble collapse. He exemplifies those who ran the transformation of the U.S. economy from a scientific and industrial power into a Casino Mondial of wild speculation and massive financial bailouts of the speculators. Although Trump had campaigned on a promise to rebuild the U.S. manufacturing base, and small gains were made during his administration, he refused to acknowledge that the massive money printing by the Federal Reserve, known as Quantitative Easing, was the source of the speculative bubble on Wall Streetin fact, he over and over again pointed to the stock market as proof of a booming economy, rather than as a speculative bubble ready to burst. Regarding China, despite his praise for China and for President XI, Trump appointed Peter Navarro as his trade representative. Navarro is notorious for his anti-China rantings, having authored a book in 2011, Death by ChinaConfronting the Dragon, A Global Call to Action. Although Trump regularly denounced the intentional lies of the Bush and Obama intelligence communities (as in the G.W. Bush Administrations claim that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, and the Obama Administrations claimsbased on British intelligence fabricationsof Russian collusion with Trump and interference in the 2016 election), he nonetheless appointed more of the same to run his intelligence agencies. View full size Left to right: Gage Skidmore; U.S. Coast Guard Academy; DoS/Ronny Przysucha Perhaps the most extreme case of subversion from within was Trumps choice of Mike Pompeo to head the CIA, and later to serve as Secretary of State. At CIA, Pompeo refused to refute the fanciful January 2017 report by the Obama intelligence team of CIA chief John Brennan and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, which claimed without evidence that Russia interfered in the 2016 election in support of Trump, based on the totally discredited report provided by MI6 operative Christopher Steele. Trump later instructed Pompeo to get briefed by Bill Binney, the former head of the technical division at the NSA and a collaborator with the LaRouche movement, on Binneys proof that the Obama Administration claim, adopted by candidate Hillary Clinton, that Russia had hacked the Democratic National Committee emails and forwarded them to Julian Assange at Wikipedia, was a total fabrication. Pompeo took the briefing, but proceeded to cover it up. Had it been properly promoted, the entire Russiagate operation would have been exposed as a fraud and a coup attempt by British and U.S. intelligence networks. As Secretary of State, Pompeo (and his cohort from West Point, Defense Secretary Mark Esper) worked hand-in-hand with British intelligence to feed Trump the lie that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had used chemical weapons on his own people, leading Trump to agree to U.S. bombing raids on Syria twice (although Trump limited the raids to small, pinpoint attacks with few casualties). When Pompeo and Esper called for a bombing raid on Iran after Iranian military forces shot down a U.S. drone in June 2019, Trump refused, openly saying that the projected death of 150 Iranians was not proportionate. But when they later presented the President with a plan for the assassination of Irans military leader Qasem Soleimani in January 2020, Trump agreed, allowing the killing of Soleimani, along with four other Iranians and five Iraqis, on Iraqi soilan act of criminal barbarism. Russia and China: From Friends to Enemies The National Defense Strategy (NDS) prepared under Secretary of Defense Mattis, and released in January 2018, turned Trumps policy of building friendly relations with Russia and China totally on its head. Before that time, terrorism was defined as the primary military threat to the U.S. and the world, and Trump was essentially cooperating with Russia in defeating the terrorists in Syria through a deconfliction agreement for U.S. and Russian forces in Syria. But the NDS dropped terrorism in favor of defining a supposed threat from Russia and China as the primary danger to the U.S. This was the beginning of the endless drone of accusations of malign activity and acts of aggression by Russia and China, the unleashing of the McCarthyite witch-hunt against students, professors and scientists of Chinese nationality, or even of Chinese ancestry, by the FBI under Christopher Wray. Trump, for all of 2018 and 2019, and well into 2020, only criticized China in regard to trade issues, not indulging in the hysteria about the Hong Kong anarchists and terrorists being freedom fighters; nor about Xinjiang genocide; nor accusing China of trying to take over the world with the Belt and Road or with debt traps. EIR published a 23-page report in 2019, End the McCarthyite Witch Hunt against China & President Trump, which showed that in fact the anti-China hysteria was aimed at Trump, to destroy his friendly ties with Xi Jinping, just as the Russiagate operation was aimed at breaking his friendship with Vladimir Putin. View full size U.S. Navy/Jess Lewis After his 2016 election, Trump appointed as his National Security Adviser Gen. Michael Flynn, who had exposed the Obama Administration as arming terrorists in order to overthrow the sovereign governments of Libya and Syria. The Get Trump team at the Justice Department went into full gear to (illegally) maneuver Flynn out, to be replaced by Gen. H.R. McMaster, who then produced the disastrous National Security Strategy which, along with the National Defense Strategy, destroyed Trumps efforts to build friendly relations with Russia and China, naming them instead as Americas primary adversaries. Indeed, Trumps Cabinet, his intelligence community and the Pentagon were preparing for war with Russia, moving NATO troops closer and closer to Russias borders, accusing Russia of aggression in Ukraine for supporting Ukrainians who opposed the neo-Nazi coup in 2014 (which had been run, openly, by the Obama administration). They were also preparing for war with China through the vile demonization of China and all things Chinese at home, while deploying massive nuclear armed forces in a hostile embrace of Chinas Pacific coast. They threatened all other nations not to do business with Chinese companies like Huawei, nor to join the Belt and Road. Refusing to follow such orders meant facing sanctions and a cut-off of aid from the U.S. In rejecting the anthropogenic climate change hoax behind the Green New Deal, Trump moved to counter the pseudo-science behind this fraud when he brought Prof. Will Happer, the retired Princeton University physicist, onto the National Security Council, with the intention of holding a public scientific debate over the real causes of climate change. Dr. Happer, among others, has proven definitively that carbon dioxide, the food for plant life, has a miniscule impact on the climate, if any. That debate never happened. Sources told EIR that it was the same military-industrial figures who rejected Trumps demands to end the endless wars who also refused to allow Happer to present his scientific evidence in a White House sponsored public debate. After a year at the National Security Council, Dr. Happer gave up and returned to Princeton. Now, the Green New Deal is being imposed globally, threatening the collapse of the industrialized nations and a holocaust in the poor nations of Africa and South America. Whither Trump? We often hear it said that Trumps Cabinet can not be blamed, since Trump chose them. True enough, Trump chose them, but the only serious question is, who could he have chosen to make a difference? He campaigned against both political partiesagainst the Bush-league faction of neocon warhawks and Wall Street hustlers in the Republican Party during the primaries, then against the Obama-Clinton neoliberal warhawks and Wall Street hustlers in the Democratic Party during the presidential election. Who was left? Who existed outside of the establishment and the military-industrial complex who could provide support and advice on those policies he originally espoused? There is an answer, but Trump never acted on it: Lyndon LaRouche and his associates. With the exception of Roger Stone (the person most responsible for convincing Trump to run for president), who has since 1980 considered Lyndon LaRouche one of the great geniuses of the 20th Century, Trump was surrounded by establishment figures who concurred with the Anglo-American fear of LaRouches policies even more than they feared what Trump was intending to do. Had Trump exonerated LaRouche of the false charges brought against him, by the same corrupt Department of Justice which was out to destroy Trumps presidency, and had he openly collaborated with the LaRouche organization in the global effort to end the British Imperial regime change war policy and its Green New Deal destruction of industrial progress globally, and called for a New Bretton Woods conference with Russia, China and others to put the bankrupt western financial system through bankruptcy reorganization, with Hamiltonian credit policies available in all nationshad he had the courage to do that, he would still be President, and the world would likely be on a road to recovery and perhaps a new Renaissance. Whatever happens to the former President, the only path to global survival is through the LaRouche policies, which can only be implemented through the global cooperation of all nations of good will. The LaRouche Organization and the Schiller Institute are dedicated to that result, exemplified in a series of forums bringing international leaders together to deliberate on the means to achieve a world based on the common aims of mankind. Press Gives Biden the Trump Treatment for Initiating Strategic Stability Talks with Putin June 16, 2021 (EIRNS)President Joe Biden opened his press conference with the White House press corps with him in Geneva after his summit with Putin, by stating that this meeting proves that there is no substitute ... for a face-to-face dialogue between leaders. None. And President Putin and I share a unique responsibility to manage the relationship between two powerful and proud countriesa relationship that has to be stable and predictable. And we should be able to cooperate where its in our mutual interests. Biden made clear that he views the strategic stability agreement as key, and is pleased that they had agreed to launch a bilateral strategic stability dialogue: We discussed in detail the next steps our countries need to take on arms control measuresthe steps we need to take to reduce the risk of unintended conflict, he reported. And Im pleased that he [Putin] agreed today to launch a bilateral strategic stability dialoguediplomatic-speak for saying, get our military experts and our diplomats together to work on a mechanism that can lead to control of new and dangerous and sophisticated weapons that are coming on the scene now, that reduce the times of response, that raise the prospects of accidental war. And we went into some detail of what those weapons systems were. Biden cited once again the U.S. list of issues and differences (human rights, democracy, values, Aleksey Navalny, prisoners, cybersecurity, Ukraine, Syria, Iran, etc.), but he called the tone of the talks good, positive, without any strident action taken.... Where I disagreed, I stated where it was. Where he disagreed, he stated. But it was not done in a hyperbolic atmosphere. That is too much of whats been going on, he said. Biden reported he had listened to a significant portion of Putins press conference, and agreed with him that this is about practical, straightforward, no-nonsense decisions that we have to make or not make. Well find out within the next six months to a year whether or not we actually have a strategic dialogue that matters, and likewise with the release of two Americans in Russian prisons, and whether we have a cybersecurity arrangement or not, Biden said. But as he told Putin, its clearly not in anybodys interestyour countrys or minefor us to be in a situation where were in a new Cold War.... I think theres a genuine prospect to significantly improve relations between our two countries without giving up a single, solitary thing based on principle and/or values. The press corps went wild, pounding Biden for attempting to leash the dogs of war for whom they scribble. Tell us what concretely did you achieve to keep Putin from repeating his crimes? Did you discuss any military response if another cybersecurity breach occurs? What penalty, what ultimatum, what threats did you deliver? By the time he was asked, Why are you so confident hell change his behavior, Mr. President? as he was walking away from the podium, Biden had had enough. Where the hellwhat do you do all the time? When did I say I was confident? he shot back. CNN came back at him: But given his past behavior has not changed and, in that press conference, after sitting down with you for several hours, he denied any involvement in cyberattacks; he downplayed human rights abuses; he even refused to say Aleksey Navalnys name. So how does that account to a constructive meeting, as President Putin framed it? To which President Biden responded: If you dont understand that, youre in the wrong business, a remark he apologized for an hour later when meeting the press before boarding Air Force One to return homebut not really. You reporters are always negative, he complained. You said NATO, the G7, everyone would be very unhappy that I was meeting with President Putin, but Putin Refers to Talks with Biden as Constructive; Lets Get Down to Work June 16, 2021 (EIRNS)In his post-summit press conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin reported that the two Presidents had agreed that diplomatic channels between the two countries should again function: the two Ambassadors will return to their posts within a day or two, and the Russian Foreign Ministry and the U.S. State Department will begin consultations on the entire range of cooperation on the diplomatic track. Putin, like Biden, emphasized the importance of strategic stability talks: The United States and the Russian Federation bear special responsibility for global strategic stability, at least because we are the two biggest nuclear powersin terms of the amount of ammunition and warheads, the number of delivery vehicles, the level of sophistication and quality of nuclear arms. We are aware of this responsibility. I think it is obvious to everyone that President Biden made a responsible and, we believe, timely decision to extend New START for five years, that is, until 2024. What comes next on this front? We agreed to start interdepartmental consultations under the aegis of the U.S. Department of State and the Foreign Ministry of Russia. Colleagues will determine at the working level the line-up of these delegations, the venues and frequency of meetings. Similar consultations between the Foreign Ministry and State Department were agreed on two other major issues on the table: cybersecurity and an exchange of prisoners held by both countries. The two Presidents also discussed cooperation in the Arctic in some detail, he reported. Asked for a general assessment of the talks, Putin replied: There was no hostility at all. Quite the contrary. Our meeting was, of course, a principled one, and our positions diverge on many issues, but I still think that both of us showed a willingness to understand each other and look for ways of bringing our positions closer together. The conversation was quite constructive. He described Biden variously as level-headed, experienced, seasoned, saying we generally spoke the same language, each defending our national interests, but looking for pragmatic relations. We discussed red lines, but did not discuss them with specificswe understand them, and they understand us. He called the talks frank and candid, but in his view, productive, fruitful, held in an enabling atmosphere. Asked if there is confidence between their nations now, Putin answered: We had glimpses of confidence, at least. Asked if he has illusions about Russian relations with the United States after the summit, he explained: I did not have any illusions to begin with. They do not and cannot exist now. We do not know what is brewing inside the American political opposition. There are proponents in favor of improving relations inside the U.S., and proponents against. Who will prevail? We do not know, he said. A Jacksons Accidental Drowning Becomes a Homicide Even though Donald J. Bohana has served more than 20 years of a 15-years-to-life sentence for the murder of Delores Dee Dee Jackson, ex-wife of Tito Jackson, the case against him is tainted by political pressure and rife with irregularities and reasonable doubt. The Accident It was very, very hot, unusually hot in L.A. at the time, Bohana later told ABC Newss 20/20 about the night of August 26, 1994, which he spent with Dee Dee, whom he had been dating for eight weeks. Wed go out, sit by the pool, have a couple of drinks its very romantic. ADVERTISEMENT After they spent time in the hot tub, Bohana said Dee Dee swam back and forth in the pool. Then he noticed that she appeared to be in trouble in the 15-foot deep end of the pool. I jumped in, put my arms around her and then flipped her out of the pool, Bohana said. At about 3:30 a.m. Bohana called 911. Paramedics arrived and found Dee Dee Jackson dead. A November 7, 1994 autopsy found that Dee Dees blood alcohol level (.23) was three times the legal limit for driving. Bohana was also drunk that night. After investigating the incident, the police and district attorney concluded it was an accidental drowning. At the time of Dee Dees death, Don Bohana was a 59-year-old divorcee. He had no criminal record. He was honorably discharged from the Army and had been a teacher and then administrator of hospitals, life insurance companies, and banks. He was friends with politicians and celebrities, including Edmund Gerald Pat Brown, Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, Kenneth and Janice Hahn, and Johnnie Cochran. Bohana and his daughter, Donna opened the first sit-down restaurant in Watts since the 1965 riots; a Dennys. Jacksons Want a Murder Charge ADVERTISEMENT The Jackson family did not believe Dee Dee drowned by accident and pressured the DA to charge Bohana with murder. Tito Jackson said, Drown? What was she doing in the water? You know, cause Dee Dee and I, neither of us swam. Bohana said he had been teaching Dee Dee to swim and she kept several swimsuits at his house. He said, Ill go to my grave saying that she could swim because Delores could swim. Dee Dees son, Taj, told police that his mother told him she was trying to learn to swim and Mr. Bohana was teaching her. Even so, the Jackson family hired attorney Brian Oxman, who was later disbarred for lying, dishonesty and fraud. He filed a civil wrongful death suit against Bohana and pressured the DA to charge Bohana with murder. Oxman claimed Bohana had a history of domestic violence, was in financial trouble and, when Dee Dee refused to help him financially, became enraged and murdered her. The police found no evidence Bohana had any history of domestic violence, any financial difficulties or had ever asked Dee Dee for money. The lack of evidence did not deter the Jacksons or Oxman. They continued to pressure the DAs office to change the finding in the case. After several other prosecutors passed on the case, in 1996, Lori-Ann Jones, a new prosecutor in the LA District Attorneys office, sent experts to re-investigate the 1994 accidental drowning of Dee Dee Jackson. The experts doubted Bohanas account. Jones said, When we got all of those additional reports, we took it back to the L.A. county coroner, and he changed his opinion. In September 1996, two years after Dee Dees death, Dr. David Posey changed his opinion about how she died from undetermined to homicide-assisted drowning. In March 1997, the DA charged Bohana with second-degree murder. Bohana hired high-profile attorney Harland Braun and renowned pathologist Dr. Michael Baden as a forensic expert. It was clear to me that this was a typical, innocent, accidental drowning in which two people were drinking a lot and one of them drowned, Baden later told 20/20. Theres no evidence of homicide. In October 1997, during a polygraph test, Bohana said Dee Dee drowned by accident and scored a 99.99 NDI (no deception indicated) score. The Trial In June 1998, Bohanas three-week trial began. Braun did not call a single expert witness. Braun later told 20/20 that Dr. Baden would have been a weak witness, which seems incredible, given Dr. Badens decades of experience as a New York medical examiner. Dr. Baden was also the chief forensic pathologist chosen by Congress to investigate the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King and the death of Medgar Evers. The jury convicted Bohana of second-degree murder and sentenced him to 15 years-to-life. More than 20 years later, Bohana is still furious at Braun and said, He just screwed me all the way. In a move that raised serious questions about Brauns defense, after the Bohana trial, the Jackson family retained Braun as an attorney. The state bar is now investigating Brauns conduct during the trial and his later retention by the Jackson family. A Daughters Crusade After the verdict, Donna Bohana discovered that even as prosecutors were relying on Dr. Posey to help convict her father, another L.A. prosecutor called him a fraud. A widely respected veteran prosecutor, Stephen Kay investigated Poseys background before testifying as a private consultant in another murder trial. Posey was a hospital pathologist with limited experience in criminal cases, who had worked part-time for the LA County Coroners office for just 29 days. Kay said, He just dabbled in autopsies. Donna discovered that when Posey filed for bankruptcy, he committed perjury by filing false schedules. The day before Posey testified in the Bohana case, Poseys bankruptcy discharge was filed. His home mysteriously had been saved. Further raising doubts about his objectivity, after the criminal trial, the Jackson family hired Posey as a paid expert in their civil wrongful death suit against Bohana. The DAs office also paid Posey for his testimony in the Bohana case, which demonstrated that he was not on the coroners office staff. Since 2007, Bohana has been denied parole four times, because he maintains his innocence and will not to admit to doing a crime. The Jackie Lacey-led DA offices Conviction Review Unit, headed by Robert Grace, first said the DA would not oppose Bohanas release and then did so at Bohanas most recent March 28, 2019 hearing. Until his murder conviction, Bohana had no criminal record. His past only included honorable service in the Army and success in all aspects of his life both professional and personal. He was an educator and successful businessman, holding key positions at local hospitals and appointments to various city boards and commissions. Harland Braun is now under investigation by the California State Bar, 20/20 profiled Bohana on September 17, 2017, casting substantial doubt on his conviction, and a website, donaldjbohana.com, is dedicated to his release. Even so, the newest District Attorney, George Gascon, appears to still support such a questionable case and refuses to even review the case through his Conviction Integrity Unit. Don Bohana is still languishing in prison at the Mens Colony West facility in San Luis Obispo. At 82 and having suffered a recent stroke and battle against COVID-19, Donna Bohana may not have much time left to secure her fathers release. Ask Dr. Jeanette Success On The Way Making The Difficult Decision The Coming Revival Traveling this lifes road, there are many difficult decisions to make and to be made. Every decision is important. We would like it to be that every decision we make is the right decision and the one to turn our life completely around for the better and the best. Its not likely that every decision we make will be the right and perfect one. Sometimes we dont know if the decision will be the best decision. But, we need to consult with God and trust God Almighty for guidance. Nicodemus paid a secret visit to Jesus Christ and asked, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter again the second time into his mothers womb, and be born? Such was the dilemma of Nicodemus, a Pharisee, (they held to special practices), ruler of the Jewish people, member of the Sanhedrin or National Council and according to Rabbinical tradition makes him one of the three richest men in Jerusalem. He had been listening to the Messiahs sermons and witnessing miracles. He wanted more information and was looking for answers. We know Jesus purpose is to seek and to save that which is lost. Nicodemus made the pivotal decision to believe and accept Jesus. He defended Jesus when Jesus was in trouble with the religious leaders. He, along with Joseph of Arimathea worked together to get take over Jesus body to get him down from the cross and to his tomb for burial. Yes. There are innumerable Christians who are like the virgins who went to sleep while waiting for the coming of the bridegroom. They missed His coming when they had to go to the marketplace for oil. While they were gone, they missed their opportunity to meet the bridegroom and the door was shut on them. Some other Christians are like the servants (workers, employees) who were left to take care of the masters goods. Some of them produced much fruit, doubled their investment of the pounds or talents, while one or the other hid the money in the ground or wrapped it in a napkin that which had been entrusted to him and decided to blame the master for his personal failure of not being more productive and not investing the money wherein he was entrusted. The master said in essence, you have no excuse, because you could have earned something by just taking my money to the moneychangers to earn interest. But, the servant did not even do the very least which would have made him look better in the eye of the high born master. One of the lazy servants was called, the unprofitable servant! Such is the plight of many Christians and non Christians. So, we ask, what is the Lord looking for from us. Nicodemus was curious especially about rebirth and baptism, the Spirit and eternal life. Jesus gave an answer that he needed to be born of water and the spirit. Nicodemus understood to some extent. And even today, some have a question about the question. Jesus explained that the spirit is like the wind. It travels wherever it pleases and lands on whomever it wants to. Jesus encourages baptism by immersion. He encourages baptism with water. (Matthew 3:15 explains baptism to mean, lay all claim of righteous duty. Jesus He did baptize and His disciples also baptized. Scriptures say, He will baptize with the Holy Spirit. I recommend that if you have a place to go and find a place to go and be immersed in water baptism and come up calling on the name of the Lord and speaking in tongues, do it! If you cant get to the Jordan, get sprinkled with Holy Water. Get prayed over. But, most importantly, (Romans 10:8-10) confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus believe in your heart and confess with your mouth the word of faith that God has raised Jesus Christ from the dead, you will be saved. This is magnificent! Nothing to be compared to this great promise of eternal life in heaven with God Almighty and our Lord and Savior. Consider the simplicity of this eternal life change. Just think about it, you will be saved! And not only that, but you will live here on earth protected and covered in the precious blood of Jesus. He wont fail you, nor leave you, nor forsake you. Some might ask (many do ask) saved from what? You will be saved from having to live eternity separated from our Creatorliving in darkness weeping and grinding your teeth! Scary isnt it? I hope so. It is to me. You will be saved from living a daily life of fear while you are here on earth. Lets do everything we can to live impressive lives of witnessing so that the Lord will not be ashamed of us and tell us and tell us to stand on His left side. No, we want Him to say, stand on my right side. And, also, there are many signs of the return of Jesus Christ. Just watch the strange happenings of this time. The things which are going on are only the beginning of what is to come. Im ringing in the New Yearthe Year of Revival! Thanks for reading! Jeanette Grattan Parker, Founder-Superintendent Todays Fresh Start Charter School 323-293-9826 www.todaysfreshstart.org; [Ask Dr. Jeanette & Ask Dr. Jeanette Parker (registered trademarks) www.askdrjeanetteparker.com [email protected] Inquiring Minds Want to Know. All rights reserved:references:The Holy Bible John 3:1-21 ADVERTISEMENT Asm. Akilah Webers First Bill Pushes California to Be Prepared for Next Pandemic As more Californians get vaccinated and new COVID-19 cases are on the decline, theres an argument to be made that the state has rounded the corner from the worst stages of the global crisis. As of June 6, 53.1% of Californians had been vaccinated and there were 757 new COVID-19 cases, down from the 40,423 new cases on Jan. 7. However, the worst numbers remain stark. Some 63,544 Californians have died of the disease since the beginning of the pandemic. ADVERTISEMENT Assemblymember Akilah Weber (D-San Diego), who was sworn in to represent the 79thDistrict in April, has co-authored her first bill in the lower house of the state Legislature. It aims to ensure that California is more pandemic-ready than it was when the COVID-19 crisis began in 2020. Weber won a special election earlier this year to replace her mom and former Black Caucus chair, Dr. Shirley Weber, in the Assembly after Gov. Newsom appointed the elder Weber late last year as Californias 33rd Secretary of State. Assembly Bill (AB) 1207 would establish the Pathways Through Pandemics Task Force in the California Health and Human Services Agency as a vehicle to prepare the state for the eventuality of a pandemic. The bill would require the task force to convene various entities to engage in discussions on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, develop and recommend best practices for an equitable response to future pandemics, and determine the impact of state laws on coordinating the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as specified, the bill reads. Weber, who is a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist, stressed the importance of this bill for Californias future. We must learn from the mistakes of our past in order to improve the possibilities for our future, Weber stated. This is what establishing a Pandemic Taskforce through the passage of AB 1207 will do. The COVID-19 pandemic touched the lives of every Californian and impacted every business within our great State. Weber went on to discuss the way the pandemic has pulled the curtain back on some of the vital systems on which all Californians rely. ADVERTISEMENT [COVID-19] changed the way we learn, the way we interact with each other and the way we live our lives. It also exposed some deep gaps in our society with regards to equity, access and our level of preparedness for a public health crisis, Weber stated. Weber specified who she believes suffered from these deep gaps during the pandemic in a Facebook post. Californias response to the pandemic highlighted existing inequities for people of color and low-income neighborhoods, Weber wrote. The bill passed on the assembly floor with 78 votes in favor and zero votes against. Weber, who unpacked the bill before her colleagues on the Assembly floor June 3, tweeted that AB 1207 is her first authored bill. She also thanked her partner on the bill Assemblymember Luz Rivas (D-North Hollywood). Today I presented my first authored bill, AB 1207 on the Asm floor. [AB 1207] creates a taskforce that will research and develop strategies for future pandemics. Thank you [Assemblymember Luz Rivas] for partnering with me on this bill. Together we are ensuring California prioritizes health for all, Weber tweeted. Rivas expressed her support for the bill in response to this tweet. Congrats! Youre the right author that will bring public health expertise to this issue. Onward, Rivas tweeted. Weber also received praise from Mayor Catherine Blakespear of Encinitas. Great start to your illustrious career in SAC and good choice of a partner in [Rivas], Blakespear tweeted. Weber spoke about the inevitability of another public health crisis and asserted that AB 1207 would help Californians be prepared for it. The next pandemic is not a matter of if but rather a matter of when,' Weber warned. AB 1207 makes a modest investment to ensure California has a roadmap for the future public health crises so that we can address the deficiencies we saw in our response to the COVID-19 pandemic and allow us to be better prepared for the future. According to the text of the bill, AB 1207 would require the established task force to report their conclusions about pandemic readiness to the Legislature by Dec. 1, 2024. In a Facebook post, Weber again stated why she believes this bill is necessary. Together, we are ensuring we do everything we can to invest in sustainable plans that value the life and health of all Californians during a pandemic, Weber wrote. Now, on to the Senate! Black America Needs a New Normal: Equitable Credit Access to Build Wealth Over the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic has imposed dual crises. Over 542,000 Americans lives were lost and continue to increase. At the same time, the rippling effects of a massive economic downturn has caused the nation to lose 9.5 million jobs more losses than even those of the Great Recession, finds the University of New Hampshires Carsey School of Public Policy. Although many officials have called for a return to normal, millions of small businesses and communities need something new instead. In Black America especially, the old normal never delivered equitable access to wealth-building opportunities as those that well-served served much of White America. Instead, a lengthy history of public policies designed to create and sustain a burgeoning middle class systemically excluded Blacks and other people of color. Now, while federal lawmakers seek to understand how best to bring the nation out of health and financial crises, many advocates are calling for a new paradigm: intentional inclusion of all who have been shut out, knocked down and underserved. Recent testimony before Capitol Hill committees focused on different issues but led to the same conclusion: the time for change is now. ADVERTISEMENT For example, comments during a February confirmation hearing for Adewale Adeyemo, nominated by President Biden to become Deputy Treasury Secretary, the nominee said, Until we contain the pandemic, economic policy must remain focused on providing relief to those harmed by the public health crisis, especially those disproportionately impacted: low-income communities and communities of color. The pandemic has exacerbated inequality, strained families, and exposed disparities in opportunity throughout our country that existed long before COVID-19. Without additional relief, this hardship will become even more acute and will inflict long-lasting pain on countless Americans. Adeyemo is the agencys point-person to implement the executive order requiring all federal offices to submit diversity and inclusion plans to the Office of Management and Budget. In the interim, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, as reported by the New York Times, announced plans to invest $9 billion into Community Development Financial Institutions and Minority Depository Institutions as they look to step up lending. Concurrently, the U.S. House of Representatives Financial Services Committee has convened multiple hearings that featured expert witness testimony echoing the calls of Mr. Adeyemo. On March 10 the full committee held a hearing entitled, Justice for All: Achieving Racial Equity Through Fair Access to Housing and Financial Services. Rep. Maxine Waters, a California Congresswoman and committee chairs opening remarks set the tone of the forum. Today we are here to discuss steps that this Committee can take to create justice and achieve racial equity through access to fair housing and financial services. And no matter where you areand who you arein America or around the world, institutional racism based on skin color creates barriers that impact social and economic outcomes, noted Ms. Waters. ADVERTISEMENT Testifying on behalf of the Center for Responsible Lending, Nikitra Bailey, Executive Vice President recounted the legacy of federal housing policies whose sum created todays financial inequities. A 1933 federal housing program, the Home Owners Loan Corporation (HOLC), supported redlining through its underwriting guidelines. As a result, Black and other communities of color, were denied access to mainstream financing. During the first 35 years of this program, only 2% of FHA insured mortgage loans went to Black and other homebuyers of color. Similarly, the 1944 GI Bill, continued the same systemic discrimination. In Mississippi, for example, the 3,329 VA -approved mortgages included two Black servicemembers. Fast forward to more recent times, by the early 2000s, half of all mortgages made to Black and Latino families during the run-up to the foreclosure crisis were unsustainable subprime loans despite these consumers having credit records that qualified for cheaper, safer and more responsible loans. Because of these lending practices, testified Bailey, Black and Latino families lost over $1 trillion dollars in wealth during the crisis. Moreover, Black homeownership has been the slowest to recover from the Great Recession. In fact, there would be 770,000 more Black homeowners if the homeownership rate recovered to its pre-crisis level in 2000 The racial wealth gap contributes to the fact that in the 46 largest housing markets in the country, a median income Black household could only afford 25 percent of homes on the market last year in comparison to the 57 percent that a median income White household could afford. It will require focused and bold action to reverse these inequities. The following day, a subcommittee of House Financial Services convened yet another hearing. Entitled, Slipping through the Cracks: Policy Options to Help Americas Consumers during the Pandemic the session spanned access to affordable credit or small business capital, debt collection, and stained credit all became inevitable and further complicated the financial disadvantages faced by communities of color. Without a safety net or a cushion to fall back on, people of color are far less able to weather financial calamities, testified Carla Sanchez Adams, Managing Attorney with Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid, Inc. With fewer assets to draw on, people of color find are more prone to poverty traps. Debt collection activities increased in 2020, continued Sanchez Adams, as did profits for debt collectors. Auto repossessions were prevalent, and consumers were left at the mercy of their lenders. Consumers would benefit if all debt activity ceased during the pandemic. The problems with our credit reporting system continued and revealed the need for reform around what consumer information is reported and how it is reported during a pandemic.Consumers would benefit from a moratorium on the negative reporting of unpaid debt during the pandemic. Scams and fraud also surged. Speaking on behalf of minority lenders and small businesses, Robert James II, president of Carver Development CDE and chair of the National Bankers Association, emphasized the importance of minority-owned small businesses, the lack of convenient access to mainstream banking as well as the dwindling number of minority depository institutions as issues demanding attention and correction. Minority-owned small businesses are the lifeblood of their communities, testified James II. The pre-pandemic 1.1 million minority-owned small businesses employed more than 8.7 million workers and annually generated more than $1 trillion in economic output. Women own nearly 300,000 of them, employing 2.4 million workers. Despite their significance, these businesses face underlying challenges that make them vulnerable during normal times. Black-owned businesses, overall, also tend to start out with far less capital, whether from investments or bank loans, than White-owned businesses do, continued James II. And only 1 percent of black business owners get a bank loan in their first year of business, compared with 7 percent of White business owners. The COVID-19 crisis has compounded this issue: 42 percent of minority-owned small businesses responding to McKinseys US Small Business Pulse Survey reported that obtaining credit was becoming increasingly difficult, compared with 29 percent of all respondents. But credit terms and a pronounced shortage of accessible credit, according to James II, are equally lending conditions that must become more inclusive. Limited access to credit is a compounding factor that hurts the underlying health of minority-owned small businesses, said James II. Research has found that black small-business owners were significantly more likely to be asked to provide more information about their personal financialsincluding personal financial statements and personal W-2 formswhen applying for small-business loans than White small-business owners were, even when controlling for credit score and business characteristics. At the same time, as noted by James II, from 2009 to the second quarter of 2018, nationally, the number of Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) dropped from 215 to 155. MDIs are also much smaller in assets than the average non-MDI bank. Black and Hispanic MDIs have average assets of $245 million and $2.7 billion, respectively, said James II, compared to an average of $3.1 billion for all US banks. Even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, US household debt was on the rise, reaching over $14 trillion, testified Ashley Harrington, CRLs Federal Advocacy Director. While much of this debt stems from mortgages, a growing amount stems from non-mortgage consumer debt, including student loans, credit cards, installment loans, and auto loans. As people continue to lose jobs and have hours cut, and as deferred rental payments and other debts come due, we can expect to see an uptick in delinquencies and defaults on these non-mortgage debts. Harrington offered a key recommendation to federal lawmakers that could begin to allow consumers to have more control over their own financial management. Allowing every adult to save and hold onto at least $1000 per week in wages, and $12,000 per bank account, urged Harrington, will help families avoid eviction and afford essential costs like medicine and food. While family savings cannot replace the social safety net, it is critical that families be able to provide for themselves at a minimum, basic level. These protections are more urgent than ever: recent research has established that 8 million more families have fallen into poverty since May 2020. Charlene Crowell is a senior fellow with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at [email protected]. Black Business Registrations Increase During COVID Pandemic Several states have shown that the number of registered businesses has more than doubled according to analysis by the New York Times. In the month after the CARES Act was passed by Congress in March 2020, business registrations increased by 60 percent. Though the economic downturn caused by the COVID pandemic is likely to damage entrepreneurship and put many small businesses in a financial hole or out of business entirely, there are signs that many have turned to creating businesses after losing employment elsewhere. Andre Perry, a Brookings Institution fellow, told the Times that some of the surge in Black business registrations could be a signal of personal economic trouble. ADVERTISEMENT This is more about survival than it is about wealth creation. Theres lots of people who have lost their jobs and lost their businesses. People are starting to realize that side hustles are businesses, Perry said. Additionally, Google Trends data reported an uptick in searches related to Black-owned businesses in June of last year during the start of the pandemic. According to Google Trends data, searches for How to find black owned businesses in your area saw a 300% spike and searches for Black owned restaurants near me tripled. An app that is a guide to Black owned restaurants, called EatOkra, witnessed a 4,450% increase in downloads of new users in May 2020. Many believe that activism after the murder of George Floyd coupled with the COVID19 pandemic spurred manny to think about economic activism and Black owned businesses. BLM Activist Hurt in Fairfax District Protest Refiles Suit in Federal Court After originally filing her case in Los Angeles Superior Court, a Black Lives Matter activist who sued the city of Los Angeles alleging she was hit with a baton and shot in the stomach and arm with LAPD projectiles will take her case to federal court, her attorney said. Fahren James, 39, was hurt during a protest in the Fairfax District after the Memorial Day 2020 death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. Her attorney, V. James DeSimone, filed court papers on June 2 with Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Richard J. Burdge Jr. asking that her case filed Jan. 12 be dismissed. He said the case has since been refiled in U.S. District Court. James alleged in her Superior Court suit that her constitutional rights were violated when she was wounded by an officer who fired the projectiles into her stomach and arm in what the suit maintained was a violation of department policy. James, of South Pasadena, said previously that she has been targeted by white supremacists for her activism. ADVERTISEMENT James said she spent three days in a hospital for merely asserting her First Amendment rights in a peaceful manner. We were there because we recognized a problem in the system, James said. According to the Superior Court suit, James drove to the protest site about 4:20 p.m. May 30, 2020 and was standing on the sidewalk along Beverly Boulevard, east of the Erewhon Market, and saw police enter the CBS Studios parking lot, then shortly thereafter, rush out firing non-lethal bullets at a group of people. She alleged she saw an officer leave the line and point his weapon at her. She told the officer she was peacefully protesting and asked why he aimed his weapon at her, according to her court papers. When the officer turned the weapon away from her, she turned her back to the officers, the Superior Court suit stated. James said she tried to reason with the officers and convince them to deescalate the situation, but a brief time later, without provocation, a female LAPD officer struck James on her back with a baton. A male LAPD officer next to the female officer shot James twice from point-blank range with bullets that left metal fragments in her stomach, her Superior Court suit stated. One shot struck James in the abdomen and another struck her under her left arm, which she had raised in vain to protect herself, according to the Superior Court complaint. California Reopens, Public Health Notes Continued Vaccination Discrepancies On Tuesday, June 15, California officially reopened as the state celebrates a new chapter in the pandemic, which started a little over a year ago. Thanks to vaccinations, people are able to interact and engage in everyday life once again with little to no restrictions. Statistics are still showing inequities in vaccinations among younger demographics as public health urges unvaccinated individuals to get vaccinated before the 4th of July holiday. In any setting, if you are not vaccinated and around people outside your household, your mask offers the best protection against the virus, said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. ADVERTISEMENT She continued, With distancing requirements and capacity limits in almost all settings lifted, wearing an appropriate mask is critically important for those not yet vaccinated, including the 1.2 million children between the ages of 2 and 12. Unvaccinated adults that are in close contact with others should consider wearing a double mask or a respirator, which offer more protection for the wearer. There continues to be a gap in COVID-19 vaccinations in racial and ethnic groups in Los Angeles County. Of Black and Latinx teens, half are getting vaccinated compared to White and Asian teens. Among teens, ages 12-15 years old, 13% of Black and 18% of Latinx teens have been vaccinated, compared with 48% Asian and 34% of White teens. Among teens, ages 16-17 years old, 23% of Black and 35% of Latinx teens have been vaccinated, compared with 72% Asian and 53% of White teens. The differences seem to be the same for young adults, ages 18-29 years old: 25% of Black adults and 39% of Latinx adults have been vaccinated, compared with 72% of Asian and 55% of White adults. L.A. County continues to see a disproportionate rate among Black residents ages 30-49 years old with 36% of Black adults and 47% of Latinx adults have been vaccinated, compared with 70% of Asian and 60% of White adults. We continue to get vaccines to everyone who wants one, and to help answer questions and provide vaccine information to those making a decision on getting vaccinated, said Ferrer. As of Monday, June 14, the L.A. County Dept. of Public Health confirmed 2 new deaths and 135 new cases of COVID-19. There were 212 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 with 17% of nearly 6,902,000 individuals testing positive with symptoms. Public Health identified 1,246,436 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 24,415 deaths. Cases across the Southland: Los Angeles County shows 1,181,653 cases, Long Beach with 53,476 cases and Pasadena with 11,307 cases. According to race and ethnicity, COVID-19 statistics show: American Indian/Alaska Native with 2,008; Asian with 56,738; Black with 47,141; Hispanic/Latino with 633,749; Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander with 4,234; White with 130,799; those of other race and ethnicity with 98,702 and 208,237 under investigation. ADVERTISEMENT For more information, visit COVID19.ca.gov/vax-for-the-win. To schedule an appointment to be vaccinated, visit MyTurn.ca.gov or call the CA COVID-19 Hotline at 1-833-422-4255. For more information and statistics on COVID-19 in Los Angeles County, please visit http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/ For more detailed information on COVID-19 vaccination plans in L.A. County and to sign up for a vaccination newsletter, visit: www.VaccinateLACounty.com Crawford, Muhammad and Price Preach Peace in South L.A. As part of his campaign to spread peace and unity in South L.A., Pastor Shep Crawford invited former and current rival gang members to break bread together and the result was more successful than ever imagined. More than 120 people gathered on June 14, for the United We Stand Up Peace Mediation Lunch. In addition to the individuals affiliated with rival gangs, the participants included local clergy, peace activists and public figures dedicated to improving battle-weary neighborhoods in South L.A. Another purpose of the event, which was held at the Youth Justice Coalition Building on 76th St. and Central Ave., was to stem the rise in shootings and murders by promoting understanding and unity, said Crawford, the co-pastor of Experience Christian Ministries (ECM) with his wife, Dr. Shalondra Crawford. I serve as president of United We Stand Up, an alliance of members from rival neighborhoods on the eastside of Los Angeles, striving for peace in our community. During COVID-19 we have seen a major uptick in shootings and killings, Crawford explained. ADVERTISEMENT United We Stand Up members believe that there is a need for forgiveness and healing in our communities. This event will be the start of a weekly dialog that will help these members to unify and make necessary changes. Among the program speakers were L.A. Councilman Curren Price Jr., Minister Abdul Malik Muhammad (also known as Minister Tony Muhammad) and broadcaster Dominique DiPrima, who all stressed their commitment to the peace movement. Price and Crawford were acknowledged for contributing to a reduced crime rate in South L.A. Also, the band, Rare Breed, and ECMs drama troupe performed and Jeweled Creations catered the event. In addition, members of the group, Mothers of Slain Sons, delivered a poignant plea to end the senseless killings of our children and representatives of various sects of the Bloods and Crips organizations gave remarks as well. One former gang member recounted how he received a life sentence at the age of 12 while being held in a juvenile correctional facility. Referring to himself as an OG or original gangster, the young man said his life could have been over, however, he changed his attitude and turning a positive into a negative. Today, he works in a trusted position at that same facility and even holds the actual keys to the building. Declaring that he wants to humanize gang members in the eyes of the community, Crawford noted that he has worked with Bloods and Crips for years and assisted their efforts to end at least three major wars in South Central L.A. In recent years, there have been no reported shootings or fatalities between those groups. We now have Bloods, Crips, Muslims and Christians working together to refocus the effort of what is known as gang families to be advocates of peace for their communities, ending the wars that were started mainly because of systematic oppression against people of color, he insisted. Inviting others to unite with the peace movement, he said, There are a group of peacemakers in every hood. There are also churches on many corners in those same hoods. My mission is to get the church, the Black church particularly, into the neighborhoods that their buildings sit in. I believe that if we, as pastors, can unite with the community in supporting the peace efforts of these OGs, then we can affect our immediate areas, which can change this city, and eventually the entire culture. Experience Christian Ministries (ECM) located at 326 E. 47th Place in Los Angeles. To learn more, visit TheECM.org. ADVERTISEMENT Reid Johnson contributed to this article. Juneteenth Becomes Newest Federal Holiday Black communities in greater Los Angeles and throughout the United States will observe Juneteenth with solemn memorials, spirited programs, singing and dancing, and a sense of jubilee. The various celebrations, which will occur on Saturday, June 19, honor the end of slavery and the date that African Americans in the Confederate state of Texas learned that they were free, two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. The rejoicing reached a higher level this week when the U.S. Congress overwhelmingly passed legislation to establish Juneteenth as a federal holiday. It is the first new federal holiday since 1983 when Congress established Martin Luther King Jr. Day. ADVERTISEMENT Also, the bill was approved in record time, considering that the legislation process can be lengthy. It took nearly 15 years for King Day to be finalized. The Senate unanimously voted for Juneteenth on June 15, the House passed the bill the following day and President Joe Biden signed the holiday into law on June 17. While welcoming the bills passage, Congresswoman Maxine Waters urged the Senate to move just as promptly to approve the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the For the People Act. In a statement, Waters wrote, To put this moment into perspective, the establishment of Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a federal holiday happened in 1983 and we are still fighting for our civil rights. We are still waiting for Senate passage of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. We are still waiting for lynching to be classified as a federal hate crime. We are still waiting for the terrorists who destroyed Black Wall Street during the Tulsa Race Massacre to be held accountable and we are still waiting for Black history to be accurately taught in our schools. As we celebrate the passage of this legislation, let us be clear that we will not be distracted or appeased and we will not simply accept Juneteenth as a federal holiday in exchange for real action that honors our history and our place in this country and moves us closer to achieving justice, declared Waters. In the final analysis, it will be shown that platitudes and niceties are one thing but having courage and taking real action on this issue is another. Let us honor this day by working toward a nation in which Black lives and Black votes are protected and respected, she concluded. Juneteenth is perhaps the oldest African American holiday in the country. According to documents and oral histories, 250,000 Blacks in Texas were still enslaved when Union troops marched into Galveston Bay on June 19, 1865, and read the executive decree that granted freedom to the slaves. The day was eventually called Juneteenth, which some speculate is a combination of June and 19th, by the newly freed people. ADVERTISEMENT The delay in telling the slaves that they were free was not uncommon at the time because, according to history.com, the Emancipation Proclamation didnt instantly free any enslaved people. The proclamation only applied to places under Confederate control and not to slave-holding border states or rebel areas already under Union control. However, as Northern troops advanced into the Confederate South, many enslaved people fled behind Union lines. Even though Texas was part of the Confederacy, the state was not impacted by the decree and life continued as if the proclamation didnt exist. Also, the Civil War was likely not at the top-of-the-mind among White Texans since there were not huge battles taking place nor was there a significant presence of Union troops. Therefore, the government operated as it always had as a slave state. But that situation came to an end once Union General Gordon Granger read General Orders No. 3 on June 19, 1865: The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. History.com reports that celebrations broke out among newly freed Black people, and Juneteenth was born. Starting in 1866, African American communities in Texas hosted a variety of annual celebrations for Juneteenth, which was initially called Jubilee Day and later referred to as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day and other names. Activities ranged from prayer services to picnics to parades and pageants. As people moved from Texas to other states, Juneteenth celebrations were instituted across the nation. Juneteenth commemorations gradually declined in the early through the mid-20th century, a circumstance that historians attribute to the increase of Jim Crow laws (thus dampening the enthusiasm to celebrate freedom) and Blacks searching for work migrating from rural areas to urban locations, which provided fewer opportunities to take time off for festivities. The modern civil rights era brought renewed interest in Juneteenth. Battlefields.org cites the Poor Peoples March planned by Martin Luther King Jr. [and carried out by Ralph Abernathy] was purposely scheduled to coincide with [June 19]. March participants took the celebrations back to their home states and soon the holiday was reborn. Currently, 48 states and the District of Columbia designate Juneteenth as either a state or ceremonial holiday. Traditions include public readings of the Emancipation Proclamation, singing traditional songs, and reading of works by noted African American writers. Celebrations can also take the form of rodeos, street fairs, cookouts, family reunions, park parties, historical reenactments, and Miss Juneteenth contests, as recorded on battlefields.org. Golden West College assembled a list of Fun Facts About Juneteenth on its website at goldenwestcollege.edu. The fun facts include: It is the oldest known holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the US. Juneteenth is the title of a book by Ralph Ellison, an African American author. Strawberry soda pop was once a popular drink associated with celebrating the day. The Juneteenth Flag of Freedom is half red and half blue with a star in the middle. This is the first full year McClain-Hill has been in her seat of power as board president; she made every day count. McClain-Hill is leading the LADWPs Racial Equity Plan and credits part of her dedication to the rise in consciousness that was showcased during the George Floyd uprisings happening across Los Angeles and beyond. She stated, The departments work around racial equity over the course of the last year has been nothing short of breathtaking and its something that I am very proud of. McClain-Hill continued, I have to though, give full credit for this effort to both the hundreds and thousands of people who took to the streets all over the country and the social justice protests of 2020. It really lit a fire under everyone, and it lit a fire under me. The fundamental mission of LADWP is to Providing clean, reliable water and power and excellent customer service in a safe, environmentally responsible and cost-effective manner. In the setting of evolution, the company looks to add the necessity of racial awareness within the workforce. ADVERTISEMENT The LADWP is the largest public utility facility in the U.S.; the department serves over four million residents. That sizable reach causes the LADWP to employ over 10,000 staff members reflecting the diversity found within the city. This department provides all of the water and power for the City of Los Angeles. McClain-Hill applied pressure towards the change that needed to happen internally in the LADWP; she provided a platform and support for people to talk authentically about the treatment and experience working in this department, the response rate was overwhelming. This work is physical evidence of the LADWP responding to the Los Angeles City Mayors call to action; a directive that brought awareness to the racial environment in all sectors. This triggered the LADWP to take a substantive review of the department and creative a safe space for staff and members to speak honestly about the department. As the molding of the economic regeneration for Los Angeles, the LADWP is prepared to invest in their growth and hold themselves accountable for their internal climate of equity and awareness of racial balance. The LADWP recently released news about their Racial Equity Action Plan; it revealed a substantial amount of evidence to warrant further investigation into their work environment. Research and studies revealed a severe imbalance in the racial environment of LADWP. The impetus that accelerated the question of inequality within public service was highlighted by the call of action under an executive directive (No.27) issued by Los Angeles City Mayor Eric Garcetti. During a peak season of social awareness in the Summer of 2020, Garcetti created a space for all the sectors in Los Angeles to review their blueprint and add the focus of racial balance to its core. McClain-Hill has worn the colors for equity in a number of battles for justice as a lawyer and as National President of the National Association of the Women Business Owners, McClain-Hill has built a stronger sense for justice and passion for balanced voice. The press release that accompanied, outlined the racial equity plan stated, Without the tenacity and courage of Cynthia McClain-Hill, the deep dive analysis on issues of racial equity at DWP would likely not have occurred. The former president of the National Association of the Women Business Owners, is now the first African American woman to sit as the Board President of the LADWP, leading the first ever all-female board of LADWP. In reflection to the milestone, McClain-Hill stated, Whats crazy about it is that I recall when we became an all-female boardboth celebrating the moment, but also noting that it [had] taken more than a hundred years. I look forward to the day when were no longer counting firsts. Another first for the LADWP includes another African American woman who is currently leading the retirement board that controls the LADWP pension and managing assets valued over $17 billion. McClain-Hill called upon her board colleagues, general managers, and all senior leadership within the water and power department to discuss the examination of the LADWP work environment. Extensive field research was conducted by minority consultant from Dakota Communications and Cordoba Cordoba ran a top to bottom analysis. Staff members were invited to participate in focus groups, interviews, and employee surveys. The board president confirmed the process by stating, The first thing was to have executive management to open their minds to the possibility that what was happening in the world could actually be happening within DWP. The results revealed a gap in enforcement policies to reprimand members from all levels who may step out of the boundary of professional conduct. There is a history of harassment and retaliation of whistle blowers, the focus groups revealed over half the staff and supervisors feel DWP management did not take appropriate action in response to incidents of discrimination. McClain-Hill wanted to address the heavy air that surrounded people of color who worked for the LADWP. One of the physical molds that took shape in the department includes the establishment of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. McClain-Hill commented on its utilization by stating, Its a pretty large and powerful office and under that office will be recruitment, procurement, equity management, among other thingsamong other things, its a fully staffed office that will be led by someone who reports directly to the general manager. There numbers were transparent and revealed a true discourse happening among staff members who were people of color. 59 percent of Black survey participants witnessed discrimination, compared to only 36 percent of total survey participants witnessing discrimination, and as of May 2021, there are no Black executives in management. To learn more about the LADWP organization, head to their official website. Board President Cynthia McClain-Hill applied pressure towards the change that needed to happen internally in the LADWP. (courtesy of LADWP) LAPD Introduces Adult Diversion Program to Reduce Recidivism The Los Angeles Police Department announced the launch of an adult diversion program that will place individuals arrested for certain crimes in support programs in lieu of other legal consequences. The LAPD, in cooperation with the Alternatives to Incarceration Office, established the ATI Pre-File Diversion Program on Monday, according to a police statement. ADVERTISEMENT The program will direct people arrested for select misdemeanors and non-violent felonies to community support programs instead of facing harsher penalties, such as criminal charges, prosecution and jail time. The program is intended to reduce recidivism and enhance public safety, the LAPD said in a statement. The LAPD 77th Street Community Police Station jail will be the first to implement the program, and the LAPD Metropolitan Detention Center and the LAPD Van Nuys Station jail also are soon expected to use the program. NAACP Student Members Can Apply for $15,000 Scholarships Until June 18 The NAACP and SmileDirectClub, a Nashville-based oral care company specializing in teeth-straightening technology, have partnered to offer scholarships to African American and other students of color. They must maintain a 3.0 grade point average or above. The $15,000 awards will be granted to young people studying Science, technology, engineering or math and must be used for tuition and fees. Payments will be annualized at around $3,500 each year. ADVERTISEMENT Winners must also be high school seniors or undergraduates and members of the NAACP, the countrys oldest civil rights organization, which was founded in 1909 and has over 20000 branches across the country. The SmileDirectClub Scholarship will help empower students in the Black community studying STEM with financial support so they can pursue their education with less of an economic burden, said Yumeka Rushing, Chief Strategy Officer, NAACP. This partnership is one of the ways the NAACP is working to secure educational equality of rights to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and wellbeing of everyone, Rushing added. Students interested in the scholarship can apply on the NAACP site. The deadline is June 18. The winners, who the NAACPs N-SPIRE committee a group that focuses on the creation, development and awarding of scholarship programs will be announced August 9. Through the SmileDirectClub Scholarship with the NAACP, were investing in the next generation of innovators and supporting the growth of diversity in STEM, a field that affects almost all aspect of our everyday lives, said Cheryl DeSantis, Chief People & Diversity Officer, SmileDirectClub. Newsom Announces California Reopening Exploring the effects the reopening will have on the Black Community June 15, 2021 is a new historical benchmark; California has officially lifted COVID-19 restrictions that were in place since March 2020. The announcement was made by California State Governor, Gavin Newsom, at Universal City Walk in Los Angeles. The governor dissected a new reality, that the State is looking to face, in addition to elaborating on the Vax for the Win incentive program. ADVERTISEMENT Starting June 15, all restrictions that have been in place for the past year will be removed. That includes physical distancing, capacity limits, and masks will not be enforced throughout the state. In March 2020, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, predicted millions of U.S. citizens would be affected. As of June 15, 2021 there has been over 34 million cases recorded. Statistically Black Americans have been the most susceptible ethnic group to the coronavirus; data reflects a significant imbalance in death rates among Black and Brown communities ADVERTISEMENT Governor Newsom acted immediately and called for a complete shutdown, on March 19, 2020, Newsom ordered the states 40 million residents to stay at home, and restricted non-essential movements. These efforts were put into place to try to curve the spread of COVID-19. On Tuesday June 15, 2021, California assessed their economical standing and the studies projected California to be ranked as number one in the U.S. economy for expanding GDP, raising household income, investing in innovation, according to the news released on Gov.CA., California has created more jobs than any other state for the last three months, in addition to creating 38 percent of the nations jobs over all. Through the waves of the pandemic, California remained one of the states that had the lowest case rates in the nation. Currently, in the urgency for vaccinations, California administered over 40 million shots. With the current stability of cases and vaccination distribution, Newsom announced the lift of the state restrictions on June 15, 2021. Governor Newsom stated, Today, we celebrate the incredible strength and resilience of Californians from our heroic health care workers to essential workers across the board to everyday Californians from all walks of life who have supported each other through hardship and heartache over the past year, making sacrifices to save countless lives and enable us to turn the page on this pandemic. Newsom continued, As we look ahead to better days, we will continue to look out for one another, redoubling our support to those hit hardest by the pandemic and making unprecedented investments to address Californias most persistent challenges, so that the entire state comes roaring back together. The announcement was made at Universal City Walk, subsequently the winners of the Vax for the Win received their $50,000 checks. Los Angeles natives Helen Cordova, Aurelia, and Reyna from Orange County were the winners of the drawing. Exploring the numbers behind receiving vaccinations, there has been a week-to-week increase of shots distributed since the launch of Vax for the Win. According to the source mentioned prior, there has been over a 22 percent increase in vaccinations. Every turn of the viral pandemic exposed a deeper shade of injustice within the Black community. From the variation in opinion on vaccination to the financial gap, and digital divide, there has been a racial stigma attached to the concerns that followed the spread of COVID-19. In reference to cdph.ca.gov, there has been an approximate total of 3 million cases found in California as of June 9, 2021. Addressing the affect COVID-19 had on the Black community within California, there has been over 100,000 positive coronavirus cases with 3,000 positive reports resulting in death, accounting for 6.4 percent of the states population. Digging deeper into the research, and acknowledging death rate per capita nationwide, Black people have died at higher rate; at 1.4 times the amount of White people, referring to the data found on covidtracking.com/race. Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas reflected on the colossal milestone June 15 brings to California, stating, As we embark on this significant milestone in the reopening of our State, we must remember that although we have made major strides against COVID-19, the battle is not yet over. While we may feel fully liberated when we unmask, we cannot lose sight that the best weapon in our arsenal is to get vaccinated. So, if you havent yet, get vaccinated. There is no more critical time to do it. Masks are still be recommended for unvaccinated Angelenos, especially in public places such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, shelters for people experiencing homelessness, and indoor K-12 learning environments. Moving into another shift in operating businesses, starting on Tuesday restaurants, bars, and other retails will have the option to dismiss the social distancing restrictions that were placed upon them back in March. Business ownership within the Black community has seen extreme prosperity and immense struggle from different Black-owned establishments during the global pandemic. The reopening of the state could possibly be the difference between closing their doors for good or expanding the business pass their expectations. Governor Newsom created a moment of celebration; accompanying him on the stage as he made the announcement were characters from popular kids films Trolls, Despicable Me, and Transformers, bringing in the resurgence of physical contact. There was a theme of getting on with the show, in the essence of the energy vibrating in this post-pandemic era. Also present at the celebration of the reopening were other community leaders such as L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis and California Senator Robert Hertzberg. Supervisor Solis stated on Twitter on Tuesday, California is officially fully re-open! It is because of all Californians that we have arrived at this point. Congresswoman Karen Bass also reflected on this monumental moment, she stated, Im excited that were reopening and returning to a new sense of normal but I am also incredibly concerned about disproportionate rates of vaccinations in Los Angeles especially South Los Angeles. The pandemic is not over there is still work to be done to ensure our folks are getting access to this life-saving vaccine. Newsom closed with hope as the beacon of light on this new frontier, he said, Todays about reaching out the serendipity of life meeting strangers, having the opportunity to experience all the wonders of the world that are here at Universal Studios, Newsom continued, Todays a day to celebrate the incredible journey weve been on over the course of the last 15 months. Fourteen years ago, the Southern Poverty Law Center sent the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice a list of 74 cold cases involving African Americans allegedly murdered in racially motivated circumstances by White people between 1952 and 1968. Most of the crimes took place in Mississippi, which contained nearly half of the 74 cases. Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee all made up the rest. All went cold, and the victims families never received justice. ADVERTISEMENT Today, a new path to justice has opened to crack these cold cases. On Friday, June 11, President Joe Biden announced the first set of nominees for the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board. The panel would have the power to declassify government files and subpoena new testimony that could reopen cases and reveal publicly why many racially motivated lynchings and killings of Black people were never adequately investigated. The White House hopes that the Senate moves quickly to [confirm] these nominees, an administration official told the National Newspaper Publishers Association. The Board was established with nearly unanimous bipartisan support in 2019, the official noted. President Bidens nominees are: Clayborne Carson has devoted most of his professional life to the study of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the movements Dr. King inspired. Since receiving his doctorate from UCLA in 1975, Dr. Carson has taught at Stanford University as the Martin Luther King, Jr., Centennial Professor of History (Emeritus). Gabrielle M. Dudley, an Instruction Archivist at the Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library at Emory University. In this role, she partners with faculty and other instructors to develop courses and archives research assignments for undergraduate and graduate students. Hank Klibanoff, a veteran journalist who won a Pulitzer Prize in History in 2007 for a book he co-wrote about the news coverage of the civil rights struggle in the South. Klibanoff is the creator and host of Buried Truths, a narrative history podcast produced by WABE (NPR) in Atlanta. Margaret Burnham has served as a state court judge (appointed by Governor Michael Dukakis, 1977), civil rights lawyer, and human rights commissioner. A graduate of Tougaloo College in Jackson, Mississippi, and the University of Pennsylvania Law School, Burnham has been on the Northeastern University faculty since 2002. She was named to the 2016 class of Andrew Carnegie Fellows, an honor recognizing a select group of scholars for their significant work in the social sciences and humanities. The panel could consider cases like the three civil rights workers in Mississippi James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner killed by the Ku Klux Klan in June 1964. Two months later, the activists bodies were riddled with bullets, burned, and buried in a dam in Neshoba County. The Mississippi Burning case has largely gone unsolved and primarily unpunished. In 2005, Edgar Ray Killen was convicted of three counts of manslaughter and sentenced to 60 years in prison, but authorities closed the case and put an end to hopes of prosecuting others involved. In Lowndes County, Alabama, there is the case of 18-year-old Rogers Hamilton. On a brisk night in October 1957, two White men arrived at Rogers home, summoned him outside, and put him in a truck. His mother, Beatrice Hamilton, trailed the truck on a dusty road and watched in horror as they pulled Rogers out of the vehicle and shot him in the head. When she notified the sheriff, he told her she didnt see what she thought she saw and closed the case. No one cared, except his extended family, now scattered from Chicago to New York, John Fleming, an editor at the Center for Sustainable Journalism, wrote in a 2011 column. The case remains open, though the reality is that this case will never be prosecuted, Fleming decided. Though the family wants justice, even if it means getting the local district attorney to indict a dead deputy, whats equally important to them is the fact that the story of a long-dead [man] in faraway Alabama has finally been told. Kilbanoff (courtesy photo) Pulitzer Board Issues Special Citation to Darnella Frazier, the Teen Who Recorded George Floyds Murder Add Pulitzer Prize to the list of awards and recognition bestowed upon Darnella Frazier, the teen who bravely videotaped the murder of George Floyd in 2020. ADVERTISEMENT The Pulitzer Prize board issued a special citation to Darnella, who is now 18. For courageously recording the murder of George Floyd, a video that spurred protests against police brutality around the world, highlighting the crucial role of citizens in journalists quest for truth and justice, the Pulitzer Board wrote. For her efforts, Darnella is also receiving the National Newspaper Publishers Associations (NNPA) highest journalism award and a monetary scholarship at the NNPAs annual convention, which begins on Wednesday, June 23. NNPA is the trade association of the hundreds of African American-owned newspapers and media companies that comprise the Black Press of America. NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., applauded Darnella and called her a freedom fighter who ensured justice was finally done in the case of a police officer killing an unarmed African American. We salute this brave young woman, who had the courage to keep on filming even as the officers tried to intimidate her, Dr. Chavis stated. ADVERTISEMENT Floyd family Attorney Benjamin Crump told the Black Press that there would be no civil settlement or a trial and conviction of former officer Derek Chauvin had it not been for Darnellas actions. It was Darnella Frazier who stepped up, Crump asserted. Officials in Minneapolis reached a record $27 million civil settlement with Floyds family, and Chauvin faces as much as 40 years in prison when hes sentenced on June 25. We wouldnt have any of that without Darnella Frazier taking that video, Crump reiterated. The video was the most damning piece of evidence during Chauvins trial, and Darnella took the witness stand and offered powerful testimony to back up the recording. Even though this was a traumatic life-changing experience for me, Im proud of myself, Frazier wrote in an Instagram post on the one-year anniversary of Floyds murder. If it werent for my video, the world wouldnt have known the truth. My video didnt save George Floyd, she added, but it put his murderer away and off the streets. Senate Confirms Judge Kentaji Brown Jackson to Powerful DC Appellate Court The U.S. Senate on Monday, June 14, confirmed Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. President Joe Biden nominated Judge Jackson to fill one of the vacancies on the District appellate court, considered one of the most powerful courts in the nation. ADVERTISEMENT Most view the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia as a kind of farm system for Supreme Court justices. President Biden stated his desire to fill any Supreme Court vacancy with a woman of color throughout his campaign. Judge Jacksons nomination cleared the Senate with a 53-44 vote. Three Republicans Lindsay Graham of South Carolina, Susan Collins of Maine, and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted with Democrats to confirm. I think shes qualified for the job, Graham conceded, noting that she has a different philosophy than I do. Since 2013, Judge Jackson has served on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, where she has written more than 550 opinions. A 2013 nominee to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, Judge Jackson previously served as an assistant federal public defender, and vice chair for the U.S. Sentencing Commission. ADVERTISEMENT We applaud the Senates confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, stated Damon Hewitt, president and executive director of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. Her extensive litigation experience, service as a federal public defender, and distinguished career as a judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia make her preeminently qualified for this position. Hewitt continued: Judge Jackson, who has clerked at every level of the federal judiciary and is a champion for justice, will be an excellent addition to what is considered the nations second-highest court. For too long, the Senate has gone without confirming Black women to the federal appellate bench. The Biden administrations commitment to appointing fair-minded jurists committed to equal justice and the rule of law, and who represent the rich racial and ethnic diversity of America, is a welcome departure from the past four years and signals a brighter future for our nation. Judge Jackson fills the seat of Merrick Garland, who now serves as U.S. Attorney General. With Republicans controlling the Senate at the time and Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) serving as Majority Leader, the chamber declined to consider Garlands nomination by President Obama to the Supreme Court. Under President Trump, McConnell and Republicans confirmed two Supreme Court nominees, including one pick just weeks before Trump lost to Biden in the November election. This week, McConnell now the Sen. Minority Leader, said he wont consider any Supreme Court nominations from President Biden. Im methodically and intentionally setting aside personal views, any other inappropriate considerations, and I would think that race would be the kind of thing that would be inappropriate to inject into my evaluation of a case, Judge Jackson told senators during her confirmation hearing. Ive experienced life in perhaps a different way than some of my colleagues because of who I am, and that might be valuable I hope it would be valuable if I was confirmed to the court. Some Upbeat News for Black Businesses Still Reeling From Pandemic Losses Next week, after more than a year, California is expected to lift the majority of its COVID-19 related restrictions and reopen its economy at almost-full capacity. But as the state prepares for a long-anticipated comeback, many Black businessowners say enterprises across the state that African Americans own face an uphill road to recovery. ADVERTISEMENT Its a state of disrepair. They need significant support, said Tara Lynn Gray, director of the California Office of the Small Business Advocate. Black-owned business operators who are struggling will need all the financial support available to them, Gray told California Black Media (CBM) at a luncheon hosted by the California Black Chamber of Commerce in Sacramento. (Black businesses) have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, Gray said. Fortunately, the governor has stepped up and provided $2.5 billion dollars in relief funds to all small businesses with priority to the disadvantaged communities of color. ADVERTISEMENT In February 2020, there were 1 million Black-owned businesses in operation around the United States, according to a University of California at Santa Cruz report. About six weeks later, after the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the number of Black business owners had dropped to 440,000, a 41%, reduction. Many of them had to shut down their businesses for good. During the same time, only 17% of White proprietors had to shut down their businesses, UC Santa Cruz research shows. Overall, nearly four million minority-owned U.S. firms, whose annual sales total close to $700 billion, shuttered because of COVID-19. But despite the grim statistics, a number of small business advocates say there is financial help available both at the state and federal levels for most businessowners. During a news briefing hosted by Ethnic Media Services last month, speakers discussed how small businesses in California and around the country can emerge from this crisis, catch the wave of what seems to be a gathering economic boom, or continue to tread water to stay afloat. The main objective of the briefing was helping small businesses, particularly minority owned ones, connect to various sources of funding created to help them recover from the pandemic. The key is to apply for the money, said Everett Sands, Chief Executive Officer of Lendistry, a leading, Black-led Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and Community Development Entity (CDE) that is also a small business and commercial real estate lender. Lets make an assumption. If you are allowed to open, and you can open, then therefore you should be able to receive some type of revenue, Sands said. What weve learned about the pandemic is that most opportunities are coming a second time. If you look at the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), it came a third time. But it is important for businesses to apply. The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is a federal revenue replacement program designed to sustain small business jobs during the ongoing public health and economic crisis. May 31 was the last day for small business owners operating in low-income neighborhoods to apply for the third round of PPP loans. In California, Lendistry helped thousands of small businesses secure loans and grants during the pandemic. Funded by the State of California through the California Office of the Small Business Advocate, Lendistry, was the state-contracted administrator of the program that administered six rounds of grant funding for non-profits and underserved businesses. Sands was one of the guest speakers along with U.S. Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), a member of the Congressional Small Business Caucus, and Virginia Ali. Ali owns the nationally renowned restaurant and Black-owned small business Bens Chili Bowl in Washington, D.C. Sands said before the virus surfaced, minority businesses were already in a financially precarious position with strained resources. Small businesses had limited access to capital, he said, and they lacked the infrastructure to apply for loans or contracts and many of them couldnt self-finance in the long term. But on the cusp of the state and U.S. economies reopening, Sands says it is not too late for businesses to get their financial footing. As a result of the American Rescue Plan, most states received roughly a billion dollars to help these small businesses increase their revenues he said. Of Californias 4.1 million small businesses, 1.2 million (29 %) are minority owned. ZIPPIA, an online career support company, calculated that 10,287 Black-owned businesses operate in California. According to the June 2020 report by ZIPPIA, titled the Most Supportive States for Black Businesses, California ranked No. 4 before the pandemic. Based on data compiled by the United States Census Annual Business Survey, Californias Black businesses employ roughly 81,530 people. Gray said restaurants, barbershops, nail salons, hair salons, hospitality, and personal grooming services have been inexplicably hurt due to social-distancing restrictions in the state. Those businesses, owned by many African Americans, were not deemed as essential when a shelter-in-place order was mandated. Now those are the businesses that Newsom intends to help, Gray stated. Our governor had a tough choice to make, Gray said. You close things down to make sure people are safe. Public health is a serious issue. I applaud him for doing that. Yes, there are consequences to our small businesses. But in the end, look at us now. We have the lowest positivity rate in the nation. Also, it looks like our economy is coming back. A survey conducted by H&R Block found that out of 3,000 small businesses, 53% of Black business operators saw their revenues cut in half due to the pandemic as compared to 37% of White owners. Black-owned small businesses continue to experience disproportionate difficulties, with 35% of Black entrepreneurs reporting that business conditions are worsening. Many say they may not survive the next three months. While the reopening of the economy signals progress, Sands is encouraging Black businesses to pay attention to Small Business Administration programs (SBA) that include loans, a restaurant relief fund and venture capital investments. To apply for federal small business funding, Sands says, a company only has to show the sole businesss gross revenue. Applicants wont be excluded if the proprietor has been a borrower on a defaulted student loan or has a criminal history. For amounts less than $150,000, most of the red tape or the bureaucratic process of a loan has been cleared away, Sands said. Khanna said more funding is expected to be distributed through the Saving Our Street Act, which would allocate loans of up to $250,000 to businesses with fewer than 10 employees. Distribution of the money will be based on the racial and gender diversity of the business owners, he said, and it should help the economy get stronger and financially stabilize the country. In this next quarter, were going to have a pretty good recovery, he said. Consumer spending is at 10% growth. I think small businesses are going to come back strong. The problem is a lot of businesses that have had to close may not be able to reopen. And thats where we have to focus: assisting with debt forgiveness and capital for those businesses that would not survive. The Center by Lendistry Launches Small Business Resiliency Program for Los Angeles County The Center by Lendistry announced the launch of the Los Angeles County Small Business Resiliency Program. This initiative is a collaborative business advising and education program designed to help minority-owned small businesses in Los Angeles County based in low- to moderate-income census tracts areas. Despite being a major hub for diverse small business growth and entrepreneurship, the legacy of institutionalized racism and discrimination still plagues the Los Angeles County small business economy. The Los Angeles County Small Business Resiliency Program brings together a coalition of business support organizations that will leverage each others collective strengths to reach underserved businesses and level the playing field for businesses owned by people of color, creating a small business ecosystem that works for everyone, said Constance Anderson, president of The Center by Lendistry. The program offers small businesses the following: ADVERTISEMENT On-demand webinars serve as a guided prerequisite curriculum for one-on-one advising, which helps business owners to begin thinking critically about how their businesses have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and how they may need to pivot. One-on-one technical assistance (TA), helps businesses address their unique needs, including acquiring new capital and customers, understanding financial, change and risk management, adjusting business models, and operating under new safety regulations. Complementary recovery funds to compensate small business owners for the time they spend accessing support through the program. To receive a grant, businesses must first complete the on-demand courses and complete one-on-one business advising services. Small business owners located in Los Angeles County who are interested in receiving support can click here to find more information about eligibility and program requirements. The program is part of the Los Angeles County Initiative for Inclusive Small Business (IISB), a collective of economic development organizations, capital and service providers, and local business owners who are working to address the historical barriers that have limited access to entrepreneurial opportunities for business owners of color. IISB was formed following the release of the December 2020 report, Los Angeles County Small Business Ecosystem Assessment by Lendistry, The Center by Lendistry, Next Street and Community Allies, and with financial support from JPMorgan Chase & Co. The report highlighted a shocking discovery that local small business owners face a historic capital gap of $60 billion annually, which has been exacerbated by the pandemic and the resulting financial crisis. The IISB coalition is led by Lendistry, The Center by Lendistry, Concerned Capital, Next Street, and Community Allies, and includes support and participation from over 40 local organizations across the county. Funding for complementary small business recovery grants has been provided by Banner Bank. ADVERTISEMENT As leaders of the community we have learned over the last year that none of us can succeed alone, said Sarah Bowles, vice president of Global Philanthropy with JPMorgan Chase. Many small businesses in Los Angeles still require technical assistance to navigate this next stage of the recovery. So as we emerge from this economic uncertainty, it is critical for us to provide resources that support minority small business owners who continue to be disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Small businesses are the backbone of the local, regional and national economy, and ensuring they have access to financing and financial assistance has been a priority throughout our 130-year history. Helping create this program is one more way we can bring about positive change while helping businesses thrive, said Mark J. Grescovich, Banner Bank president and chief executive officer. In addition to this program focused on LA County, Lendistry is assisting us in getting similar assistance to other small businesses in need throughout the California markets we serve. Participating business support organizations include: The Center by Lendistry, Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Program, CDC Small Business Finance, Inclusive Action for the City, Los Angeles Regional Small Business Development Center Network, and Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation. The U.S. Department of Education said Wednesday that it is cancelling the student loans of thousands of borrowers who attended a big, for-profit college. The loans were taken by students attending an educational organization called ITT Technical Institute, which had 130 campuses around the country. The college was found to have made misleading claims about its graduates success in finding jobs. ITT Technical Institute closed in 2016 after the administration of former president Barack Obama barred it from accepting new students. The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it is cancelling 18,000 loans of former students of ITT Technical Institute. The federal governments cost of cancelling the loans is expected to be more than $500 million. The move marks a step by the Biden administration to deal with a lot of claims made through the borrower defense program. The program was not used often until the Department of Education expanded rules for cancelling loans in 2016. It provides loan forgiveness to students with federal student loans who were defrauded by their colleges. During the administration of former President Donald Trump, the government placed higher requirements for students seeking loan forgiveness. It is estimated that there are now more than 100,000 claims waiting to be processed. In announcing the new action, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona promised to continue supporting students with claims. Our action today will give thousands of borrowers a fresh start and the relief they deserve, Cardona said in a statement. The action follows an earlier loan cancellation in March. At that time, the Education Department cancelled $1 billion in federal student loans for 72,000 borrowers. Those claims all came from former students of for-profit colleges. Activists were pleased with the new approvals, but called for fast action for thousands of other students with claims. Alex Elson is vice president of Student Defense, a Washington legal group. He said the administration appears to want to help the students. But he said he did not understand why officials were slow to immediately and automatically help the countless additional borrowers who are still waiting. Borrower defense is among several education programs targeted for changes by the Biden administration. Cardona is holding a series of hearings this month as his agency considers changes to that policy and others. Loan forgiveness push in 2016 In 2015, the Education Department received thousands of claims from former students of Corinthian Colleges. The group of for-profit colleges shut down after findings that it lied to students about job placement rates. After the collapse of Corinthian and other for-profit colleges, the Obama administration moved to make it easier for students to get loans cancelled. The Trump administration later wrote its own rules. Former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said it had become too easy to get loans forgiven. In March, Cardona withdrew a rule that permitted the Education Department to only partially cancel student loans. All borrowers with approval will now get their loans fully cleared. Many of the 18,000 claims from ITT Tech were approved after the Education Department found that the company lied about graduates chances of getting a job. The agency said ITT made repeated and significant misrepresentations about its ability to help students. In reality, the departments said many students said it was harder to find employment when they listed ITT while seeking jobs. Other claims were approved after the department found that ITT misled students about their ability to transfer credits to other colleges. Credits were rarely accepted at other colleges, the department noted. Im Mario Ritter, Jr. Collin Binkley reported this story for the Associated Press. Mario Ritter Jr. adapted it for VOA Learning English. Susan Shand was the editor. __________________________________________________________ Words in This Story defraud v. to trick or cheat someone in order to get money campus n. the area around a university, college or school relief n. the removal of something that is painful or unpleasant automatically adv. done without thought or effort; always done because of a rule or law significant adj. very important transfer v. to stop going to one school and begin going to another; related to changing the use of something so that it can be used in another place (such as college credits) We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. American President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin met Wednesday in Geneva, Switzerland. The leaders agreed to improve diplomatic relations between their two countries and to hold arms control talks. They differed widely on many other issues including human rights and cybersecurity. The discussions lasted about three hours. When it was over, the two leaders spoke separately with international media. President Putin told reporters that there was no hostility and called the meeting constructive. He described the U.S. president as balanced and very experienced. President Biden also praised the meeting as positive when he spoke to reporters later. He said he told President Putin we need some basic rules of the road that all can honor. "I did what I came to do," Biden said. Areas of agreement Both men agreed to return their ambassadors to their embassies in each country. The U.S. and Russia had withdrawn their top diplomats as tensions rose in recent months. The two presidents agreed that Russia and the United States shared responsibility for nuclear stability. They said the two would hold talks on possible changes to their recently extended New START arms limitation treaty. The leaders issued a joint statement saying that they made progress on reducing the risk of armed conflicts and the threat of nuclear war. Cyberattacks Biden said they spent a great deal of time discussing cybersecurity also. The U.S. president said he gave Putin a list of 16 critical infrastructure, including energy and water systems, that are considered off limits to criminal activities. U.S. intelligence groups report that recent cyberattacks on pipeline operations and the meat processing industry were launched from Russia. Putin has said repeatedly his country had nothing to do with such attacks. He also said Russia had been the target of several cyberattacks launched from inside the U.S. The two sides did agree to begin talks on cybersecurity issues. Human rights President Biden said he told Putin that "human rights is always going to be on the table." Biden said "I pointed out to him, that's why we are going to raise our concerns about cases, like Alexei Navalny. I made it clear to President Putin, and will continue to raise issues of fundamental human rights, because that's what we are. That's who we are. Biden said he would continue to follow up with Russia on the situation of Americans Trevor Reed and Paul Whalen, who are imprisoned in Russia. He also warned of severe results for Russia if jailed opposition leader Navalny dies. Without mentioning Navalnys name, Putin said, This man knew that he was breaking the law of Russia. He has been twice convicted. He said Navalny had ignored the law and had known what would happen if he returned to Russia from Germany. Navalny had been sent to a hospital there after he was poisoned. The opposition leader came close to death. Putin then raised questions about unrest in the U.S. including the Black Lives Matter protests and the January 6 attack at the Capitol building. What about the future Biden said he had told Putin that he was "not against Russia", but "for the American people." He said he believes U.S.-Russia relations can improve without dishonoring American values. As for Putin, he said it was "hard to say" if relations with the U.S. would improve. I'm Caty Weaver. Hai Do wrote this story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. ________________________________________________ Words in This Story constructive - adj. helping to develop and improve something stability - n. the quality and state of something that is steady and not easily moved convicted - adj. proven guilty of a crime A company in Finland has developed a satellite made of wood that it plans to launch into orbit this year. The small, experimental satellite aims to test the effectiveness of wooden materials used in the extreme conditions of space. The project is a cooperative effort between several Finnish businesses, including an engineering company, a maker of research satellites and a major wood producer. The European Space Agency is supporting the mission by assisting with pre-flight testing and providing sensors to be placed inside the satellite. The wooden satellite is considered a CubeSat. A CubeSat is a small satellite mainly used for research purposes by universities and non-profit organizations. The one developed in Finland, called WISA Woodsat, is a cube measuring 10 centimeters on all sides. The main structure of the satellite is completely made of wood. It was built by Arctic Astronautics, a company that also produces and sells CubeSats for educational purposes. Jari Makinen is the co-founder of Arctic Astronautics and is leading the Woodsat mission. He told Reuters the goal of the project is to expose the satellites plywood material to the extremes of heat, cold, pressure and radiation. Since it will be the first wooden satellite launched into orbit, Makinen said it will be the first test of how such materials might be used to develop future space structures. For example, wood could be used to build parts of spacecraft or space stations. We are starting to study the behavior of wood in space, he said. Finlands UPM Plywood supplied the wood -- created from birch trees -- for the project. The company says it treated the wood with heat in a vacuum to dry it out and add strength. A compound containing aluminum and oxygen was also put on the wood to protect it against highly reactive oxygen found in space. UPM says it has already carried out many tests with the wood and found it to perform very well in harsh environments. The company said Woodsat is made of a sustainable plywood that could be used to replace fossil fuel materials heavily used in the space industry. Mission planners have carried out several test flights and say they plan to launch Woodsat aboard a Rocket Lab-built Electron rocket from New Zealand in the autumn. The most recent test flight was carried out last Saturday in Finland. A balloon carried Woodsat to an altitude of 31 kilometers in a part of Earths upper atmosphere known as the stratosphere. The flight lasted about three hours and all the systems performed as planned, Makinen said in a statement. When it deploys for its full mission, Woodsat is expected to orbit at an altitude of about 500 to 600 kilometers, the European Space Agency said. Makinen says Woodsat was also built with two cameras, one of which the satellite can extend on a selfie stick. The reason for this camera is to permit the mission team to watch what is happening to the satellite at all times. We want to have photos of the surface in space, Makinen told Reuters. How does it developday by day, is the color changing? We want to see what is happening. The selfie camera may be able to capture evidence of cracks or other damage. Makinen says he does not believe there will be a huge demand for wooden satellites anytime soon. However, he does think there will be a niche for wood-based materials to be used in space. Im Bryan Lynn. Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from the European Space Agency, Reuters, Arctic Astronautics and UPM. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. Quiz - Company Plans to Launch First Satellite Made of Wood Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz ___________________________________________________________ Words in This Story mission n. a flight by an aircraft or spacecraft to perform a specific task cube n. a solid object with six square sides of equal size expose v. to put at rise from something harmful vacuum n. an empty space where there is no air or other gas sustainable adj. involving methods that do not completely use up or destroy natural resources fossil fuels n. fuels such as coal, oil, or natural gas formed in the earth from dead plants or animals selfie n. a picture a person takes of themselves, usually with a mobile phone niche n. a job or activity that is very suitable for someone A research center in Louisiana is examining COVID-19 through the use of monkeys. By studying the monkeys and their tissues, researchers hope to learn more about the disease. There are 5,000 monkeys at the Tulane National Research Center. The research center is near a small Louisiana town north of New Orleans. Most of the primates are a sort of monkey called rhesus macaques. They are designated for use in scientific research, including experiments for COVID-19. The research center has high-level, biosafety laboratories that are able to control biological threat agents like anthrax, an infectious bacterium. It was well-positioned to quickly change to COVID-19 research when the coronavirus pandemic hit. Skip Bohm is a director and chief animal medical officer at the Tulane center. Bohm said the primates DNA and physiological make-up makes them ideal models for human comparison when studying diseases. Bohm told Reuters non-human primates are really important to understand the disease and how it affects an organism. They are also important for comparing outcomes like treatments or vaccinations. Rhesus macaques are the primate most commonly used for scientific research. They make up the majority of the centers colony. They also make up the majority of the 200 adult animals used in its coronavirus experiments over the past year. The National Academy of Sciences scientific journal published one study by the center in February. The study found older, overweight humans with a more severe COVID-19 infection breathed out more liquid droplets. Due to this, they spread the disease more than others. Chad Roy is one of the writers on the study. He is also the centers director of infectious disease aerobiology. Aerobiology is the study of pollutants or viruses that travel in the air. He said primates were at the center of this study. In the future, the center plans to study what is called long COVID. This happens when a patient remains unwell long after first becoming infected. This effects about 10 percent of patients. The centers director Jay Rapport said, there are many different therapeutics that are coming online that need to be tested, and with the network that we have, we can compare one treatment to another. He was describing the centers role in organizing the work of the seven United States primate research centers on COVID-19 research. Once experiments end, the Tulane center will humanely kill the monkeys for tissue collection. This permits researchers to study COVID-19s effects on the whole body. Kathy Guillermo work with the laboratory investigations at the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, also known as PETA. PETA is a nonprofit organization that fights to protect animal rights. Guillermo said primates should not be used for testing. They wouldnt have to kill them if they didnt use them, she said. What were going to learn of value is going to be what we learn from human beings, she added. Im Gregory Stachel. Nathan Frandino reported this story for Reuters. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English. Susan Shand was the editor. _________________________________________________________ Words in This Story monkey n. a sort of animal that is closely related to apes and humans and that has a long tail and usually lives in trees droplet n. a very small drop of liquid primate n. any member of the group of animals that includes human beings, apes, and monkeys therapeutics n. a branch of medicine that deals with the ways to treat illnesses In the northern Ethiopian region of Tigray, more than 350,000 people are facing starvation. It is not just that people are starving; it is that many are being starved. Farmers, aid workers and local officials confirmed to The Associated Press that food has become a weapon of war. The AP found Ethiopian and Eritrean soldiers in the war-torn area blocking food aid and even stealing it. Reporters saw Ethiopian military officials turn away food and medical aid as fighting continued in the town of Hawzen. The soldiers are also accused of preventing farmers from harvesting and stealing seeds for planting. Tigray people say soldiers have killed farm animals and stolen equipment. More than two million of Tigrays six million people have already fled, unable to harvest their crops. Those who stayed often cannot plant new crops because they fear for their lives. The war in Tigray started in early November, shortly before the harvest season. On one side of the war are troops loyal to the expelled leaders of Tigray. On the other are Ethiopian government troops, and allied troops from neighboring Eritrea. Militias from Ethiopias Amhara ethnic group who see themselves as rivals to the Tigrayan militias, and are also involved. Trapped in the middle are civilians. The war has produced mass killings, gang rapes and the widespread expulsion of civilians from their homes. The United States has declared the events in western Tigray an ethnic cleansing. Ethiopias government strongly disputes that starvation is being used as a weapon. Mitiku Kassa is an official with the National Disaster Risk Management Commission. He claimed Wednesday that, We dont have any food shortage. But that is not what the AP found in Tigray. Teklemariam Gebremichael said he and his neighbors were no longer allowed to farm. He said Eritrean soldiers came to him while he was looking after his cows and harvesting crops. They shot both him and his cows. He survived, but the animals did not. With food in limited supply, his wound is healing slowly. The "world has to take immediate action to help Tigray, because we cant live on our own land anymore, he said. Witnesses say soldiers have taken other measures to destroy food. An aid group official said Eritrean soldiers mix grain with sand and soil, making it impossible to eat. Farmers said soldiers have also taken their farming equipment. All our farm tools, including plows, were looted and taken away on trucks, said Birhanu Tsegay, a 24-year-old farmer. They left nothing there. Sometimes food aid is still delivered, but there is never enough. Early in May, a large crowd came to Agula to receive 15 kilograms of wheat, half a kilogram of peas and some cooking oil per person. It was supposed to last a month. The food was only for the most vulnerable. Sixty-year-old Letebrhan Belay walked for four hours to get there. She said she has a family of 10 but received food for just five. She still said she was doing better than others. There will be people dying of hunger, she said. Im Dan Novak. Rodney Muhumuza reported this story for The Associated Press. Dan Novak adapted it for VOA Learning English. Susan Shand was the editor. ___________________________________________________________ Words in This Story rival n. a person or thing that tries to defeat or be more successful than another loot v. to steal things from (a place, such as a store or house) during a war or after destruction has been caused by fire, rioting, etc. vulnerable adj. easily hurt or harmed physically, mentally, or emotionally Thanks for reading! Log in to continue. Enjoy more articles by logging in or creating a free account. No credit card required. Lewiston, ID (83501) Today Mostly sunny skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 101F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Mostly clear skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 65F. W winds shifting to SE at 10 to 15 mph. Letters to the Editor: Media, not Twitter, Facebook, should take responsibility; Decentralization a reality to the chagrin of many; No history means no progress When we started dating I was so sure that I didn't want to be forced through the turkey dump, and that I wanted our relationship to end on a good note, but I can't stop thinking about her and wondering whether it would be worth it to try to be one of the two percent of high-school-sweethearts relationships that last after college. Do you think it would be worth it even if the relationship is statistically doomed? And if not, how do I bring it up if it seems like she hasn't even considered it? And if she has considered it and has already planned on breaking up, and I don't bring it up, what if she thinks I'm presumptuous assuming that she wouldn't break up with me? It's graduation season, so I'm sure that you're already getting a lot of these emails. After having a crush on someone for three years, I went to prom with and started dating the cutest girl in my entire school. The only problem is that I'm a junior and will be staying in our hometown, and she's a senior moving to college, 45 minutes away. I like her, so I went into the relationship thinking that we would have a fun and memorable summer, but I never expected that she would want to date me through her freshman year of college. But she keeps hinting that she thinks we could stay together; she said she googled the distance between her new college and my house and mentioned coming home for visits. OK, that last question confused me a bit. Let's just focus on the general theme here. 1. Dont worry about statistics. Numbers don't tell individual stories, and even though most high school relationships don't last forever, that doesn't mean they "failed." (More on that in 2.) 2. The "turkey dump" scenario, in which you get broken up with over Thanksgiving as opposed to a cleaner breakup now, is a thing for a reason. Sometimes it takes a few months of long-distance to realize that one or more parties want something else. Its also possible that if you break up in August, you'll have the opposite of a turkey dump (a turkey connection?). Meaning, if you force an ending when it doesn't feel natural, you might run into each other's arms in November, or have weirder feelings for a longer stretch of time. 3. You're allowed to talk about this, even if it's just to say, "Hey, sometimes I wonder how (and how much) we'll keep in touch after you go. Can we check in toward the end of the summer about how we're both feeling? Because I'm really into this." You can also just wait to have the whole conversation until later in the summer, when you have more information. If it helps, my high school boyfriend and I stayed together during my whole freshman year. He was a year younger, so he was back at home. I missed him terribly, but I was also enjoying a new world, and probably should have let him go sooner than our end-of-year breakup. There was some misery, a few bad feelings, and confusion, mostly because technology wasn't where it is now, so there was a lot of guessing about what my life was like. But we also had a blast. We made a ton of memories, and honestly, he's a close friend today (I went to his wedding right before lockdown). I wouldn't trade our last months together for a better-timed breakup, because ... there was no better time. The relationship ran its course as it needed to. Yours will too. If/when you know it has to be over, you'll say so. If you want more, you can also say so, and then accept whatever answer you get from there. It's difficult, but take it day by day and revisit the question when you know a bit more about what you want to keep. Meredith Readers? Advice (kind advice, please) for a young reader? Thoughts on turkey dump? FILE- This Friday, Nov. 13, 2009, file photo, shows Scotch bottles in Cologne, Germany. Scotch whisky makers are breathing a sigh of relief after the United States agreed to suspend tariffs on one of Scotlands main exports. U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 25% tariff on single malt Scotch whisky in 2019 as part of a trade dispute between the U.S. and EU countries over aerospace subsidies. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Meanwhile, fossil fuel companies have been laughing all the way to the bank. Since 1990, the worlds top four oil and gas companies have accumulated nearly $2 trillion in profits. A Dutch court recently ordered Shell one of those top four to slash its emissions by 45% by 2030 in a historic case that could inspire similar legal challenges. Another, ExxonMobil, is being challenged internally by a shareholder who ousted at least three board members over the companys climate policies. Joining such efforts are on-the-ground movements like the one opposing the Line 3 pipeline in Minnesota. We are going to peacefully resist this pipeline, and were calling on all our allies across Turtle Island to come here to northern Minnesota, Beaulieu said, using a Native American term for North America. Treaties dont only protect us as Native people. They protect those people that signed the treaties as well. Sonali Kolhatkar is the host of Rising Up With Sonali, a television and radio show on Free Speech TV and Pacifica stations. This commentary was produced by the Economy for All project at the Independent Media Institute and adapted by OtherWords.org. 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. Its been a relatively easy year for Kenosha shorelines in 2021, as Lake Michigan has dropped from historically high water levels last year due to a combination of factors. According to Matthew Zorn, a professor of geospatial science at Carthage College, Lake Michigans water levels regularly fluctuate above and below the average due in part to the Pacific North American Oscillation, a seesaw pattern of alternating high and low pressures over the North Pacific Ocean and the North American continent. These fluctuations generally last eight to 10 years, although the last drop in 1999 lasted until 2014. Last year saw some of the highest lake levels since 1986, with January nearly a meter-and-a-half higher than average. Now, this North Pacific Oscillation, combined with a severe drought across much of the upper Midwest, has dropped Lake Michigans water level by about half a meter compared to last June. Water levels are beginning to trend downward again, Zorn said. Even though theyre still above the long-term average, the damage from storms will likely be far less than it was for the past few years. That is what these conversations over the last few months have been about, Devine said. Since each power plant is different it is unclear if it will be five or ten years. Columbia County officials have been upset with the lack of information from Alliant on what will happen at the current site. Columbia County Chair told the Board of Supervisors in May that Alliant has not been forthcoming with plans for the 3,000-acre site in Pacific. Cindy Tomlinson, of Alliant Energy said, Prior to our announcement in February 2021, we had met with officials from the town of Pacific, city of Portage and Columbia County about accelerating the retirement of the Columbia Energy Center. These conversations began last summer, though we have been meeting with local officials for years, as part of our commitment to building stronger communities. Tomlinson said they are still in the first steps of planning and arent withholding information. She said Alliant has not released any plans because the company is still in the planning phase for decommissioning the Columbia Energy Center. Nearly a month after being asked to resign by the Diocese of La Crosse, a controversial priest has received nearly $700,000 from supporters to mount a legal defense. Father James Altman of St. James the Less Catholic Church was asked to resign by the Diocese of La Crosse last month after a series of political messaging and misinformation first reported by the Tribune caused uproar in the Catholic community. Altman has refused the request and stated he has obtained a canon lawyer, though it is unclear what the next steps in the process are or if Altman remains a pastor at St. James the Less as the matter is sorted out. The Tribune reached out to the Diocese spokesperson for more information but they have not answered the questions for nine days. In the meantime, Altman has secured over $692,000 in donations between two crowdfunding sites for legal and personal costs endured through the process. Merchandise is also being sold on a YouTube page in support of Altman known as Caritas in Veritate, including T-shirts reading I stand with Father James Altman and You cant be Catholic and Democrat. WARSAW, Poland (AP) The presidents of Germany and Poland met in Warsaw Thursday to celebrate the 30th anniversary of a key treaty between the two neighbors, focusing on the positive aspects of a sometimes wobbly relationship. Germany's Frank-Walter Steinmeier held talks with Poland's Andrzej Duda, and attended a meeting with young people from both countries. The two neighbors are at odds over the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline linking Germany with Russia. Warsaw strongly opposes what it sees as a political tool for increasing Russian influence in Europe, while Berlin views it as purely a business project. The presidents made no direct reference to the subject at a news conference following their first round of talks. Steinmeier only said that Germany takes criticism seriously and will make every effort to achieve reasonable solutions. He added that good Polish-German relations were one of Europe's greatest successes in the past 30 years. The presidents also discussed plans underway for a memorial in Berlin to some 3 million Polish victims of the brutal World War II Nazi German occupation. Poland, which Germany invaded in September 1939 triggering World War II has been pressing for such a memorial. "We're setting a dangerous precedent," said Rep. Mark Spreitzer, D-Beloit. Groups that support the bill, such as the League of Wisconsin Municipalities and Wisconsin Counties Association, say they don't expect to receive census data until as late as September of this year, which would be more than six months after such data was originally anticipated in March. Municipalities and counties say they don't have the resources the state does to turn around new maps by July 2022. Republican lawmakers and other backers of the new bill say its innocuous and not designed to give anyone a partisan advantage. But Democrats and other critics say it would be unconstitutional and disenfranchise voters in growing parts of the state that would be forced to hold local elections based on current, rather than updated, maps in 2022. They also take issue with it keeping in place the maps drawn in 2011, which have been criticized for being among the most gerrymandered in the country. Matt Rothschild, executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, criticized the bill for forcing municipalities, when redrawing their wards, to yield to the boundaries imposed by any congressional or legislative redistricting. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is now tracking a new variant of COVID-19, the Delta variant, as a variant of concern in the state and is encouraging residents to keep getting vaccinated to protect against its spread. The Delta strain, which officials say is fueling the COVID-19 surge in the United Kingdom, was previously listed as a variant of interest but has now been elevated to a variant of concern, DHS said. Thats because the Delta variant is more contagious and vaccines might be less effective against it, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Antibody treatments also have the potential to be less effective against the Delta variant, which was first identified in India in October 2020. DHS said the vaccines available in the U.S. have been shown to provide some protection against the Delta variant. Its unclear whether the variant has an impact on how severe of a case someone might get. As a New Yorker living in Manhattan on 9/11, I saw things on that day that will never leave my brain, from men jumping off of buildings to loved ones sobbing in the streets. But Ill never forget walking down Park Avenue just hours after the towers fell, and watching a man run up to a Sikh cab driver in a turban, bang on his window, and irrationally scream at him, YOU DID THIS! I cried in that moment and in many moments after, at seeing the worst of us come out amid our fear and anger. Ive thought of that moment a lot during the last year and a half, saddened by the inability and unwillingness among some to come together, put politics aside, harness our empathy and sense of community, and instead wage wars on each other. These wars have ravaged American communities as violently as the pandemic itself. Republican lawmakers such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and others comparing mask-wearing and vaccination policies to the Holocaust, stoking conspiracy theories about mask ineffectiveness, claiming God doesnt want you to wear a mask, invoking AIDS to flout mask requirements. I could go on and on. The willful ignorance combined with deliberate fearmongering, gaslighting, profiteering and politicizing of the very real pain and anguish Americans suffered this year is inexcusable and horrific. Govt-and-politics alert top story State to review policies as Reclaim Idaho requests updated financial analysis of education ballot initiative PAT SUTPHIN, TIMES-NEWS FILE Second-grade teacher Leah Jones gathers signatures for Reclaim Idaho on Nov. 5, 2019, at the Twin Falls Reformed Church in Twin Falls. BOISE A newly revised financial analysis issued Wednesday found Reclaim Idahos updated education ballot initiative adheres to a new tax law the Legislature passed earlier this year. Overall, the initiative would increase income taxes by $323.5 million beginning in the 2024 budget year. The Division of Financial Management issued the fiscal impact statement late Wednesday afternoon, resolving confusion over how much the proposed initiative would cost and raise. The initiative, which would boost funding for K-12 education, adheres to the the latest tax cut the Legislature passed this year, and then creates a new top tax bracket at 10.925% for individuals making more than $250,000 per year, according to a copy of the fiscal impact statement the Idaho Capital Sun obtained. The education ballot initiative also increases corporate income taxes to 8% versus the new tax law that set the corporate tax rate at 6.5%. The Division of Financial Analysis also found the initiative would reduce the states general fund by $661,200 in the 2024 budget year. The initiative hit a snag earlier this week when the state released the initial fiscal impact statement, as required by law. The Idaho Capital Sun reported that the fiscal impact statement did not align with the updated ballot initiative language. Reclaim Idaho officials submitted a request for a revised fiscal impact statement to the Idaho Secretary of States Office on Tuesday afternoon. The Secretary of States staff then hand-delivered the updated ballot initiative language to the Division of Financial Management to complete the analysis, which is called a fiscal impact statement, Deputy Secretary of State Chad Houck told the Idaho Capital Sun late Tuesday afternoon. As a result of this issue, Houck said the Secretary of States Office has changed one of its policies and will ask legislators to consider changes to Idaho law to help prevent similar issues in the future. Houck and Reclaim Idaho co-founder Luke Mayville said they are happy all sides are coming together to quickly work out a path forward. It took less than two days for Secretary of States Office, Division of Financial Management and Reclaim Idaho to work together to find a solution. We are pleased that we are able to work with the Secretary of States Office and the Division of Financial Management to resolve this issue, Mayville said in a written statement Tuesday. How did the ballot initiative issues begin? The issue involves a ballot initiative that Reclaim Idaho officials hope to get on the 2022 ballot in Idaho. Reclaim Idaho, the grassroots organization behind Idahos 2018 Medicaid expansion initiative, filed the Quality Education Act ballot initiative seeking to raise funding for Idahos K-12 public school system by increasing corporate income tax rates and increasing tax on individuals making more than $250,000. Originally, Reclaim Idaho organizers announced the Secretary Of States Office gave them the go-ahead to begin collecting signatures last week. But they paused their signature gathering drive after Jair Carrero, an elections specialist with the Secretary of States Office, emailed them to point out the requirement for a fiscal impact statement. A law passed by the Legislature in 2020 requires ballot initiatives to include an independent fiscal impact statement produced by the Division of Financial Management. The information received from the Office of the Secretary of State to proceed (collecting signatures) was premature, Carrero wrote in Fridays email. The Division of Financial Management did release a fiscal impact statement for Reclaim Idahos original ballot language on Monday afternoon, as outlined in Idaho law. But Reclaim Idaho had updated their ballot language based on the passage of a new law, House Bill 380, that the Legislature passed this year that made several changes to income tax brackets and rates. That meant that the fiscal impact statement didnt match the new ballot language Reclaim Idaho was moving forward with in its signature gathering campaign. As a result, the fiscal impact statement showed passage of the ballot initiative would cost the average taxpayer about $400, which is mot what Reclaim Idaho officials wanted. What caused the confusion? The Secretary of States Office attempted to mail the Division of Financial Management a letter on April 29 requesting a fiscal impact statement for Reclaim Idahos education ballot initiative. The letter came back undeliverable. That mailing error ultimately resulted in the timelines for the ballot initiatives review for two different parts of the state government getting out of synch, Houck said. One hundred percent, completely, Houck said when asked if failure to have the letter delivered was responsible for most of the confusion. It was the breaking of those synchronous timelines. In other words, two separate state reviews were now on different tracks. While the Division of Financial Management was responsible for the fiscal impact statement, the Idaho Attorney Generals Office was completing a separate certificate of review of the ballot initiative, which is outlined in Idaho law. That process involves reviewing the initiative for form and style and what the state calls substantive import and recommending revisions or alterations. Mayville said the Attorney Generals Office review flagged the passage of House Bill 380, which changed income tax laws and brackets. That bill had been introduced April 21, a few days before Reclaim Idaho filed its ballot initiative April 28, but it was not passed and signed into law until May 4. The new law also had a clause making it take effect retroactively on Jan. 1, 2021, whereas a typical new law would not take effect until July 1. Based on the AGs review, Reclaim Idaho officials made revisions to the ballot initiative to reflect the laws passage. One of the biggest changes Reclaim Idaho made was to reduce the number of tax brackets in their initiative from seven to five, in line with House Bill 380, and then add a new tax bracket for individuals making more than $250,000. However, the Secretary of States letter requested a fiscal impact statement on the original ballot language submitted, not the updated language. Houck said state officials and Reclaim Idaho organizers found themselves in an unusual situation because the law does not address what happens when organizers of a ballot initiative make changes following an Attorney Generals Office certificate of review. The law simply states the Secretary of State shall immediately transmit a copy of the petition to the Division of Financial Management to complete the fiscal impact statement. Houck emphasized that the Division of Financial Management followed Idaho law and did nothing wrong. The division provided the fiscal impact statement to the initiative language that the Secretary of States Office immediately sent to the division the day after Reclaim Idaho filed its original ballot initiative language April 28. Division of Financial Management Administrator Alex Adams said this is the seventh fiscal impact statement the division has prepared since the 2020 law took effect. While time consuming, Im proud of the work of our state economists in using the best available evidence to develop accurate fiscal notes within the time constraints imposed by law, Adams said in a written statement Monday afternoon. We believe these fiscal impact statements will help voters as they consider the merits of future initiatives. Idaho Secretary of States Office changes policy Houck told the Idaho Capital Sun the Secretary of States Office no longer mails out requests to the Division of Financial Management for a fiscal impact statement because of the problem with the letter being returned undeliverable in this case. That is why we are delivering all those by hand, Houck said. He said the Secretary of States Office made the policy change as soon as we got one back (returned undeliverable) Its the only time its ever happened, Houck said. At that point, we had no idea that would eventually lead to this conversation where we are now. Houck also said the Secretary of States Office will recommend legislators review laws dealing with fiscal impact statements. The law doesnt address what happens if the two review timelines are broken and it gives no clear indication to provide a new fiscal impact statement if the ballot language is updated or revised. Its definitely something we need to take a look at from a statutory standpoint, Houck said. As for the Secretary of States Office giving Reclaim Idaho the go-ahead to begin collecting signatures, Houck said, That was a clerical error on our end and that is why it was addressed immediately. Given all that, Houck said he is happy the parties agreed to resolve the issue. This ultimately is the best resolution we could have come to, especially given how small of a timeline we were looking at to address it, Houck said. Here is what were trying to make happen; were asking Mr. Mayville for an advancing of trust, if you will. While these reforms are commendable, they are complicated and may miss an opportunity to rethink what goals we are trying to accomplish with these tax credits, and how best to achieve them, analysts from The Brookings Institution wrote last month. First, three different tax credits leave it up to families to navigate a bewildering set of eligibility rules and benefits. Second, they come with a very high price tag that may not be fiscally sustainable over the longer run without major and politically fraught tax increases. Third, if we are going to spend this much money, we should think carefully about what it will do not just to reduce child poverty in the short-run, but to expand opportunity and social mobility in the longer run. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} What caused the confusion? The Secretary of States Office attempted to mail the Division of Financial Management a letter on April 29 requesting a fiscal impact statement for Reclaim Idahos education ballot initiative. The letter came back undeliverable. That mailing error ultimately resulted in the timelines for the ballot initiatives review for two different parts of the state government getting out of synch, Houck said. One hundred percent, completely, Houck said when asked if failure to have the letter delivered was responsible for most of the confusion. It was the breaking of those synchronous timelines. In other words, two separate state reviews were now on different tracks. While the Division of Financial Management was responsible for the fiscal impact statement, the Idaho Attorney Generals Office was completing a separate certificate of review of the ballot initiative, which is outlined in Idaho law. That process involves reviewing the initiative for form and style and what the state calls substantive import and recommending revisions or alterations. BOISE Idaho officials are bracing for what could be a challenging wildfire season. A meteorologist on Tuesday told Republican Gov. Brad Little and other statewide elected officials on the Idaho Land Board that the state had its second driest spring in the last 126 years and one of its hottest previous 12 months. Nick Nauslar with the National Interagency Fire Center said nearly 80% of the state is immersed in drought and the rest of the state will likely be in drought in the next several months. Much of the U.S. West is also in drought, something Little said could lead to a shortage of firefighters and equipment as the wildfire season heats up. Because of the call I have with other governors, other states are trying to get resources deployed into those other states that are a lot drier, he said. I worry that there is going to be a lot of stuff elsewhere, and given the fact that COVID protocols by other states are going to diminish the frontline effectiveness. COVID-19 protocols to prevent firefighters from staying together in large camps make the logistics of keeping crews in the field more difficult and expensive. Then there is the notion of punishment. When the Quakers in Pennsylvania proposed putting prisoners in cells, they thought of a cot, a table, a chair, a candle, and a bible. The prisoner was encouraged to reflect upon sin and repent. But there is also the thought of making incarceration as unpleasant as possible, encouraging the convict not to repeat criminal activity. The harshness of a criminal penalty is too often dependent on the subjective measure of a criminals worth to society. The Civil Justice system causes even more harm, and critics cite both overuse and underuse as significant problems. Individuals and institutions are the victims of overuse. The power of financial resources too often outweighs otherwise fair laws. A well-known example is a contractor who must sue a business or individual for payment. The contractor does not have the money to overcome an experienced legal teams maneuvers to oppose all lawsuits or to bring suits against others. Companies even consider it a savvy business strategy. Deep pockets attract lawsuits. Companies and the government are embroiled in legal action seeking monetary penalties that compensate the attorney and the named victim. The parties to the suit could use mediation, but going to trial gains notoriety and, often, contributions to a cause. By the time I got out of the tent, there were three guys saying I think we shot your dog, Rob said. The Kolbs saw Suki lying on the ground 5 feet from the tent with a gunshot wound to the left side of her head. She was panting, with blood dripping from her mouth and ear, Rob said. Half of her face was drooping as if shed had a stroke. The man who shot Suki, whom the Kolbs declined to identify publicly, said hed seen her running toward his dog and thought she was a wolf. He told Rob he fired a warning shot in the air before shooting twice at Suki with a .44. Once he saw Sukis collar, he realized hed made a grave mistake.Rob said the Kolbs packed up their camp as quickly as possible, and the men at the neighboring camp did the same. To the shooters credit, Rob said, he immediately took responsibility for shooting Suki. He did all the right things after the big wrong thing, including paying for Sukis vet bills, Rob said. The group of men even offered to carry the 140-pound dog out of the backcountry, but she managed to hike 3.5 miles and more than 1,200 vertical feet out to the road. RUPERT The City of Rupert, in partnership with Rupert Range and the Friends of the Rupert Outdoor Shooting Complex, recently completed the construction of a new multipurpose building at their shooting complex north of Rupert. On Saturday, June 5, a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony was held, led by Rupert Mayor Michael Brown. The addition of a large multipurpose building at the range had been envisioned for several years to provide space for hunter education and firearm safety classes as well as meeting space for other users. The building was funded by the City of Rupert along with grants from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the Friends of the National Rifle Association in addition to countless volunteer hours from Rupert Range Inc. and the Friends of the Rupert Outdoor Shooting Complex, which helped with construction. The Rupert Shooting Complex is a public shooting range with free admission. The Shooting Complex houses 15 lanes devoted to pistol shooting, six lanes devoted to rifle shooting, solid shooting benches with seats, a steel pistol range, and a shotgun range. DENVER (AP) A Colorado baker who won a partial victory at the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018 for refusing to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple violated the states anti-discrimination law by refusing to make a birthday cake for a transgender woman, a state judge has ruled. In Tuesdays ruling, Denver District Judge A. Bruce Jones said Autumn Scardina was denied a cake that was blue on the outside and pink on the inside to celebrate her gender transition on her birthday because of her transgender status in violation of the law. While Jack Phillips said he could not make the cake because of its message, Jones said the case was about a refusal to sell a product, not compelled speech. He pointed out that Phillips testified during a trial in March that he did not think someone could change their gender and he would not celebrate somebody who thinks that they can. The anti-discrimination laws are intended to ensure that members of our society who have historically been treated unfairly, who have been deprived of even the every-day right to access businesses to buy products, are no longer treated as others, Jones wrote. NEW YORK (AP) Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of former President Donald Trump and one of his top advisers during his administration, has a book deal. Broadside Books, a conservative imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, announced that Kushner's book will come out in early 2022. Kushner has begun working on the memoir, currently untitled, and is expected to write about everything from the Middle East to criminal justice reform to the pandemic. His book will be the definitive, thorough recounting of the administration and the truth about what happened behind closed doors, Broadside announced Tuesday. Financial terms were not disclosed. Kushner was often at the center of the Trump administration's policies whether brokering the normalization of relationships between Israel and United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco the so-called Abraham Accords or playing a key role in a criminal justice bill passed by Congress in 2018. He has also been the subject of numerous controversies, whether for his financial dealings and potential conflicts of interest or for the administration's widely criticized handling of COVID-19. Weve screened more than 100,000 individuals in our service area for food and housing insecurity, exposure to domestic violence and other health-related social needs, and weve found again and again, many services exist to support these individuals and families, but as a system and community, we previously havent connected with them appropriately, said Anthony Keck, chief population health officer for Ballad Health. By removing this burden of old debt, we hope to better engage with our patients, so they access care and other services when they need them without the fear of unmanageable expenses, Keck said. RIP Medical Debt works with donors, in this case, The Secular Society a not-for-profit Blacksburg-based corporation which purchased and abolished $76.5 million in medical debt for tens of thousands of Virginia residents who were Ballad Health patients. A man shot and killed by police in Bessemer City on Wednesday was wanted in McDowell County after failing to appear in court to face sex-related charges. Media outlets identified the man as Billy Jack Barker, 44. In February, Detective Billie Brown of the McDowell County Sheriffs Office charged Barker, whose address was listed as Gowan Loop in Marion, with first-degree statutory rape, first-degree statutory sex offense and taking indecent liberties with a child. Barker was accused of having inappropriate sexual conduct with a child under the age of 16. He failed to appear in court on those charges in May and was wanted at the time of the incident in Bessemer City. This was the second time Barker had been shot by police. He was wounded in the leg in January during an altercation following a traffic stop. WSOC talked to neighbor Patricia Grigg after Wednesdays incident. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} He said he wasnt going back to jail, she told the TV station. He wasnt going to prison. Theyd have to shoot him first. The John M. Belk Endowment is a private family foundation committed to transforming postsecondary educational opportunities to meet North Carolinas evolving workforce needs. Its mission is aligned with the vision of its founder, the late John M. Belk, who served four terms as mayor of Charlotte and was CEO of the department store company Belk, Inc. Now led by Mr. Belks daughter, MC Belk Pilon, the John M. Belk Endowment continues to partner with innovative, results-oriented programs in North Carolina to further Mr. Belks values, legacy, and focus on the value of education as a means to personal fulfillment and community vitality. For more information, visit jmbendowment.org. Dogwood Health Trust is a private foundation based in Asheville, North Carolina with the sole purpose of dramatically improving the health and well-being of all people and communities of 18 counties and the Qualla Boundary in Western North Carolina. Dogwood Health Trust was created from the net proceeds of the sale of Mission Hospital System and focuses on innovative and equitable ways to address the many factors that contribute to overall health and wellness, with a focus on housing, education, economic opportunity, and access to care and health resources. Dogwood Health Trust works to create a Western North Carolina where every generation can live, learn, earn, and thrive, with dignity and opportunity for all, no exceptions. To learn more, visit dht.org. He must fulfill his commitment to sharing 80 million COVID-19 vaccine doses with the world by the end of this month, while devising plans to meet his pledge to share a further 500 million over the next year. White House COVID coordinator Jeff Zients said Thursday that the administration would be unveiling the recipients of those 80 million doses in the coming days, as the U.S. works through the diplomatic and logistical hurdles to ship vaccines abroad as quickly as possible. Having secured an agreement with the European Union to end a 16-year dispute over commercial airliners, Biden said he is now looking to bring about a de-escalation in a host of other trade tensions with the bloc as he tries to develop a more united front to counter Chinas trade practices. Hes tasked U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to step up negotiations. And after sitting down with Putin, Biden said the next six months would determine whether a constructive partnership could be formed in areas of mutual interest, from nuclear arms control and safeguarding critical infrastructure from cyberattacks to a potential exchange of imprisoned citizens. Progress on any of those fronts would be ironed out in the months ahead, Biden added. The president was very clear yesterday that the proof of the pudding is in the eating, national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Thursday. It is the start of the story, and how the story ends will unfold here over the course, as he said, of the next six months to a year. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. A device that helps desperately sick patients breathe and costs just 150 ($212) to manufacture could revolutionize access to life-saving care in low to middle income countries. It has been designed to provide therapeutic oxygen support to patients severely ill with COVID 19, pneumonia or other forms of respiratory distress, and was developed by a team of scientists and clinicians from the University of Leeds, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust using the principles of "frugal engineering." Stripped of unnecessary functionality, the device has been made to function in lower-resourced healthcare settings, where there is a critical shortage of equipment to support patients' breathing. Known as the Leeds LeVe, it delivers a form of oxygen therapy known as CPAP or continuous positive airway pressure. Recent scientific reports have shown that CPAP can help save the lives of patients moderately or severely ill with COVID 19. Dr. Tom Lawton, consultant in critical care and anesthesia at Bradford and a member of the research team, said: "CPAP has become one of the mainstays of respiratory treatment of COVID-19 during the pandemic, but can be oxygen-intensive which is an issue in low-income settings or where health systems become overwhelmed. "Low-resource devices like this have already saved many lives in the pandemic and making them available across the world at low cost has the potential to save more, both in COVID-19 and potentially other respiratory diseases too." The LeVe system has been designed to make efficient use of scarce oxygen supplies. Low-cost technology The Leeds system is remarkably simple. It is made up of an oxygen mask, tubing, filter and a small electric fan blower that can generate a flow of air at a raised pressure. Oxygen is added either from a cylinder or oxygen concentrator, a machine the size of a suitcase that takes in air, removes the nitrogenand pumps out an oxygen supply. A patient receives the air and oxygen mix at a slightly raised pressure, to keep their airway open and lungs oxygenated. Conventional breathing support systems cost from around 800 to 30,000-plus for the mechanical ventilators found in intensive care units. Those costs and the way oxygen supplies are configured in many clinics and hospitals in poorer health economies have resulted in a dire shortage of life-support equipment. Dr. Pete Culmer, associate professor in the school of mechanical engineering at the University of Leeds, from the project's engineering team said: "The pandemic is highlighting the devastating shortage of medical equipment that can help people breathe. This project has brought together a team of doctors, scientists and engineers, from the UK and Uganda, to develop a simplified, easy-to-maintain device. "Our hope is that the device will revolutionize the care that can be offered to people in low to middle income countries who are experiencing respiratory distress." Patient Trial The prototype device has passed safety tests following a trial on healthy volunteers. A patient trial involving people with breathing difficulties is planned to start shortly at the Mengo Hospital, a not-for-profit health institution in Kampala, Uganda. Dr. Edith Namulema, an Epidemiologist leading the clinical trial, said: "Since the outbreak of the COVID 19 epidemic, the demand for oxygen is quite high. Looking at the available infrastructure at Mengo Hospital, for every 20 patients requiring extensive oxygen needs, only three access it. "The situation is worse in the lower-level health centers where none of the patients that visit these facilities can access these services." The trial will evaluate whether the device is as clinically effective as other CPAP breathing aids. Professor Nikil Kapur, from the School of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Leeds who has led the project, said: "Designing equipment that remains sustainable over the long term is vital. As well as providing for patients now, we want equipment that will continue to support patients in the future. This includes considering the training of healthcare professionals and the long-term maintenance of technology. "We are working with colleagues from these settings to ensure we are meeting these requirements." Prof. David Brettle, chief scientific officer at Leeds Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "The LeVe CPAP device is the culmination of a fantastic collaboration between academia and health in direct response to the COVID pandemic. In the UK we often take for granted access to the necessary health technology, but even relatively simple technology is often not available in low-and middle-income countries. "This new development should help to level the playing field in this respect, not just for COVID but for other respiratory conditions, helping to improve care world-wide and ultimately saving lives." A preprint scientific paper describing the engineering principles of the device and its evaluation has been published online on the MedRxiv website. As a preprint, it has not yet been subject to peer review. More information: P. Culmer et al, The LeVe CPAP System for oxygen-efficient CPAP respiratory support: Development and pilot evaluation, (2021). P. Culmer et al, The LeVe CPAP System for oxygen-efficient CPAP respiratory support: Development and pilot evaluation,(2021). DOI: 10.1101/2021.05.24.21256987 Three-dimensional culture of human breast cancer cells, with DNA stained blue and a protein in the cell surface membrane stained green. Image created in 2014 by Tom Misteli, Ph.D., and Karen Meaburn, Ph.D. at the NIH IRP. Adding an immune checkpoint inhibitor to anti-HER2 treatment in breast cancer does not improve pathological complete response (pCR), according to the primary analysis of the IMpassion050 trial presented today during the ESMO Virtual Plenary. The phase III trial is the first to report data comparing a neoadjuvant anti-HER2 based regimen with or without the anti-PD-L1 antibody atezolizumab in patients with high-risk, HER2-positive early breast cancer. The standard treatment for high-risk, HER2-positive early breast cancer is dual anti-HER2 blockade plus chemotherapy. While antibody therapy may enhance innate and adaptive immunity and activate cellular cytotoxicity, there is evidence that combination with a checkpoint inhibitor may further enhance the immune response. IMpassion050 evaluated the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant atezolizumab versus placebo in patients receiving dose-dense anthracycline and taxane-based chemotherapy as a sequential treatment in combination with the antibodies pertuzumab and trastuzumab. The trial enrolled 454 patients with high-risk HER2-positive early breast cancer, meaning they had a primary breast tumor size of >2 cm, and pathologic confirmation of nodal involvement. Patients were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to the two treatment arms and received six months of neoadjuvant therapy. Following surgery, patients resumed their allocated treatment with atezolizumab versus placebo. Patients with pCR continued pertuzumab and trastuzumab while those with residual disease could switch to trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1). The co-primary endpoints were pCR in the intention to treat (ITT) and PD-L1 positive populations. Event-free survival (EFS), overall survival and safety were secondary endpoints. The trial was stopped prematurely when the Independent Data Monitoring Committee judged that there was an unfavorable benefit-risk profile with the intervention. The data were analyzed early, with three patients still to undergo surgery. In the ITT population, pCR was achieved by 62.4% of the atezolizumab arm and 62.7% of the placebo arm (p=1.0). In the PD-L1 positive population, pCR was achieved by 64.2% of the atezolizumab arm and 72.5% of the placebo arm (p=0.2). Regarding safety, there were higher rates of grade 3/4 adverse events (AEs; 51.8% versus 43.6%) and serious AEs (19.5% versus 13.3%) in the neoadjuvant phase with atezolizumab versus placebo, respectively. During neoadjuvant treatment, four patients in the atezolizumab group died compared to no patients in the placebo group. Of the four deaths, two fatal events were assigned to study treatmentone due to alveolitis and one due to septic shock, although it is not clear whether these were immune-related. Lead author Prof Jens Huober, professor of gynecologic oncology at the Breast Centre St. Gallen, Switzerland, said, "Overall, the safety profile was consistent with other combination studies with atezolizumab, with no new side effects. It is important to note that this was a selected population of high-risk HER2-positive patients to justify the potential toxicity of the additional drug and because patients with HER2-positive, node negative, smaller tumors do well with standard treatment." Huober added, "The additional immunotherapy in this setting did not enhance the pCR rate in the overall population or in any subgroup. However, what counts for patients are EFS and overall survival (OS), which were secondary endpoints, and we need longer follow-up for those results. In addition, there is some evidence in triple negative breast cancer that pCR may not be the best endpoint for measuring the efficacy of immunotherapy." Commenting on the study, Dr. Carmen Criscitiello, scientist and senior physician at the European Institute of Oncology in Milan, Italy said, "At trial level pCR is not a robust and validated endpoint for efficacy so the findings should be interpreted with caution until there are long-term results on EFS. In triple negative breast cancer, immune checkpoint inhibition added to standard neoadjuvant therapy modestly increased pCR rate in the GeparNUEVO and KEYNOTE-522 studiesyet EFS was significantly improved in both studies." Criscitiello added, "In the metastatic setting, the benefit of adding an immune checkpoint inhibitor to chemotherapy is largely confined to the PD-L1 positive population. In the neoadjuvant setting, benefit in patients with triple negative breast cancer has been observed in the overall population and in both PD-L1 positive and negative subgroups. In the IMpassion050 PD-L1 positive group, the pCR rate was numerically inferior in the experimental arm compared to the control arm, suggesting a numerical opposite trend in PD-L1 negative tumors. This indicates the need to better investigate biological differences on the impact of PD-L1 by disease setting." Criscitiello said the findings on safety should be examined carefully given the curative setting. She said, "Toxicity is more or less in line with what has been reported with similar combinations in other settings. There is a need to investigate if there is any link between atezolizumab and the treatment-related deaths, althoughexcept for alveolitisthey were not typical immune-related side-effects. In the curative setting we should be even more conservative and cautious when we look at the toxicity that may be induced by a new treatment. So far, this combination has not demonstrated an improvement in pCR rate, so the balance between risk and benefit should be carefully monitored before considering this therapeutic strategy." More information: 'IMpassion050: A phase III study of neoadjuvant atezolizumab + pertuzumab + trastuzumab + chemotherapy (neoadj A + PH + CT) in high-risk, HER2-positive early breast cancer (EBC)' will be presented by Jens Huober during the ESMO Virtual Plenary on Thursday, 17 June 2021 Jeffrey P. Henderson, MD, PhD, an associate professor of medicine and of molecular microbiology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, holds a bag of convalescent plasma. He is an author on a new study that shows that such plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients can dramatically increase the likelihood of survival for blood cancer patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Credit: Matt Miller/Washington University A large, retrospective, multicenter study involving Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis indicates that convalescent plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients can dramatically improve likelihood of survival among blood cancer patients hospitalized with the virus. The therapy involves transfusing plasmathe pale yellow liquid in blood that is rich in antibodiesfrom people who have recovered from COVID-19 into patients who have leukemia, lymphoma or other blood cancers and are hospitalized with the viral infection. The goal is to accelerate their disease-fighting response. Cancer patients may be at a higher risk of death related to COVID-19 because of their weakened immune systems. The data, collected as part of a national registry, indicate that patients who received convalescent plasma from donors who had recovered from COVID-19 had a death rate of 13.3% compared with 24.8% for those who did not receive it. The difference was especially striking among severely ill patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). Such patients treated with convalescent plasma had a death rate of 15.8% compared with 46.9% for those who didn't receive the treatment. "These results suggest that convalescent plasma may not only help COVID-19 patients with blood cancers whose immune systems are compromised, it may also help patients with other illnesses who have weakened antibody responses to this virus or to the vaccines," said Jeffrey P. Henderson, MD, Ph.D., an associate professor of medicine and of molecular microbiology at Washington University. "The data also emphasize the value of an antibody therapy such as convalescent plasma as a virus-directed treatment option for hospitalized COVID-19 patients." The research is published June 17 in the journal JAMA Oncology. Henderson collaborated with researchers from the international COVID-19 & Cancer Consortium (CCC19) formed over a year ago to collect and analyze data on the disease's unique interactions. More than 70 institutions in the consortiumincluding Advocate Aurora Health in Wisconsin and Illinois, Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn., and the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.participated in this study. The scientists looked back at patient data to compare the 30-day mortality of 966 hospitalized adults with a blood cancer, such as leukemia, lymphoma or multiple myeloma, who also were diagnosed with COVID-19. The patients, whose average age was 67, were hospitalized at some point from March 17, 2020, through Jan. 21, 2021, due to complications from COVID-19. Of the patients studied, 143 received convalescent plasma, and 823 did not. Of the 338 patients admitted to ICUs because of severe COVID-19 symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or cardiac distress, those who received the treatment were more than twice as likely to survive. "In March 2020, the Food and Drug Administration provided a pathway for hospitalized patients to receive COVID-19 convalescent plasma if requested by their physicians," Henderson explained. "After this, the decision to give convalescent plasma was made by physicians and patients on a case-by-case basis. There were no restrictions on when during the course of illness convalescent plasma could be given to patients." Early in the pandemic, many scientists urged evaluation of convalescent plasma to treat the virus, based on the plasma's historical effectiveness in fighting other viruses. During the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, some newly infected patients were treated successfully with plasma from people who had recovered from the flu. Additionally, during the outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2002 and 2003, health-care workers used plasma transfusion experimentally and, in many cases, successfully to treat small numbers of people. SARS is caused by a coronavirus closely related to the one that causes COVID-19. However, limited data on the novel coronavirus also caused pause among physicians. Randomized controlled trialsthe gold standard in researchproved elusive, in most cases, due to the time required to prepare and coordinate adequate trials, and the need for scientists to prioritize among multiple investigational treatment options. Some preliminary results also disappointed, showing convalescent plasma only worked as a treatment in the general patient population if infused within days after diagnosis in patients who hadn't yet progressed to having severe complications. "As more COVID-19 patients began receiving convalescent plasma, we started hearing physicians around the country report remarkable clinical improvements following convalescent plasma infusions in COVID-19 patients with blood cancers and antibody deficiencies, some of whom were already very ill," said Henderson, one of several physicians who formed the COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Program Leadership Group to study the use of convalescent plasma for treating COVID-19. "I have seen one of my own patients with blood cancer quickly improve after receiving convalescent plasma. Similar stories that were often very detailed suggested that a formal study would help physicians with decisions they were already making on a daily basis." During the past year, over phone calls, emails and Zoom chats, updates on convalescent plasmaits historical success and its prospects for COVID-19were a staple in conversations between Henderson and his longtime friend and co-author Michael Thompson, MD, Ph.D., who also was his roommate during undergraduate school at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Thompson is now an oncologist and hematologist at Advocate Aurora Health, and Advocate Aurora Research Institute, both in Wisconsin, as well as a member of the steering committee of the COVID-19 & Cancer Consortium. "It became increasingly evident that patients with leukemia, lymphoma and other blood cancers were particularly susceptible to severe COVID-19 and that COVID-19 may develop in a unique way in these patients," said Henderson. "We discussed that we might learn something from patients in the COVID-19 & Cancer Consortium, and things started to snowball from there." Henderson contacted fellow researchers in the COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Program, including Michael J. Joyner, MD, who is a professor of anesthesiology at the Mayo Clinic and works closely with the FDA. Thompson reached out to Jeremy Warner, MDa professor of medicine at Vanderbilt, a steering committee member of the COVID-19 consortium and who operates the CCC19 registry. Together, the researchers plumbed the group's registry of de-identified data abstracted from medical records. "The data started coming fast and furious," Henderson recalled. "Given that patients with blood cancers have higher mortality rates from COVID-19, we suspect our findings, along with other similar cases not in this database, support using convalescent plasma to improve survival in these patients," Thompson said. Henderson and Thompson contributed equally as the study's first authors. Joyner is a co-author, and Warner is the senior author. "Despite the inevitable limitations of retrospective data, we find these results compelling and certainly hope that they will be quickly investigated in a prospective clinical trial," Warner added. "We are exploring future research, including whether there is an interplay between patient factors and treatments received prior to the development of COVID-19, such as B-cell depleting monoclonal antibodies." Explore further Drop in convalescent plasma use at US hospitals linked to higher COVID-19 mortality rate The spatial distributions of (A) human movement O-D flows between census tracts in Dane County, (B) Dane County spatial clustering results using the Walktrap network community detection method, (C) the raw cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases and ratio of per 10,000 people at the census tract level in Dane County by August 14, 2020, (D) human movement O-D flows between census tracts in Milwaukee County, (E) Milwaukee County spatial clustering results using the Walktrap network community detection method, and (F) the raw cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases and ratio of per 10,000 people at the census tract level in Milwaukee County by August 12, 2020. (COVID-19 confirmed cases data were retrieved from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.) An epidemic like COVID-19 relies on infected people mixing with uninfected peopleencounters that typically require one or both to move around. A new method for modeling the progression of pandemic infections incorporates location data from smartphones to give public health policymakers a more accurate picture of the way people in their communities are mixing and where and how to focus their efforts. "Most models of COVID-19 take a county or a group of census tracts and treat the population in many ways as a homogenous group," says Song Gao, geography professor and member of the group of University of WisconsinMadison researchers who described the new modeling method this week in the Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences. "When we looked at reports on census tracts, we saw some with a high infection rate, but neighboring tracts with low confirmed cases." That made mixing between residents of the neighboring tracts seem unlikely, so the researchers gave anonymized data on the trip origins and destinations of cellular phones in Wisconsin's two most populous counties, Dane and Milwaukee, over to a machine learning algorithm that broke the counties down into new subregions. "The algorithm uses the information on human mobility flow to repartition each county into smaller subregions in which there is high internal mobility. The people within each new subregion have the most interactions with each other," Gao says. The researchers' new subregions revealed demographic separations that could be seen as key to the way COVID-19 infections peaked in each county. "Dane County's most significant heterogeneity is the difference in age structure among neighborhoods," Gao says. "In Milwaukee County, the most significant difference is racial and ethnic diversity." That squares with the way the counties experienced outbreaks in the summer of 2020. Dane County struggled with a spike in the infection rate in its youngest subregion, driven by clusters of infection centered on bars typically frequented by younger crowds. Milwaukee County's pandemic had an outsized effect on Black and Hispanic communities concentrated in two areas also identified via mobility data as relatively insular subregions. "Modeling that accounts for mobility within and between these subregions gives us a better understanding of how the infection situation we are in happened, the opportunity to investigate some of what you might call super-spreading events, and can help policymakers investigate why a specific day has a very high rate of infection," says Gao, whose work is funded by the National Science Foundation. The research teamwhich includes geographers, mathematicians, an epidemiologist and communications expertsused the model to examine decisions to ease restrictions in each county as the pandemic seemed to wane in mid-2020. In steps in May and June, for example, Dane County allowed business (including bars) to open to 25 percent and then 50 percent their normal capacity on June 15. By June 30, in the markedly young subregion adjacent to UWMadison, the infection rate rose to 11.6 cases per thousand residents. According to the mobility-inclusive method of mathematical modeling (not controlled experiments), not relaxing these checks on interaction would have limited the infection rate to 3.4 per thousand peopleone-third the actual spread. Incorporating mobility and foot traffic data can help public health agencies identify unique aspects of their communities that need to be addressed to arrest the spread of a pandemic virus. "Instead of implementing one-size-fits-all policy, we can design policies that are region-specific, based on different types of heterogeneity," Gao says. Explore further Tracking virus mutations reveals success of stay-at-home orders More information: Xiao Hou et al, Intracounty modeling of COVID-19 infection with human mobility: Assessing spatial heterogeneity with business traffic, age, and race, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2021). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Xiao Hou et al, Intracounty modeling of COVID-19 infection with human mobility: Assessing spatial heterogeneity with business traffic, age, and race,(2021). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2020524118 Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain A Victorian Resolve poll for The Age gave Labor 37% of the primary vote (42.9% at the 2018 election), the Coalition 36% (35.2%), the Greens 9% (10.7%) and independents 12% (6.1%). This poll was presumably conducted at the same time as Resolve's federal May and June polls, from a sample of 1,103. As usual with Resolve polls, no two party figure was provided, but The Poll Bludger estimated 53-47 to Labor, about a 4% swing to the Coalition since the election. On the high vote for independents, it appears some voters are dissatisfied with the three main options, and are parking their vote. It's unlikely independents would get 12% at an election, as those who say they will vote for independents may not like the actual independents in a particular seat. Incumbent Daniel Andrews led Opposition Leader Michael O'Brien as preferred premier by 49-23. Andrews had a net +10 likeability rating (42% positive, 32% negative), and O'Brien a net -8 rating (14% positive, 22% negative). Acting Premier James Merlino had a net +15 rating (30% positive, 15% negative). The Age is comparing the Victorian ratings with the ratings for NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian in May's NSW Resolve poll. Berejiklian was at a net +33 (51% positive, 17% negative). In questions on the recent COVID crisis that were presumably asked in just the June sample, by 46-36 voters agreed that the government was too quick to lockdown large parts of the state. However, voters agreed 46-34 that the government has handled this outbreak well so far. There is other evidence of a backlash against the Victorian government over its handling of COVID. In last week's Essential federal poll, 48% gave the Victorian government a good rating on COVID, down from 63% in the late May Essential before the current crisis. It's likely that the 2018 election landslide was a high water mark for Labor in Victoria, and that they would fall from that position even with better perception of handling of COVID. However, Labor is still comfortably ahead and the clear favorites for the November 2022 election. Federal Resolve poll: flawed question on carbon price In a federal Resolve poll for Nine newspapers, conducted June 8-12 from a sample of 1,600, the Coalition had 40% of the primary vote (up one since May), Labor 36% (up one), the Greens 10% (down two) and One Nation 3% (up one). No two party vote was provided, but The Poll Bludger estimated a 50.5-49.5 lead for Labor from these primaries, a 0.5% gain for the Coalition. 55% supported the government adopting a net zero emissions target by 2050, with just 12% opposed. However, when offered a choice between new technologies and putting a cost on emissions to reduce Australia's carbon emissions, 61% supported new technology and just 13% the cost on emissions. The problem with the second question is that voters were given a choice between something that sounds free (new tech), and something that has a cost (carbon price). It is completely unsurprising, given this framing, that voters massively prefer new tech. A better framing would be to ask whether the government should invest money in new tech, or put a price on carbon. However, voters are reluctant to spend money on emissions reduction. In a February 2020 Newspoll, 50% said they were prepared to pay nothing more on electricity to meet emissions targets, and a further 23% just $100 more a year. This poll was taken after the 2019-20 summer bushfires, and before COVID. Voters are unlikely to be so concerned about climate change now. In other Resolve questions, Scott Morrison had a 48% good, 41% poor rating for his performance in recent weeks, with his +7 net rating down eight points since May. Anthony Albanese had an unchanged -13 net rating, and Morrison led Albanese by 46-23 as preferred PM (48-25 in May). The Coalition and Morrison continued to hold large leads over Labor and Albanese on the economy and COVID. They led by 43-20 on the economy (46-20 in May) and by 40-20 on COVID (46-20). Essential and Morgan polls In last week's Essential poll, Morrison had a net approval of +21, down five points since May, and Albanese a net approval of +3, down one point. Morrison led Albanese by 48-28 as better PM (50-24 in May). 53% gave the federal government a good rating on COVID and 24% a poor one, well down from the 58-18 rating in late May. In all states, the state government was ahead of the federal government, with the largest gap in WA (75% good for state government, just 49% for federal government). In a Morgan poll, conducted May 29-30 and June 5-6 from a sample of over 2,800, Labor led the Coalition by 51-49, a 0.5% gain for Labor since March. Primary votes were 40% Coalition (down one), 35.5% Labor (up one), 11.5% Greens (down one) and 3% One Nation (up 0.5%). Netanyahu ousted in Israel, and other international politics I wrote for The Poll Bludger on Monday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been ousted in a confidence vote, ending his 12 successive years as PM. Also covered: a German state election and federal polls ahead of the September 26 election; two UK byelections that occur in the next fortnight; and the far-left's narrow win over the far-right in Peru. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Scientists have identified a new class of targeted cancer drugs that offer the potential to treat patients whose tumors have faulty copies of the BRCA cancer genes. The drugs, known as POLQ inhibitors, specifically kill cancer cells with mutations in the BRCA genes while leaving healthy cells unharmed. And crucially, they can kill cancer cells that have become resistant to PARP inhibitorsan existing treatment for patients with BRCA mutations. Researchers are already planning to test the new drug class in upcoming clinical trials. If the trials are successful, POLQ inhibitors could enter the clinic as a new approach to treating a range of cancers with BRCA mutations, such as breast, ovarian, pancreatic and prostate cancer. Scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and the pharmaceutical company Artios, explored the potential of using POLQ inhibitors in treating cancer cells with defects in the BRCA genes. Their study, published today in Nature Communications, was funded by Artios, Cancer Research UK and Breast Cancer Now. For some time now, scientists have known that genetically removing a protein known as POLQ killed cells with BRCA gene defects, although drugs that prevent POLQ from working had not been identified. In this new work, the researchers identified prototype drugs that not only stop POLQ from working, but which also kill cancer cells with BRCA gene mutations. Both BRCA genes and POLQ are involved in repairing DNA. Cancer cells can survive without one or other of them, but if both are blocked or their genes switched off, cancer cells can no longer repair their DNA and they die. Researchers found that when cells were treated with POLQ inhibitors, cancer cells with BRCA gene mutations were stripped of their ability to repair their DNA and died, but normal cells did not. By killing cancer cells with BRCA gene mutations, while leaving normal cells unharmed, POLQ inhibitors could offer a treatment for cancer with relatively few side effects. Researchers also found that POLQ inhibitors work very well when used together in combination with PARP inhibitors. The addition of POLQ inhibitors meant that PARP inhibitors were effective when used at a lower dose. And in laboratory tests in rats and in organoidsthree-dimensional mini-tumors grown in the labPOLQ inhibitors were able to shrink BRCA-mutant cancers that had stopped responding to PARP inhibitors because of a defect in a set of genes known as the "Shieldins." This suggests that POLQ inhibitors could offer an alternative treatment where PARP inhibitors are no longer working. Researchers believe that using a POLQ inhibitor in combination with a PARP inhibitor in patients with cancers that have faulty BRCA genes could prevent resistance from emerging in the first place. Scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), funded by Breast Cancer Now and Cancer Research UK, discovered how to genetically target PARP inhibitors against BRCA-mutant cancers and, with colleagues at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, helped run clinical trials leading to the first PARP inhibitor being approved for use. The next step will now be to test POLQ inhibitors in clinical trials led by Artios. Study co-leader, Professor Chris Lord, Professor of Cancer Genomics at The Institute of Cancer Research, London,and Deputy Director of the Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Center at the ICR, said: "All cells have to be able to repair damage to their DNA to stay healthyotherwise mutations build up and eventually kill them. We have identified a new class of precision medicine that strips cancers of their ability to repair their DNA. This new type of treatment has the potential to be effective against cancers which already have weaknesses in their ability to repair their DNA, through defects in their BRCA genes. And excitingly, the new drugs also seem to work against cancer cells that have stopped responding to an existing treatment called PARP inhibitorspotentially opening up a new way of overcoming drug resistance. I'm very keen to see how they perform in clinical trials." Professor Paul Workman, Chief Executive of The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said: "It's exciting that the new POLQ inhibitors should provide a different approach to treating cancers with BRCA gene defectsand particularly that this class of drugs should retain their activity in cancers that have developed resistance to PARP inhibitors. Most exciting of all is the potential of combining POLQ and PARP inhibitor drugs to prevent the evolution of BRCA-mutant cancers into more aggressive, drug-resistant formsa major challenge that we see in the clinic." Study Co-Leader, Dr. Graeme Smith, Chief Scientific Officer at Artios Pharma, Cambridge, said: "These exciting preclinical results provide a clear rationale for future clinical studies with a POLQ inhibitor. At Artios, we are on track to initiate our POLQ clinical program before the year end to explore POLQ inhibition in the sensitive cancer types that this study has uncovered. Our planned POLQ inhibitor clinical studies will leverage these results, exploring combination treatment with PARP inhibitors and different types of DNA damaging agents." Michelle Mitchell, chief executive at Cancer Research UK said:"More than 25 years ago we helped discover the BRCA gene, which spurred on our scientists to work with others to develop PARP inhibitors, which are now benefiting many patients. But we are always trying to find newer and better ways to outstep cancer, especially when it stops responding to current treatments. By revisiting weaknesses in the BRCA repair pathway, researchers have not only found a way to make PARP inhibitors more effective, but they may have also identified an entirely new class of targeted drugs for BRCA cancers, which could include pancreatic cancer which has limited treated options. We look forward to seeing if these promising results in the lab transfer into benefits for patients when tested in trials." Dr. Simon Vincent, Director of Research, Support and Influencing at Breast Cancer Now, said: "Men and women with a change in one of their BRCA genes are at greater risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer, and around 5% of the 55,000 cases of breast cancer diagnosed in UK each year are caused by an inherited altered gene, which includes BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. "It's therefore hugely exciting thatPOLQ inhibitors could provide a targeted treatment option for people whose cancer is caused by altered BRCA genes. As a targeted treatment, we hope that POLQ inhibitors could be a kinder alternative, with less side effects than current treatment options. "Drug resistance is a major hurdle that we must tackle to stop women dying from breast cancer, so it is also exciting that POLQ inhibitors offer a hope of overcoming resistance in some cases. "We hope that future research will confirm that POLQ inhibitors can benefit people with breast cancer in these ways." Explore further Antibiotic Novobiocin found to kill tumor cells with DNA-repair glitch Credit: CC0 Public Domain EU states must use all the vaccine options available to fight the coronavirus pandemic, and it is too early to tell if a particular type is best, the European Medicines Agency said on Thursday. The comments come as several countries limit the use of so-called viral vector jabs like AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson due to a link with rare blood clots, and opt instead for Messenger RNA vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna. "We are still in a pandemic, and it's very important that in this fight against this pandemic we use all the options we have available," Marco Cavaleri, EMA head of vaccines strategy, told a news conference. Cavaleri said it was then "up to member states how they use them in the best interest of public health". The EMA earlier this week denied that Cavaleri had suggested in an interview with an Italian newspaper dropping the AstraZeneca COVID vaccine, even for people over 60 to whom it's currently limited in a number of states. Cavaleri said Thursday the episode was "rather unfortunate and essentially was a misunderstanding on many aspects". The EMA expert added it was "very difficult to say" which type of vaccine technology might prove the most dominant in future, and that all existing jabs had "already been saving thousands and millions of lives". "Whether in the future there will be a certain type of vaccine like the messenger RNA that will remain the main one or not, whether other platform technologies... will remain as ancillary vaccine that could play an important role in controlling this coronavirus, is difficult to say right now," he said. "We are just glad to have so many options." The EMA has currently authorised four vaccines: Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca and J&J. One of another four under reviewGermany's CureVacsuffered a blow when interim trial results Wednesday showed it was just 47 percent effective. That falls below the EMA's threshold of 50 percent efficacy but Cavaleri said that "this does not mean that we will not look into the entirety of the evidence" before reaching a decision. Meanwhile the regulator revealed that the number of J&J doses held back in the EU as a precaution after a batch in the US, made at the same time, was contaminated with material from another vaccine was 17 million. Explore further EU agency says mRNA jabs 'promising' against India variant 2021 AFP Enid Schatz, professor and chair of the Department of Public Health in the MU School of Health Professions, has studied HIV in Africa for nearly 25 years. Credit: University of Missouri Researchers at the University of Missouri have found that physical mobility, transportation and financial issues pose the biggest barriers to accessing HIV treatment for older adults in South Africa, where 20 to 30 percent of people over age 50 are infected with the virus. However, MU researchers also found that family support proved to be the strongest facilitator in overcoming these challenges thanks to changing attitudes in Africa about HIV/AIDS. "What we found was older adults with HIV often have younger family members who have been raised in a society of acceptance regarding the disease," said Tyler Myroniuk, a postdoctoral fellow from MU who worked on the study and has been studying aging, marriage and mental health in Africa since 2010. "HIV stigma still exists, but far less so for this younger generation, who truly just want to help their family get the care they need to be healthy; so it has been encouraging to see the awareness of the disease normalizing." During their study, Myroniuk and Enid Schatz, professor and chair of the Department of Public Health in the MU School of Health Professions who has studied HIV in Africa for nearly 25 years, interviewed older adults living with HIV in Cape Town, South Africa, to better understand how aging has affected their ability to access HIV treatment. "As HIV treatment has become more widely available, we wanted to learn what made it easier or harder for older adults to access the treatment they needed," said Schatz. "Our goal was to better understand the perspectives of this older population with HIV to ensure they have improved access to care and can live healthier lives." The HIV epidemic has had a major impact on life expectancy across sub-Saharan Africa, where death rates from HIV and AIDS have far exceeded other parts of the world. However, as access to antiretroviral treatment has improved, the number of older adults surviving with and managing their HIV continues to grow. Schatz explained that for older adults who may have memory issues impacting medication adherence, a strong support system from family members is crucial to facilitating access to care. In the study, relatives of the individuals with HIV often provided transportation for the patient to a local clinic to receive the HIV medication and reminded them to take their daily medication to stay healthy. The research findings can be useful for governments and public health departments to better understand the challenges facing health care access for individuals with HIV and inform possible solutions. "Since older adults may have other co-occurring chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity or chronic stress, there has been a greater emphasis placed on more holistic, integrated health care services," Schatz said. "If patients could receive all their medications for various conditions at one time and in one place, it would reduce transportation costs by allowing patients to come back less frequently." Schatz added that since younger people with HIV now have much longer life expectancies, the prevalence of HIV among older populations will only increase going forward, making it critical to examine and understand the barriers and facilitators to health care access for this population. "The burden of these health care costs will continue to rise in the future, and with the recent COVID-19 situation, it will be important to see how these epidemics overlap and impact each other," Schatz said. "The good news is we are seeing family members create both emotional and financial support systems for their loved ones with HIV, and those concepts of acceptance and compassion are fairly universal ideas, so hopefully they will make a difference that has positive ripple effects going forward." "'You have to withstand that because you have come for what you have come for': Barriers and facilitators to antiretroviral treatment access among older South Africans living with HIV." was recently published in Sociology of Health & Illness. Funding for the study was provided by the University of Missouri-South African Education Partnership Program. More information: Enid Schatz et al, 'You Have to Withstand That Because You Have Come for What You Have Come for': Barriers and facilitators to antiretroviral treatment access among older South Africans living with HIV, Sociology of Health & Illness (2021). Enid Schatz et al, 'You Have to Withstand That Because You Have Come for What You Have Come for': Barriers and facilitators to antiretroviral treatment access among older South Africans living with HIV,(2021). DOI: 10.1111/1467-9566.13243 Credit: Southampton Clinical Trials Unit The first participants have taken part in a new research trial that aims to save lives by detecting lung cancer at an earlier stage when it is more treatable. People attending the NHS Targeted Lung Health Checks in Southampton are being invited to take part in the iDx Lung trial, which will offer new types of tests to 10,000 people over the next 3 years. Part-funded by Cancer Research UK, iDx Lung is a collaboration between the Cancer Research UK Southampton Clinical Trials Unit at the University of Southampton, the University of Leeds and healthcare and diagnostic companies. The trial is currently taking place at the Royal South Hants Hospital, but in the autumn it will move to a mobile unit which can travel around the county with the NHS Targeted Lung Health Check vans. Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said that lung cancer is a priority for the charity, as survival has improved very little over the last 40 years despite continuous research efforts. "Trials have shown that CT scanning people at increased risk of developing the disease can reduce lung cancer deaths and combining CT screening with biomarker tests and using blood and nasal samples, it may help to catch more cases at an early stage of the disease, which can be easier to treat. We hope this will lead to more people surviving their lung cancer." Detecting lung cancer earlier Every year in the UK, 25,000 people are diagnosed with advanced, inoperable lung cancer, making it the biggest cause of cancer death in the UK and worldwide. Professor Peter Johnson, Director of the CRUK Southampton Center and Chief Investigator of trial, said: "We know that lung cancer can be treated successfully if we catch it early, but too often it can go unnoticed and is then picked up at a late stage when treatment options are limited." Screening with CT scanning is already being tested by the NHS, but the iDx Lung team hope that they will be able to not only increase the number of people diagnosed earlier, but find more cost-effective ways to do so. Credit: Cancer Research UK Harnessing the latest technology The trial team are working alongside NHS England's Targeted Lung Health Checks program and Leeds Lung Health Check, where people at high risk of lung cancer are being invited to attend a CT scanning unit. The iDx Lung trial will ask 10,000 people who attend the scans to also give a nasal swab and a blood sample. Victoria Goss, Program Manager for iDx Lung at the Cancer Research UK Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, said that these samples will then be analyzed for changes that could indicate the early signs of cancer developing. "The aim is to determine whether using simple biological tests alongside the Targeted Lung Health Check program can help increase diagnosis rates in people with the very early signs of lung cancer, so they can begin treatment quickly when it is far more likely to be successful." The samples will be analyzed by a number of companies testing out some of their latest technologies to find the best way to detect lung cancer at an early stage. Collaborators for the trial include Roche Diagnostics, Oncimmune, Inivata, BC Platforms, the Lung Cancer Initiative at Johnson & Johnson, and the Southampton Experimental Cancer Medicine Center (ECMC). "By bringing some of the latest molecular technology to this problem, we hope that we can find better ways to detect lung cancer in its early stages and make sure people have the best chance of a cure," said Johnson. Explore further Mayo Clinic Minute: Understanding lung cancer The Ebola virus, isolated in November 2014 from patient blood samples obtained in Mali. The virus was isolated on Vero cells in a BSL-4 suite at Rocky Mountain Laboratories. Credit: NIAID Guinea will announce an end to its Ebola epidemic this weekend, the health minister said Thursday, hailing the rapid response to the second outbreak of the disease in the country. Speaking during a webinar hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO), Health Minister Remy Lamah said the viral epidemic will be declared over on Saturdaybarring the discovery of new cases. "The availability of epidemic treatment centres built across the country has allowed us to quickly treat suspected and confirmed patients," he said. Guinea, a poor West African nation of 13 million people, announced an Ebola outbreak on February 14. It was second such outbreak in the country since the devastating 2013-2016 Ebola epidemic in West Africa, which left 11,300 dead in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Ebola causes severe fever and, in the worst cases, unstoppable bleeding. It is transmitted through close contact with bodily fluids, and people who live with or care for patients are most at risk. Guinea reacted quickly to this year's outbreak, however, building on its previous experience of fighting the disease. Among other measures, the country launched an Ebola vaccination campaign this year with the help of the WHO. Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO's regional director for Africa, said during the webinar that Guinea had contained Ebola and prevented it from spreading abroad "thanks to new innovations and lessons learned". Lamah also said that unlike in the past, health workers treating Ebola patients did not contract the disease. Faster, smarter Five people have died of Ebola virus in Guinea this year, according to the WHO. The first confirmed victim was a 51-year-old nurse, who died in late January. Two of the nurse's brothers who attended her funeral on February 1 also died, a health official previously told AFP. Guinea's health agency declared an epidemic later that month. According to Moeti, health officials sprung into action by quickly testing suspected Ebola cases and tracing the people they had come into contact with. The WHO and Guinea's government then launched a vaccination campaign nine days after the declaration of an epidemic. "We have become faster, more efficient and smarter in the fight against Ebola," she said. The total number of people infected this year is uncertain, but the WHO has pointed to 16 confirmed cases, and seven probable cases. Guinea will be able to declare itself free of Ebola after 42 days of not recording a fresh infection. That threshold will be reached on Friday, according to the WHO office in Guinea. "We are preparing in the coming days to notify you of the end of the circulation of the Ebola virus," Health Minister Lamah said. He added that a ceremony is already planned for Saturday in Nzerekore, the forested region in the southeast of Guinea where Ebola re-emerged this year. Explore further Guinea launches Ebola vaccination campaign 2021 AFP Credit: Shutterstock Almost a year ago, in July 2020, our calls for the government to urgently upgrade the guidelines to protect health workers from airborne SARS-CoV-2 fell on deaf ears. The existing guidelines said health providers working around COVID-19 patients should wear a surgical mask. It restricted use of the more protective P2 or N95 masks, which stop airborne particles getting through, to very limited scenarios. These involved "aerosol-generating procedures," such as inserting a breathing tube. This was expanded slightly in August 2020 but still left most health workers without access to P2/N95 masks. More than 4,000 Australian health workers were infected by COVID-19 during the Victorian second wave. Health authorities denied the importance of airborne transmission and blamed clinical staff for "poor habits" and "apathy." Health workers expressed despair and a sense of abandonment, cataloging the opposition they faced to get adequate protection against COVID-19. Last week, 15 months after the COVID-19 pandemic was declared, the Australian guidelines on personal protective equipment (PPE) for health workers, including masks, were finally revised. What do the new guidelines say? The new guidelines expand the range of situations in which P2/N95 masks should be available to staffessentially anywhere where COVID-19-infected people are expected to beand remove all references to "aerosol-generating procedures." This recognizes that breathing, speaking, sneezing and coughing all generate aerosols which can accumulate in indoor spaces, posing a higher risk than "aerosol-generating procedures." "Fit testing" is an annual procedure that should be done for all workers wearing a P2/N95 mask or higher grade respirator, to ensure air can't leak around the edges. But this was previously denied to many Australian health workers. The new guidelines unequivocally state fit-tested P2/N95 masks are required for all staff managing patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. This means health workers can finally receive similar levels of respiratory protection to workers on mining and construction sites. The new guidelines leave ambiguity around which workplaces are within the scope by stating that health care: "may include hospitals, non-inpatient settings, managed quarantine, residential care facilities, COVID-19 testing clinics, in-home care and other environments where clinical care is provided." The guidelines also allow employers to decide what comprises a high risk and what doesn't, allowing more wiggle room to deny workers a P2/N95 mask. The guidelines say when a suitable P2/N95 mask can't be used, a re-usable respirator (powered air purifying respirators, or PAPRs) should be considered. But the guideline's claim that a PAPR may not provide any additional protection compared to a "well-sealed" disposable P2/N95 mask, is not accurate. In fact, re-usable respirators such as PAPRs afford a higher level of protection than disposable N95 masks. The new guidelines should also apply to workers in hotel quarantineboth health care and non-clinical staff. This will help strengthen our biosecurity, as long as they're interpreted in the most precautionary way. That means not using the wiggle room that allows workplaces to deem a situation lower risk than it actually is or that their workplace is exempt. When working around a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case, all workers must be provided with a fit-tested P2/N95 mask. Otherwise they are not protected from inhaling SARS-CoV-2 from the air. In aged care and health care, where cases linked to quarantine breaches can be amplified and re-seeded to the community, the new guidelines go some way towards better protecting our essential first responders and their patients. Guidelines miss the mark on ventilation The guidelines fail to explicitly acknowledge COVID-19 spreads through air but nonetheless recommend the use of airborne precautions for staff. Airborne particles are usually less than 100 microns in diameter and can accumulate indoors, which means they're an inhalation risk. The old guidelines focused on "large droplets," which were thought to fall quickly to the ground and didn't pose a risk in breathed air. This was based on debunked theories about airborne versus droplet transmission. The new guidelines fail to comprehensively address ventilation, which is only mentioned in passing with a reference to separate guidelines for health-care facilities. This may not cover aged care or hotel quarantine. We must ensure institutions such as hospitals, hotel quarantine facilities, residential care, schools, businesses and public transport have plans to mitigate the airborne risk of COVID-19 and other pandemic viruses through improved ventilation and air filtration. Australia could follow Germany, which has invested 500 million (A$787 million) in improving ventilation in indoor spaces. Meanwhile, Belgium is mandating the use of carbon dioxide monitors in public spaces such as restaurants and gyms so customers can assess whether the ventilation is adequate. Cleaning shared air would add an additional layer of protection beyond vaccination and mask-wearing. Secondary benefits include decreased transmission of other respiratory viruses and improved productivity due to higher attention and concentration levels. No updated advice on hand-washing The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now acknowledges exposure to SARS-CoV-2 occurs through "very fine respiratory droplets and aerosol particles" and states the risk of transmission through touching surfaces is "low." Yet this is not acknowledged in the latest Australian health-care guidelines. Australians have been repeatedly reminded to wash or sanitize their hands, wipe down surfaces and stand behind near-useless plexiglass barriers. The promotion of hand hygiene and cleaning surfaces is not based on science, which shows it is the air we breathe that matters most. Revised public messaging is needed for Australians to understand shared air is the most important risk for COVID-19. Explore further The pressure is on for Australia to accept that the coronavirus spreads in the air This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Credit: CC0 Public Domain Colorado State University Professor of Psychology Silvia Sara Canetto has spent many years researching patterns and meanings of suicide by culture, trying to make sense of the variability in women's and men's suicide mortality around the world. Suicide rates are generally higher in men than in women, but not everywherewhich suggests cultural influences. Canetto and colleagues have completed a new study that provides insight into what may contribute to men's suicide vulnerability. The study tests Canetto's theory that men's suicide mortality is related to men's private-life behaviors, specifically their low engagement in family care worknot just the adversities they may encounter in aspects of their public lives, such as employment. Theories of male suicide Many theories have been proposed to explain male suicide, Canetto said. Most link men's suicide mortality to the stresses and the demands of their employment and their economic-provider roles. These theories typically predict that male suicide rates would be higher when their employment and economic-provider roles are under threat. Within this perspective, the typical suicide-prevention recommendation is to strengthen men's employment/economic provider role, for example, via programs that protect or support finding employment. Studies show, however, that economic adversities, including male unemployment, do not fully explain men's suicide vulnerability. According to Canetto, men overinvest in economic-provider work, and underinvest in family care worka pattern that leaves them vulnerable when economic-provider work is threatened or lost. Men's family caregiving, unemployment, and suicide The multinational and multidisciplinary study, published in Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology by Canetto, Ying-Yeh Chen, ZiYi Cai, Qingsong Chang, and Paul Yip, offers evidence of a suicide-protective role for men who engage in family caregiving. In their study, family caregiving was defined as, for example, providing personal care or education for a child, and/or providing care for a dependent adult. The researchers examined suicide, male family caregiving, and unemployment in 20 countries, including the United States, Austria, Belgium, Canada and Japan. Suicide rates were found to be lower in countries where men reported more family care work. In countries where men reported more such care work, higher unemployment rates were not associated with higher suicide rates in men. By contrast, in countries where men reported less family care work, higher unemployment rates were associated with elevated male suicide rates. Incidentally, unemployment benefits did not reduce male suicide rates. Taken together, the findings of this ecological study suggest that men's family care work may protect them against suicide, particularly under difficult economic circumstances, Canetto said. "Our study took a public health perspective. It examined population-level social and economic factors that may be driving population suicide patterns, across a range of countries," Canetto said. "Its findings point to new directions for suicide prevention." "It appears that men benefit from doing family care work in terms of suicide protection. Doing family care work would be a way for men to diversify their sources of meaning and purpose, as well as their social capital and networks" stated Canetto. Men's greater involvement in family care work would also relieve women of their disproportionate caregiving load, and give children more resources. The study's findings suggest incorporating support for engagement in family care work in programs aimed at reducing men's suicide mortality. "This means expanding beyond dominant frameworks of men's suicide prevention with their employment-support focus," Canetto explained. "It also means going beyond treating suicide as just a mental health problem to be solved with mental health 'treatments.'" Finally, Canetto pointed out that the study's findings are consistent with other research findings. Collectively, they suggest that "having both family care work and family economic responsibilities is more conducive to well-being, health and longevity for men and women than a gendered division of family labor." Explore further Why white, older men are more likely to die of suicide More information: Ying-Yeh Chen et al, Caregiving as suicide-prevention: an ecological 20-country study of the association between men's family carework, unemployment, and suicide, Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology (2021). Ying-Yeh Chen et al, Caregiving as suicide-prevention: an ecological 20-country study of the association between men's family carework, unemployment, and suicide,(2021). DOI: 10.1007/s00127-021-02095-9 Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Medical guidelines help doctors understand the best way to treat health conditions. Surprisingly, many doctors do not adhere to them, and this is a problem, according to a new study by scientists at University of Utah Health and MDGuidelines. People with lower back pain injury miss 11 more days of work in a year when they only receive treatments for lower back pain that are not recommended by medical guidelines compared to people treated according to guidelines. The findings publish in PLOS ONE on June 17. "The closer people's care follows evidence-based guidelines, the faster their back pain resolves, by quite a bit," says the study's senior author Kurt Hegmann, M.D., director of the University of Utah Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health. That may be so, but 65% of the people included in the study received at least some non-recommended treatments for lower back pain. Among the nearly 60,000 people whose medical claims were analyzed: 14% received non-recommended treatments only, 51% received a mix of non-recommended and recommended treatments, 14% received recommended treatments only, and 21% did not receive any medical intervention. People who received recommended treatments combined with non-recommended treatments saw an intermediate benefit, missing a median of eight workdays within the year as compared to those who exclusively received recommended treatments. The most common non-recommended treatments were prescriptions for opioids, which are discouraged because they reinforce debility instead of exercise and can be addictive, and X-rays, which can lead to inaccurate diagnoses. The most common recommended treatments were nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants. The data came from California workers' compensation claims between 2009 to 2018 from employees who had uncomplicated, acute lower back pain or strain, the most prevalent injury in the workplace. The researchers tracked whether treatments prescribed in clinic visits within the first week after injury were categorized as recommended or non-recommended in the peer-reviewed American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) guidelines, with the assumption that similar treatment patterns would continue in any subsequent clinic visits. The scientists then calculated the number of lost workdays within the first year after injury. While a large proportion of workers received non-recommended treatments, health care providers improved adherence to medical guidelines over time. In 2009, 10% were treated according to guidelines, but that rose to 18% by 2018. The treatment practice that changed most drastically was opioid prescriptions, which fell by 86% over those nine years. "The reduction in opioids prescription is particularly impressive," Hegmann says. "In this case, the insurer is likely to not pay for opioids even if they are prescribed. It suggests what's possible when the 'carrot' of good health care is missed and instead the 'stick' of compliance with a guideline is in place." Clinical practice guidelines are based on systematic reviews of scientific evidence and are designed to guide health care providers as they decide how to treat their patients' health conditions. Typically, guidelines are updated every few years, which can make it difficult for health care providers to keep up. Doctors may not adhere to guidelines because they aren't aware of them, don't know how to implement the recommended treatments, prefer to continue practices they've used in the past, or for other reasons. Regardless, the large reductions in opioid prescriptions for lower back pain suggest that added incentives, such as insurance refusing to pay for non-recommended treatments, increases adherence to guidelines. Hegmann and the study's first author, Fraser Gaspar, Ph.D., say that implementing decision support tools and other ways to promote adherence to guidelines will be better for patients. "Being out of work impacts many facets of your life," says Gaspar, who carried out the research when he was a scientist at MDGuidelines. "In addition to the physical disability that's causing the person to miss work, the worker is making less money, while they often incur additional costs and experience mental strain. Getting people back to their normal lives is really important, and our research shows that following guidelines makes that happen faster." More information: Fraser W. Gaspar et al, Guideline adherence and lost workdays for acute low back pain in the California workers' compensation system, PLOS ONE (2021). Journal information: PLoS ONE Fraser W. Gaspar et al, Guideline adherence and lost workdays for acute low back pain in the California workers' compensation system,(2021). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253268 The Pfizer and Moderna COVID vaccines pose no threat to male fertility, a finding experts hope will prompt more men to get vaccinated. Researchers noted that the original clinical trials of the two mRNA vaccines didn't assess how they might affect fertility. "Vaccine hesitancy is a barrier to ending the COVID-19 pandemic, and we believe some of that hesitancy is due to public opinion about whether the vaccine might negatively affect fertility," said senior study author Dr. Ranjith Ramasamy, director of the Reproductive Urology Program at the University of Miami's Miller School of Medicine. "We were the first to demonstrate that the COVID virus, itself, can affect male fertility and be a potential cause for erectile dysfunction," he said in a university news release. "We are now the first to examine if there is any impact of the COVID vaccine on male fertility potential, which we did not find." The study included 45 healthy men between the ages of 18 and 35, who had no fertility problems. They provided a semen sample before receiving the first dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine and another sample about 70 days after their second dose. "This is the full life cycle of sperm and 70 days is sufficient time to see if the vaccine impacts semen parameters," said study first author Daniel Gonzalez, a medical student at the Miller School. He said measurements of semen volume, sperm concentration and moving sperm found no declines from initial levels. Ramasamy said the findingswhich were published online June 17 in the Journal of the American Medical Associationcould go a long way toward reducing vaccine hesitancy. The study did not assess the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. More information: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on Journal information: Journal of the American Medical Association The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on COVID-19 vaccines 2021 HealthDay. All rights reserved. This Jan. 7, 2021, file photo, shows the Curevac company headquarters in Tuebingen, Germany. German vaccine maker CureVac said Wednesday, June 16, 2021, that interim data from late-stage testing of its coronavirus shot show a comparatively low effectiveness in protecting people against COVID-19. Credit: Sebastian Gollnow/dpa via AP, File German vaccine maker CureVac said Wednesday that interim data from late-stage testing of its coronavirus shot show a comparatively low effectiveness in protecting people against COVID-19. The results appear to be a significant setback for CureVac's efforts to develop a coronavirus vaccine, and the company's stock value tumbled in after-hours trading. While not all the data from its trial involving 40,000 participants in Latin America and Europe have been assessed yet, the company said interim results show the vaccine has an efficacy of 47% against COVID-19 disease of any severity. This did not meet what the company said were its "prespecified statistical success criteria," though it didn't state what those were. The World Health Organization has said vaccines with an efficacy above 50% are worth using, though many of those already approved have a far higher rate. CureVac said that the study was hampered by the broad range of variants found among the COVID-19 cases reviewed in the trial and that final results may still change. "While we were hoping for a stronger interim outcome, we recognize that demonstrating high efficacy in this unprecedented broad diversity of variants is challenging," its chief executive, Franz-Werner Haas, was quoted as saying. Haas said CureVac would continue to work on a final analysis and "the overall vaccine efficacy may change." The company said it has sent the data to the European Medicines Agency, which is conducting a rolling revue of the vaccine. "The study is continuing to the final analysis and the totality of the data will be assessed for the most appropriate regulatory pathway," CureVac said. Outside experts called the data so far disappointing, but cautioned against comparing it directly with other shots already authorized for use. Deborah Fuller, a professor of microbiology and vaccine specialist at the University of Washington School of Medicine, said CureVac was dealing with "quite a different environment" than some of its rivals who had tested their shots when the original variant was still dominant. CureVac's trials took place in 10 different countries, she noted: "The more countries you're testing in, the more variants you have to test against." Another issue could be the mRNA technology used in the CureVac shot, which is slightly different to that employed in the BioNTech-Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, said Mark Slifka, a professor of microbiology and immunology at Oregon Health and Science University. CureVac uses unmodified mRNA, which may trigger a different immune response in the body that affects the efficacy, he said. "It could be the variants, it could be the type of mRNA, or it could be a combination of all of the above," said Slifka. Haas, the chief executive, said the large number of variants CureVac encountered in its trialwith only a single case of COVID-19 attributable to the original variant"underlines the importance of developing next-generation vaccines as new virus variants continue to emerge." Explore further Germany's Curevac to include virus variants in vaccine trials 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. A woman receives a coronavirus vaccination at the Kololo airstrip in Kampala, Uganda, Monday, May 31, 2021. Africa is especially vulnerable. As virus cases surge in the world's poorest countries, a sense of dread is growing among millions of the unvaccinated, especially those who toil in the informal, off-the-books economy, live hand-to-mouth and pay cash in health emergencies. Credit: AP Photo/Nicholas Bamulanzeki Hati Maronjei once swore he would never get a COVID-19 shot, after a pastor warned that vaccines aren't safe. Now, four months after the first batch of vaccines arrived in Zimbabwe, the 44-year-old street hawker of electronic items is desperate for the shot he can't get. Whenever he visits a clinic in the capital, Harare, he is told to try again the next day. "I am getting frustrated and afraid," he said. "I am always in crowded places, talking, selling to different people. I can't lock myself in the house." A sense of dread is growing in some of the very poorest countries in the world as virus cases surge and more contagious variants take hold amid a crippling shortage of vaccine. The crisis has alarmed public health officials along with the millions of unvaccinated, especially those who toil in the informal, off-the-books economy, live hand-to-mouth and pay cash in health emergencies. With intensive care units filling up in cities overwhelmed by the pandemic, severe disease can be a death sentence. Africa is especially vulnerable. Its 1.3 billion people account for 18% of the world's population, but the continent has received only 2% of all vaccine doses administered globally. And some African countries have yet to dispense a single shot. People wait in the stands to receive coronavirus vaccinations at the Kololo airstrip in Kampala, Uganda, Monday, May 31, 2021. As virus cases surge in the world's poorest countries, a sense of dread is growing among millions of the unvaccinated, especially those who toil in the informal, off-the-books economy, live hand-to-mouth and pay cash in health emergencies. Credit: AP Photo/Nicholas Bamulanzeki Health experts and world leaders have repeatedly warned that even if rich nations immunize all their people, the pandemic will not be defeated if the virus is allowed to spread in countries starved of vaccine. "We've said all through this pandemic that we are not safe unless we are all safe," said John Nkengasong, a Cameroonian virologist who heads the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "We are only as strong as the weakest link." Zimbabwe, which has imposed new lockdown measures because of a sharp rise in deaths and cases in the country of over 15 million people, has used just over a million of 1.7 million doses, blaming shortages in urban areas on logistical challenges. Long lines form at centers such as Parirenyatwa Hospital, unlike months ago, when authorities were begging people to get vaccinated. Many are alarmed as winter sets in and the variant first identified in South Africa spreads in Harare, where young people crowd into betting houses, some with masks dangling from their chins and others without. A man receives the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination center, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, June 16, 2021. In Afghanistan, where a surge threatens to overwhelm a war-battered health system, 700,000 doses donated by China arrived over the weekend, and within hours, "people were fighting with each other to get to the front of the line," said Health Ministry spokesman Dr. Ghulam Dastigir Nazari. Credit: AP Photo/Rahmat Gul "Most people are not wearing masks. There is no social distancing. The only answer is a vaccine, but I can't get it," Maronjei said. At the start of the pandemic, many deeply impoverished countries with weak health care systems appeared to have avoided the worst. That is changing. In Zambia, where a vaccination campaign has stalled, authorities reported that the country is running out of bottled oxygen. Sick people whose symptoms are not severe are being turned away by hospitals in Lusaka, the capital. "When we reached the hospital, we were told there was no bed space for her," Jane Bwalya said of her 70-year-old grandmother. "They told us to manage the disease from home. So we just went back home, and we are trying to give her whatever medicine can reduce the symptoms." Uganda is likewise fighting a sharp rise in cases and is seeing an array of variants. Authorities report that the surge is infecting more people in their 20s and 30s. A boy steps across a flooded area next to an informational mural with words in Swahili advising people to protect themselves from the coronavirus and get vaccinated, in the low-income Kibera neighborhood of Nairobi, Kenya, Saturday, June 12, 2021. Africa's 1.3 billion people account for 18% of the world's population. But the continent has received only 2% of all vaccine doses administered globally. Credit: AP Photo/Brian Inganga Intensive care units in and around the capital, Kampala, are almost full, and Misaki Wayengera, a doctor who heads a committee advising Uganda's government, said some patients are "praying for someone to pass on" so that they can get an ICU bed. Many Ugandans feel hopeless when they see the astronomical medical bills of patients emerging from intensive care. Some have turned to concoctions of boiled herbs for protection. On social media, suggestions include lemongrass and small flowering plants. That has raised fears of poisoning. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni imposed new restrictions this month that included closing all schools. But he avoided the extreme lockdown measures of last year, saying he didn't want to hurt people's livelihoods in a country with a vast informal sector. For beauticians, restaurant workers and vendors in crowded open-air markets struggling to put food on the table, the threat from COVID-19 may be high, but taking even a day off when sick is a hardship. Testing costs $22 to $65, prohibitive for the working class. A matatu, or public minibus, displays an informational painting instructing people to wear masks to curb the spread of the coronavirus, in the low-income Kibera neighborhood of Nairobi, Kenya, Saturday, June 12, 2021. Africa has recorded more than 5 million confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 135,000 deaths. That is a small fraction of the world's caseload, but many fear the crisis could get much worse. Credit: AP Photo/Brian Inganga "Unless I am feeling very sick, I wouldn't waste all my money to go and test for COVID," said Aisha Mbabazi, a waiter in a restaurant just outside Kampala. The 28-year-old had a scare weeks ago, she said, noting that a COVID-19 infection could cost her the job if her employer found out. But she has been unable to get a shot. "I really wanted the vaccine because for us, any time you can get COVID," she said. "Even just touching the menu." Dr. Ian Clarke, who founded a hospital in Uganda, said that while vaccine demand is growing among the previously hesitant, "the downside is that we do not know when, or from where, we will get the next batch" of shots. Africa has recorded more than 5 million confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 135,000 deaths. That is a small fraction of the world's caseload, but many fear the crisis could get much worse. In this June 5, 2021, file photo, a man carries goods at a street market in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. In Haiti, hospitals are turning away patients as the country awaits its first shipment of vaccines. A major delivery via COVAX was delayed amid government concern over side effects and a lack of infrastructure to keep the doses properly refrigerated. Credit: AP Photo/Joseph Odelyn, File Nearly 90% of African countries are set to miss the global target of vaccinating 10% of their people by September, according to the World Health Organization. One major problem is that COVAX, the U.N.-backed project to supply vaccine to poor corners of the world, is itself facing a serious shortage of vaccine. Amid a global outcry over the gap between the haves and the have-nots, the U.S., Britain and the other Group of Seven wealthy nations agreed last week to share at least 1 billion doses with struggling countries over the next year, with deliveries starting in August. In the meantime, many of the world's poor wait and worry. In Afghanistan, where a surge threatens to overwhelm a war-battered health system, 700,000 doses donated by China arrived over the weekend, and within hours, "people were fighting with each other to get to the front of the line," said Health Ministry spokesman Dr. Ghulam Dastigir Nazari. Residents, wearing face masks to help curb the spread of the coronavirus, line up to receive the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination center, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, June 16, 2021. In Afghanistan, where a surge threatens to overwhelm a war-battered health system, 700,000 doses donated by China arrived over the weekend, and within hours, "people were fighting with each other to get to the front of the line," said Health Ministry spokesman Dr. Ghulam Dastigir Nazari. Credit: AP Photo/Rahmat Gul A man receives the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination center, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, June 16, 2021. In Afghanistan, where a surge threatens to overwhelm a war-battered health system, 700,000 doses donated by China arrived over the weekend, and within hours, "people were fighting with each other to get to the front of the line," said Health Ministry spokesman Dr. Ghulam Dastigir Nazari. Credit: AP Photo/Rahmat Gul In this June 5, 2021, file photo, a hospital employee wearing protective gear transports oxygen tanks in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. In Haiti, hospitals are turning away patients as the country awaits its first shipment of vaccines. A major delivery via COVAX was delayed amid government concern over side effects and a lack of infrastructure to keep the doses properly refrigerated. Credit: AP Photo/Joseph Odelyn, File A health worker administers a dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine at the sport park of Treichville in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Wednesday, June 16, 2021. Africa's 1.3 billion people account for 18% of the world's population. But the continent has received only 2% of all vaccine doses administered globally. Credit: AP Photo/Leo Correa The vaccine rush is notable in a country where many question the reality of the virus and rarely wear masks or social distance, often mocking those who do. At the end of May, approximately 600,000 Afghans had received at least one dose, or less than 2% of the population of 36 million. But the number of those fully vaccinated is minute"so few I couldn't even say any percentage," according to Nazari. In Haiti, hospitals are turning away patients as the country awaits its first shipment of vaccines. A major delivery via COVAX was delayed amid government concern over side effects and a lack of infrastructure to keep the doses properly refrigerated. "I'm at risk every single day," said Nacheline Nazon, a 22-year-old salesperson who takes a colorful, crowded bus known as a tap-tap to work at a clothing store in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, because that is all she can afford. She said she wears a mask and washes her hands. If the vaccine becomes available, she said, "I'll probably be the first one in line to get it." Explore further Africa not ready for imminent third coronavirus wave: WHO 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Smoking pot appears to affect teens' brain development, altering it in ways that could diminish their reasoning, decision-making and memory skills as they age, a new study reports. Brain scans of about 800 teenagers found that those who started smoking pot tended to have increased thinning of the cerebral cortexthe outer layer of the brain responsible for thought, perception and language. This thinning particularly affected brain regions associated with working memory, inhibition, attention and emotional regulation, said lead researcher Matthew Albaugh, a clinical psychologist and assistant professor at the University of Vermont Medical Center, in Burlington. By age 19, teens who used pot already were showing signs of attentional impulsivity, an inability to stay focused without distraction, he said. "Cannabis is having an effect on neuromaturation, in particular in some prefrontal areas, and that in turn may have an impact on impulsivityone's ability to focus and remain on task," Albaugh said. For this study, his team reviewed data from a long-term European study of teenage brain development. Participants had their brains scanned at age 14 and again when they turned 19. Albaugh's team focused on 799 teens who at age 14 said they'd never used pot. Initial brain scans indicated no major differences between the kids. At their follow-up scan, the teens were asked again about their marijuana use, giving researchers a chance to see if those who had tried pot in the intervening years had any significant brain differences from those who hadn't. It turns out they did. The cerebral cortex always grows thinner during adolescence, as brain connections are refined and unused pathways are pruned away, Albaugh said. But teens who used pot experienced a greater level of cortex thinning, suggesting changes that could impact their future brain function. This extra thinning occurred in brain areas known to be rich in receptors that respond to the chemicals in cannabis, Albaugh said, and it appeared to occur in a dose-dependent fashion. The more pot smoked, the more significant the thinning. "The rate of thinning that was taking place in certain brain areas, particularly pre-frontal brain areas, was associated with the amount of cannabis that participants were reporting at follow-up," he said. The thinning by age 19 did not seem to be affecting any brain functions other than attentional impulsivity, results show. Researchers plan to study these young people out to age 23 to see if other problems develop in the behavior and abilities of pot smokers, Albaugh said. The new study was published June 16 in the journal JAMA Psychiatry. "There's a very good chance these sort of structural changes will translate into problems later on," said Dr. Scott Krakower, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and substance abuse treatment expert at Zucker Hillside Hospital in Glen Oaks, N.Y. "I would say if they study it long enough, they probably will see more changes in reaction time, impairment, memory formation," said Krakower. "All of those things are going to come about the longer you study this." Albaugh said these findings should be considered as more states legalize recreational use of marijuana for adults. "Policy may be outpacing the science. Further research is desperately needed," he said. "There is a lot of evidence suggesting that this developmental window that's occurring during adolescence may be a particularly vulnerable time for substance use." Krakower agreed, noting that marijuana legalization has normalized pot use. "The real problem with marijuana now is it's becoming so much more of a social norm that I think you could talk to kids until you're blue in the face, but if 90% of their friends don't think there's an issue, then who really thinks of it as an issue?" Krakower said. Paul Armentano is deputy director of NORML, a group active in the push for reform of marijuana laws. He noted that studies have shown no changes in youth pot use following state-level legalization. "Those concerned about the potential effects of cannabis exposure in young people should be assured by fact that the enactment of adult-use marijuana regulatory schemes has not been associated with either increased marijuana use or ease of access among young people," Armentano said. Other studies have shown that marijuana dispensaries vigorously check ID at the door and consistently follow state-imposed age limits, he added. "Of course, no regulatory system will ever effectively be able to eliminate youth access altogether, but the reality is that these legal frameworkscombined with evidence-based public education campaignsare far superior at discouraging young people from accessing cannabis than criminalization ever was or could ever hope to be," Armentano said. Explore further New evidence pot may harm the teen brain More information: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on Journal information: JAMA Psychiatry The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on marijuana use and teens 2021 HealthDay. All rights reserved. (HealthDay)There's a severe blood shortage in the United States due to a recent surge in trauma cases, organ transplants and elective surgeries, the American Red Cross says. The Red Cross is appealing to Americans to roll up their sleeves and donate blood immediately. "Our teams are working around the clock to meet the extraordinary blood needs of hospitals and patientsdistributing about 75,000 more blood products than expected over the past three months to meet demandbut we can't do it without donors. Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood," said Chris Hrouda, president of Red Cross Biomedical Services. Red cell demand from hospitals with trauma centers is 10% higher than in 2019, which is five times higher than the growth in demand from other facilities that provide transfusions, according to a Red Cross news release. Between 20% and 40% of trauma deaths that occur after hospital admission involve massive bleeding. In such cases, saving a life could require hundreds of blood products, depending on injury severity. Hospitals' need for blood is also on the rise as they deal with many patients who delayed care due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "Some hospitals are being forced to slow the pace of elective surgeries until the blood supply stabilizes, delaying crucial patient care. As we return to pre-pandemic activities and resume travel to visit loved ones, we want people to remember the needs of patients this summer and the power so many of us have to help save lives," Hrouda explained. Type O is the blood type most urgently needed by hospitals because it's the one most often used in transfusions, but the Red Cross said that all blood types are welcomed. There is also an emergency need for platelets, the clotting portion of blood. Nearly half of all platelet donations are given to patients undergoing cancer treatments. To schedule an appointment to give blood or platelets, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Those who donate with the Red Cross between June 14 and June 30 will receive a $5 Amazon.com gift card by email. Explore further Big need for blood donations as postponed surgeries resume More information: The American Red Cross explains the The American Red Cross explains the blood donation process Copyright 2021 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Jennifer Surtees and colleagues at UB will continue to conduct genomic surveillance on COVID-19 samples in Western New York. Credit: University at Buffalo University at Buffalo scientists who are doing genomic sequencing of COVID-19 samples report that the delta variant of the coronavirus has been detected in Erie County. First identified in India and now responsible for a significant outbreak in the United Kingdom, the delta variant is believed to be as much as 200%, or twice as transmissible, as the original coronavirus strain. That information, coming as more COVID-19 restrictions are being lifted now that 70% of New York State's population over the age of 18 has had at least one vaccine dose, is concerning to UB scientists and Erie County public health officials. They stressed that the finding of the delta variant in Western New York reinforces the critical importance of getting fully vaccinated (with both doses) as soon as possible for those eligible to do so because, they noted, the vaccines thus far have been shown to effectively protect people against the variants and provide a higher level of protection than natural immunity. Individuals who are unvaccinated, or who are immunocompromised because of a medical condition, are cautioned to continue to wear masks in public settings. "The highly transmissible delta variant is a real concern," said Jennifer Surtees, Ph.D., associate professor of biochemistry in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at UB and co-director of the Genome, Environment and Microbiome Community of Excellence. Surtees and her colleagues at UB's New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences have been conducting the only genomic sequencing of COVID-19 samples in Western New York. She noted that early evidence from the United Kingdom demonstrates that most likely two doses of the Pfizer shot is 90% effective against the delta variant but a single vaccination dose of Pfizer vaccine is only 30% effective. Surtees continued: "This is particularly an issue for those individuals who are not vaccinated or are under vaccinated [one shot]. These people, including children, are really at risk as this variant circulates. This makes me concerned about schools in particular. We've already seen an increase in cases among childrenthey are the big unvaccinated pool. The delta variant could exacerbate this." So far, only one Erie County sample had the delta variant but that sample was taken last month. "I would predict we will see more of it in more recent samples," said Surtees. "The good news is that case rates in the region are quite low, a direct result of vaccination uptake. This is cause for some optimism about what summer will be like in Western New York. But there are still folks who are not vaccinated, or are not fully vaccinated who are extremely vulnerable to this variant. The second dose is extremely important for protection against delta." She added that the delta variant is more prevalent in the southern U.S., primarily regions with lower vaccination rates. "This is something to keep in mind when thinking about travel to different parts of the country," Surtees cautioned. And while the delta variant is currently in the news, she added that the alpha variant, which emerged late last year and became known as the U.K. variant, which is about 40% more transmissible than the original virus strain, is now the most prevalent strain in Erie County. "The alpha variant became predominant in Western New York," said Gale Burstein, MD, MPH, Erie County commissioner of health and clinical professor of pediatrics in the Jacobs School. "These findings from our colleagues at UB reinforce the continued importance of getting vaccinated to protect yourself and, ultimately, the community from severe illness, and of getting a diagnostic test immediately if you develop any COVID-19 symptoms." Surtees and her colleagues at UB will continue to conduct genomic sequencing on COVID-19 samples, which Burstein called one of several key factors in keeping rates of the virus low in Western New York. "With continued spread within the U.S. and globally, there is always the possibility of further mutations that will make the virus better able to evade vaccine-induced immune responses and antibody treatments," said Surtees. Explore further UK says Delta variant 60 percent more transmissible Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain A major advance in detecting COVID-19 from the way people cough could pave the way to a new generation of diagnostic mobile phone apps. New research by computer scientists at RMIT University, Australia, reveals an AI model that can hear the effects of COVID in the sound of a forced cough, even when people are asymptomatic. Study lead author Dr. Hao Xue said with further development, their algorithm could power a diagnostic mobile phone app. "We've overcome a major hurdle in the development of a reliable, easily-accessible and contactless preliminary diagnosis tool for COVID-19," said Xue, Research Fellow in RMIT's School of Computing Technologies. "This could have significant benefit in slowing the spread of the virus by those who have no obvious symptoms. "A mobile app that can give you peace of mind during community outbreaks or prompt you to seek a COVID testthat's the kind of innovative tool we need to better manage this pandemic. "It could also make a significant difference in regions where medical supplies, testing experts and personal protective equipment are limited." Xue said the method they developed could also be extended for other respiratory diseases. "With just a little tweaking and suitable data we could use this to test for Tuberculosis or other respiratory illnesses, or even design it for combined multi-diseases detection or classification system." A major advance in AI training This is not the first COVID cough classification algorithm to be developed, but the RMIT model outperforms existing approaches and has another major advantage that makes it more practical to use across different regionsthe way it learns. Study co-author Professor Flora Salim said previous attempts to develop this type of technology, like those at MIT and Cambridge, relied on huge amounts of meticulously-labeled data to train the AI system. "The annotation of respiratory sounds requires specific knowledge from experts, making it expensive and time-consuming, and involves handling sensitive health information," she said. "Using a narrowly-targeted data setsuch as cough samples from one hospital or one regionto train the algorithm also limits its performance outside that setting." Salim said it was this limitation that had proven a challenge for this technology's practical application in the real world, until now. "What's most exciting about our work is we have overcome this problem by developing a method to train the algorithm using unlabelled cough sound data," she said. "This can be acquired relatively easily and at larger scale from different countries, genders and ages." During the pandemic, many crowdsourcing platforms have been designed to gather respiratory sound audios from both healthy and COVID-19 positive groups for research purposes. The team accessed datasets from two of these platformsCOVID-19 Sounds App and COSWARAto train the algorithm using contrastive self-supervised learning, a method by which a system works independently to encode what makes two things similar or different. The team are open to collaborating with potential partners on developing the technology and expanding its application for a range of respiratory diagnostic tools. "Exploring Self-Supervised Representation Ensembles for COVID-19 Cough Classification" is being presented at the data science conference KDD 2021 in Singapore, August 1418. Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The US Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a bid by Republican-led states to overturn Obamacare, safeguarding the health insurance of millions with the coronavirus pandemic still a threat in much of America. In a 7-2 decision, the nation's highest court upheld the Affordable Care Act (ACA), former president Barack Obama's signature health care program, ruling that Texas and the other 17 states did not have standing in the case. President Joe Biden, who was Obama's vice president when the ACA was enacted, called the court ruling "a big win for the American people." "With millions of people relying on the Affordable Care Act for coverage, it remains, as ever, a BFD," Biden said. "And it's here to stay." "BFD" is a reference to a comment Biden whispered into Obama's ear at the 2010 ACA signing ceremony, when he said: "This is a big fucking deal." Biden's remark was picked up by live microphones. The White House said this month that more than 31 million Americans currently receive their health care through Obamacare, which Republicans have unsuccessfully attempted to have thrown out in Congress and in the courts on numerous previous occasions. Other Democratic lawmakers welcomed the court decision. "Thanks to the tireless advocacy of Americans across the country and the work of Democrats in Congress, the Affordable Care Act endures," said Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic speaker of the House of Representatives. "Despite every desperate right-wing attack to rip health care away from millions of Americans, the Affordable Care Act is constitutional and it's here to stay," said Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. "Now let's get to work to improve it so every American can get the care they need." Former president Donald Trump had pledged to eliminate the ACA but his efforts repeatedly failed and he never presented an alternative. 'Lack the standing necessary' Four of the conservative justices on the courtincluding two appointed by Trump and Chief Justice John Robertsjoined their three liberal colleagues in voting to uphold the ACA. Conservative justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch, who was also appointed by Trump, were the dissenting voices. Under the ACA, poor adults have access to the Medicare program normally open only to retired people over 65; young people under 26 can be covered by their parents' insurance; and people whose preexisting medical conditions led to their being denied commercial health insurance have coverage. Attorneys for the Trump Justice Department and Texas-led states had argued that the entire ACA is unconstitutional because of legal questions over consumer penalties for people who do not obtain insurance. "Hence, they believe the Act as a whole is invalid," Justice Stephen Breyer said in the opinion of the court. Breyer noted, however, that Congress had removed the penalties compelling people to buy insurance in 2017 and the plaintiffs could therefore not prove they had suffered any injury which would allow them to bring the suit. "We do not reach these questions of the Act's validity, however, for Texas and the other plaintiffs in this suit lack the standing necessary to raise them," he said. Obamacare has survived two previous Supreme Court challengesin 2012 and 2015and has grown in popularity among Americans over the years after a rocky start. Explore further U.S. supreme court strikes down challenge to affordable care act 2021 AFP (HealthDay)The landmark Affordable Care Act, which has expanded health care coverage to tens of millions of Americans, has withstood a third challenge before the U.S. Supreme Court. In a 7-2 decision, a majority of justices ruled on Thursday that plaintiffs involved in the case did not sustain any injury that gave them standing to sue, The New York Times reported. The decision left unresolved a larger issue, namely whether the Obama-era law could continue without a provision that initially mandated that Americans obtain insurance or pay penalty. Had the court acted to strike down "Obamacare," about 21 million people who gained insurance coverage under the plan would have become uninsured, according to recent estimates from the Urban Institute, the Times said. The American Medical Association (AMA) applauded the ruling. "Today's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court is a victory for patients and for the gains in health care coverage achieved through the Affordable Care Act (ACA)," AMA President Dr. Gerald Harmon said in a statement. "With yet another court decision upholding the ACA now behind us, we remain committed to strengthening the current law and look forward to policymakers advancing solutions to improve the ACA," Harmon added. "The AMA will continue working to expand access to health care and ensure that all Americans have meaningful, comprehensive, and affordable health coverage to improve the health of the nation" The latest Supreme Court decision marks the third time the Supreme Court has ruled on challenges to the ACA: It struck down two prior challenges brought in 2012 and 2015. Numerous attempts by Republicans in Congress to repeal the legislation have also failed. Repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) would disproportionately affect the health coverage of low-income adults, who benefited most from the expansion of Medicaid implemented by the law. Million of young adults under the age of 26 would also have lost insurance coverage, because Obamacare allows them to be covered by their parent's plans. Low-income families can also get assistance in paying for private insurance premiums under the law's provisions. Protection under the ACA also helped shield the millions of Americans with current or past health issues, because it mandates that insurers cannot deny coverage based on preexisting conditions. The case deliberated this time by the nine justices on the court was California vs. Texas, No. 19-840. According to the Times, the case was brought forward by Republican officials. They claimed that the ACA mandate requiring coverage became unconstitutional following Congressional action in 2017 to eliminate the penalty for failing to get coverage. According to the plaintiffs, the mandate could therefore no longer be justified as a tax. That argument was based on a 5-4 SCOTUS ruling in 2012, which found that the mandate was authorized by Congress' power to assess taxes. Based on that argument, the new challenge had made its way successfully through lower courts. But the high court found that no injury to the plaintiffs was incurred in eliminating the mandate and ruled against the latest challenge. More information: Find out more about the Affordable Care Act at the Find out more about the Affordable Care Act at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Copyright 2021 HealthDay. All rights reserved. The band had been rehearsing for a tour, which they decided in March 2020 to postpone. Ament headed back to Missoula and spent a week binging on TV and radio news, after which he decided to hole up in his home studio. It was maybe the first time ever that I made music that wasnt like, Oh yeah, Pearl Jams going into the studio in five months, I gotta have some songs together, he said. He tried to finish something every day, no matter how small, until the muscle memory kicked in. Its probably the most fun Ive ever had, because I was like just doing it every day for four or five months, he said. He played all the instruments himself, but sent some tracks to drummers, including Matt Chamberlain, to replace drum machine tracks with live percussion. Some of it is journal-like, and some of it more metaphorical. "It's probably very similar to what a lot of musicians went through last year, where ... just locked in your house, and if you're fortunate to be able to run your own studio ... you're sort of free to do whatever you want," he said. She is pushing for "really intentional" new development and wants the city of Missoula to have significant input on the planning and building process as it grows, she said. "What's the long-term impact? How does that impact the community? Because once you build something, you can't unbuild it," Anderson said of new development in Missoula and annexations by the city. "Balancing the needs of neighbors and concerns they might have ... with the concerns and rights of the developer and future homeowners is always kind of a balancing act I feel like we're doing." Anderson feels letting "whatever happen" in regard to new development is "disingenuous ... and assumes that you have a luxury of living anywhere," she said. She called the Affordable Housing Trust Fund "huge" and expressed support for the Villagio project. "It's not the silver bullet," Anderson said of the Villagio, "That's a big chunk of it, but it's the impact that it's going to have on the neighborhood." Today is Wednesday, June 16, 2021. Let's get caught up. These headlines are in the news this morning: President Biden, Russia's Putin sit down for long-anticipated, high-stakes summit in Geneva; Senate approves bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday; and the US West is facing sweltering heat, risk of wildfires. Read on for these stories, other top headlines, celebrity birthdays and more. TOP STORIES Biden and Putin open summit with a handshake GENEVA President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin are starting their diplomatic talks in Geneva. The two were first greeted by the Swiss president before sitting down for a small meeting that includes just Biden, Putin, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, with a translator for each side. Theyll then move to larger talks, which will include more senior aides and are expected to last hours. The two plan to discuss everything from cybercrime to Russias alleged interference in Americas elections, as well as arms control and Russias intrusion in Ukraine. The move comes after the board did a double-twisting backflip in recent weeks when it first postponed, then rejected, then adopted, then rescinded rules that would have allowed workers to forgo masks only if every employee in a room was fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. Fully vaccinated employees will not need to wear masks, except in locations like mass transit and classrooms, where they are required for everyone, or in the event of outbreaks. Physical distancing also will end except for certain workers during major outbreaks. Vaccinated employees wont need to be tested or quarantine unless they show symptoms, even if they have close contact with an infected person. Employers must document that workers who skip masks indoors are indeed fully vaccinated. But employers have the choice of requiring workers to show proof of vaccination or allowing employees to self-report their status, with the employer keeping a record of who does the latter. They also could decide to require everyone to remain masked vaccinated or not. And vaccinated employees will still be able to wear masks if they choose without facing retaliation. Public comments to the board before the vote largely split along management and employee lines. Gov. Greg Gianforte donated his first quarter salary Wednesday to aid a substance abuse program in Hardin. The governor made the $18,732 donation during a tour of One Health Bighorn, a health center offering substance abuse disorder treatment in southeast Montana. Formerly Bighorn Valley Health, the center opened in 2012 providing health care services in addition to substance abuse treatment including mental and behavioral health services. One Health has satellite offices in Miles City, Glendive, Ashland and Chinook. We face a drug epidemic in our state, and while theres no silver bullet to end it, we can combat it by promoting treatment and recovery for Montanans struggling with addiction, Gianforte said in a statement. One Health Bighorns substance use disorder treatment services transform lives and rebuild families and communities. Given their successful efforts, Im proud to support their critical mission. The governor has made combating substance abuse one of his early priorities while in office while pushing for the Healing and Ending Addiction through Recover and Treatment, or HEART, fund. The program uses a portion of revenues from recreational marijuana, tobacco settlement and Medicaid match to fund $25 million in community substance abuse program. The rights to hunt, fish and access our public lands are ingrained in Montanas Constitution, our states heritage and in the hearts and minds of the people you elect to represent you in Helena. Republican legislators include landowners, avid hunters, fishermen and -women, competitive shooters, hikers, ATV riders, boaters, skiers and outdoor enthusiasts of all types. Montanas outdoor heritage is our way of life and policies that impact the outdoor experience are near and dear to our hearts. Montana would not be Montana without the ability to live, work and play outside. Republicans in the Legislature worked this session to better manage wildlife and predator populations, reduce extreme environmental efforts to shut off access to public lands, and reform our states outdoor management agencies. We have seen growing pressure in recent years among our game animal populations, public and private lands, recreation, and predators such as wolves and grizzlies. To get Virginia to ratify the Constitution, Madison had to address the fear of whites in Virginia that a federal army might not come to their aid if their slaves rebelled. Given the growing anti-slavery movement in the northern states, it was all too easy to imagine that, one day, Congress and the president would be opposed to slavery and refuse to send help when slaves rebelled and they started killing their masters. So Madison drafted the Second Amendment to assure his fellow Virginians that they could still depend on a state militia to protect them if they ratified the Constitution. The arguments that the Second Amendment protects an inherent right to self-defense, a right to rebel against tyranny and provide a check on federal power were only rhetorical gestures, pretenses to deny a horrible reality. Owning another person always corrupts a persons moral compass, as Harriet Beecher Stowe argued in "Uncle Toms Cabin," obliging people to lie to themselves and others. Nothing a slave owner says can be taken at face value. However it was framed by the founders, the true purpose of the Second Amendment was to preserve slavery. We must speak up against trapping. There's a Fish and Wildlife Commission Zoom meeting June 24 (fwp.mt.gov). Montana's wolf slaughter really takes off in the fall. But not just wolves will die. Non-targeted species and pets on public lands will suffer and die. Imagine your dog in a trap, screaming in pain while you frantically try to save her, only to watch her die. Trapped wild animals scream, too; but there is no one to hear. Many Montanans are unaware that trapping continues. They look at me incredulously when I tell them. In urban states, people are even less aware of this inhumane assault on wildlife. Sotell people. Educate yourself about trapping horrors. Tell other animal-loving people in Montana and across the country to stand up against trapping and advocate for wildlife. If you know progressive government officials or journalists who could help to spread the word that the barbaric practice of trapping is still allowed in the USA, ask them to lend a hand. Please, tell people. Our precious wildlife belongs to all Americans. Healthy populations of free-roaming wildlife on our public lands are a national treasure to be cherished, not trapped and tortured. Linda Holtom, Missoula You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 8 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 A resident at J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center was found dead in a bathtub Saturday. But it took three days before the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services commented on the residents death. Burke County EMS received a 911 call at 5:53 p.m. Saturday to Ash Cottage on the centers campus at 300 Enola Road, Morganton, said Capt. Brad Browning with Burke County EMS. The call initially came in as a cardiac arrest, according to Browning and the 911 center. Browning said the EMS crew found the 49-year-old woman in cardiac arrest but staff told them she was found submerged in water in the bathtub at Ash Cottage. He said the EMS crew did CPR, which is the same as a normal cardiac arrest/drowning victim would have been treated. She was pronounced dead at the scene at 6:37 p.m., Browning said. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} On Monday, The News Herald contacted officials with NCDHHS in Raleigh for information on the death. The department would not comment on the death, citing privacy laws. But after more inquiries from The News Herald, NCDHHS sent a statement to the newspaper Tuesday evening. But Circuit Judge Diana Gribbon Motz, writing the unanimous opinion, said recent actions by North Carolina lawmakers and those in other states to further restrict abortion appears to affirm that legislators are interested in seeing their measures implemented. The 2015 changes in North Carolina, not subject to the current lawsuit, also increased the waiting period to obtain an abortion from 24 hours to 72. Motz pointed to 20-week bans approved by legislators in South Carolina, South Dakota and Ohio around the time the lawsuit was filed in 2016. The U.S. Supreme Court also agreed last month to consider a lawsuit challenging Mississippi's 15-week ban. It is difficult to explain why the (North Carolina) legislature would have altered the text of the 20-week ban if it did not expect for those words to ever be given effect, she wrote. As a nation we remain deeply embroiled in debate over the legal status of abortion. While this conversation rages around us, this court cannot say that the threat of prosecution to abortion providers who violate the law is not credible. North Carolina's original 20-week ban became law soon after the U.S. Supreme Court issued its Roe v. Wade decision protecting abortion as a constitutional right until a fetus develops enough to live outside the womb, generally between 24 and 28 weeks. But the third major attack on the law at the Supreme Court ended the way the first two did, with a majority of the court rebuffing efforts to gut the law or get rid of it altogether. Trump's three appointees to the Supreme Court Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh split their votes. Kavanaugh and Barrett joined the majority. Gorsuch was in dissent, signing on to an opinion from Justice Samuel Alito. Justice Stephen Breyer wrote for the court that the states and people who filed a federal lawsuit "have failed to show that they have standing to attack as unconstitutional the Act's minimum essential coverage provision." In dissent, Alito wrote, "Today's decision is the third installment in our epic Affordable Care Act trilogy, and it follows the same pattern as installments one and two. In all three episodes, with the Affordable Care Act facing a serious threat, the Court has pulled off an improbable rescue." Alito was a dissenter in the two earlier cases, as well. Two men from Estonia have been convicted of federal cybercrime charges involving ransomware and other attacks on computer systems around the globe. Oleg Koshkin, 41, was convicted Tuesday by a jury in U.S. District Court in Hartford of conspiracy to commit computer fraud and abuse as well as aiding and abetting computer fraud and abuse. His co-defendant, Pavel Tsurkan, 33, pleaded guilty Wednesday to aiding and abetting the unauthorized access to a protected computer. Prosecutors said Koshkin, a Russian national who lived in Estonia, and Tsurken who lived in both Estonia and Thailand, operated an online encryption service known as Crypt4U, which helped conceal malware infections from antivirus software. That technology allowed hackers to infect computer systems around the world between September 2013 and December 2017, including in Connecticut, prosecutors said. CHICAGO (AP) Five people standing outside on Chicago's West Side were shot in a violent end to a day that began with a mass shooting on the city's South Side that left four people dead and four more injured, police said. Four men and one woman were shot about 9:20 p.m. Tuesday near Garfield Park, possibly "by multiple offenders," police said. They were rushed to area hospitals, where a 38-year-old man was listed in critical condition while the others were listed in good condition. The shooting came about 16 hours after three women and a man were fatally shot and four other people suffered gunshot wounds inside a house on the South Side. Shermetria L. Williams, 19, of the suburb of Harvey, was among the dead, the Cook County Medical Examiners office said Wednesday. The office on Tuesday identified another victim as Ratanya Aryiel Rogers, 28, of Chicago. The names of the other two will be released after next of kin have been notified, the office said. CHICAGO (AP) An argument in a house on Chicago's South Side erupted into gunfire early Tuesday, leaving four people dead and four more injured, police said. The shooting happened at about 5:45 a.m. in the Englewood neighborhood, police said. No one has been arrested and police provided few details about the shooting. None of the victims appeared to be juveniles. At a news conference Tuesday morning, Police Superintendent David Brown said three of the victims who died were female and one was male. The department earlier reported that all four were female. Detectives were trying to determine if there was more than one shooter, police spokesman Tom Ahern said. A 2-year-old child was removed safely from the house and placed in protective custody, he said. The Cook County Medical Examiner's office identified one of the fatal victims late Monday as Ratanya Aryiel Rogers, 28. The other victims were identified by police as a 35-year-old man, a 32-year-old woman and a 19-year-old female. The injured included two men who were shot in the back of the head. Police were unable to provide information on their conditions. A 23-year-old man who was shot in the back and a woman who suffered an unspecified gunshot wound were both in critical condition, police said. Jerome Cruz leaves the District Court of Guam on March 18, 2021 after he pleaded guilty to charges of pandemic unemployment fraud. At the time, Cruz was a full-time employee at the Guam Department of Labor. So I went hunting for a teacher who could support that and also get him reading music, Lenore said. I picked up a list of teachers from Ifshin Violins in Berkeley. Another teacher recommended Cookie as a likely good fit. It was! The feeling is mutual. I just adore Max, Segelstein said. Max is a very precocious youngster with deep aptitude and talent for the violin. He is wonderfully opinionated and often will add his own flair to pieces we are working on. He might decide that he does not like something about the piece he is playing, so he will change it. Max practices each day and is working on the Bach Minuet #1. Lenore and Maxs dad Russell Read - himself an amateur trumpet, trombone and euphonium player decided to treat the past pandemic/ academic year as a conservatory since daily classes required only two-and-a-half hours of virtual or in-person instruction. The Napa County Farm Bureau has named Davie Pina as Napa Valleys 2021 Agriculturalist of the Year and Supervisor Diane Dillon as Napa Valleys 2021 Friend of Agriculture. Pina and Dillon will be honored at the Napa County Farm Bureaus annual dinner Love of the Land, hosted this year by V. Sattui Winery in St. Helena on July 23. As Napa Valleys 2021 Agriculturalist of the Year, Davie Pina is being honored for the innovative ways that he has approached sustainable agriculture in Napa Valley and for his longstanding commitment to community service. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register. Special offer: $3 for your first 3 months! Pina is a sixth-generation Napa Valley farmer having been born and raised in Napa Valley. He is managing partner of Pina Vineyard Management where he has worked since 1980. His commitment to the Napa community has encompassed many roles, including serving on the boards of the Napa County Farm Bureau, Rutherford Dust Society and Rutherford Grange. Since 1987, Pina has served with the Rutherford Volunteer Fire Department, where he was chief from 2012-2021. State Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, introduced a bill to allow continued off-site alcoholic beverage sales after realizing how much businesses in his Napa Valley district relied on tourism and alcohol sales to stay afloat. To say it was devastating to the restaurants would be an understatement, Dodd said. I know a lot of locals tried to take out as much as possible. But when you really look at it in these restaurants, its almost like these food bills are half or two-thirds of the whole bill and the rest is alcohol sales. Dodd said local business owners began approaching him asking him if there was a chance that to-go drinks could remain after the pandemic both because of their success, and the fact that residents have grown fond of the option. Its not like that was the silver bullet, the thing thats going to make or break them. It was a contributor to the bottom line for sure, he said of the to-go option. This could be something that would not only help the industry, but maybe its something that the consumer really wants. Dodds bill passed unopposed out of the Senate and is now being heard in the Assembly. Alcohol Justice, an industry watchdog group, is the main opposition to the legislation and argues that the bill could threaten public health and safety by increasing drunk driving. UPDATE: CalVet reports that power was restored shortly before 4 p.m. Power went out to the Veterans Home campus in Yountville on Tuesday afternoon and was out about a day, even as temperatures were expected to spike into triple digits. Multiple residents told the Register that power went out sometime before 3 p.m. on Tuesday. Several of the larger buildings had backup generators but the dorm buildings did not. One employee, who asked not to be named, said the residential buildings had only emergency lighting. CalVet, the state agency that runs the sprawling complex, said the problem was a power switch box on the grounds. After first saying repairs could take as long as three days, electricians were able to restore power shortly before 4 p.m. on Wednesday. Good news is that all of the generators turned on immediately and the Home implemented power outage protocols, including setting up cooling stations and charging stations, CalVet said in a written statement as electricians worked on the problem. It said independent living rooms were without power, but nursing care residents had power via generators. But that upside came with a downside. Relationships built up over the previous three years weakened, he said. I just feel the last year of socializing with my friends was kind of stolen from me, Reeve said. Graduate Eric Javar is among those who found the pandemic a challenge. Its been tough, really been tough, he said before the ceremony. My grades have dropped its just super hard learning on line. Now he is moving onto Napa Valley College with the intent of earning an associates degree and business certificate. I expect this upcoming year to be closer to normal, moving forward from today, he said. Sheppard will be attending Grand Canyon University in Arizona. Im expecting to have hopefully a pretty normal college experience, she said. Everything down there is pretty open, it has been for a while. So Im hoping I can just go to college and have a normal experience, have fun with friends, meet new people, stuff like that. Police video footage of both shootings have raised questions about Halls conduct. In bodycam and dashboard footage from the 2018 incident, officers are seen slowly pursuing Arboleda through the city of Danville after someone reported a suspicious person in a residential cul-de-sac. The video from the Contra Costa County Sheriffs Department, which contracts police services to Danville, shows Hall stopping his patrol car, getting out and running toward the sedan driven by Arboleda. Hall opened fire and kept shooting as Arboledas car passed by, striking him nine times. Hall testified at an inquest that he was afraid Arboleda would run him over. Becton said in April that Hall used unreasonable and unnecessary force" that endangered not only Mr. Arboledas life but the lives of his fellow officers and citizens in the immediate area. Civil rights attorney John Burris, who is representing Arboledas family, says Hall generated a threat where none existed and then tried to shoot his way out of it. The officer claims it was imminent danger, and it was not, Burris said. The officer himself was not in danger. He shot into a moving car when he himself was in a position of safety." Halls attorney, Harry Stern, did not respond to a message seeking comment. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. During an intense Western heat wave last August, the state saw two days of rotating power outages that affected more than 200,000 people. They were the first such blackouts since 2001. Power officials said the electrical grid has seen upgrades in power storage and transmission since then, including adding about 3,500 megawatts of capacity enough to power some 2.6 million homes. That includes 2,000 megawatts worth of battery storage that could be crucial when solar power generation tails off after dark. Temperatures in the 80s and 90s were recorded up and down the state, with triple-digit highs in deserts, some mountains, non-coastal valley and interior areas. In Southern California, Palm Springs tied the all-time record of 123 degrees (50.5 Celsius), reached only three other times, in 1993 and twice in 1995. The National Weather Service warned of dangerously hot, potentially life-threatening temperatures" through Saturday in the San Joaquin Valley. A heat advisory was issued through Friday night for much of the San Francisco Bay Area, and several counties announced they were opening cooling centers. Temperatures were expected to ease only slightly heading into Sunday, the official first day of summer. Following every incident, the department applied a careful review process, Pair said. Its not a carte blanche that you can use a baton, go out there and use a baton whenever you want to, he said. Each one is scrutinized under the facts and circumstances of its own event. That scrutiny has layers. When a Bakersfield police officer uses force, the officer must report it to a supervisor, usually the sergeant on duty, according to the departments manual. The manual then directs sergeants to ensure that the person injured receives medical treatment and to investigate the incident. Policy directs sergeants to examine the scene, review video footage, interview witnesses and talk to the injured person if they consent. In Bakersfield, every sergeant also writes a report about any use of force. And every sergeants report must be reviewed by the watch commander, a lieutenant. Department spokespeople say that captains sometimes review use-of-force reports, too. When the force used is deemed reasonable, that sergeants report may be brief, as in the case of Robert Cruz Jr. In that case, the sergeants description of what happened was five sentences long. Oseguera works with Latinas in different industries and hears firsthand why so many haven't returned to the workforce. Theyre worried about going back and getting sick, Oseguera said. My hope is also that those jobs really reconsider the way that we have been working with essential workers to not only have a secure environment but also have access to paid family leave, paid sick leave, access to fair pay, so that we can really recover from the last year of not being part of the workforce. For Ciara Fernandez Faber, going back to work also depends on the work-life balance she needs to care for her toddler. Faber, who lives in Denver, left her job as an attorney when her son's preschool closed. Her husband is a doctor, and it wasn't an option for him to stay home with him. To my experience, like, it doesnt matter what profession it is, it just seems like across the board its impacted Latina women more. I dont know if its like values that we place on work-life balance or child care issues. I dont know, Faber said. - Associated Press writers Alexandra Olson in New York City and Chris Rugaber in Arlington, Virginia, contributed to this report. - Galvan covers issues impacting Latinos in the U.S. for the APs Race and Ethnicity team. Follow her on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/astridgalvan Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. A Scottish man who tried to evade justice by fleeing to the United States, where he faked his death at a California beach, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for rape and other sexual offenses, authorities in Scotland said. Kim Avis was found guilty of of raping three women and sexually assaulting a minor following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow, Scotland, last month. The 57-year-old was convicted of 13 charges related to sexual offences that occurred between 2006 and 2017, and an additional charge of failing to attend a previous trial date after he fled to America, the Scotland prosecutors office said. Avis was sentenced last week to 12 years in prison for the sexual offenses and three years for failing to appear at an initial trial in March 2019. Avis was on bail when he flew into Los Angeles International Airport in February 2019, using the name Ken Gordon-Avis. Several days later, his teenage son reported him missing at Monastery Beach off the coast of Carmel, California, after he said Avis went for a nighttime swim in treacherous waters. Searchers found no trace off the area sometimes called Mortuary Beach for its deadly reputation. The article also incorrectly says that the proposed new regulations would make "tighter standards" for roads, whereas just the opposite is the case for all existing roads. Current regulations have a 1-mile length limit to dead-end roads, and require turnarounds every 1,320 feet. The proposed regulations eliminate all dead-end road limits for all existing roads, remove most of the turnaround requirements and eliminate length limitation for one-way roads. Most development occurs on existing roads; hence the proposed regulations are substantially weaker then the current regulations which apply equally to existing as well as new roads. Furthermore, the proposed regulations, except for very large developments, eliminate requirements for curve radius, gate openings, bridges, and allow grade to have no upper limit, with the only qualifier that for grades over 25%, there is a 500 foot length limitation. Current regulations limit grade to 16%, up to 20% with mitigation. China ambassador to Armenia: We are waiting with pain in our hearts for return of captives Both Armenia and Azerbaijan are included in Belt and Road Initiative, says China ambassador to Yerevan China envoy to Armenia refutes Azerbaijan media report Armenia State Revenue Committee discovers 97kg heroin, Turkey citizen detained Armenian captives 'trials' continue in Azerbaijan Chief meteorologist: June heat in Armenia is absolute record-breaking in meteorological monitoring history Ombudsman informs CoE Commissioner for Human Rights on urgency of Armenian captives return from Azerbaijan Armenia Seismic Protection Department activities terminated Outgoing MP attends OSCE Parliamentary Assembly session, speaks about Armenian POWs in Azerbaijan 118 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Armenia bloc petition already at Constitutional Court Seven villagers with symptoms of anthrax are hospitalized in Gyumri Yerevan hosting international conference on 100th anniversary of Communist Party of China Armenia President visits US ambassador 130 countries support introduction of global minimum tax for multinational corporations New Zealand to ban most single-use plastics by 2025 Al Pacinos rental home in Beverly Hills to be demolished? Newspaper: Armenia Investigative Committee dismissals have interesting backstory Newspaper: Why Armenia ex-President Sargsyan calls 7 "I Have Honor" bloc MP candidates to him? World Bank pledges $20bn in funding coronavirus vaccine purchases, deployment Newspaper: Why is coronavirus-related reality in Armenia being kept secret? Armenia Ombudsman calls on Artsakh-Armenians to remove or block phone numbers, personal data on social networks Armenia acting minister: Two new electric trains to transport passengers to and from Yerevan and Gyumri soon Body of 33-year-old man found hanged in Armenia's Lori Province Karabakh State Minister: I also have questions regarding loss of Hin Tagher and Khtsaberd villages Armenia Ambassador to Ukraine hands copies of credentials to Ukrainian MFA leadership Erdogan defends Turkey's withdrawal from Istanbul Convention Parliament of Morocco recognizes 'third sex' 11 apprehended during opening ceremony of Tbilisi Pride Week Armenian analyst: Opposition could have won the elections, if it used the right technologies Adam Schiff: We have been able to secure more than $52,000,000 in funding for Armenia and Artsakh Court declares head of Armenia's Odzun village as victim under criminal case, there is no accused Direct flights to and from Kazakhstan and Armenia restored Karabakh emergency situations service: Remains of 2 more soldiers found in Hadrut, Varanda and Jrakan Karabakh Security Council Secretary discusses issues related to water supply and power supply Armenian analyst: Turkey wants to do everything possible to absorb Azerbaijani army, turn it into subdivision 'Armenia' bloc to apply to Constitutional Court with demand to annul results of elections in coming days Catholicos Aram I meets with Pope Francis at Vatican Independent MP sues Armenia Parliament Deputy Speaker Lena Nazaryan for calling her 'an idiot' Digest: US House calls for at least $50m aid to Armenia, New Jersey recognizes Artsakh independence Did China's Ambassador to Azerbaijan talk about the "Zangezur corridor"? Armenia 3rd President sends congratulatory message to China's Jinping FM: Armenian statehood will become geopolitically disabled without Artsakh Armenia fuel company owner Barsegh Beglaryan says he won't plead guilty and didn't incite anyone Armenia 1st Military Unit participants in recent Artsakh war are solemnly demobilized (PHOTOS) Armenia Environment Ministry: 1,650 structures being dismantled in lakeside zone of Lake Sevan Armenia acting PM's ex-chief of staff to serve as Member of Parliament Karabakh President makes new appointment Karabakh: Searches for remains of servicemen continue in southern direction not under Artsakh's control Armenia ex-President Sargsyan on criminal charge against him: The accusation is completely false Google to change rules for finding information on web Azerbaijan declares impossibility of Armenia lawyers defending Armenian captives in Baku Armenia Parliament approves several amendments to existing laws Dollar holding steady in Armenia Republican Party of Armenia vice-president summoned to Investigative Committee after returning from Brussels Armenia acting PM attends meeting dedicated to 103rd anniversary of prosecutor's office Karabakh State Minister: Artsakh is planning to build a few reservoirs Karabakh State Minister: Artsakh should prepare for elections, but under one condition Faction of Armenia acting PM's political party votes against the bill that it introduced Armenia Special Investigation Service ex-chief's son, official Narek Shahinyan stabbed in Yerevan Kuwait announces launch of its first own satellite on Falcon 9 launch vehicle Total amount of US assistance to Armenia to increase by $12.94m Armenia President sends congratulatory message to Canada PM Armenia acting territorial administration and infrastructure minister on news about being appointed Deputy PM Judicial farce against Armenian captives continues in Azerbaijan Oil rises in price Artsakh state minister believes Russian peacekeepers presence is not limited to 5 years Additional opportunities created to organize protection of right to self-determination, says Karabakh state minister Court hearing over case of Armenia 3rd President and company owner taking place Artsakh state minister: Azerbaijan will no longer use Karmir Shuka-Shushi road soon Armenia PM staff has new chief Armenia becomes 2nd country after US to grant patent to computer programs Armenia provides additional funding to Karabakh The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Artsakh welcomes the recognition of Artsakh by New Jersey Armenia acting economy minister: Twice as many agricultural products already exported as in 2019, 2020 Three new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh Pashinyan: Armenia economic growth forecast for 2021 has risen from 3.2% to 6% Armenia acting premier makes new appointment 126 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Armenian acting PM to Chinese President: Armenia is eager to further develop friendly relations with China Pashinyan to Trudeau: Armenia-Canada cooperation has great potential for furtherance Job search system within EEU, including Armenia, in operation as of today House of Representatives members call for at least $50m in US aid to Armenia in fiscal year 2022 China will bash the heads of those who try to enslave it, says Xi Jinping Newspaper: When will Armenia newly elected parliament convene first session? Newspaper: Quite interesting developments taking place at departments of Armenia state Newspaper: Armenia Judicial Department head included in criminal case Israel asks Washington to put off reopening of US Consulate in Jerusalem Armenia Health Ministry confirms Siberian ulcer diagnosis of 3 citizens 11-year-old Yerevan boy dies after being electrocuted on June 17 Karabakh President: There is no alternative to international recognition of Artsakh people's right to self-determination France lifts most COVID-19 restrictions Turkey's Erdogan wants to control social networks Armenia MOD Military Police chief undergoes surgery Germany charges ex-leader of Turkish-Islamic Union for Religious Affairs for offending Jews and Armenians New Jersey becomes 10th U.S. State to recognize Artsakh U.S. law enforcement secretly solicits Microsoft customer data thousands of times a year Armenia ruling party MP: There is still no decision on new foreign minister Britain's chief constable warns of pedophiles rising dangers on social media Lavrov says Erdogan's visit to Shushi was in the context of Ankara-Baku relations President Biden snapped at a CNN reporter on Wednesday as she grilled him about the Geneva summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin then apologized later for being a wise guy. At the very end of Bidens post-meeting press conference, in which he boasted about having a productive talk with Putin, CNN Chief White House Correspondent Kaitlan Collins asked Biden why he was so confident that the Russian leader will change his behavior. What in the...? Biden snapped before stopping mid-sentence. Why do you do that all the time? I said what will change their behavior is if the rest of the world reacts to them and it diminishes their standing in the world. Im not confident of anything, the president said. Collins followed up by pointing out that Putins past behavior has not changed and he showed no signs of conceding during his own press conference moments earlier. How does that account to a constructive meeting? Collins asked. If you dont understand that, youre in the wrong business, Biden replied before walking away. Biden later apologized to reporters on the tarmac at Geneva Airport and said he was sorry for losing his temper with Collins. I shouldnt have been such a wise guy with the last answer I gave, Biden said before getting into Air Force One to head back to the U.S. On Wednesday morning, nine Azerbaijani servicemen stole a cow and a newborn calf from the shepherd of the pasture of Verin Shorzha village of Gegharkunik Province of Armenia. The Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Armenia (RA), Arman Tatoyan, informs about this on Facebook on the same day. "In particular, based on the reports received today, the Human Rights Defender's Office found out that the shepherd of the pasture of Verin Shorzha village, a resident of Vardenis community of Gegharkunik Province, woke up to Azerbaijani shots at around 5:30 this morning. As soon as he woke up, he found out that the Azerbaijani soldiers were shooting at his cattle, which were in the open at that time, in the immediate vicinity of his place of residence. He quickly went to the animals and found that one cow and a newborn calf were not there. Shortly afterwards, he noticed that 9 Azerbaijani armed servicemen were driving the cow and the calf to their positions. Together with the other shepherds, they tried to bring back the animals, which at that moment started running towards the shepherds. However, the Azerbaijani soldiers started firing at the animals and damaged the cow's leg, preventing them from reaching the shepherds. Shots were fired at the shepherds, too. Then, the shepherds observed how already 4 hours after the theft, at around 9:30am, the Azerbaijani soldiers were slaughtering the cow in their positions. The RA Human Rights Defender specifically states that this theft has taken place in the RA sovereign territory, and the Azerbaijani servicemen have come down from the positions that are illegally deployed in the RA sovereign territory. All the noted circumstances of the incident were confirmed to the Human Rights Defender's staff by all the other shepherds, they were checked. This incident of a crime proves once again that the protection of the rights of the RA population from the criminal acts of the Azerbaijani armed forces requires, with absolute urgency, the presence of a security zone [in the area]," Tatoyan added, in particular. Armenian News - NEWS.am presents the daily digest of Armenia-related top news as of 17.06.21: Human Rights Defender of Armenia Arman Tatoyan posted on his Facebook a video which shows the Presidents of Turkey and Azerbaijan who say that the captives of the Armenian side are illegally kept in Azerbaijan for the exchange of certain mine maps in parts. The Office of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia has translated the video into Russian and English and has conducted an analysis of the video. It will be forwarded to the specialized agencies of the UN, the OSCE, and other international organizations along with the official letter of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia, Tatoyan noted. Tatoyan also shared on his Facebook news that on Wednesday morning, nine Azerbaijani soldiers stole a cow and a newborn calf from the shepherd of the pasture of Gegharkunik Province village. He noted that this theft has taken place in the Armenian sovereign territory, and the Azerbaijani troops have come down from the positions that are illegally deployed in Armenia. Azerbaijan has even resorted to blackmail, demanding from Armenia the opening of the so-called "Zangezur corridor" in exchange for the Lachin corridor. The idea was voiced as a test bubble by Azerbaijani political scientist Eldar Namazov in an interview with the Azerbaijani media. The Lachin corridor connects Armenia and Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), and Turkey and Azerbaijan are trying their best to get the "Zangezur corridor" through Armenia's Syunik Province. Namazov confirmed that the declaration signed recently by the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Turkey in the occupied Armenian city of Shushi in Artsakh refers to the establishment of an Azerbaijani-Turkish military alliance. The deployment of a Turkish military unit in Aghdam has already been announced. Given that the Lachin corridor is currently under the responsibility of Russian peacekeepers, such "corridor in exchange for corridor" blackmail attempts are becoming even more sinister, apparently with the aim of provoking Russia to take drastic steps. The acting Minister of Defense of Armenia, Vagharshak Harutyunyan, on Wednesday, had a phone talk with the Russian defense minister Sergey Shoygu. They discussed the ways to resolve the current situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. Harutyunyan noted that the Armenian side respects the calls of partner countries and organizations to settle this issue peacefully, adding that the position of the Armenian side is unchanged in this regard: the Azerbaijani army units must leave the sovereign territories of Armenia without any preconditions. President of Russia Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden held their talks in Geneva on Wednesday. Overall, the talks lasted four-and-a-half hours, break included. In the beginning, the talks were held in a narrow format, attended by Putin and Biden and the FMs of both countries, followed by a wide-format meeting. Following the talks, Putin said that Russia and the US have agreed to reciprocally resend ambassadors. He fell short of saying when the ambassadors would be returned. Overall, Putin said the talks were constructive, noting that even though the meeting wasnt held in a hostile atmosphere, it proceeded in principle. Meanwhile, Biden called his meeting with Putin in Geneva positive. During a press conference following the meeting, Biden said there were moments when neither of them agreed with each other and they spoke out about this, adding that this wasnt done in a hyperbolic atmosphere. The seismological network of the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) of Armenia on Thursday recorded a magnitude-2.7 earthquake in the country. It was recorded 8km northwest of Yelpin village in Vayots Dzor Province, and 10 km beneath the surface. The tremor measured magnitude 3 to 4 at the epicenter. As of Thursday morning, 96 new cases of the coronavirus were confirmed in Armenia, and the total number of these cases has reached 224,000 in the country. Also, one more death from COVID-19 was registered, making the respective total 4,491 cases. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia has already issued a statement strongly condemning the joint visit of the Presidents of Turkey and Azerbaijan to the currently occupied city of Shushi of the Republic of Artsakh, and described it as an outright provocation against regional peace and security. This is stated in the Armenian MFA's commentary, which also states the following: "The declaration signed by the Presidents of Turkey and Azerbaijan in Shushi, as well as the remarks made by the President of Turkey in the Parliament of Azerbaijan are equally deplorable and provocative. Although one of the provisions of the Turkish-Azerbaijani declaration states that the document is not directed against a third party, its entire content, nevertheless, targets the Armenian people. It clearly reveals that the two states, which launched a 44-day aggression against the Republic of Artsakh, made an alliance against the self-detemination of the people of Artsakh, the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia, and the rights of the Armenian people around the world who survived the genocide. The Zangezur corridor expression used in the declaration proves that Turkey and Azerbaijan, encouraged by the impunity of their joint aggression and mass atrocities committed against the people of Artsakh, are now making public agreements against the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Armenia. The agreement of the two states to fight against the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide is equally worrying. The abovementioned agreements completely contradict the peremptory norms of general international law. In this respect we should emphasize that according to the international law, particularly the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties of 1969, all international treaties that conflict with a peremptory norm of general international law are void and can have no international legitimacy. It is noteworthy that this declaration is based not on the UN Charter or the comprehensive and indivisible concept of security of the OSCE, but on their approach of "kinship security", which is promoted as the principle of unification of the "Turkic world." Amid such an Armenophobic context, the proposals of the President of Turkey voiced in the Parliament of Azerbaijan on creating a platform for regional cooperation are hypocritical and misleading. The public agreements of the Presidents of Turkey and Azerbaijan contain not only genocidal threats against the Armenian people in the region, but also a serious challenge for all countries interested in international and regional peace and security, that necessitates close cooperation among all these countries. The situation deriving from the use of force and aggression against the people of Artsakh cannot become a basis for lasting peace, just as various made-up Turkish-Azerbaijani initiatives in Shushi cannot alienate this Armenian cultural center from Artsakh and the Armenian people." Just days before June 19a day referred to as Juneteenth to commemorate when the last enslaved African Americans in Texas were informed of their freedom in 1865both the United States Senate and House of Representatives passed a bill that would make Juneteenth a federal holiday. The bill will now go to President Joe Biden for his signature. As in years past, the University of Miami Black Alumni Society will gather this year to recognize Juneteenth. The virtual celebration begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 18, and will feature unique, interactive mixology. Alumna Nia Grace, the owner and operator of Darryls Corner Bar & Kitchen in Boston, and alumnus Andre Palmer, a culinary instructor for Stranahan High School in Broward County and owner of Palmer Collection (an array of island-inspired sauces and foods), will host cooking demonstrations. Patricia Morgan, president of the Black Alumni Society, said the opportunity to learn, share, and grow with her fellow Canes as they celebrate Black history that is rarely unveiled in textbooks fills her with gratitude. Juneteenth is significant because it not only commemorates the emancipations of enslaved African Americans, it reminds us of our ancestors' resilience, strength, and untold stories, said Morgan, the owner and lead consultant of The Executive Learning Lab. For many years, our lived experiences have been withheld from us. Marvin Dunn, professor emeritus and retired chairman of the Department of Psychology at Florida International University, will lead a discussion moderated by KiAnna Dorsey, a University of Miami junior and executive producer of UMTVs The Culture. Im ecstatic and its long overdue, said Astin Hayes, president-elect of the Black Alumni Society. Im glad people are recognizing the history of the day. I hate that it took a pandemic and the death of George Floyd to receive this recognitionIve been celebrating it for a long time. Sometimes referred to as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, Juneteenth is traditionally celebrated across the country with parades, festivals, and concerts. Hayes, a longtime professional in the hospitality industry, wanted to do something different this year to celebrate the day. Food is such an important part of our culture, said Hayes, who was inspired by the documentary series, High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America, to highlight culturally Black food. We wanted to not only give a platform to our alumni, but we also wanted to support Black businesses and showcase what they have to offer. Landon Coles, a senior and president of Student Government, said he is proud to support and attend the celebration. He noted that his administration supports the idea of the day being recognized as a federal holiday. Juneteenth is truly a significant day where the United States moved ever closer to the ideal that all men are created equal, securing the liberty for all Black people, said Coles. Creating space each year to celebrate this day and its significance is so important, because it reminds us of how far we have come and how far we must go to support and endow our Black and native communities. Register to attend the event. US general plays down chance of Taiwan invasion Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley testifies before a Senate Committee. Photo: AFP (Bloomberg) -- New York City has paid out a record $110 million to candidates running in the June 22 primary, including $39 million for the mayors race. In their final televised appearance together before Election Day, the eight leading Democratic candidates for mayor debated crime and policing, housing and homelessness, budgets, climate change and undocumented immigrants. The debate got heated when candidates were asked to identify the worst ideas proposed by their rivals. Early voting ends June 20. Many voters remain puzzled over a ranked-choice voting system that asks residents to select their top five candidates, rather than choose just one. Key Stories: Ranked-Choice Voting Gets Its New York City Audition: QuickTakeAndrew Yang Hopes to Ride His Free-Money Plan to NYCs City HallManhattan D.A. Candidate Plows $8 Million Into Her CampaignNYC Mayor Race Becomes Progressives 2021 Shot to Show Clout Public Election Funds Soar New York Citys Campaign Finance Board doled out its last round of public funds for the primary, bringing the total payments to candidates for mayor and other city offices to $110 million, the most in the programs history. Seven Democratic mayoral candidates and one Republican who participated in the matching funds program have received more than $39.2 million. Four -- Eric Adams, Scott Stringer, Andrew Yang and Kathryn Garcia -- received the maximum $6.5 million. Two Democrats running for comptroller, Corey Johnson and Brad Lander, also received the maximum public payment for their race, about $4 million. Previously, only one citywide candidate, Christine Quinn, who ran for mayor in 2013, received the maximum. The public funds outweigh $64.1 million that participating candidates raised in private contributions and $29.1 million in spending by political action committees. Public financing serves as a balance to the millions that wealthy special interests have poured into the races, Frederick Schaffer, board chair, said in a news release. Story continues In this last round, mayoral candidates received $6.9 million of public funds, with Garcia receiving the most at $2.2 million and Republican Fernando Mateo getting $2 million. Democratic mayoral candidate Ray McGuire, a former Citigroup Inc. investment banker, didnt participate in the program. -- Martin Z. Braun Wiley Pushes Subsidies for Poor Maya Wiley brought her progressive campaign for mayor to Hudson Yards office and residential towers in Manhattan to decry subsidies to wealthy developers and call for massive public investment on housing for the citys working poor and homeless. Hudson Yards was developed by Stephen Rosss Related Cos. Wileys platform calls for limiting tax breaks for big developers. Developers yall got yours, the rich, the powerful, but this a city thats going to be for the people, said Wiley, without mentioning any developer by name. She vowed she would have the courage to stand up and say to developers, No, you cant just tell us what parts of the city you get and youre going to take resources and investments from east Harlem for public housing residents. Were done with that. Wiley used the rally to promote her proposal to subsidize rents so that individuals making $42,000 or less a year and families of three earning $54,000 would pay no more than 30% of their monthly income on housing. -- Henry Goldman De Blasio Says No Debate Winner Mayor Bill de Blasio said Wednesdays two-hour debate among his potential successors was pretty uninspiring and he remains undecided. No one won in my estimation, de Blasio said Thursday during a virus press briefing. I did not hear enough. Im going to keep examining the candidates. The mayor said he is unsure whether he will make his choices public. By Tuesday June 22 I will figure out five people to rank, he said. That much I know.-- Peyton Forte Charter Schools Part of Adams Plan Adams, the current frontrunner in the mayoral race, said his education priorities for the city include charter schools as well as public and private institutions. My vision is surrounding, lifting up excellence, if that means charter schools, public schools, private schools, lets duplicate successful schools in our city, Adams, 60, said Thursday in an interview with Bloomberg Television. Adams, the Brooklyn borough president and a 22-year veteran of the New York Police Department, called for schools to pay more attention to non-academic issues such as nutrition and to allow private businesses to have a hand in developing curriculum. He called for more technology in the schools, including more wireless access. -- Skylar Woodhouse and Henry Goldman Debate Takeaways Wednesday nights debate was marked by barbs traded between Adams and Yang, the former presidential candidate, who has fallen behind Adams in recent polls. Yang assailed the former police captain for not having the right answers to fight crime, and taunted him with the fact that the union representing New York Police Department captains endorsed Yang, not Adams. Adams said he never asked for their endorsement, but Yang said he did. McGuire, who has spent the most on the mayoral race and is near the bottom of the pack in polls, squabbled with nonprofit executive Dianne Morales over whether he spoke for minorities in the city. McGuire also took aim at Stringer, the city comptroller, and Wiley, a civil-rights advocate, as he worked to distinguish himself from the pack. -- Henry Goldman and Skylar Woodhouse Read more here: Adams, Yang Spar as McGuire Takes Shots in Final NYC Debate Second-Choice Picks Candidates looking for clues to how people will vote with a ranked-choice system may find them in the WNBC/Telemundo 47/Politico/Marist Poll conducted June 3-9. Adams isnt just polling high for first-choice picks, but is also the most popular second choice: Adams was the second pick among likely Democratic primary voters who named Stringer, McGuire and Yang as their first choice.The big exception was respondents who ranked Garcia first and then Wiley second, and vice versa. For those who named Adams as their first choice, Yang was their most common second choice. Likely Democratic primary voters ranked an average of 2.8 candidates, the poll found. With ranked-choice voting, candidates who are broadly liked may benefit from being listed as a second or third choice, even if they are not the first choice of a majority of voters. It is possible for a candidate who initially comes in second or third place to emerge as the winner after candidates are disqualified. -- Stacie Sherman De Blasio on Race to Replace Him De Blasio said many of the Democratic candidates plans for the city would continue or expand upon policies enacted by his administration, even if they dont want to admit it. It was very entertaining in the debates to hear people talk about things we should do as a city that were already doing, de Blasio, who is term limited, said in a conversation with former deputy mayor Howard Wolfson that was published by Bloomberg Opinion on Wednesday. I think they have bought in to the vast majority of the core policies of my administration, even if they dont want to admit it. At a debate earlier this month, all of the top candidates except Yang said they didnt want de Blasios backing. And in a recent Emerson College poll, few voters said his endorsement would make them more likely to support a candidate. -- Stacie Sherman Read more here: De Blasios Summer, New Yorks Future: Howard Wolfson (Adds public funds) 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. Lawyers in Venezuela representing jailed American Matthew John Heath are offering an alternative narrative to the regime accusations that the retired U.S. Marine was caught with explosives and was a spy. Repeating what is alleged in documents said to have been quietly filed to a United Nations Special Rapporteur for human rights in Geneva, Heaths legal team was set to argue Thursday that he had been held against his will in the lawless Guajira region that straddles the Colombia-Venezuela border, before his later detention in Venezuela. Regardless, they insisted, he was anything but a spy. That March 22, 2021, report to the U.N. obtained exclusively by the Miami Herald, el Nuevo Herald and the McClatchy Washington Bureau alleges that during the first days of detention by the government of Venezuela and over subsequent days Heath was tortured. This allegedly included beatings, a gun to his head, electric shocks administered to most of his body, asphyxiation with plastic bags over his head, dousings with ice-cold water and rape threats. This photo from his family shows Matthew J. Heath, a retired U.S. Marine and security contractor from Tennessee now held in Venezuela and accused of espionage and terrorism. His family denies that and says he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The narrative emerging from Heaths family and legal team is that Heath was planning to visit friends on a coastal passage by boat to Aruba, a 19-mile-long former Dutch island that is just 15 miles off of Venezuelas northwest coast. How he went from the boat to the volatile region remains unclear. His family alleges he was kidnapped. On a Caracas internet radio show Wednesday, his lawyer, Guillermo Heredia, described it as an extortion scheme. Heath and three Venezuelans who were arrested with him in September were scheduled for a court hearing Thursday afternoon but it was postponed at the last minute, apparently due to logistical problems with the defendants being held in different prisons. Facts on all sides of the case are hard to independently verify. Heredia had planned to attack in court the initial police reports and photos, which he said show Heath and three Venezuelan men paraded before local media for having a large amount of U.S. dollars on them. They were stopped apparently on Sept. 8, a police report was filed on Sept. 9, and Heath first appeared in Venezuelan news reports on Sept. 10. Story continues Then five days after Heaths initial media appearance locally, Attorney General Tarek William Saab appeared on national TV saying a CIA plot had been foiled and that Heath was a spy who had taken sensitive photos, had rocket launchers in his trunk and high-powered rifles. They showed the arsenal on TV broadcasts, and alleged he had an encrypted satellite phone. But late Wednesday Heredia said Heath was detained at a roadblock only because the National Guard soldiers wanted to confiscate his satellite phone. The claim that there were videos and photos of oil installations is false. That does not appear anywhere in the case files, Heredia said. Purple dream Legal documents in Venezuela seen by the reporting team show that Heredia detailed how the trunk of the Chevy Arauca, a hatchback vehicle, was too small to be closed with the rocket launchers displayed by the government. He also questioned why the initial police reports showed no weapons. As for the satellite phone, the family insists it was the standard kind mariners use to communicate while at sea and nothing like what is described by Venezuelan authorities. Heath, a Tennessee native and father of a 12-year-old boy, served in Iraq and Afghanistan as a decorated Marine and later as a security contract employee. His family says Heath, who turns 40 on July 8, had spent his life savings on a 25-year-old, 53-foot trawler called the Purple Dream, with the hopes of a career as a charter captain. Initially his family said they were unaware of what he was doing in Venezuela and considered it a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. But now the family has offered new details to the Herald reporting team. Through a representative, the family said it made nine payments totaling $21,650 from late March until Sept. 8, 2020, the day Heath was stopped, allegedly at a police checkpoint in Venezuela. The money is said to have been deposited into Heaths U.S. bank account and later withdrawn via an ATM machine abroad, although exactly where is still unclear. The payments to Heath to the purported benefit of his alleged Colombian captors or extortionists ranged in size from $100 to $5,350. The defense team for American Matthew J. Heath, accused in Venezuela of espionage and terrorism, said this stack of legal documents was dropped on them by the government two days before a scheduled June 17, 2021, hearing. His family said he was on a hunger strike in a Caracas jail until being allowed to see his lawyer that day. Heath, they say, never actually told family and friends that he was being held captive or being extorted, just that he was stuck and couldnt leave the region and needed help. The family said he was not the kind to ask for money from a family that didnt have much, and they understood something was wrong. Heaths troubles actually began in Colombia. A report last October by The Associated Press detailed how he had been arrested inland in the Colombian town of Bucaramanga on March 25, 2020, and charged with possession of 39 rounds of ammunition although he did not have a gun on him. That late March timeline matches up with when the family said it began sending Heath money for the alleged extortion or kidnapping payments. Whether he was held in Colombia and if so for how long is not clear. What is clear is that he ended up in Venezuela, where he was most assuredly detained. Tamara Suju, a Venezuelan lawyer and human rights activist who said she submitted the report to the U.N. on March 22 about Heaths issues, insisted that Heath was trying to get home when arrested. What he said in his first hearing [in February 2021] was that he had his boat anchored in Aruba and all that he wanted was to leave Venezuela after going through the experience of being kidnapped so he could go back home, said Suju, a member of Heaths defense team. The family said Heath had been on a hunger strike, angry that he was unable to speak to his lawyers. This strike appears to have succeeded when he finally met with the team on Tuesday, two days before his scheduled court date. Received through an intermediary, a photo shows a huge stack of legal documents that Heredia said he received that same Tuesday. In Heredias own legal documents there are copies of the photos of the initial presentation of Heath to the media, during which no weapons were shown, and photos of the trunk of the car, where no heavy weapons and no rocket launchers were initially reported found. Sujus report said Heath triggered the suspicions of Venezuelan soldiers at a roadblock because he carried the satellite phone, foreign currency, two notebooks and a U.S. passport. The screenshot of a Venezuelan state TV broadcast shows the purported arsenal seized when retired U.S. Marine Matthew J. Heath was arrested there in September 2020. His family in Tennessee denies the accusations that the Iraq War veteran was a spy or terrorist. The report to the U.N., citing the official Venezuelan documents introduced in the case file, said Heath was accompanied by two men wanted for treason against the fatherland, which led soldiers to reach out to Venezuelan intelligence officials. Heath had only $20 on him, the report to the U.N. claims. The report asserts there were no explosives, weapons or a rocket launcher in their possession, despite what was stated by Venezuelas attorney general. During his early days of captivity in Venezuela, Heath was tortured even though he spoke little Spanish and didnt know what his interrogators were asking, the report added. The intention and objective of the torture was to get the victim [Heath] to declare that he was a CIA agent and that the U.S. government was aware of his activities, said Sujus report. They placed a gun on his head in an attempt to force him, and told him that they were going to kill him if he didnt talk, it said. As a retired Marine, Heath surely knew that Venezuela was in a state of conflict with the United States, which by then had offered a $15 million reward for the capture of the countrys leader, President Nicolas Maduro. The Trump administration took the unusual step of claiming that lawmaker Juan Guaido was the constitutional leader of Venezuela and stopped recognizing the Maduro government, which nonetheless appears firmly in command. Report to Rapporteur by Casey Frank on Scribd This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Heaths arrest came four months after a botched Venezuelan coup in May 2020, where a band of insurgents arriving by boat from Colombia were slaughtered by waiting Venezuelan troops as they reached the shoreline, apparently betrayed from within. Two ex-Green Berets working with Florida security firm Silvercorp USA were captured in the foiled attempt and later sentenced to 20 years in prison. At Trump Doral Red There is no known connection between Heath and that bungled coup. Silvercorp USA helped train in Colombias Guajira the would-be liberators. An investigation by the Herald, el Nuevo Herald and the McClatchy Washington Bureau showed at least some in the Trump administration had prior knowledge of the coup effort, and some planning even happened on one of the Trump National Doral golf courses, the Red Course west of Miami. The Biden administration is closely monitoring Heaths case, including the developments in Venezuela on Thursday, but would not comment on allegations of his torture, citing privacy concerns. The welfare and safety of U.S. citizens abroad is one of the highest priorities of the Department of State, a senior administration official said. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, a former U.N. ambassador who now privately negotiates for the release of Americans held abroad, including others in Venezuela, declined to comment through a spokesperson about the Heath predicament. A spokesperson for the U.N.s Geneva-based Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights confirmed the office is aware of Heaths proceedings. We are aware of the case and we are following it, the spokesperson said in a statement, noting that any one of 56 Special Rapporteurs may have Sujus complaint. However, we dont comment on individual cases without express consent from the source. A woman showering. (PHOTO: Getty Images) SINGAPORE A man who rented out his room via lodging marketplace Airbnb was planning to film a woman showering. Jonathan Huang, 33, placed a pinhole camera in a flowerpot in the units toilet upon learning that the victim, who knew the tenant, was planning to stay over on 9 May last year. After a shower, the victim noticed a shiny object in the flowerpot and found the pinhole camera. The 29-year-old foreign national removed the SD card and left for her own unit. Huang, a Singaporean, pleaded guilty on Thursday (17 June) to one of two counts of voyeurism, with the other count to be taken into consideration for his sentencing, which has been adjourned to 23 July. He was ordered to undergo an assessment for a mandatory treatment order report by District Judge Prem Raj. The nature of his mental disorder was not revealed in court. Huang, who is self employed, placed a room in his unit for rent on Airbnb. In October 2018, the victim responded to his advertisement and rented the room for a few days. She kept in contact with Huang after her stay. In March 2020, the victim learned that her friend, who is also 29, needed a temporary place to stay. The victim recommended Huangs room and put her in contact with Huang. The friend moved into the room before 1 May last year. On 9 May 2020, the victim visited her friend and Huang, who learned that the victim intended to stay overnight. He decided to film the victim showering for his own sexual gratification. At around 1am on 10 May, Huang hid a pinhole camera in a flowerpot, which was placed on top of the tank of the toilet bowl. He turned on the pinhole camera and directed it towards the toilets showering area. He then left the unit with the victims friend to head to a laundromat. About 12 minutes later, the victim took a shower in the units toilet, and three video clips were taken of her. During the process, the victim noticed a shiny object in the flowerpot and discovered the camera. She removed the SD card and left for her own home. Meanwhile, Huang and the friend returned to the unit shortly before 2am. Story continues Huang went to the toilet to check on the pinhole camera and found the SD card missing. He panicked as he did not know if he had been discovered. Before 4am, he entered the friends room to ask her if the victim was angry at him. After repeated questions by the friend on why the victim would be angry, Huang confessed that he had placed a pinhole camera in the toilet to record the victim showering. The friend left for the victims residence and discussed the situation. The victim decided to lodge a police report at 3.40pm. For voyeurism, Huang may be jailed up to two years, or fined, or caned, or with any combination of such punishments. Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore More stories: Man who fled to Thailand to avoid drug charges cheated mask buyers in Singapore All 14 new COVID cases in Singapore in community Landlord who kept exposing himself to female tenant jailed and fined Dickson Yeo, S'porean who spied for China, to remain behind bars By Stephen Nellis (Reuters) - Apple Inc said Thursday it will give $5 million to four historically Black universities to help expand their engineering programs for designing the chips that power electronic devices. Apple said the $5 million will be spread across Alabama A&M University, Howard University, in Washington, D.C., Morgan State University, in Baltimore, and Prairie View A&M University, in Texas, over three years. The money comes from Apple's broader racial justice initiative, which it announced last year with $100 million in initial funding. The grants will support each school's engineering departments and seek to focus expanding course work in fields like computing architecture and designing chips. The money will also support fellowships and internships in hardware technologies, Apple said. Apple custom designs many of the chips in its flagship devices, including central processors in its Mac computers and iPhones and special chips in its AirPods headphones that help them work smoothly with other Apple devices. "We know many jobs of the future will be in innovative areas like silicon engineering and we want to help ensure the leaders of tomorrow have access to transformational learning opportunities," Lisa Jackson, Apple's vice president of environment, policy and social initiatives, said in a statement. (Reporting by Stephen Nellis in San Francisco; Editing by Dan Grebler) By Hugh Bronstein and Maximilian Heath BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - A coalition of nine Argentine port worker unions will go on a nationwide 24-hour strike starting at midnight to press for vaccinations against the coronavirus, the labor groups said in a statement on Thursday. Workers including tugboat captains and customs officers have held similar work stoppages recently, as the South American grains powerhouse gets hit by a second wave of COVID-19 cases. "We have raised the issue and held meetings with different authorities with the purpose to obtaining concrete answers regarding the application of vaccines against COVID-19 to our workers," the unions said in the statement. "But to date, we have not obtained concrete answers or solutions." So far 87,261 people have died of the virus in Argentina, but the country's vaccination program has had a slow rollout. Argentina is the world's No. 3 corn exporter and top supplier of soymeal livestock feed used to fatten hogs and poultry from Europe to Southeast Asia. "We will not be able to moor and unmoor cargo ships, so that will impact loading," Guillermo Wade, manager of Argentina's Chamber of Port and Maritime Activities (CAPyM), told Reuters. A joint statement from five port industry chambers requested that the government "intervene" to prevent the strike and allow shipping to "continue operating normally while the request from the unions is resolved favorably." Strikes last month paralyzed shipping from Argentina's main grains port hub of Rosario, which handles about 80% of the country's agricultural exports. The strikes are occurring during high export season, as corn and soy, the country's two main cash crops, get harvested. Agriculture is Argentina's main source of export dollars needed to replenish central bank reserves strained by efforts to pull the country out of a three-year recession while grappling with the pandemic. (Reporting by Hugh Bronstein and Maximilian Heath in Buenos Aires; Editing by Matthew Lewis) Police in Surprise, Arizona, have arrested an individual who allegedly shot two people from his car on Thursday. At around midday, the first shooting took place, followed by a second person shot in their vehicle minutes later. In total, eight people were shot in five separate locations and were taken to area hospitals. It is unclear what their conditions are at this time. All nearby West Valley Hospitals and other facilities were all locked down and employees were encouraged to shelter in place, and remain off the road, according to an emergency text. Police in Peoria were investigating but the suspect has since been taken into custody by the Surprise Police Department. Peoria Police along with multiple agencies are investigating several shootings in the West Valley this afternoon, a tweet from the Peoria Police read. The suspect was quickly located & taken into custody in Surprise, by Surprise Police. More info will be provided as it becomes available. According to police, the suspect was arrested during a traffic stop. This is a breaking story. Please check back for updates. In the mid-1980s, Jill Dodd was a 20-year-old model working in Paris when she got an unexpected offer from her agent: She was invited to a gala pirate-themed party on the beach in Monte Carlo being thrown by the billionaire Saudi arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi. Dodd had no idea who Khashoggi was or why she was invited. But, she says, being naive and gullible, she jumped at the chance and soon found herself on the beach dancing with the short, pudgy Saudi mogul. He ended up writing I love you in blood on her arm, she says. It was the start of a wild 18-month relationship during which Dodd agreed to serve as Khashoggis pleasure wife." She partied it up on his legendary yacht, the Nabila, and flew around the world on his private jet, having sex, doing cocaine, sitting by his side at high-stakes gambling binges in Las Vegas. Today, Dodd having gone on to have a successful career in the fashion business looks back on her time globe-trotting with Khashoggi with no small degree of horror. I really realized I was part of a harem, she says. It took a long time to come to the realization and be able to accept the fact that I had been sold without my knowledge. So I was sold like a prostitute would be sold. The flamboyant life and checkered legacy of Adnan Khashoggi are the subject of Episode 2 in the new season of the Yahoo News podcast "Conspiracyland: The Secret Lives and Brutal Death of Jamal Khashoggi." This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Adnan Khashoggi, who died in 2017, was Jamal Khashoggis cousin; their grandfathers were brothers in the holy city of Medina. Jamal Khashoggi knew his older cousin from family gatherings over the years and showed up for his burial in Medina four years ago, even while expressing nothing but disdain for his grotesque sybaritic lifestyle. And yet, as "Conspiracyland" shows, Adnan Khashoggi played a crucial role in the evolution of the U.S.-Saudi alliance. Over the course of two decades, between the late 1960s and the mid-1980s, he brokered billions of dollars in arms sales from U.S. defense contractors to the Saudi military deals that became the heart of a core arms-for-oil bargain that has sustained Washingtons relationship with Riyadh ever since. Story continues Adnan Khashoggi in one of his private planes in 1984. (Colin McConnell/Toronto Star via Getty Images) Adnan Khashoggi pioneered this relationship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, says Ron Kessler, a former investigative reporter for the Washington Post, who wrote a biography of the arms dealer called The Worlds Richest Man. Khashoggi was the emissary of the king, Kessler says in "Conspiracyland." And so he would kick back some of the commissions from the American companies directly to the king, as well as to the Saudi defense minister and princes. And everyone was happy. The king was happy, he got his money, Khashoggi got his cut. The spectacular wealth, the display, the parties, all attracted business. And it was like bees around honey. It was really an incredible episode in history. The fear of disrupting that arms-for-oil money flow was ultimately a major factor in persuading the Trump White House not to impose any price on the Saudis for the gruesome murder of Adnans cousin Jamal, who at the time of his death was a columnist for the Global Opinions section of the Washington Post. Trump himself made that painfully clear when he cited giant Saudi arms purchases as his chief reason for not imposing any sanctions on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman even after the CIA concluded he had authorized the operation that killed the journalist inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2, 2018. President Donald Trump with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Oval Office on March 20, 2018. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images) If we abandon Saudi Arabia, it will be a terrible mistake, Trump said at the time. They're buying hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of things from this country. If I say 'We dont want to take your business,' if I say 'We're going to cut it off,' they will get their equipment, military equipment, from Russia and China. Im not going to tell a country spending hundreds of billions of dollars and helping me out do one thing very importantly, keep oil prices down so they're not going to 100, 150 dollars a barrel I'm not going to destroy the economy for our country by being foolish with Saudi Arabia. As with much else with Trump, such positions were taken against the backdrop of business deals between him and various Saudi moguls that began with Adnan Khashoggi. In 1991, Trump envious of the Saudi moguls lifestyle arranged to buy his yacht, the Nabila, for $29 million, touting it on the David Letterman show as probably the greatest yacht ever built. It's really been kind of a great investment. (Trump renamed it the Princess, apparently after his daughter Ivanka.) But not that great an investment. Three years later, when Trump was facing bankruptcy over his floundering Atlantic City casinos, he was bailed out by yet another Saudi mogul Prince Alwaleed bin Talal who bought the yacht from him for $20 million. Although he may have taken a bath on the boat, the sale was the start of a gushing Saudi spigot to the Trump Organization that continued for years. Donald Trump's yacht, the Trump Princess, in 1991. It was originally built for Adnan Khashoggi. (Jacques Soffer/AFP via Getty Images) Wealthy Saudis pumped millions into his company coffers, buying up apartments in Trump buildings, at least as much as, if not more than, Russian oligarchs did. In 2001, three months before the 9/11 attacks, in which 15 of the 19 hijackers were Saudi nationals, the Saudi government plunked down $4.5 million to purchase the entire 45th floor of Trump Tower in Manhattan, eventually turning it into the offices of the countrys United Nations mission. "Saudi Arabia, and I get along great with all of them, they buy apartments from me, they spend $40 million, $50 million, Trump declared at a 2015 campaign rally in Mobile, Ala. They spend so much money. Am I going to dislike them? I love them. It was an affection that continued right into his presidency, when Trump made placating the Saudis a centerpiece of his Middle East strategy and ultimately persuaded him to impose no price on the countrys leaders for the state-sponsored assassination of Adnan Khashoggis cousin Jamal. Next on "Conspiracyland": Episode 3, "Jamal and Osama" Adnans younger cousin Jamal pursues a very different path that leads him to the caves of Afghanistan, where, as a young reporter for the Arab News, he champions the fight against the Soviet occupation being waged by a fellow Muslim Brother who was then his good friend: Osama bin Laden. It is the start of a long and complicated relationship between Khashoggi and bin Laden that years later leads to a fateful series of meetings in Khartoum, Sudan, in which the Saudi journalist is recruited to try and persuade the terrorist leader to return to the kingdom. In case you missed it: Episode 1 Exclusive: Saudi assassins picked up illicit drugs in Cairo to kill Khashoggi Cover thumbnail photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images, Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images ____ Read more from Yahoo News: Seventeen Rihanna's Savage x Fenty has released their first-ever Pride collection and, as with all thing Riri does, it goes above and beyond. In addition, SXF is making a donation of $250,000 from the sales of the capsule collection. The donation will be split between The Audre Lorde Project, The Caribbean Equality Project, INC., GLAAD, Trans Latin@ Coalition & Trans Wellness Center. People who received the AstraZeneca vaccine will not be allowed to attend performances of Springsteen on Broadway, the first Broadway show to return for live shows. The state of New York has mandated that audience members at the show must be fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, according to a notice by theater-management company Jujamcyn. Springsteen is set to reopen on June 26 at the St. James Theater, which is run by Jujamcyn. At the direction of New York State, SPRINGSTEEN ON BROADWAY and the St. James Theatre will only be accepting proof of FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson), read a statement in the Q&A section on Jujamcyns site. The statement was first reported by the Toronto Star. National Review has reached out to the New York State Department of Health for comment. The directive effectively bans AstraZeneca vaccine recipients from attending performances, because that vaccine has not yet received authorization from the FDA for use in the U.S. While Americans wont be affected by the ban, international tourists from Canada, the U.K., and other nations where AstraZeneca vaccines were approved could find themselves unable to attend performances. Some countries have also allowed residents to get different vaccines for their first and second doses. It was not immediately clear if the ban on AstraZeneca for Springsteen is intended for other shows as well. Most Broadway shows are scheduled to return beginning in September. More from National Review A recent National Association of Realtors report shows the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta metro area is experiencing new-home growth amid a national housing shortage. The area ranked fourth in the country for metro areas with the most single-family home building permits over the past year. Metro Atlanta real estate agent Allahva Panton has seen a large increase in real estate sales in the Atlanta area, but not so much in Sandy Springs or Alpharetta. "There has been a large number of new constructions sales, and, well, it's obvious it's a seller's market, and there isn't enough to go around," Panton said. The NAR tracked the number of building permits issued by metro areas from May 2020 to April for the report. There were 31,627 permits issued in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta area over the 12 months. According to the NAR, about 680,000 fewer homes are available for sale across the country than the average number of active listings in the past five years. The association said the shortage pushed national home prices in April to a record high at $342,000. The NAR warned if home prices continue to rise at the same pace, many Americans could be priced out of the market. The average home price in the Atlanta metro area in March was $396,500, up 15.9% from 2020, according to the Atlanta Realtors Association. The housing inventory, however, has dropped 55.8% from March 2020. Panton said since the resale inventory is low, now is the best time to invest in home construction. She also believes the number of permits may be higher than what the NAR reported. "Most builders are waiting on the counties to approve their permits and are complaining about the wait times. We are all just waiting," Panton said. "The waiting list for new constructions is a mile long. It's just a waiting game, but those permit numbers are going to remain steady as long as the market can stand it." The Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metro area in Texas had the most single-family home building permits issued in the past year, followed by the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington area. The Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler area in Arizona was third. Story continues Washington Examiner Videos Tags: States, News, Atlanta, Construction, Georgia, Housing Original Author: Nyamekye Daniel, The Center Square Original Location: Atlanta area among country's fastest-growing new home construction markets WASHINGTON (AP) An extremist group like al-Qaida may be able to regenerate in Afghanistan and pose a threat to the U.S. homeland within two years of the American military's withdrawal from the country, the Pentagon's top leaders said Thursday. It was the most specific public forecast of the prospects for a renewed international terrorist threat from Afghanistan since President Joe Biden announced in April that all U.S. troops would withdraw by Sept. 11. At a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., asked Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Gen. Mark Milley whether they rated the likelihood of a regeneration of al-Qaida or the Islamic State group in Afghanistan as small, medium or large. I would assess it as medium," Austin replied. I would also say, senator, that it would take possibly two years for them to develop that capability." Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, said he agreed. I think that if certain other things happen if there was a collapse of the government or the dissolution of the Afghan security forces that risk would obviously increase, but right now I would say medium and about two years or so," Milley said. Their responses underscored the overall military fears about the consequences of a complete, unconditional withdrawal. Military leaders over the past few years have pushed back against administration efforts including at times by then-President Donald Trump to pull out of Afghanistan by a certain date, rather than basing troop numbers on the security conditions on the ground. Milley also acknowledged that a collapse of the government or takeover by the Taliban could have broader impacts on the strides women have made in Afghanistan. And the military has said it will be far more difficult to collect intelligence on terror groups in the country, if there is no American presence there. Once the withdrawal is completed, U.S. military and intelligence agencies' ability to monitor and counter extremist groups inside Afghanistan will be limited, but the Pentagon says it will use over-the-horizon" forces to keep a lid on the threat. The hope is to place surveillance aircraft and other assets in one or more neighboring countries, but no such arrangements have yet been made. That means the counterterrorism effort will have to be conducted from bases farther away, in the Persian Gulf area. Story continues A related concern is that the Taliban, which are seeking greater political leverage in Kabul and could attempt to take power, may retain its associations with al-Qaida, whose presence in Afghanistan was the reason the U.S. invaded in the first place. U.S. officials have questioned whether the Taliban will fulfill a promise made in a February 2020 agreement with the Trump administration to disassociate itself from al-Qaida and to prevent any extremist group from launching attacks on the U.S. from Afghan soil. The Biden administration has acknowledged that a full U.S. troop withdrawal is not without risks, but argued that waiting for a better time to end U.S. involvement in the war is a recipe for never leaving, while extremist threats fester elsewhere. We cannot continue the cycle of extending or expanding our military presence in Afghanistan, hoping to create ideal conditions for the withdrawal, and expecting a different result, Biden said, when announcing the withdrawal plan in April. He added, "It's time to end Americas longest war. The U.S. invaded Afghanistan after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks on America, when the Taliban allowed al-Qaida safe haven in the country. The key goal of U.S and coalition troops in Afghanistan since then has been to prevent a resurgence and another attack against America or other allies. Military leaders have consistently said that combat operations in Afghanistan have greatly reduced the number of al-Qaida there. But they say that both al-Qaida and IS continue to aspire to attack America. Austin and Milley's warnings about a possible resurgence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan echo those of some outside analysts. A group of experts on Afghanistan, including retired Gen. Joseph Dunford, who served as the top commander in Afghanistan before becoming chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 2015, said in a report published in February that a precipitous withdrawal from Afghanistan could lead to a reconstitution of the terrorist threat to the U.S. homeland within 18 months to three years. The group, whose study was mandated by Congress, said the U.S. should keep troops in Afghanistan until tangible progress is made toward a peace settlement between the Taliban and the Afghan government. The Pentagon has said the U.S. withdrawal after nearly 20 years in Afghanistan is a little more than half completed, and U.S.-led coalition partners also are leaving. SYDNEY/CANBERRA (Reuters) -Australia will recommend only people over 60 receive AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine, the country's Minister for Health Greg Hunt said on Thursday, following a spate of blood clots in those who have received the inoculation. Australia has administered 3.3 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, and it has been linked to 60 cases of blood clots, the government has said. So far, two people have died, which Hunt said has driven the policy shift. "The government places safety above all else," Hunt told reporters in Canberra. "This updated advice received today is based on new evidence demonstrating a higher risk for the very rare (thrombocytopenia syndrome) condition in the 50-59 year-old age group." Australia in April moved to limit the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine to people over 50 years old. Several European Union member states have stopped administering the AstraZeneca vaccine to people below a certain age, usually ranging from 50 to 65, restricting its use to older people, due to very rare cases of blood clotting, mainly among young people. Hunt said the recommendation would not delay its inoculation timetable, which has a target of giving at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose to every Australian before the end of 2021. Australia in April expanded its order of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine to 40 million doses, while it has also ordered 25 million shots from Moderna . Australia's amended vaccine policy comes as the country's most populous state battles to contain a cluster of COVID-19 cases. New South Wales said it now recorded four local cases of COVID-19, with the source of the outbreak still unclear. "At this stage, we are all on high alert," NSW state Premier Gladys Berejiklian told reporters in Sydney. A man in his 60s, who works as a driver for international airline crews, was detected with the virus on Wednesday, the state's first case in more than a month, and his wife has since tested positive. Genetic tests found the man has the Delta virus strain, officials said. Story continues The Delta variant, which has been classified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as among the four COVID-19 variants of concern due to evidence that they spread more easily, likely caused the latest devastating outbreak in India. Nearly a dozen venues in Sydney including a cinema in a shopping centre in the popular tourist spot of Bondi and a supermarket have been listed as virus hotspots. Australia has successfully suppressed past outbreaks through snap lockdowns, swift contact tracing and tough social distancing rules. It has reported just under 30,300 cases and 910 deaths since the pandemic began. (Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney and Colin Packham in Canberra; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan) Authorities are trying to find a 27-year-old man newly charged with murder in the shooting of a woman last week outside a north Minneapolis liquor store after a tussle involving several people. Deandre W.L. Craig, of Brooklyn Center, was charged Wednesday in Hennepin County District Court with intentional second-degree murder and illegal possession of a gun in connection with the June 7 death of Samantha J. Taylor, 39, of Minneapolis. Taylor was shot shortly before 6:30 p.m. and died at the scene outside Merwin Liquors at the corner of W. Broadway and N. Lyndale Avenue. A 21-year-old man who authorities have yet to identify was also shot in the incident and last reported to be in critical condition. A warrant has been issued for Craig's arrest, and authorities say they believe the suspect he has left Minnesota. According to the criminal complaint: Surveillance video from nearby businesses showed a man later identified as Craig appearing to be selling marijuana in front of nearby Sanctuary Covenant Church. The 21-year-old man and a 20-year-old man approach Craig, soon to be followed by Taylor. She accused Craig of stealing something sometime earlier. The 21-year-old pointed a gun at Craig, who was soon surrounded by numerous people and then struck with a gun. A shot went off as several people struggled. The fight soon broke up, and Craig "is seen backing away from the area and has the opportunity to leave," the complaint read. However, he reappeared and shot Taylor in the head and then fired at the 21-year-old man, hitting him in the shoulder and elsewhere. Craig was heard yelling "Who robbing who? Who robbing who?" Court records show that Craig was convicted in 2015 of first-degree assault and sentenced to a term topping seven years for shooting a man in Minneapolis. Paul Walsh 612-673-4482 After tight smiles and a firm handshake that made for an image both men wanted the world to see, followed by a chaotic photo op and about three-and-a-half hours of tense talks, U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin emerged to spin their summit at dueling news conferences Wednesday. Both men called their meeting positive, but while Biden said he raised serious concerns and warned of consequences, he did not claim he got Putin to commit to changing his behavior and the Russian leader accepted no responsibility for cyberattacks on the U.S. or for anything else. Biden had called for the meeting with Putin two months ago, alarmed about Russian aggression toward Ukraine. PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and U.S President Joe Biden shake hands during their meeting at the 'Villa la Grange' in Geneva, Switzerland in Geneva, June 16, 2021. (Alexander Zemlianichenko/Pool via AP) Since then, the issue of cyberattacks, including a ransomware strike on an American oil pipeline company that disrupted the nation's gasoline supply -- which the U.S. says was carried out by Russian hackers -- has become a key point of contention. Biden said he made clear that "certain critical infrastructure" is off-limits to attack "period," saying he gave the Russians a list of 16 American entities and told Putin if the attacks continue, the U.S. was ready to hit back. "I pointed out to him that we have significant cyber capability, and he knows it," he said. MORE: Biden-Putin summit live updates: 'I did what I came to do,' Biden says Overall, while Putin gained a fresh presence on the world stage, Biden was under pressure to produce what's being called "deliverables" -- concrete results from how he said he would confront Putin -- and to meet his goal of restoring "stability" and "predictability" to the post-Trump superpower relationship, which both Biden and Putin agreed had reached a "low point." Leading up to the meeting, at the G-7 summit, Biden said the world's democracies were "in a contest with autocrats" while also calling Putin "a worthy adversary." Story continues Here are some key takeaways: 1. What can be learned from the leaders' body language? Both men will likely seize on photos of them looking confident -- to project an image of cooling tensions between the two countries. ABC News Chief Global Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz highlighted what she called the "incredible" body language in both the handshake outside the Swiss villa then and inside as they sat down for a photo op. The Russian government was quick to release photos of the two men smiling at each other, appearing to frame the leaders as equals. PHOTO: President Joe Biden meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin, June 16, 2021, at the 'Villa la Grange', in Geneva, Switzerland. (Patrick Semansky/AP) "I think President Putin, you saw those pictures of president Putin with President Biden. That's essentially what he wants right there," Raddatz said. "The relaxed President Putin sitting back in his chair, Joe Biden looking relaxed as well. All of this is so rehearsed." MORE: What Putin wants when he meets Biden this week While the photo op of the pair sitting down was chaotic -- with Russian security pushing out American press at one point -- both leaders appeared relaxed. Biden, who was the first to extend his hand for a handshake inside, sat with his legs crossed, hands in his lap and was seen smiling at several points. Putin leaned back in his chair, as he often does, and looked stoic, yet at ease. "They know the world is looking at those pictures, especially Vladimir Putin. He wants to be on the world stage," Raddatz added. PHOTO: U.S. President Joe Biden and Russia's President Vladimir Putin shake hands as they arrive for the U.S.-Russia summit at Villa La Grange in Geneva, Switzerland, June 16, 2021. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters) Even with Putin denying Russian involvement in recent U.S. cyberattacks, and his refusal to give any ground on imprisoned opposition leader Alexey Navalny, because relations are at such a point, any signs of progress could be portrayed as a win. "I think because they have lowered the bar so far, but it's still a bar, that any progress will be seen as a win according to Joe Biden and probably according to Vladimir Putin, too," she said. 2. How did each leader characterize the summit and each other? Putin, the first to deliver a solo press conference following their talks, said there was "no hostility" on either side and even went out of his way to flatter Biden, calling him a "very balanced, professional man." "Our meeting took place in a constructive spirit. Indeed, we have arrived at assessments on a number of issues, but both sides expressed their intention to understand each other and to seek common ground. Talks were quite constructive," Putin said. MORE: Biden's Putin moment can't escape Trump's shadow: The Note Biden also called the summit "positive" and declared it a success at his later news conference, saying, "I did what I came to do." Neither leader would bite when asked if they could trust the other. PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with U.S President Joe Biden during their meeting at the 'Villa la Grange' in Geneva, June 16, 2021. (Mikhail Metzel/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Biden said, "it's not about trust." "This is about self-interest and verification of self-interest," he said. "Almost anyone that I would work out an agreement with that affected the American people's interest, I don't say, 'Well, I trust you, no problem. Let's see what happens.' You know, as that old expression goes, 'the proof of the pudding is in the eating.'" Putin said that between presidents "family-style trust" isn't possible -- but, said, there "were flashes of it." 3. Where did they disagree? Biden said he raised a range of issues with Putin, including human rights, press freedoms and election interference -- topics Putin avoids discussing afterward. "The bottom line is: I told President Putin that we need to have some basic rules of the road that we can all abide by," he said. On the ongoing Russian military aggression toward Ukraine, Putin dismissed the topic, saying it's not the business of the U.S. "Just like the United States carries out exercises on their territory, we are carrying out exercises. We didn't carry out exercises bringing our equipment to the United States. Regrettably the United States is doing that now," Putin said. PHOTO: President Joe Biden meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the 'Villa la Grange' in Geneva, June 16, 2021. (Mikhail Metzel/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images) As far as Ukraine joining NATO, which Putin strongly opposes, he said it was "nothing to discuss here." MORE: All eyes on Biden-Putin summit after 'incredibly productive' day at NATO Then, there's the heavy tension over the imprisoned Russian opposition leader. When ABC News Congressional Correspondent Rachel Scott challenged Putin over why so many of his opponents end up dead or in jail -- like Navalny -- Putin deflected by bringing up the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, saying Russia "sympathizes" with the U.S. and that it doesn't want the same to happen in Russia. He falsely suggested those rioters are now being persecuted for their political beliefs. "It's not about me fearing anything," Putin said. PHOTO: Russia's President Vladimir Putin holds a news conference after the U.S.-Russia summit with U.S. President Joe Biden at Villa La Grange in Geneva, June 16, 2021. (Denis Balibouse/Reuters) "This man knew he was breaking the law of Russia," he also said of the "citizen," repeatedly refusing to call him by name. Putin also said that neither leader invited the other to Washington or Moscow, saying conditions need to be right for that to happen. 4. What did they agree on -- or at least agree to discuss? The leaders agreed to send their ambassadors back to Washington and Moscow, respectively, in an apparent effort to deescalate tension, though the particulars weren't announced. While Biden said there were no direct threats in his meeting with Putin, he also said he was clear in the meeting that the U.S. has "significant cyber capabilities" to respond and telling reporters "this is not a Kumbaya moment" but also that he believes "the last thing he wants now is a Cold War." MORE: Still a summit secret: What happened in Helsinki between Putin and Trump? Cybersecurity was a top priority on the U.S. government's agenda. PHOTO: Russia's President Vladimir Putin waves as he leaves after the U.S.-Russia summit at Villa La Grange in Geneva, June 16, 2021. (Denis Balibouse/Pool Photo via AP) Putin said the leaders agreed to "consultations" on the subject. Regarding the two U.S. Marine veterans jailed in Russia, Trevor Reed and Paul Whelan, Putin said the countries might be possible to find a compromise. "We discussed it. A certain compromise might be found there. Russia's foreign ministry and the U.S. State Department will work in that direction," Putin said. The White House has separately said this prisoner swap could encourage the Kremlin to target more Americans unfairly like they believe these two Americans there were targeted and "wrongfully" held, Biden noted in prepared remarks at the start if his news conference. MORE: Russia outlaws Putin critic Alexey Navalny's organizations as 'extremist' 5. So, what's next? While Biden isn't going back to Washington with a ton of "deliverables," he is declaring the trip a success, calling the summit "good" and "positive" overall. When asked on his way out of his news conference why he was confident Putin will change his behavior, Biden raised his finger at a reporter and asked, "What the hell?... When did I say I was confident?" PHOTO: U.S President Joe Biden speaks to journalists as he is about to leave his press conference after the US-Russia summit in Geneva, June 16, 2021. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images) Collins followed up noting Biden said earlier it would take "six months to a year" to see if the U.S. and Russia "have a strategic dialogue that matters." "What I said was, let's get it straight. I said what will change their behavior is if the rest of the world reacts to them, and it diminishes their standing in the world. I'm not confident of anything. I'm just stating a fact," he said. When she followed up again, Biden said, "If you don't understand that, you're in the wrong business." "I said what will change their behavior is if the rest of the world reacts to them and it diminishes their standing in the world. I'm not confident of anything. I'm just stating a fact," Biden continued. MORE: White House downplays Biden-Putin summit, not expecting 'huge outcome' Once he got to the airport, he apologized, and offered for a final time this trip on foreign soil, "America's back." Even as the White House tried to play down expectations beforehand, intense focus will continue on whether there will concrete results out of the summit. The meeting was key to both leaders and their countries -- but its historic importance is mostly told in the images -- at least for now. PHOTO: President Joe Biden boards Air Force One at Geneva airport, as he leaves Geneva after the U.S.-Russia summit, Switzerland, June 16, 2021. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters) Biden-Putin summit: Key takeaways from their high-stakes meeting originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A top aide said Thursday that US President Joe Biden's first foreign trip showed G7 and NATO unity in pushing back on Beijing but that Biden was also ready to meet his counterpart Xi Jinping. Jake Sullivan, the national security advisor, said Biden showed an alternative to China by leading the Group of Seven in a new infrastructure initiative and that a NATO summit for the first time succeeded in "truly taking the security challenge posed by China seriously." He also pointed to the resolution of the longstanding EU-US aviation feud as a message that the West is united "against China's predatory practices." "The bottom line is that Joe Biden confidently and skillfully donned the mantle of leader of the free world on this trip," Sullivan told reporters. "The previous president had ceded that mantle and this president has now emphatically reclaimed it," Sullivan said, referring to Donald Trump, who frequently clashed with US allies. The summits have "laid the groundwork for proving out the case that democracies can deliver for their own people and for people around the world," Sullivan said. His remarks came after expected criticism from Trump's Republican Party, which accused Biden of not being forceful enough. The Biden administration, keeping the substance if not the tone of Trump's hawkish approach, has identified China as the pre-eminent global challenge due to its increasingly assertive policies both at home and abroad. But Sullivan said that Biden would welcome a chance to speak further to Xi. The two had a lengthy phone call in February but in-person interaction has been limited to a tense meeting in March between Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken and top Chinese officials in Alaska. After meeting another frequent US adversary, Russian President Vladimir Putin, in Geneva on Wednesday, Biden said there was no substitute for in-person talks. Biden's view "also applies to China and President Xi Jinping. He will look for opportunities to engage with President Xi going forward," Sullivan said. Story continues He said there were no plans scheduled to meet Xi but noted that both presidents were likely to take part in a summit in October in Italy of the Group of 20 major economies. "Soon enough we will sit down to work out the right modality for the two presidents to engage," Sullivan said. sct/sst Exclusive: How will Washington quell the disdain in the Black community over Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday when voting rights and police reform bills remain in jeopardy? President Joe Biden officially signed legislation on Thursday making Juneteenth a federal holiday in the White House East Room with Americas first Black Vice President Kamala Harris standing by his side. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Despite this historic moment, upset is spilling over as the question remains, how will both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue quell the disdain in the Black community about the new Juneteenth law when the passage of voting rights and police reform bills remain in jeopardy this year? Actor and humanitarian Billy Porter spoke exclusively to theGrio to convey his feelings about what the government is doing in the wrangling over voting rights. Billy Porter attends the red carpet event for FXs Pose at Pacific Design Center on August 09, 2019 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images) Like my mom and my grandmother used to always say, people do exactly what they want to do. Please believe them the first time. This government is bullshit and it has been for a long time, the Pose star told theGrios April Ryan. Please bleep me out if you must. Its crazy. Im sick of sitting around here talking about it calmly. I dont understand why its still legal to do the things that these governments are doing to block our rights. Why is it still legal? Porter asked. [Republicans] want our voting rights rolled back. Thats what they want. The frustration Billy Porter highlighted with lawmakers inability to move forward on voting rights protections is spilling over into Juneteenth criticism. On Instagram, activist and author of State of Emergency Tamika Mallory said she is not impressed with this new law that was signed by President Joe Biden Thursday afternoon. The Harlem native is hosting an Instagram live event to blast the holiday declaration and explain the hypocrisy the measure presents as the Senate remains deadlocked on the For the People Act and John Lewis Voting Rights Act. Additional conflicts of recognizing Juneteenth as a federal holiday take aim at the history behind the date. Chairman of the Board of the NAACP, Leon Russell, said the premises of legislation is wrong and contends the official end of slavery came about through the establishment of the 13th amendment. He calls this moment the miseducation on Juneteenth. Story continues Several officers went out to all of the Confederate states announcing the end of the war and in those states that had been in rebellion, the end of what was supposed to be slavery for them, but nobody came to Maryland, nobody came to Kentucky, nobody went to Missouri. Nobody went to the 48 states that were west [of] Virginia, said Russell. It didnt happen until the Constitution was amended [with] the ratification of the 13th Amendment. Leon W. Russell (L) Chairman of the Board of Directors of the NAACP, gives interviews after a news conference with the leaders of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at their Administration Building on May 17, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images) An NAACP official will be attending the bill signing ceremony, however, the civil rights group said they are setting the record straight through the release of an official statement on the accuracy of the end of slavery. Rather than recognize the true date of the end of slavery, the authors of the current legislation have chosen to celebrate a singularly Texas event as something it is not, states the NAACP in the statement. The resolution seeks to lift up the date that General Granger, representing the Union Army, read General Order Number 4 implementing the dictates of the Emancipation Proclamation in Galveston. In essence, the resolution takes a declaration that applied only to those who heard it read at the time, and attempts to give it nationwide effect. This is false history. Have you subscribed to theGrios Dear Culture podcast? Download our newest episodes now! TheGrio is now on Apple TV, Amazon Fire and Roku. Download theGrio.com today! The post Biden signs law making Juneteenth a federal holiday but some remain unimpressed appeared first on TheGrio. Whether in Washington, D.C., Delaware, or overseas, one thing is consistent for President Bidenhe always makes sure to attend a Catholic mass. But the president's faith is under a new spotlight this week, as the nation's more than 200 Catholic bishops gather virtually. Among the topics to be discussed: Whether high-profile Catholic politicians should be denied Communion if they support abortion rights. CBS News papal and Vatican contributor Monsignor Anthony Figueiredo said the Catholic church's opposition to abortion is clear. "And even Pope Francis, you know, he has called [abortion] an abomination," Figueiredo told CBS News' Ed O'Keefe. The bishops' focus will be on whether to draft an official document clarifying the church's position on receiving the sacrament of Communion. "Sometimes, the church has really failed on making the church's teaching known and understood," Figueiredo said. Catholic church policy says that any parishioner in "good standing" can receive Communion at mass. But bishops are divided over whether a vocal political supporter of abortion rights qualifies. The president has said he's personally opposed to abortion, but in 2019, he dropped his longstanding opposition to federal funding for abortion procedures. The decision to give Communion is still up to each of the country's more than 200 diocesan bishops. Washington Cardinal Wilton Gregory said he plans to give Communion to the president. But the incoming bishop of Wilmington, Delaware, the president's home diocese, hasn't said what he would do. San Francisco's Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, one of the most vocal critics of politicians who support abortion rights, will be part of this week's discussions, which he says isn't only about abortion. "Helping people return to the Holy Eucharist, understanding what it is and appreciating the gift, that they are living their life in a way that is coherent to what it means to receive Holy Communion " Cordileone told O'Keefe. Story continues But Cordileone said he would not give President Biden Communion, in part because the president is publicly at odds with an issue the church considers very important. "We praise where we can, but we need to correct where we need to correct," he said. But others disagreeSan Diego Bishop Robert McElroy wrote last month that weaponizing the eucharist will "bring the terrible partisan divisions that have plagued our nation into the very act of worship." Polls show church membership has steadily declined over the years, and Catholic university's Kurt Martens says the public debate over Mr. Biden's faith could be harmful. "If you single out a president or any Catholic politician, you're blowing up bridges. A dialogue is much better than the finger lifted, trying to say, from the pulpit, 'here is what you're going to do,'" Martens said. When asked about the implications of this meeting for President Biden, the White House said, "The president is a strong person of faith." A final resolution on this likely won't come until the Bishops' next meeting in November at the earliest. The Vatican has strongly urged them not to take it up, arguing it could politicize the eucharist. New book aims to show the diversity of Iran Can your employer make you get a COVID vaccine? An employment attorney weighs in London Calling: Simon Bates on U.K. pushing back its reopening (Bloomberg) -- BlackRock Inc. is adjusting its plans for U.S. employees to return to the office, allowing only fully-vaccinated workers to come back to work starting next month. The worlds biggest asset manager said that U.S.-based employees whove been inoculated against Covid-19 can resume in-person work in July and August if theyd like to, according to a memo from the New York-based company. Unvaccinated staffers are not allowed in the office as of then, the memo said. All employees will be required to report their vaccination status by June 30. The company said it will provide an update for unvaccinated employees later this summer. The company already announced plans to bring employees back to the office in September while allowing some remote work. Firms across Wall Street are experimenting with how to bring back workers, with some companies -- like Goldman Sachs Group Inc. -- taking a more ambitious stance about workers coming back, and others -- like BlackRock -- pursuing a hybrid approach. BlackRock changed its policy after receiving feedback from employees who said they would feel better about returning to work if their colleagues in the office were vaccinated. Masks will no longer be required in most U.S. offices, the firm said. The changes come as vaccination rates across the country have slowed, indicating that most U.S. adults who want to have already received a shot. Governor Andrew Cuomo lifted New York states pandemic mandates earlier this month, saying that 70% of the adult population has now been given at least one dose of a vaccine. (Updates with mask guidelines in fifth 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. Esther Andrews made her own wedding dress out of lace yarn. TikTok/@estherandrewsbridal Esther Andrews designs knit wedding dresses for her bridal company. She made her own wedding dress and documented the process on TikTok. The "space pirate meets a tomato patch" gown was made of over 4 miles of mohair lace yarn. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. Finding the perfect wedding dress can be equal parts stressful and fun, with many brides taking months to find the perfect gown. But the process was even more difficult for Esther Andrews, a bride who made her own wedding dress. Andrews is the designer and founder behind Esther Andrews Bridal, which specializes in bridal knitwear. Her products consist of shawls and wraps, giving brides stylish options if they are getting married in cooler weather. But when the time came for Andrews to get married, she designed and made an entire dress, as she documented on TikTok. Andrews hand-knit the dress over nine months, even stitching it together on the New York City subway to ensure it was ready for her big day. She didn't finish the dress until the day before her wedding, customizing every inch of it. Andrews said in the video that her dress was inspired by "space pirate meets a tomato patch because it was just silly and fun." She also made her husband's outfit, which looked like an astronaut suit. Andrews' dress was made of mohair lace yarn, and it featured layers of ruffles. Andrews says the dress had over 4 miles of yarn. TikTok/@estherandrewsbridal As Andrews said in her video, the dress featured over 4 miles of yarn. The final dress had a V neckline trimmed with oversize ruffles, long sleeves, and a tiered skirt. The white base was topped with smaller yarn tomatoes as applique. It took nine months to complete, and Andrews wasn't able to tell whether the dress would fit her before she put the pieces together. It ended up fitting as desired, so Andrews' months of work didn't go to waste. Story continues Andrews also made space-themed wedding socks covered in little stars to go with the wedding theme, as she also shared on TikTok. Her TikToks about the wedding gained traction Wednesday. Andrews' video about making her wedding dress had more than 388,000 views at the time of writing. "When we first announced our wedding theme during our engagement, a lot of people didn't understand our concept," Andrews told Insider. "Since sharing our wedding on TikTok it's been so heartwarming how everyone has embraced it, cherry tomatoes, and all!" "The process of making that dress inspired the sweaters that I make for brides today and it's been beautiful to see that journey evolve," she added. She also wrote in the TikTok that she loved the process of making her wedding dress. "I will always cherish this dress and the time that went into making it," Andrews wrote. Read the original article on Insider Burkina Faso on Thursday launched a two-day huddle gathering governing and opposition parties to discuss the country's worsening jihadist insurgency. The initiative, launched by President Roch Marc Christian Kabore, coincides with a surge of attacks in the impoverished Sahel country. On June 5, at least 132 people were killed in overnight attacks on Solhan, near the border with Mali and Niger -- the bloodiest single-day toll in the six-year-old emergency. Local sources put the tally at 160 dead. Opening the talks, Kabore hit out at the "odious human massacre carried out by terrorists." "The situation calls for our utmost commitment in this crucial phase in the life of the nation," he said. Around 40 people are taking part in the talks, staged in the presidential palace in the capital Ouagadougou. More than 1,400 people have died and around a million have fled their homes since 2015, when jihadists from Mali took their campaign into Burkina and Niger. The two Sahel states are among the poorest in the world, burdened by poorly-equipped armed forces and a long history of political volatility. The round table will also discuss the holding of local elections scheduled for 2022, the coronavirus pandemic and national reconciliation, Kabore said. He vowed to "implement collective conclusions... (that emerge) from frank, open and democratic debate." ab/stb/ri/spm San Francisco 49ers great Joe Montana has sliced the asking price of his distinctive 500-acre Napa Valley estate to $24.5 million., according to realtor.com. The equestrian estate in Calistoga, California, was inspired by his and his wife Jennifers travels in Italy and France during breaks in the NFL legends career, according to the listing agents. Villa Montana originally listed the villa for $49 million in 2009. Two years later, the price was lowered to $35 million. The Sacramento Bee wrote about the home in July 2019 when it hit the market at $28.9 million. The Italianate residence includes a guesthouse/art studio, caretakers cottage, professional equestrian arena and stables for 30 horses with offices and staff residences. The 9,700-square-foot home, built over a five-year period and completed in 2003, has three bedrooms, three ensuite baths and a powder room. Most of the contents of Villa Montana were imported from Europe, a Compass real estate representative said in an email to The Bee, including antique marble floors, sinks, fireplaces, ironwork torcheres, mantels and 16th century iron gates. The villa is loaded with distinctive features. Two turreted towers offer 360 views of Mt. St. Helena. There are elaborate wood-beamed and vaulted ceilings. An expansive wine cellar houses 3,500 bottles of wine, a tasting room and a terrace for outdoor wine tasting. The landscaping features groves of ancient Tuscan varietal olive treeswhich produce up to 60 gallons of olive oil that the Montanas bottle each yeargrape vines, a pond for swimming and fishing, a pool, regulation bocci ball terrace and a basketball/tennis court. Joe and Jennifer Montana live in San Francisco where Joe runs his venture-capital firm, Liquid 2 Ventures. Villa Montana is a true gem, Compass agent Avram Goldman told realtor.com. Nothing compares to the quality and craftsmanship. It is not just an incredible estate it is like a Picasso. Montana, 65, played quarterback for 16 seasons in the NFL, most of them with the San Francisco 49ers.. He won four Super Bowls and earned Super Bowl MVP honors for three of them. With Goldman, Compass agent Timothy Hayden also represents the seller. The Thacher School is seen on 21 July, 2000 in Ojai, California. (Getty Images) One of Californias most elite boarding schools has acknowledged allegations of abuse going back 40 years. The Thacher School in Ojai northwest of Los Angeles published a 91-page report on its website detailing allegations of sexual misconduct, harassment, and crossed boundaries by faculty. Lawyers hired by the school detailed allegations of rape, groping, unwanted touching, and inappropriate comments in the report. Six alleged perpetrators of the abuse were identified by name. Alleged attempts to cover up complaints by former administrators at the school and blame teen victims were also included. A student who attended the school in the 1980s accused her high school English teacher of raping her several times, starting at the age of 16. The school didnt contact the police but instead sent out a male assistant headmaster who allegedly asked the girl if she enjoyed the sex, the report stated. In a subsequent college recommendation letter, the counsellor mentioned her unfortunate involvement with a faculty member. The LA law firm Munger, Tolles & Olson wrote the report, hired by the school in August to handle the investigation. The probe was motivated by the proliferation of the Instagram account @rpecultureatthacher, which describes itself as a safe space for those who have been victimized at the school. The report includes interviews with 120 former students, parents and both current and former members of faculty and staff. No charges have stemmed from the report, but law enforcement in Ventura County told the LA Times that they are looking into the incidents. We are going to look into them on a case-by-case basis, Sergeant Hector Macias told the paper about the allegations. We are going to continue to work with the school and their law office in order to vet some of this out and see if the victims are willing to cooperate. According to Captain Eric Buschow, investigators are looking into whether the alleged incidents rise to the level of crimes and if teachers and other staff reported the incidents to law enforcement. Story continues Because many of the allegations are from many years ago, law enforcement expects that many of the incidents will fall outside the statute of limitations. If that statute has run out, you have cases that cannot be prosecuted regardless of the outcome. So thats a concern, Captain Buschow told the LA Times. Willard Bill Wyman, who led the school from 1975 to 1992, was also accused of misconduct. The school hired attorneys in 1992 after a trustee received complaints from faculty and students. The attorneys found that the former school leader had perpetrated a pattern of offensive verbal conduct and improper touching against both female students and staff. In one of 17 exposed incidents, Mr Wyman allegedly asked two girls to wear slinky and sexy clothes to a dinner party at his house. He also allegedly touched one students backside. Mr Wyman has since passed away. Daniel Yih, the chair of The Thacher Schools governing board, wrote in a letter that was published alongside the report that none of those accused still worked at the school. To survivors of sexual misconduct and their families in our community, we are deeply sorry, Mr Yih wrote. We have learned a great deal about our history over the past several months much of which has been difficult to confront. The impact on students was profound," trustees said in a statement on the school website. Many suffered lasting harm not just from the sexual misconduct itself but also from the schools handling of the misconduct. School officials said they would take corrective actions to prevent this kind of abuse in the future. They added that a task force would be created for further recommendations on new measures and that a comprehensive protocol would be established for reporting sexual misconduct. The school also said they would increase resources for reporting abuse and improve counselling. Sexual abuse attorney Paul Mones is representing one of the victims. He told the LA Times that the findings are unfortunately typical of private boarding schools. Because these are closed environments, where the teachers live on campus by and large, and the students live there, the lines of appropriate behaviour, even the grooming behaviours, are blurred, he said. It seems here that the teachers there really were able to operate or run their lives with these students with complete impunity. Read More Pope Francis voices pain but no apology over deaths of 215 children at church-run boarding school Owners of religious boarding school in US charged with abuse after victims went public on TikTok Paris Jackson says she had very similar experiences to Paris Hiltons alleged boarding school abuse A State Department spokesperson expressed disgust this week with the Islamic Republic of Irans refusal to release the imprisoned California resident Jamshid Sharmahd, who is being held in Iran as his health condition worsens and without legal counsel. "We will work with our allies, many of which have citizens currently detained by Iran, to seek their citizens release and stand up to the disgraceful practice of using unjust detentions of foreign citizens as a political tool," a State Department spokesperson told Fox News on Tuesday. CALLS TO BOYCOTT IRANS ELECTION GROW AS PROTESTERS CALL ON BIDEN TO HALT RETURN TO NUCLEAR DEAL The clerical regime of Iran detained the 66-year-old Sharmahd in July 2020 while he was staying at the Premier Inn Dubai International Airport Hotel. Sharmahds Parkinsons disease and diabetes have since worsened, according to his daughter. Iranian state TV aired video footage in August 2020 of him appearing to confess, while blindfolded, to a 2008 terrorist attack in Shiraz, Iran, that left 14 dead and more than 200 injured. Gazelle Sharmahd, the software engineers daughter, told Fox News that after the abduction, Iranian regime "propaganda outlets" broadcasted a "forced confession" in which her father "admitted to a crime that he did not commit." The regime frequently tortures political prisoners, for example the champion wrestler Navid Afkari , who it subsequently executed, to secure coerced confessions. Gazelle said her father has rejected his Iranian regime-appointed lawyer. "Nothing they are doing is legal," she continued. "We want our father to be released. He was kidnapped. They have to let our lawyer and embassy see him. He is not a dual-national." Regime authorities contend Sharmahd, who left Iran at age 14 for Germany, is an Iranian citizen. Sharmahd has lived in California since 2003 and holds German citizenship. Gazelle said her family is "very worried" because her father has been in "solitary confinement for 10 months, which is inhumane, especially for someone who is 66 with Parkinsons." Story continues SATELLITE IMAGES OF IRAN NUCLEAR SITE RAISE ALARMS AS IAEA MEETS IN VIENNA She gave birth to a girl on Dec. 31, 2020, and said the situation is "killing us" because her father is "not going to see her." The baby, Jamshids first grandchild, is named Kiana ("elements of nature," i.e.: earth, wind, fire, etc., in Persian). The Islamic Republic accused Sharmahd of membership in the exiled pro-secular monarchy group Tondar, which seeks the overthrow of the radical Islamic state founded by Ruhollah Khomeini in 1979. Tondar means "thunder" in Persian. Gazelle said paid agents of the Islamic Republic sought to assassinate her father in California in 2009 because of his opposition activities, including his radio talk show. The 2009 assassination plot garnered widespread media attention, and resulted in the conviction of Mohammad Sadeghnia, who arranged the planned murder, according to the Wall Street Journal. When asked about the German governments efforts to secure Sharmahds release, the foreign ministry in Berlin told Fox News, "The federal government has repeatedly advocated for German prisoners in Iran and will continue to do so. In this context, we will continue to strive for consular access to the person concerned. As a rule, however, Iran does not grant consular access to prisoners who also have Iranian citizenship." The ministry added that "for reasons of privacy protection, we cannot provide any further information on individual consular cases." Critics argue that Germanys largely pro-Iranian regime policies have not helped political prisoners. "The German government should understand the basic duty to its citizens is to secure release of German nationals being held hostage by the despotic Iranian regime, as in the case of Jamshid Sharmahd. Germany is a key participant in the Vienna [nuclear] talks and has the opportunity to demand hostage release from the Iranians, as does the U.S. In reality, Western powers should have demanded release of their hostages before even being willing to sit down for negotiations with the Islamic Republic in Iran," Ellie Cohanim, the former U.S. deputy special envoy to monitor and combat anti-Semitism and who was born in Iran, told Fox News. The Vienna talks are being held between Irans regime and world powers, with the aim to bring the U.S. and Tehran back into the highly controversial nuclear deal that is supposed to restrict Irans nuclear program in exchange for economic sanctions relief. Germany stands to benefit from expanded trade with Tehran. Berlin has remained Irans most important European business partner for decades. Chancellor Angela Merkels government has not objected to the sale of German dual use technology (military and civilian) to Iranian businesses that has been used in Iranian chemical missiles against Syrians . FORMER MARINE JAILED IN RUSSIA PLEAS FOR RELEASE, SAYS HE WOULD 'APPRECIATE IF MY COUNTRY' WOULD BRING ME HOME When asked whether the German government agrees with the U.S. State Department that the detention of Sharmahd constitutes a "disgraceful practice of using unjust detentions of foreign citizens as a political tool," the foreign ministry in Berlin said it does not comment on the statements of other governments. Gazelle Sharmahd expressed disappointment with the German responses, saying, "It is your [the German governments] obligation to defend your citizens." She welcomed the U.S. statement as "great" because the American government is prepared to "back up" its allies. She added, however, that the State Department has not reached out to her. Lisa Daftari, an Iranian-American journalist and foreign policy expert, told Fox News that the world powers involved in the atomic talks in Austria "should have demanded that all Western hostages be freed before heading to Vienna. Leaders from the U.S. and Germany cannot comfortably sit at the negotiating table with the Iranian regime knowing that Jamshid Sharmahd and many others like him are sitting in jail, being used as hostages and symbolic pawns in the mullahs political power plays." She continued, "In the name of solely focusing on Irans nuclear program, the West has allowed Iran to continue getting away with its reprehensible human rights abuses against its own people as well as its hostages and likewise, remain the worlds greatest sponsor of terror with no retribution." Jason M. Brodsky, senior Middle East analyst at Iran International, a London-based news organization, told Fox News, "Its the responsibility of the U.S. and Europe to prioritize these cases. I was disappointed not to see any mention of this malign practice in the U.S.-EU statement, following the Brussels [NATO] Summit. It was solely focused on the nuclear deal, and this sends the wrong message to Tehran." The detainment of Sharmahd revealed once again the Iranian regimes long-standing practice of targeting dissidents active outside the country, including the journalist Ruhollah Zam, who was abducted in 2019 and executed by the regime in 2020. The Iranian human rights expert Roya Boroumand, who is the co-founder of the Washington-based Abdorrahman Boroumand Center, told Fox News, "Obviously this abduction, that of Zam, and the disappearance of [Frood] Fouladvand before him and the more recent assassinations outside Iran shed light on a dangerous situation and it is urgent for democracies to be more vocal. "Not only to convey serious concern to Iranian leaders about Jamshid Sharmahd who is at serious risk of execution without due process, the same fate as five alleged members of his organization, but because impunity for abductions can only lead to more abductions of Iranians and non-Iranians," she continued. While Germanys government faces accusations of passivity regarding Sharmahds dire plight, some opposition parties in the Bundestag are raising their voices. The office of the Free Democratic Party Bundestag deputy Bijan Djir-Sarai has been contact with Gazelle and is preparing an application to open an official inquiry about human rights in the Islamic Republic that includes her fathers case. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP A German Green party motion in September 2020 cited Sharmahd in the context of demanding that Irans regime comply with international human rights norms: "The German-Iranian Jamshid Shahrmahd, who lives in the USA, was kidnapped from Dubai by the Iranian secret service, according to statements by his family, and forced into Iranian custody under torture," the motion notes. Fox News sent press queries to the governments of Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, but no response was received by press time. TORONTO, Feb. 1, 2021 -- A traveller wearing a face mask shows his test certificate at the exit of a COVID-19 testing site at Toronto International Airport in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, on Feb. 1, 2021. Canada's Ontario required all international arriving passengers to take a COVID-19 test upon arrival starting on Monday to stop the spread of COVID-19 variants. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua via Getty) (Xinhua/Zou Zheng via Getty Images) The travel industry and travel enthusiasts may be anxiously waiting for the return to travel but Canadas approach to border management has not been as adaptable and proactive as some experts would have liked to see, which should be fixed before border restrictions are significantly loosened. Generally Canada has pretty much a wait-and-see approach, Dr. Kelley Lee, professor at Simon Fraser University, Canada Research Chair in global health governance, leading the Pandemics and Borders Project, told Yahoo Canada. Last week, the Canadas Minister of Health, Patty Hajdu, said the federal government is looking at eliminating the hotel quarantine requirement for Canadians and permanent residents who are fully vaccinated with a Health Canada authorized COVID-19 vaccine. She indicated this could happen in early July. "Travellers would have to be fully vaccinated 14 days or more prior to their arrival and they will still be required to have a negative pre-departure PCR test result, and required to be tested upon arrival," Hajdu said. Lee indicated a core consideration for loosening border restrictions is that Canada should not rush to make any changes to the existing rules. "We have to address all these holes in our system, which actually don't allow us to manage the risk from travel very effectively now, even before we open the border," she said. What has border management looked like in Canada? At the outset, while the World Health Organization (WHO) initially argued against border closures, Canada took that approach before stricter measures were put into place in March 2020 to reduce the number of non-essential travellers to Canada. We never closed our borders, we never banned travel, even though you hear travel bans and border closures, that's rarely the case in any country, including Canada, she said. On March 18, 2020, the federal government restricted entry to Canada for individuals who are not citizens or permanent residents, with exemptions for essential workers. Initially, the Canada-U.S. border was not subject to these restrictions, with that change being made just days later. Story continues The border rules remained relatively consistent until the end of the year and beginning of 2021, when a temporary ban came into effect on flights from the U.K., following the emergence of the Alpha variant. The pre-departure COVID-19 testing requirement, 72 hours before arriving in Canada, also came into effect around that time. Currently, in addition to pre-departure testing, travellers at airports must get tested on arrival and are required to stay at a quarantine hotel until a negative test result is returned, or pay a fine of up to $5,000. Travellers enter Canada through a land border with the U.S. must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result with 72 hours of presenting at the border. Land border travellers are given two COVID-19 At Home Specimen Collection kits that must be used the day they arrive in Canada and on the eighth day of the 14-day quarantine. Most recently, the federal government put in place a flight ban from direct flights coming to Canada from India and Pakistan, currently set to be in place until June 21. "These ongoing measures will remain in place to help protect Canadians and to manage the elevated risk of importing cases of COVID-19 and variants of concern into Canada," Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra said at a press conference in May. Lee stressed that the federal government putting additional restrictions in place after variants of concern are identified, specifically after they have been detected within Canada, is problematic. "Once we detect these variants, and there usually is a delay because you have to test people and then genome sequence the positive results, thats weeks and weeks, and possibly months," she said. "Don't wait and then slam these flight bans on hotspot countries, those are really reactive ways of dealing with this." "You have to put into place very effective measures that actually screen and quarantine everyone that comes in because you don't know where these variants are coming [from], you cant anticipate what a hotspot country will be ahead of time. So you have to make sure that every traveller that comes in, ideally, if theyre carrying the virus theyll be identified and if they are, then you push them off to side and you quarantine them." VANCOUVER, BC - MAY 2 : Passengers from Turkey walk to COVID-19 testing area at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on May, 2, 2021. Turkish Airlines' service on Istanbul-Vancouver route has started on May 2, 2021. (Photo by Mert Alper Dervis/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) How many travellers have come into Canada with COVID-19? A statistic from earlier in 2021 that continues to be shared indicates that less than two per cent of COVID-19 cases in Canada have been directly linked to travel. For Lee this statistic is not reliable, largely due to the number of people who are exempt from testing and quarantine measures, and with testing only coming into play in January of this year. "There's also a lack of data on the onward transmission by travellers because we don't do very good contact tracing and many of the travellers don't quarantine, so if they come in contact with a taxi driver or bus driver or airport security or even family members, we don't do good enough contact tracing to see if theyve infected somebody else," she said. "I think for Canada, we've taken this approach that well, we can't keep it out, we can mitigate it and reduce the risk but really they're going to be here, and its only a small percentage anyway so let's just put our resources into...community transmission, and that's a very flawed way seeing it, they're not separate. A report from the auditor general released in March found that from May 5 to June 30, 2020, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) was unaware of whether 66 per cent of incoming travellers who were required to quarantine were doing so. "Of the individuals considered to be at risk of non-compliance, the agency referred only 40 per cent to law enforcement and did not know whether law enforcement actually contacted them," the report states. "The agency had not contemplated or planned for mandatory quarantine on a nationwide scale and, as a result, had to increase capacity to verify compliance." Responding to the auditor general report, Canada's health minister said there has been "improvement" in Canada's "direct checks" on people who must quarantine. "I will say that our evidence shows that since Apr. 1, 2020, when mandatory quarantine was implemented, in fact, 96 per cent quarantine compliance rate, 98 per cent quarantine compliance rate based on law enforcement," Hajdu said at a press conference on March 25. "We had over two million verification calls since March 8, over 70,000 in-person visit." Lee also expressed concerns around the number of travellers who are exempt from the quarantine and testing measures, calling these exemptions "risky." Truck drivers delivering essential items and emergency response workers, for example, are exempt from all quarantine and testing requirements. In Lee's view, while flight crews, for example, could be a small category of travellers who need exemptions, there is no reason other travellers cannot be tested for COVID-19, in addition to vaccination effort. "I would extend the testing [to] many of the exempt travellers as well," she said. "We might have to look at who is exempt, why are they exempt, do they need to be and then you can do either a regular PCR testing or rapid testing." Jun. 17This story was updated at 6:26 p.m. on Thursday, June 17, 2021, with a response from the sheriff's office. Chattanooga Clergy for Justice, a group of faith leaders pushing for police reform, filed a complaint Thursday with the U.S. Department of Justice seeking an investigation of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office. The letter asks for a pattern-or-practice investigation of the sheriff's office to determine whether it is systematically violating the rights of Hamilton County citizens. The complaint alleges a pattern of deputy misconduct, a history of hiring deputies with previous misconduct, the targeting of vulnerable populations by sheriff's deputies and an unwillingness by the sheriff's office to reform its practices or cooperate with criminal investigations related to the department. "Until the DOJ mandates and oversees the effective implementation of major structural changes within the department, the most vulnerable in the Hamilton County community people of color, low-income people and people with disabilities will not be safe from those sworn to protect and serve us," the complaint reads. The letter, sent Thursday to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Kristen Clarke, is signed by Chattanooga Clergy for Justice; Chattanoogans in Action for Love, Equality and Benevolence; Chattanooga Democratic Socialists of America; Tennessee Poor People's Campaign and Tennessee United. Rachel Frizzell, public information officer for the sheriff's office, said in an email that the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office has provided answers to area clergy and cooperated with local, state and federal investigations. "The sheriff's office will not respond to unsubstantiated and inflammatory allegations that continue to be brought by the Chattanooga Clergy for Justice," Frizzell said in an email. "Hamilton County Sheriff's Office deputies work tirelessly to keep this community safe and efforts to undermine that work are only meant to be divisive and destructive. The sheriff's office is committed to fair and equitable treatment of all citizens in the county that we serve. Discrimination, in any form or fashion, has never been and will never be tolerated. In the last HCSO response to similar allegations from the Chattanooga Clergy for Justice, the Sheriff's Office indicated that we believe we are simply at an impasse. We do not agree with the representations made by the Chattanooga Clergy for Justice nor do we desire to air grievances through press releases." Story continues Frizzell also said the sheriff's department would not make further statements regarding Chattanooga Clergy for Justice. Sheriff Jim Hammond declined previous requests for outside investigations of his department, citing the office's accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies and how its policies around use of force meet national standards. Over the past three months, the Chattanooga clergy worked with members of the DOJ's Civil Rights Division to mediate discussions between community members and the sheriff's office around changing department policies, such as adding more specific language about when deputies can use force. However, leaders of the clergy group said the sheriff's office was unwilling to work with them or the DOJ. The letter states that during March and April the clergy tried to meet with the sheriff's office for a mediated discussion with a DOJ representative but the sheriff's office responded that there was "no need for a meeting." Their concerns mirror those of faith leaders who were working with the sheriff's office around issues of hiring diversity, transparency and self-regulation. In February, members of Hamilton County Sheriff's Office Minority Relations Community Task Force went public with concerns around a lack of transparency from the department and an unwillingness to work with them on changing department policies. At the time, more than 40 local clergy and six organizations highlighted 19 incidents of alleged misconduct, including the arrest of James Mitchell, who was punched and kicked by deputies during an arrest for drug possession before the deputies probed around his genitals and buttocks for further contraband or weapons in what was alleged to be an illegal cavity search. The Mitchell case is cited in the DOJ letter, along with other incidents of alleged misconduct, including the case of Charles Toney Jr., a Black man who was punched and kicked by a white detective while handcuffed during a December 2018 arrest. The FBI is still investigating the incident. "These incidents are not the result of 'a few bad apples' or isolated incidents, but rather indicate systemic problems within the HCSO (including its policies and procedures around use of force) that put our community at risk from its own public safety department," the complaint says. "A DOJ pattern or practice investigation is critical for stopping HCSO's abuses against the community it is sworn to protect and vindicating the constitutional rights of Hamilton County residents." The DOJ is not obligated to open an investigation when it receives a complaint. According to the department's manual on the process, an investigation is typically opened if the allegations show a pattern of violating federal laws or the U.S. Constitution, which can include patterns of unlawful searches and seizures, unlawful uses of force or racial discrimination. If systemic problems are found, typically there is a negotiated agreement to make changes, otherwise the department may file a lawsuit to force changes. "The division's pattern-or-practice investigations examine not only whether there is a pattern or practice of police misconduct, but also why such a pattern or practice exists, in order to identify the right reform steps to eliminate it," the DOJ's manual on pattern-or-practice investigations reads. The department can conduct a confidential preliminary inquiry into the allegations before deciding whether to launch a full investigation, which would be publicly announced. Similar investigations were conducted in Baltimore, Puerto Rico and Ferguson, Missouri. "Given Sheriff Hammond's complete lack of interest in resolving the rampant misconduct in the HCSO, we call on the DOJ to do what no one has been able to do: hold Sheriff Hammond and his officers accountable for the systemic constitutional violations they have committed against Hamilton County citizens," the complaint says. Contact Wyatt Massey at wmassey@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6249. Follow him on Twitter @news4mass. The Yahoo Finance Live panel discuss todays World View: China Space Mission, NoKo Food Shortage, Hong Kong police arrest Apple Daily editors. Video Transcript - [SPEAKING CHINESE] - The Shenzhou-12 successfully took off from the satellite launch center in the Gobi Desert, becoming China's first manned mission in nearly five years. The crew will be tasked with helping build out the planned space station, the Tiangong. They'll spend three months in orbit conducting long-duration spacewalks. This marks the third of 11 launches China has planned for its space station it is scheduled to be completed by the end of next year. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un issued a rare warning about a potential food crisis. State media KCNA says Kim convened number of members of his ruling party to discuss what he described as a tense food situation, calling on the party and state to concentrate on farming. The rare admission highlights the economic challenges brought on by extensive flooding and the COVID-19 pandemic which forced the country to close its border with China. The UN warns North Korean households could experience a harsh lean period this fall if imports and foreign aid remain cut off. Some reports suggest grain production in the country has dropped off dramatically, leading to a shortage of nearly 1.4 million tons so far this year. And Hong Kong police have arrested five editors and executives of a pro-democracy newspaper, intensifying its crackdown on dissent. More than 500 officers raided "Apple Daily's" office, alleging a breach of the city's sweeping new national security law. Police arrested its editor-in-chief and four other executives at their homes. They also froze more than $2 million in assets owned by companies linked to "Apple Daily" and seized three dozen computers from the newsroom. This marks the first time Hong Kong journalists have been arrested under suspicion of violating the national security law. "Apple Daily" founder Jimmy Lai is already serving more than two years in prison for his role in Hong Kong's pro-democracy protests. Police officers guarded the headquarters of Apple Daily and Next Media after police arrested five Apple Daily executives who were suspected to have breached Hong Kong's new national-security law. Lam Yik/Reuters About 500 police officers arrived at the headquarters of pro-democracy Hong Kong paper Apple Daily. They sorted through documents and arrested five newspaper executives in an early-morning raid. Last year, 200 police officers raided the newspaper and arrested Jimmy Lai, who is now in prison. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. About 500 police officers showed up in force at the headquarters of Apple Daily, a pro-democracy newspaper in Hong Kong. They arrested five of the paper's top executives in an early-morning raid. The 500 officers were seen barging into the paper's office at Tseung Kwan O around dawn with a warrant to seize journalistic materials under the country's national-security law, Reuters reported. Apple Daily confirmed in a Facebook post that the five people arrested in the raid on Thursday morning were Ryan Law, the paper's editor in chief; Cheung Kim-hung, the CEO; Chow Tat-kuen, the chief financial officer; Chan Pui-man, the deputy chief editor; and Cheung Chi-wai, the digital director. A five-hour livestream of the raid showed police officers milling about both outside and inside the building, going through documents, and searching the offices. This is the second time that the paper's headquarters have been stormed by the city's officers. Last August, 200 police officers raided the Apple Daily headquarters and led the media tycoon Jimmy Lai - the paper's founder - out of the building in handcuffs. Lai was sentenced in April to 14 months in prison for his role in the 2019 pro-democracy protests that swept the city. The South China Morning Post reported that Steve Li Kwai-wah, the senior superintendent of the city's national-security unit, announced on Thursday that the company's assets were frozen. This constitutes about $2.32 million in funds. "We are not targeting the media, but only an organization that is allegedly violating Article 29 of the national security law. We value the freedom of the press," Li said during a press briefing attended by the SCMP. Story continues Article 29 says that it's an offense if a person "steals, spies, obtains with payment, or unlawfully provides State secrets or intelligence concerning national security for a foreign country or an external element." Li also said during the briefing that staff at Apple Daily should "be careful" and not run afoul of the law. Read the original article on Insider A preliminary report into the deadly collapse of a metro overpass in Mexico City last month has found that it was caused by flaws in the construction. Jesus Esteva, head of the city's public works department, said deficiencies had been found in building materials and structural supports along the line. More reports will be made in the coming months about the collapse, which happened on 3 May. The incident killed 26 people and has led to protests in the Mexican capital. It has also put pressure on allies of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, and on Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim, Latin America's richest man, whose construction firm Grupo Carso was involved in building the section of train line that collapsed. The crash happened at around 22:00 local time near Olivos station on the metro's Line 12, in the south-east of the city. In its probe, Norwegian auditor DNV, found six deficiencies in its construction. The incident happened late at night These included missing bolts on some girders, and unfinished or poorly executed welding. Experts also found deformations and fractures in support beams of the section that collapsed. Two further phases of DNV's report will be released in July and August. Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum said that a special team will be created to repair and reinforce the metro line. She has faced criticism about the line's maintenance. A local labour union said its earlier warning about damage had been ignored by city authorities. Images show the site of the incident now and in 2019 Under the spotlight is also Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard, who directed the route's construction in 2012 when he was the city's mayor. Both of them are allies of President Lopez Obrador, and are seen as potential contenders for the presidency when his term ends in 2024. In a statement, Mr Ebrard, defended how his mayoral administration had overseen construction of the line. He added that a broader enquiry should be made into the decision-making processes of its design, supervision and maintenance. Story continues Map of where the incident took place Line 12, known as the Golden Line, was built at a cost of around $1.2bn (860m) - about 70% more than was originally planned. Operations were suspended at a dozen stations along the line in 2014, for over a year, due to deteriorating conditions along the track. Before the latest report was published, President Lopez Obrador said those responsible for its collapse would be punished. Prosecutors are investigating the disaster but have yet to publish their findings. Public health officials are renewing calls for COVID-19 vaccinations, as a more infectious variant that can be thwarted with available vaccines is spreading rapidly in the United States. Why it matters: The B.1.617.2 (or Delta) variant was first detected in India and is expected to become the dominant strain in the U.S. in three to four weeks, some researchers say. If vaccination rates continue to slow, the variant could fuel surges in pockets of the country this fall. Stay on top of the latest market trends and economic insights with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free More transmissible variants continue to supplant previously dominant strains, raising the stakes for people who aren't vaccinated and reminding Americans that the pandemic isn't over a fact many other countries still face. The steady uptick in B.1.617.2 "very much mirrors what happened in the United Kingdom about a month ago. And so I fully expect that sometime in the next three or four weeks, the Delta variant will be the dominant SARS-CoV-2 lineage in the U.S.," says Andrew Pekosz, a virologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. By the numbers: The CDC which listed B.1.617.2 as a variant of concern this week says it was responsible for about 10% of new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. for the two-week period ending June 5. This compares to 2.7% of cases in the prior two-week period. The variant appears to be about 64% more transmissible than the most common variant right now in the U.S., B.1.1.7 (or Alpha variant first found in the U.K.), which itself was roughly 50% more transmissible than earlier strains. And early data from England and Scotland indicate the risk of hospitalization from B.1.617.2 was twice that of B.1.1.7. But experts caution more data is needed to determine the severity of disease caused by the variant. Details: The variant like others before it has genetic mutations that have been found to enhance the virus' binding to the surface of a host's cells, MIT Tech Review reports. Story continues But B.1.617.2 also has a mutation that preliminary experiments suggest may make it more efficient for the virus to be cleaved in a specific location a key step in the process of a virus entering the cell where it replicates. The next steps are to determine whether that change translates into having an impact on where the virus replicates in the lungs and airways, which affects its transmissibility and the severity of disease it causes, Vineet Menachery, a virologist at the University of Texas Medical Branch, tells Axios. The big picture: B.1.617.2 fueled India's devastating outbreak this spring and has since been detected in more than 80 countries. On Monday, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnston extended the country's COVID-19 restrictions, citing the rapid spread of the variant, which is responsible for about 90% of new cases there. "The variants continue to spin out of infections around the world and have gotten more complicated and more dangerous," says Michael Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy. In the U.S., public health experts warn the variant poses a risk to people who are unvaccinated. While a national surge is unlikely given parts of the country have high rates of vaccination, variants could fuel local and regional outbreaks, particularly in the South. "We have a mistaken belief [the pandemic] is over here, but there are over 100 counties where less than 20% of the people have one dose of vaccine," Osterholm says. In 15 states, at least 70% of adults have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, but in four states, less than 50% have gotten a shot. Hot spots may start popping up this fall, as those who remain unvaccinated start congregating indoors and schools begin a new year, Pekosz tells Axios. Plus, Pekosz points out that younger, healthy individuals can and have been getting more severe COVID and that long COVID also is a "very real problem penetrating all age groups." What to watch: This won't be the last SARS-CoV-2 variant, and others could be more severe. "The challenge is what is the next variant going to look like," Osterholm says. G7 countries this week pledged to collectively donate nearly 1 billion vaccine doses in the next year, but that still leaves billions of unvaccinated people and ample opportunity for new variants and the possibility of one that could present a serious challenge to vaccines. "We've got to get more people vaccinated globally not just for humanitarian reasons but for strategic protection of our vaccines," Osterholm says. The bottom line: "If you get the vaccine, you'll have less to worry about with a variant. It really is that simple," Pekosz says. Go deeper: Keep tabs via Axios' Coronavirus Variant Tracker. Like this article? Get more from Axios and subscribe to Axios Markets for free. The first cruise ship in more than a year docked at Cozumel island on Mexico's Caribbean coast on Wednesday, greeted by mariachi music and a banner reading: "Welcome back." The Adventure of the Seas arrived from the Bahamas with around 1,000 passengers on board -- a sight for sore eyes for a tourist industry battered by the pandemic. A group of passengers, mostly from the United States, disembarked to explore the island, braving rain brought by a tropical depression in the Gulf of Mexico. Michael Williams, a 62-year-old retiree, said it was his first trip since the pandemic began and felt like an "exciting adventure." Some 94 percent of the passengers have been vaccinated against the coronavirus, while the remainder are under the age of 16, said Alberto Munoz, vice president for Latin America at cruise operator Royal Caribbean. Cozumel is usually a major stop on cruise itineraries and other operators are also expected to make a comeback in the coming months. Celebrity Cruises will return in June, followed by Carnival Corp. in July, with stops in Cozumel and Mahahual further along the coast, said Dario Flota, director of the tourism promotion board in Quintana Roo state. Quintana Roo, home to a string of top resorts including Cancun, remains at a high level of alert due to the pandemic, in contrast to many parts of the country. Mexico's official Covid-19 death toll of more than 230,000 is one of the world's highest, but new cases and deaths have been trending lower for several months. Before the pandemic, the cruise industry was Cozumel's main economic activity, with more than 100,000 people dependent on it to some extent, either directly or indirectly, according to officials. Joel Dzib, who earns a living transporting tourists, said he felt more optimistic about the future with the return of cruise ships following a tough 2020. "I had to sell a property. It was difficult for us, but the important thing is that we're moving forward," he said. str/jla/dr/sst Bo Petterson dispenses pearls of wisdom and fix-it tips on his Dad Advice From Bo accounts. (Photo: Courtesy of Emily Petterson) Bo Petterson has six children, who range in age from 28 to 38. But over on TikTok, there are 1.3 million followers leaning on the 62-year-old Washington resident for fatherly advice on everything from buying a car, to shaving, to picking yourself up when you're down in the dumps (a hot beverage helps, he says). "All the advice I share is advice I've given my kids their whole life," Petterson tells Yahoo Life of his popular Dad Advice From Bo platform, where he dispenses moral support and heartfelt life lessons alongside handy how-to videos on changing tires, checking credit reports and whipping up his go-to "easy dad meal": "weiner wraps." While Petterson disputes that he's a "dad influencer" "I consider myself a dad," he says, "the same dad I am to my kids and same dad I would be to anyone else's kids; I'm not trying to influence anybody, I just want to pass on the things I've learned" he's part of a growing group of men who are building large social media platforms inspired by their experience with parenting. Yes, mommy influencers continue to dominate the field, but they're no longer the only ones sharing kid-friendly lunchbox hacks, or jokes and memes commiserating over chore charts and children's birthday parties or doing thoughtful deep dives on different parenting styles and kid behavior. From Simon Holland's witty tweets to Marvyn Harrison's Dope Black Dads podcast celebrating Black fatherhood to Utah-based father of four The Modern Dad to Terrell and Jarius Joseph's YouTube channel showcasing their life as a gay couple with two children, fathers are finding their voices and their footing. Mental health professional Kier Gaines first started vlogging after the birth of his daughter, Emery, three years ago. What originally began as a means to get those early precious family moments on camera soon started resonating with other parents, gaining him a celebrity following. This January, Gaines posted a video announcing that he was leaving his job to be a full-time digital creator and dad influencer sharing his insight on mindfulness, toddler emotions and more. Story continues "There came a point where I realized that I was more passionate about sharing my fatherhood and life journey through a mental health perspective," Gaines, who runs the Kier & Them YouTube channel with his wife, Noemie, tells Yahoo Life. "Many people don't know that I am a licensed therapist and I didn't see anyone bridging that gap with parenthood, so I saw an opportunity and ran with it." This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The transition hasn't always been seamless, Gaines admits. "Being a dad influencer is a little tricky because it feels like people care about you, the parent, but not necessarily you, the person," the Washington, D.C.-based family man says. "In the beginning, when I used to post pictures of myself and my interests, I would get a wave of comments asking where my child was without addressing me at all. But now that I've gotten more comfortable putting the focus on me and what makes me the kind of dad that I am, people are able to recognize and gravitate toward my genuine self, which I really appreciate. Now, I feel like people recognize Kier, who is a real person, who happens to be a dad." By contrast, Petterson says he was initially "terribly uncomfortable" with his unexpected internet fame. His Dad Advice From Bo videos were posted, he says, at the behest of his daughter Emily, who suffered a traumatic brain injury at age 18. When Emily's condition worsened due to complications in 2019, Bo finally agreed to share his advice with the world, explaining, "I had never been on any kind of social media in my life, but I would do anything to help her pain." Along with a huge outpouring of support that has given Emily "a distraction from the pain and a purpose to keep going," the family has since received monetary donations that have helped fund her medical treatments. Gaines also credits his daughter with helping him see the possibilities of his platform. In addition to teaching her about emotions and passing on affirmations to help "form an internal dialogue that will speak to her when she's older and feeling low," he hopes he's giving other parents the tools to do the same. "When my daughter was born, I became more of a feminist than I ever was," he says. "I was able to see the world, as we're currently living in it, through her eyes and was able to identify how different things that girls have to put up with in the world that weren't in my line of sight. I was better able to see my privilege as a man and help equip her with tools to hold her own and navigate the world as a strong and confident young girl. Now that I have this platform, I want to be loud about my role as a girl dad." And he doesn't underestimate his role in representing Black fathers, saying, "stereotypes imply that Black men can't be vulnerable, but in actuality, there aren't many safe places for us to do so." While he acknowledges that fathers are "underrepresented" in the parenting space, he expects that to change as rigid notions of masculinity and paternal norms get redefined. "The concept of warm love expressed by men is welcomed now in a way that wasn't in generations prior," Gaines says. "However, our conceptualization of fatherhood hasn't changed much since then. I feel like it's going to take a while for the mindset to catch up with the expectation, but I think we're headed in the right direction." Petterson is more circumspect. "A lot of people think dads are these all-knowing superheroes when really there is a lot we don't know and we have just as many flaws as everyone else," he says. "So I stay away from topics I dont know enough about and try to remind my followers that this is just how I do things, take it or leave it." Despite his massive audience and the fact that his own children now look up his videos when they're doing a DIY project "I said, 'Hey! You still have to call your dad!'" he jokes the father of six considers himself more of a dad and less of an influencer, though he's happy to go along for the ride. "I'm just a regular dad," he insists. "I buy shirts from the thrift store, have had the same two friends since high school and watch cowboy shows in the evening. I'm as regular as they come, but maybe the internet needs a little more of that. I always tell people that you are never too old for dad advice and you can never have too many dads." Read more from Yahoo Life: Want lifestyle and wellness news delivered to your inbox? Sign up here for Yahoo Lifes newsletter. To get a roundup of TechCrunchs biggest and most important stories delivered to your inbox every day at 3 p.m. PDT, subscribe here. Welcome back to the Daily Crunch for Thursday, June 17. Thank you to Walter Thompson and the Extra Crunch staff for taking the reins I took from Alex. I was released from jury duty, so Ill be seeing you through the remainder of the week, and well be back to regularly scheduled Alex in no time. But before we get on with the show, I want to let you know that Duolingos director of engineering will join us at our City Spotlight: Pittsburgh event in just two weeks. Karin Tsai joined the company in 2012 as one of its first engineers, and saw the company grow from a scrappy startup into a 400-person global business. Henry The TechCrunch Top 3 Google recently discovered a bug in its Android app that could have allowed an attacker to quietly steal personal data from a device. The company caught it, plugged it and confirmed that it had no evidence that anyones data was compromised. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) has revived a bill that would establish a new U.S. federal agency to shield Americans from the invasive practices of tech companies operating in their own backyard. The AI-powered defense company founded by Oculus founder and seller-to-Facebook Palmer Luckey has landed a $450 million round of investment that values the startup at $4.6 billion just four years in. Startups and VC Unit has raised $51 million in a Series B round to further its goal of making it possible for non-fintech and fintech companies alike to build banking products in minutes. Disrupting job recruitment disruption: Beamery raised $138 million to continue building out more technology and shake up online job recruitment as we know it. Ingrid reports today that the company calls itself a talent operating system, describing that thusly: "A way to manage sourcing, hiring and retaining of people, plus analyzing the bigger talent picture for an organization." Story continues Nylas, which created an effective way to integrate email, calendars and other tools into other apps using APIs, is announcing a big round of funding to expand its business -- $120 million big. Data analytics for HR is what eqtble is offering, and it just raised a $2.7 million seed round to do it. There is a lot of data to capture when it comes to a companys staff, and eqtble wants to help you snag it. The industrial side of cybersecurity: Claroty, a late-stage company that protects big companies, including Pfizer (which it helped to secure its COVID-19 vaccine supply chain raised $140 million. 5 tips for brands that want to succeed in the new era of influencer marketing A small startup with the right message can connect with established and emerging stars on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube who will promote your company's products and services as long as they understand the influencer marketplace. Creators have plenty of brands and revenue channels to choose from, but growth marketers who understand how to court influencers will make inroads no matter how small their budget. Although brand partnerships are still the top source of revenue for creators, many of them are starting to diversify. If you're in charge of marketing at an early-stage startup, this post explains how to connect with an influencer who authentically resonates with your brand and covers the basics of setting up a revenue-share structure that works for everyone. (Extra Crunch is our membership program, which helps founders and startup teams get ahead. You can sign up here.) Big Tech Inc. If you live in New York, you can now make your way to Googles new store, which opened today in Chelsea. The giants new brick-and-mortar presence joins the likes of Apple, Microsoft, Samsung and Amazon so people can peruse its hardware offerings, as well as those of selected not-Google offerings. Its an advertising world, and were just living in it: Instagram today announced the global launch of ads in Reels, its TikTok rival. Sarah Perez says in her reporting that the ads will be up to 30 seconds in length and vertical in format. Like Reels, the new ads will loop, and people will be able to like, comment on and save them, the same as other Reels videos. Google this morning announced a line of new virtual machines built on AMDs third-gen EPYC processor. The new line, called Tau, is x86-compatible and offers a 42% price-performance boost over standard VMs. Google, of course, claims the Tau family leapfrogs existing cloud VMs. Amazon this week announced its Appstore Small Business Accelerator Program, which will reduce the commissions Amazon takes on app developer revenues for qualifying smaller businesses. Previously, Amazons Appstore took a 30% cut of revenue, including that from in-app purchases. Now, it will take only 20% from developers who earned up to $1 million in the prior calendar year. The program will additionally offer AWS credits. E3 2021, virtual style, wrapped this week, and, according to Brian Heater, Microsoft won the week with the announcement of 30 games. Nintendo followed with added Switch software. TechCrunch Experts: Growth Marketing Illustration montage based on education and knowledge in blue Image Credits: SEAN GLADWELL (opens in a new window) / Getty Images TechCrunch is building a shortlist of the top growth marketers in tech. If youre a founder, wed love to hear who youve worked with. Fill out the survey here. If you're curious about how these surveys are shaping our coverage, check out this interview Extra Crunch Managing Editor Eric Eldon did with Susan Su, head of Portfolio at Sound Ventures, about growth marketing in 2021. In the final debate before primary day, eight leading Democrats running for New York City mayor frequently devolved into bickering in a rapid-fire format on Wednesday in NBC's Studio 8H, the home of the iconic show "Saturday Night Live." The debate was one of the last chances for candidates to make their closing arguments to voters before primary day on June 22. Tens of thousands of voters have already cast ballots during early voting or via absentee ballots. Former Housing Secretary Shaun Donovan, who has been toward the bottom of nearly every poll, tried to sum up the night when he said: "New Yorkers didn't tune in tonight to hear us fight with each other." But the other candidates didn't seem to follow that advice, with punches and barbs being thrown most of the night. Andrew Yang, who was the front-runner early in the race, but has seen his stock fall, took a shot at Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, who is now leading polls, when asked why Yang secured an endorsement from the NYPD Captain's union, when Adams was a former captain in the department. "The people you should ask about this are Eric's former colleagues in the police captain's union," Yang said. "The people who worked with him for years, the people who know him best, they just endorsed me to be the next mayor of New York City." Supporters of NYC mayoral candidate Kathryn Garcia gather outside Rockefeller Center before the third Democratic debate on June 16, 2021. / Credit: JEENAH MOON / Getty Images Crime and policing Adams said he never asked for the union's endorsement and they didn't like his record of fighting against "abuse of stop and frisk" and "heavy-handed policing." Crime was once again a central focus at the debate, but candidates also drilled down on mental health, affordable housing, climate change and other critical issues facing America's largest city. Polling has indicated that crime and policing are the top issues for the city's likely Democratic primary voters. New York has seen a surge in gun violence in 2021, which has brought the issue to the forefront. While some major crimes are slightly down compared to last year, murders are up 13.5% and shootings are up 64%, according to NYPD statistics. Story continues Civil rights attorney Maya Wiley, who has emerged as the progressive favorite in the field, wants to cut $1 billion from the NYPD budget and shift that money into other city services that provide alternatives to policing. Wiley has also said that she would stop hiring in the next two police cadet classes, but stressed that her vision could help reduce crime in the more immediate future. "I have been Black all my life and I know what it's like to fear crime and police violence," Wiley said. "When we invest in trauma-informed care, when we stop the guns from getting fired in the first place, we are safe from both crime and police violence." While Wiley and other progressives have proposed reallocating some of the NYPD budget to other services, former Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia who has emerged as a serious contender since she was endorsed by The New York Times took aim at that idea during a question about the worst idea she's heard from her opponents. "These are complicated times and several of my opponents are using hashtags, hashtag defund the police and I just don't think that's the right approach," Garcia said. Adams again defended his plan for a plainclothes police unit to address gun violence and to use a moderated version of stop and frisk. He said he doesn't want to "return to anything," but rather show "how to use tools correctly." "We can't wait until we have 3-year-olds shot in Times Square. If we don't get gun violence under control it's going to stop our economic recovery," Adams said. All the candidates except for New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, former non-profit CEO Dianne Morales and Wiley said they wanted more police officers patrolling the city's subway system. Undocumented immigrants, mental health and homelessness In a section about undocumented immigrants, Wiley, Morales and Garcia spoke about ending the city's relationship with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Yang touted his cash relief program as something that would help undocumented New Yorkers, but Stringer sniped, "Andrew's fake [universal basic income] program would only be about five dollars a day" for a small subset of the city. "That's a lot of money for someone who's right at that line between staying in their home and not being able to put food on their table," Yang responded. Mental health also was a key part of the debate as public safety concerns have gripped the city as it adjusts to post-pandemic reality. Yang promised to double the amount of psychiatric beds, saying "there will be no recovery until we solve this." Yang's response drew fire from Stringer, who asked Yang to give a cost and called it "not serious." During a question later in the debate on how to fix the city's "functioning mental health system," Morales called for community health clinics and shared a personal story from her daughter, who Morales called a mental health "survivor." Morales said she was sharing her daughter's story with her permission, and said the "framing" around mental health needs to be changed. Some of the candidates laid out specific plans to address homelessness and affordable housing in the city, while others were more vague. Adams pledged to retrofit hotels for single adults, while Donovan, who served as the Housing secretary in the Obama administration, said he wanted more supportive housing. Stringer criticized the "incrementalism" in building affordable housing in the de Blasio administration, and called for building 10,000 "real low-income housing units" per year. What happens next? Early voting began June 12. As of Tuesday night, more than 64,000 people have voted early in-person. More than 50,000 absentee ballots have been returned. It's not yet clear how many of those votes are in the Democratic race. This election will be New York City's first citywide primary to use ranked-choice voting. The city is expected to report unofficial results for first-choice votes from early and election day voting on June 22. More results will be released starting the following week. It may take until mid-July to determine which candidate wins the Democratic mayoral primary because absentee ballots can arrive until June 29 and voters will have until July 9 to fix some issues with their mail ballots. CBSN Originals | Women in the Workplace: The Unfinished Fight for Equality Watch: China launches crew to its own space station Congress passes bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday Senate Democrats took aim at state abortion restrictions, including red-state "trigger" laws that would immediately ban the procedure if the landmark case Roe v. Wade is overturned, in their effort to codify the Supreme Courts decision to uphold womens right to obtain an abortion. Connecticut Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal led the Wednesday Senate hearing to discuss his bill called the Women's Health Protection Act, which "would very simply put an end to an ongoing reality where our doctors are required by law to mislead about the risks of a safe medical procedure. SUPREME COURT TO HEAR CHALLENGE TO ROE V. WADE Blumenthals bill, which was re-introduced earlier this month, would establish the legal right to an abortion in all 50 states, cementing the Supreme Courts 1973 ruling to uphold access to the procedure in a federal statute. It would also protect the rights of abortion providers to perform the procedures without fear of legal repercussions, such as financial penalties and jail time. The Women's Health Protection Act would put an end to this litany of state law restrictions, it would end state laws designed to shame women trying to access healthcare by imposing paternalistic waiting periods It would end laws that force women to endure medically unnecessary and invasive procedures and it would end laws that require providers to offer medically inaccurate information hen providing abortion care, Blumenthal said. The legislation would also outlaw states from enforcing "trigger laws," which are laws passed by state legislatures that would automatically ban abortions once Roe was overturned. Twenty-two states have laws that would immediately restrict access in the absence of Roe, according to the abortion-rights advocacy group the Guttmacher Institute. Individuals should not be denied access to this healthcare, simply because of the state in which they live. And these trigger laws, disproportionately affect for women, for people who have the potential to become pregnant, and that is unconstitutional, said Michele Goodwin, a legal expert for the Irvine School of Law at the University of California. Story continues 'LANDMARK OPPORTUNITY': SUPREME COURT FACES BIGGEST ABORTION FIGHT IN DECADES Last month, the Supreme Court announced it would take up the case Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, in which it will determine the constitutionality of Mississippis 2018 ban declaring an abortion after 15 weeks as constitutional. The courts acceptance of the case electrified the anti-abortion movement, with many leaders feeling optimistic the conservative-majority court could settle the decadeslong battle to overturn the 1973 decision. Nearly 50 years after the Supreme Court guaranteed the right to safe and legal abortion, it's still unfortunate that women's reproductive rights are considered an issue that's up for debate, said California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein. The bill has been introduced in the Senate twice but has not made it far enough for a vote out of committee. On the other hand, the companion bill in the House has not made it for a vote. Washington Examiner Videos Tags: Healthcare, News, Abortion, Senate Democrats, Senate Republicans, Senate Judiciary Committee, Supreme Court, Roe v. Wade, Richard Blumenthal, Dianne Feinstein Original Author: Cassidy Morrison Original Location: Democrats cite state abortion restrictions and trigger laws in effort to codify Roe Democrats say they have settled on a plan to reverse their across-the-board declines with voters of color in the 2020 election. It starts with not taking their support for granted. A collection of leading Democratic strategists, bolstered by in-depth studies of the last election, say the party too often treated Black, Latino, and Asian American voters as homogeneous blocs of faithful supporters, overlooking how many of them were drawn to the Republican Party and resistant to the Democrats broad messages. They argue that overconfidence led to flawed outreach efforts that, unlike with some white voters, too frequently neglected to make the case directly to voters of color that Democrats deserved their vote. The oversight is a critical reason why President Joe Biden lost support among voters of color relative to previous Democratic presidential candidates, these Democratic operatives said. And if left uncorrected, they fear it will hurt the partys chances in next years midterm elections. Thats how our campaigns are trained: If its a white person, you need to persuade them, said Lanae Erickson, senior vice president for social policy and politics at Third Way, a center-left think tank. And if theyre a person of color, they vote for us. And that fundamental assumption needs to be thrown out the window. Third Way and two other Democratic groups, the Latino Victory Project and Collective PAC, this month released a 73-page autopsy of the 2020 election that began by urging Democrats to campaign differently with voters of color. That followed a May report from Democratic super PAC Priorities USA, which spent more than $100 million helping elect Biden in 2020, that the party needed to do more to engage and persuade voters of color. Senior officials at Democratic political committees say their own internal conversations this year have dwelled in part on taking a deeper and more nuanced view of Black, Latino, and Asian American voters, cognizant of the chance to improve the partys performance in 2022. Story continues To some Democrats, its a conversation thats long overdue and reflective of a growing recognition that the party faces much stiffer competition for voters of color than it has in recent memory. It is the single biggest problem in our Democratic coalition, said Chuck Rocha, a Democratic operative who advised Sen. Bernie Sanders 2020 presidential campaign. Steep drop-off Democrats are quick to point out that voters of color were still a crucial part of their winning coalition in 2020, supporting the partys candidates at much higher overall rates than white voters. And veteran political strategists, including Republicans, say that working-class Black and Latino voters shifting to the right is the product of larger cultural forces in the country that are not easily overcome by campaign tactics. But theres broad agreement that Democrats won a lower share of support from voters of color than they had in recent elections. The Democratic data analytics firm Catalist issued a report in May finding that Biden ran eight percentage points behind Hillary Clintons total in the 2016 election with Hispanic voters, three percentage points behind with Black voters, and one percentage point behind with Asian American and Pacific Island voters. Democratic operatives say at least part of the reason Biden and other Democratic candidates who in most cases performed worse than their presidential nominee in 2020 suffered those declines was a fixation on persuading a key subsets of white voters, such as suburban and college-educated voters, while not making a similarly comprehensive and detailed effort with voters of color. Efforts to persuade Black voters in particular arrived late and lacked a finely tuned argument in most cases, said Quentin James, founder and president of Collective PAC, which works to elect Black candidates. We see them all as a bucket of people to get to a fish-fry or a barbecue or a concert in the fall, James said. Even groups that tried to persuade voters of color say their efforts did not always receive support from the larger Democratic community. Priorities USA, for instance, partnered with the group Color for Change last year to start a multi-million dollar effort reaching out to young Black men, a group its data showed was unexpectedly open to supporting then-President Donald Trump. But Cecil said they were only able to raise enough money for 15% of the whole effort, forcing them to use funds from Priorities USAs main account to cover the shortfall. I can tell you, of all the programs we ran, it was the single hardest program to get funded, Cecil said. Because there was this top-line belief that all of our resources should go into turnout operations. Monolithic Message Cecil and other senior Democratic operatives reject the suggestion that they took voters of color for granted, saying the party spent considerable time, effort and resources focused on them in 2020. For instance, the Democratic National Committee and the Biden campaign together spent more than $100 million on outreach to Latino voters alone, according to former DNC spokeswoman Xochitl Hinojosa. I do think the Biden campaign did spend a lot of money, Hinojosa said. Do I think the larger Democratic infrastructure can spend more and earlier in communities of color? Absolutely. But some Democratic strategists argue the problem was rooted in the style and content of the partys messages, which too often were crafted as if every member of a minority group cared about the same issues and held the same viewpoint. Theres a tendency in the country to treat voters of color like a monolith, said Roger Lau, the deputy executive director at the Democratic National Committee and former campaign manager for Sen. Elizabeth Warrens 2020 presidential campaign. We underrate how there are nuances and differences there. Lau added that talking to Hispanic voters only about immigration rather than issues like affordable education is one example of a misguided approach. The drop-off in support among Latinos has drawn special attention among Democrats, who see those voters ascension across the country as key to its future political hopes. The losses for Democrats were especially steep in South Florida, where Cuban-Americans embraced Trump, and in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, where Hispanics in rural areas swung sharply to the GOP. Dan Sena, who was the executive director for the House Democrats political arm during the 2018 midterms, said those voters turned against the party for several reasons, including a fear that Biden would endanger the oil and gas industry thats economically important in the region. The partys message never puts those fears to rest, he said. There are Hispanics who live in rural areas who need specific messaging in order to believe and understand what the party will do for them, or why they should support Democrats, Sena said. He added that he identified three pillars of a successful outreach strategy to appeal to rural Hispanic voters: small businesses development, workforce training and education. Looking back at 20, when we fell down with those voters, we fell down when one of those three pillars fell, Sena said. Course Correction Some Democrats also point out that the people in charge of running the partys campaigns are often white and out of touch with minority communities, leading to strategies that either overlook voters of color or are awkward in their approach. If there arent Black, Brown, AAPI operatives in the room, then the party is relying on woke white consultants to figure out the outreach strategy and outreach tactics for people they cant relate with, Rocha said. Democrats have taken some steps to try and correct their mistakes this year. Building Back Together, a nonprofit group formed to promote Bidens agenda, has run Spanish-language ads featuring three different accents, depending on where the ad was running. The DNC, meanwhile, ran a print ad in AAPI media outlets that appeared in English, Korean, Chinese and Vietnamese. But Democrats say that until campaigns start redistributing resources more equitably, the problems will persist. James, the president of Collective PAC, said he doesnt want the party to abandon efforts to persuade critical groups of white voters. Were just saying we cant spend 90% of our budget on it, James said. And 90% of our time as well. Senator Tim Kaine, D-Va., speaks during a hearing, with the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, on the Covid-19 response, on Capitol Hill on March 18, 2021. Anna Moneymaker-Pool/Getty Images Tim Kaine said Democrats could potentially include immigration reform provisions to pay for infrastructure. "That could be a very legitimate way to look at trying to find a balanced package," he said. Some immigration provisions, however, could run into trouble given strict rules governing reconciliation. See more stories on Insider's business page. Democrats are weighing tucking immigration reform into a large infrastructure package using reconciliation this summer, a step that could significantly expand the scope of a Democratic-only package. Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia said that Democrats were interested in fully financing Biden's $4 trillion infrastructure plans instead of deficit-spending, meaning the cost of the plan is added onto the national debt. "Anytime there's been a CBO examination on immigration reform, it produces a significant increase in the GDP without really costing much money," he told Insider, referring to budgetary analyses produced by the Congressional Budget Office. He went on: "So that may not be a traditional pay-for but if we feel like there's something we could do within a reconciliation vehicle that could produce significant economic growth.. that could be a very legitimate way to look at trying to find a balanced package." Reconciliation is a legislative tactic that requires only a simple majority for bills related to government spending. It's the same method Democrats used to muscle through the $1.9 trillion stimulus law in March. Earlier this year, House Democrats passed two measures to set up a legal path to citizenship for farm workers and young immigrants brought to the US as children illegally. Neither has cleared the Democratic-controlled Senate, as it doesn't have the 10 Republican votes needed to cross the 60-vote filibuster threshold. Progressive Democrats in the House, along with Speaker Nancy Pelosi, back a party-line approach to immigration reform, Roll Call reported. Story continues Kaine also told reporters that "big picture" immigration ideas were discussed among the Senate Democrats attending a major infrastructure strategy meeting late on Wednesday. Experts say some immigration provisions could run into trouble with reconciliation's main arbiter because not all would be directly related to the federal budget - a key rule of the process. "Immigration reform, like the 2013 Gang of Eight bill for example, definitely has a CBO score," Zach Moller, a budget expert at the liberal-leaning organization Third Way, told Insider. "But not all provisions will have a budget score and those that have savings or costs may run into issues if the parliamentarian rules the effects are 'merely incidental' to the underlying policy." Moller pointed to the 2013 immigration reform plan which CBO projected would have saved $175 billion over a decade. Those negotiations ultimately collapsed due to conservative attacks. For now, Democrats are taking a two-pronged approach to the infrastructure discussions. They are still negotiating with Republicans on a skinny bill while setting the stage to approve a massive package without GOP support in several months. Read the original article on Business Insider Belgium fans. AP Photo/Martin Meissner Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen collapsed during Denmark's opening match of Euro 2020. Denmark played their second match of the tournament on Thursday against Belgium. Denmark and Belgium honored Eriksen with a stoppage of play as fans from both sides cheered. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. Denmark's opening match at Euro 2020 got off to a terrifying start when star midfielder Christian Eriksen collapsed on the field last week. Eriksen went into cardiac arrest and was immediately met on the field by doctors who administered CPR and defibrillation to bring him back to consciousness. After a few scary minutes, Eriksen was sitting up and aware. Finland fans passed down their country's flag to help preserve Eriksen's privacy as he was carted off the field. On Thursday, Denmark and Belgium honored Eriksen's absence with a mid-match stoppage of play, with the teams putting the ball out of bounds during the 10th minute to take a moment to applaud. Eriksen wears No. 10 for Denmark. Players and supporters from both countries came together to cheer on Eriksen, recovering in a hospital just yards away from the Copenhagen stadium. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. It wasn't the only time Eriksen was recognized. Ahead of the start of the match, Belgium offered a jersey for Eriksen signed by the team to Denmark's captain. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. A huge Eriksen jersey also made its way across the field before the match. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Denmark also honored Eriksen with their play. Despite being down their superstar, Denmark came out hot, scoring against Belgium just two minutes into the match - their quickest goal in Euro history. A week's worth of tension felt popped with relief as the ball hit the back of the net. Given how close Eriksen's hospital is to the field, there's little doubt he heard the roar of the crowd. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. For the next three weeks, Euro 2020 will carry on. Brilliant goals will be scored, breathtaking matches will be won and lost, heroes will rise, heroes will fall. But of all of the soccer left to be played in the tournament, it is tough to imagine a moment topping the joy and relief that came with Eriksen opening his eyes. Read the original article on Insider A man who authorities said was armed with a handgun and wanted for assault was shot by Riverside County Sheriff's deputies on the 215 Freeway in Menifee on Tuesday after a pursuit that at times veered into oncoming traffic. (Los Angeles Times ) A man who authorities said was armed and wanted was shot by deputies Tuesday while trying to flee by foot on the 215 Freeway in Menifee after a confrontation involving the U.S. Border Patrol and the Riverside County Sheriffs Department. Plainclothes Border Patrol agents driving unmarked vehicles and working routine patrol around 4:40 p.m. spotted a man identified in an assault with a deadly weapon in Ventura County, Riverside County Sheriffs Sgt. Deanna Pecoraro said in a news release. Agents followed the man for several minutes as he drove south on the 15 Freeway near Lake Elsinore before he exited and parked at a gas station, where they confronted him, Pecoraro said. When agents tried to take the man into custody, he drove his vehicle toward them, striking two patrol cars as he fled, according to the release. Border Patrol then asked for assistance from the Riverside County Sheriffs Department. Sheriffs deputies tried to stop the driver about 10 minutes later in Temecula, according to an incident report, but the man sped away. While heading north on the 215 Freeway, the man stopped his car near the center median, just south of Ethanac Road, according to the report. He then exited the vehicle armed with a handgun and began fleeing on foot, authorities said, jumping over the center median and running into the southbound lanes of the freeway. Two deputies fired at the man, who has not been identified, according to Riverside County Sheriff's Sgt. Albert Martinez. He was transported to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries, officials said. It was not immediately clear what prompted the shooting, based on the report, and a sheriff's spokesperson declined to comment further. The names of the deputies involved in the shooting have not been released. Both have been placed on administrative leave, in accordance with department policy, Martinez said. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas testifies before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on May 26, 2021 in Washington, DC. Mr Mayorkas has branded questioning on whether Vice President Kamala Harris will visit the southern border disrespectful. (Getty Images) Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas shut down a question from a Republican congressman on Thursday over whether Vice President Kamala Harris will visit the US-Mexico border amid a rise in arrivals of migrants and asylum seekers as unfair and disrespectful. Speaking at a Homeland Security Committee hearing on the Department of Homeland Securitys (DHS) budget request for fiscal year 2022, GOP Rep Ralph Norman questioned why neither President Joe Biden nor Ms Harris had visited the southern border amid the influx in arrivals. Mr Norman introduced the question by asking Mr Mayorkas whether he had ever had a medical physical. After the DHS head confirmed that he had, the South Carolina representative segued into his next question: Why then had Mr Biden and Ms Harris not thought it would be important to also go physically look at the situation at the southern border. Before Mr Mayorkas could answer the question, Mr Norman then appeared to point to an incident back in March in which Ms Harris had laughed after being asked whether she had plans to visit the border, asking whether that was a fair response. In that exchange, Ms Harris had been asked whether she would be visiting the border and replied, not today, before laughing, But I have before and Im sure I will again, at the time. Mr Mayorkas said he could most certainly respond to Mr Normans question, but he said: I consider that question to be quite unfair and disrespectful. Let me be very clear, he continued. The president and the vice president have requested and directed me to visit the border, which I have done on multiple occasions. Pressed further on the matter by Mr Norman, Mr Mayorkas said: I am the secretary of Homeland Security and it is my responsibility to manage the border at the direction of the president and the vice president and I have visited the border on multiple occasions. Asked whether he has also spoken with Border Patrol agents, the DHS leader responded: I most certainly have. Story continues He also noted that Ms Harris has previously served as attorney general of the state of California, which borders Mexico, before asserting that the vice president is quite familiar with the situation at the border. The exchange comes as Ms Harris has faced growing calls to visit the US-Mexico border as part of her mandate to lead the response to the recent rise in arrivals of migrants and asylum seekers. Ms Harris recently traveled to Mexico and Guatemala for talks on how to address the rise of irregular migration, including by addressing the root causes of migration. Read More As Kamala Harris faces calls to visit border, Donald Trump turns up the pressure with Texas trip Sinema only Democrat to skip Harriss bipartisan dinner for women in the Senate Senate Democrats press ahead on voting bill despite dim odds The Justice Department dropped a lawsuit against former White House national security adviser John Bolton, ending a legal fight that began last year when the Trump administration accused him of breaching obligations and improperly disclosing classified information in his memoir disparaging former President Donald Trump. A short joint notice was filed in federal court on Wednesday by DOJ officials such as acting Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton, acting U.S. Attorney Channing Phillips, and Charles Cooper, an attorney for Bolton, which said under federal rules, the parties stipulate to dismissal of this action, with prejudice, all parties to bear their own fees and costs. 'DISGRUNTLED BORING FOOL': TRUMP SAYS JOHN BOLTON'S BOOK IS FULL OF 'LIES AND FAKE STORIES' The filing comes exactly one year after the Trump administration sued Bolton and attempted to block the release of his book The Room Where it Happened. In June 2020, the 45th president claimed Bolton's tell-all was a "clear breach of agreements he signed as a condition of his employment and as a condition of gaining access to highly classified information and in clear breach of the trust placed within him by the United States Government." The Justice Department argued last summer Boltons book still contains classified information that could be confirmed by then-Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe, National Security Agency Director Gen. Paul Nakasone, then-National Counterintelligence and Security Center Director William Evanina, and then-National Security Council Senior Director for Intelligence Programs Michael Ellis. "This is a complete vindication," Bolton, who served in Trump's White House in 2018 and 2019, told Axios on Wednesday. "They're just giving up." Boltons lawyer sent a lengthy statement to the Washington Examiner on Wednesday, saying, We are very pleased that the Department of Justice has dismissed with prejudice its civil lawsuit against Ambassador Bolton and has terminated grand jury proceedings. We argued from the outset that neither action was justifiable, because they were initiated only as a result of President Trumps politically motivated order to prevent publication of the Ambassadors book before the 2020 election. Story continues Bradley Moss, a national security lawyer, said, That this case fell apart was due not to the law but rather the political interference and bad faith conduct by political officials that undermined DOJs otherwise viable actions against Bolton. Trump also released a statement, shared on Twitter by his new spokeswoman, Liz Harrington. "I have nothing to do with John Bolton's stupid and irrelevant book. That was, and is, up to the DOJ, not me. John Bolton was a foil, while at the same time being a fool," Trump said. "His statement on the 'Libyan model' having to do with North Korea was one of the dumbest ever, but made me realize, early on, that he didn't have what it takes. His book is full of lies and misrepresentations, and not worth talking about. John was a total nut job and an anachronism. He didn't have a clue!" Judge Royce Lamberth of the Washington, D.C., District Court allowed Bolton's book to be distributed and sold last summer, noting that thousands of books had already been shipped nationwide. However, he indicated it likely contained "classified information" that could open him up to civil and criminal action. He opted out of the review process before its conclusion," the judge wrote at the time. "Unilateral fast-tracking carried the benefit of publicity and sales, and the cost of substantial risk exposure. This was Bolton's bet: If he is right and the book does not contain classified information, he keeps the upside mentioned above; but if he is wrong, he stands to lose his profits from the book deal, exposes himself to criminal liability, and imperils national security. Bolton was wrong. In the memoir, Bolton claimed Trump asked Chinese President Xi Jinping if China could help his reelection campaign. However, U.S. Trade Rep. Robert Lighthizer, who claims to have been present at that discussion, told lawmakers Bolton's claims were "absolutely untrue. Bolton also said Russian President Vladimir Putin thinks he can play Trump "like a fiddle." His allegations were contested by Trump himself and senior administration officials. Bolton also claimed former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo once wrote denigrating notes about Trump to Bolton, including that talks with North Korea had a zero probability of success and that Trump was full of sh*t. Boltons book seemed to cast doubt on a key element of a controversial Atlantic article about Trump and the military. In addition, the Trump national security adviser wrote about what he called the Ukraine fantasy conspiracy theories that led to Trumps first impeachment. Trump said Bolton was a "liar, and Pompeo called him a traitor who damaged America by violating his sacred trust with its people. Bolton offered to testify in Trump's Ukraine-related impeachment trial early last year, but only if the Republican-led Senate issued a subpoena against him. The upper chamber declined to do so. The Democratic-led House asked Bolton to testify, but after he refused, the House declined to issue a subpoena to compel his testimony. After being impeached by the House, Trump was acquitted by the Senate. Trump railed against the memoir in June 2020 and referred to Bolton as "a disgruntled boring fool." "Wacko John Boltons 'exceedingly tedious' (New York Times) book is made up of lies & fake stories. Said all good about me, in print, until the day I fired him. A disgruntled boring fool who only wanted to go to war," he tweeted just after midnight on that Thursday in June 2020. "Never had a clue, was ostracized & happily dumped. What a dope!" In a later tweet, Trump said, "Boltons book, which is getting terrible reviews, is a compilation of lies and made up stories, all intended to make me look bad. Many of the ridiculous statements he attributes to me were never made, pure fiction. Just trying to get even for firing him like the sick puppy he is!" CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER In October, Lamberth ruled the Justice Departments lawsuit was allowed to move forward, rejecting efforts by Bolton to dismiss the case. As a condition of becoming National Security Advisor to President Trump, John Bolton signed three nondisclosure agreements with the United States. Those agreements guard classified information, including classified information about intelligence sources and methods known as sensitive compartmented information, Lamberth wrote. Cooper told the judge in September any contractual duties he [Bolton] owed relating to the prepublication review of his book were excused and released because the unprecedented second prepublication review of the book by Ellis was conducted unfairly and in bad faith, constituting a prior material breach by the Government. Ellen Knight, former senior director for records access and information security management at the NSC who was heavily involved in the pre-publication review process for Boltons book, released a letter in September, indicating she was very concerned about the politicization, even the perceived politicization, of the prepublication review process. The Justice Department reportedly opened a criminal inquiry in September into whether Bolton unlawfully disclosed classified information in his book. A grand jury reportedly convened and issued subpoenas for communication records from Boltons publisher, Simon & Schuster, and his literary agency, Javelin. An opinion by Lamberth in January would have allowed Bolton to move ahead with limited discovery, saying, The Court holds that evidence of bad faith would be material to summary judgment because it could support an unclean hands defense. The Court also holds that additional evidence about whether the book contains properly classified material is not material to summary judgment." Lamberth added early this year, The government lodged classified declarations to show that Boltons manuscript contained classified information and SCI Based on those declarations, the Court finds that Boltons manuscript contained SCI and classified information. The DOJ declined to comment. Trump's press team did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the Washington Examiner. Washington Examiner Videos Tags: News, John Bolton, Donald Trump, Justice Department, Classified, Books, China, Russia Original Author: Jake Dima, Jerry Dunleavy Original Location: DOJ ditches lawsuit against John Bolton over classified info in Trump book louisiana dog rescue Courtesy of CuriosityStream Douglas Thron's flashlight lit up the gut-wrenching scene: a brown and white terrier tied to the fender of an SUV with a chain so short it appeared to choke him when he stood. It was 13 days after hurricane Laura hit Lake Charles, Louisiana, and it looked like the pup hadn't had food or water the entire time. You could easily count his ribs. Thron is a cinematographer and drone pilot. But the drones he flies aren't the sort that came from a mall kiosk and interrupt your peaceful beach day with the incessant whine of their small motors. The drones he flies cost tens of thousands of dollars and are equipped with infrared and zoom cameras, and powerful spotlights. He uses them to find animals who are missing, abandoned, or injured after natural disasters. RELATED: Drone Finds Missing Dog Who Was Stuck in Marsh Thron has rescued burned koalas in Australia, horses after California wildfires, and dogs and cats from disasters everywhere. His work is the subject of a new docuseries, Doug to the Rescue, available to stream on CuriosityStream. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. In Lake Charles, Thron was working alongside Aja-Nikiya Estro and her animal rescue and disaster relief organization, Compassion Kind. The infrared camera on Thron's drone had spotted a heat signature they thought might be a dog. Thron switched to the standard camera and spotlight and confirmed there was at least one dog near a house destroyed by the hurricane. As Thron, Estro and her team walked to the scene, they found what Estro described in the show as "a devastating situation." "You can see the ribs. I mean, he can't even move three inches," Thron says. Estro took photos and some video to send to the police, she received permission to free the dog immediately. The crew gave him some food, but any time they got close he would growl and snap, lunging against his chain. "Starvation will do things to you," Estro says. One of her team distracted the pup while Estro released his chain. The change in the dog was immediate. He came right over to Estro, wagging his tail and licking her face while she pet him. Story continues "A dog is such a loving animal," Thron said. Despite all the trauma they've been through, "in a matter of minutes their tail's wagging, they're licking you and they're just the most forgiving, loving creatures on earth. If you give it love it's going to give you love back." This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Estro named the pup Thirteen, because of the 13 days he spent surviving chained with no food or water after the hurricane. "Sometimes in hurricanes like that, it actually works out for the better for an animal," Thron tells Daily Paws in an interview. "I wouldn't have been normally flying a drone over there looking for them if there hadn't been a hurricane like that," Thron says. "And without having the drone flying over, they would have never found them. [The dog] would have just been tied to the back end, too weak to bark; just been laying there conserving whatever little ounce of energy he had left." Thirteen was adopted by Theresa Smith of St. Petersburg, Florida. When Thron and Estro stopped by to check on the pup weeks later, a happy, healthy Thirteen came sprinting out to greet them. "In a lot of ways, these guys were rescued by hurricane Laura," Estro says in the show. In an appearance on the Rachael Ray Show last month, Thron said he's working to raise funds so that he can acquire some land for a rescue ranch. He wants it to be a place where the animals he saves can be fostered and adopted, as well as house a training facility to train new infrared drone pilots to follow in his footsteps. We can't wait to see his next mission come to life! OJAI, Calif. (AP) An elite private high school in Southern California has disclosed allegations of sexual misconduct involving students, faculty and staff that extend back for decades and were improperly handled. The Thacher School on Wednesday released a 90-page report by a law firm hired last August to investigate allegations made in an alumni social media campaign, the Los Angeles Times reported. The report details episodes of alleged rape, groping, unwanted touching and inappropriate comments going back 40 years, the Times said. It specifies six alleged perpetrators and describes alleged efforts by former administrators to cover up complaints and blame victims. The inquiry by the law firm of Munger, Tolles & Olson included interviews with more than 120 former students, parents and current and former faculty and staff. Located northwest of Los Angeles in Ventura Countys bucolic Ojai Valley, The Thacher School has more than 250 students. Most live at the school a cost of $64,700 a year. Daniel W. Yih, the chair of Thachers governing board, wrote in a letter accompanying the report that none of the accused are still employed by the school. To survivors of sexual misconduct and their families in our community, we are deeply sorry, Yih wrote, adding, We have learned a great deal about our history over the past several months much of which has been difficult to confront. The board of trustees acknowledged a profound impact on students because of the failure to exert proper oversight. Many suffered lasting harm not just from the sexual misconduct itself but also from the schools handling of the misconduct, the trustees said in a statement. No one in the report has been charged. The Ventura County Sheriffs Office was given a synopsis of about 20 incidents last week, but many could fall outside the statue of limitations for prosecution, given the span of time. We are going to look into them on a case-by-case basis, said Sgt. Hector Macias, head of the sheriff office's sexual assault unit. We are going to continue to work with the school and their law office in order to vet some of this out and see if the victims are willing to cooperate. Story continues The most serious allegation described in the report came from a 1980s alumna who accused a teacher of repeatedly raping her, starting when she was 16, the Times said. The law firms report said students and faculty seemed to be aware of and concerned about the teachers association with the girl. Between the girls freshman and sophomore years an administrator wrote in the teachers performance evaluation: You need to put some distance between her and you next year. During the girls junior year, she shared information with her mother, who contacted the school. According to the law firms report, the girl recounted that she was interviewed by a male dean who asked about details of the teachers sexual conduct, specific sexual acts and whether she enjoyed it. The report said the dean denied asking if she enjoyed it. The teacher was confronted by administrators and resigned. But the firms report said it found no written evidence that anyone at Thacher ever contacted law enforcement. Three weeks later, possible child abuse was reported to the sheriffs office by a psychologist unaffiliated with Thatcher who had spoken with the student. The Sheriffs Office cleared the case at the time, noting that the complainant refuses to participate. As Juneteenth approaches, employees are reflecting on the commitments to racial justice made by their employers and finding them lacking. A new survey from Benevity reveals that while nearly half of employees can remember their companies making commitments about racial justice after the murder of George Floyd, only 26% believe those commitments were fulfilled, compared with 61% of employees who can't say whether their companies fulfilled their commitments. "I believe it is essential that businesses make meaningful investments in building diverse, inclusive workplace cultures," Lisa Lewin, CEO of General Assembly, told USA TODAY in an email. "At a minimum, when it comes to topics like racial justice or climate change, companies must 'do no harm.' " The survey was conducted from May 24 to June 6 and spanned 1,000 U.S. employees from fortune 500 and midlevel companies. Over 70% of employees agreed that its important to have difficult conversations in the workplace about racial and social justice. More than half (69%) also said they would recommend their companies to others if addressing those issues is prioritized. More than a third of employees said they would quit if their workplace doesnt do so. What to know about Juneteenth: Juneteenth 2021 celebrations: What to know about the holiday In 2021: Juneteenth is more popular than ever. This year's celebrations come amid a culture war. "True social progress is not possible without the business community taking meaningful action to address the most intractable problems facing our world," Lewin said. What companies are doing Employees also noticed the lack of action taken by leadership, with 55% of those surveyed saying leadership addressed racial justice and equity in written or oral statements but nothing more. Almost half (47%) said they felt that company leadership displayed the same or less amount of racial sensitivity in the past year. Story continues In the wake of Derek Chauvins guilty verdict in Floyd's murder, companies like Facebook, General Motors, Starbucks and Microsoft made public statements offering condolences and affirming their stance against racism. Protest march after a Juneteenth rally at the Brooklyn Museum in New York on June 19, 2020. But some, like the Las Vegas Raiders, faced backlash over social media posts or inaction. The corporate world has long struggled with a lack of diversity in its ranks, and a report compiled by the Alliance for Board Diversity and the consultancy Deloitte recently showed that while the boards of Fortune 500 companies are improving in their diversity, that progress is still slow. These companies often tap the same pool of candidates, and of their newly appointed officials, white women greatly outnumbered people of color. The report did show some progress, with 29 Fortune 500 companies having 60% of their boards made up of women or people of color. Working from home While the pandemic forced most employees into remote work, 49% of those now working from home said they would prefer to continue working that way because of the lack of inclusivity in their workplace. Other employees, especially parents, have also expressed wishes to continue working from home and additional services to help ease struggles with child care, according to the Bright Horizons Modern Family Index. More than 9 in 10 working parents said they worried about what they were dealing with mentally, and women and people of color didnt feel as supported by their employers as white parents. The Benevity survey also noted that employees have a continued interest in their companies addressing these issues and others like gender inequity, LGBTQ and poverty. Contributing: Charisse Jones, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Juneteenth: Survey on racial justice shows companies lacking Environmental groups responded to Tuesdays unveiling of long-awaited energy legislation by criticizing the closed-door process that shaped it, as well as questioning provisions that replace some coal plants with natural gas facilities. The N.C. Sustainable Energy Association was one of a small number of groups in conversations with legislative leaders as the proposal was negotiated, but late Tuesday issued a statement criticizing House Bill 951, specifically the prescribed replacements for coal plants and a provision allowing Duke and other utilities to spend up to $50 million finding a site for an advanced nuclear facility. We believe there are clear opportunities to improve this legislation to better protect our states electricity customers while still empowering electric utilities to continue providing reliable energy generation, Ward Lenz, executive director of the N.C. Sustainable Energy Association, wrote in a prepared statement. The wide-ranging energy bill calls for the retirement of coal plants at five of Duke Energys six stations that still feature them and requires the states utilities to procure a total of 4,667 megawatts of renewable energy by 2026. The legislation also establishes a plan that allows utilities to set rates three years at a time instead of annuallyand creates performance-based incentives that could slightly raise or lower rates if utilities hit targets agreed upon with the N.C. Utilities Commission. Utilities support legislation Duke, the states largest utility, contends that the bill meets its goals of generating power from cleaner sources while keeping prices affordable. We support our state leaders charting a path forward for an orderly energy transition one that supports North Carolina communities and helps ensure the continued affordability and reliability our customers depend on, Grace Rountree, a Duke spokeswoman, wrote in an email to The News & Observer. Duke Energy has reduced its carbon emissions 40% from 2005 levels and believes retiring the coal plants outlined in the bill would increase that to a total reduction of 61%. The company has a stated goal of net-zero carbon by 2050. Story continues A spokesman for North Carolinas Electric Cooperatives, a coalition of 26 not-for-profit cooperatives that operate in a total of 93 counties across the state, said the organization supports the bill. The cooperatives were part of the negotiations that shaped the proposal. We are encouraged to see proposed legislation that helps North Carolina transition to a more diverse portfolio of energy resources at a pace that ensures balance and allows us to continue delivering reliable electricity across the state, containing costs for our consumer-members and achieving long-term sustainability goals, Louis Duke, the cooperatives spokesman, wrote in an email. Trading coal for natural gas Retiring coal-fired power plants is broadly seen as a key step in the effort to cut carbon emissions and curb the most severe effects of climate change. Gov. Roy Coopers Clean Energy Plan targets a 70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the states power sector by 2030, working from a baseline of 2005 levels. But environmental groups question replacing coal plants with natural gas facilities. The Environmental Defense Fund criticized a provision of the bill that calls for mandates replacing coal-fired power with natural gas at the Marshall plants in Catawba County and possibly at the Roxboro Steam Plant in Caswell County. It also calls for the replacement of a Gaston County coal plant in 2023 with 70 megawatts of solar and a battery that can hold up to 20 megawatts. David Kelly, the organizations director of North Carolina political affairs, wrote that the N.C. Utilities Commission would generally have the opportunity to review plans for new power plants. The bill allows for that process at plants that would be slated for retirement later in the decade, Any new investments in natural gas generation would need to be carefully scrutinized, and should stand up on their own merits against readily available alternatives. Giving carte-blanche to new fossil-fuel power plants runs the risk of over-building and over-reliance on an energy source that leaves North Carolinians financially on the hook for fossil-fuel power longer than is economically necessary and longer than our climate can tolerate. Producing electricity with natural gas produces about half as much carbon dioxide and other pollutants as coal, but natural gas is mostly made up of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, and leaks can quickly wipe out advantages. Andrew Hutson, the executive director of Audubon North Carolina, leveled criticism at the process that created House Bill 951. For months, closed-door conversations have been taking place with legislators and a small group of stakeholders, including Duke Energy, ElectriCities NC, and a pair of sustainable energy groups. By comparison, more than 90 stakeholder groups helped shape 2007s Senate Bill 3, the states first comprehensive energy legislation. Any energy legislation adopted this year should grow North Carolinas clean energy economy at the speed and scale warranted by our climate crisis, while avoiding out-of-date infrastructure that will end up costing hardworking families more down the line, Hutson wrote in a prepared statement. To get there, Duke Energy has to stop operating in secret and begin working in good faith with conservation, environmental and ratepayer advocates. Gudrun Thompson, a senior attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center, criticized several portions of the bill. In addition to echoing worries about the process that shaped the legislation, Thompson said the multi-year rate plan could lead to over-collection on utility bills and questioned a section that allows utilities to own 55% of the renewable energy resources required by 2026. The bill was just released to the public for the first time late yesterday, Thompson wrote, but bill proponents appear poised to rush the legislative process despite the bills failure to meet the states clean energy goals and utility ratepayer protections. The legislation, introduced Tuesday, now goes to the House Energy committee, where it will be discussed Thursday. That committee and several others will vote on the bill next week and send it for a vote on the House floor. This story was produced with financial support from 1Earth Fund, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners, as part of an independent journalism fellowship program. The N&O maintains full editorial control of the work. By Guy Faulconbridge and Robin Emmott LONDON/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union and Britain on Thursday said a police raid on Hong Kong's pro-democracy tabloid Apple Daily showed that China was using a new national security law to crack down on dissent and silence the media rather than deal with public security. Just days after the world's richest democracies scolded China over human rights at a Group of Seven summit and the NATO military alliance warned Beijing over its ambitions, Hong Kong police made dawn arrests of Apple Daily newspaper executives. Five hundred Hong Kong police officers sifted through reporters' computers and notebooks at the daily, the first case in which authorities have cited media articles as potentially violating the national security law. The raid "further demonstrates how the national security law is being used to stifle media freedom and freedom of expression in Hong Kong," EU spokesperson Nabila Massrali said in a statement. "It is essential that all the existing rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents are fully protected, including freedom of the press and of publication." Britain's Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab also said the raid was aimed at silencing dissent. "Freedom of the press is one of the rights China promised to protect in the Joint Declaration and should be respected," Raab said, referring to an accord guaranteeing autonomy for Hong Kong when London handed over its colony to China in 1997. Hong Kong Security Secretary John Lee described the newsroom as a "crime scene" and said the operation was aimed at those who use reporting as a "tool to endanger" national security. Western leaders say Chinese President Xi Jinping, 68, is cracking down on Hong Kong, which Britain handed back to China in 1997, and Western security officials have expressed apprehension about Xi's next target. Britain and its allies say the national security law breaches the "one country, two systems" principle enshrined in the 1984 Sino-British treaty that guaranteed Hong Kong's autonomy. China has repeatedly warned Britain and the United States to stop meddling in its affairs and says many Western powers are gripped by an "imperial hangover" after years of humiliating China during the 19th and 20th Centuries. (Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge and Robin Emmott; Editing by Alistair Smout and Peter Graff) The claim: Planes were not used in the 9/11 attacks at the World Trade Center On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, al-Qaida-affiliated terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners and killed thousands of Americans. Two decades later, conspiracy theorists are still claiming the attacks didn't happen the way they did. On Sept. 11, terrorists hijacked and crashed two planes into the World Trade Center in New York City and one plane into the Pentagon. Another hijacked plane crashed in Pennsylvania when passengers attempted to retake it. At the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan, American Airlines Flight 11 struck the northern facade of the north tower less than 20 minutes before United Airlines Flight 175 struck the southwestern facade of the south tower. But a June 13 Instagram post says there were not any planes used in the attack. No planez, says a caption on a video shared in the post, which shows the south tower explosion. In this Sept. 11, 2001, file photo, smoke rises from the burning twin towers of the World Trade Center after hijacked planes crashed into the towers, in New York City. That claim is wrong. The use of planes in the 9/11 attacks is well-documented. A bipartisan report on the attacks detailed how terrorists hijacked and crashed the planes. The reason the plane is not visible in the video is due to the position from which it was filmed. The Instagram post falls under the false flag umbrella of conspiracy theories, in which proponents say high-profile tragedies are staged for political gain. Independent fact-checking organizations and other media outlets have debunked conspiracy theories that planes were not used in the 9/11 attacks. Fact check: Hillary Clinton was not hanged at Guantanamo Bay The Instagram user who shared the video did not respond to USA TODAYs request for comment. Use of planes on 9/11 widely documented Photographs, videos and eyewitness accounts all support the fact that hijackers flew commercial airliners into the World Trade Center. Several television networks covering the first attack on the north tower broadcasted the moment Flight 175 hit the south tower. All those clips show the plane hit the south tower, and reporters can be heard describing the plane crash. Story continues Several photographers captured the moments before the plane hit the south tower. Eyewitnesses that were near the World Trade Center at the time of the attack have said they saw the plane hit the south tower. In 2013, surveyors found a piece of a plane wing from the 2001 attacks wedged between two buildings. A fragment from American Airlines Flight 11 is on display at the 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York City. Fact check: No, email to Fauci doesn't contain origin of a 'coronavirus bioweapon' In July 2004, an independent, bipartisan commission on the 9/11 attacks released its report. The nearly 600-page document detailed how terrorists hijacked commercial aircraft to commit the attacks. Video angle obstructs view of Flight 175 USA TODAY conducted a visual analysis of several architectural landmarks in the Instagram video and found it was most likely filmed from a position where the incoming plane was not visible. The Southbridge Towers apartment complex, part of the Brooklyn Bridge and a building in the Sen. Robert F. Wagner Houses public housing complex are all visible in the foreground of the video. Fact check: Meme miscaptions image from Beirut port explosion as part of conflict in Middle East The original videographer most likely took the video of the second attack east of the World Trade Center while traveling southbound on FDR Drive. This position and the landmarks around it are visible on Google Earth. Since Flight 175 struck the southwestern facade of the south tower, it's likely the plane would not have been visible to those watching from the east. Our rating: False The claim that planes were not used in the 9/11 attacks at the World Trade Center is FALSE, based on our research. Many news outlets filmed and photographed the plane hitting the south tower, and plane debris has been recovered from the area. A bipartisan commission report detailed how terrorists used planes to crash into the World Trade Center. The video is filmed from an angle opposite the collision, so the incoming plane is not visible. Our fact check sources: Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here. Our fact check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fact check: 9/11 attack on World Trade Center wasn't 'false flag' (Reuters) - China imposed a sweeping national security law on Hong Kong in June 2020 that punishes what authorities broadly refer to as secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison. Government officials in Beijing and Hong Kong said the law would target only a small number of "troublemakers" who threaten national security, and that the rights and freedoms of ordinary Hong Kong people would be protected. Critics say it is being used to crush dissent in the global financial hub, an assertion Beijing rejects. HOW FAR DOES THE LAW GO? The reach of the law has stunned some diplomats, lawyers, activists and legal scholars. The legislation provides for more active state management and oversight of foreign groups, organisations and media based in Hong Kong, a former British colony that has been China's freest and most international city. The law stipulates that mainland agents, who are now officially based in the city for the first time, cannot be detained or inspected by local authorities while carrying out their duties. Most defendants have been denied bail and one was denied trial by jury. It also allows Hong Kong's chief executive to appoint judges for national security cases - a move lawyers' groups have said imperils the city's rule-of-law traditions. The legislation also allows mainland courts to hear serious and complex Hong Kong cases in certain situations, including those allegedly involving collusion with foreign forces - a significant change that has alarmed some in the city. Under the law, any Hong Kong residents running for election or working for the government must swear allegiance to the city and its mini-constitution, the Basic Law. WHAT HAS BEEN THE IMPACT? More than 100 people have been arrested under the national security law, with high-profile democracy and independence activists among the first to be detained. A dozen pro-democracy candidates were disqualified from running in a since-postponed election last September, with authorities citing reasons such as collusion with foreign forces and opposition to the law. Story continues Some diplomats, activists and human rights groups have expressed deepening concerns over the erosion of freedoms. Fourteen Asian and Western diplomats told Reuters said they were alarmed at attempts by Hong Kong prosecutors to treat links between local politicians and foreign envoys as potential national security threats. WHAT COMES NEXT? In a city that has had strong media, artistic and religious traditions that are protected to a far greater degree than those on the Communist Party-ruled mainland, fear is building the law will increasingly crush those freedoms. Scrutiny is also intensifying over Hong Kong's vaunted judiciary and rule of law, long seen as crucial to the city's standing as a global financial hub, as national security cases go to trial. (Compiled by Anne Marie Roantree; Editing by William Mallard) MOSCOW (Reuters) - The father of a woman who was arrested along with a dissident journalist in Belarus after the grounding of a Ryanair flight has appealed to Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko to meet him in person and to pardon his daughter. Sofia Sapega, 23-year-old a student, was arrested on May 23 with her boyfriend, blogger Roman Protasevich, when their plane was forced to land in Belarus. The incident prompted outrage in the West. Belarus has released videos of Protasevich, who rose to prominence during mass protests last summer, confessing to staging riots to try to topple Lukashenko. The opposition says the confessions were clearly obtained under duress. Sapega, a Russian national, is being held in a Belarusian KGB detention facility in Minsk and is accused of inciting social strife. She could face years in jail. Her father, Andrei Sapega, 53, appealed to Lukashenko as "a father to a father" in a video posted on Thursday. Russia's PrimaMedia news agency said he had recorded the appeal at its offices in Vladivostok in Russia's Far East. "Alexander Grigorievich, I ask you for mercy. Enough of the cruelty, the world has been overflowing with it lately. Any sensible person understands that Sofia was in the wrong place and with the wrong person," he said. Andrei Sapega said he wanted to meet Lukashenko so he could offer guarantees that his daughter would not be involved in anything seen by Belarus as illegal. "...Maybe I will be able to persuade (Lukashenko) to pardon my daughter. Don't ruin her life, she's just a little girl who is only starting to live," he said. (Reporting by Maxim Rodionov; Writing by Tom Balmforth; Editing by Peter Graff) The FBI has arrested Robert Rodriguez, 53, of Miami Springs, who was charged on June 3 with cyberstalking, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Florida. A criminal complaint unsealed in Miami federal court on June 2 says Rodriguez previously had a romantic relationship with the victim, a woman from Medellin, Colombia. After the relationship ended, Rodriguez harassed the victim and her new boyfriend, by making threatening phone calls, communicating harassing social media messages, and posting nude photos of the victim on multiple fake social media profiles without the victims consent, authorities allege. The complaint says that Rodriguez threatened that he would kill the victims children, her family, her dog, and then kill her last. From July 7 to Aug. 14, 2020, the victim and her boyfriend, a resident of Virginia, received over fifty harassing phone calls from various numbers, and the caller typically used vulgar language before ending the call, the criminal complaint said. Because each call had a similar pattern, and the lines were later disconnected, police believe the caller used a spoofing application, the complaint said. Spoofing technology allows a person to make a phone call appear to originate from a different number on a caller ID. Law enforcement preserved and obtained subscriber information for 10 Instagram accounts, and each account posted or sent nude photos of the victim, the federal complaint said, with names that included @bigboy33168 and @_canes4life_. Along with the nude photos, Rodriguez posted the victims real name, cell phone number, and a link to her marketing business website, said the complaint. The social media accounts suggest that the victim is a prostitute who offers sexual services and invites viewers to call the number, an FBI special agent wrote in the complaint. FBI agents interviewed Rodriguez, last year, and he initially denied creating the accounts, but then later admitted creating six accounts and posting nude photos of the victim, saying he drank heavily due to personal problems and depression since he lost his job, the complaint said. Story continues An FBI special response team made contact with Rodriguez in a pre-dawn raid at his home on June 3, along the 500 block of Palmetto Dr., a redacted Miami Springs police report said. A spokesperson for Miamis FBI field office did not return an email from the Herald seeking comment. Last week, a U.S. Magistrate ordered Rodriguez to remain in jail based on danger to the community, court minutes said. Rodriguez is currently an inmate at the Miami federal detention center, according to the Bureau of Prisons. Rodriguez does not yet have an attorney listed on the courts website for this case. This article was produced with the assistance of the Florida Center for Government Accountability, a nonprofit legal and journalism program advocating public access to local government. Theo Karantsalis can be reached at karantsalis@bellsouth.net. CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) The U.S. Department of Justice on Thursday challenged bans involving transgender people that target athletes in West Virginia and children in Arkansas, slamming them as violations of federal law. The department filed statements of interest in lawsuits that seek to overturn new laws in those states. In West Virginia, a law prohibits transgender athletes from competing in female sports. Arkansas became the first state to ban gender confirming treatments or surgery for transgender youth. The DOJ said the laws in both states violate the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment. It also said the West Virginia law violates Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity receiving federal funds. And in a third case, West Virginia's Supreme Court on Thursday reinstated a lawsuit filed on behalf of a transgender male student who said an assistant principal harassed him when he tried to use the boys bathroom. The American Civil Liberties Union, its West Virginia chapter and LGBTQ interest group Lambda Legal challenged the athlete ban on behalf of an 11-year-old transgender girl who had hoped to compete in cross-country in middle school. A state law that limits or denies a particular class of peoples ability to participate in public, federally funded educational programs and activities solely because their gender identity does not match their sex assigned at birth violates both Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause," the Justice Department filing said. The state law does exactly this. In Arkansas, the ACLU filed a lawsuit last month challenging the transgender youth 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. Story continues A state law that specifically denies a limited class of people the ability to receive medically necessary care from their healthcare providers solely on the basis of their sex assigned at birth violates the Equal Protection Clause, the Justice Department filing said. These restrictions explicitly target transgender people. Republican lawmakers enacted the ban in April, overriding a veto by GOP Gov. Asa Hutchinson. The Arkansas 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 wouldnt exempt youth already receiving the care. Gender confirming surgery is currently not performed on minors in Arkansas. Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, also a Republican, asked a federal judge this week to dismiss the lawsuit over the state's ban. And West Virginia Republican Attorney General Patrick Morrisey on Thursday asked a judge to allow him to intervene on the state's behalf to defend the athlete ban. Rutledge's office rejected the Justice Department's argument, saying the state's prohibition absolutely doesn't discriminate based on transgender status." The Biden Administrations brief makes the frivolous argument that it does," Stephanie Sharp, a spokesperson for Rutledge, said in a statement. But that brief illustrates the weakness of its position so weak that the Administration resorts to pages of personal attacks against Arkansans elected representatives." Several other states also have enacted bills this year over school sports participation bans. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem implemented the move by executive order. Other states, including Kansas and North Dakota, passed bans only to have them vetoed by the governor. In February, the Biden administration withdrew government support for a federal lawsuit in Connecticut that seeks to ban transgender athletes from participating in girls high school sports. A federal judge dismissed that lawsuit in April. The West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission, which oversees scholastic sports, said earlier this year that it had not received any complaints about transgender athletes on girls teams. Several Democrats said the West Virginia bill was discriminatory, but supporters have argued that transgender athletes would have physical advantages in female sports. Republican Gov. Jim Justice signed the bill despite warnings from some lawmakers that the NCAA could retaliate and decide not to hold college tournaments in the state. Justice had said that while it concerned him that the state could miss out on a sporting event, he believed the benefits of the law way outweigh the bad part of it. In the transgender bathroom case, the West Virginia Supreme Court reinstated some negligence claims and sent the lawsuit back to a lower court for further proceedings. A circuit judge had dismissed the lawsuit, saying the Harrison County school board was immune from liability for the actions of an assistant principal. The lawsuit filed on behalf of student Michael Critchfield accused the board of failing to create a safe school environment. The ACLU had said Liberty High School Assistant Principal Lee Livengood followed Critchfield into the boys bathroom in November 2018 at the school and said, You freak me out. Critchfield said he also was ordered to prove his gender by using a urinal. He was 15 at the time. An attorney for Livengood had previously argued that his client was unaware of Critchfields gender identity and was not told of an arrangement Critchfield had with the principal to use the boys restrooms. PARIS (Reuters) -World powers promised on Thursday to support Lebanon's army to prevent its collapse amid the deepest political and economic crisis since the Middle East nation's 1975-1990 civil war, but they did not announce any tangible aid. The army has long been seen as one of the few institutions in Lebanon that can rally national pride and create unity. Its split along sectarian lines at the start of Lebanon's civil war helped fuel a descent into militia rule. Lebanese Army Chief Joseph Aoun told Thursday's meeting of world powers, which was organised by France, that the nation faced dire consequences if the country's crisis persisted and military salaries continued to tumble. "How can a soldier support a family with a salary that does not exceed $90?" he said in a video, published on the army's Twitter account. "If unmitigated, the economic and financial crisis will inevitably lead to the collapse of all state institutions including the Lebanese Armed Forces, the backbone of the country," he said. France, which has led international efforts to help Lebanon, arranged the virtual meeting with partners including the United States, Russia, China and European powers and some Gulf Arab states, although not Saudi Arabia. Participating countries were asked to provide food, medical supplies, spare parts for military equipment and even fuel, although they were not asked to pay salaries directly. Two diplomats said not much was offered during the meeting, although the majority of countries showed readiness to offer bilateral support in the future. They said a follow-up mechanism would monitor and coordinate any aid. Paris has sought to ramp up pressure on squabbling Lebanese politicians but has so far failed to push them to form a new government that is vital to unlock foreign aid. Discontent has been brewing in the security forces as Lebanon's currency has lost 90% of its value against the dollar, driving down soldiers' wages. Many have taken extra jobs. Some have quit. Story continues The French Armed Forces Ministry said participants at Thursday's meeting "highlighted the dire and steadily degrading economic and social conditions in Lebanon." According to the ministry statement, the participants said the army "remains a crucial pillar of the Lebanese state," adding: "Their cohesiveness and professionalism remain key to preserving the countrys stability from more risks." The ministry did not respond to a request for further information. (Reporting by John Irish and Laila Bassam; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Edmund Blair) (Bloomberg) -- The mail is coming, but the Pentagon is closed and parents in Washington D.C. were left with no daycare as the nation adapted to a sudden holiday. Across the federal government, agencies struggled to determine who would and wouldnt be working on Friday and employees had to adjust to an unexpected three-day weekend as President Joe Biden signed legislation making Juneteenth the first new federal holiday in nearly four decades -- one day before the holiday was to take effect. The Office of Personnel Management that oversees the civilian workforce of more than 2 million people tweeted Thursday morning that most federal workers would have Friday off with pay. Thats because June 19 -- the formal date commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S. -- falls on Saturday. The U.S. Postal Service said it wont be able to adjust on such short notice and so mail service will continue as normal. For many federal workers, though, it was like having a snow day in June. Schools and daycares were closed and everybody had to resubmit their time cards in a hurry, said Bruce Walker, a senior adviser at the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board. The federal agency, which investigates major industrial accidents, stands ready to deploy if needed, but most of its 33 employees will be enjoying a day off, Walker said in a telephone interview on Thursday. He will be one of them. He plans to spend his new-found free time catching up on a bunch of reading I need to do for work. Daycare facilities housed in federal buildings or schools that were closed for the holiday abruptly shut, sending parents in Washington who dont work for the government racing to make alternative arrangements. It isnt easy turning a ship as big as the federal government. Two of the biggest federal operations -- the Postal Service and the Pentagon -- didnt announce until late Thursday how they planned to proceed. The Defense Department said in a statement on Thursday night that, as on any other holiday, most of its personnel, military and civilian, would get the day off. The Postal Service said it is continuing operations as normal, and will discuss future recognition of this significant new holiday with unions and management associations. Story continues We are part of the nations critical infrastructure and our customers are relying on us to deliver our essential services, the agency said in a statement. Closing down our operations without providing appropriate time would lead to operational disruptions and be a disservice to our customers and those who rely upon us. The State Department said that its headquarters, as well as embassies overseas, would close. The announcement came at the very last minute for workers posted in Asia and the Pacific, some of which are more than 12 hours ahead of Washington time. While the United Nations normally follows the American holiday calendar, the last-minute designation conflicted with a key vote in the General Assembly, which approved a second five-year term for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Friday morning. The U.S. mission to the UN is officially closed, though diplomats will continue to handle essential operations. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission closed even though financial markets remain open. The Federal Reserve Board announced at the close of business Thursday that its offices in Washington would be closed. With no official word from the Administrative Office of the Courts, it was left to individual district courts to decide whether to remain open. Federal courts in New Jersey closed, while those in Atlanta remain open, according to announcements on their respective websites. The Supreme Court announced after 6 p.m. Washington time that it would be closed. Agencies including the Federal Communications Commission, International Trade Commission and Patent and Trademark Office extended deadlines to file documents and fees -- those due on Friday were extended to Monday. Interior Event Still On The holiday came too late for some top administration officials and their aides. For instance, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland is still set to hold a media event at Acadia National Park in Maine and meet with tribal leaders and elected officials on Friday. Employees from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration were scheduled to take part in a six-hour meeting being held by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. But late Thursday it was called off. 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. TALLAHASSEE The Republican Party of Florida on Tuesday night tried to brand 2022 statewide Democratic candidates anti semitic in a now-deleted tweet a move that drew immediate backlash and prompted the party to delete the post on social media and claim it was a typo. Included in the GOPs post was gubernatorial candidate and Democratic Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who is Jewish. The Florida GOPs tweet included a video of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi trying to defend Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Muslim Democrat from Minnesota who came under fire recently when a handful of Democrats accused her of equating Israel with the Taliban and Hamas. In the video, Pelosi did not mention any Florida-elected officials. But the Florida GOPs tweet included Fried and Rep. Charlie Crist (D-Fla.), both of whom are challenging Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2022, and Rep. Val Demings (D-Fla.), who is running for Senate against GOP Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. While @GovRonDeSantis works on policies and signs legislation in support of Florida's Jewish communities, Pelosi calls an anti semitic, @CharlieCrist, a valued leader. Crist, @valdemings & @NikkiFried wont stand up to Pelosi doing nothing to defend Florida's Jewish community. The tweet faced swift pushback because Fried is Jewish and Crist was seen as pro-Israel when he was a Republican governor of Florida. He also visited Israel three times over his political career. Crist was the only candidate directly called antisemetic in the social media post. It was a total mistake, human error, said Alia Faraj-Johnson, a Florida GOP spokesperson, in a text message to POLITICO. She said the tweet was supposed to say that Omar was antisemitic, not Crist. Crist's name, she added, was supposed to appear farther down in the tweet. "It picked up the wrong name at the wrong place, she said. In a separate text message to POLITICO, Republican Party of Florida Executive Director Helen Aguirre Ferre said the tweet was a typo. Story continues That was a typo that was corrected and glad to know Fried is paying attention to us, she said. Are Nikki, Charlie and Val going to denounce Ilhan Omar anytime soon? After the GOP deleted the tweet, they quickly replaced it with one calling out Omar and tying the trio of Democratic statewide candidates to Omar, which it said was the original intent. Joshua Karp, a spokesperson for Crist, blasted the response. The typo response does not hold water and is pathetic, he said. Fried to defended Crist after the tweet posted, a surprise move since their Democratic gubernatorial primary is starting to heat up. @CharlieCrist is not antisemitic, Fried tweeted. As a Jewish woman, I find this accusation disgusting its a flat out lie. Crist responded by thanking Fried and blasting lying and division in our politics. Using Floridas Jewish community as a campaign wedge issue is despicable, he added. Florida is a state with one of the nations largest Jewish populations. Fried supporters also defended Crist, whose time as governor included traveling to Israel in 2007 to put a note in Jerusalems Western Wall asking that God protect Florida from storms and other difficulties. Charlie Crist has a long track record of support for the Jewish community and Israel, as do Val Demings and Nikki Fried, said Evan Ross, a Fried supporter and member of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Demings did not respond on social media, and her campaign did not return a request seeking comment. In the law enforcement world, he was a trusted top deputy in the Florence County Sheriffs Office. In the criminal world, he was a kingpin who protected illegal gambling from law enforcement raids and got big payoffs. And on Wednesday, his double life exposed, former Florence County sheriffs deputy Lt. Mark Edward Fuleihan, 49, was sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison by Chief U.S. District Judge R. Bryan Harwell. Evidence in the public corruption case the result of a joint state-federal operation showed that Fuleihan was essential to the ability of the gambling operation to operate, the U.S. Attorneys Office said Thursday in a news release. Fuleihan used his former position as a senior officer with the Florence County Sheriffs Office to uncover details about the joint federal and state investigation into the illegal gambling operation, which included calling South Carolina Law Enforcement officials and requesting to be informed about any upcoming operations related to gambling enforcement, according to the release. Fuleihan would share this information with members of the illegal gambling operation, and the members would use it to evade law enforcement and to destroy potentially relevant evidence, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. We trust our law enforcement officers to protect society and stand against wrongdoing, acting U.S. Attorney Rhett DeHart said in the release. When an officer violates that trust, it is imperative that we hold them accountable. I commend our state and federal partners for doing just that in this case. This team was able to dismantle a criminal organization that was bolstered by a crooked cop and to send that officer to prison. Fuleihan was one of nine people charged in the case and is among eight defendants who have pleaded guilty for their role in the illegal operation, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. Illegal gambling houses in the Pee Dee region had operated since at least 2014, evidence showed. Gambling revolved around illegal betting machines and law officers documented approximately $1 million in cash being deposited into the accounts of at least two members of the gambling organization. Story continues Fuleihan was represented by Rep. Todd Rutherford, D-Richland. Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Shoemake prosecuted the federal case. In addition to SLED, the case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Florence County Sheriffs Office and the State Grand Jury. Along with Fuleihan, the U.S. Attorney said that the following co-defendants have pleaded guilty and been sentenced to terms of probation or house arrest: Timothy Dane Keefe, 39, of Lake City; Thyrone Eaddy, 54, of Lake City; Cliff Cantey, 62, of Lake City; Kenneth Moore, 64, of Salters; George Dollard, 70, of Lake City; and Leroy Barbour 51, of Florence. Co-defendant Sheryl Kirby, 52, of Lake City, has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing, while co-defendant Dale Smith, 64, of Lake City, has been charged but has not entered a plea in the case or otherwise been convicted, according to the release. This is a developing story, check back for updates. PARIS (Reuters) - The French government plans to allow nightclubs to reopen in July, Health Minister Olivier Veran said on Thursday, allowing the industry to operate again for the first time since it was shut during the first COVID-19 lockdown ordered in March 2020. Veran said the government was working on safety protocols for the reopening with details to be announced next week, after President Emmanuel Macron said earlier this month an update on nightclub operations would be made on June 21. "In July, nightclubs are expected to reopen with specific requirements", Veran told France's BFM television. He gave no precise date. More than 100 nightclubs out of 1,600 in France have closed permanently due to the pandemic crisis, according to hospitality trade union UMIH. France eased its third nationwide lockdown - meant to rein in the coronavirus outbreak - last month with the reopening of terraces on May 19. Last week, restaurants, bars and cafes were allowed to reopen for indoor service for the first time in seven months. The government said on Wednesday a night-time curfew would end from June 20 as the pandemic situation was improving faster than anticipated. (Reporting by Matthieu Protard and Nicolas Delame; Editing by Bernadette Baum) Covid vaccinations could become compulsory for health workers if they do not drop their resistance to getting the jab, France's health minister warned Thursday. The threat came on the first day that people in France were authorised to be outdoors without wearing face masks, as vaccinations pick up and new Covid cases drop. The vaccination rate among health workers in care homes, however, is lagging behind that of the general adult population, 60 percent of which have now received at least one Covid jab, Health Minister Olivier Veran said. He made a "solemn appeal" to health workers, especially in care homes, to "take the plunge." "If by the end of the summer there is no improvement we will have to consider making vaccinations for those specific groups obligatory," Veran told BFM television. "It is necessary and ethical to get vaccinated when you are in contact with vulnerable populations," he added. The coronavirus affected elderly people in care homes particularly severely, especially during the first and second virus waves last year before vaccinations became widespread and social distancing the norm. Veran would not be drawn on a possible similar move for hospital staff, saying that "we'll wait and see." New daily virus infections in France, at just over 3,000 on Wednesday, are projected to fall to 2,000 within a week and to 1,000 by the end of the month, Veran said. A daily 11pm curfew will be lifted on Sunday, a week ahead of schedule. Although people can now take off masks when outdoors, there are exceptions including when on busy shopping streets or at crowded events. Masks must still be worn indoors and on public transport. burs/jh/js/yad BERLIN (Reuters) - Travellers from non-European Union countries who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be allowed to enter Germany from June 25 unless the country is designated a virus variant area, the interior ministry said on Thursday. "Visiting trips and tourism thus become possible again for vaccinated people," said the ministry, adding that individuals must have received the final required dose of their vaccine 14 days prior to travel. Entry from virus-variant areas continues to be excluded, it added. (Reporting by Madeline Chambers; editing by Jonathan Oatis) The house in Espelkamp where police said two people were shot - DPA Police are hunting a gunman after two people were shot dead in Germany on Thursday. The suspect is believed to be armed and on the run, but police played down initial reports of a shooting spree. According to unconfirmed reports, they suspect the killings were a crime of jealousy. The incident took place in Espelkamp, a small town of some 25,000 people in the western region of North Rhine-Westphalia. The dead are understood to be a man and a woman. One shooting took place inside a house, the other on the street just outside it. Armed police were deployed to the town from neighbouring areas Rep. Seth Grove, R-York, made another public appeal to Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday to reach a deal on election reform. Grove, chair of the House State Government Committee, said the governors office went silent after an April 23 commitment to form a working group that would help craft the final bill. His proposed measure, House Bill 1300, would implement early in-person voting, pre-canvassing, curbside voting, monitored drop boxes, signature verification and uniform ballot curing rules all policies that have generated bipartisan support in the past. However, a provision that expands the states voter identification law a top priority for Republicans hoping to boost election security is a nonstarter for Wolf and Democrats. I am requesting a meeting with you so that we can finalize legislation that can become law, Grove wrote in a letter sent Tuesday to the governor. To put it plainly, Gov. Wolf: How do you know what we are willing to change or compromise on in this bill if you will not come to the table? Ellen Lyon, a Department of State spokesperson, told The Center Square on Monday the agency is "happy to work with the administration and the legislature to enact common sense election reforms that will further expand voter participation, allow counties to begin canvassing mail ballots before Election Day and improve election administration with the use of electronic poll books." "We believe that voters and our dedicated election officials would welcome these changes," Lyon said. "We hope the legislative priorities will focus on these common sense changes and not on creating barriers to voting for eligible Pennsylvanians." Wolf said last week hes against voter ID expansion and will block any policy that increases barriers to access. Under current law, first-time voters at a polling place must provide identification. HB 1300 would implement the ID requirement each and every time a resident casts a ballot in-person. Story continues Lyndsay Kensinger, a Wolf spokesperson, said Monday the governor has been engaged in election reform with the General Assembly for the past year and wants to continue the conversation about expanding convenient voting options. At the same time, the governor has been clear, both privately and publicly, that he is always willing to have a conversation on election reform, but a proposal aimed at disenfranchising voters by implementing unconstitutional voter ID, and restricting existing voting options is a complete nonstarter, she said. Grove counters that no voter can be turned away from the polls and his bill offers workarounds for residents, including the option to sign an affidavit or use a provisional ballot in the absence of having proper identification. While I realize you like to allow your staff wide latitude in working with lawmakers on your behalf, it is disappointing that there has been no further engagement from them on this issue, which is why I am making this direct appeal, Grove wrote in the letter. The administration, however, describes the proposal as extremist and fueled by disproven conspiracy theories which will undermine confidence in our election system by doubling down on misinformation. They dont like the outcome of the November election and now they are retaliating against the voters, as their counterparts in other states have done, by pushing a proposal disguised as election integrity, Kensinger said. Grove said if a compromise cant be reached by the end of the month the same time frame during which the General Assembly will approve the states annual spending plan the effort will move to the back burner as lawmakers address other priorities, such as congressional redistricting. He said lawmakers also remain wary of implementing sweeping election code changes during the 2022 campaign cycle, which will feature open races for the U.S. Senate and the governor. For you to not engage in the finalization of this legislation puts Pennsylvania voters at a significant disadvantage as we seek to make our election laws a national model, Grove said in the closing of his letter. My phone is on, my door is open, and I welcome your reply and good faith effort in working for the benefit of Pennsylvania voters to craft final legislation. HB 1300 passed out of committee Tuesday on a party line vote. It's scheduled for consideration on the House floor next week. Washington Examiner Videos Tags: States, News, GOP, Tom Wolf, Pennsylvania, Elections, Reform Original Author: Christen Smith, The Center Square Original Location: GOP Pennsylvania lawmaker appeals to Wolf for election reform deal RABAT (Reuters) - Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh met the speakers of Morocco's parliament and opposition politicians on Thursday during a visit to build support for the Palestinian cause after the North African nation upgraded diplomatic relations with Israel. Haniyeh, who arrived in Morocco on Wednesday for a four-day trip, has already met the Islamist PJD, the biggest party in Morocco's governing coalition. Morocco agreed in December to improve relations with Israel in a deal with the United States that included U.S. recognition of Rabat's sovereignty over Western Sahara, a region that the Algeria-backed Polisario Front wants to become an independent state. Hamas, the Islamist group that rules Gaza and which fought an 11-day conflict with Israel in May, has criticised Morocco for the deal with Israel. Haniyeh's visit is a bid to seek broader support for Palestinians after the Gaza conflict. In Morocco, the visit is seen as a way to show Rabat still backs Palestinians despite more friendly relations with Israel. Haniyeh met the speakers from the two chambers of Morocco's parliament and a delegation from PAM, the biggest opposition party in parliament. He is also due to meet other politicians. King Mohammed VI, the highest authority in Morocco, has congratulated Israel's new Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. The king also backs a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital. With parliamentary elections in September, Moroccan political parties want to show their support for Palestinians after protests last month against the Israel deal. Moroccan Prime Minister Saad Dine El Otmani held a reception for Haniyeh on Wednesday in his capacity as PJD leader. He said the king promised efforts to entrench sovereignty over Western Sahara would not be "at the expense of the Palestinian people". Winning international recognition for its sovereignty over Western Sahara is Morocco's main foreign policy goal. (Reporting by Ahmed Eljechtimi, additional reporting by Nidal Al Mughrabi in Gaza; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Edmund Blair) Jun. 17Hamilton Finance Director Dave Jones has recommended the city discontinue using city of Cleveland employees as its income-tax staffer and instead switch to an organization called Regional Income Tax Agency (RITA). The switch, to take effect at the start of next year, will allow better customer service through technology than offered by the Cleveland-run "Central Collection Agency," which has employees in Hamilton's city-government tower, Jones recently told City Council. "The reason we're switching, basically, is technology," Jones said. "I've been doing taxes in some way, shape, form or fashion for 30 years, back into the '90s, when people brought boxes in." "Now, they come in, and they show you a cellphone," he said. "And every employer's got an app, and there's a W-2 (income) form on that app, and that's how you file the tax return." "Unfortunately, our current service provider has not progressed with technology," he said. "RITA is by far superior with their technology, website." When tax professionals walk through all the steps of filing tax returns electronically, "the federal return will pop up, your state return will pop up, if you live in a school district that has an income tax, it will pop up." But with the CCA, it ends there. Instead of filing electronically, "you have to print, staple the W-2s, and turn that over for the person to file their municipal return." RITA partners with several e-return providers, so its returns pop up, just like the electronic federal and state ones. The switch also will allow local residents and businesses to have their local taxes filed electronically by the tax-preparers, Jones said. "And then you get an acknowledgment back from RITA that it was accepted." An official with the CCA did not return a call for comment. The city paid CCA $583,000 last year for its service. Story continues With the new system, there still will be a person who works with people on their taxes. The employees will be able to log on to a RITA website and see up-to-date payment information, as well as file returns for people. "The difference with RITA compared with the city of Cleveland is that each member has a vote," Jones said. "We do have a say in the governance of RITA." RITA was formed in 1971 when three dozen local governments united to collect income taxes. Among local communities already using RITA are Oxford, Eaton, Harrison, Milford, Mount Healthy and North College Hill. "Currently, with CCA, we're governed by the city of Cleveland's finance department," Jones said. The legislation to make the change will appear on an upcoming council agenda. TAMPA Three convicted felons were arrested and 42 warrants issued this week in Hillsborough County as part of a three-day compliance check of those previously convicted for a violent crime. Four agencies combined to make the arrests after visiting the residences of 280 people classified as career offenders. The goal of the check was to ensure that felons who committed a violent crime updated their addresses with the state, which they are required to do within 48 hours of moving. If career offenders fail to register their new address, they can be arrested again and charged with a third-degree felony, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office. Thats what happened to 45 of those checked between June 14-16. Three of those have already being located and arrested. Career Offenders have been designated by a court as a habitual violent felony offender, a violent career criminal or a three-time violent felony offender, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Hillsborough deputies said in a statement that those being monitored as career offenders are the worst-of-the-worst criminals. The agencies involved in the check along with the sheriffs office were the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Tampa Police Department and the Florida Department of Corrections. The sheriffs office said in a statement that compliance checks happen annually and are vital to ensure deputies constantly know the residence of career offenders. As of Thursday, there were 440 registered career offenders in Hillsborough County. The accuracy of this list is vital for law enforcement and members of our community, who have a right to know where these violent individuals are living, said Sheriff Chad Chronister in a statement. Hong Kong authorities stormed the pro-Democracy Apple Daily newspaper Thursday and arrested five executives, including three top editors, and froze the publications assets, citing infringements of the citys national security law. The raid indicated the determination of the police to suppress media outlets that challenge the Chinese regime and support the democracy initiative for Hong Kong. The seizure of property and arrests defy the principles of the Basic Law, Hong Kongs version of a constitution which promises and protects freedom of the press. As justification for the surprise bust, the police used a warrant, permitting them to confiscate journalistic materials, under the provinces security law. Personnel made the employee arrests after discovering Apple Daily articles in the company databases, including computers and files, that urged the West to impose sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong political figures. We have strong evidence that the questionable articles play a very crucial part of the conspiracy, which provides ammunition for foreign countries to levy sanctions penalties, said Li Kwai-wah, senior superintendent of the police force, during a press briefing. The Hong Kong polices security unit arrested the five executives at their residences and searched the properties, citing collusion with a foreign country as the crime charged, marking the second raid of Apple Daily since the national security laws passage. The law enumerates collusion with foreign nations as one of four crimes that can earn a maximum sentence of life in prison. Other provisions in the law undermine journalistic liberties and the presss freedom to report and unearth information valuable to the public. The raid was documented via video footage, which depicts a swarm of police vehicles arriving at the publication headquarters and officers exiting with boxes of seized materials. Hong Kong secretary for security John Lee also accused the newspapers executives of participating in a conspiracy against the government. Story continues We are not talking about media or journalist work, he said. We are talking about a conspiracy in which suspects try to make use of journalistic work to collude with a foreign country or external elements. Officers tried to obscure and sequester employees from their raid operation, moving them to a separate location outside the newsroom, according to anonymous Apple Daily staffers. We dont really know whats going on inside, one employee said. The publication issued a letter to readers that said it was speechless at the anti-freedom developments unfolding in an unfamiliar Hong Kong. It feels as though we are powerless to stop the regime from exercising its power as it pleases, the letter noted. Nevertheless, the staff of Apple Daily is standing firm. Apple Daily has become one of the last bulwarks standing for the pro-democracy movement and against Chinese aggression. Apple Daily has always been a sharp voice with a clear stance, a reporter at the paper said. The raid clearly shows that they dont want such voices to exist. The police raid comes after a Hong Kong court handed down sentences for nine dissidents advocating for democracy, eight of which convicted were previously democratically elected to Hong Kongs legislature. The Chinese regimes silencing and criminalizing critique as well as abuse of human rights has put pressure on western leaders, such as President Biden, to boycott the 2022 Beijing Olympics in protest. More from National Review Hong Kong's Apple Daily said 500 police officers searched the pro-democracy newspaper's offices and arrested five senior executives on Thursday. Why it matters: The arrests of the paper's chief editor, Ryan Law, along with its chief operating officer, two other editors and the CEO of Next Digital, which operates Apple Daily, were made under China's national security law which gives the government broad power to limit people's political freedom. Get market news worthy of your time with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free. It's the second time Hong Kong police force have targeted Apple Daily under the law, after police arrested and detained the paper's founder, Jimmy Lai, and other executives last year. But this is the first time police have "cited media articles as potentially violating the national security law," Reuters notes. Details: The executives were arrested for "collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security," per the newspaper and other Hong Kong outlets, including the South China Morning Post. Police said Apple Daily published a series of reports dating back to 2019 that "incited foreign countries to impose sanctions," Reuters reports. Flashback: Jimmy Lai among Hong Kong pro-democracy leaders sentenced to prison Editor's note: This article has been updated with more details of the raid and a new photo. More from Axios: Sign up to get the latest market trends with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free Hong Kong police raided the offices of pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily on Thursday morning and arrested five executives under the city's national security law, including its chief editor Ryan Law. The arrests are the latest police operation targeting the popular tabloid that has unapologetically supported the financial hub's pro-democracy movement. Police said five executives were arrested "for collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security". A police source confirmed to AFP that all five were executives from Next Digital, Apple Daily's parent company. Apple Daily said Law was among those arrested. The paper broadcast live footage of the police raid on its Facebook account. Officers could be seen cordoning off the complex and walking through the building. It is the second raid on Apple Daily in less than a year. Apple Daily's billionaire owner Jimmy Lai was charged with collusion after a raid last August. He is currently serving multiple jail sentences for attending various pro-democracy protests that rocked Hong Kong two years ago. su/jta/jah The Supreme Court has finally handed down two of the five blockbuster opinions of this term with rulings on the Affordable Care Act and religious rights. The most striking aspect of the decisions was the absence of ideological divisions. Indeed, the case on religious rights is yet another unanimous decision from a Court that President Joe Biden has declared out of whack and Democratic leaders have declared hopelessly divided along ideological lines. This week represented the final collapse of the false narrative that has been endlessly repeated like a mantra in Congress and the media. When it comes to health care, the ACA has long been in the position of Mark Twain who insisted that his death has been greatly exaggerated. During the circus-like confirmation hearing of Amy Coney Barrett, Democratic senators surrounded the room with giant pictures of people who would lose their health care due to her nomination. Various senators and legal analysts insisted that Barrett was obviously selected to kill the ACA. Democratic senators pummeled Barrett with stories of people who may die as a result of her nomination and portrayed her as a craven, heartless ideologue selected to take away health care for millions. It was not a matter of whether but when according to members like Sen. Mazie K. Hirono (D., HI) who declared she would vote against Barrett because she will vote to strike down the Affordable Care Act. False narrative smears Barrett At the time, I objected that the narrative was wildly off-base and that there was little chance that the majority of the justices would use the case to strike down the act. To the contrary, the act was overwhelmingly likely to be decided on technical grounds on either standing or severability. I also noted that, if anything, I would expect Barrett to rule against striking down the act in this case. She did so and joined in the 7-2 decision. This was never a plausible narrative but it did not matter to either the Democratic members. They demanded that Barrett assure them that she would vote for the ACA in the case a dangerous and raw demand for a guarantee on a pending case as a condition for confirmation. Despite treating her as a virtual judicial serial killer, none will likely apologize or even recognize the unfair treatment at the confirmation hearing. It was after all just politics in an age of rage. Story continues From left, Justices Samuel Alito, Brett Kavanaugh, Clarence Thomas, Elena Kagan, Chief Justice John Roberts, Justices Neil Gorsuch, Stephen Breyer, Amy Coney Barrett and Sonia Sotomayor. Arguably, the most important of the big ticket cases was Fulton v. Philadelphia on whether a Catholic adoption agency could be forced to assist LGBT couples when such adoptions countermand religious beliefs. The Court delivered a 9-0 decision in favor of the Catholic charity and held that Philadelphia was violating the free exercise clause of the Constitution in requiring adherence to the citys non-discrimination policy. Religious freedom upheld in court Writing for the Court, Chief Justice John Roberts held "The refusal of Philadelphia to contract with CSS for the provision of foster care services unless it agrees to certify same-sex couples as foster parents...violates the First Amendment." It is a major win for religious rights and the Court spoke as one in reversing the lower courts with a strong majority opinion and concurring opinions. It also adds strength to other pending cases, including yet another case involving the Masterpiece Cakeshop in Colorado to make cakes celebrating LGBT events. After winning a narrow decision before the Supreme Court in 2018, Jack Phillips was pursued by critics to make additional cakes and create the basis for another challenge. They may now regret that decision if Phillips builds on the earlier narrow ruling to secure another major ruling not just on religious freedom but free speech grounds. Men-only military draft: A vestige of anti-woman bias. Supreme Court should strike it down The Court continues to frustrate critics who insist that it is dysfunctional, divided and needs to be radically changed from packing the Court with a liberal majority to actually creating a new court for constitutional rulings like the Fulton case. For example, Professor Kent Greenfield argued that the Supreme Court has become too partisan and unbalanced to trust it with deciding the most important issues of our day. The Court itself however is not cooperating with this inconvenient line of unanimous decisions. The fact is that most of the opinions of the Court are not ideologically divided. Indeed, Justice Stephen Breyer recently objected to those calling the Court conservative and opposed those demanding that Congress pack the Court to achieve an immediate liberal majority. Liberal groups and media figures are aggressively pushing Breyer to retire, including an insulting billboard campaign by a group called Demand Justice. Sonia Suter: Supreme Court should respect Roe's viability line for abortion The Court itself does not engage in such public campaigns. It speaks through its opinions and the message could not clearer. For a hopelessly divided ideological Court, it seems to be saying a lot in one voice not just about the law but about its own institution. In the end, it is unlikely to matter. The utter collapse of the narrative means nothing if it is not recognized in the media. The justices do not run billboards in the streets of Washington like Demand Justice. They will continue to be denounced as utterly out of whack because politics demands it. Jonathan Turley is the Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law at George Washington University and a member of USA TODAYs Board of Contributors. Follow him on Twitter: @JonathanTurley .oembed-frame {width:100%;height:100%;margin:0;border:0;} 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: Partisan narrative persists, threatens future of the Supreme Court A group of Sunrise activists walk towards Black Lives Matter Plaza as people gather to celebrate Juneteenth in Washington DC (Getty Images) The House of Representatives has passed a milestone measure to create a federal holiday for Juneteenth, the nations oldest commemoration of the abolition of slavery and celebration of African American emancipation. The US Senate unanimously passed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act on Tuesday. It now heads to President Joe Biden for his signature. The measure, carried by Democratic US Rep Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas, where Juneteenth was first commemorated in 1866, had more than 160 co-sponsors. Juneteenth recognises a journey of pain, brutality, separation, and the racist hand of people held in bondage, Ms Lee said on Wednesday. Theres something about freedom that is contagious, and that is what this holiday will bring about. On the House floor introducing the measure, the congresswoman said Juneteenth is as significant to African Americans as it will be to Americans, because we, too, are American, and it means freedom. Following decades of organising for federal recognition, the proposal has gained considerable support over the following year amid racial justice uprisings across the US. Though not recognised among the nations list of federal holidays, Juneteenth a portmanteau of June and 19th has widely represented the emancipation of enslaved African Americans following the Civil War and its violent aftermath. Some state and local governments have declared it a holiday, and a growing number of companies, universities and other institutions have recognised the day with remembrance events and as a paid holiday. On 19 June 1865, roughly 2,000 Union Army soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas with news that enslaved people were now free. But the announcement arrived more than two years after Abraham Lincolns Emancipation Proclamation, which signalled the end of slavery in the US but did not end the enslavement of all people in the nation at the time. The 13th Amendment to the US Constitution, which formally abolished slavery in the US, wasnt passed by Congress until 31 January 1865. It was ratified later that year. Story continues The first Juneteenth celebration was observed on 19 June, 1866, when formerly enslaved people in Texas gathered to commemorate their emancipation. The event spread across the US, becoming the nations oldest tradition that recognises the abolition of slavery and freedom of African Americans. In his What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July? address in 1852, abolitionist Frederick Douglass noted the nations hypocrisy of celebrating Independence Day just days after 19 June, on 4 July while imposing a brutal regime of slavery. Juneteenth is set to become the nations 11th legal public holiday. Federal employees will receive a paid day off on 19 June, or on the nearest Friday or Monday. It will join a list of federal holidays that includes Martin Luther King Jr Day, New Years Day, Washingtons Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Several House Republicans, though not objecting to the idea of a Juneteenth holiday, argued that the bill should not be named an Independence Day, which would undermine the Fourth of July. Democratic US Rep Rashida Tlaib argued that the caucus should also embrace critical voting rights legislation and other measures to meaningfully lift up Black communities. Read More Juneteenth: What is the historically important day and how did it start? US Senate passes bill establishing Juneteenth as federal holiday Juneteenth: Will it become a federal holiday and who will have the day off? Houston Methodist hospitals deep in a state where political leaders have been hostile to public-health measures as simple as wearing a mask may seem like an unlikely epicenter for the debate over requiring employees to get vaccinated. Yet that is precisely what unfolded after the hospital systems CEO became the first in the nation to require staff vaccinations and a nurse he had never met said no way. Across America, employers have shied from mandates. Methodists CEO Marc Boom took a different tact. He soon began hearing from colleagues eager to follow his lead. My phone and email have rung off the hook, says Boom, a fit, gray-haired doctor who urges people to call him by his first name. Were all going to go there. Its just a matter of when, not if. In the wake of a federal judge dismissing a lawsuit filed by a group of defiant Houston Methodist employees, the stage may be set not only for hospitals but for any employer to begin requiring vaccines. In his strongly worded ruling, U.S. District Court Judge Lynn Hughes on Saturday knocked down arguments made in similar legal actions underway across the nation, limiting the likelihood that others will succeed. Hughes discounted claims that the vaccine is experimental and dangerous. Unless they meet legal health or religious exemptions, the judge said that workers who refuse to get vaccinated, will simply need to work somewhere else. Whether Hughes ruling will be the final word in Texas remains to be seen. The nurse leading the fight, Jennifer Bridges, has vowed to appeal on behalf of herself and 116 other plaintiffs, including at least three dozen nurses and others with medical training. The rest hold jobs ranging from patient liaison to lab tech to transplant coordinator. Bridges became an overnight celebrity among some in the anti-vaccine community based on response to her GoFundMe appeal to cover legal costs which has raised more than $200,000. Donors call her brave, courageous and a much-needed trail blazer. FREEDOM, wrote one, adding the heart emoji. My body, my choice, wrote another. Story continues Her largest donation came from a Hawaii man who identified himself as Maxwell Lee and says he is a fan of Alex Jones, commenting online that he believes this is an evil satanic plot to destroy humans worldwide. He donated more than $52,000 on behalf of himself and his mother, a doctor, who he says is incapacitated from a stroke. But Bridges does not consider herself an anti-vaxxer. Every year she lines up to get the flu vaccine, which Houston Methodist started mandating in 2009. Instead, her concern is this particular vaccine. She says the hospital is covering up severe vaccine reactions, including paralysis and death claims widely discounted by the medical community and which the hospital has vehemently denied. Why take that chance, if you're healthy and under 70? she said. Why take that risk of getting those severe adverse reactions that you cant fix? You know, because once its in your body, you cant take that shot back out. Hospital offers a hope bonus to spur vaccination While many people may have never heard of Houston Methodist, it is highly respected within the medical profession. U.S. News & World Report ranks it the best hospital in Texas; Newsweek listed it as the 18th best in the country. The health care network, now eight hospitals spread out over the metro area, became a national leader after it hired Dr. Michael DeBakey, a pioneering heart surgeon who arrived in Houston in 1948. The Journal of the American Medical Association once wrote, Many consider Michael E. DeBakey to be the greatest surgeon ever. Today, the hospitals heart and vascular unit is named for him. By all measurements, the vaccine rollout was going well there, too, with 85% of employees inoculated by April, placing Houston Methodist well above its peers. In a survey done last month, USA TODAY found that at nine other hospital networks, fully vaccinated rates ranged from 53% to 72%. Boom had started with an incentive: a $500 hope bonus for anyone who got the vaccine by March. He traded that carrot for a stick in April, telling those who did not comply their jobs were on the line. His success up to that point informed his decision to act. I would have never pulled the trigger on a mandate if we were sitting at 55%, Boom said. You do have to run a hospital and care for everybody, and you do need your staff to do that. Primary care physician Josh Septimus was among the first to roll up his sleeve back in December, when the first shipments targeting frontline U.S. health care professionals arrived. He stood in line for an hour. To Septimus, it seemed like a no brainer. He treats patients with compromised immune systems those with kidney transplants or who take drugs for lupus or chronic leukemia. If he gave them the virus, he could kill them. So, if I as a health care professional choose not to get vaccinated with what, in my opinion, is a completely safe vaccine, I think thats selfish, he said. And I think its unethical. After months of warnings, Houston Methodist suspended 178 employees without pay on June 7 for making that choice. Monday is their deadline to get vaccinated or be fired. Protests, a petition and the lawsuit followed. In court documents, plaintiffs call the shots experimental and compare the mandate to forced medical experiments by Nazis during the Holocaust. When Hughes dismissed the lawsuit on Saturday, he singled out the Nazi comparison as reprehensible. Other hospitals follow Houston Methodist's lead In recent days, other elite hospitals have followed suit. Johns Hopkins, New York Presbyterian, the University of Pennsylvania and most hospitals in the Washington, D.C. area have said they will require employees to get the shots. While several states, including Texas, have considered outlawing vaccine mandates, so far only Montana and Arkansas have enacted such laws. Many universities are requiring the vaccine for students and in some cases employees but otherwise generally mandates at least those made public remain rare so far. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that only 4.4% of employers are requiring vaccines. One lingering concern for employers has been that the three vaccines available in the U.S. all were authorized for emergency use. None have received full FDA approval, although both Pfizer and Moderna are seeking it. On social media, anti-vaxxers have used Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data to insinuate that people are dying from the vaccine. But the data from the agencys Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System reports any death after a vaccine, without establishing any causal link, and the CDC says the vaccines are safe and effective. The most serious side effect the CDC has established involved a few cases of blood clots in the brain combined with a low platelet count. Of the 11.2 million doses given of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, there have been 35 confirmed cases of this rare condition. A handful of lawsuits argue that any drug authorized for emergency use by law must give people the option of accepting or refusing the product. In his ruling, Hughes said that law does not apply to private employers. He also rejected the notion that people getting the vaccine are part of an experimental trial. Hughes, a Ronald Reagan appointee, has a reputation for being a controversial judge. He has had cases reassigned by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals for his inappropriate statements, including in two recent gender discrimination lawsuits brought against Sam Houston State University and the University of Houston. In the online petition related to Houston Methodist, commenters suggest this history could lead the ruling to be overturned. However, the Court of Appeals affirms Hughes rulings 72% of the time, according to Reuters. Hughes ruling also aligns with the opinions of many legal experts and two federal agencies the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration that employers can require workers to get vaccinated. The resisting workers have already filed notice with the court that they will appeal. This is just one battle in a larger war to protect the rights of employees to be free from being forced to participate in a vaccine trial as a condition for employment, said Jared Woodfill, the workers lawyer. Employment should not be conditioned upon whether you will agree to serve as a human guinea pig. A suburban nurse becomes the spark of the opposition Houston Methodist became a flashpoint in the vaccine debate largely thanks to one nurse in a suburban unit, Jennifer Bridges. Bridges started her career working in restaurants and as a bartender before deciding to become a nurse. Anybody who knows me knows Im the kind of person that always helps everybody, she explains. She briefly dabbled in home health care, then spent the last 6 years at Houston Methodist Baytown, half an hour to the east of headquarters. I loved working at Methodist the whole time I was there prior to this whole vaccine situation, said Bridges, who lives in a quiet suburb with her three dogs. They treated us very well. Like hundreds of thousands of medical professionals, Bridges came down with COVID-19 last year. Her symptoms were mild, adding to her resolve that getting the vaccine is not worth the risk. When she realized this spring that a mandate was planned, she came into work on her day off, wearing her uniform to avoid suspicion. She brought with her a petition for staff to sign that urged the administration to reconsider. Her hospitals chief called her in and lectured her for 90 minutes, she said, so she switched to the online petition, now just under 10,000 signatures. Bridges also began searching for law firms. One in New York advised her to hire a local attorney. Based on a recommendation from a friend, she met with a local lawyer. She paid the initial retainer herself then launched the GoFundMe account with a goal of $500,000. Headed toward halfway there, she says she also has received some private donations and plans to create a website to sell t-shirts. The anti-vax groups Texans for Vaccine Choice and Freedom Matters Action Group have provided logistical support, she said, helping with protests and outreach. The resulting lawsuit repeats some of the misleading information that has spread like wildfire on social media, including claims that thousands have died from the vaccine. The judge took a swipe at the lawsuits wording, saying it was written in a press-release style. Others say they are prepared to lose their jobs Some of those who side with Bridges say they were prepared to lose their jobs for the cause. Of four nurses interviewed by USA TODAY, none said they would ever go back. Kathy Tofte, a registered nurse in the critical-care unit for newborns, said she loved her job but decided to quit. Like Bridges, she, too, came down with COVID-19 last year and doesnt understand why she still needs a shot. I even had a doctor tell me, Well, itll keep you from dying. Itll help you with symptoms. But I didnt die the first time, she said. So what facility is going to dictate to me that I have to take the COVID? And are they 100% sure that Im not gonna die from that shot? Absolutely not. They are not. Tofte says shes so disillusioned, shes wondering whether to remain a nurse. Ashton Hanley, also a registered nurse, quit in late May and already has found a new job. Im not refusing this vaccine to be rebellious in any way, she said. Im refusing the vaccine because Im genuinely worried about the reactions or even long-term effects of this vaccine. Kara Shepherd worked as a nurse at Houston Methodist for eight years in labor and delivery. She says based on her research, the virus has a low fatality rate. So I personally am not scared of it, she said. If I get it at some point, I feel like I will survive. I feel like theres things I can take. I know theres treatments out there that have been swept under the rug. In a court filing, the workers cited their expert witness, Dr. Peter McCullough, who is board-certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular disease and on staff at Baylor University Medical Center. McCullough, who makes appearances on Laura Ingrahams nightly show on Fox News, wrote a declaration that bucks the overwhelming scientific consensus: The vaccines are not sufficiently protective, have not been shown to be clinically beneficial meaning no COVID-19 reduction in hospitalization and death, and have been found to have an unfavorable safety profile with unacceptably high rates of serious safety events, including hospitalization and death after injection. Data reviewed by the FDA found to the contrary that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are approximately 95% effective at reducing symptomatic COVID-19 while the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is 66% effective. The CDC says that the vaccines have undergone and will continue to undergo the most intensive safety monitoring in US history. Family members say What if he had just gotten the vaccine? The flagship hospital is located next to Rice University at the Texas Medical Center, a sprawling campus with more than 60 medical institutions, including some of the states premium hospitals. The center is big enough to be a city, with more than 100,000 workers. On display in the three-story atrium of the new patient tower is a giant portrait of its namesake, George H.W. and Barbara Bush, who both were patients at the hospital. Employees rushing through last Friday still wore masks, even though 99.2% of them are fully vaccinated. Dr. Faisal Masud even wore a mask to his interview with USA TODAY. Masud oversees the hospitals critical-care units, where patients needing intensive care are taken. The hospitals now are treating only 90 patients with COVID-19, down dramatically from Januarys high of 700. The patients Masud sees these days are younger and unvaccinated. He hears regret in the voices of their family members, who wonder aloud, What if he had just gotten the vaccine? The vaccine has made a huge difference among the staff, even those who had previously contracted the virus. Getting COVID-19 a second time is rare, but data suggest that the vaccines offer better protection than natural immunity. The vaccine has allowed the level of comfort that we are not scared all the time; we are not worried for our family, he said. But the most important, we all see that that we will be protecting our patients. In the hospitals administrative offices, Alejandra Alex Chamorro tears up when she thinks about what her life would be like had the vaccines been available sooner. She oversees all insurance billing for Houston Methodist. One day last July, Chamorros husband went to a grocery store for soup. When he returned, he mentioned that a lot of shoppers were not wearing masks. A few days later, he started feeling sick. A COVID-19 test came back positive. Within five days, Chamorro started having symptoms, too. Ultimately, they both landed in critical care at Houston Methodist. Chamorros condition was so severe, doctors put her in a medically induced coma to intubate her. Nurses recorded her husbands heartbeat so she could hear it when she awoke and know he was OK. He didnt survive that long. After many attempts, doctors were able to wake Chamorro the day before her husbands funeral. She spent 100 days in the hospital and still sleeps with oxygen. If the vaccine had been available in July of 2020, my reality would be completely different, she told USA TODAY. We wouldnt even be having this conversation today. Contributing: Andrea Ball, Mary Claire Molloy, Kaitlyn Radde and Emma Uber. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Vaccine requirement at Houston hospital could spark nationwide trend Juneteenth will now be a state holiday in Illinois. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill on Wednesday making his state the 47th in the nation to establish June 19 as a day to recognize the end of slavery. LIGHTFOOT CALLS FOR FEDERAL GUN CONTROL IN RESPONSE TO ANOTHER BLOODY CHICAGO WEEKEND "Today, even a full 156 years after the 13th Amendment formally and constitutionally declared slavery illegal throughout the entire United States, we all know what it means to see justice as yet undelivered," the Democrat said before signing the bill, according to the Chicago Tribune. This year will also be the first time Juneteenth will be a paid holiday in Cook County. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced the city would recognize the date as a city holiday on Monday. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. "Juneteenth deserves more than a passing mention in a textbook or headline," Lightfoot said, according to a report by the Chicago Sun-Times. "Here in Chicago, we are taking an important step forward to ensure Juneteenth receives its proper recognition." Also on Wednesday, the U.S. House passed a bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday a day after it sailed through the Senate. The legislation heads to President Joe Biden's desk for a signature. The bill would make June 19 the 11th federal public holiday. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Juneteenth recognizes when the last slaves were freed in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865 more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Washington Examiner Videos Tags: News, Slavery, Illinois, Chicago Original Author: Mica Soellner Original Location: Illinois makes Juneteenth a state holiday Editor's note: Colorado's General Assembly approved 502 bills this year. In this occasional series, we unpack what it means for you. Democratic lawmakers declared a war on "Big Pharma" this year, and delivered a handful of major bills designed to bring down the cost of prescription drugs. Why it matters: Colorado spent nearly $4 billion on prescription drugs in 2018, according to an analysis, which equates to 13% of all health care spending. Get market news worthy of your time with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free. What's new: The most significant measure is the creation of a Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board which Gov. Jared Polis signed Wednesday. The law allows a board of political appointees to set price limits for up to 12 prescription drugs annually for the first three years of the board's existence. What else: Other legislation to reduce spending on prescription drugs ... Expands the still-pending Canadian drug importation program to include other countries, where drugs are often cheaper. Fixes a gap in current law that allowed pharmacies to get around a cap on insulin prices, and creates a fund to help those who can't afford it. Imposes new regulations on pharmacy benefit managers the middlemen that process three-quarters of all prescriptions. Forces companies to compete for state drug contracts through a reverse auction. What they're saying: "No one should have to choose between buying food or the prescriptions they need," Democratic Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis, a pharmacist who represents Boulder County, said in a press release. Yes, but: Democratic leaders and advocates hailed the efforts as momentous, but their estimates of savings are exaggerated and include caveats. Most notably, the new state regulations may not help everyone because the state has limited regulatory authority over some employer-based plans. The new drug affordability board will cost taxpayers $4 million in the first seven years, legislative analysts estimate. If the board sets price limits at international rates, it may make the state's planned drug importation program which it has already spent about $2 million to develop moot. The other side: Medical providers and insurers warn that drug makers may pull their prescriptions from the market if price caps are imposed. "The reason I have concerns is that not only am I concerned that it's not going to fix that problem, but also that it's going to limit access to these very important medications," Kelly Greene, from Littleton Adventist Hospital told lawmakers earlier this year. Like this article? Get more from Axios and subscribe to Axios Markets for free. (Reuters) -Iran's president appealed to voters to set aside their grievances and take part in a presidential election on Friday that record numbers of people are expected to boycott due to economic hardship and frustration with hardline rule. Hardline judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi and moderate former Central Bank governor Abdolnaser Hemmati are the main contenders after the hardline Guardian Council disqualified several prominent candidates from running and others quit. President Hassan Rouhani, a relative moderate, urged Iranians on Thursday, as campaigning ended, not to let the shortcomings of an institution or a group keep them from voting, an apparent reference to the Guardian Council. "For the time being, let's not think about grievances tomorrow," Rouhani said in televised remarks. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has already urged people to turn out in large numbers, saying that would help avert foreign pressures on the Islamic Republic. Official opinion polls suggest turnout could be as low as 41%, significantly lower than in past elections. In addition to anger over the disqualification of prominent moderates, grievances include economic hardship exacerbated by U.S. sanctions as well as official corruption, mismanagement and a crackdown on protests in 2019 triggered by rising fuel prices. The accidental shooting down of a Ukrainian plane in Iran in January last year which killed 176 people also undermined public trust. Voting would be an insult to my intelligence, 55-year-old Fatemeh said, declining to give her second name for fear of reprisals. Raisi has already been selected by the government regardless who we vote for. Prominent dissidents inside and outside the country have called on fellow Iranians to snub the election, including exiled former crown prince Reza Pahlavi and opposition leader Mirhossein Mousavi, under house arrest since 2011. On the other hand, many leading reformists have rallied behind Hemmati, including former President Mohammad Khatami, arguing that a massive boycott would guarantee a Raisi win. Story continues Under the Iranian Constitution, the supreme leader, elected for life and responsible for choosing six of the 12-member Guardian Council, holds most of the powers of the state. Khamenei has the final say on all matters of state and sets Iran's foreign and nuclear policies. The vote would have no impact on indirect talks between Tehran and Washington on reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, the top Iranian negotiator, Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told Al Jazeera on Thursday. Polling stations open at 7 a.m. local time and close at 2 a.m. on Saturday. The interior minister told state TV that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, voting will take place outside at 67,000 sites across the country, with social distancing and the donning of face masks. Voters are asked to bring their own pens. (Editing by Philippa Fletcher and Andrew Heavens) By Daniel Leussink TOKYO (Reuters) - Business confidence levels of Japanese manufacturers and service sector firms were little changed in June from the prior month, highlighting the fragile and uneven state of the country's coronavirus recovery, a Reuters survey showed. While manufacturers' mood remained positive thanks to strong overseas demand, it was forecast to be slightly lower three months from this month, according to the Reuters Tankan poll, which tracks the Bank of Japan's (BOJ) closely watched tankan quarterly survey. The Reuters Tankan sentiment index for manufacturers edged up to 22 from 21 in May, while the mood in the service sector was more dour. The service index was flat, down from 2 the prior month, the poll conducted June 3-14 showed. (For a detailed table of the results, click) The Reuters Tankan index readings are calculated by subtracting the percentage of respondents who say conditions are poor from those who say they are good. A positive reading means optimists outnumber pessimists. Among manufacturers, buoyant sentiment at chemical and metal product makers offset less favourable conditions in sectors such as textiles and paper, according to the survey of 481 large- and mid-sized companies, in which 238 firms responded on condition of anonymity. "We're seeing a positive impact from growing overseas demand and in electronic materials-related industries," a manager at a chemical products maker said. The poll comes a day before the BOJ is set to end a June 17-18 policy meeting where it may extend its pandemic-relief programmes to support the country's economic recovery, which would help solidify the view it will lag other central banks in cutting crisis-mode policies. The BOJ's own "tankan" business survey is next due on July 1, weeks before Tokyo is set to host the Olympic Games later that month amid ongoing concerns the event could fuel a spike in COVID-19 infections. Story continues Japan's economy is expected to narrowly avoid falling into recession this quarter, but is unlikely to see the sharp growth rates of the United States, largely due to extended coronavirus curbs and Tokyo's late vaccine rollout. The Reuters Tankan survey also highlighted the hit that firms were feeling from the health crisis, with a manager at a wholesaler describing the recovery from the coronavirus blow as still being "sluggish". Another manager, at a real estate firm, also remained negative. "Demand in aviation continues to decline due to the impact of the coronavirus," the manager wrote in the survey. Manufacturers' business confidence was seen a notch lower at 21 in September, while that of service-sector firms was expected to rise to 10, the survey showed. (Reporting by Daniel Leussink; Editing by Kim Coghill) Hacienda Healthcare (AP) A judge has approved a $15m (10m) settlement in a case involving an incapacitated woman who was raped before giving birth. The settlement was made on behalf of Dr Phillip Gear, who worked at Hacienda Healthcare in Phoenix, Arizona, when the 29-year-old woman had lived since the age of three. In a lawsuit against the state and Hacienda, her family alleged that the incapacitated woman was violently and repeatedly raped and that it failed to notice signs of her pregnancy, including weight gain, NBC News reported. Hacienda also allegedly ignored requests for the woman to be tended to by female health workers, which it failed to do. After the birth was reported in December 2018, investigations found that there were signs she had been pregnant and given birth before. Her body also had cuts that were healed. A former worker at Hacienda, Nathan Sutherland, was arrested for sexual assault but has pleaded not guilty to charges. Investigators found that DNA from Nathan Sutherland, who was not a target of the lawsuit, matched with that of the womans baby son. The settlement, which a judge ruled was reasonable last week, is the biggest publicly known settlement reached over the attack on the woman. Dr Phillips insurer reportedly died late last year, and argued in court papers that it has no obligation to pay the amount, arguing the doctors policy didnt cover claims arising from a sexual act. Additional reporting by Associated Press Read More Pro-Trump congressman gets arrest warrant for man who served Capitol riot lawsuit on his wife House votes to repeal war powers granted for invasion of Iraq Supreme Court rules in favour of Catholic foster agency that wont serve same-sex couples A federal judge declined Thursday to dismiss criminal charges against two Kentucky constables on trial for allegedly violating peoples rights through improper searches and seizures of money and property. Defense attorneys for Pulaski County constables Michael Wally Wallace and Gary E. Baldock argued the prosecutor had not put on enough evidence against the men. The defense attorneys asked U.S. District Judge Robert E. Wier to acquit the constables rather than let a jury decide their fate. However, Wier said there was sufficient evidence to allow a jury to decide the case. The standard for the decision was whether a rational juror could find the prosecution had established the elements of the offense, with inferences decided in favor of the prosecution at that point in the trial. The evidence the judge pointed to included testimony and records about an incident in which Wallace and Baldock searched and arrested an officer working undercover for the FBI. The goal of the undercover operation was to provide a tip that the man might be a drug dealer and see if Wallace and Baldock would plant drugs on him or steal money from him. Pulaski County Constables Michael Wally Wallace, left, and Gary Baldock, right, were indicted in federal court in 2020. The two encountered the operative, Kareem Pinkney, in the parking lot at the Somerset Mall. The citation Wallace filled out charging Pinkney with public intoxication said he had slurred speech and was unsteady on his feet, but the jury concluded that information was fabricated to arrest Pinkney, Wier said. The FBI made secret video and audio recordings of Pinkneys encounter with the constables. He was not slurring his speech on the recordings and did not appear unsteady. Wier also noted Wallace searched Pinkneys phone without a warrant. On another incident, Wallace said in a warrant application that he found drugs in a cigarette pack under the seat of a suspects car, but presented information at the trial this week that he found the drugs inside a glove in the door panel of the car. Some witnesses against the constables have credibility problems, Wier said, but it wouldnt be unreasonable for jurors to conclude the constables operated in a way that ran roughshod over peoples rights. Story continues Wallace and Baldock are charged with conspiring to violate peoples rights and with possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it. That refers to allegedly having drugs to plant on people. Defense attorneys have argued Wallace and Baldock did not plant drugs or conduct illegal searches, and are innocent of the charges. Wallaces attorney, Robert Norfleet, presented testimony from police and prosecutors Thursday who said Wallace had often called them for guidance on proper procedures in searches and investigations. He was trying to gain knowledge, I would say, said Tom Reed, a detective for the Pulaski County Attorneys Office. The trial is being held at the federal courthouse in London. As hard as it is to get Democrats and Republicans to agree on anything these days, they came together to make Juneteenth a federal holiday because George Floyd's death and withering concern about its cost finally won over critics. Why it matters: Juneteenth will be the first new holiday since 1983, when Congress finally approved Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. When President Biden signs it into law, June 19 will formally commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. Stay on top of the latest market trends and economic insights with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free Establishing MLK Jr. Day was extremely controversial at the time and took almost 20 years to accomplish. Making Juneteenth a national holiday happened in roughly a year. It gained momentum last year after Floyd's murder while in police custody sparked the massive Black Lives Matter protests across the country. Congressional leaders finally dropped their party differences this week, with the Senate passing it Tuesday and the House doing the same Wednesday. Between the lines: "It just seems like, given everything that's going on in terms of race relations in the country, it's an important reminder of how far we've come and how far we still have to go," Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), a co-sponsor of the Senate bill, told Axios. The bill's passage comes as the parties continue to haggle over expansive legislation on voting rights and police reform. Some critics questioned whether Republicans were seeking to inoculate themselves over any vote against either bill. Cornyn dismissed any potential crossover effect from Juneteenth to the other bills, saying, "Those are really apples and oranges, in my opinion." The backdrop: The legislation was introduced on a bipartisan basis in 2020 by Cornyn and Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.). Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) then blocked the bill, arguing that having federal employees take the day off would cost U.S. taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. But Johnson didn't block the bill Tuesday when the Senate took it up again eager to pass it before this Saturday, June 19. "It is clear that there is no appetite in Congress to further discuss the matter," Johnson said. The big picture: For years, Juneteenth has been celebrated in Houston and Galveston, Texas, to commemorate U.S. Major General Gordon Granger issuing General Order No. 3 during the Civil War. Story continues That order announced that, in accordance with the Emancipation Proclamation, all slaves are free. It was one of the last places in the U.S. where enslaved people learned of the Emancipation. Juneteenth recently has become a day marked in other cities particularly within the African American community and became a rallying point last year. What they're saying: "It'd be opportunities for us to get together and talk about those elements of this history, to make a difference on the idea that America did eliminate the freedom of some of the human beings in their nation," U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), the bill's sponsor in the House, told Axios' Russell Contreras. "It would mean that we could talk about freedom, we could use the word freedom, we could, in essence, be unafraid of freedom." Like this article? Get more from Axios and subscribe to Axios Markets for free. A man who was freed from a Kansas prison two months ago in a rare medical release died Friday, according to the ACLU of Kansas. He was 48. Christopher McIntyre had been battling terminal cancer when he was released April 12 from the Lansing Correctional Facility and into the care of relatives in Wichita. He had been serving time behind bars for aggravated burglary. Sharon Brett, the ACLU of Kansas legal director, said she was grateful McIntyre was released so he didnt have to die alone in a cage. He spent his last two months with family and friends. But she said there are other Kansas prisoners who are terminally ill. Chris was just one of them, Brett said. There are so many people who are very ill who meet the criteria ... who have been denied. McIntyre was among 108 ACLU of Kansas clients who requested executive clemency from Gov. Laura Kelly since the COVID-19 pandemic began. He was instead freed after the Kansas Department of Corrections granted his application for release due to functional incapacitation, which permits early release for incarcerated people who have medical or mental health conditions so grave that they do not pose a threat to the public. That kind of release is rare. Over the past five years, the department of corrections has granted it to two other people, a spokesperson has said. One was in 2016; the other was last year. The ACLU of Kansas has sought that type of release for other clients, but McIntyre has been the only freed through the process. At the time, his family said they were grateful to corrections officials for this measure of mercy. Christopher McIntyre with two of his children. McIntyre had originally been scheduled to be released May 16, 2024. In his clemency application, he said he had lost 50 pounds in prison and suffered from constant nausea and weakness of limbs. Prisoners can also be released if they are within 30 days of death. A bill that would have extended that period to 120 days did not pass this year. If it had, Brett said, McIntyre would have likely been released sooner. What do we get as a society from continuing to incarcerate people who are that sick, who are within weeks or months of death? she asked. What do we get by forcing people to die in prison when theyre not serving life sentences? MOSCOW (Reuters) -The Kremlin said on Thursday that Ukrainian membership of NATO would be a "red line" for Moscow and that it was worried by talk that Kyiv may one day be granted a membership action plan. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov made the remarks a day after U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks in Geneva. Peskov said the summit had been positive overall. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday that he wanted a clear "yes" or "no" from Biden on giving Ukraine a plan to join the NATO. Biden said Ukraine needed to root out corruption and to meet other criteria before it could join. Peskov said Moscow was following the situation closely. "This is something we are watching very closely and this really is a red line for us - as regards the prospect of Ukraine joining NATO," Peskov told the Ekho Moskvy radio station. "Of course, this (the question of a membership plan for Ukraine) raises our concerns," he said. Peskov said that Moscow and Washington agreed at the Geneva summit that they needed to holds talks on arms control as soon as possible. Biden and Putin agreed at the summit to embark on regular negotiations to try to lay the groundwork for future arms control agreements and risk reduction measures. Russia's deputy foreign minister said earlier on Thursday that Moscow expected those talks with Washington to start within weeks. He made the comments in a newspaper interview that was published on the foreign ministry's website on Thursday. (Reporting by Anton Zverev; Writing by Tom Balmforth; Editing by Andrew Osborn) BEIRUT (AP) Shops, government offices, businesses and banks shuttered their doors in Lebanon on Thursday, as part of a general strike to protest deteriorating economic conditions and press for a government to deal with the worsening political and economic crises. The strike, which was accompanied by several roadblocks set up around Beirut and other cities, was ironically supported by the very political parties blamed for the months-long deadlock over forming a government. This drew criticism from many activists and commentators, who questioned why those who were driving the economic and financial meltdown were themselves on strike. Lebanon has been without a fully functioning government since August. Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri, named to the post in October, has failed to gain support from the presidency over his Cabinet picks and the two sides have locked horns over who gets more say in shaping a government. The World Bank has described Lebanon's financial and economic crisis as among the worst in the world in 150 years. The crisis, festering since 2019, has reached new heights in recent weeks. Fuel has been in short supply, power outages have increased, and medicine mostly imported has been missing. Hospitals have closed their labs to outpatients and prices have soared and the value of wages dropped as the national currency, pegged to the dollar for 30 years, is in free fall. On the black market, the Lebanese pound sells at nearly 10 times its official rate to the dollar. The financial meltdown is threatening to undermine the national army, wiping out soldiers' salaries and putting unprecedented pressure on the military's operational abilities. France was holding a fundraiser virtual meeting on Thursday aimed at mobilizing aid, including food, medicine and medical equipment for the Lebanese army. Over 20 countries are expected to take part. Protesters blocked Beirut's airport highway with trash bins, setting them on fire, and causing large clouds of black smoke to hang over the motorway. Banks and government offices were shut and several shops in central Beirut were also closed. Story continues Critics ridiculed the ruling elite's attempt to rally behind the strike. A hashtag on Twitter called the regime revolts was trending on Thursday. Memes were posted using pictures from popular anti-government protests in 2019, replacing faces of protesters arrested or dragged by security forces with those of images of prominent politicians. Amid the crisis, politicians appeared in no rush to form a government that would have to take major, unpopular reform and austerity decisions. On Wednesday, a public war of words broke out between President Michel Aoun and powerful parliament speaker Nabih Berri, who has offered to mediate the deadlock. Berri questioned the role of the president in delaying the Cabinet formation suggesting that Aoun and his Christian party, led by his son-in-law, were seeking enough seats in the government to block decisions. Aoun responded by denying the charges and accusing Berri of siding with the prime minister-designate. The system is going on strike against itself while its pillars are fighting among themselves over powers that no longer exist to prove to us who can contribute to our bankruptcy more than the other, tweeted Samy Gemayel, head of the Kataeb party. He resigned from parliament last year over corruption and a massive explosion in Beirut's port. The three leaders are not living on the same planet as us, he added. Leo Varadkar - PA Britain criticised Leo Varadkar on Wednesday after the Irish deputy prime minister said that a united Ireland could be achieved in his lifetime. The former prime minister urged his Fine Gael party to work with a growing middle ground of voters in Northern Ireland to reunify the island, which was divided a century ago this year. Mr Varadkar, who will take the top job in Irish government again next year under a coalition agreement, said at the annual Fine Gael party conference: "It is a legitimate political aspiration." He said: "Unification must not be the annexation of Northern Ireland. It means something more, a new state designed together, a new constitution and one that reflects the diversity of a binational or multinational state in which almost a million people are British. Like the new South Africa, a rainbow nation, not just orange and green," he added. Brandon Lewis, the Northern Ireland secretary, said that the comments were "ill-advised" and "unhelpful" in the House of Commons on Wednesday. He urged all sides to "dial down the rhetoric", as Northern Ireland struggles with a burgeoning political crisis and turmoil caused by Brexit. Mr Lewis later held talks with local leaders in an effort to bridge bitter divides over Irish language legislation that threatens to collapse the power-sharing government in Stormont. The UK and Sinn Fein reached an agreement on the law at about 1am on Thursday morning. If no solution had been found before June 21, early elections would have been triggered. Unionists criticised Mr Varadkar, 42, for adding to the tensions, which have been further stoked by British and EU clashes over the Irish Sea border. Doug Beattie, the Ulster Unionist party leader, told the RTE broadcaster: "Good man, Leo, for bringing up Irish unity again when we are in a crisis." Talks between Mr Varadkar and Boris Johnson were crucial in sealing the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, which includes the Northern Ireland Protocol, in 2019. Story continues Street protests There have been loyalist street protests against the Protocol, which prevents a hard Irish border by introducing checks on goods from Britain and keeping Northern Ireland aligned to EU rules. The EU has threatened Britain with trade tariffs if it unilaterally extends a grace period in the Protocol to ensure that British sausages can still be sold in Northern Irish shops from July 1. Mr Johnson has vowed to act if he feels that the UKs territorial integrity is at stake by triggering Article 16 of the Protocol, which Brussels warns would break international law. The UK and EU have both accused each other of jeopardising the peace process and the Good Friday Agreement, as Northern Ireland braces itself for the start of the marching season. The 1998 treaty that ended the Troubles states that the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland can call a referendum on Irish reunification if it appears "likely" a majority would back it. The Good Friday Agreement is unclear as to how the Secretary of State would judge public opinion. Protestant majority Both Ireland and Northern Ireland must support reunification in separate border polls for it to go ahead. A poll for the Irish Independent newspaper showed that about 66 percent of Irish voters backed the move but only just more than a third of Northern Irish voters did. Northern Ireland has historically been dominated by a protestant majority that identifies as British. Academics predict that Catholics, who are more likely to support reunification and have closer ties to Ireland, will soon outnumber protestants in Northern Ireland. The threat of Scottish independence after Brexit is also sapping support for unionism, it is suggested. Mr Varadkar said there was "no majority anymore" in Northern Ireland. "There are three minorities: one that defines itself as British and Unionist, another as Irish and Nationalist, and a third and growing middle ground - many born since the Good Friday Agreement - who refuse to be defined in this way," he said. He added that his centrist Fine Gael party should build its presence in Northern Ireland but not put candidates up for election there. Fully-vaccinated Britons would be allowed to return from amber list countries without having to quarantine - Hannah McKay/Reuters Children under 18 must be exempt from the Government's proposed new double vaccination scheme for holidays, senior Tories have urged, as ministers appeared to endorse the plan. Jesse Norman, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, confirmed on Thursday that the Government was looking at opening up summer holidays abroad to fully vaccinated Britons, allowing them to return from amber list countries without having to quarantine. Amid concerns that EU nations are stealing a march on the UK by opening up to vaccinated travellers, he said: "We don't want to be left behind by other countries that are taking a two-jab approach if it can be done safely." Officials are currently preparing a double vaccination strategy, but ministers have yet to decide whether under-18s should be exempted and whether the scheme should apply only to Britons but not foreign visitors. Huw Merriman, the Tory chairman of the transport select committee, said it had repeatedly called for travel to be made easier for those who were fully vaccinated. "The Government should deliver this proposal it amounts to the first instalment of the vaccine dividend for those wishing to go abroad," he said. "For those too young to receive the vaccine, we cannot leave them behind. Testing and a low risk from Covid should allow for their inclusion." Graham Brady, the chairman of the influential Tory backbench 1922 committee, said more than 30 countries exempted vaccinated holidaymakers from quarantine and it was "high time" the UK caught up. "Children for whom vaccination is not recommended or routinely available should be exempt from this requirement," he said. "Families should be able to travel together in the knowledge that children are also less likely to catch Covid or to spread it." Britain's airlines will write to Boris Johnson on Friday, urging him to open up amber list travel to fully vaccinated Britons when the current traffic light system for foreign trips is reviewed on June 28. Story continues Tim Alderslade, the Airlines UK chief executive, said: "This is the last chance saloon for the aviation and travel sectors. Either the next review opens things up from July onwards or else the summer is effectively over. "The stakes could not be higher for the tens of thousands of people who work in this industry." New figures show UK airlines flying out of Britain are being forced to cancel dozens of flights just as EU countries are starting to add to their schedules, fuelling fears that other companies could follow easyJet and move planes over to Europe. Data from aviation analysts Cirium shows half the scheduled flights from the UK to Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal are being axed daily. Flights to Greece dropped by more than two-thirds from 47 to 13 and 39 to seven on two days at the end of May. With just 11 countries on the UK's quarantine-free green list, the number of flights leaving the country are 72.5 per cent down on 2019 levels for June the worst performing nation in Europe apart from Ireland, according to air traffic control data. By contrast, Europe is edging back towards normality as it opens up to vaccinated holidaymakers. Greece is down 44 per cent, Portugal 47 per cent, France 52 per cent and Spain 54.5 per cent. One travel operator said: "Our bookings in Germany are going like the clappers. All the Germans are going to the Algarve and Majorca and they are having no problems putting their towels on the sun loungers because the Brits are not there." Paul Charles, the chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency, said: "The Government's policies are leading to a substantial reduction in airlines using the UK. They are shifting their assets to Europe or delaying the introduction of services. These policies are starting to hurt economically and damage the fabric of the UK economy." (Bloomberg) -- Maine became the first U.S. state to enact a law requiring divestment from fossil fuels, after Governor Janet Mills signed a measure ordering public funds to jettison investments in coal, petroleum, natural gas and related products. The state treasury and the $17 billion public employees pension fund must dump any fossil-fuel holdings by 2026, according to the measure signed on Wednesday. The Maine Public Employees Retirement System holds more than $1.3 billion in fossil fuel companies, according to environmental group Stand.earth. Holdings as of the first quarter included Exxon Mobil Corp. and Chevron Corp., with both companies among the funds top 30 investments by market value, data posted on its website show. Public pension plans and college endowments have already stepped up efforts to address their investments in fossil fuels to fight climate change. New York State Common Retirement Fund said it may divest from the riskiest oil and gas companies by 2025, while the University of Southern Californias endowment said it will end its investments in fossil fuels and divest its existing holdings over the next several years. Brown Universitys endowment has sold most of its investments in fossil-fuel companies. 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. Jun. 17WILKES-BARRE An Ashley man who had been accused of threatening to blow up the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in November entered a plea of no contest on Wednesday. Joseph Adam Prednis, 55, appeared before Luzerne County President Judge Michael T. Vough on Wednesday, entering a no contest plea on a misdemeanor count of terroristic threats. A no contest plea means that the defendant does not officially admit guilt, but they acknowledge that prosecutors have enough evidence against them to convict. A no contest plea leads to a sentencing as if it were a guilty plea. According to police, an employee at the medical facility's call center told police that he made threatening statements, saying he was going to "Wack every one of you, just you see, you name the day and I'll be there." An officer with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs called Prednis, who allegedly said "I don't give a (expletive) who you are," and threatened to "blow up the building," before going on to say that he would "gut people" if officers did anything. While in court on Wednesday, Prednis also entered no contest pleas on misdemeanor counts of simple assault and terroristic threats in another case. In that unrelated case, Ashley police allege he swung a machete at a woman outside his apartment on Nov. 6, 2019. Vough set Prednis' sentencing for Aug. 11 in both cases. Until then, he will be locked up at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility, as Vough revoked his bail. After being kicked out of his grandfathers home in Davie for not paying rent or taking his medications, Kaazim Campbell pulled out a handgun and fired five times into the tires of cars parked in the driveway, according to police. He then took off on foot, walking through the City Park West mobile home community. When Davie officers who had been called to a domestic disturbance arrived they found the 26-year-old walking near the entrance of the City Park West mobile home community. Officers tried to stop him, but Campbell took off running through an open field, according to a police report. At some point, Campbell fired at the two responding officers, forcing the officers to return fire, police said. Campbell was hit several times and was rushed to a nearby hospital for surgery. On Thursday, authorities released Campbells arrest reports which revealed the details that led up to the shootout Wednesday night between Campbell and the police officers. Campbell, whose condition was unknown, now faces charges including attempted felony murder. An attorney was not listed for him. The officers involved, who have not been identified, are on administrative leave while the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigates. According to police, Campbell got in an argument with his grandfather at about 10 a.m. Wednesday. The argument didnt get physical, authorities noted, but the grandfather asked Campbell to leave. When Campbell returned at about 5 p.m., the door was locked and he was not allowed in, police said. The grandfather and his two daughters then came outside through a different door. Thats when Campbell shot at the vehicles, police said. The shootout with police happened about an hour after in the open fields near the mobile home park. Sen. Joe Manchin avoided directly answering whether he is for lowering the Senate's filibuster threshold to 55 on Thursday, after he seemed open to the possibility in comments that leaked from a private call with an interest group earlier in the week. The Intercept published the comments from Manchin, D-W.Va., which he made on a call with "No Labels," a group that supports moderate politicians from each party. He appeared to be open to the possibility of lowering the filibuster to 55 or forcing senators to speak on the floor while blocking a bill. "Everything's good," Manchin said in response to a Thursday question from Fox News seeking to clarify his position on lowering the filibuster to 55. Manchin told Politico Wednesday, "I haven't endorsed any," proposed changes to the filibuster. He added that the filibuster helps the United States be "a reliable and stable power." But those comments differed significantly from what he told "No Labels" earlier in the week. "[T]hats one of many good, good suggestions Ive had," Manchin told the "No Labels" call of lowering the threshold to 55, according to The Intercept. "I looked back when it went from 67 votes to 60 votes, and also what was happening, what made them think that it needed to change. So Im open to looking at it, Im just not open to getting rid of the filibuster, thats all." Manchin also appeared to say on the call that he was open to forcing a "talking filibuster," which he suggested earlier in the year but then appeared to retract. DEMOCRATS DISTANCE THEMSELVES FROM PREVIOUS PRO-FILIBUSTER STANCE, CITING GOP OBSTRUCTION "Right now, 60 is where I planted my flag, but as long as they know that Im going to protect this filibuster, were looking at good solutions," Manchin said, according to The Intercept. "I think, basically, it should be [that] 41 people have to force the issue versus the 60 that we need in the affirmative. So find 41 in the negative. I think one little change that could be made right now is basically anyone who wants to filibuster ought to be required to go to the floor and basically state your objection and why youre filibustering and also state what you think needs to change thatd fix it, so you would support it. To me, thats pretty constructive." Story continues Manchin and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., are the most vocal Democratic senators in defending the filibuster Sinema fervently defended the filibuster in a press appearance earlier in the month. But others who are not necessarily guaranteed votes for Democrats to abolish the filibuster are Sens. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., and Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., and potentially others. Republicans have attacked Democrats over their threats to get rid of the filibuster, often citing the fact that Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and other Republicans did not get rid of the minority protection while they were in the majority, despite demands from former President Donald Trump that they do so. SINEMA SAYS FIX TO SENATE GRIDLOCK IS TO CHANGE YOUR BEHAVIOR RATHER THAN ABOLISH FILIBUSTER They also often point to the 2017 letter signed by more than half of Senate Democrats in 2017 supporting the filibuster a position from which many of them are distancing themselves. McConnell threatened earlier in 2021 to turn the Senate into a "100-car pileup" if Democrats eliminate the filibuster. "So let me say this very clearly for all 99 of my colleagues. Nobody serving in this chamber can even begin to imagine what a completely scorched-earth Senate would look like," McConnell said in a recent floor speech. "None of us have served one minute in a Senate that was completely drained of comity and consent. This is an institution that requires unanimous consent to turn the lights on before noon, to proceed with a garden-variety floor speech." But many Democrats, however, allege that the filibuster is a racist obstruction to progress and needs to be eliminated. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "The same filibuster that blocked civil rights legislation a generation ago will be used to block the Equality Act, the For the People Act, and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act," Rep. Mondaire Jones, D-N.Y., tweeted earlier in 2021. "But it doesn't have to be this way." Fox News' Jason Donner contributed to this report. Rep. Thomas Massie had a heated exchange with a reporter over the Kentucky Republican declining to take the COVID-19 vaccine. First of all, its none of your business, but Im going to tell you, Massie fired back at a reporter on Tuesday who said he dodged questions about whether or not he had been vaccinated. Im not vaccinated, and until theres some science by the way, I have a master's of science degree from MIT. Im not a virologist, but I can read data. Everybody just needs to read, and dont put your head in the sand. Look at the data, Massie continued during the press conference regarding the Fire Fauci Act. Im not going to get the vaccine until theres data that shows that it will approve upon the immunity thats been conferred to me as a result of a natural infection that I had. Massies comments come just a week after a large study from scientists at the Cleveland Clinic found that vaccinating people who had already been infected with COVID-19 offered no additional benefit to that individual. PEOPLE ALREADY INFECTED WITH COVID-19 GAIN NO ADDITIONAL BENEFITS FROM VACCINATION: STUDY The study looked at over 52,000 Cleveland Clinic employees and found that there was no significant decrease in COVID-19 infections for people who had already had the virus and later received the vaccine. Of the COVID-19 infections that did occur, 99.3% were in people who had not been vaccinated or had a previous infection. The other 0.7% of infections came from vaccinated individuals with no previous infection. The study did not find a single case of a person who was previously infected with COVID-19 becoming reinfected, regardless of whether he or she had been vaccinated or not. The study concluded that vaccines reduce the risk of COVID-19 for those who had never been infected. Massie has long argued there wasnt enough data to support the notion that those who have previously been infected with COVID-19 should receive the vaccine, saying last month that it was unlikely he would gain any benefit from being vaccinated. Story continues CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER I too am declining to take the vaccine because I previously recovered from SARS-CoV2 and its unlikely I would benefit from the vaccine at this point, Massie tweeted at the time. "But notice how the media uses the verb 'refuse' instead of the more appropriate verb 'decline.' Washington Examiner Videos Tags: News, Coronavirus, Vaccination, Kentucky Original Author: Michael Lee Original Location: Massie scolds reporter for questioning him on decision to decline vaccine: 'First of all, it's none of your business' Mark and Patricia McCloskey pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges after they brandished weapons against protesters outside their home in June 2020 during the height of riots surrounding the death of George Floyd. On Thursday, Mark McCloskey pleaded guilty to a fourth-degree misdemeanor of assault and was ordered to pay a $750 fine, while Patricia McCloskey pleaded guilty to a second-degree misdemeanor of harassment and mandated to pay $2,000. Neither will face jail time, though the pair's firearms will be destroyed by state authorities. Mark McCloskey, donning a pink polo, walked around his lawn on June 29, 2020, with an AR-15, while his wife, Patricia, carried a silver handgun to confront a mob of protesters who they said broke into their luxury St. Louis neighborhood and threatened them. Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner charged both of them while law enforcement seized the guns used to ward off the crowd. [They said] that they were going to kill us, said Patricia McCloskey in July 2020. They were going to come in there. They were going to burn down the house. They were going to be living in our house after I was dead, and they were pointing to different rooms and said, Thats going to be my bedroom, and thats going to be the living room, and Im going to be taking a shower in that room.'" ST. LOUIS PROSECUTOR WHO CHARGED MCCLOSKEYS FACES PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS The McCloskeys have gained popularity among conservatives after appearing at the Republican National Convention before the November election to endorse former President Donald Trump. Mark McCloskey has since launched a Senate bid in his home state of Missouri. "I've always been a Republican, but I've never been a politician ... All we hear is talk, and nothing ever changes. It just seemed to me that people have to stand up," he said May 18 on Fox News. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Questions were raised regarding the ethics of the charges brought against the McCloskeys after Gardner was removed from a prosecutorial role in the case. In December 2020, a judge ruled she raised the appearance of initiating a "criminal prosecution for political purposes, following reports that she used the charges to circulate fundraising emails for her reelection bid. Story continues In January, Gardner lost her second appeal to lead the prosecution effort against the duo. After news broke of Gardner's possible ulterior motives, the McCloskeys demanded their criminal case be "revisited" by a grand jury in April. Due to the bias of Kim Gardners office, we believe the grand jury process was tainted and should be reviewed and revisited, said Joel Schwartz, the attorney for the pair, at the time. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Gardner faced allegations in May that could result in the revocation of her law license. The Missouri Chief Disciplinary Counsel found probable cause that Gardner is "guilty of professional misconduct" after she allegedly hid evidence and fabricated facts while she was prosecuting then-Gov. Eric Greitens. Authorities claimed Gardner concealed investigation details from her team, failed to disclose facts to Greitens's legal team, and misrepresented evidence to a court of law. She denied the accusations. Washington Examiner Videos Tags: News, St. Louis, Missouri, Senate, RNC, Riots, Unrest Original Author: Jake Dima Original Location: McCloskeys plead guilty to charges after gun-toting display USA, New Jersey, Jersey City, Rear view of senior woman wearing hospital gown Credit - Getty Images/Tetra images RF We are taught that medicine is the art of solving our bodys mysteries. And we expect medicine, as a science, to uphold the principles of evidence and impartiality. We want our doctors to listen to us and care for us as people. But we also need their assessments of our pain and fevers, aches and exhaustion, to be free of any prejudice about who we are. We expect, and deserve, fair and ethical treatment regardless of our gender or the color of our skin. But here things get complicated. Medicine carries the burden of its own troubling history. The history of medicine, of illness, is every bit as social and cultural as it is scientific. It is a history of people, of their bodies and their lives, not just of physicians, surgeons, clinicians and researchers. And medical progress has not marched forward just in laboratories and benches, lectures and textbooks; it has always reflected the realities of the changing world and the meanings of being human. Gender difference is intimately stitched into the fabric of humanness. At every stage in its long history, medicine has absorbed and enforced socially constructed gender divisions. These divisions have traditionally ascribed power and dominance to men. Historically, women have been subordinated in politics, wealth and education. Modern scientific medicine, as it has evolved over the centuries as a profession, an institution and a discipline, has flourished in these exact conditions. Male dominanceand with it the superiority of the male bodywas cemented into medicines very foundations, laid down in ancient Greece. In the third century BCE, the philosopher Aristotle described the female body as the inverse of the male body, with its genitalia turnd outside in. Women were marked by their anatomical difference from men and medically defined as faulty, defective, deficient. But women also possessed an organ of the highest biologicaland socialvalue: the uterus. Possession of this organ defined the purpose of women: to bear and raise children. Knowledge about female biology centered on womens capacityand dutyto reproduce. Being biologically female defined and constrained what it meant to be a woman. Womens illnesses and diseases consistently related back to the secrets and curiosities of her reproductive organs. Story continues Of course, not all women have uteruses, and not all people who have uteruses, or who menstruate, are women. But medicine, historically, has insisted on conflating biological sex with gender identity. As medicines understanding of female biology has expanded and evolved, it has constantly reflected and validated dominant social and cultural expectations about who women are; what they should think, feel and desire; andabove all elsewhat they can do with their own bodies. Medical myths about gender roles and behaviors, constructed as facts before medicine became an evidence-based science, have resonated perniciously. And these myths about female bodies and illnesses have enormous cultural sticking power. Today, gender myths are ingrained as biases that negatively impact the care, treatment and diagnosis of all people who identify as women. For example, health-care providers and the health-care system are failing women in their responses to and treatment of womens pain, especially chronic pain. Women are more likely to be offered minor tranquilizers and antidepressants than analgesic pain medication. Women are less likely to be referred for further diagnostic investigations than men are. And womens pain is much more likely to be seen as having an emotional or a psychological cause, rather than a bodily or biological one. Women are the predominant sufferers of chronic diseases that begin with pain. But before our pain is taken seriously as a symptom of a possible disease, it first has to be validatedand believedby a medical professional. And this pervasive aura of distrust around womens accounts of their pain has been enfolded into medical attitudes over centuries. The historicaland hystericalidea that womens excessive emotions have profound influences on their bodies, and vice versa, is impressed like a photographic negative beneath todays image of the attention-seeking, hypochondriac female patient. Prevailing social stereotypes about the way women experience, express, and tolerate pain are not modern phenomenathey have been ingrained across medicines history. Our contemporary biomedical knowledge is stained with the residue of old stories, fallacies, assumptions, and myths. Get your history fix in one place: sign up for the weekly TIME History newsletter Over the past few years, gender bias in medical knowledge, research, and practice has hit the mainstream. Headlines like Why Wont Doctors Believe Women?, Doctors Are Failing Women with Chronic Illness, and Doctors Are More Likely to Misdiagnose Women Than Men crop up regularly in the U.K. and U.S. press. Public awareness is growing around the way that women are all too frequently being dismissed and misdiagnosed. Were learning that medical sexism is rife, systemic and making women sicker. But women are not a monolithic category. The discrimination women encounter as medical patients is magnified when they are Black, Asian, Indigenous, Latinx, or ethnically diverse; when their access to health services is restricted; and when they dont identify with the gender norms medicine ascribes to biological womanhood. It seems ridiculous now to imagine physicians once believed that womens nerves were too highly strung for them to receive an education and that their ovaries would become inflamed if they read too much. But these outrageous myths are alive and well in a world where menstruation and menopause are still seen by many people as credible reasons why women shouldnt hold positions of political power. When clinical research exempts women from studies and trials on the grounds that female hormones fluctuate too much and upset the consistency of results, medical culture is reinforcing the centuries-old myth that women are too biologically erratic to be useful or valuable. Since the 1960s, feminist health campaigners have fought tirelessly against the suppression of drugs side effects and systemic gender and racial bias in clinical research, from both inside and outside the medical establishment. Women forced changes in law and practice by campaigning from the ground up. Their efforts, ultimately, have made medications, including the contraceptive pill and hormone replacement therapy, safer for all women. And medical feminism has a long, fascinating, and inspiring history of women raising their heads above the parapet to ensure that women are represented, cared for and listened to. Feminist social reformers denounced medicines perpetuation of womens natural inferiority in the 18th century. Grassroots activists in the 1970s empowered women to reclaim the ownership and enjoyment of their bodies from man-made medical mystification, and created knowledge for women, by women. In the decades and centuries in between, feminist physicians, socialists, researchers and reformers have defended womens body rights and freedomsfrom normalizing menstruation and celebrating sexual pleasure to legalizing contraception and defending reproductive autonomy. Medicine is working to revolutionize its practice and protocols, but there is a long legacy to quash when it comes to womens bodies and minds. I know from experience that this legacy continues to stymie effective and timely care, diagnosis, and treatment. It is well past time for medicines checkered past to give way to a future where the fabric of womens experience is recognized and respected in its entirety. I believe that the only way to move forward, to change the culture of myth and misdiagnosis that obscures medicines understanding of unwell women, is to learn from our history. In the man-made world, womens bodies and minds have been the primary battleground of gender oppression. To dismantle this painful legacy in medical knowledge and practice, we must first understand where we are and how we got here. No unwell woman should be reduced to a file of notes, a set of clinical observations, a case study lurking in an archive. Medicine must listen to and believe our testimonies about our own bodies and ultimately turn its energies, time, and money toward finally solving our medical mysteries. The answers reside in our bodies, and in the histories our bodies have always been writing. Dutton Adapted from Unwell Women by Elinor Cleghorn. Copyright 2021 by Elinor Cleghorn. Published by arrangement with Dutton, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group/Random House/The Knopf Doubleday Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. (Getty Images) After Senator Joe Manchin pitched a compromise bill following his rejection of sweeping voting rights proposals in the For The People Act, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell whose caucus is ready to reject the Democratic bill said he also opposes the counter offer. The measure needs at last 60 votes to pass the evenly divided Senate to overcome a likely Republican filibuster; Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is teeing up a vote in the Senate on 22 June, though its unclear Democrats even have enough votes to begin debate. S1, or The For The People Act, proposes automatic voter registration and at least 15 consecutive days of early voting for federal elections, prohibits restrictive voter ID laws and standardises mail-in voting and ballot drop-boxes options. It also would eliminate partisan gerrymandering and expose donors behind super PACs and dark money groups that provide financial engines for political campaigns and lobbying efforts. The bill would also establish a voluntary public financing effort for federal campaigns, using public funds raised from a percentage of fees and fines from corporate malfeasance cases to create a 6-1 match for small-dollar donations, capped at $200. (It does not use or raise money from taxpayers.) Senator Manchins proposal would add a nationwide voter ID requirement or other alternative like providing a utility bill receipt to prove identity and make Election Day a public holiday, among an outline of roughly two dozen other proposals that incorporate some of the original bill, including tighter campaign finance and ethics rules widely rejected by Republicans. Prominent voting rights advocate Stacey Abrams said she would support the compromise measure, triggering opposition among GOP lawmakers. Senate Democrats seem to have reached a so-called compromise election takeover among themselves. In reality, the plan endorsed by Stacey Abrams is no compromise, Mr McConnell said on Thursday. Story continues Republican Senator Roy Blunt told reporters that when Stacey Abrams immediately endorsed Senator Manchins proposal, it became the Stacey Abrams substitute, not the Joe Manchin substitute. Mr McConnell said the campaign finance disclosure provision in the bill subverts the First Amendment to supercharge cancel culture and the lefts name-and-shame campaign model. He said the compromise bill remains an assault on the fundamental idea that states, not the federal government, should decide how to run their own elections. In a statement to reporters, Mr Manchin said McConnell has the right to do whatever he thinks he can do. I would hope theres enough good Republicans that understand the bedrock of our society is having accessible, open, fair and secure elections. Republican lawmakers have contended the the bill is deeply unpopular with the public but a wide majority of Americans support key elements of the bill and believe voting should be made easier, that nonpartisan commissions should be in charge of congressional redistricting, and automatic and same-day registration should be available. Read More Black Voters Matter to lead Juneteenth freedom ride for voting rights Mortal danger to American democracy: Third of election workers worry about their safety, report finds More than half of Republican voters believe 2020 election audits will change the outcome Merrick Garland vows to challenge GOP threats to voting rights What is HR1 and what would the bill mean for voting rights? Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a news conference after his meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden in Geneva, Switzerland on June 16, 2021. Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a news conference after his meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden in Geneva, Switzerland on June 16, 2021. Credit - Alexander ZemlianichenkoPool/AP This article is part of the The DC Brief, TIMEs politics newsletter. Sign up here to get stories like this sent to your inbox every weekday. That chill that went down your spine yesterday? The ghosts of the Cold War were alive and well in Geneva as Russian President Vladimir Putin stepped to his lectern to describe his talks with President Joe Biden. Fielding questions from Russian and U.S. media, Putin deployed one of Moscows most reliable and vexing tactics from the Twentieth Century in blunting criticism from Washington: Whataboutism. When asked about the political violence in his own country, Putin dismissed it as unremarkable. What is happening in our country is also taking place in many other countries, he said. People are killed in American cities every day. You can barely say a word there before you are shot in the face or in the back, regardless of who is nearby, children or other adults, Putin said, according to the official Russian translation. Cold War-era diplomatsand we, their studentsare all too familiar with this tried-and-true maneuver. For decades, when confronted with the sins of Moscow, Soviet-era diplomats simply hurled Americas own shortcomings back across the summit tables. For those steeped in such diplomatic talks, Putins whataboutery was entirely predictable. It was also nonetheless maddening because, well, it isnt entirely false, and thus cannot be dismissed. Whataboutism is the rhetorical equivalent of a teenager ignoring the infraction on the table and simply turning the case against the adult. Yes, I broke curfew, but you sped in a school zone. It doesnt dispute the underlying facts. It just accuses the accuser of a corresponding offense. When successful, it derails the actual conversation and muddies the water. Theres actually a Latin term that students learn in their freshman logic courses for this brand of ad hominem attack: tu quoque. You also. Its a sucker punch that has worked for teenagers and autocrats alike for millennia. Story continues Even before the Cold War, Soviet propagandists had developed a knack for turning Americas problems against it. In 1932, Soviets joined the cause of the Scottsboro Boys, nine Black teens wrongly accused of raping two white women in Alabama. Freedom to the Prisoners of Scottsboro! remains one of the most iconic propaganda posters in the Soviet gallery. The American Communist Partys legal arm featured more prominently in the Scottsboro Boys early legal defense than the NAACP. And it helped the pre-World War II Communists to plant modest footholds in the Black community. As the Cold War got underway in earnest, Soviet propaganda organs got in on the action. As one State Department memo noted in 1950: No American problem receives more wide-spread attention, especially in dependent areas, than our treatment of racial minorities, particularly the Negro Only by full publicity to improvements in this field can the United States position be put in fair perspective before the bar of world opinion and communist propaganda be discredited. Later that year, Sen. Henry Cabot Lodge, a Republican, called Americas troubled race relations our Achilles heel before the world. There are binders and binders of such examples sprinkled through the State Department archives. Whataboutism became a shorthand for a needling distraction in the hallways of Foggy Bottoms State Department headquarters ahead of any Soviet or Russian summit: anyone standing in for Moscow could just shoot across the table this efficientand accuraterejoinder: But you lynch Negroes. So when Putin was confronted yesterday about the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny and allegedly poisoning his critics, he went for an emotionally charged pivot, comparing the Black Lives Matter protests to uprising in pogroms, and dismissing the Jan. 6 insurrection as merely a group that went to Congress with political demands after the election. He also dipped into the black-site CIA interrogation operations after Sept. 11 and the still-open military detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for good measure. Such reminders cant help but deflate the puffed-up chest of Captain America. None of this is particularly novel. The 1957 integration of Central High School in Little Rock, Ark., became a global story in the Soviet sphere because of coverage in Communist newspapers. The assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King proved to Soviet partisans that America had failed its promise of equality. More recently, Occupy Wall Street and the numerous deaths of Black Americans at the hands of police have continued to feed the Russian governments argument that America is an imperfect ombudsman for freedom. After all, the best propaganda has roots in truth, and it doesnt have to be fake news to actually be useful. So why wouldnt Putin invoke Americas latest turmoil? Its blindingly effective. And its fair to say Washington has not taken adequate steps to pry this rhetorical cudgel away from its adversary. Make sense of what matters in Washington. Sign up for the daily D.C. Brief newsletter. BANGKOK (AP) A court in Myanmar extended the detention of American journalist Danny Fenster for another two weeks Thursday, while the U.S. State Department urged that it be granted consular access to him. Online news and business magazine Frontier Myanmar, where Fenster is managing editor, said he faces a charge that carries a potential three-year prison term. The charge, used frequently against dissidents and journalists, criminalizes any attempt to cause fear, spread false news, or agitate directly or indirectly a criminal offense against a government employee. The magazine said it did not know the reason for the charge. Myanmar's military government has tried to silence independent news media by withdrawing the licenses they must obtain to publish or broadcast and by arresting journalists. According to Myanmars Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, about 90 journalists have been arrested since the army seized power in February and more than half of them are still detained. The special court at Insein Prison in Yangon ordered Fensters continued detention there for two weeks, scheduling his next hearing for July 1. Myanmar authorities have not allowed U.S. Embassy officials access to Fenster, State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters in Washington. He urged them to grant access under the Vienna Convention "without delay and to ensure proper treatment of Danny." Price said the State Department was very gratified by the release of another U.S. journalist, Nathan Maung, who had been arrested on a similar charge in March while working for a local news online news agency in Myanmar. Maung was deported Tuesday after the charge against him was dropped and his case dismissed, though a colleague at Kamayut Media who was arrested with him, Myanmar citizen Hanthar Nyein, remains imprisoned. Price said Maung has met and spoken with senior State Department officials since his return. Frontier said Fenster was represented by a lawyer in court Thursday but the magazine's representatives were not permitted to attend. We are still seeking information on the reason for Dannys arrest and continued detention," Frontier said in its statement. Story continues Fenster, 37, was detained at Yangon International Airport on May 24 as he was trying to board a flight to go to the Detroit area to see his family. Two Myanmar journalists who were arrested more than a month ago were released Thursday, the wife of one of them said. Voice of Myanmar Editor-in-Chief Nay Myo Lin and reporter Shine Aung were arrested on April 27 when they obeyed an order to report themselves for questioning about articles judged to be anti-military. Both returned to their homes after they were released when the cases against them were dropped, said Zarni Mann, who is Nay Myo Lins wife. Voice of Myanmar, an online news service suspended operations following their arrests. We have said that journalism is not a crime. But not only Nay Myo Lin but also many other journalists have been prosecuted and detained in the prisons. I want all other detained journalists to be released, just like Nay Myo Lin, said Zarni Mann. By Hyonhee Shin SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea has provided $900,000 to a U.N.-led humanitarian aid initiative for Myanmar, U.N. data showed on Thursday. A spokesman for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said earlier data on its financial tracking service showing a contribution of $300,000 by North Korea was wrong and it has since been corrected. The contribution on May 24 to the Myanmar Humanitarian Fund came from South Korea in addition to a separate contribution of $600,000, Asia Pacific head of communications for the Office Pierre Peron said. The fund calls for some $276 million to help Myanmar, where hundreds of people have died since the military ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February and began a bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protests, adding to the country's struggle with the coronavirus pandemic. While continuing to provide aid, South Korea has suspended defence exchanges and banned exports of arms and other strategic items to the Southeast Asian country. (This story corrects throughout to show South Korea, not North Korea, made the donation) (Reporting by Hyonhee Shin) Gov. Ralph Northam will visit Fort Monroe on Friday for Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery, at the site where the first enslaved Africans landed at English North America in 1619. Northam designated Juneteenth as a state holiday a year ago. Friday will be the first observance. Earlier this week, Congress voted to make Juneteenth, or June 19th, a federal holiday, joining 11 others. It will be known as the Juneteenth National Independence Day, commemorated as the end of slavery in the United States. On that day in 1865, the last of the enslaved African Americans, living in Galveston, Texas, heard word from Union soldiers they were free. The Emancipation Proclamation, signed by then-President Abraham Lincoln more than two years earlier, had officially freed slaves throughout the south. Organizers said Fridays hour-long program, which begins at 11 a.m., will feature prayer and song, including a presentation from I.C. Norcom High School, in Portsmouth, and its student gospel choir. Among speakers expected to give remarks, include Virginia Poet Laureate Luisa A. Igloria. A Norfolk resident, Igloria is a professor of creative writing at Old Dominion University. Lisa Vernon Sparks, 757-247-4832, lvernonsparks@dailypress.com More than 200 rabbis sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, ridiculing her for not more strongly condemning Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar and accusing the Minnesota Democrat of inciting attacks on American Jews. "We reiterate that the mob attacks on American Jews today are directly attributable to the rhetoric of Rep. Omar and those who stand with her within and beyond Congress," the rabbis wrote in the letter Wednesday, which was organized by the Coalition of Jewish Values and its president, Rabbi Pesach Lerner. The coalition said Pelosis response to the controversial comments was far too mild and argued a more acceptable response would be for Omar to be removed from her position on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. TRUMP SAYS PEOPLE ARE LIKING ME MORE THAN EVER AS HE MULLS 2024 RUN "To protect Jewish Americans and, moreover, safeguard the integrity of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, we thus insist upon the removal of Rep. Omar from her appointment," they wrote. The group began the letter by praising Pelosi for her condemnation of Hamass recent rocket attack on Israel and her affirmation of Israels right to defend itself. The group said, however, that her failure to act in response to Omar would allow antisemitism to not only fester in Congress but also inflame it in cities across America. "Rep. Omar's unfounded assertion that Israel committed unthinkable atrocities by defending lives against an openly genocidal terror organization is not merely offensive, it is pernicious for it is grounded in the blood libel and the calumny that Jews poisoned wells during the Black Death," they continued. "Without anything resembling a forceful response from the Democratic Party, tolerance of anti-Jewish hatred has proliferated." The rabbis also recognized comments from a dozen of Omars Jewish Democratic colleagues, who were critical of Omar and her remarks. "When 12 Jewish Democrats in the House rightfully denounced Rep. Omars abhorrent bigotry, the Congressional Progressive Caucus stooped to playing identity politics, cravenly claiming that the motivation for the condemnation was opposition to Rep. Omar as a Black, Muslim woman rather than her anti-Semitic animus," they wrote. Story continues While the letter calls for Omar to face additional consequences for her words, Pelosi said Friday that Democratic leadership would not be taking any further action after Omar clarified a controversial tweet that appeared to liken the United States, Israel, Hamas, and the Taliban. Omar followed up her tweet in a statement in which she said she did not intend to draw a moral comparison between Hamas and the Taliban and the U.S. and Israel." CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER "I think that she clarified her remarks, and we accept that, and she has a point that she wanted to make, and she has a right to make that point," Pelosi told a group of reporters on Friday. "There's some unease about how it was interpreted." "She made her clarification," Pelosi added before taking another question. Washington Examiner Videos Tags: Nancy Pelosi, Ilhan Omar, anti-Semitism, House Democrats, Judaism, Israel Original Author: Lawrence Richard Original Location: Over 200 rabbis demand Pelosi take action on Omar's anti-Israel comments, say her rhetoric incites attacks against US Jews House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has no plans to remove the metal detectors installed at each entrance of the lower chamber. As long as there is a threat, well have to have protection, she told reporters at her weekly press conference on Thursday. HOUSE REPUBLICANS FILE LAWSUIT OVER METAL DETECTOR FINES Pelosis comments come days after two House Republicans, Rep. Andrew Clyde of Georgia and Rep. Louie Gohmert of Texas, filed a lawsuit in Washington D.C.s district court that the metal detector fines levied against House lawmakers for security breaches are unconstitutional. Gohmert was issued a $5,000 fine, and Clyde received $15,000 in fines, by the House Sergeant-at-Arms Timothy Blodgett last month for failure to complete a security screening before entering the House chamber. The lawsuit challenges the metal detector security measure, known as H.R. 73, passed by Pelosi and her Democratic majority after the Jan. 6 Capitol riots, which mandates that every lawmaker must walk through a magnetometer to enter the chamber or be fined thousands of dollars from his or her pay. "It is clear to me that the intent of the speaker is to gain improper influence over the actions of the minority Republican Party and to further Speaker Pelosi's false political narrative. That, and I quote, The enemy is within the House of Representatives. House Resolution 73 is a failure of logic built upon a foundation of Democrat lies that say Republican members and their voters are dangerous domestic terrorists," Clyde told reporters Monday. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Pelosi later denied she ever accused Republicans of being a threat after making those remarks, later saying in March, "I have not made that accusation, but others have, and it's being investigated. Washington Examiner Videos Tags: News, Nancy Pelosi, Congress, Louie Gohmert, House of Representatives Original Author: Kerry Picket Original Location: Pelosi: Too dangerous to remove House chamber metal detectors Jun. 17PERU Republican Peru City Councilwoman Kathleen Plothow has filed a public-access complaint against the city after the Miami County GOP requested all emails in which she corresponded with city officials. Matthew Jelenek, chairman of the county's Republican Party, filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the city clerk-treasurer in April asking for all emails between department heads and Plothow. He also requested email correspondences between her and the city's golf superintendent. In response, Plothow, a first-time councilwoman elected to an at-large seat in 2019, filed her own FOIA request on April 15 with the city's attorney. The request asked for all forms and correspondences made between the Miami County GOP and city officials regrading their FOIA request on her. In a later email, Plothow also requested any emails, letters or notes sent between city officials concerning her. The city provided the requested documentation on June 8. Two days later, Plothow filed a complaint with the Office of the Public Access Counselor alleging her FOIA request was "ignored" by the city until June 8. "There was never a formal refusal to send requested information, it was ignored until June 8, 2021, at 4:28 p.m., that was when the requested information was received," she wrote in the complaint. On Wednesday, the city attorney was informed about the complaint by the public access coordinator and given until July 6 to respond to the allegations. After that, the counselor will issue an advisory opinion on the filing. In an email sent on May 15 to city and state elected officials, Plothow blasted GOP Chairman Jelenek and the party for making a FOIA request for her emails. "I have been betrayed and utterly disrespected," she wrote in the email. "You, the MCRP, could have behaved professionally by requesting a meeting to voice your concerns. Sadly, you, MCRP, decided to behave 'covertly.'" Story continues She also wrote that she had "lost complete respect for all of those involved" in filing the FOIA, and asked how she could attend GOP meetings and "feel the least bit comfortable." "To be utterly honest, shame on you and the Miami County Republican Party," she wrote. Messages sent to Jelenek and the county GOP offering a chance to comment were not returned. Carson Gerber can be reached at 765-854-6739, carson.gerber@kokomotribune.com or on Twitter @carsongerber1. For the first time since early 2020, all Disney resorts around the world have reopened. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/File Photo; Marc Piasecki/Getty Images Disneyland Paris reopened on Thursday after being closed for almost eight months of the pandemic. The park's reopening marks the first time all six Disney resorts have been open since January 2020. Photos show what Disney resorts around the world look like as crowds have returned to the parks. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. Visitors returned to Disneyland Paris as the resort reopened on Thursday. Visitors at Disneyland Paris on June 17, 2021, in Paris, France. Marc Piasecki/Getty Images Source: Reuters Disneyland Paris was the last of Disney's six main resorts to reopen. It's the first time all Disney parks have been fully open since January 2020. Disney employees welcome visitors as Disneyland Paris reopens on June 17, 2021, in Paris, France. Marc Piasecki/Getty Images Source: Inside The Magic With mask mandates in place, people excitedly entered the park on opening day, according to Reuters. Visitors wear protective face masks at Disneyland Paris as the theme park reopens its doors to the public on June 17, 2021. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes Source: Reuters In April, Disneyland reopened to California residents on April 30. The park was closed for over a year. People enter Disneyland Park as it reopens on April 30, 2021 in Anaheim, California. David McNew/Getty Images Source: Insider Some rides, like Indiana Jones, reopened with plastic partitions between rows of seats. Visitors on the Indiana Jones Adventure ride at Disneyland on April 30, 2021. Photo by Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images Source: Insider On Tuesday, Disneyland opened its gates wider to include out-of-state visitors and made masks optional for vaccinated guests, as Insider previously reported. People arrive at Disneyland on June 15. Christy Foster Source: Insider Disneyland Shanghai was the first Disney resort to reopen on May 11, 2020, according to a Reuters report published by Insider. Tourists visit Shanghai Disneyland after its reopening on May 11, 2020. Hu Chengwei/Getty Images Source: Reuters On Wednesday, the resort celebrated its five-year anniversary with a colorful cake installation, performances, and fireworks. Tourists look at a birthday cake installation at Shanghai Disneyland theme park during on June 16, 2021. Tang Yanjun/China News Service via Getty Images The Shanghai resort currently requires guests to wear masks in lines, indoor spots, and crowded areas, according to its website. Visitors ride the Disney theme MTR subway train line which takes them to the Disneyland Resort in Hong Kong on September 25, 2020. Miguel Candela Poblacion/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Source: Shanghai Disney Resort Tokyo Disneyland reopened its doors July 1, 2020, according to CNN. On opening day nearly a year ago, crowds were separated with social-distancing measures. People arrive at Tokyo Disneyland during the reopening day of the park on July 1, 2020. PHILIP FONG/AFP via Getty Images Source: CNN Also in early July 2020, fans again flocked to Disney World in Florida, which reopened two of its parks - Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom - at limited capacity. Disney World's Hollywood Studios park in August 2020. Charles Sykes/Invision/AP Source: Insider Disney World's Epcot and Disney Hollywood Studios parks reopened on July 15, 2020, with visitors shown wearing masks on rides and around the resort. Story continues Guests sit rows apart on a Disney World ride in summer 2020. Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service/Getty Images Source: Insider Parkgoers were allowed to return to Hong Kong Disneyland in February after the resort closed two separate times in 2020. Guests on a ride at Hong Kong Disneyland on February 19, 2021. Isaac Wong/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Source: Variety Read the original article on Insider Jun. 17In the upcoming school year, The Pinnacle Academy of Berea, the official name for the career pathways program at Berea Community High School, will "hit the ground running," according to superintendent Diane Hatchett. According to Sherry Schloemer, school climate transformation coordinator, The Pinnacle Academy began with conversations between Berea Independent Schools and community and business leaders. From those conversations, it was determined regardless of a student's plans after high school graduation, and it is necessary to incorporate "essential skills" into the secondary and postsecondary curriculum to prepare students for the workforce. Schloemer said, in addition to learning essential workplace skills, students will have the opportunity to network with professionals within their chosen career pathway and apply the courses' content during internships and mentorships with community partners. Hatchett explained the program would feature multiple career pathways such as computer science and IT with focuses in network systems, web, and digital communications, and more; heath and science with focuses in biotechnology research and development, therapeutic services, support services, and more; manufacturing with focuses on production, quality assurance, logistics and inventory control, and more; engineering with focuses on engineering and technology, science and math, and more; educator with focuses on the learning community, teaching and training, professional support services, collaborative clinical experience, and more; business and marketing with focuses on personal finance, digital literacy or computer literacy, ethical leadership, and more. Hatchett explained these pathways allow students to explore what things they are interested in and what they would like to do as a career. "Not all kids will go to college, some will go straight into the workforce, so this gives them the chance to get certificates," Hatchett said. She explained it also allowed teachers and staff to be able to engage in their passion areas too. Story continues Students will choose their pathway in their freshmen year of high school. Each pathway has multiple courses for students to take. Some classes may be eight weeks, others 16 weeks, others a year long. Hatchett said a student should have the opportunity to get multiple certificates throughout the year. "Now is the time to learn what you want to do and what you don't want to do," Hatchett said. Hatchett explained the district is just getting started, and they expect it will hit the ground running in the upcoming school year. Midway, Berea College, and EKU will provide early college programs to BCS students, such as dual credit programs specific to their pathways, workforce development certificates, and licensures. In addition, Hatchett said Midway specifically is working with the industry to establish internship programs. Hatchett said community partners are telling the district exactly what they want and need. This means the students hear wants and needs straight from the people who will be their employers. "Our students need to get ready for the real world," Hatchett said. "It is important to explore now before they get into college." BAUCHI/KADUNA, Nigeria (Reuters) -Gunmen killed a police officer and kidnapped at least 80 students and five teachers from a school in the Nigerian state of Kebbi, police, residents and a teacher said. The attack is the third mass kidnapping in three weeks in northwest Nigeria, which have authorities have attributed to armed bandits seeking ransom payments. Usman Aliyu, a teacher at the school, said the gunmen took more than 80 students, most of them girls. "They killed one of the (police officers), broke through the gate and went straight to the students' classes," he told Reuters. Kebbi State police spokesman Nafiu Abubakar, said the gunmen killed one officer during an exchange and also shot a student, who was receiving medical treatment. Police late on Thursday had not released the number of students missing, and a spokesman for the Kebbi state governor said they were conducting a tally of the missing. The attack took place at a federal government college in the remote town of Birnin Yauri. Abubakar said security forces were searching a nearby forest for the abducted students and teachers. Atiku Aboki, a resident who went to the school shortly after the gunfire stopped, said he saw a scene of panic and confusion as people searched for their children. "When we got there we saw students crying, teachers crying, everyone is sympathising with people," he said by telephone. "Everyone was confused. Then my brother called me (to say) that his two children have not been seen and (we) don't know if they are among the kidnapped." Bandits seeking ransom have kidnapped more than 800 Nigerian students from their schools since December in a series of raids. Some have been freed while others remain missing. The raids in the northwestern region are separate from Islamist insurgencies centred on the northeast, where the Boko Haram militant group made global headlines in 2014 when it abducted more than 270 schoolgirls from the town of Chibok. (Reporting by Ardo Hazzad in Bauchi, Garba Muhammed in Kaduna, Camillus Eboh in Abuja, Angela Ukomadu in Lagos, Writing by Estelle Shirbon and Libby George;Editing by Nick Tattersall, Robert Birsel) Police officers in Portland, Oregon, resigned en masse after an officer was charged with assaulting a protester. Nathan Howard/Getty Images Portland police officers in the crowd-control unit resigned en masse from the unit on Wednesday. The resignations happened a day after an officer was charged with assaulting a protester. The officers will still continue to be a part of the Portland Police Bureau. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. Police officers in Portland, Oregon, with the force's crowd-control unit resigned en masse on Wednesday night, one day after a team member was charged with fourth-degree assault on a protester, according to Oregon Live. Oregon Live reported that a police lieutenant informed Chief Chuck Lovell that the members quit over a perceived lack of support from city leaders and from the district attorney. The officers and sergeants will remain on the police force,but are quitting the volunteer rapid-response team. The mass resignation comes as officer Cody Budworth was indicted on a fourth-degree assault charge after he allegedly hit Teri Jacobs, an independent photographer, in the face with a baton last summer after she had already been knocked to the ground. The Portland Police Association said in a statement that Budworth "accidentally struck" the journalist in the head while trying to keep her from getting up on August 18. Videos of the incident were posted on social media and show an officer, later identified as Budworth, pushing Jacobs from behind before striking her in the face with his baton. Jacobs told KATU News that she was wearing a press badge and was picking up a fallen friend when Budworth pushed her to the ground. Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt told KATU News that prosecutors did not rush Budworth's investigation and took the time to interview every officer and witness willing to give an interview. "It just takes a long time to work up these investigations and do a thorough and good job, which is I think what justice demands - that we don't move too quickly," Schmidt said. Read the original article on Insider Peru's rightwing presidential hopeful Keiko Fujimori, narrowly trailing in an unconfirmed count of votes cast on June 6, repeated fraud allegations Thursday as a review of disputed ballots held up the final result. At a press conference where she took no questions and offered no proof, Fujimori claimed that supporters of her leftist rival Pedro Castillo had altered ballots after the fact, and cast extra votes using fake signatures. If Castillo is declared the winner, Fujimori faces a corruption trial that would otherwise have been delayed until after her presidential term. "There are clear allegations of irregularities, of manipulation by members of Peru Libre (Free Peru)," Castillo's party, she said. "What we want is to know the truth. This is the call we make to the National Jury of Elections (JNE)," in charge of the review of thousands of ballots challenged by both parties, but mainly by Fujimori. The JNE is ultimately tasked with declaring a winner, though it is not known how long this will take. Flanked by six advisors, including lawyers and leaders of her Popular Force party, Fujimori said she had requested the voter's roll from the ONPE elections authority to verify signatures. She said she would be "respectful" of the final outcome, "but it is crucial that all this information be known." Based on the unconfirmed count, Castillo has taken 50.12 percent of the vote -- a lead of some 44,000 votes -- in the June 6 runoff after emerging a surprise victor of the first election round in April. He has rejected calls from Fujimori supporters for the election to be annulled. Prosecutors have said they would seek a 30-year jail term for Fujimori on charges of taking money from scandal-tainted Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht to fund failed presidential bids in 2011 and 2016. Fujimori, who has already spent 16 months in pre-trial detention, denies the allegations. ljc/pb/mlr/dw Courtesy Brendan Leavy Looming over a busy interstate in Richmond, Virginia, is a billboard with an ominous message: The safety of our city is in jeopardy. Public safety, the billboard blares out in giant red letters, is in crisis. The culprit: a group that claims to represent nearly half the sworn officers in the state capital and functions much like a police unionright down to the inflammatory language. Brendan Leavy, president of the Richmond Coalition of Police, told The Daily Beast his organization erected the highway sign on June 2and then another one, right in front of police headquarters, this past Mondaybecause officers are tired of the city ignoring their pleas for competitive wages. He argued that citizens deserve to know about a mass exodus of officers that risks imperiling their safety. The city is in a crisis due to poor staffing and pay, Leavy told The Daily Beast. Drama Erupts Near Chauvin Vacation Spot in Florida Hes coupled the billboards with statements to the media about the vacancies plaguing the department. According to the Richmond Police Department, there are currently 74 open positions. Vacancies, early retirements, and officers fleeing metro areas are issues departments across the country face, according to a forthcoming report from the Police Executive Research Forum recently outlined in The New York Times. A survey of nearly 200 police departments found that retirements were up by 45 percent, and resignations by 18 percent, between April 2020 and April 2021, the paper reported. But in their demand for solidarity in the face of a violent crime surge across the country, members of the police departmentincluding Leavy, who is a detectivehave angered community leaders and local officials, particularly those representing Richmonds predominantly Black community. To them, the billboards are just a new way of asking for more of the same after a year of unprecedented protests over police violence. Theres always some propaganda going on when it comes to the police and their budget, Lawrence West, the founder of BLMRVA, a local Black Lives Matter chapter in Richmond, told The Daily Beast. Story continues Since last summer, his organization has been involved in protests for police reforms that sprung up after the murder of George Floyd. And protesters in Richmond appear to have accomplished quite a lot. Do you know something we should about police or protests over police violence? Email Andrew.Boryga@thedailybeast.com or reach him securely via Signal at 978-464-1291. In short order, the city saw its white police chief pushed out by the mayor, an interim Black chief leave after just 11 days of service, and a new chief, Gerald Smith, who is also Black, get handpicked by the mayor to lead the department of nearly 800 officers. The city has also pledged to establish a civilian review board, revamp use of force policies, and utilize mental-health professionals during certain police calls. In the midst of this, Confederate statues in the city have been torn down, and West said he and his organization were currently occupying the space around one of the last remaining statues on Monument Avenue, honoring Robert E. Lee. Those early victories notwithstanding, if there is a problem of a lack of the police in the city, West said, its one he hasnt encountered personally. We see police presence every single day, he said. Were wondering sometimes why in the world are they walking around and all around Monument Avenue if were not doing anything. Maybe the police need to look at their budget and what theyre actually allocating the money to. Last month, Richmonds mayor, Levar Stoney, and the City Council approved a nearly $800 million budget that includes a 3.25 percent raise for city employees, including police officers, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch. The budget, which also includes funds for a new civilian-review board and pay increases for public defenders, came after city leaders repeatedly said there were funding challenges due to the pandemic. Leavy said the proposal fell far short of the $6 million raise plan his group lobbied the city for. He also said the new plan, which goes into effect in October, is structured in a way that would result in many officers seeing their salary remain unchangedand make opportunities in higher paying jurisdictions nearby continue to be far more appealing. Mayor Stoney declined to comment for this story. But Michael Jones, a Black city councilman in Richmond, said the argument that Leavy and his group have been making is disingenuous. After all, he said, public officials across the city, as well as teachers, have always made less than those in other larger and wealthier counties nearby who dont have nearly the same poverty and crime struggles Richmond does. They knew what the pay rate was when they came in, said Jones of officers. This disparity wasnt new. If you want to leave to go somewhere else because youre going to get more money, that is your choice. If you dont wanna serve here, dont. Dana Schrad, executive director of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police and Foundation, agreed that the pay disparities between Richmond and nearby Henrico County or Chesterfield County have always been real. But she said the exodus of Richmond officers was likely also due to the fact that the city was a focal point of protests over the summerand because violent crime rates have increased, as they have in many metro areas around the country. Schrad told the Daily Beast that counties and localities with lower crime rates and higher pay are now more attractive to officers who are emotionally spent after the past year of demonstrations, ridicule, and legislative reforms that threaten their personal safety and their employment. Michael Rollston, a retired Richmond Police Department Lieutenant, agreed, going so far as to say he found the billboards commendable. He retired from the department in 2000, but said that although the pay disparity has always been around, its never been thoroughly addressed. The billboards, he told The Daily Beast, finally put the issue front and center. If you dont have controversy, if you dont put it out there blatantly, Im pretty sure Chief Smith and the administration and the police department as well as the citytheyre basically going to ignore you, he said. You have to make a statement. On Tuesday, Chief Smith responded directly to that statement in a press conference, calling the billboards a problem. While he did admit the department to be understaffed, he pushed back on suggestions that the city was any less safe or that violent crime was skyrocketing. According to city data, homicides from January through May are up 20 percent and robberies are up 41 percent year on year. But Smith said those numbers are only inflated when compared to 2020 numbers, which he said were lower across the board because of the pandemic and lockdowns. We are doing quite well compared to previous years, except for 2020, he said. Chief Smith did not respond to a request for comment for this story. But some Richmond residents are deeply hostile to the idea of more money for copsand for personal reasons. In May 2018, Princess Blandings 24-year old brother Marcus-David Peters, who was Black, was shot and killed by a Richmond officer while unarmed and experiencing a mental-health crisis. Two reviews by prosecutors cleared the officer of wrongdoing, but Peters name became a frequent refrain during protests over the summer in 2020, and the grassy space near Robert E. Lees statute was renamed Marcus-David Peters Circle in his honor. Since his death, Blandinga teacher and an independent candidate for Governor of Virginiasaid that like others who support the Defund the Police movement nationwide, she has been advocating for a reduction in funds to flow toward raises for police. Instead, she believes that money should go to alternative programs that could reduce crime by addressing poverty, access to medical care, and affordable housing. She has also advocated for a civilian review board in the city, which is in the process of being established, as well as a change to how police respond to mental health crises. A state bill that makes such a change and is named for her brother was recently signed into law by Governor Ralph Northam. Blanding conceded that residents in Richmond have been experiencing crime and feeling unsafe. But she said those feelings are due in part to the way police treat Black residentsas epitomized in tragedies like the death of her brother and the use of force against protesters over the summer. There is major distrust in many of our communities, she said. In his press conference, Chief Smith admitted that relations between the public and the police department had room to improve, and touted initiatives like community walkthroughs, advisory committees, and liaisons for specific communities to help heal tensions. He said that in addition to economic strains caused by the pandemic and access to guns, he believes crime is going up because members of the community are hesitant to call the police. That is on us to increase our trust and legitimacy in the community, he said. But with the rhetoric escalating, it was hard to imagine that rift healing any time soon. Jones, the councilman, said that if members of the police department and the group representing them feel like they arent supported by the community, their billboards putting the city under notice wont do them any favors. If its support that they want, in my opinion, this doesnt help, he said. Theyre trying to put the whole city on blast. No. Put the mayor on blast. Hell, put me on blast as a council member. Dont put the fucking city on blast. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - The Civil Engineering Corps of Mexico said on Thursday that after a physical inspection of the Mexico City metro line that suffered a deadly collapse last month it found evidence of other deficiencies and vulnerabilities that require further analysis. "Deficiencies and vulnerabilities were detected that require further study," said Bernardo Gomez, coordinator of the corps' structural safety technical committee. The corps inspected 11.1 kilometers (6.9 miles) of the now-suspended Line 12 metro route, excluding the exact location of the May 3 accident that killed 26 people. Fissures in columns and beams, lack of adequate space between girders and other issues labeled "questionable construction practices" were among the deficiencies, said Gomez. The corps recommended giving priority attention to repairing the fissures in columns and other parts of the metro line's infrastructure and reviewing the separation between the columns for the metro and a bridge for cars along the heavily transited inner city ring road known as the Periferico. "We have three cases of columns where cracks are seen in the concrete that appear to be superficial but due to the importance of these structural elements ... it's important that they not only be repaired but are further analyzed and studied," said Gomez. He added that while some of the defects seen could have come when the metro line was built, they could also be the product of the massive September 2017 earthquake that struck Mexico City. He urged further analysis. Preliminary findings of an independent investigation presented on Wednesday showed the deadly collapse on a section of the Line 12 metro route was caused by a structural failure. The collapse, Mexico's biggest train accident in years, put pressure on close allies of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, as well as Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim, Latin America's richest man. (Reporting by Anthony Esposito and Raul Cortes in Mexico City; Editing by Matthew Lewis) Get essential education news and commentary delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up here for The 74s daily newsletter. Keep America in the future business. Those were the words of former President Bill Clinton as he offered a hearty endorsement on Wednesday to the charter school movement 30 years after a bipartisan coalition in Minnesota passed the first law authorizing charters in the state. But the bright future that Clinton and other charter supporters saw three decades ago faces a much different political environment in 2021. Bipartisan support crumbled in the hyperpolarized politics of the last several years, and teachers unions are firmly aligned against them. The erosion of bipartisan support was certainly not something that happened overnight, said Myrna Castrejon, President of the California Charter Schools Association. In recent years, theres been a nonstop campaign of misinformation that is intensive and intentional by labor unions that have divided the educational community and elected officials by creating this false choice of us-versus-them. Castrejon was among the speakers in a panel discussion marking the 30th anniversary of charter schools, sponsored by the Progressive Policy Institute and The 74. Clinton, who signed the federal Charter School Program in 1994, offered opening remarks. We need to increase the cooperation and partnership between charters and public schools so we can keep delivering better outcomes and give all our students the opportunities to thrive, no matter who they are, what they look like, where they live or where they go to school, Clinton said. Related: Finn & Manno: Charter Schools at 30 Looking Back, Looking Ahead According to Castrejon, much of the political struggle over charters arises from competition and charters success. In recent years her state of California has faced declining public school enrollment and real serious budget pressures at a time when charter schools have grown. We serve 700,000 students, more than 1,300 schools, she said. Its not a surprise at all that the competition and opposition have become formidable. Story continues Given the intense opposition among teachers unions today, its something of a paradox that one of the pioneers in the charter movement was Albert Shanker, who first proposed the concept when he was president of the American Federation of Teachers. Ember Reichgott Junge, a former Minnesota State Senator who introduced the states 1991 law, called Shanker a visionary. His idea of chartering was about providing teachers with the opportunity to take leadership, to be the professionals who they were, to try new ideas, to be leaders in the classroom, Junge said. She also gave a shout-out to the Citizens League, which wrote Minnesotas law. It was a community group of urban leaders, civic leaders, labor, business, all coming together to say we want to improve education, she said. Chartering came from outside the political system. One of the big issues facing charter in the present day is the balance between accountability and giving charter schools the freedom to innovate, said Karega Rausch, President & CEO of the National Association of Charter School Authorizers. Finding the right balance of oversight while maximizing the time educators can spend on teaching and learning, that is absolutely a space in the charter movement that weve not quite gotten right at scale yet, Rausch said. And thats why we see uneven performance of charters around the country. We have some places where charters are so overly regulated they cant do anything innovative or interesting and some places where theyre just operating without much oversight happening. But he said he sees positive signs in governmental bodies and philanthropic groups of investments in developing smart oversight. Its not necessarily about more oversight or less oversight; its about the right oversight that can allow for creativity and innovation to occur while still maintaining the public trust, Rausch said. Paul Vallas, who led the broad transformation of New Orleans schools into a charter-focused system after Hurricane Katrina, pointed to a straightforward formula for ensuring the success of charters on a micro level. Individual charters are successful when you carefully select the models, when you incubate the leadership, when you hold those schools accountable and when you make the determination of renewal based on their performance, Vallas said. But on a macro level, if one school is successful but at the expense of other schools, then are you really a success? Vallas also warned about the consequence of creating overcapacity with new charter schools and pointed to the success of so-called renaissance schools, like those in Camden, N.J. and Indianapolis. This is a situation where theyve gone into the neighborhoods, theyve worked with the neighborhoods, theyve taken failing schools, theyve transformed those schools into charter schools with no displacement of children, he said. You dont create overcapacity, youre creating quality choices and youre basically getting the community to embrace the model. Related: Sign up for The 74s newsletter (PHOTO: Paolo Lacuna/Yahoo Lifestyle SEA) Our editorial team is dedicated to finding and telling you more about the products and deals we love. If you love them too and decide to purchase through the links below, we may receive a commission. Prices were correct at the time of publication. Its mid-2021 and many brands have launched their flagship phones with quiet fanfare and an interesting set of features and functions. Ive tried many of these new flagship phones, and have grown to respect these brands attempts in capturing market share with interesting designs and feature sets. Yet again, Samsung still proves its leadership in Android smartphones with the real ultra smartphone in the bunch - the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. I may have used the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G on and off in the past few months, but its still the phone I feel most comfortable with as a daily driver. It feels solid on hand, and Im always confident in its build and performance. Covered in Gorilla Glass Invictus, its cool to the touch and feels sturdy like a solid slab of, well, glass. And even with its large size, the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is well balanced and easy on the hand. Buy now at S$1,698, before S$1,798 (6% off) (PHOTO: Paolo Lacuna/Yahoo Lifestyle SEA) To recap on the display, the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G sports a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED screen with a sharp 1440x3200 resolution supporting HDR10+ and 120Hz refresh rate for buttery smoothness. Its super bright, super crisp and very fluid. Quite frankly, one of the best screens for flagship phones this 2021. Im only slightly miffed with the slight curve, as Ive always preferred a flat screen. At first, I was apprehensive about the Exynos 2100, the chipset variant sold in Singapore. But Ive rarely had any issues with the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G on daily use, and Ive tried to do everything - social media consumption, gaming, remote play with my PS5, long sessions of video streaming and even actual work with Google sheets, docs and slides. Most apps perform as well as they could be. I would attribute this to ONE UI, Samsungs software flavour of Android 11. ONE UI 3.1 seems to be fully optimised for Samsungs Exynos chipset, that it performs on par or even better than other flagships running Snapdragon 888 and their own software overlay. Story continues Gaming with a Gamesir X2 Bluetooth Controller A. (PHOTO: Paolo Lacuna/Yahoo Lifestyle SEA) Even Dex on the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G feels like a full operating system already. I found myself using it quite often - wirelessly connecting with my TV (also a Samsung) and using my Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. I use it mostly for video streaming, and gaming still lags. But, it still gets warm to the touch after prolonged use. Wireless DEX Connection to a Samsung TV. (PHOTO: Paolo Lacuna/Yahoo Lifestyle SEA) Finally, the camera set. To recap, the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G includes a 108MP Wide, 10MP periscope telephoto, 10MP telephoto and a 12MP ultrawide camera for its camera array. It is by far the most comprehensive set of lenses in smartphones today. And the selfie camera is no slouch at 40MP wide. Im not a camera aficionado for sure; Ive kept my camera in standard most of the time. This is also by far, the best camera to take and shoot with very little user intervention. Standard photos are great, with expected vibrant colours. Zooming to 100X at first seems like a gimmick, but it is quite usable, provided you have stable hands and aim. Even night shots perform quite well, with the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G able to capture more light to add more details in the shot. Videos as well are better than expected, with excellent stability when needed. Portrait Selfie mode. (PHOTO: Paolo Lacuna/Yahoo Lifestyle SEA) Camera Array Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. (PHOTO: Paolo Lacuna/Yahoo Lifestyle SEA) Photo standard setting. (PHOTO: Paolo Lacuna/Yahoo Lifestyle SEA) Photo Standard Setting, 1X zoom. (PHOTO: Paolo Lacuna/Yahoo Lifestyle SEA) Photo Standard Setting, 30X zoom. (PHOTO: Paolo Lacuna/Yahoo Lifestyle SEA) Photo Standard Setting, 100X zoom. (PHOTO: Paolo Lacuna/Yahoo Lifestyle SEA) A couple of things still annoy me, though. Im never a fan of in-screen fingerprint scanners. I sometimes miss the target and always have to stop and think about my thumb placement when trying to unlock it. It can be inaccurate at times, especially with a screen protector. Even if the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has one of the more accurate ultrasonic scanners, Id still avoid using it. There are alternatives to unlocking, like the always reliable PIN number. Battery life is fine. The 5000 mah battery can carry you through the day, but having no charger in the box can be a bummer, especially for other brands whove packed high-speed chargers in the boxes. This hasnt stopped me from picking up the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G whenever I can, though. Its probably one of the best smartphones of the year. A bright, sharp and fluid screen; powerful and reliable internal; cameras that make you feel like a pro; and just the overall great experience keeps this phone at the top of the heap. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is available in the official Samsung Lazmall with Phantom Silver and Phantom Black options. It starts with a storage of 256GB, priced at $1,698. Buy now at S$1,698, before S$1,798 (6% off) Purchase the GameSir X2 Bluetooth Gaming Controller separately More Shopping deals: Amazon Prime Day is here and here's how to save big on everything you need! 5 best smartwatches under S$100 you can buy from Amazon Singapore Amazon Singapore Prime Day 2021: The best Apple deals so far Amazon Singapore is quietly slashing the prices of these Apple AirPods Build a workout regimen around your lifestyle and see obvious results Best deals for Baby, Home and Kitchen needs on Amazon Prime Day Making ice creamis easy with these happiness generating devices Beat hot humid nights with this under S$50 sleep hack and sleep like a baby Final 2 days to enjoy deep discounts for home improvement needs Hotpot and smokeless grill wonders, plus foolproof ways to create them at home Rita Moreno and Anthony Ramos . John Lamparski/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival/Warner Bros. Pictures Rita Moreno previously defended "In The Heights" over colorism complaints. The actress told Stephen Colbert: "It's like you can never do right, it seems." Now, Moreno has said: "I was clearly dismissive of Black lives that matter in our Latin community." Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. Rita Moreno has walked back on her comments about colorism while defending Lin-Manuel Miranda's "In the Heights," which was accused of failing to represent Afro-Latinos. In a statement given to The Hollywood Reporter, Moreno said: "I'm incredibly disappointed with myself. While making a statement in defense of Lin-Manuel Miranda on 'The Colbert Show' last night, I was clearly dismissive of Black lives that matter in our Latin community." She continued: "It is so easy to forget how celebration for some is lament for others." Moreno said that she applauds Miranda for his "wonderful" movie "In the Heights," but also appreciates Miranda's "sensitivity and resolve to be more inclusive of the Afro-Latino community going forward." "See, you CAN teach this old dog new tricks," added Moreno, who, like Miranda, is of Puerto Rican descent. "In the Heights," which follows Anthony Ramos as a New York bodega owner who dreams of a better life, was accused of failing to properly represent Afro-Latino Americans. People on social media said that the movie primarily featured light-skinned Latinx actors, while dark-skinned Latinx actors were consigned to background roles. This conversation started with The Root reporter Felice Leon asking the director and cast about the lack of dark-skinned Latinx actors in principle roles. Their disappointing responses went viral on Twitter. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. While Miranda released a statement promising "to do better" going forward, Moreno appeared on "The Late Show" and defended the movie and Miranda against these accusations. Story continues "It's like you can never do right, it seems," Moreno said, praising Miranda for being a pioneer by bringing "Latino-ness and Puerto Rican-ness" to the forefront of the film and theater industry. "I'm simply saying, can't you just wait a while and leave it alone? There's a lot of people who are Puertorriquenos, who are also from Guatemala, who are dark, and who are also fair. We are all colors in Puerto Rico," Moreno said. "In the Heights." Macall Polay/Warner Bros. The actress rose to fame after starring in the 1961 movie adaptation of "West Side Story" as Anita. That movie was criticized for whitewashing its cast and featuring Russian-American actress Natalie Woods as a Puerto Rican character. Appearing on a 2017 episode of the "In The Thick" podcast, Moreno told hosts Maria Hinojosa and Julio Varela that she was forced to wear "extremely dark" make-up to play Anita. "It was like putting mud on my face, it was really dark and I'm a fairly fair Hispanic and I said to the makeup man one day 'My God! Why do we all have to be the same color? Puerto Ricans are French and Spanish...' And it's true, we are very many different colors, we're Taino Indian, we are Black some of us," Moreno said. Steven Spielberg's remake of "West Side Story" releases in December this year. Last year, the director told Vanity Fair that his remake will be authentic to Puerto Ricans and that the cast is predominantly made up of Puerto Rican actors or actors of Puerto Rican descent. Spielberg also wrote Black characters into the movie, with Curtiss Cook set to play a major role in the movie. "In 1957, in New York City, there were a lot of Black people walking around. But unfortunately, when they created the original version there weren't a lot of Black people in it," Cook said. "This time I think they decided to include the landscape as it really was. I'm so fortunate that I am the representation of it." Read the original article on Insider The Post and Courier in Charleston filed a lawsuit Thursday against the police agencies investigating the murders of Paul and Maggie Murdaugh, alleging that they violated the Freedom of Information Act by refusing to release police reports and 911 calls. The newspaper sued the S.C. Law Enforcement Division and the Colleton County Sheriffs Office over the investigation into the June 7 murders. Paul Murdaugh, 22, and his mother, Maggie, 52, were found dead of multiple gunshot wounds at their Colleton County home. Colleton County deputies responded to the scene after a 911 call from Alec Murdaugh, Pauls father and Maggies husband, where he said he found them dead. The investigation was turned over to SLED, but the Sheriffs Office continued to assist. Since then, the agencies have released little to no information, leaving rumors and gossip to fill the void. By law, South Carolina police agencies are required to provide reports that disclose the nature, substance, and/or location of any crime or alleged crime. Many circumvent this rule by providing bare-bones descriptions of what happened. The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette asked the Colleton County Sheriffs Office on June 9 for an incident report and received a one-line report. Asked for a supplement report, the agency told the Beaufort County newspapers that it couldnt release anything else due to an active investigation. The Charleston newspapers lawsuit, filed by Edward Fenno of Fenno Law Firm LLC in Mount Pleasant, contends that a Post and Courier reporter went to the Sheriffs Office and was also denied access to documents or information beyond the one-line incident report. The reporter was told the report must come from SLED. When a different reporter went to SLEDs offices, that reporter was also turned away. The states Freedom of Information Act maintains that incident and supplement reports are public information. SLED has also denied requests by the Post and Courier, the Island Packet, and the Beaufort Gazette newspapers to review 911 calls associated with the incident. Story continues While SLED and the Sheriffs Office has said there is no danger to the public, no names of suspects have been released. Theres been no arrests and no information about any motives. If the Murdaughs were murdered, the public may be in danger from the killer or killers, the lawsuit states. Jay Bender, a South Carolina Press Association attorney who often deals with S.C. open records law, said the decision by SLED and the Colleton County Sheriffs Office to keep silent is a mistake. Police are handicapping themselves, Bender said by phone Thursday. There might be information the public has that might be helpful to law enforcement agencies. Tommy Crosby, a spokesperson for SLED, said Thursday afternoon that the agency could not comment on the lawsuit. We are aware of pending litigation, he said, and it would be inappropriate to comment as a lawsuit has been filed. Jun. 17Honu, the Hawaiian green sea turtle, is in the midst of its summer nesting and hatching season and, in celebration of National Sea Turtle Day on Wednesday, two young honu were released into the wild at Waimanalo's Kaupo Beach, across the street from Sea Life Park, which has been breeding the endangered species since the 1970s. After a blessing by Kahu Blaine Kia, the 2-year old turtles, Holokai (Seafarer ) and Aheahe (Gentle Breeze ), were placed on the sand and made their way quickly into the sea. "They scampered right down the beach to the water, without hesitating, " said Jeff Pawloski, curator for Sea Life Park's animals, adding that, once they reach this age, young honus' odds of growing to adulthood in the wild are about one in four, whereas tiny honu hatchlings only stand a 1 in 1, 000 chance of surviving the 20 years to maturity. For this reason, he said, while Sea Life Park typically releases upward of 800 to 900, day-old hatchlings a year, it also raises a couple dozen from each crop, to be added to the park's programs and loaned to the Waikiki Aquarium, Maui Ocean Center, the Kahala Resort and elsewhere for the purposes of educating the public about the species' behaviors, its role in maintaining healthy oceans, and the need to protect it. Educating people is crucial, Pawloski said, as human activity is what primarily threatens the green sea turtle's survival in Hawaii and worldwide. In nature, honu hatch in buried nests on the beach by night and dig their way to the surface, where many are immediately devoured by predators, while some mistake artificial lights for moonlight on the sea and head inland to perish. Aside from natural predation by sea birds, large fish, and alien land species such as mongoose, green sea turtles are killed by loss of beach nesting habitat due to sea walls and other development, being caught illegally or as bycatch in fishing gear, by ocean pollution and entanglement in marine debris, ingestion of plastic bags they mistake for jellyfish, and being struck by vessels, according to the of National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries. Story continues Then there is the stress and sometimes harm caused to turtles by people on the beach and in the water who want to play with them, Pawloski said, noting that while the 2-year-old honu are pretty resilient, the park avoids releasing them "in areas where there's high fishing traffic or a lot of people around, because of the reality of negative interactions." At Sea Life Park or its partner venues, "they get to see and touch a turtle, which is invaluable, while they are taught to remind to be mindful of potential turtle nests, and to refrain from moving, touching, or approaching turtles in the wild, and to observe the three Rs of reducing, recycling and reusing plastics." Indigenous Hawaiian green sea turtles were plentiful throughout the islands before westernization and their commercial harvesting began in the 19th century, Hawaii Marine Animal Response reports on its website. Honu populations are measured by the annual number of nesting females, only 35 of which were found in Hawaii in 1973. Harvesting was banned with their protection under the Endangered Species Act in 1978, and in the past two decades their population has increased 5.4 % per year, with almost 800 females nesting annually. However, they remain endangered because of their small, isolated population, and because 96 % of nesting occurs at a low-lying atoll in French Frigate Shoals, in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands, which is threatened by climate change. Still, the good news is that Hawaiian green sea turtles are making "an enormous comeback, " Pawloski said, but because honu are appearing at more and different beaches than usual, "now the normal beachgoer needs to know they're nesting, and the babies pop up at night, " and to be on the lookout for keep-away signs and cordoned-off nesting areas. Other endangered sea turtles found in Hawaii include the 'ea, or hawksbill turtle, the loggerhead turtle, leatherback turtle and Olive Ridley turtle. FOR MORE INFORMATIONWebsite : (Getty Images) Last week, the mayor of Seattle boasted that her city was the first major urban area in the US to hit herd immunity from the coronavirus. Mayor Jenny Durkan celebrated the milestone of 70 per cent of people in the city 12 and older being fully vaccinated. Nearly 80 percent of the total population in the state has received at least one dose. When we launched our vaccination effort earlier this year, I said that I wanted to Seattle to become the first major American city to fully vaccinate 70 percent of its residents. Today, I am incredibly proud that we have reached that goal, the mayor said on 9 June. San Francisco, California caught up to Seattle a couple of days later by hitting the 70 per cent vaccination goal. Scientists have put this down to demographics and trust in institutions, such as I think its a combination of an affluent, more educated, and aware population, Dr Ali Mokdad told Healthline of Seattles vaccination success. And most importantly, they had trust in the government and health officials. He stressed that wasnt necessarily the case in the state at large, which recently joined the trend of lottery incentives to encourage people to roll up their sleeves for a Covid shot. These schemes seek to boost vaccination rates. Some populations, including communities of colour, have historically had higher levels of skepticism towards vaccines. In March, the CDC reported that only seven per cent of Black Americans, nine per cent of Latino Americans and two per cent of Indigenous Americans had one dose, according to ABC News. Vice president and chief diversity officer of John Hopkins School of Medicine Sherita Hill Golden explained why these communities are more likely to be reluctant to be vaccinated. People of color, along with immigrants and differently-abled men and women have endured centuries of having their trust violated. We need to give people the facts about the vaccines safety and efficacy, and renew their trust toward health care in general. Story continues At a federal level, President Joe Biden has set the national target of 70 per cent of the population to have at least one jab of coronavirus vaccine by 4 July and announced a Month of Action, complete with prizes and similar incentives. Despite this, the presidents goal is not expected to be reached due to high rates of vaccine hesitancy across the country. It is believed that if vaccine rates continued at their current level, nearly 68 per cent of Americans will have had at least one dose of a coronavirus jab by Mr Bidens deadline. Read More Murder hornets: Scientists find dead insect in first 2021 sighting A return to Torrey and prime time for US Open on West Coast Jury deciding if immigration detainees must get minimum wage The Securities and Exchange Commission has accused a Boca Raton area resident, a former dentist, of fraudulent practices in touting two of his companies, Apis Capital and My Loan Doctor. The SEC filed a complaint in Charleston, South Carolina, federal civil court against Edgar Radjabli and the two companies, the filing location chosen because the SEC says thats where Radjabli lived during the time in question. The SEC complaint says both companies are based in West Palm Beach, but Florida online records dont list Apis Capital as registered to do business in the state. Friday, the SEC announced a $600,000 settlement with Radjabli thats subject to court approval. Without legally admitting to any fraudulent behavior, , Radjabli would pay $162,800 in disgorgement, $17,870 in prejudgment interest, and $419,330 in civil penalties. No attorney is listed for Radjabli in the federal case system online. A Miami Herald call to Radjablis cell phone was answered by a screening service. Radjabli chose not to take the call. Radjabli was formerly a licensed dentist in New York and Maryland, according to online records. Other active companies registered with Florida and showing Radjabli as agent are Seeds of Light Charities and PHX Analytics. Both use the Bocaire Country Club area address in unincorporated Palm Beach County where online county property records say Radjabli claims a homestead exemption. Puerto Ricos former secretary of education pleads guilty to fraud conspiracy in federal court The Dentist and The Loan Doctor The SEC settlement mostly focuses on My Loan Doctor and what the SEC called a fradulent, unregistered public offering of a high yield CD account said to pay a guaranteed 6% interest. My Loan Doctor, the SEC said, took in $19.95 million of investor funds from August 2019 to April 2020. To promote Loan Doctor and bolster the companys legitimacy, Radjabli engaged in additional deceptive conduct including the creation of a fictitious persona who purported to be Loan Doctors Chief Financial Officer and his creation of fake client testimonials on Loan Doctors website, the SEC claimed. Radjabli also posed as investors on the website Reddit and touted LoanDoctor. Story continues The SEC complaint says the offerings amounted to unregistered securities. The agency also says an Aug. 22, 2019 press release touted the financial and Lloyds of London insurance backing that made the investment as safe as a savings account or CD was materially false and misleading. Loan Doctor did not originate a single loan and only a small portion of investor funds were held in FDIC-insured accounts, the complaint said. Investor funds were also not insured by Lloyds of London. Instead, Loan Doctor used the bulk of the investor funds to make unsecured loans to several cryptocurrency lending firms as well as to make $1.79 million in loans to Apis Capital. Radjabli stopped accepting investor money in March 2020, the complaint says, and returned investor funds with interest. A New York federal case against Loan Doctor by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection remains in progress. My Loan Doctor is still listed as active on Floridas Sunbiz.org website. South Florida man used his real estate company to steal $1.1 million, the SEC charges Apis Capital and the alleged build up and sell off of Veritone stock The SEC said Rajabli made $162,800 for Apis Capital with a ploy involving Veritone, a publicly-traded company. Radjabli and Apis announced via Dec. 10, 2018 a $200 million cash tender offer to buy Veritone. On the forms required to be filed with the SEC, the complaint says, Radjabli and Apis said they had easily more than the offer price and already owned 5.03% of Veritone. In truth, the defendants lacked the financing, or any reasonable prospect of obtaining the financing, necessary to complete the deal, and Radjabli and Apis Capital owned only a 4.6% stake in Veritone, the complaint said. After the announcement and SEC filing, Veritones stock price jumped 41.4% at the open to $7.96 per share. Radjabli then capitalized on the scheme by selling Veritone securities and purchasing put options on behalf of Apis Capital and its affiliated fund, the compalint said. Ten days later, Radjabli and Apis Capital withdrew the supposed tender offer. Tokens investments The SEC said Radjablis first scheme involved a fraudulent offering of Apis Tokens, a digital asset purportedly representing tokenized interests in Apis Capitals main investment fund. A June 2018 press release claimed falsely that the offering had raised $1.7 million when, in fact, it had raised no money. This misrepresentation was material. Following this misrepresentation, they raised approximately $36,000 from foreign investors. Four Doral cops suspended with pay as feds probe COVID relief small business loans Tevin Biles-Thomas, the brother of Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, was acquitted Tuesday of triple murder following a 2018 shooting in Cleveland. Seconds after Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Joan Synenberg cleared Biles-Thomas of his charges, the courtroom erupted in chaos as a woman charged at the man on trial. The woman, identified by WKYC as the mother of one of the victims, was grabbed by several deputies as she got close to Biles-Thomas. He killed my baby. You know he killed my baby, she said while being handcuffed, shown in the video. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Biles-Thomas had been charged with murder, felonious assault and voluntary manslaughter after the 2018 New Years Eve shooting at an Airbnb, which resulted in the deaths of DelVaunte Johnson, Toshaun Banks and Biles-Thomas cousin, Devaughn Gibson, according to Cleveland.com. A group of men who were not invited to the New Years Eve party began firing shots toward the group when they were asked to leave, WKYC reported in 2019. Biles-Thomas was charged in August 2019, court records show. At the time of his arrest, Biles-Thomas was on active duty in the Army, assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, NBC News reported. After her brothers arrest, Simone Biles said she was having a hard time processing the news. My heart aches for everyone involved, especially for the victims and their families, she said on Twitter. 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. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Lawyers for Biles-Thomas argued there was no forensic evidence nor witness testimonies that tied him to the homicides, the Associated Press reported. His first trial ended in a mistrial last month, and Synenberg gave her ruling Tuesday when she said there was not enough evidence to convict the defendant. Ladies and gentlemen, this matter has been drawn to a conclusion. I thank everyone for their effort and my heart goes out to the families of the victims, she said, shown in the video. Story continues Joseph Patituce, one of Biles-Thomas attorneys, said he does not fault the victims family for lashing out after the verdict was read, according to WEWS. It was shocking. It was a surprise. But they lost children, Patituce said. It wasnt Tevin, but they lost children. And its a horrible tragedy all around. A Cuyahoga County spokesperson told The Washington Post the woman was not charged. 10-pound log of meat used as weapon during fight in Walmart chip aisle, Ohio cops say NFL running back Nyheim Hines impresses Olympic gold medalist with end zone moves Bob Evans waitress killed by ex-boyfriend while working in restaurant, Ohio police say Jun. 17A Springfield police officer is on administrative leave after she struck a shooting victim while responding to a 911 call Sunday night. The investigation into the incident involving the officer is being investigated by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, according to Springfield Police Chief Lee Graf. Springfield Police Division is conducting the investigation into the shooting, Graf said. The victim, Eric Eugene Cole, 42, was flown by CareFlight to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, where he died Monday morning, according to the Montgomery County coroner. Officers were dispatched around 11:22 p.m. Sunday to the 1400 block of South Center Boulevard on a report of someone shot. The first officer to respond to the scene was "involved in an accident with the shooting victim," identified as Cole, according to police. The cause of death had not been determined as of Wednesday afternoon, according Graf. The officer involved in the incident was identified as Amanda Rosales. "This was an accident," Graf said. "That doesn't mean it's OK. This was not an intentional act by the officer. I am sure of that." Graf said Cole was struck by a police cruiser as he lay on the street bleeding from a gunshot wound. Graf said it is procedure to have a third party investigate these matters. Graf joined Springfield city officials, the chairmen of the Community Police Advisory Team James Bacon as well as the president of the local NAACP Denise Williams Wednesday morning for a press conference to discuss the shooting as well as the incident with the police cruiser. State patrol officials did not attend the press conference. Shortly before the shooting, police received multiple reports of a disturbance and argument where guns were shown. A few minutes later, they received a report of shots fired. "As part of those calls and those dispatch tapes, it was alleged that (Cole) was out there along with other people and there was some type of disturbance or quarrel," Graf said. Story continues As officers responded, the chief added, there was some confusion about where the shooting occurred before the address was confirmed. Graf said no arrests have been made. He added that he could not go into detail about whether any suspects regarding the shooting have been identified as of Wednesday afternoon. . Members of the Springfield Police Division have met with Cole's family. Graf said he felt it was important to talk with the family and prepare them before details were released to the public. Mayor Warren Copeland and City Manager Bryan Heck, as well as Graf, all expressed their condolences to the family. "This is a tragic, tragic event and we will treat it as such," said Copeland. "This is a sad day for all of us." "Every one of these incidents involves family, loved ones and friends. We should always approach these things with that in mind," Graf said. Graf said that Rosales did not see Cole on the street and that the officer stopped immediately and began to render aid after the incident. Footage taken from the officer's dash camera shows Cole on the road before being hit by the vehicle. Graf said that does not mean that footage captures what Rosales was seeing at the time. He added that the dash camera is stationary and is located on the back of vehicle's rear-view mirror. "That camera focuses where it is pointed. It is not an indicator of what the officer is seeing. It is not an indicator of where they are looking," Graf said. Rosales has been with Springfield police for more than a year and had started her shift shortly before responding to reports of shots being fired. An incident report filed by the Springfield police regarding the shooting stated that officers responded to the scene and observed a male lying on the south bound lane in the 1300 block of South Center Boulevard. In terms of the shooting, police had received reports in the 400 block of West Liberty Avenue of an incident in which guns were displayed and later when shots were fired. Graf said that they started to receive those calls at around 11:16 p.m. "A few minutes later there was an allegation that shots had been fired," Graf said, he noted that shortly after, officers received calls that a person had been shot in the 1400 block of South Center Boulevard. According to records obtained by the News-Sun, at least seven people called 911 regarding the shooting incident, including Cole. "Please come and get me. I'm about to die... I'm in the middle of the street," Cole told 911 dispatchers. "Somebody shot me in the arm. I don't know who shot me. I'm dying," he added to dispatchers. According to the recordings, Cole was also on the phone with dispatchers when he was struck by a cruiser. He is heard on the call saying, "They just hit me, the police." The incident report filed by the police division stated that Cole appeared to have a gun shot wound to the left arm and left shoulder. The incident report did not mention that Cole was struck by a police cruiser. Graf said that was because the report only related to the shooting incident and a separate report was done by the highway patrol regarding what is being described as a vehicle-pedestrian accident. "A 2019 Ford Explorer, driven by SPD Officer Amanda M. Rosales, was southbound on South Center Boulevard with her lights and sirens activated. The SPD cruiser struck a pedestrian who was lying in the roadway suffering from a gunshot wound and immediately came to a stop," stated an email sent to the News-Sun by a spokesperson with the highway patrol. Graf added that the city is working to determine what can be done to prevent this from happening again. When asked about distracted driving, Graf said that officers do have accidents, but the department reminds officers to stay aware of their surroundings while behind the wheel and to try to avoid using their laptop and phones. "Accidents do happen in policing. Again, I do not say that to downplay this. But we try to minimize that by reminding officers to be aware of their surroundings," he said. "Obviously we're going to look into this and, obviously, I don't ever want this to happen again." By Brendan O'Brien (Reuters) - A St. Louis, Missouri, couple who drew international attention for brandishing guns at racial justice protesters last year pleaded guilty on Thursday to misdemeanor charges stemming from the incident. A St. Louis grand jury indicted personal injury lawyers Mark McCloskey, 64, and his wife Patricia McCloskey, 62, on felony unlawful use of a weapon and tampering charges in October, four months after the incident. On Thursday, Mark McCloskey pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor fourth-degree assault. His wife pleaded guilty to second-degree harassment, also a misdemeanor, online court records showed. Mark McCloskey was ordered to pay a $750 fine while Patricia McCloskey was ordered to pay $2,000. They were also ordered to turn over the weapons used in the incident. Videos show the McCloskeys, who are white, shouting at Black and white protesters, who were apparently unarmed, to keep off their property on June 28. Patricia McCloskey pointed a handgun at the crowd while her husband held a semi-automatic weapon. They have said they were frightened for their lives. The protests were part of a nationwide wave of demonstrations over police violence against Black people following the May 2020 killing of George Floyd, a Black man, by a white Minneapolis police officer. In July, then president Donald Trump, a Republican, said charging the couple was an abuse of power. The McCloskeys spoke, from their home, at the Republican National Convention in August. Mark McCloskey announced last month he is running for a U.S. Senate seat in Missouri as a Republican. Special Prosecutor Richard Callahan said in a statement to local media on Thursday that he approved the plea because of the couple's age, lack of a criminal record and the fact that no one was hurt and no shots were fired. "The prosecutor dropped every charge except for alleging that I purposely placed other people in imminent risk of physical injury, right, and I sure as heck did," Mark McCloskey said after the court hearing. "That's what the guns were there for and I'd do it again any time the mob approaches me." (Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Chicago; Editing by Matthew Lewis) The St. Louis couple who pointed guns at Black Lives Matter protesters from their lawn of the St. Louis mansion last July, pled guilty Thursday to one count of fourth-degree assault as part of a plea deal, reports local NBC affiliate KSDK. Why it matters: Mark McCloskey launched his bid for Missouri's Senate seat last month. Thursday's plea deal will not interfere with his campaign. Get market news worthy of your time with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free. Flashback: Mark and Patricia McCloskey were both indicted last October on charges of unlawful use of a weapon and tampering with evidence. They previously pleaded not guilty and were due to stand trial this November. In May, the charge of tampering with evidence against Patricia McCloskey was dropped, per KSDK. The big picture: As part of the plea deal, the "more serious charges of unlawful use of a weapon were tossed out," KMOX reports. Patricia McCloskey pleaded guilty to second-degree harassment and was fined $2,000, per KSDK. Mark McCloskey pleaded guilty to fourth-degree assault, a misdemeanor, and was fined $750. Both McCloskeys were originally charged with unlawful use of a weapon and tampering with physical evidence, both felonies. They also both agreed to forfeit their guns. What they're saying: Special Prosecutor Richard Callahan said he took into consideration "the age and lack of a criminal record for the McCloskeys, the fact they initially called the police and the fact that no one was hurt and no shots were fired," before accepting the plea deal. "It's a good day," said Mark McCloskey as he left the courthouse Thursday. More from Axios: Sign up to get the latest market trends with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free The Supreme Court announced Thursday that it has rejected a lawsuit filed by a group of Republican-led states and the former Trump administration that sought to overturn the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare. In a 7-2 vote, the court ruled that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to bring the suit because they had not been harmed by the law. Accordingly, the ruling does not address the merits of the case. In their dissent, Justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch argued that the plaintiffs had in fact been harmed financially and administratively. The States have clearly shown that they suffer concrete and particularized financial injuries that are traceable to conduct of the Federal Government, Alito wrote. The ACA saddles them with expensive and burdensome obligations, and those obligations are enforced by the Federal Government. That is sufficient to establish standing. The ruling in the case, California v. Texas, marks the third time the court has taken up a case that could overturn the ACA, and the third time it has declined to do so. What the case was about: Republican officials in Texas and 17 other states sued the federal government in 2018 seeking to overturn the ACA, arguing that the law became invalid in its entirety when the individual mandate the penalty for not purchasing health insurance was reduced to zero by Congress in 2017 as part of its overhaul of the tax code. The Trump administration backed the suit and filed a brief in 2020 urging the Supreme Court to strike down the law. Supporters are relieved: Democrats cheered the courts ruling. President Joe Biden said the Affordable Care Act remains the law of the land, while Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said the decision means that the ACA is here to stay. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California took aim at the GOP, saying, We will never forget how Republican leaders embraced this monstrous suit to rip away millions of Americans health care in the middle of a deadly pandemic. Story continues The American Medical Association also expressed support for the ruling. With yet another court decision upholding the ACA now behind us, we remain committed to strengthening the current law and look forward to policymakers advancing solutions to improve the ACA, Gerald Harmon, the organizations president, said in a statement. The roughly 31 million Americans who now have health insurance as a result of the ACA, as well as millions more who are covered by its provisions, including rules governing pre-existing conditions, are probably breathing a little easier, as well. A ruling in favor of the plaintiffs could have resulted in millions of people losing their coverage and regulatory chaos throughout the health care system. Looking ahead: With the threat to the ACA's existence now in the rearview mirror, attention turns to how to fill in its gaps, tweeted Larry Levitt of the Kaiser Family Foundation, citing temporary premium assistance, incomplete Medicaid expansion and high health care costs as issues that need to be addressed. I'd say the decade long debate over whether the Affordable Care Act should exist is over, Levitt added. We can now return to the longstanding ideological debate over the role of government in restraining health care costs and providing coverage to people. Like what you're reading? Sign up for our free newsletter. Associated Press The Los Angeles City Council passed a sweeping anti-camping measure Thursday to remove widespread homeless encampments that have become an eyesore across the city. The measure was billed as a compassionate approach to get people off streets and restore access to public spaces in the city with nation's second-largest homeless population, though critics said it would criminalize the problem. I cant think of any reason why we would not unite in support of what the people of Los Angeles want us to do," said Councilman Paul Krekorian, coauthor of the measure. STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Sweden's Left Party said on Thursday it would seek support to bring a motion of no-confidence in Prime Minister Stefan Lofven over plans to ease rent control rules for newly built apartments. "We are now seeking support for a vote of no-confidence," Left Party leader Nooshi Dadgostar told reporters during a news conference. The Left Party needs the support of at least one other party to force a vote of no-confidence. A vote of no-confidence would require a majority in the 349-seat parliament to pass. (Reporting by Simon Johnson; editing by Niklas Pollard) Tampas Pilot Bank is being sold to a credit union in Michigan, the companies announced Monday. In an all-cash deal, Lake Michigan Credit Union will pay $6.25 per share for Pilot Bank, which has six locations in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Polk counties. Based on the number of outstanding shares, that works out to more than $96 million. Stock options would raise it to around $100 million. Pilot Bank CEO and chairperson Roy Hellwege said the deal has been in the works since early 2020, though talks did slow during the coronavirus pandemic. Our priority as a community bank thats been serving Tampa for 34 years was making sure that all our constituents really received the maximum attention, meaning our employees, our clients, the Tampa community, our ability to serve, and of course shareholder value, said Hellwege, who will stay on as Lake Michigans Central Florida president. Its about as good an outcome as it could be for our team. Pilot Bank, which specializes in aircraft financing, has about $656 million in assets. Lake Michigan Credit Union, headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., has more than 500,000 members and $10.4 billion in assets. Pilot Bank president Rita Lowman said she believes the company will retain most of its 74 employees after the sale. Our profitability, and how well were respected in the community, was an attractiveness to the credit union, Lowman said. And they do want to continue to grow in the Florida market. The sale would give Lake Michigan Credit Union 19 locations in Florida. It already has one Tampa Bay branch in Sun City Center. This is another step in our plan to enhance our member value and experience for our many wonderful members that live in or vacation in Florida, including those in this new thriving market, as well as future new members, Lake Michigan president and CEO Sandy Jelinski said in a statement. The deal is expected to close in late 2021, pending the approval of Pilot Bank shareholders, who will vote on it in the next three months. It was an excellent deal, at $6.25 a share, for our shareholders, Lowman said. Ive only been here for five years, but during that time, it is a record price. By Omar Mohammed NAIROBI (Reuters) -Tanzania is working to join the COVAX global vaccine-sharing facility and will sit down with aid agencies next week to plan its first national COVID inoculation campaign, World Health Organization officials said on Thursday. The East African country has been racing to catch up with COVID programmes across the continent since the death of its COVID-sceptic and vaccine-sceptic president John Magufuli in March. The government has signalled it is now taking the disease seriously. But it remains one of only four African nations that have not started a national vaccination drive, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. "We have received information that Tanzania is now formally working to join the COVAX facility," the WHO's regional director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti told a news conference. The first vaccines under the scheme could arrive in a couple of weeks, Richard Mihigo from the WHO's Immunization and Vaccines Development Programme in Africa told the same briefing. The semi-autonomous archipelago of Zanzibar had also secured 10,000 doses of Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine which arrived on June 14, Mihigo later told Reuters. "The vaccines are intended for pilgrims, frontline workers, hotel attendants and people with co-morbidities," he said. Tanzanian authorities were not immediately reachable for comment. Mihigo said a meeting was planned next week between the government, the WHO, the U.N. children's agency UNICEF and other health partners to develop the national COVID-19 vaccine deployment plan. Magufuli, when he was in office, played down the threat of COVID-19 and dismissed vaccines as part of a Western conspiracy. The country of 58 million people stopped reporting COVID-19 cases and deaths in May 2020. The WHO's Moeti urged Tanzania to start sending data again. "We are strongly encouraging the country, now that it's going to address the situation through vaccination, to share data with us so that we can play the most effective role in helping - for example in targeting, in the planning, where to start, where to focus, that can only be done on the basis of evidence," Moeti said. (Reporting by Omar Mohammed;Additional reporting and writing by Maggie Fick;Editing by Catherine Evans and Andrew Heavens) Texas Sen. Ted Cruz spoke out against a Colorado court that fined baker Jack Phillips after he refused to create a cake that celebrates gender transitions. Shameful. This is religious persecution. Naked & unabashed, Cruz tweeted. And it is lawless disregard of binding Supreme Court precedent. Cruz was responding to a ruling this week in a Colorado court that compelled the Masterpiece Cakeshop owner to create a custom cake for a customers sex reassignment celebration. Anti-discrimination laws are intended to ensure that members of our society who have historically been treated unfairly, who have been deprived of even the every-day right to access businesses to buy products, are no longer treated as others, Denver District Court Judge A. Bruce Jones said in the ruling. This case is about one such product a pink and blue birthday cake and not compelled speech." COLORADO JUST WON'T LEAVE BAKER JACK PHILLIPS ALONE But Cruz argued the Colorado court ignored a Supreme Court precedent stemming from a previous ruling that also involved Phillips and his refusal to make a custom cake for a same-sex wedding. In a 2018 7-2 ruling, the Supreme Court said the Colorado Civil Rights Commission could not force Phillips to make the custom cake that violated his deeply held religious convictions. Shortly after the Supreme Court announced its intention to hear that case, attorney Autumn Scardina placed an order with Masterpiece Cakeshop requesting a custom cake that was pink on the inside and blue on the outside to celebrate her gender transition. Phillips again cited his religious beliefs in refusing the request, prompting Scardina to make a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Commission. The Alliance Defending Freedom, which represents Phillips, decried the latest ruling from the Colorado court. Jack Phillips serves all people but shouldnt be forced to create custom cakes with messages that violate his conscience, General Counsel Kristen Waggoner said. Radical activists and government officials are targeting artists like Jack because they wont promote messages on marriage and sexuality that violate their core convictions. Story continues Waggoner blasted the weaponization of our justice system to ruin those with whom the activists disagree. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER The harassment of people like Jack has been occurring for nearly a decade and must stop, Waggoner continued. "We will appeal this decision and continue to defend the freedom of all Americans to peacefully live and work according to their deeply held beliefs without fear of punishment. Washington Examiner Videos Tags: News, US Senator Ted Cruz, Jack Phillips, Colorado, Supreme Court, Gender Issues Original Author: Michael Lee Original Location: Ted Cruz lashes out at Colorado court for fining Christian baker who refused to create gender transition cake Ted Cruz (R-TX) presides over a hearing about anarchist violence in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill 4 August, 2020. (Getty Images) Republican Texas Sen Ted Cruz has said that while Matthew McConaughey would make a formidable candidate in the race to become Texas governor, he hopes the Hollywood star will not run. I think he would undoubtedly be formidable, Mr Cruz said during an interview on The Hugh Hewitt Show on Thursday. Asked by Mr Hewitt how the Dallas Buyers Club actor would fare in the race against Republican incumbent Texas Gov Greg Abbott, who is seek re-election next year, Mr Cruz said: I like Matthew personally. I know him a little bit. Not well, but Ive spent a little bit of time with him and hes a very charming, very affable guy. However, he said: I hope Matthew decides not to run. The Academy Award winner has raised the possibility of throwing his hat in the ring for the 2022 governors race. During a March interview, Mr McConaughey said the possibility of running in his home state was a true consideration. I am considering, as I said Id be a fool not to, to consider the honour to go into the position of politics, as the governor of Texas, Mr McConaughey said in an interview with the Austin American-Statesman. But I honestly have to ask myself, How can I be most useful? And maybe thats as a free agent. At the time, the actor made clear that as far as running, Im not until I am. So my decision hasnt changed because Im still not. By May, it seemed he had still not yet ruled out the idea, asserting in an interview on The Carlos Watson Show: Im interested in building something that can last, and Im measuring what category that is. I dont know if thats politics. Im not interested in going and putting a bunch of Band-Aids on that are going to be ripped off as soon as Im out [of office], Mr McConaughey said. Mr Cruz said that while he hoped the celebrity would stay out of the race, he said ultimately the decision lies with Mr McConaughey. Hes a movie star, and a good-looking, charming, affable movie star can be a really formidable candidate on the ballot, Mr Cruz said. And I hope that doesnt happen, but you know what? Hes going to have to make his own decision whether hes going to run or not, he said. Story continues Read More At least 8 injured after Texas race track crash Senate GOP hails new Interior deputy as 'voice of reason' Mitch McConnell says Republicans will reject Joe Manchins compromise bill on voting rights Just days after B.J. Taylor, a 17-year-old aspiring Olympic athlete, was shot to death in Texas, the man accused of killing him was freed on bond, according to a report. The slain Houston teens mother and aunt say they cant understand the judges decision and now theyre fearing for their own safety, they told FOX 26 of Houston. "When I found he actually turned himself in, it gave me a bit of relief. OK, hes off the streets," said Taylors mother. She and the aunt asked FOX 26 not to disclose their names. The suspect charged in the case, identified as 18-year-old Omari Sykes, was an admitted gang member, the station reported. "He chased my baby down like he was an animal, just because he was in a fight," the victims mother claimed. But just days after the killing, Harris County Criminal District Court Judge Hilary Unger freed Sykes on a $100,000 bond, according to the station. "Judge Hilary Unger, my heart is so broken right now. You allowed this criminal, this coward, a bond to be set free," Taylors mother said. "You failed us," Taylors aunt added, referring to the judge. "Youre a failure at your job." The aunt expressed sympathy for others whove been the victims of similar crimes. TEXAS DAD RIPS JUDGE AFTER CONVICTED RAPIST OF HIS TEEN DAUGHTER GETS LIGHT SENTENCE: REPORT "Ive never been involved in anything like this in my life," she said, "and my heart goes out to people who have." Andy Kahan of Crimestoppers Houston, who was serving as a spokesman for the family, said family members were hoping to get the suspects bond revoked, Houstons KPRC-TV reported. "Its gut-wrenching," Kahan said of the judges decision. "Its like being sucker-punched all over again by our criminal justice system." Cheryl Irvin, a lawyer for the defendant, said she and Sykes "understand" how Taylors family feels. "This is a difficult time for them, and we respect that," the defense attorney told KPRC. "As [Sykes] said to me a minute ago, he can understand them being upset because if his family was in a reverse position, they would be upset, so we respect the family and their loss during this very difficult time." Story continues The shooting happened June 5 at a graduation party at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Houston-Greenway Plaza, KRPC reported. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Taylor and Sykes allegedly began fighting in a hallway, with Taylor punching Sykes in the head and then Sykes allegedly pulling out a pistol and killing Taylor, according to the station. Sykes was arrested June 7, according to the station. He appeared in court Monday but it was unclear when Sykes would be returning to court in connection with the case. The suspect is not allowed to leave his house without a judges permission, KPRC reported. Last week in Polk County, Texas, north of Houston, a father criticized a different judge, claiming the judge had issued a light sentence to a man convicted of raping the fathers teen daughter. Jun. 16A Toledo man facing felony assault charges from an encounter with Oregon police officers one year ago filed a federal civil lawsuit against the patrolmen who shot him multiple times, according to documents filed in U.S. District Court in Toledo. Victor Dale Jr., was charged last month in Lucas County Common Pleas Court with felonious assault and assault for allegedly striking Oregon Police Officer Joel Turner with his vehicle on June 13, 2020, at the Kingston Court Apartments on Navarre Avenue. On Monday, Mr. Dale filed a federal civil lawsuit against the city of Oregon and the involved officers, Mr. Turner and Officer Logan Nitkiewicz, who fired 21 times toward Mr. Dale's vehicle over the span of five seconds. Mr. Dale was struck in the neck, shoulder, arm, and leg as he tried to flee. In the four-count lawsuit, Mr. Dale claims the officers used excessive force and participated in reckless conduct, they were not properly trained or engaged in unconstitutional policies, along with assault and battery accusations. He's requesting compensatory and punitive damages, as well as declaratory and injunctive relief against the city from participating in unlawful practices and bringing policies, procedures, and training into compliance, according to the lawsuit. A message was left with the Oregon Police Department and not returned on Wednesday. On June 13, 2020, Mr. Dale was at his girlfriend's apartment when a 911 call was made about a possible break-in at a different apartment, while the second call was made regarding a man and woman arguing in the parking lot. When officers Turner and Nitkiewicz arrived, they confronted Mr. Dale and his girlfriend even though the couple did not meet the description of the disputing man and woman, according to the lawsuit. Mr. Dale's girlfriend advised officers that everything was OK. Mr. Dale got into his vehicle. "As [Mr. Dale] drove away, an officer stepped in front of the vehicle, putting himself in harm's way and in an attempt to justify their subsequent actions which included firing at Victor Dale in excess of 20 total times and striking him," Mr. Westmeyer wrote in the complaint. Story continues The police failed to use less-lethal options and instead used excessive and unnecessary deadly force. Mr. Dale was hospitalized for his injuries, Mr. Westmeyer said. The officers' misconduct occurred "because of the policy, practice, and custom of the code of silence among city of Oregon police officers," the lawsuit condtends. "The Chief of the Oregon Police Department, along with other OPD brass were present for, ordered, encouraged, and condoned the use of force against unarmed, nonviolent person [sic] who were not presenting a threat or committing any crimes," Mr. Westmeyer wrote. In November, officers Turner and Nitkiewicz each received a 30-day suspension without pay, though 15 of those days will be held in abeyance for one year, the department previously said. They were to also undergo additional training. Because Officer Nitkiewicz was still on probation status from his June, 2019, hiring when the shooting occurred, his probation period was extended to May 1. At the time of the shooting, Officer Turner had been with the department since November, 2018. Mr. Dale is scheduled to appear in Lucas County Common Pleas Court for a pretrial hearing for his criminal charges on July 27. He has been released on his own recognizance. First Published June 16, 2021, 3:06pm A March 21, 1925 photo of an overturned house that was carried more than 50 feet from its foundation by a tornado at Griffin, Indiana. There were 54 dead and about 200 injured of the town population of 400. The monstrous tornadoes that killed nearly 750 people and injured more than 2,000 across three Midwestern states on a single day in 1925 came literally with no warning. The so-called "Tri-State Tornado" outbreak of March 18, 1925, remains the nation's all-time deadliest day of tornadoes. Now, thanks to modern meteorology and forecasting as well as the widespread use of smartphones and the dissemination of warnings, such a surprise catastrophic event is almost unthinkable. Indeed, the nation's tornado warning system is close to functioning as it's supposed to, officials from the National Weather Service told the USA TODAY Network. But the system remains imperfect. National Weather Service wants 13 minutes of tornado warning lead time The National Weather Service, the U.S. government agency that provides weather forecasts and severe weather warnings, says the average lead time for tornado warnings is about nine minutes. The average warning lead time for a given tornado is calculated based on when the warning was issued, when the tornado first touched down and how long it lasted, said Steven Pfaff, the warning coordination meteorologist for the weather service office in Wilmington, North Carolina. For example, if a tornado warning came seven minutes before a tornado touched down and the tornado lasted for three minutes, the average warning lead time for that tornado would be eight minutes, Pfaff said. The weather services goal is to provide a minimum of 13 minutes of average warning lead time. In 2011, it reached 15 minutes. Since then, the average warning lead times have fluctuated between eight and 11 minutes. Why does data indicate that the lead time has dropped since 2011? Forecasters about 10 years ago began waiting longer before issuing warnings when they saw something on their forecasting equipment that could indicate a tornado was likely, senior scientist Harold Brooks of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Severe Storms Laboratory said at a conference in 2016. Story continues Brooks said the weather service became concerned that it was issuing too many tornado warnings that turned out to be false alarms, so forecasters more frequently waited until a tornado formed before issuing a warning. Why a slight risk of tornadoes is more threatening than it might seem In addition to warning the public of imminent tornado threats, the weather service's Storm Prediction Center also issues outlooks days in advance to advise the public if potentially tornadic weather is coming. But does a forecast for a "slight" risk of tornadoes worry you? Maybe it should. It's No. 2 on a scale that starts with No. 1 "marginal" and progresses to No. 3 "enhanced," No. 4 "moderate" and No. 5 "high." Tornadoes can and do form even in areas where only a "slight" risk is indicated. "Most people likely have a mental model of what 'slight' means, and it may not rise to the level of needing to be concerned," said University of Georgia meteorologist Marshall Shepherd. This is where intermediate translation is important, he said. Even though the outlook level is called "slight," severe weather that can occur in such a risk area is no less deadly than the weather that occurs in a "high" risk area. Isolated severe storms can still produce significant tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds. When it comes to tornado alerts, federal weather agencies are responsible for letting the public know that tornadoes or other severe weather is possible in the days and hours to come. The weather service's Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, issues risk categories up to several days in advance. The forecasts show "marginal" to "high" risk areas that have a threat of severe thunderstorms based on the probability that a severe event such as tornadoes will occur within 25 miles of a given location. Then, on the day of the potential severe weather event, the Storm Prediction Center will issue a tornado watch if conditions are prime for tornadoes to form. Then, local National Weather Service offices issue specific tornado warnings if a twister is spotted by an eyewitness or one is indicated on radar. A search-and-rescue dog team from Ohio and Tennessee Task Force Recovery, left, head out to look for missing people in debris near Hensley Street after a tornado destroyed homes on March 3, 2020, in Cookeville, Tenn. Bryan Bomar works to help cut a damaged car loose from a fallen tree on family property after a tornado touched down in Tipton County on May 9, 2021. Physical scientists face task of acting as social scientists with warning system The Cookeville, Tennessee, tornado of March 2020 and its destruction of a recently built neighborhood provide an example of a major concern of forecasters urban and suburban growth in the Southeast is putting more people, homes and buildings in the paths of future tornadoes. Further, the residents may not be as attuned to tornado hazards as those who grew up in places where the public dealt with them more frequently. Those classic scenes of Wizard of Oz of the tornado dancing in the landscape have now been replaced with the tornado going through these brand-new subdivisions that are less than 10 years old. And thats that urban sprawl, said meteorologist and tornado researcher Stephen Strader of Villanova University in Pennsylvania. Strader recently published a research paper on the challenges meteorologists face in conveying the seriousness of threats. The public doesnt always grasp what the meteorologists, who are primarily physical scientists, are trying to tell them. What weve learned is that the job of a National Weather Service employee is evolving rapidly, Strader said. What were asking them to do is become better communicators, and thats not an easy thing to do. Thats a social scientist that deals with that. Teams of meteorologists are working with social scientists to get into the heads of members of the public to help understand how someone will respond to a warning. The social scientist can help ask the questions about, What does this person do when they keep receiving false alarm warnings? How does that affect their decision-making? ... What do they prioritize in their life when theres a tornado watch? These questions about how people perceive, act and decide what to do in tornado situations what were finding is way more important than just giving the warning itself. In his research paper, Strader said a one-size-fits-all approach with tornado warnings doesnt work for all the people the weather service is trying to protect. He recommended that local offices learn more about the population groups they serve in order to better communicate with them, such as older adults, the very young, Native Americans and nonnative English speakers. Strader also suggested that the offices develop outreach programs to better educate the various populations they serve. This aerial photo shows the devastation Feb. 16, 2021, in the Ocean Ridge Plantation area of Brunswick County, N.C. following a tornado. 70% of tornado warnings are false alarms, but they're issued in caution The false-alarm rate for tornado warnings now hovers at around 70%, said Greg Schoor, program manager for severe weather services at the National Weather Service. That might sound high, but it's right about what the weather service expects. "We don't want to wait for a tornado to touch the ground before issuing a tornado warning. We want to err on the side of caution," Schoor said. "All these minutes add up. We want to give you as much lead time as possible. It could have saved your life." Matthew Elliott, the warning coordination meteorologist at the Storm Prediction Center, said, "We are confident that the public response to severe weather forecasts, watches and warnings has improved greatly over the past decade. The public and emergency decision-makers are responding appropriately, days and hours in advance of forecast severe-weather events. "Effective warnings of forecast severe weather build throughout the days, hours and minutes prior to an event," Elliott said, "and important complementary messages are shared by our colleagues in local NWS forecast offices and by our partners within the private sector, including national and local media," He said it helps that warning messages include actionable information on how people should plan, prepare and respond. In addition, Elliott said, it helps that the Storm Prediction Center's severe weather outlook threat levels are described by not only categorical terms but also by a specific color and number: Marginal (dark green): Isolated severe storms possible. Slight (yellow): Scattered severe storms possible. Enhanced (orange): Numerous severe storms possible. Moderate (red): Widespread severe storms likely. High (magenta): Widespread severe storms expected. Future changes to severe weather risk categories are afoot There are no immediate plans to change either the risk categories or the watch and warning system, according to federal officials. "However, we have been actively working with social scientists (about) potential future changes (to the risk categories)," said Elliott. "While there is agreement that the current categorical labels are not ideal, there is less agreement on what they should be changed to," he said. "When we make changes, we need to get it right the first time since the entire change process will be quite complex. In other words, we need to measure twice and cut once." As for the watch and warning system, Schoor said the two terms "are ingrained in society and have been for decades. Most people understand a watch means some sort of preparedness while a warning means something is happening." He cited a recent survey administered by the weather service that found 65% of respondents could correctly identify what a tornado watch was while 75% knew what a tornado warning was. A recent addition to the tornado warning system is the designation of a "tornado emergency," which is used when a tornado is on the ground and headed for a populated area, Schoor said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tornado warning system has come a long way, but it could be better EasyJet added 60,000 additional seats to existing routes from Belfast to Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Photo: Patricia De Melo Moreira/AFP EasyJet (EZJ.L) has launched 12 new UK domestic routes amid a growing trend for staycations as international travel remains restricted due to the pandemic. The airline has started operations from Belfast City to London Gatwick for the first time, and returns to East Midlands and Leeds Bradford, with new routes that were previously served by Stobart Air-operated Aer Lingus Regional. EasyJet, which has also added 60,000 additional seats to existing routes from Belfast to Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow, said flight sales started on Thursday from 14.99. It currently operates more seats on domestic flights than any other UK airline. The budget carrier aims to provide fee-free flight changes to any date or destination up to two hours before departure as the demand for domestic travel rises. Customers can also transfer to any flights currently on sale up to the end of September 2022, the company said. Shares in the company were more than 4% higher on Thursday. EasyJet shares were more than 4% higher on Thursday. Chart: Yahoo Finance We know our customers cant wait to be reunited with friends and family or to explore the UK so these additional new routes today should prove popular and will further strengthen our UK domestic network, providing customers with even more choice, said Ali Gayward, easyJets UK country manager. He added: We also know it is important to our customers to be reunited with loved ones overseas so we continue to urge the UK government to add more countries to the green list which can be done safely to make this possible. Read more: Flight availability for amber list countries jumps 300% despite UK travel warnings Domestic travel is expected to surge this summer after prime minister Boris Johnson announced a four-week delay to the end of coronavirus restrictions in England earlier this week amid rising cases of the Delta variant, which was first detected in India. The fourth stage of lockdown was due to be lifted on 21 June but has now been pushed back to at least 19 July. Story continues The government is also set to update its travel traffic light system next week. Earlier this month, UK ministers removed Portugal from its green travel list amid concern over rising coronavirus cases. The holiday destination is now on the amber list, meaning that travellers have to quarantine for 10 days on their return, as well as pay for two PCR tests. Scientists at the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) warned of rising COVID infection rates and the emergence of variants in the country. Rates rose from 33 cases to 51 cases per 100,000 at the time of the decision. Portugal, along with 11 other destinations, was rated green by UK ministers just three weeks earlier. Watch: Should I book a holiday in 2021? Jun. 17TROUP Dalton Smith, a recent Troup High School graduate, will have an opportunity to continue his education while competing in the sport he loves pole vault at New Mexico Junior College, located in Hobbs, NM. NMJC (NJCAA, Division I) has an outstanding track and field program, with the school's men's team having finished sixth in the country in the most recent season. Smith is coming off of a phenomenal senior season at Troup. He won championships at the Area and Regional level and advanced to the UIL Class 3A Track and Field Championships in Austin, where he finished third. Smith's current personal best is 15'-1", a record he will, no doubt, be looking to shatter in New Mexico. U.S. President Joe Biden (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet during the U.S.-Russia summit at Villa La Grange on June 16, 2021 in Geneva, Switzerland (Getty Images) Donald Trump finally realised he was not president when he saw Joe Biden meet Vladimir Putin, a reporter claimed. Mr Bidens summit with the Russian leader in Switzerland finally underscored for the former president that he is no longer in power, according to Maggie Haberman of The New York Times. This is the event that underscored for people around Trump and the former president himself the fact that hes not president anymore, Ms Haberman said on CNN. This was the kind of event on the world stage, getting enormous attention, that he really enjoyed, that he saw as one of the trappings of the office, that he thought spoke to a sense of power and strength... it was the real moment of, Oh, someone else is president and not Donald Trump. CNN host John Berman then said that the one-term president and his team had seemed particularly touchy about the summit. His organisation sent an email around yesterday telling everybody hes more popular than ever before, hes the leader of the Republican Party, said Mr Berman. It really seems to matter to him. Mr Trump appeared on Fox News after the summit and claimed that the even had been a good day for Russia. We didnt get anything. We gave a very big stage to Russia, and we got nothing, Mr Trump told Fox News Hannity. We gave up something that is unbelievably valuable. I stopped the pipeline, Nord Stream, and that pipeline was stopped. It was given back and nothing was gotten for it. Read More After Trump's flattery, GOP hits Biden as weak on Russia Dems eye $6T plan on infrastructure, Medicare, immigration Putin heaps praise on Biden following Geneva summit: He doesn't miss anything, I can assure you' Former President Donald Trump said vaccinations for school children are "unnecessary." Were lucky we have the vaccine, but the vaccine on very young people is something that you gotta really stop," he told Fox News host Sean Hannity in a phone interview on Wednesday. I mean, I dont see reasons, and I am a big believer in what we did with vaccines," Trump said, "but to have every schoolchild, where its 99.99%, theyre just not affected badly. Having to receive a vaccine, I think its something that you should start thinking about because I think its unnecessary. FAUCI SAYS CHILDREN WITHOUT VACCINE SHOULD WEAR MASKS IN SCHOOL THIS FALL Last month, President Joe Biden urged children above the age of 12 to get vaccinated after the Food and Drug Administration OK'd the Pfizer shots for the 12-15 year age group, in addition to those 16 and older. "Were gonna have, for the first time, a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine for adolescents over the 12 years age, Biden said. "This is one more giant step in our fight against the pandemic." This new population is going to find the vaccine rollout fast and efficient, he added. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER The American Academy of Pediatrics reported 0.1%-1.9% of child COVID-19 cases resulted in hospitalizations, and 0.00%-0.03% resulted in death, according to its most recent data. Children made up roughly 14% of all reported cases, though they comprised 0%-0.23% of all mortalities, with eight states reporting zero deaths. Washington Examiner Videos Tags: News, Vaccination, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Schools Original Author: Jake Dima Original Location: Trump says COVID-19 vaccines for school children are 'unnecessary' Former US President Donald Trump addresses the NCGOP state convention on June 5, 2021 in Greenville, North Carolina. The ex-president has claimed his endorsement means more than anyone elses ever. (Getty Images) Former President Donald Trump said windmills kill everything in a meandering interview with Sean Hannity of Fox News. Slamming the Biden administrations energy policy during the Wednesday night call-in with Fox, Mr Trump claimed: Were not going to be energy independent two months from now. Theyre making windmills all over the place to ruin our land and kill our birds. To kill everything. And theyre very intermittent, as you learned from watching over the last four months, its intermittent energy, it's not good. Its not going to power our great factories, Mr Trump added. In February, during the power outages in Texas, Governor Greg Abbot told Mr Hannity: This shows how the Green New Deal would be a deadly deal for the United States of America. He went on to claim that our wind and our solar got shut down, and they were collectively more than 10 per cent of our power grid, and that thrust Texas into a situation where it was lacking power on a statewide basis... It just shows that fossil fuel is necessary. Mr Abbotts own energy department said most of the lost energy stemmed from power-generating systems not being properly winterized, such as pipelines for fossil fuels. But despite that Mr Abbotts claims were disproven, conservatives have echoed his statements. While sources of renewable energy did partially fail during the winter storm power outages, they only made up 13 per cent of power outages while contributing around 25 per cent energy supply in winter, The Washington Post reported. Mr Trump has also made evidence-free claims about wind power in the past. If you have a windmill anywhere near your house, congratulations, your house just went down 75 per cent in value. And they say the noise causes cancer, the then-president said at the National Republican Congressional Committees annual spring dinner in 2019 Mr Trumps comment that windmills kill everything was quickly mocked by critics on Twitter. Story continues Its true. Last time I saw a windmill there was nothing left living in a hundred miles. Then I died, one user wrote. Daily Beast contributing editor Justin Baragona added: Trump was given a full half-hour on primetime TV to comment on the Biden-Putin summit and the current state of national politics and the most standout moment, by far, is him saying windmills kill everything. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Read More They are just not affected: Trump claims children should not receive Covid vaccine Trump says Biden gave a very big stage to Russia at Putin summit Donald Trump proclaims: My endorsement means more than any endorsement that has ever been given by anybody Tyra Banks walks the runway at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in 2005. (Photo: Peter Kramer/Getty Images) Tyra Banks is giving Victoria's Secret her stamp of approval. On Thursday, the 47-year-old supermodel shared a throwback from her runway days to react to the lingerie company's rebrand, which was announced this week. Victoria's Secret, in a New York Times article, said it will no longer feature "Angels" and will instead feature a group of women, including Megan Rapinoe, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Valentina Sampaio, Eileen Gu, Paloma Elsesser and more. "First is hard. First is lonely. But first is necessary. First is crucial so that a door can be opened for others to fit through," Banks wrote. "Within a 10 year span starting in 1995, I was the first Black Victoria's Secret contract model ever. The first Black Victorias Secret Cover model. The first Black VS model to do so many other groundbreaking things with the brand as well as other brands. But after a first, must come a flow of more. A flow of different. A flow of unique. A flow so strong, a flow of so many that we LOSE COUNT." She continued, "I retired from the runway 16 years ago and Im proud that in my lifetime, Im witnessing a beauty revolution," she wrote. "To the new collective of badass ROLE models, I may have cracked that door open, but yall are charging through. Keep on keepin on until we all LOSE COUNT of how many are breaking through behind you. #LetsLoseCount." This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Banks previously revealed that she faced discrimination while working with VS. I lost my very first opportunity with Victorias Secret, she told Yahoo Life in 2020. The hairdresser did not know what to do with my hair. And was spraying water and putting heat and all kinds of stuff, and it was just a frizzy mess. Had no idea what to do with my hair texture. And I get on the set, and they sent me home because my hair looked bad. She did get another chance, however. I called my hairdresser the night before, and I said, Can you do my hair? she explained. I wrapped it, slept in that scarf, got in the cab the next morning. Right before I opened the Victorias Secret studio door, I took the scarf off and walked in...Cut to 10 years of a contract with them. Story continues Victoria's Secret's new ambassadors will be known as the VS Collective and their goal is to help usher in a new chapter for the company. "These extraordinary partners, with their unique backgrounds, interests and passions will collaborate with us to create revolutionary product collections, compelling and inspiring content, new internal associate programs and rally support for causes vital to women," the company shared on Instagram. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Each of the women were also featured in separate posts along with background and quotes about why they want to be a part of this project. Fans had mixed reactions to the news with some excited about the change and others not sure how to feel. "I mean don't cancel the fashion show please," one commenter wrote. "This is kinda disappointing..in order to redefine sexy,you don't need to remove the angels,the wings and the fantasy bras.The thing that everyone was asking about is to include more diversity in your shows," another person said. "So these are your new Angels? Totally approve!" a fan added. "Cant wait to see the amazing ideas you bring to this project," someone continued. Victoria's Secret also announced the creation of the VS Global Fund for Women's Cancers where they look to donate $5 million annually to individual scientists or research teams that have done work in addressing "racial and gender inequities and unlock new innovations that improve cancer outcomes for all women." These initiatives come two years after VS ended its once high-profile Victoria's Secret Fashion Show after claims that the brand was not diverse. Earlier this year, the company was praised for its inclusive swimsuit campaign. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. There have also been countless controversies at the company over the years, including in 2014 when they faced backlash following an ad that showed several models with visible ribs and the words "The Perfect Body." Then just last year, longtime L Brands Chairman and CEO Leslie H. Wexner stepped down after his ties with Jeffrey Epstein were scrutinized. Read more from Yahoo Life: Want lifestyle and wellness news delivered to your inbox? Sign up here for Yahoo Lifes newsletter. (Reuters) -More than 30 countries and two development banks on Thursday pledged more than $1.5 billion in grants and loans to aid Venezuelan migrants fleeing a humanitarian crisis, as well as their host countries and vulnerable people still in the country. The $954 million in grants announced at a donors' conference hosted by Canada - which included pledges of $407 million from the United States and C$115 million Canadian dollars ($93.12 million) from Canada - exceeded the $653 million announced at a similar event last year. But that fell short of the needs of countries hosting the more than 5.6 million Venezuelans who have left their country since 2015, as the once-prosperous nation's economy collapsed into a years-long hyperinflationary recession under socialist President Nicolas Maduro. Most have resettled in developing countries in Latin America and the Caribbean who have themselves seen their budgets stretched thin due to the coronavirus pandemic. "Does this cover all needs? Of course not," Filippo Grandi, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, told reporters. "We will have to continue to encourage donors to support the response." Venezuela's foreign ministry called the conference a "media farce" and said that crippling U.S. sanctions, aimed at ousting Maduro, have caused the economic and migration crisis. "[We] demand that the governments and organizations that participate in this evident farce cease their acts of political, economic and communicational aggression against Venezuela," the ministry said in a statement. At the conference, Ecuadorean President Guillermo Lasso announced that the country - which hosts some 430,000 Venezuelans - would begin a new process to regularize migrants' status. That came after Colombia in February gave 10-year protected status to the 1.8 million Venezuelans it hosts. Karina Gould, Canada's minister for international development, said the amount pledged showed donors were eager to support such efforts. Story continues "There is that recognition on behalf of the global community that there needs to be support to ensure that that generosity can continue, and can actually deepen, in host countries," Gould said. In addition, the World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank pledged $600 million in loans to address the crisis, Gould said. Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido in a tweet thanked Canada and the other participants. "We should unify and join forces for a solution in Venezuela," he said. ($1 = 1.2349 Canadian dollars) (Reporting by Luc Cohen, Michelle Nichols and David Ljunggren; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and Aurora Ellis) Photograph: Us Department Of Defense Handout/EPA A group of senior American politicians have warned that UFOs pose national security concerns after getting a confidential briefing on a highly anticipated report on unidentified aerial phenomena that is set to be released later this month. Some members of Congress were given advanced details about the contents of the Pentagon report, which is scheduled to be released before 25 June, and several said they are deeply worried about the findings. Related: The woman who forced the US government to take UFOs seriously Clearly, somethings going on that we cant handle, Tim Burchett, a Republican congressman from Tennessee, told TMZ. In recent years a series of government videos showing unidentified aerial phenomena, or UAPs the ufology communitys preferred term have been released, including footage from a navy F-18 fighter jet which showed an oblong object flying through the sky near San Diego in 2004. This April photos and videos taken by navy personnel were leaked online, showing triangular-shaped objects buzzing in the sky, and in May leaked military footage showed an oval flying object near a navy ship in San Diego an apparent UAP hotspot. We take the issue of unexplained aerial phenomena seriously to the extent that were dealing with the safety and security of US military personnel or the national security interests of the United States, so we want to know what were dealing with, Sean Patrick Maloney, a Democratic congressman from New York, told the New York Post. I think its important to understand that there are legitimate questions involving the safety and security of our personnel, and in our operations and in our sensitive activities, and we all know that theres [a] proliferation of technologies out there, he continued. We need to understand the space a little bit better. Last week Luis Elizondo, the former director of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program, told the Washington Post that UAPs posed a serious threat. Story continues In this country weve had incidents where these UAPs have interfered and actually brought offline our nuclear capabilities, he said. We also have data suggesting that in other countries these things have interfered with their nuclear technology and actually turned them on, put them online. One theory is that UAPs could be advanced Chinese or Russian aircraft, but Burchett dismissed that in his TMZ interview. I think thats ridiculous. If the Russians had UFO technology, they would own us right now, he said. It has to be something thats, thats out of our galaxy, it just has to be, if it is in fact is real. Elizondo also dismissed those suggestions. We are quite convinced that were dealing with a technology that is multigenerational, several generations ahead of what we consider next generation technology, so what we would consider beyond next generation technology, Elizondo told the Post. Something that could be anywhere between 50 to 1,000 years ahead of us. The flurry of recent videos and the imminent release of the report has ignited an excitement around unidentified flying craft that has not been seen for decades. Barack Obama even weighed in, telling CBS recently that theres footage and records of objects in the skies, that we dont know exactly what they are. Val Demings, a Democratic congresswoman from Florida, was also present at the UAP briefing. You know its always about our safety and security. Our national security is No 1, and so thats really the area where we really focused on this morning, Demings said. The unclassified version of the UAP report released to the public will contain a classified index, which could prevent the most sensitive information from being released. Adam Schiff, the Democratic chair of the House intelligence committee, described this weeks meeting as an interesting briefing. I did learn things that were certainly new to me, Schiff told reporters. But I think Im going to leave it at that. KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine, which has maintained lockdown restrictions though the number of new COVID-19 infections has fallen, has set a record for the daily number of coronavirus inoculations, the health ministry said on Thursday. The ministry said 76,538 Ukrainians were vaccinated on Wednesday. That compared with the previous record of 73,376 shots on April 29. The government has said the country is set to receive around 40 million doses of vaccines from various makers, and that 1,594,083 people have had their first shot as of June 16. On Wednesday, the government extended COVID-19 lockdown measures until Aug. 31, but eased some restrictions. Ukraine, which has a population of 41 million, has been among the most-affected European countries, with around 2.23 million COVID-19 cases and 51,902 deaths as of June 17. (Reporting by Pavel Polityuk; Editing by Christopher Cushing) Weve all heard the phrase, Every company is a fintech. But these days, thats becoming more and more true as an increasing number of companies that are not even in the financial services space seek to add a fintech component to their offering. A group of startups poised to benefit from this shift are those offering banking as a service. One such startup, Unit, has raised $51 million in a Series B round to further its goal of making it possible for companies and fintechs alike to build banking products in minutes. Silicon Valley-based Accel led the round for Unit, bringing the companys total raised since its 2019 inception to nearly $70 million. Existing backers Better Tomorrow Ventures, Aleph, Flourish Ventures and TLV Partners also participated in the latest financing. Founders Itai Damti and Doron Somech are no strangers to growing companies. The pair previously co-founded -- and bootstrapped -- Leverate, a Tel Aviv-based B2B trading tech provider. Unit has dual headquarters in Tel Aviv and New York City. Damti and Somech founded Unit in late 2019 and spent the first year stealthily building out the platform with the mission of empowering companies to embed financial services into their product, accelerating their time to market. Unit officially launched its platform in late 2020, and over the last three months, it has seen deposit volume grow by more than 300% and new end users by 600% (albeit from a small base). With its platform, Unit touts, companies in a variety of industries -- such as freelance or creator economy and personal financial management, for example -- can build financial products directly into their software. This gives them the ability to build and launch next-gen bank accounts, cards, payment and lending products. Customers include Wethos, Lance, Benepass, Moves and Tribevest, among others. Our mission is to expand financial access for all and we do it by empowering the next generation of fintech builders, Damti said. Only about 20% of its customers are what might be considered true fintechs, he said. The remaining 80% are companies that are not but rather want to embed banking as a service into their offering. Story continues Unit, Damti claims, takes what was once a very expensive and complex process of 18 months that includes finding and managing a bank relationship, building a compliance team and building a tech stack that gets you to a competitive banking offering, and turns it into one API and one dashboard that helps companies launch accounts cards, payments and lending within five weeks. In conjunction with the funding, Unit is also announcing today a new offering, Unit Go, which it says allows companies to create live bank accounts and issue physical and virtual cards in minutes. Founders and developers can try it out by creating a free account, building in Units live environment and testing their products using real funds. Unit Go is currently in beta and will be available to the public in the fall of 2021. The company plans to use its new capital to grow its headcount of 26 and fast-track its Unit Go offering. It also wants to expand its platform into additional financial products, software development kits (SDKs) and integrations. (Its already integrated with Plaid, for example). Of course, Unit is not the only startup in the burgeoning banking-as-a-service (BaaS) space. It competes with the likes of Railbank, Treasury Prime and Stripe. Damti believes there are a few things that help differentiate Unit in the increasingly crowded space. For one, according to Damti, Unit intentionally put compliance at the front and center of what we do. As evidence of that, earlier this year, it tapped Amanda Swoverland to serve as its chief compliance officer. Secondly, Damti emphasizes that Unit is not a matchmaker or marketplace along the lines of Synctera. We are acting as a company that connects banks to the tech ecosystem and banks are critical vendors and partners to us, but we see them as a built-in element within Unit, because we believe that the most excellent experience in this ecosystem can only come from software companies, Damti told TechCrunch. And finally, he notes, Unit is technically distinct in that it is actually building a ledger, which Damti describes as the most critical and sensitive part of the ecosystem. By owning the ledger and not delegating, he said, Unit is able to offer a radically better experience. As far as the transaction environment, the cleanliness of the data that we provide and the fees that our customers are able to control and tweak, owning that ledger piece is super critical for the experience, Damti said. Accel partner Amit Kumar notes that in recent years, the landscape has shifted from hundreds of fintech startups trying to beat incumbents with slightly better products to thousands of tech companies trying to launch fintech businesses in their verticals. "Unit's strong emphasis on managing compliance addresses the risk typically associated with offering banking services and allows customers to bring these products to market much faster than previously possible," he told TechCrunch. Unit is building the platform to power the next generation of fintech." By Michelle Nichols NEW YORK (Reuters) - The United Nations General Assembly is set on Friday to call for a stop to the flow of arms to Myanmar and urge the military to respect November election results and release political detainees, including leader Aung San Suu Kyi, diplomats said. Western states have been pushing the 193-member body to consider a draft resolution, but it was postponed at the last minute in a bid to win more support, including from nine Southeast Asian nations. It was not immediately clear if any countries would call for a vote on the draft General Assembly resolution or if it would be adopted by consensus. Diplomats said the text had enough support to pass if put to a vote. An initial draft resolution included stronger language calling for an arms embargo on Myanmar. According to a proposal seen by Reuters last month, the Southeast Asian countries wanted that language removed. The compromise draft "calls on all member states to prevent the flow of arms into Myanmar." Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi's government, citing its refusal to address what it said was fraud in a November election. International observers have said the ballot was fair. Myanmar's U.N. Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun, who speaks for the for the country's elected civilian government, called on U.N. member states to not "support the military directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally." "It is very important to show their strong support towards the people of Myanmar in our efforts to restore democracy, bring the state power back to the people and build a federal democratic union," he told Reuters on Thursday. General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding but carry political weight. Unlike the 15-member Security Council, no country has veto power in the General Assembly. Human Rights Watch U.N. director Louis Charbonneau urged the General Assembly to adopt the resolution. "After months of human rights abuses and atrocities by the junta's security forces, no government should be sending a single bullet to Myanmar," he said. Story continues The junta's forces have killed more than 860 people since the coup, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners group. The junta has said the number is much lower. The draft General Assembly resolution calls on Myanmar to swiftly implement a five-point consensus the junta agreed with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in April to halt violence and start dialogue with its opponents. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Bill Berkrot) A US journalist detained in Myanmar since May appeared Thursday in a special court, his employers said, where he faces charges under a law that criminalises encouraging dissent against the military. Danny Fenster, managing editor of the Frontier Myanmar news outlet, appeared in court "to face a charge under section 505-A of the Penal Code", which carries a maximum three-year jail sentence, Frontier said in a statement. He was later remanded to Yangon's Insein Prison, it said, adding he was scheduled to appear again in court on July 1. It was the first time Fenster had been seen or heard since he was detained in May. "No reason was given for the filing of the charge against him," the statement said. The State Department said that the US embassy was denied requests to see Fenster. "We urge the Burmese to grant consular access as required by the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations without delay and to ensure proper treatment of Danny while he remains detained," State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters, using the country's former name of Burma. "We are doing everything we can to see to it that Danny Fenster is reunited with his family," Price said. Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military seized power in a February 1 coup, with near-daily protests and a huge civil disobedience movement. Fenster, 37, was detained on May 24 at the international airport in Yangon, Myanmar's main city, as he tried to board a plane out of the country. He had been working for Frontier for around a year and had been heading home to see his family, the outlet previously told AFP. "We know that Danny has done nothing to warrant this 505-A charge," Frontier said Thursday. "We condemn his detention and demand his immediate and unconditional release." - 'Crushing independent media' - Fenster appeared in good health during his appearance, according to his lawyer, Frontier editor-in-chief Tom Kean told AFP. Story continues "This is just a scattergun approach to legal punishment against journalists," former Myanmar-based analyst David Mathieson told AFP. "Fenster is the one foreigner they can throw into the mix of crushing independent media in Myanmar." More than 850 civilians have been killed across the country in an ongoing military crackdown, according to a local monitoring group. The press has been squeezed as the junta tries to tighten control over the flow of information, throttling internet access and revoking the licences of local media outlets. The junta revised the 505-A law soon after the coup to include spreading "fake news" as a crime. Journalist and US citizen Nathan Maung, who was detained by the junta in March and faced the same charge as Fenster, was released on Monday after the charges were dropped, and has left for the United States. Earlier this month, a Myanmar journalist working for another outlet was jailed for two years under the same law. Japanese reporter Yuki Kitazumi was detained by authorities in Myanmar in April, and held at Insein until he was freed in May. In the 2021 Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index, Myanmar ranked 140 out of 180 countries. Since the coup, journalists in Myanmar have faced "systematic arrest campaigns and censorship", the watchdog said. Separately on Thursday, the United Nations said it was "alarmed at recent acts of violence that illustrate a sharp deterioration of the human rights environment across Myanmar". The statement follows a Wednesday announcement by a prominent ethnic rebel group that it would investigate an alleged massacre of civilians on its territory after state media accused its fighters of killing 25 construction workers. Also Wednesday, a village in central Magway region was razed almost entirely to the ground, with locals blaming junta troops hunting for members of a local self-defence force. The military has blamed "terrorists" and windy weather. Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing has justified his power grab by claiming electoral fraud in the November poll won by Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party. bur-rma/sct/sst The United States on Thursday designated Juneteenth, which marks the end of slavery in the country, a federal holiday with President Joe Biden urging Americans "to learn from our history." Most US states recognize Juneteenth and commemorate the day, but the bill made June 19 the 12th federal holiday -- and the first new one in 38 years. The date has taken on renewed resonance in recent years with millions of Americans confronting the country's living legacy of racial injustice. "This is a day of profound weight and profound power, and to remember the moral stain and the terrible toll that slavery took on the country, and continues to take -- what I've long called America's original sin," Biden said before signing the bill into law. He hailed the country's "extraordinary capacity to heal and to hope and to emerge from those painful moments and a bitter, bitter version of ourselves." The bipartisan measure cleared the Senate by unanimous consent on Tuesday after one Republican in the chamber ended his objection, and the House of Representatives passed it in a 415-14 vote on Wednesday. "All Americans can feel the power of this day and learn from our history and celebrate progress and grapple with the distance we've come, but (also) the distance that we have to travel," Biden told activists and politicians gathered at the White House. Among those present was leading campaigner Opal Lee, 94, known as the "grandmother of Juneteenth." Vice President Kamala Harris held her hand as Biden signed the act and presented her with a commemorative pen. - Emancipation - Juneteenth National Independence Day is held on June 19 to celebrate the day in 1865 when the last enslaved African Americans learned that they were free. A Union Army general in Galveston, Texas -- where president Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation of 1862 had yet to be enforced nearly three years later -- announced that slavery was abolished in Texas and across the country. Story continues June 19 falls on a Saturday this year, and will be largely marked on Friday. It is the first new federal holiday in the United States since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was created in 1983. Juneteenth last year came against a backdrop of protests fueled by the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The horrifying killing, which was captured on phone video as the officer knelt on Floyd's neck for more than nine minutes, kicked off the biggest civil rights protests in the United States since the 1960s. The officer has since been convicted of murder and is awaiting sentencing. Major US companies including Nike and Twitter announced in 2020 they were making Juneteenth a paid holiday for employees, and many other companies have since followed suit. Vice President Kamala Harris, the first person of mixed race and the first woman to hold the office, recalled that the White House was built by slaves and said "we must teach our children our history, because it is part of our history as a nation." "Today is a day of celebration, and it's also a day of pride," she said. Democrats and Republicans have struggled to unite on legislative issues in recent years, with political divisions impacted by debates over race, immigration and other social issues, but Juneteenth was a rare exception. Last year, then-president Donald Trump was forced to re-schedule a rally on Juneteenth in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a city known for one of the deadliest-ever massacres of African Americans. He then claimed credit for raising awareness about the day -- which was little known among many non-Black Americans -- saying "I did something good: I made Juneteenth very famous." The day is usually celebrated with parades, concerts or neighborhood parties. bgs/caw By Diego Ore MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Police in Nicaragua are arresting opponents of President Daniel Ortega and even dissidents from his Sandinista movement in a crackdown ahead of November's presidential election that poses a challenge to U.S efforts to bolster democracy in Central America. In the past two weeks, Ortega's government has arrested four opposition contenders seeking to deny him a fourth consecutive five-year term at the polls this year. The leading challenger, Cristiana Chamorro, was placed under house arrest on June 2 after she announced her intention to contest the vote. In recent days, several others have been rounded up - including dissidents from the Sandinista movement that first brought Ortega to power in the late 1970s - despite howls of diplomatic protest from the United States and Latin American countries. U.S. President Joe Biden has placed strengthening democracy in Central America at the heart of his $4 billion plan to curb migration flows from the Northern Triangle countries - Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. In response to the detentions in Nicaragua- as well as recent raids on newspaper offices and bans on political parties - Washington last week imposed sanctions on members of the ruling elite, including Ortega's daughter. Nicaragua is not a major source of migration to the United States yet a failure by Washington to defend democratic standards there could resonate in the Northern Triangle, where the Biden administration says poor governance is a main reason people flee their countries for a new life. Central American leaders such as Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele are already rejecting U.S. criticism of their record on democracy and human rights. "Central American leaders see themselves in their neighbor's mirrors, and a failure by the United States in Nicaragua could be seen as weakness that emboldens others to follow an anti-democratic agenda," said Tiziano Breda, Central America representative at the International Crisis Group think tank. Story continues Nicaragua has in recent months passed laws making it easier to prosecute people for receiving foreign funding and for publishing leaked or "false" information. Law 1055, passed late last year, allows candidates to be barred from elections if they have spoken in favor of U.S. sanctions. "The law is tough, but it's the law," said Vice President Rosario Murillo, Ortega's wife. Diplomats say they were shocked by the brazen nature of the crackdown: presidential challenger Chamorro was detained while U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken was in neighboring Costa Rica extolling democratic values. Nicaragua was also uncowed by the U.S. sanctions last week on four members of the ruling clique. Within hours, police surrounded the home of a former head of the American chamber of commerce, himself an ex-central bank chief, and issued a warrant for his arrest. Julie Chung, acting undersecretary of the U.S. State Department's Office of Western Hemisphere Affairs, said last week the United States could go further and impose broad trade sanctions. But Breda warned that could be counterproductive by increasing poverty levels in the country of 6.5 million people, stoking migration and further destabilizing the region. Before taking further punitive action, Washington should try using existing sanctions to win concession from Ortega, he said. "They should try through diplomatic rapprochement to offer incentives for Ortega to make certain concessions in electoral institutions or the release of pre-candidates in exchange for possible lifting of sanctions, Breda said. FAMILY RIVALRY Ortega first took power in Nicaragua after the 1979 overthrow of U.S.-backed right-wing dictator Anastasio Somoza by the Sandinista rebels. Defeated at elections in 1990, Ortega returned to power via the ballot box in 2007 and is currently the longest-standing leader in the Americas. Chamorro, a member of one of Nicaragua's most influential families, was the opposition's strong card to defeat Ortega in Novembers election, just as her mother, Violeta Chamorro, did in 1990. Police accused Chamorro of money laundering and "ideological falsehood," a charge related to falsification of documents. She has denied the charges. Jose Antonio Peraza, part of the opposition "Blue and White National Unity" association of groups calling for protests, said the electoral process had been undermined but the opposition would seek other candidates. "The dictatorship wants everyone to say 'It's over'... but we cannot give up," he said. "We have no other alternative." In 2018, a series of anti-Ortega protests unleashed a government crackdown that left more than 300 dead. The backlash prompted the United States to blacklist top Nicaraguan officials, including Murillo. Following the latest detentions, the Organization of American States voted a resolution on Tuesday demanding the release of all potential electoral candidates and political prisoners, as well as reforms to guarantee free and fair elections. Jose Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at Human Rights Watch, said the U.S.-led response looked improvised. "They need to increase the pressure dramatically," he said. Washington should coordinate an international response to show Nicaragua that it would lose international financing if the candidates were not released, he said. Last year, the United States disbursed $32 million in support to Nicaragua and the International Monetary Fund approved $185 million to help it tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to support from the European Union and the World Bank. "Their game is to stay in power at for the rest of their lives at pretty much at any cost, and you need to increase the cost," Vivanco said. (Reporting by Diego Ore in Mexico City; Ismael Lopez in Managua and Daphne Psaledakis and Matt Spetalnick in Washington; Writing by Daina Beth Solomon; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel and Alistair Bell) HANOI (Reuters) - Vietnam on Thursday called on the World Health Organization to speed up the COVAX vaccine drive as the country's new daily infections hit a record high. Vietnam successfully contained outbreaks for most of last year, but a new outbreak that has infected 8,914 people since late April, or 75% of the total cases, has prompted calls for Vietnam's government to accelerate its vaccination programme. WHO should speed up vaccine delivery through the international COVAX scheme, Vu Duc Dam, head of the country's COVID-19 task force, said during a meeting with WHO's regional director for the Western Pacific, Takeshi Kasai. Dam also urged the WHO to accelerate the transfer of vaccine manufacturing technology so Vietnam can become one of the vaccine production hubs in the region. The WHO said last month it was reviewing a proposal by an unidentified vaccine manufacturer in Vietnam to become an mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine technology hub in the Southeast Asian country. The country of about 98 million people has received nearly 4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine, most of which came from the COVAX programme. Vietnam's domestic inoculations started in March. At least 1.77 million people in Vietnam have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while 72,325 have been fully vaccinated, according to official data. In a separate meeting on Thursday, Dam asked Vietnamese health authorities to speed up testing and inoculations, and tighten control inside quarantine facilities to minimize cross-infection. (Reporting by Phuong Nguyen; Editing by Martin Petty and Steve Orlofsky) A vote on prospective Virginia Beach regulations that would limit opportunities for Airbnb and other short-term rentals was postponed until July 6 by the City Council. The City Council listened to speakers on both sides of the issue Tuesday night during a lengthy discussion. Some supporters of the ordinance represented neighborhood groups that complained about loud noise and other nuisances in properties used as short-term rentals. Some opponents of the restrictions were property owners who rent out homes for short-term periods. They called for a compromise without overrestricting the rentals and limiting options for tourists. Airbnb and similar rentals often are homes rented out as an alternative to staying in a hotel. Under the proposed zoning changes, a person would not be able to open new short-term rentals in parts of Shore Drive, Oceanfront and North End. There also would be limits on the number of rentals in certain neighborhoods: North End would be limited to 10.6% of its homes being used as short-term rentals and East Shore Drive would be limited to 11.5% of its total homes. Short-term rentals in some areas would have limits on the number of contractors they can have every week and would be subject to new health and safety rules. Washington Examiner Videos Tags: States, News, Virginia Original Author: Tyler Arnold, The Center Square Original Location: Virginia Beach postpones short-term rental regulation vote Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a news conference after the US-Russia summit between himself and President Joe Biden at the Villa La Grange, in Geneva (EPA) President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday deflected questions about human rights in Russia during a press conference and instead took a dig at America over mass shooting incidents after his first face-to-face meeting with US counterpart Joe Biden in Geneva. The meeting went on for over three hours, following which the two leaders addressed the media. Mr Putin was asked questions about the jailing of Russian opposition leaders, including Alexei Navalny and the situation of human rights and laws in the country, when the leader raised the issue of the 6 January US Capitol attack, police brutality and the rates of gun crime in US cities. You can hardly open your mouth before being shot dead, Mr Putin shot back taking the opportunity to criticise the US for its civil rights struggles at home. Look at American streets. People are getting killed there, he said in translated comments. You can get a bullet in the neck. He compared the arrest of Mr Navalny to the arrests of suspects in the 6 January US Capitol riots which Mr Biden called a ridiculous comparison later in a press conference. As for who is killing whom or are throwing whom in jail, people came to the US Congress with political demands, said Mr Putin. Over 400 people had criminal charges placed on them. They face prison sentences of up to 28, maybe even 25 years. Theyre being called domestic terrorists. Mr Putin also raked up the issue of racial injustice in the US and the Black Lives Matter protests in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd. America just recently had very severe events after well-known events, after a killing of an African American and an entire movement developed known as Black Lives Matter, said Mr Putin. What we saw was disorder, destruction, violations of the law, etcetera. We feel sympathy for the United States of America, but we dont want that to happen on our territory, and were doing our utmost in order to not allow it to happen, he said. Story continues Despite the subtle jibes, Mr Putin concluded that there had been no hostility between the two and the US president said that he had made no threats towards his counterpart. No major breakthrough was announced between the countries in the highly anticipated meeting, the first in three years after former President Donald Trump met Mr Putin in 2018 summit in Helsinki. Read More AP News Digest 3:30 a.m. Biden abroad: Pitching America to welcoming if wary allies Sunshine, fatalism and 2 world views from 2 world leaders Deon Williams looked up at the sky. Silver, pink and white star balloons surrounded her. Behind her, a small cross, one of four, that lined the front of an Englewood home had her younger sisters name: Shermetria Williams. This is her favorite song! she shouted before someone queued up Heaven by Beyonce. Say her name! a man shouted. Mia! Deon Williams, saying her sisters nickname, and other family shouted back, mixed with the names of the other three victims who were all fatally shot inside the home Tuesday morning. Do you feel the spirit? Deon, 49, yelled. In your soul? Diamond Williams, another sister of Shermetria, hugged loved ones as she cried and the balloons raised above them. She didnt deserve this, Diamond said. Around 7 p.m. Wednesday, they swayed together next to small tea lights that spelled out Shermetrias nicknames as other community members made a semicircle around them. Friends and family swapped stories of how they heard what had happened. How they used process of elimination to know which four victims went to hospitals and which four were lying dead inside the house. The others who died were 28-year-old Ratanya Aryiel Rogers, 32-year-old Denice Niecy Mathis and 35-year-old Blake Lee, according to the Cook County medical examiners office. Those who survived were a 23-year-old man, a 25-year-old woman, a 25-year-old man and a 41-year-old man. No arrests had been made as of Friday afternoon, police said. The cat of one of the injured victims ran up and down the steps of the home, unable to enter, and around the front yard. Chicago police squad cars blocked off the street and detectives walked up to pull aside some attendees. Shermetria, 19, had only started going around the house recently, her cousin said on the day of the shooting. She was younger than the others, set to graduate the day she died. She started seeing the man who lived in the apartment after she attended one of his parties. She left behind a 2-year-old daughter who also lost her father to gun violence, Diamond said. Story continues I want mercy on Chicago. We cant get her back, Deon said. But for her daughter, we have to come together as a family. Robyn Eddmonds, 34, a longtime friend of the three others who were killed, said that the white stone house in the 6200 block of South Morgan Street is where people could get together and party but their things would always still be there in the morning. She looked at the house and said she still cant believe the shooting was real. This shouldve never happened to them like that, she said. This isnt the house where stuff like that happens at. Shouldnt have happened at all, neighbor Michelle Bolton added. Donald Coleman, older brother of Niecy Mathis, said in a phone interview with the Tribune that his sister left behind five kids, ages 2 to 14, the oldest a girl and the rest boys. Mathis was the party girl of 12 siblings, he said, but she had always put her kids first and made sure they were set before she went out. She was a really, really, really great mother, he said. She went above and beyond for her kids. She always made a way for her kids. Mathis grew up in Englewood. She loved to travel, having gone to Miami and Houston earlier this year. She had a trip planned to Orlando, Florida, to take her kids to Disney World. She took them to Six Flags on the Friday before the shooting and then to a water park on Sunday. Coleman, 38, said he last saw her via FaceTime the day before she was killed. His other sister was doing Mathis hair, two big braids, and Coleman called her ugly, a joke he always made when she got her hair done. When he woke up Tuesday morning, his phone went off nonstop. He knew something had to be wrong. No one ever called him at 5 or 6 in the morning. He went on Facebook and saw people tagging his sister in posts about the shooting. He hopped onto the expressway and drove to the scene. He said he had to see it for himself. At the time, you dont want to believe its true. You want to believe that she made it, he said. That it wasnt her. That she wasnt one of the victims. Police let the family members stand near the home, but they couldnt go in. Coleman watched the detectives walk in and out as his sister, who was the Robin to his Batman, was inside. Officers asked family members what clothes their loved ones were wearing. Coleman stood outside the house and cried when he knew it was true. First time crying in years, many years, he said. I cried. Mathis and two of the others killed were really close, Coleman said. They were part of a group that called themselves the Creep Squad because they would stay up so late. He knew the two victims, who he said both also had kids, and one just celebrated her birthday. Coleman said he and others in the community dont believe the police narrative that they were killed while partying. Their theory is that they were sleeping when someone came in and shot seven of the eight victims in the head, one in the back. He wants whomever is responsible to be prosecuted to the fullest extend of the law, he said. The day of the shooting, the Englewood community and the family of the victims gathered on Racine Avenue and 60th Street, he said. At least 100 people released 200 pink and blue balloons. For his sister, Coleman wants a grand exit. Hes thinking a horse and carriage for her funeral. They was all the life of the party. They wouldnt hurt a fly, he said. They were the same type of people. All full of life. All loving. They all cared about their kids. They really hit home with this. They took some good people. pfry@chicagotribune.com Twitter @paigexfry A cafe in El Zonte advertises that it accepts bitcoin - Alex Pena/Anadolu Agency The World Bank on Wednesday declined to assist El Salvador in implementing bitcoin as legal tender, citing the environmental impact of the power-intensive process of "mining" the currency. El Salvador wants to become the first country to formally adopt the cryptocurrency, using it as a parallel legal tender alongside the US dollar, and recently approached the World Bank for help in achieving this. A World Bank spokesman said: "We are committed to helping El Salvador in numerous ways including for currency transparency and regulatory processes. "While the government did approach us for assistance on bitcoin, this is not something the World Bank can support given the environmental and transparency shortcomings." With an economy that relies heavily on remittances, president Nayib Bukele says the cryptocurrency will make it easier for Salvadorans living abroad to send money home, and that it will generate jobs and help provide financial inclusion to thousands outside the formal economy. Legislation has already passed, which would make it mandatory for businesses to accept bitcoin unless they are unable to provide the necessary technology. People would also be able to pay their taxes with bitcoin. But the World Bank's decision not to provide technical assistance means implementation may be difficult within the 90-day window specified by the law. A man withdraws cash from a bitcoin ATM in El Zonte, El Salvador - Alex Pena/Anadolu Agency Bitcoin is "mined" by powerful computers solving complex algorithms in a highly energy-intensive process. According to the Cambridge University Bitcoin Energy Consumption Index, bitcoin mining is now responsible for more electricity consumption each year than some entire countries, including Argentina and the UAE. Some institutions also oppose the use of cryptocurrencies because they are unregulated, raising concerns about the potential for money laundering and tax evasion. Critics say the plan to use bitcoin as an official currency is impractical, especially in a country where many people do not have access to the internet. Story continues El Salvador is also in the midst of ongoing loan negotiations with the International Monetary Fund over a potential $1 billion support package, which is critical to patching budget gaps. Despite the World Bank's rejection, Alejandro Zelaya, the Salvadoran finance minister, said the IMF was "not against" the bitcoin implementation, although the IMF said last week it saw "macroeconomic, financial and legal issues" with it. Investors have recently demanded higher premiums to hold Salvadoran debt amid growing concerns over the completion of the IMF deal, which the bitcoin decision could complicate. The World Bank has rejected the government of El Salvador's request to help the country implement Bitcoin as legal tender, Reuters first reported late Wednesday. Why it matters: The international lender's rejection could hamper the government's goal of making the digital currency accepted across the country within three months. Get market news worthy of your time with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free. Driving the news: El Salvador's legislature last week became the first in the world to vote in favor of formally adopting bitcoin, with plans to use it alongside the U.S. dollar, the nation's official currency. Finance Minister Alejandro Zelaya said earlier Wednesday that the government had asked the World Bank for "technical assistance" in implementing the cryptocurrency, per the BBC. Zelaya said government officials had also held talks with the International Monetary Fund, which he said was "not against" the plans. What they're saying: A World Bank spokesperson confirmed to Reuters that "the government did approach us for assistance on bitcoin," but said it couldn't directly help "given the environmental and transparency shortcomings" of bitcoin. "We are committed to helping El Salvador in numerous ways including for currency transparency and regulatory processes," the spokesperson said. An IMF spokesperson told reporters last week: "Adoption of bitcoin as legal tender raises a number of macroeconomic, financial and legal issues that require very careful analysis." Go deeper: El Salvador moves into bitcoin Like this article? Get more from Axios and subscribe to Axios Markets for free. (Bloomberg) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping is renewing his years-long push to achieve technology self-sufficiency by tapping a top deputy to shepherd a key initiative aimed at helping domestic chipmakers overcome U.S. sanctions. Liu He, Xis economic czar whose sprawling portfolio spans trade to finance and technology, has been tapped to spearhead the development of so-called third-generation chip development and capabilities and is leading the formulation of a series of financial and policy supports for the technology, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Its a nascent field that relies on newer materials and gear beyond traditional silicon and is currently an arena where no company or nation yet dominates, offering Beijing one of its best chances to sidestep the hurdles slapped on its chipmaking industry by the U.S. and its allies. The sanctions, which emerged during Donald Trumps presidency, have already smothered Huawei Technologies Co.s smartphone business and will impede longer-term efforts by chipmakers from Huaweis HiSilicon to Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. to migrate toward more advanced wafer fabrication technologies, threatening Chinas technological ambitions. China is the worlds largest user of chips, so supply chain security is of high priority, said Gu Wenjun, chief analyst at research firm ICwise. Its not possible for any country to control the entire supply chain, but a countrys effort is definitely stronger than a single company. The involvement of one of Xis most-trusted lieutenants in Chinas chip efforts highlights the importance accorded by Beijing to the initiative, which is gaining urgency as rivals from the U.S. to Japan and South Korea scramble to shore up their own industries. The Chinese president has long called upon his Harvard-educated adviser to tackle matters of top national priority, making him the chief representative in trade negotiations with the U.S. as well as chairman of the Financial Stability and Development Committee, where Liu leads the charge to curb risks in the nations $5-trillion-plus financial sector. Story continues In May, Liu spearheaded a meeting of the technology task force that discussed ways to grow next-generation semiconductor technologies, according to a government statement. The 69-year-old vice premier, who has led the countrys technology reform task force since 2018, is also overseeing projects that could lead to breakthroughs in traditional chipmaking, including the development of Chinas own chip design software and extreme ultraviolet lithography machines, one of the people said, asking not to be identified as they werent authorized to speak to media. The State Council and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology didnt respond to faxed requests for comment. During trade negotiations with the Trump administration, Liu emerged as one of the most visible advocates of Beijings agenda. Hes known Xi since childhood -- both are sons of veteran Communist Party leaders and were among masses of young people dispatched to work in impoverished rural areas during the Cultural Revolution. Now, Liu is leading the charge to reform the tech sector, which was identified in Chinas latest five-year economic plan as a key strategic area in which the whole nation system should be used to mobilize any necessary resources. First introduced under Mao Zedong to help the then-fledgling Communist China industrialize, the approach was crucial to helping Beijing attain a number of top national priorities, from developing its first atomic bomb in the early 1960s to achieving Olympic sporting success. After that it was largely set aside as officials shifted to focus on economic growth. But following a series of U.S. sanctions that exposed the vulnerabilities of Chinas chip capabilities, Xi is once again reactivating the mechanism to achieve breakthroughs in advanced chip development and manufacturing. About a trillion dollars of government funding have been set aside under the technology initiative, part of which will be used by central and local governments to jointly invest in a series of third-generation chip projects, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Top chipmakers and research institutes have submitted proposals to the ministries of science and information technology, all vying for a place in the national program and a share of the financing. The Ministry of Science and Technology is slated to inject 400 million yuan ($62 million) into some key strategic electronics materials including third-generation chips, according to a government document. Even moonshot chip programs are in line for government funding. The state-backed National Natural Science Foundation of China has pledged financial support for dozens of exploratory research programs, ranging from ultra-low power consumption to the development of a flexible chip that can collect and transmit nerve signals, as Beijing seeks to overcome computing bottlenecks when Moores Law -- the industry standard for predicting the pace of chip improvements -- finally stops working. Several subsidiaries of China Electronics Technology Group Corp. and China Railway Construction Corp. -- organizations already sanctioned by the U.S. -- are among the state-backed firms backing the effort, one of the people said. Another government-linked giant, China Electronics Corp., is one of the leaders in third-generation chip development, thanks to its investment in smaller firms including CEC Semiconductor Co. Using its own in-house technology, CEC Semiconductor makes silicone carbide-based power devices that can work at 200 degrees Celsius (360 degrees Fahrenheit) for a number of key industries from telecommunications to electric cars -- reducing Chinas reliance on overseas suppliers such as Infineon Technologies AG, Rohm Co. and Cree Inc. Shares of chipmakers climbed, with SMIC rallying more than 8% in Shanghai, set for its biggest one-day gain since October. Shares of National Silicon Industry Group Co., Will Semiconductor Co. and Maxscend Microelectronics Co. also advanced. Sanan Optoelectronics Co. and Wingtech Technology Co. -- among firms seen as potential beneficiaries of Chinas third-generation chip effort -- gained 10% and 8%, respectively. The task of coordinating that sprawling program now falls to Liu, who has to keep track of the relevant resources and drive the national strategy to help China achieve chip independence. For our country, technology and innovation is not just a matter of growth, Liu told a three-story auditorium packed with Chinas top scientists in a separate meeting in May. Its also a matter of survival. Read more: Biden Needs More Than $52 Billion to Counter China in Chips Xi is counting on his lieutenant to help China fend off growing threats from the U.S., which is seeking to take back chip industry supremacy. Under the Trump administration, sanctions were slapped on Chinese giants from Huawei to SMIC, cutting off their access to American technology and equipment crucial to designing and making advanced logic chips. President Joe Biden has also laid out a $52 billion plan to bolster domestic chip manufacturing, while calling on allies to join export controls aimed at curbing Beijings drive toward technology self-sufficiency. Rival powerhouse nations like South Korea and leading corporations such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. have also responded with their own spending plans, fueling the race to take the lead in the sector. Read more: China Revs Up Grand Chip Ambitions to Counter U.S. Blacklistings With traditional chipmaking facing a series of challenges from technology development to heavy capital investment, third-generation chips -- which use compounds such as gallium nitride and silicon carbide to significantly improve the performance of semiconductors that power a wide range of industries and products -- may offer China its best chance to overcome rivals, senior academic Mao Junfa told an industry event in Nanjing earlier this month. China couldnt buy chips, even with cash in hand, he said, referring to Washingtons sanctions on Chinese tech companies including Huawei. The compound chip technologies could help China surpass rivals in the post-Moores Law era. (Update with share performance of chipmakers in 13th 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. Bedford County Public Schools new superintendent, Marc Bergin, wants to connect with the countys stakeholders, and hes starting by talking with them face-to-face. At a meet and greet event Tuesday night, Bergin met with an intimate group of 11 students, parents, current and former division staff members, and community members at the Moneta/Smith Mountain Lake Library in Moneta. For more than an hour and a half, the group talked with Bergin and each other about how theyd like to see the division grow. Bergin said he thinks there is value to getting stakeholders in a room and allowing productive conversations about how to build upon the divisions strengths and address areas that need improvement. I know what some of the issues are, they identified some others ... I dont have the solution to all of them, but put enough people in the room and the solution will present itself, Bergin said. Tuesdays event was the first of six meet and greet sessions Bergin has scheduled at Bedford Countys public libraries and a school on Tuesday nights through June and July. Seven-year-old Hannah Rogers, a rising second grader at Goodview Elementary School, had no trouble sharing what she loved about her school and what she hopes to see more of. An officer-involved shooting in Amherst County left one man dead Wednesday evening. The incident began at about 5:39 p.m. after state police received a request to assist the Buckingham County Sheriff's Office in arresting a violent felon wanted on several felony and misdemeanor charges there, according to a Virginia State Police news release. The sheriff's office told state troopers the man should be "considered armed and dangerous, and to be approached with caution," the release states. State troopers found a man fitting the wanted subject's description along with a woman inside a Chevrolet Tahoe in a parking lot in the 2700 block of West Main Street in Waynesboro. When troopers approached, the driver fled, hitting one of the troopers' vehicles, according to the news release. Troopers then began pursuing the Tahoe along Virginia 250 through Waynesboro and into Augusta County, where it went south on the Blue Ridge Parkway and eventually onto Pedlar River Road in Amherst County, the release states. The driver then jumped from the moving vehicle, which continued off the road and into a ditch. "The troopers then engaged the male subject, who was armed with a firearm," the release states. "During that encounter, the troopers fired at the wanted subject." Sen. Natasha von Imhof, an Anchorage Republican, gave a fiery speech outlining potential fallout if a budget were not passed with the start of the new fiscal year looming July 1. She noted the dividend amounts contemplated in the budget and said Alaskans also have received federal aid checks over the last year to help ease the financial impacts of the pandemic. A focus should be on reinvigorating the economy through year-round jobs, she said. "But, no, here we are ... debating a dividend. The greed and the entitlement is astounding to me. I just don't fathom it, she said. My father is at home dying of cancer, and I am here, listening to the biggest crock of crap I've ever heard. Sen. Bert Stedman, a Sitka Republican and one of the budget negotiators, said the proposed $1,100 dividend reflected what the state could afford. He is among those who has balked at exceeding a withdrawal limit from permanent fund earnings for dividends and government costs. In retrospect, he said, he wished funding for the dividend wasn't structured as it was, but he said efforts to unwind that as part of negotiation efforts weren't successful. Stedman said funding for an $1,100 dividend could be addressed with a special session later this year. At a press conference, the interior minister admitted it was no real contest. The actual competition in the elections is not a very serious one ... considering the actions of the Guardian Council," said Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli. We can say that the reasons are the weak competition and the coronavirus situation. That left Khamenei and top officials the task to try lure the disillusioned public back to the polls. Iranian authorities have promoted voter turnout as validation for their style of governance after the 1979 Islamic Revolution installed the clerically overseen system that endures today. Khamenei lashed out against Iran's enemies for discouraging people from voting. He accused American and British media and their mercenaries of killing themselves to question the elections and weaken popular participation. He also acknowledged that many ordinary Iranians, impoverished and battered by years of heavy American sanctions, may not see the benefit of political participation. "But not voting because of (economic) complaints is not correct," Khamenei said. When Gov. Ralph Northams emergency pandemic order ends on June 30, so will provisions that prevented landlords from evicting tenants who did not pay their rent due to the economic shutdowns ordered by the governor. There were good public health reasons to ban evictions in the middle of a pandemic, as the Virginia Supreme Court noted when it suspended all non-emergency evictions last year. A federal eviction moratorium will also potentially end at the end of this month. But during the past 15-month eviction moratorium, property owners have had no recourse to either force payment or reclaim their property. Now that the worst of the pandemic appears to be behind us, its time to stop forcing landlords to bear the full brunt of the governments decision. Virginia received $4.3 billion under the federal American Rescue Plan, of which $450 million is specifically targeted for rental relief. This money should go directly to renters who, through no fault of their own, were unable to keep up with their lease payments. Qualifying households must demonstrate that they are in arrears due to the pandemic and make less than 80 percent of their city or countys median income. Congressional ire over tax avoidance is hypocritical Congress recently expressed outrage over tax data published by Fortune Magazine and ProPublica that shows the very wealthy in America pay a much lower tax rate than average Americans. Fortune reported that 55 major S&P 500 and Fortune 500 companies paid zero federal income taxes on their 2020 profits. 26 of them paid no federal income tax for the last three years, despite having combined earnings of $77 Billion and combined pre-tax profits of $40.5 Billion. These companies include Nike, Salesforce, FED EX and Archer Daniels Midland. Data shows the 25 richest Americans avail themselves of tax-avoidance strategies beyond the reach of most Americans. The group includes Bill Gates, Rupert Murdoch, Warren Buffet, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Carl Icahn and George Soros. Their wealth derives from the value of assets like stock and property. Those gains are not defined by U.S. laws as taxable income until they are sold. According to Forbes, those 25 people saw their worth rise a collective $401 billion from 2014 to 2018. They paid $13.6 billion in income taxes in those years. A staggering sum, but an effective tax rate of only 3.4%. Many Americans live paycheck to paycheck, amassing little wealth. In recent years, the median American household earned about $70,000 annually and paid 14% in federal taxes. A parliamentary committee decided Wednesday to refer a high court judge to an impeachment court for posting inappropriate messages on social media that were offensive to parties in two separate trials in 2017 and 2018. The decision makes Kiichi Okaguchi, 55, of the Sendai High Court, the ninth judge ever to be referred to the Judge Impeachment Court in Japan, and the first for expression of views. Seven judges have been dismissed by the court to date. While the parliamentary committee for the prosecution of judges has not disclosed the reason for its decision, it is believed to have found grounds for dismissal based on a series of posts that constituted misconduct for a judge. In 2017, Okaguchi posted on his personal Twitter account about the murder of a high school girl in Tokyo, saying, "A man who has a propensity to be sexually aroused by watching a woman being strangled and agonized. A 17-year-old woman who was mercilessly murdered by such a man." Almost two years after the tweet, he posted on Facebook that "the bereaved family has been brainwashed by the Tokyo High Court office to criticize me." In 2018, Okaguchi came under fire again when he tweeted about a civil suit concerning dog ownership, in which he apparently blamed the original pet owner. The relevant parties in the two cases requested that Okaguchi be dismissed, with other similar requests made after he criticized a bill that would extend the retirement age of prosecutors on a radio program. - Japan Today The estimated number of foreign visitors to Japan in May was down 99.6 percent from the pre-pandemic year of 2019 as a result of tougher travel restrictions to prevent the spread of highly contagious coronavirus variants, government data showed Wednesday. The figure rose to 10,000 from 1,663 a year earlier but remained at an extremely low level, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization, as Tokyo is maintaining the restrictions with few signs of infections abating. With the Tokyo Olympics set to start next month, Japan continues to ban the entry of foreign travelers in principle amid rising COVID-19 infections triggered by the variants. Japan has also tightened its border controls, extending quarantine periods for travelers who have recently been to certain countries affected by the variants. Japan's central bank should be cautious about deepening negative interest rates as such a move could have a "very big" impact on lenders' earnings, the head of a lobby of regional banks said. Japanese commercial banks have been vocal opponents of the Bank of Japan's negative rate policy, as years of ultra-low rates erode their profits and add to woes such as a dwindling population and intensifying competition. Regional lobby chief Hisashi Shibata said the BOJ's massive stimulus programme had supported the economy by keeping borrowing costs low for companies hit by the coronavirus pandemic. "On the other hand, the BOJ's policies have narrowed bank margins and their side-effects are materialising," Shibata, who took over the rotating role of the bank lobby's chief on Wednesday, told a news conference. The central bank has created several schemes since last year to mitigate the pain inflicted on lenders by its negative rate policy and spur regional lenders to further revitalise their business. These include a scheme for the BOJ to pay interest to lenders that tap it for funds to boost lending, a move the central bank said was aimed at convincing markets it would cut rates, if needed to support the economy. The operator of the Mihama nuclear power plant on the Sea of Japan coast says it will restart an aging reactor next Wednesday after a 10-year suspension. The No.3 unit would be the first reactor that is more than 40 years old to be put back online in Japan since the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident of 2011. The operator began making preparations for a restart after Fukui Prefecture, which hosts the reactor, agreed to the plan in April. The Nuclear Regulation Authority has conducted inspections of the reactor's containment vessel and important piping since June 7. The checks were completed on Thursday. Kansai Electric Power Company will proceed to final-stage preparations, including a test to activate control rods. The operation of reactors has been limited by law to 40 years in principle since the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident. But old reactors can still be allowed to operate for up to 60 years, if they pass a screening by the regulator. As the reactor has been offline for 10 years, the operator will double the number of workers for the restart, and local governments will send staff to monitor the process. - NHK TOKYO (TR) Tokyo Metropolitan Police on Thursday arrested a 45-year-old man for allegedly threatening to kill the Japan Medical Association chief, reports TBS News According to police, Tadao Hachisu, of no known occupation, sent an envelope containing a letter and a knife with a 10-centimeter-long blade to the hospital in Sapporo City, Hokkaido Prefecture where Toshio Nakagawa works. You are inciting fear over the coronavirus, he wrote. Ill kill you. Police believe that the suspect was unhappy with comments made by Nakagawa about infection prevention measures. Hachisu lives in Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture. He mailed the envelope from a post office in the city. The arrest is the second for Hachisu. On May 28, police arrested him for sending another envelope containing a knife to Haruo Ozaki, the chief of the Tokyo Metropolitan Medical Association. If you do not withdraw from [involvement] in the coronavirus matter, I will definitely kill you, the suspect wrote in a letter in the envelope. I lost all patience for [Ozaki] when he asked citizens to refrain [from activities] in a screaming tone, Hachisu said after his first arrest. Laura Ganapini is a supply chain manager with the Methodist Health System. She spends her weeks at both Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital and Methodist Womens Hospital. During her free time, Ganapini enjoys going for motorcycle rides with her boyfriend, cooking and spoiling her cat! Since her time began at Methodist Jennie Edmundson, Ganapini has enjoyed being an employee ambassador. Ambassadors assist the foundation by sharing the mission with others and discussing how the foundation makes a difference in the lives of employees, patients, and the community. The work being done by the foundation is very patient oriented, Ganapini said. It is rewarding to see how my time can make such an impact in the lives of others. Each year, Ganapini attends and volunteers her time at the Wheels of Courage Car Show. The funds raised from this event help patients at one of the most vulnerable times in their lives by providing financial assistance so they can focus on their treatment and recovery, she said. The neighborhood streets of Council Bluffs will be alive again this summer as the local fire departments twice-weekly hydrant parties are back after being shut down due to COVID-19 last year. Tuesday afternoon, more than 100 kids and their parents or guardians gathered outside Roberts Park as members of the Council Bluffs Fire Department let a hydrant loose for the first time this season. The joy was palpable as the youngsters splashed the water running down the street or dashed through the fire departments two fountains. Council Bluffs Fire Marshal Alex Ford said that the turnout was expected, not only due to the hot, sunny day but also the fact that families have been missing out on the hydrant parties since 2019. The kids love it, the parents love it, he said. You can tell by the turnout that everyones been looking forward to this for a long time. Ford said its nice to have the department out in the community for fun events such as these. A lot of the time when firefighters interact with members of the community, theyre not having the best day, he said. So we love getting out here to meet people and put smiles on their faces. Thom was charged with one count of second-degree murder. Ah Nee and Fredeluces were each charged with one count of attempted second-degree murder. If convicted, each faces life in prison with the possibility of parole. A man who answered the phone at a number listed for Thom said he was not taking calls. Listed numbers for Ah Nee and Fredeluces could not immediately be found. Thom is a five-year veteran of the Honolulu Police Department. Ah Nee and Fredeluces have served with the department for three and 10 years, respectively. Interim Honolulu Police Chief Rade Vanic said he was surprised by the prosecutor's decision to seek charges after a grand jury decided not to indict. This is highly unusual, and we are not aware of a similar action having been taken in the past. While we await the courts decision, we will continue to protect and serve the community as we have always done, he said in a statement. The officers will have their police powers removed and be assigned to desk duty. Malcom Lutu, president of the state police officers' union, said in a statement: We continue to trust the process and will continue to stand by our officers. AMES All ideas are on the table when it comes to future state tax reductions, including the elimination of the states income tax that is responsible for nearly half of all state revenue, Gov. Kim Reynolds said Wednesday. Reynolds made the comments Wednesday moments after signing into law a package of state tax reductions and reforms, including a reduction in the state income tax rate from 8.5% to 6.5%. As she signed that legislation into law during a public ceremony, Reynolds pledged to work on more state tax reductions in the coming year. After the ceremony, she expanded on that pledge while fielding questions from reporters. Were going to spend the interim (between this years legislative session and next years) looking at it, Reynolds said. States across the country are continuing to bring (their income tax) down. And if were going to remain competitive, were going to have to continue to take a look at that. Reynolds was asked if that discussion could include a proposal to eliminate Iowas state income tax. This budget rule allows legislation to pass with a simple majority which Democrats have, with 50 votes and one from the vice president to break a tie. It also allows the Senate to avoid the threat of a filibuster, which requires 60 votes to overcome. Reconciliation has been used to pass significant pieces of legislation, including a welfare overhaul in 1996, tax cuts in 2017, and the American Rescue Plan this year. Democrats may need to negotiate with Manchin, but they dont need to spend more time compromising with Republicans. They should not risk watering down a bill to pacify a GOP whose members will likely refuse to support it in a final vote. Remember the first two years of former President Barack Obamas presidency, when Democrats controlled Congress? They negotiated the Affordable Care Act bill with Republicans for months, holding meetings, making concessions and considering amendments from across the aisle. The result was delayed legislation that did not include a public option for insurance and was still not supported by a single Republican. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) The Nebraska Supreme Court has ruled that a Guatemalan mother who fled her home country and Nebraska to escape abusive men can keep her children. Lee, the events main speaker, reviewed the pandemics impact on her, GPH staffers and the community since North Plattes first COVID-19 case was confirmed on March 17, 2020. She said she came to see Gods purpose in planting the idea of chaplaincy during her seminary days and leading her to become a part-time GPH chaplain in 2016. While following an oncology chaplain around a Kansas City hospital, I said, Oh, God, thank you, I will never do this, said Lee, the hospitals director of pastoral services since August 2019. I had no idea, when I accepted the position that I have now, that COVID was on the horizon. But God did. Lee said she feels blessed GPH let her pray with patients in the temporary COVID-19 ward. Chaplain friends on the coasts were either barred from such access or even told they didnt qualify as essential workers in the crisis. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} She first went into the ward when its nurses called her office. We have four people on vents, they told Lee. We dont think theyre going to make it through the day. When she arrived, the nurses came to me with tears and said, Weve really needed you. Where have you been? I said, Well, Im here now and Im going to stay. ... Patience paid off for Brooke Lehr in the end. The 16-year-old Columbus resident was crowned Miss Teen Rodeo Nebraska on Wednesday afternoon on the North Platte Community Colleges South Campus. The title came after the 2020 pageant that she had planned to enter was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I said, Thats OK. Ill just take another year and prepare. And here we are, Lehr said after the roughly hourlong coronation ceremony at the McDonald-Belton Theater. Lehr, who attends Scotus Central Catholic High School, was one of four finalists to take over for Brylee Thompson, who served as Miss Teen Rodeo Nebraska the last two years. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} The group also included Jaelyn Himmelberg, Hannah Siwinski and first runner-up Calie Troyer. I couldnt believe it, Lehr said of hearing her name as the winner. I am just so happy after all this hard work and after we couldnt do it last year because of COVID. I was always the girl in the crowd looking up to the older rodeo queens thinking, Oh my gosh. Thats going to be me one day. I knew I had to make it happen. Its worth considering that nationally, about 40% of K-12 public education is paid for with property taxes. In Nebraska, that number is greater than 60%, and many rural school districts are over 70%. My resolution (LR13CA) would have proposed a constitutional amendment that would limit to 33 percent how much a school district could use property taxes to fund its operations. The liberal-controlled Education Committee indefinitely postponed (killed) LR13CA because they knew if it was ever put on the ballot and left up to the people to decide, it would pass. If LR13CA had passed, the other 66 percent of the funding for public schools would have to come from the general fund. The Legislature would have to find about $670 million to make up the difference. This money would go directly into the pockets of the property-tax payers of the whole state of Nebraska. Instead, were going to give at least $848 million to a single school districts mismanaged pension fund. Which one is more important to you? I believe LB 147 takes away our ability to deliver property tax relief. Take precautions to prevent skin cancer this summer and make sure your family and friends do the same. Fathers Day gifts If you are looking for those last-minute gifts for dad this Sunday, Nebraska Game and Parks has some great suggestions that hes sure to love and appreciate. All of these gift ideas can be found at OutdoorNerbraska.org. Hunting, fishing and park entry permits are always a great gift for dad and each of these can bring many hours of great memories that you can spend together. Subscriptions to NEBRASKAland Magazine are at a great, low price for Fathers Day. This award-winning magazine has been a staple for Nebraskans throughout the years with beautiful photos and informative articles. Right now, there is a summer special, which includes the Parks Centennial Special Edition and a 1-year subscription for $20.00. Buy dad a super tag or combo lottery permit. The Super Tag Lottery allow hunters a chance to get multi-species tags for several species of animals if their tag is drawn. If drawn the permit offers the opportunity to take one elk of either sex, one antelope of either sex, one deer of either sex and two turkeys. The permit is good for two years and the tags can only be filled during an open hunting season with an appropriate weapon. Writer Beer & Society There is nothing that cannot be discussed and worked out over a beer. Join me as I explore local beer, breweries and how they can civilize us. When the Supreme Court landed its latest, and possibly last, legal defeat to right-wing opponents of Obamacare, the immediate response on the right was, oddly enough, to mock the liberals who warned that the lawsuit might succeed. Conservative lawyers circulated lists of liberals who predicted that Amy Coney Barrett would side with the plaintiffs; National Review turned that list into its lead story. They lied, lied, lied, cries Senator Charles Grassley. I never believed the most recent lawsuit stood much of a chance. The courts conservatives, after some wavering, decided the first lawsuit intended to destroy Obamacare was too silly to risk their reputational capital on. The second, even sillier lawsuit lost by a wider margin. It stood to reason that the third lawsuit, the silliest one yet, would probably lose, even though conservatives had gained an additional seat. It is probably fair to mock hand-wringing liberals for being so apocalyptically pessimistic that they thought five Supreme Court justices would side with an utterly farcical lawsuit. But perhaps this is not the only, or the most important, implication of the ruling. If the suit was so absurd that liberals deserve ridicule for thinking it stood any chance of success even in a right-wing court, what does it tell us that Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch voted for the plaintiffs? For that matter, what are we to make of the fact that the Trump administrations Justice Department, joined by the attorneys general for 20 states, signed on to this laughably flimsy case? The answer is that the passage of Obamacare was a traumatic event for Republicans. The wound it opened in the partys psyche has not fully healed, and even more than a decade after its passage into law, they cannot reconcile themselves to its legitimacy. The passage of Obamacare, even though it merely incrementally expanded an existing program (Medicaid) and copied a program designed by a Republican governor (Mitt Romney) was met by unmitigated hysteria on the right. What seemed to unhinge conservatives was less the substance of the bill than the very idea of Democrats using their control of government to govern. Republicans became fixated with the sinister machinations that they believed had produced the bill. They attacked backroom deals, which is of course a description for every deal ever made in Washington. They threw a fit at the use of budget-reconciliation procedures to iron out minor differences between the House version and the Senate version, the latter of which had attracted 60 votes. At one point, the proposed use of an obscure maneuver called deem and pass inspired conservative media to call the process demon pass, a symbolic expression of their belief that the legislation was demonic. A little while ago, the conservative writer David French observed that many of his neighbors in his community in Tennessee still believe that Obamacare had done terrible things to their lives, despite having no clear sense of what these horrors were. This belief was an outgrowth of conservative medias refusal to discuss the actual contents of the law, which were overwhelmingly popular. It regulated the individual insurance market, so that insurers could not price people with preexisting conditions out of the market, and taxed the rich to finance subsidies to make coverage affordable for those with low incomes. Turning a policy question over insurance-market regulation and subsidy levels into a cultural fight was a shrewd, and perhaps necessary strategy. But it left the partys elite with no way to back down. Having persuaded their own voters the law was evil and an existential threat, they had to act as if this claim was true. Hence red states refusing to opt into the Medicaid expansion, even at the cost of punishing their own doctors and hospitals, who have been stuck with the cost of treating uninsured people who show up in the emergency room. (Their lack of concern with the actual physical and financial well-being of their poor citizens, alas, merely reflects a longstanding preference.) For a lawyer in a Republican state, refusing to join a lawsuit to eliminate Obamacare merely because its legal merits were preposterous was therefore unthinkable. If they had ambitions to a future court nomination, how could they dare mark themselves as ideologically unreliable by opposing the holy cause of Obamacare repeal, in any form? If they had political ambitions, how could they expose themself to a devastating attack ad friend of Obamacare! in a future Republican primary? The pattern of the anti-Obamacare crusade has continued to define the Republican party elites relationship with its base. First, they make a practical decision on the basis of self-interest, then convince their voters the cause is existential, then discover they have no choice but to act as if their own lies are true. So it was with repealing Obamacare, and so it is with supporting Donald Trump. More than a decade after the law was passed, the party still has not freed itself from its own lies. When you calculate how long Trump will own them, ponder that. Washington, PA (15301) Today Partly cloudy skies during the morning giving way to a few showers late. High around 70F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Some clouds. Slight chance of a shower throughout the evening. Low near 55F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Those of us who have been around ONTD for awhile probably remember the absolute madness that was the summer of 2012. Notably, that summer, we were treated to the divorce saga between Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise, in addition to the fallout that came from Kristen Stewart cheating with the director of Snow White and the Huntsman. However, I was recently reminded of another incident that occurred that summer - the alleged kidnapping of the Jackson family matriarch, Katherine Jackson by several of the Jackson siblings. I thought it would be fun to revisit this saga almost a decade later to see if we can decipher what the heck really happened.The first ONTD post on this saga appeared on July 22, 2012 , featuring a CNN article and tweets from MJ's daughter Paris. Paris claimed that she had not spoken to her grandmother (the legal guardian of Michael Jackson's kids) in a week, after supposedly going to New Mexico to see the Jackson brothers in concert. CNN also revealed that five of the Jackson siblings - Rebbie, Janet, Tito, Jermaine, and Randy - had recently authored a letter stating that Katherine was being mistreated by the executors of MJ's estate.Paris, then 14, attempted to get in contact with her grandmother, but was only able to reach aunts Rebbie and Janet, who said Katherine was fine and that Paris could not speak to her. Katherine's nephew, Trent Jackson, and several lawyers then filed a missing persons report.CNN sources then reported that Randy and Jermaine Jackson were orchestrating all of this in order to have Katherine Jackson declared infirm and requiring a conservatorship - thus allowing one or both of them to become Katherine's conservator and being able to access MJ's money. Jermaine then tweeted that his mother was fine and simply could not talk to anyone for the sake of her health.Following this, the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department made many efforts to get in touch with Katherine, but were unable to reach her.The next day, we learned that Katherine was allegedly "safe" and "resting with family in Arizona". It was also stated that the five siblings who had sent the letter about Katherine's health were also attempting to have MJ's will declared fake. Finally, we learned that Katherine Jackson had not been present at any of the Jackson concerts she was supposedly out of town attending.In a TwitLonger, Jermaine Jackson made the following statement:Also on this day, one of the five siblings who had signed the letter, Tito Jackson, went to the media and stated that he did not want anything to do with what Randy, Jermaine, Rebbie, and Janet were doing and revoked his signature, claiming he was manipulated into signing it.To borrow the headline from one of the posts on ONTD that day, shit got real. The first thing we learned was that MJ's estate lawyers and members of the Jackson family not involved in this whole debacle were working to have someone gain temporary guardianship over the kids. TJ Jackson, Tito's son was revealed to be the family member seeking temporary guardianship, a decision that all three kids supported.That afternoon, Janet, Randy, and Jermaine showed up at the California residence of Katherine Jackson and the children. The three then proceeded to attempt to forcibly remove MJ's kids from the residence to take them to "see Katherine in Arizona". The kids refused to leave with them, thus prompting Janet, Jermaine, and Randy to attempt to take away the kids' phones and force them to come with them. The security detail and Trent Jackson, Katherine's nephew, prevented the kids from being taken and the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department was called to the scene. One of the three then allegedly admitted that the plan to remove Katherine from MJ's kids had been in the works for three years, essentially since the death of Michael Jackson. It was also alleged that Janet Jackson slapped Paris Jackson during this confrontation and called her a "spoiled little bitch", however Paris denied that she was slapped. Additionally, Trent Jackson was reported to have punched Jermaine in the mouth.A video of the confronation was released, showing Janet and Jermaine rushing the children after they got out of a car.The Sheriff's department was finally able to see and speak with Katherine Jackson in Arizona, thus closing the missing persons case. However, it was announced that the Sheriff's Department was also now investigating claims of elder abuse against Katherine by several of the Jackson siblings (no specific names were stated). The siblings behind the plot then released a picture of Katherine playing cards with Rebbie and other family members to prove she was OK. (This photo appears to have been scrubbed from the Internet, as I cannot find it anywhere - just reports about it being released.)Later that night, two of the three Jackson siblings who had not signed the letter (Marlon and Jackie), as well as Tito, who had retracted his name from the original letter, gave an interview to Insider. Marlon stated, before walking away in tears.However, Randy Jackson also gave an interview. In his interview, Randy claimed that the executors of MJ's will were "criminals" who falsified MJ's will. Paris then tweeted - "Family, they said."Katherine Jackson herself made two calls to her grandchildren in the middle of the night. The first call was at 2AM Pacific Time and she called again at 4AM. It is unclear who spoke to Katherine during these phone calls, however she allegedly demanded that all of the current security team be fired and replaced with Janet Jackson's security team. Additionally, she also demanded that Trent Jackson be removed from the premises. However, the individuals who spoke with her were very concerned about her health, stating that Katherine sounded drugged. After hearing the recording of the conversation, a judge awarded TJ temporary guardianship.That evening, Katherine Jackson appeared in an exclusive interview with ABC news, surrounded by her family members who had whisked her away to Arizona in the first place, at a spa/resort where Katherine had allegedly been staying.In the interview, Katherine claimed that she simply did not feel like talking to anyone on the phone for the past 10 days. Here are some of the quotes from the interview:Many people noted that the family members surrounding her seemed to be there to ensure she did not say anything to incriminate them. Katherine stated that she would be heading home after the interview.Around 2:00 AM, Katherine returned to the California home she shared with the children. Randy Jackson later tweeted THIS IS NOT OVER Later that day, Prince, the oldest of MJ's three kids, then 15, finally broke his silence, releasing a statement via Twitter and screenshots of a concerning group text message sent to Rebbie, Janet, and Austin Jackson in which he says he demands to speak to his grandmother. Janet Jackson then repliedHis statement:It is announced that all three kids have been interviewed and the general consensus is that it would be best for TJ Jackson to become the permanent co-guardian of MJ's kids, becoming responsible for things at the Jackson home, while Katherine Jackson would remain in charge of the finances left by MJ After a few days of silence, we learned that Katherine Jackson gave a statement on August 2 detailing her side of the story. Katherine claimed that she was put on a plane to go to New Mexico for a concert, however when the plane landed, she found herself in Tucson, Arizona, home of Rebbie Jackson. She then stated that, contrary to what she had said previously, her cell phone had been taken away by the resort staff. The staff then asked her if she could communicate with her family with her iPad. When Katherine said yes,The television in her room was also broken and the staff would not listen to her requests to fix it. She was unaware of what was happening until she happened to catch a glimpse of another TV at the spa - though there was no sound, it was broadcasting a news report about her being missing. Katherine had been under the impression that the kids knew where she was.We also learned that another sibling, Jermaine, (kind of) withdrew his name from the legal documents challenging the estate, leaving Rebbie, Janet, and Randy as the sole signers.Wait, this is still going on? Yup, after months of silence, the only Jackson sibling who had said nothing throughout the whole ordeal, LaToya, broke her silence about the incident. LaToya echoed what MJ's kids, Marlon, Tito, and Jackie had said months prior - her siblings had indeed kidnapped her mother. In the first episode of her OWN reality show, LaToya statedAnd that's it.Wait. What?OH COME ON.Yeah, so remember Trent Jackson, Katherine's nephew who punched Jermaine in the face? Allegedly, he'd been manipulating her from behind the scenes for years . In 2017, Katherine filed a restraining order against Trent citing elder abuse. It was said that Trent Jackson had been using his position as her driver to gain access to her money and control her, forcing Katherine Jackson to talk to her grandkids in a closet, among other issues.Trent Jackson accused Jermaine and Rebbie Jackson of being responsible for Katherine filing for a restraining order. After the restraining order was filed, Rebbie and Jermaine took Katherine to London. and kept her from contacting any of the family members still in America - including MJ's kids and the other Jackson siblings. It was stated that this was so Katherine would not be subject to "outside influences" in the court case.Two months later, Katherine returned to the US, flanked by Rebbie and Jermaine, who attempted to shield Katherine from sight and instantly took her to a relative's house, attempting to keep MJ's kids and other relatives from realizing that Katherine was back in the US.The case went to court at the end of April, where all charges against Trent Jackson were thrown out.And that's the most recent information on this saga that I can find!What is your theory, ONTD? Was she kidnapped? Did she know what was going on the whole time? What's the deal with Trent?sourceswhat do you think happened, ONTD? also would you be interested in more of these retrospectives? Los Angeles (CNN) -- A nephew of Katherine Jackson reported the Jackson family matriarch missing late Saturday night after her grandchildren were unable to get in touch with her for a week. It is the latest chapter in a messy dispute between several of Jackson's children and her advisers over her finances and legal affairs. Jackson's nephew, Trent, filed the report with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office. But one of her sons involved in the dispute said she was fine and resting in Arizona. "I want to reassure everyone (inc all sudden medical experts) that Mother is fine but is resting up in AZ on the orders of a doctor, not us," Jermaine Jackson tweeted . "This is our mother and her health is paramount. We are not inventing or plotting anything. We are following doctor's advice. Period," he added . The missing persons report follows a letter made public Wednesday in which two daughters -- Rebbie and Janet -- and three sons -- Jermaine, Randy and Tito -- charge that Jackson, 82, was being mistreated by the executors of Michael Jackson's estate and mis-advised by her manager and lawyer. According to Jackson's lawyer, Sandra Ribera, Jackson left her Calabasas, California, home on July 15, to fly to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to attend a Jackson brothers concert two days later. Traveling with her was her oldest daughter, Rebbie. But when Paris, Michael Jackson's 14-year-old daughter, called her aunts Rebbie and Janet over the past several days, she was told each time she could not speak to her, Ribera said. "The kids were trying to get a hold of their grandmother and they haven't been able to reach her for almost a week," Ribera said. "They are told she's unavailable. I'm concerned that she's not safe," Ribera added. Jackson has not called Michael Jackson's three children, who have lived with her since their father died three years ago, the lawyer said. Jackson "has never gone 24 hours without talking to her kids," she said. "I'm concerned that she would never do this," Ribera said. "We have no idea what's going on with her. No one has talked to her." CNN reached out to Janet Jackson's representatives several times but did not hear back. Jackson's manager Lowell Henry questioned Jermaine Jackson's claim that a doctor ordered her to leave her home and not communicate with her grandchildren. The sheriff's robbery-homicide unit has been asked to investigate, Ribera said. Paris tweets I worry so much about who is going to actually care to take care of these kids and not just (take care of) the money. :/ It's not easy getting over a flop childhood thanks to flop guardians. Reply Thread Link I'm afraid for Katherine Jackson, not to say that she'll disappear for good or something, but the thought of elder abuse whether physical or emotional makes me ill. I do feel for the kids. It'd be nice if there was someone genuinely interested in their well being and not their inheritance. Reply Parent Thread Link :/ I worry about the same things bb :( It's disgusting...I don't know a lot about their family, but it looks like everyone is trying to roll in the money. :( Reply Parent Thread Link the thought of elder abuse whether physical or emotional makes me ill. Same here. Reply Parent Thread Link She's always been treated like this though. The pawn in order to get access to MJ's money. MJ always called her a saint and I never fully understood why, and now we can all see why. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I hope/think their cousin is a better fit. Younger, married and has no history of fucking over MJ while he was alive let alone in his passing. Reply Parent Thread Link I worry too, but Prince and Paris seem to be strong and smart kids. It also seems like their attorney has their best interests in mind but idk. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link that's some fucked up shit right there. Reply Thread Link I'm glad she spilled the beans. Ugh, so disappointed in Janet, too. Reply Thread Link I saw the video of how Janet talked to her niece: disgusting. Reply Parent Thread Link I haven't seen the video. I've been in fan-denial. I need to google it, and face reality that Janet is a supremely shady person. I mean, she fucking kidnapped her own mom. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link The video doesn't have audio . . . did you just mean her actions? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link What video is that? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link link pls? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I always thought Janet was above this bullshit since she was the only other one with a legit music career and her own money. SMDH Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Sooooo she was kidnapped and held against her will and prevented from leaving. Reply Thread Link and i dont doubt they only let her go because a) bad press and b) she probably acted like she bought into their shit Reply Parent Thread Link Basically. Whether it's at a cushy resort or not, it still sounds like a kidnapping (telling her she was going to NM, then taking her to AZ; not letting her use her phone/iPad/TV; not telling her the full situation, etc.). o_O I still can't believe this shit. Reply Parent Thread Link good thing Paris was tweeting up a storm about it or who knows what would have happened Reply Parent Thread Link SERIOUSLY. that is like katie holmes level of using the media to protect you. paris is a smart girl. Reply Parent Thread Link And Joe's nephew Trent called their bluff by filing that missing person's report. He knew it would be the only way to expose them and it worked. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Well in that case, can't they have charges pressed against them for kidnapping? Reply Thread Link idk, I doubt she would any way 'cause it was her kids doing it. Reply Parent Thread Link Katherine tried to be fairly vague in her declaration (never naming anyone, etc.) . . . so I don't think she would ever publicly admit this stuff went down (and thus go against her kids), if it wasn't for the judge telling her she had to. I feel really bad for her. Katherine is 82, she should be enjoying her grandkids and the nice lifestyle her son provided for her. Not getting involved in the stresses of this crap, and being manipulated, etc. :( Reply Parent Thread Link I can't even imagine the constant stress/worry/heartache Katherine has gone thru in his lifetime along with the pride/love she had for her sons success :( Reply Parent Thread Link This is s fucking mess. Reply Thread Link This shit is insane. Is there any legal recourse Katherine Jackson can take for being fucking bamboozled like this? Reply Thread Link There is, but she will never go against her kids, or publicly bash them, etc. She only wrote the declaration because the judge required it. Like the article mentions, Katherine and T.J. said they just wanna forget it all and move forward. . . . Reply Parent Thread Link Good for her for being so ready to forgive and move on, then. Sounds like she has a good head on her shoulders. Reply Parent Thread Link I feel bad for the kids in this situation, I am not surprised at how this is all going, Like could you imagine if one of the Jackson kids ever got with a Kennedy kid? Like fuck, do you think that would finally stop all the bad shit happening to their families or would it increase it? Reply Thread Link A Real Power Couple. Reply Parent Thread Link is there anymore Kennedys that are still alive? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link those shady motherfuckers Reply Thread Link Poor Mama Jackson :( sounds like elder abuse Reply Thread Link The L.A. Sheriff's Dept. said they were investigating financial elder abuse with Katherine . . . so I guess we'll see what they make of her declaration. o_O Reply Parent Thread Link Good. This needs to be investigated Reply Parent Thread Link Oh good, I'm glad they are looking into it. There are some obvious red flags in her statement. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Jergreasy, Randy and Janet are still pressed that their evil plan was thwarted by a bunch of kids scooby doo episode style Reply Thread Link You know Randy is PRESSED. I don't even wanna know what it's like to be around him right now. That big head of his must be hot with rage. Reply Parent Thread Link who knows what would have happened if the kids hadn't gotten on Twitter and brought the media into it. Reply Thread Link Well it looks they they would have been taken. Remember the kids were ambushed at the property and Janet wanted the kids passports Reply Parent Thread Link Trent Jackson filed the missing persons report before Paris ever tweeted anything . . . but yeah, her complaints that she was unable to speak to her grandmother (even after Jermaine said no one was blocking them, etc.) were helpful in gaining a lot of media attention. Even Marlon crying on national TV didn't get as many articles/TV segments as Paris' tweets, lol. Reply Parent Thread Link imagine if they'd tried some bullshit like taking away the kids' tv/internet privileges during this time or sth. Those shady fuckers, I don't put it past them. Reply Parent Thread Link These people don't care about the kids so they were never there at the house to do that. They only care when it's about them. I'm glad they tried that crazy "let's sneak in behind your car on the way home from school and then demand you get on our private jet and where are your passports and give us your phone oh let's film you as we do it" stunt, because now they can't even have access to the house, scary creeps. Reply Parent Thread Link weren't randy and janet trying to do that when they burst onto the property? Reply Parent Thread Link MTE! Paris is smart Reply Parent Thread Link Essentially she was kidnapped and not allowed to speak to anyone? That is so fucked up mayn Reply Thread Link sounds completely fucked up. I hope, for the sake of the children, nothing happens to Katherine. and that TJ is a responsible guardian. I knew I liked Tito the best! Reply Thread Link The leaders of the United States and Russia did not discuss oil prices or the OPEC+ deal at their summit in Geneva on Wednesday, Vladimir Putins Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday. Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden did not discuss Venezuela, the OPEC member under U.S. sanctions exempted from the OPEC+ alliances cuts, either, Peskov told Russian reporters in Moscow on Thursday, as carried by the TASS news agency. The two leaders, however, did discuss Iran and the ongoing talks about the U.S. and the Islamic Republic returning to the so-called nuclear deal, which would ultimately lead to lifting of the U.S. sanctions on Irans oil exports. There is certain progress, Peskov told reporters, adding that Moscow hopes that we will manage to get the situation out of its current state. President Biden on Wednesday also asked Putin how he would feel if someone carried out a ransomware attack on Russian oil pipelines. But Biden and Putin didnt discuss oil prices or the OPEC+ deal, Peskov said, No, this topic was not discussed. Since taking office in January, President Biden has not publicly commented on the international oil prices or the OPEC+ groups supply-fixing efforts. This approach contrasts with the one of his predecessor, President Trump, who used to regularly take to Twitter to slam OPEC for its actions and at the height of the pandemic last year rallied Saudi Arabia and Russia to return to their OPEC+ agreement they had broken up for a month. Nord Stream 2 was also reportedly not part of the Biden-Putin summit, according to Natural Gas World. Germany, the end-point of the pipeline, has always looked at the Russia-led project from an economic standpoint, while the United States, several European countries, including the Baltic states, Poland, and the European Union (EU), have expressed concern about Russia using gas sales and its gas monopoly Gazprom as a political tool. But last month, the U.S. said it would waive sanctions about to be imposed on Germany-registered Nord Stream 2 AG, the operator of the Nord Stream-2 pipeline project. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Former banker Guillermo Lassos surprise victory over favored candidate leftist Andres Arauz in Ecuadors presidential election last month established a more optimistic outlook for Ecuadors beaten-down petroleum industry. President Lasso is Ecuadors first center-right president in almost two decades with the Andean countrys top office being dominated by left leaning administrations. Lasso is considered a business-friendly alternative to Arauz, the protege of former leftist President Rafael Correa who was convicted on corruption charges and sentenced to eight years prison last year. It was Correas policies centered on resource nationalism and state control of crucial assets which were responsible for the decline of Ecuadors economically crucial oil industry and environmental degradation. Before the COVID-19 pandemic Ecuadors oil output had been declining as a dearth of investment in exploration, well development and industry infrastructure hit hard. Even the significant reforms made by Lassos predecessor Lenin Moreno have done little to boost oil industry activity and petroleum production. The dilapidated state of Ecuadors energy infrastructure is highlighted by the countrys three oil refineries being unable to process enough crude oil to meet domestic fuel demand. Data from Ecuadors Agency Of Regulation And Control Of Energy And Non-Renewable Natural Resources shows the Andean country pumped an average 461,784 barrels per day for May 2021. That was around 7% less than a month earlier but a notable 38% greater than for May 2020 where the rupture of the SOTE and OCP pipelines forced operations to be shut-in for nearly two months causing production to plunge. It was expected that Morenos petroleum industry reforms would attract urgently needed foreign investment for the beleaguered sector but that has not occurred. Even exiting OPEC to escape production quotas, and reinstating participation contracts in 2018, which allow reserve-based lending, failed to attract the desired level of investment. There are a range of reasons for this including environmental pressures, sharply weaker oil prices, high breakeven costs and deteriorating energy infrastructure, but the key deterrent was the considerable uncertainty triggered by Ecuadors presidential election. The oil industry feared that Arauz, who in the lead-up to the election was ahead of Lasso in the polls, would on winning the presidency implement similar resource nationalist policies to his mentor Correa. It was Correas policies focused on resource nationalism and state control of energy assets along with significant corruption which were responsible for the dilapidated state of Ecuadors oil and natural gas infrastructure. While campaigning Arauz went as far as to state he was opposed to the privatization of the Esmeraldas Refinery, Ecuadors largest, and would block the planned awarding of a contract to private operators. For those reasons Lassos victory was a relief for an industry which has been weighed down by adverse government policies for over a decade. The newly installed president has taken a positive approach to Ecuador oil industry and appears ready to continue building on Morenos reforms. He intends to implement policies to attract more foreign energy investment, boost refining output and grow Ecuadors economically vital oil production. This is particularly important because the impoverished Andean country was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to IMF data, Ecuadors economy shrank by 7.5% last year and the national government in Quito reported a budget deficit (Spanish) of $7 billion or around 7% of gross domestic product. The government expects that deficit to fall to $3.9 billion, or a more manageable 4% of GDP. Related: High Oil Prices Set Supermajors Up For A Promising Earnings Season For that to occur, Ecuador must significantly boost economic activity and bolster fiscal income with a focus on the oil industry which is responsible for around 30% of government income, a third of exports by value and 7% of GDP. Lasso prior to his inauguration pledged to double Ecuadors oil production during his four-year term. To achieve that he will need to grow Ecuadors oil output from just under an average of 500,000 barrels daily to one million barrels by 2025. This is a significant target which will prove difficult if not impossible to achieve leaving recently appointed energy minister former Petroamazonas chief Juan Carlos Bermeo facing an uphill battle to execute Lassos planned expansion of the oil industry. Any significant increase in petroleum production would need to occur in the environmentally sensitive Amazon Basin where opposition to the energy industry is rapidly growing. Most of Ecuadors proved oil reserves, totaling eight million barrels, and production is in its portion of the Amazon Basin located in the Sucumbios and Orellana provinces. The petroleum industrys rapidly deteriorating social license in the region poses a direct threat to Lassos plans to attract industry investment to bolster resources and production. Indigenous communities in Ecuadors Amazon have long opposed the oil industry, primarily because of the serious environmental damage it is causing. In a surprise January 2021 ruling, the Sucumbios Provincial Court found in favor of a local community petition which was seeking an end to flaring. The court ruled that energy companies operating in the provinces of Sucumbios and Orellana cease flaring, an activity which has been occurring since Texaco drilled the first well in the region in 1967. The deterioration of the oil industrys social license in Ecuador is underscored by Petroecuador being forced to declare (Spanish) force majeure at Block 12 in the Orellana province. The indigenous community in El Eden are protesting the exploitation of oil resources in the vicinity of Block 12 demanding that a new agreement be established because according to the protestors it expired in 2019. The protests are preventing Petroecuador from resupplying operations in Block 12 which along with concerns for the safety of employees and equipment saw Ecuadors national oil company shutter operations. That has taken 28,462 barrels per day of production offline impacting Ecuadors hydrocarbon output with Petroecuador responsible for around 80% of the oil dependent nations petroleum production. The deterioration of the economically vital industrys social license is accelerating primarily because of last years devastating oil spill caused by the OCP and SOTE pipelines rupturing near the city of Coca and threatening local water supplies. Land subsidence remains a threat to the operation of both crude oil pipelines meaning further ruptures could occur during heavy rains, while local communities claim that the spill has not been fully cleaned up despite occurring over one year ago. Ecuadors unattractiveness as a destination for foreign investment in energy assets is amplified by high breakeven price estimated to be at around $39 per barrel and the heavy sour crude oil grades produced in the country. The former OPEC members two main oil grades are medium sour Oriente which has an API gravity of 24 degrees and 1.4% sulfur content and the heavier sourer Napo blend with an API gravity of 19 degrees and 2% sulfur content. The popularity of heavier sour crude oil grades is declining because of ever stricter emission regulations and the increased cost as well as complexity associated with refining them into high quality fuels including gasoline and diesel. Both crude oil blends are price indexed to WTI meaning that producers miss out on the brent premium that drillers enjoy in other South American jurisdiction, because of their sour heavy characteristics they trade at a discount to the North American benchmark. Quito is also hamstrung by liabilities established through a series of oil-backed loans from China and Thailand taken out by the Correa administration. Sharply weaker oil prices mean that the national government is obliged to ship greater quantities of crude oil to meet repayment than anticipated, leaving less oil available for sale to generate fiscal revenue. That is being exacerbated by declining production volumes. It is estimated that nearly half (Spanish) of Ecuadors projected 2021 oil output of 481,721 barrels per day is required to meet those obligations, leaving only 260,740 barrels per day able to be sold and generate government revenue. Despite the optimism surrounding the outlook for Ecuadors beaten down oil industry after Lassos electoral victory, recent events point to the considerable difficulties associated with expanding the Andean countrys petroleum production. They demonstrate that Lasso will struggle to increase oil output let alone double production before the end of his term in 2025. By Matthew Smith for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: To say that Big Oil has had some reputation management problems would be the understatement of the decade. Pressure from environmentalist organizations, regulatorsand most recently, investorshas combined to make life quite difficult for the industry that is being singled out as virtually the only culprit behind anthropogenic climate change. But now its fighting back. A recent article published in Gizmodo details the Instagram foray of Shell and Phillips 66 as sponsors of influencers on the social network. Some of these sponsored posts, the author writes, are clearly advertising material. Others, however, are more difficult to recognize as such. If it was any other industry doing this, it would have been called native advertising and left alone. But when Big Oil does it, it is clearly evil. Carbon and particulate matter emissions from the production, processing and use of fossil fuels are unquestionably the largest single source of air pollution. So its no surprise that everyone is blaming Big Oiland oil of any size, reallyfor the planets emission problems and the changing climate. Related: High Oil Prices Set Supermajors Up For A Promising Earnings Season The fact that billions of people use the products of Big Oil willingly on a daily basis, including the most radical environmentalists, remains outside the spotlight because its not as comfortable to admit that we are all taking part in the pollution of the planet by using fossil fuel products. It is a special kind of treatment that Big Oil gets from the media, as the Gizmodo article shows. While the industry is acknowledged as the originator of most modern advertising techniques, it is then blamed for using these techniques for decades to mislead the public about the environmental danger inherent in their business. What the argument omits is the fact that it is not the purpose of advertising to state objective truth, whether its about the environmental footprint of crude oil production or the effects of consuming large quantities of high-sugar soft drinks on a daily basis. The purpose of advertising is to sell a product, be it gasoline or Coca-Cola. Or, amid the public backlash to their business, to sell their transformation. BP was the most vocal in its PR efforts to present itself as a company very different from the BP of the past when BP meant British Petroleum. Now, the company says the abbreviation that is its name means Beyond Petroleum, and it is positioning itself as an energy company rather than an oil and gas company. Other Big Oil majors are launching similar campaigns and are changing their names to distance themselves from what, as the Gizmodo accurately notes, is their core business. Social media marketing appears to be an indispensable part of this quest for hearts and minds in the era of Big Oil hate. According to Gizmodos Molly Taft and her interviewees for the article who include the director of Climate Accountability Communication at the Climate Social Science Network at Brown University, regulators must step in and cut off Big Oil from online greenwashing. Perhaps the idea could be taken further: industries could be vetted before being allowed to use social networks for advertising. Its clear that whatever Big Oil does, even genuine attempts to clean up its act, it will be called greenwashing and condemned by climate crusaders. There is no scenario where the oil industry could do anything positive for what is now commonly called the energy revolution - except fuel it with its oil and gas, that is. A recent study from an environmental organization showed that its been doing just that over the past ten years, with the share of fossil fuels in the global energy mix as large now as it was in 2010. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The energy transition should not crowd out any source of energy as all energy sources of today will be required for the foreseeable future, OPEC Secretary General Mohammad Barkindo said. We continue to urge all our member countries and the international industry to continue to invest in all sources of energy, including oil and gas, in particular using technology to mitigate against these emissions, the head of OPEC added. For the industry, for OPEC, and all our member countries, and the global economy, all the energy sources of today will be required for the foreseeable future, Barkindo told Amena Bakr, Chief Opec Correspondent at Energy Intelligence, in a The Conversation of the Century debate on the future of energy. For us in OPEC, and in the industry, and in the mainstream of the global conversation, the energy transition is not a transition from once source of energy to another, Barkindo noted. Transition is moving away from greenhouse gas emissions in the exploration, production, transportation, and consumption of fuels across the board to more sustainable sources of energy that would address the emissions issue, OPECs chief said, adding that the definition of energy transition should not crowd out any source of energy. Commenting on the Net-Zero report of the International Energy Agency (IEA), which suggested that a net-zero pathway would not need any new investment in oil and gas, Barkindo said that you can invest as much as you want in renewables, but if the emissions problem is not addressed, net-zero goals would not be achieved. In the report, the IEA punctured many holes themselves because it was the Paris-based agency itself that was one of the first to raise red flags about a supply deficit after the 2014-2016 downturn, urging for more investment in oil and gas, Barkindo said. Last month, an internal OPEC report, seen by Reuters, found that the IEAs suggestion of no new investment in oil and gas ever could further raise the volatility in oil markets if investors heed the call. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: U.S. shale producers are expected to generate a combined $30 billion in free cash flow in 2021 amid disciplined capital spending and higher oil prices, estimates from Bloomberg Intelligence show. This year, shale producers continue to adhere to disciplined spending and is not reinvesting in new drilling more than the cash flows it earns. Thats a U-turn from past boom and bust cycles where the U.S. shale patch loaded up on debt to drill and produce as much oil as possible, contributing to sinking oil prices. After the 2015-2016 downturn, back in 2017, even Harold Hamm warned his fellow oil and gas producers to be careful as drillers dont want to drill themselves into oblivion. The pandemic last year started what analysts have begun to call a new era for U.S. shale where returns to shareholders and paying down debts take precedence over production growth and record output. The expected windfall from free cash flow this year is just one-tenth of the $300 billion in net negative cash flow the U.S. shale industry had lost in the 15 years since the first shale boom, as per Deloitte estimates from last year. Nevertheless, the expectations of free cash flow this year make analysts optimistic that the U.S. shale patch is at a turning point and will keep discipline for at least another year or two. From a financial perspective, shale is entering a new, better era, with higher profitability, Elisabeth Murphy, ESAI Energy LLC upstream analyst for North America, told Bloomberg. The first-quarter earnings and conference calls of U.S. producers highlighted a previously unheard-of restraint from public shale firms. Listed producers generated record cash flows, but they are not reinvesting most of those back to drilling. Instead, shale operators are now channeling cash flow toward reducing debts and rewarding shareholders. Despite the first-quarter rally of over 20 percent in oil prices, U.S. shale did not break the promises to keep a lid on production and prioritize returns. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Sixteen months into the pandemic, new cases of COVID-19 in Douglas County are down to levels not seen since the early weeks of the outbreak. The seven-day rolling average at the end of Saturday was two new cases per 100,000 residents, or 11.4 cases per day. The number of residents hospitalized with the virus was down to 22 from a peak of 445 in late November. And vaccination efforts, while having slowed from the early months, continue to get shots into new arms, increasing by .2% a day the number of adult residents with at least one inoculation. Honestly, we couldnt be in a better place than we are today, Adi Pour, the Douglas County health director, told the Douglas County Board of Health on Wednesday. Thats really good news for me and its good news for the entire community. Nonetheless, Pour said she wonders whether efforts to halt the virus have bottomed out a little bit. While cases have been on the decline for eight weeks, last weeks tally of 88 cases numbered two more than the previous weeks 86 cases. Hospitalizations, too, have been stuck above 20 since the end of May. To get into the green, the lowest category on the countys risk dial, that figure would have to drop below 20. A significant number of guns were taken off the street in the last week, Kanger said, and several high-profile arrests were made for various firearms violations. Law enforcement officers who worked at the delayed Cinco de Mayo festivities this past weekend helped keep the large crowds safe, Kanger said, despite a small amount of gang activity that officers spotted. Chief Deputy Wayne Hudson of the Douglas County Sheriffs Office said deputies who are a part of the metro area SWAT team were directed to conduct highly visible patrols in certain areas on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. A representative with the violence prevention organization YouTurn said at the Omaha 360 meeting Wednesday that the groups mentors have been on the streets since the shootings began, trying to identify the players and to prevent any retaliation in gang-related shootings. The string of recent shootings began June 3, when two 17-year-olds were struck by gunshots and later died. JiaQuan Williams and JaVondre McIntosh were found by officers near 29th Circle and Pinkney Street just after 8 that night. The next day, officers obtained warrants for the arrests of 17-year-old Lerajai Key and 16-year-old Terrance Moore. Key and Moore were arrested Tuesday in the Kansas City metro area. Omaha police say a man in the Elkhorn area died Wednesday night after firing one shot at officers before turning the gun on himself. Thomas Headley, 32, collapsed to the ground near the garages of his apartment complex after officers heard a second shot, officials said Thursday. Despite officers attempts at CPR, Headley was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers were called to the Elk Hills Apartments at 2223 Main St. just before 9 p.m. Wednesday to investigate a domestic disturbance, a police spokesman said. They were told that Headley was drunk and acting aggressively and had left the apartment wearing a tactical vest and armed with a rifle. Headleys wife also had told officers that her husband had a handgun, police said. Officers found Headley near the garages on the north corner of the apartment complex and ordered him to drop the rifle. Headley did not, police said, and fired one round toward the officers, who ducked for cover. Headley then went behind the garage and fired a second shot, police said, taking his own life. No police officers discharged their weapons during the incident and no officers were injured, the Omaha Police Department spokesman said. Body-worn camera footage supported officers statements, OPD said. Among them, an old power plant. A call to Horejsi brought answers. The cast-iron columns and stone pieces of the Scribbles facade, he said, currently sit in a patch of trees and weeds at his Douglas County farm. I stuck it out there years ago, he said. Horejsi said he is still hoping to find the right project to display the quite sizable facade that once adorned a building that was constructed the same year (1876) as Gen. George Custers Last Stand. But, Horejsi acknowledges, there are no guarantees. Nothing ever happens with a lot of that stuff. He cant recall details such as the price he paid or date he acquired the remnants. What Horejsi remembers is getting a call from state historic people who were seeking a buyer with the means to transport the materials he estimated at 15 tons. A former excavation worker, Horejsi had access to such equipment. I didnt want to see them scrap it, he said. The Dewey and Stone building had been in the Old Market National Register Historic District. Collison, who now lives in Kansas City, said he was glad, yet disappointed, to learn the status of the Scribbles facade. But with such an early heat wave this year, this could be the tip of the iceberg, Williams said. WHAT ROLES DO DROUGHT AND CLIMATE CHANGE PLAY? A two-decade-long dry spell that some scientists refer to as a megadrought has sucked the moisture out of the soil through much of the Western United States. Researchers said in a study published last year in the journal Science that man-made climate change tied to the emission of greenhouse gases can be blamed for about half of the historic drought. Scientists studying the dry period that began in 2000 looked at a nine-state area from Oregon and Wyoming down through California and New Mexico and found only one other that was slightly larger. That drought started in 1575, a decade after St. Augustine, Florida, was founded and before the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock in 1620. The hot weather can be tied to the drought drying out the landscape. Normally, some of the suns heat evaporates moisture in the soil, but scientists say the Western soil is so dry that instead that energy makes the air even warmer. The decision involved a 2015 lawsuit filed against the state Department of State Hospitals and Department of Developmental Services on behalf of five relatives of defendants who were found incompetent to stand trial. Due to lack of space, about 4,000 people each year who are declared incompetent to stand trial are placed on a waitlist for admission to facilities administered by those departments, and the list for admission to state hospitals alone soared to more than 1,600 people during the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase of 500% since 2013, according to the American Civil Liberties Union, which took part in the lawsuit. The ACLU has urged use of community treatment centers to help ease the hospital bed shortage. The court recognized that California cannot continue to warehouse people in jail for months at a time while it denies them both their right to a trial and the mental health treatment they need to become competent to have a trial, Michael Risher, counsel for the ACLU Foundation of Northern California, said in a statement. This ruling is a step in the right direction, and our family is very grateful, said Stephanie Stiavetti, a plaintiff who said her brother was abused in jail during weeks of delay before his transfer. HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) Republican lawmakers in Pennsylvania are working to assemble a budget plan that would use billions in federal pandemic relief and surplus state tax dollars to help prop up existing programs, boost aid to public schools and inject cash into sectors hard-hit by the pandemic. The extra cash sloshing around has brought a blitz of requests on how to use it, while Democrats are asking for farther-reaching on taxes and schools to accelerate the state's population growth. It is not all found money, especially as Pennsylvania faces a shrinking working-age population in the coming years who will foot a growing bill for expensive human services. Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Pat Browne, R-Lehigh, said the state's finances are under extreme pressure to meet growing demands on health care and human services, in particular long-term care for the elderly. This is the problem that we have, Browne said. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) A federal judge declared a mistrial Wednesday in the case of a former University of Tennessee researcher charged with hiding his relationship with a Chinese university while receiving research grants from the federal government. U.S. District Judge Thomas Varlan's ruling came after jurors notified the judge they were at an impasse, WBIR-TV reported. It was not immediately clear whether the government would try to prosecute Anming Hu again. A defense motion to throw the case out is pending before Varlan. Defense attorney Phil Lomonaco had attacked the case as flimsy, misguided and political. Deliberations began Monday, and jurors took Tuesday off before continuing Wednesday. They sent a note to Varlan Wednesday afternoon after they were unable to reach a verdict. Hu, an associate professor in the university's Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Biomedical Engineering, was charged in February 2020 with three counts of wire fraud and three counts of making false statements. BERLIN (AP) The chief executive of CureVac said Thursday that interim results from late-stage testing of its coronavirus shot are sobering, but the German company aims to finish a final analysis within weeks that will determine whether it will still seek regulatory approval. CureVac announced late Wednesday that the vaccine had shown an efficacy of 47% against COVID-19 of any severity, according to a partial review of data from its trial involving 40,000 participants in Latin America and Europe. This is below the World Health Organization threshold of 50%. The biotechnology company said more than two dozen variants of the coronavirus were found in its trial across 10 countries, a fact that may have affected the outcome. The results are sobering," said chief executive Franz-Werner Haas. "We recognize that demonstrating high efficacy in this unprecedented broad diversity of variance is quite challenging. Still, CureVac said it will continue to analyze data from the trial and this may affect the final outcome. Our recovery fund program is unmatched in its scale and its ambition, von der Leyen said. It is an exceptional response, of course for an exceptional crisis. We are reshaping our continent for decades ahead. Greece's tourism-reliant economy shrank by 8.2% last year, slashing output to under 170 billion euros. Debt surged past 200% of annual output, halting strong prospects for a recovery after successive international bailouts and a financial crisis that had lasted nearly a decade. The relief funds will be funneled into a wide array of projects, including the creation of digital archives and processing for the slow-moving justice system, extending highway networks, and building a coastal cycling path network near Athens, as well as multiple renewable energy projects aimed at ending Greece's dependence on coal for electricity generation. Von der Leyen's trip came a day after she visited Spain and Portugal to endorse those countries spending plans. So far, 23 of the EUs 27 member nations have submitted their spending plans to Brussels authorities, which vet them to ensure they are in line with the blocs policy goals. EU officials will follow up to check on whether the countries are abiding by their commitments. Follow Becatoros at https://twitter.com/ElenaBec and Gatopoulos at https://twitter.com/dgatopoulos Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. The exhibition comprises two decades of works that touch in some way on the Holocaust works that Sasnal did while also dealing with other topics. The oldest ones were inspired by cartoonist Art Spiegelman's Holocaust cartoon stories in his Maus books. The newest ones were created this year especially for the exhibition. There are paintings of former death camps, but they are always contextualized, with Sasnal's bike or his wife looking from inside a car at the gates of Auschwitz because to depict the death camps alone would be too banal and brutal, he said. The Auschwitz paintings were produced after he and his wife passed by the memorial site on their way home from a New Years Eve party on Jan. 1. Millions travel to the site from around the world. But for many Poles including Sasnal, who lives in nearby Krakow the presence of genocide memorial sites are part of the landscape of daily life. A painting of an imagined map of Poland bordering Israel recalls the long co-existence of Jews with Poles in Poland, a Jewish homeland for centuries. A portrait of Hitler has been covered in black paint and crossed out with a wooden bar, an evil too extreme to depict figuratively. Surely, were there a national referendum on priorities, people would choose addressing climate chaos and pandemics, remedying racial and economic inequality, and creating green jobs by sustainably rebuilding the countrys crumbling infrastructure, over new nuclear weapons. Said weapons are supposedly only for deterrence, designed never to be used, to rust in peace. If there were a nuclear war, all life on Earth would be at risk, as even a limited nuclear war, for instance between India and Pakistan, could cause nuclear winter, threatening the global food and water supply. As noted, the ICBMs are stationary, and their locations known by other nations militaries and by the farmers and ranchers whose land the silos abut. The other two legs of the U.S. nuclear triad, long-range bombers and nuclear submarines, are much harder to target. Bombers can be scrambled into the air, so they are not sitting duck targets for an attack, and submarines are stealthy, hiding deep in the worlds oceans. So the target and nuclear sponge element are unique to the ICBM force. Perhaps if the people in these five states were fully aware of and consented to this arrangement, that would be copasetic. But no such consent was ever asked, nor granted, by the foreign policy elites, mostly on the east coast, who know and care little about the everyday concerns of folks in the Heartland and Mountain West. But for Hoagland and Valdez, getting approval to adopt Valdezs niece in cooperation with the girls mother and with the father declining to seek custody turned out to be a close call. Dixon County Judge Douglas Luebe ruled against the couple, saying the plain ordinary language of relevant statutes bars adoption by same-sex couples. To allow a wife and wife to bring a child into their household would turn the court into an imagination station, wrote Luebe, who described himself as old-fashioned in his approach to the law. Nebraskans can take heart that the State Supreme Court took up the case and stood up unanimously for protection of same-sex couples rights. That ruling will now make clear, throughout the state, that judges are bound to show same-sex couples the same legal protection as other couples. Still, had Hoagland and Valdez not appealed the earlier ruling, Yazzie, the 3-year-old adoptee, would have remained outside their household. The Nebraska Legislature, in its next session, should heed the high courts message and embed employment protection in state law for LGBTQ individuals. Its vital that Nebraska do far more to signal a genuine welcome toward people of all backgrounds. Omaha TIF priorities I recently saw in the Omaha World-Herald that the owners of the planned Warhorse Casino, Ho-Chunk Inc., at 60th & Q Street are asking the City to provide $17.5 million in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for their new gambling facility. I find this absolutely laughable, considering Ho-Chunk Inc. is the one that funded the (successful) election campaign to get the residents of Nebraska to cast aside its longstanding ban on casinos/gambling within the state. Ho-Chunk Inc. was able to sell it to Nebraskans based on their argument of more tax money flowing into the state and its communities. Now the casino and its owners are asking for us (the people of Omaha) to subsidize the construction of their casino! This is absurd. I ask all City Council members to vote against this effort to subsidize the tax burden the casinos should have to pay to do business in our community, especially the business of gambling. The casino promotes itself as an establishment that will help create jobs and bring in revenue for the state. Hold them to this; ask them to start paying their tax obligation from the get-go, especially since the poorest populations will be the ones adversely and disproportionately affected by the new gambling facilities. Internal auditors have been advised to adopt and implement the necessary measures to audit IT systems as part of their organisations cybersecurity measures. This was said by the Head of National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), Dr. Albert Antwi-Boasiako, in a presentation at the Ghana 2021 Annual National Internal Audit & Governance Conference on June 9, 2021, held virtually in Accra. Dr. Antwi-Boasiako stressed that, in view of the current digitalization of business processes, Auditors need to develop the necessary competencies to conduct a system-based audit as part of internal audit functions. Dr. Antwi-Boasiako urged institutions to have procedures in place to examine the Information Technology (IT) systems introduced into their operational environment and to verify that such systems are secured. He added that they should also ensure that consultants they work with have not only the necessary skills but also integrity to protect their IT systems. This advice was necessitated in view of reported cybersecurity incidents involving insiders and external consultants. The Head of the NCSC further informed participants that the State as the enabler of cybersecurity development is taking the necessary measures to ensure the safety of Ghanas cyber ecosystem. He mentioned the institutionalization of cybersecurity, the development and adoption of a National Cybersecurity Policy & Strategy and the passage of the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038) as the enabling pillars to improve the cybersecurity readiness of the country. He added further that, according to the World Economic Forum, Global Risks Report 2020, cybercrime is expected to reach US$ 6 trillion in 2021. The report further indicates that cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure rated the fifth top risk in 2020. This development therefore calls for domestic and international corporation to ensure cybersecurity in the country especially as Ghana continues to rely on technologies that are produced or hosted in other jurisdictions. Dr Antwi-Boasiako raised concerns about the impact of potential attack on the global IT supply chain on Ghana especially regarding critical information infrastructures in the banking, telecommunication, energy and the health sectors. Commenting on efforts to ensure cybersecurity in the country, he said Ghana has enacted the necessary legislation in the form of the Cybersecurity Act 2020, Act 1038, which will establish the Cyber Security Authority, regulate cybersecurity activities and promote the development of cybersecurity in the country. He stated further that the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy document is currently undergoing ministerial review before it is considered by Cabinet. He assured participants that, the Minister for Communications & Digitalisation, who is responsible for cybersecurity in government, will soon outline a number of interventions to protect Ghanas critical information infrastructures. Dr. Antwi-Boasiako indicated that the Government has shown commitment in a number of ways towards improving Ghanas cybersecurity readiness and anticipated that the newly established Cyber Security Authority will adopt an incentive-based regulatory approach to facilitate collaboration among relevant stakeholders both governmental and non-governmental actors - regarding the implementation of the Cybersecurity Act. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has petitioned the Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, to impress upon the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA) to restore the name of its provident fund to the Tier-three GNAT Provident Fund Scheme. According to the association, the name of its provident fund was changed from the Tier-three GNAT Provident Fund Scheme to the Teachers Provident Fund Scheme without its knowledge, consent and approval and all attempts to get the correction done has been unsuccessful. Honourable minister, the above developments has compelled us to believe that the NPRA is deliberately working against the interest of GNAT and we shall not countenance but resist it with all our might and strength. Indeed, any inimical moves to stifle or cow us into submission shall be resisted. We are, therefore, serving notice through your honourable office to the NPRA to correct all the anomalies enumerated in this petition by close of day Friday, June 18, 2021, failure of which we shall advise ourselves, a letter dated June 9, 2021 signed by the General Secretary of GNAT, Mr Thomas Musah, to Dr Adutwum, said. Requirement The letter explained that the consent and approval of GNAT was required before any change was made to the trust deed as provided for under item 21.0 of the Trust Deed and Scheme Rules for the GNAT Provident Fund Scheme. The association said since the board of trustees was appointed for a three-year term, effective May 16, 2018, its tenure of office expired on May 16, 2021 and so should have been reconstituted to carry on with business but that was not done. Aside from that, it said there was the urgent need to review the trust deed and scheme rules to cure it of its defects, errors and weaknesses that had been identified. Frustrations Sir, GNAT wishes to bring to your attention the difficult situation and times it has endured in the hands of the NPRA and how the authority has deliberately and consciously frustrated its efforts to replace the current board and, therefore, petitions you over this attitude and stance, the letter said. It said the tenure of the board of trustees of the fund expired on May 16, 2021 according to Section 6.1 of the trust deed, and in accordance with Section 6.5, the NPRA was notified of the appointment of an interim board by GNAT. Unfortunately, not only did the NRPA refuse to effect the change but has consistently shut its doors to any dialogue with GNAT for reasons best known to the NPRA, the letter said. Again, Section 21.0 of the original trust deed states: Subject to the prior approval of the NPRA, the trustees may from time to time, with the consent of GNAT, amend or modify this deed and/or trust powers of provisions of this deed and by resolution in writing passed at a meeting duly called and constituted and signed by all trustees amend any of the provisions of the rules provided that no such alteration or modification shall be made which (a) prejudice the accrued rights or interests of the then member and (b) conflicts with the main purpose of the scheme or any other applicable law, it added. Once again, the letter said not only had the NPRA failed to ensure and comply with its core object under Section 6 of the National Pensions Act which provided that the object of the authority was to regulate and monitor the operations of the scheme and ensure the effective administration of pensions in the country but also failed in its duty of care towards contributors and GNAT as an organisation to do due diligence as enjoined by Section 7(i) of the pensions Act before approving the change of name from GNAT Provident Fund Scheme to Teachers Fund Provident Fund Scheme. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Minister of Health, Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, says Ghana is expecting more AstraZeneca vaccines from the United Kingdom and USA by mid-July, this year, to vaccinate the rest of the population against Covid-19. So far, Ghana had received more than 800,000 doses of AstraZeneca from the COVAX Facility, MTN Africa, and the Indian Government. The Food and Drugs Authority has approved three vaccines for inoculation in Ghana: AstraZeneca, Sputnik V, and Johnson and Johnson. However, global demand for the Covid-19 vaccines had outstripped supplies, thus, making it difficult for the Government to buy vaccines from the manufacturers directly. Mr Agyeman-Manu, at the Minister's Media Briefing in Accra on Wednesday, said government had signed two agreements with private dealers to supply the country with Sputnik V. He, however, said government only provided Letters of Credit to the dealers and would advance payments when they had actually delivered the vaccines on the agreed timelines. Mr Agyeman-Manu said one of the suppliers would sell the vaccine to Ghana at US$19.00 per dose and the other one at US$18.5 and not US$26.00 as being speculated in the media. The Minister said the Government was committed to procuring more vaccines to inoculate 20 million Ghanaians, representing 60 per cent of the population, to ensure a herd immunity. Meanwhile, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, said those who had taken the first jab of the AstraZeneca vaccine would still be protected from the virus beyond eight to 12 months and even up to six months, although the antibodies would be reduced by 34 per cent. He said the first dose recipients would not suffer severe health conditions or death. Ghana has, so far, cumulatively recorded 94,619 cases, 1.2 million tests and 789 deaths from Covid-19 related ailments. Currently there are 1,190 active cases as at June 15, with 45 daily infections. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Ghana Police Service has called on Ghanaians to assist them in keeping everyone safe in the country. This follows an increasing rate of robberies and other crimes in the country. The recent one occurred on Monday when armed robbers attacked a bullion van which led to the death of a policeman and a civilian. Speaking in an interview on Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo', the Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent Mrs Sheila Kessie Abayie-Buckman urged Ghanaians to help the police by giving intel to stop the activities of criminals and to arrest them. Meanwhile, a GH20,000 bounty has been placed on the heads of the robbers who attacked the bullion van at James Town, Accra. Listen to the video below Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo is expected to return to the country for the first time since he was arrested and handed over to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in November 2011 for his role in the 2010-2011 post-election crisis. Mr Gbagbo was acquitted of all charges on 15 January 2019 and the ICC upheld the acquittal in March 2021. His flight from Brussels is scheduled to land in Abidjan at 15:45 GMT. Ivorian authorities have promised that he will be received "with all the honours due to a former head of state". Mr Gbagbo's return is expected to be a boost for his party, the Ivorian Popular Front, which has been beset by division for several years now. His political ambitions are unclear but he could play an important role as an opposition leader. Victims of the post-election crisis have vowed to protest his return. Mr Gbagbo still faces charges in Cote d'Ivoire for lost funds from the Abidjan branch of the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO). He was sentenced to a 20-year-jail term in January 2018. President Alassane Ouattara pardoned his co-accused in the case but excluded "persons facing charges before international courts". Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Deputy General Secretary of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Obiri Boahen has described some comment made by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), James Oppong-Boanuh as irresponsible and needless. The IGP noted that despite the alarming rate of insecurity in the country, citizens should be modest in their expectations from the police. He explained that several developed countries are still battling crime, therefore, the recent spate of crime rise, however alarming, is not peculiar to Ghana. He was responding to calls for his retirement during a visit to the family of the late Constable General, Emmanuel Osei, who was killed by armed robbers on Monday afternoon. We are doing what we can to protect the people of Ghana. There is no society in the world where there is no crime. Even in the USA, UK and Sweden, where they, more or less have everything, they still have crime. The only place that doesnt have crime is heaven and we are not in heaven, he said. But Obiri Boahene in an interview with NEAT FMs said the security is a failure after condemning his comments. He has to apologize to Ghanaians and the bereaved family. This is unacceptable, he noted. Listen to interview below Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Minority Leader in Parliament, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, has called for "greater reforms" of policing in the country in the wake of the murder of another policeman in the line of duty by armed men on Monday. According to him, he has been reliably informed that many police officers were not sufficiently and adequately prepared to protect lives and property, which underscored the need for reforms. He called for more community involvement and participation on the part of the police, and the provision of modern logistics as part of the reforms to enhance the work of the police. "That is why I continuously share the view that as expensive as CCTV cameras would be, it would be the way to go into the future," he said. Book launch Mr Iddrisu was speaking to journalists at the launch of a book titled: My defining moments: A trip from the village to Parliament and beyond, by a former Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Kenneth Dzirasah. In the book, the former Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon and South Tongu chronicles his life experiences from early childhood through to his adult life, capturing intriguing aspects of his life as a lawyer, journalist and politician. Murder of policeman Mr Iddrisu remarks comes on the back of the murder of Lands Corporal Emmanuel Osei of the National SWAT unit and an unidentified woman by suspected robbers who ambushed a vehicle carrying money at James Town, near Korle Bu in Accra on Monday. The police said it had launched a grand security operation to hunt down the suspected robbers. Breakdown of law and order Mr Iddrisu said the murder of another police officer showed that there was gradual breakdown of law and order, and blamed the government for not doing enough to guarantee the safety of police officers. The primary responsibility of the President is the safety and security of the citizens. If what we are reading is anything to go by, then we all must collectively express our disappointment at the Presidency and the handling of matters of personal safety and security, he said. He added: When the police officer who needs to protect the state is not secure, then it leaves much to be desired. While extending his condolences to the bereaved family, Mr Iddrisu further called for calm and restraint in the country while the Minority pushed for reforms in the Ghana Police Service. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul has mounted a spirited defense for the decision by President Akufo-Addo to charter a private jet for foreign trips for 15,000 pounds an hour. He argued that safety and security of the president was the ultimate factor in deciding the type of aircraft used for his travels. The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa had in a Facebook post last month alleged that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo spent a whopping Ghc2.8m on a private jet on his recent trips to France and Johannesburg. The ranking member on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament alleged that the president decided to rent an aircraft that cost the Ghanaian taxpayer 15,000 an hour. He further added that the President left Accra for Paris on the 16th of May and then from Paris to Johannesburg and back to Accra on the 25th of May accumulating a total of 23 hours amounting to a colossal 345,000. At the current exchange, the amount totals GHS2,828,432.80. The former Deputy Education Minister subsequently filed an urgent question in Parliament demanding answers from the Defence Minister. Responding to the claims in Parliament on Wednesday, June, 16, 2021, Hon. Dominic Nitiwul argued the Presidential jet is handicapped in handling long-distance travels which will require refueling. He also revealed that the jet lacks enough luggage capacity as well as a place for the president to shower while onboard the presidential jet. The decision to travel to long and multiple destinations such as the president travelling to France, Belgium and South Africa, will always require a larger aircraft even when the Falcon is airworthyWhen the President is travelling with more than 20 people for a business tripyou will need more than just a Falcon, otherwise, the people will have to go more than a day ahead of the president to prepare themselves. The president himself must go more than a day ahead to prepare himself because no president can shower in this aircraft, so you cant move from this aircraft straight into a meeting, Mr Nitiwul added. Source: kasapafmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video With the recent spate of robbery in Ghana especially Accra, many Ghanaians have raised concerns as to whether our security is intact or porous. Another school of thought has called on the government to beef up the security services and arm them heavily as we combat the recent robbery cases. A former Deputy Defense Minister, Major Rtd. Derrick Oduro has said Ghanaians have every reason to fear for their lives but however not panic because security in the nation is still intact. Speaking to Peace FMs reporter, Pious Baidoo Banson, he advised against the politicization of security issues. He added that, comparing crime cases in Ghana to some African countries, Ghana is safer. Major Rtd. Derrick Oduro also urged the public to support the security agencies by providing them with necessary information on criminals. Source: Pious Baidoo Banson/Peace News Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Minister of Finance, Kenneth Ofori-Atta, has asked for a rescheduling of the question of Samuel Okudeto Ablakwa on the cost of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addos recent trip to France, Belgium and South Africa in a rented aircraft. The question was filed by Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee who considers the move by the President as obscene profligacy. The North Tongu Member of Parliament (MP) had claimed in the two-prong question that the total cost of travelling in that aircraft owned by UK-based Acropolis Aviation was GH2.8 million. On Wednesday, June 16, the Minister of Defence, Dominic Nitiwul, was in Parliament to answer his part of the urgent question. The decision to travel particularly to long and multiple destinations such as the president travelling to France, Belgium, South African and back to Ghana especially during this Covid time will always require a larger capacity aircraft such as a DBKJ or an aircraft ATJ 319 even when the Falcon is air ready, the Bimbilla MP said. But on Thursday, June 17 when Mr Ofori-Atta was supposed to come to the House to answer the question, it was missing from the days order paper contrary to its advertisement on Wednesday. Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament Andrew Asiamah Amoako, who chaired proceedings, was told the matter came up during the discussion of the business of the day earlier and the Finance Minister requested a rescheduling of the question. So, Honorable Ablakwa I will persuade you that the question will be rescheduled and the Minister of Finance will come and respond to it, Mr Speaker, Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu assured. Source: 3news.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Said to be one who has the support of the industry, Mark Okraku-Mantey was on June 15 accompanied by some high-profile showbiz personalities as he appeared before the Appointment Committee of Parliament to be vetted following his nomination as Deputy Minister-Designate for Tourism, Arts & Culture. Mr. Okraku-Mantey was accompanied to the vetting at the Parliament House of Ghana by celebrities including musicians Samini, Wendy Shay, Kuami Eugene; renowned playwright and Roverman Productions boss James Ebo Whyte; broadcasters Kwasi Aboagye, Dr. Cann, Franky5, Afia Papabi; artiste manager Bullet; filmmakers Akorfa Ajeani, Socrate Safo; and Anthony Bart, CEO of the Bridge Zone Africa. The vetting which lasted for an hour and twenty minutes saw the nominee answer questions from the committee chaired by Joseph Osei Owusu. Among others, he reiterated his contribution to Highlife music and disagreed with the assertion that the genre is lost in Ghanas industry. He said he has always been around building brands that projected the genre. We have done some in the past. Ive also been part of Mentor as a judge which discovered talents, occasionally, Im on MTN Hitmaker that discovered Kuami Eugene and KiDi, he said. We still enjoy Highlife, we are still producing highlife but it is in a different form for the youth of today. It will be difficult for highlife to die, because most of the music we listen to today, even the dancehall, or other genre of music, they all have the rudiments of highlife. He added: After that generation, we got Ofori Amponsah. If you listen to all these rhythms, you will see that almost everyone comes with different rhythms. You will see that almost everyone comes with a different form of Highlife. So it will be difficult to have a particular type of highlife play for about 20 years. Source: ghanaweb.con Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Gareth Bale last scored for Wales in October 2019 Captain Gareth Bale said Wednesday's win over Turkey in Baku puts Wales in a "great position" to reach the Euro 2020 last 16. Aaron Ramsey and Connor Roberts scored to send Wales top of Group A on four points before Italy host Switzerland later on. "The victory puts us in a great position," Bale told the BBC. "If you'd have offered us four points at the start we would've bitten your hand off," he added. A hostile crowd whistled every touch from Bale and his team-mate with the locals supporting the Crescent Stars due to historical links between Turkey and Azerbaijan. "It helped, playing in front of no fans it's difficult to get the adrenaline going," Bale said. "The fans were fantastic, I know most of them were Turkish but the Wales fans were incredible. "We want to thanks the fans at home too, I'm sure they'll be cheering in their millions tonight," he added. Real Madrid forward Bale missed a second-half spot-kick before Roberts' injury-time effort. "We fought hard, we worked our socks off like we always do," the 31-year-old said. "I missed the pen but I showed good character and feel I helped the team keep going." iwd/mw FILE PHOTO: An aerial view of Dongsha Atoll, also known as Pratas Atoll, South China Sea, Taiwan. (Photo: Gallo Images/Orbital Horizon/Copernicus Sentinel Data 2021) By Kari Lindberg and Cindy Wang When 28 Chinese warplanes streaked through the skies around Taiwan on Tuesday the largest such incursion this year they followed a pattern that has generated alarm among U.S. and Taiwanese military planners. Some of the Peoples Liberation Army planes, including bombers, fighter jets and surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft, flew east from the Chinese coast around the southern tip of Taiwan. The rest broke off and briefly darted further south toward tiny Pratas Island in the South China Sea before turning back. The PLA has flown close to the atoll uninhabited except for a garrison of Taiwanese marines and coast guard officers once a week on average since Sept. 16, when the Taiwanese Defense Ministry began releasing detailed data. If all incursions into Taiwans air-defense-identification zone between Pratas and the Chinese mainland are included, the patrols have become an almost daily occurrence. File photo shows J-20 stealth fighters in a training. Air Force of the People's Liberation Army of China has carried out real combat training, with the involvement of the J-20 stealth fighter and the Y-20 military transport aircraft, according to a military statement. (Xinhua/Li Shaopeng via Getty Images) The exercises signal Beijings displeasure with the democratically elected government in Taipei and its successful effort to court greater U.S. support, as seen by a mention in the Group of Seven communique this week. In response to Chinas moves, President Joe Bidens administration has stepped up surveillance flights near Pratas, raising the risk of a confrontation or clash between two of the worlds most powerful militaries. The Chinese focus on Pratas serves several aims of President Xi Jinping, highlighting Taiwans vulnerability to attack while probing its defenses. The strategy also tests the limits of Washingtons security commitment, and whether its willing to go to war to defend largely vacant reefs hundreds of miles from the nearest American base. The aerial campaign demonstrates that Beijing has options for striking a blow against Taipei that fall well short of a dangerous invasion across the 130-kilometer (80-mile) Taiwan Strait, which is becoming a more urgent concern for American military planners. Taking Pratas Island located closer to Hong Kong than Taiwan could give China a new launching ground for future military operations without provoking a full-scale conflict with the U.S. Story continues There is now a serious possibility that China seeks to occupy one of the outer islands, Ben Schreer, who studies Taiwans defense policy and heads Macquarie Universitys department of security studies and criminology in Sydney. If that happens, what is the international community going to do? What is the U.S. going to do? Even if Xi has no immediate plans to seize any land, regular incursions help establish Chinas long-term presence in territory it claims as its own. Meanwhile, the drumbeat of exercises adds to the domestic political concerns for Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, who rejects Beijings claims to sovereignty. The campaign has put new strain on Taiwans aging air force, which has seen three fatal crashes in the past nine months. The service announced in March that it expected to spend NT$2.1 billion ($76 million) more this year countering PLA operations. Chinas warplanes made more incursions into the southern part of Taiwans air defense identification zone last year than in the previous five years combined. While Beijing has blamed the exercises on Tsais refusal to accept that both sides belong to one China, the increase has tracked with U.S. efforts to step up arm sales and diplomatic exchanges with Taiwan. Tuesdays operation came after the G-7 called for a peaceful resolution of the dispute in a statement more critical of China than past communiques. We urge the relevant countries to observe their promise to China and handle the Taiwan question properly and stop sending wrongful signals to Taiwan separatist forces, Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman Ma Xiaoguang told reporters Wednesday in Beijing. Such exercises help carry out military simulations according to an actual combat plan and rehearse in the real environment, Song Zhongping, a former PLA instructor on missile technology, told a social media account run by the Beijing Youth Daily newspaper. While Taiwans military has expressed confidence in its ability to defend Pratas, it would be operating more than 400 kilometers from its coast and facing the worlds largest navy. Taiwan has scrambled to upgrade its defenses around the atoll, reinforcing the garrison with 200 marines, sending in anti-armor rockets and restarting a stalled project to upgrade the local airstrip. FILE PHOTO: China's aircraft carrier Liaoning takes part in a military drill of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy in the western Pacific Ocean, April 18, 2018. REUTERS/Stringer 65% Chance Another concern for Taiwan is a permanent loss of control over the skies between the main island and its territories in the South China Sea, as Taipei seeks to avoid close confrontations with China that could escalate into a clash. Chinese state media have hinted at an expansion of the strategy amid domestic calls for a tougher response to U.S. moves. The Global Times newspaper, which last year said Beijing was considering military flights directly over Taiwan, reported that China may retaliate over a visit by an American C-17 cargo plane earlier this month by sending patrols closer to Taipei. Enodo Economics, an independent macroeconomic and political forecasting company focused on China, raised the chances of a military conflict between the U.S. and China to 65% in March, compared with 10% in January 2019. While a surprise attack on Taiwan is possible, a more characteristic Chinese approach would be to ratchet up threats with a view to both eroding Taiwans will to resist and providing a retrospective justification for its actions, said Diana Choyleva, Enodos chief economist. China is currently attempting to bring about reunification through a gray zone campaign of mounting pressure, confident that time is on its side and that within the next few years the PLA will be able to overmatch the U.S. in the Taiwan Strait. The flights show China demonstrating its ability to project force far from its coast, potentially encircling Taiwan and denying the U.S. access to possible battlefields. With no troops on Taiwan, the bulk of American forces during any conflict would be deployed from their main bases in Japan, South Korea and Guam, hundreds of miles away. U.S. warships in the Western Pacific seeking to intervene near Pratas would need to pass through the Bashi Channel, which separates southern Taiwan from the northern Philippines. Correspondingly, the PLA has made nine flights into the channel since September, giving its long-range H-6 bombers a route to the open sea while picking up data on rival defense systems and allowing its pilots to become more comfortable. China also test-fired anti-ship missiles into the South China Sea last year, in what U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Admiral Phil Davidson called an unmistakable message of the countrys focus on countering any potential third-party intervention during a regional crisis. The PLA Air Force separately released a video in September showing H-6 bombers making a simulated strike on a runway that looked similar to one at Anderson Air Force Base on Guam. FILE PHOTO: Three F/A-18E Super Hornets fly in formation over the aircraft carriers USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and their strike groups along with ships from the Republic of Korea Navy as they transit the Western Pacific, November 12, 2017. Courtesy Aaron B. Hicks/U.S. Navy/Handout via REUTERS Dangerous Game The U.S. has sought to prove its commitment to ensuring the security of key shipping routes inside the so-called first-island chain, which includes the Philippines, Japan and Taiwan. The Pentagon has roughly doubled reconnaissance flights over the South China Sea this year, according to Peking Universitys South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative, with 72 such patrols last month. Much of those flights passed over the Bashi Channel, according to sites that monitor military air traffic. In a written response to questions from Bloomberg News last month, Lieutenant Mark Langford, a spokesman for the U.S.s Seventh Fleet, declined last to provide specifics on such flights, citing a need to maintain operational security. Ely Ratner, Bidens nominee to be assistant secretary of defense for the Indo-Pacific, told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Wednesday that the U.S. needs a combat-credible posture in the region to counter China. He added that he would carefully review the current military balance across the Taiwan Strait to ensure that our defense cooperation with Taiwan is commensurate with the threat posed by China. All that military activity increases the risk of a confrontation, such as the crisis that erupted in April 2001 when a U.S. Navy EP-3 reconnaissance plane collided with a Chinese F-8 fighter jet. Two dozen American crew members were held for 11 days after making an emergency landing on Hainan Island. The Biden administration has renewed calls for China to open a hotline to help keep a misunderstandings between the two sides from escalating into a conflict, so far with little success. I worry about accidental collisions with tragic results given the PLAs aggressive actions close to Taiwan and other countries, said Shirley Kan, an independent specialist in Asian security who previously worked for the U.S. Congressional Research Service. China is playing a dangerous game. 2021 Bloomberg L.P. Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain To help struggling college students before it is too late, more and more universities are adopting machine-learning models to identify students at risk of dropping out. What information goes into these models can have a big effect on how accurate and fair they are, especially when it comes to protected student characteristics like gender, race and family income. But in a new study, the largest audit of a college AI system to date, researchers find no evidence that removing protected student characteristics from a model improves the accuracy or fairness of predictions. This result came as a surprise to Rene Kizilcec, assistant professor of information science and director of the Future of Learning Lab. "We expected that removing socio-demographic characteristics would make the model less accurate, because of how established these characteristics are in studying academic achievement," he said. "Although we find that adding these attributes provides no empirical advantage, we recommend including them in the model, because it at the very least acknowledges the existence of educational inequities that are still associated with them." Kizilcec is senior author of "Should College Dropout Prediction Models Include Protected Attributes?" to be presented at the virtual Association for Computing Machinery Conference on Learning at Scale, June 22-25. The work has been nominated for a conference Best Paper award. Co-authors are Future of Learning Lab members Hannah Lee, a master's student in the field of computer science, and lead author Renzhe Yu, a doctoral student at the University of California, Irvine. For this work, Kizilcec and his team examined data on students in both a residential college setting and a fully online program. The institution in the study is a large southwestern U.S. public university, which is not named in the paper. By systematically comparing predictive models with and without protected attributes, the researchers aimed to determine both how the inclusion of protected attributes affects the accuracy of college dropout prediction, and whether the inclusion of protected attributes affects the fairness of college dropout prediction. The researchers' dataset was massive: a total of 564,104 residential course- taking records for 93,457 unique students and 2,877 unique courses; and 81,858 online course-taking records for 24,198 unique students and 874 unique courses. From the dataset, Kizilcec's team built 58 identifying features across four categories, including four protected attributesstudent gender; first-generation college status; member of an underrepresented minority group (defined as neither Asian nor white); and high financial need. To determine the consequences of using protected attributes to predict dropout, the researchers generated two feature setsone with protected attributes and one without. Their main finding: Including four important protected attributes does not have any significant effect on three common measures of overall prediction performance when commonly used features, including academic records, are already in the model. "What matters for identifying at-risk students is already explained by other attributes," Kizilcec said. "Protected attributes don't add much. There might be a gender gap or a racial gap, but its association with dropout is negligible compared to characteristics like prior GPA." That said, Kizilcec and his team still advocate for including protected attributes in prediction modeling. They note that higher education data reflects longstanding inequities, and they cite recent work in the broader machine-learning community that supports the notion of "fairness through awareness." "There's been work showing that the way certain attributes, like academic record, influence a student's likelihood of persisting in college might vary across different protected-attribute groups," he said. "And so by including student characteristics in the model, we can account for this variation across different student groups." The authors concluded by stating: "We hope that this study inspires more researchers in the learning analytics and educational data mining communities to engage with issues of algorithmic bias and fairness in the models and systems they develop and evaluate." Kizilcec's lab has done a lot of work on algorithmic fairness in education, which he said is an understudied topic. "That's partly because the algorithms [in education] are not as visible, and they often work in different ways as compared with criminal justice or medicine," he said. "In education, it's not about sending someone to jail, or being falsely diagnosed for cancer. But for the individual student, it can be a big deal to get flagged as at-risk." Explore further New machine learning model could remove bias from social network connections More information: Renzhe Yu et al, Should College Dropout Prediction Models Include Protected Attributes?, Proceedings of the Eighth ACM Conference on Learning @ Scale (2021). Renzhe Yu et al, Should College Dropout Prediction Models Include Protected Attributes?,(2021). DOI: 10.1145/3430895.3460139 A roofer works on a new roof in a housing development while the sun beats down on him as the heat wave continues Thursday, June 17, 2021, in Phoenix. Credit: AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin Much of the American West has been blasted with sweltering heat this week as a high pressure dome combines with the worst drought in modern history to launch temperatures into the triple digits, toppling records even before the official start of summer. Record daily highs were seen this week in parts of Arizona, California, New Mexico, Montana, Wyoming and Utah. Phoenix, which is baking in some of the U.S. West's hottest weather, hit a record-breaking 118 degrees (48 Celsius) Thursday and was expected to reach 116 degrees (46 Celsius) Friday and Saturday. "Very dangerous record breaking heat should continue today across the deserts with well above normal highs," the National Weather Service's Phoenix staff wrote on Facebook. "A very good day to stay indoors." WHY IS THE AMERICAN WEST SO HOT THIS WEEK? The heat comes from a high pressure system over the West, a buckle in the jet stream winds that move across the U.S. and vast swaths of soil sucked dry by a historic drought, said Marvin Percha, a senior meteorologist for the agency in Phoenix. He and other scientists say the heat wave is unusual because it arrived earlier and is staying longer than in most years. "June last year, things seemed pretty normal," noted Park Williams, a University of California, Los Angeles, climate and fire scientist. "The record-breaking heat waves came in August and September." A dog walker gives water from a fountain to her pack of dogs at the Sepulveda Basin Dog park in the Van Nuys section of Los Angeles on Thursday, June 17, 2021. Temperatures in the 80s and 90s were expected up and down the state, with triple-digit highs forecast in deserts, some mountains, non-coastal valley and interior areas. Credit: AP Photo/Richard Vogel But with such an early heat wave this year, "this could be the tip of the iceberg," Williams said. WHAT ROLES DO DROUGHT AND CLIMATE CHANGE PLAY? A two-decade-long dry spell that some scientists refer to as a "megadrought" has sucked the moisture out of the soil through much of the Western United States. Researchers said in a study published last year in the journal Science that man-made climate change tied to the emission of greenhouse gases can be blamed for about half of the historic drought. Scientists studying the dry period that began in 2000 looked at a nine-state area from Oregon and Wyoming down through California and New Mexico and found only one other that was slightly larger. That drought started in 1575, a decade after St. Augustine, Florida, was founded and before the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock in 1620. The hot weather can be tied to the drought drying out the landscape. Normally, some of the sun's heat evaporates moisture in the soil, but scientists say the Western soil is so dry that instead that energy makes the air even warmer. "When the soil is wet, heat waves aren't so bad," said Williams, who has calculated that soil in the western half of the nation is the driest it has been since 1895. "But if it's dry, we are under extreme risk." Dry banks rise above water in Lake Oroville on Sunday, May 23, 2021, in Oroville, Calif. At left are trees scorched in the 2020 North Complex Fire. At the time of this photo, the reservoir was at 39 percent of capacity and 46 percent of its historical average. California officials say the drought gripping the U.S. West is so severe it could cause one of the state's most important reservoirs to reach historic lows by late August, closing most boat ramps and shutting down a hydroelectric power plant during the peak demand of the hottest part of the summer. Credit: AP Photo/Noah Berger HOW DO RECENT WILDFIRES FIGURE INTO THIS? Scientists say the wildfires that have erupted in recent days have been fed by the excessive heat across the region. Climate change contributes to the drought conditions and makes trees and shrubs more likely to catch fire. At least 14 new wildfires broke out this week in Montana and Wyoming as the record heat sparked an early start to the fire season. Firefighters also battled blazes in Arizona and New Mexico. "From a fire potential standpoint, what is capable this year, it is certainly much more severe than we've seen in the past," U.S. Department of Agriculture fire meteorologist Gina Palma said in a climate briefing Thursday. Palma said the drought-related fire risks were especially pronounced in higher elevations across much of the U.S. West, from the Rocky Mountains down into the Southwest and parts of California. "You will be seeing very extreme fire behavior, certainly conditions that we would not normally see in June," she said. A worker fixes a street lamp in the Van Nuys section of Los Angeles on Thursday, June 17, 2021. California's power grid operator called for voluntary energy conservation Thursday as much of the state sweltered under a heat wave that has baked the U.S. West. Credit: AP Photo/Richard Vogel IS THIS THE NEW NORMAL? A growing number of scientific studies are concluding that heat waves in some cases can be directly attributed to climate change, said Kristie L. Ebi, a professor at the Center for Health and the Global Environment at the University of Washington. That means the U.S. West and the rest of the world can expect more extreme heat waves in the future unless officials move to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions, Ebi and other scientists say. A study last month estimated the percent and number of heat deaths each year that can be attributed to human-caused climate change. It included about 200 U.S. cities and found more than 1,100 deaths a year from climate change-caused heat, representing about 35% of all heat deaths in the country. On average each year, Phoenix has 23 climate-triggered heat deaths, Los Angeles has 21 and Tucson has 13, the study said. "Climate change is harming us now," Ebi said. "It's a future problem, but it's also a current problem." Explore further Heat wave grips US West amid fear of a new, hotter normal 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain When COVID hit the Netherlands in 2020, Amsterdam emptied of visitors overnight. Long-term residents, inured to the permanent noise and litter and tourists peeing in the streets, welcomed the newfound tranquility. The pandemic, they told the Washington Post, was "a blessing in disguise." COVID has offered a rare, if not unique chance to address tourism's enduring problems. From how people reach destinations to how tourism is managed within the cities it floods, not to mention the way its benefits and costs are distributed to local communities, the burden of overtourism has long been a concern. Amsterdammers aren't the only city dwellers to perceive the current pause as a much needed relief. From Kyoto to Venice, residents see a return to pre-pandemic tourist numbers as a threat, not a promise. For years, we've been told that tourism needs to be sustainable, without much consensus on what sustainable tourism looks like. COVID, meanwhile, has seen the term "resilience" become a go-to for industry insiders and policymakers. But what exactly is resilient tourism? And can it make our cities any more socially and environmentally responsible? Can it make them any better to live in? The resilience trope Broadly conceived as the ability to manage adversity, resilience is touted as an essential quality for coping with uncertainty and change, stress and shock. As trends go, resilience isn't new. It was Time Magazine's environmental buzzword of the year in 2013. It has since become one of the dominant tropes in contemporary debate on everything from island studies and child psychology to urban disaster risk reduction. The pandemic has of course brought global tourism to a virtual standstill. In 2020, 1 billion fewer international trips were made to tourist destinations than in 2019. Up to 120 million jobs were threatened. So thinking about how this industry, which previously supported one in ten jobs worldwide, might cope with the stress and shock of COVID is no bad thing. However, critical geographers and political sociologists alike have warned that the concept of resilience is in danger of becoming as empty a notion as sustainability. It has its roots in ecological and engineering thinking, wherein it refers to the ability to return to normal to a state of equilibriumafter a period of adversity. Critics argue though that, in the social world, we deal not with equilibrium structures, but constant flux. In a city, there is no normal state to return to. And those affected by natural hazardsa coastal mega-city prone to flooding, saywere vulnerable to begin with. Returning to an original state is therefore as undesirable as it is impossible. Instead, cities adapt. The problem with bouncing back More broadly, resilience thinking is deemed inherently conservative. With the emphasis it places on bouncing back, it is underscores reactive and short-term solutions. These distract from the need to address the root causes of major challenges such as climate change. It is also not as harmless a theory as it may seem. When politicians insist that investing in a more resilient city is plain common sense, they often downplay issues of power and inequality. New Orleans is a case in point. Rebuilding after hurricane Katrina in 2005 came at enormous social cost, when the city privileged economic gain over the needs of marginalized communities. Resilience is nonetheless an elastic concept, and it is increasingly associated not only with the ability to bounce back after a setback, but also to bounce forwardto a new and better state. The UK government's slogan "Build Back Better", has become the mantra for a myriad post-COVID ambitions, particularly with regard to tourism. That said, as travel restrictions are lifted and the cruise ships return to Venice's St Mark's Square, mere weeks after the Italian government promised they wouldn't, it looks like this golden opportunity to rethink tourism has been lost. Governments generally seem more interested in a return to business as usual than in thinking about how much tourism we can actually afford. Calls to come up with a fairer, less exploitative model have, at best, been met with a muted political response. Governments appear loath to discourage business trips, despite climate scientists advocating for less air travel, because they bring in money. Complex resilience Any attempt to make tourism truly resilient, however, has to go further than short-term economic recovery. It has to address the tourism sector's carbon footprint and its injustices and ethical quandaries. In this respect, Amsterdam presents an interesting model. COVID has accelerated the implementation of several measures under consideration well before the pandemic took hold. The city has adopted ordinances that variously prevent souvenir shops from displacing local businesses, developers from turning residential spaces into holiday lets, and new hotels from being built. Elsewhere, it has hiked up the tax tourists pay for overnight stays and introduced measures to reduce the so-called incivilities (littering, public urination) they unthinkingly leave behind. More broadly, it has become the first city ever to embrace British economist Kate Raworth's doughnut economics model for sustainable development. This theory centers on the environment and the basic needs of its citizens as opposed to economic growth. The council has pledged to use it as a guideline for all future policies that govern urban lifefrom emissions regulations to fixing the city's housing crisis. It is still too early to say whether these efforts will pay off. Without a similarly bold rethink, though, more residents will likely rebel against the touristification of their communities. If, on the other hand, more cities follow the Dutch capital's example (as Copenhagen, Brussels, Dunedin in New Zealand and Nanaimo in Canada are reportedly doing), the idea of a real bounce forward might indeed apply. Explore further Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on mammals at tourist destinations This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Male (upper) and female (lower) adults of Cryptaphelenchus abietis. Credit: University of Tsukuba Sometimes a dead log isn't just a dead log. This one in Japan turned out to be the habitat of a species previously unknown to science. In a new study published in the journal Nematology, a University of Tsukuba-led research team has described a new species of nematode found inside bark beetles that emerged from a dead log of a fir tree. Nematodes, also known as roundworms, are a diverse phylum (category) of unsegmented worm-like animals that live in a wide variety of habitats and have diverse life habits. Many nematodes, including this previously unknown species, are either parasitic or live inside a host organism for the duration of a particular life stage. The log from the trunk of a fallen Veitch's fir tree (Abies veitchii) was collected from the experimental forest of the Sugadaira Montane Research Center of the University of Tsukuba, Nagano, in June 2018. This log was found to be infected with bark beetles, including the species Cryphalus piceae. These beetles were dissected and their microbial contents cultured to allow the nematodes they contained to propagate. Nematodes were also isolated from the bark of the log. Although several other nematode species were identified, their cultures did not propagate, so only the new species was examined in detail for this study. Principal investigator of the biodiversity project Professor Yousuke Degawa describes the novel nematode: "Members of the genus Cryptaphelenchus commonly lack a functional rectum and anus, which is a typical characteristic of predator/entemoparasitic species. This suggests that this mycophagous genus has retained this ancestral character. The female of the newly described species can be identified based on its long and slender tail, and the male has a cuticular extension surrounding its tail. We named the species Cryptaphelenchus abietis, for the name of the tree from which it was isolated." Molecular genetic sequencing clarified the phylogenetic position of this new species in relation to other nematode species. It was clearly a member of the genus Cryptaphelenchus, a group of nematodes that usually feed on fungi when they are not inside their associated insect hosts. As Senior Researcher Natsumi Kanzaki, the study's first author, explains, "Most similar nematodes have been found to be quite difficult to culture. Because of how easily Cryptaphelenchus abietis can be cultivated in a laboratory setting, this new species may be particularly useful for future studies of the physiological and ecological evolution of nematodes in relation to their genomic characters." Explore further Ultimately, beneficial fungi could be more effective than pesticides against nematodes More information: Natsumi Kanzaki et al, Cryptaphelenchus abietis n. sp. (Tylenchomorpha: Aphelenchoididae) isolated from Cryphalus piceae (Ratzeburg) (Coleoptera: Scolytinae) emerged from Abies veitchii Lindl. (Pinaceae) from Nagano, Japan, Nematology (2021). Natsumi Kanzaki et al, Cryptaphelenchus abietis n. sp. (Tylenchomorpha: Aphelenchoididae) isolated from Cryphalus piceae (Ratzeburg) (Coleoptera: Scolytinae) emerged from Abies veitchii Lindl. (Pinaceae) from Nagano, Japan,(2021). DOI: 10.1163/15685411-bja10112 Shafthole axe type Fardrup. This axe is of Nordic craftsmanship and hides information on the first attempt to establish trading networks with societies across the Alps. A small group of these Nordic crafted axes is made of northern Italian copper, so called AATV-copper (from the Alto Adige, Trentino and Veneto mining region in the Italian Alps) while the majority of these axes is made of British and Welsh or eastern Alpine metal. Credit: Heide W. Nrgaard, by permission of the National Museum, Copenhagen. New research presents over 300 new analyses of bronze objects, raising the total number to 550 in 'the archaeological fingerprint project.' This is roughly two thirds of the entire metal inventory of the early Bronze Age in southern Scandinavia. For the first time, it was possible to map the trade networks for metals and to identify changes in the supply routes, coinciding with other socio-economic changes detectable in the rich metal-dependent societies of Bronze Age southern Scandinavia. The magnificent Bronze Age in southern Scandinavia rose from copper traded from the British Isles and Slovakia 4000 years ago. 500 years later these established trade networks collapsed and fresh copper was then traded from the southern Alps, the so-called Italian Alps. This large-scale study could show that during the first 700 years of the Nordic Bronze Age the metal supplying networks and trade routes changed several times. These 700 years of establishment and change led to a highly specialized metalwork culture boasting beautiful artwork such as the Trundholm Sun wagon and spiral decorated belt plates branding high-ranking women; even depicted on today's Danish banknotes. The study by H. Nrgaard, Moesgaard Museum and her colleagues H. Vandkilde from Aarhus University and E. Pernicka from the Curt-Engelhorn Centre in Mannheim built on the so far largest dataset of chemical and isotope data of ancient bronze artifacts. In total 550 objects were used to model the changes that took place: These changes correlate with major shifts in social organization, settlements, housing, burial rites and long distance mobility. Shafthole axe of Valsmagle type. Only a few axes of this type are known, and they are only distributed in northern Europe. These axes seem to be contemporary with the Fardrup type axes as they are made of the same metal and not, if they would be slightly later, of the new Italian metal that is the main metal used in the period from 1500 BC. Credit: Heide W. Nrgaard, by permission of the National Museum, Copenhagen. "Now, this multi-disciplinary approachbased jointly on conventional archaeological methods and novel scientific methodologies processing large data quantitiesallows us to detect these correlating changes and identify contemporaneity with societal changes recognized by colleague researchers," says Heide Nrgaard the projects PI. The lead isotope plot of the over 65 shafthole axes analyzed in this study dating to the end of the first Bronze Age period 1600 BC. This amount of data exceeds the previous analyses by ten times and for the first time allows to compare both axe types and understand their development. Credit: No credit "It is highly likely that both people and technologies arrived to Scandinavia and that Scandinavians traveled abroad to acquire copper by means of the Nordic amber, highly valued by European trading partners." More information: Heide W. Nrgaard et al, Shifting networks and mixing metals: Changing metal trade routes to Scandinavia correlate with Neolithic and Bronze Age transformations, PLOS ONE (2021). Journal information: PLoS ONE Heide W. Nrgaard et al, Shifting networks and mixing metals: Changing metal trade routes to Scandinavia correlate with Neolithic and Bronze Age transformations,(2021). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252376 Credit: CC0 Public Domain If the genome is the recipe of life, base pairs are the individual ingredients listed. These chemical structures form DNA, and every living organism on Earth has just four. The specific arrangements of these four base pairsA, T, C, Gmake us who and what we are. So it was a big surprise when Scripps Research scientists revealed in 2014 that they could introduce two new, unnatural base pairs (they called them X and Y for short) into the genetic code of living bacteria in the lab. It was like two never-seen-before ingredients tossed into the recipe, hypothetically expanding the variety of dishes a cell can whip up. Researchers immediately saw the potential applications: With more control and selection, they might be able to use cells as tiny kitchens to cook up new medicines and vaccines. But just because there are more letters in a genetic recipe doesn't mean the cell can read them, or knows what to do with themor that any of it works in the cells of organisms more complicated than bacteria. In a study published June 17, 2021 in Nature Chemical Biology, a team led by researchers at Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at University of California San Diego helped address these hurdles. The team revealed that yeast cell machinery seamlessly "reads" the unnatural X and Y ingredients, the way it would A, C, T and G, and translates them into RNA, which could eventually be translated into proteins, the basis for just about every part of the cell. Unlike bacteria, yeast are eukaryotes, part of the same multicellular class of life as animals, plants and fungi. (A note about safety: These synthetic cells can't survive without special liquid food provided in the lab.) "Now we can see exactly how eukaryotic cell machinery interacts with unnatural base pairs, but it's not perfect, there's room to improve in terms of selectivity and efficiency," said senior author Dong Wang, Ph.D., professor in the Skaggs School of Pharmacy. "It's our hope that this finding will have a profound impact in the field by enabling the design of more effective, next-generation unnatural base pairs." Wang's lab has long studied RNA polymerase II, an essential enzyme found in every fungal, plant and animal cell. RNA Pol II reads the DNA recipe and helps convert the genetic code into messenger RNA. (That mRNA then carries that genetic recipe out of the nucleus and into the cytoplasm, where it's translated and used to assemble proteins as instructed.) In the past, the team has studied the structure of RNA Pol II and how it responds to normal genetic recipe hiccups such as DNA damage caused by radiation. In their latest study, Wang's team revealed for the first time step-by-step what it looks like, structurally speaking, when eukaryotic RNA Pol II picks up and incorporates unnatural base pairs as it transcribes a piece of DNA. In doing so, they discovered, for example, that RNA Pol II is selectiveit can bind X or Y on one strand of a double-stranded DNA genome, but not the other. "What we have now is a unique view of what is and what is not well recognized by RNA Pol II," said Wang, who is also professor at UC San Diego School of Medicine and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. "This knowledge is important for us to design new unnatural base pairs that can be used by host RNA polymerases." Explore further 'Semi-synthetic' bacteria churn out unnatural proteins More information: Juntaek Oh et al, Transcriptional processing of an unnatural base pair by eukaryotic RNA polymerase II, Nature Chemical Biology (2021). Journal information: Nature Chemical Biology Juntaek Oh et al, Transcriptional processing of an unnatural base pair by eukaryotic RNA polymerase II,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41589-021-00817-3 The launch of a rocket carrying China's Chang'e-5 lunar probe underlined how much progress Beijing had made towards its 'space dream' The liftoff of three astronauts for China's new space station on Thursday marks a landmark step in its space ambitions, its longest crewed mission to date. The world's second largest economy has put billions into its military-run space programme, with hopes of having a permanently crewed space station by 2022 and eventually sending humans to the Moon. The country has come a long way in catching up with the United States and Russia, whose astronauts and cosmonauts have decades of experience in space exploration. Here is a look at China's space programme, and where it is headed: Mao's vow Soon after the Soviet Union launched Sputnik in 1957, Chairman Mao Zedong pronounced: "We too will make satellites." It took more than a decade, but in 1970, China launched its first satellite on a Long March rocket. Human spaceflight took decades longer, with Yang Liwei becoming the first Chinese "taikonaut" in 2003. As the launch approached, concerns over the viability of the mission caused Beijing to cancel a live television broadcast at the last minute. But it went smoothly, with Yang orbiting the Earth 14 times during a 21-hour flight aboard the Shenzhou 5. China has launched six crewed missions since. The Jade Rabbit lunar rover surveyed the moon's surface for 31 months. Space station and 'Jade Rabbit' Following in the footsteps of the United States and Russia, China has planned to build its own space station circling the planet. The Tiangong-1 lab was launched in 2011. In 2013, the second Chinese woman in space, Wang Yaping, gave a video class from inside the space module to children across the world's most populous country. The craft was also used for medical experiments and, most importantly, tests intended to prepare for the construction of a space station. That was followed by the "Jade Rabbit" lunar rover in 2013, which initially appeared a dud when it turned dormant and stopped sending signals back to Earth. It made a dramatic recovery, however, ultimately surveying the Moon's surface for 31 monthswell beyond its expected lifespan. In 2016, China launched its second orbital lab, the Tiangong-2. Taikonauts who visited the station have run experiments on growing rice and other plants. 'Space dream' Under President Xi Jinping, plans for China's "space dream" have been put into overdrive. China is looking to finally catch up with the United States and Russia after years of belatedly matching their milestones. Besides a space station, China is also planning to build a base on the Moon, and the country's National Space Administration said it aims to launch a crewed lunar mission by 2029. China has been carrying out experiments in a lab simulating a lunar-like environment in preparation for its long-term goal of putting humans on the moon. But lunar work was dealt a setback in 2017 when the Long March-5 Y2, a powerful heavy-lift rocket, failed to launch on a mission to send communication satellites into orbit. That forced the postponement of the Chang'e-5 launch, originally scheduled to collect Moon samples in the second half of 2017. Another robot, the Chang'e-4, landed on the far side of the Moon in January 2019a historic first. This was followed by one which landed on the near side of the Moon last year, raising a Chinese flag on the lunar surface. The unmanned spacecraft returned to Earth in December with rocks and soilthe first lunar samples collected in four decades. And in February 2021 the first images of Mars were sent back by the five-tonne Tianwen-1, which then landed a rover on the Martian surface in May that has since started to explore the surface of the Red Planet. Palace in the sky The trio of astronauts will dock with the core Tianhe module of the Chinese space station, which was successfully placed in orbit on April 29. The Chinese space station Tiangongmeaning "heavenly palace"will need around 11 total missions to bring more parts and assemble them into orbit. Once completed, it is expected to remain in low Earth orbit at between 400 and 450 kilometres (250 and 280 miles) above our planet for at least 10 yearsrealising an ambition to maintain a long-term human presence in space. While China does not plan to use its space station for international cooperation on the scale of the International Space Station, Beijing said it is open to foreign collaboration. It is not yet clear how extensive that cooperation will be. 2021 AFP In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese astronauts salute after successfully entering the Tianhe space station module as they are displayed on a big screen at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center in Beijing, on Thursday, June 17, 2021. China has launched the first three-man crew to its new space station in its the ambitious programs first crewed mission in five years Credit: Jin Liwang/Xinhua via AP Three Chinese astronauts have begun making China's new space station their home for the next three months, after their launch and arrival at the station Thursday marked further advances in the country's ambitious space program. Their Shenzhou-12 craft connected with the station about six hours after taking off from the Jiuquan launch center on the edge of the Gobi Desert. About three hours later, commander Nie Haisheng, followed by Liu Boming and space rookie Tang Hongbo, opened the hatches and floated into the Tianhe-1, the core living segment of the station. Pictures showed them busy at work unpacking equipment and at one point turning to the camera to greet and salute audiences back on Earth. "This represents the first time Chinese have entered their own space station," state broadcaster CCTV said on its nightly news. China has now sent 14 astronauts into space since 2003, when it became only the third country after the former Soviet Union and the United States to do so on its own. China's leaders hope the mission will be a complete success as the ruling Communist Party prepares to celebrate its centennial next month. Although contact between the Chinese space program and NASA is restricted by U.S. law, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson issued a statement Thursday expressing, "Congratulations to China on the successful launch of crew to their space station! I look forward to the scientific discoveries to come." A Long March-2F Y12 rocket carrying a crew of Chinese astronauts in a Shenzhou-12 spaceship lifts off at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan in northwestern China, Thursday, June 17, 2021. China has launched the first three-man crew to its new space station in its the ambitious programs first crewed mission in five years. Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan The mission is the third of 11 planned through next year to connect the Tianhe-1 to two laboratory modules and send up crews and supplies. The current crew will carry out experiments, test equipment and prepare for the future missions. A fresh crew and supplies will be sent in three months. Each crew will have three members, with the station's capacity at six, when crews are being exchanged. Two of China's past astronauts were women, and future crews on the station will include women. Uniformed military personnel and children waving flowers and flags and singing patriotic songs saw off the astronauts before they entered the Shenzhou-12 to be blasted into space atop a Long March-2F Y12 rocket at at 9:22 a.m (0122 GMT) Thursday Beijing time. The rocket dropped its boosters about two minutes into the flight followed by the cowling surrounding the crew's craft. After about 10 minutes it separated from the rocket's upper section, extended its solar panels and shortly afterward entered orbit. Officials stand on the tarmac ahead of the liftoff at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan in northwestern China, Thursday, June 17, 2021. China has launched the first three-man crew to its new space station in its the ambitious programs first crewed mission in five years. Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan About a half-dozen adjustments helped line up the craft for docking with the Tianhe-1, or Heavenly Harmony, module at about 4 p.m. (0800 GMT). The travel time is down from the two days it took to reach China's earlier experimental space stations, a result of a "great many breakthroughs and innovations," the mission's deputy chief designer, Gao Xu, told state broadcaster CCTV. "So the astronauts can have a good rest in space which should make them less tired," Gao said. Other improvements include an increase in the number of automated and remote-controlled systems that should "significantly lessen the pressure on the astronauts," Gao said. China is not a participant in the International Space Station, largely as a result of U.S. objections to the Chinese programs secrecy and close military ties. However, China has been stepping up cooperation with Russia and a host of other countries, and its station may continue operating beyond the International Space Station, which is reaching the end of its functional life. A woman wearing a face mask is silhouetted as she walks by a TV screen showing CCTV live telecast of the Long March-2F Y12 rocket carrying a crew of Chinese astronauts in a Shenzhou-12 spaceship lifts off at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, at a shopping mall in Beijing, Thursday, June 17, 2021. China launched the first three crew members on a mission to its new space station Thursday in its first crewed mission in five years. Credit: AP Photo/Andy Wong Chinese astronauts, from left, Tang Hongbo, Nie Haisheng, and Liu Boming wave as they prepare to board for liftoff at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan in northwestern China, Thursday, June 17, 2021. China plans on Thursday to launch three astronauts onboard the Shenzhou-12 spaceship who will be the first crew members to live on China's new orbiting space station Tianhe, or Heavenly Harmony. Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan Chinese astronauts wave as they prepare to board for liftoff at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan in northwestern China, Thursday, June 17, 2021. China plans on Thursday to launch three astronauts onboard the Shenzhou-12 spaceship who will be the first crew members to live on China's new orbiting space station Tianhe, or Heavenly Harmony. Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, a worker monitors screens showing the interior of the Tianhe space station module after Chinese astronauts docked and enter it are displayed on large screens at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center in Beijing, on Thursday, June 17, 2021. China has launched the first three-man crew to its new space station in its the ambitious programs first crewed mission in five years Credit: Jin Liwang/Xinhua via AP Chinese astronauts, from left, Tang Hongbo, Nie Haisheng, and Liu Boming salute as they prepare to board for liftoff at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan in northwestern China, Thursday, June 17, 2021. China plans on Thursday to launch three astronauts onboard the Shenzhou-12 spaceship who will be the first crew members to live on China's new orbiting space station Tianhe, or Heavenly Harmony. Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan A Long March-2F Y12 rocket carrying a crew of Chinese astronauts in a Shenzhou-12 spaceship lifts off at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan in northwestern China, Thursday, June 17, 2021. China has launched the first three-man crew to its new space station in its the ambitious programs first crewed mission in five years. Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan A man is silhouetted as she walks by a TV screen showing CCTV live telecast of the Long March-2F Y12 rocket carrying a crew of Chinese astronauts in a Shenzhou-12 spaceship lifts off at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, at a shopping mall in Beijing, Thursday, June 17, 2021. China launched the first three crew members on a mission to its new space station Thursday in its first crewed mission in five years. Credit: AP Photo/Andy Wong A Long March-2F Y12 rocket carrying a crew of Chinese astronauts in a Shenzhou-12 spaceship lifts off at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan in northwestern China, Thursday, June 17, 2021. China has launched the first three-man crew to its new space station in its the ambitious programs first crewed mission in five years. Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan A Long March-2F Y12 rocket carrying a crew of Chinese astronauts in a Shenzhou-12 spaceship lifts off at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan in northwestern China, Thursday, June 17, 2021. China launched the first three crew members on a mission to its new space station Thursday in its first crewed mission in five years.Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan A Long March-2F Y12 rocket carrying a crew of Chinese astronauts in a Shenzhou-12 spaceship lifts off at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan in northwestern China, Thursday, June 17, 2021. China has launched the first three-man crew to its new space station in its the ambitious programs first crewed mission in five years. Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan A Long March-2F Y12 rocket carrying a crew of Chinese astronauts in a Shenzhou-12 spaceship lifts off at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan in northwestern China, Thursday, June 17, 2021. China has launched the first three-man crew to its new space station in its the ambitious programs first crewed mission in five years. Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan Chinese astronauts, from left, Tang Hongbo, Nie Haisheng, and Liu Boming wave as they prepare to board for liftoff at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan in northwestern China, Thursday, June 17, 2021. China plans on Thursday to launch three astronauts onboard the Shenzhou-12 spaceship who will be the first crew members to live on China's new orbiting space station Tianhe, or Heavenly Harmony. Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan Chinese astronauts, from left, Liu Boming, Nie Haisheng, and Tang Hongbo wave as they prepare to board for liftoff at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan in northwestern China, Thursday, June 17, 2021. China plans on Thursday to launch three astronauts onboard the Shenzhou-12 spaceship who will be the first crew members to live on China's new orbiting space station Tianhe, or Heavenly Harmony. Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan Chinese astronauts, from left, Tang Hongbo, Liu Boming, and Nie Haisheng wave as they prepare to board for liftoff at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan in northwestern China, Thursday, June 17, 2021. China plans on Thursday to launch three astronauts onboard the Shenzhou-12 spaceship who will be the first crew members to live on China's new orbiting space station Tianhe, or Heavenly Harmony. Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan Chinese astronauts, from left, Tang Hongbo, Liu Boming, and Nie Haisheng wave as they prepare to board for liftoff at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan in northwestern China, Thursday, June 17, 2021. China plans on Thursday to launch three astronauts onboard the Shenzhou-12 spaceship who will be the first crew members to live on China's new orbiting space station Tianhe, or Heavenly Harmony. Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan A Long March-2F Y12 rocket carrying a crew of Chinese astronauts in a Shenzhou-12 spaceship lifts off at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan in northwestern China, Thursday, June 17, 2021. China has launched the first three-man crew to its new space station in its the ambitious programs first crewed mission in five years. Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan A Long March-2F Y12 rocket carrying a crew of Chinese astronauts in a Shenzhou-12 spaceship lifts off at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan in northwestern China, Thursday, June 17, 2021. China has launched the first three-man crew to its new space station in its the ambitious programs first crewed mission in five years. Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan A Long March-2F Y12 rocket carrying a crew of Chinese astronauts in a Shenzhou-12 spaceship lifts off at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan in northwestern China, Thursday, June 17, 2021. China has launched the first three-man crew to its new space station in its the ambitious programs first crewed mission in five years. Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan A Long March-2F Y12 rocket carrying a crew of Chinese astronauts in a Shenzhou-12 spaceship lifts off at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan in northwestern China, Thursday, June 17, 2021. China launched the first three crew members on a mission to its new space station Thursday in its first crewed mission in five years. Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan A Long March-2F Y12 rocket carrying a crew of Chinese astronauts in a Shenzhou-12 spaceship lifts off at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan in northwestern China, Thursday, June 17, 2021. China has launched the first three-man crew to its new space station in its the ambitious programs first crewed mission in five years. Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan Ignition engulfs the launch pad as a Long March-2F Y12 rocket carrying a crew of Chinese astronauts in a Shenzhou-12 spaceship lifts off at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan in northwestern China, Thursday, June 17, 2021. China has launched the first three-man crew to its new space station in its the ambitious programs first crewed mission in five years. Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan A Long March-2F Y12 rocket carrying a crew of Chinese astronauts in a Shenzhou-12 spaceship lifts off at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan in northwestern China, Thursday, June 17, 2021. China has launched the first three-man crew to its new space station in its the ambitious programs first crewed mission in five years. Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan Chinese space officials have also said foreigners may be part of future crews on the station after it is fully built next year. China landed a probe on Mars last month that carried a rover, the Zhurong, and earlier landed a probe and rover on the moon's less explored far side and brought back the first lunar samples by any country's space program since the 1970s. China and Russia this week also unveiled an ambitious plan for a joint International Lunar Research Station running through 2036. That could compete and possibly conflict with the multinational Artemis Accords, a blueprint for space cooperation that supports NASA's plans to return humans to the moon by 2024 and to launch an historic human mission to Mars. After the Tianhe-1 was launched in April, the rocket that carried it into space made an uncontrolled reentry to Earth. Usually, discarded rocket stages reenter the atmosphere soon after liftoff, normally over water, and don't go into orbit. China dismissed criticism of the potential safety hazard at the time, and officials said the rocket used Thursday was of a different type and reentering components were expected to burn up before they could be a danger. Explore further Rocket on pad, China ready to send 1st crew to space station 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Adult coelacanth scales. Credit: Laurent Ballesta Once thought to be extinct, lobe-finned coelacanths are enormous fish that live deep in the ocean. Now, researchers reporting in the journal Current Biology on June 17 have evidence that, in addition to their impressive size, coelacanths also can live for an impressively long timeperhaps nearly a century. The researchers found that their oldest specimen was 84 years old. They also report that coelacanths live life extremely slowly in other ways, reaching maturity around the age of 55 and gestating their offspring for five years. "Our most important finding is that the coelacanth's age was underestimated by a factor of five," says Kelig Mahe of IFREMER Channel and North Sea Fisheries Research Unit in Boulogne-sur-mer, France. "Our new age estimation allowed us to re-appraise the coelacanth's body growth, which happens to be one of the slowest among marine fish of similar size, as well as other life-history traits, showing that the coelacanth's life history is actually one of the slowest of all fish." Earlier studies attempted to age coelacanths by directly observing growth rings on the scales of a small sample of 12 specimens. Those studies led to the notion that the fish didn't live more than 20 years. If that were the case, it would make coelacanths among the fastest-growing fish given their large size. That seemed surprising considering that the coelacanth's other known biological and ecological features, including slow metabolism and low fecundity, were more typical of fish with slow life histories and slow growth like most other deep-water species. In the new study, Mahe, along with co-authors Bruno Ernande and Marc Herbin, took advantage of the fact that the French National Museum of Natural History (Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle de Paris, MNHN) has one of the largest collections of coelacanths in the world, ranging from embryos in utero to individuals of almost two meters. They were able to examine 27 specimens in all. They also used new methods, including polarized light microscopy and scale interpretation technology mastered at IFREMER's Sclerochronology Centre, Boulogne-sur-mer, France, to estimate individuals' age and body growth more precisely than before. While earlier studies relied on more readily visible calcified structures called macro-circuli to age the coelacanths much as counting growth rings can age a tree, the new approaches allowed the researchers to pick up on much tinier and nearly imperceptible circuli on the scales. Their findings suggest that the coelacanths actually are about five times older than was previously thought. A coelacanth embryo with yolk sac from the MNHN collection. Credit: MNHN "We demonstrated that these circuli were actually annual growth marks, whereas the previously observed macro-circuli were not," Mahe says. "It meant that the maximum longevity of coelacanth was five times longer than previously thought, hence around a century." Their study of two embryos showed they were both about five years old. Using a growth model to back-calculate gestation length based on the size of offspring at birth, the researchers got the same answer. They now think that coelacanth offspring grow and develop for five years inside their mothers prior to birth. "Coelacanth appears to have one of, if not the slowest life histories among marine fish, and close to those of deep-sea sharks and roughies," Mahe says. The researchers say that their findings have implications for the coelacanth's conservation and future. They note that the African coelacanth is assessed as critically endangered in the Red List of Threatened Species of IUCN. "Long-lived species characterized by slow life history and relatively low fecundity are known to be extremely vulnerable to perturbations of a natural or anthropic nature due to their very low replacement rate," Mahe says. "Our results thus suggest that it may be even more threatened than expected due to its peculiar life history. Consequently, these new pieces of information on coelacanths' biology and life history are essential to the conservation and management of this species." In future studies, they plan to perform microchemistry analyses on coelacanth scales to find out whether a coelacanth's growth is related to temperature. The answer will provide some insight into the effects of global warming on this vulnerable species. Explore further Advent of gillnets has led to significant numbers of coelacanth captures RUDN University mathematicians built a model of COVID-19 spreading based on two regression models. The mathematicians divided the countries into three groups, depending on the spreading rate and on the climatic conditions, and found a suitable mathematical approximation for each of them. Based on the model, the mathematicians predicted the subsequent waves. The forecast was accurate in countries where mass vaccination was not introduced. Credit: RUDN University RUDN University mathematicians built a model of COVID-19 spreading based on two regression models. The mathematicians divided the countries into three groups, depending on the spreading rate and on the climatic conditions, and found a suitable mathematical approximation for each of them. Based on the model, the mathematicians predicted the subsequent waves. The forecast was accurate in countries where mass vaccination was not introduced. The results are published in Mathematics. The epidemy spreading rate within the country depends, among other things, on the climatic conditions: temperature, humidity, winds. For example, in the cold season, dry air dries the nasal mucus out which acts as a first line of defense to the virus. Therefore, a person becomes infected faster. High temperature, on the contrary, prevents the virus from surviving. Based on these considerations, professor Maria Alessandra Ragusa of RUDN University together with her colleagues from Egypt and Italy built models of the COVID-19 spread separately for three groups of countries with different climatic conditions. It turned out that the model accurately predicts the further course of the epidemic, but only until the effect of vaccination begins to affect. "The main challenge during studying epidemics is how to predict the disease behavior, how many people will be infected in the future, determining the pandemic peak, second wave of the disease time of action, and the total deaths after the pandemic ends. We used a new state-of-art of regression models to model daily confirmed cases and to predict the upcoming coronavirus waves in different countries," says Ragusa. Mathematicians have identified three groups of countries. The first category includes countries where the first wave of the pandemic lasted about 180 days. These are the countries with the lowest spreading rate, with an average annual temperature of 15-38 (for example, Saudi Arabia, Egypt). In the second group of countries (for example, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy) with an average annual temperature of 2-31C, the first wave lasted 90 days. Countries in this group are characterized by an average infection rate and stopping periods with low virus spreading rate. The third group includes countries with the highest spreading rate and no stopping periods, with an average annual temperature of 2-18 degrees Celsiusfor example, the United States and Russia. For modeling, scientists used WHO data on the number of cases from March 1 to November 15, 2020. RUDN mathematicians chose the most suitable regression modelsmethods for statistical research of the influence of several variables on one value. The Fourier series and the sum of the sine-waves were the most accurate for the modeling COVID-19 cases. This means that the curve of new cases of the disease is represented either as a sum of Fourier functions (they can be represented as waves of a certain frequency and amplitude), or as a sum of ordinary sine-waves. As a result, professor Ragusa obtained the calculated values of the peak of the second or third wave in the studied countries. Different models gave close forecasts with a difference of several days. The obtained predictions were compared with the data available at that time. It turned out that the model provides fairly accurate predictions if the country does not introduce wide vaccination. For example, the calculated value of the peak of new cases in Egypt is 1481 people on January 11, 2021; the real peak occurred on December 31 with 1418 cases. In other countries, the model provides an accurate prediction until the beginning of 2021. After that, the vaccination effect takes place and the calculated values differ from the reality. For example, for Germany, the predicted and real values are close until about January 15, 2021, and on February 15 they differ by about 2.5 times. "In our future work, we will make developments on the current predictive models considering how vaccination affects the virus spread rate," Ragusa concludes. Explore further Mathematicians develop a new model for predicting epidemics based on precedents More information: Hamdy M. Ahmed et al, Models for COVID-19 Daily Confirmed Cases in Different Countries, Mathematics (2021). Hamdy M. Ahmed et al, Models for COVID-19 Daily Confirmed Cases in Different Countries,(2021). DOI: 10.3390/math9060659 A home destroyed in the 2020 North Complex Fire sits above Lake Oroville on Sunday, May 23, 2021, in Oroville, Calif. At the time of this photo, the reservoir was at 39 percent of capacity and 46 percent of its historical average. California officials say the drought gripping the U.S. West is so severe it could cause one of the state's most important reservoirs to reach historic lows by late August, closing most boat ramps and shutting down a hydroelectric power plant during the peak demand of the hottest part of the summer. Credit: AP Photo/Noah Berger Each year Lake Oroville helps water a quarter of the nation's crops, sustain endangered salmon beneath its massive earthen dam and anchor the tourism economy of a Northern California county that must rebuild seemingly every year after unrelenting wildfires. But the mighty lakea linchpin in a system of aqueducts and reservoirs in the arid U.S. West that makes California possibleis shrinking with surprising speed amid a severe drought, with state officials predicting it will reach a record low later this summer. While droughts are common in California, this year's is much hotter and drier than others, evaporating water more quickly from the reservoirs and the sparse Sierra Nevada snowpack that feeds them. The state's more than 1,500 reservoirs are 50% lower than they should be this time of year, according to Jay Lund, co-director of the Center for Watershed Sciences at the University of California-Davis. Over Memorial Day weekend, dozens of houseboats sat on cinderblocks at Lake Oroville because there wasn't enough water to hold them. Blackened trees lined the reservoir's steep, parched banks. At nearby Folsom Lake, normally bustling boat docks rested on dry land, their buoys warning phantom boats to slow down. Campers occupied dusty riverbanks farther north at Shasta Lake. A car crosses Enterprise Bridge over Lake Oroville's dry banks Sunday, May 23, 2021, in Oroville, Calif. At the time of this photo, the reservoir was at 39 percent of capacity and 46 percent of its historical average. California officials say the drought gripping the U.S. West is so severe it could cause one of the state's most important reservoirs to reach historic lows by late August, closing most boat ramps and shutting down a hydroelectric power plant during the peak demand of the hottest part of the summer. Credit: AP Photo/Noah Berger But the impacts of dwindling reservoirs go beyond luxury yachts and weekend anglers. Salmon need cold water from the bottom of the reservoirs to spawn. The San Francisco Bay needs fresh water from the reservoirs to keep out the salt water that harms freshwater fish. Farmers need the water to irrigate their crops. Businesses need reservoirs full so people will come play in them and spend money. And everyone needs the water to run hydroelectric power plants that supply much of the state's energy. If Lake Oroville falls below 640 feet (195 meters)which it could do by late Auguststate officials would shut down a major power plant for just the first time ever because of low water levels, straining the electrical grid during the hottest part of the summer. In Northern California's Butte County, low water prompts another emotion: fear. The county suffered the deadliest U.S. wildfire in a century in 2018 when 85 people died. Last year, another 16 people died in a wildfire. People walk near boat docks as they sit on dry land at the Browns Ravine Cove area of drought-stricken Folsom Lake, currently at 37% of its normal capacity, in Folsom, Calif., Saturday, May 22, 2021. California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a drought emergency for most of the state. Credit: AP Photo/Josh Edelson Walking along the Bidwell Canyon trail last week, 63-year-old Lisa Larson was supposed to have a good view of the lake. Instead, she saw withered grass and trees. "It makes me feel like our planet is literally drying up," she said. "It makes me feel a little unsettled because the drier it gets, the more fires we are going to have." Droughts are a part of life in California, where a Mediterranean-style climate means the summers are always dry and the winters are not always wet. The state's reservoirs act as a savings account, storing water in the wet years to help the state survive during the dry ones. Last year was the third driest on record in terms of precipitation. Temperatures hit triple digits in much of California over the Memorial Day weekend, earlier than expected. State officials were surprised earlier this year when about 500,000 acre feet (61,674 hectare meters) of water they were expecting to flow into reservoirs never showed up. One acre-foot is enough water to supply up to two households for one year. William Heinz parks his vehicle on a newly revealed piece of land due to receding waters at the drought-stricken Folsom Lake in Granite Bay, Calif., Saturday, May 22, 2021. California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a drought emergency for most of the state. Credit: AP Photo/Josh Edelson "In the previous drought, it took (the reservoirs) three years to get this low as they are in the second year of this drought," Lund said. The lake's record low is 646 feet (197 meters), but the Department of Water Resources projects it will dip below that sometime in August or September. If that happens, the state will have to close the boat ramps for the first time ever because of low water levels, according to Aaron Wright, public safety chief for the Northern Buttes District of California State Parks. The only boat access to the lake would be an old dirt road that was built during the dam's construction in the late 1960s. "We have a reservoir up there that's going to be not usable. And so now what?" said Eric Smith, an Oroville City Council member and president of its chamber of commerce. A launch ramp, extended to accommodate low water levels, stretches into Lake Oroville on Saturday, May 22, 2021, in Oroville, Calif. At the time of this photo, the reservoir was at 39 percent of capacity and 46 percent of its historical average. California officials say the drought gripping the U.S. West is so severe it could cause one of the state's most important reservoirs to reach historic lows by late August, closing most boat ramps and shutting down a hydroelectric power plant during the peak demand of the hottest part of the summer. Credit: AP Photo/Noah Berger The water level is so low at Lake Mendocino, along the Russian River in Northern California, that state officials last week reduced the amount of water heading to 930 farmers, businesses and other junior water-rights holders. "Unless we immediately reduce diversions, there is a real risk of Lake Mendocino emptying by the end of this year," said Erik Ekdahl, deputy director for the State Water Board's Division of Water Rights. Low water levels across California will severely limit how much power the state can generate from hydroelectric power plants. When Lake Oroville is full, the Edward Hyatt Power Plant and others nearby can generate up to 900 megawatts of power, according to Behzad Soltanzadeh, chief of utility operations for the Department of Water Resources. One megawatt is enough to power between 800 and 1,000 homes. Weeds sprout from a boat launch ramp, which rests far above the water line at Lake Oroville on Saturday, May 22, 2021, in Oroville, Calif. At the time of this photo, the reservoir was at 39 percent of capacity and 46 percent of its historical average. California officials say the drought gripping the U.S. West is so severe it could cause one of the state's most important reservoirs to reach historic lows by late August, closing most boat ramps and shutting down a hydroelectric power plant during the peak demand of the hottest part of the summer. Credit: AP Photo/Noah Berger That has some local officials worrying about power outages, especially after the state ran out of energy last summer during an extreme heat wave that prompted California's first rotating blackouts in 20 years. But energy officials say they are better prepared this summer, having obtained an additional 3,500 megawatts of capacity ahead of the scorching summer months. The low levels are challenging for tourism officials. Bruce Spangler, president of the board of directors for Explore Butte County, grew up in Oroville and has fond memories of fishing with his grandfather and learning to launch and drive a boat before he could drive a car. But this summer, his organization has to be careful about how it markets the lake while managing visitors' expectations, he said. "We have to be sure we don't promise something that can't be," he said. Empty boat docks sit on dry land at the Browns Ravine Cove area of drought-stricken Folsom Lake, currently at 37% of its normal capacity, in Folsom, Calif., Saturday, May 22, 2021. California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a drought emergency for most of the state. Credit: AP Photo/Josh Edelson A boat crosses Lake Oroville below trees scorched in the 2020 North Complex Fire, Sunday, May 23, 2021, in Oroville, Calif. At the time of this photo, the reservoir was at 39 percent of capacity and 46 percent of its historical average. California officials say the drought gripping the U.S. West is so severe it could cause one of the state's most important reservoirs to reach historic lows by late August, closing most boat ramps and shutting down a hydroelectric power plant during the peak demand of the hottest part of the summer. Credit: AP Photo/Noah Berger Dry hillsides surround Lake Oroville on Saturday, May 22, 2021, in Oroville, Calif. At the time of this photo, the reservoir was at 39 percent of capacity and 46 percent of its historical average. California officials say the drought gripping the U.S. West is so severe it could cause one of the state's most important reservoirs to reach historic lows by late August, closing most boat ramps and shutting down a hydroelectric power plant during the peak demand of the hottest part of the summer. Credit: AP Photo/Noah Berger Water drips from a faucet near boat docks sitting on dry land at the Browns Ravine Cove area of drought-stricken Folsom Lake, currently at 37% of its normal capacity, in Folsom, Calif., Saturday, May 22, 2021. California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a drought emergency for most of the state. Credit: AP Photo/Josh Edelson A boat crosses Lake Oroville beneath a dry hillside Saturday, May 22, 2021, in Oroville, Calif. At the time of this photo, the reservoir was at 39 percent of capacity and 46 percent of its historical average. California officials say the drought gripping the U.S. West is so severe it could cause one of the state's most important reservoirs to reach historic lows by late August, closing most boat ramps and shutting down a hydroelectric power plant during the peak demand of the hottest part of the summer. Credit: AP Photo/Noah Berger A family camps on a dry riverbed at Shasta Lake on Monday, May 24, 2021, in Shasta Trinity National Forest, Calif. At the time of this photo, the reservoir was at 45 percent of capacity and 52 percent of its historical average. Credit: AP Photo/Noah Berger In an aerial view, boat docks sitting on dry land at the Browns Ravine Cove area of drought-stricken Folsom Lake, currently at 37% of the normal capacity, in Folsom, Calif., Saturday, May 22, 2021. California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a drought emergency for most of the state. Credit: AP Photo/Josh Edelson A boat crosses Lake Oroville below trees scorched in the 2020 North Complex Fire, Sunday, May 23, 2021, in Oroville, Calif. At the time of this photo, the reservoir was at 39 percent of capacity and 46 percent of its historical average. California officials say the drought gripping the U.S. West is so severe it could cause one of the state's most important reservoirs to reach historic lows by late August, closing most boat ramps and shutting down a hydroelectric power plant during the peak demand of the hottest part of the summer. Credit: AP Photo/Noah Berger Empty boat docks sit on dry land at the Browns Ravine Cove area of drought-stricken Folsom Lake, currently at 37% of its normal capacity, in Folsom, Calif., Saturday, May 22, 2021. California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a drought emergency for most of the state. Credit: AP Photo/Josh Edelson Trees scorched in the 2020 North Complex Fire stand above Lake Oroville on Saturday, May 22, 2021, in Oroville, Calif. At the time of this photo, the reservoir was at 39 percent of capacity and 46 percent of its historical average. California officials say the drought gripping the U.S. West is so severe it could cause one of the state's most important reservoirs to reach historic lows by late August, closing most boat ramps and shutting down a hydroelectric power plant during the peak demand of the hottest part of the summer. Credit: AP Photo/Noah Berger A man fishes on the banks of Shasta Lake on Sunday, May 23, 2021, in Shasta Trinity National Forest, Calif. The reservoir is at 45 percent of capacity and 52 percent of its historical average. Credit: AP Photo/Noah Berger A buoy sits on dry land that had been under water, at a drought-stricken Lake Mendocino, currently at 29% of it normal capacity, in Ukiah, Calif., on Sunday, May 23, 2021. California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a drought emergency for most of the state. Credit: AP Photo/Josh Edelson Surrounded by dry hillsides, a houseboat floats on Lake Oroville on Saturday, May 22, 2021, in Oroville, Calif. At the time of this photo, the reservoir was at 39 percent of capacity and 46 percent of its historical average. California officials say the drought gripping the U.S. West is so severe it could cause one of the state's most important reservoirs to reach historic lows by late August, closing most boat ramps and shutting down a hydroelectric power plant during the peak demand of the hottest part of the summer. Credit: AP Photo/Noah Berger Kayakers navigate a narrow section of water near boat docks sitting on dry land at the Browns Ravine Cove area of drought-stricken Folsom Lake, currently at 37% of its normal capacity, in Folsom, Calif., Saturday, May 22, 2021. California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a drought emergency for most of the state. Credit: AP Photo/Josh Edelson Anglers fish below a dry hillside at Lake Oroville on Sunday, May 23, 2021, in Oroville, Calif. At the time of this photo, the reservoir was at 39 percent of capacity and 46 percent of its historical average. California officials say the drought gripping the U.S. West is so severe it could cause one of the state's most important reservoirs to reach historic lows by late August, closing most boat ramps and shutting down a hydroelectric power plant during the peak demand of the hottest part of the summer. Credit: AP Photo/Noah Berger An aerial view shows drought-stricken Stevens Creek Reservoir, currently at 18% capacity, in Cupertino, Calif., Thursday, May 20, 2021. California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a drought emergency for most of the state. Credit: AP Photo/Josh Edelson A car crosses Enterprise Bridge over Lake Oroville's dry banks Sunday, May 23, 2021, in Oroville, Calif. At the time of this photo, the reservoir was at 39 percent of capacity and 46 percent of its historical average. California officials say the drought gripping the U.S. West is so severe it could cause one of the state's most important reservoirs to reach historic lows by late August, closing most boat ramps and shutting down a hydroelectric power plant during the peak demand of the hottest part of the summer. Credit: AP Photo/Noah Berger Low lake levels haven't stopped tourists from coming yet. With coronavirus restrictions lifting across the state, Wrightthe state parks official for Northern Californiasaid attendance at most parks in his area is double what it normally is this time of year. "People are trying to recreate and use facilities even more so (because) they know they are going to lose them here in a few months," he said. Explore further Drought saps California reservoirs as hot, dry summer looms 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Credit: Cluster of Excellence "Religion and Politics". An international survey by the University of Munster's Cluster of Excellence "Religion and Politics" provides the first empirical evidence of an identity-related political cleavage of European societies that has resulted in the emergence of two entrenched camps of substantial size. "We see two distinct groups with opposing positions, which we call "Defenders' and "Explorers'", says psychologist Mitja Back, spokesperson of the interdisciplinary research team that conducted the most comprehensive survey of identity conflicts in Europe to date. "Who belongs to our country, who threatens whom, who is disadvantaged? Across all such questions of identity, the initial analyses of the survey reveal a new line of conflict between the two groups, which have almost diametrically opposite opinions. In debates over identity, these opinions have hardened into seemingly irreconcilable conflicts. The study could open up new avenues to tackle these conflicts." The two camps together account for a significant proportion of citizens in all countries: more than one-third in Germany and almost three-quarters in Poland. In liberal democratic states like Germany, the proportion of "Defenders' is 20% and that of "Explorers," 14%. In France and Sweden, 14% and 29% "Defenders," and 11% and 15% "Explorers," respectively, were observed. In a semi-authoritarian country like Poland, where according to the researchers the government provides populist support to the "Defenders' opinions, the proportion of both groups combined is 72%. "This shows how much the conflict can escalate in a country: the polarized positions can grow to form the majority," says Mitja Back. "The degree to which a population becomes polarized and how far feelings of threat and narrow ideas of identity also entail feelings of disadvantage and mistrust therefore vary depending on the political system. This suggests that identity conflicts are open to political influence." Who are "Explorers' and "Defenders'? 5,011 respondents in Germany, France, Poland and Sweden took part in the survey, which the Cluster of Excellence conducted with "Kantar Deutschland" at the end of 2020. Its authors are the sociologists Detlef Pollack and Olaf Muller, the psychologists Mitja Back and Gerald Echterhoff, and the political scientist Bernd Schlipphak. Their Working Report, "Of Defenders and Explorers: An identity conflict over belonging and threat" , provides initial results. Drawing on the detailed results on more than 20 questions examined, they used cluster analyses to form groups comprising people with very similar attitudes and displaying strong differences one from the other. This yielded the patterns of "Explorers' and "Defenders' across all questions. In all countries, the "Defender' group largely endorse a narrow definition of who belongs to their country, with only those belonging who were born in the country, have ancestors of the ethno-national majority, and/or belong to the dominant religion. They therefore defend traditional criteria such as ethnic and religious homogeneity. At the same time, "Defenders' feel rather threatened by foreigners such as Muslims and refugees, and consider themselves rather disadvantaged. They are also more dissatisfied with democracy and more distrustful of political institutions. The "Explorer' group, on the other hand, reject a narrow definition of belonging based on ethno-religious criteria. Its members do not feel threatened by foreigners, but instead see immigration and growing diversity as an opportunity, and they also advocate a society with many notions of life oriented towards equality. They see themselves as being well represented by the political system, are more satisfied with democracy, and are more likely to trust political institutions. In semi-authoritarian Poland, however, where the government provides populist support to "Defenders' positions on ethno-religious homogeneity and protection against foreigners, the "Explorers' also feel disadvantaged and are dissatisfied with democracy and government. The two groups also differ strongly in cultural, religious, psychological and social terms, with "Defenders' in all countries being far more attached to home and religious than "Explorers." The former also have a stronger preference for social hierarchies and trust other people less, while the reverse is true of the latter. "Explorers' also tend to be quite young, highly educated, more likely to live in a city, and less likely to be affected by socio-economic hardship. Except in Poland, "Defenders' are more likely than "Explorers' to be found among the elderly and the low educated. They tend to live in rural areas and, again with the exception of Poland, consider themselves to have a lower social status. Political effects and recommendations The cultural conflict also has strong political effects: "Defenders' favor populist parties and believe much more in the concept of a "strong leader"; they are also prone to conspiracy theories and advocate elements of direct democracy. "Explorers' hold diametrically opposed views. For example, 26% of "Defenders' in Germany and 57% in Poland are likely to vote for a populist party, while "Explorers' tend not to. According to the researchers, this can represent fundamentally different concepts of politics: "Defenders' favor concepts more in line with anti-pluralist ideas that claim that political regulations should express a single popular will; "Explorers," in contrast, share attitudes more compatible with pluralist ideas that claim that politics is a process of negotiation and compromise between different interests. Mitja Back: "A person's positioning in the conflict as "Explorer' or "Defender' can have a strong impact on the form of democracy desired. Cultural conflicts over identity have therefore become very entrenched politically, and now structure the population's social and political views to a significant extent." By linking their results to other insights from current research, the authors see the polarized positions as being rooted in fundamental and rather stable psychological needs of varying strength, such as security and stability ("Defenders'), or openness and change ("Explorers'). According to the report, this implies that societies are always composed of a mixture of "Explorers' and "Defenders." In contrast to more material conflicts, the identity conflict is therefore more difficult to negotiate, and especially so when ideas of identity are framed in religious or fundamentalist terms. Identity conflict is also exacerbated by the effects of globalization, such as migration, increasingly supranational instead of national policies, and crises such as the financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. "This makes questions of identitywho belongs to the country, or who triggers feelings of threatall the more urgent." The researchers therefore urge politicians to refrain from taking one of the two sides. Neither in liberal democracies nor in authoritarian countries has this led to movement in entrenched conflicts, as at least one group always feels excluded. Rather, it is important to take the underlying psychological needs on both sides seriously, and to understand them as social resources, while tracing the sometimes widely divergent demands of both groups back to their functional core. "In this way, it is possible to filter out which positions are not acceptable to each group, and which are open to negotiation. Only by doing so can we find a basis for compromise that currently seems impossible, as well as space for dialog without one side devaluing the other." Explore further Researchers examine social identity threat and religion in the US Reconstruction of plague victim from All Saints, Cambridge. Credit: Mark Gridley In the mid-14th century Europe was devastated by a major pandemicthe Black Deathwhich killed between 40 and 60 per cent of the population. Later waves of plague then continued to strike regularly over several centuries. Plague kills so rapidly it leaves no visible traces on the skeleton, so archaeologists have previously been unable to identify individuals who died of plague unless they were buried in mass graves. Whilst it has long been suspected that most plague victims received individual burial, this has been impossible to confirm until now. By studying DNA from the teeth of individuals who died at this time, researchers from the After the Plague project, based at the Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge, have identified the presence of Yersinia Pestis, the pathogen that causes plague. These include people who received normal individual burials at a parish cemetery and friary in Cambridge and in the nearby village of Clopton. Lead author Craig Cessford of the University of Cambridge said that "these individual burials show that even during plague outbreaks individual people were being buried with considerable care and attention. This is shown particularly at the friary where at least three such individuals were buried within the chapter house. Cambridge Archaeological Unit conducted excavations on this site on behalf of the University in 2017." Individuals buried in the chapter house of the Augustinian friary, Cambridge, who died of plague. Credit: Cambridge Archaeological Unit "The individual at the parish of All Saints by the Castle in Cambridge was also carefully buried; this contrasts with the apocalyptic language used to describe the abandonment of this church in 1365 when it was reported that the church was partly ruinous and 'the bones of dead bodies are exposed to beasts'." The study also shows that some plague victims in Cambridge did, indeed, receive mass burials. Yersinia Pestis was identified in several parishioners from St Bene't's, who were buried together in a large trench in the churchyard excavated by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit on behalf of Corpus Christi College. This part of the churchyard was soon afterwards transferred to Corpus Christi College, which was founded by the St Bene't's parish guild to commemorate the dead including the victims of the Black Death. For centuries, the members of the College would walk over the mass burial every day on the way to the parish church. Cessford concluded that "our work demonstrates that it is now possible to identify individuals who died from plague and received individual burials. This greatly improves our understanding of the plague and shows that even in incredibly traumatic times during past pandemics people tried very hard to bury the deceased with as much care as possible." Explore further Fashion for pointy shoes unleashed plague of bunions in medieval Britain More information: Craig Cessford et al, Beyond Plague Pits: Using Genetics to Identify Responses to Plague in Medieval Cambridgeshire, European Journal of Archaeology (2021). Craig Cessford et al, Beyond Plague Pits: Using Genetics to Identify Responses to Plague in Medieval Cambridgeshire,(2021). DOI: 10.1017/eaa.2021.19 Rare butterflies such as the Western Fritillary (Melitaea parthenoides) suffer from high nitrogen emissions. Credit: Tobias Roth Nitrogen from agriculture, vehicle emissions and industry is endangering butterflies in Switzerland. The element is deposited in the soil via the air and has an impact on vegetationto the detriment of the butterflies, as researchers at the University of Basel have discovered. More than half of butterfly species in Switzerland are considered to be at risk or potentially at risk. Usually, the search for causes focuses on intensive agriculture, pesticide use and climate change. A research team led by Professor Valentin Amrhein from the University of Basel, however, has been investigating another factorthe depositing of nitrogen from agriculture and exhaust fumes from industry and traffic in soils via the air. In the journal Conservation Biology, the research team reports a connection between this unintentional fertilization and the low diversity of butterflies in Switzerland. It was already known from previous studies that too much nitrogen leads to denser vegetation, but with a smaller selection of plant species. Nitrogen stimulates the growth of less demanding plants in particular, with more specialized species being displaced. "We wanted to find out whether a nitrogen surplus also indirectly affects the diversity of butterflies via this change in vegetation," explains Dr. Tobias Roth, lead author of the study. The team analyzed data from Biodiversity Monitoring Switzerland on the diversity and prevalence of plants and butterflies on 383 plots throughout Switzerland. The result was clear: the more nitrogen introduced via the air to the areas studied, the less diverse the vegetation and hence the butterfly species. "As caterpillars, some butterfly species need certain plant species as food, or are dependent on a certain microclimate," Roth explains. Over-fertilization results in open, warm and dry places becoming cooler, shadier and damper due to stronger plant growth. The nitrogen surplus impacts the prevalence of a large number of butterfly species in Switzerland, such as those that prefer open and dry sites. The researchers saw the clearest effect in rare and endangered species. "Nitrogen from the air is likely to be an important factor in the reason why these species are endangered," Roth remarks. Existing literature on the diversity of butterflies explains the presence or absence of species primarily in terms of habitat quality or climate. A literature review by the research team revealed that plant diversity and vegetation density have so far received less attention. "We believe that the impact of nitrogen enrichment on butterflies has been underestimated," says Amrhein. Nitrogen appears to play a similarly extensive role as climate change when it comes to butterfly diversity. While the researchers do not see a simple approach for improving the situation, technical improvements continue to offer a certain potential. "In the past, slurry was sprayed on farmland, for example, and some of this was transferred to other areas of land by the wind," Roth explains. Today, he says, drag hoses are used increasingly to apply the slurry directly to the soil. This reduces nitrogen input via the air to other areas where it is not wanted. In addition, buffer zones and adapted landscape management can also help to partially mitigate the negative impact on sensitive habitats: this includes measures to prevent scrub encroachment, such as grazing or more frequent mowing. This is beneficial not only for demanding plant species, but also for butterflies. According to the researchers, however, there is ultimately no way around environmentally friendly consumer behavior when it comes to reducing unwanted nitrogen input, for example through the reduction of vehicle emissions and livestock farming. Around two thirds of nitrogen input into sensitive ecosystems in Switzerland today originate from ammonia emissions from livestock farming. Explore further Nitrogen deposition reduces swiss plant diversity More information: Tobias Roth et al, Negative effects of nitrogen deposition on Swiss butterflies, Conservation Biology (2021). Journal information: Conservation Biology Tobias Roth et al, Negative effects of nitrogen deposition on Swiss butterflies,(2021). DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13744 Yellow-billed Jamaican Parrot at Hope Zoo in Kingston, Jamaica. Credit: Oakland University As part of a wide-ranging conservation effort, a group of Oakland University researchers has been mapping the DNA of Amazon parrot species from the Caribbean. The six species are native to the Yucatan Peninsula, in Central America, and the four Greater Antillean islands of Jamaica, Cuba, Hispaniola and Puerto Rico. The island species are all under threat, particularly the Puerto Rican Parrot, which has been classified as "critically endangered" and placed on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. In a paper published in the journal Genes, the researchers mapped mitochondrial genomes of the parrots, providing data that can be used to help save them from extinction. The study featured 18 co-authors from around the world, including four from OU. Graduate students Stephanie O. Castro-Marquez and Walter W. Wolfsberger worked with Special Lecturer Audrey J. Majeske and Assistant Professor Taras K. Oleksyk in OU's Department of Biological Sciences. "Mapping the genomes of these parrots allowed us to reconstruct the timing and order in which each species formed," said Oleksyk. "We were also able to sequence enough individuals to show how much genetic diversity remains within each species." Genetic diversity is crucial to species' ability to adapt and survive in the face of changing conditions, Oleksyk explained. Lack of genetic diversity can leave species vulnerable to threats, especially disease. "We found that the Puerto Rican Parrot is the most inbred, genetically homogenous species there is," Oleksyk said. "That's a big reason why they have required intervention, so they don't lose more genetic diversity." Known for being the last remaining native parrot in U.S. territory, the Puerto Rican Parrot has inhabited its namesake island for nearly 700,000 years. Its population has been decimated by deforestation and illegal trade. In 1975, only 13 individuals were left. A government-sponsored conservation program helped the population rise to around 600 in the 2000s, but it dropped by more than half after Hurricane Maria struck in 2017. At the time, Oleksyk was a professor at the University of Puerto RicoMayaguez and was already working on sequencing Puerto Rican Parrot genomes to support conservation efforts. Getting the project off the ground took some creative thinking. When funding proved difficult to obtain, Oleksyk and his students organized art shows, fashion shows and a GoFundMe campaign to raise the $10,000 needed for genome sequencing. This grassroots effort, involving researchers, artists, fashion designers and other community members, was hailed as a shining example of citizen science. It was recently featured in an article in the journal Science, Technology, & Human Values. "People donated time, energy and money toward the goal of saving a beloved species," said Oleksyk. "Mapping genomes of endangered species will help conservationists conduct breeding programs that avoid inbreeding and preserve genetic diversity." By sequencing genomes of Caribbean Amazons, researchers were able to determine the time frame and the context in which each species formed. According to the findings, an ancestral population originally came from Central America to Jamaica via a land bridge that existed when sea levels were low, during an ice age some 3.5 million years ago. This population evolved into the Black-billed Jamaican Parrot. "The sea levels were a lot lower back then, because a lot more water was trapped in the ice," Oleksyk explained. "When the ice melted, the waters rose and the islands became more isolated from each other. The geographical distance shaped the evolution of each species as populations moved from one island to another." From Jamaica, a group of parrots flew to Cuba about 1.39 million years ago and became the Cuban Parrot. Then, a group of Cuban parrots migrated to Hispaniola roughly 770,000 years ago and evolved into the Hispaniolan Parrot. Finally, a group of Hispaniolan Parrots flew to Puerto Rico around 690,000 years ago and became the Puerto Rican Parrot. The evidence also indicates that a group of Cuban Parrots flew back to Jamaica and became the Yellow-billed Jamaican Parrot. To estimate the time of speciation for each parrot, researchers tallied the number of genetic differences (i.e. mutations) between them. "Counting the differences allowed us to estimate the timing, because mutations accumulate at a constant rate," Oleksyk explained. The Hispaniolan Parrot and Puerto Rican Parrot are the most genetically similar of the Caribbean Amazons, with roughly 1,000 differences out of 17,000 DNA base pairs, the researchers determined. "That's roughly the same percentage difference between humans and chimpanzees," Oleksyk noted. "But our research shows that these parrots have been on these islands for a long timea lot longer than humans. They are resilient and if they have the environment they need, there's hope for their survival. That's why it's important to support them, because they can be helped." Oleksyk added that the parrots' genome maps will enable researchers to identify genes that vary between species. They can investigate the function of these genes to learn more about how each species evolved. "Charles Darwin called the process of speciation the mystery of mysteries," said Oleksyk. "This is the mystery we are trying to solve in relation to the Amazon Parrotsthe question of how they came to beand use that knowledge to help them live on." Explore further Researchers use genome mapping to save rare parrot species More information: Sofiia Kolchanova et al, Molecular Phylogeny and Evolution of Amazon Parrots in the Greater Antilles, Genes (2021). Sofiia Kolchanova et al, Molecular Phylogeny and Evolution of Amazon Parrots in the Greater Antilles,(2021). DOI: 10.3390/genes12040608 Courtney Addison et al, Crowdfunding Conservation Science: Tracing the Participatory Dynamics of Native Parrot Genome Sequencing, Science, Technology, & Human Values (2021). DOI: 10.1177/01622439211005021 Provided by Oakland University Left. Schematic of the setup designed to cloak/shield an object in this case a star-shaped object. Right. Flow streamlines and pressure distribution around the object for the cases of hydrodynamic cloaking and shielding. Credit: Boyko et al. Researchers at TechnionIsrael Institute of Technology, Technische Universitat Darmstadt, and IBM Research Europe have recently proposed a new strategy to simultaneously achieve microscale hydrodynamic cloaking and shielding. While the idea of cloaking or shielding objects has been around for some time now, in contrast with other previously developed methods the technique they proposed allows physicists to dynamically switch between these two states. "When we started with our research, we were aware of work in this direction that is based on porous metamaterials," Steffen Hardt, who led the research team at TU Darmstadt, told Phys.org. "Our idea was that you do not need such metamaterials if you can inject momentum in a region around the object to be cloaked/shielded. Effectively, this means that you superpose the external flow field by some tailor-made local flow field. As a result, the total flow field (external and local one) comes out such that cloaking or shielding is achieved." As part of their previous studies, the researchers developed methods to locally inject momentum using what is known as electroosmotic flow (i.e., motion of liquids typically induced by an applied voltage across a porous material or other fluid conduits). The key objective of their new study was to demonstrate a new method to cloak/shield objects in a fluid flow and make this functionality real-time adaptive, as previously proposed approaches based on metamaterials are not. The new cloaking/shielding principle came to action thanks to a close co-operation between Ph.D. students Evgeniy Boyko and Michael Eigenbrod, who worked out the theory, and Vesna Bacheva who carried out the experiments. In their experiments, the researchers placed an object at the center of a microfluidic chamber, made up of two parallel plates separated by a small gap (a few tens of micrometers in size). They then filled the chamber with water and applied a pressure difference between its inlet and outlet. This allowed them to generate a hydrodynamic flow around the object. "Cloaking (causing the flow field outside a certain region around the object to look as if there is no object) or shielding (eliminating the forces that the flow exerts on the object) requires an accurate control of the fluid velocity in the region surrounding the object," said Moran Bercovici, who led the part of the team at Technion. "We achieved this by locally injecting momentum using an electrokinetic phenomenon called field effect electro-osmosis." To achieve capacitive control over the local surface charge, the team embedded an electrode at the bottom of the microfluidic device and adjusted its electric potential. Ions with an opposite charge contained in the water shielded the surface, forming what is known as an electric double layer. "Applying an external electric field along the channel exerts a force on the mobile charges, which carry the rest of the liquid with it through viscous interaction," Hardt explained. "This effect can be thought of as 'conveyer belt' placed at the surface, whose velocity can be controlled by the electrode's potential. The induced velocity can be dynamically modified to switch between conditions that yield cloaking and shielding." Remarkably, the cloaking/shielding mechanism resulting from the strategy used by the team can be adapted in real-time. In other words, it allows researchers to turn cloaki/shield effects on and off; or switch back and forth between cloaking and shielding conditions. The new technique and paradigm introduced by this team of researchers could also have implications for other areas of physics. For instance, it could allow physicists to cloak objects in electromagnetic or acoustic fields. Overall, the principle outlined in the recent paper published in Physical Review Letters, can be used to determine how an object interacts with a fluid flow (e.g., what force the flow exerts on the object). This could prove particularly useful for studying the effects of fluid flow on biological systems, such as cells. "The principle we used for momentum injection in a flow can be very much refined if we do not only use a single electrode (as in our recent paper), but an array of individually addressable electrodes," added Federico Paratore, from IBM Research Europe. "This would allow unprecedented opportunities for shaping a flow field, going much further than only cloaking or shielding modes." More information: Microscale hydrodynamic cloaking and shielding via electro-osmosis. Physical Review Letters(2021). Microscale hydrodynamic cloaking and shielding via electro-osmosis.(2021). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.126.184502 Hydrodynamic Metamaterial Cloak for Drag-Free Flow. Physical Review Letters(2019). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.123.074502. Electroosmotic flow dipole: experimental observation and flow field patterning. Physical Review Letters(2019). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.122.224502. Dynamic microscale flow patterning using electrical modulation of zeta potential. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America(2019). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1821269116. Journal information: Physical Review Letters 2021 Science X Network Charred trees from the 2003 B&B complex fire are seen in the foreground as the 2007 Warm Springs Lightning complex fire burns. Credit: Andrew Meigs Human-caused wildfire ignitions in Central Oregon are expected to remain steady over the next four decades and lightning-caused ignitions are expected to decline, but the average size of a blaze from either cause is expected to rise, Oregon State University modeling suggests. Scientists including Meg Krawchuk of the OSU College of Forestry and former OSU research associate Ana Barros, now of the Washington Department of Natural Resources, say the findings can help local decision-makers understand how a changing climate might affect natural and human-caused fire regimes differently and inform fire staffing, preparedness, prevention and restrictions. "The significance of these results lies in what we can collectively do about it as a society and in our individual actions," Barros said. "For lightning-ignited fires, depending on where and when they happen, it can be an opportunity. Where safe for firefighters, communities and highly valued resources, we can use these ignitions to accomplish important forest restoration work." Findings of the study, which involved 3.3 million hectares on the east slope of the Cascade Range, were published in Environmental Research Letters. "In the United States, two-thirds of the area burned by wildfires is from fires started by lightning, but human-caused blazes make fire seasons longer and result in fires reaching areas where they wouldn't naturally occur," said Krawchuk, a fire ecologist who oversees the College of Forestry's Landscape Fire and Conservation Science lab group. "People are the primary cause of large fires in both the eastern and western U.S., and while climate is the primary driver of how much area burns, the human footprint is a close second." Wildfire is casting an increasingly large shadow globally, including in the American West, as the climate continues to become warmer and drier. Eight of the 10 largest California wildfires on record have occurred in the last seven years, and in 2020, multiple huge fires tore through the west side of the Cascade Range in Oregon, consuming more than 1 million acres. Barros notes that in the lower 48 U.S. states, 29 million people live where there is potential for extreme wildfire, including 12 million considered "socially vulnerable." "Census tracts that are majority Black, Hispanic or Native American are associated with the greatest vulnerability to wildfire," she said. "That means climate change is expected to exacerbate social inequalities unless ecosystems and communities do a good job of adapting to a changing climate and more fires in an equitable way." Barros, Krawchuk, OSU faculty research assistant Rachel Houtman and collaborators from the U.S. Forest Service and the University of California, Merced looked at ignition data for the study area from 1992 through 2015. There were more than 15,000 ignitions, most of which did not result in a big blaze. Just 400 of the ignitions ended up burning an area greater than 10 hectares, but those fires accounted for 99% of the area that burned. Melding those data with multiple global climate projections, the scientists developed statistical models for when and where fires could potentially occur between 2031 and 2060, and how much area they would burn, for lightning- and human-caused ignitions. The models included predictions for the number of fires and the frequency of extreme wildfire events, or EWEs. The models, which include a metric for daily fuel dryness known as energy release component or ERC, predicted no significant change in the number of human-caused fire ignitions and a 14% reduction in lightning-caused ignitions, with the number of lightning fires per season burning more than 10 hectares staying about the same. But mean fire sizes were 31% larger for fires caused by humans and 22% bigger for fires caused by lightning; predicted increases in area burned were driven by increases in mean fire size resulting from more extreme wildfire events. "All but one of the climate models we considered projected increased frequency of record-breaking events, with the largest future fires being about twice as big as those of the contemporary period," Barros said. The scientists note that historically, lightning ignitions in Central Oregon have been more likely on days with moderate fuel dryness and less likely on days with higher ERC. That's possibly because in the region, lightning-caused fires tend to happen after light precipitation such as that from cold fronts that can cause ERC to drop. "When it comes to human-caused fires, the key word is prevention because any ignition can become that record-breaking event," Barros said. "The takeaway here is that large fires are coming our way. What we do about it between now and then will determine our success in mitigating negative consequences and even accomplish positive outcomes." Collaborating with Krawchuk and Barros were Michelle Day, Alan Ager and Haiganoush Preisler of the Forest Service and John Abatzoglou of the University of California, Merced. "Extreme wildfires are increasingly becoming a reality in many parts of the world, but how we respond to these fires and how we prevent them depends on a lot on how they start," Day said. "In our study we showed that historical records for fire size will continue to be broken. And the timing of these fires will differ depending on cause, with more human-caused ignitions happening in late summer and fall." More information: Ana M G Barros et al, Contrasting the role of human- and lightning-caused wildfires on future fire regimes on a Central Oregon landscape, Environmental Research Letters (2021). Journal information: Environmental Research Letters Ana M G Barros et al, Contrasting the role of human- and lightning-caused wildfires on future fire regimes on a Central Oregon landscape,(2021). DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/ac03da Nanga Parbat: Photo of the Rupal flank taken in 2010. Credit: Marcus Nusser The glaciers of Nanga Parbatone of the highest mountains in the worldhave been shrinking slightly but continually since the 1930s. This loss in surface area is evidenced by a long-term study conducted by researchers from the South Asia Institute of Heidelberg University. The geographers combined historical photographs, surveys, and topographical maps with current data, which allowed them to show glacial changes for this massif in the north-western Himalaya as far back as the mid-1800s. Detailed long-term glacier studies that extend the observation period to the time before the ubiquitous availability of satellite data are barely possible in the Himalayan region due to the dearth of historical data. As Prof. Dr. Marcus Nusser from the South Asia Institute explains, this is not the case for the Nanga Parbat Massif. The earliest documents include sketch maps and drawings made during a research expedition in 1856. Based on this historical data, the Heidelberg researchers reconstructed the glacier changes along the South Face of Nanga Parbat. Additionally, there are numerous photographs and topographical maps stemming from climbing and scientific expeditions since 1934. Some of these historical photographs were retaken in the 1990s and 2010s from identical vantage points for the purpose of comparison. Satellite images dating back to the 1960s completed the database Prof. Nusser and his team used to create a multimedia temporal analysis and quantify glacier changes. The Nanga Parbat glaciers largely fed by ice and snow avalanches show significantly lower retreat rates than other Himalayan regions. One exception is the mainly snow-fed Rupal Glacier, whose retreat rate is significantly higher. "Overall, more studies are needed to better understand the special influence of avalanche activity on glacier dynamics in this extreme high mountain region," states Prof. Nusser. The researchers are particularly interested in glacier fluctuations, changes in ice volume, and the increase of debris-covered areas on the glacier surfaces. Their analyses covered 63 glaciers already documented in 1934. "The analyses showed that the ice-covered area decreased by approximately seven percent, and three glaciers disappeared completely. At the same time we identified a significant increase in debris coverage," adds Prof. Nusser. The geographical location of the Nanga Parbat Massif in the extreme northwest of the Himalayan arc near the Karakorum range could play a particular role in the comparatively moderate glacier retreat. In the phenomenon known as the Karakorum anomaly, no major glacier retreat has been identified as a result of climate change in this mountain rangeas opposed to everywhere else in the world. "An increase in precipitation at high altitudes may be the reason, but the exact causes are still unknown," explains Prof. Nusser. The researchers assume that the low ice losses in the Karakorum and the Nanga Parbat region may also be due to the protection offered by the massive debris-cover and a year-round avalanche flow from the steep flanks. The study shows the major potential of integrating historical material with terrestrial photography and remote sensing imagery to reconstruct glacier development over extended time periods, which is required for making the effects of global climate change visible. The German Research Foundation funded the field work for this project. The results were published in the journal Science of the Total Environment. The photographic data material is available from the open-access journal Data in Brief. Explore further Climate change and melting glaciers have widely varied impacts on Asian water supplies More information: Marcus Nusser et al, Glacier changes on the Nanga Parbat 18562020: A multi-source retrospective analysis, Science of The Total Environment (2021). Journal information: Science of the Total Environment Marcus Nusser et al, Glacier changes on the Nanga Parbat 18562020: A multi-source retrospective analysis,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147321 Credit: CC0 Public Domain Thousands of years ago, archaic humans such as Neanderthals and Denisovans went extinct. But before that, they interbred with the ancestors of present-day humans, who still to this day carry genetic mutations from the extinct species. Over 40 percent of the Neanderthal genome is thought to have survived in different present-day humans of non-African descent, but spread out so that any individual genome is only composed of up to two percent Neanderthal material. Some human populations also carry genetic material from Denisovansa mysterious group of archaic humans that may have lived in Eastern Eurasia and Oceania thousands of years ago. The introduction of beneficial genetic material into our gene pool, a process known as adaptive introgression, often happened because it was advantageous to humans after they expanded across the globe. To name a few examples, scientists believe some of the mutations affected skin development and metabolism. But many mutations are yet still undiscovered. Now, researchers from GLOBE Institute at the University of Copenhagen have developed a new method using deep learning techniques to search the human genome for undiscovered mutations. "We developed a deep learning method called 'genomatnn' that jointly models introgression, which is the transfer of genetic information between species, and natural selection. The model was developed in order to identify regions in the human genome where this introgression could have happened," says Associate Professor Fernando Racimo, GLOBE Institute, corresponding author of the new study. "Our method is highly accurate and outcompetes previous approaches in power. We applied it to various human genomic datasets and found several candidate beneficial gene variants that were introduced into the human gene pool," he says. The new method is based on a so-called convolutional neural network (CNN), which is a type of deep learning framework commonly used in image and video recognition. Using hundreds of thousands of simulations, the researchers at the University of Copenhagen trained the CNN to identify patterns in images of the genome that would be produced by adaptive introgression with archaic humans. Besides confirming already suggested genetic mutations from adaptive introgression, the researchers also discovered possible mutations that were not known to be introgressed. "We recovered previously identified candidates for adaptive introgression in modern humans, as well as several candidates which have not previously been described," says postdoc Graham Gower, first author of the new study. Some of the previously undescribed mutations are involved in core pathways in human metabolism and immunity. "In European genomes, we found two strong candidates for adaptive introgression from Neanderthals in regions of the genome that affect phenotypes related to blood, including blood cell counts. In Melanesian genomes, we found candidate variants introgressed from Denisovans that potentially affected a wide range of traits, such as blood-related diseases, tumor suppression, skin development, metabolism, and various neurological diseases. It's not clear how such traits are affected in present-day carriers of the archaic variants, e.g. neutrally, positively or negatively, although historically the introgressed genetic material is assumed to have had a positive effect on those individuals carrying them," he explains. The next stage for the research team is to adapt the method to more complex demographic and selection scenarios to understand the overall fate of Neanderthal genetic material. Gower points out that the team aims to follow up on the function of the candidate variants in the genome that they found in this study. Looking forward, it remains a challenge to search the human genome for genetic material from as yet unsampled populations, so-called ghost populations. However, the researchers are hopeful that they can further train the neural network to recognize mutations from these unsampled populations. "Future work could also involve developing a CNN that can detect adaptive introgression from a ghost population, for cases in which genomic data from the source is unavailable," says Gower. Explore further New tools identify key evolutionary advantages from ancient hominid interbreeding More information: Graham Gower et al, Detecting adaptive introgression in human evolution using convolutional neural networks, eLife (2021). Journal information: eLife Graham Gower et al, Detecting adaptive introgression in human evolution using convolutional neural networks,(2021). DOI: 10.7554/eLife.64669 Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Forest fires have crept higher up mountains over the past few decades, scorching areas previously too wet to burn, according to researchers from McGill University. As wildfires advance uphill, a staggering 11% of all Western U.S. forests are now at risk. "Climate change and drought conditions in the West are drying out high-elevation forests, making them particularly susceptible to blazes," says lead author Mohammad Reza Alizadeh, a Ph.D. student at McGill University under the supervision of Professor Jan Adamowski. "This creates new dangers for mountain communities, with impacts on downstream water supplies and the plants and wildlife that call these forests home." Climate warming has diminished 'flammability barrier' In a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the researchers analyzed records of fires larger than 405 hectares in the mountainous regions of the contiguous Western U.S. between 1984 and 2017. Their results show that climate warming has diminished the 'high-elevation flammability barrier' - the point where forests historically were too wet to burn regularly because of the lingering presence of snow. The researchers found that fires advanced about 252 meters uphill in the Western mountains over those three decades. The amount of land that burned increased across all elevations during that period, however the largest increase was at elevations above 2,500 meters. Additionally, the area burning above 8,200 feet more than tripled in 2001 to 2017 compared with 1984 to 2000. Over the past 34 years, rising temperatures have extended fire territory in the West to an additional 81,500 square kilometers of high-elevation forests, an area similar in size to South Carolina. "Climate change continues to increase the risk of fire, and this trend will likely continue as the planet warms. More fire activity higher in the mountains is yet another warning of the dangers that lie ahead," says co-author Jan Adamowski, a Professor in the Department of Bioresource Engineering at McGill University. Explore further Western fires are burning higher in the mountains at unprecedented rates in a clear sign of climate change More information: Mohammad Reza Alizadeh et al, Warming enabled upslope advance in western US forest fires, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2021). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Mohammad Reza Alizadeh et al, Warming enabled upslope advance in western US forest fires,(2021). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2009717118 Credit: Peter Griffin/public domain 'Boomers' and 'millennials' who go to church are more likely to trust their neighbors and donate to charity, according to a new study. Religious beliefs and participation help close the gaps in civic participation between millennials and their elders, researchers have found. Experts have measured the social "capital" religion gives people of all ages. They found those in their 20s and 30s were less likely to join groups and associations, and less likely to be religious, but being involved with the church gave them more "religious capital" than older people who also attended services. The study shows boomers often have more social capital than millennials and are more likely to be religious. Religious millennials may be more likely to encounter and interact with boomers, and this could "boost" the value of their religious capital. Religious boomers, in contrast, are likely to encounter others of the same age with similar social lives, so their church-based interactions have less of a social benefit. The research, by Stuart Fox from Brunel University, Ekaterina Kolpinskaya, from the University of Exeter, Jennifer Hampton and Esther Muddiman, from the Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research and Data (WISERD) based at Cardiff University and Ceryn Evans from Swansea University, is published in The Sociological Review. Researchers used data from the UK's Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS). The sample included information about all those born between 1946 and 1958, and those born after 1982. They measured religious participation through self-reported frequency of attendance at religious services. Researchers found participating in religion gave boomers and millennials more social trust, despite how often they attended church. Those who participated at least once a year were more likely to trust their neighborsby around four to five percentage points. Millennials who said their religious belief made 'some' difference to their daily life were around four percentage points more likely to donate to charity than those who said it didn't make difference, while those who said it made 'much' difference are seven percentage points more likely. Boomers who attended religious services at least once a week were the most likely to donate to charity, and around eight percentage points more likely than those of a similar age who didn't attend church. The same is true for millennials, although the difference between those who participate weekly and who do not participate at all is 12 points. Dr. Fox said that "while lower levels of religious capital are contributing to lower levels of social capital among millennials, religious activity is also a more effective source of social capital for millennials than their elders. "We found millennials are less likely to join groups or associations than boomers, regardless of their religious participation, so have less social capital." Researchers found the effect of religion on membership of community associations is limited, apart from older Baptists and Methodists, who were around eight per cent and four per cent respectively more likely to join community associations than their peers who are involved in other religions, or none. Millennials who said religious beliefs made a big difference to their daily lives were significantly more likely to join community associationsby around 13 points. The research shows millennials who participated in religious services at least once a yearor once a month, or once a weekis around 10 points more likely to join a community association than one who does not. For boomers the same difference is 3 points. Dr. Kolpinskaya concludes that "we found religious participation increases associational membership for both generations regardless of its intensity: what matters is the difference between boomers or millennials who participate in religious activity at all, and boomers or millennials who do not." Explore further Researchers find millennials are by far the least religious generation More information: Stuart Fox et al, Capitalising on faith? An intergenerational study of social and religious capital among Baby Boomers and Millennials in Britain, The Sociological Review (2021). Stuart Fox et al, Capitalising on faith? An intergenerational study of social and religious capital among Baby Boomers and Millennials in Britain,(2021). DOI: 10.1177/0038026120946679 Credit: CC0 Public Domain Ocean currents sometimes pinch off sections that create circular currents of water called "eddies." This "whirlpool" motion moves nutrients to the water's surface, playing a significant role in the health of the Florida Keys coral reef ecosystem. Using a numerical model that simulates ocean currents, researchers from Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute and collaborators from the Alfred-Wegener-Institute in Germany and the Institut Universitaire Europeen De La Mer/Laboratoire d'Oceonographie Physique et Spatiale in France are shedding light on this important "motion of the ocean." They have conducted a first-of-its-kind study identifying the mechanisms behind the formation of sub-mesoscale eddies in the Straits of Florida, which have important environmental implications. Despite the swift flow of the Florida Current, which flows in the Straits of Florida and connects the Loop Current in the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf Stream in the Western Atlantic Ocean, eddies provide a mechanism for the retention of marine organisms such as fish and coral larvae. Since they trap the nutrient rich West Florida Shelf waters, they provide habitat to many reef and pelagic species within the region of the Florida Keys Reef Track, which sustains the very high productivity of this region. Moreover, despite the tendency of the West Florida Shelf to overflow into the Straits of Florida, the formation of eddies provides a mechanism that limits the cross shelf transport of nutrient-laden waters. As a result, the formation of eddies stops the export of the West Florida Shelf waters across the Straits of Florida, preventing events such as red tides from crossing over to Cuba or the Bahamas. Conversely, toxic red tide waters emanating from the shelf remain longer in the vicinity of the Florida Keys Reef Tract coral reef ecosystem, adversely affecting the ecosystem's health. These small-scale frontal eddies are frequently observed and present a wide variety of numbers, shapes, and sizes, which suggest different origins and formation mechanisms. Their journey through the Straits of Florida is at time characterized by the formation and presence of mesoscale, but mostly sub-mesoscale frontal eddies on the cyclonic side of the current. The study, published in the Journal of Physical Oceanography, provides a comprehensive overview and understanding of the Straits of Florida shelf slope dynamics based on a realistic two-way nested high-resolution Regional Oceanic Modeling System (ROMS) simulation of the South Florida oceanic region. The full two-way nesting allowed the interaction of multiscale dynamics across the nest boundaries. Animation shows the formation of eddies in the Straits of Florida. Credit: Florida Atlantic University/Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Results showed that the formation of the sub-mesoscale frontal eddies in the Straits of Florida are associated with the sloshing of the Florida Current, which consists of the oscillation of the distance of the current core from the shelf. When the Florida Current core is pushed up against the shelf, the shear on the shelf increases and sub-mesoscale frontal eddies can be formed by barotropic instability. When this position is relaxed, baroclinic instability instead is likely to form sub-mesoscale eddies. Unlike barotropic instability, which is shear driven, baroclinic instability is driven by changes in density anomalies. "In the Straits of Florida, eddies smaller than their open ocean relative are formed. Those eddies, called sub-mesoscale eddies, are common and can be easily observed in ocean color imagery," said Laurent Cherubin, Ph.D., senior author and an associate research professor, FAU Harbor Branch. "Unlike the larger open ocean mesoscale eddies, they are not in geostrophic balance, meaning that their circulation is not sustained by the balance between the pressure gradient and the Coriolis forces. Instead, some of the frontal eddies in the Straits of Florida are in gradient wind balance, which indicates that a third force, the centrifugal force, is large enough to modify the geostrophic balance." The Florida Current is part of the western branch of the wind driven north Atlantic anti-cyclonic gyre, which is intensified on the western side of the North Atlantic basin in comparison to its eastern side. Similar types of currents also are found on the western side of ocean basins such as the Agulhas current in the southern Indian Ocean or the Kuroshio in the northern Pacific Ocean. They are called boundary currents because they impinge on the continental shelf and as such, they undergo a significant amount of friction on the ocean floor. This friction, which acts vertically and horizontally on the boundary current, contributes to the formation of a sheared boundary layer. "Our study shows that this shear layer can become unstable and form eddies. This process is in fact a pathway for the dissipation of wind energy injected in the ocean. Therefore, in the Straits of Florida, eddies smaller than their open ocean relative are formed," said Cherubin. In addition to sub-mesoscale eddies formed locally in the Straits of Florida, there are incoming mesoscale eddies that transit in the Straits of Florida, such as the Tortugas Gyre. "Findings from our research also show that mesoscale eddies can be squeezed on the shelf and transformed into sub-mesoscale eddies when the Florida Current is in its protracted position or remains relatively unaffected if the Florida Current is retracted from the shelf," said Cherubin. Explore further Eddy currents affect flux of salt more than heat More information: Laurent M. Cherubin et al, Submesoscale Instability in the Straits of Florida, Journal of Physical Oceanography (2021). Laurent M. Cherubin et al, Submesoscale Instability in the Straits of Florida,(2021). DOI: 10.1175/JPO-D-20-0283.1 Lucia Tapia, author of this study, at the Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia. Credit: Alejandro Rodriguez / IQAC-CSIC A study performed by researchers at the Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC) from the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) in collaboration with Stony Brook University (U.S.) proposes a new strategy for the development of new drugs based on the inhibition of tyrosine kinase enzymes, molecules that activate and trigger many cellular processes. The results have been published in the ChemistryA European Journal. The new approach is based on the regulation of the signaling cascade of tyrosine kinases, and could lead to the development of improved and more selective tools for research, diagnosis or treatment of some diseases. Tyrosine kinases are a set of enzymes that are essential for communication between the cells of our body, which trigger biochemical reactions that are important for life. "The dysfunction of these enzymes is related to serious diseases such as diabetes, some neurological disorders and many types of cancer," explains Ignacio Alfonso, a researcher at the IQAC-CSIC. Tyrosine kinases activate different signaling pathways Cell signaling is the process by which cells communicate. In the cell there are many types of receptors or specific proteins that recognize the proteins synthesized by the body and make the cell respond to them. One of the most important are tyrosine kinases. "Cells receive signals from the environment when a molecule (a hormone, for example) binds to one of these receptors. The receptor recognizes the molecule and triggers a series of chemical reactions," explains Alfonso. This allows cells to work to control vital functions of the body, such as cell multiplication or destruction. Each process has its own signaling path. After the first molecule in the signaling pathway receives the signal, another molecule is activated, then another and another, and so on throughout the signaling cascade until cellular function is fulfilled. "The abnormal activation of signaling pathways can lead to diseases, such as cancer," says the researcher. Kinases are a family of molecules that activate many different signaling pathways, which implies that they themselves participate in all of these processes. "When you want to avoid any of these processes, a research strategy is to inhibit kinases, blocking them with synthetic molecules. But this strategy is not very selective, since other important pathways may be inhibiting," warns Alfonso. In fact, the similarity between kinases and their functional versatility (the same kinase acts on different molecules and is involved in different processes) has made it difficult to design specific inhibitors to modulate pathological situations or dissect different functions in basic research. Target: The place where kinases act It is here where this work proposes an alternative strategy: Not to inhibit the kinases, but to cover and block the molecules on which the kinases act. The tool for this would be artificial synthetic receptors, that is, synthetic molecules that would protect the place where the kinases exert their action. "Our group has designed molecules that interact with the substrates of the kinase, and not with the kinase," explains Alfonso. "We have prepared artificial molecular 'cages,' made up of pseudopeptides, that are able to modulate the activity of these enzymes," clarifies the researcher. "This complementary approach paves the way for selective modulation of an individual kinase-stimulated signaling pathway, without interfering with other functions of the kinase," explains Todd Miller from Stony Brook University. "This technology would enable investigators to dissect the contributions of specific signaling pathways in cellular function." Despite being a proof-of-concept study, the results of this study could lead to more selective modulators/inhibitors of these kinases that would be used as research tools for the full understanding of this complex communication network. "This approach generates basic knowledge, which could be essential to better understand key biological functions and the origin of many diseases," concludes Dr. Alfonso. Explore further New technique switches key biomolecules on and off More information: Lucia Tapia et al, Modulation of Src Kinase Activity by Selective Substrate Recognition with Pseudopeptidic Cages, ChemistryA European Journal (2021). Journal information: Chemistry A European Journal Lucia Tapia et al, Modulation of Src Kinase Activity by Selective Substrate Recognition with Pseudopeptidic Cages,(2021). DOI: 10.1002/chem.202100990 Provided by Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) In this Nov. 7, 2018, photo, visitors look at a life-size model of the Tianhe core module of China's next space station at the Airshow China in Zhuhai in southern China's Guangdong Province. China on Thursday, June 17, 2021 has launched its first crewed space mission in five years, sending three astronauts to a new space station that marks a milestone in the country's ambitious space program. Credit: Chinatopix via AP Adding a crew to China's new orbiting space station is another major advance for the burgeoning space power. Here's a look at key developments: WHAT'S THE MISSION'S PURPOSE? The three-member crew is due to stay for three months in the station's main living module, named Tianhe, or Heavenly Harmony. They will be carrying out science experiments and maintenance, space walks and preparing the facility to receive two additional modules next year. While China concedes it arrived late at the space station game, it says its facility is cutting-edge. It could also outlast the International Space Station, which is nearing the end of its functional lifespan. The launch Thursday also revives China's crewed space program after a five-year hiatus. With Thursday's launch, China has now sent 14 astronauts into space since it first achieved the feat in 2003, becoming the third country after the former Soviet Union and the U.S. to do so. WHY IS CHINA BUILDING THE STATION? As the Chinese economy was beginning to gather steam in the early 1990s, China formulated a plan for space exploration, which it has carried out at a steady, cautious cadence. While China has been barred from participation in the International Space Station, mainly over U.S. objections to the Chinese program's secretive nature and close military connections, it's likely the country would have built its own station anyway as it sought the status of a great space power. In this Nov. 7, 2018 photo, visitors look at a life-size model of the Tianhe core module of China's next space station at the Airshow China in Zhuhai in southern China's Guangdong Province. China on Thursday, June 17, 2021 has launched its first crewed space mission in five years, sending three astronauts to a new space station that marks a milestone in the country's ambitious space program. Credit: Chinatopix via AP At a news conference Wednesday, China Manned Space Agency Assistant Director Ji Qiming told reporters at the Jiuquan launch center that the construction and operation of the space station will raise China's technologies and "accumulate experience for all the people." The space program is part of an overall drive to put China on track for even more ambitious missions and provide opportunities for cooperation with Russia and other, mostly European, countries along with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. POLITICS AND SECURITY China's space program has been a massive source of national pride, embodying its rise from poverty to the world's second-largest economy over the past four decades. That has helped shore up the power of the Communist Party, whose authoritarian rule and strict limits on political activity have been tolerated by most Chinese as long as the economy is growing. A Long March-2F Y12 rocket carrying a crew of Chinese astronauts in a Shenzhou-12 spaceship lifts off at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan in northwestern China, Thursday, June 17, 2021. China has launched the first three-man crew to its new space station in its the ambitious programs first crewed mission in five years. Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan President and head of the party Xi Jinping has associated himself closely with that success, and Ji in his remarks cited Xi as setting the updated agenda for China's rise to prominence in space. The first mission to the station also coincides with the celebration of the party centenary next month, an important political milestone. At the same time, China is modernizing its military at a rapid pace, raising concerns from neighbors, the U.S. and its NATO allies. While China espouses the peaceful development of space on the basis of equality and mutual respect, many recall that China in January 2007 sent a ballistic missile into space to destroy an inactive weather satellite, creating a debris field that continues to be a threat. WHO ARE THE ASTRONAUTS? Mission commander Nie Haisheng, 56, and fellow astronauts Liu Boming, 54, and Tang Hongbo, 45, are former People's Liberation Army Air Force pilots with graduate degrees and strong scientific backgrounds. All Chinese astronauts so far have been recruited from the military, underscoring its close ties to the space program. Workers prepare for the start of a press conference near a poster depicting the Chinese space station held at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center ahead of the Shenzhou-12 launch from Jiuquan in northwestern China's Gansu province on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan Chinese astronauts prepare to depart on the Shenzhou-12 mission at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan in northwestern China, Thursday, June 17, 2021. Adding a crew to China's new orbiting space station is another major advance for the burgeoning space power. Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan A scene depicting Long March rockets, Shenzhou module, Space station and satellite is seen at a welcoming sign that reads, "Dong Feng Space City welcomes you" near the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan in northwestern China, Wednesday, June 16, 2021. China has launched the first three-man crew to its new space station in its the ambitious programs first crewed mission in five years. Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan Chinese President Xi Jiping is seen on a propaganda board with the slogan "China Dream, Space Dream" from inside a bus at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center near Jiuquan in Northwestern China's Gansu province on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. China's space program has been a massive source of national pride, embodying China's rise from poverty to the world's second largest economy over the past four decades. That has helped shore up the rule of the Communist Party whose authoritarian rule and strict limits on political activity have been tolerated by most Chinese as long in the expectation that the country continues to progress in material terms. Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan Chinese astronauts, from left, Liu Boming, Nie Haisheng, and Tang Hongbo wave as they prepare to board for liftoff at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan in northwestern China, Thursday, June 17, 2021. China plans on Thursday to launch three astronauts onboard the Shenzhou-12 spaceship who will be the first crew members to live on China's new orbiting space station Tianhe, or Heavenly Harmony. Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan Chinese astronauts, from left, Tang Hongbo, Nie Haisheng, and Liu Boming salute as they prepare to board for liftoff at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan in northwestern China, Thursday, June 17, 2021. China plans on Thursday to launch three astronauts onboard the Shenzhou-12 spaceship who will be the first crew members to live on China's new orbiting space station Tianhe, or Heavenly Harmony. Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan A woman holds up a Chinese flag near a board displaying China's astronauts at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan in northwestern China, Thursday, June 17, 2021. China has launched the first three-man crew to its new space station in its ambitious programs first crewed mission in five years. Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan A Long March-2F Y12 rocket carrying a crew of Chinese astronauts in a Shenzhou-12 spaceship lifts off at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan in northwestern China, Thursday, June 17, 2021. China launched the first three crew members on a mission to its new space station Thursday in its first crewed mission in five years.Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan An exhaust trail is left behind after a Long March-2F Y12 rocket carrying a crew of Chinese astronauts in a Shenzhou-12 spaceship lifted off at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan in northwestern China, Thursday, June 17, 2021. China launched the first three crew members on a mission to its new space station Thursday in its first crewed mission in five years.Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan A Long March-2F Y12 rocket carrying a crew of Chinese astronauts in a Shenzhou-12 spaceship lifts off at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan in northwestern China, Thursday, June 17, 2021. China launched the first three crew members on a mission to its new space station Thursday in its first crewed mission in five years. Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan For Nie, it is his third trip to space, and for Liu, his second following a mission in 2008 that included China's first space walk. Tang, who was recruited as one of the second batch of candidates in 2010, is flying in space for the first time. Future missions to the station will include women, according to officials, with stays extended to as long as six months and as many as six astronauts on the station at a time during crew changeovers. With China stepping up international cooperation and exchanges, it's only a matter of time before foreign astronauts join the Chinese colleagues on missions to the station, Ji told reporters Wednesday. WHAT ELSE IS CHINA DOING IN SPACE? Along with its crewed space program, China has been moving boldly into exploration of the solar system with robotic space ships. It landed a probe on Mars last month that carried a rover, the Zhurong, which is conducting a range of surveys, looking particularly for frozen water that could provide clues as to whether the red plant once supported life. Earlier, China landed a probe and rover on the moon's less explored far side, joining the Yutu, or Jade Rabbit, rover that was part of an earlier lunar exploration mission. China also brought back the first lunar samples by any country's space program since the 1970s and officials say they want to send Chinese astronauts to the moon and eventually build a research base there. Explore further Rocket on pad, China ready to send 1st crew to space station 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Tongue tips deliver odor molecules to the vomeronasal organ. Credit: Kurt Schwenk, CC BY-ND As dinosaurs lumbered through the humid cycad forests of ancient South America 180 million years ago, primeval lizards scurried, unnoticed, beneath their feet. Perhaps to avoid being trampled by their giant kin, some of these early lizards sought refuge underground. Here they evolved long, slender bodies and reduced limbs to negotiate the narrow nooks and crevices beneath the surface. Without light, their vision faded, but to take its place, an especially acute sense of smell evolved. It was during this period that these proto-snakes evolved one of their most iconic traitsa long, flicking, forked tongue. These reptiles eventually returned to the surface, but it wasn't until the extinction of dinosaurs many millions of years later that they diversified into myriad types of modern snakes. As an evolutionary biologist, I am fascinated by these bizarre tonguesand the role they have played in snakes' success. A puzzle for the ages Snake tongues are so peculiar they have fascinated naturalists for centuries. Aristotle believed the forked tips provided snakes a "twofold pleasure" from tastea view mirrored centuries later by French naturalist Bernard Germain de Lacepede, who suggested the twin tips could adhere more closely to "the tasty body" of the soon-to-be snack. A 17th-century astronomer and naturalist, Giovanni Battista Hodierna, thought snakes used their tongues for "picking the dirt out of their noses since they are always groveling on the ground." Others contended the tongue captured flies "with wonderful nimbleness betwixt the forks," or gathered air for sustenance. Sampling two points at once. Credit: Kurt Schwenk One of the most persistent beliefs has been that the darting tongue is a venomous stinger, a misconception perpetuated by Shakespeare with his many references to "stinging" serpents and adders, "Whose double tongue may with mortal touch throw death upon thy enemies." According to the French naturalist and early evolutionist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, snakes' limited vision obliged them to use their forked tongues "to feel several objects at once." Lamarck's belief that the tongue functioned as an organ of touch was the prevailing scientific view by the end of the 19th century. Smelling with tongues Clues to the true significance of snake tongues began to emerge in the early 1900s when scientists turned their attention to two bulblike organs located just above the snake's palate, below its nose. Known as Jacobson's, or vomeronasal, organs, each opens to the mouth through a tiny hole in the palate. Vomeronasal organs are found in a variety of land animals, including mammals, but not in most primates, so humans don't experience whatever sensation they provide. Scientists found that vomeronasal organs are, in fact, an offshoot of the nose, lined with similar sensory cells that send impulses to the same part of the brain as the nose, and discovered that tiny particles picked up by the tongue tips ended up inside the vomeronasal organ. These breakthroughs led to the realization that snakes use their tongues to collect and transport molecules to their vomeronasal organsnot to taste them, but to smell them. In 1994, I used film and photo evidence to show that when snakes sample chemicals on the ground, they separate their tongues tips far apart just as they touch the ground. This action allows them to sample odor molecules from two widely separated points simultaneously. Each tip delivers to its own vomeronasal organ separately, allowing the snake's brain to assess instantly which side has the stronger smell. Snakes have two tongue tips for the same reason you have two earsit provides them with directional or "stereo" smell with every flicka skill that turns out to be extremely useful when following scent trails left by potential prey or mates. Fork-tongued lizards, the legged cousins of snakes, do something very similar. But snakes take it one step farther. Tongue-flicking creates small eddies in the air, condensing the molecules floating within it. Credit: Kurt Schwenk, CC BY-ND Swirls of odor Unlike lizards, when snakes collect odor molecules in the air to smell, they oscillate their forked tongues up and down in a blur of rapid motion. To visualize how this affects air movement, graduate student Bill Ryerson and I used a laser focused into a thin sheet of light to illuminate tiny particles suspended in the air. We discovered that the flickering snake tongue generates two pairs of small, swirling masses of air, or vortices, that act like tiny fans, pulling odors in from each side and jetting them directly into the path of each tongue tip. Since odor molecules in the air are few and far between, we believe snakes' unique form of tongue-flicking serves to concentrate the molecules and accelerate their collection onto the tongue tips. Preliminary data also suggests that the airflow on each side remains separate enough for snakes to benefit from the same "stereo" smell they get from odors on the ground. Owing to history, genetics and other factors, natural selection often falls short in creating optimally designed animal parts. But when it comes to the snake tongue, evolution seems to have hit one out of the park. I doubt any engineer could do better. Explore further Why do snakes flick their tongues? This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Holotype of Paraceratherium linxiaense sp. nov. Skull and mandible share the scale bar, but both the anterior and nuchal views have an independent scale bar. Credit: IVPP The giant rhino, Paraceratherium, is considered the largest land mammal that ever lived and was mainly found in Asia, especially China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and Pakistan. How this genus dispersed across Asia was long a mystery, however. A new discovery has now shed light on this process. Prof. Deng Tao from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (IVPP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and his collaborators from China and the U.S.A. recently reported a new species Paraceratherium linxiaense sp. nov., which offers important clues to the dispersal of giant rhinos across Asia. The study was published in Communications Biology on June 17. The new species' fossils comprise a completely preserved skull and mandible with their associated atlas, as well as an axis and two thoracic vertebrae from another individual. The fossils were recovered from the Late Oligocene deposits of the Linxia Basin in Gansu Province, China, which is located on the northeastern border of the Tibetan Plateau. Phylogenetic analysis yielded a single most parsimonious tree, which places P. linxiaense as a derived giant rhino, within the monophyletic clade of the Oligocene Asian Paraceratherium. Within the Paraceratherium clade, the researchers' phylogenetic analysis produced a series of progressively more-derived speciesfrom P. grangeri, through P. huangheense, P. asiaticum, and P. bugtiensefinally terminating in P. lepidum and P. linxiaense. P. linxiaense is at a high level of specialization, similar to P. lepidum, and both are derived from P. bugtiense. Distribution and migration of Paraceratherium in the Oligocene Eurasia. Localities of the early Oligocene species were marked by the yellow color, and the red indicates the late Oligocene species. Credit: IVPP Adaptation of the atlas and axis to the large body and long neck of the giant rhino already characterized P. grangeri and P. bugtiense, and was further developed in P. linxiaense, whose atlas is elongated, indicative of a long neck and higher axis with a nearly horizontal position for its posterior articular face. These features are correlated with a more flexible neck. The giant rhino of western Pakistan is from the Oligocene strata, representing a single species, Paraceratherium bugtiense. On the other hand, the rest of the genus Paraceratherium, which is distributed across the Mongolian Plateau, northwestern China, and the area north of the Tibetan Plateau to Kazakhstan, is highly diversified. The researchers found that all six species of Paraceratherium are sisters to Aralotherium and form a monophyletic clade in which P. grangeri is the most primitive, succeeded by P. huangheense and P. asiaticum. The researchers were thus able to determine that, in the Early Oligocene, P. asiaticum dispersed westward to Kazakhstan and its descendant lineage expanded to South Asia as P. bugtiense. In the Late Oligocene, Paraceratherium returned northward, crossing the Tibetan area to produce P. lepidium to the west in Kazakhstan and P. linxiaense to the east in the Linxia Basin. Ecological reconstruction of giant rhinos and their accompanying fauna in the Linxia Basin during the Oligocene. Credit: Chen Yu The researchers noted the aridity of the Early Oligocene in Central Asia at a time when South Asia was relatively moist, with a mosaic of forested and open landscapes. "Late Oligocene tropical conditions allowed the giant rhino to return northward to Central Asia, implying that the Tibetan region was still not uplifted as a high-elevation plateau," said Prof. Deng. During the Oligocene, the giant rhino could obviously disperse freely from the Mongolian Plateau to South Asia along the eastern coast of the Tethys Ocean and perhaps through Tibet. The topographical possibility that the giant rhino crossed the Tibetan area to reach the Indian-Pakistani subcontinent in the Oligocene can also be supported by other evidence. Up to the Late Oligocene, the evolution and migration from P. bugtiense to P. linxiaense and P. lepidum show that the "Tibetan Plateau" was not yet a barrier to the movement of the largest land mammal. Explore further Bridging the knowledge gap on the evolution of Asian monsoons More information: Deng, T. et al. An Oligocene giant rhino provides insights into Paraceratherium evolution. Commun Biol (2021). Journal information: Communications Biology Deng, T. et al. An Oligocene giant rhino provides insights into Paraceratherium evolution.(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02170-6 .. flooding continues to be a considerable risk to infrastructure, whilst our increased reliance on smart infrastructure systems is increasing the risk of cascading failures between different infrastructure sectors, Professor Richard Dawson. Credit: Newcastle University That is the conclusion of a comprehensive independent assessment led by the Climate Change Committee (CCC) which considered a catalog of risks and opportunities affecting every aspect of life in the UK. Professor Richard Dawson in the School of Engineering at Newcastle University is a member of the Climate Change Committee. He oversaw the project, including formulating the Committee's advice to Government, and provided expertise and input to the technical report, specifically on Infrastructure, Flooding and Water Resources. The UK is experiencing widespread changes in the climate; average land temperature has risen by around 1.2C from pre-industrial levels, UK sea levels have risen by 16cm since 1900 and episodes of extreme heat are becoming more frequent. Since the CCC's last assessment 5 years ago, over 570,000 new homes have been built that are not resilient to future high temperatures and since 2018 over 4,000 heat-related deaths have been recorded in England. People, nature, and infrastructure are already vulnerable to a range of climate impacts today and these will only increase in the coming years as the climate continues to change. The longer action to address these risks is delayed, the higher the costs the Government and the UK public will face. Leadership from the UK Government and Governments in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland must result in increasing efforts to adapt to climate change to ensure that societal, economic, and environmental goals remain achievable in the face of climate change. Professor Dawson said: "The latest national climate change risk assessment shows that flooding continues to be a considerable risk to infrastructure, whilst our increased reliance on smart infrastructure systems is increasing the risk of cascading failures between different infrastructure sectors." Baroness Brown, Chair of the Adaptation Committee, added: "The severity of the risks we face must not be underestimated. These risks will not disappear as the world moves to Net Zero; many of them are already locked in. By better understanding and preparing for the coming changes, the UK can prosper, protecting its people, its economy, and its natural environment. A detailed, effective action plan that prepares the UK for climate change is now essential and needed urgently." UK-wide, nearly 60% of the risks and opportunities assessed in the 1500-page report have been given the highest urgency score. The CCC identifies eight priority risk areas which need immediate attention, at the latest in the next two years: Risks to the viability and diversity of terrestrial and freshwater habitats and species from multiple hazards Risks to soil health from increased flooding and drought Risks to natural carbon stores and sequestration from multiple hazards, leading to increased emissions Risks to crops, livestock and commercial trees from multiple climate hazards Risks to supply of food, goods and vital services due to climate-related collapse of supply chains and distribution networks Risks to people and the economy from climate-related failure of the power system Risks to human health, wellbeing and productivity from increased exposure to heat in homes and other buildings Multiple risks to the UK from climate change impacts overseas There are strong benefits from taking effective adaptation action. The assessment identifies a range of steps that will have benefits in the next five years if implemented on a wide scale, such as building design and retrofit, habitat creation and improved access to information on climate impacts. Importantly, while the changing climate also creates some opportunities for the UK, these do not offset the risks and also require early action to realize. The Government has an important role. It must deliver a much better action plan to support good adaptation planning across the UK and integrate this into all relevant Government plans and policies. The Government has to date not heeded the CCC's advice on the importance of this plan or on funding it adequately. This needs to change. The Independent Assessment of UK Climate Risk (for the third Climate Change Risk AssessmentCCRA3) is a comprehensive review of the risks and opportunities facing the UK from climate change. The project, involving 130 organizations and over 450 contributors, was led by the Climate Change Committee (CCC). It resulted in an independent report setting out the Committee's advice to Government informed by a 1500-page technical report collating the latest evidence across a range of key sectors, among many other outputs. The final reports are available at: http://www.theccc.org.uk (advice report) and http://www.ukclimaterisk.org (technical report and supporting information). Explore further Report highlights urgent climate change risks for the UK Physicist Emily Mace used highly sensitive radiation detectorsdesigned and built by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory scientiststo measure argon-39 activity in groundwater samples taken from the San Joaquin Valley. Credit: Andrea Starr | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Scientists are gaining deeper insights into how agricultural practices affect groundwater, thanks in part to an isotope groundwater age-dating technique made possible by ultra-sensitive radiation measurements at the U.S. Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). In a recent study published in Science Advances magazine, physicists from PNNL partnered with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, U.S. Geological Survey, and Argonne National Laboratory to use isotope dating to estimate the age of groundwater samples from California's San Joaquin Valley. Groundwater ages can reveal important clues about potential contaminants in the aquifer, and how often and from which sources the water table replenishes. Scientists use this information to predict groundwater vulnerability to contamination and depletion, to better understand groundwater flow, to improve model calibration, and to inform water management practices. The California study tapped PNNL's rare ability to measure argon-39 to identify groundwater that entered the aquifer between 50 and 1,000 years agoa time period typically not covered by other common groundwater tracers. PNNL is one of only two laboratories in the world with this ability. With the argon-39 measurements, researchers now better understand how mid-20th-century agricultural practices may have changed groundwater chemistry and, as a result, affected the reliability of the more conventional carbon-14 groundwater dating technique. The study was the first time PNNL's ultra-sensitive radiation measurement capabilities were used as part of a collaborative study to solve a problem in groundwater science. "This is one of the first opportunities we've had to work with subsurface transport and hydrology communities to use this ability to answer a question in groundwater science," said PNNL physicist and Laboratory Fellow Craig Aalseth. "This is a big milestone for us, but how we got here is even more interesting, because we took pieces of our fundamental physics work and our national security work to put this capability together." Argon-39 fills groundwater age gap "Argon-39 fills a missing piece as part of a larger suite of radiotracers that help groundwater scientists better understand groundwater residence timesand PNNL is a key part of that," said Emily Mace, a PNNL physicist who contributed to the study. Tracing radioactive isotopes dissolved in water is a common approach for estimating groundwater age. However, argon-39 has historically been underused as a tracer for groundwater dating. The noble gas radioisotope's long half-life and ultra-low radioactivity make it difficult to measure with conventional techniques. Argon-39 is produced naturally in the atmosphere and enters the aquifer through rainwater. "By looking at the tracer's decrease in radioactivity compared to the assumed constant atmospheric level, you can tell how long that water has been out of contact with the atmosphere," Mace said. Because certain isotopes decay at known rates, scientists can measure the radioactive decay of various tracers to estimate when the water entered the aquifer. Carbon-14 and tritium are among the two most common radiotracers used for dating groundwater. Carbon-14 has a half-life of around 5,000 years and is used to identify water that entered the aquifer between 1,000 and 30,000 years ago. Tritium has a half-life of only 12 years and is useful for dating young water around a decade old. With carbon-14 and tritium on opposite ends of the time scale, there has been a large age gap in groundwater residence timesuntil PNNL stepped in to fill it. "Argon-39 is an intermediate age tracer that fills that gap right in the middle," Mace said. "With a 269-year half-life, it allows us to look at things on a scale of 100 years, so it really fits a missing niche for groundwater scientists." Atmospheric argon-39 enters groundwater and begins to decay. By measuring this decrease in argon-39 activity, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory scientists can identify how long the water has been out of contact with the atmosphere. With a half-life of 269 years, the radiotracer is useful in dating groundwater between 50 and 1,000 years olda time period typically not covered by other common groundwater tracers. Credit: Mike Perkins | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Argon-39 measurements help scientists rethink groundwater estimates The California groundwater study researchers used a suite of radioactive tracers to date samples from 17 wells in the San Joaquin Valley. The large agricultural region relies heavily on groundwater for irrigation. By including argon-39 measurements in the study, the scientists were able to look more closely at how mid-20th-century agricultural activitiessuch as carbonate soil amendments and irrigation methodsinfluenced the aquifer's high carbonate levels and, in turn, potentially obscures the reliability of results from widely used carbon-14 dating techniques. Using tools like argon-39 "provides key constraints for disentangling the impacts of groundwater mixing and dissolved inorganic carbon on carbon-14," the authors said. The researchers found that conventional carbon-14 dating of the San Joaquin Valley groundwater "substantially overestimates residence time and thereby underestimates susceptibility to modern contamination. Because carbonate soil amendments are ubiquitous, other groundwater-reliant agricultural regions may be similarly affected." PNNL is among few worldwide to measure argon-39 PNNL is one of only two laboratories in the world with the scientific expertise and specialized tools to take ultra-low-level measurements of argon-39 by looking at its radioactive decay. The other is the University of Bern in Switzerland. "Argon-39 is historically hard to measure for many reasons," Aalseth said. "It doesn't have a very specific signature (isotope fingerprint), it requires specialized argon chemistry, and the rate of radioactivity is very low because of the long half-life, so you need a very low-background measurement. "Those are all things PNNL was able to bring together for this study," he said. PNNL's ability to measure argon-39 is made possible by highly sensitive radiation detectors designed and built from ultrapure copper by PNNL scientists. The ultra-sensitive measurements are taken 60 feet underground in PNNL's Shallow Underground Laboratory. The facility is equipped with ultra-low-radiation detection instrumentation that reduces interference from background radiationor radiation that occurs in the natural environmentby 99%. PNNL's work with argon-39 comes from its Ultra-Sensitive Nuclear Measurements Program, which includes developing highly sensitive radiation detection tools to support nuclear nonproliferation as part of PNNL's national security mission. One technology, multiple applications "It turns out that the same technology we use for detecting argon-37an isotope that has a much shorter half-lifeto provide tools to monitor things like compliance with the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty is also particularly good for measuring argon-39 and ideal for determining time scales like those important for groundwater," said Aalseth, who leads the Ultra-Sensitive Nuclear Measurements Program. Aalseth said the groundwater study collaboration is an example of what can happen when multidisciplinary teams work together to develop science-based solutions that can be applied to tackle tough challenges across mission spacesfrom national security to Earth sciences to fundamental physics. "We see the argon-39 age-dating measurement as an indicator about what other things might be possible," he said. "For example, there are other isotopic measurements that could be very valuable to the environmental science community, and those are bridges that we'd like very much to build." Explore further Parsing routes to aquifer recharge along mountain fronts More information: Alan M. Seltzer et al, Groundwater residence time estimates obscured by anthropogenic carbonate, Science Advances (2021). Journal information: Science Advances Alan M. Seltzer et al, Groundwater residence time estimates obscured by anthropogenic carbonate,(2021). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abf3503 People play in the water in the heat at Santa Monica Beach on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, in Santa Monica, Calif. Credit: AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu An unusually early and long-lasting heat wave brought more triple-digit temperatures Wednesday to a large swath of the U.S. West, raising concerns that such extreme weather could become the new normal amid a decades-long drought. Phoenix, which is seeing some of the highest temperatures this week, tied a record for the second day in a row when it reached 115 degrees (46 Celsius) Wednesday and was expected to hit 117 (47 Celsius) each of the next two days, the National Weather Service said. Scientists who study drought and climate change say that people living in the American West can expect to see more of the same in the coming years. "Heat waves are getting worse in the West because the soil is so dry" from the region's megadrought, said Park Williams, a University of California, Los Angeles, climate and fire scientist who has calculated that soil in the western half of the nation is the driest it has been since 1895. "We could have two, three, four, five of these heat waves before the end of the summer." A few clouds were holding the temperatures down slightly in the desert region of southwest Arizona and southeast California. But there was no real relief expected from the excessive heat warning in effect until at least Sunday. Palm Springs hit a high of 120 degrees on Tuesday, Beachgoers crowd in the heat at Santa Monica Beach on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, in Santa Monica, Calif. Credit: AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu The dome of high pressure spread over the West the week before the official start of summer, causing unusually hot days and warm evenings. Expecting crowds trying to cool off, a half dozen lifeguards in wide-brimmed straw hats and red T-shirts over swimsuits waited for people to arrive at a city pool in downtown Phoenix that features a water slide and several fountains. Several blocks away, outdoor misters spritzed diners on restaurant patios. In California, the operator of the state's power grid is asking residents to voluntarily conserve power for a few hours Thursday evening as record-breaking heat blankets the West this week. The California Independent System Operator issued the alert to help relieve stress on the grid. It asks people to set thermostats to 78 degrees or higher, turn off unnecessary lights and avoid using major appliances. CEO Elliot Mainzer said the grid was stable and there was no expectation of rotating power outages, but that could change as temperatures spike in the coming days. People cool off in the water at the confluence of the South Platte River and Cherry Creek in Denver, Wednesday June 16, 2021. A heat wave continues to hover over the western U.S., pushing the temperature to 99 degrees in Denver. Credit: AP Photo/Brittany Peterson Higher temperatures also were felt in the normally temperate San Francisco Bay Area. A few cooling centers were open but mostly empty by the afternoon. Kathleen Craft, shelter coordinator for the city of Livermore, California, said temperatures had reached 99 degrees (37 Celsius) shortly after midday but only one woman had shown up at the city's cooling center. "We're anticipating we'll see more people tomorrow when a temperature of 108 degrees is forecast," Craft said. Elsewhere in the West, triple-digit heat was forecast in Denver, which saw a record high of 101 degrees (38 Celsius) Tuesday. The weather service issued an excessive heat warning for parts of western Colorado, most of which is experiencing extreme drought conditions. Bekka Hamburg was trying to beat the heat by paddle-boarding on a lake just west of downtown Denver on Wednesday. Residents watch as flames from the Robertson Draw fire burn above Red Lodge, Mont., Tuesday evening, June 15, 2021. Wildfires burning in Montana exploded in size over the past 24 hours and triggered evacuations of people from rural areas as scorching heat and heavy winds stoked the blazes. Credit: Larry Mayer/The Billings Gazette via AP "I rented this (paddleboard) a week ago knowing that it would be like 100 degrees," the 24-year-old visiting from Indianapolis said. "I didn't pack any pants, didn't pack any T-shirts. I just packed tank tops and shorts." Hamburg said it was the first time she had experienced Colorado's "dry heat," adding that it's much easier to manage than the humid heat common in the Midwest. In Nevada, Las Vegas hit 116 degrees (46.6 Celsius), breaking the record of 114 degrees (45.5 Celsius) for the date set during a record hot spell on June 16, 1940. The region is expected to remain at 113 degrees (45 C) or hotter through Sunday, National Weather Service meteorologist John Salmen said, and still could top the all-time local high of 117 degrees (47 Celsius), set June 20, 2017. "This is pretty impressive. We're seeing all-time records fall," Salmen said. People play in the water at Santa Monica Beach on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, in Santa Monica, Calif. Credit: AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu Stephanie Berry, a makeup artist, poses for a photo as bubbles fly over in the heat at Santa Monica Beach on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, in Santa Monica, Calif. Credit: AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu Bekka Hamburg paddle boards on Sloan's Lake in Denver on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. A heat wave continues to hover over the western U.S., pushing the temperature to 99 degrees in Denver. Hamburg, visiting from Indianapolis, said she rented the paddle board a week ago when she saw the forecast. Credit: AP Photo/Brittany Peterson Hikers pause to watch the sunset at Papago Park during a heatwave where temperatures reached 115-degrees Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in Phoenix. Credit: AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin A man walks dogs alongside Sloan's Lake in Denver on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. A heat wave continues to hover over the western U.S., pushing the temperature to 99 degrees in Denver. Credit: AP Photo/Brittany Peterson A cyclist bikes past the setting sun at Papago Park during a heatwave where temperatures hit 115-degrees Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in Phoenix. Credit: AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin People cool off in the water at the confluence of the South Platte River and Cherry Creek in Denver, on Wednesday June 16, 2021. A heat wave continues to hover over the western U.S., pushing the temperature to 99 degrees in Denver. Credit: AP Photo/Brittany Peterson As temperatures soar above triple digits, a vendor pulls a wagon filled with water outside Coors Field during afternoon rush hour Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in Denver. Credit: AP Photo/David Zalubowski New Mexico also experienced more record-breaking highs. But a possible respite was in sight with showers and thunderstorms expected in parts of the state. In Montana, temperatures over 100 degrees (38 Celsius) have made it tougher to fight wildfires that have exploded in size, triggering evacuations and destroying an undetermined number of homes. Furious winds have stoked the flames and forced the crash-landing of a firefighting helicopter. At least 14 new fires have been reported in Montana and Wyoming since Tuesday. The dry weather was also being felt in Idaho, where authorities are preparing for what could be a challenging wildfire season. Nick Nauslar, a meteorologist with the National Interagency Fire Center, told state officials this week that nearly 80% of Idaho is in drought and the rest will likely experience it in the coming months. He said Idaho had its second-driest spring in the last 126 years. Explore further Western US braced for record heat wave 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. HUDSON FALLS The widow of the Hudson Falls man who robbed a pharmacy and led police on a chase before taking his own life said when her husband left the house to run an errand on Jan. 28, she had no idea that would be the last time she would see him alive. Sheldon Streicher, 38, was supposed to go to the drug store and come right back, according to Amanda Streicher. Instead, he robbed McCanns Pharmacy, then led police from four agencies on a chase that ended near the county line in Fort Ann when he died by suicide. Streicher said she was on COVID restrictions so did not leave the house. I heard the sirens that day and stated to my daughter that I get nervous to hear sirens when dad is not home, she said in an email. Streicher said she had no idea what was going on until police came to her door at 7:20 p.m. I do not know why he did what he did. He was not thinking properly. I did not know the situation he was in. He was not himself recently, she said. Amanda Streicher said that her husband had grown depressed after his father died and he had hurt his back and was receiving treatment. Report gives new details The Glens Falls man accused of illegally entering the U.S. Capitol building during the insurrection in January has been indicted on new charges, as prosecutors are discussing a potential plea deal in the case. James Bonet appeared through videoconferencing for a brief hearing on Wednesday in the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia. Bonet was among a group of supporters of former President Donald Trump who stormed into the building on Jan. 6 to disrupt the certification of President Joe Bidens Electoral College win. Bonet posted videos on his Facebook page in which he says Were taking it back, along with a photo of him smoking what authorities say was a marijuana cigarette. A grand jury on June 2 filed a six-count indictment against him. The new charges include obstruction of an official proceeding and aiding and abetting, because prosecutors say he was in a restricted area on the grounds of the Capitol. The other counts are entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; entering and remaining in certain rooms in the Capitol building; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. Morris added that the company does not have a contingency plan if it cannot secure funding for the line, adding the company cant afford to build a new plant. The project would see grinder pumps installed on each of the apartment complexs buildings to ensure all solids can pass through the 2-inch force main. Baker said the line should be large enough to accommodate the needs of the apartment complex and the school district if it ever decided to hook into the sewer district. He added talks with the school district over an easement have been positive and that officials have expressed interest in the project. Its especially attractive to them (Queensbury schools) because it then provides them ready-access to connect to public sewer if they ever decide thats wanted or necessary for their campus, Baker said. There would be no digging during construction since the pipe will be directionally bored, Baker said. Supervisor John Strough said the town would have to determine a financial impact the sewer line would have on school taxes if the school or other residents ever decided to hook into the line. He added that only those who use the town sewer service would be charged. Thats yet to be determined, Strough said. Chad Arnold is a reporter for The Post-Star covering the city of Glens Falls and the town and village of Lake George and Washington County government. Follow him on Twitter @ChadGArnold. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. ARGYLE A Salem man was injured when his plane crashed at Argyle Airport on Thursday morning. The accident happened just after 11 a.m. at the private airport off Route 40. Washington County Sheriffs deputies responded to the scene and found a fixed-wing, single-engine Cessna plane that had crashed. The plane had heavy front end damage. David L. Klingebiel, 80, of Bunker Hill Road, was the only occupant in the plane. He was removed from the plane and transported by LifeNet helicopter to Albany Medical Center with head, chest and leg injuries, police said. The light plane landed on its roof, according to police radio transmissions. Police turned over the scene to the Federal Aviation Administration. The cause of the crash is under investigation. The Fort Edward and Argyle fire departments, Argyle EMS and the Washington County Department of Public Safety also responded to the crash scene. The airport has seen a few crashes over the years. Those FBI records also appear to be an undercount. They say that no military-issue gun was used in a felony in 2018, but at least one was. Back in June 2018, Albany police were searching for 21-year-old Alvin Damon. Theyd placed him at a shooting which involved the Beretta M9, a workhorse weapon for the military that is similar to a model Beretta produces for the civilian market. Surveillance video obtained by AP shows another man firing the gun four times at a group of people off camera, taking cover behind a building between shots. Two men walking with him scattered, one dropping his hat in the street. No one was injured. Two months later, Detective Daniel Seeber spotted Damon on a stoop near the Prince Deli corner store. Damon took off running and, not far into the chase, grabbed a bystander who had just emerged from the deli with juice and a bag of chips. After Detective Seeber defused the standoff, officers collected the pistol. A check by New York State Police returned leads to four Albany shootings, including one just the day before in which a bullet lodged in a living room wall. In another, someone was shot in the ankle. In addition to her impact on the Adirondack Park, Glaser has had a lasting influence in Saratoga County. She helped found the regional land trust Saratoga PLAN in 2003, which aims to preserve the rural character, natural habitats, and scenic beauty of the Saratoga County region. Barbara Glaser exemplifies the spirit of conservation, of the Earth, of community-building, of giving, caring, and sharing. She is a brilliant strategist who not only personally persists for the long haul to make this world a better place, but who sets the stage for sustainability by fostering leadership within the next generations of conservationists, said Maria Trabka, the executive director of Saratoga PLAN. Glaser was also a founding member of the Pitney Meadows Community Farm, created in 2016, which has grown 20,000 pounds of food for local pantries, food kitchens and shelters. Barbara Glaser played a crucial role for the Pitney Meadows Community Farm to be conserved and continues to inspire others to celebrate, appreciate, and protect our open space, said Lynn Trizna, executive director of Pitney Meadows. Looking back on her years of work for the conservation of both the Adirondack Park and Saratoga County, Glaser said she has learned the importance of involving all generations in environmental advocacy. Toensing's law firm has said she was told she was not a target of the investigation. Jones, who was appointed her to the task by the judge, said lawyers for Giuliani and Toensing will designate documents for her review that they believe are protected by attorney-client privilege or are highly personal, such as medical records. At that point, remaining materials in each batch of items that were not designated for review will be released to prosecutors. On occasion, Jones said she may speak to government representatives if she needs additional background information to help her decide whether an item is protected by privilege. If Jones finds any of the potentially privileged documents should in fact be released to prosecutors, she will refer them to a judge to make a final decision. The process is similar to how Jones conducted a privilege review of materials seized in 2018 from Michael Cohen, Trump's longtime personal attorney who pleaded guilty to campaign finance charges and other crimes and was sentenced to three years in prison. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) An Arkansas man arrested for sitting with his feet on a desk in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office during the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot asked a federal judge to allow him to travel for a classic-car swap meet. Richard Barnett 's attorney, Joseph McBride of New York City, claims Barnett needs to travel to make a living. Mr. Barnetts second job of buying and selling classic cars is now his primary source of income. Consequently, his ability to travel for work is crucial to his ability to pay his bills, provide for his family and fund his legal defense. Barnett is currently only allowed to travel up to 50 miles (80.47 kilometers) from his residence while he is on home detention awaiting trial, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Petit Jean Mountain, where the car show is being held, is 200 miles (321.87 kilometers) from Gravette. Fireworks lit up the night sky over New York to celebrate the reaching of a vaccination milestone, which triggers the easing of many of the st Matt continues to work tirelessly to rally colleagues and businesses to support JFS programs and services, many of which have seen a tremendous influx of usage this past year. Matt is a strong community advocate and his dedication to JFS future success is unwavering, and for that, all of us are grateful. JFS welcomed and thanked new agency donors Law Offices of Melissa Rosenblum, Republic Bank, and Roth-Goldsteins Memorial Chapel for their generous support and contributions. The agency also recognized Debra & Dennis Oakes as the 2021 Volunteers of the Year. With more than 100 volunteer hours recorded this past year, their dedication to helping those in the face of the pandemic never wavered. Their commitment to assisting with the Shop at Home program, Food Pantry, Thanksgiving Dinner Drive and more make them wonderful JFS ambassadors. JFS Senior Director of Human Resources Greg Rosenblit announced the JFS staff Service, Heart & Soul and Leadership Awards. There is no greater honor than being selected by those who truly understand the work you do and what it takes to do it well, Rosenbilt said. ATLANTIC CITY The Atlantic City Airshow is returning this summer. The event, canceled last year due to COVID-19, is scheduled for Aug. 18. The show will feature a new demonstration from the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds for the first time in 40 years. We are thrilled to host the 2021 Atlantic City Airshow, and we are so grateful for our partners and supporters who have returned to help make all the moving parts of this event come together and run smoothly, Greater Atlantic City Chamber President Michael Chait said in a news release. The marketing firepower and reach of Meet AC and the graciousness of Borgata to once again provide rooms for the performers enable us to once again put on a first-rate show. COVID-19 restrictions left the fate of the airshow uncertain over the past few months, with officials such as Chait concerned that an event that annually brings more than 100,000 people to the beach wouldnt be possible. Gov. Phil Murphys recent reopening of the state, however, changed that. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} The event has a huge impact on both state and local economies. CRDA officials have said the show brings in $1.9 million in state and local taxes and $900,000 in luxury taxes. The event has a $45 million economic impact on the region, Chait has said. CAMDEN An Atlantic City woman has been charged in connection with fraudulently obtaining money from elderly victims and not alerting government agencies of the amount she earned from the scheme, acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced Wednesday. Victoria Crosby, 44, has been charged with wire fraud, concealing information affecting a continued right to payment by the Social Security Agency (SSA,) health care fraud and making a false statement, representation or document to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD.) According to court documents, Crosby and others used prepaid cell phones to contact victims, many of whom were over the age of 70, whose spouses or family members had recently died, Honig said in a news release. Crosby and the other perpetrators allegedly used false names and pretended to be employees of either a retirement benefit office or life insurance company. The perpetrators told the victims that the life insurance policy of their deceased family member was in arrears and that to correct the underpayment, the victims needed to pay thousands of dollars with prepaid credit cards. The money would then be deposited into bank accounts controlled by the perpetrators. Bezaire remains an elected official. Mayor Zack Mullock said the city would not take any action unless he is convicted. If he does not step down from the position, there is no process for council to remove a member. Voters in New Jersey have the power to recall any elected official, but only after at least one year in office. For Bezaire, that wont be until Jan. 1, 2022, the anniversary of his oath of office. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} The city of Cape May has no tolerance for harassment of any kind, Mullock said Thursday. All parties involved are entitled to due process, and that process still has to play itself out. The city will continue to cooperate with this investigation. To be fair to all parties, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time. City Solicitor Christopher Gillin-Schwartz declined to comment on what may happen with Bezaires council seat should he be convicted. All parties are going to be afforded due process, he said. The city of Cape May will continue to cooperate fully with the investigation. Thursday could be the least humid day until after crowds thin out and the days get shorter in September. Friday also will be a very comfortable day but it turns a little warmer and humid. Saturday will then be hot and humid with a few storms, but expect a mostly dry weekend. Given the clear, calm night Wednesday night, temperatures will be varied Thursday morning. In Buena Vista and those in the rural Pine Barrens, itll be at or even just below 50 degrees; for Manahawkin and the mainland, itll be in the mid-50s. Meanwhile, Long Beach Island and the shore will be around 60 degrees. High pressure will drift toward New Jersey from the Midwest. The downward motion exerted by the high pressure will keep the clouds away and keep the air a bit crisp. Dew points, a measure of moisture in the atmosphere, will be in the mid-40s Thursday. Thats dry, if not crisp. Since records started at Atlantic City International Airport in 1943, less than 5% of June 17 dates have dew points this low, according to the Iowa Environmental Mesonet. In July or August, its even rarer than that, if ever happening. Its very possible that we will not have dew points this low until September. Rendells two terms as mayor are often seen as a partnership with then-Council President John Street. But he said Verna was just as critical to his success. They were a great team, Rendell said of Verna and Street. If John Street was rough on someone, as he could be because he had so much passion for getting things done, Anna would patch things up. Bob Brady, chair of the citys Democratic Party and a former congressman, said he never made a political move in his personal career without consulting Verna. She had a very classy style. Very dignified, Brady said. It was a much different way of using power. She was someone everyone respected. Barbara Capozzi, a real estate developer in South Philadelphia, counted Verna as a friend for four decades. I never heard her curse, Capozzi said. I never heard her raise her voice. I wish there were more of her. She was a leader, but in a soft, gentle way. She was charming. And she was far, far brighter than people ever gave her credit for. Former Councilmember Marian Tasco, who retired in 2016, said she often disagreed with Verna but appreciated that she always had an answer for why she was making a decision. Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation Wednesday to extend services that were interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic for hundreds of special-needs students who would have aged out of the education system. Murphy made the announcement at his daily coronavirus briefing, to the relief of special-needs advocates who feared the bill was in jeopardy. Murphy said as many as 8,700 students could be impacted over the next three school years. Students who reach 21 would no longer have been eligible for services after June 30 without the extension. Advocates say special education students were especially hurt by learning loss during the pandemic and need the one-year extension to make up for time missed. The extension could cost up to $600 million over three years, though final figures must be determined, Murphy said. The state plans to use federal stimulus aid to pay for it, he said. New Jersey will get more than $2.5 billion from the coronavirus relief package to address learning loss. This is one of the things that we take the step, regardless of the price tag, Murphy said. It is absolutely without question and hesitation the right thing to do. Sweeping reforms will take years, but the USDA can begin to mobilize a plan immediately with the $4 billion allocated for food supply chain resiliency under the American Rescue Plan Act. Vilsack recently outlined how he intends to spend these funds, and while I applaud his plan to subsidize farmers practicing regenerative agriculture inherently more resilient than industrial production he should clarify his goals and timeline, and at least triple the $60 million in grant money that has been earmarked to help expand smaller-scale meat and poultry processors across the country. The USDA is conducting a large-scale study on resilient meat and poultry processing that is expected to be published this summer. Vilsack should listen carefully to the small- and mid-sized processors and producers to find out what they need to expand their operations while meeting federal food safety standards. Beyond grant money, smaller producers and processors need other forms of USDA support. Vilsack should continue reforming and refocusing the Food Safety and Inspection Service to better assist small and mid-sized players. He should create dedicated roles at the department to help local processors build regional markets while meeting the standards necessary to sell their products across state lines and become competitive with large meatpackers. That approach includes, unfortunately, making the use of marijuana and alcohol by youths penalty-free something local officials cant do anything about. As the president of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police has said, Voters did not agree to decriminalize marijuana and alcohol for children. Voters also didnt get any information about the proven harms of marijuana from the well-funded legalization campaign. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 10% of regular marijuana users become addicted. For those who begin using it before adulthood, the addiction rate is about 17%. The National Academies of Sciences says long-term marijuana use can have permanent effects on the developing brains of adolescents and young adults, impairing learning, memory and attention. The drug is a toxin that impairs judgment and driving ability, and a National Academy of Medicine report says there is substantial evidence that it increases the risk of psychosis and schizophrenia. By restricting the marijuana industry and the drugs use within their municipal borders, local officials are helping reduce these harms on their residents. Sure, the marijuana industry authorized by the state will sell marijuana into every town and state officials will see to it those sales cant be stopped. June 17, 2021 in Illustration (E) [prMac.com] Odessa, Ukraine - CS Odessa's most recent update to ConceptDraw MINDMAP v12, available today, adds new capabilities of creating unique custom mind maps and also delivers a general set of general performance improvements. ConceptDraw MINDMAP is well known as a powerful mind mapping and brainstorming application. It supports all major office documents including project charts and reports, mind maps, outlines, and presentation materials. The launch of the new ConceptDraw MINDMAP v12.1 supports users in their creative thinking and enables the building of simple or complex process structures that assist various business tasks and activities. The improved "Color Schemes" feature increases dramatically the customization capabilities. It allows managing the color palette of the Map Themes easier than ever before. Renewed background capability helps one personalize mind maps easily by adding beautiful gradient colors, patterns, and even pictures to the Background. Operating Systems Supported * macOS 10.15 (Catalina) and 11.0 (Big Sur) * Windows 8.1 and 10 (64-bit certified) Pricing and Availability: ConceptDraw MINDMAP is compatible with macOS and Windows and retails for $199 (USD). It is now included in ConceptDraw OFFICE v7 which retails for $299. The update to ConceptDraw MINDMAP v12.1 is available at no charge for MINDMAP v12 and OFFICE v7 users. ConceptDraw OFFICE v7 is an integrated set of visualization products and document exchange technologies. It consists of a diagramming platform, a mind mapping tool, and a project management tool. These tools are essential to generate business diagrams, project plans, mind maps, dashboards, presentations, schematics, and any other business visualizations. Founded in 1993, Computer Systems Odessa supplies cross-platform productivity tools and graphics technologies to professional and corporate users around the world. With headquarter in Odessa, Ukraine, CS Odessa sells products internationally through resellers in over 150 countries, both directly and through resellers. The ConceptDraw line of products has won numerous awards and is used by hundreds of thousands, including Fortune 500 companies, U.S. Federal Government agencies, small and medium businesses, and students and educators around the globe. ConceptDraw is a registered trademark, and ConceptDraw Office, ConceptDraw Solution Park, ConceptDraw PRO, ConceptDraw MINDMAP, ConceptDraw PROJECT, and ConceptDraw STORE are trademarks of CS Odessa. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the properties of their respective owners. ### CAMBRIDGE A $250,000 warrant has been issued for the arrest of Lorenzo S. Quintero, 50, of Kewanee after he failed to appear Wednesday in Henry County Circuit Court for sentencing for aggravated driving under the influence in a fatal car crash from 2017. The April 9, 2017, incident killed Gabina Garcia, 27, of Kewanee, Quintero's sister-in-law. The incident happened about 3:15 a.m. on Route 78 north of Kewanee when Quintero was driving his wife and Garcia home from a Davenport dance club. According to the accident reconstructionist, Quintero's vehicle drifted out of its lane through the oncoming lane and into the eastside ditch where it vaulted over a driveway, went airborne, landed and rolled. There was no evidence of evasive maneuvering. Garcia was not using a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle through the sun roof. In December of 2019, Quintero was scheduled to plead guilty to the charge but changed his mind during the plea hearing. A stipulated bench trial was held Jan. 24, 2020, in which Judge Jeffrey O'Connor found Quintero guilty of Class 2 felony aggravated driving under the influence/causing death. Quintero was scheduled for sentencing on May 6, but the hearing was continued because he was taking his wife, who has cancer, to the hospital. WHAT WE KNOW: Building projects totaling $7.8 million not including a new fine arts auditorium were presented to the school board in May. Bonding agent Kendall King told the school board last September that the district could borrow an additional $12.75 million without raising the current tax rate if the bonding capacity was maxed out for 20 years. WHAT'S NEW: King presented three bonding options to the school board and noted that it will be a three-month process before bonds can be sold. The board did not take a vote but gave him an indication that they could support a total of $5.5 million worth of bonds to be paid off in nine years without raising the district's tax rate. "Some of this could be paid by the county facilities sales tax as well," Superintendent Joe Blessman noted. The $5.5 million sum would include $3.5 million in improvements at C.R. Hanna Grade School and $1 million for new HVAC units at Orion Middle School. King said he would look for a total from the board next month for a "resolution of intent" but not necessarily what specifics the building plans would be for. Rather, Matson, with help of city staff, simply asked community organizations and individuals "who seemed interested in the subject" whether they would be willing to participate. He added that city officials intend to select youth to participate in subsequent meetings as well as a Scott County judge. However, nothing in Iowa law stops or prevents Matson and the city from holding public meetings of the violent-crime community task force. "Its troubling that on an issue such as this that secrecy is the first inclination of city leaders," Evans said. "Its hard to imagine that youre going to be able to make headway against the persistent gun violence in Davenport by shutting the public out from the information gathering process or the process of making recommendations to the council, or to the police department, or whomever. "How do you then persuade the public they ought to support (whatever recommendations the task force recommends) to combat the violence that seems to be an everyday occurrence, if you cut them out?" Evans added, "It ought to be good common sense to keep the citizens of Davenport up to speed on what city government is trying to do to deal with" urban violence, which city officials have said is the biggest threat to health and vitality of Davenport. Recent spikes in gun violence, stolen vehicles and discussions over the expansion of the Scott County Juvenile Detention facility provide an opportunity to re-thinking strategies for public safety, Gilbraith said. "We don't have to get rid of everything," she said. "But, I do think that shifting the narrative (around safety), being community led, listening to the ideas of the community and looking at it through the lens, once again, of people, we can change things for the better." Such as focusing resources on trauma-informed crisis intervention teams that work with community activists to disarm and deescalate conflicts, and connecting individuals to services that address the underlying problem, according to her campaign website at www.athena4mayor.com. Gilbraith has led the charge locally pushing for equity in policing and to address issues of implicit bias, systemic racism, police brutality and a range of reform issues to address "bad police practices." Bastos, who told Shah to pull over as she was driving to a shoot in Utah, arrested her as a suspect in the telemarking fraud case. But as Shah asked whether she was going to jail, she told officials that Bastos made her believe she might be in danger, and that the police might be there to help me. Shahs attorneys are arguing that she was coerced, and pointed out that Bastos knew her history with the man, who prosecutors said was also involved in the scheme with Shah and her assistant. Although Ms. Shah waived her Miranda rights, she did not do so voluntarily, but rather as a direct result of law enforcement deception and trickery calculated to overpower her will, her attorneys said. Her attorneys have also said that prosecutors have not provided enough information for the case to proceed, arguing that she is accused of participating in a scheme with unspecified co-conspirators in unspecified places and selling unspecified products and services to unspecified victims, while laundering the money through unspecified accounts with unspecified financial institutions at unspecified times over an eight- or nine-year period. This is by all accounts significant progress and allowed the state to avoid a second "pandemic summer." "As we literally and figuratively appreciate this new dawn, this new beginning, we stop for a moment and pause and mourn the lives of those we've lost, and continue to cherish the memories of our loved ones," said Illinois Department of Public Health director Ngozi Ezike, speaking from the Michigan Avenue bridge over the Chicago River in a video posted to social media last Friday. "But we also move forward towards a new future that is much different than we've endured in the last year and a half." IDPH announced just 165 new cases and nine additional deaths Wednesday. The department, which has sent out a press release with daily COVID-19 numbers since last March, also announced it will continue updating case counts daily but switch to a once-a-week press release. COVID-19 appears to be waning in Illinois and the country, for that matter even as variants continue to rock other countries. Still, even amid that progress, there is still a deadly virus out there and vaccination numbers are not yet where they need to be to achieve herd immunity. A Bettendorf resident is running a Facebook campaign to bring a Trader Joes location to Davenport. It's attracted thousands of community members. After spearheading the campaign that ultimately brought Portillos to the Quad-Cities in 2019, Chris Glass was looking for his next venture. He turned to the community to ask what stores they wanted to see come to town, and everybody agreed that Trader Joes would be a good fit here in the Quad-Cities, he said. Trader Joe's is a popular grocery store chain known for what customers praise as its unique and healthy foods. The chain currently has two Iowa locations, in West Des Moines and in Coralville. The proposed location for this Trader Joes is in the Elmore Marketplace, 4257 Elmore Ave., where Fleet Feet currently is. The location meets Trader Joes preferences of having a standalone and 13,000 square foot store. Glass partnered with Heart of America Group, the company that owns the building, to build up the campaign. He started the Bring Trader Joes to the Quad Cities Facebook page last summer, and since then the page has garnered 15,000 followers and 14,000 likes on their posts. 8. Peggy Price-Robinson, 47, was cited in the 3500 block of Middle Road on suspicion of second offense operating while intoxicated. May 19 9. Bradley Aaron Dove, 26, no address given, was arrested in the 4500 block of Utica Ridge Road on suspicion of contempt violation of a no contact or protective order. 10. A washer and dryer, valued at $500, were reported stolen in the 1100 block of 16th Street. 11. A car part, valued at $800, was reported stolen in the 3800 block of State Street. 12. A 2013 Ford F150, a 2014 Hyundai Elantra, and a 2012 Chrysler 200 all collided at Utica Ridge Road and Spruce Hills Drive, resulting in $6,000 in damage. 13. Chandra Stoltenberg, 26, 2336 Hawthorne Court, was arrested at Middle Road and Interstate 74 on suspicion of first offense operating while intoxicated. May 21 14. A plate sticker, no value listed, was reported stolen in the 1800 block of Isle Parkway. 15. A 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and a 2018 Ford Escape collided at State Street and 10th Street, resulting in $800 in damage. The COVID-19 news across the Quad-Cities was good in every way Thursday a low number of new cases, no virus-related deaths. and plenty of access to the vaccine. There were seven new COVID-19 cases reported in the Q-C Thursday three in Rock Island County and four in Scott County. The total number of cases in Rock Island County since the start of the pandemic increased to 14,994, while the number of deaths tied to the virus remained 333. The Iowa Department of Public Health has confirmed 21,740 total COVID-19 cases in Scott County since last March and linked 247 deaths in the county to the virus. There was more encouraging news across both Iowa and Illinois. The public health departments of Iowa and Illinois reported a combined 144 new cases Thursday 96 in Iowa and another 48 in Illinois. Since the start of the pandemic, the Illinois Department of Public Health has confirmed 1,388,586 total COVID-19 cases and linked 23,120 deaths to the virus. Iowa health officials say 403,566 cases have been confirmed and 6,109 deaths are virus-related in the same span. Pop-up vaccination clinics A 30-year-old Davenport man wanted on numerous warrants was arrested by Davenport Police on Wednesday after a short vehicle pursuit. Darrien Darvon Irving, also known as Darrien Darvin Irving, is charged with one count of first-degree burglary. The charge is a Class B felony under Iowa law that carries a prison sentence of 25 years. He also is charged with possession with the intent to deliver 19.45 grams of crack cocaine. The charge is a Class C felony that carries a prison sentence of 10 years. According to the arrest affidavit on the drug charge filed by Davenport Police Officer the normal dosage of is one-tenth of a gram, meaning that Irivng allegedly had enough crack for 194 hits. Irving also is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and violating Iowas drug tax stamp law, both Class D felonies that carry a prison sentence of five years. He also is facing misdemeanor charges of eluding, driving with a revoked license, assault, interference with official acts, failure to provide auto insurance and failure to maintain control of a vehicle. Davenport police and the Iowa State Patrol arrested five boys early Wednesday in two separate stolen vehicle incidents. At 12:33 a.m. Wednesday police saw a Toyota Camry that had been reported stolen traveling at speeds in excess of 80 mph. Officers were able to locate the vehicle and put down a spike strip to deflate the tires. Two boys, one 13 and one 14, both of Davenport, fled on foot. Both boys were located and taken into custody. They were placed into the Scott County Juvenile Detention Center. Both boys are charged with one count each of first-degree theft. The charge is a Class C felony that carries a prison sentence of 10 years. At 3:07 a.m., three boys, two of whom are 13 while the third is 14, all from Rock Island, were seen driving a stolen Kia Sorento. The vehicle had been stolen out of Mercer County, Illinois. The vehicle was seen traveling in excess of 80 mph by law enforcement. The Iowa State Patrol located the vehicle and initiated a pursuit. Davenport police were able to deploy a spike strip to deflate the tires. The vehicle was Illinois-bound on the Talbot Memorial (Centennial) Bridge but had to slow because of the tires deflating. According to the arrest affidavit filed by Davenport Police Officer Nathan Kelling, at 6:16 p.m. Sept. 13, officers went to the Wells Fargo Bank branch, 161 N. Main St., to investigate a disturbance. Officers located Turner walking away from the scene in the 1500 block of North Main Street. Turner told officers he had broken several windows out of the Wells Fargo bank because he was frustrated with the justice system. Officer went to the bank and found extensive damage to exterior windows and some minor damage to the interior. Turner was charged with first-degree criminal mischief. During a hearing on Jan. 4 in Scott County District Court, Turner pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree criminal mischief. During a sentencing hearing Feb. 10, District Court Judge Mark Cleve sentenced Turner to two years on probation. On Aug. 6, 2012, federal authorities arrested Turner on a charge of bank robbery. He was charged in connection with the June 11, 2012, robbery of Northwest Bank and Trust Company. On Oct. 24, 2012, Turner pleaded guilty to the charge during a hearing in U.S. District Court, Davenport. He was sentenced to four years and nine months, or 57 months, in federal prison to be followed by three years on supervised release. Farmers Matt and Kristin Dutton are two of the stars of a new video produced by the John Deere Foundation, which on Thursday announced a $1.7 million commitment to River Bend Food Bank this year. The couple from rural Warren County in Illinois were cast on a white wall in a conference room inside the John Deere Cylinder plant during a news conference announcing the donation. But they didn't get involved to be in the spotlight. "It was a personal choice for us," Matt said. "We were like a lot of people we didn't really realize hunger happens right down the road from us. We didn't realize our own kids were sitting in classrooms with kids who were going home to no food." Kristin described when their learning about local hunger started. "We were at our kids' school, taking part in a backpack drive," she explained. "That was where we first heard about kids not having meals over the weekend. "We just wanted to do what we could to help people who are our neighbors." The desire to help neighbors, according to John Deere Foundation President Nate Clark, was the driving force behind the company's involvement with River Bend. Deere & Co. helped found the food bank in 1982. CHICAGO (AP) A mass shooting that left four people dead and four others wounded at a house on Chicago's South Side was believed to have been carried out by two people who shot all but one of the victims in the head, according to a police report. Police received a call about shots fired from people on the second floor of the house at about 5:45 a.m., and when they arrived they found four people dead in various rooms, according to a report based on preliminary information. All had been shot in the head, as had three of the victims who survived, and the other surviving victim was shot in the back. According to the report, several .45-caliber and 9 mm shells were found throughout the house. Frustrated by what they describe as a lack of details about what COVID-19 guidelines will look like at schools next fall, a contingent of school district superintendents on Wednesday implored state education officials to deliver a plan by early summer. It might feel like its early in the summer, but the planning has to happen now, said Wheaton-Warrenville Community Unit School District 200 Superintendent Jeff Schuler, one of several suburban school administrators who shared their concerns during an Illinois State Board of Education meeting Wednesday. The sooner we know, the better to plan, so were hoping you can provide us with information as soon as possible, Schuler said. Indian Prairie School District 204 Superintendent Adrian Talley agreed, saying officials at the Aurora-based school district had to spend around $200,000 to rent tents during the 2020-21 school year to ensure students were socially distanced during lunch. The states COVID-19 plans for schools in the fall need to be clearly articulated by the state immediately to avoid school districts footing the bill for unnecessary expenditures, and to eliminate the prospect of unneeded furniture, and unneeded angst, Talley added. "Instead of furthering an important discussion about anti-racial profiling measures and modernizing our public safety departments, Gov. Reynolds took a giant step backwards," said Rep. Ross Wilburn, an Ames legislator who also is chair of the Iowa Democratic Party. "One year ago, the governor signed legislation that banned most chokeholds and made a promise to Iowans that this is not the end of our work, its just the beginning. We now know that statement was a lie. Instead, she ignored the call to unify." Wilburn said Thursday's action broke a promise and broke the trust of Iowans who were "more than willing" to work in a transformative, bipartisan way for change that would have a lasting, positive effect on Iowa. Thede and Rep. Ruth Ann Gaines, D-Des Moines, said they detected a "change in tone" among legislative Republicans this past session on a number of issues that dealt with diversity training, critical race theory education, voting rights and other bills that sent a "veiled, negative, dire" tone and message to young Iowans and people outside the state that "we don't want to grow, we want to maintain status quo." "That was the big message of this session: We dont see a need for diversity, we dont see a need for collaboration. It is our way or the highway," said Gaines. SPRINGFIELD The Illinois House changed its rules Wednesday to allow lawmakers to cast votes on legislation remotely, giving them enough votes to pass a change to the budget bill and other measures. Shortly after this rule change, House Democrats approved the amendment to the budget that resulted from a drafting error in the bill the House passed shortly before midnight on May 31. The budget amendment that was requested by Gov. JB Pritzker passed the House Wednesday, 71-44, with the three additional remote votes giving Democrats the minimum number required to pass the bill. The budget now will head back to the governor for his signature. Pritzker issued an amendatory veto of next years $42.3 billion budget on Tuesday to ensure that state funding takes effect when the 2022 fiscal year begins on July 1. Pritzkers amendatory veto to the budget made July 1 the date that portions of next years operating budget would take effect, since some of those sections of the budget were not assigned an effective date. The amendment to the budget bill was approved on Tuesday by the Senate, 36-21, which is also exactly the number of votes it needed to pass. Most historians date the end of the war as April 9, 1865, when Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, who led the Army of Northern Virginia, surrendered to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox. But not all Confederate armies surrendered at that time. It was more than two months later, on June 19, 1865, when federal forces reached Galveston, Texas, and informed enslaved people in that city, and throughout Texas, that they had been freed. Juliana Stratton, Illinois first Black lieutenant governor and a descendent of enslaved people from Mississippi, spoke about her own ancestors who continued to be held in bondage even after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed and said that for them, Juneteenth was the true Independence Day. Juneteenth is a time of celebration, she said. Juneteenth is a time of telling our stories of hope. Juneteenth is a declaration of faith that despite chattel slavery, we will never stop fighting for freedom; that despite black codes right here in Illinois that discouraged free blacks to live in this state, we will never stop fighting for freedom; that despite lynchings and other forms of racialized violence that happened two blocks away from where we stand right now, that we would never stop fighting for freedom. "It brings me exceptional pride to sign into law the declaration of Juneteenth as a formal state holiday in Illinois, making us one of the few states in the nation to give it the full status it deserves," Pritzker said. "Just as Illinois led the nation as the first state to ratify the Thirteenth Amendment, in 2021, we are leading the nation in tackling structural racism head on." Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, said that the declaration of Juneteenth as a state holiday is a recognition of Black history that went well beyond just making it a paid day off from work. "You will hear many people say that it's a symbolic gesture and just another state holiday," Turner said. "I assure you, nothing could be further from the truth. The signing of this legislation is a recognition of the history of Black Americans and an opportunity to reflect on the long struggle for freedom and how far we still must go." Christina Shutt, the new executive director of the ALPLM, said the legislation carried significance for the institution which was displaying a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation until July 6 at the museum due to its direct connection to the 16th president. On the day the newspaper published the sections celebrating 2021 graduating high school seniors, I searched for the list of Davenport's Mid City High graduates. I did not find it. Other small high school graduate listings were included. (For example, Rivermont Collegiate, with a class of 29 students.) My lunch buddy since kindergarten graduated this year. I have been to Mid City High School usually weekly for lunch these last three years. (There were no lunch buddy visits this pandemic year.) Wildlife researchers have confirmed the presence of white-nose syndrome in bats at Devils Tower National Monument. Officials said that while this is the first confirmation of WNS in Wyoming, the fungus that causes WNS was potentially detected in southeast Wyoming as early as 2018. According to a news release, biologists from the University of Wyoming discovered evidence of WNS during surveys completed in early May 2021, when they captured and sampled bats to test for the fungus. The work was in collaboration with the Wyoming Game & Fish Department as part of an ongoing regional surveillance project funded by the National Park Service. The samples were sent to the Colorado State University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab where they detected the presence of the fungus on four of the 19 bats tested. Additional samples from these bats were sent to the U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center which confirmed WNS in both bat species. The presence of WNS in Wyoming is not a surprise for wildlife managers. The disease was confirmed in the Black Hills in 2018, and more recently in a dead bat found in Fallon County, Montana in April 2021. President Joe Biden signed a bill Thursday making Juneteenth, or June 19, a federal holiday after passage of the bill earlier this week in both the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} South Dakota is the only state without legislation passed to officially recognize Juneteenth in some form. Mayor Allender said Juneteenth should hold special meaning for all Americans. "Americans of all colors, creeds, cultures, religions and countries-of-origin share in a common love of and respect for freedom, as well as a mutual determination to protect the right to freedom through democratic institutions established by the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments to the Constitution, Mayor Allender states in the proclamation. These tenets of freedom were appropriated but not applied fairly to all Americans as a whole, however, the celebration of Juneteenth continued regardless. In the proclamation, Mayor Allender calls upon all citizens of Rapid City to pay special observance to Juneteenth in honor of the ongoing and historic contributions our African American brothers and sisters have made in growing and strengthening our country and community. South Dakota launched a new website Thursday providing information about the state's medical cannabis program. Gov. Kristi Noem, along with the Department of Health and Department of Education, launched medcannabis.sd.gov, which is intended to answer questions and provide information about the upcoming medical cannabis program taking effect July 1. One of my jobs as governor is to make sure that the will of the people and all constitutional laws are enforced, Noem said in a news release. I want South Dakota to have the best, most patient-focused medical cannabis program in the country. Ive heard from people who are hurting and are hopeful for relief. My team is 100% committed to starting this program as quickly and as responsibly as possible for South Dakota. The site has sections for news releases giving updates on the implementation process and shows frequently asked questions for both prospective patients and medical cannabis businesses, recent and future events, helpful terminology and a link to the state statute. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Noem also launched a new public service announcement, which is featured on the cannabis website's homepage, letting citizens know where they can find more information about the medical cannabis program. However, even if the federal government reversed its decision, the state would struggle to pull the event together with July Fourth weekend just weeks away. Noems administration previously said in court that in order to have enough time to organize a fireworks event at the site, it would have to know by June 2 whether it would be allowed. The governors spokesman, Ian Fury, said Noem will reach out to the "Biden Administration to ask them to reconsider their unlawful decision. She has also said she will file an appeal of the judge's order in her lawsuit. Noem has used the issue as a political cudgel to frame herself as an opponent of Biden. She took to Twitter to lash out at the president, writing, Why are you being so hypocritical? You're having your own personal fireworks show in DC, but South Dakotans are told no? Gen. Quinn has a long history of serving our nations military, and has demonstrated a strong commitment to providing veterans with the quality services and respect they deserve," Democratic U.S Sen. Jon Tester said in a press release. "As head of the National Cemetery Administration, he is tasked with overseeing state cemeteries, addressing the special memorialization and burial needs of rural and tribal veterans, and ensuring all veterans have a final resting place that honors their service. Gen. Quinn is well qualified to take on this role, and I look forward to working with him to ensure VA has the resources it needs to preserve the legacy of our nations heroes. There are now several bills in Congress to address the challenges of the meatpacking industry, in which four companies process more than 80% of the countrys beef. Some promote networks of small butchers. Others force big meatpackers away from private sales agreements and into to the public market square. The latest bill, by U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, a Montana Democrat, creates a special investigator for competition matters at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Tuesday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said he supports an investigative unit, with subpoena power, to enforce antitrust laws in the meatpacking industry. I think its a good proposal. I think its part of what needs to be done, Vilsack said during a Senate budget hearing. Tester said Wednesday that the creation of a special investigator would mark the first time in the 100 years of the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, that USDA had the full power of a law enforcement agency when it comes to antitrust enforcement. He is sponsoring with Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley, S. 2036, a bill to amend the Packers and Stockyards Act, of 1921, to establish the Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters, and for other purposes. Doja Cat featuring SZA, Kiss Me More With a chorus that borrows its chord progression from Olivia Newton-Johns former No. 1 knockout Physical songwriters Stephen Kipner and Terry Shaddick are credited on the song this playful ode to making out features a shimmering disco-lite beat and a bassline that grooves for days and begs for repeat listens. (Warning: explicit lyrics.) Dua Lipa featuring DaBaby, Levitating With its hand claps, nostalgic disco feels and nimble contribution from chart-topper DaBaby, Levitating is the mirror ball spinning, roller rink anthem that makes you want to glide across the hardwood and spin in circles. Its current and a throwback all at once. Cardi B, Up If its up, then its up, then its up, then its stuck in your head. Say what you will about Cardi B, but she knows how to make hits that breathe their own air and make their own space in the culture, and shes got no problem releasing them one at a time (see last summers WAP). Up is catchy, colorful and motivational, and works just as well in the background at a summer cookout (depending on whos around, you may want to opt for the clean version) or at the gym. (Explicit lyrics, to say the least.) Virginia wont extend key pandemic-era eviction protections past the end of the month, Gov. Ralph Northams office said Thursday. The decision came as two of the states foremost legal aid organizations urged Northam to keep certain safeguards in place using his executive authority. In a letter sent Thursday, the Legal Aid Justice Center and the Virginia Poverty Law Center asked the governor to preserve the protections currently slated to cease when Virginias state of emergency expires June 30. Thousands of families could be at risk of losing their homes if the protections lapse and eviction filings and judgments return to pre-pandemic levels. These protections were originally enabled for the benefit of tenants and landlords to assure housing stability during this crisis a crisis that has not yet ended and will not immediately evaporate come July 1, the letter stated. If Northam does not step in, Virginia will no longer require landlords to notify tenants about how to apply for rent relief through a state-run program, or apply or seek the money to cover delinquent balances tenants owe. A provision that forbids landlords for proceeding with an eviction for 45 days while waiting for a relief application to be approved would end, too. Twelve masked faces stared wide-eyed at Hanover County second-grade teacher Evangeline Poindexter on the first day of school last September. Twelve. Under normal circumstances, a group of students that small would have been a luxury. In 24 years of teaching, shed never had fewer than 18 students in her classrooms. Most years, it was more. But on this first day, Sept. 9, the open spaces around her cheery Elmont Elementary classroom felt ominous. They reminded her that the world outside was in crisis and some of those little faces she was supposed to have in her classroom were home instead, decisions that were out of her hands but that were best for those children and their families. Their absence was felt. On that school day, the Virginia Department of Health reported a total of 129,289 statewide cases of COVID-19, with 15,318 of those in the Richmond area and 901 in Hanover. There were 364 deaths attributed to the virus in the region by then, 35 in Hanover. Across the nation, the virus had killed more than 180,000 people. Major corporations are celebrating Juneteenth in unique ways this week. The annual June 19 tradition, which falls on Saturday this year, commemorates the day in 1865 when former American slaves in Galveston, Texas, were finally informed of President Abraham Lincoln's Jan. 1, 1863, Emancipation Proclamation and the end of the Civil War. It took Union troops more than two years to finish travel throughout the southern United States to inform all the former slaves of Lincoln's executive order. The Dec. 6, 1865, ratification of the 13th Amendment made slavery illegal throughout the U.S. "except as a punishment for crime." Some inmate advocates said the program did not reduce the prison population as significantly as they had hoped. Maisie Osteen, an attorney with the Legal Aid Justice Centers Civil Rights and Racial Justice Program, said the programs strict eligibility guidelines limited the number of inmates who were considered for early release. The scope was just far too narrow and really didnt offer the relief we were hoping for and a lot of other advocates were hoping for, Osteen said. We should acknowledge that there was some small relief offered from this program. It just wasnt as far-reaching as wed hoped. Department of Corrections Director Harold Clarke said that about 70% of inmates have now been vaccinated against COVID-19, and there are no current cases among the population. A total of 56 inmates and five staff members who tested positive for COVID-19 have died during the pandemic. The department said it is planning a phased-in approach to allow visitors back into prisons while continuing to follow federal guidelines for congregate settings. Face masks continue to be required in congregate settings, including correctional facilities. Former Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., who went on to become the U.S. attorney general, also opposed her, she said. Nevertheless, she won Senate confirmation in a 66-32 vote. It was a huge hurdle to overcome, but thankfully with a lot of support from a lot of people, I was still able to get confirmed. I am very grateful to those who supported me for what was a very emotional time, said Demeo. Asked what advice each of the three would have for LGBTQ+ lawyers who may be interested in becoming judges, Hughes said there is no way to plan for becoming a federal judge. He said you need the right experience and a sponsor. Hughes said, If you really want to become a judge, you need to become a good lawyer and a respected lawyer in your community because somebody from that community at some point is going to support you and promote you to be a judge. Demeo had some simple advice that Hughes and Oetken agreed with: My main advice is to be your authentic self because if you can do that, however hard it is, I think youll be more successful in your career. I feel that my coming out in the work place, I was able to thrive more and be a better employee and be a more successful attorney so, I guess its more career advice than good advice on how to get on the bench, she said. Garlands letter came in response to a letter sent last month by Herring and Descano asking Garland to reconsider the original decision against prosecuting the officers. Garlands response makes no mention of pursuing federal charges, but cooperation from federal agents could make it easier for local officers to build their case. Ghaisar was fatally shot by the officers in November 2017 following a chase on the George Washington Parkway, outside the nations capital, after a fender bender in which Ghaisars car was rear-ended. Dashcam video released by Fairfax County police, who played a supporting role in the chase, shows the chase beginning on the parkway before turning into a residential neighborhood. It shows the car driven by Ghaisar stopping twice during the chase, and officers approaching the car with guns drawn. In both cases, Ghaisar drives off. At the third and final stop, officers with guns drawn approach the car at the driver-side door. When the car starts to move again, gunshots are heard. The car starts to drift into a ditch, and two more sets of two gunshots are heard. The official Twitter account for the Virginia Chiefs of Police echoed Schrads comments in a post on Saturday. The statement brought about swift criticism. Princess Blanding, an activist and third-party candidate for governor whose brother, Marcus-David Peters, was fatally shot by a Richmond police officer during a mental health crisis in 2018, said online that permission to use discretion is permission to discriminate. We know and we continue to see, especially if youre Black and brown, how that ends, Blanding said in an interview, calling Northams decision reckless and unnecessary. When you say police can use their discretion, I can see an officer saying, Oh, well, I thought she looked like this or I thought she did that. Inconsistency and subjectiveness is very dangerous, especially when someone has the power to take your life, incarcerate and brutalize you. Northam spokesperson Alena Yarmosky said that Virginians who wear masks for health reasons, and not to conceal their identities, would not run afoul the law. She said clarifying or changing the law to protect against people being unduly arrested or charged is a job for the legislature. The centers, including 33 that include offices for the Virginia Employment Commission, are scheduled to reopen to the public on July 1. Healy said she had met with Northam chief of staff Clark Mercer and Finance Secretary Aubrey Layne about potential uses of the federal aid to provide more support for workers. She said the money also could help VEC keep up with changing information technology as it completes the long-delayed modernization of its antiquated IT system. The 12-year-old project is scheduled to be completed by Oct. 1. Hudson is a vocal critic of the states approach to modernizing IT networks, which she said focuses too much on big-ticket purchases of expensive equipment and too little on skilled employees who update system equipment and software on an ongoing basis. I would rather see Virginia spend $500,000 on planning for the creation of a modern digital services team than spend $15 million on the grand promise of a big new system, she said. Layne already has said he would recommend allocating more than $1 billion in federal aid to replenish the Virginia Unemployment Trust Fund and shield employers from a potential fourfold increase in payroll taxes. Princess Blanding, a Richmond activist whose brother was fatally shot by a city police officer in 2018, will be on the ballot this November as a third-party candidate for governor. Virginia election officials confirmed that Blanding qualified for the ballot by submitting the required paperwork and signatures. She will face Democrat Terry McAuliffe, the former governor, and Republican Glenn Youngkin, a former private equity executive. Blanding became a prominent figure during the protests over police brutality in Richmond last summer, when the death of her brother attracted renewed attention. Blandings brother, Marcus-David Peters, was killed after charging at a Richmond police officer during a mental breakdown in May 2018. Peters had been approached by the officer after walking into oncoming traffic at a ramp for Interstate 94/64. He was unarmed and undressed. Reviews by two Richmond commonwealths attorneys deemed the shooting justified. Blanding says her brother was killed unjustly by police and has advocated for laws to improve emergency response services during mental health crises. Blanding has said the legislatures efforts on the issue have been insufficient, despite her advocacy. N.C. 12 is in greater peril than it was before, Outten said. We have to address those issues now and not when a storm hits. The state highway department and others have spent $72 million in the last 10 years restoring parts of N.C. 12, not counting bridge-building costs. The groups plans over the next few months to prioritize the most vulnerable places, come up with the best solution to fix them and try to fund the projects. You cant ask anybody for money if you dont have a plan, Outten said. Including the effects of sea level rise could help land state and federal grants, he said. The group will seek different sources of money such as grants rather than only state highway funding. Sea level rise must be taken into account, absolutely, said Dave Hallac, superintendent of the National Parks of Eastern North Carolina. N.C. 12 on Hatteras Island gets a low rating for state funding because its a sparsely populated area with heavy traffic only in the summer, said Stirling Baker, division 1 engineer for the North Carolina Department of Transportation. UVA also is one of the few universities with a dedicated hypersonics research complex that is home to 17 faculty members who work in 10 laboratories across 25,000 square feet of state-of-the-art research space, including the Aerospace Research Laboratory. Experts at UVA and our three partner institutions are globally recognized in all aspects essential to hypersonic development, including aerospace engineering, additive manufacturing and high-temperature materials. Building the Hypersonic Production Accelerator Facility in Virginia also would ensure access to a highly qualified pool of STEM graduates. In 2018 alone, Virginia produced almost 25,000 STEM-H (science, technology, engineering, math and health) graduates, and the UVA and Virginia Tech aerospace programs are ranked in the top 25 nationally. UVA also is one of the top three public universities nationwide for the percentage of women earning undergraduate engineering degrees, and VSU is a leading historically Black college or university (HBCU) that ranks in the top 25 nationwide. Positioning Virginia for a better future requires funding from Congress to implement the ASTRO reports public-private partnership solution. The commonwealth is perfectly poised for this investment: The Virginia Economic Development Partnership has prioritized the aerospace industry in the state as a national hub for research, development and manufacturing. Investing in our nations hypersonic capacity is essential to U.S. national security and advancing this countrys global position as a leading technology innovator. Virginia has the STEM talent, resources, critical expertise and facilities required to ensure that the state can lead the countrys hypersonic technology transformation. The sound of spring 2021 is the cicada chorus. The critters have been so thick in the Washington area they have shown up on Doppler weather radar. Even the president had a close encounter. Joe Biden brushed a cicada away on June 9 as he was about to board Air Force One for his first foreign trip. The separate charter flight with dozens of journalists covering the presidential trip was delayed seven hours after cicadas swarmed into a jet engine at Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia. Panic averted: Pizza was ordered. For the humans. Billions of Brood X pronounced Brood 10 cicadas that spent 17 years underground are out in force in the eastern United States, and theyre doing what comes naturally. Males woo females with their songs, the louder the better. They mate, the female lays eggs and, having fulfilled their destiny, they die. Their offspring burrow underground and sustain themselves for years sipping sap from roots of trees and grasses. See you in 2038. While entomologists revel in the periodical cicada show, the invasion makes some people anxious. Having critters fly in ones face and hair can be a buzzkill and their noise is intimidating. Artificial intelligence (AI) is part of your daily routine at home and work, often going unnoticed. Do you ever have questions about why your computer or iPhone seem so smart? Even wonder when your text message replies are provided for you, and you just select the one of three answers to your friend? That is AI. AI has been around since the early days of the computer and more these past 20 to 30 years. Watch or read the news and you will see automated vehicles being produced and robots moving boxes in a warehouse, replacing humans who moved that box just a few years ago. And the 2020-21 pandemic increased the use of robots in manufacturing and logistics as humans were laid off due to fear of catching COVID-19 and dying. This does beg the question of how best to use humanoid AI robots. Besides the wearable AI technology on your wrist that used to be called only a watch, there are home vacuum cleaners, home security systems and automobile security systems that know who you are and if you need medical attention. With this AI world surrounding us, there is an ethical and legal question about the use or misuse of AI and robotic systems. When an AI system is making decisions for you, who is at fault if that decision creates a death or financial failure? Earlier this week, the U.S. Senate endorsed the holiday under a unanimous consent agreement. On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 415-14 to make Juneteenth the nations 12th federal holiday. Were glad that all of Virginias congressional members supported it. President Joe Biden signed the measure into law on Thursday. Juneteenth is an opportunity to reflect on our nations sordid history with slavery, acknowledge and commemorate the progress that has been made, and renew our commitment to advancing equity and justice for all, U.S. Rep. A. Donald McEachin, D-4th, said in a statement. U.S. Rep. Robert C. Bobby Scott, D-3rd, the dean of Virginias congressional delegation, said 49 states and Washington, D.C., now celebrate Juneteenth as a state or ceremonial holiday. The legacy of Juneteenth is a reminder of the way that justice and equality for Black people has too often been delayed in America, he said in a statement. The past year has also been a stark reminder of all the work that is left to do to fulfill the founding promises of our nation. Juneteenth will be the first new federal holiday since the creation of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983 another equally important observance. First coaster ride, lifelong memories Editor, Times-Dispatch: Kira Riders Roller Coasters page on June 12 brought back some great memories of rides on Coney Islands Cyclone when I was young. The hourlong subway ride from the Bronx limited my visits, since even in the 1950s my parents imposed boundaries. At age 13, my friends and I could take the subway to Yankee Stadium, but not to Brooklyn. When we did get to go with adult supervision our agenda always included all three roller coasters: Thunderbolt, Tornado and Cyclone. The latter was familiar to me long before my first visit to Coney Island because my mother told the story of her first and what would be her last ride on the giant coaster. As an 18-year old orphan, she arrived in New York in 1934 and landed a job as a nanny. When her best friend, Edie, came for a visit, the two young women decided to make a day of it at Coney Island. There Edie saw the ocean for the first time, and after a lunch of Nathans Famous hot dogs and Nehi grape soda, the girls decided to risk their lives on the Cyclone. As my mom described it, the terrifying ride made her so sick that she never again rode the Cyclone and for the next 80-plus years, she would not consume grape soda. Appalachian installs and maintains the lights, with local governments paying a monthly fee for the service in addition to the electricity they use. If a municipality decides to switch to LED, a conversion charge would be based on the age and condition of existing fixtures, according to utility spokeswoman Teresa Hall. While most of the utilitys street lights use high pressure sodium, metal halide and mercury vapor, there are a growing number of LED lights out there, Hall wrote in an email. The contract offers about a half-dozen high-efficiency lights to chose from at different rates, and it was not clear how much the cost of conversion might be for Roanoke. Since 1972, a steering committee from the Virginia Municipal League and the Virginia Association of Counties has negotiated a new contract with Appalachian every few years. The idea is that so-called public authority customers schools, jails and water authorities, libraries, regional landfills and city, county and town governments would get a discount on electricity rates, which otherwise their taxpayers would have to bear. It would be easy to label Luca, which arrives Friday on Disney+, minor Pixar. Its visuals, while beguiling, don't push new digital ground the way many Pixar animations have. There isn't an existential journey into the mind, beyond the grave or into the heavens. It's a couple of kids coming of age over a sun-kissed summer. But I think the modesty of Luca is part of what makes it great. As much as Pixar's recent output ("Soul," Onward, Coco) has been daringly conceptual, it has sometimes felt as though the studio and its artists are too focused on charting new narrative territory. Luca, Pixar's shortest feature since its first ("Toy Story"), is modest, straightforward and classical. It feels like Pixar's page out of Italo Calvino's Italian Folktales. Casarosa's film comes and goes like a soft summer breeze, but that doesn't stop it from being utterly charming and, by the time of its magnificent final shot, a little devastating, too. In sweet sea monsters that just want to do what other kids do, Luca finds a simple and beautiful metaphor for all those who feel like they need to hide themselves to fit in. It left me, anyway, with a fish-eating grin. Next, the company offered $10,472.54, the lawyer said. Jones also rejected that, too, because the lowest price Krasnow could find in this market for a comparable car with comparable mileage was $15,995. The value I think shes entitled to is the value of the car at the moment it was damaged, Krasnow said. An odd factor thats come into play in this dispute is the current used car market. Prices have skyrocketed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It shut down factories that produce computer circuits used in new cars. As a result, new cars are in limited supply and more buyers are turning to used cars. So the prices on used cars have jumped. Thats what happens in a free market economy when you have more buyers chasing a fixed amount of goods. You cant buy a car today for what it cost two years ago, said Crotts, who also owns a used car lot. Krasnow said that National General told him its offers were based on Kelly Blue Book values for Jones car. I contacted the claims adjuster, Darren Cates, to confirm that but he didnt respond to an email I sent Wednesday. Its a homecoming of sorts for Schrier, too, though. The Virginia Tech graduate lived in Roanoke for six months as Miss Virginia, before taking the larger crown. She is staying at the Hotel Roanoke with her mother, whose life in the corporate world included many Hotel Roanoke stays in the 1980s. Schrier herself stayed there in 2015 when, as a new student in Blacksburg, she and a friend came down to Roanoke to take in the Miss Virginia pageant. Mom used to travel here for work, and now Im here as Miss America, and I have a portrait of myself hanging in the lobby, Schrier said. So its very nostalgic for the two of us and kind of full circle. So its been wonderful to be back. She said she was looking forward to meeting the pageants other Miss Americas, particularly Barker, another Virginia Tech alum. Barker is beloved in the Hokie community, as well as in her hometown, Galax, Schrier noted. She marveled during a trip she took to Galax High School. They have a Kylene Barker shrine, at her high school, Schrier said. I was like, how funny is that? I think thats a testament to how much Virginia loves our Miss Virginias and our Miss Americas. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had several conversations with Manchin about the bill over the weekend. And President Joe Biden said earlier this month during a speech in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that he would fight like heck to pass the bill. Still, the White House has largely let Democrats on Capitol Hill take the lead on negotiations around the legislation, and its not clear if Biden would support the compromise Manchin has proposed. The White House did not respond to a request for comment on the latest developments. As the fight in Congress drags on, the Biden administration is taking steps to address voting at the state level. Attorney General Merrick Garland delivered a speech last week that described ways in which the Justice Department would step up its efforts to protect voting rights. Garland said the department would double the number of voter enfranchisement lawyers in the Civil Rights Division and focus more closely on new voting laws for possible discrimination. Biden also tasked Vice President Kamala Harris with taking the lead on the issue. This week she ramped up her focus on voting rights. The opportunity to have a Black-owned and Black-operated talk radio station in this city, where talk radio for too long has been all day, all night, all white, is an opportunity that is begging for someone to take advantage of it. So Im dumb enough to try, Smiley said. Asked if anyone has expressed reservations about working with him and the station, he said it was the contrary and that bookings for celebrities, authors and newsmakers are lining up fast and furious. Guest names weren't provided. Among the hosts: DL Hughley, whose nationally syndicated radio show is part of the KBLA afternoon lineup, and Alonzo Bodden, a winner of NBCs Last Comic Standing and regular guest on NPR's Wait WaitDont Tell Me. The Mississippi-born, Indiana-raised broadcaster said KBLA, with a signal reaching nearly 12 million Southern California listeners, could be the flagship for an eventual nationwide network. Asked about the station's agenda, Smiley rejected the question's framing. "The station doesnt have an agenda except to be unapologetically progressive, he said. "We just want to be a voice for those who have been voiceless for too long in this city, speak a truth that is otherwise not being considered if we don't speak it, and give people a chance literally just to be heard. Most council members who spoke in support of the project ultimately appeared to side with landowners and their rights to decide what to do with their property. I can argue myself into both positions on solar, Hamel said, adding he doesnt believe solar energy brings a huge financial gain to the city or that it furthers economic development interests in that area of the city. But, he continued, I happen to have a personal belief that individual landowners have a right to utilize their property within reason the way they want to. Vitale described herself as an advocate for renewable energy and that the industry provides an alternative to farmers who no longer wish or are no longer able to farm their land. Often farmers are left with few options to sustain their living or ability to retire, Vitale said. Two of the farmers who own chunks of land as part of the project shed light on the challenges facing them today and how appealing the NextEra site is. Some of the families have owned land in the area of the project for generations. They described how expensive its become to farm land, including to buy and maintain equipment. We all in our leases never have made a profit, said Martin Wright, who leases his familys 100-acre chunk of land to someone else to farm. Thats all a farmer can do is take in enough ... to keep your taxes paid, your insurance and make a living and not lose your farm. NextEra comes walking in and gave us this opportunity. For the first time in 51 years that I know of that we have been leasing ... we can see a light where we can lock in our farm for 35 years, we know it will be secure and we will actually make a profit. VIRGINIA BEACH Cayla Harpers two jobs require her to keep her cool. She interacts with the public, helping people in distress, even saving lives as she splits her summer weeks between working as a firefighter/medic and a lifeguard supervisor. But theres one thing that really bothers her: Owners bringing their dogs to the beach when the sand is hot. It sends me through the roof, she said. Harper, 30, is on a mission to inform beachgoers that the sand can reach scorching temperatures and will burn pets paw pads. She loves dogs and takes her black German Shepherd to the North End on cool evenings. And while water rescue is her main focus when she patrols the beach on an all-terrain vehicle, she carries a infrared thermometer to measure the sands temperature. On a recent sunny afternoon, it was 145 degrees. Animals are prohibited on the resort area beach from 1st to 42nd streets from the Friday before Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. Bringing a pet there can result in a fine up to $250. Leashed dogs are allowed on the Boardwalk from 6 to 10 a.m., and on other city beaches before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. COVID-19 exposed deep divisions within our country: between rich and poor, urban and rural, Democrat and Republican, and among those who have broadband internet and those who do not. There are a number of reasons why people dont have broadband. For some it is cost prohibitive while others have not had the opportunity to learn how to use online technology. For many rural Americans, however, the problem is one of access. The United States has some of the best broadband in the world, with better coverage and with prices that have decreased over the last five years even as service speed and quality have gone up. Even still, one quarter of rural Americans do not have access to the broadband infrastructure that would bring them online. In other words, these rural households cant get online even if they want to. As a recent candidate for state senate, I experienced firsthand the lack of internet access while on the campaign trail in the rural counties of the 38th District. As a health care professional in Radford and Blacksburg, I work with patients who cannot take advantage of Telehealth appointments, let alone employment and educational opportunities. Evidence presented to the court showed that since at least July 2014, the defendants operated illegal gambling houses throughout Florence and Williamsburg. The gambling organization allowed individuals to play illegal gambling machines, collected monies from those individuals playing, and payed out winnings to those individuals. Approximately $1 million in cash was deposited into the accounts of at least two members of the gambling organization. The evidence showed that Fuleihan was essential to the ability of the gambling operation to operate. Fuleihan used his position as a senior officer with the Florence County Sheriffs Office to uncover details about the joint federal and state investigation into the illegal gambling operation, which included calling SLED officials and requesting to be informed about any upcoming operations related to gambling enforcement. Fuleihan would share this information with members of the illegal gambling operation, and the members would use it to evade law enforcement operations and to destroy potentially relevant evidence. Fuleihan was recorded on several calls with at least one member of the gambling operation discussing pending federal search warrants, potential wiretaps, and law enforcement raids. At least one member of the illegal gambling operation explained how Fuleihan would sell previously seized gambling machines back to members of the illegal gambling operation. FLORENCE, S.C. Even the city of Florence isnt immune from a lack of employees. The city issued an apology to residential yard waste customers Thursday morning for delays in service it says have been caused by a lack of sanitation workers. When the citys sanitation department is fully staffed, it runs five trucks for garbage collection and two for yard waste. However, the number of vacancies in the department has forced the city to stop one yard waste truck and use that crew for garbage collection. This has resulted in delays for customers. The city sanitation department has been working with the citys human resources department to resolve the shortage of employees. So far, the city has held a hiring event, increased advertising for the positions and worked with temporary agencies to resolve the shortage. The next hiring event is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, July 9, in the city council chambers of the City Center at 324 W. Evans St. Cadet Programs is the Civil Air Patrol mission that involves the most time and effort of Florence Squadron members. Area youth can join at age 12 through 18 and can remain cadets to age 21. All cadets learn military customs and courtesies, such as uniform wear, proper salute courtesy, drill and color guard practices and more. While there are many places to learn information about leadership, the Civil Air Patrol squadron is an ideal place for youths to actually have a chance to practice leadership and to develop their future leadership potential. As cadets move up in grade and training, they are assigned to lead other cadets in squadron exercises. There is always a senior member presence, but cadets have space to grow, sometimes fail but then bounce back and become the kind of effective leaders that our communities need. United Way of Florence County is making this youth development work possible, helping with uniform costs, supplies and equipment, training event travel costs and the other expenses of running a squadron. Capt. Proell and the other senior members of Florence Composite Squadron are grateful for that support so that they can continue to serve our community, state and nation. Tom Rountree, Capt, CAP, is the director of logistics, South Carolina Wing, and the deputy commander of the Florence Composite Squadron. After that last comment, when House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel, a Democrat from New York, accused her of a vile anti-Semitic slur, Omar was unrepentant. I should not be expected to have allegiance/pledge support to a foreign country in order to serve my country in Congress or serve on committee, she replied, doubling down on her dual-loyalty calumny. So, her most recent invective was not an isolated comment that needed clarification. It was the latest in a long string of antisemitic diatribes that have disgraced the House Democratic caucus. Yet despite this history, not only has Pelosi tolerated Omars abhorrent behavior; she also appointed Omar to the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which helps determine U.S. policy on the Middle East. And this year Pelosi elevated Omar to serve as vice chair of the subcommittee on Africa. A person who compares America and Israel to the Taliban and Hamas has no business serving on that panel. Massive new RAND report provides "Statistical Analysis of Presidential Pardons" | Main | Notable recent commentary on links between lead exposure and crime rates The title of this post is the title of this recent notable Atlantic piece by Darcy Covert that is summarized via its subheadline: "Well-intentioned reformers cant fix the criminal legal system. They have to start relinquishing power." I recommend the piece in full, and here are some excerpts (links from the original): [P]rogressive prosecutors approach wont bring about meaningful change. The progressive-prosecutor movement acknowledges (as research has shown) that prosecutors breathtaking power is a major source of Americas criminal-justice problems. It asks its adherents to use that power for good, and trusts them to do so. But true reform wont come from using that power for good; instead, prosecutors will need to have less of it in the first place. It is unrealistic to expect that even reform-minded prosecutors (or anyone, for that matter) can and will dispense justice when they have virtually boundless power and almost unlimited discretion to use it against criminal defendants. To transform the criminal legal system, prosecutors must stop resisting and indeed start supporting efforts by courts and legislatures to reduce their power.... Declining to prosecute minor offenses wont end mass incarceration, when most individuals in prison are there for violent crimes. Diversion programs, which offer treatment only to those willing to comply with onerous supervision requirements and face jail time if they slip up, wont keep large portions of people affected by mental illness, addiction, and poverty out of the criminal legal system. Studies show that because of their position in this adversarial system prosecutors are often unable to evaluate cases with the neutrality needed to systematically identify the innocent and decide how much punishment is necessary for the guilty. Nor will gathering and publishing data address the disproportionate representation of people of color in the criminal legal system, because transparency is not a cure for the disparities that data show. Here is a better prescription: If you are a prosecutor committed to transforming the criminal legal system, support the reallocation of power away from your office by your office, and by the legislature and courts. Expand the consideration of who should not face criminal punishment beyond those who commit only very low-level offenses. For example, recognize that even more serious crime is driven by peoples circumstances, including mental illness and trauma, and support treatment rather than jail time for those cases. Advocate for the reallocation of funds from your offices budget to social services that keep people out of the criminal legal system entirely, and to the indigent defense system that advocates on behalf of those who are prosecuted. A first step would be to push for budget increases for the public defenders who represent more than 80 percent of those charged with crimes in criminal courts. They labor under crushing caseloads that often prevent them from being able to ensure that their clients are not wrongfully convicted or punished overly severely. Lobby for more external limits on prosecutorial power, such as the elimination of mandatory minimum sentences and other laws that enable coercive plea bargaining. Advocate for stronger equal-protection rights for defendants of color, including for state courts to recognize greater protections against racist jury selection and pretextual traffic stops, in which police use a minor traffic violation as a pretext to stop and search someone. Beijings new top diplomat in Hong Kong, who called the battle against foreign forces his top priority after taking the job last month, has doubled down on that message, saying those seeking to curb Chinas growth or undermine its dignity are doomed to fail. In his first public appearance as commissioner of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong, Liu Guangyuan on Wednesday said last weeks passing of an anti-sanctions law by Chinas top legislative body reflected a pressing need to fight back against hegemonism and power politics and to safeguard national sovereignty and security. Here is our solemn message to the small handful of anti-China forces: the dignity and legitimate rights of the Chinese people are not to be undermined. The historical trend towards the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation under the CPC [Communist Party of China] leadership is not to be stopped, he said on Wednesday. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. Any attempt, open or underhanded, to interfere in Chinas internal affairs and curb Chinas development is doomed to fail. Liu Guangyuans words of warning to foreign forces on Wednesday were delivered at a forum celebrating the upcoming 100th anniversary of the Communist Party. Photo: K. Y. Cheng Lius message was delivered at an international symposium celebrating the coming 100th anniversary of the Communist Party. Co-organised by Beijings liaison office in Hong Kong and the state-owned Bauhinia Culture Holdings, the forum was attended by more than 100 guests from the citys political and business sectors, as well as by local and overseas academics who joined via video link. Earlier this month, Liu said he would work with Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor to safeguard Chinas sovereignty and security and to oppose external interference, during a 40-minute meeting with the citys leader at Government House. Chinas top legislative body imposed a sweeping national security law on Hong Kong last June, then followed it with a radical shake-up of the citys electoral system earlier this year intended to ensure that patriots would dominate the legislature and other key political institutions. Story continues Liu on Wednesday said those two decisions had delivered a major transformation from chaos to stability in Hong Kong. One country, two systems has entered another stage of enduring success, he said, referring to the governing principle in the city. Chief Executive Carrie Lam used her speech on Wednesday to urge Hongkongers to embrace patriotism, national pride and hard work. Photo: K. Y. Cheng At this historical juncture, the commissioners office will stay true to our founding mission as we forge ahead. We will more vigorously oppose external interference, serve the [citys] development and put people at the centre, and join hands with the Hong Kong community to take diplomatic work related to Hong Kong to new heights. Liaison office deputy director Tan Tieniu, speaking at the same forum, said the security law and electoral overhaul had helped protect the citys constitutional order, prosperity and stability. In her own speech, Lam said that even though Hong Kong had faced unprecedented challenges since the 2019 social unrest, the central government and Communist Party had stayed true to the original intent of one country, two systems. Now that Hong Kong has been put back on its right course under the partys declared institutional strength of one country, two systems, we should make our contribution to the Chinese dream by embracing patriotism, national pride, team spirit and hard work and putting the peoples interest first, she added. More from South China Morning Post: This article Beijings top diplomat in Hong Kong doubles down on warnings to foreign forces in first public appearance first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2021. Commuters crowd around a cab looking for a ride, during lockdown relaxation hours in Kolkata, India, Wednesday, June 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Bikas Das) The possible third Covid-19 wave is unlikely to affect children much, a study by the World Health Organisation and AIIMS has revealed, news agency ANI reported. A single day rise of 67,208 new coronavirus infections were recorded taking India's total tally of COVID-19 cases to 2,97,00,313, while the active cases declined to 8,26,740, the lowest after 71 days. The COVID-19 death toll climbed to 3,81,903 with 2,330 fresh fatalities, according to the Union Health Ministry on Thursday. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said rebuilding India will begin once PM Modi acknowledges his mistakes and seeks help from experts as living in denial will not solve anything. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. A net decline of 38,692 cases has been recorded in the COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday alleged the government was busy saving the prime minister's image while COVID-19 took its toll on the people of the country, drawing a sharp retort from Health Minister Harsh Vardhan who accused him of making 'mythical claims' and politicising the issue. Congress has been alleging that there is a vaccine shortage in the country and that the current rate of vaccination is very slow. The highly virulent 'Delta plus' variant of the novel coronavirus could stoke the third wave in Maharashtra, according to a presentation made at a meeting attended by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday. The meeting was held to take stock of preparations to tackle a possible third wave of COVID-19 even as Maharashtra, the state worst hit by the pandemic, emerges out of a devastating second wave of the infection. The presentation made by the health department at the meet portrayed possible scenarios in case a fresh wave of infection hits Maharashtra. The health department said there were 19 lakh cases in the first wave (post-March 2020 outbreak), while in the second wave (which started around mid-February 2021) so far, more than 40 lakh infections had been registered in Maharashtra. Story continues RELATED READS: Researchers now know why so little methane reaches the sea surface. (Getty) Microbes in the ocean are helping to keep our planet's temperature stable by preventing greenhouse gas methane from bubbling out of the sea, research has shown. Scientists still don't fully understand how the microbes consume methane so quickly. Methane's warming effect is up to 30 times as powerful as carbon dioxide. In recent years, researchers have found more and more methane beneath the seafloor, yet very little ever leaves the oceans and gets into the atmosphere. Now researchers know why. Read more: Melting snow in Himalayas drives growth of green sea slime visible from space Harvard University scientists found that the methane is being consumed rapidly by communities of microbes, preventing it from escaping. Peter Girguis, professor of organismic and evolutionary biology at Harvard, said: "The microbes in these carbonate rocks are acting like a methane bio filter consuming it all before it leaves the ocean." Seafloor carbonate rocks are common, and in some places they form unusual chimney-like structures. These chimneys reach 12 to 60 inches in height and are found in groups along the seafloor resembling a stand of trees. Unlike many other types of rocks, these carbonate rocks are porous, creating channels that are home to a very dense community of methane-consuming microbes. Watch: How Systemic Racism Affects the Trees in Your Neighborhood Read more: A 1988 warning about climate change was mostly right During a 2015 expedition funded by the Ocean Exploration Trust, Girguis discovered a carbonate chimney reef off the coast of southern California at the deep sea site Point Dume. Girguis returned in 2017 with funding from Nasa to build a seafloor observatory. He said: "We measured the rate at which the microbes from the carbonates eat methane compared to microbes in sediment. "We discovered the microbes living in the carbonates consume methane 50 times faster than microbes in the sediment. We often see that some sediment microbes from methane-rich mud volcanoes, for example, may be five to 10 times faster at eating methane, but 50 times faster is a whole new thing. Story continues "Moreover, these rates are among the highest, if not the highest, we've measured anywhere. "These rates of methane oxidation, or consumption, are really extraordinary, and we set out to understand why." Read more: Why economists worry that reversing climate change is hopeless The team found that the carbonate chimney set up an ideal home for the microbes to eat a lot of methane really fast. Researcher Jeffrey J. Marlow said: "These chimneys exist because some methane in fluid flowing out from the subsurface is transformed by the microbes into bicarbonate, which can then precipitate out of the seawater as carbonate rock. "We're still trying to figure out where that fluid and its methane is coming from." One find was that, in some cases, these microbes were surrounded by pyrite, which is electrically conductive. One possible explanation for the high rates of methane consumption is that the pyrite provides an electrical conduit that passes electrons back and forth, allowing the microbes to have higher metabolic rates and consume methane quickly. Marlow said: "When microbes work together they're either exchanging building blocks like carbon or nitrogen, or they're exchanging energy. And one kind of way to do that is through electrons, like an energy currency. The pyrite interspersed throughout these carbonate rocks could help that electron exchange happen more swiftly and broadly." Watch: Penguin cam captures a bird's eye view Photo credit: Patrick Cline Jeanine Hays is an author, designer, and the cofounderwith her husband, Bryan Masonof the Brooklyn-based lifestyle and design brand AphroChic. Here, she dives into a common design accent with a storied past: Juju hats. Youve seen them dozens of times: lush, feathered pieces in bright jewel tones or layers of creamy neutrals. Chances are, youve spotted them hanging on the walls of homes in the pages of a magazine, in your Pinterest feed, or on your favorite designers Instagram page. If youve ever wondered what they are or where theyre from, these gorgeous feathery pieces hail from the Bamileke people of Cameroon and are known as juju hats, or tyn. Beautifully handcrafted, juju hats have a long history to them. Though they're beloved by designers for the way they can transform any room, its important to note that juju hats are so much more than wall decor. They represent centuries of deep ceremonial tradition that survived waves of German, French, and British colonization to find new life as one of todays trendiest pieces in home decor. But thats just the tip of the iceberg. First things first: Juju hats are, in fact, hats. A thick mix of colorful feathers, handwoven with raffia and backed with cedar wood, each hat unfolds into a wearable piece intended for ceremonial occasions. The Bamileke first arrived in the Cameroon during the 11th century. Over time, the culture expanded into numerous kingdoms supporting dozens of dialects as well as diverse religious and cultural beliefs. The Bamileke are especially known for their beadwork, showcased most stunningly at masquerades, where tyn originated and where they are still used to this day. Photo credit: Patrick Cline Second fact: In Bamileke culture, juju hats are reserved for royalty. Like most Bamileke art, juju hats are created specifically for use at royal festivals. Every Bamileke polity is headed by a chief or king. The king is attended by a committee known as the mkem or the assembly of holders of hereditary rights. Each member of this council is known to have brought wealth and distinction to his state and each acts as the head of a particular society tasked with certain duties within the kingdom. Such responsibilities may be military, economic, legal or otherwise. Story continues Every two years, the mkem hold special meetings at which the wealth of the king is displayed. At these ceremonies the members of the mkem and their followers don masks appropriate to their societies. The most venerated of these, the elephant and leopard masks, are reserved only for the king and for the members of the Kuosi and the Kemdje, both warrior societies. It is with these masks that tyn or juju hats are most commonly seen, though occasionally they are also worn alone. Want to score amazing deals on home decor? Stick with uswell give you all of our secrets. Photo credit: Joshua Komer Fact number three: Juju hats are stunning works of art. Each one is made by hand and can take an artisan weeks to complete. As works of art that have special cultural significance and meaning, its important to display them as such. Tyn should be placed on the wall in a respectful manner. They should not be relegated to a bathroom, folded, or placed on the floor. If you have a traditional art collection, consider placing your hat in a shadow box, with a placard offering information about the piece and its origins. Juju hats can also be displayed on stands. A more modern showcase of these pieces can place several hats together in a variety of sizes and colors to highlight the variety. As with any work of art, youll want to make sure that your juju hat is authentic. While there are a lot of DIY juju hat kits out there and many appropriating these distinct cultural pieces, its important to support the artisans who have been making them for generations, and who are keeping the tradition alive. You can find authentic hats in some of our favorite marketplaces below: Follow House Beautiful on Instagram. You Might Also Like WASHINGTON (AP) The White House said Monday it views the Senate's work on an elections bill overhaul and changes being offered by Sen. Joe Manchin as a step forward," even though the Democrats' priority legislation is expected to be blocked by a Republican filibuster. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} After a change in court scheduling, Neary was appointed to preside over the trial on March 2, less than a month before the trial began. Neary followed Tott's order on jury selection. Neither side objected to the lesser number of strikes at trial. Sioux County Attorney Thomas Kunstle, in arguing against a new trial, said the defense failed to "preserve error" in the case by not raising an objection during jury selection and it was now too late. Winterfeld's attorney, Brendan Kelly, said the error warranted a new trial. Neary said in his 17-page ruling that none of the cases attorneys cited were "directly on point" with Winterfeld's situation but in order for justice to be served properly, Winterfeld should receive a new trial. Neary further ruled that Winterfeld will stand trial for second-degree murder, rather than first-degree murder, because he was found guilty of the lesser charge. A new trial date has yet to be set. OROVILLE, Calif. (AP) Each year Lake Oroville helps water a quarter of the nations crops, sustain endangered salmon beneath its massive earthen dam and anchor the tourism economy of a Northern California county that must rebuild seemingly every year after unrelenting wildfires. WASHINGTON (AP) The Biden administration has sued to block the merger of two of the world's largest insurance brokers, asserting the deal could eliminate competition, raise prices and hamper innovation for U.S. businesses, employers and unions that use the companies' services. The Justice Department on Wednesday announced the antitrust suit filed in federal court in Washington seeking to stop AONs proposed $30 billion acquisition of rival benefits and risk consultant Willis Towers Watson. Justice Department officials said the proposed merger would bring together two of the Big Three" global insurance brokers the third is Marsh McLennan and eliminate competition in five markets. They are property, casualty and financial risk, health benefits, actuarial services for certain pension plans, retiree insurance exchanges and reinsurance. The companies provide guidance to many major U.S. companies on administering health and retirement benefits, with the aim of keeping costs down by managing risk. From the tone of their joint statement Wednesday, the companies appeared inclined to contest the government's case. They said the Justice Department's action reflects a lack of understanding of our business, the clients we serve and the marketplaces in which we operate." Last week, the U.S. said it would purchase 1.7 million doses of an experimental antiviral pill from Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, if it is shown to be safe and effective. Results from a large study of the drug, molnupiravir, are expected this fall. Early research suggests the drug may reduce the risk of hospitalization if used shortly after infection by stopping the coronavirus from quickly reproducing. It did not benefit patients who were already hospitalized with severe disease. Several other companies, including Pfizer, Roche and AstraZeneca, are also testing antiviral pills. The currently available drugs have mostly been shown to help patients avoid hospitalization or shorten their recovery time by several days. Under President Donald Trump, the U.S. poured more than $19 billion into rapidly developing multiple vaccines. But less than half that amount went toward developing new treatments. That shortfall has become increasingly concerning as the vaccination campaign slows and experts emphasize the need to manage the disease in millions of Americans who may never get the shots. Until this week, the only medicines shown to boost survival were steroids given to patients sick enough to need extra oxygen and intensive care. But on Wednesday, U.K. researchers reported that one of the antibody combinations successfully reduced deaths in a large study of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. In Tennessee and North Carolina, demand for the COVID-19 vaccine has slowed down so much that they have given millions of doses back to the federal government, even though less than half of their total populations are vaccinated. Hornback said the criticism showed Massies lack of knowledge about his efforts to support Kentucky agriculture and his conservative voting record in the Kentucky Senate. It reflected everything thats wrong with social media, the state lawmaker said. Because you can go on there just like he did, and say anything you want to say, never have to face the person," Hornback said. "And thats what starts a lot of trouble. Last year, Hornback endorsed Massie's GOP primary opponent, Todd McMurtry. Massie won the primary in a rout on his way to reelection. Hornback's district overlaps with Massie's. Hornback, who describes himself as a strong gun-rights supporter, has promoted legislation meant to temporarily keep guns away from people deemed as threats to themselves or others. Its not about taking peoples guns away," Hornback said Wednesday. "Its about, we have a problem with gun violence. And thats more evident than ever right now because of all the mass shootings. Thats a societal problem. And if we as leaders all over the nation, if we dont discuss it and talk about it, then we never get anything accomplished. Republican sponsors of bills have tried to avoid the national allegations during debate, arguing instead that Democrats actually voted Wednesday against bills that would expand voting access and trust. Trump narrowly won North Carolina's electoral votes last fall amid an election with record turnout and few voting problems. This bill is not about a national narrative, Daniel said. But GOP legislators remain angry about a legal settlement reached between the Democratic-controlled State Board of Elections and a union-affiliated group that extended the grace period for mail-in ballots to nine days for 2020 only due to the pandemic and postal delays. Daniel said the absentee ballot bill sends a message to Attorney General Josh Stein, a Democrat whose office was involved in the settlement. Democrats said Republicans want to get rid of the grace period all together because Democrats turned in twice as many absentee ballots than Republicans in the 2020 general elections during the coronavirus pandemic. Republicans traditionally have used the method most. "So now that lots of Democrats use mail-in ballots, theyre a problem? asked Sen. Natasha Marcus, a Mecklenburg County Democrat. Thats not a good reason or a fair reason to change election law and throw out ballots. The exercise equipment and media company is giving employees a paid day off to celebrate Jun Its already killed at least one person and sent 114 into quarantine. The embassy says in a notice to employees that most group activities, including work meetings and recreational gatherings, are banned. The restrictions will remain in place until the chain of transmission is broken. Violators will be removed from the country on the next available flight. HONG KONG Coronavirus vaccine incentives offered by Hong Kong companies, including a lucky draw for an apartment, a Tesla car and even gold bars, are helping boost the citys sluggish inoculation rate. The city of 7.5 million, which hasnt experienced a major outbreak, is battling vaccine hesitancy driven by multiple factors, including fears of serious side effects, a mistrust of the government and a lack of concern from residents. There have been fewer than 12,000 coronavirus cases since the beginning of the pandemic. Just 16% of people in Hong Kong have been fully vaccinated. But since the first incentives were announced at the end of May, there has been a surge in bookings. Nearly 600,000 of the 3 million shots given since February came in the last two weeks. Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley said he will vote against President Joe Biden's pick to be an assistant administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over recent actions by the Biden administration related to clean water rules and biofuels. The Senate on Wednesday was scheduled to vote on the confirmation of Radhika Fox, of California, to oversee the EPAs Office of Water, which is responsible for enforcing federal clean water and safe drinking water laws. Grassley, in a weekly conference call with Iowa reporters, claimed Fox was evasive with members of a Senate committee during her confirmation hearing over questions about the Biden administration's efforts seeking to expand clean water protections to smaller U.S. waterways like streams, ditches and wetlands that feed into bigger bodies of water. The move would reverse a rule enacted under former President Donald Trump's administration limiting the waterways that can receive federal protection. The Texas law takes effect Sept. 1 and Abbott signed the bill over the objections of law enforcement groups who say the change will endanger the public and police. Its backed by gun rights groups including the National Rifle Association, who argue it will allow Texans to better defend themselves and remove hurdles to the constitutional right to bear arms. The NRA has called it the most significant gun rights measure in the states history. In this increasingly dangerous world, people want to be able to protect themselves," said NRA leader Wayne LaPierre, who attended the Texas bill signing. "Thank God Texas is leading the way for the country in making that possible. Texas home to more than 29 million people is by far the most populous of the approximately 20 states that allow people to carry a gun in public without a permit. Most of those have rolled back requirements in the last four years, according to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. Bulgarias stance regarding North Macedonia was backed by all the country's political parties in parliament, and the current interim government has no authority to change it. But it can prepare possible legislative changes to be approved by the new parliament, to be elected after snap polls on July 11. Bulgaria wants its Balkan neighbor to formally recognize that its language has Bulgarian roots, and to stamp out allegedly anti-Bulgarian rhetoric. Skopje says its identity and language are not open to discussion. A commission of historians from both countries has been set up to resolve the standoff, but so far has failed to reach common ground. Yanev added a new twist to the dispute on Thursday by saying that while historians have an important place and responsibilities in the work of this commission, it is after all the responsibility of politicians. Bulgaria, which joined the EU in 2007, has been an active supporter of letting North Macedonia and another five Western Balkan countries into the 27-nation bloc, which could help improve living standards and insulate the region from the influence of Russia and China. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 WARSAW, Poland (AP) The presidents of Germany and Poland met in Warsaw Thursday to celebrate the 30th anniversary of a key treaty between the two neighbors, focusing on the positive aspects of a sometimes wobbly relationship. Unions have objected to mandatory vaccinations, in part because it treats those workers differently than the general population. The GMB union said the government should focus on persuading workers to get vaccinated rather than imposing mandates that might alienate staff members. According to the union, more than a third of care home workers have indicated they would consider leaving their jobs if they were forced to be vaccinated. The GMB called on Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservative government to improve pay and working conditions for care home employees and to bring mobile vaccination clinics to care homes to make it easier for them to receive shots. Instead, ministers are ploughing ahead with plans to strong-arm care workers into taking the vaccine without taking seriously the massive blocks these workers still face in getting jabbed, GMB national officer Rachel Harrison said. Some 84% of staff in care homes for older adults in England have had at least one dose of vaccine, and almost 69% have had both shots, according to NHS data. But vaccination rates vary across the country. In the borough of Hackney in east London, just 67% of care home workers have had their first dose and 59% have gotten two shots. The Supreme Court has dismissed a challenge to the Obama era health care law, preserving insurance coverage for millions of Americans. Now the airlines are making up for lost time by seizing on consumer appetites for leisure trips, primarily for domestic flights and popular Caribbean and Latin American beach destinations. Canada and most of Europe remain largely off limits to leisure travelers, with lengthly mandatory quarantine protocols for inbound visitors. Industry executives see a recovery in Asian travel as even further behind. To adjust, airlines are shifting some of their largest twin-aisle aircraft to domestic routes that were served largely by smaller planes before the pandemic. The three largest U.S. airlines have increased wide-body flights in the U.S. by 30% this year through August, with numbers peaking in June and July, from 2019 levels, according to data from Cirium. American Airlines Group Inc., for example, is using big Boeing Co. 777 jets on flights connecting Miami with Los Angeles and New Yorks John F. Kennedy International Airport. Theres still a ways to go before pricing fully catches up with the levels of 2019, a record year for air travel. Domestic leisure fares so far this quarter are roughly 18% below the same period two years ago, according to data compiled for Bloomberg News by Menlo Park, California-based TripActions. Car fire leads to OWI for teenager A South Sioux City teenager faces an operating while intoxicated charge after a sheriff's deputy in Plymouth County noticed the teenager's vehicle was on fire. On June 11, a Plymouth County Sheriff's deputy was traveling southbound on Highway 75 toward Merrill, Iowa, "when he noticed a vehicle traveling northbound on Hwy 75 to be on fire," according to a press release from the Plymouth County Sheriff's Office. The vehicle stopped at the intersection of Highway 75 and Kern Drive, and the driver, a 16-year-old male from South Sioux City, was removed from the vehicle. The vehicle was soon fully engulfed in flames, and fire crews from Le Mars and Merrill were dispatched to help extinguish it. The 16-year-old, who has not been identified, was found to be under the influence of alcohol. He faces a first-offense OWI charge and was released to a legal guardian. 'Take me to jail' A Sioux City woman was charged with mischief after causing problems at a downtown construction area in the middle of the night. Care and Feeding is Slates parenting advice column. In addition to our traditional advice, every Thursday we feature an assortment of teachers from across the country answering your education questions. Have a question for our teachers? Email askateacher@slate.com or post it in the Slate Parenting Facebook group. Weve been pretty lucky during the pandemic. My two kids have two involved parents, both with flexible enough jobs to participate in remote learning. We are a house that reads A LOT, we get outdoors to ask questions about nature, we play lots of board games, and we have a wide array of discussions. Learning is happening here. Here is the but: My daughter is in the second grade in a dual language Spanish program, and we only speak English at home. Weve done our best to get her through her schoolwork in Spanish but the lack of conversation is very obvious in her grammar and vocabulary in Spanish. When we started her in this program they went out of their way to say how it works perfectly fine even if parents dont speak the new language because the kids get immersed in school. Well, nobody factored in a year and a half of remote learning. She is woefully behind in her language acquisition, and it seems like the dual language is the lowest priority for the school to address. Despite asking at multiple levels, we havent heard anything about plans to change the approach because of the unique situation. Do we cut bait and put her on the English track? Stay in dual language and hope that they figure out how to correct for pandemic setbacks? Turn her summer into a Spanish bootcamp to try to get her up to speed? Thanks for any input. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Un Padre Confundido Dear Padre, I think the important thing to remember here is that everyone in this language immersion program is dealing with the same challenges as your family, so its not as if your daughter will be returning to school woefully behind her peers. The program itself will undoubtedly be behind in terms of the material typically taught and expected levels of mastery, but that doesnt strike me as a reason to abandon the program. Most children in America and around the world are going to be behind in one way or another because of the pandemic. As teachers, we will be spending years working hard to ensure that this generation of children makes up for lost time. Advertisement I suspect that you arent getting many details about the plans moving forward because teachers and administrators are still trying to determine what modifications will be necessary, but as long as your daughter isnt the only student who has suffered a setback due to remote learning, I would keep her in the program. Mr. Dicks (fifth grade teacher, Connecticut) Slate needs your support right now. Sign up for Slate Plus to keep reading the advice you crave every week. Are there reading milestones that should be reached by a certain age? My rising second grader can pronounce the correct syllables on the page, but theres no comprehension. Even three word sentences in Bob books are rarely more than strings of sounds. Is there a chart of typical development versus what might indicate a child needs additional help? Advertisement Miles from Milestones Dear Miles, There are many assessments that teachers use to determine if a child is on grade level and meeting grade-level expectations. The Developmental Reading Assessment, for example, is a widely used assessment that yields a score aligned to grade level for both reading fluency and comprehension. Most often these assessments are used by teachers to identify areas of a specific need and guide instruction, but they can also be used to help determine if a student is in need of more intense intervention or should be tested to determine if the child has some kind of a barrier to learning. I would ask your childs teacher about the results of your childs most recent reading assessment and specifically about their comprehension scores. They should be able to tell you if your child is meeting grade level expectations, and if not, what interventions are in place to assist your child. They can also give you some tips for what you can be doing at home to support that instruction. Advertisement Advertisement Mr. Dicks (fifth grade teacher, Connecticut) How can we influence our district to serve healthier foods for lunch, and also eliminate wasteful practices like disposable styrofoam trays? Waste Not, Want Not Dear Waste Not, Thank you so much for asking this, because we dont talk enough about the shameful duality of food waste and food scarcity especially in schools. The sad truth is that for many districts food supply chains are decades old and are largely developed to provide the cheapest most calorie-rich foods for our children, which often is also the least healthy. Furthermore, when the food we serve our children is unappetizing, meals go uneaten, and resources go to waste. From a practical standpoint the answer seems clearif you serve more fresh and flavorful food, less of it goes to waste. However, from a policy standpoint, that becomes increasingly difficult depending on your districts geographical location and resources. Advertisement So what can you do? I believe my home district of Seattle Public Schools is really moving the needle on this work. Our Nutrition Services Director Aaron Smith has revamped and revitalized what school lunch is and can be. When he arrived, he conducted focus groups to reimagine our menu and provide culturally responsive options. Over his tenure our school lunches have gone from chicken nuggets and fries to including items like veggie gyoza and southern barbeque brisket. So, I believe it can be done, but you must organize. Im sure there are other parents in your community that feel similarly. You could start by assembling a group and drafting a letter to the superintendent. Be persistent, have members of your group go around to various PTSA meetings to build support. You could also engage local farmers to potentially support restructuring the supply chain to source locally grown food. Long story shortclosed mouths dont get fed. Advertisement Mr. Hersey (second grade teacher, Washington) My 8-year-old son is bilingual and goes to a Montessori school in the Netherlands. We recently had him son evaluated for possible autism or ADHD, because he has a unique way of looking at the world, has a fairly skewed skill set, and didnt seem to be thriving in school. While he is exceptionally good at math, he struggles with reading and writing (and also really dislikes it). Today they told us our son is a visual-spatial learner, which is a diagnosis that doesnt seem to be paired with a lot of obvious resources. Im feeling a bit overwhelmed and unsure of what I should take as my next steps. Do you have any recommendations for how I should proceed with this information? Advertisement Overwhelmed Mom Dear Overwhelmed, Visual-spatial learner is a description of a learner, not a diagnosis. As such, its not an objective term that can easily be aligned with particular resources. It means exactly as it soundsthat your child learns best by seeing things laid out in front of him. Heres an example of how that translates to learning: If your son is learning to compare fractions, it would mean rather than explain the concept verbally, a teacher should take out fraction tiles and line them up to determine which fraction is bigger. He needs to see ithe isnt able to work in the abstract yet. Thats okay. Lots of adults are visual thinkers or visual learners, and need to write or sketch things out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont know how to special education process works in the Netherlands, but you should definitely follow up with whoever did the evaluation. Most formal evaluations we use in the U.S. are done using at least a few standard tests that will determine how well your child performs skills compared to same-age peers. Then, when we are done with our tests and our observations, we write a report for parents (and for the Committee on Special Education) that documents all the results: This test assessed the childs ability to do such-and-such, and the child performed that skill in the slightly below average range etc. If the evaluation was informal, then you may just have a meeting where the evaluator gives a verbal summary, and suggests next steps. Advertisement On top of that, if you had the evaluation done privately (that is, not through the school system), I would suggest you contact the school. His school may have supports, such as an RTI (response to intervention) system in place to address students who are struggling to learn in the typical classroom environment. If the school does not offer a program to support him, I would look for a different school. Montessori schools can be great for visual-spatial learners, but they are not right for every student. He may need a more structured, systematic way of learning reading and writing, as opposed to the more exploratory models used in a Montessori system. The benefit to a special ed/RTI approach would be that targeted, systematic model of education, and if you are struggling to find those resources within your school, a different school might be an easy solution. Advertisement Advertisement Good luck. Once youve gathered more information from the test administrator, and contacted your sons school, they both should be able to provide you with some additional resources. Ms. Sarnell (early childhood special education teacher, New York) More Advice From Slate My daughter is in first grade and has struggled with learning to read. She has made slow but steady progress under the guidance of a fantastic teacher this year. However, given the onset of remote learning, which is likely to continue until the end of our school year, I am growing very concerned about her being so behind at the beginning of second grade that it will be impossible to be even close to grade level again. I know her teacher is overwhelmed: Can I still bother her teacher to ask about her progress? This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with a worker at Disney World in Florida. It has been transcribed, condensed, and edited for clarity by Sofia Andrade. I work as a driver at Animal Kingdoms Kilimanjaro Safari. I drive this very large truck through the safari for the slow-moving, cast-guided ride. I spiel all day. I actually get paid extra to say animal facts and stuff. And when we still had our mask requirement, that was half my content: Please keep your face covering over your nose and mouth at all times until you get off your truck. Id much rather talk about the animals than about your face coverings, so please keep them on. Advertisement My personal experience is that 99.9 percent of guests are super understanding and get the rules. But I worry. I was working the first day that guests were allowed to take off their masks outside, and being an outside attraction, it was very difficult. Its kind of hard to explain, Yes, I know that youre outside, and I know its hot, but we are still in an attraction, so you still have to wear a mask. Advertisement Advertisement Its just frustrating because its not your call. Theres someone being paid a hell of a lot more than I am to make these decisions, and my job is to enforce it. And I dont mean to ruin your vacationIm just trying to keep you safe. Sometimes, its just too much for the cast members. Were not getting paid enough to babysit. Advertisement With Tuesdays rule change to remove mask requirements everywhere for vaccinated people, Im just glad they gave us more than 12 hours notice. Last time, when they removed the requirement to wear masks outdoors, I found out via Twitter at 11 oclock the night before my shift. When they announced all the indoor stuff, they gave us I think three or four days, so at least I could mentally prepare. And honestly, it was kind of like ripping off a Band-Aid. Most of our signage is gone, our barriers are gone, and we dont have to spiel about it anymore. Im not an anti-masker or anti-vaxxer but the change definitely felt a little performative by Disney. It kind of felt like, OK, well, once the 15th is here, then COVID doesnt exist anymore. Good luck. Especially since the barriers got brought down. Youre telling me that were going to take away the masks, but then also take away social distancing and the barriers and expect it all to be hunky dory? It just doesnt add up. There was a lot of pressure from guests and other theme parks toofor instance, Universal, when they announced that they were going maskless outdoors. Not even three hours later, Disney was like, Surprise! Advertisement Cast members used to have quite a few tools to help us. We had a COVID hotline and vaccination days that you could go get a free vaccine, and things like that were in place to protect us if something were to happen. So that feels kind of weird that they would take that away as theyre loosening restrictions. Cast members still have to wear masks for the most part, except in certain roles. Most face-character performers dont have to wear them anymore. Even at Kilimanjaro, as long as were not at departure or unload, we can have our masks off. Disney does still require all face masks on transportationlike the Skyliner, buses, monorailbut not Kilimanjaro, which is weird to me because its a 25-minute bus ride. Personally, I feel like I could still tell a guest, Hey, do you mind taking a step back from me. I cant tell them to put on their mask if theyre talking to me, unfortunately, but I can say, Youre too close. But you have to do it in the Disney voice. Advertisement It does worry me that theres no proof of vaccination required to go maskless. Because I know that not all guests are fully vaxxed. Theres nothing that I can really do to control that, except just control myself. I worry about the kiddos. Disney never put out a statement about that, and we havent been enforcing it for kids, even though you know theyre not vaccinated because theyre not eligible yet. Its honor code and all that jazz, but at that point, this whole process hasnt been about honor in the first place. Honestly, I feel protected knowing Im vaccinated and knowing Im doing my part as a cast member. I do have people I can go to: I have a union, I have my leaders, I have security if all else fails. At the end of the day, its all on the guests shoulders. They think that theyre entitled to the magic of Disney, but its like, You bought your ticket. The fine print was there. On Tuesday, the Southern Baptist Convention elected its new presidenta high-stakes election that capped a day of tense infighting at the annual conference of the nations largest Protestant denomination. Tensions were high, as a newly powerful group of ultraconservatives was angling to seize control of the SBC. But ultimately the convention rejected the ultraconservative candidate in favor of a more broadly acceptable moderate. Meanwhile, there were a number of other resolutions up for vote that reflect the issues that have been at the heart of the divides within SBCincluding debates over critical race theory, or CRT, and allegations the leadership had mishandled sex abuse claims. Advertisement The SBC has been going through something like an identity crisis this year. Southern Baptists, like most white evangelicals, voted overwhelmingly for Donald Trump, but in the run-up to the 2020 election, critics began to chafe at the frequently conspiracy theoryladen partisan politics within their churches. After last summers racial unrest, many of the denominations Black pastorsactively courted by a convention uncomfortably aware of its overwhelming whiteness and deeply racist historybegan to protest the SBCs unwillingness to recognize the extent of modern-day racism. At the same time, an organized group of Southern Baptists has pushed for a second conservative resurgence to correct what it sees as a loosening of the core Southern Baptist identity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This divide was plain when outgoing SBC president J.D. Greear kicked off the two-day conference with a fiery speech cautioning the SBC that there was a threat even more dangerous than the curse of liberalism: hypocrisy. Greear, a moderate among white Baptists, warned against a convention that polices itself rigorously on complementarian issues but allows female abuse victims to be mistreated and maligned or one that expends more energy decrying things like CRT than they have done lamenting the devastating consequences of years of racial bigotry and discrimination. In this speech, delivered to more than 15,000 assembled Southern Baptists, Greear directly addressed the two major controversies of the convention: the sex abuse scandal and the brouhaha over CRT. For all the talk among pastors of a desire to stick to biblical matters and embrace a spirit of brotherhood, most observers knew that the presidential election came down to these two major issues. Advertisement Almost everyone expected the critical race theory debate to consume the annual meeting, but the meetings organizers were prepared. Critical race theory has been a contentious topic within the SBC for months longer than its more recent turn in the media spotlight. When Donald Trump was nearing the end of his presidency this fall, he launched a sudden attack on the teaching of critical race theory, an academic approach to analyzing the systems that have created and perpetuated racial inequality. As the anti-CRT sentiments quietly percolated in certain circles thanks to the presidents comments, the conservatives of the SBC seized on the issue. In November, well ahead of the Republican Partys current uproar over CRT, the seminary presidents put out a joint statement calling the framework incompatible with the Baptist Faith and Message, the SBCs central doctrinal statement. Critical race theory, they argued, was counter to their faith because the Bible, which evangelicals view as the literal and unerring word of God, should be the only tool for addressing the evils of the world. These comments essentially reversed a previous position the SBC had taken back in 2019, when the convention passed a resolution allowing critical race theory and intersectionality to be used as analytical tools as long as they were second to Scripture. Soon after the statement banning CRT, several prominent Black pastors, dismayed by the sense that their fellow Southern Baptists cared more about waging culture wars against the left than confronting the reality of racism, left the SBC. The convention has been arguing about critical race theory since. Advertisement Advertisement Almost everyone expected the critical race theory debate to consume the annual meeting, but the meetings organizers were prepared. On Tuesday morning, in an effort to limit the debate, a committee bundled a number of the proposed resolutions into a single one apologizing for the SBCs role in perpetuating systemic racism but rejecting any theory or worldview that finds the ultimate identity of human beings in ethnicity or in any other group dynamic, as well as any theory or worldview that sees the primary problem of humanity as anything other than sin against God and the ultimate solution as anything other than redemption found only in Christ. Some disgruntled conservatives argued that the resolution, which passed easily, wasnt enough because it did not explicitly mention critical race theory. Later efforts to explicitly condemn CRT or prohibit any funds from going to institutions that promote CRT were ruled out of order. The Southern Baptists also approved a final vote that amended the SBC rules to codify racism as a reason to boot out a member church. And one Southern Baptist journalist reported that one of the early, popular anti-CRT resolutions was largely backed by just five churchesa sign that the anti-CRT campaign may have been more a product of the committed bloc of conservative pastors than a groundswell of popular support. Advertisement Advertisement The other major issuehow the church handles accusations of sexual violencecomes with its own complications. In the past couple of years, the SBC has been roiled by allegations of sexual abuse among its churches and seminaries. Leaders in the SBCwhich prides itself on being egalitarian and lacking the formal hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church and other institutions that have harbored abusershave been accused of dismissing victims claims and quickly clearing accused pastors without a thorough investigation. A recent report also alleged the SBC neglected to look into allegations against one church staffer who then reportedly went on to abuse children at other churches. In March, Beth Moore, an extremely popular Bible teacher who was by then under attack for speaking publicly to men as well as women (not allowed under SBC standards) and for coming out against Trumpism in the convention, abruptly left the SBC. Moore cited sex abuse allegations, among other issues, as the reason for her departure. Then, shortly after the conference was set to begin, in a leaked letter, Russell Moore (unrelated to Beth), a beleaguered SBC figure who is frequently pushing for reform within the conference, blasted the SBC leadership for its handling of abuse allegations. Advertisement Advertisement Conservatives pressed to investigate the leaking of the letter, as well as the subsequent audio recordings that appeared to corroborate Moores claims. But the Executive Committee of SBC announced it was hiring a firm to investigate its handling of sexual abuse. Abuse victims and critics, led by Rachael Denhollander, the first woman to publicly accuse Larry Nassar of assault, have demanded a broader and more transparent inquiry than even what the Executive Committee promised. Just a day before the meeting was to begin, the Executive Committee had declined this groups proposal to expand the inquiry and transfer its oversight to a separate body. On Tuesday, the convention adopted a resolution stating that any person who has committed sexual abuse is permanently disqualified from holding the office of pastor. A resolution, unlike a more binding motion, is simply an expression of an opinion, and many challengers argued passionately for the idea of repentance and forgiveness. But the vote made the movement suddenly feel like it might have momentum. Advertisement On Wednesday, one pastor made an impassioned case for a separate task force to oversee the investigation. His motion was referred to the Executive Committee, but then, in a dramatic reversal, that referral was itself challenged. The convention passed the original motion overwhelmingly, granting the new SBC president the power to launch a new task force that would then oversee an investigation into 20 years of alleged mishandling of abuse allegations by the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee agreed to work expeditiously to apply todays motion. To many of the abuse survivors, the move meant a validation of their complaints and a real chance at rooting out those who would prioritize the conventions reputation over the safety of its members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SBC has been hemorrhaging members for the past few years, supercharging the factions campaigns. In addition to these other votes, there was still the presidential election. The stakes felt incredibly high: The SBC has been hemorrhaging members for the past few years, supercharging the factions campaigns, as each side sees their direction for the conference as the key to its future. Coming into the meeting, both sides put all of their energy into the SBCs presidential election. Three serious contenders were on the ballot. In 2019, before the pandemic derailed plans for a conference, the clear front-runner had been Albert Mohler, the president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and arguably the most well-known SBC leader. Mohler, who was involved in the original conservative resurgence in the 80s, came to be seen as a middle-of-the-road candidate, even as he railed against CRT, pushed out moderate seminary professors, and famously reversed his previous anti-Trump position and supported the Republican nominee in the 2020 election. But in Tuesdays election, Mohler garnered only 24 percent of the vote, likely because of the lackluster support from hard-line conservatives alienated by his original Trump position. Which meant the two more polarizing candidatesthe ultraconservative and the relative progressivewere left to face off in a runoff. Advertisement Advertisement Mike Stone, the ultraconservative, had been tapped by the recently formed Conservative Baptist Network, an influential coalition of churches committed to fighting liberal drift. CBNs members have complained loudly about critical race theory and zealously defended complementarianism, the standard SBC doctrine that positions women as having a separate role from men and bars them from preaching or even teaching Scripture around men. Stone, a member of their steering council, has argued that talking about systemic racism leads to greater ethnic tension. Stone had some baggage to deal with. Hed emerged as a leading conservative figure because of support from former Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary president Paige Patterson, a powerful SBC figure who has been accused of trying to intimidate and silence an alleged sexual assault victim and who is still considered a major, if somewhat controversial, voice in the convention. (Patterson has also been accused of racism and financial impropriety, but many loyal Southern Baptists dismiss those allegations as false or irrelevant.) To some critics, a Stone victory would have also been a Patterson victory, and a validation of the latters continued dominance in the convention. Some prominent Black pastors also warned that if Stone were elected, they would leave the SBC in protest because of his uncompromising views on racism. Advertisement Advertisement But by a narrow margin, voters instead chose Ed Litton, a pastor from Alabama who has opted for a gentler approach to disputes over race and gender. Litton has prided himself on his efforts to meet with Black pastors, arguing that the main issue the SBC faced was fear that prevented people from sitting down and listening to people different from them. A politically conservative man who has nonetheless spoken of less narrow conceptions of complementarianism and a need to pursue justice, Litton was supported by the sexual abuse victims advocates and by several prominent Black pastors. By electing Litton, the SBC quietly rebuffed the vision of a more stringently conservative convention and indicated a willingness to continue to talk about racial reconciliation. Advertisement Still, by coming close to electing Stone, the SBC representatives are looking at the pathway to a potential future conservative takeover. And there were other, smaller victories for the Conservative Baptist Network. Its vice presidential candidate, Lee Brand, did end up winning, although fewer delegates voted in that election. And a committee did agree to take up the case of whether Saddleback Church, one of the SBCs largest megachurches, should be banished from the SBC for ordaining three women pastors. Advertisement Still, most observers came out of the meeting with a sense that the delegates had put the brakes on the conventions careening path toward the right. For all of Donald Trumps dominance in previous years, the post-Trump, late-pandemic SBC meeting seemed to brush away more secular politics. The ultraconservative crusaders made their influence known, but their presence in the discourse, it turned out, was bigger than their actual base of support. And while the votes didnt put the debates to restthere were plenty of reports of heated arguments, angry protesters, and mealy-mouthed statements about racemany exhausted evangelicals found real reason to celebrate: On sex abuse, at least, the Southern Baptists came together, and stopped their convention from fully imploding. Is there an interesting story happening in your religious community? Email tips to molly.olmstead@slate.com. Technically, the Supreme Courts Thursday decision in Nestle v. Doe is a loss for human rights enforcement in the United States. The court ruled against six former child slaves who sued two major corporations for allegedly aiding and abetting their enslavement.* That outcome is no surprise. What is shocking is that the defendants failed to persuade the court to immunize all corporations from lawsuits under the Alien Tort Statute. Corporations bet big on Nestle v. Doe, apparently convinced that SCOTUS would use the case to abolish corporate liability under the ATS. Instead, five justices concluded that domestic corporations can be sued under the statute. Nestle thus hands a narrow loss to a half-dozen plaintiffs while opening the door to future litigation against corrupt, abusive, and lawless businesses. Advertisement The plaintiffs in Nestle allege that they were trafficked from Mali to the Ivory Coast as children, then forced to work on cocoa plantations under abominable conditions without pay. (Atrocities on these plantations are well known.) Nestle and Cargill didnt own these plantations, but purchased their cacao and provided them with financial and technical assistance. The plaintiffs claim that both companies knew their suppliers were using child slaves, but declined to intervene because they valued the cheap prices. They accused these companies of aiding and abetting child slavery and sued them under the ATS, which gives federal courts the power to hear lawsuits filed by foreigners alleging a violation of international law. Advertisement Advertisement Congress first passed the ATS in 1789, and the law was designed to provide remedies, including money damages, to noncitizens who suffer a violation of the law of nations or a treaty of the United States. In recent years, however, the Supreme Courts conservatives have limited the scope of the law. The court has held that the ATS doesnt apply to conduct that occurred outside the U.S., or to foreign corporations. When Neal Katyal, who represented Nestle and Cargill, argued this case at the Supreme Court, he urged the justices to further narrow the ATS by holding that it doesnt apply to domestic corporations, either. He asserted that allowing corporate liability would place U.S. firms at a competitive disadvantage and discourage foreign investment in the United States. Advertisement But the court refused to adopt Katyals position on Thursday. Instead, in a short opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas held that plaintiffs lawsuit focuses primarily on conduct that occurred overseasthe enslavement of children in the Ivory Coast. The court has already prohibited extraterritorial application of the ATS. This precedent, Thomas wrote, required the dismissal of the plaintiffs lawsuit. Thomas majority opinion did not address corporate liability because it wasnt necessary to resolve the case. But in three separate opinions, five justices declared that domestic corporations can be sued under the ATS. First, in a concurrence, Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote that nothing in the law supplies corporations with special protections against suit. Moreover, nowhere does it suggest that anything depends on whether the defendant happens to be a person or a corporation. He offered ample originalist evidence that the Congress of 1789 understood the law to place corporations and individuals on equal footing when it comes to assigning rights and duties. Gorsuch also noted that early ATS cases involved actions against ships, not people, which underscores the ATS has never distinguished between defendants. Advertisement Advertisement Justice Samuel Alito joined this portion of Gorsuchs opinion. He also wrote separately to reiterate his view that an ATS claim may be brought against a domestic corporation. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, joined by Justices Stephen Breyer and Elena Kagan, also endorsed Gorsuchs conclusion. As Justice Gorsuch ably explains, she wrote, there is no reason to insulate domestic corporations from liability for law-of-nations violations simply because they are legal rather than natural persons. Sotomayor pointed out that a majority of the court found that domestic corporations may be liable under the ATS. The views of five justices expressed through three different opinions do not constitute binding precedent. But they do send a clear message to the lower courts that a majority of the Supreme Court is prepared to recognize this form of corporate liability. Judges who defy this quasi-holding in Nestle should be prepared for reversal at SCOTUS. And plaintiffs who suffered international law violations at the hands of American corporations are now on notice that the court may be amenable to their claims. Advertisement Nestle is not all good news. Thomas and Gorsuch, along with Justice Brett Kavanaugh, sought to narrow the crimes actionable under the ATS to just three: violation of safe conducts (meaning safe passage when traveling through a territory, usually during a conflict); infringement of the rights of ambassadors; and piracy. Alito did not endorse this view but praised the strong arguments behind it. Notably, though, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett declined to express any support for the other conservatives cramped vision of the law. (The liberal justices vigorously disagreed with it.) There were more votes in Nestle to apply the ATS to domestic corporations than there were to narrow the available causes of action. Supreme Court decisions affirming the power of the ATS are few and far between. Nestle does not quite qualify. But it does open the courthouse door to victims of corporate malfeasancean outcome favored by a cross-ideological coalition of justices. It is a shame that the plaintiffs wont get a chance to argue their case in court. But by fighting all the way to the Supreme Court, they gave other victims of human rights abuses a renewed and unexpected hope for justice. From the start of his presidency, Donald Trump was stymied by nationwide injunctions. Seemingly every time Trump sought to impose a new policy, a federal judge would stop him by issuing an injunction that prohibited enforcement anywhere by anyone. In 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions directed Justice Department lawyers to argue in court that these injunctions exceed the constitutional limitations on judicial power. His successor, William Barr, declared outright war on nationwide injunctions, condemning them as unconstitutional and inconsistent with our American legal system. Trumps solicitor general, Noel Francisco, urged the Supreme Court to forbid nationwide injunctions, to no avail. Trump himself denounced them. Republican lawmakers sponsored bills to outlaw them. All the while, conservative commentators railed against resistance judges who thwarted Trumps agenda by blocking his policies in full rather than limiting their decisions to the parties before them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you know anything about the conservative legal movement, it should not surprise you to learn that Republicans crusade against nationwide injunctions stopped dead in its tracks when Joe Biden entered the White House. Since Jan. 20, 2021, GOP state attorneys general have already sought and received multiple nationwide injunctions against Bidens policiesall from conservative judges. These orders have hobbled the presidents efforts to pause deportations, slow climate change, and redress systemic racism in farming. With very few exceptions, the brigade of right-leaning lawyers and commentators who railed against nationwide injunctions has fallen silent. No one accuses the judges who are frustrating the presidents agenda of working for the resistance against Biden. When a Democrat entered the White House, conservatives suddenly learned to love nationwide injunctions. Advertisement In fairness, it was conservative lawyers who first perfected the art of the nationwide injunction during the Obama administration. In 2015, U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen, a George W. Bush appointee, issued a sweeping decision suspending a program that wouldve deferred deportation for unauthorized immigrants whose children are American citizens. A conservative appeals court endorsed Hanens nationwide injunction, and the Supreme Courts Republican appointees kept it in place. Conservative judges repeatedly cited this precedent to justify blocking a wide range of Obama policies, including protections for transgender students and patients, throughout the country. These judges spurned the notion that injunctions should be limited to the defendants in the case, or restricted to a specific geographical area. Thus, a federal judge in south Texas could block the government from imposing a regulation in northern Alaska. Advertisement Advertisement After Trump assumed the presidency, left-leaning courts drew upon the same precedent to block some of his most controversial policiesespecially those involving immigration. For instance, federal judges halted Trumps travel ban, DACA rescission, wealth test for immigrants, and new obstacles to asylum. The Supreme Court upheld some of these decisions and overturned others; only Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch expressed hostility toward the nationwide scope of the orders. All the while, Trump, his Justice Department, and his allies inveighed against nationwide injunctions as lawless abuses of judicial authority. And Republican politicians like Sen. Ted Cruz charged these judges with operating effectively as part of the resistance movement. It was conservative lawyers who first perfected the art of the nationwide injunction. The conservative consensus against nationwide injunctions that developed under Trump evaporated upon Bidens inauguration. Red state attorneys general have rushed to federal courthouses around the United States to demand these injunctions against Biden policies. And Republican-appointed judges have doled them out with exceptionally weak justifications. Three examples illustrate how the nationwide injunctionindustrial complex has foiled Bidens priorities. Advertisement First, on Jan. 26, U.S. District Judge Drew Tipton, a Trump nominee, blocked Bidens 100-day moratorium on deportations upon Texas request. After questioning the propriety of nationwide injunctions, Tipton issued one anyway, applying his decision in every place affected by the moratorium. The Biden administration could have tried to work around that ruling, which reflected a dubious understanding of immigration law. Instead, the Department of Justice chose to vigorously enforce it, even deporting a witness to the El Paso shooting who was cooperating with prosecutors. Eventually, the administration simply gave up on its deportation moratorium, giving up the legal battle. Tipton successfully prevented Biden from following through on a key campaign promise. Advertisement Second and more recently, on June 10, U.S. District Judge William C. Griesbach, a George W. Bush nominee, halted the American Rescue Plans loan forgiveness program for certain farmers and ranchers. This program allowed the government to pay off the debts of socially disadvantaged farmers, a group defined as people subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice. After white farmers sued, Griebach blocked the payments, asserting that they violated equal protection by discriminating against white people. Advertisement This decision is disturbing: As Harvard Law Professor Niko Bowie has observed, Griesbachs reasoning seems to imperil ordinary nondiscrimination laws by confusing race-neutral remedies against racism for racial discrimination. But equally notable was the judges solution to this alleged problem: He issued a nationwide injunction against the multi-billion dollar program which he barely bothered to justify. Griesbach merely wrote that he sought to provide complete relief to plaintiffs, to protect similarly-situated nonparties, and to avoid the chaos and confusion that comes from a patchwork of injunctions. Since these interests are always present in a suit against the federal government, the judge essentially justified issuing nationwide injunctions in 100 percent of such cases. Third, on Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty, another Trump appointee, lifted Bidens pause of new oil and gas leases on public lands. The plaintiffs in this case arent even corporations that stand to benefit from new leases; theyre red states who claim the pause will hurt their economies. Nonetheless, Doughty gave these states everything they want, forcing the Biden administration to resume granting new oil and gas leases to oil and gas companies. Like Tipton, Doughty insisted that he does not favor nationwide injunctions unless absolutely necessary. Butsurprise!he decided that in this case, a nationwide injunction is absolutely necessary because of the need for uniformity. (Doughty failed to explain why this need is so pressing here, or what uniformity means in this context; his justification spans just three sentences.) Advertisement The problem here is not just that right-wing judges are hypocritically deploying the exact tool that conservatives decried under Trump. Its that theyre doing so with a blithe, devil-may-care attitude that evinces remarkable indifference toward nationwide injunctions. These judges arent even pretending to identify some extraordinary circumstances that legitimize their use. They have embraced nationwide injunctions as the new normal, and despite performative hand-wringing over their legitimacy, conservatives judges seem ready to throw them at the Biden administration like its 2015 all over again. In reality, there is probably no easy answer to the nationwide injunction conundrum. A handful of genuinely consistent commentators like Notre Dame Law School Professor Samuel Bray oppose them across the board. The more conventional view, widely shared among liberals, is that they are appropriate in rare circumstances where Congress has authorized them or the Constitution demands them. Whatever the solution, the recent spate of nationwide injunctions suggests that Biden, like Trump and Obama before him, will be boxed in by aggressive judges. The conservative legal movement has an opportunity to prove its consistency by resisting this trend. Yet all signs so far indicate that it is eager to jettison past skepticism and jump into the race to set executive policy by judicial fiat. Chief Justice John Roberts skills as a judicial magician are well known, but his performance in Thursdays Fulton v. Philadelphia may be his finest trick yet. Somehow, Roberts was able to create a six-justice majority to hold that Philadelphia violated the Constitution when it ended its contract with a foster care agency that turns away against same-sex couples. He united the three liberals together with Justice Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh in support of a taxpayer-funded agencys ability to discriminate against gay people. At the same time, Roberts affirmed that preventing anti-gay discrimination is a compelling state interest. And, to top it all off, he upheld a landmark precedent that a supermajority of the court apparently wants to overturn. We may never see a more masterful display of constitutional prestidigitation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fulton revolves around Catholic Social Services, or CSS, which screens prospective foster care parents pursuant to a longstanding contract with Philadelphia. In 2018, CSS announced that it would not work with same-sex couples because it opposed same-sex marriage. The city responded by declining to renew the agencys contract to screen prospective parents, though it allowed CSS to continue participating in other parts of the foster care system. City officials determined that CSS would shrink the pool of foster parents by rejecting otherwise qualified same-sex couples, ultimately harming children by delaying their placement in loving homes. CSS sued, alleging a violation of its First Amendment right to free exercise of religion. But the agency faced a problem. In 1990s Employment Division v. Smith, the Supreme Court held neutral and generally applicable laws comply with free exercise as long as they dont target religious conduct. And Philadelphias non-discrimination rules would seem to fit into that category. So CSS argued that the Supreme Court should overturn Smith and apply heightened scrutiny to any law that burdens religion, even incidentally. As a backup, it also claimed that Philadelphias law was not actually neutral because it expressed hostility to the agencys beliefs, thereby targeting religion. Advertisement Advertisement While Roberts sided with CSS, his opinion for the court adopted neither of the agencys legal rationales. Instead, he determined that Philadelphias standard foster care contract, which bars anti-LGBTQ discrimination, is not generally applicable under Smith. Roberts noted that the contract allows the Department of Human Services commissioner to grant individual exemptions (that is, allow discrimination) at their sole discretion. The commissioner has never granted an exemptionbut, the chief justice wrote, that doesnt matter: Because the discretion exists in theory, the non-discrimination rule cannot be generally applicable. Thus, Smith doesnt apply, and Philadelphia must satisfy strict scrutiny by proving that its rule is narrowly tailored to serve a compelling interest. The city flunked this test because it provided no compelling reason why it has a particular interest in denying an exception to CSS while making them available to others. Advertisement Roberts provided a coherent account of this case, leading readers to a conclusion that is, if not airtight, at least defensible. But his reasoning does not withstand scrutiny. As Justice Neil Gorsuch explained in his concurrence, the chief justice used a dizzying series of maneuvers to turn a big dispute of constitutional law into a small one. Advertisement For instance, the provision of the contract that Roberts found objectionable does not apply to the certification of prospective foster parents, but rather the placement of children in foster homesa totally different stage of the process. The provision that applies to certification of foster parents allows no exceptions and would seem to be generally applicable. To get around this roadblock, Roberts performed a sleight of hand, grafting the exceptions from one clause onto the entire contract. And what about Philadelphias Fair Practices Ordinance, which bars anti-gay discrimination in public accommodations? Roberts simply announced that foster care agencies are not a public accommodation because they involve a customized and selective assessment. As Gorsuch pointed out, this definition of a public accommodation is nowhere to be found in any state statute; instead, the majority just declares ita new rule of Pennsylvania common law handed down by the United States Supreme Court. Advertisement Despite Roberts dubious logic, its easy to see why the three liberal justices signed onto his opinion. First and foremost, the decision does not imperil most LGBTQ non-discrimination laws, which usually lack an exception that would trigger strict scrutiny. (When they do contain exceptions, its often for religious conduct.) Roberts confirmed that ending anti-gay discrimination is a weighty state interest, quoting Masterpiece Cakeshop for the proposition that our society has come to the recognition that gay persons and gay couples cannot be treated as social outcasts or as inferior in dignity and worth. So lower courts can continue to uphold run-of-the-mill civil rights laws that protect LGBTQ people. Moreover, as Gorsuch noted in his concurrence, Philadelphia can get around this decision by abolishing discretion at every stage of the foster care process. Advertisement Despite Roberts dubious logic, its easy to see why the three liberal justices signed onto his opinion. In short, it was likely clear from the start that the six conservative justices wanted to rule for CSS somehow. To limit the damage, the liberal justices signed onto Roberts narrow opinion, which hands a symbolic victory to religious freedom while deciding almost nothing. Fulton is Masterpiece Cakeshop redux: Once again, the Supreme Court has dabbled in the culture wars without handing a clear win to either side. As painful as it may be to see the liberal justices supporting a taxpayer-funded agencys ability to discriminate against same-sex couples, the strategy makes good sense. The alternativeoverruling Smith and subjecting most burdens on religion to strict scrutinywould be much worse. Justice Samuel Alito, joined by Justice Clarence Thomas and Gorsuch, argued for reversing Smith in a 77-page opinion that would kick open the door to endless exemptions from non-discrimination laws for religious people, organizations, and businesses. Alitos path would imperil countless laws that happen to hinder religious exercise, including those that allow LGBTQ equal access to employment, housing, the marketplace, and other necessities of life. Advertisement Barrett, in a concurrence joined by Kavanaugh and Breyer, refused to go down that road, expressing her discomfort with Smith while admitting that she does not know what should replace it. Her brief opinion raises the possibility that she and Kavanaugh may have initially voted to overturn Smith, then walked back from the brink, forcing Alito to turn his majority opinion into a dissent. The mystery is deepened by the fact that Barrett and Kavanaugh joined Tandon v. Newsom, an unsigned 54 decision on the courts shadow docket, in April. Tandon took a much bigger bite out of Smith than Fulton did. So perhaps Barrett and Kavanaugh switched their votes between Tandon and Fulton, abandoning the revolt against Smith after helping to set it into motion. Gorsuch hinted at that possibility in his Fulton concurrence, complaining that the court began to resolve at least some of the confusion surrounding Smiths application in Tandon before pulling back in Fulton. So six justices are interested in overruling Smithbut after Fulton, the Supreme Court is no closer to taking that leap. CSS will get a new contract without having to screen same-sex couples, but other LGBTQ non-discrimination laws remain unaffected. Roberts, who so recently seemed sidelined, is back in control of his court. If anyone can claim a clean victory from Fulton, its the Chief Justice of the United States. What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? This is the question that formerly enslaved abolitionist Frederick Douglass posed in a July 1852 speech that would later become one of his most famous works. Douglasss remarks described how Independence Day, to the enslaved, was not a celebration of liberty from tyranny, but a stark reminder of their continued bondage. He explained that for the enslaved American, the 4th of July is a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciation of tyrants, brass fronted impudence; your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, the United States Senate voted unanimously in favor of a bill that would make Juneteenth a federal holiday. On Wednesday, the House of Representatives followed suit; the bill now goes to President Biden, who will sign it into law on Thursday afternoon. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day that bondspeople in Galveston, Texas were the last enslaved Americans in the nation to learn that they were free. (They had actually been freed two years prior, by the Emancipation Proclamation.) Congress choice to recognize Juneteenths historical and cultural significance is certainly noteworthy. Yet, in the face of ongoing racial oppression, what, to the Black American, is your federal holiday? The track record for federal holidays with roots in Black history isnt good. Such holidays have repeatedly been whitewashed and divorced from their original meaning. As historian David Blight has argued, some of the earliest iterations of the late-spring holiday now known as Memorial Day were borne out of ceremonies to honor Black soldiers who fought in the Civil War. In 1865, Charleston, South Carolina was home to a Confederate camp that imprisoned Union soldiers, many of whom were Black and buried in a mass grave. On May 1, 1865, after Confederate soldiers had surrendered, Charlestons Black community reburied the dead in a cemetery and decorated their graves. But few people are familiar with Memorial Days historical origins among Black soldiers and Black mourners; yearly, it seems, articles appear online to tell us about the holidays overlooked Black history. Advertisement Advertisement Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is subject to related forms of whitewashing. The holiday was controversial when it was first proposed, but since then, things have changed. Rather than grappling with the complexity of Dr. Kings intellectual thought, particularly his increasingly leftist critiques of poverty and of the complicity of white moderates, MLK Day celebrations frequently de-racialize and de-radicalize his legacy. Rather than interrogating the conditions that motivated Dr. King to claim that a riot is the language of the unheard, Americans are far more likely to embrace an inaccurate, colorblind interpretation of his work. For instance, his commitment to peaceful protests is regularly weaponized to oppose calls for racial justice, such as the #BlackLivesMatter movement. Dr. Kings daughter, Bernice King, recently expressed her displeasure at this rhetorical strategy, writing on Twitter: I wonder how you would feel if people erroneously and arrogantly used your father to justify them being against what he was assassinated for being about. Advertisement Given the ways that Dr. Kings lifework and MLK Day have been distorted, it seems valid to fear that making Juneteenth a federal holiday has the potential to diminish its significance, instead of generating further inquiry into the history of American slavery and emancipation. The context of the passage of this legislation gives advocates for honest discussion of Black history little reason to hope. The vote to make Juneteenth a federal holiday occurred alongside state-level attempts to ban discussions of so-called critical race theory in classrooms. At last count, 21 states have introduced bills to ban critical race theory and related topics from being taught in K-12 schools and college classrooms. Meanwhile, as Republican state legislatures pursue voter suppression laws, the 2021 For the People Actan attempt to protect voting rights for all citizens by establishing automatic voter registration for federal elections, banning partisan gerrymandering, and morefaces an uncertain road to passage in the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Some politicians, particularly right-wing and centrist US senators, have eagerly obstructed attempts to enact anti-racist legislation like the For the People Act. Most of these same lawmakers have now voted to make Juneteenth a federal holiday. The hypocrisy would be comical were it not so dangerous: in the midst of nationwide, Republican-led efforts to eliminate conversations about the significance of race and racism in the United States, the United States Congress has, with the cooperation of most of its GOP members, endorsed legislation to commemorate the end of racial slavery. It seems clear that the goal in making Juneteenth a federal holiday is not to grapple with this countrys history of racism; it is to stifle critiques of continued racial discrimination. Advertisement Passing a bill that would make Juneteenth a federal holiday, in this historical context, is, as Douglass stated of 4th of July celebrations almost 170 years ago, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisya thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages. Voting in favor of this bill allows politicians to deny allegations of racism, even as they actively oppose measures that seek to redress racial harm, such as reparations, police abolition, and more. We cannot accept empty symbolism in exchange for our rights. Any attempt to commemorate the end of slavery must be accompanied by tangible changes that seek to undo its effects. This week on the Waves, Slate staff writers Christina Cauterucci and Julia Craven talk about Kyrsten Sinema, the first-term Senator from Arizona whose position on the filibuster (and flamboyant wigs) have gotten her quite a bit of attention recently. They unpack her politics and her wardrobe, whether one has anything to do with the other, and what her position on bipartisanship really means. A lightly edited transcript of their attempt to discern her deeply held political positions follows. Listen to the full episode here: Advertisement Christina Cauterucci: I want to get into the main reason why Sinema has been attracting more attention and scrutiny now than she ever has before, and thats the filibuster. So, with a 50/50 divided Senate and Kamala Harris as the tiebreaker, the Democrats need to get 10 Republicans on board with any non-budgetary legislation they want to pass while the filibuster is in place. Advertisement Advertisement So, in other words, the Democrats will not get anything done while theyre in power unless they kiss the filibuster goodbye. And Sinema and Joe Manchin have been really the only staunch holdouts on filibuster reform. Some of the other senators have sort of said, I dont think its a great idea. But they could be convincedif it actually came down to it, they would vote to reform the filibuster or get rid of it. Advertisement But Sinema has gotten even further than Manchin on this. And she says she wants to expand the filibuster to include nominations from the president as well. Heres a clip of her defending the filibuster in a video that was tweeted by Sahil Kapoor: Kyrsten Sinema: Well, as folks in Arizona know, Ive long been a supporter of the filibuster because it is a tool that protects the democracy of our nation, rather than allowing our country to ricochet wildly every two to four years back and forth between policies. The idea of the filibuster was created by those who came before us, the United States Senate, to create comity and to encourage senators to find bipartisanship and work together. And while there are some who dont believe that bipartisanship is possible, I think that Im a daily example that bipartisanship is possible. Not just this trip today and tomorrow that John [Cornyn, R-TX] and I are doing, but the work that John and I, and many other of my colleagues in both parties do on a regular basis. So, to those who say, We must make a choice between the filibuster and X, I say this is a false choice. The reality is that when you have a system thats not working effectivelyand I would think that most would agree that the Senates not particularly well-oiled machine, rightthe way to fix that is to change your behavior. Not to eliminate the rules or change the rules, but to change your behavior. So, Im going to continue to go to work every day, aggressively seeking bipartisanship in a cheerful and happy warrior way as I always do. And showing that when we work together, we can get things done. Advertisement Advertisement Cauterucci: So, none of what she said is true. The filibuster was sort of a loophole in the Senate rules. It was not intentionally created at all. It was not a deliberate way to, as she said, create comity and encouraged by partisanship. It was kind of a random interpretation of the rules that has been largely in the past used to oppose civil rights legislation. Julia Craven: Joan Walsh, who writes for The Nation, connected this to Barry Goldwaterwho is another former Senator from Arizonaalluding that the way to end racism was to change hearts and minds and not laws. (Yes, thats where that mainstream narrative comes from.) The filibuster was used, as you said, during the 50s and 60s to block civil rights legislation. And now Sinema and Manchin holding out on reform is slowing down the passage of the For the People Act, which would expand voting rights, stop voters from being purged from the roles, and mandate that independent commissions handle congressional redistricting. And Sinema also co-sponsored this bill when she was in the House [of Representatives]. Advertisement Cauterucci: And now she is saying, Because Im so committed to bipartisanship Im more committed to bipartisanshipor the myth of bipartisanshipthan I am to passing this legislation that I co-sponsored. Advertisement Craven: Yes. I think thats a good read of it. Cauterucci: Its interesting to me that the set of bills that she is holding up by supporting the filibuster or refusing to consider filibuster reform includes a voting rights bill named for John Lewis. Because in 2015, at the start of that Congress, as there is at the start of any Congress, theres an election to determine who will lead each party. At the time, almost every Democrat voted for Nancy Pelosi. Not Kyrsten Sinema. She said she wanted to elect John Lewis to lead the party. And she said, Hes my hero. Well, the fact that she calls him a hero, publicly embraces him as a civil rights icon, and now is working against the substance of what he stood for is, to me, peak toxic white lady energy. Advertisement Craven: And thats one of the bigger issues with politics is that so much of it can become performative and can become about how individual politicians feel. And in certain situations like this one, you have one or two individuals holding up legislation that could fundamentally change lives for broader swaps of America. Its just really annoying. Its really frustrating to see that a small number of people can really hold up massive changes in life for millions of people. Advertisement Cauterucci: Im trying to understand how somebody could work alongside [Republicans] and watch them work against something as fundamental to democracy as voting rights, or something like the commission to investigate January 6. These arent a group of people who are making reasonable and good faith arguments about a policy that all manner of people can have fine positions on. Were talking about really bread-and-butter issues for the future of the country as we know it, and fairness in politics and elections. So, when she talks about bipartisanship, I dont think shes naive. I think she knows exactly who these people are, but she loves the idea of herself as somebody who can please both sides. She knows that that image has been essential to her political success. I think bipartisanship can be best read as an electioneering tactic, and sort of a campaign talking point, and not as an actual philosophy of lawmaking. The Supreme Courts decision on Thursday to throw out the latest challenge to the Affordable Care Act is like a Magic Eye. Upon first glance, its barely anything: The 72 majority tossed the case on standing, holding that none of the plaintiffs are actually harmed by the ACAs now zeroed out individual mandate. Sometimes, when the court finds no standing, the plaintiffs can retreat, develop a new theory of harm, and return with a beefed up lawsuit. But look closer at the decision in California v. Texas and you will see a wholesale rejection of the plaintiffs entire theory of the case. Other attacks on Obamacare will continue, but this uniquely daffy assault on the law is dead. Advertisement California v. Texas arose after Congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Just months earlier, Republicans had narrowly failed to repeal the whole ACA. So, in their tax cut bill, they settled on the next best thing: zeroing out the penalty for people who dont purchase health insurance. Because Congress passed the law through reconciliation, it could not actually eliminate the ACAs individual mandate itself, which remains on the books. But lawmakers rendered it unenforceable by establishing a zero dollar penalty for anyone who violates it. Advertisement Advertisement Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, along with 17 other states and two hand-picked individual plaintiffs, then filed a lawsuit seeking to topple the entire ACA. The plaintiffs pointed out that, when the Supreme Court upheld the law in 2012, it found that the individual mandate could be justified as a tax. But now, the plaintiffs argued, the mandate collects zero dollars, so it is no longer a tax, just a command. And in 2012, the court held that a command to purchase health insurance (rather than a tax on uninsured people) would exceed Congress constitutional authority. So, under this theory, the mandate must be strickenand the rest of the law must fall with it, because the mandate should be deemed inseverable from the entire ACA. Advertisement There are many logical flaws in this theory. For instance, if the mandate is just an unenforceable command that anyone can ignore with impunity, how can it be unconstitutional? Can Congress exceed its powers when its not actually exercising any powers? And even if the mandate is unconstitutional, why must the rest of the law fall? By zeroing out the penalty in 2017, didnt Congress decide the law could function without the mandate? Shouldnt the courts defer to that judgment? Advertisement In the end, however, the Supreme Court seized upon the most glaring problem of all: The plaintiffsboth states and individualssimply have no standing to challenge Obamacare because they are not injured by it. As Justice Stephen Breyer wrote for the majority, the mandate has no means of enforcement, because the IRS can no longer seek a penalty from those who fail to comply. Moreover, there is no one, and nothing, to enjoin: a decision on the merits would amount to an advisory opinion that would threaten to grant unelected judges a general authority to conduct oversight of decisions of the elected branches of Government. Advertisement Similarly, the states argued that the mandates continued existence will lead residents to enroll in health programs that use public funds. But, as Breyer noted, the states could not show that the mandate, without any prospect of penalty, will harm them by leading more individuals to enroll in these programs. Sure, state officials might speculate a penalty-free mandate will boost enrollment. But in this litigation, they failed to offer any persuasive evidence to bolster conjecture. And since the states lack standing to contest the mandate, they also lack standing to challenge other, obviously constitutional provisions of the ACA with which they must still comply. Advertisement On the surface, it might seem as if Breyer left room for the states to develop a more robust theory of harm to establish standing in the future. And given that this lawsuit was brought by insurrectionist attorneys general, perhaps they might try. Advertisement But look closely and youll see that Breyer boxed in the plaintiffs at every turn. In denying them standing, he dismissed their entire theory of the case: the notion that a zeroed-out mandate is actually worse, for constitutional purposes, than a functioning mandate. The plaintiffs claimed that the mandate, as it stands today, is a command that forces everybody to buy health insurancea legal instruction that law-abiding citizens will feel obligated to follow. Breyer rejected this theory outright. Instead, he acknowledged that the zeroed-out mandate is just a suggestion, an unenforceable relic. In light of that conclusion, it is difficult, if not impossible, to see how Breyeror the six justices who joined himcould deem the mandate unconstitutional if they somehow reached the merits in the future. How could a law that does not force anybody to do anything violate the Constitution? How could Congress exceed its powers when it isnt even exercising them? Advertisement Advertisement It is certainly alarming that Justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch, in dissent, bought the plaintiffs theory and supported junking large portions of the ACA. But its encouraging that even Justice Clarence Thomas had to admit that no one suffers any injury under the current law. California v. Texas invited the federal judiciary to do what congressional Republicans could not: destroy the ACA once and for all. The plaintiffs asked the justices of the Supreme Court to act as partisan politicians rather than judges. It is a relieffor the country, for the courts, for the more than 20 million people who have health insurance because of the ACAthat the justices declined this sordid invitation. George Floyds murder sparked a renewed national conversation around police reform, but progress in the year since his death has been stop-and-go. Reform at the federal level has languished in the Senate, while progress has been mixed in the states with some progressive efforts succeeding and others succumbing to obstinate legislatures or excessive compromise. Stalled or failed efforts at reform are nothing new to the criminal justice community. It took Congress more than 24 years to finally address the indefensible 100-to-1 sentencing ratio for crack versus powder cocaine; then the number was only changed to a still onerous 18-to-1 ratio. It took eight more years for Congress to make that change retroactive. And repeated, bipartisan efforts to actually reduce those mandatory minimum sentences have gone nowhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe to the Slatest Newsletter A daily email update of the stories you need to read right now. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. A new report produced by our academic research initiative suggests that those who seek to change policing policy or to make other criminal justice reforms might need to seek out an unlikely ally: their local prosecutors. American prosecutors are active lobbyists, and their opposition to criminal justice reform in Congress has been well documented. A report released this month by the Prosecutors and Politics Project at the University of North Carolina, where we both work, shows that prosecutors also actively lobby state legislatures. The report documented that, during the years 2015 to 2018, state and local prosecutors lobbied on more than 25 percent of the more than 22,000 criminal justicerelated bills introduced in the 50 state legislatures. A bill supported by prosecutors was twice as likely to pass as compared to criminal justice bills generally, while bills opposed by prosecutors passed at essentially the same rate. Advertisement Prosecutors were most successful when they supported criminal justice reform bills. Nationwide, approximately 60 percent of bills that narrowed the scope of criminal law and 55 percent of bills that decreased punishment passed when supported by prosecutors. In contrast, when prosecutors supported bills that increased the scope of criminal law or increased punishments, only about 40 percent of those bills passed. Advertisement Unfortunately, prosecutors generally appear to be more interested in supporting traditional tough-on-crime bills than bills aimed at reform. The study found that, on the whole, prosecutors were twice as likely to lobby in favor of a law that created a new crime or otherwise increased the scope of criminal law than for a law that would create a defense, decriminalize conduct, or otherwise narrow the scope of criminal law. In some states, those numbers are even more lopsided. For example, California prosecutors supported 127 bills that increased punishments or created new crimes, while supporting only 14 bills that decreased punishment or decriminalized conduct. Advertisement The bills that prosecutors oppose reveal a similar tough-on-crime strategy. Prosecutors opposed 13 percent of all bills introduced that created new defenses or decriminalized conduct, and they opposed 17 percent of all bills that decreased punishment. In contrast, they opposed only 2 percent of bills that created new crimes and 3 percent of bills that increased punishment. Put simply, prosecutors consistently supported bills that gave them more power and opposed bills that would have limited that power. These lobbying positions make prosecutors seem like unlikely partners for criminal justice reform. Indeed, a lot of prosecutor lobbying is conducted by statewide associations in which rural prosecutors are overrepresented. And advocates are likely to worry that if they partner with prosecutors, then prosecutors will insist on amendments to bills that will lessen the impact of reforms. Advertisement Advertisement But in some states, getting prosecutors on board may be the only path to reform. Although prosecutors generally are not particularly successful in blocking legislation that they oppose, prosecutors have better luck when it comes to bills that create defenses or decriminalize conduct. Nationwide, when prosecutors lobbied against those bills, they passed only 15 percent of the time. In some states, that number was even lower. In four statesArizona, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvanianot a single bill that prosecutors opposed was passed into law. Reformers across the country should look at these numbers and seek to ensure that, at a minimum, prosecutors decide not to take an anti position on reform bills. There may also be another path for reformers. Rather than trying to convince the statewide association to back their bills, they could seek to attract the support of a subset of prosecutors within their state. Prosecutors in urban and suburban jurisdictions tend to adopt more forward-looking policies and, as a group, send a smaller proportion of people to prison. In some states, these more reform-oriented prosecutors have started their own lobbying efforts, and the early results look promising. Advertisement In Virginia, 12 elected prosecutors have banded together to form the Virginia Progressive Prosecutors for Justice. The organization actively lobbies the Virginia legislature and supported legislation in 2020 that abolished the death penalty, reformed the expungement process, and ended the three strikes felony enhancement for petit larceny offenses. In 2021, the Virginia Progressive Prosecutors for Justice successfully lobbied for the legalization of marijuana, making Virginia the first Southern state to both legalize marijuana and abolish the death penalty. In California, three prosecutors broke away from the California District Attorneys Association and joined the Prosecutors Alliance of California. They have been lobbying in favor of S.B. 710, which would require elected prosecutors to recuse themselves in cases of police misconduct if they have received campaign contributions from police unions or other law enforcement groups. (California prosecutors receive more campaign contributions from law enforcement than prosecutors in most every other state.) S.B. 710 passed the California Senate earlier this month, despite opposition from the California District Attorneys Association; it is now headed to the House. Advertisement Its too early to tell what the long-term effect of this new progressive prosecutor lobby will be. But there is every indication that these new associations will be more willing and active voices for reform than we have seen in the past. That would be a welcome change. America needs more criminal justice reform; we incarcerate the largest number of people in the world, and we have the worlds highest incarceration rate. So long as prosecutors continue to be successful lobbyists, having prosecutors who are willing to push for sensible reform could help reverse the tide of mass incarceration and make the criminal justice system more fair. This piece originally appeared in the Conversation. I have a cellphone built into my watch. People now take this type of technology for granted, but not so long ago it was firmly in the realm of science fiction. The transition from fantasy to reality was far from the flip of a switch. The amount of time, money, talent and effort required to put a telephone on my wrist spanned far beyond any one product development cycle. The people who crossed a wristwatch with a cellphone worked hard for several years to make it happen, but technology development really occurs on a timescale of decades. While the last steps of technological development capture headlines, it takes thousands of scientists and engineers working for decades on myriad technologies to get to the point where blockbuster products begin to capture the publics imagination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first mobile phone service, for 80-pound telephones installed in cars, was demonstrated on June 17, 1946, 75 years ago. The service was only available in major cities and highway corridors and was aimed at companies rather than individuals. The equipment filled much of a cars trunk, and subscribers made calls by picking up the handset and speaking to a switchboard operator. By 1948, the service had 5,000 customers. Advertisement The first handheld mobile phone was demonstrated in 1973, nearly three decades after the introduction of the first mobile phone service. It was nearly three decades after that before half the U.S. population had a mobile phone. Advertisement As an electrical engineer, I know that todays mobile phone technology has a remarkable number of components, each with a long development path. The phone has antennas and electronics that allow signals to be transmitted and received. It has a specialized computer processor that uses advanced algorithms to convert information to signals that can be transmitted over the air. These algorithms have hundreds of component algorithms. Each of these pieces of technology and many more have development histories that span decades. A common thread running through the evolution of virtually all electronic technologies is miniaturization. The radio transmitters, computer processors and batteries at the heart of your cellphone are the descendants of generations of these technologies that grew successively smaller and lighter. Advertisement The phone itself would not be of much use without cellular base stations and all the network infrastructure that is behind them. The first mobile phone services used small numbers of large radio towers, which meant that all the subscribers in a big city shared one central base station. This was not a recipe for universal mobile phone service. Engineers began working on a concept to overcome this problem at about the time the first mobile phone services went live, and it took nearly four decades to roll out the first cellular phone service in 1983. Cellular service involves interconnected networks of smaller radio transceivers that hand off moving callers from one transceiver to another. Advertisement Your cellphone is a result of more than 100 years of commercial and government investment in research and development in all of its components and related technologies. A significant portion of the cutting-edge development has been funded by the military. Advertisement A major impetus for developing mobile wireless technologies was the need during World War II for troops to communicate on the move in the field. The SRC-536 Handie-Talkie was developed by the predecessor to Motorola Corporation and used by the U.S. Army in the war. The Handie-Talkie was a two-way radio that was small enough to be held in one hand and resembled a telephone. Motorola went on to become one of the major manufacturers of cellphones. The story of military investment in technology becoming game-changing commercial products and services has been repeated again and again. Famously, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency developed the technologies behind the internet and speech recognition. But DARPA also made enabling investments in advanced communications algorithms, processor technology, electronics miniaturization and many other aspects of your phone. Advertisement By realizing that it takes many decades of research and investment to develop each generation of technology, its possible to get a sense of what might be coming. Todays communications technologies 5G, WiFi, Bluetooth, and so on are fixed standards, meaning they are each designed for a single purpose. But over the last 30 years, the Department of Defense and corporations have been investing in technologies that are more capable and flexible. Advertisement Your phone of the near future might not only fluidly signal in ways that are more efficient, enable longer ranges or higher data rates, or last significantly longer on a charge, it might also use that radiofrequency energy to perform other functions. For example, your communications signal could also be used as a radar signal to track your hand gestures to control your phone, measure the size of a room, or even monitor your heart rate to predict cardiac distress. It is always difficult to predict where technology will go, but I can guarantee that future technology will build on decades upon decades of research and development. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. Ransomware isnt new; the idea dates back to 1986 with the Brain computer virus. Now, its become the criminal business model of the internet for two reasons. The first is the realization that no one values data more than its original owner, and it makes more sense to ransom it back to themsometimes with the added extortion of threatening to make it publicthan it does to sell it to anyone else. The second is a safe way of collecting ransoms: Bitcoin. Advertisement This is where the suggestion to ban cryptocurrencies as a way to solve ransomware comes from. Lee Reiners, executive director of the Global Financial Markets Center at Duke Law, proposed this in a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed. Journalist Jacob Silverman made the same proposal in a New Republic essay. Without this payment channel, they write, the major ransomware epidemic is likely to vanish, since the only payment alternatives are suitcases full of cash or the banking system, both of which have severe limitations for criminal enterprises. Advertisement Advertisement Its the same problem kidnappers have had for centuries. The riskiest part of the operation is collecting the ransom. Thats when the criminal exposes themselves, by telling the payer where to leave the money. Or gives out their banking details. This is how law enforcement tracks kidnappers down and arrests them. The rise of an anonymous, global, distributed money-transfer system outside of any national control is what makes computer ransomware possible. Advertisement This problem is made worse by the nature of the criminals. They operate out of countries that dont have the resources to prosecute cybercriminals, like Nigeria, or protect cybercriminals that only attack outside their borders, like Russia, or use the proceeds as a revenue stream, like North Korea. So even when a particular group is identified, it is often impossible to prosecute. Which leaves the only tools left a combination of successfully blocking attacks (another hard problem) and eliminating the payment channels that the criminals need to turn their attacks into profit. In this light, banning cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin is an obvious solution. But while the solution is conceptually simple, its also impossible becausedespite its overwhelming problemsthere are so many legitimate interests using cryptocurrencies, albeit largely for speculation and not for legal payments. Advertisement Advertisement We suggest an easier alternative: merely disrupt the cryptocurrency markets. Making them harder to use will have the effect of making them less useful as a ransomware payment vehicle, and not just because victims will have more difficulty figuring out how to pay. The reason requires understanding how criminals collect their profits. Paying a ransom starts with a victim turning a large sum of money into Bitcoin and then transferring it to a criminal controlled account. Bitcoin is, in itself, useless to the criminal. You cant actually buy much with Bitcoin. Its more like casino chips, only usable in a single establishment for a single purpose. (Yes, there are companies that accept Bitcoin, but that is mostly a PR stunt.) A criminal needs to convert the Bitcoin into some national currency that he can actually save, spend, invest, or whatever. Advertisement This is where it gets interesting. Conceptually, Bitcoin combines numbered Swiss bank accounts with public transactions and balances. Anyone can create as many anonymous accounts as they want, but every transaction is posted publicly for the entire world to see. This creates some important challenges for these criminals. First, the criminal needs to take efforts to conceal the Bitcoin. In the old days, criminals used mixing services: third parties that would accept Bitcoin into one account and then return it (minus a fee) from an unconnected set of accounts. Modern Bitcoin tracing tools make this money laundering trick ineffective. Instead, the modern criminal does something called chain swaps. Advertisement In a chain swap, the criminal transfers the Bitcoin to a shady offshore cryptocurrency exchange. These exchanges are notoriously weak about enforcing money laundering laws andfor the most partdont have access to the banking system. Once on this alternate exchange, the criminal sells his Bitcoin and buys some other cryptocurrency like Ethereum, Dogecoin, Tether, Monero, or one of dozens of others. They then transfer it to another shady offshore exchange and transfer it back into Bitcoin. Voilathey now have clean Bitcoin. Advertisement Second, the criminal needs to convert that Bitcoin into spendable money. They take their newly cleaned Bitcoin and transfer it to yet another exchange, one connected to the banking system. Or perhaps they hire someone else to do this step. These exchanges conduct greater oversight of their customers, but the criminal can use a network of bogus accounts, recruit a bunch of users to act as mules, or simply bribe an employee at the exchange to evade whatever laws there. The end result of this activity is to turn the Bitcoin into dollars, euros, or some other easily usable currency. Both of these stepsthe chain swapping and currency conversionrequire a large amount of normal activity to keep from standing out. That is, they will be easy for law enforcement to identify unless they are hiding among lots of regular, noncriminal transactions. If speculators stopped buying and selling cryptocurrencies and the market shrunk drastically, these criminal activities would no longer be easy to conceal: Theres simply too much money involved. Advertisement Advertisement This is why disruption will work. It doesnt require an outright ban to stop these criminals from using Bitcoinjust enough sand in the gears in the cryptocurrency space to reduce its size and scope. How do we do this? The first mechanism observes that the criminals flows have a unique pattern. The overall cryptocurrency space is zero sum: Every dollar made was provided by someone else. And the primary legal use of cryptocurrencies involves speculation: people effectively betting on a currencys future value. So the background speculators are mostly balanced: One Bitcoin in results in one Bitcoin out. There are exceptions involving offshore exchanges and speculation among different cryptocurrencies, but theyre marginal, and only involve turning one Bitcoin into a little more (if a speculator is lucky) or a little less (if unlucky). Advertisement Criminals and their victims act differently. Victims are net buyers, turning millions of dollars into Bitcoin and never going the other way. Criminals are net sellers, only turning Bitcoin into currency. The only other net sellers are the cryptocurrency miners, and they are easy to identify. Any banked exchange that cares about enforcing money laundering laws must consider all significant net sellers of cryptocurrencies as potential criminals and report them to both in-country and U.S. financial authorities. Any exchange that doesnt should have its banking forcefully cut. Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Treasury can ensure these exchanges are cut out of the banking system. By designating a rogue but banked exchange, the Treasury says that it is illegal not only to do business with the exchange but for U.S. banks to do business with the exchanges bank. As a consequence, the rogue exchange would quickly find its banking options eliminated. Advertisement A second mechanism involves the IRS. In 2019 it started demanding information from cryptocurrency exchanges and added a check box to the 1040 form that requires disclosure from those who both buy and sell cryptocurrencies. And while this is intended to target tax evasion, it has the side consequence of disrupting those offshore exchanges criminals rely to launder their Bitcoin. Speculation on cryptocurrency is far less attractive since the speculators have to pay taxes but most exchanges dont help out by filing 1099-Bs that make it easy to calculate the taxes owed. A third involves targeting the cryptocurrency Tether. While most cryptocurrencies have values that fluctuate with demand, Tether is a stablecoin that is supposedly backed one-to-one with dollars. Of course, it probably isnt, as its claim to be the seventh largest holder of commercial paper (short-term loans to major businesses) is blatantly untrue. Instead, they appear part of a cycle where new Tether is issued, used to buy cryptocurrencies, and the resulting cryptocurrencies now back Tether and drive up the price. Advertisement Advertisement This behavior is clearly that of a wildcat bank, a 1800s fraudulent banking style that has long been illegal. Tether also bears a striking similarity to Liberty Reserve, an online currency that the Department of Justice successfully prosecuted for money laundering in 2013. Shutting down Tether would have the side effect of eliminating the value proposition for the exchanges that support chain swapping since these exchanges need a stable value for the speculators to trade against. There are further possibilities. One involves treating the cryptocurrency miners, those who validate all transactions and add them to the public record, as money transmittersand subject to the regulations around that business. Another option may involve requiring cryptocurrency exchanges to actually deliver the cryptocurrencies into customer-controlled wallets. Advertisement Effectively all cryptocurrency exchanges avoid transferring cryptocurrencies between customers. Instead they simply record entries in a central database. This makes sense because actual on chain transactions can be particularly expensive for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum. If all speculators needed to actually receive their Bitcoins, it would make clear that its value proposition as a currency simply doesnt exist, as the already strained system would grind to a halt. And, of course, law enforcement can already target criminals Bitcoin directly. An example of this just occurred, when U.S. law enforcement was able to seize 85 percent of the $4 million ransom Colonial Pipeline paid to the criminal organization DarkSide. That by the time the seizure occurred the Bitcoin lost more than 30 percent of its value is just one more reminder of how unworkable Bitcoin is as a store of value. There is no single silver bullet to disrupt either cryptocurrencies or ransomware. But enough little disruptions, a death of a thousand cuts through new and existing regulation, should make Bitcoin no longer usable for ransomware. And if theres no safe way for a criminal to collect the ransom, their business model becomes no longer viable. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. Dr. Lindsay Ryan is passionate about getting people vaccinated. She trains college students to go out into communities and just talk to people about it, listen to their concerns, always with the goal of getting more shots in arms. But this work is hard for her, too, because although the vaccines are highly effective in the vast majority of people, they dont work on hershe has an autoimmune condition. On Thursdays episode of What Next, I spoke to Ryan, an emergency department doctor at San Francisco General Hospital and San Francisco VA Medical Center, about what the lifting of pandemic restrictions means to her and the millions like her who are still at risk. This conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity. Advertisement Mary Harris: Youve said your B cells love extracurricular activities. What do you mean by that? Advertisement Advertisement Lindsay Ryan: B cells are meant to recognize foreign pathogens, foreign invaders in the body, different germs, whether those be bacteria or viruses. In an autoimmune disease, the B cell mistakes your own body as a foreign invader. So youre attacking yourself. You attack yourself. One of the potential solutions to that are medications that wipe out the B cell pool. And that means you cant attack yourself, which is great. You can feel a lot better. It also means that your ability to attack things like the coronavirus is severely compromised because you cant produce these antibodies that the vaccine is meant to elicit. Advertisement So youre on this drug called Rituxan, and the drug holds back your B cells, and that means both that you are more vulnerable to COVID and the vaccines work less well on you. Its definitely a double whammy. Im both more susceptible to severe disease, death, almost all of these bad outcomes across the board. And were not talking more susceptible by 10 percent or 20 percent. Were talking more susceptible by multiple-fold. And the vaccine works much less well in me. Thats scary. Advertisement Its scary. Yeah, its scary. Theres a paper that I love, its from the early 1980s actually, and it looked at rheumatoid arthritis patients in England. Its a sociology paper. And its about the idea of illness, particularly chronic illness, as an experience of biographical disruption. Normally we write narratives of our lives and we project that story forward to some degree. And with illness, you learn over time to rewrite that story with new limitations upon yourself as the protagonist. And over time you adjust to that. But I think of the lack of vaccine efficacy in immunocompromised people as another big biographical disruption. You have to rewrite your story again with even more limitations, and that is really devastating. Advertisement When the pandemic hit, obviously it was devastating. Youre a doctor, you were probably seeing awful things, but in some ways it felt like there was a sense of camaraderie because everyone was immunocompromised, everyone was at risk. Everyone had to take precautions in the way that you were thinking about already. I think one of the hardest things when youre sick or at risk of getting sick is the uncertainty. I think thats almost as difficult as diseasenot to be able to project forward whats going to happen to you. And I think that was a new experience for many people during the pandemic. The fact that anyone could be sick or get sick in a really, really dangerous way in a matter of days. And there was a sense of solidarity because everyone was scared. Everyone was grappling with an uncertainty and a potential mortality hanging over them in a way that hadnt been true for a lot of people, in a way that a lot of people had never experienced. Advertisement Advertisement So when you heard about the vaccine, I wonder if you were optimistic. For so many people, it was this relief that there was some kind of option to prevent COVID, and I wonder if you felt the same way. I did feel optimistic, but my optimism was tempered from the beginning. I knew that I might have an attenuated or nonexistent vaccine response. As a doctor, you were at the front of the line to get a COVID vaccine. To be ready for that, you delayed your normal immunosuppression treatments for over four months, to give the vaccine a chance to spark a response in your body. You got vaccinated in December. Then, to figure out if any of it had worked, you enrolled in a study, giving blood sample after blood sample, waiting for the results. Was it hard to open that email with the results? Advertisement Yes. I expected an attenuated result. I didnt expect to have no neutralizing antibodies. How soon after getting that result were you going back to the ER to see patients? I expected an attenuated result. I didnt expect to have no neutralizing antibodies. Dr. Lindsay Ryan Within a few days. Was that more difficult? It was a little bit more difficult. I had expected some vaccine response, so I started to be a little bit more relaxed at work, a little bit more relaxed in my daily life. And it was particularly hard because by then the vast majority of my co-workers were vaccinated and really didnt have much concern going into the rooms of patients with COVID and could let down their guard at work. The break room table was barely inhabited for most of the year, and usually the break room table is filled with cake and coffee and Filipino sweets. And people started going to the break room, socializing. Theres a lot of camaraderie in the ER and to have to, at 1 a.m., go get my Kentucky Fried Chicken from the break room and to have to duck out to some random exam room and eat it alone while everyones hanging out in the break room, sure, thats difficult. Advertisement Advertisement Its a really hard emotional state. There is a bit of a schism because on the one hand, you are really happy for people. And on the other hand, its so tough. Theres a sense of loss over these small pleasures, and bigger ones too. Peoples lives are beginning to accelerate, to go back to normal now. And theres a group of people who have been left behind, whose vaccines just dont work. And we still live in a state of uncertainty, just feeling so hemmed in. Youve said youve even turned down jobs because you dont feel like in the current state of COVID you can go work at, say, a tuberculosis clinic. Thats a major decision. Advertisement Its certainly tough to see many of my friends on career trajectories I wish I could have. A lot of my work has been out of the U.S. You know, I was planning to go for Doctors Without Borders. I worked clinically in South Africa for a couple years, so I structured my life around certain plans that for now are on hold indefinitely. As an ER doctor, you must see everyone, all kinds of people, all kinds of feelings about the vaccine. I wonder if you ever find yourself face to face with a patient who may just be refusing to get vaccinated, have a lot of questions about it, and how you deal with that. When youre looking at a patient where you feel like, Why wouldnt you go get the vaccine that will protect you and maybe allow me to be more open too, how do you deal with that? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To me, the greatest form of respect is to get vaccinated so that Im not at risk. Dr. Lindsay Ryan I find it tough. I wont lie. I think ideally you approach it with a certain amount of quiet curiosity and humility about someones motivations and thought processes. Thats not always easy to do. Theres a lot of barriers to people getting vaccinated. People are scared about their immigration status, for instance, although I imagine everywhere getting the vaccine doesnt put people at risk in terms of immigration status. People are scared its too new. So I try to address those concerns and I probably try to do it more than most people in a busy ER because Im so invested in it. But do I find it tough? Yes. One of the extraordinarily gratifying, lovely things about being a doctor during the pandemic has been a huge amount of support for front-line workers. To me, the way that that support can really be shown to me, the greatest form of respect, is to get vaccinated so that Im not at risk of a virus that would be lethal. Also so the kid down the block that you dont know has sickle cell doesnt die, so that the mother down the block who you have no idea has a kidney transplant doesnt die. Advertisement Advertisement This week, California fully reopened. The governor said 70 percent of Californians have had at least one dose of the COVID vaccine. I wonder what that felt like for you, whether there was a sense of relief or stress. There is a sense of stress. Its very hard because I think what Im often facing as a doctor is a schism in my brain between what makes sense on an academic or clinical level and how I feel personally and viscerally. And I think a certain degree of reopening does make sense at this point. On the other hand, it makes my life tougher. Obviously, if other people arent masked, Im at higher risk. So am I going to wear an N95 more often indoors than I had to previously? Probably. Advertisement If you had to describe what that feeling is, that visceral feeling, how would you describe it? I think despair might be a little bit too strong a word, but I do think there is at least some version of that. Because when the vaccines came out, people could see a light at the end of the tunnel. And I feel like for a lot of immunocompromised people, we are still stuck in that tunnel looking for that light. And we dont know how long were going to be trudging through that tunnel. And that is tough. Advertisement The CDC got so much criticism last month when they put out these new guidelines saying vaccinated people could do nearly everything without a mask. And the pushback was because of people like you. Basically, doctors were saying, listen, not enough people are vaccinated yet, people are going to mishear this, theyre going to think they can go maskless no matter what their vaccination status is. I wonder, were you upset about the guidance at the time? As someone whos training people to go and talk to vaccine-hesitant people, Im sure you understand that offering them a maskless future is very enticing and may in fact get some folks to get a vaccine who might not otherwise. But at the same time, its like the cost of doing that is everything youre talking aboutthat despair youre feeling. Advertisement I, like many people, was upset about the guidance, and I was upset about the guidance not because I think its necessarily bad guidance if everyone followed the letter of the law. Theres increasing evidence that vaccinated people transmit virus at a far, far lower rate. But I also think, realistically, the way human behavior works, if vaccinated people toss their mask, unvaccinated people are going to toss their masks too. And I obviously have no way of distinguishing those people. So the CDC is in a tough spot, right? They have to go by the evidence, and they cant have the nation locked down indefinitely. But its true, that step, I think, made things a lot more dangerous for immunocompromised people. Advertisement For people with suppressed immune systems, its still hard to figure out whats risky, whats not. Only one thing is clear: The health of everyone around you matters a lot. How did you feel when you saw the news last month that the U.S. is unlikely to reach herd immunity? That, I think, was a stomach-dropping moment, because with herd immunity, there was a possibility of near eradication in the U.S. Youre never going to have total eradication. Someone might come on a plane from another country. But the prospect of this just indefinitely circulating is incredibly difficult because then the possibility of getting infected, even if its small, is always hanging over your head. Advertisement And I live in a city, in San Francisco, with very low infection rates. But urban centers are also porous. People visit San Francisco all the time. Now that mask mandates are dropping in California, I think the governor is planning on pushing for more tourism. And so the difficult thing is its always going to hang over my head that someone Im sitting next to in a restaurant could be visiting from a state with much higher COVID incidence and could have COVID. So that latent possibility is not going to go away. And thats, I think, quite difficult. Yeah, I wonder if you can even picture yourself sitting indoors at a restaurant anytime soon. I cant picture myself indoors at a restaurant anytime soon. Subscribe to What Next on Apple Podcasts Get more news from Mary Harris every weekday. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Please enable scripts and reload this page. ARCHIVED - Pandemic causes beer production and sales to plummet in Spain Exports, however, increased by 19 per cent with the UK becoming the second-biggest purchaser of Spanish beer in 2020. The beer industry is the latest on the list of Covid-19 victims, with consumption in Spain recording a 12 per cent drop in 2020 and reaching lows only previously seen during the 2007-2014 financial crisis. The 2020 Socioeconomic Report on the Beer Sector in Spain presented on Wednesday (June 16) revealed that Spanish residents drank just 36.34 million hectolitres of beer in 2020, compared to 41.30 million in 2019, and production fell from 39.5 million to 34.7 million hectolitres. The smaller breweries took the worst of the hit, with production down a whopping 40 per cent due to their greater dependence on local trade and limited access to other sales channels. For the first time ever, due to Covid-related lockdowns and restrictions, Spaniards drank more beer at home than in bars. Until 2019, around 70 per cent of beer was consumed outside the home, but in 2020 that fell to 44 per cent. The increase in drinking at home wasnt enough to compensate for the overall drop in consumption though, as total sales fell by almost 30 per cent. Per capita consumption dropped by two litres to 50 litres per year, according to the Purchase and Consumption of Beer in Spain study by Kantar. Unsurprisingly, consumption fell sharply coinciding with the first hard lockdown in the spring (when beer sales usually increase) and in October, when the second set of restrictions came into force. The industry, still far from recovery as some restrictions remain in place and tourists have yet to return in force, hopes the worst is over but does not expect to return to pre-pandemic levels until 2022. The news was not all bad, however. One thing did improve for the sector last year as exports increased by 19 per cent in 2020 to 3.7 million hectolitres. Portugal was the biggest buyer of Spanish beer, with purchases up by 42.5 per cent compared to 2019, followed by the UK, which has knocked China into third place. Imports of beer, mostly from Belgium, Portugal and France, also grew by 9.5 per cent to 5.3 million hectolitres in 2020, presumably due to the increase in home consumption. The future of Europe was widely discussed during the second day of the GLOBSEC Bratislava Forum 2021. The foreign affairs minister of the V4 countries during the discussion at GLOBSEC Bratislava Forum 2021. (Source: Globsec) Font size: A - | A + The entire world has changed in the past 1.5 years, said Hungarian Foreign Affairs Minister Peter Szijjarto during a panel discussion on June 16. Together with his counterparts from the Visegrad Group (V4) countries, he discussed the pandemic and the future of the EU on the second day of the GLOBSEC Bratislava Forum 2021 conference. We are entering a new age, both in terms of global politics and global economy, and this new age starts with very tough competition, Szijjarto said. He stressed the need for the EU to be among the winners of this race, both in political strength and economic power. He further mentioned that to make the EU strong, it is imperative to focus on making the member state strong. He believes in transforming the individual strength of member states into the collective strength of the entire union. His Czech counterpart Jakub Kulhanek agreed, claiming that in the future, he believes that the EU will be as the member states comprise it. While the EU has evolved, we should not forget the hard work and responsibility the member states took on when joining the EU, he added. Slovak Foreign Affairs Minister Ivan Korcok praised the success story of Slovakia, stressing the role of its EU membership on the path to this success. The EU opened the country and provided new responsibilities, opportunities and economic development, he said. Furthermore, he mentioned the need to address the current issues and the outcomes of unresolved crises before looking into future challenges. Zbigniew Rau of Poland outlined that there are expectations from the EU. Firstly, that there be a political structure with strong European institutions, helping pursue the interests of its member states. Secondly, a community of cooperation, mutual understanding based on the principle of equality, subsidiarity and proportionality. EU and the pandemic The four ministers discussed the future of EU after the pandemic and the lessons learned. Szijjarto claimed that the EU made both positive and negative decisions in tackling the crisis. He believes that the EU was slow in the procurement of vaccines, and added that the institutions are able to lead integration in peaceful circumstances, but leaders are also needed in a crisis. Korcok did not think that the procurement of the vaccines was slow. I dont think it is appropriate to say that the EU was slow when it comes to procuring vaccines, he said, claiming that the member states were not prepared for the crisis and despite problems, Slovakia alone would not have been able to acquire the certified vaccines. Korcok also mentioned the need to identify what kind of competence the EU should have in terms of health. The ministers agreed that the pandemic has been a wake-up call for the EU, with Rau adding that the pandemic has been a traumatic experience, but there are lessons that can be learned. Kulhanek underlined the need to prepare for any future pandemic as well as the reflection on how and why the EU was so unequipped to address a health crisis of this magnitude. As we move forward we should look at the pandemic as lessons learnt, not only as the EU but as member states, Kulhanek said. The future of the EU The panellists also delved into the debate around the upcoming conference on the future of Europe. We should look at the EU from the perspective of its citizens, not its politicians, Rau said, adding that a clearer division of competencies between the member states is also of great importance. Kulhanek praised the idea of the conference, but believes practical change can occur only when awareness of it is also raised among citizens. The future of the EU was discussed during other panels as well. Clement Beaune, deputy minister of the French Foreign Affairs Ministry, said that the EU offers many advantages to its citizens, including but not limited to free movement, the euro currency, respect for human rights as well as peace and security. However, the pandemic has shown that the expectations of the public were set higher than the EU could deliver, especially in terms of speed. Yet, it reflects the communities; it was a democratic time as Beaune called it. Therefore, the next two years will be crucial as the concrete deliveries of the recovery plan arrive, which should provide a more digital, more green Europe to future generations. However, Martin Klus, deputy minister of the Slovak Foreign Affairs Ministry, emphasised that we need more than just a recovery and resilience plan. If the recovery plan works, it will be easier and necessary to open the discussion on a 10-year investment plan, Beaune said. Another panel discussion focused on the positioning of the EU as a global actor and the perception it should deliver. The panellists, including Korcok, agreed that the EU has the means to become a global player and the key to achieve it is a common value-based foreign policy. The EU also needs to carry out a risk assessment and gain the tools and possibility to act unanimously. 17. Jun 2021 at 11:58 | Compiled by Spectator staff IKEA fined by Environmental Inspectorate for exceeding production limits The company also transformed nearby wetlands without permission by planting shrub willows, sedges and grasses. Font size: A - | A + The IKEA production plant in Malacky was fined 80,000 by the Slovak Environmental Inspectorate (SIZP) after exceeding the permitted volume of chipboard production, which led to increased emissions. The company significantly exceeded the production limit set by the integrated permit during the two audited years, and arbitrarily, without authorisation, increased production capacities for which it was not authorised or approved by the SIZP as an authorisation body, SIZP statement reads on its website. In view of the fact that the company has done so for a long time, the SIZP believes the company did not even intend to respect the production limit set in the integrated permit. IKEA apologises The decision about the fine is valid and IKEA cannot appeal. 17. Jun 2021 at 17:21 | Compiled by Spectator staff Slovak parliament rejected European report on sexual health. IKEA fined for harming the environment. Crisis staff addresses Delta variant. Font size: A - | A + Good evening. This is the Thursday, June 17 edition of Today in Slovakia, a less-than-five-minute read containing the main news of the day. We wish you a pleasant read. Slovak parliament rejected EU report on sexual health OLaNO MP Anna Zaborska (Source: TASR) Parliament accepted a resolution regarding MEP Predrag Matic's report on sexual and reproductive rights in the EU. The Slovak parliament reminded the European Parliament and other member countries that questions regarding health policy and education are up to the nation-states to address. They feel the report does not respect the principle of subsidiarity and exceeds EP competencies. The resolution was proposed by a group of OLaNO MPs led by Anna Zaborska. 74 MPs voted for it. This was not the only discussed topic regarding sexual health during the June parliamentary session. There are currently two proposals that would limit abortions in Slovakia. IKEA fined 80,000 for exceeding production limits Illustrative stock photo (Source: Sme) IKEA's production plant in Malacky was fined 80,000 by the environmental inspectorate after exceeding the permitted volume of chipboard production, which led to increased emissions. "The company did not even intend to respect the production limit set in the integrated permit," the inspectorate stated in the press release. IKEA has apologised for breaching the law and accepted the fine. The inspectorate also fined IKEA Industry Slovakia in May 2021 5,000 for intervening in the wetland without the consent of the competent authorities for environmental protection in the locality of Modransky Sur and Zadny Sur in the cadastral territory of the municipality of Modra. Coronavirus and vaccination news Slovakia has received almost four million vaccines against coronavirus. This includes more than 2.3 million Pfizer vaccines, 910,000 AstraZeneca vaccines, 386,000 by Moderna, 102,000 by Johnson&Johnson and 200,000 of the Russian Sputnik V. against coronavirus. This includes more than 2.3 million Pfizer vaccines, 910,000 AstraZeneca vaccines, 386,000 by Moderna, 102,000 by Johnson&Johnson and 200,000 of the Russian Sputnik V. Hygienists examined 57 samples of sewerage waters for coronavirus. The results of the analysis should be available next week, the Public Health Authority said. for coronavirus. The results of the analysis should be available next week, the Public Health Authority said. Obligatory state quarantine after arrival from abroad is being discussed again, confirmed Vladimir Krcmery, an infectologist and member of the crisis staff. The staff met to discuss the Delta variant, which is spreading in the UK and Portugal. The crisis staff has not adopted any recommendations yet, but they will meet again on Monday . However, ministers pointed out that situation abroad may change quickly and people should take this into consideration when travelling for holiday. It's one thing to travel abroad, another to return, Krcmery added. He recommends people spend their holidays in a place easily accessible by car. is being discussed again, confirmed Vladimir Krcmery, an infectologist and member of the crisis staff. The staff met to discuss the Delta variant, which is spreading in the UK and Portugal. The crisis staff has not adopted any recommendations yet, but . However, ministers pointed out that situation abroad may change quickly and people should take this into consideration when travelling for holiday. It's one thing to travel abroad, another to return, Krcmery added. He recommends people spend their holidays in a place easily accessible by car. In the statistics of reported adverse reactions after Covid-19 vaccines, there was one new post-vaccination death this week. A 44-year-old patient who had been vaccinated with the first dose of Vaxzevria from AstraZeneca died. It was determined possible that her death was linked to the vaccine. If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism,buy our online subscription. Thank you. Photo of the day Many people escaped the hot weather by heading to the water. High temperatures will continue in Slovakia during the weekend. The Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMU) issued a second-degree warning for southwest Slovakia, including Bratislava, valid until Saturday. Temperatures in those regions could reach 35 Celsius degrees. (Source: TASR) Feature story for today Although Slovakia has only 8,500 cultivated hectares of vineyards, winegrowers can make remarkable wines from them. "The quality of wine reflects the quality of a vineyard itself," said experienced sommelier Rastislav Sutak. Parched? Sommelier proposes four remarkable Slovak wines Read more In other news Hlas, the party of the former PM Peter Pellegrini that does not have a caucus in parliament, will submit a proposal for a non-confidence vote in PM Eduard Heger and thus his government. The party will probably do so next week. The session has to be summoned in seven days. and thus his government. The party will probably do so next week. The session has to be summoned in seven days. A fire broke out at the Louis Pasteur University Hospital in Kosice in the afternoon. All rescue services arrived on the scene. Patients were evacuated from the building. broke out at the in the afternoon. All rescue services arrived on the scene. Patients were evacuated from the building. Through the police action Mytnik II (Toll collector II), t he National Criminal Agency (NAKA) accused six people of legalising income through criminal activity, corruption and machination at a public procurement and public auction. One of the accused is likely Andrej Holak, deputy chair of the board of directors MH Manazment, TA3 television reported. he National Criminal Agency (NAKA) accused of legalising income through criminal activity, corruption and machination at a public procurement and public auction. One of the accused is likely deputy chair of the board of directors MH Manazment, TA3 television reported. A brown bear intervention team euthanised a bear that posed a threat to citizens of Sucany village (Martin district). The bear had been visiting settled areas since autumn 2020, endangering the safety and health of inhabitants. The bear did not react to attempts to scare him away. that posed a threat to citizens (Martin district). The bear had been visiting settled areas since autumn 2020, endangering the safety and health of inhabitants. The bear did not react to attempts to scare him away. Cases of coronavirus infection were confirmed among the members of the Slovak national team at EURO 2020 . Defender Denis Vavro had a positive test result, according to the sport.sk portal. The driver of the bus transporting the Slovak national team is likely the other infected person. were confirmed among the . Defender Denis Vavro had a positive test result, according to the sport.sk portal. The driver of the bus transporting the Slovak national team is likely the other infected person. Three journalists from the Sme daily received the Czecho-Slovak public prize of the Open Society Foundation for its story, 22 testimonies: Waitress, president, director all of them experienced sexual abuse. Do not miss on Spectator.sk today A hotel in High Tatras had an unexpected visitor. A bear visited its kitchen Read more Interior minister survives ousting attempt Read more The world enters a new age after pandemic outbreak Read more If you have suggestions on how this news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk 17. Jun 2021 at 17:56 | Nina Hrabovska Francelova Fire in the main Kosice hospital forced evacuation of patients and staff 60 patients, including some on lung ventilation, have been evacuated. Font size: A - | A + The largest hospital in Kosice evacuated dozens of patients, including some on lung ventilation, when a fire broke out in its emergency room building. The fire broke out in the Louis Pasteur University Hospital in Kosice around 15:00 on Thursday, June 17, but the cause was still unknown more than two hours later. People were running from the building while firefighters evacuated patients and staff, the Korzar daily reported. "The preliminary information suggests the fire broke out at the septic department of the trauma surgery clinic," the hospital spokesperson Monika Kriskova said, as quoted by Korzar. "It was a larger fire, but the lives and health of people were not threatened." The hospital preventively evacuated 60 patients from the trauma surgery clinic, the anesthesiology and intensive care department, and transported them to nearby hospitals. No injuries were reported among patients or staff, according to preliminary information. "The fire broke out on the first floor and one room caught alight," the firefighters reported, adding that they localised and extinguished the fire momentarily, but the whole floor is full of smoke and is unsuitable for use. Four of the 60 evacuated patients were connected to artificial lung ventilation. PM Eduard Heger (OLaNO), who is on a planned work trip to eastern Slovakia, made it to the Kosice hospital after the fire. 17. Jun 2021 at 18:01 | Compiled by Spectator staff The first leg of Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) stakes action for three-year-old trotters closed out the week of racing at Harrington Raceway with five $20,000 divisions on Wednesday (June 16). The fastest winner was Bobby Myers' Big Al M ($2.80, Eddie Davis Jr.), who continued his dominance of DSBF rivals with a front-stepping 1:58.4 triumph over Bluestone Jackson and Vlahos. The Eric Davis trainee never had an anxious moment in his wire-to-wire win, the seventh in nine career starts for the son of Anders Bluestone who has banked $150,892 lifetime. The first filly division saw KJ Diamond (Victor Kirby) overtake pacesetter Blue Green Machine at the top of the stretch and draw clear for a one-length win in 2:03.4. Shes So Striking finished third. A daughter of Keystone Activator racing for owners Pam Wagner and Scott Woogen and trainer Victor Kirby, K J Diamond notched her second lifetime win. Gary White's Whitesville Beulah ($6.40, David Hill III) won the second division in 2:00.3 with a front end win over Kims Command and Designers Edge. The Anders Bluestone filly notched her third career win for owner/trainer White. In the final colt and gelding division, Someofmygoodtime ($44.20, Bill Long) sprung an upset in 2:02.2 over Fox Briar Spooky and Command The Market. The Harry Marsh Jr.-trained son of Keystone Activator took advantage of an early miscue by 1-5 favourite Altar Call, who broke behind the starting gate, and led all the way for his first lifetime win for owners Janet Rae, Joseph Kansak and trainer Marsh. The final filly division on the card went to 1-9 favourite Jazzy Judy ($2.10, Anthony MacDonald), who was an open-length winner in 2:01 over Azurine and Annalee. Owned by Thestable Jazzy Judy Group and trained by Jim King Jr., the Political Briefing filly assumed command near the top of the stretch from Annalee and drew away effortlessly for her fourth lifetime win. In the $17,000 overnight feature, Nick Callahan trainee Ginger Tree Skyr ($3.20, Corey Callahan) recorded his second straight win in 1:55.3 for owners Callahan, Yonwollan Racing Team, Stuart Chambers and Gregory Godbout. It was one of four wins on the card for driver Callahan, and one of two for horses trained by his father. Jason Johnson had a training triple. The second leg of DSBF action will be contested June 21-23. Post time is 4:30 p.m. nightly. (Harrington Raceway) Standardbred Canada's Information, Communications & Innovation Department, which oversees the SC website and TROT Magazine, is seeking an accomplished and energetic individual for a position with Canadas leading horse racing website. Reporting to the Director of Digital Communications, the Website News & Content Editor is responsible for planning, creating, editing, and publishing information on the Standardbred Canada website and through its social media channels. This is a full-time position, with a Sunday-Thursday schedule. The position will require flexibility performing duties outside of the normal Sunday-Thursday daily schedule (ie., nights and weekends). As the SC office is currently closed, applicants will be expected to perform some duties from a home office setting. Please submit applications via email, with a cover letter and resume, to Jeff Porchak, Director of Digital Communications by 5:00 p.m. (EST) on Friday, June 25, 2021. We thank all those who apply, but only those applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted. The full job description follows. POSITION: Website News & Content Editor (Full-Time Position) REPORTS TO: Director of Digital Communications JOB PURPOSE: The Website News & Content Editor is responsible for planning, creating, editing, and publishing information on the Standardbred Canada website and through its social media channels. SCHEDULE: Sunday - Thursday. The start and end hours may vary as the nature of duties requires, as determined by SC management. The position will require flexibility performing duties outside of the normal Sunday-Thursday daily schedule (ie., nights and weekends). DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Website News Publishing Report on harness racing events across North America for the daily news website, covering multiple racetracks and events during a given shift. Format, edit and post news releases and photographs using an online content management system. Develop and write feature stories and other value added content for the website, which may include using various forms of multimedia. Assist with communications, media relations and outreach, as required, including writing and distributing pitches when appropriate, news releases and exclusive stories to the media. Travel, from time to time, to events or for the purpose of covering stories or news. Assist with coordination of tasks / responsibilities / expectations of freelance staff when needed. Work with the Director of Digital Communications to plan and execute featured web content. Social Media Management Assist with content for SCs social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube) as needed, including writing content and photo editing, working on special projects, and video production when required. Work with the Director of Digital Communications to plan and execute social media content. Other Departmental Operations Support for the Director of Digital Communications on website and digital channel development as needed Offer ideas on how this organization can better serve its membership. Other departmental duties may be required as assigned by management. COMPETENCIES: Communication Eloquently composes clear, concise, and crisp messages to a variety of audiences. Gets messages across using elements of voice, tone, and volume at an appropriate level and within context. Content is accurate and appropriate. Ideas are clear and opinions are supported. Time Management Places a high value on his or her time and plans tasks accordingly. Makes quality time for the most important priorities. Adeptly handles several tasks at once. Looks ahead and doesnt get stuck in the here and now, while attending to a broad range of activities. Customer Focus Commits to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external stakeholders. Gets first-hand stakeholder information and assesses it to measure stakeholder satisfaction. Builds and maintains effective relationships with stakeholders and gains their trust and respect. Interpersonal Skills Is warm, pleasant, and gracious; easy to approach and engage in conversation. Builds strong relationships with others inside and outside his or her area or organization. Uses diplomacy and tact to diffuse tense situations comfortably. Problem Solving Uses a combination of logic, analysis, experience, wisdom, and methods to make sound, timely decisions and to solve problems. Probes appropriate sources for relevant information and answers to key questions; demonstrates persistence and skill in gathering information. Understands levels of inclusion necessary for ownership and effective action. Has solutions and suggestions that are effective and turn out to be correct and accurate when judged over time. Is sought out by others for input and process support. Teamwork Looks for opportunities to work with other groups or organizational areas. Initiates collaboration on projects or ways of operating. Discusses problems/issues with team members that could impact on results. Communicates expectations for teamwork and collaboration to the team. Flexibility Realigns resources to meet changing customer needs. Takes feedback into consideration while implementing organizational change. QUALIFICATIONS: University degree or college diploma in English, Journalism, Communications or related experience. Excellent news judgement and solid experience and understanding of packaging, editing and writing content and headlines in a fast-paced, online editorial environment. Basic HTML and photo editing skills, and experience with online publication and social media tools. Strong oral, presentation, and writing skills. Applicants will be expected to perform some duties from a home office setting. Ability to work as part of a team. This job description is provided to capture the primary components of this role. It is not meant to be an exhaustive list. An individual may be required to perform other tasks which may not be listed but are consistent with the general intent of this role. From time to time, Standardbred Canada may make changes to this job description. Reasons for such changes include, but are not limited to, changes in business processes and practices, technology changes, legal requirements, member feedback, or changes to organization structure and reporting relationships. Since 2018, the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA) has welcomed Youth members, a category of membership for aspiring or early-career harness racing media 21 years of age or younger. It continues into its fourth year, with new Youth members' first-year dues generously paid by continued sponsor Tim Konkle, 2017 USHWA Member of the Year. Last year's three newest USHWA Youth members all had a successful 2020: Grady Hachey is now one of the sport's youngest regular columnists, covering New Brunswick harness racing in his Atlantic Post Calls column; Edison Hatter has become a regular presence calling races and handicapping at tracks ranging from Rosecroft to Freehold to The Meadowlands; and Tony Elliott was named assistant to the general manager at Hanover Raceway in 2020, later joining the broadcast team at The Raceway at Western Fair, being named assistant general manager at Clinton Raceway in 2021, and assisting with communications at Grand River Raceway. The Youth Membership category was created to assist young harness racing media starting out in their careers, while also introducing these knowledgeable and passionate racing fans to the world's oldest organization for harness racing communicators. Last year was the most active year for the USHWA Youth project, led by a New Year's Eve Twitter handicapping contest for members of legal wagering age, with prizes donated by Lee Drake (manager of racing, brands and broadcast at Red Shores Charlottetown and Summerside) and the USHWA Canada chapter. A monthly "USHWA Youth Racetrack Review" media release shared USHWA Youth-written or related stories of family-friendly racetracks and experiences, to encourage all tracks to allow young people to attend the races (following COVID-19 regulations). Participation gifts were kindly sent out to all USHWA Youth members by the Harness Horse Youth Foundation, Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame, and Ryan Clements (Off and Pacing/Catch Driver). The 2021 nomination deadline is Monday, July 5, and potential youth members can be nominated by anyone familiar with their contributions to harness racing. Self-nominations are also welcome. A nominee must be a writer, photographer, race caller, video producer, podcaster, or other contributor to the media side of the sport. Youth members do not need to be paid employees in the industry; students, volunteers, and freelancers are welcome to apply. To nominate someone, please send links to samples of their harness racing media work and note where they are now involved in harness racing (e.g. tracks; media outlets; racing, equine or journalism-related college programs; breed organizations; fairs; 4-H clubs, etc.) Youth members are non-voting members, who may later apply to become active (voting) members of USHWA. Please send nominations and questions to USHWA Youth Membership Committee chair Melissa Keith ([email protected]). (USHWA) I enjoy being with animals, they make me so happy, Jenkins said. Im always like, Oh my God, its a dog! I love them so much. They are a total stress-reliever. Ross, a resident of Nokesville in Prince William County, said its important to have dogs properly cared for to prevent skin problems and other issues. We brush their teeth, do things you dont do at home, she said. Its good for them. Linda Law, the owner of Wash & Wag and Canine Clippers, followed her family members into professional pet care, training and grooming, maintaining a three-generation career heritage, according to the business website. In addition to being a certified master groomer with the National Dog Groomers Association of America and International Professional Groomers Inc., Law founded Canine Clippers in 1982 and started the Virginia Groomers Association in 1987. Law raises toy poodles and Arabian horses on her farm in Spotsylvania County. This past weekend, U.S. dog-lovers binge-watched the Westminster Dog Show. Many keep track from year to year of the pedigree of Westminsters competitors. Marrin will begin fulfilling his responsibilities as interim-president Monday, June 21. The board unanimously approved the appointment of Marrin to serve as WNCCs interim president. Id like to thank the board for their support and their support of the college as well, Marrin said. Theyve done some phenomenal work over the years. I really look forward to coming back and working with my friends and colleagues at WNCC toward the success of our students. That has always been a big part of everyones lives there. English instructor Brian Croft addressed the board during the faculty comment portion of the meeting, expressing his support of the boards appointment of Marrin. Were all here in both unexpected and expected circumstances, I think, he said. I dont think anybody would say that its positive, but you can obviously grow a lot from a negative situation. This is the first that Ive heard that Dr. Marrin would be interim. From a personal standpoint, I think thats a great choice. His pedigree is obviously known and when he was here, he was very open to ideas; he was equally supportive of academics as he was to applied tech, which is great because we are a unified college. The National Scenic Byway program began in 1991 and recognizes highways that have at least two of the six intrinsic qualities: scenic, natural, historic, cultural, archaeological and recreational. The program was dormant for seven years until the bipartisan Reviving Americans Scenic Byway Act reinstated the program in January 2019, said Mark Falzone, the CEO of the National Scenic Byway Foundation. Nebraska has coveted the designation for years, said Muriel Clark, the president of the Nebraska Lincoln Highway and Scenic and Historic Byway. So, when the Federal Highway Administration announced in December 2020 the designation applications would open in February and close in June, her team got to work. A major component of the application was a corridor management plan that normally takes years to complete. However, her team created one in a matter of months. COVID-19 did them a favor they were able to work from home. Even without the extra distractions, completing the corridor management plan in such a short time was difficult to do, said Sarah Focke, the Nebraska director on the National Lincoln Highway Association Board. The team found 67 historical markers on the byway and researched their stories to make the Lincoln Highways application stand out. During Anthones visit to Scottsbluff, he visited the site of a mobile vaccination clinic being held by Scotts Bluff County Public Health Department. On Wednesday, nurses with the mobile clinic offered COVID-19 vaccinations at the Western Sugar plant. Paulette Schnell, Scotts Bluff County Public Health director, explained that health officials are hoping more businesses will invite them to come to their worksites to offer the mobile clinics for employees to get their vaccine. The clinics have offered a convenient way for those who feel unable to leave work or work around other obligations. While Anthone was at the site, a Western Sugar worker got his vaccine and Anthone asked questions of nurses at the site and Schnell. What a great opportunity to see how they set this up, Anthone said of the mobile clinic. Again, its a great example of how well the health departments work with the community here as far as getting people immunized, especially now. Its so important that theyre doing this. In the state of Nebraska, he said, weve done a great job of getting people vaccinated, and its all due to the public health departments. You can see how those arguments could be applied today, but I think wed all be better served to ditch the Cold War stuff because circumstances have changed. First, Russia is a basket case. Rife with corruption, entirely dependent on oil and gas revenues, and starving for foreign investment, Russias entire GDP ($1.7 trillion) is smaller than Bidens first COVID relief package. Second, as morally bankrupt as Soviet Communism was, it nonetheless appealed to the hearts and minds of millions around the globe. No one, save would-be despots, looks at the Russian model as something they want to emulate. That changes the stakes dramatically. Were not competing with Russia for moral leadership. Thats because Putin is better understood as a cross between a conventional mob boss, a James Bond villain and a Latin American strongman. Estimates of Putins personal wealth range from $40 billion to $200 billion. Whatever the right number, he didnt get that rich from wisely investing his $300,000 annual salary. The truth may be out there, but a highly anticipated government report on UFO activity isnt going to answer all the questions for true believers. But Cousin Junior might. According to The New York Times and other media outlets, intelligence officials will release to Congress an unclassified version of a UFO report later in June. It focuses on more than 120 encounters, most of them involving Navy pilots, with aerial phenomena that performed wild maneuvers rapid acceleration, sudden change in direction, prolonged hovering. The report, according to sources who spoke with The Times, concludes these pilots werent encountering secret U.S. technology, but it doesnt provide any firm answers on what these things were. The Times story said senior officials briefed on the intelligence conceded that the very ambiguity of the findings meant the government could not definitively rule out theories that the phenomena observed by military pilots might be alien spacecraft. As the senior interim aerial phenomena/UFO correspondent for this award-winning publication, I decided to reach out to the one person I know who claims to have had a close encounter Cousin Junior, who may or may not exist only in my imagination. Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD has taken several initiatives to reach all students, such as hosting the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) College Forum. Someone is scamming Collin County residents for warrant payments. Here's what you need to know BANGKOK (AP) Thailand plans to fully reopen to vaccinated foreign visitors by mid-October as the government seeks to restart the crucial coronavirus-devastated tourism industry, the prime minister announced Wednesday. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said fully inoculated foreign visitors and returning Thai citizens must be allowed entry without quarantine or other inconvenient restrictions, and that his goal is to open up the country within 120 days. Prayuth acknowledged that the push to re-open might create problems. I know this decision comes with some risk because, when we open the country, there will be an increase in infections, no matter how good our precautions, he said. But I think when we take into consideration the economic needs of the people, the time has come for us to take that calculated risk. Tourism is a major contributor to Thailand's economy and employs millions of people. The country attracted nearly 40 million foreign arrivals in 2019, which plunged in 2020 because of an entry ban to control the coronavirus. Prayuth said the government would reconsider the reopening only if a serious situation develops. The government had previously targeted next January for reopening the country. Matt Johnson was part of the original first-grade class at the school in 1967. He still leaves nearby, and said he came to the event because he hadnt been back to the school in decades. It looked very different in 67, he said. Back then it was just one building. Beacon Hill elementary plans drive-through museum before school closes Before Beacon Hill is decommissioned and its students attend the new Lexington school, staff will host a drive-through museum, showcasing events from the schools five decades as part of the Kelso School District. If anyone in the community has photos or objects from the schools history, the team would like to borrow them for the event. Beacon Hill teacher Robbin Treadway dressed up for her stint at the traditions tent, wearing a hot pink retro skirt and jacket. Not only does she teach at Beacon Hill, she attended the school and so did her children. This school was the beginning of my everything, she said Wednesday, as she decided she wanted to be a teacher sitting in a second grade classroom in the school. I love this school. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Treadway said she remembers traditions from the 80s onward, and has passed them on to the decades of students who came through her room. She said lately, shes been teaching the children of her own elementary school classmates. Im super sad that this is it, she said of the closing. The building will still be here, but it wont be what it was. PHOENIX (AP) An unusually early and long-lasting heat wave brought more triple-digit temperatures Wednesday to a large swath of the U.S. West, raising concerns that such extreme weather could become the new normal amid a decades-long drought. Phoenix, which is seeing some of the highest temperatures this week, tied a record for the second day in a row when it reached 115 degrees (46 Celsius) Wednesday and was expected to hit 117 (47 Celsius) each of the next two days, the National Weather Service said. Scientists who study drought and climate change say that people living in the American West can expect to see more of the same in the coming years. Heat waves are getting worse in the West because the soil is so dry from the region's megadrought, said Park Williams, a University of California, Los Angeles, climate and fire scientist who has calculated that soil in the western half of the nation is the driest it has been since 1895. We could have two, three, four, five of these heat waves before the end of the summer. In the latest sighting, a resident found the dead hornet on his lawn near the city of Marysville and reported it June 4 to the state agency. Entomologists retrieved it June 8, reporting that it was very dried out and a male hornet. Given the time of year, that it was a male and that the specimen was exceptionally dry, entomologists believe it was an old hornet from a previous season that wasnt discovered until now, officials said. New males usually dont emerge until at least July. There is no obvious pathway for how the hornet got to Marysville, officials said. The find is perplexing because it is too early for a male to emerge, said Dr. Osama El-Lissy, deputy administrator for the U.S. Department of Agricultures quarantine program. El-Lissy said the federal agency would work with state officials to survey the area to verify whether a population exists in Snohomish County. Because it was found for the first time in that county and had different coloring than previously collected specimens in North America, the hornet was submitted to the federal Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service for final verification. U.S. Department of Justice lawyers and the city-hired compliance officer had highlighted the incident in their reports critical of the bureaus review of officers use of force during the nightly demonstrations. A video shared on Twitter caught an officer running and striking the back of a protesters head with his baton shortly after 11 p.m. on Aug. 18. The officer knocked the woman down and then hit her with the baton a second time while she was down, the video appears to show. The Police Bureau found the baton strike was not intentional and therefore not considered lethal force while the Independent Police Review office viewed the strike as a push, compliance officer Dennis Rosenbaum noted in his report. However, Rosenbaum said the video did not support either stance and that police should have started a deadly force investigation. Police started an inquiry as a result several weeks later, a federal Justice Department report noted. At the time of the incident, Budworth was assigned to the Police Bureaus Rapid Response Team, which does crowd control. Jacobs filed the civil rights and battery lawsuit in September, saying she was working as a photojournalist when she was pushed by the officer. Nokia is very much alive and kicking, considering the number of launches it has held over recent times. In any case, it always seems to remain a part of the conversation. Today, it is again in the news and yes, this time too it is all about a launch, or more accurately, 2 launches. HMD Global had launched the Nokia 110 and the Nokia 104 smartphones back in 2019. At the time, these smartphones offered 2G connectivity. Now, two years later, the company has upgraded these phones to offer 4G connectivity to the users. The upgraded phones are called the Nokia 110 4G and the Nokia 104 4G. They are available in single SIM and dual-SIM variants and they offer support for various 4G bands. Nokia 110 4G, Nokia 104 4G price HMD Global has launched the Nokia 110 4G and the Nokia 104 4G quietly. Unfortunately for us, this means that there is no word on pricing or availability yet. The 2G versions of the Nokia 110 and the Nokia 105 were priced at $20 ( 1,484 approx.) and $15 ( 1,113 approx.). So, it is possible that their 4G variants arent priced far from that. Nokia 110 4G specs The Nokia 110 4G measures 121x50x14.5mm and weighs 84.5g for the dual-SIM variant. It comes with a plastic body and it features a 1.8-inch QQVGA display. It is powered by the Unisoc T107 processor that is coupled with 128MB RAM and 48MB storage space. It runs on the old and forgotten Series 30+ mobile operating system and it is backed by a removable 1020mAh battery that offers up to 14 days of standby time with 4G connectivity. It offers two nano-SIM card slots and a micro USB 2.0 slot. It comes with a 3.5mm jack and it offers HD voice calls over 4G VoLTE. Nokia 110 4G (HMD Global) Nokia 104 4G specs The Nokia 104 4G also measures 121x50x14.5mm and weighs 80.2g for the dual-SIM variant. It comes with a plastic body and it features a 1.8-inch QQVGA display. Like the Nokia 110 4G, the Nokia 104 4G is also powered by the Unisoc T107 processor that is coupled with 128MB RAM and 48MB storage space. It runs on the old and forgotten Series 30+ mobile operating system and it is backed by a removable 1020mAh. It offers two nano-SIM card slots, a 3.5mm jack, a micro USB 2.0 slot and it has a three-in-one speaker system. The Nokia 104 4G is available in Black, Blue and Red colour variants. Truecaller is one of the most widely used caller identification and spam blocking applications today, and the Swedish company has added new functionalities over time. From identifying and blocking spam calls to filtering out unwanted messages, the app has rolled out a number of valuable features for users. Truecaller has now added three new features for Android users -- group voice calling, Smart SMS and Inbox Cleaner. These new features have been added to the latest version of Truecaller but are not available on Apple iPhone at the moment. Truecaller: Group Voice Calling The first new feature introduced by Truecaller is called Group Voice Calling, and it will let Truecaller users on Android add eight participants to a call. Not only can users add numbers to a call without saving them as a contact, but the app will also identify a spam user if they have been added to a group call without their knowledge. Truecaller says it will also inform users about the other users availability -- in case they are already busy on another call or offline. The city each participant resides in also gets displayed. The company says calls will be protected by symmetric encryption, but it is unclear if end-to-end encryption has been implemented. Truecaller: Smart SMS While SMS is still a very popular mode of communication in the US, most users in India will not be able to recollect when they last sent or received an SMS to their friends on a regular basis. Truecaller says that nearly 80 percent of SMS received by users come from businesses. These can clog up your SMS app and make it look untidy, so the company has introduced a new Smart SMS feature, which will also use algorithms to identify spam callers inside your SMS too. Users in India, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa will have access to the feature first, while Sweden, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the US will receive it in the future. Truecaller Inbox Cleaner The third feature from Truecaller is called Inbox Cleaner, and it allows users to get rid of all older SMS in your inbox. Many of the messages in a users inbox are usually OTPs for transactions which have been completed, or simply spam messages from businesses. The company has introduced the new Inbox Cleaner to quickly clean up the older SMS from your device, by tapping the Clean Up button to get rid of them immediately. While there is no word on when these features will come to iOS, users on Android devices can get the feature right away. Dr. Brian Kish with students in the Aerospace Experiments Lab. Credit: Florida Institute of Technology Flying drones are doing great things today, from powerline inspection to security surveillance to precision agriculture (fertilizer and pesticide application). These drones have evolved from remotely piloted to fully autonomous, where the user programs waypoints and hits the "go" button. So far, operating drones over populated areas has been limited. But that's about to get tested. On the immediate horizon is drone package delivery. We have Florida Tech alumni at Amazon today running the flight test certification program for their drone package delivery system. If fielded, this will determine the public's appetite (in terms of privacy, noise, visual disruption of the sky, security and safety) for drones flying over populated areas. Just like delivery trucks sometimes break down or crash, it's only a matter of time until a package-delivery drone crashes into a house or flies into a crowd of people. Assuming the public accepts this (on rare occasion), the technology will grow to enable bigger and bigger packages to be delivered. If the payload grows to hundreds of pounds, why can't the payload be a human? This question spawned the renewal of the quest for "flying cars," which have been a feature in many sci-fi movies and television series like "The Jetsons." This new quest has been promoted under the name "urban air mobility." The latest FAA-funded program has aerospace, physics and space sciences assistant professor Markus Wilde and I helping the FAA develop means of compliance for the urban air mobility market, which includes electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. These future concepts are neither traditional fixed-wing aircraft nor helicopters. Just like the automotive industry had to figure out certification of electric cars, the FAA will need to do the same for electric aircraft. The FAA flight and pilot training rules will also need to be redefined. For example, having 45 minutes of reserve fuel in case an aircraft needs to divert for poor weather was easy to define in terms of gallons of fuel. Translating flight time to battery charge remaining is not as straightforward. This especially gets tricky for vertical landing or vertical missed approach, where the aircraft requires an additional burst of power rather than a power reduction as seen by fixed-wing aircraft on final glideslope. The key technologies required to make urban air mobility vehicles possible are the same requirements for package-delivery drones: low emissions, low noise, vertical takeoff and landing, and precise trajectory control. Helicopters have been providing urban air mobility for years, but they require pilots and don't meet the emissions or noise requirements. They also are quite expensive and thus used mainly by wealthy people. The prototype urban air mobility vehicles of the future vary from multi-copters (similar to package-delivery drones) to tilt-rotor aircraft (similar to the military's V-22) to other vehicles that incorporate distributed propulsion and vectored thrust. The variety of these designs has challenged government regulators to produce certification and operation rules. Florida Tech has FAA contracts to help them define new rules. Autonomous cars and Amazon drones are blazing the technology and regulatory paths. Neither will see widespread use in the near future. But as the public gains confidence, the use of both will grow. And the dream of Jetsons-like urban air mobility might just be here sooner than you think. Explore further Startup Kelekona develops a 40-seat drone bus In this Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019, file photo, the floor of the North American International Auto Show is shown in Detroit. The head of Detroit's big international auto show says it will return to the Motor City next year, but with smaller indoor displays, and more emphasis on experiencing vehicles and technology outside. The North American International Auto Show was canceled in 2020, due the coronavirus pandemic, and it will be replaced this year by an outdoor event at a racetrack. Credit: AP Photo/Paul Sancya The head of Detroit's big international auto show says it will return to the Motor City next year, but with smaller indoor displays, and more emphasis on experiencing vehicles and technology outside. The North American International Auto Show was canceled last year due the coronavirus pandemic and will be replaced this year by an event at a racetrack north of Detroit. But Rod Alberts, executive director of the Detroit Auto Dealers Association, which runs the show, says that next year there will be an event in the city's downtown. "That's the place it belongs," Alberts told the Automotive Press Association of Detroit on Thursday. But he said the show will have to change from the past, when automakers built elaborate and costly multi-story displays and unveiled their most important new models. Now car companies are finding they can get good exposure and spend less by doing virtual unveilings outside of auto shows, where vehicles can get overshadowed by other debuts. Some automakers had pulled out of Detroit and other shows. Alberts said Detroit and other shows have to change to appeal more to millennials, which are two generations after baby boomers and like to experience things rather than just view them. He envisions a mainly a walkable outdoor event encompassing the entire downtown, with smaller displays and maybe some electric-vehicle driving indoors. It would be during good-weather months instead of the traditional frigid January in Detroit. "You can't just keep doing the same things over and over again," Alberts said. The show had been scheduled at the downtown convention center for September of this year, but in January organizers decided to replace it with an outdoor event called "Motor Bella" at the M1 Concourse track in Pontiac, Michigan. Alberts said Motor Bella could be incorporated into a future downtown auto show, or could be a separate event in the future. It will have track driving, an off-road driving area, and displays by automakers and technology companies. He said there will be new vehicle debuts at the event from Sept. 21-26, but he wasn't sure how many. Last month, the Chicago Auto Show announced that it would be back downtown in July. The New York International Auto Show is scheduled to make a comeback from Aug. 20-29 at the Javits Convention Center, while the Los Angeles Auto Show is to return from Nov. 19-28 at the city's convention center. Explore further Frankfurt to lose German auto show: organisers 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Many of Australia's major financial firms reported customers could not access websites and mobile apps for a period on Thursday. Major banks and airlines were among businesses hit by a fresh global online outage Thursday, with the problem traced to US-based tech provider Akamai. An hour-long blackout hit a number of US airlines and several Australian financial firms as well as other companies dotted around the world, with angry customers unable to access websites and mobile apps. "We are aware of the issue and actively working to restore services as soon as possible," an Akamai spokesperson told AFP. American, Delta, United and Southwest airlines were among those affected, while the issue appeared to be more prolonged in Australiawhere problems struck mid-afternoon as much of the world slept. Australia's largest financial firm Commonwealth Bank told AFP that it and many of the country's major lenders had been hit. The outages, which began around 2:10pm Sydney time (0510 GMT), also hit Australia's postal service and Virgin Australia. The airline said in a statement that it "was one of many organisations to experience an outage with the Akamai content delivery system". A spokesperson for ANZ bank told AFP the incident was "related to an external provider" but that "connectivity was restored quickly and the most impacted services are back online". Banks in New Zealand and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange also reported problems with their web platforms. It is the latest incident to draw attention to the stability of economically vital online platforms and the key role that a handful of mostly unknown companies play in keeping the web running. Last week US media and government websites, including the White House, New York Times, Reddit and Amazon were temporarily hit after a glitch with cloud computing services provider Fastly. Fastly offers a service to websites around the world to speed up loading times for websites. Akamai offers a range of similar IT products designed to boost online performance and security. The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company refused to comment on what product the problem came from, but one of the affected firms reported it used Akamai for "IT network authentication". Among the services Akamai provides are platforms that prevent DDoS attacksan often crude cyberattack that knocks websites out by peppering them with requests for data. "Our priority is restoring service as quickly as possible. We will share additional information as it becomes available," an Akamai spokesperson said. A series of high-profile hack-for-ransom attacks have also left corporations around the world jittery over cybersecurity risks, although there was no indication the latest problems were caused by malicious actors. Colonial Pipeline was briefly shuttered after an attack in May, and JBS, the world's largest meat producer, was forced to stop operations in the United States and Australia. Both firms reportedly paid ransoms to get operations back up and running. The issue of cybersecurity was at the top of the agenda when US President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin met in Geneva on Wednesday. Washington believes hackers who have extorted hundreds of millions of dollars from Western governments, companies, and organisations operate from Russian soil. 2021 AFP Credit: CC0 Public Domain As a new member of photovoltaic family, antimony trisulfide (Sb 2 S 3 ) has the satisfactory bandgap of 1.7eV, benefiting the fabrication of the top absorber layer of tandem solar cells. Due to a special quasi-one-dimensional structure, it shows advantages of less dangling bonds. Based on these advantages, the vacancy defects upon the surface causing the recombination of carriers could be reduced sharply, which helps to solve the photovoltaic problems in solar cells. In previous studies, the relationships between conformation, chemical composition and structure of deep-level defects on Sb 2 S 3 films are unclear. In a study published in Nature Communications, a research team led by Chen Tao from University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences discovered the unique defect properties of low-dimensional materials particularly Sb 2 S 3 through building the bridge between the deep-level defects of Sb 2 S 3 and anion/cation ratio. The researchers prepared both Sb-rich and sulfur-rich Sb 2 S 3 films by using the method of thermal evaporation deposition. Based on the excellent performance of the devices, the deep-level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) was applied to detect the characterizations of defects. The sulfur-rich Sb 2 S 3 films showed an excellent performance compared with Sb-rich Sb 2 S 3 films as the lower density of defect and less detrimental to carrier transport were achieved, which matches with the improvement in photovoltaic performance. Based on theoretical calculations, it seems that the defects are trend to appear in Sb-rich Sb 2 S 3 films. Notably, the sulfur-rich Sb 2 S 3 devices fabricated by thermal evaporation showed the highest record power conversion efficiency, which means that the material is capable of being more tolerant to vacancy defects, and indicates that the addictive introduce to the vacancy will not lower the lifetime of carriers. This study provides a new solution to regulate the photovoltaic properties of Sb 2 S 3 . More information: Weitao Lian et al, Revealing composition and structure dependent deep-level defect in antimony trisulfide photovoltaics, Nature Communications (2021). Journal information: Nature Communications Weitao Lian et al, Revealing composition and structure dependent deep-level defect in antimony trisulfide photovoltaics,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23592-0 Provided by University of Science and Technology of China Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Irish no-frills airline Ryanair and Manchester Airports Group (MAG) are to launch Thursday a legal challenge against the UK government over its COVID traffic-light travel restrictions. The legal action seeks greater transparency in how destinations are classified within the system, according to MAG, which manages Manchester and London Stansted airports. Britain's COVID risk system ranks destinations as green, amber or red, to determine quarantine and testing requirements when travellers return. However, the recent reclassification of Portugalfrom green to ambersparked sector-wide anger. The lawsuit is backed by a number of other airlines, MAG said. "Recent developments suggest that the government is now unwilling to open up international travel by putting low risk countries on the green list," said MAG chief executive Charlie Cornish. "For most countries, the traffic light seems to be stuck on amber for no obvious reason, despite having prevalence rates much lower than the UK." He added that the government was not being "open" and needed to provide more clarity to enable the sector to plan aheadand travellers to book with confidence. Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary decried the system as a "complete shambles". "This go-stop-go-stop policy is causing untold damage to the aviation industry and frustrating and upsetting millions of British families," said O'Leary. "We call on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to explain the scientific basis behind this system that the government seem to make up as they go along." -'Havoc' - Under the current rules launched last month, Britons heading to low-risk "green" countries and territories simply take a virus test before and after they travel. But those going to amber or red destinations must quarantine for 10 days after they return to Britainin hotels for red-list arrivalsand take several COVID-19 tests. The British government advises against travel to amber-listed countries unless for a limited number of exceptional reasons, which does not include holidays. Meanwhile, only travellers who have British or Irish citizenship or residency rights can enter from red-list countries. Earlier this month, the travel sector reacted with fury after Portugal was unexpectedly shifted from green to amber. The move left no European nation on the green list. The UK-based World Travel and Tourism Council declared last week that the government must scrap the system, which it says has "wreaked havoc" among consumers and businesses, adding this would save hundreds of thousands of jobs. Meanwhile the government said Thursday that it will "consider the role of vaccinations" for inbound travel. That could potentially open up travel to popular summer hotspots like Spain, France and Italy, which are all on the amber list. Explore further UK to announce new international travel rules 2021 AFP Smart tendon hammer. Credit: Georgia Tech Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology In the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, clinics and patients alike began canceling all non-urgent appointments and procedures in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus. A boom in telemedicine was borne out of necessity as healthcare workers, administrators, and scientists creatively advanced technologies to fill a void in care. During this time, Georgia Institute of Technology professor Jun Ueda and Ph.D. student Waiman Meinhold, along with their collaborators at NITI-ON Co. and Tohoku University in Japan, began to explore how they might contribute. By employing their previously engineered "smart" tendon hammer and developing a mobile app to accompany it, Meinhold, Ueda, and their collaborators devised a system that enables the deep tendon reflex exam to be performed remotely, filling a gap in neurological healthcare delivery. The deep tendon reflex exam is both a basic and crucial part of neurological assessment and is often the first step in identifying neurological illnesses. The traditional exam consists of two main parts. First, using a silicone hammer, a physician taps on a patient's tendon to trigger a reflex response. Next, the physician grades the reflex on a numerical scale. To characterize the reflex, a trained physician relies primarily on previous experience, visual cues, and the "feel" of the hammer rebounding in their hand. Until now, the physical act of reflex elicitation has been completely out of reach for telemedicine. Hitting the correct spot on the tendon is crucial and is necessary in order to elicit a proper reflex response. According to Meinhold and Ueda's research, a patient's caretaker or family member may be able to easily step in to assist with this critical component of the neurological exam. They will simply need to obtain the smart tendon hammer and download the accompanying mobile application for data analysis. To make this advance possible, Meinhold and Ueda modified a standard commercially available reflex hammer by furnishing it with a small wireless Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) capable of measuring and streaming the hammer's acceleration data. In the course of their research, Meinhold and Ueda proved that by taking the hammer's acceleration measurements from on-tendon and off-tendon locations and running them through a classification algorithm, they can reliably distinguish whether or not the hammer has hit the correct spot. How would this remote exam work, exactly? Equipped with the smart hammer, the lay person uses the app to select which tendon they will test (bicep, Achilles, patellar, etc.), which calls up the pre-programmed "classifier" for that particular tendon. These "classifiers" are basic forms of artificial intelligence that use aggregated acceleration data collected from experiments to categorize each tap into one of two categories: correct or incorrect. The lay person then uses the smart tendon hammer to administer a tap on the patient's tendon. As contact is made, the hammer streams acceleration data via Bluetooth to the app, which interprets the data and gives instant feedback to the user about whether they have tapped the correct location. In addition, colored LEDs on the hammer indicate a tap's success, with a green light indicating a correct tap and a red light indicating an incorrect tap. The user is prompted to keep tapping until they log several correct taps. Crucially, Meinhold and Ueda showed that lay people can adequately perform tendon tapping. Their research appeared in the peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Robotics and AI on March 16, 2021. There, moving their smart hammer closer to clinical implementation, Meinhold and Ueda directly compared the manual tapping variability between a novice and a trained clinician. The results were reassuring. The team found that while novices had more variability in their tapping than clinicians, their skill level was adequate. They reliably elicited tendon reflexes. Their research demonstrates that a tool is within reach to allow for remote implementation of deep tendon reflex exam. But could lay users also aid in grading reflexes? The work by Meinhold and Ueda suggests that non-experts may be able to help. To investigate this, they tested a simple training scheme. They provided participants and physicians with a training video on how to grade reflexes, and then assigned unlabeled videos for them to score. They found that while novices were able to grade reflexes with relatively low error rates, expert physicians outperformed them. Physicians excelled at grading from video, making no errors. To access this expert grading, Meinhold and Ueda envision that through the app, lay users could upload videos of the tendon tapping and reflex response. Physicians could then easily grade the patient's reflexes from their office. By revolutionizing a traditional neurological assessment procedure, the smart hammer system developed at Georgia Tech is poised to kick-start a new wave in telemedicine. Explore further Achilles is more than just one tendon More information: Waiman Meinhold et al, A Smart Tendon Hammer System for Remote Neurological Examination, Frontiers in Robotics and AI (2021). Waiman Meinhold et al, A Smart Tendon Hammer System for Remote Neurological Examination,(2021). DOI: 10.3389/frobt.2021.618656 In this March 26, 2021 file photo, passengers walk past a Southwest Airlines plane at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix. Southwest Airlines is continuing to see higher numbers of canceled and delayed flights as it tries to recover from technology glitches earlier this week. As of Wednesday morning, June 16 the airline had canceled nearly 300 flights and another 400 were delayed, according to tracking service FlightAware. Credit: AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File Passengers on Southwest Airlines had to deal with canceled flights and delays for a third day on Wednesday, as the airline tried to recover from technology problems that started earlier this week. By late afternoon Central time, Southwest had canceled nearly 400 flights and more than 1,000 were delayed, according to tracking service FlightAware. Combined, the disruptions affected 40% of the airline's schedule. Passengers took to Twitter to complain about long delaysand also report that Southwest's online sweepstakes promotion didn't seem to be working either. A Southwest spokesman said the airline fixed what it termed a network-connectivity issue that cropped up Tuesday but was still experiencing cancelations and delays as it worked to resume normal operations. The disruptions come as airlines gear up for what they hope will be a money-making summer. Next month, Southwest plans to operate about 87% of its July 2019 schedule, according to aviation research firm Ciriumfurther evidence that leisure travel has mostly recovered from the pandemic as millions of Americans have been vaccinated. While Southwest's problems on Wednesday were far more extensive than at other U.S. airlinesAmerican canceled about 40 flights and delayed 350 more, according to FlightAwareit was an improvement over the previous two days. A problem with weather data supplied by a contractor caused Southwest to delay about 1,500 flights Monday. On Tuesday, the Federal Aviation Administration briefly grounded Southwest flights and the airline canceled about 560 flights and delayed 1,800 more over the network issue. 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. The dispute has not stopped French carrier Air France from buying Boeing airliners however. Britain and the US have suspended retaliatory tariffs levied during a 17-year dispute over state aid for European planemaker Airbus and US rival Boeing, the countries announced Thursday. The moves came in the wake of a similar long-term deal between the European Union and US unveiled Tuesday and leaves Britain to concentrate on securing a post-Brexit free-trade deal with the world's biggest economy. "Reaching an agreement with the United Kingdom to finally put the large civil aircraft disputes behind us is a great step forward for our special relationship," US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said in statement following talks with Britain's International Trade Secretary Liz Truss. In a separate statement, Truss said the two countries would also work "more closely to challenge unfair practices by nations like China and using the power of free trade to build back better from the pandemic". The UK-US relationshipspecial or otherwiseis back on a more even keel after President Joe Biden succeeded Donald Trump in January. Five-year deal The Airbus-Boeing dispute, the longest-running in the history of the World Trade Organization, has seen damaging retaliatory tariffs slapped on products such as French wines, Scotch whisky and US wheat and tobacco. For the UK and US, both sides have now finally agreed to suspend those tariffs for five years. "Today's deal draws a line under an incredibly damaging issue," said Truss. She added that it meant the UK could focus on taking its "trading relationship with the US to the next level". Biden and the EU earlier in the week also agreed a long-term truce in the Airbus-Boeing feud as they seek to put aside disputes and deal with rising challenges from China. The EU is trying to clear the slate of trade disputes to consolidate a more friendly phase and jointly tackle other issues, which include also curbing big tech and handling Russia. Britain resolved its dispute separately having formally departed the EU at the start of the year. The Airbus-Boeing dispute is the longest-running one in the history of the World Trade Organization. Distillers toast deal According to the US-based Distilled Spirits Council, the UK is suspending 25-percent tariffs on US rum, brandy and vodka. The US will match this for single malt Scotch, single malt Irish Whiskey from Northern Ireland, plus for liqueurs and cordials. Chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association Karen Betts called the truce "very good news" for the sector. She noted however that American whiskies remain subject to tariffs on entry into the UK and EU owing to a separate dispute on steel and aluminium. "We hope these tariffs can also be resolved quickly," Betts said in a statement. The Airbus-Boeing dispute had meanwhile hit other industries such as cashmere, machinery and food. "This deal will support jobs across the country and is fantastic news for major employers like Scotch whisky and sectors like aerospace," Truss said. "We took the decision to de-escalate the dispute at the start of the year when we became a sovereign trading nation, which was crucial to breaking the deadlock and bringing the US to the table." Following Brexit, the UK has struck free-trade agreements with the likes of the EU, Japan and Australia. The deal with Australia, announced Tuesday, was seen as low-hanging fruit however, ahead of more difficult talks with the United States and other major economic powers. And the UK finds itself caught in a dispute with major EU member France over post-Brexit trading arrangements in Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Protocol, signed separately from the Brexit trade deal agreed in December, is supposed to see checks on goods heading into the province from mainland Britain. The arrangement effectively keeps Northern Ireland in the European customs union and single market that the UK left in January, to stop unchecked goods going to the bloc via neighbouring EU state Ireland. Explore further US to suspend some Boeing-Airbus retaliatory UK tariffs 2021 AFP Mesobot, an underwater robot capable of tracking and recording high-resolution images of slow-moving and fragile zooplankton, gelatinous animals, and particles, is providing researchers with deeper insight into the vast mid-ocean region known as the twilight zone. Photo taken off the coast of Bermuda, March 2021. Credit: Evan Kovacs/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution An innovative underwater robot known as Mesobot is providing researchers with deeper insight into the vast mid-ocean region known as the "twilight zone." Capable of tracking and recording high-resolution images of slow-moving and fragile zooplankton, gelatinous animals, and particles, Mesobot greatly expands scientists' ability to observe creatures in their mesopelagic habitat with minimal disturbance. This advance in engineering will enable greater understanding of the role these creatures play in transporting carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to the deep sea, as well as how commercial exploitation of twilight zone fisheries might affect the marine ecosystem. In a paper published June 16 in Science Robotics, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) senior scientist Dana Yoerger presents Mesobot as a versatile vehicle for achieving a number of science objectives in the twilight zone. "Mesobot was conceived to complement and fill important gaps not served by existing technologies and platforms," said Yoerger. "We expect that Mesobot will emerge as a vital tool for observing midwater organisms for extended periods, as well as rapidly identifying species observed from vessel biosonars. Because Mesobot can survey, track, and record compelling imagery, we hope to reveal previously unknown behaviors, species interactions, morphological structures, and the use of bioluminescence." Co-authored by research scientists and engineers from WHOI, MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute), and Stanford University, the paper outlines the robot's success in autonomously tracking two gelatinous marine creatures during a 2019 research cruise in Monterey Bay. High-definition video revealed a "dinner plate" jellyfish "ramming" a siphonophore, which narrowly escaped the jelly's venomous tentacles. Mesobot also recorded a 30-minute video of a giant larvacean, which appears to be nearly motionless but is actually riding internal waves that rise and fall 6 meters (20 feet). These observations represent the first time that a self-guided robot has tracked these small, clear creatures as they move through the water column like a "parcel of water," said Yoerger. "Mesobot has the potential to change how we observe animals moving through space and time in a way that we've never been able to do before," said Kakani Katija, MBARI principal engineer. "As we continue to develop and improve on the vehicle, we hope to observe many other mysterious and captivating animals in the midwaters of the ocean, including the construction and disposal of carbon-rich giant larvacean 'snot palaces.'" Packaged in an hydrodynamically efficient yellow case, the hybrid robot is outfitted with a suite of oceanographic and acoustic survey sensors. It may be piloted remotely through a fiberoptic cable attached to a ship or released from its tether to follow pre-programmed missions or autonomously track a target at depths up to 1,000 meters (3,300 feet). This autonomous capability will one day enable Mesobot to follow a target animal for over 24 hours without human intervention, which is enough time to observe its migration from the midwater twilight zone to the surface and back. Future studies with Mesobot could provide researchers with valuable insight into animal behavior during diel vertical migration, known as "the greatest migration on Earth" because of the vast number and diversity of creatures that undertake it each night. "By leveraging the data we've collected using Mesobot, and other data that we've been curating for 30-plus years at MBARI, we hope to integrate smarter algorithms on the vehicle that uses artificial intelligence to discover, continuously track, and observe enigmatic animals and other objects in the deep sea," Kakani said. Explore further First sea trials of a revolutionary new undersea robot More information: Dana R. Yoerger et al, A hybrid underwater robot for multidisciplinary investigation of the ocean twilight zone, Science Robotics (2021). Journal information: Science Robotics Dana R. Yoerger et al, A hybrid underwater robot for multidisciplinary investigation of the ocean twilight zone,(2021). DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.abe1901 South Hills (15301) Today Partly cloudy skies during the morning giving way to a few showers late. High around 70F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Some clouds. Slight chance of a shower throughout the evening. Low near 55F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. The VB 10,000 crane vessel completed its cut of Section 3 from the shipwrecked Golden Ray in the St. Simons Sound at around daybreak Thursday, ending an eight-week ordeal stymied by dense steel brackets and a massive internal fire. Looking for in-depth reporting on labor issues? You're in the right place. Subscribe to The Chief and get stories that cover every side of civil service in New York City and beyond. You can sign up in minutes for immediate access. There is a consulting firm on campus conducting a review of administrative operations, Banks said. The firms goal is to determine how the university can be more effective in its processes so that costs of administration can be reduced and more money can go toward student success initiatives. Student success is a passion for Banks, who said she grew up in schools that did not prepare her well for college. She previously served as vice chancellor of engineering and national laboratories and dean of the College of Engineering, and she said she wants to see programs at A&M similar to the engineering academies she spearheaded in recent years. The academies allow students to be accepted into the A&Ms College of Engineering but still complete courses taught by A&M professors at community colleges for one or two years before going to A&M in College Station. Banks said it opens doors for students who for financial or other reasons cannot move to College Station right away, and it is similar to what she wants to see on a broader scale. Were a family, and at times it seems like an incredibly dysfunctional family." Litton said after the results were announced. "But we love each other. Delegates rejected a proposal that would have explicitly denounced critical race theory. Instead they approved a consensus measure that does not mention it by name but rejects any view that sees racism as rooted in anything other than sin. The measure also affirmed a 1995 resolution apologizing for the history of racism in a denomination that was founded in 1845 in support of slavery and for condoning and/or perpetuating individual and systemic racism in our lifetime. One white delegate urged the convention to denounce critical race theory by name, saying it held him guilty because of the melanin content of my skin. But another argued that the convention shouldn't be swayed by a political movement that has already seen some state legislatures ban teaching of the theory. If some people in this room were as passionate about the gospel as they are about critical race theory, we would win this world to Christ, said James Merritt, chairman of the resolutions committee and a former convention president. Richwood, TX (77531) Today Some sun this morning with increasing clouds this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 91F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 77F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. In the summer of 2019 the girl moved to Beaver City to live with another sister and notified Quinn that she was in Nebraska and ready to work. The two met in Beaver City, where the girl said Quinn took her to a cornfield a short distance from town, sexually touched her and forced her to perform oral sex on him. Afterward, the girl got out of the vehicle to try to walk away when Quinn put a knife to her throat, she said. Again, he forced her to perform oral sex on him. Afterward, the girl said, she had regular contact with Quinn out of fear he would hurt her. Twice the girl moved, and in late summer 2020 she moved to a house Quinn owned in Oxford where she didnt pay rent. There the girl said she had sex with Quinn at least 100 times, half of the time when she was 15 years old. In Nebraska, 16 is the age a person can consent to sex. Quinn also expected the girl to send him sexually explicit photos and video of herself, she said. LINCOLN Some of the states brightest young minds, including recent Kearney High School graduate Matthew Dahlke, were in the spotlight at the state Capitol on Wednesday morning. Gov. Pete Ricketts and Matthew Blomstedt, the state education commissioner, recognized 31 high school graduates from across the state who achieved a rare academic feat: a perfect 36 on the ACT. A majority of the 31 students and their parents gathered in the Capitols Rotunda for Wednesdays ceremony. Youre a special class, the governor said. Every year we have a number of students who achieve the top score on the ACT, but the Class of 2021 is different because you had to go through a pandemic on top of all the regular challenges of achieving a top score. Getting a 36 is certainly rare only .001% of students in the nation who take the test can make that claim. No students achieved a perfect score on the SAT, and any juniors who got a 36 on the ACT will be recognized next year. Ricketts also took the opportunity Wednesday to make a pitch to the young people of this state: We want you here in Nebraska. YORK Avery Kurtz, 37, (whose address has been listed as Minneapolis, Minn., as well as Nederland, Colo.), has been sentenced to probation in a case where she was caught hauling a considerable amount of concentrated THC products in York County. Her sentencing was held this week in York County District Court before Judge James Stecker. She originally pleaded not guilty to delivery of a controlled substance, a Class 2A felony; having no drug tax stamp, a Class 4 felony; and possession of more than one ounce and less than one pound of marijuana, a misdemeanor. As part of a plea agreement, Kurtz later pleaded guilty to delivery of a controlled substance, a Class 2A felony, which carries a possible maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. In return, as part of a plea agreement, the other counts were dismissed. According to court documents, the case began in morning hours when a York police officer said he saw a vehicle turn north onto Lincoln Avenue, turning straight into the outside lane instead of the inside lane and then signaling over. The officer says in court documents that he initiated a traffic stop and could immediately smell the distinct odor of marijuana inside the vehicle. In the summer of 2019 the girl moved to Beaver City to live with another sister, and notified Quinn she was in Nebraska and ready to work. The two met in Beaver City where the girl said Quinn took her to a corn field a short distance from town where he sexually touched her and forced her to perform oral sex on him. Afterward, the girl got out of the vehicle to try and walk away when the she said Quinn put a knife to her throat. Im homicidal not suicidal. Dont think I wont kill you, the girl claimed Quinn told her. Again, he forced her to perform oral sex on him. From then on the girl said she had regular contact with Quinn out of fear he would hurt her. Twice the girl moved, and in late summer 2020 she moved to a house Quinn owned in Oxford where she didnt pay rent. There the girl said she had sex with Quinn at least 100 times, half of the time when she was 15 years old. In Nebraska, 16 is the age a person can consent to sex. Quinn also expected the girl to send him sexually explicit photos and video of herself. Whether or not to teach critical race theory in the classroom Resume debate over the voting bill H.B. 20, which would have made it harder to bail out on bond without cash Fixing the state's electrical grid Expanding healthcare All of them Other Vote View Results 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. SIH has a long-standing history of working in collaboration with the Boys and Girls Club of Carbondale and looks forward to continuing our collaborations in Marion, Bailey said. The journey to today started in 2018 when we changed our name, Tina Carpenter, CEO of BGCSI. The clubs name changed from Boys and Girls Club of Carbondale to Boys and Girls Club of Southern Illinois. Carpenter echoed Bailey saying SIH and the club are strong partners. I am extremely grateful of your support in making it all happen, Carpenter said. The fine arts center is adjacent to the center's gaming and multi-purpose room. Carpenter said the goal is to add sliding doors to separate the rooms. When they need a bigger space, such as for awards celebration or a fundraiser, the doors can open to join the two rooms. Marion Mayor Mike Absher did not know how much money or how long it would take to get a Boys and Girls Club in the city when he first talked about it during his mayoral campaign. He is happy to see it nearing completion. MARION One component of the city of Marions downtown revitalization plan is ready for visitors: the Marion Mural Walk. Allison Hasler, community programs director for the city, said 11 murals are complete and a twelfth is nearing completion. During his State of the City presentation earlier this week, Mayor Mike Absher showed a map with the locations of each mural. Clicking on the map points will take you to more information about that specific mural and its location. The map is available with the online version of this story at thesouthern.com. Hasler said the map will be available on the citys website and Facebook pages. She is working on the city website. She said the finished product will have more information of interest to those visiting Marion. Early this year, the city of Marion identified ideal locations for murals and put out a call for artists. The goal is for the citys murals to be recognized as a formal mural district. To achieve that goal, the city had to have seven murals within walking distance of each other. The city awarded mini grants of $1,500 for the following murals: For 2021, there have been 21 shooting incidents with seven or 33.3% cleared, he said. Oftentimes we know who the suspects are but we dont have all the pieces of probable cause to make an arrest, he said. A case is classified as cleared when police have made an arrest; charges have been sent to the prosecutor's office for consideration; or a victim has refused to cooperate, according to Reno. There is stigma coming from a few different directions, Cervantez said. On the one hand theres the mentality that its bad character to speak up, to name names when something bad happens. Thats not good character at all, Certantez said. But part of the thinking also comes from childhood. I think kids are just told not to tell on other kids, he said. Cervantez said ill will toward police can complicate investigations however he said he is always open to speaking with witnesses directly. But also theres fear of retaliation, which Cervantez said he understands. He said there are protections his office can offer, like sealing witness statements until they are needed in court, that can offer some anonymity. Kyle Bacon, chief deputy for the sheriffs office, was tasked with keeping tabs on the animal. As of 1 p.m., Bacon said the most recent sighting of the bear came when a motorist observed a bear on Rend City Road near the entrance to the Rend Lake Marina. There, a photo clearly identifies the bear as it is walking outside a farm field, in the foreground is a state park sign. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Franklin County Sheriff Dave Bartoni said Wednesday there was a confirmed sighting near the Waltonville area and an unconfirmed report the same day near Sesser. Bartoni said Thursday there was a confirmed sighting on the west side of the Rend Lake dam. Bartoni and Bacon expressed similar concerns. The concern here is it was close to recreation areas and we wouldnt want an issue in a recreation area, Bacon said. This is why deputies are keeping tabs on its location as best they can. The point was just to try to monitor it, Bacon said. We dont want to have to harm the bear. ROCKTON, Ill. (AP) Fire suppression efforts continued Wednesday at a chemical fire near the Illinois-Wisconsin state line as public health officials lifted an outdoor mask mandate for those within a 3-mile radius of the Chemtool plant. Winnebago County Health Department Administrator Sandra Martell said the carbon monoxide and the hydrogen sulfide in the air remain below federal standards. However, the evacuation order for those within 1 miles (1.61 kilometer) of the fire remains in effect. We are particularly concerned about returning individuals into that evacuation zone until we have a more thorough understanding of the composition so we can help prepare homeowners for their return, Martell said. The explosions and resulting fires Monday prompted officials to evacuate an estimated 1,000 residents who lived within a 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) radius of the plant, according to Rockton fire Chief Kirk Wilson. Ramirez also said a variety of issues, including the financial entanglement of city and CPS, were raised only in recent days and contended it appeared to be people playing games to try to derail the overall legislation. But Rep. Bob Rita, a Blue Island Democrat, warned about unintended consequences in moving the bill with a number of follow-up issues still needing to be addressed. Im hoping that were not going to go forward and that this is going to be something that, down the line, were going to say our intentions were right and we did it wrong, Rita said. In debate on the House floor before the vote, Chicago Democratic state Rep. Ann Williams said the elected school board issue has been the most talked about topic from her constituents during her decadelong tenure in the General Assembly. I think we need to recognize this is a major revamp of the Chicago School Board, and bringing democracy to the board is a big deal, Williams said. But Rep. Ryan Spain, a Peoria Republican, said the legislation left many unanswered questions amid promises that issues could be dealt with in a future bill. People make a hobby of collecting old coins. This is not something new for this has been happening for many years. The engravings and fashion change on coins, and some of the old-style coins are no longer made. One of these rare old coins may be valuable. The coin collector constantly is looking for an old coin, and studies books and any info they might obtain about them. He looks over the change in his pocket, and once in a while finds a rare penny and sells it for $500. The first colonies of America were under English rule. England had the say about the money settlers used and struggling colonies needed to buy goods from England. Most of the time, they were short of English money to pay for these goods. They also traded with the Spanish West Indies. There, they were often paid in Spanish money, but this money, too, was spent to pay for needed supplies from England. The settlers in the northern states grew wheat and rye, corn and barley. They also raised cattle and made leather from the skins. In the southern states, they grew tobacco and other warm weather crops. From the far north, trappers came down with cuddly furs. The morning bell rang at Republican High (Home of the Fightin Pachyderms) as students shuffled in. Gretchen Niedermeyer dry swallowed a couple of pre-emptive aspirins and reminded herself as she did every morning that she was just 16 months and a glance at the calendar seven days from her pension. Good morning, class, she said. As you know, oral reports on African-American history are due this morning. She ignored a chorus of groans. Tommy, you go first. Tommy Weissmuller stood. My report is on slavery, he said. Slavery is when they made the black people work really hard. Like, they even had to work on weekends. And the Founding Fathers were surprised when they heard about this. They thought it was unfair, so they had a war with the South to make them stop. Then the South realized the Founding Fathers were right and together, they ended slavery. The end. In a second interview, Miller said he wasn't aware of the memos, which had been distributed throughout the Army, until AP pointed them out following the first interview. "If I had the information in front of me," Miller said, "I would share it with you." Other Army officials said the internal analysis might overstate some losses. The AP's investigation began a decade ago. From the start, the Army has given conflicting information on a subject with the potential to embarrass -- and that's when it has provided information at all. A former insider described how Army officials resisted releasing details of missing guns when AP first inquired, and indeed that information was never provided. Top officials within the Army, Marines and Secretary of Defense's office said that weapon accountability is a high priority, and when the military knows a weapon is missing it does trigger a concerted response to recover it. The officials also said missing weapons are not a widespread problem and noted that the number is a tiny fraction of the military's stockpile. "We have a very large inventory of several million of these weapons," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in an interview. "We take this very seriously and we think we do a very good job. That doesn't mean that there aren't losses. It doesn't mean that there aren't mistakes made." This isnt just a policy disagreement. This is bigger than protecting our freedom to vote, getting big money out of politics, and stopping gerrymandering. This fight is fundamental to our democracy. If we let states take away our freedom to vote by targeting largely Black and Brown voters, what would prevent states from restricting the right to vote for other groups of people? As the parent of four boys, this fight is personal to me. This fight is about ensuring that our children, grandchildren and future generations can live in a democracy that respects the rule of law and the will of voters, instead of trying to rig the rules, and about the type of government we leave for our children and grandchildren. Do we want them to live in a country in which one party continues to ignore the rule of law and lead us toward authoritarianism? Or do we want to strive for a democracy that encourages everyone to vote? Ill choose democracy each time, and thats why we need the For the People Act immediately before its too late. Our children and our democracy depend on it. The For the People Act is too broad and seeks to nationalize many democracy reforms that would be better left to states. The first version of the act was launched in 2019, after Democrats had taken control of the House of Representatives. With Republicans in charge of the White House and the Senate, it had no chance of becoming law. It was aspirational, a statement of Democratic values on democracy reform, and a blueprint of an agenda for many specific policy changes that Democrats could highlight as contrasts to Republican policy. And this blueprint was incredibly broad and ambitious: setting many federal standards for the way states administer elections, introducing forms of public financing of election campaigns, requiring very detailed independent redistricting commissions that would take away the power of redistricting from state legislatures, to name a few of the more prominent proposals. But in these large brushstrokes and also in many of the details there was little bipartisan consensus for the reforms, some of which have been bitterly debated for years. In addition to the lack of agreement between the parties, the bill would overrule many future or existing state reforms that states would tailor for their own citizens. However, the Internal Revenue Service has only cited "late June" as a target deadline to launch the portal. With a majority of Americans unaware of the policy or their eligibility, the portal's launch provides a narrow window for Americans to make that eligibility known to the IRS. The one time to be proactive is now, said Greg Nasif, political director for Humanity Forward. Folks who typically dont have to file their taxes are the ones who stand the most to gain from the Child Benefit, but they have to be proactive and tell the IRS that theyre eligible. The IRS says 88% of children will receive the payments. According to the last CPS ASEC, around 2% of children are too rich to be eligible for the CTC. The 88% indicates that about 10% of eligible children will not receive CTC payments, mostly due in part to living in a non-filing household. The lack of awareness surrounding the policy has been a cause of concern for members of Congress, as well as the White House. According to The Hill, a group of more than 50 House members urged the IRS to use the information it obtained from a stimulus payment-related web tool to increase outreach about the child benefit, especially to low-income families who may not be aware of their eligibility. Job Title: CLO Administrative Assistant (Fresher Jobs) Organisation: United States US Embassy, US Mission in Uganda Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda Salary: USD $34,021 (Over 121m) Position Number: Kampala-2020-020 About US Embassy: The United States Embassy in Kampala, Uganda has enjoyed diplomatic relations with Uganda for over 30 years. Ambassador Natalie E. Brown currently heads the U.S Mission to Uganda. The Mission is composed of several offices and organizations all working under the auspices of the Embassy and at the direction of the Ambassador. Among the offices operating under the U.S Mission to Uganda are: United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Peace Corps Job Summary: The Assistant CLO provides support and guidance to clients on quality of life issues under the broad portfolio of the eight facets of CLO responsibilities. Key Duties and Responsibilities: The specific responsibilities of the Assistant CLO position include: Community Liaison (20% of Time): Establish and maintain effective working relationship with all agencies and sections of the Mission. Serve as community representative on Mission committee (IAHB, EAC and PEC. Establish and maintain liaison with community organizations and local resources that can benefit members of the post community. Coordinate Departure/Re-Entry workshops for employees and their family members. Events Planning (20% of Time): Develop social, cultural and recreational programs designed to meet the needs of all segments of the mission community and to enhance post morale. Facilitate morale-enhancing seminars and workshops organized by other groups or individuals at post. Welcoming and Orientation (10% of Time): Provide welcome information to new personnel and families, coordinate sponsorship program and post orientation activities. Information and Resource Management (10% of Time): Maintain an information center for the mission community. Provide information on post to Family Liaison Office (FLO) and the Overseas Briefing Center (OBC). Family Member Employment (10% of Time): Provide family members with information on employment options inside and outside the mission. Network with potential local economy employers and Global Employment Advisor. Educate family members on EEFM employment programs. Crisis Management & Security Liaison (10% of Time): Work with the RSO to keep the community informed of security issues. Serve on the Emergency Action Committee (EAC) and provide community support during crises. Provide and explain evacuation regulations and allowance to community members. Provide departure and safe haven information to FLO during an evacuation. Hold crisis-aftermath sessions and work with post management to rebuild the community. Guidance and Referral (10% of Time): Provide confidential support to individuals and groups within the community. Identify community resources, listen to community members concerns and make appropriate referrals. Represent community concerns to management as necessary. The incumbent uses tact, sensitivity, and judgment when dealing with CLO customers, being alert to situations requiring confidentiality or reference to his/her supervisors. Education Liaison (10% of Time): Facilitate programs that support students and youth at post. Maintain contact with schools used by post families. Provide information and resources on educational options available to employees and family members. In order to successfully address all areas of responsibilities, the incumbent must be/become familiar with and be able to apply post policies, Family Liaison Office programs and policies, U.S. Department of State policies, as well as host-country laws and practices. In the event that the CLO Coordinator position is vacant the Assistant CLO will assume leadership of the Community Liaison Office, to the extent his/her security clearance permits. Qualifications, Skills and Experience: NOTE: All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item. The applicants for the United States US Embassy CLO Administrative Assistant job opportunity should hold a High school diploma. Required. Three years of office or professional work experience. Must have working knowledge of event planning and local recreational facilities. Familiarity with American social, cultural events, customs and practices are important. Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office tools and the Internet for research, and graphic programs such as Photoshop and Microsoft Publisher. Applying excellent interpersonal relationship skills; establishing priorities and organizing a large amount of varied information; exercising tact in dealing with the public; and drafting correspondence in precise and correct English are required skills for this position. Must be able to obtain and hold a Top Security clearance Language: English Level 3 (Good working knowledge, speaking, reading, and writing) is required. How to Apply: All those interested in working with the US mission in Kampala should send their applications online at the link below. Click Here Deadline: 30th 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 This subscription will allow existing subscribers of The World to access all of our online content, including the E-Editions area. NOTE: To claim your access to the site, you will need to enter the Last Name and First Name that is tied to your subscription in this format: SMITH, JOHN If you need help with exactly how your specific name needs be entered, please email us at admin@countrymedia.net or call us at 1-541 266 6047. Friday support meetings Free parking lot concert Elks fishing derby starts at Alcova Elks Fishing Derby is at Alcova June 18-20, west side, first shelter past the marina. Tickets are $30. The fun starts at 1 p.m., on Friday, June 18, and ends at noon on June 20. Tickets must be purchased by noon on Saturday, June 19, to participate in the derby. Friday night dinner menu is brisket, cost is $10. Saturday night catfish dinner is included in the derby ticket price. If you dont participate in the derby and just want to come and eat, the cost will be $15. Please bring a covered dish to share. Kids 12 and under are $10, which includes hot dogs. Rules and more information will be at the Casper Elks Lodge and in the Summer Corral. Members and guest only please. For more information, call 234-4839. Prior to 2020, revenue from oil and gas lease sales on federal lands topped $100 million. That income plummeted last year amid uncertainty and logistical challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. And Wyoming hasnt made any money from federal lease sales in 2021. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} The obstacles to leasing federal land have incentivized oil and gas companies to look for better deals elsewhere often private lands in different states, or other countries that have fewer restrictions in place, Obermuller said. All of our plays in the Rockies have been put on hold until this gets addressed, and then how it is addressed is going to be a major outcome for our continued operation here, said Steve Degenfelder, land manager for Kirkwood Oil & Gas. The freeze put forth by the Biden administration only applies to the sale of new drilling leases on federal lands. All other parts of the drilling process, including lease sales on private lands and permitting on already-leased federal lands, have continued to move forward. But nearly five months into the moratorium, many Wyoming policymakers welcomed the Louisiana decision. A wildfire has destroyed one home, an outbuilding and two campers on the edge of a small town in northeastern Wyoming, authorities said Thursday. The fire burning near Pine Haven is now 100% contained after charring 103 acres. No injuries were reported. Mop up operations have started on the Pine Haven Fire, and crews have built a line completely around the blaze, according to an update released Thursday by authorities in the area. Evacuation orders for people living in the northwest section of Pine Haven have been lifted, and Highway 113 into the town has been opened. However, Wind Creek Campground at nearby Keyhole State Park will remain closed until further notice. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Vegetation was expected to continue burning inside the containment line on Thursday, with smoke continuing to be visible in the area. Several fire agencies from the area worked to contain the blaze. They were assisted by a helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft. The nearby Keyhole Reservoir provided an accessible supply of water, one fire official said. The cause of the fire, which ignited Wednesday, remains under investigation. In a separate incident in September 2019, a Cheyenne man named Andrew Weaver was released from jail because of a failure of Manloves office to file charges against him. Five days later, Weaver faced charges in a fatal shooting that killed two adults and injured two 14-year-old boys. On Sept. 24, Manloves office sent out a news release giving a false version of events surrounding Weavers release, accusing the Wyoming Tribune Eagle of publishing misinformation. She said charges had been filed, but because Weaver was not seen by a circuit court judge within 72 hours, as required by state statute, he had to be released. A legal assistant told the office manager that Weaver was released from jail because the office had not filed corrected charging documents in time after the circuit court asked for an error to be fixed. A spokeswoman for the sheriffs department also said at the time that Weaver had been released because the DAs office declined to press charges. The formal charge says Manlove failed to produce its file on Weaver when asked by special bar counsel. Nearly 20 state legislatures, dominated by Republicans, have passed, or are considering passage, of roughly 60 bills that will make it much more difficult for minorities to vote. The rationale securing the vote reflects their view, demonstrably false, as we have seen, that the 2020 election was rife with significant fraud, which, in their estimation, requires reform measures to protect the integrity of American elections. Democrats, however, believe these measures represent an exercise in voter suppression. The constitutional issue is one of great moment for our nation. Voting rightsthe hallmark of American Democracy must be preserved lest our system melt into a form of government unrecognizable in our history and law. Readers may quarrel over the issue of whether the For the People Act is politically wise or desirable from a policy standpoint or whether it satisfies the needs of our democracy. But there is no question that Congress, as Hamilton, Madison and the rest of the founders determined, possesses the ultimate constitutional authority to regulate the time and manner of congressional elections. David Adler, PHD, is a noted author who lectures nationally and internationally on the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and Presidential power. His scholarly writings have been cited by the US Supreme Court and lower courts by both Democrats and Republicans in the US Congress. Adlers column is supported in part through a grant from Wyoming Humanities funded by the Why it Matters: Civic and Electoral Participation initiative, administered by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and funded by Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Adler can be reached at david.adler@alturasinstitute.com Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 AT 32 years old, Zwede Hewitt is building out an app that he is confident is going to take the world by storm. The name of the app is LUHU, which stands for Let Us Help U and Hewitt describes it as social marketplace. It is a place where people can do social networking, but it combines that with the ability to shop. So the concept is essentially social networking meets e-commerce, says Hewitt. The Prime Minister has an open mind on the selection of a police commissioner. Asked yesterday whether as head of the Cabinet, his Government was prepared to approve a nomination coming to the Parliament for the continuation of Gary Griffith as Commissioner of Police, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley said: We in the Cabinet keep an open mind on matters of national interest like that. The Cabinet has a duty to keep an open mind. The authority (Police Service Commission) advises us and we will look at the advice with an open mind as you would have seen us doing before. Do you have a news tip? Want to share good news story, or do you have information that should see the light of day? Then we want to hear from you. More here If the scenes of despair circulating around the nation and the desperate pleas by people are not enough to get the Government to understand the generational crisis we are facing, what will? We are fortunate that Arizona is part of the Western Interconnection, says Barrios. In the western grid, if a company requires additional resources, they can turn to one of their neighbors for help. North America is comprised of two major and three minor alternating current (AC) power grids or interconnections. The Western Interconnection stretches from Western Canada south to Baja California in Mexico, reaching eastward over the Rockies to the Great Plains. The electric utilities in the Western Interconnection are electrically tied together during normal system conditions and operate at a synchronized frequency. The benefit of this is, for example, when it's 113 degrees as it was in Tucson this week, it will only be in the mid-70s in Seattle. They may have a surplus of electricity they sell to Arizona if the need presents itself. "When summer comes along, we have to make additional purchases to satisfy our customers energy needs. Given what happened last summer, TEP worked very hard to secure adequate resources," says Barrios. It would be wrong for legislators to deal only with the the fires and the aftereffects and then give up, said Sen. Juan Mendez, D-Tempe. I understand fires in the desert are no joke, he said. And I truly believe making people whole after a fire is a laudable effort. But if thats all we do with this special session, then this whole endeavor will be a sad joke. Role of cattle in reducing fuel Sen. T.J. Shope, R-Coolidge, said hes willing to consider where climate change fits in on the question of fires. But he said the causes and effects are not that simple, citing efforts by environmental groups to oust cattle from public lands. Is there going to be an acknowledgment on the other side that things like grazing are a part of the answer to some of this stuff? he asked, referring to the fact that cattle eat and trim grasses that could fuel fires. Shope argued that various environmental efforts that curbed long-practiced policies of farmers, ranchers and others have simultaneously resulted in an exponential rise in fires. One thing that could slow final approval when the measures go to the full House and Senate on Thursday. June 17, has to do with the ability of ranchers to tap into the funds. ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (AP) A jury has convicted a former commercial airline pilot of killing three of his neighbors in western Kentucky. Christian R. Martin, 53, was found guilty on Wednesday of murder, arson, attempted arson, burglary and tampering with physical evidence, said Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, whose office brought the case to trial after his predecessor, now-Gov. Andy Beshear, appointed a special prosecutor. Martin, who flew for an American Airlines subsidiary, was arrested two years ago at the Louisville airport in the 2015 slayings of Calvin and Pamela Phillips and their neighbor, Edward Dansereau, in Pembroke. Police said Calvin Phillips, 59, was found shot to death in the cellar of his home. The bodies of Pamela Phillips, 58, and Dansereau, 63, were found a few miles away in a cornfield inside her burned car. Martin faces 20 years to life without parole in the sentencing phase of his trial, which began Thursday, the Courier Journal reported. CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) A coroner said Wednesday that a mentally ill Black man who died after an encounter with deputies in a South Carolina jail earlier this year likely died of a cardiac event. Charleston County Coroner Bobbi Jo O'Neal told reporters that Jamal Sutherland likely died of a fatal dysrhythmia, or an abnormal heart rhythm, after sheriff's deputies attempted to take him out of his jail cell in January. O'Neal changed the manner of death for Sutherland from undetermined to homicide on his death certificate earlier this month. Jamal mattered, and we need to be complete and thorough and answer all the questions we have," O'Neal said of the monthslong investigation. Sutherlands death gained national attention last month after county officials released video showing deputies attempting to take Sutherland to a bond court appearance the day after he was booked into jail. The clips show that after Sutherland refused to leave his cell, deputies deployed stun guns and used pepper spray on him. I cant breathe, Sutherland said while handcuffed as one officer knelt on his back for more than two minutes. An hour later, he was pronounced dead, officials reported. WASHINGTON (AP) The head of the Environmental Protection Agency said Thursday he has fully reinstated one of two key advisory boards he dismantled earlier this year in a push for scientific integrity at the agency. The new seven-member Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee features four scientists who have served on the panel previously including two who were on the board when it was dismantled in March. The five women and two men on the panel include three people of color, making it the most diverse panel since the committee was established more than 40 years ago. From the very beginning of my tenure, I have committed to ensuring that science is restored as the backbone of everything EPA does to protect people and the environment from pollution, EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in a statement. The new advisory panel will provide credible, independent expertise to EPAs reviews of air quality standards that is grounded in scientific evidence,'' he said. Regan has said that advisers appointed under the Trump administration were overly friendly to business, adding that his March 31 reset of the clean-air panel and the Science Advisory Board would return EPA to its practice of relying on advice from a balanced group of experts. WACO, Texas (AP) A judge denied a request to suppress the confession of a woman accused of helping kill and dismember Spc. Vanessa Guillen, who was missing for about two months before her remains were found. U.S. District Judge Alan D. Albright rejected to toss Cecily Ann Aguilar's confession after 2.5 hours of testimony Wednesday, according to the Houston Chronicle. Lewis Berray Gainor, Aguilar's defense lawyer, argued that police deliberately violated the law by waiting to give Aguilar her Miranda Rights until after she confessed on June 30, 2020. Aguilar, 23, helped Army Spc. Aaron Robinson, 20, of Calumet City, Illinois, kill, dismember and dispose of Guillen's body in nearby woods, federal and state investigators said. Robinson killed himself July 1, the day Guillens remains were found near the Leon River in Bell County, officials said. The remains were identified as Guillens on July 6. Yet there are scores of bishops who oppose any swift or aggressive action on the issue; some cite a letter from the Vatican urging the USCCB to take a cautious, collegial approach. Nearly 70 bishops last month signed a letter to USCCB president and Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez urging him to delay the discussion until the bishops convene in person, but that request was not granted. Gomez, in his opening address Wednesday, did not mention the Communion debate but stressed the importance of unity in a time of heightened political and social divisions. Its not realistic to expect the church to stay immune from the pressures of division, he said. And we are living in a secular society where politics is becoming the substitute religion for a lot of people. So we need to guard against the temptation to think about the church in simply political terms. Only a church that is united can heal the brokenness and challenge the injustices that we see more clearly now in the wake of this pandemic, he added. Gomez noted that Pope Francis also has emphasized unity within the church a point driven home in an address to the bishops by the Vaticans ambassador to the United States, Papal Nuncio Christophe Pierre. HONG KONG (AP) Hong Kong police used a sweeping national security law Thursday to arrest five editors and executives of a pro-democracy newspaper on charges of colluding with foreign powers the first time the legislation has been used against the press in yet another sign of an intensifying crackdown by Chinese authorities in the city long known for its freedoms. Police said they had evidence that more than 30 articles published by Apple Daily played a crucial part in what they called a conspiracy with foreign countries to impose sanctions against China and Hong Kong. The newspaper said in a statement that the move left it speechless but vowed to continue its reporting and even invited other media outlets to watch the Friday editions roll off the presses, a show of its commitment to continue its work. Apple Daily has long been one of the most outspoken defenders of Hong Kong's freedoms and in recent years has often criticized the Chinese and Hong Kong governments for walking back promises that the territory could retain those freedoms for 50 years after the former British colony was handed over to China in 1997. Asked about the Russian crackdown on Navalny's organizations and supporters, Putin responded during his earlier solo news conference in Geneva by talking about the Black Lives Matter demonstrations across the United States and the January 6 Capitol attack. "We sympathize with what is happening in the states, but we do not wish that to happen in Russia," Putin said. Putin said Navalny returned to Russia in order to be detained, knowing he had broken the law, but refused to say the opposition activist's name aloud. "This man knew that he was breaking the law of Russia. He has been twice convicted," Putin said. He repeated the official Russian position that Navalny had violated bail conditions by going abroad while unconscious after apparent Novichok poisoning last year, and failing to check in with Russian legal officers as required. "He consciously ignored the requirements of the law," Putin said. "The gentleman in question went abroad for treatment. As soon as he went to the hospital he showed his videos on the internet. ... He wanted consciously to break the law. He did exactly what he wanted to do. So what kind of discussion can we be having (about him)?" CNN's Richard Greene contributed to this report. He added: I think theres a lot of domestic politics that go into this and an interest from hard-liners, including the supreme leader, to ensure that their favored candidate wins without any significant disruptions to that process. The 2015 deal, which saw Iranians flood into the streets in celebration, marked a major turn after years of tensions between Iran and the West over Iran's nuclear program. Tehran has long insisted that its program is for peaceful purposes. However, U.S. intelligence agencies and International Atomic Energy Agency say Iran pursued an organized nuclear weapons program up until 2003. In order to ease the threat seen by the West, Iran agreed under the deal to limit its enrichment of uranium gas to just 3.67% purity, which can be used in nuclear power plants but is far below weapons-grade levels of 90%. It also put a hard cap on Iran's uranium stockpile to just 300 kilograms (661 pounds). Tehran also committed to using only 5,060 of its first-generation centrifuges, the devices that spin the uranium gas to enrich it. Before the deal, Iran had been enriching up to 20% and had a stockpile of some 10,000 kilograms (22,046 pounds). That amount at that enrichment level narrowed Iran's so-called breakout time how long it would take for Tehran to be able to produce enough weapons-grade uranium for one atomic bomb. PODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) Montenegrin lawmakers on Thursday ousted a pro-Serb government minister who has denied the 1995 genocide in Srebrenica and passed a resolution condemning the massacre, in a vote that has shaken the new government and exposed a rift within the Balkan countrys ruling coalition. Parliament voted 43 to 27 to replace the Human and Minority Rights Minister Vladimir Leposavic for disputing recently that the killing of some 8,000 Bosniak Muslims in Srebrenica by Bosnian Serb forces amounted to genocide. Lawmakers later approved the Srebrenica resolution with 55 votes in favor and 19 against in the 81-member assembly. Minister Leposavic was backed by pro-Serb groups that are part of the governing alliance. Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic demanded the minister's ouster after his comments on Srebrenica sparked international criticism of Montenegro, a Balkan nation that is a member of NATO and which is seeking European Union entry. The resolution on Srebrenica strongly condemns the genocide, banning its denial and introducing a commemoration day for the massacre. The pro-Serb lawmakers of the ruling majority were opposed, but both proposals passed in parliament thanks to the opposition lawmakers of President Milo Djukanovic's Democratic Party of Socialists. OPINION: "Two-thirds of the USCCB still believes the majority of Catholics take them seriously? After Pennsylvania? After the revelations about Cardinal Theodore McCarrick? No. We. Dont," writes contributing columnist Renee Schafer Horton. If you are reading this and you happen to know my dad, Gerald C. Gay ... Shhhhh. Lets keep this conversation to ourselves. As far as fathers go, I think I lucked out. Thanks to his love and support over the years along with equal amounts of love from my mom my sister and I have done all right in this world. So, its only natural that I want to give him the best Fathers Day possible, which, in the grand scheme of things, will never be nearly enough. Every dad is different. Below are the blueprints to what I hope will be a successful Fathers Day weekend with mine, with a mix of ideas that you can use for yours in the process. Giving my dad plenty of space Some dads enjoy cars. If that sounds like the patriarch in your family, consider the free fourth annual Fathers Day car show, running from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. this Sunday at Pantano Christian Church, 1755 S. Houghton Road. My dad is more of a space shuttle type of guy. Nationally, new car inventory decreased by 15.7% in May compared to April, and used car prices increased by 6.3%, according to Massachusetts-based iSeeCars.com, an online automotive search engine. The latest iSeeCars monthly analysis examines which cars are in the hottest demand as the microchip shortage continues to affect the new and used car market. The semiconductor chip shortage is expected to cost the worlds automotive industry $110 billion in revenue in 2021, according to New York-based consulting firm AlixPartners. That has meant a change in culture around car lots, with in-person interaction between consumers and dealers being replaced by online and phone orders, King said. We are selling vehicles before they get here and doing what we can, he said. Theres really no coping mechanism. If we dont have it, they (patrons) go somewhere else to buy it. But, typically, you cant find cars anywhere. Kinnee Tilly is vice president of the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance, which offers technical assistance and business advice through a statewide network of manufacturing extension agents and applications engineers. She said the state has been impacted significantly by the semiconductor shortfall. While many people are anxious to experience live performances in theaters once again, the task of finding artists to fill those stages can be an anxiety-inducing experience. Tulsas Choregus Productions, which specializes in presenting cutting-edge contemporary dance groups and musical artists, will present its Summer Heat International Dance Festival this weekend at the Tulsa PAC, 101 E. Third St. I knew I wanted to bring the festival back this year, Choregus founder Ken Tracy said. What made it tricky was finding companies that were planning to go out on tour, and seeing if we could coordinate times and venues to make it worth everyones while. Tracy first learned that Complexions Contemporary Ballet was planning to travel to the Dallas area to perform and arranged to have the company make a stop in Tulsa on its way to Texas. Complexions is a company I really like, and that weve featured in the past, Tracy said. I also learned that a company in Dallas that I had been trying to bring to Tulsa for several years, the Bruce Wood Dance company, was starting up live performances, and they agreed to come to Tulsa. Three documents that trace the arc of African slavery in the Western Hemisphere and the United States will go on display June 17 at Gilcrease Museum, 1400 N. Gilcrease Museum Road. The documents, all from Gilcreases collection, will be shown under the title Enslavement to Emancipation: Toward a More Perfect Union. The exhibit will be on display through July 4. It will be the first time these three documents have been displayed together. The first document is a letter sent to King Charles V of Spain in 1520 and was written by Christopher Columbus eldest son, Diego Columbus. In it, Columbus requests license as Governor General of Spains American empire to begin the importation of Africans into the Western Hemisphere to replace the labor of enslaved Indigenous people. The document reveals the beginnings of slavery in North America, nearly a century before the first enslaved Africans were brought to the Jamestown colony in 1619. Also on display is one of the museums most prestigious items: the certified, handwritten copy of the Declaration of Independence. The ideal of that document, that all people are created equal, was literally and figuratively revolutionary, but belied by the actions of the nascent United States. In a move that just makes a lot of sense, Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum on Thursday announced the citys plan to rename two well-known parks near downtown. The proposal would rename Centennial Park, which is wedged between the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 577 and American Legion Post 1 near Sixth Street and Peoria Avenue, to Veterans Park, making way for the current Veterans Park at 21st Street and Boulder Avenue to be transformed into a park honoring the lands rich Native American history. At that location, Dream Keepers Park would be almost catty-corner to Creek Nation Council Oak Park at 18th Street and Cheyenne Avenue, which memorializes the settling point of the Lochapoka clan of the Muscogee Nation after they were forced out of Alabama in 1836. The history of the Muscogee Nation and the history of Tulsa are one and the same, Muscogee Second Chief Del Beaver said, speaking on behalf of Principal Chief David Hill at the press conference. Theres been greater recognition of that fact recently, Beaver said, and the move to rename the park is one more act of such. A Drumright man was sentenced to federal prison Wednesday after he admitted to defrauding his employer, an Illinois energy company, in excess of $400,000 in revenues. U.S. District Judge Claire Eagan ordered David Owen West, 59, to serve a 21-month prison term followed by three years of post-custody supervision. West pleaded guilty in February to three counts of a 30-count indictment that charged him with fraud and money laundering. David West ran two criminal schemes against his employer, Petco Petroleum, and pocketed more than $400,000 worth of stolen money and product, said Acting U.S Attorney Clint Johnson. Wests criminal acts and deceit finally caught up with him. This convicted felon will spend nearly two years in federal prison thanks to the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles McLoughlin, the special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation and the FBI, the U.S. Attorneys Office Asset Forfeiture investigator Don Shoemake, and retired FBI special agent Daniel Risner. The grand jury indictment issued in September alleged that West stole oil and gas products while working for Petco Petroleum, an Illinois company that hired him to manage wells and hire vendors and service companies to maintain the companys wells. A man was sentenced to federal prison Thursday for his part in a robbery scheme that ended in murder. U.S. District Judge Terence Kern sentenced Samuel Wayne Washington, 43, to five years in federal prison followed by three years of supervision. Washington pleaded guilty Feb. 5 in Tulsa federal court to conspiracy after he was originally charged with felony murder in connection with the shooting death of Michael Binder. Binder, 53, was shot during a botched robbery attempt July 27, 2019, at the Cascades Apartments, 1812 E. 71st Place. Washington admitted to calling Leanna Roacher from jail and directing her to arrange with two others to rob Binder, referred to him as Money Mike, according to court documents. Washington said he needed the money to post bond. Roacher, Nicholas Gibson and Ruth Blair met Binder at the apartment to rob him, but the victim was fatally shot in the head by Gibson as he tried to flee, according to prosecutors. The two have sometimes been at odds. Many of the 100 block buildings date from the early-to mid-1920s, when Greenwood was a thriving black business district that had recovered from the utter destruction of the 1921 Race Massacre to host a national convention. The district began to decline in the late 1950s and by the late 1960s had been targeted for urban renewal. Only the 100 block was saved, largely through the efforts of the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce and some city officials. The block was refurbished in the 1980s, but with no surrounding residential population and tucked away in a corner on the outskirts of downtown, it struggled to survive financially. A $500,000 grant from the National Park Service allowed the Greenwood Chamber to reroof the buildings last year, and Culver said Wednesday that the intention is still to raise $10 million for a maintenance endowment and small business loans. Various attempts over the years to earn National Park Service designation for the Greenwood District have come up short, mostly because so much of its historic buildings were destroyed by the massacre and, 50 years later, urban renewal. A Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, Mankiller died in April 2010 of pancreatic cancer. When we celebrate the achievement of women in this country, it is absolutely fitting and deserving that former Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Wilma Mankiller be represented for her national voice, influence and leadership that first elevated Native American tribes and tribal issues in this country, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said. Chief Mankiller served as the first female chief in a role dominated by men and during a time that the Cherokee Nation was first getting its footing after decades of suppression by the U.S. government. She stood for tribal sovereignty and treaty rights. She fought for civil rights and equality, and self-sufficiency for the Cherokee people. She was the anchor establishing what has now become the largest tribal health care system in the country. She was truly a champion for Indian Country and we are so proud she is forever honored on this coin by the U.S. Mint as part of the American Women Quarters Program, The right to have a weapon for self-protection precedes the Constitution, a right so natural that the founders didnt bother to secure it by language any stronger than the slender reed of the Second Amendment. The founders could not have imagined the killing efficiency of a modern assault rifle, any more than they could have imagined television, a Black president or a female vice president. For them, the right to bear arms implied muzzle-loading muskets. Still, if the modern hypothetical home invader is much better armed than in colonial times, the modern hypothetical homeowner has a right to be better armed, as well. The unashamedly pro-gun Judge Benitez took a dubious path to the right conclusion. Like the judge, our society may be so infatuated with guns that his was the only possible finding. But even a constitutional right can be limited. The courts have held that citizens cannot own machine guns or bazookas. Some of the carnage might be limited by more rigorous background checks, mandatory training and demonstrated proficiency. Even Judge Benitezs ruling includes testimony (p. 30, p. 47) suggesting that the real culprit in mass shootings is large-capacity magazines. Reducing legal magazine size might help even the odds in the Great American Shoot-Out. Ive heard a lot of different things that havent been taught in school like Juneteenth. I dont know why these things werent taught . Clayton Kershaw, June 2020 I hope he does now. But if not, the greatest pitcher of his generation need only look at whats going on in his home state of Texas for answers. Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to sign House Bill 3979, a piece of legislation in the Lone Star State that mirrors other Republican-led efforts across the country to limit (if not flat-out ban) discussions of systemic racism in the classroom which, of course, is the epitome of systemic racism. Remember a year ago, when the country was all about Juneteenth? There were television commercials and proclamations about trying to understand each other better as an uncomfortably high number of white people like Kershaw questioned why they hadnt heard of Juneteenth before George Floyds murder. On Thursday, President Joe Biden signed a bill making Juneteenth a federal holiday. Thats good news. But it wont stop the political attacks on critical race theory, which began back in the 1970s. The GOP needed a new boogey man, so here we are. We welcome the news that the U.S. Senate has passed legislation making Juneteenth, or June 19, a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery. The measure seems likely to get easy passage in the House, and President Joe Biden will likely sign off on the 12th national holiday. Ending slavery was a gradual process starting with the Emancipation Proclamation, Sept. 22, 1862. On June 19, 1865, word of legal freedom reached enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas, one of the final enclaves of slavery in the Confederacy. The process wouldnt be completed until Dec. 6, 1865, with ratification of the 13th Amendment and the freeing of slaves in border states. Tragically, emancipation was not the end of racial oppression in the United States, but it was a great step forward. In 1980, Texas was first to recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday. Most states recognize the day in some manner, although it is not a state holiday in Oklahoma. Previous tries at a national Juneteenth holiday failed. This years success was championed by Sens. Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Tina Smith of Minnesota and Cory Booker of New Jersey and Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas all Democrats. A group of young locals and foreigners have teamed up to provide a distance mental health counseling service for Vietnamese teenagers. The members agree that mental health issues in this age group are present, yet available counseling is inadequate. So they hope to raise public awareness and provide a lasting service. In other countries, there are counseling hotlines for teenagers where they get to express their emotions, but I couldnt find anything similar in Vietnam, said Vu Huong Binh, the 17-year-old leader of the BlueBlue club. I was motivated, therefore, to establish a counseling service for teenagers. In May 2021, Binh and her friends at the United Nations International School of Hanoi officially launched a hotline at 19002904 (extension 3), offering a 24/7 counseling service to teenagers in Vietnam needing mental support. They also created a Facebook fan page to make sure those who do not wish to communicate over direct phone calls can choose messaging instead. According to the group, a large number of teenagers are meeting with psychological problems during school closures following the COVID-19 pandemic. Some, on the other hand, simply need someone to listen to their stories. The group of over 30 young minds soon got down to brass tacks. One team is in charge of designing brochures, maintaining the social media fan page, and seeking partnerships and public relations. Another team, mainly recent college graduates or those with a deep knowledge of counseling psychology, is charged with providing advice under the supervision of certified counselors. A week into their operation, the team received 14 calls and a lot of text messages from young people in Hanoi who needed help with their mental issues. Our hotline acted like a friend who would be willing to listen to things that these teenagers might not feel comfortable telling their family members or friends, said Binh. Callers can remain anonymous. "They never have to disclose their names or whereabouts. "Their identities are absolutely confidential. In cases where further support is needed, the team would connect their clients with expert clinic counselors. According to Binh, the idea started with her sending out mere hand-written cards bearing the phrase Keep up your spirits to K-12 students in the Vietnamese capital. After a talk with her father, who is a doctor, she took his advice and started planning a counseling center for teenagers. The next step was seeking partnerships in business and in media and sourcing counseling psychology graduates. In the beginning, we had to multitask," said Ayami Matsumura, a Japanese member of the group. "We also had great difficulty making the time to meet with our business partners as we were in class. Now that weve passed the first hurdle, we have learned how to balance our schooling and this project. About three years ago, Matsumura came to Vietnam with her parents. Due to the pandemic, their family has not been able to return to Japan. During her stay, she has come to recognize the mental health problems that Vietnamese youngsters are going through. There is pressure from school work and academic achievements, as well as the high expectations from their parents. Such matters, according to her, are undermined and ignored by the youth and their family and friends. The Japanese youth are going through similar problems, said Matsumura. I want to help the Vietnamese in some way. "This project also makes me feel less sad now that I cant get back home. "I believe that I am bringing about good values in this tough time. Didi Bullard, or Tra My, is a Vietnamese Australian. She and her peers are under a ton of pressure from school. They found it challenging to balance extracurricular activities and official school hours. The only way to let off steam is talking with family or friends, said Bullard. But if you dont feel comfortable or secure doing it this way, then call us at our hotline. The young group aims to provide support for around 260 cases from now until the end of August. At the same time, they will promote their social media page in order to spread the sense of positive thinking to the community. It will help if parents join in and offer their confidence. When parents understand the trouble their children are going through, they can learn the patience and technique for proper conversation. After the hotline calls, many have sent us thank-you tokens," said Binh. "They feel grateful because they got the help they needed. Some calls were made at 1:00 or 2:00 am. Binh and her team hope to keep their project a permanent service as they aspire to raise public awareness of teenagers mental health problems. We hope to create better and more affordable counseling centers for school students. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnams Ministry of Health confirmed 30 more local coronavirus infections in Ho Chi Minh City at noon on Thursday, taking the southern business hubs daily count to 75. Fourteen of the citys latest cases were detected after a fourth test, as they had already tested negative for the virus three times. They were traced back to Revival Ekklesia Mission, a Christian congregation in Go Vap District, the ministry said in a report. Hundreds of patients have been linked to this religious group since last month, according to the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control (HCDC). Most of the citys new infections were direct contacts of infected patients and found in isolated areas. City health authorities have been tightening their grip on identified infection chains, the HCDC said, adding that the virus may have still spread in the community. New clusters were mostly detected at residences or workplaces, the center noted. Everyone is strongly advised to follow social distancing guidelines, having been implemented for nearly three weeks, and abide by health declaration regulations to help stall transmission, it warned. Ho Chi Minh City has registered 1,135 domestic COVID-19 cases since April 27, when the fourth wave of transmissions broke out in Vietnam, according to the HCDCs statistics. The national government on Thursday distributed to the city about 800,000 of nearly one million AstraZeneca vaccine doses it had received from Japan on Wednesday night. City authorities expect to use up the shots within one week given the increasing spread, as the HCDC has recorded over 80 cases daily since last weekend. The additional jabs will be administered to priority groups, including medical and factory workers. So far, the city has given the first AstraZeneca shot to 64,366 medical staff and other frontline workers, according to the municipal Department of Health. A total of 10,179 people have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19,. The southern metropolis has about 7.2 million people aged 18 or above, the target of its inoculation drive, the department said. Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam on Tuesday allowed Ho Chi Minh City to purchase and import COVID-19 vaccines following the proposal of the municipal administration. The Southeast Asian nation has recorded 8,781 locally-transmitted infections in 40 of its 63 provinces and cities in this fourth wave. Bac Giang Province is leading the caseload with 4,945 patients, followed by Bac Ninh with 1,448, Ho Chi Minh City with 1,135, and Hanoi with 464. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A sponsored flight opperated by flag carrier Vietnam Airlines transported 800,000 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday morning after the shipment arrived in the country from Japan the night before. The batch of vaccine doses produced in Japan and given as a donation by the East Asian nations government to Vietnam landed at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi at around 10:00 pm on Wednesday. It includes 966,320 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine, which is for intramuscular injection, according to online newspaper VnExpress. One vial of the vaccine is enough for ten doses of 0.5ml. During the journey, the vaccines were stored in specialized refrigerated containers and kept in a special cargo storage area in accordance with a service process that meets the strict standards of the International Air Transport Association. Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long visited the Noi Bai airport to receive the vaccines on Wednesday night, the Vietnam Government Portal (VGP) reported. Vietnam Airlines cargo staff then began transferring 800,000 doses onto a wide-body Boeing 787 plane to depart for Ho Chi Minh City at 7:00 am on Thursday. The 800,000 doses are intended for priority groups in the city, one of the four current virus hot spots. The remaining doses of the batch will be shared among Bac Giang and Bac Ninh Provinces -- the two localities with the highest numbers of infections in the ongoing virus wave. Vietnamese Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long (left) and Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio (center) wait for the arrival of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine doses from Japan at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, June 16, 2021. Photo: Ministry of Health This is the fifth shipment of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to arrive in Vietnam so far, bringing the total number of jabs near four million, according to the VGP. Vietnam has so far administered more than 1.77 million doses of the vaccine, with over 72,000 people having received two. The proportion of vaccinated people over those who are subject to inoculation is approximately 2.5 percent, which is a low ratio compared to those of other nations in the Southeast Asian region. The Vietnamese Ministry of Health confirmed 220 new COVID-19 cases, including 212 domestic infections, at noon on Thursday, taking the national caseload to 12,014 patients, with 4,590 recoveries and 61 deaths. Bac Giang is leading the caseload with 4,945 patients, followed by Bac Ninh with 1,448, Ho Chi Minh City with 1,135, and Hanoi with 464. From April 27 to Wednesday morning, 8,781 local cases were recorded in 40 of Vietnams 63 provinces and cities in this infection round -- the fourth and worst since the pathogen first hit the country on January 23, 2020. The nation has documented 10,350 domestic and 1,664 imported cases. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Check out the news you should not miss today: Society Vietnam on Thursday morning reported 159 new cases of COVID-19, including 132 cases in Ho Chi Minh City and the northern province of Bac Giang, increasing the countrys tally to 11,794, according to the Ministry of Health. As of 5:00 pm on Wednesday, Vietnams COVID-19 Vaccine Fund had received over VND5.54 trillion (US$241.48 million) from 312,301 organizations and individuals, the Vietnam News Agency reported the same day. Ho Chi Minh City had seen a total of 371 blockade points set up to curb the spread of COVID-19 as of 6:00 pm on Wednesday, according to the citys Center for Disease Control. The People's Committee of Bien Hoa City in southern Dong Nai Province early Thursday morning has expeditiously put the Big C Dong Nai supermarket in isolation over a COVID-19 case who had visited the venue lately. The current two weeks of social distancing in Ho Chi Minh City is an opportunity for it to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the community, providing that all safety regulations are strictly implemented, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Truong Son said at a press meeting on Wednesday afternoon. The north-central city of Vinh in Nghe An Province will have to follow social distancing measures under the prime ministers Directive No. 15 from Thursday until further notice, as the province has reported four coronavirus cases since June 13, including one of an unknown source of infection. Lifestyle The Department of Fine Arts, Photography, and Exhibition under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism has launched a photo contest themed 'Vietnam Through the Lens of Foreign Photographers,' calling for works depicting the beauty of the country and its people. Sports The Ministry of Health approved on Wednesday the proposal of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City and the Vietnam Football Federation on shortening the quarantine time to seven days from 21 days for the Vietnamese national team returning from the second round of FIFA World Cup qualification in the UAE on Thursday. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A 71-year-old COVID-19 patient with several underlying conditions has passed away in the southern Vietnamese province of Tay Ninh, marking the countrys 62nd coronavirus-related death. The patient, coded No. 8,217, hailed from the Mekong Delta province of An Giang, Nguyen Van Cuong, deputy director of the Tay Ninh Department of Health, confirmed on Thursday morning. She returned to Vietnam from Cambodia along with her daughter and granddaughter on June 2. They were brought to a quarantine facility in Trang Bang Town, Tay Ninh following their arrival. The three family members were confirmed as COVID-19 patients after testing positive on June 4 and were admitted to the medical center in Tay Ninhs Ben Cau District for treatment. The elderly woman had a history of hypertension, diabetes, and osteoarthritis. Her condition worsened on June 10, while an X-ray scan revealed that her left lung was seriously damaged. Doctors at Tay Ninh General Hospital coordinated with their counterparts at the Ben Cau District medical center to treat the patient. They also consulted doctors from the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases. The patient was given intensive care and breathing support, but eventually passed away on Monday. This is the countrys 62nd coronavirus-related death and Tay Ninhs first since the beginning of the pandemic. The Ministry of Health has yet to confirm this fatality. Vietnam has documented 12,014 COVID-19 cases as of Thursday afternoon, with 4,590 recoveries, according to the health ministrys statistics. The country has recorded 8,781 local infections in 40 provinces and cities since April 27. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! NKT, a novel mobile app aimed at easing the burden of administrative paperwork on disabled Vietnamese, has launched on the iOS App and Android Play stores, as well as on a website. NKT was initiated from the collaboration between the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and the Vietnam National Mine Action Center (VNMAC), with support from the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids, and Social Affairs. It was launched on Tuesday in Hanoi as part of the Korea-Vietnam Mine Action Project (KV-MAP). The app allows disabled people, particularly survivors of explosive ordnance, to provide and access data about their disabilities and print the disability certificates needed to receive government assistance and communicate other needs to authorities. It also helps social protection officers provide assistance to disabled people in a prompt, timely, and effective manner. Local authorities and public welfare officers will benefit from the system as it supports their bids to develop a national database for the disabled capable of publicizing the countrys policymaking process and targeted assistance programs. In the future, NKT developers plan to improve the apps accessibility features in order to ensure the best experience on the app. Before the launch, the app passed a nine-month testing phase which included participation from 90,000 disabled people in nine provinces and cities in Vietnam. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, director of the Action to the Community Development Institute and a physically challenged person herself, shared her excitement regarding the apps usefulness. Not everywhere is accessible to disabled people, she stated. With this app, I no longer need to go outside to get paperwork done. "A computer or smartphone with an Internet connection is all it takes to look up the level of disability my friends and I are categorized as. At the launch of the digital platform, Caitlin Wiesen, a representative of the UNDP in Vietnam, emphasized the importance of promoting innovative solutions for settling issues for people with disabilities, a subset of the population which is among the most vulnerable in the country and has been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. The UNDP rapid assessment of the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 on people with disabilities showed that 24 percent of the respondents did not have a disability certificate, which limited their ability to access the services and assistance they need, she said. While the app will likely improve medical access for people with disabilities during the pandemic, many believe its benefits will extend across society. We will promote these applications widely, while at the same time continuing to develop the skills of social workers and enabling them to meet the needs of those they serve, said Nguyen Van Hoi, vice-minister of the labor ministry. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Police in Phu Quoc, an island city off the southern Vietnamese province of Kien Giang, have helped several owners be reunited with their lost dogs by posting pictures of the pets on social media after breaking up a dognapping group. Officers of An Thoi Ward in Phu Quoc City caught a group of dognappers, including four men and one woman, red-handed carrying newly-stolen dogs to consumption points at 3:00 am on Tuesday. Two men in the group were in charge of shooting dogs with stun guns, while the woman was responsible for collecting stunned dogs and the other two men took care of slaughtering, according to their testimonies. The group then sold them to dog meat stalls in Phu Quoc, where dog meat fetches from VND75,000 (US$3.27) to VND90,000 ($3.93) per kilogram. The majority of dogs they stole on Tuesday morning were from households in Quarter 12 of Duong Dong Town, and Cua Duong and Cua Can Communes, according to the dog thieves. Tools that a dognapping group used are pictured at the police station in An Thoi Ward in Phu Quoc City, Kien Giang Province, Vietnam, June 15, 2021. Photo: Duy Khanh / Tuoi Tre Police officers also found a total of ten other dogs, of which two had died from being shot while the remaining eight were locked in an iron cage, with many wounds caused by stun guns on their bodies and their mouths tightly wrapped with duct tape. The police officers then uploaded photos of the eight alive dogs on social media in hopes that they would reach the owners. Their effort was rewarded as several residents showed up at the An Thoi Ward police station to check if their missing dogs were there. Among them were Nguyen Van Hien, 43, from Duong To Commune and his wife. When Hien and his wife just stopped their vehicle at the police station, a black dog more than 20 kilograms chained by a large rope, with a big wound on his shoulder, jumped up and down in joy. It was their beloved pet stolen ten days earlier. Nguyen Van Hien is pictured with his dog at the police station in An Thoi Ward in Phu Quoc City, Kien Giang Province, Vietnam, June 15, 2021. Photo: Duy Khanh / Tuoi Tre Hien and his wife hugged their pet, while the dog kept holding his legs tightly and refused to let go. Luckily, it was rescued by the police, said Hien. I thank them so much." After verifying that the dog belonged to Hien, the An Thoi Ward police handed over the animal to the couple. Meanwhile, other people, who also came to the police station to find their dogs but failed, bought bread and milk to feed the wounded pets there. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Ministry of Health added a record high of more than 500 local coronavirus infections to Vietnams patient tally on Thursday, the vast majority found in isolated areas. A total of 503 domestic cases were confirmed in Bac Giang Province, Ho Chi Minh City, Tien Giang Province, Bac Ninh Province, Binh Duong Province, Ha Tinh Province, Lang Son Province, and Nghe An Province, the health ministry said in a report. Health authorities detected 495 of the patients in quarantined areas, the ministry added. Bac Giang recorded 327 infections while Ho Chi Minh City logged 137 cases. Thursdays count broke the single-day record set on May 25, when the health ministry confirmed 444 community cases. Vietnam has documented 8,914 domestically-infected patients in 40 out of its 63 provinces and cities since April 27, when the fourth wave of transmissions started hitting the Southeast Asian country. The Delta variant first found in India has been identified in many patients in Vietnam in this serious bout. Bac Giang is on top of the table with 5,007 infections, followed by Bac Ninh with 1,454 and Ho Chi Minh City with 1,197. Twenty of the provinces and cities have registered zero new cases in the last two weeks. The nation has reported an accumulation of 12,150 patients as of Thursday evening, including 10,483 domestic and 1,667 imported cases, according to the health ministrys statistics. The number of recovered patients has reached 4,653, including 63 announced on Thursday, while 61 have died, most with severe pre-existing conditions. Health authorities in Tay Ninh Province recorded a virus-related death today but the health ministry has yet to document it. Above five million people have been tested in this fourth round, the worst so far. Vietnam 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. The Vietnamese government has administered 1,773,297 AstraZeneca vaccine doses to medical personnel and other frontline workers since inoculation was rolled out on March 8. A full two-injection course has been given to 72,325 people to date. The government has set a target of securing 150 jabs, as it expects to immunize at least two-thirds of a population of almost 98 million people this year. It has received almost four million AstraZeneca jabs so far. A total of 175,480 people who came into close contact with infected patients or from pathogen-struck regions are being quarantined in Vietnam, including 1,997 at hospitals, 135,489 at home, and 37,994 at other facilities. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Authorities in An Giang Province of southern Vietnam are anxious about the potential entry of Vietnamese Cambodians living on floating houses on rivers in Phnom Penh as they are subject to relocation under a new decision of local authorities. The concern was raised at a press conference held by the provincial Party Committee on Wednesday to release information about a new rule of the Phnom Penh administration in relation to Vietnamese Cambodians living there. On June 2, Phnom Penh authorities issued a notice requesting that all the owners of floating houses and fish farms on rivers in the city be dismantled or relocated within a week, Tran Thai Thanh Huong, head of the An Giang propaganda and education committee, told the press briefing. This decision came amid the increasing COVID-19 spread in both Vietnam and its southwest neighbor Cambodia, which borders An Giang. Currently, about 1,300 households with more than 11,000 residents of Vietnamese origin are living on floating houses or boats and making a living by farming fish on Phnom Penh rivers, according to statistics from the Khmer - Vietnam Association in Cambodia. These households have found it hard to prepare themselves for compliance with the sudden decision of Phnom Penh authorities, the conference was told. Many of the affected people have Cambodian nationality and have been granted residence cards to legally reside in Cambodia. After the decision was issued, many floating houses and fish rafts have been moved toward the Mekong River downstream area near Vietnam, causing more difficulty for Vietnamese authorities to prevent likely transmission from Cambodia, local Party Committee said. The provincial authorities have suggested the Vietnamese government ask its Cambodian counterpart to solve legal status issues for Vietnamese Cambodians and to treat them humanely, especially for thousands of people who are living on boats anchored along the riverbank in Prek Tamlop Commune, Leuk Daek District of Kandal Province, Huong said. An Giangs leaders expressed their wish that Phnom Penh authorities ensure the legitimate interests of people living on boats and rafts, set a reasonable relocation roadmap for them, and support their resettlement. The provincial administration does not allow the aforementioned vessels and rafts, as well as residents in Cambodia, to enter Vietnam in the currently complicated COVID-19 spread, local leaders said. On Thursday noon, the Ministry of Health reported 220 new COVID-19 cases, which have taken the countrys tally of patients to 12,014, including 4,590 recoveries and 62 deaths. Since April 27, when the pandemics fourth and worst wave so far began in Vietnam, 8,781 infections have been recorded in 40 of 63 provinces and cities. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! True crime factual The Real Prime Suspect returns for its second season on Crime + Investigation in July. Jackie Malton, the inspiration behind the Helen Mirren drama Prime Suspect, again re-examines some of the most intriguing British and American murder cases. With exclusive access to those at the heart of each investigation, this series re-examines some of the most intriguing International murder cases. Led by Jackie Malton, the inspiration behind the multi award winning drama Prime Suspect, the audience gains a perspective on each case like they have never experienced in any True Crime programme before. When a murder takes place, how do detectives find their Prime Suspect especially when the killer is more devious, determined and disciplined than any they have ever encountered before? Tuesday July 6 at 9.30pm on Crime + Investigation. Report: Daily Free-to-Air Share Channels: All Free-to-Air Channels Market: 5 City Metro (aggregate figure) Demographics: Total People Day-part: 18:00 24:00 Day: Wednesday Deliverable: Overnight, Consolidated 7 and Consolidated 28 Channel Overnight Consolidated 7 Consolidated 28 16/6/21 9/6/21 19/5/21 ABC TV 12.8% 9.8% 12.4% ABC Kids/ABC TV Plus 2.2% 1.9% 3.1% ABC ME 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% ABC NEWS 2.0% 1.3% 2.1% ABC TV Network 17.5% 13.4% 18.0% Seven 17.9% 16.0% 18.3% 7TWO 4.1% 3.6% 3.2% 7mate 2.0% 1.7% 2.5% 7flix 2.0% 1.8% 1.9% Seven Network 26.0% 23.1% 25.9% Nine 19.5% 35.8% 19.2% 9GO! 3.9% 1.6% 1.9% 9Gem 2.4% 1.6% 3.0% 9Life 2.3% 1.9% 2.7% 9Rush 1.4% 1.0% 1.5% Nine Network 29.5% 41.8% 28.3% 10 11.4% 9.6% 12.2% 10 Bold 4.7% 3.1% 4.1% 10 Peach 2.8% 2.1% 2.6% 10 Shake 0.7% 0.3% 0.5% Network 10 19.5% 15.1% 19.3% SBS 4.5% 4.0% 4.9% SBS VICELAND 1.2% 1.1% 1.7% SBS Food 1.2% 0.8% 1.2% NITV 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% SBS World Movies 0.5% 0.6% 0.6% SBS Network 7.5% 6.6% 8.5% Report: Top 20 Programs Channels: All Free-to-Air Market: 5 City Metro (aggregate figure), Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide & Perth Demographics: Total People Day-part: 02:00 26:00 Day: Wednesday Date: 16/06/2021 Deliverable: Overnight Rank Description (grouped) Channel \Network (r) 5 City Metro Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth 1 SEVEN NEWS Seven Network 1,065,000 245,000 346,000 181,000 122,000 172,000 2 SEVEN NEWS AT 6.30 Seven Network 1,005,000 231,000 333,000 174,000 100,000 166,000 3 NINE NEWS Nine Network 951,000 269,000 338,000 186,000 101,000 58,000 4 NINE NEWS 6:30 Nine Network 900,000 263,000 303,000 186,000 96,000 52,000 5 ABC NEWS-EV ABC TV 716,000 176,000 261,000 82,000 84,000 113,000 6 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine Network 683,000 193,000 240,000 140,000 73,000 37,000 7 HARD QUIZ S6-EV ABC TV 662,000 147,000 273,000 93,000 73,000 77,000 8 TRAVEL GUIDES Nine Network 648,000 170,000 223,000 135,000 65,000 57,000 9 HOME AND AWAY Seven Network 628,000 168,000 200,000 101,000 57,000 102,000 10 THE CHASE AUSTRALIA Seven Network 591,000 153,000 194,000 93,000 70,000 82,000 11 MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA WED Network 10 591,000 178,000 227,000 86,000 58,000 42,000 12 BIG BROTHER WED Seven Network 586,000 153,000 204,000 86,000 70,000 73,000 13 SHAUN MICALLEFS MAD AS HELL S13-EV ABC TV 564,000 137,000 229,000 77,000 67,000 54,000 14 7.30-EV ABC TV 549,000 139,000 210,000 68,000 59,000 72,000 15 HOT SEAT Nine Network 493,000 150,000 195,000 124,000 20,000 4,000 16 THE PROJECT 7PM Network 10 479,000 113,000 182,000 92,000 47,000 45,000 17 DOCTOR DOCTOR Nine Network 437,000 122,000 139,000 83,000 44,000 49,000 18 THE CHASE AUSTRALIA-5PM Seven Network 370,000 103,000 127,000 59,000 33,000 48,000 19 YOU CANT ASK THAT-EV ABC TV 341,000 106,000 121,000 46,000 38,000 31,000 20 10 NEWS FIRST Network 10 335,000 88,000 124,000 56,000 23,000 44,000 Report: Top 20 Programs Channels: All Free-to-Air Multi Channels Market: 5 City Metro (aggregate figure), Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide & Perth Demographics: Total People Day-part: 02:00 26:00 Day: Wednesday Date: 16/06/2021 Deliverable: Overnight Rank Description (grouped) Channel \Network (r) 5 City Metro Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth 1 NCIS RPT 10 Bold 176,000 43,000 53,000 32,000 14,000 34,000 2 BLUEY-EV ABC Kids/ABC TV Plus 175,000 33,000 66,000 49,000 10,000 17,000 3 THE HITMANS BODYGUARD -EV 9GO! 169,000 40,000 67,000 26,000 17,000 19,000 4 BLUEY-AM ABC Kids/ABC TV Plus 155,000 42,000 39,000 30,000 18,000 27,000 5 NCIS: LOS ANGELES RPT 10 Bold 144,000 34,000 46,000 24,000 18,000 22,000 6 PETER RABBIT-EV ABC Kids/ABC TV Plus 140,000 29,000 55,000 36,000 10,000 10,000 7 THE CORONER-PM 7TWO 139,000 32,000 34,000 22,000 17,000 34,000 8 NCIS: LOS ANGELES EP 2 RPT 10 Bold 134,000 38,000 43,000 18,000 19,000 17,000 9 ABC NEWS AT NOON-PM ABC NEWS 132,000 7,000 99,000 12,000 6,000 8,000 10 SCHOOL OF ROARS-EV ABC Kids/ABC TV Plus 131,000 27,000 51,000 31,000 8,000 13,000 11 SHAUN THE SHEEP-EV ABC Kids/ABC TV Plus 127,000 22,000 52,000 37,000 8,000 7,000 12 PEPPA PIG-AM ABC Kids/ABC TV Plus 125,000 28,000 44,000 23,000 15,000 14,000 13 NATIONAL PRESS CLUB ADDRESS-PM ABC NEWS 124,000 8,000 93,000 9,000 6,000 8,000 14 THE ADVENTURES OF PADDINGTON-AM ABC Kids/ABC TV Plus 118,000 28,000 51,000 18,000 8,000 13,000 15 NEIGHBOURS 10 Peach 116,000 27,000 43,000 22,000 18,000 7,000 16 THE BIG BANG THEORY EP 3 RPT 10 Peach 105,000 44,000 11,000 18,000 17,000 17,000 17 A TOUCH OF FROST-PM 7TWO 104,000 19,000 34,000 21,000 12,000 19,000 18 ANDYS WILD ADVENTURES-EV ABC Kids/ABC TV Plus 103,000 21,000 43,000 25,000 8,000 7,000 19 REMY & BOO-PM ABC Kids/ABC TV Plus 100,000 21,000 37,000 23,000 9,000 10,000 20 BARGAIN HUNT-PM 7TWO 100,000 25,000 29,000 14,000 16,000 15,000 Free to Air: 25-54 demographics (Overnight) Rank Description (grouped) Channel \Network (r) 5 City Metro Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth 1 SEVEN NEWS Seven Network 285,000 63,000 91,000 57,000 30,000 44,000 2 NINE NEWS Nine Network 283,000 69,000 115,000 53,000 33,000 13,000 3 NINE NEWS 6:30 Nine Network 280,000 75,000 101,000 61,000 31,000 11,000 4 MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA WED Network 10 276,000 95,000 112,000 33,000 21,000 15,000 5 BIG BROTHER WED Seven Network 274,000 70,000 104,000 39,000 28,000 34,000 Free to Air: 18-49 demographics (Overnight) Rank Description (grouped) Channel \Network (r) 5 City Metro Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth 1 BIG BROTHER WED Seven Network 257,000 62,000 100,000 33,000 27,000 34,000 2 MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA WED Network 10 241,000 79,000 100,000 29,000 17,000 15,000 3 SEVEN NEWS Seven Network 221,000 51,000 71,000 39,000 23,000 37,000 4 NINE NEWS 6:30 Nine Network 219,000 69,000 75,000 42,000 26,000 7,000 5 NINE NEWS Nine Network 218,000 59,000 88,000 37,000 27,000 7,000 Free to Air: 16-39 demographics (Overnight) Rank Description (grouped) Channel \Network (r) 5 City Metro Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth 1 MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA WED Network 10 145,000 47,000 66,000 14,000 11,000 6,000 2 BIG BROTHER WED Seven Network 145,000 32,000 59,000 25,000 14,000 15,000 3 SEVEN NEWS Seven Network 115,000 25,000 35,000 17,000 12,000 25,000 4 NINE NEWS 6:30 Nine Network 113,000 41,000 34,000 19,000 15,000 4,000 5 THE PROJECT 7PM Network 10 109,000 39,000 51,000 10,000 7,000 3,000 Report: Top 20 Programs Channels: All Subscription Channels Market: National STV Demographics: Total People Day-part: 02:00 26:00 Day: Wednesday Date: 16/06/2021 Deliverable: Overnight Rank Description Channel (r) National STV 1 THE BOLT REPORT Sky News Live 72,000 2 CREDLIN Sky News Live 69,000 3 PAUL MURRAY LIVE Sky News Live 67,000 4 ALAN JONES Sky News Live 57,000 5 MR INBETWEEN FOX SHOWCASE 55,000 6 LIVE: AFL 360 FOX FOOTY 54,000 7 THE KENNY REPORT Sky News Live 51,000 8 MR INBETWEEN FOX SHOWCASE 45,000 9 LIVE: NRL 360 FOX LEAGUE 45,000 10 PEPPA PIG Nick Jr. 41,000 11 PEPPA PIG Nick Jr. 39,000 12 PEPPA PIG Nick Jr. 36,000 13 PAW PATROL Nick Jr. 35,000 14 ESCAPE TO THE CHATEAU: DIY Lifestyle Channel 34,000 15 PML LATER Sky News Live 34,000 16 BLUES CLUES & YOU! Nick Jr. 33,000 17 MATTY JOHNS FACE-TO-FACE FOX LEAGUE 32,000 18 PEPPA PIG Nick Jr. 32,000 19 PEPPA PIG Nick Jr. 31,000 20 LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION: 20 YEARS Lifestyle Channel 30,000 Report: Top 20 Consolidated 7 Programs Channels: All Free-to-Air Market: 5 City Metro (aggregate figure) Demographics: Total People Day-part: 02:00 26:00 Day: Wednesday Date: 16/06/2021 Deliverable: Consolidated 7 v Overnight Rank Description (grouped) Channel \Network Consolidated 7 Overnight Increase 000s 1 SEVEN NEWS Seven Network 1,067,000 1,065,000 2,000 2 SEVEN NEWS AT 6.30 Seven Network 1,007,000 1,005,000 2,000 3 NINE NEWS Nine Network 951,000 951,000 0 4 NINE NEWS 6:30 Nine Network 900,000 900,000 0 5 TRAVEL GUIDES Nine Network 741,000 647,000 94,000 6 ABC NEWS-EV ABC TV 719,000 716,000 3,000 7 HARD QUIZ S6-EV ABC TV 708,000 664,000 45,000 8 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine Network 693,000 688,000 5,000 9 BIG BROTHER WED Seven Network 670,000 597,000 72,000 10 HOME AND AWAY Seven Network 653,000 628,000 25,000 11 MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA WED Network 10 619,000 590,000 29,000 12 THE CHASE AUSTRALIA Seven Network 593,000 591,000 1,000 13 SHAUN MICALLEFS MAD AS HELL S13-EV ABC TV 586,000 567,000 19,000 14 7.30-EV ABC TV 549,000 548,000 1,000 15 DOCTOR DOCTOR Nine Network 504,000 440,000 64,000 16 HOT SEAT Nine Network 494,000 493,000 1,000 17 THE PROJECT 7PM Network 10 486,000 484,000 2,000 18 BLUEY-EV ABC Kids/ABC TV Plus 397,000 175,000 222,000 19 YOU CANT ASK THAT-EV ABC TV 386,000 346,000 40,000 20 THE CHASE AUSTRALIA-5PM Seven Network 372,000 370,000 1,000 OzTAM Pty Limited 2021. The Data may not be reproduced, published or communicated (electronically or in hard copy) without the prior written consent of OzTAM. Program performance and ranking information subject to change when not based on final program logs. Ranking information is for individual episodes. Includes Preliminary data. Tyler, TX (75702) Today Isolated thunderstorms this morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely. High 86F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Mostly cloudy with showers and a few thunderstorms. Low 72F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%. Local centerpiece Tyler Police partners with advocates to transition homeless population ahead of possible camping ban aconejo / Ana Conejo / Tyler Morning Telegraph Above: Tyler resident Willie sits outside of his tent with suitcases that contain his belongings under the Valentine Street bridge near downtown Tyler. The Tyler Police Department is partnering with people who advocate for the local homeless population to prepare for a potential statewide ban of camping in Texas. Below: Tents serving as homes are lined up under the bridge. aconejo / Ana Conejo / Tyler Morning Telegraph Tents line-up back to back with personal belongings as they serve as homes for homeless staying under the Valentine Street near downtown Tyler. aconejo / Ana Conejo / Tyler Morning Telegraph Tyler resident Willie sits outside of his tent with suitcases that contain his belongings under the Valentine Street bridge near downtown Tyler. The Tyler Police Department is partnering with people who advocate for the local homeless population to prepare for a potential statewide ban of camping in Texas. aconejo / Ana Conejo / Tyler Morning Telegraph Belongings of homeless residents surround the outside of a camping tent under the Valentine Street bridge near downtown Tyler. As House Bill 1925 sits on Gov. Greg Abbotts desk, city officials of the Tyler Police Department are working closely with a member of the community to address homelessness in the city. HB 1925 would prohibit people experiencing homelessness from camping, or residing temporarily in a place with shelter (a tent, tarpaulin, sleeping bag, bedrolls or any devices designed to protect them from weather conditions). The person found in violation of the law would be charged with a class C misdemeanor. On June 9, Tyler Police Department officers arrived at the bridge on Valentine Street to clear the area of people experiencing homelessness months before Sept. 1, when the bill would go into effect if approved with Abbotts signature. Although there are only 20 individuals living under the bridge, there are approximately 200 to 300 people experiencing homelessness of some sort in Tyler, whether thats couch surfing with friends and family or sleeping on the streets, Tyler Police Department Chief Jimmy Toler Months before the time the law would go into effect in the state of Texas, local authorities are asking, What can we do? That would turn around and make it unlawful for individuals to camp on public grounds without the permission of the organizations, and if that gets passed, Sept. 1, that would become illegal to be camping where theyre at, Toler said. Instead of waiting until that point, lets start that process of transitioning individuals to some other type of housing or assistance they can access. This is when conversations began. Officers agreed to begin looking for the next step to get people into shelters and assistance. Conversations started with Callynth Finney, of Tyler, who has become the citys lead organizer in helping the homeless. Her group of volunteers has become known as the Tyler Street Team. Shes put some rules in and shes made and tried to better manage (trash and hoarding issues) as it starts to de-escalate and also to find another way of dealing with the situation, but those are all personal guidelines or personal rules put in place, Toler said. We dont have the ability to reinforce those, we didnt establish those. Finney said the rules were established when two couples, who live under the bridge, began to hoard belongings and make big messes. Finney said because of this, officials from the Tyler Police Department made the decision to get everyone out of the area. That day, Finney said she sat on the ground with people experiencing homelessness and had a meeting where everyone spoke and discussed what they were going to do. Some cried and one of them said, Everyone just feels like were parasites, she said. It was a sad time and I didnt know what to do, so I ended up calling the mayor and sharing my heart about pulling the rug out from under (the homeless) like this and not having an answer. Partnership After talking to Mayor Don Warren and Toler, Finney agreed to a plan with rules and regulations, and she was successful in buying more time for people experiencing homelessness to continue living there. One of the couples refused to clean up and was asked to leave and the other couple worked for three days to clean their area. As long as people follow these rules, then they get to stay until Sept. 1, but come Sept. 1, I have no idea what were going to do unless people decide to help, Finney said. Aside from Finneys rules, the Tyler Police Department has established rules and ordinances, such as not being able to put a tent up anywhere in the city close to a business. Being near a place of business would require approval from the fire department to make sure the health and safety standards are there. You dont want to be so difficult that youre not caring and youre not compassionate to what theyre going through, Toler said. I think were all there, but we also cant ignore it and just act like theyre not there. Finneys plan is the one city officials are backing and relying on to help clear up the homelessness crisis in Tyler an issue seen in many cities across the country. Her plan involves the entire Tyler community. In the past, the only way Ive been able to do anything is through other people in the community, she said. During the storm in February, we were able to help people because the entire community came together, so thats what Im hoping to see again here. Finneys plan asks churches to assist the homelessness help. For every 200 church members, one person could be helped. If a church has 400 members, two people experiencing homelessness can be helped. If someone has 1,000 members, five of those under the bridge could be helped. My request is that every church would at least just take one, Finney said. Adopt one person experiencing homelessness that wants help. Not all of them want help, we have some under the bridge right now that dont want help. Come Sept. 1, I know that those are probably going to go find somewhere else to be homeless, but thats not everybody. There are some (homeless people) that want help, that maybe they have developmental delays or mental illness or other physical disability. Its physically impossible to pull oneself up by their bootstraps, she continued. You cant do that. Its impossible, thats the whole point of that phrase. A lot of them have disabilities even though you cant see a physical disability. They have mental, emotional and physical disabilities. Finney encourages a family or a small church group to adopt a person experiencing homelessness. It would look like having dinner with them regularly, celebrating their birthday, picking them up for church, finding out if they need to see the doctor, helping them get their birth certificate or IDs, maybe helping them to get their GED, or whatever it is, she said. Finney said each person is going to have a unique story, so the way to be their friend and to love them will be different. People dont need another case worker. They dont need another program, they need individuals, they need real relationships with healthy people that know how to have healthy boundaries and are willing to invest in them, Finney said. Finding Resources Toler agrees there are a variety of issues affecting the homeless, such as mental health concerns and drug and alcohol abuse. He suggested city officials could work with homeless assistance organizations like the Salvation Army and Hiway 80 Rescue Missions Gateway to Hope day center. Toler said there is a lack of mental health resources in the area. He also said that often, police have had to put people in the hospital for mental health treatment, and they have to be transferred seven to eight hours away to receive that treatment, because no beds are available here. Toler said the citys plan is to work with Finney every day to make sure that its safe and clean under the bridge and that Finneys team is taking steps forward to get individuals into transitional housing, as well as providing education about available resources from local nonprofits. Finney said that if churches cant help, she doesnt know what other plan she would put into place. Toler said the biggest part of the next step into transitional housing is to work with the groups. Do we have the authority to go in and clean it up? Yeah, he said. He added police have that authority because of safety standards, but he said that decision would displace a lot of people very quickly. Thats not what the police department wants, Toler said. Toler said officer Johnny Green is out there almost every day trying to help people get off the street, including looking for housing, transitional treatment and employment. Thats the one there, is to do what we can in a compassionate manner to find a solution and not just destined everybody to be under the bridge forever, Toler said. He said they also have to maintain the quality of life of the local businesses surrounding the area, as well as those who live there. We dont want to go into this with a law enforcement aspect, where (House Bill) 1925 goes into effect, where people could be issued citations, all that stuff. If we ever get to that point, its to educate, educate, educate, assist people and warn people and try to get to that next step without ever having to take any law enforcement action. That is the hope we have, said Toler. Toler said with the huge church community in Tyler, support from them is going to be a game changer. To combat the homelessness issue in Tyler, the city is also working on a project to provide affordable housing, which is an ongoing development project. Affordable housing would be the last step from transitional housing after staying at a shelter and getting help there. The affordable housing would be available once the individual saves enough money and maintains a job. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen vaccinated against Covid-19 in Copenhagen on June 4 (Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images) Denmark will offer Covid-19 vaccines for children aged 12-15 after the adult population has been inoculated to boost its overall immunity against the virus ahead of the winter, health authorities announced on Thursday. Initially, offer Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine will be made available for 12-15 year-olds as it is the only vaccine approved by the EU's drug regulator for use in adolescents, the Danish Health Authority said in a statement. The EU regulator expects to announce a decision on the use of Moderna's shot in adolescents sometime next month. "An expansion of the target group to the 12-15-year-olds is necessary to ensure even greater immunity in the population, and thus ensure control of the epidemic in Denmark," the head of the Danish Health Authority, Soren Brostrom, said. Vaccination of adolescents would begin after the last adults have been fully vaccinated in mid-September, Mr Brostrom told a press briefing. "We need the immunity of the population, especially before a winter season," he said. In an optimal scenario, Mr Brostrom estimated around 75 per cent of Denmark's population will be immune against the virus after all adults have been inoculated. Vaccinating the adolescents would add another four per cent to that number, he said. Danish health authorities would continually review new data on the vaccine's safety, Mr Brostrom said, and would keep a special eye on data from the United States, where he said over three million adolescents had already received a jab with the vaccine. Denmark made waves when it announced in April and May it would cease to administer vaccines developed by AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson to adults over a potential link to a rare but serious form of blood clot. The Nordic country's government has since asked health authorities to reconsider the exclusion of those vaccines since new data on their effects and side-effects has been reported. Almost half of Denmark's population have received a first vaccine shot while more than a quarter are completely inoculated. Story continues Denmark has one of the higher Covid-19 rates in Europe, with the a seven-day rolling average of 74 per million people on June 15, which is higher than Nordic neighbours Sweden (55) and Norway (32), but lower than the like of the UK (110), Spain (104) and Portugal (75). Read More Denmark 1-2 Belgium: De Bruyne genius inspires turnaround Belgium and Denmark pay tribute to Christian Eriksen by halting match Denmark 1-2 Belgium: Highlights, reaction and Eriksen tribute LIVE! U.S. President Joe Biden said he discussed Belarus with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the meeting in Geneva. "I shared our concerns about Belarus," Biden said. The U.S. President noted that Putin "didnt disagree with what happened; he just has a different perspective of what to do about it." Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday said the European Union cannot achieve its goal of becoming a power hub without Turkey. "It is not possible for the EU to achieve its goal of becoming the center of attraction and power without Turkey as a full member," Erdogan said, addressing the South- East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Summit in Turkey's Mediterranean resort city of Antalya. He said that Ankara expects the EU to "immediately rid itself of its strategic blindness", and to advance the accession process within the framework of a positive agenda, Daily Sabah reported. Italy has defeated Switzerland 3-0 in the second group stage match of the UEFA Euro 2020 and secured a place in the knockout round. The match took place in Rome, the goals were scored by Manuel Locatelli (in the 26th and 52nd minutes) and Ciro Immobile (in the 89th minute). Italy has gained six points and tops Group A. On June 20, Italy will play against Wales and Switzerland will meet Turkey. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced meetings with his colleagues from Russia and the United States, Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden. Erdogan has told his U.S. counterpart that Ankara will not change course on F-35 stealth jets and the Russian S-400 missile defense systems, he said on Thursday. "I told (Joe Biden), don't expect us, as Turkey, to take a different step on either the F-35 or S-400 issue because we did our part on the F-35s," Erdogan told reporters in the Azerbaijani capital Baku, referring to his recent face-to-face meeting with the US president at Monday's NATO summit in Brussels. Erdogan also underlined that it was a "historic mistake" for a country to favor the terrorist groups that its ally is fighting against, instead of siding with its ally that is being targeted by terrorism. Erdogan also highlighted that Biden plans a visit to Turkey. He added that Moscow was being "helpful" on the opening of the Zangezur corridor between Azerbaijan's western part and the Nakhchivan autonomous region, and said he would soon meet Russia's President Vladimir Putin. U.S. President Joe Biden said that he agreed with Russian President Vladimir Putin to work together on Iran. "It is in the interest of both Russia and the United States to ensure that Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons. We agreed to work together there because its as much interest - Russias interest as ours," he stressed. Biden added that Putin "indicated that he was prepared to help on Iran." Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that there was no hostility at his meeting with US President Joe Biden, and the talks were constructive. "As for the general assessment, I believe there was no hostility at all. On the contrary, our meeting was certainly held in a principled manner. We differ in many respects in our assessments. However, to my mind, both sides showed willingness to understand each other and seek ways to bring the positions closer. The conversation was quite constructive," Putin told reporters after the Russia-U.S. summit on Wednesday. The Putin-Biden summit in Geneva had lasted for about 3.5 hours. The United States has lost as much as Russia as a result of introducing economic sanctions against Russia, President Vladimir Putin told reporters of the summit in Geneva. "Following introduction of certain restrictions in the sphere of economy and trade turnover, the U.S. losses were as much as Russian ones. Yes, this affected our development. In this sense, the US has partly completed its task of restricting Russias development but there is nothing critical in this respect," the Russian leader said. The fact that the largest delegation at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2021, over 200 persons, was from the United States shows the interest of the U.S. business in Russia, Putin said. "As a result of introduced restrictions, particularly for the U.S. companies, U.S. persons left with a loss and gave that business to hands of their competitors from other countries. We talked about that. What was the purpose? There is no sense in that," the President added. In 2020, the trade turnover between two countries dropped by 9% to $23.8 bln but the export and import flow surged by almost 16% year-on-year during the first four months of this year. "If such a trend remains, I believe it will benefit everyone," Putin added. Russia and the United States will launch an integrated dialogue on strategic stability in the near future, Russian and U.S. Presidents Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden said in a joint statement on strategic stability published on the Kremlins website on Wednesday. "Russia and the United States will embark together on an integrated bilateral Strategic Stability Dialogue in the near future that will be deliberate and robust. Through this Dialogue, we seek to lay the groundwork for future arms control and risk reduction measures," the leaders of both countries said in the joint statement, following the results of their summit meeting in Geneva. As both leaders stated, "Russia and the United States have demonstrated that, even in periods of tension, they are able to make progress on our shared goals of ensuring predictability in the strategic sphere, reducing the risk of armed conflicts and the threat of nuclear war". The recent extension of the Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (the New START Treaty) is evidence of both countries commitment to nuclear arms control, the document says. "Today, we reaffirm the principle that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought," the statement reads. Russia's ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov will return to Washington within days, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday. "Not yet," Peskov said on the Ekho Moskvy radio station, when asked if the Russian and US ambassadors were back to their work places after the corresponding decision was made at the Russian-U.S. summit in Geneva. "Possibly he will fly there within days," Peskov said, when asked when Antonov might arrive in Washington. As he dwelt on the top priority tasks Antonov would have to address upon his return to the United States the Kremlin spokesman said that now "it is very important to make a check list" of questions that the Russian and U.S. leaders discussed in Geneva. "In the past, there were many examples of discussions and understandings that were eventually buried at the working level. Such things did happen. Now it is important to understand which of the achieved results are viable and will be implemented and what the deadlines are," TASS cited the spokesman as saying. Russian Ambassador to the U.S. Anatoly Antonov will return to Washington by the end of the month, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told journalists on Wednesday. "Soon, soon! Anatoly Ivanovich [Antonov] has been all packed up and ready to go this entire time <...>," he said with a smile. "I think that before the end of the month, Anatoly Ivanovich will definitely return to Washington," the senior diplomat added. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that at the talks with his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden they agreed that the two countries ambassadors will return to their workplaces in Moscow and in Washington. "As for the return of ambassadors to their places of work - of the US ambassador to Moscow, and, respectively, of the Russian to Washington, we agreed that this issue is resolved," the Russian leader told reporters after the Russian-U.S. summit in Geneva. He added that the ambassadors "are returning to their places of duty." The case against Georgia's ex-Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia will be initiated only if there is evidence of guilt, one of the leaders of the ruling Georgian Dream party Mamuka Mdinaradze said. "When he demanded to postpone the arrest of Melia for two or three days, when there was information about the opposition's plans for these days. It gave rise to suspicions, but the investigation can be considered if there are concrete facts," Sputnik-Georgia cited Mdinaradze as saying. The possible prosecution of the ex-Prime Minister of Georgia was discussed after the leaders of the ruling party accused Gakharia of an operation to suppress the storming of the parliament building on the night of June 21, 2019. Prior to this, the Georgian Dream accused the former head of government of treason. Bac Giang province has been gathering strength to fight the Covid-19 outbreak for one month, vowing to stamp out the outbreak by the end of June. Le Anh Duong, Chair of Bac Giang provincial Peoples Committee Commenting about the outbreak, Le Anh Duong, Chairman of Bac Giang provincial Peoples Committee said that local people had never faced such an incident. Covid-19 has caused industrial production stagnation and affected the entire socio-economic life. It has coincided with the farm produce harvesting season and general elections. It has caused foreign investment momentum to slow down, Duong said. This is an unprecedented big challenge. Local people for the first time feel a threat to their safety and health, he said. How can Bac Giang persuade the eagles (eagle referred to big foreign investors and manufacturers) such as Apple, Samsung and Foxconn to halt their production? When the pandemic began attacking industrial zones, what worried us the most was that it would affect production and investment, and Bac Giangs position in the global supply chain as well. Fighting the pandemic has been a top priority in our strategy. We decided to close the industrial zones (IZs), but not to just stamp out the outbreak. Before closing the IZs, we had a meeting with all enterprises. Investors who were overseas at that moment also attended the online meeting. Some said it was necessary to close IZs immediately, while others disagreed, fearing they would lose orders and clients, or would be fined for slow delivery and lose competitiveness. I told them that it was necessary to suspend production to gather strength to fight the pandemic, to deal with the urgent problem first. During the closure time, we will join forces to design new production models. I said it would be impossible to maintain stable production amid the threatening outbreak. Investors all agreed with the solution. No enterprise had a negative response on the night the official decision was released (May 18, 2021). Investors told international press agencies that they agreed with the solution put forward by the local government. Foxconn, for example, issued a press release, affirming its support for the Bac Giang authorities solution and said that production capacity would not be affected by the temporary production suspension. Bac Giang has been implementing its commitments that it made to investors It established a taskforce that joined forces with them to examine and check production scale, and Covid prevention capability of each enterprise in accordance with certain classification criteria. The classification allows them to adjust the production model and restore production. Soon after the decision on resuming production in accordance with Plan 213, the provincial authorities set up a unit that defined the requirements for people going to work, and picking up workers going to work. We give support to what businesses need. All enterprises answered our call and were unanimous in implementing the solution. This is unprecedented, if noting that the foreign investors in Bac Giang provinces have different nationalities, and different cultures and personalities. Brainstorming moment You signed two decisions related to production activities just within one week. The first was the one on closing six enterprises in Van Trung IZs, and the second was the closure of four IZs. Bac Giang has lost VND2 trillion for each day of closure. Did you have to think carefully before making such decisions? Bac Giang province has been gathering strength to fight the Covid-19 outbreak for one month, vowing to stamp out the outbreak by the end of June. All of these were extremely important decisions. I and the leadership had to discuss very thoroughly before making decisions. We even had to ask for the Prime Ministers opinion and the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control. At first, the new hotspot only involved six small companies leasing workshops in Van Trung IZ. So, it was obviously necessary to close the enterprises, and there was no difficulty with the decision. However, we had to carry out a large-scale testing campaign and screen all workers in the IZ. Our testing capability could not meet the high number of 90,000 workers in the IZ. It was much more difficult to make the second decision - closing four IZs at the same time. At that time, the outbreak, after occurring in Van Trung and Quang Chau IZs, began spreading to nearby IZs. Meanwhile, infections were not found in Dinh Tram and Song Khe Noi Hoang. Before releasing the decision, we had to think about many things, including the benefits of investors and enterprises, the benefits of workers, and the benefits of the entire province. There were many things to weigh, but I put the safety of workers as a top priority and persuaded enterprises with that principle. A Foxconn vendor in Hong Kong via Zoom said that businesses' priorities were fighting against the pandemic and stabilizing the economic situation, while putting businesses benefits at a lower level of priority. However, we anticipated that a lot of problems could arise after the decision was released. If 67,000 migrant workers had left Bac Giang province for their home villages after factories suspended operation, they could have brought the virus everywhere. Therefore, just one day later, the provincial authorities called on workers to stay in Bac Giang. The province also sent a document to enterprises telling them to keep their workers there and cooperate with local authorities to have medical tests. The province promised to ensure their normal lives. On the afternoon of the same day, we had a meeting with enterprises and reported to the Prime Minister at night. At 0 am, we declared isolation for the entire Viet Yen District and 4 IZs. This was the most difficult decision. Keeping promises So, the released Plan 213 on the resumption of the production activities after 10 days of closing four industrial zones can be seen as Bac Giangs promise to investors? Yes. When deciding to close four IZs, we did not say exactly when the IZs would become operational again. When investors asked about this, I said we aimed to reopen them after two weeks. And we kept the promise. After two weeks, the enterprises began operating again in accordance with a roadmap. Kien Trung To be continued... Bac Giang migrant workers to be relocated as part of Covid-19 fight The northern province of Bac Giang, Vietnams ongoing Covid-19 epicentre, plans for workers from other localities to return to their hometowns to help mitigate Covid-19 infections. That is the direction given by Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung to the publishing industry. Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung. Photo: Le Anh Dung Minister Nguyen Manh Hung recently met with top officials of the Department of Publishing, Printing and Distribution and publishing houses in Vietnam to discuss the industrys development strategy for the 2021-2025 period. VietNamNet would like to introduce his speech presented at the event. People read fewer books than before, but the reading time has not fallen but has increased. But the time to read news and share information on the Internet has increased sharply. Thus, they spend less time on books. This is quite similar to the story of the press when social networks appeared. If the way of reading is different, the way of making books must be different, too. In the past, we had very few books, so the main thing was to have books to read. Now there are so many books, the main thing is to filter and find the right books to read. Each of the billions of people on the planet have a need to find the right books to solve their needs and problems. So what will our publishing industry do? In the past we had fewer problems, fewer concerns and, therefore, more time for books. We now have too many concerns, but the time is still 24 hours a day so the time spent on each issue is less. The time spent on books is also less. So should books have hundreds or thousands of pages? And if they must be that long, should there be shorter versions or search engines to help readers quickly grasp the main idea of books and then read them more carefully when they have time? A book is read by many readers, who read it by different means (and the mobile phone is increasingly predominant), so should there be different versions of the same book for different audiences? For different reading tools? Without technology, without digital environment, without e-books, this would not be easy and very expensive. But if it's easy and cheap, should we do it? Previously, each year there were a few new books were published, and therefore there were books that millions of people read and became the common awareness of the whole society and thus formed the strength of the nation. Now each year there are nearly 40,000 titles. Each book is only printed with several thousand copies, and therefore no book has millions of readers, no book becomes the societys common perception, no book can form national strength. So is there any way to have books that reach millions of people as before? Previously, it was difficult to bring books to people in remote areas and books were also very expensive for farmers. Now with the help of digital technology, is this problem easier to solve? Solving this problem would be a huge step forward. So the new era not only poses new problems for us but also creates new opportunities, solves millennium problems. It's also about the way we look at it. Are e-books the solution, when 44% of the world's population read book online? Before, there were not many publishers as we have today, but there are many good books and many people read them. Should we have fewer publishers? If we have fewer publishers, can we meet the diverse and personalized needs of the people? So what is the correct answer? Or should we have many publishers, with some key ones? Are these problems of the Vietnamese publishing industry only or the problems of the world? If it's global issues, what are the world experiences? Have we inquired and learned from them yet? The world changes so fast so that no one is the best. But the person who knows who is best at what and learns from them may be the best. Should the publishing industry pursue this approach? In the past, there was only one way to read books. Now people have so many ways to read. They read newspapers, magazines, online news sites and social networks. Instead of reading, they can hear audiobooks or news read by robots With so many ways of reading like this, should books have new transformations suitable for the times? The goal and mission of books is still to store, accumulate and spread knowledge, which must be preserved. But the method requires changes. Books are an open and evolving concept. But how books are made and distributed depends on the living environment and the development of science and technology. I believe that these innovations will help the publishing sector better fulfill its mission. The biggest change in human history is probably the move from the real world to the digital world. Everything real will have a digital version. There will be things that are available in the digital environment that are not available in the real world. In that digital environment, everything will have a new life, a new way of relationship, and new values will be created in a new way. We call this digital transformation. So how is digital transformation in the publishing industry? The problems and questions raised above are all related to digital transformation. Books are knowledge. Whenever books are preserved, then humankind is there. Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung How technology changes traditional books Human knowledge has been digitized for cyberspace in the Internet era. Having recovered from Covid-19, Mai Anh Duc is now directing the production of hand sanitizer and disinfection machines to donate to hospitals and isolation areas in the country. Mai Anh Duc In July last year, Mai Anh Duc, 39, from Da Nang City, and his 13-year-old son tested positive for nCoV. One year later, he returned to hospitals and isolation areas as a benefactor donating sanitizer and disinfection machines. The machines were labelled as products of Group 687, Ducs patient code one year ago. Duc said he had the idea of producing sanitizer before he became a Covid-19 patient. As an electrical engineer and trader of imported water purifiers and air conditioners, Duc has knowledge about the manufacturing of these products. Last summer, when Da Nang became an epicenter, he considered a plan to produce sanitizer to donate to hospitals and isolation wards. He borrowed antiseptic-liquid creating equipment from a friend of his in HCMC. The equipment is certified as friendly to the environment, not harmful to users health, and the disinfection capability is up to 99 percent. However, when the machine arrived in Da Nang, he received the news that his son was positive for nCoV. Therefore, all his family members were put under concentrated quarantine. The machine had to go back to HCMC. The next day, he was informed that he had become a patient and was brought to Hoa Vang Field Hospital for treatment. During the 10 days at the hospital, he could clearly see the hard work and dedication of the medical staff. On the night when I had a high temperature, doctors seemed to stay up with me. Though I took antipyretics, every once in a while, someone came in and asked about my status. I felt touched about the attentiveness of the medical team, he said. Duc could not see the faces of medical workers because all of them were in tight protective suits. However, listening to their voices, he understood that they had come to Da Nang from many localities to help Da Nang fight the outbreak in the emergency period. When Duc was at the hospital and quarantine area, Duc received a lot of gifts, toothpaste tubes and soap. The gifts touched him and prompted him to do something for the community. Having recovered from Covid-19, Mai Anh Duc is now directing the production of hand sanitizer and disinfection machines to donate to hospitals and isolation areas in the country. From the hospital, Duc called his co-workers and asked them to immediately begin production of sanitizer from the machine his friend had sent to him from HCMC for the second time. When he got the negative result for the third time and spent quarantine time at home, the first bottles of sanitizer were put out. About 60,000 liters of sanitizer were sent by Group 687 to hospitals in Da Nang, isolation wards, check-points, schools, the Vietnam-Laos border area in Quang Nam and the northern provinces of Hai Duong and Bac Giang. After successfully making sanitizer, he began thinking of making disinfection chambers. With the support of relatives and friends, five disinfection chambers were created and sent to medical centers in Da Nang and Hai Duong. Later, Duc realized that the disinfection chambers were cumbersome, which made it difficult to move. Duc decided to make mobile disinfection machines with production cost just half of the initial cost. With financial support from benefactors, Group 687 has created eight machines to donate to Bac Giang. They are now making another 20 machines to the order from the Disaster Prevention Community Fund. Ten machines will be sent to Bac Giang and the other 10 to Bac Ninh. The next order for 20 machines is from the Mai family in Vietnam. They ordered the machines to donate to units in the Covid-19 fighting forefront. The disinfection machines made by Group 687 operate under the automatic spraying mechanism thanks to sensors. Wheels are attached to the machines which allow it to move easily. The machine frame is at the bottom, while the antiseptic solution container is above. According to Duc, the production cost of a machine is VND8 million, just half of that of a disinfection chamber. Dang Duong Secondary school students invent 3-in-1 body temperature device Two schoolboys in Binh Duong have created an automatic body temperature measurement machine that can also be used to disinfect hands and take the roll-call. The machine is being used at their school. Chairman of the Hanoi Peoples Committee Chu Ngoc Anh and Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti, head of the European Union Delegation to Vietnam, discussed the building of the European Management University in Hanoi during their meeting on June 16. Chairman of the Hanoi Peoples Committee Chu Ngoc Anh (R) and Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti at the reception. (Photo: VNA) Anh said cooperation with the EU has assisted Hanoi in comprehensive development over the past years. Under the 2021-2025 development plan and vision for the next decade, Hanoi targets becoming a green, beautiful, civilised and modern capital. Accordingly, the authorities advocated administrative reform to create favourable conditions for businesses and economic community, including European partners. He expressed his hope that Hanoi and EU partners will continue stepping up bilateral projects for the sake of common prosperity. Aliberti hoped that the municipal authorities will offer support to the project in the near future. A representative from the project said with the participation of nine EU educational establishments, 20 leading European universities and several Vietnamese educational agencies, the project aims to build a European-standard university in the capital, majoring in economics, sustainable and green development, and business administration, contributing to human resources development in the locality. The host also vowed all possible support for the project in the immediate future. Source: VNA Vietnam, EU enjoy thriving relations over three decades Vietnam and the EU have experienced fruitful cooperation in various sectors over the course of the last three decades, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on June 16 held separate meetings with ambassadors of New Zealand, Argentina, Pakistan and Romania who came to present their credentials. President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (left) and Ambassador of New Zealand Tredene Cherie Dobson. (Photo: VNA) At a reception for Ambassador of New Zealand Tredene Cherie Dobson, the President said he hopes that the ambassador will raise initiatives to promote cooperation between the two countries in the time ahead, especially when the bilateral relationship is developing intensively and extensively in the spirit of the strategic partnership. He called on New Zealand to share its experience in COVID-19 combat, and suggested the two sides step up high-level visits after the pandemic is put under control. The two countries also should foster trade ties, particularly the export of fruits, Phuc said, suggesting New Zealand further assist Vietnam in education, especially English language teaching. Vietnam wishes to tighten coordination with New Zealand and relevant parties in realising the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and accelerating the ratification and implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in the coming time, he added. The ambassador pledged to make every effort to contribute to strengthening the bilateral relations, and support Vietnamese firms to access the New Zealand market. President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (right) and Argentinas Ambassador Luis Pablo Maria Beltramino. (Photo: VNA) Meeting with Argentinas Ambassador Luis Pablo Maria Beltramino, Phuc wished that the two countries will enhance all-level delegation exchanges and bring into full play dialogue and cooperation mechanisms to advance the bilateral comprehensive partnership to a new high. The President called for joint efforts to press ahead with negotiations of a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), and suggested both sides maintain their mutual support and cooperation at multilateral forums. The ambassador said he hopes to coordinate with Vietnamese agencies to elevate the bilateral ties to a new level. President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (right) and Pakistani Ambassador Samina Mehtab. (Photo: VNA) At a meeting with Pakistani Ambassador Samina Mehtab, the State leader expressed his hope that the diplomat will have measures to forge economic and trade ties between the two sides. Vietnam and Pakistan should optimise their strengths and beef up cooperation in trade, while tightening their collaboration at regional and multilateral forums, the President suggested. Mehtab said she hopes that Vietnam would serve as a bridge between Pakistan and ASEAN, and the two countries will intensify tourism cooperation. President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (right) and Romanian Ambassador Cristina Romila. (Photo: VNA) Receiving Romanian Ambassador Cristina Romila, Phuc said Vietnam always attaches importance to the traditional friendship with Romania, and bears in mind the countrys valuable support during Vietnams struggles for national independence and national development. He also praised Romania for its efforts in pushing ahead with the signing of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) when Romania held the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union. Phuc asked the ambassador to convey his invitation to the Romanian President to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time. Romila, in reply, affirmed that Vietnam remains Romanias important partner, and congratulated the Southeast Asian nation on its achievements in the pandemic fight. Source: VNA Nearly one million doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines donated by the Japanese Government arrived at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on late June 16. Nearly one million doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines donated by the Japanese Government arrives at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on late June 16. (Photo: VNA) Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long, representing the Vietnamese Government, received the COVID-19 vaccine batch at the airport. Addressing the event, Minister Long expressed his joy to receive the vaccine shipment as donation by the Japanese Government, saying that this gift is an example of the flourishing relations between Vietnam and Japan, especially amidst complicated developments of the pandemic and critical shortages of vaccines on a global scale. Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long (centre), representing the Vietnamese Government, receives the COVID-19 vaccine batch from Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio at the airport. (Photo: VNA) Vietnam is committed to effectively use of the vaccine as soon as possible, Long said, adding this batch of the vaccine would be transported to Ho Chi Minh City on June 17 morning to inoculate the people and workers in the southern city. He also said that Vietnam is the first country in Southeast Asia that has received COVID-19 vaccine aid from Japan. Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio said the donation is a testament to the longstanding friendship between Japan and Vietnam, and Japan wishes to connect with the international community, especially with Vietnam, to overcome the pandemic. Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long has a look at the newly-arrived vaccine batch. (Photo: VNA) The Air Japan flight departed from Narita International Airport in Tokyo at 6:45pm on June 16, carrying temperature-controlled shipping containers to maintain 2-8 degrees Celsius, the ideal storage condition for AstraZeneca vaccines. During the meeting with the Japanese Ambassador on June 15, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh thanked the Japanese Government for the donation following his phone call with Japanese counterpart Suga Yoshihide. Source: VNA The Ministry of Health on June 17 announced it will distribute a total of 966,320 doses of AstraZenaca coronavirus vaccine to local Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCs), hospitals and medical units, among others, across the country. The Ho Chi Minh City CDC is the largest recipient in this distribution, the fifth by the Ministry of Health so far, with 786,000 doses. They will be given to priority groups and workers at industrial parks and export processing zones in the city. Other 20,000 doses will be sent to HCM City to inoculate the local public security force. A number of hospitals in HCM City and Hanoi will also receive thousands of doses each to provide for priority groups and high-risk people. Vietnam is accelerating its vaccination efforts to combat the fourth wave of coronavirus which began on April 27, causing as many as 8,780 infections so far. HCM City has experienced a spike in cases since late May, with more than 1,000 local infections reported as of June 16 afternoon, making it the countrys third largest coronavirus hotspot. It is estimated that more than 7.2 million people aged 18 and above live in HCM City, and of this number, 1.6 million work in industrial parks. But only 140,000 vaccine doses have been administered, primarily to medical staff and others who are considered a priority./. Source: VNA 800,000 more doses of vaccine allocated to HCMC for injection in one week Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Truong Son yesterday announced that Ho Chi Minh City is to receive 800,000 more doses of Covid-19 vaccine to aid its fierce fight against the latest Covid-19 outbreak citywide. A number of takeaway-only cafes in Hanoi have begun to clean their shops, waiting for the day the Hanoi authorities will allow them to re-open. To stop the spread of the coronavirus, the Hanoi government ordered all food and beverage shops to do only takeaway starting from midnight on May 25. Most coffee shops and restaurants have complied with the city's policy. Businesspeople all want to join hands with local authorities to fight against Covid-19 so they can resume their business as soon as possible. Ms. Hue, the owner of Muoi coffee shop on Tong Dan Street, said: "My family has four coffee shops. We employ only one bartender for each shop to serve takeaway customers. We have to pay full rental for the shop while the sales are very small, so it is really hard for us. I only wish that everything will back to normal as soon as possible." Ms. Hue's cafe strictly complies with the local authorities requirements: setting tables 2m apart from each other, with glass walls between them. Mr. Nguyen Duc Thuan, the owner of a cafe on Cu Chinh Lan Street, told VietNamNet: Previously, I worked as manager, bartender, waiter, cleaner and also vehicle keeper, so earnings from this coffee shop was enough for survival. Since restaurants and coffee shops were asked to sell food and drink in the form of takeaway, I could only sell several cups of coffee a day, so I closed the shop. My landlord slashed the rental for me, so Im trying to wait for the day of re-opening. Mr. Dong, the owner of Dat coffee shop on Ba Trieu Street, is in more difficult circumstances. As his coffee shop located on a central street in Hanoi, the rent is very high and his landlord asked Dong to pay the rent for a whole year in advance. Dong still has to open his shop even though he can sell around 20 cups of coffee each day. Ms. Dao Thi Nhung, owner of Nhat Long coffee shop on Vuong Thua Vu street, said: "I hope that Hanoians will abide with the 5K message to quickly curb the epidemic, so we can re-open our shops as soon as possible." Coffee shops have obeyed Hanoi government's rules as they only sell drinks in the form of takeaway. Ms. Mai, an employee of a cafe on Tong Dan Street, cleans tables and chairs in the hopes that her coffee shop will open soon. Mr. Thuan's takeaway coffee shop has been closed due to the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic. A cafe on Ba Trieu Street with only one employee. Another coffee shop on Ba Trieu Street, with front fences. A closed coffee shop. Nhung and her son at her coffee shop. A restaurant on Vuong Thua Vu street is crowded at noon only. Its revenue has fallen by half. Nguyen Tri Experiencing many ups and downs of history, Hue Imperial Citadel still retains its majestic beauty, preserving the quintessence of the Nguyen's Dynasty, hundreds of years ago. Therefore, when visiting Hue, it is impossible not to visit Hue's ancient imperial citadel complex at least once to feel the golden traces of the past. Ngo Mon Gate (Noon Gate), as the largest of the four major gates of Hue Citadel, is the main southern gate of the Hue Citadel, overlooking the very poetic Huong (Perfume) River. Ngo Mon Gate is considered a masterpiece, a pinnacle architecture of Hue Imperial Citadel. Nowadays, many young people who love the ancient costumes of the Nguyen Dynasty like Nhat Binh Ao Dai (Vietnamese traditional clothing) often come here to capture impressive photos. Hue Citadel was built under the reign of King Gia Long in the summer of 1804, but it was not completed until 1833, under the reign of King Minh Mang. As a convergence of cultural and architectural beauty, Hue Citadel is also one of the relics in the Hue's ancient imperial citadel complex recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. In the history of Vietnam in premodern period, the construction of Hue Citadel is probably the most massive and large-scale project with the particiapation of tens of thousands of people in the construction, millions of cubic meters of soil and stone, a large amount of work such as dugging trenches, filling rivers, migrating, moving graves, and building citadels, lasted for 30 years under two dynasties. Facing Ngo Mon Gate is Thai Hoa Palace, which is used to celebrate significant court rituals such as anniversaries and coronations. It was also an important venue to welcome ambassadors of other countries. In the architectural complex in the Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Purple City) of Hue, the corridor system plays an important role, not only as a passageway, but also as a "circuit" connecting the works, creating a diverse architectural complex with a tight layout. Over 200 years, wars, natural disasters and time caused the corridor system to be severely destroyed and by the 1990s, it was completely collapsed, leaving only the foundations. The corridors in the Tu Cam Thanh Hue have now been restored by the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre according to the strict regulations of UNESCO. Despite the wear and tear over time, a lot of architecture still exists along with mossy walls in bold colours of the old times. The sophisticated architecture has survived many years. Thai Hoa Palace still retains its inherent majesty. Source: Nhan Dan Nguyen-dynasty bronze cauldrons in Hue Imperial Citadel The Hue imperial city in Thua Thien-Hue province is now still home to bronze cauldrons dating back from Nguyen dynasty (1631-1684). Vietnam, at the request of the United Nations, has received and successfully treated a UN staff member who contracted COVID-19 while working in a regional country and was in critical condition. Vietnam's UN peacekeeping staff in South Sudan. (Photo: VNA) The patient was brought to Vietnam by a plane run by the UN Emergency Chartered Medical Evacuation Services (MEDEVAC). After undergoing intensive treatment in a strict quarantine process, and thanks to expertise and dedicated care of Vietnamese doctors and nurses, the patient have fully recovered and been discharged from hospital. The UN staff member left Vietnam on June 15 to come back to work. It was the first time Vietnam has received and treated a patient as a UN staff member under the MEDEVAC mechanism, marking a new development step in the Vietnam UN comprehensive partnership. The deed once again affirmed Vietnams humane tradition, willingness and commitment to contribute to international cooperation in coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. UN leaders and representatives at different levels appreciated and expressed their gratitude to Vietnams good will and spirit of international solidarity. They spoke highly of the Vietnamese health sectors professional capacity and contributions to the care and protection of peoples health as well as expanding international cooperation and improving the countrys position. Lieut. Col Nguyen Thi Minh Phuong holds a South Sudan child during her first patrol as a military observer in December 2019. (Photo: VNA) Especially, UN Under-Secretary General Atul Khare lauded the significance of the deed, saying it helped the UN fulfill its tasks in the region. He also expressed wish to receive more support from Vietnam in the near future. On the occasion, he also thanked Vietnam for continuing to send medical workers to the leve-2 field hospital in South Sudan and giving COVID-19 vaccine shots to them before departure. MEDEVAC was set up with the aim of creating a global framework to provide emergency evacuation for severely ill UN staff members who require a level of care not available at their locations. Many countries in and outside the region engaged in the reception and treatment for them via the MEDEVAC mechanism. The UN, through the COVAX Facility, had already sent nearly 2.5 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Vietnam, out of a total of 38.9 million doses it committed to provide for the country free of charge. Since its admission to the UN in 1977, Vietnam has received great support and assistance from UN organs to overcome war consequences, reconstruct the country and in the renewal process, especially improve production capacity, develop human resources, science-technology, integrate into the world and fulfill global development goals. Together with offering medical supplies to countries worldwide in the past year, Vietnam has and will continue contributing to international solidarity to surmount the pandemic. Source: VNA Vietnams blue beret medical soldiers fulfil mission despite COVID-19 After taking on a UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan in November 2019, the Level-2 Field Hospital No 2 had to extend its stay, scheduled for one year, to nearly 18 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the difficulties that came with it. When it comes to maintaining and enhancing an inventory of over 9,849 living trees on the 900-acre Blacksburg campus, being able to "see the forest through the trees" takes on a whole new meaning. Its Virginia Techs holistic approach to university forestry rooted in planning, collaboration, education, and community engagement that has helped the university earn Tree Campus Higher Education USA recognition for the 13th consecutive year. Launched in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation, Tree Campus Higher Education USA is a national program that honors colleges and universities for effective campus forest management and for engaging students, employees, and visitors in conservation goals. Virginia Tech achieved Tree Campus Higher Education USA recognition by meeting five national standards, which include maintaining a tree advisory committee, operating a campus tree-care plan, dedicating annual expenditures toward trees, organizing an Arbor Day observance, and delivering ongoing student learning and engagement opportunities. Heading up Virginia Techs urban forestry efforts is University Arborist Jamie King, who joined the Division of Campus Planning, Infrastructure, and Facilities in 2019. Virginia Tech is proud to receive Tree Campus Higher Education USA recognition for the 13th year. Trees play an integral part in maintaining a sustainable campus landscape. They help support air purification, erosion control, and stormwater management. Not to mention the countless recreational, educational, and community-building opportunities they provide. Just like our storied buildings, cutting-edge research labs, and more, trees are significant university assets, said King. Trees are among the most visible representations of Virginia Techs commitment to environmental stewardship. Pathways to advance tree preservation, reforestation, and education are prescribed throughout a number of key university frameworks, including the Campus Master Plan, 2020 Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment, and the Virginia Tech Blacksburg Campus Urban Forest Master Plan, which is currently going through the public comment phase. Since 2008, more than a thousand trees have been planted on the Blacksburg campus. A joint effort among the university arborist, University Arboretum Committee, Facilities Operations, Office of University Planning, Capital Construction and Renovations, and College of Natural Resources and Environment is catalyzing these planting efforts. Recent tree plantings in the Old-Growth Forest adjacent to Lane Stadium, commonly known as Stadium Woods, during Earth Week and along Alumni Mall are just two examples of the many reforestation efforts underway. HONEY GROVE, Texas (AP) A man suspected of shooting a police officer in the leg in a small North Texas city appears to have fatally shot himself after an overnight standoff with officers, authorities said. Police in Honey Grove said the officer responded to a home because of a possible domestic dispute at about 11 p.m. Tuesday. The officer then encountered a man who appeared to be armed with a rifle. Police say a constable arrived to assist, and authorities were fired upon. After the officer was shot, the constable pulled the officer to safety amid gunfire. Police said Wednesday morning that the officer had been taken to a hospital hospital in the Dallas suburb of Plano and was in stable condition. Police said the standoff ended at about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday when authorities entered the home and found the man dead. Police did not identify the man or officer by name. Honey Grove, which has a population of about 1,700 people, is located about 90 miles (145 kilometers) northeast of Dallas. Police have asked the Texas Rangers to investigate. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. A confession from a Killeen woman charged with helping hide slain Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillens mutilated body was lawfully obtained and can be used at trial, a federal judge in Waco ruled Wednesday. U.S. District Judge Alan Albright rejected a motion from attorneys for Cecily Ann Aguilar, 23, asking that the judge suppress her confession that she helped her boyfriend, Army Spc. Aaron Robinson, hide the body of the 20-year-old Guillen after he killed her with a hammer in an armory at Fort Hood in April 2020. Aguilars attorneys, Lewis Gainor and Ashley Askari of the federal public defenders office, argued that investigators, including Texas Ranger Travis Dendy and John Ray, a Waco police officer and member of the local federal fugitive task force, violated Aguilars constitutional rights by failing to properly warn her of her Miranda rights before she told them of her and Robinsons involvement in Guillens death. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Frazier called Dendy and Ray as witnesses during the 90-minute hearing and played snippets from their four-hour videotaped interview with Aguilar in June 2020. Both officers testified that Aguilar voluntarily agreed to speak with them, saying, Might as well. Im ready to get this s- over with. Russian President Vladimir Putin contradicted the evidence Wednesday when he asserted Russians are not a leading source of cyberattacks on the United States and other countries. They are. Putin also accused the imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny of leaving Russia unlawfully to seek medical treatment, ignoring the fact he was flown from the country in a coma. And he distorted the circumstances of the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol as he sought to equate that attack with the threats his government contends with from political opposition in Russia. A look at his claims in the news conference that followed his summit with President Joe Biden. PUTIN: From American sources, it follows that most of the cyberattacks in the world are carried out from the cyber realm of the United States. Second place is Canada. Then two Latin American countries. Afterward comes Great Britain. Russia is not on the list of countries from where from the cyber space of which most of the various cyberattacks are carried out. THE FACTS: This portrayal defies the record. Putin did not identify the source of the list he cited. But Russian-based digital malfeasance is well established by U.S. officials and security researchers alike. NEW YORK (AP) The candidates running in the Democratic primary to be New York City's next mayor made their pitches to voters in the final televised debate on Wednesday, even as early voting has begun. As in prior debates, the candidates were asked about a rise in violent crime and other issues that impact the city's recovery from the pandemic. And also like other debates, the candidates at times sent pointed comments toward each other. Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and former presidential candidate Andrew Yang had a strident back-and-forth after Yang brought up an endorsement from the Captains Endowment Association, pointing out that they chose him over Adams, a former police officer. The people who worked with him for years, who know him best. They just endorsed me," Yang said. City Comptroller Scott Stringer later criticized Yang after he answered a question about homelessness by talking about increasing the number of psych beds. Stringer interjected to call it the greatest non-answer I've heard of all of our debates." U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, who sponsored the bill, called Tuesdays Senate passage a significant moment in American history. Although our nation still has a long way to go to reckon with and overcome the dark legacy of slavery, the passage of the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act represents a meaningful step forward in the journey of healing America is still reckoning with, he said in a statement. Cornyn echoed those same sentiments, calling the passage of the bill a a big step in our nations journey toward equality in a statement Tuesday. Under the legislation, the federal holiday will be known as Juneteenth National Independence Day. Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., said he would vote for the bill and he supported the establishment of a federal holiday, but he was upset that the name of the holiday included the word independence rather than emancipation. Why would the Democrats want to politicize this by co-opting the name of our sacred holiday of Independence Day? Higgins said. I want to say to my white colleagues on the other side, getting your independence from being enslaved in a country is different from a country getting independence to rule themselves, Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Mich., replied, adding, We have a responsibility to teach every generation of Black and white Americans the pride of a people who have survived, endured and succeeded in these United States of America despite slavery. Kevin Freking of the Associated Press contributed to this report. Abbott, however, said Wednesday that power generation plants were down for repairs. They got repairs done now, before [the] real heat of summer hits, Abbott said in response to a power grid question during a press conference the governor held about plans to build a border wall at the states boundary with Mexico. Abbotts office did not immediately respond to questions for comment about his power grid statements Wednesday. The Dallas Morning News reported Wednesday that one of two units at the Comanche Peak nuclear power plant near Glen Rose has been offline for more than a week following a fire. The unit can generate about 1,150 megawatts when operating at full capacity, according to Nuclear Regulatory Commission data. Thats enough electricity to power 1.15 million homes during normal conditions and up to 460,000 additional households during peaks, the newspaper said. Dec. 6 would be the most accurate date to celebrate the end of slavery. Thats when the 13th Amendment was ratified in 1865, officially abolishing slavery throughout the United States. Every state was then required by federal law to free its slaves. There is no historical reason to make June 19 a federal holiday or even a state holiday anywhere other than in Texas. It does, however, allow for a good summer celebration. And its better than no commemoration at all. Even before Juneteenth became a Texas holiday in 1979, Black Texans were celebrating it as if it were the Fourth of July. There are festivals, parades, barbecues with strawberry drinks and red velvet cake, symbolizing the resilience of the descendants of slaves. Several other states also celebrate their own emancipation dates. In Kentucky and parts of Tennessee, for example, Aug. 8 is observed as the day slaves there were told of their freedom. Theres nothing wrong with commemorating Juneteenth, but America needs to understand exactly what its celebrating. African American history has long been distorted. To fully understand race, we must first acknowledge the truth about the legacy of slavery. For comparison, ProPublica says the median American tax rate in recent years is 14 percent. But it calculates Bezos true tax rate between 2014 and 2018 i.e., factoring the growth of his assets in with his reported income at under 1 percent. It says that when people like him need actual cash, they simply borrow against their massive assets. Interest on such loans runs in the single digits, and the proceeds are not considered income and therefore are not taxable. All of this is perfectly legal, by the way. Also, perfectly infuriating. And here, let me just say: I believe in capitalism. I believe that when you incentivize earning, you incentivize risk-taking, innovation and hard work. But I also believe something is wrong when CEO pay rose by about 1,000 percent between 1978 and 2018, while worker pay edged up just 12 percent. Something is wrong when working full-time doesnt put a roof over your head or food on your table. Something is wrong when an Amazon driver complains of 14-hour shifts and peeing in bottles to make his delivery quotas. Something is wrong when employees at Tyson and other meat packers report wearing diapers to work because conveyor belts are relentless and bathroom breaks denied. The result? Contracts to begin work on a couple of key segments were signed recently by the Nebraska Department of Transportation, but the major legislation pushed by the northeast Nebraskans to issue bonds to jump-start about $400 million worth of construction was put off until next year. Fremont Sen. Lynne Walz, who introduced the bonding bill, said she agreed to postpone debate on the measure after meeting with Gov. Pete Ricketts, who opposes bonding and wants to retain the states conservative tradition of paying as you go to finance road building and other state projects. Ricketts agreed to visit Columbus, Fremont and Norfolk to explain the states plans. Walz said theres a possibility more money might be coming Nebraskas way, either in the federal infrastructure bill being pushed by President Joe Biden or an $83 million request filed by U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, so its worth waiting to see. It kind of felt like we had a little leverage right now, she said. Were not going to push (the bonding bill), but were not going to let it go away. Said Moser, Theres been a little burst of activity. Now, if we can keep that momentum going. State Sen. Jane Nelson, chair of the state Senate Finance Committee, said in the press conference that the $250 million in state money that Abbott referred to as a down payment was being allocated as authorized under emergency orders. She did not clarify where the public money came from originally, but in a letter released later by Abbott's office the governor said said it would come from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's budget. The state also has set up a webpage and post office box so anyone can donate money for Abbott's wall. Large numbers of migrants have been showing up at the U.S. border with Mexico, with many turning themselves over to U.S. Border Patrol agents in seeking legal asylum status. But the numbers of families and children traveling without their parents crossing into the U.S. have dropped sharply since March and April, while the encounters with single adults have remained high. Abbott, who is up for reelection next year and has hasn't ruled out a run for president in 2024, has taken increased action over immigration since Biden took office, including sending more state police and national guardsmen to the border to arrest people entering the country illegally or cartels trafficking illegal drugs. On Wednesday Abbott said jails are looking for additional bed space to house the rising number of people being arrested. CONTRACT AWARDS Parsons can claim $3B in MDA services wins Parsons Corp. is on the winning end of two major contract awards worth up to $2.8 billion combined that were announced Wednesday by the Missile Defense Agency: one as the sole prime and the second through a joint venture. The potential $2.2 billion contract Parsons has all to itself for now covers broad engineering and technical support services for the countrys missile defense system. MDA received one other bid for the award, so a protest is possible pending the agencys debrief to both competitors. Solicitation documents indicate the work will also include studies, analysis, evaluations to help MDA evaluate the systems overall architecture including its so-called neural network including sensors and communications functions. MDA awarded the contract through its Technical, Engineering, Advisory and Management Support program that seeks industry support for administrative and acquisition support. This piece Parsons won is formally known as TEAMS-Next MDS Engineering. Deltek data lists Modern Technology Solutions Inc. is the incumbent on the current contract that expires in November 2023. Win number two as detailed in the Pentagons Wednesday awards digest has gone to Mobius Parsons Solutions. That is a joint venture of Parsons and Mobius, a HUBZone-certified woman-owned small business founded in 2011 as a lifecycle engineering and management company. MPS will provide test support services to the agency under a six-year, $566.6 million contract that also had one other bidder. This award is also part of the TEAMS effort with the formal name of Next Program Planning and Acquisition. The venture will also help MDA with acquisition management, schedule integration and analysis. Alexandria, Virginia-headquartered MPS was formed via a mentor-protege arrangement between Mobius and Parsons. For that contract, Millennium Engineering And Integration Co. and Torch Technologies are listed as the incumbents with those contracts' expiration dates respectively being December 2021 and March 2023. In response to a column about psoriasis, a reader asked about natural remedies. I have severe psoriasis but am terrified to take a biologic, she wrote. Is there a safe anti-inflammatory herbal product that could help? Biologic drugs use biotechnology to act on a wide range of cellular processes. They can be quite effective, but some people arent comfortable using them. Since psoriasis is a skin disorder rooted in inflammation, anti-inflammatory supplements may be useful in some cases. Turmeric, a flowering plant used as a cooking spice, contains a powerful anti-inflammatory called curcumin. It, along with ginger and omega-3 fatty acids, have the best data as natural approaches to psoriasis management. Aloe extract cream and barberry, also known as Oregon grape, both have anti-inflammatory properties and may be helpful. Before you add supplements to your treatment regimen, check with your health care provider. They can help you decide which ones to try, and how to use them. Waterloos police department is responding a week after a City Council member called for the chiefs resignation. In an open letter to the media released Thursday, the department said Chief Joel Fitzgeralds out-of-state travel was related to the health of a family member. Council Member Klein probably is not aware that Chief Fitzgeralds youngest son continues to be treated for a brain tumor that was the subject of a surgical procedure in 2019. The chief has traveled out of state over the last year to accompany his son as he receives ongoing medical treatment, the statement reads. While the chief would like nothing more than to see the medical situation fully resolved, the reality is much different and the situation is complex. Medical examinations will be required on an ongoing basis for the foreseeable future, the letter states. On June 10, Council Member Margaret Klein who represents the citys Ward 1 asked for Fitzgerald to step down, questioning his trips and claiming he wasnt interested in remaining in Waterloo. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Kleins request came days after she launched a challenge for the mayors seat in the upcoming election and shortly after Fitzgeralds name appeared on a list of candidates for a police chief vacancy in Austin, Texas. Padget told the board that a boundary study committee went though a number of options during three meetings. Eventually, they decided that the recommended change would be the best thing for the families. Under the changes, Lowells southern boundary moves to Bourland Avenue between Baltimore Street and LaPorte Road and to East Mitchell Avenue between LaPorte Road and Lowell Avenue. All Bourland Avenue addresses in the re-zoned area will attend Lowell. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} The southern boundary of the adjacent Irving Elementary School attendance area between West Ninth and Baltimore streets does not change. That means Lowells boundary in that area jogs one block south, with its western boundary between Byron and Bourland avenues. While its eastern boundary is largely along Lowell Avenue, it follows LaPorte Road in the block between Bourland and East Mitchell avenues. Board member Lyle Schmitt noted that a second option was seriously considered by the committee that would have put the entire southern boundary a block to the north on East Mitchell. He said that either option was fine with him, but outlined some specifics about the East Mitchell boundary. This legislation has shown that we have gone backwards, said Rep. Phyllis Thede, D-Bettendorf, who added she was frustrated and dismayed by the passage and signing of SF 342. We have again divided Democrats and Republicans, I think that sends a terrible, terrible message. In her remarks before signing the bill, Reynolds pushed back on criticism by saying there is no contradiction whatsoever between steadfast support for honorable and selfless law enforcement officers the vast majority and a commitment to improving law enforcement. She pledged to continue working to end racial profiling by police and pursue other recommendations made by a working group that did not see legislative action in 2021. Reynolds noted the new law contains provisions that ban discrimination in the enforcement of the law and establish a process for citizens who believe their rights have been violated to file a complaint with the Iowa Attorney Generals Office. Reynolds said the measure also marks a historic commitment by making rioting a felony, increasing penalties on a range of other destructive criminal behaviors, establishing qualified immunity for officers against some types of legal action, increasing due process protections for law enforcement and attempting to hold local governments accountable for actions deemed to prevent local law enforcement from doing their jobs. We now have the sad sight of another Texan sacrificing his good family name to appease Trump. George P. Bush is campaigning to be the Republican nominee for Texas attorney general on the wings of Trumps remark that he was the only Bush who got it right. Its printed right on George P.s campaign beverage sleeves. George P. is the son of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, whom Trump demeaned as Low-Energy Jeb. Trump tweeted that Jeb has to like the Mexican Illegals because of his wife, who immigrated from Mexico. That Mexican immigrant would be George P.s mother. George P. is the nephew of former President George W. Bush, whom Trump maligned after George W. put out a video applauding health care workers but not praising him. He is the grandson of former President George H.W. Bush, who found Trump so appalling he voted for Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016. And Trump wasnt invited to speak at the grandfathers funeral as presidents traditionally do. If George P. Bushs name had been George P. Jones, his political rise undoubtedly would have been less smooth. But now hes shocking a lot of Bush family admirers in his quest to receive a pat on the head from Trump or at least not a swat. Sure, a lot of Texas Republican primary voters worship Trump, but is winning a nomination for state office worth losing ones honor? Lubbock, TX (79423) Today Mostly cloudy early, then thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 83F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms this evening, then cloudy with rain likely late. Low 69F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Halfpoint Images/Getty Images En espanol | Transforming America's fractured and outdated system of long-term care could enhance the lives of millions. We've known that for years. Yet society has failed to act, and older adults have paid a terrible price in personal safety and quality of life. It doesn't have to be that way. Here are five reasons why the moment has arrived to have a national conversation and take meaningful actions on long-term care: 1. The system is now in the spotlight. President Biden's infrastructure plan, which would invest $400 billion in home- and community-based services, has focused much-needed attention on these issues. 2. COVID-19's devastating impact. Over 184,000 residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities have died from COVID-19, and a barrage of news stories reported on this horror. We cannot let that tragedy fade in memory. 3. Long-term care is a bipartisan concern. The recently introduced Credit for Caring Act demonstrates bipartisan support to ease the struggles family caregivers face. 4. The inequity of our caregiving system. The pandemic has dramatized the system's poor treatment of the neediest and most vulnerable, with older adults in communities of color often treated worst of all. 5. The need for care continues to grow as America ages. People want better options and opportunities to stay independent when it comes to long-term care. Yet, on our current path, services that enable people to remain in the community fall short of the demand. I see signs that people want these challenges addressed in more than just the cursory manner they are used to. Last spring, AARP asked family caregivers to tell us what was going on with their loved ones in nursing homes. We received more than 6,000 accounts in just over a week a poignant outpouring of stories that depicted fear for older parents, spouses, siblings and other loved ones; anger at how they were being treated; and strong calls for change. We are now hearing more from family caregivers who are bound and determined to keep their loved ones at home but are also struggling enormously in many ways. Glowimages / Getty Images En espanol | Patty Monegan plans to spend seven days cruising the California coast in September, then another week plying the waters off the Mexican coast in November. Monegan, 59, and her husband, Philip Keeping, 62, will be on two Princess cruises sailing out of Los Angeles. The couple, from Temecula, California, have sailed with Princess more than 55 times since 1986, and they cant wait to board its ships again despite the pandemic and the bad press the company received last year. Who doesnt remember those haunting televised images of thousands of passengers stuck aboard the Diamond Princess and Grand Princess when COVID-19 outbreaks hit both ships, resulting in 10 deaths? Because of what happened, theyre going to take every precaution they can, says an undaunted Monegan. Everybody is going to be on high alert, so cruising is probably going to be safer now than it has ever been. In fact, when eight fully vaccinated crew members recently tested positive for COVID-19 before the inaugural cruise of Royal Caribbean's Odyssey of the Seas, the line postponed its departure for nearly a month out of extreme caution though six of the employees were asymptomatic and the other two had only mild symptoms. (The vaccines aren't 100 percent effective at preventing COVID-19, but if you do get it post-vaccination, experts say you're most likely to experience something like a mild cold.) And when two fully vaccinated, asymptomatic passengers on the Celebrity Millennium tested positive, they were isolated for medical monitoring. Many cruise lines are requiring that all passengers and crew members be vaccinated. Even if Monegan is proven wrong and the worst happens, she insists she will have no regrets her passion for cruising runs that deep. Im a spiritual and religious woman who likes her glass of wine every day. And when your numbers up, your numbers up. And if I end up going on a cruise ship with a glass of wine in my hand, rest assured I died happy. The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions concerns about cruising during the pandemic (see box below) hasnt curbed some travelers enthusiasm for setting sail, especially not among the hard-core loyalists that were hooked on cruising pre-COVID. A recent survey by the University of Florida found that 30 percent of Americans would consider cruising next year. Among avid cruisers, 30 percent said they were ready to sail last April, and 46 percent said they would sail next year. Robust cruise sales jibe with the survey, as illustrated by these sales stats from Cruise Planners, an American Express travel representative. From January through May 2021, the company's cruise sales for 2022 departures were up 60 percent from the same time period in 2019 for 2020 departures. And CEO Michelle Fee says the company posted a record year for cruise sales in 2019. Attractive deals and relaxed cancellation policies are certainly playing a role in luring passengers as cruise lines finally start to ramp back up after the extended CDC ban. Still, many cruising fans would likely return regardless. Here's why. Drilling Update Perth, June 17, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Wiluna Mining Corporation Limited ( ASX:WMX ) (NZ3.F) ( OTCMKTS:WMXCF ) announces further high-grade sulphide intersections from an additional 63 holes and 16,705m of resource development drilling, and provides an update on the Company's FY 2022 Discovery Strategy.HIGHLIGHTS- Golden Age produces further high grades in resource extension drillingGARD0139: 1.52m @ 14.46g/t including 0.52m @ 37.95g/tGARD0141: 1.90m @ 14.04g/t including 0.25m @ 90.11g/t- High-grade sulphide intersections over good mining widths at Happy Jack and East Lode zones. Results will support Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve updates scheduled in late 2021HJRD00053: 1.78m @ 66.74g/t including 0.87m @ 133.00g/tWURD0150: 6.85m @ 7.72g/t and 3.95m @ 4.74g/tWURD0152: 13.12m @ 6.89g/t and 1.27m @ 15.05g/tWURD0125: 8.00m @ 6.33g/tWURD0129: 6.95m @ 5.69g/tWURD0136: 12.80m @ 5.38g/tHJRD00132: 6.40m @ 5.32g/tWURD0157: 5.10m @ 5.08g/t and 2.11m @ 14.54g/tHJRD00042: 8.61m @ 5.01g/tWURD0162: 5.62m @ 4.69g/t including 2.00m @ 7.47g/tHJRD00010: 6.30m @ 4.52g/t including 0.69m @ 9.94g/t and 0.96m @ 15.05g/tWURD0154: 13.00m @ 4.18g/t including 4.00m @ 7.37g/t- Discovery program for FY 2022 includes large-scale Exploration Targets defined "under the headframe" at the Wiluna Mining CentreHappy Jack and East Lode are important early sulphide mining zones where redevelopment of the underground operation is already well advanced ahead of production. These further high-grade results are expected to enhance Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve updates that are scheduled for completion later in 2021, as these results are infilling Inferred Resource areas to improve geological confidence and hitting high grades at good mining widths beyond the current Resource extents.The Company also continues to define extensions to the Golden Age orebody, which is a source of high-grade free-milling feed that currently supplements large ore stockpiles from mining the Williamson pit, enhancing head grade and cashflows ahead of sulphides production.DRILLING HIGH-GRADE SULPHIDESCurrently five rigs are drilling to further infill and grow the large high-grade gold system at Wiluna, with the intention to update the Mineral Resource Estimate and Ore Reserve estimates in the final quarter of calendar 2021, as part of the Company's in-progress Stage 2 Feasibility Study.The Company's goal is to add 500,000oz of high-grade, shallow Ore Reserves through further infill drilling of the existing resource base and to build a 2.5Moz Measured and Indicated Resource to enhance mine planning and long-term option studies (currently the M&I Resource is 2.14Moz @ 5.26g/t, above 2.5g/t cut-off).Including historical production of over 4Moz, Wiluna's gold endowment defined to date is over 10Moz which ranks Wiluna alongside an exclusive peer group of large-scale, long-life mining centres in the Western Australian gold fields. Most historical production and existing Resources occur in the upper 600m at Wiluna, with limited drilling during the past 15 years at depth on Wiluna Mining's exploration targets (Figure 1*), which Wiluna Mining is systematically drilling out to complete the Resource development program over the next five years.The ongoing drilling program is focused on highest-value zones scheduled for mining to further enhance the mine plan, with results reported here from Happy Jack and East Lode. Geological interpretation and resource estimation are in progress for the recently completed programs at Starlight, Essex, Bulletin, Calvert and West Lode zones where results have been reported (see ASX releases dated 27 October, 17 November, 27 January, 10 March, 31 March, 6 May).*To view tables and figures, please visit:About Wiluna Mining Corporation Ltd Wiluna Mining Corporation (ASX:WMX) (OTCMKTS:WMXCF) is a Perth based, ASX listed gold mining company that controls over 1,600 square kilometres of the Yilgarn Craton in the Northern Goldfields of WA. The Yilgarn Craton has a historic and current gold endowment of over 380 million ounces, making it one of most prolific gold regions in the world. The Company owns 100% of the Wiluna Gold Operation which has a defined resource of 8.04M oz at 1.67 g/t au. In May 2019, a new highly skilled management team took control of the Company with a clear plan to leverage the Wiluna Gold Operation's multi-million-ounce potential. Armada Metals Limited: Significant Geophysics Anomalies Outlined in Gabon Active Investment Update - Armada Metals Sydney, June 17, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Cobre Limited ( ASX:CBE ) is pleased to provide an exploration update with regard to Armada Exploration Limited (Armada) which holds two exploration licences, covering a total area of 2,991 km2, prospective for magmatic Ni-Cu sulphide, in Gabon.The licence holding is considered to present a frontier district-scale exploration opportunity. As previously announced (ASX announcement on 22 March 2021) Cobre together with the Company's largest shareholder, Metal Tiger plc ( LON:MTR ), and also Resource Capital Fund (RCF), each holds a direct 18.5% interest in Armada.Highlights:- Armada has received the processed results from the NRG(TM) Xcite(TM) helicopter-borne timedomain electromagnetic (HTDEM) survey flown in March 2021;- Modelling of the HTDEM survey data has identified 14 new prominent "late-time" conductive anomalies associated with the margins of interpreted mafic/ultramafic rock units;- The 14 anomalies are distributed along the length of the 25km long Libonga-Matchiti Trend supporting the district-scale Ni-Cu potential of the target area;- The Libonga North and Matchiti Central targets, which sit on the northern and southern ends of the Libonga-Matchiti Trend have been prioritised for planned drilling which is expected to commence later this year;- Libonga North and Matchiti Central targets earmarked as priority for drilling, post the successful Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Armada on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX); and- Armada is well-funded with ~US$2.25 million in pre-IPO capital, and is well advanced, and on track for a planned ASX listing.Cobre's Managing Director and Executive Chairman, Martin Holland commented:"The Company is excited to report the results of Armada's recent Airborne HTDEM survey that was flown across the Libonga-Matchiti Trend. These results, which identified 14 conductive bodies distributed along the entire length of the 25km long Libonga-Matchiti Trend, provide further validation of the Ni-Cu sulphide exploration potential of the survey area. This rapid appraisal has allowed Armada to prioritise drill-ready targets for its upcoming drilling program which is planned to commence post Armada's successful listing on the ASX, with further details expected in due course."Airborne Geophysics Survey ResultsArmada has received the results of the NRG(TM) Xcite(TM) HTDEM survey that was flown across the Libonga-Matchiti Trend and the Doumvou Target in March 2021. The survey was conducted by New Resolution Geophysics (Pty) Ltd (NRG(TM)) South Africa, with 707-line kilometres completed over a total area of 203km2.The HTDEM survey data has been processed and interpreted by Xpotential (Pty) Ltd, South Africa, who have conducted Layered Earth Inversions (LEIs) using Geoscience Australia code, inversions of magnetic data using Fullagar's VPmg code and plate modelling using Maxwell software.The HTDEM data processing has produced 28 conductive plate models and identified 14 prominent "late-time" bedrock conductors (designated Conductors A to N), see Figure 1*, which correlate with the margins of interpreted mafic/ultramafic rock units, defined by previous magnetic, radiometric, gravity and geological mapping and sampling programs.The LEI modelling results corroborate the HTDEM plate modelling results highlighting the priority Libonga North and Matchiti Central targets.Where available, modelling and inversion of ground gravity and FALCONPlus(R) airborne gravity data correlates well with HTDEM results, with conductors typically occurring on the margins or within dense modelled sources.The results provide further support for the district-scale Ni-Cu potential of the 25-kilometre long Libonga-Matchiti Trend.Upcoming Drill ProgramThe results of the HTDEM survey are being incorporated into Armada's planned drill program, which is expected to commence after Armada's successful IPO on the ASX. Armada is well advanced in the IPO process, and preparation for the upcoming drill program is also underway with ranked HTDEM plates being used to prioritise the drilling.Background on ArmadaArmada was established to define new belt-scale discovery opportunities for key commodities (principally nickel and copper) in under-explored regions of Africa. With >US$10m spent targeting an area of >16,000km2, Armada is preparing to drill a multi-target project opportunity for magmatic Ni-Cu sulphides in the Nyanga area, southern Gabon. Armada is supported by a Board and Africa-based technical team, both with a track record of successful African projects. Key members of the Armada targeting team were part of the team awarded the 2015 PDAC Thayer Lindsley Award for an International Mineral Discovery (as members of the Kamoa/DRC discovery team with Ivanhoe Mines).*To view tables and figures, please visit:About Cobre Limited Cobre Limited (ASX:CBE) is a copper and base-metals explorer with projects in Western Australia and Botswana. The Company recently discovered a new high-grade VMS deposit enriched in Copper, Gold, Zinc and Silver in Western Australia, and is currently exploring approximately 8,100 km2 of tenements within the Kalahari Copper Belt (KCB) in Botswana. Carpentaria-1 Operations Update Sydney, June 17, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Empire Energy Group Limited ( ASX:EEG ) ( OTCMKTS:EEGUF ) is pleased to provide an update to shareholders on the continuing positive progress at the Carpentaria-1 well in EP187. During initial clean up Empire has successfully flowed gas to surface as shown in the photo of gas flaring at Carpentaria-1 below.The hydraulic fracture stimulation spread which completed the 4-stage program at Carpentaria-1 has been released and a coiled tubing unit is finishing the initial unload of fracture stimulation fluids from the well.The Carpentaria-1 well gas contribution has steadily increased through the initial flow-back post fracture stimulation. Empire is preparing to run the production test completion into the well over the next few days in preparation for further well analysis and extended production rate testing.To view images, please visit:About Empire Energy Group Ltd Empire Energy (ASX:EEG) (OTCMKTS:EEGUF) holds over 14.5 million acres of highly prospective exploration tenements in the McArthur and Beetaloo Basins, Northern Territory. Work undertaken by the Company since 2010 demonstrates that the Eastern depositional Trough of the McArthur Basin, of which the Company holds 80% has very considerable conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon potential. The Beetaloo sub-Basin, in which Empire holds a substantial position, has independently assessed world class hydrocarbon volumes in place with a major ramp up in industry activity underway to appraise substantial discoveries already made by major Australian oil and gas operators. Empire Energy is an experienced conventional oil and gas producer with operations in the Appalachia region (New York and Pennsylvania). Empire has been successfully developing and producing oil and gas since 2006. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2021 Albuquerque Journal The U.S. Air Force has spent more than $31 million to address groundwater contamination at Cannon Air Force Base near Clovis, base officials said Wednesday. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, leaked into the Ogallala Aquifer on and off base from firefighting foam used in training exercises. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ A $16.6 million water treatment pilot project at the bases southeastern corner is scheduled to begin construction as early as March and would likely begin operating in April 2023. Christipher Gierke, Cannons remedial project manager, said the initial project of three extraction and injection wells and a filtration system is a big win for targeting pollution in the aquifer. The ultimate goal is that if the (study) shows us that a full scale pump-and-treat system is a viable means for a mitigation option, it will eventually keep any further off-base migration from happening, Gierke said during a public meeting to discuss community concerns over the contamination. Water samples collected near the study site from on and off the base showed PFAS levels above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys lifetime health advisory. The EPA has linked PFAS to low birth weights, high cholesterol, immune system damage and some cancers. Col. Robert Masaitis, commander of the 27th Special Operations Wing at Cannon, said the 6,000 base members who live in Clovis have a vested stake in seeing this process move along. Im not a civil engineer by trade, and I realize this process seems very methodical and deliberate, but it also is a yearslong process, Masaitis said. We understand progress can sometimes be at a glacial pace. Contractor AECOM/Brice will treat water for the pilot project using granular activated carbon, ion resin exchange and a combination of the two methods. The Air Force first informed New Mexico agencies of the PFAS plume at Cannon in 2018. Cannon is still investigating the size and nature of the plume as part of a $10.3 million initiative. Other remediation costs include a $38,000 preliminary assessment, $2.5 million site inspection and $1.8 million study with the U.S. Geological Survey. New Mexico is suing the Department of Defense to facilitate quick cleanup of the contamination. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency does not have enforceable limits on PFAS chemicals, and the New Mexico Environment Department has pushed for federal regulations on the toxins. The Air Force no longer uses the PFAS-laden foam for training. Theresa Davis is a Report for America corps member covering water and the environment for the Albuquerque Journal. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Stephen Oyoung grew up wanting to be a ninja or a superhero. He trained in martial arts and found himself doing stunts in the film industry. While it was fulfilling, he knew there was something more. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Making the move to acting, Oyoung began to feel at home in front of the camera. Then came a break in the Netflix series Jupiters Legacy. The role as Barry Bishop aka Tectonic was something he could sink his teeth into. Barry Bishop was fun to play because hes an earth bender, Oyoung says. I always loved comic book stuff, and if theres anything near that genre, Im in. Jupiters Legacy stars Leslie Bibb and Josh Duhamel in a world where the first generation of superheroes have kept the world safe for nearly a century. Now their children must live up to their legacy in an epic drama that spans decades and navigates the dynamics of family, power and loyalty. Oyoungs Tectonic is Brandon Sampsons, played by Andrew Horton, best friend, a husband, a father of two girls, and a member of the Union of Justice. The series is a hit with viewers on the streaming service, but Netflix has decided to cancel it after one season. It hurts, but we move on, Oyoung says of the cancelation. His time on the series was a learning experience. When he read for the character, it was a colorblind casting, which is the practice of casting without considering the actors ethnicity, skin color, body shape, sex and/or gender. Being an Asian American, Oyoung was intrigued by the process. Its a gift and a curse a role is written for an Asian American, he says. With this role, I was able to bring in diversity. When a production is diverse, I think we get better stories. Im all about being more inclusive. Oyoung says it was easy to jump into the role of Bishop. I know who he is, and hes a lot like me, he says. When we got into the actual filming, it was intense. We did a four-week training for a two-minute fight sequence. I never got a break, because I did my own stunts. I would rehearse with the actors in the morning. Then Id return to set with the stunt team and do it all over again. There was an advantage to this process. I didnt have to go to the gym at all, Oyoung says. I got two workouts a day, and I was able to do what I love. Oyoung grew up in Cerritos, California, where his dad was an engineer and his mom was a social worker. His parents came to America from Taiwan in the 1970s. He became interested in acting at age 7 and began appearing in school plays. His father taught him the martial art of Wushu, in which he became highly adept. As he grew up, he began to feel that acting was his calling, and was grateful to his fully supportive parents. He landed roles in films such as Legion, The Last Airbender, Thor, Safe, Olympus Has Fallen, Peppermint and Sicario. With many of these productions, Oyoung was often doing stunts. At one point, I wouldnt list my stunt work on my IMDB page, he says. I wanted to get breaks with acting. Its important for me to keep pushing the envelope and get representation for Asian Americans. Oyoung is also no stranger to New Mexico; hes been here with both Thor and Sicario. He also spent time in Santa Fe when his girlfriend was filming The Harder They Fall. For Sicario, we were out at Kirtland Air Force Base, and we were able to drive around the roads out there, he says. Being in New Mexico is magical. The locations are amazing, and the food is excellent. I just picked up a dirt bike and would love to find some cool trails out there. Now streaming Stephen Oyoung stars as Barry Bishop in Jupiters Legacy, which is streaming on Netflix. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2021 Albuquerque Journal First, there were the trailblazing electric Albuquerque Rapid Transit buses that couldnt hold the charge the manufacturer had promised. Then, there were issues with inconsistent heights at some of the platforms, which city leaders worried could cause problems for those in wheelchairs. And mirrors on the buses were hitting the part of the platform holding up the canopies. Then came numerous crashes as drivers struggled to navigate ART routes. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Last week, city officials revealed yet another issue with the problem-plagued rapid bus system: falling 25-pound lights that they contend are endangering the public. A number of the light fixtures have fallen from a height of up to 25 feet onto the street, according to a lawsuit the city filed last week against companies involved in the design and construction of the ART system. Albuquerque is seeking at least $2.5 million in compensatory damages and an additional $10 million in punitive damages. The problem first came to light in March 2020 when a company under contract with the city found seven missing light fixtures on Central Avenue, the suit alleges. The lights apparently had fallen off light poles. One more light fell into the street at Central and Louisiana on May 26, 2020. Then, an estimated 28 lighting fixtures either fell or were hanging precariously following a windstorm on Sept. 8, 2020, the suit contends. The falling light fixtures create an immediate threat to the safety of pedestrians and drivers utilizing the roadways, according to the lawsuit filed June 8 in 2nd Judicial District Court. City officials say they are unaware of any injuries associated with the falling lights. A report prepared for the city found that ill-fitting screws and other parts provided by the manufacturer allowed the fixtures to move and wear out, causing the lights to work loose from the pole, the suit contends. A city spokesman said officials began searching for solutions as soon as they became aware of the problem. We immediately started fixing the problem, whether that includes retrofitting or getting new fixtures, said Johnny Chandler, a spokesman for the citys Department of Municipal Development. We will retrofit the fixtures when acceptable, and completely change the fixtures if needed, he said. As of last week, at least 46 streetlights had detached from the pole and had either fallen to the ground or required removal because they were only being held in place by electrical wiring, the suit said. The lights were manufactured by California-based Environmental Lighting for Architecture Inc., ELA, according to the lawsuit. Scott Jones, president of ELA, told the Journal in a written statement Wednesday that the firm has reached out to the city and offered assistance and hope that a swift and amicable solution can be found. Following the Sept. 8 windstorm, ELA worked with the city to develop a safety mechanism intended to prevent light fixtures from falling, Jones said. He also said that the fixtures were modified in ways not approved by the company. It should be noted that the lighting fixtures are not original ELA Lighting Companys products, but rather ELA lighting fixtures that were modified by an outside source against ELAs recommendations, Jones said in the statement. The suit also names six other firms, including New Mexico companies Bradbury Stamm Construction, general contractor for ART, and Dekker/Perich/Sabatini, an architectural subconsultant for the project. Kendal Giles, chief operations officer for Dekker/Perich/Sabatini, said the firm doesnt belong in the suit because it had no part in the selection or installation of the streetlights. The firms role was limited to ART platforms, he said. Officials at Bradbury Stamm Construction didnt immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday. Also named is Dalkia Energy Solutions, a Massachusetts firm hired to convert the citys streetlights to LED lighting. Dalkia did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment. Costly fixes In December, the city used ELAs safety mechanism to secure about 1,700 streetlights, including those installed as part of the ART project, according to the lawsuit. The city also directed a contractor to replace 45 failed light fixtures. Albuquerque paid a total of $494,000 for the replacements and the retrofitting, the lawsuit estimates. The installation of 1,047 Central Avenue streetlights from Louisiana to Coors was largely complete by December 2017. That month, Albuquerque officials announced the new lighting as one of several measures intended to make ART safe for the public. We are going to light up the sidewalks, Michael Riordan, then the citys chief operations officer, said in 2017 of the Central Avenue lighting. It is going to be bright and beautiful, and safe to walk. Former Mayor Richard Berry proposed the bus system as a transformational project for Central Avenue. By 2016, the project had roused opposition from Central Avenue businesses who argued the project would choke traffic and restrict access to businesses. In 2018, the city rejected all 15 electric buses delivered by manufacturer BYD Motors, citing insufficient battery life and other problems. The city settled a lawsuit against the company in 2019 that terminated the citys obligation to buy $22 million worth of buses. The city began ART service in November 2019 using 20 diesel-powered buses. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. He was 14 when he came to this country in search of work to help support his family in Mexico. It was the early 1980s, and Mexicos economy was in shambles, the peso devalued, families going to bed each night with empty bellies, broken hearts. It was easier then, if just barely, to cross the border to earn a little money picking crops, building houses, cleaning motels. Joaquin Trillo made that journey many times over the years. Then in 1986, he was granted amnesty under the Immigration Reform and Control Act and became among the more than 2.7 million immigrants already in the United States given legal status. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ He still made it home when he could, and on one of those trips he met a woman, fell in love. He was working construction in Las Vegas, Nevada, when he learned he was going to be a father. Mom joined him in Las Vegas in January 1989, and I was born that April, Anna Trillo said. Six years later, the family welcomed a son, Aaron. Nine years after that came daughter Angelica. The family struggled. Anna Trillo recalls nights when she could read the weariness and the weight of the day on her parents faces. But they never gave up. And they taught their children never to give up, either. Joaquin and Connie Trillo instilled in their children the value of hard work, family and an appreciation of the educational opportunities they themselves never had, neither of them making it past middle school. So many times we only hear the bad story about immigrants, Nieves Torres, a retired educator who has heard those stories, tells me. But this is the real story. There are more stories like Annas. So we tell that story. Anna Trillo, 32, graduated from the University of New Mexico School of Law in May and is studying for the state bar exam in July. But thats just her latest academic degree from UNM. This year, she also earned a bachelors degree in Spanish. In 2012, she earned a bachelors degree in business administration. And while on a break from those academic pursuits, she earned her master of business administration degree in 2015. Thats not counting all the internships and externships, clerkships and fellowships, jobs, honors and her positions as president of the Mexican American Law Student Association and vice president of the Immigration Law Student Association, all which have kept her busy since she graduated from Moriarty High School with a dream, a passel of scholarships and the pride of her parents. My parents to this day always say if something was easy, everybody would be doing it, she said. Whats important is to search out every opportunity and take them on. We know that failure is a part of life, but for us it was not an option. For us, saying I cant do it is not an option. All three siblings have done it. Aaron, 26, is in his third year of medical school at UNM and volunteers at One Hope Centro de Vida, a health center run through East Central Ministries in the heart of the International District. He is also vice president of the Latino Medical Student Association and a YouTube blogger sharing his medical school experiences. Little sister Angelica, 17, is the genius, Anna Trillo said proudly. On the day we talk, the family has learned that she is one of 51 winners the only one from New Mexico of the annual National History Day Contest, chosen from more than a half-million middle and high school students around the world to exhibit her research project in an online showcase presented by the Smithsonians National Museum of American History and the Smithsonian Learning Lab. Her topic The Calutron Girls: Limiting Communication and Understanding for Atomic Success. In addition, Angelica, who will be a senior at Moriarty High School this fall, is involved in Youth in Government, is president of her schools National Honor Society and last November she participated in the Model International Criminal Court, which because of COVID-19 was held on Zoom rather than in Poland. These are opportunities we searched out, Anna Trillo said. It takes a lot of self-advocacy, especially when youre from a public school in a rural area and you have parents who dont know what is out there. We had to figure it out. Their parents figured things out, too. They wanted to raise their family in a rural community like the ones they left behind in Mexico, so they moved to Moriarty. He worked on a sod farm and now drives delivery trucks and she worked in a bakery and now is a janitor with the Moriarty/Edgewood public schools. Anna, as a child, often tagged along with her mom to read books in the school libraries and do math problems out of textbooks. I was such a nerd, she said. The family lived in a two-bedroom single-wide trailer on the sod farm for most of Annas childhood. Little by little, year by year, her parents built a home on a nearby parcel of land. They sold that house later and bought a 130-acre ranch with sheep and horses and a new place to dream. They never gave up, Anna Trillo said. We never gave up. She thinks of her immigrant roots as her strength, though there have been times when she was the only brown female, the different one, the one who had more to prove. So she proves it. Sometimes you have to take a risk, she said. My parents did when they immigrated to this country to provide me with this opportunity and privilege. They taught me that anything is possible with hard work, humility and perseverance. Thats a story that continues to be written. UpFront is a front-page news and opinion column. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Its 64 square feet with two beds, a few shelves, windows, heating and cooling capabilities, and it costs about $8,500, including shipping. The aluminum-framed, composite-panel structure that rolled into Albuquerque last week may not qualify as luxury accommodations, but the manufacturer says it is often well-received by its users: people who might otherwise be sleeping on sidewalks or in alleys. Some people look and say, No, thats not for me, said Ben Simons, a sales representative and community development partner for Pallet, which makes the shelters. But a very, very high percentage of people (who are offered) this shelter will say yes. You have a locking door; you have a mattress; you have climate control; you have your privacy. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Simons brought a couple of demonstration units including a larger model that can accommodate up to four people, along with a separate restroom unit through Albuquerque to show local leaders who are weighing additional ways to curb homelessness. That includes Albuquerque City Councilor Diane Gibson and Bernalillo County Commissioner Debbie OMalley, who have each expressed interest in the idea of sanctioned encampments or safe outdoor spaces organized camps that provide people who are homeless a place to sleep, access to bathrooms and, ideally, a path to future housing stability. Similar communities already exist across the U.S., including in Las Cruces. While some use tents, OMalley has been interested in the potential use of Pallets shelters and helped coordinate the companys recent stop in Albuquerque. On a hot weekday afternoon last week, she and other elected officials and government leaders explored the Pallet facilities and asked questions. This is a model thats really innovative, OMalley said. They can be mas-produced (and) cleaned very easily, dont have to be on a foundation, have the heating and cooling inside, and its already being used in places all over the country. Although no safe outdoor space has been approved in Albuquerque, leaders continue to consider the possibility. The bond package the city is sending to voters in November includes $500,000 for encampments. Meanwhile, OMalley, County Manager Julie Morgas Baca and other county officials are traveling to Denver this summer to study how similar camps are operating there. POT CONSULTANT: As the Albuquerque City Council weighs various cannabis-related land-use regulations like where and when legal marijuana shops can operate when New Mexicos legalization law takes effect one city councilor is fielding questions about his own role in the industry. Councilor Pat Davis is a partner in a cannabis consulting business P2M, which encourages potential clients to contact us for your custom-written licensing application, operating plans, facility designs, vendor referrals and more, according to its website. Davis said the firm has about three dozen clients throughout the state in various stages of the licensing process and focuses on what happens inside a companys four walls, regardless of where it is located. The state of New Mexico will oversee recreational cannabis business licensing and create industry regulations, but local governments can establish rules regarding the density of cannabis businesses and their hours of operation. Albuquerque is considering several cannabis-related policies as part of its annual Integrated Development Ordinance update. Davis is sponsoring a series of them at least one that directly competes with rules proposed by Mayor Tim Kellers administration. Keller is pitching a distance of at least 1,000 feet between cannabis shops, while Davis is proposing 600 feet. The council could vote on the IDO update as early as Thursday. Davis contends he does not stand to personally benefit from the decisions hes making as a city councilor, because his company will not deal with zoning or real estate matters, instead referring clients to outside attorneys for those issues. It doesnt matter to us whether your business is located in Albuquerque or Taos, he said. Were simply dealing with your paperwork. But he added, On the off chance that one of my clients were to pursue some type of zoning change in the city, I would recuse myself (from any related votes) out of an abundance of caution. Jessica Dyer: jdyer@abqjournal.com SANTA FE Democratic-backed efforts to expand voter access in New Mexico are coming to fruition, with the rollout of same-day voter registration this month. The first trial run took place in a low-turnout special congressional election June 1, allowing voters to register at early voting centers in the final weeks of balloting and on Election Day. In all, 2,012 residents took advantage of the opportunity to register during the final four weeks of the election, according to the New Mexico Secretary of States Office. Late-registering voters flocked primarily to the Democratic Party, accounting for about 53% of those registrations and 50% of registrations on Election Day. About 32% of the later registrations aligned with the Republican Party. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury, a Democrat, won the June 1 election with 60% of the vote to fill the 1st Congressional District seat held previously by Deb Haaland, now serving as secretary of the U.S. Interior Department. Same day registration is likely to be an option in future New Mexico elections, but it requires approval every two years by a panel of voting systems regulators. Approval is pending for the November local election to pick mayors in cities including Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Previously, voter registration was halted 28 days before any election as a precaution against possible double-voting while county clerks updated registration rolls painstakingly by hand with paper and ink, said Mario Jimenez, a policy campaign manager with the progressive good-government group Common Cause New Mexico. That is no longer necessary with advances in electronic record keeping and technology that synchronizes voter registration records with state motor vehicle databases. Jimenez believes the switch to same-day registration, if adopted in future elections statewide, will expand voter access and participation in elections and improve the accuracy of voter registration rolls. The changes were brought on by a 2019 bill, approved on a party-line vote with Republicans in opposition, that opened the door to same-day registration on a delayed timeline. Same-day registration is clearly a tool that allows more New Mexicans to participate, and its use would be even wider in a statewide election, said Alex Curtas, a spokesman for the Secretary of States Office. Future governors could attempt to reverse same-day registration through a vote of the state Voting Systems Certification Committee. Democrats currently hold all statewide elected offices in New Mexico and majorities in the state House and Senate. The GOP flipped a congressional seat in southern New Mexico in 2020 with the election of U.S. Rep. Yvette Herrell. Democrats account for 47% of registered voters statewide while 28% are registered Republicans. Unaffiliated voters hold a 23% share. Separate New Mexico election reforms this year were aimed at ensuring access to polling sites in Native American communities and providing public financing to state district court campaigns in the future. Pandemic lockdowns at many of the states 23 federally recognized Indigenous tribes during the June 2020 primary election triggered the closure or consolidation of some voting sites. That ensured outside voters would not be turned away, but also made it harder or nearly impossible for some tribal residents to vote. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... DENVER The real estate listing promises it could be your own little slice of hell a home with spray painted profanities left by a tenant, a refrigerator full of rotting meat, soiled carpets from an illegal pet rescue and a back porch falling off. But in the hot real estate market, the owner is asking for $590,000 cash for the five-bedroom home in Colorado Springs. The strategy appears to be working. A lack of houses available for sale means most homes are selling as is, without buyers asking for fixes or having their closing costs covered, listing agent Mimi Foster told KMGH-TV. She said that she received 16 written cash offers in the first 24 hours after putting the house on the market. We have an expression if it smells it wont sell,' she said. I am putting that to the test. The owner cannot afford to fix the home, and with the national freeze on foreclosures ending in July, decided to sell. It was a happy place for decades, Foster said. And somebody will come in and they will get rid of the anger and anguish that went on here. And it will be a cherished place to live once again. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2021 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE Dancing in the Santa Fe Plaza on Thursday, an Indigenous man celebrated his heritage. His traditional dress of feathers and colorful fabric flowed around him as he performed, and a recording explained the meanings of the dances. The rhythmic drumming of the Native American music echoed in the background as members of a group Union Protectiva de Santa Fe decried the desecration of their heritage. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ The group which strives to preserve the language and culture of Santa Fe, New Mexico, for future generations and descendants of the original Spanish colonists filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the city of Santa Fe and Mayor Alan Webber, alleging they are violating New Mexicos Prehistoric and Historic Sites Preservation Act of 1989. The lawsuit says Webber and the city violated the act by calling for the removal of the Plazas obelisk before it was torn down by protesters in October. The suit is seeking an injunction against Webber and the city to repair and restore the obelisk. Unfortunately, the mayor has declined to follow those laws in calling for the removal of the obelisk and failing to restore the obelisk, said Ken Stalter, the groups attorney. This law passed by the New Mexico Legislature to protect historic sites covers thousands of historic places throughout New Mexico. Stalter said this lawsuit is about the rule of law, and Webber isnt above following that law. However, according to the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, thats not quite the case. The act does not prevent entities from seeking the removal or modification of historic properties, said Daniel Zillmann, a spokesman for the department. To determine how the act could apply to a site requires a formal consultation process. Zillmann said the state historic preservation office hasnt received a request for consultation on the obelisk from the city of Santa Fe. Permanent modification, or removal, of historic properties isnt unprecedented in New Mexico. Zillmann said a recent example is the demolition of a historic high school building in Lordsburg. The 152-year-old Soldiers Monument was erected in the 1860s to honor Union soldiers who died in the Civil War. The monument also honored soldiers who died fighting savage Indians, and local indigenous rights advocates said the monument celebrated the killing of Native Americans. The obelisk was torn down by protesters during an Indigenous Peoples Day rally over frustrations that Webber wasnt following through with his pledge to remove the monument. The problem is that people are not, nowadays, held accountable, Virgil Vigil, president of Union Protectiva, said. The individuals that tore this obelisk down. What did they get? A slap on the hand. The protesters responsible for tearing down the obelisk were allowed to participate in a restorative justice program by 1st Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies. The program requires the protesters to take part in mediation and other programs and do community service for up to two years. As the District Attorneys office has expressed before, the restorative justice program is not a slap on the wrist; it is a comprehensive, justice-centered process, Carmack-Altwies said in an emailed statement. It is clear that these statements are only meant to further divide our community. Webber echoed Carmack-Altwies sentiments, saying there are voices seeking to divide the city, and these are people willing to distort the facts and spread misinformation. He said their purpose is to promote anger and to create division. He brought up that in 1973, the Santa Fe City Council voted unanimously to remove the obelisk due to the horribly racist inscription that denigrated Native Americans. Stalter and members of Union Protectiva said they wouldnt seek to reinstate the plaque with the savage Indians inscription. He said the iconic image of the obelisk is whats essential to the historical character of the Plaza, not the verbiage. However, Webber emphasized that the fate of the monuments and statues in the city isnt up to the mayor, or the governing body, but the people of Santa Fe. He said people in the community need to engage in constructive dialogue about how to move forward. We need a community dialogue, so we can all come together, he said. Thats the only way forward. Santa Fe is strong, Santa Fe is united everyones voice matters. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... CATCHES OF THE WEEK At Alto Lake, Sandra Mia Jacquez, 6, of Las Cruces, caught her first fish, a rainbow trout, using a worm June 12. Jason Ellinger, of La Luz, caught an 18 and 19-inch rainbow trout using garlic PowerBait on June 6. At Bluewater Lake, Lexi Jaramillo, 9, of Los Lunas, caught and released a 44-inch tiger muskie using a rainbow trout pattern swimbait June 10. David Davis, of Cedar Crest, caught a 41-inch tiger muskie using an orange Rapala lure June 10. Christopher Pearson, 8, of Albuquerque, caught a 33-inch tiger muskie using a swimbait June 9. Jayden Martinez, 12, of Albuquerque, caught a 31.5-inch tiger muskie using a crankbait June 6. Kim Caputo, and her daughter Aspen, of Rio Rancho, caught a 9.96-pound catfish at Conchas Lake using a jig June 12. Mary Jones, of San Angelo, Texas, caught a 29-inch walleye at Elephant Butte Lake using a homemade worm harness June 13. Steven Montoya, of Roswell, caught a 20-inch, 4-pound rainbow trout at Grindstone Reservoir using white PowerBait on June 6. Louie Chacon, of Chimayo, caught a 19-inch rainbow trout at Hopewell Lake using garlic PowerBait on June 4. Ty Charley, of Gallup, caught a 28-inch channel catfish at McGaffey Lake using a hotdog June 5. Samuel Kovac V, 7, of Bernalillo caught a 16-inch rainbow trout at Monastery Lake using PowerBait on June 12. At Morphy Lake, Evelyn Marquez, of Las Vegas, caught an 18-inch rainbow trout using rainbow PowerBait on June 13. Ezra Garcia, 5, and Exander Garcia, 3, both of Albuquerque, caught their limits of trout using salmon eggs with a bobber June 12. Lilly Lovato, 5, of Las Vegas, caught her limit of rainbow trout using salmon eggs and crappie jigs June 10. R ichard Martinez, of Tucumcari caught a 21-inch rainbow trout using an olive Pistol Pete on June 8. Manuel Lopez, of Santa Fe, caught a 21-inch rainbow trout on the Pecos River using a purple prince nymph fly June 12. Benjamin Armendariz, of El Paso, caught a 35-inch, 20-pound flathead catfish on the Rio Grande near Las Cruces on June 5. Chris Moya, of Albuquerque, caught a 25-inch brown trout on the San Juan River using a red annelid fly in Texas Hole on June 5. Renee Minor, of Portales, caught a 23-inch pike at Springer Lake using a rainbow Kastmaster lure June 8. Esther Montoya, 80, of Albuquerque, caught her first fish ever, a 19-inch rainbow trout at Trout Lakes using a worm June 5. If you have a catch of the week story send it to funfishingnm@gmail.com. NOTES from GAME & FISH Northeast fishing report Cabresto Lake had no reports from anglers this week. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Charette Lakes had no reports from anglers this week. Streamflow on the Cimarron River, near Cimarron, on Monday morning was 27.2 cfs. Fishing for trout was good when using PowerBait, nightcrawlers and flash-back nymph flies. Fishing for trout at C layton Lake was good when using various colors of PowerBait. Fishing for catfish was good when using chicken liver. Conchas Lake State Park has closed access to all boat ramps due to dropping water levels. The boat ramps on the south side of the lake managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are open. Fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass was good when using plastic worms and tubes. Fishing for white bass was good when using bright orange and chartreuse spinners. Fishing for walleye was good when using Berkley Flicker Shad lures, curly tail grubs and jigs. Fishing for crappie was good when using small plastic jigs and live minnows. Fishing for catfish was good when using jigs. At Costilla Creek, the department has implemented the final phase of a project to expand Rio Grande cutthroat trout in 120 miles of the Costilla watershed in northern New Mexico. The final phase involved removal of fish within a designated area (Rio Costilla from Costilla Dam downstream to the Valle Vidal Boundary including all tributaries and Comanche Creek from the road culvert crossing on Forest Road 1950 downstream to its confluence with Rio Costilla and all tributaries) with a tentative restocking of Rio Grande cutthroat in spring 2022. Places to fish nearby include Costilla Creek below the fish barrier, Upper Comanche Creek, Shuree Ponds, Middle Ponil Creek, Upper Powderhouse Creek, Little Costilla Creek, Vidal Creek and McCrystal Creek. The department anticipates completion of this final phase in the fall of 2021. Please check the department website for additional information on the project and to identify alternative angling opportunities in the interim. Cowles Ponds had no reports from anglers this week. Coyote Creek had no reports from anglers this week. Fishing for trout at Eagle Nest Lake was fair when using Rapala lures, corn, dough balls and nightcrawlers. Fishing for perch was good when using nightcrawlers. Fishing for pike was fair to good when using Rapala lures and Mepps spinners. Fishing for trout at Eagle Rock Lake was good when using green PowerBait and salmon eggs. Fawn Lakes had no reports from anglers this week. Fishing for trout on the Gallinas River was fair when using worms. Fishing for trout at Hopewell Lake was good when using olive Pistol Pete spinners and garlic PowerBait. Lake Alice had no reports from anglers this week. Fishing for trout at Lake Maloya was good when using Pistol Pete spinner flies, PowerBait and various topwater and nymph flies. Fishing for trout on the Los Pinos River was slow. Maxwell Lake 13 had no reports from anglers this week. Fishing for trout at Monastery Lake was fair to good when using rainbow colored glitter PowerBait, olive Pistol Pete spinner flies and topwater dry flies early in the mornings. Fishing for trout at Morphy Lake was good when using salmon eggs, crappie jigs, olive Pistol Pete spinner flies and rainbow PowerBait. Streamflow on the Pecos River, near the town of Pecos, on Monday morning was 77.7 cfs. Fishing for trout was good when using purple prince nymph flies, salmon eggs and black spinners. Streamflow on the Red River, below the hatchery, on Monday morning was 103 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair when using salmon eggs and worms. Streamflow on the Rio Grande, at the Taos Junction Bridge, on Monday morning was 550 cfs. Fishing for trout was slow to fair when using nightcrawlers, Rooster Tail spinners and salmon eggs. Streamflow on the Rio Hondo on Monday morning, near Valdez, was 61.2 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair using bead-head nymph flies. Streamflow on the Rio Mora on Monday morning, near Terrero, was 23.0 cfs. Streamflow on the Rio Pueblo, near Penasco, on Monday morning was 15.6 cfs. Fishing for trout at Santa Cruz Reservoir was fair to good when using corn and garlic PowerBait. Shuree Ponds is closed until July 1, 2021. Fishing for pike at Springer Lake was fair to good when using rainbow Kastmaster lures. Fishing for catfish at Storrie Lake was fair to good when using chicken liver. Stubblefield Lake had no reports from anglers this week. Fishing for white bass at Ute Lake was good when using topwater baits, spinners and small swimbaits. Fishing for walleye was fair when using live minnows and Berkley Gulp minnows. Fishing for bass was fair when using topwater lures, Ned Rigs and swimbaits. Fishing for catfish was good when using cut bait and chicken liver. Fishing for crappie was slow. The water surface temperature was in the mid 70 degrees Fahrenheit and the main lake color was stained. Northwest fishing report Fishing for bass and walleye at Abiqui u Lake was fair. Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using stink bait. Water flow on the Animas River, below Aztec, on Monday morning was 1670 cfs. Albuquerque Area Drains had no reports from anglers this week. Fishing for tiger muskie at Bluewater Lake was good when using crankbaits, Rapala lures and swimbaits. Fishing for trout on the Brazos River was fair to good when using gold Panther Martin spinners. Fishing for trout at Canjilon Lakes was good when using Berkley Power Worms and dry flies. Monday morning flows at the Chama River, below El Vado and Abiqui u, were 99.5 cfs and 250 cfs, respectively. Fishing for trout below El Vado Lake was fair when using jerkbaits, spinners and nightcrawlers. Fishing below Abiqui u Lake was fair when using worms. Please remember, from the river-crossing bridge on U.S. Highway 84 at Abiqui u upstream seven miles to the base of Abiqui u Dam is special trout waters with a bag limit of two trout only. Visitors to Cochiti Lake need to make a reservation by purchasing a ticket at least 24 hours in advance through recreation.gov. Tickets and reservations will NOT be sold at the lake. El Vado Lake Dam Day Use area is open. The main lake area, boat launch and campground are open by reservation only. Fishing for bass was fair. Fishing for trout at Fenton Lake was fair to good when using nightcrawlers, green garlic PowerBait, salmon eggs and corn. Please remember, only two cutthroat trout are allowed to be harvested per day within the regular five-fish limit. Fishing for trout at Heron Lake was fair when using yellow PowerBait and worms. Sierra Vista boat launch and the primitive boat launch are both open due to rising water levels. Caution is advised during windy conditions. At the Jemez Waters, streamflow on the Jemez near the village of Jemez Springs on Monday morning was 6.68 cfs. Fishing for trout was good when using rainbow colored Panther Martin spinners, nymph flies and worms. Fishing near the Valles Caldera was good when using nymph flies. Fishing for trout at Laguna del Campo was fair to good when using peach PowerBait. Lagunitas Lakes had no reports from anglers this week. Lake Farmington had no reports from anglers this week. Fishing for catfish at McGaffey Lake was fair to good when using hotdogs. Due to extremely low water levels and unstable ground conditions, stocking efforts have been suspended. Lake conditions will be monitored and stockings will resume once conditions improve. Fishing for bass at Navajo Lake was very good when using crankbaits, Ned Rigs, buzzbaits and green watermelon tubes. Fishing for pike was fair when using jerkbaits up the San Juan arm of the lake. Fishing for kokanee salmon was fair to good when using pink and orang spinners tipped with corn. Fishing for catfish on the R io Grande was fair to good when using worms and chicken liver near Albuquerque. Fishing for trout at San Gregorio Lake was fair when using midge pattern flies. Streamflow Monday morning at the San Juan River was 324 cfs. Fishing for trout in the quality waters was good when using size 24 midge emerger flies and red annelid flies. Fishing for trout in the bait waters was good when using gold Panther Martin spinners and PowerBait. Fishing for trout at the Seven Springs Brood Pond was good when using pink Berkley Gulp Pinched Crawlers. Fishing for catfish at Tingley Beach was fair when using chicken liver and homemade dough bait. Fishing for trout at Trout Lakes was good when using dry flies and worms. Southwest fishing report Alumni Pond had no reports from anglers this week. Bear Canyon Lake had no reports from anglers this week. Fishing for largemouth bass at Bill Evans Lake was fair when using wacky rigged worms. Fishing for largemouth bass at Caballo Lake was fair to good when using plastic worms and crankbaits. Fishing for white bass was good when using live minnows, small spoons and white crankbaits. Fishing for walleye was good when using live minnows, bottom bouncers, nightcrawlers and crankbaits. Fishing for catfish was good when using chicken liver and nightcrawlers. Fishing for white bass at Elephant Butte Lake was good when using green Flicker Shad lures, white and yellow grubs and white crankbaits. Fishing for largemouth bass was good when using light brown plastic worm and lizard imitations. Fishing for walleye was good when using silver, red and white spoons tipped with worm, chartreuse curly tail grubs tipped with worm, crankbaits and bottom bouncer worm harness rigs. Fishing for crappie was good when using live minnows and silver minnow imitation jigs. Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using shad, worms and live minnows. Escondida Lake had no reports from anglers this week. Streamflow on the Gila River on Monday morning was 13.5 cfs. Fishing for Gila trout was fair when using small gold spinners. Glenwood Pond had no reports from anglers this week. Lake Roberts had no reports from anglers this week. Fishing for catfish at Percha Dam was fair to good when using chicken breast. Fishing for trout at Quemado Lake was good when using rainbow PowerBait. Rancho Grande Ponds had no reports from anglers this week. Streamflow on the Rio Grande, below Elephant Butte, on Monday morning was 1910 cfs. Fishing for catfish near Las Cruces was fair to good when using cut bait. Fishing for catfish near Caballo Lake was fair to good when using raw chicken and worms. Snow Lake had no reports from anglers this week. Fishing for catfish at Trees Lake was fair when using chicken liver. Fishing for all species at Young Pond was slow. Southeast fishing report Fishing for trout at Alto Lake was good when using worms and green garlic PowerBait. Bataan Lake had no reports from anglers this week. Streamflow on the Black River, at Malaga, on Monday morning was 2.17 cfs. Blue Hole Park Pond had no reports from anglers this week. Bonito Lake is closed until further notice by the City of Alamogordo due to fire damage. It appears that the lake will be out of commission until 2022. Fishing for bass at Bosque Redondo Lake was fair to good when using green pumpkin soft plastic worms. Bottomless Lakes had no reports from anglers this week. Brantley Lake had no reports from anglers this week. Carlsbad Municipal Lake had no reports from anglers this week. Chaparral Park Lake had no reports from anglers this week. Fishing for catfish at Corona Pond was fair when using hotdogs. Fishing for trout at Eunice Lake was fair when using PowerBait. Green Meadow Lake had no reports from anglers this week. Greene Acres Lake had no reports from anglers this week. Fishing for trout at Grindstone Reservoir was good when using silver Kastmaster lures, white PowerBait and purple PowerBait. Jal Lake had no reports from anglers this week. Lake Van had no reports from anglers this week. Oasis Park Lake had no reports from anglers this week. Streamflow on the Pecos River, below Sumner Lake, on Monday morning was 80.5 cfs. Perch Lake had no reports from anglers this week. Streamflow on the Ruidoso River Monday morning at Hollywood was 3.09 cfs. Fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass at Santa Rosa Lake was fair when using silver spinners. Fishing for walleye at Sumner Lake was fair when chartreuse Berkley Flicker Shad lures. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... STRAWBERRY, Ariz. A small wildfire near Strawberry has forced the evacuation of campers and the shutdown of a popular recreation area. The fire started shortly before midnight Wednesday, about 12 miles west of Strawberry near a ridge named Ikes Backbone. It has burned about 150 acres (60 hectares) around where Fossil Creek meets the Verde River. The Coconino National Forest closed Fossil Creek, a popular spot for hiking and swimming, because of the wildfire. Firefighters who had been working on another blaze that has nearly wrapped up in Cornville responded to the one near Strawberry. More resources were on the way Thursday, including aircraft, the Forest Service said. The cause of the fire is under investigation. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Several other wildfires are burning in Arizona amid of period of intense heat across the U.S. Southwest. Residents of the largest wildfire that has burned nearly 259 square miles (670 square kilometers) in Pinal and Gila counties are in various stages of evacuation. Operations Section Chief Todd Abel said crews were focused Thursday on the southern end of the fire where it was advancing, partly because of wind gusts. Heat also has hampered firefighting efforts from the air, he said. The so-called Telegraph Fire started June 4 and is 72% contained. Another wildfire that started about a week later in the Santa Teresa Mountains in southern Arizona also has forced evacuations and the closure of federal land. The fire has burned 27 square miles (70 square kilometers) and is 15 percent contained. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado was one of 21 members of Congress to vote against legislation this week to honor police officers who defended the U.S. Capitol during and after the Jan. 6 insurrection, arguing that the Democratic-introduced bill was politically motivated. Boebert, a Republican and outspoken advocate of law enforcement, objected to the bill because it was changed to include a later incident unrelated to the Capitol attack, The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel reported Thursday. On April 2, Capitol Police Officer William Evans was killed when a man drove his vehicle into Evans and other officers at a barricade. The man was killed by police. Using the death of an officer in April to try and score cheap political points is shameful, Boebert, a first-term congresswoman who represents Colorados 3rd Congressional District, said in a statement. The legislation, introduced by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, passed the House on Tuesday by a 406-21 vote. Boebert voted for an earlier version of the bill honoring officers for their response when hundreds of supporters of former President Donald Trump overran the Capitol and sought to stop the certification of President Joe Bidens election victory. The updated bill cites seven people who died and 140 police officers who were injured as a result of the Jan. 6 insurrection. It would award medals of honor to Capitol and Washington, D.C., officers for their actions that day. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Seven people died during and after the rioting, including a Trump supporter who was shot and killed while breaking into the House chamber, three other Trump supporters who died of medical emergencies and two officers who died by suicide in the days that followed. Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick collapsed and later died after engaging with the protesters, but a medical examiner determined he died of natural causes. Boebert thanked Capitol police for your tireless service and unending bravery in a tweet after Sicknicks death. Colorados six other U.S. representatives supported the legislation this week. Boebert, a Trump loyalist, tweeted about Pelosis whereabouts on Jan. 6, leading to allegations that she was helping those attacking the Capitol, which she vehemently denies. She said in a statement Monday that a House ethics committee had cleared her of a complaint that she possibly helped the rioters. The Sentinel reported that the 10-member panel didnt have enough votes to approve an investigation. It said a similar complaint is pending before the Office of Congressional Ethics, which is operated by nonpartisan staff. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... SURPRISE, Ariz. One person was killed and 12 others injured in reported drive-by shootings over a 90-minute span Thursday in three cities west of Phoenix, authorities said. A suspect was in custody, and authorities said a weapon was found in his vehicle. But it remained unclear if the man was responsible for all of the shootings. The suspects name wasnt immediately released. Authorities believe he acted alone, although a motive wasnt immediately known. We dont know the nexus, we dont know what the motive was, we dont have an idea of what this person was thinking when he went out and did this, Peoria police spokesman Brandon Sheffert said at a news conference. Obviously we want to figure this out because theres a lot of scared people and people this affected. Police departments in Peoria, Surprise and Glendale were investigating the shootings in their cities, along with the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the FBI. Authorities were combing through at least eight separate shooting scenes, Sheffert said. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Four people suffered gunshot wounds, and one of those victims died, he said. That person was found dead in a vehicle along a Peoria freeway. The other victims had a range of injuries such as shrapnel from broken glass or injuries related to a car crash, Sheffert said. Officials at Banner Health said they received nine patients at three of their hospitals. But the extent of the victims injuries and their conditions were not immediately released. Peoria police got the initial call about a shooting shortly after 11 a.m., and eight more incidents were reported in the following 90 minutes, Sheffert said. Witnesses provided authorities with a description of the getaway vehicle, and the suspect was detained after a traffic stop in Surprise. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... DALLAS Texas is transferring inmates from a state prison to make room for migrants detained by state authorities, a prison system spokesman said Thursday. The prison system began moving inmates from the Dolph Briscoe Unit prison in Dilley to other prisons Wednesday, Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokesman Jeremy Desel said. The medium-to-minimum-security prison about 70 miles (113 kilometers) southwest of San Antonio has a staff of 233, including 165 security officers, and can hold 1,384 inmates, according to the TDCJ website. This action will allow the unit to serve as a central holding facility for non-TDCJ detainees who have been arrested and charged with a state offense, Desel said in a statement. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Dilley already is the location of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility, the privately managed South Texas Family Residential Center, which can accommodate as many as 2,400 detainees, including children. The move was made in response to Gov. Greg Abbotts order that state authorities arrest and confine migrants who are in the country illegally and committed a state or federal crime, he said. Fortunately, the agency currently has the available bed capacity to assist in Operation Lone Star, Desel said. On Wednesday, Abbott announced that the states jails were looking for additional bed space to house the rising number of people being arrested. Abbott also said he would spend $250 million in state money and crowdsourced financing to continue the construction of walls along the Texas-Mexico border that then-President Donald Trump started and President Joe Biden suspended. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a statement that it would not comment on Abbotts moves and defers to the State of Texas to speak to any steps they are taking to increase their enforcement posture. Abbotts measures may be subject to legal challenges as the U.S. Supreme Court has consistently ruled that immigration law enforcement is the exclusive province of the federal government, including striking down efforts by Arizona Republicans a decade ago. However, Abbott was scathing Wednesday in his criticism of the Biden administrations immigration and border protection policies. An Abbott spokeswoman repeated those criticisms Thursday in a statement. While President Biden continues to ignore the crisis on our southern border and his duties to our country, Texas is stepping up and upholding the rule of law, said spokeswoman Renae Eze. She also said the selection of the Briscoe Unit for migrant detention was because the prison was in a strategic location to house those arrested for committing a crime along the border and had adequate staffing to run the facility. She did not respond to a question about whether the prisons workers were qualified to work with migrants who havent been convicted of crimes. WENN Celebrity The two heavyweight music producers have joined forces to launch a new high school emphasizing on 'real-world projects with top companies and non-profits.' Jun 17, 2021 AceShowbiz - Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine have teamed up to open a new high school in south Los Angeles. The school, which will be known temporarily as Regional High School No. 1, will be located at Audubon Middle School in the Leimert Park neighbourhood in South Los Angeles, and will welcome 124 students in the initial stages of its opening in autumn 2022 before adding another 126 in the future. The curriculum will focus on "multidisciplinary, hands-on learning, with a strong emphasis on real-world projects with top companies and non-profits," according to a press release, by combining "design, business and technology with hands-on, real-world learning to help develop young leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs." "We want to give the next generation of students access to a proven, revolutionary learning experience that will not only prepare them for the jobs of today, but equip them to reimagine and shape the jobs, technologies and creative enterprises of the future," Jimmy said of the school. "We've already succeeded in higher ed, now we're bringing it to high school." In 2013, the pair founded The USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy at the University of Southern California, with a $70 million (50 million) donation to fund the academic programme. And hitmaker Dre added, "I think it's going to be something extremely different. I'm still trying to learn myself and understand the politics and the hurdles that we have to get over to help." "All we're here to do is help the kids. We're here strictly for the kids and trying to give them a future and something promising that maybe wasn't available before then, so that is our intent." WENN Celebrity The 'Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom' actor teams up with top designer Christian Louboutin to release a charitable shoe collection inspired by the iconic human rights activist. Jun 17, 2021 AceShowbiz - Idris Elba and his wife Sabrina have teamed up with designer Christian Louboutin on a capsule shoe collection to benefit five charities chosen by the stars. The Walk a Mile in My Shoes collection, which launches on Wednesday (16Jun21) was inspired by an Instagram Live conversation between Idris, Sabrina, and Black Lives Matters co-founder and activist Opal Tometi prompting the shoe designer to reach out to his celebrity friends. "Idris was very clear about the importance of making a contribution, whether through a donation or work toward lasting, structural change," Christian explains to The Hollywood Reporter. "Watching such dear friends' commitment to something so important moved me a lot." "I agreed that of course we have to take action, but I wanted to offer more than a check; I wanted to provide practical solutions that ladder up to systemic change for communities." The 20-piece collection, which includes a red-trimmed black high-top sneaker dubbed the 1988 SL, co-designed by the actor and Louboutin, is crafted in black leather or other materials, with Walk a Mile in My Shoes emblazoned in red embroidery or strass crystals. The name of the collection was influenced by a visit Idris made to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Los Angeles. "The collection is meant in no way to suggest that anyone walk in our shoes specifically, but to look and be open and understanding to those around you who may not have the same privilege in life and are facing systematic injustices that we all need to rally against," Idris adds. All the proceeds from the initiative, available at select Christian Louboutin boutiques and the brand's website, will go to five non-profit organisations chosen by the trio; London-based Immediate Theatre, Somali Hope Foundation, which offers free schooling for children in a rural town, Maryland-based Be Rose International Foundation, a humanitarian-relief group that assists women and children in vulnerable communities; Dallas-based Purposeful Philanthropy Foundation, which provides mentorship for girls; and The Gathering for Justice, the New York-based organisation co-founded by Harry Belafonte, which works for criminal-justice reform. WENN Celebrity The Rock says he only started to seriously consider running for public office after he's ranked first in a recent public poll for the upcoming Presidential candidates. Jun 17, 2021 AceShowbiz - Dwayne Johnson harbored no real political ambitions until fans started backing a potential bid for the White House, forcing him to "stand up, listen, and learn." The former wrestler began seriously considering a future in politics in 2017 after more and more fans suggested he would make a good presidential candidate in the wake of Donald Trump's 2016 election victory, and his chances at one day winning the top job were given a big boost in April (21) when a new poll indicated he had the support of 46 per cent of adult Americans if he were to make an official run in 2024. Johnson, aka The Rock, is flattered by the support, but he's still not sure if he has the "patience" for the high-pressure role. "I love our country to my core and I'm endlessly grateful for the opportunities I've had here, as a half-black, half-Samoan kid being able to work my a** off knowing tenacity opens doors," he told People magazine. "In a lot of ways, I'm indebted to our great country for it. And let me be clear, I'm not a politician nor did I ever have political passions, and quite frankly I'm not sure I even have the patience or resignation to deal with the B.S. (bulls**t) that comes with politics and politicians. "But when 46 per cent of Americans say they're in favour of me becoming president, that forces me to humbly and respectfully stand up, listen and learn." WENN/Sheri Determan/JRP Movie The 'Jenny From the Block' hitmaker is signed on for 'Atlas' while the former co-stars of 'The Lobster' will share screen again in an upcoming dark comedy. Jun 17, 2021 AceShowbiz - Jennifer Lopez has landed her first sci-fi movie after signing on to star in director Brad Peyton's "Atlas". She will also produce the film as part of a new deal with Netflix, according to Deadline. Lopez will play a woman fighting for humanity against a robot soldier out to destroy the world. "Having the chance to direct Jennifer in the title role of this movie is a dream come true, as I know she'll bring the incredible strength, depth and authenticity we've all come to admire from her work," Peyton tells the outlet. Lopez and her partners at Nuyorican Productions recently signed a deal with Netflix bosses to produce films, television series, and scripted and unscripted content, with an emphasis on projects that support diverse female actors, writers, and filmmakers. The first two projects, which will both star Lopez, are Niki Caro's "The Mother" and "The Cipher", based on the novel by Isabella Maldonado. Meanwhile, Rachel Weisz and Colin Farrell are set to reunite in the upcoming dark comedy "Love Child". The "Favourite" star and the 45-year-old Irish actor previously starred alongside each other in Yorgos Lanthimos' surreal black comedy dystopian flick "The Lobster" in 2015. And they will be back on set together to film Todd Solondz's "darkly comic twist on the Oedipal story." The plot "follows a precocious kid who schemes to rid himself of his brutish dad so he can have his mom all to himself. Things go awry when a handsome stranger appears." And the "Happiness" director has hailed the film as "fun and sexy." "This is my first movie with a plot and my first movie taking place in Texas," he told Variety. "It's fun and it's sexy and it's shaped by the Hollywood movies that made me want to become a filmmaker. I've loved Rachel and Colin's work forever, and am so honoured to be able to excite their passion for serious and unexpected work as well." Rachel's upcoming roles include playing Melina Vostokoff (the Iron Maiden) in Marvel's "Black Widow" which begins screening in July. As for Colin, he will be seen as Oswald Cobblepot / The Penguin in "The Batman" reboot next year (22). Instagram Celebrity U.S. soldier Tevin Biles-Thomas has been acquitted of murder charges relating to an Ohio deadly shooting that left three people dead in a rental house back in 2018. Jun 17, 2021 AceShowbiz - The brother of Olympic gymnast Simone Biles has been acquitted on murder charges relating to a deadly 2018 shooting in Ohio. U.S. Army soldier Tevin Biles-Thomas was arrested in Georgia in August 2019 following an eight-month police investigation into a fatal fight at a rental home in Cleveland on 31 December 2018 when three people were killed. He maintained his innocence but was indicted on multiple counts of murder, voluntary manslaughter, and felonious assault. He stood trial in May, only for the case to be declared a mistrial after legal paperwork was inadvertently included in evidence jurors had been given to review. A new hearing was held on Tuesday (15Jun21) after defence lawyers argued there was no forensic evidence tying their client to the murders while there were also no witnesses able to testify that Biles-Thomas was the shooter. As a result, Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge Joan Synenberg ruled prosecutors had failed to present enough evidence to lead to a conviction and cleared the defendant of the charges. Shortly after the announcement, a woman in the gallery attempted to attack Biles-Thomas, screaming, "You killed my baby!" as authorities stepped in to restrain her. Superstar athlete Biles has yet to comment on her 26-year-old brother's acquittal, but she previously took to Twitter to express her struggle coming to terms with her sibling's arrest, adding, "My heart aches for everyone involved, especially for the victims and their families. There is nothing that I can say that will heal anyone's pain, but I do want to express my sincere condolences to everyone affected by this terrible tragedy." "I ask everyone to please respect my family's privacy as we deal with our pain." Instagram Celebrity Along with a clip of her holding her and the TV host's newborn children on hospital bed, the DJ reveals the babies' unique names and date of birth on Instagram. Jun 17, 2021 AceShowbiz - Nick Cannon is welcoming two new additions at once to his continuously growing offspring. The multi-hyphenated entertainer has welcomed his twins with Abby De La Rosa. It's the new mom herself who broke the happy news and shared the first glimpse of the newborn babies, two days after giving birth to her children with the rapper/comedian. Taking to her Instagram account, she uploaded a video of her holding her bundles of joy while sitting on hospital bed. Donning a white robe and animal-print head wrap, she rocked her little ones as they were sound asleep. She looked proud as she stared at them attentively with a smile on her face. Her baby boys, meanwhile, were wrapped in while-and-blue blankets. In the caption, Abby unveiled the babies' name and the date of their arrival. "JUNE 14TH, 2021. Welcome to the world Zion Mixolydian Cannon & ZIllion Heir Cannon," she wrote, adding the hashtags "#Myworld" and "#twinboys." Nick himself has not addressed his new twins' arrival as he rarely shares about his personal life on social media. The newborn babies are his fifth and sixth child overall. He is also a father to 10-year-old fraternal twins Monroe and Moroccan, whom he shares with ex-wife Mariah Carey. He additionally shares 4-year-old son named Golden "Sagon" Cannon and a 6-month-old daughter named Powerful Queen Cannon with his model ex Brittany Bell. Amid Abby's pregnancy, there was rumor that he's expecting another child with model Alyssa Scott. The former "Nick Cannon Presents: Wild N' Out" employee sparked the speculation after she posted on May 20 her naked picture from her maternity photo shoot along with a supposed name of her unborn baby, "ZEN S. CANNON." It hasn't been confirmed though if Nick is the baby's father. Instagram Celebrity The Singaporean real estate developer gets called out publicly by Yamashiro's executive chef Vallerie Castillo Archer after he openly called the restaurant 'disgusting.' Jun 17, 2021 AceShowbiz - Kane Lim has responded to allegations that he spread "Asian hate." In response to the accusations, the "Bling Empire" star claimed that he was "disappointed" at how Yamashiro's head chef Vallerie Castillo Archer took his comments about the restaurant. "It's unfortunate this has escalated to this level. I get how it has been interpreted and am disappointed it's been crafted into an Asian-hate thing," the Singaporean real estate developer told TMZ. He also pointed out that Vallerie got his remarks wrong and was making "a mountain out of a mole hill." According to the publication, Kane admitted that his opinion was simply based on his own eating experience at Yamashiro from a few years back. The 31-year-old star added further that his words were not aimed at her, her work or her staff directly. He claimed that he just didn't "dig" the food there. Kane also clarified to TMZ that he does not hate his own race. And for Vallerie, the Netflix star claimed that he's more than willing to make amends and give Yamashiro another shot. In addition, he informed the outlet that he and the executive chef are planning a meeting to sort things out in the near future. His statement came after chef Vallerie called him out publicly following his negative remark towards the L.A. celeb hot spot Yamashiro. On Friday, June 11, the reality show star was filmed on his friend's Instagram Story in which they called the restaurant "disgusting" while hyping up another sushi restaurant, Tadaima. A few days after the video spread, Vallerie took to her personal Instagram account to clap back at Kane and his buddies, accusing them of helping spread hate against their own race. "We say we are ambassadors for our people. We are advocates, we support AAPI, we donate to charity that stops hate, but what about that night, did we decide to take a day off?" she wrote in her lengthy note. "How can we promote Stop Asian Hate when we are the ones publicly hating on Asians?" Elsewhere in her post, Vallerie also stressed that she found the video "painful." The executive chef penned, "You can hear the word 'disgusting' being used to describe Yamashiro as you see people laugh, but not just people, but people I have met, embraced, called a friend, people whom I have hosted and welcomed to Yamashiro." She added, "I don't know what was more painful, to watch the video or finding out your friend reposted it." Instagram Music The 'WAP' hitmaker rips on DeAnna Loraine after the Republican politician claims she receives threatening messages from Hottie due to Megan's 'Thot S**t' music video which she feels like attacking her. Jun 17, 2021 AceShowbiz - Megan Thee Stallion has clapped back at DeAnna Loraine after the latter claimed to have received threats from the former's fans. The conservative politician said she has been flooded with threatening messages after the raptress released "Thot S**t" music video, which she feels like targeting her. Upon learning of DeAnna's claims, the Houston star savagely shut down the Republican's allegation with her short and dismissive response. Taking to her Twitter account on Wednesday, June 16, the 26-year-old quoted TMZ's article while simply asking, "Who?" Megan Thee Stallion responded to DeAnna Loraine's claims of receiving threats from her fans. Agreeing with Meg, some of her followers laughed off DeAnna's claims. Some of them commented on the 26-year-old's tweets with "Hashshshdhdh" and "Lmaoooooooooooo." Another replied, "Right like?" Backing up Megan, others tweeted back, "girl exactly" and "EXACTLY," while someone else echoed Megan's sentiment as asking, "who is ole girl???" DeAnna spoke to TMZ about the alleged threats she received from Megan's fans after the Grammy-winning artist dropped her "Thot S**t" music video last week. The former California candidate for the U.S. House believes the Hot Girl Summer is referring to her in the said clip because of her previous criticism on Megan and Cardi B's collaboration "WAP". DeAnna said she has been receiving thousands of texts, calls, emails and IG messages, some of which were even threatening to kill her. She provided some of the messages, which included threats to roll up to her house. Another called out her hypocrisy for saying zilch when white artists, like Miley Cyrus, sexualize their songs without any conservative backlash. The GOP pundit claimed it's a shame Megan fans are blowing her up because she's just "trying to help these people see that they can be more than just their 'WAP'." DeAnna previously slammed Megan and Cardi over their raunchy track, saying that the two female stars "set the entire female gender back by 100 years with their disgusting & vile 'WAP' song." WENN/Nicky Nelson Movie The 'Blade' star was rumored to be in talks with Lionsgate to take on a supporting role in a follow-up to 'John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum', but 'it didn't work out.' Jun 17, 2021 AceShowbiz - Wesley Snipes isn't joining the "John Wick" franchise despite reports to the contrary. The actor was said to be added to the cast for "John Wick: Chapter 4", but fans' hope to see him in the upcoming movie have been quickly shut down. According to THR's Borys Kit, there were indeed talks between the "Demolition Man" star and Lionsgate for him to star in the fourth installment of the neo-noir action-thriller film franchise, but they fell apart. Taking to his Twitter account to clarify the reports, he informed his followers and movie fans, "Despite some reports, action star @wesleysnipes is NOT going to be in #JohnWick 4. There were some discussions a little while ago but it didn't work out." Borys Kit clarified reports of Wesley Snipes being in talks for 'John Wick 4'. It was The Illuminerdi which first reported that Snipes was wanted for the new "John Wick" movie. He was reportedly in talks with the studio to take on a supporting role in the follow-up to "John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum". Further offering details of the role supposedly offered to "The Expendables 3" actor, the site claimed that he was "being circled for a role in which he will play a swordsman alongside Keanu Reeves' John Wick." While Snipes' involvement has been ruled out, Reeves has been pretty much sealed to reprise his role in "John Wick 4". Donnie Yen, Rina Sawayama, Shamier Anderson and Bill Skarsgard have been reported joining the cast, with Laurence Fishburne also having confirmed his return as The Bowery King in the highly-anticipated sequel. Filming is set to begin later this month or early July in Paris and Berlin, with additional photography scheduled to take place in New York and Japan as well. It had previously been planned for a fifth movie to be shot back-to-back with the fourth film but that plan has since been altered. Chad Stahelski will direct from a screenplay by Shay Hatten and Michael Finch. The movie is currently planned for a May 27, 2022 release in the United States. WENN/Brian To Celebrity The 'Maleficent' actress shows off her fresh ink of Galileo Galilei's quote which reads, 'eppur si muove' and means 'and yet it moves,' while out and about in Manhattan. Jun 17, 2021 AceShowbiz - Angelina Jolie has just got new ink. While stepping out for a casual stroll in New York City, the "Maleficent" actress flaunted her cryptic fresh tattoo on her forearm amid her long custody battle with Brad Pitt. The 46-year-old Hollywood star was captured on paparazzi's cameras as she walked by outside her Carlyle hotel on the Upper East Side, Manhattan on Tuesday, June 15. During the outing, "Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life" actress gave a glimpse of a quote from Galileo Galilei on her forearm that read, "Eppur si muove," which translates to "and yet it moves." Galileo's actual quote means, "Earth moves and it's not the center of the universe, muttered it to the inquisitors, as if to say that they may have won this battle, but in the end, truth would win out." The wise words date back to 1633, when the astronomer was forced to recant his statement that the Earth moves around the Sun. For the day out, Angelina opted to dress casual by wearing a floor-length gray skirt and a plain white T-shirt. To complete her look, the Oscar-winning actress added a beige-colored sling bag, nude brown low-heeled sandals and a matching gray face mask. Angelina's new body art left many wondering if the message was aimed at the "Once Upon A Time...In Hollywood" actor. The former spouses have been in a lengthy custody battle with the "Eternals" actress wanting sole custody and the 57-year-old actor fighting for joint. Upon learning that the judge awarded the actor joint custody over their six children, she reportedly "will never forgive" him. "[Angelina] will never forgive him," a source spilled to Us Weekly. "[She will use] everything she's got [to appeal the arrangement]. She maintains it's far from over and still believes that justice will prevail." The source also noted that she "bitterly disappointed" after the judge dismissed her domestic violence allegations against the "World War Z" leading man. "[Her] testimony lacked credibility," the insider added. "The decision was based on extensive testimonies from people who spent time with the kids and by highly respected professionals." WASHINGTON, June 17, 2021 Researchers affiliated with institutions of the Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities (Crue) and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) will now be able to publish their research articles open access with no additional costs, following a landmark transformative read and publish agreement with the Publications Division of the American Chemical Society (ACS). With this agreement, ACS continues to actively support the European academic market, having similar agreements with 328 other institutions in over 20 countries. Researchers in European markets increasingly find themselves required to publish open access. To meet this need, ACS is leading the way in developing transformative agreements that enable institutions to ensure their researchers can publish in the worlds premier chemistry journals and meet their funders terms. A transformative read and publish agreement is intended to help ease the transition away from a subscription model for scholarly publications and toward an open access model, explained Sybille Geisenheyner, director, open science strategy and licensing at ACS. Hundreds of researchers across the participating 49 institutions in Spain will be able to publish open access in 75 of ACS hybrid and open access journals without additional charge. At the same time, institutions libraries will maintain access to subscription content for thousands of users seeking high-quality chemistry content. This agreement is special with respect to the rest of the transformative agreements that we have recently signed because it is the first that focuses on a single scientific discipline and the first that covers both hybrid titles and open access publications, says Jesus Marco, Ph.D., vice president of scientific and technical research at CSIC. We are convinced that the CSIC Chemical Sciences community will recognize the qualitative leap represented by this alliance. This agreement is part of our organizations strategy to move away from the traditional licensing model, which is based on subscribing to content and paying for reading it, and toward a reading and publishing model. It is a commitment to open access as a lever for the promotion of open science. Across Europe, funders have recently begun implementing new requirements for the researchers to whom they provide funding. Many researchers must now publish only in fully gold journals journals that are 100% open access. However, for a transitional period, researchers at institutions with a transformative read and publish agreement can continue to publish in hybrid journals, including prestigious titles, such as the Journal of the American Chemical Society. With this transformative agreement, the fourth so far this year, Crue continues to fulfill the commitment made to its members at the General Assembly of February 2019, regarding the promotion of open science through open access publication of the results of the work carried out by researchers at their universities, says Francisco Mora, Ph.D. Mora is vice president of Crue, president of the open science working group, and was rector of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia during the negotiation with ACS. Mora additionally says that this agreement would allow both researchers and Spanish citizens as a whole to have more and new resources to approach science without limitations and to learn about the latest findings. ACS welcomes this new partnership with CSIC and Crue to advance open access, says Jim Baldini, vice president of global sales, business operations and analytics at ACS Publications. This is a significant step forward in making essential research articles accessible throughout the world. We are proud to be supporting our community of Spanish researchers in sharing their important work with a wider global audience. A read and publish agreement is just one way that ACS serves its author community. Supporting authors is a priority for ACS, and in order to facilitate an easy transition to open access for its authors, CSIC and Crues researcher communities will benefit from ACS automated author workflows and its integration with RightsLink for Scientific Communications from Copyright Clearance Center (CCC). RightsLink is an advanced open access agreement management solution that simplifies affiliations and workflow and provides unique insight through data. The service drives collaboration, partnership and innovation in the evolving scholarly publishing ecosystem of publishers, authors, funders and institutions. We developed this workflow with CCC back in 2014 because we anticipated a growth in demand for read and publish agreements, and weve been committed to open access for many years, says Baldini. Our thorough expansion throughout Europe supports this assumption and investment. Recognizing that demand for completely open access journals is growing, both because of researchers changing attitudes toward open access and the nature of funder requirements, ACS has significantly and strategically expanded its portfolio of gold open access journals. Last year we launched JACS Au, and in 2021 we launched the ACS Au portfolio, a portfolio of nine discipline-specific chemistry journals, says Geisenheyner. This demonstrates our solid commitment to open science and to authors who want or need to publish open access. In addition to meeting funder mandates, open access helps authors reach a wider audience. From 2018 to 2020, downloads of open access articles at ACS more than doubled. ACS existing open access journals, ACS Central Science and ACS Omega, were accessed over 20 million times last year, proving the importance of open access to researchers around the world. JACS Au and the ACS Au portfolio will help ACS serve an even larger audience of researchers, students and chemists around the world. CHICO, Calif. - Concern over councilmember Scott Huber's summer plans is making some worried in and out of his district. After reaching out to him, he says he will be away for the summer in a seasonal job at the Grizzly Country Wildlife Adventures as a Wildlife Guide in Jackson, Wyoming. And some, including Councilmember Sean Morgan, are concerned, especially with big decisions coming up. "You mention the homeless and what's going on some of those circumstances. That's going to come to a head rather soon. June 25th is the next scheduled hearing I think and how that plays out going to be a big deal. So, it seems like it would be an important time to be around, Councilmember Morgan said. Councilmember Huber said he was laid off a year and a half ago because of Covid and got the opportunity to work again. He continued to say, There is no controversy. I took a summer job out of the area, and I have not and will not be missing any city council meetings. I checked with the city clerk before taking the job to assure that I would not be breaking any council rules. Action News Now spoke with people and some said they had no problem with it, while others disagreed. I think that's not appropriate quite honestly, Bob Montano said. It seems like if you are governing, you should be in the area that you govern. I actually don't have a problem with the fact that it's seasonal, Nicla Sinnott shared. If he was living in Wyoming and trying to govern in Chico, then that would be a real problem if it was full time but not for seasonal." Councilmember Huber says he will be back in person for the first council meetings beginning in July or August. He added that he has not missed a single city council meeting since he has been away and will continue attending via Zoom. OROVILLE, Calif. - As fire season ramps up, the City of Oroville is still trying to figure out the best way to protect the city. The City of Oroville is looking to switch services to CAL FIRE Butte County, leaving many people frustrated. "Please don't take our fire department away, or turn it over to another company, said Karen Johnson, who lives in Thermalito. Johnson does not want to see the historical Oroville department close its doors anytime soon. "I just don't see where our local guys that have put their hearts and souls into this town every year, said Johnson. You see what it is like every year. Every year it is a disaster come fire season." Switching services like this is quite popular across the state right now. "There is a trend in our state going towards that type of a model for fire service especially as it applies to communities in rural areas, said Eric Smith, Oroville City Council member. The state has an almost 12% administrative charge, adding up to a $3-4 million dollar difference to what the city currently has. "If the administrative charges were equal I would say this is not a bad deal, but they are not, said David Pittman, Oroville City Council member. They are considerably twice as much as what we are paying right now." Local CAL FIRE personnel does not have the ability to adjust this administrative charge since it is set by the administrative office in Sacramento. The city is also considering an alternative fire protection plan. "If we increase the level of service for the fire department from what it is today to a class 2 rating, insurance companies would have a higher consideration to charge a lesser amount for insurance premiums, Pittman told Action News Now. It would also pay the county for fire calls inside the city. There is so much history in this town and this area, and they should be a remaining factor, said Johnson. They should be here." The city council's top priority is a safe community and spending the tax dollars well. They will be holding public hearings on the topic in their upcoming meetings. Good morning, North State. Here's what you need to know to start your day on June 17. California ISO issues statewide flex alert to encourage energy reduction California power regulators issued a flex alert asking people to conserve power from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday. They ask that you set your thermostat to 78 or higher and avoid using large appliances. Regulators said they are hoping to avoid a wide-scale power blackout during the dangerous heat. High Temperatures open Glenn County cooling areas Glenn County is offering some places you can go to cool down to get away from the heat 'cooling zones' are located at all county library branches during regular daytime hours. You can also seek respite at the Hamilton City Fire Department from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and at the Public Health Department in Willows from 8 p.m. to 5 p.m Dairy Fire south of Red Bluff now 40% contained The Dairy Fire is still burning near Whiskeytown Lake. The fire started on Tuesday in the area of East Canal Road and Tyler Road. There is still smoke and hot spots in the orchard where the fire burned. The fire is 163 acres and 45% contained. Rock Fire near Whiskeytown Lake grows to 108 acres, 65% contained The Rock Fire broke out Tuesday afternoon near Benson Dr. and Rock Creek Road, near the Whiskeytown Reservoir. Right now crews are working to put out hot spots. The fire is now 65% contained at 108 acres. Overnight big rig crash in Redding, driver hospitalized Redding police said a driver was hospitalized with major injuries after crashing near the OBrien off-ramp. They say the driver hit the guardrail - detaching the trailer and sending the big rig into the shoulder. The sergeant said they don't believe drugs or alcohol were involved. Action News Now is working to learn more about the driver's condition. Alaska Airlines will arrive in Redding Thursday Alaska Airlines is landing its first inbound flight to Redding. It's the beginning of a route between Seattle and Redding. The outbound flight to Seattle leaves on Friday. If you're on that flight, the City of Redding is asking passengers to arrive two hours early to prevent delays. This is all part of expanding services at the Redding Municipal Airport. Paradise Rising Festival starts Thursday afternoon The Paradise Rising Festival, a festival celebrating recovery after the Camp Fire, kicks off at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Paradise Aquatic Park. The event is free for all to attend and there will also be 250 trees that will be given out as part of the rebuilding efforts in the community. Troubles are mounting for Twitter in India, with the micro-blogging site yet to appoint key officials as mandated by the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, which came into effect from May 26, 2021. Yesterday, officials said that with the non-compliance, Twitter stands to lose the immunity as an intermediary under the Indian laws and could be held accountable for any unlawful comment posted by users on the Twitter. IMAGEXX Awards 2021 Last Date - Monday, June 18, 2021 - ENTER NOW Meanwhile, following an attack on an elderly Muslim man in Ghaziabad a couple of days back, an FIR has been filed against Twitter, some journalists and Congress leaders for provoking communal sentiments. As per media reports, Twitter failed to flag the videos posted on its platform as misleading even as some journalists and Congress leaders shared the video as a communal incident. Police investigation revealed that the hooligans attacking the old man were also Muslims and it was not a communal incident. The Congress Toolkit case has also landed Twitter in a soup. Delhi Police had searched for Twitter officials in the National Capital to question then in this case, but were not able to find them. As per a Times of India report, following this, the Special Cell of Delhi Police went to Bangalore on May 31 and questioned Twitter India MD Manish Maheshwari. Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister for Law & Justice, Communications, Electronics & Information Technology, lashed out at Twitter, calling its non-compliance a deliberate action. In a series of Tweets, Prasad stated, Indian companies, be it pharma, IT or others that go to do business in USA or in other foreign countries, voluntarily follow the local laws. Then why are platforms like Twitter showing reluctance in following Indian laws designed to give voice to the victims of abuse and misuse? He added, Further, what is perplexing is that Twitter fails to address the grievances of users by refusing to set up process as mandated by the law of the land. Additionally, it chooses a policy of flagging manipulates media, only when it suits, its likes and dislikes. GAMEXX Awards 2021 Early Bird Discount Last Date - Monday, June 21, 2021 - ENTER NOW It is astounding that Twitter, which portrays itself as the flag bearer of free speech, chooses the path of deliberate defiance when it comes to the Intermediary Guidelines, Prasad further tweeted, and added that Twitter was given multiple opportunities to comply with the same, however it has deliberately chosen the path of non compliance. Prasad alleged that Twitter chooses a policy of flagging manipulated media, only when it suits, its likes and dislikes. Industry Reacts Amey Asuti, Founder and MD, Futuready Media said, "This face-off between the government of India and Twitter has far reaching ramifications on the freedom of speech in India. While many see this as an issue of compliance under the intermediary rules, it is about the power of the intermediary platforms that can shape destinies of people in power, influence public opinion and fell governments. Arab Spring and Donald Trump are just two examples that illustrate the power of Twitter. I'm all for a transparent and comprehensive public discussion leading to regulation of social media intermediaries. If Facebook and Google can comply with Indian laws, I see no real reason why Twitter needs more time. It would be prudent for the Indian Parliament to debate and settle this in the fairest traditions of our democracy." Manesh Swamy, Vice President Creative & Social, Logicserve Digital said, "Twitter is a very active platform and has been a primary platform for people worldwide to put across views, opinions, thoughts and more. Amongst the various popular social media platforms, Twitter is known for its credibility and niche audience. Now with the platform losing its legal immunity, this will affect brands on the platform. They will have to bring in some content publishing guidelines to stay put to the platform. But in the end, the decision has been passed by the Indian Government, which means brands will have to evolve and adapt to the new rules." Federal Laboratory for Materials Testing and Research Dubendorf, St. Gallen und Thun, 17.06.2021 - Bacteria from an Indian landfill could help eliminate contaminated chemicals. The focus is on pesticides such as lindane or brominated flame retardants, which accumulate in nature and in food chains. Researchers at Empa and Eawag used these bacteria to generate enzymes that can break down these dangerous chemicals. The production of chemicals is a cumbersome business. Often, only a small part of what is actually wanted is produced in the factory. The large remainder is unusable or even worse. Examples? The defoliant "Agent Orange" used by the US army in the Vietnam War was produced in great hurry. It contained dioxin as an impurity. As a result, not only did trees in the combat zone lose their foliage, but US soldiers and Vietnamese civilians also fell ill with cancer years later. There are also examples from agriculture: In the production of the insecticide lindane, a hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), only less than 15 percent of the desired substance is produced; 85 percent of the reaction broth is hazardous waste. In the 1950s, this toxic mixture was still sprayed in its entirety on fields and orchards. Later on the effective lindane was separated and sold pure, the rest being dumped in landfills. There the chemicals often still lie today. Lindane has been banned in the EU since 2007, and it has not been used in Switzerland for some time. The flame retardant hexabromocyclodecane (HBCD) is also a mixture of several substances. It was invented in the 1970s, produced on a scale of several 10,000 tons per year and used in polystyrene insulation boards for house facades, in textiles and in plastics for electrical appliances. It has been banned worldwide since 2014. In Switzerland, plastic containing HBCD is not recycled, but must be destroyed in waste incineration. Internationally outlawed Since 2004, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants has regulated the handling of such long-lived environmental toxins. Switzerland ratified the agreement in 2003, but all these substances are already in the environment and finely distributed. HBCD is found in sewage sludge, in fish, in air, water and soil. In 2004, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) took blood samples from eleven European environment ministers and three health ministers and detected HBCD and lindane in the blood of every single one of them. Bacteria, the rescuers from the soil It begs the question: Can we recapture or detoxify the chemical waste of past generations? Fortunately, scientists aren't shying away from icky places in their search for solutions. In 1991, they discovered three strains of bacteria that could consume lindane and its useless chemical siblings in chemical waste sites in France, Japan and India almost simultaneously: Sphingobium francense, Sphingobium japonicum and Sphingobium indicum. Could these bio-cleaners perhaps also digest the flame retardant HBCD and other toxins? Empa chemist Norbert Heeb and Eawag microbiologist Hans-Peter Kohler, together with researchers from the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) and two Indian institutes, put them to the test. They modified the genes of the Indian bacteria and produced HCH-degrading enzymes in pure form. An enzyme is a protein molecule, a bio-catalyst so to speak, with which bacteria, but also other living cells, can build up or break down chemical substances. The pollutant molecule HCH inserts itself into the enzyme like a key into a lock. Then part of the molecule is split off. The now harmless fragments are released again, and the enzyme is ready to take up the next pollutant molecule. Mutations open up opportunities Together with undergraduate student Jasmin Hubeli, Heeb investigated not only the enzyme variants found in landfills, but also an enzyme obtained from a genetically modified bacterial strain. Here, the researchers had deliberately enlarged the "keyhole" so that the larger HBCD molecules could be broken down more easily. The result: The genetic modification influenced the rate, at which the pollutant was broken down. Empa researcher Heeb is hopeful about their results: "This means that we now actually have a chance to use biological methods to render harmless these long-lived toxins produced by mankind and distributed over large areas." There is still a long way to go, however. The lock-and-key principle of helpful enzymes still needs to be figured out in more detail before tailor-made enzymes for chemical toxins are available in the future. Address for enquiries Dr. Norbert Heeb, Empa Advanced Analytical Technologies Tel. +41 58 765 69 63 Norbert.Heeb@empa.ch Dr. Hans-Peter Kohler, EAWAG Environmental Microbiology HansPeter.Kohler@eawag.ch Publisher Federal Laboratory for Materials Testing and Research http://www.empa.ch Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology http://www.eawag.ch Farmers needing some construction work done should be willing to open their wallets as well their calendars. Prices for building materials have risen to levels never seen before, and contractors are backed up. Demand is not slowing down. Everybody still wants to keep building, said Megan Miller, executive director of the National Frame Building Association. The workloads are great. They have enough business to add people. Theyre glad about how much business they have and how good the year is, even 2020, but theyre scrambling to get whatever they can. Manufacturers and distributors are feeling the effects of the price increases and material shortages across the country. Were definitely having problems getting stuff in, said Mark Young of Wyoming-based Western Building Supply. The increase in pricing has gone above and beyond what weve ever thought it would be. WBS distributes wood, metal and other building materials. In addition, the company manufactures trusses, laminated columns, metal siding and roofing. Delays are common. A year ago we were about three days out on a pole barn kit. Now were anywhere from three to five weeks, Young said. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, lumber prices increased 180% from April 2020 to April 2021. Much of the increase occurred since last fall. Ohio State University professor Brent Sohngen said in a report that the problem feeds on itself. Many timber owners are reluctant to cut trees under the assumption that prices will rise even more, so they hold on to what they have. DES MOINES The data may be there, but putting it to good use continues to be a challenge for pork producers. A panel discussion at the World Pork Expo here June 9 suggests even more data coming down the pipeline in the coming years. Some of that may be developed due to increasing use of smart technology. We are doing trials on some of our research farms, but havent gone beyond that, said Ryan Strobel, a veterinarian with Swine Vet Center in St. Peter, Minnesota. Strobel and his fellow panelists spoke during a seminar sponsored by MetaFarms and moderated by Iowa State University professor Laura Greiner. Having more data can be used many ways, said Randy Kuker, director of livestock for The Equity, an ag cooperative in Effingham, Illinois. We use it as motivation for our producers. They can look at the data and see how they rank against others, he said. Data is becoming more accessible to everyone. Dave Chamberlain, a swine nutritionist with Vita Plus, said he expects to see more usage of new technology over the next few years. He said this will help the pork industry as it changes structurally. New technology will also allow for a wireless transfer of data, said Kristin Foran, technical director for AMVC in Audubon, Iowa. We are at the point now where we can use electronic IDs for sows and some piglets, she said. I hope we are able to continue to streamline data. We are going to see the implementation of all these technologies, but its going to take time, Greiner added. To help balance the district's 2021-22 budget, Kyrene officials will be cutting $2.2 million from budgets controlled at the district level. The biggest chunk primarily involves not filling the equivalent of 19 vacant positions. News featured popular Dougherty School Board candidates gearing up for runoff election in District 2 Special Photo Norma Gaines Heath Alma Noble ALBANY A six-way race for a Dougherty County School Board seat has been narrowed to two finalists who will be on the ballot for a July 13 runoff election in District 2. Both Norma Gaines-Heath and Alma Noble have decades in education and a heavy lift to get more bodies into voting booths for the summer special election to fill the unexpired term of Milton June Bug Griffin. Turnout on Tuesday was 9.11 percent, as only 892 of nearly 9,800 registered voters cast ballots in the race to fill the seat left vacant with the death of Griffin in February. I dont know how much more its going to take to stress to voters the importance of voting, said Heath, who finished at the top of the group with 282 votes. This was a special election (but) it still needs to be considered as important as any other elections that are held. Heath, a long-time teacher in the Dougherty County School System who currently teaches GED courses at Autry State Prison in Pelham, said she looks forward to the opportunity to take on Noble in the runoff. The first thing I think is because of my sincerity and love for education, in that I am a veteran teacher, she said of why voters should give her the nod in the July contest. I have the familiarity with the Dougherty County School System and the time and attention I put into it, and just being approachable with the voters in my district. Accountability is an issue that Heath said she feels is important for the position. Heath said she put in a lot of time going door-to-door and plans to do more as she tries to reach and encourage voters in the final round. I spent a lot of time listening to some of their concerns not just the parents, but employees of the Dougherty County School System, she said. The candidate stressed that education is not just important for preparing todays students for the jobs of tomorrow but attracting companies to locate in the area. In order for our city to improve, there has to be a strong school system, Heath said. Noble, who said she also made a lot of in-person visits to voters homes, echoed that sentiment. What happens in the Dougherty County School System will affect Albany, said Noble, who finished with 253 votes on Tuesday. The future growth in Dougherty County is directly tied to our school system. We need to empower our students so they can have a home, transportation, decent jobs so they will be contributors to our community rather than a distraction. She pointed out her five decades in the education field and long track record in business as qualifications that make her a good fit for the board. I still feel experience matters, said Noble, who worked three decades in the Dougherty County School System and operates two day care/education centers in the city. My background in business has prepared me to deal with the types of issues that are handled by the school board. Since her retirement from the school system, where her career included time as a teacher, social worker and school psychologist, Noble said she has prepared students at the day care centers. I have prepared thousands of students with the basic skills to enter the Dougherty County School System, she said. I have collaborated with the school system. I am eager to work with the current school board members to implement policies to bring about real change to the Dougherty County School System. With runoff elections traditionally attracting less voters than elections preceding them, the candidates have their work cut out for them. Alpine, TX (79831) Today Mostly sunny early with isolated thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 87F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 66F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Lake Charles, Louisiana (70615) Today Partly cloudy skies this morning. Thunderstorms likely during the afternoon. High near 90F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy overnight with thunderstorms likely. Low around 75F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. The hyperpartisanship of the last five years has posed a threat to national security by dividing the American people and distorting how foreign policy is discussed. The resistance mounted by the Democrats against President Donald Trump even on issues of longstanding common concern, such as trade policy and infrastructure, was carried into foreign policy even when differences had to be contrived, a case in point being the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The Democrats have tried to make the alliance into a partisan issue when in fact it is an example of the kind of continuity needed to keep the U.S. and its western allies in command of world affairs. President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken have described the busy European trip that includes a G-7 meeting, a U.S.-EU summit, a NATO conference, and a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin as proof that America is Back as if America had disappeared during the Trump administration. This is an absurd example of crass partisanship. It weakens the U.S. posture by calling into question whether the country has fundamental interests to protect and challenges to meet that transcend domestic politics. Anyone who takes a serious look at the world knows that this is true. And it was President Trumps 2017 National Security Strategy that made explicit that we are in an era of great power competition centered on Revisionist powers, such as China and Russia, that use technology, propaganda, and coercion to shape a world antithetical to our interests and values. Democrats tried to make a partisan issue out of President Trumps use of the term America First and his criticism of those NATO members who were not contributing enough to alliance capabilities. They tried to portray it as an isolationist policy. Nothing could be further from the truth. A key part of the NSS plank on building domestic prosperity was to succeed in this 21st century geopolitical competition, America must lead in research, technology, and innovation. We will protect our national security innovation base from those who steal our intellectual property and unfairly exploit the innovation of free societies. Power cannot be projected into the world until it is generated at home. The NSS proclaimed America will use all of the tools of statecraft in a new era of strategic competition -- diplomatic, information, military, and economic -- to protect our interests and that We will ensure the balance of power remains in Americas favor in key regions of the world: the Indo-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East. This was not an expression of isolationism. Globalization, which truly was an isolationist government approach to international economics allowing invisible hands to reallocate assets without regard to strategic consequences, was rejected by President Trump using language that had primarily been used by Democrats. The subtle difference was that Democrats talked about jobs and Trump talked about both jobs and the capabilities generated by the industries that provided the jobs. Democrats attacked President Trump for criticizing NATO members who were not paying their share. But President Barack Obama had done the same. At the 2014 NATO meeting in Wales, the U.S. forced a mandate that each alliance member would spend at least 2 percent of its nations gross domestic product on defense by 2024. Unfortunately, there had been very little action taken by most members towards this goal when President Trump took office. So, he turned up the heat and got results. He reportedly told NATO that he wanted an increase to 4 percent of GDP to match the military buildup he was implementing in the U.S. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg publicly "thanked him for his leadership on defense spending" stating that "Since President Trump took office, NATO allies across Europe and Canada have spent an additional $41 billion extra in U.S. dollars on defense. President Trump strengthened NATO. And NATO went global in line with President Trumps focus on countering a rising China. NATO had already moved out of Europe by joining in the U.S. occupation of Afghanistan. But the pivot from the Middle East to the Indo-Pacific that started under President Obama was accelerated under President Trump and is continuing under President Biden. The NATO 2030: United for a New Era report (written during the Trump administration) shows how the alliance has expanded its vision over the last five years. The report states NATO must devote much more time, political resources, and action to the security challenges posed by China -- based on an assessment of its national capabilities, economic heft, and the stated ideological goals of its leaders. The Brussels NATO meeting went further: Chinas stated ambitions and assertive behaviour present systemic challenges to the rules-based international order and to areas relevant to Alliance security It is opaque in implementing its military modernisation and its publicly declared military-civil fusion strategy. It is also cooperating militarily with Russia. More telling was the final communique at the G-7 which stated, We reiterate the importance of maintaining a free and open Indo Pacific, which is inclusive and based on the rule of law. We underscore the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait We remain seriously concerned about the situation in the East and South China Seas and strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo and increase tensions. President Biden also got cooperation on pushing back Chinese economic power. Again, furthering campaigns started by President Trump. Britain and France have taken the lead in joining Americas Asian allies in joint military exercises which grew larger and more frequent under President Trump. France has not only held joint naval exercises with the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific but with India and Japan. British and French warships have conducted freedom of navigation voyages through the South China Sea. As this is being written, a carrier strike group based on the new Royal Navy aircraft carrier Queen Elizabeth is sailing from the United Kingdom towards Japan. In addition to its British escorts, this armada includes a U.S. destroyer and a Dutch frigate to make it a NATO show of force across the region. This is the result of continuity in policy evolving over three administrations. While China would like to exploit any divisions in American politics and society to advance its quest for global leadership, its brash behavior and ominous military buildup have alarmed governments around the world. Beijings offensive actions, if successful, will have severe negative effects on rival nations regardless of how their people vote. No one can reasonably expect to do well if the society they live in fails. If President Biden wants to bring his long career to a successful conclusion by being elevated from politician to statesman, he needs to tap down the partisan rhetoric and move to heal social divisions. Only then can the United States lead the world from the foundations of prosperity and security that President Trump worked so hard to build. William R. Hawkins is a former economics professor who served on the professional staff of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee. He has written widely on international economics and national security issues for both professional and popular publications. Image: Pixabay To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Unfortunately, some Montessori organizations are caving in to the social justice movement.[1] Two major Montessori organizations, Association Montessori International/USA (AMI/USA) and the American Montessori Society (AMS) have supported or sponsored conferences that featured workshops or lectures on understanding structural racism, diversity, anti-bias, LGBT students, and much more. These conferences were put on by an organization called Montessori for Social Justice. The website for the AMI/USA conference in 2018 states that Montessori for Social Justice is "dedicated to promoting anti-bias, anti-racist Montessori education. They bring together Montessorians of all trainings to work towards educational equity and the success of all children." Another Montessori organization, the Montessori Foundation, has formed a task force to address and act on several issues such as eradicating prejudices, establishing a social justice curriculum, and so on. Well, this is news to me. I had no idea that Montessori is a biased, racist educational system or that it isn't for the success of all children. I frequently get emails that mention ending systemic and internal racism. Americans, but especially Montessorians, as educators, should recognize that the answer to ending racism is right under their noses. Here is the explanation. Racism claims that a person is determined by physical factors out of his control, such as skin color. It holds that a person's values and the content of his mind are either determined before birth or are controlled by his social group. Racism is deterministic; it does not accept free will. It does not recognize any ability of a person to think for himself, come to his own conclusions, and form his own character. Racism is the lowest, crudest, and most evil form of judging and relating to others. The antidote to racism is individualism. Individualism is the moral stance that recognizes the moral worth of the individual. It holds that each person develops his own character by the thinking of his own mind, not by the color of his skin or other irrelevant factors. What can be done to end racism? The United States has already done a massive amount to end racism, as it was founded on the principle of individual rights. It was the first country created that recognized individual rights that each individual has a right to pursue happiness as long as the rights of others are respected. Yes, slavery existed in 1776, but slavery was not unique to this country. It was worldwide at the time and, indeed, is still found in parts of the world today. But it was the idea in the Declaration of Independence that all men are created equal that led to the Civil War and ended slavery in this country. After that, because people were allowed to associate with each other freely, it took time (as it always does), but they eventually discovered that skin color does not determine the character of a person. This change in attitude is why this country elected a black president twice. It is why we have a Supreme Court justice who is black. It is why Oprah Winfrey, a black woman, is one of the richest persons in the country. It is why we have had entertainers like Nat King Cole, Johnny Mathis, and the Supremes. It is why we have popular commentators, like Thomas Sowell, who are admired by people of all races. And so on. Education is decidedly instrumental in influencing children's attitudes toward racism. Education needs to center on developing the child as an individual. When the child is viewed as an individual, is treated as an individual, and educated as an individual, children end up viewing each other as individuals rather than as members of certain races. Racism ignores the fact that humans have a rational faculty. Racism invalidates reason and choice and replaces them (as Ayn Rand said) with "chemical predestination." The Montessori Method does not ignore the rational faculty. In fact, the entire method was developed to assist the child in creating a clear, reasoning mind based on the facts of reality. Furthermore, Maria Montessori did not think human beings are determined. There is no doubt that she thought humans have a free will. "Free choice is one of the highest of all mental processes."[2] "A child chooses what helps him to construct himself."[3] Based on this view of human nature, Montessori students are held responsible for their own behavior and are treated as individuals. Since individualism is the guiding principle in Montessori, the children judge each other based on behavior and attitude rather than race. The overall result in the children is a benevolent attitude toward their classmates. They accept each other as individuals, each with his own personality, each with his own strengths and weaknesses. Individualism is the norm, and they learn to value others' differences. Montessori education is not racist. Eradicating racism was inspired by the Declaration of Independence. It has been done anywhere where people judge each other as individuals with their own minds and treat each other accordingly. It has been done in Montessori classrooms, where the child is treated as a distinct person with a free will. There is no point in being a Montessori educator unless Maria Montessori's principles are adhered to and supported explicitly. Instead of workshops on social justice topics, Montessori organizations should feature seminars on the value and role of the individual in eliminating racism, and should glorify and celebrate the fact that the Montessori Method is based on individualism. My late mother had an expression whenever I had a morning question about the weather. She would say in Spanish something like "open the window and see for yourself." Well, Democrats need to open the window and see what is happening in Texas. Down in McAllen, a GOP candidate was elected mayor. Did I tell you that McAllen is about as Hispanic as they get? It's hard to think of a more Hispanic city in Texas. Nevertheless, Javier Villalobos, a very Hispanic name, shook up the political conversation on the border. This is the story: A newly elected Latino Republican mayor set to represent an 85% Latino town in Texas believes many Latinos are "opening their eyes" after years of supporting Democratic candidates. "Well, during the past election, it's amazing what happened here in South Texas," said Javier Villalobos , who is set to represent McAllen as mayor. "I think, generally, the Hispanic community is very conservative, yet, traditionally, they voted Democrat. It's amazing what happened this past election. I think our numbers as far as conservative voters were up by substantially. We finally, finally have competition in South Texas. So I think it's going to open up the doors for a lot of people." Villalobos, who previously served as chairman of the Hidalgo County GOP in South Texas, signaled optimism that the GOP is now making headway with the traditionally Democratic constituency in the region. Let's not forget that President Trump flipped a few border counties in 2020. In the Dallas area, two cities, Arlington and Ft. Worth, elected GOP mayors with significant Hispanic populations. It was 54-45% in Arlington or a 9-point lead. It was 53-46% in Ft. Worth or a 7-point lead. Yes, no landslide, but not close, either. What does all of this mean? It means that Hispanics are showing a lot more maturity as voters. They vote Democrat but are open to a different message. The GOP's next opportunity is our new "heartbeat" law. Wait until the ministers and priests start talking in church about aborting a baby with a heartbeat. I believe that Hispanic women will support this new law and open up new opportunities for GOP candidates. As my mom said, open the window and see for yourself. PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk). Image: Javier Villalobos. YouTube screen grab. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. A few months ago, I received an email from someone with whom I shared an apartment 40 years ago when I was an exchange student in England. "Are you the same Andrea Widburg who writes for American Thinker?" Why, yes, I am. It turns out that my friend did the same thing I did: she became a conservative with the passing years. She cheered on Brexit and has been unhappy with England's totalitarian lockdown. We've been corresponding regularly for months now, and she sends me fascinating grumbles about life in 21st-century Britain. Not that she's a grumbly, negative person; it's just that she, like the rest of us, is a sane person living through insane times. Today, though, my friend sounded a happy note: I was going to share the wisdom of Robert Louis Stevenson with you, but I also wanted to tell you about one ray of light in the gloom and that is we have a new radio and TV channel in the UK called GB News. The TV channel had a few teething problems on its inaugural night, with the sound very much out of synch with the presenters' lip movements and so it ended up being a bit like Lina Lamont and Don Lockwood in Singin' in the Rain "Yes, yes, yes!" "No, no, nooooo!" However, quite satisfactorily, it's already got up the noses of the MSM and some woke companies because it's a conservative news channel. I am sorry I have to make the link an article from the BBC but GB News own website will ask you for your permission to read it, which is annoying. The "up the noses" to which my friend refers is the fact that several woke companies have already pulled advertising from the channel and Piers Morgan is not impressed: Broadcaster Piers Morgan has attacked Ikea after it became one of a number of companies to withdraw advertising from newly launched news channel GB News. The former Good Morning Britain anchor said the Swedish furniture makers were "pathetic virtue-signalling twerps" and that he would now be boycotting them. Ikea said it had not knowingly booked slots on GB News, saying it was not in line with its "humanistic values". Andrew Neil, GB News' chairman, issued his own response to the decision. "Ikea has decided to boycott GB News because of our alleged values," he wrote on Twitter. "Here are Ikea's values - a French CEO who is a criminal with a two year suspended jail sentence for spying on staff." [snip] Octopus Energy and cider firm Kopparberg are among the other brands that have withdrawn advertising since GB News' launch on Sunday. [snip] The Open University and Ovo Energy also said they were pausing advertising, which they said had been placed by a media partnership without their knowledge. So what is it about a new channel that twisted the knickers of all these companies? The same article explains: GB News has vowed to fight cancel culture and reflect voices not heard in the media. But it has faced criticism from campaigners such as the group Stop Funding Hate, who say its launch brings highly partisan Fox Newsstyle programming to the UK. Neil, the BBC's former political presenter, has dismissed the Fox News comparisons as "nonsense". As chairman and a presenter, he has promised to challenge the "echo chamber" of the "metropolitan" news. In an opening monologue to viewers on Sunday night, Neil said GB News would aim to "puncture the pomposity of our elites in politics, business, media and academia and expose their growing promotion of cancel culture for the threat to free speech and democracy that it is". What's incredibly funny is how the BBC article describes "cancel culture." It's not real, you see. Instead, it's "an idea generally promoted by right-leaning commentators." These obviously biased people say people on the left "are seeking to suppress free expression by permanently shaming and ostracising individuals deemed to have transgressed." You can tell that the problem is actually on the right because "woke culture" is a good thing, at least as the BBC defines it: it's "a call for an increased alertness to social justice." It's only those unfeeling right-wingers who "feel [it] has strayed into stifling political correctness." The manifest bias in the BBC's writing, which renders it incapable of honest reporting, explains exactly why it's a great thing that Britain finally has even a mild version of an alternative medium. No wonder my friend is celebrating. Meanwhile, that group mentioned above, "Stop Funding Hate," is engaged in the hate-filled activity of trying to stop companies from advertising on GB, thereby strangling it: The group has begun compiling a list of brands advertising on the fledgling channel - urging its 120,000 followers on Twitter to exert pressure on them on social media. May I strongly suggest that our British readers fight back by boycotting any company that refuses to advertise on GB? I know that, here in America, I'm jettisoning my plan to buy some new sheets from Ikea. My search for affordable, good-quality sheets that are not made in China will continue. For now, everyone should take comfort from the fact that 336,000 people tuned in to see GB News's launch, more than watched either the BBC or Sky News. May its audience continue to grow. Image: GB News's first broadcast. YouTube screen grab. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Has Joe Biden come into his "French Laundry" moment? Just weeks after telling states not to hold large Fourth of July celebrations, and banning fireworks at Mount Rushmore, his White House is busy throwing a huge party for it, and oh, if other states want to join him at this late date, they're welcome. According to Legal Insurrection's Mary Chastain: President Joe Biden will host a large Independence Day gathering on July 4 after telling states not to have celebrations and even denying some permits to hold fireworks. The White House encouraged officials to host their own events, but I cannot imagine anyone would have an easy time organizing something so big in only two-and-a-half weeks. This rather reveals his hypocrisy. Biden has known for a long time the origins of the COVID virus. He's also known for a long time the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin. Yet he's constantly harped and hectored in a bid to extend lockdowns. He's been particularly harsh on South Dakota's Gov. Kristi Noem, who's tried to lift her state from the post-COVID doldrums in the natural way of the state, which is to celebrate at Mount Rushmore. Noem was suing him for that one. Yet Biden carried on, and somehow, we learn that now he encourages celebration. This is a far cry from "if you don't behave, no Fourth of July for you," which he said in April as a means of threatening citizens into getting vaccinated. Remember this? The South Dakota incident bears a closer look. Biden tried to shut down the South Dakota celebration out of petty, vindictive spite. He knew that the celebration is a big deal in South Dakota and, very likely, would be attractive to Republicans. So he tried to shut that down, very much on political grounds. Too many Trumpsters might enjoy it, you see. Now that he's being hit in the polls for all of his incompetence, including COVID-handling, he's suddenly interested in opening the country, hoping everyone forgets in time for midterms. Yes, it will be hard to start celebrations of this kind. It's possible some states won't start them. That's the point. The entire COVID mismanagement with lockdowns and masks has been a disaster. It's been a corruption-fest, a nomenklatura hog wallow, and a politicization of law and order. Most of all, it's been about hypocrisy. Stand up and take a bow, Joe Biden. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Tuesday night at LewRockwell, I read a terrific article that laid out a plausible near future for our declining nation, "The Three-Way Squeeze" by James Howard Kunstler. Conservatives and libertarians really ought to read it. Those disgusted and horrified by the state of our nation will take heart at Kunstler's opening line: Here is why the "Joe Biden" regime only has a few months to live: it is caught in a squeeze between some of the greatest lies in world history, and they're all unraveling now. Kunstler then explains the three Big Lies that he feels will soon doom the current regime. The first Big Lie concerns the government's handling of the pandemic. He touches on Dr. Fauci's involvement in and funding of the Wuhan lab, the medical bureaucrats squashing of therapeutics like HCQ, and the adverse effects of the COVID vaccines, which aren't getting a lot of press. Kunstler's Big Lie No. 2 concerns the presidential election, which he thinks was fraudulently "won." This second lie is where we get some delicious "red meat": the Arizona vote audit. We learn that other states are going to Arizona to observe their audit. You'll love this section. The third Big Lie concerns the economic recovery. Kunstler thinks that since the 2008 financial meltdown, the U.S. economy has been "held together with the baling wire and duct tape of Federal Reserve money games and ... government fiscal recklessness." Kunstler thinks we will soon have to admit that there won't be a true recovery and that we are entering what he calls "the long emergency." No cyclical depression is on the menu, I'm afraid. It's more sobering than that. Do read Kunstler's article from start to finish. Don't jump ahead, because the entire article will prepare you for the last paragraph, the Big Reveal. James H. Kunstler is an interesting cat. In addition to non-fiction (or verity), he's written novels and dabbles in painting. Visit his website to find out more about the guy. The CF of the CFN he refers to is perhaps a trifle naughty for the genteel readers of AT and might be unfamiliar. The term may have arisen in the Vietnam Era; here's an explanation of the term from Quartz. To find out what the "N" refers to, visit his website. In any event, do read "The Three-Way Squeeze." It might give you some hope that our national nightmare might not have to go on for another three and a half years. Jon N. Hall of ULTRACON OPINION is a programmer from Kansas City. Image: Sebastian Kmiecik. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Sometimes, a question can be constructed so as to contain a pre-designed answer rather than to inquire. The classic example of such a "loaded question" comes from classical Greece: "Have you stopped beating your father?" Saying "yes" acknowledges having beaten your father in the past; saying "no" means you're still doing it. Fast-forward from ancient Athens to the present-day City University of New York, and take a look at its faculty union's "Resolution in Support of the Palestinian People": Whereas, as an academic labor union committed to anti-racism, academic freedom, and international solidarity among workers, the PSC-CUNY cannot be silent about the continued subjection of Palestinians to the state-supported displacement, occupation, and use of lethal force by Israel; and Whereas, beginning on May 15, 2021, the escalating violence against Palestinians in East Jerusalem and Gaza killed hundreds of Palestinians, injured thousands more, and destroyed entire neighborhoods, including hospitals, schools, and residences; and Whereas ... Israel's pattern and practice of dispossession and expansion of settlements, dating back to its establishment as a settler colonial state in 1948, has been found to be illegal under international law, international human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch and B'Tselem have designated these practices of Israel as "apartheid" and a regime of legalized racial discrimination perpetrated against the Palestinian people; and the International Criminal Court has opened an investigation into these practices; and Whereas ... state-sponsored policies of settler colonialism link the Palestinian struggle for self determination to the struggles of Indigenous people and people of color in the United States; and Whereas [I am sure by now you get the idea of CUNY union's whereases] ... RESOLVED, that the PSC-CUNY condemns the massacre of Palestinians by the Israeli state; and be it further RESOLVED, that in fall 2021, the PSC-CUNY facilitate discussions at the chapter level of the content of this resolution and consider PSC support of the 2005 call for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS)[.] Those "whereases" inject a lot of assumptions into the question of "why was there a war between Israel and Hamas?" to reformulate it, in the worst tradition of "have you stopped beating your father," into "has Israel stopped being an apartheid state oppressing (nay, massacring' inoffensive Palestinians?" The wise men of CUNY answer in the "RESOLVED" section with a resounding "NO" by a whopping majority of 84-34. I am sorry to say it, but this is exactly what is nowadays called "sophistry" because the assumptions loaded into CUNY's "resolution" are lies from start to finish. There is no Palestinian state not because of "Israels pattern and practice of dispossession and expansion of settlements, dating back to its establishment as a settler colonial state in 1948," but because of the Palestinian rejection of the Israeli state as "a settler colonial state" rooted in their self-righteous reading of Arab history, which turns a blind eye to Arab conquests in the seventh century that engulfed what is now called Palestine, and the prior existence of the Jewish state in that area between approximately 1,200 B.C. and A.D. 300, allowing Palestinians to play innocent victims of Israel's "settler colonialism" while anywhere outside present-day Saudi Arabia, "Palestine" included, Arabs themselves are settler-colonialists. In fact, there is no difference whatsoever between what happened to the Middle East, North Africa, and Spain after the death of Mohamed and what happened to the Americas after the voyages of Columbus except for the means of transportation used to "settle-colonize" those respective areas. Israelis are not "settler-colonialists," and they are not fighting, but rather fighting back. They are not aggressors and occupiers, but defenders and liberators. That's an important difference. The CUNY union at least should have mentioned in its resolution the 4,000 rockets Hamas rained on Israel. Nor is there any connection at all between the "Palestinian struggle" and "self determination." They could have had it seventy years ago if they wanted but they do not care for such little things as "self-determination." To them, only the destruction of Israel would do. Nor does the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have anything to do with the "struggles of Indigenous people and people of color in the United States." (Nor it should be noted do those latter have anything to do with racism, certainly not in BLM's view of what racism is, meaning any attempt of law enforcement that affects a black person.) The bizarre thing is that the sophists who signed this resolution apparently see themselves as academics. In that, they are totally wrong. Sophists are not academics. Sophists seek victory in an argument no matter the cost, lies being a legitimate tool. For them, attaining truth something academics ultimately strive for is not a goal at all. This morphing of the present-day academia into a tool of public sophistry raises a question: do universities like CUNY that are no longer the seat of academic inquiry, but of political sophistry, deserve public financial support? This is not a "loaded question" at all. Image via Max Pixel. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. The public does not like Critical Race Theory (CRT) now that details of what is being brainwashed into our children have started to leak out. A majority, at 58%, expressed an unfavorable view of critical race theory, while 38% expressed a favorable view, according to the results of a YouGov/Economist poll released Tuesday. (snip) The debate has caused a partisan split on the issue of critical race theory, with 86% of Democrats expressing a favorable view of the theory, compared to 6% of Republicans. The poll revealed that independents were more likely to side with the GOP, with 20% expressing a favorable view of critical race theory, compared to 76% with an unfavorable view. While statewide bans against teaching CRT are planned, even more significant may be grassroots efforts to elect school boards that will not simply ban CRT but actually overhaul curricula and address P.C. bullying and other elements of the politicization of government-funded schools. John Hinderaker, a co-founder of Powerline and president of a Minnesota nonprofit organization, The Center for the American Experiment, has launched a strategically targeted campaign in Minnesota to recruit activists at the local level to fight CRT at the school board level. School board elections are the Achilles heel of the leftist school indoctrination strategy. They typically are very low turnout, which enables the unions to mobilize members, their friends and families, and those who make money off the schools (often the largest employer in a given town) and elect compliant school boards. The Center for the American Experiment launched a 17-city tour of the state, gathering concerned citizens to meetings in all parts of the state. With enthusiastic turnouts and targeted programs on skills needed the effect change, it looks as though the unions are panicking at the prospects of informed citizens turning out for school board elections. If it works in Minnesota, it can spread nationally like a prairie wildfire. In a post titled "THE BATTLE AGAINST CRT GETS PHYSICAL," Hinderaker describes efforts to silence his group's political speech. Read the whole thing, but consider that there are two parts to the plan. 1. Disrupt meetings. Hinderaker writes: Last night in Moorhead, however, a group of extremists showed up, determined to disrupt our event. While they comprised no more than ten percent of the crowd, they tried to take over the meeting and eventually got violent, to the point where police had to be called. One woman was led away in handcuffs. The altercation was the lead story in today's Fargo Forum: "Woman arrested following scuffle after tensions flare during critical race theory conference in Moorhead." Photo courtesy of Powerline. 2. Intimidate venues in canceling use of their space for meetings. Hinderaker writes: Black Lives Matter and the Duluth chapter of the NAACP went after the country club in Duluth that was slated to host our event there tomorrow with, among other things, a Facebook campaign. The club caved under the pressure. We found another venue, a Holiday Inn, but they gave in too, within a matter of hours after the far Left began applying pressure. The group will not be deterred. You can read their excellent press release on the subject here. You can watch the disruptors attempt to silence the meeting in a report from KVRR Television in Fargo (across the Red River from Moorhead) here. Law professor Glenn Reynolds of Instapundit writes, "Sue 'em. Sounds like a conspiracy to deprive people of their civil rights by shutting down their free speech." Before he retired from the active practice of law, John Hinderaker was a highly regarded (and feared, I am told by another member of the Minnesota bar) litigator. As the tour his group organized reveals, he is a first-rate strategist as well. A well-timed civil rights lawsuit may well be in the future. But setting a trend for a nationwide campaign to take over school boards has to be the top priority. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. John Quincy Adams was the sixth president of the United States, serving for one term from 1825 to 1828. After being defeated by Andrew Jackson in 1828, Adams fell into a funk, refusing to attend his successor's inauguration. But that was not the end of his story, and his gloom soon dissipated. Fortuitously, Adams was urged by colleagues to represent Massachusetts in Congress. Against his family's wishes, Adams successfully won and represented various Massachusetts districts from 1831 through 1848. In 1848, on the floor of the House, Adams suffered a stroke; he died two days later. Adam's service was illustrious and exemplary: he advocated passionately and relentlessly against harsh laws punishing runaway slaves, working tirelessly for slavery's abolition. One does not have to suspend one's belief to see a clear path for President Trump winning an election to represent a Florida congressional district. Half the country would be in exultation; half would join Joe in his underground bunker, while the Democrats' rioting thugs reflected their true concerns for America. In his article "Will Trump run in 2024? A fascinating clue from Don Jr.," Thomas Lifson sets forth a credible scenario in which Trump is keeping his options open, while a possible presidential successor, Florida governor Ron DeSantis, proves his bona fides. If no messy skeletons jump out from DeSantis's closet, he is a dream presidential candidate: brilliant, patriotic, practical, and empathetic. Should that come to pass, Trump would give another gift to America. Reimagining is the word of the moment. Let's reimagine Congress with President Trump as a member. It is axiomatic that he would rise quickly to top leadership positions, one would hope to Speaker of the House. Trump's positions on America First, energy independence, jobs not welfare, and diversity through inclusion would once again be expressed and attained. Support for Israel would not be doled out with ropes and anchors attached, but with appreciation for the one democracy in that part of the world who is also America's faithful friend and ally. There might even be a return to the concept of diversity as a melting pot, rather than the current odious tribal competition for gain through some other group's loss. It would also be the ultimate revenge for all of us who have endured the utter unfairness of the baseless lies, ugly unfounded attacks, and the multiple attempts to destroy Trump a truly great and consequential president. Image: National Archives, White House. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Do you remember how conservatives went out of their way to separate rank-and-file FBI agents from the corrupt actions of Jim Comey, Andrew McCabe, Bill Priestap, James Baker, James Rybicki, Peter Strzok, Lisa Page, and others as more evidence came to light revealing that the top brass at the bureau had worked to create an "insurance policy" that could be used to overthrow President Trump from office? Writers and television pundits would always couch any criticism of the bureau in some respectful language like "we're only talking about high-ranking officials here, not the FBI, itself, which is filled with the best agents in the world who are always looking out for America." I think we can dispense with the overly protective pleasantries at this point. The FBI is a goon squad of un-American thugs who have taken the worst elements of East Germany's Stasi police state and Cosa Nostra's organized crime and turned them into a blueprint for exercising and keeping illegitimate power over their enemies. They aren't a law enforcement organization, and they certainly don't give a rat's rear end about justice. They're regime enforcers with badges. If the stated reason for the FBI's inception was to pursue federal crimes that might otherwise be unenforced or overlooked in the interstate wilderness separating local jurisdictions, J. Edgar Hoover wasted no time turning the bureau into a personal domestic intelligence force capable of intimidating political enemies and insulating himself from potential removal through the use of blackmail. Before Jim Comey was secretly leaking to the press and using Hillary Clinton's "Russia collusion" dossier in an operation to take down President Trump, Mark Felt, the FBI's second-in-command at the time of the Watergate scandal and the anonymous "Deep Throat" who made Woodward and Bernstein famous, actually succeeded in secretly bringing down President Nixon. In this way, the FBI has at least as much experience overthrowing American governments as it does any enemy state. You'd think it was sufficiently clear, as evidence mounted over the last five years, that Comey and Co. had undertaken a mission (with John Brennan at CIA, Bruce Ohr at Main Justice, Nellie Ohr and Glenn Simpson at Fusion GPS, Hillary Clinton, Susan Rice, James Clapper, and Christopher Steele, the Russia hoax dossier author and former Russia desk head at Britain's MI6) to frame the sitting president of the United States as a Russian asset by repeatedly filing fraudulent FISA affidavits with America's secret surveillance court, among other unprosecuted crimes, to spy on Donald Trump and his associates. But there were also the efforts of Rod Rosenstein, Andrew Weissmann, Robert Mueller, and their army of fifty FBI agents who spent two years trying to entrap President Trump on phony "obstruction of justice" charges during a bogus special counsel witch hunt. Just as the FBI has subverted justice in order to "get Trump," it has gone out of its way to provide the Democratic Party and all its "intersectional" tribes general immunity. After disgraced FBI director James Comey laid out the elements for a prosecutable case against Hillary Clinton in 2016 for storing top-secret material on a bathroom server easily accessible to China and Russia, he immediately dismissed the idea of criminal charges, insisting that no "reasonable prosecutor" could obtain a conviction an admission that either federal prosecutors or federal juries are incapable of punishing Democrats. When the Russia hoax was finally revealed as an Intelligence Community operation run out of the Obama White House to spy on the Trump campaign and implode his presidency, nobody in charge was ever held accountable. And Black Lives Matter and Antifa have, more or less, run roughshod over America with the FBI's blessing and backing leaving no doubt that the U.S. has an intentionally rigged two-tiered justice system that protects Democrats at all costs while persecuting Republicans without remorse. However, if a century's worth of nostalgic television and film propaganda portraying the bureau as a collection of "white hats" committed to doing good lulled anyone into still believing that the FBI is anything other than irredeemably corrupt and malevolent from Director Wray down to the lowliest parking attendant then an expose in Revolver News detailing the FBI's probable infiltration of the January 6 voting rights protest and political rally in D.C. and the likelihood that undercover agents instigated and actively participated in the events at the Capitol that day should put the matter to bed once and for all. Revolver went through the available indictments filed against Americans for breaching the Capitol and noted numerous "unindicted co-conspirators ... all playing various roles in the conspiracy" who have been neither named nor charged. What Revolver tees up with its reporting, Tucker Carlson smashes onto the green with his blunt conclusion: "It means that in potentially every single case, they were FBI operatives[.] ... So FBI operatives were organizing the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, according to government documents." Armchair sleuths have been analyzing available footage of that day for months, and many have provided convincing evidence that members of Antifa and Black Lives Matter had not only covertly infiltrated the pro-Trump rally crowd but were actively breaking glass doors and pushing into the Capitol Complex. There's even video of a small cell of initial trespassers dressed all in black from head to toe operating in an organized fashion as they entered the premises that has gone viral as purported evidence that the mayhem on January 6 was due, at least partially, to the actions of a classic false flag operation meant to undermine Trump-supporters. What Revolver's analysis of the DOJ's charging documents shows, though, is that not just BLM and Antifa, but also FBI undercover agents were almost certainly up to no good that day. That's a lot of outside interlopers pretending to be Trump rally-goers for the FBI to insist that the same MAGA crowd that has never once engaged in violence or property damage over the course of hundreds of similar events during the last five years dressed in patriotic garb and draped in American flags spontaneously turned a festive, carnival-like party into a "siege" and "rebellion" against the United States. And it's especially suspicious when video footage shows cops waving protesters into the Capitol Building and when the only person killed that day was an unarmed Air Force veteran at the hands of a yet-unidentified Capitol police officer. Democrats, the U.S. military, the Department of "Justice," Liz Cheney, and the official state-controlled press have steamrolled the country with endless smears and hyperbolic claims against Trump voters, painting them as murderers and traitors and framing the Capitol incursion as a historical event of carnage and nefarious intent equal to America's darkest days the Civil War, 9/11, the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. Yet the FBI was on the ground stirring things up the whole time. Attorney General Merrick Garland pushed this false claim further by standing before the nation and declaring that the nation's greatest threat comes from Americans who advocate "the superiority of the white race." As proof for this outrageous assertion, the highest law enforcement officer in the land pointed repeatedly to January 6. Clearly, the FBI and DOJ have decided that targeting President Trump for five years is no longer sufficient. All Trump voters must be destroyed now, too. If that doesn't tank the FBI's reputation, then what possibly could? Image via Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. After a well-spoken student from Essex High School vocally opposed the teaching of Critical Race Theory (CRT) at a public town hall-style meeting to discuss CRT implementation in Vermont schools, he was promptly fired by the Essex Parks and Recreation Department. Initially, the contrived cause was "concerns around your ability to adhere to ... core values," but it was switched to "perceived threats" that "cause legitimate concern around your ability to equitably look out for the safety of everyone who attends our pools." This is CRT in action shame and attack anyone who dares challenge its race-based tenets, even teenage lifeguards. The brouhaha began when 18-year-old Alex Katsnelson read a prepared statement at the Essex public CRT discussion event. Like a sad-sack sitcom, the Essex Parks & Rec bullies pounced on the kid, parsing out his words to contrive imagined sleight: While all of your comments are concerning, several of the comments you made publicly stand out the first being: "the residents of Essex and Westford will not stand idly by as anti-whiteness invades our school system." The second being: "what you people plan to do is redistribute opportunity based solely on individual identity." The third being: "This is why we have fifth graders coming home and saying they wish they were black." A grade-school comprehension of free speech law would inform these miscreant bureaucrats that this language does not remotely approach "threat speech" or "true threats." Alex Katsnelson's comments are pure political speech, in a political forum one of the most highly protected forms of speech in American jurisprudence. Parks & Rec is guaranteeing Alex a slam-dunk lawsuit! The United States Supreme Court has ruled that speech that advocates the use of force can be restricted when it is directed to, and likely to, "incite or produce imminent lawless action." Nothing in this student's comments remotely approaches that strict standard. Yet the June 10 Essex P&R letter intones gravely: The first comment mentioned above could be taken as a threat against the school and/or our community. It is aggressive and threatening and nature, while also being vague enough to elicit fear. The second comment mentioned above uses an offensive phrase "you people" while also being very vague and intimidating in nature. The third comment, along with the rest of the public comments we have referenced, shows that you do not possess, and that you cannot uphold, the Village core beliefs and values around racial equity, diversity and inclusion. It takes a village...to unconstitutionally attack a teenager. The constitutional standards that apply to government entities do not permit the censorship of employees for saying things deemed "very vague," that "could be taken as a threat," or that "are vague enough to elicit fear." These bully bureaucrats are simply censoring this young man in the name of their "core belief": Live the "golden rule" in every interaction by demonstrating a deep regard for the diversity, needs, feelings and beliefs of all people and acknowledging the ideas and opinions of everyone. This perfectly exhibits the pernicious nature of CRT ideology it pretends to be inclusive but is brutally insistent on adherence to its cultish, race-based tenets. More, it disregards merit in favor of ideological compliance: Alex Katsnelson is not criticized as an unfit lifeguard by all indications, he is superior in those qualifications. He was fired solely for his political expression in a public forum: We have made the determination that your public comments cause legitimate concern around your ability to equitably look out for the safety of everyone who attends our pools. In addition, we feel that your public comments are likely to cause future disruption with our residents. Your comments have already begun to cause disruption amongst your peers who have seen them. Your position by its very nature requires a degree of public trust, not often found in other instances of public employment. We cannot create an unsafe environment at our pool, nor can we create a situation where any of our residents feel unsafe or unwelcome at our pool. The Essex-Westford School Board approved the Critical Race Theory curriculum on June 15. After thanking "those who opposed the equity policy for helping him to think more deeply about the district's equity work," board member Brendan Kinney exhibited his enlightened depth of thinking (and the central CRT tactic of shaming and attacking anyone who dares question its racist ideology): "Historically the work of school boards has been apolitical. Yet in recent months, we've seen partisan tactics being used to promote a political agenda," Kinney continued. "They spread misinformation, they take and twist comments out of context, they use false equivalence in making their arguments, and they deploy scare tactics to confuse parents and taxpayers." It appears as though the government actors in both Parks & Rec and the School Board are oblivious to the perverse irony in their words. Their ideology excludes the very possibility of "acknowledging the ideas and opinions of everyone" that's what the First Amendment does, and they seek to eliminate that protection for anyone who dares differ with their new religion. They are eliminating lifeguards at the public pool for having differing opinions because Vermont's CRT advocates are determined to drown young children in a toxic experimental ideology. But that United States Constitution remains a mighty rescuer... Image: Famartin via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped). To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. As expected, the media are obsessed with the Biden-Putin meeting. They are already telling us that the world loves Biden because he is not Trump. It's only a matter of time before we hear that the world's bad guys will confess their sins and release all their political prisoners because Biden is not Trump. Well, it's not that easy. In fact, we may not know for a while what Putin really thinks of Biden. It may take a bit of time before we see the results of this meeting. Back in 1961, Soviet leader Khrushchev met President Kennedy, and nuclear missiles showed up in Cuba a few months later. It happened because the Soviet leader concluded that the American president could be pushed around. By October 1962, the world was on the brink of nuclear war because of a perception in Vienna 15 months earlier. Back in 1986, Gorbachev of the USSR met Reagan of the USA. It was obvious from the photos that Reagan was the alpha male that day. It did not take long for Gorbachev to tell his team that Reagan could not be pushed around. Three years later, the Berlin Wall fell. Five years later, Gorbachev and his wife were under house arrest because of a coup. So let's wait a few months to judge the Biden-Putin summit. Unlike the aforementioned meetings, there are other parties that will watch the meeting i.e., China and Iran. At the moment, Iran has a couple of warships headed to Venezuela. My guess is that these are not cruise ships of Iranian tourists looking for sunshine at Isla Margarita. This week, China sent 28 military planes into airspace controlled by Taiwan. In a couple of weeks, the Putin-Biden meeting will be largely off the front pages. We will be chasing other topics. We will see what really happened at the Biden-Putin meeting when our adversaries make their move down the road. P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk). Image: Biden and Putin meet. YouTube screen grab. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Have any questions? Please give us a call at 907-561-7737 Legislative session ends are never pretty. This one could be ugly Andover, MA (01810) Today Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon. Cooler. High 64F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.. Tonight Overcast with showers at times. Low 56F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Andover, MA (01810) Today A steady rain this morning. Showers continuing this afternoon. Cooler. High 64F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.. Tonight Overcast with showers at times. Low 56F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. It seems like Huawei wont launch the Mate 50 flagship, at least not this year. Thats, at least, what a report from China says. Why is that? Well, the company is more or less forced to do so. As most of you know by now, Huawei has been banned by the US. It cannot use Google services on its devices, while that ban also affected the hardware side of things, significantly. The Huawei P50 series is coming, but the same cannot be said for the Mate 50 Huawei was already supposed to announce its P50 series smartphones this year, but that hasnt happened. Those devices are still expected to arrive, but the same wont happen with the Mate 50 series, it seems. Advertisement The Mate-branded flagships usually arrive in Q4 every year, as flagship offerings for the second half of the year. Well, dont hold your breath for one this year, as Huawei is said to focus its limited resources on the P50 series. If this report ends up being true, it will be the first time even Huawei did not launch a Mate flagship. The very first Huawei Mate flagship arrived back in 2013, and since then, the company has been launching one every generation. The Huawei Mate 40 series counts four devices, the Mate 40, 40E, 40 Pro, and 40 Pro+. The device was expected to arrive in form of at least three different handsets. Advertisement The Huawei P50 series is expected to launch soon Huawei fans can still look forward to the P50 series, though. The company is expected to announce several devices as part of that series, and that will hopefully happen soon. Those phones were supposed to launch back in April, but that didnt happen. The US ban, and the chip shortage probably affected Huaweis plans, while the pandemic certainly didnt help either. Huawei still did not announce when will the P50 series arrive, but it gave some indication its coming. The Huawei P50 also surfaced several times thus far, though truth be said, those leaks were not all that revealing. Purchase an online subscription to our website for $7.99 a month with automatic renewal. Each online subscription gives you full access to all of our newspaper websites and mobile applications. To cancel you may contact Customer Service @ 256-235-9253 or email JPAYNE@ANNISTONSTAR.COM For a limited time, for NEW SUBSCRIBERS ONLY a NEW ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION is just $59.99 for the first year. Existing customers do not qualify for the specials! After the first year, well automatically renew your subscription to continue your access at the regular price of $69.99 per year. Please note *Your Subscription will Automatically Renew unless you contact Customer Service To Cancel* NAPLES - The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (ADB) have approved an 83-million-euro loan to finance the second phase of Egypt's Electricity and Green Growth Support Programme. The funding is part of the ADB budget support to the Egyptian government to strengthen its electricity infrastructure, which is expected to bolster the private sector and accelerate recovery from the Covid-19 crisis. The programme seeks to enhance the power sector's financial sustainability, governance and operations to drive green energy growth. Egypt's successful reforms in the sector have led to greater private investment in renewable energy projects. "Egypt's Vision 2030 instills the sustainability ethos across all sectors," said Egyptian International Cooperation Minister Rania Al Mashat. "Energy and electricity are amongst the top sectors in Egypt's International Development Cooperation's portfolio, pushing towards a green reform. With 2021 being the year of private sector engagement, the Electricity and Green Growth Support Programme will contribute towards sustainable growth and job creation and catalyze the development of Egyptian private entities," she said. Malinne Blomberg, ADB deputy director general for the North Africa region, said ADB continues to actively engage with the Egyptian government and private sector companies to support the country's medium-term development plan and economic reforms, with a particular focus on economic infrastructure such as energy, transport, water and sanitation, as well as industrialisation. The Agence Francaise de Developpement and the Japan International Cooperation Agency have also provided financial support to Egypt Electricity and Green Growth Support Programme. PARIS - France on Thursday began its first day since last summer without a mandatory mask requirement outdoors, and the country will soon be permitted to reopen its discotheques. French Health Minister Olivier Veran said night clubs and dance clubs "will be able to reopen in the month of July". "The epidemic is in rapid decline and soon it will be under control," Veran said in an appearance on BFM TV. "We are rescinding some restrictions because the situation allows for it. The number of cases is dropping by 40% each week," he said. On Wednesday, French Prime Minister Jean Castex announced the mandatory mask requirement outdoors would end Thursday, 10 days ahead of schedule, and said the curfew would end on Sunday. BEIRUT - A general strike took place across Lebanon on Thursday, nearly two years in to the worst financial crisis of the last 30 years, with over 50% of the population now living below the poverty level, according to the UN. This is the second general strike in less than a month, and numerous unions joined. Road blocks began Thursday morning in Beirut, Tripoli, Sidon, and the Bekaa Valley, all epicentres of the periodic popular protests underway since 2019 against corruption and the high cost of living. This time, some of the parties in power had also said they would participate in the strike, but their participation was marked as "biased" by unions, who rhetorically asked: "The parties decided to protest against themselves?" Workers went on strike to protest against the deterioration of social and economic conditions amidst a crisis that began in the fall two years ago, well before the arrival of Covid, but which has been aggravated by local and global repercussions of the pandemic. Lebanon currently exists in a situation of gradually increasing political and social tension, while basic necessities such as electricity, fuel, medicines and drinking water are becoming increasingly scarce. The banking system declared bankruptcy and the government formally announced a financial default in March 2020. The local lira, for years pegged to the US dollar at a false fixed exchange rate, has lost 90% of its value in 18 months. Although prior to the crisis one US dollar was equivalent to 1,500 Lebanese lira, in recent days the currency fell even further, with the cost of one US dollar now standing at more than 15,000 lira. Migrants: 200 leave Lampedusa hotspot Mostly unaccompanied minors (ANSAmed) - AGRIGENTO, 17 GIU - A total of 200 migrants were transferred out of the Lampedusa hotspot in the province of Agrigento, fifty of whom to the quarantine ship Azzurra, and the remaining 150, mostly unaccompanied minors, to port authority patrol boats headed for Porto Empedocle. Meanwhile, 36 Tunisians disembarked at sunrise Thursday on Lampedusa after the Italian Coast Guard patrol boat CP 312 spotted them 35 miles off the island's southern coast. The coast guard transferred them to the patrol boat and their wooden boat was left adrift. After an initial health triage, authorities brought this group to the island's migrant hotspot, which has an official maximum capacity of 192 people but is currently hosting more than 1,000. (ANSAmed). TUNIS - The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR issued a joint statement in which they said no migrant or refugee should be taken back to Libya after being rescued at sea. They said under international maritime law, rescued individuals should be disembarked at a place of safety. The statement came in reference to the more than 270 migrants and refugees that the ship "Vos Triton", sailing under the flag of Gibraltar. rescued in international waters on 14 June and then handed over to the Libyan Coast Guard. The coast guard then returned them to the main port of Tripoli, where Libyan authorities placed them in detention. "The basic preconditions to ensure the safety and protection of rescued migrants and refugees post-disembarkation are lacking; therefore, Libya cannot be considered a safe place," the agencies said. In the statement, IOM and UNHCR called on States to coordinate so that merchant vessels rescuing people in distress are granted swift permission for disembarkation in a place of safety, to avoid lives being placed at risk. "The Libyan Coast Guard has returned more than 13,000 people to Libya this year, already surpassing the number of people intercepted or rescued and disembarked in all of 2020. Hundreds of others have perished at sea," the organisations said. "The continuing departures from Libya highlight the need for a predictable rescue and disembarkation mechanism along the Central Mediterranean route, with immediate effect and in full compliance with international human rights principles and standards. Migrants and refugees disembarked in Libya often end up in appalling conditions where they may be exposed to abuse and extortion. Others go missing and are unaccounted for, raising fears that some may have been channeled into human trafficking networks," they said. IOM and UNHCR also called for "an end to arbitrary detention in Libya, through the establishment of a judicial review process, and alternatives to detention starting with the immediate release of the most vulnerable". West Bank: boy shot by Israeli army dies Military said he launched explosives at soldiers in clash (ANSAmed) - HOLON, 17 GIU - Zahi Bani Shamsa, the 16-year-old Palestinian boy who was injured on Wednesday in a clash with the Israeli army near Evyatar, an illegal Jewish settlement in the West Bank, died in hospital of a gunshot wound to the head, said WAFA news agency. "A group of dozens of young Palestinians was making its way toward troops when one a suspicious object was thrown, which exploded," said the Israel defence forces. "A soldier fired first in the air and then toward the suspect, who was hit and critically injured," it said. (ANSAmed). Migrants: Johansson in Serbia to launch Frontex operation First joint mission with Serbian border guards (ANSAmed) - BRUSSELS, JUNE 17 - EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson will travel to Serbia on Thursday for a two-day visit to promote closer cooperation in migration management and security, as part of Belgrade's EU accession talks, and to launch a joint operation between EU border agency Frontex and Serbian border guards, said a statement by the European Commission. On Thursday afternoon Johansson will meet with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and European Integration Minister Jadranka Joksimovic, as well as representatives from civil society organisations. On Friday she will meet with Serbian Interior Minister Aleksandar Vulin and will participate in the opening ceremony of an EU-funded migrant reception centre in Obrenovac. Johansson will also inaugurate the first joint operation between Frontex and Serbian border agents at the border with Bulgaria, as part of the EU-Serbia accord related to Frontex.(ANSAmed). The Countess of Wessex raised her hands in joy and cheered after apparently backing a Royal Ascot winner that came in at odds of 18-1. Sophie was pictured cheering on Loving Dream, ridden by Robert Havlin, before it crossed the line first in the Ribblesdale Stakes on Ladies Day. It is believed the Queen does not bet but it is likely members of her family enjoy a flutter when at the races. An animated Countess of Wessex during the Ribblesdale Stakes (Andrew Matthews/PA) The Princess Royal and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, led the royal party at the Berkshire meet and were also joined at the course by the Queens grandchildren Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips. Zara arrived with a group of friends Dolly Maude, TV presenter Natalie Pinkham and Chanelle McCoy the wife of the great champion jump jockey Sir Tony McCoy known to the racing world as AP McCoy. One visitor to Royal Ascot caught the eye of many Jimbo, a Labrador retriever cross and a guide dog, who was wearing a little hat at a jaunty angle. His owner David Adams, 77, joined by his wife Judith, was taking a break from an epic fundraising challenge, climbing the equivalent of the worlds highest peak, Mount Everest, by walking 197 times up a local hill 29,032 feet in total. Mr Adams, from the village of Priors Marston in Warwickshire, and who is blind, said: Ive climbed it 120 times so thats 77 to go, and I hope to finish on my birthday, August 8 when Ill be 78. Guide dog Jimbo joined his owner David Adams at Royal Ascot (Andrew Matthews/PA) My knees were a bit sore at the beginning but theyre pretty good now, but its always nice to take a day off and have a glass of champagne. An array of weird and wonderful hats were on display to mark Ladies Day, with many milliners using the event to show off their creations. Hat designer Lisa Tan wore an unusual geometric piece made of fuchsia coloured straw and featuring feathers that wrapped around her head. As Royal Ascot was closed to the public last year and is now welcoming racegoers in limited numbers, she said: It feels fantastic to be back, it seems a little quiet but as soon as the racing starts the atmosphere is back its great to have some normality. But some punters were turned away after their headgear was deemed not suitable for the royal enclosure the most exclusive area of the racecourse. Milliner Lisa Tan wearing her unusual hat (David Davies/PA) Tracy Rose, 60, a milliner from London, who has been attending Royal Ascot for decades, was angry after she was turned away when she tried to enter in her extremely large art deco-style hat featuring roses. She said of Royal Ascot officials: They were saying my hat is too big. This is the 40th year Ive been coming and I wear big hats. This is 2021, this is all about diversity of people, people being who they are not who we think they should be. Royal Ascot has extensive details on its website about the type and format of clothing permitted and says fancy dress, novelty and branded or promotional clothing is not permitted on site. A kitten got trapped inside a furniture lorry travelling to the UK from Romania after it is thought he sneaked in looking for somewhere cosy to sleep. The four-week-old stowaway, named Roman by his rescuers, was severely dehydrated when he was discovered by warehouse staff in Bedford. He is thought to have been trapped on board the lorry for almost a week in baking temperatures. Roman needed intensive care and intravenous fluids after he was taken in by volunteers from the Cats Protection charity, and he will spend three months in government-mandated quarantine. Cats Protection said Roman is a little fighter (Cats Protection/PA) Tamsin Eastwood, who works at the depot, is also the co-ordinator of Cats Protections nearby Bedford and Biggleswade Branch, so warehouse staff asked for her help when they found the tiny animal. It was clear that this poor kitten was in a bad way and needed urgent help so I grabbed a cat carrier and drove to the depot, said Ms Eastwood. I asked them to check the truck for a mother cat or any other kittens, but there was only this one. It was a sad sight. The poor little thing was in a bad way. His eyes were stuck together and he was very weak. How he even had the strength to cry surprised me, but that was a good sign. Hes a little fighter and we knew what we had to do. Well never know Romans story or how he became trapped in the truck, but he probably snuck in looking for somewhere cosy to sleep and the next thing he was crossing borders in rising summer temperatures. He must have been very hot, frightened and desperately thirsty. Its a miracle he survived at all in this weather. Roman was treated by a vet and transferred to a Defra-approved quarantine cattery, where he will stay for up to three months, sponsored by Cats Protection. Naomi Williams, Cats Protections field veterinary officer, said that, on arrival, Roman was found to be underweight and severely dehydrated. He was also showing symptoms of cat flu, with swollen, inflamed eyes and lots of discharge that prevented him from being able to open them until they had been bathed by the nursing team, she said. Roman was admitted to the vets for intravenous fluids and intensive supportive care, which included antibiotics and lots of TLC. Thankfully, he responded really well to the treatments and was well enough to be transferred to the quarantine cattery the following week. As Roman is still very young, the staff at the quarantine facility will continue to provide all the extra attention he needs, including a kitten socialisation programme to ensure he grows into a happy, confident cat. At around 12 weeks, he will be given a rabies vaccination before being returned to Cats Protection three weeks later for rehoming by the Bedford and Biggleswade Branch. The cost of treatment is high so volunteers at the Cats Protection branch have launched a JustGiving page to raise money to cover the 1,600 bill. To donate, go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/romanscpappeal LGBTQ+ people experiencing homelessness issues should find it easier to open a bank account due to an initiative from a provider. HSBC UK has teamed up with Stonewall Housing as part of the banks initiative to make it easier for homeless people to access basic banking. Having access to a bank account makes it easier for people to claim benefits, receive wages and pay rent. Stonewall Housing has experienced a 55% increase in people calling its housing advice line during the coronavirus pandemic and a 48% increase in online contact. It has signed up to HSBC UKs no fixed address service, which enables people to open a basic bank account in branch when supported by a caseworker from the organisation who can verify their identity. Banks usually require proof of address or photo ID when someone opens a bank account. Stonewall Housing clients will be able to access the service at 14 HSBC UK branches across London, located in Belgravia, Bishopsgate, Clapham Junction, Croydon Northend, Enfield, Hounslow High Street, Lewisham, Notting Hill Gate, Palmers Green, Peckham, Putney, Stratford, Tooting Broadway and Walthamstow. Since the no fixed address service launched in December 2019, HSBC UK has opened basic bank accounts for more than 1,000 people who are homeless. A report recently published by Shelter found that 40% of gay or lesbian people in Britain and 49% of bisexual people do not have a safe or secure home, compared with 32% of heterosexual people. Steven McIntyre, chief executive of Stonewall Housing, said: What I love most about the no fixed address service is its simplicity. For so many years those without an address have been unable to get access to a bank account, something that is so readily available to others, and now HSBC UK have enabled them to do this with little or no fuss. Maxine Pritchard, head of financial inclusion and vulnerability at HSBC UK, said: Through our work with Stonewall Housing we will be able to make a difference to the lives of homeless LGBTQ+ people in London and we are hoping to partner with other LGBTQ+ charities so we can help individuals across the UK. More information about the no fixed address service is at https://www.hsbc.co.uk/help/money-worries/no-fixed-address/ Paul Givan and Michelle ONeill have accepted their nominations as First and deputy First Ministers of Northern Ireland, despite significant opposition from senior DUP members over the process. DUP leader Edwin Poots formally nominated Lagan Valley MLA Mr Givan at a special sitting of the Stormont Assembly on Thursday. Sinn Feins Conor Murphy nominated his party colleague Ms ONeill to take up the role of deputy First Minister. Mr Givan thanked his party leader for having confidence in me. DUP leader Edwin Poots nominated Paul Givan as Northern Irelands First Minister (Mark Marlow/PA) He told the Assembly he shares the same drive and determination to serve the people of Northern Ireland as the party leaders before him. He added: There is much goodwill from the public for this place to work. We must recognise there is more in common than separates us. Northern Ireland is a special place. The process went ahead despite a morning of uncertainty and unease from senior DUP figures who questioned their party leaders decision to proceed. It is understood a significant majority of DUP MLAs and MPs voted against Mr Pootss decision to nominate a Stormont First Minister. The vote was taken after a heated internal party meeting at Parliament Buildings ahead of the nomination process in the Assembly. The PA news agency understands that Mr Poots and First Minister designate Mr Givan had left the room before the vote took place. One senior party source at the meeting described the atmosphere to PA. Dreadful. Utterly dreadful. Never experienced the like of it, said the source. On Thursday morning, party MPs and peers sent an urgent email to Mr Poots urging him to hold off nominating Mr Givan until he explained his decision to reconstitute the powersharing administration after Sinn Fein secured a key concession on Irish language laws. A post-midnight announcement by the UK Government committing to pass the stalled laws at Westminster in the autumn, if they are not moved at the Stormont Assembly in the interim, was enough to convince Sinn Fein to drop its threat not to nominate a deputy First Minister as joint head of the devolved Executive. The development came after a night of intensive talks involving Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis and DUP and Sinn Fein delegations in Belfast. An email sent to Mr Poots, a copy of which has been seen by the PA news agency, is signed by defeated leadership candidate Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, party chairman Lord Morrow, senior MPs Sammy Wilson, Gregory Campbell and Gavin Robinson, former deputy leader Lord Dodds and a number of other senior members. In total seven of the DUPs eight MPs signed the email, with Ian Paisley being the exception. The partys five peers also signed it. Many of those who signed the email would have supported Sir Jeffrey in his leadership bid, though some, like MP Paul Girvan, supported Mr Pootss candidacy. The email read: We note the announcement made by the Secretary of State in the early hours of this morning that both you and the Sinn Fein leadership have agreed to nominate a First Minister and deputy First Minister on the basis that Westminster will legislate on the Irish language and other matters if the Assembly fails to do so by October. We are also in receipt of your email this morning regarding this agreement. We are very concerned about this development and therefore, are urgently requesting that you meet with us as DUP Members of Parliament and peers to explain the basis of your agreement with the Secretary of State and Sinn Fein before any further steps are taken in this process, including the nomination of a First Minister. Assuming you will have prior consultation with your Assembly Group, we would be happy to join this meeting. You have often spoken of the need for accountability and transparency within our party and it is now essential that you consult with us as representatives of the people of Northern Ireland before you proceed further. We look forward to hearing from you thereto. Speaking following her nomination, Ms ONeill said: We have monumental challenges ahead which require the same unity of purpose, the same urgency as we tackle the totally unacceptable hospital waiting lists which have left people crucified in pain and without hope. We must immediately set about addressing this issue together. We must mount a case to secure the funding from the British Government to rebuild and transform our incredible public health service. Our people, and the heroic health service workers we are blessed with, deserve nothing less. Nothing less. Sinn Feins Conor Murphy, Mary Lou McDonald, Gerry Kelly and Michelle ONeill speaking to the media beside Carsons statue on the Stormont estate (David Young/PA) A stand-off between the Executives two main parties over the thorny language issue had been threatening the future of the fragile institutions in Belfast. The issue came to a head this week as a result of the process required to reconstitute the Executive following the resignation of ousted DUP leader Arlene Foster as First Minister. The joint nature of the office Mrs Foster shared with deputy First Minister Ms ONeill meant her departure automatically triggered the removal of Ms ONeill from her position as one cannot hold post without the other. While Mr Poots, who succeeded Mrs Foster, has vowed to implement all outstanding aspects of the New Decade, New Approach deal, he has declined to give Sinn Fein a specific assurance that he will move on the language laws in the current Assembly mandate, a key demand of the republican party. Amid the dispute, earlier this week Sinn Fein asked the UK Government to step in and move the legislation at Westminster instead. The DUP had warned Mr Lewis against such a step, characterising it as an overreach into devolution. To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here to do so. However, in the early hours of Thursday the Secretary of State announced that the Government would table the language legislation at Westminster in October if Stormont had failed to do so by the end of September. Welcoming the move, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said Mr Lewiss intervention was the only viable way to break the deadlock. She confirmed the party would renominate Ms ONeill later on Thursday. This matter of language rights has been a long running saga, she told a post-1am press conference on the Stormont estate. For a very long time, the DUP has sought to frustrate these rights. That is most unfortunate, its also unacceptable. And tonight we have broken through that logjam of DUP obstructionism. Sinn Fein will nominate Michelle ONeill as deputy First Minister at Stormont after party president Mary Lou McDonald said she received a commitment from the UK Government to legislate for Irish language protections at Westminster. Ms McDonald earlier said she was going to meet Secretary of State Brandon Lewis late on Wednesday as her party and the DUP attempted to avert a fresh political crisis at Stormont. Mr Lewis flew into Belfast earlier in the day for talks with local politicians, saying he was exploring all options in efforts to keep power-sharing on track. To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here to do so. At 12:22am on Thursday, Ms McDonald tweeted: The British Govt has tonight agreed to legislate for Acht Gaeilge. This is the only way to break the cycle of DUP obstruction of rights. Sinn Fein will nominate @moneillsf as deputy First Minister. We have important work ahead. Mr Lewis told reporters he was disappointed the Stormont Executive had not brought Irish language legislation forward in the assembly. However, following my intensive negotiations with the parties over the last few days, I can confirm that if the Executive has not progressed legislation by the end of September, the UK Government will take the legislation through Parliament in Westminster, he said. If that becomes necessary, we will introduce legislation in October 2021. Ms McDonald said following legislation by Westminster we expect that (Irish language) commissioners will be in place by March 2022, perhaps even earlier than that, but certainly within the mandate of the current assembly. Earlier, Sinn Fein members left Stormont around 7.30pm in a three-car-convoy, which drove past the media without stopping for comment, despite members previously indicating they would. DUP leader Edwin Poots and First Minister designate Paul Givan left a meeting with Mr Lewis at around 8.45pm. The pair also drove from Stormont House without speaking to the media. Paul Givan outside Stormont (Liam McBurney/PA) The meetings came amid a stand-off between Sinn Fein and the DUP over the appointment of a new First and deputy First Minister, and the introduction of Irish language legislation provided for in the New Decade, New Approach deal. Former DUP leader Arlene Fosters resignation as first minister on Monday set a seven-day clock running within which her successor, Lagan Valley MLA Mr Givan, must be appointed. The joint nature of the office Mrs Foster shared with Ms ONeill in the latters first term as deputy First Minister meant Ms ONeill was automatically removed from the post on Monday and had to be nominated for the role again within those seven days. However, Sinn Fein had made clear it would not renominate, a move that would collapse the devolved Executive, unless the DUP agreed to press ahead with legislating on the Irish language. U.S. President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin met in their first face-to-face summit in Geneva, Switzerland. The two presidents held separate press conferences afterwards. Neither side announced major consensus on concrete actions, but both leaders said the meeting was "constructive" and there was "no hostility" during the talks. Their meeting lasted for about three hours, which was shorter than the previously announced schedule of five hours. Relations have been deteriorating for years, notably with Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, its 2015 intervention in Syria, and U.S. charges - denied by Moscow - of meddling in the 2016 election that brought Donald Trump to the White House. They sank further in March when Biden said he thoughtPutinwas a "killer", prompting Russia to recall its ambassador to Washington for consultations. The United States recalled its ambassador in April. After their meeting, Putin says he and Biden agreed to return ambassadors to posts in a bid to lower tensions. U.S. President Joe Biden and Russia's President Vladimir Putin meet for the U.S.-Russia summit at Villa La Grange in Geneva, Switzerland June 16, 2021. What did Putin have to say about being called a "killer" by Biden? Putin on Biden In a press conference following their meeting, Putin called Biden "an experienced statesman" who was "very different from his predecessor, President Trump". When asked how much he trusted Biden, Putin said there is a factor of trust, and it is not a family-based trust. Although Biden had said he would put pressure on Russia prior to the meeting, Putin said he didnt experience pressure, but there were candid exchanges. Putin said that there were no personal or diplomatic deviations from the goals of the talk. On being called a "killer" Responding to Bidens earlier accusation that he thought Putin was a killer, Putin said, Am I a killer? How do we define killer? People die all the time. He said in the U.S. the police just shot a black woman in the back, in Afghanistan, drones kill groups of civilians and the U.S. says these were mistakes. But who is responsible? Putin asked. On the media Putin said the distortion of his image in U.S. media is something he has lived with for decades. He spoke about how two Russian press outlets - RT and Sputnik - were both forced to register as foreign agents in the U.S which hindered their ability to report freely. He said that the Russian agencies have complied with all U.S. rules and regulations but U.S. press agencies operating in Russia do not follow Russian laws and regulations. When a journalist asked Putin to explain to her 9-year-old daughter whats the big deal for the summit and the Russia-U.S. relations. Putin said to make the world a safer and more reliable place, Russia and the U.S. should address together issues of terrible weapons, environment protection, food safety and healthcare. He called on reporters to cover this summit fairly based on these considerations. On sanctions When asked about U.S. sanctions against Russia, Putin said, "There's no reason to meet each other, and threaten, and exchange verbal attacks. We don't know what's brewing in the American political apparatus. Who will prevail? Who's to say? Hopefully, constructive steps will be made after this session." U.S. President Biden met the press after his summit with his Russian counterpart Putin. Biden: "I did what I came to do" in talks with Putin In a press conference following his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Joe Biden said he saw a "glimpse of hope" regarding mutual trust between the two nations, though he could not predict whether relations would improve. Biden said that at his meeting with Putin in Geneva, he told Putin that the two countries "need some basic rules of the road we can all abide by", adding, "I did what I came to do." Biden on Putin Biden said, "I think the last thing he [Putin] wants right now is a cold war." Biden added, "He's still concerned we are trying to encircle him, he is still concerned we are trying to take him down, but I don't think that's what's motivating him." On his priorities in meeting Putin U.S. President Biden said in his meeting with Russian President Putin, "My agenda isn't against Russia, it's for the American people." Biden also said it was important to meet Putin in person so there would be no mistake about the issues Biden considers crucial. These issues included strategic stability and arms measures to reduce the prospect of accidental war between the two nations and improve cyber security. On elections and alleged election interference When asked about alleged Russian interference in U.S. elections, Biden said Putin knows "there are consequences". Biden also said he thinks it's a ridiculous comparison for Putin to say the U.S. Capitol attackers are similar to protesters in Russia. Russia had said that if there were no crackdowns on the opposition protesters, Russia would see a scenario similar to the storming of the U.S. Capitol. On U.S. sanctions against Russia When asked about sanctions, Biden said, "I don't have any problem doing business with Russia, as long as they follow international norms." On foreign policy Biden said he and Putin shared a mutual interest in making sure Iran does not have nuclear weapons. Biden also raised issues regarding imprisoned Putin critic Alexei Navalny, the resurgence of terrorism in Afghanistan, and maintaining humanitarian corridors in Syria. He said Putin agreed to, "help on Afghanistan, and help on Iran, and bring physical security to the people of Syria and Libya." Biden also said he talked about Ukraine and Belarus with Putin. He said both sides agreed to pursue diplomacy on Ukraine. Biden said Putin agreed with him on what happened in Belarus, but had a different perspective about what to do about it. On China When asked a question about how Biden and Putin addressed China in their summit, Biden did not answer the question directly. He said China is trying very hard to project a good image of helping the world fight the pandemic, but its the result that matters. Biden questioned if China is trying to get to the bottom of this. He then talked about building a physical mechanism for the world to detect the next virus and respond. Earlier, China urged to the U.S. to deal with the virus in a responsible manner, take actions for its promises, and share the COVID-19 vaccines with the world. China also said it had provided the world over 350 million vaccines, but while the U.S. had pledged to donate 500 million doses, very few of those had been delivered. Closing remark At the end of Biden's press conference, CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins asked why Biden kept saying hes confident about changing Putins mind and had a constructive summit with Putin, when almost no consensus was reached. Biden responded, "You are in the wrong business". Biden subsequently stopped before boarding Air Force One to apologize to Collins for being a "wise guy".Collins said it was "completely unnecessary" but appreciated Biden's apology. She says she was just doing her job. (CGTN) Take shorter showers. Only use the sprinklers in the cooler parts of the day. Run the dishwasher less often. Recycle sink and shower water for plants. Turn off the water while your brushing teeth. I don't. Other. Vote View Results JOHNS CREEK, Ga. An ethics complaint lodged against Councilwoman Stephanie Endres was closed June 1 finding no wrongdoing, ending nearly a year-long battle between the Post 5 official and the Johns Creek Convention and Visitors Bureau. Hearing officer Robert Jackson Wilson, an attorney based in Lawrenceville, presided over the ethics investigation and delivered the decision after reviewing documents submitted by both parties. Neither Endres nor the CVB requested oral arguments or an evidentiary hearing. While the disagreement (with the CVB) was sharp, the record does not contain any evidence that Council Member Endres acted improperly or that her conduct was discourteous, uncivil, coercive or abusive in any respect, Wilson said in the report. The only threat alleged in the complaint (that Council Member Endres would seek to cut off or curb the CVB funding) did not come from [Endres] directly but was alleged by the CVB to have been reported second hand by another Council Member. The Convention and Visitors Bureau filed an ethics complaint April 9 claiming on seven occasions from Sept. 10, 2020 to Feb. 16, 2021, Endres harassed and threatened to defund the organization if it did not amend its bylaws to comply with what she determined were deficiencies in complying with Georgia Sunshine Laws. The CVB also took issue with Endres use of her city email account and contact with City Attorney Ron Bennett. Endres rejected those claims, calling them a personal attack and assault. The report found the interactions between Endres and Bennet did not violate any ethics ordinances. The city attorneys participation was consistent with his representation of Johns Creek. It also found Endres was within her rights as an individual council member and citizen of Johns Creek to present questions about CVB bylaw provisions and whether those conformed to state law. I have represented the Johns Creek residents effectively, appropriately and persistently, Endres said. The report speaks for itself. I did nothing wrong. Monica Gilroy, the attorney for the CVB, did not respond to a comment request. After our 2nd year of being in business, it did not take long to figure out that people absolutely love talking about health insurance! Kidding of course. However, for as much as people do not WANT to talk about it, the truth is that you MUST talk about it. Why? Read more No, people are still catching the virus No, there are new variants and unvaccinated people I'm not sure We are getting close to normal Yes, all the restrictions are gone or coming off There never was a pandemic It's just the flu! Vote View Results Online Access for Print Subscribers. Do you have a print subscription with the Argus-Press? If yes, then click here to enjoy complimentary access to our Online Content! The Delhi Polices appeal claims that the high court judges crossed their jurisdiction in bail matters by conducting a mini trial NEW DELHI: A day after the Delhi High Court allowed the bail of three student activists Natasha Narwal, Devangana Kalita and Asif Iqbal Tanha the Delhi Police has challenged the order in the Supreme Court, calling it perverse. The Delhi Polices appeal claims that the high court judges crossed their jurisdiction in bail matters by conducting a mini trial and had gone overboard with their comments on dissent not amounting to terrorist act without realising its impact on pending trials under the UAPA and cases being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). While granting bail to the three activists, arrested under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in connection with last years anti-CAA protests, the high court had on Tuesday held that a protest does not amount to a terrorist act. The high court order, which came as a major blow to Delhi Police, concluded that the accused had taken part in a protest against CAA that was lawful and was monitored by law enforcement agencies. The three student-activists, however, remained in jail on Wednesday as the police claimed procedural delays in verifying their sureties and addresses. In three separate orders on Tuesday, the high court had granted regular bail to them till conclusion of trial on each furnishing a personal bond of Rs 50,000 and two sureties. They were also asked to surrender their passports and intimate the police about their place of residence. The high court order said that the right to protest is constitutionally guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) and cannot be termed as a terrorist act within the meaning of Section 15 of the UAPA. Within 24 hours of the high court order, Delhi Police filed its appeal in the apex court through lawyer B.V. Balram Das, terming the judgment perverse, and in a Delhi sessions court, which is to sign the final release order of the three student activists, the police said on Wednesday that it needs time to verify the outstation permanent addresses of Ms Narwal, Ms Kalita and Mr Tanha for the purpose of their release. In its appeal in the Supreme Court, the police said that the high court has gone by the social media narrative rather than the evidence gathered and elaborated in the chargesheet. The police has contended that the high court has not only conducted a mini-trial but has also recorded perverse finding which are contrary to record and that the high court completely lost sight of the evidence and statements and it also discarded the evidence, which clearly made out a sinister plot of mass-scale riots being hatched by the three accused along with other co-conspirators. In the sessions court, while seeking time to file the verification report for the release of the three student-activists, the police said that since Mr Tanha, Ms Narwal and Ms Kalita are permanent residents of Jharkhand, Assam and Rohtak respectively, it requires time June 18, 19 and 21 respectively to verify the three addresses. Additional sessions judge Ravinder Bedi has reserved the order in the plea moved by the student-activists seeking their immediate release from Tihar jail. During the course of hearing, the sessions court abruptly removed all the media persons attending the proceedings from the virtual hearing link. A defence lawyer said that the student activists were arrested from their residences in the city, which are listed in polices documents. "Our work is to submit the bail bond. The high court order is clear... accused have to be released within 24 hours once they submit a bail bond We have done our work. Can't be in jail because police haven't done their work, their lawyer said. In February this year, the two nuclear-armed neighbours agreed to a strict observance of the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) A year ago, in retaliation to the illegal custody and barbaric treatment then of two Indian High Commission staffers in Islamabad by Pakistani security agencies after being abducted at gunpoint, India had in June last year asked Pakistan to reduce its staff at its High Commission in New Delhi by half. Representational image/ AP New Delhi: India and Pakistan on Wednesday approved fresh visas for each others officials for their respective diplomatic missions, thereby defusing an ongoing simmering row on the matter, sources confirmed. This was after New Delhi was apparently miffed over Pakistan not issuing visas to Indian diplomats for fresh postings, according to reports. It may be recalled that a year ago, in retaliation to the illegal custody and barbaric treatment then of two Indian High Commission staffers in Islamabad by Pakistani security agencies after being abducted at gunpoint, India had in June last year asked Pakistan to reduce its staff at its High Commission in New Delhi by half. India too then reduced its own staff in Islamabad by the same 50 percent proportion. It may also be recalled that In August, 2019, Pakistan had "downgraded diplomatic relations with India", with Islamabad asking New Delhi to "withdraw" the then Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria. This was after India had decided to bifurcate the then Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) state into two union territories--J&K and Ladakh besides revoking Article 370 of the Indian Constitution that effectively ended the special status for J&K. However, in February this year, the two nuclear-armed neighbours agreed to a strict observance of the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC). The states which are embracing greater data transparency deserve to be cheered even if by doing so, they push up Indias Covid death count In hyper-polarised India, it needs dollops of bravery for governments to admit that they got their Covid-19 death data wrong, that the magnitude of the problem they face in the time of the pandemic is more serious than they previously stated. Because political rivals are likely to pounce on such bursts of honesty as evidence of rank incompetence. Nevertheless, some states are taking baby steps towards greater transparency of Covid-19 data. That is good news. Bihar is in the spotlight. Covid-19 death figures in the state shot up from 5,478 on June 8 to 9,429 on June 9 in the wake of data revision. The dramatic jump in the number of coronavirus casualties did not happen because the Bihar government suddenly woke up to the need for good data. It was because the judiciary stepped in. The Patna high court demanded an audit of the figures after widespread allegations that the state government was underplaying the scale of infections and deaths. Arguably, Bihar is not the only state which has faced such accusations. Ground reports by the media from crematoriums in many places, along with images of dozens of bodies dumped in rivers or buried in shallow graves have only bolstered the widespread belief that the official Covid-19 death count in the country doesnt tell the real story. Many states like Maharashtra and Telangana are revising their official death toll in the Covid-19 pandemic. Interestingly, Jharkhand, one of Indias poorest states, is setting an inspiring example by initiating an Intensive Public Health Survey. This is the first such door-to-door counting of deaths by any state during the second wave of the pandemic. It has revealed that 25,490 people died in the state in April-May 2021 -- that is 43 per cent higher than the 17,819 total deaths officially registered across all 24 districts in the state in April-May 2019. What should one make of this sudden rush for data integrity in many states even as the pandemic rages on? Will other states follow suit? Will the Narendra Modi government stop denying that Indias official Covid-19 death toll is a massive undercount? It is too early to tell. The pandemic is indeed making many countries finally acknowledge that they have been undercounting Covid-19 deaths. Peru did it. Mexico did it. But truth-telling may not be as contagious as the mutating coronavirus. Here in India, even as state governments start to revise their Covid-19 data, the Centre insists all is well. It recently lashed out at an international newsmagazine for pegging the countrys excess deaths due to the pandemic at 5-7 times the official figure. But better late than ever. Whatever be their motives, the states which are embracing greater data transparency deserve to be cheered even if by doing so, they push up Indias official Covid-19 death count. As health economist Rijo M. John puts it: Those brave states that are indeed doing this must be appreciated and I hope it motivates the rest to do so too. Dr John cites the example of Maharashtra, which he says has been relatively honest with the data right from the beginning, compared to many others. Now, more states are joining in. In India, even in normal times, many deaths are not officially recorded. Globally two-thirds (38 million) of 56 million annual deaths are still not registered, according to the World Health Organisation. But the coronavirus pandemic may have set in motion a laudable trend; many governments are beginning to acknowledge that there has been a massive undercount of deaths. The science of death-counting is making headlines and the critical need for strong and developed death registries is a talking point. Dr Hemant Shewade, a medical doctor specialising in community medicine and operational research, points to the uneven quality of even routine surveillance of deaths in the country. The coverage of routine death surveillance (proportion of deaths registered along with medical certification of cause of death) is as high as 100 per cent in Goa and as low as 2.5 per cent in Jharkhand. One did not really expect 100 per cent accuracy in Covid-19 death reporting. We cannot improve routine death surveillance overnight. But in the time of the pandemic, the problem rose because the undercounting of deaths was way too high, he told me. What is really unacceptable, says Dr Shevade, is singling out certain states for contributing higher proportion of reported Covid-19 deaths. This creates an environment that encourages poor Covid-19 death reporting. Why is accurate Covid 19 data so important? Because poor data makes for poor planning. The administration, as well as the public, become lax as the true picture is not presented. Then it takes a wave as large as the second wave to wake us up. By then any action is too little too late, says Dr Shevade. What should be done? Public health experts who have been tracking the Covid 19 numbers stress the importance of making an honest attempt to not show less numbers by reporting all Covid-19 deaths, captured by routine death surveillance. Accepting that under-reporting is an inescapable reality in India, we need regular local estimates of under-reporting to guide us regarding the true estimate of mortality, says Dr Shevade, This can be done through post-mortem surveillance of all Covid-19 deaths in sentinel sites. Every district should have one sentinel site (local data for local action). This should be explored. This is important because in a country like India it takes time for data on excess deaths to come out. Alongside inaccurate data, there is the problem of inadequate data. Together, they create a fertile ground for the spread of misinformation which severely hampers the battle against Covid-19. Many public health experts say the Centre must proactively and regularly publish reliable all-cause mortality data in regular intervals at the national level so that studies using incomplete and unreliable data to measure the true extent of deaths become redundant. Telling the truth may seem politically risky, but its the only way out. Bad data causes reputational damage. India has already suffered heavily with its official Covid-19 data being widely questioned and public trust being dented. Its true that the Indian Council of Medical Research has issued a Guidance for appropriate recording of Covid-19 related deaths in India, as the Centre likes to stress. However, there are gaps. As Dr Rijo John tweeted last week: Do you have data to show which states adhere to these guidelines which do not? What actions have you taken against those who didnt? Japan has been struggling since late March to slow a wave of infections propelled by more contagious variants Workers paste the overlay on the wall of the National Stadium, where opening ceremony and many other events are scheduled for the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics, on June 2, 2021, in Tokyo. Tokyo: Japan is set to announce a decision Thursday to ease a coronavirus state of emergency in Tokyo and six other areas this weekend, with new daily cases falling just as the country begins making final preparations for the Olympics starting in just over a month. Japan has been struggling since late March to slow a wave of infections propelled by more contagious variants, with new daily cases soaring above 7,000 at one point and seriously ill patients straining hospitals in Tokyo, Osaka and other metropolitan areas. Daily cases have since subsided significantly and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is expected to downgrade the state of emergency when it expires on Sunday to less stringent measures. Despite concerns by medical experts and the public over the potential risks of holding the Olympics, Suga has said he is determined to hold a safe and secure Games starting July 23. Holding the Olympics before elections in the fall is also a political gamble for Suga, whose support ratings have tumbled over dissatisfaction with his handling of the pandemic, a slow vaccination drive and a lack of explanation how he intents to ensure the virus doesn't spread during the Olympics. Experts at a virus panel meeting Thursday gave preliminary approval for government plans to downgrade the emergency in Tokyo, Aichi, Hokkaido, Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo and Fukuoka. We must do everything we can, and provide firm financial support as well, said Dr. Shigeru Omi, head of a government COVID-19 panel. At a parliamentary Health and Labour Committee last week, Omi cautioned that holding the Olympics in the middle of the pandemic is abnormal and warned that it would increase the risk of infections. The measures will remain in Okinawa, where hospitals are still overwhelmed, while Hiroshima and Okayama will be taken off the list. Suga is expected to announce a final decision later Thursday. . Japan does not enforce hard lockdowns and the state of emergency allows prefectural leaders to order closures or shorter hours for non-essential businesses. Those that comply are compensated and violators fined. Stay-at-home and other measures for the general population are only requests and are increasingly ignored. Ryuji Wakita, the director-general of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases who heads a government COVID-19 advisory board, said infections have decreased in many areas, but the slowing has bottomed out in the Tokyo region. He warned that infections could increase and that signs of a rebound are already seen among younger people. Even as more people are getting the jabs and most of the country's 36 million senior citizens are expected to be fully inoculated by the end of July, younger people are largely unvaccinated and infections among them could quickly burden hospitals, Wakita said. In order to prevent another upsurge, it is crucial to prevent the people from roaming around during the Olympics and summer vacation, he said. Experts say it is crucial to accelerate the vaccine rollout for the Olympics to be safe. Suga has opened up mass inoculation centers and started vaccinations at major companies, part of an ambitious target of as many as 1 million doses per day. As of Tuesday, only 5.6% of Japanese were fully vaccinated. In hard-hit Osaka in western Japan, hospital capacity has improved and new infections dropped to 108 on Tuesday, down from more than 1,200 a day in late April. In Tokyo, new cases are down to around 500 per day from above 1,100 in mid-May. Tokyo Gov Yuriko Koike has said effective virus measures need to be kept in place. Athens, TX (75751) Today Cloudy this morning with thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High around 85F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with more showers at times. Low 72F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%. NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS FOR TIERED PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS SUV The first-ever race was held here in 1916, and back then, a Romano Demon Special managed to complete the course in 20 minutes and 55 seconds! Fast forward to 2021, the current record stands at a whopping 7 minutes and 57 seconds. This was established by Romain Dumas, driving an electric Volkswagen I.D. R , back in 2018. I can still remember following the race when everyone was trying to break the 10-minute barrier.With less than two weeks left until the 99th edition of the "Race to the Clouds" , the people over at Acura have come up with some interesting news, for both people interested in the race itself, and also for those who would much rather stick to normal day-to-day vehicles. The 2022 MDX Type S has been designated to be the official tow vehicle for the Acura Race Team and is being showcased alongside the TLX Type S, which it will transport from Raymond, Ohio, all the way to Pikes Peak in Colorado.In total, four Acura race cars will be taking on this year's challenge, and I find it very suiting that everyone on the team, from mechanics to drivers, is an Acura R&D engineer. This goes to show that the knowledge gained by competing in these cars will most definitely be used in the development of future models, making tomorrow's cars faster and safer at the same time. The new MDX is going to be the first Acurato wear the Type S badge, which might be a turnoff for people who used to love the Integra, but might help the brand appeal to a whole new audience of clients who need an SUV in their lives but also need it to be fast and exciting at the same time. With 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft (480 Nm) of torque on tap, this is going to be the brand's quickest and most powerful SUV yet.This turbocharged V6 unit is going to be available exclusively on Type S models, and future owners can rejoice at the idea that their car has benefitted from the work of several Acura engineers that have also helped develop the twin-turbo V6 NSX . Acura is advertising the MDX Type S as a high-performance SUV, and with its Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system, Bremo front brakes, and double-wishbone front suspension, this might be interesting to drive.As you might already know, the 2021 Acura TLX Type S Pace Car will be driven by "Wheeler Dealer" star Ant Anstead , but let's have a look at the race cars as well. This year's drivers have some big shoes to fill, as in 2019, Peter Cunningham set a Pikes Peak Open Class record in an Acura TLX GT race car. At 9 minutes and 24 seconds, this was faster than what David Donner could achieve in a 2019 Porsche GT2 RS Clubsport one year later.Not only that but the Hybrid Class record also bears the Acura logo, as it was set by James Robinson behind the wheel of an NSX, with a time of 10 minutes and 1 second. The front-wheel-drive record belongs to Nick Robinson, and it was set three years ago, in a 2018 TLX A-Spec, with a time of 10 minutes and 48 seconds. So the task ahead is quite enormous, to say the least, but with four cars at their disposal, Acura might still have a word to say this year too.Jordan Guitar is going to take on the Exhibition division in one of the two TLX Type S, while Justin Lumbard will attack the Open division in the second car. James Robinson will be back in his NSX in the Time Attack 1 division, while Nick Robinson is also driving an NSX in the Exhibition class. Each of the cars has been prepared accordingly, and chances are high that at least one new record will be set this year.Justin Lumbard's TLX Type S is about 600 lbs (272 kg) lighter than a road-going version of the same vehicle, and it also has a race-spec suspension, race-compound brakes that also come with additional cooling, and lightweight HRE wheels that are wrapped in Pirelli slicks for maximum grip levels. Lumbard has been part of the team since 2017 and has been leading it since last year. He finished 6th in the Exhibition division in 2020, driving a 2021 TLX 2.0T.While Justin Lumbard is an engineer, Jordan Guitar is a member of the Acura Chassis Development Group, so you can be sure that he knows a thing or two about what it takes to build a highly capable performance vehicle . He has been driving at Pikes Peak for the last three years now, and he will be taking on the challenge once again. His car is slightly heavier than that of Justin Lumbard, but that isn't going to slow him down too much.The Time Attack NSX is back at Pikes Peak for the fifth year in a row, but its driver, James Robinson is now celebrating his 11th official race here. He will undoubtedly try to break his previous record, and with 625 horsepower on tap, and an overall reduced weight figure, he needs just two seconds to break the ten-minute barrier. That might not sound like a difficult task, but consider the fact that he has to drive 12.42 miles (19.98 km) up the mountain, with 156 turns between him and the finish line.Nick and James are brothers, and it only seemed fitting that both of them would drive NSX models for the race. While James is behind the wheel of the Time Attack version, Nick has been given the assignment of taking on the Time Attack 2 class, where he will attempt to set a record this year, in his near-stock NSX. The only thing he can count on for this race is the OMP safety equipment and a set of Hoosier race tires. Whatever the future holds for the storied nameplate, Chevrolet doesnt appear to be all that interested in the rear-driven sportster. For the 2022 model year, for example, the 1LE package will be removed from the 2.0-liter turbo and V6 engine option based on ever-shrinking customer demand.Enthusiasts wont be happy to hear that GM wont offer a special edition to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the Camaro, and Chevrolet has also removed two visual packages from the options list. On the upside, prospective buyers can look forward to a brand-new metallic paint color for the exterior known as Vivid Orange. It will be joined by Rapid Blue while Shock Yellow will be phased out because few people actually like this hue.According to the dealer fleet order guide, the 2022 Camaro receives copper-free performance brakes because of Arnold Schwarzenegger . More to the point, it was 11 years ago when the former Governor of California signed a senate bill into law, a bill that bans pads with more than 5% copper content.The order guide - which is available below as a .pdf - also lists Design Package 3 as new for the 2022 model year. Identified under regular production order code PDP, this option consists of five-spoke forged wheels with a polished finish, sueded knee pads, Satin Black for the hood stripe, a Silver Ice Metallic front-fender hash marks, a visible carbon-fiber insert for the black-painted fuel filler door, Carbon Flash-painted ground effects, and premium carpeted floor mats. The package is available on every Camaro version from the 1LT to the 2SS, leaving only the entry-level 1LS and range-topping ZL1 trims out. SUV Dacia is best known for making good value cars that offer all the essentials in a good quality package at one of the lowest prices on the market. It's no surprise, then, that one of Dacia's model, the small hatchback Sandero , was the fourth best-selling car in 2020 across the EU, with only a little over 300 units keeping it from making the top three.Now, though, Renault is seemingly attempting to switch Dacia's positioning on the market a little, presumably allowing Lada to fill the gap this move might leave behind. Once all about value, Dacia is moving toward a more adventurous, outdoorsy, all-around cool character, and this new logo and visual identity will likely help it get there.The new logo was more or less previewed on the Bigster Concept revealed earlier this year, thethat should slot above the only other one currently in Dacia's lineup, the Duster. Even though the company didn't particularly talk about it much, it was obvious the change was going to happen.Now, though, Renault has just made it official. The new logo features a highly stylized and geometrical representation of the letter "D" and "C", which is a big departure from the old logo that featured a complex, rounded shape and a gradient color. Like all the other brands before it (BMW, Volkswagen , Nissan, Kia), Dacia is going for the simple yet powerful approach. The Bigster Concept already showed how it could very easily be integrated into a more complex grille design, which is where the advantage of having a completely geometrical logo shines through.In terms of colors, Dacia is going for a natural palette with the khaki-green you see here at its core. The other three main colors are equally earthy - dark khaki, terracotta, and sand - with the two secondary ones responsible for providing the accents: bright orange and green.As is usually the case with such important changes, Dacia plans to introduce the new identity gradually. It will first be used in various official communication channels starting this month, with the company's outlets set to commence their full conversion early next year. As for the actual vehicles, you'll have to wait until around this time next year to see the DC logo applied. Alternatively, you can just look at the Bigster Concept now. EV AV It was only a few years ago that GM announced its intention to invest in electric () and autonomous vehicles () development. Now, the company is talking about a massive 75% increase from the initial planned investment, adding up to a total of $35 billion from 2020, when it began, through 2025. So, where exactly are these funds being distributed? First of all, GM is definitely on a roll when it comes to developing Ultium battery cell production in the U.S.Only a couple of months ago, the company announced that the construction of a second plant was about to start, in Tennessee , the first one being in Ohio. While these 2 are currently being built, GM just dropped the news that 2 more battery cell manufacturing plants will be added in the following years. This goes to show that the American vehicle manufacturer is literally putting their money on the Ultium battery, a technology thats new on the horizon and that was developed together with LG Chem.The other thing that GM is betting on is the Hydrotec fuel cell technology. If the Ultium battery is GMs ticket to conquering the EV world, Hydrotec opens the doors to many other automotive projects. The worlds first battery-powered locomotive (in collaboration with Wabtec), hydrogen-powered heavy trucks (together with Navistar), hydrogen-powered auxiliary power units for jets (together with Liebherr-Aerospace) and even next-generation lunar vehicles (with Lockheed Martin) are just the beginning.As far as AV goes, GMs subsidiary, Cruise, is now the first company to provide driverless AV passenger services to the public in California, it also operates in Dubai and will soon start testing in Japan. GM is also set to begin building the Cruise Origin at its ZERO Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Center, next year. And, of course, EV production is also at the forefront. Besides 30 new EVs to be available globally by 2025, GM also intends to add new electric trucks and to increase assembly capacity for EV SUVs in the U.S.Well find out more about that later on, as the company releases new information. Baluchon is a tiny house builder from France and it has quite a few popular models in its portfolio so far. The Salamander (or La Salamandre, if you want to French it up), is their latest project. The miniature house was built for rental use and it now accommodates tourists who visit the natural park of Combe Rossignol, located 24 miles (40 km) away from Dijon, France.Despite its humble dimensions, the 19.6 feet (6 meters) house has that je ne sais quoi about it that makes it irresistible from the first glance. The Salamander is based on a double-axle trailer, has a cedar finish and an aluminum roof. The interior is a mixture of oak, pine, and spruce, giving it a warm, inviting, cozy vibe.The tiny house is simple but equipped with all the basics. It has a bathroom with a 100 x 80 cm (39 x 31 in) shower and a hand-washing unit. The kitchen area has a fridge, sink, and some cabinets. Theres an oak dining table as well that can accommodate four people for a meal.Two large windows ensure plenty of light in the living room area, one on each side, and theres a three-seater sofa that can also be used as a bed, should you need it.There are plenty of storage compartments available, including a large one on a second mezzanine above the bathroom.Access to the bedroom is provided through a staircase, and it comes with a 160 x 200 cm (62 x 78 inches) bed.Unfortunately though, Baluchon doesnt mention anything about the pricing of this model, as it is not for sale for now. But you can rent the four-guest Salamander house for approximately $180 (150) per night. This comes as little surprise, as Honda sold a little over 4,200 units of the Clarity last year Stateside, down from around 20,000 in 2018.Following the retirement of the Clarity, the carmaker will focus on its upcoming electric vehicles. Due to the better infrastructure, such models are more popular than FCVs. However, Honda might return to the hydrogen world in the future, as they said that it plays a key role in their alternative fuel ventures.Introduced for the 2017MY, the Honda Clarity FCV still appears on the U.S. website. The 2021 model can be leased in California on a 36-month contract, with a monthly rate of $379 and $2,878 due at signing. It offers a combined EPA-estimated range of 360 miles (579 km), and its high-voltage battery is accompanied by the auto firms 8-year/100,000-mile (160,934-km) warranty.The 2021 Clarity PHEV has an MSRP of $33,400 on the other side of the pond, and the Clarity Electric was dropped last year.On a related note, Japanese outlet Nikkei states that Honda has also decided to pull the plug on the JDM-spec Legend and Odyssey.The sedan was upgraded earlier this year with a Level 3 semi-autonomous driving system in its home market, and benefitted from other novelties. Its American counterpart, the Acura RLX, was dropped in 2020.Having been tweaked by Mugen with their official accessories at the beginning of the year, the domestic market Honda Odyssey has also been put to sleep. The minivan lost ground to the likes of the Toyota Alphard, so the decision doesnt come as a surprise.The Clarity, Legend and Odyssey are all built at the Sayama factory, near Tokyo, Japan, which will shut down next spring. But according to a report from Reuters , Hyundai has had enough with the struggle to find chips for its cars, so the company is now getting ready to turn to plan B in an attempt to prevent shutting down operations at its plans once again.More specifically, Hyundai wants to work together with local fabless firms specifically for a potential semiconductor collaboration, as the company believes that getting microcontroller units from South Korean designers would help prevent supply issues.But on the other hand, the transition that Hyundai is planning to make cant happen overnight, especially because right now, large automotive suppliers arent based in its home market.So in theory, Hyundai would have to rely on smaller firms for the whole thing, which obviously could lead to even more struggles, especially because these companies might have a hard time filling all orders and therefore align their production with the capacity the carmaker needs in the first place.While Hyundai has remained completely tight-lipped on its approaches to deal with the global chip shortage, somebody working for Kia confirmed the South Korean company is trying to reduce the reliance on foreign suppliers.The company is pursuing plans to localize auto chips in a bid to diversify supply chains in South Korea after experiencing chip sourcing issues, mostly caused by suppliers being outside of the country, they said.Research estimates the production of approximately 4 million cars could be affected this year due to the lack of semiconductors, with the numbers very likely to grow by the end of 2021 if foundries across the world cant fill all their orders and are hit by additional problems like suspended operations. Signed by 12,700 people at the moment of reporting, the Change.org petition is full of fallacies that will make level-headed people raise their eyebrows. Take, for instance, this line: Jeff Bezos is actually Lex Luthor, disguised as the supposed owner of a super-successful online retail store.Amazon is no stranger to controversies, but comparing a real-world magnate to a fictional supervillain is beyond comprehension. Lest we forget, Bezos and his former wife are two of the biggest philanthropists out there, pledging billions of dollars to non-profit organizations and charities.Further described as an overlord hellbent on world domination, the petitions starter claims that Jeff Bezos has worked with the Epsteins, Knights Templar, and Freemasons to gain control over pretty much everything. By the same logic, Elon Musk is a bad guy for dining with Jeffrey Epstein. One could also argue that Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and countless other were baddies for their Freemason membership, which is false.As for the Knights Templar, the Vatican reluctantly dissolved them in 1312 because King Philip IV of France had Pope Clement V wrapped around his finger. Tin-foiled individuals wrongly believe that the order still exists because the Freemasons revived the orders traditions and symbols.Jose Ortiz also says that Jeff Bezos is also in bed with flat-earth deniers. Last time I was on a plane, flying to Greece on holiday, our big blue planet didn't seem flat. And finally, this may be our last chance before they enable the 5G microchips and perform a mass takeover is how the petition fizzles out. In other words, Android Auto loads and starts correctly, but after 10 to 20 seconds, or even less, the application just disconnects.Users posting in this thread on Googles forums claim the whole thing happens with new-generation Android phones, as for some reason, Android Auto is just running flawlessly with an old device like a Samsung Galaxy S7.But the moment they switch to a new phone running Android 10 or 11, Android Auto just cant stay connected for more than a few seconds.Recently I tested it with my Samsung S21 Ultra, and the issue is the same. Just for fun I reconnected my S7 to the head unit again, and that works just fine. So it really suggests that it is related to newer version of Android on the mobile device, one user explains.The generic workarounds dont seem to be making much of a difference, so in case youre thinking of downgrading Android Auto to an earlier release or switching to a new cable, that wont help.At this point, its not really clear whats causing the error, especially because at the first glance, Android Auto doesnt seem to be the culprit given the app starts and runs correctly at first.On the other hand, a random disconnect while running the app appears to suggest the cable or a loose connection could be the one to blame, but of course, given several other cords have already been tested by people struggling with the glitch, theres a chance this isnt the problem either.Google is yet to acknowledge the glitch, and time will tell how widespread this error eventually becomes, especially as more people upgrade to new-generation Android phones. First and foremost, its important to know the new version of Google Maps for iPhone and CarPlay is 5.71, and according to the official generic changelog provided by the search giant, it brings bug fixes that improve our product to help you discover new places and navigate to them.Of course, this doesnt tell much, but what does is the small version increase from 5.70, which suggests the top priority in this update hasnt been the introduction of new features but bug fixes to polish the experience with the app.And as far I can tell, theres one important such fix in this update, though no confirmation is currently available in this regard.The bug that I told you about recently and which causes the route to no longer show up on the map displayed on the screen in the car appears to be gone after installing the update, with everything back to normal and Google Maps working properly.This glitch originally affected Android Auto , causing Google Maps to only show directions on the screens but without marking the route on the map. Google claims it has already fixed it on Android Auto, but more recently, the same behavior was spotted when running Google Maps on CarPlay.I already tested the latest update for several routes, and everything appears to be working correctly, with the route now correctly marked on the map every time.This is the second update of the month for Google Maps after version 5.70 published on June 1, but on the other hand, its only the sixth release of the year. AMG ESP In 1999, DaimlerChrysler AG purchased 51% of theshares and six years later, it acquired the remaining stake from the owner and co-founder of the company, Hans Werner Aufrecht. This move led to a change of strategy for Mercedes-AMG and the creation of the Performance Studio.Some of the carmakers brightest engineers were assigned to this Affalterbach workshop and received the task of creating a special high-performance version of the SLK AMG 55 that became the first Black Series model. Over the years, five other Mercedes-AMGs joined this exclusive club, so lets take a trip down memory lane and remember these incredible machines.Revealed in late 2006 and derived from the 2005-2006 Formula One safety car, it looked much like the regular SLK AMG 55, especially to the untrained eye, but from a technical standpoint, there was nothing ordinary about it.The naturally aspirated 5.5-liter M113 V8 was mated to a 7G-TRONIC automatic that received a separate oil cooler. Engineers worked their magic on the powerplant and ramped up its output from 360 to 400 hp.To improve rigidity, the chassis was strengthened, while a manually adjustable suspension and a fine-tunedsystem guaranteed better stability at high speeds, especially through tight corners. Additionally, stopping power was improved with the use of larger brakes and Pirelli performance tires provided more grip.The regular cars retractable hardtop was replaced by a fixed carbon-fiber roof which helped shed 99 pounds (45 kg) and lower the overall center of gravity. Inside, motorsport-inspired black velour AMG bucket seats were added, a feature that would become a tradition for the Black Series.Only 120 units were built from July 2006 to April 2007, making it the rarest model in the history of the series.Less than a year after the aforementioned model made its debut, the company unveiled the second member of the exclusive range. The recipient of the track-focused treatment was the C209 CLK, a car that was already transformed into the legendary CLK DTM AMG a few years earlier.While the Performance Studio designers behaved when styling the SLK 55 Black Series, they made every effort to impress with the new model. Sure, it wasnt as aggressive as the DTM AMG, but was distinctly beefed up when compared to the stock CLK 63. The interior also received extensive racecar-derived upgrades such as bucket seats and a redesigned steering wheel.Mercedes-AMG had just introduced the first V8 fully designed and built in Affalterbach , and although it was already fitted under the hood of the standard CLK 63, it received an increase of power from 475 to 500 hp in the Black Series thanks in part to larger intakes.Additional upgrades also included a stiffened chassis, manually adjustable suspension system, or a limited-slip differential.These monsters were built between April 2007 and March 2008 and sold globally. Some sources cite 700 as the total number of units while others mention 500. Unfortunately, the manufacturer has never revealed the official sales figures for this model.For the creation of the third Black Series car, the project was handed down to Mercedes-AMGs racing division HWA. The car selected for the job was an R230 SL 65 AMG.It was launched at the 2008 Monterey Car Week, distinguishing itself from the plebeian SL 65 by receiving a host of visual upgrades including a widebody kit, a fixed roof, and a retractable spoiler, all made from lightweight carbon fiber.Of course, the car wasnt all about looks and its 6.0-liter V12 received larger turbos and intercoolers among other improvements, allowing it to make 661 hp. With all that raw power under the hood, the SL 65 AMG Black Series is still, to this day, one of the most powerful cars ever built by the German carmaker.Weighing 551 pounds (250 kg) less than the standard model, it sprinted to 62 mph (100 kph) from a standstill in a supercar-worthy 3.8 seconds and was able to reach an electronically limited top speed of 199 mph (320 kph).It stood on 265/35R-19 front and 325/30R-20 Dunlop Sport Maxx GT tires and its chassis was revamped with extreme performance in mind. It received upgraded suspension and braking systems, becoming a fearsome track weapon.Extensively tested on the iconic Nurburgring-Nordschleife before the official launch, 350 Black Series SL 65 AMGs were built from September 2008 to August 2009.Revealed in 2011 and based on the C 63 AMG Coupe, the fourth member of the Black Series range was fitted with another brilliant version of the M156 6.2-liter V8 that powered the CLK 63 Black Series in the past. With 510 hp on tap, it could accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (0-100 kph) in 4.2 seconds on route to a top speed of 186 mph (300 kph).Like its Black Series siblings, it was equipped with an adjustable suspension, Dunlop tires, and a host of additional chassis modifications. Furthermore, an active rear-axle transmission cooling system was available with the AMG Track Package.The exterior was widened using carbon fiber panels, resulting in a more aggressive appearance and made it obvious that this was no ordinary C 63. The optional AMG Aerodynamics package added even mode carbon fiber components, including a fixed rear spoiler with an adjustable blade.Available in Europe at the start of 2012 and in the U.S. several months later, the 600 units initially planned were sold quickly so production was eventually increased to 800.Arguably the most beautiful modern Mercedes, the SLS was the first car designed and built from the ground up by Mercedes-AMG. Naturally, it would become the perfect choice for the next Black Series model.Unveiled at the 2012 LA Auto Show, it was inspired by the GT3 racer and although it didnt receive any jaw-dropping visual upgrades, the extensive use of carbon fiber for the redesigned body panels made it 154-pounds (70 kg) lighter than the standard model.The highlight of this car was the beefed-up M159 eight-cylinder, an M156 revamped to perfection that produced 622 hp, a 59 hp increase over the stock SLS AMG unit. The engines redline was raised from 7,200 to 8,000 rpm and coupled with the titanium exhaust, it sang a hair-raising tune.To endure the rigors of extensive track use, the car sat on big and sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, the AMG Ride Control suspension was comprehensively tuned, and an electronically controlled rear-axle differential lock replaced the mechanical version. Moreover, an optional Aero Package added an adjustable carbon-fiber wing that improved its aerodynamics.Built from 2012 to 2013 in about 350 units, it remains one of the most sought-after variants of the SLS AMG models, fetching over $400,000 on the rare occasions it goes under the hammer.By now, every hardcore enthusiast has heard about this amazing machine, mainly because it holds the record for the fastest production car around the legendary Nurburgring-Nordschleife.Mercedes-AMG took the wraps off its latest Black Series model last year, showcasing the most aggressive motorsport-inspired car it has ever built.It features many aerodynamic elements derived from its GT3 sibling like the adjustable rear wing. It also comes with Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires developed specifically by Michelin for this car, a revamped adaptive suspension system, and an overhauled interio r.Under its enormous hood, it hides the most powerful V8 ever assembled in Affalterbach , a 4.0-liter twin-turbo unit dubbed M178 LS2 which can spit out 720 hp. This means that the AMG GT Black Series can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (0-100 kph) in 3.2 seconds, and to 125 mph (200 kph) in under 9 seconds, all while attaining a top speed of 202 mph (325 kph).While all Mercedes-AMG vehicles are extremely good, the beastly Black Series models are part of a separate realm. Not only are they incredibly well-built high-performance variants, but also timeless pieces of automotive art. The established bike manufacturer Royal Dutch Gazelle, one of the best known in the Netherlands, chose the perfect time to release a new model that is both practical and easy to maintain. Its first fast (Class 3) bike to come with an Enviolo trekking hub and a belt drive, the C380+ is more of a touring bike, but also reveals an edgy, sporty side.First things first - this is a good choice if youre looking for speed. As a Class 3 model, this particular Gazelle comes with powerful assistance to 28 mph (45 kph) and delivers 85 Nm of torque. If youre up for a weekend-long adventure, this bike has got your back, thanks to the Bosch Performance Line Speed Motor and integrated 500Wh battery. This means more support on long distances, being able to get to a high speed faster and enjoying the feeling of a more dynamic ride. Youll feel almost like youre riding a sport bike, but one thats still easy to handle and safe.For a more relaxed experience, the latest Gazelle Ultimate is upgraded with an Enviolo trekking hub that provides a 380% ratio range. Not only does it make shifting more effortless and silent, but its also low-maintenance. And so is the Gates Carbon Belt Drive, fitted for the first time on a Gazelle Class 3 bike.You also need better control when reaching that high speed , so the C380+ comes with a front suspension fork with 3.1 (80 mm) of travel and 4-piston brakes that work perfectly with the minimalistic frame design. And, if you want to pack extra stuff for your road trip, just take advantage of the 60 lbs (27 kg) rated rear rack with integrated bungee.The Dutch company hasnt offered details about the price yet, but the Gazelle Ultimate C380+ is coming by mid-July. Spot might be just a year old, but its managed to accomplish quite a lot in its short droid life. Its been involved in a variety of operations, for improving productivity, safety, and efficiency. The robot managed to go where no wheeled robot has ever gone before, being deployed in nuclear plants, electrified sub-stations, and many other hazardous locations.UKAEA (the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority) used Spot for inspection to detect radiation at Chernobyl. National Grid sent the yellow dog to a substation outside Boston, to inspect a high-voltage facility. The bot was even involved in combat exercises in a French military camp.Spot proved it can also be useful for household chores like picking up clothes off the floor. But it hasnt been all business and no fun for the popular droid. Spot wished a Happy New Year to the world at the end of 2020 through a video of it dancing along with its two other robot buddies, Atlas and Handle.Spot is now used in hundreds of locations worldwide, doing anything from inspection work to deliveries, exploring hard-to-reach places, and so much more. The bot is enabled for mobile manipulation and can be programmed for manual, semi-automated, and fully automated actions. It is equipped with stereo cameras and can be controlled through an app.Spot the robot dog is the creation of Boston Dynamics , a robotics design company based in Massachusetts. The Canadian unmanned aerial solution provider recently received a Special Flight Operating Certificate (SFOC) from Transport Canada so it can start to conduct BVLOS (beyond the visual line of sight) operations using its remotely piloted drones Obtaining the certificate is an important achievement for the company, as it can now use its autonomous drones for more complex missions. Up until now, Volatus relied on multiple deployments of its aircraft to collect data, go in mapping or surveying missions. The newly granted SFOC allows it to cover longer distances than missions restricted to visual line of sight.Volatus plans to send its team in regular flight training missions in six locations in Canada, covering all important regions. The company has been busy with its training program for pilots and procedures for autonomous drone operations, and this is a great opportunity to expand its training sessions. Its specialized courses help specialists in various industries develop the skills they need for remotely piloted aircraft.BVLOS regulations are changing all across the globe, allowing such operations to take place on a more regular basis. And this is good news for providers who are getting one step closer to offering remotely piloted passenger as well as cargo services.Eliminating these flying restrictions will also be useful for operations that are otherwise expensive or risky for humans. Autonomous aircraft will be able to reach dangerous or difficult areas, perform rescue, surveillance, and security missions.Volatus Aerospace has been involved in over 900 missions and more than 3,500 flights so far. Over 30 of them were BVLOS flights.Back in April, the company announced it will start manufacturing up to 1,200 FIXAR VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) drones per year at its new facility in Ontario. FIXAR stands for Fixed Angle Rotors and it is a Volatus patented design that allows the aircraft to easily transition between vertical and forward flight. Copyright 2020 by Mountain Times Publications. Digital or printed dissemination of this content without prior written consent is a violation of federal law and may be subject to legal action. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Photo: "Axios on HBO" Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. ambassador to the U.N., told me on "Axios on HBO" that President Biden will be candid, frank and tough during this week's summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "The president will make clear to the Russians that they cannot harbor cyber terrorists and criminals in their country and not be held accountable for it," she added. "And they need to take the responsibility for dealing with this issue." Between the lines: When I asked the ambassador about the risks of Biden's grand trip, she said: "Look, nothing can go wrong on this trip." I interjected: That's a jinx if I've ever heard one! "It's not a jinx," she replied. "He's being embraced and he's being welcomed. ... So I'm confident that nothing can go wrong on this visit." On the "Do not come" message Vice President Harris gave to would-be migrants during last week's Latin America swing, Thomas-Greenfield said the vice president was offering "people hope where they live." "Our immigration program is one that works," the ambassador added. "But if you have people trying to cross the border illegally, it can't work for them." The big picture: Thomas-Greenfield, a career foreign service officer who rose to Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs before becoming part of Biden's cabinet, has been drawing attention to the famine in the Tigray region of Ethiopia the worst on earth in a decade. And she's making conflict-driven hunger a top issue. "I have been very assertive, particularly in New York and particularly in demanding that my colleagues at the Security Council address this issue in an opening meeting," she said. "My view is sovereignty does not come into play when you have foreign troops in your country, when your people are crossing borders into other countries, and we're watching on national TV your people starve to death," she continued. "I will say here as I've said in the Security Council: Don't African lives matter? " Thomas-Greenfield called her work at the U.N. "a treadmill, every single day." "I do four or five meetings with various countries on a daily basis," she said. "I'm working down the list. And hopefully by September, I will have met everyone." Go deeper: In the video clip below, the ambassador describes her worldwide adventures with "gumbo diplomacy." Ramallah Palestinian leaders had hoped for a long time to get rid of Benjamin Netanyahu, but they didnt want to end up with Naftali Bennett as Israel's prime minister. The big picture: The Palestinian leadership in Ramallah considers Bennett a hardliner because he has opposed the establishment of a Palestinian state and previously called for Israel to annex Area C, which constitutes 60% of the West Bank. One Palestinian official who asked to remain anonymous told me that Bennett is an "extremist," but he's also inexperienced and surrounded by centrist and left-wing ministers. That could make it difficult for him to make decisions that were easy for Netanyahu to make, the official said. What they're saying: The Palestinian official told me "the end of the Netanyahu era is good news." "His only desire was to stay in power, and thus his 12-year term was a political stalemate, field escalation and settlement expansion in an attempt to maintain the right-wing support for him," the official added. Driving the news: Contrary to the norm in such cases, no official statement on the swearing-in of the new government was issued by the office of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, though Abbas' aides were watching the process closely. One of the only Palestinian officials who went on the record regarding the new Israeli government was Hussein Al-Sheikh, chair of the Palestinian Civil Affairs Commission. He criticized Foreign Minister Yair Lapid's remark that the new government would "improve the lives of the Palestinians and the dialogue with them on civil issues." Palestinians are not looking for better living conditions nor for civil dialogues!! Our people are seeking their salvation from occupation, freedom and independence in their state, with East Jerusalem as its capital," Al-Sheikh tweeted. What to watch: The Palestinians are currently watching how Bennett will deal with a number of burning issues, including the potential expulsions of Palestinian families from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan in East Jerusalem. "The U.S. is speaking against the eviction ... and Meretz party, which has ministers in the government, had been calling to stop the eviction. Will this stop the eviction? This is a big question mark for us," one Palestinian official told me. Whats next: Palestinian officials say they don't know whether progress on a political solution will be possible with Bennett at the helm, but that their attitude toward Bennett will be decided by his actions, not his words. Where it stands: The Department of Labor inspector general reported last month that 20 states did not perform what was required of them in terms of detecting improper payments, and 44 states did not do what was recommended (but not required). The U.S. government is clear that unemployment fraud is a huge problem, and has budgeted $2 billion to try to fix it. The U.S. government is clear that unemployment fraud is a huge problem, and has budgeted $2 billion to try to fix it. Where it stands: The Department of Labor inspector general reported last month that 20 states did not perform what was required of them in terms of detecting improper payments, and 44 states did not do what was recommended (but not required). The inspector general cites an "improper payment rate" of 10.6% but that is not an estimate of the amount of fraud that took place during the pandemic. Instead, it is a lower bound the lowest fraud rate that was seen before the pandemic. The report says that the rate during the pandemic was probably "much higher" but hazards no guesses as to just how high it was. The Labor Department itself "has not estimated an improper payment rate for UI benefits provided in response to the COVID-19 pandemic," notes the inspector general. What they're saying: Widespread fraud at the state level in pandemic unemployment insurance during the previous administration is one of the most serious challenges we inherited," said White House economist Gene Sperling in a statement provided to Axios. President Joe Biden said last month: "There is perhaps no oversight issue inherited by my administration that is as serious as the exploitation of relief programs by criminal syndicates using stolen identities to steal government benefits. Last year, this type of criminal behavior robbed American families of billions of dollars." The other side: House Republicans Darrell Issa, James Comer, and Gary Palmer are today demanding a Congressional hearing on this issue. Vagharshak Harutiunian and Sergei Shoigu again spoke by phone on Wednesday amid a continuing Armenian-Azerbaijani military standoff at disputed portions of the border. The standoff began after Azerbaijani troops advanced several kilometers into Armenias Gegharkunik and Syunik provinces on May 12-14, triggering an Armenian military buildup there. In a statement on the phone call, the Armenian Defense Ministry said the two ministers looked at ways of resolving the existing situation at the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. Vagharshak Harutiunian and Sergei Shoigu also discussed the deployment alongside the Armenian Armed Forces of Russian border guards at border sections of Syunik and Gegharkunik, added the statement. It gave no other details. The Russian Defense Ministry issued no statements on Shoigus latest phone call with his Armenian counterpart. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian said late last week that Yerevan and Moscow are now exploring the possibility of Russian troop deployments to the two Armenian border regions. He said Russian military officials have visited those areas to inspect possible deployment sites. Pashinian proposed on May 27 that Armenia and Azerbaijan withdraw their troops from the contested border sections and let Russia and/or the United States and France, the two other countries co-chairing the OSCE Minsk Group, deploy observers there. Baku effectively turned down the proposal. Russia already deployed army soldiers and border guards elsewhere in Syunik following the Armenian-Azerbaijani war in Nagorno-Karabakh stopped by a Russian-brokered ceasefire in November. Syunik borders districts southwest of Karabakh which were retaken by Azerbaijan during and after the six-week war. Former President Serzh Sarkisian, who leads an opposition alliance running in Sundays parliamentary elections, claimed on Wednesday that as many as 1,064 people remain unaccounted for seven months after a Russian-brokered ceasefire stopped the war. Sarkisian publicized a document drawn up earlier this year by a state insurance fund that compensates the families of military personnel killed, wounded or missing in action. He accused the authorities of hiding the real number of missing residents of Armenia and Karabakh. Armenias government and Investigative Committee insisted on Thursday that the number currently stands at 275. The document cited by Sarkisian was sent by the insurance fund to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinians office in April. Pashinian spoke around that time of 321 Armenians missing from the Karabakh war. According to the funds deputy director, Smbat Saiyan, it has paid monthly compensations to the families of 1,083 missing persons until now. This doesnt mean that the number of missing persons now stands at 1,083 because after the first payment we have had cases where a person stopped being considered missing. That is, their whereabouts or the fact of their death has been established or their dead body has been identified, Saiyan told RFE/RLs Armenian Service. Saiyan said 475 families are continuing to receive monthly compensations for their missing members. He suggested that the smaller number given by the Investigative Committee is more accurate and up-to-date. According to official figures, at least 3,700 other Armenian soldiers and civilians were killed during the six-week war. It is time to come together and overcome the crisis in a spirit of reconciliation and solidarity, Andrea Wiktorin said at a meeting with Armenian civic activists and representatives of the local United Nations office. I call upon all electoral stakeholders, their supporters and those who use the mass media and social media to increase efforts to contribute to making June 20 a day in which democracy wins, for the future of Armenian children, she said, according to an EU Delegation statement. Wiktorin added that the EU has allocated almost 1 million euros ($1.2 million) for the proper conduct of the snap polls meant to end a serious political crisis in the country. Much of that money has been provided to local election observers. The June 20 vote is also expected to be monitored by some 300 observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. The election campaign has been marked by bitter accusations traded by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian and two opposition blocs led by Armenias former Presidents Serzh Sarkisian and Robert Kocharian. The Armenian human rights ombudsman, Arman Tatoyan, has criticized their inflammatory campaign rhetoric and, in particular, Pashinians pledges to hammer his political foes and purge local government officials supporting the opposition. Pashinians Civil Contract party announced earlier this week that it is planning to hold daylong rallies in Yerevan from June 21-24. It has not yet explained the purpose of the planned rallies. Some opposition figures have speculated that Pashinian could pressure the Central Election Commission not to validate possible election results giving victory to the opposition. The U.S. Embassy in Yerevan on Wednesday urged American citizens living in Armenia to stay away from post-election demonstrations. Over the next two weeks, demonstrations or rallies related to elections may take place in Yerevan and other locations throughout Armenia, said a demonstration alert posted on the embassys website. U.S. citizens should exercise vigilance, avoid crowds, and remain alert and aware of their surroundings at all times. The people of Armenia will certainly and undoubtedly win with a crushing percentage [of votes,] Pashinian told the crowd that gathered in the citys central Republic Square. And yes, everything is decided because the people of Armenia have already decided everything in their minds, hearts and souls. Armenias citizens have decided that there is a future in Armenia. There is a future! he said, chanting Civil Contracts campaign motto. Pashinian went on to urge supporters to gather in the sprawling square on Monday to celebrate the ruling partys victory. He said it will mark the beginning of an Armenian steel revolution involving tougher methods of governance. Pashinian said his campaign rallies held across the country have demonstrated that most Armenians continue to support their government despite last years disastrous war with Azerbaijan, which left at least 3,700 Armenian soldiers dead. His main election challengers, notably former Presidents Robert Kocharian and Serzh Sarkisian leading two opposition alliances, have claimed the opposite during the election campaign. They have said that Pashinians party will not win the majority of parliament seats needed to keep the incumbent prime minister in power. Campaigning in Armenias Gegharkunik province earlier on Thursday, Kocharian claimed that his Hayastan (Armenia) alliance is on course to win most votes on Sunday. The two ex-presidents as well as virtually all other opposition figures blame Pashinian for Armenias defeat in the war with Azerbaijan stopped by a Russian-brokered in November. In his hour-long speech at the rally Pashinian did not comment on reasons for that defeat. He instead criticized Azerbaijans continuing aggressive statements and unconstructive position in the post-war period. The premier said at the same time that he looks forward to the opening of transport links between Armenia and Azerbaijan envisaged by the truce accord. He said this will allow Armenia to have rail links with Russia and Iran via Azerbaijan. Pashinian reiterated his pledges to deepen Russian-Armenian relations, calling them the pivot of our security. He also called for the launch of a strategic dialogue with Iran. Republican Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona -- who voted against certifying Joe Biden's victory on January 6 -- focused part of his questions for FBI Director Christopher Wray on the US Capitol Police officer who shot and killed Ashli Babbitt, one of the rioters that day. EDITORIAL: Legislating what can (or should) be flushed Supreme Court rules against Philly in its fight with Catholic foster group but may not have ended the dispute Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. FILE - In this April 21, 2021, file photo, Lina Khan, nominee for Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), speaks during her confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. Khan was sworn in as FTC chair Tuesday, June 15, just hours after the Senate confirmed her nomination as a commissioner. Stay up to date on COVID-19 Get Breaking News Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. Can you mix and match two-dose COVID-19 vaccines? It's likely safe and effective, but researchers are still gathering data to be sure. The authorized COVID-19 shots around the world are all designed to stimulate your immune system to produce virus-fighting antibodies, though the way they do so varies, noted Dr. Kate OBrien, director of the World Health Organizations vaccine unit. Based on the basic principles of how vaccines work, we do think that the mix-and-match regimens are going to work, she said. Scientists at Oxford University in the United Kingdom are testing combinations of the two-dose COVID-19 vaccines made by AstraZeneca, Moderna, Novavax and Pfizer-BioNTech. Smaller trials are also ongoing in Spain and Germany. We really just need to get the evidence in each of these (vaccine) combinations, OBrien said. So far, limited data suggests an AstraZeneca shot followed by the Pfizer shot is safe and effective. The combination also appears to come with a slightly higher likelihood of temporary side effects like aches and chills. That might be because mixing and matching different types of vaccines can often produce a stronger immune response, said Lawrence Young, a virologist at the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom. In some places, health officials already suggest mixing in select circumstances. After the AstraZeneca vaccine was linked to extremely rare blood clots, several European countries including Germany and France recommended people who got it as a first dose get a Pfizer or Moderna shot as a second dose instead. On Thursday, Canada made the same recommendation. Some places like Britain say people should aim to get the same vaccine for their second dose if possible. If they got AstraZeneca as their first shot, they're advised to get another vaccine only if they have a history of blood clots or other conditions that might put them at higher risk of clots. ___ The AP is answering your questions about the coronavirus in this series. Submit them at: FactCheck@AP.org. Read more here: Why do some people get side effects after COVID-19 vaccines? Can COVID-19 vaccines affect my period? How long does protection from COVID-19 vaccines last? NEW YORK (AP) Janet Malcolm, the inquisitive and boldly subjective author and reporter known for her challenging critiques of everything from murder cases and art to journalism itself, has died. She was 86. Malcolm died Wednesday at New York Presbyterian Hospital, according to her daughter, Anne Malcolm. The cause was lung cancer. A longtime New Yorker staff writer and the author of several books, the Prague native practiced a kind of post-modern style in which she often called attention to her own role in the narrative, questioning whether even the most conscientious observer could be trusted. Every journalist who is not too stupid or too full of himself to notice what is going on knows that what he does is morally indefensible was how she began The Journalist and the Murderer. The 1990 book assailed Joe McGinniss true crime classic Fatal Vision as a prime case of the author tricking his subject, convicted killer Jeffrey MacDonald, who had asked McGinniss to write a book about him only to have the author conclude he was a sociopath. It was one of many works by Malcolm that set off debates about her profession and compelled even those who disliked her to keep reading. Reviewing a 2013 anthology of her work, Forty-One False Starts, for The New York Times, Adam Kirsch praised Malcolm for a powerfully distinctive and very entertaining literary experience. Most of the pieces in the book find Malcolm observing artists and writers either present (David Salle, Thomas Struth) or past (Julia Margaret Cameron, Edith Wharton), Kirsch wrote. But what the reader remembers is Janet Malcolm: her cool intelligence, her psychoanalytic knack for noticing and her talent for withdrawing in order to let her subjects hang themselves with their own words. On Thursday, New Yorker editor David Remnick praised Malcolm as a master of nonfiction writing and cited her willingness to take on her peers. "Journalists can be among the most thin-skinned and self-satisfied of tribes, and Janet had the nerve to question what we do sometimes," Remnick told The Associated Press. Malcolms words and those she attributed to others brought her esteem, scorn and prolonged litigation. In 1983, she reported on a former director of the London-based Sigmund Freud Archives, psychoanalyst Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson. She contended that Masson had called himself an intellectual gigolo, had vowed he would be known as the greatest analyst who ever lived, and that he would turn Freuds old home into a place of sex, women, fun. Her reporting appeared in The New Yorker and was the basis for the 1984 book In the Freud Archives. Masson, alleging that five quotations had been fabricated and ruined his reputation, sued for $7 million. The case lasted for years, with the U.S. Supreme Court allowing it go to trial and Malcolm testifying, to much skepticism, that she could not find a notebook in which she wrote down some of his remarks. In 1994, a federal court jury in San Francisco cleared her of libel, even though it decided she made up two quotations. The jury found that the quotations were false and one potentially libelous, but that Masson failed to prove she acted deliberately or recklessly. A year later, to a new round of skepticism, Malcolm announced that she had found the missing notebook while playing with her granddaughter. I dont believe it, Masson said at the time. This is the adult version of The dog ate my homework. Except in this case, the dog is regurgitating the notes after 12 years. Malcolms honors included a PEN award for biography in 2008 for Two Lives: Gertrude and Alice and a nomination in 2014 from the National Book Critics Circle for Forty-One False Starts. In 1999, the Modern Library ranked The Journalist and the Murderer, which McGinniss would allege was filled with omissions, distortions and outright misstatements of fact, No. 97 on its list of the 100 best nonfiction releases of the 20th century. Her other books, most of them edited by her second husband, Gardner Botsford, included The Silent Woman: Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes," in part a critique of biography and the charade of evenhandedness, and Psychoanalysis: The Impossible Profession. Malcolm, ironically, was the daughter of a psychiatrist (her mother was a lawyer), and would liken journalists and analysts as experts on the small, unregarded motions of life. Donald Malcolm, her first husband, died in 1975. Botsford died in 2004. She was born Jana Wienerova in 1934 and emigrated with her family to the U.S. five years later, after the Nazis annexed Czechoslovakia. Her parents settled in New York City, changed their last name to Winn and said little about their Jewish background, even sending Malcolm and her sister Marie to a Lutheran Sunday school. Finally, one day, after one of us proudly brought home an anti-Semitic slur learned from a classmate, they decided it was time to tell us that we were Jewish, Malcolm wrote in Six Glimpses of the Past, a photo essay published in The New Yorker in 2018. "It was a bit late. We had internalized the anti-Semitism in the culture and were shocked and mortified to learn that we were not on the good side of the equation. Many years later, I came to acknowledge and treasure my Jewishness. But during childhood and adolescence I hated and resented and hid it. She remembered herself as a bookish child, drawn early to such 19th century authors as Jane Austen and Charles Dickens. But her dreams of writing fiction ended at the University of Michigan, when she received a C in a creative writing course. Acknowledging she was better at observing than inventing, she wrote for the school newspaper The Michigan Daily. Around the same time, she also met her first husband, later a writer for The New Republic and The New Yorker. They married in 1959, and moved east. Janet Malcolm published occasional film criticism in The New Republic and a poem in The New Yorker, but otherwise dedicated several years to raising her daughter. Her professional breakthrough came in 1966 when she wrote a piece on childrens books for The New Yorker that so impressed editor William Shawn he eventually gave her a column about furniture. She soon expanded her subject matter and evolved in how she approached it. When I first started doing long fact pieces, as they were called at The New Yorker, I modeled my I on the stock, civilized, and humane figure that was The New Yorker I, but as I went along, I began to tinker with her and make changes in her personality, she told the Paris Review in 2011. Yes, I gave her flaws and vanities and, perhaps most significantly, strong opinions. I had her take sides. I was influenced by this thing that was in the air called deconstruction," she added. "The idea I took from it was precisely the idea that there is no such thing as a dispassionate observer, that every narrative is inflected by the narrators bias. She was open about her feelings. In a New Yorker piece on the magazine Artforum, she interviewed the historian and Artforum contributor Rosalind Krauss and turned her subjects precisely furnished apartment into a most discerning character, writing: No one can leave this loft without feeling a little rebuked: ones own house suddenly seems cluttered, inchoate, banal. In the book Iphigenia in Forest Hills, Malcolms account of a murder trial in New York City, she meets with the defense attorney after the verdict and agrees with his lament that the press had taken the prosecutions side. Journalism is an enterprise of reassurance, she wrote. We do not wring our hands or rend our clothes over the senseless crimes and disasters that give us our subject. We explain and blame. We are connoisseurs of certainty. Hey, we got the killer. Dont worry. You can go to the playground. Nothing is going to happen. BOISE, Idaho (AP) The Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation is suing Idaho Gov. Brad Little and state wildlife officials in federal court, contending the state has wrongly denied the tribe hunting rights guaranteed by the 1868 Treaty of Fort Bridger. The lawsuit, filed in Idaho's U.S. District Court earlier this week, asks a judge to declare that the Northwestern Band is protected under the treaty. Attorneys for the state didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. On its surface, the legal case could come down to whether one of the Native American leaders who signed the treaty was representing the Northwestern Band along with other bands of the Shoshone Nation, and whether the Northwestern Band itself has remained a cohesive unit in the time since. But at the heart of the dispute is a dilemma faced by many Native American governments across the U.S. who sometimes find themselves at odds with game wardens, mining companies, water users or other groups as they try to preserve their use of the land they were promised in treaties signed centuries ago. Tribes have increasingly turned to the legal system to interpret and enforce those treaties. For thousands of years the bands of the Shoshone nation and their ancestors have hunted and subsisted on the land in various parts of the Great Basin and throughout the Shoshone nation's expansive territory, attorney Ryan Frazier wrote in the lawsuit, noting that they lived nomadically across 125,000 square miles (about 323,749 square kilometers) of prairie, forest and mountains in Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho, Utah and Nevada. But as white pioneers, gold miners and Mormon families moved West, demand for natural resources and land increased, causing tension between Native American tribes and settlers. The conflicts culminated in the Bear River Massacre of 1863, when the U.S. military slaughtered between 200-500 Shoshone men, women and children near what is now Preston, Idaho. Eventually, the federal government and Native American leaders signed the 1868 treaty at Fort Bridger, ceding land to the United States. In exchange, the tribes were offered some guarantees, including the right to hunt on unoccupied lands. Today, the Northwestern Band doesn't have reservation land and its tribal offices are in Brigham City, Utah. Historically, members of the band would spend time fishing near what is now Salmon, Idaho, would hunt big game in western Wyoming and hunt and gather in southern Idaho and Utah. Winters were often spent in southeastern Idaho. According to the lawsuit, the state of Idaho doesn't recognize that the northwestern bands of the Shoshone nation were part of the Fort Bridger Treaty, and doesn't believe that members of the federally recognized Northwestern Band have the right to hunt on unoccupied lands pursuant to the treaty. Some Northwestern Band tribal members have faced criminal convictions after Idaho game wardens said they were hunting without tags. In 1997, two brothers were found guilty for hunting out of season in Idaho, though they had hunting tags issued by the Northwestern Band. Shane and Wayde Warner appealed their convictions, claiming treaty rights under the Fort Bridger treaty. Though the Idaho Court of Appeals agreed that the Northwestern Band was represented by the tribal leaders who signed the Fort Bridger Treaty, it said the band hadn't maintained enough political continuity to maintain its rights. In 2019, two more tribal members were cited in Idaho for hunting without tags. That criminal case is on hold while the federal lawsuit moves forward. Similar lawsuits in other states have been successful. In 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with a member of the Crow tribe who was fined for hunting elk in Wyomings Bighorn National Forest. The Crow tribe member successfully argued that when his tribe gave up land in present-day Montana and Wyoming under a 1868 treaty signed at Fort Laramie, the tribe retained the right to hunt on the land. 3 1 of 3 Kim Brent / The Enterprise Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Kim Brent / The Enterprise Show More Show Less 3 of 3 Four more hours of negotiations and as many union proposals still didnt lead to a deal to end the ExxonMobil Beaumont lockout. USW District 13 Representative Richard Hoot Landry told The Enterprise on Thursday that the company reviewed each of the proposals and rejected them. Eva Guzman, the former justice on the Texas Supreme Court, has filed paperwork to run for state attorney general. On Friday, Guzman, a Republican, filed what is known as a campaign treasurer appointment form with the Texas Ethics Commission, saying she is seeking the office of attorney general, according to a copy of the form obtained by The Texas Tribune. Her treasurer is Orlando Salazar of Dallas, the vice chair of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly. Eva Guzman has served Texas for over 22 years honorably," Guzman's political consultant, Justin Dudley, said in a statement to the Tribune. "She looks forward to putting her experience and know-how to work in a new role. The campaign will have a formal announcement soon." READ MORE: Paxton's effort to overturn 2020 election investigated by Texas bar as possible misconduct Guzman abruptly announced her resignation from the Supreme Court a week ago, and it went into effect Friday. She had served on the Supreme Court since 2009, when then-Gov. Rick Perry tapped her to become the first Hispanic female justice. Her second full term on the court was set to expire at the end of next year, and Gov. Greg Abbott will get to appoint her successor on the all-GOP court. A Guzman run would complicate the Republican primary already underway between incumbent Ken Paxton and Land Commissioner George P. Bush. Bush announced his campaign for attorney general on June 2, sharply criticizing Paxton over his legal troubles. The attorney general has been fighting securities fraud charges for most of his time in office, and he more recently came under FBI investigation for claims he abused his office to help a wealthy donor. He has denied wrongdoing in both cases. It remains to be seen if Guzman's candidacy would change former President Donald Trump's plans to get involved in the primary. Before Bush launched his challenge to Paxton, Trump issued a statement saying he likes "them both very much" and that he would make an endorsement "in the not-so-distant future." READ ALSO: Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush announces run for attorney general against Ken Paxton The attorney general's race has already drawn the most action of any statewide contest on the ballot next year. In addition to the high-profile Republican primary, Joe Jaworski, a Galveston lawyer and former mayor of the city, is campaigning against Paxton on the Democratic side. Lee Merrit, the nationally recognized civil rights attorney from North Texas, has said he is running for the job but has not shared his partisan affiliation yet. The Texas Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans and engages with them about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Former president Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he accepted the invitation to tour Texas southern border with Gov. Greg Abbott on June 30. The Biden Administration inherited from me the strongest, safest, and most secure border in U.S history and in mere weeks they turned it into the single worst border crisis in U.S history. Its an unmitigated disaster zone, Trump said in a statement. RELATED: Abbott says he'll use crowdfunding for his plan to build a border wall Building a wall along the Texas-Mexico border was a key promise throughout Trumps presidency, but he never fully delivered. His promise that Mexico would pay for the wall was unfulfilled, and the 450 miles of barrier he did build were mostly in Arizona and far less was completed in the Rio Grande Valley where border crossings are more prevalent, according to The Washington Post. Abbott announced last Thursday that Texas would take the matter into its own hands and build its own border wall to stem the flow of migrants from Mexico. In a podcast interview Tuesday, he elaborated that the wall will be at least partially crowdfunded, and the state will solicit donations from across the country. The announcement immediately sparked denunciations from those who said that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, not a state job, and questioned the constitutionality of Abbotts intentions. Abbott also announced plans to increase local jail capacity along the border, and increase arrests by having state troopers arrest migrants on state charges. Abbott scheduled a press conference for Wednesday afternoon, where he said hell provide more details about the plan. TEXAS ELECTION: Donald Trump endorses Abbott for reelection Abbott has sharply criticized the Biden administration for its immigration policies in the past few months, calling the border a crisis and accusing the president of helping the cartels make more money. The policies include pausing border wall construction and ordering a review of the Trump administrations remain in Mexico policy that requires asylum seekers to wait in Mexico until their hearings in U.S. immigration courts. At the end of May, he deployed more than 1,000 Texas Department of Public Safety troopers and National Guard members to the border as part of Operation Lone Star, an initiative aimed at increasing border security that he announced in March. Earlier this month, Trump endorsed Abbott for his reelection, giving him an early stamp of approval as he confronts a possibly competitive primary. Former state Sen. Don Huffines of Dallas has already announced his challenge to Abbott. Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller also has been considering a run, and Texas GOP Chair Allen West recently announced he would be resigning from his position to seek a statewide seat. The Texas Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans and engages with them about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Reginald Adams has always had a knack for creating, and its led to him living out his passion right here in Houston. An artist, Adams remembers drawing on his bedroom walls and furniture as a child. He says his parents never punished him or discouraged him from doodling where he pleased. It felt natural, he said, and made him think that's what he was supposed to do. FOR THE CULTURE: Artist uses his talent to celebrate Black culture in Houston and beyond Looking back, Adams said he believes being able to do that was a transferrable skill that gave him the confidence to draw on the walls of his community. "The public realm was the perfect place for me as an artist to share my voice," Adams told Chron. "I'm very proud of my culture, my parents were very aware of making sure my brother and I learned about who we are...As I got older, I started to wonder even deeper, 'Where am I really from?'" In 2000, following the results of an ancestry test, Adams took a trip to Africa. He spent weeks traveling between the west African countries of Ghana, Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire, Togo and Benin. When he returned to America he knew he wanted to integrate his culture into his work. While Adams notes that not every project allows for it, wherever he can, he integrates his heritage. In 2019, Adams completed a project at Emancipation Park in Third Ward. The park is culturally significant as it was founded by four former slaves Jack Yates, Richard Brock, Richard Allen and Elias Dibble who collectively came up with $1,000 to purchase four acres of land in celebration of Juneteenth. It's the oldest park in Houston and Texas. The following year, Adams produced the "I Can't Breathe" mural to honor of the loss of George Floyd. In September of 2020 Adams was contacted by the Juneteenth Legacy Project Committee and asked if he could create a work to commemorate the holiday. He said the invitation felt like fate. "All of the projects leading up to that was about bringing voice to these issues around social justice and racial equity. It was easy for me to say yes." In preparing to create his Juneteenth work "Absolute Equality," Adams' team took a three-day retreat to Galveston. They rented a beach house and dissected just what the project would entail, from production to engagement strategies. The first stroke of paint hit the walls on March 10. By the time it was done, Adams and his team had racked up 1,296 labor hours between the six artists involved. They worked nonstop, six days a week for 27 days. After all that work, his team now holds the proud distinction of creating the city's first public memorial honoring Juneteenth. "The history has been there," Adams told Chron. "We can't take credit for 156 years of time that has passed since June 19, 1865. ... But what we were able to do with the mural is put a face an undeniable face behind the history of it." PHOTO COURTESY: Reginald Adams Adams credits his "superheroes" Joshua Bennett, Cherry Meekins, Dantrel Boone, KaDavien Baylor and Samson Adenugba, who contributed their talent and dedication in bringing the work to life. The meaning of Juneteenth is deeply and inextricably personal for Adams. "Liberation and opportunity," Adams said when asked what Juneteenth means. "It's hard to be who you want to be if you're not free, and not just free from a standpoint of physical shackles, but even mental freedom." For Adams, the most moving part of the process was realizing how his path had been paved by the actions of his ancestors. HONORING JUNETEENTH: Netflix's 'High on the Hog' traces the history of Black culinary traditions in Texas to their source "I realized, 'Reginald, you are your ancestors' wildest imagination,'" Adams said. The Juneteenth Legacy Project will dedicate "Absolute Equality" on Juneteenth, or Saturday, June 19, 2021. Senator John Cornyn and U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, who are co-authoring legislation to make Juneteenth a national holiday, will attend the official ceremony, which will coincide with the longstanding parade and picnic. Bedford, PA (15522) Today Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy this afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 74F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds. Slight chance of a shower throughout the evening. Low 57F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Like it or not, our celebrities have the power to shape our culture. They are the mythological figures of our modern age, powerful and influential. And, like the mythological figures of old, many represent the darker sides of humanity. But not all celebrities tread this darker path. Chris Pratt, action hero and rising Hollywood star, is unique among his peersamong all of us, in fact. He lives out his sincerely held Christian faith in his daily life, doing the best he can to represent and glorify God in all he does. He strives to be an example of what Christianity has the potential to be. Pratt met with divine destiny about four weeks before he was discovered as an actor. In an interview with Esquire, Pratt describes a chance meeting outside a Safeway, where he came face to face with a man of faith. The man asked him, What are you doing tonightdrugs and drinking? Chris replied with, I hope so. What followed was a small exchange that resulted in Pratts salvation. The man told Pratt that I stopped because Jesus told me to stop and talk to you. He said to tell you youre destined for great things. When Pratts friends emerged from the Safeway, alcohol in tow, Pratt decided to go with the man rather than with them, and ended up working for Jews for Jesus and, within two days, giving his life to God. He was 19 years old, and a month later, while waiting tables, a director saw something special in him and cast him in his first role. Pratts career took off. He was a celebrity. But there is a reason there are so few Christians in Hollywood, a reason which Pratt would have to overcome through sheer willpower. The fame and fortune that come with celebrity status, the unlimited money, the sycophants who refuse to say no, the heady sense of power over millions of viewersall of this can be a major obstacle to a life of faith. Celebrities dont have the barriers that normal people do, such as limited funds or a peer group who will consistently hold them accountable for their actions. They can do, for the most part, whatever they want, have whatever they want. Theyre worshiped and adored and they know it. They possess the powers of a god, yet the self-control of a mortala bad combination. Some of the first Christians in Americathe Puritans of the 17th centuryhad some good ideas about what it means to be a Christian who interacts with the world in a Godly manner. Their concept of visible sainthood was central to their lifestyle. They believed in faith in action, that tangible evidence of their faith in every aspect of their lives, from business dealings to careers, was incredibly important. As a result, whatever their occupation was, they tried to excel while yet remaining humble, rationalizing that, since a persons talents come from God, God must desire for them to use those talents for His divine purposes. As a result, their culture encouraged people to be walking ambassadors for God, showing His wondrous qualities to all who looked on even their most mundane dealings. Chris Pratt is one of the few actors in Hollywood to truly use the platform of his celebrity power to promote the kind of love, kindness, and humility that truly represents what a servant of God looks like, representing God in his actions, great and small. This is wonderfully encapsulated in his recent run-in with an aggressive autograph-seeker, caught on camera by TMZ. When the overzealous fan directed profanity at Pratt, the actor responded with You should be nicer. Youve got a cross on your chest and youre cussing me out? Come on man. Dont be a jerk. Pratt didnt explode. He didnt return fire or shut down or badmouth the fan on social media. He simply pointed out the fact that the fan bore a crossthe symbol of Christianityon his chest, and that he needs to act in a way that better represents that cross. This candid moment speaks of Pratts worldview, giving us a window into the sincerity of his faith. In what is another rarity, Pratt has gone public about his faith without being divisive or combative. In a time marked by constant warfare between popular culture and the religious world, Pratt has laid aside his sword in lieu of kindness. Hes positive, posting Facebook prayers for fans and openly discussing his faith on social media without resorting to demonizing those who feel differently about belief than he does. It is in Pratts propensity to simply live out his faith rather than preaching or sermonizing that allows him to be both a successful, career celebrity and a Christian. In literature, the most powerful stories containing the most world-changing themes are those which teach through the example of their protagonists lives, showing what works and what doesnt. Readers tend to shy away from authors who tell them how to live, yet cling to the characters they love, who then teach them how to live via example. The same is true of the celebrities we idolize. The ones who teach through the lives they live rather than by simply telling us how to live are those with the greatest effect on our culture. And so when Pratt takes the time to visit hospitalized children or shares wisdom and hope with his followers or loves on his family, he teaches us. And because everything he does filters through the lens of his Christian worldview, what he teaches us is inspired by God. One of Pratts social media posts sums this up well with 1 John 2:10-11, which reads, Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them. He cares. He cares about both about how he represents his God, and about how his power as a celebrity affects others. And thats what makes the difference in his life, and, even moreso, in the life of his fans. Think on your own circle of influence. If youre an everyday Christian, even though you may not have millions of devotees, are you representing God in the best way possible? Are you using what influence you have to be the Lords ambassador, acting as a beacon of light and hope which draws people to the love of God? If Chris Pratt can overcome the moral difficulties of fame and wealth to give us the example he does, then so can you. Local-news hot Online citizens group to hold Chemtool accountable grows Photo provided Olson Photo provided Lindquist ROCKTON The Citizens for Chemtool Accountability Facebook page is growing in numbers as people seek to share information and form a plan to ensure Chemtool doesnt offload its responsibility to the community after the fire goes out. The group launched at noon on Tuesday and as of Wednesday afternoon, the group had more than 900 followers. The group of administrators, I and others are trying to coordinate an in-person meeting next week and will invite everyone in the Facebook group to that meeting. It hasnt been scheduled yet, said group co-administrator Roscoe Township Trustee Elizabeth Lindquist. Its important that productive action from this point on is taken. Posters have been discussing the debris found in their yard, confusion about what to do with their gardens, feelings of uncertainty, symptoms such as wheezing and headaches and the lack of information coming from other local governments near Rockton. Other members have debated whether they should press to get Old Settlers Days cancelled or focus efforts more on Chemtools accountability. Zach Olson, one of the sites administrators, said he lives in Roscoe about six miles away from the evacuated area, with his brother and parents living within the evacuated area. Olson said hes been doing his own research and finding articles about Chemtool. He learned about a fire in 2019 at a plant in France owned by the same company that owns ChemtoolLubrizol. According to a Reuters article there was a massive chemical fire at Lubrizol in Rouen, France on Sept. 26, 2019 which resulted in days of protests and calls by politicians to release a list of the products burned. With two plants burning up, it just seems like there is something unethical or unsafe going on, Olson said. Some group members have referenced the plant in Crystal Lake and associated issues. According to a Daily Herald article published in 2009, the firm was accused of dumping sewage and chemicals that potentially contaminated groundwater. McHenry County health authorities sued Chemtool. The suit followed inspections revealing evidence of pollution such as full septic tanks and eroded soil. Olson said he wants to make sure the community is coming together and has a place to share information and can unite with a plan to proceed. What will the cleanup process look like and how will the cost be covered? Will it be pushed to the community or covered by Chemtool? I would like them to come forward and enlighten us, Olson said. Olson said those in the group are concerned about the long-term effects of the fire and impact it will have on the Rock River. Lindquist, who lives 7 miles away, said her main concern is that Lubrizol is held accountable to the people affected and the environment. In the past international corporations have never accepted full responsibility for environmental disasters. As a local employer Chemtool is important to the community, but Lubrizol and Chemtool exist to make profits for their shareholders and not to take care of the people of Rockton, Lindquist said. I think its really necessary for a community to come together to make sure after a disaster like this, a corporation like Lubrizol fully accounts for everything it has caused, Lindquist said. A company statement at www.lubrizol.com stated Lubrizol secured and activated US Fire Pump, a third-party, specialty emergency response team to travel to Rockton for support in extinguishing the fire, including deploying fire-fighting foam to suppress the fire. Pay and benefits will continue for employees. The statement continued: We regret the impact on our neighbors and also are committed to supporting the community. We are working to determine the best ways to support our neighbors who evacuated or were affected. We have committed support to the North Western Illinois Red Cross and the Northern Illinois Food Banks. Finally, we continue to work with experts and government agencies on environmental air and water monitoring. As we affirmed yesterday, to-date test results do not show any health risk other than the short-term irritation one would normally experience in the presence of smoke. We do not expect any short or long-term health impacts otherwise. The Daily News has reached out to Lubrizol and is awaiting further response. Protesters prepare to burn the flag of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as they take part in demonstration against the military coup, in Yangon, Myanmar, June 14, 2021. Updated at 8:04 p.m. ET on 2021-06-17 Sponsors of a U.N. resolution on Myanmar appear to have weakened language barring international arms sales to the Southeast Asian country, where hundreds have been killed after a military coup, a revised draft uploaded on the General Assemblys website Thursday shows. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) had lobbied last month for removal of a clause calling for an arms embargo on Myanmar that was included in an older draft. It was not immediately clear if that led to the change. A senior diplomatic source who declined to be named confirmed to BenarNews that the resolution had been revised, but declined to say what exactly had been changed. The new draft was uploaded to the General Assemblys website on Thursday afternoon. Yes, it has been revised, the official said, when asked whether changes were made to the resolution. The new draft resolution does not call for an immediate suspension of sales and transfers of weapons, munitions and other military equipment to Myanmar, as the older one had done. Instead it urges U.N. member-states to prevent the flow of arms into Myanmar." BenarNews asked Joshua Kurlantzick, an expert on Southeast Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations, a Washington think-tank, to assess the change in language. The resolution appears to be diluted, which will likely make it easier for arms to flow into Myanmar, Kurlantzick said via email, after comparing the old and new clauses. The resolution is set to be heard, and possibly voted on, in the U.N. General Assembly on Friday, according to a calendar of the days schedule on the website of the U.N. body. A vote on an earlier draft was postponed May 18. On May 27, BenarNews was the first to report that ASEAN had sent a letter to the resolutions sponsors proposing the deletion of the arms embargo paragraph which was among the reasons for the votes postponement. The revised clause in the new draft Recalls, in line with the Secretary-Generals call for a global ceasefire as supported by the Security Council in its resolution 2532 (2020) of 1 July 2020, the need to de-escalate violence, and in that regard calls upon all Member States to prevent the flow of arms into Myanmar. Earlier this week, human rights watchdog Amnesty International said it was imperative for ASEAN to support an arms embargo on Myanmar, where security forces have killed more than 800 people mostly anti-coup protesters since the military toppled the elected government on Feb. 1. ASEAN must support the passing of a U.N. General Assembly resolution calling for a halt of weapons transfers to the Myanmar military, Amnesty International said in a statement Tuesday. Anything less is an abdication of ASEANs leadership role on the Myanmar crisis, and shows ASEAN is siding with a military that is continuing to kill and imprison unarmed protesters and other civilians. ASEAN centrality ASEANs efforts to deal with the political crisis in Myanmar since the Feb. 1 military coup have largely been unsuccessful. The United States, the G7 group and the U.N. have all stressed ASEANs crucial role and centrality in dealing with Myanmar. A senior diplomat from one of the resolutions sponsor-countries told BenarNews last month that ASEAN wanted the draft resolution revised also because the bloc believed it should take the lead in resolving the post-coup crisis in Myanmar. Accordingly, it appears the new draft has increased the number of references to the blocs importance in the region. The latest draft has an addition to clause 5 which is to encourage cooperation of a possible ASEAN envoy to Myanmar a member of the regional bloc with the Special Envoy of the U.N. Secretary-General. The revised resolution also adds a call to Myanmar to continue engaging with ASEAN taking into account the important role of the Association in continuing to assist Myanmar in its transition to democracy. Still, ASEAN has been roundly criticized for its perceived inaction on Myanmar. While the regional bloc succeeded in hammering out a five-point consensus on Myanmar with the junta chief during a special summit of ASEAN leaders in late April, no action has been take on any of the points almost seven weeks since. The consensus called for the immediate cessation of violence, which continues. On Wednesday, residents in central Myanmar told Radio Free Asia (RFA), a BenarNews sister entity, that four elderly villagers were killed after the Myanmar military set fire to their village the night before. The bloc had called for a constructive dialogue among all parties, but no such dialogue has begun. Among the other points agreed on was the appointment of a special envoy to Myanmar and a visit by an ASEAN delegation to the crisis-ridden country, headed by that envoy. No envoy has been named so far, amid reports of differences between ASEAN member-states on the issue. Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore openly expressed their frustration at a delay in naming an envoy, at a meeting last week in China between foreign minister from the bloc and China. Notably, no Asian or Southeast Asian country, except for South Korea, is among the 54 sponsors of the U.N. resolution, which was proposed by Liechtenstein. On the same day at United Nations headquarters in New York, the Security Council is scheduled to hear from one of the two ASEAN officials from Brunei ASEANs chair this year who visited Myanmar earlier this month. New Peoples Army guerrillas stand in formation in the Philippines Sierra Madre mountain range east of Manila, July 30, 2017. A 12-year-old girl was among three communist guerrilla suspects killed in a clash earlier this week in the south, the Philippine military said on Thursday, about an incident that drew condemnation from rights groups. Separately, a congresswoman in the United States introduced an act to suspend U.S. assistance to Philippine security forces, in response, she said to the mass human rights violations perpetuated by the [Rodrigo] Duterte regime." Meanwhile, army Brig. Gen. Allan D. Hambala said troops did not see the child among the suspects involved in the clash that occurred near the remote town of Lianga in Surigao del Sur province on Tuesday. Once the firing started it was all go. The terrain was covered with thick jungle foliage, Hambala said. In a report, the military said the clash began when a group of suspected New Peoples Army (NPA) members fired at the troops and detonated an anti-personnel mine. The 10-minute firefight led to the death of three NPA members identified as Lenie Perez Rivas, 38, Willy Salinas Rodriguez, 20, and a 12-year-old girl, the military said, withholding the name of the child. Hambala said soldiers saw a man firing at them, prompting the 12-man special forces team to retaliate. The encounter occurred near a jungle trail beside an old logging road, he said. Soldiers found the girls body during a search after the clash. They also recovered an AK-47 rifle, two .45-caliber pistols, backpacks, ammunition and two anti-personnel mines near the three slain suspects, Hambala said. A day before Tuesdays clash, the special forces team was involved in a similar encounter with 20 NPA rebel suspects in nearby Agusan del Sur, Hambala said. Security forces arrested a 15-year-old girl after this clash, who tipped off the troops about the location of the group targeted a day later, according to Hambala. The military said this was not the first time the NPA had involved child combatants. Data from the militarys Eastern Mindanao Command shows that 12.3 percent of the 1,691 former rebels profiled over the past four years were between the ages of 12 and 17. The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, which has been waging war since 1969 in one of Asias longest-running insurgencies. Bishop to lead investigation Rights group Karapatan identified the three killed as members of the local Manobo tribe that has lived in the mineral-rich area for centuries and opposes the influx of outsiders, including mining firms. Because of this conflict, security forces claim that many tribals are members of the NPA, said Cristina Palabay, Karapatans leader. For instance, Karapatan said that those who were slain were among a group of six farmers who were on their way to town to buy rice. The remaining three were able to escape, and based on its investigation, the group contradicted the militarys claim that there was a firefight. A fact-finding mission led by Catholic Bishop Raul Dael, who leads the Diocese of Tandag, is expected to conduct an investigation into the incident this weekend. Hambala said he welcomed an independent investigation and reiterated that the encounter was legitimate and those killed were NPA members Palabay said Tuesdays killings were part of a long list of massacres carried out under President Rodrigo Dutertes administration. We stand with the people of Lianga with their outrage, their being victims of this bloody rampage against the Lumad people, Palabay told BenarNews, using the collective term for non-Islamized indigenous groups. They look at the Lumad people like hunted prey falsely tagging the victims as members of the NPA. Karapatan, she said, had documented 25 incidents of massacres under the current administration, resulting in the death of 121 individuals. In some cases, these killings have been carried out under the cover of Dutertes drug war, she said. The government has denied the rights groups allegations. Troops display weapons recovered after a clash killed suspected members of the New Peoples Army in the southern Philippines, in this handout photo released on June 17, 2021. (Armed Forces of the Philippines Eastern Mindanao Command) Philippine Human Rights Act Earlier this week, Susan Wild, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and 13 co-sponsors reintroduced the Philippine Human Rights Act in congress, saying the Duterte administration is targeting activists, journalists, workers and the clergy. The bill is described as an effort to suspend the provision of security assistance to the Philippines until the Government of the Philippines has made certain reforms to the military and police forces, and for other purposes. Wild presented a similar bill in the previous congress prior to the 2020 election. By blocking assistance to Philippine security forces until such time as human rights standards are met, this bill makes a commonsense proposition: Standing up for human rights requires more than rhetoric. It requires action, she said in a statement announcing the reintroduction on Tuesday. A cosponsor, Rep. Hank Johnson, said the bill was needed because of Dutertes actions. We need to show that we do not support tinpot dictators who engage in this kind of oppressive, flagrant form of human rights abuses. Simple reforms could go a long way in helping preserve and strengthen our long-time relationship with Manila, Johnson said in the statement. Also this week, Fatou Bensouda, the chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, asked for the greenlight to investigate the Philippines counter-narcotics campaign. Bensouda, who left the office a day after making her request, said tens of thousands of people may have been victims of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines from mid-2016, when Duterte took office, to March 2019. This effort will raise donations to help Central Oregons creative artists musicians, visual artists, performers and creative workers by offering grants and a platform to bring attention to the talent that needs help to continue thriving in this community throughout the pandemic and beyond. More Info Bennington, VT (05201) Today A steady rain this morning. Showers continuing this afternoon. High 66F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch.. Tonight Cloudy with occasional rain showers. Low around 55F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Bennington, VT (05201) Today A steady rain this morning. Showers continuing this afternoon. High near 65F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.. Tonight Rain showers early becoming a steady light rain overnight. Low 54F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has announced his plan to spend nearly $3 billion in federal pandemic-relief funds to support homeownership, economic development, job training, health care and infrastructure with a focus on populations that suffered the most from COVID-19 Claire Saunders, Mitchell Winter and Rebecca Brooksher in The Importance of Being Earnest at Berkshire Theatre Groups Unicorn Theatre. Community News Editor / Librarian Jeannie Maschino is community news editor and librarian for The Berkshire Eagle. She has worked for the newspaper in various capacities since 1982 and joined the newsroom in 1989. She can be reached at jmaschino@berkshireeagle.com. Residents of the 1st Congressional District, represented by U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, can testify Monday at a virtual hearing to share perspectives on redistricting. Following the passage of a criminal justice reform law in 2018, the probation agency has expanded its efforts to reduce unnecessary pre-trial detentions and help residents involved in legal proceedings avoid accidentally missing court dates. 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. In Change the Name , Thomas tells the story of a group of young Black freedom fighters and their educators, who tried to get the name of a park in Chicago changed from that of a slaveholder to the names of two abolitionists, Anna and Frederick Douglass. The documentary serves as living proof that a local movement in Chicagos North Lawndale neighborhood can inspire and embolden a generation and demonstrate that change is indeed possible. Cai Thomas says that its important not to put limits on whats possible in ones career. She reflects that if anyone wouldve told her just a year ago that she would have a film premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival and airing on BET Networks, she wouldve asked what in the world they were talking about. Fast forward to the summer of 2021 and Thomas documentary is preparing to make its cable television debut truly fulfilling a dream come true. BET.com: When did you first fall in love with filmmaking and when did you realize that you wanted to make them? Cai Thomas: It wasn't just one moment. It's been a collection of moments for me. As a kid, I really was information hungry. It wasn't really until I went to college that I started to learn about independent cinema and be exposed to different filmmakers that weren't blockbusters, things with emotional depth that made me feel. I was kind of like the family documentarian and so its really fun to see my earlier camera work. My love of filmmaking has just been an evolution and something that I feel really blessed and fortunate that I'm able to do. It's been really amazing to be a working filmmaker at this time and in this moment, and Im really excited for the rollout of the film. BET.com: How would you describe the power of filmwhat do you think makes it so powerful? Cai Thomas: Film has the power to inform and also misinform. A big part of why I'm interested in documentary filmmaking is so that when events happen, they can't be questioned. It was important for me to document those young folks because I never wanted people to question or say thats not possible. My filmmaking is really important to serve as an archive of the world that I'm living in. BET.com: How do you choose to celebrate or memorialize Juneteenth? Cai Thomas: Its very interesting to see that larger corporations are aware of what Juneteenth is. For me, it's really important to keep the integrity of it and realize that there was a time when we were enslaved. How is the world changing? How is the world trying to shift to become a better experience for Black folks? I think there is a lot of systemic inequities that still exist, but for us to celebrate Juneteenth as a moment of Black joy is really powerful. I really want young folks to watch the film. Its a big moment for me as a director, but it's also a big moment for these young folks, that their organizing is going to be recognized on a national scale. RELATED: Co-Directors Of The New Film Gloves Off Find Inspiration Through Friendship BET:.com What advice would you give to other people trying to break into the film industry and how can they have their voices heard and their stories told? Cai Thomas: The advice that I would give is to surround yourself, especially in documentary, with folks that aren't just filmmakers. It is important to be a person who's living in the world and paying attention and interacting with folks from various walks of life. And do the projects that you can't get out of your head, because working on a film is a lot of time, sometimes years. They definitely take a lot of patience. BET.com: Why should people watch Change the Name? What makes this film so special and powerful? Cai Thomas: There's a real power in being educated as a young Black person by another Black person. There aren't enough Black teachers. I think its really powerful to show kids even as young as kindergarten age to be like, Hey, if we see an issue in our community, we can galvanize and try to change it. What these young folks did is really powerful and the relationship that they have with their educators is really something else. Its still unclear if Travis Scott and Kylie Jenner are back together, but one thing that is certain is that he still loves her. While attending the 72nd Parsons Benefit Gala on Tuesday (June 15) for the Out West artist to receive an award, he gave a special shoutout to Jenner and their 3-year-old daughter, Stormi Webster. Stormi, I love you and wifey, I love you, he said. According to Page Six, the reality star and Kylie Cosmetics founder landed in New York City on Monday (June 14) to spend some mother-daughter time at the American Girl Doll store before meeting up with Scott. This duo took photos on the red carpet for the gala, which was the first time since Netflix's Travis Scott premiere: Look Mom I Can Fly in August 2019 in Santa Monica, Calif. RELATED: Kylie Jenner And Travis Scott Spend Memorial Day Holiday With Stormi They also spent time together over the Memorial Day holiday with Scott's family in Houston. They are not putting any pressure on their relationship. They get along and things are great. They both want to be as present as possible for Stormi. Kylie and Travis have worked hard to create a great family situation, a source shared, People reports. Everyone is very proud of how mature they are. Stormi is the happiest little girl. It's all benefitting her. After dating for two years, Jenner and Scott called it quits in Oct. 2019. They have reportedly been seen spending time together this year. In July of 2019, rapper A$AP Rocky, born Rakim Mayers, was facing assault charges in Sweden. There were reports that the Trump administration helped with his release, but according to the rapper, the former president made things a little worse. The new documentary Stockholm Syndrome, directed by The Architects, covers his 2019 assault trial and the time he spent in a Swedish prison. According to Rolling Stone, Rocky said in the film, which premiered June 13 at the Tribeca Film Festival, that Kanye West allegedly informed Trump of his incarceration. However, Rocky said he felt scared that Trump was going to f**k it up. He also added, But then on the other hand, Im just like, Thats whats up, man. You want the most support you could and its like, Oh, the president supports you. That felt good. Cause for the most part, I dont think he ever knows whats going on in the urban communities I was thankful for that, I cant lie. I was also scared that it would jeopardize me being in [jail] longer. Although the Trump Administration appeared to take credit for his release, Rocky denies this without going into further detail about how Trump almost messed him up saying, In reality, I had no problem saying thank you to the man, especially if he helped me.Thats the narrative they pushin: That he got me out. And he didnt free me. If anything, he made it a little worse. RELATED: Swedish Prosecutors Deny That The White House Reached Out Regarding A$AP Rocky On July 30, 2019, Rocky pleaded not guilty to the assault charges Swedish prosecutors levied against him. While on the stand, he shared his version of the events that led up to the incident. He testified that he and his entourage were walking around and had stopped near a fast food restaurant to download an app. Rocky further explained that he and his team were thinking they could check out electric scooters to ride around Stockholm, and thats when a pair of men approached them. Rocky acknowledged that he saw the two men come up to them but he didnt pay close attention to what transpired. He claims that he just heard his security turning the two away when one of his bodyguards picked up one man, Mustafa Jafari, by his neck and shoved him away, as shown in the videos that surfaced, according to TMZ. Rocky said that he did everything he could to diffuse the situation and avoid conflict, but Jafari instigated a fight with his bodyguard. By August 2, 2019, A$AP Rocky was released from the Swedish prison and he returned to the United States. On August 14, 2019, The Washington Post reported Rocky was found guilty of assault by a Swedish court but faced no prison time. Swedish prosecutors, however, have denied that Trump ever contacted them on behalf of A$AP Rocky. Russian President Vladimir Putin has been accused numerous times of pointing out what happens in the United States as a deflection tactic for human rights violations in his own country. So when he was pressed Wednesday (June 16) in after the summit meeting in Geneva with President Biden about the treatment of pro-democracy protesters in Russia, he cited the arrests of rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol during the deadly attack on January 6, comparing them with the Black Lives Matter movement. Putin said at his press conference that he was sympathetic to America regarding BLM, adding he does not want a similar unrest in Russia, and is the reason why he uses force to tamp down any opposition. "America just recently had very severe events, well known events after the killing of an African American. An entire movement developed, known as Black Lives Matter, he said. "What we saw was disorder, disruption, violations of the law, etc. "We feel sympathy for the United States of America," Putin continued, "but we dont want that to happen on our territory and well do our utmost in order to not allow it to happen. During Bidens press conference later, he was asked about the Putins comparison between the insurrectionists and the movement calling for police accountability. My response is kind of what I communicated, that I think thats a ridiculous comparison, Biden said. Its one thing for literally criminals to break through, go into the Capitol, kill a police officer and hold them accountable, than it is for people objecting and marching on the capital to say you are not allowing me to speak freely, you are not allowing me to do A, B, C, or D. RELATED: Black Lives Matter Fumes At Response To Racist Rioters On Capitol Hill An Ohio judge acquitted Tevin M. Biles-Thomas, brother of gold medal Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, of murder charges Tuesday, after she determined that prosecutors did not have enough evidence to convict him. Biles-Thomas, 26, was accused of fatally shooting three men during a fight at a 2018 New Years Eve party at a Cleveland Airbnb. Delvante Johnson, 19; Toshaun Banks, 21; and Devaughn Gibson, 23, were killed in the incident. Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge Joan Synenberg granted a motion by Biles-Thomas attorneys to dismiss the case based on insufficient evidence. According to courtroom video of the ruling reported by local station WEWS, Synenberg said that a witness description of clothing worn by the shooter was 75 percent accurate at best. RELATED: Fans Support Olympic Gold Medal Gymnast Simone Biles After Her Brother Was Charged In Ohio Triple-Homicide Joseph Patituce, one of Biles-Thomas defense attorneys, said that the state failed to prove its case, and that Synenbergs ruling paid incredible attention to the evidence presented. Biles-Thomas case was declared a mistrial in May, after all 12 jurors said they were inadvertently given legal briefs between prosecutors and Biles-Thomas legal team. According to NBC News, after the ruling, a woman stood up and rushed toward Biles-Thomas, yelling, You have to be f------ kidding me. Im going to kill you. The Cuyahoga County court released a statement confirming that a person in the gallery charged toward the defendant after the ruling. The statement also thanked the sheriffs department for its assistance. Patituce identified the woman as Johnsons mother. He said that Biles-Thomas legal team understood the pain for the families of the victims. We dont fault the victims family. This was a horrible event, Patituce said. We dont fault the victims family for acting out. Patituce also told CNN, "This was a horrible tragedy, three families lost three family members and you know, absolutely horrific. So, we understand emotions were running high. But today, Tevin Biles was vindicated, what he's waited to get for the last two and half years." Cai Thomas is a documentary filmmaker telling verite stories at the intersection of location, self-determination and identity about Black youth and elders. She grew up in Miami's Liberty City neighborhood and is deeply interested in stories rooted in place. Her film "Queenie," which is about a Black lesbian elder, premiered at NewFest, winning the NY Short Grand Jury Award. She is a NeXt Doc and Sisters in Cinema Fellow as well as a Mellon Arts Practitioner Fellow at Stanford's Center for Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity. Arielle Knight is a New York-based documentary filmmaker and creative producer whose primary artistic impulse is simply to make less of what is too much and more of what is not enough. Mining the absurd, the mythological and the mundane, the work of her life and practice seeks to center and recover the multiplicity of Black experiences and the narrative possibilities therein. Through her own filmmaking practice and in collaboration with like-minded creators, Arielle aims to inundate the world with the dreams, visions and beauty of Black lives on screen. She is a graduate of Wesleyan University and the New School for Public Engagement, where she received an MA in Media Studies & Documentary Filmmaking. She has since produced work for audiences at Sundance, MoMA Doc Fortnight, Camden, BlackStar, Big Sky, Milwaukee and Sheffield Documentary film festivals. Her work has been sustained through the support of the Jacob Burns Creative Culture Fellowship, the NYC Women's Fund for Media in association with the New York Foundation for the Arts and Queen Collective. Haimy Assefa is an Ethiopian-American documentary filmmaker and journalist. Her award-winning work as a director, cinematographer and producer can be seen on Netflix, CNN, and NBC News. An Emmy-nominated producer, she has been an integral member of digital video startups such as CNN's Great Big Story and NBC News's Left Field. Haimy is invested in telling stories about and from the perspectives of marginalized identities. Haimy is also developing a feature-length documentary about police torture and reparations. Tessica Brown, otherwise known as Gorilla Glue Girl, is launching a haircare line months after her infamous incident with Gorilla Glue. The viral sensation took to Instagram today (Wednesday, June 16th) to announce that her Forever Hair website is live and her products have launched. Her products include Sleek edge control that will safely help customers lay their edges down with ease, a growth oil, and of course, a holding spray. According to the website, Forever Hold is Spike, hold, mold, and silk spritz your hair, and retails for $14. Additionally, sweats with Bonded For Life lettered on them, t-shirts and hoodies are all for sale. Talk about turning tragedy into triumph! In February, Brown posted to Instagram detailing what happened after spraying heavy-duty Gorilla Glue adhesive spray in her hair because she ran out of her usual hairspray brand Got2B Glued. In a video posted in February, she said her hair was stuck in the hairstyle shown below for a month. My hair, it dont move, Brown said. Ive washed my hair 15 times and it dont move. A GoFund me was set and a famous Beverly Hills Doctor helped the Louisiana mother remove the adhesive from her hair. And now her natural hair is flourishing! TMZ reported that Brown launched her business venture inspired by her Gorilla Glue mishap. According to the story, all of the entrepreneur's products were developed with the assistance of hair care professionals. It was noted that they could be removed safely by washing a person's hair. However, TMZ also said that Brown wanted to develop products for people who suffered hair loss. She was both encouraged and ridiculed for her Gorilla Glue faux pas. Well, if there is one thing we've learned from the viral sensation--it's how to turn lemons into lemonade. All the products are available now on her company's website, tbforeverhair.com. And range in price from $13-$18. Best of luck to Brown on her new business venture! Written by BET Staff Call ahead to confirm events. Due to COVID-19, many events have been canceled but hosting organizations might not have updated their entries. Email Blast Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Daily News Headlines & Events Email Blast Would you like to receive a digest of each day's headlines & events from The Daily News by email? Signup today! The Amplifier Headlines & Events Email Blast Would you like to receive a weekly digest of headlines & events from The Amplifier by email? Signup today! Daily News Hosted Events The Daily News is a proud host of community enrichment events. Join our Daily News Events mailing list to learn about the next event we are planning. Sign up now. Manage your lists What we know that we dont know about marijuana in S.D. Spearfish, SD (57783) Today Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High near 90F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Low 69F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death. Go to form BOISE - On Wednesday, June 16, Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden announced investigators with his Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit arrested a Boise man on Monday, June 14, for alleged possession of child pornography. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Idaho filed a complaint on June 16, 2021, against 42-year-old Chad J. Longley and will prosecute the case. The Boise Police Department assisted the ICAC Unit with the arrest. A complaint is a means of charging a person with criminal activity. It is not evidence. A person is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Anyone with information regarding the exploitation of children is encouraged to contact local police, the Attorney Generals ICAC Unit at 208-947-8700, or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678. The Attorney Generals ICAC Unit works with the Idaho ICAC Task Force, a coalition of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, to investigate and prosecute individuals who use the internet to criminally exploit children. Parents, educators and law enforcement officials can find more information and helpful resources at the ICAC website, ICACIdaho.org. Clarkston, WA (99403) Today Plenty of sunshine. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 103F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Mostly clear. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 68F. W winds shifting to SSE at 10 to 15 mph. BIG RAPIDS Crossroads Charter Academy Food Services will be providing a free, seven-day supplies of breakfast and lunch to all students in all of Mecosta Countys schools. As part of the USDA Summer Food School Program, the goal is to help foster educational success through providing meals to students in special education programs throughout their summer curriculum. The program provides meals to students around the districts as part of the requirement of the distributing school. It is a natural extension of Michigans guidelines that all schools are required to provide educational services for mentally or physically disabled students through age 26. Lee Ann Martin, food and nutrition director for CCA, said the school is happy to be able to serve more students in the surrounding area through the initiative. This program is a natural extension of the services we offer, so we want to make sure qualifying individuals are aware of it and have access to it, Martin said. One of the requirements of the program is that it be offered to the entire community. Since Crossroads considers itself a family and part of the larger community, we feel it is our responsibility and privilege to contribute in that way. Because of Crossroads location in downtown Big Rapids, we provide a convenient pick up spot for the entire community, particularly for those who have limited transportation options, she added. CCA serves as an agent for the USDA Summer Food School Program, which started when the pandemic began in the early part of 2020, the school has been involved with it for almost a year and a half and are projected to participate with it through the end of next summer. Through the programs duration, free breakfast and lunch will be offered to all participating students. Meal kits can be picked up between 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Thursday during the summer through Aug. 24 in the lower level parking lot of the Crossroads Charter High School at 215 W. Spruce St. Upon pick-up, participants are asked to provide their students name and inform CCA as to whether they would like additional seven-day meal kits for other eligible children. Martin said providing nutrition to students who need it for academic success is key to CCAs strategies for fostering education, and many participants have been outwardly positive about the program. When children are hungry they have difficulty concentrating on schoolwork and retaining information, Martin said. Because free meals are provided through this program, children do not have to worry about being hungry. An additional benefit of participating with the USDA was the provision of free breakfast and lunch to all students throughout the school year. Most people are grateful and appreciate the extra effort that the CCA family is making on behalf of our students. The food service staff has put in extra hours to ensure meals are available to our face-to-face students, our virtual students, and to families in the community, she added. While not all of our students and families have a need or are taking advantage of the program, it is vitally important to others and they depend on this service. she added. Moving forward, Martin said CCA plans to continue working with its food services department to provide programs like the Meal Kits for students, and plans to continue aligning their food programs with encouraging educational success among area youth. Crossroads believes it has a responsibility to meet the needs of our community, so we have offered the option of taking home meals every weekend and for non-school days, Martin said. We have elected to give students a choice in the meals they take home. We will continue to provide this service as long as there is a need on the part of our students and the community. For more information on the program, how to enter and request meals, contact Lee Ann Martin at martinl@ccabr.org or 231-796-9041. Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com It is becoming clear that many perhaps most in the media believe that journalists are not acting responsibly unless they are condemning Trump, labeling the man a bigot or worse: CHRIS HAYES, MSNBC HOST: "There was a moment in the debate when Clinton and Sanders were asked if Donald Trump is a racist and they both gave answers that basically said, yes, but did not say the words, Donald Trump is a racist. You tweeted this. 'I didn't realize this was a question. Behaves like a racist, speaks like a racist, of course, real Donald Trump is a racist.' Should they have just said that?" ((EDIT)) BILL DE BLASIO (D), NEW YORK CITY MAYOR: "I said the way he`s using his racial appeal is extraordinarily cynical. We talk a lot lately about dog whistles and coded language. He`s gone way past that to overt language. And I think, therefore, we have to use overt language and call him the racist he is." Mayor De Blasio echoing the far-left view, which is what he always does. Not since the pre-civil rights south has the vicious head of bigotry been raised so prominently in political circles. No question the racist tag will be front and center in the upcoming presidential campaign should Donald Trump get the Republican nomination. That will be the centerpiece of attacks against him. Trump himself does not seem fazed, nor do his supporters. But in order to become president Mr. Trump will need about 65 million Americans to vote for him and his opposition believes the racist tag will drive minority and on the fence voters away. The question then becomes, how do responsible and fair-minded press people cover the Trump campaign when the race card is being used as an axe? Last night on The Factor we talked with Jorge Ramos, lead anchor for Univision. The topic was a question: How can that network possibly cover Mr. Trump fairly when they have already branded him anti-Hispanic? The segment is posted on BillOReilly.com. During our debate, Mr. Ramos said this: RAMOS: "I think you have to be tougher on Donald Trump. You haven't been tough on him." O'REILLY: "I have been, listen, I have confronted Donald Trump in ways -" RAMOS: "How many times you have confronted him?" O'REILLY: "He has told me that I'm unfair, okay? So, I'm not going to get into me. I want to bring it back to you." RAMOS: "You talk to him so many times and you ..." O'REILLY: "Yes, tonight before you." RAMOS: "And you and Sean Hannity, you let him get away with anything." O'REILLY: "No, no, no, no, no. I don't let him get away with anything. I confront him." RAMOS: "With almost everything." O'REILLY: "That's not true." Now, Talking Points is used to that kind of stuff. Overnight we received about 3,000 emails, and as usual reaction to the Trump interview yesterday was all over the place. I'm too kind to him, I'm condescending, I'm unfair to the candidate, I'm in the tank, on and on. We'll read some of your letters later. But the reaction is mostly based on how the viewer feels about Donald Trump, not what actually took place in my interview with him. As far as Mr. Ramos is concerned, he seems to be on another planet. Here's The Factor record and you can look it up, everything is on line. In the beginning of his campaign I directly told Mr. Trump that Mexico would not pay for the border wall, even if economic reprisals were taken against that country. Simply put, no Mexican politician could survive in office if he or she agreed to that. I suggested to the candidate that a mass deportation of illegal aliens would be tied up in federal court for years, effectively shutting that policy down. Same thing with temporarily barring Muslims from entering the USA. Courts would block that, the hearings would take forever. We also investigated Trump's statement about thousands of Muslims in New Jersey celebrating after the 9/11 attack and found it to be exaggerated. In addition, I suggested to the candidate that Muslim nations are needed to defeat the jihadists and America would be wise not to alienate them. Also, I told Donald Trump that John McCain is a hero, that Carly Fiorina's appearance was no issue, that Megyn Kelly's question about women was legit, and just last night that rhetorical mudslinging will not make America great again. I said all this to his face. I could list dozens of other issues where I have challenged Donald Trump sometimes to his great annoyance. But I also allow him his say and to his credit he comes into this tough forum. He's not afraid, as many other politicians are. Trump is accessible to the voters, a very good thing. The press does not intimidate him and he curries no favor. Now I like Jorge Ramos; he's no phony. But he's blind on the Trump issue and has no bleeping clue about what we do here. Obviously. Maybe Jorge objects because I will not brand Trump a racist, he's not he doesn't care what color or race somebody is. It is not racist to shut down illegal immigration or brand Islamic terrorism as a deep threat. It is not a mark of fascism to hold other countries accountable for treating America unfairly. In addition, I am not in the nit-picking business. Trump and every other politician misspeak at times. The gotcha game is cheap and boring. For example, if you really believe Donald Trump is courting the KKK, you need to get some fresh air. It is my job to give you the American voter insights into those seeking power. I do that in a variety of ways, and you will learn more from The Factor than most other news programs. You don't stay number one for 16 years by spinning shilling or selling out. Donald Trump is the most important political story in decades. We will cover him fairly, allowing you to decide whether or not he has the right stuff to be president. For that we will be demonized and attacked by those who despise Trump. To quote President Bush the elder -- read my lips, I don't care! Trump deserves fair coverage, as do all the other candidates including Hillary Clinton. Sadly few media outlets will provide fair coverage in this election cycle. Trump has changed all the rules because he has broken many of them himself. Jorge Ramos and other press folks are out to get him. We are not. We are out to cover him. And that's the memo. Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com A new CBS News poll shows a stunning turnaround on how Americans see the fight against ISIS. Back in October, just 47% favored using American ground troops to fight ISIS. That number has now jumped to 57%, with 37% opposed. The American people seem to be getting the message that evil terrorists are slaughtering thousands of human beings all over the world, and the most powerful nation on earth should lead the way in stopping that. But President Obama continues to play the long game, saying that social problems and other factors must be weighed in any campaign against Islamic terror. That's a dangerous point of view because human beings are being murdered and the ISIS killers are expanding. Perhaps Mr. Obama should heed the words of the Egyptian leader: SEN. TED CRUZ (R-TX): President el-Sisi is a Muslim -- and he said we Muslims need to stand up together against these radical terrorists who are perverting our faith and turning it into a mandate for murder. ((EDIT)) Why don't we see the president of the United States demonstrating that same courage just to speak the truth about the face of evil we're facing right now? That's a powerful statement from the senator because Mr. Obama is certainly taking his time in formulating an effective strategy to stop the mass murder. Here's what the president and his acolytes believe: OBAMA: We do have to address the grievances that terrorists exploit, including economic grievances. ((EDIT)) JOHN KERRY: We have a huge common interest in dealing with this issue of poverty, which in many cases is the root cause of terrorism. ((EDIT)) AYMAN MOHYELDIN, NBC NEWS FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT: What struck out at me in this speech by the president is that he talked about so many of the issues -- poverty, education, the ideology -- but one thing that was omitted very blatantly from this is the consequences of so many of the Wests policies in the Middle East. That's right, it's America's fault we provoked the jihadists into slaughtering thousands of innocent people. That's just insane. But almost as crazy is believing, as apparently Secretary of State Kerry does, that the United States can affect poverty in Muslim nations, that we can somehow upgrade the standard of living in places like Yemen and Afghanistan. The federal government cannot even eradicate poverty in America, so why is the Obama administration putting out this fantasy? It would be like saying because America was part of the World War I German surrender that crushed the German economy for years, we were partially responsible for Hitler's rise. Maybe Secretary Kerry believes that FDR could have provided jobs for people in Munich, thereby preventing the rise of Adolf and his assassins who gained power because the German economy was so bankrupt. For anyone who knows history, what the Obama administration is putting out there is not only false, it's incredibly stupid. This country cannot regulate how the government of Pakistan runs its economy. Over the decades, American taxpayers have sent billions of dollars overseas to help people. And these loony far left people say we're the problem? We encouraged al Qaeda and ISIS to commit barbaric acts? I mean this kind of stuff is off the chart. And then you get back to the president's unwillingness to confront radical Islam by name. Yet he has no problem suggesting the three Muslim young people in North Carolina might have been murdered over their religion. Ed Henry confronted the White House on that: ED HENRY, FOX NEWS CHIEF WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: I'm curious, why didn't you mention it was 21 Christians killed by Muslims? Is that relevant? JOSH EARNEST, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: It sure is, because the ISIL -- the ISIL extremists who carried out this attack indicated that they were killing them wasn't just because they were Egyptian, but also because they were Christian. ((EDIT)) HENRY: Why were you not clear on Sunday? It went out under your name. Why didn't you say 21 Christians were killed? EARNEST: Well Ed, I've -- I've tried to be clear here. I can't account for that specific line in the statement, but we've been clear there that we condemn this murder. ((EDIT)) HENRY: Two days earlier, on the 13th, you put out a statement under the president saying about the tragic deaths of the three Muslim students at the University of North Carolina, and in there, the president said, quote, No one in the United States of America should ever be targeted because of who they are, what they look like, or how they worship. Why was their Muslim faith relevant in that statement? EARNEST: Well Ed, I think as we have indicated, the situation in North Carolina is still under investigation. ((EDIT)) HENRY: So why was their faith invoked in the president's statement? EARNEST: Well Ed, I think it is important for the president, in this case as he has in many others, to articulate a pretty clear principle, and I think it's the kind of principle that the vast majority of Americans should be able to support. Ed will be with us in just a few moments. Finally, the far left is now desperate to stop the growing anger Americans have for the jihad. Today in The New York Times, there is a full-page ad from a group that doesn't want war with Iran even if they develop a nuclear weapon. So it's fine if the fanatical mullahs have the ability to wipe hundreds of thousands of people off the earth. In the media, left-wing zealots on television are decrying the use of the words holy war. No, you can't say holy war, not even if ISIS puts out a public statement saying they beheaded 21 Christians because of their religion. As Dennis Miller often says, the world has gone mad. But what is really dangerous is that our leadership in Washington -- not only the president but Congress, as well -- does not have a plan to stop the jihad. Our leaders continue to dither while Syria, Iraq, Yemen and many other places burn. As Talking Points has said, sooner or later these Muslim fanatics are going to bring their death plans here again. And that's the memo. Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com Today in front of Congress, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a very strong speech, telling the world that the country of Iran is engaged in a reign of terror. BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, PRIME MINISTER OF ISRAEL: "The greatest danger facing our world is the marriage of militant Islam with nuclear weapons. To defeat ISIS and let Iran get nuclear weapons would be to win the battle, but lose the war. We can't let that happen." And Netanyahu says he won't let that happen. If he is re-elected on March 17th, he says Israel will take on Iran alone if it has to. All of this is especially vexing because the nuke negotiations are so complicated. The Israelis believe what John Kerry is suggesting is dangerous because it allows Iran to continue to hold nuclear capacity. Others dissent from that point of view. But give Benjamin Netanyahu credit. He says what he believes in a vivid way while the Obama administration does not, staying far away from publicly debating the merits of what the USA is offering Iran. In fact, 58 Democrats boycotted the speech today and then hammered it after it was delivered: REP. JOHN YARMUTH (D-KY): "This speech was right out of the Dick Cheney playbook. This was fear mongering at its ultimate. It's phrases like - essentially saying nuclear war is inevitable if this deal, if this deal were to be accepted." Almost all the Democrats who did not show up are far-left folks. We'll take a look at that shortly. Talking Points believes that Iran is a dangerous country that will likely violate any treaty the Obama administration signs. It's almost a given. But world order can be bolstered by talking with the Mullahs rationally. Simply walking away from the table would be bad policy. President Obama should address the nation and the world and lay out what he believes is a fair deal. Let's see it so we can evaluate what's in play. Then Congress should vote yes or no. And if the Iranians don't agree to a fair deal that Congress endorses, then draconian sanctions should be immediately re-applied and villains like Putin who do not go along should be exposed. Right now the world needs clarity. Netanyahu spelled out the danger very well. Now we need the most powerful man in the world, Barack Obama, to step up and persuade us his offer to Iran would stop the nuclear madness. We are waiting Mr. President. And that's the memo. Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com Perhaps as many as 90 Christians in Syria have been taken hostage by the ISIS jihadists. We should all pray for those people who may very well end up beheaded or burned alive. Also, the United Nations high commissioner for human rights has issued a report that says the following: ISIS atrocities include rapes, slavery, the trafficking of women and children, forced recruitment of children, killings of civilians and kidnappings. The U.N. agency says young girls are being forced into marriages and young boys are being trained as jihadi fighters. We've seen video of this and it is appalling. These young boys are being brainwashed, trained to kill ... they are powerless to stop ISIS from abusing them. Meanwhile, the world dithers. There is no organized campaign on the ground to stop the atrocities or to defeat the ISIS savages. What a disgrace. In an excellent bit of reporting from northern Iraq, NBC correspondent Richard Engel interviewed two women who escaped from the ISIS abusers. RICHARD ENGEL, NBC NEWS CHIEF FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT: ISIS is reviving the barbaric tradition of the slave trade, proudly showing its fighters in this ISIS video discussing the Yazidi women they`re about to buy. We showed Farida the video. She instantly recognized the men. ((EDIT)) RICHARD ENGEL (translating Farida): "All of the girls were screaming and crying because they didn`t want to go with them," she says, "so they beat the girls and dragged them away by force." Farida was raped repeatedly for three months. (Farida speaking foreign language) RICHARD ENGEL (translating Farida): "They sold me from one man to the next," she says. The ordeal was even harder for the younger ones. ((EDIT)) RICHARD ENGEL, ON CAMERA: There`s a word we don`t use a lot in the news media, but it fits here. This is evil. It was absolute evil by design. This was not a war crime that happened by accident. This is ISIS policy. Again, excellent reporting by Richard Engel, and he's right. The news media does not like to use the word evil, but that's what the world is witnessing. Once again, Talking Points will remind you that these ISIS thugs are the same as the Nazis who slaughtered millions of people before and during World War II. There is no difference in the mentality. And once again the world is standing by doing little while the ISIS menace grows, spreading all over the Middle East and North Africa. President Obama is not taking the lead. His stated 60-nation coalition is invisible, and the other nations of the world are even worse. How long are these atrocities going to continue before the world unites against the savages? How long? And that's the memo. Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com Many Americans and many members of Congress do not trust Mr. Obama on anything. A recent Quinnipiac poll asked, who do you trust more to make decisions, President Obama or Republicans in Congress? Forty-two percent say the president. Forty-seven percent, the Republicans. But in that poll just four percent of self-described Republicans trust Barack Obama four percent. That's because the president has not done much to persuade non-liberal Americans that his policies are good for them. Also, American foreign policy is a mess as Mr. Obama has made major mistakes in the Middle East, has no solution for Putin, and generally seems confused by evil in the world. So in a vital situation -- stopping Iran from developing nuclear weapons -- the president finds himself with little credibility. Therefore when he says the deal is good, many Americans, perhaps most, simply don't believe him. Enter Congress, who next week will debate a bill that would require President Obama to submit any nuke treaty with Iran to the Senate and House for approval. That seems to be logical because then all the strengths and weaknesses of the deal would be public for the public to see. There would be robust debate, which is a good thing. However, the president is threatening to veto any such congressional bill. OBAMA: My hope is that we can find something that allows Congress to express itself but does not encroach on traditional presidential prerogatives and ensures that, if in fact we get a good deal, that we can go ahead and implement it. Now if President Obama defies Congress on the Iranian nuclear treaty, that would be a disaster for America and for the president himself, even though he may not realize it. There is no question that Iran is a terrorist nation. It brutalizes its own people through a vicious secret police and the militant Islamic Revolutionary Guard. Also, it has funded terrorism all over the world. Simply put, millions of Americans do not trust President Obama to protect us from the deranged mullahs who have committed atrocities for decades. Therefore, Congress must, must provide oversight and reassurance for the American people. That's the way our system is supposed to work. And that's the memo. The Arctics polar bears and walruses are on the brink. Nevertheless, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering letting oil companies harass them in a climate-destroying quest for oil across millions of acres of Alaskas Western Arctic and Beaufort Sea. If the agencys plan goes forward, seismic oil exploration will disturb the quiet of the tundra. Construction and operation of roads, pipelines, runways and wells will destroy habitat and cause harmful noise pollution. Rolling equipment could crush polar bears in their dens and scare off mother bears, leaving their cubs to starve. Polar bears and walruses, already struggling to survive in the face of melting sea ice, shouldnt have to face this noisy, dangerous onslaught. Tell the Biden administration to deny this proposal and stop permitting drilling in the Arctic for imperiled wildlife and our climate future. AYUSH-64 was repurposed after scientific evidence generated from seven clinical studies across India Sri Sri Tattva has introduced the AYUSH-64 tablets, which is been recognised by the Ministry of Ayush for being effective in the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 patients. It has obtained technology transfer from National Research & Development Corporation and will manufacture and distribute it nationally and internationally. AYUSH-64 tablets were launched in the presence of Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Arvind Varchaswi, MD, Sri Sri Tattva, Vaidya Devendra Triguna, President, All India Ayurveda Congress, Bhushan Patwardhan, Former Vice-Chairman, University Grants Commission (UGC), Dr N Srikanth, Director General, The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Rajiv Vasudevan, Founder AyurVAID Hospitals and Vikas Chauhan, Co-founder, 1 mg. AYUSH-64 was repurposed after scientific evidence generated from seven clinical studies across India. It has been identified as a potential adjunct to standard care in the management of asymptomatic, mild and moderate COVID-19 to improve the clinical recovery and quality of life through robust clinical trials conducted in the country. The in-silico study done on AYUSH-64 showed that about 35 out of 36 of its Phyto-constituents have a high binding affinity against the COVID-19 virus. Varchaswi said, We have entered into a strategic partnership with 1 mg, to reach out to more people in need. Kotecha said, AYUSH-64 is not an immunomodulator, it is a drug repurposed for the treatment of COVID-19. The ingredients have immunomodulatory effects, but the study is done for the use of AYUSH-64 as a treatment in COVID-19 as an add on or as stand-alone. Docking studies were carried out for AYUSH-64 at NIN, ICMR and IIT, BHU. Preclinical studies were also carried out at THSTI and DBT Institute. Venus Remedies challenged the Indian patent by the French pharmaceutical giant SCR Pharmatop in 2011 after prompted by an attempted drug patent linkage by the patentee before the drug regulator of India Venus Remedies won a 10-year long legal battle that challenged patent claimed by French pharmaceutical firm SCR Pharmatop for producing the intravenous paracetamol solution in India. In a decision dated June 4, 2021, the Indian Patent Office decided in favour of Venus Remedies and upheld its decision for revocation of the Indian patent because the process lacked any inventive step that made it superior to other existing solutions. Venus opposition was intended to remove any Indian patent hurdle in manufacturing intravenous paracetamol solution in India. As intravenous paracetamol plays a critical role in managing inflammation and fever, hence the revocation of this patent is an encouraging development for the healthcare sector in the country reeling under the current pandemic. Sharing the development with the key stakeholders of the company, Saransh Chaudhary, President, Global Critical Care, Venus Remedies said, We are committed to finding and developing the best solutions for global health challenges the biggest part of which is bridging the gap between people and robust healthcare facilities. Our endeavour here was to make sure that critical drugs such as intravenous paracetamol are available in our country to be manufactured generically and accessible at economical prices for the general public, particularly during these difficult times. VRL filed the post-grant opposition against the SCR Pharmatops intravenous paracetamol patent back in 2011 before Indian Patent Office on several grounds such as lack of novelty and lack of inventive steps, among others. During the case, Patent Office first revoked the patent in 2018 observing that the claims made by SCR Pharmatop are obvious to an ordinary person skilled in the art, however, the company moved their plea to Delhi High Court and Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB). IPAB directed the Patent Office to again hear the matter and after hearing and written submissions from both parties the Indian Patent Office gave its final decision on June 4, 2021, maintaining the revocation order of Patent no.238164, dated December 24 2018. Unmanned air ambulances will be the future of India's healthcare scenario where rural areas can be connected easily. Wing Commander S Vijay (Veteran), COO, Skye Air Mobility, New Delhi reveals more in an interaction How can Skye Air bring a revolution in providing healthcare facilities in rural and remote areas? Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), commonly referred to as drones, are capable of reaching remote areas autonomously with minimum effort, time and energy. One of the most promising drone applications is the delivery of packages to previously inaccessible areas. Understanding the capability of drones, the Government of Telangana along with the World Economic Forum conceived the 'Medicine from the Sky' project to deliver healthcare items like medicines, COVID-19 vaccines, units of blood, plasma and other lifesaving items from the distribution centres located in urban and semi-urban areas to PHCs / CHCsin rural areas and back. Skye Air is taking part as a Drone Service Provider (DSP) in these trials and part of three consortiums out of eight consortiums selected for the trial. Skye Air will operate drones, develop applications, perform data analytics, integrate workflows with government systems, design and develop drones. Thus, Skye Air is a complete solution provider and can create a delivery ecosystem for central, state government health departments and private companies in the digital healthcare sector for revolutionising healthcare facilities in rural and remote areas. What kind of healthcare logistics will you provide? Skye Air will start with deliveries of emergency medicines for trauma care, units of blood or plasma, vaccines, longtail medicines and diagnostic specimens. Also, we aim to support organ transplant by transporting organs from donor hospital to recipient hospital. In future, Skye Air will be operating unmanned air ambulances for moving patients safely and timely to higher echelon medical facilities to save lives. With vaccination drives in full swing, how can the drone assist in this initiative? The vaccination drive for COVID-19 is going to be a gigantic task even though India has a well-structured vaccination delivery system owing to its universal immunisation programmes. While the country has the worlds largest railways and road networks, a new, efficient mode of transporting vaccines would be required to overcome the logistical challenges because India is a vast country with 67 per cent of the population living in rural India. This is where a drone-based distribution system plays a vital role. Using drones could make the delivery of critical vaccines especially to remote areas, more accessible and faster. Using drones to deliver medical supplies will help in better resource management of the limited supplies and facilitate just-in-time delivery to the current supply chain system. Smart inventory management and overcoming stock out issues will help lighten the current burden and deal with the crisis efficiently. The company plans to start trials for BVLOS Drone flights. Who will be going to conduct the trials and by when it will be over? Did you tie-up with the government for the same? Skye Air as DSP in three out of eight consortiums will be conducting the BVLOS delivery trials. The trials are expected to start in the last week of June 2021 and will finish by the third week of July 2021. These trials are for the Government of Telangana on a No Cost No Commitment (NCNC) basis. The government of Indias think tank 'Niti Ayog' is closely monitoring the trials to replicate the model across all Indian states at the commercial level. In which part of the country do you plan to launch the services? The Government of Telangana is planning to implement the drone delivery model in three to four districts by the last quarter of this FY. As mentioned earlier, Niti Ayog is keenly observing the progress of these trials for implementation all over India to connect rural India and improve the reach of healthcare items. We are currently in discussion with various state governments for the implementation of the drone delivery model. We are planning to launch the services all across Indian states and UTs. What type of technology has been used in BVLOS Drones? Since delivery drones are required to cover ranges beyond visual line of sight, the radio telemetry used will be superior to ordinary drones and will be capable of operating on 4G/5G telecom network for improved ranges. Additionally, delivery drones are designed to take off and land vertically for ease of pickup and delivery of goods. Along with VTOL (Vertical Take-off and Landing), the design incorporates improved battery power and aerodynamic refinements like the hybrid design of airframe for achieving better cruise speeds, long ranges, greater stability, ability to recover from the loss of power due to glide potential and a parachute for a safe landing in the event of loss of propulsion. What is your business model? What will be your five-year growth strategies? Skye air is a drone delivery service provider and product design and development company. We developed delivery drones for use in our projects and also for sales. We are closely working with the Indian Armed Forces to develop customised delivery solutions. Skye Airs current focus is on healthcare and emergency logistics delivery for the government and private sector and expands services to other deliveries like food and e-commerce packages as the policy and regulation evolves in India. We tied up with domestic and global, logistics and e-commerce companies for seamless integration of drone delivery along with their current surface-based delivery network. We want to improve urban air mobility by introducing Sky Taxi and unmanned air ambulance services in India. Sanjiv Das (sanjiv.das@mmactiv.com) The Real Estate Business Owners of South Africa (Rebosa) is calling on local real estate agents to reinforce their health and safety measures as the country enters its third wave of mass Covid-19 infections. Rebosa chairperson Tony Clarke High Court rules in favour of Rebosa in battle for FFCs The High Court has found the failure of the Estate Agency Affairs Board (EAAB) to issue Fidelity Fund Certificates (FFCs) to the applicant estate agents without merit... Covid-19 workplace guidelines Rebosa calls for simplification of estate agency qualification framework Rebosa has called on government to urgently regulate a revamp and simplification of the estate agency qualification framework as the current requirements are an obstacle to transformation of the industry... 'No excuse not to follow guidelines' With the vaccine rollout slowly gaining momentum, there is certainly hope for a less restrictive environment on the horizon, says Rebosa chairperson Tony Clarke. Unfortunately, the third wave is growing much faster than our vaccination figures, which means now is not the time to relax our guard.Rebosa has published an extensive set of Covid-19 workplace readiness guidelines and templates for use by the real estate industry. According to Clarke, these guidelines have been instrumental in minimising virus transmission in the industry so far, and enabling agents to safely and effectively sell property, despite the challenges of the pandemic.Recommended safety measures include encouraging agents to work from home whenever possible, and adopting shift work for essential administrative staff to minimise in-office exposure. Strict in-office hygiene controls and screening should also be employed regularly, while social distancing and mask wearing should be enforced at all times.Its also important for real estate agencies to review their transmission-control protocol in the event that a team member tests positive for Covid-19, says Clarke.To reduce risk during interactions with members of the public, Rebosa recommends agents provide consultations telephonically or via video call, and use electronic documentation and digital property services like virtual viewings and showhouses whenever possible.When face-to-face interactions are essential, agents are advised to meet by appointment only and never travel to a property in the same vehicle as a client. Rebosa also recommends agents limit the number of people present at meetings, maximise ventilation, maintain social distance and ensure all parties sanitise their hands and wear masks.That goes for valuations as well as showhouses, which are best limited to pre-qualified buyers only, says Clarke. This reduces potential virus exposure and minimises any inconvenience for sellers a win all round.While Rebosas recommended measures may seem restrictive, Clarke says responsible agents have no excuse not to follow them to the letter.We now have almost a year and a half of concrete evidence that abiding by strict Covid-19 protocols does not affect an agents ability to successfully facilitate a property transaction, he says. Anyone saying differently is either not up to the task of adapting to the new normal, or simply doesnt care about the wellbeing of the people around them. Buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants should make a point of confirming their agents are following best practices, and demand better from them if they are not behaving with the professionalism our industry expects.Rebosas guidelines are available online, free of charge, to all real estate professionals.We are fortunate to have such a comprehensive set of tried-and-tested Covid-19 protocols available, says Clarke. Anyone choosing not to make use of them is putting themselves, their co-workers and their clients at unacceptable risk and should be held accountable for gross professional negligence. The Vaal water system is not only the lifeblood of Gauteng, it is one of the most strategic water assets in the country, on this African continent and a water management area of global significance. The water security it provides daily to 19 million people, more that a third of South Africa's de facto population, almost masks the fact that it provides water security to power and sustains this 1.4% of South Africa's land area that generates close to 34% of its GDP and 10% of that of all of Africa. It is also the recipient of one of the world's biggest transfer schemes from the highlands of neighbouring Lesotho. Dhesigen Naidoo, CEO of the Water Research Commission Violations of constitutional rights Dam levels in Integrated Vaal River System decline The dam levels within the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS), with the exception of four dams, have fallen this week while one remains unchanged for the second consecutive week... Crucial point in the struggle Why full dams don't mean water security: a look at South Africa After good summer rains, the dams that supply water to Johannesburg and much of South Africa's economic heartland are full... Comprehensive plan And yet since the start of mining on the Witwatersrand, this river system has been taken for granted, is substantively overworked, and generally underinvested in post-Lesotho, with respect to infrastructure and very little investment on operations and maintenance. She has been abused. The knock-on effects of that abuse has played itself out in the obvious narrative. The water system can no longer cope. The perennial high demands, low maintenance and refurbishment, years of drought, frequent electricity outages have pushed this system beyond its resilience. And the cracks are widening.The last straw was the report by the South African Human Rights Commission of their investigation into the Vaal water system. Their findings that the Vaal was polluted beyond acceptable levels with impacts on both the environment as well as peoples health made national headlines. The further indictment was that there were violations of constitutional rights, in particular the right to human dignity and an environment that is not harmful to health and well-being.In the midst of this water crisis, we continue to see the worsening economic vortex spiraling down in the wake of Covid. The StatsSA Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the first quarter of 2021 makes for dismal reading. The official unemployment number now stands at 32.6%. The figures for the youth category are much higher, at an alarming 46.3%. The opportunity cost to the economy of having a potentially productive workforce forced into an idle mode is bad enough, and when you consider the future costs of an unemployed youth and the conversion of a potential demographic dividend into a demographic burden creates negative vistas of tragic proportions.1976 South Africa had a similar picture with a different set of precipitants. Apartheid era prime minister Vorster was in a comfortable space. The international outcry following the Sharpeville Massacre had long passed, even the international interest over the historical Rivonia Trial which he presided over in his capacity as minister of justice had transitioned into an era of engagements with newly independent African states, and a new Cold War relationship with Washington. The struggle against apartheid was at one of its lower ebbs.Enter the youth of June 1976 - in a sweeping political innovation, these brave young people led a protest action that shocked the world with new revelations of the reality of the plight of Black people living under apartheid. It revealed to the global community the sheer brutality of the apartheid security machinery in crushing basic human rights, where even children were not spared. This was a crucial point in the struggle and greatly energised the international anti-apartheid movement that eventually saw the demise of this political system that was declared a crime against humanity.In that same spirit, and in response to the various reports and outcries for action in the Vaal system, minister Sisulu obtained cabinet approval for a section 63 (Water Services Act) intervention in the Vaal system and specifically the Emfuleni municipality. The critical political innovation here is both the spirit and strategy of the intervention. In contrast, with a national takeover of a provincial or local function as we have seen in other examples, this is one of partnership for which Emfuleni Mayor Moerane expressed both gratitude and support. The R8bn intervention covers the refurbishment of the water services infrastructure, a full-scale revival of the Leeukuil and Sedibeng wastewater treatment plants, championed by DWS, and an operation and maintenance component managed by Rand Water.There are three features in the plan that are particularly attractive. The first is that it is a comprehensive plan, as opposed to crisis management, with a firm view on long-term sustainability. The second is that the strategic rollout is paying particular attention to building capacity and capability to deliberately expand and diversify the water and sanitation team with a strong emphasis on local capability to make the new water management system sustainable beyond the intervention.Already, the participation of women and youth are high on the agenda and is already visible in the first set of contractors that have been appointed. The third is to take advantage of the best appropriate knowledge and innovations, flowing from the South African science community via the Water Research Commission, so that we have genuine 21st century solutions in this strategic water area.It is only the beginning and the critique of great plans not being realised in implementation is appreciated, but, in this Youth Month 2021, we have a real opportunity to catalyse a change of water fortunes through this Vaal intervention. One that will be formative for water security, a step closer to the realisation of human rights and a point of inspiration. Negotiations with the manufacturers of Sputnik V and Sinovac Covid-19 vaccines are at an advanced stage, Deputy President David Mabuza said in response to oral questions in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP). Deputy President David Mabuza Further measures to save lives Further interventions being implemented to save lives are ongoing. Negotiations with vaccine manufacturers such as the Gamaleya Institute for the Sputnik V and manufacturers of Sinovac are at an advanced stage.The opportunity of receiving additional doses through the Covax Facility is being actively pursued.Addressing NCOP delegates, the deputy president said the major response area in saving lives and achieving population health is the ongoing mass vaccination programme under the coordination of the Inter-Ministerial Committee of Covid-19 Vaccines.Initially, there was slow uptake of vaccination due to the limited supply of vaccines as a result of global demand for vaccines, as well as pessimism towards their use.This has been addressed by concluding negotiations with manufacturers and upscaling government risk communication.We experienced regulatory issues with regard to AstraZeneca and later Johnson and Johnson, which cumulatively has impacted the scale and pace of the vaccination programme.The deputy president said notwithstanding these challenges, government is forging ahead with the vaccine acquisition, and distribution to provinces has also improved, evidenced by the rise in the numbers of those vaccinated.We are also enhancing local manufacturing capability through collaborations with other partners within BRICS, which will enable us to overcome the current pandemic and respond to future health emergencies.As government, we will continue to ensure that every citizen enjoys the right to life, equality and human dignity, as outlined in the Bill of Rights.With the recent surge of new cases, we appeal to all of us to continue observing Covid-19 protocols to curb further infections, while working on achieving population immunity through vaccines, Mabuza said.The National Department of Health developed a plan of action to mitigate and respond to the Covid-19 resurgence in South Africa prior to the second wave of infections.Following the second wave, the Incident Management Team, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation, reviewed the successes and failures with regards to interventions previously implemented during the second wave.From this, the department identified what could have been done to improve the response, including planning for the third wave, which has been officially declared by the National Institute of Communicable Diseases.Mabuza said the department engaged with provincial departments of health, and provided support in the development of the province-specific resurgence plans, which detailed activities to be implemented to improve the health system response going into subsequent resurgences.There are two major components of the resurgence plans. The first component is surveillance, where key resurgence monitoring indicators are described, and thresholds are defined to enable the close tracking of Covid-19 trends.The second component of the plan is the so-called intervention toolkit, which stipulates action for 10 intervention areas, which include governance and leadership, medical supplies, epidemiology and response, risk communication and community engagement, among others.In essence, these measures are focused on ensuring that we continue to save lives through close surveillance of key resurgence indicators, and the deployment of rapid response teams to targeted areas. After acquiring a Diploma in Public Relations in 2018, Keowin Knowlden immediately started working as an intern at Atmosphere Communications. This opportunity launched his PR career and after a mere two years in the industry he became an account manager at just 24-years-old. Knowlden has been part of a team who has won several awards, including a Loeries in 2018 and Prisms in 2019 and 2021... ... Critical race theory is an academic term that studies how race and racism have impacted social and local structures in the United States. Over the past year, GOP leaders have decried its teaching in public schools, pointing to limited examples in various school districts across the state. In 2020, former President Donald Trump had banned federal employees from training that discusses "critical race theory" or "white privilege," calling it propaganda. Several versions of the bill passed back and forth between the two chambers as Texas Democrats raised concerns the bill would have a chilling effect on classroom conversations. An amended version sent back to the House had appeared dead at one point after state Rep. James Talarico, D-Round Rock, tanked it on a procedural violation. But it was revived by the Texas Senate later that evening after senators reverted back to an earlier approved version of the bill and sent it to the governors office. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick had signaled support for the legislation since the start of the legislative session. This law, which goes into effect Sept. 1, includes a list of founding documents that Texas students must be taught. It also includes a list of additional historical documents written by people of color and women that House Democrats had added. It also mandates that students be taught "the history of white supremacy, including but not limited to the institution of slavery, the eugenics movement, and the Ku Klux Klan, and the ways in which it is morally wrong." Still, many educators and education advocacy groups had opposed the bill, which states that teachers cannot be compelled to discuss current events and if they do, they must "give deference to both sides." Opponents say it limits honest conversations about race and racism in American society and will force teachers to equivocate on controversial or sensitive topics that will result in less educated students. It also prohibits students from getting credit or extra credit for participating in civic activities that include political activism or lobbying elected officials on a particular issue. The version signed by the governor also bans the teaching of The New York Times 1619 Project, a reporting endeavor that examines U.S. history from the date when enslaved people first arrived on American soil, marking that as the countrys foundational date. Supporters of House Bill 3979, which mirrors legislation making its way through state legislatures across the country, argue they are trying to combat personal biases bleeding into public education, pointing to a few individual instances in school districts across the state where parents have raised concerns. Throughout legislative debates over the bill, they expressed concerns that teachers are unfairly blaming white people for historical wrongs and distorting the founding fathers accomplishments. In recent years, there have been calls for more transparency about historical figures racist beliefs or connections to slavery. "Why are there so many factual matters that we don't understand about that day?" asked Carlson. "Why is the Biden administration preventing us from knowing? Why is the administration still hiding more than 10,000 hours of surveillance tape from the US capitol on January 6th? What could possibly be the reason for that - even as they call for more openness... they could release those tapes today, but they're not. Why?" Carlson notes that Revolver News has dissected court filings surrounding the Capitol riot, suggests that unindicted co-conspirators in the case are likely to have been federal operatives. We at Revolver News have noticed a pattern from our now months-long investigation into 1/6 and in particular from our meticulous study of the charging documents related to those indicted. In many cases the unindicted co-conspirators appear to be much more aggressive and egregious participants in the very so-called conspiracy serving as the basis for charging those indicted. The question immediately arises as to why this is the case, and forces us to consider whether certain individuals are being protected from indictment because they were involved in 1/6 as undercover operatives or confidential informants for a federal agency. Key segment from Tucker: "We know that the government is hiding the identity of many law enforcement officers that were present at the Capitol on January 6th, not just the one that killed Ashli Babbitt. According to the government's own court filing, those law enforcement officers participated in the riot - sometimes in violent ways. We know that because without fail, the government has thrown the book at most people who were present at the Capitol on Jan. 6. There was a nationwide dragnet to find them - and many are still in solitary confinement tonight. But strangely, some of the key people who participated on Jan. 6 have not been charged." Look at the documents, the government calls those people 'unindicted co-conspirators.' What does that mean? Well it means that in potentially every case they were FBI operatives... in the Capitol, on January 6th." "For example, one of those unindicted co-conspirators is someone government documents identify only as "person two." According to those documents, person two stayed in the same hotel room as a man called Thomas Caldwell - an 'insurrectionist.' A man alleged to be a member of the group "The Oathkeepers." Person two also "stormed the barricades" at the Capitol on January 6th alongside Thomas Caldwell. The government's indictments further indicate that Caldwell - who by the way is a 65-year-old man... was led to believe there would be a "quick reaction force" also participating on January 6th. That quick reaction force Caldwell was told, would be led by someone called "Person 3," who had a hotel room and an accomplice with them. But wait. Here's the interesting thing. Person 2 and person 3 were organizers of the riot. The government knows who they are, but the government has not charged them. Why is that? You know why. They were almost certainly working for the FBI. So FBI operatives were organizing the attack on the Capitol on January 6th according to government documents. And those two are not alone. In all, Revolver news reported there are "upwards of 20 unindicted co-conspirators in the Oath Keeper indictments, all playing various roles in the conspiracy, who have not been charged for virtually the exact same activities and in some cases much, much more severe activities - as those named alongside them in the indictments." Watch: Revolver, meanwhile, has important questions about January 6th In the year leading up to 1/6 and during 1/6 itself, to what extent were the three primary militia groups (the Oath Keepers, the Proud Boys, and the Three Percenters) that the FBI, DOJ, Pentagon and network news have labeled most responsible for planning and executing a Capitol attack on 1/6 infiltrated by agencies of the federal government, or informants of said agencies? Exactly how many federal undercover agents or confidential informants were present at the Capitol or in the Capitol during the infamous siege and what roles did they play (merely passive informants or active instigators)? Finally, of all of the unindicted co-conspirators referenced in the charging documents of those indicted for crimes on 1/6, how many worked as a confidential informant or as an undercover operative for the federal government (FBI, Army Counterintelligence, etc.)? Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) has demanded an explanation from FBI Director Christopher Wray: BREAKING: Congressman Matt Gaetz calls on FBI Director Christopher Wray to fully disclose the role and involvement of FBI operatives during the January 6th Capitol riot. More details coming. pic.twitter.com/lviUHfhLyW Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) June 16, 2021 More: Tucker Carlson op-ed: "Government agents may have helped organize the Jan. 6 Capitol riot" .@DarrenJBeattie: "After seeing all of this you have to ask yourself: Does the national security apparatus do anything but conspire against the American people?" pic.twitter.com/vdMb8RfXgA The Columbia Bugle (@ColumbiaBugle) June 16, 2021 We recommend you read the entire Revolver piece, which includes the fact that at least five individuals involved int he "Whitmer Kidnapping Plot" were undercover agents and federal informants. The results of the Putin-Biden summit today in Geneva seem to be thin. The meetings were expected to last for 4 to 5 hours but ended after little more than 2 hours. During his press conference President Vladimir Putin said that the talks were constructive. He lauded Biden as very experienced politician and said that they had two hours of face time. There were a few results: The ambassadors of both sides, who had been recalled from Washington and Moscow, will return to their posts. There will be new expert rounds about cybersecurity. There may be talks about an exchange of prisoners. There will be new rounds about security, which means strategic nuclear weapons. A joint statement by both sides about Strategic Stability has been posted in Russian on the Kremlin site (machine translation): ... Today we reaffirm our adherence to the principle that there can be no winners in a nuclear war and should never be unleashed. To achieve these goals, Russia and the United States will soon launch a comprehensive bilateral dialogue on strategic stability, which will be substantive and energetic. Through this dialogue, we aim to lay the foundation for future arms control and risk mitigation measures. That is a very important result and the upcoming talks will be interesting. The U.S. will have to end its Missile Defense Program if it wants limits on any of the new strategic weapon types Russia has introduced. But the summit did not bring any further breakthroughs or new deals. Putin answered at length several reporter questions about the Ukraine, human rights and the Arctic. He responded to critical questions by using legitimate whataboutism to reflect the issue onto the U.S. side. On an aggressive question about Navalny by a U.S. journalist Putin explained that U.S. law designates Russia as an "enemy" and that the U.S. finances groups in Russia like Navalny's. He is a foreign agent. On top of that Navalny's organization has called for illegal demonstrations and riots. That made his organization an extremist one that now must be dissolved. Putin mentions that the participants of the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol storming are now processed as criminals even as they only had political demands, were unarmed and mostly not violent. On another question about alleged Russian political unpredictability Putin responded by listing all the arms control agreements the U.S. has left as well as the U.S. led coup in Ukraine which was executed even after then President Yanukovych had agreed to all opposition demands including new elections. The press conference of the U.S. side has as of now not begun. Altogether there was much less drama but also fewer results than the many previews had presumed. What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 814-368-3173 or email nfinnerty@oleantimesherald.com. WINNIPEG - Manitoba is facing a "staggering" backlog of surgeries, diagnostic tests and other health-care services because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the drain on staff, the provincial doctors association said Thursday. Advertisement Advertise With Us Nurses and doctors have their morning briefing about COVID-19 patient Joseph Trudeau, 49, of Surrey, B.C. at the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit at Surrey Memorial Hospital in Surrey, B.C., Friday, June 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward WINNIPEG - Manitoba is facing a "staggering" backlog of surgeries, diagnostic tests and other health-care services because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the drain on staff, the provincial doctors association said Thursday. An estimated 110,000 procedures have been delayed, leaving patients suffering and deteriorating in many cases, Doctors Manitoba said in a 26-page report. "We're seeing patients that are suffering in pain and we're hearing from physicians that are worried ... that they can't get their patients the answers they need, the diagnosis they need," said Dr. Kristjan Thompson, the association's president. Most elective and non-urgent surgeries have been suspended during all three waves of the pandemic, starting in March of last year, as nurses and other workers were diverted to COVID-related care. While procedures resumed after the first two waves subsided, the health-care system could not catch up enough due to ongoing staff challenges and new requirements to adopt pandemic precautions, the report said. With Manitoba still in the pandemic's third wave, the backlog continues to grow, Thompson said. The report also said non-urgent surgeries are not the only procedures being cancelled. "Some physicians have reported concerning cancellations and delays for cardiac and cancer surgeries. For cardiac patients, physicians have identified significant deterioration among patients waiting for heart surgery, including at least two patient deaths on the wait list." The report was compiled from several sources, including data from the provincial government, the Canadian Institute For Health Information, a third-party public opinion poll and an internal survey of Doctors Manitoba members. To address the backlog, the province will need more nurses and other staff, and more physical space in terms of operating rooms and recovery beds, the report said. The association is calling on the provincial government to commit to a firm date for clearing the backlog, and to develop a plan to do so in conjunction with health-care workers. The Progressive Conservative government said it has already taken steps to reduce the backlog, such as contracting CancerCare Manitoba to perform additional procedures. Kelvin Goertzen, the province's acting health minister, said the government is open to doing more and will review the Doctors Manitoba report. "Our government strongly believes that open dialogue and constructive solutions are the best way forward," Goertzen said in a prepared statement. The Opposition New Democrats said the government has failed to hire enough staff to protect the health-care system during the pandemic. "It will take years to fix the damage the (Progressive Conservatives) have caused to the health system," said NDP health critic Uzoma Asagwara. The pandemic's third wave showed more signs of abating Thursday as health officials reported 183 new COVID-19 cases and one death. Seven earlier cases were removed due to a data correction, bringing the net increase to 176. It was the fifth consecutive day that the province saw fewer than 200 new cases. Some 20 COVID-19 patients were still being treated in intensive care units in other provinces in a bid to free up bed space in Manitoba. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 17, 2021 The saga of the small white ladys slipper orchid continued on Wednesday evening when a group of residents told a City of Brandon planning commission meeting about their concerns over the flowers safety. Advertisement Advertise With Us The saga of the small white ladys slipper orchid continued on Wednesday evening when a group of residents told a City of Brandon planning commission meeting about their concerns over the flowers safety. Ryan Nickel, the citys director of planning and buildings, was on hand for a public hearing about the southeast secondary plan, which affects an area beyond the orchid habitat near the intersection of First Street and Patricia Avenue, but it was the endangered flowers that garnered the most attention. A rare small white ladys slipper grows in an ecologically sensitive area on the southeastern edge of Brandon. That area was the topic of conversation at a special planning commission meeting Wednesday. (File) There are very few habitats in Manitoba for the flower, with the patch in Brandons south end being one. The future of the orchids has been a continuing point of discussion since it became public knowledge that developer Stoneridge Equities was looking to build housing on a property containing part of the habitat, though it and the City of Brandon have since committed to putting aside land to create an urban preserve administered by the Nature Conservancy of Canada. Concern for the flowers still lingers, especially after some of the habitat was damaged in early May by a farmer who missed the boundary of the property he was working on and tilled some of it. Before the subject was opened to comments, Nickel said the hearing was not meant to address the tilling issue or the remediation of the damaged land, just the secondary plan. Nickel brought up a written submission sent in by Gillian Richards, a Brandon University researcher. She expressed concern the high water table the orchids thrive in on the land could be adversely affected by development that could route water away from the plants. The high water table could also lead to flooding in large rainfall events like the one last year, she stated. She advocated for a larger hydrological study before any work occurs on the land. One of the public speakers, David Toop, also expressed concerns about the proximity of groundwater to the surface. "If you dont drain, then youre doing a real disservice to the people of Brandon who are buying these houses because theyre going to have serious problems with their foundations," Toop said. "The geotechnical report that we saw, it shows that theres corrosion to concrete, theres unstable foundations and water leaking in." Richards also brought up federal guidelines specifying a protected site like the one proposed for the orchids should have a buffer zone of 300 metres while the current plan only has a 50-metre buffer zone. In response, Nickel said the buffer zone as proposed was approved by both provincial and federal regulators. Another public speaker, Rick Askinis, said the federal Species At Risk Act not only outlines a 300-metre buffer zone, but also an analysis of how changes to the ecosystem will affect the species in question. On the subject of the water table issues, Nickel said developers would address them when getting approval to build, not during the secondary plan process. "There were questions about the provincial process and environmental impact assessments," he said. "Once again, were not the experts in that department, we defer to the province. Im like a broken recording that everyones sick of hearing, but I just keep on saying it because the province is the authority. My understanding though is that the Nature Conservancy did submit a stewardship and protection plan that was acceptable to the province." cslark@brandonsun.com Twitter: @ColinSlark The latest news on COVID-19 developments in Canada (all times eastern): The latest news on COVID-19 developments in Canada (all times eastern): 8:55 p.m. Yukon health officials are reporting nine new cases of COVID-19, bringing the active infections in the territory to 54. They say eight of the nine new cases are in Whitehorse and one is in a rural community. The territory now has a total of 145 confirmed cases. 7:15 p.m. British Columbia health officials are reporting 120 cases of COVID-19 for a total of 146,794 infections. The province is also reporting one fatality for a total of 1,739 deaths. More than 76 per cent of those eligible have received their first dose of a vaccine while 768,008 second shots have been given. Health officials say studies show there is good protection from all the vaccines, and in B.C. their advice hasn't changed -- two doses of whatever vaccine you get are safe and effective. 5:40 p.m. Alberta is reporting 150 new cases of COVID-19 and two new deaths. The province says there are 242 people in hospital with the virus, with 58 of them in intensive care. There are 2,471 active cases provincewide and, of those, 1,796 are the more contagious variants of concern. The province says 136 of the new cases are also variants of concern. 3:40 p.m. Saskatchewan is reporting 94 new cases of COVID-19 today, and no new deaths. Seventy more people have recovered, leaving the province with 752 active cases. The province is also reporting 87 people in hospital, including nine in intensive care. Currently, the province says 69 per cent of Saskatchewan adults have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. If 70 per cent of adults get their first vaccine by this Sunday, then the province will be able to proceed with the third stage of its reopening road map on July 11. 3:25 p.m. New Brunswick health officials are reporting four new cases of COVID-19, all of whom are contacts of previously confirmed cases. Three of the cases are in the Fredericton area, and the other is in the Bathurst region. The province has 61 active cases with six people in hospital, including two in intensive care. Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health, is urging New Brunswickers to get their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine once they are eligible, noting that people who are not vaccinated will be at highest risk for having severe symptoms. 1:45 p.m. Newfoundland and Labrador has one new confirmed case of COVID-19. The case involves a woman in the central health region between 20 and 39 years of age. The province now has 32 active cases. Health officials say two people are in hospital as a result of the infection. 1:40 p.m. Manitoba is reporting 183 new COVID-19 cases and one death. However, seven earlier cases were removed due to a data correction, bringing the net increase to 176. Twenty COVID-19 patients remain in intensive care units in other provinces in order to free up bed space. 12:30 p.m. Anyone in Ontario who got their first shot of an mRNA vaccine on or before May 9 can re-book for an earlier second dose starting Monday. People in Delta variant hot spots who received first shots on or before May 30 can move up their second shots next Wednesday. Health units covering Toronto, Peel, Halton, Porcupine, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph, Waterloo and York, Hamilton, Simcoe-Muskoka and Durham are considered hot spots for the more infectious variant. All other adults who received their first mRNA shots on May 10 or later can move up their second shots starting the week of June 28. 12:15 p.m. Nova Scotia is reporting 14 new cases of COVID-19. Health officials say 12 cases have been identified in the Halifax area, while one is in the province's eastern zone and the remaining case is in the western zone. The province has 97 known active cases with six people in hospital, including three patients in intensive care. As of Wednesday, 735,008 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, with 66,248 people having received their booster shot. 11:10 a.m. Quebec is reporting 161 new COVID-19 cases and one more death attributed to the virus. Health officials say there has been a drop of 14 COVID-19 patients in hospital, to 178, with four fewer patients requiring intensive care, for a total for 41. The province also added 99,580 vaccine doses to its tally, meaning more than seven million shots have been administered. Authorities say more than 79 per cent of those who are 12 and older have received one dose and 14.8 per cent have received two doses. 10:30 a.m. Ontario reports there are 370 new cases of COVID-19 in the province and seven more deaths linked to the virus. Health Minister Christine Elliott says 67 of the new cases are in Toronto, 57 in Waterloo and 47 in Peel Region. The Ministry of Health says 397 people are in hospital because of the virus 362 in intensive care and 232 on ventilators. Ontario says a record of more than 210,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered since yesterday's report. 10 a.m. The Canadian government is investing up to $29 million to support the domestic production of respirators and surgical masks in order to increase the countrys capacity to deal with future pandemics. The funding is part of a $38.7-million project with Montreal-based Meltech Innovation Canada Inc., which specializes in the production of safety products and personal protective equipment. Minister of Innovation Francois-Philippe Champagne says the funding will help ensure Canadian front-line health-care workers continue to have a reliable supply of the equipment they need, while creating jobs in Quebec. Champagne says Meltech Innovation will establish a new factory in the Montreal area to manufacture specialized fabric needed to produce respirators and surgical masks. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Thursday, June 17, 2021. "If youre explaining, youre losing." Former U.S. president Ronald Reagan Whether Manitobans ultimately find fault or favour with Bill 64, the Education Modernization Act, Education Minister Cliff Cullen did himself and his government no favours Monday by lashing out at the New Democrats and groups representing the provinces educators. For more than 30 minutes, the Spruce Woods MLA tried to defend the legislation by tearing down anyone who opposes the bill or questions what it is trying to accomplish. "Unfortunately, the purpose of their campaign is to instil fear and anxiety in parents and educators," Cullen told reporters on Monday. "These parties want to maintain the status quo. The status quo is we are spending the third-highest amount per capita in the country (on education) and are achieving some of the poorest results." Presumably, as media such as the Sun are asking questions about the goals of Bill 64, we are included in this so-called "fear campaign." As we have already stated on this page before, the argument isnt that our system doesnt need improvements or an overhaul, as the case may be. That Manitoba students are not doing as well as they could when comparing metrics to other provinces is a problem that cannot simply be pushed aside by opponents of the bill. The difference of opinion, here, is in what to do about it. Bill 64 when passed will completely reshape our education system by eliminating elected school boards and replacing them with a single provincial education authority. The current 37 school divisions will also be reduced to 15 regional catchment areas, and the new authority will feature a six- to 11-person cabinet-appointed board that is supposed to have a minimum of two parents from the Provincial Advisory Council on Education. Each regional catchment area will be overseen by a director of education who will be appointed by the provincial education authority board. The government phrasing sounds good, of course "unify 37 school boards in 15 regions and one French division;" "streamline administration and governance;" and giving "parents a stronger voice in education." But there are some fair concerns being raised by the NDP, the Manitoba School Boards Association and the Manitoba Teachers Society that should not be merely dismissed by the minister of education. For example, regardless of whether the Pallister government and Mr. Cullen like the description, there will be a loss of local democratic representation should the legislation be approved as is. There is a clear benefit to having school boards debate issues of governance and budgeting in the public sphere, where media and the general public have direct access to those who have been elected and tasked with making decisions for schools in a division. The provinces decision to give more weight to Parent Advisory Councils should give us all some cause for concern, especially if these volunteers, made up of already busy parents, are expected to take on the duties that normally would have fallen to a school board. The model of education that the province is attempting to superimpose upon Manitobas education system was copied at least in part from the Nova Scotia governments playbook in 2018, when that province, too, abolished elected school boards. Parental advisory councils were given a bigger role to play, as the CBC reported, in the hopes of maintaining local input in the education system. The results in Nova Scotia, thus far, have been mixed. Some advisory councils have shown a high level of engagement with their communities, but as the CBC found out, many were difficult to find information on, meaning that if they were meeting, there was little public record of it. These are the kinds of situations that could be addressed with open discussion. But that doesnt seem to be happening no matter how many town halls the province holds. The issue here is that the education minister seems to have taken a confrontational approach to addressing concerns brought forward by yes interest groups, but also ordinary parents who believe they are watching an already imperfect system becoming even more difficult to navigate. Instead of reaching across the table to try to reach a reasonable agreement on various parts of the bill, and being open to changes or massaging its various components, Cullen ensured an "us versus them" scenario that set up teachers, union leaders and parents as the bad guys who are trying to lead us all astray. The province has not yet come forward with a detailed plan for paying for education in our schools following the removal of education property taxes, and also, has not offered a companion piece of legislation to address student poverty which has a direct bearing on any given students educational outcomes. If the education minister wants to alleviate parental fears over Bill 64, perhaps addressing these glaring omissions would be a good place to start. Millions of Australians were unable to access internet banking services after a major outage at a little-known technology company hit a number of large Australian companies, causing websites to crash and digital services to be cut. Commonwealth Bank, Westpac and ANZ services were all disrupted for over an hour on Thursday afternoon, as were smaller lenders, including Macquarie Bank and ME Bank. However, NAB was unaffected by the outage, which prevented customers from access online banking accounts. Millions of Australians were unable to access internet banking for around an hour on Thursday due to a major technology glitch. Credit:The Age CBA said it was urgently investigating the outage in a post to Twitter at 3pm and apologised to customers, many of whom used social media to complain about being unable to make purchases, transfer money or access accounts. Still unable to buy my groceries because I cant access my money, one customer said. Barely a week goes by without another sign cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin are catching on more widely. Perhaps youve got a friend whos invested in cryptos, maybe youve noticed the ads urging us to buy bitcoin at bus shelters, or you saw this weeks survey from Vanguard that found one in five Millennials owned cryptocurrencies. For all the hype and risk surrounding these new assets, there is also clearly demand for them. Youth-focused fintech Zip Co sees the potential opportunity and has said it could offer crypto trading at some point, and theres been speculation Afterpay could do something similar. Bitcoin gets huge amounts of attention, but dont expect the major Australian banks to get involved soon. Credit:AP So if crypto assets really are moving towards becoming more mainstream, how long will the banks be able to resist dabbling in this potentially lucrative market? Short answer: I wouldnt hold my breath for a major Australian bank to facilitate trading in bitcoin anytime soon, or take other risks in this area with the banks balance sheet. In West Cork, they simply refer to it as the murder. The area in Irelands far south-west is so remote and the community so tight, that no further qualifier is needed to explain. Its not just the worst thing that has ever happened there, it remains one of the highest profile and longest running unsolved cases in Irish history. West Cork podcasters Sam Bungey and Jennifer Forde. Credit:Ben Russell On December 23, 1996, the dead body of 39-year-old French TV producer Sophie Toscan du Plantier was found near her holiday home. She was wearing a nightdress and boots, and was brutally bashed and tangled in briars and barbed wire. Suspicion soon fell on English journalist Ian Bailey, who lived nearby. He had a reputation as a big drinker, a narcissist, an attention-seeker and a bad poet. He was also known for physically abusing his partner, painter Jules Thomas. But was he the killer? Lismore Base Hospital patients have been thrown out in the middle of the night in their pyjamas to find their way 100 kilometres home through isolated countryside. Multiple witnesses testified to the practice, including the owner of the Bonalbo pharmacy, Sharon Bird, at a NSW parliamentary inquiry into regional hospitals in the states north on Thursday. Northern NSW Local Health District chief executive Wayne Jones. Credit:NSW Parliament Ms Bird said it was a treacherous one-and-a-half hour drive from Bonalbo to Lismore Hospital. Patients abandoned in Lismore in their pyjamas after an emergency ambulance trip with no way to get home again had become reluctant to seek help. Detectives will now explore a number of inquiries, including ongoing conflict between rival families and organised crime networks. Police had warned Hamze his life was at risk and offered him advice in order to protect himself. A police source said the 34-year-old viewed as a long-time mover and shaker in the underworld had been contacted by officers and warned about the threat. He was urged to keep an eye out and call the police if he had any concerns but effectively responded: I wont call you. That advice was not received in the sense it was given, Detective Superintendent Robert Critchlow, commander of the gangs squad, said on Friday. He sought to live his life the way he wanted to and made some choices. A police source said members of the notorious Hamzy family were upset following the shooting and officers were speaking to them on Friday, including those in prison. There is a substantial risk of reprisals, Detective Superintendent Critchlow said. We will be opening doors, kicking down doors, tipping people over. We will talk to them, we will harass them within the bounds of the law to make sure that they know that we are there. Detective Superintendent Robert Critchlow He warned against any revenge attacks and said the cycle of violence is damaging everybody in this town and this state. Several arrests would flow from the murder, police said, adding that it was possible the violence was linked to Operation Ironside a global law enforcement sting that tricked organised crime figures into using the app An0m, promoted as a secure encrypted platform but actually operated in secret by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation and monitored by the Australian Federal Police. Detective Superintendent Critchlow said Hamze was shot on the street and his associates were being spoken to. We believe he left an establishment nearby and as he walked onto Bridge Street he was shot down in a hail of bullets, he said. We will be opening doors, kicking down doors, tipping people over. We will talk to them, we will harass them within the bounds of the law to make sure that they know that we are there. One witness, Sayad Hussein, said he saw two men in the getaway vehicle after Hamze was shot. He was screaming on the floor, he said. Everyone was trying to help him. Mr Hussein, who was sitting in his car across the road, said there was an initial burst of shots in the laneway leading to Kid Kyoto and then further shots on Bridge Street. A crime scene was established at the intersection of Bridge and Pitt streets, which has been forensically examined. The footpath on Bridge Street where Bilal Hamze was shot is hosed down. Credit:Janie Barrett On Friday morning, Bridge and Grosvenor streets were closed between Pitt and York streets while police remained on the scene. A nearby resident said she heard gunshots from her apartment followed by silence. A burnt-out Audi was found on a street in Norwood. Credit:Nine Last night I was at home and I was in bed reading and all of the sudden several shots go off three, four or five and I was like that cant be a gun, she told reporters on Friday morning. I didnt hear any cars or anything for at least another minute or two. A burnt-out car was found on Fleming Street in the lower north shore suburb of Northwood, where police have established another crime scene. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video Hamzes mother, Maha, was in 2013 the victim of a shooting, receiving eight bullet wounds to her legs when 21 shots were fired into her Auburn home. A man, who cannot be named, was in 2014 found guilty of shooting with intent to murder her. Prosecutors alleged that attack stemmed from a debt collection dispute between the man and Bilal Hamze. The court heard that Bilal Hamze and his cousin Bassam Hamzy were involved in collecting $20,000 for the man but trouble broke out after Hamze demanded a $5000 recovery fee from the mans mother. The townhouse was shot at again in October 2020 and February this year, incidents that were linked by police to gang conflict. A stray bullet penetrated a window in the adjacent Auburn Hospital in the February incident. Hamze relatives and associates were seen gathering at the Auburn home on Friday morning and multiple vehicles had been parked in the driveway, blocking access to the townhouse complex. Bassam Hamzy is one of the countrys most notorious criminals, jailed in 2002 for a shooting murder at a Sydney nightclub in 1998 and also convicted for conspiring to murder a witness due to give evidence against him. He is also facing current charges for alleged drug supply offences and perverting the course of justice. Mejid Hamzy was in October last year shot dead at the door of his Condell Park home, in Sydneys south-west. Police earlier this year established a new anti-gangs squad in response to the escalating conflict between members of the Hamzy and Alameddine families. The father killed in a stabbing attack in Brisbanes north overnight has been remembered as a dedicated dad who did everything he could to keep his son safe. Kerry Rooney, who was stabbed to death outside his Newmarket home, with his son. Credit:Facebook Kerry Rooney was allegedly stabbed by his former partner Bonita Vivien Coue, 53, after she ambushed him while he was walking with their son towards the stairwell of his Ward Street unit in Newmarket about 7pm on Wednesday. Mr Rooney, 51, died at the scene from multiple stab wounds as paramedics tried to save him. Ms Coue was charged with murder following the incident that unfolded in front of their 10-year-old son. The former spy known as Witness K has pleaded guilty to conspiring to reveal classified information about an alleged Australian operation to bug East Timors cabinet rooms during sensitive oil and gas treaty negotiations. Witness Ks lawyers are pushing for him to receive no jail time and to be spared a criminal conviction, saying he has already faced years of alienation, anxiety and post-traumatic stress after his home was raided in December 2013. The former ASIS intelligence officer helped expose an alleged 2004 bugging operation against East Timor that appeared to aid Australia in gaining an advantage in commercial negotiations to carve up oil and gas resources in the Timor Sea. Appearing before the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday behind makeshift walls to conceal his identity, Witness K was asked by Magistrate Glenn Theakston how he pleaded. Guilty your honour, he said. The move to formally enter a guilty plea paves the way for him to be sentenced within weeks. Regulatory authorities around the world have stated that the benefit of using our vaccine significantly outweigh the risks across all adult age groups, she said. Patient safety is AstraZenecas highest priority and we continue to work closely with the TGA and other regulators around the world. This weeks vaccine safety report from Australias medical regulator shows there are three new confirmed cases, in two women aged 55 and 65 from Victoria and a 53-year-old woman from NSW, and nine new probable cases across the country. The Therapeutic Goods Administration said fewer than half of the clotting cases were the more serious, tier one level. To date, 36 people have recovered from the clotting side effect. There are currently 22 people with the syndrome in hospital and four of those are in intensive care. Two people have died. University of NSW epidemiologist Professor Mary-Louise McLaws said international data suggested the risks of complications associated with the AstraZeneca vaccine started to fall at the age of 54. The level of anxiety in the 50 to 60 age group following the two deaths of Australian women within that age range warranted raising the eligibility age of the Pfizer vaccine to 55 or 60, she said. The Resolve Political Monitor survey, conducted for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age earlier this month by research company Resolve Strategic, found vaccine concerns have eased slightly with the number of adults who say theyre unlikely to be immunised falling from 29 to 26 per cent. Concerns about side effects for their age group was the most common reason for vaccine hesitancy, the survey found. Professor McLaws said health experts and the government needed to respect peoples concerns around the vaccine because they were being asked to do something that would benefit the entire country in getting immunised. If you want to make sure there is less concern in the community and that people feel listened to, raise it to 60 and that buffer provides the public with an assurance they are being cared for and loved by the leadership who want them to be vaccinated for the good of society, she said. This month, the delivery of Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine doses has dropped, from about 350,000 a week in May to roughly 300,000 a week in June. Those deliveries are expected to double in July and will continue to ramp up through the rest of the year. Loading Australias immunisation group has been meeting every Wednesday afternoon to discuss the vaccines, new information on side effects and the risk of COVID-19 to Australians. Previously, the federal government has held media conferences straight after receiving updated vaccine advice but the Prime Minister is on a flight back to Australia. Nationals MPs are demanding a say on whether the federal government embraces a more ambitious target to cut greenhouse gas emissions, forcing a party room meeting on the potential goal. Anxious at what they see as creeping language from Prime Minister Scott Morrison about achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, some of the Nationals want more consultation before any cabinet decision. Nationals Senate leader Bridget McKenzie said the party room had the right to clear the policy before it was embraced by the party. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Nationals Senate leader Bridget McKenzie said the party room had the right to clear any new target before it was embraced by the party. On something so serious and something weve been so public on, of course it should be debated, she said. Given it would impact our communities and our people, it must go to the Nationals party room. Australias population growth has slumped to its lowest rate since World War I as people left the country during the coronavirus pandemic and could not be replaced by new migrants, upending the nations demographic profile. In a sign of the long-term impact of COVID-19, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Thursday showed the national population grew by just 0.5 per cent, or 136,300, last year to 25.7 million. The closure of the international border has been the main factor in the slowest annual population growth across Australia since 1916. Credit:Edwina Pickles It was the slowest rate of growth since 1916 when the country de-populated and the smallest increase by number since 1975. The result was driven by the closure of the international border, with Australia losing a net 74,000 migrants since overseas travel was banned. Every state and territory saw big slowdowns in growth through 2020 but the worst hit was Victoria, which had zero population growth. Politicians of all ilks will tell you that the only poll that matters is the one that happens on election day. But let me share a little secret. Theyre lying. There isnt a politician in Canberra or on Spring Street who doesnt obsessively watch opinion polls and use the results to justify leaders revolts or whip themselves into a state of crisis. Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull arrive for Question Time at Parliament House in 2015. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen When their jobs are on the line every three to four years, honestly, who can blame them? Turnbull was rolled shortly after he reached that milestone of 30 Newspoll losses which was the threshold he used to challenge his predecessor Tony Abbott. The GW4 Alliance (Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter universities GW4) formally launched their new One Health antimicrobial resistance research consortium this week [Wednesday 16 June]. The World Health Organisation cites antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as one of the most significant risks facing the world. AMR threatens global health and development as it impacts on human, animal and plant health and also our environment, water safety and food security. The GW4 AMR Alliance has been established to tackle this global challenge and become the UKs leading interdisciplinary One Health AMR research consortium, recognised worldwide. A launch event showcasing GW4s cross-disciplinary AMR research collaborations and some of the One Health AMR projects and programmes being undertaken by GW4 teams and their collaborators took place on Wednesday [16 June] and included talks from University of Bristol researchers who discussed some of their latest findings from AMR research projects. Antimicrobial resistance where bacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic infections become resistant to existing antimicrobial drugs is an increasing global societal threat, as there is no matching increase in new antibiotics or new therapies to help treat patients infections. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the pandemic of AMR into sharper focus. Antimicrobial use, which drives the emergence of AMR, increased in many intensive care units around the world, as clinicians mitigated the development of secondary bacterial and fungal infections in acutely ill hospitalised patients. AMR is a slower moving, silent pandemic but requires urgent action now to stop resistance expanding and find drugs to treat these infections. The GW4 AMR Alliance builds on and enhances the GW4 universities strong and diverse portfolio of AMR research. Its vision is to tackle AMR using a One Health approach and to be the partner of choice for future AMR research consortia funding to help mitigate the urgent threat of AMR. During the launch, Dr Kristen Reyher, leader of Bristols AMR Force research group at Bristol Vet School, Matthew Avison, Professor of Molecular Bacteriology from Bristols School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, and Helen Lambert, Professor of Medical Anthropology at Bristol Medical School, addressed AMR known unknowns as well as the link between climate change and AMR, and presented their latest research findings from projects in Thailand, Argentina and China. Professor Avison, lead PI of the One Health Drivers of AMR in Thailand (OH-DART) project, discussed the key levers that could be pulled to help mitigate the threat of AMR in the country which, in 2010 was estimated to have caused 38,000 deaths and an economic loss of 1.2 billion US$ per year. This is mostly due to antibacterial resistance (ABR) which is common in bacteria isolated from humans, animals and the environment. He also discussed a recent paper modelling the impacts of antimicrobial usage changes in farming and human medicine. Dr Reyher presented the latest findings from the Bristol-led One Health Selection and Transmission of Antimicrobial Resistance (OH-STAR) study and their implications for surveillance of AMR on farms, including advice about sampling from the same sites on farms, controlling for temperature in sampling and using a consistent sampling technique. Professor Lambert, lead PI of the UK-China AMR Partnership Hub STAR-CHINA, discussed the social and cultural drivers which underpin the threat of AMR such as antibiotic prescribing and environmental exposure via water use practices, highlighting the need for interventions that alter AMR transmission pathways to take patterns of human behaviour into account. Dr Timothy Jinks, Head of the Drug-Resistant Infections Programme at theWellcome Trust, who is delivering the keynote lecture, said: Containing and controlling AMR requires collaborative, long-term, interdisciplinary and sustainable research taking a global One Health approach. It is great news that the GW4 AMR Alliance is launching to increase understanding, development and implementation of effective interventions. GW4s proven academic excellence in AMR research across disciplines and across institutions is demonstrated by a portfolio of AMR relevant research funding in excess of 40m. Dr Joanna Jenkinson, GW4 Alliance Director, commented: Our strategic initiative is in total accord with the G7 Health Ministers recent communique (on 4 June) which outlined the need to act on the growing pandemic of AMR with clear leadership, bold science-based actions and a One Health approach, recognising and understanding that the health of humans, animals, plants and their shared environment are inextricably interlinked. The GW4 has fostered collaborative AMR projects at scale to achieve more than our institutions can individually. We are also proud to support our early career researchers (ECR) through our Crucible programme on Interdisciplinary Approaches to AMR and opportunities to apply for seed funding. We are delighted that one new ECR AMR community, further supported by our GW4 Generator Award funding scheme, is contributing a presentation at the launch today on their project to find new antibiotic leads. AMR disproportionately affects low-and-middle income countries and the research being showcased today demonstrates our global reach with collaborative GW4 projects taking place in Thailand, China, Bangladesh, Argentina, India and here in the UK. GW4 researchers are exploring what drives the emergence of AMR in different settings e.g. the environment (particularly in aquatic systems from industrial and domestic waste), livestock farming, aquaculture and healthcare. Identifying the drivers of AMR will help to help modify them by informing policy and implementing interventions to mitigate this rising threat. In the UK alone, there was a nine per cent increase in deaths caused by drug-resistant infections between 2017 and 2018. Chair of the GW4 AMR Alliance, Prof Eshwar Mahenthiralingam (Cardiff University), said: This is a very exciting and timely consortium bringing the considerable AMR research strengths across the GW4 universities together to work as one cohesive unit to drive forward our understanding of, and to develop new interventions for containing and controlling AMR. Bryan, OH (43506) Today Sunny to partly cloudy. High 76F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low near 55F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Gurgaon based solar power project developer ACME signed a shareholders agreement with UNOPS S3i and IFU for developing a 250-megawatt (Mw) solar power plant located in the state of India. The total value of the project is close to US$ 200 million, of which about a quarter would be financed through equity contributions by the three co-investors, ACME said in a statement. The 250 MW project was won by ACME in 2019 at a tariff of Rs 2.48 per unit. S3i is a fund by UNOPS or United Nations Office for Project Services for investing in projects affordable housing, renewable energy, and health, and innovation. IFU is a Danish investment fund for developing countries. IFU provides risk capital to operating in developing countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and parts of Europe. Investments are made on commercial terms in the form of equity, loans, and guarantees. "ACME will jointly develop world-class Solar plants using the experiences of our partners in social impact measurement while optimizing operations and energy generation. This partnership is a key milestone towards ACMEs vision for developing a portfolio of 25 GW of RE projects which comes in line with Indias plans to achieve 450 GW of RE power by 2030. said Manoj Upadhyay, Founder, and Chairman, ACME Group. Last week, Norwegian renewable major Scatec entered into an agreement with Gurgaon based ACME Solar to pick up 50 per cent stake in 900 MW solar power plant in ACME had won this project at record low tariff of Rs 2.44 per unit in 2018. Gautam Adanis debt-fueled empire received a jolt this week when the Economic Times reported that three of the six Mauritius-based funds that have invested most of their money in the Indian billionaires stocks had seen their accounts frozen by the national share depository. The refuted the report as blatantly erroneous, helping to put a floor below plunging share prices. But not before $6 billion of wealth was lost on Monday. The jitters returned the next day with an announcement that the accounts for Cresta Fund Ltd., Albula Investment Fund Ltd. and APMS Investment Fund Ltd. are in suspended for debit status as per a Securities and Exchange Board of India regulation. Adani Total Gas Ltd., Adani Power Ltd. and Adani Transmission Ltd. all fell by their 5% daily limit in Mumbai on Tuesday. The selling continued on Wednesday. A temporary bout of nervousness in the stock market wont shake Asias second-richest man, who has managed to sustain without any visibility on future profit a decade-long entanglement in a controversial and costly coal mine investment in Australia. Behind that confidence lies the workhorse of the group. Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Ltd. is spewing $1 billion of cash annually, a nine-fold jump from 2014. Read More: Analysts turn cautious on Adani Group companies, suggest cutting exposure The coming together of the different pieces in Adanis sprawling infrastructure jigsaw has mirrored the rise of Narendra Modi, the long-time chief minister of Gujarat Adanis home state who has been Indias prime minister for the last seven years. All that the businessman needs to make his bets pay off is a decade-long dream run in which India goes from lower-middle-income economy to higher-middle-income nation. That jump in per capita income may have been delayed even before Covid-19. Still, when the growth spurt eventually comes, it should trigger a hunger for commodities similar to what China witnessed between 2006 and 2016. By supplying electricity to 1.4 billion Indians when theyre sleeping, providing them with piped gas when theyre sitting down for breakfast, and hosting their data when theyre browsing the Internet and waiting for a flight to take off from one of his airports, Adani will collect the cash that will justify the estimated $20 billion debt in the groups listed Thats why the turbulence this week isnt entirely without significance. In case of lingering damage to investor confidence, the conglomerate may need to taper its breathless expansion, lest financiers turn skittish as well. And that wont do for Adani. In less than three decades, his low-key trading firm has transformed itself into a massive owner of energy and transport assets in a country that doesnt have enough of them. Now the businessman wants to expand into cement manufacturing, presumably making use of the fly ash produced by his power plants. An initial public offering for the airport business may also be on the cards. It would be a typical move. To grab the capital-guzzling opportunities that have come its way, the original firm, Adani Enterprises Ltd., has spun off several units into the public market. But the list of shareholders of these stocks, which have risen 200% to 900% in value in the past year, need some explaining. Take Adani Green Energy Ltd., which wants to be the worlds largest renewable energy producer by 2030. Earlier this year, the firm sold a 20% stake to Total SE. Thats a solid name. As are Vanguard Group Inc. and Blackrock Inc. which have small shares. Sandwiched between them, however, are the likes of Elara India Opportunities Fund. The $4 billion investment vehicle seems to have found most of its opportunities in shares. Look beyond the 97% of the funds assets that are parked in five of them, and it doesnt hold even a $1 million stake in what other fund managers would typically buy in India for example, a major bank, a top-tier software exporter, or Reliance Industries Ltd., the countrys largest company by market value. Elara isnt alone. Six Mauritius-based offshore funds, the biggest holders within the foreign investor pool, have put more than 95% of their assets ($2 billion to $4 billion) into Adanis firms, Bloomberg Intelligence strategists Gaurav Patankar and Nitin Chanduka noted last week. In an interview with CNBC yesterday, Jugeshinder Singh, the chief financial officer of Adani Group, said that more high-quality institutions will come as the firms establish a longer track record in public markets. He also argued that the questions that are being asked of him about obscure fund managers should ideally be answered by the themselves. Trouble is, where do we find them? I could have asked analysts, but I couldnt find a single one who covers the Adani Green stock the market values at $25 billion. The Adani juggernaut will roll on. However, as the group gets bigger and more covetous of cash-generating assets it would need larger dollops of outside equity. It would be helpful if it comes from who at least have a website. Group Inc will take control of SOHO China Ltd in a HK$23.7 billion ($3.05 billion) deal and maintain its stock market listing, the Chinese office developer said in a filing on Wednesday, while the founders will retain a 9% stake. The U.S. private equity firm will offer HK$5 per share, 31.6% higher than the last closing price of HK$3.8 on Friday, in what would be its largest real estate deal in China. SOHO China's shares jumped as much as 25.8% to HK$4.78 early on Thursday, as they resumed trading after being suspended since Tuesday. Blackstone, which currently owns around 6 million square metres (65 million square feet) of properties in China, is seeking to expand there as it is confident about the country's long-term economic prospects and the Beijing and Shanghai office market, the filing said. SOHO China, a major developer well known for its futuristic office buildings on the mainland, has 1.3 million square meters of commercial properties in the country. The company is 64% owned by the husband-and-wife founding team of Chairman Pan Shiyi and Chief Executive Zhang Xin. After the deal, they will become its second-largest shareholder with a 9% interest. The offer is conditional on Chinese competition authorities granting clearance, the filing added. Founded in 1995, SOHO China went public in Hong Kong in 2007. Its shares have gained 62% in the past month and it had a market value of $2.55 billion at the stock's last close, according to Refinitiv data. The company has been scouting for buyers for its prime commercial property assets as the founders looked to shift their focus to overseas markets. Reuters reported last year was in exclusive talks to take SOHO China private in a $4 billion deal, but later halted the talks. ($1 = 7.7620 Hong Kong dollars) (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.) E-commerce firms and have filed separate appeals before a division Bench of the Karnataka High Court, challenging a single-judge Benchs order allowing the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to restart its probe into allegations of anti-competitive behaviour against them. Sources said both appeals are likely to be heard on Friday. While India declined to comment on the matter, a message sent to did not elicit a response. E-commerce players aim to put together a joint fight and are digging their heels in for a long-drawn battle, said Salman Waris, partner head of TMT and IP practice at Delhi-based TechLegis Advocates & Solicitors. According to a Reuters report, the fresh appeal from Flipkart, filed on Wednesday, argues that the decision by the Karnataka HC to allow the probe to resume was erroneous and must be put on hold. Last week, the high court had dismissed the petitions of and Flipkart, allowing the to continue with its probe. Reports also said the antitrust watchdog had plans to expedite its investigation into the allegations. ALSO READ: Govt may tighten 'country of origin' norms for e-commerce players The Confederation of All India Traders said that as expected, both Amazon and wanted to evade the investigation. The speed at which they have rushed to the court to file an appeal itself shows their involvement in illegal and mala fide practices causing harm to small merchants and the Indian economy. However, we are committed to fighting the issue at every level, said Praveen Khandelwal, secretary general, CAIT. Last year, the announced a probe against Amazon and Flipkart following a complaint by the Delhi Vyapar Mahasangh (DVM), which represents small and medium business owners in Delhi, accusing the two e-commerce giants of favouring some preferred sellers, hurting small businesses. But the two firms had managed to get a stay on the probe. It is common knowledge that foreign e-commerce giants have been taking India as a banana republic where the laws bear no prominence and indulged in blatant manipulation, said Sonam Chandwani, managing partner at KS Legal & Associates. While both have categorically denied any wrongdoing, their breach of laws has caused damage to the small traders community in India. Therefore, the giants' challenge to ward off the probe into alleged violations of Competition Law seems to be an attempt to mislead the ED's investigation without robust substantiation, Chandwani added. India's H-Energy, a natural gas company, said late on Wednesday it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bangladesh's state-run Petrobangla for the supply of re-gasified liquefied natural gas (LNG). It added that both firms will finalise a long-term supply agreement to start the supply of to through a cross-border natural gas pipeline. said it has been authorised by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), a regulatory body in India, to build, own and operate the pipeline. The Kanai Chhata-Shrirampur natural gas pipeline will connect H-Energy's terminal in West Bengal, passing through various regions of the state and connecting to the border, it added. said its wholly owned subsidiary HE Marketing private will be responsible for sourcing and for supplying R-LNG to Petrobangla. The company added that it will commission its floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) at the Jaigarh port in Maharashtra in July, this year. The terminal, which has been delayed on several occasions, is planned to be capable of handing four million tonnes per year. is also constructing LNG re-gasification terminals on the east coast of India at Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh and at Kukrahati, West Bengal. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor Union Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday said there are no plans to terminate any employee of state-owned or reduce its headcount. In a letter to Finance Minister Amit Mitra, Pradhan also assured that will continue to take care of its employees. On Wednesday, Mitra had requested the steel minister to intervene and stop the dismantling of Raw Materials Division (RMD) of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) in Kolkata, saying it would result in job losses amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In a letter to Pradhan, he had said the move to dissolve the RMD headquarters by the board of the company will also be detrimental to the interests of two "iconic and profitable" SAIL's steel plants at Durgapur and Burnpur in Replying to Mitra, Pradhan said, "There is no plan to terminate or reduce employee strength of the company. SAIL, a responsible employer, will continue to take care of its employees. I hope that clarifies the position as regards to your apprehensions". The steel minister further said that Durgapur Steel Plant (DSP) and IISCO Steel Plant (ISP) in Burnpur are two of the prestigious plants on which has made large investments, and as part of its expansion plan, the company will have to expand mining operations to produce more iron ore to meet its own requirements. Even though there are no iron ore mines in West Bengal, iron ore for DSP and ISP is dispatched from the SAIL mines located in other states under the coordination of the Director (Technical, Projects and Raw Materials) of the company, Pradhan added. SAIL, under the Ministry of Steel, is the country's largest steelmaker with an annual capacity of about 21 million tonne (MT). The company has plans to increase its steelmaking capacity to 50 MT by 2030. (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.) Business Process Management firm Startek is eyeing $1 billion revenue in the next two years. The New York Stock Exchange listed companys revenue for FY2020 was $630 million. Part of the push to reach this $1 billion target may also come from Chennai-based in which StarTek acquired 26 per cent stake in the company for $30 million, early this year. The company also has the option to acquire a majority stake in the CSS without being obliged to do so, it had stated then. Our collaborative effort is to take the advantage of expertise and allow them to collaborate with us to see the deep tech expertise we have of our understanding and the depth of the consumer experience area. So on these two fronts, I think we have joined ourselves at a front end to go to some of the customers and work with them deeply, and we are clearly seeing that there is a huge amount of opportunity to take this collaboration ahead of us, said Aparup Sengupta, CEO and Chairman, StarTek. For the FY2021, reported a revenue in the range of $150-170 million. From the financial point of view, CSS also improves StarTeks margin performance. But Sengupta did not comment on if StarTek will increase its stake further in the company. He however did say that the company has enough room for merger and acquisitions. Acquisitions are not new to me, in my past role at Aegis I have done close to 14 acquisitions, said Sengupta. Sengupta who has been a veteran of the BPM industry, he earlier headed Aegis which was BPM arm of conglomerate group Essar, after that in his PE role (partner at Capital Square Partners) he acquired BPM firm Minacs, which was later sold to US-based Synnex for $420 million in 2016. In 2018, StarTek that was listed on NYSE acquired the BPM portfolio of Capital Square Partners, which included Aegis, and Capital Square Partner also took 55 per cent shareholding in the listed entity. During the pandemic the company managed the work from home transition well, and also gave up 10 per cent of real estate in 2020 across the globe on account of hybrid work approach. From the highs of $12 per share when Capital Square Partners took stake in the company, the share price has come down to $6 per share. In a recent development Sengupta bought $70,000 worth of shares for $6.97 per share on June 6, 2021. The companys share price was $7.53 per share as the markets opened on June 17. Inc's and com Inc have filed legal challenges against the resumption of an antitrust investigation into their business practices, according to sources and a legal filing viewed by Reuters. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) launched an investigation in January last year after a complaint accused and of promoting select sellers on their e-commerce platforms and using deep discounts to stifle competition. The have denied wrongdoing and near-immediate legal challenges from the pair stalled the investigation for more than a year until a court last week ruled it could resume, having dismissed arguments that the CCI lacked evidence. The fresh appeal from filed on June 16, argues that decision by the Karnataka court to allow the probe to resume was erroneous and must be put on hold. "Irreparable injury will be caused to the appellant if the investigation was to continue pending the present appeal," the Flipkart filing, which was not made public but has been viewed by Reuters, said. It also urged the court to quash the initial CCI order for the investigation. has mounted a similar challenge, two sources familiar with the matter said. Both are likely to be heard by a two-judge panel this week, sources said. Flipkart and CCI did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Amazon declined to comment on its appeal. Sources told Reuters this week that the CCI planned to speed up the investigation as it increases its scrutiny of big-tech firms. The CCI plans to demand information from Flipkart and Amazon on the accusations "as quickly as possible", one source said. Such investigations usually run several months. Both Amazon and Flipkart are currently battling accusations from offline retailers that their complex business structures let them circumvent foreign investment rules for e-commerce. In February, a Reuters investigation http://reut.rs/2OCOT2W based on Amazon documents showed it had given preferential treatment for years to a small group of sellers on its Indian platform. Amazon has said it "does not give preferential treatment to any seller". (Reporting by Aditya Kalra in New Delhi; editing by Jane Wardell) Counsel for Madan Mitra, one of the four leaders who were granted interim bail in the sting tape case by the after their arrest by the CBI, submitted before a five-judge bench on Thursday that the probe agency has failed to make a case out of their prayer for transfer of the matter. Concluding his argument, senior counsel Sidharth Luthra submitted that there is no necessity for transfer of the case from the special CBI court to the high court as prayed for by the Central Bureau of Investigation. Luthra claimed that the CBI had moved the high court through an email when the bail petition of the four accused was being heard by the special CBI court. He also submitted before the five-judge bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Rajesh Bindal and justices I P Mukerji, Harish Tandon, Soumen Sen and Arijit Banerjee, that despite interim bail being granted to the accused, the CBI had not released them but went to the high court which ordered a stay on the lower court's order. Mitra's counsel submitted that the CBI had moved the high court without giving notice to the accused persons. He stated that the question of creating pressure, as alleged by the investigating agency, does not arise as the hearing was done in the virtual mode. The agency has claimed before the high court that while West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had sat on a dharna at the CBI office in Kolkata soon after the arrest of the four accused, state Law minister Moloy Ghatak had been present at the Banshall Court premises during the virtual hearing of the case before the special CBI court there on May 17. The bench will hear the matter again on June 21. The five-judge bench granted interim bail on May 28 to ministers Subrata Mukherjee and Firhad Hakim, Trinamool Congress MLA and former Kolkata mayor Sovan Chatterjee, who were arrested by the CBI in connection with the sting tape case on May 17. The special CBI court had granted them bail on that day itself, but the order was stayed by the high court, which remanded them to judicial custody. The high court had on May 21 placed them under house arrest, modifying its earlier order of judicial custody. The CBI is investigating the sting tape case on a 2017 order of the high court. The sting operation was conducted by journalist Mathew Samuel of Narada News, a web portal, in 2014 wherein some people resembling TMC ministers, MPs and MLAs were seen receiving money from representatives of a fictitious company in lieu of favours. At that time, the four arrested politicians were ministers in the Mamata Banerjee government. The sting operation was made public ahead of the 2016 assembly elections in West Bengal. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Conditions are not favourable for further advance of the into Rajasthan, some parts of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi, the India Meteorological Department said on Thursday. However, there could be slow progress into some more parts of Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh during the next two to three days, it said. The Northern Limit of (NLM) continues to pass through Diu, Surat, Nandurbar, Bhopal, Nowgong, Hamirpur, Barabanki, Bareilly, Saharanpur, Ambala and Amritsar. "Large-scale atmospheric conditions are not favourable for further advance of the into Rajasthan, remaining parts of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi," the IMD forecast read. The weather department had earlier predicted that the wind system may reach Delhi by June 15; 12 days early. Normally, the monsoon reaches Delhi by June 27 and covers the entire country by July 8. Last year, the wind system had reached Delhi on June 25 and covered the entire country by June 29, according to Skymet Weather, a private forecasting agency. Mahesh Palawat from Skymet Weather said westerly winds have been blocking the advance of the monsoon in northwest India for the last three to four days. "These winds will persist for another week. Hence, chances are that Delhi will get monsoonal showers only around the usual date of June 27," he said. The IMD said, "Moderate to severe" thunderstorms and frequent "cloud-to-ground lightning" are very likely over Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, east Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Jharkhand on Thursday and Friday. "This may cause injuries leading to casualties to people and animals outdoors," it said. Fairly widespread rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy showers are very likely over Uttarakhand during the next two days under the influence of a Western Disturbance, the weather department forecast. "A cyclonic circulation lies over Gangetic West Bengal and neighbourhood. Under its influence, widespread rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy falls are very likely over Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Sikkim and Odisha during the next two to three days," the MeT office said. Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely over east Uttar Pradesh in the next two-three days under the influence of a cyclonic circulation over east Uttar Pradesh and neighbourhood. Isolated "extremely heavy" rainfall is predicted over Konkan and Goa and central Maharashtra during the next 24 hours as a result of an offshore trough running from south Karnataka to north Kerala coast. Rainfall recorded below 15 mm is considered light, between 15 and 64.5 mm is moderate, between 64.5 mm and 115.5 mm is heavy, between 115.6 and 204.4 is very heavy. Anything above 204.4 mm is considered extremely heavy rainfall. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India on Thursday reported a net reduction of 38,692 in active cases to take its count to 826,740. Indias share of global active cases now stands at 7.10 per cent (one in 13). The country is second among the most affected countries by active cases. On Tuesday, it added 67,208 cases to take its total caseload to 29,700,313. And, with 2,330 new fatalities, its Covid-19 reached 381,903, or 1.29 per cent of total confirmed infections. With 3,463,961 more Covid-19 vaccine doses being administered on Wednesday, Indias total count of vaccine shots so far reached 265,519,251. The count of recovered cases across India, meanwhile, reached 28,491,670 or 95.93 per cent of total caseload with 103,570 new cured cases being reported on Thursday. With a daily increase of 67,208 in total cases, Indias tally of coronavirus cases has risen from 29,633,105, on Wednesday to 29,700,313 an increase of 0.2%. has reached 381,903, with 2,330 fatalities, an all-time high in daily spike. Now the second-most-affected country by active cases, total cases and recovery, and third by death, India has added 517,192 cases in the past 7 days. India now accounts for 7.10% of all active cases globally (one in every 13 active cases), and 9.86% of all deaths (one in every 10 deaths). India has so far administered 265,519,251 vaccine doses. That is 904.54 per cent of its total caseload, and 19.06 per cent of its population. Among Indian states, the top 5 in terms of number of vaccine shots administered are Maharashtra (31414828), Uttar Pradesh (29056680), Gujarat (25034964), Rajasthan (24795128), and West Bengal (22349334). Among states with more than 10 million population, the top 5 in number of vaccine shots per one million population are Kerala (401184), Gujarat (391953), Delhi (389770), Uttarakhand (356535), and J&K (328592). Backwards from here, the last 1 million cases for India have come in 12 days. The count of active cases across India on Thursday saw a net reduction of 38,692, compared with 47,946 on Wednesday. States and UTs hat have seen the biggest daily net increase in active cases are West Bengal (1106), Manipur (334), Tripura (236), Telangana (42), and Meghalaya (34). With 103,570 new daily recoveries, Indias recovery rate stands at 95.93%, while fatality rate increased to at 1.29%. The Indian states and UTs with the worst case fatality rates at present are Punjab (2.66%), Uttarakhand (2.07%), and Maharashtra (1.94%). The rate in as many as 17 is higher than the national average. Indias new daily closed cases stand at 105,990 2,330 deaths and 103,570 recoveries. The share of deaths in total closed cases stands at 2.19%. Indias 5-day moving average of daily rate of addition to total cases stands at 0.2%. Indias doubling time for total cases stands at 306 days, and for deaths at 113.3 days. Overall, five states with the biggest 24-hour jump in total cases are Kerala (13270), Tamil Nadu (10448), Maharashtra (10107), Karnataka (7345), and Andhra Pradesh (6617). Among states with more than 100,000 cases, the five with worst recovery rates at present are Karnataka (93.36%), Tamil Nadu (93.94%), Kerala (95.59%), and Maharashtra (95.70%). India on Wednesday conducted 1,931,249coronavirus tests to take the total count of tests conducted so far in the country to 385,238,220. The test positivity rate recorded was 3.5%. Five states with the highest test positivity rate (TPR) percentage of tested people turning out to be positive for Covid-19 infection (by cumulative data for tests and cases are Goa (18.66%), Maharashtra (15.36%), Dadra & Nagar Haveli-Daman & Diu (14.47%), Kerala (12.84%), and Sikkim (12.44%). Five states with the highest TPR by daily numbers for tests and cases added are Sikkim (13.41%), Goa (11.98%), Kerala (11.79%), Meghalaya (9.8%), and Nagaland (9.7%). Among states and UTs with more than 10 million population, five that have carried out the highest number of tests (per million population) are Delhi (1093823), J&K (683800), Kerala (602422), Karnataka (475001), and Uttarakhand (461520). The five most affected states by total cases are Maharashtra (5934880), Karnataka (2784355), Kerala (2761474), Tamil Nadu (2388746), and Andhra Pradesh (1826751). Maharashtra, the most affected state overall, has reported 10107 new cases to take its tally to 5934880. Karnataka, the second-most-affected state, has reported 7345 cases to take its tally to 2784355. Kerala, the third-most-affected state by total tally, has added 13270 cases to take its tally to 2761474. Tamil Nadu has added 10448 cases to take its tally to 2388746. Andhra Pradesh has seen its tally going up by 6617 to 1826751. Uttar Pradesh has added 251 cases to take its tally to 1703458. Delhi has added 212 cases to take its tally to 1431710. A senior-level team of Delhi Police's Special Cell interrogated India managing director Manish Maheshwari at Bengaluru over the 'Congress toolkit case' matter on May 31, the sources said on Thursday. The had earlier sent a notice to Twitter, seeking an explanation from the microblogging platform to explain the rationale and share all the information on how it described the toolkit as manipulated media. The police had also visited the India offices in Lado Sarai, Delhi and Gurgaon on May 24 with the notice over the tagging some of the posts on an alleged Congress "toolkit" against the Central government, as "manipulated media". Earlier, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology had written to objecting to it tagging some of the posts on an alleged Congress "toolkit" against the Central government, as "manipulated media". It asked Twitter to remove the tag as the matter is pending investigation before a law enforcement agency. Meanwhile, Twitter has lost its status as an intermediary platform in India as it does not comply with new IT rules. According to the sources, Twitter is the only platform among the mainstream that has not adhered to the new laws. Now, instead of being considered just a platform hosting content from various users, Twitter will be held directly editorially responsible for posts published on its platform. The implication of this development is that if there is any charge against Twitter for alleged unlawful content it would be treated as a publisher - not an intermediary - and be liable for punishment under any law, including IT Act, as also the penal laws of the country, sources stated. Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) had on June 5 said that it had given Twitter one last notice to comply with the new rules concerning companies. The ministry said in the letter that the New Intermediary Guideline Rules have become effective from May 26. (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 has received a complaint against actress Swara Bhaskar, India MD Manish Maheshwari and others in connection with social media posts about an attack on an elderly Muslim man in Ghaziabad on June 5, officials said Thursday. Police said the complaint was received at Tilak Marg police station. "We have received a complaint against Swara Bhaskar, Manish Maheshwari, MD Twitter, and others at Tilak Marg police station. It is under inquiry," a senior police officer said. Further details about the complaint were not immediately available. In a video uploaded on social media, the elderly Muslim man had accused four people of beating him up, chopping his beard and asking him to chant "Jai Shri Ram" in the Loni area of Ghaziabad. The Ghaziabad police had said it has already registered an FIR in connection with this alleged incident which took place on June 5, but was reported to police two days later. Ghaziabad Senior Superintendent of Police Amit Pathak had said the victim, Abdul Samad, a Bulandshahr resident, had not made any allegation of being forced to chant Jai Shri Ram or the chopping up of his beard in his FIR lodged on June 7. The Uttar Pradesh Police has filed the FIR against Inc, Communications India, news portal The Wire, scribes Mohammed Zubair and Rana Ayyub, and senior journalist and author Saba Naqvi, besides Congress leaders Salman Nizami, Masqoor Usmani and Sama Mohammad for sharing the video clip on the social media. (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.) Student activists Natasha Narwal, Devangana Kalita and Asif Iqbal Tanha walked out of Tihar prison on Thursday, hours after a court here ordered their immediate release in the north-east Delhi riots conspiracy case. The order came two days after the granted bail to Narwal, Kalita and Tanha, who were arrested in May last year under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Director General (Delhi Prisons) Sandeep Goel confirmed that all three have been released. Director General (Delhi Prisons) Sandeep Goel confirmed their release. A senior jail official said Kalita and Narwal were released around 7 pm and Tanha around 7.30 pm. The three student activists were not released from the prison on time over delays in verifying their addresses and sureties. After walking out on bail, Narwal said they received tremendous support inside in Delhi and added that they would continue their struggle. Narwal and Kalita thanked their friends and well-wishers, many of whom gathered outside the jail, for supporting them during their year-long stay behind bars. ALSO READ: Protesters are not terrorists Welcoming the HC order, Narwal, an activist of women collective Pinjra Tod, said when they were arrested it took them many months to believe that they were in jail under such stringent charges. Hitting out at the government, Kalita said people are in jail for raising their voice. They are trying to suppress the voice of people and dissent. We got a lot of support from people, which helped us survive inside (jail), she said. On the delay in their release after the high court granted them bail, she said it was unbelievable because they had secured bail two-three days ago. "...still we were inside jail. I almost kept expecting that some police officers will come and arrest me," she added. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court will on Friday hear the appeals of Delhi Police challenging the Delhi HC verdicts granting bail to three student-activists in a case related to last years communal violence in northeast Delhi during against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). A vacation bench of Justice Hemant Gupta and Justice V Ramaburamanian will hear three separate appeals filed by Delhi police which said that the High Courts findings are perverse and contrary to record and appeared to be based more on the social media narrative. The high court had granted bail to Kalita and Narwal, and Tanha, Jamia Millia Islamia student, on June 15, but the order by the trial court directing their immediate release from the jail came on Thursday, not before they rushed to the high court complaining about the delay in completing the formalities. (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 that broke out here at the ninth floor of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) hospital has been brought under control and no casualties have been reported yet, said the department on Thursday. "At least 20 tenders were rushed to the hospital after the alert. The fire is under control now," said Delhi Fire Service Director Atul Garg. According to Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Sunil Choudhary, the fire broke out at an area where COVID-19 samples were collected. "We received the emergency call at 10:30 pm. The area where the fire broke out was being used for COVID-19 sampling. At least 20-22 fire tenders are working to completely douse the blaze. It might take an hour to completely douse the flames. No casualty has been reported so far," said Choudhary. The fire broke out at the hospital late on Wednesday night in the building where various diagnostic labs and examination sections are located. The building also houses the AIIMS' SET (Skills, e-Learning, Telemedicine) facility and auditorium, officials had said. Fire at Convergence block, 9th floor, of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (#AIIMS) in #Delhi; no injuries reported pic.twitter.com/WMxLuT5z2j DD News (@DDNewslive) June 16, 2021 (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.) Funds parked by Indian individuals and firms in Swiss banks, including through India-based branches and other financial institutions, jumped to 2.55 billion Swiss francs (over Rs 20,700 crore) in 2020 on a sharp surge in holdings via securities and similar instruments, though customer deposits fell, annual data from Switzerland's central bank showed on Thursday. The increase in aggregate funds of Indian clients with Swiss banks, from 899 million Swiss francs (Rs 6,625 crore) at the end of 2019, reverses a two-year declining trend and has taken the figure to the highest level in 13 years. It stood at a record high of nearly 6.5 billion Swiss francs in 2006, after which it has been mostly on a downward path, except for a few years including in 2011, 2013 and 2017, as per the Swiss Bank (SNB) data. The total amount of CHF 2,554.7 million (Rs 20,706 crore), described by the SNB as 'total liabilities' of or 'amounts due to' their Indian clients at the end of 2020, included CHF 503.9 million (over Rs 4,000 crore) in customer deposits, CHF 383 million (over Rs 3,100 crore) held via other banks, CHF 2 million (Rs 16.5 crore) through fiduciaries or trusts and the highest component of CHF 1,664.8 million (nearly Rs 13,500 crore) as 'other amounts due to customers' in form of bonds, securities and various other financial instruments. While the funds classified as 'customer account deposits' have actually declined from CHF 550 million at the end of 2019 and those through fiduciaries also more than halved from CHF 7.4 million, the money held via other banks rose sharply from CHF 88 million in this period. However, the biggest difference has been a surge in 'other amounts due to customers' from India, which rose over six times from CHF 253 million at 2019-end. All four components had declined during 2019. These are official figures reported by banks to the SNB and do not indicate the quantum of the much-debated alleged black money held by Indians in Switzerland. These figures also do not include the money that Indians, NRIs or others might have in in names of third-country entities. According to the SNB, its data for 'total liabilities' of towards Indian clients takes into account all types of funds of Indian customers at Swiss banks, including deposits from individuals, banks and enterprises. This includes data for branches of Swiss banks in India, as also non-deposit liabilities. On the other hand, the 'locational banking statistics' of the Bank for International Settlement (BIS), which have been described in the past by Indian and Swiss authorities as a more reliable measure for deposits by Indian individuals in Swiss banks, show an increase of nearly 39 per cent during 2020 in such funds to USD 125.9 million (Rs 932 crore). This figure takes into account deposits as well as loans of Indian non-bank clients of Swiss-domiciled banks and had shown an increase of 7 per cent in 2019, after declining by 11 per cent in 2018 and by 44 per cent in 2017. It peaked at over USD 2.3 billion (over Rs 9,000 crore) at the end of 2007. Swiss authorities have always maintained that assets held by Indian residents in Switzerland cannot be considered as 'black money' and they actively support India in its fight against tax fraud and evasion. An automatic exchange of information in tax matters between Switzerland and India has been in force since 2018. Under this framework, detailed financial information on all Indian residents having accounts with Swiss financial institutions since 2018 was provided for the first time to Indian tax authorities in September 2019 and this is to be followed every year. In addition to this, Switzerland has been actively sharing details about accounts of Indians suspected to have indulged in financial wrongdoings after submission of prima facie evidence. Such exchange of information has taken place in hundreds of cases so far. Overall, customer deposits in all Swiss banks rose in 2020 to nearly CHF 2 trillion, which included over CHF 600 billion of foreign customer deposits. While the topped the charts for foreign clients' money in Swiss banks at CHF 377 billion, it was followed by the US (CHF 152 billion) at the second spot -- the only two countries with 100-billion-plus client funds. Others in the top 10 were West Indies, France, Hong Kong, Germany, Singapore, Luxembourg, Cayman Islands and Bahamas. India was placed at 51st place, ahead of countries like New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, Mauritius, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Among BRICS nations, India stood below China and Russia, but above South Africa and Brazil. Others placed above India included Netherlands, UAE, Japan, Australia, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Ireland, Turkey, Mexico, Austria, Greece, Egypt, Canada, Qatar, Belgium, Bermuda, Kuwait, South Korea, Portugal, Jordan, Thailand, Seychelles, Argentina, Indonesia, Malaysia and Gibraltar. The countries for which Swiss banks reported a decline in amounts due to clients included the US and UK, while the money parked by individuals and enterprises from Bangladesh also declined during 2020. However, the amount almost doubled in the case of Pakistan to over CHF 642 million. Just like India, the issue of alleged black money in Swiss banks has been a political hot potato in the two neighbouring countries as well. As per the SNB, there were 243 banks in Switzerland at the end of 2020. (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], June 17 (ANI): Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech's pre-submission meeting has been scheduled on June 23 for evaluation of the (WHO)'s Emergency Use Listing (EUL) of its indigenous COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin. Earlier, last month, Bharat Biotech had informed that it had submitted 90 per cent of the documentation needed for WHO's EUL. The rest of the documents are to be submitted this month. The External Affairs Ministry is coordinating with Bharat Biotech to secure WHO recognition for the COVID-19 vaccine. Covaxin is among three vaccines currently being administered in India against the COVID-19 pandemic. India started the world's largest vaccination drive on January 16 this year in a phased manner with healthcare workers (HCWs) getting inoculated first. The vaccination of frontline workers (FLWs) started on February 2. The next phase of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from March 1 for those over 60 years of age and for people aged 45 and above with specified co-morbid conditions. India launched vaccination for all people aged more than 45 from April 1. Phase 3 of the vaccination drive was started on May 1 for the beneficiaries belonging to the age group 18-44. (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 government has decided to procure four million Covid-19 vaccines manufactured by China's Sinopharm under a non-disclosure agreement. However, the government has not disclosed the price of the vaccine. Since it is to be signed under a non-disclosure agreement, there is no provision of making public the rate of each dose, a senior government official told IANS. During a meeting of Covid Crisis Management Centre on Wednesday, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said the vaccines were expected to arrive by the end of June. Nepali media have speculated the price of the vaccines to be between $18 to $21 for two doses. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Raghubir Mahaseth confirmed the government's decision to buy the Chinese vaccines developed by Sinopharm which were earlier branded as Verocell. is currently using Verocell after donated 1.8 million doses earlier as a grant assistance. Similarly Nepal also received 1 million Covishield vaccines from India as a grant in January and procured another 2 million from the Serum Institute of India (SII) and paid the full money in advance. Out of that 2 million Covid vaccines that were procured from SII, Nepal has already received one million vaccines on February 21. But the Himalayan nation could not get rest 1 million after India put a ban on vaccine export. The price of each dose of Covishield was $4. The Indian Army also provided 1 lakh vaccines to its Nepalese counterpart earlier, while the country also received 348,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccine provided under the COVAX facility on March 7. "We are in talks with the World Bank to receive 5 million vaccines developed by Johnson & Johnson," Mahaseth said in the interview. "Since immunisation against Covid is our top most priority, we have asked the vaccine manufacturers to deliver the doese within 45 to 60 days. Nepal needs to inoculate its 72 per cent population out of the total 30 million." The World Bank has already pledged $75 million for Nepal to procure the Covid vaccines. --IANS ag/ksk/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Serum Institute of India (SII) hopes to introduce US firm Novavax's Indian version of the COVID-19 vaccine - 'Covavax' by September this year and start trials on children from July, sources said on Thursday. The SII is hoping to introduce Covavax in the country by September which is a version of US firm Novavax's Covid-19 vaccine, sources added. Earlier this week, Novavax's vaccine exhibited a 90.4 per cent overall efficacy in Phase-3 clinical trials. That puts it in the same bracket as two of the frontline vaccines being used in the US and European countries, the ones produced by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, which had efficacy rates of 91.3 per cent and 90 per cent in Phase 3 trials, respectively. "Serum Institute plans to start clinical trials of the Novavax shot for Children in July," sources confirmed to ANI. Earlier on Tuesday, the Centre said that recently declared Novavax Covid vaccine efficacy data in a large trial are promising and that clinical trials are being conducted and are in an advanced stage of completion in India. "What we're learning from data available in the public domain that this vaccine is very safe and highly effective. It'll be produced in India," said Dr VK Paul, Member-Health, Niti Aayog said in a routine briefing by the Union Health Ministry on the COVID-19 situation in India. He also added that gap in the production of Novavax's vaccine was likely for a while. "I am also hoping they (US company Novavax) would also start trials on children too," Paul had said. Novavax's vaccine candidate has partnered with Pune-based vaccine manufacturer Serum Institute of India to produce doses in India. Meanwhile, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi from Tuesday began the screening of children in the age group of 6 to 12 years for the clinical trials of Covaxin, the indigenously developed Covid-19 vaccine. AIIMS Delhi has already completed the clinical trial for a single dose of Covaxin for children aged 12-18 age group. The United States of America had in May approved Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for use in children as young as 12. Pfizer's shot is the first to be cleared in the United States for children 12 to 15. (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.) Only 0.05 per cent of vaccinated healthcare workers got severe Covid that required intensive care, showed a recent study released by Fortis Healthcare. This represents real-world data on the impact of the Covid-19 vaccination. Fortis, however, did not share the details of vaccine-wise response. The study covered over 16,000 healthcare workers across Fortis hospitals in the country (barring their Dehradun facility), who were administered both first and second doses of the vaccine between January 2021 and May 2021. Fortis said that this period included the peak of the second wave when India was recording 350,000-400,000 daily Covid-19 cases and the healthcare workers were in line of duty. The hospital group has also shared their findings with the Government of India. Of the 16,147 healthcare workers who got both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, 968 people, or around 6 per cent, got down with the infection. Fortis said that of those who got Covid19, around 92 percent of them could largely recover under home-care and got mild disease. Around seven percent got moderate illness and required oxygen support. Only one per cent (or roughly nine people) got severe Covid-19 illness and required intensive care unit treatment or ventilation. Therefore, out of the total 16,147 individuals who were fully vaccinated, only 0.05 per cent got severe disease. A recent study by Public Health England (PHE), an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care in the United Kingdom, has shown that even one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or AstraZeneca) reduces household transmission by up to 50 per cent. Bishnu Panigrahi, Group HeadMedical Strategy & Operations Fortis Healthcare Ltd, said, The study clearly brings out important findings that the vaccines available in India for COVID-19 do provide protection against the virus even in healthcare workers who are at most risk and vulnerable to get infected by the virus. He felt that we need to use our research and study findings in varied ways and smart data analytics to bust rumours, myths and hesitancy among the population on getting inoculated. Vaccine efficacy is generally reported as relative risk reduction (RRR). Studies have already demonstrated that being vaccinated against Covid-19 significantly reduces risk of being infected. For example, in clinical trials,a 95 percent vaccine efficacy would indicate vaccinated individuals will be 95 percent less likely to get Covid-19. If one per cent of the unvaccinated population develops Covid-19, getting the vaccine would reduce chances of getting Covid-19 by 95 per cent, resulting in a 0.05 per cent infection rate, Fortis said. Pinjara Tod activists Natasha Narwal, Devangna Kalita and Jamia student Asif Iqbal Tanha have moved the seeking immediate release from jail. A Division Bench of Justices Siddharth Mridul and Anup Jairam Bhambhani granted bail to Kalita, Narwal and Tanha on June 15 on furnishing of a personal bond of Rs 50,000 each and two local sureties of each. Advocate Sidharth Aggarwal appearing for the accused submitted that the order of bail which was passed on June 15 has still not been implemented. "The problem is by not taking a view the trial court has denied me of bail which was granted on June 15. I have furnished FD receipts. I have already given the new address," Advocate Aggarwal added. Special Public Prosecutor Advocate Amit Prasad submitted that they were only following the orders of the court. "The address of the appellants was to be verified. Addresses provided to us are of different states. We don't have magical powers that we will verify all of this, addresses in Jharkhand, Assam in such a short time. That's why the application seeking more time to verification procedure was moved," said SPP Amit Prasad. After noting down the submission of both sides, Bench of Justice Sidharth Mridul and Justice Anup Jairam Bambhani said, "let the trial court decide the application" (which is expected to pass shortly) and passed an order on that. "We can put these matters for later in the afternoon to be apprised of." A Delhi Court on Wednesday kept the reserved order on issuing an order on the application seeking immediate release of Pinjra Tod activists Devangana Kalita and Natasha Narwal from judicial custody Additional Sessions Judge Revinder Bedi reserved the order after hearing submission made by Pinjra Tod activists' defence lawyer Adit Pujari and Special Public Prosecutor Amit Prasad representing Delhi Police. Delhi Police had sought more time to verify the particulars of the accused and sureties. Earlier on June 15, the trial Court asked the SHO concerned to submit a verification Report relating to particulars of the accused and sureties. In three separate orders, the has granted bail to Pinjra tod activists Devangana Kalita, Natasha Narwal and Jamia student Asif Iqbal Tanha. All of them were arrested under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, in connection with north-east Delhi violence cases. Kalita and Pinjra tod activist Narwal were arrested in the subject FIR on May 29, 2020, and Tanha was arrested on May 19, 2020, in the present case. (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.) Congress leader on Wednesday alleged the government was busy saving the prime minister's image while COVID-19 took its toll on the people of the country, drawing a sharp retort from Health Minister who accused him of making "mythical claims" and politicising the issue. Gandhi in a tweet said India needs quick and complete vaccination and not the BJP's "brand of lies and rhyming slogans" to cover up the vaccine shortage caused by the government's inaction. "India needs quick and complete vaccination, not BJP's usual brand of lies and rhyming slogans to cover up vaccine shortage caused by Modi Government's inaction," the Congress leader said on Twitter. "GOI's constant attempts to save PM's fake image are facilitating the virus and costing people's lives," he added, citing reports that some members of the scientific group were not in agreement of doubling the gap between two doses of COVID-19 vaccine Covishield. In a sharp retort, Vardhan said, "Signor @RahulGandhi continues to remain lost in a mythical land furthering mythical claims without checking any facts!Protecting family's name and crown is @INCIndia's business." "GoI is dedicated to serving the people and safeguarding lives and livelihoods during this pandemic," he also said on Twitter. In another tweet, he denied the news reports, saying "decision to increase the gap between administering 2 doses of COVISHIELD has been taken in a transparent manner based on scientific data. India has a robust mechanism to evaluate data." "It's unfortunate that such an important issue is being politicised," Vardhan alleged. Hitting back, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said that instead of abusing the opposition he should plan to vaccinate the adult population of the country. "So says a Health Minister and government, whose 'Himalayan Mismanagement' of Vaccination over last 6 months (16th Jan-16th June) reflects in - Only 3.51% of population vaccinated with both doses. Average per day Vaccination is mere 17.23 lakh per day over the last 6 months," he said. At this pace of 17.23 lakh vaccinations per day, Surjewala said, it will take 944 days more to vaccinate all of 94.50 crore adults with both doses i.e until January 16, 2024. "Can India afford to wait this long? How will you tackle the 3rd wave? Instead of abusing the Opposition, please plan this," he said. Another Congress leader, Jairam Ramesh, asked on whose advice the government claimed to increase the gap between 1st and 2nd doses of Covishield to 12-16 weeks, while quoting scientists who said they recommended only 8-12 weeks. He asked Vardhan to clarify whether vaccine shortage was a key factor in extending the gap. Ramesh said, "Asking questions isn't politicising! It's based on what scientists are themselves saying. There's genuine concern around prevalence of the 'Delta' variant and the impact of extended gap between 2 doses of Covishield on the safety of our citizens." "Rate of COVID-19 vaccination was 29 lakh doses/day in 1st half of June. This MUST increase by at least 3 times in a few weeks. Only then can we FULLY vaccinate at least 100 cr Indians (approx 75 percent population) by Dec '21. The Modi Government hasn't yet shared a weekly roadmap on how to achieve this," Ramesh tweeted. The Congress has been alleging that there is a vaccine shortage in the country and that the current rate of vaccination is very slow. (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 Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi has taken both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine while Rahul Gandhi has not yet taken the jabs since he had contracted the virus in May, sources said on Thursday. According to the party sources, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has taken one shot of the COVID-19 vaccine. The remarks were made following questions by several BJP leaders who demanded for vaccination details of the Gandhis to be made public. The Congress interim president took the first jab of the COVID-19 vaccine in March while Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took her first shot in May, the sources said. The Congress General Secretary went into self-isolation after her husband Robert Vadra tested positive for COVID-19 in April. Addressing a press conference on Wednesday BJP's Sambit Patra has raised the question on whether Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had been vaccinated and if so to make the details public. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Health Minister on Thursday chaired a high-level virtual meeting with associations representing business corporate entities and select PSUs to discuss voluntary crowd-funding for treatment and care of patients suffering from rare and TB-free corporate spaces. The minister said the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the way forward for wider partnership with and participation of the private corporate sector for noble causes that have hitherto remained unexplored, a Health Ministry statement said. Extending his gratitude to the corporate sector and various Public Sector Undertakings for their support to help the country tide over the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vardhan underscored the need for engagement of the private sector in filling the gap that presently exists in extending quality healthcare largely generated by resource constraint and competing health priorities, to those suffering from rare in the country, it said. He appealed to the corporate associations and PSUs to contribute generously to the cause of treatment of patients with rare under CSR initiatives. Globally, eight percent of the population suffers from rare diseases. Seventy five percent of the survivors are children which makes parents run from pillar to post for their treatment, exhausting their resources and emotionally draining themselves in the process," the minister was quoted as saying in the statement. Vardhan also enumerated the different steps taken by the government in facilitating the creation of an environment which promotes research and development of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions for rare diseases within the country. Rare disease committees have been constituted, nodal officers appointed and Rare Disease Fund Accounts have also been created at notified eight Centres of Excellence (COEs). Nidan Kendras in UMMID programme have been opened for genetic screening, he said. A research consortium under DHR with ICMR, DBT,CSIR for low-cost therapeutics for rare diseases and repurposing of drugs has been created to enable their study, he added. The minister further added that the CSIR runs the largest free exome (DNA)-sequencing programme for rare disease diagnosis (GuARDIAN scheme), while CDSCO has made provisions for fast-track processing of applications for new drugs for rare diseases under New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules,2019 for drug trials and experimental therapies and have exempted application fee of potential drug candidates, the statement said. The Ministry of Finance is similarly working to reduce custom duties on import of specific drugs used in treatment, Vardhan said. He also mentioned about the Digital Portal for Crowd Funding created by MoHFW that will enable donors from various sections of the society i.e. individuals, and corporate donors, to donate funds, contribute recourses through crowd-funding to support treatment and care of patients suffering from rare diseases. This is a unique initiative by the Health Ministry and for the first time such a government portal for crowd-funding has been created, he stated. The corporate sector and PSUs can fund research into these diseases or adopt children with rare conditions for their treatment and therapy, Vardhan added. The minister pointed out that expanding access to accurate TB screening and diagnostic tools like NAAT, digital X-ray with artificial intelligence has immensely aided timely detection of the TB cases in the country, the statement said. High-quality drugs, digital technologies, multi-sectoral community engagements, integrating TB services across all levels of our health system are all aligned to rapidly push down the TB incidence and mortality curve in the country, he said. Under the able leadership of our Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi ji, India has demonstrated unprecedented political commitment to end TB by 2025, five years ahead of the SDG target of 2030," Vardhan said. He also called upon every participant to take a pledge to support the fight against TB, so that Ending TB in India by 2025' and globally by 2030 becomes a reality, the statement said. He also urged everyone to engage themselves proactively with the cause of rare diseases and TB-free workspaces, it added. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) said on Thursday the country's gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow at 9.5 per cent in the current financial year (FY 2021-22). This will take the GDP to a level that is slightly higher than in FY20. "The strong growth in the second-half will be supported by robust external demand and large scale coverage of vaccination allowing resumption of economic activity," said President T V Narendran. "In the medium term, the growth rate can pick up to 8 to 9 per cent if positive actions are taken now. If not, a 5 to 6 per cent growth scenario is also possible," he said while addressing a press conference here. Narendran said the second Covid-19 wave impacted economic activity in the April to June quarter. A high proportion of employees across businesses were affected by Covid 2.0. Rising medical expenditure has squeezed incomes and demand. But recovery is on the cards. Global growth and macroeconomic stability will support trade and investment flows. Besides, there is acceleration in the vaccination programme. Narendran said both rural and urban unemployment have shot up to double digit levels, impacting livelihoods across the country. Suitable fiscal measures to alleviate the stress on livelihoods are the need of the hour. "The calls for measures to boost demand. Fiscal stimulus of Rs 3 lakh crore is required along with measures to support businesses. The Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) may be increased to Rs 5 lakh crore," he said. Narendran said the Reserve Bank of India should expand its balance sheet in order to accommodate the increased stimulus so that lending costs remain contained. However, is dependent on an accelerated vaccination programme. The calls for minimum 71.2 lakh average daily vaccination doses between now and December to cover the entire adult population, he said. Besides, domestic vaccine production must be ramped up to at least 175 crore doses by the year-end. Narendran called for decentralising the healthcare infrastructure. He said the government should tap into private sector expertise to setup Covid care centres with stage one facilities in rural areas. Special incentives should be given to industry for setting up medical care facilities in remote areas. They can include free land, deemed clearances and tax benefits. (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 Delhi government's tax collection has declined while its expenditure increased by around 80 per cent in the first two months of the current financial year, Deputy Chief Minister said on Thursday. The revenue receipts of Delhi have been Rs 5,273.26 crore during the first two months of the financial year 2021-22, while its expenditure has reached Rs 8,511.09 crore. Delhi has incurred Rs 3,237.83 crore more than its receipts which were met from last year's savings, Sisodia, who is also the Delhi finance minister, said. He said the expenditure of the has increased around 80 per cent during the first two months of the financial year 2021-22 as compared to the corresponding period of the previous financial year, due to COVID-19. Previously, the expenditure in the first two months was Rs 4,705.14 crore in (2019-20) and Rs 4,965.58 crore in 2020-21. However, due to the unprecedented Covid surge, the expenditure during the first two months has jumped to Rs 8,511.09 crore in 2021-22, according to a government statement. The tax collection has declined due to the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown, while the expenditure has increased in comparison with the previous years for implementation of various relief and other measures to check the spread of COVID-19, Sisodia said. The has issued an order on expenditure management and rationalisation of expenditure to keep the expenditure within the resources, in times of COVID-19 pandemic, the statement added. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indias gross domestic product (GDP) needs to improve to 9 per cent by 2024-25 with public expenditure, reforms and vaccination as key levers, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) president TV Narendran said on Thursday, while urging the government to provide a fiscal stimulus worth Rs 3 trillion, along with direct cash transfers to perk up domestic demand. Addressing the media, virtually, for the first time after taking over as the president, Narendran said, The cumulative impact of the two waves on income and consumer sentiment, coupled with the increase in household medical expenses during the second wave, is likely to affect consumer demand for some time. As the economy reopens after the second wave, the government strategy is required to boost consumption and support industry till demand is well-entrenched. For the current fiscal year, has pegged Indias GDP growth rate at 9.5 per cent. With recent uptick in mobility indicators, traffic congestion index and daily railway passenger movement, we believe that 9.5 per cent growth rate can be achieved this year, Narendran, chief executive officer and managing director at Tata Steel Limited, who took over as the president on May 31, said.The body further asked for expansion in the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) balance sheet to meet the demand exigencies of the pandemic.As businesses reopen, their credit needs must be met and the financial sector should be able to absorb pandemic-induced non-performing assets. A corpus might be set up as a pandemic pool to cover the risk of losses from future pandemics, he said. TV Narendran, CII President Narendran also called for supporting the industry through increase in Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) to Rs 5 trillion, along with extension of the scheme to March 31, 2022 and inclusion of more distressed sectors such as retail. He further suggested long-pending structural tax reforms such as inclusion of ATF and other fuel products under GST be considered, and listed a range of measures for accelerating vaccination.Narendran suggested appointment of a minister of vaccination to accelerate the jab drive, including in rural areas, procurement and distribution of vaccines to states based on scientific criteria and monitoring progress through a daily dashboard.According to CII estimates, an average of about 71 lakh daily vaccinations are required from June to December 2021 to administer at least a single dose to all adults. For this, the vaccine availability must increase two times, it said.The government should fast-track all necessary licensing requirements and pay in advance for purchases, besides providing capital subsidies to incentivise production, the CII said.The IP owners of vaccines should issue licenses for mass manufacturing with transfer of technology, it added.Noting that a third wave is a possibility, Narendran asked district administrations and the private sector partner to set up Covid Care Centres in rural areas. Free land, deemed clearances and tax benefits could be extended for this, he said.CII also suggested a national oxygen development plan to create an oxygen ecosystem. CII is aiming to set up E-ICUs in rural areas across 12 states, for which pilot projects in Maharashtra and Haryana have been successful. The CII E-ICUs will have testing and diagnostic facilities and oxygen generation capacities. The body has also drafted a Code for Industry Staff Welfare to provide relief to families of employees who succumbed to Covid-19. The has filed an FIR against Ruchi Global Limited and its directors for allegedly cheating a consortium of led by Bank of Baroda to the tune of Rs 188.35 crore, officials said on Wednesday. The agency carried out searches at the premises of the accused at six locations in Indore, Mumbai and Bangalore, they said. The agency has booked Ruchi Global Limited and its directors Umesh Shahra, Saket Barodia and Ashutosh Mishra in the case pertaining to the alleged fraud between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2017. It is alleged that the accused fraudulently indulged in diversion of funds, speculation transactions, non-routing of sale proceeds in consortium bank accounts, transactions with related parties/sister concerns, etc., the spokesperson said in a statement. The company was doing business with related entities having a common address with directors being employees of the accused company, Bank of Baroda alleged in its complaint, which is now part of the FIR. It is alleged that the transactions with these companies were sham to inflate sales figures. The accused company allegedly made accounting entries with several firms without having genuine business transactions to divert the borrowed amount through non-fund based facility, it said. These accommodating entries helped in increasing higher credit facilities, it alleged. The alleged action caused loss of approximately Rs 188.35 crore to the lending banks, the spokesperson 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.) By Laurence Frost PARIS (Reuters) - is working with to introduce "reduced crew" long-haul flights with a sole pilot in the cockpit much of the time, industry sources told Reuters. The programme, known within as Project Connect, aims to certify its A350 jet for single-pilot operations during high-altitude cruise, starting in 2025 on Cathay passenger flights, the sources said. High hurdles remain on the path to acceptance. Once cleared, longer flights would become possible with a pair of pilots alternating rest breaks, instead of the three or four currently needed to maintain at least two in the cockpit. That promises savings for airlines, amid uncertainty over the post-pandemic economics of intercontinental flying. But it is likely to encounter resistance from pilots already hit by mass layoffs, and safety concerns about aircraft automation. Lufthansa has also worked on the single-pilot programme but currently has no plans to use it, a spokesman for the German carrier told Reuters. Airways confirmed its involvement but said no decision had been made on eventual deployment. "While we are engaging with in the development of the concept of reduced crew operations, we have not committed in any way to being the launch customer," the Hong Kong carrier said. Commercial implementation would first require extensive testing, regulatory approval and pilot training with "absolutely no compromise on safety", Cathay said. "The appropriateness and effectiveness of any such rollout as well as (the) overall cost-benefit analysis (will) ultimately depend on how the pandemic plays out." It added: "Having said that, we will continue to engage with Airbus and to support development of the concept." Airbus has previously disclosed plans to add single-pilot capability to the A350, but the airlines' participation had not been reported. Work has resumed after the COVID-19 crisis paused the programme, Chief Test Pilot Christophe Cail said. "We've proven over decades we can enhance safety by putting the latest technology in aircraft," Cail told Reuters, declining to identify project partners. "As for any design evolution, we are working with airlines." VITAL SIGNS Safe deployment will require constant monitoring of the solo pilot's alertness and vital signs by on-board systems, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has said. If the encounters a problem or the pilot flying is incapacitated, the resting copilot can be summoned within minutes. Both remain in the cockpit for take-off and landing. "Typically on long-haul flights when you're at cruise altitude there's very little happening in the cockpit," EASA chief Patrick Ky told a German press briefing in January. "It makes sense to say OK, instead of having two in the cockpit, we can have one in the cockpit, the other one taking a rest, provided we're implementing technical solutions which make sure that if the single one falls asleep or has any problem, there won't be any unsafe conditions." Pilot groups have voiced alarm. "We struggle to understand the rationale," said Otjan de Bruijn, head of the European Cockpit Association representing EU pilots. Invoking the 737 MAX crisis, which exposed Boeing's inappropriate links to U.S. regulators, De Bruijn said the programme's cost-cutting approach "could lead to higher risks". Single-pilot operations, currently limited to planes with up to nine passengers, would need backing from U.N. aviation body ICAO and countries whose airspace they cross. China's support is key to any Cathay deployment. EASA plans consultations this year and certification work in 2022, while acknowledging "significant risk" to the 2025 launch date, a spokesman said. In a closed-door industry briefing this year, the agency suggested reduced-crew flights would begin with a single operator, according to notes of the meeting reviewed by Reuters. EMERGENCY DESCENT Airbus has designed an A350 autopilot upgrade and warning system changes to help a lone pilot manage failures, sources close to the project said. Use of a specially designed unisex toilet would be possible during the shift, in coordination with air traffic control. The mid-sized plane is suitable because of its "emergency descent" feature that quickly reduces altitude without pilot input in the event of cabin depressurisation. Proponents suggest single-pilot operations may be accepted by a flying public used to crew leaving the cockpit for bathroom breaks. They also point to higher error rates from human pilots than automated systems. Both arguments miss the point, according to a source close to Lufthansa - who said the airline's executives were advised last year that the programme could not meet safety goals. Flying solo for hours is a "completely different story", the source said, citing the 2009 AF447 disaster as an example of malfunctions occurring in cruise. The Air France A330's copilots lost control after its speed sensors failed over the Atlantic, while the captain was resting. "Airbus would have had to make sure every situation can be handled autonomously without any pilot input for 15 minutes," the source said. "And that couldn't be guaranteed." Lufthansa has not withdrawn from Project Connect and remains involved as an adviser, its spokesman said. While the airline has no plans to deploy single-pilot operations, he added, "the suggestion that Lufthansa was an essential part of the project and then pulled back is not true." Single-pilot capability would add an A350 sales argument, experts say, and rival Boeing lacks an equivalent model with sufficient automation. Filippo Tomasello, a former EASA official, said the payroll and accommodation savings for long-haul crew would not be lost on airlines. "COVID may end up accelerating this evolution because it's putting tremendous economic pressure on aviation," Tomasello predicted. "If EASA certifies this solution, airlines will use it." (Reporting by Laurence Frost Additional reporting by Jamie Freed in Sydney; Editing by Mark Potter) (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.) Terming the recent incursion by Chinese warplane into air defence identification zone (ADIZ) as 'destabilizing', Pentagon said Beijing's increasing military activities in the vicinity of the island increase the "risk of miscalculation". On Tuesday, witnessed the largest daily incursion as over two dozen Chinese military planes flew into the island's ADIZ on Tuesday, A Pentagon spokesman told The Japan Times that China's "increasing military activities conducted in the vicinity of are destabilizing and increase the risk of miscalculation." Twenty-eight Chinese military planes entered Taiwan's ADIZ on Tuesday. It was the largest incursion since the self-ruled island began regularly reporting such actions last year. Flights -- which included fighter jets, bombers, and anti-submarine and early warning aircraft -- surpassed the previous peak of 25 planes reported on April 12. Beijing claims full sovereignty over Taiwan, a democracy of almost 24 million people located off the southeastern coast of mainland China, even though the two sides have been governed separately for more than seven decades. The new incursion comes just after Group of Seven Seven leaders issued a joint statement on Sunday slamming for a series of issues and underscored the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait -- comments condemned as "slander." Taiwan has complained in recent months of repeated missions by China's air force near the island, concentrated in the southwestern part of its air defence zone near the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands. (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 and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer are endorsing efforts to terminate the 2002 authorisation of military force against Iraq, a step that supporters say is necessary to constrain presidential war powers even though it is unlikely to affect US military operations around the world. Schumer announced Wednesday that he intends to bring repeal legislation to the Senate floor this year. The War has been over for nearly a decade, Schumer said. The authorisation passed in 2002 is no longer necessary in 2021. The said in a statement earlier this week that it supports the legislation, which the House is expected to pass on Thursday, and stressed that no ongoing military activities are reliant on the 2002 authorisation. It also said that President Joe Biden is committed to working with Congress to replace outdated authorisations of military force with narrower frameworks designed to ensure the US can protect Americans from terrorist threats. The growing momentum behind the repeal measure comes after years of debate over whether Congress has ceded too much of its war-making authority to the Many lawmakers, particularly Democrats, say passage of the 2002 authorization was a mistake, and some Republicans agree the authority should be taken off the books. Some lawmakers say the 2001 resolution to fight terrorism, passed after the 9/11 attacks, should be reexamined as well. Schumer said he wanted to be clear that legislation terminating the use of force in does not mean the US is abandoning the country and the shared fight against the Islamic State group. He said the measure would eliminate the possibility of a future administration reaching back into the legal dustbin to use it as a justification for military adventurism. He cited the Washington-directed drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassim Soleimani in January 2020 as an example. The Trump administration said Soleimani was plotting a series of attacks that endangered many American troops and officials across the Middle East. Then-national security adviser Robert O'Brien told reporters that Trump exercised America's right to self-defence and that the strike was a fully authorised action under the 2002 authorisation to use military force. There is no good reason to allow this legal authority to persist in case another reckless commander in chief tries the same trick in the future, Schumer said. Sen. Bob Menendez, the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Wednesday in a joint statement with Sens. Tim Kaine and Todd Young that the committee would take up legislation to repeal not only the 2002 authorisation, but also the 1991 authorisation for use of force in Iraq, which remains on the books. The 1991 authorisation gave then-President George H W Bush the authority to use force against to enforce a series of UN Security Council resolutions passed in response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. The 2002 authorisation was directed against Saddam Hussein's regime as necessary and appropriate to defend US national security against the continuing threat posed by Iraq and to enforce all relevant Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq. Repealing the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs will also send a clear diplomatic signal that the United States is no longer an adversary of Iraq, but a partner," Young said. The House legislation to repeal the 2002 authorisation of military force against Iraq is sponsored by Rep. Barbara Lee. The two chambers would have to work out any differences in their two bills and vote on a final product before it can go to Biden's desk to be signed into law. In the end, legislation terminating the 2002 authorisation will need 60 votes in an evenly divided Senate to overcome any procedural hurdles. Sen. James Inhofe, the ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he opposes the effort to terminate the authorisation. We used it to get Soleimani, and there might be another Soleimani out there," Inhofe said. Republican Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas will speak against the House bill on Thursday. He said a serious reform effort, which we all agree is needed, would have included discussions with national security leaders and a replacement to address the evolving war on terrorism. Democrats are playing with national security in an effort to taint one of President Trump's biggest national security successes, said McCaul, the lead Republican on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. (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.) Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) on Thursday said it has extended USD 100 million worth of line of credit (LOC) to the Sri Lankan government for financing projects in the sector. With the signing of this agreement, Exim Bank, so far, has extended nine LOCs to Sri Lanka, on behalf of the Indian government, taking the total value of LOCs extended to USD 1.68 billion, a release said. Projects covered under the finance extended to include the supply of petroleum products, railway projects, defence and infrastructure projects, it added. has now in place 272 LOCs, covering 62 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), with credit commitments of around USD 26.84 billion, available for financing exports from India. Besides promoting India's exports, Exim Bank's LOCs enable the demonstration of Indian expertise and project execution capabilities in emerging markets. (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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Wednesday issued a directive for Boeing Co requiring operators of 737 MAX airplanes to conduct additional inspections for the plane's automated flight control system. The directive makes mandatory instructions released by Boeing in December that recommend planes with more than 6,000 flight hours be subject to specific electronic checks. MCAS, an automated flight control system on the 737 MAX, was tied to two fatal 737 MAX crashes that led to the plane's 20-month grounding that was lifted in November. Boeing said it "fully supports the FAA mandate "requiring functional checks at certain intervals to the digital flight control system, stabilizer trim, and the primary and secondary aisle stand stabilizer." The three repetitive inspections are to be done during existing maintenance programs, the FAA said, "to ensure the continued functioning of certain systems throughout the life of the airplane." The FAA also issued a notice on Wednesday called a Continued Airworthiness Notification to the Community (CANIC) "to highlight the importance of these inspections to other regulators and to operators outside the United States." The directive impacts about 72 U.S.-registered airplanes and 389 airplanes worldwide, the FAA said. The FAA said the directive is necessary because a "potential latent failure of a flight control system function" if combined with "unusual flight maneuvers or with another flight control system failure" could result in reduced controllability of the airplane. The FAA said all operators of U.S.-registered 737 MAX airplanes have already included these inspections in their maintenance programs. The 737 MAX was grounded in March 2019 worldwide after two fatal crashes in five months killed 346 people. The grounding was not lifted until November 2020 by the FAA after Boeing made significant safety upgrades and improvements in pilot training as well as adding new safeguards to MCAS. (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.) Indian American Republican politician and 2024 GOP (another name for the -- Grand Old Party) on Wednesday (local time) said the United States must act "strongly" against China, stating that if Beijing takes control of Taiwan, it will be emboldened to seize other territories around the globe. According to The Hill, Haley during a closed-door meeting with members of the Republican Study Committee (RSC) said that if takes control of Taiwan, Beijing will be emboldened to seize other territories around the globe. "The US must take stronger action against China," the former President Trump's ambassador to the United Nations said, starting with organising a boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing with allies like India, Australia, Japan, South Korea and Canada. "The last Olympics that they had [in 2008] was their coming out. That's how they saw it. They were introducing themselves to the world. This next Olympics, if it goes unscathed, this is their way of showing that they are now the superpower of the world," Haley told nearly 70 GOP lawmakers in the basement of the Capitol. "And if we don't boycott, if we don't do something to really call them out, mark my words: is next. And if they take Taiwan, it's all over, because they will think that gives them free rein to grab any territory, not in the region, but anywhere they want to go." She also blasted the joint statement from President Biden and other Group of Seven leaders this week calling out China's human-rights abuses as extremely weak, arguing the G-7 instead should have established that -- the East Asian island whose autonomy is in constant dispute -- is a "sovereign country." On Tuesday, witnessed the largest daily incursion as over two dozen Chinese military planes flew into the country's Air Defence Identified Zones (ADIZ). Beijing claims full sovereignty over Taiwan, a democracy of almost 24 million people located off the southeastern coast of mainland China, even though the two sides have been governed separately for more than seven decades. Taiwan has complained in recent months of repeated missions by China's air force near the island, concentrated in the southwestern part of its air defense zone near the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands. Tensions in the Taiwan Strait are escalating. ramped up political pressure and military threats against Taiwan, with almost daily incursions into Taipei's air defence identification zone. Taipei, on the other hand, has countered the Chinese aggression by increasing strategic ties with democracies including the US, which has been repeatedly opposed by Beijing. has threatened that "Taiwan's independence" means war. (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 European Union said Thursday that Britain has asked for a three-month delay in bringing in some post- trade checks that are causing tension between the two sides, and instability in Northern Ireland. The EU's executive Commission said the U.K. was seeking a delay until Sept. 30 on rules banning chilled meats such as sausages from England, Scotland and Wales from going to Northern Ireland. The regulation is due to take effect at the end of June. The EU said it would assess" the request. In a statement, it said the bloc's chief official, Maro efcovic, would try to meet British counterpart David Frost as soon as possible to discuss this request in detail. Britain and the EU are in a spat over post- trade arrangements for Northern Ireland, the only part of the U.K. that borders the 27-nation bloc. The divorce deal agreed by both sides means customs and border checks must be conducted on some goods moving between Northern Ireland and the rest of the U.K. The regulations are intended to keep an open border on the island of Ireland, a key pillar of Northern Ireland's peace process. But they have angered Northern Ireland's British unionists, who say they amount to a border in the Irish Sea and weaken ties with the rest of the U.K. Britain has unilaterally delayed implementing some of the checks, drawing the threat of legal action from the EU. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has suggested he might also delay bringing in the sausage ban. Britain accuses the EU of taking a purist approach to the rules and causing unnecessary red tape for businesses. The two sides have been holding talks in an attempt to resolve the dispute but Frost said Wednesday that we're not having much progress. U.S. President Joe Biden has even been drawn into the spat, raising concerns about the potential threat to Northern Ireland's peace accord. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former president on Thursday said that India has been devastated by the pandemic, insisting that should pay USD 10 trillion to the US for allegedly being responsible for the spread of COVID-19 globally. In an interview with Fox News, Trump said that in fact, should pay more as compensation to the world, but this is what they have the capacity to pay. The number (compensation) is much higher than that. But there's only so much they can pay. And that's to us (United States). The number is bigger throughout the world. Look, countries have been destroyed over what they did, and whether by accident or not. And I would hope that it was an accident. I hope that it was through incompetence or an accident, Trump said in response to a question. But, when you look, whether it was by an accident, whether it was -- whatever it is, this -- you look at these countries. They will never, ever be the same. Our country was hit so hard. But other countries were hit much harder, he said as he went on to cite India, which is currently experiencing the worst ever public health crisis. Look at what's going on in India now. You know, they used to say, look how well India was doing, because they were always looking for an excuse -- look how well India is doing. The fact that India has just been devastated now, and virtually, every country has been devastated, Trump said. I think that's one of the reasons that I feel it's very important to find out where it came from, how it came. I think I know. I mean, I feel certain about it. But certainly, should help. Right now, their economy and our economy are the two economies that are coming back the fastest, he argued. was first reported in Wuhan in December 2019 by Chinese health officials. Trump has been alleging that the may have leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology in central China's Wuhan city. The total number of coronavirus cases globally are 177,136,569 and 3,835,123 people have died from it, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker on Thursday. In April, India was struggling with a second wave of the pandemic and hospitals were reeling under a shortage of medical oxygen and beds. However, the country is now witnessing a downswing in the second wave of the coronavirus. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The opposition to nuclear weapons has a new name No First Use, or NFU. The idea, pushed by anti-nuclear and peace activists, is to push for an official government policy not to initiate a nuclear conflict. This is a welcome development, inasmuch as it continues the activism aroused by TPNW, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, after a long period in which such activism was largely dormant. However, it may be a bit early to celebrate what is sometimes referred to as the end of the nuclear age. The first proposition in the too early column is simple enough: If only first use is prohibited, it stands to reason that second or third or fourth use is permitted. Are we for that? Or are we with the late Rep. Robert Drinan, a Catholic priest, and the late Judge Christopher Weeramantry of the Court of Justice, in holding that nuclear weapons are so horrendous that they cannot be used in any circumstance? And is it not a basic principle of law, known as the law of war, that the means of warfare are not unlimited? Read More: Global nuclear warhead stockpile appears to be growing, SIPRI warns Even if, contrary to law, second use were accepted, it would violate another fundamental principle of international law, that of proportionality. Suppose country X fears annihilation by country Ys superior conventional weapons and country X launches a low yield nuclear weapon against country Y as a warning shot across the bow. Would that justify the second use of a dozen nuclear weapons each with a throw weight 50 times that of the single one used by X? Does NFU have anything to say about that? It would also be worth considering what NFU would do to respect for international law. Second use of a prohibited weapon would be analogous to justifying torture by country Y in response to torture by country X. Similarly, the enactment of NFU would be difficult to reconcile with the current U.S. policy of spending $1.2 trillion on modernizing our nuclear weapons over the next 30 years. The same can be said for a policy based on deterrence only, since deterrence, to be effective, must be backed by credible willingness to use. If international law is to preserve its teeth, it cannot do so with halfway measures. Many if not most supporters of NFU are also supporters of the total and irreversible abolition of nuclear weapons. This huge sector of civil society from all over the world should make itself heard by calling for negotiations toward this much more ambitious goal. Here is a lesson from the past. Toward the end of the Vietnam War, Congress passed a resolution forbidding the expenditure of federal funds in military actions against Cambodia. It was ignored by the Pentagon. A group of activists, under the leadership of Robert Jay Lifton, decided to call attention to this omission by staging a lie-in at the office of the speaker of the House of Representatives until escorted out by the Capitol Police. It earned us a night in a D.C. jail and a fair amount of press. And it worked: The bombing of Cambodia stopped. Similar protests have been undertaken by anti-nuclear weapons activists. The more the better. Thirty years is too long to wait. The House voted Thursday to repeal the 2002 resolution that cleared the way for the US invasion of Iraq, as the Senate prepared to take up similar legislation. Nearly 20 years have passed since the Congress passed the 2002 authorization of military force and 10 years have passed since the formal end of the US military operations in Iraq, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. And yet today, 10 years later, our nation is still operating under an outdated authorization of military force which risks being used, and in some cases has been used, as a blank check to conduct unrelated military operations. The repeal resolution, passed 268-161, was sponsored by Representative Barbara Lee, a Democrat from California who has pushed for years for Congress to repeal the authorization. Lee was the only member of Congress to vote against a 2001 AUMF clearing US military action in Afghanistan following the September 11th attacks. She also voted, along with several other members, against the 2002 authorization. We cannot revise history as it relates to why this authorization was put into place, Lee said on the House floor. Yet this authority remains on the books, vulnerable to misuse, because Congress has not acted to remove it. Lawmakers of both parties have complained for years that presidents have used the authorizations for the use of military force, or AUMFs, as blank checks for intervention far removed from the original targets, such as ousting Iraqs and sending troops into Afghanistan to defeat the al-Qaeda terrorists behind Sept. 11. But efforts have foundered on defining how much or little leeway presidents should have in the uncertain constitutional territory between a presidents power as commander-in-chief and that of Congress to declare war. Now is the time for bold action to end our forever wars. We must seize this opportunity to reassert Congresss constitutional authority on matters of war and peace, Lee said in a statement ahead of the vote. Shares of breweries and distilleries were on a roll, with Globus Spirits, and Associated Alcohols & Breweries hitting their respective highs. The stocks rallied up to 20 per cent on the BSE in intra-day trade on Thursday, in an otherwise weak market, on the back of strong earnings and expectation of rising demand for premium and high-price alcohol. United Breweries, United Spirits, Pioneer Distilleries and Som Distilleries & Breweries were trading higher in the range of 1 per cent to 3 per cent. In comparison, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 0.66 per cent at 52,158 points at 02:28 pm. Among individual stocks, hit a new high of Rs 531, and shares were locked in the 20 per cent upper circuit on the BSE. In the past four days, the stock has rallied 36 per cent after reporting an over two-fold jump in consolidated profit after tax (PAT) at Rs 50.63 crore in the March quarter (Q4FY21), on the back of strong revenue. It had posted a PAT of Rs 19.35 crore in the year-ago quarter. Ebitda (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation) margin grew by over 1,140 bps YoY to 24.9 per cent in Q4FY21 from 13.5 per cent in Q4FY20 on account of a higher share of consumer business and better realisations on ENA (Extra Neutral Alcohol) and ethanol. The company said higher Ebitda margin coupled with lower finance cost drove profitability at PBT (profit before tax) level. is the largest grain-based ENA manufacturer in India with a capacity of 160 million litres. The company has a presence in Rajasthan, Haryana, Bihar and West Bengal. Meanwhile, in the past two days, Franklin Strategic Emerging Fund IV has sold 799,000 shares, representing a 2.7 per cent stake, of through a bulk deal on the National Stock Exchange (NSE). The name of the buyers could not be ascertained immediately. Shares of soared 10 per cent to Rs 803, having surged 48 per cent in the past one month. In Q4FY21, the company reported a strong volume performance, led by a 15 per cent growth in the Prestige and Above category during the quarter. Net revenue from operations grew by 18.7 per cent YoY at Rs 695 crore during the quarter. Ebitda margin expanded by 107 bps from 13.6 per cent to 14.8 per cent in Q4FY21. PAT jumped 91 per cent YoY to Rs 73.55 crore during the quarter under review. The company is on the course of its plan for the launch of more brands in the premium brown spirits space during FY2022. The stock of Associated Alcohols & Breweries (AABL) too rallied 10 per cent to Rs 498, hitting a record high in intra-day trade. AABL has diversified business segments, from manufacturing and supply of ENA to contract manufacturing for Diageo -USL, to manufacturing and marketing of licensed brands, as well as IMIL and 6 IMFL brands. Nifty futures on the Singapore Exchange traded 109 points down at 15,666 around 8.40 am, indicating a gap-down start for the benchmark indices on Thursday. Here are the top in today's session: Earnings Today: A total of 33 companies, including Corporation, Natco Pharma, Jammu & Kashmir Bank, DB Corp, and Khadim India are scheduled to release their quarterly earnings today. SBI: The company Board is slated to meet on June 21 to consider a fundraising plan for FY22. ISGEC Heavy Engineering: The company has received an order for the fabrication of above-ground piping spools from Tata Projects. IDFC First Bank: The lender has approved the re-appointment of V Vaidyanathan as the MD & CEO for a further period of three years, with effect from December 19, 2021. Shriram Transport Finance: The NBFC said it will buy back bonds issued by it in January 2019 for a limit up to Rs 450 crore. The decision was taken by the Banking and Finance Committee of the company at a meeting held on June 16, 2021. Welspun Enterprises: The construction & engineering company said its consolidated net profit fell 54 per cent YoY to Rs 40.94 crore during the quarter ended March 31. The company had clocked a consolidated net profit of Rs 89.08 crore in the corresponding quarter a year ago. Punjab & Sind Bank: The PSU lender said it has declared Lanco Infratech Ltd as a fraud account. The NPA account, Lanco Infratech Ltd, with outstanding dues of Rs 215.17 crore has been declared as fraud and reported to RBI today as per regulatory requirement, the bank said. CESC: The utility distributor posted over 13 per cent jump in its consolidated net profit to Rs 429 crore in the March 2021 quarter, mainly due to higher revenues. The company's consolidated net profit had stood at Rs 378 crore in the quarter ended March 31, 2020. Federal Bank: The private lender said its board has approved issuing equity shares to World Bank arm International Finance Corporation and associates for over Rs 916.25 crore. The decision was taken by the board of directors at its meeting held on June 16, 2021. Nureca: The company reported a consolidated profit at Rs 3.89 crore in Q4FY21 as against Rs 2.38 crore in Q4FY20. Wipro: The IT major has signed partnership with Exaware, to develop advanced engineering solutions that foster innovation in the networking industry, streamline 5G technology upgrades, and open the door to future 6G compatibility. Tata Steel: Life Insurance Corporation of India sold 2.02 per cent stake in the company via open market transaction, reducing shareholding to 6.94 per cent from 8.96 per cent earlier. The offer received bids for 80.52 lakh shares as against 1.44 crore shares on offer. The initial public offer (IPO) of Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences received bids for 80.52 lakh shares as against 1.44 crore shares on offer, according to the stock exchange data at 17:00 IST on Thursday (17 June 2021). The issue was subscribed 0.56 times. The issue opened for bidding on Wednesday, 16 June 2021, and it will close on Friday, 18 June 2021. The price band for the IPO is set at Rs 815-825 per share. An investor can bid for a minimum of 18 equity shares and in multiples thereof. The IPO comprises fresh issue of shares aggregating up to Rs 200 crore and an offer for sale of up to 2,35,60,538 equity shares from promoters and existing shareholders. Ahead of the IPO, the company finalized allocation of 1,15,84,060 equity shares to anchor investors at Rs 825 per share aggregating to Rs 955.68 crore. The company proposes to utilize the net proceeds of the fresh issue towards repayment/pre-payment, in full or part, of certain borrowings availed by the company and by subsidiaries viz KHKPL (KIMS Hospital Kurnool), SIMSPL (Saveera Institute of Medical Science) and KHEPL (KIMS Hospital Enterprises) amounting Rs 150 crore and balance towards general corporate purposes. Total borrowing as on 31 March 2020, was at Rs 220.164 crore. Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) is one of the largest corporate healthcare groups in Andhra Pradesh (AP) and Telangana in terms of number of patients treated and treatments offered. It provides multi-disciplinary integrated healthcare services, with a focus on primary, secondary & tertiary care in tier 2-3 cities and primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary healthcare in tier 1 cities. The company operates 9 multi-specialty hospitals under the KIMS Hospitals brand, with an aggregate bed capacity of 3,064, including over 2,500 operational beds as of March 31, 2021, which is 2.2 times more beds than the second largest provider in AP and Telangana. It offers a comprehensive range of healthcare services across over 25 specialties and super specialties, including cardiac sciences, oncology, neurosciences, gastric sciences, orthopaedics, organ transplantation, renal sciences and mother & childcare. The company reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 201.22 crore and total income of Rs 1329.94 crore in the twelve months ended on 31 March 2021. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nazara Technologies has signed binding term sheet on 16 June 2021 with Arrakis Tanitim Organizasyon Pazarlama San. Tic. Ltd. Sti. (Publishme) and founders and shareholders of Publishme, for the proposed investment of approx. Rs 20 crore by the Company through its subsidiary for acquiring 69.82% stake in Publishme by way of primary and secondary transaction. Publishme is a full-service games marketing and publishing agency which works extensively with gaming publishers in Turkey and MENA (Middle East & North African) region. With this acquisition, Nazara expands its international footprint in the freemium segment. Nazara will aim to build local execution capabilities cutting across key growth segments namely, freemium, gamified learning and esports. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) On a consolidated basis, Nureca's net profit surged 63.44% to Rs 3.89 crore on 3.39% fall in revenue from operations to Rs 31.84 crore in Q4 March 2021 over Q4 March 2020. Profit before tax soared 61.18% to Rs 5.19 crore in Q4 FY21 as against Rs 3.22 crore in Q4 FY20. EBITDA grew 52.1% to Rs 5.65 crore in Q4 FY21 over Q4 FY20. EBITDA margin improved to 17.1% during the quarter compared with 11.2% during the corresponding quarter last year. As per a government policy, some of Nureca's key products came under drug license while sales remained impacted until license were obtained, leading to dip in Q4 FY21 revenue. The company witnessed higher employee cost on the back of new recruitment in H2 FY21 and yearly performance appraisal. Nureca incurred higher advertisement cost in H2 FY21 as a result of advertisements during festive season. The EBITDA margin expansion was a result of operating leverage kicking in and because of COVID-19 with fewer discounts offered in H1 leading to higher margins. The company possess a strong balance sheet with cash and cash equivalents of Rs 127 crore. Commenting on the Q4 performance, Aryan Goyal, the founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Nureca, said: "COVID-19 epidemic has increased consumer awareness and adoption of monitoring devices. We have witnessed, that the consumer focus has shifted from curative to preventive healthcare. The healthcare penetration in India remains relatively low compared to many other countries. India is poised to be a large and rapidly growing market for home healthcare and wellness products. We are striving to be the preferred partner for Indian consumers in their wellness and healthcare prevention journey through digitization and innovation. In the last year, we have also witnessed acceleration in consumers demand shifting from offline channels to online channel. This trend is very positive for us as our brands enjoy higher credibility and pull on all the digital channels. We adhere to high corporate governance standards with majority board with independent directors, BSR (KPMG) as our auditor and SAP ERP implemented. These factors will drive the sustainable growth of Nureca." During the financial year, Nureca's consolidated net profit galloped 625.66% to Rs 46.37 crore on 114.69% increase in revenue from operations to Rs 213.45 crore in FY 2021 over FY 2020. The board has recommend a final dividend of Rs 2 per equity share for the FY 2020-2021. Meanwhile, the board has appointed Nishant Garg as the chief financial officer (CFO) of Nureca. Garg will be replacing Sakshi Mittal, who resigned from the post on 15 June 2021. Nureca is a B2C company engaged in the business of home healthcare and wellness products. The company has a diversified product portfolio, which primarily caters to home healthcare sector. The company has most of the product lines supporting home health market in India, making it a one-stop solution provider. The company enables its customers with tools to help them monitor chronic ailments and other diseases, to improve their lifestyle. Shares of Nureca entered the stock exchanges on 25 February 2021. The stock was listed at Rs 634.95, a premium of 58.7% to the initial public offer (IPO) price of Rs 400 a share. The IPO was open between 15 February and 17 February 2021. It was subscribed 39.93 times. The price band for the IPO was set at Rs 396-400 per share. Shares of Nureca declined 3.79% to Rs 1,488.05 on BSE. The scrip hovered in the range of Rs 1,469.30 to Rs 1,509.95 so far. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) State Bank of India said that its board will meet on Monday, 21 June 2021, to consider raising additional tier-1 (AT-1) capital through issuance of Basel III compliant debt instrument in USD and/or INR. The AT-1 bond would be issued through a public offer or private placement to overseas and/or Indian investors during FY22, SBI said. SBI is an Indian multinational, public sector banking and financial services statutory body. As of 31 March 2021, the Government of India held 57.63% stake while Life Insurance Corporation of India held 9.25% stake in the bank. India's largest public sector bank reported an 80% jump in standalone net profit to Rs 6,450.75 crore on a 7% rise in total income to Rs 81,326.96 crore in Q4 FY21 over Q4 FY20. The scrip shed 0.66% to currently trade at Rs 423.05 on the BSE. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The issue received bids for 256.11 crore shares as against 2.10 crore shares on offer. The initial public offer (IPO) of Shyam Metalics and Energy received bids for 256.11 crore shares as against 2.10 crore shares on offer, according to the stock exchange data. The issue was subscribed 121.43 times. The non-institutional investors category was subscribed 339.98 times. The qualified institutional buyers (QIBs) category was subscribed 155.71 times. The retail individual investors category was subscribed 11.64 times. The issue opened for bidding on Monday, 14 June 2021, and closed on Wednesday, 16 June 2021. The price band for the IPO was set at Rs 303-306 per share. The issue comprised of fresh issue of equity shares aggregating up to Rs 909 crore comprising of a fresh issue of up to Rs 657 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) of up to Rs 252 crore (including anchor portion of 88,21,764 equity shares). The existing shareholders selling shares in the OFS are Subham Capital, SubhamBuildwell, NarantakDealcomm, KalpataruHousefin and DoriteTracon. Total selling shareholders pre-issue shareholding was 88.22%, which shall decrease to 77.56% at the upper price band of Rs 306. Ahead of the IPO, the company finalized allocation of 88,21,764 equity shares to anchor investors at Rs 306 per share aggregating to Rs 269.94 crore. The company proposes to utilize the net proceeds of the fresh issue towards repayment and/or pre-payment, in full or part, of debt of the company and SSPL (Shyam SEL and Power), one of the subsidiaries amounting Rs 470 crore and balance towards general corporate purposes. Gross debt was Rs 886.292 crore at the end of 31 December 2020. On a consolidated basis, Shyam Metalics and Energy reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 456.32 crore and sales of Rs 3,933.08 crore in the nine months ended on 31 December 2020. ShyamMetalics and Energy is a leading integrated metal producing company based in India with a focus on long steel products and ferro alloys. It is amongst the largest producers of ferro alloys in terms of installed capacity in India, as of February 2021. The company sells intermediate and final products across the steel value chain. As of March 31, 2020, it is one of the leading players in terms of pellet capacity and the fourth largest player in the sponge iron industry in terms of sponge iron capacity in India. It is also one of the leading integrated steel and ferro alloys producers in the eastern region of India in terms of long steel products, as of March 31, 2020. The company currently export products to Nepal, China, Bangladesh, Bhutan, United Kingdom, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan and Japan, and is currently exploring newer geographies in North America, South America, Europe and Africa in order to increase exports. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The issue received bids for 24.44 crore shares as against 10.71 crore shares on offer. The initial public offer (IPO) of Sona BLW Precision Forgings received bids for 24.44 crore shares as against 10.71 crore shares on offer, according to the stock exchange data. The issue was subscribed 2.28 times. The qualified institutional buyers (QIBs) category was subscribed 3.46 times. The retail individual investors category was subscribed 1.58 times. The non-institutional investors category was subscribed 0.39 times. The issue opened for bidding on Monday, 14 June 2021, and closed on Wednesday, 16 June 2021. The price band for the IPO was set at Rs 285-291 per share. The issue comprised of fresh issue of equity shares aggregating up to Rs 5,550 crore comprising of a fresh issue of up to Rs 300 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) of up to Rs 5,250 crore (including anchor portion of 8,58,24,742 equity shares). One of the promoters, Singapore VII Topco III, an affiliate of The Blackstone Group Inc is selling part of its stake through offer for sale aggregating upto Rs Rs 5,250 crore. Post OFS, the shareholding of Singapore VII Topco III will decline to 34.18% on expanded post issue equity down from 66.28% pre-IPO. Ahead of the IPO, the company finalized allocation of 8,58,24,742 equity shares to anchor investors at Rs 291 per share aggregating to Rs 2,497.50 crore. Proceeds from fresh issue will be used for repayment and pre-payment of identified borrowings in full availed by the company to the extent of Rs 241.117 crore and balance for general corporate purposes. Total debt of the company as end of 31 March 2021 stood at Rs 366.26 crore including long term loan of Rs 249.748 crore up from Rs 306.782 crore as end of March 2020. On a consolidated basis, the company reported a net profit of Rs 215.17 crore and sales of Rs 1,566.30 crore in the twelve months ended on 31 March 2021. Sona BLW Precision Forgings (SBPF) is primarily engaged in designing, manufacturing and supplying highly engineered, mission critical automotive systems and components such as differential assemblies, differential gears, conventional and micro-hybrid starter motors, BSG systems, EV traction motors [Brushless direct current (BLDC) motor and Permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM)] and motor control units to automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) across US, Europe, India and China, for both electrified and non-electrified powertrain segments. The company is among the top ten players globally in the differential bevel gear market and in the starter motor market on the basis of respective volumes supplied to its end segments in calendar year 2020 and has been gaining global market share across products. The company is one of a few companies globally, with the ability to design high power density EV systems handling high torque requirements with a lightweight design, while meeting stringent durability, performance and NVH specifications, enabling EV manufacturers to enhance the vehicle range, acceleration and the overall efficiency. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Claiming that will win the upcoming Assembly elections in with over 300 seats, Deputy Chief Minister on Wednesday said his party has done more development work in the state in the last four years as compared to what the previous (SP) and (BSP) government did in 15 years. Speaking to the media here, Maurya said will again come into power in UP in 2022 after winning more than 300 seats. "We have done more development work in four years than SP and BSP governments in 15 years. We will again win in 2022 (Assembly election). We will win more than 300 seats. Those who are dreaming "Mungerilal Ke Haseen Sapne", their dreams will be smashed to smithereens," the leader said. When asked about the incident in Loni where an elderly man was thrashed, the Deputy Chief Minister said, "Fake video has been put on a digital platform to specially defame the BJP government. The clash broke out between two groups of Muslim communities. A case has been filed in connection with the matter." Meanwhile, UP Police also confirmed that there was "no communal angle" found in the incident in Loni where a man was thrashed and his beard was chopped off. According to Ghaziabad (Rural) Superintendent of Police (SP) Iraj Raja, a total of five accused have been arrested in the case. "A total of five accused have been arrested in the case. We will take strong action against them. We will also take action (against the complainant) for providing some wrong facts," he said. Earlier, Ghaziabad Police on Tuesday filed FIR against nine entities, including Twitter India in connection with the Loni incident, in which a man was thrashed and his beard was chopped off. Recently, a video went viral on social media where six people could be seen trashing an elderly man. The assailants also chopped off the victims' beard and it was reported that the victim was made to chant slogans like "Jai Shree Ram" and "Vande Mataram". (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India on Thursday said is an integral part of it and no amount of questioning can change the reality, an assertion that came following a letter by the Pakistan foreign minister to two top UN officials over alleging a design by New Delhi to change the demographic composition of the region. Spokesperson in the (MEA) Arindam Bagchi also said that cross-border terrorism is "unacceptable". "The Union Territory of is an integral part of India. No amount of questioning can change the reality. Also cross border terrorism is unacceptable and no amount of justification can make it acceptable," he said at a media briefing. Bagchi was asked to comment on Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi's latest letter to the president of the United Nations Security Council and the United Nations Secretary-General. In the letter, Qureshi alleged that India was changing the demographic structure of through the issuance of fake domicile certificates and other measures. He urged the UN Security Council to call upon India to reverse its actions, including those initiated on and after August 5, 2019. Pakistan has been making concerted efforts to internationalise the Kashmir issue. The neighbouring country stepped up an anti-India campaign after New Delhi announced in August 2019 its decision to withdraw special powers of and bifurcate the state into two union territories. India has told Pakistan that it desires normal neighbourly relations with Islamabad in an environment free of terror, hostility and violence. India has been maintaining that the onus is on Pakistan to create an environment free of terror and hostility. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Lok Janshakti Party leader on Thursday rejected his uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras's election as the party president, saying the meeting organised in Patna was "unconstitutional" and lacked even minimum attendance of its national executive members. He told PTI that his party has also written to the Election Commission, urging it to stop the Paras-headed faction from using its symbol and flag in its meeting. LJP's secretary general Abdul Khaliq said a physical meeting of its national executive will be held in the national capital on Sunday to reiterate Paswan's earlier election as its national president amid the split in the organisation after Paras and four other party MPs staged a coup against him. The party has over 90 sanctioned members in the national executive and barely nine of them were present in the meeting in Patna on Thursday in which Paswan's paternal uncle Paras was elected as its president in his place, he said. Paswan added that only he as the party chief or Khaliq as its secretary general are authorised to hold any such meeting as per the constitution. Earlier in the day, Paras was elected as the party's new president at a meeting of the party's national executive called by his supporters. Chirag Paswan, son of party founder Ram Vilas Paswan, is expected to leave for early next week to galvanise supporters around his cause as both factions engage in a bitter fight to claim the party's ownership. Paswan also urged Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to reconsider his decision to recognise Paras as the leader of the party in the House, saying the constitution authorises its parliamentary board to decide on its leader in Parliament. "The faction headed by my uncle can be an independent group but cannot represent LJP," he said. He said he will try to meet the Speaker over the issue and move the court if the decision is not reversed. The LJP has six MPs, including Paswan, in Lok Sabha and none in Rajya Sabha. Five of its MPs recently elected Paras as their president in place of Paswan. Lok Sabha secretariat then notified his election after all five of them met the Speaker with their representation. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amid the ongoing tussle between and his uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras, the latter has been elected as national president of the (LJP). "I had filed the nomination for the post of president and I have been elected unanimously. There was no other candidate who filed the nomination for the post," Paras said here. The executive committee of the LJP has 76 members and the majority of them are with Paras, electing him as the president of the LJP. The election was held at the official residence of strongman leader Suraj Bhan Singh in Patna. Singh holds the post of executive president of the party. On Wednesday, claimed that the election for the post of party president can be held only in two eventualities. First -- if the president dies, and second, if he resigns from the post. "I am alive and I have not resigned from the post of president. In this case, the election for the post of president is unconstitutional," Chirag said. Reacting to this, Paras said: "There is no such provision in the democratic system of the party. As per the party constitution, the election can be held every 2 to 3 years. Moreover, the majority is with me and not with Chirag. Hence, I am the president of the party." "I was one of the founding members of the party when my elder brother late Ram Vilas Paswan formed it in 2000... The party members have elected me as president and I have assured them and the people of to take the party to new heights at the national level," Paras said. "Our party has a provision of one person per post. In this case, if I get a ministerial berth in the Narendra Modi government, I will resign from the post of party president," Paras said. --IANS ajk/pgh/bg (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The three rebel MLAs of (AAP) who formed Punjab Ekta Party, on Thursday, met in Delhi and announced the merger of their outfit with the Congress. The MLAs who met include former Leader of Opposition (Punjab) Sardar Sukhpal Singh Khaira (MLA, Bholath); Sardar Jagdev Singh (MLA, Maur); and Pirmal Singh (MLA, Bhadaur). The merger is seen as a shot in a arm of Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh who is at the target of Navjot Singh Sidhu led camp in the state. Amarinder Singh, ahead of his meeting with the party high command in New Delhi on June 3, had inducted three AAP rebel legislators -- Sukhpal Khaira, Pirmal Singh and Jagdev Singh Kamalu -- into the party. The chief minister before leaving for Delhi had welcomed these three MLAs into the party fold. Firebrand Khaira, once the hard critique of Amarinder Singh, had quit the Congress and joined the AAP in December 2015. He was elected from the Bholath assembly seat in 2017. However, Khaira, a former leader of opposition in the Punjab Assembly, resigned from the primary membership of the AAP in January 2019 and had also floated his own outfit, the Punjabi Ekta Party. Other two MLAs, Kamalu and Dhaula, are first-timers. --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.) Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar will meet President at Rashtrapati Bhawan today at 11 "Governor WB Jagdeep Dhankhar along with Sudesh Dhankhar will call on and First Lady Savita Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhawan @rashtrapatibhvn today at 11.30 am," tweeted Dhankhar's office. Governor reached New Delhi on Tuesday night late. Over the past few weeks, Governor Dhankhar has raised concerns regarding the alleged incidents of political violence in (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With smartphone brands and -- both part of the China-based conglomerate BBK Group -- deciding to integrate their businesses, the move has not surprised industry experts as it will only mean leveraging each other's capabilities in a more deeper and meaningful way, in order to take on behemoth like that has kept top position in the domestic smartphone market for several years in a row. For Q1 2021, grew 12 per cent (on-year) and had an 11 per cent market share in India. grew more than 300 per cent (YoY) in the same period, driven by the Nord and OnePlus 8T shipments, in the country, according to Counterpoint Research. OPPO's affordable A15 series featured in the highest shipped models nationally, along with newly launched 5G models accounting for 8 per cent of OPPO's shipments, says the IDC. On the other hand, continued to lead, despite only posting 3 per cent (YoY) growth. Three of the top 5 models nationally were the Redmi 9/9A/9 Power, accounting for 10 per cent of the overall shipments. POCO, Xiaomi's sub-brand, continued to cement its online position, driven by affordable models, according to the latest IDC data. Thus, it makes sense for OnePlus and to stitch their operations together and create a formidable force in India. OnePlus Founder and CEO Pete Lau took on some additional responsibilities last year to oversee product strategy for both OnePlus, positioned as a premium brand, and OPPO, which is largely a mid-segment player. Since then, OnePlus has integrated a number of teams together with OPPO to better streamline its operations and capitalise on additional shared resources. According to Prabhu Ram, Head-Industry Intelligence Group, CMR, as the India smartphone market becomes increasingly hyper-competitive, OnePlus will stand to gain with its tighter integration with OPPO. "By tapping into, and leveraging OPPO's R&D capabilities, it will be better positioned for market success with its recent focus on horizontally-differentiated product offerings across price-segments," Ram told IANS. Lau feels that with a deeper integration with OPPO, they will have more resources at hand to create even better products. Both brands will operate independently but with a joined force. "Both OPPO and OnePlus were already sharing resources. It now makes more sense as the future of devices will be more about the integration of hardware along with software and services and differentiating design language," said Tarun Pathak, Research Director at Counterpoint Research. More importantly, in a smartphone plus IoT connected living era, "OnePlus will potentially be able to attain economies of scale, and grow better with OPPO's strengths," added Ram. --IANS na/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Xiaomi, Apple, and were among the most popular brands in the pre-owned smartphone market with sub-Rs 10,000 smartphones accounting for the highest volume in 2020, according to a report by Cashify. Customers in cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad ranked high on the 'top selling' list, while Hyderabad and Chennai topped the 'Truth Index' that reflected the percentage of smartphone users who stated the actual condition of their devices most truthfully while putting them up for sale online. Satellite towns such as Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Ahmedabad, and Lucknow are also showing robust growth in the pre-owned smartphone market. Cashify's fifth annual 'User Behaviour whitepaper' for the pre-owned smartphone market said India is the second-largest smartphone market in the world, sees an average Indian upgrade their smartphone within 14-18 months of purchase. topped the chart as the most sold smartphone brand by its users with 26 per cent share, followed by (20 per cent), (16 per cent), Vivo, and Motorola (6 per cent each) among others, it said. Most smartphones sold by users were in the sub-Rs 10,000 brackets, it added. Among models, the iPhone 7 was the hottest selling model along with some other models as well as Redmi Note 4 and OnePlus 6 during the year. The number of smartphone repairs was the highest in Delhi in 2020. The whitepaper said people sold their second-hand phones at the average price of Rs 4,217 in 2020, and smartphones around the age of three years got sold the most by users. One of the most important reasons for upgrading for most smartphone users has been the need to have a smartphone with high-speed network connectivity (3G to 4G) and supporting apps for online classes and work from home, it added. "A major migration from offline to online took place last year. Locked within their houses, everyone had to make do with whatever was accessible online. Work, studies, and shopping all shifted to digital. As lockdown restrictions eased and people started stepping out, our focus again was on expanding our touchpoints with smartphone users," Cashify COO and co-founder Nakul Kumar 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.) New Delhi [India], June 17 (ANI/Heylin Spark): Poly Fibre world is ready to take a step closer to make India self-dependent. Currently they are offering great solutions in the field of Gazebo and Pergola that has advanced features in variety of sizes, designs, colours, textures, thicknesses and finishes that adds value to the existing products. Poly Fibre is a material that is not sensitive to heat, cold, or humidity that allows it to sustain its original shape and colour for a longer duration of time during application and throughout its service life. The Do It Yourself - Gazebo & Pergola Kit is a plan from Poly Fibre World that will help reduce the unnecessary cost of installation and wait for a technical expert to assist you to mantle your product. The greatest quality of a Poly Fibre product is that it dries and bonds extremely well to today's Polyester Resin - Fibreglass and remains flexible to offer your desired shape. Poly Fibre world has an experienced team of professionals who look after all your poly fibre product needs related to Modular Room, Porta Cabin, Pillar and Jali, Sculpture, Artefacts and other innovative products. The process starts by visiting the site and understanding the requirements. Detailed planning and design follows it as per the requirements of a client in the next step. The end product takes care of all the last minute details and is manufactured keeping in mind the durability. Polyfibre world owns a manufacturing unit that is fully independent in its functioning and operations that has the latest technology machines and state of the art facility. It aids the craftsmen to beautifully craft products that are unique and idiosyncratic. Poly Fibre products are combustion-free and it is one of the lightest systems available in terms of adding or glorifying a product's worth. Contributing towards making India self-reliant, the products of Poly Fibre world comes with 10-year warranty. They are ready to install (modular structures) that minimise efforts and time. All their Wood & Cast Iron finish products are maintenance-free and long-lasting. It requires no civil work that makes it a suitable choice for non-construction zones. The best feature that saves money in this tough time is that it is extremely cost-effective. The vision behind this innovative solution is a brainchild of Ankur Khandelwal - Designer, Director & Founder of Poly Fibre World. He has received the Entrepreneur of The Year award for his contribution to the betterment of society with innovative product solutions. Have a look at their latest launches and solutions here at www.polyfibreworld.com This story is provided by Heylin Spark. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/Heylin Spark) DISCLAIMER (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New Delhi [India], June 17 (ANI/NewsVoir): Auto industry experts from MG Motor, OLX, Eplane & AdvantEdge unequivocally opined that the pandemic has been a watershed moment for the Indian automotive industry and in particular the second wave will lead to a delay in consumer demand for cars and mobility solutions thereby leading to a pent up demand for the same in the coming months. At a recently held industry discussion by OLX Autos India called OLX Auto Talk 3.0, which brings together prominent voices in the automobile industry to discusses pertinent issues in the ecosystem, experts from the automotive ecosystem including OEM, car marketplaces & new age consumer mobility firms such as MG Motor, OLX, aerial mobility company Eplane & venture capital firm AdvantEdge chimed in that this pandemic will accelerate the digitisation of the automotive industry faster than ever before in order for the industry to cater to the new age consumer demands. While the first wave of the pandemic definitely jolted the automotive and consumer mobility industry, experts felt that the industry is well prepared for the 2nd wave and technology such as hybrid dealerships, integrated online consumer experiences, new forms of personal consumer mobility options and artificial intelligence will be a must for the industry to safeguard itself from any further impact of the pandemic in the coming months. The experts opined that OEM's and dealerships specifically have adopted digital technologies faster in the last 1 year than in the last 5 years. This has led to consumer purchase cycles declining and has paved the way for a seamless adoption of automotive experiences as per MG Motor. However while this largely remains an urban phenomenon, in smaller cities the adoption of pre-owned cars has skyrocketed in the last 1 year as per OLX with demand increasing by 130%. While personal mobility solutions remain the preferred option for few given the high ticket size, AdvtangeFund noticed that adoption of low ticket mobility solutions such as buses or transport options for last mile connectivity saw an almost 2x rise post the lockdown by a majority of the population. This was propelled by the fact that the segment saw reverse migration by blue collar workers from their villages to the cities. While the pandemic has impacted the transport sector and OEM's the experts were bullish on new age mobility solutions such as electric vehicles and flying taxis. Given the unavailability of proper road infrastructure EPlane envisions that flying taxis could not only help address the challenge of urban crowding by providing safe means of transport in the future but also would be easier to adopt for the industry vs electric vehicles. In terms of electric vehicles, MG Motor is confident that electric vehicles in the coming 5 years will start featuring more into the consideration set by consumers given the rise in awareness about the environmental impact of internal combustion engine vehicles. MG Motor expects a 2x rise in sales of EV by March 2022 but cautions that the demand will scale in the EV sector if all stakeholders come together and collaborate on the common direction. The sector needs more products/components manufacturers to build up scale and more education of customers on issues around charging as range. The sector also needs to incentivise early adopters with no registration fees. Sharing their thoughts on the new trends emerging in the industry amidst the second wave experts said Prof Satya Chakravarthy, Co-founder Eplane Company, said, "While there exists a massive opportunity for flying and autonomous vehicles, the ecosystem must view it as the next stage of evolution for consumer mobility. Engineering challenges with EV's especially with heavy duty commercial vehicles, limited support available now and India's overcrowded roads clearly demonstrate that the future of mobility must be hybrid (aerial and on road). This will not only ease the burden on the mobility industry but gradually over a period of time will also help the overall sector to accelerate innovation in alternative means of personal mobility given the heightened concerns around hygiene now." Talking about the way ahead for the pre-owned car industry, Amit Kumar, CEO, OLX Autos India, said, "It is inevitable that technology will play a major role in helping the new and pre-owned car industry tide over the crisis of the second wave. Technology that can help consumers buy or sell their cars from the comfort of their homes will not only assist the used car ecosystem to maintain a slow growth momentum during the pandemic but also help draw users from new areas especially the non-metros who are evaluating purchasing a used car for their mobility needs." Sharing his thoughts on trends in the digital car buying journey and industry trends observed by Gaurav Gupta, COO, MG Motor, said, "MG Motor has been strategically focusing on cutting new age initiatives to help define and shape the Indian mobility industry. Our innovation pillars are focused on the future of mobility which has allowed us to partner with institutes, companies & relevant stakeholders in the ecosystem to create consumer first products by leveraging AI, VR & AR to allow our consumers to seamlessly complete their car buying journeys in the absence of limited foot falls across our dealerships. We have multiple initiatives under our Umbrella MG Shield Plus. This covers - MG VPHY: contactless demo of the car and an interactive platform between our sales team and customers. Our My MG App allows customers to be able to conduct video calls with cars in service centres and even make financial transactions. Further our digital car configurator (since June 2019) is being leveraged even more now and consumers have a seamless journey from search to drive off." Taking a different approach regarding the rise for consumer mobility, AdvantEdge Founders Managing Partner, Kunal Khattar, said, "As a country a large part of the population cannot afford personal mobility options hence consumer mobility for these users are being catered to by new age startups and companies. Wide Scale passenger mobility especially in the first mile or last mile situations will need tech enabled startups to do so at scale which OEM's may not be able to cater to. In the last 1 year, our portfolio of startups catering to the segment has seen a massive uptick of upto 5x vs pre-COVID levels. It is only a matter of time that we gradually emerge from the pandemic given the fact that the Indian automotive industry is extremely resilient and has learnt its lesson well from the first wave of COVID led disruption. The automotive sector and consumer mobility industry is geared to address the mobility needs of the population as the economy gradually opens up. This will be done with technology as a key enabler not just for urban mobility but also rural and semi-urban mobility." This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir) DISCLAIMER (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 17 (ANI/PNN): COVID-19 pandemic revealed the gaps in the existing healthcare structure and showed that the Indian healthcare system is too weak. With a lower doctor-patient ratio (1:1000), issues in last-mile healthcare delivery and lack of qualified doctors in rural & semi-urban area, the Indian HealthCare system needs a revolution. There is no effective, trusted single window for healthcare delivery to everyone and no proven way for professionals to find, consult, transact with each other online. Providing a solution to all these issues, JK Singha, RK Ningthem, Nilesh Bhanushali and Chittaranjan Mishra started . In Jan 2021, Anil Va Verma, a top executive in a major beauty care startup, joined HealWell24 as Chief Investment Officer. The idea behind the next chapter of HealWell24 emanates from a deep and personal experience of the team. It is to solve for the current asymmetry of Indian Healthcare (of information & access), no booking engine (such as HealWell24.com or Practo.com) will ever be sufficient at a scale, which has become obvious to the entire world during the two waves of the Covid-19 pandemic. It would need not just a simple engine, but a user-managed network of Doctors and Patients, owned and moderated with the community at its center stage. DocsCampus.com, the upcoming product of HealWell24, plans to solve exactly this in a simple to use and effective platform for the next generation, stated the founder. The Healthtech startup currently provides an easy-to-use web and mobile platform where members can connect with India's top doctors - 24/7, 365 days a year. Speaking about the platform, JK Singha says, "HealWell24, the current product, already empowers individuals with remote screening, where patients can connect with their dedicated doctors anytime, from anywhere, and engage in live video sessions. We also provide additional support, like doctor home visit, home lab test or medicine delivery, to our customers- all of which are fulfilled on the same day by our team. But with DocsCampus, we would consider us successful when we have removed the existing asymmetry of access & information for doctors or medical students in rural/ semi-urban areas & their patients. Although the DocsCampus portal is not expected to be monetized in the coming quarters, till it hits an inflection point, the services of the current booking engine will be deeply integrated to ensure top quality service delivery to all the doctors on the platform and their patients. The company will be moving into the next phases of DocsCampus lifecycle in the coming three quarters from launch, of which I remain tightlipped but extremely excited about." Operational in 35 cities, HealWell24 has 1000+ doctors, 300+ Labs, and 100+ Dentists on its platform. The startup has Apollo Spectra, Indian Oil, Hiranandani Hospital, Mahindra Lifespaces, Synechron technologies, Zeno Health as Corporate Clients and several top established companies in diagnostics chains & hospitals as partners. Till now, HealWell24 has provided essential healthcare service to thousands of Indians for conditions such as bone cancer, dental abscesses and diabetic retinopathy. With over 215K consumer transacted so far, HealWell24 currently handles over 600 transactions per day. HealWell24 has aggressive growth plans and is looking to raise Series A in the next two months. The startup had already raised a total of $1.1Mn from Seed and Its Pre-Series A Rounds. This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN) DISCLAIMER (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) ByteDance founder Zhang Yiming told staff on Thursday that he's already shifting away from chief executive's daily responsibilities and his work pace is less intense, according to two people who attended the meeting. In May, Zhang unexpectedly announced that he will step down as CEO of the TikTok owner amid Chinese' regulators' tightened scrutiny of the country's biggest technology firms. He said at the time he would move to a "key strategy" role and complete the transition work with his successor Liang Rubo by the end of this year. Zhang told staff he is currently studying other companies' organizational structures and managing styles, and doing research on the education industry. Zhang remains chairman of ByteDance and has the absolute voting power at the company. The company told staff at the same meeting that its total revenue more than doubled in 2020 to $34.3 billion and its net loss widened to $45 billion, according to a memo seen by Reuters. The wider loss was partly attributable to accounting norms for share-based compensation of employees, a person familiar with the matter said. Reuters has reported that ByteDance, one of the world's biggest private tech companies with an estimated value of about $300 billion in recent trades, had a revenue goal of around $30 billion for 2020. ByteDance posted an operating loss of $2 billion and a gross profit of $19 billion, representing 93% growth year-over-year, the company told employees in the staff meeting, upon which the memo was based. Beijing-based ByteDance declined to comment on its financials or Zhang's remarks. It had 1.9 billion global monthly users in December 2020 for all its apps including TikTok, its Chinese version Douyin and news aggregator Jinri Toutiao. Also Read: ByteDance launches 'Volcano Engine' to sell algorithm behind TikTok's success Also Read: ByteDance Co-Founder Zhang Yiming to step down as CEO; Rubo Liang to succeed Private hospital chain Fortis Healthcare announced on Thursday the Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V will be available at two of its hospitals from June 19 onwards. This is a part of Fortis Healthcare's limited pilot roll-out for the two-dose COVID-19 vaccine. "The vaccine stock has been procured directly from Dr Reddy's Laboratories according to government guidelines," the firm noted in an official statement. The two hospitals that are participating in the pilot roll-out of Sputnik V are Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram and Fortis Hospital, Mohali. The Sputnik V roll-out will later be extended to Fortis Hospitals spread across 11 cities in the country as part of the phase-wise pilot project. The price of the Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V has been set at Rs 1,145 per dose. The price has been set by the government and includes administrative charges. About the vaccine rollout, Fortis Healthcare MD and CEO, Dr Ashutosh Raghuvanshi said, "Till date, our units were only providing Covaxin and Covishield. We are pleased to announce that Fortis, in collaboration with Dr Reddy's Laboratories, is among the first to provide a third vaccine option, with the dual objective of expanding and scaling up the vaccination drive and lowering the infection risks to future mutations of the virus". "We urge all Indian citizens to vaccinate themselves and help make the drive successful -- only if we get ourselves vaccinated and follow Covid appropriate behaviour, can the chain of infections and community transmission be broken. It is essential that we follow all recommended measures by the government to protect ourselves, our families and loved ones and prevent a possible third wave," he added. Sputnik V is the third COVID-19 vaccine to have been granted emergency use approval by Indian drug regulators, the other two being Covishield and Covaxin. Russia's Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology has developed the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine. Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) is marketing the COVID-19 vaccine globally and has partnered with Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy's Laboratories. Dr Reddy Laboratories has been importing the shots from Russia. Soon, the firm is expected to start manufacturing the vaccine in India itself. Also Read: COVID-19: Fortis Hospital seeks PMO's help for oxygen supply Also Read: DCGI approves Serum's request to manufacture Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine in India Around 8 kg peacock feathers, that were being smuggled to Hong Kong, were seized at the Foreign Post Office in New Delhi, the Delhi customs zone said on Wednesday. The peacock is the national bird of India and it is protected under Schedule-I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act that prohibits its hunting. The Air Cargo Commissionerate (Export) seized 10 unregistered parcels destined to Hong Kong containing peacock feathers weighing approx 8 kg at Foreign Post Office, New Delhi, it tweeted. Also Read: Delhi Customs seizes 21 lakh peacock tail feathers being smuggled to China The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is already looking into the recent seizure of over 21 lakh pieces of peacock feathers by the customs department that were being smuggled to China disguised as plastic pipes. The consignment, collectively weighing 2,565 kg and estimated to worth around Rs 5.25 crore, was seized at Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Tughlakabad in March this year. The CBI had alleged that between September 2020 and February 2021, various consignments of peacock tail feathers through 26 shipping bills were exported by a Delhi-based company to a consignee in China by concealing the package details. Peacock feathers are used for medicinal purposes. Union Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday said there are no plans to terminate any employee of state-owned SAIL or reduce its headcount. In a letter to West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra, Pradhan also assured that SAIL will continue to take care of its employees. On Wednesday, Mitra had requested the steel minister to intervene and stop the dismantling of Raw Materials Division (RMD) of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) in Kolkata, saying it would result in job losses amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In a letter to Pradhan, he had said the move to dissolve the RMD headquarters by the board of the company will also be detrimental to the interests of two "iconic and profitable" SAIL's steel plants at Durgapur and Burnpur in West Bengal. Replying to Mitra, Pradhan said, "There is no plan to terminate or reduce employee strength of the company. SAIL, a responsible employer, will continue to take care of its employees. I hope that clarifies the position as regards to your apprehensions". The steel minister further said that Durgapur Steel Plant (DSP) and IISCO Steel Plant (ISP) in Burnpur are two of the prestigious plants on which SAIL has made large investments, and as part of its expansion plan, the company will have to expand mining operations to produce more iron ore to meet its own requirements. Even though there are no iron ore mines in West Bengal, iron ore for DSP and ISP is dispatched from the SAIL mines located in other states under the coordination of the Director (Technical, Projects and Raw Materials) of the company, Pradhan added. SAIL, under the Ministry of Steel, is the country's largest steelmaker with an annual capacity of about 21 million tonne (MT). The company has plans to increase its steelmaking capacity to 50 MT by 2030. Also Read: 'I accept current fuel prices are problematic,' Dharmendra Pradhan A state-appointed task force has expressed concerns that a third wave of COVID-19 pandemic could hit Maharashtra as early as the next two to four weeks if the crowding seen in the last three days continues. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray was informed that a highly virulent strain called 'Delta plus' could start the next wave in Maharashtra. CM Thackeray has directed senior doctors and officers to ensure that medicines and health equipment are available across the state in rural and urban areas. State health department officials highlighted that the number of patients during the second wave was much higher due to the Delta variant. In that case, the third wave could see a higher volume of patients due to the Delta plus variant. Officials warned that the third wave could see 8 lakh active cases, out of which 10 per cent could be children. Total cases could double compared to the second wave. The state had seen 19 lakh patients in the first wave and nearly 40 lakh in the second. The meeting was held to take stock of the preparations to tackle a possible third wave. The health department looked at all the possible scenarios in case a fresh wave hits the state. CM Thackeray also said that vaccination must be increased. He said that the country would receive 42 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccine by August-September and Maharashtra too could benefit from it. He also highlighted the importance of social distancing and RT-PCR tests. He said that PPE kits and other materials must be procured too. Also read: Online registration for COVID-19 vaccine not mandatory Also read: Govt confirms first death due to COVID-19 vaccination A French court ordered home furnishings giant Ikea to pay some 1.1 million euros ($1.3 million) in fines and damages Tuesday over a campaign to spy on union representatives, employees and some unhappy customers in France. Two former Ikea France executives were convicted and fined over the scheme and given suspended prison sentences. Among the other 13 defendants in the high-profile trial, some were acquitted and others given suspended sentences. Adel Amara, a former Ikea employee who helped expose the wrongdoing, called the ruling "a big step in defense of the citizen...It makes me glad that there is justice in France." The panel of judges at the Versailles court found that between 2009 and 2012, Ikea's French subsidiary used espionage to sift out trouble-makers in the employee ranks and to profile squabbling customers. Ikea France was convicted of receiving personal data obtained through fraudulent means in a habitual way, and ordered to pay 1 million euros in fines and about 100,000 euros ($121,225) in damages. Ingka Group, which owns and operates most Ikea stores, noted in a statement after the verdicts that the French retail operation "has strongly condemned the practices, apologized and implemented a major action plan to prevent this from happening again." "We will now review the court's decision in detail and consider if and where any additional measures are necessary," the group said. Trade unions accused Ikea France of collecting personal data by fraudulent means, notably via illegally obtained police files, and illicitly disclosing personal information. Lawyers for Ikea France denied that the company had any strategy of "generalized espionage." A lawyer for the unions, Solene Debarre, expressed hope that the verdict would "make some companies tremble." "One million euros isn't much for Ikea, but it's a symbol," Debarre said. The company, which said it cooperated in the investigation, had faced a potential financial penalty of up to 3.75 million euros ($4.5 million). Prosecutor Pamela Tabardel asked the court to hand "an exemplary sentence and a strong message to all companies." The executive who was in charge of risk management at the time of the spying, Jean-Francois Paris, acknowledged to French judges that 530,000 to 630,000 euros a year were earmarked for such investigations. Paris -- the only official to have admitted to the alleged illegal sleuthing -- said his department was responsible for handling the operation on orders from former Ikea France CEO Jean-Louis Baillot. Paris was convicted of fraudulently gathering personal data, fined 10,000 euros ($12,125) and given an 18-month suspended sentence. Baillot, who denied ordering a spy operation, was convicted of receiving fraudulently collected data and complicity in the scheme. He was fined 50,000 euros ($60,626) and given a two-year suspended sentence. Another former CEO of Ikea France was acquitted for lack of evidence. Ikea France's lawyer, Emmanuel Daoud, said the company hadn't decided whether to appeal. He said the case was marked by a lack of hard evidence, and noted that the fines were well below the maximum possible. "The court took into account the action plan that Ikea put in place after the revelation of the facts, in 2012. That's very satisfying," Daoud said. The company fired four executives and changed internal policy after French prosecutors opened a criminal probe in 2012. Trade unions alleged that Ikea France paid to gain access to police files that had information about targeted individuals, particularly union activists and customers who were in disputes with Ikea. In one situation, Ikea France was accused of using unauthorized information to try to catch an employee who had claimed unemployment benefits but drove a Porsche. In another alleged instance of illegal prying, the subsidiary reportedly investigated an employee's criminal record to determine how the employee was able to own a BMW on a low income. The company also faces potential damages from separate civil lawsuits filed by unions and 74 employees. Ikea's France subsidiary employs more than 10,000 people in 34 stores, an e-commerce site and a customer support center. Also read: IKEA to help suppliers in India, China, Poland transit to 100% renewable power Conditions are not favourable for further advance of the monsoon into Rajasthan, some parts of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi, the India Meteorological Department said on Thursday. However, there could be slow progress into some more parts of Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh during the next two to three days, it said. The Northern Limit of Monsoon (NLM) continues to pass through Diu, Surat, Nandurbar, Bhopal, Nowgong, Hamirpur, Barabanki, Bareilly, Saharanpur, Ambala and Amritsar. "Large-scale atmospheric conditions are not favourable for further advance of the monsoon into Rajasthan, remaining parts of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi," the IMD forecast read. The weather department had earlier predicted that the wind system may reach Delhi by June 15; 12 days early. Normally, the monsoon reaches Delhi by June 27 and covers the entire country by July 8. Last year, the wind system had reached Delhi on June 25 and covered the entire country by June 29, according to Skymet Weather, a private forecasting agency. Mahesh Palawat from Skymet Weather said westerly winds have been blocking the advance of the monsoon in northwest India for the last three to four days. "These winds will persist for another week. Hence, chances are that Delhi will get monsoonal showers only around the usual date of June 27," he said. The IMD said, "Moderate to severe" thunderstorms and frequent "cloud-to-ground lightning" are very likely over Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, east Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Jharkhand on Thursday and Friday. "This may cause injuries leading to casualties to people and animals outdoors," it said. Fairly widespread rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy showers are very likely over Uttarakhand during the next two days under the influence of a Western Disturbance, the weather department forecast. "A cyclonic circulation lies over Gangetic West Bengal and neighbourhood. Under its influence, widespread rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy falls are very likely over Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Sikkim and Odisha during the next two to three days," the MeT office said. Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely over east Uttar Pradesh in the next two-three days under the influence of a cyclonic circulation over east Uttar Pradesh and neighbourhood. Isolated "extremely heavy" rainfall is predicted over Konkan and Goa and central Maharashtra during the next 24 hours as a result of an offshore trough running from south Karnataka to north Kerala coast. Rainfall recorded below 15 mm is considered light, between 15 and 64.5 mm is moderate, between 64.5 mm and 115.5 mm is heavy, between 115.6 and 204.4 is very heavy. Anything above 204.4 mm is considered extremely heavy rainfall. Also Read: Monsoon likely to arrive in Odisha, J'khand, parts of Bengal, Bihar by Jun 15, says IMD Also Read: Covid dent: GST revenue down 27% in May at Rs 1.02 lakh cr Shares of social networking service Twitter have taken a hit amid the tussle with Indian government over the new IT rules. Modi government's decision to tame the networking site accused of spreading fake news has stemmed a rally in the NYSE-listed stock. On June 16, the networking site lost its intermediary status in India, after government said it gave Twitter multiple opportunities to comply with the new IT rules. The stock closed at $59.93 on Wednesday, down 0.50% on NYSE. Market cap of the firm fell $0.43 billion to $47.64 against the market cap of $48.07 billion in the previous session. The stock stood at $59.93 today, a decline of 25.78% after touching a 52-week high of $80.75 on February 26. Since February 26, the firm has lost $13.87 billion or 22.54% in market cap till date. Twitter reveals what's holding it back from complying with new IT rules Here's a look at how Twitter's clash with the Indian government has affected the stock. Shares of Twitter closed at $43.48 on November 13 last year when Indian government sent a notice to Twitter for showing Leh as part of Jammu & Kashmir instead of the Union Territory of Ladakh. Soon after #BanTwitter started trending on social media. Market cap of the firm in that session stood at $34.58 billion. Twitter loses legal indemnity due to non-compliance of new IT rules However, the stock continued to climb and reached $54.58 on February 3, 2021. The Modi government's clampdown on Twitter over the posts published on the network began on the same day. Twitter was issued a legal notice for reinstating a number of accounts that supported the farmers' protests despite the IT Ministry's directive to block those and warning of consequences "of non-compliance of directions issued under section 69A of the ITAct". Market cap of Twitter stood at $43.45 billion during the session. Twitter appoints interim chief compliance officer but yet to share details with Centre On February 4 this year, the ministry of electronics and information technology sent a fresh directive to Twitter, for removal of over 1,000 accounts flagged by security agencies as those of Khalistan sympathisers or backed by Pakistan amid the ongoing farmer protests. A list of 1,178 accounts was sent to the networking site. According to reports, Twitter had not responded to that notice with some even suggesting that the government took note of Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey liking some pro-farmer tweets made by celebrities. By that day, the Twitter stock had risen to $56.51 on NYSE. Market cap of the firm reached $44.98 billlion. Unperturbed by the adverse developments, the stock went on to hit a 52 week high of $80.75 on February 26, 2021. The stock had rallied 133.17% in last one year. On February 26 last year, the share stood at $34.63. Market cap of the firm rose to $61.51 billion in the same session. However, the stock could not sustain the rally and fell to a low of $50.11 on May 13 amid the firm's ongoing tussle with the Indian government. In over a month, the share has logged a minor recovery and not been able to breach the $61 mark. Introduction of new IT rules to exercise control over social media platforms can be cited as a major factor for crash in the stock. On February 25, the Modi government announced new code of ethics for social media channels and OTT platforms under new IT Rules, 2021. The all-new code of ethics mandated intermediaries to exercise "due caution and discretion" in relation to the general principles around online curated content. Under the new rules, the government will ask the platform to reveal the originator of a message (or tweet). Voluntary verification of users and appointment of a compliance officer as well as grievance officer was also proposed. The government also asked to appoint a 24x7 point of contact. The new rules came into effect on May 26. All social media platforms except Twitter complied. On June 5, the Centre sent a final notice to Twitter to comply with the new IT rules. Issuing "one last notice" to the micro-blogging site, the Centre warned of "resultant consequences" if it fails to comply with the new norms amid an escalating standoff with Twitter. Google on Thursday opened its first retail store in New York City. Google notes that the store will provide customers with hands-on interaction with its lineup of devices and services right from Pixel phones and Nest products to Fitbit wearables and Pixel books. Customers visiting the retail store could also learn about the features of Google Pixel phones and Nest products, and see how Google's software and services and products like Google Search, Google Assistant, Google Maps, YouTube, Stadia among others function. Google says that when customers approach the retail store, the first thing that they will see is physical and digital product displays lining the store's windows, which offer a peek into Google's products and their features. When customers enter the store, they will find a light-filled space that explains how Google products can be helpful. Near the main entrance, the storehouses a 17-foot-tall circular glass structure Google is calling the Google Imagination Space. The Google Imagination Space has custom interactive screens that feature rotating exhibits for visitors to experience the best of our products and technologies. Google says it is beginning with an experience built around Google Translate and machine learning capabilities. When customers speak, they will get to experience real-time translation of their speech into 24 languages simultaneously, and then learn how this all happens on the back end using several Google technologies. Google notes that every part of the store invites hands-on interaction with its products and services where users can get an expert store team on hand to answer questions, help them with specific services, offer repairs and troubleshoot issues on the spot. Google notes that the Store Chelsea is one of fewer than 215 retail spaces in the world to have achieved a LEED Platinum rating the highest certification possible within the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building rating system. After a long wait, Honor will finally be shipping its smartphones with Google apps and services. The company officially announced the development during its Honor 50 and Honor 50 Pro launch in China. Before the global launch of the two variants, the company is prepping up to introduce Google Mobile Services on the devices. For this, Honor will be submitting the Honor 50 and Honor 50 Pro for Google's security review. Once in compliance with "Google's licensing and governance models," the phones will ship with Google Mobile Services preinstalled on them. Subsequently, future devices from Honor, including smartphones and tablets, will also have Google support. With the Honor 50 series, Google apps and services will feature on Honor smartphones for the first time since mid-2019. The disassociation with Google followed the US ban on Huawei, Honor's parent company at the time, that forced Google to retract its Android license. Since Honor parted ways with Huawei last year, the company's latest smartphone lineup is free from the ban. Honor is now looking to make a comeback in the global Android market with its devices. Honor will be launching Honor 50 and Honor 50 Pro in around 40 regions globally for this, including UK, France, Russia, Mexico, Malaysia and others. Pricing for the international models is yet to be announced. As for its home market, Honor has launched the Honor 50 and the Honor 50 Pro in China at a price of CNY 2,699 (roughly Rs 31,000) and CNY 3,699 (roughly Rs 42,600), respectively. There is also a budget Honor 50 SE available for CNY 2,399 (roughly Rs 16,000). The series will be available to pre-order in China on Friday, June 25. Other than the planned Google support, the Honor 50 and Honor 50 Pro will come with impressive performance specifications, quad-camera setup and attractive designs. For instance, both the models will be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G chipset and will offer 8GB RAM for the base variant. While the Honor 50 will come with 128GB storage for the base model, the Honor 50 Pro will only feature 256GB storage models. Both the smartphones will come with a quad lens camera setup with a 108-megapixel primary lens, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens and two 2-megapixel sensors for macro and depth shots. You can check out the complete specs of the Honor 50 and Honor 50 Pro smartphones here. The once outspoken Alibaba co-founder and Chinese tech billionaire Jack Ma is now lying low and focussing on hobbies and philanthropy. Rumours speculating Jack Ma to have gone missing surfaced after he gave a controversial speech after which he did not show up for the final episode of his own talent show, Africa's Business Heroes in November 2020. He, however, reappeared in a video for his charitable foundation in January. Alibaba's executive vice-chairman and co-founder Joe Tsai told CNBC that Jack Ma is lying low and that he has taken up painting as a hobby. "He's lying low right now. I talk to him every day. The idea that Jack has this enormous amount of power, I think that's not quite right. He is just like you and me, he's a normal individual. He's actually doing very, very well. He's taken up painting as a hobby, it's actually pretty good." Ma's business empire has been under scrutiny by Beijing ever since the speech. Chinese regulators reportedly opened a probe into Alibaba's practices and Beijing fined the company with a $2.8 billion fine in April citing market dominance. Tsai further told the website that the tech giant had moved on from the fine, "Our business is under some kind of restructuring on the financial side of things, and also in antitrust regulation. We had to pay a big fine. But we've gotten that behind us, so we're looking forward". Jack Ma disappeared from public sight after he gave a controversial speech on October 24, and criticised China's "pawnshop financial regulators and state-owned banks." He also called for a reform of China's regulation system for stifling business innovation and likened global banking regulations to an 'old people's club'. Jack Ma's company Ant Group was supposed to make what was supposed to be the world's biggest IPO offering in Shanghai and Hong Kong. However, the regulators suspended the $37billion IPO two days before it was going to take place. Reports had then noted that Ma was advised to remain in China after which an anti-monopoly investigation was launched into Ma's Alibaba Group Holding on Christmas Eve. Beijing also ordered Ma's financial tech company Ant Group to scale back its operations. Former Hermann's European Cafe now has new chef, leadership team and name Elevation Bistro and Wine Shop District Health Department No. 10 conducted a survey asking area residents questions about vaccine hesitancy. Concerns about the vaccines being developed too quickly was one of the top reasons people have decided not to get vaccinated. Steve Peacock, of the firm Rehmann of Traverse City, gave a presentation at the board of commissioners meeting Wednesday. The firm gave the county an unmodified clean opinion regarding its audit for the 2020 fiscal year. That rating is the highest that can be given. China successfully launched its Shenzhou-12 manned spacecraft Thursday morning, carrying three astronauts to its orbiting space station. The launch is Chinas seventh crewed mission into space and its first during construction of the countrys new space station. It is also the first manned mission into space in nearly five years. The Long March-2F rocket carrying the Shenzhou-12 spacecraft blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in North Chinas Inner Mongolia autonomous region at 9:22 a.m., the state-run Xinhua News Agency reported. The three astronauts, Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo, will be the first crew of the Tiangong space station. They will board the space stations core module, called Tianhe, and spend three months living and working there, the longest stay in space by Chinese astronauts. The previous longest mission, Shenzhou-11, lasted 33 days in 2016. China aims to complete construction of its first space station within two years, with 11 missions scheduled to be carried out this year and next, Caixin has previously reported. Before the launch of the Shenzhou-12 spacecraft, the country had sent its Tianhe core module and the Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft into orbit, with the latter bringing 6.8 tons of supplies, including propellants and food. About 10 minutes after liftoff, the spacecraft entered its designated orbit, where it flew about six and half hours and rendezvoused with the Tianhe core module at 3:54 p.m., Xinhua reported. As Tianzhou-2 had previously docked with Tianhe, the three formed a combination, the report said. Pang Zhihao, a researcher at the China Academy of Space Technology, told Caixin that the Shenzhou-12 mission will be a test for the astronauts as they need to complete a lot of tasks. They need to learn new technologies such as operating robotic arms and spacewalking, Pang said. There are also physical and mental tasks, (and the astronauts performance) will lay a foundation for the flight crew later. Caixin has learned the astronauts will undertake tasks including extravehicular maintenance and replacing equipment during their three-month stay in the Tianhe core module. Nie, commander of the Shenzhou-12 mission, said the mission has some features such as long in-orbit duration, difficult operation and new technologies which make the tasks more challenging. For example, as soon as the astronauts are stationed in the core module, they will start to take out cargo packages, disassemble and install equipment and set up their working and living environment, Nie said. They also need to perform extravehicular activities such as the testing and maintenance of spacesuits. Moreover, the long-term flight increases the possibility of emergency incidents, which puts high demands on astronauts handling ability and overall quality, he said. This was echoed by Huang Zhicheng, a researcher from the Beijing-based Yuan Wang military science and technology think tank. Huang told Caixin that the long-term operation of the space station will rely on astronauts carrying out a large number of complex extravehicular activities. The requirements for astronauts to be able to get out of the core module will be higher, and the extravehicular capacity will be an important technical support to ensure the smooth completion and operation of the space station, Huang said. Contact reporter Wang Xintong (xintongwang@caixin.com) and editor Michael Bellart (michaelbellart@caixin.com) Download our app to receive breaking news alerts and read the news on the go. Get our weekly free Must-Read newsletter. In the first five months, total power consumption in China reached 3.2 trillion kilowatt-hours, an increase of 17.7% from the same period last year In todays Caixin energy news wrap: Shenzhen to set up carbon emissions fund to manage revenue from carbon trading; Baonengs NEV unit receives $1.9 billion investment; Sinochem and ChemChina consolidation advances; and power retailers in Guangdong suffer huge losses amid surging demand. Henan shuts 20 million tons of coal mining for safety fixes Several mining sites with combined capacity of nearly 20 million tons in central Chinas Henan province halted production for safety fixes amid tightening oversight. Zhengzhou Coal & Electric Co. Ltd. (600121.SH) Tuesday announced the suspension of six sites on regulatory orders, affecting 8.25 million tons of capacity. Henan Dayou Energy Co. Ltd. closed seven sites with capacity of 11.4 million tons on the same day. Neither of the companies provided a schedule for resuming production. Since May, Henan has reported three fatal mining disasters leading to 15 deaths. The mine closures are expected to put additional pressure on tight coal supply during peak summer power demand. Guangdong power retailers post massive losses despite surging demand More than 80% of the 161 power retailers in southern Chinas Guangdong province posted combined losses of 516 million yuan ($80.6 million) in May as supply shortages drove up electricity wholesale prices. Retailers have to eat the rising costs as the prices they charge are fixed and lagged behind the surging wholesale prices. In the first five months, total power consumption in China reached 3.2 trillion kilowatt-hours, an increase of 17.7% from the same period last year, according to the National Energy Administration. Shenzhen to set up carbon emissions fund The southern Chinese city of Shenzhen is mulling whether to set up a carbon emissions fund to manage government revenue from carbon trading and control the total emissions quota to serve the efforts of carbon reduction. Shenzhen is among eight Chinese cities that have launched pilot local carbon trading markets. Chinas national carbon trading market is to be initiated at the end of June. CATL signs strategic cooperation with China Energy State-owned China Energy Engineering Corp. Ltd. (03996.SZ) reported a strategic partnership Tuesday with vehicle battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL) (300750.SZ). The parties are to enter a long-term strategic partnership in multiple areas including scientific and technological R&D, energy storage system products and industrial cooperation, energy storage projects and key regional markets, and international business development. Tianyuan Group fully resumes calcium carbide production Yibin Tianyuan Group Co. Ltd. (002386.SZ) resumed calcium carbide production at three subsidiaries after temporary halts amid power shortages, the company said Tuesday. Production at the three sites, all in southwest Yunnan province, were suspended since May 25. The units are back to operating at 85% of capacity and are expected to meet full-load production by late June, with total production capacity of 470,000 tons. Baoneng Groups NEV unit receives $1.9 billion strategic investment The Guangzhou Development District agreed to invest 12 billion yuan ($1.9 billion) in Baoneng New Energy Automobile Group Co. Ltd., the new-energy car unit of property conglomerate Baoneng Group. Under the agreement, Baoneng New Energy will locate its headquarters in the Guangzhou Development District, Baoneng Group said. Sinochem and ChemChina integrate headquarters Sinochem Group Co. Ltd. and China National Chemical Corp. Ltd. (ChemChina) combined their headquarters after a government-led merger to consolidate the two state-owned chemical giants, according to a Sinochem statement. The new company, Sinochem Holdings, was formally inaugurated May 8, the statement said. Ningxia Jiaze Renewables ties up with Tianjin CRRC Wind Energy Ningxia Jiaze Renewables Corp. Ltd. (601619.SH) signed a new-energy industry cooperation agreement with the Jixi city government and Tianjin CRRC Wind Energy Technology Co. Ltd., Ningxia Jiaze said Tuesday. Tianjin CRRC Wind Energy is a wholly owned subsidiary of CRRC Corp. Ltd. (CRRC). Under the agreement, Ningxia Jiaze and Tianjin CRRC Wind Energy will invest 26 billion yuan ($4.1 billion) in Jixi, Heilongjiang province, to build a new-energy base and a new-energy equipment manufacturing industrial park. The parties also plan to set up a new-energy industry development fund of 10 billion yuan ($1.6 billion) in Jixi by Oct. 1. Contact editors Han Wei (weihan@caixin.com) and Bob Simison (bobsimison@caixin.com) Download our app to receive breaking news alerts and read the news on the go. Follow the Chinese markets in real time with Caixin Globals new stock database. (Nikkei Asia) Japanese trading conglomerate Mitsubishi Corp. will develop a massive onshore wind farm in Laos that will supply electricity to Vietnam. The facility will have power generation capacity of 600 megawatts, making it one of the largest onshore wind farms in Southeast Asia. The price tag is expected to run in the hundreds of millions of dollars. A Mitsubishi subsidiary will take a 20% stake in a joint venture to be formed with two Thai renewable-energy developers. Construction by the new company is slated to start by the end of this year with operations to begin in 2024. A grid network will be built to send power to a Vietnamese state-run utility under a 25-year contract. Vietnams demand for electricity has expanded rapidly in tune with its economic growth. To offset part of that demand, the country in 2016 agreed with Laos to share electricity. Coal and hydropower each account for roughly 40% of Vietnams energy sources. But during Vietnams dry seasons, usage at hydroelectric plants declines, leading to severe power shortages. Vietnam is rolling out renewable-energy projects, including wind and solar, but few areas in the countrys inland region are suitable for wind power. Laos, on the other hand, is suited for wind energy. The planned wind farm represents the nations first export deal involving wind power. In Europe, it is common for countries to share power. Mitsubishi anticipates that cross-border power sharing will gain steam in Southeast Asias renewable energy industry. The Japanese company hope to take part in more renewable development projects in the region. This story was first published in Nikkei Asia. Download our app to receive breaking news alerts and read the news on the go. Get our weekly free Must-Read newsletter. Whats new: Liu Wenyi, a veteran financial regulatory official in northeast Chinas Liaoning province, was expelled from the Communist Party and the provincial branch of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC) on corruption charges. Liu, in charge of banking supervision at the CBIRCs Liaoning branch, violated the partys integrity discipline, used office space exceeding standards, accepted gifts and money that may affect the impartial performance of official duties, asked regulatory targets to pay for his personal expenses, used his position to seek benefits for others and received a huge amount of bribes, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission said Wednesday in a statement. The anti-graft watchdog didnt disclose the amount of bribes involved but said it was extremely large and should be dealt with seriously. His case will be transferred to prosecutors. The background: Liu turned himself in to anti-graft authorities in December. Caixin learned from exclusive sources that his case was linked to a crisis at local lender Bank of Jinzhou Co. Ltd. and the corruption investigation of a former head of Bank of Huludao. Liu, 58, was responsible for direct oversight of Liaonings city commercial banks, a sector plagued by mounting bad loan risks. Earlier in 2020, the financial crisis at Bank of Jinzhou forced the central bank to inject nearly 12.1 billion yuan ($1.7 billion) in a rescue. The Bank of Jinzhou bailout was one of several that Chinese authorities orchestrated as they work to curb financial risks in the banking sector, especially among regional lenders. Several executives of the bank have been investigated over the crisis. Quick Takes are condensed versions of China-related stories for fast news you can use. To read the full story in Chinese, click here. Contact reporter Denise Jia (huijuanjia@caixin.com) and editor Bob Simison (bobsimison@caixin.com) Download our app to receive breaking news alerts and read the news on the go. Get our weekly free Must-Read newsletter. Whats new: China and Russia have issued a joint plan to build an international lunar research station. Chinas National Space Administration and Russias space agency Roscosmos released the International Lunar Research Station Roadmap and Guide for Partnership on Wednesday at the Global Space Exploration conference being held this week in St. Petersburg, Russia. The documents include proposals for cooperation with other countries and international organizations in the research, design, development, implementation and operation of the planned International Lunar Research Station, according to the Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. The background: China has invested heavily in space research in the past decade, and in December, Chinas Change 5 moon probe brought back to earth the first new lunar samples since the 1970s. The international lunar research station is expected to orbit the moon, carrying out research activities including exploration of the moon surface. The joint announcement from China and Russia came just a day after Brazil became the 12th nation to join the Artemis Accords, U.S.-led efforts to explore the moon that include plans to send astronauts there by 2024. Quick Takes are condensed versions of China-related stories for fast news you can use. Contact reporter Cai Xuejiao (xuejiaocai@caixin.com) and editor Heather Mowbray (heathermowbray@caixin.com) Download our app to receive breaking news alerts and read the news on the go. Get our weekly free Must-Read newsletter. In 2011, China decided to pilot carbon trading in selected regions including Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, though most carbon credits are issued free of charge. Photo: VCG Shenzhen plans to create a carbon market fund to better manage the local governments income from selling carbon credits, as authorities around China heed the national call to slash emissions. The proposed move by the southern metropolis, where a pilot carbon market has been operating for several years, comes as plans for a national carbon market are trending toward a more market-oriented and regulated track. More broadly, China, the worlds largest carbon emitter, is figuring out how to meet its ambitious pledge to top out greenhouse gas emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. The Shenzhen fund will manage the money generated from selling carbon emission quotas, with investments focusing on the construction of the citys carbon market and projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to a draft plan (link in Chinese) released by the Justice Bureau of Shenzhen on June 10. The draft, based on the citys carbon emission trading plan issued (link in Chinese) in March 2014, is open for public comment until July 11. By setting up such a fund, revenue from selling carbon credits can be used solely for environmental-friendly purposes, rather than incorporated into general government fiscal revenue. The fund will try to raise more private capital to support the carbon market, according to a note accompanying the draft plan. Carbon trading is considered an effective tool to combat climate change, as it requires polluters to pay for any emissions of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases that they produce beyond a set limit. This creates a strong financial incentive for businesses to conserve energy and reduce their emissions. Under this kind of system, the government gives or sells companies a limited number of carbon credits, also known as emissions certificates, which allows them to emit a certain amount of greenhouse gases. In 2011, China decided to pilot carbon trading in selected regions including Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, though most carbon credits are issued free of charge. Under the pilot, the chosen regions currently sell about 5% of the quotas, an analyst told Caixin (link in Chinese). Shenzhens new fund could help pave the way for a similar fund linked to the nationwide carbon market, which will be up and running by the end of June, and initially only include the state-dominated electricity generation sector. After an initial stage in which most credits will be issued for free under the nationwide carbon market, the proportion of paid-for credits will gradually increase, according to a March 30 draft plan (link in Chinese) released by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. Read more In Depth: Chinas Carbon Trading Market Hobbled by Unanswered Questions To keep in line with provisions in the March draft, Shenzhen also plans to set an absolute cap on the amount of carbon that can be emitted under the scheme, according to its draft plan. The cap, in line with international practice, can help expand the proportion of paid credits and impose greater restrictions on carbon-intensive industries, analysts said. Contact reporter Luo Meihan (meihanluo@caixin.com) and editor Joshua Dummer (joshuadummer@caixin.com) Download our app to receive breaking news alerts and read the news on the go. Get our weekly free Must-Read newsletter. Some scientists say the fossil found in northern China could belong to a new species of human; Beijing gives the greenlight to innovative new drugs for insurance price-setting talks; and Nayukis lukewarm public debut Jul 02, 2021 07:00 PM Become A Subscriber A subscription opens up access to all our online content, including: our interactive E-Edition, a full archive of modern stories, exclusive and expanded online offerings, photo galleries from Caledonian-Record journalists, video reports from our media partners, extensive international, national and regional reporting by the Associated Press, and a wide variety of feature content. CAMEROUN :: Man arrested with 60kg of pangolin scales :: CAMEROON A man has been arrested in Dimako for trafficking in pangolin scales. He was arrested during a crackdown operation carried out by wildlife officials of the Upper Nyong Divisional Delegation of Forestry and Wildlife in collaboration with the Police of Abong -Mbang. He was apprehended at his home with close to 60kgof pangolin scales packed in a bag,as he was just about to go out and sell the scales.LAGA, a wildlife law enforcement organisation technically assisted officials during the operation. The suspected trafficker, who also doubles a second hand clothes trader, used his business as a cover toillegally trade in pangolin scales. He would move around some villages close to Dimako to sell second handdresses and buy pangolin scales from small time traffickers he activated in the various villages. He would then transport and stock the scales in Dimako where he resided. The trade and demand for pangolins havemade pangolins either vulnerable, endangered or critically endangeredas classified by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) depending on the various species.According to an IUCN reportof 2016 on the status, trade and conservation of pangolins, more than one millionpangolins were illegally traded in ten years leading to the publication of the report. Thus making the species the most trafficked mammals in the world. The 60kg of pangolin scales seized from the trafficker represents about 300 slaughtered pangolins. In an effort to save the species from extinction, the government has been cracking down on pangolin scales traffickers through an effective application of the wildlife law of the country that states thatanyone found in possession of parts of a protected wildlife species is considered to have killed the animal and is liable to a prison term of up to 3 years and/or pay a fine of up to 10 million CFA francs. remaining of Thank you for reading! This is your last free article before you will be asked to subscribe. Already have a paid subscription? Sign in Beat the queues and order ahead with Capita3Eats! Explore your favourite eateries across CapitaLand Malls and order online or via the CapitaStar app for takeaways or deliveries to your doorstep. With a place for every taste, it's that easy to satisfy your cravings when you order from Capita3Eats. * Username This is the name that will be used to identify you within the system. Choose wisely! * First name * Last name Your real name will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more! * Email Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. We won't share it with anyone else. * Password Create a password that only you will remember. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. 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 Buncombe County poll worker Terry Davis checks in Brandon Williams at the Shiloh Community Center in Asheville on Election Day, Nov. 3, 2020. Colby Rabon / Carolina Public Press Photo: usnews.com By the time you read this, it is extremely likely that the federal government will have announced a plan for a phased re-opening of the Canada-U.S. border. The government should also have a plan for international travel at Canadian airports. It is expected that the United States will announce a similar phased re-opening for the American border to Canadian residents. While the details of either countrys plans are not yet known, it has been widely speculated that entry to the United States may only be open to Canadian citizens who have been fully vaccinated. For those unfamiliar with the term, fully vaccinated, it applies to citizens who have received two doses of an approved vaccine within a period of time where the vaccine is determined to be in effect. What is unknown at this point are the expectations or criteria that Canada would have for U.S. citizens crossing the border into Canada. It should also be noted that the House of Commons is in session for roughly 10 more days before it will rise for the summer recess. This means when the details of the phased border re-opening are public, there will be a limited amount of time to address any concerns in Ottawa. My question this week: Given that an announcement on the U.S.-Canada border is coming in the near future, what concerns do you have that you would like to see addressed? I can be reached at [email protected] or call toll free 1-800-665-8711. Photo: BIV A landmark piece of Liberal legislation aimed at harmonizing Canada's laws with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples has passed third reading in the Senate, paving the way for the bill to be enshrined into law before a possible federal election. Bill C-15 cleared the Senate Wednesday with a final tally of 61-10 with nine senators abstaining. The UNDRIP bill got a rough ride in the Commons and in the Senate, with Conservatives in both chambers raising concerns about potential negative impacts of the legislation. Conservative MPs voted against the bill, arguing it would give Indigenous people a "veto" over natural resource projects. In the Senate, some Conservative senators brought forward concerns of six Tory premiers who expressed strong reservations about how the federal bill could affect provincial laws and areas of jurisdiction. With a federal election potentially on the horizon, the bill needed to pass before Parliament rises for the summer next week to keep it from dying on the order paper for a third time. The passage of this bill in the upper chamber means it will soon receive royal assent a milestone National Chief Perry Bellegarde of the Assembly of First Nations says marks an important day for First Nations, Indigenous Peoples and all Canadians on the path toward reconciliation. "Canada must now take all measures necessary to ensure that the laws of Canada are consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples," Bellegarde said in a series of tweets reacting to the Senate vote. "UNDRIP will help right the injustices of past, and ensure that Indigenous Peoples have a bright and prosperous future in Canada." The next step, Bellegarde says, is for Canada to prepare an action plan to implement the legislation, which is mandated in the bill. He stressed this must be done "in consultation and co-operation with Indigenous Peoples." C-15 represents the third attempt to have Parliament approve implementation of the UN declaration in Canada. Former NDP MP Romeo Saganash introduced two private member's bills to implement UNDRIP, the first defeated at second reading in the Commons in 2014 and the second stalling in the Senate just before the 2019 election. The Liberals turned Saganash's bill into a government bill last year and have been championing it as a way to create laws and policies that are co-developed at their outset with Indigenous rights holders, rather than consulting after the fact on laws and initiatives that could affect them. The UN declaration, which Canada endorsed in 2010, affirms the rights of Indigenous Peoples to self-determination and to their language, culture and traditional lands. It also spells out the need for free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) from Indigenous Peoples on anything that infringes on their lands or rights. Conservatives repeatedly raised alarms that the bill did not include a definition of consent, and that this could mean one First Nation could unilaterally put an end to a pipeline or resource extraction project, even if multiple other Indigenous rights holders were on board. In a recent interview with The Canadian Press, Justice Minister David Lametti said no definition was delineated in the bill because every individual situation will be different. "There can't be (a definition). It's so contextual," he said. Traditional governance structures and the way Indigenous communities exist and make decisions are vastly different across Canada. Each situation will require a different and nuanced approach. "It is because of that complexity that you can't set out one definition and say, 'Well, if you talk to X number of groups, that will be good enough,' it just won't work," Lametti explained. "What we're trying to do is treat FPIC as a process, which I think is true to the wording in the declaration itself, and really put the onus on non-Indigenous governments, non-Indigenous resource developers, private industry, whoever to meaningfully consult with Indigenous Peoples in whatever context is appropriate." On Tuesday evening, Conservative Senator Claude Carignan tried to make some 11th hour changes to the UNDRIP bill, in an attempt to reflect the concerns of Conservative premiers pushing back on the federal law. Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister and New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs wrote a joint letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier this spring asking for amendments to make it clear C-15 would not change provincial laws or challenge provincial jurisdiction. They also wanted it spelled out in the act that there would be an obligation to consult with the provinces in preparing the national action plan to achieve the objectives of the UN declaration. The action plan must be delivered no later than two years from the day the law comes into force. Carignan's amendments did not pass, but Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller said Lametti and Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett had a "swath of conversations with premiers" leading up to the passage of this bill and that their concerns and views are ones Ottawa "respects." Miller said some believe the bill will have sweeping negative implications, while others may have their hopes set too high when it comes to what it will mean in practical terms. "Its not the be-all and end-all," Miller said. "But it is, in my mind, the very beginning of a process where Indigenous Peoples are at least afforded the same point in the starting line a very, very important starting point as part of a very difficult (process) and along the linear path of reconciliation." Photo: Darren Stone/Times Colonist The Law Society of B.C. has suspended Vancouver lawyer Paul Doroshenko for two months after he admitted to professional misconduct. This is not the prominent lawyers first brush with misconduct. On Tuesday, the society stated Doroshenko admitted to misappropriating or improperly withdrawing $44,353.19 in client trust funds and failing to identify the shortage to the society, the regulator of the provinces legal profession. Doroshenko also failed to maintain sufficient funds in his trust accounts and failed to maintain proper accounting records. Doroshenko admitted he failed to properly supervise his staff and no longer employs the individuals involved. He was also suffering from a concussion and other significant health issues due to an accident during that time, which affected his ability to function and work. No clients were harmed, and all funds were subsequently corrected or replaced. Doroshenko admitted his errors, said the society, which noted he has no prior professional misconduct record. However, a former articling employee successfully sued Doroshenko in 2019 for wrongful dismissal and last month his own appeal backfired, resulting in an even stiffer penalty against him and his law firm Acumen Law Corporation, which specializes in the Motor Vehicle Act. On May 10, the B.C. Court of Appeal upheld that Doroshenko who, along with associate Kyla Lee is frequently sourced in media stories and appears regularly on radio and TV mistreated articling student Melissa Ojanen (also known as Melissa Dominato). Initially, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Geoffrey Gomery ruled that Doroshenkos firm must pay Ojanen $50,000 in aggravated damages in addition to $18,934 in ordinary damages. But Court of Appeal Justice Richard Goepel not only dismissed Doroshenkos appeal, but increased the ordinary damages to $100,000 while also awarding punitive damages of $25,000. Doronshenkos bill for bullying Ojanen went from $68,934 to $193,934. The conduct described by the trial judge can properly be described in the language of Whiten as high-handed, malicious, arbitrary or highly reprehensible misconduct that departs to a marked degree from ordinary standards of decent behaviour. The awards of general and aggravated damages are not sufficient to achieve the goals of denunciation, deterrence and retribution but must be taken into account in determining the appropriate award, stated Goepel. Doroshenko was appointed to the Queens Counsel in 2017. Only 7% of practising B.C. lawyers can be awarded the designation of QC, at any given time (there are 490 QCs out of approximately 13,125 practising members of the bar, according to the B.C. Attorney General). To obtain a Q.C. designation, the B.C. Attorney Generals website states a lawyer must demonstrate professional integrity, good character and excellence in the practice of law. Such excellence could be determined by several conditions such as being a gifted practitioner, demonstrating leadership and working in the field of legal education. Its unclear if a suspended lawyer can maintain such a designation. Photo: DNV Fire & Rescue An explosives team has been called in to assess an antique that might be an explosive in North Vancouver. Four homes have been evacuated and the Canadian military has been called in after an item bought as an interesting antique by a North Vancouver resident has been identified as a military ordinance. Police have blocked off a neighbourhood between Dollar Road and Roche Point Road on Dollarton Highway after concerns were raised that the item bought as a novelty may be an unexploded shell. North Vancouver RCMP spokesman Sgt. Peter DeVries said a military explosives team has now been called in to assess the item. DeVries said he understood a local person had acquired the item as an interesting antique but there is now concern it is some sort of explosive item from the past. It looks like a shell of some sort, DeVries added. It might be difficult for the average person to say thats what it was. Its very old. Police asked people in four neighbouring homes to evacuate this afternoon out of an abundance of caution, said DeVries. The military team is expected to take some time to arrive at the scene, said DeVries, and Dollarton Highway is expected to remain blocked in the area for at least the next three or four hours. Photo: Google Street Views A Vancouver cannabis shop is looking at a hefty bill for using a logo similar to that of Subway. Budway, Cannabis and Wellness store just lost a copyright ruling to the massive sandwich chain, with a judge ruling the logo they've used for the past year or so was too similar to the iconic yellow and green letters with arrows used by Subway for decades. The case went forward despite Budway's representatives never responding. In fact, one (a compassion society from the east coast) no longer existed. In the case, Subway's lawyer cited Reddit and Instagram posts as evidence. "The Instagram posts reproduced in [Subway]s affidavit also show the use by @budwayonclark of a mascot in the form of a submarine sandwich filled with cannabis leaves, with what are apparently bloodshot and half-opened eyes. This mascot appears in the video clip, smoking what is presumably a joint, with the legend Its the way, bud appearing below it," writes Judge Nicholas McHaffie. One of the issues brought forward was the sale of edibles. Subway's copyright of their logo explicitly states it covers food and they draw a line between the baked goods available by both businesses. "As Subway notes, although 'their ingredients may differ, both parties offer foodstuffs and edible products to their consumers,'" McHaffie writes. Another issue they brought forward was the "harm to [Subway's] goodwill." "...the respondents (Budway) appear to be operating a cannabis dispensary without a provincial license to do so, and from a location that [Subway's lawyer] fairly describes as having a 'somewhat downmarket exterior appearance,'" McHaffie writes. The province does not list Budway as a licensed cannabis retail outlet on its website. In his ruling, McHaffie noted the copyright claim passed muster, which relies on judging whether a casual consumer in a rush could consider the two businesses linked. He also noted its similarity to another case he ruled on between Toys R Us, the toy store, and Herbs R Us, which also sold cannabis products. In that case Toys R Us won, and McHaffie's judgment this time also favoured the company making the claim. He ordered Budway, and owner William Matovu, to stop using the logo and destroy any products with that logo on it. Subway is also owed $15,000 in damages and $25,000 in court costs. Re: We need more information The evidence has been gathered for years. It would take time for you to have to explore all the various peer reviewed articles and statements given by Indian Residential Schools that had survived to be able to tell their stories, as horrific as they are. The evidence is there. Here is an account given from the time of when these schools were open (I would rather they be called concentration encampments) from a Dr. Peter Bryce (1953 - 1932) who was a Residential School Whistleblower In September of 2019, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) reached a landmark decision when it found that 40,000 to 80,000 First Nations children were deprived of public services and wrongfully removed from their families between 2006 and 2017. Accordingly, the CHRT found that the federal governments willful and reckless discrimination meant that Canada must pay $40,000 to each victim of its discriminatory conduct. Alanis Obomsawins National Film Board documentary titled We Cant Make the Same Mistake Twice (2016) chronicled in detail the long legal battle that prefigured the 2019 Tribunal decision. Although debates about whether First Nations children ought to have equitable public services should never have been necessary in the first place, the CHRT ruling should have been the end of it; however, in early October, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his decision to appeal the CHRT finding. To try and make sense of this disturbing development, we found ourselves beckoning back to the story of Dr. Peter Hendersen Bryce. Peter Hendersen Bryce became the first Chief Medical Officer of the Department of the Interior in 1904. This was 20 years after Sir John A. MacDonald made First Nations children official wards of the state with an 1884 amendment to the Indian Act that mandated residential and day school attendance as compulsory for Indian children who had attained the age of seven years. Bryce was therefore responsible for the health of Indigenous children in the schools. Upon taking the job, Bryce began (in his words) the systematic collection of health statistics of the several hundred Indian bands scattered over Canada. In 1907, Bryce released a report drawing attention to the fact that, according to his surveys, roughly one-quarter of all Indigenous children attending residential schools had died from tuberculosis: of a total of 1537 pupils reported upon nearly 25 per cent are dead, of one school with an absolutely accurate statement, 69 per cent of ex-pupils are dead, and that everywhere the almost invariable cause of death given is tuberculosis. Bryces report named poor ventilation and poor standards of care from school officials as the primary cause of deaths as opposed to the racial susceptibility hypothesis rather popular at the time. Put simply, Bryce exposed the genocidal practices of government-sanctioned residential schools, where healthy Indigenous children were purposefully exposed to children infected with TB, spreading the disease through the school population. Importantly, it was not only the Canadian government but the broader population that learned of Bryces report; for example, on Nov. 15, 1907, The Evening Citizen (an earlier edition of the The Ottawa Citizen) ran a front-page story with the headline Schools Aid White Plague Startling Death Rolls Revealed Among Indians Absolute Inattention to the Bare Necessities of Health. Bryce then called for a major overhaul in the system of residential schooling, demanding that each student be considered a potential tuberculosis case and be treated accordingly. Importantly, Bryce noted that the health care funding granted to citizens in Ottawa alone was about three times higher than that allocated to First Nations people in all of Canada. However, when Duncan Campbell Scott became Deputy Superintendent General of Indian Affairs in 1913, he informed Bryce that his annual medical reports on tuberculosis in residential schools were no longer necessary given that the information was costly to produce and the department had no intention of acting upon it. Bryces funding for research was thereafter cut and his presentations at academic conferences heavily interfered with by Scott. Not the type to be silenced, Bryce arranged for a publisher (James Hope and Sons Limited) to print a short pamphlet that was sold for 35 cents a copy. It was titled The Story of a National Crime and it detailed the struggles of a medical officer hamstrung by a draconian Duncan Campbell Scott. In the pamphlet, Bryce included passages from departmental letters he had written during his tenure as the Chief Medical Officer. One particularly damning example was as follows: It is now over 9 months since these occurrences and I have not received a single communication with reference to carrying out the suggestions of our report In this particular matter, [D.C. Scott] is counting upon the ignorance and indifference of the public to the fate of the Indians; but with the awakening of the health conscience of the people, we are now seeing on every hand, I feel certain that serious trouble will come out of departmental inertia, and I am not personally disposed to have any blame fall upon me. Thus, although Bryces words do betray a slight self-interest, he lamented the indifference of Canadians to the medical wellness of First Nations children and underscored the extent to which the mass apprehension of Indigenous children was not merely a cultural but a biological genocide. He also risked his professional career to do so. So, there you have it Jacinta Jay, his first hand account called it a Genocide. Nancy Schmidt, Penticton Indian Band Member, and proud of it Re: We need more information We have first hand reports from aboriginals that have outlined what it was like in the residential prisons. The word SCHOOLS should never be used again to describe what these places were. The 1950's and 60's were not the 1800's. These are current from abused children and some passed on to relatives. Like it or not this is news. Like it or not the United Nations has called this genocide Like it or not the christian churches are to blame. An apology from a Pope means nothing to me, and I am sure certainly less to the victims. You mention Pope Benedict in 2009. An apology from him for the deplorable treatment of children in residential schools. That means nothing. Standing up and saying we the Catholic church take responsibility for we have committed crimes of mental, sexual, and physical abuse to children at these schools and will cooperate with government and police forces world wide to bring these people to court to face appropriate charges. Your comment about waiting for the answers before we judge was the most disturbing. How long can a child take physical, sexual, and emotional abuse before they run away in the middle of winter and just freeze to death. They took their own lives because nobody would help. Of course they were killed. Taking away ones culture, locking them away from parents and relatives is the definition of genocide. It isn't as if we are all putting our hands up in disbelief that the Catholic Church was involved in these crimes within their own church and beyond. Ken Warren Photo: The Canadian Press Guatemalan Indigenous women hold crosses marked with the names of loved ones who died in their nation's civil war during a ceremony marking the National Day of Dignity for the Victims of Armed Internal Conflict, in front of the National Palace in Guatemala City, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. Guatemalans annually honor on Feb. 25 the victims of the 36-year civil war that ended in 1996. THECANADIAN PRESS/AP-Moises Castillo A man who the Canadian government alleges was an active participant in a massacre that left more than 150 villagers dead in Guatemala is living in Canada and should be prosecuted here, two civil society groups said Wednesday. Pascal Paradis, the executive director of Lawyers Without Borders Canada, told a virtual news conference that by prosecuting Jorge Vinicio Sosa Orantes under its Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act, Canada would demonstrate its commitment to fighting impunity for war criminals. "Is it something that we want? That Canada be considered by war criminals as a safe haven and they come here for quiet retirement days? That's not what we want," Paradis told reporters. Sosa Orantes was deported from the United States to Canada on Oct. 19, 2020, according to U.S. court records. He had been serving a 10-year sentence in the United States for immigration fraud after he was convicted of lying in a citizenship application about his role in Guatemala's civil war. Paradis said evidence that Sosa Orantes was an active participant in the 1982 massacre in the village of Las Dos Erres has also been presented at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and in Guatemalan courts. The Canadian government has been attempting to strip Sosa Orantes of Canadian citizenship since 2017 on the grounds that he was a member of the military special forces unit that committed the massacre and that he lied about his role when he applied for citizenship here. The military members killed at least 162 civilians, including 67 children. Women were raped. "The members of the special forces group killed their victims by hitting them on the head with a sledgehammer, by hitting their heads on a tree, by shooting them, or by slitting their throats," the federal government alleged in a court filing. It said victims some still alive were thrown in a dry well and that Sosa Orantes fired a gun and threw a grenade into the well. In documents filed in the Federal Court of Canada, Sosa Orantes has said he was not even in the village of Las Dos Erres when the events in question took place. Arvin Afzali, the lawyer representing Sosa Orantes in his immigration case, declined to comment Wednesday. Amessage left at a number with an Alberta area code listed as a contact for Sosa Orantes in U.S. court filings was not returned. Paradis told reporters Wednesday evidence indicates that Sosa Orantes played a leading role in the massacre. "He is in Canada, and the only option the Canadian government is considering is expulsion," he said. The lawyer said the Canadian government needs to explain why it's using allegations of war crimes in the proceedings that seek to deprive Sosa Orantes of his citizenship but has not attempted to prosecute him. "If Canada thinks that Mr. Sosa Orantes is responsible for such crimes .... why is it that the only avenue that we're considering is the immigration proceeding?" he asked. Under Canada's Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act, people in Canada can be prosecuted for crimes committed outside the country. However, only two people have been prosecuted under the law, both for crimes allegedly committed during the Rwandan genocide, said Fannie Lafontaine, the executive director of the Canadian Partnership for International Justice. She said Canada's Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Program is underfunded and is primarily focused on preventing alleged criminals from entering Canada and removing them from the country, rather than prosecuting them. "It's a serious problem," she said. Lafontaine said if Canada doesn't act, it's unlikely Sosa Orantes will face justice for his alleged crimes. In court documents filed by Sosa Orantes in the United States, he maintains that he did not receive a fair trial in that country and that no genocide or crimes against humanity were committed during Guatemala's civil war. A spokesperson for the federal Department of Justice said in an emailed statement it does "not discuss any actions related to allegations of war crimes or crimes against humanity until such actions are made public through the courts." Photo: The Canadian Press It's a "sad reflection" on Canada that an Inuk MP feels she's been racially profiled by security officials on Parliament Hill, Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller said Wednesday. Mumilaaq Qaqqaq, a rookie New Democrat MP from Nunavut, told the House of Commons on Tuesday night that she does not feel safe on the Hill. She said she's been chased down hallways and racially profiled by members of the Parliamentary Protective Service. Commons Speaker Anthony Rota's office said Wednesday that Qaqqaq has never complained about any incidents to the Speaker, who presides over the protective service along with the Speaker of the Senate. The service itself issued a statement saying that it has "extended an invitation to Ms. Qaqqaq to discuss the matter further." "The Parliamentary Protective Service is committed to deliver on its mission of (providing) security effectively while ensuring that all members of the parliamentary community can enjoy a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment," it said. Miller said Qaqqaq is not the first MP of colour to complain, recalling that former Liberal MP Celina Caesar-Chavannes also spoke out about feeling "carded" by Hill security a reference to a controversial police practice that has been denounced for targeting primarily Indigenous and racialized individuals for questioning. "It's a reflection of still who we are as a country," Miller said during a pandemic briefing Wednesday. "It is a sad reflection of where we are. It's unacceptable and it shouldn't be that way but it is." He added: "For someone to feel unsafe in what should be one of the most secure places in the country because of who she is and what her identity is is entirely unacceptable and, in fact, is an attack on her parliamentary privilege." Qaqqaq, first elected in 2019, has decided not to seek re-election. She told the Commons in what was her official farewell speech Tuesday that she feels she doesn't belong in the chamber. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the House of Commons has sat in a hybrid format for most of Qaqqaq's brief time as an MP, with most MPs participating virtually in proceedings from their home ridings. But in the short time she's spent on the Hill, Qaqqaq said security guards have jogged after her down hallways, "nearly put their hands on me and racial profiled me." She said she's learned "as a brown woman, do not move too quickly or suddenly, do not raise your voice, do not make a scene, maintain eye contact and don't hide your hands." Last fall, Qaqqaq took a leave of absence for several months, later explaining she had been suffering from "extreme burnout, depression and anxiety." She took another two-week leave in April, citing continuing "personal health problems." The second leave came on the heels of a Twitter spat with Labrador Liberal MP Yvonne Jones. Qaqqaq charged that Jones "is not an Inuk" and challenged her to "validate her Inuk-ness." She eventually apologized to Jones. Photo: The Canadian Press The ground in front of Parliament Hill's Centre Block is excavated for the building of the new welcome centre, seen during a media tour of Centre Block renovations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on June 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang Federal officials say the massive restoration project of Parliament's Centre Block will cost up to $5 billion and continue at least until 2030. Public Services and Procurement Canada says construction on the traditional seat of the House of Commons is expected to wrap before 2032, with a cost of between $4.5 billion and $5 billion. Officials say MPs, who have been legislating out of West Block since 2019 when work on Centre Block ramped up, won't return to their usual Victorian Gothic digs until testing on chambers and committee rooms is complete post-construction. The government projects the decade-long overhaul will create 70,000 jobs across the country, including the 1,500-plus construction workers expected onsite daily in the coming years. Centre Block, which includes the iconic Peace Tower, is now cloaked in scaffolding and bracketed by a pair of cranes as work continues on what officials describe as "the largest and most complex heritage rehabilitation" in Canadian history. Restoration of the 94-year-old building will include demolition work, abatement of hazardous materials and efforts to modernize the building to 21st-century standards of energy-efficiency, accessibility and security. Photo: Contributed West Vancouver Police evacuated the Caulfeild Safeway store on Thursday afternoon after staff said they'd received word of a possible bomb threat. An evacuation is underway at Caulfeild Village Shopping Centre in West Vancouver after a tip was received about a possible explosive device inside the Safeway grocery store (June 17). Const. Kevin Goodmurphy, spokesman for the West Vancouver Police Department, said police got a call around noon from staff at the grocery store saying they had information that there may be a bomb inside the store. Goodmurphy couldn't say how staff received the information but added police took the threat "extremely seriously." West Vancouver police officers have contained the area and have evacuated everyone from the Safeway, said Goodmurphy. Neighbouring businesses are still open and people are being being allowed to leave the parking area for shopping plaza but are not being allowed in. The RCMP explosives disposal unit and bomb-sniffing dog are on their way to the scene, said Goodmurphy. He said police don't know why someone would make a bomb threat to the Safeway store but added detectives are working behind the scenes to identify the source. Police are asking the public to avoid the area until the situation is deemed safe. A 13-year-old shot his parents while trying to stop his father from choking his mother overnight in St. Louis Academy neighborhood. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription, or activate your access, to continue reading. Argos cement exports to the USA grow by 419% 17 June 2021 For Argos, the Grupo Argos cement company, exports have been a key element in the process towards recuperation after the effects generated by COVID-19 and, in the first five months of the year, the cement company's exports to the USA grew by 419 per cent, from 26,000t to 135,000t. In the particular case of the USA, there has been a rebound in the demand for cement and it is estimated that this industry will grow by 2.2 per cent in 2021. It should be noted that the company has a competitive location in its Cartagena plant, which facilitates the entry of cement volumes at a more favourable cost from the Caribbean Sea. Cementos Argos seeks to close the year with a total of 400,000t of product exported to the USA. In addition, the company is currently looking forward to the commissioning of a project that consists of expanding the productive and ports capacity of its Cartagena plant, which represents an approximate investment of US$40m and the creation of 194 jobs. As a result of this project, the cement company will be able to support the growing demand for this market and other destinations to which it exports, within the framework of the recovery plans of the economies that include the construction sector as a means for development. Published under Huaxin Cement plans US$160m investment in African expansion 17 June 2021 Huaxin Cement plans to spend US$160m to purchase cement factories in Zambia and Malawi to expand its presence in Africa, according to a company statement. Huaxin Hainan Investment wants to buy a 75 per cent stake in Lafarge Zambia from French cement maker Financiere Lafarge, which isa major shareholder in Huaxin through its subsidiary Dutch finance firm Holchin, for US$112.5 m, said the Chinese cement company. It will also make compulsory cash offers to public stakeholders to buy up the remaining 25 per cent equity. Huaxin is also willing to spend US$10m to purchase Pan African Cement from Lafarge Cement Malawi, reports Huaxin Cement Co Ltd. In total, it is prepared to invest US$160m for African expansion. The deal, which is still subject to approval by authorities, would give Wuhan, central Hubei province-based Huaxin an additional output of 1.75Mta of cement a year in the two countries. It can further increase cement production through the limestone resources the two firms own, it added. Lusaka-based Lafarge Zambia operates two cement plants with an output of 1.5Mta, it said. Lafarge Cement Malawi has a cement grinding mill with a capacity of 250,000tpa. Published under Buena Vista, CO (81211) Today Variable clouds with thunderstorms, especially during the afternoon hours. High 74F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Isolated thunderstorms early, becoming clear after midnight. Low around 50F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%. This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact The Chanute Tribune office at 620-431-4100 if you have any questions Chatham, VA (24531) Today Light rain this morning. Then remaining cloudy. High 82F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Slight chance of a shower throughout the evening. Low 59F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. When the names of female reporters in Tennessee who pioneered in the field of journalism arises one individual's name stands out in the Knoxville area. As a writer for the Knoxville Journal, Knox Tenn Today, Metro Pulse, Knoxville Scene, and the Shopper News for 30 years or more, Betty Bean has interviewed and profiled many prominent and non-prominent individuals during those decades. From Cas Walker to Lillian Bean, Knox County Court Clerk, head of the alleged Bean Machine, Betty has also covered all of the important and non-important events in Knoxville. During that time, she has reported on many of the zany and often comical actions of Knoxville grocer, politician, country music show host, and coon dog hunter, the late Cas Walker. Betty was not beyond being critical of Walkers Farm and Home Hour that was on all three Knoxville television channels on the 5:30 to 7 a.m. slot in the 1960s. She described the country music as whiny, nasal, irritating and embarrassing to her when her relatives from other parts of the country came to visit during the summertime. Yet she spoke favorably about Cas efforts to raise money for the charitable Milk Fund he supported over the years before and after he was able to leave a Blount County nursing home after being a resident there for four years in 1990 and return to his Knoxville home after the death of his wife, Ginny. She regularly reported on the positive and negative aspects of Cas and other office holders and their political careers. The famous fight photo between Cas Walker and fellow City Council member Jimmy Cooper that appeared in Life Magazine was revealed to Betty Bean that it was a put up job between the two politicians. Betty also reported on an on-the-air confrontation of Cas television show which resulted in fisticuffs between Cas Walker and Democratic Party activist Mary Tindell that led to felonious assault charges when he allegedly kicked her in the posterior, and she knocked out three of his teeth. However, the Knox County grant jury refused to indict Walker. Her reporter career spans many years including work at the Knoxville Journal until it ceased publication on December 31, 1991. In June 1992 she joined the staff of the Metro Pulse, a magazine that was started in August 1991 that consisted of a pool of University of Tennessee writing students and refugees from Whittle Communications. When she started doing an occasional piece for the Pulse, she was described as the Latin bombshell and Journal investigative firebrand, Betty Bean. This was probably because of her being the widow of the late Joseph P. Sbuttoni, Jr. who died in a car wreck in 1968 in West Germany when Betty and his daughter were also injured. However, her career with the fledgling magazine ended when she allegedly quit on August 1, 1993, to go to work for a community newspaper serving the two areas of Knox County of Halls and Fountain City known as the Halls/Fountain City Shopper-News. She currently writes informative, historical, and political articles weekly for the web paper, Knox Scene at KnoxTNToday.com Just like her relationship with Cas Walker (she was one reporter that he liked), she provides interesting, entertaining, and often controversial articles to the reader ever Thursday. One of her 2021 articles reported that the Knoxville Republican Party dodged a big hairy bullet when it tried and failed in 2020 to secure embattled Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz as its featured speaker for their annual political dinner. Betty Bean, like her and fellow journalists, Nellie Kenyon of the Chattanooga Times and Nashville Tennessean and Drue Smith of both the Chattanooga Times and Chattanooga News Free Press, has always been an informative advocate for freedom of the press and the right of the public to know the news in East Tennessee. * * * Jerry Summers (If you have additional information about one of Mr. Summers' articles or have suggestions or ideas about a future Chattanooga area historical piece, please contact Mr. Summers at jsummers@summersfirm.com) There are growing signs the woke culture is awakening more and more conservatives to its outlandish agenda but now comes a sign from the liberal bastion of journalism the Apocalypse may well be upon us. About two weeks ago the Post printed an extensive report under the headline, The Racist Legacy Many Birds Carry. I kid you not. As one hysterical Twitter user quickly cited, Its almost as through the WaPo editorial team gathered to ask, What is racist today? and someone thumbed through a dictionary to gleefully announce, Its birds! As a barn owl might offer: Is this a hoot or what? Zeek Arkham, a black police officer who hosts a podcast called Reasonable Suspicion, could hardly contain his mirth. A bird pooped on my car the other day I thought it was because I parked under a telephone line, but it was white supremacy the whole time. I am so tired of this oppression! The conservative website, dailywire.com , pounced, since such blatant absurdity is comical at best.Zeek Arkham, a black police officer who hosts a podcast called Reasonable Suspicion, could hardly contain his mirth. A bird pooped on my car the other day I thought it was because I parked under a telephone line, but it was white supremacy the whole time. I am so tired of this oppression! Seth Dillion of the Babylon bee website, wasnt as jovial as much as he was truthful, If you want to know how far weve come in terms of putting racism behind us, just look at how far we have to reach to find it now. Post reporter Daryl Fears claims there is currently a squabble among to Audubon Society that quote -- the names of species connected to enslavers, supremacists and grave robbers. Fears then details a number of birds named after historical figures who owned slaves or used racist terms. In particular, he points out that British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace, who frequently used the n-word, had six different bird species named after him. Among other feathered creatures Fears names as problematic because they bear the names of men who fought for the Southern cause, stole skulls from Indian graves for pseudoscientific studies that were later debunked, and bought and sold black people, are Bachmans sparrow and Wallaces fruit dove. Fears quotes a number of experts to bolster his premise that bird names are a problem worthy of the attention of Post readers. Black ornithologist and Clemson professor J. Drew Lanham told him, Conservation has been driven by white patriarchy. This whole idea of calling something a wilderness after you move people off it or exterminate them and that you get to take ownership. More from the dailywire.com : Asian American ornithologist Olivia Wang shared similar thoughts, saying (The birds names) are a reminder that this field that I work in was primarily developed and shaped by people not like me, who probably would have viewed me as lesser. They are also a reminder of how Western ornithology, and natural exploration in general, was often tied to a colonialist mind-set of conquering and exploiting and claiming ownership of things rather than learning from the humans who were already part of the ecosystem and had been living alongside these birds for lifetimes. Corina Newsome, another black ornithologist, told Fears she has felt traumatized in the past when she wore a work shirt bearing Audubons name. I felt like I was wearing the name of an oppressor, the name of someone who enslaved my ancestors, she said. So sayeth a gaggle of geese, or an exaltation of larks, a head of pheasants, a herd of cranes, curlew or wrens, a kit of pigeons flying together, a murmuration of starlings, a muster of peacocks, a paddling of ducks on the water, a rookery of penguins, a parliament of owls, or anything else that squawks. * * * NOTED: Weve watched with growing concern the Lefts efforts to infiltrate corporate boardrooms and use that power to force their agenda on Americans everywhere, said Justin Danhof, General Counsel, National Center for Public Policy Research, and Director of the Free Enterprise Project. We are drawing a line. Its time to hold corporate America accountable for canceling conservatives. We seek to restore a healthy understanding of, and respect for, liberty, free enterprise, and American culture, all of which is being corrupted by corporate oligarchs. * * * NOTED: Steve Soukup, author of the Dictatorship of Woke Capital, said, Whether under the guise of ESG (environmental, social and governance), wokeness or stakeholder capitalism, make no mistake, all these terms are just cover for liberals weaponizing big business to achieve their radical, political goals. * * * NOTED: Andrew Guttmann, a New York City parent who has been speaking out against schools' push for critical race theory, said on Fox News' "America's Newsroom" on Wednesday that the cancel culture curriculum "is going to destroy our country" if it's not reversed. In a new piece for The Hill, he argued that the campaign for wokeness will only hurt the progressives spearheading it. "There appears to be widespread belief that opposition to critical race theory is a view held solely by the political right," he wrote. "This perception is wrong. It is certainly true that the conservative media has almost exclusively embraced viewpoints unfavorable to critical race theory while the liberal-oriented media has been overwhelmingly approving. But our polarized media does not seem to accurately reflect the view of most Americans." * * * NOTED: Can you make a good comedy movie anymore, or have they made it so dangerous in terms of being canceled, that comedy movies are no longer something you can do? comedian Joe Rogan asked. You can never be woke enough, thats the problem, he proclaimed. It keeps going. It keeps going further and further and further down the line, and if you get to the point where you capitulate, where you agree to all these demands, itll eventually get to - straight white men are not allowed to talk. Because its your privilege to express yourself when other people of color have been silenced throughout history. * * * NOTED: A team from NBC News claims that the fight over critical race theory in schools is not due to grassroots action by parents, but is being fueled by conservative special interest groups and dark money. That parents have formed networks, obtained support, and are working together to try to fight racist indoctrination in schools is an issue, apparently. For NBC News, these parents wouldn't have a leg to stand on if it weren't for the corporate influence of "seasoned GOP activists" who seek to do battle with school boards. They slammed those who are working hard to make sure kids aren't taught to hate themselves and their country. The tone is one of simple surprise, "how could anyone be against antiracism?" This fabricated stupor is the common refrain from those seeking to uphold this divisive ideology. Authors Brandy Zadrozny, Tyler Kingkade, and Ben Collins cite 165 parents groups that have grown over the past year to take on everything from remote school, to masking restrictions, to critical race and gender theory, and they seem to think parental involvement and various levels of support is a bad thing. What's really happening here is that the forms of grassroots civic action that have bolstered leftist causes for years upon years are now being taken up by conservatives, and the left doesn't like it one bit. In fact, they seek to discredit this work, saying that it's being fueled by dark monied interests, and not being pushed forward by concerned parents furious over the decline of American education and fearful for their kids. As unpopular as I know this opinion will be, here it is for what it's worth. For anyone interested in the minutiae of law enforcement the preferred response in policy of both CPD and the Sheriff's Office is to call the parents of juveniles unless the infraction is severe, like felony severe. Put yourself in the officer's shoes and decide, based on what you have been told by radio, witnesses etc., who is posing the greater threat. Speeding juveniles or a person brandishing a weapon and chasing after another vehicle? Almost crashing into my car is not a crash, is subjective and was not witnessed by the officer. If there was damage to Mr. James' car then that would have to be taken into consideration. No damage was noted in the arrest report. What a reasonable person might infer is that if the females were speeding then it would also be probable that Mr. James was speeding to keep up with them. Especially since the females claimed to have seen Mr. James brandish a weapon. While the crash into the residence is regrettable it may also be understandable how someone could crash if they thought they were being chased by a person wielding a pistol. If it were me I would want to know how close behind me they were, if they were going to overtake me and possibly force me off the road or if I had gotten away from them. What could be argued is the officer should have gotten a warrant to search the car if consent was not given by Mr. James, but it could also be argued that exigent circumstances existed and there was a fear that evidence could be tampered with or destroyed if an immediate search was not conducted. A weapon, a pistol that could be held in one hand, was discovered. So as a reasonable person, what would your common sense be telling you? There is one other principle in law that may or may not apply. The rule of inevitable discovery. Which basically means that given a little more time and investigation the weapon would have been legally discovered without consent or a warrant. Maybe Mr. Warren would like to shine some illumination upon this. If I had been the judge that read the affidavit I would have signed the arrest warrant for two aggravated assaults. Then let the preliminary court appearance or the grand jury decide if it needed to go farther or be thrown out. Too bad the officer chose to resign, but look at what was going on last May and his decision is understandable. This is a sad, divided country. And it is true that abuses by law enforcement have happened and sometimes still do. What is just as troubling is if a white person makes a complaint or allegation against a person of color they subject themselves to being called a racist and ridiculed or worse. The real problem with cops, robbers and a lot of others is the desire to work the system to their advantage for all that can be had. You see it with black and white cops, white and black crooks and numerous people in between. Police procedure comes from basically three things. Mere suspicion, which is the gut feeling from training or experience that something is not quite right with a given situation, that allows the officer to observe a person for further clues either from a distance or as an example walking down the street and saying hi to a citizen. If the citizen ignores you then there is nothing the officer can do. Sure an officer can keep a person in sight just like anybody going about their business, but the officer can't make them talk and unless something more substantial is observed he is wasting his time. Reasonable suspicion, this is where an officer can see and articulate something tangible. A person with a visible wound standing next to a broken window, a burglar alarm and a person walking hastily away. The officer then can approach and detain until it is discovered if the facts he observes can be explained away as coincidence or if he has enough information for the third, probable cause. Probable cause is facts that would lead a reasonable person (me and you, John Q. Public) to believe that a crime has been or is about to be committed. That's pretty much it in a nutshell. Speaking of being worried about the future, as we as a country continue with this trend, on this path of distrust, selfishness and the desire to get all we can regardless of who we hurt, where will this lead when we no longer trust the police at all, or our elected officials? I can tell you from a law enforcement perspective that when local law enforcement is unable to function for whatever reason the Justice Department of the United States comes in, takes over and runs the city in question however they want to. Tanks on the streets, helicopter gunships in the sky, all of it is possible when chaos reigns. Now some people already think it would be a good idea to federalize all law enforcement, every cop a fed and every law a federal statute. My question to those folks is when the feds have all the power and rule by decree and fear like some are accusing local law enforcement of, who will we turn to for help then? Say a prayer for us tonight and also try to understand why some of us nuts still believe in an unfettered 2nd amendment and more importantly the whole Constitution of the United States. Mathew Hopkins Republican Greg Vital and Democrat DeAngelo Jelks are the only contenders for the House District 29 seat. The qualifying deadline was today (Thursday) at noon. The seat was previously held by Mike Carter, who recently died from pancreatic cancer. The County Commission named his widow, Joan Carter, to serve in the interim. However, she did not choose to seek a full term. Since there are only one candidate from each party there will not be early voting. The special election for House District 29 with be on July 27. Election day on July 27 will be the only opportunity other than absentee/military/nursing home for voters to cast their ballots until the General Election this fall. Hamilton County Republican Party Chairman Arch Trimble IV said, As this transition in our county history takes place, I want to congratulate Greg Vital becoming the Republican nominee for the District 29 State House seat. I know he will work tirelessly every day to represent the values of District 29. I am emboldened by the support of the other two fine men that picked up papers. They understand what we are here to do. Unity and teamwork is our message. I look forward to seeing Mr. Samples, who is a great Chattanooga attorney, and activist Dr. Roy Dale Cope joining our partys efforts to elect a Republican and protect common sense conservative leadership in Hamilton County for years to come. Mr. Vital said, Im humbled by the opportunity to serve Tennesseans in House District 29. As the only conservative on the ballot, I will fight every day to carry Mike Carters torch of good government, strong leadership and protecting our Tennessee conservative principles. After living in Hamilton County for over 50 years, I know whats important to our community - standing for life, defending the Constitution, taking on Big Government, supporting our businesses and protecting our conservative values. I am grateful for the support I have received across District 29, and I look forward to earning your vote. The Chattanooga Historic Zoning Commission, after hours of discussion on Thursday, approved one new home on a steep hillside in St. Elmo, but rejected a similar one that was to have gone in beside it. Watchtower Investments initially wanted three identical large new homes clustered together between Tennessee Avenue and Seneca Avenue near Forest Hill Cemetery. The Community Association of Historic St. Elmo held a meeting with the developer on June 7 that drew the largest crowd in the group's history. The vice president of the association said afterward that 89 voted against the project and four were in favor. Jason Craven, project manager, said the group had made some concessions since the original presentation of the three homes. One was to have separate requests for homes on two parcels. The third parcel owned by Watchtower was not mentioned. He said some large trees on the property would be retained, and he pointed to other large new homes built recently in steep areas of St. Elmo as precedent. He also said several attached garages could be found in the historic community. Several residents said some trees would be lost to the construction and others would eventually die. One said, "If this house fits in with the neighborhood, why are they trying so hard to hide it?" Access to the project would be by the extension of a street above that has long been platted, but never built out. The board voted to approve a home at 4182 Tennessee Ave. on the motion of Matt McDonald, a realtor who serves on the board as a representative of the general public. Noting that several board members had objected to an attached story and a half garage at the rear, his motion was contingent on the garage being only one story. Only one board member voted against the approval. The panel then considered a new home at 4186 Tennessee Ave. It remained very similar to the first one, but now included an upper story balcony reached by two French doors. One resident said with the tall garage sticking up at the top it appeared to be four stories tall. Architect Thomas Palmer, a Planning Commission representative, said it was "too much house and it is too close to the next one." His motion to deny was backed by all members except Mr. McDonald. One St. Elmo resident spoke in favor of the project, saying more housing stock is needed in St. Elmo. He said his sister wanted to move there and he made a bid 25 percent higher than the asking price on a 1,200-square-foot home and still did not get it. He said he welcomed "a boutique builder as long as it is not a Green Tech type blow and go." Other residents expressed concern about the "mass" of the three homes being out of character for historic St. Elmo as well as worries about water runoff. Denise Shaw, a St. Elmo resident and architect, said, "There is no place for the water to go but down." She also said, "They want to build the biggest houses possible so they can sell it for the biggest price possible. Meanwhile, quality smaller homes in St. Elmo are flying off the shelf." One resident in favor of the project said the three parcels were platted in 1916 by Edward Betts, who felt over a century ago that they were not of inappropriate size for new St. Elmo homes. At one point, Mr. McDonald referred to the "mob-like" atmosphere surrounding the controversy. Several of the St. Elmo residents took offense and he later apologized. Margaret Davis, who lives further up the hill, said with good humor, "I can't wait to tell my children and grandchildren that I was part of a mob." Mr. McDonald's full quote was, "I'd like to start out by apologizing for poor choice of words with you guys, and I'm sorry that I made any of you feel like you were some unruly mob. That really wasn't my intent. My intent was just to make the point that there's been many times in recorded history when the loudest of courses were not necessarily advocating for the best courses of action. In this case, specifically, height is the primary issue. There's many other points that have been made outside of our purview, and are not covered by the guidelines as they relate to new construction. This is a very similar case to the prior case that we just saw. I feel the same way that the second-story garage is not necessarily in keeping with the guidelines because it brings the scale to a point that's just out of scale. I also have a question about the porch and the windows and doors that lead to the porch." At the start of the meeting, Chairman Steve Lewin recused himself because of his connection with the project. He is one of two St. Elmo residents on the commission. Coco Chanel has influenced celebrity style for decades. The house of Chanel has dressed some of the biggest stars, who flock to the red carpet looks despite the price tag, or maybe because of it. Jessica Biel wore a $100,000 Chanel gown to the Oscars in 2014. The question is, would the star have worn the dress had she known the dark history behind the founder of the house of Chanel, Coco Chanel herself. The icon died in the 70s, and her brand eventually fell into the hands of Karl Lagerfeld, who built on its reputation for high fashion. But before Lagerfeld, before Biels six-figure dress, and before Chanel the design, there was Coco Chanel the woman, and her unsavory history. Coco Chanel | Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images Coco Chanel was a Nazi spy In Chanels case, theres no hiding from the truth. Although the designer is French, she was sympathetic to the Nazi regime. According to Biography, she even worked for them as a spy. Chanel was already a fashion maven by the time World War II broke out. In fact, despite being sent to an orphanage at the age of 12, Chanels clothing was making a splash around the time World War I devastated Europe. Before World War II, Chanel was a big enough name that she knew Winston Churchill and Pablo Picasso personally. But as Chanels star rose, things looked grim for her home country of France and Europe in general. Hitlers German forces were invading surrounding countries, and France was on his list. When Paris fell to Hitlers Nazi army, Chanel didnt join the resistance. Instead, she joined the Nazis and became a spy. Coco Chanel was romantic with a German officer The disturbing truth is that Chanels closeness with the German army probably came from a place of greed, at least at first. When the Germans invaded Paris, Chanel quickly found a German officer and started a personal relationship. Baron Hans Gunther von Dincklage seemed to be a stepping stone for Chanel, a way for her to cope with the new regime, and maintain her hard-won social status. Chanel also used her relationship with Dincklage to negotiate the liberation of her nephew, who the Germans imprisoned. All in all, Chanels relationship with Dincklage was advantageous and maybe a survival tactic for the designer. No one could blame her, or anyone else, for doing what they needed to do to survive in wartime. But Chanel also profited from Hitlers genocide of the Jewish people and even took her role in Hitlers regime a step further by becoming a spy for the German army. Many of Coco Chanels fans want to believe she was a passive participant in the Nazi regime The truth is, Chanel did not just use her ties to the Nazi army for survival. She attempted to leverage Hitlers new laws prohibiting Jewish people from owning businesses to make more money off her perfume line. Although she did some work for the Nazi army to secure freedom for her nephew, it seems like she went above and beyond what was required of her and continued to serve as a spy after her nephew was freed. Chanel was given a mission in 1944 to deliver a message to her friend Winston Churchill. She organized the release of another friend close to Churchill, Vera Lombardi. However, upon learning that Chanel and her associates were German spies, Lombardi blew up the mission and chose to return to Italian prison rather than support the Nazi party. The war ended soon after, and Chanel was left to explain her actions to various French courts. The justice system never punished Chanel for her participation in the Nazi regime, but she could never erase the truth about her participation in a genocidal regime. RELATED: These Are the Models Karl Lagerfeld Worked with the Most Plenty of celebrities have portrayed medical personnel at some point in their careers. Not many have done it better than actor Hugh Laurie. For years, he played Gregory House, the doctor everyone loved to hate. The cocky yet brilliant physician appeared on the Fox television series House for eight seasons from 2004 to 2012. The narcissistic fictional doctor had a self-destructive personality that provoked him to perform medical experiments on himself in the name of science. Highly educated, Dr. House was part of the pre-med program at Johns Hopkins University, where he attained a perfect score on his MCAT. After being accused of academic misconduct, he was denied a prestigious internship and wound up finishing his medical training at the University of Michigan. Of course, this is all fabricated and just a part of the intricate storyline developed by writers to explain the characters personality traits. In real life, the acclaimed actor studied at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom. Suffice it to say, Laurie did not study medicine or performing arts, for that matter. Hugh Laurie attended Cambridge University #OnThisDay1959: Hugh Laurie was born. In 1996, he appeared on Smillies People and spoke about working with Stephen Fry. pic.twitter.com/vn5uGWZdFN BBC Archive (@BBCArchive) June 11, 2020 The 62-year-old actor attended Cambridge in 1978, where he was part of the rowing team. An avid athlete, Laurie trained daily for a chance at making the Olympic team but was disqualified after coming down with mononucleosis. While at school, Laurie met fellow Thespian Emma Thompson. She introduced him to Stephen Fry, who later became his comedic sidekick. They were all part of the famous amateur theatrical club, The Cambridge Footlights. In 1981, Lauries group won the Perrier Award at the Edinburgh Fringe, creating the dynamic duo of Fry and Laurie. Famous British actors such as Sir Ian McKellen, David Attenborough, and John Cleese also graced the hallowed halls of the esteemed university. The world-renowned student comedy troupe first aired the talents of some of the foremost British comedians and actors. What did he study in college? Hugh Laurie | Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic Laurie, although interested in performing, was not a theater major. According to Best Life, the House actor studied anthropology and archaeology while at Cambridge. Cambridgeshire Live reported Laurie specialized in social anthropology, graduating with third-class honors. They claim he was following in his fathers footsteps by becoming part of the rowing team. Lauries father won an Olympic gold medal for rowing in 1948. His father was also a physician for more than three decades. The Golden Globe winner once told BBC America that not pursuing a career in medicine is still a source of great guilt. He admitted, I would have liked to have become a doctor myself, and I still have doctor fantasies. The Veep actor explained, My father had high hopes for me following him into medicine. I wanted to and was going to choose the right subjects at school, but in the end, I copped out. He said, Medicine is awfully hard work, and you have to be rather clever to pass the exams. Laurie never made it to medical school In an interview with The Associated Press, Laurie revealed, I would have to say that House is one of the most thrilling things Ive ever done. I never felt, and I certainly dont think the writers ever felt, that theyd run out of things to do with that character. Well, until the point when they did, and when they did, they stopped. I did that for longer than it would have taken me to actually become a real doctor, which is rather galling to contemplate. The Holmes & Watson actor most recently appeared in the 2020 four-part PBS Masterpiece miniseries, Roadkill. The political thriller focuses on the private and very public life of Peter Laurence, played by Laurie. The character is described by Brights Hub as a man who never falters, never looks back, a shark who doesnt stop swimming past the corpses of those he has bitten lest he drown. It sounds like House and Laurence have a lot in common. Entertaining Movie was quick to note, There arent many actors who can pull off the charming asshole quite like Laurie can. RELATED: House, M.D. Fan Theory: House Didnt Actually Survive the Series Finale NCIS: Hawaii is finishing up pre-production on the island of Oahu and has started to film. But, only after a traditional Hawaiian blessing took place. The first filming locations have been revealed, plus director Larry Teng has been open about understanding his responsibility to the Hawaiian community. Here is everything we know about the NCIS: Hawaii pilot so far. NCIS: Hawaii lead Vanessa Lachey | Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic Vanessa Lachey will star as Jane Tennant on NCIS: Hawaii NCIS: Hawaii will feature new faces in the franchise, with Vanessa Lachey leading the team as Special Agent In Charge Jane Tennant. According to Lachey, shes not taking lightly the fact that shes the first female lead in the NCIS franchise. She says shes excited to bring a different layer to the role. And, she hopes to inspire the next generation of young girls and women. My character Jane Tennant is Special Agent in Charge of NCIS. Shes the mother of a 15-year-old boy and a 9-year-old girl. And, that is real life. Juggling life, and love, and work, Lachey said in a first-look trailer. The spinoff will have all kinds of inclusion In addition to Lachey, producers have cast other series regulars. They include Yasmine Al-Bustami as junior NCIS team member Lucy, Jason Antoon as Cyber Intelligent Specialist and Hawaii Expert Ernie, Noah Mills as Jesse, a former homicide detective who is Tennants confidante, Tori Anderson as Agent Kate Whistler, and Kian Talan as Janes son Alex. When it comes to the extras, Hawaii casting directors stayed local in the Hawaiian Islands. Shayne Hartigan of Alessi Hartigan Casting told Hawaii News Now that the spinoff will have all kinds of inclusion. Im so excited. We really want to get all, all kinds of inclusion in on this project, so of course, you know, the military, the HPD presence, but also the local community and shop owners and restaurateurs and anybody possible, Hartigan said. NCIS: Hawaii began filming after a special Hawaiian blessing The local Hawaiian culture will be a big part of NCIS: Hawaii, but not just on screen. According to a tweet from Reel News Hawaii, they didnt begin filming the new series until after production receives a traditional Hawaiian blessing. With pre-production wrapping up on NCIS: Hawaii, sources say filming will get started this week following a traditional Hawaiian blessing on Wednesday at a location on Oahus North Shore. Teng has been back on island for a while getting ready.https://t.co/zP6gUdAGx4 Reel News Hawaii (@reelnewshawaii) June 13, 2021 RELATED: Will Mark Harmons Agent Gibbs Appear on NCIS: Hawaii? With pre-production wrapping up on NCIS: Hawaii, sources say filming will get started this week following a traditional Hawaiian blessing on Wednesday at a location on Oahus North Shore. Teng has been back on the island for a while getting ready, the tweet read. Filming locations have been marked The first filming location for NCIS: Hawaii has been revealed thanks to parking signs near Camp Erdman. In a second tweet, Reel News Hawaii posted pics of the location in Mokuleia on the island of Oahu. The No Parking signs revealed that the first scenes of the new spinoff began filming on June 14. They stayed in that location until June 17. NCIS: Hawaii has a production base on the island of Oahu thanks to the 10-year run of Hawaii: Five-0. Larry Teng will direct the NCIS: Hawaii pilot Director Larry Teng has an overall deal with CBS and has worked in the past on NCIS: Los Angeles and Hawaii: Five-0. He will be in the directors chair for the NCIS: Hawaii pilot. And he says he feels a responsibility to make sure the people in the local community are properly represented. Now that Im back (in Hawaii), I feel like I have a responsibility to make sure that the community here, the people, the crew, that theyre all represented properly, you know? Teng told Daily Hawaii. Want to be a part of #NCISHawaii?https://t.co/cKwTHRtJOW Perry Miller (@perrymillercarp) June 13, 2021 (Hawaii) just did 10 years of a cop show with two white leads here. Youre going into your fourth year of Magnum with a Latino lead. And now were coming in, weve got two Asian leads. I think its important that the crew can work on something that they kind of get behind. NCIS: Hawaii will air on Monday nights this fall on CBS. The Walking Dead premiered more than a decade ago and continues to wow audiences to this day. The show is excellent for many reasons, such as the detailed storylines and vivid imagery of the zombies in the post-apocalyptic period. However, the friendship and chemistry between the cast members look like they could last longer than the shows entirety. Although The Walking Dead shows the gruesome aftermath of a zombie epidemic, the cast tries to bring some light into the otherwise dark script. Some cast members dished about their fellow actors on set, and some stars mentioned that one of their castmates reportedly had a gas problem. Find out who it is. (L-R) Producer Gregory Nicotero, Andrew Lincoln, Sarah Wayne Callies, Jon Bernthal, Laurie Holden, Scott Wilson, Steven Yeun, writer Robert Kirkman, Lauren Cohan, writer Glen Mazzara, and producer Gale Anne Hurd | Jesse Grant/Getty Images Gas that could wake the dead Scott Wilsons castmates have always spoken praises of the actor. However, in a 2014 interview, the cast members were asked to share some secrets they thought other castmates didnt want the world to know. Actor Steven Yuen confessed that Wilson had a gas problem. Fellow actor Danai Gurira echoed the same, mentioning that Wilson had the biggest belch on Earth. She added, it did wake the dead. Wilson wasnt the only TWD cast member who had a problem. Lauren Cohen revealed that the shows executive producer Greg Nicotero had a sleep-walking problem. However, she admitted that he was a great gourmet chef, even when sleep-walking. Who was Scott Wilson, and who did he play on TWD Wilson debuted on-screen, playing the same characters in his three first films. In all the movies, he played a man suspected of murder. The films were In The Heat of The Night and In Cold Blood, directed by Richard Brooks, where he channeled the real-life murderer Richard Hickock. Wilson said that Brooks cast him and co-star, Robert Blake because they were unknown at the time. The film did well and earned Wilson a spot on Life magazine. In 1974 Wilson appeared in The Great Gatsby and followed that up with The Ninth Configuration, for which he got a Golden Globe nomination in 1980. In 1995 the talented actor landed a role in Dead Man Walking playing a prison chaplain alongside Sean Penn and Susan Sarandon. Wilson also appeared in various films such as The Gypsy Moths, The Rise of Leslie Vernon, Behind The Mask, The Grass Harp, Junebug, and The Host. He also had a recurring role in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation playing Sam Braun. In June 2011, Wilson appeared in The Walking Dead playing Hershel Greene, a veterinarian. His portrayal of the character earned him positive reviews and critical acclaim. Wilson left The Walking Dead in 2013 following his characters death. However, he returned in a guest role for two episodes afterward. His last TWD appearance was in the fifth episode of the ninth episode. Wilson died on October 6, 2018, after a battle with leukemia. He was 76. The Walking Dead has a quirky cast The shows cast members also revealed that Norman Reedus had a habit of licking people. Reedus former co-star Andrew Lincoln elaborated on the stars penchant for licking people. He said, you go to the red carpet with Norman, and thats it. Youve got the bird or the lick. I think it begins with the bird, and then if you grow in confidence or if you really offend him, he will lick you. Hes a licker, not a fighter. If you thought licking was the most obnoxious thing Reedus does to his co-stars, Lincoln explained that Reedus liked wiping his dirt on people. He said that if Reedus saw anyone wearing a white shirt, he would approach them and wipe his face on the cloth. RELATED: The Walking Dead: Why Norman Reedus Didnt Want Daryl Dixon to Find Love Steven Burger is taken to court for sentencing on Feb. 6, 1990, in connection with the Morning Stalker rapes and robberies in Tulsa. Burger, who became a citizen of the Cherokee Nation after the crimes occurred, is serving seven life sentences after he pleaded guilty to three rapes and four robberies in 1989 in Tulsa County. Tribal Councilor Mike Shambaugh, right, stands as fellow Councilor Canaan Duncan gives the invocation for the June 14 Community Services Committee meeting in Tahlequah. Shambaugh chairs the committee. Nearly 80 million men, women and children are displaced in the world due to war, famine, and other disasters. Unfortunately, according to the International Association for Refugees (IAFR), Returning home is not an option for the vast majority of refugees. Only one percent of them are able resettle every year, leaving most at the mercy of other countries. World Refugee Day 2021 is this Sunday, June 20. Weve featured dozens of pieces of content on the Better Samaritan from refugees currently living in camps, refugees who have resettled in the U.S. and have insight into the experience, and people serving or learning about refugees. Here are just a few. TOLOSSA ASRAT, KAKUMA REFUGEE CAMP KENYA Kakuma Refugees Are Getting Vaccinated, But the Global Rollout is a Fiasco Exclusively for the Better Samaritan, KANERE Refugee News Service in Kakuma Refugee Camp covers the vaccine rollout in that location. Kenya is one of the few countries in the world to start vaccinating refugees, and UNHCR High Commissioner has called out wealthy countries for their my country first approach. MALAK, 12 YEARS OLD, AZRAQ REFUGEE CAMP - JORDAN Im 12, I Live in a Refugee Camp, And Karate Is Everything to Me Childhood looks different when youre raised in a refugee camp. Malak is a 12-year-old who fell in love with the sport of Karate, a form of self-defense that built her confidence and strength in community. Malak sees Karate as a way to empower girls to see themselves as strong and capable. Click here to read more. AMER AND RICHARD, KAKUMA REFUGEE CAMP - KENYA Refugee Camps Arent Always a Safe Haven Two refugees, using pseudonyms, shared via WhatsApp about safety issues in refugee camps. Kakuma and a nearby settlement called Kalobeyei together host 200,000 people, making them tent cities that have lasted nearly 30 years. JEAN PIERRE GATERA Dont Underestimate Refugees in 2021. They May Be Just the Energy Your Church Needs Jean Pierre Gatera pastored refugees in Kakuma, where he lived for 20 years, and now mentors refugee pastors in the U.S. so he has insights into the movement of the Holy Spirit on both side of this equation. He is asked to speak frequently about intercultural communication, and sat down with the Better Samaritan podcast this spring to talk about best practices churches can use for welcoming new refugees into the community. CHONG BEE VANG Im a Refugee. Heres Why I Started Hating the Volunteers That Helped Us. If you want to be an agent of change, you have to start with listening. In this Q&A with Chong Bee Vang, a former refugee from the jungles of Laos, the Better Samaritan explores topics such as resettlement, empowerment, and why all ministry has to start with relationships. DENNIS KILAMA Drawing Strength From Our Scars Dennis Kilama currently pastors Lugogo Baptist Church and teaches at Africa Renewal University, both located in Kampala, Uganda. He holds degrees from Africa International University, Nairobi Evangelical School of Theology and Makerere University, and a M.A. in Humanitarian Disaster Leadership from Wheaton College. Click here to read about his experience serving in Joseph Konys Lords Resistance Army, the trauma he endured, and the ways in which it has shaped his vocation and career since. JAMIE ATEN & KENT ANNAN What Kenyas Ultimatum to Close Refugee Camps Reveals About the Global Refugee Crisis and Us Refugees have long been treated as human bargaining chips instead of people created in the image of God. And in the Kakuma and Dadaab camps in Kenya, refugees face a growing threat--the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) threatens to close the camps to ward off growing waves of displaced peoples. Click here to read the perspective of Humanitarian & Disaster Institute Co-Founders Jamie Aten and Kent Annan on how Christians and churches need to prayerfully do more to welcome refugees, humbly learning from communities of displaced peoples and advocating for fair governmental responses. TOM ALBINSON Here's Why Refugee Ministry Is Not Missions as Usual When ministering to some of the most vulnerable people in the world, special care must be taken. Tom Albinson, Founder and President the International Association for Refugees (IAFR), has been mobilizing the church to seek the welfare of forcibly displaced people by meeting them on their journey, generating hope and helping them rebuild their lives. To read four tips for life-giving engagement with refugees, read here. DANIELLE KETTUNEN The Simple Reason Colombia Welcomed 1.7 Million Venezuelans In June of 2019, Daniella flew to Colombia to respond to the sudden and massive influx of Venezuelan refugees fleeing political and economic crisis. In this article, she reflects on her experience at the Simon Bolivar International Bridge and the generosity of Colombian communities to welcome their Venezuela neighbors. Daniella has been working with Compassion International for nearly 10 years and just graduated with her M.A. in Humanitarian and Disaster Leadership from Wheaton College. MARYRUTH DAVIS How Somali Communities Are Combating COVID-19 in the US and Abroad MaryRuth Davis unpacks Somali perspectives on faith, community, and resilience in response to COVID-19. Citing research conducted by the American Psychological Association, she highlights the compounding layers of vulnerability that communities of varying socioeconomic standing face when responding to the pandemic. Click here to read Davis analysis of how Somali refugee communities address local challenges, maintain global ties, and respond to the pandemic. Subscribe to email digests from the Better Samaritan. Do you have experience as a refugee or ministering to refugee populations and want to contribute writing to the Better Samaritan? Email us. For Christians, the rule should be something like this: Protect other peoples religious liberty as you would like your religious liberty to be protected. Many believers will celebrate today because the Supreme Court ruled in Fulton v. Philadelphia that Catholic Social Services in Philadelphia should be able to continue operating according to its religious principles without getting its contract canceled by the city. That will be hailed as a victory, and it should. But the freedom of those at a Catholic foster care agency to do their work as committed Catholics wouldnt have been so precarious if not for a Supreme Court decision from more than 30 years agoone that upended the status quo of religious freedom law in the United States. There is lots of data that shows that Christians are becoming more marginal in the US. In the years ahead, it will be important to defend religious liberty legally. But strategicallyand more importantly, morallywe need to do that by defending religious liberty for everyone. Thats not what happened in Employment Division v. Smith, the critical 1990 ruling that set the precedent leading to challenges for Catholic Social Services in Philadelphia. In Smith, the Supreme Court made it much easier for the government to justify actions burdening religious free exercise. Officials were not obligated to accommodate religious practice. In fact, they could make it impossible for minority groups to be faithful to their beliefs and call it just and fair. To understand this, lets go back to 1963. A Seventh-day Adventist named Adell Sherbert was denied unemployment benefits after refusing to accept job offers that would have required her to work Saturday, her traditions required day of rest. The Supreme ruled that she should get benefits, and not getting them was an infringement of her religious rights. The court explained that the government would not always be able to accommodate every minority belief, but it shouldnt be allowed to make it harder for someone to practice their faith unless there was a really good reason. The key phrase here was compelling interest. Further, the court said that the government had to find the least restrictive means to accomplish the legitimate goal. That means government must have to try, at least, to accommodate religious practices. The starting place, so to speak, would be to see if you could make it work. Nearly 30 years later, the court heard another case involving a member of a religious minority who was denied unemployment. This time, it was a member of the Native American Church named Al Smith, who was fired following a positive test for peyote, a hallucinogenic drug central to his churchs religious practice. According to one attorney I spoke with years ago, advocates for religious liberty were confident the court would use Sherberts compelling interest framework and rule for Smith; there was little activity among Christians defending his legal claim. But its also possible that Christians werent especially interested in rushing to the defense of drug use, or allying with religious practices situated well outside the cultural mainstream. And then the decision was announced: Antonin Scalia, a stalwart, Reagan-appointed conservative, wrote an opinion shredding the courts precedent in Sherbert. He declared that so long as a law is neutral and generally applicable, states are not required to grant exemptions for religious convictions. That kind of assumption of accommodation, Scalia memorably wrote, would permit a man to become a law unto himself. He said that, To adopt a true compelling interest requirement for laws that affect religious practice would lead towards anarchy. Article continues below Real and robust religious pluralism, in other words, would beget chaos. Its no accident that the city of Philadelphia, which doesnt want to accommodate the Catholic agencys unpopular beliefs about marriage and family, appealed to Scalias ruling in Employment Division v. Smith. The Smith ruling was bad for religious freedom. It deferred to the government when laws burdened peoples religious beliefs, transforming a First Amendment right into a privilege. Scalias majority opinion shocked advocates for religious freedom and prompted a bipartisan legislative rebuke from Congress less than three years later in the form of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). More than two dozen states passed similar laws protecting religious freedom in some of the reddest and bluest states, such as Alabama, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Texas, and Washington. The specter of Smith has nonetheless haunted every freedom of religion conflict in America. Thankfully, the courts ruling in Fulton v. City of Philadelphiaalong with Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, several opinions related to religious services during the coronavirus pandemic, and recent decisions to defer to places of worship in employment matter (Hosanna-Tabor v. EEOC) and provide for the rights of religious inmates (Holt v. Hobbs)suggests that court may soon be ready to abandon Smith. Perhaps we can finally return to a more faith-friendly standard of compelling interest. Assuming this happens, Christians should recognize the importance of supporting pluralism and coming to the defense of religious minorities. This does not mean embracing idolatry or equivocating on matters of primary importance. But it does require us to extend to others the legal protections we want for ourselves. Support for religious freedom has become increasingly polarized in recent years. One recent study showed that peoples support for religious rights depends on who is being protected. It has become especially contentious in conflicts between religious practices and LGBT rights. To a certain extent, these conflicts are unavoidable in the aftermath of Obergefell v. Hodges, Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights, and Bostock v. Clayton County. But some advocates for LGBT equality in American society are eager to follow Scalias lead and say that religious accommodations will lead to anarchy. The proposed Equality Act, for example, prohibits people from taking refuge under RFRA if their religious beliefs result in discrimination against LGBT people. Pluralism, however, can only persist if we choose not to see every conflict as a zero-sum choice, where one side has to lose in order for the other to win. Society can flourish, without all making war against all, if we place a priority on accommodation and attempting to live at peace with our neighbors. Reasonable measures can be taken to protect religious freedom and strengthen civil rights for LGBT Americans. Returning to the pre-Smith compelling interest framework is one way to do thisand strategically, it is a way to safeguard the right to religious freedom in the years to come. The sooner Christians show they are committed to religious freedom for everyone, the better. Thats not only wiseits right, as religious liberty attorneys Luke Goodrich, Asma Uddin, and Southern Baptist ethics professor Andrew Walker have all recently argued. If we want to show our fellow citizens that were serious about strengthening religious freedom, we have to actually be serious about it. Supreme Court decisions matter. Abandoning Smiths generally applicable framework and returning to Sherberts compelling interest standard will restore an accurate vision of religious freedom under the Constitution. But this must accompany Christians embracing religious freedom for everybody, not just for our communities. When religious minorities win, Christians win, too. Its past time we understood that. Daniel Bennett is associate professor of political science at John Brown University. He is also assistant director of the Center for Faith and Flourishing and is president of Christians in Political Science. Speaking Out is Christianity Todays guest opinion column and (unlike an editorial) does not necessarily represent the opinion of the magazine. One evening when I (Kyle) was in seminary, I went with some classmates to a professors house. The professor was talking about a pet peeve: when people pray to the wrong person of the Trinity. After a short rant, he suggested we close in prayer. No one spoke a word! After a minute or two, everyone started laughing because we knew what was going on. We had become so self-conscious about praying correctly that no one wanted to pray. It is all too easy to focus on praying the right way to the detriment of actually praying. But this is where prayer goes to die. If prayer becomes a place to pray about what we think God wants us to pray about and not what is on our hearts, then we simply wont do it. In the words of Dominican priest Herbert McCabe, People often complain of distraction during prayer. Their mind goes wandering off to other things. This is nearly always due to praying for something you do not really much want; you just think it would be proper and respectable and religious to want it. When prayer becomes a kind of performance, it is easy to interpret experiences like having our mind wander as failures. But McCabe touches on something profound. Because we have the Spirit of God in our souls, mind-wandering should not be seen as a random act of an undisciplined intellect. Our minds wander because, in Jesus words, where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matt. 6:21). When we come into Gods presence in prayer, we do so with the Spirit present to the deepest truths of our hearts. We should not be surprised that the truth of our hearts begins to percolate and rise to the surface. Instead of seeing a wandering mind as a failure, ... 1 You have reached the end of this Article Preview You have reached the end of this Article Preview To continue reading, subscribe now. Subscribers have full digital access. Have something to add about this? See something we missed? Share your feedback here. The court sidestepped some of the major issues, but this is still a good day for religious liberty. Image: Canva This week the United States Supreme Court (SCOTUS) delivered an overwhelming ruling in favor of a Catholic foster care agency that may carry significant implications for the church, children, and families. In a surprising unanimous decision (9-0), the Court determined that the city of Philadelphia had erred in breaking a longstanding contract with Catholics Social Services (CSS) over their refusal to certify same-sex couples. The majority opinion was offered by Justice Roberts with three separate concurring opinions offered by Justices Barrett, Alito, and Gorusch. BACKGROUND ON CASE The case for whom the Supreme Court issued its ruling is Fulton v. City of Philadelphia, a landmark case that impacts more than 400,000 children in the U.S. foster system. NBC offered an overview of the case: In March 2018, Philadelphia ended its foster-care contract with Catholic Social Services (CSS) due to the organizations policy of not placing children with same-sex couples. The citys nondiscrimination policy guarantees full and equal enjoyment of services and facilities without discrimination or segregation because of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion, marital status, and a number of other characteristics. In response, CSS filed suit, claiming the policy violated its First Amendment right to religious exercise and free speech. Losing in district court, the agency appealed to the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which unanimously affirmed the lower courts decision in April 2019. It is worth noting that the CSS is wanting to place children in foster care. Its also worth noting that other agencies are willing to place children in foster care with same-sex couples. So, the question of whether children can be placed with same-sex couples is already settledthe question was if people of faith can serve the system without leaving their faith commitments at the door. The 1990 ruling on Employment Division v. Smith is worth remembering here, where Antonin Scalia wrote the ruling that said: "Americans cannot have exemptions to laws on religious grounds as long as those laws are neutral and generally applicable to everybody." The Fulton plaintiffs argue the city of Philadelphia's anti-discrimination laws are neither neutral nor applicable equally. As Time reported, "such a reconsideration would send shockwaves through the religious and civil rights communities." CSS also looks also to the 2018 SCOTUS decision where the court decided in favor of Colorado baker Jack Phillips, who argued his beliefs on marriage allowed him not to sell a wedding cake to a gay couple. Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote that Colorado was hostile toward Phillips' views; CSS believed Philadelphia showed the same hostility. And, I believe they did, which is why this ruling like Masterpiece Cake Shop is both significant but narrow. THINGS TO CONSIDER: Of course, this is more than a case about religious liberty. It is about children in the foster care system. It is worth remembering that the call of Scripture to care for the marginalized and those with no voiceincluding foster care childrenis clear and consistent. The prophet Zechariah declared: Thus says the Lord of hosts, 'Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart' (Zechariah 7:9-10). The part of the Great Commandment that says to "love your neighbor as yourself" comes from Leviticus 19:18. Read the context of that verse and you see statements like these: Leave the edges of your fields for the poor and the stranger to glean (v. 10) Do not curse the deaf or cause the blind to stumble (v. 14) Do not commit injustice toward the poor (v. 15) I could list scores of verses like these but what becomes clear to anyone who thoroughly reads their Bible is that God has a heart for the marginalized, the oppressed, and the poor. As Christians, this is why we should be vocal defenders of the unborn, readily combat the personal and systemic evils of racism, and a host of other injustices that thrive in our modern world. It reflects the very heart of God as revealed in scripture. Sadly, vulnerable children are too frequently lost in public discussions of discrimination and loss. The hard work of adoption and foster agencies, a reflection of Gods own love for us in adoption as his children, is ignored. Worse yet, their ministry can even be politicized by those who see their work as an opportunity to score political points. The conflict This is part of why this Supreme Court ruling is so critical, and why Christians need to prayerfully consider how best to navigate this problem in a spirit of love and truth. On the one hand, we have an overextended foster care system, understaffed and in desperate need for parents to care for children. On the other, we have the conviction that children should have the opportunity to be cared for by those reflecting biblically consistent homes. As with many other issues in our world, this impasse pits two competing needs against one another while at the same time supercharging the conflict with the weight of our decades-long culture war. As this chasm between cultural and biblical values continues to widen in the coming years, Christians need to be ready for similar impasses. Moreover, their pastors must feel the weight of properly preparing their congregations on not simply what to think but the how and why of a biblical witness. Regarding this case of foster care, the issue is that Christian agencies want to participate in the foster care system while retaining their theological beliefs about family, marriage, and gender. Recognizing that there are now plenty of agencies that will place LGBT families, the central question is why should the government restrict Christian agencies because of these convictions? This was stated most forcefully in his concurring opinions by Justices Alito ad Gorsuch: The city of Philadelphia (City) has issued an ultimatum to an arm of the Catholic Church: Either engage in conduct that the Church views as contrary to the tradi- tional Christian understanding of marriage or abandon a mission that dates back to the earliest days of the Church providing for the care of orphaned and abandoned children. The City has made clear that it will never tolerate CSS carrying out its foster-care mission in accordance with its sincerely held religious beliefs. To the City, it makes no difference that CSS has not denied service to a single same-sex couple; that dozens of other foster agencies stand willing to serve same-sex couples; or that CSS is committed to helping any inquiring same-sex couples find those other agencies. The City has expressed its determination to put CSS to a choice: Give up your sincerely held religious beliefs or give up serving foster children and families. If CSS is unwilling to provide foster-care services to same-sex couples, the City prefers that CSS provide no foster-care services at all. Under pressure by the city, the Catholic Churchand by extension other Christian charitieswere being forced to choose between mission and truth. Far from holding a monopoly on foster care, Christian agencies are asking only for the right to participate in a broader system in accordance with their belief. By unanimously ruling for the Fulton foster agency, the Supreme Court sent a signal that this right to participate in social institutions and practices should in no way limit expressions of religious liberty. In the majority opinion, Justice Roberts argued that in adjudicating issues of religious burden: Government fails to act neutrally when it proceeds in a manner intolerant of religious beliefs or restricts practices because of their religious nature. For many Justices, this reiteration of the 1990 Smith ruling was insufficient. Both Gorsuch and Alito offered powerful concurring resolutions arguing that Smith unfairly empowered the government to prosecute religious expression: What possible benefit does the majority see in its studious indecision about Smith when the costs are so many? The particular appeal before us arises at the intersection of public accommodations laws and the First Amendment; it involves same-sex couples and the Catholic Church. Perhaps our colleagues believe todays circuitous path will at least steer the Court around the controversial subject matter and avoid picking a side. But refusing to give CSS the benefit of what we know to be the correct interpretation of the Constitution is picking a side. Smith committed a constitutional error. Only we can fix it. Dodging the question today guarantees it will recur tomorrow. These cases will keep coming until the Court musters the fortitude to supply an answer. Respectfully, it should have done so today. Yet while the majority opinion largely ignored Smith, it resoundingly rejected the arguments by Philadelphia against CSS. In particular, Roberts dismissed the idea foster agencies are public accommodations, countering that the process of certification as a foster parent, by contrast, is not readily accessible to the public. It involves a customized and selective assessment that bears little resemblance to staying in a hotel, eating at a restaurant, or riding a bus. As such, agencies understandably approach this sensitive process from different angles. As the City itself explains to prospective foster parents, [e]ach agency has slightly different requirements, specialties, and training programs. In essence, Roberts demonstrated from the citys own wording that foster care is an intensely personal and even moral process that arises from a wide range of motivations. To limit this to rigid cultural dogma strips the moral and religious character that has driven foster and adoptive care for centuries. Roberts then concludes: CSS seeks only an accommodation that will allow it to continue serving the children of Philadelphia in a manner consistent with its religious beliefs; it does not seek to impose those beliefs on anyone else. The refusal of Philadelphia to contract with CSS for the provision of foster care services unless it agrees to certify same-sex couples as foster parents cannot survive strict scrutiny, and violates the First Amendment. HOW DO WE RESPOND? Near the close of his majority opinion, Justice Roberts hits on a critical point that will last long after this case is forgotten. In quoting the SCOTUS opinion in Masterpiece Cakeshop, Roberts observed that the competing interests of religious liberty and the LGBT community are weighty. While this case focused on the rights of Americans for free expression of religion against discrimination, our country continues to struggle through how the belief that this expression is itself discriminatory. As Masterpiece noted, our society has come to the recognition that gay persons and any couples cannot be treated as social outcasts or as inferior in dignity and worth. Fulton may be a landmark ruling on religious liberty, but only time will tell. Forced to chose between mission and truth, SCOTUS has defended the freedom to maintain both. However, the Church must likewise hear a similar word in striving to do better in recognizing the imago Dei in all people, particularly those in the LGBT community. Just as our country is struggling through a time of judicial uncertainty, the Church must also learn how to love where we have had a long history of ignorance and hatred. Update (June 17): The United States Supreme Court ruled decisively in favor of a Catholic foster care agency on Thursday, with all nine justices agreeing that the city of Philadelphia violated the First Amendments protection of religious liberty when it ended a contract with Catholic Social Services (CSS) over service to LGBT people. It is plain that the Citys actions have burdened CSSs religious exercise by putting it to the choice of curtailing its mission or approving relationships inconsistent with its beliefs, wrote Chief Justice John Roberts. Philadelphia claimed the city could not contract foster care services with a Catholic agency that only served married heterosexual couples because of an antidiscrimination law ensuring that everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, has equal access to public accommodations. The court found, however, that foster parenting is not a public accommodation, since certification is not available to the public and bears little resemblance to staying in a hotel, eating at a restaurant, or riding a bus. According to the court, there was also no evidence presented in the record that the Catholic agencys policies ever prevented a same-sex couple from fostering a child, or that it would have that effect. The majority opinion was joined by justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. The other three justicesSamuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, and Clarence Thomasagreed with the judgement but signed on to two concurring opinions arguing the court should go further in defense of religious exercise. They wanted the court to overturn a 1990 precedent written by conservative legal icon Antonin Scalia, which made it easier for governments to justify laws that place a burden on religious activity. In Employment Division vs. Smith, Scalia said that governments can burden religious practice as long as it is done incidentally, and religious activities are not being targeted by the neutral and generally applicable law. In Thursdays ruling, Roberts and the majority said Philadelphia was intentionally targeting the Catholic foster care agency. The law was not neutral toward religion and not generally applicable, since it was written with the Catholic agency in mind. The court decided not to overturn the 1990 precedent. Gorsuch, in his concurring opinion, questioned the majorities decision to dodge the critical legal question of the standard for religious accommodation. Perhaps our colleagues believe todays circuitous path will at least steer the court around the controversial subject matter and avoid picking a side, he wrote. But refusing to give CSS the benefit of what we know to be the correct interpretation of the Constitution is picking a side. Smith committed a constitutional error. Only we can fix it. Alito made a similar argumentat length. His opinion stretched to 77 pages, 62 more than the majority opinion, criticizing the court for not doing what it should do. I would overrule Smith, Alito wrote. After receiving more than 2,500 pages of briefing and after more than a half-year of post-argument cogitation, the Court has emitted a wisp of a decision that leaves religious liberty in a confused and vulnerable state. Those who count on this Court to stand up for the First Amendment have every right to be disappointedas am I. Advocates for religious liberty and Catholic Social Services were celebrating the 9-0 decision when it came down, however. Attorney David French called it a big win for religious freedom and celebrated the fact that every justice concurred at least in the result. Religious liberty should not be a partisan issue, he said on Twitter. Chelsea Patterson Sobolik, policy director for the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, agreed it was a huge victory. This ruling in Fulton means that children who need safe, permanent, and loving homes will be served by a foster-care system that welcomes all who are qualified to serve those in need, she said. Advocates for LGBT rights expressed disappointment in the ruling but appreciated the narrowness of the majority opinion. For years, the religious right has sought a First Amendment license to discriminate against LGBT folks, wrote David Cole, the national legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union. They didn't get it today in Fulton. We live to fight another day. ----- Original report (Nov. 5, 2020): While the nation focused on counting votes on Wednesday, the United States Supreme Court heard arguments in a case that could dramatically expand protections for religious liberty. Lawyers for Philadelphia argued that the city should be allowed to discriminate against religious social service providers as long as the rules it uses are neutral laws of general applicability, citing a 1990 decision penned by conservative legal giant Antonin Scalia. Lawyers for Catholic Social Services, on the other side, argued the court should reconsider Scalias previous ruling in Employment Div. v. Smith, because it established a standard that allows governments to target religious minorities and place significant burdens on what the First Amendment calls their free exercise. The Free Exercise clause is at the heart of our pluralistic society, and it protects petitioners vital work for the Philadelphia community, attorney Lori Windham argued in Fulton v. City of Philadelphia. The city is reaching out and telling a private religious ministrywhich has been doing this work for two centurieshow to run its internal affairs. And trying to coerce it to make statements that are contrary to its religious beliefs as a condition of continuing to participate in the religious exercise that they have carried out in Philadelphia for two centuries. In 2018, a city official read a newspaper story about conservative Christian opposition to same-sex foster parents. Philadelphia had long contracted foster care services to Catholic Social Services. There werent any complaints about the church-run organization discriminating against LGBT people, but the official was nonetheless concerned and brought the issue to the city council. The council changed its contracting policies and passed a resolution opposing discrimination that occurs under the guise of religious freedom. The entire process took three days. Catholic Social Services asked for an exemption from the city, noting it would be happy to refer same-sex couples who wanted to foster to the more than two dozen other agencies that also contract with the city. LGBT people wouldnt be prevented from fostering, and the Catholic agency shouldnt be required to give up its religious convictions just because they are unpopular. The city refused, saying the new standards had to be equally applied to everyone. A universal clause in every contract bars sexual orientation discrimination, said Neal Katyal, the attorney representing Philadelphia. That clause contains no exceptions, and it applies equally to every [foster care agency], religious and secular alike. Katyal was appealing to the 1990 case, when the court established general applicability as the standard for deciding when a law violates religious liberty. In that case, two members of the Native American Church were denied Oregons state unemployment benefits because they were fired for using peyote. They objected that the hallucinogenic was a religious sacrament in the church and should thus be protected. Scalia, writing for the majority, said laws that specifically prohibit religious activity were not allowed under the First Amendment, but laws that incidentally prohibit religious activity are. As long as the law is not targeted at religious exercise, it is fine. According to Scalia, this does place at a relative disadvantage those religious practices that are not widely engaged in. But thats unavoidable. Religious minorities will receive less leeway for the exercise of their faith if its unpopular and they dont have the political power to win legislative exemptions for themselves. The other option, he wrote, is a system in which each conscience is a law unto itselfpluralism leading to complete anarchy. As American culture grows more accepting of LGBT people and the court has expanded protections of LGBT rights, religious conservatives have begun to worry that they will be the ones at a relative disadvantage. If traditional Christian teaching rejecting homosexual activity as sinful is widely unpopular, then cities and states are not likely to exempt religious organizations from generally applicable laws against LGBT discrimination. That could make life difficult for foster care services, Christian wedding cake bakers, evangelical colleges, and others, just as laws against drug use have made it hard for the Native American Church to practice its peyote sacrament. The standard that Scalia set up has also been applied to Santeria priests who wanted exemption from local animal cruelty ordinances to sacrifice chickens, peace activists who dont want to pay the portion of their taxes that funds the US military, and, quite recently, churches seeking exemptions from COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings. The court has, in recent years, protected religious liberty in multiple rulings, deciding in favor of religious business owners, religious employers, and religious schools. With the recent addition of three conservative justicestwo of them Catholicit does not seem like the court is poised to change course. Several evangelical groups, including the National Association of Evangelicals, the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Commission, and the Church of God in Christ, have asked the court to use this case to revisit the precedent set by Smith. Court observers say, however, that the justices may not take the opportunity. They could, instead, say the city of Philadelphia did not meet the standard of a generally applicable rule because the council was specifically targeting the Catholic foster care agency. That would be similar to the courts ruling in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission in 2018, which focused narrowly on the commissions process for evaluating the cake shop owner. The justices might worry that overturning Smith would open up every city and state to unending lawsuits, as people attempt to win exemptions from every possible regulation. The practical advantage of Smith, a legal advocate for local governments argued, is that it is simple. Smith is a bright line rule; no one is entitled to an exception from a valid, neutral, generally applicable law. The case is also one of the first heard by the newest justice, Amy Coney Barrett. Barrett clerked for Scalia and is seen as his legal disciple. It would be surprising if one of her first votes overturned one of his landmark opinions. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, one of the more liberal judges, indicated interest in a limited ruling on religious liberty during the oral arguments. If one wanted to find a compromise in this case, she asked one of the lawyers, can you suggest one that wouldnt do real damage to all the various lines of laws that have been implicated here? Weve had stunning illustrations in recent months about how an enabling culture is created and perpetuated around toxic but charismatic leaders. High-profile examples have ranged from churches like Willow Creek and Harvest Bible Chapel to Christian organizations headed by Dave Ramsey and the late Ravi Zacharias. In the case of every single one of these churches and ministries, we see that though these seemingly too big to fail organizations were honored through the years for their strong evangelical bona fides, their day-to-day organizational cultures discipled staff through the most destructive kinds of peer pressure. A culture of peer pressure can be leveraged by manipulative leaders to keep toxic secrets in the dark: Christians are right to heed scriptural warnings about gossip, secrets, and lies. Yet the American church has also seen a pattern of leaders referencing such teachings to silence and discredit victims and whistleblowers, CT wrote on the falling-out at Ramseys company and others. The reckoning of these fallen leaders offers those of us in ministry trenches an opportunity to interrogate our own local church culture. That examination can and should include the ways in which we have substituted peer pressure for authentic discipleship. The same social and spiritual tendencies that created unhealthy culture in these fallen ministries often exist in smaller doses in our own local churches. Healthy community is one way in which God designed faith to be transmitted from one generation to the next (Deut. 6:49) and from more mature believers to those young in the faith (Titus 2). A culture of discipleship emphasizes holiness while celebrating the rich diversity of gifts, talents, and experiences God has given to the local body. A culture focused on conformity can communicate that this kind of diversity is suspect or, at worst, sinful. Many of us have defaulted to thinking of discipleship in terms of transmitting doctrine and Bible knowledge through formal means like Bible studies or sermons, or informal means like podcasts or Christian music. Those are essential and sorely needed components of faith formation, but they dont happen in isolation. Its been said that faith is caught as much as it is taught. The values of our particular subculture shape us, perhaps even more powerfully than do our catechisms. Well-meaning church marketing slogans for our congregations proclaiming that everyone is welcome or promising that the congregation is a warm family will seem hypocritical in light of cliquish social dynamics that may be at play among our people. Those who seem to be outliers in a church may be the ones who might best be able to articulate the unspoken discipleship culture to share their experiences with you: the single person who is patronized or ignored by the married couples, the person who chooses to vote in opposition to the majority of other congregants, the sick or elderly person who is treated as a project instead of a valued member, or the working mom who has been treated like an outsider in a community of stay-at-home moms. We can see the way social pressure is applied in Scripture when the mother of James and John asks Jesus for her sons to be given insider privilege in Matthew 20:2028. In response to the indignance of the other disciples, Jesus responds that the world prizes status and recognition, but not in the same way as in the kingdom of God. Shortly after the Resurrection, when Peter and other followers of Jesus are arrested in Acts 5, Peter tells the authorities that they must obey God rather than men (v. 29)offering the kind of moral courage that is the fruit of Spirit-filled discipleship. The pressure toward spiritual conformity was as high in the early church as it is today. Acts 15 details the battle over integrating Gentile believers into a majority Jewish body. While this battle was over interpretation of the law and meaning of the Resurrection, a measure of it had to do with social implications. The apostle Paul calls out the effects of spiritual tribalism in the Corinthian church split over his teaching and Apollo by twice reminding them that divisive cliquishness is not a godly response to the Good News, but a worldly one (1 Cor. 3:18). James, too, confronts the temptation toward a worldly social pecking order in the early church (James 2:113). In other words, there was a whole lot of peer pressure going on. We are formed spiritually in both family and other social groups, and we learn how the world works as we imitate those with more experience and/or power than we have. This kind of learning doesnt end when we hit adulthood, though if were emotionally and spiritually healthy, our relationship with peer pressure fades as we age and mature in our faith. Peer influence can be a healthy thing. Those in addiction recovery communities and support groups of all kinds testify to the strength a group provides to encourage positive personal change. Paul encouraged his friends in Corinth to imitate him as he imitated Christ (1 Cor 11:1). Jesuss call to follow him turned the peer pressure of this world upside down and inside out. There is no quick fix to changing a culture that has been shaped by peer pressure. But there are a few ongoing commitments we as leaders can make to influence growth for every member in our congregation, ourselves included: Vigilance. Remain alert and sensitive to the ways in which peer pressure has become a stand-in for meaningful, cruciform discipleship. Think of your leadership team as a group of spiritual anthropologists, invited to study your churchs culture. What trends do you notice among your people? What kinds of things influence their behavior? How do they respond to those outside their in groups in your church? In the community? This kind of observation should be ongoing and accompanied by prayer as you seek to remediate areas of malformation in your midst. If your congregation is characterized by a few cliques, for example, working with a few alpha members of those groups to open up closed circles through service, learning, and fellowship with others not in comfy friend groups may begin to spur change in your culture. Modeling. Leaders are not immune to the temptation of the closed circle. As we combat the ongoing temptation to form a comfortable, self-protective clique around ourselves, we will contribute to a meaningful change in clannish church culture. We can honor differences as we find ways to platform the stories and experiences of those at the margins of our congregation. In addition, we cant assume others will understand that matters of personal preference (such as voting or schooling choices) are not church dogma. Each time we take a moment to clarify our opinions are just thatopinionswe also remind ourselves that we are responsible to steward our influence, using it for the things that carry eternal value. Formation. The late Eugene Peterson described discipleship as a long obedience in the same direction. Peer pressure might create the illusion that a kind of fast-track discipleship is happening, especially if our congregation is characterized by uniformity in lifestyle and convictions. Conformity in religious behavior is not maturity. Discipleships long obedience is cultivated in the context of koinoniaJesus-centered community with other believers. A clique cannot carry us to the finish line. C. S. Lewiss 1944 lecture The Inner Ring contrasts the gravitational pull exerted on our souls by the desire to belong with the way in which Jesus can free us to follow him. He writes, The world seems full of insides, full of delightful intimacies and confidentialities, and he desires to enter them. But if he follows that desire he will reach no inside that is worth reaching. The true road lies in quite another direction. Michelle Van Loon is the author of six books, including her latest, Becoming Sage: Cultivating Meaning, Purpose, and Spirituality at Midlife. House Republicans prevent passage of pro-abortion, pro-LGBT bills in 'stunning' development Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment UPDATE June 22 at 4 p.m. ET: In an email to The Christian Post, Stacey Daniels, the communications director for Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., announced that Congresswoman McClain accidentally voted the incorrect way [on the Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act] and the Congressional Record has been updated to reflect that fact. The Congressional Record now features a quote from McClain, who said, Mr. Speaker, on Roll Call No. 160, I mistakenly voted yes when I intended to vote no. According to Daniels, When the vote comes back up this week, she will be voting no. McClains vote change means that 21 Republicans supported the legislation as opposed to 22. Original article: Congressional Republicans and conservative activists are celebrating stunning victories after GOP lawmakers successfully derailed pro-abortion and LGBT-related bills in the U.S. House of Representatives. The House held votes on the Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act and the LGBTQ Business Equal Credit Enforcement and Investment Act Tuesday. In both cases, lawmakers voted on whether to suspend the rules and pass the bills. According to the Congressional Research Service, when a bill or some other matter is considered under suspension, floor debate is limited, all floor amendments are prohibited, and a two-thirds vote is required for final passage. While the CRS describes the suspension of the rules as a procedure that the House of Representatives often uses on the floor to act expeditiously on relatively noncontroversial legislation, opponents of the bills do not believe that they are noncontroversial. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act would eliminate copayments that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) charges to veterans who receive contraceptive items from the Veterans Health Administration. However, the conservative Christian activist organization Family Research Council warned that the Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act would have increased insurance coverage to 100 percent for all FDA-approved forms of contraception for veterans. This includes emergency contraceptives like Plan B and Ella, which act as abortifacients by preventing implantation or ending the life of an embryo before implantation, wrote Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, a leading social conservative activist. American taxpayers should not be forced to pay for abortifacient drugs, but that is exactly what H.R. 239 mandates. Ultimately, 240 members of Congress supported the Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act, leaving it far short of the two-thirds threshold needed for passage. Every House Democrat voted for the measure, along with 22 Republicans. The LGBTQ Business Equal Credit Enforcement and Investment Act would amend the Equal Credit Opportunity Act to require the collection of small business loan data related to LGBTQ-owned businesses. As currently written, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act is designed to facilitate enforcement of fair lending laws and enable communities, governmental entities, and creditors to identify business and community development needs and opportunities of women-owned, minority-owned, and small businesses. The LGBTQ Business Equal Credit Enforcement and Investment Act would insert the phrase LGBTQ-owned after every use of the term minority-owned in the existing law and expand the definition of sex in the document to include sexual orientation and gender identity. In the roll call vote, the bill received the support of 247 lawmakers. Perkins lamented the alarming number of Republicans who voted for both bills. Reps. Mike Bost, R-Ill.; Rodney Davis, R-Ill.; Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Penn.; Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla.; Tony Gonzales, R-Texas; Anthony Gonzalez, R-Ohio; John Katko, R-N.Y.; Young Kim, R-Calif.; Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill.; Nancy Mace, R-S.C.; Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y.; Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa; Dan Newhouse, R-Wash.; Jay Obernolte, R-Calif.; Tom Reed, R-N.Y.; Maria Elvira Salazar, R-Fla.; Michelle Steel, R-Calif.; Fred Upton, R-Mich.; and Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J.; supported both bills. Reps. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas; Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.; and Lisa McClain, R-Mich.; supported the Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act while opposing the LGBTQ Business Equal Credit Enforcement and Investment Act. Reps. Ken Calvert, R-Calif.; Tom Cole, R-Okla.; Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla.; Tom Emmer, R-Minn.; Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y.; Mike Garcia, R-Calif.; Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa; David Joyce, R-Ohio; Patrick McHenry, R-N.C.; Greg Murphy, R-N.C.; Peter Meijer, R-Mich.; and David Valadao, R-Calif.; supported the LGBTQ Business Equal Credit Enforcement and Investment Act while opposing the Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act. In an interview with Breitbart News, Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., the chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, described the defeat of both bills as a stunning development and a leverage point to try to restore the balance on Capitol Hill. He predicted that if you start taking some of these down, It gives you leverage points so the Democrats come back to us and say alright, lets make a deal. Its what our base wants us to do, he added. That it worked is good. Now we need to make it work on a regular basis, and if we do that, things are going to change up. Biggs accused the Democrats of trying to "change all the rules and traditions of the House" to "force all of their agenda ... down our throats." "Our position has always been that we have to fight on every issue," Biggs said. "Thats why we ask for roll call votes on the suspension votes because we want transparency for the American public ..." In most cases, legislation can pass the House of Representatives with a simple majority. This has enabled Democrats, who have a narrow majority in the lower chamber, to pass progressive legislation with ease despite accumulating little to no Republican support. Such legislation includes a bill to make Washington, D.C. a state, the Equality Act seeking to codify discrimination protections for the LGBT community into federal law and the For the People Act, which would increase federal oversight of the way states conduct federal elections. Most legislation in the U.S. Senate requires 60 votes to pass. Since Democrats only have a narrow 50-50 majority in the upper chamber, with Vice President Kamala Harris casting the tie-breaking vote, Democrats need to secure the support of 10 Republicans to pass most legislation. Additionally, one Senate Democrat, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, has announced his opposition to the For the People Act and the D.C. statehood bill as well as the elimination of the 60-vote rule, an idea that has been floated by Democrats seeking to pass progressive legislation approved by the House without Republican support. As a result of the makeup of the Senate and current Senate rules, the progressive legislation has failed to pass the upper chamber thus far in the 117th Congress. Judge rules against Christian baker Jack Phillips in transgender 'birthday' cake case Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A judge has ruled that Colorado Christian baker Jack Phillips violated state anti-discrimination law by refusing to bake a pink-and-blue transgender birthday cake. Denver District Court Judge A. Bruce Jones ruled Tuesday that Phillips violated the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act by refusing to make the cake for Autumn Scardina. In his opinion, Jones concluded that Phillips engaged in unlawful discrimination by denying goods and services" because of Scardina's "transgender status." The ruling states that Phillips' wife had initially agreed to make a pink cake with blue frosting for about six to eight people. But the cake was rejected after Scardina disclosed the meaning behind the cake's custom design. Defendants admit that they were willing to make the requested cake until Ms. Scardina identified that she chose the colors to reflect and celebrate her identity as a transgender female, wrote Jones. Defendants are, however, willing to make cakes for non-transgender individuals that reflect that persons gender. And Defendants would gladly make an identical looking cake for other customers. Jones also wrote that it was possible that the analysis would be different if the cake design had been more intricate, artistically involved, or overtly stated a message attributable to Defendants. Defendants expressive conduct argument fails because Defendants presented no evidence that a reasonable observer would attribute any message that was conveyed by the cake to Defendants, he continued. Defendants have failed to carry their burden to show that providing the requested cake constituted any type of symbolic or expressive speech protected by the First Amendment. Alliance Defending Freedom General Counsel Kristen Waggoner, whose organization represents Phillips during his years of legal battles, vowed to appeal the decision. Radical activists and government officials are targeting artists like Jack because they wont promote messages on marriage and sexuality that violate their core convictions, said Waggoner. We will appeal this decision and continue to defend the freedom of all Americans to peacefully live and work according to their deeply held beliefs without fear of punishment. Over the past several years, Phillips has weathered extensive legal battles over his religious objections to making cakes for a same-sex wedding and a cake to celebrate transgender identity. In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that Colorados Civil Rights Commission unfairly treated Phillips when it punished him for refusing to make a same-sex wedding cake in 2012. Scardina filed a lawsuit against Phillips and Masterpiece Cakeshop in June 2019 after the baker refused to make Scardinas transgender birthday cake. The lawsuit claimed that Phillips violated the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act and the Colorado Consumer Protection Act when he refused on religious grounds. In March, Judge Jones dropped the charge that Phillips had violated the CCPA by allegedly engaging in an unfair or deceptive trade practice. Defendants contend that Plaintiff cannot show an unfair or deceptive trade practice because the most salient materials Plaintiff allegedly relied on are not advertisements. Because the Court agrees with this contention, it need not address Defendants remaining arguments, wrote Jones. Plaintiff has failed to establish an actionable unfair or deceptive trade practice. Accordingly, summary judgment enters in Defendants favor on Plaintiffs CCPA claim. SBC messengers approve task force for sex abuse investigation after leaders rejected expanded review Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Two days after the Southern Baptist Conventions Executive Committee rejected a motion to create a task force to oversee a third-party investigation of allegations SBC leaders mishandled a crisis of sexual abuse in the denomination, messengers overwhelmingly approved a motion to do just that on Wednesday. The motion presented by Grant Gaines, pastor of Belle Aire Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, at the denomination's annual convention in Nashville, calls for new SBC President Ed Litton to appoint the task force within 30 days. The motion calls on Litton to direct the Executive Committee to transfer oversight of the investigation to the task force, which shall comprise members of Baptist churches cooperating with the SBC and experts in sexual abuse and abuse-related dynamics." The SBC Executive Committee announced on June 11 that Guidepost Solutions would review recent allegations made by the former leader of the SBC's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, Russell Moore, that SBC leaders intimidated whistleblowers and exonerated churches with credible claims of negligence of sexual abuse victims. Guidepost Solutions was also commissioned to "review and enhance training provided to SBC Executive Committee staff and its board of trustees" as it relates to sex abuse and the organizations "communications to cooperating churches and congregants in cooperating churches." According to Baptist Press, the soon-to-be appointed task force can choose to oversee the Guidepost Solutions review or start a separate third-party review. The review must include an investigation of any allegations of abuse, mishandling of abuse, mistreatment of victims, a pattern of intimidation of victims or advocates, and resistance to sexual abuse reform initiatives. The investigation, funded by allocations from the Cooperative Program, will cover the period from January 1, 2000, to June 14, 2021, and include a review of actions and decisions of staff and members of the Executive Committee. The investigation will also include an audit of the procedures and actions taken by the SBC Credentials Committee, a body formed at the convention meeting in Birmingham, Alabama, in June 2019. When Texas Pastor Jared Wellman offered a motion before the Executive Committee Monday to create a task force independent of the committee to oversee the Guidepost Solutions' investigation, it was rejected by the committee. Committee Secretary Joe Knott of North Carolina argued that expanding the scope of the investigation would be horrific for the denomination. Wellman also urged the waiving of privilege so that Guidepost Solutions has access to all data and information and advocated for a public report on all the findings and recommendations that is not vetted or edited first by the Executive Committee leadership. Wednesdays motion allows the task force to follow the accepted best-standards and practice as recommended by the commissioned firm, including but not limited to the Executive Committee staff and members waiving attorney client privilege in order to ensure full access to information and accuracy in the investigation. A written report on the factual findings of this investigation shall be presented to the task force 30 days prior to the SBC annual meeting in 2022, and made public in full form within one week of the Task Forces receipt of the report along with suggestions from the task force for actions to be taken by our convention, the motion notes. SBC Executive Committee President and CEO Ronnie Floyd told messengers he supported approval of the motion while it was under consideration, Baptist Press reported. Gaines also argued that the Executive Committee could not be tasked with holding themselves accountable. In order for this investigation to be truly external, independent and unbiased, we cant have the Executive Committee setting the terms of the investigation themselves," he said. "They cant be the ones to hold themselves accountable. This might seem like too much trouble to some, but I assure you it is the least we can do for abuse survivors. The motion was reportedly first referred to the Executive Committee, but messengers voted to overrule the Committee on Order of Business to consider it on the convention floor. A statement Wednesday from the SBC Executive Committee expressed support for the motion. The SBC Executive Committee thanks the messengers for their passionate concern. Alongside SBC president Ed Litton, and in consultation with the full SBC Executive Committee, our legal team, and other advisors, we will work to expeditiously implement todays motion," the Executive Committee statement reads. "It has always been our intention to be forthright and transparent in this process." Todays decision, in whose outcome we are confident, will have the ultimate blessing of removing all doubt in the minds of our community of Southern Baptists allowing us to chart a more confident future, together," the statement added. "We thank those messengers who have invested so much righteous energy in this important cause." Attorney and abuse advocate Rachael Denhollander, who has spoken freely about sexual abuse in the SBC, called the motion's approval a critical step in the right direction for America's largest Protestant denomination. What I hope we all take from this is the following: Sound theology and SBC polity is not and never has been, in opposition to meaningful steps to reform. All that is needed are leaders willing to ask those who can help how do we get this done? and then fighting for it, Denhollander said in a series of tweets outlining an arduous journey of advocacy from multiple sexual abuse survivors in the SBC. Change is slow. It can take decades of invested time and the work of so many before tangible fruit is seen. But that investment of love and faithfulness is not wasted. Fighting for truth, justice and reform is the work of a community. Caring well for those who have been deeply wounded requires the participation of everyone. Messengers had to listen, pay attention, care, and take a stand. And they overwhelmingly did, she continued. This is the work we have been called to: Do justice. Love mercy. Walk humbly before God. I am so grateful we saw a tangible example of this in Nashville. The work is not done; but we'll do it, together. SBC encourages churches to 'permanently disqualify' pastors who commit sex abuse Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment NASHVILLE Messengers at the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting approved a resolution encouraging churches within the nation's largest Protestant denomination to "permanently" disqualify individuals who have committed sexual abuse from the pastorate. That resolution is nonbinding and encourages all SBC affiliated churches to hold the standard that any person who engaged in sexual abuse in their life is permanently disqualified from holding the office of pastor. Former Southern Baptist President James Merritt, who also serves as the chairman of the SBC Committee on Resolutions, told to reporters Wednesday that any pastor who commits sexual misconduct should be permanently disqualified from ever returning to church leadership. He warned that such behavior damages the credibility of the Body of Christ. I just read yesterday about a pastor that had to resign [from a] church, Merritt, the senior pastor of Cross Pointe Church in Georgia, said. He committed sexual abuse 40 years ago, and it came out. This will be hard for the outside world to understand, but the Scripture is very plain that a pastor has to be above reproach." "Good, bad or indifferent, when someone commits sexual abuse, whether it's 20, 30 or 40 years ago, if it comes up, it's just going to be damaging," Merritt added. "It's going to put a lot of doubt and a lot of people's minds." Merritt said hes of the firm belief that if a pastor is unfaithful to his wife, hes also permanently disqualified from ever being a pastor again. I honestly believe that, he said. It's not an issue of forgiveness. If a Christian gets drunk and drives his car into a tree and loses his left arm, God will forgive him. But he still won't have a left arm. Pastors who commit such offenses can return to the ministry in some fashion, he clarified, but never as a lead pastor. We've got a big job ahead of us as pastors, I believe, to rebuild credibility and trust in the community, he continued. Nathan Finn, the vice chair of the resolutions committee, agreed that allowing pastors who have committed sexual sin to return to the pulpit weakens the credibility of the entire office of pastor. So I believe it's very important for Southern Baptists to speak unequivocally and in a way that everyone can understand us that we believe that sexual abuse is a disqualifying factor for anyone who would serve in church leadership where they were commended to vulnerable populations in the church, he stressed. The issue of sexual abuse within the denomination was a hot topic at the SBCs annual meeting, which drew more than 21,000 people to Nashvilles Music City Center, including 15,726 messengers. On Wednesday, SBC messengers overwhelmingly approved a motion to set up a task force to oversee an independent investigation into allegations that SBC Executive Committee leaders have mishandled allegations of abuse within SBC churches. A leaked May 31 letter from former SBC ethicist Russell Moore to outgoing SBC President J.D. Greear alleged that leaders mishandled a crisis of sexual abuse in the denomination by intimidating whistleblowers into silence and exonerating churches with credible allegations of negligence toward sexual abuse victims. The SBC Executive Committee subsequently announced that Guidepost Solutions would review such allegations. Guidepost Solutions was also commissioned to "review and enhance training provided to SBC Executive Committee staff and its board of trustees" as it relates to sex abuse and the organizations "communications to cooperating churches and congregants in cooperating churches." Wednesday's motion comes after the Executive Committee rejected a motion earlier in the week to expand the scope of the Guidepost Solutions' investigation by appointing an independent task force to oversee the inquiry instead of Executive Committee leaders. Finn said the resolution served as a way to come alongside all the positive momentum that says our first instinct needs to be to care for those who have been abused more than protecting our own reputation. Pro-life Catholics rally nationwide urging Church leaders to deny communion to pro-abortion politicians Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment WASHINGTON As Catholic bishops gathered at a general assembly meeting, a pro-life group held rallies in major cities Wednesday calling on church leaders to support a draft document advising ordinaries to deny communion to pro-abortion Catholic politicians. Students for Life of America held Fight for Life & Faith rallies outside Roman Catholic cathedrals in seven cities, urging bishops to address the scandal of radical, pro-abortion [Catholic] politicians receiving the sacrament of Communion at their virtual general assembly meeting, which began Wednesday and runs through Friday. Bishops are expected to vote on whether to approve a draft document that would advise Catholic politicians who support abortion to refrain from communion while leaving decisions on withholding Communion up to individual bishops. Across the street from the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., pro-life activists called on Cardinal Wilton Gregory of the Archdiocese of Washington to uphold this crucial tenet of the faith and to defend the lives of the most vulnerable in their dioceses. Gregory has faced criticism from the pro-life community for announcing that he would not deny communion to President Joe Biden, a practicing Catholic who supports abortion. Gregory was one of more than 60 bishops who signed a letter calling on the USCCB to delay implementing national guidance regarding communion for pro-abortion Catholic politicians. The letter was written on letterhead from the Archdiocese of Washington, indicating that the faith leader played an instrumental role in the crafting of the document. Pro-life activists gathered in Washington spoke with The Christian Post about why they attended the Fight For Life & Faith rally and reacted to the claim from Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego, who described the withholding of communion from Catholic politicians based on their public policy stance as an example of the weaponization of [the] Eucharist. Ronnie Gonza of Fort Washington, Maryland, attended the rally because of his concern about U.S. bishops being silent and not addressing public officials who are Catholic and not aligned totally with the teachings of [the] faith, whether thats abortion, same-sex marriage. Gonzaga pushed back on McElroys analysis, asserting that Catholic teaching requires those who receive communion to be in a state of grace and theres no exception to that rule. Another attendee, Makayla Obasun, told CP that Im just out here to show that the ... politicians that call themselves Catholics have to abide by the Catholic Churchs rules. If we want people to understand the Catholic Church, we need to make sure that the politicians who represent the Catholic Church hold the belief that life begins at conception and it needs to be protected, Obasun added. Obasun also disputed McElroys reasoning, noting that you cant get the Eucharist if you arent Catholic or if you have mortal sin. Maintaining that specifically going against life is also a mortal sin, Obasun argued that pro-abortion Catholic politicians shouldnt be able to get the Eucharist, just ... like a normal person whos committed a mortal sin. Students for Life of America President Kristan Hawkins was the first of five speakers who addressed the crowd as some vehicles honked their horn in support of the pro-life movements efforts and a pro-abortion protester chanted in the background. The speakers included representatives of various advocacy groups and academic institutions. While the speakers were primarily Catholic, a pro-life atheist also spoke at the rally. After discussing how the Catholic Churchs firm adherence to Scripture and the standing for truth no matter the cultural tides helped motivate her to convert to Catholicism, Hawkins contended that allowing pro-abortion Catholic politicians suggests that our Church must not really mean it when we talk about abortion. If its OK to increase the number of abortions, if its OK to force Americans of all religious backgrounds to pay for abortions, then logically, many come to believe its OK to have one, she said. Citing statistics from the pro-abortion Guttmacher Institute finding that 54% of women who have abortions are self-identified Christians, Hawkins concluded that Christian women and mothers are receiving mixed messages about abortion that are being set and enabled by Church leadership. Today, the pro-life generation is asking the leaders of the Catholic Church to practice what it preaches, and were asking that of every single denomination, she added. We arent here to debate Catholic Church teaching on the matter; the Church teaching is absolutely clear. Supporting the murder of innocent children is incompatible with the faithful practice of Catholicism. Now, we just need our Catholic leaders to act like it. Jason Jones of the Human Rights Education and Relief Organization emphasized that pro-abortion politicians do not need to be told that they should not present themselves for communion and told bishops that they do not need to hold a vote for what you all already know. Implying that the teaching forbidding pro-abortion Catholic politicians from presenting themselves for communion is innate to the faith, Jones asked: Are you going to be voting on the Trinity next year? Terrisa Bukovinac, president of the Democrats for Life of America and a pro-life atheist, delivered a strong message to U.S. Catholic bishops. She emphasized that while her position on the issue of abortion puts her at odds with the majority of people in her party, there are still 12 million pro-life atheists nationwide. Expressing a desire to partner with the Catholic Church to combat abortion, Bukovinac exclaimed that I have put my reputation on the line for the unborn before asking the bishops, When will you? Terry Schilling of the American Principles Project told the crowd that by giving communion to pro-abortion politicians, not only are our bishops putting the Churchs teachings on life in question, they are putting the teachings on the most Holy Eucharist in question. Acknowledging that this issue is primarily about saving the unborn, Schilling shared his belief that this issue should also be about saving the souls of pro-abortion politicians. How much do you have to hate someone to put their souls in danger of the pains of Hell simply because it makes you feel uncomfortable or puts you in a difficult position? he asked. Its time that our Church leaders take a stand and reclaim its position of moral leadership. Michael New, a research associate at the nearby Catholic University of America, explicitly outlined actions taken by the Biden administration that directly contradict the presidents Catholic faith teachings on abortion. Lamenting that President Biden has repealed the Mexico City Policy, New explained that, as a result, U.S. foreign aid dollars can go to NGOs that perform or promote abortions. President Biden has removed restrictions on human fetal tissue research. President Bidens FDA has made it easier for women to obtain chemical abortion drugs, he added. New expressed particular concern about Bidens budget proposal, which requests a 72% increase in funding for the United Nations Population Fund, which, he said, supports abortion. He added: President Bidens budget proposal is the first presidential budget proposal in 28 years that does not include the Hyde Amendment, which prevents taxpayer dollars from funding abortions. New told the crowd that despite his unabashed abortion advocacy, President Biden regularly presents himself for communion at mass. He proceeded to share his concern for the souls of Biden and other Catholics who support abortion. In addition to the main event in Washington, rallies were also held in Kansas City, Kansas, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco and Tyler, Texas, to rally & thank bishops who have supported the effort to address public confusion about the reception of the Eucharist. The rallies in Washington and Chicago were held to rally & encourage bishops who have been working to stall and stifle efforts by their fellows to address the scandal. Anna Lullis, the data strategist for Students for Life of America, told CP that nearly 200 people signed up to attend the rallies. The Eucharist is such a focal point of our faith that we really pray the bishops make the right call on holding pro-abortion politicians accountable specifically when it comes to receiving Holy Communion and that they hear our message loud and clear, she said. In Catholic Church teaching, it is very clear where our stance is on abortion. That is taking away the life of an innocent human being, and any formal cooperation with that is also a grave matter and a grave offense. The Catholic Churchs Code of Canon Law teaches that those who are obstinately preserving in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to Holy Communion. A 2004 letter written by then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who served as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith of the Catholic Church at the time and later became Pope Benedict XVI, advised U.S. bishops on how to address the issue of pro-abortion Catholic politicians presenting themselves for communion. In the letter, Ratzinger explained that the Church teaches that abortion or euthanasia is a grave sin. He quoted from the Encyclical Letter Evangelium vitae, which states: In the case of an intrinsically unjust law, such as a law permitting abortion or euthanasia, it is therefore never licit to obey it or to take part in a propaganda campaign in favor of such a law or vote for it. Bishops skeptical of embracing a national policy regarding communion for pro-abortion Catholic politicians warn that the lack of consensus among ourselves on the matter could have a negative impact on the unity of the Catholic Church. In a letter to U.S. Catholic bishops, Luis Ladaria, the current prefect of the CDF, stressed that any draft document featuring guidelines for the reception of communion for pro-abortion Catholic politicians would need to express a true consensus of the bishops on the matter. Ladaria also argued that it would be misleading if such a statement were to give the impression that abortion and euthanasia alone constitute the only grave matters of Catholic moral and social teachings that demand the fullest accountability on the part of Catholics. New elaborated on this point of view when speaking at the Fight for Life & Faith rally. He expanded upon the Churchs guidelines about the reception of Holy Communion: There are a number of people who probably should not be presenting themselves for communion. This isnt just limited to Catholic elected officials who support abortion. This should include Catholics who are engaging in any kind of extramarital sexual activity, would include Catholics who view pornographic materials, it would include Catholics who are not attending mass on Sunday, it would include Catholics who are neglecting to care for aged parents, [and] it would include Catholics who are engaged in fraud or perjury or other mortal sins. New also highlighted the need for the Catholic Church to embrace a clear expression of Church teachings about the reception of Communion. While a poll from the Pew Research Center found that a majority of Catholics believe that Biden and other pro-abortion Catholic politicians should be able to receive Communion, New mentioned a poll conducted by CRC research that found 77% of weekly mass attendees believe Catholic public officials who disagree with Church teachings on grave matters should not present themselves for Holy Communion. In addition to holding rallies outside the cathedrals of major Catholic dioceses, Students for Life of America formulated a petition asking Archbishop Jose Gomez, the president of the USCCB, to ensure that the critical conversation about the reception of Holy Communion takes place. The petition had accumulated nearly 800 signatures as of Thursday morning. The agenda for the USCCB General Assembly includes a vote on whether to proceed with the drafting of a formal statement on the meaning of the Eucharist in the life of the Church, but the issue of abortion is not mentioned. According to the USCCB website, The body of bishops meets typically twice a year for a General Assembly to transact its business and address matters of concern within its civil and canonical mandates. The Washington Post reported that watchers of the conference of bishops say they expect a yes vote on whether to approve a draft document on the issue. If approved, the bishops will continue working on the document before presenting it to the public at a later date. Texas announces $250M for border wall construction; Gov. Abbott warns 'homes are being invaded' Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced the state's plans to build a border wall as the immigration surge continues and authorized the transfer of $250 million as a down payment to launch the construction. Abbott held a press conference on Wednesday to address the state's plans for border wall construction to help thwart the flow of migrants entering the U.S. through the southern border. Abbott and other top state officials signed a letter authorizing the down payment. The governor explained that the state budget allocates $1.1 billion towards border security. The governor had early vowed that Texas will not sit idly by as this crisis grows. "The problems people are continuing to suffer on the border are just continuing to get worse," Abbott said. "They are getting worse for residents living in that region. They are getting worse for people in all regions across the entire state of Texas. If you just look at the numbers, they paint a picture." "Look at the number of people who were coming across the border last April when President Trump was president," the Republican added. "They apprehended just over 17,000 people coming across the border last year. This year, in the month of April, they have apprehended more than 170,000 people." Abbott reported that "similar numbers were echoed in the month of May." The declining immigration numbers for 2020 follow a dramatic rise in border apprehensions in 2019 as the Trump administration closed the border during the coronavirus pandemic and enacted policies requiring asylum seekers to wait outside the U.S. for their asylum cases to be adjudicated. "Also, the type of people coming across the border is changing. Early on, it was unaccompanied minors. Now, the majority of people coming across the border are adults coming across alone," the governor explained. "Also, what is changing is the carnage that is being caused by people who are coming across the border." He said that some ranchers' fences had been completely decimated, causing border ranchers to lose their livestock and border farmers to lose crops. "Homes are being invaded. Neighborhoods are dangerous and people are being threatened on a daily basis with guns of people either coming across the border of those working with those coming across the border," Abbott added. "Cartels, human and drug smugglers and human traffickers, they are all profiting off our open border crisis." Former President Donald Trump, who campaigned on securing the southern border, is set to visit the U.S.-Mexican border on June 30 with Abbott. Around 450 miles of border wall construction was completed under Trump. "The Biden administration inherited from me the strongest, safest, and most secure border in U.S. history and in mere weeks, they turned it into the single worst border crisis in US history," Trump said in a statement. "We went from having border security that was the envy of the world to a lawless border that is now pitied around the world," the former president continued. Illegal immigration numbers are climbing, and border agents are overwhelmed with the number of immigrants arriving at the border. Preliminary Customs and Border Protection data shows the illegal immigrant surge crossing the U.S.-Mexico southern border in the fiscal year 2021 surpasses the totals of every year since 2006 with four months left, Axios reported on June 8. The border surge also correlates with drug smuggling and human trafficking. Customs and Border Protection agents have seized more fentanyl, a fatal drug, in the fiscal year 2021, which began last October, than they seized during all of the fiscal year 2020. CBP continues to see a large influx of illegal migration along the Southwest Border, CBP Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner Troy Miller said in a statement. In order to disrupt criminal organizations that have little regard for human life, CBP is leading the way alongside external law enforcement partners through Operational Sentinel, Miller continued. Day after day, CBP rescues migrants abandoned in harsh terrain, left for dead with no food or water. CBP is committed to enhancing the security of the U.S. border and helping save the lives of vulnerable migrants. There has also been a 163% increase in unaccompanied minors at the border from March 2020 to March 2021, according to CBP. A Border Patrol agent of 31 years said illegal immigrants had caused more intentional damage, mentioning cases in the past six months of immigrants trespassing on ranches, destroying fences and water pipes, leaving water faucets on and breaking into homes. Kinney County Sheriff Brad Coe thinks the actions are done out of spite, and are not as respectful as they have been in the past. Were starting to see more intentional damage, Coe, who was formerly a Border Control agent, told The Epoch Times. Ive never seen it quite like this. Somebodys making a statement. Uvalde County Sheriff Ruben Nolasco told the news outlet that the illegal immigrants are now more aggressive, which means many ranches or homeowners need to carry a gun on their property. Nolasco shared that an uptick in stolen vehicles, criminal mischief and burglaries correlated with the surge of migrants pouring into the country, even though they are located around 60 miles from the border. Its a mess. Thats what it is. But nobody seems to care about us down here, Nolasco shared. ... And they say that everythings OK. No, its not OK." Vice President Kamala Harris, who was tapped to be border czar on March 24, is yet to visit the southern border. Harris has faced heavy criticism from Republicans. Harris visited Guatemala and Mexico last week to address the root causes of immigration and told people thinking of leaving for the U.S.: do not come. On his first day in office, President Joe Biden signed an executive order to halt border wall construction, a move Republican lawmakers say is unauthorized since funds for construction had already been appropriated. Biden also reversed many of the Trump era immigration policies. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said Biden and Harris could fix the border crisis tomorrow if they ended the catch and release policy and reinstated the "Remain in Mexico" policy. Texas will finish what President Trump started, Abbott tweeted. The Lone Star State will do what Biden REFUSES to do protect our citizens along the southern border. Texas will finish what President Trump started. Later this week, I will unveil our plans to build a border wall. The Lone Star State will do what Biden REFUSES to do protect our citizens along the southern border. pic.twitter.com/qQ7vQTDWAI Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) June 15, 2021 Abbott recently hosted a Border Security Summit in Del Rio to announce a new plan to address the surge in illegal immigration. President Bidens open-border policies have led to a humanitarian crisis at our southern border as record levels of illegal immigrants, drugs, and contraband pour into Texas, Abbott said in a statement. While securing the border is the federal governments responsibility, Texas will not sit idly by as this crisis grows, Abbott continued. The state is working collaboratively with communities impacted by the crisis to arrest and detain individuals coming into Texas illegally. Our efforts will only be effective if we work together to secure the border, make criminal arrests, protect landowners, rid our communities of dangerous drugs, and provide Texans with the support they need and deserve, he added. This is an unprecedented crisis, and Texas is responding with the most robust and comprehensive border plan the nation has ever seen. Abbott announced on June 10 Texas will "arrest and detain individuals coming into Texas illegally" and surge "resources into border communities to make arrests and to help set up and maintain extra jail space." What is your truth? Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Chaos broke out at a school board meeting last week in New Jersey when a group of disgruntled and courageous parents protested the decision to rename Columbus Day as Indigenous People's Day. Unfortunately, instead of reinstating the holiday's name, the board made the ridiculous decision to cancel the names of all the national holidays and instead call them "days off." This latest battle is further evidence of the alarming trend to indoctrinate the hearts and minds of our children with the idea that the foundations of American society are inherently oppressive, racist, and sexist. It started back in 2019 with the fierce debate about sex education in our schools. Despite protests from parents, the California Board of Education approved the use of new textbooks and classroom discussions that included non-binary explanations of gender and same-sex relationships. As a result, regardless of the family's personal religious and moral beliefs, middle school children across America are now taught there are more than two genders, and same-sex relationships are a perfectly normal alternative to traditional male and female roles. In 2020, we saw the violent uprisings to remove statues and rename schools considered offensive because they supposedly glorify a racist and painful past. One commentator claimed that "for this country to move beyond its tortured racial history, we have to deal with the symbols of oppression. We have to deal with the symbols of white supremacy." This year, the battle rages over the imposition of Critical Race Theory (CRT) in schools, which provides the theory and justification for all these individual attempts to remake our society from the ground up, and it starts with the children. People in positions of power throughout academia, the media, and local government are buying into the notion that "truth" is a matter of perspective. The idea that all applications of truth are actually applications of power, which can and should be changed, is simply a byproduct of "wokeism" gaining prominence in our society. "In other words, the truth is malleable, based on power and who drives the narrative of what truth really is. In effect, the truth is replaced by my truth." When "truth" becomes subjective, how can a society uphold any semblance of law and order? Whose moral standard do we use to decide when life begins, how we define marriage or gender, and what is our path to achieving racial equality? As a former Muslim, I can tell you that Islamic law explicitly allows its adherents to deceive others by not practicing the faith in times of war or conflict to gain a political or physical advantage. I believe that is why American Muslim congresswomen and many Muslim activists support the radical Left agenda despite it being antithetical to the religious tenets of Islam on issues of gender, marriage, abortion, and racial equality. However, deception is NOT a prescription against worldly trouble as a follower of Christ. In the Bible, God's eternal truth and guide for humanity, all these questions have an answer, and it is immutable. We cannot compromise these principles we are called to defend and uphold. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. 1 John 4:6 God also forewarns us that such battles would arise and gave us a clear description of how to defend ourselves, holding fast to the truth. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Ephesians 6: 13-15 As Christians, we should have unwavering certainty in the answers to all these questions, despite the turmoil and upheaval we see around us. We are called to be set apart, not conforming to the patterns of this world. As a royal priesthood, we cannot succumb to political or social pressure to redefine God's Truth. Instead, we proclaim the excellencies of Him so others may be called out of darkness into His marvelous light. Supreme Court rules Christian foster agency can't be forced to place kids with same-sex couples Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the city of Philadelphia can't exclude a Catholic charity from its foster program because the organization won't place children with same-sex couples in accordance with religious beliefs. In a unanimous decision released Thursday morning in Fulton v. City of Philadelphia, the high court ruled city officials were wrong to quit working with Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for refusing on religious grounds to place children with same-sex couples. The decision reversed a judgment of a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and remanded it for further proceedings. Chief Justice John Roberts delivered the court's opinion, concluding that the City has burdened the religious exercise of CSS through policies that do not meet the requirement of being neutral and generally applicable. Government fails to act neutrally when it proceeds in a manner intolerant of religious beliefs or restricts practices because of their religious nature, wrote Roberts. The refusal of Philadelphia to contract with CSS for the provision of foster care services unless it agrees to certify same-sex couples as foster parents cannot survive strict scrutiny, and violates the First Amendment. Roberts also pointed out that Philadelphia can grant an exemption from the city's anti-discrimination policies to CSS, noting that city contracts include many exemptions. Once properly narrowed, the Citys asserted interests are insufficient. Maximizing the number of foster families and minimizing liability are important goals, but the City fails to show that granting CSS an exception will put those goals at risk, continued Roberts. The creation of a system of exceptions under the contract undermines the Citys contention that its nondiscrimination policies can brook no departures. The opinion refutes the notion that fostering children is tantamount to a public accommodation. "Certification as a foster parent, by contrast, is not readily accessible to the public," the opinion reads. "It involves a customized and selective assessment that bears little resemblance to staying in a hotel, eating at a restaurant, or riding a bus." "As the City itself explains to prospective foster parents, '[e]ach agency has slightly different requirements, specialties, and training programs,'" Roberts wrote. "All of this confirms that the one-size-fits-all public accommodations model is a poor match for the foster care system." In addition to the court opinion, there were also multiple concurring opinions. Although Alito concurred in the judgment, he expressed concern that the Supreme Court decision will not have a lasting impact on the dispute between Philadelphia and CSS. The City has been adamant about pressuring CSS to give in, and if the City wants to get around todays decision, it can simply eliminate the never-used exemption power, wrote Alito in a concurring opinion joined by conservative Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch. Not only is the Courts decision unlikely to resolve the present dispute, it provides no guidance regarding similar controversies in other jurisdictions. In 2018, Philadelphia stopped placing children in the homes of foster parents affiliated with CSS and Bethany Christian Services of Greater Delaware Valley due to the groups refusal to place children with same-sex couples for religious reasons. Although Bethany eventually changed its policy, foster parents and others who worked with CSS filed a lawsuit against city officials, arguing that it violates the U.S. Constitution. Plaintiff Sharronell Fulton fostered as many as 40 kids during her 25 years of working with CSS. Fellow plaintiff Toni Simms-Busch is a former social worker who adopted her foster children through CSS. Both were represented by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. Becket argued that CSS was the most successful foster care agency in the city and that the city ended its partnership with the organization at a time that city officials admitted an urgent need for foster families with thousands of kids in the system. I am overjoyed that the Supreme Court recognized the import work of Catholic Social Services and has allowed me to continue fostering children most in need of a loving home, Fulton said in a statement. My faith is what drives me to care for foster children here in Philadelphia and I thank God the Supreme Court believes thats a good thing, worthy of protection. Simms-Busch stressed that the justices "understand that foster parents like me share in the common, noble task of providing children with loving homes." Our foster-care ministry in Philadelphia is vital to solving the foster care crisis and Catholic Social Services is a cornerstone of that ministry," Simms-Busch stated. "The Supreme Courts decision ensures the most vulnerable children in the City of Brotherly Love have every opportunity to find loving homes. The Supreme Court decision follows the ruling of a three-judge panel of the Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in favor of the city in April 2019. The panel concluded that the First Amendment does not prohibit government regulation of religiously motivated conduct so long as that regulation is not a veiled attempt to suppress disfavored religious beliefs. Trinity Church Wall Street awards $4.6M in grants to seminaries, churches and Christian orgs Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Trinity Church Wall Street in Lower Manhattan, the richest Episcopal church in the world, which boasts a diverse investment portfolio worth $6 billion, has awarded more than $4.6 million in grants to Christian organizations across the United States, Africa and Latin America. The grants, ranging from $40,000 to $750,000, are being made to 25 organizations, including seminaries and churches committed to advancing "leadership development and building sustainable financial capacity in the Episcopal Church, the Anglican Communion and beyond," the church announced in a release Tuesday. Trinity continues our mission of helping churches create ministries that will not only impact their communities immediately but continue to help in years to come, the Rev. Phillip A. Jackson, priest-in-charge of Trinity Church Wall Street, said in a statement. We also believe in the importance of training the next generation of leaders in the Episcopal Church and are excited to announce almost $2 million in grants targeted to this purpose. Union Theological Seminary, which received $750,000, was the top grantee among all the organizations. Other seminaries that received grants were: Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, $150,000; Wesley Theological Seminary, $100,000; Princeton Theological Seminary, $100,000; and Auburn Theological Seminary, $100,000. The church also granted $90,000 to The Hispanic Youth Leadership Academy for the first time to help train young people for leadership in Christian communities. The goal is to create a pipeline of Episcopal Latinx faith leaders from high school to their ministries, both ordained and lay, Robert Garris, managing director for leadership development at Trinity said in a statement. The Hispanic Youth Leadership Academy is in a unique position to engage this work because of its 17 years of experience training and mentoring young Latinx faith leaders. In addition to providing funding to several projects in Africa and Latin America, the church also expanded its work in the affordable housing through its work with St. Lukes Episcopal Church in Seattle, Washington. The church is a participant in the inaugural Gift of Place cohort of churches launched by Trinity in partnership with the CEEP Network in 2020. St. Lukes, according to the release, will use a $200,000 grant to fund predevelopment costs for an affordable housing project in the "rapidly gentrifying Ballard neighborhood." While the neighborhood includes very affluent residents, there is still a significant shortage of affordable housing as evidenced by the 40 tents set up just across the street from the church entrance. This grant is an important first step in a project that will transform an entire city block with multiple new buildings encompassing affordable and mixed-income housing as well as space for community services; revitalizing the neighborhood and strengthening the church both missionally and financially," the Rev. James Clark, managing director of Mission Real Estate Development at Trinity, said. Trinity Wall Street is one of New York Citys most influential players in the real estate market. It boasts a diverse investment portfolio worth $6 billion thanks in large part to a gift of 215 acres of land from Queen Anne in 1705. The church still owns about 14 acres of that grant and has evolved into a big time developer itself. In an interview with The Christian Post last year, Bea de la Torre, managing director of the housing and homelessness team at Trinity Wall Street, said the church has always been concerned about homelessness in the city from a race-equity standpoint. Were really looking at addressing the intersection of racial justice and homelessness. A lot of people with justice involvement coming out of state prisons or jails have a very, very hard time securing housing. And many of them end up finding themselves revolving around these two systems, Torre said. She said Trinity Wall Street is very much in support of organizations that are investing in affordable housing development and that they have been involved with a new Down Payment Assistance Fund, launched in 2019, to speed the production of supportive and affordable housing across New York. When asked how much of Trinity Churchs real estate had been dedicated to affordable housing, Torre was quick to highlight St. Margarets House, a 20-story apartment building that features 251 rental apartments strictly for older adults, ages 62 and older, and mobility-impaired people, ages 18 and older, who all receive Section 8 rent subsidies. Thats a development that we are very proud of and committed to continuing, she said, while noting that Trinity Wall Street is also looking at different ways they can do more, including supporting faith-based institutions that want to leverage their properties to create affordable housing. I do think theres great opportunities with faith-based [organizations to balance the slant toward the luxury market by developers] with land air rights, owned by faith-based institutions. Its one of the reasons why we want to ensure that those organizations are well-equipped in terms of analyzing and assessing what they can do, Torre said. Pastor Willy Rice slams those who contribute to disunity in SBC: 'We need to remember who we are' Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment NASHVILLE, Tenn. Calvary Church Pastor Willy Rice issued a blistering condemnation of Southern Baptists who contribute to disunity within the denomination and warned against taking a careless sledgehammer to the house of God just to build a name for yourself. During a message delivered at the annual Southern Baptist Convention on Wednesday, the Florida-based pastor stressed that the denomination must remember its identity and mission following a particularly contentious season. The pastor said his heart has been broken in recent days by seeing the disunity among Southern Baptists. He based his remarks on 1 Corinthians 3, where the Apostle Paul warns against strife among the Body of Christ. We've embarrassed ourselves by our conduct, Rice said. I've thought so many times, We're better than this. I just want to believe that we're better than this. And again, maybe not. Maybe this is who we are, and maybe that's what makes this so hard. We may not be better than this, but Jesus is, he continued. Jesus is better than this. And that's why my hope isnt in me. My hope isn't in you. My hope isn't even in us. My hope is in Him because Jesus is better than this, we can be better than this. Undernderneath this mess of hay and straw that we've made is a foundation, and that foundation is the message of Jesus because that foundation endures, so will we. Pride and inflated self-importance, he posited, are partly to blame for the issues within the SBC. We have seen the product of a celebrity culture, where pastors and leaders become the star of the show, photo bombing Jesus at every turn, Rice said. What does it say about us when we have more green rooms than prayer rooms? he asked. We don't need stained glass icons, preachers in designer sneakers and wannabe celebrities obsessed with building their own social media platform or personal brands. We need to remember who we are. We do not own the field. We do not own the house. We labor in the Lord's work, and He gives the increase. He acknowledged that the past season in the SBC has been marked by unusual strife, name-calling, even slander. Something is wrong when we spend more time tearing down than we spend building up, Rice lamented. Something is wrong with those who relish attacking others who profess the name of Christ. The pastor stressed that there is a profound difference between honest debate and carnal controversies and between brotherly engagement and worldly strife. It is time we call it out and say to those whose voices seem constantly motivated to produce dissent and unrest that this will not go unchallenged or unchecked. We should not surrender this convention to strident voices who want to play the playground bully behind keyboards tearing others down so they can build themselves up, he declared. Rice highlighted the importance of speaking the truth in love and abiding by the fruits of the Holy Spirit, adding: I don't care how sound your doctrine, or how razor-sharp your intellect, or how snappy your retorts are on Twitter. If you do not mirror the character of Christ, then your words and your work are nothing but wood, hay and straw. Be careful before you take a careless sledgehammer to the house of God just to build a name for yourself," he warned. "Eternity is coming. God is watching. Earlier in his message, Rice addressed some of the contentious topics in the SBC, including critical race theory. Rice said that at its core, CRT offers a flawed diagnosis, a hopeless prognosis, and writes a powerless prescription rooted in materialistic humanism and political power. It is powerless because it cannot cure the deepest ills of the human heart. It brings no transformation, produces no love, and results in no justice. It cannot produce what only the Gospel can produce: A changed heart and a new humanity, he said. Every idea and teaching must be tested against the message of Scripture, Rice said, adding: We must always anchor ourselves to those truths, or we will drift where we do not want to go. While the SBC must be known for holding to the truth, Rice said he doesnt want the denomination to be known as the church with angry old men with rocks in their hands. If we are for biblical justice, then we should value the voices of those who have suffered injustice, including many of our black brothers and sisters, he explained. Rice concluded by stressing that the SBC does not need Jesus to take a side. Rather, it needs Jesus to take over. Dear friends, let us go back to the fields. Let's get back to building. There is work to be done, he said. The theme of the 2021 SBC Annual Meeting, chosen by former president J.D. Greear, is We are Great Commission Baptists. A total of 15,693 Southern Baptists attended this years meeting. Priest denies communion to Joe Biden over his abortion advocacy Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden was denied communion at a South Carolina church Sunday because of his abortion advocacy. Biden, who is a lifelong Catholic, was refused communion at the 9 a.m. mass at Saint Anthony Catholic Church where Father Robert E. Morey serves as pastor. Morey confirmed with SC Now that Biden was denied the sacrament because of his advocacy for abortion rights. Lets be clear, this ban is dangerous and directly violates a woman's constitutional right to choose. We must stop it. As president, I will codify Roe into federal law and ensure this choice remains between a woman and her doctor. https://t.co/IFgnRjBm8N Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) October 23, 2019 Sadly, this past Sunday, I had to refuse Holy Communion to former Vice President Joe Biden, Morey told the publication Monday. Holy Communion signifies we are one with God, each other and the Church. Our actions should reflect that. Any public figure who advocates for abortion places himself or herself outside of Church teaching. The rebuke from Morey comes after Biden publicly objected last Wednesday to a proposal to outlaw abortions in South Carolina after about six weeks of pregnancy, including in cases of rape or incest. Lets be clear, this ban is dangerous and directly violates a woman's constitutional right to choose. We must stop it. As president, I will codify Roe into federal law and ensure this choice remains between a woman and her doctor, Biden said in a tweet. States across the nation are passing extreme laws that violate a womans constitutional right to choose. These bills are a blatant attempt to overturn Roe v Wade. It's wrong. It's pernicious. We must #StopTheBans and ensure this choice remains between a woman and her doctor. pic.twitter.com/J4FL9nQgol Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) May 21, 2019 South Carolinas Senate Medical Affairs subcommittee approved the bill Biden objects to in a 4-3 vote that split along party lines, The State recently reported. It is also expected to be approved in the full Medical Affairs Committee but likely to face obstacles on the states Senate floor. Biden's position on abortion has evolved over time. In 1974, during his first term in the Senate, he said the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision "went too far" and he didn't "think that a woman has the sole right to say what should happen to her body." He also called abortion a tragedy in a 2006 interview. "I do not view abortion as a choice and a right. I think it's always a tragedy," he said, noting that abortions should be "rare and safe." In his 2007 book, Promises to Keep: On Life and Politics, Biden said he had "stuck to my middle-of-the-road position on abortion for more than thirty years." He also noted that even though he personally opposes abortion, "I don't think I have the right to impose my view on something I accept as a matter of faith on the rest of society." In May, Biden spoke out against states that have been fighting to overturn Roe v. Wade. States across the nation are passing extreme laws that violate a womans constitutional right to choose. These bills are a blatant attempt to overturn Roe v. Wade. It's wrong. It's pernicious. We must #StopTheBans and ensure this choice remains between a woman and her doctor, Biden said. In June, the Democratic presidential candidate also dropped his longtime support for the Hyde Amendment, which blocks federal funding for abortion in most cases. Morey noted that he had to deny communion to Biden because he is responsible for souls entrusted to his care and he must do so in even the most difficult situations. I will keep Mr. Biden in my prayers, the priest said. Pro-life group files complaint with SBA over Planned Parenthood clinic obtaining $2.7 million PPP loan Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A pro-life group has filed a complaint with the Small Business Administration, alleging that a Planned Parenthood affiliate improperly obtained Paycheck Protection Program loans designed for small businesses. In a June 7 complaint addressed to SBA Administrator Isabel Guzman, the New Hampshire Right to Life accuses Planned Parenthood of Northern New England and Planned Parenthood affiliates across the country of obtaining Paycheck Protection Program loans provided to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Planned Parenthood Federation of America, which requires its affiliates to submit to a rigorous PPFA accreditation review every three years, has well in excess of 500 employees, the limit to qualify as a small business. As part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Congress provided Paycheck Protection Program loans to small businesses that were forced to close their doors when federal, state and local governments implemented lockdowns in response to the novel coronavirus. As New Hampshire Right to Life President Jason Hennesseey explained in the letter to Guzman, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England applied for a PPP loan and received $2,717,300 in taxpayer dollars. Big businesses such as Planned Parenthood unlawfully applied to PPP and should not have their loans forgiven, he wrote. Noting that tax returns filed by Planned Parenthood of Northern New England in 2019 showed a total gross revenue of $27,153,085 and net earnings of $1,562,789, while the Planned Parenthood Federation of America claimed $274,186,594 and net earnings of $24,901,341. Hennessey asserted in the letter that these are not the type of revenue streams that are typical of a small business. Hennessey added: Planned Parenthood of Northern New England did not identify as an affiliate of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. when applying for a PPP loan. Under the rules of the Paycheck Protection Program, In most cases, a borrower will be considered together with its affiliates for determining eligibility for the PPP. The SBA had previously determined that PPFA is known to have and to exercise control over its local affiliates. Citing a May 2020 SBA notice to another Planned Parenthood affiliate explaining that it was ineligible for a PPP loan because of its affiliation with PPFA and its number of employees, Hennessey concluded that, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, Inc. also cannot qualify for a PPP loan under this same logic because [as] an affiliate of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. it has more than 500 employees. Just as SBA properly held Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, Inc. to have misrepresented its qualification and demand[ed] return of the PPP funding a similar letter must be sent to Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, Inc. requesting the $2,717,300 first draw PPP loan award be returned, he added. Hennessey expressed hope that SBA can recover PPP loans from national conglomerates who fraudulently received relief funds instead of the New Hampshire family-owned restaurants, daycare centers, barbershops, and lawn care/snow removal companies all successful businesses based solely on the hard work and effort of New Hampshire citizens. The letter from the New Hampshire Right to Life comes after the Republicans on the Senates Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship wrote to Guzman on April 15, expressing concern about Planned Parenthood affiliates continued receipt of PPP loans. Led by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., the senators asserted that, according to data provided to Congress on March 23, not only have most of the PPFA affiliates not returned their PPP funds, as requested by SBA, but two have applied for and been approved for a second draw loan, with full knowledge of their ineligibility. On May 10, Paul and the other Senate Republicans on the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship wrote another letter to Guzman, reporting that since our April 15 letter to you, SBA approved PPP loans for at least two additional PPFA affiliates according to the most recent data posted to the Agencys website. Specifically, they said, one Planned Parenthood affiliate received a $10 million loan, the maximum loan amount under the Paycheck Protection Program. The senators described the $10 million loan to Planned Parenthood of Greater New York as unacceptable. In both letters, the senators asked the Small Business Administration to provide a detailed explanation regarding how two PPFA affiliates were approved for second draw loans despite the SBAs determination that they were ineligible for the PPP and a detailed explanation of the SBAs process for ensuring entities that were determined to be ineligible for first draw loans do not get second draw loans. Additionally, the senators requested all forgiveness information associated with loans to PPFA entities, and a description of any and all actions the SBA has taken to recover PPP funds unlawfully provided to PPFA affiliates. In the follow-up letter, the senators asked for complete PPP loan-level data for all PPFA affiliates and unredacted copies of any and all agency decisions, determinations, guidance, policies and/or documents related to PPP loans to PPFA affiliates. Covid & Discrimination Devastating NEPALs Fast Growing Churches As some countries around the world feel like theyre turning the corner on Covid-19, others are plunging into deep despair and chaos. One of those is the nation of Nepal, nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas. World media has rightly focused on the devastation Covid is reeking across neighboring India, as it grapples with a lack of oxygen and ICU beds. Perhaps forgotten are nation-states on either side of its borders, where exported infections are rampant and health care infrastructure weaker. Nepal is one of those and the projections on how it will fare are dire. The situation in Nepal became personal for me the other day as news arrived of the death of a dear friend and pastor of an influential church in Nepal. Pastor Amber Thapa, the founding pastor of the Stuti Prashansa Church in Lalitpur, Kathmandu, was hospitalized and lost his battle with Covid-19. Not even five feet tall, he was a giant of a man in the Lord having formerly endured imprisonment for preaching the gospel. But Covid is no respecter of persons, and many churches are likewise experiencing the tragic loss of their shepherds, at a time when the church needs its leaders. The first wave of Covid primarily struck its major cities; a second and more deadly wave is sweeping through the villages where most of the population lives. Having lost work in urban centers and neighboring India, many Nepalis returned to their village homes, bringing Covid with them. The impact is predicted to be devastating as lack of medical infrastructure, let alone well-equipped hospitals to treat infected patients, is a recipe for disaster on an unprecedented scale. The bodies are literally piling up. Those of Christians are often treated even worse. My dear friend Pastor Thapas body was bagged, tied up with rope and incinerated by the army. Nepal is a special country for me. Having visited there six times in the last six years, it is an amazing case study of how the Christian gospel spreads. In the 1960s the number of Christ-followers numbered a handful at best. Today, in the space of two generations the number of Christians is estimated at around three million roughly ten percent of the entire population. Nepal is arguably the fastest growing church in the world, and largely without the imposition of foreign mission agencies and denominations exporting their models. The Christian church in Nepal is not only viable but thriving. And they are committed to serving their poor and suffering in the Name of Christ, seizing this opportunity as the churchs finest hour. WEA is supporting the National Churches Fellowship of Nepal (their national evangelical alliance member), and its sister organization, the Nepal Christian Society, in an ambitious plan to provide help to thousands of families devastated by Covid. Between these two organizations, ninety-five percent of Nepals churches are represented. Rev Hanok Tamang, Chair of NCFN, describes the situation in Nepal as getting worse each day, escalating number of positive cases with rising death toll. He described the situation as being horrendously excruciating, we have many pastors in hospital beds, in ICU Wards, and on ventilators. However, the number of available medical resources is simply insufficient for current and expected needs. Rev Hanok recounted a phone conversation with the pastor of a growing church that epitomizes both the dilemma they face and their resolve to serve: [We have] no idea, what transpires in next hours or minutes; God only knows. But let us seize every moment available, to be resourceful to help people in need. This morning we saw a tragic scenario of several people in hospital beds, struggling with death and life, asking and seeking for oxygen . . . if [the] current situation continues for few more weeks, cities can become [like a] graveyard with pin-drop silence. Rev Mukunda Sharma, Secretary of Nepal Christian Society, outlines their plan to help families devastated by Covid. Household food supplies, along with health and PPE resources, are planned for as many as 10,000 households at a cost of around US$35 a package. As funds permit, they also have plans to purchase oxygen and medical supplies and pay hospital doctor and ambulance fees in a bid to save lives including those of pastors who have been leading this explosive church growth. But the church in Nepal stands ready to do what it can to serve those they can with the practical love of Christ. The WEA invites the world to partner with the church in Nepal in this twenty-first century parallel to how the New Testament church responded to a famine in Judea, where many from far and wide partnered with the church amid the crisis. But the devastation of Covid-19 is not the only threat to the Christian community in Nepal. The current Nepali constitution renders it technically illegal to proclaim the gospel, which could even be as loosely understood as walking down the street carrying a Bible. Those guilty of solicitation can face a fine of up to US$5000 or five years imprisonment. This is not the first time restrictive legislation has been imposed in Nepal, influenced by militant Hindu politicians on both sides of the Indian border. But the Christian community is undeterred in its resolve to preach the gospel. In early April, Hindu nationalists circulated a forged and fake document on social media alleging Christian groups have outlined a plan to cause ethnic rifts among Hindus to convert them. Pro-Hindu Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) leaders stated: Organized conversion is punishable under the constitution. Such acts that destroy national identity and disrupt cultural harmony should be dealt with immediately in accordance with the law. The WEA Global Advocacy department is taking up this flagrant abuse of human rights and religious freedom through its representation to the United Nations and other diplomatic channels. The church in Nepal desperately needs our prayers and our practical support. The challenges they face are daunting. As the apostle Paul encouraged us in his seminal description of the body of Christ, If one part suffers, every part suffers with it. (1 Corinthians 12:26) Click here to give NEPAL Pastors Emergency Covid Fund. Dr Brian Winslade is a New Zealander, who has previously served as Senior Pastor of Hamilton Central Baptist Church. He has been in pastoral ministry since 1979, including senior pastor of five multiple staff churches (NZ and San Francisco). From 1989-1991 Brian served in Bangladesh as a missionary, seconded to the National Christian Fellowship Bangladesh (NCFB) helping develop their relief and development arm, Koinonia. From 2001 to 2006 he was National Leader (CEO) of the Baptist Union of New Zealand. From 2008 to 2011 he served as the National Director of the Baptist Union of Australia and also Director of Crossover the evangelism and missional resourcing ministry of Australian Baptist churches. He has served on governance boards for a range of denominational and international mission organizations. From 2005 to 2010 Brian was Chair of the Church Leadership Commission for the Baptist World Alliance. Born in 1958, Brian is a graduate of the NZ Baptist Theological College and Bethel University, MN, U.S.A. from which he holds a Doctor of Ministry degree. He is married to Elizabeth (1979); they have three adult children and eight grandchildren. Brian describes himself as an ecclesial missiologist with a passion for leadership, the local church, facilitating organisational reformation/effectiveness in reaching 21st century people with the gospel. His denominational leadership work, along with doctoral studies, focused on organisational systems and change management. He has travelled extensively training church leaders and consulting on mission, church health and growth, speaking at churches, leadership conferences and seminaries in Australia, New Zealand, India, Bangladesh, Macau, Hong Kong, Thailand, U.K, Canada, USA, South Africa and Nepal. Florida to require daily moment of silence in schools for students to 'reflect, pray as they see fit' Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Monday requiring schools in the Sunshine State to require a moment of silence before class each day, allowing students to reflect and be able to pray as they see fit." The idea that you can just push God out of every institution and be successful, Im sorry, our Founding Fathers did not believe that, DeSantis said before signing the legislation behind a placard that read protect religious liberty, according to News Service of Florida. H.B. 529 goes into effect July 1 and makes Florida one of 15 states in the United States that require moments of silence at the beginning of each school day, ABC7 News reported. DeSantis signed the bill at the Shul of Bal Harbour, a Jewish community center in southern Florida. He also signed legislation to allow faith-based volunteer ambulance services to operate, including a Jewish transport service called Hatzalah. The Republican highlighted initiatives to support Israel and Floridas Jewish community. Every family in our state should be able to send their children to school and know that they will be protected from harm and be able to practice their faith, DeSantis said in a statement. Im proud to sign these bills today to help protect religious freedom in Florida and increase the safety and security of our Jewish communities. Watch Live: Governor DeSantis speaks about supporting Jewish communities and religious freedom at the Shul in Bal Harbour.https://t.co/ft9m545gIv Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) June 14, 2021 A moment of silence was already implemented in many Florida schools, but it will become mandatory in the next school year. This new law expands a current statute that only encourages a moment of silent prayer in school. The new legislation directs the public school principal to require teachers in first-period classrooms to set aside one to two minutes each morning for a moment of silence, and students cannot interfere with another students participation. The teacher must encourage parents to discuss the moment of silence with their children to suggest how to best use the time. The teacher, however, is not allowed to suggest the nature of reflection the student may engage in during the allotted moment of silence. Floridas Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran said the moment of silence could have positive implications on children struggling with mental health and will allow parents to have conversations with their children about how best to use the time for reflection. We know that many children struggle with mental health issues, which impact them, their families, and their schools most of all, Corcoran said in a statement. HB 529 empowers families to begin those ongoing conversations with their child on what they might reflect on during the moment of silence, and help them use this time as an opportunity to prepare for the upcoming day. Republican Sen. Dennis Baxley said the time of silence will give students a moment to gather themselves in a quiet moment of reflection, which he said is needed in the frantic pace of modern life. Rep. Randy Fine, the bills sponsor, posted on Facebook that the bill allows prayer back into schools via a moment of silence for all of our schoolchildren." "I wont stop fighting back against woke radicals who wish to drive the Judeo-Christian values from every aspect of our lives!" Fine added. In another statement, Fine said that in a "media-driven" world full of "societal turmoil," students "desperately need time for quiet reflection. Because it is in those fleeting moments that we find our higher purpose," Fine argued. "Thats why I was so proud to sponsor HB 529, to ensure that each child gets a minute at the beginning of the school day without a TV on or a cellphone blaring to think about the world and their place in it. It is my hope that these small moments to become emotionally centered will have a big impact on their days and their lives. Some lawmakers and secular groups are opposed to the bill. Devon Graham of American Atheists, an organization that advocates for a strict separation of church and state, told media she is suspicious the bill is a way to mandate prayer in the classroom. It is a bit of a back door way of getting there, said Graham, arguing that the moment of silence should not be mandatory. Rep. Omari Hardy, a progressive Democrat from West Palm Beach, also condemned the bill and the Republicans who passed it. The Republican who sponsored the bill said that it wasn't about prayer in school. (Of course it was!), Hardy tweeted. But when you question their motives, or their honesty, it's called a personal attack & deemed out of order. No. The Republicans lie, and we need to call them on it every time. Ivan Gluck, an 83-year-old community member, sees the bill putting God back into the school system as a positive for the school system. If you dont have religion, then I think that society and humanity will come to an end, he said, according to The Tampa Bay Times. Boris Johnson quotes the Bible when asked if he believes in God The foolish man has said in his heart there is no God Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Responding to the question of whether he is now a practicing Roman Catholic, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who recently got married in Westminster Cathedral, quoted from the Psalms while speaking to a reporter during the G7 summit in England. When ITVs Robert Peston asked the question, Johnson initially sought not to respond by saying, I dont discuss these deep issues, certainly not with you. The reporter then told Johnson that Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer had said he does not believe in God. The prime minister then quoted Psalm 14: The foolish man has said in his heart there is no God. While the prime minister was baptized a Catholic, he twice married as an Anglican before his third marriage with Carrie Symonds. The question of his faith as Britains first Catholic prime minister (while in office) became a serious issue last week because, as a Catholic, Johnson can no longer send the names of Church of England bishops to Queen Elizabeth. Instead, Lord Chancellor Robert Buckland "will send the names of new Church of England bishops to the queen, after a warning that the prime minister could be banished from office if he keeps doing so himself," The Telegraph reported. An unnamed source at No. 10 told the publication that the rule is "incredibly anachronistic" because a Jewish or Muslim prime minister could nominate a bishop but not a Catholic. In response to questions about Johnson's Christian faith and conversion to Catholicism, one senior Tory reportedly said the prime minister: Does not have a religious bone in his body. Johnsons great-grandfather, Ali Kemal, was a Turkish Muslim journalist and politician who was brutally murdered by a mob that supported Ataturk. He knew England well, and when the British occupied Constantinople for four years at the end of World War I, he collaborated with them, according to The Spectator. In the BBC series Who Do Think You Are, Johnson talked about his great-grandfather having memorized the entire Quran as a young boy. And it was in that interview that Johnson also mentioned that, as a student, he had won a scripture knowledge prize. As part of a Bible reading project for the King James Bible Trust, in which a reading of the entire Bible was posted on YouTube, Johnson read from Isaiah Chapter 11. He called the King James version the single most beautiful and influential work of English literature. Johnson, twice-divorced, married Symonds in a private ceremony at Westminster Cathedral on May 29. Symonds, a 33-year-old political activist and conservationist, is the third wife of Johnson, 56. Johnson and Symonds share a son, Wilfred, who was born in April 2020. The secretive ceremony was officiated by a Catholic priest, Father Daniel Humphreys, who baptized the couples son last year, Newsweek reported. Johnsons multiple marriages and having children out of wedlock sparked controversy due to the Catholic Churchs stance on such issues and its opposition to divorce. The Roman Catholic Church does allow divorcees to remarry if the previous marriages were outside the Roman Catholic Church. Johnsons former marriages to Allegra Mostyn-Owen and Marina Wheeler were not Catholic ceremonies and thus not recognized by the Catholic Church. Father Mark Drew, assistant priest at St. Joseph's Church in Penketh, Warrington, told the BBC that hes had to tell Catholic couples going through a divorce that they cannot remarry in the Catholic Church. "It looks to them rightly or wrongly as if the Church is applying double standards and I do fear that this decision does make the church look bad, Drew said. Christopher Lamb, a correspondent for the Catholic magazine The Tablet, told BBC Radio 5 about how Johnsons third marriage reflects that there is one law for the rich and powerful and another for everyone else. There will be a feeling that, why are some people who are divorced allowed to be married in the church and others not? And I think thats where the church can look at its current roles and see how it can become more welcoming. It has been welcoming to Boris Johnson, why not to others? he asked. Canadian pastor arrested for holding outdoor service after church was seized by authorities Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A Canadian pastor has been arrested after his church held an outdoor worship service at an undisclosed location after the local government ordered the church building to be closed. Tim Stephens, who serves as pastor of Fairview Baptist Church in Calgary, Alberta, was arrested Monday after refusing to abide by the order from Alberta Health Services to refrain from holding worship services that don't comply with the provincial COVID-19 rules. On Monday, Stephens shared on his Twitter account that I just got a tip that the police may be on their way to arrest me. I just got a tip that the police may be on their way to arrest me. Why? I continue to lead our church to worship Jesus as Lord over every earthly power. More to come... Pray brothers and sisters. Stand firm, keep the faith. Tim Stephens (@tim__stephens) June 14, 2021 Shortly after that, police showed up and arrested the pastor in front of his eight children, who tearfully told him goodbye. Video footage of the arrest was obtained by Rebel News. A reporter for the Canadian news outlet asked the police if they wanted to comment on why Jason Kenney gets a free pass and youre arresting pastors across the province." The comment was a reference to Alberta Premier Jason Kenneys June 1 dinner with cabinet members that did not comply with the provinces public health restrictions. Early Tuesday morning, Stephens wife, Raquel, posted an update announcing that Tim was arrested again for holding an outdoor service in violation of Albertas health orders." "He went before a Justice of the Peace [Monday] evening and refused the bail condition, so hell remain in custody until his next court date June 28," she wrote. Tim was arrested again for holding an outdoor service in violation of Albertas health orders. He went before a Justice of the Peace this evening and refused the bail condition so hell remain in custody until his next court date June 28.@tim__stephenshttps://t.co/MDAuLCfengpic.twitter.com/UCtPRjNohq Raquel Stephens (@RaquelAStephens) June 15, 2021 In a statement, Raquel Stephens explained that state authorities want "Tim to tell people what to wear, where to stand, and to forbid some people from being [in] the church." She noted that when she asked the police officers if they had ever broken the health orders, they answered in the affirmative. Tim was offered bail conditional upon his agreement to abide by all public health orders, she added. He couldnt agree because doing so would prevent him from faithfully shepherding the flock that has been entrusted to his care. He will remain in custody until his next court date on June 28. Mrs. Stephens predicted that Tims imprisonment will strengthen us in the faith and embolden us to love and obey Christ, no matter the cost. She asked for prayers that her husband would stand firm; that he would meditate on the love of Christ and his sacrifice for his sinners; that he would be comforted in his chains. The Calgary Police Service and Alberta Health Services confirmed Stephens was arrested for violating a court order. "Stephens acknowledged the injunction, but chose to move forward with an illegal outdoor service, ignoring requirements for social distancing and reduced capacity limits for attendees," the joint statement reads. The news outlet notes that a large crowd gathered at an undisclosed location to worship and hear Stephens preach on Sunday. The congregation was reportedly discovered by a police helicopter. Police vehicles were seen circling the location and waited until Monday to arrest Stephens. Stephens is represented by the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms. On June 5, Pastor Stephens tweeted pictures of notices that were posted on the doors of his church proclaiming that Alberta Health Services Has Ordered This Premises Closed to the Public and Alberta Health Services has secured this building as per section 62.1 of the Public Health Act. The closure of Fairview Baptist Church will remain in effect until such time that this order is rescinded by an Executive Officer of Alberta Health Services. AHS seized our building! Fines, injunctions, imprisonment, and seizure of property will only demonstrate the folly of their actions and bring glory to Christ. Incredible that this happened in the same week our most senior officials were photo'd flouting health orders. pic.twitter.com/JCT8ToWjTP Tim Stephens (@tim__stephens) June 5, 2021 Stephens attempted to make the best of the situation by vowing that Fines, injunctions, imprisonment, and seizure of property will only demonstrate the folly of their actions and bring glory to Christ. He remarked that it was incredible that this happened in the same week our most senior officials were photod flouting health orders, referring to Kenney. Stephens was arrested last month for holding a church service that did not comply with public health orders, including masking, physical distancing and attendance limits. During his imprisonment, Stephens wrote a letter to his children asserting that I have been arrested because I am convinced by the word of God, reason, and science, that we must gather as a church and live our lives with freedom in Christ. Raquel Stephens shared an excerpt of that letter in her update Tuesday morning. According to Rebel News, Alberta authorities were forced to drop other charges against the pastor last month after discovering that Alberta Health Services never served Stephens with the court order he was said to have violated. Stephens is not the only Canadian pastor to face legal consequences for holding in-person worship services after his church building was ordered to close. The pastor of a church in Aylmer, Ontario, faces nearly $200,000 in fines for holding outdoor worship services after the local government shut down his church building. Artur Pawlowski, another pastor based in Calgary, has had multiple encounters with law enforcement over coronavirus worship restrictions. Pawlowski has angrily confronted local police and public health officials who showed up at his church in two viral videos and was eventually arrested for holding an illegal in-person gathering. DETROIT (AP) The head of Detroit's big international auto show says it will return to the Motor City next year, but with smaller indoor displays, and more emphasis on experiencing vehicles and technology outside. The North American International Auto Show was canceled last year due the coronavirus pandemic and will be replaced this year by an event at a racetrack north of Detroit. But Rod Alberts, executive director of the Detroit Auto Dealers Association, which runs the show, says that next year there will be an event in the city's downtown. That's the place it belongs, Alberts told the Automotive Press Association of Detroit on Thursday. But he said the show will have to change from the past, when automakers built elaborate and costly multi-story displays and unveiled their most important new models. Now car companies are finding they can get good exposure and spend less by doing virtual unveilings outside of auto shows, where vehicles can get overshadowed by other debuts. Some automakers had pulled out of Detroit and other shows. Alberts said Detroit and other shows have to change to appeal more to millennials, which are two generations after baby boomers and like to experience things rather than just view them. He envisions a mainly a walkable outdoor event encompassing the entire downtown, with smaller displays and maybe some electric-vehicle driving indoors. It would be during good-weather months instead of the traditional frigid January in Detroit. You can't just keep doing the same things over and over again, Alberts said. The show had been scheduled at the downtown convention center for September of this year, but in January organizers decided to replace it with an outdoor event called Motor Bella at the M1 Concourse track in Pontiac, Michigan. Alberts said Motor Bella could be incorporated into a future downtown auto show, or could be a separate event in the future. It will have track driving, an off-road driving area, and displays by automakers and technology companies. He said there will be new vehicle debuts at the event from Sept. 21-26, but he wasn't sure how many. Last month, the Chicago Auto Show announced that it would be back downtown in July. The New York International Auto Show is scheduled to make a comeback from Aug. 20-29 at the Javits Convention Center, while the Los Angeles Auto Show is to return from Nov. 19-28 at the citys convention center. As the only English-language global Chinese network, CGTN is your source for how China reports on pivotal global events. Today, CGTN Americas correspondent, Liu Xu, is filing a report on the Biden-Putin meeting. Liu Xu gives a unique perspective on the talks. CGTN America releases What Happened at US-Russia Summit in Geneva. From the G7 to NATO and culminating in the first meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin, China may not have been on the agenda, but it was on everyones mind. As the only English-language global Chinese network, CGTN is your source for how China reports on pivotal global events. Today, CGTN Americas correspondent, Liu Xu, is filing a report on the Biden-Putin meeting. Liu Xu gives a unique perspective on the talks. Relations have been deteriorating for years, notably with Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, its 2015 intervention in Syria, and U.S. charges - denied by Moscow - of meddling in the 2016 election that brought Donald Trump to the White House. They sank further in March when Biden said he thought Putin was a "killer," prompting Russia to recall its ambassador to Washington for consultations. The United States recalled its ambassador in April. (Reported by Liu Xu) Click here for more about all What happened at US-Russia Summit in Geneva and to view the report: https://newsus.cgtn.com/news/2021-06-17/What-happened-on-U-S-Russia-summit-in-Geneva-Switzerland-119zBENWEeY/index.html (This material is distributed by MediaLinks TV, LLC on behalf of CCTV. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.) For the original version on PRWeb visit: https://www.prweb.com/releases/cgtn_america_what_happened_at_us_russia_summit_in_geneva/prweb18014268.htm I don't know about you, but I feel like summer is peak reality TV season. And luckily, it seems like there's always a Houstonian to root for from the couch. Season 11 of "MasterChef" premiered on June 2. The show features 15 home cooks from across the country competing to win $250,000. With the audition rounds complete, we have two Houstonians vying for the approval of Gordon Ramsay, Aaron Sanchez and Joe Bastianich. BREAKFAST TIME: Let's watch Gordon Ramsay fry up a Texas classic And odds could be in their favor: Houstonian Christine Ha won in the third season of the show and is now the chef/owner of two Vietnamese restaurants in the city, The Blind Goat and Xin Chao. Let's meet our Houston contestants: Suu Khin Suu Khin is a Burmese food blogger in Houston, and she's already wildly impressed the judges with her Burmese noodle soup made with shrimp and coconut during auditions. Ramsay called her soup "the best dish of the night." "The coconut soup is a recipe my grandma personally taught me so this is to celebrate her life and pay tribute to her wonderful 100 years of life," Suu told Fox 26's Natalie Hee. Khin was born and raised in Myanmar and is a recent Houston transplant. She started cooking when she was 6 years old and started her food blog while a student in Massachusetts. "The purpose of that food blog is to first celebrate my family culinary heritage and second is to promote and demystify Burmese cuisine, because it's been overshadowed and underrepresented for so long and I think the world is missing out," Khin told Fox 26. "The first taste of a country and a culture is through a cuisine, and you reach people's minds and their hearts to their stomach." HOUSTON EATS: Bojangles is coming to Houston and people could not be more pumped Joseph Manglicmot Joseph Manglicmot had been working in oil and gas for nearly 10 years before deciding to pursue his dream of being a chef. He earned a spot on the show with a dish featuring red snapper. "I've never, ever, ever worked in a restaurant, I'm the most amateur of amateurs when it comes to cooking," Manglicmot told Fox 26's Hee. Manglicmot is hoping to represent Houston well during his time on the show, especially through his cooking. Screenshots via Instagram @burmalicious_by_suu / @mocityjoe "I really try to represent what Houston is," Manglicmot told Fox 26. "Houston is this big cultural melting pot of all sorts of different races so I kind of took that into consideration, I made that my cuisine, I made that my thing, and I just did every type of Asian food possible in every episode." "MasterChef: Legends" airs Wednesdays at 7 p.m. on Fox. Click here to read the full article. WASHINGTON Whats Manchins Twitter handle again? It was just past 2 oclock on Tuesday, June 15, and Trey Martinez Fischer stood outside of Sen. Joe Manchins office in Washington, D.C. Martinez Fischer had been there for an hour, and was prepared to wait longer. He had no plans to leave until he got what he came for: a meeting. Dressed in a blue-gray suit with a flimsy Senate guest badge clipped to the jacket pocket, Martinez Fischer looked like one of the dime-a-dozen interest-group lobbyists who stalk the corridors of Capitol Hill to promote their little slice of the great American experiment, whether its ethanol subsidies or Tibetan freedom. Martinez Fischer, however, is a 10-term member of the Texas House of Representatives from San Antonio. His issue was the great American experiment itself. Martinez Fischer was among the group of Texas Democrats who staged a dramatic last-minute walkout in Austin last month to block one of the most restrictive voting bills introduced this year. The move killed the bill for the moment, but Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) says he wants a special session to pass the voter-suppression bill. After the walkout, Texas Democrats turned their gaze to Washington. They pleaded with Congress to pass the For the People Act, a sweeping set of democracy reforms to counteract the GOPs ongoing assault on access to the ballot box. Down here in Texas, when times get tough, we say its time to cowboy up, Martinez Fischer said in a TV interview. And so with all due respect, Id ask Senator Manchin to please cowboy up. He added, You may not want to destroy the country, but [Republicans] are going to destroy the country state by state. Now, with a vote on the For the People Act scheduled for late June, Martinez Fischer had flown to Washington on his own dime to make his case in person. As he waited outside Manchins office, he huddled over his phone and workshopped a tweet about his trip. An aide searched until she found Manchins official Twitter account, @Sen_JoeManchin. An underscore? Really? Martinez Fischer asked. His aide gave a solemn nod. Martinez Fischer plugged in the correct Twitter handle and resumed waiting, hoping someone would emerge from the double glass doors to summon him and Jasmine Crockett, a Texas state representative from Dallas who was waiting alongside him, into the office. Right now, the fight to protect and expand voting rights and to repair the damage done to democracy after four years of the Trump administration is playing out on two fronts. At the state level, state legislators have introduced close to 400 bills that would restrict access to the ballot box from January to May 2021, according to the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU. Fourteen states have approved 22 new laws that add voter ID requirements, curb the ability to help someone submit their mail-in ballot, outlaw giving out snacks and water to voters waiting in line, eliminate voter registration on Election Day, and limit local election clerks ability to use dropboxes to gather mail-in ballots, among other changes. While other states have enacted at least 28 laws to make voting easier during roughly the same amount of time, the Brennan Center says the number of voter-restriction bills so far this year is the highest in a decade. Texas already has the most restrictive voting laws in America. Yet like so many other Republican-controlled states, Texas has pushed ahead with a new voting-rights clampdown under the bogus guise of election integrity. The Texas Tribune described the bill in question, titled SB 7, as an expansive bill that would touch nearly the entire voting process, including provisions to limit early voting hours, curtail local voting options and further tighten voting by mail, among several other provisions. Perhaps the bills most contentious provision would loosen the requirements for challenging and overturning the outcome of an election. Democrats from President Joe Biden to state-level officials, as well as major corporations such as Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, and Unilever, have opposed the bill and urged the Texas legislature to not pass it. Given little time to review the final bill, Democrats in the Texas House of Representatives instead walked off the job and denied their Republicans the quorum needed to hold a vote. This was our moonshot, says state Rep. Gina Hinojosa who represents Austin. Later that night, Hinojosa told me, she called a contact in the Biden White House: I said, We need to come D.C. Texas Democrats say their battle over voting rights is just a symptom of the national struggle between one party that wants to expand the electorate and the other party that wants to make it harder to vote for anyone not in its coalition. Whats happening in Texas is absolutely connected to whats taking place across the country, Beto ORourke, the former congressman and presidential candidate who is considering a bid for Texas governor, told me by phone on Tuesday. We in Texas are doing everything we can, going beyond what anybody thought was possible. We need everybody else to do their part. It was in that spirit that Trey Martinez Fischer and his Texas Democratic colleagues traveled to Washington this week. Once they arrived on Capitol Hill, the members of the Texas delegation split into groups and scattered across Capitol Hill. State Reps. Martinez Fischer, Crockett, Hinojosa, and Armando Martinez first met with Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), chair of the Rules Committee and a key player in the campaign to pass the pro-democracy For the People Act and a companion bill, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. The meeting lasted 15 or 20 minutes. I walked away feeling hopeful, Hinojosa said afterward. Theyre working through the provisions. There is a game plan. As she left her office, Klobuchar wouldnt comment on the state of the negotiations over the For the People Act after all, the bill needs 60 votes to beat a filibuster or agreement among all 50 Senate Democrats to change the filibuster and then 50 votes to pass the bill. What happened in Texas is just the ultimate example of attempts to limit peoples freedom to vote, she said. Last I checked Texas is all about freedom. As for the status of the For the People Act, she said: Were continuing to work. As weve always said, failure is not an option. Soon afterward, the group arrived at Manchins office. They posed for a group photo next to Manchins name plate, and waited, and waited, and waited. Reps. Hinojosa and Martinez decided to split off for a different meeting elsewhere on Capitol Hill. Scrolling through Twitter, Martinez Fischer noticed a tweet that said another Texas delegation had gotten a rousing ovation at a luncheon attended by Senate Democrats. But two key votes on democracy reform, Manchin and another moderate Democrat, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, reportedly did not attend. Martinez Fischer read the tweet. Im not going anywhere, bro, he told me. Finally, Lance West, Manchins chief of staff, emerged and welcomed Martinez Fischer and Crockett inside. An hour later, the two Texans exited Manchins office. They looked encouraged if a bit overloaded. Martinez Fischer said it was a very productive meeting and hinted that there would be future meetings. He wouldnt talk specifics, but that in and of itself was a good sign that the bill wasnt dead, and their visit to Washington all for naught. The most Martinez Fischer would tell me, as we rode the underground train to another part of the Capitol complex, was that he was prepared to push back his return flight to Texas if necessary. Theres a decent chance I might need to, he said. The day ended with a photo op and brief meeting with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer followed by a press conference outside on the East Plaza of the Capitol with Speaker Nancy Pelosi and a group of congressional Democrats. The whole country was inspired by their story, Pelosi said of the Texas Democrats. She referenced the all-out assault on voting rights at the state level. In Congress, she went on, we have the antidote to all of this. We need to help them here on Capitol Hill, Rep. Marc Veasey (D-Texas) said. This is a now-or-never moment for American democracy, Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) said. We were a small spark that ignited a national debate, Martinez Fischer said. We brought that spark to the nations capital hoping to light a fire. Click here to read the full article. In the days after Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump, no conspiracy was too outlandish, no report too unfounded, and no source too shady for the then-president or his aides, who, as emails and documents made public this week show, aggressively pushed Justice Department officials for help overturning the results of the 2020 election. But Trumps aggressive efforts to push election conspiracies were more than just a headache for Acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen and others at the Justice Department a report from the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law and D.C.s Bipartisan Policy Center, also released this week, suggests they contributed to an increasingly hostile environment that endangered the lives of election officials around the country. Combined, the two reports show how, months later, experts are still trying to understand both the extent of the damage done by the former presidents lies, and the possible solutions to keep disinformation and political pressure from wreaking havoc on future elections around the country. New internal emails, obtained and made public by the House Oversight Committee as part of its investigation into the January 6th attack on the Capitol, indicate that Rosen and others were under constant pressure from the president and his allies to substantiate any and all conspiracy theories that might cast doubt on Bidens victory. In one particularly embarrassing exchange, Trumps chief of staff, Mark Meadows, shared one letter addressed to Illustrious Mr. President, purporting to be from an Italian named Carlo Goria. In the letter, Goria claims to have direct knowledge of the fact that the Italian aerospace company Leonardo, using advanced military encryption capabilities, changed the U.S. election result from President Trump to Joe Biden. Apparently, the claim was good enough for Meadows, who forwarded the letter, along with a YouTube video (later taken down for violating the sites terms of service), to Rosen. Rosen forwarded the thread, which included a request to look into another conspiracy, this time about signature-match anomalies in a Georgia county, to a DOJ colleague. Can you believe this? Rosen wrote to Richard Donoghue, the acting deputy attorney general, adding that he was not going to respond to Meadows request to have Assistant Attorney General Jeff Clark personally investigate claims about the Georgia signature claims. Pure insanity, Donoghue replied. Yes, Rosen wrote back. After this message, I was asked to have FBI meet with Brad Johnson [creator of the YouTube video], and I responded that Johnson could call or walk into FBIs Washington Field Office with any evidence he purports to have. On a follow up call, I learned that Johnson is working with Rudy Giuliani, who regarded my comments as an insult. Also found in the document dump is an email to Rosen from Trumps personal assistant, with the subject line From POTUS. An attached PDF purported widespread voter fraud enabled by Dominion voting machines in Michigans Antrim County. Chris Krebs, director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency in Trumps Department of Homeland Security, had already called the report factually inaccurate. A more recent forensic analysis likewise found the report contains an extraordinary number of false, inaccurate or unsubstantiated statements. The erroneous claims, though, were dutifully forwarded on to the U.S. Attorneys for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan. (Dominion Voting Systems went on to sue Sidney Powell, Rudy Giuliani, Mike Lindell and Fox News all of whom promoted unfounded lies about the company and its machines for defamation, seeking billions of dollars in damages from those who promoted the false claims.) But the damage goes far beyond Dominions reputation. And even with Trump now out of office, his lies are still driving the partys agenda. In many battleground states, local election officials were, like the DOJ officials, under enormous pressure to bow to Trumps whims. According to Politico, in December 2020, Trump personally called at least 31 state and local election officials in contested states. But even those officials who resisted Trumps entreaties were later punished by state lawmakers who moved to strip them of their power. In the Brennan Center report out this week, interviews with nearly three dozen election officials across the United States, found that during the 2020 election cycle, bureaucrats used to operating in relative obscurity found themselves and their families the target of increasing violent threats and harassment and political pressure because of Trumps disinformation campaign. According to the report, one in three election officials feel unsafe because of their job, and nearly one in five listed threats to their lives as a job-related concern. Brad Raffensberger, the Georgia secretary of state who Trump personally leaned on to find 11,780 votes, has continued to be the target of threats, including a text to his wife as recently as April that read, You and your family will be killed very slowly. The threats against Al Schmidt, the Republican city commissioner of Philadelphia, were so severe and specific that a 24-hour security detail was dispatched to his house and his parents house. (The FBI ultimately arrested two men, armed with semi-automatic Beretta pistols and an AR-15-style rifle, for threats to the Pennsylvania Convention Center, where Schmidt was overseeing vote tabulation.) In Arizona, where a partisan election audit is ongoing, Secretary of State Katie Hobbs tweeted, Earlier today a man called my office saying I deserve to die and wanting to know what she is wearing so shell be easy to get. It was one of at least three such threats today. Then a man who Ive never seen before chased me and my staffer outside of our office. According to the Brennan Center, incidents like these dramatically increased in the 2020 election cycle the question is whether they will persist with Trump out of office. The reports authors are concerned, in particular, with the way local parties and politicians have censured or moved to depose election officials who told the truth about the election, which could mean that next time Trump or any sitting official who is displeased with their election result wants to overturn the voters will, it will be easier. The problem, the authors write, goes far deeper than one man. Click here to read the full article. The Supreme Court on Thursday threw out yet another challenge to Obamacare while also letting a Catholic foster care agency in Philadelphia discriminate against LGBT people. This may seem like the court tugging in two different directions, and in many ways it is. But taking a step back, something important is happening here: Chief Justice Roberts is planting a flag to prevent the extreme conservative wing of the Court from taking over. And todays decisions show how successful he can be when enough other justices, including the Courts three liberals, join this effort against right-wing extremism. So what happened today? First, the Court said in a 7-2 decision that Texas latest challenge to Obamacare was not properly brought in federal court. You may remember that Obamacare has made it to the Supreme Court twice before. In 2012, the Court ruled 5-4 that the laws requirement that everyone have insurance is constitutional, but said that the federal government cannot force states to expand Medicaid. As a result, Obamacare survived, but states had to make the affirmative choice to join the expanded Medicaid program, which 39 states and the District of Columbia have now done. Then, in 2015, the Court once again upheld Obamacare in a 6-3 opinion. That case allowed people in all states to get tax credits for purchasing health insurance under the program. A contrary ruling would have obliterated the financial structure of Obamacare, rendering it basically useless. Both this decision and the 2012 decision were written by Chief Justice Roberts. Thursday, the Court once again threw out a challenge to the law, this time in a decision from Justice Breyer. This new challenge was brought by Texas. After Congress in 2017 removed the penalty for not having health insurance under Obamacare, Texas sued claiming that the law now imposed an unconstitutional requirement a mandate to have health insurance but without a penalty. Texas even went so far as to ask the courts to strike down all of Obamacare because of this one change, including its requirement that there can be no discrimination against those with pre-existing conditions and that preventive healthcare must be covered by health insurance companies. This third challenge was argued last November to a Supreme Court that had been radically changed since the last Obamacare case thanks to the addition of three Trump-appointed Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett so many people thought this new case had a strong chance of gutting, if not ending, Obamacare. That didnt happen. Thursdays 7-2 decision against Texas ruled that the state was not the right party to bring suit challenging this provision. The Court did not address the merits of Texas claim, but instead relied on a procedural doctrine that, in order to bring a lawsuit in federal court, the party in court has to be injured and the injury has to be caused by the challenged law. The decision today found that the injury Texas asserted increased costs because more Texans now have health insurance was not caused by the individual mandate. Thus, the challenged provision did not cause Texas injury, so Texas could not sue. Obamacare has now survived three challenges in the Roberts Supreme Court. In a separate opinion today, the Court unanimously found against the City of Philadelphia and for a Catholic foster-care agency that refuses to place children with LGBT couples. Philadelphia had argued that it could kick the Catholic agency out of the program because its discriminatory policy violated the city ordinance prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. Like the 2018 case of the baker in Colorado who refused to bake a cake for a gay couple getting married, this was a showdown between anti-discrimination law and claims of religious liberty. The unanimous ruling today is a blow to Philadelphias efforts to enforce its protections for LGBT people. However, the ruling did not go nearly as far as the Catholic agency wanted the Court to go. The Catholic agency had asked the Court to overrule a 1990 case that said that as long as a law is neutral toward religion and applies to everyone, a religious entity can be forced to follow a law even if it conflicts with its religious beliefs. To the Catholic agency, this precedent is too restrictive and permits governments to force religious entities and people to follow laws they disagree with. But, according to the opinion authored by conservative Justice Scalia, allowing a religious exemption to general laws would result in anarchy because religions would claim exemptions to all sorts of laws that everyone has to follow. Though the opinion today was unanimous, the Justices split in how they viewed the case. A six-Justice majority, led by Chief Justice Roberts and joined by the Courts three liberals and Justices Kavanaugh and Barrett, ruled that the 1990 case still applied and that Philadelphia failed one of the basic requirements of that case the Court said that Philadelphias law was not generally applicable because there were exceptions baked into the law. With those exceptions, the Court found that the City unfairly treated the Catholic agency by not also giving them an exception and thus violated the Constitutions protection of religious liberty. While these cases point in opposite political directions throwing the Obamacare case out of court is a big liberal win and allowing the Catholic agency to discriminate against LGBT people is a big conservative win they have an important thing in common: a majority of the Court held off the far-right faction of the Justices. In both cases, Justices Alito and Gorsuch (and Justice Thomas in the Philadelphia case) staked out far more radically conservative positions; and in both cases, those positions lost. In the Obamacare case, the ultra-conservative Justices would have allowed Texas to bring the case, found that the individual mandate was now unconstitutional, and struck down the entire Obamacare law (not just the mandate) as a result. In the Philadelphia case, these Justices would have overruled the 1990 case and allowed religious exemptions to proliferate, leading us down the path of anarchy that Justice Scalia warned about three decades ago. However, these extreme conservative positions did not prevail because Chief Justice Roberts, joined by the Courts liberals and fellow conservatives Kavanaugh and Barrett, seems to want this Court to be a conservative one, but not radically so. There may come a time when the ultra-conservative flank prevails and next year will put that to the test when the Court re-considers abortion, guns, and possibly affirmative action but that time has not yet arrived. Sometimes a person is filled with so much rage and anger that lotus poses and pan flute music just cant take one down the path of enlightenment. Thats why rage yoga exists. Yes, you heard that right rage. Its a yoga class unlike anything else practitioners of the Eastern art engage in. Sure, there is stretching, centered breathing and the recitation of mantras. But there is also a lot of screaming, swearing, drinking and heavy metal music. In Houston, you can get in on the action at 7 p.m. every first Thursday of the month at Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company under the guidance of rage yoga instructor Ashley Duzich. Classes are $20 each. It is yoga that allows you to release all of your negative emotions in a safe space, Duzich said. Its basically a yoga practice that youre allowed to scream and let go of all the sh*t youre feelingand man, 2020 was a bunch of sh*t. She started offering classes at Buffalo during the pandemic after the previous brewery in which she was teaching closed. At Buffalo, attendees are in outdoor tents in the parking lot where she has marked spots for the yoga mats six and a half feet apart. It can accommodate up to 20 people and their dogs. Children are not welcome. The responses to the idea ride the spectrum. I get everything from oh my god, thats the greatest thing ever, to youre a horrible person and you are destroying yoga,' Duzich said. Duzich learned rage yoga from Lindsey Istace, whom she refers to as the creator and mother of rage yoga. Duzich was at a low point in her life, having made an unwelcome move to Croatia. She Googled yoga and heavy metal and found Istaces rage yoga page. I had to have it, Duzich said. I didnt even question it. I had no money to my name and I was still buying this. I needed this. Ashley Duzic on Instagram Eventually, in February of 2017, she would fly to Calgary, Canada where she became the first and (then) only American to become a certified rage yoga teacher. Istace was also in a time of emotional upset when she created rage yoga. She was in the middle of a bad breakup, something she points out can make a person a little nuts. I was finding that I was feeling super not OK and it wasnt really a feeling I could sweep under the rug. It kept leaking out, Istace said. In my personal practice, I felt like that meant I was doing it wrong and that just wasnt really the case. I leaned into it and found it really powerful when I had this space to just be not OK, even if it was colorful. Her organic experiment snowballed, she said. Istace joked about it on social media and someone told her she should teach a class. She began doing workshops and festivals and then regular classes and teacher certification. It got kind of out of control, ya know, Istace said. What does a rage yoga class look like? Both women describe it as an offering for people who are just on the cusp of engaging in yoga but may be turned off by the traditional trappings of the practice. Still, Istace says the experience is more like a conventional class than a person might expect. Everybody always pictures a bunch of people just screaming F-words and blasting metal and for sure, that can absolutely be a feature, Istace said. But honestly, the flow of rage yoga is very similar to that of a regular yoga class. They start with connecting to their breath and their bodies. They go through poses and stretches. The difference is that throughout the session, there are a lot of F-bombs and middle fingers. Several traditional yoga postures take on new names. For example, the cat cow becomes the bad backup dancer. A favorite pose of Duzichs is what she calls the fireballs to knee the balls pose. It starts with people in a lunge position holding their hands out with fingers spread as if casting a fireball spell. She then has them transition into a high kick. We call that kneeing the balls, Duzich said. I tell them to picture their mortal enemy standing in front of them and just kicking them in the balls. Ashley Duzic on Instagram In other words, everything gets a little ragey. The practice, she said, isnt about postures, but about releasing emotions. It doesnt matter if youre doing the pose right or even doing the same pose as us, Duzich said. Its about doing what is right for you and your body. As long as youre just letting go and having a good time, thats what matters. Another move that in traditional yoga is called a Forward Fold, they dub Let That Sh*t Go. Its based on a classical cleansing breath that starts as a mountain pose and on the exhale, you squeeze your diaphragm, pushing out all the stale air and flopping forward with a deep guttural noise or an expression of whatever makes you angry. You dont just exhale, you let out all your bullsh*t, Duzich said. One of the best things weve ever heard was, I told you to close the refrigerator! Istace cited her favorite as a person who growled with fury, I asked you to wash the dishes yesterday! Both are big fans of colorful language, encouraging people to do no harm, take no sh*t. There is a lot of energy behind your curse words, Istace said. Culturally, weve put such focus on them for a long time, that there is power in just owning them. And while they are optional, both teachers cited frequent use of fist unicorns, a hand gesture with two middle fingers stuck up in a powerful fist thrust. Istace believes there is something for everyone in yoga. If they are comfortable with the classical style, they can go to yoga studios. If not, they can give rage yoga a try. She especially recommends it for people coming out of the mess that was 2020. There is something to be said for a safe space to yell and let go, Istace said. There is something beautiful in a room full of people you may or may not know just screaming F-words and flopping your body around like some angsty teenager. She says youre not angry for long. Its about letting go of the anger, not just holding onto it or throwing a temper tantrum. Its why, she explains, there is so much more laughter in the classes than most people expect. You let it out and you realize how silly it is and that its OK, Istace said. Word-of-mouth marketing is their gold standard. Duzich focuses on making sure everyone is having fun and not taking themselves too seriously. Rage yoga is more than a practice, she said. Its an attitude designed to make you zen as f*ck. Thats exactly why we say its not for everyone. Were not hating on you, so dont come hating on us. MANISTEE A total of $57,000 has been distributed to 13 small businesses in Manistee County with nine or fewer employees to help their recovery from COVID-19. A total of $137,000 in grant funds was requested through 30 grant applications, more than double the amount of funding available. Ten of the 13 businesses were female-owned and three were owned by military veterans., according to a news release. The $57,000 in funding consisted of $30,000 contributed by the Manistee Industrial Development Corporation (IDC); $19,000 by Venture North Funding and Development; $5,000 by the Manistee County Community Foundation; $2,500 from West Shore Bank; and a private donor. The Consumers Energy Foundation jump-started the 2021 program with an award of $200,000 to Venture North, just as it did in 2020 when the program was created, the news release states. Venture North expects 200 or more grants of up to $5,000 each will be allocated by July to small businesses in the 10-county region. Over $500,000 has been secured in awards through philanthropic giving in 2021, similar to the total amount gifted in 2020. The Manistee Regional Resiliency Program (RRP) has been a tribute to the leadership of the Manistee IDC in 2020 and again in 2021, said Laura Galbraith, president of Venture North, in a news release. In addition to their award of funds, they were instrumental in promoting the availability of grants to small businesses. They also organized a team to review each application and provide funding recommendations which we followed 100% in our grant awards. Manistee County can be proud to have the IDC stepping up to the plate and working hard to preserve small businesses and local jobs. Steve Brower, a trustee of the IDC, said the Regional Resiliency Program "has been good to Manistee County". We hope that other organizations use a similar grassroots approach to allocating resources to the county," he said. "By relying on local people and their understanding of the county, we can work together to ensure funding and other resources are being allocated for purposes that are on track with priorities, in this case jobs and economic development. Brower said that all of the awardees in 2020 remain in business, and he expects no less of the 2021 program. While we are proud of the program and the partnerships, we also know that we will not have enough funding to reach all needs stemming from the pandemic, said Galbraith. We hope that businesses will contact us to see if our technical assistance program can connect them with programs that provide solutions. Our core business is the financing of small business growth and development and job creation, often under terms and conditions that we customize to fit the circumstances. If a business was profitable prior to COVID and they have growth needs, we encourage them to contact us for help. Galbraith said that needs not able to be funded in this round due to more requests than available funding included: inventory expenses; utility and maintenance bills; rehiring of employees; equipment replacement; payroll; insurance; operating materials and supplies; equipment repairs; advertising; rent; personal protective equipment; and expansion plans. Venture Norths core business is lending of capital to entrepreneurs and small businesses planning to start a business or grow an existing business and provide job opportunities to benefit communities in northwest Michigan. Loans are often in partnership with other local banks or credit unions where Venture Norths ability to offer special terms in a subordinate position makes the difference in capital available to grow and strengthen businesses. We pride ourselves on being flexible and creative in figuring out how to financially help small business which are the economic backbone of our rural communities, said Galbraith. And that includes relatively small loans which other lending institutions often find too expensive to handle. If you are a sound business and need support, let us know how we can help. We look forward to playing an instrumental role in supporting businesses that are vital to the betterment of Manistee County." Find more information about Venture North and all the programs offered at venturenorthfunding.org. RECOVERY AID Small businesses receiving grants recently in Manistee County were: Andys Tacklebox, Brethren Bear Claw Cafe, Copemish Cafe 1907, Manistee Dons Sporting Goods, Manistee Jennifers Hair Studio, Manistee Kellies Hallmark Shop, Manistee Lakeside Cafe, Bear Lake Linke Lumber Co., Filer City Movements North, Onekama Striketown Rec Inc., Manistee Stus Pub, Manistee The Baca Agency, Manistee Transitions Womens Wellness Center, Manistee MANISTEE COUNTY The Manistee County Board of Commissioners met Tuesday for a regular monthly meeting. During an approximately three-hour long session, the board took several actions: Approved a consulting services agreement between Manistee and Benzie counties with MGT of America Consulting at a cost of $16,500. Under the approved agreement, the consulting group agrees to provide the following consultation, technical assistance and training for the countys annual Title IV-D Cooperative Reimbursement Program for funding through the Michigan Department of Human Services office of child support. Approved a zoning services contract between Manistee County and the Village of Bear Lake. This is a three-year contract for planning and zoning services totaling $4,250 for the first year with a 2% increase each year after for the remainder of the contract. The county will provide technical and consultation services to the village including providing/maintaining up-to-date forms; accepting and reviewing applications and payment; ... production of a site map as may be necessary to display on-site conditions; and transfer of the complete packet to clerk of the community to handle the meeting process, according to the approved contract. Officials had been providing these services in anticipation of the county boards approval. Approved up to $8,000 in fees for attorney Jared Seiko with Warner, Norcross and Judd and MAAC Consulting Services to develop proposed recommendations to assist Manistee County and the Manistee County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority regarding the Joslin Cove condominium development. Approved up to $112,000 to be paid from the Child Care Fund to hire one full time and one part time county employee for Project 19, a program for at-risk youth. Director of Juvenile Services Cameron Clark reported difficulties hiring people for contracted positions, and was looking to convert current contract positions into county employees. There have been no children enrolled in the program that have later been placed in detention centers or in residential treatment, Clark said. Approved an amount, not to exceed $24,817 to complete all necessary repairs at the Manistee County Fairgrounds Pavilion Exhibit Hall. County contingency funds will go to repair water damage to the buildings southern entrance as well as a walk-in cooler on site. The cost for the repairs would be $9,817, plus an additional $5,000 for contingency. Related: Repairs needed at fairground pavilion after water damage A decision was not reached at the meeting regarding leasing the pavilion hall. The board also approved the addition of a grant writer as a county-employed position in the 2021-22 fiscal year budget, and appointed Eleanor DeYoung, of Eastlake, to a vacant position on the county planning commission. The next board of commissioners meeting is scheduled to begin 9 a.m. on July 20 in the commissioners meeting room located at the Manistee County Courthouse and Government Center, 415 Third St. in Manistee. To attend the meeting virtually, visit https://zoom.us/j/95404849166 with the passcode 4153. Related: Manistee County taxable value to increase by $32M Tim Castilleja was so rattled about testifying in a murder trial last week that federal agents had to arrest him to get him into court. On the stand, Castilleja told jurors that he feared reprisals for telling them what he saw at his tavern on the Yakama Indian Reservation two years ago. But his testimony was important for prosecutors making the case that Jordan Stevens, a member of the Yakama tribe, had shot and killed Alillia "Lala" Minthorn, 25, and then hidden her body in a remote wilderness on the reservation. Stevens was convicted of murder on Thursday. Two days later, Castilleja's tavern burned to the ground - and the witness has also vanished, the Yakima Herald-Republic reported. Now the FBI is working with local authorities to determine what happened to Castilleja's establishment, the Brownstown Tavern, and to try to find Castilleja. The fire and disappearance are a twist to a case that federal authorities had heralded as proof of their renewed focus on violent crime on Indian reservations, where advocates have long demanded action on unresolved cases involving missing women and girls. Last year, when the Bureau of Indian Affairs established a new cold-case task force, there were more than 1,500 unsolved cases of missing or murdered Indigenous women nationwide. "This office is committed to prosecuting aggressively cases involving violent acts committed against Native American women who reside on Reservation lands within this District," Joseph Harrington, the acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, said in a statement after Stevens's conviction last week. Before the trial, Minthorn was among dozens of women listed as missing or mysteriously killed on the Yakama Indian Reservation. She was first reported missing on May 9, 2019, and was last seen getting into a car near "the compound," a homeless encampment in the reservation, according to court documents. For weeks, her whereabouts were unknown. Then, in mid-May, a woman named Jasmine McCormack called the FBI with a harrowing tale. McCormack said she had been driving with Stevens and another woman when they picked up Minthorn. They drove to a closed-off area of the reservation, north of a small community called Brownstown. Then Stevens marched Minthorn out of the car and killed her with a rifle. The motive, the feds later said, was Stevens's belief that Minthorn had talked to police about an earlier incident when he and McCormack allegedly tried to steal a vehicle and assaulted the driver. After the killing, McCormack said, she and Stevens and the other woman drove to the Brownstown Tavern, where they hung out and eventually cleaned blood out of the car. When Stevens suddenly became convinced his own blood had gotten onto Minthorn's clothes, they drove back to the remote spot where they had dumped her and removed her clothes. After talking to agents, McCormack tried to flee with Stevens, but both were arrested on May 20. Nine days later, federal agents said, McCormack led them to Minthorn's body. Castilleja later provided key supporting testimony to federal agents, telling them that he'd seen McCormack, Stevens and the other woman at his tavern on the day of the murder. He'd also seen Stevens brandishing a rifle and a woman frantically cleaning out the car. When it came time to testify in court, though, Castilleja was a no-show, the Herald-Republic reported. Chief District Judge Stanley Bastian ordered federal agents to arrest him to compel him to talk, and on the stand on June 9, he repeated what he had told federal agents - and warned that he was scared about testifying, the Herald-Republic reported at the time. On Thursday, the jury found Stevens guilty of first-degree murder. Federal authorities hailed the result as visible progress in combating a wave of crime on the reservation. "Too often, violence on the reservation results in the tragic and senseless loss of life," Donald Voiret, the FBI's special agent in charge of the Seattle field office, said in a statement. "The FBI is committed to combatting crime on our state's reservations." Then, around 4:40 a.m. on Saturday, Yakima firefighters raced to the Brownstown Tavern to find the business fully engulfed in flames. "At that point, it was unsurvivable conditions," Yakima County Fire Chief Kevin Frazier told the Herald-Republic. Castilleja, who lived in the tavern, hasn't been seen since, the Herald-Republic reported. Fire officials told the newspaper they expect to meet Thursday with FBI agents at the tavern, which was reduced to a smoldering pit of broken bricks and rubble. Stevens, meanwhile, is scheduled to be sentenced in federal court in September. Patrick Beverley embarrassed himself with Chris Paul push in back Patrick Beverley, once a Rockets favorite, looked really small in the Western Conference finals. Pack the car for your Fourth of July road trip Celebrate Independence Day with a getaway in the Hill Country or a Gulf Coast retreat. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) Plumes of toxic oceanic bacteria known as red tide continued to move up the western Florida coast, strewing thousands of dead fish on beaches while state officials tried to reassure Floridians and potential tourists Thursday that the outbreak was being taken seriously but isn't as bad as it would seem. Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday assembled a team of experts in St. Petersburg to describe the work that is underway to better understand and control the latest outbreak. As the state's economy continues to emerge from the devastation of the coronavirus pandemic, images of beaches littered with dead fish could threaten to keep visitors from flocking to seaside communities during the July 4 holiday. The governor said it was important to let folks know that these places are open." "The hotels, the restaurants, the beaches are open, he said. Three years ago, massive blooms of the red tide prompted some beaches to close. The outbreak killed tons of aquatic life, littering coastlines with rotting fish and keeping people off the sand and water. Widespread images of rotting fish and empty beaches could be catastrophic to the state's tourism industry, which uses the state's ample sunshine, sand and water to lure visitors to the state. Officials are encouraging people to monitor beach conditions through an online dashboard. Much of the current outbreak of the red tide bacteria, Karenia brevis, is centered in the Tampa Bay area. Even low concentrations have the potential for killing fish. Higher concentrations could affect some people if they swim in the water or eat contaminated shellfish, including oysters. Fears over red tide prompted Florida officials late last month to briefly prohibit aquaculture farmers from harvesting in lower Tampa Bay, although the ban was lifted about 10 days later. Experts assembled by the governor Thursday cautioned against linking the red tide outbreak to millions of gallons of polluted wastewater from an old fertilizer plant in Piney Point. The experts said it's doubtful the wastewater, which contains elevated levels of nitrogen, caused the red tide but acknowledged that it could be compounding the problem by providing nutrients for the bloom. "I dont think that the red tide was originated as a consequence of Piney Point," said Tom Frazer, the state's former science officer and dean of the University of South Florida's College of Marine Science. Fertilizers and other nutrients flowing into the coast from lawns, farms and septic tanks can also encourage blooms to spread. DeSantis has made the environment a key part of his agenda, including championing restoration of the Everglades and addressing rising concerns over red tides off the coast and the blue-green algae that swarm lakes and other inland waters. DeSantis reactivated the long-dormant Red Tide Task Force and pushed for $18 million from the Legislature to fund projects over six years. Some environmental groups have applauded those efforts but say they have fallen short or that other policies, particularly those that encourage certain developments, contradict his environmental goals. Its a naturally occurring phenomenon. Theres no silver bullet thats going to eliminate it, said Michael Crosby, the president and chief executive officer of Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, an independent research institution in Sarasota. What we can use is the knowledge that we can gain to develop innovative technologies to decrease the impacts of red tide when it does occur, he said, adding that researchers are looking into ways, including chemicals, to inhibit the bacteria from spreading. DHARMSALA, India (AP) The new president of the Tibetan exile government said on Thursday he will do his best to resume a dialogue with China after more than a decade, and that a visit by the Dalai Lama to Tibet could be the best step forward. The Buddhist spiritual leader has expressed his wish to go to Tibet to his birthplace, Lhasa and some other places depending on his physical condition, Penpa Tsering said in an interview with The Associated Press. The Dalai Lama lives in the northern Indian town of Dharmsala, where the exile government is based. Penpa Tsering, 53, said the Dalai Lama is eager to settle the China-Tibet dispute and he "will leave no stone unturned" to achieve that. China doesnt recognize the Tibetan government-in-exile and hasnt held any talks with representatives of the Dalai Lama since 2010. Beijing accuses the Buddhist leader of seeking to separate Tibet from China, which he denies. Penpa Tsering supports the Dalai Lamas position. Penpa Tsering, the former speaker of Tibets parliament-in-exile, was sworn in last month as president in Dharmsala, where the Dalai Lama has lived since he fled Tibet after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959. He said China should take a middle-way approach that would give autonomy to Tibetans allowing them to protect their culture and language, without full independence. "That can bring some traction to the contacts or negotiations between the two sides," he said. He strongly criticized China for restricting the Tibetan culture and language, which he said is the foundation of Tibetan Buddhism. The language is very important but today it has become something only taught in a language class. All other subjects at school are taught in Chinese, and the Chinese leaders are not even following a two-language system in which you give equal weight to both languages. That, as well as the government policy of not publishing official documents in Tibetan, is striking at the very root of Tibetan existence. If our language goes, the religion will also go away slowly. Penpa Tsering is taking over the Tibetan government-in-exile at a time when Chinese President Xi Jinping is seeking to put his imprint on virtually every aspect of life across the vast county. Chinas ruling Communist Party is pushing to Sinicize Tibetan life through programs that separate Tibetans from their language, culture, and especially, their devotion to the Dalai Lama. Tibet rights groups report frequent detentions, economic marginalization, a suffocating security presence and heavy pressure for Tibetans to assimilate with Chinas Han majority while pledging loyalty to the Communist Party. China denies curbing religion in Tibet and says the Himalayan region, which has been governed by the Communist Party since 1951, has been Chinese territory since the mid-13th century. Many Tibetans say they were effectively independent for most of their history, and that the Chinese government wants to exploit the resource-rich region while crushing its cultural identity. Some Tibetan groups advocate independence for Tibet since little progress has been made in talks with China. Exiled Tibetans chose Penpa Tsering in elections held in January and April. It was the third direct election of the Tibetan exile leadership since the Dalai Lama withdrew from any political role in the running of the exile government in 2011. Nearly 64,000 Tibetans living in exile in India, Nepal, North America, Europe, Australia and elsewhere voted. Penpa Tsering was elected to its parliament in 1996 and became its speaker in 2008. Last month, he succeeded Lobsang Sangay, who had completed his second five-year term as president. The 45 people elected to the exile parliament represent traditional provinces of Tibet, religious constituencies, and Tibetan communities abroad. Penpa Tsering was born in India after his parents fled Tibet after the failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959. "Since I haven't seen my own country, we are basically Indians in that sense," he said. PHOENIX (AP) The Arizona Legislature advanced bills Wednesday creating a $100 million fund to respond to a wildfire emergency after hearing dire warnings from state officials and praise from worried leaders of rural counties and cities amid a brewing fight on the role of climate change in driving blazes and drought. The votes were nearly unanimous after a joint session of Arizona House and Senate committees that hear natural resources bills, with only one Democrat opposing the appropriation because it did not do anything to address climate change. The Legislature is meeting in a special session called by Gov. Doug Ducey to quickly boost funding for firefighting and recovery efforts as the state is in the midst of a historic drought and fires have been ravaging the state. The House and Senate are expected to overwhelmingly approve the legislation Thursday, even as lawmakers remain split on an overall spending plan that contains a massive tax cut. John Truett, the top fire official in state Department of Forestry and Fire Management, said firefighters have been dealing with critical fire weather for the past several weeks and that situation is only getting worse with this week's heat wave and a growing number of lightning strikes. Several major fires are burning in the state, and the region is so hot that some large aerial tankers can't fly and helicopters are having trouble finding places where they can pick up water to drop on the flames, Truett said. Lake San Carlos is so low that we couldnt take out of that, Truett said. A lot of the (water) tanks are out, and some of the ranchers with their tanks, theyre dry, and even if there is water were not taking those because were going to leave those for the cattle. Throughout Thursday's four-hour hearing, Democrats brought up climate change as the driving force, but the stage was set when Forestry and Fire Management Director David Tenney declined to be drawn into that debate. Theres people with strong feelings on both sides of that issue and theres even probably more than two sides, he said after Democratic Sen. Kirsten Engel asked him to address the elephant in the room. What I can assure you is that we recognize at our agency that, whether its man caused or nature, not a lot we can do about it, Tenney said. Bottom line is were in the middle of a really bad drought and things are drier than weve ever seen them. So, conditions have changed. The $100 million includes $25 million this budget year to pay for 720 state prisoners to clear brush and other flammable material under direction of state forestry officials and some contract clearing operations. Ducey proposed that spending in his January budget plan. There's also $75 million for firefighting efforts, to help affected municipalities, people and property owners recover and to prepare for flooding and other fallout from large fires so far this fire season. One large fire that broke out early this week near the mining community of Globe brought City Manager Paul Jepson to Phoenix to testify in favor of the new spending. Were in a pinch up there, Jepson said. Things are happening quickly, they seem to get better, they get worse. Its dynamic. You all from the governor, House, Senate have really moved quickly to address these needs. Representatives from Gila and Pinal counties and from ranching and farming groups also testified, requesting quick cash for recovery efforts. Fires have been burning with increasing frequency across Arizona in recent years as hotter temperatures and a 20-year drought combine with overgrown forests to fuel large blazes. The governors January budget proposal noted that state firefighting costs exceeded $39 million in the last five years while appropriations were only about $20 million. Arizona is not the only Western state dealing with increasing costs of fighting and recovering from fires. California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation in April appropriating $536 million for the efforts, with over half going to removing hazardous fuels and a third going to create fire breaks. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown is seeking more than $70 million for fire preparedness, response, and prevention resources, while the state Legislature is considering a $150 million appropriation for similar uses. Both Democratic governors are pushing climate change policies that Republicans who control Arizona's Legislature will not acknowledge. The vast majority of peer-reviewed studies, science organizations and climate scientists say the world is warming, mainly due to rising levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Im not gonna lie, it was scary to hear there was a perception of a debate over whether climate change is real, and whether its connected to causing fires, Democratic Rep. Aaron Lieberman said. Republicans pushed back, with Sen. David Gowan saying that he read a story in the 70s about global cooling, one in the 80s about global warming, and "we call it climate change now. Of course theres climate change. Thats what happens to the Earth, Gowan said. Thank the Lord it happens every year. Climate change happens every decade, happens every century, millennium, we have climate change. GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) Colorado U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert was one of 21 members of Congress to vote no this week on legislation to honor U.S. Capitol and Washington, D.C. police officers for defending the Capitol during and after the Jan. 6 insurrection, arguing that the Democrat-introduced bill was politically motivated. The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel reported Thursday that Boebert, an outspoken advocate of law enforcement, objected to the bill because it was amended to include a later incident unrelated to the Capitol attack. The bill, introduced by Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, passed the House on Tuesday by a 406-21 vote. A San Francisco Bay Area police officer who is accused of fatally shooting two mentally ill men in the past three years pleaded not guilty to manslaughter charges Wednesday in the case of the first shooting in 2018, a court official said. Officer Andrew Hall of the Danville Police Department was charged in April with two felony counts for the 2018 shooting death of Laudemer Arboleda, an unarmed Filipino man who was slowly driving away from police when Hall shot him nine times. Hall appeared Wednesday at the Contra Costa County Superior Court in the city of Martinez for his arraignment and entered his not guilty plea, court spokesman Matt Malone said. Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton announced in April that Hall was being charged with felony voluntary manslaughter and felony assault with a semiautomatic firearm for Arboledas death. Becton came under criticism for the timing of the charges, which were announced one day after former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of killing George Floyd, a Black man whose death last May helped spark a national reckoning over racial injustice and police brutality. Critics have asked why it took so long and say the delay had deadly consequences. On March 11, just weeks before the charges were filed, Hall, who is white, shot and killed Tyrell Wilson, 33, a Black homeless man in Danville, a wealthy suburb east of San Francisco. The Wilson shooting is still under investigation by the District Attorneys office. Police video footage of both shootings have raised questions about Halls conduct. In bodycam and dashboard footage from the 2018 incident, officers are seen slowly pursuing Arboleda through the city of Danville after someone reported a suspicious person in a residential cul-de-sac. The video from the Contra Costa County Sheriffs Department, which contracts police services to Danville, shows Hall stopping his patrol car, getting out and running toward the sedan driven by Arboleda. Hall opened fire and kept shooting as Arboledas car passed by, striking him nine times. Hall testified at an inquest that he was afraid Arboleda would run him over. Becton said in April that Hall used unreasonable and unnecessary force" that endangered not only Mr. Arboledas life but the lives of his fellow officers and citizens in the immediate area. Civil rights attorney John Burris, who is representing Arboledas family, says Hall generated a threat where none existed and then tried to shoot his way out of it. The officer claims it was imminent danger, and it was not, Burris said. The officer himself was not in danger. He shot into a moving car when he himself was in a position of safety." Halls attorney, Harry Stern, did not respond to a message seeking comment. BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) A Colorado company has agreed to settle alleged Clean Water Act violations stemming from the companys oil production activities in North Dakota, federal officials said Thursday. As part of the settlement, Phoenix Petroleum LLC has agreed to pay a $50,000 penalty, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said. RENO, Nev. (AP) Fire lines were holding and evacuations were lifted overnight after a fast-growing wildfire forced some people out of homes and closed highways for several hours south of Reno, a fire official in northern Nevada said Thursday. Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District spokesman Adam Mayberry estimated containment Thursday at 40% and said some firefighting resources were being released. WASHINGTON (AP) The Senate is set for a key vote Tuesday on a sweeping rewrite of voting and election law, setting up a dramatic test of Democratic unity on a top priority that Republicans are vowing to block. Democrats appeared to be coalescing Thursday around changes to the bill that could win the support of moderate West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, the lone Democratic holdout on the legislation. Yet they still faced lockstep Republican opposition that will likely leave Democrats back where they started: lacking the votes to overcome a Republican filibuster. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., called Manchin's proposal equally unacceptable. Republicans are digging in their heels, said Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut. Theyve made it pretty clear this week that theres nothing theyre willing to support. The bill, known as the For the People Act, has been touted as Democrats' answer to a state level-GOP push to enact voting restrictions following the 2020 election. It passed the House in March, but has bogged down in the Senate as Democrats have debated among themselves with Manchin ultimately declaring he couldnt vote for it because it lacked bipartisan support. Yet Manchin's position has evolved and compromise appeared to be nearing after he proposed a series of changes this week to narrow its scope. His proposal received a boost Thursday when Stacey Abrams, a former Georgia gubernatorial candidate who is a leading Democratic voice on voting rights, said she absolutely supported it. What Sen. Manchin is putting forward are some basic building blocks that we need to ensure that democracy is accessible," Abrams told CNN. Still, in a narrowly divided Senate where Democrats must count on Vice President Kamala Harris to cast tie-breaking votes, any compromise will likely be for naught unless changes are made to Senate filibuster rules, which Manchin and others oppose. For now, it takes 60 votes to overcome a filibuster and advance legislation. Over a dozen Senate Republicans took turns at the microphone during a Thursday news conference to denounce the bill, which they view as a federal overreach into state and local elections. McConnell predicted all Republicans would remain in lockstep opposition regardless of what changes are made. Sen. Roy Blunt, the No. 4 ranking Senate Republican, noted the endorsement by Abrams, who is a lighting rod for GOP criticism. I actually think when Stacey Abrams immediately endorsed Sen. Machins proposal it became the Stacey Abrams (bill), not the Joe Manchin (bill), he told reporters Thursday. As written, the Democrats bill would bring about the largest overhaul of U.S. voting in a generation, touching nearly every aspect of the electoral process. It would blunt laws erected in the name of election security, like voter ID requirements, while curtailing the influence of big money in politics. It would create a nonpartisan process for redrawing congressional districts, expand mail voting and early voting, restore the rights of felons to cast a ballot, and scores of other provisions. Manchin's counter-offer, which is intended to entice GOP support, would leave significant portions of the sprawling bill intact, while curtailing, rewriting or eliminating other key parts. Color me a little a little skeptical, Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine, of Virginia, said of the possibility of bipartisanship. What will ultimately come to the floor for a vote Tuesday remains unclear. Also not certain: whether Manchin will vote for it. Well see what bill we have, he told reporters Thursday. We dont know what bill were going to have. A national voter ID requirement favored by Manchin has emerged as one sticking point with some Democrats. Manchin's proposal is far softer than the strict photo ID requirements adopted by some states. It would require all states to check ID, but various documents including a utility bill could be used instead of a photo ID, a requirement already adopted by 15 states including Manchin's West Virginia. That is what we're negotiating, said Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who is playing a lead role in guiding the legislation. Polls have shown notable bipartisan support for voter ID requirements, and Democrats in their elections overhaul focused on the strictest ID laws. In the current Senate bill, Democrats would require states with an ID law to allow voters who show up without identification to cast a regular ballot as long as they sign an affidavit under penalty of perjury. We might squabble about one or two things, said Sen. Raphael Warnock, of Georgia. But I am not about to sacrifice the good in the pursuit of the perfect. Klobuchar said she would continue to work on the bill over the weekend and was optimistic all 50 Senate Democrats would support it. If we reach unity on a voting bill in the Democratic Party, with all of the debates weve been having over the last few months, I dont think anythings over yet, she said. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) On Nov. 24, 2017, Robert Cruz Jr. biked north along Baker Street, on a quiet block straddling Bakersfields once-thriving old town and struggling new, restaurants interspersed with a rehab center and a prepaid phone store. A little before midnight, two officers noticed that the 37-year-old Cruz didnt have a front light on his bicycle. A patrol officer chased Cruz to a nearby yard. There, Cruz crouched behind a childs play tunnel, and the officer struck his arm with a baton. According to a police report, Cruz shouted I didnt do anything twice before the officer struck again. The patrolmen arrested Cruz for assaulting an officer, resisting arrest and for the missing bike light. Before taking him to jail, an ambulance brought Cruz to the hospital, a bone sticking out of his skin. Between 2016 and 2019, Bakersfield police officers used force that broke at least 45 bones in 31 people, according to an analysis of public records by the California Reporting Project. The city of Bakersfield released the documents under a recent California law that increases transparency in policing. The records released include those cases that involved serious injury or death. A third of the time, injuries reported included one or more broken bones. Besides Cruz, two other bicyclists stopped by patrol officers for code violations suffered broken bones during that four-year period. They also ended up at the hospital, one with head fractures, the other a broken leg. Some of the 31 people were later convicted of serious crimes, but an analysis of police reports reveals that others had charges dismissed, or never faced charges at all. While wrestling in a pile of blankets with a 57-year-old woman who was suspected of trespassing in a Greyhound station, officers broke her wrist. And when one man allegedly violated the citys curfew in Martin Luther King Jr. Park, officers tasered and hit him with a baton, breaking his leg. In all 31 cases involving broken bones, the Bakersfield Police Department determined that none of the officers involved violated departmental policy. Breaking a bone is a brutal act, said Bakersfield Police Sgt. Robert Pair, a spokesman for the department. But its also not unusual. Its the unfortunate reality that force is sometimes used in defense of officers and others, and thats the world we live in, Pair said. I dont think that that is an alarming number at all. The number of broken bones is disturbing to Stephanie Padilla, a staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California. I do think that is high, and I do think that is a really troubling number that one out of three (serious) use-of-force cases result in broken bones, Padilla said. It tracks what individuals in the community have shared with us. On Wednesday, the Bakersfield City Council unanimously approved $133 million for policing next year, an increase of $13 million. The meeting was raucous and at one point the chamber was cleared after members of the crowd chanted in support of a speaker critical of the police department. The budget hike raises the departments share to 42% of the city budget and adds 28 police officers. The councils budget hearings are the latest venue for a public debate about the quality of policing in Bakersfield, where voters narrowly approved a 1% sales tax increase to boost funding for essential services three years ago. The city pitched the sales tax as a public safety measure, but residents of Bakersfield still disagree about how best to keep the public safe. The Police Department has proposed hiring 100 officers within three years. But it remains the target of a California Department of Justice investigation opened more than four years ago by then-Attorney General Kamala Harris. Demands for policing reforms including defunding or even abolishing the department accelerated during Black Lives Matter protests last summer. I think we stand on the precipice of a critical juncture, a critical moment here in Bakersfield and in Kern County, said Traco Matthews, a local Black civic leader and chief program officer at the nonprofit Community Action Partnership of Kern. Matthews co-chairs an independent committee convened by the City Council that has offered recommendations for police reform. Can we get to a place where use-of-force incidents, especially serious use-of-force incidents, are less and the public is still safe? And every citizen, every resident, feels like they are part of this family of Bakersfield being protected and served by BPD? Absolutely, he said. Among all of the cases released by the department, internal reports concluded that the force Bakersfield police used to cause a fracture was reasonable: each dog bite, every control hold, every physical strike and every strike of the baton. Using batons, officers broke bones in 26 people; once, an officer broke the baton. Following every incident, the department applied a careful review process, Pair said. Its not a carte blanche that you can use a baton, go out there and use a baton whenever you want to, he said. Each one is scrutinized under the facts and circumstances of its own event. That scrutiny has layers. When a Bakersfield police officer uses force, the officer must report it to a supervisor, usually the sergeant on duty, according to the departments manual. The manual then directs sergeants to ensure that the person injured receives medical treatment and to investigate the incident. Policy directs sergeants to examine the scene, review video footage, interview witnesses and talk to the injured person if they consent. In Bakersfield, every sergeant also writes a report about any use of force. And every sergeants report must be reviewed by the watch commander, a lieutenant. Department spokespeople say that captains sometimes review use-of-force reports, too. When the force used is deemed reasonable, that sergeants report may be brief, as in the case of Robert Cruz Jr. In that case, the sergeants description of what happened was five sentences long. Officer Andrew Celedon reported that Cruz abandoned his bike when approached by a patrol car and ran for a nearby yard. There, he tried to jump a fence. Celedon pulled him down to the ground, where he curled up behind a play tunnel. When Celedon wrote up the incident, he emphasized the darkness in the yard and the possibility that Cruz could carry a knife, gun or weapons in his baggy clothes. Celedon stated he struck Cruz, who was crouched in a fetal position, with a baton. Kevin Robinson, an instructor at Arizona State Universitys School of Criminology and Criminal Justice and a 37-year veteran of the Phoenix Police Department, said the goal of an investigation should be to decide whether the force used was appropriate. Bakersfield in my mind has the right steps in place, Robinson said of the departments policies. Supervisors should come out and review every use of force. Within two weeks, Sgt. Charles Sherman concluded that strike against Cruz was an effective use of force, necessary for self-defense. Seth Stoughton, University of South Carolina School of Law associate professor, reviewed the Cruz report. Like others provided in response to a records request, the Police Department retrieved that report from incident tracking software sold to law enforcement agencies called BlueTeam. In it, Cruz is described as fleeing and resisting arrest, both legal conclusions offered without support. Stoughton, who testified for the prosecution at former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvins trial for the killing of George Floyd, said the report was woefully inadequate to examine an individual event. Good investigations of incidents like this are wide-ranging, he said. After-action reports should look back at what happened in detail and also look forward to offer ways to improve outcomes in the future, regardless of fault. For the incident in which a Bakersfield officer broke Cruzs bone, the sergeants report does not have anywhere near the level of detail that any competent supervisor would demand to assess, even in a very cursory fashion, the incident being described, Stoughton said. If youre using it as one of many data points to get a birds-eye view, then maybe this is all you need, he said. According to Bakersfield Police Sgt. Christopher Bagby, who works in the agencys Quality Assurance Unit, the departments use-of-force working group uses BlueTeam data to examine the effectiveness of strategy and tactics. Late in 2019, the Quality Assurance Unit also began randomized audits of the reports themselves. Pair said that the system will automatically alert a supervisor if one of the officers under their command is using more force than normal. If a sergeant sees something potentially criminal, that goes to internal affairs. That department investigates citizen complaints and also begins its own inquiries. Among the 31 broken bone cases released in Bakersfield, internal affairs investigated three, the only incidents where records show citizens complained. The internal affairs office cleared every officer in those three cases. Police and experts say that a review process is not a disciplinary process. Rather, its a way for departments to see how they can adjust and improve. Reducing violence in a community includes reducing uses of force, Stoughton said. Professional agencies need to look at each incident and ask what they can learn. Sometimes the answer is there is nothing that we could realistically change here that would have any impact, Stoughton said. The agency can control whether officers are issued a taser, for example, or that the agency can control how long an officers shift is to see if theyre fatigued and making bad decisions. In 2017, Cory Joe Pearson fired a gun through the windshield of a car at his former girlfriend and her cousin, according to police reports. Bakersfield police tracked him to a Vagabond Inn. When Pearson left his room for a smoke, one officer tackled Pearson to the ground in the motel parking lot. At the same time, another officer noticed Pearson thrashing, and struck Pearson with a baton twice, breaking his shin bone. Four years later, Pearson said he still hasnt recovered. Im in constant pain, always, because of it, Pearson said by phone from the state prison in Lancaster where he is serving a 20-year sentence for assault with a firearm. I cant run, I cant play sports, he said. I can hardly walk. The Bakersfield Police Department defends its use of force as judicious and skilled. We cant do our job without use of force, said Sgt. Lynn Martinez, who trains officers in how to use force properly. Sometimes police officers will have to hurt people to protect themselves and others. Still, theres a cost. From 2016 to 2019, Bakersfield police officers sent an average of 304 people to the hospital per year following police encounters, an analysis of internal affairs reports shows. Officers and health workers decide where subjects of the use of force receive medical care, according to the departments policies. People injured by uses of force describe emotional and financial costs from an encounter with police. Any use of force, even a relatively low-level use of force, is a significant event between a police department and the community, said University of South Carolinas Stoughton, a former Florida police officer. Its a really a significant government intrusion onto individual liberty and autonomy, he said. Of all of the aspects of policing, the use of force has probably the highest potential to be socially corrosive. Some people in Bakersfield say that they are afraid to call the police. One of them is neighborhood activist Christina Crompton. In 2017, Bakersfield officers set a dog on her cousin, Tatyana Hargrove, after mistaking her for a man. In a poll conducted by the independent Bakersfield Police Department Community Collaborative, about one in five people said they did not feel comfortable requesting assistance from the agency in an emergency situation. There are just too many incidents, said Traco Matthews, who co-chaired the collaborative. The reforms his group recommended to the City Council last month include that the department follow up on policy changes first proposed by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2004, diversify the force and hire an independent auditor. The council accepted the recommendations without comment. Six years ago, about 5 miles south of where Hargrove was stopped by the Bakersfield police, Arturo Gonzalez stepped out of his house and into another case of mistaken identity, also by Bakersfield police. In January 2015, the Bakersfield Police Department sent four officers to Gonzalezs house to perform a welfare check after his son, also named Arturo Gonzalez, called 911 rambling, not making too much sense. Records show police officers prepared for the younger Gonzalez to ambush them. A 911 dispatcher called Gonzalez Sr., who said that his son wasnt at the house; according to a transcript, the dispatcher then notified officers that the elder Gonzalez was coming outside to meet them. Video captured by a neighbors camera shows Gonzalez shuffling backward, arms raised, and lit by flashlights and a flood light in his driveway. After he knelt, officers knocked him flat, then beat and kneed the elder Gonzalez. Among his injuries were broken ribs. If this isnt a serious bodily injury I dont know what a serious bodily injury is, said Thomas Seabaugh, a lawyer for Gonzalez. But Gonzalezs case isnt counted among the 109 cases between 2014 and 2019 the department released under the state transparency law. After realizing that they arrested the wrong man, police transported Gonzalez to Mercy Southwest Hospital in an ambulance, handcuffed to a gurney. Gonzalez was not charged with a crime. No broken bones are documented in the initial police report, said Lt. Ryan Kroeker, a spokesman for the Bakersfield Police Department, who added that there were no obvious injuries. Gonzalez returned to Mercy, still complaining of pain, two days later. But it wasnt until a week later, at his primary care physician, that X-rays revealed the extent of his injuries. After blows delivered by the officers, injuries diagnosed by at least three doctors included broken ribs, a damaged spine and torn tendons in his left shoulder. Six years later, Gonzalez said he is still crippled with pain from the injuries and is still receiving care. The cost of treatment has continued to add up, from steroid injections to shoulder surgery. In late May, his doctor recommended another surgery on his back, Gonzalez said. This and other incidents have also cost money for local taxpayers. Gonzalez brought a civil rights case against the officers, including one who was present but did nothing to stop the beating, and settled with the city in 2018 for $125,000. From 2014 to 2019 the city paid out more than $1 million in 10 separate settlements for civil rights, excessive force and personal injury claims related to the police. During the same time period the city settled for an additional $1.525 million in seven wrongful death suits, also all related to the police. Gonzalez said that he doesnt go out much anymore because hes afraid that the police might stop him. Its also hard to feel safe at home, he said. When I come outside of my house, I think about the attack, he said. And I think about police officers doing this to me. After decades working in heavy labor, Gonzalez planned to devote his retirement to art. His acrylic and oil paintings adorn the walls of his house. In his entryway, Pine Mountain in Ojai, California; on his dining room wall, a beautiful Mexican woman. A few more in the living room; others throughout the house. He started painting in seventh grade. For (painting) you have to be calm and peaceful, Gonzalez said. The pain is going to trigger you out of that. Thats why he says he hasnt been painting recently. Sitting for long periods is arduous. Its too hard to raise his arms. - Alexandra Hall, Noah Baustin, Lily Taylor, Eric Ting, Daniel Wu and Ying Zhao contributed to this report. Editing by Molly Peterson, Cheryl Phillips and David Barstow. The family of a copilot killed in the crash of a World War II-era plane in 2019 in Connecticut is suing the foundation that hosted the air show. The civil suit by relatives of Michael Foster is the fourth that has been brought against the Massachusetts-based Collings Foundation, an educational group, after the deadly crash at the Bradley International Airport, the Hartford Courant reported on Wednesday. Foster was one of two pilots flying the four-engine, propeller-driven B-17G Flying Fortress bomber with 13 people on board at a traveling vintage aircraft show on Oct. 2, 2019. The other pilot, Ernest Mac McCauley, reported a problem with one of the engines shortly after takeoff, and the plane crashed into a maintenance building and burst into flames after striking the runway lights during a landing attempt. Seven people were killed in the crash, including Foster, who was 71 at the time. The National Transportation Safety Board found pilot error probably caused the crash and cited inadequate maintenance as a contributing factor. McCauley, who was 75 at the time of the crash, was an experienced pilot and also the maintenance director for the Collings Foundation, which owned the plane. But the NTSB investigation found he wrongly turned off an engine that was malfunctioning and deployed the plane's landing gear too soon. Andrew Groher, an attorney for Foster's family, blamed the foundation for the crash in a statement to the newspaper. This plane should never have been allowed off the ground on the day of this crash," he said. In March 2020, the Federal Aviation Administration revoked the Collings Foundations permission to carry passengers aboard its World War II-era planes because of safety concerns stemming from the Bradley accident. Representatives of the Collings Foundation declined a request by the newspaper to comment on the new filing, citing ongoing litigation. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) A former Tennessee doctor who pleaded guilty to unlawfully distributing opioids has been sentenced to three years in prison, the Justice Department said. Darrel R. Rinehart, 66, of Indianapolis, Indiana, admitted to distributing controlled substances, primarily opioids, to four different patients without a legitimate medical purpose 18 times between December 2014 and December 2015, the agency said. Rinehart also admitted to distributing hydrocodone in January 2016 to a patient who did not have health issues justifying the prescription, the statement said. HONG KONG (AP) Like many in Hong Kong, Jason Chan had no immediate plans to get vaccinated against COVID-19. For the finance professional, there seemed to be no pressing need, with travel restrictions still in place and no major outbreak at home. But Chan had a change of heart when he heard that one of the citys property developers was offering a lucky draw with a grand prize of a one-bedroom condominium. The day the draw was announced, he went online and made a booking to get vaccinated. Its a chance to win a free apartment, he reasoned. He is one of thousands of Hong Kong residents who have rushed to make vaccination appointments after private companies, encouraged by the government, announced a slew of incentives for vaccinated residents, including the chance to win gold bars or a new Tesla. The hope is the incentive programs will breathe new life into Hong Kong's vaccination program, which began in February but has been slower than expected amid widespread vaccine hesitancy due to multiple factors, including fears of serious side effects, a mistrust of the government and a lack of concern from residents like Chan. At the moment, only about 16% of the semiautonomous Chinese territory's 7.5 million people have been fully vaccinated, but since the first incentives were announced at the end of May, there has been a surge in bookings. Nearly 600,000 of the 3 million shots given since February came in the last two weeks. More than 450,000 people signed up on the first possible day for the chance to win the one-bedroom condominium, worth $1.4 million in one the worlds most expensive property markets. Registrations began this week and will remain open until September, when the draw will take place. Proof of vaccination is required to claim the prize. Hong Kong so far has managed to avoid widespread infections, with fewer than 12,000 cases since the beginning of the pandemic. But its vaccination rate lags behind countries in the region such as Singapore, which has fully vaccinated a third of its 5.7 million people, as well as the U.S. and Britain, which have reached inoculation rates of about 45%. That has led to a glut of hundreds of thousands of unused Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine doses, which will expire in August and likely have to be destroyed, even as countries elsewhere struggle to secure sufficient supplies. Authorities have said that agreements signed with pharmaceutical companies currently restrict them from reselling or giving away vaccines to countries in need. Private businesses, anxious to have the economy return to normal as soon as possible, started offering the incentives on their own at first, saying they wanted to support the government's vaccination program. The government had already introduced policies encouraging people to get vaccinated, such as allowing them to visit the city's popular karaoke bars and clubs, but with the initial success of the private sector initiative, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam earlier this month urged businesses to do more. We all share a common goal to restore normality in Hong Kong as soon as possible by boosting the vaccination rate, she said. Some countries, such as the U.S., have used financial and other incentives to encourage vaccinations. In California this week, 10 people were each awarded $1.5 million as part of a Vax for the Win program aimed at encouraging residents to get vaccinated. A Chinese University of Hong Kong survey, taken ahead of the incentive push, suggested the city has an uphill battle. The telephone survey of 1,200 people indicated that only about a quarter of the unvaccinated population planned to get vaccines in the coming six months. The main reasons given were the fear of fatal side effects and a lack of confidence in the governments recommendations. Another reason could be a more traditional mindset when it comes to medicine, said Martin Wong, a family medicine specialist who was part of the team that conducted the survey. Vaccines are a preventive medicine, and so in Hong Kong there is less of an incentive for a person to be vaccinated if they do not have any sickness, Wong said. This belief can be quite strong. Wong said more education and outreach efforts are needed to reduce hesitancy. The possibility of winning a prize has not been enough to sway Emma Wong, who said she is skeptical about the safety of the rapidly developed vaccines. Vaccinations should be voluntary, but recently the government seems to be doing everything it can to urge people to get the shot, even going as far as to say that those who dont may face stricter regulations in the future, she said. I wont get vaccinated until the government makes it compulsory or doing so allows me to visit relatives abroad without travel restrictions, she said. Hong Kong respiratory medicine specialist Leung Chi-chiu welcomed the vaccine incentives, saying the city should do whatever it takes to reach a vaccination rate of about 70% to reduce the risk of large outbreaks. I do not see any moral issue in relation to all these incentives, because I dont see any chance of a net harm to any particular vulnerable group in our community, Leung said. If we delay too much, it will jeopardize our economy and the peoples living, he said. We cannot lock the whole city down forever." ___ Associated Press news assistants Matthew Cheng and Janice Lo contributed to this report. HONOLULU (AP) Hawaii on Wednesday became the 49th state to officially recognize Juneteenth when the governor signed legislation designating June 19 as a day commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. Gov. David Ige signed the bill just hours before the U.S. House passed its own legislation designating the day a federal holiday. The U.S. Senate already passed the bill, which President Joe Biden is expected to sign. Hawaii's law recognizes Juneteenth but doesnt make it a state holiday. The law takes effect immediately, just in time for the date to be officially observed on Saturday. Juneteenth commemorates when the last enslaved African Americans learned they were free. The Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves in the South in 1863. But it wasnt enforced in many places until after the end of the Civil War two years later. Word of the Confederacys surrender didnt reach the last enslaved Black people until June 19, when Union soldiers brought news of freedom to Galveston, Texas. After the killing of George Floyd, a Black man, by Minneapolis police last year fueled calls to address systemic racism in the United States, Ige said it was more important and timely than ever that Hawaii acknowledge the African-American experience and the accomplishments of African Americans. With the signing of this bill, I hope that June 19 will serve as a moment of reflection for everyone here in the islands and across the country to remember where weve come from, but most importantly, to be inspired to move our country and our community forward in search of that more perfect union where we treat everyone equally each and every day, Ige said. The law came into being after Samantha Neyland, the-then reigning Miss Hawaii USA, launched a campaign to recognize the day. She recalls preparing to speak live on social media about Juneteenth during the coronavirus pandemic and learning that Hawaii was one of few states that didnt observe the day. And I kind of got embarrassed for my state. I just thought, OK, this is not who we are. We cant be known for this. Were so much better than that, said Neyland, who is first African American to serve as Miss Hawaii USA. The killings of Floyd, Breonna Taylor and other Black people at the hands of law enforcement gave her additional motivation, remembering how their deaths left her hurt, confused and angry and needing to channel these emotions into something. It kind of came to me and of me, and I decided, yeah, this is going to be my project, Neyland said. Neyland hopes official recognition will spur Hawaii schools to teach students about Juneteenth history and about how the Hawaiian Kingdom outlawed slavery in 1852. Neyland said she didnt learn about either in school. You cant change something that you dont understand. So for me, this past year especially was about helping people understand, she said. South Dakota is the only remaining state to not observe Juneteenth. Grants have helped many businesses affected by the pandemic. Between the federal government, state programs and private organizations, small-business owners have received billions in funding they wont need to repay. This aid may dry up as the country shifts from relief to recovery. I think we are coming toward the end of this type of funding, says Annie Donovan , chief operating officer of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, a New York-based not-for-profit thats provided more than $200 million in grants via COVID-19 relief programs. But if youre still looking for free money for your business, other small-business grants may help meet your needs. Heres how to get them. UNDERSTAND WHATS AVAILABLE Business owners affected by the pandemic can try for federal grants, for now. The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program, which launched in April , is open to businesses like movie theaters, museums and performance halls until its roughly $16 billion is exhausted. Applications have closed for additional grant programs like the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Some states continue to roll out their own grants as well. For example, the now-closed Wisconsin Tomorrow Small Business Recovery Grant program launched in May. For non-COVID grants, the federal government is also a main source, providing hundreds of billions of dollars every year, according to Grants.gov, a government-run database of these opportunities. These awards have strict qualifications , though, so review your eligibility before applying. Private and corporate grants may be accessible to more business owners. But there are fewer of these, and large awards have plenty of competition. For example, the 2021 FedEx Small Business Grant Contest, which offered a grand prize that included $50,000 , exceeded 8,300 submissions more than double the 2020 competition. WATCH FOR OPPORTUNITIES For federal small-business grants, visit Grants.gov. The website, managed by the Department of Health and Human Services , lists more than 1,000 awards. State-based and corporate awards can be tougher to corral, especially as many have quick deadlines. For example, the application window for the Wisconsin Tomorrow Small Business Recovery Grant was just two weeks. One resource that may help is GrantWatch, according to Frank LaMonaca , chairperson of the southeastern Connecticut chapter of SCORE, a nonprofit organization that helps business owners nationwide. Its agnostic to whoevers offering (funding), whether its private or public, LaMonaca says. GrantWatch charges a subscription fee for some services. With more legwork, you may be able to find untapped opportunities for free by connecting with your local SCORE chapter or Small Business Development Center. Private grants may also recur. If youve found a good fit but missed the deadline, set up a reminder to apply for the next round. HIT THE RIGHT NOTES LaMonaca says many grant applications require short answers about why you need the money and how youll use it. You also may need to provide details like a business plan and financial statements. A winning application will use this information to tell a compelling story. Its important to show that your business doesnt need to be saved, says Stephanie Duncan, co-owner of Harmony Harvest Farm in Weyers Cave, Virginia. She adds that its critical to have a focused plan for the award and remember that grantors want to see their money evolve into something amazing. Harmony Harvest Farm was a third-place winner in this years FedEx Small Business Grant Contest. Other tips are simpler like completing the application and sending it in on time. Randy Scarborough , vice president of global customer engagement marketing at FedEx, said by email that the companys contest typically has a handful of businesses that miss deadlines or are disqualified, usually for not meeting a requirement. BEWARE OF SCAMS Getting free money can often sound too good to be true. In some cases, it might be. Before applying for a grant and providing information like a Social Security number or employer identification number, ensure its validity. Red flags may include a fee or an application requiring nothing but your personal or business information. Donovan says to watch out for phishing scams, in which fraudsters reach out impersonating an organization such as LISC. Scrutinizing email addresses and URLs can help ensure youre dealing with a legitimate grantor. Also, keep track of any small-business grants you apply for. That way, you wont be surprised or suspicious when youre contacted about winning. Sometimes we have to call (recipients) three times, Donovan says. Some people have not taken the money, unfortunately. _____________________ This article was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Ryan Lane is a writer at NerdWallet. Email: rlane@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @ryanhlane. RELATED LINKS: NerdWallet: Small-Business Grants Grants.gov SCORE: Find a Location HONOLULU (AP) The Honolulu Police Department says it is making changes to be more transparent and address use of force tactics. The department will hold news conferences within 24 hours of all shootings involving officers, implement training changes including emphasizing de-escalation and cultural sensitivity and enact a near-total ban on shooting in vehicles, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Thursday. Interim Chief Rade K. Vanic announced the changes in response to questions earlier this week from the City Council's executive matters and legal affairs committee. Its good to know you folks are taking this stuff seriously and you are going to provide better training, Council Chair Tommy Waters told Vanic during the meeting. The announcement came after police shot and killed a 29-year-old Black man and a Micronesian teen in separate incidents. Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Steven Alm this week announced murder and attempted murder charges against three officers in connection with the shooting of the teen. Police said 16-year-old Iremamber Sykap was driving a stolen car linked to an armed robbery, burglary, purse snatching and car theft and led officers on a chase before the shooting. Officers shot into the car from the sides and rear as it sat on a street after the chase, according to court documents. It is the first time a police officer has been charged with a crime in connection with a police shooting in at least 45 years, the newspaper reported. An Oahu grand jury declined to indict the officers in the incident last week. Alm's office is also investigating the fatal shooting of 29-year-old Lindani Myeni. Myeni, a former rugby player from South Africa, is shown on video entering and then leaving a home in Honolulu before encountering police. A seemingly frightened resident inside the home called 911 and Lindani then fought with three officers. Video shows one officer fired a stun gun after yelling Taser before police shot and killed Myeni as he fought. After the shots were fired an officer is heard saying, Police! Myeni did not have any weapons at the time of the shooting. During Tuesdays hearing, Waters asked the interim chief about the case. Your predecessor said this was a burglary but it clearly wasnt," Waters said, referring to newly released video footage of the incident. My concern is the Ring doorbell was in HPDs possession." I know a picture is worth a thousand words, but there are definitely things a camera does not show," Vanic said. When officers are at a scene and they are dealing with potentially life-or-death situations, they sometimes have only seconds to react." One of the three officers who fought with Myeni was injured and remains on leave, the Star-Advertiser reported. The changes the police are making include prioritizing de-escalation tactics, restrictions on the use of vascular neck restraints and a ban on shooting into a vehicle unless it's being used as a weapon or suspects inside are firing guns at people. Another measure will require officers to intervene when they see a colleague breaking the law or violating department policy. MACAO, China (AP) The tiny Chinese autonomous region of Macao has joined its larger neighbor Hong Kong in closing its representative office in Taiwan as China seeks to intensify the diplomatic isolation of the self-governing island democracy. Macao gave no reason for the closure, which was announced Wednesday and takes effect from Saturday. As with Hong Kong, Macao is setting up a telephone hotline to provide service for any of its residents in Taiwan. The closure comes a month after Hong Kong, another semi-autonomous Chinese territory, shut its office in Taipei, accusing Taiwans government of having grossly interfered in Hong Kong's internal affairs. Taiwans government had voiced support for pro-democracy protests that roiled Hong Kong in 2019 and extended assistance to asylum seekers from Hong Kong fleeing a hash crackdown backed by Beijing. Relations between Taiwan and Beijing have deteriorated in recent years as China ratchets up diplomatic, military and economic pressure on the island and also tightens its control over Hong Kong, a former British colony that was promised it could maintain many of its freedoms when it was handed to Chinese control in 1997. What happens in Hong Kong is of great interest in Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory, to be brought under its control by force if necessary. Beijing has proposed Taiwan be governed under its so-called one country, two systems" framework that has been in place for Hong Kong and Macao. Macao is a former Portuguese colony and gambling enclave that was handed to Chinese rule in 1999, In closing its office in Taipei, Hong Kong cited actions that have severely damaged Hong Kong-Taiwan relations. The Taiwan-based Hong Kong Aid Project and Taiwan-Hong Kong Office for Exchanges and Services had provided assistance to violent protesters and people who tried to shatter Hong Kongs prosperity and stability, the Hong Kong government said. Taiwans Mainland Affairs Council, responsible for relations with China, said Hong Kong would bear the consequences of the disruption in contacts, and that Taiwans office in the city would continue its work. However, concerns have risen about the future of Taiwans de facto consulate in Hong Kong, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, with Hong Kong refusing to issue visas to several of its officials, reportedly because they refused to sign declarations endorsing Beijings contention that Taiwan belongs to China. If it closes, Taiwan's office in Macao may find itself in similar straits. Chinese pressure has steadily narrowed Taiwan's ability to take part in international organizations and reduced its number of diplomatic allies to just 15. On Tuesday, China flew a record 28 fighter jets and other military aircraft toward Taiwan, the largest such display of force since Beijing began sending planes on a near daily basis last year. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) A man has been convicted of using a homemade bomb to try to set fire to a Jewish-sponsored assisted living facility in Massachusetts last year, federal prosecutors say. John Rathbun, 37, of East Longmeadow, was convicted by a jury this week in U.S. District Court in Springfield of attempting to transport or receive explosive devices and attempting to maliciously damage or destroy personal property in an attempt to kill, injure or intimidate, according to a statement Wednesday from the U.S. attorney's office in Boston. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) A man shot by police earlier this week during an armed confrontation in Southern California has died from his injuries, authorities said Thursday. Six Bakersfield police officers fired their weapons during Sunday's incident and have been placed on administrative leave, the police department said in a news release. No officers were injured. The man, who was struck multiple times by bullets, died Wednesday. His name was not immediately made public. The ultimately fatal incident began Sunday around 4 p.m., when Bakersfield police tried to pull over the man's car for vehicle code violations. The driver did not stop and led officers on a short chase, police said, before crashing in an intersection. The man got out of the car and began shooting at the officers, police said, who returned fire. The man then allegedly ran to parking lot, where he tried to carjack a vehicle at gunpoint. The officers fired at the man again, striking him and knocking him to the ground, police said. Still armed with his gun, the man appeared to be trying to shoot himself. The police tried negotiating with him to put the gun down, authorities said, but he refused. The officers fired their guns again, hitting him several times. They put a tourniquet on his leg before he was transported to the hospital with major injuries, the police department said. The six officers who fired their guns were wearing body cameras at the time, police said. It was not immediately clear if the cameras captured the shooting. Bakersfield is 110 miles (177 kilometers) north of Los Angeles. BELLEVUE, Wash. (AP) A man drowned in Lake Washington while trying to rescue a child who had fallen off a sailboat near Chism Beach Park Wednesday evening, according to a Bellevue fire official. Crews responded to the scene around 7 p.m. after receiving reports that a child had fallen off a sailboat, Bellevue Fire Department spokesperson Lt. Camry Olsen said. Witnesses said another child had tried to help when a man who was watching from shore jumped on a power boat in an attempt to save both children, Olsen said. BENNINGTON, Vt. (AP) A man who was shot by a state trooper after he refused to drop a shotgun has pleaded guilty to aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. Bernard Rougeau, 50, pleaded guilty to the charge Wednesday in Bennington Superior criminal court in a deal reached with prosecutors, the Bennington Banner reported. He appeared by video from Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield. PASCAGOULA, Miss. (AP) A man on the Mississippi coast faces serious injures after being hit by a train Wednesday night while he was sleeping on the tracks. WLOX-TV reports that the 63-year-old was hit at 9:15 p.m. on the railroad tracks in Pascagoula. ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) State government agencies and offices in Maryland will be closed Friday in observance of the new Juneteenth National Independence Day. Gov. Larry Hogans announcement came Thursday, the same day that President Joe Biden signed legislation recognizing the new federal holiday on June 19. Whenever a national holiday falls on a Saturday, state employees observe the holiday on the preceding Friday. QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) Suspected militants opened fire on troops at a security post near an airport in southwestern Pakistan on Thursday, killing a soldier before fleeing the scene, the military said. The attack happened in the Turbat district in Baluchistan province, a military statement said. Security forces have launched a search operation in the region to trace and arrest the attackers, it added. The slain soldier was identified as Aqeel Abbas. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Minnesota House launched into a long, contentious debate Thursday that delayed its first floor votes on the big budget bills that lawmakers were unable to pass before time ran out on the year's regular session last month. The House had four bills teed up for final floor votes. But minority House Republicans were unhappy with being shut out of the closed-door negotiations between House Democrats and Senate Republicans that shaped them. And they showed it by launching a long filibuster that was expected to last into the night. They also filed about 60 amendments in advance. I think we're going to have a bumpy ride in the Minnesota House, Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman, of Brooklyn Park, told WCCO Radio on Thursday morning, before the debate began. The House minority is determined to make things take a little bit longer than they need to, but we'll get it done no matter how long it takes. An angry House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt, of Crown, blamed Democrats for disregarding GOP concerns while a narrow group of committee chairs worked out the details in private, and he vowed to vet all of the bills thoroughly on the floor. If you don't think that members of this chamber in this party are willing to stand here and fight for the Minnesotans that you are trying to hurt, you are dead wrong, Daudt said in an opening speech that lasted over an hour. Because the battle that we fight here on this floor today is a worthy one. The four bills covered the budgets for commerce and energy, agriculture, higher education, and programs funded by the Legacy Amendment, a sales tax increase that voters approved in 2008 to provide extra money for four dedicated funds: clean water, outdoor programs, arts and culture, and parks and trails. Democratic House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler, of Golden Valley, countered Daudt's assertions, saying the proposals in the bills got a thorough public airing during the regular session. The bills that we are taking up today represent a bipartisan agreement with your Republican colleagues in the Senate our Republican colleagues in the Senate. It represents an agreement with the executive branch," Winkler told the chamber. "The only thing standing in the way of this budget getting passed at this point in time is the actions of the minority caucus in the Minnesota House. Daudt and his fellow Republicans started the day with an hourslong, one-sided fight over the commerce bill as they tried to add a reauthorization of the state's 4-year-old health care reinsurance program. They said it's has been a big success at holding down premiums, and that Minnesota residents face steep increases unless the program is extended. Democrats, who stayed largely silent as GOP lawmakers stretched out the debate, consider it a giveaway to insurance companies. By contrast, there was little partisan rancor as the Republican-controlled Senate took up its versions of the four bills. Senators laid them on the table with voice votes as a procedural move, just to keep the process going, while they waited for the House to pass them first. Legislators are under pressure to get the budget bills passed to avert at least a partial government shutdown July 1 when the old budget expires. Hortman, Walz and Republican Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, of East Gull Lake, agreed on broad targets for the $52 billion, two-year budget last month. The special session convened Monday, and negotiators are still filling in details and working through policy disputes. Hortman told WCCO she wasn't concerned about a shutdown. The speaker said nine of the 14 budget bills were essentially wrapped up. But at least a couple still need intervention by top leaders, she said, including the public safety budget, which Democrats say should include new police accountability measures to build on those passed last summer in the wake of George Floyd's death after a Minneapolis officer knelt on his neck and pinned him to the ground. Senate Republicans have been cool toward adding restrictions on police amid rising crime. MOORHEAD, Minn. (AP) A Moorhead man was arrested and charged with a firearms violation in connection with the March death of a 6-year-old boy who was unintentionally shot with a handgun. Phillip Jones Jr., 33, is charged in federal court with felon in charge of a firearm. Authorities say he has several prior felony convictions in Hennepin County, including attempted drive-by shooting. LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) Nebraska state offices will close Friday in anticipation of a new federal law that will establish Juneteenth as a recognized government holiday. Gov. Pete Ricketts ordered the closure to comply with a state law that grants the same paid holiday benefits to state employees. State employees will receive a paid day of leave. ORANGE CITY, Iowa (AP) An Iowa man convicted of killing a man in rural Sioux County will get a new trial because of a mistake made during jury selection during his first trial, a judge has ruled. District Judge Jeffrey Neary ruled Wednesday Gregg Winterfeld, 71, of Spirit Lake, should get a new trial because he and his lawyer did not get enough peremptory strikes of potential jurors, The Sioux City Journal reported. POMPANO BEACH, Fla. (AP) Authorities detained 14 migrants who were traveling in a boat that came ashore hitting a sea wall in South Florida on Thursday. WPLG-TV reports the migrants were coming from Jamaica and had first traveled to The Bahamas. One of the migrant men told the TV station as he was being handcuffed in Pompano Beach, Florida, that he was fleeing from violence in his country. KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Police in Kansas City are investigating the shooting death of a man on the eastern side of the city. The shooting happened just before 11 p.m. Wednesday along East 30th Street, police said in a news release. Babies born prematurely may have significantly higher risk of stroke as young adults and the earlier the birth, the greater the risk, suggests an extensive new study. Although people born prematurely have been shown to have higher risk of high blood pressure and other disorders that can lead to stroke, little research has focused on stroke itself, said Dr. Casey Crump, the study's lead author. Earlier findings also were inconsistent, said Crump, a professor and vice chair for research in the department of family medicine and community health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York. So, in what he said is the largest study to look at stroke risk and preterm birth, Crump and his colleagues examined the records of more than 2.1 million people born in Sweden from 1973 to 1994 who lived to at least age 18. That group was reviewed for first-time stroke through 2015, when the oldest was 43 years old. A full-term pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks. In the study, infants born early preterm (22 to 33 weeks) had a 42% higher risk of stroke in adulthood compared to full-term babies. Those born late preterm (34 to 36 weeks) had a 22% higher risk. Early-term birth (37-38 weeks) was not associated with increased risk. "It was quite striking that these risks seem to emerge in adulthood," Crump said. The study adjusted for factors such as sex, the parents' ages and the mother's weight. To filter out genetic or environmental factors in the children's families, the study did a separate comparison between the preterm infants and siblings who were born full-term. Even after adjusting for those unmeasured factors within families, most of the risks remained, Crump said. "This suggests that preterm birth itself may have direct effects on later risk of stroke." The study was published Thursday in the American Heart Association journal Stroke. Dr. Lori Jordan, who co-wrote an editorial accompanying the study, called the findings important and said multiple mechanisms have been proposed for why preterm birth might raise stroke risk. Blood vessel walls form during fetal development, and arterial stiffness caused by abnormal development of the inner lining of those walls "seems to be a unifying theme" in possible explanations, said Jordan, director of the Pediatric Stroke Program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Stiff arteries, she said, may lead to increased blood pressure and early atherosclerosis, which are both associated with increased stroke risk. Crump emphasized the absolute risk of stroke for people born preterm was low. During the study, only 0.3% of people born early were diagnosed with stroke. But many people could be affected. About 1 in 10 births in the U.S. are preterm, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Advances in treatment mean there are more survivors than ever. "It's really the first time in history that we have very large numbers of people born prematurely who are surviving into adulthood," Crump said. The study used records from Sweden, but Crump said the findings likely apply broadly. He said more research would be needed in diverse racial and ethnic groups. Jordan said people born preterm should work with their primary care physicians to monitor for high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and other modifiable stroke risk factors. "If risk factors are found, they can be addressed, and this will hopefully reduce the chances of a stroke occurring." Crump said doctors need to be aware of the potential risks faced by people who were born preterm. "We need to improve the identification of these patients in clinical settings by including birth history as part of medical history-taking and tracking this in electronic health records, which will help put patients' health in better context," he said. If you have questions or comments about this story, please email editor@heart.org. Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved. Permission is granted, at no cost and without need for further request, for individuals, media outlets, and non-commercial education and awareness efforts to link to, quote, excerpt or reprint from these stories in any medium as long as no text is altered and proper attribution is made to American Heart Association News. Other uses, including educational products or services sold for profit, must comply with the American Heart Associations Copyright Permission Guidelines. See full terms of use. These stories may not be used to promote or endorse a commercial product or service. HEALTH CARE DISCLAIMER: This site and its services do not constitute the practice of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment, including your specific medical needs. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem or condition, please contact a qualified health care professional immediately. If you are in the United States and experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or call for emergency medical help immediately. KIGALI, Rwanda (AP) Rwandan prosecutors on Thursday requested a life sentence for the man who inspired the film Hotel Rwanda as he faces terrorism charges, while his family asserts that he faces mistreatment and an unfair trial. Paul Rusesabagina, once praised for saving hundreds of ethnic Tutsis from Rwandas 1994 genocide as a hotel manager, faces charges related to attacks by an armed group inside Rwanda in 2018 and 2019. The nine charges include the formation of an irregular armed group, membership in a terrorist group and financing terrorism. Prosecutors seek to link him to activities that killed at least nine people. MEXICO CITY (AP) A judge in Mexico ordered a Romanian man to stand trial on charges he ran a massive credit card skimming operation that targeted tourists in the Mexican resort of Cancun, prosecutors said Thursday. Florian Tudor was arrested in late May, marking what could be the final chapter in a bizarre story of violence, theft and politics. When federal agents went to take Tudor into custody in May, another federal agent tried to prevent the arrest and Tudors lawyer tried to punch the officers, the prosecutors said. Federal prosecutors said Thursday Tudor faces Mexican criminal conspiracy and illegal financial transaction charges, after he and two other men allegedly illegally carried out various transactions at ATM machines in at least five Mexican states. They said previously that Tudor, often know by his nickname The Shark, also faces an extradition request from Romania for attempted murder, organized crime and extortion. Tudor has maintained his innocence, but officials say hundreds, and perhaps thousands of tourists were allegedly scammed at ATM machines run by his group in Cancun. Tudor claimed he was a legitimate businessman facing political persecution and was even granted a meeting on March 3 with Mexicos top police official, Public Safety Secretary Rosa Icela Rodriguez. Rodriguez said she had been ordered by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to meet with Tudor and hear him out. All we did was grant him a meeting to hear what he wanted to say ... we treated him like any other citizen, Rodriguez said later. But the meeting surprised many because it came one month after Mexicos anti-money laundering agency froze 79 bank accounts connected to the gang because they formed part of a criminal enterprise to clone credit cards in the tourist zone of Cancun. Mexico's Financial Intelligence Unit said it acted as part of a joint investigation with the FBI; the unit confirmed the ring was run by Romanians and that as much as $25 million in suspicious transfers had been detected. The unit said the gang placed ATMs with skimmers to read credit card data inside Cancun hotels, and said the scam had expanded to other resorts like Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos. HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) The Connecticut Senate voted Thursday to legalize the recreational use of cannabis for adults, the final legislative action for a bill that lays the groundwork for the new industry in Connecticut and attempts to address racial inequities stemming from the nation's war on drugs. Shortly after vote, Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont said he'd sign the long-debated legislation into law. When that happens, Connecticut will become the 19th state to end the prohibition on marijuana, which remains an illegal drug under federal law, according to the Marijuana Policy Project. This measure is comprehensive, protects our children and the most vulnerable in our communities, and will be viewed as a national model for regulating the adult-use cannabis marketplace, Lamont said in a statement, explaining it was fitting that the bill was finally passed on the 50th anniversary of a speech made by the late President Richard Nixon declaring a war on drugs. I look forward to signing the bill and moving beyond this terrible period of incarceration and injustice, Lamont said. The Senate approved the legislation on a 16 to 11 vote. Four Democrats joined all the Republicans in attendance in opposition. Nine senators were absent for the vote. Under the bill, it will be legal for individuals 21 and older to possess and use cannabis beginning July 1. A person would be allowed to have up to 1.5 ounces, with an additional 5 ounces secured in their home or vehicle. Retail sales of recreational cannabis in Connecticut are not expected to begin until the summer of 2022, at the earliest. We will have a regulated product, a taxed product and a system for use by adults, as we have for tobacco, as we have for alcohol, said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney, D-New Haven, noting that marijuana is already prevalent in society. But critics of the bill continued their warnings on Thursday about the ramifications of Connecticut becoming the latest state to legalize a drug that remains illegal under federal law. I would like Connecticut to be the shining city on the hill. I don't think that because surrounding states are going down this path that we should, said Sen. John Kissel, R-Enfield, the top Senate Republican on the Judiciary Committee. It's some respects, it's the Wild Wild West. Senators on Thursday also gave final legislative approval of a massive bill that spells out details of the new two-year $46.3 billion state budget, among other issues. For example, the bill includes numerous voting-related provisions, including a new requirement that employers give their workers two hours of unpaid time off to vote in elections if they request it and the ability for people on parole to vote. The bill also allows voters to apply online to the Secretary of the State's Office for absentee ballots and the drop boxes installed during the pandemic for absentee ballots will remain permanent. Secure absentee ballot drop boxes were an incredible success in 2020, allowing voters to deliver their absentee ballots themselves without having to rely on the US Postal Service, Secretary of the State Denise Merrill said in a statement. "Now every Connecticut voter will be able to use these secure absentee ballot drop boxes in every election. Thursday marked the second time the Senate had voted on both bills in special session. Each was amended by the House of Representatives, requiring another Senate vote. The Senate previously passed the marijuana bill during the regular legislative session, but the House did not vote on it in time for the General Assembly's June 9 adjournment deadline. House members on Wednesday stripped an amendment the Senate previously added to the cannabis legalization bill that ensured that an equity applicant for marijuana industry licenses, who would receive preferential status, could include people living in certain geographic areas who were previously arrested or convicted for the sale, use, manufacture or cultivation of cannabis. The provision also applied to individuals whose parent, spouse or child was arrested or convicted of the same charges. Lamont had threatened to veto the legislation if that provision were included, arguing it would open up the industry and give preference to tens of thousands of people with a history of cannabis crimes, or members of their families, regardless of their financial means. LONDON (AP) Britains government has apologized to rape victims for declining conviction levels, with senior Cabinet ministers saying they're deeply ashamed by the downward trend in bringing sexual offenders to justice. The governments Rape Review, published Thursday, said the situation was totally unacceptable and that authorities are determined to change it. Figures from the Crown Persecution Service showed that 1,439 suspects were convicted of rape or lesser sexual offenses in England and Wales in 2020 the lowest level since records began despite reports of rape to police almost doubling since 2015. Of an estimated 128,000 reported cases of rape or attempted rape each year, just 1.6% result in a charge. The review said it found no one specific cause for the overall drop in prosecutions. These are trends of which we are deeply ashamed. Victims of rape are being failed, Justice Secretary Robert Buckland, Home Secretary Priti Patel and Attorney General Michael Ellis wrote. Thousands of victims have gone without justice. But this isnt just about numbers every instance involves a real person who has suffered a truly terrible crime, they added. The report set out recommendations such as reducing cross-examination of victims in court by conducting pre-recorded interviews and focusing more on the behaviors of the suspect rather than the accuser. Buckland said he wanted to move away from the obsessive focus on the credibility of the victim. Emphasis should instead be put on the suspects offending past, to help ensure decision-making is based on evidence, rather than subjective judgments of victim credibility, the report said. Max Hill, Director of Public Prosecutions for England and Wales, said the stark drop in cases that have successfully been brought before a jury meant that too few victims are seeking justice. While some campaigners welcomed the government's apology, most said the review fell short of expectations. "Overall, while there are individual elements of the governments report that are encouraging, its hard to identify any big commitments that will radically and swiftly improve the experience of the justice system for victims and survivors," said Amelia Handy, policy lead for Rape Crisis England and Wales. ROME (AP) The Vatican will host a gathering of faith leaders this fall to build momentum behind a moral appeal for strong, courageous commitments to be taken at a November climate change conference in Glasgow, organizers said Thursday. The Vatican foreign minister, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, said the Oct. 4 gathering, sponsored by the British and Italian governments, is a no-brainer for the Holy See given Pope Francis frequent calls to better protect the Earth. Gallagher said Francis would likely participate in the Vatican event, but he declined to confirm whether Francis would also travel to Glasgow to make an in-person appeal to world leaders to save the planet and those who are most vulnerable to climate change: Indigenous groups and the poor. Britain is due to host COP26, the follow-on conference after the Paris climate accord of 2015, which aims to keep the increase in average temperatures worldwide well below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit), compared with pre-industrial levels. Italy, which holds the G-20 presidency, is hosting a series of run-up initiatives ahead of the Glasgow summit. British Ambassador Sally Axworthy told reporters at a Vatican briefing Thursday that faith leaders had made an important contribution to the Paris accord, noting Francis own 2015 encyclical on the environment. In the document, Francis denounced the perverse global economic model that had exploited the Earths natural resources for profit, at the expense of the poor. Axworthy declined to identify which religious leaders would attend the Oct. 4 meeting, noting the coronavirus pandemic and size of the event would limit participation. But she said the list covered a broad number of faiths from around the globe. Scientists say that any rise in global temperatures beyond 2 degrees Celsius could have a devastating impact on large parts of the world, raising sea levels, stoking tropical storms and worsening droughts and floods. RENO, Nev. (AP) A fast-moving wildfire forced evacuations of homes, snarled highways and drew a rapid response Wednesday from firefighters using helicopters to drop water on flames blackening exceptionally dry vegetation south of Reno, authorities said. The fire in Steamboat Valley quickly expanded to about half a square mile (1.3 square kilometers) on a day with temperatures in the mid-90s (35 Celsius) and crackling-dry humidity but little wind, officials said. The U.S. House of Representatives voted Tuesday to award the Congressional Gold Medal to all police officers who responded during the Capitol riot on Jan. 6 with overwhelming bipartisan support. But 21 Republican representatives voted against HR 3325, including four from Texas, the Washington Post's Felicia Somnez reports. IN TEXAS: Gov. Greg Abbott lays out new plan for Texas-Mexico border wall Reps. Louie Gohmert, Michael Cloud, Chip Roy, and Lance Gooden all voted against the measure. Gohmert, Cloud and Gooden had all voted against Congressional Gold Medals for Capitol police when it was first introduced in March, the Washington Post's Colby Itkowitz and Meagan Flynn reported. Several Republicans who voted against the measure previously said they objected to the use of the words "insurrection" and "temple," according to Somnez. Roy released a statement explaining his opposition toward HR 3325. Today, I voted against H.R. 3325 that awards Congressional Gold Medals to police officers that protected the Capitol building on January 6th," Roy wrote. "I previously voted in favor of H.R.1085 in support of those brave men and women. However, this legislation has since been amended to include events that have absolutely nothing to do with January 6th....Democrats are playing political games with the tragedy of April 2, 2021, when Officer William 'Billy' Evans was killed and Officer Kenneth Shaver was injured by a man obsessed with the Nation of Islam who slammed his vehicle into the north barricade of the U.S. Capitol complex." OPINION: Fired reporter's recordings of Fox 26 bosses are underwhelming Gohmert tweeted that he was introducing a different bill to honor Capitol police supported by Cloud and Gooden. "Our brave Capitol Police deserve the upmost [sic] respect, which is why I have introduced a bill that serves as a tribute to our officers rather than using them as political pawns," Gohmert wrote. The legislation passed overwhelmingly with 406 "yes" votes. The Capitol police, the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, the Smithsonian Institution and the Architect of the Capitol will all receive medals. The Smithsonian Institution and the AOC will display their medals alongside a plaque honoring other law enforcement agencies that protected the Capitol on Jan. 6. Texans can carry handguns without a license or training starting Sept. 1, after Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday signed the permitless carry bill into law. House Bill 1927 eliminates the requirement for Texas residents to obtain a license to carry handguns if theyre not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a gun. The signing of the bill seals a win to conservative activists who have long sought the measure without success. Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and other Republicans who were initially noncommittal about the bill were under immense political pressure this session from conservatives and gun rights advocates, who have long lobbied the Texas Legislature for permitless carry but historically struggled to win support. Before approving the bill, the Senate tacked on several amendments to address concerns by law enforcement groups that opposed permitless carry, worried it would endanger officers and make it easier for criminals to get guns. MORE POLITICAL NEWS: #AbbottFailedTexas trends as ERCOT asks 29 millions Texans to 'conserve energy' - again The compromise lawmakers reached behind closed doors kept intact a number of changes the Senate made to the House bill, including striking a provision that would have barred officers from questioning people based only on their possession of a handgun. The deal also preserves a Senate amendment enhancing the criminal penalties for felons and family violence offenders caught carrying. Among other Senate changes that made it into the law was a requirement that the Texas Department of Public Safety offer a free online course on gun safety. Proponents of what Republicans call constitutional carry argued that Texas should follow the lead of at least 20 other states with similar laws on the books. Meanwhile, gun control advocates are disappointed the Legislature made it easier to carry firearms after repeated instances of gun violence including the 2019 massacres in El Paso and Midland-Odessa that left 30 people dead. A solid majority of Texas voters don't think permitless carry should be allowed, according to an April University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Before the permitless carry law was signed, Texans generally needed to be licensed to carry handguns openly or concealed. Applicants had to submit fingerprints, complete four to six hours of training, and pass a written exam and a shooting proficiency test. Texas does not require a license to openly carry a rifle in public. The permitless carry movement saw a breakthrough in April when the House passed HB 1927. Patrick initially said the Senate did not have the votes for permitless carry, but he created a new committee, referred HB 1927 to it and got it to the floor, where it passed in early May. Some Democrats and state lawmakers from El Paso have denounced the bill, which came during the first legislative session since the 2019 massacres. Abbott and Patrick softened their tones on gun control after those shootings but have been quiet on the issue since. In 2019, Abbott swore to do everything we can to make sure a crime like this doesnt happen again, raising concerns about state laws allowing private gun sales between strangers without background checks. Patrick went so far as to say he was willing to take an arrow from the gun lobby in order to pursue the change. But this legislative session, Texas Republicans moved in the opposite direction, pushing to loosen gun laws and vowing to defy any new federal gun rules. Laying out his policy priorities in February, Abbott made no mention of either shooting. He said Texas must become a Second Amendment sanctuary state. We need to erect a complete barrier against any government official anywhere from treading on gun rights in Texas, Abbott said during his speech. Of the dozens of gun safety bills lawmakers filed to codify state leaders 2019 calls for action, few have advanced. All [El Paso community members] wanted was something better. All they wanted was some accountability. Yet here we are, state Rep. Joe Moody, an El Paso Democrat, told colleagues on the floor Sunday. When the doors were closed, I heard lots of promises. I havent heard them since. The Texas Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans and engages with them about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Florida, FL (34429) Today Variable clouds with thunderstorms, especially during the afternoon hours. High near 85F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy overnight with thunderstorms likely. Low 76F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Canada celebrates diversity in June The month of June highlights diversity in Canada. Shelby Thevenot Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif Sans Font Size A A In Canada, June is National Indigenous History Month, Italian Heritage Month, Portuguese Heritage Month, Filipino Heritage Month, LGBTQ2+ Pride, and others. There is no central Canadian authority that decides what is a nationally-recognized commemorative day, week, or month. Essentially any group from inside or outside Canada can call for recognition during a certain timeframe, and they might actually receive it provided it aligns with Canadian values. Diversity and inclusion are some of the key Canadian values, which is why there are so many commemorative holidays for different groups of people throughout the year. These events are for the most part not official days off, but they are intended to drum up conversations that will help us better understand each other. Here are some of the ways Canadians celebrate diversity in June. Find Out if Youre Eligible for Canadian Immigration National Indigenous History Month National Indigenous History Month recognizes the history, heritage and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples in Canada. It provides an opportunity for classrooms, workplaces, and social media users from all walks of life to celebrate Indigenous peoples. In 2021, Canada is especially remembering the children who were taken from their families to residential schools, after the remains of 215 children were found in unmarked graves in Kamloops, B.C. These schools were intended to destroy Indigenous cultures, and assimilate children to Euro-centric Canadian culture. Recently, Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino announced that Indigenous people could reclaim their traditional name on citizenship and permanent residency documents. Canada is also expected to soon amend the Canadian citizenship guide and oath to include Indigenous people, as well. Italian Heritage Month Canada is home to more than 1.5 million Canadians of Italian descent, making it one of the largest Italian diasporas in the world. Italian Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the achievements of Italian Canadians in building a vibrant and more inclusive Canada. Ontario has celebrated Italian Heritage Month since June 2010, as per a the Italian Heritage Month Act. At that time, the province boasted being home to more than 1.3 million Italian Canadians. Italian immigrants have come to Canada since the 1830s. There was an influx of Italian newcomers between the 1870s and World War I. They primarily settled in Toronto, Montreal, and to a lesser extent Vancouver. Portuguese Heritage Month Portuguese Heritage Month is a time to recognize the contribution of Canadians of Portuguese descent to Canada. Canada now has one of the largest Portuguese diasporas in the world, home to more than 480,000 strong. Portuguese explorers were among the first Europeans to lay eyes on the land we now know as Canada. Over the years, Portuguese have immigrated to Canada for economic opportunity, to get better jobs, and to escape political oppression. Portuguese immigration started in the 1940s, but boomed after 1953. Many were recruited to work in rural areas of Canada, but they soon established themselves in larger cities. Today, most Portuguese Canadians live in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia. Many are living in urban centres, but they also make up pockets of rural communities as well. Filipino Heritage Month Filipino Heritage Month is an opportunity to highlight the contributions that Filipino Canadians have made to the social, economic, and cultural fabric of Canada. It is an opportunity for all Canadians to learn about the culture, and traditions of the Filipino community in Canada. Records of Filipino immigration date back to the 1890s, with Benson Florence who settled on what is now called Bowen Island. Today, there are about 837,000 Filipinos in Canada. Nearly half live in Ontario, mostly Toronto. There are also large Filipino populations in Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Calgary. LGBTQ2+ Pride Across the nation, Canadian cities hold Pride events that celebrate sexual and gender diversity. It is a time to acknowledge the hardships that LGBTQ2+ people have endured, and the progress that has been made. Canadians have been allowed to sponsor their same-sex spouse since 2002. Before then, same sex spouses had to be eligible as common-law partners, or be admitted under humanitarian and compassionate grounds. Since 2017, Canada has recognized gender identifier X on official documents. Temporary residents have the option to change their gender identifier on these documents as of March, 2021. Progress is still being made to be more inclusive of LGBTQ2+ people in Canadas immigration system. As of July 2020, same-sex couples can now pass down Canadian citizenship to their foreign-born children. Sponsor your family for Canadian immigration National Indigenous Peoples Day On June 21, it is National Indigenous Peoples Day. Much like Indigenous History Month, it is a time to recognize and celebrate the distinct languages, subcultures, and spiritual beliefs of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis people. June 21 was chosen because it is the summer solstice. For generations, many Indigenous peoples and communities have celebrated their culture and heritage around this time because of its significance as the longest day of the year. National Indigenous Peoples Day was announced in 1996 by then Governor General of Canada, Romeo LeBlanc. It was originally called National Aboriginal Day, but in 2017 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the government would change it to National Indigenous Peoples Day. The government now provides resources, ideas for events, and funding opportunities for celebratory events around National Indigenous Peoples Day. Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day On June 24, Canadians celebrate Francophone culture across the country. It has been a statutory holiday in the province of Quebec since 1925. The celebration in Canada dates back to the days of New France, which is what French colonizers originally named the North American continent. Originally a religious holiday, it became more of a patriotic celebration in 1834. Today, French Canadians in communities all over Canada celebrate their language and heritage. Canadian Multiculturalism Day June 27 is Canadian Multiculturalism Day. It highlights the significance of multiculturalism in Canada, in an effort to ensure all citizens keep their identities, take pride in their ancestry, and have a sense of belonging in Canada. Find Out if Youre Eligible for Canadian Immigration CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options. Sorry, no valid subscriptions were found for this Publication. Please select from an option below to start a subscription. SUBSCRIBE TODAY! 24 Hour Access Over the past week, much media attention has been focused on Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams residency, after a Politico story gathered a lot of circumstantial evidence that seemed to suggest he didnt actually live in the Bedford-Stuyvesant townhouse he owns. It noted that he frequently sleeps in his office at Brooklyn Borough Hall and noted that he co-owns an apartment in New Jersey with his girlfriend. Adams led reporters on a tour of the Bed-Stuy buildings ground-floor apartment and released EZ Pass records to show he has only driven his official vehicle to New Jersey a handful of times in the past year. But while the residency issue matters it speaks to the frontrunners transparency and his commitment to New York City it is a distraction from the really important question about Adams and real estate: whether he will be a pro-tenant mayor. Wherever Adams lays his head at night, one thing is clear: he is a landlord and he has a pro-landlord perspective. Take rent-stabilization. The mayor of New York City does not have much power over the citys tenant laws the state Legislature and the governor decide them but the mayor does appoint new members to the Rent Guidelines Board, which decides how much in rent more than two million tenants in rent-stabilized apartments will pay. Most of the candidates, even those who are close to the real estate industry such as Andrew Yang and former Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia, have spoken warmly about the idea of a rent freeze but not Adams. The greatest wealth of Black and brown people in this city is in their property. So when we start making any decisions on small property owners, we need to factor that, Adams said recently. Because if were not going to freeze mortgage payments for small property owners, if were not going to rollback their mortgage payments, then we need to be careful. This matters much more than how many nights Adams spends in New Jersey. At no point has Adams unequivocally defended the idea of freezing rents, something Mayor Bill de Blasios Rent Guidelines Board has done. Instead, he invoked a myth: that small property-owners control much of the rent-stabilized housing in New York City, when in fact they really dont. Likewise, Adams once said, What is real estate? Im real estate in the fact that I own a small home, Adams told the Daily News in an interview last February. But rent regulations affect only buildings with more units than Adams owns, and those buildings are overwhelmingly owned by large landlords with vast holdings. Those landlords will have an ally in Adams, like they had an ally in former Mayor Michael Bloomberg. While Albany has swung to the left on rent-stabilization, with progressive Democrats gaining power in the Legislature, there will be little to stop Adams from appointing members to the Rent Guidelines Board who are close to the real estate industry, which deeply resents when rents are not increased annually. When Adams, last year, shouted out that newer residents should go back to Iowa, he was blaming individual migrants to New York for increasing housing costs and causing displacement rather than focusing on the policies that could fix the undersupply of affordable housing, like rezonings lacking in affordable housing mandates or the slow gutting of rent stabilization. But those policies could conflict with the agenda of the real estate industry and its generous donors to Adams campaign, so instead Adams railed against people who just want to live in New York City. Adams would defend his friendly relationship with developers by noting that upzonings his supporters push for create much-needed housing. Thats a fair point, but Adams hasnt even been consistently in favor of allowing the creation of new units, market-rate or affordable. Last year, in Brooklyns high-cost Vinegar Hill neighborhood, Adams opposed rezoning a parking lot to allow residential development, out of fear that the buildings might be as high as eight stories tall. Real estate developers arent Adams only political allies who have been at odds with a pro-tenant agenda. Adams protege and successor in the state Senate, Jesse Hamilton, joined the Independent Democratic Conference in 2016. The IDC helped the Republican Party control the Senate majority for much of the 2010s, blocking the passage of bills that would have strengthened tenant protections in New York City. It was only in 2019 with the IDC disbanded and most of its former members, including Hamilton, defeated that Democrats in the state Legislature were able to repeal a law that allowed landlords to take apartments out of the rent-stabilization program. Other candidates like Garcia and Yang are sympathetic to landlords, but Adams seems to identify with them the most and that is what really matters. At the end of April, Tyler Grisantis unemployment benefits stopped arriving, even though he was still eligible for payments and certifying for benefits. When the Chautauqua County resident called the state Department of Labor, an automatic menu asked him to enter identifying information before the line hung up. Despite calling the department repeatedly, Grisanti couldnt reach a live representative for a month. First, he was told he needed to verify his identity. When he called back after confirming his identity, he reached an automatic message that said call volume was high and to try again later. After Grisanti spoke with an agent, DOL released the hold on Grisantis account and provided one weeks worth of benefits. He didnt immediately receive back pay and had to call again before obtaining the other weeks hed missed. I had to go without a lot of things and neglect bills until money came in. I borrowed for the things I had to have, once my savings (were) gone, Grisanti, a former gas station attendant who filed for unemployment in March 2020, wrote to City & State, noting that he never figured out why his benefits stopped. It took over a month of fighting and having no income before I won. Grisantis situation is not unique: Seven people unable to find work during the pandemic told City & State they had recently waited weeks and months without benefits while trying to get in touch with a DOL agent. Amid the influx of claims and months-long waits to reach a phone representative, the DOL said last June it would continue to throw everything, including the kitchen sink, at getting New Yorkers their benefits. Even so, New Yorkers say they still cant reach a live agent, and the inability to do so leaves them unable to solve problems that stop their benefits for weeks and months. As COVID-19 restrictions shuttered businesses across New York in March 2020, unemployment claims skyrocketed, with Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon later saying the surge of applications crashed on New York like a wave. A review of contracts by City & State shows that, as the state was flooded with unemployment applications, the DOL spent more than $193 million since April 2020 to support the overwhelmed unemployment system. The DOL paid Navient, a large student loan provider that also provides technological support for businesses, more than $58.2 million for services beginning in April 2020. IBM was paid $56.4 million beginning in August 2020, and Deloitte received $62 million. The DOL said all of these companies were hired to answer calls and assist with processing claims. Accenture and MCI Communications, a company owned by Verizon, also provided support and as did smaller firms specializing in cloud technology and identity verification. (None of the companies contacted for this article commented.)` The $193 million total does not include services paid for by other agencies, such as assistance provided by Google, under an existing contract paid for by the Office of General Services. Documents obtained via FOIL indicate that workers from California, Ohio and Pennsylvania helped field the panicked calls from unemployed New Yorkers. The documents indicate Marriott International was involved in the work. Though DOL told City & State that Marriott was a subcontractor for Deloitte, the agency did not know if workers contracted to support unemployment operations stayed in hotels. The governors office did not respond when asked why out-of-state workers were hired, and Marriott did not respond to request for comment. Nicole Salk, a senior staff attorney at Legal Services NYC, said that many unemployed workers are experiencing delays when reaching the end of their benefit year. Salk said artists, musicians and others who received payments through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program authorized in the federal CARES Act were experiencing problems. Many of them are still unemployed, and when they had to reapply after a year, they had huge difficulties. Some of them, it worked, but many of them are still reaching out to us to get help, Salk said. Though New Yorkers have experienced issues reaching a representative at the DOL throughout the entire COVID-19 pandemic, the large contracts that previously supported claims processing have now been terminated. Contracts for Verizon, Deloitte and Accenture ended in March, while those for IBM and Navient stopped in April. The DOL would not say how many of its employees are still processing claims and how that figure compares to the number of such representatives pre-pandemic. When asked how the department decided that workers hired by Verizon and Deloitte were no longer needed to help field calls, a spokesperson for the the agency wrote in an email, Deloitte and Verizon were hired as part of an emergency response to handle the volume of unemployment claims and help deliver billions of dollars in benefits to New Yorkers as quickly as possible. NYS DOL adapts to meet the needs of New Yorkers, we currently have adequate staff to meet the agencys mission and current demand. In Facebook groups created to help New Yorkers facing problems with the unemployment system, people share tips about how to bypass the DOLs phone system, which tells callers that the line is experiencing high volume before hanging up on them. Contacting the governors office and asking to be transferred to the Department of Labor has emerged as a reliable method of solving claims issues. Lance, a single parent in upstate New York who said hes not huge in passing his name around and asked that City & State not print his surname, said he hasnt received payments for 14 weeks. He didnt know that contacting the governors office might help him receive benefits. Ive been working (for) 18 years, without receiving unemployment, he said. So I dont know how this system works. State Sen. Jessica Ramos, a Democrat from Queens, said her office has helped hundreds of people with unemployment issues during the pandemic, including some New Yorkers who dont live in her district. The Department of Labor has been chronically underfunded for years, Ramos, the chair of the Labor Committee, told City & State. The Department of Labor does what it can with what it has. The problem is that what it has is very little. Ramos said shes been working with a resident who applied for unemployment back in November and still has a pending application. Theyve asked her for identification. She has sent three proofs of ID. In response, the DOL wrote in an email to City & State, Each individual claim is unique, and there are many scenarios why someone may not be receiving benefits, and without seeing each individual claim we cannot give you a statement, adding that the agency is legally required to determine a claimant's eligibility for benefits. Nassau County resident Jamie Cruz had been receiving payments for much of the pandemic, but in early March, her benefits stopped arriving. She tried contacting the DOL through its phone line for seven weeks, but almost always reached an automated message that told her the department was experiencing high call volume and instructed her to call again later. When she managed to get through to a representative, the agent didnt know how to help and told her to wait for a call from the DOL. The people at their call center couldnt explain what the issue was, plus they couldnt tell me how long it would take to get a call, Cruz wrote over Facebook messenger. My father was helpful with necessities for my 1.5 year old. My husband was actually in the hospital for about 2 months, which partially coincided with when my payments stopped. Cruz contacted the office of state Sen. Todd Kaminsky, a Long Island Democrat who represents her district. The DOL called two weeks later to resolve her issue. She had waited nearly 10 weeks without pay. Though she received more than two months back pay in May, Cruz said shes had to email a DOL agent to get her payments released in recent weeks. Others, like Taylor Leigh, have bypassed DOLs automated systems. They dont reply to emails, they dont reply to Twitter messages, said Leigh, who didnt receive benefits for a month and a half after someone hacked into her account, changed her direct deposit information and took her benefits. After reporting the fraud, Leigh verified her identity through ID.me as the state instructed her, but still didnt receive any money. Leigh,who lives in Jersey City but worked in Brooklyn, began calling relentlessly to reach a representative, eventually speaking with at least eight people over six weeks. (Workers receive benefits from the state where they earn money, not where they live.) Though she reached agents, they didnt immediately resolve her problems. She said that representatives she spoke with kept forwarding the claim to a specialist, but she worried the adjudication process could delay the release of benefits and kept calling the DOL. After weeks of persistence, a representative quickly solved her issue on one phone call. The only reason I got through was when someone posted a tip on the Facebook group of buttons to press to have a better chance of speaking to a representative, Leigh wrote to City & State. Previously the best method for calling was to press 9 the translation service option and when they answered theyd transfer you to another rep, no problem. But the reps got wise to it, and now they will hang up on you or make you call back. The lack of access may violate thefederalSocial Security Act, Salk said. The law requires that the Department of Labor pay benefits to applicants, under the Social Security Act, when those benefits are due. And what that practically means is, usually two to three weeks. And what it practically means, is they have to do everything within their power to pay those benefits when due, Salk said. Not being able to maintain a phone system that people can pick up and try to get through to in a reasonable way, I would say that arguably that violates federal law. The DOL did not specifically respond to Salks claim and instead referred to its rigorous application and screening process to filter out fraudulent claims and an identity verification tool launched earlier this year. Leigh, whose account was hacked, said the identity verification tool didnt speed the process along for her, and she didnt receive payments within two weeks, as the service advertises. (Six) weeks is a very long time to go without any money, she wrote to City & State. DOL has major flaws, and its disappointing that the pandemic is coming to an end and they never figured it out. June 22 will be a busy day for the New York City Board of Elections and for voters who are weighing in on every citywide race, as well as local City Council races and some open races for borough president and district attorney. But oft-forgotten judicial races are also on the ballot, with a competitive contest for Surrogates Court in Brooklyn seen by some as a test of the boroughs once-powerful Democratic Party. Judgeships are one of the last bastions of power for local political parties. Although they generally stay out of the smaller, municipal district judicial races, their endorsement in countywide races go a long way to getting those candidates elected. Pre-election politicking generally determines who gets the endorsement, and has in the past effectively guaranteed that candidate will get the position. Judicial races often fly under the radar for all but the most plugged-in voters. New Yorks judiciary is incredibly convoluted, with several different ways lawyers can end up on the bench. And thanks to strict ethics laws about political campaigning in judge races, candidates cant weigh in on specific political issues voters may care about, like land use or criminal justice reform, making low-information races even harder to get informed about. In low-information races like these, having institutional support is crucial, as is being associated with better-known candidates on the partys slate. But while at one time the county party committee would have had near total control over who winds up on the bench, insurgent races have recently become more common, testing the influence of Democratic machines. This year, the race to watch is for Surrogates Court in Brooklyn, which handles estate and will cases, as well as the public agency that handles the estates of people who die without wills. The race pits Civil Court Judge Dweynie Paul who has the Brooklyn Democrats support against Supreme Court Justice Rosemarie Montalbano. Theyre vying to replace the retiring Judge Margarita Lopez Torres, who famously bucked the county party to win her seat in 2005. Having an open Surrogates Court seat is pretty rare most counties have just one (although Brooklyn and Manhattan both have two) and judges serve for 14-year terms, so decades can go by without a change on the bench. The seat, more so than any other judgeship in the city, has been a source of lucrative political patronage for party loyalists. Surrogates court judges have the unusual duty of appointing the public administrator in their borough, which is the head of a city agency that oversees the estates of people who die without wills. The judges also appoint the lawyers who administer the estates of those without wills on behalf of the city in court. Theres a lot of money to be had, both in the form of city paychecks and court fees, and usually those with connections to the party are the ones benefiting. Brooklyn has had its issues with Surrogates Court in the past. Former judge and party boss Frank Seddio resigned in 2007 for misuse of campaign funds, and another Surrogates judge got removed for corruption in 2005. More recently, sitting Surrogates Court Judge Harriet Thompson has been publicly feuding with the public administrator, who was installed before she was elected. Many have called to reform the Surrogate's Court. Assembly Member Robert Carroll from Brooklyn has legislation that would remove the judges authority to appoint the public administrator and give it to the mayor, as with any other city agency. Both candidates vying for the seat in Brooklyn come with strong legal backgrounds and specific experience they say prepared them to serve on the Surrogates Court. Both have also been deemed approved for the position by the New York City Bar Association. But their position on this bill is one key difference between them. Paul doesnt support the bill, explaining In an interview with City & State that she believed allowing the mayor to appoint public administrators would just make the position more political. If you are focused on progressive reform, why turn the public administrative office over to a politician who gets elected every four years? Paul said, saying that she is not a politician. To take the authority away from the surrogate to select and remove the public administrator, you render that surrogate weak, and without real authority. Montalbano, on the other hand, told City & State that the public administrator, who is paid by the city and not the state court system, should be independently appointed by the mayor like other commissioners. If the law does not change and I had to (appoint someone), I would take that role very seriously, Montalbano said, adding that she is not beholden to political interests. That vetting process would be very intense. Pauls preference to maintain a status quo that has traditionally helped party insiders did not come as a surprise to some politicos, with reform-minded groups like the Jim Owles Democratic Club and North Brooklyn Progressive Democrats endorsing Montalbano. The Daily News endorsed Montalbano because of her thoughts on reforming the Public Administrators Office. Paul nonetheless rejects the reformer-versus-machine lens through which most observers see this race. Although current Brooklyn Democratic Party boss Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn once referred to her as my sister in 2015, Paul says she does not have ties to the old guard of the party. Bichotte Hermelyn took over in 2020. Paul said shes running a grassroots campaign, which is supported by a slew of local elected officials, including Rep. Yvette Clarke, state Sen. Kevin Parker and Council Member Robert Cornegy, as well as several major unions. And while she said she is grateful for the partys support, she would make appointments based on merit and not political connections. I intend to put the community first and ensure that when estates are moving through the Surrogate's Court, the court is working for the people, Paul said, a sentiment that Montalbano shared when speaking with City & State as well. Still, some observers think the Brooklyn Democratic Partys influence is being tested in the race. If Paul loses, it shows Bichotte Hermelyn has not strengthened the partys capacity to field and back candidates, according to Mariana Alexander, president of the New Kings Democrats, an organization that seeks party reforms and often challenges leadership. Bichotte Hermelyns first year has been marked by lawsuits, dissent from reform factions of the County Committee and a dispute with the official youth arm of the party, even as she said she was attempting to unify the party. She needs a win for the party more than she might otherwise, Alexander said. Asked about the idea that the Surrogates Court race offers a test of the Brooklyn Democratic Partys strength, a spokesperson for the party did not directly answer. The Party supports the most qualified Democratic candidates, a party spokesperson said in a statement. In the Surrogate's Court race, Rodneyse feels strongly about needing reform and integrity in the courts. Judge Dweynie Paul is the candidate that will best serve the people of Brooklyn. Montalbano said she had sought the Brooklyn Democratic Partys support, which she had in 2019 when she ran for Supreme Court, but that they informed her they had another candidate they were backing. In addition to the Brooklyn Surrogates Court election, a handful of Civil Court seats are open in each borough as well, including countywide and smaller municipal district seats. Judgeships are state positions, so the new ranked-choice voting system for city races wont apply. But pay attention to the instructions voters weighing in for Civil Court judge in the Bronxs second municipal district will be asked to choose two candidates. This isnt to rank, but to fill two open seats. Voters will similarly be asked to select judicial delegates, sometimes as many as 20 or more, to go to a judicial convention later in the year. Those people will be the ones to formally nominate candidates for the Supreme Court, for which there are no primaries. The nominees these delegates choose will appear on voters ballots in November on the major party lines. Those general election races can be confusing too, but at least voters dont have to worry about it just yet. Administratorii portalului nu poarta raspundere pentru continutul postarilor si materialelor plasate de utilizatorii site-ului. Utilizati informatia din acest articol pe propriul risc. At the beginning of the year, an otherwise innocuous job adfor an executive editor to oversee a site about technology got more than its fair share of attention. Why? Because the entity that posted the ad wasnt a traditional media company. The opening was for a job at Andreessen Horowitz, an influential venture capital firm in Silicon Valley that has developed a reputation for avoiding the traditional technology press. This raised a number of questions. Was the proposed site another way to do an end run around the media industry, from a powerful investor who believes that traditional industries need to be disrupted by technology? A former analyst at Andreessen Horowitz, Benedict Evans, famously described it as a media company that monetizes through venture capital. The firms assets under managementthe stakes it holds in companies like Airbnb, Stripe, and Instacartare worth about $16 billion. If such an organization really wanted to disrupt an industry like the media, it clearly has the power to do so. Andreessen Horowitz may have a master plan to overturn established media, but for now at least, members of the press can probably rest easy. On Tuesday, the firm launched the site, which is simply called Future, and the only thing that stands to be disrupted is the universe of technology op-eds. Sonal Chokshi, a former senior editor at Wired and the editor-in-chief of all Andreessen Horowitzs media ventures, including Future, told CJR the venture firm has no intention of trying to use its new offering to publish reported stories. Were not going to do what good reporters do, in terms of investigative journalism etc., she said. Others are already doing a good job of that. The idea behind Future is to go for the first person and get the voices out there directly, undiluted, Chokshi said. And were talking about more nuanced, long takes, not just someone saying I believe this. The site aims to cover technology such as gaming and cryptocurrency in a deep and kind of wonky way, she said, but also to make it more accessible. Were at the center of a bunch of networkspolicy makers, technologists, and so onand we believe we can help curate some of those sources. The executive editor job was ultimately filled by Maggie Leung, a former journalist who has worked for the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, and CNN. So will Andreessen Horowitz censor some of the content on the site, or shape it in ways that would promote the firms investments? I absolutely hate when people say we are just going to be relentlessly positive because weve invested in it, Chokshi said. Someone said we had the best explainer on Section 230referring to the clause in the Communications Decency Act that protects digital platforms from liability for the content they hostand that kind of thing really matters to me, that editorial rigor. Were not just going to run some essay by some rich guy without interrogating it. For the moment at least, Future doesnt really look like it has the resources of a $16 billion investment giant behind it. The site is relatively drab by current web publishing standards, with a front page that is more or less just a list of article headlines like Well-Behaved Bubbles Often Make History, and Designing Internet-Native Economies: A Guide to Crypto Tokens. There are few images to accompany the articles. Chokshi said that both of these things are deliberate. For the home page, theres definitely a bias for information density, she said. And for articles, I like images, but not gratuitous ones. They should support or illustrate or advance the narrative. Disruptive? Perhaps. But only to the advertising and traffic-driven nature of the web, which might actually be a good thing. Another benefit of being owned by billionaires. Heres more on Andreessen Horowitz: Sign up for CJR 's daily email Other notable stories: Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Mathew Ingram is CJRs chief digital writer. Previously, he was a senior writer with Fortune magazine. He has written about the intersection between media and technology since the earliest days of the commercial internet. His writing has been published in the Washington Post and the Financial Times as well as by Reuters and Bloomberg. Creditors who say they were swindled out of more than $200 million by the former owners of the liquidated CastlePoint group of insurance companies may proceed with most of the claims they made in a New York lawsuit, a California appellate court ruled. A panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal on Tuesday reversed a San Francisco County Superior Court decision, rejecting arguments by the California Department of Insurance that allowing the creditors lawsuit to proceed would interfere with liquidation proceedings. The panel ruled that an injunction barring legal claims against the CastlePoint estate which was imposed when the insurance commissioner liquidated the company does not block six of the 10 causes of actions listed in the lawsuit. The opinion says we are not persuaded that allowing these claims to proceed in New York will deplete the assets of the CastlePoint estate or disrupt the liquidation plan. CastlePoint started out as Tower Group International, Ltd., a Bermuda-based group of 10 insurance companies. Tower borrowed $175 million from Alesco Preferred Funding and other investors by selling trust preferred securities, known as TruPS. When Towers stock price declined in 2013, its shareholders sold the company for $143 million to ACP, a reinsurer owned by the Karfunkel Family Trust. The Karfunkels quickly sold off much of Towers assets to AmTrust and National General Holdings Corp. Towers financial condition continued to deteriorate. In 2016 the company reached an agreement with regulators in six states to merge all of the Tower companies into CastlePoint and enter into a conservation plan. The California Insurance Department was appointed conservator. The department later liquidated the company and started the process of selling off its assets to pay unresolved claims. Alesco and other plaintiffs in October 2017 filed a lawsuit in Manhattan that accuses the Karfunkel family, AmTrust and other defendants of conspiring to loot Tower Group by selling off the best assets while leaving the carriers poor performing book of business to be conserved as CastlePoint. The suit says the defunct company now owes $220 million on the TruPS securities, including interest. The lawsuit seeks to recover that money from the Karfunkels, AmTrust and National General, whom they accuse of fraud and unjust enrichment. Theres one catch. After Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones was appointed as conservator of CastlePoint in 2016, he agreed to accept a $200 million contribution from the AmTrust, National General and the Karfunkel Trust to pay pending claims. The conservation agreement also enjoins the insurance carriers creditors from pursuing claims against the Karfunkel Trust, ACP, AmTrust and Tower without the Insurance Departments approval. In 2016, Jones released those parties from any claim the Insurance Department may have concerning their involvement with CastlePoint. When the creditors sought permission to proceed with their lawsuit, Jones argued that doing so would be inequitable because it would deny the defendants the benefit of their bargainpurchased at a cost of over $200 million, according to a footnote in the opinion. The appellate court said it found that argument remarkable. If the Commissioner is suggesting he is authorized to sell protection from third party claims that will not interfere with the liquidation of CastlePoint, he is mistaken, the panel said. The panel said some of the claims in the New York lawsuit clearly would potentially interfere with the liquidation process. The court said claims that sought compensation for actions that took place as part of the conservation and liquidation process were clearly barred by the injunction. The court said other causes of action that are not related to the conservation and liquidation, such as breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and tortious interference may proceed against the Karfunkel family, Tower and ACP. U.S. cattle ranchers and investors are sinking hundreds of millions of dollars into new beef plants after temporary closures of massive slaughterhouses at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic left farmers with nowhere to send animals destined to be turned into meat. A cyberattack against the U.S. unit of Brazilian meatpacking giant JBS SA that idled nearly a quarter of Americas beef production earlier this month again highlighted vulnerabilities in the countrys meat supply chain and caused more headaches for farmers. Ranchers, as well as the U.S. Agriculture Department (USDA), say the sector is too consolidated and therefore reliant on a handful of large processors and their industrial meatpacking plants. Four industry behemoths JBS USA, Tyson Foods Inc, Cargill Inc and National Beef Packing Company slaughter 85% of grain-fattened cattle carved into steaks, ribs and roasts for consumers. Smaller startup meat plants are aiming to provide local ranchers with more places to slaughter cattle, particularly those raised to produce higher-quality beef. They say adding plants can ensure some meat production continues if large facilities close. When large meat plants close, meat supplies tighten while ranchers get stuck with cattle that would otherwise have been slaughtered. That means the price of cattle generally falls, while the price of meat in supermarkets rises. Extended shutdowns of some of the biggest U.S. slaughterhouses due to COVID-19 outbreaks hobbled meat production in spring 2020, leading to limits on consumers purchases at grocery stores and a decline in frozen inventories that processors have yet to replenish. Rusty Kemp saw the need for more processing capacity after a 2019 fire at a Tyson Foods plant in Holcomb, Kansas, left meat buyers scrambling for supplies and cattle producers with nowhere to sell their cattle. Then, the pandemic and ransomware attack on JBS hit. Kemp is now planning to break ground on a $300 million beef plant in Nebraska this fall. We thought the Holcomb fire was an absolute train wreck and then COVID came along and Holcomb didnt seem that bad, he said. Kemps plant, named Sustainable Beef, will kill 1,500 cattle a day and use blockchain technology so consumers can track a piece of meat all the way back to the ranch, he said. Sustainable Beef is co-owned by cattle producers who will provide animals for slaughter to the plant, instead of to major packers, Kemp said. He hired former executives of one of the biggest processors, Cargill, as consultants because of their expertise. But Kemp said he is not trying to pick a fight with the four major processors and that bigger plants are still needed to produce large volumes of meat. We absolutely need more capacity and more players, Kemp said. More Room To Slaughter Nationwide, at least five new processing facilities of varying sizes have opened or are planned following supply shocks early in the pandemic. Combined with expansions at existing plants, including one owned by JBS, daily U.S. slaughter capacity is set to increase by about 5%, according to a Reuters calculation and data from industry group the North American Meat Institute. Market conditions are favorable for new entrants. Cattle supplies are ample, while beef prices and profit margins for packers have soared due to strong exports and demand from U.S. consumers. In Butler, Missouri, Todd Hertzog and his family opened Hertzog Meat Company this month after considering the project for five years. Though the $3.75 million plant is only slaughtering about 20 cattle a day, it serves nearby ranchers who want to produce higher-quality beef, said Hertzog, who manages the operation. The pandemic opened our eyes to the needs of local producers, he said. Production disruptions during the pandemic pushed Cliff Welch to begin construction on a meat processing plant near Central City, Kentucky, at a price tag of more than $1.2 million. The cyberattack on JBS then reinforced Welchs decision to build the facility, slated to open in late 2021, he said. Welch aims to slaughter 75 cattle a week to start, with the capability to eventually kill 300 head a week. He said he will produce custom cuts of meat using old-style butchery and plans to sell it locally. Im starting from ground zero, Welch said. Its a big undertaking. Welch said he received a $250,000 grant from Kentucky for the project. The U.S. Agriculture Department has pledged to support increased processing as part of a $4 billion initiative to strengthen the countrys food system. The hope would be that by spreading out, by creating diversity in size and diversity of ownership and diversity of operations, we create greater resilience, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack told reporters after the JBS attack. Missouri last year paid about $17 million in grants to meat processors with fewer than 200 employees that wanted to expand or build new facilities, state agriculture director Chris Chinn said. The payments doubled the amount of red meat inspected by the state in a program sparked by the pandemic, she said. It added stability to our local communities and our rural areas, Chinn said. They didnt have to depend on one local source to get their food. Smaller Plants, Same Problems Small facilities are finding they face some of the same challenges as larger outfits, notably a labor shortage, without the benefit of a big corporation behind them. After opening in March, Missouri Prime Beef Packers struggled to find workers for a plant in Pleasant Hope, Missouri, that now kills about 200 cattle a day, despite putting ads in newspapers and on radio, said Dallen Davies, director of company culture. The facility is slaughtering cattle raised under special guidelines, such as being grass-fed or certified for humane handling, as a way to add value for ranchers and provide a better product for consumers, Davies said. Plants need to differentiate themselves because they cannot compete with industry titans on volume or on low prices achieved with mass production lines. Former President Donald Trump last year said he urged the Justice Department to look into allegations the meatpacking industry broke antitrust law because the price that slaughterhouses pay farmers for animals dropped even as meat prices climbed. U.S. governors and lawmakers are pushing the department to keep probing. Those involved in slaughterhouse expansion say they still need to do something to give ranchers more options in the meantime. We really dont want to wait around and see if the government is going to solve this problem, Kemp said. We decided to take matters into our own hands and do this. William Russell Allton was born in Dewey, Oklahoma on April 25, 1931 to Russell Frank and Alice Mae (Steffens) Allton. He attended school in Claremore and graduated with the class of 1948. On August 26, 1949 Bill married Jimmie Louise Reed and the couple made Tulsa home for the first 25 year Kamiah, ID (83536) Today Mostly sunny. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 100F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mainly clear. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 62F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. What happens when you have a football team with no drama? Suddenly you need to create some. Case in point, the Cleveland Browns. You know about the big challenges, but it is important that you know that the atmosphere here is very good, tweeted Shimrit Meir, the prime ministers new political adviser. The post Bennett picks new political adviser, spokesperson and bureau chief of staff appeared first on JNS.org. Celebrate the Class of 2020 Submit a profile of your favorite graduate to have them featured in our Virtual Graduation 2020 special section. Tout their accomplishments, share their photos, and wish them well! Submit profile Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 16) - Tourists of all ages from Metro Manila and four nearby provinces can travel for leisure to areas under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) until June 30, according to the Department of Tourism. Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat on Wednesday also clarified that restrictions have been relaxed, even for elders and minors, since June 1. She said the Inter-Agency Task Force initially allowed the movement of people traveling in and out of Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal - or NCR Plus - only until June 15. "This extended liberal movement of people will allow the DOT and local government units to revive the jobs of displaced tourism workers," Puyat said in a statement. The latest resolution from IATF allows interzonal travel between areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) and MGCQ for leisure purposes. However, tourists from Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal may only undertake point-to-point travel to GCQ and MGCQ areas. Tourists below 18 years old and above 65 must have negative RT-PCR test results before traveling. Other protocols and restrictions will depend on the DOT and the local government unit of destination. Puyat added that outdoor tourist attractions in GCQ areas - including NCR and Bulacan - may operate at 50% capacity while destinations in Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal may operate at 30% capacity until June 30. Museums and indoor historical sites will be allowed to operate at 50% capacity in GCQ areas and 30% in NCR and Bulacan. But they are still not allowed to open in Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal. Metro Manila and Bulacan have shifted to GCQ with "some restrictions" while Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal will remain under GCQ with "heightened restrictions" for the remainder of June. Philippine Travel Agencies Association spokesperson Rose Levey said they welcome the extension, but hope this will be go beyond the end of June. "We are happy with our government that they relaxed restrictions for leisure travels, but we hope that this is not until June 30 and that they will extend it further...so we can bring back our jobs and help the displaced tourism workers," she told CNN Philippines' The Final Word on Thursday. Levey also said the government should formulate a set of uniform travel protocols, since different local governments currently have different guidelines that confuse travelers. Among those they recommend are lesser restrictions for vaccinated individuals, and accepting antigen test or saliva test for entry instead of the more expensive swab test. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 16) The Supreme Court has dismissed the plea of businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles to be temporarily released from detention on humanitarian grounds amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Napoles tagged as the mastermind of the multi-billion-peso pork barrel scam had filed a motion for recognizance/bail or house arrest for humanitarian reason, claiming she is at risk of contracting the coronavirus inside prison due to her diabetes. But in a 13-page resolution made public on Wednesday, the high court denied her bid, citing her earlier conviction. "Napoles' allegation is a question of fact which is not within the province of this Court to determine. Neither can the Court take judicial notice of her medical condition," the ruling read. "However, even assuming that she is indeed suffering from diabetes, that, in itself, is not sufficient to grant her provisional liberty, post-conviction," it added, further noting that one's presumption of innocence and Constitutional right to bail end "after the accused's conviction of a capital offense." Napoles is the alleged brains behind the pork barrel scam, where funds allotted for lawmakers' projects were funneled into bogus non-government organizations. EXPLAINER: What you need to know about the PDAF scam Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 17) Luzon residents may still encounter rotating brownouts because of limited supply, the Department of Energy said Thursday. Latest projections show supply may fall short of projected demand beginning next week, followed by two consecutive weeks of yellow alert or thin power reserves. Mahaba-haba po yung ating potential na yellow alerts at meron po tayong mga specific weeks ng potential red alerts Meron pa rin tayong power plants na magco-conduct ng kanilang PMS (preventive maintenance schedule) during the summer season, Energy Director Mario Marasigan told the Senate energy committee. Kapag sumobra sa dalawa ang naka-outage, definitely may problema tayo sa supply, he added. [Translation: We will experience a longer period of potential yellow alerts and specific weeks of potential red alerts Its because there are still some power plants that will conduct their PMS (preventive maintenance schedule) during the summer season. When there are more than two plants on outage, definitely we will have supply problems.] The Luzon grid has an available capacity of 17,266 megawatts (MW) against a peak demand of over 11,000 MW on early afternoons. However, supply dwindles once generation facilities go on emergency shutdown. Undersecretary Emmanuel Juaneza said the agency is in talks with a number of generating companies over maintenance activities beyond June to preserve supply. Two other power plants will go offline between now and early August, while another facility will go on full operation yet in August. As a result, the grid will see a shortfall on July 12-18 and July 25-August 1. In between, the grid will remain on yellow alert a trend to last until early September. RELATED: PCC probing possible collusion as power plant shutdowns led to rotating brownouts Procurement of electricity reserves is also a crucial step, along with putting up transmission lines to tap excess energy supply in Mindanao. To guarantee the consumer the best price and continued better service, we announce that all ancillary services required by the grid shall henceforth be sourced and procured by way of public bidding and we will do this under whatever format or framework prescribed to us, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines spokesperson Cynthia Alabanza told lawmakers. However, the Energy Regulatory Commission pointed out that the DOE has not yet released rules for the open bidding of power reserves. Existing guidelines only apply to baseload supply. Tuwing may hearing tayo, may lumalabas na hindi pa pala nila nagagawa, napag-uusapan ito. At the end of the day, 'yung scenario na magba-brownout tayo is there [Whenever we hold hearings, we find out that the agencies have not acted or even discussed these issues. At the end of the day, the brownout scenario is there], Senator Nancy Binay said. READ: Investments in more power plants long-term solution to power supply woes NGCP Energy Undersecretary Wimpy Fuentebella said forward contracting of power supply, along with faster action on pending power generation contracts, should help avert future red alert incidents. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 17) The Department of Labor and Employment will soon give incentives to economic frontline workers who have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, its chief said Wednesday. "Pag naka-dalawa ka na, mayroon kang entitlement na bisikleta na may kasamang cellphone at may load iyong cellphone mo -- P5,000 'yung load nung cellphone mo," DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III said in a media briefing. [Translation: Once you receive two COVID-19 vaccine doses, you are entitled to a bicycle and cellphone with a P5,000 load.] The incentive program will be launched on July 1, 2021, he added. Bello said the department has allocated 1,000 bicycles for those working in Metro Manila and another 1,000 for frontline personnel in other regions. Those who want to avail themselves of the benefits can contact the DOLE-Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns through its online pages, Bello said. The country expanded its COVID-19 inoculation drive to the A4 group early this month. It includes private sector employees required to physically report to work, government personnel, workers in the informal sector, the self-employed who work outside of their homes, and private household workers. Amid the limited vaccine supply, A4 vaccination is being carried out first in Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao -- collectively called NCR+8. The A4 sector is being inoculated alongside healthcare workers, senior citizens, and persons with comorbidities. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 17) With recent government data showing tourisms share to national economic output plunging in 2020, the Tourism Department assured stakeholders it is looking into all possible means to pump-prime the pandemic-hit industrys rebound. More than the losses in tourism arrivals and revenue, these numbers translate to millions of tourism workers severely affected by the pandemic, said the agency on Thursday, a day after the Philippine Statistics Authority published data revealing tourisms contribution to gross domestic output last year tumbled by 61.2%. Employment in tourism characteristic industries fell by over 18% last year, while all forms of tourism expenditures nosedived by at least 77% annually, as the government restricted the publics mobility to curb the spread of COVID-19. Drawing on its Tourism Response and Recovery Plan, the DOT said it will pursue job protection for tourism workers, visitors and communities. It will also support tourism enterprises bouncing back from the crisis, and rebuild confidence and demand within its local and foreign markets. For the next two years, the Philippines will be positioned as a safe, fun, and competitive destination, said the DOT, anchoring on strong linkages with communities and travelers. This will be fulfilled by developing and marketing products which harness both natural and cultural endowments, hopefully benefiting both present and future tourism generation, it added. The DOT has set its eyes on the vaccination of tourism workers, often touted by government officials and market watchers as the key to resuscitating the ailing economy. Just recently, it announced plans to inoculate thousands of tourism workers in Bohol, one of the countrys most famous tourist spots. RELATED: Tourism frontliners hope to get shots soon Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 17) President Rodrigo Duterte remains uncertain about his political plans in 2022, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles claimed Thursday. "I suppose what is clearest to us is that he has not made up his mind yet," Nograles told CNN Philippines' The Source. This, following Duterte's recent statement that the proposal for him to run for vice president was "a good idea" but that he will give way if House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez decides to pursue the second highest post in the land. READ: Good idea, but: Duterte says he wont run for VP if Romualdez vies for post Nograles, who is also a member of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Lakas ng Bayan or PDP-Laban, said they will continue to support their chairman, regardless of his political decision. "Sa PDP-Laban, ang taas ng aming respeto at kumpyansa at paniniwala kay Pangulong Duterte (In PDP-Laban, we highly respect and trust President Duterte), him being our national chairman and him being the President, and him having the foresight, the experience, knowledge and the wherewithal," he told CNN Philippines' The Source. According to Nograles, it was not the first time that Duterte mentioned vouching for Romualdez as vice president during next year's polls. "There was another occasion earlier on in Malacanang where he saw Cong. Romualdez and also mentioned na pwedeng tumakbo as VP si Cong Martin (that Cong. Martin can run for VP)," he bared. "Its not the first time he said it." In a statement on Thursday, Romualdez said he was "deeply honored" and "eternally grateful" for Duterte's support as he keeps his options open. "Let me assure the President that I will seek his guidance in the pursuit of this decision," Romualdez added. In a statement on Thursday, Romualdez said he was "deeply honored" and "eternally grateful" for Duterte's support as he keeps his options open. "Let me assure the President that I will seek his guidance in the pursuit of this decision," Romualdez added. The PDP-Laban previously adopted a resolution urging Duterte to run for vice president in 2022. Some officials are even pushing for a Duterte-Duterte tandem with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte running for president. READ: PDP-Laban adopts resolution urging President Duterte to run for VP in 2022 Meanwhile, Mayor Duterte said in a television interview on Wednesday that she has not yet decided on seeking the presidency. Her regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago gave her until July to finalize her decision. She however downplayed the possibility of a father-daughter tandem next year. So far, no public official has formally declared gunning for the presidency or the vice presidency to date. Aspiring candidates have until October to decide whether they will file their certificate of candidacy for next year's polls. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 17) President Rodrigo Duterte had disagreed with the Philippine vote backing a United Nations probe into the recent conflict in Gaza, Malacanang confirmed on Thursday. This comes a day after the chief executive himself revealed that the home government was not consulted prior to casting the vote. RELATED: Duterte: PH vote on Gaza probe made without consulting him If the question is did the President disagree with the votes, yes he did. Can it be taken back? Apparently not, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque told reporters. I was correct that normally we leave it to the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs). However, this is a vote where the President has expressed his concerns on the mechanism and procedure that led to our votes in the UN Human Rights Council, he added. Roque, however, said Duterte made sure that there will be a proper procedure in place in the future as far as voting in crucial issues where the views of the chief architect of foreign relations should at least be consulted. The UN Human Rights Council agreed to launch an international investigation into the hostilities in the area, saying the deadly Israeli strikes on Gaza might have constituted war crimes and that Palestinian militants had violated international humanitarian law by firing rockets into Israel. The Israeli government then summoned Philippine Ambassador Macairog Alberto to clarify the countrys vote favoring the probe which it described as "unacceptable to Israel. Despite this, Roque maintained the Philippine government will continue to maintain its excellent relations with the nation as well as other partners in the global community. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 17) President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said the Philippine government was not consulted on the country's vote backing a United Nations probe into the recent conflict in Gaza. Last month, the UN Human Rights Council agreed to launch an international investigation on the hostilities, saying the deadly Israeli strikes on Gaza might constitute war crimes and that Palestinian militants had violated international humanitarian law by firing rockets into Israel. During a ceremony in Malacanang, Duterte asked Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea for clarification regarding the "ruckus" on the Philippine vote before heading to the exit call of the Israeli ambassador to the Philippines. "Bong Medialdea, ayusin muna natin ito. Ano ba iyong boto natin sa UN na pina-withdraw? Iyong sa Israel," he said. [Translation: Let us fix this first. What was our vote in the UN that we are being asked to withdraw? The one in Israel.] "Sino bang may alam diyan? (Who knows this?) What was that ruckus about? Our representative voted without consulting the home government," the President added. Government officials, including Medialdea, approached Duterte and seemed to be explaining the matter to him. However, the feed was cut off. CNN Philippines has reached out to Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque - who was also present in the event at the Palace - for more details but he has yet to respond. The Philippines was among several states that voted in favor of the UN probe. On May 30, the Israeli government summoned Philippine Ambassador Macairog Alberto to clarify the country's vote, which it described as "unacceptable to Israel and constitutes a reward for terrorism." In a briefing on June 3, Roque said the country stands by its vote, which "should not in any way" affect the "excellent" ties between Israel and the Philippines. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 17) - The former mayor of Talitay, Maguindanao was fatally shot by police after he allegedly tried to escape while being taken to Camp Crame in Quezon City on Thursday. The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Montasir Sabal allegedly grabbed the firearm of one of his police escorts. "Posing danger, the accompanying police officers prompted to use reasonable force that resulted in wounding the arrested person through the use of his firearm," PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Maj. Gen. Albert Ferro said in his report to PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar. Sabal was declared dead at the San Juan Medical Center. Wanted for illegal possession of firearms and explosives and drug charges, Sabal was arrested at the Batangas Port Wednesday night. Police said cash, various weapons and ammunition, explosives, and illegal drugs were seized from the former mayor's vehicle. Sabal and his late brother, then vice mayor Abdul Wahab, were on President Rodrigo Duterte's drug list, according to the PNP. The two were also linked to the deadly bombing in Davao City in 2016. The PNP added that the former mayor was a "full-time supporter" and supplier of arms and explosives to the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 17) The Philippine government has nominated Presidential spokesman Harry Roque to be part of a United Nations body that develops and codifies international law. Roque was included in the list of nominees for the International Law Commission (ILC), as seen on the ILC's official website. Roque himself confirmed the development during a media briefing on Thursday, where he thanked President Rodrigo Duterte and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. for the nomination. He joins 10 other nominees under the Asia-Pacific States bracket, where only eight seats are up for grabs. Should he get elected, Roque said it will not affect any office he may occupy in the future. "The elected members of the International Law Commission do not hold any office, it is not a job. They will only meet twice a year," Roque said. "There is no such salary, it is a voluntary undertaking of recognized experts in International Law," he added. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 17) The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) will recommend to President Rodrigo Duterte the mandatory use of face shields in enclosed or indoor spaces, spokesperson Harry Roque said. Roque said the recommendation means the protective gear will be used inside hospitals, schools, workplaces, commercial establishments (such as but not limited to food establishments, malls and public markets), public transport terminals, and places of worship. "While waiting for the Presidents decision on the matter, the existing policy on the use of face shields remains in effect," clarified Roque in a statement Thursday evening. The IATF earlier held a meeting with the face shield policy included in the agenda. This came after Senate President Vicente Sotto III said President Rodrigo Duterte had agreed that face shields should be used only inside hospitals. Health Undersecretary and treatment czar Leopoldo Vega told New Day that people must continue to wear face shields since they provide an added layer of protection from COVID-19 transmission. It must also mainly be used in marketplaces, commercial spaces, and workspaces that require direct communication. "In outdoors, when there's a problem in visibility and you are not within a crowd, then it is better to take off the face shield for practical purposes," he said. Vega added that local governments are just waiting for a written order on the issue. READ: Face shields can be removed during outdoor work and walks health official In December 2020, the government started to require everyone to wear face shields on top of face masks to "effectively lessen the transmission of COVID-19." Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 17) President Rodrigo Duterte has agreed that face shields should only be worn in hospitals, Malacanang confirmed Thursday. I can only confirm what Senate President Tito Sotto and what Senator Joel Villanueva said earlier, that the President did say that the wearing of face shields should only be in hospitals, said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque during his regular noontime virtual briefing. Earlier in the day, Sotto tweeted that the chief executive expressed his agreement on Wednesday night. Villanueva, meanwhile, confirmed the same encounter with Duterte in a briefing prior to the Palace presser. He recounted how they were asked if there are indeed any countries requiring the wearing of face shields a question he and fellow lawmakers also asked in a recent Senate hearing. None of them were able to mention any nation whatsoever, said Villanueva, prompting the chief executive to tell them they dont have to wear these. Roque said he will be raising in the meeting of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases this afternoon whether they will appeal the Presidents decision. Health Undersecretary and treatment czar Leopoldo Vega said yesterday that face shields may be taken off when working or walking outdoors. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, meanwhile, has continually urged the public to keep wearing face shields as they add another layer of protection against COVID-19. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 17) President Rodrigo Duterte downplayed the report of outgoing International Criminal Court Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda on the country's drug war, the Palace said Thursday. "Immediately his reaction was: Eh bakit ganito ito? Bakit puro Rappler, ABS-CBN ang sini-cite ng prosecutor?" Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said during his regular virtual brefing. [Translation: Why is it like this? Why is the prosecutor only citing Rappler and ABS-CBN?] Bensouda sought permission before the pre-trial chamber to conduct an investigation into the Philippines' war on drugs from November 1, 2011 to March 16, 2019. Roque said they were appeased after seeing Bensouda's decision, which also cited reports from the Philippine Daily Inquirer, because "in law, all these newspaper accounts are mear hearsay." The three news organizations have drawn the chief executive's ire earlier into his term. "He shrugged off the opinion after checking the media sources kasi [because] all lawyers know that will not stand in court," added Roque, reiterating no proceedings can start on the basis of hearsay evidence. Roque also said his "emotional outburst" during a briefing with the Philippine National Police earlier this week was "uncalled for" if this is the kind of evidence the prosecution will use, but he noted he hadn't seen Bensouda's opinion yet at the time. "It's no big deal," he said. "We will allow and let the Department of Justice do its job, because that is really the obligation of the Philippine state to investigate, prosecute and punish if need be." Roque earlier said the President will not cooperate with the ICC probe until the end of his term, reiterating the country is not a member of the international court anymore. Duterte pulled the Philippines out of its jurisdiction in March 2019 after a case was filed against him for the campaign against illegal drugs. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 17) The Philippines is joining other countries in appealing to the World Health Organization to establish a "universal vaccination card" for all fully vaccinated travelers, a co-chair of the government's pandemic task force said on Thursday. In an interview with CNN Philippines' The Source, Karlo Nograles, co-chair of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, bared that they have formed a small group together with the Department of Foreign Affairs to work with other countries in establishing a set of uniform travel guidelines for fully vaccinated individuals here and from abroad. "We understand and appreciate the science behind fully vaccinated individuals," Nograles said. "Yun lang ang gustong ma-finalize whether galing ka sa America, or galing ka sa Europa, galing ka sa ibang bansa sa Middle East, or Asia, ano ba ang certification, health document or official vaccination card na kailangang makita ng ating Bureau of Immigration o Bureau of Quarantine that gives us proof and evidence necessary to say na fully vaccinated ka," he also said. [Translation: That's what needs to be finalized whether you're from America, Europe, in a country from the Middle East or Asia, what is the certification, health document or official vaccination card that must be presented to the Bureau of Immigraton or the Bureau of Qurantine that gives us proof and necessary evidence to say that you are fully vaccinated.] According to Nograles, the Philippines and other countries are still waiting for the WHO to look into the matter. "In fact, may panawagan nga tayo, maraming bansa ang may panawagan sa WHO for a universal vaccination card na digital na may QR code para di na tayo nagkakalituhan," he said. [Translation: In fact, we and other countries are urging the WHO to have a universal vaccination card which is digital with a QR code, so there will be no confusion.] In April, WHO rejected the proposal to make vaccination passports a prerequisite for travel, citing unclear efficacy of vaccines in preventing transmission and the limited global supply of doses. It noted, however, that it is open to possibly changing its stance on vaccine passports in the future. READ: WHO rejects requiring vaccine passports for now Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 17) The Court of Appeals has found a police officer guilty in the Maguindanao massacre case, reversing the decision of a Quezon City Regional Trial Court judge. In the decision released on Thursday, the CA found SPO2 Badawi Bakal guilty beyond reasonable doubt as an accessory to the 57 counts of murder for the gruesome massacre on November 23, 2009. The court ruled that Bakal had knowledge of the crime when he threatened and prevented a witness from disclosing what he had seen on the day of the massacre. It said the accused also admitted he feared that disclosing his knowledge about the abduction of the family members of Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu and their supporters will put him and his family in danger. The court said this only leads to the inevitable conclusion that Bakal was aware of the existence of the crime. "Being a police officer in the active service, SPO2 Bakal abused his public office when he concealed the identities of the accused; he failed to effect or cause their immediate arrest; and he contributed to the delay in the investigation," the CA said in a 34-page decision penned by Associate Justice Apolinario Bruselas Jr. on Monday. The court sentenced Bakal to imprisonment of four years and two months of prison correccional as minimum to 10 years of prison mayor as maximum for each of the 57 counts of murder. He also has to pay for civil indemnity and damages to the family of the 57 victims. 'Utter disregard' of evidence The CA said Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes "grossly mis-appreciated and overlooked" relevant evidence that was available when she acquitted Bakal in December 2019. "The respondent court's blatant disregard of material evidence resulted in a violation of the people's right to due process. It amounted to a mistrial," the decision read. "The Omnibus Order, with respect to the acquittal of private respondent SPO2 Bakal, is but a void judgement. It cannot be considered to have attained finality," it added, The Quezon City Regional Trial Court convicted 43 accused, including eight members of the powerful Ampatuan political clan. Another 56 accused were acquitted. The crime stands as the worst election-related violence in the country and the deadliest attack on journalists in the world after the killing of 31 media workers who tailed the Mangudadatu family's convoy in the filing of Esmael Mangudadatu's gubernatorial candidacy. The mass killing claimed 58 lives, but the body of slain photojournalist Reynaldo Momay was never recovered in the mass grave of the bloody incident. CNN Philippines justice correspondent Anjo Alimario contributed to this report. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 17) - President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered a "recalibrated" vaccine deployment after areas outside NCR+8 (Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Pampanga, Batangas, Metro Cebu, Metro Davao) reported a surge in COVID-19 cases over the past weeks. Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, co-chair of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, told CNN Philippines' The Source on Thursday how vaccines are now being allocated to areas under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ). "Basically ihalintulad na lang natin sa sunog, gaya ng sinabi ni Pangulong Duterte, kung saan 'yung fire (Let's compare it to how you respond to a fire, as President Duterte puts it, wherever the fire is), that's where you concentrate all of the water on. The same will happen here sa vaccine," Nograles said. Nograles explained each municipality usually receives 100 to 200 doses from the Department of Health's central office under the government's standard. But more doses will have to be added since at least 11 million coronavirus shots are expected to arrive this month alone. He added that the allocation per municipality was initially based on the low number of vaccines that the country used to receive in the previous months. Now, a bigger allocation can be expected with "additional vaccines coming in, over and above what we were used to getting." The government has listed nine cities and 12 provinces - the highest number of areas under MECQ for the second half of June. READ: PH govt. records largest number of areas placed under MECQ Nograles said the population size of these cities and provinces will also be a factor for an equitable distribution. "Example, June 17 may (dumating) na Sinovac, next month may darating na naman na Sinovac and we are waiting for COVAX pa na darating," he said. "All of these additional vaccines will be deployed to areas na mataas ang bilang depende on the population size." [Translation: For example, on June 17, some Sinovac doses arrived, next month, more Sinovac doses will come and we are still waiting for supplies from COVAX. All of these additional vaccines will be deployed to areas with a high number of cases, depending on the population size.] RELATED: PH receives 1.5M Sinovac doses, more arriving on June 24 Nograles also defended the government following the recent accusation of Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez that Mindanao has been "neglected" in the vaccine deployment. READ: 'Only reactionary': Galvez, other IATF members slammed for neglecting Mindanao amid COVID-19 surge He said they are distributing "as equitably as they can," based on the government's sharing pattern. National Task Force Against COVID-19 Deputy Chief Implementer Vince Dizon previously told The Source that 420,000 vaccine doses had been delivered to Northern Mindanao alone. The Health Department is closely monitoring the Visayas and Mindanao due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. (CNN) US President Joe Biden said he had raised human rights and cyberattacks during a summit with Russia's Vladimir Putin on Wednesday that provided an early and critical test of his diplomatic skills in the highest-stakes talks of his long career. Both Biden and Putin afterward described the three-hour-long summit as generally positive but without any major breakthroughs. Biden suggested the face-to-face was compulsory in a time of deeply strained ties between the United States and Russia. And he said proof of progress would come later, when the results of his diplomacy bear out. "I did what I came to do," he said, describing a day that ended as expected: with a better understanding of a shrewd counterpart but without any new areas of agreement. Biden began a post-summit news conference emphasizing his focus on human rights during the meeting, including raising the case of jailed opposition leader Alexey Navalny. Earlier, Putin said he had not detected any hostility between Biden and himself. There were a few modest outcomes following the talks, including an agreement to return each country's ambassador to their post and assigning experts to focus on the growing problem of cyberattacks. But most of all, both Biden and Putin seemed to suggest the real upshot of their encounter was getting a read on each other ahead of what will likely still be a highly contentious relationship. "I told President Putin my agenda is not against Russia or anyone else, it's for the American people," Biden said. "I made it clear to President Putin that we'll continue to raise issues of fundamental human rights because that's who we are." Speaking during his own hourlong news conference just before Biden's, Putin called the talks "constructive" and said he had come away with a generally positive impression of the American leader. "He's a balanced and professional man, and it's clear that he's very experienced," Putin said. "It seems to me that we did speak the same language." Still, he offered no signs of altering malign behavior that has tested the West's ability and willingness to respond. And he did not alter his rhetoric, decrying Navalny and denying Russia's roles in cyberattacks. Instead, he described a frank and pragmatic three hours that had not led to a deep or emotional connection. "It certainly doesn't imply that we looked into each other's eyes and found a soul or swore eternal friendship," he said. The summit between Biden and Putin was broken into two rounds: the first a smaller session and the second with larger delegations. The total run time came in shorter than the four to five hours officials initially had predicted for the summit. "After two hours, we looked at each other like: OK, what's next?" Biden said, explaining the shorter-than-expected talks. Biden and Putin take center stage The summit had begun earlier in the day inside a book-lined study, where each leader wore a serious expression as he delivered perfunctory opening remarks. Biden and Putin spoke through translators and didn't seem to look at each other directly. Biden said he was seeking a "predictable and rational" relationship with Russia and made reference to the US and Russia as "two great powers," a notable elevation of Moscow's status on the world stage. "I think it's always better to meet face-to-face, try to determine where we have mutual interest, cooperate," Biden said. For his part, Putin thanked Biden for "the initiative to meet" as the pair sat down ahead of their first meeting. "I know you've been on a long journey and have a lot of work," Putin said. "Russia and US relations have a lot of issues accumulated that require the highest-level meeting and I hope that our meeting will be productive." When a reporter asked Biden if he trusted Putin, he seemed to nod -- though his communications director later said the President was not nodding in response to any particular question. The leaders arrived -- Putin first, then Biden -- at the summit site on the shores of Lake Geneva in their motorcades shortly after 1 p.m. local time on a hot day in the Swiss city that has previously seen major talks between US and Russian leaders. Biden arrived to the villa bolstered by support from Western allies he had spent the past week consulting ahead of his face-to-face with the Russian President, who arrived in Geneva on Wednesday morning. In Biden's telling, those leaders all backed him in his decision to meet Putin now, in the first six months of his presidency, before he's had a chance to fully formulate a Russia strategy. Meeting face to face The Villa la Grange was a hive of activity in anticipation of the most closely watched meeting of Biden's young presidency. Security was tight, and the building itself had been spruced up with flowers, flags and a red carpet. It's the kind of scene Biden had been itching for after he grew tired of pandemic-forced virtual meetings and phone calls. He wanted the benefit of seeing Putin in the flesh, in their first in-person meeting since 2011. Biden has recounted that during that meeting he told Putin, inches from his face, that he didn't believe he had a soul (Putin said in an interview this week he doesn't remember hearing that). There are some areas where Biden thought he could work in harmony with Putin, including cooperation on nuclear arms and climate change and a shared interest in renewing the Iran nuclear deal. But the areas of dispute far outnumbered those of agreement, and the bulk of the session was expected to focus on the myriad ways Biden believes Russia is violating international rules. That includes a recent spate of ransomware attacks cutting across sectors in the United States, launched by criminal syndicates based in Russia. Biden also planned to raise human rights. He said he had told his Russian counterpart that certain areas of "critical infrastructure" should be off-limits for cyberattacks, and outlined 16 specific entities that are defined as critical infrastructure, including energy and water, that both sides should agree are out of bounds for cyberwar. "The principle is one thing; it has to be backed up by practice," Biden said. "Responsible countries need to take action against criminals who conduct ransomware activities on their territory." Biden said he had also raised interference in US elections, warning the US will respond. "I made it clear that we will not tolerate attempts to violate our democratic sovereignty or destabilize our democratic elections, and we would respond," he said. He said they had also agreed on areas of mutual cooperation, including strategic stability and arms control measures. The group agreed to launch a "bilateral strategy stability dialogue" among military experts and diplomats. "We'll find out within the next six months to a year whether or not we actually have a strategic dialogue that matters," Biden said. Officials say that his approach, which he had outlined broadly before the summit, largely mirrors his overall tack with Russia up to this point -- one defined by careful calibration and intentional balance. There's no indication, at least publicly, that the approach has led to any shift in Putin's behavior. The approach has plenty of critics -- including, two US officials say, within Biden's own administration. But it also served to lay the groundwork for the critical meeting with Putin himself. And it underscores why Biden, who aides say much prefers face-to-face meetings, decided to move forward with the summit idea in the first place. This story was first published on CNN.com, "President Biden on historic Putin summit: 'I did what I came to do'." Colorado's two Democratic U.S. senators spoke in favor of a sweeping public lands bill known as the CORE Act, which would protect 400,000 acres in the state, during a Wednesday hearing of a key Senate committee. The CORE Act is a testament to the hard work and commitment of people in my state who care deeply about protecting our public lands," said U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, a sponsor of the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act, at a hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee's Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. "They know how much public lands matter to our economy, our heritage, and our way of life. This bill is their best effort to strengthen and sustain that legacy for the next generation," he said. The bill, first introduced in 2019 by Bennet and U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse, a Lafayette Democrat, passed the House in February. It would set aside nearly 73,000 acres as wilderness, designate about 80,000 acres as recreation and conservation management areas and establish Camp Hale, where soldiers learned to ski during World War II, as the first National Historic Landscape. The bill also prohibits new oil and gas drilling in the Thompson Divide. The subcommittee heard testimony on 14 bills involving public lands, including bills affecting the status of public land in Hawaii, South Dakota and Utah, a bill to study the federal government's payment in lieu of taxes program, and a bill to fund a program to plug orphaned oil and gas wells nationwide. Committee member U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper, who campaigned last year on his support for the CORE Act and added his name as a sponsor after he was sworn in, called the legislation "a team effort." The CORE Act in a very real way is a model of how political engagement should be conducted, Hickenlooper said. It represents almost a decade of thoughtful engagement with ranchers, hunters, outdoor recreationists, and anglers, as well as county commissioners and so many other local officials. Bureau of Land Management Deputy Director Nada Culver testified in support of the bill, saying the CORE Act advances the Biden administration's goals of "restoring balance to the management of our public lands and waters, creating jobs, and increasing recreational opportunities." After the hearing, U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, a Silt Republican who opposes the CORE Act, released a statement saying she hasn't been consulted about the bill even though roughly two-thirds of the land it affects are in her 3rd Congressional District, which covers most of Colorado's Western Slope. The CORE Act is a partisan land-grab promoted by big-city Democrats who arent affected by the land-use bureaucracy that they are shoving down rural Colorados throat," she said. "While locking up land may sound good to the swamp, it doesnt work for the people who actually live there. Bennet's office released statements of support for the bill by a half dozen county commissioners from the Western Slope. After all these years, we certainly hope the CORE Act can finally pass Congress and be signed into law, said Democrat Scott Fetchenier, a San Juan County commissioner. This looks like our best chance in years to pass this bill now that we have Senator Hickenlooper joining with Senator Bennet and Congressman Neguse to get this bill over the finish line. This type of legislation is just what we need to protect our public lands, bolster our recreation based economy, and help prevent climate change. This is not anything to say, We're trying to get after the police. They have asked us to make some changes as it relates to transparency so everyone's going about their work in a standard way, and so that's what this bill attempts to do, said Sen. Rhonda Fields, the prime sponsor of House Bill 1250 in the Senate. Democratic Secretary of State Jena Griswold on Thursday implemented emergency rules aimed at thwarting future efforts at an Arizona-style forensic audit conducted by a third party. My office just issued rules prohibiting sham election audits in the State of Colorado. We will not risk the states election security nor perpetuate The Big Lie. Fraudits have no place in Colorado. https://t.co/PFLCjJJmZg Jena Griswold (@JenaGriswold) June 17, 2021 The new rules ban county clerks from allowing access to voting machines unless that person has passed a background check and is performing a task with authorization from either the county clerk or Griswolds office. The rules also require that person to be either an employee of the county clerks office or Griswolds office, an election judge or an employee of a company that provides voting machines to that county. Voting machine manufacturers often make employees available to service and update machines. Those rules would block third parties, such as the Cyber Ninjas firm brought in by Republicans in the Arizona state Senate, from accessing voting machines. Violation of that new standard can result in the prohibition or limitation on the use of, as well as decertification of, a countys voting system or components. The new rules also allow Griswold to investigate complaints of tampering with voting machines by installing uncertified components, breaking the chain of custody for a voting machine or repeated hardware failures or malfunctions. The findings of that investigation can result in the limitation, prohibition or decertification of a voting system. Griswolds office justified the move by saying adoption of the new rules on a temporary basis is necessary given the public concern regarding rapidly increasing instances of purported forensic audits conducted by unknown and unverified third parties nationwide. Colorado administers risk-limiting audits after statewide elections. The much-maligned effort by Arizona state lawmakers has drawn headlines, but more limited efforts to re-litigate the 2020 presidential election are also underway in Wisconsin and Georgia. Republican lawmakers in the Pennsylvania statehouse are also agitating for an Arizona-style audit. Those efforts have not yet penetrated the mainstream conservative discourse in Colorado, though Rep. Ron Hanks, R-Canon City, was pictured by right-wing Twitter account @AuditWarRoom at the audit site last week. Colorado State Rep. Ron Hanks toured the audit floor and gives this audit a thumbs up. More to come on CO! pic.twitter.com/gQxL3G1rO3 Audit War Room (@AuditWarRoom) June 10, 2021 Hanks noted during the failed no-confidence vote in Minority Leader Hugh McKean last week that he planned to visit the Grand Canyon State to observe the audit. State GOP Chairwoman Kristi Burton Brown released a statement in response to the rules slamming Griswold as "a partisan hack who always misses the opportunity to lead." Jena Griswold is a partisan hack who always misses the opportunity to lead. Its sad to see she continues to use her taxpayer-funded office for a purely partisan agenda and performative rule making."Read the full statement from @ColoradoKbb #copolitics pic.twitter.com/GTSwMPXGrV The Colorado GOP (@cologop) June 18, 2021 According to the adoption notice, the rules go into effect immediately. A flowchart on the secretary of States rulemaking process shows emergency rules expire 120 days after the adopted date, though Griswold's office indicated it is seeking to make the rules permanent before they lapse. Colorado Politics is published both in print and online. Our website features subscriber-only news stories daily, designed for public policy arena professionals. Member subscribers also receive the weekly print edition of our award-winning newspaper, containing outstanding features and news stories, in their mailboxes every Saturday. Columbia, MO (65201) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 83F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mostly clear. Low 63F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Robert L. Leighty, 93, passed in his sleep on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. He was born April 20, 1928, in Veedersburg, IN, to Hazel and Ivan Leighty. The family moved to Danville, IL when Bob was small. He attended Danville Schools before joining the Army and spending two years in the service. Good golly, gang, Google's done it again. Just when I thought the G-team had made its messaging service strategy as convoluted as humanly possible, Le Google has managed to inject even more messy confusion into its suite of messaging products. This, my fellow earthlings, deserves some serious recognition. Achieving levels of perplexity this high is a rare feat, and you'd better believe it ain't easy. Our latest confounding twist comes courtesy of an announcement earlier this week that Google Workspace the recently rebranded identity for the entity formerly known as G Suite will now be available for everyone, whether you're using a paid company-connected account or a free individual Google account. With that announcement comes a host of incoming changes to the communication services you know and love and even some changes to the core Gmail interface. It's a lot to wrap your head around, and my own Gmail inbox has been overflowing with questions from bemused and befuddled Google users. [Get no-nonsense Google insight in your inbox with my Android Intelligence newsletter. You'll learn all sorts of useful stuff!] In an effort to answer those inquiries and make sense of Google's increasingly comical messaging service situation, I thought we'd think through some questions together questions that'll help us get to the bottom of what's actually going on with all of this and what it really, truly means for us as humble Google-using hominids. So sharpen your fingernails and prepare for some intensive head-scratching: It's time to get inquisitive. All right, let's start simple. What exactly is Google Workspace? Excellent question, Mr. Watson! Best I can tell, Google Workspace is now the name for all of Google's productivity apps Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and so on. With this week's announcement, that name now applies to anyone using said services, whether you're a paying business customer or just a regular ol' individual-account-owning schmo. Got it. So what exactly is changing, then, Mr. Wizard? Aside from the name? Basically, all the Workspace features that bring different messaging and collaborating opportunities into Gmail the stuff we heard about last fall for paying Workspace account owners are now gonna be available to anyone who's using Gmail, whether on a paid or a free basis. Here is a screenshot to illustrate what's on its way to an inbox near you: Google Wait, that's Gmail? My head hurts. Mine does, too. But that isn't a question. Um, okay so what the fluff is going on there?! What you're seeing in that screenshot is a conversation in the Google Chat group messaging system, which used to be called Rooms but is now getting renamed to Spaces, in which multiple people are talking about a spreadsheet from Google Sheets and then working on said spreadsheet right there in the Gmail inbox. Wait, what? My head hurts. Again, not a question. Right. So what exactly is Google Chat again? Google Chat is the new-ish messaging system connected to Google Workspace. It had previously been available only to paying Workspace customers, but starting now, everyone will be able to use it. Hasn't Gmail always had Google Chat in it? Not exactly. Back in the olden days, Gmail had a Google messaging service known as Google Talk. But lots of folks referred to that service as Google Chat or GChat even though that wasn't technically its name. Got it. And what messaging service was in Gmail for individual users right before this? Most individual Gmail users are still using Google Hangouts, which is the universal messaging service that debuted in 2013 and was meant to simplify Google's messaging strategy. It launched with the promise that it'd become the "the single communication app" all Google users would rely on. Um, okay. So what's happening to Hangouts, then? Hangouts has been in the process of being phased out for approximately 7,492 years now. Google says it'll be shut down eventually, once all of its users have successfully moved over to Google Chat instead. I see. So Google Chat will handle texting, too, just like Hangouts? Nope. It's just for messaging with other people who are also using Google Chat. For SMS-based texting, you'll want to use the Google Messages service. Doesn't Google Messages also have a messaging feature called Chat? Yes yes, it does. Chat is the brand name for the next-gen messaging option available in Google Messages, which relies on the Rich Communication Services, or RCS, standard. It lets you chat with other Google Messages users who have Chat enabled and enjoy a modern-messaging-app-like experience, with active typing indicators, read receipts, end-to-end encryption, and other such niceties. But the Google Chat feature in Google Messages is unrelated to the Google Chat app? Correct-o! What the hell is Hangouts Chat, then?! Hangouts Chat was what Google originally called the Google Chat service (the standalone service that's getting integrated into Gmail, not the RCS messaging feature within the Google Messages app) when it first launched in 2017. Wasn't it supposed to be an enterprise-only tool at that point? Yes yes, it was. So what happened? That sensible-seeming setup clearly wasn't confusing enough, so Google changed its mind at some point and turned Chat into an all-purpose, available-to-everyone sort of tool. When am I supposed to use Google Chat as opposed to Google Messages? You use Google Chat on days with odd numbers of letters in their names and use Google Messages on days when the nearest visible grass has grown to a length that's between 1.4 inches and 7.62 centimeters. Very helpful. Okay, so what's this stuff about Spaces, again? Spaces is the new name for Rooms, which is the group messaging feature available within the Google Chat system (which, remember, is now available to everyone within Gmail). Why is Google changing its name already? Because Google wants to make sure no one ever fully understands its messaging service strategy and which product is being used at which time. Wasn't there already a Google service called Spaces? Indeed, there was! What a memory you have in that disturbingly moist brain of yours. Google Spaces was an app introduced in 2016 that was supposed to simplify group sharing. It let you create Spaces (get it?) with other people and then share messages, links, videos, and angry koala photos and view all that stuff right then and there in that one interface. What happened to that? It was killed less than a year after it launched. Charges are still pending. Oookay. So what's going on with video now? Some new video chatting thing is coming into Gmail, too? Yup Google Meet, which is Google's group video conferencing service. It'll be available in the Gmail website sidebar as well. Wasn't Google Meet originally meant only for enterprise use? It was! But now it's meant for anyone and everyone to use. How is Google Meet different from Google Duo? Well, Google Duo lets you have calls either one on one or with as many as 32 people. Google Meet lets you have calls either one on one or with as many as 100, 150, or 250 people, depending on your Google Workspace plan, and it has some extra presentation-related and work-oriented conferencing options. Google Meet is also more fun to say, because people never know if you're talking about a video conferencing service or some strange new beef product. So for video calls involving two to 32 people, which one am I supposed to use?! Yes. You said something about Docs and Sheets and all of that also coming into Gmail. Whaaaat? Yeah with the new Workspace setup, you can open documents, spreadsheets, and presentations right within Gmail when someone shares one of those with you in a group chat Room (soon to be known as a Space). But I can still open those in the usual Docs, Sheets, and Slides apps, too? Right-o. What happens if I open something in both Gmail and Docs at the same time? The encounter could create a time paradox, the results of which could cause a chain reaction that would unravel the very fabric of the space time continuum and destroy the entire universe. Wait a minute. What's Google Voice? Google Voice is a Workspace-related service that acts as a virtual switchboard for your phone number so that you can make and receive both calls and messages on any number of devices. How does it tie into all of this? It doesn't, exactly. It's just its own separate thing. So if I'm using Google Voice, can I still use Google Chat? You can! Google Chat has nothing to do with your phone number, so the two services are totally unrelated. What about Google Messages and the RCS Chat system within it? Can I use that with Google Voice, too? No, Google Voice doesn't support the RCS-based Chat system as of now. Wait what?! Why not? Yes. Oof. Okay, back to Workspace. If Workspace is available for everyone with a Google account now, does that mean everyone has to pay for it? No. Businesses and schools can opt to use a paid Workspace setup, but for regular folk with standard individual Google accounts, everything's still free like always. Cool. At least that's relatively easy to understand. Well, I should probably also mention that Google's now offering a new paid Workspace Individual option for anyone who has an individual Google account but wants to use the business-level Workspace features. What exactly are those business-level Workspace features? According to Google's announcement, they will let anyone with a small business "get more done, show up more professionally, and better serve their customers." Can you elaborate any more on that? Sure! Google also says the Workspace Individual plan will let subscribers "easily manage all their personal and professional commitments from one place with access to Google support to get the most out of their solution." Oh, and it gives you a neat Calendly-like scheduling feature. How am I supposed to know if I need the Workspace Individual plan or if a regular free individual Google account is good enough for my needs? Yes. Sigh. So, okay, is all of this going to show up in Gmail for me right away? No, silly. The Google Chat integration in Gmail will show up only if you go into the Gmail settings on the website, click the "Chat and Meet" tab, and change the "Chat" setting from "Classic Hangouts" to "Google Chat." What will happen to all my old Hangouts info if I do that? Any messages sent after June of 2020 will show up there automatically. Any messages sent before June of 2020 will appear there at some unspecified future date. Until then, they'll presumably exist in a virtual vortex that's closely guarded by a robot named Keanu. So can I talk to anyone I used to chat with on Hangouts in Google Chat? No, you can only talk to other people who have Google Chat enabled and/or installed on their various devices. Outside of people using Chat within a company, how many people that I know are actually gonna be on it? The number will vary based on how many Google employees you communicate with on a daily basis, but for most average users, I suspect the number is presently somewhere between zero and two. What about the Docs and Sheets integration in Gmail? Is that available to me now? Yes! If you switch over to Google Chat, using the setting we mentioned a second ago, you'll be able to open up documents, spreadsheets, and presentations anytime someone shares one into a Google Chat Room. Wait, don't you mean a Google Chat Space? No, the change from Rooms to Spaces won't happen until sometime "this summer." What are the odds that Google will have introduced at least one other new messaging service by that point? Extraordinarily high. If I don't want to use any of this stuff and just want Gmail to be Gmail, can I avoid it? You can! Just make sure the option for "Chat" in the "Chat and Meet" section of the Gmail website's settings is set to "Off" and make sure the option for "Meet" in that same section is set to "Hide the Meet section in the main menu." What about on mobile? Can I get rid of all the extra tabs Google added to the bottom of my Gmail app? You can! In the Gmail Android app, just tap the three-line menu icon in the upper-left corner, find and select "Settings" from the menu that comes up, then tap the name of the Google account you want to adjust. Uncheck the box next to "Chat," say "Expelliarmus!" for good measure, and that entire bar should disappear. What's the difference between using Chat and Meet within the Gmail app and using Chat and Meet within their own standalone Android apps? There is no difference. So I could conceivably chat with someone in Google Chat within the Gmail app while simultaneously chatting with them in the standalone Google Chat app and also messaging them with the Chat feature in the Google Messages app? You could, yes, but that's a fine way to lose a friend. Hang on a sec. What ever happened to Google Allo? It was merely a figment of your imagination. Google Allo never actually existed. Okay, one last question: Is there a service called Google Meat? If only, my friend. If only. Sign up for my weekly newsletter to get practical tips, personal recommendations, and brutally honest insight on all things Google. 06/17/2021 Photo (c) Anton Petrus - Getty Images Coronavirus (COVID-19) tally as compiled by Johns Hopkins University. (Previous numbers in parentheses.) Total U.S. confirmed cases: 33,499,817 (33,487,415) Total U.S. deaths: 600,669 (600,313) Total global cases: 177,138,102 (176,721,173) Total global deaths: 3,835,167 (3,824,424) Latest vaccination trial shows disappointing results CureVac is the latest coronavirus vaccine maker to report the results of its clinical trial, and the results were disappointing. The efficacy rate was below 50%. But the company said there were extenuating circumstances. An examination of the virus in each person who got sick showed only one case involving the original virus. The others were caused by various variants of the original virus. While we were hoping for a stronger interim outcome, we recognize that demonstrating high efficacy in this unprecedented broad diversity of variants is challenging, said Dr. Franz-Werner Haas, CEO at CurVac. Unemployment claims drift higher After several weeks of fewer people lining up to claim unemployment benefits, that number moved higher last week. The Labor Department reports that initial claims for jobless benefits rose to 412,000. The increase was sizable -- a gain of 37,000 from the previous weeks 375,000 new claims. Economists said the increase was unexpected since the numbers had fallen for six straight weeks and were below 400,000 for the first time since the start of the pandemic. In a bit of encouraging news, the report showed that the number of Americans still drawing unemployment benefits continued to go down last week, falling by more than 500,000. Higher COVID-19 deaths among Black patients linked to hospital quality From the start of the pandemic, the death rate among Black patients was higher than for other ethnic groups. Some researchers suggested it was due to higher incidences of diabetes and other chronic conditions among these patients. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have suggested another reason. They say Black COVID-19 patients tend to be treated in lower-quality hospitals. The study concludes that the COVID-19 death rate for Black patients would be 10% lower if they had access to the same hospitals as white patients. Report shows COVID-19s impact on world turmoil The pandemic has affected more than health and the economy. Researchers say it has also contributed to political instability and violence around the world over the last 12 months. The Institute for Economics and Peace reports that the COVID-19 pandemic had a noticeable impact on violence. There were some improvements in categories like violent conflict, but the researchers said other indicators like violent demonstrations deteriorated (or rose) significantly. Three times as many countries deteriorated than improved, the team noted. Civil unrest rose globally by 10%, with Belarus recording the largest deterioration. There were 14,871 violent demonstrations, protests, and riots recorded globally in 2020. Survey shows the pandemic has changed snacking habits Among the ways Americans coped with the pandemic last year, surveys have shown an increase in snacking. But choices of snacks varied widely. A survey by the California Walnut Board suggests that many of these snaking habits are likely to continue past the pandemic. Nearly a third of snackers have found comfort in their favorite snacks during the pandemic, but they are also prioritizing healthier snack options. The survey suggests that consumers are choosing snacks based on the belief that what they eat impacts the way they feel. More people say they are choosing snacks based on qualities such as boosting energy levels and enhancing their mood. Around the nation 84% Website partseurope.eu uses latest and advanced technologies. It supports HTTPS and GZIP compression. The main html page has a size of 56667 bytes (55.34 kb uncompressed) and 11647 bytes (11.37 kb compressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2021-04-11, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. Two episodes into Loki has us wondering if Marvels newest show might be about the process of making a Marvel show. Think about it; the God of Mischief is the wild, anarchic artistic type who now operates from a cubicle, working as but a tiny cog in a vast corporate machine. And we learn more about how the TVA (Time Variance Authority) operates -- namely that their job is to keep the branches of the timeline within the red line, as illustrated in this helpful Atari-level graphic. Disney Continue Reading Below Advertisement Which feels like a good metaphor for the narrative constraints of the MCU; despite the Loki-esque urge one might have to do something bold and unexpected with a Marvel story, filmmakers can never diverge too far from the larger narrative course of the franchise. Not unlike what Tim Burton did with The Nightmare Before Christmas, Loki seems like a Disney project that also serves as an allegory for the creative frustrations that come with working for Disney. Continue Reading Below Advertisement There are some other indications that the TVA may secretly be a metaphorical stand-in for the Mouse House, too -- most blatantly, the fictional company has a literal old-timey cartoon character mascot. Disney And several of the time periods the characters visit could be references to Disney history too; a Renaissance Fair in 1985? Well, Disney released the medieval fantasy bomb The Black Cauldron in 1985. Old-timey Oklahoma? Disney now owns the film version of the 1955 musical Oklahoma! Then theres Owen Wilsons Mobius M. Mobius and his mustache. Some have speculated that the stache is a deep-cut tribute to late Marvel editor Mark Gruenwald. But it also, coincidentally or not, makes Mobius, our authority at the TVA, look like a real Walt Disney type -- but with his head both intact and room temperature. Disney/YouTube Continue Reading Below Advertisement Of course, Mobius also works for a group of shadowy lizard people, but were guessing theres a YouTube video somewhere making similar claims about Walt. You (yes, you) should follow JM on Twitter! And check out the podcast Rewatchability. Top Image: Marvel Studios Anna Mae Wilson-Welborn, 86, of Crossville, passed away at her home surrounded by her family on Monday, June 28, 2021. She was born July 11, 1934, in Spencer, TN, daughter of the late Floyd Stanton Dodson and Annie (Lawson) Dodson. Anna worked as a seamstress and was of the Baptist faith. Sh Moses is one of the most well-known characters of the Bible. A lot of times he was in the spotlight of the Scriptures. However, his brother Aaron was never far away. He sometimes was a help, stepped up to the plate in Moses fear of speaking, helped lead the people, and ultimately the line of priests came from him. Today we are going to dive deeper into discovering interesting facts about Aaron. Who Was Aaron in the Bible? Aaron was Moses older brother in the Old Testament. He became a mouthpiece and a high priest. He received the call from God. 1 Chronicles 23:13 tells us that Aaron and his descendants were set apart for ministry. His grandson was the head of the Levite family (Exodus 6:25). He was used by the Lord in mighty ways, but also made mistakes along the way. Aaron first enters the pages of Scripture in Exodus 4. He stepped up to the plate in the midst of his brothers fear. Moses was commanded to speak, but he opted out, so God used Aaron instead. I imagine that Aaron either was a humble man or became a humble man through following the leadership of his younger brother. Many times in the Bible, we see things appear upside down to the normal way. The younger leading the older was definitely not typical in these times. Moses had been set apart to be in charge, but Aaron had an equally valuable calling to stand by his side and support a ministry. Aaron was consecrated with oil (Leviticus 8:12). His family line was established as the priesthood of Israel. Websters Dictionary defines a priest as, One authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion especially as a mediatory agent between humans and God. Once Moses presented the ten commandments, priests helped mediate between the people and the Lord. Praise God that we do not have to use this method to approach our Father anymore. 1 Timothy 2:5 says, For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. On another note, Aaron clearly had a downfall of people-pleasing. While Moses was getting the 10 Commandments on Mount Sinai, the Israelites grew impatient. Aaron responded to the negative complaints by creating a golden calf to worship. Aaron allowed his pride and the impatience of others to take the easy way out instead of honoring God. The Lord was very angry at Aaron for his act. (Deuteronomy 9:20) Moses prayed over Aaron and the people, begging God not to destroy them and reminding the Lord of His promise to Israel. Then the Lord was gracious and gave the 10 Commandments to Moses again (Deuteronomy 9:20-Deuteronomy 10:2). Many times people believe that God did not act as graciously in the Old Testament times, but Aaron and the people were given great grace in their idolatry. They still had to live with consequences, but they were spared a harsher punishment. Aaron also chose disobedience towards the end of his life with Moses, but God had grace on him. In Numbers 20:10-12, Aaron brought the people to Moses and Moses made water come from a rock. Because of their acts of distrust, the Lord did not allow them to enter the promised land. I love how the Bible shows us the flaws of humanity, but the power of the Spirit of God working through our weaknesses. Aaron could have been disqualified so many times, but he was not. He had to pay the consequences of his actions, but he had the joy of serving and being set apart for the sake of a greater purpose than himself. One of my favorite stories about Aaron was when he held up one of Moses arms and Hor held up the other at the battle against the Amalekites. Whenever Moses arms were up in a praise position, the victory was theirs (Exodus 17:8-16). This is a beautiful symbol that Aaron may have been helping hold up Israel from the side, but he played a significant role in the freedom and victory of Gods chosen people. Why Did God Choose Aaron in the Bible? Hebrews 5:4 says, And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was. There could be many reasons why God chose Aaron, but personally, I think a main cause was that Aaron said yes. His willing heart and acts of obedience led him to be used by the Lord. Moses passed on the opportunity in Exodus 4:8-13. He suggested his brother Aaron. Verse 14 says, Then the LORDs anger burned against Moses and he said, 'What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and he will be glad to see you. God then confirms that both would speak, but Aaron would be the mouthpiece to the people (Exodus 4:15-17). It would seem as if God did not choose Aaron, but rather he was the second choice. However, God was all-knowing even though Moses did not need Aaron, the Lord allowed him. Maybe we are not the first choice for something in life, but it does not disqualify us from succeeding for the glory of our Maker. Moses and Aaron went to the Egyptians and brought great hope that they were one step closer to freedom (Exodus 4:27-31). God is choosing us through Jesus today. Randy Robison from Crosswalk shares, Peter explained how Jesus Christ expanded that blessing to every believer, calling us a 'royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). This change in the priesthood through Christ handed down many of the priestly functions to all Christians today. What an honor that we too have the option of saying, Yes not only to accepting Jesus as our Savior but in living out the callings in which He has laid before us. Do you feel as if you are second best? Look at the person of Aaron. Regain hope that you might not be the first choice, but you can still be set apart by the Lord. We each have something wonderful to bring to the table. May we humbly approach God and ask Him how He wants to use us for His glory. Whether we are front and center or helping from the side, we have a purpose in the kingdom of God. 10 Facts You May Not Have Known about Aaron in the Bible Aaron was the first high priest in Israel (Exodus 29). Aarons budded staff was in the ark of the covenant (Hebrews 9:4). John the Baptist was a descendent of Aaron (Luke 1:5). What an amazing connection that John prepared the way for Jesus just as Aaron helped prepare the way for Moses. They were sidekicks to the main leaders. Aaron was married to Elisheba and they had four children, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar (Exodus 4:14). Eleazar was Aarons son who succeeded him (Deuteronomy 10:6). Aaron was three years older than Moses (Exodus 7:7). It was Aaron who used his staff to perform miracles (Exodus 7). Aaron was 83 and Moses was 80 when they went to Pharaoh on behalf of Israel (Exodus 7:7). Aaron also was not able to enter the promised land (Numbers 20:12). Aaron died on Mount Hor (Deuteronomy 32:50). Further Reading 6 Things to Know about Aaron in the Bible Who Was Aaron in the Bible? Photo credit: Unsplash/Gift Habeshaw Emma Danzeys mission in life is to inspire young women to embrace the extraordinary. One of her greatest joys is to journey with the Lord in His Scriptures. Emma is a North Carolina resident and green tea enthusiast! She is married to her husband Drew and they serve international college students. She enjoys singing, dancing, trying new recipes, and watching home makeover shows. During her ministry career, Emma recorded two worship EP albums, founded and led Polished Conference Ministries, ran the Refined Magazine, and served in music education for early childhood. Currently, she is in the editing stages of her first two writing projects: a Bible study on womanhood and a non-fiction book on singleness. You can visit her blog at emmadanzey.wordpress.com This article is part of our People from the Bible Series featuring the most well-known historical names and figures from Scripture. We have compiled these articles to help you study those whom God chose to set before us as examples in His Word. May their lives and walks with God strengthen your faith and encourage your soul. 4 Things You May Not Know About Abraham in the Bible 20 Facts You May Not Know About Moses from the Bible Who Was Mary Magdalene in the Bible? Who Were the 12 Disciples of Jesus? Who Was Isaiah & Why Was He Important? I shut the microwave door, punched in 2:00, and hit start. What happened next blindsided me. Half of my office lost power. For two days, until an electrician reset the breaker, I had to welcome my long-suffering clients into the semi-lit cave that was my office. Thankfully, none complained. This is where I need to confess. Prior to placing my dish in the microwave, a wee little warning went off in my heart. Dont run the microwave while the heater is on. Have you ever dismissed an inner nudge because you assumed it was your own thought? I did that by responding with Nah, itll be fine. In reality, however, I was dishonoring the Holy Spirits admonition. Disobedience comes with a price tag. That much is guaranteed. What may be different from one scenario to another, however, are the reasons behind it. Theres no shame in admitting our sins or failures, so see if you have committed disobedience based on the following rationales. The good news is, there are remedial steps that can get us back on the obedience track. 1. Those Who Are Unsure About Recognizing His Voice Like me and the microwave, some Christians dont outright plan to defy the Lord. We just mistake the Creators voice for our own. So, there are two areas those of us in this camp need to major in: 1. The Bible Reading Scripture is the safest way to learn about the Lord and His ways. Since all Scripture is God-breathed, (2 Timothy 3:16), we can trust every verse as originating from the One who spoke it. According to Gods Word, the Lord speaks in a gentle way (1 Kings 19:11-12). He may repeat Himself a few times if we dont respond immediately, but never in a demanding manner. For instance, little Samuel never heard from the Lord directly when the Lord first called his name. Consequently, Samuel assumed he was being summoned by Eli, the priest who lived with him. The Lord had to call Samuel four separate timesand waited until Eli explained to the young boy what to dobefore He finally got Samuels attention. Yet, the Almighty shows no impatience at having to wait for Samuel to get it (1 Samuel 3:1-14). Moral of the story: when the Lord speaks to us, He is always respectful and patient. 2. Our Own Soul Hebrews 4:12 states, For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. This verse reveals the intimate connection between our spirit and soul. Their closeness explains why we can easily confuse the voice of our soulwhich comprises of the mind, will, and emotionwith the voice of the Lord, who speaks through our spirit. But even though discerning the spirit from the soul can be tricky, there are some telltale signs. For instance, the soul tends to be hasty and pushy while the Lord is ever so patient. Moving too quickly can at times indicate that the soul is rushing us. With regard to the power outage, if I had slowed down to investigate the caution I sensed, I wouldve realized it was the Lord who had issued the warning. 2. Those Who Are Trying to Discern if Its Truly God Whos Speaking Sometimes, the Lords leading can be downright astonishing. He asked Abraham to sacrifice his only son (Genesis 22:1-2). He instructed Gideon to whittle down his army by a whopping 99%, from 32,000 to 300 (Judges 7:1-8). He commanded a widow to feed prophet Elijahnever mind they were in a pandemic, I mean famine, and they were so poor she and her son were on the brink of starvation (1 Kings 17:7-16). Can you imagine what any of these individuals would have felt? If you were in their shoes, would you have double-checked with the Lord before obeying His direction? I certainly would have. Another reason you may need to spend the time to discern Gods will is when youre about to make a momentous decision. Months after John entered the picture, my heart waged a fierce battle against my head. At stake was the million-dollar question: is this the man You want me to marry, Lord? The Bible promises He will answer when we call (Jeremiah 33:3, Matthew 7:7-8, Luke 11:9-10); so, one day I fetched my journals and Bible to watch the Pacific welcome the sun into its waves as I implored God for a yes/no answer. Perhaps youre more concerned about seeking God for a job, instead of a marriage, proposal. Or maybe youre dealing with a crucial decision of another kind. Study His Word and ask Him for a supporting verse or two that will clinch the matter for you. This is where we bump into a caveat. It is commendable to spend the time to discover if the Lord really is guiding you to do something your mind might argue against. However, delaying to do it even after youre sure is, essentially, disobeying Godespecially if His instruction is time-sensitive. Conclusion? Once you know the direction He wants you to take, do itfully and immediately. Thats why John and I got engaged four months following the Lords oceanside yes. 3. Those Who Are Willfully Deciding to Disobey God California law bans drivers from carrying out a conversation while holding a phone. I did it anyway. Seconds after snubbing this particular law, a police officer pulled me over. Watching the unfolding scene prompted the friend I was traveling with to intercede. He pleaded with the cop to substitute the ticket for a warning. He even assured the officer about my upstanding character. I felt grateful for my friends advocacy, especially since he volunteered to do so. Unfortunately, his efforts failed. This incident might have happened years ago, but the ticket still serves as a grim reminder that Luke 12:47-48 (NLT) work: A servant who knows what the master wants, but isnt prepared and doesnt carry out those instructions, will be severely punished. But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. I knew about the law against holding your phone while driving, but I went ahead and did it. Consequently, I received a hefty punishment (that ticket) as opposed to a light one (the warning my friend appealed for). The Bible assures us those who willfully disobey God will dead-end in gruesome fates. Take Balaam, for example. The Lord warned him not to visit or help Israels enemy, the Moabites, but he kept whining about it until the Lord relented (Numbers 22:5-25, Joshua 24:9-10). A few years later, Israel slew him along with their enemy combatants (Joshua 13:22). Disobedience not only has the potential of destroying our destinies, but it can also facilitate our loved one's demise. SaulIsraels first kingknowingly rebelled against the Lord. It resulted not only in his death but also his entire house (1 Chronicles 10:6). Obedience, on the other hand, promises: Wellness: Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you. (Jeremiah 7:23). Victory: If my people would only listen to me, how quickly I would subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes! (Psalm 81:13-14). how quickly I would subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes! (Psalm 81:13-14). Gods attention: If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened (Psalm 66:18). Protection: Those who obey the commands protect themselves (Proverbs 19:16, NCV). Blessings: Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it (Luke 11:28). In case these big guns werent rewarding enough, God also furnishes the cherry on top: good food. Isaiah 1:19 says, If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land. As you know, Ive had my share of disobeying God. But Im steeling my resolve even more to quit this ungodly practice. No more power outages and traffic tickets, please. Im making room for victory and answered prayers. Care to join me? Photo Credit: GettyImages/AntonioGuillem Audrey Davidheiser, PhD is a California licensed psychologist, certified Internal Family Systems therapist, and author of Surviving Difficult People: When Your Faith and Feelings Clash. She founded and directed a counseling center for the Los Angeles Dream Center, supervised graduate students, and has treated close to 2,200 clients. Dr. Audrey devotes her California practice to survivors of psychological trauma. Visit her on www.aimforbreakthrough.com and Instagram @DrAudreyD. Yes, I'm concerned we're going to end up back where we were last fall and winter. I'm not concerned for the vaccinated but cases could surge among the unvaccinated, shutting things down. I'm not concerned about a surge or shutdowns this fall. Vote View Results PARIS (AP) France's tourism sector is taking a further step toward normality with the reopening of Disneyland Paris, two weeks after the country reopened its borders to vaccinated visitors from across the world. Europes most frequented theme park in Marne-la-Vallee, east of the French capital, opened its doors on Thursday after nearly eight months of closure. A crowd of smiling visitors was welcomed by Disney characters dancing to the sound of joyful music. Amazing, said Debbie Tater. The Delaware resident travelled from the United States to visit her family, including her daughter and two granddaughters, who live in France and whom she hadnt seen for a year and a half. Happiest place on earth, she said, with tears in her eyes. We couldnt miss the reopening," said Elodie Piedfort, from Haute-Loire region in central France. Because Im a nurse its been a very difficult year and being here, together with my son, is great. And the reopening, moving on is great as well. Visitors must wear masks inside the park and other measures are in place, including a cap on visitor numbers to ensure distancing. Pauline Baudouin, a Disney fan from Angouleme in western France, said: "We were missing the magic, because it was already a complicated period and we needed to recharge our batteries in this magical world. Prime Minister Jean Castex said Wednesday that France is returning to a form of normal life again, as he announced that people wont have to wear masks outdoors any more, except in crowded places. The government confirmed children can remove masks in school playgrounds yet they remain compulsory in class for those aged 6 and above. The 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew will be lifted on Sunday. On Thursday, Health Minister Olivier Veran said night clubs will be able to reopen in July under strict regulations a first since the France's initial lockdown in March last year, The French tourist industry hopes to rebound over the summer as the country welcomes foreign visitors again on condition they have received one of the four EU-approved vaccines. Travelers are banned from 16 countries, including India, South Africa and Brazil, that are wrestling with virus surges and worrisome variants. France started gradually reopening its economy last month. Monuments and museums, including major sites like the Louvre and Versailles, are open, as well as hotels, cafes and restaurants. Tourists will still have to wait for the Eiffel Tower, set to reopen on July 16 after major renovation work. The government said the easing of restrictions is due to a drop in daily infections and to a vaccination campaign that has seen more than 59% of Frances adult population receive at least one shot. The country opened this week vaccination to those aged 12 to 18. ___ Follow all of APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic, https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak Iranians were voting Friday on who should be the country's next president amid tensions with the West over its tattered nuclear deal with world powers. While the race is wide open due to President Hassan Rouhani being term limited from running again, authorities barred his allies and nearly every reformist from entering the race. That has analysts believing hard-line judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi is the clear front-runner. The only competitor who represents a stand-in for Rouhani's administration, the former Central Bank chief Abdolnasser Hemmati, has argued others in the race serve as proxies for Raisi and allow the cleric to avoid criticizing him directly. Heres a look at the candidates competing. EBRAHIM RAISI Raisi, 60, is a hard-line cleric close to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who has vowed to combat poverty and corruption. In 2016, Khamenei appointed Raisi as head of the Imam Reza charity foundation, which manages a vast conglomerate of businesses and endowments in Iran. Khamenei called Raisi a trustworthy and highly experienced person, causing many to wonder if he might also be a possible successor to the supreme leader himself. He lost his 2017 presidential challenge to Rouhani, though he earned over 15 million votes in the contest. After the loss, Khamenei appointed the former law professor to be the head of the country's judiciary. There, he's waged a televised anti-corruption campaign that resonated with a public frustrated by graft. His candidacy also has revived the controversy surrounding the 1988 mass execution of thousands in Iran, one of the darkest moments of Irans post-revolution history still not recognized by its government. Raisi served on a panel involved in sentencing the prisoners to death. He hasnt commented publicly on the accusation. ABDOLNASSER HEMMATI Hemmati, 64, served for several years at the head of Iran's Central Bank under Rouhani and amid the renewed American sanctions that followed the U.S.' unilateral withdrawal from Tehran's nuclear deal. Though serving in Rouhani's government, he's repeatedly described himself as an independent candidate. Hemmati, an economics professor, has worked as the head of both private and government banks, as well as Iran's central insurance agency. He also once served as Iran's ambassador to China for a short period. The technocrat has drawn attention for appointing his wife, Sepideh Shabestari, as one of his representatives and top advisers in Iran's short election season. He's a black belt in karate as well, something that drew the public's interest. Hemmati has said his goals as president include decreasing poverty through better economic ties with the world, implementing a smaller government and getting the country off of the black list of the Financial Action Task Force, an international agency that monitors terrorism funding. Other candidates include: AMIRHOSSEIN GHAZIZADEH HASHEMI Hashemi, 50, is considered by analysts to be a low-profile conservative politician. He's served as a parliament member since 2007 and now is a member of the parliament's board of chairmen, which manages the legislature's affairs. An ear-nose-and-throat specialist surgeon by profession, Hashemi has vowed to restore Iran's stock market in the first three days in office, a tough goal as the market's value has nearly halved in the last year. MOHSEN REZAEI Rezaei, 66, is a former leader of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard and has been a hard-line candidate in several elections. He's wanted by Argentina on an Interpol Red Notice over his alleged involvement in the 1994 bombing on a Jewish center in Buenos Aires that killed 85 people. Both Rezaei and the Iranian government deny orchestrating the attack. He also faced criticism over allegedly mismanaging battles in the 1980s Iran-Iraq war and his tension with Iran's regular military. He serves now as the secretary of Expediency Council, which arbitrates disputes between parliament and Iran's constitutional watchdog, the Guardian Council. Rezaei also threatened in Iran's first presidential debate to imprison Hemmati. A former Hartford police cadet was sentenced this week to more than six years in federal prison on drug and gun offenses, according to prosecutors. Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport sentenced Joseph Diaz, 28, of Newington, to 78 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release. He was released on a $75,000 bond and told to report to prison on July 28. Diaz pleaded guilty on Feb. 17 to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The charges stemmed from his arrest on Feb. 13, 2019. That day, members of the FBI Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force were doing surveillance for an unrelated investigation when they saw Diaz who prosecutors said was identified by one investigators as a former Hartford police cadet conduct a drug transaction on Stedman Street in Hartford. Later that day, investigators stopped a car Diaz was driving and found him with a loaded gun, 700 bags of heroin/fentanyl and $1,704 in cash, prosecutors said. Diaz was taken into custody and brought to Hartford police headquarters, where he gave investigators permission to search his Newington home. When investigators left Diaz in the interview room, an officer saw through a window that Diaz was typing on his watch. The officer opened the door, removed the watch and found it was a smart-watch. As investigators arrived at Diazs home, prosecutors said, they saw Diazs father identified by authorities as Jose Diaz leave through the back door carrying a black plastic bag and run toward the parking lot. While running, the man dropped the plastic bag and a fanny pack. When investigators searched the bags, they found more than 3,300 bags of fentanyl, 80 grams of unpackaged fentanyl and drug paraphernalia. Jose Diaz agreed to let investigators search his phone, where they found several unopened text messages, including one from his son that read, according to prosecutors, Go now. Everything. During a search of the house, investigators found more packaged fentanyl, 21 grams of unpackaged fentanyl, a loaded pistol, assorted ammunition and about $2,500 in cash, prosecutors said. Prosecutors said Jose Diaz was sentenced on a related charge. HARTFORD On the 50th anniversary of the war on drugs, the state Senate put the finishing touches Thursday on legislation to legalize marijuana in Connecticut. On July 1, it will be legal for adults over 21 to have an ounce-and-a-half of marijuana, plus another five ounces in a locked container. Retail sales in Connecticut may begin as soon as next spring, under legislation the state Senate approved in a 16-11 vote after a 70-minute debate on Thursday morning. Lamont, who campaigned in 2018 with a promise to legalize adult use of cannabis, announced within minutes of the vote that he looks forward to signing the bill into law. Its fitting that the bill legalizing the adult use of cannabis and addressing the injustices caused by the war of drugs received final passage today, on the 50-year anniversary of President Nixon declaring the war, Lamont said in a statement. The war on cannabis, which was at its core a war on people in Black and brown communities, not only caused injustices and increased disparities in our state, it did little to protect public health and safety. The bill, which passed with nine senators absent in the special session, was the third time in 10 days that the Senate voted in favor of landmark legislation that will make Connecticut the 19th state, plus the District of Columbia, to legalize recreational marijuana. The bill focuses on cannabis business opportunities for inner-city neighborhoods that have been targets for generations in the failed war on drugs. It also contains strong language designed to make it easier for labor unions to organize workers. National marijuana advocates called the legislation a model for the country. Sen. Gary Winfield, D-New Haven, co-chairman of the Judiciary Committee, who introduced the bill, noted that Thursday was the 50th anniversary of Nixons press conference declaring the ar on drugs. That long effort targeted the counterculture, the anti-Vietnam War movement and communities of color in urban areas. It has come to be acknowledged that those individuals who worked for Richard Nixon had certain intentions, Winfield said. We put in place unjust laws. Regulation vs. prohibition Opponents in the Senate, all of them Republicans, said Conneticut should distinguish itself by not legalizing recreational marijuana sales. I dont believe that just because other states are going down this path, that we should, said Sen. John Kissel of Enfield, the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee. Why cant Connecticut be that shining city on the hill? An oasis? Kissel added, My concerns regarding our young people and the message that the underlying bill sends to our young people is of concern. He said that towns and cities in the eastern part of the state are suffering economically, and he is concerned that citizens there might be shut out of business opportunities that favor underserved neighborhoods. Its not just about New Haven, Hartford and Bridgeport, Winfield replied. It goes beyond that. Kissel admitted he has constituents who believe that marijuana is less dangerous to public health than alcohol. State Senate Minority Leader Kevin Kelly, R-Stratford, warned of adverse health effects for adults and children. By contrast, Lamont, like most other Democrats, contends that a regulated market is safer than what we have now. By allowing adults to possess cannabis, regulating its sale and content, training police officers in the latest techniques of detecting and preventing impaired driving, and expunging the criminal records of people with certain cannabis crimes, were not only effectively modernizing our laws and addressing inequities, were keeping Connecticut economically competitive with our neighboring states, he said in the written statement. Social equity measures An April poll from Sacred Heart Universityin Fairfield indicated that 64 percent of the state favors its full legalization. People overwhelmingly think the legislature did the right thing getting it passed, Lamont said at an unrelated event in Wethersfield. Were going to get it going, soon. I think it makes a big difference. The he quipped, referring to a last-minute hitch that nearly derailed the effort Tuesday night, Lets sign it before somebody changes their mind. The final version of the legislation, which easily passed the House of Representatives late Wednesday, was nearly identical to a bill that cleared the Senate early June 8, but which died at midnight June 9 when the House failed to act before the regular legislative session ended. A Senate bill approved Tuesday would have given people arrested on marijuana crimes favorable treatment in seeking business licenses, in addition to people who live in or grew up in underserved communities. That was not part of a deal negotiated by lawmakers and Lamont. The House stripped those sections from the bill on Wednesday after Lamont threatened a veto leading to the need for Thursdays Senate vote. Democrats who voted against the bill Thursday included Sen. Steve Cassano, of Manchester; Sen. Christine Cohen, of Guilford; Sen. Joan Hartley, of Waterbury, and Sen. Dennis Bradley, of Bridgeport. No Republicans voted for it. Sen. Kevin Witkos, R-Canton, who voted for it previously, was absent from Wednesdays hastily called session. The bill will provide paths for people who have been convicted of lower-level drug possession offenses to erase their criminal records. Eligible people in the social-equity provisions of the legislation will be able to seek cultivation and production partnerships and other business opportunities, including retail, marketing and delivery, under the multi-agency program headed by the state Department of Consumer Protection and a new Social Equity Council. Sen. Dan Champagne, R-Vernon, a former police officer, charged that the 15-member Social Equity Council would be almost entirely populated by Democrats, which he characterized as partisan. I also fear where the money ends up, he said. I also have concerns that in many places throughout this bill that the police are basically handcuffed. Sen. Tony Hwang, a staunch opponent of legalized marijuana, provoked Winfields ire by painting a picture of broken lives of addiction and proclaiming the bill is focused on tax revenue, and had not been discussed thoroughly enough by the legislature. In 1971 when the war on drugs started, there was policy that was intended to negatively impact certain citizens, Winfield said, stressing he has been working on legalization since around the time he joined the legislature in 2009. Thats not the way laws are supposed to be made. The reason why I think this is important, is because we have operated for 50 years with unjust laws that target certain communities. Weve damaged the lives of human beings in the United States of America who are a certain hue, because of politics. Projections for tax revenue in a new legal cannabis market exceed $73 million by the 2025-26 fiscal year, but only $4 million in the budget year that starts July 1, as the program gets off the ground. Ending a long era The states medical marijuana program, approved in 2012, serves 54,097 patients. In recent years, the state has decreased criminal penalties for possessing small amount of cannabis. Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney, D-New Haven, said while the tone of some of the debate would indicate its a new issue, in fact, cannabis has been present for decades. It is here in an amount and visibility and accessibility that probably wont be any different once it is legal for adults, Looney said. We will have a regulated product, a taxed product, and a system for use by adults, as we have for tobacco, as we have for alcohol. He stressed that most of the focus of talks among lawmakers and the governors office centered on the social equity pieces of the bill to help minority communities that might have been harmed since the 1937 outlawing of marijuana. Under General Assembly rules, the bill was transmitted to Lamonts office immediately, meaning he could have signed it Thursday afternoon, but he is likely to wait until next week. Adam Wood, state spokesman for the Marijuana Policy Project, said the law contains meaningful public safety and health regulations, as well as employment and economic opportunities. The Connecticut Legislatures commitment to legalizing cannabis through a justice-centered approach is commendable, Wood said. For decades, cannabis prohibition and criminalization has harmed some of the states most vulnerable communities. This bill not only ends this failed and unjust policy, but it also includes measures that will work to repair the harm that it has caused. kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT BRIDGEPORT An Army National Guard officer is accused of threatening to shoot up a Stratford school. Police said the soldier, 23-year-old Jaebets Kayembe, of New Britain, posted a photograph on social media holding an AR-15 with an optical sight while making the threat. Stratford police and the FBI arrested Kayembe at the U.S. Army base in Windsor Locks Wednesday. He was charged with first-degree threatening. These are disturbing and serious allegations, Assistant States Attorney Felicia Valentino said during Kayembes arraignment Thursday afternoon. She urged Superior Court Judge Ndidi Moses to set a high bond for Kayembe. But Kayembes public defender, Dennis Salzbrunn, urged the judge to show leniency for his client. He said Kayembe has been in the National Guard for four years. I understand that what was posted is certainly alarming but he has no prior criminal record, Salzbrunn argued. Moses ordered Kayembe held in lieu of $60,000 bond and ordered him to undergo a mental health evaluation. If you make the bond you cannot possess any weapons, the judge told Kayembe. Understood, he responded. The judge continued the case to Aug. 4. Corporal Jaebets Kayembe is a traditional member of the Connecticut Army National Guard with four years of service. We are fully complying with law enforcement as they look into this matter. Further comment on an active investigation would be inappropriate, said Captain Dave Pytlik, public affairs officer for the Connecticut National Guard. According to Stratford Det. John Therina, Stratford police on June 15 were notified by the FBI that the agency had received information of a threat made to a Stratford school on Snapchat. Police said Kayembe had posted a photograph on the popular messaging app showing him holding the assault rifle on his lap with the caption: Yall ever heard of a black boy school shooter? Im finna make history. Police said the FBI traced the source of the message to a home on Wiklund Avenue in Stratford. A team of police and agents went to the address and saw a car registered to Kayembe parked in the driveway. An Army National Guard sticker was affixed to the cars trunk. But police said they did not find Kayembe or any weapons. Police said the woman told them that Kayembe had moved to New Britain. In the meantime, police said they contacted the National Guard and were told Kayembe was currently in training at Fort Drum in New York. Police said they contacted Kayembes platoon leader who told them Kayembe had admitted posting the photo of the rifle and the threatening language but claimed it had been a joke. BRIDGEPORT Bridgeport schools celebrated five high school graduations in staggered ceremonies on Wednesday. Bridgeport Military Academy, Bassick High School, Harding High School, Fairchild Wheeler and Central High School held their graduations at the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheatre in Bridgeport. I cant be prouder of this group of kids, Superintendent Michael Testani told Hearst Connecticut Media. For them not only to finish, but many of them to excel under the conditions, is truly a trestament to their resiliency and their commitment to themselves and their education. About 65 seniors at the military academy and 150 at Bassick graduated Wednesday morning. Harding graduated 240 students, Fairchild Wheeler 275 and Central 320 in the afternoon, according to the superintendents numbers. The events adhered to COVID-19 mitigation strategies, district officials said, but were markedly more typical graduations than last years drive-up diploma hand-offs. The graduating seniors spent their last two years of high school navigating abrupt school closures, experiments in online learning and abridged rites-of-passage events, but crossed the finish line this week with their diplomas. Its remarkable, said Testani. It really takes a lot of discipline, time management and self regulation for them to be able to do that at 17, 18 years old, given all the distractions that they have in their lives. Five guns and nearly a kilogram of crack cocaine were found scattered around a Manchester home when authorities served warrants this week in connection with a lengthy undercover narcotics investigation, according to police. The focus of the probe was a local crack cocaine dealer, identified by police as Josiah Cadette, 28. Also arrested was Cadettes girlfriend, Nysha M. Sanchez, 26. The East Central Narcotics Task Force comprised of members from Manchester, South Windsor, Glasonbury and Vernon police wrapped up the investigation on Tuesday by serving warrants in connection with the case in Vernon and Manchester, according to Sgt. Shawn Krom, the task force supervisor. When investigators served the search warrants, Krom said, Sanchez and a 3-year-old were at the Manchester residence. Investigators said they seized nearly a kilogram of cocaine, five guns, multiple high-capacity magazines including a drum magazine for a pistol with 50-round capacity, over $12,000 in cash and two vehicles. The amount of cocaine seized had an estimated street value of $50,000, Krom said. He said the drugs and guns were found scattered in various areas of the home, with no regard for the presence or safety of the toddler. Krom said the child was placed in the care of a family member and the state Department of Children and Families was notified. Cadette was taken into custody and processed at Vernon police headquarters on charges of possession of a controlled substance, sale of a controlled substance. He was held on a $75,000 bond on those offenses. Krom said Cadette is expected to face additional charges once investigators submit arrest affidavits based on the search warrants. Sanchez was processed at Manchester police headquarters on charges of possession of narcotics, possession with intent to sell, operation of a drug factory, possession of drug paraphernalia within 1,500-feet of a school, two counts of risk of injury to a minor, criminally negligent storage of a firearm and possession of a high-capacity magazine. Anyone with information on illegal drug activity in the Manchester, South Windsor, Vernon and Glastonbury communities is asked to call 860-645-5548. BRIDGEPORT - Bridgeport schools celebrated five high school graduations in staggered ceremonies on Wednesday. Bridgeport Military Academy, Bassick High School, Harding High School, Fairchild Wheeler and Central High School held their graduations at the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheatre in Bridgeport. "I can't be prouder of this group of kids," Superintendent Michael Testani told Hearst Connecticut Media. "For them not only to finish, but many of them to excel under the conditions, is truly a trestament to their resiliency and their commitment to themselves and their education." About 65 seniors at the military academy and 150 at Bassick graduated Wednesday morning. Harding graduated 240 students, Fairchild Wheeler 275 and Central 320 in the afternoon, according to the superintendent's numbers. The events adhered to COVID-19 mitigation strategies, district officials said, but were markedly more typical graduations than last year's drive-up diploma hand-offs. The graduating seniors spent their last two years of high school navigating abrupt school closures, experiments in online learning and abridged rites-of-passage events, but crossed the finish line this week with their diplomas. "It's remarkable," said Testani. "It really takes a lot of discipline, time management and self regulation for them to be able to do that at 17, 18 years old, given all the distractions that they have in their lives." Help inspire AUTHENTIC, HIGH-ENERGY CONVERSATION on why we love our credit unions on July 30, 2021. Too often, the unique value credit unions bring to their members and communities is the financial industrys best kept secret. At the Illinois Credit Union League (ICUL), we believe the CU Difference is worth sharing and should be promoted at every opportunity. On July 30, 2021, were calling for credit unions and fellow leagues to lead a digital wave of authentic, high-energy conversation across social media platforms. The purpose is to create a synchronized, collaborative effort showcasing the amazing ways credit unions serve their members and communities every day. We need everyone in our industry to call upon their own teams, members, and families to share whats best about their CU experience using the common hashtag: #ilovemycreditunion. A SIMPLE STEP This social media blitz is a big idea with the potential to leave a giant-sized digital footprint for the credit union movement. The amount of participation on July 30th will determine its ultimate success. Fortunately, joining is easy! The ICUL team has created a resource hub with everything needed to plan for and engage members in this exciting, nationwide collaboration. Credit unions and leagues are welcome to personalize these materials with their own branding, design their own specialized content, and add those unique touches that will speak to their membership. THE START OF A DIGITAL WAVE We already have several leagues and fellow collaborators signed up to start this digital wave on July 30th. Id like to give a shout out here to our early joiners including Alaska Credit Union League, California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues, Cooperative Credit Union Association, CrossState CU Association, Dakota Credit Union Association, Hawaii Credit Union League, Kentucky Credit Union League, Minnesota CU Network, Montana CU Network, New York Credit Union Association along with our collaborators at the American Association of Credit Union Leagues, CUNA, and CU Awareness. Im excited to see how the cooperation among cooperatives we see in the support from our CUNA/League System colleagues will amplify our wave on July 30. To make the biggest impact, we all must post on the same day, Friday, July 30, 2021, with the same hashtag: #ilovemycreditunion. This is a turnkey project, so I encourage all credit unions and leagues to sign up and make the most of it! For questions about how to participate, contact ilovemycreditunion@icul.com. We spoke to Emilie Hibbard, a recent Boston University grad who has carried out focused research for Alacriti. Today, she discusses her research on the difficulties of rural women in India in accessing financial services. An issue, which like so many others, has been exacerbated by the pandemic. Emilie offers a model for confronting these disparities without losing sight of the larger societal causes, which is something often sorely lacking in our solutions and technology-based analysis. At NAFCU, we have a clear mantra: We fight for credit unions. Our team believes deeply in credit unions not-for-profit, cooperative mission, and we advocate daily before key Washington, D.C. policymakers. We are proud to be building relationships to get things done for our industry and the 125 million members they serve. With several key policy items being discussed within Washington, our advocacy team is digging deep to share credit unions story, secure policy wins, and defend our interests. Abandon the Durbin Amendment With the Federal Reserve revisiting its interchange policy and Congressional chatter around the Durbin Debit Interchange Amendment picking up steam, our team is fighting to ensure policymakers not only ignore calls to expand it but abandon it all together. The Durbin Amendment has been a disastrous attempt at price fixing guised as a credible policy proposal. From the onset, the same merchant and retailer groups that promised consumers would see billions of dollars in savings have padded their own pockets to the tune of $90 billion in interchange revenue. The fact is interchange caps have only rewarded merchants that wish to distort the competitive landscape of the marketplace by restricting consumers freedom to choose the safe, affordable, and innovative payment option that works best for them. Amend President Bidens High Cost 2022 Budget Proposal Within President Bidens proposed 2022 budget are new potentially high-cost reporting requirements for credit unions that will negatively impact small businesses and American consumers as our nation continues to recover from the coronavirus pandemic. These proposed reporting requirements would require the filing of annual information returns for any and all business and personal accounts held by a credit union with over $600 in activity. This highly burdensome proposal would include almost all Americans who have an account with a financial institution. While initially reported as an attempt to target wealthy tax evaders to close the tax gap, it is entirely unclear if these novel requirements would move the needle in helping enhance the IRS ability to identify those who do not report taxable income. While NAFCU supports the government working to collect existing obligations, NAFCU firmly believes policymakers would be better off increasing funding to the IRS to bolster their current operations and the effectiveness of their execution. Promote Consumer Friendly Rules With the Senate passing a NAFCU-sought Congressional Review Act resolution to nullify the Office of the Comptroller of the Currencys true lender rule, it is up to the House of Representatives to overturn this harmful rule once and for all. The true lender rule which took effect December 2020 allows banks and federal savings and loan companies to provide their charter to online lenders so they can deliver high-cost loans with annual rates over 100 percent, evading state consumer protections and usury caps and promoting predatory payday lending. The OCCs rule is enabling high-cost lenders to prey on consumers, including the ones that can least afford it. This rule could threaten the COVID-19 economic recovery efforts, and overturning it is a key priority for our advocacy team. This is not a consumer-friendly rule, and policymakers should instead pass legislation such as allowing all credit unions to add underserved areas to their fields of membership to better address this concern. NAFCUs award-winning advocacy team is hard at work, and we are committed to securing many victories for the credit union industry and its membership. It is our honor to serve and be bold in our advocacy campaigns. William Gary Kimbrel, 69, of Cullman passed to his heavenly home on June 25, 2021. A graveside service will be held 1 p.m., Tuesday, June 29, 2021, at Oak Level Cemetery. He was saved at an early age and baptized into the Baptist faith. He remained a lifelong Baptist. Mr. Kimbrel was predece Juneteenth explained Juneteenth refers to the historical date June 19, 1865, when the last Black enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned they were free from Union soldiers, about two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed and two months after Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered. Many states and communities celebrate Juneteenth ceremonially as a way to commemorate the freedom of enslaved people in the United States, but only some states recognize it as an official state holiday. Weather Alert ...The Flood Advisory is extended for the following river in Illinois... Kankakee River near Wilmington affecting Will, Kankakee and Grundy Counties. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Flood Advisory means water levels near flood stage are already occurring. Water may overtop low stream banks in some areas. Persons in the advisory area should use caution and avoid flood waters. Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Additional information is available at www.weather.gov/Chicago and water.weather.gov The next statement is expected around 1200 PM CDT Friday afternoon. && ...The Flood Advisory is now in effect until early Sunday morning... The Flood Advisory continues for the Kankakee River near Wilmington. * Until late Saturday night. * At 7:45 PM CDT Thursday the stage was 5.3 feet. * Action stage is 5.0 feet. * Flood stage is 6.5 feet. * Forecast...The river will remain around 5.3 feet until just after midnight tonight and then begin to fall. * Impact...At 5.0 feet, Minor lowland flooding begins in areas immediately adjacent to the river. && Elizabeth City, NC (27909) Today Showers and thunderstorms likely - heavy rainfall is possible, especially during the morning. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 78F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near an inch.. Tonight Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to cloudy skies after midnight. Low near 65F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Elizabeth City, NC (27909) Today Showers and thunderstorms likely. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 79F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to cloudy skies after midnight. Low around 65F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Dalton, GA (30720) Today Becoming partly cloudy after some morning rain. High 86F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Mainly clear. Low 61F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Paul Kirby is a reporter for the Freeman, covering Kingston politics. He has been at the Freeman since August 1996. The vacant storefront at 311 Wall St. in Kingston, N.Y., which once housed an F.W. Woolworth store, is among Uptown properties owned by a Neil Bender-controlled limited liability corporation. Jerry Dittbrenner of Kerhonkson, N.Y., left, get his second dose of the Moderna coronavirus vaccine on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, during an Ulster County-run walk-in clinic at the Harold Lipton Community Center in Accord. Administering the shot is emergency medical technician Tal Hurwitz. Muddy water comes over the Cantine Dam on the Lower Esopus Creek, near the Diamond Mills Hotel, in Saugerties, N.Y., on Jan. 11, 2021. Since 1990, Patricia R. Doxsey has been a reporter for the Freeman, covering politics, crime, and government affairs. KINGSTON, N.Y. >> One of three people charged in connection with the theft of two load Hong Kong police have used a sweeping national security law to arrest five editors and executives of a pro-democracy newspaper on charges of colluding with foreign powers Advertisement Canadian Dollar Outlook: F.R.E.A.M. The Federal Reserve rules everything around markets just ask the Canadian Dollar. Even though the Bank of Canada has drawn a significant hawkish distinction between itself and other central banks in recent months, all it took were a few dots to provoke traders to dump the Loonie en masse. Coupled with the late-session pullback in oil prices, the Canadian Dollars wings have been clipped. The question is, just how badly? Now, in the wake of the June Fed meeting, the Canadian Dollar is testing significant levels of support (support in CAD/JPY, resistance in USD/CAD) that suggests an inflection point is nearby: either the Loonie will regain technical posture from this point forward; or a more significant technical breakdown could be afoot. CAD/JPY Rate Technical Analysis: Daily Chart (February 2020 to June 2021) (Chart 1) In a prior update, it was noted that CAD/JPY rates have traded higher through the descending trendline from the October 2007 (all-time high) and December 2014 highs, jumping to their highest level since November 2015 suggesting that a multi-year bottoming effort has begun. However, after several weeks of sideways action, CAD/JPY rates are testing the aforementioned descending trendline; failure below this level would suggest the recent effort higher was a false bullish breakout attempt. But that wouldnt necessarily indicate that potential for more gains are out the window. Should CAD/JPY rates lose trendline support, a pullback towards the March high at 88.31 which coincides with the rising trendline from the January and April swing lows could develop before price action settles prior to attempting another drive higher. USD/CAD Rate Technical Analysis: Daily Chart (June 2020 to June 2021) (Chart 2) USD/CAD rates quickly accelerated towards their March low (1.2365) following the break of the sideways range that formed from early-May and mid-June. The equidistant measured move of the range suggested USD/CAD could rally towards 1.2370; the high came in today at 1.2374. Coupled with resistance in the descending channel in place since November 2020 coming in play between 1.2350 and 1.2400 for the remainder of June, there is nascent technical evidence that the USD/CAD rally may be capped from here. Yet the threat for a more significant move higher remains. In breaching the descending channel resistance, USD/CAD rates would have a fairly clear path towards the April swing high at 1.2654. IG Client Sentiment Index: USD/CAD Rate Forecast (June 17, 2021) (Chart 3) USD/CAD: Retail trader data shows 67.79% of traders are net-long with the ratio of traders long to short at 2.10 to 1. The number of traders net-long is 32.16% lower than yesterday and 28.01% lower from last week, while the number of traders net-short is 0.43% lower than yesterday and 14.21% higher from last week. We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-long suggests USD/CAD prices may continue to fall. Yet traders are less net-long than yesterday and compared with last week. Recent changes in sentiment warn that the current USD/CAD price trend may soon reverse higher despite the fact traders remain net-long. --- Written by Christopher Vecchio, CFA, Senior Currency Strategist Phyllis Ann Broughton, 92, of Ashland, passed away Tuesday, June 29, 2021 at the Hospice Care Center in Ashland. Mrs. Broughton was born March 11, 1929 in Westwood, a daughter of the late Roy Taylor and Lenora Ellington Cook. Her mother passed away at a young age and her mother's sister Lucy Sunbury, PA (17801) Today Rain showers early with scattered thunderstorms arriving for the afternoon. High 77F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. Low 57F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. Frayed tempers, wobbling jowls, ruddy-cheeked fury. Tory MPs were absolutely steaming yesterday about the vote to delay Freedom Day by another four weeks. Some grandees were so angry I swear that little wafts of smoke at times appeared to emanate from their flapping ears. The vote passed of course but with a Tory rebellion of 49. That's 49 very cross backbenchers. Boris has bought himself some time but judging by the mood in the chamber yesterday, should he miss next month's terminus date there'll be major trouble at t'mill. Tory MPs were steaming yesterday about the vote to delay Freedom Day by another four weeks. Charged with laying out the Government's case was Matthew Hancock (pictured) Things had begun rather slowly. Charged with laying out the Government's case was one Matthew Hancock. Poor Hancock. Only hours before, Dominic Cummings' well-timed data dump showed that the Prime Minister regarded him as, well, rather hopeless. As Hancock spoke, his Tory colleagues were up and down on their feet faster than carnival targets, chipping in with brusque interventions. As soon as the Health Secretary sat down the mood began to crank up a notch. Sir Desmond Swayne (Con, New Forest W) was incandescent. Fury grasped him by his stiffly starched collar. He shook, he waved his order paper around the way a prison warden might yield a truncheon. He accused the Government of taking liberties with our liberty. Only hours before, Dominic Cummings' (pictured in 2019) well-timed data dump showed that the Prime Minister regarded Hancock as, well, rather hopeless 'I could understand it if we were a communist party', he bawled. There was a pop to at the prophets of doom at Sage. 'Now there's a misnomer if ever there is one!' Ah, Sage. That unelected posse of contradictory voices. Sir Charles Walker (Con, Broxbourne) fired a rocket up those preening Sage medics and scientists who go on television and undermine the Government. Liam Fox (Con, N Somerset) agreed, suggesting if they want to be 'stars on Sky News' they shouldn't work for the Government. What price Professor Neil 'lockdown' Ferguson himself on next season's I'm a Celebrity? After two hours the debate had now transformed into a pitched battle for the soul of the Conservative Party. An irate Sir Robert Syms (Con, Poole) suggested ministers who'd agreed to the four-week extension 'need a damn good holiday'. And he did not mean that kindly. Steve Baker (Con, Wycombe) accused them of 'transforming society for the worse'. 'If the Conservative Party does not stand for freedom under the rule of law, in my view, it stands for nothing, he declared. 'We have got to have a turning point, we've got to recapture a spirit of freedom.' Baker resumed his seat looking like he was chewing on a hornet. Ruby-nosed Sir Edward Leigh (Con, Gainsborough) decreed the Government's behaviour as a 'mortal threat' to the future of the Conservatives. 'There's been too much shifting of goal posts,' blustered Sir Edward. 'There's a real danger the public will increasingly ignore this. The Government will be a government of the emperor without clothes.' As Hancock (pictured) spoke, his Tory colleagues were up and down on their feet faster than carnival targets, chipping in with brusque interventions The temperature inside an already clammy Commons rocketed still further as crosser and crosser those Tory rebels became. Little Tim Loughton (Con, E Worthing) stood and announced angrily: 'I'm done'. He accused ministers of 'cruelly whipping away' Freedom Day on June 21 just as it had become so tantalisingly close. 'I'm done with making excuses to my constituents for when their lives might just get back to some degree of normality,' he continued. Loughton, I should point out is usually of the Tory benches' politest souls. A snorting speech followed from Richard Drax (Con, South Dorset) who asked: 'What on earth is happening to our country? Muzzled, acquiescent and fearful. 'Personally, I'm not surprised the nation has been beaten into submission when day after day, hour after hour, we're deluged with dire warnings of doom and gloom by government advisers of one kind or another.' The Government may have won this vote comfortably, but when so many normally genteel members are speaking about them like this, they really do need to take a long hard look at themselves. Nobody except the most dangerous elements of the far-Left actually wishes to see news controlled by the Government. But an alarming number of people evidently want to censor the news the rest of us are permitted to watch on TV and read in the Press. That is the clear aim of the fanatical and grossly misnamed lobbying group Stop Funding Hate (SFH), which is now demanding that advertisers boycott GB News, the new network chaired and fronted by Andrew Neil. That is the clear aim of the fanatical and grossly misnamed lobbying group Stop Funding Hate (SFH), which is now demanding that advertisers boycott GB News, the new network chaired and fronted by Andrew Neil (pictured) GB News only launched on Sunday but thanks to the antics of a few screeching self-righteous Twitter activists goaded by SFH the ad-boycott campaign has had some success in targeting brands whose adverts initially appeared on the channel. Corporations that have quickly taken the knee to SFH, and agreed not to sin by advertising further on GB News, include the Swedish homeware giant Ikea, the Dutch beer outfit Grolsch, skincare manufacturer Nivea and Kopparberg, a modish cider brand from Sweden. Conformist The Open University a public institution nominally committed to free thinking has also fallen into line with the closed minds of these crusaders and joined the boycott. Needless to say, GB News is not spreading 'hate' at all. It simply aims to offer an alternative to the liberal-Left conformist groupthink of the mainstream news media, especially the BBC. Delivering on its early promises to an impressive audience share despite some early teething problems it has featured several commentators who challenge the woke consensus and critics of our endless lockdowns. And what's wrong or hateful about that? Strangely, the SFH crusaders did not demand an advertising boycott of Channel 4 when its news anchor, Jon Snow, was recorded venting his genuinely hateful spleen by shouting 'F**k the Tories!' at the Glastonbury festival. Funding Left-wing hate is evidently fine. GB News only launched on Sunday but thanks to the antics of a few screeching self-righteous Twitter activists goaded by SFH the ad-boycott campaign has had some success in targeting brands whose adverts initially appeared on the channel. Pictured: Stop Funding Hate's founder Richard Wilson As for the claim that the early appearance of former Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage proves GB News is unfit for public consumption, that would be the same Farage who has been endlessly featured on programmes such as BBC Question Time. Yet SFH has yet to call for the abolition of the licence fee or the defunding of the public broadcaster. Nobody has to watch GB News or any other channel. But anybody who wants to should be free to do so. That freedom is too much for the cancel-culture warriors of SFH. They don't want to debate with GB News: they want to strangle it at birth. That's why they started their #Don'tFundGBNews campaign months ago, long before the channel had broadcast even a word. Nobody has to watch GB News or any other channel. But anybody who wants to should be free to do so. That freedom is too much for the cancel-culture warriors of SFH. Pictured: Rosey Ellum who in 2016 came up with the idea of founding the organisation at a dinner party attended by Wilson Despite their claim to represent 'grass-roots' opinion, the irony is that SFH and its liberal friends are trying to use the power of corporate capitalism to achieve their ends. Pictured: Stop Funding Hate board members Colin Baines (left) and Alexandra Parsons (right), according to the website This sour campaign prompted activists and woke celebrities to warn mobile phone companies that they would cancel their contracts at the first hint of an advert appearing on GB News 'or any 'Fox-style' channel'. Despite their claim to represent 'grass-roots' opinion, the irony is that SFH and its liberal friends are trying to use the power of corporate capitalism to achieve their ends. Their crusade should more accurately be called 'Stop Funding The Things WE Hate'. They are the real 'bigots': defined by the Cambridge dictionary to mean 'a person who has strong, unreasonable beliefs and who does not like other people who have different beliefs or a different way of life'. And, we might add, who does not think such 'other people' should be seen or heard. Like Violet Elizabeth Bott, the spoilt brat from the Just William stories, they stamp their feet and threaten 'I'll thcream and thcream till I'm thick!' if they don't get their way. That this unrepresentative and voluble Twitter mob succeeded so quickly is entirely down to the moral cowardice of these spineless corporations and public institutions. The statements from those advertisers who have been bullied into joining the boycott read like the sort of parody you might hope to see from a satirist on, well, GB News. Preach First up was the cider company, which responded to its critics by cravenly declaring that it had suspended advertising on GB News because 'Kopparberg is a drink for everyone'. Grolsch was soon singing from the same hymn sheet, assuring the pitchforks that it would not advertise with GB News again because this Dutch beer brand 'prides itself on core values of inclusion and openness to all people'. All, people, evidently, except GB News viewers. And there we were naively thinking that these companies were in the business of selling booze, not peddling woke 'values'. First up was the cider company, which responded to its critics by cravenly declaring that it had suspended advertising on GB News because 'Kopparberg is a drink for everyone' The alcohol brand said their advert had been broadcast on GB News 'without knowledge or consent' and they had now 'immediately suspended' their ads A spokesperson for the Open University said, presumably with a straight face, that it had never wanted to advertise with GB News in the first place because 'The Open University's mission is to be open to people, places, methods and ideas'. What better way to demonstrate that 'openness' to ideas than by backing a campaign to starve and close down a new TV channel? The prize for woke waffle, however, goes to Ikea, which pleaded that it never intended to associate with GB News and would not do so again, claiming that it had 'safeguards in place to prevent our advertising from appearing on platforms that are not in line with our humanistic values and vision to side with the many people [sic]'. The prize for woke waffle, however, goes to Ikea, which pleaded that it never intended to associate with GB News and would not do so again Many of us may not previously have been aware of the 'humanistic values' embodied by Ikea's Billy bookcase or Bjorksnas bedside table. Some might even be tempted to accuse the Swedish giant of inhumanity, given the range of injuries sustained in the struggle with its self-assembly furniture, much of which ends up in landfill sites across the planet. As Neil himself pointed out, Ikea picked a bad week to preach about humanity. The French arm of the corporation has just been fined 1 million, and its former CEO given a two-year suspended jail sentence, after being found guilty of using detectives to snoop on the private lives and political beliefs of its employees. Some values. If Ikea is serious about its 'vision to side with the many people', why the Bjorksnas is it so keen to side with the few bigots that support Stop Funding Hate? Toxic GB News and the rest of us are currently faced by a toxic mixture of woke intolerance and invertebrate corporations. This is empowering small and noisy sects of 'anti-capitalists' to manipulate corporate power for their own narrow-minded ends. Well, enough is enough. Time for any self-respecting individual, company or public body with true 'humanistic values' to stop trailing after the intolerant bigotry of Stop Funding Hate and remember how vital free speech, and diverse opinion, are in a democracy. Whatever anybody might think of its output, we should all stand up for the right of GB News or any media outlet to challenge the orthodoxies of the age, and its freedom to report the truth. Two goons in dark suits walk into an East End boozer, followed by a man with a Crombie draped over his shoulders. They ask the terrified barman to fetch the landlord. Drinkers fall silent. Some head for the door. 'Nice little place you've got here,' Crombie tells Mine Host. 'Wouldn't want anything happening to it.' He then explains that for a small consideration, the pub can be insured against any unwelcome mishap criminal damage, fires, that sort of thing. Call it a monkey a week for cash. Razors will be around on Friday to collect the first instalment. That way nobody gets hurt. This offer-you-can't-refuse was the stock-in-trade of gangsters like the Krays in the 1960s. Today's social justice warriors will be horrified when I compare them to Ron and Reg. But their tactics are basically the same. Outfits like Stop Funding Hate and Stonewall are running what are effectively protection rackets. Do as we say, or else. The Twins used physical intimidation. The wokerati deploy more subtle, but equally menacing, ideological intimidation. Instead of pubs and nightclubs, the targets today are giant corporations and public institutions. The latest target of this bunch of far-Left headbangers is Andrew Neil's (pictured) newly launched GB News TV station Take Stonewall, a once admirable lobby group which has achieved its principal aim of equality under the law for homosexuals. I'm not going to get involved in their internal squabbles, which have been comprehensively aired by prominent gay rights pioneers such as Simon Fanshawe writing in the Mail. But with the big battles won, instead of declaring victory and disbanding, Stonewall has expanded its ambitions. These days it makes a fortune selling 'advice' to everyone from banks and financial institutions to the police, the Armed Forces, schools, colleges and government departments. Get with the programme and, in exchange for an annual bung starting at 2,500, Stonewall will reward you with LGBT-friendly 'Diversity Champion' status the woke equivalent of a Blue Peter badge. Outfits like Stop Funding Hate and Stonewall are running what are effectively protection rackets. Do as we say, or else. Pictured: Stop Funding Hate founder Richard Wilson The flip side is those who refuse to take part are, by implication, at risk of being labelled homophobic and transphobic. And we wouldn't want that now, would we? It's cheaper to pay up than suffer reputational damage. The scheme has proved to be a nice little earner for Stonewall, which has been pulling in more than 3 million a year. But not for much longer. This lucrative racket has been rumbled. Even the Equality and Human Rights Commission has decided enough is enough. Stop Funding Hate is a more sinister proposition altogether. It uses technological intimidation to shut down free speech. The latest target of this bunch of far-Left headbangers is Andrew Neil's newly launched GB News TV station, which was accused of peddling 'hate' even before it went on air. SFH has been stoking up a tedious Twitterstorm to bully advertisers into boycotting the station. Their message is clear: advertise with GB News and we will destroy you. Shamefully, a number of leading corporations, including Ikea, Nivea and Grolsch, have capitulated, issuing statements parroting fashionable nostrums about 'inclusivity' and vowing never to advertise on GB News again. Hilariously, their pious stances have backfired, simply drawing attention to some of their own dubious corporate 'values' such as Ikea spying on their own workers and Nivea flogging skin-lightening creams to black Africans. Shamefully, a number of leading corporations, including Ikea, Nivea and Grolsch, have vowed never to advertise on GB News again You couldn't make it up. That's almost beside the point, though. The question isn't just why these spineless corporations cave in so cravenly, like a frightened publican paying off the Krays. What makes them think their traditional customers will take any notice of a bunch of social justice warriors bashing away on a laptop above a kebab shop in Stoke Newington? It's just as likely to have the opposite effect. Why are they appeasing revolutionaries who want to smash the free market system from which they derive their profits? Grolsch vowed never to advertise on GB News again Here's another analogy. Back in the 1970s and 1980s, when I was an industrial correspondent, secondary picketing was commonplace. This was the practice of shutting down a supplier to put pressure on an employer with whom the unions were in dispute. It was outlawed by Mrs Thatcher. Why should blameless third-parties suffer collateral damage? Yet isn't that exactly what's going on here? Stop Funding Hate's threats to disrupt companies who advertise with broadcasters and publications of which it disapproves is secondary picketing by another name. If they mass picketed Ikea stores, trying physically to turn customers away, they'd soon be staring down the barrel of an injunction, as a basis for negotiation. I was going to say they'd be moved on by police, but these days the Old Bill would probably join them, given their approach to BLM and Extinction Rebellion. It's bad enough that social distancing and face masks appear to be here to stay. But can we please give the elbow the elbow. Boris was at it again this week with the Aussie Prime Minister. They looked ridiculous, like Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor in Stir Crazy. At the G7, Boris bumped elbows with everyone. Maybe he's a fan of the late, great soul man Rufus Thomas: You flap your arms and your feet start kicking, That's when you know you doin' the Funky Chicken! But in reality, there aren't anywhere near enough of them to blockade every Ikea store in the country. So they hide behind the anonymous shield of social media, which exaggerates their strength out of all proportion. When will it finally dawn on these gormless corporations that Twitter isn't the real world? This madness will only end when the rest of us fight fire with fire. Some Tory MPs are now proposing a consumer boycott of companies which give in to Stop Funding Hate. Sounds like a plan to me. I've already put my money where my mouth is and kept my promise not to renew my two season tickets at Spurs in protest at the 'taking the knee' nonsense. No more Nivea Men aftershave, either. Boycotting Ikea won't be a problem. I only ever went there once, and it was hell on earth. And, anyway, my wife has banned me from attempting to build self-assembly furniture. As Squeeze almost sang, it's the language she don't need. But if Stonewall can be stopped, so can Stop Funding Hate. If enough of us take our custom elsewhere, these cowardly corporations will soon get the message: Nice little business you've got here. Wouldn't want anything happening to it . . . The Markles of Downing Street There's an expression to describe what's happened to Boris's brains since he hooked up with Carrie Symonds. Unfortunately, it's not suitable for a family newspaper but I'm sure some of you can work it out for yourselves. Suffice it to say that since BoJo fell under the spell of the current Mrs Johnson he's undergone a remarkable transformation. The man who used to review high-powered gas-guzzlers for a men's magazine now wants to get rid of them altogether in the next decade. Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson and wife Carrie Johnson arrive to welcome leaders to the G7 summit in Carbis Bay, Cornwall on June 12, 2021 Someone who railed against political correctness has come over all Greta Thunberg and lumbered Britain with the most draconian decarbonisation targets in the developed world. His off-colour jokes and hatred of political correctness have given way to modern sensibilities. He even backs England footballers taking the knee, for heaven's sake, something he would have ridiculed remorselessly not so long ago. Boris, a clever wordsmith skilled at cutting through cant, has recently resorted to spouting woke gobbledegook, babbling on at the G7 about building back 'in a more gender-neutral and perhaps a more feminine way'. Nurse! Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie Johnson during the G7 summit in Carbis Bay, Cornwall Boris and Carrie (can we stop calling her the First Lady we've got one of those and she's called the Queen) are also displaying certain traits associated with another famous couple. For instance, parading their baybee while protecting his privacy and lecturing the rest of us about climate change while travelling by private jet. Once upon a time, devil-may-care Boris would have got away with it. No one could have accused him of hypocrisy. Today, under the influence of his not exactly blushing bride, not so much. Who does all this sound like? Can't wait for Carrie's children's book. Laydees and gennulmen, I give you The Markles of Downing Street. Throughout the pandemic, whenever we have dared to hope normal life might soon return our hopes have been dashed by some terrifying new graph or yet another doom-laden claim from Sage, the Government's scientific advisory committee on emergencies. This week, of course, was no exception, as our long-awaited Freedom Day was postponed by yet another month. So much for 'three weeks to flatten the curve', the promise back in March 2020. On far too many occasions, Sage's alarmist predictions during the pandemic have turned out to be grossly wide of the mark. Here are just a few of the frightening claims that have been used to keep us in lockdown and to maintain all manner of heavy-handed restrictions over lives and how badly those predictions have fared against reality This week, of course, was no exception, as our long-awaited Freedom Day was postponed by yet another month. So much for 'three weeks to flatten the curve' Warning of 550,000 deaths from the start A study by Imperial College London on March 16 forecast more than 500,000 deaths in the UK if no lockdown measures were introduced. Britain was able to bring the peak forward to April and limit the death toll to 40,000 after going into a full shutdown on the back of the modelling on March 24 A study by Imperial College's Neil Ferguson (then a member of Sage) published on March 16 2020 dramatically changed the Government's approach to Covid and led directly to the first lockdown the following week. Infamously, this paper predicted up to 550,000 deaths if the Government took no action. The demand for ICU beds, it claimed, would peak at 230,000 in May last year many multiples of the 5,000 intensive care beds which Ferguson said the NHS then had available. Even with quarantine and social distancing measures, it predicted 17,000 ICU beds would be needed at the peak. Of course, we will never truly know how many would have died had the Government done nothing although work by Professor Simon Wood of Edinburgh University suggests that cases may have peaked before the first lockdown on March 23. In the event, the number of people on ventilators peaked at 3,247 in April 2020. That is a very long way from 17,000 occupied ICU beds. Moreover, Neil 'Professor Lockdown' Ferguson had assumed an Infection Fatality Rate (the proportion of people who catch the virus who then die) of 0.9 per cent. Yet just two weeks after the paper was published, one of the signatories published a revised estimate that gave a much lower Infection Fatality Rate of 0.66 per cent. Today, many believe Covid's IFR is lower still. A study by Imperial College's Neil Ferguson predicted up to 550,000 deaths if the Government took no action. Pictured: Nurse checking on a patient suffering with Covid-19 on the critical care unit A scare at Halloween but we already knew figures were wrong A frightening graph used to justify England's second lockdown in November predicted 4,000 deaths per day by the end of the year. Yet some viewers noticed that the same graph apparently showed 1,000 deaths a day by the end of October when the press conference was held. Yet at the time, deaths were averaging just 250 a day A Downing Street press conference was held on October 31 to announce a second lockdown, starting on Bonfire Night. To justify this drastic move, chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance presented slides. One frightening graph predicted 4,000 deaths per day by December four times as high as the spring peak had been. A worst-case scenario suggested deaths could even reach 6,000 a day. Yet some viewers noticed that the same graph apparently showed 1,000 deaths a day by the end of October when the press conference was held. Yet at the time, deaths were averaging just 250 a day. The scenario presented in the graph made by Public Health England and the University of Cambridge was weeks out of date and had already been proven to be wide of the mark. A few days later Sir David Norgrove, head of the UK Statistics Authority, criticised the use of the graph, saying: 'Full transparency of data used to inform decisions is vital to public understanding and public confidence.' False alarm over Kent variant being a far more deadly strain A London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine study (left) based on 2,583 deaths that said the hazard of death within 28 days of test for the Kent strain compared with the original virus was 35% times higher An Imperial College London study (centre) of the Case Fatality Rate of the new mutant strain that found the risk of death was 36% times higher A University of Exeter study (right) that suggested the risk of death could be 91% higher. Both the Exeter and the Imperial studies were based on just 8% of deaths during the study period On January 22 this year, a grim-faced Sir Patrick Vallance told a Downing Street press briefing that he had evidence that the Covid 'Kent variant' was more deadly than previous strains of the virus. Sir Patrick said roughly ten out of 1,000 men in their 60s could be expected to die from Covid after infection, adding: 'With the new variant, for a thousand people infected, roughly 13 or 14 people might be expected to die.' While he stressed there was 'a lot of uncertainty around these numbers', and even mentioned that among people in hospital, there was 'no real evidence for an increase in mortality', the idea that the Kent variant was more deadly than previous strains nonetheless went on to impact Government policy. Three weeks later, any hope that the country might soon unlock went out the window when Nervtag the sub-committee of Sage which models new and emerging virus threats cited a report that the Kent variant was up to 70 per cent more deadly. The Kent variant has now been largely pushed aside by the Indian, or 'Delta', variant. But was it really more deadly in the first place? Sir Patrick said roughly ten out of 1,000 men in their 60s could be expected to die from Covid after infection. Pictured: Coronavirus warning in hospitals Not according to a study of hospital patients published by UCL in April which found no evidence of more severe disease or a higher risk of death from the Kent variant. The studies cited by Nervtag had relied on data from the wider population. And there was a further problem: in January and February, fewer than ten per cent of Covid samples were being studied to determine what variant they were so no one had any true idea of how prevalent the Kent strain was at all. As Sage's latest report revealed this week, the ratio of hospital admissions to confirmed Covid cases has been falling all year while the Kent variant was becoming dominant across the country. That is not consistent with the idea that the Kent strain causes more severe disease. Panicky predictions for roadmap were out of line with reality The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine modelled the four stages of the roadmap and said that in a worst case scenario there could be more than 40,000 patients in Britain's hospitals with the virus every day. The most realistic situation forecast 20,000 Warwick's modelling of the roadmap showed the country could expect about 10,000 patients in beds by the autumn, a third of the levels at this winter's peak and half of occupancy rates last spring. The red line shows the most likely scenario. The top of the red shaded area is the worst-case scenario and the bottom of the red shaded area the best-case On February 18, the PM at last announced his long-awaited roadmap for lifting lockdown. As guidance, he had seen a new paper from a Sage sub-committee, which laid out what might happen in various scenarios, based on modelling by teams at Imperial College and Warwick University. In 'Scenario Three', the number of people in hospital was expected to peak at just under 20,000 in September. The Government eventually opted to reopen in staged phases finishing on June 21 roughly along the lines of Scenario Three. (Though June 21, as we know, has again been pushed back.) So did Imperial get it right? Scenario Three foresaw several thousand people perhaps 7,500 in hospital by now. But on June 14 there were just 1,177 Covid patients in hospital across the UK miles off what the scientists predicted. Why were the Sage scenarios so out of line with reality? They assumed that two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine were 63 per cent effective at preventing symptomatic cases of Covid-19. In fact, trials suggest an efficacy of 70 per cent and US trials suggested efficacy of 76 per cent. Needless pessimism over power of vaccine put back Freedom Day The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Imperial College London and Warwick University all underestimated how well the vaccines would protect people from being hospitalised with the Indian Covid variant. This meant their models likely overestimated the number of deaths and hospitalisations that will follow in the coming weeks and months. Public Health England's real-world analysis showed the jabs were extremely effective after two doses On Monday, the Prime Minister scotched any last hope that we might be able to reopen on June 21 as planned. The date has now been put back to July 19 yet again because of the latest scary modelling from Sage. On June 9, modelling by Warwick University showed hospitalisations peaking at more than 3,000 a day in August if reopening took place on June 21. This would be about as high as the first peak in April 2020, which saw 3,149 admissions in one day and the new spike would supposedly have taken place at a time when the vast majority of vulnerable people had been vaccinated. Yet again, the models have been shown to be out of date almost as soon as they were published. The Warwick team made the assumption that two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine are 90 per cent effective at stopping severe illness (defined as requiring hospital admission) and two doses of the Pfizer vaccine 91 per cent effective. Yet new data from Public Health England shows that is needlessly pessimistic. In fact, two doses of AstraZeneca are 92 per cent effective against serious disease and two doses of Pfizer 96 per cent. These might look like small differences, but they have a huge effect, more than halving expected hospitalisations among people who have had two doses of Pfizer. Advertisement On the ground floor of a palatial multimillion dollar mansion is a 'floating' table that doubles as a water feature. The house in Palm Beach, 43km north of Sydney CBD, was owned by Angela Fleming, the widow of the late discount supermarket pioneer, Jim Fleming, before selling for somewhere upwards of $9.9million (AUD) on June 14. The first Flemings stores were opened in Sydney in 1930 by Jim's uncle, George Fleming, and his father, Jim Fleming Sr. Thirty years later, Jim and his father sold their 55 outlets to Woolworths for $10million - the equivalent of roughly $134million in today's currency, according to figures from the Reserve Bank of Australia. The sprawling three-storey, designed by architecture firm Gartner Trovato, boasts four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a steam room and an indoor pool sunk into the floor that is fed by the table-cum-cascading fountain. On the ground floor of a palatial multimillion dollar mansion in Palm Beach, a 'floating' table (pictured) doubles as a water feature that feeds an indoor swimming pool sunk into the floor A dining terrace at the heart of the house (pictured) is covered with a retractable roof so that guests can eat al fresco throughout the summer A dining terrace at the heart of the house is covered with a retractable roof so that guests can eat al fresco throughout the summer. Floor-to-ceiling windows capture spectacular ocean views from almost every room, while sliding doors that lead out onto a wraparound balcony make the house feel light and airy at all times. The house, which was on the market for 54 days with father and son real estate team David and BJ Edwards of LJ Hooker, last sold in 2007 for $6.55million. It was designed by the same architects behind Paramount, the Palm Beach house bought for $5.25million in 2015 by Qantas chief Alan Joyce, realestate.com.au reported. While the final sale price has not been disclosed, it is believed to have been over the asking guide of $9.9million. The sprawling three-storey, designed by architecture firm Gartner Trovato, boasts four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a steam room and an indoor pool sunk into the floor that is fed by the table-cum-cascading fountain Floor-to-ceiling windows capture spectacular ocean views from almost every room, while sliding doors that lead out onto a wraparound balcony make the house feel light and airy at all times That means it fetched at least $5.6million more than the average four bedroom house in Palm Beach, an affluent peninsula known for its unbeatable location. Surrounded by water on three sides - Pittwater to the west, the Pacific Ocean to the east, and Broken Bay to the north at the mouth of the Hawkesbury River - the area is renowned for being the playground of Sydney's elite. The rich and famous often fly by seaplane to spend the weekend there, surrounded by nature and some of the best boutique cafes in New South Wales. Palm Beach is also the home of Australia's best-loved TV soap opera, Home and Away, which has been filmed there since 1988. A childcare worker who was relentlessly trolled online for nine excruciating months was shocked to discover her best friend was behind the cruel attacks. Kelly* first met Lucy* at a music festival in Queensland through their boyfriends - and the pair quickly struck up a friendship. Over the next 12 months, Kelly, 27, never suspected anything amiss about Lucy until her friends started noticing how possessive she was of her. When Kelly was hanging out with another friend, Lucy would press her over what she had done that day or she'd get upset if she wasn't invited. A childcare worker who was relentlessly trolled online for nine excruciating months was shocked to discover her best friend was behind the cruel attacks (stock image) 'Lucy would become sullen and angry with me for weeks at a time and would then punish me at social events, continually trying to exclude me from conversations or making snide remarks regarding my appearance,' she told Mamamia. Kelly said she didn't want any drama in her life so she decided to 'slowly and subtly distance' herself from Lucy who was constantly calling her twice a day. Eventually she would only see Lucy at social gatherings with their mutual friends. 'It was around this time that the messages started,' Kelly said, as she revealed the cruel taunts led to nine months of 'unrelenting cyber abuse'. Her workplace started receiving anonymous emails from a 'concerned parent' who accused Kelly of causing a child to wet their pants after she refused to let them go to the toilet. Shortly after, her workplace received a picture via email of Kelly holding a champagne glass, taken from her private Instagram account, with a message saying: 'Is this the kind of person you want working for you?' Clearly confused, Kelly said she only had a small number of followers who she knew personally. Within weeks, her workplace's social media accounts were flooded with nasty remarks, including one who accused her of being a paedophile. Over the following months, she was flooded with horrible messages about her facial features, which were sent from private Instagram and Facebook accounts. As well as contacting her workplace, her boyfriend, family members and friends, including Lucy, all started receiving abusive messages about Kelly (stock image) As well as contacting her workplace, her boyfriend, family members and friends, including Lucy, all started receiving abusive messages about Kelly. 'Out of everyone in my life, Lucy seemed particularly caught up in what was happening to me. She started checking in with me every day and asking for updates. I thought this was slightly strange,' Kelly said. As Kelly was persistently taunted, she tried to report the matter to police and agencies specialising in cybercrimes but there was nothing they can do unless she could prove who was behind the attacks. One Friday night, Kelly was with Lucy when one of her friends called her. 'She told me that she had just found out that her fiance had hooked up with her younger sister. My friend was absolutely beside herself,' Kelly said. Kelly got off the phone after a long chat when Lucy tried to ask her what had happened as she had heard parts of the conversation. Knowing her friend hadn't told anyone else besides her, she quickly changed the subject. The following morning, Kelly woke up to find her profile picture along with a vicious caption about her friend's relationship dilemma posted all over Facebook. Sending a text message to Lucy, Kelly confronted her by saying she knew she was the troll behind the nine-month abuse. 'I told her that I didn't want to try and hurt her the way she'd hurt me but that they would no longer be a part of my life in any way,' she said. After Lucy denied everything, Kelly told her if she contacted her again, she was going to report her to the police. 'I haven't heard from Lucy since,' Kelly said. *Names have been changed A baker has shared her simple recipe for an enticing dessert that is more than it seems. Eva, a trainee recipe creator who lives in Amsterdam, took to Instagram to share a video of what looks to be an indulgent chocolate cake, but the oozing fudge is actually a bowl of baked oats you could eat for breakfast. The 22-year-old student said she makes the dish with basic ingredients including flour, eggs, cocoa, baking powder, cinnamon, milk and and apple sauce, all blended into rolled oats along with a few pieces of dark chocolate. Eva's recipe, which has racked up more than 3,200 'likes' since it was uploaded to her account, TheStdntChef, on June 8, quickly drew delighted responses. Scroll down for video This looks just like a chocolate fondant cake, but it's actually a bowl of baked oats Trainee recipe creator Eva (pictured), who lives in Amsterdam, shares simple creations on her Instagram page, 'TheStdntChef' 'This is so good, so clever!' one viewer wrote. 'I wish I'd known how to do this sooner,' said a second, while a third added: 'Yes yes yes.' Others tagged their friends in comments such as 'yum' and 'this looks insane'. To make the oats, Eva said she simply blends one egg with 50 grams of oats, two teaspoons of flour, one teaspoons of baking powder and one tablespoon of cocoa powder. Eva's recipe, which has racked up more than 3,200 'likes' since it was uploaded to her account, TheStdntChef , on June 8, quickly drew delighted responses Next, she said she adds in 30 grams of apple sauce plus one tablespoon of margarine, one teaspoon of cinnamon, 100ml of milk and a dash of sweetener. The aspiring chef said she then puts about two thirds of the mixture into a bowl and places some dark chocolate on top, before topping it with the rest of the mixture and another piece of chocolate. Eva said she bakes the batter in an oven-proof dish at 200 degrees Celsius for 25 to 30 minutes before enjoying warm or cold. She said one of her favourite ways to eat the oats is to spread them over banana bread the next day. Sophie Wessex has said she hopes her daughter Lady Louise Windsor will be able to lead a 'private life' for the 'next few years'. The Countess of Wessex, 56, spoke about the 17-year-old in a wide-ranging interview with the BBC's Naga Munchetty at St James's Palace. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live on how the media affects her family, Sophie said her daughter 'doesn't really get involved with social media' and 'isn't interested in putting anything out about herself'. The mother-of-two Sophie added that while Lady Louise has her eyes 'fairly wide open', there will inevitably be moments in her future 'that may not go so well' - and she hopes her daughter will have friends to 'protect her'. Sophie Wessex, pictured ahead of a wide-ranging interview with the BBC's Naga Munchetty at St James's Palace, said she hopes her daughter Lady Louise Windsor will be able to lead a 'private life' for the 'next few years' Sophie said her daughter 'doesn't really get involved with social media'. The mother and daughter are pictured walking out of Windsor Castle in April 'We are protective, obviously,' said the Countess. 'She doesn't really get involved with social media very much at all and that is purely her choice. I wouldn't deny her going onto it, but she's not really that interested in it. 'There's a few platforms that she talks to her friends on but that's basically it, she doesn't put anything out about herself at all. She's very private. 'She has her eyes fairly wide open, but inevitably there will be moments that may not go so well for her, I just hope we can be there to support her through those moments. 'I hope that she and her friends will protect her from anything that somebody might want to do. But I have to let her live her life. It's not mine to live. Lady Louise, pictured in 2019, is an accomplished carriage driver, having followed the Duke of Edinburgh into the sport 'I can only equip her the best that I can, and then she has to make her own choices. But I hope for the next few years, at least, she will still be able to be as private as she wants to be.' Overall, the Countess believes she and her family have a 'pretty good private life', acknowledging attention in pubic is a prerequisite of royal status. 'We have got a lot of really close friends who we know and trust, we don't broadcast what we're doing,' she said. 'There are moments we are doing what can be described as semi-private things, but you're in a public space and I think in those circumstances you sort of have to accept that there will be a certain amount of attention. 'If you are somewhere there will be cameras then you have to accept it. It is what it is.' Overall, the Countess believes she and her family have a 'pretty good private life', acknowledging attention in pubic is a prerequisite of her royal status. She is pictured with her family at the Great British Beach Clean in Southsea last year The Countess of Wessex, who also shares 13-year-old son James, Viscount Severn, with husband Prince Edward, also spoke of the special bond Lady Louise shared with her grandfather Prince Philip, who died in April aged 99. Lady Louise is an accomplished carriage driver, having followed the Duke of Edinburgh into the sport and her mother says she gained a 'great passion' and a 'natural curiosity' from her grandfather. The Countess said: 'He was so pleased when she took the sport up because I took it up... I was okay. Well, I was really at the beginning of my carriage driving career and then I fell pregnant with Louise, so I had to sort of hang up the reins, so I was really delighted when I found out she wanted to have a go. 'My father-in-law was always so good at encouraging, he was really encouraging of Louise. So when she not only said "please can I have a go", but then when she showed a flair for it, he was just brilliant with her. Sophie and her children were among the 30 guests at Prince Philip's funeral in April, but the mother-of-two said that the pandemic hasn't allowed the family to properly grieve the death of the beloved duke 'They used to chat away about it and he would always turn up if she was competing in the Great Park, he would always turn up to watch her and watch her training days.' Sophie and her children were among the 30 guests at Prince Philip's funeral in April, but the mother said that the pandemic hasn't allowed the family to properly grieve the death of the beloved duke. 'It's hard to spend as much time with the Queen as we would like to, as we've been trying to, but of course it's still not that easy,' she said. 'And of course the normal way of things isn't normal yet, so we're not necessarily doing the things we would normally have done with him, so I think the whole grieving process is likely to take a lot longer.' Sophie recalled taking a photograph of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh smiling together at the top of the Coyles of Muick near Balmoral in 2003 The Countess said the restrictions mean, unless you are under the same roof as your loved one, the 'immediate loss isn't necessarily felt in the same way as if someone was in the house with you all the time'. 'So if they were normally at a slight distance or living down the road, whether it be 15 minutes or 1,500 miles, it's only when you would do the normal things you would have done and you suddenly realise they're not there, you start to have an "Oh my goodness" moment.' One such moment, for Sophie, was a holiday to Scotland with her family over the May half term - when they visited the site she took a photograph of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh smiling together at the top of the Coyles of Muick near Balmoral in 2003. 'Just to be there, in that place, was an "Oh my goodness" moment', said the Countess. 'So I think they'll come and go. You have to let them come and let them go.' This week Sophie has attended Royal Ascot with Prince Edward, leading the royal glamour with her stylish outfits. An Aldi shopper has claimed she was 'body shamed' by a man while she was waiting at checkout to pay for a packet of chocolate biscuits. The woman, from New South Wales, said she was 'minding' her 'own business' while loading the conveyor belt with her groceries when the customer standing in line in front of her started criticising her for buying the $1.49 snack. 'I put up one singular pack of chocolate biscuits, and this old man in front turns glacially on the spot, looks at the biscuits with utter concern in his eyes, looks at me with a raised brow in question, and says, "I hope they aren't for you",' she wrote in a Facebook group. 'Sorry, what?' An Aldi shopper has claimed she was 'shamed' by a man while she was waiting at checkout to pay for a packet of chocolate biscuits (picture of what the biscuits looked like) An Aldi Australia spokesman declined to comment on the incident when contacted by Daily Mail Australia. Sharing her story on social media, the woman who recently shed 20 kilos naturally said the stranger's nasty remark will help inspire her to lose more weight. 'Thanks, random stranger for caring about my weight,' she said. 'I've just lost 20 kilo on my own through hard work and determination but your concern will surely help me lose another 20 by shaming me about a pack of biscuits.' Nearly 1,000 people reacted to her post, with many saying they were furious over the stranger's rude comment. The woman, from New South Wales, said she was 'minding' her 'own business' while loading the conveyor belt with her groceries when the customer standing in line in front of her started criticising her for buying the $1.49 snack (file image) 'How rude. And yet they think they are entitled to respect,' one woman wrote, while another added: 'Gosh some people are so rude. Enjoy your chocolate biscuits.' While one woman added: 'You can always lose weight but he's always going to be an a***.' Meanwhile, one woman suggested: 'You should have said "No, I'm buying them for you to fill the awful hole in your personality... Chocolate has been known to make people happy.' While another said: 'Oh god, he would hate to see my entire fortnight's groceries.' An enchanting 'igloo village' is bringing its frosty magic back to Sydney this weekend. For the third year running, the Winter Village has transformed five locations across Australia into icy wonderlands, where guests can eat, drink and skate on glistening ice rinks from until September 12. Inspired by the winter markets that spring up in European cities such as Berlin and Prague each year, the attraction features a cosy igloo village, an enormous 'mega igloo' where it snows on the hour as well as a cocktail bar, food stalls and a DJ booth. The village, which has already launched at Melbourne's Federation Square, will open in Parramatta, western Sydney, on Saturday, June 19. Scroll down for video An enchanting 'igloo village' is bringing its frosty magic back to Sydney from June 19 For the third year running, the Winter Village has transformed five locations across Australia into icy wonderlands Inside the igloos, guests can kick back in cosy armchairs while enjoying savoury snacks (left) and indulgent desserts (right) You can enjoy festive drinks including mulled wine and hot chocolate topped with toasted marshmallows (pictured) Inside the igloos, guests can kick back in cosy armchairs while enjoying a sharing board of snacks and festive drinks including mulled wine and hot chocolate topped with toasted marshmallows. Last year's event was cancelled due to the pandemic, but in 2019 sites overflowed with decadence, from wine fountains spouting Shiraz and Rose to pop-up restaurants serving grazing platters and fried cheese sandwiches. A Facebook page for the village has already been liked by 98,000 users and the Melbourne event has already booked out, which means tickets for the Sydney launch are certain to be in high demand. A post teasing the opening in the Harbour City drew delighted responses. Last year's event was cancelled due to the pandemic, but in 2019 (pictured) sites overflowed with decadence Australians who have yet to visit the village marvelled at photos from previous events (one pictured) The 2019 event overflowed with festive decadence, from wine fountains spouting Shiraz and Rose to pop-up restaurants serving grazing platters and fried cheese on sticks 'We loved our experience here a few years ago,' one woman replied. 'Oh yay can't wait for this! Those igloos are amazing,' said another. Others who have yet to visit the village marvelled at photos from previous events. 'This looks incredible,' one person wrote, while a second added: 'Oh my gosh, I need this right now.' Some tagged their friends, suggesting a trip to the village for a girls' night out. For information on ticket prices and locations, please visit the Winter Village's Instagram or official website. A shopper has shared the amusing moment she accidentally purchased eight bags of banana-flavoured lollies instead of the fresh fruit. Bianca, from the Gold Coast, placed an order online through Coles' Click&Collect before she headed to her supermarket to pick up her grocery items. Upon returning home, she was surprised to find a bag full of banana-shaped lollies among her grocery haul. 'When you think you've ordered eight bananas from Coles... Click&Collect gone wrong,' she wrote in her now-viral TikTok video. Scroll down for video A shopper has shared the amusing moment she accidentally purchased eight bags of banana-flavoured lollies instead of the fresh fruit 'Coles Online is becoming increasing popular with our time poor customers who love the convenience of Click&Collect and home delivery,' a Coles spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia. 'Depending on the delivery or collection window the customer chooses, there's usually a period of time in which they can review and modify their final order. 'If customers receive an item they did not order or they would like to return an item, we encourage them to contact our helpful Customer Care team.' Bianca's video has since been viewed more than 550,000 times, with many amused shoppers sharing similar stories about their own online order fails. 'Once I thought I'd ordered one kilo of chicken wings. I had in fact ordered one chicken wing,' one shopper wrote. Another said: 'I thought I ordered a bunch of bananas I got one banana.' One revealed: 'Once I ordered six kilos of apples instead of six individual. I don't even like apples, I was just going on a random health kick that week.' While another added: 'I ordered hot chocolate powder for work the other week. I thought they were units of one so I ordered 12... and well, 144 kilos of chocolate powder showed up.' One Coles employee said she had a customer who had a similar experience. 'This has happened when I was running Click&Collect... Customer looked through her bags while we were unpacking and turned around and said 'I ordered fresh bananas, not lolly bananas,' she said. Last September, a shopper was left in stitches after Woolworths accidentally delivered her 17 kilos worth of carrots Last September, a shopper was left in stitches after Woolworths accidentally delivered her 17 kilos worth of carrots. In her TikTok video, the customer can be heard laughing hysterically as she filmed the two large shopping bags filled to the brim with carrots. 'Woolworths online f***ed up and sent us 17 kilos of carrots,' the woman said in her video, before bursting out with laughter. 'Does anyone eat carrots? What the f***.' The woman quickly saw the funny side as she confirmed she was giving away the root vegetables to her family and friends. 'I have some family and friends taking some off my hands,' she said. A Woolworths spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia at the time: 'This is certainly a unique situation, and we'd be happy to look into it further if the customer wishes to make contact with us. 'We're pleased to hear they plan to share the excess carrots with family and friends. We have some good carrot cake recipes if they're interested in a bake-off.' Shoppers are rushing to get their hands on a $25 jumper from Big W that looks exactly like high-end options. The Women's Ribbed Jumper in Grey ($25) boasts a stylish mock turtleneck style and long sleeves, along with a ribbed knit design. Affordable fashion blogger Dani, from Sydney, recently compared the budget Big W sweater to two options from Willa ($109.95) and Assembly Label ($150), both of which are more than four times the price. Shoppers are rushing to get their hands on a $25 jumper from Big W that looks exactly like high-end options (the jumper pictured) The Folly Knit Jumper from Willa costs $109.95 and features the same ribbed detailing, along with balloon style sleeves. The Jude Wool Knit from Assembly Label, meanwhile, costs $150 to pre-order and includes an on-trend funnel neck and merino wool finish. The Big W budget option is machine washable and available in sizes extra small to extra large both in-store and online. The Women's Ribbed Jumper in Grey ($25) boasts a stylish mock turtleneck style and long sleeves, along with a ribbed knit design (the Big W knit pictured) Affordable fashion blogger Dani, from Sydney, recently compared the budget Big W sweater to two options from Willa ($109.95; right) and Assembly Label ($150; left) Dani, of Luxe and Lemonade fame, recently showed off what the Big W knit looks like in person, styling it with a pair of chunky boots and black jeans. '33 WEEKS, and the $25 knit I got in a size Small from Big W knows it,' the pregnant fashion maven captioned her post. It wasn't long before hundreds of others complimented her on the stylish cheap knit. 'Love the knit. Such a great neutral colour,' one commenter posted. 'I need this jumper!' another added. In April this year, shoppers became obsessed with a stylish autumn dress from Big W (left) that's almost identical to one more than four times the price (right) This isn't the first fashion hit Big W have had with their clothing. In April this year, shoppers became obsessed with a stylish autumn dress that's almost identical to one more than four times the price. The Australian discount store's $35 'Tiered Shirred Dress' is a brilliant dupe of the $160 'Paisley Midi Dress' from upscale clothing brand, Seed Heritage. Both dresses are black and knee-length with long sleeves and a striking paisley print. The most obvious difference is the neckline - Seed's style has a modest V-neck while Big W's version is a square. A super-organised mum has been accused of spoiling her three-year-old daughter after loading up three shopping trolleys with toys. Casey, from the Gold Coast, shared pictures on social media showing three large carts overflowing with toys worth $1,500 from Big W's annual 'Toy Mania' sale. She was among thousands of Australian parents who rushed onto the retailer's website to secure their children's Christmas presents six months early. 'Three trolleys later and my $1,500 online order, I'm going to have one happy little girl,' Casey wrote in a Facebook group. A super-organised mum has been accused of spoiling her three-year-old daughter after loading up three shopping trolleys with a mountain of toys The self-proclaimed 'crazy Christmas mum' said she posted snaps of her haul on social media so like-minded parents can also share photos of their own toy purchases for their kids. 'I get so excited to see everyone's stashes,' she added. But shortly after sharing her post, many were quick to criticise her. 'This is way too much... kids need to learn to appreciate their toys and by giving them this much, it won't teach her that,' one mum wrote. Another woman suggested: 'No judgement as I was just like you but if I could turn back the clock, I would have spent less money on rubbish toys and spent on holidays and giving my kids quality time and making memories together.' One woman said: 'You won't ever catch me spending $1,500 on my daughter when toys are a five minute wonder and get thrown to the side after a week. Let alone brag about it when most parents can't afford stuff like that.' Casey, from the Gold Coast, shared pictures on social media showing three large carts overflowing with toys worth $1,500 from Big W annual 'Toy Mania' sale Another added: 'Not everyone has one child where they can afford to spend that much money and not mention that's just ridiculous for one child. 'How to raise a child that will never appreciate small handmade or delicate gifts 101 or the value of money.' However, some parents quickly defended the mum, with one saying: 'I have two girls and I absolutely spot them for birthdays and Christmas. If you are making assumptions that spoiling your child makes them a brat, then that's on you. 'If your child behaves that way, then before you slam another parent, perhaps look at yourself... You ladies who are whinging, you're so green and it's so ugly.' While one added: 'Lucky little girl. If you have nothing nice to say, scroll on. You are all acting like jealous children.' Meanwhile, one woman joked: 'If anyone's interested, I just filled up my trolley at Dan Murphy's and it cost me $750. I will be having a lot more satisfaction out of that then they will be getting from those toys. #daydrunk.' A 26-year-old OnlyFans model has revealed that she is contemplating getting a hysterectomy saying she would 'rather be rich and famous' than have children. Renee Gracie from the Gold Coast, has never felt maternal or had an urge to have children and says her feelings against having a family grew stronger in her teenage years. As a former race car driver, she was regularly hanging out with the rich and famous, and got a taste for the luxurious life which cemented her decision to not have children. The model said she is so determined to avoid childbirth that she is considering a hysterectomy - a permanent surgical procedure which would remove her uterus- to avoid an accidental pregnancy. Renee Gracie, 26, from the Gold Coast, Australia, is so determined to avoid childbirth that she wants a hysterectomy to avoid an accidental pregnancy Renee said: 'I've known I didn't want children since I was young. When I was little, around seven or eight, I thought other children my age were crazy and wild. 'I would look at parents yelling at their kids and think to myself "I never want to have that". 'Then, when I was 16 and got into racing, I was meeting a lot of super wealthy and successful people and a lot of them didn't have children themselves. 'They would also all tell me never to get married and never to have kids. The OnlyFans model and former race car driver has over 13.9m subscribers on OnlyFans and says she would rather be 'rich and famous' than worry about babies 'Many other things put me off too. The biggest is the responsibility and also the fact that there's no going back. 'I think people make the decision to have kids way too lightly and that's why a lot of people are unhappy in their relationships and life. 'I'd much rather have lots of pets running around.' The Australian, who has over 13.9 million followers on the adult content subscription site, OnlyFans, as well as 25,000 on Instagram (@therenee_gracie), has amassed a small fortune in recent years. And she plans on investing wisely, so she can retire young and enjoy the cash without having to worry about babies. In her race car driving days (pictured), she was regularly hanging out with the rich and famous, and got a taste for the luxurious life which cemented her decision to not have children However, doctors told her she is 'too young' to have the permanent surgical procedure which would remove her uterus and she can't get one unless she has a severe health issue But that doesn't stop people from questioning her choice. To put an end to others' questions, she is looking into potentially getting a hysterectomy. Renee first asked her doctor for one when she was just a teenager but claims he 'laughed' in her face and has been told multiple times that she is 'too young'. She said: 'When I was about 17, I was having lots of health issues. 'I was in so much pain and discomfort from my ovaries and uterus, and had to get lots of scans and MRIs as doctors thought there was something wrong with them. Renee's current boyfriend, who prefers to stay anonymous, would like children one day but she insists that she will never want kids as they are a 'huge sacrifice' 'I knew then that I never wanted kids and so I asked the doctor what I have to do to get everything removed. WHAT IS A HYSTERECTOMY? A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove a woman's uterus. There are three kinds: PARTIAL HYSTERECTOMY: Removes two-thirds of the uterus. Removes two-thirds of the uterus. TOTAL HYSTERECTOMY: Removes uterus and cervix. Removes uterus and cervix. RADICAL HYSTERECTOMY: Removes uterus, cervix and ovaries. The operation is most commonly performed on women between the ages of 40 and 49. More than 20 million American women have had a hysterectomy, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As women approach menopause, the odds that they will develop one of several serious uterine health conditions increases. Doctors may recommend a hysterectomy as a treatment for: fibroids endometriosis uterine (endometrial) cancer chronic uterine pain or bleeding collapsed uterus In some cases, doctors may suggest a hysterectomy as a preventative measure if a woman has significant warning or early signs of developing one or more of these conditions. When necessary, surgeons may also remove the ovaries and fallopian tubes, if these have also been damaged or are at serious risk of damage. The removal of reproductive organs sends a woman's body into menopause, no matter how old she is. This comes with unpleasant side effects like hot flashes, and many women have to start hormone therapy, taking estrogen to balance out their own hormones. Advertisement 'He basically laughed at me, which was incredibly insulting.' After this conversation with her doctor, Renee began to look into the process herself to find out her options. She said: 'I've spoken to other doctors and asked about it but they've all told me that I'm too young and unless it's a severe issue to my health, I can't get one. 'I think it's crazy that in this day and age women don't get a choice. 'I understand it is permanent but I think there should be a better process for those who want it. 'Men can get vasectomies, after all. My goals have never involved getting married or having kids. 'I've never dreamt about my wedding day and I've never once envisioned having children or being a mum. 'Everyone who knows me knows I'm not maternal at all. 'My best friend has two kids. She is a great mum but I consider them to be the best form of contraception I could ever have. 'When we hang out, she doesn't bring the kids because she knows I don't want them around.' While her family and friends respect the model's choice, she says strangers can't get their head around it. She said: 'It pi**es me off that it's not widely accepted for women to choose not to have children. 'People definitely assume that being a female I will wake up one day and want them. 'When most people find out I don't want any, they generally think I'm going to change my mind when I get older or I'll accidentally get pregnant and have to have a kid. 'I won't. I'm certain and I wish people would respect that.' Interestingly, Renee's current boyfriend, who prefers to stay anonymous, would like children one day. She added: 'He's always wanted to be a dad but I think I've shown him my side and opened up his eyes to life without children. 'Kids are a huge sacrifice and it's not one I plan on making. I believe I can have a happier, more successful life without them.' A primary school teacher who hid her sexuality from her students for almost 15 years, has praised social media for sparking a change in attitudes and helping her to come out to her class. Evie Cryer, 36, who teaches 10 to 11-year-olds at a school in North Lincolnshire, explained that she was advised not to speak about being a lesbian with her pupils because it could impact her career. The mother-of-three told Metro.co.uk that when she became a teacher in 2007, she was also told that she couldn't teach sex and relationships education because she 'didn't know enough'. She said in the years since starting her career, it's become possible to be open about her sexuality with her class, saying: 'They want to know and they are interested. Evie Cryer, 36, (pictured) who teaches at a school in North Lincolnshire, has claimed she was advised to hide her sexuality when she began her career in 2007 'I'm really into reading with my class, and they come across characters in books who, for example, use they/them pronouns. So we can have discussions about how some people are not boy or girl. 'Things like that weren't around 15 years ago.' Evie began teaching four years after Section 28 was removed, which was a law prohibiting the 'promotion of homosexuality' by councils and schools from 1988 - 2003. At the time of its introduction there were mass protests from LGBT+ campaigners. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher said: 'Children who need to be taught to respect traditional moral values are being taught that they have an inalienable right to be gay. All of those children are being cheated of a sound start in life.' When Evie began teaching in 2007, she admits she 'didn't know any better', when asked to keep her sexuality private despite the law change. However, she is now praising social media and the rise of celebrities such as Harry Styles and Jo Jo Siwa who are open about their sexuality, for sparking a change in attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community. Evie (pictured) said she 'didn't know any better', when she was also told that she didn't know enough to teach about sex and relationships The year six teacher who is a keen reader and writer of fiction, added that representation in a diverse range of books is necessary to educate children that same-sex relationships are apart of culture. Having experienced children with same-sex parents throughout her career, she said 'it makes such a difference' for them to be represented. LGBT+ young people's charity Just Like Us, recently conducted a study of 2,934 pupils aged 11-18 from across the UK and found school pupils from the community are twice as likely to have been bullied. As well as 91 per cent have heard negative language about being LGBT+ at school. Evie (pictured) said social media platforms such as TikTok as well as the rise in celebrities who are open about their sexuality have helped to spark a change in attitudes The independent research also discovered just 40 per cent of LGBT+ primary and secondary school teachers are out to to their students, suggesting many feel forced to hide who they are while at work. Evie said teachers who are not from the community can help their children to learn about inclusivity but need to be willing to do the research. She told how working with someone from the community as well as online forums can be beneficial. And added that it's important for children to have positive role models who are gay to stop the term from being derogatory. 'Being visible, out and part of the community can really help young people if they think they might be gay, or questioning,' Evie said. A set of Ohio quadruplets is celebrating their joint graduation from Yale University and revealing that their four years in the Ivy League were a great opportunity to branch out on their own. Aaron, Nick, Zach, and Nigel Wade, all 22, spent their whole lives together in Liberty Township, Ohio, where they were known collectively as The Quads or the Wade brothers. But even though all four attended the same college which had a total undergraduate population of just 6,092 last year they admitted to People this week that they only saw one another a couple of times a semester as they all pursued different majors and extracurriculars. Quadruplets Aaron, Nick, Zach, and Nigel Wade, all 22, are celebrating their joint graduation from Yale University They've all pursued different degrees and found different extracurriculars The Wades naturally spent a lot of time growing up and had friends in common but all that changed when they went away to Yale. 'In high school, we all knew the same people. So in a sense, that didn't allow us to divert as much as we might've wanted to,' said Nick. 'But in college, because there's so many different types of people, and we had so many different diverse interests, I think we were able to carve our paths in our own way.' 'We grew up in this town where we had always existed as The Quads or the Wade brothers,' added Aaron. 'But when we got to Yale, it was very much small fish in a big pond. Nobody really knew who we were. I feel that when people met me at Yale, they met Aaron Wade, as opposed to one of the quadruplets.' Each of the young men picked different areas of study and different ways to spend their time. Nick, who worked with refugees and immigrants, majored in political science and minored in Arabic. Aaron, who was musical director of an a cappella group, double majored in computer science and psychology. The brothers were known as The Quads in high school and knew all the same people 'When we got to Yale, it was very much small fish in a big pond. Nobody really knew who we were,' Aaron said Zach, who was president of the National Society of Black Engineers at school, double majored in chemical engineering and economics. And Nigel, who was pre-med, majored in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology. In fact, there was only one occasion when any of the brothers shared a class: when Aaron and Nigel were in the same 2,000-person psychology lecture. Not only did they all make their own groups of friends, but they say they only saw each other a couple of times a semester. 'I wouldn't just be walking on the street and just be like, "Oh hey, there's my brother,"' said Aaron. 'When that happened, I would be shook. I'd be like, "Oh my God, I completely forgot that you go to this school."' 'For a long time, it felt like we were all a singular collective unit of a protagonist in the same show,' said Aaron. But since going to Yale, 'It was just cool to brag like, "Oh, I have three brothers, and they're all so smart and talented."' Still, they were glad to know that the others were always nearby. The brothers (pictured in high school) said they branched out and forged their own paths at Yale There was only one occasion when any of the brothers shared a class: when Aaron and Nigel were in the same 2,000-person psychology lecture The brothers' parents, Darrin and Kim Wade, conceived the quadruplets through a conceived through a fertility procedure, welcoming them in 1999 'It's a safety net that you already always know is there, and you know you'll always have people to support you,' said Nigel. 'There's probably no one else on the planet who understands me better than my brothers. You know that there's someone who's going to be in your corner.' The brothers, who celebrated their graduation last month at a New Haven pizza restaurant with their parents, are now going their separate ways for post-grad life. Nick and Zach both got jobs at Goldman Sachs, but Nick will be in New York City and Zach will be in San Francisco. Meanwhile, Nigel will stay in New Haven for two years to complete a research program in a Parkinson's disease lab. After that, he plans to apply to medical school. Aaron will also be in New Haven for one more semester, where he'll be doing his senior thesis. He officially graduates in December, and already has a job lined up at Google in New York City. The brothers' parents, Darrin and Kim Wade, conceived the quadruplets through a conceived through a fertility procedure, welcoming them in 1999. 'It was just cool to brag like, "Oh, I have three brothers, and they're all so smart and talented,"' said Aaron Their degrees include computer science and psychology, political science, chemical engineering and economics, and biology Now two will go off to work at Goldman Sachs in different cities, one will do a research program and then medical school, and one will work at Google According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 512 sets of quadruplets were born in the country in 1999. It wasn't a foregone conclusion that they would all go to the same school. Though all four got into both Harvard and Yale, they were accepted to a combined 59 colleges and settled on their school of choice because of an 'extraordinary' financial aid package. 'Yale won,' their father, Darrin, a senior staff software architect for General Electric, told NBC News in 2017. 'They made the best offer, and it was the benchmark for my sons. 'Not only that, but the alumni reached out and made themselves available to us as a family,' he added. 'I had people I didnt know calling and saying we want your sons there and they are going to be sure they are taken care of.' Advertisement The Queen's eldest grandson Peter Phillips appeared to be in good spirits today as he attended Ladies Day at Royal Ascot. Peter, 43, was spotted enjoying a playful chat with F1 presenter Natalie Pinkham, who is a close friend of his sister Zara Tindall, in his first public outing since his divorce was finalised earlier this week. The royal officially split with wife Autumn, 42, - with whom he has daughters Savannah, nine, and Isla, seven - after telling their families of their 'amicable' decision to end their marriage two years ago. But today the royal appeared relaxed and joyful as he cheered on runners during the event, and could be seen sharing friendly chats with his fellow guests in the Royal Box. Mother-of-two Natalie, who is married to television executive Owain Walbyoff, once dated Prince Harry, but these days her relationships with the royal family are purely platonic, and she's a close friend of both Zara Tindall and Princes Eugenie, having attended both their weddings. Peter Phillips looked cheerful as he joined Natalie Pinkham at Royal Ascot today in his first appearance since divorce from wife Autumn was finalised The royal officially split with wife Autumn, 42, - with whom he has daughters Savannah, nine, and Isla, seven - on Monday, but today he appeared to be having a wonderful time in the Royal Box Peter, 43, was spotted enjoying a playful chat with F1 presenter Natalie Pinkham, who arrived with his sister Zara Tindall The royal cut a handsome figure in a black tailcoat paired with a grey waistcoat, purple tie and pink rose boutonniere. Mother-of-three Zara, 40, donned a chic floral number by Erdem with an eye-catching bespoke hat by Sarah Cant and her trusty RayBan sunglasses. Natalie opted for a chic monochrome ensemble paired with a matching headdress - while her badge said only her own name, following a change in tradition which saw female guest identified with their husband's name rather than their own. Harry's former flame Natalie, 43, is a television presenter and F1 reporter for Sky Sports who lives in west London with her husband of nine years Owain and their two children Willow, six, and seven-year-old Wilfred. Peter, who will continue living in Gloucestershire to co-parent his daughters- announced the finalisation of his divorce on Monday, and said it was 'the best course of action for their two children and ongoing friendship'. Today the royal appeared relaxed and joyful as he cheered on runners from the royal box during the event The royal, picture closely watching the races today, cut a handsome figure in a black tailcoat paired with a grey waistcoat, purple tie and pink rose boutonniere F1 presenter Natalie is a close friend of Peter's sister Zara and the trio were seen watching the races together from the Royal Box today A statement, released by a spokesperson on behalf of the couple, said: 'Mr Peter Phillips and Mrs Autumn Phillips are pleased to be able to report that the financial aspects of their divorce have been resolved through agreement, the terms of which have been approved and ordered by the High Court today. 'Whilst this is a sad day for Peter and Autumn, they continue to put the wellbeing of their wonderful daughters Savannah and Isla first and foremost. 'Both Peter and Autumn are pleased to have resolved matters amicably with the children firmly at the forefront of those thoughts and decisions. 'Peter and Autumn have requested privacy and consideration for their children as the family adapts to a new chapter in their lives.' The breakdown of Autumn and Peter's marriage will be particularly painful for the Queen, 95, who enjoys a close relationship with her grandson's wife. Princess Anne's son can be seen chatting with guests in the Royal Box at Ladies Day today Peter can be seen having a friendly chat with Natalie, who opted for a chic monochrome ensemble paired with a matching headdress Peter is pictured looking happy and relaxed as he chats with 43-year-old presenter Natalie at the races today Natalie appeared to be delighted with the result as a slightly bemused looking Zara looked on at the event Last year an unnamed friend of the couple told the Sun: 'Autumn is a favourite of the Queen and I'm sure Her Majesty will be very upset by this as well. It's the last thing she needs after all her recent troubles and you get the feeling that the Royal Family is falling apart a little bit.' Peter and Autumn, who stay largely out of the media spotlight, were last seen publicly together when they joined the Queen and Prince Charles at the annual Highland Games Gathering at Braemar in September 2019. They did not join the royal family for the Christmas Day church service at Sandringham. Peter Phillips was seen without his wife as he arrived at church on the Norfolk estate during a stay in January 2020. Peter has enjoyed a decidedly more low-key life than his cousins Prince William and Prince Harry that started with his mother Princess Anne's decision not to give him and his younger sister Zara, now married to Mike Tindall, any royal titles. Natalie and Peter were seen celebrating their result while watching the Ladies Day races with Zara Mother-of-three Zara, 40, donned a chic floral number by Erdem with an eye-catching bespoke hat by Sarah Cant as she looked on with brother Peter and pal Natalie In March this year it was reported that Peter had driven to Aberdeenshire from Gloucestershire to see mother-of-two Lindsay Wallace, 40, a close friend of his sister Zara who knows them both from their 40,000-a-year boarding school. Furious locals called the police when Peter appeared at Wallace's 475,000 home in the village of St Cyrus near Montrose. Lindsay has also separated from her spouse - but it is not known when the pair started seeing each other. The royal said the trip to Scotland was made as a marketing consultant for company XF Medical, set up last June to provide rapid Covid tests and antibody tests for businesses. Peter has denied they are a couple. Peter is reportedly 'besotted' with Lindsay, who he has known for 'quite some time' having been three years above her at private boarding school and he understood to have made a trip to her home last August. There is no suggestion he broke Covid rules during that journey. Wallace is the daughter of a well-off oil tycoon and is thought to have split from her husband Andrew, who she married in 2010. She was pictured at Zara's wedding to rugby star Mike Tindall in 2011. Last year, Autumn and Peter announced they had split at the end of 2019, and confirmed they would continue to live in Gloucestershire and co-parent their children Savannah, 9, and Isla, 7 (seen last June) In March this year it was revealed that Peter had driven to Aberdeenshire from Gloucestershire to see mother-of-two Lindsay Wallace, 40, a close friend of his sister Zara. She is pictured wearing a cream-coloured top and a pink hat at Zara's wedding to rugby star Mike Tindall in 2011 She attended Aberdeenshire private school Gordonstoun - which was also attended by Prince Philip and Prince Charles - in the same year as Zara, 40. She and Peter are believed to have been reacquainted at a school reunion. Rumours of Natalie and Harry's liaison started to whirl in 2006 after pictures surfaced of the pair and a source reported at the time that the Duke of Sussex was 'absolutely infatuated with Natalie'. The duo, who mix in the same circles, were said to have remained close friends and enjoyed regular meet-ups over the years, with Natalie becoming his 'drinking buddy and confidante'. However it was reported in May 2019 that the pair had become more distant since Harry married Meghan Markle in 2018, with a source telling The Sun: 'They were super close but it was purely platonic. When Harry got together with Meghan their relationship rapidly changed it just went flat and noticeably cooled off.' Despite announcing his split from Canadian-born Autumn, a former events assistant, in 2019, the pair have been living together at Gatcombe Park for the sake of their daughters. Rumours of Natalie Pinkham and Harry's liaison started to whirl in 2006 after pictures surfaced of the pair. They are pictured in 2011 Prince Harry is pictured chatting to Natalie at the BGC Partner's 7th Annual Charity Trading Day in Canary Wharf, London in 2011 The Sky Sports presenter was spotted with the Duke of Sussex driving around South Kensington, London in February 2007 While the 43-year-old was rarely spotted outside the royal circle while married to the Queen's grandson, in the time since their split several snaps have been shared online showing the mother-of-two beaming as she embarks on single life. During her time in the royal family, Autumn was usually only seen at official engagements, and was last pictured with Peter in at Cheltenham Racecourse in March 2020. Prior to that, she appeared alongside Peter in Scotland with Prince Charles and the Queen during the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering at the Fife Memorial Park, Braemar, in September 2019. However, in the two years since the couple's break-up, friends of Autumn have taken to sharing stunning snaps of the royal on social media as they enjoy wild weekends away and party together. Previously unseen photographs of Autumn Phillips, 43, show the royal enjoying wild weekends away with her friends and partying at some of London's swankiest restaurants after her split from Peter Phillips (pictured centre in October 2020 with Anna-Louise Felstead, left, and another friend, Lulu, right) 'Breakfast at Heathrow': The mother-of-two was seen without her engagement or wedding ring while drinking champagne at Heathrow with close friend Anna-Louise Felstead as they set off on a girly weekend away (pictured Autumn left, and Anna-Louise, right, in October 2020) At the time of the couple's split, a source close to the family told Vanity Fair their break-up came after a long period of discussion and said the royal family feel 'sad but supportive of the situation'. They added: 'At the moment they are still sharing the marital home in Gloucestershire and there are no plans for a quickie divorce, theres no rush and there is no suggestion of Autumn going to Canada.' The source said the couple had 'very sadly grown apart', and said they'd been having discussions about their marriage for 'some time'. They added that the royal family had been aware things 'hadn't been going well' since the autumn. A statement issued by Gerard Franklin, their official spokesperson, at the time of announcing their split read: 'After informing HM The Queen and members of both families last year, Peter and Autumn jointly agreed to separate. Happier times: Peter plants a cheeky kiss on his wife's cheek at the Cheltenham festival in 2018 'They had reached the conclusion that this was the best course of action for their two children and ongoing friendship. The decision to divorce and share custody came about after many months of discussions and although sad, is an amicable one. 'The couple's first priority will remain the continued well being and upbringing of their wonderful daughters Savannah and Isla. 'Both families were naturally sad at the announcement, but fully supportive of Peter and Autumn in the joint decision to co-parent their children. 'Both Peter and Autumn have remained in Gloucestershire to bring up their two children where they have been settled for a number of years. Peter and Autumn have requested privacy and compassion for their children while the family continues to adapt to these changes.' Advertisement The Duchess of Cambridge stepped up her early years campaign today with the launch of a new initiative dedicated to raising awareness of and driving action on this crucial period in a child's life. Kate, 39, is launching The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, which will drive focus on bringing to light the extraordinary impact of the early years in order to transform society for generations to come. The mother-of-three, who has championed the cause since she joined the Royal Family, stressed our first five years 'lay important foundations for our future selves' and ultimately 'shapes the adults and the parents we become'. The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood will focus on three key areas of activity in the years to come, which include promoting and commissioning high-quality research to increase knowledge and share best practice. It will also work with people from across the private, public and voluntary sectors to collaborate on new solutions, and develop creative campaigns to raise awareness and inspire action - driving real, positive change on the early years. The launch of the Centre comes one week after the Duchess was joined by the US First Lady Dr Jill Biden on a visit to Connor Downs Academy in Cornwall. The duo visited the school's Reception Class to hear how its pupils are supported through a bespoke Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum before hosting a roundtable on the importance of early childhood, attended by experts from the UK and the USA. For over a decade the Duchess has seen first-hand how some of today's hardest social challenges from addiction and violence to family breakdown and homelessness, so often underpinned by poor mental health have their roots in the earliest years of life. The Duchess of Cambridge stepped up her early years campaign today with the launch of a new initiative dedicated to raising awareness of and driving action on this crucial period in a child's life. Pictured wearing a necklace emblazoned with the initials of her three children, Prince George, seven, Princess Charlotte, six, and Prince Louis, two Kate said hearing from teachers and parents in 2018 helped her understand the need to support children before school, which led her to 'the science of our early childhoods and the lifelong impact of our physical and mental wellbeing' In that time Kate also convened a steering group of experts to look at how cross-sector collaboration could bring about lasting change, and spent time listening to the public about their views on the importance of the early years. As a result, she is committed to elevating the importance of early childhood and continuing the conversation on this vital issue. Sharing a video to the Kensington Palace Instagram page, entitled '10 years in the making', Kate said: 'My early years journey began by meeting people rebuilding their lives from addiction, homelessness and family breakdown. Listening to these experiences, I came to understand that poor mental health and a traumatic childhood shaped their lives. 'I wanted to do more to help prevent those social challenges by improving mental health [launching Heads Together]. But learning more only highlighted the need to start this earlier in life. Hearing from teachers and parents [in 2018] helped me understand the need to support children before school, which led me to the science of our early childhoods and the lifelong impact of our physical and mental wellbeing. 'And because my journey started by listening, I wanted to hear more about what the public thought. And this led me to today - the realisation that we need to change the way we think about early childhood. And that starts now.' The launch of The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood is a landmark step in Her Royal Highness' work and signals her lifelong commitment to improving outcomes across society. To coincide with the launch, the Centre has published its inaugural report, Big Change Starts Small, which brings together leading sector research in one place and underlines the critical lifelong impact of the early years on individuals, our economy and society at large. It also sets out recommendations on how all aspects of society can contribute positively and make a difference on this important issue. Sharing a video to the Kensington Palace Instagram page, entitled '10 years in the making', Kate said: 'My early years journey began by meeting people rebuilding their lives from addiction, homelessness and family breakdown' The launch of the Centre comes one week after the Duchess was joined by the US First Lady Dr Jill Biden on a visit to Connor Downs Academy in Cornwall Kate previously spoke about her personal interest in the early years during a landmark speech in November after her Five Big Questions on the Under Fives survey garnered over 500,000 responses Writing in its foreword, Kate said: 'Our first five years lay important foundations for our future selves. This period is when we first learn to manage our emotions and impulses, to care and to empathise, and thus ultimately to establish healthy relationships with ourselves and others. 'It is a time when our experience of the world around us, and the way that moulds our development, can have a lifelong impact on our future mental and physical wellbeing. Indeed, what shapes our childhood shapes the adults and the parents we become.' The report, which has been written in collaboration with The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University and the London School of Economics, also reveals that the cost of lost opportunity is 16.13 billion per year in England alone. This is the cost to society of the remedial steps we take to address issues from children in care to short and long term mental and physical health issues - that might have been avoided through action in early childhood. Alongside the launch of the Centre and the publication of the report, the Duchess has launched a new website which will help to raise awareness of the importance of early childhood, laying out the scientific, economic and social opportunity for change. Kate Middleton's ambitious new initiative will reportedly equal Prince William's 50million Earthshot Prize (pictured talking with children during a visit to Connor Downs Academy in Hayle, West Cornwall, during the G7 summit) It will also act as the home for the Centre's latest research, a showcase for its major initiatives and a platform those who want to delve deeper into early childhood, whether they're coming to this area for the first time or simply looking to further their understanding. Chair of The Royal Foundation, Lord Hague said: 'The launch of the Centre for Early Childhood is a pivotal moment in The Duchess of Cambridge's work on this critical issue. 'Her Royal Highness and The Royal Foundation are determined to help bring about lasting change for future generations. 'The Duchess and the Foundation will aim to bring people together from all corners of the country and all parts of society to help improve early childhoods and ultimately lifelong outcomes. 'Over the coming years, the Centre will help to create better understanding of the relevant issues, making it clear why the experiences we have in our earliest years are so important - not just to us as individuals but to society at large.' Last year Kate led a nationwide conversation on the early years through the 5 Big Questions on the Under-Fives survey, which received over 500,000 responses. The findings from that research, combined with further representative research conducted by Ipsos MORI, showed that most people don't understand the specific importance of early childhood, and revealed that the Covid-19 pandemic had resulted in a dramatic increase in parental loneliness. Kate previously spoke about her personal interest in the early years during a landmark speech to address the research. 'People often ask why I care so passionately about the early years,' she said. 'Many mistakenly believe that my interest stems from having children of my own. While of course I care hugely about their start in life, this ultimately sells the issue short. If we only expect people to take an interest in the early years when they have children, we are not only too late for them, we are underestimating the huge role others can play in shaping our most formative years, too.' She added that the early years are not simply just about how we raise our children, but about how we raise 'the next generation of adults' and the society we will become. More than half-a-million people took part in the Royal Foundation's 'five big questions on the under-fives' poll which was carried out by Ipsos MORI and produced the largest-ever response from the public to a survey of its kind (pictured: Kate during a video briefing with Kelly Beaver, managing director of Public Affairs, Ipsos MORI) New research commissioned by The Royal Foundation and conducted by YouGov, published today the final day of Loneliness Awareness Week shows that parents of young children have continued to feel lonelier as the pandemic has continued; with those who always/often feel lonely increasing from nine per cent in October 2020 to 16 per cent in May 2021. According to royal expert Camilla Tominey, the Daily Telegraph's royal correspondent, the Duchess knew from the moment that she married Prince William that she wanted to find a philanthropic cause she could champion as impactfully as Princess Diana's landmine campaign. Focusing on early years development was born out of her first royal engagements in her role as patron of the charity Action on Addiction, which works with people battling drug and alcohol problems. In October 2011 the Duchess made a series of under the radar visits to Hope House, a women-only rehabilitation centre in Clapham, south west London. Rebecca Priestley, who accompanied Kate and worked as her private secretary for five years, said these trips played a pivotal role in her choosing early years of childhood as one of the main pillars of her public role. She told The Telegraph that meeting the women at Hope House and finding out that their 'derailing' which drove them to turn to drugs and alcohol abuse had happened early on in their lives stuck with the Duchess. Further visits to Clouds House, a treatment centre in East Knoyle in Wiltshire, and the detox unit of Send Prison in Woking, where she met female inmates, brought about a 'profoundly powerful' realisation, according to Priestley. 'You go in there with this preconceived idea that these women have done things wrong, that it was their fault. Then one woman started speaking to the Duchess about her earliest memories of seeing needles on the floor of her home,' she recalled. '[Kate] had always thought addiction was a misunderstood issue, but after this, she became concerned that there was a pre-destiny about those affected an inevitability about it. These women were born into it and there was very little chance of escape.' Emphasising the long-term nature of her work during her keynote speech last year, Kate underlined the importance of early childhood in shaping the rest of our lives and broader societal outcomes, saying: 'It is a brave thing to believe in an outcome - in a world even - that might not be fully felt for a generation or more. 'But what you do isn't for the quick win - it is for the big win. It is for a happier, healthier society as well as happier, healthier children.' According to royal expert Camilla Tominey, the Daily Telegraph's royal correspondent, the Duchess (pictured during the G7 summit this month) knew from the moment that she married Prince William that she wanted to find a philanthropic cause she could champion as impactfully as Princess Diana's landmine campaign The Duchess and Dr Jill Biden visited the Connor Downs Academy school's Reception Class to hear how its pupils are supported through a bespoke Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum before hosting a roundtable on the importance of early childhood, attended by experts from the UK and the USA Kate Middleton penned a letter thanking staff for 'dedication and commitment' to Early Years - despite the 'huge pressure' the pandemic has put on them (pictured) In 2018 Kate created a steering group to investigate the link between childhood experiences and adult behaviour and hopes that the results of their survey and other research will encourage a 'nationwide conversation' on the subject, raising awareness of how the first five years of a child's life will impact the next 50 years. Eamon McCrory, Professor of Developmental Neuroscience and Psychopathology at University College London, told The Telegraph there is no question that this is a lifetime of work for Kate, but it is now entering a more 'proactive' phase. A royal insider added that the Duchess 'genuinely cares' and wants to do her very best to get it right, both for the Firm and Prince William, but also out of respect for the importance of the work she's undertaking. Lord Hague told the publication that Kate believes this is one of the 'greatest issues of our time' and is a 'central plank of her work in the way conservation issues are for the Duke'. It comes just a day after Early Years Wales took to Twitter and shared a letter Kate Middleton penned thanking staff for 'dedication and commitment' to Early Years - despite the 'huge pressure' the pandemic has put on them. Alongside a screenshot of the letter, the post was captioned: 'Some of our staff attended the @EYAlliance conference last night and were delighted to receive this letter from the Duchess of Cambridge thanking all attendees for their dedication and commitment to the #earlyyears.' In the letter, dated 14th June, the Duchess of Cambridge wrote: 'As attendees of the Early Years Alliance Annual Conference, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all for playing such a vital role in supporting children and families throughout this challenging time.' You have shown incredible commitment and resilience while continuing to deliver high-quality care and education to those who need it most. The pandemic has put huge pressure on you all, as you have had to manage the impact of lockdown on young children's learning, development and mental health. Your dedication throughout has not gone unnoticed - you are always putting children and families first and you should be very proud of the role you play day-to-day in helping to raise the next generation.' The mother-of-three continued: 'As all of you will know, positive experiences, environments and relationships in early childhood can have a transformative impact on later life outcomes and are fundamental for a happy, healthy society. We need to do all we can to work together to not only prioritise the Early Years, but also lay the foundations for future mental and physical wellbeing for a whole new generation. I hope you all enjoy the conference and thank you again for the crucially important work that you do.' Having remained one of the most popular meat snack brands to sell in the UK since 1979, Peperami is expanding its reach with the release of its first ever vegetarian range. The German brand has unveiled its new Vegerami priced at 1 per 40g pack, initially exclusive to Tesco. Peperami is yet to share the release on its social media accounts, but hashtags have already started to appear with eager vegetarians and flexitarians gushing about their eagerness to try the new snack. The new range comes in two flavours - Vegerami Pep'd Up and Smokin' Chick'nless Bites. Peperami has announced the release of its first vegetarian range, initially exclusive to Tesco. Pictured: Vegerami Smokin' Chick'nless Bites According to The Grocer the brand, which re-branded its packaging last month, is also working on creating an imitation of its classic meat stick. Commenting on Instagram, one person wrote: 'We can't wait to try it, while another wrote: 'Sounds good.' A third added: 'This is so exciting but where are veggie Peperami sticks? I miss the red one so much.' Others have admitted they're pleased with the release, but complained vegans are unable to try the snack because of the presence of eggs. The new Vegerami range comes just months after the brand - which famously used the slogan 'It's a bit of an animal' - teased the range on social media with an April Fools Day prank. The brand has been working tirelessly to create a meat-free product that has a similar taste and texture to chicken. People have taken to Instagram to gush about their excitement for the new release It claims the new bites are tender and succulent, making them the perfect meat-free alternative to chicken for both vegetarians and the rising number of flexitarians. The bites are made from pea-protein as an on-the-go-snack or as a food choice to incorporate into salads and wraps. The packs have less than 134 calories, with the Smokin' Bites offering a smoky flavour and the Pep'd Up variety coated in a spiced-up glaze. A spokesperson from Peperami said: 'We are a nation of meat eaters, but as the flexitarian trend gains momentum, there is a greater consumer demand for meat-free snacks which has inspired the launch of Vegerami. 'At Peperami, it is important that we keep up with modern consumer tastes and continue to produce great-tasting products across multiple snacking categories. Peperami re-branded their product packaging last month in a bid to lure 'mainstream and younger' consumers 'We believe our new Vegerami range will significantly contribute to category growth, as the meat-free and meat snacking categories grow side by side.' Peperami's range of snacks also currently includes snack boxes and chicken bites in response to the growing demand for high protein and healthy snacks. The food manufacturers have spent years mocking vegetarians and vegans, however the brand's marketing manager Pavan Chandra claims its 'tongue-in-cheek' tone shouldn't be taken too seriously. Pavan Chandra said: 'Peperami takes the mickey out of everybody, it doesn't just take the mickey out of vegetarians and vegans.' Josh Duggar's trial on child pornography charges is slated to begin next month, but the accused pedophile has asked an Arkansas judge to delay the trial until next year. In May, Josh, 33, was charged with receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material, including some that Homeland Security special agent Gerald Faulkner described as 'in the top five of the worst of the worst that I've ever had to examine.' But now The Sun reports that the former 19 Kids and Counting star is hoping to put off his day in court until February 2022 so a computer forensic expert 'can examine his devices.' Criminal activity: Josh Duggar's trial on child pornography charges is slated to begin next month, but the accused pedophile has asked an Arkansas judge to delay the trial until 2022 In May, Josh, 33, was charged with receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material (pictured with his wife, Anna, and their six kids) Legal documents from Josh's lawyers reportedly ask that the trial be pushed to a date 'in or after February 2022.' His lawyers calls Josh's case 'complex' with a 'several-year federal investigation,' and they expect the trial to involve 'computer forensic evidence and anticipated expert opinion testimony.' Josh's lawyers say they need more time for a computer forensic expert to review the evidence To that end, they have 'retained an independent computer forensic expert who must conduct a computer forensic examination of each of the devices at issue a time-consuming process that requires review at a government facility for the one device the Government alleges contained child pornography.' They said the computer forensic expert must 'conduct a time-intensive process of reviewing the remaining devices that the Government does not allege contained child pornography,' which they say could take several months. Josh's lawyers argued that they need more time to review the evidence and make investigations. They even claim that the government has not turned over all of the evidence. 'Remarkably, the Government also recently disclosed for the first time and only by way of a screenshot of an unidentified database that two other Arkansas state law enforcement agencies allegedly participated in this investigation at least in a minimal capacity,' reads the court documents, according to Us Weekly. 'The search warrant applications make no reference to these agencies, the Special Agents testimony at the detention hearing made no mention of these agencies, and the remainder of the discovery does not reveal which agencies participated and what, if anything, these agencies did.' The lawyers also claim that the government did not interview key witnesses. They also say that possible witness testimony could 'obviate the need for a trial.' Out: Josh was released on bail while he awaits trial for receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material He is staying with a third party, family friends LaCount and Maria Reber On April 29, Josh was arrested on federal charges following a 2019 Homeland Security raid on his property. According to the indictment, he is alleged to have downloaded child sexual abuse material online in May 2019. Some of the material he is accused of possessing shows children under the age of 12. His computer was reportedly equipped with a dark web browser that could have let him anonymously search for child porn. The 'Tor' browser would have allowed the him to bypass anti-porn software called 'Covenant Eyes' that his wife Anna installed to monitor what her husband downloaded. If convicted, Duggar faces up to 20 years in prison. On May 8, he was released on bail, with the condition that he stay with a third party, family friends LaCount and Maria Reber. In court documents, his lawyers had argued that he 'poses no flight risk' because of his 'deep roots' in the community and his 'widely recognizable face.' Despite the seriousness of his charges, Josh is allowed to see his own six children Mackynzie Renee, 11, Michael James, 10, Marcus Anthony, 7, Meredith Grace, 5, Mason Garrett, 3, and Maryella Hope, 18 months with supervision. Despite the seriousness of his charges, Josh is allowed to see his own six children with supervision His wife, Anna, reportedly thinks he is innocent and blames his parents for his arrest According to People, his wife Anna, 32, who is pregnant with their seventh child has already visited with the kids. '[Josh] has seen [his] children with Anna there. She has to be there,' an insider claimed. The insider also said that Anna is convinced that her husband is innocent. 'She's standing by him,' the source said. 'She thinks Josh is innocent.' Meanwhile, a source told The Sun that soon-to-be-mother-of-seven is in 'denial' and blames Josh's parents, Jim Bob and Michelle. 'Jim Bob is telling people she is defending Josh and no longer speaking to most of the family,' the source said. 'Jim Bob said she blames him and wife Michelle for Josh's arrest. Anna feels it all stems from how they dealt with his previous molestation scandal after he assaulted his sisters.' She is also pointing a finger at the President. 'She also thinks that this case is a conspiracy theory against her husband set up by the Biden administration,' the source said. 'She believes that if Donald Trump was still in power this would not be happening, and refuses to believe he's done anything wrong.' Anna, who married Josh in 2008, has stuck by him through sexually deviant behavior in the past All's forgiven! Josh famously admitted to molesting four of his younger sisters and a fifth child when he was a teenager and has continued to be allowed around kids Anna has stuck by Josh through sexually deviant behavior in the past. In 2015, an unearthed police report revealed that Josh had sexually abused four of younger siblings, as well as a fifth minor, when he was a teenager. Josh had gone to a faith-based rehab facility in Little Rock, Arkansas in 2003 after his parents learned of the molestation, and spent three months in the facility, which was owned by the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP), a Christian ministry and training program founded by Bill Gothard. While little has been revealed about the program, people associated with IBLP have claimed that Josh was required to do manual labor and was not allowed to speak during that time. He was also allegedly required to shave his head, the results of which can be seen in the Duggars' first TV special on Discovery Health, 14 Children and Pregnant Again. The abuse was kept a secret until 2015 and just months after it came to light, Josh was discovered to be using the adultery website Ashley Madison. Josh confessed to being unfaithful and having an 'addiction' to pornography, and went away for several months to a $7,500-per-month Christian treatment center for addiction. Josh has not only been allowed around his own children, but he has frequently spent time in his parents' house, where he is around more minors including his siblings and his nieces During that time, Anna stuck by him, too, even flying up to the Christian treatment center for visits. In 2015, she called the ordeal 'heartbreaking' in an episode of Counting On. 'It was definitely hard, and I think it is such a betrayal for a spouse to go through what were walking through' she said. 'It was hard to realize that it was such a public [ordeal].' 'Here we were as a Christian couple, everyone was able to see us get married and vow before God to be loyal to each other, and that loyalty was broken. 'For my heart it was just like, "How could this happen in our marriage? Josh is my first love, my one and only." In 2016, she wrote about moving forward in a blog post, saying: '2015 was the most difficult year of my life. Yet, amazingly Ive found that in my own life crisis God has drawn near to me ("Hes near to the brokenhearted Psalms 34:18) and my faith has been more precious to me than ever before.' For some time after, Anna refrained from posting pictures of Josh on Instagram, but with time, she was back to including him on social media. 'Redemption is a beautiful thing!' she told a fan who commented on Josh's presence in Instagram photos. As recently as a week before his arrest, Anna was even taking to Instagram to defend her husband against critics. When an Instagram commenter asked, 'How do you afford all those kids? Does Josh even work?' Anna shot back: 'Yes, my husband is a diligent worker and provides well for our family.' Fury erupted today over the World Health Organization's advice that women of child-bearing age should not drink alcohol. Draft guidance from the agency says 'appropriate attention' should be given to the prevention of drinking in children, mothers-to-be and women of child-bearing age. Child-bearing age is generally assumed to begin in the mid-teens and stretch to around 50, when women start to go through the menopause. Last night the drinks industry described the proposal which some claimed amounted nearly to a ban on drinking for women as sexist and 'paternalistic'. Now an alcohol researcher has hit out at the guidance, saying any ban on women drinking would be 'completely disproportionate' to their risk. Colin Angus, from Sheffield University, told MailOnline he would be 'amazed' if the draft guidance goes through. And Hannah Ord, a researcher at the Adam Smith Institute, branded the move 'ludicrous and sexist' and said it would put women off following other health advice. Researchers and industry insiders lashed out at the WHO's suggestion that women shouldn't drink alcohol until they hit the menopause in their 40s or 50s because they might harm unborn babies (stock image) 'The suggestion that we should actively prevent a substantial proportion of women from drinking is completely at odds with the balance of the risks of drinking and restrictions on personal freedom that we see in almost any country in the world,' said Mr Angus, a senior research fellow who specialises on alcohol. 'There are specific ethical issues around the fact that drinking in pregnancy has a detrimental effect on somebody other than the drinker their unborn child. 'And the highest risk period for drinking is in the first few weeks of pregnancy when many women may not yet be aware they are pregnant.' For this reason, health chiefs recommend that women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should not drink any alcohol. Mr Angus added: 'These risks need to be balanced with concerns about policing women's bodies and restricting their civil liberties. 'The suggestion we prevent women from drinking seems to me to be completely disproportionate.' The WHO guidance, released in the body's Global Alcohol Action Plan, calls on countries to raise awareness of alcohol-related harm and its harmful use. It said that 'one of the most dramatic manifestations of harm' is to babies, and the development of foetal alcohol disorders. Symptoms in children exposed to alcohol in the womb can include poor growth, distinct facial features and learning and behavioural problems. The plan suggests such harms could be publicised through an international 'world no alcohol day/week'. Hannah Ord, a researcher at the free market Adam Smith Institute think-tank, said the policy would be 'dragging us back into the past'. She said: 'Not only is this an impractical paternalistic policy but this ridiculous overreach risks turning off young women from all their other sensible health messages. 'Restricting womens rights to drink alcohol on the chance that that women may at some point decide to have children is ludicrous, sexist and impossible to actually implement - and ignores alcohol's inhibitive effects on male fertility to boot. 'Before 1982, women in the UK could legally be refused alcohol at a pub, 40 years on and apparently women should be refused alcohol in general. Cheers to WHO for dragging us back into the past!' Mr Angus said that, pregnancy aside, the alcohol risks for men and women were broadly similar. And male drinking can damage fertility or raise the risk of problematic births, too, with studies finding alcohol leads to deformed or weaker sperm and also throws men's hormones out of balance. One study by Central South University in China, published in European Journal of Preventive Cardiology in 2019, claimed that fathers who drank alcohol in the three months before their baby was conceived were 44 per cent more likely to have a child with heart disease. Researchers from the Fudan University in Shanghai, China found male drinking increases the risk of sperm abnormalities which could lead to birth defects including cleft lips. In Western countries, it is estimated up to 30 per cent of women drink either before or during pregnancy. The NHS advises neither men or women should regularly drink more than 14 units four-and-a-half pints of lager or large glasses of wine and that women who are pregnant who are planning to become pregnant should drink none at all. The researchers highlighted the disparity in alcohol advice given to men and women while attempting to conceive. And Alcohol Change UK, a charity which aims to reduce harm caused by alcohol, also highlighted the need to balance risk against individuals' rights 'no matter our age or sex'. A spokesperson said: 'Drinking alcohol in the early stages of pregnancy, even before many people realise they're pregnant, can be very damaging for a foetus. 'It's important that people understand these risks but also vital that we balance this against each adult's right to make informed decisions about what we do with our bodies, no matter our age or sex.' Advertisement President Joe Biden's former Covid czar is urging Americans to get vaccinated to protect themselves from the Indian 'Delta' coronavirus variant that is raging across the UK. In an appearance on CNN on Wednesday, Andy Slavitt, who was the White House Senior Adviser for COVID-19 Response, said the mutant strain is more infectious and is more likely to cause severe disease than other variants. 'This is like COVID on steroids,' he said. 'You could be around people for less time and still get exposed. So it's yet another reason why people should, if they haven't been vaccinated, should think about getting vaccinated.' Slavitt added that people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 likely have 'little to worry about.' The variant led to havoc in the UK, causing infections to spike 50 percent in one week and hospitalizations to rise by 15 percent, and making up more than 90 percent of all cases. And, although there are signs that the surge in Britain may be slowing, data from the Department of Health and Social Care shows that 9,000 people tested positive on Wednesday, which is the highest figure seen since February. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Andy Slavitt, the former White House Senior Adviser for COVID-19 Response, described the Indian 'Delta' coronavirus variant as 'COVID on steroids' in an interview on CNN on Wednesday (above) The mutant strain, known as B.1.617.2, now makes up 10% of all cases in the U.S., up from 6% last week and 2.7% in May The variant, which was first identified in India and is known as B.1.617.2, currently makes up about 10 percent of all COVID-19 infections in America, up from six percent last week and 2.7 percent in May. India's Ministry of Health has labeled the variant a 'double mutant' because it carries two mutations: L452R and E484Q. L452R is the same mutation seen with the California homegrown variant and E484Q is similar to the mutation seen in the Brazilian and South African variants. Both of the mutations occur on key parts of the virus that allows it to enter and infect human cells. On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) finally classified the Delta variant as a 'variant of concern.' This is an upgrade from 'variant of interest,' which is when a virus is suspected to be more contagious than other variants rather than confirmed to be. On Tuesday, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy told CNN that the Delta variant 'is rapidly increasing here in the United States' and that the country could see a similar situation to what occurred in the UK. Between June 2 and June 9, the average number of people in the UK who tested was 5,984, a 66 percent increase from the 3,606 average the previous week. However, between June 9 and June 16, the average number of people getting sick was only 32 percent higher than the 3,606 average. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Monday night that the numbers were forcing the end of UK lockdowns to be pushed back by four weeks. Remaining lockdown restrictions are now due to be lifted on July 19, which Johnson promised would be the 'terminus date.' The variant has wreaked havoc, across the UK, responsible for 90% of all cases and leading to a rise in 9,000 people testing positive on Wednesday, the highest since February There are signs the growth may be slowing with a new study estimating symptomatic cases rose by a third in the UK last week after doubling a week earlier Slavitt told CNN that that he suspects there will be outbreaks in fall 2021 in communities where vaccination rates are low. A recent study from Public Health England that Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is 96 percent effective against hospitalization from the Delta variant after two doses and that the AstraZeneca-University of Oxford vaccine in 92 percent effective. Murthy told CNN that there is not enough data yet to show how effective Johnson & Johnson's one-dose vaccine is against the Indian Delta variant. 'The key is get vaccinated, get both doses,' Murthy told CNN. Across the country, 44.1 percent of adults are fully vaccinated, including 51.6 percent of adults, according to CDC data. Biden has set a goal of vaccinating at least 70 percent of adults with one dose by July 4. As of Thursday, 14 states have reached that goal, but daily vaccinations have slowed considerably from more than three million per day in April to 1.1 million in June. Slavitt was asked how likely it is that Biden's target will be hit. 'I think we're going to be, around the Fourth of July, very close to Biden's target of 70 percent of American [adults] vaccinated. maybe it will be 68, maybe it will be a little bit more,' he said. The real danger is 68 or 70 percent will look much higher in some parts of the country and much lower in other parts of the country. Biden has set a goal of vaccinating at least 70 percent of adults with one dose by July 4 but vaccinations have slowed considerably from more than three million per day in April to 1.1 million in June The news comes as overall metrics are on the decline. On Wednesday, the U.S. reported 12,430 new COVID-19 infections, with a rolling average of 11,015, which is the the lowest figure seen since March 27, according to a DailyMail.com analysis. There were 368 daily deaths recorded in the last 24 hours with a rolling average of about 294 - the lowest number since March 30, the analysis shows. With falling numbers, states have been dropping pandemic restrictions and mask requirements for residents, a big step in the return to pre-pandemic times. New York, one of the states that reached 70 percent of adults with at least one coronavirus vaccine dose, saw most of its restrictions lifted on Tuesday, Gov Andrew Cuomo removed capacity restrictions for businesses, offices and restaurants as well as cleaning protocols, and contact tracing. 'This is a momentous day, and we deserve it because it has been a long, long road,' Cuomo said. 'We can now return to life as we know it.' On the same day, California, the first state to enact stay-at-home orders, lifted capacity limits at restaurants, bars and other businesses, and said masks will not be required for fully vaccinated people at most venues. 'With all due respect, eat your heart out, the rest of the United States. There is no state in America that has more,' Gov Gavin Newsom said on the eve of the reopening. 'The state is not just poised to recover, it's poised to come roaring back.' The death of black patients from COVID-19 would be slashed by 10 percent if they had access to the same hospitals as white patients, a new study finds. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania analyzed deaths from around the country from individual hospitals. They found that what hospital a patient went to was a huge factor in whether or not they died, and that black patients who went to a hospital to primarily served white people were much more likely to survive the virus. The team says the finding are evidence medical segregation in American communities and say this has helped exacerbate the racial gap in COVID-19 deaths. Hospitals included in the study were split into five groups depending on the racial make up of their patients. Those with the most Black patients were put in group 1, while those with the most white patients were put in group 5 'Our study reveals that Black patients have worse outcomes largely because they tend to go to worse-performing hospitals,' said lead author Dr David Asch the executive director of Penn Medicine's Center for Health Care Innovation. 'Because patients tend to go to hospitals near where they live, these new findings tell a story of racial residential segregation and reflect our country's racial history that has been highlighted by the pandemic.' In total, the researchers, whose study will be available on Thursday in the Journal of the American Medical Association, looked at data from 44,217 white patients and 10,758 black patients who were treated at 1,188 hospitals from 41 states and Washington D.C. Black patients who went to the hospital for COVID-19 were more likely to be younger and have more comorbidities than their white counterparts. The hospitals were split into five groups depending how likely they were to treat a black patients versus a white patient. The hospitals with the most black patients were in group one, while the ones with the least were in group five. About 66 percent of patients in group one were black, compared to only five percent in group five. Researchers found that quality of hospital was a huge factor in whether or not a person survived COVID-19, and that if all patients went to the same hospitals no matter the race the racial death gap may close Overall, 2,634 (eight percent of patients in the study) white patients who were a part of the study died in the hospital, compared to 1,100 (10 percent) black patients. White patients had a total mortality to discharge hospice rate of 12.86 percent, while black patients had one of 13.48 percent. While the mortality rates are similar, researchers had to make adjustments to the data. Because black patients who were admitted to the hospital were, on average, younger, many more should have survived, since age is generally the biggest factor in whether or not someone survives the virus. After adjusting for age, sex, and other factors, researchers found that white patients were 11.27 percent likely to die once admitted to the hospital, while black patients were 12.32 percent likely, a difference of over a full percentage point. Researchers then ran a simulation, where black patients were treated at the same hospitals at the same rate as white patients. Map of the overall distribution of Black and white patients who were hospitalized as a part of the sample They found the mortality rate of vlack patients would drop nearly a full percentage point pre-adjustment, from 13.48 percent to 12.23 percent, a drop of just under 10 percent. 'People often assume that Black-white differences in mortality are due to higher rates of chronic health conditions among Black individuals,' said co-author Dr Rachel Werner, executive director of Penn's Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics. 'But time and time again, research has shown that where Black patients get their care is much more important and that if you account for where people are hospitalized, differences in mortality vanish.' The racial gap in deaths has become a major issue since the COVID-19 pandemic began last March. In the first wave of fatalities, in April 2020, vlack people were slammed, dying at rates higher than those of other ethnic or racial groups as the virus rampaged through the urban Northeast and heavily African American cities like Detroit and New Orleans. Now, even as the outbreak ebbs and more people get vaccinated, a racial gap appears to be emerging again, with Black Americans dying at higher rates than other groups. Black people account for 15 percent of all COVID-19 deaths where race is known, while Hispanics represent 19 percent, whites 61 percent and Asian Americans four percent. Those figures are close to the groups' share of the U.S. population - black people at 12 percent, Hispanics 18 percent, whites 60 percent and Asians six percent - but adjusting for age yields a clearer picture of the unequal burden. Instead, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adjusting for population age differences, estimates that Native Americans, Latinos and blacks are two to three times more likely than white people to die of COVID-19. Overall, black and Hispanic Americans have less access to medical care and are in poorer health, with higher rates of conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. They are also more likely to have jobs deemed essential, less able to work from home and more likely to live in crowded, multigenerational households, where working family members are apt to expose others to the virus. The researchers have also found that the quality of accessible medical care may be an issue for many minority groups as well. 'Our analyses tell us that if Black patients went to the same hospitals white patients do and in the same proportions, we would see equal outcomes,' said Dr Nazmul Islam, a statistician at OptumLabs who co-authored the study. A study from March found that hospitals that serve Black patients on average have worse patient safety conditions than those that serve more white patients. A Texas man who declined to get vaccinated against COVID-19 is now encouraging others to get the shot after he caught the virus and became so ill that he required a double lung transplant. Joshua Garza, 43, became eligible for the vaccine in January, but chose not to receive it, believing that he didn't need it. Later than month, he tested positive for a coronavirus infection. On February 2, Garza collapsed while walking in his own home, and was taken to Houston Methodist hospital, reported ABC News, He was placed on an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machine that allowed him to breathe as the virus attacked his lungs. Garza's health rapidly deteriorated and his lungs became so destroyed that he needed two new organs for any chance of survival. Joshua Garza, 43, chose not to get vaccinated when he was eligible at the start of January. He would later regret that decision after requiring a double lung transplant because of the virus 'COVID ended up attacking my lungs,' Garza told ABC News. 'It ate away at them so quickly. It was quick, it was within three weeks, the lungs were already shot.' On April 13, he received a double lung transplant from the hospital. He then spent two months on life support before being released on May 27. 'They're telling you your lungs are failing, so you don't know if you're going to go to bed tonight and wake up tomorrow,' he said. Garza said that if he had been vaccinated, he doesn't believe that he would have suffered the complications that he did. 'If I knew what I know now I would have definitely went through with the vaccination,' Garza told ABC News. A recent study of health care workers in Boston found that just receiving a single dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine can reduce the likelihood of contracting the virus by up to 95 percent, and the cases that do occur are more likely to be asymptomatic. Other studies have found that people who receive both doses of the vaccine have a less than one percent chance of contracting the virus, and cases that do occur are mild and easy to recover from. The Houston man required an ECMO machine to breathe and was hospitalized for months after he contracted the virus. He received a successful double lung transplant in April Dr Howard Huang, the medical director of lung transplantation at Houston Methodist, treated Garza, and believes he would not have needed the severe treatment had he just gotten vaccinated. 'The data that's now coming out suggests that the vaccines are very good at preventing severe illness,' Huang told ABC News. 'Even if he had ended up in a hospital, maybe it wouldn't have progressed all the way to complete lung failure that couldn't be salvaged without a lung transplant.' Huang said that it was miraculous that Garza was able to receive the treatment he received during the winter surge of COVID cases in Houston. Garza is one of eight double lung transplants performed at Houston Methodist hospital on COVID patients, and Huang reports to ABC News that there are still several other people awaiting a transplant due to the virus. As of last November, only 11 people had received lung transplants due to complications with COVID-19. One physician treating a patient who needed a lung transplant due to COVID described the condition of their lungs as looking like a bomb went off inside of them. Another said that the level of damage to the lungs was something they had never seen before, as the lungs were almost totally dismantled into nothing more than some tissue and pus. As of Thursday, more than 64 percent of U.S. adults, and over half of the country's total population, have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Around 44 percent of the country in fully vaccinated. As the vaccines have become more commonplace, cases across the country have began to drop, and the country has been able to reopen. The U,S, has not recorded more than 1,000 deaths in a single day since the end of March, though deaths still sit at more than 300 a day from the virus. A protein in red blood cells could have the ability to prevent aging in the brain, a new study suggests. In research on mice conducted at the University of Texas, scientists discovered that mice whose brains were missing this protein - called ADORA2B - were more likely to experience cognitive decline as they got older. But rodents that did have high levels of ADORA2B had slower memory declines, less inflammation and could hear more easily. If these results are replicated in humans, the team says this protein could be used as the basis for treatment for Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. A protein that helps get oxygen to the brain may be key to preventing cognitive decline, a new study finds (file image) As life expectancies increase around the world, more elderly people are facing issues with their memories and thinking abilities. Doctors classify these issues as age-related cognitive decline, or decreasing mental ability related to a patient's old age. Cognitive decline can lead seniors to lose the ability to perform daily living activities independently such as getting dressed or using the bathroom. It can also be a symptom of Alzheimer's - which six million Americans suffer from -and other forms of dementia The condition is very common among the aging population but poorly understood. Past research has focused on genetic factors that might predispose a person to experiencing cognitive decline as they get older, but the new study focused instead on red blood cells involved with delivering oxygen to the brain. HOW TO DETECT ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory, thinking skills and the ability to perform simple tasks. It is the cause of 60% to 70% of cases of dementia. The majority of people with Alzheimer's are age 65 and older More than six million Americans have Alzheimers. It is unknown what causes Alzheimer's. Those who have the APOE gene are more likely to develop late-onset Alzheimer's. Signs and symptoms: Difficulty remembering newly learned information Disorientation Mood and behavioral changes Suspicion about family, friends and professional caregivers More serious memory loss Difficulty with speaking, swallowing and walking Stages of Alzheimer's: Mild Alzheimer's (early-stage) - A person may be able to function independently but is having memory lapses Moderate Alzheimer's (middle-stage) - Typically the longest stage, the person may confuse words, get frustrated or angry, or have sudden behavioral changes Severe Alzheimer's disease (late-stage) - In the final stage, individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, carry on a conversation and, eventually, control movement Advertisement The study - published Thursday in PLOS Biology - revealed an 'anti-aging' protein that helps prevent cognitive decline. This protein might be a starting point for future treatments. Cognitive decline is well-known to be associated with hypoxia, or low levels of oxygen, in the brain. The brain relies on oxygen to generate energy and keep neurons running. Even a few minutes of oxygen deprivation for this crucial organ can trigger significant injury, and long-term oxygen deprivation can lead to permanent brain damage. One common hypothesis among neural scientists poses that aging leads to a decrease in brain oxygen. This in turn leads to swelling and other cellular changes in the brain - causing the brain to lose its ability to process thoughts and memories. Oxygen deprivation also leads to issues with hearing, another sign of cognitive decline. The University of Texas researchers found that adenosines, a common group of proteins that regulate brain function, are involved with regulating oxygen deprivation. Their study focused on one specific adenosine, called ADORA2B. The researchers bred a group of mice with brains lacked this key protein - then compared their bodies and behaviors to a second group of mice with brains did have the protein. After just six months, they saw significant differences between the two groups. Mice without the protein had memory issues - they were less able to solve cognition puzzles than the normal mice. The mice lacking ADORA2B also had hearing issues and brain inflammation. The researchers used imaging to examine the mice's brains, finding major differences caused by that signaling protein. ADORA2B helps get oxygen to the brain - and prevents the brain from aging - the researchers found. Their paper calls the protein a 'key component for anti-aging and anti-age-related functional decline.' When mice do not have this protein, they're more likely to see learning issues, memory issues, and hearing issues as they get older. Getting oxygen to the brain is key in preserving cognitive function. Pictured: A woman with Alzheimer's looks on during lunch in a retirement home Past research has shown that injecting blood plasma from younger mice to elderly mice can rejuvenate cognitive abilities for the older mice. This study suggests that such treatments may be even more effective if they focus on using the ADORA2B protein. However, this research was done in mice - and research in mice brains often does not translate to human brains. Future studies will need to identify possible treatments and test them in humans. Still, this paper provides hope for millions of dementia patients who currently lack treatment. 'Red blood cells have an irreplaceable function to deliver oxygen to maintain bioenergetics of every single cell within our body,' said Dr Yang Xia, lead author on the study, in a statement 'However, their function in age-related cognition and hearing function remains largely unknown.' He added: 'Our findings reveal that the red blood cell ADORA2B signaling cascade combats early onset of age-related decline in cognition, memory and hearing by promoting oxygen delivery in mice and immediately highlight multiple new rejuvenating targets.' Patients who have severe cases of COVID-19 have a very low chance of getting the virus again, a new study suggests. Researchers from the University Missouri School of Medicine reviewed data on more than 9,000 patients who fell seriously ill and found that less than one percent tested positive again three months or more after they recovered. The average reinfection time for those who did test positive again was three and a half months. Non-white patients, those with asthma, and smokers were more likely to be reinfected. The team says the findings suggest that COVID-19 reinfection is highly unlikely, but possible, but note the research was done before variants - like the Indian Delta variant, which may be more likely to reinfect - started circulating. Got COVID once? You are unlikely to test positive again, a new study shows Slightly more patients were reinfected within shorter time intervals, possibly reflecting long COVID infections After recovering from an illness, patients usually have some degree of immunity because their immune systems remember the disease to prevent it from wreaking havoc a second time. However, the length of time this immunity lasts - and how well it works - is different for every disease. When it comes to COVID-19, scientists are still working to understand this natural immunity and if there is a threshold for immunity. Researchers have documented a few cases of reinfection - patients who get sick with COVID-19 a second time, after their initial recovery. COVID reinfections are known to be rare, though not impossible. In the new study, published in Clinical Infectious Diseases, researchers used an anonymized COVID-19 dataset to look at electronic records of COVID cases in 62 healthcare facilities across the U.S. The researchers identified over 9,000 patients who recovered from severe Covid between December 2019 and November 2020. To qualify for the analysis, patients needed to test positive, visit the hospital during their initial case, and get COVID tested at least four times during the study period. And to be considered a COVID-19 reinfection, a patient needed to test positive over 90 days after recovering from their initial bout with the disease. Out of 9,119 patients in total who were studied, just 63 got the virus a second time., meaning the reinfection rate was just 0.7 percent. The researchers found that non-white patients were at higher risk of reinfection than white patients. Smokers - or those with nicotine dependence - and patients with asthma were also more likely to be reinfected. Patients who smoked or suffered from asthma were more likely to be reinfected Patients were less likely to experience severe COVID-19 complications - such as heart failure and pneumonia - during their second infections. Of those 63 patients who were reinfected, only two died from the virus during their second infection. The researchers noted that the reinfected patients may have had less severe cases in their second bout with COVID-19 because they still had antibodies left from the first round. But this pattern may also be attributed to the fact that doctors have gotten much better at treating COVID-19 patients since the pandemic started. The average time for reinfection was three and a half months. When the researchers calculated reinfection rates for shorter time frames, however, the rates were slightly higher - 2.2 percent of patients tested positive again after 45 days, for example. In some of these cases, the COVID-19 patients may have been experiencing 'long Covid' - symptoms over an extended timeframe. Reinfection rates also tend to be higher when researchers examine longer timeframes, such as over a year. Natural immunity from COVID-19 does not last as long as immunity from a vaccine. While this study suggests that COVID-19 reinfection is very rare, it relies on data that only extends to November 2020 - before dangerous coronavirus variants began circulating. We now know that some variants - such as the Delta variant from India - are more likely to reinfect patients after they recover. The vaccines currently in use in the U.S. work well against Delta, however. 'This is one of the largest studies of its kind in the U.S., and the important message here is that COVID-19 reinfection after an initial case is possible, and the duration of immunity that an initial infection provides is not completely clear,' said lead author Dr Adnan Qureshi, a professor of clinical neurology at the MU School of Medicine. Qureshi and his colleagues suggest that survivors from COVID-19 should not relax their compliance with other public health interventions - and that they should get vaccinated if possible. HISTORY SUNLIGHT AND SHADOWS by Julia Carter (Whitefox 10.99, 160pp) The shimmering azure of the Mediterranean, the dark green of the cypress trees, the scent of thyme, the sound of cicadas on the terrace at dusk . . . dont we feel the pull of the French Riviera at this moment? It was a pull felt by six great writers and artists of the early 20th century, the subjects of Julia Carters short, illuminating book of essays whose title, Sunlight And Shadows, is spot-on. A sunny place for shady people is how Somerset Maugham described nearby Monte Carlo. All six characters in this book Katherine Mansfield, Jean Cocteau, Edith Wharton, Maugham, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Aldous Huxley came to the South of France carrying shadows from their pasts that ran on into the present. Julia Carter has created a book of essays featuring six great writers and artists of the early 20th century. Pictured: F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald with daughter Scottie Katherine Mansfield was grieving for her brother Chummie, who had died in World War I. She was in a tempestuous relationship with her partner John Middleton Murry, and she had a shadow on her lung that would prove to be TB. Jean Cocteau, mourning the love of his life, the author Raymond Radiguet who had died in 1923 aged 20, was addicted to opium as a way of getting through the days. Edith Wharton had come to the Riviera in 1919 to find the freedom she craved after the strain of her marriage to Teddy Wharton who suffered from mental illness. They had lived in splendour in New England, but it had felt like a long prison sentence for Edith. She fled to France, had an affair with a journalist, did wonderful war work in aid of Belgian refugees, and sought longed-for peace on the Riviera. Somerset Maugham was also keeping up the pretence of a happy marriage, but was really in love with his louche American secretary Gerald Haxton. Of all the desirable residences in this book, Maughams house, the Villa La Mauresque, sounds the most delicious, with its marble pool, 13 servants, Impressionist paintings and 20 acres of grounds. F. Scott Fitzgerald was drunk and violent in the evenings and charm itself the next morning; his wife Zelda was manic, anorexic and addicted to dancing. Both were infatuated with (and jealous of) their wealthy American neighbours Gerald and Sara Murphy, who seemed to have the perfect family and gave exquisite parties. Aldous Huxleys mother had died when he was 13, and hed suddenly gone blind in his mid-teens. He was in an open marriage with his bisexual wife, and he was grieving for his friend D. H. Lawrence. Were these people friends with each other? Its complicated. They longed for scintillating conversation over drinks on the terrace while dinner was being prepared by the cook, but they were competitive and wary of one another: desperate to impress, but nervous of being shown up as the poorer neighbour. SUNLIGHT AND SHADOWS by Julia Carter (Whitefox 10.99, 160pp) Maugham was the most confident, enticing the covetable guests of his day Noel Coward, Kenneth Clark, Cecil Beaton, Cyril Connolly, Chips Channon and so on who couldnt resist an invitation to the Villa La Mauresque and lapped up the luxury. And did they write about the South of France, while they were there? Not always, by any means. In those sunlit, opulent surroundings they found the head-space to write immortal classics about other places, other times. Whartons The Age Of Innocence was set in 1870s New York; Mansfields Prelude was set in her childhood New Zealand; Huxleys Brave New World was a dystopia set in a futuristic World State city of London. Carter nails the way in which all that opulence the heat, the ease, the swimming pools, the parties could tip over into sickly excess. Fitzgerald wrote Tender Is The Night here, a novel inspired by his and Zeldas obsession with the Murphys, which shows how opulence can turn rotten. Everyone, it seems, was still in a state of shock after the unimagined horrors of World War I. Those Roaring Twenties, though accompanied by the jollity of the songs such as Yes, We Have No Bananas (a favourite of the Fitzgeralds), were filled with a sense of desolation and perhaps foreboding of the bad things still to come: the Wall Street Crash and the rise of Fascism. Carters book gives us a window into a paradise that was transient and often shallow, suggesting that these writers elaborate homes were in reality carapaces within which they could hide themselves, half hoping to be discovered and half dreading it. Thankfully for us, they did reveal their innermost thoughts and worries in their unsettling works. Advertisement All councils in England and Wales can apply for powers to issue fines of up to 70 to drivers for moving traffic offences before the end of 2021, it has been confirmed by the Department for Transport today. In a statement this week, Under-Secretary of State for the Department for Transport, Baroness Vere, said that from December, local authorities 'will be able to enforce moving traffic offences, such as banned turns, box junctions and driving in formal cycle lanes'. The DfT confirmed to This is Money that all councils will be able to make an application to take responsibility for the enforcement of these minor contraventions from December. It will be the first time local authorities outside of London and Cardiff will be allowed to issue penalty charge notices for these types of offences, which are currently enforced by the police only. The RAC said it is 'fearful' that some authorities may be 'over enthusiastic' in using their new powers for revenue raising reasons. A report by the motoring group last year revealed that the UK and Welsh capitals raked in 58.2million in moving traffic offence fines in the financial year 2018/19, with more than half of the funds generated - at 31.4million - coming from penalties for yellow-box junction infringements. Power shift: The Department for Transport has confirmed that local authorities will be able apply for powers to enforce moving traffic offences, such as banned turns and stopping illegally in box junctions, in their areas from December According to website LocalGov, Baroness Vere told the Traffex industry event on Tuesday: 'Local authorities will need the tools to manage roads in the way that best serves local needs, which may vary in different parts of the country, and it is this ethos of localism that lies behind our decision to give more powers to local authorities under the Traffic Management Act. 'So from December, local authorities will be able to enforce moving traffic offences, such as banned turns, box junctions and driving in formal cycle lanes. 'They will be expected to use these powers to improve connectivity, boost active travel, and increase air quality by reducing congestion. 'And to ensure this change is fair, we will publish guidance for local authorities, so they can make drivers aware that enforcement is being undertaken.' The Transport Committee previously recommended for councils to be give powers to enforce these offence types dye to the police generally being under resourced and unable to widely and effectively enforce moving traffic contraventions. Cllr David Renard, transport spokesperson for the Local Government Association, also told online viewers at the event that councils had been 'calling for powers to make our roads safer and less congested', adding that it was 'good news' that local authorities will be given the responsibility to fine motorists breaching the rules. Only authorities in the capital and Cardiff can currently issue fines for moving traffic contraventions, which are enforced using 'Big Brother' style Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras scattered across the cities. Among the list of minor moving traffic offences councils will be able to enforce includes motorists incorrectly driving in formal cycle lanes MPs have argued that tight police budgets and a decline in officer numbers have resulted in plans to be drawn up to give councils the powers to enforce moving traffic infringements. The DfT reiterated its intention to extend rules to all councils in England and Wales in January, with Transport Minister Rachel Maclean saying it would take months to make changes to legislation to allow local authorities to sting motorists with fines for minor traffic offences. 'Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 requires a set of statutory instruments to be made covering enforcement, level of penalties, financial provisions, approved devices, adjudication and representations and appeals,' she explained earlier this year. Once in place, local authorities will be allowed to make applications to take control of enforcement powers in their areas - a process that can begin from December this year. Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras are currently used in London and Cardiff to enforce fines at junctions with no turn rules, such as this one in Holborn Commenting on the news that powers may be handed to authorities from December, RAC spokesman Simon Williams said it was right for councils in England and Wales to have the ability to enforce known rule-breaking hotspots, but added that the motoring organisation is 'fearful' that some authorities may be 'over enthusiastic' in using their new powers for revenue raising reasons, to the detriment of drivers. 'While the Government has pledged to give councils advice on how best to let drivers know enforcement is taking place, what's really needed is clear guidance on making sure enforcement is always carried out fairly,' he told This is Money. 'Drivers who blatantly ignore signage or highway rules should expect penalties, but there are instances which are not always clear-cut. 'For example, large yellow box junctions can be particularly problematic to get across without stopping, often due to their design, so it's important common sense is applied rather than instantly issuing penalties to drivers.' Williams said councils should firstly review their road layouts at junctions to ensure drivers can negotiate them at all times - especially during busy periods - without confusion. He also said that councils show act responsibly by monitoring the number of PCNs issued in certain areas from December to identify if there is incorrect signage or design of roads that is causing so many motorists to breach rules. 'More broadly, there's a good argument for authorities to issue warning letters in the first instance rather than fines,' he said. 'We also believe drivers should be able to appeal easily if, for example, they receive a penalty for slightly moving into a yellow box to allow an emergency vehicle through.' While fines of up to 70 can be applied for such offences, councils will be forced to offer discounts for PCNs that are paid early - usually within 14 days of being issued. London and Cardiff authorities pocket almost 60m from minor moving traffic offences a year, says RAC London and Cardiff pocketed a combined 58.2million from drivers who committed moving traffic offences in a year, according to a report published by the RAC last year. More than half of the fines - at 31.4million - were from yellow-box junction infringements in the financial year 2018/19, which continue to prove lucrative for authorities across both capitals. One of these junctions, a yellow box in Westminster generated a staggering 333,295, the investigation found. The enforcement of these in the two cities increased by 25 per cent compared to two years earlier, a comparison to previous studies highlighted. A similar investigation by the RAC found that authorities raked in 46.7million from these types of fines in 2016/17 - meaning an additional profit of 11.5million in the 2018/19 financial year earnings. The figures were revealed after the motoring group issued a freedom of information request to all local authorities that are currently able to enforce these offences in England and Wales. The interactive tables below data for PCNs issued for moving traffic contraventions in London and Cardiff in 2018/19. If you're reading this story on the Mail Online app and can't see the table, click this link to view in on our website. Commenting on the findings of last year's report, the RAC said the percentage increase in the number of PCNs issued was greater than the revenue increase. In 2016/17 councils issued 752,871 PCNs, rising to 1,007,405 in 2018/19, which equates to a 34 per cent hike. Authorities in London and Cardiff pocketed revenues of 4.4million for 'no entry' contraventions in 2018/19 Yellow box junctions were - yet again - by far the most lucrative. Drivers can be fined up to 130 for unlawfully stopping in a yellow box, though most PCNs issued will halve this cost if paid within a fortnight of the ticket being issued. Motorists caught stopping in them by CCTV cameras were fined a combined 31.4milllion in 2018/19, compared to 22.3million for 'no turn' offences and 4.4million for 'no entry' contraventions. At the time the report was published, RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said that London boroughs, TfL and Cardiff had been 'generating phenomenal sums of money' from the enforcement of moving traffic offences. 'The vast majority of drivers we've surveyed agree that those who stop on yellow boxes, make illegal turns or go through 'no entry' signs need to be penalised, but when it comes to extending powers to other councils many are concerned, with 68 per cent thinking local authorities will rush to install cameras to generate additional revenue.' Lyes added that four in 10 drivers (39 per cent) also believed that road layouts and signage will be made to be 'deliberately confusing' to increase the number of PCNs issued. 'Clearly, the priority for enforcement should be to improve road safety and reduce congestion,' he explained. Moving traffic offence 'danger zones' in London and Cardiff revealed Transport for London has 399 yellow box junctions but declined to disclose to the RAC how many are enforced Yellow box junctions Of the authorities which benefitted the most from the enforcement of yellow box junctions, TfL topped the table with a revenue of nearly 10million (9,969,545 135,923 PCNs) in 2018/19. However, in terms of single councils, Hammersmith & Fulham was the runaway leader with a 3.5million yellow box revenue pot (from 53,576 PCNs) generated from 16 enforced junctions out of 23 in its area. It was 1.1million ahead of its nearest rival Redbridge, which made 2.4million (34,782 PCNs from 14 enforced junctions out of a total of 35). Merton, the only other council to pocket more than 2million in yellow box penalties, was third on 2.2million (31,081 PCNs from 27 enforced junctions, no overall total of junctions available). In terms of average revenues per enforced junction, Westminster recorded the highest figure with a single junction generating 333,295 from 4,595 PCNs. Hammersmith & Fulham had the second largest average on 223,472 (3.5million from 16 enforced junctions) and Richmond had the second largest average revenue with 156,117. TfL has 399 yellow box junctions but declined to disclose how many are enforced. No turn offences Three authorities topped 2million in revenue from 'no turn' offences with Ealing even managing to outdo TfL with a revenue of 2.6million (from 44,612 PCNs) versus 2million (2,093,651, from 28,978 PCNs). Hackney had the third highest total on 1,888,845. No entry offences Harrow was top for 'no entry' offences with a revenue of 549,785 followed by Southwark on 420,760 and Islington on 357,265. There is much to like about the upcoming float of Wise. By choosing London for its listing it reinforces the UK's reputation as a good place to launch fintech enterprises. Fintech has become a lynchpin of the City's global ambitions five years after the Brexit referendum. Wise is choosing to use the London Stock Exchange's direct listing process to set the price rather than allow investment banks to dictate terms. The latter approach backfired at Deliveroo and Made. Wise decision: Fintech has become a lynchpin of the City's global ambitions five years after the Brexit referendum Founder chief executive Kristo Kaarmann wants to deepen the relationship with both consumers and business customers by encouraging them to buy shares, and is offering a bonus share for every 20 bought. The founders are not shrinking violets. Kaarmann describes the behaviour of banks, which dominate money transfers, as scandalous. Customers may think the cost of a bank transfer at 5 to 10 is reasonable. The reality is banks make big, undisclosed profits on the exchange rate spreads. Wise has a modest fee, makes nothing on the spread and deploys faster, less clunky tech. It reckons it is eight times cheaper than the big banks and has a competitive infrastructure in the UK through 85 institutions, allowing processing in 88 countries. Payments innovators such as Wise are tolerated by the banks, which are so dominant. Businesses, a key target for Wise, tend to prefer one-stop shopping for banking services and Wise has no loan facilities. It operates deposit and debit operations but doesn't want to get involved in the regulatory hassle of offering credit. The founders don't much like talking about the eventual valuation, although 9billion is discussed. If that is the case then it will be a big morsel for a take-out. Among the cornerstone investors Edinburgh-based Baillie Gifford is comfortable that the dual class share structure will enable Wise to concentrate on customers. That should serve as a warning to marauders: steer clear. Purple haze Prospects for Premier Inn owner Whitbread are brighter since hospitality picked up after the May 21 easing of lockdown. There is a tendency to think of Premier Inn as a destination for travelling business people but the confusion over holiday flights ought to be good for summer bookings. The difficulty is that discussion about restored health of the underlying enterprise, under chief executive Alison Brittain, has been swamped by division among investment advisory groups over bonuses. The 35 per cent dissident vote against the decision to carry over a cancelled bonus payment for 2020 until the current year is an own goal for the pay committee. It is unusual to have the august legions of the Investment Association dissing bonus arrangements when radicals at Pirc have not objected. After decades of controversy over executive rewards, dating back to the row over Cedric Brown's pay at British Gas in 1995, the system remains flawed. Remuneration reports are long and complex and are stuffed with obfuscation. Doubtless the Danish chairman of Whitbread's pay committee, Frank Fiskers, is a fine fellow with great experience of European hotels. But it doesn't require genius to recognise that committing to a future bonus in a pandemic for a firm which has made necessary redundancies and benefited from Government support schemes is naive. Chairman Adam Crozier, at the core of many pay rows of his own, should have recognised this. One explanation for Brittain's carried-over award is that she lacks a long-term bonus plan. But whose fault is that? The fundamental problem is the cosy relationship between pay committees and remuneration consultants, most of which are offshoots of the Big Four accounting firms. Potential conflicts of interest are manifold and the ability of some bosses to game the system and wreak unnecessary havoc among investors is only too easy. Chasing assets Another reminder of how UK fintech is lighting up the City. JP Morgan Chase is to snaffle up the digital fund manager Nutmeg, with its 140,000 customers and 3.5billion of assets, for a figure not far short of 1billion. Nutmeg will be an adjunct to new UK digital bank Chase. The deal is both a compliment to UK ingenuity and a disappointment, as it ends up in overseas hands. It makes chairman Jamie Dimon's warnings of decline for the City look rusty. Leather boot brand Dr Martens saw its profits fall last year despite rising online sales after it handed out tens of millions of pounds in staff bonuses following its public listing. Shares in the group tumbled by 11.5 per cent today as it blamed the 80.5million in total costs arising from its initial public offering (IPO) in January for causing profits to fall by over half to 35.7million in the year to March 31. Without these exceptional costs, which included a 49.1million one-off 'IPO bonus' for employees, the company said its operating profit would have been 25 per cent higher at 193million. Staff bonuses caused profits to fall by over half to 35.7million in the year to March 31 The Northamptonshire shoemaker was further hit by store closures across the world, sending its retail sales plummeting by around 40 per cent to 99.7million, which particularly impacted its performance in Japan. Yet it still managed to open 18 more shops across the period, including six in the United States and its first store in Rome, and it hopes to open another 20 to 25 during the current financial year. Three stores were shut down in the UK though, leaving 34 overall; but due to 'resilient trading,' Dr Martens has now returned 1.3million in furlough cash that it claimed from the UK government. Overall sales grew by 15 per cent to 773million, as demand in China soared by 46 per cent, sales in Europe and the Americas grew 17 per cent, and Asia-Pacific sales tipped up 7 per cent. However, higher digital investment and an accelerating shift towards customers purchasing their shoes on the internet helped the value of online purchases jump 73 per cent. The share of online sales also grew by ten percentage points to 30 per cent, and Dr Martens aims for them to comprise 40 per cent of its revenues in the medium term, with the remaining 60 per cent coming from direct-to-consumer channels. Retail weakness: Store closures sent Dr Martens's retail revenues falling 40 per cent last year Chief executive Kenny Wilson said: 'People buy their first pair of Dr Martens in their late teens or early 20s. Those consumers have grown up in a world where digital is the norm, so our strategy has been for a long time to build the digital capabilities of business. 'When the pandemic actually hit, we were ready, and we were able to drive more of our demand to online. The trend towards digital was something we've been working on for years, so we were agile enough to move quite quickly.' Meanwhile, wholesale revenue rose by 18 per cent to 437.9million thanks to sturdy demand from the United States and the company's focus on having fewer relationships but with 'quality partners.' Most of its shoe categories recorded decent growth levels as well, including its sandals collection and classic shoe brands like its 1460 boot, which celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2020. Rock 'n' roll: More famous for being a popular fashion accessory among mods, punks, and grunge bands, bootmaker Dr Martens had its initial public offering in January earlier this year It also announced new sustainability targets today, such as having zero waste in its value chain going to landfill by 2028, becoming a net zero firm by the end of the decade and having all shoes made from 'sustainable materials' by 2040. Russ Mould, an analyst at AJ Bell, said: 'While the aim is to increase web-based sales further in the future, some people will want to try their shoes and boots on first before buying, which could be an obstacle to these efforts. 'There may be some disappointment that, despite a robust sales performance, the outlook given by Dr Martens has remained unchanged. Newly listed firms often set the bar low on guidance so they can clear it early in their life as a public company. 'The company continues to push a strategy of increasing the amount of product it sells direct to consumers, something a lot of major brands are targeting as it gives them greater control over the way it engages with customers.' To fly over London in an AW149 military helicopter on a clear summers morning is to experience a magnificent vision of the capital in its glory. On a thrilling trip from Londons heliport in Battersea, we zip by Hampton Court and Buckingham Palace, and enjoy a birds-eye view of The Shards gleaming pinnacle. In the seat next to me is Nick Whitney, Leonardo Helicopters managing director. Far below is the Olympic stadium, where the Queen and James Bond were airlifted into the 2012 opening ceremony in one of his choppers. Ready for takeoff: A Leonardo AW149 helicopter leaves Battersea Heliport. The AW149 is Leonardos contender for the Ministry of Defences plan to buy a new medium helicopter Normally, the AW149 would be stashed with machine guns and rocket launchers, but they wont let us fly along the Thames with military weaponry, Whitney says, looking mildly regretful. It would also be equipped with a highly sophisticated defensive system to protect the troops on board from being blown to smithereens by anti-aircraft missiles. Fortunately, thats not necessary on our jaunt. After following the snaking route of the river, we head out into the countryside where the pilots demonstrate how manoeuvrable it is, which is vital in a war zone. The AW149 is Leonardos contender for the Ministry of Defences (MoD) recently announced plan to buy a new medium helicopter. Maximum speed is 193 miles an hour and it can carry up to 16 fully equipped personnel. Considering all that, it is relatively quiet and smooth. We dont want troops staggering off the helicopter because they have had such a noisy, bumpy ride. Theyve got to be ready for combat, says Whitney. If chosen, the AW149 would replace the Puma and three aircraft, understood to be the Bell 412, the Bell 212 and the Dauphin N3. The price is confidential and would depend on exactly how it is kitted out. To give some idea, according to aviation sources, the AW189 civilian version costs around 18million to 20million. At the moment, the AW149 is made in Italy, but if Leonardo wins the contract from the MoD, the helicopters will be manufactured in Yeovil in Somerset, where the company employs around 3,100 people. Its activities in the area support a total of more than 12,000 UK jobs. Leonardo owns several former big names in aviation including Marconi Instruments in Luton and Ferranti in Edinburgh, as well as the former Westland helicopters in Yeovil. Westlands history dates back to the First World War, when the first aircraft built there in 1916, a torpedo-carrying Short 184 seaplane made of wood, wire and fabric, was towed off the site by horse and cart. In the Second World War, more than 2,000 Spitfires and Seafires were produced. The Westland name more recently became synonymous with a huge political row in the mid-1980s when Michael Heseltine, then defence secretary, fell out with Margaret Thatcher. She wanted the then-struggling company to merge with Sikorsky of the US, while Hezza favoured a European solution. The Iron Lady prevailed, and subsequently the business passed through the hands of a number of owners including GKN and Finmeccanica of Italy, which changed its name to Leonardo in 2016. High flyers: The Mails Ruth Sunderland with Leonardos Nick Whitney. The company is the second largest supplier of defence equipment to the MoD after BAE Systems Today, Leonardo makes Merlins and Wildcats and is the second largest supplier of defence equipment to the MoD after BAE Systems. Over the past year, its Merlin and Wildcat helicopters have been helping to fight Covid-19, by transporting key personnel and acting as air ambulances. The competition is likely to include Sikorskys Black Hawk, though industry expert Howard Wheeldon suggests the Airbus H175 and H225M Caracal are the main contenders to compete with AW149. Leonardos chances of winning the contract are good, if the Government has taken on board the message about maintaining sovereign capability. It is theirs to lose, Wheeldon says. He adds that the AW149 would make an excellent choice. Leonardo claims to be the only company that will produce the helicopters in the UK from start to finish. That is important, because if they are made abroad, it could entail losing vital skills and intellectual property. In turn, that would risk weakening our military capability and our ability to defend the realm. The helicopter sector in the UK is at a crossroads. Currently, we have the capability to do everything here. If we get this order it will sustain that, says Whitney. We need to build and maintain capability in the UK, we cant just buy it in. We are the only company that can make helicopters in the UK all the way from start to finish, from design to delivery. Initially they would come out of Italy because we have a production line working there. But they could be finished in Yeovil, and then later aircraft could be built completely in Yeovil. We can raise the UK content of the helicopter to 65 per cent. But that is not the end of the story. If you operate an aircraft for, say, 25 years, then there is a lot of income from servicing around 75 per cent of the money you spend will be on support. Whitney also argues a contract win for Leonardo will help the economic recovery and the Governments levelling up agenda. The aerospace industry has been hit hard in the pandemic as commercial flights have been grounded, and desperately needs to bounce back. Every 1 spent on a Leonardo helicopter product in the UK leads to 2.40 flowing back in the economy, through our employees, through the supply base we activate, he says. Levelling up is not just about the North, it is places like Yeovil too. We are the pre-eminent employer here and if you take us out of the equation the average salary would fall quite far. The South West has been badly affected by the pandemic because it is dependent on tourism. We recruit 160 apprentices and graduates every year. This year, 53 per cent of applicants were female, which is fantastic for getting more women into engineering. I started out as an apprentice myself. I desperately want to make sure we have capacity to bring more youngsters in. Post-Brexit, he believes that the defence sector has the potential to become stronger. One of the things the UK has going for it is that we are right at the front of this industry. We need the skills and engineers in the UK, and Brexit has heightened awareness of that. Ten years ago engineering was not seen as a career to encourage your children to go into. I find that really shocking. But the Government has finally woken up to the fact that we need to build and manufacture to grow our way back to prosperity, and engineering is the basis of that. The MoD may sign up for between 30 and 40 helicopters. The hope is that will be a catalyst for export orders. Many overseas customers look to the MoD, says Whitney. We conservatively estimate there would then be 500-550 aircraft that could then be sold over a ten-year period. Boris Johnson said: Build back better. I say: Build helicopters and build them in the UK. Financial technology star Wise has confirmed plans to float, in what is expected to be London's biggest stock market debut of the year. The global payments company is plotting the Square Mile's first direct listing, meaning it will not seek to raise cash and will simply float its existing shares. These will be valued by an auction before general trading opens up. London listing: Wise co-founders Kristo Kaarmann (pictured) and Taavet Hinrikus, as well as investors such as Richard Branson, are set to make huge windfalls when the company floats The firm could be worth up to 9billion. Listing directly has not been used in London before. HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP How to choose the best (and cheapest) DIY investing platform and stocks and shares Isa The float is expected to net Estonian co-founders Kristo Kaarmann and Taavet Hinrikus, as well as investors such as Richard Branson, hundreds of millions of pounds. Kaarmann owns a 19.8 per cent stake, documents revealed yesterday, while Hinrikus owns 11.5 per cent. The pair could be in line for as much as 1.8billion and 1billion respectively if Wise meets expectations. Valar, the investment vehicle of Paypal billionaire Peter Thiel, owns 10.8 per cent and US venture capital fund Andreessen Horowitz owns 9.8 per cent. Former Trainline chief executive Claire Gilmartin will also add to her personal fortune, and will sit on the board. Wise could attract controversy with a dual-class share structure that gives Kaarmann, Hinrikus and existing shareholders outsized voting powers compared with newcomers. Kaarmann said: 'A direct listing allows us a cheaper and more transparent way to broaden Wise's ownership, aligned with our mission.' The boss of Premier Inn hotels Alison Brittain was dealt a blow by shareholders after being awarded a bonus despite the company posting a 1billion loss. Investors in parent company Whitbread cast 35.8 per cent of votes against the companys pay report, handing chief executive Brittain and the board a bloody nose over its decision to dish out 1.5million of performance payouts. This was despite the company receiving more than 250million of taxpayer support, making 1,500 staff redundant and cutting the dividend to zero. Investors in Premier Inn's parent company Whitbread cast 35.8 per cent of votes against the companys pay report which hands chief exec Alison Brittain (pictured) a 729,000 bonus It also came after the company posted a 1billion loss in the year to the end of March, compared with a 280millio profit the year before. Despite this, Brittain could get an 729,000 annual bonus, while finance chief Nicholas Cadbury is in line for 492,000. The vote is embarrassing, especially as it comes less than two years after the substantial 30.2 per cent revolt against the companys move to institute a less arduous restricted share scheme for executives. Yesterdays vote earned the firm a red top warning from the Investment Association (IA), which looks after 8.5trillion for investors, and is one of Britains most powerful voices on executive pay. ISS, another group which advises shareholders, also said the significant awards are not considered appropriate when staff, taxpayers and investors have suffered. More than a third of shareholders, voting at the companys virtual annual general meeting yesterday, agreed. Any vote over 20 per cent is considered a revolt, and will be enough to earn Whitbread a place on the IAs list of shame. They threw out the companys attempt to dampen opposition by delaying the awards until 2022, when they will be subject to another round of targets. The company said this meant no bonus payments were actually made this year. Whitbread said it had noted the response and would continue to have constructive discussions with shareholders, adding: We will report on any actions resulting from those discussions in due course. Yesterday, the company reported very strong bookings throughout the summer from tourists planning to travel to hotels in UK coastal and rural locations. It has now opened 98 per cent of its hotels, but warned the recovery of its pubs were dependent on lockdown restrictions being lifted on July 19. In the three months to May 30, takings in its Premier Inns were at 39.1 per cent of 2019 levels, while revenues in its pubs, which include the Beefeater and Brewers Fayre brands, were at 14 per cent of 2019 levels. Taken together, the groups revenue was just under 30 per cent of 2019 levels over the three-month period. Online wealth adviser Nutmeg has been snapped up by JP Morgan as the Wall Street titan wades into the UK savings market. JP Morgan declined to reveal how much it had spent on the nine-year-old firm, but it is understood the deal values Nutmeg at around 700million. Founders Nick Hungerford, a former stockbroker, and tech entrepreneur William Todd will rake in several million pounds through the deal. UK foothold: Wall Street titan JP Morgan declined to reveal how much it had spent on Nutmeg, but it is understood the deal values the online wealth advisor at around 700m Sir Victor Blank, the former chairman of Lloyds Bank during the financial crisis, was an early backer and is likely to make a generous return. So will more than 2,000 individual investors who ploughed almost 4million into Nutmeg through online platform Crowdcube in 2019. Crowdcubes chief executive Darren Westlake said the sale had made a very healthy return for those investors, and the deal looked set to be the largest amount returned after a raise on the platform. Venture capital firms including Balderton Capital and Pentech Ventures, asset manager Schroders, Taiwanese bank Taipei Fubon, the investment arm of Goldman Sachs, and Hong Kongs Convoy will also cash in. Nutmeg, known as a robo-adviser, asks savers a set of questions through its website or mobile phone app to judge their risk appetite. It then automatically invests their money into funds which track stock market indices like the FTSE 100. Because it relies on technology, and ploughs savers money into tracker funds, its fees are much lower than those charged by traditional wealth managers. Nutmeg looks after more than 3.5billion of savers money, and has more than 140,000 customers. But it has never made a profit in 2019, the last year for which it filed accounts, it was 21million in the red. Even so, JP Morgan is hoping Nutmeg will give it a strong foothold in the UK as it looks to expand its consumer banking brand Chase. Robo-advisers have typically had to burn through money to attract customers, and now JP Morgan will acquire all of that work by snapping up Nutmeg. The US bank plans to launch a range of products in Britain, starting with a new take on current accounts, which is in its testing phase. Sanoke Viswanathan, chief executive of the international consumer bank at JP Morgan, said: We are building Chase in the UK from scratch using the very latest technology and putting the customers experience at the heart of our offering, principles that Nutmeg shares with us. We look forward to positioning their award-winning products alongside our own, and continuing to support their innovative work. JP Morgan said Nutmeg customers would be unaffected by the deal, but that it would be deciding whether to rebrand the robo-adviser under the JP Morgan or Chase brands. Two campers have escaped serious injury after a diesel-fuelled heater caught on fire inside their tent. The brothers were setting up their campsite on a private property in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, over the long weekend when they decided to put their new tent-heater to the test. After assembling their equipment, they left the radiator on to warm their makeshift bedroom before sitting back to enjoy a few beers. But two hours later, while the pair were in another part of the property, the pair spotted a fire at their campsite, rushing back to find their tent completely ablaze. Two brothers have escaped injury after their tent went up in flames while they were camping in the Blue Mountains over the long weekend Footage provided to Daily Mail Australia shows the older sibling battling to contain the raging inferno with a fire extinguisher as his amused brother watches on. 'I think we're sleeping in the cabin tonight,' he says. 'Do you reckon?' his younger brother jokes. The man sprays the fire-fighting gas over the blaze, but the chemicals push the flames, causing smaller spot fires to spark around the campsite. 'How good are tent warmers?' the younger brother says sarcastically, as the blaze continues to engulf the tent. 'Wow. Oh my god. I am so glad we didn't go to sleep early.' After emptying the fire extinguisher, the men fetch a hose from the property to douse out the remaining flickers. The brothers were in a nearby cabin on the property when there barking dogs drew their attention to the blaze (pictured) The fire reduced the tent and a inflatable mattress to rubble, leaving only the charred metal frame. One of the men told Daily Mail Australia they were luckily in a nearby cabin when the blaze broke out. 'We were having a chat in the cabin next to the tent, when we heard our dogs barking. 'We looked out the window and the diesel powered tent heater had caught on fire and had leaked burning fuel all through the tent.' He said they bought the special camping heater, which draws in surrounding air which is then heated by the fuel, through an online store. Neither of the men or their dogs were hurt during the incident. Iranian political prisoners who were interrogated, tortured and sentenced to die by Ebrahim Raisi have told of their horrifying experiences as Iran prepares to make him the country's next president. Farideh Goudarzi, who was jailed for being part of a banned political group, told MailOnline how Raisi watched guards drop her baby on the floor as part of one brutal interrogation - after she was tortured while pregnant and forced to give birth in jail. Meanwhile Mahmoud Royaee, another political prisoner interrogated by Raisi during the execution of up to 30,000 opposition activists in a 1988 purge, said Raisi once handed down a death sentence to an inmate who was in the midst of an epileptic fit. On Friday, the 60-year-old hardliner is expected to be named Iran's next president following an 'election' that saw moderate candidates purged from voting lists. Both Goudarzi and Royaee said Raisi's appointment is intended to send a message to Iranians - following a series of large protests in recent years - that dissent will no longer be tolerated. 'Raisi is being brought to power to massacre these people,' Goudarzi said. Ebrahim Raisi, the hardline head of Iran's judiciary, is expected to become the country's next president following elections on Friday that saw moderates barred from running Raisi is known as 'The Butcher' for his involvement in the 1988 Death Commissions which sent up to 30,000 Iranian political prisoners to the gallows (file image) 'So the message to the people of my country is detention, torture, and execution. 'The message of for the rest of the world is the propagation and export of terrorism. There is no other message.' Goudarzi explained that she was first arrested in 1983 for being part of the People's Mujahedin of Iran, a left-wing pro-democracy organisation and militant group. At the time of her arrest she was 21 years old and eight months pregnant by her husband who was arrested two days before her, alongside her brother. Despite being heavily pregnant, she said she was taken to torture chambers beneath the courthouse in the city of Hamedan - into a small, bloodstained room where she says she was tied down to a bed and beaten by guards. There, guards asked her to give up the names and addresses of other members of the Mujahedin, which Goudarzi said she refused to do - leading them to torture her. 'In the corner of the room I saw a number of cables of different sizes and different widths, on the floor next to the bed was a lot of blood,' she said. 'It was clear that before me another prisoner had been tortured there. 'They put me on the bed and would slap and strike my face, with the cable they flogged my hands.' Goudarzi said there were seven or eight people in the room, one of whom was Raisi - overseeing the interrogation in his position as the prosecutor of Hamedan. After two weeks in detention she said she gave birth to a son, but was sent immediately to solitary confinement with her infant child. The interrogations did not stop even after she gave birth, she claims, saying she was taken to torture chambers virtually every day and asked for information. When that failed to yield results, Goudarzi says the guards began to use her son as part of the torture regime. 'When my son was only 38 days old, one night about 1am, a number of guards and interrogators raided the cell looking for documents. 'They banged the door open and several came in. They grabbed my child and from a distance of 2ft they threw him on the ground. 'I was screaming "what do you want" but nobody was paying attention. My son woke up and was screaming. Mahmoud Royaee (let) and Farideh Goudarzi (right) were both personally interrogated by Raisi during their time as political prisoners in Iran 'The guards ripped his clothes off... They were looking for documents or information, but they didn't specify what exactly 'The next day me and my child we were blindfolded and taken to the Hamedan court. 'From 8am until 2pm I was interrogated, in all that time my child was hungry and crying of hunger. 'One of the guards grabbed him and in front of my eyes hit him on the back, and the entire time I could hear the cries of my child. 'Standing there and witnessing the whole thing was Raisi.' Goudarzi said her husband was also tortured - flogged and lashed so severely that he had to spend time in a mental hospital. After 11 months in detention, in 1984, he was handed a death sentence by Raisi and hanged from a construction crane in the courtyard of the courthouse. Meanwhile her brother was given 20 years in prison for belonging to a banned group. She was sentenced to five years. That meant Goudarzi and her brother were still in jail when the regime began purging political prisoners in what became known as the 1988 Death Commission. It is thought that an order - possible from Ayatollah Khomeinei himself - was sent to prosecutors across Iran ordering them to put all political prisoners on trial for their lives as 'apostates of Islam'. The order covered tens of thousands of prisoners who were serving sentences for belonging to opposition groups including the Mujahedin, as well as thousands more who had completed their sentences and were waiting for release. Many had been students when they were initially arrested, including some who were as young as 15 or 16. One of those men was Mahmoud Royaee, who told MailOnline that he was originally arrested aged 18 in 1981 and taken to the notorious Evin prison in Tehran where he was tortured and then handed a death sentence for belonging to the Mujahedin. His sentence was reduced to 10 years after his father paid money to the court, and until 1988 he was moved between three jails before ending up in Gohardasht prison, some 20 miles from Tehran, as the Death Commission got underway. Royaee told MailOnline that he was hauled to court in Karaj, where Raisi was also a prosecutor, and told to sign a piece of paper denouncing the Mujahedin and requesting amnesty from Khomeinei. When he refused, he said Raisi and another prosecutor threw him out of court - unbeknownst to him, they had ordered his execution. But, thanks to well-connected family members who knew people at the court, Royaee was not immediately hanged and was instead sent back in front of prosecutors - clutching a piece of paper on which he had written a short statement saying he was not in contact with any opposition groups. Royaee said he was thrown out a second time and sent to a 'death corridor' where people waiting to be executed were sat - although they didn't know this at the time. Mahmoud was being held at Gohardasht prison (pictured) when he was hauled before Raisi and sentenced to death for refusing to sign a forced confession - a fate he ultimately escaped But his name was never called by the executioners - he believes because the handwritten appeal was never resolved by prosecutors, meaning his name was not added to the death lists and he survived. Others were not so lucky. 'One of my friends who was a prisoner was suffering from heavy epilepsy. More than 50 per cent of his body was disabled, he couldn't move it,' Royaee said. 'Also his prison term had expired and was finished, he was waiting to be released. They still took him to the death commission. 'When they brought him to the [court] he had a seizure. The other prisoners there, although they were blindfolded, they tried to help him to stop him from striking his head on the ground 'In that condition he was summoned by Raisi and his death sentence was signed - a person whose prison sentence was finished. 'He was suffering epilepsy, he was half paralyzed, he had lost some of his memory. Even to him, they showed no mercy. 'If Raisi was not on the death commission, he would still be alive. Nobody else would have given that sentence.' The man's death was just one of many that took place in five bloody months in the summer of 1988. While exact numbers of the dead are unknown, it is thought that at least several thousand and possibly more than 30,000 people were put to death - hanged by construction cranes in batches of 10. Among them was Goudarzi's brother, who was still serving his 20-year sentence for being part of the Mujahedin. She was also taken back to solitary confinement and tortured for three months to try and extract more information, but ultimately escaped the death penalty thanks to the pleadings of a senior cleric. Fortunately, by that time her son had been allowed to leave prison and go to live with her family so he escaped the torture. She was finally released from jail in the autumn of 1988, just a few months after the Death Commission ended. Royaee was forced to serve out the remaining three years of his sentence before he was also released. Four years later Royaee fled Iran with the help of friends who live outside the country, and he now lives in Albania. Goudarzi remained in Iran for the next 28 years, but decided to flee the country when her son was arrested for belonging to the Mujahedin - just as she was. Fearing that he would suffer the same fate as his father and uncle, the pair fled the country before also making their way to Albania. Raisi is the favourite of the regime to win the election, and is also ahead with voters according to polling - though only after moderates were banned from running Royaee and Goudarzi say that Raisi is being brought to power to send a message to Iranians that dissent will no longer be tolerated But while the pair may have left their old lives behind, both said that Raisi is a figure that will never leave their minds. Royaee said: 'He had no humanity, he was very vicious towards the prisoners. 'The hatred that he was filled with against the prisoners - I have seen very few people like that. 'It's intolerable for me, for the families of the victims and for the nation of Iran to even contemplate such a man having the presidency 'His place is in court, on the defendant's chair.' Goudarzi added: 'In my opinion Raisi is the murdered of the children of Iran, he is a criminal.' Both have called on western governments to oppose Raisi's appointment and to put pressure on the regime by refusing to deal with it - a pointed reference to nuclear negotiations that Biden has pledged to resume. Iranians do get to vote in the presidential election with the ballot held on Friday, but candidates have to be vetted and approved by the regime ahead of time - with Raisi their clear favourite. Raisi - currently the head of the Iranian judiciary who has been responsible for the detention of foreign nations and crushing protests in Iran - is also the current frontrunner with voters, according to polling. Hassan Rouhani, a religious moderate who has been president since 2013, is barred from running again due to term limits - while other members of his political faction have been purged from the candidate lists. While the country Supreme Leader - Ayatollah Ali Khamenei - has the final say on all matters to do with the state, the president sets domestic policy and is also responsible for setting the tone in which Iran interacts with the world. An emergency service therapy dog has helped save a young woman who was thinking of taking her own life. Digby, who works with crews from the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, came to the aid of the woman on a bridge over the M5 motorway near Exeter on Tuesday. The fire service was on the scene as part of the response but negotiators were becoming increasingly worried about the situation. Australian labradoodle Digby, the 'defusing dog', was then taken to the bridge before the woman was successfully encouraged to climb back over the railings to meet him. Police said she was later taken into the care of mental health professionals. Digby, who works with crews from the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, came to the aid of the woman on a bridge over the M5 motorway near Exeter on Tuesday Devon and Cornwall Police took to social media to share the update in a post that read: 'This is Digby. Today he did something amazing and helped save a young woman who was thinking of taking her own life on a bridge over the M5 near Exeter. 'We were at the incident as part of a multi-agency response. Police negotiators were speaking with the woman but the situation was becoming increasingly worrying. 'One of the fire crews had the idea to bring along Digby, our "defusing" dog... 'When Digby arrived, the young woman immediately swung her head round to look, and smiled. 'This got a conversation started about Digby and his role at the fire service. 'She was asked if she would like to come and meet Digby if she came back over the railings, which we are pleased to say she did.' Digby, who began working with the fire service in 2018 (pictured), has previously helped in talking therapy sessions for emergency workers who have been exposed to trauma Digby, who began working with the fire service in 2018, has previously helped in talking therapy sessions for emergency workers who have been exposed to trauma. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said it wishes the woman all the best in her recovery. Anyone in need of confidential emotional support can call Samaritans free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org. Advertisement It's an event celebrating the rich heritage of motoring on two wheels which will excite fans both young and old. A new auction will see 100 motorbikes go up for sale, including a faithfully reconstructed 1920s Brookland's racer, which is expected to fetch up to 22,000. Skipping forward, a 1947 Vincent Rapide is also on offer. It was England's fastest motorbike when it first went on sale and has since been fitted with a Watsonian sidecar. It is expected to sell for up to 35,000. Marking the 1950's and 1960's, there is a great choice of classic British bikes with Triumphs and BSA including a 1962 BSA Rocket Gold Star for 18,000-22,000. For the noughties, there is a 2003 Ducati 999 Monoposto Special Order which, unusually for a Ducati, is painted yellow rather than red. The super bike has covered only 3,000 miles and is tipped to sell for up to 9,000. The newest bikes in the auction - a 2019 Royal Enfield Interceptor and a Manx Norvin from a year earlier - bizarrely look like they're among the oldest in the collection. The former is tipped to sell for up to 5,000, whilst the latter could sell for as much as 45,000. Viewing for the auction is being held at the Haynes International Motor Museum, in Sparkford, Somerset, on Tuesday, June 29. The sale will take place a day later at Charterhouse Auctioneers, in Sherborne, Dorset. George Beale, of Charterhouse, said: 'The market for classic and vintage motorcycles continues to remain strong.' 'They also have great appeal from collectors in Europe and other countries as unlike cars there is no steering wheel on the wrong side!' 1920s It's an event celebrating the rich heritage of motoring on two wheels which will excite fans both young and old. A new auction will see 100 motorbikes go up for sale. Pictured: A bike built by engineer Carl Wadkin-Snaith in the style of a 1920s Brookland's racer. It is expected to fetch up to 22,000 when it is sold by Charterhouse Auctioneers, in Sherborne, Dorset, on June 30 The magnificent 500cc machine took four years to build. The lower estimate sale price is 18,000. The famous Brooklands circuit, in Weybridge, Surrey, hosted its last race in August 1939. It now forms part of the popular Brooklands Musuem Mr Wadkin-Snaith's creation boasts a beautiful leather seat. He previously said of the bike: 'I couldn't afford a real Brooklands racer so I designed and built my own, representative of the bikes that raced at Brooklands in the late 1920s' 1930s From the 1930's there is a 1936 Velocette KTS. Owned by a collector in Devon and beautifully restored it is estimated to sell for between 9,000-10,000 1940s A 1947 Vincent Rapide is also on offer. With an original top speed of 110mph, was England's fastest motorbike when it first went on sale. This example has since been fitted with a Watsonian sidecar. It is expected to sell for up to 35,000 The Rapide was first on sale from 1936 until 1939 and production then resumed in 1946, before ending permanently in 1955 1950s This bike, a 1959 Velocette Venom Clubman, is expected to sell for between 8,000 and 10,000. It was originally re-built in the early 1990s by its previous owner before being bought once more two years ago and restored once again This 1953 BSA DBD 34 Gold Star has only 2,065 miles on the clock. It was bought by its present owner in 2004 and has been restored to an excellent standard. The bike is expected to sell for between 9,000 and 11,000 The Gold Star is still regarded as a design icon of its era, thanks to the fact that it was was almost continuously developed over its lifetime by BSA's engineers and riders. It was produced from 1938 to 1963 1960s This 1967 Triumph Trackmaster was made in the US for flat track racing. It is expected to sell for between 8,000 and 10,000. Thanks to its distinguished past, it still bears a prominent number '7' on both the front and side This BSA Rocket Gold Star, dating from 1962, has just 3,292 recorded miles on the clock. It is an original machine which has undergone some restoration. This desirable classic is expected to sell for between 18,000 and 22,000 1970s This 1974 Kawasaki Z1A has just 30 recorded miles. It has been totally restored by its current owner and is expected to sell for between 15,000 and 16,000. This highly collectable 1974 Ducati 750 Sport, finished in bright yellow, is expected to sell for between 28,000 and 32,000 The beautiful bike is in extremely good condition and has just 25,588 recorded miles on the clock. Any buyer is likely to benefit financially in future if they sell it on, because the model is continuing to increase in value 1980s This 1989 Honda NSR 250 MC18 has not been ridden for 14 years. However, it has been stored in a heated workshop and has rebuilt brake callipers, along with new pistons and brake discs. It is expected to sell for between 4,000 and 5,000 This bike, a 1980 BMW R100RS, is described by Charterhouse as a 'real collector's item'. It has just 11,052 miles on the clock. Although it has not been restored, it remains in very good condition It was bought by its present owner in July 2019. The owner before that bought the bike in 1980. It is expected to sell for between 11,000 and 13,000 1990s This 1994 Honda VFR 750 has 49,652 miles on the clock and is in very good condition. It was bought by its present owner in December 2019 and has been little-used since then. It is tipped to sell for between 1,200 and 1,500 This Ducati 748 SP, which dates from 1997, has only 13,845 miles on the clock. Its owner, who has recently passed away, bought the bike in 2001. It is tipped to sell for between 3,500 and 4,500 2000s From the noughties there is a 2003 Ducati 999 Monoposto Special Order. Unusually for a Ducati, it is painted in yellow rather than red, this super-bike has covered only 3,000 miles and is estimated to sell for between 7,000 and 9,000 2010s This 2018 Manx Norvin, built using a genuine 1961 Norton Manx frame, is expected to sell for between 43,000 and 45,000 The bike was featured on the front page of 'Classic Bike' magazine in January 2019 and has won numerous trophies including the 'Engineering Excellence Award' at the Stafford Show in 2019 Ohio State House Rep. Larry Householder (seen above at the Ohio House of Representatives in Columbus on Wednesday) was expelled by fellow lawmakers Members of the Ohio House expelled Rep. Larry Householder, the federally indicted Republican ex-speaker, Wednesday in a bipartisan vote that invoked their powers to remove a member for the first time in 150 years. The GOP-controlled House voted 75-21 to remove Householder, of Perry County, approving a resolution that stated he was not suited for office because of the indictment. The state constitution allows expulsion for 'disorderly conduct' without defining it. Defiant to the end, Householder reiterated his innocence in a House floor speech before the vote and predicted again he would be acquitted of accusations that he orchestrated a $60million bribery scheme meant to approve legislation to prop up two nuclear power plants and then kill a ballot issue trying to overturn the law. 'I have not nor have I ever taken a bribe or solicited or been solicited for taking a bribe,' Householder said. After the vote, Speaker Bob Cupp paused the House session briefly while Householder left without incident, trailed by reporters. The GOP-controlled House voted 75-21 to remove Householder, of Perry County, approving a resolution that stated he was not suited for office because of a federal indictment The state Constitution allows expulsion for 'disorderly conduct' without defining it. Householder said he was returning to his southern Ohio farm Wednesday to help his wife plant tomatoes, cabbage, lettuce and sweet corn. Over the longer term, he intends to speak out against elected officials he believes - unlike himself - have in fact acted unconstitutionally. 'I can tell you this much,' Householder told reporters. 'Fellow elected officials who didn't like public citizen Householder are really not going to like private citizen Householder.' The full House took to a vote after Republican lawmakers forced the measure to the floor instead of waiting for the expulsion resolution to work through the committee process. Reps. Brian Stewart and Mark Fraizer, both Republicans representing districts that border Householder's, encouraged their colleagues to 'do the right thing' and remove Householder from his seat. 'If racketeering, bribery and money laundering do not constitute disorderly conduct, then frankly nothing ever could,' Stewart said. Defiant to the end, Householder reiterated his innocence in a House floor speech before the vote and predicted again he would be acquitted Former Ohio Republican Party chairman and consultant Matthew Borges (pictured left and right) was also arrested in the bribery case. Pictured far right in the image on the right in court in 2004 in Cleveland where he and another former employee of state Treasurer Joseph T Deters pleaded guilty in a scheme to funnel donations to his campaign and help donors get in contact with people who could get them state business The others arrested in the probe were longtime Statehouse lobbyist Neil Clark, Juan Cespedes, the co-founder of The Oxley Group in Columbus, and Jeffrey Longstreth (from left to right) Fraizer called the indictment a stain on the institution and said, 'it is time for us to come together as one body.' Among other Republicans voting to expel their GOP colleague were eight of the 13 remaining members Householder had recruited to help him win the speakership and Cupp. Cupp said the federal grand jury indictment was the deciding factor for him. Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and associates arrested in $60million bribery scheme Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and four others were arrested Tuesday in connection to a $60million bribe to pass and uphold a $1billion nuclear plant bailout plan. Larry Householder Householder, 61, was speaker of the Ohio state Senate from 2001 to 2004. After leaving office he and associates were under investigation for alleged money laundering and irregular campaign practices but the case was closed in 2006 and charges were never filed. He decided to rerun for a House of Representatives seat in 2016 and in 2019 was elected as Speaker of the Ohio House. Jeff Longstreth Longsteth, 44, is a longtime Householder adviser. He helped form Generation Now, a dark money group that fought to defeat a ballot initiative to overturn Ohios nuclear energy bailout. He works with JPL & Associates, a political consulting firm based in Ohio. Matthew Borges Borges, 48, is a former Ohio Republican Party chairman and consultant. He lobbied for the nuclear energy bailout. In 2004 he was involved in a bribery scandal while working for then Ohio Treasurer Joe Deters, who is now Hamilton Countys prosecutor. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanour charge in funnelling contributions to Deters campaign from donors seeking to do business with the treasurers office. Juan Cespedes Cespedes, 40, is the co-founder of The Oxley Group in Columbus. With the group he is a lobbyist for FirstEnergy Solutions. Hes currently a board member of the Ohio Arts Council. FirstEnergy Solutions, which is now named energy Harbor, owned the two power plants that House Bill 6 bailed out. Neil Clark Clark, 67, is a longtime Statehouse lobbyist who founded Grant Street Consultants in Columbus. He is a former chief operating officer of the Ohio Senate Republican Caucus. Advertisement 'It seems to me that clearly meets the definition in the Ohio Constitution of disorderly conduct,' he said. Householder and four associates were arrested in July in an investigation connected to the nuclear bailout legislation, House Bill 6, which contained a $1billion ratepayer-funded rescue that would have added a new fee to every electricity bill in the state and directed over $150million a year through 2026 to the plants near Cleveland and Toledo. Householder faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Before the expulsion vote, GOP Rep. Bill Seitz of Cincinnati argued unsuccessfully that an unproven criminal indictment is not the action implied by disorderly conduct. The proper approach would be an impeachment trial or to wait for the criminal case's outcome, he said. 'What else are they going to bring in and say is disorderly conduct?' Seitz said. State Rep. Emilia Sykes, the top House Democrat, who has been urging lawmakers to expel Householder for several months, said the disgraced lawmaker gave the chamber 'no choice but to act.' 'Make no mistake, there is no joy in seeing a former Ohio speaker removed from office in disgrace, but this is our opportunity to stand against corruption and to turn a page on this dark chapter in Ohio history and begin to rebuild the People's trust in a government that's supposed to work for them,' Sykes said in a statement. 'Justice, decency and common sense gave a standing ovation to today's vote to expel Mr. Householder from the People's House," Republican Attorney General Dave Yost tweeted shortly after the vote. A day before his colleagues voted him out, Householder appeared in front of a committee where he delivered hours-long testimony on why removing him from office would be the wrong thing to do. 'Just think of the precedent this will set: Allegations are enough to remove anyone from office,' Householder testified Tuesday. 'That's absurd.' Two of Householder's co-defendants and an involved nonprofit have pleaded guilty in the case. FirstEnergy, the energy company at the heart of the latest scandal, has acknowledged in court filings making the bulk of the payments in the alleged bribery scheme. The last time the Ohio House expelled a sitting lawmaker was in 1857 when John P. Slough was removed for punching a fellow legislator. On Tuesday, Householder went on to compare the bipartisan efforts to remove him to the attempts by Congressman Adam Schiff and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to impeach former President Donald Trump earlier this year. 'This is clearly politically motivated and I think everyone in this room knows that,' he said. In 2004, Householder left the House the first time due to term limits while he and several top advisers were under federal investigation for alleged money laundering and irregular campaign practices. Householder (right) is escorted to his office by a House Sergeant at Arms after being expelled from the Ohio House at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus on Wednesday The government later closed the case without filing charges. Householder ultimately returned to the chamber and, after a nasty battle, was again elected speaker in 2019. The man he beat for the job, former Republican Speaker Ryan Smith, had alleged Householder and his allies intimidated Smith's supporters during two speaker battles where Householder was either involved or running. On Wednesday, Smith tweeted simply, 'KARMA!' Advertisement The house where Charles Manson's followers brutally murdered a grocery store owner and his wife in 1969 has sold for $1.8 million. An anonymous buyer closed on the Los Angeles property on Tuesday, TMZ first reported, at a discounted price of $1.87 million from paranormal investigator Zak Bagans, host of the show 'Ghost Adventures.' Bagans had bought the modest 1,655-square-foot home in 2019 in hopes of filming a project at the Los Feliz property, according to TMZ, but soon abandoned the idea out of respect to the LaBianca family. He first tried to sell it one year later for $2.2 million, and it was on the market for eight months before the anonymous buyer closed on the deal. The house where Charles Manson's followers brutally stabbed a middle-class couple in 1969 has sold for $1.8 million The Mediterranean-style Los Angeles house sits on a 0.71-acre lot, and features a fountain in the backyard The Los Feliz home features a covered patio that overlooks a large in-ground pool, perfect for the hot summer months A patio set outside the home lets residents enjoy the views of the surrounding Los Angeles neighborhood The patio also features a screen that can be pulled down for extra privacy or to keep free of insects The property overlooks the San Gabriel Mountains, and is surrounded by lush greenery, offering a serene view A terrace outside one of the bedrooms offers couples a romantic place to watch the sunset over the mountains each night The gated single-story home sits on a 0.71 acre lot and offers two bedrooms and two bathrooms, according to Realtor.com. It was first built in the 1920s, when Los Angeles real estate was booming with would-be stars trying to move into the city, and was last renovated in March 2019, before Bagans moved in, according to the New York Post. It features an expansive living room with a gas fireplace and Italian tile floors, which then opens up into a formal dining room, and a covered patio that overlooks an in-ground pool, which is surrounded by greenery, including some fruit trees. A terrace outside one of the bedrooms also offers couples a romantic place to watch the sunset each night. The front of the property offers views of the Silver Lake hills and downtown Los Angeles, and the backyard overlooks Griffith Park, Glendale and the San Gabriel Mountains. An extravagant living room opens up to a formal dining room inside the 1,655-square-foot home There are chandeliers and extravagant rugs throughout the home, making it look very elegant The home also offers a comfortable space to do work or read a book One of the house's two bathrooms maintains the 1920s look, with pink-tiled walls The Realtor.com listing said it has 'tremendous upside potential as the lot size is truly rare for the pristine location,' and said it is 'truly, one of a kind.' The listing does not mention, however, that on August 10, 1969, followers of cult leader Charles Manson brutally stabbed Leno and Rosemary LaBianca more than 50 times. The group had murdered starlet Sharon Tate, who was eight and a half months pregnant at the time, just the night before, stabbing her more than 16 times, after cutting her electricity and backing their cars into the driveway so she could not escape. They then wrote 'pig' in her blood. Her friends, Jay Sebring, Wojciech Frykowski and Abigail Folger were also murdered at the home of Tate rented with and her husband, who rented it from director Roman Polanski. Manson was reportedly desperate to make those deaths look like part of a race war, and ordered his followers to kill the LaBiancas the next night. The LaBiancas were stabbed more than 50 times the night of August 10, 1969, one day after the murder of starlet Sharon Tate Manson was arrested in 1969 and was sentenced to death, which ultimately turned into life in prison He had formed a cult in 1967, after being discharged from prison on prostitution charges, comprising mainly young women from California. Together they became known as the 'Manson Family.' They did drugs, such as LSD and magic mushrooms, and eventually many of the young girls began to believe Manson's claims that he was Jesus and his prophecies of a race war. Manson was influenced not only by the drugs, though, but also by works of art and music from the time, most notably The Beatles song 'Helter Skelter' from the 1968 White Album. Paul McCartney has said that the playground slide in the song was a metaphor for the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. Manson, however, interpreted the lyrics as incitation to begin a race war. He turned to the album and lyrics to justify his scheme and guide his followers to murder. By 1971, he was convicted of first-degree murder for directing the Tate and the LaBiancas murders, and was sentenced to death, which was automatically commuted to life in prison after California's Supreme Court invalidated all death sentences prior to 1972. He died of natural causes in 2017. A mother who posted on TikTok that she was homeless and living in a stairwell with her newborn baby has been inundated with offers by generous Australians offering food, money and a place to stay. The woman posted two videos in the past three days. In the first she said she had left an abusive home and was struggling to survive. 'I have slept in an apartment staircase overnight,' she posted. 'I haven't eaten all day and am experiencing extreme hunger pains. 'I have nowhere to go so if anyone can offer as a room for a week it would save us from sleeping on the streets.' The mother posted two videos on TikTok asking for food and accommodation, and said she had left an abusive home The second video shows the mother in a stairwell with a baby asleep in a carrier as she asks if anyone has a place to stay in the Wollongong/Illawarra/Sydney areas In the second video she pans around the staircase where she said she is staying with her baby, who is visible, tucked asleep in a carrier. "Can someone please help,' she posted. 'I need a place to stay in Wollongong/Illawarra/ Sydney area. 'We have stayed in a staircase overnight and have nowhere to go or I have nothing to ear and running low on nappies for my baby.' Reactions to the videos by kindhearted Australians and others from around the world were immediate. 'I'm in Warilla,' wrote one underneath her video. 'If you can find a way down or can transfer you money for food, nappies etc. You can stay as long as you like to get on your feet.' 'How far in Sydney can you travel, love?' another asked. 'I have a room and food and things we could organise for you and bub if you need to to.' Hundreds of others offered to transfer money to the mother, from as far away as the UK and the US. "Can I pay for a hotel for you? I live in America and I know it's cold out there in Australia,' wrote one American. 'Do you have BeemIt? I can send you some money that way,' a generous person commented. The woman provides a PayPal address in her bio for donations. An American man who spent $15,000 on a private charter plane to say goodbye to his dying father has been denied entry to Queensland from NSW. Mark Kilian and his wife Anneli flew from Los Angeles to Sydney on Tuesday, and were granted a travel exemption by Australian Border Force and NSW Health. However, when the Kilians tried to leave NSW on a $15,000 private charter plane, they were refused entry to by Queensland Health officials. Mr Kilian's 80-year-old father Frans weighs just 44kg and is dying of pancreatic cancer at hospital on the Gold Coast. Queensland Health has since rejected the couple's quarantine exemption application multiple times. Mark Kilian and his wife Anneli flew from LA to Sydney on Tuesday and were granted a travel exemption by Border Force and NSW Health. But they were then refused entry to Queensland 'All we are hoping is to see my dad Frans before he passes and to say goodbye. Time is of the essence as he is not expected to last much more than a few days,' Mr Kilian wrote on an online petition. Frans was rushed to Robina Hospital late Tuesday afternoon after his condition became critical. 'My mother who is 91 requires 24/7 care which has been impossible since Dad's condition rendered him unable to care for her,' he said. Mr Kilian said his father's doctor 'emphasised in an appeal letter to Queensland Health that we present a minimal health risk to the people of Queensland'. The Home Affairs Home Affairs determined that 'the circumstances outweigh the risk to the Australian community'. 'We are also supported by the US consulate which in an appeal to Queensland Health stated that "we urge the Queensland Government to also balance the compelling compassionate circumstances of this dying Australian citizen and his family against the extremely low risk to community public health",' he said. Despite the couple both testing negative and being fully vaccinated against Covid, Queensland Health said officials would always 'put the safety of the community first'. Mr Kilian told Sunrise he was 'emotionally drained' and disappointed that a situation like this could happen in Australia. Mr Kilian's 80-year-old father Frans weighs just 44kg and is dying of pancreatic cancer at hospital on the Gold Coast Poll Should Mark Kilian be allowed into Queensland to visit his dying father? Yes No Should Mark Kilian be allowed into Queensland to visit his dying father? Yes 1348 votes No 126 votes Now share your opinion 'When we arrived, [my father] was expecting to see us that day. And I think sometimes people just hold on to see somebody,' he said. 'Once he realised we were not coming, he tanked. He was then rushed to hospital immediately, where he still is. 'I have not heard one person who has said maybe they are right they making that decision. Everyone is livid, everyone is mad, everyone is sad for us and the situation. It is not just us, other people have been affected in the same way.' Ms Kilian said she and her husband had even offered to wear hazmat suits and tracking devices in order to make the trip possible. 'We both got our second doses of the vaccine in April, so that's two months ago, and we got tested before we flew here in Los Angeles and on our arrival in Sydney we had another test - and both of those tests were negative,' she said. 'It's just so terribly sad.' The asylum seeker parents of the Biloela family housed temporarily in Perth cannot work and must survive on $36 a day which has to cover their rent and bills. The Tamil Murugappan family are living at an undisclosed location in Perth, after two years in offshore detention on Christmas Island, while four-year-old daughter Tharnicaa undergoes treatment for a blood infection. Though there is relief that the Murugappan family is on the mainland to support their daughter's recovery, conditions of the family's community detention order are restrictive. Tharnicaa Murugappan (pictured) was medically evacuated to Perth after being hospitalised on Christmas Island with a suspected blood infection. Her family are with her in Perth, but are subject to severe restrictions including a tight daily allowance to pay for rent and bills and having their movements controlled Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews claimed reporting of Tharnicaa Murugappan's condition - which is the reason the family was temporarily rehoused in Perth - has been inaccurate They have an allowance of $252 a week to cover the cost of renting their home and utilities, cannot travel interstate or have visitors, or stay anywhere overnight, and are banned from formal study or holding jobs, the ABC reported. Both previously worked while living in Biloela in Central Queensland. 'They have to ask for permission if they're going to spend a night anywhere else, for example, or if they want to have people stay there,' Centre for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Detainees general manager Joanna Josephs said. 'They don't really have the opportunity to live normal lives in Australia and have any sense of independence.' Their living conditions were revealed as Labor called on Home Affairs minister Karen Andrews to apologise for suggesting Tharnicaa wasn't as ill as has been reported. 'I can't answer anything that would give details of this child's medical condition other than to say a lot of the reporting has been inaccurate,' she told 4BC radio. Tharnicaa reads a book from her bed in Perth hospital on Thursday where she is being treated for sepsis. The announcement comes amid growing calls for the federal government to resettle the family Priya and Nades Murugappan (top left and right) and their two Australian daughters Tharnicaa, 4, and Kopika, 6,are temporarily living in Perth while Tharnicaa has treatment 'The illness the child is suffering and is in hospital for has been well and truly treated, in the advice I have been given.' Labor's spokesman for multicultural affairs Andrew Giles lashed out in a statement on twitter over her comments. 'It's appalling that Minister Andrews speaks so carelessly and callously about a sick four-year-old girl,' he wrote. 'Tharnicaa got so sick in detention that she had to be evacuated to a Perth hospital, where she remains. The minister should reflect on her comments and she must apologise.' Father Nades and mother Priya are both asylum seekers, having arrived in 2012 and 2013 respectively. They were granted temporary bridging visas and settled in Biloela in Central Queensland where they married and had two girls. Nades Murugappan (pictured) and his Australian-born daughter Kopika, 6, leave Perth airport on June 15 after arriving back in the country from detention on Christmas Island Mr Murugappan holds up the ID card of his Australian-born daughter Kopika as they arrived in Perth Nades and Kopika of the Biloela family board a plane on Christmas Island bound for Perth on Tuesday (pictured at the airport) to be reunited with her sister and mother Kopika was born in 2015 and Tharnicaa in 2017 - both in Australia. In 2018 the family were removed from Biloela and placed in the Broadmeadows detention centre in Melbourne, before being taken to the offshore detention centre at Christmas Island in 2019. They were detained on Christmas Island for more than two years and reunited at Perth Hospital this week, where Tharnicaa was being treated. Father Nadesalingam 'Nades' Murugappan and his daughter Kopika, 6, were photographed in a car driving towards the hospital on Tuesday evening. They were on their way to meet with Mr Murugappan's wife Priya and four-year-old daughter Tharnicaa, who was flown to Western Australia from Christmas Island to treat the painful blood infection earlier this week. The federal government has been weighing up what to do with the Sri Lankan asylum seeker family as it faces mounting pressure to let them stay in Australia, where both of their children were born. Pictured: Nades and Kopika of the Biloela family prepare to board a plane to Perth The Biloela family have been detained on Christmas Island for more than two years (pictured, Nades and Kopika wave goodbye to the island) They were not required to enter hotel quarantine as they have not left Australian soil, with Christmas Island being an Australian territory. The federal government is under mounting pressure to let the Sri Lankan asylum seeker family stay in Australia permanently. There was widespread outrage across the country after it was revealed young Tharnicaa was sent to the mainland with her mother for treatment while her father and sister remained at the detention centre. Immigration Minister Alex Hawke on Tuesday announced the family would now be allowed to reside in Perth while their daughter receives treatment, granting the Tamil family a 'community detention order'. 'In making this determination I am balancing the government's ongoing commitment to strong border protection policies with appropriate compassion in circumstances involving children in held detention,' he said. 'The family will now reside in suburban Perth through a community detention placement, close to schools and support services, while the youngest child receives medical treatment from the nearby Perth Children's Hospital and as the family pursues ongoing legal matters.' The Biloela family that have been detained on Christmas Island for more than two years have been reunited in Australia The decision releases the family from held detention while they pursue ongoing litigation before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, Federal Court and High Court. But the decision does not create a pathway for a visa. 'The government's position on border protection has not changed. Anyone who arrives in Australia illegally by boat will not be resettled permanently,' he said. 'Anyone who is found to not be owed protection will be expected to leave Australia.' Family friend Angela Fredericks said the decision is a welcome one for the long-suffering asylum seekers, but called for more to be done to bring the family back to their Central Queensland home, Biloela. 'We are pleased that the Department of Home Affairs is finally taking this family off Christmas Island, after more than three years of sub-standard care in immigration detention in Melbourne and on Christmas Island,' she said. 'Nades is keen to get back to work in Biloela to support his young family, which he cannot do while the family is forced into community detention. The family's plight is back in the spotlight after four-year-old Tharnicaa was flown with her mother from Christmas Island to the mainland for medical treatment Kopika (left) gets taken to school by guards while Priya stays inside to look after four-year-old Tharunicaa (right) 'Priya wants to enrol Kopika at Biloela State School to continue her education. And we promised little Tharni a big birthday party when she got home. 'Australia knows this family's home is in Biloela.' Labor leader Anthony Albanese rejected the argument showing the family compassion and exercising discretion would somehow restart the people-smuggling trade. 'This is about a family who are here, this is not a threat to our national sovereignty,' he said. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the government was considering its options and would take advice from medical experts at the Department of Home Affairs. Pressure has been mounting on Mr Morrison to let the family stay in Australia, with politicians from across the spectrum calling for them to be allowed to return to Queensland. Father Nades and Kopika, six, are set to reunite with mother Priya and Tharnicaa in Perth He has signalled the government could finally back away from its hardline stance and allow the family to stay in Australia, at least on a temporary basis. However, the prime minister said permanent resettlement was out of the question. 'That wouldn't be government policy for a pathway to permanent settlement - that is not the government's policy,' he said. Nine health organisations representing tens of thousands of medical professionals across Australia have signed an open letter calling for the family's release. Paediatrician Jacqueline Small from the Royal Australasian College of Physicians said the children must be allowed to develop and grow in the community. Labor leader Anthony Albanese rejected the argument that allowing the family to settle would somehow restart the people-smuggling trade. Pictured: Priya and Nades 'We feel very strongly keeping these children in held detention, particularly offshore detention, represents an extreme and unacceptable risk to the children's health, development and mental wellbeing,' she told ABC radio. Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce also supported calls for the family to stay in Australia for more than two years. 'Tharnicaa and Kopika were born in Australia,' he told Network Seven. 'Now, maybe if their names were Jane and Sally and they were playing in their local netball side, we'd think twice about sending them back to another country which they're not from.' Mr Joyce also argued Mr and Mrs Murugappan had jobs and were valued members of their local community. 'In regional Australia, we need people who have jobs. These people should be staying here.' More than 200 American rabbis sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday, condemning her for her failure to reprimand Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar and calling on her to remove Omar from the House Foreign Affairs Committee. 'We reiterate that the mob attacks on American Jews today are directly attributable to the rhetoric of Rep. Omar and those who stand with her within and beyond Congress,' the letter, obtained by Fox News, read. 'To protect Jewish Americans and, moreover, safeguard the integrity of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, we thus insist upon the removal of Rep. Omar from her appointment,' the rabbis, members of the Coalition of Jewish Values, wrote. A group of more than 200 rabbis wrote a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (right) on Wednesday, condemning her for her failure to reprimand Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar (left) for her anti-Israel tweet and pressuring Pelosi to remove Omar from the House Foreign Affairs Committee. In the letter, the rabbis claimed Omar's statements would lead to more anti-Semitic attacks Their letter comes more than a week after Omar, a Democrat from Minnesota, came under fire for a controversial tweet, in which she said: 'We must have the same level of accountability and justice for all victims of crimes against humanity. 'We have seen unthinkable atrocities committed by the US, Hamas, Israel, Afghanistan, and the Taliban.' She later tried to clarify the statement, saying she did not mean to equate Israel and the United States with terrorist organizations. Speaker Pelosi was asked about the Democratic leadership's response to the controversial tweet, and said she would not take any retaliatory action against Omar. 'I think that she clarified her remarks, and we accept that, and she has a point that she wanted to make and she has a right to make that point,' she said. 'There's some unease about how it was interpreted,' Pelosi continued. 'She made her clarification.' The letter comes more than a week after Omar likened U.S. and Israeli actions to the 'unthinkable atrocities committed' by terrorist groups like Hamas and the Taliban But, the rabbis argued in their letter that more should have been done. 'Rep. Omar's unfounded assertion that Israel committed "unthinkable atrocities" by defending lives against an openly genocidal terror organization is not merely offensive, it is pernicious - for it is grounded in the blood libel and the calumny that Jews poisoned wells during the Black Death,' the letter said. 'Throughout the generations, rivers of blood have been shed by mobs motivated by the incendiary myth of the murderous Jew,' it continued. 'Without anything resembling a forceful response from the Democratic Party, tolerance of anti-Jewish hatred has proliferated.' The 212 American rabbis, as well as another dozen from other countries - including Israel and Canada, said they had previously warned Pelosi about putting Omar on the Foreign Affairs Committee in 2019, but they were accused of racism. 'When 12 Jewish Democrats in the House rightfully denounced Rep. Omar's abhorrent bigotry, the Congressional Progressive Caucus stooped to playing identity politics, cravenly claiming that the motivation for her condemnation was opposition to Rep. Omar as a "Black, Muslim woman" rather than her anti-Semitic animus.' They also noted that they had previously called out Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green for her 'insensitive comments' about Jewish people, but argued that Omar's statements were more concerning amid a rise in anti-Semitism. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Friday she will take no further action against Rep. Ilhan Omar for comparing the US and Israel to Hamas and the Taliban - and insisted she has 'the right to make that point' Eight House Republicans who voted to oust Marjorie Taylor Greene are also arguing that Democrats should impose the same punishment on Omar for her comments on Israel. The group sent a letter to Pelosi, signed by Carlos Gimenez of Florida, Young Kim of California, Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, Fred Upton of Michigan, New Yorkers Chris Jacobs and Nicole Malliotakis, and Florida representatives Mario Diaz-Balart and Maria Salazar. 'It is the responsibility of the party's leadership in the House of Representatives to hold accountable egregious words and actions made by Members of the Party. Now is the time for you to rise to the challenge you have set for yourself,' the letter reads. The letter accused Omar of 'fueling anti-Semitic violence against Jewish communities' and 'denigrating strategic allies of the United States.' They also argued not punishing would send 'a dangerous signal' that the United States 'tolerates anti-Semitism.' '[It] sends a dangerous signal to our allies and our adversaries alike that the United States tolerates anti-Semitism, that we no longer believe in the long-term mission of supporting free peoples and free markets, and that we no longer remain committed to combatting acts of terror against the United States or our allies,' the letter reads. According to the Republicans, Omar's stances on foreign policy are 'inconsistent and incompatible' with that of the United States. 'Time after time, Congresswoman Omar has delivered a hollow and meaningless apology with the sole purpose of appeasing her party's leadership, only to revert back to her true sentiments and her real policy stances,' the letter reads. The letter writers urged Pelosi to act and said that her rebuke of Omar's comments would be the only one that would have a 'meaningful impact.' 'We wholeheartedly request that you live up to your word and swiftly remove Congresswoman Omar from her committee assignments,' the letter reads. Eight Republicans who previously ousted Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene for her anti-Semitic comments said Omar's anti-Israel statements are antithetical to American foreign policy. Here far-right Israelis held a 'flag march' in Jerusalem An unofficial caucus of 25 Jewish Democrats also met last week to discuss anti-Semitism after the provocative tweet was posted. New York Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin said Omar should be removed from the Foreign Affairs Committee. 'She should have never been appointed to this Committee in the first place', he tweeted Wednesday night. Brad Sherman, a senior Democrat from California who has served since 1997, denounced the comments in a furious press release. He said: 'It's not news that Ilhan Omar would make outrageous and clearly false statements about America and Israel. What's newsworthy is that she admits Hamas is guilty of 'unthinkable atrocities'. 'It's time for all of Israel's detractors to condemn Hamas. And it's time for all those of good will to reject any moral equivalency between the US and Israel on one hand, and Hamas and the Taliban on the other.' 'Ilhan Omar must be removed from the House Foreign Affairs Committee. She should have never been appointed to this Committee in the first place. A number of lawmakers at the meeting of Jewish Democrats wanted to name and shame Omar in a joint statement saying she 'discredited' the party, according to The Times of Israel. Other than Sherman, Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Brad Schneider were among those pushing to condemn Omar, although no one on the call said they believed the tweet to be anti-Semitic. Others present were Jamie Raskin, who was hesitant to denounce Omar, Jerry Nadler, Ted Deutch, Jan Schakowsky, Elissa Slotkin and Elaine Luria. On Thursday, Pelosi stepped in in an effort to end the feuding. She said legitimate criticism of the U.S. and Israel was protected by the values of democratic debate. 'But drawing false equivalencies between democracies like the U.S. and Israel and groups that engage in terrorism like Hamas and the Taliban foments prejudice and undermines progress toward a future of peace and security for all,' she said. 'We welcome the clarification by Congresswoman Omar that there is no moral equivalency between the U.S. and Israel and Hamas and the Taliban.' Omar's comments come after an 11-day conflict between Israel and Hamas operating in Gaza, which saw more than 250 people be killed, thousands others injured and millions in damages Last month, Omar accused Israel of committing 'war crimes' in the conflict between the Jewish state and Hamas, which was operating in Palestinian territory of Gaza. 'We should all be grateful that a ceasefire will prevent more civilians and children from being killed,' Omar tweeted in May. 'But now what? We need accountability for every war crime committed.' 'And we need to stop underwriting crimes against humanity while doing nothing to end the occupation,' she added. During the 11-day conflict last month, thousands of missiles were fired at Jerusalem and Tel Aviv along with other areas in Israel from Gaza. Israel's Iron Dome defense system went into action and the country retaliated with missiles of their own aimed at areas where they believed Hamas was operating like a media building. Pictured: Mia Ayliffe-Chung, 21 The mother of a young backpacker who was stabbed to death in a hostel while trying to extend her Australian visa has praised the government's decision to drop the controversial farm work program for UK nationals. Mia Ayliffe-Chung was working on a cane field in Queensland to qualify for her second year on a working holiday visa in 2016 when French tourist Smail Ayad dragged the 21-year-old out of her hostel bed at midnight and killed her. When fellow British backpacker Tom Jackson tried to save her, the Frenchman - who was 29 at the time and never jailed due to mental health concerns - killed him too. Her mother Rosie Ayliffe has since dedicated her life to abolishing the scheme that forced young Britons to carry out 88 days of work on a rural property if they want to stay in Australia for a second and third year. When Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Wednesday that the program would be scrapped as part of a landmark trade partnership with the UK, Ms Ayliffe said she was 'delighted'. Rosie Ayliffe (pictured right with Mia left) has dedicated her life to improving regulations, standards and communication around the government scheme Mia Ayliffe (pictured), then just 21-years-old, was stabbed to death by French tourist Smail Ayad in Home Hill in 2016 after working in a Queensland cane field to extend her visa 'I was over the moon, I really am. I'm just so delighted,' she told the ABC. 'This [change] is good enough for me. This is why I did it.' For years, the shattered mother has campaigned to shed light on the 'power imbalances' between young workers and their farmer employers. She met a number of backpackers in Australia during her plight and claimed the program has a culture of sexual harassment and underpayment. On Tuesday, a shocking new report seen by Daily Mail Australia showed the widespread exploitation of casual fruit and vegetable pickers, with some working up to 20 hours a day and for as little as $1 an hour. Mia's mother Rosie Ayliffe has campaigned to irradiate the controversial farm work scheme She had previously travelled to Turkey and India and had been working on the Gold Coast 10 days before she went to the backpackers near Townsville Mia lost her life on August 23, 2016 after Ayad (pictured) allegedly dragged her from bed just before midnight. He was believed to have an obsession with the young Brit Piece-rate workers on grape and zucchini farms sometimes earn as little as $9 per day while blueberry farm workers can earn just $10 per day, according to a survey of 1,300 pickers by Unions NSW and the Migrant Workers' Centre. Under Australian law, farmers do not have to pay the minimum wage to piece-rate workers, who instead get paid for the amount of fruit they pick. Stories of harassment in the industry are common and regularly reach the national media. Last year, one backpacker said she was forced to clean her manager's sprinklers wearing only a bikini. Mia Ayliffe-Chung pictured with her former boyfriend Australian man Jamison Stead Ms Ayliffe-Chung had been on a trip around the globe before she landed in Australia Dozens of workers also said they had worked in return for only accommodation and food, were charged transport fees for a lift to work, or were forced to accept overcrowded accommodation provided by their employers. Mark Morey, Unions NSW Secretary, said that workers are being treated like 'pawns' and huge overhaul is needed. Even though the scheme has only been lifted for UK nationals, Ms Ayliffe told the publication she feels as though Mia and Tom 'didn't die in vain'. 'Let's keep going,' she said. 'Let's make sure that backpackers are not replaced by even more vulnerable Pacific Islanders or young Asians who don't speak English. That's what I'm worried about.' Another man, Tom Jackson, was also killed by Ayad heroically coming to the aid of Mia at the Home Hill Hostel in 2016 Blood seen splattered on the concrete in one of the common areas of the backpackers hostel where the attack took place Mia lost her life on August 23, 2016 at the hands of Ayad, who was believed to have an obsession with the young Brit. Ayad had legal charges dropped against him after a court ruled he had an unsound mind. Instead, he was sentenced to ten years in a psychiatric facility despite reports from witnesses in the hostel that he called Mia his 'wife' and regularly spoke of his sexual attraction to her. Upon coming to Australia to return her daughter's body to England, Rosie Ayliffe was inundated with stories from other foreigners who had undergone their own trauma while working on farms to extend their tourist visas. 'I now understand that there's a dark side to the backpacker culture - that people can find themselves at risk just like my daughter did,' Ms Ayliffe told the ABC in 2017. Australians may be walking around with the country's 'rarest circulating $2 coin' in their wallets that's actually worth $200, a money expert has revealed. In 2012 Australia issued two commemorative $2 coins for Remembrance Day, one with a red painted poppy and one that was plain gold. Joel Kandiah, 31, a commerce teacher from Perth, runs The History of Money TikTok account and explained that only 500,000 of the coloured poppy coins were put into circulation. 'A coin without paint can sell for $50, one with paint remaining can sell for $100 and in uncirculated condition it can sell for upwards of $200 depending on the grade,' he said. 'It's extremely hard to find them now in your change let alone in good condition.' Joel Kandiah, 31, a commerce teacher from Perth, runs The History of Money TikTok account explained that a rare $2 coin from 2012 could be worth $200 Two rare $2 coins were put into circulation in 2012 as part of Remembrance Day. The coloured poppy coin is now worth $200 Speaking to Daily Mail Australia Mr Kandiah explained the coin was first released as a trial by the Royal Australian Mint to introduce coloured change. 'The colour on the coins would wear off easily, so it's hard to find a near perfect specimen in circulation,' he said. 'A lot of the coins were released through the RSLs and a lot of them were super-glued onto cards commemorating Remembrance Day, hence were ruined. 'Those glued-on coins further reduced the supply of red poppy coins in good condition.' The expert said since sharing his TikTok a lot of people have told him they had the $200 coin sitting in their house but had no idea it was worth so much. Mr Kandiah has garnered more than 1million likes online for his videos about rare coins and notes. Mr Kandiah explained the coins that were kept in mint condition and had the red poppy are worth upwards of $200 while the non-coloured coins are worth around $50 His passion for money started from a young age where he struggled with speech. 'I wouldn't talk much but for some reason I always got excited when I was holding money,' he said. The 31-year-old said he was taken to a speech pathologist when he was a kid and introduced to a children's cash register toy. 'It was something that made me feel more comfortable to be able to speak and it has pretty much carried on since then. I've been collecting coins and notes solidly since I was six.' Mr Kandiah earlier posted a video informing Aussies their $50 notes could make them $1,500 richer. He said rare and valuable $50 notes will have a Stevens/Parkinson signature combination on one edge. The Perth-based currency whiz also said the serial number in the top corner has to begin with AA 14 or JC 14 to be worth the large sum. According to Mr Kandiah, notes with the two features could be worth between $70 and $1500, depending on the condition. A number of Melbourne councils have joined forces to combat ageism by banning phrases including 'silly old bugger' and 'old fogey'. The Victorian government has partnered with the Inner East Primary Care Partnership to attempt to tackle prejudice against the elderly with seven trendy eastern suburbs councils choosing to be involved. Boroondara, Knox, Manningham, Maroondah, Monash, Whitehorse and Yarra have all stepped up their attempts to stamp out phrases like 'wrinkly' or 'senior's moment'. A number of Melbourne councils have joined forces to combat ageism by banning phrases including 'silly old bugger' and 'old fogey' The Victorian government has partnered with the Inner East Primary Care Partnership to attempt to tackle prejudice against the elderly with seven trendy councils involved The campaign, called EveryAGE Counts, is narrated by Australian actor Bryan Brown, famous for his appearances in Cocktail, Two Hands and Along Came Polly. 'Birthday cards with belittling ageist jokes will disappear, derogatory terms for old people will be as unacceptable as derogatory terms for race and gender,' he said in the campaign's video. 'We will realise only some old people live in nursing homes, only some are hard of hearing and only some have dementia.' Brown says ageing should be 'celebrated as an achievement' and that older people's voices should be heard. The council websites even have a quiz to test if you are ageist, asking 10 questions and giving the audience three possible responses. 'If you hear a friend describe his neighbour as an "Old Dear", what would you think?' one question asks. The council websites even have a quiz to test if you are agiest, asking 10 questions and giving the audience three responses The campaign, called EveryAGE Counts, is narrated by Australian actor Bryan Brown, famous for his appearances in Cocktail, Two Hands and Along Came Polly Another reads: 'An older driver has a minor car accident, what are you likely to think?' One of the responses to the questions is: 'He probably had a senior's moment on his way to lawn bowls'. Another question claims products for anti-ageing are a form of ageism. If you don't answer all the prompts correctly you will be classified 'Ageism Affected', saying a 'lifetime of exposure to negative stereotypes' means most Australians are 'ageism affected'. The Melbourne councils are asking people to sign an online pledge to tackle prejudice against old people. Australians will soon have to compete with Britons for high-paying jobs in Sydney and Melbourne under the terms of the UK free trade deal. A UK Department for International Trade flyer has promoted how British professionals will get work rights in Australia as employers are no longer required to hire Australians first. Lawyers from the UK will be able to practise in Australia without having to complete a university law degree again or be assessed by the Legal Profession Admission Board. Once the borders reopen, this will see Australians competing for highly-paid positions with solicitors earning average salaries of $130,177, tax office data showed. Australians will soon have to compete with Britons for high-paying jobs in Sydney and Melbourne under the terms of the UK free trade deal. Pictured 'UK lawyers will be able to practise in Australia without having to requalify as an Australian lawyer,' the UK government flyer said. 'The deal will help facilitate the recognition of UK professional qualifications across many sectors, creating opportunity for our professionals while allowing British companies to attract and retain global talent.' Australia, like Great Britain, has a legal system based on English common law. Scotland, however, is based on a separate legal system based on Roman law. With Scotland still part of the UK, automatically admitting all UK lawyers could prove problematic if Scottish lawyers aren't versed in English common law. Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade noted Australian lawyers would have 'a right to provide legal advisory services in foreign and international law in the UK, including in arbitration, mediation and conciliation proceedings'. Reciprocal arrangements between Australia and the UK will also apply for legal accreditation as part of the trade deal. Under changes to Australia's 457 visa program in 2017, employers have been required to demonstrate they could not recruit a suitably qualified Australian before a foreigner could be hired. Lawyers from the UK will be able to practise in Australia without having to complete a university law degree again or be assessed by the Legal Profession Admission Board. This will see Australians competing for highly-paid positions with solicitors earning average salaries of $130,177, tax office data showed. Pictured are British judges But under the UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement, employers in Australia will no longer have to give preference to an Australia if an applicant from the UK, aged under 35, applies. 'Highly skilled professionals will now be able to work in Australia temporarily and Aussie firms will no longer have to prioritise hiring Australian nationals first,' the UK government flyer said. This angered Electrical Trades Union national assistant secretary Michael Wright. 'On the face of it, this deal looks like a disgrace,' he said. 'Scott Morrison has sold us out like sponge cake. The requirement to offer jobs to unemployed Australians first will clearly be watered down.' A UK Department for International Trade flyer has promoted how British professionals will get work rights in Australia as employers are no longer required to hire Australians first Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison this week signed a bilateral trade agreement with his UK counterpart Boris Johnson at 10 Downing Street in London. In a joint statement, they said it would 'drive economic growth and job creation in both countries'. The UK's first free trade agreement since Brexit was finalised early last year will see agricultural tariffs for Australian exports eliminated after 15 years. But UK workers under 35 will be able to have automatic work rights in Australia much sooner and won't have to do menial jobs like fruit picking to get a visa. They will be allowed to stay for three years, with the age limit increased from 30. The UK deal means Australia now has 12 bilateral agreements with individual nations, including China, New Zealand, Singapore, Chile, Malaysia, Japan and South Korea. The UK was Australia's biggest trading partner until the mid-1960s but before the pandemic, it was ranked seventh on the list with a 3.4 per cent share of two-way trade. Japan overtook the UK as Australia's biggest trading partner in 1967, with China first taking the No.1 spot in 2007. Even as a young man, the great thinker, psychologist and self-styled 'inventor of lateral thinking' Edward de Bono was so extraordinarily accomplished that it must have seemed to his bewildered peers as though there were at least half a dozen of him. From the age of 15, he began gathering degrees, scholarships, doctorates and prestigious faculty appointments like the rest of us might collect stamps. He wrote more than 60 books during his life mostly seeking to 'free humanity from the tyranny of logic through creative thinking' which were translated into 43 languages, and sparked endless TV series and spin-off board games. There was also a Nobel prize nomination (he made the shortlist for Economics) and an extremely eclectic fan base for his unique methods of thinking and decision making. And on top of all that, he was also a talented athlete. While a Rhodes Scholar, he represented Oxford University at polo and rowing and set two canoeing records one for paddling 112 miles non-stop from Oxford to London. And, with his brooding Maltese looks and fabulous eyebrows, he was really rather handsome back in the day, too. He even had a planet named after him. So perhaps it's not entirely surprising that pretty much the only attribute in which de Bono seemed lacking was modesty. Edward de Bono (pictured), who has died aged 88, wrote more than 60 books during his life which were translated into 43 languages, and sparked endless TV series 'Without wishing to boast . . .' he once said of his work, 'this is the first new way of thinking to be developed for 2,400 years since the days of Plato, Socrates and Aristotle.' On his own website, he described himself as 'one of the very few people in history who can be said to have had a major impact on the way we think . . . the best-known thinker internationally . . . the undisputed world leader in what may be the most important field of all in the future: constructive and creative thinking'. What made Edward de Bono, who has died aged 88, unique was his complete rejection of the traditional approach to problem solving, eschewing logic in favour of unorthodox thinking. Take, for instance, the time in 1999 when he advised UK Foreign Office officials that the Arab-Israeli conflict one of the most tangled, bloody and intractable of international issues could be resolved with Marmite. His rationale was simple, he insisted. People who eat unleavened bread such as the pita and flatbreads favoured in the Middle East tend to have low levels of zinc, which makes them irritable and argumentative. But, if both sides were simply to be provided with some zinc-rich Marmite, everyone would calm down and peace would reign. Sadly, neither the Arabs nor Israelis were prepared to embrace de Bono's theories but that didn't stop others lapping up his new-wave creative thinking. Governments and NGOs sought his advice. Pop bands such as Eurythmics and the Pet Shop Boys were huge fans. Even the Zulu and Xhosa tribes in South Africa were disciples. 'There were about 210 fights among them every month,' he once said. 'But after they listened to my lessons, this fell to just four.' De Bono never missed an opportunity to claim miracles. The way he told it, the unprecedented financial success of the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles some $250 million in profit was all down to the fact that, nine years previously, the organiser, Peter Ueberroth, had attended a lecture by de Bono about how to use 'Lateral Thinking' to generate new ideas and concepts. He even claimed a link between his teachings and the fall of the Berlin Wall! Less successful was his suggestion that to free up parking spaces in town centres, a law be introduced that drivers had to leave headlights on when parking (on the basis that drivers would park for shorter periods to avoid draining their batteries). There was also an alarming solution to the decommissioning of weapons in Northern Ireland that the IRA simply be allowed to sell their arms. Edward Charles Francis Publius de Bono, was born one of five children in Malta in 1933. His father was a seventh-generation doctor, his mother an Irish journalist and champion of women's rights. His childhood was dominated by the sustained bombing of Malta by both Germany and Italy. At school he was nicknamed 'The Genius'. 'I was the only boy who had his personal key to the chemistry laboratory; I could go in any time I liked!' he loved to recount. He was just 15 when he embarked on a medical degree at the University of Malta. From there, he won a Rhodes scholarship to Christ Church, Oxford, where he gained a degree in psychology and physiology, and later a degree in medicine at Cambridge, where he lectured for 20 years. It was medicine that brought his epiphany. 'I was looking at the glands, kidneys, circulation and respiration and the idea of self-organising systems,' he said. 'I realised the same principles could be adapted to the neuron brain!' From the age of 15, the self-styled 'inventor of lateral thinking' (pictured in 2010) began gathering degrees, scholarships, doctorates and prestigious faculty appointments As he saw it, the human brain operated in two ways either analytically or creatively. De Bono's obsession was all about unpicking established analytical patterns to deal with new situations or challenges and instead come at them in a more creative way. This he later named 'lateral thinking'. Crucially, he believed it could be taught and sold so he wrote a book, The Use Of Lateral Thinking, published in 1967, sparking the 'biggest craze since Scrabble' and solving problems such as the nightmare of having a crumpled shirt but no iron. The answer: grab a frying pan, heat it up, cover it in brown paper and use it to smooth out the creases. After that, books came thick and fast The Mechanism Of The Mind, How To Have A Beautiful Mind and Think! Before It's Too Late. He was still churning them out in 2016, with Bonting Thinking To Create Value. In Six Thinking Hats (his 1985 bestseller) he suggests business meetings would be more efficient if attendees ditched their egos and instead wore imaginary colour-coded hats red for emotion, black for negative thoughts, white for information, blue for management, green for creativity and yellow for optimism and worked towards a common goal. It was a hit in the business world, with international corporations such as Motorola, IBM and Boeing raving about how the concept had halved meeting times. Soon he was inundated by requests for advice, and, in 1991, set up the fantastically successful Advanced Practical Thinking Training (now de Bono Thinking Systems), which operates in 27 countries. He was especially scathing about education in the West. 'Schools waste two-thirds of the talent in society,' he'd say. 'The universities sterilise the rest.' And Britain was bottom of the class because such was our obsession with testing that many children left school believing they were stupid and unlike de Bono entirely lacking in self-confidence. He felt that children would benefit from a more creative approach to thinking, rather than grammar and times tables. But while his books flew off the shelves and his profile and bank balance soared his property portfolio included the Bahamas, Ireland, New York, Venice, Sydney, London, Norfolk and Malta not everyone was convinced. Some called him the master of 'stating the bleeding obvious', or the 'Emperor's New Clothes'. Others felt he traded on gullibility with his endless psychobabble. 'De Bono has the great salesman's gift of being fluent in the international language of gibberish,' commented the Daily Mail's Craig Brown, adding that 'if the life and career of Edward de Bono can teach us anything, it is that no one ever lost money blowing his own trumpet'. However, criticism never put him off his stride. In fact, nothing could dent de Bono's all-encompassing self-belief in his massive brain and all it could do to help the rest of us mere mortals. Indeed, just a few years ago, well into his 70s and still roaring around the world and writing books, he was asked what drove him on, and on. 'Teaching the world to think,' he said. 'It has to be done!' Lawmakers have expressed serious concerns about the threat of UFOs to America's national security, with one lawmaker going as far as to say 'somethings going on that we cant handle.' The comments emerged after a highly-classified briefing from the Navy and FBI to members of the House Permanent Select Committee on counterterrorism, on Wednesday - ahead of the Pentagon's highly anticipated report on UFOs this month. 'Clearly, somethings going on that we cant handle,' Rep. Tim Burchett warned after the briefing. Sean Patrick Maloney added that they were taking the issue of unexplained aerial phenomena 'seriously' - especially when it comes to the national security interests of the United States - 'so we want to know what were dealing with.' 'There are legitimate questions involving the safety and security of our personnel, and in our operations and in our sensitive activities, and we all know that theres [a] proliferation of technologies out there,' Maloney told the New York Post. Scroll down for video 'Clearly, somethings going on that we cant handle,' Rep. Tim Burchett warned Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney said 'We take the issue of unexplained aerial phenomena seriously to the extent that were dealing with the safety and security of US military personnel or the national security interests of the United States This video grab image obtained April 26, 2020 courtesy of the US Department of Defense shows part of an unclassified video taken by Navy pilots. Politicians are expressing increasing concern about the impact UFOs may have on national security The Pentagon's UAP Task Force is set to deliver its report on UFO sightings by the military to Congress on June 25. An unclassified version will be made public, while a more detailed classified one will remain secret - and anticipation has been mounting over what might be revealed. This week, some lawmakers received a peek at a 'sensitive compartmented information facility,' or SCIF, but wouldn't say what they saw inside. Instead, they focused on expressing their concern about how UFOs could threaten national security in the United States. Rep. Val Demings said, 'You know its always about our safety and security our national security is [priority] number one and so thats really the area where we really focused on this morning.' 'It was an interesting briefing,' Rep. Adam Schiff stated. 'I did learn things that were certainly new to me. But I think Im going to leave it at that.' Not every politician was as concerned, however, with Rep. Peter Welch saying of the forthcoming report, 'Im not on the edge of my seat.' At least one ex-pentagon official has already expressed concerns that could relate to national security, saying that UFOs have repeatedly meddled with U.S. nuclear technology, even forcing some facilities to go offline. Luis Elizondo, the former head of the Pentagon's Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program, told The Washington Post last week that UFOs or as they are officially identified UAPs (unidentified aerial phenomenon) have actually interfered with U.S. nuclear technology. 'Now in this country we've had incidents where these UAPs have interfered and actually brought offline our nuclear capabilities,' Elizondo said in an interview. Rep. Adam Schiff (left) and Rep. Val Demings (right) were among those briefed Wednesday The Pentagon's UAP Task Force is set to reveal their findings when they submit a long-awaited report on UFOs to Congress on June 25 Elizondo was asked about several UFO sightings above secret nuclear weapons facilities and the fact that almost every major nuclear power across the globe has reported and declassified these sightings. He said that the phenomenon is a national security 'concern,' and added that the same observation has been made in other countries, making it a 'global issue.' Elizondo said some people have suggested that UFOs bringing U.S. nuclear capabilities offline could be interpreted as a sign that the unidentified objects are 'peaceful' but said in other countries the UFOs have actually turned on nuclear technology. 'So that is equally, for me, just as concerning,' he said of their interference either way. 'I think that there is certainly at this point enough data to demonstrate there is an interest in our nuclear technology, a potential to even interfere with that nuclear technology.' Elizondo also told the Post that the Pentagon's upcoming report will definitively state that UAPs are not U.S. technology, despite speculation. He said he believed the findings would conclude that they were also not Russian or Chinese technology either, saying that instead he believes it is 'next generation' technology, decades ahead of our own. 'You know, through observations we are, we are quite convinced that were dealing with a technology that is multigenerational, several generations ahead of what we consider next generation technology, so what we would consider beyond next generation technology,' he said. 'Something that could be anywhere between 50 to 1,000 years ahead of us.' Leaked video confirmed by the Pentagon shows a UFO buzz a stealth ship and dive At least one ex-pentagon official has already expressed concerns that could relate to national security, saying that UFOs have repeatedly meddled with U.S. nuclear technology, even forcing some facilities to go offline (potential UFO sighting pictured) Earlier this week, a top physicist also expressed alarm of UFOs, though physicist and science writer Mark Buchanan wrote in a recent Washington Post op-ed that he was concerned that alien contact could result in 'the end of all life on earth.' 'Chances are, we should all be grateful that we don't yet have any evidence of contact with alien civilizations,' Buchanan writes. 'Attempting to communicate with extraterrestrials, if they do exist, could be extremely dangerous for us.' Search for extraterrestrial intelligence astronomer Joe Gertz echoed Buchanan's sentiments, stating that all of our attempts at communicating with extraterrestrials could ultimately cause 'the reckless endangerment of all mankind, and be absolutely proscribed with criminal consequences, presumably as exercised at the national level, or administered through the International Court of Justice in The Hague.' Buchanan compared a possible alien encounter to Christopher Columbus coming to North America, where an older civilization was vulnerable to the more technologically-advanced Europeans. However, astronomers and scientists from a differing school of thought believe extraterrestrial contact could only benefit humanity through the use of alien technology, which in turn could improve the planet's sustainability. Douglas Vakoch, an American astrobiologist, search for extraterrestrial intelligence researcher, psychologist, and president of METI International, is one of those astronomers who not only believes in contacting aliens, he's actively doing so. While UFOs have been sighted by civilians for decades, their existence was brushed off as nothing more than a conspiracy theory. But public opinion has shifted in recent years, especially after video footage and pictures taken by U.S. Navy pilots between mid-2014 and March 2015, was leaked to the New York Times, three years ago. The images showed a 30 to 40ft object, shaped like a Tic Tac, with no wings or rotors, yet able to hover, turn and accelerate through the sky at hypersonic speeds. The flabbergasted Navy pilots can be heard exclaiming in awe: Oh dude! A New York Times also reported on a shadowy organization based at the Pentagon dedicated to reports of UFO sightings, the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program AATIP. In April 2020 the Defense Department released several videos, one of which shows a US Navy aircraft encountering 'unidentified aerial phenomena,' including objects flying and moving at speeds and directions that are impossible for human-made flight. Just a year prior, leaked Pentagon footage showed an unidentified flying object hovering over San Diego, suggesting that maybe a 'close encounter of the third kind' isn't so far off from happening. Women of childbearing age should be banned from drinking alcohol, says the World Health Organisation. Its latest Global Alcohol Action Plan calls on countries to raise awareness of alcohol-related harm and its harmful use. A first draft of the plan says 'appropriate attention' should be given to the prevention of drinking in children, pregnant women and women of childbearing age. Last night the drinks industry described the proposal as paternalistic and sexist. Women of childbearing age should be banned from drinking alcohol, says the World Health Organisation (stock image) The draft guidance warns that booze is associated increased disease, poor mental health, violence, lost productivity and strained relationships. And it adds: 'One of the most dramatic manifestations of harm to persons other than drinkers is pre-natal alcohol exposure and the development of foetal alcohol spectrum disorders.' Symptoms in children exposed to alcohol in the womb can include poor growth, distinct facial features and learning and behavioural problems. The plan suggests such harms could be publicised through an international 'world no alcohol day/week'. It says: 'Appropriate attention should be given to prevention of the initiation of drinking among children and adolescents, prevention of drinking among pregnant women and women of childbearing age, and protection of people from pressures to drink.' The UK's Chief Medical Officers say the 'safest approach' for women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant is not to drink alcohol at all. However, Matt Lambert, of UK alcohol trade body the Portman Group, said it was 'extremely concerned, by the WHO's proposal. The draft guidance warns that booze is associated increased disease, poor mental health, violence, lost productivity and strained relationships (stock image) He added: 'As well as being sexist and paternalistic, and potentially restricting the freedoms of most women, it goes well beyond their remit and is not rooted in science.' The NHS website says experts are still unsure exactly how much - if any - alcohol is completely safe for pregnant women to drink. But it warns drinking in pregnancy can lead to 'long-term harm to the baby', with higher intake presenting the greatest risk. Dr Richard Piper, Chief Executive of Alcohol Change UK, said: 'Drinking alcohol in the early stages of pregnancy, even before many people realise they are pregnant, can be very damaging for a foetus. 'It's important that people understand these risks - but also vital that we balance this against each adult's right to make informed decisions about what we do with our bodies, no matter our age or sex.' The ex-lover of court clerk Ashleigh Petrie, 23, has slammed her highly-paid former fiance for claiming her $180,000 super fund and leaving her struggling mother with nothing. Ms Petrie died when she was hit by a car late at night in October 2019, following weeks of intense media scrutiny after details were revealed of her relationship with Victorian magistrate Rodney Higgins, who was 45 years older than her. Details of their controversial relationship were played out on social media with the couple posting happy pics, including a trip to Fiji where Ms Petrie got engaged to the grandfather of eight just days before her sudden death. After Ms Petrie's death, Mr Higgins moved back to the riverside home in Shepparton he shared with his former partner, Lurline Le Neuf, to resume their 18-year relationship. It has now been revealed by The Age that Mr Higgins, who earns $324,000 a year as a magistrate in Bendigo, Victoria, has successfully claimed Ms Petrie's $180,000 superannuation death benefit at the expense of her grieving mother - who was reportedly nominated by her daughter to be her super and life insurance beneficiary. Victorian magistrate Rod Higgins has claimed the $180,000 super fund of his former fiancee Ashleigh Petrie (together, above). The 23-year-old died eight days after the pair became engaged (right) after weeks of scrutiny about their controversial relationship Stuart Gowty, 50, who dated Ms Petrie for five years, told Daily Mail Australia of his disgust and bitterness at Mr Higgins. 'Here's a guy earning a hell of a lot of money and is about to retire on a huge pension,' said Mr Gowty, who runs a picture framing business in Shepparton. 'And you've got a grieving mother with very little. I don't know what to say. I don't think it's the right thing. It's horrendous to see. It just keeps going. 'I know her mother very well and she's a grieving mother. I've maintained a close relationship with the mother and brother since. 'Every time something like this happens, it just brings up a whole heap of old wounds.' Her mother's lawyer, Kimble Stynes, told 7News the grieving mum is 'horrified' by the news. Stuart Gowty, 50, (pictured with Ashleigh Petrie) who dated Ms Petrie for five years, has spoken of his disgust at Mr Higgins, who earns $324,000 a year as a magistrate in Bendigo. Ms Petrie lived with Mr Higgins for four months before her sudden death. Mr Higgins and Ms Petrie had been a couple for seven months and lived together for around 12 weeks at the time of her tragic death in Metung, East Gippsland. Although Ms Petrie's mother was reportedly her super and life insurance beneficiary, fund management at Rest Super ruled the couple had lived together long enough for Mr Higgins to be her de facto partner and claim the death benefit. During a 15-month-long legal fight to lay claim to the cash, Mr Higgins was said to have been aggrieved that Ms Petrie's mother had not shared her daughter's ashes with him. But Mr Gowty told Daily Mail Australia: 'This is a guy who moved back in with his partner... and on the day he moved back in, he allegedly threw everything of Ashleigh's out in the bin.' Stuart Gowty (pictured) started the relationship with Ms Petrie after the pair worked together while she was still a teenager, and he lived next door to Mr Higgins and Ms Le Neuf Mr Gowty started his relationship with Ms Petrie after the pair worked together while she was still a teenager, and he lived next door to Mr Higgins and Ms Le Neuf. But their relationship broke down and Ms Petrie began to date his elderly neighbour, Mr Higgins. 'I knew something was wrong, but I didn't realise it was him,' Mr Gowty told Daily Mail Australia. The pair split when she told him about the relationship and they stopped talking to each other the day before the first news story about her relationship with Mr Higgins appeared late in 2019. On the day Ms Petrie died, Mr Gowty first found out from Mr Higgins' former partner and Mr Gowty had to break the news to her mother. Details of the controversial relationship were played out on social media with the couple posting happy pics, including a trip to Fiji where Ms Petrie got engaged to the grandfather of eight just days before her death On the day Ashleigh Petrie (pictured) died, Mr Gowty first found out from Mr Higgins' former partner and had to break the news to her mother. Magistrate Rodney Higgins has now resumed his 18-year relationship with his retired former partner, Lurline Le Neuf (pictured) 'I actually found out before the family did,' he said. 'I was the one that made the phone call to the mother. 'I can't tell you what Ashleigh was thinking. You can ask 100 people and you'll get 100 different answers. No-one knows. 'I wasn't with her when it happened. I just don't know.' Mr Higgins and Ms Le Neuf still live in Shepparton despite Mr Higgins being shunned by many in the town in the wake of Ms Petrie's death. 'Initially, there was certainly a backlash against him,' Mr Gowty said. 'They weren't getting invited to all the parties around town, let's just say that.' Mr Gowty is no longer a neighbour with the couple because of tension over the love-split but had to endure the awkward situation for 18 months because of Covid lockdowns. 'The situation was the main reason,' he added. 'I only recently moved out last month. 'I tried to move earlier but the Covid thing hit and places weren't available and it all got dragged out, so I've only just been able to move.' Ms Petrie's family are now understood to be appealing Rest Super's decision to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority. A spokesman for the AFCA told Daily Mail Australia they could not comment on individual cases. But their website says: 'Under its Rules, AFCA must do what is fair in all the circumstances. 'We first try to help the parties resolve a complaint through negotiation or conciliation. Next, AFCA can provide a preliminary assessment about the merits of a complaint. 'If there is still no resolution, the final step is for AFCA to make a binding decision.' For confidential support in Australia call the Lifeline 24-hour crisis support on 13 11 14. A young woman who was working out in a gym spotted a man performing a sexual act on himself while watching her from across the road. The 23-year-old was at the gym on Franklin Street in the Melbourne CBD about 7.30am on May 27 when she noticed a man staring at her from the public car park. The man performed an explicit sexual act for 'some time' while looking at her, before leaving the carpark via a lift. Detectives on Thursday released CCTV footage of a man who they believe can assist with their enquiries The 23-year-old was at the gym on Franklin Street in the Melbourne CBD at about 7.30am on May 27 when she noticed a man was staring at her from the public car park across the road He then left the building on foot through the lobby. Detectives on Thursday released CCTV footage of a man who they believe can assist with their inquiries. He is white, aged between 25 and 35 years old and wore a grey jacket, grey shorts and a black beanie. Anyone with information was urged to contact Victoria Police. A tough inspection regime should be introduced to ensure public venues implement anti-terror security measures, the chairman of the Manchester Arena bomb inquiry is expected to say today. Sir John Saunders is due to deliver the first of three reports at 2pm today, which will focus on the security arrangements at the 21,000-seat venue at the time of the May 2017 suicide attack. The other two which will address the emergency services response and whether the attack could have been prevented will be delivered over the next 12 months. The retired High Court judge is expected to criticise the multinational firm in charge of running the arena, its security contractor and British Transport Police. Inspections should be introduced to ensure public venues implement anti-terror security, Sir John Saunders is expected to say. Pictured: Tributes following Manchester Arena bombing Victims (top row left to right) Elaine McIver, 43, Saffie Roussos, 8, Sorrell Leczkowski, 14, Eilidh MacLeod, 14, Nell Jones, 14, Olivia Campbell-Hardy, 15, Megan Hurley, 15, Georgina Callander, 18, Chloe Rutherford,17, Liam Curry, 19, Courtney Boyle, 19, and Philip Tron, 32, John Atkinson, 26, Martyn Hett, 29, Kelly Brewster, 32, Angelika Klis, 39, Marcin Klis, 42, Michelle Kiss, 45, Alison Howe, 45, and Lisa Lees, 43, Wendy Fawell, 50 and Jane Tweddle, 51 The 22 victims of the Manchester Arena bombing in May 2017 Elaine McIver , 43 : the off-duty police officer died in the attack, which injured her husband and children; : the off-duty police officer died in the attack, which injured her husband and children; Saffie Rose Roussos , 8 : the youngest victim was separated from her mother and sister in the seconds after the blast; : the youngest victim was separated from her mother and sister in the seconds after the blast; Sorrell Leczkowski , 14 : schoolgirl died in the bomb blast, while her mother, Samantha and grandmother Pauline were badly hurt; : schoolgirl died in the bomb blast, while her mother, Samantha and grandmother Pauline were badly hurt; Eilidh MacLeod , 14 : confirmed dead having been missing since being caught up in the blast with her friend Laura MacIntyre; : confirmed dead having been missing since being caught up in the blast with her friend Laura MacIntyre; Nell Jones , 14 : farmer's daughter travelled to the pop concert with her best friend for her 14th birthday; : farmer's daughter travelled to the pop concert with her best friend for her 14th birthday; Olivia Campbell-Hardy , 15 : her family searched desperately for her for nearly 48 hours and went on TV to plead for news; : her family searched desperately for her for nearly 48 hours and went on TV to plead for news; Megan Hurley , 15 : the Liverpool schoolgirl was with her brother who suffered serious injuries in the blast; : the Liverpool schoolgirl was with her brother who suffered serious injuries in the blast; Georgina Callander , 18 : met Ariana Grande backstage at a previous gig and died in hospital with her mother at her bedside; : met Ariana Grande backstage at a previous gig and died in hospital with her mother at her bedside; Chloe Rutherford , 17, and Liam Curry , 19 : couple from South Shields 'wanted to be together forever and now they are', their family said; : couple from South Shields 'wanted to be together forever and now they are', their family said; Courtney Boyle , 19 , and Philip Tron , 32 : criminology student and her stepfather were confirmed dead following a Facebook appeal; , : criminology student and her stepfather were confirmed dead following a Facebook appeal; John Atkinson , 26 : pop fan from Radcliffe, Greater Manchester, was in a local dance group and was leaving the gig when the blast happened; : pop fan from Radcliffe, Greater Manchester, was in a local dance group and was leaving the gig when the blast happened; Martyn Hett , 29 : public relations manager from Stockport, who was due to start a two-month 'holiday of a lifetime' to the US two days later; : public relations manager from Stockport, who was due to start a two-month 'holiday of a lifetime' to the US two days later; Kelly Brewster , 32 : civil servant from Sheffield who died trying to shield her 11-year-old niece from the bombing; : civil servant from Sheffield who died trying to shield her 11-year-old niece from the bombing; Marcin Klis , 42 , and Angelika Klis , 39 : both killed as they waited for their daughters who both survived the blast; , : both killed as they waited for their daughters who both survived the blast; Michelle Kiss , 45 : mother-of-three from Clitheroe, Lancashire, went to the Ariana Grande concert with her daughter; : mother-of-three from Clitheroe, Lancashire, went to the Ariana Grande concert with her daughter; Alison Lowe , 44, and friend Lisa Lees , 43 : both killed when they arrived to pick up their teenage daughters who were not hurt; : both killed when they arrived to pick up their teenage daughters who were not hurt; Wendy Fawell , 50 : mother from Leeds was killed by the blast while picking up her children at the Arena with a friend; : mother from Leeds was killed by the blast while picking up her children at the Arena with a friend; Jane Taylor , 50 : mother-of-three from Blackpool was killed as she waited to collect a friend's daughter from the concert Advertisement Lawyers representing the 22 men, women and children who died at an Ariana Grande gig have accused arena operator SMG Europe of having a 'flagrant disregard' for the safety of concert-goers. The inquiry has heard there was no manager with anti-terrorism expertise, and security contractor Showsec employed teenage stewards, who were paid the minimum wage and skipped through their inadequate online anti-terror training in minutes. Suicide bomber Salman Abedi, 22, was also allowed to hide on a mezzanine level, in a CCTV blindspot, for more than an hour before the 10.31pm detonation even though it was supposed to be checked before the end of each concert. British Transport Police officers also disobeyed orders to stagger meal breaks and left the foyer with no one on patrol for 40 minutes before Abedi exploded his bomb. A member of the public confronted Abedi and reported his strange behaviour, but the inquiry heard that an 18-year-old steward failed to report it to the control room. Multi-million-pound compensation claims from relatives of those who died and hundreds of people injured are likely to follow Sir John's first inquiry report. A four-month consultation into new legislation which would force businesses open to the public to seek advice on counter-terrorism and introduce measures, ends next month. The laws will make it a legal requirement for venue operators to take steps to protect the public or face big fines. But implementing such a law is likely to be problematic. The Government has identified 650,000 'publicly accessible locations' and there is no public capability to provide advice to venues on that scale or check it has been put in place. Sir John is likely to recommend venues pay for their own private-sector advice and for an audit of the measures. Manchester-born Abedi, of Libyan descent, walked across the City Room foyer of the venue towards the main doors and detonated his shrapnel-laden device, packed into his bulging rucksack, at 10.31pm on May 22 just as thousands, including many children, left the concert. The inquiry was told he made three reconnaissance trips to the venue, adjoining Manchester Victoria rail station, before his fateful last journey and security experts considered he may have noticed a CCTV blind spot on the raised mezzanine level of the City Room. Abedi, dressed in black, crouched down upstairs for nearly an hour, occasionally praying, before he walked down to the foyer. A concerned Christopher Wild, waiting with his partner to pick up his daughter, earlier approached Abedi upstairs and said he asked him what was in his rucksack but he did not reply. When further pressed, Abedi told him he was 'waiting for someone' and asked for the time. Mr Wild thought 'nervous' Abedi looked out of place and raised his concerns at about 10.15pm with Showsec steward Mohammed Agha, who was guarding an emergency exit, but told the inquiry he felt 'fobbed off'. Salman Abedi (pictured) hid for nearly an hour on the upstairs level of the foyer at Manchester Arena before he detonated his home-made explosives in May 2017 The suicide bomber (pictured on night of the attack) detonated his large Karrimor rucksack which contained the explosive at 10.31pm Pictured: CCTV still image of Salman Abedi at Manchester Arena on May 22, 2017, moments before he detonated his bomb which killed 22 people Timeline - How the Abedi brothers 'used friends and family in Manchester Arena bomb plot' January-April 2017 - Salman and Hashem allegedly use friends and family to buy sulphuric acid and hydrogen peroxide online. These materials - chemicals used to make the explosive TATP - are delivered to Lindum Street, Rusholme, south Manchester. April 2, 2017 - Salman and Abedi take the chemicals to a flat in the Somerton Court tower block in Blackley, north Manchester. They are mixed there and the bomb is created. A Nissan Micra is used to transport the materials. April 14-15, 2017 - The chemicals and other bomb-making paraphernalia are stored in the Micra and driven south to Devell House, an block of flats yards from Manchester's main hospitals. Salman and Hashem fly to Libya with their parents, leaving the car in a parking bay outside the block. April 15-May 15, 2017 - Police now suspect the car was 'minded' by a Libyan network in a Devell House flat. Elyas Elmehdi allegedly texts Ahmed Alzilitni. The messages are deleted but Alzilitni is seen on CCTV checking the door handle of the car. At one stage, Elmehdi receives a six-minute call from Salman in Libya. May 18-19, 2017 - Salman returns from Libya, arriving at Manchester. He is caught on CCTV outside Devell House at 12.29pm, checking the Micra. He leaves to arrange his new flat in Granby House, and is is seen on CCTV taking a suitcase upstairs loaded with materials from the car. May 19, 2017 - At Granby House, Salman builds the bomb. Three members of the drug gang have their phones traced to the Granby House area in the days before the attack. The phone of a fourth man, Ahmed Taghdi, acquitted of being part of the gang, was traced to within 500m of Granby House the day before. May 22, 2017 - Salman takes a taxi to Shudehill bus station in east Manchester and catches a tram to Victoria station, next to the arena where Ariana Grande is playing. He detonates the bomb, contained in his rucksack, at the City Room entrance at 10.31pm, killing 23 people including himself. May 23, 2017 - As Theresa May raises the terror alert level to critical and police say they are hunting a 'network', Taghdi is caught on CCTV at Devell House checking on the Micra. Advertisement It was another eight minutes before Mr Agha relayed the concerns to colleague Kyle Lawler as the former had no radio to the security control room and did not believe he could leave his post, the inquiry heard. Giving evidence, Mr Lawler said he had a 'bad feeling' as he eyeballed Abedi but did not approach him as he did not think he had enough evidence and also feared being branded a racist. He claimed he could not get through to the control room on his radio and agreed he simply 'gave up' as he took up his position on a walkway bridge to the City Room. Two independent security experts told the hearings they did not believe Mr Agha, then aged 19, and Mr Lawler, 18, at the time, were adequately supervised or trained. Bosses at Manchester Arena said the exit doors to the foyer could have been closed within 'a minute or two' if they thought it was necessary, the inquiry also heard. Security experts said 'realistically' Abedi would still have detonated his bomb but there would have been fewer casualties. The inquiry heard no-one from the venue operator SMG or its security provider Showsec checked the mezzanine level while Abedi was there after he earlier arrived at Victoria station at about 8.30pm, despite it being listed as an area for a 'pre-egress check'. Uniformed officers from British Transport Police (BTP) were tasked to patrol the station, including the City Room, but when the bomb was detonated there were none in the foyer despite instructions that one officer should be positioned there at the end of the concert. It also emerged two BTP officers took an 'unacceptable' two-hour shift break, including a drive out to buy kebabs, with no officers on duty at the time Abedi, seen struggling to walk with his rucksack, made his 'final approach' to take up position in the City Room. On Thursday, Sir John is also expected to give his recommendations on the Government's so-called Protect Duty, currently under consultation, which would make it a legal requirement for venues to protect people in public spaces. The proposals build on Martyn's Law, called for by Figen Murray, mother of Arena victim Martyn Hett, 29, which among other things is campaigning for venues and local authorities to have action plans against terror attacks. Implementing such a law, however, is likely to be problematic, the inquiry has been told. The government has identified 650,000 publicly accessible locations and there is currently no public capability to provide advice to venues on that scale or check it has been implemented. As a consequence, Sir John is likely to recommend venues pay for their own private sector advice and for a subsequent audit of the measures. He is also likely to call on local councils to use their inspection powers to make security a condition of a venues license, meaning it could be revoked if proper measures are found not to be in place. The legislation, known as a protect duty, is backed by senior police officers and the Home Office. Paul Greaney QC, for the inquiry, said: It would obviously be wholly unacceptable to the public to wait for a terrorist outrage and judge whether the protect duty had been complied with. An answer, is that there should be ongoing inspection or a system of fines that makes plain to industry that if they do not do what is required, they may be fined out of existence. Lawyers representing the victims who died at an Ariana Grande gig at Manchester Arena (pictured) accused arena operator SMG Europe of 'disregarding' the safety of concert-goers Mr Hetts mother, Figen Murray, who has campaigned for the law in her sons name, told the inquiry she wanted to see basic security procedures so that every venue and public space has a plan. Pete Weatherby QC, lawyer for the family of the youngest victim, eight-year-old Saffie-Rose Roussos, and six others, said Showsec, whose turnover was 25.5 million with an operating profit of 1.2 million in 2017, had put profit before public safety. The firm has stewarding contracts for major music concerts, festivals and sporting venues, including Manchester Citys ground and Twickenham stadium. Showsec seem to have been eager to take the cheque for protecting the public but less eager to spend the money to ensure that their contracted responsibilities were discharged, Mr Weatherby said. Showsec and BTP have denied their staff could have stopped Abedi setting off his bomb. SMG, which has since changed its name to ASM, said they had been consistently told by police that their security arrangements were adequate. Joe Biden's aides are preventing him from taking questions, according to CNN's chief national affairs correspondent, who claimed Wednesday night that the president's advisors are regularly 'screaming at him to stop'. Jeff Zeleny spoke on Wednesday after Biden's much-hyped meeting with Vladimir Putin in Russia. Biden angrily confronted Zeleny's CNN colleague Kaitlan Collins, asking her: 'What the hell?' when she questioned him about the summit. Biden later apologized, before boarding the plane to leave. Zeleny said that Biden wanted to set his own narrative after the meeting, saying: 'We have seen President Biden do that pretty well.' He continued: 'What we have not seen him do is answer questions like that without his aides screaming at him to stop. 'I have never seen a president, covering the last four of them, who was so protected by his aides in terms of often not wanting him to answer some questions.' CNN's Jeff Zeleny on Wednesday said that he had never seen a president as controlled by his media advisors as Biden, noting that he had covered Trump, Obama and Bush. Zeleny said that Biden's aides would 'scream' at him to stop talking CNNs Jeff Zeleny: We havent seen Biden answer questions without his aides screaming at him to stop pic.twitter.com/spQobCFlW1 RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 16, 2021 Biden on Wednesday afternoon in Geneva turned on a CNN reporter, Kaitlan Collins, who asked him why he was 'confident' that Putin would change his ways. Biden angrily replied that he never said he was confident During the conference, Biden chewed out the press, and specifically CNN's Chief White House Correspondent Kaitlan Collins, shouting in the crowded auditorium: 'I'm not confident I'll change his behavior. What do you do all the time?' Collins is seen bottom right standing up and asking the question. Biden then points his finger at her and gives a heated response Biden said on Wednesday that he warned Putin that Russian cyber attacks on 'critical' U.S. infrastructure would draw a serious American response and told his counterpart just how harmful a cyber attack might be on an oil pipeline that is the lifeline of the Russian economy. Biden threatened retaliation and made his explicit comment publicly - even as he denied making any kind of a 'threat' in his meetings with the Russian president - as they discussed ransomware attacks that shut down the Colonial pipeline and has other U.S. and multinational businesses on edge. His cyber saber rattling came during a contentious press conference where he also shouted at a CNN reporter who yelled out a question asking why he was so confident the Russian strongman would change his behavior, given his denials and his history. 'Im not confident Ill change his behavior. What do you do all the time?' he said. The president later apologized to Collins, saying he should not have been a 'wise guy' Biden walked up to the reporter, with his suit jacket off on an unusually hot day, and accused her of not knowing her business gesticulating while holding his Ray-Ban sunglasses. 'When did I say I was confident? I said What I said was lets get it straight,' Biden said. 'I said what will change their behavior is if the rest of the world reacts to them and it diminishes their standing in the world. 'Im not confident of anything. Im just stating the facts.' Minutes after the tense exchange, Biden sought to clean up the incident, speaking with traveling reporters under the wing of Air Force One. 'I shouldn't have been such a wise guy with the last answer I gave,' Biden said. The reporter Biden berated, CNN's Kaitlan Collins, said on air she was 'just doing my job' and said Biden didn't need to apologize. She called it 'completely unnecessary' and said 'he did not have to apologize, though I do appreciate that he did.' Biden has frequently raised eyebrows with suggestions that he is being 'controlled' by his press advisors. President Joe Biden (C) poses with US staff members, preparing departing the airport, after the US-Russia summit in Geneva on June 16, 2021 Biden is known for his folksy style of speaking, and of frequently worrying aides by freewheeling with his answers - straying at times from their highly-restrictive script Joe Biden on Sunday held a press conference in the United Kingdom at the end of the G7 summit. The president's team had made preparations for him to take questions from five media outlets - AP, Bloomberg, Reuters, The Wall Street Journal and NBC News. He joked that he could not stray from their list During a G7 summit press conference on Sunday, he joked he shouldn't be answering extra press questions or he will 'get in trouble' with his staff. Biden spoke for 12 minutes to sum up the meeting, held in the United Kingdom. 'Now, why don't I take some of your questions?' he said at the end of his remarks. After fielding a question from the Associated Press on his plans for meeting President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday in Geneva, he turned to a Bloomberg reporter for his second question. 'I'm sorry, I'm going to get in trouble with staff if I don't do this the right way,' he said, then calling on Jennifer Jacobs of Bloomberg. He took further questions from Reuters, The Wall Street Journal and, as his final question, NBC News. Yet as he began to walk away, more questions were shouted at him. 'I'm going to get in trouble with my staff,' he said, turning back to the press pack. 'Yeah, go ahead. But I can pretend that I didn't answer you.' During the press conference he also mixed up Syria and Libya. 'I'm hopeful that we can find an accommodation where we can save the lives of people in for example, in in Libya,' the president said, mentioning the north African country for the third time instead of Syria, which is in the Middle East. The White House later brushed the confusion off, confirming that it was indeed, Syria, the country where Russia and the US have been involved in a decade-long civil war, which the president was referring to. Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, said last month that she does encourage Biden to limit his responses to journalists' questions The exchange bore echoes of a similar encounter last month at the White House. Biden, following a series of meetings on the COVID-19 vaccine and infrastructure, chatted to the press before remarking: 'I'm not supposed to be answering all these questions.' His remarks have given fuel to right-wing critics, who accuse Biden of being senile and being controlled by minders. Sean Hannity, the Fox News host, has nicknamed him 'Sippy Cup', saying that he needs treating like a child. Jen Psaki, White House press secretary, said that she frequently urged the 78-year-old to refrain from chatting with the media and taking questions. 'He takes questions nearly every day he's out from the press,' Psaki said on a podcast in May. 'That is not something we recommend. In fact, a lot of times, we say, 'Don't take questions.' 'But he's going to do what he wants to do because he's the president of the United States.' A top Navy admiral faced tough grilling from Republican lawmakers on his inclusion of the controversial book How To Be An Antiracist on a recommended reading list for sailors, in the latest clash over 'wokeness' in the military. Admiral Mike Gilday, the chief of Naval operations, stood his ground at Tuesday's House Armed Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, defending the book's inclusion on the list. Gilday added the 2019 book by Ibram X. Kendi, which is popular with proponents of critical race theory, to the Navy's optional reading checklist in February, listing it as a 'foundational' work for sailors. Kendi's book proposes that any system that produces different average outcomes for people of different skin colors is racist and should be destroyed, and argues that discrimination that 'creates equity' is antiracist and should be lauded. Admiral Mike Gilday, the chief of Naval operations, stood his ground at Tuesday's House Armed Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill Rep. Doug Lamborn, a Colorado Republican, cited passages in Kendi's book arguing that only 'present discrimination' can make up for 'past discrimination' Author Ibram X. Kendi proposes that any system that produces different average outcomes for people of different skin colors is racist and should be destroyed, and argues that discrimination that 'creates equity' is antiracist and should be lauded At the hearing, which was ostensibly on the Navy's budget, Gilday faced tough questions from Rep. Doug Lamborn, a Colorado Republican, who cited passages in Kendi's book arguing that only 'present discrimination' can make up for 'past discrimination'. 'How does exposing our sailors to the idea that they are either oppressors or oppressed, and that we must actively discriminate in order to make up for past discrimination, improve our Navy's readiness and lethality?' Lamborn asked. 'You mentioned critical race theory -- I'm not a theorist, I'm the chief of Naval operations,' Gilday responded. The 2019 book is popular with proponents of critical race theory 'There is racism in the Navy just like there's racism in our country, and the way we're going to get after it is to be honest about it, not to sweep it under the rug, and talk about it,' he said. 'It doesn't mean I have any expectation that everybody believe, or support, everything that Mr. Kendi states in his book. I don't support everything that Kendi says. The key thing is that sailors have to be able to think critically,' Gilday argued. Rep. Jim Banks, an Indiana Republican, also lashed out at Gilday, contrasting his reading list choice with the Navy's recent vow to root out any 'extremism' in the ranks. 'Do you consider opposition to interracial adoption an extremist belief?' Banks asked, referring to Kendi's September 2020 tweet suggesting Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett is a 'white colonizer' for adopting two Haitian children. Gilday's mic was off, making his response unclear, but Banks pressed on. 'Do you personally consider advocating for the destruction of American capitalism to be extremist?' Banks asked, referring to Kendi's assertion that capitalism and racism are 'conjoined twins' that must be eliminated together to root out racism. Gilday fired back: 'I'm not forcing anybody to read the book, it's on a recommended reading list.' Pressed by Banks on whether he supported Kendi's controversial views, Gilday went on: 'I'd have to consider the context of the statement he made, I'm not going to sit here and defend cherry-picked quotes from somebody's book.' 'This is a bigger issue than Kendi's book, what this is really about is trying to to paint the United States military, and the United States Navy as weak, as woke,' Gilday said. 'We are not weak, we are strong.' Rep. Jim Banks, an Indiana Republican, also lashed out at Gilday, contrasting his reading list choice with the Navy's recent vow to root out any 'extremism' in the ranks 'I'm not forcing anybody to read the book, it's on a recommended reading list,' Gilday said Gilday insisted that the value of Kendi's book was in developing critical thinking skills, and repeatedly said he did not agree with all of the author's conclusions Banks continued his line of attack, asking: 'If sailors accept Kendi's argument that America and the United States Navy are fundamentally racist as you've encouraged them to do, do you expect that to increase or decrease morale and cohesion?' 'I do know this,' Gilday responded. 'Our strength is in our diversity, and our sailors understand that' 'Racism in the United States is a very complex issue, what we benefit from is an open discussion about those issues,' the admiral added. Gilday insisted that the value of Kendi's book was in developing critical thinking skills, and repeatedly said he did not agree with all of the author's conclusions. 'There will be various views, and I trust sailors will come to an understanding of hopefully separating fact from fiction, agreeing or disagreeing with Kendi in this case, and come to hopefully very useful conclusions,' he said. The heated exchanges marked the latest complaints from top conservative lawmakers that the Pentagon has become too focused on 'woke' culture war issues, at the expense of military readiness. Last month, Senator Ted Cruz, the Texas Republican, slammed a 'woke' U.S. Army recruiting video that told the story of how a 'little girl raised by two moms' grew up to become a soldier. 'The job of the military is to kill the bad guys. And it is to strike fear in the enemies of America,' he told Fox News as he defended his criticism on the ad, which was based on the true life story of a serving soldier. 'People sign up to join the military because they want to keep us safe, they don't want to sit around a circle, emoting and passing daisies back and forth.' Sen. Ted Cruz blasted the US Army after it released a 'woke' recruitment video telling the story of Cpl. Emma Malonelord, a serving soldier who describes how she came to choose a life in the military (pictured) The colorful, animated recruiting clip describes how she defended freedom by attending LGBTQ marches and grew up to join the U.S. Army And last week, Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas grilled Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin about Kendis book at a separate hearing. Cotton and Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw of Texas have also launched a 'whistleblower' portal for active duty servicemembers to report 'woke ideology' and indoctrination imposed by superiors. 'Enough is enough. We won't let our military fall to woke ideology,' Crenshaw tweeted. 'For too long, progressive Pentagon staffers have been calling the shots for our warfighters, and spineless military commanders have let it happen. Now we are going to expose you,' he added. The campaign came weeks after ex-Space Force Commander, Lt. Col. Matthew Lohmeier, claimed that the Pentagon had sent servicemembers a video saying that 'whites are inherently evil'. Lohmeier was recently removed from his plum post after blasting diversity and inclusion training in the military as 'critical race theory rooted in Marxism'. Crenshaw - a former Navy SEAL who lost an eye in combat in Afghanistan, - condemned Lohmeier's removal, stating at the time: 'We need to be preparing our warriors to fight and win battles, not how to be (social justice warriors)'. The grieving mother of a young woman allegedly stabbed to death by a neighbourhood 'prowler' has made a final heartbreaking promise to her daughter. Gabrielle Marshall, 23, had only been in Tasmania for three weeks when she was found dead at a home in Ulverstone on the state's north coast on Tuesday. Devastated family members described how the 'sweet girl' was trying to get her life in order after moving from Queensland to get a fresh start. Her heartbroken mother Heidi Marshall shared the news of her youngest daughter's death in a mournful Facebook post. Gabrielle Marshall, 23, moved to the Apple Isle from Brisbane just three weeks ago, but was found dead in a friend's house after being allegedly stabbed to death 'This morning our youngest daughter Gabbie Marshall was taken from us by a random person who broke into the house in Tasmania', she wrote. 'She was only 23 years old. She was getting her life in order. She rang her daughter every morning and night, she was in a good place.' Ms Marshall said her beloved daughter would be forever loved and missed, and promised to take care of the six-year-old daughter she left behind. Her post was quickly flooded with condolences from friends and family from Queensland, who shared their shock and heartbreak at Gabrielle's sudden death. Gabrielle Marshall (pictured), who was allegedly stabbed to death what police say was an apparent random attack in Tasmania was the mother of a six-year-old girl and had been trying to 'getting her life in order' The grieving mother started a fundraiser titled 'Gabbie's Daughter' for friends and family to donate money to fund her granddaughter's upbringing. The campaign has so far raised over $1,000 of the $50,000 target. Gabrielle Marshall (pictured left) has been remembered as a 'beautiful soul' by her heartbroken family 'Our beautiful girl was taken away from us so suddenly. We would like to fundraise for her daughter who is six years old and will have to grow up without a mother', Ms Marshall wrote. 'Any small amount would be appreciated'. Police said Gabrielle's friend called Triple-0 at about 3am on Tuesday to report a man allegedly 'prowling' in her rented home on Main Street. She stayed on the line for 11 minutes. In that time, officers arrived and discovered the young mother's body in a room. Officers confirmed Ms Marshall was found at the scene with a number of stab wounds. The alleged killer was not believed to be known to Ms Marshall and she was instead the victim of a random attack. Police on the scene (pictured) in Tasmania following the alleged murder of young mother Gabrielle Marshall Her devastated brother Casey McCarthy posted a heartbreaking tribute to his 'beautiful baby sister' on Facebook. 'We have lost a beautiful soul who wanted nothing but peace in her life,' he wrote. 'My beautiful baby sister. Gabs, we love you, we are sorry we couldn't protect you and I'm awfully sorry this happened to you. 'We love you always sweetheart, and will forever miss you. From the bottom of my heart, I love you Gabrielle, more than you will ever know. 'May you now be in peace my beautiful baby sister.' A 35-year-old Ulverstone man was arrested at a house on the same street later that morning and was charged with Ms Marshall's murder on Wednesday evening. He will face court on Thursday morning in Devonport. Gabrielle Marshall, 23, moved to Tasmania from Queensland three weeks ago, seeking a fresh start in her life - she was found dead on Tuesday The PM on Hancock: 'totally f***ing hopeless' Detailed analysis of all Hancock said to MPs would take days. I'll focus today on just a few things to support what I told MPs and show that No10/Hancock have repeatedly lied about the failures last year. No10 and Hancock are seeking to rewrite history: They are trying to 'memory-hole' the original Q1 2020 debacle. The reality of the 'optimal single peak strategy' with herd immunity by September is in SAGE documents, COBR documents and was briefed by Hancock, CSA, CMO and No10 press office at the time and SAGE members explained it on TV. The reality is reflected in many emails/WhatsApps. Covid was the biggest crisis faced by Westminster since WWII. The No10/Hancock line now is as if No10 had said in summer 1940, 'yes, our appeasement plan A was a great success on Hitler as you can all see, we didn't need any Plan B, appeasement then fight them on the beaches was the original plan'. Hancock is creating a new version of reality in which he came up with the idea to ramp up testing before 14 March, in an inspired and heroic move he announced his 100k target on 2 April to provide leadership, and this was responsible for the change in testing capacity. The reality: as part of the transition to Plan B No10 forced a new testing plan on Hancock, who was still operating under Plan A / herd immunity assumptions in the week of 16/3 according to which community testing was pointless (hence why it was briefly officially stopped); our plan was to build capacity on the scale of millions; the 100k then 1m target had already been set before he announced it; his behaviour in April distracted attention from testing in care homes and the PPE debacle. A public announcement was in principle definitely right but he did what he always did he focused on the media and himself then lied. Testing, like vaccines, was removed from his control in May because of his incompetence and dishonesty March-April. You can't understand what really happened on test-trace in the rest of the year without understanding what actually happened in March-April. Hancock is creating a new version of reality in which the government really did 'throw a protective ring' around care homes. The reality: covid patients were sent untested from hospital to care homes and Hancock neglected care homes and testing throughout April partly because Hancock was trying to focus effort on his press conference at the end of April claiming success for his announcement on 2/4. Hancock and No10 are creating a new version of reality in which: 'there was no shortage of PPE' and on 11 April Hancock removed procurement restrictions imposed by HMT. The reality DHSC failed to plan for PPE demand and their procurement operation collapsed. They rejected chances to buy things because of sticking to the old rules. No10 insisted on removing these rules and HMT did remove their standard rules in March. Hancock told us PPE was 'all under control' in the week of 23 March. This meant further weeks were wasted instead of used to solve the problems. Hancock then sought to blame Simon Stevens, the Chancellor and the Cabinet Office for the PPE disaster in April. The Cabinet Secretary told the PM's office that Hancock's claims were false. The lack of PPE killed NHS and care home staff in March-May. On the original 'plan', testing, PPE, procurement, care homes and more, Hancock gave a fictitious account to MPs last week and portrayed himself as a heroic figure who had been in agreement with the PM throughout the crisis. The PM has supported this fiction and ordered the No10 press office to support many arguments he knows are lies. At the time, the PM agreed with me and all serious people around No10 and the Cabinet Office in his own words, Hancock's performance on critical issues was 'totally f***ing hopeless' and he had to be removed from crucial decisions: PPE to Lord Deighton, vaccines to Bingham, ventilators to Agnew, testing to Harding. Hancock has also given a fictitious account of what happened on masks but I'll leave that to another day. Why is this important? A. If No10 is prepared to lie so deeply and widely about such vital issues of life and death last year, it cannot be trusted now either on covid or any other crucial issue of war and peace. B. Hancock continues to have direct responsibility for things like dealing with variants and care homes. Having such a Secretary of State in a key role is guaranteed disaster. It is urgent for public safety that he is removed. C. The PM is trying to influence officials/advisers to support the re-writing of history and is encouraging ministers to give false accounts to Parliament. D. The PM's defence of Hancock sends an unmistakeable signal across the system: a Secretary of State will be rewarded despite repeated incompetence and dishonesty and the government machine will seek to rewrite history in Orwellian fashion because the PM thinks it in his personal interests to do so. Any decent person in Westminster ought to be appalled by this behaviour. E. The public inquiry cannot fix this. It will not start for years and it is designed to punt the tricky parts until after this PM has gone unlike other PMs, this one has a clear plan to leave at the latest a couple of years after the next election, he wants to make money and have fun not 'go on and on'. So we either live with chronic dysfunction for another ~5 years or some force intervenes. From the perspective of good government and ethics the Cabinet and MPs should intervene but this is unlikely while the polls have the Conservatives ~40%+ because our political system incentivises party loyalty over good government and ethics. Senior civil servants will wait for the polls to move before trying to 'push what is falling'. But the systemic incompetence surrounding the PM is such that his operation is programmed to unravel he always does, No10's structure makes it impossible for anybody to govern properly, and he rejected the plan to change how No10 works. Just as I said 2017-19 'this No10 will unravel, some of us should prepare for what comes next' the same is true now. This No10 will unravel it would already be unravelling if Starmer were not also useless. People need to prepare for what comes next. Preparations planning, building tools, preparing a team and so on made in 2018-spring 2019 proved vital July-December 2019. I was wondering about the issue of publishing private WhatsApp messages. 1) No10 and Hancock are openly lying even about what was briefed on-the-record, so clearly nothing is beyond their attempted rewriting of history. 2) To further their lies, PM/Hancock are spinning distorted versions of my messages from internal WhatsApp groups to the PM's favoured stooges such as Playbook Wiki. 3) Hancock challenged me at the Select Committee to provide evidence and said my failure to publish anything was 'telling' evidence that my account was false. 4) The Select Committee has asked me to provide evidence and clearly what MPs see the public should also see transparency on covid is crucial. Clearly the government cannot reasonably complain about me publishing evidence. Given this I will publish some internal messages. There are many more I could publish but below and in future I will publish only ones that further the question of 'what went wrong and how do we learn'. I won't publish private messages just to embarrass the PM or others. My goal is to force the system to face reality and change, not to embarrass people for the sake of it. Memory-hole for 'herd immunity' Plan A was described in official documents as 'the optimal single peak strategy' with all descriptions and graphs tailing off by September when 'herd immunity' was attained. This is why there was no serious border policy Jan-March. (The border policy remains a joke because the PM personally opposed repeated attempts by me and others to implement something based on the successful East Asian approach. This has contributed to the spread of the 'delta' variant and will continue to create unnecessary risks not just on covid.) This is why community testing was dropped in March until the shift to Plan B reversed the decision. This is why nobody started thinking seriously about an East Asian style test-trace plan until we shifted to Plan B (see my PM study whiteboard of 13/3 with 'crash program for testing' scribbled on, below). (Jeremy Hunt has wrongly inferred that this thinking did not happen until May it started in March.) This is why there was no serious vaccine plan i.e spending billions on concurrent (rather than the normal sequential) creation/manufacturing/distribution etc until after the switch to Plan B. I spoke to Vallance on 15 March about a 'Manhattan Project' for vaccines out of Hancock's grip but it was delayed by the chaotic shift from Plan A to lockdown then the PM's near-death. In April Vallance, the Cabinet Secretary and I told the PM to create the Vaccine Taskforce, sideline Hancock, and shift commercial support from DHSC to BEIS. He agreed, this happened, the Chancellor supplied the cash. On 10 May I told officials that the VTF needed a) a much bigger budget, b) a completely different approach to DHSC's, which had been mired in the usual processes, so it could develop concurrent plans, and c) that Bingham needed the authority to make financial decisions herself without clearance from Hancock. This is why even on the 18 March the crucial SAGE meeting did not even have a lockdown plan to discuss, as I texted No10 officials from inside SAGE: neither DHSC nor Cabinet Office had provided such a plan nor had they asked SAGE to model such a plan (No10 did this direct with Vallance/SAGE/SPI-M as we bodged together Plan B). This is why Hancock said to me, still delusional about us being 'the best prepared country in the world' (this was not one of his lies, he really did believe this because he had not properly investigated the preparations), on 12 March (the day of 'chickenpox parties' / Dilyn's bad PR / Trump wanting us to bomb the Middle East): We're better prepared than other countries, Wuhan will see a second wave when they lift their lockdown. (Also on 16 March in COBR, Hancock tried to delay the announcement on household quarantine 'because the helpline isn't ready'. Sturgeon also supported this delay. I and others warned the PM in advance this would happen and he overruled them. Both of them have misled the public about this.) This is why even on 18 March, a SAGE member emailed me, the Cabinet Secretary and Hancock's Permanent Secretary saying we would look back on SAGE discussions as 'a strange dream' because lockdown had not even been discussed: 'Literally all the models assume that there will be a full-blown epidemic, and its just a matter of how much it can be drawn out, compressed, or the herd immunity directed to one section or another of the population' because thinking was based on assumptions (no test-trace, population won't listen to tough rules, reinfection from abroad etc) and 'Once you take these assumptions for granted, the only paths that exist are to achieve herd immunity'. But, he rightly said, suppression should be considered partly because the imminent collapse of the NHS was so horrific and because 'prior models and assumptions are WRONG [emphasis in original]. We could do this, ie a total lockdown. We'll look back on it like a strange dream, but we could and should do it.' And the DHSC Permanent Secretary responsible for pandemic planning responded with the logic of Plan A: 'The virus will still exist in 3-4 weeks time and won't we just start again with reinfection and re-spread?' [bold added by me above] Even on the afternoon of 18/3, after SAGE (mostly, not unanimously) were pushing for urgent lockdown at least in London), the apex of power in the DHSC was still operating under the assumptions of Plan A, i.e suppression was counter-productive. This is four days after I proposed Plan B to the PM in his study (noon, 14/3) and five days before 'stay at home'. COBR documents on herd immunity plan This COBR document (in multiple meetings in the week of 9/3 and 16/3) shows the logic of herd immunity by September: suppression means a disastrous second peak when the NHS is annually overstretched and the 'advised approach' (i.e advised by DHSC/SAGE/Cabinet Office to No10) 'seeks to avoid this' by getting herd immunity by September. Another graph from the same mid-March COBR pack is here: N.B the red line is NHS ICU capacity, it appears to be lying almost on the x-axis because at ~5,000 it seems very near 0 when the y-axis stretches to 200,000. It shows the official Plan A as of 12-15 March involving at most the three actions which a) supposedly push the peak out into June (this thinking contributed to the lack of urgency before 16/3) but b) still totally overwhelmed ICU capacity. Note there is no line for a lockdown scenario because, contra Hancock's false claims to MPs last week, DHSC had not developed a plan for it nor asked SAGE to model it (as the Cabinet Secretary's reply to the email of 18 March above pointed out). This graph from the same COBR pack shows the effect of Plan A's three interventions: ~250,000 dead after the 'optimal single peak strategy', with herd immunity by September. N.B this projection, awful as it was, was obviously too optimistic because it did not take into account that in this scenario there would be no NHS for any other patients for months until it was rebuilt. Versions of this graph were in many official documents in the week of 9/3 and 16/3. As we pointed out to the PM in the 'Goldblum' meeting on 14 March in his office, in this scenario many more than 250,000 would die and, I said, the public would march up Downing Street and lynch him. (We discovered in April that DHSC did not have plans to deal with the number of dead we were facing after switching to lockdown never mind what would have happened if it had been x5-x10 worse.) Below are whiteboards from the evening of 13/3 and 14/3. Both were in the PM's study and were shown to him at noon on 14/3 as I and Marc and Ben Warner explained why official thinking had gone so badly wrong and why we had to switch to Plan B. Both show 'our plan' (i.e Plan A) overwhelming the NHS. Plan B is different: suppression + crash programs on testing, drugs + increasing NHS capacity etc which everybody can see is what actually happened. The graph with the squiggly line ('Plan B') is the first time No10 had a 'document' that ditched all the previous graphs with either a single peak ending by September or a second winter peak and showed instead us managing covid permanently below NHS capacity. (Some have asked 'what does 'who do we not save?' mean?' I meant: on 13th it was already clear we'd made terrible errors and many would die, I was forcing people to consider: 'on whom are our errors going to fall worst, who is not going to be saved in this disaster, and if forced to choose because of NHS collapse how does the system do this (e.g prioritise mothers of small children)?' because only by facing such awful questions could we have a chance to change plan fast, e.g we turned shielding around on 19/3.) I told MPs how, literally as I was sketching the whiteboard above in the PM's study on 13 March in preparation for the meeting I planned the next day with the PM, the deputy Cabinet Secretary walked in and told us that DHSC clearly had no serious plan and was imploding. When asked last week by MPs re my testimony, Hancock said that the disproof of what I'd said was 'we had a plan, we published it on 3 March' and this plan discussed lockdowns. He is referring to the laughable contain-delay-mitigate 'plan' published on 3 March. This document was based on the logic that we would not do suppression. Obviously this embarrassingly awful document, which will be remembered as a case study in failure for decades to come, in no sense set out what we actually did, as everybody can see. Journalists were briefed on the 'herd immunity' plan in the week of 9/3 by Hancock himself, by senior officials including the CSA and CMO, by the No10 press office, and SAGE members went on TV and radio explaining it. On 13 March, as I was sketching the whiteboard above, the PM texted me, Hancock, Vallance and Whitty asking: how do we win the herd immunity argument? On 14th in his study, using those whiteboards, I told him: forget winning that argument, we have to switch to Plan B. Hancock's claim that the 3/3 document disproves my claims is, as the evidence shows above, entirely untrue. As the evidence above shows, that 'plan' was sending us to catastrophe so we ditched it. TESTING As we sketched Plan B it was clear mass testing and test-trace would be crucial. This was part of our discussions on Plan B 13-15 March in the PM's study. No10 was very unhappy with what we heard from Hancock on testing before and after we started shifting to Plan B. I and others including the PM insisted on a much more radical scale-up than PHE/DHSC had considered and it was clear that PHE's senior management was totally unable to meet the challenge and Hancock had no plan to fix this. Obviously Plan A had been effectively 'do nothing' on community testing because the herd immunity plan had no place for it, hence it was officially stopped on 12 March and the concept of moving to 100k then 1 million did not exist before Plan B. In the morning meeting on 24 March I and others quizzed a very slippery Hancock on progress with testing to see where he was after which I sent this to a No10 group: Steve O = Oldfield. TomS = Shinner. I'd asked Tom to ditch his job and join No10 over the crucial weekend of 14-15 March. He started on Monday 16th. He had worked on 'no deal' Brexit etc for two years and had huge knowledge of Whitehall systems and great people who could be shuffled into critical roles. He played an enormous part in recovering from the collapse of No10 in March and built an entirely new team effectively a joint No10-Cabinet Office team in March-July which evolved into the 'covid taskforce' there now. Before this there was no effective central entity to manage the crisis as I told MPs, the Civil Contingencies Unit collapsed in March and had to be rebuilt with new skills and tools. (He also did a very valuable review of the whole 'delivery' mechanism of No10/Cabinet Office, which I will explore another time.) Shinner worked with officials in DHSC and elsewhere and recruited a new team including Alex Cooper to speed everything up. So Hancock had told the morning meeting on 24th: 10k by Monday 30/3, 100k 'within a month' of 24/3. Two hours later I texted a PM group (NB. the people displayed on this group shows Simon Case who was NOT on this group at the time): I'd pushed, did not have confidence in what I was hearing, it had been suggested I should stop pushing, I did not, 'let's take it off line' kept echoing enragingly around the Cabinet room, there was still nothing like the sense of urgency the public had a right to expect, including urgent replacing of some critical people and strengthening of teams. You can see the trace of a classic Hancock-ism in my second message. Under pressure at the morning meeting, Hancock had done what he did so often: blame others, often HMT. As usual, it turned out that the delay was not with HMT but Hancock had misled the morning meeting and wrongly sought to blame others for delays. This was a recurrent pattern and in April got so bad some ministers threatened to stop attending meetings until Hancock was fired (see below). On Thursday 26 March I sent this to a different No10 group (similarly neither Case nor Stratton were actually on this group then): Like with concurrent vaccine development, much of the system had still not adapted to a world in which the cost of economic disruption was so high that spending billions on testing was a huge return on investment. I was pushing for the system to plan on the scale of a million per day. Tragically this did not become possible until the end of the year because of a further Whitehall debacle in which the people who knew how to do this were blocked for ~3-4 months by 'business as usual' thinking (see below). (The debacle of the first app is a story for another day.) At 2339 on 26 March (minutes before he tested positive), after further information had come to No10 showing a) testing plans were a shambles, b) Hancock had misled us all again, I texted the PM: (The missed calls are the PM calling me to say he'd tested positive and I couldn't find my phone buzzing, we spoke minutes later.) This shows the usual Hancock pattern. Having assured us 'I'm totally on it I'm driving the team' blah, on 24th we'll 'definitely' be on 10k by Monday, then he's 'sceptical', discussions with officials reveal Hancock had told us nonsense again about actual testing trajectory, he'd told us that he then Bethell then Oldfield then another official were in charge of it (all of which was nonsense that showed nobody was properly in charge of it), and all this while we're facing the wave breaking over the NHS and care homes which could not test staff or patients. This pattern repeated: big talk in front of the PM, brief nonsense to the media, fail to deliver, and the rest of the system's planning disrupted because nobody could rely on what he said in the Cabinet room because he would say anything he thought would get him through the meeting. Remember, when a SoS says things like 'we'll definitely do X by Y' in the Cabinet room, others plan on this basis -- until they learn 'this guy always talks nonsense'. His constant assurance of fake numbers to colleagues meant their plans were constantly disrupted. His dishonesty had destructive effects. As the PM said of Hancock's performance on testing so far, 'totally f***ing hopeless'. This was obviously true but although the PM whinged to me and others, he would never say to him, despite dozens of requests from two Cabinet Secretaries, me and other ministers and officials: stop this routine or you're fired, your behaviour is undermining the whole effort, you must tell the truth in these meetings and not treat them like you do the media. For his 'f***ing hopeless' performance on testing in March alone, Hancock should have been replaced and worse was to come. Hancock's story to MPs last week The Select Committee unfortunately muddied the waters and helped Hancock muddy them when it interviewed him. Hancock told MPs that I had attacked (in my testimony to MPs) the 100k target. Hancock is not only lying about what happened last spring, he's lying about my actual words to MPs in May 2021. Greg Clark unfortunatey seems to have got confused and echoed Hancock's claim. Between them they suggested I had opposed and undermined the target at the time, even though anybody can see on YouTube I actually stressed the opposite of what they both claimed last week and as you can see from the above, this is the opposite of the truth. I was pushing the system on testing weeks before Hancock's announcement and to build a system for 1m per day. After the above exchange with the PM, he tested positive and everything got even more chaotic. In this chaos Hancock blurted out the already-in-place 100k target to the media on 2 April. His fundamental nature is to grab the media spotlight and with the PM and me in bed he had a great chance. To MPs last week, Hancock presented his announcement as a heroic act testing wasn't developing fast enough, he had taken 'personal executive charge' on 17 March, 'I took personal responsibility, I set the target of 100k, I had to put myself on the line', his heroism turned things around etc. The problem with Hancock's announcement was not the 'ambition' nor announcing the change of plan on testing. 1) The announcement on 2/4 had not been prepared, he just blurted it without proper planning and discussion. 2) It was done without agreeing a broader plan for how the capacity would be used and the different demands. In particular care homes were appallingly neglected in April, the crucial month (see below). 3) We should have been building capacity in April focused on saving lives immediately and building secure foundations for the months ahead beyond 100k to 1 million. Done properly this would have meant not just ramping up the existing testing technologies the gold standard PCR but also rapidly developing capabilities for a) LAMP and lateral flow (the tests that give results in minutes not days), b) developing a system to incentivise new technologies then scale them, which could make testing cheaper, faster, easier and so on. (a) and (b) were neglected in April and were not properly gripped until September). We also needed antibody tests (have you had it) which were also neglected. A big problem in the crucial April month with testing in general, care homes in particular, and PPE/procurement was that many people complained that Hancock was distorting priorities across the system so that he could hold a successful press conference at the end of April and say on TV 'I've met this goal' and give his nauseating spiel about how he's not really a hero, it's a team effort... It was a classic case of how MPs optimise for media coverage but in this case it was during the critical period of a disaster in which he was failing on multiple fronts. This is why I and others were so angry (including the PM sometimes). For crystal clarity Should there have been a 100k target? Obviously and not 100k but on the scale of millions. Should it have been made public? Obviously it should have been public long before 2 April. Was Hancock's 2/4 announcement then wrenching Whitehall to focus on his press conference the right way to do it? Obviously not it compounded the care home disaster and PPE disaster in April. Did Hancock give an honest account of what happened on testing to MPs last week? Obviously not. Also bear in mind: Hancock's appalling prioritisation of gaming the lobby worked to a large extent 2020-1. When you will do anything for tomorrow's papers, this earns you favours that are repaid when you fail. This sort of deep incentive problem is central to Westminster's peformance. Hancock, procurement, care homes After I returned to work on 13 April, it became clear that a) Hancock's assurance about testing people before moving them from hospital to care home had not been and was not happening and there was still no plan to do so weeks after he'd assured us in the Cabinet room, as he had on testing and PPE, that 'everything is under control', b) everything to do with care homes was extremely bad and the CSA and CMO were ringing alarm bells daily with No10, and warning us that neither DHSC nor PHE could cope in general or viz care homes in particular, c) everything to do with Hancock and procurement was a disaster, particularly the PPE situation. We'd already had a nightmare with Hancock on ventilators. This message was from me to the PM the morning of 27 March. Just after we'd announced he had covid the morning covid meeting in the Cabinet room saw officials tell us that DHSC had turned down ventilators at this critical point because prices had been marked up. As he had the night before viz testing, the PM accurately summed up the situation: 'It's Hancock. He has been hopeless.' The issue of officials turning down buying opportunities because of increased prices was a huge problem that recurred on subject after subject. The global crisis meant supply chains were disrupted and prices exploded. But Whitehall was still trying to use their normal EU-based procurement system and 'value for money' rules. This guaranteed crazy decisions, shortages and unnecessary deaths. (This is partly why I insisted on ARIA, the new science and technology funding agency, being excluded from normal Whitehall procurement rules, 'value for money' rules and so on they are absolutely hostile to high-speed-high-performance execution.) I had been trying to fix this on issue after issue since earlier in March. To MPs last week, Hancock claimed that a) he decided to change the procurement rules that constrained DHSC ('I requested the cap was removed'), b) he went to the Chancellor about it because there was still a Treasury 'cap' on 11 April. FALSE. 1) This is an accidental admission of uselessness if you believe Hancock's own account, he did not act on this issue until 11 April, weeks after it should have been dealt with! (No MP pointed this out.) 2) In fact, I and others in No10 had already acted on this in March, because of repeated insane meetings. In April, the Cabinet Secretary checked the paperwork (see below) and confirmed that the 'cap' on DHSC had been removed in March, as No10 had insisted. So last week Hancock was both accidentally admitting being so useless he did not act until 11 April and misleading MPs about what actually happened, and blaming HMT (still!) for delays in mid-April when the Chancellor had sorted this out weeks earlier. Hancock's story to MPs is a lie that if true would show again he was useless. The day before my text on 27th, in another meeting in the Cabinet room (the last such meeting with the PM/me/Hancock/Cabinet Secretary present until the PM returned to work), Hancock had told us all 'don't worry about PPE we've got it all sorted'. This turned out to be total fiction. If he'd admitted the facts then instead of his usual bluffing we would have saved more lives in April including NHS staff lives. When I had a separate meeting with officials on PPE supplies, I heard the following terrible news, flatly contradicting Hancock: we won't get most of our PPE deliveries until long after the April peak. Me: Why? Official: That's how long it takes to ship. Me [extreme sinking feeling]: What do you mean 'ship', surely we're flying everything now? Official: No, that's against the [procurement] rules, we ship everything because it's much cheaper. Me (close to the most angry/appalled I was in 18 months): After this meeting, call the airlines, tell them we're hiring their planes, their entire business is dead so you'll be able to get a great deal, get officials figuring out where the nearest airfields are in China to the factories with our stuff, then fly the planes to those airfields, collect our stuff, fly it back, and tell everybody we're flying stuff in an emergency not shipping it Official: Umm, will you get the Private Office to put that in writing. [A standard comment in such meetings.] Me: Yes the PM will take full legal responsibility. Even three weeks later after I'd returned to work, much of the system had still not shifted to a wartime mentality on procurement. Orders had to go through multiple processes inside DHSC and the Cabinet Office delaying things such that often we lost the order while officials emailed each other for days. On 15 April, we agreed with Hancock to develop emergency domestic manufacturing of PPE because of the combination of our extreme shortage and supply closing down from around the world in the global scramble. Shinner also helped get Lord Deighton (who was thought to have done a good job on the Olympics) to help on PPE. On 20 April, Hancock faced intense pressure. Under Raab, the meetings were less pleasant for everybody but much more productive because unlike the PM a) Raab can chair meetings properly instead of telling rambling stories and jokes, b) he let good officials actually question people so we started to get to the truth, unlike the PM who as soon as things get 'a bit embarrassing' does the whole 'let's take it offline' shtick before shouting 'forward to victory', doing a thumbs-up and pegging it out of the room before anybody can disagree. It was clear that, contra his assurance in the Cabinet room on 26/3, PPE was not 'sorted' it was a disaster. He informed us that a) PPE contracts had been turned down by officials because in trying to obey 'the rules' they'd demanded a 25% discount on PPE amid a massive global shortage; b) this was the fault of the Treasury which had failed to change the rules; c) he admitted he did not have the right skills in place to solve the PPE problem; d) we had only just agreed that Ambassadors could buy PPE without clearance from London. In the discussion Raab pointed out to him that DHSC never gave him PPE asks of foreign leaders for his calls, why not given the emergency? I said there was no excuse for officials turning down PPE on the basis of price markups the PM and I had said clearly weeks earlier that those rules were binned. Obviously I suspected Hancock's attempt to blame HMT was nonsense. So did the Cabinet Secretary who was very worried and investigated. He told me later that day: a) Hancock was wrong, officials had not been demanding a 25% discount (but it was telling Hancock believed his own department was doing something so crazy!); b) but, almost as bad, they had been rejecting PPE that had a 25% markup despite the fact that the PM and I had said repeatedly in March that all such rules should be torn up and cases judged on their merits by people who knew how to buy; c) the Treasury was not to blame, DHSC had been given the authority to make emergency purchases since March; d) he, the Cabinet Secretary, was investigating why we were refusing a 25% PPE markup when we had NHS staff wearing bin bags and dying for lack of PPE; e) it was only in the last week (!!) that DHSC had set up a 24/7 payments system for procurement with Asia imagine if NHS staff wearing bin bags had realised that DHSC had not even set up a round-the-clock system at this point, imagine the rage in No10 when we discovered this, exacerbated by people telling us that Hancock was focused on his press conference at the end of the month. The Cabinet Secretary added that he did not have confidence in Hancock's 'grip' or honesty in Cabinet room meetings, neither did other officials and ministers, and this was damaging our response. I strongly agreed. (Our conversation was reinforced in written exchanges.) On 21 April I told the Cabinet Secretary that we had to 'divvy up' Hancock's job to deal with the problem: the vaccine requirements for manufacturing and distribution was a massive job alone then there was test-trace, procurement and so on. He agreed and we agreed he would write a machinery-of-government note for the PM on how to divvy up Hancock's job to different people. He also said that his investigations had shown that DHSC had not rung alarm bells on PPE early enough, had dodged responsibility then 'covered their tracks' when pushed. At this time NHS staff were screaming for PPE. The dashboard daily meetings showed we were running out of critical items such as gowns. Reports flooded in of hospitals having run out or on the brink of running out and begging for supplies. Hancock caused further chaos by repeated briefing to the media about how new loads were flying in, bluffing his way through meeting after meeting his whole routine. Hancock's story to MPs last week was: 'there was no PPE shortage', I was leading a great team effort, the PM was totally supportive of me etc. What did the PM himself actually think about this at the time? This exchange was 27 April. 'On PPE it's a disaster. I can't think of anything except taking Hancock off and putting Gove on.' (Ps. the reference to PV and CW was re a Cabinet presentation, not PPE.) So Hancock's account to MPs re PPE last week was fiction. You can also see my rushed message re the core problem (CanOff=CabOff typo=Cabinet Office): No10 is only nominally in charge of much of the government, the Cabinet Office actually exercises real power over many things, ministers are nominally 'responsible' but they don't actually have the power to run things because they can't pick the team the first essential of any serious management. The Cabinet Office built by Heywood was totally unable to cope with this crisis because it did not have the right sort of people with the right skills in key jobs and could not rapidly fire/promote/move people and act with determined authority it could undermine departments and No10 and slow things down, and sometimes improve things, but it could not itself act as a proper executive authority but neither could No10 and, obviously, neither could DHSC which was overwhelmed. At this point, months after it had started, there was still no analytical function in the Cabinet Office to figure out covid policy. One day around then, having been told repeatedly there was a 'new unit' in the Cabinet Office but having failed to see any trace of improvement, I walked around 70 Whitehall in search of this team. It turned out to be a Potemkin team. There was a room. There were a couple of people in it. But the analytical team was not there. Where are they? 'In CLG.' When I got the official on zoom who was supposed to be leading it, he said: 'There is no analytical capability [in the Cabinet Office]. My unit does not actualy exist.' (I will write separately about this crucial issue.) Did things improve? No. On 15 April No10 was told that a lot of testing capacity was being wasted (not used) because DHSC had left in place rules that were limiting those eligible for tests, despite care homes screaming. In response I said that the rules should be changed 'immediately' and this be communicated immediately to Hancock, which it was by a No10 official minutes later. The care homes nightmare continued. It was clear that Hancock's claims on this, as on other things, were false. On 3 May, the PM's private office told DHSC that we needed an urgent meeting the next day to discuss testing and care homes. I wrote to the PM: 'I think we are negligently killing the most vulnerable who we are supposed to be shielding and I am extremely worried about it' and we must force DHSC to put all the details on the table. The PM agreed and we dug into DHSC plans and Hancock's claims. On 4 May the PPE situation was so bad that it was agreed in No10 that we could not possibly claim to have passed the 'PPE test' for reopening. On 7 May after we'd dug into the care home situation, I concluded to the PM that Hancock's failures and dishonesty made him unfit for his job, that there was still no serious testing in care homes and this was killing people. The PM agreed but still he would not act. Hancock: 'everybody got the treatment they needed' Hancock repeated to MPs his claim from summer 2020 that 'everybody got the treatment they needed.' This is false, he knows it's false, the PM knows it's false, families of the dead know it's false, the CSA and CMO know it's false. Vallance and Whitty briefed me, the PM, Hancock and assorted officials around the Cabinet table on NHS data last summer. They said explicitly: the data shows that death rates spiked sharply upwards around the April peak, roughly doubling, because patients did not get the treatment they needed because the NHS was under so much pressure. MPs should demand this data and a briefing from PV/CW to explain it. This was discussed a few times with the PM because a) it was relevant to the error made in the original planning i.e the original graphs did not take into account that deaths would be higher than the simplistic calculations predicted because once the NHS was overwhelmed a lot more people would die than if they could get ICU treatment, and b) this was relevant to the threat of a second 2020 wave: if the NHS got close to capacity again then we should assume that, like the first wave, ICU care would be rationed. This obviously did happen again December-January because of the PM's failure to act soon enough. There is so much more that could be said but this is long enough for now A few simple questions to ask the PM Given his failures on testing, care homes and PPE why did you keep in post a Secretary of State you described yourself as 'f***ing hopeless' and how many more people died as a result of your failure to remove him? Why is No10 lying, including to Parliament, about the fact that the original plan was 'herd immunity by September' and had to be abandoned? When did Patrick Vallance brief you on NHS data showing that the death rate at the first April peak was much higher than before/after the peak and do you now agree with Hancock that every patient got the treatment they needed? Do you now agree with Hancock that there was no shortage of PPE or do you agree with yourself in April 2020 that PPE supply was 'a disaster' that required moving Hancock? When will the SoS come to the House and correct his many false statements to MPs? Advertisement Gov Andrew Cuomo has denied Mayor Bill de Blasio's assertion that he is blocking New York City officials from moving around 8,000 homeless people living in Midtown Manhattan hotels to permanent shelters, saying that the relocation process does not need approval from the governor. De Blasio addressed the issue at a press briefing on Wednesday where he said he's been waiting nearly a month for Cuomo's authorization to start the relocation process of the homeless individuals who were temporarily put up in about 60 to 70 hotels near Hells' Kitchen and Times Square during the pandemic. 'Everything is ready to go,' de Blasio said. 'It is time to move homeless folks who were in hotels for a temporary period of time back to shelters where they can get the support they need.' Hours later Cuomo's office pushed back against de Blasio's comments and told DailyMail.com the mayor doesn't need authorization from the governor after he lifted virtually all COVID-19 restrictions in the state on Tuesday. The politicians' conflicting contentions come as de Blasio's administration faces mounting pressure to curtail an alarming surge in crime in the section of Manhattan that the NYPD has linked to the high number of homeless people being housed there by the city. The police precinct that includes Times Square and many of the hotel homeless shelters has seen a 183 percent spike in felony assaults and 173 percent spike in robberies so far this year compared to 2020, according to NYPD data. For months residents living near the hotels have implored the city to relocate the homeless people who they blame for bringing crime and drug use right outside their front doors. Photos taken by DailyMail.com on Wednesday show the grim realities of homelessness in Manhattan, with many people lying on the ground without shoes, wearing worn and ragged clothing, using drugs and drinking alcohol, or passed out on the sidewalk. Gov Andrew Cuomo has denied Mayor Bill de Blasio's assertion that he is blocking New York City officials from moving around 8,000 homeless people living in Midtown Manhattan hotels to permanent shelters, saying that the relocation process does not need approval from the governor. Pictured: A man sleeps on the sidewalk at 46th Street and 8th Avenue on Wednesday The politicians' conflicting contentions come as de Blasio's administration faces mounting pressure to curtail an alarming surge in crime in the section of Manhattan that the NYPD has linked to the high number of homeless people being housed there by the city. Pictured: A man holds a needle while sitting against a building near 35th Street and Broadway on Wednesday The NYPD have now set up a command post and metal barriers in Midtown Manhattan in a bid to crack down on violent crime that is being fueled, in part, by an illegal drug market between Penn Station and Port Authority Bus Terminal. Police say crime has spiked in that area after hundreds of homeless were rehoused there in hotels during COVID De Blasio addressed the issue at a press briefing on Wednesday where he said he's been waiting nearly a month for Cuomo's authorization to start the relocation process of the homeless individuals who were temporarily put up in about 60 to 70 hotels near Hells' Kitchen and Times Square during the pandemic At Wednesday's briefing de Blasio said he expects to be able to move all the homeless people currently living in hotels - which he estimated to be about 8,000 - into shelters by the end of July. On May 18, the city Department of Social Services asked the State of New York to authorize 'the return of folks in temporary hotel locations to permanent shelter locations,' de Blasio said. 'It's time to get that clear sign-off from the state, so we can move forward. Once we get that sign-off, we can start immediately moving people to shelters and getting back to that work of moving them forward in their lives,' de Blasio said Wednesday. Cuomo's office pushed back against de Blasio's comments and said the mayor doesn't need authorization from the governor to relocate the homeless from hotels to shelters after Cuomo lifted virtually all COVID-19 restrictions in the state 'This is something that is going to help us move forward,' he added. However a spokesman for Cuomo refuted de Blasio's characterization, saying that the governor did not have an issue with the plan so long as all the shelter residents wear masks, even if they are vaccinated. Many of the relocated homeless people have blended into the area, but others who struggle with mental health issues and substance abuse have become a growing presence near people's homes and in high-trafficked tourist destinations. Crime in the area - heavily concentrated on Eighth Avenue between Penn Station and the Port Authority Bus Terminal near Times Square - has soared this year, according to the NYPD. NYPD crime data shows there have been 174 assaults, 150 robberies and four shootings that left two tourists injured in that area between January and May. Police set up a command post and metal barriers in Midtown Manhattan to crack down on violent crime that's being fueled, in part, by an illegal drug market between Penn Station and the Port Authority Bus Terminal. A man sits in a doorway near 36th Street and Dyer Avenue on Wednesday Homeless people were seen hanging out block away from the Indigo hotel in Brooklyn Local residents have reported seeing fights, have been verbally abused or harassed, seen people spitting - despite the ongoing pandemic - and have also seen people looking for, or using drugs. A homeless person is seen sleeping on a couch on the Upper West Side in August The city has spent $300million on the hotel program since last April, when officials first negotiated a contract with the Hotel Association of New York City to find and provide rooms in hotels across the city, according to the New York Post. The initial contract was for $78million, the Post reported, but that only covered a fraction of the rooms and hotels that the city needed. By October, records from the city comptroller showed, the city had spent $299million on the program. In August, de Blasio had said the city was beginning to wind down its use of hotels as temporary shelters, as positivity rates declined before going back up again after the holiday season. Then in September, the mayor called conditions in the area surrounding the Lucerne Hotel 'not acceptable' after a 60-year-old man was found dead inside the hotel. A source told the Post at the time that his death was not suspicious and appeared to be linked to natural causes. But it came amid growing complaints from the wealthy Upper West Side community, who argued that the city officials did not get community input before moving the homeless residents into nearby hotels, including the Lucerne, which the Post reports, became home to 300 men, many of whom were addicted to drugs. Upper West Side residents have reported seeing homeless men around the hotels urinating in public, openly using drugs and passed out on the sidewalk last year A homeless man sleeps on a chair at the corner of W80th Street and Broadway in the Upper West Side in September The residents argued that the new tenants harmed their quality of life by accosting pedestrians; claimed they saw some of the men at the hotel use drugs and overdose on sidewalks; and that they were responsible for a rise in robberies and burglaries - even though police statistics showed crime remained down in the area. They formed a group, called the West Side Community Organization, after the homeless were quietly brought to the hotel, and claimed they saw fight, drug use and people spitting - despite the pandemic. The New York Post at the time also reported that many of the new tenants were sex offenders. The group urged city officials to relocate the homeless individuals, prompting the mayor to begin moving the homeless to the Harmonia in Midtown. But it soon emerged that the men who were being brought there were displacing disabled residents at the Harmonia, and advocates for the homeless reacted with fury, marching from Carl Schurz Park to Gracie Mansion and demanding that de Blasio resign. The Department of Homeless Services only paused the relocation in mid-September, though, after the Legal Aid filed a lawsuit on their behalf. Roughly one week later, the city announced it would move the residents from the Lucerne to a Radisson hotel in the Financial District, prompting residents there to create a Facebook page entitled 'Downtown NYCers for Safe Streets.' 'We believe that our residents should have been notified in advance of this possibility and now that it has been agreed to without our knowledge, we need to make our voices heard,' the page's description read. A post on the page provided residents with a template to raise their concerns to city officials, and one of the posts on the page reads: 'I have great compassion for the homeless, but moving them in a few blocks from my son where drug use was clear is not appropriate. 'These human beings deserve help, not a hotel room with no medical and no counseling,' the mother continued. 'And residents deserve to raise their kids without fear of witnessing drug use and homeless individuals who are ill screaming day and night yelling obscenities on every corner.' 'They are ill, they need help - not a hotel.' By November, homeless individuals claimed Upper West Side residents were offering them food or money to move out, and by the end of the month, a judge had ruled that the homeless must be moved out of the Lucerne hotel and into the Radisson. A group of presumably homeless people pass around a bottle of alcohol out in the open at the corner of W79th Street and Broadway in the Upper West Side earlier this month Roughly 300 people were moved into the Lucerne Hotel quietly in July The announcement that the 'Homeless-to-Hotels' program, though, came with mixed reaction. Some homeless residents said the private hotel room provided a vastly better living experience than sleeping in a shelter, the Times reported, and others said they would rather live in the street than go back to living in a shelter. Advocates have also argued that the decision is premature, as the Federal Emergency Management Association has offered to pay for the hotels until the end of September, and many of the homeless may not be vaccinated. The city has said that about 6,300 homeless adults had been fully vaccinated through its Homeless Services sites, but officials did not know how many had been vaccinated elsewhere. More than 17,000 adults are in the shelter program, the Times reported. Citywide, though, data shows 65 percent of adults have received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine, and 58 percent are fully vaccinated. The infection rate was down to 1 percent on Wednesday, and there have only been an average of 207 cases over the past week, the City Department of Health reported. Enid Blyton fans have slammed English Heritage's 'insulting' re-appraisal which linked the children's author's work to 'racism and xenophobia' after a review of its blue plaques following last summer's Black Lives Matter protests. The prolific English children's writer has enchanted millions of young readers for a century with tales of adventure, ginger beer and buns, selling 600million books in 90 languages. But Ms Blyton, whose novels have been among the world's best-sellers since the 1920s, has been linked to racism in updated English Heritage information about the blue plaque on the Chessington home where she wrote her first stories while working as a nursery governess between 1920 and 1924. The updated description on the EH website and app says: 'Blyton's work has been criticised during her lifetime and after for its racism, xenophobia and lack of literary merit. In 2016, Blyton was rejected by the Royal Mint for commemoration on a 50p coin because, the advisory committee minutes record, she was "a racist, sexist, homophobe and not a very well-regarded writer".' But it adds: 'Others have argued that while these charges can't be dismissed, her work still played a vital role in encouraging a generation of children to read'. The charity, which manages over 400 historic monuments including Stonehenge, today defended the move. And MailOnline can reveal that is has also updated the online profiles of Benjamin Franklin and Rudyard Kipling, both blue plaque recipients, with fresh sections on their attitudes to race, slavery and empire. Underneath a subheading titled 'Peter, King and Franklin's attitudes to slavery', English Heritage writes that Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, 'viewed black people as inferior' and 'owned enslaved people from about 1735 until 1781'. The change was made between May 16, 2019, and August 13 last year. And in an update made some time after August 29, 2019, the charity said author Kipling's political views have been 'widely criticised for their racist and imperialist sentiments'. Ms Blyton had critics before she died in 1968. A 1966 Guardian article accused her of racism over her book Little Black Doll - where a toy named 'Sambo' is only loved by his owner once his ugly black face is washed clean by rain. In 1960 the publisher Macmillan refused to publish her story The Mystery That Never Was, claiming it had an 'unattractive touch of old-fashioned xenophobia. But critics have slammed the website update, with the Save our Statues campaign group labelling the blue plaque guide for Ms Blyton as a 'perpetual insult'. Others also said that important historical figures are under attack from 'rabble-rousers' who want 'to denigrate British history and its figures'. It came after weeks of warnings about the future of some of Britain's top cultural institutions, including the National Trust, being under threat from a 'woke cult'. In the face of anger, English Heritage stood by its move today and tweeted: 'We'll continue to update our website so that the story behind each plaque and each person is told in full'. Members of the Enid Blyton Society say that the author's critics fail to read her stories 'in the context of the time her books were written and that the author would have written them differently if living today. One supporter said: Enid Blyton has come under a lot of criticism over the years as being sexist and racist, and maybe viewed with modern eyes some of it could be viewed that way, however, as has I think been discussed before, many modern critics are taking her writing out of the context of the time it was written, adding: Enid Blyton was perfectly capable of understanding changing values. Enid Blyton (pictured in 1962), whose books have been among the world's best-sellers since the 1920s, has been linked to racism in updated Blue Plaque information produced by charity English Heritage Blyton wrote over 700 books and approximately 4,500 short stories but faced very little criticism during her early years. Her work, including The Secret Seven, the Famous Five, the Faraway Tree, and Noddy, has been sold more than any other children's author The plaque is on this house in Chessington (pictured), where Enid lived between 1920 and 1924 as a nursery worker, writing her first stories in her room at night when the family's children slept. People visiting will now be told about her books' links to racism via the English Heritage app Blyton's Noddy series is much loved. But her use of the term 'Golliwogs' in the books has now been changed to 'Goblins' in recent editions This section has been added to Enid Blyton's English Heritage page after a review in the wake of the BLM protests last year In 1997, a blue plaque was installed in her honour but information on the plaque provided online and via the English Heritage app English Heritage doubled down today and tweeted: 'We'll continue to update our website so that the story behind each plaque and each person is told in full' English Heritage writes that Benjamin Franklin 'viewed black people as inferior' and 'owned enslaved people from about 1735 until 1781' underneath a subheading on his online profile In an update made some time after August 29, 2019, the charity said Rudyard Kipling's political views have been 'widely criticised for their racist and imperialist sentiments' English Heritage: Given 169m from taxpayer to look after UK's history English Heritage started life as a Government quango in 1983, named the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England, and looked after country's historic properties. On April 1 2015 it was split into Historic England, which inherited the statutory and protection functions of the old organisation, and the new English Heritage, a charity that would operate the historic properties, and which took on the English Heritage operating name and logo. The British government gave the new charity an 80 million grant to help establish it as an independent trust, although the historic properties remained in the ownership of the state. It also received 89m in subsidies spread over seven years. Now a registered charity it looks after more than 400 historic monuments including Stonehenge. It relies on cash from memberships and tickets and donations from visitors. Pre-pandemic these totalled around 84million-a-year. Advertisement On the Enid Blyton Societys forum another wrote recently that lefties are responsible for the campaign. She said the rabble-rousers are the very people who have accused and witch hunted Enid Blyton over many years for supposedly being a racist, and who have tried, and continue to try, to attack her reputation and condemn her work. They're the ones who have strived and campaigned to wipe her work from the shelves of libraries and in our schools. Another female member wrote: Agreed! The hateful PC brigade is the reason Enid Blyton's books have had to be altered, name changed and even stopped from being published. Apparently they're "offensive". Well I find changing them offensive, far more so, but nobody cares about that. While the Save our Statues campaign group said today: English Heritage labels Enid Blyton racist & xenophobic in its blue plaque guide. Just like adding plaques to statues, blue plaques now exist to denigrate British history and its figures. Better the plaque come down than stand as a perpetual insult. English Heritage vowed to review all plaques for links to 'contested' figures following last year's Black Lives Matter protests. It stated that objects 'associated with Britain's colonial past are offensive to many'. Today it doubled down over the changes to its website, but said it had no plans to remove Ms Blyton's blue plaque. EH tweeted this morning: 'We can fit about 19 words on each plaque. Our website provides a fuller picture of the person's life, including any uncomfortable aspects. 'We have no plans whatsoever to remove any of our blue plaques. 'We'll continue to update our website so that the story behind each plaque and each person is told in full'. Blyton wrote over 700 books and approximately 4,500 short stories but faced very little criticism during her early years. Her work, including The Secret Seven, the Famous Five, the Faraway Tree, and Noddy, has been sold more than any other children's author. The heritage charity, which criticised Blyton's work 'for its racism, xenophobia and lack of literary merit', administers the Blue Plaque scheme and has placed over 950 signs in London honouring historical figures. Ms Blyton's work, including The Secret Seven, the Famous Five, the Faraway Tree, and Noddy, has been sold more than any other children's author The charity, which manages over 400 historic monuments including Stonehenge, gave Benjamin Franklin (portrait left) and Rudyard Kipling (portrait right), both blue plaque recipients, similar treatment and updated their online profiles In 2014 Ms Blyton's Famous Five novels remained the books most favoured by parents for their children, according to a poll, beating JK Rowling's Harry Potter series. Her books have sold 600milllion copies and have been translated into 90 languages. Her work is still popular, and she is number 11 in the top 20 best bestselling children's writers of last ten years - despite her death in 1968. But her use of the term 'Golliwogs' in Noddy has now been changed to 'Goblins' in recent editions. In 1997, a blue plaque was installed in her honour but information on the plaque provided online has now called her out on her racist past. Information about her work's xenophobic controversy will also be available on the English Heritage app for literature-loving tourists. An example of her racism can be found in the 1966 book The Little Black Doll where the main character 'Sambo' is only accepted by his owner 'once his 'ugly black face' is washed 'clean' by rain'. Her work includes Secret Seven, the Famous Five, the Faraway Tree, the St Clare's series and Noddy remains extraordinarily popular, despite some being 80 years old Enid Blyton's mother thought her writing was a 'waste of time and money' but she sold 600m books worldwide Blytons books have sold more than 600 million copies and have been translated into almost 90 languages. She worked as a nursery governess while writing while the children slept despite her mother warning her it was a 'waste of time and money'. But by the time that she was in her twenties she was a full time writer and over the next 40-plus years her stories became beloved of children around the world. It also brought her great fame, and fortune, taking home 4million-a-year in today's money from sales. The Secret Seven, the Famous Five, the Faraway Tree, Malory Towers, and Noddy were the biggest sellers before and after her death in 1968. Her work became increasingly divisive among critics, teachers and parents from the 1950s onwards because they were perceived to lack literary merit. Blyton's books have been criticised for being elitist, sexist, racist, xenophobic and at odds with the more liberal environment emerging in post-war Britain but they have continued to be best-sellers since her death in 1968. Since then the books have continued to sell and be loved by children. To bring them more up to date the language was changed to make them more modern. But the adaptations in 2010 'didn't work' according to publishers, so they went back to the originals. The U-turn meant dresses returned to frocks and mum and dad changed back to mother and father. Advertisement The information also cites Blyton's publisher Macmillan refusing to publish her story The Mystery That Never Was, due to its 'faint but unattractive touch of old-fashioned xenophobia' towards foreign characters. Anna Eavis, English Heritage's curatorial director, said in June 2020 that the charity's mission was to provide more information on those 'whose actions are contested or seen today as negative'. She said: 'We need to ensure that the stories of those people already commemorated are told in full, without embellishment or excuses.' In 2019, the Royal Mint's standing committee turned down Blyton's posthumous bid for the commemorative 50 pence coin on grounds that her writing was racist, sexist and homophobic. The author, who died in 1968, was honoured with a blue plaque in 1997 on Hook Road in Chessington, where she started her writing career while working as a governess. The row over Ms Blyton's work came days after a former National Trust chairman warned that the future of some of Britain's top cultural institutions are 'under threat' from a 'woke cult'. Charity chief Simon Jenkins criticised the involvement of 'left-wing politics' in organisations such as the National Trust - which he chaired for six years between 2008 and 2014. The row emerged after current chairman, Tim Parker, announced in May that he would quit amid a revolt over 'woke' policies he spearheaded. Members of the charity were enraged after the trust published a 115-page report which 'blacklisted' 93 of its estates over their alleged links to slavery. Included on the 'hit list' was Chartwell, home of Sir Winston Churchill, in Kent. Members, ministers and MPs had grown increasingly frustrated with Mr Parker's chairmanship after the charity published a report last September which 'blacklisted' 93 of its estates with links to slavery. Mr Parker, who took on the role in 2014, said the Trust was 'committed to anti-racism and to creating a diverse, inclusive and welcoming environment.' At last November's virtual annual meeting, Mr Parker was slammed for describing Black Lives Matter as a 'human rights movement with no party-political affiliations' in a letter to a member. In the UK, BLM has described itself as a 'Marxist organisation' which has called for the defunding of the police following the murder of George Floyd last summer. There was further controversy after it emerged that the Trust had tried to force volunteers at a Norfolk mansion to wear the gay pride rainbow symbol on lanyards and badges to mark 50 years since the decriminalisation of homosexuality - a demand later dropped. Critics claim the Trust is 'virtue signalling' and deserting the values of its traditional members. Lashings of controversy: Enid Blyton fell for a married soldier, enjoyed a lesbian affair with her nanny and had a penchant for naked tennis Enid Blyton was first married to Major Hugh Pollock, pictured on their wedding day in 1924. They divorced during the Second World War In her 40-year career, Enid Blyton produced more than 800 books, most of them sun-splashed stories of midnight feasts, lacrosse matches and picnics with lashings of ginger beer a phrase which itself became shorthand for the bucolic world of Blytons characters. A published author by her twenties, and already on her way to becoming incredibly wealthy, she had shown very little interest in men, focussing on her job as a nursery governess and writing stories in her bedroom. As her stories took off she met Major Hugh Alexander Pollock, a former soldier ten years her senior who was an editor at the firm which became her regular publisher. Hugh was handsome, debonair and worldly, and Enid was charmed from the moment she met him. There was just one snag: Hugh was also married. True, he was separated, but such distinctions meant little in the buttoned-up 1920s, and openly courting a man who was married to someone else was still scandalous, not least for a former teacher turned childrens author. According to recent book the Real Enid Blyton by Nadia Cohen, Enid was certainly not the sort of woman to let such little things get in the way and, by 1924, barely a year after they had first met, she had become Mrs Pollock. Enid Blyton with her two daughters Gillian (left) and Imogen (right) at their home in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire Enid was initially delighted with the arrival of her first-born, Gillian, in July 1931, although it was only a matter of weeks before she hired a full-time live-in nanny, Betty, to join the roster of staff she now employed at the family home, Old Thatch in Bourne End, Buckinghamshire. Enid became the subject of gossip columns after a series of partied at her mansion Betty not only looked after Gillian during the day but slept in the same room overnight, and by the start of 1932 Enid was spending barely an hour a day with her daughter. Enids second nanny was a rather different matter. Hired after the birth of Enids second daughter Imogen in 1935, Dorothy Richards, a trained nurse with a rather masculine appearance she often dressed in a formal shirt and tie quickly became far more than a humble employee. From the moment of Dorothys arrival, the pair struck up an intense friendship that long outlasted Dorothys employment and which quickly left Hugh feeling surplus to requirements. When they were not out for walks, the two shared private jokes and it was now Dorothy, not Hugh, to whom Enid turned to proofread early drafts of her work. By 1938, she and Hugh, who by now was drinking heavily, were living virtually separate lives, with the encroaching war equipping Hugh with good reason to be away to help the war effort. What domestic energies Enid retained, meanwhile, seemed to be ploughed in to throwing glamorous parties at the familys new palatial home, Green Hedges, in nearby Beaconsfield, which has been knocked down and replaced with a housing estate. Enid married her second husband Kenneth Waters in 1943 in Westminster It wasnt long before Enids frantic socialising led to her becoming the subject of local whispers, not to mention the subject of gossip columns. One enjoyable rumour had it that visitors once arrived at the house to find their hostess playing tennis entirely naked. Hugh was furious when he came home to learn his wife had been entertaining men in an unsuitable way in his absence, although he scarcely had cause to complain, given he was himself cavorting with a young novelist called Ida Crowe. By early 1941, the marriage was all but over, its fate sealed when Enid was persuaded by Dorothy to join her on a trip to visit her sister Betty Marsh at her home in Devon. Among Bettys other guests was a surgeon called Kenneth Darrell Waters Enids Malory Towers heroine Darrell Rivers would later be named in his honour and from the first moment he and Enid met over a game of bridge one evening, it was love at first sight for both. As soon as they returned home they embarked on an affair, meeting in secret as often as they could. Enid rented a discreet flat in Knightsbridge to carry on their romantic liaisons brazenly using Dorothys name to cover her tracks. Humiliated, Hugh left home for good after one last bitter argument, although Enid concealed the fact from her daughters for over 18 months, using the war as an excuse. It would prove the start of an increasingly bitter rift. Afterwards she married her second husband, Kenneth, at the City of Westminster Register Office in October 1943. With Enids income soaring to well over 100,000 a year around 4.3million today the newlyweds could afford to indulge themselves. They employed a number of staff including a cook, maid and chauffeur to drive their fleet of cars, which now included a Bentley, a Rolls-Royce and an MG sports car. Enid would often spend entire days shopping at Harrods. One event proved unexpected. In 1945, at the age of 48, Enid discovered that she was pregnant again. Kenneth, who had always longed for a child, was delighted, and Enid, too, seemed pleased. Then, five months in, Enid fell while climbing a ladder to collect apples from a barn something Kenneth had expressly forbidden her to do and lost the baby. Devastated, Kenneth was never able to talk about it, but true to form Enid instead threw herself straight back into work with enthusiasm. Youngest daughter Imogen later suggested Enid had, perhaps, deliberately risked her pregnancy by climbing the ladder. She wrote: She would have been aware of the high risk of giving birth to a child with a defect at her age; and her books were still the most important part of her life. No one could dispute the latter: more literary success followed among them the Noddy series. By 1957, however, Enid was suffering failing health which would dog her until the end of her days 11 years later. She died in a Hampstead nursing home on November 28, 1968, slipping away in her sleep at the age of 71, apparently untroubled that the world she portrayed so famously should bear so little relation to the life she had pursued. A bizarre fight has erupted online between a souvlaki shop owner and Clementine Ford after the feminist writer slammed him for protesting Victoria's QR code tracing system. A Facebook post by Daniel Ruscigno, owner of The D's Souvlaki shop, sparked outage earlier this month after he shared a photo of himself giving 'the finger' to the new COVID-19 check-in requirements as Melbourne battled a growing cluster. His post, captioned 'Our current thoughts of the new mandatory check-in requirements', drew the ire of thousands of commentators, who slammed his view as 'irresponsible and stupid'. Feminist commentator Clementine Ford was among the critics, writing: 'Explain how a check-in code affects your business in any way. Thanks for telling everyone where not to go if they care about public health.' But almost two weeks on, Mr Ruscigno has hit back at Ms Ford, sharing a photo of himself flipping the bird at an image of the feminist, who he accused of using 'social media tactics to gain attention'. Daniel Ruscigno, owner of The D's Souvlaki shop, has unleashed on Clementine Ford online, sharing a photo of himself flipping the bird at a photo of her face Mr Ruscigno accused Ms Ford, who was critical of the business owner degrading Covid health measure, of using 'social media tactics to gain attention' In a new post defending his controversial QR code opinion, Mr Ruscigno clarified that he never said he 'would not abide by mandatory requirements' but is 'sick and tired' of the Victorian government's 'inconsistent hospitality restrictions'. 'I am not here to justify myself to anyone,' he wrote on Wednesday. '[But] as for you Clementine Ford, how dare you have the audacity to come on my page/post and imply the things that you do as one of your social media tactics to gain attention. Grow up! The shop owner accused Ms Ford of hiding behind her keyboard and urged her to visit his store and try his food. 'How's about [sic] you come down and try one of my mouth watering souva Ill even get one of the girls to make it seen as you dont like us men. Pull yourself away from the screen you hide behind and come try the Ds I DARE YOU!'. Ms Ford replied in the comments: 'Tell me you have fragile masculinity without telling me you have fragile masculinity', before issuing a scathing post about his behaviour on her Facebook page, labelling him as 'insecure and pathetic'. The D's Souvlaki owner Daniel Ruscigno created an enormous social media backlash earlier this month with this post on his business' Facebook page Feminist commentator Clementine Ford was among the critics, questioning how the health measure greatly impacts his business 'Men like this insist that everyone else needs to harden up and get a thicker skin,' she wrote, alongside his latest crude photo. 'But they are the absolute first to buckle the moment someone says anything they dont like. The moment the feel targeted or even vaguely disagreed with, theyll show you exactly who they are - fragile, insecure and pathetic.' Ms Ford said Mr Ruscigno needed to put on his 'big boy pant' and realise that deliberately provocative business posts would be met with some criticism. 'Dont whine when people dont like it and then engage in petty, childish stunts,' she continued. 'Accept the criticism and make better choices next time.' Mr Ruscigno's post on June 4 sparked heated debate, with many others vowing to boycott his store. On Wednesday, Mr Ruscigno urged the feminist commentator to visit his shop and he would get one of 'the girls' to make her his 'mouthwatering' souvlaki 'My thoughts are that your behaviour is stupid and selfish by trying to undermine efforts to keep people safe,' wrote one of the more than 5000 people who commented beneath the post. 'Look forward to never spending any money at your business.' 'You posted a picture giving health authorities and I guess everyone else the finger,' another person wrote. 'That is actually more than an opinion. It's an insult.' Many others said Ruscigno would go out of business for disregarding the dangers of the virus and that he should take the post down. Others congratulated Ruscigno for standing up to Victoria's 'communist' government and praised the post. 'Will sort those who think with logic and commonsense from those sold on the corruption & lies,' wrote one. In a reply Mr Ruscigno thanks his 'loyal customers' for their support and said the haters could 'politely kiss my Italian ass!' 'Are we not allowed to have an opinion in this country anymore?' he continued. 'As mentioned in our post, our mandatory QRC are in store. So instead of trying to ruin a small business that you know nothing about, have the balls to come in and say it to my face and I'll be more than happy to have a conversation with you.' Mr Ruscigno said his business was down 60 per cent since the latest lockdown started The Airport West small business owner had been in operation for eight years Mr Ruscigno remained unrepentant when contacted at his Airport West shop by Daily Mail Australia and said that many of the comments were ridiculous. 'I don't have a problem with the check-in requirements,' he said previously. 'I have three or four of the signs up and I make people check-in before they order. 'I'm just frustrated that small businesses like myself are suffering through this so-called pandemic and this is just my way of saying, 'up yours'.' Mr Ruscigno had owned his business for eight years and said he received no government support during the last Victorian lockdown. 'I honestly can't believe the reaction,' he said. 'People are saying I got JobKeeper but I didn't get any government help during the last lockdown and don't meet the requirements for the money they're offering now... 'It does affect my business. Last week alone we went down 60 per cent in revenue.' The Victorian Government had been criticised for taking until May 28 to make it mandatory for businesses to use its Service Victoria QR-code check-in app. Though the app had been launched in November last year, most venues were permitted to continue using third-party apps to record visitors, meaning check-in data was not centralised for contact tracers. NSW, by contrast, introduced mandatory use of the Service NSW QR code system by businesses on January 1 this year. Hong Kong police arrested the chief editor and four executives of pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily on Thursday, raiding its newsroom for a second time in the latest blow to the outspoken tabloid. The paper and its jailed owner Jimmy Lai have long been a thorn in Beijing's side with unapologetic support for the financial hub's pro-democracy movement and scathing criticism of China's authoritarian leaders. More than 500 officers conducted a dawn operation which authorities said was sparked by articles Apple Daily had published 'appealing for sanctions' against Hong Kong and China's leaders. It is the first time the content of media reporting has sparked arrests under the city's new national security law. Hong Kong police arrested the chief editor Ryan Law (pictured) and four executives of pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily on Thursday, raiding its newsroom for a second time in the latest blow to the outspoken tabloid More than 500 officers conducted a dawn operation which authorities said was sparked by articles Apple Daily had published 'appealing for sanctions' against Hong Kong and China's leaders Police also seized computers and other items from the newspaper's offices during the dawn raid on Thursday morning In a message to readers, Apple Daily warned that Hong Kong's press freedoms were 'hanging by a thread' but the paper vowed to 'stand tall'. Its union described the operation as a 'wanton violation of press freedom' that 'displayed how much police power has inflated under the national security law'. Police said the five executives were arrested for collusion with a foreign country or external elements 'to endanger national security'. 'They have overall responsibility for the content, style and principles of news reporting,' senior superintendent Steve Li told reporters. Editor-in-chief Ryan Law, Deputy Editor-in-Chief Chan Pui-man, COO Chow Tat Kuen, CEO of Next Digital, which owns Apple Daily, Cheung Kim Hun, and Digital platform director Cheung Chi-wai were arrested. Authorities also seized HK$18 million (US$2.3 million) in Apple Daily assets, the first time a national security law seizure order has been made directly against a Hong Kong media company, rather than an individual. Apple Daily Chief Operations Officer Chow Tat Kuen (Second right) was among those arrested in Thursday's dawn raid Apply Daily Deputy Chief Editor Chan Pui-man was escorted out of the newspaper's officers after the raid on Thursday Senior superintendent Steve Li (pictured) said the five arrested 'have overall responsibility for the content, style and principles of news reporting' Employees sit and wait at their computers as police swarm the Apple Daily headquarters at dawn on Thursday Responding to the raid, Amnesty International Asia-Pacific Regional Director Yamini Mishra said: 'Use of the content of Apple Daily media articles as grounds for arrest under the national security law is deeply disturbing and could have profound implications for all media outlets operating in Hong Kong. 'International human rights standards clearly state that "national security" can only be invoked to justify the restriction of rights and freedoms when there are specific, genuine, demonstrable, imminent and clear threats of violence or the use of force. 'It is farcical for the authorities to suggest that the critical media articles that apparently prompted today's raid have met this threshold, while pretending to use international law as their justification. 'Once again, "national security" is being used as a catch-all to silence critics in Hong Kong. 'The protection of journalistic materials is crucial to enabling the media to expose wrongdoing without fear of retribution. Authorities are essentially removing these protections, while putting confidential sources and informants at imminent risk. 'This is an attack not only on the freedom of expression of the press, but also on readers' freedom to freely receive information. All the media workers arrested today solely for doing their legitimate journalistic work must be immediately released. Journalism is not a crime.' Hong Kong is historically a major international media hub but its press freedom ranking has slipped dramatically in recent years. Secretary for Security John Lee declined to say which articles breached the security law or whether those who shared the articles online, bought Apple Daily or its shares, might be at risk. Police were seen gathering outside the headquarters of pro-democracy tabloid Apple Daily ahead of a raid on Thursday morning The paper broadcast live footage of the police raid on its Facebook account as officers cordoned off the complex (pictured) The Apple Daily headquarters were cordoned off by police following the dawn raid on Thursday 'Everyone must decide for themselves,' Lee told reporters. 'Our actions are not targeting press freedom or journalistic work. 'We target conspiracies that threaten national security. We target perpetrators who would use journalistic work as a tool to engage in acts that endanger national security.' Sharron Fast, a lecturer at the University of Hong Kong's journalism school, described Lee's comments as 'ominous and incorrect'. 'It is precisely the role of a journalist in a free society to report on political views, even those that might be unwelcome,' she told AFP. Apple Daily broadcast live footage of the raid showing officers searching the newsroom and looking through journalists' computers. The paper said computer terminals, hard drives and reporter notepads were among items carted away. Among the arrested executives were chief editor Ryan Law and CEO Cheung Kim-hung who were both led into the building in handcuffs. Police seized computers and other items from the newspaper's headquarters as well as arresting five senior executives including Cheung Kim Hun (Third from right), the CEO of Next Digital, which owns Apple Daily Police seized computers from the Apple Daily headquarters as part of the raid on Thursday morning Digital Platform Director of Apply Daily Cheung Chi-wai was arrested alongside four other senior executives on Thursday morning Hong Kong's stock exchange said trading in shares of Next Digital - the publisher of the newspaper - had been halted. The security law is the spearhead of a sweeping crackdown on Beijing's critics in Hong Kong since 2019's huge democracy protests. It has criminalised much dissent, given China jurisdiction over some cases and awarded authorities a suite of powerful new investigation powers. Those convicted face up to life in prison and the majority are denied bail after arrest. Thursday's raid was the second on Apple Daily in less than a year. The tabloid's billionaire owner Lai, 73, was charged with collusion after hundreds of officers searched the paper's newsroom last August. He is currently serving multiple jail sentences for attending various protests. Apple Daily's billionaire owner Jimmy Lai (pictured) was charged with collusion after a raid last August and is serving multiple jail sentences for attending various protests Beijing has made no secret of its desire to see the paper's voice tamed, with state media routinely describing Lai as a 'traitor' and a 'black hand'. Last month, police used the national security law to freeze Lai's bank accounts and his majority shares in Next Digital. Until Thursday's raid, authorities had left the company's assets alone. It is unclear whether Apple Daily will now be able to pay its staff. 'We will try all our best to publish newspapers for tomorrow,' executive chief editor Lam Man-chung, who was not among those arrested, told AFP. China says the security law was needed to return stability to the international financial hub. Critics, including many Western nations, say it has been the final nail in the coffin for the 'One Country, Two Systems' promise that Hong Kong could maintain certain liberties after its 1997 handover to China by the British. More than 100 people have been arrested under the law, many of them the city's best-known democracy activists. Others have fled overseas. Speaking with AFP last month, chief editor Law admitted the paper was in 'crisis' since Lai's jailing but said his reporters were determined to press on with publishing. Asked by staff what they should do if the police came to arrest him, he replied: 'Broadcast it live.' Thursday's raid was the second on Apple Daily in less than a year (pictured, police stand guard near the tabloid's offices after the dawn raid) Advertisement Boris Johnson delayed lockdown based on outdated modelling that is likely to have exaggerated the impact of ending restrictions, MPs have heard. Under the most pessimistic scenario, Imperial College London warned Britain could experience 203,824 more deaths by next June. Even more optimistic forecasts from other universities suggested more than 50,000 would die. But the figures were based on old estimates of jab effectiveness, which assumed they would work less well, the Commons science and technology committee heard yesterday. Imperial worked on the basis that the AstraZeneca jab would reduce hospitalisations by between 77 and 87 per cent after two doses. But real-world data from Public Health England shows the vaccine is 92 per cent effective at preventing hospitalisation. The power of the Pfizer jab was also underplayed by several university groups. It means the modelling considered by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies and the Prime Minister overestimates the likely number of deaths. Readjusting the models could see Imperial's death estimates fall from 203,824 to 26,854. The PHE figures were made public on Monday, after the modelling to support delaying June 21 but Dr Susan Hopkins, deputy director of PHE's national infection service, told MPs the Government was aware of the figures since last Friday. Tory MP Aaron Bell told the committee: 'The models that we seem to be relying on to justify the extension of restrictions don't appear to be using [the PHE] numbers.' It comes after official data showed two Covid vaccine doses are extremely effective at reducing hospitalisations in patients infected with the Indian variant and just one jab prevents more than seven in 10 from being admitted. Latest analysis by Public Health England estimates that Pfizer's vaccine slashes the risk of being hospitalised by the Indian variant by 96 per cent after two doses and AstraZeneca's jab cuts it by 92 per cent. Previous real-world analysis by PHE found that Pfizer's jab was 97 per cent effective at preventing admissions from the Kent variant. PHE has not yet published data on AstraZeneca's effect on older strains In a report published last week it said the estimated protection from one dose of either jab has fallen from 50 per cent against the Kent variant to just 33 per cent against Delta. The reduction in protection after two doses is much smaller, with it falling from an estimated 88 per cent to 81 per cent A slide presented at Downing Street's press conference tonight looked at the average protection provided against hospitalisations by both vaccines. England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty hailed the results as 'very encouraging indeed' Above, PHE's estimates on the jabs' effect on symptomatic illness from the Indian variant were presented as a range at tonight's press conference In a glimmer of hope in the UK's fight against the mutant strain, latest analysis by Public Health England published tonight estimated that Pfizer's vaccine slashes the risk by 96 per cent after two doses and AstraZeneca's jab cuts it by 92 per cent. PHE's study of 14,000 cases of the Indian 'Delta' variant also found a single dose of either vaccine provides roughly 75 per cent protection against being admitted to hospital three weeks after getting the jab. It suggests the vaccines work just as well at reducing Covid hospital rates from the Indian variant which spooked ministers into delaying the final easing of lockdown as they do against the previously dominant Kent version. The report didn't calculate the level of protection the jabs provide against mortality from the Delta variant but PHE said it expects that figure to be 'high'. Health Secretary Matt Hancock praised the latest findings which showed 'how crucial it is' to get jabbed, adding: 'Our vaccination programme continues at pace and has already saved thousands of lives. It is our way out of this pandemic.' Officials had always believed the jabs would work well against the variant but there were growing doubts after multiple studies found it made vaccines significantly weaker at preventing infections. However, PHE has warned that unvaccinated people are twice as likely to be hospitalised with the Indian strain compared to the Kent one. The increased risk also applies to people who have not had enough time to develop immunity following a jab, This, combined with the fact the Indian variant is around 60 per cent more transmissible than the Kent version, has led to England's June 21 Freedom Day being delayed by a month. SAGE warned there could be up to 500 Covid deaths a day if Boris Johnson were to press ahead with next week's unlocking. But the group's models were based on older, more pessimistic data about the Indian variant. PHE's analysis included 14,019 cases of the Delta variant 166 of whom were hospitalised between April 12 and June 4, looking at emergency hospital admissions in England. Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi said tonight's PHE report was 'extremely encouraging' and urged people to come for their second vaccine appointment. 'It is extremely encouraging to see today's research showing that vaccines are continuing to help break the link between hospitalisation and the Delta variant after one dose, and particularly the high effectiveness of two doses. 'If you're getting the call to bring forward your second dose appointment - do not delay - get the second jab so you can benefit from the fullest possible protection.' Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at PHE, added: 'These hugely important findings confirm that the vaccines offer significant protection against hospitalisation from the Delta variant. 'The vaccines are the most important tool we have against Covid. Thousands of lives have already been saved because of them. 'It is absolutely vital to get both doses as soon as they are offered to you, to gain maximum protection against all existing and emerging variants.' So far almost 42million Britons almost 80 per cent of adults have been given one vaccine dose and 30million have been fully immunised. It leaves a fifth of people unvaccinated and almost half only partially protected. PHE has previously published analysis showing one dose is 17 per cent less effective at preventing symptomatic illness from the Indian variant, compared to the Kent version, but there is only a small difference after two doses. It comes after analysis of Scotland's coronavirus crisis found that the Indian variant was most prominent in younger people while the elderly - who have mostly been double jabbed - appeared to have high levels of protection. Red bars represent the Indian variant and green the Kent version. The blue chart highlights cases suspected of being the Indian variant Covid patients 'are getting sicker FASTER' in China as south of nation battles flare-up fuelled by Indian variant Covid patients infected with the Indian variant are getting sicker more quickly than in previous waves, doctors in China have claimed. In the city of Guangzhou, where the mutant strain is known to be spreading, medics say about 12 per cent of patients become severely ill within four days of symptoms starting. The proportion had previously been as low as 2 or 3 per cent with the original Wuhan virus and the variant which first emerged in Kent and went on to become world-dominant. The testimonies in China add to a growing body of evidence that the so-called Delta strain is not only far more virulent than previous versions, but also more dangerous. In Britain, officials estimate the strain is twice as likely to cause hospitalisation than the Kent strain, and is at least 60 per cent more infectious. UK experts say younger people also appear more likely to be admitted with the new variant, due to a combination of fewer young people being vaccinated and because the strain seems to pose a greater risk of severe illness. But British doctors have not mirrored any claims about infected patients becoming sicker quicker. Some scientists believe symptoms of the virus have become milder since the variant began to take off, which may be down to younger people who are less vulnerable to the disease getting infected. Guan Xiangdong, director of critical care medicine at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, said the amount of Indian variant virus detected in the body rises to higher levels and declines more slowly than with previous strains. This could partly explain why the mutant virus is more infectious, with patients coughing out more viral particles, and more deadly, because the immune system has to fight off a larger amount of the disease. Advertisement In a report published last week it said the estimated protection from one dose of either jab has fallen from 50 per cent against the Kent variant to just 33 per cent against Delta. The reduction in protection after two doses is much smaller, with it falling from an estimated 88 per cent to 81 per cent. Commenting on PHE's latest findings, Dr Peter English, former chair of the BMA Public Health Medicine Committee, said: 'This is more excellent news about the vaccines and their real-world effectiveness against the Delta variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. 'With over 14,000 symptomatic cases, 166 of whom were hospitalised, this provides good quality evidence of real-world effectiveness. 'The effectiveness is not surprising we know that vaccines are generally increasingly effective at preventing increasingly severe illness. 'Nevertheless, it is extremely reassuring to see that vaccines' efficacy against hospitalisation with Delta variant disease is so close to their efficacy against the Alpha and original variants, and over 90% after two doses, for both vaccines. 'This gives us more hope that the anticipated extension of the 21 June data for relaxing restrictions will not need to be delayed for too long, especially if further data show marked indirect protection.' It comes after analysis of Scotland's coronavirus crisis found that AstraZeneca and Pfizer's jabs were equally effective at reducing admissions from the Indian and Kent strains after 28 days of a follow up vaccine. The finding is in line with PHE's promising finding and will raise hopes that the new strain will not totally derail the UK's lockdown-ending hopes. However, the Delta strain was shown to be 80 per cent more likely to put unvaccinated people in hospital compared to the Kent version. For the study period April 1 and June 6 this year there were 7,723 cases and 134 hospital admissions with the Indian variant. Lead researcher Professor Aziz Sheikh, director of the University of Edinburgh's Usher Institute, told a briefing today that he welcomed the delay of England's June 21 Freedom Day. He said: 'If there is a delay, I think that will give us the opportunity to widen coverage, which is incredibly important for those who at the moment have only got one dose. 'It will give the opportunity to increase the proportion of the population with two doses and then what we want is a period of time where people can actually maximise their immune responses. 'I think any sort of increase in the window of opportunity before lockdown measures are completely brought to an end, will be helpful, because that will help us to control community transmission.' 'So, overall, I'd be very supportive of any delays that might be announced.' Meanwhile, the Edinburgh researchers found that both vaccines were significantly less likely to prevent infection of the Indian variant than the Kent one. The Pfizer/BioNTech jab was found to provide 79 per cent protection against infection from the 'Delta' variant, compared with 92 per cent against the 'Alpha' variant. While the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine offered 60 per cent protection against infection with the Delta variant compared with 73 per cent for the Alpha variant. Experts say this lower vaccine effect may reflect that it takes longer to develop immunity with the Oxford jab. Professor Sheikh added: 'Over a matter of weeks the Delta variant has become the dominant strain of SARS-CoV-2 in Scotland. 'It is unfortunately associated with increased risk of hospitalisation from Covid-19. 'Whilst possibly not as effective as against other variants, two doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccines still offer substantial protection against the risk of infection and hospitalisation. 'It is therefore really important that, when offered second doses, people take these up, both to protect themselves, and to reduce household and community transmission.' The findings are published as a research letter in The Lancet. The numbers that delayed Freedom Day: Official data shows cases ARE spiralling but not in over-60s and ICU admissions are rising slowly Boris Johnson today announced a four-week delay to the end of the Covid lockdown roadmap as experts fear the now-dominant Indian 'Delta' variant is on the cusp of triggering a third wave. Cases have spiked 50 per cent in a week across the UK and the number of people needing hospital treatment for Covid is rising slowly in its wake, with more than 1,000 people now on wards with the virus. Infections are mostly in the young, with rates up to seven times higher among people in their 20s than in the over-80s, and scientists and ministers are still confident that vaccines will keep a lid on the death toll. But a single dose is no longer enough to protect most people from catching Covid and Mr Johnson must buy the NHS more time to get second jabs out to millions more middle-aged people, who are still at risk of hospitalisation. The PM announced that curbs such as large event number limits, social distancing and unlimited indoor mixing will have to stay until at least mid-July and potentially until England's school summer holidays. Here is a look at the data that may have spooked him: The trend of total number of people in hospital has remained relatively flat, fluctuating between 800 and 1,100 for the past month but creeping upwards in the most recent week. Experts say the current surge in cases will see it tick up in the coming days and weeks. Public Health England data showed that in the week ending June 6 the highest infection rate was 121 cases per 100,000 people among those aged 20 to 29. Rates were also high in teenagers (99 per 100,000) and adults in their 30s (73). They are significantly lower among older age groups CASES ARE RISING ACROSS UK BUT BIGGEST SPIKES IN UNDER-30s Coronavirus cases have undeniably been rising in the UK, and quickly, in recent weeks after the ending of most lockdown rules on May 17 coincided with the takeover of the Indian variant. The average number of positive tests announced each day is now above 7,000 for the first time since the tail end of the second wave in March, after 7,490 cases were confirmed yesterday after 8,125 on Friday. There were 50,017 cases confirmed between Monday and Sunday last week, a 50 per cent spike from 33,496 the week before. But a ray of hope among the rising infections is the fact that cases are up to 17 times higher among young adults than they are in the at-risk elderly, suggesting vaccines are protecting older people. Public Health England data showed that in the week ending June 6 the highest infection rate was 121 cases per 100,000 people among those aged 20 to 29. Rates were also high in teenagers (99 per 100,000) and adults in their 30s (73). But they were significantly lower in the middle-aged and elderly, with the lowest rate in over-70s, at 7 per 100,000, followed by 14 per 100,000 among people in their 60s and 32 per 100,000 in people in their 50s. And while the rate had doubled in just a week in people in their 20s, it rose by only 17 per cent in the over-80s, showing most of the surging epidemic at the time was in young people. HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS ARE CREEPING UP WITH VARIANT HOTSPOTS LEADING THE WAY Hospital admissions are creeping up across the UK and more notably in Delta variant hotspots. The increase has been significantly slower than cases there was a 15 per cent increase in the most recent week, from 875 new admissions by June 1 to 1,008 in the week to June 8 but this is likely an effect of the lag between someone getting infected and then getting sick enough to need hospital treatment. The real test of how well vaccines will taking pressure off hospitals will come in the next week or two, when there has been enough time two to three weeks since the spike in cases to see what happens. Professor Neil Ferguson, Imperial College London epidemiologist and member of SAGE, said scientists were hoping the ratio of cases to hospital admissions could be cut by 85 per cent from the pre-jab rate of around nine per cent. In the most recent data, for June 8, there were 187 people admitted to hospital with Covid in the UK, the highest since April 14. By Thursday, June 10, there were a total of 1,089 patients in hospital. The trend of total number of people in hospital has remained relatively flat, fluctuating between 800 and 1,100 for the past month but creeping upwards in the most recent week. Experts say the current surge in cases will see it tick up in the coming days and weeks. Places where infection rates with the Delta variant are comparatively high Bedfordshire, London, Birmingham, Manchester and East Lancashire had the highest admission rates in the most recent data but even those, the worst-hit hospitals, still had only five patients admitted on June 6. They also have the most people in hospital in total, with 44 Covid patients on wards in Manchester University NHS Trust on June 8. This was the highest in the country and up almost 60 per cent in a week from 28 on June 1. Inpatient numbers were rising in all but three of the areas with the most patients falling only in Bolton and Croydon, and flat at King's College London, while rising in Imperial College London, East Lancashire, Bedfordshire, Salford Royal in Manchester, Southampton and Birmingham. The increase in new admissions to hospital has been significantly slower than cases there was a 15 per cent increase in the most recent week, from 875 new admissions by June 1 to 1,008 in the week to June 8 but this is likely an effect of the lag between someone getting infected and then getting sick enough to need hospital treatment INTENSIVE CARE CLOSE TO 2021 LOW BUT RISING SLOWLY WITH NORTH WEST WORST HIT The number of patients with Covid in intensive care remains low in the UK, with only 158 people critically ill in hospital by June 10. This figure rose slightly compared to previous weeks but the trend has been broadly flat the lowest point of 2021 was 119 on May 29, just two weeks ago, after it fell from over 4,000 in late January. More detailed information for England, up to June 8, showed that 47 out of a total 140 intensive care patients were all in the North West. Just two Indian variant hotspots East Lancashire and Bolton hospitals accounted for 21 of these patients 15 per cent of the country's total, or one in seven. The delay between cases and the need for intensive care is even longer than it is between people getting infected and getting admitted to a general hospital ward, so these numbers could begin increasing in the coming weeks. But the vaccines are also expected to have an effect on the number of people who become gravely ill. While the jab should stop most people from ending up in hospital at all, even those who do end up in hospital do not seem to be as sick as they used to be. Chief of the NHS Providers union, Chris Hopson, said last week: 'What chief executives are consistently telling us is that it is a much younger population that is coming in, they are less clinically vulnerable, they are less in need of critical care and therefore they're seeing what they believe is a significantly lower mortality rate which is, you know, borne out by the figures. 'So it's not just the numbers of people who are coming in, it's actually the level of harm and clinical risk.' GOVERNMENT MUST BUY MORE TIME FOR VACCINE ROLLOUT OF SECOND DOSES The Government's four-week delay to the ending of lockdown will be designed to buy time for the vaccine rollout to get second doses to more adults to try and protect them from the Delta variant. Government data show that more than half of adults have had their second vaccine doses already but millions more still need them. A staggering eight out of 10 have had their first dose Public Health England has warned that a single dose of vaccine, which used to protect well against the virus, no longer cuts it for most people. In a report published last week it said the estimated protection from one dose of either jab has fallen from 50 per cent against the Kent variant to just 33 per cent against Delta. The reduction in protection after two doses is much smaller, with it falling from an estimated 88 per cent to 81 per cent. MailOnline analysis of official figures last week showed all people aged 50 and above could all have had their second vaccine dose by June 17, at the current rate of immunisation, with protection kicking in a week or two later. But the under-50s may not all have received by their final jab until September 18, fueling concerns a surge in Covid infections caused by the Indian variant may result in a spike in deaths and hospitalisations among the unvaccinated. This assumes the rollout will continue at its current average daily pace of around 265,000 second doses a day, which would be dependent on both supply and uptake rates. Dr Simon Clarke, a microbiologist at the University of Reading, agreed that the data suggests delaying lockdown easing by two weeks would make sense. He said: 'June 17 for all over-50s to have had both doses does seem realistic. And I think they are going to delay June 21 because it takes two weeks for those vaccines to kick in and over-50s are going to be the most important to get done.' All over-50s in England could be fully protected against Covid by July 1 nearly two weeks after 'freedom day on June 21 but it will take until September for all adults to have had two jabs, MailOnline analysis can reveal DEATHS STILL FLAT BUT QUARTER OF NEW VARIANT VICTIMS WERE FULLY VACCINATED The number of people dying each day of coronavirus remains relatively flat the daily average reported deaths is nine and the figure has been between eight and 10 for the past three weeks. It briefly fell to a daily average of six for four days in mid-May but has not been lower than that at any time in the pandemic, not even last summer when the virus had been all but stamped out. Deaths usually take between two weeks and a month to react after a spike in cases because it can take people so long to die of Covid after they test positive. Although the success of the vaccines now means that there were will have to be significantly more cases per death compared to earlier waves of the virus, scientists still expect the number of fatalities to rise and fall along with infections they just hope there will be fewer. Professor Neil Ferguson said last week: 'It's well within the possibility that we could see another, third, wave at least comparable in terms of hospitalisations as the second wave. At least deaths, I think, certainly would be lower.' A lingering worry, however, is the fact that vaccines won't perfectly protect people and that 'vaccine failure' is inevitable in some people most likely the old and frail. Public Health England figures show that almost a third of the 42 Britons who have so far died from the Indian (Delta) Covid had been given two vaccine doses. The PHE report showed that of those 42 people who died, 12 were fully vaccinated. From the remaining members of the group, 23 were unvaccinated, while seven had received their first dose more than 21 days before, suggesting they had one-dose protection. The latest data puts the vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic disease against the Delta variant at 33 per cent after one dose. After two doses, this rises to 81 per cent. This is is lower than the Alpha variant, where the figures are 51 per cent after the first dose, and 88.4 per cent after the second. DELTA VARIANT NOW DOMINANT IN 263 OUT OF 315 AREAS OF ENGLAND The Indian 'Delta' variant is now dominant in 263 out of 315 areas of England, up from 201 last week. Surveillance data gathered by the Wellcome Sanger Institute revealed that the variant accounted for more than half of infections in 85 per cent of areas across the country in the two weeks leading up to June 5. The strain known by scientists as B.1.617.2 is more contagious than the Kent 'Alpha' variant and is now dominant in every borough of Greater Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and London. The variant is likely to be even more dominant, due to the delay in determining which variant a positive test was caused by Public Health England said last week it was accounting for 96 per cent of positive tests. Across the country, the variant is responsible for 88.4 per cent of all cases, according to the Sanger report. The once-dominant Kent strain now only accounts for 11.3 per cent of cases. Havant, in Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight are the only areas that have not recorded any cases of the Delta variant, according to the statistics. All of the cases examined in those two regions were identified as the Kent mutation. In nearly 40 parts of England including Cambridge, Newcastle and York the strain is thought to be responsible for all Covid infections. The strain is not yet dominant in 28 areas of the country, such as Doncaster, Sheffield and Southampton. But 24 regions did not provided data for the weeks leading up to June 5, so it is unclear how those places which include Darlington and Eastbourne have been hit by the variant. The most expensive above ground home was snapped up for $43,000 An outback town famous for its opal mines has sold 33 of its unique homes for less than $36,000 each in a furious bidding war. Coober Pedy, a remote town 846km north of Adelaide, is known for its underground homes dubbed 'dugouts'. The highest selling dugout sold for $36,000, while the cheapest vacant lot fetched just $1,300. Above ground homes didn't go for much more, with the most expensive being snapped up for $43,000. The highest selling dugout sold for $36,000, while the cheapest vacant lot fetched just $1,300 Coober Pedy, a remote town 846 km north of Adelaide, is known for its underground homes dubbed 'dugouts' Dugouts remain at a constant temperature, while surface buildings need air conditioning especially during the summer months, when temperatures often exceed 40C 'A lot of these properties owed more in rates than what the property was worth,' the council's chief executive Dean Miller told the ABC. The auction, which was attended by 70 people, was held over two days at the Desert Cave Hotel. Mr Miller said bidding got 'fierce' with about 40 more people joining the auction online while out of town. Of the 33 properties that sold, about half were vacant plots with potential to build a new home from scratch. 'We're happy with that because it means new people coming into the town, buying a block of land and building, or buying an existing house and renovating,' Mr Miller said. However, the new owners, many of them from out of town or even interstate, will need to spruce the homes up to live in comfort. Mr Miller said the one and two-bedroom homes were 'pretty basic' but had potential for extensions, renovations or knock-down-rebuilds. 'If you are an investor, you would get a decent return on your investment. In fact, probably a lot higher than you would in a city,' he said. City slickers with dreams of a desert holiday hideaway should stay tuned as another 20 homes are expected to be sold just as cheap later this year. Of the 33 properties that sold, about half were vacant plots with potential to build a new home from scratch Mr Miller said the one and two-bedroom homes were 'pretty basic' but had potential for extensions The town is renowned for its below-ground residences, which were built because of the historic lack of building materials, flies and to combat extreme temperatures The homes were auctioned off after their owners well drastically behind on their rates - some for 10 years - and the properties were repossessed. Mr Miller said the auction paid back about 55 per cent of the outstanding debts, but went so cheap it was below expectations. Coober Pedy, which has a population of about 2,500, is often referred to as the 'opal capital of the world' due to the quantity of precious stones that are mined there. The town is renowned for its below-ground residences, which were built because of the historic lack of building materials, flies, and to combat extreme temperatures. A standard three-bedroom cave home with lounge, kitchen, and bathroom can be excavated out of the rock in the hillside for a similar price to building a house on the surface. Dugouts remain at a constant temperature, while surface buildings need air conditioning especially during the summer months, when temperatures often exceed 40C. Australia will only give the AstraZeneca vaccine to over-60s after seven people in their 50s developed rare blood clots due to the jab in the past week. The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation advised Health Minister Greg Hunt to increase the minimum age for the Oxford University jab from 50 to 60 on Thursday. The decision came after 12 new clotting cases emerged in the past week, with seven patients in their 50s and five over 60. Two people have died in Australia from the rare but serious condition caused by the the jab, including a 52-year-old woman. Mr Hunt said everybody aged 40-59 is now eligible for the Pfizer vaccine, and he still expects the whole population to be offered a jab by the end of the year. Health officials urged 840,000 over 50s who have had their first dose of AstraZeneca to proceed with their second because the second jab is almost ten times less risky. For example, the UK has reported a clotting rate of 1.5 per million second doses compared to 14.2 per million first doses. The Health Minister said everybody aged 40-59 would be eligible for the Pfizer jab Australia's vaccine advisors have recommended AstraZeneca vaccine only be given to over-60s after fears of blood clots stopped thousands from getting the jab What are the chances of getting a blood clot? Number of people who get blood clots after AstraZeneca per 100,000 people: <50 years - 3.1 people 50-59 years - 2.7 60-69 years - 1.4 70-79 years - 1.8 80+ years - 1.9 Source: Atagi Advertisement 'To those 3.8 million Australians who've had a first dose of AstraZeneca, go get your second dose,' said Health Department Secretary Professor Brendan Murphy. 'It's a completely different picture for second doses.' About 2.1million Australians in their fifties have not had a first dose yet and will now get Pfizer. Professor Murphy said global trials have only just started on mixing and matching vaccines and there is no evidence is it safe or effective to have one jab of AstraZeneca and one jab of Pfizer, a combination that is not offered in Australia. Mr Hunt said it was a 'conservative' decision to restrict AstraZeneca jabs to Australians over 60, based on a risk-benefit analysis that takes into account the fact older Australians are more likely to die from Covid-19. 'The UK, for example, has an age range of 40 and above, South Korea 30 and above, and Germany has no age limits after 18 and above,' he said on Thursday. Amid fears the setback will delay the beleaguered vaccine rollout even more, Labor slammed the government for not signing deals for other vaccines such as American-made Johnson & Johnson last year. 'Scott Morrison placed too many eggs in the AstraZeneca basket', said health spokesman Mark Butler. But the government pointed out that Denmark, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan only have two vaccines currently available and New Zealand only has Pfizer. Austria, France, Germany and Italy have four vaccines, while the US, UK and Canada have three. Health Minister Greg Hunt said it was a 'conservative' decision to advise AstraZeneca jabs be restricted to Australians over 60 One in four Australian adults have now received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine, with more than six million jabs administered across the country Australia has a deal for 40million Pfizer jabs and a deal for 10million doses of Moderna, which is pending approval from the TGA. Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said the clotting was extremely rare and doctors now have a lot more information on how to diagnose and treat the condition. 'We will continue to learn from these unfortunate circumstances and will tie it into advice to all practitioners,' he said. Some 36 Aussies have recovered from clotting due to the jab, while 22 are in hospital, with four needing intensive care. In a statement, AstraZeneca said patient safety remained its highest priority. 'We continue to work closely with the TGA and other regulators around the world as they investigate these very rare cases.' Tasmania has slammed shut its borders to anyone who has been to New South Wales Covid exposure site while Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk warns her state to avoid travelling to Sydney after new coronavirus cases were detected. The state recorded another Covid-19 case overnight as a man in his 40s - not linked to the other cases in the latest outbreak - tested positive to the virus, taking its total to four. His infection is still under investigation though as NSW Health is determining whether the test returned a false positive result. The island state announced Wednesday morning it would block all New South Wales travellers who had visited a listed site since June 11. 'Anyone who is planning on travelling to Tasmania who has been to any of these high-risk premises at the specified dates and times will not be permitted to enter the state,' Tasmania's Director of Public Health Mark Veitch announced. A hotel quarantine driver tested positive for the highly-contagious delta variant of coronavirus at the Bondi Beach testing facility on Wednesday The state recorded another Covid-19 case overnight as a man in his 40s not linked to the other cases in the latest outbreak tested positive to the virus - taking its total to four Palaszczuk also said her state would closely monitor the ongoing situation, with closed borders likely given previous decisions to quickly block residents from New South Wales entering. 'In line with other jurisdictions, we will maintain restrictions on travel from Greater Melbourne for another seven days, and we strongly advise those planning travel to Greater Sydney to reconsider,' the Queensland Premier tweeted on Thursday morning. Queensland's Chief Health Officer added anyone who had been to an exposure site would 'automatically' enter a quarantine facility. 'It's important that anyone who has been to these venues in Sydney follow the advice of NSW Health and not travel,' Dr Jeanette Young said. 'If you have been to any of these sites and are already in Queensland, you must immediately travel by private transport directly to your home or accommodation and quarantine.' Western Australia's CHO Andrew Robertson has announced mandatory quarantine for 14 days for anyone attending a high-risk location from the date of exposure. 'Any risk to WA remains very low but, again, the situation highlights the importance of remaining vigilant to prevent any spread of the virus or community transmission in this state,' Dr Roberston said. Four people have tested positive for coronavirus in Sydney, with the last person registering a 'very low' viral load and could potentially be a false positive A man tested positive in the Baulkham Hills area of north-west Sydney on Thursday morning, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said. Ms Berejiklian said his viral load was 'very low'. A woman in her 70s has also tested positive in Vaucluse, taking Sydney's latest outbreak to four cases. She visited the Belle Cafe in Vaucluse at the same time as an airport worker in his 60s who health officials have now confirmed contracted the highly-contagious Delta variant of the virus. He and his wife tested positive to Covid-19 on Wednesday. Fast food giant McDonald's will open up another 100 stores across Australia over the next three years in a $600million expansion push. The company said lessons learned during lockdown have highlighted the importance of drive-through, digital sales, and delivery which will be a focus of the new layouts. Their free-standing restaurants not attached to food courts helped the company pull through the Covid crises with out too much of a hit - with development sites of between 3,000 and 4,000sq m being sought for the new stores. McDonald's said their stand-alone stores were the key to their strong results in 2020 (stock image) CEO Andrew Gregory did say that lockdown and schemes such as JobKeeper and JobSeeker had affected the pool of workers (stock image) Their revenue actually rose in 2020 to $1.7billion, though net profit reduced slightly by $36million to $206.4million - with rent in locations such as shopping centres and airports draining profits. McDonald's Australia CEO Andrew Gregory said drive-throughs in suburban locations were the strongest performing aspect of the business in the past 12 months. 'Not only was it convenient and fast, but also incredibly safe. Our new restaurant strategy is about doubling down on the strategy prior to 2020,' Mr Gregory told the AFR. 'We are looking for suburban locations to leverage the different platforms the drive-thru, the McCafe and I think there's a lot of opportunity for more growth in Australia.' Mr Gregory also explained the company's strategy of sourcing ingredients from Australian producers helped minimise supply disruptions in 2020. Interestingly, he did note, however, the pandemic had disrupted the labour market with the fast-food industry, supermarkets, and big-box retailers competing for the same staff. The federal government introduced JobSeeker and JobKeeper programs in 2020 which increased welfare payments for those not currently working. Drive-throughs are to be a focus of the new stores with McDonald's Australia's CEO saying they allowed speed and safety (stock image) The restaurant chain, founded in Chicago in the 1950's, will open 27 stores in Australia in 2021 followed by a target of another 40 to open in both 2022 and 2023. Their first store in Australia opened in 1971 in the Sydney suburb of Yangoona - marking 50 years in the country this year. Mr Gregory said the golden arches have become ingrained in Australian culture with many innovations pioneered by the company. He explained the breakfast menu, introduced in the late 1980s, helped to create Australia's cafe culture. 'People didn't eat breakfast outside the home before that,' Mr Gregory said. This was further expanded by the McCafe concept which launched in Australia in 1993 and has been replicated across the globe. Queensland Police have launched a frantic search for two young boys after they disappeared riding their scooters together. The pair were last seen travelling east from Condamine Street, in Caboolture, at about 1pm on Wednesday afternoon. Police have asked for public assistance in a bid to locate the young boys', who were last seen over 24 hours ago. Queensland police have launched a frantic search for two young boys, aged eight and nine, who were last seen riding their scooters together The eight-year-old boy is described as Caucasian, standing 145cm tall with a slim build and short brown hair and eyes. He was last wearing a blue t-shirt with blue pants and black and white shoes. His companion, a nine-year-old boy is described as Caucasian, standing 150cm tall also with a slim build, an has short brown hair and eyes. He was last seen wearing a black and white t-shirt with blue pants with no shoes. Police say the boys are known to each other. Authorities have asked that anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the boys' to contact police. Conde Nast has agreed to large pay increases and improved healthcare for employees to avoid a 150-strong union strike. The media company will also create a joint management-employee committee that will 'work toward attracting and supporting a diverse staff,' according to the union of the New Yorker Magazine, a title of the Conde Nast publishing house. The deal comes after members of the union protested last week outside the luxury Greenwich Village home in New York City of Conde Nast's Global Chief Content Officer Anna Wintour. Negotiations have been going on for two-and-a-half years and the deal represents the first labor agreement in the company's more than 100-year history. Wintour wasn't involved in the negotiations, a Conde spokeswoman said. The deal will affect 120 employees at New Yorker magazine, 15 people at technical magazine Ars Technica and 17 at music website Pitchfork, according to the Wall Street Journal. Conde Nast owns all of the titles. The deal includes a ten percent wage increase for most members of the New Yorker union - and up to 63 per cent for some. The current base salary of $55,000 will increase to $60,000 by 2023 with guaranteed annual raises of 2 to 2.5 per cent, the union announced in a series of tweets. Unionized workers from Conde Nast and their supporters protest outside Anna Wintour's home in Greenwich Village on June 8 after more than two years of negotiations They marched from the New York University Campus at Washington Square Park to Wintour's townhouse on Sullivan Street (pictured) The New Yorker Union announced on Twitter on Wednesday that they had reached an agreement with Conde Nast Not all employees of the New Yorker - or of Conde Nast - are members of the union. The new agreement also allows employees to decline paid-advertising assignments, bans non-disclosure agreements in cases of workplace discrimination or harassment and provides employees a contractual right to have union representation from the News Guild at investigatory meetings over harassment claims. According to the union, the agreement also includes a 'joint labor-management committee' with the aim of creating a more diverse workforce. According to the union, the agreement also includes a 'joint labor-management committee' with the aim of creating a more diverse workforce, and a 'company-wide commitment that at least 50% of job candidates interviewed will be from underrepresented groups.' It also includes a ban on NDAs in cases of discrimination or harassment It comes just one week after the union announced its members were 'on the verge of a strike,' and set up a website enumerating its demands, after picketing outside Wintour's Manhattan townhouse. 'These gains are the direct result of collective action - including a credible strike threat- proving that when we stand together and fight, we win,' the New Yorker Union tweeted Wednesday night. 'With these agreements, we have laid a foundation that will raise standards at New Yorker and Conde Nast, and throughout our industry.' Staffers at the New Yorker, including copy editors, factcheckers, and designers but not writers, who are freelance, unionized in mid-2018, with employees at Ars Technica and Pitchfork following in 2019. Wired staffers joined the group, associated with the News Guild, last year. But tensions around the New Yorker Union negotiations had risen in recent months after unionized employees voted to authorize a strike in March. And just last Tuesday, more than 100 employees of Conde Nast employees picketed outside the home of Anna Wintour, the longtime editor in chief of Vogue magazine. She has gained a more expansive leadership role across Conde Nast in recent years but doesnt oversee the New Yorker, which is led by Editor David Remnick. As they marched, they chanted: 'Bosses wear Prada, workers get nada' The protestors marched from the New York University Campus at Washington Square Park to Wintour's townhouse on Sullivan Street chanting: 'Bosses where Prada, workers get nada!' They demanded what they said was fair pay, job security and health care benefits, arguing that some members make as little as $42,000, and with some who have been with the publication for more than 20 years making less that $60,000. They also called for a base pay of at least $60,000. The deal must now be ratified by the union members, but both union and company executives seemed pleased with the deal. 'Thanks to our members hard work, the era of at-will employment and wage stagnation at the New Yorker is finally over,' Nathalie Meade, unit chair of the New Yorker Union said in a statement to the Wall Street Journal. 'Throughout two and a half years of negotiations, our union remained steadfast in our commitment to improve the quality of life for ourselves and for future employees.' Wintour is widely seen as the figurehead of the international publishing house, although she doesn't directly oversee the New Yorker Conde Nast also said it was pleased to have reached an agreement with the union. 'Over the last year, Conde Nast's new executive leadership team has implemented equitable compensation and inclusive benefits standards across our workforce,' the company said in a statement. 'These standards are now reflected in our agreement with union employees.' The protests also come as NewsGuild of New York's success in recent years in organizing news rooms has come with drawbacks, as it burns through cash at an unsustainable rate, according to Vanity Fair, also a Conde Nast publication. Its reserves have dropped from $11million in 2016 to just over $5million in 2020, the union reported, and as a result it's asking members with contracts to increase their dues, which has rankled some Newsguild workers at Reuters and the New York Times, who say they are essentially bankrolling the union's efforts elsewhere. 'The Guild expects some major organizing fights ahead, including a strike at Conde Nast, and they want enough money to keep up the fight,' Times reporter Nicholas Confessore wrote in an email that has been circulating the newsroom. 'It is not clear to me why the Guild has been deficit spending at such a high burn rate for so long and is only now seeking to bring income in line with expenses.' The problem appears to stem from the condition, Vanity Fair reported, that the guild's members only start paying dues to the union once they have obtained a contract, which as evidenced by its dealings with Conde Nast, can take years. Outlaw bikies have been offered protection from prosecution and $250,000 if they help solve the gunning down of a notorious underworld figure on the Gold Coast. Shane Bowden, 48, was shot 21 times with an automatic pistol as he returned home from the gym in October 2020. Those on 'the fringe' of the alleged planned murder will be offered indemnity if their information results in a conviction, Detective Superintendent Brendan Smith said on Thursday. Shane Bowden, 48, was shot 21 times with an automatic pistol as he returned to his Gold Coast home (pictured) Bowden was killed in October 2020 Police are offering $250,000 and protection from prosecution to those who can assist with information leading to an arrest 'We're confident that it's the Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang actively involved in this murder,' he said. The killers may have been motivated by a 'personal vendetta' after Bowden shifted his allegiance from the Mongols to rival gang the Finks, police say. He was also shot and wounded in Melbourne three months before his death. Police are confident the Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang are actively involved in the murder The killing may have been motivated by a personal vendetta against Shane Bowden (pictured) 'We all know they don't take kindly to members chopping and changing their gangs or their affiliations, and that could be one of the motives,' Det Supt Smith said. He was hopeful a quarter of a million dollars plus an opportunity for indemnity would help break the bikies' 'code of silence'. 'A murder carries life imprisonment, that's a long time to be sitting in jail particularly for a young person. The better part of your life is gone before you see the light of day,' he said. Bowden (pictured) shifted allegiance from the Mongols to the Finxs bikie gang Police are hoping the reward will help break the bikies 'code of silence' The pistol used in the attack was described as 'for all intents and purposes' a machine gun. Police believe two main offenders, who were part of a larger group, are responsible for the alleged murder. Members of the public are also eligible for the reward if their information leads to a conviction. 'The opportunity for someone to get a reward or indemnity will hopefully encourage those people to come forward and give us what we need,' Det Supt Smith said. Pictured: Krystal Sue Graham, 27 A young mum who says she acted in self-defence when she stabbed her abusive partner has been jailed for manslaughter because she wasn't injured and didn't leave the situation when she had the opportunity, a judge has ruled. Krystal Sue Graham was 24 and pregnant when she knifed convicted killer Kain Bowman in the chest at his home in Kilburn, in Adelaide's north, in July 2018. Prosecutors argued in the Supreme Court that she hid the weapon in the freezer and lied to six people about the incident because she knew she was guilty. Defence lawyers said the now 27-year-old had endured five months of domestic violence and was holding the knife out to protect herself when Bowman charged at her, before she hid the weapon out of panic. But at the sentence hearing on Thursday, Justice Anne Bampton said Graham's actions were 'not proportional' to the threat Bowman posed. She said the woman had no visible injuries and 'could have left' the house before she stabbed the unarmed 29-year-old. Pictured: Mother-of-two Krystal Sue Graham, who was sentenced to four years in jail on Thursday Krystal Graham (pictured) stabbed her partner Kain Bowman in the chest during an argument at his house 'You had taken yourself to his premises in circumstances where he had made it clear that you were not welcome,' Justice Bampton said, according to The Advertiser. 'It was open to you to leave, and it must have been in your mind how recent conflicts had escalated.' At the time of the incident, Bowman - who did not have a drivers license - was on parole for hitting and killing Kieran Hayward, 45, in front of the victim's two children in August, 2015. The judge said the volatile couple engaged in 'mutual domestic violence' on multiple occasions, including when Bowman broke his partner's jaw and Graham injured him with a knife. Krystal Graham (pictured) and Bowman had a volatile and co-dependent relationship fueled by violence and drug use The court heard that the mother-of-two wrote in a text message: 'You're lucky I didn't stab you properly I should have, when I had the chance, for punching me out.' Justice Bampton said the messages showed a relationship 'marred by dysfunction' with a history of co-dependency, drug use and verbal abuse. Bowman survived for several days after being stabbed, but died in hospital. Graham was sentenced to four years in jail, with a non-parole period of three years. On Christmas Day two years ago, 83-year-old Edward Rowen beat his wife to death with a wooden elephant statue as she sat in a chair in their living room. The couple, who had been married for 56 years, had spent the day with family at Christmas functions. That night, as Rosalie Rowen sat in her usual chair in their Creswick home, in regional Victoria, her husband attacked her in what he later described as a 'rage'. The mother of four and beloved grandmother was flown to hospital where she died in the early hours of the following morning. Supreme Court Justice Leslie Taylor found on Thursday morning that Rowen was responsible for his wife's murder, despite his unfitness to be tried for the crime. The home in Creswick, regional Victoria, where Edward Rowen, 83, beat his wife Rosalie Rowen to death with a wooden elephant statue on Christmas Day, 2019 Experts says he likely suffers from Alzheimer's disease and his deterioration made him unfit for trial. Justice Taylor ruled Rowen should be subject to supervision, with further details to be determined at a later date. Rowen had been described as 'grumpy' during the Christmas festivities that day. He had pushed or shoved Mrs Rowen after a disagreement about jelly shots. One of his daughters said her father had a sweet tooth and was motivated by desserts. She didn't think he would have understood that the shots contained alcohol. He had already had three when Mrs Rowen tried to stop him having a fourth. He also had four or five beers throughout the day. While his family weren't concerned about the amount he had been drinking, they were worried that he hadn't eaten. Neighbours found Rowen shouting in the street at around 10pm that night, about two hours after they left the party. They said he was rambling, saying he was furious that ladies at the party had told him not to drink. He said he was still mad when he got home and when his wife began to 'pester' him about his behaviour he flew into a rage and attacked her. Rowen's lawyer Tim Marsh said Mrs Rowen's death remained an 'inexplicable crime' and that the earlier argument over the jelly shots would be 'bizarre and outlandish motivation' after decades of marriage. Prosecutor David Glynn agreed the killing couldn't be explained now, and probably couldn't be explained at the time. A forensic expert pictured at the scene. Justice Taylor ruled Rowen should be subject to supervision, with further details to be determined at a later date. They agreed that supervision was necessary, as opposed to the alternative being his unrestricted release into the community. Ordinarily supervision in the case of someone unfit to be tried would be through the Thomas Embling Hospital, a secure mental health hospital in suburban Melbourne. Mr Marsh said that facility wasn't appropriate in Rowen's case. The facility is not equipped to provide the level of care required by a person with a degenerative neurocognitive disorder like Alzheimer's disease. The Monash Psychogeriatric Unit is to be explored as a possible alternative, with Justice Taylor to make a decision at a later date. Mr Marsh said the alternative was that Rowen, who is currently in prison, would be remanded in custody indefinitely. He said that was a scenario he wanted to avoid. Mr Marsh said that by one diagnosis over another a person could end up in a non-therapeutic environment, versus receiving appropriate therapeutic care with the potential for supervised leave. Tucker Carlson ripped into Lori Lightfoot for seemingly focusing more on Juneteenth and radical socialism than trying to tackle the violent crime gripping Chicago. The Fox News host took aim at the Chicago mayor during his opening remarks on Wednesday night's broadcast, complete with a graphic labeling her 'America's Worst Mayor.' 'Since the death of George Floyd last May, Chicago's mayor, Lori Lightfoot, has embraced every part of the equity and inclusion agenda,' Carlson opined. He noted that 'nearly 200 more people have been murdered this year than last' in Chicago, including four in a mass killing on Tuesday. Carlson said Lightfoot 'blames firearms and demands more money from the federal government' in response to the city's crime wave. The Fox News host took aim at the Chicago mayor during his opening remarks on Wednesday night's broadcast, complete with a graphic labeling her 'America's Worst Mayor' Carlson said Lightfoot (pictured) 'blames firearms and demands more money from the federal government' in response to the city's crime wave. He then launched into Lightfoot's desire for 'radical social change,' linking it to the legislation set to make Juneteenth a national holiday. The holiday - which marks the anniversary of when the last African Americans learned they were freed from slavery - was aided by the passing of legislation in the Senate and House of Representatives this week. 'Lori Lightfoot is thrilled by this,' Carlson said. 'Unlike John Cornyn, she understands the power of symbols. They're immensely important, that's why we have them. 'For Flag Day on Monday -- a holiday designed to honor the American flag -- Lightfoot is flying something called the 'Pan African' flag. It's now up in city hall. That, and the Juneteenth flag.' Earlier this week, Lightfoot declared Juneteenth an official city holiday, a year after saying it was too expensive to do so, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. 'I, like many others, didn't even know anything about Juneteenth until I was an adult. And that's because it has never been treated with the reverence that it should be,' Lightfoot said during her announcement. 'If you look at the... history books that are used to teach our children, you may only see a passing reference, if at all. We must change that.' Carlson played a clip of Lightfoot, where she said, 'We must also recognize that freedom has been illusory for far too many American residents, including black people. So we must embrace all American history and today on Juneteenth, we will be raising another flag: the Juneteenth flag.' Carlson launched into Lightfoot's desire for 'radical social change,' linking it to the legislation set to make Juneteenth a national holiday Pictured: The Juneteenth flag being raised at Daley Plaza in Chicago on June 14, 2021 ''Freedom has been illusory.' Really? What's she saying?' Carlson asks. 'Well, she's saying your old Independence Day, and the nation it celebrates is a lie.' Carlson proceeded to seize on the recent revelation of some of Lightfoot's emails, which were obtained by the Chicago Tribune in an open records request. 'Turns out she's every bit the person you thought she was,' Carlson said. Lightfoot has been slammed for sending a 'deranged' email to one of her female staffers berating her for failing to scheduled enough 'office time.' The condescending message was sent by Lightfoot to her then-scheduler Taylor Lewis on January 28, but was only obtained by the Chicago Tribune this week. The paper was investigating reports of high staff turnover at City Hall when they uncovered the 'unhinged' email. The message included sentences which Lightfoot repeated more than a dozen times - apparently in order to really get her point across. 'Since my prior requests are routinely ignored, I am now resorting to this: I need office time everyday! I need office time everyday! I need office time everyday!' Lightfoot raged in the e-mail. The message in an email sent by Lightfoot included sentences which Lightfoot repeated more than a dozen times in order to get her point across She repeated the same sentence a further 13 times, before writing: 'Not just once a week or some days, but everyday!' Office time apparently refers, according to Lightfoot, to open time set aside for thinking on big-picture type issues that isn't clogged up with meetings or other obligations. In the email, Lightfoot continued to patronizingly repeat each sentence she subsequently wrote. She signed off her message by writing: 'Have I made myself clear?!' 13 times times in a row. 'She needs help. But not as much helps as her staff needs. Someone ought to stage a hostage extraction for their sake,' Carlson added. Carlson then went on to decry Lightfoot for putting effort into those emails while Chicago is faced with violent crime. 'So, as the bodies piled up, hundreds more under her tenure as mayor, you have to wonder, how long did it take Lightfoot to write all of that?' Carlson asked. There were 282 homicides in Chicago as of June 13, compared with 269 during the same period last year. In 2021 alone, 1,640 people in Chicago have been shot a 19 percent increase from the same time period last year, according to city records. He concluded, 'Somehow, this person remains mayor of America's third-largest city. How long can that continue?' A major cruise operator's cancellation of all summer season voyages in Australia until the end of 2022 has sparked fears of an industry boycott. Cruise liner Cunard announced it would be cancelling all summer voyages around Australia and New Zealand for the 2021-22 season. The cruise operator blamed ongoing coronavirus complications, including international border closures, for the disappointing cancellations. The pause on voyages has sparked fears of further cancellations, as the decision to allow international ships into Australian waters remains up in the air. Major cruise operator Cunard announced on Wednesday the line would be cancelling all summer voyages around Australia and New Zealand until the end of 2022 The operator blamed ongoing coronavirus complications as well as international border closures for the disappointing cancellations The decision is a major blow to Australia and New Zealand's flailing tourism industries, as well as local economies desperately for a cash injection. Cunard's Queen Elizabeth liner was due to arrive in domestic waters in October to host passengers on a four month deployment until February. The popular cruise ship is estimated to be worth a staggering $34milllion to Australia's and New Zealand's economies, The Australian reported. Cunard president Simon Palethorp said the decision to cancel Queen Elizabeth's 'highly anticipated Summer season' was not taken lightly. 'We are fully aware of the disappointment this will cause guests and the impact on the local economy,' he said. Ronelle Adams, a self-confessed cruise enthusiast, was looking forward to her Cunard-operated Sydney to Melbourne voyage in December. Ms Adams said if Australia continued to be isolated from the large operators that cruise to the country seasonally, the tourism industry would continue to falter. Cunard's Queen Elizabeth liner is estimated to be worth a staggering $34milllion to Australia's and New Zealand's economies The decision to cancel all Australian voyages comes as a major blow to Australia and New Zealand's flailing tourism industries in desperate need of a cash injection She said she felt for the travel agents, tour operators, suppliers, and contract employees, who were scrambling to find work for the end of the year. Cruise Lines International Association Australasia managing director Joel Katz said 18,000 jobs were put at risk without a phased reopening of cruising in place. Mr Katz said operators faced a mammoth task in organising every season and would struggle without a clear pathway that allowed them to plan ahead. 'Ships need 60 to 90 days to mobilise, provision, source vaccinated crew, quarantine, and travel to an embarkation port', he explained. Carnival Australia president Sture Myrmell echoed the director's sentiments, saying he was disappointed with the lack of a cruising resumption plan or framework. Brett Dudley, founder of eCruising, said his company had hundreds of eager travellers booked on Cunard cruises and was set to lose $2 million in revenue. Mr Dudley worried the major operator's cancellations would trigger a domino effect within the industry, and tempt other companies to pull out. 'If that happens, we're staring down the barrel of losing $7 million to $8 million... we're heavily reliant on this season going ahead because we've had no income since March last year,' he explained. Australia recently extended the suspension on international cruising until September 17, due to ongoing impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic On June 10, Australia extended the suspension on international cruising until September 17, due to ongoing impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee said the movement of foreign-flagged ships in domestic waters posed 'an unacceptable risk to public health'. The government measures do not affect local and small-ship operators, but have lasting impacts on lines like P&O Cruises Australia, the largest in the country. The company has already cancelled all international cruises for the rest of the year, as well as additional cancellations up to December 31 this year. Federal Tourism Minister Dan Tehran said the government would continue to consult with the states and territories as well as the maritime industries to plan for the resurgence of cruising 'when the medical advice says it is safe to do so'. Australia's richest man Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest has landed back in Australia after being granted a travel exemption for a business trip to the troubled African nation Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mr Forrest touched down in New South Wales on Thursday morning and was seen stepping off his $100million private jet wearing a facemask and accompanied by armed security into a waiting car. His wife, Nicola, travelled with him on the trip - meeting DRC president Felix Tshisekedi and first lady Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi - and was also seen stepping off the plane on Thursday. It is unclear where the pair were headed for their 14 days quarantine. Mr Forrest was previously granted an exemption to enter WA when he returned from a four month tour of 47 countries in 2020 on which he caught the virus from a Russian interpreter. Mining Billionaire Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest lands back in Australia, on his private plane after a flight from Africa accompanied by his wife Nicola, and some other passengers on his private FMG plane asan armed detail watched on Mr Forrest's fortune ballooned to nearly $28billion in 2020 courtesy of surging iron ore prices Mr Forrest most recent overseas trip had been in the Congo working out a deal with the African nation to develop the world's largest hydro-electric power plant. DRC's government said on Tuesday Mr Forrest's Fortescue Metals Group would develop the $80billion Grand Inga hydroelectric power project, including a 4,800-megawatt dam that has already been committed to Chinese and Spanish developers. Fortescue confirmed earlier on Tuesday that it was in talks with Congo to develop a series of dams that could become the world's largest hydroelectric project, but it said no formal binding agreement had been concluded. Mr Forrest met Congo President Felix Tshisekedi on Sunday to discuss the project and said Fortescue would use the energy from Inga to produce hydrogen to export around the world. 'The capital cost of this will be many many tens of billions of dollars and direct and indirect employment will be in the hundreds of thousands,' he told reporters. Mr Forrest is Australia's richest man courtesy of a surge in iron ore prices driven by demand in China. His fortune reached almost $28billion while he was globetrotting. Mr Forrest flew back into NSW on his $100million private plane on Thursday (pictured) A spokesperson for Fortescue Metals Group said Mr Forrest would undertake formal quarantine but did not specify a location. 'Fortescue Chairman Dr Andrew Forrest AO will undertake a formal supervised 14-day quarantine period in New South Wales, in accordance with NSW Health and NSW Police requirements,' a spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia. Anyone arriving from overseas in Australia is required to hotel quarantine for 14 days at their own expense - a decision agreed upon by the states at National Cabinet. Travelers are billed for the expense which can reach upwards of $3,000 and exemptions are generally only granted for medical or compassionate reasons. A number of passengers accompanied Mr Forrest on the plane flight (pictured) as well as a security detail Andrew and Nicola Forrest with Congo president Felix Tshisekedi and first lady Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi in Goma (pictured) Mr Forrest was allowed to skip a second stint of self-isolation after returning to Western Australia in early 2021 after being granted permission by Australian Border Force to travel extensively in the height of the pandemic. Ordinary Australians have been banned from going abroad in all but exceptional circumstances since the border was shut on March 20. 'The Australian Border Force have authorised a business travel exemption for a group led by Fortescue Metals Group's chairman Dr Andrew Forrest AO which will allow early stage discussions on important philanthropic and investment opportunities,' a spokesperson told AAP. Any Australian arriving from overseas is required to hotel quarantine. (pictured, passengers entering hotel quarantine in Perth) Fortescue CEO Elizabeth Gaines said Mr Forrest and every one of his travelling group returned negative test results prior to returning to Australia and he completed his quarantine in NSW. 'Fortescue Chairman Dr Andrew Forrest AO undertook a formal supervised 14-day quarantine period in NSW. The quarantine period was completed on January 3 and certified by the NSW Government,' Ms Gaines said. 'While in quarantine Dr Forrest had zero contact with any persons from NSW, including the supervising police, and received an exemption from the Western Australian State Government to return to WA without an additional quarantine period.' Mr Forest caught the virus from a female Russian interpreter after she joined his travel crew on a four-month tour in 2020 spanning 47 countries. The purpose of the tour was to pursue potential renewable energy projects for his company. Mr Forrest (pictured) contracted Covid from a female Russian interpreter while travelling through Central Asia last year After Mr Forrest showed signs of infection, the tour was postponed, with the Fortescue crew returning to its travel base in Croatia. No other crew members tested positive for Covid, with Mr Forrest spending three days in a specialist respiratory clinic in Switzerland as a precaution. 'I'm grateful that our apparatus, systems technologies and precautions kept my team safe,' Mr Forrest told the Australian Financial Review. 'I would rather have not caught Covid, but it hasn't harmed me, I'm still as fit as a fiddle.' After his short stint in the Swiss hospital, Mr Forrest made a full recovery. Mr Forrest started his first mining company, Anaconda Nickel in 1994. Almost a decade later, he founded Fortescue Metals Group, which mines and ships iron ore to China. He is known for his philanthropic work, pledging his billions to charity and establishing the Minderoo Foundation which focuses, among other aspects, on improving education and social equality for Indigenous Australians. A bodybuilder who collapsed in a gym bathroom after injecting himself with insulin spent 20 hours foaming at the mouth before he was found by staff, an inquest has heard. Personal trainer Jesse Drabsch, 31, was found unconscious on the floor of an Anytime Fitness in Castle Hill, in Sydney's northwest, on November 17, 2017. Moments before passing out, Mr Drabsch had injected himself with insulin - one of several illegal drugs he was consuming, which had been purchased from the dark web. Lidcombe Coroner's Court on Monday heard, during an inquest into the personal trainer's tragic death, that staff, cleaners, and members of the public passed the bathroom more than 600 times, the Daily Telegraph reports. Personal trainer Jesse Drabsch, 31, (pictured) was found unconscious in a Sydney gym in November 2017, after spending 20 hours unconscious in the bathroom He was ruled to have died from hypoxic brain injury, which form due to a lack of oxygen of the brain, and to have had critically low blood sugar. Mr Drabsch, who worked at the gym between February 2016 and October 2017, was living with his mother Debbie and sister Zenta at the time of his death. The court heard he had been taken a list of illegal drugs, including a muscle stimulant used for horses and dogs he purchased from Petbarn Most of his drugs were bought using cryptocurrency Bitcoin and through untraceable software, such as encrypted email services, the dark web and websites hosted behind proxy servers. He was also consuming banned-drug clenbutorol, which aids in fat burning and building muscles. The court heard Mr Drabsch, who completed his first body building competition a month before his death, had been warned by doctors the testerone and illegal supplements he was consuming were 'destroying his life'. An inquest into his death found staff, cleaners and members of the public passed Mr Drabsch more than 600 times while he laid unconscious in the Castle Hill Anytime Fitness (pictured) bathroom When he was found, there was blood around his nose or from his mouth, he was frothing, incontinent, and bleeding from his head. Police later found a shopping list of illegal drugs on his phone, dated from July that year. Counsel assisting the coroner, Louise Coleman, said some of the drugs he had accessed since October 2016 included livestock drug Trenbolone, ADHD medicine Atomoxetine Hydrochloride which is used for ADHD, and Tadalafil, used to treat erectile dysfunction. The inquest continues. Advertisement Residents in New York City's elite neighborhood of Greenwich Village met with the NYPD on Wednesday to plead with cops to take action on the spiraling chaos and lawlessness at the city's iconic Washington Square Park where multiple people were beaten and stabbed just last weekend. Hundreds of locals joined the meeting at Lady of Pompeii Church to complain that the park 'has become a drug den'. 'The criminality has extended to our quaint street,' one woman told attendees. 'From lewd acts to nudity to drugs, crack being smoked on our street, our children have witnessed people shooting up.' Others complained the park, which has had a new curfew imposed recently to tackle the drugs and partying, has 'become a free-for-all'. 'There were rules that have been put in place for everyone's safety, but they have not been enforced,' one man told DailyMail.com while waiting to get into the emergency hearing about the rising crime, 'and when they're not enforced, you're just telling people to keep on.' They were just some of several hundred people who tried to get into the church on Wednesday to air their grievances, while as many as 100 more were turned away from the meeting and protestors outside argued against an increased police presence at the park. Hours after the meeting, dozens of young revelers flocked to the park on Wednesday night to drink and dance, as seen in photos taken by DailyMail.com. Despite the concerns raised earlier, there appeared to be little to no NYPD presence. The soaring crime in the park is part of a larger surge across the city which has resulted in multiple random subway attacks and dozens of shootings. Residents in New York City's elite neighborhood of Greenwich Village met with the NYPD on Wednesday to plead with cops to take action on the spiraling chaos and lawlessness at the city's iconic Washington Square Park Protestors argue with a woman outside Our Lady of Pompeii Church, where a community meeting was being held about the situation in Washington Square Park Hours after Wednesday's community meeting about the lewd - and sometimes violent - parties in Washington Square Park, revelers flocked back to the iconic New York City area to drink and dance Activity in Washington Square Park on Wednesday wasn't as busy as previous nights but people remained until about 1.30am Residents living in Manhattan's Greenwich Village have complained about the parties in Washington Square Park, pictured here on Wednesday, and want the NYPD to enforce curfews Wednesday night was tame compared to last weekend but still saw dozens of people smoking and drinking The New York Police Department's Sixth Precinct called the emergency meeting amid growing complaints from merchants and residents about the non-stop partying at the park, where people were stabbed and beaten over the weekend- and a diner cook was thrown through a window. 'The park has become a drug den, it's not about the music,' one woman said at the meeting, according to the New York Post. Another speaker complained about skateboarders inside the park, and said police should be able to 'get rid of the skateboarders in one day.' 'All you have to do is have the police confiscate the skateboard,' Bob Schumann said, 'it will not be that traumatic for the snowflakes.' One man said the problems have always existed. 'There's always been drug dealing,' he said. ' There's always been mentally-imbalanced people. There's always been some bad behavior.' 'I find it interesting that right before an election, suddenly there's all this press about how dangerous the park is when a former cop is in the lead for mayor.' 'Many of the problems in the park have come from police overreaction,' he alleged. Others outside of the church protested the meeting, with some claiming people were just upset with the chaos at the park because 'it's bad optics for them [the white people] to see black and brown people' at the park. A man dressed like The Joker from Batman criticized the media The line to get into the community meeting to discuss the rise in crime at Washington Square Park extended beyond the block Protestors stand outside Our Lady of Pompeii Church, where a community meeting was being held about the situation in Washington Square Park Not everyone was able to make it into the church for the meeting, with up to 100 people being turned away A man was ushered away by the police outside of the community meeting during a protest over an increased police presence at Washington Square Park There were two parks department officers at one entrance of the park on June 16 and little to no police presence throughout the night Most of the complaints related to Washington Square Park parties weren't about the music or dancing, like the picture here from June 16 Cops, meanwhile, have said that alcohol and drugs are being used at the park, and implemented a 10pm curfew at the park, which was pushed back last weekend to midnight, though residents have said the partying has continued well beyond 2am. And an increased police presence has only led to more problems, according to ABC 7, with five officers hurt trying to close the park after curfew earlier this month as 23 people were arrested. 'There's going to be a presence of police officers in there and our goal is pretty simple here - for people to be allowed to use the park because it is a beautiful park, it always has been, but also public safety,' said NYC Police Commissioner Dermot Shea. 'So we will continue to be there for the residents of the community,' he said. 'We are intending on being there, enforcing the closing with the parks department.' 'We're gong to allow the parks department to lead in regards to going through the park and trying to escort people out of the park during the hours of closure,' Chief Rodney Harrison added. 'Unfortunately, we've had incidents in the past that got a little contentious if it gets to that point, that's when the NYPD will assist and step in.' Scenes at the park on Wednesday night were more tame than they have been in the past - with most people going home without incident by 1.30am. Two park department officers were seen stationed at the entrance to the park but beyond that there appeared to be little to no police presence. The New York City man behind out-of-control raves in Washington Square Park has said that fed-up wealthy residents should be the ones to leave. Partygoers are pictured on June 10 Two women are seen dancing during a massive rave in Washington Square Park on Friday. Local residents say anti-social behavior is making their lives unbearable People gather in Washington Square Park, Manhattan, New York, where police did not enforce a 10pm curfew on Friday People continue to gather in Washington Square Park after the 10 PM curfew on June 6 At Wednesday's meeting Police Chief Steve Hughes asked the public what they would like to see happen. 'Do we want the park closed at 10? Do we want the park closed at 12?' 'I have some ideas,' he said. 'I would prefer an early closing, but I'll go with what the consensus is.' Many said they would like the police to enforce the curfews that are already in effect. But as many as 100 local residents could not even get into the meeting, and instead held their own meeting outside, where a man dressed as The Joker railed against the media. A man wearing a similar question had slugged a 38-year-old man. And protestors outside criticized the idea of a larger police presence in the park. 'It sounded like everyone just wanted to b****,' Joe Cotuhngo told the Post. 'I don't think there are any real concrete plans.' He added that they just want the police to enforce the laws that are already on the books, with another man adding at the meeting: 'I think if we can get rid of the criminals in the park, that would make a world of difference.' Crimes have been rising throughout New York City, according to the NYPD Statistics show shooting crimes have been up this year city-wide compared to last year But crime has been up throughout the city, with increases in almost every category since last year. In the last 28 days, there have been 41 murders, 100 rapes, 1,051 robberies, 1,771 cases of felony assault, 839 burglaries, 2,630 cases of grand larceny and 854 cases of grand larceny auto. In total in 2021, there have been 32,695 major crimes reported. There have been nearly 400 more major crimes reported this week in New York than there were in the same week last year - a surge in 30 percent. Bill de Blasio says crimes has soared because the world was 'turned on its head' with COVID. He has also blamed a backlog in the court system for it, saying it means criminals are on the streets longer than they might have been before. Donald Trump on Wednesday night said he was concerned about reports of young people suffering adverse effects from the COVID-19 vaccination, insisting that he supported the vaccination campaign but only for those for whom it was necessary. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has, since May 27, recommended that all people over the age of 12 be vaccinated against the virus. More than 400 children in the United States have died from it, and tens of thousands have been hospitalized. The death toll for the country as a whole is now 600,000. Yet Trump on Wednesday told Fox News he was not sure if children benefitted from the jab. 'We have to get back into schools, they have to get open,' he said. Donald Trump on Wednesday night appeared on Sean Hannity's Fox News show, and questioned the necessity of vaccinating children against COVID-19. The CDC currently recommends that all people over the age of 12 be vaccinated Hannity asked his friend for his thoughts on COVID, leading Trump to note how he had shut down air travel from China and Europe, and demand that China pay reparations Trump, seen on June 5 in North Carolina, said he believed in vaccinating people against COVID-19, but not necessarily children. More than 400 youngsters have died from the virus so far Children aged 12 and over are now being recommended by the CDC to receive the jab 'And frankly, we are lucky we have the vaccine, but the vaccine on the very young people is something that you've got to really stop. 'I am a big believer in what we did with the vaccine, it is incredible what we did. You see the results. 'But to have every school child, where is 99.99%, they just don't - you know, they are just not affected or affected badly, having to receive a vaccine, I think it is something that you should start thinking about because I think it is unnecessary.' The president said he felt vindicated by his decision to stop flights coming from China in the early days of the pandemic, and then end routes from Europe. 'Nobody did as good of a job as the pandemic as we did, and that is why we are leading the world in terms of coming back,' he said. He said he felt the COVID-19 virus was 'a terrible accident, but it came from a lab'. Pressed by Fox News's Sean Hannity on whether he thought the virus could have been deliberately spread, he said he hoped and believed not. 'That horrible thing that came at us from China, and came at us from the Wuhan lab, it changed my whole line of thinking,' he said. 'And you just, I really hope, and I believe it was an accident, it was incompetence. 'I guess some people don't necessarily agree with that. They think maybe there was purpose to it, which would be absolutely terrible. 'But we have to find out more about it, why did it happen, how did it happen, how could anybody be so incompetent, and that is not a group of incompetent people. 'I believe it was a terrible accident, but it came from the lab.' Trump said he was convinced that COVID-19 escaped from the Wuhan lab (pictured). He said he believed it was an accident, driven by incompetence, rather than a deliberate spreading of the lethal virus Workers are seen inside the Wuhan lab, which is now the focus of investigations to understand where and how the pandemic began, and try and stop another similar outbreak The 75-year-old said he thought China needed to pay reparations for the pandemic, which has killed 3.2 million people and infected 177 million. He has previously said China owed $10 trillion, but insisted on Wednesday that was not sufficient. 'The number is much higher than that, but there is only so much they can pay,' said Trump. 'And that is to us.' He added that 'virtually every country has been devastated,' noting the suffering in India at the moment. 'Countries have been destroyed over what they did, and whether, by accident or not - and I would hope it was accident, I hope it was through incompetence or an accident - but when you look, whether it was by an accident, whether it was whatever it is, this - you look at these countries, they will never ever be the same. 'Our country was hit so hard, but other countries were hit much harder.' Trump said that he felt the pandemic had benefitted China economically. 'If you think about it, in certain ways, maybe they benefited very greatly,' he said. 'I mean, very, very greatly, and I can tell you they benefited with the U.S. 'Because we were in a process of doing things where we caught up to China at a level that nobody thought was possible, and once the China virus came in, we had to take a very different - look, the world changed. The whole world changed. 'You did not think about the economics, you thought about saving people and saving lives, so the world changed.' The family of a pregnant 21-year-old killed by a speeding drug driver said they will serve 'a life sentence' in an emotional statement read to the court during the driver's sentencing. Madeline Morgan, 21, was 38 weeks pregnant when she was thrown from the car in which she travelled as a passenger after it was hit by drug-affected driver Jesse Matthews, at Mahogany Creek, east of Perth, WA, on May 15 last year. The 23-year-old was found to be driving a friend's high-powered Falcon at a speed in excess of 160km/h under the influence of methylamphetamine and cannabis, which the court heard impaired his ability to drive safely. Ms Morgan suffered a number of fatal injuries in the crash. Her daughter, Lucy was delivered by emergency caesarean section afterwards but did not survive. Madeline Morgan, 21, was 38 weeks pregnant when her life was taken in the horrific crash Ms Morgan, with her partner Jack Bryant, 23. Mr Bryant survived the crash despite suffering life-threatening injuries The Falcon driven by Jesse Matthews, which killed Madeline Morgan and seriously injured her partner Jack Bryant at Mahogany Creek near Perth on May 15, 2020 'My beautiful, vibrant 21-year-old daughter died on the side of the road while her daughter slowly started to die inside her,' Ms Morgan's mother wrote in the statement, which was read to Matthews in the court by Justice Corboy. 'I and my family and friends will serve a life sentence all because of the life choices of some stranger.' Ms Morgan's partner, Jack Bryant, who was driving their car, survived the incident despite suffering life threatening injuries. The mother's statement said Matthews had 'failed in responsibility' before he had got in the car to drive. 'I'm sure he expected the doctors and nurses who cared for him were not high on drugs,' she wrote. 'I'm quite certain the judge who sentences him will not be high on drugs. 'My daughter, son-in-in law and granddaughter should have been afforded the same expectations.' Jesse Matthews leaves court in August 2020 after being released on bail after the fatal crash The fact Matthews pled guilty at an early stage to the charges of manslaughter and dangerous driving causing injury were indications he was genuinely remorseful, Justice Corboy said. In sentencing Matthews to 10 years and six months in jail, he described his driving as 'extraordinarily dangerous'. Matthews will be made to serve eight years and six months in prison before the possibility of parole. He was also banned from driving for four years, commencing on his release from jail. Ryanair and bosses behind three major English airports are today preparing to take the Government to court over its travel traffic light system, which they say is bringing the industry to its knees. The budget airline is set to be joined by Manchester Airports Group (MAG) - the operator of Manchester, East Midlands and Stansted airports - in launching a High Court challenge later today. The legal bid will seek to force the Government to reveal how it decides which countries are placed on the green, amber and red travel lists. It comes as outspoken Ryanair chief Michael O'Leary today blasted ministers as 'incompetent' in a scathing attack on the Government's transport policy. Speaking to the Telegraph, who first revealed Ryanair's anticipated legal challenge, Mr O'Leary said: 'I've never come across a more incompetent f****** front bench of ministers. 'I have no faith in (Boris) Johnson's government on any of these issues, having completely mismanaged the original lockdowns last year and the reopening now.' Ryanair chief Michael O'Leary (pictured) today blasted Government ministers as 'incompetent' in a scathing attack on its transport policy The budget airline is set to be joined by Manchester Airports Group (MAG) - the operator of Manchester, East Midlands and Stansted airports - in launching a High Court challenge later today. Pictured: Holidaymakers queue up at a Ryanair check in desk at Faro airport Top European resorts including Spain and Turkey are 'unlikely to be added to the green list before August' Top European resorts are unlikely to be added to the green list 'before August', foreign tourism chiefs have reportedly been told, leaving millions of Britons facing another summer without a holiday abroad. UK ambassadors are said to have warned foreign tourism bosses that the return of British travellers to traditional holiday hot-spots such as Spain and Turkey will be pushed back until later this summer. It comes as holiday firm TUI announced yesterday that it was axing more of its trips to top European holiday destinations up until July. And one travel expert warned that July was now being regarded as a 'white-wash' for industry bosses. Despite this, some firms are reporting a spike in demand for flights to Gibraltar, Israel and Iceland - which are all currently on the UK's green list. The latest travel set-back will be a particular blow to traditional holiday destinations - including the likes of Portugal, Greece France - which are currently on the UK's amber list. Toni Mayor, head of the Hosbec association of Valencia region hoteliers, said he did not expect to see the bulk of UK tourism take off until August, according to the Telegraph. His comments come after a meeting with Hugh Elliott, who has been the UK's Ambassador to Spain and non-resident Ambassador to Andorra since 2019. Meanwhile, tourism chiefs in Turkey are also understood to have received a similar message, after a meeting with UK Foreign Office officials, the Telegraph adds. The news has sparked concern within the industry. Some now fear July - one of the busiest and most profitable months of the summer holiday season - will now be a blow-out for the travel industy. Travel expert Paul Charles, CEO of the PC Agency, said travel firms have already written off July as a return for summer holidays. July is a white-wash, he told MailOnline. Most firms are now looking beyond that, so it will be August that they will be looking at for the restart. Mr Charles said the decision to push back green-listing countries such as Greece, Spain and Portugal at one of the busiest points of the summer holiday season could result in billions of pounds in losses for the industry. He said: The travel industry does around half of its business in summer. So I would say the losses will run into the billions, when you take into account refunds and loss of sales. Youve also got the cost of moving the planes to be parked and the cost of staff and running the business itself. Mr Charles called on the Government to set a firm date for the full return of international travel. They have set July 19 as the date for ending of domestic restrictions, the Government needs to set a date, perhaps July 31, when travel will be restored. It needs to give confidence in the sector or there will be more companies that go under and job losses. Meanwhile, figures from Skyscanner, and reported in the Times, show how holidaymakers are rushing to book flights to holiday destinations on the green list. Flights to Gibraltar have seen a 115 per cent increase in seats sold at the beginning of July, compared to the previous week. EasyJet, Wizz Air, British Airways and Eastern Airways have all reportedly put on extra flights to Gibraltar to meet the demand. There has also been a 40 per cent increase in demand for flights to Iceland. Both are currently on the UK's travel green list, meaning tourists can return from these countries without having to quarantine. Those returning from amber list countries, such as Portugal, Spain, Greece and America, all face a 10-day period of self-isolation and two negative PCR-tests on arrival in the UK. Advertisement On the upcoming legal challenge, he added: '[We are] trying to force the Government to at least either a) be more transparent [over the traffic light system], b) publish what exactly the thresholds are at which international travel will be allowed to restart. 'Or c) get some injunctive relief against the Government generally on the back of vaccines that says the longer lockdown is restricting people's freedom of movement.' He later told Sky News: 'It's typical of Boris Johnson's Government, just making this stuff up as they go along. There is no green list. 'What we keep calling for in the travel industry is, now that we have 80% of the adult population of Britain vaccinated, why can't those people go on holidays to Portugal and Spain without restrictions? They're already vaccinated.' The Government says 'traffic light system cautiously balances the reopening of international travel with managing the risk of imported variants' and 'ensures we keep the general public safe'. However the London-based World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) said the Government must scrap the system, which it says has 'wreaked havoc' among consumers and businesses, in order to save hundreds of thousands of jobs. The traffic light system means those travelling into the UK from green list countries need only to provide a negative Covid test within three days their journey and take another test within two days of arriving here. But only a small handful of countries are on the green list, including Israel and Iceland, but none are traditionally major holiday hot-spots for UK tourists. Most of those countries, such as Greece, Portugal, Spain and the Caribbean islands, are on the amber list. Those returning from amber list countries must provide a negative Covid test before travelling, and then self-isolate for a minimum of 10 days on their return. Arrivals from red list entries - who can only be UK citizens or residents - must isolate in a quarantine hotel for at least 10 days and provide two negative Covid tests. Officials are now reportedly consider proposals that could allow Britons who have had both coronavirus vaccine doses to avoid having to quarantine when returning from countries on the amber list, according to The Daily Telegraph. A Government spokeswoman confirmed work had begun to 'consider the role of vaccinations' for inbound travel following the continued success of the jab's rollout. This could mean the return of holidays to popular summer hotspots such as Spain, Portugal, France and Italy, all currently on the UK's amber list. A Government source said: 'They haven't definitely got there yet, but that's the direction of travel. Health Secretary Matt Hancock is said to be 'open' to the plan. Another source said: 'It is still at an early stage and it is not clear whether it will be worked out in time for the end of the month. There is an awful lot to do. The devil is in the detail.' The plans are expected to be ready for discussion by the Cabinet's Covid operations committee ahead of a June 28 deadline by which ministers have pledged to review the traffic light system. Officials are reportedly discussing how the move would affect those who cannot be vaccinated, whether under-18s should be exempt and whether it would apply to Britons or all arrivals. Demand for air travel collapsed in March last year when the UK went into lockdown in response to the crisis, with the Government now under pressure to restart international travel by the battered tourism industry. Bosses of the travel industry are furious that Portugal, which was originally on the green list, was suddenly put on the amber list within weeks. They also believe that the Balearic and Greek Islands should have been included on the green list. The Balearic island, Majorca, for example, currently has a lower Covid rate than the UK. Meanwhile, Mr O'Leary's latest blistering critique of the Government comes after he yesterday accused the Prime Minister of doing too little for the travel industry, as he questioned why the jabbed could not go on holiday abroad. Mr O'Leary said: 'UK citizens, almost 80 per cent of whom will be vaccinated by the end of June, continue to face Covid restrictions on travel to and from the European Union, despite the fact that the majority of the European Union citizens will also be vaccinated by the end of June. 'UK tourism and aviation needs a pragmatic travel policy, which permits vaccinated UK and EU citizens to travel between the UK and the EU without the need for quarantine or negative PCR tests. 'This will at least allow the UK tourism industry to plan for what is left of the summer season and get hundreds of thousands of people back to work. 'The UKs Covid travel policy is a shambles. The Green List is non-existent because countries such as Malta and Portugal, with lower Covid case numbers than the UK and rapidly rising vaccination rates, remain on Amber.' Meanwhile, the EU continued to make travel difficult for British tourists, after it widened its 'white list' to include the US - but not the UK - which allow non essential travel. The whitelist will now reportedly be expanded to include Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia, Lebanon, the United States, Taiwan, Macau and Hong Kong. It joins Australia, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and China. Beachgoers crowd Santo Amaro beach near Lisbon on a hot and sunny afternoon in Portugal The legal bid will seek to force the Government (pictured left: Prime Minister Boris Johnson) to reveal how it decides which countries are placed on the green, amber and red travel lists. Earlier this month Environment Secretary George Eustice (pictured right) sparked confusion about the traffic light system when he said foreign holidays were a 'risk' It is understood that the growing prevalence of the Delta variant of coronavirus was the reason for the UK being shunned. The white list countries are places where people can enter into EU countries without quarantining and only have to provide proof of vaccination or a negative test. The UK's current travel green list According to the Department for Transport, as of June 15, the current UK travel green list includes: Australia Brunei Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Gibraltar Iceland Israel and Jerusalem New Zealand Singapore South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Advertisement However, it will still be up to individual member states to decide whether to impose additional requirements, such as a negative test or mandatory quarantine period. The decision is expected to be formally adopted by the end of the week, according to a Portuguese EU presidency spokesperson cited by German press agency DPA. There has been widespread confusion over the traffic light system in the UK. Ministers seem to be unable to agree on what the colour designations of each country means in reality. Earlier this month Environment Secretary George Eustice sparked confusion about the green list. He said: 'My advice to people would be holiday at home, we've got some great places here.' Asked whether people should be booking trips to green list nations, Mr Eustice told Sky News yesterday: 'Well, let me be clear, you shouldn't be booking holidays to countries that are currently on either the amber list or the red list. 'You can go to the admittedly relatively small number of countries on the green list. 'Even there be aware that this isn't a normal summer for holidays, we are reviewing that list every three weeks and so I would advise people to look for travel operators who can offer flexibility, would be able to offer rescheduling or repayments if something changes. 'We would like to open up that green list to more countries but we have obviously got to do so cautiously.' Dr Anthony Fauci said it was a 'reasonably good prediction' to think that people could expect to have an easier time moving between Britain and the US Dr Fauci said we had been 'quite fortunate' that the Kent Alpha variant and the Indian Delta variant have been sensitive to the current vaccines Meanwhile, America's chief medical advisor today said Britons might be able to travel more freely to the US by the end of summer - and the UK Government is also said to be considering plans to bring back overseas holidays for the vaccinated. Dr Anthony Fauci said it was a 'reasonably good prediction' to think that people could expect to have an easier time moving between the two countries. He claimed that Britain could find itself in a 'very favourable position' thanks to the Government's 'prudent' decision to delay the June 21 Freedom Day. Dr Fauci told ITV News: 'You really can't tell because things happen, variants occur, things happen with regards to infection. 'I think once they get more and more people vaccinated and get the people who've gotten a single dose to make sure they get their second dose, I think the UK is going to be in a very favourable position by the time we get to the end of the summer.' But he also warned that richer countries must unite in an effort to help those who cannot vaccinate their populations, or another Covid variant could emerge and spread in Britain or the US. A Covid-infected person spent four hours at a cafe at Sydney Airport, health authorities have revealed. The person had visited the NRG Express Cafe at the airport in terminal 3 on Friday June 11 between 12pm and 4pm. Anybody who visited the cafe at the same time has been urged to get tested and self-isolate immediately. Sydney Airport said they had been informed by NSW Health of the positive case on Thursday afternoon. The Covid-infected person had visited the NRG Express Cafe at the airport on Friday June 11 between 12pm and 4pm The new exposure site came after two new coronavirus cases were recorded in NSW overnight including a man in his 40s who is not linked to any other exposure sites. His mystery infection is still under investigation as NSW Health is determining whether the test returned a false positive result. Gladys Berejiklian said his viral load was 'very low'. She warned Sydney residents to avoid large-scale events near the city's growing list of 19 exposure sites to prevent a potential super-spreader event. A hotel quarantine driver tested positive for the highly-contagious delta variant of coronavirus at the Bondi Beach testing facility on Wednesday. Pictured is a drive-through Covid-19 testing queue in Sydney Cars line up for Covid-19 testing in Sydney on Thursday. New South Wales has recorded two new Covid-19 cases overnight A woman in her 70s has also tested positive in Vaucluse, meaning Sydney's latest outbreak has reached four cases. She visited the Belle Cafe in Vaucluse at the same time as an airport worker in his 60s who health officials have now confirmed contracted the highly-contagious Delta variant of the virus. He and his wife tested positive to Covid-19 on Wednesday. Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said genomic sequencing showed the limousine driver had a strain of the Delta virus never seen before in Australia. 'This strain does not match anything that's been uploaded in Australia at this time, but it does match perfectly a sequence that's been uploaded from the US,' she said. The announcement came as Tasmania slammed shut its borders to anyone from New South Wales. The island state announced Wednesday morning it would block all New South Wales travellers and anyone who had visited a listed site since June 11 have to immediately get tested and isolate. Contact tracers are meanwhile racing to find Sydneysiders who visited various exposure sites including a David Jones store, a cinema, several cafes and restaurants and a bakery in the city's east and north-west between June 11 and June 15. The airport worker first attended the Belle Cafe in Vaucluse on June 11 between 9.15am-9.50am and returned on June 12, June 13 and June 14 at various times. He also attended Sourdough Bakery at Westfield Bondi Junction between 12.40pm-1.10pm on June 11. He returned to the shopping centre the following day where he shopped in David Jones between 11am-11.40am and Myer between 11.40am-12.15pm. Digital signs encouraging customers to wear face masks during the pandemic pictured at Westfield Bondi Junction. A woman in her 70s has also tested positive in Vaucluse, meaning Sydney's latest outbreak has reached four cases The infected man attended a movie screening of The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard at Event Cinemas Bondi Junction on Sunday afternoon, June 13 for the 1.45pm screening. Anyone who attended the 1.45pm screening in cinema 1 at the venue on June 13 is ordered to get tested immediately and self-isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result. Other moviegoers who were at the cinema on Sunday between 1.30pm-4pm are ordered to get tested and self isolate until further notice from authorities. He also dined at two Vaucluse restaurants including Washoku on June 12 between 12pm-1.30pm and Rocco's on June 14 between 10.55am-11.30am. The most recent venue he visited was the Celeste Catering Macquarie Park Cemetery Cafe in North Ryde on June 15 between 1pm-1.20pm. There are reports the frontline worker was not vaccinated, despite vaccines being offered to those working in the quarantine sector since March. A Chinese Communist Party firebrand has heaped praise on Mark McGowan for sucking up to Beijing and criticising the federal government's tough stance on China. China's foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian lauded the Western Australian Premier for criticising Scott Morrison after last weekend's G7 summit. Democratic world leaders had stood in unison with the Prime Minister in condemning the authoritarian state's ongoing campaign of economic coercion against Australia. China over the past year have slapped more than $20billion worth of key Australian exports with arbitrary bans and tariffs - including barley, wine, copper, coal, seafood, beef and timbre. The Labor leader has pleaded for a 'reset' in China relations with the resource-rich state heavily reliant on Sino trade dollars. Mr Zhao was asked by a state media reporter for Beijing Daily about Mr McGowan's comments that Canberra is being 'reckless' with its largest trading partner. A Communist Party firebrand has heaped praise on Mark McGowan (pictured on a trip to Hangzhou, China) for sucking up to Beijing and criticising the federal government's tough stance on China McGowan has pleaded for a 'reset' in Chinese relations with the resource-rich state heavily reliant on Sino trade dollars. Pictured: Port Hedland iron ore mine in WA What is a Wolf Warrior Diplomat? Chinese diplomats around the globe have made headlines in recent years by making aggressive public statements against democratic nations - often in to the contrary of all available evidence. Political observers say such statements are made to impress Communist Party bosses back home in Beijing so they get noticed. The term Wolf Warrior is actually a Chinese action film franchise launched in 2015. The plot of the 80s-style action films centre around a patriotic Chinese soldier who takes on enemies from all over the world and is fearless in the face of danger. Advertisement 'The Australian government should heed these constructive opinions,' Mr Zhao, who is one of China's most prolific propaganda artists and recently trolled Australia by posting a doctored image of an Australian soldier holding a knife to an Afghan boy's throat, said. 'For quite some time, people from different social sectors in Australia have expressed concern about the way the Australian government approaches relations with China.' The 'Wolf Warrior' diplomat also accused Australia of having a 'cold war mentality'. 'Face up to and reflect on the crux of the setback in bilateral relations, abandon the Cold War mentality and ideological bias, earnestly uphold the principle of mutual respect and equal treatment, and act in ways conducive to enhancing mutual trust and promoting practical co-operation.' Over the weekend, Western democratic leaders from the US, UK, Italy, Canada, Japan, Germany, France and guest nations India, Australia and South Korea, took China to task over a range of issues. The G7 issued a joint statement taking China to task over human rights in the heavily Muslim region of Xinjiang, calling for Hong Kong to keep a high degree of autonomy and also underscored the importance of peace with Taiwan - all highly sensitive issues for Beijing. The communique also called for the opaque power to be more transparent when it comes to sharing data about the origin of the Covid-19 pandemic. China's foreign ministry spokesman Lijian Zhao (pictured) is one of China's most prolific propaganda stars The Chinese government has attacked Australia over war crimes allegations by posting this falsified image on Twitter last year Mr Morrison welcomed 'the very strong support for the stand that Australia has taken very consistently in standing up for liberal democratic principles in our region'. Canberra's relationship with China started to dramatically unravel after Mr Morrison's government in April last called for an independent inquiry into the origin of the Covid-19 pandemic - which first appeared in Wuhan. The plea for transparency infuriated President Xi Jinping and the communist state who targeted Australian goods headed to China. While the trade sanctions have heavily impacted many sectors, Australia's lucrative iron ore trade to China has continued to surge - with the developing nation in desperate need of reliable steel for construction. Treasury estimates predict total iron exports will eclipse $136billion this financial year, up from $103billion last year. The overwhelming majority of the commodity is mined in WA, with China by far the largest customer. Mr McGowan (pictured left) said the federal government's talk of conflict towards China and trade retaliation 'can and must stop' McGowan (pictured touring an iron ore mine in WA) has called Australia's tough stance on china 'reckless' Mr McGowan told the Appea oil and gas conference in Perth on Tuesday, that the federal government's talk of conflict towards China and trade retaliation 'can and must stop'. 'We should always protect our interests, our institutions, our independence, our democracy and our freedoms. That goes without saying,' McGowan said. 'But how is it in our interests to be reckless with trading relationships that fund and drive our prosperity and our nation forward?' His comments come after a survey by the Australia-China Relations Institute at the Sydney's University of Technology found that Australians don't trust China and are worried the country is too reliant on the totalitarian power. The study found 76 per cent of Australians don't trust the Chinese Government, but 61 per cent believe their country should forge closer ties with China. Results also found 72 per cent believe foreign interference in Australia stemming from China is a major problem. A BHP Billiton Ltd. freight train carrying iron ore travels along a rail track towards Port Hedland, Australia One Nation leader Pauline Hanson was at the centre of a bizarre moment in parliament, appearing to forget her own birthday. The bizarre incident unfolded in Canberra on Thursday during a debate about the government's proposed superannuation legislation. When defending herself against allegations she wanted a 'nice little pay rise' from the super changes, Ms Hanson furiously said her birthday was on Wednesday - when it was in fact back in May. It followed the Senate approving three superannuation bills, which will primarily look to stop underperforming funds from potentially recruiting new members. They will also attempt to keep workers aligned with a single super fund to avoid multiple accounts and subsequent fees. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson appeared to forget her own birthday in parliament on Thursday Senator Hanson declared her birthday was this week - when in fact it was in late May The trio of bill changes were passed with the support of One Nation - despite the controversial party failing to secure support for an amendment. The lack of amendment support resulted in the debate about Ms Hanson's birthday. Labor were openly critical of One Nation for looking to raise the concessional cap for extra super contributions for those aged 67. Senator Murray Watt enraged Hanson after suggesting she was looking to give herself a 'nice little pay rise' through the superannuation legislation. As a high income earner aged 67, Ms Hanson would be entitled to $30,000 as she reaches the age requirement. 'This is one of the biggest attempted rorts and swindles of the public purse that Australia has ever seen,' a fuming Watt told the Senate. 'Yesterday was Pauline's payday coming to Canberra to give herself a nice, sweet, fat pay rise that the battlers in Queensland are going to be paying more tax to fund.' His comments came after the One Nation leader said she was 'proud to say I am 67 years of age, and I turned 67 yesterday (on Wednesday).' It was later clarified Hanson's birthday was May 27. Ms Hanson was the forced to defend herself against claims she was trying to score an easy pay day to coincide with her age. She was adamant the concessional cap amendment would benefit all Australian residents on the verge of retirement. Ultimately, the amendment stood after the superannuation minister Jane Hume said the Coalition would not support it. The main bill Your Future, Your Super passed the lower house earlier this month. Advertisement SAGE's Covid death predictions may be downgraded by tens of thousands because the vaccines are performing better than expected against the Indian variant and the estimates were based on out of date data. In papers submitted to the Government this week which ultimately led to Freedom Day being pushed back to July 19, modellers at Imperial College London warned that there could 200,000 more fatalities in the UK by next June. While that model looked at a 'worst-case' scenario, other universities forecasting the crisis for SAGE said it was realistic to expect 40,000 to die in that time. However, the gloomiest forecasts were based on assuming that two doses of AstraZeneca's vaccine gave as little as 77 per cent protection against being hospitalised with the Indian 'Delta' variant. They also worked on the assumption that being fully immunised with Pfizer's jab may only reduce admissions by 84 per cent. The groups' central assumptions had protection slightly higher. But it has since emerged the vaccines perform much better against the mutant strain than any of the estimates plugged into SAGE's models. Public Health England's best guess is that two doses of AstraZeneca's jab cuts the risk of hospitalisation by up to 92 per cent, while the figure for Pfizer's was even higher at 96 per cent. The new vaccine efficacy estimates, based on real-world data of 14,000 Delta cases in England, were made public just minutes after SAGE's frightening forecasts were published on Monday, which led many to assume it was too late to use PHE's data in its models. Yet Dr Susan Hopkins, the deputy director of PHE's national infection service, admitted to MPs yesterday that the Government knew about the figures last Friday. It suggests ministers and their scientific advisers pressed ahead with publishing the calculations, which strengthened the argument for delaying June 21, despite knowing there was more accurate data available. Tory MPs have questioned why the real-world data hadn't been given precedence and have called for the models to be re-calibrated with the new estimates. The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Imperial College London and Warwick University all underestimated how well the vaccines would protect people from being hospitalised with the Indian Covid variant. This meant their models likely overestimated the number of deaths and hospitalisations that will follow in the coming weeks and months. Public Health England's real-world analysis showed the jabs were extremely effective after two doses Warwick University's model showed there could be between 72,400 to 17,100 total deaths this summer and autumn, with daily deaths ranging from fewer than 500 per day to 3,000 depending on how well the vaccines work. The new PHE data means these estimates will likely be too high Modelling submitted to SAGE showed how many people could die each day with the rapid spread of the Indian variant. Warwick University researchers made their estimates (red) based on the assumption that the Indian variant is 56 per cent more transmissible, and that fully vaccinated people are given 90 per cent protection against hospital admission. London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine researchers (blue) used similar figures to come to their conclusions. Dotted lines number one to four show the different dates restrictions were eased Latest analysis by PHE estimates that Pfizer's vaccine slashes the risk of being hospitalised by the Indian variant by 96 per cent after two doses and AstraZeneca's jab cuts it by 92 per cent. Previous real-world analysis by PHE found that Pfizer's jab was 97 per cent effective at preventing admissions from the Kent variant. PHE has not yet published data on AstraZeneca's effect on older strains Switching to its most optimistic scenario would see Imperial's grim estimate of 203,824 deaths by next summer fall to 26,854 but even that could be an overestimate because even in their best-case scenario, the researchers underestimated the power of the vaccines. For Warwick University's models, that would mean their death estimates could fall from 72,400 to 17,100. While the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine said there could be 33,200 deaths in an optimistic scenario. On Wednesday, MPs on the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee grilled Dr Hopkins about using out of date data in their modelling. Just 60 MPs, including 49 Tory rebels, vote against extending lockdown to July 19 - but 461 MPs back the plans Tory rebels slammed Opposition MPs for failing to turn up to a crucial coronavirus debate last night as Boris Johnson was hit with a mutiny over delaying 'Freedom Day'. The House of Commons approved the extension of Covid restrictions in England until July 19 by a huge margin of 461 to 60 thanks to Keir Starmer endorsing the move. But 51 Conservatives rebelled amid warnings that the PM must not 'shift the goalposts' and push the deadline back again. There were 49 Tory rebels voting against the bill, including heavyweights David Davis, Iain Duncan Smith, Chris Grayling and Esther McVey. With the two 'tellers' that gives a total rebellion of 51. Five DUP and six Labour MPs also joined the Noe lobby. During the four-hour debate Conservative Peter Bone noted that the Opposition benches were almost deserted. Raising a point of order with deputy speaker Nigel Evans, Mr Bone said: 'I wonder whether you could help me in regard to social distancing. 'There is not a single Labour Member on the Opposition Benches. There are no SNP; there are no Liberal Democrats; there are no Plaid Cymru. Of course there are the DUP. 'Would it be appropriate, because the Conservative Benches are packed, for half of us to move over to the other side of the House to improve social distancing?' Amid laughter, Mr Evans told Mr Bone to stay where he was. The Commons chamber is operating on tight numbers limit during the pandemic, and there is a 'call list' setting out who will make contributions to debates. However, it was dominated by Tory MPs as other parties seemingly were not eager to take part. Advertisement Committee chair Greg Clark, a former Tory science minister, said: 'Wouldn't it have been possible given the relatively new real world data, to say actually, in the light of this data, we need a few more days to assess it, before we decide what is going to be the right implications of public policy?' He added that the UK's Covid crisis had been 'beset by uncertainties and difficulties with modelling evidence informing government policy decisions'. Mr Clark called for the models to be redone as soon as possible 'so that, as the Prime Minister promised, a reappraisal can be made and a change made if it's justified'. Dr Hopkins said she was in 'no doubt' that SAGE would plug the new figures into heir models. But Tory MP Aaron Bell suggested it was too late and that the new data may have altered 'the case for the continuation of restrictions'. He added: 'The models that we seem to be relying on to justify the extension of restrictions don't appear to be using [the PHE] numbers. 'This is really important because the number of deaths that those numbers ultimately forecast, are for people who have had both doses, so if they have been using numbers that are now superseded, doesn't that alter the case for the continuation of restrictions?' 'We are voting in the House of Commons on the basis of those models. And it's obviously very good news. These numbers are coming out so far ahead of even the optimistic scenarios that have been modelled.' PHE's vaccine efficacy estimates on Monday were based on 14,019 cases of the Delta variant 166 of whom were hospitalised between April 12 and June 4, looking at emergency hospital admissions in England. So, although the numbers in the analysis were low, the findings that two doses were up to 96 per cent effective at preventing severe illness calmed fears about the mutant strain's ability to dodge vaccines. Data had already showed the jabs were less effective at stopping infected people developing Covid symptoms. On top of the high double-dose protection, the analysis found that a single injection of either vaccine provides roughly 75 per cent protection against being admitted to hospital. This was only slightly lower than around 80 per cent for the Kent variant. The report didn't calculate the level of protection the jabs provide against mortality from the Delta variant but PHE said it expects that figure to be 'high'. Officials had always believed the jabs would work well against the variant but there were growing doubts after multiple studies found it made vaccines significantly weaker at preventing infections. However, PHE has warned that unvaccinated people are twice as likely to be hospitalised with the Indian strain compared to the Kent one, which also applies to people who have not had enough time to develop immunity following a jab. It is also estimated to be around 80 per cent more transmissible. The PHE findings and the revelation that SAGE knew about them days in advance of their publication will once again bring into question the expert group's modelling. Britain WON'T give Covid vaccines to children yet Britain will not give Covid vaccines to children yet because No10's advisors want more data on risks before expanding the rollout. Experts on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation are understood to have raised 'serious ethical concerns' about inoculating children because of the tiny risk they face of becoming seriously ill. The group will release fresh guidance on the highly controversial topic of vaccinating children by the end of the week, according to the Telegraph. It will urge No10 to hold off jabbing under-18s in the immediate future and wait for more safety data to come out of the US and Israel, where the plans are already in motion. Cabinet minister Liz Truss said No10 would look 'very closely' at advice from the panel, which has helped steer Downing Street through the pandemic. Meanwhile, one of the Government's senior scientific advisers warned of the ethical dilemma posed by vaccinating children who face a one-in-a-million risk of dying from coronavirus. SAGE's Professor Calum Semple, an expert in outbreak medicine at the University of Liverpool, said he is against vaccinating the 14million children in the UK. Children's campaigners, who have raised opposition to any mandatory vaccination programme for school students, said they were 'very reasurred' by the news. But experts are divided on the topic, with some insisting it would help deal with the Indian variant. Pfizer's jab has already been approved for 12- to 15-year-olds by the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). But it hasn't yet been deployed in the UK because ministers haven't given the green light to expanding the roll-out. Professor Chris Whitty this week hinted that children could get vaccines to stop the virus disrupting their education. Pfizer's jab is already being used on children in the US but concerns are mounting that it may be linked to heart damage in young adults. Some 226 myocarditis and pericarditis cases have been reported in the US following Pfizer and Moderna shots, mostly in men with an average age of 24. Advertisement SAGE has repeatedly come under fire for its forecasts, which on many occasions have overestimated death numbers, and the influence they have had over Government's decision making. In March, the SPI-M subgroup warned there could be a final peak of more than 1,000 deaths a day by June from the Kent variant - even though vaccines were shown to cut transmission by more than 60 per cent. The forecasts were at the time described to MailOnline as 'inconceivable' and 'so wrong' by top experts. The Warwick modelling team, who made the prediction, later admitted its estimates were too pessimistic and underestimated how effective the jabs would be at preventing hospitalisation and death. In November, the Government and its scientific advisers were lambasted today for using 'dodgy' modelling to justify England's second lockdown. A graph used at a Downing Street press conference claimed England could see up to 1,500 Covid-19 deaths a day was later amended after an error was found in the data - by which time the country was already shut down. However, the country later went on to suffer a devastating wave and third lockdown which surpassed those predictions. Imperial College London predicted 250,000 deaths in the initial wave last spring - which saw about 40,000 Britons lose their lives. It comes after Tory rebels slammed Opposition MPs for failing to turn up to a crucial coronavirus debate last night as Boris Johnson was hit with a mutiny over delaying 'Freedom Day'. The House of Commons approved the extension of Covid restrictions in England until July 19 by a huge margin of 461 to 60 thanks to Keir Starmer endorsing the move. But 51 Conservatives rebelled amid warnings that the PM must not 'shift the goalposts' and push the deadline back again. There were 49 Tory rebels voting against the bill, including heavyweights David Davis, Iain Duncan Smith, Chris Grayling and Esther McVey. With the two 'tellers' that gives a total rebellion of 51. Five DUP and six Labour MPs also joined the Noe lobby. During the four-hour debate Conservative Peter Bone noted that the Opposition benches were almost deserted. Raising a point of order with deputy speaker Nigel Evans, Mr Bone said: 'I wonder whether you could help me in regard to social distancing. 'There is not a single Labour Member on the Opposition Benches. There are no SNP; there are no Liberal Democrats; there are no Plaid Cymru. Of course there are the DUP. 'Would it be appropriate, because the Conservative Benches are packed, for half of us to move over to the other side of the House to improve social distancing?' Amid laughter, Mr Evans told Mr Bone to stay where he was. The Commons chamber is operating on tight numbers limit during the pandemic, and there is a 'call list' setting out who will make contributions to debates. However, it was dominated by Tory MPs as other parties seemingly were not eager to take part. The parents of a British woman half-drowned in a terrifying crocodile attack in Mexico have told of her recovery after visiting her in hospital for the first time. Melissa Laurie's father Sean said the animal attack has left her with lasting physical and mental scars. He said she suffered terrible injuries from the attack including deep bites to her body, legs, hands and wrists some of which turned septic. 'We spent many hours with Melissa,' said Sean, 63. 'It was a great relief to be reunited with her. She is improving well and is shuffling about the Hospital Angel Del Mar, where she is being treated. He added: 'She has some interesting bite marks! She's also got drains in her abdomen and she may have one of them removed today. The parents of a British woman half-drowned in a terrifying crocodile attack in Mexico have told of her recovery after visiting her in hospital for the first time. Pictured: Sean (left) and Sue Laurie Melissa Laurie's father Sean (left) said the animal attack has left his daughter with lasting physical and mental scars Melissa (left) is recovering in hospital following the terrifying attack. Her twin Georgia (right), 28, saved her sister from the crocodile's jaws 'She has to exercise her lungs because the capacity has diminished. She's having soup and water. 'She is looking positive physically but still having trouble sleeping.' Sean and Melissa's mother Sue left their home in Sandhurst, Berkshire, on Monday to be with Melissa in hospital and her twin Georgia, 28, who had saved her sister from the crocodile's jaws. They landed in Mexico on Tuesday and went straight to the hospital to see her. Georgia sustained wounds to her hand after punching the crocodile during the ordeal on June 6. She has been a frequent presence at her sister's beside during her recovery. A now-closed GoFundMe campaign set up by the family to cover the twin's medical expenses raised a whopping 43,813. In an interview with ITV News on Monday, Georgia said that she and Melissa had been swimming at Manialtepec Lagoon - a coastal lagoon about 18 km west of Puerto Escondido in the State of Oaxaca - with two friends when the crocodile attacked Melissa and dragged her beneath the water. 'We saw the crocodile and we tried to swim to safety but unfortunately my sister didn't escape that - so it took her under. 'We tried to call her name but there was no answer so I went towards my friends and tried to find my friends and then I just saw her body floating towards me. Georgia (right), who fought off a crocodile as it dragged her twin sister into a Mexican lagoon, has spotted walking near the hospital in between visits Pictured: Melissa (left) and Georgia earlier in their trip to Mexico 'I jumped into action with my rescue training that I remember and dragged her body towards me and laid her on my chest and tried to revive and she started going into a fit. 'And the crocodile came back twice - so I beat it off but the third time is when I sustained the most injuries.' During the interview, Georgia said that Melissa remembered being dragged underwater in the first crocodile attack, feeling like she was going to drown and thinking her arm was being ripped off. Georgia explained how a boat with tour guide went past at the right time, but those onboard could not help at the time. The crocodile then came back, injuring Melissa as it tried to death roll and take her away, but it eventually fled following Georgia's sustained punching on the nose. Melissa sustained puncture marks covering her abdomen and legs, along with a fractured wrist, cuts to her stomach and water in her lungs, Georgia said. She was last week seen walking around the hospital with wounds to her hand - sustained from punching the crocodile during the on June 6 ordeal. 'It was trying to take her away,' Georgia said. 'I punched it in the nose with both fists and it felt hard, like hitting a table, but it scared it off.' 'No one warned us there were crocodiles there at all. We hadn't been drinking, there was no alcohol involved. 'We were just there for a chill-out. Melissa swan off by herself and got into trouble. I didn't know what was happening but I swan towards her.' Georgia (left) was comforted by a friend as she left the Angel Del Mar Hospital on Wednesday The twins and friends are pictured smiling in the hospital following the horrific crocodile attack in Mexico As she got closer Georgia, a qualified diver, noticed the reptile viciously attacking her sister. 'I saw her getting jerked around and I saw a croc's head which was about two feet long. The croc swam off, but kept coming back,' she said, the Sun reported. 'That's when it grabbed her by the leg and got her in a death roll. She went round and round and it was trying to drag her away. 'I was pounding it, and that's when it grabbed me and bit my arm. I bashed it with the other hand and it let me go. That happened three times. 'The croc battle seemed to go on a long time but adrenalin kicked in.' Melissa was then pulled from the water by Georgia with the help of Moises Salinas, a 16-year-old deck hand on a tour boat named Espatula Rosada. Salinas jumped into the shallow murky waters along the Manialtepec River and helped pull Melissa onto the boat before rushing her and her sister to an ambulance 20 minutes away. Once Melissa was on the boat, the extent of her injuries became clear, Georgia said. 'She had puncture wounds everywhere but wasn't bleeding out. She was drifting in and out of consciousness, Moises Salinas, 16, who works as a helper on a tour boat named Espatula Rosada, jumped into the shallow murky waters along the Manialtepec River to help rescue Melissa 'The thing that worried me was she was coughing up blood and saying, 'I'm drowning, I'm drowning'. It was scary, and she screamed too. 'I thought of how I had seen her face down in the water for a long time, so I was worried how much water she had swallowed.' Once at hospital, Georgia explained: 'The doctors were worried about her lungs, because they thought she may have got pneumonia from an infection. 'I had to sign some papers saying treatment could go ahead, which included an induced coma. That was scary, because it seemed touch and go.' At the weekend, Melissa spoke about her ordeal for the first time, telling MailOnline in a short voice message from her hospital bed: 'I am extremely grateful that I came out of this alive. 'And that I had Georgia fight my side for me. 'So I am very happy for that.' Breezy Matt Hancock brushed off Boris Johnson's 'f****** hopeless' jibe today, telling journalists he was 'just off to deliver more vaccines'. The Health Secretary tried to style out the storm over private messages revealed by Dominic Cummings as he left his London home this morning. Meanwhile, a minister risked inflaming the row today by insisting he had 'no idea' whether the PM thinks the health secretary is 'hopeless'. However, after initially appearing unwilling to take sides in his round of interviews, Jesse Norman then switched to stress that Mr Johnson is a 'massive supporter' of Mr Hancock. The extraordinary messages revealed by the maverick former No10 chief included brutal assessments by Mr Johnson at the height of the pandemic in March and April last year - repeatedly branding Mr Hancock 'hopeless' over PPE and testing and suggesting Michael Gove would have to take over. Downing Street has declined to deny that the messages are genuine, with the PM's spokesman merely insisting he has full confidence in Mr Hancock. Asked in a round of interviews this morning if Mr Johnson regarded Mr Hancock as hopeless, Mr Norman said: 'I have no idea what the Prime Minister thinks about these matters. 'I can tell you what we've been presented with is one side of a snapshot of a conversation, I have no idea if it's true or false, in the middle of the worst economic, social and public health crisis we've had for 100 years. 'So would it be surprising if the odd snapshot portrayed in a certain light gave a certain view to people?' But later it seemed Mr Norman had rethought - or been told to rethink - his lukewarm backing for Mr Hancock. 'I think this is some of the biggest nonsense I've heard,' he said on BBC Radio 4's Today programm. 'The Prime Minister obviously, as anybody would detect, is a massive supporter of the Health Secretary, he's coming firmly behind him. There can be no question of loss of confidence.' The extraordinary spat was triggered by Dominic Cummings (left) revealing private WhatsApp messages from the PM about Matt Hancock (right) Jesse Norman appeared unwilling to take sides today saying he had 'no idea' whether the PM thought Mr Hancock was 'useless' In an exchange with Boris Johnson from March 27 last year Dominic Cummings criticised the Health Secretary over the failure to ramp up testing Mr Cummings gave a brutal assessment of the performance of the government during an exchange of messages in April 2020 On April 27, Mr Johnson apparently messaged Mr Cummings to say that PPE was a 'disaster' The key claims made by Dominic Cummings about Matt Hancock and the Government's Covid response in his latest salvo Boris Johnson's former top aide has made a series of fresh claims about Matt Hancock and the Government's pandemic response in a lengthy blogpost. PM labelled Hancock 'totally f****** hopeless' over testing Mr Cummings said that in a morning meeting on March 24 last year he had quizzed Mr Hancock on the ramping up of testing capacity and was told by the Health Secretary that capacity would hit 10,000 a day by March 30. Mr Cummings said he then texted Mr Johnson at 23.39 on March 26, minutes before the PM tested positive for coronavirus, after he was made aware of information showing the 'testing plans were a shambles' and 'Hancock had misled us all again'. Mr Cummings sent a WhatsApp message to the PM: 'US has gone from 2200 tests a fortnight ago to 27,000 a week ago to 100k yesterday. This is what we said we shd do. Instead we are still stuck on about 5-7k and MH saying today he's 'sceptical' about getting to 10k by Monday which he said wd 'definitely' happen on Tuesday. This means tens of 1000s of NHS staff aren't at work over next critical 3 weeks apart from my earlier point re resting being integral to escape plan' Mr Johnson apparently replied: 'Totally f****** hopeless.' Ministers 'threatened to stop coming to meetings with Hancock' Mr Cummings accused Mr Hancock of 'misleading' ministers and officials over efforts to ramp up testing capacity. He said the Health Secretary had 'wrongly sought to blame others for delays'. Mr Cummings said this was a 'recurrent pattern' with Mr Hancock and in April it 'got so bad some ministers threatened to stop attending meetings until Hancock was fired'. PM said Hancock was 'hopeless' on ventilator procurement The PM's former aide said in today's blogpost that 'everything to do with Hancock and procurement was a disaster'. He said there had been a 'nightmare' on ventilator procurement because of the Health Secretary. He said that officials said at a meeting on March 27 that the Department of Health had turned down ventilator offers - despite the UK suffering a shortage - because the prices had gone up. Mr Cummings messaged Mr Johnson: 'They've totally f***** up ventilators. I just heard officials admit we have been turning down ventilator offers because 'the price has been marked up'.' Mr Johnson apparently replied: 'It's Hancock. He has been hopeless.' PPE was 'being shipped in at the peak of crisis instead of flown due to cost concerns' Mr Cummings said that in a meeting on March 26, Mr Hancock had told the PM not to worry about PPE supplies because it was 'all sorted' - but this 'turned out to be a total fiction'. The ex-aide said he had separate meetings with officials in which they said vital PPE deliveries would not arrive until after the April peak because they were being shipped rather than flown. Mr Cummings was apparently told items were not being flown in because that would be 'against the procurement rules' because shipping was cheaper. Mr Cummings then said he instructed officials to immediately 'call the airlines' and shift to emergency air deliveries. PM 'suggested stripping Hancock of responsibility for PPE' Mr Johnson apparently floated taking responsibility for PPE away from Mr Hancock and giving it to Michael Gove Mr Cummings today rejected Mr Hancock's claim to MPs that there was never a shortage of PPE last year. He said he had suggested 'divvying up' parts of the Health Secretary's job - something Mr Johnson appeared to be in favour of. Mr Cummings published a WhatsApp exchange with the PM apparently from April 27. Mr Johnson: 'Agree about Vallance and Whitty. On PPE it's a disaster. I can't think of anything except taking Hancock off and putting Gove on.' Mr Cummings: 'With the CABOFF such a total s***show im afraid this wd have a severe risk of making it worse not better.' Mr Johnson: 'OK. Wtf do we do? Another meeting w Matt and Stevens and Deighton and co?' Mr Cummings: 'You know my view and we must get to grips with this issue: without profound changes in CanOff these problems will not be solved. Not just PPE. Track and trace. Vaccines. Treatments. Testing.' PM 'has a clear plan to leave No10 a couple of years after next election' Mr Cummings claimed that Mr Johnson does not intend to serve a full term in Downing Street if he wins the next general election. He said that 'unlike other PMs, this one has a clear plan to leave at the latest a couple of years after the next election, he wants to make money and have fun not 'go on and on'.' Advertisement In one exchange from March 27 last year, Mr Cummings criticised the Health Secretary over the failure to ramp up testing. Mr Johnson replied: 'Totally f****** hopeless.' He then tried to call his senior aide three times without managing to get through. Another from the same day saw Mr Cummings complain that the Department of Health had been turning down ventilators because 'the price has been marked up'. Mr Johnson said: 'It's Hancock. He has been hopeless.' On April 27, Mr Johnson apparently messaged Mr Cummings to say that PPE was a 'disaster', suggesting that Michael Gove should take charge instead. 'I can't think of anything except taking Hancock off and putting Gove on.' Mr Cummings dropped the incendiary revelations in a lengthy post on the Substack blogging platform just minutes before PMQs. It included vicious passages condemning Mr Johnson for 'telling rambling stories and jokes' instead of chairing crucial meetings properly, and a claim that the PM is intending to quit in order to 'make money' rather than serving a full term if he wins the next election. Inexplicably, Sir Keir Starmer did not pick up on the allegations in his grilling - and although SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford did mention the news Mr Johnson ignored that and answered a different part of the question. As the Health Secretary drove to the Commons in an official car yesterday for a debate on delaying 'Freedom Day', a journalists shouted: 'Are you useless, Mr Hancock?' 'I don't think so,' he replied. After his leader failed to raise the issue in the Commons at lunchtime, shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth joked during the debate that the Cabinet minister would 'be forever branded hopeless Hancock'. However, in a boost for Mr Hancock, health committee chair Jeremy Hunt said Mr Cummings' latest revelations did not back up his allegations that Mr Hancock 'lied'. Mr Hunt tweeted: 'There was more melodrama than normal but it is not possible to stack up the most sensational revelations without evidence. 'Today's new @Dominic2306 tweets show the PM's total frustration ('f***ing useless' etc.) but do not prove anyone 'lied.'' Alongside the image of the apparent WhatsApp exchange with Mr Johnson, Mr Cummings tweeted: 'Evidence on the covid disaster: as the PM said himself, Hancock's performance on testing, procurement, PPE, care homes etc was 'totally f***ing hopeless', & his account to MPs was fiction.' His message, which was dated March 27 last year and contained several typos, read: 'US has gone from 2200 tests a fortnight ago to 27,000 a week ago to 100k yesterday. This is what we said we shd do. Instead we are still stuck on about 5-7K and MH saying today he's 'sceptical' about getting to 10k by Monday which he said wd 'definitely' happen on Tuesday. This means tens of 1000s of NHS staff arent at work over next critical 3 weeks apart from my earlier point re testign being integral to escape plan' The PM, whose name appeared as Johnson Boris in the screenshot, appeared to reply 'Totally f***ing hopeless'. In his long blog post, Mr Cummings said that 'although the PM whinged to me and others, he would say to him, despite dozens of requests from two Cabinet Secretaries, me and other ministers and officials: stop this routine or you're fired, your behaviour is undermining the whole effort'. Mr Cummings posted a WhatsApp from March 24 last year - the day after the first lockdown - showing he had questioned Mr Hancock over his claims that the Treasury was delaying progress setting up an antibody testing scheme. The former Vote Leave chief went on: 'Under pressure at the morning meeting, Hancock had done what he did so often: blame others, often HMT. 'As usual, it turned out that the delay was not with HMT but Hancock had misled the morning meeting and wrongly sought to blame others for delays. 'This was a recurrent pattern and in April got so bad some ministers threatened to stop attending meetings until Hancock was fired (see below).' In a brutal asssessment of the PM's skills, Mr Cummings wrote: 'On 20 April, Hancock faced intense pressure. Under Raab, the meetings were less pleasant for everybody but much more productive because unlike the PM a) Raab can chair meetings properly instead of telling rambling stories and jokes, b) he let good officials actually question people so we started to get to the truth, unlike the PM who as soon as things get ''a bit embarrassing'' does the whole ''let's take it offline' shtick before shouting 'forward to victory'', doing a thumbs-up and pegging it out of the room before anybody can disagree.' Mr Cummings also claimed that Mr Johnson does not intend to serve a full term in Downing Street if he wins the next general election. He said that 'unlike other PMs, this one has a clear plan to leave at the latest a couple of years after the next election, he wants to make money and have fun not 'go on and on'.' But the premier's press secretary said: 'The PM has actually been asked this before and has said himself it's utter nonsense, so that still stands. 'As you know, the PM was elected in 2019 and continues to focus on delivering the manifesto we were elected on and leading the county out of the pandemic.' Labour said the messages showed the need for an immediate start to the public inquiry into the handling of the Covid-19 outbreak. Shadow health minister Justin Madders said: 'This is more evidence that the Conservatives were too slow to lock down, too slow to deliver PPE and too slow to protect our care homes. 'With this evidence that even the PM thinks Hancock is useless, why in the worst pandemic in our history has he left him in charge? 'Hancock and Johnson need to respond to these latest revelations and immediately start the public inquiry into their handling of the pandemic.' But the Labour benches were bewildered that Sir Keir did not seize on the revelations at PMQs. 'I thought he was going to. And then he just didn't. It would have been an easy win,' one senior MP told MailOnline. 'No-one could really understand why.' 'There is a lot of unrest about him on our benches. He's got trouble and things aren't getting better when he misses easy chances.' A keeper has been mauled to death by a tiger at a predator park in South Africa after the electric fence to its enclosure was turned off for maintenance. Jasper, an aggressive male Siberian tiger, scaled the 12 foot high fence when the power was switched off to get at David Solomon, 52, on the other side of it. Terrified David saw the 675lb big cat which was 5 ft tall sprinting towards him and desperately tried to scale another fence but Jasper dragged him down. The tiger mauled keeper David and bit him several times and is believed to have killed him by snapping his neck at the Seaview Predator Park just outside Port Elizabeth on Wednesday. The testosterone fuelled tiger then scaled another fence where the power was also off to get at a rival male Siberian tiger called Judah which it killed in a ferocious big-cat fight. It was then attempting to mate with Judah's sibling a female Siberian tiger called Amber when Kragga Kamma Veterinary Hospital and Nature Conservation were called in. Jasper, an aggressive male Siberian tiger, scaled the 12 foot high fence when the power was switched off to get at David Solomon, 52, on the other side of it The testosterone fuelled tiger then scaled another fence where the power was also off to get at a rival male Siberian tiger called Judah (pictured) which it killed in a ferocious big-cat fight Keeper David Solomon who was killed by a Siberian Tiger called Jasper at the Seaview Predator Park in camouflage hat a rear and white stripe on shirt) moving the Siberian Tiger Jasper that killed him into his new enclosure this March A vet darted both Jasper and Amber so that when they were tranquilised they could enter a passageway to remove the remains of tragic David and retrieve tiger Judah's body as well. A former employee at Seaview Predator Park said: 'David was a loyal member of staff and had worked with the tigers for 15 years and had known Jasper since he was a cub. 'Just last March David was part of a team who moved Jasper and his sibling Jade into their new enclosure to meet the public for the first time after they were tranquilised for the move. 'Both Jasper and Jade had spent about 8 years since they were cubs in a rear area away from the public but when a lion died the park decided to put Jasper and Jade in its old enclosure. 'Jasper was a very big tiger and you had to be careful around him and I heard he had attacked a human before but David had cared for him since he was a cub and loved him' she said. David Solomon, 52, (pictured) was killed on Wednesday A spokesman for Seaview Predator Park said: 'It is with deep regret that we can confirm the death of our employee David Solomon after he was attacked by a Siberian tiger. 'The electric fencing in the enclosure housing our Siberian tigers Jasper and Jade was being repaired when Jasper jumped on the exterior fence and got out. 'David was unfortunately in the passageway between two tiger enclosures walking towards the water supply taps when the incident occurred and Jasper got out. 'David attempted to climb the fence of a different enclosure to get to safety but was pulled off the fence by Jasper. 'We confirm that David obviously had bite marks but it would seem that Jasper broke David's neck when he pulled David off the fence. 'Jasper then jumped the exterior fence of the next-door enclosure which houses Siberian Tigers Judah and Amber and a fight ensued between Judah and Jasper 'Judah was killed. Jasper, being an entire male Siberian tiger, wanted the attentions of Amber, an entire female Siberian Tiger, who was in the enclosure with Judah. 'When the incident occurred management immediately closed the Park and assisted members of the public who were near the tiger enclosures to exit the Park. 'Members of the public who were at the restaurant were kept there until it was safe for them to return to their vehicles and exit the Park after the police arrived. 'David Solomon had been at the Seaview Predator Park for about 15 years and knew each of the animals since they were cubs. 'We are all one big family and the loss of David has left every one of us heartbroken and traumatised specifically the staff and volunteers present when this occurred. 'David's presence, jokes, willingness to teach our young volunteers and bubbling personality is going to be missed so much. 'We send our heartfelt condolences to his family and close friends and may his dear soul rest in peace. 'We would like to confirm that all the large cats are safely contained in their enclosures and the electric fencing is fully functional. 'Jasper's incident is a first at the park and was fuelled by hormones and he is now calm and content in an enclosure with Amber and there are no plans to destroy Jasper. Jasper the Siberian tiger that killed keeper David Solomon at Seaview Predator Park in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, on left with his sibling Jade on right 'At no stage was any member of the public in any immediate danger and our request that visitors leave immediately is standard protocol should such an incident occur. 'Jasper is very much alive and both Jasper and Amber were tranquilizedss by the vet and spent the night in their night cages while we ensure the electric fencing is secure.' Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg of the South African Police Service said: 'Detectives are investigating an inquest after a man was attacked by a tiger. 'It is alleged that on Wednesday at approximately 15.30pm an employer was working on an electric fence at one of the tiger enclosures when a tiger jumped the fence. 'The tiger attacked the worker and it is confirmed the worker died at the scene' she said. The Seaview Predator Park is just outside Port Elizabeth overlooking the Indian Ocean and is set in 120 hectares and is home to tigers, lions, lynx's and leopards. It also has crocodiles, zebra, giraffes, snakes and many times of antelope and guests pay to drive through the enclosures in their cars for a game viewing experience. Siberian Tigers are from the Russian Far East, North East China and North Korea and there are only 500 left in the wild and can run at up to 50mph and weigh up to 380kg. The government plans to use cheaper parking and more outdoor city centre dining to tempt workers back into the office - while at the same making it illegal for bosses to ban working from home. Ministers are preparing a cities recovery strategy to encourage Britons to spend more money in urban centres, which have suffered particularly badly during the pandemic due to a plunge in footfall. Yet the move will raise eyebrows given it coincides with today's revelation that ministers want to give office staff a 'default' right to work from home - meaning it would be impossible for employers to insist on staff coming in unless they can show it's essential. Officials believe encouraging the use of outdoor space to ease the public's concerns about catching Covid is crucial, and are lining up a new communications campaign involving city mayors. Pictured are diners in Soho The government's cities recovery strategy will look at making urban centres more appealing for four key groups - workers, students, international travellers and domestic visitors, reported The Telegraph. Changes could include encouraging councils to improve parking options as well as pushing for 'easements' to local authority rules around al fresco dining in order to make it a permanent feature. Officials believe encouraging the use of outdoor space to ease the public's concerns about catching Covid is crucial, and are lining up a new communications campaign involving city mayors. Yet the initiative may be torpedoed if a proposal to make it illegal for bosses to force their employees back into the office comes into effect. The Government will consult on the plan part of a drive to promote flexible working over the summer, ahead of possible legislation later this year. The move is likely to spark a backlash amid fears it could damage productivity, harm businesses that rely on workers going into the office and prevent a return to normality in town and city centres. A report from Tony Blair warned this week that almost six million white-collar jobs were at risk of being shipped abroad if the work-from-home revolution continued. Changes could include the government encouraging councils to improve parking options. File photo The plans are also likely to spark a fierce Cabinet battle. Both Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Boris Johnson have spoken about the benefits of office life as well as the danger that a permanent home-based culture could create 'zombie towns'. A Whitehall source said: 'We are looking at introducing a default right to flexible working. That would cover things like reasonable requests by parents to start late so they can drop their kids at childcare. 'But in the case of office workers in particular it would also cover working from home that would be the default right unless the employer could show good reason why someone should not.' Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove suggested this week that a hybrid model that included home working was likely to become the norm for many, adding: 'We won't go back to the status quo.' It could effectively allow the millions of office staff who have worked from home during the pandemic to remain doing so for all or part of the week, indefinitely. Yesterday, a leaked Cabinet Office presentation on the post-Covid 'new normal' revealed ministers had been told they should not encourage workers to go back to their desks even if all social distancing measures are lifted on July 19. Ministers were told that the Government was now 'actively looking at ways to help people continue working from home if there is no need for them to be in an office'. A formal consultation on giving workers a legal right to work from home goes a stage further however. Ministers were also advised that face masks were likely to be needed 'in some settings', potentially for months or even years. And there was a warning that restrictions on foreign travel may have to remain in place for a 'significant period'. Any move to sanction a permanent shift to home working is likely to meet resistance from Conservative MPs. Felicity Buchan, Tory MP for Kensington, said the continued advice to work from home was having a devastating impact on central London businesses. Mark Harper, chairman of the Covid Recovery Group of Tory MPs, said ministers had no business interfering in relations between employers and their staff. And fellow Conservative Sir Charles Walker claimed that for many younger people working from home was the equivalent of the new 'dark satanic mills'. Under existing law, employers can require staff to attend the workplace. Ultimately, a refusal to go in to work can be deemed an 'unauthorised absence', allowing an employer to begin disciplinary proceedings. But the Business Department is now looking to change the law to encourage flexible working. Mr Johnson pledged to introduce the change at the 2019 election. A Flexible Working Taskforce, established by Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng this year to advise on the change, is expected to recommend that people are given the right to continue working from home. Peter Cheese, the co-chairman of the taskforce, said last month that the pandemic had demonstrated that staff could work effectively outside traditional workplaces. He cited a survey showing that 71 per cent of firms had found home working either boosted or made no difference to their productivity. In March, Mr Sunak said that home working was no substitute for an office environment with 'people riffing off each other'. And a senior source last night insisted Mr Johnson continued to believe in the benefits of office working. A 69-year-old Palestine protester scaled a 650ft crane near the US Embassy and draped the country's flag before being hauled down after nearly two days. Nick Georges, from Hornhatch, near Guildford, Surrey, took two hours to scale the 1billion skyscraper project in central London. The activist, who is a member of Palestine Action and was arrested for smashing up an Israeli-owned factory in February, spent 30 hours on One Nine Elms from Tuesday. But officers from the Met hauled him down and arrested him yesterday following the reckless stunt. Nick Georges, from Hornhatch, near Guildford, Surrey, took two hours to scale the 1billion skyscraper project in central London The activist, who is a member of Palestine Action and was arrested for smashing up an Israeli-owned factory in February, spent 30 hours up there from Tuesday Georges started his climb without a helmet or safety gear after breaking into the development project using bolt cutters and a portable ladder at 4am on Tuesday Officers from the Met hauled him down and arrested him yesterday following the reckless stunt Georges started his climb without a helmet or safety gear after breaking into the development project using bolt cutters and a portable ladder at 4am on Tuesday. His antics forced police to shut down the main roads surrounding the building for most of the day. The demonstrator unfurled his Palestine flag from the top and began his sit in protest - refusing to talk to officers concerned about his welfare. He claimed he had been living off emergency rations of energy bars and water during the stunt. Despite undertaking the brazen act on his own volition, Georges complained about 'cold', 'uncomfortable' and only got 'an hour's sleep'. Georges started his climb without a helmet or safety gear after breaking into the development project using bolt cutters and a portable ladder at 4am on Tuesday His antics forced police to shut down the main roads surrounding the building for most of the day He told MyLondon: 'It's the most terrifying thing I've done in my 69 years of being on this planet. The heights, the fear of falling and breaking into the building site.' 'It's been a difficult night. I've been worried about falling out and it's been freezing cold. 'I got an hour's sleep the whole night. It's so uncomfortable up here but luckily I haven't slipped and fallen.' He said he wanted to protest to show solidarity with the treatment of the people of Palestine. Georges had planned to stay atop the skyscraper until 6pm on Wednesday, but was unceremoniously hauled down yesterday afternoon. It was the activist's second attempt at getting up the tower after previously finding a padlock on the entrance to the crane. Police closed off the busy road passing the US Embassy up to Wandsworth Road, causing major disruption. Georges, a former crane worker, lived in Beirut when he was 17 and said he saw the plight of the Palestinians. Georges had planned to stay atop the skyscraper until 6pm on Wednesday, but was unceremoniously hauled down yesterday afternoon It was the activist's second attempt at getting up the tower after previously finding a padlock on the entrance to the crane He said that he did nothing about it for 50 years before starting to protest six years ago. In February he was arrested for his part in a reckless stunt to destroy an Israeli-owned factory in Staffordshire. He was one of six people detained for climbing on the roof of the UAV Engines site in Shenstone near Lichfield. The protesters smashed windows with hammers and sprayed red paint - simulating blood - across the brickwork. The activists claimed the site, owned by Elbit Systems UK, was supplying drones to Israel's military. He is currently on bail awaiting trial at Stafford Crown Court on January 4, 2022. His latest demonstration took place near the 1billion development project surrounding the US Embassy. Huge sums of cash have been chucked at revamping Battersea Power Station and creating modern apartments nearby. The skyscraper Georges scaled will be 650ft when finished - as high as the Gherkin in central London. A 'hero' father has died after attempting to rescue his stepdaughter who was struggling in a river. The man, named locally as Reza, was with his family near the River Erme, in Ivybridge, Devon, when he dived into the water to help the child who had got into difficulty while swimming. But Reza then got into difficulty himself and, despite the efforts of emergency medics, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Tragedy struck as Britain baked in temperatures of up to 84F on Tuesday which meant families across the country were enjoying the sunny weather on one of the hottest days of the year so far. A man, named locally as Reza, has lost his life after jumping into a river to save his stepdaughter who was struggling. Pictured: Reza with his partner Kaylie McGrath Reza was with family enjoying the hottest day of the year at the River Erme in Devon (file photo) The child is thought to have been uninjured but was taken to hospital for examination. Her condition is unknown. Tributes paid to Reza have described him as a hero and selfless man who always put others first. In the wake of his death, fundraising pages have been set up to support his family. On the first page, organiser Daisy Cooper said: 'Reza's step daughter got into some difficulty in the River Erme, located in Long Timber Woods, Ivybridge. 'Being the hero Reza was, he jumped in and saved her, but unfortunately was unable to save himself as he was a non-swimmer. 'This goes to show how selfless Reza was, and he showed this every day.' Ms Cooper says funds will be used for a memorial service and to fly Reza back to his home country of Iran so he can be laid to rest in the presence of the rest of his family. Pictured: Reza, who is originally from Iran, was described as a hero who always put others first A second fundraiser has been set up by Heidi Moissard who said: 'Reza was a kind person and deserves a send off that reflects this and his immensely heroic act.' More than 5,000 has been raised so far. A Devon and Cornwall police spokesperson said: 'Police were called at around 7.10pm yesterday evening, Tuesday 15 June, with a report of concern for a man by the River Erme, near Station Road, Ivybridge. 'It was reported that he went into the water to help a child in difficulty. 'Emergency services attended. Sadly a man was declared deceased at the scene. His next-of-kin are aware. 'His death is not being treated as suspicious and a file is being prepared for the coroner.' DUP leader Edwin Poots is facing a massive internal party rebellion after he nominated Paul Givan to be the next first minister of Northern Ireland despite a majority of his MPs and MLAs telling him not to. Mr Givan accepted the nomination and was confirmed as first minister after Mr Poots pressed ahead at a special sitting of the Stormont Assembly today. He opted to proceed despite a morning of uncertainty which saw a significant majority of DUP Assembly members and MPs vote against Mr Poots at a stormy private meeting. Senior DUP figures wanted him to hold off on the nomination because they are unhappy about the terms he has agreed to reconstitute the powersharing administration after Sinn Fein secured a key concession on Irish language laws. Mr Poots has only been leader of the DUP since May 14 after Arlene Foster was brutally ousted in a heave spearheaded by his supporters. But his leadership already appears to be under threat, with DUP MP Sammy Wilson warning Mr Poots will have to 'live with the consequence' of defying his MPs and MLAs. Mrs Foster tweeted that she hoped 'everyone is having a great day this lovely sunny afternoon' in an apparent jibe at her successor as the DUP descends into meltdown. DUP leader Edwin Poots is facing a massive internal party rebellion after he nominated Paul Givan to be the next first minister of Northern Ireland despite claims a majority of his MPs and MLAs told him not to Mr Givan accepted the nomination and was confirmed as first minister after Mr Poots pressed ahead at a special sitting of the Stormont Assembly today Sources said that Mr Poots and Mr Givan had left the room before the vote took place at this morning's private meeting. One source said the atmosphere at the meeting was 'utterly dreadful' as internal tensions erupted. Mr Wilson told BBC Radio Ulster that the DUP MPs and MLAs attending the meeting were overwhelmingly against the nomination process going ahead. He said it was a 'very clear view' that the nomination should not be made. The party's officers were due to meet this afternoon anyway and there have been claims that a no confidence vote against Mr Poots could now be discussed. Asked if he has confidence in Mr Poots, Mr Wilson said: My view is that any leader, if they want to have confidence, should bring people along with them. A leader who acts without the support of even a marginal majority of his party has to live with the consequence of that. Told that it sounded like he does not have confidence in his leader, Mr Wilson replied: As I have said, I think it is difficult to have confidence in anyone who sets aside the strongly held views of all the various sections of their party and goes ahead and acts without their endorsement. A stand-off between the Executives two main parties over the thorny language issue had been threatening the future of the fragile institutions in Belfast. The resignation of Mrs Foster as first minister automatically triggered the removal of Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill as deputy first minister, as one cannot hold post without the other. Sinn Fein had made clear it would not renominate Ms ONeill until it received assurances from the DUP that it would press ahead with the long-delayed Irish language laws which were part of the 2020 New Decade, New Approach deal that previously restored powersharing. The legislation, which includes the creation of Irish and Ulster Scots commissioners and the establishment of an Office for Identity and Cultural Expression, is still an unfulfilled commitment within the 2020 NDNA deal. Mr Poots had vowed to implement all outstanding aspects of the deal, but he declined to give Sinn Fein a specific assurance that he would move on the language laws in the current Assembly mandate - a key demand of the republican party. Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis announced shortly after midnight that a breakthrough on powersharing had been achieved Sin Fein asked the UK Government to step in and a deal was eventually agreed by all sides, with Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis announcing the breakthrough in the early hours of this morning. The latest deal would see the language laws brought forward in Westminster in the autumn if Stormont has failed to act on the issue by the end of September. The terms of the deal prompted senior DUP figures to write to Mr Poots urging him to hold off on nominating Mr Givan until he explained why he had agreed to grant the concession to Sinn Fein. The email was signed by defeated leadership candidate Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, party chairman Lord Morrow, senior MPs Sammy Wilson, Gregory Campbell and Gavin Robinson, former deputy leader Lord Dodds and a number of other senior members. Mr Givan accepted the nomination to be First Minister at lunchtime as he thanked his party leader for having 'confidence in me'. Sinn Fein's Conor Murphy nominated his party colleague Ms ONeill to again take up the role of deputy First Minister and she accepted. Children may have to be vaccinated against Covid to achieve herd immunity, a top expert claimed today. Britain has yet to start offering youngsters jabs, with No10's top scientific advisers wanting better safety data before recommending ministers on whether they should press ahead with the controversial move. Children are already being vaccinated in Israel and the US, with over-12s in both nations able to get Pfizer's jab. The countries are aiming to squash the disease through inoculating youngsters, with the hope of eventually achieving herd immunity. Dr Asher Salmon, deputy director general of Israel's health ministry, said 'nobody knows' the exact threshold for herd immunity. But when asked on BBC Radio 4's Today programme if it was impossible to reach without inoculating children, he said: 'We believe so.' Dr Salmon said: 'When vaccinating children, there are two purposes. The first is of course to protect the individual child. 'The second issue, of course, is to create an effective herd immunity in our society. 'If we would leave around 20 to 30 per cent of our population unvaccinated, we would always have a risk of an explosion of cases. 'It may start in kids with no major hospitalisation effect but at another point it would also touch other groups including high risk groups and the elderly population.' Children may have to be vaccinated against Covid to achieve herd immunity, Dr Asher Salmon, deputy director general of Israel's health ministry, claimed today. Pictured: A girl receives a Pfizer vaccine in Rishon LeZion, Israel, on June 6 Herd immunity is the point at which a virus can no longer spread effectively through a population because enough people are protected against it, either through jabs or getting infected. Since the start of the pandemic there has been a massive debate over just how many people require immunity to fully suppress the spread of Covid. Early figures suggested the threshold could be in the region of 70 per cent of the population. America's top infectious disease expert, Dr Anthony Fauci, has also claimed the true figure could be in the region of 90 per cent. Dr Salmon said: 'Nobody really knows what the exact line regarding herd immunity and Covid. We dont even know if we can use the term herd immunity. WHAT IS 'HERD IMMUNITY'? Herd immunity is the indirect protection from an infectious disease that happens when a population is immune either through vaccination or immunity developed through previous infection. Effectively, it means that once people have some form of immunity, it reduces the ability of a disease to spread among the population. Therefore, someone who has antibodies either through previous infection or vaccines, acts as a 'barrier' to the virus. If you have enough 'barriers' then the disease cannot effectively spread through a population. But in the case of a new virus, such as with Covid, the virus can spread essentially without any barriers which can lead to a pandemic. The World Health Organisation says it supports achieving herd immunity through vaccination, not by allowing a disease to spread through any segment of the population. But one expert told MailOnline that Covid is here to stay and that the key is reaching a 'herd immunity threshold'. This keeps the virus at what is known as an endemic level where a disease is regularly found among the population but is not harmful enough to impact on society. Keeping Covid within the herd immunity threshold, which can vary particularly in winter when diseases such as flu and coronavirus spread quickly, will mean it is kept at a 'manageable level', the expert added. Research shows the current crop of Covid vaccines help by increasing the antibody response to the virus therefore heavily reducing the risk that someone can be made seriously ill. But data is not yet available about how effective the vaccinations are at preventing transmission. Advertisement 'But from an effective level, it seems we need to vaccinate 70 per cent to reach this elusive line and to do so we need our kids to be vaccinated.' However, Israel has a much higher proportion of children than the UK more than 30 per cent compared to 21 per cent. For Britain to vaccinate 70 per cent of the population, it would require 46.6million people are jabbed. Currently only 42million people have had a first dose, with the roll-out in England yet to open up to adults between 18 and 20. The figures would suggest that it would be possible to hit the same threshold as Israel without vaccinating children. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which polices the safety of drugs in the UK, has already approved Pfizer's Covid jab for 12- to 15-year-olds. But ministers have yet to expand the roll-out to children, despite Whitehall sources talking of plans to dish out jabs to youngsters in September. No10 is waiting for guidance from the JCVI, or Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, which advises them on the inoculation drive. Yesterday, it was revealed the panel made up of some of the country's top vaccinologists wants to wait for more data on how safe vaccines are for children, amid concerns about heart damage. Pfizer and Moderna's vaccines have both been linked to extremely rare cases of myocarditis inflammation of the heart particularly in young men. There are fears the condition could also affect children after vaccination, who face a low risk of dying from Covid. Discussing the issue today, Dr Salmon admitted officials 'don't know anything about the issue' in children. Israel's vaccine roll-out to 12- to 16-year-olds only began two weeks ago and is going 'quite slowly', so data for how many cases occur in youngsters is scarce. Dr Salmon suggested Israel could begin vaccinating children younger than 12 by the end of the year once the results of clinical trials in the age group come back. Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson have all begun large-scale trials to test their vaccines' safety an efficacy on children younger than 12, with results expected this autumn. Scientists are divided on whether children need to be vaccinated in the UK, with some insisting it will be necessary to counter the more transmissible Indian 'Delta' variant. Professor David Livermore, a microbiologist at the University of East Anglia, told MailOnline moving the roll-out on to children posed a moral dilemma, with legitimate safety concerns meaning it is not worth risking children's well-being for the sake of adults. One of the Government's senior scientific advisers also warned of the ethical dilemma posed by vaccinating children who face a one-in-a-million risk of dying from coronavirus. SAGE's Professor Calum Semple, an expert in outbreak medicine at the University of Liverpool, said he is against vaccinating the 14million children in the UK. The MHRA said it is 'closely monitoring reports of myocarditis and pericarditis received with the Covid vaccines'. It has recorded just 34 cases of myocarditis after Pfizer jabs a similar number to after the AstraZeneca vaccine and only two after Moderna, but says numbers 'similar or below expected background levels'. Meanwhile, US health chiefs have announced officials will gather tomorrow to discuss 226 plausible cases of heart inflammation in under-30s given the jabs in America. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) bosses yesterday admitted the number of cases was higher than expected and that most were in boys and young men. However, they insisted the complication was still rare. All the cases met the CDC's 'working case definition' of myocarditis and pericarditis but the actual number of reports made stands at almost 800. Hundreds of affected patients are still being reviewed. Among the cases spotted in the US, three are in intensive care, 15 are hospitalised and 41 have ongoing symptoms. The CDC continues to urge everyone aged 12 and older in the US to get vaccinated and says it is not clear if either condition is actually caused by the shots. However, similar links were also uncovered in Israel, Canada, and the Pfizer vaccine was yesterday rejected for all children aged 12 to 17 in Germany who do not have underlying health conditions. This is the shocking moment a shopkeeper knocked out a customer with a single punch after a fight broke out at a supermarket in Ireland. Footage shows the shopkeeper ordering the man to leave the Oriental Emporium shop in Dublin . The shopkeeper says 'get out of my shop' before landing a blistering punch on the man's jaw, knocking him out. Onlookers watch in shock as the man collapses unconscious on the pavement outside the store. One person rushes to his aid and tries to help him up while a concerned woman can be heard saying 'he's not moving' as the video ends. This is the shocking moment a shopkeeper knocked out a customer with a single punch after a fight broke out when a man refused to leave an Oriental Emporium in Dublin The shopkeeper responds 'get out of my shop' before landing a blistering punch on the man's jaw, knocking him out Do you know this man? Email Lauren.Lewis@mailonline.co.uk Advertisement The punch-up took place inside the Oriental Emporium supermarket on Abbey Street Upper, Dublin city centre around 4pm on June 4. The shop declined to comment on the incident, citing an ongoing police investigation. A video of the incident was uploaded to social media under the caption 'F*** Asian Hate', but it remains unclear what sparked the argument. Footage shows the man, who police said was asked to leave the shop by employees, aiming a kick at two shopkeepers while inside the store. One of the shopkeepers kicks back and can be heard telling the man: 'You watch it'. Footage shows the man, who police said was asked to leave the shop by employees, aiming a kick at two shopkeepers while inside the store. One of the shopkeepers kicks back and can be heard telling the man: 'You watch it' The unidentified man then leaves the store, before returning to pick up an item of clothing and again squaring up with the shopkeepers. 'Keep your distance', the pair can be heard warning the man before one lunges forward and shoves him out of the store. The man again walks up to the front of the shop saying: 'Keep kicking me and I'll ram your f***ing face through that brick wall.' The shopkeeper then lands his punch, knocking the man out cold. The unidentified man then leaves the store, before returning to pick up an item of clothing and again squaring up with the shopkeepers. 'Keep your distance', the pair can be heard warning the man before one lunges forward and shoves him out of the store Police said they 'received reports of a disturbance at retail premises at approximately 4:10pm on June 4. 'It is reported an altercation occurred between a man and the staff of a retail premises after he was asked to leave. 'The man, in his 20s, required medical attention for non-life threatening injuries' following the incident, a statement added. Police launched an investigation into the incident, but said no formal complaint had been made by either party. A newborn baby girl has been found alive floating in a wooden box in the River Ganges in India. The 21-day-old infant was heard crying by a boatman who discovered her wrapped in a red scarf inside the box decorated with images of the Hindu gods Vishnu and Durga. Footage shows the moment a crowd stirred around Gullu Chaudhary as he opened the box before taking the child in his arms on the banks of the river in the city of Ghazipur, in the northern Uttar Pradesh state, on June 14. Footage shows the moment a crowd stirred around Gullu Chaudhary as he opened the box before taking the child in his arms on the banks of the river in the city of Ghazipur, in the northern Uttar Pradesh state, on June 14 The 21-day-old infant was found her wrapped in a red scarf inside the box decorated with images of the Hindu gods Vishnu and Durga The boatman Chaudhary rescues the baby from the river surrounded by locals The boatman took the baby in his arms before she was rushed to the local hospital The baby inside the box swaddled in a red blanket The child was rushed to hospital but deemed to be healthy. After she is discharged she will be taken into social care. Investigators have not provided a possible motive but female infanticide rates in India are among the highest in the world. Girls are seen as a financial burden, especially for poorer families where opportunities for work and education are limited. The advancement of ultrasound technology means that many are aborted before they are born but abandonment after birth is not uncommon. Police said the box contained a horoscope card which contained the baby's date of birth and named her as Ganga, Hindi for river Ganges. Local officials said they would cover the costs of looking after the girl. The little girl's box contained a note which said her name was Ganga, Hindi for the river Ganges Ghazipur is a city in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh on the bank of the Ganges The boatman Chaudhary was also going to be rewarded with a house and other state benefits, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath told local media for his 'matchless example of humanity' in saving the girl. Chaudhary told local media that when people on the river banks heard the cries nobody did anything. 'But I rushed to rescue her. When I opened the wooden box, I found her,' the boatman said. The Biloela family who had been detained on Christmas Island for almost three years have been reunited on the Australian mainland after being granted a community detention order. Father Nadesalingam 'Nades' Murugappan and his daughter Kopika, six, arew now allowed to stay in Perth with mother Priya while their four-year-old daughter Tharnicaa receives medical care at a Perth Hospital. A heartwarming photograph shows the family together with a number of other friends and supporters on Thursday. Tharnicaa had been flown to Western Australia from Christmas Island to treat a painful blood infection earlier this week. The Sri Lankan Tamil couple came to Australia almost a decade ago in Central Queensland, where they had their two daughters, but have since been placed in immigration detention. Pictured: The Tamil asylum-seeker family of four are pictured with family and friends in Perth It has been almost three years since they saw their friends on the mainland of Australia Under the 'community detention order' both parents of the Biloela family will be housed temporarily in Perth - where they cannot work and must survive on $36 a day - which has to cover their rent and bills. Father Nades and mother Priya are both Tamil asylum seekers from Sri Lanka, having arrived in 2012 and 2013 respectively. They were granted temporary bridging visas and settled in Biloela in Central Queensland where they married and had two girls. Kopika was born in 2015 and Tharnicaa in 2017 - both in Australia. In 2018 the family were removed from Biloela and placed in the Broadmeadows detention centre in Melbourne, before being taken to the offshore detention centre at Christmas Island in 2019. They were detained on Christmas Island for more than two years and reunited at Perth Hospital this week, where Tharnicaa was being treated. Nades and Kopika of the Biloela family board a plane on Christmas Island bound for Perth on Tuesday (pictured at the airport) to be reunited with her sister and mother The federal government is under mounting pressure to let the Sri Lankan asylum seeker family stay in Australia, where both children were born. There was widespread outrage across the country after it was revealed young Tharnicaa was sent to the mainland with her mother for treatment while her father and sister remained at the detention centre. Federal Immigration Minister Alex Hawke on Tuesday announced the family would now be allowed to reside in Perth while their daughter receives treatment, granting the Tamil family a 'community detention order'. 'In making this determination I am balancing the government's ongoing commitment to strong border protection policies with appropriate compassion in circumstances involving children in held detention,' Mr Hawke said. 'The family will now reside in suburban Perth through a community detention placement, close to schools and support services, while the youngest child receives medical treatment from the nearby Perth Children's Hospital and as the family pursues ongoing legal matters.' The Biloela family have been detained on Christmas Island for more than two years (pictured, Nades and Kopika wave goodbye to the island) The federal government has been weighing up what to do with the Sri Lankan asylum seeker family as it faces mounting pressure to let them stay in Australia, where both of their children were born. Pictured: Nades and Kopika of the Biloela family prepare to board a plane to Perth The decision releases the family from held detention while they pursue ongoing litigation before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, Federal Court and High Court. But the decision does not create a pathway for a visa. 'The Government's position on border protection has not changed. Anyone who arrives in Australia illegally by boat will not be resettled permanently,' he said. 'Anyone who is found to not be owed protection will be expected to leave Australia.' Family friend Angela Fredericks said the decision is a welcome one for the long-suffering asylum seekers, but called for more to be done to bring the family back to their North Queensland home, Biloela. 'Bringing this family back together is the first important step in getting them home to Bilo,' Ms Fredericks said. 'We are pleased that the Department of Home Affairs is finally taking this family off Christmas Island, after more than three years of sub-standard care in immigration detention in Melbourne and on Christmas Island. 'Nades is keen to get back to work in Biloela to support his young family, which he cannot do while the family is forced into community detention. 'Priya wants to enrol Kopika at Biloela State School to continue her education. And we promised little Tharni a big birthday party when she got home. 'Australia knows this familys home is in Biloela.' The Biloela family that have been detained on Christmas Island for more than two years have been reunited in Australia The family's plight is back in the spotlight after four-year-old Tharnicaa was flown with her mother from Christmas Island to the mainland for medical treatment Former Labor leader Bill Shorten told the Today show on Tuesday morning 'enough is enough' and the family should be allowed to return to their home in Queensland. 'The Biloela community in central Queensland years ago signed a petition in massive numbers to say could the family stay where they had been living and working for years,' he said. 'Instead, they've had this three-year ordeal in our detention. We should reunite the family and let them live in a community who signalled they want to have them. 'Every year governments exercise discretion. I think the community have shown they want them, so tick. 'I don't think it sets a precedent, tick. So let them be reunited.' Priya and Nades Murugappan and their two young daughters (pictured) have been on the island for the past three years Tharnicaa Murugappan (pictured) was medically evacuated to Perth after being hospitalised on Christmas Island with a suspected blood infection Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the government was considering its options and would take advice from medical experts at the Department of Home Affairs. Pressure has been mounting on Mr Morrison to let the family stay in Australia, with politicians from across the spectrum calling for them to be allowed to return to their adopted home of Biloela in Queensland. He has signalled the government could finally back away from its hardline stance and allow the family to stay in Australia, at least on a temporary basis. 'There are options that are being considered that are consistent with both health advice and the humanitarian need and the government's policy,' Mr Morrison said. Kopika (left) gets taken to school by guards while Priya stays inside to look after four-year-old Tharunicaa (right) However, the prime minister said permanent resettlement was out of the question. 'That wouldn't be government policy for a pathway to permanent settlement - that is not the government's policy.' Nine health organisations representing tens of thousands of medical professionals across Australia have signed an open letter calling for the family's release. Paediatrician Jacqueline Small from the Royal Australasian College of Physicians said the children must be allowed to develop and grow in the community. Tharnicaa reads a book from her bed in Perth hospital on Thursday where she is being treated for sepsis. The announcement comes amid growing calls for the federal government to resettle the family 'We feel very strongly keeping these children in held detention, particularly offshore detention, represents an extreme and unacceptable risk to the children's health, development and mental wellbeing,' she told ABC radio. 'Given both children were in held detention from their toddlerhood, the risks are even higher.' Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce has supported calls for the family to stay in Australia for more than two years. 'Tharnicaa and Kopika were born in Australia,' he told Network Seven. 'Now, maybe if their names were Jane and Sally and they were playing in their local netball side, we'd think twice about sending them back to another country which they're not from.' Father Nades and Kopika, six, are set to reunite with mother Priya and Tharnicaa in Perth Labor leader Anthony Albanese rejected the argument that allowing the family to settle would somehow restart the people-smuggling trade. Pictured: Priya and Nades Mr Joyce also argued Mr and Mrs Murugappan had jobs and were valued members of their local community. 'In regional Australia, we need people who have jobs. These people should be staying here.' Labor leader Anthony Albanese rejected the argument showing the family compassion and exercising discretion would somehow restart the people-smuggling trade. 'This is about a family who are here, this is not a threat to our national sovereignty,' he said. A busy Harris Farm supermarket in Sydney's inner-west has been added to the spiralling Covid exposure list. An infected man is believed to have shopped at the Leichhardt store on Tuesday between 9.50am and 10.05am. New South Wales has seen four new cases in the last 48 hours, including a man in his 40s in Sydney's west who has no known links to other infections. The other cases are a Bondi man in his 60s who works driving international flight crews - and is not vaccinated - as well as his household contact. Gladys Berejiklian has warned Sydney residents to avoid large-scale events near the city's growing list of 19 exposure sites to prevent a potential super-spreader event. However she stopped short of making face masks compulsory on public transport. Testing queue swelled again on Thursday as yet more exposure sites were announced (pictured, the drive-through clinic in Bondi Beach) An infected man is believed to have shipped at the Leichhardt Harris Farm on Tuesday between 9.50am and 10.05am The third person to test positive was a woman in her 70s in Vaucluse. She visited the Belle Cafe in Vaucluse at the same time as the airport driver, who health officials have now confirmed contracted the highly-contagious Indian Delta variant of the virus. Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said genomic sequencing showed the limousine driver had a strain of the Delta virus never seen before in Australia. 'This strain does not match anything that's been uploaded in Australia at this time, but it does match perfectly a sequence that's been uploaded from the US,' she said. The Delta variant of the virus is believed to spread faster than the Kappa strain, with global health experts warning it could also be even deadlier. Ms Berejiklian said she strongly recommended wearing a mask on public transport in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. The announcement came as Tasmania, Victoria and Queensland announced anyone who had been to the exposure sites was not allowed to enter their state. Digital signs encouraging customers to wear face masks during the pandemic pictured at Westfield Bondi Junction. A woman in her 70s has also tested positive in Vaucluse, meaning Sydney's latest outbreak has reached four cases Cars line up for Covid-19 testing in Sydney on Thursday. New South Wales has recorded two new Covid-19 cases overnight The island state announced Wednesday morning it would block all New South Wales travellers who had been to any of the hotspots and anyone who had visited a listed site since June 11 has to immediately get tested and isolate. 'Anyone who is planning on travelling to Tasmania who has been to any of these high-risk premises at the specified dates and times will not be permitted to enter the state,' Tasmania's Director of Public Health Mark Veitch said. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk also said she would closely monitor the ongoing situation, with closed borders likely to occur given the previous decisions to quickly block residents from New South Wales from entering the state. SYDNEY VENUES EXPOSED TO COVID-19 - Anyone who attended the following venue at the time listed must get tested and self-isolate for 14 days from the date they were at the venue, regardless of the result. Bondi Junction, Events Cinema, Sunday, June 13 - 1.30pm-4.00pm Bondi Junction to North Sydney 200 Bus, From Bondi Junction interchange to Blue St, North Sydney (near North Sydney Station) Tuesday 15 June. Departed approx. 4.25pm, arrived approx. 5pm - Anyone who attended the following venues at the listed times must call NSW Health on 1800 943 553, get tested and self-isolate until you receive further advice. Vaucluse, Belle Cafe, Friday, June 11 - 9.15am-9.50am, Saturday, June 12 - 11.20pm-1.50pm, Sunday, June 13 - 11.30am-12.00pm, Tuesday, June 15 - 9.50am-10.25am Bondi Junction, Sourdough Cafe, Friday, June 11 - 12.40pm-1.10pm Vaucluse, Belle Cafe, Saturday, June 12 - 10.20am-10.45am Bondi Junction, David Jones, Saturday, June 12 - 11.00am-11.40am Bondi Junction, Myer, Saturday, June 12 - 11.10-12.15pm Events Cinema Bondi Junction: (all screenings other than the Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard), Sunday June 13, 1.30pm-4pm. Vaucluse, Washoku Vaucluse, Saturday, June 12 - 12.00pm-1.30pm Vaucluse, Rocco's, Monday, June 14 - 10.55am-11.30am North Ryde, Celeste Catering Macquarie Park Cemetery Cafe, Tuesday, June 15 - 1.00pm-1.20pm Zetland, Coles East Village Shopping Centre, Monday, June 14 - 11.00am-1pm. Zetland, Taste Growers East Village Shopping Centre, Monday, June 14 - 11.00am to 1pm. Redfern, Wax Car Wash Cafe, Monday, June 14 - 12pm-3pm Bondi Junction, Harry's Coffee and Kitchen, Tuesday, June 15 - 3pm-3.40pm Bondi Junction, NAB in Westfield, Tuesday, June 15 - 2.45pm-3.10pm Bondi Junction, David Jones in Westfield, Tuesday June 15 - 3.30pm-4.15pm Vaucluse, Field to Fork, Friday, June 11 - 12pm-4pm Leichhardt, Harris Farm, Tuesday June 15 - 9.50am-10.05am - Anyone who attended the following venue is a casual contact and must immediately get tested and self-isolate until a negative result is received. Bondi Fruitologist, Tuesday June 15 - 1pm-2pm Advertisement NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has strongly urged anyone travelling on public transport in Sydney's eastern suburbs to wear a mask after the area's Covid-19 outbreak A hotel quarantine driver tested positive for the highly-contagious delta variant of coronavirus at the Bondi Beach testing facility on Wednesday. Pictured is a drive-through Covid-19 testing queue in Sydney The state recorded another Covid-19 case overnight as a man in his 40s not linked to the other cases in the latest outbreak tested positive to the virus - taking its total to four A medical worker prepares to administer a test at the Bondi Beach drive-through centre in Sydney on Thursday 'In line with other jurisdictions, we will maintain restrictions on travel from Greater Melbourne for another seven days, and we strongly advise those planning travel to Greater Sydney to reconsider,' she tweeted on Thursday morning. Contact tracers are meanwhile racing to find Sydneysiders who visited various exposure sites including a David Jones store, a cinema, several cafes and restaurants and a bakery in the city's east and north-west between June 11 and June 15. The airport worker first attended the Belle Cafe in Vaucluse on June 11 between 9.15am-9.50am and returned on June 12, June 13 and June 14 at various times. He also attended Sourdough Bakery at Westfield Bondi Junction between 12.40pm-1.10pm on June 11. The news of a new locally-acquired case sparked long queues at the Bondi drive-through testing clinic (pictured on Wednesday night) which saw opening hours extended from 4pm to 10pm to accommodate the surge East Village shopping centre in Zetland, inner-Sydney, has been listed as a Covid exposure site - including its Coles supermarket - after an infected person visited on Monday He returned to the shopping centre the following day where he shopped in David Jones between 11am-11.40am and Myer between 11.40am-12.15pm. The infected man attended a movie screening of The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard at Event Cinemas Bondi Junction on Sunday afternoon, June 13 for the 1.45pm screening. Anyone who attended the 1.45pm screening in cinema 1 at the venue on June 13 is ordered to get tested immediately and self-isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result. Other moviegoers who were at the cinema on Sunday between 1.30pm-4pm are ordered to get tested and self isolate until further notice from authorities. Authorities are scrambling to track down hundreds of shoppers he may have exposed the virus to at another popular Westfield shopping centre. Pictured: Westfield Bondi Junction Customers wearing face masks at Westfield Bondi Junction. Contact tracers are racing to find hundreds of people who may have been exposed to the virus in the shopping centre He also dined at two Vaucluse restaurants including Washoku on June 12 between 12pm-1.30pm and Rocco's on June 14 between 10.55am-11.30am. The most recent venue he visited was the Celeste Catering Macquarie Park Cemetery Cafe in North Ryde on June 15 between 1pm-1.20pm. There are reports the frontline worker was not vaccinated, despite vaccines being offered to those working in the quarantine sector since March. Former President Donald Trump has announced he will hold his first post-White House rally on June 26 in Ohio. He pledged his supporters that it will be the 'first of many appearances'. It will take place at the Lorain County Fairgrounds in the village of Wellington, around 40 miles southwest of Cleveland, at 7pm. Tickets are now on sale on Trump's Save America website. The first post-presidential rally on June 26 is expected to be followed by an event in the Tampa area on July 3, although this date has yet to be officially confirmed Former President Donald Trump has announced he will hold his first post-White House rally on June 26 in Ohio. Above, Trump is pictured on June 5 A statement from the Save America PAC said the rally would mark 'President Trump's first of many appearances in support of candidates and causes that further the MAGA agenda and accomplishments of President Trump's administration' The event is being sponsored by the Save America movement. A statement from the Save America PAC said the rally would mark 'President Trump's first of many appearances in support of candidates and causes that further the MAGA agenda and accomplishments of President Trump's administration.' Lara Brown, director of the Graduate School of Political Management at George Washington University, told USA Today that the events will allow Trump 'to reconnect with his supporters, which also means gathering and updating the contact information that his political team has for those who attend his rallies.' On his website, Trump said of the Save America movement: 'Over the past four years, my administration delivered for Americans of all backgrounds like never before. 'Save America is about building on those accomplishments, supporting the brave conservatives who will define the future of the America First Movement, the future of our party, and the future of our beloved country. 'Save America is also about ensuring that we always keep America First, in our foreign and domestic policy. We take pride in our country, we teach the truth about our history, we celebrate our rich heritage and national traditions, and of course, we respect our great American Flag.' It comes as Trump has admitted defeat in the 2020 election for the first time, stating: 'We didn't win.' 'We were supposed to win easily, 64 million votes,' said Trump. Donald Trump on Wednesday night appeared on Sean Hannity's Fox News show, to provide his assessment of Joe Biden's first foreign trip. He said that Biden had given away too much to Vladimir Putin, and said Europe was continuing to 'screw' the United States Hannity asked his friend what he felt about Biden's performance and cognitive ability, with the 75-year-old Trump being careful not to criticize his 78-year-old successor for being too old 'We got 75 million votes, and we didn't win, but let's see what happens on that.' He made the comments on Sean Hannity's Fox News show. Trump's comments would appear to end seven months of his disputing the November 6 election, although his caveat of 'let's see what happens' does appear to leave open a flicker of hope of overturning the result - something which now seems incredibly unlikely. Trump said that the five months of a Biden presidency were showing voters why he should have been re-elected. Also on Wednesday, Trump accused Joe Biden of capitulating to Russia, concluding that the president 'got nothing' from his meeting in Geneva with Vladimir Putin. Trump said that, in addition to gaining nothing, Biden had given up the 'unbelievably valuable' Nord Stream pipeline. The U.S. president last month lifted sanctions against the against the company and CEO behind the nearly completed Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which would transport natural gas from Russia to Germany. The pipeline is already more than 90 per cent complete, and Biden concluded that it was not worth antagonizing Germany over. Others, such as Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, argued that sanctions should be maintained, to avoid giving the impression of giving in to the Kremlin. Joe Biden is seen in Geneva on Wednesday, holding a news conference shortly after his meeting with Vladimir Putin concluded 'I guess the overall is we did not get anything,' he said. 'We gave a very big stage to Russia, and we got nothing. 'We gave up something that was unbelievably valuable. 'I stopped the pipeline, Nord stream, and that pipeline was stopped. And it was given back, and nothing was gotten for it. 'And it was just, it was another day.' Chinese fighter jets piloted by artificial intelligence are becoming better than humans and routinely defeat pilots in dogfights, the country's military has claimed. Fang Guoyu, a pilot and aerial combat champion, was recently 'shot down' by one of the craft during a simulated dogfight, according to state-run media. 'This is not the first time the renowned Fang was shot down by the AI, and Fang is not the only ace the AI has defeated,' the military-run PLA Daily reported. China is in the midst of an overhaul of its military that has seen the country upgrade its tanks, missile systems, troop equipment and fighter jets in recent years. China is using fighter jets flown by AI in training missions and claims they are now capable of defeating human pilots (file image, a Chinese) J-20 stealth fighter Among the new systems being developed for the country's new J-20 stealth jets is advanced AI, according to the military. At the moment, the AI is only being used in training missions - a process which commanders say trains the computers to defeat real-life combatants and forces the pilots to come up with new tactics to beat the machines. 'At first, it was not difficult to win against the AI. But by studying data, each engagement became a chance for it to improve,' Fang said. In the most-recent training session, Fang and his instructors used a tactical battle-plan to beat one of the machines - but only narrowly. However, in the next mission, the machine had learned the tactics and used them to defeat Fang, the military said. It is not clear whether China intends to deploy fully AI jets on the battlefield. But a military spokesman said the technology could be incorporated into jets with a living pilot to assist them during battles. The technology could help provide them with their best tactical options to accomplish objectives, a spokesman said. Fang Guoyu, an aerial combat champion, told state media he was recently 'shot down' by an AI during a simulated dogfight after it learned his tactics and used them against him China's J-20 stealth fighter began flying in 2016 and was put into military service in 2018, having completed its test-flights. Thought to have been designed using stolen plans for America's F-35 Lightning stealth jet, the F-20 is equipped with radar-jamming technology and air-to-air missiles, as well as large fuel tanks for long-range flights. It is just one of a number of upgrades that China has made to its military in recent years as Beijing becomes a more assertive presence on the world stage. The latest feared weapon is the Xian H-20 supersonic stealth bomber, which is under development by state defence corporation Norinco. It is thought the bomber will be able to carry nuclear weapons as well as hypersonic cruise missiles, with a range that could allow it to strike US bases in Guam. 'If the aircraft becomes operational, it has the potential to be a game-changer,' Jon Grevatt, a military aviation expert and Asia-Pacific defence analyst previously said. Keir Starmer insisted Labour was 'united' today as he attempted to breathe new life into his leadership - using a slogan pinched from Hilary Clinton. The Opposition Leader is using 'Stronger Together' as an overarching theme for a new policy review in an attempt to make inroads into Boris Johnson's yawning poll lead. Speaking on a visit to Bristol today he said the review aims to utilise the spirit of the British public's response to the coronavirus crisis, with the party hoping to rebuild support after last month's elections turmoil. Following criticism that voters did not know what the party stood for, Labour's 'road map' will cover six areas, including better jobs, a green and digital future and improved public services. 'We have got a very united party, we are all working with this policy review together,' Sir Keir told reporters at Airbus in Filton. 'It's incredible the amount of energy that's already gone into it, the ideas are buzzing - this is a policy review that's open to the party, to the movement. 'But more broadly than that, because what we want to do is build a better future for the whole of the country, and that means building on that principle of stronger together.' But the choice of slogan, first revealed by the Guardian, may raise some eyebrows. It was used by Clinton in 2016, when she famously lost an election to a right-wing populist known for having unusual hair. In her case it was Donald Trump, but Mr Starmer is facing problems of his own against Boris Johnson. The Tories have a huge poll lead over Labour despite a wave of controversies and crisis in the past 18 months. Last night Sir Keir's own backbenchers voiced disquiet after he failed to grill Mr Johnson at Prime Minister's Questions over the revelation from Dominic Cummings that he branded Matt Hancock 'f***ing hopeless' at the height of the pandemic. The Opposition Leader is using 'Stronger Together' as an overarching theme for a new policy review in an attempt to make inroads into Boris Johnson 's yawning poll lead. Speaking on a visit to Airbus in Bristol today he said the review aims to utilise the spirit of the British public's response to the coronavirus crisis, with the party hoping to rebuild support after last month's elections turmoil. Last night his own backbenchers voiced disquiet after he failed to grill Mr Johnson at Prime Minister's Questions over the revelation from Dominic Cummings that he branded Matt Hancock 'f***ing hopeless' at the height of the pandemic. Former No10 aide Mr Cummings dropped a bombshell blog at shortly after 11.30am, claiming that Mr Johnson had branded Health Secretary Matt Hancock 'f***ing hopeless' as the first wave of Covid raged last year. But the choice of slogan, first revealed by the Guardian , may raise some eyebrows. It was used by Clinton in 2016, when she famously lost an election to a right-wing populist known for having unusual hair. Labour chairwoman Anneliese Dodds, who is overseeing the review, added: 'The way our country responded to the pandemic showed the very best of Britain. It proved that we're stronger together. 'That belief is at the heart of everything Labour does - and it's central to the exciting, hopeful vision for Britain under a Labour government that this roadmap will begin to set out.' On April 27, Mr Johnson apparently messaged Mr Cummings to say that PPE was a 'disaster' In an exchange with Boris Johnson from March 27 last year Dominic Cummings criticised the Health Secretary over the failure to ramp up testing But last night Sir Keir was roasted by his own MPs after he failed to ask Boris Johnson a single question about Dominic Cummings' WhatsApp revelations at PMQs. Former No10 aide Mr Cummings dropped a bombshell blog at shortly after 11.30am, claiming that Mr Johnson had branded Health Secretary Matt Hancock 'f***ing hopeless' as the first wave of Covid raged last year. But despite having almost half an hour to digest the claims of disorder at the heart of the Cabinet he made no mention of the revelations when he faced the PM at noon. Instead he used his questions to attack Mr Johnson over whether it was too slow block arrivals from India, and whether the porous UK border had helped contribute to the surge in the delta/Indian variant. It was left to SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford to throw the first question at Mr Johnson, although Labour later issued a statement from junior health minister Justin Madders. The Labour benches were bewildered that Sir Keir did not seize on the revelations. 'I thought he was going to. And then he just didn't. It would have been an easy win,' one senior MP told MailOnline. 'No-one could really understand why. 'There is a lot of unrest about him on our benches. He's got trouble and things aren't getting better when he misses easy chances.' A toddler has died after eating a button battery from a remote control, an inquest has heard. Harper-Lee Farnthorpe passed away at the Royal Stoke University Hospital within hours of swallowing one of the batteries. An inquest into her death, which ruled it an accident, heard that the two-year-old was rushed to hospital after falling ill at her home but died while surgeons operated to save her life. Medics told devastated mother Stacey Nicklin that she may have swallowed a button battery which can be no bigger than 5p pieces. Ms Nicklin, from Abbey Hulton, discovered a remote control with a missing button battery in her daughter's bedroom following the May 23 tragedy. A warning has been issued to parents after the death of two-year-old Harper-Lee Farnthorpe (pictured) who lost her life within hours of ingesting a button battery from a remote control The inquest heard that Harper-Lee was pale and had high blood pressure when she was admitted to hospital in May. Royal Stoke paediatrician Dr Anna Piggot described how she had blood in her mouth and had lost half her blood volume. She told the court how it was suspected a button battery was the cause and that this had likely already been expelled from her body. Dr Piggot said that although the battery was no longer there, the leaked acid remained and had caused internal injuries including ulcers to her oesophagus. North Staffordshire senior coroner Andrew Barley concluded Harper-Lee's death had been an accident. Staffordshire Safeguarding Children Board has issued an urgent warning to parents in it's latest edition of its child death prevention newsletter. It refers to a 'young child from Staffordshire'. It states: 'Button batteries power everyday objects like car key fobs, remote controls and children's toys. 'But did you know that if they are swallowed they can badly injure, or even kill a child? Pictured: People attending vigil for Harper-Lee Farnthorpe on Tuesday holding pink balloons Symptoms that may indicate a child has swallowed a battery include coughing or drooling as well as pointing to their throat or tummy and children should be taken to hospital immediately Step to take to keep your child safe from button batteries Store spare batteries securely, out of reach Know which toys or gadgets use button batteries, check your home Get rid of 'dead' button batteries immediately - they still have enough power to harm children Teach older children the dangers - why they shouldn't play with them or give them to younger children Place strong tape over the battery compartment on remote controls. Advertisement 'Batteries react with saliva and if a child swallows a button battery it can burn holes and cause internal bleeding and even death. 'Tragically, a young child in Staffordshire has recently died from ingesting a button battery. 'If you think your child has swallowed a battery then taken them straight to the nearest A&E department or call 999 for an ambulance. 'The symptoms may not be obvious.Your child might be coughing, gagging or drooling, or pointing to their throat or tummy. 'Unclear or fluctuating symptoms mean it is important to be vigilant. Trust your instincts and act fast even if there are no symptoms.' Stoke-on-Trent City Council has been informed of the tragedy. Councillor Dave Evans, cabinet member for children and young people, said: 'This was a tragic accident involving a young child and our thoughts are with the family at this sad time. 'We will be working closely with all our partners to raise awareness of the dangers of button batteries to try to prevent this happening again.' ROSPA is aware of a number of deaths and some serious injuries involving children who have swallowed button batteries in the UK. Millions of hard-working Australians will receive a big cash splash when they file their tax return after June 30. Anyone who is an Australian resident and earns under $126,000 is eligible for the $1080 handout, with the federal government hoping the extra dosh will help spur on the Covid-impacted economy. Those waiting to get their hands on the money will not have to fill out any special forms or notify the Australian Tax Office that they are eligible. The payment will just automatically show up in your bank account from as early as July after you file your 2020-21 tax return and will take approximately ten days to arrive. Around ten million workers fall into the bracket. About ten million hard-working Australians will receive a big cash splash when they file their tax return after June 30 Anyone who is an Australian resident and earns under $126,000 is eligible for the $1080 handout, with the federal government hoping the extra dosh will help spur on the Covid-impacted economy The generous Low and Middle Income Tax Offset, or Lamington as it's been dubbed, was originally announced by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg in May during the big-spending federal budget. The plan got the final seal of approval on Thursday after the legislation sailed through parliament. Not only will the lump sum be in place for this year's tax return, it will also remain for the 2021-22 financial year - before even more tax breaks are set to take effect in 2024. While the policy will no doubt be well-received, every year the Lamington stays in place it costs about $7billion. Grattan Institute economist Tom Crowley told news.com, keeping tax offset in place was an astute political decision ahead of next year's election. 'Removing the Lamington as legislated would create the awkward appearance of a tax rise in 2021-22 for most taxpayers,' he said. The generous Low and Middle Income Tax Offset, or Lamington as it's been dubbed, was originally announced by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg in May during the big-spending federal budget The plan got the final seal of approval on Thursday after the legislation sailed through parliament (pictured, a worker in Sydney's CBD) 'Great news for more than 10 million Australians with tax cuts for low and middle-income earners passing the Parliament today,' Mr Frydenberg tweeted. 'This means: up to $1,080 for individuals and up to $2,160 for couples. 'Under the Coalition, taxes will always be lower & families better off.' Mr Frydenberg also said during his budget speech that the tax plan is aimed at rebuilding the economy after the coronavirus crisis. The government are hoping cashed up Australians will be able to stimulate the local economy by pumping the money into retail and hospitality businesses that have been hard hit by the pandemic. 'This is more money to spend in local businesses, giving them the confidence to take on an extra worker, offer an extra shift or buy a new piece of equipment,' Mr Frydenberg said. But the final decision on where you spend your money will of course be up to you. Liz Truss today hit out at the 'defeatist narrative that British agriculture cant compete' on the world stage as she defended the Government's new trade deal with Australia. The International Trade Secretary said the 'gold standard agreement' - the first 'from scratch' pact struck by Britain since Brexit - represented a 'truly historic' moment for the UK. British farmers fear a wave of cheap Australian lamb and beef imports produced to lower standards could put them out of business. But Ms Truss said farmers will have time to adapt due to a 15 year transition period which means 'Australian farmers will only have the same access to the UK market as EU farmers do in 2036'. Labour's shadow international trade secretary, Emily Thornberry, accused Ms Truss of breaking promises to protect UK farmers as she warned the favourable terms granted to Australian agriculture will also be demanded by other countries. Liz Truss today hit out at the 'defeatist narrative that British agriculture cant compete' on the world stage as she defended the Government's new trade deal with Australia Boris Johnson and Australian PM Scott Morrison announced the trade deal had been agreed earlier this week. They posed with a variety of British and Australian goods, including a personalised 'Boris' Vegemite jar at Downing Street on Tuesday UK farmers fear being undercut by cheap beef and lamb imports from Australia. The new trading rules relating to farming will be phased in over a 15 year period Cheaper Aussie wine and British-made cars: What the new trade deal will mean for consumers in each country The trade deal agreed between the UK and Australia will eliminate tariffs on imports and exports. That means that goods made in each country and then exported to the other for sale should soon be cheaper than they are currently. The scrapping of tariffs is expected to represent a significant boost for the massive Australian agriculture sector, paving the way for cheaper lamb and beef on supermarket shelves in the UK. But UK farmers fear they will be unable to compete with the cheap imports and have also expressed concerns that Australian goods are produced to lower animal welfare standards than in Britain. The free trade deal should also mean cheaper Australian wine from brands like Jacob's Creek and Hardys. Australian clothing and confectionary exports to the UK should also be cheaper, with the UK Government predicting British households will save 34 million a year in total. The deal should result in the slashing of prices in Australia on popular British products like cars, Scotch whisky, biscuits and ceramics. For example, Scotland exported 126million of beverages to Australia in 2020 and the deal will help distillers to remove tariffs of up to five per cent on Scotch whisky. Mining machinery and manufacturing goods made in Northern Ireland and sold in Australia - 90 per cent of all exports from the province to the country are made up of those items - should be made cheaper. Car manufacturers in the Midlands and north of England will also benefit from a tariff cut of up to five per cent which should boost demand for their exports. The UK-Australia trade relationship was worth just shy of 14billion last year but both sides are hoping that figure will surge in the wake of the deal being implemented. Advertisement Speaking in the House of Commons this morning, Ms Truss said: We have agreed a truly historic deal which is the first negotiated from scratch by the United Kingdom since leaving the European Union. This gold standard agreement shows what the UK is capable of as a sovereign trading nation. She added: Our Australia deal shows that Global Britain is a force for free and fair trade around the world. We believe in 21st Century trade, we dont see it as a zero sum game like our critics who doubt we can compete and win in the global markets. Ms Truss said the transition period to the new trading arrangements would provide a cushion for British farmers. We have agreed 15 years of capped tariff free imports from Australia which means that Australian farmers will only have the same access to the UK market as EU farmers do in 2036,' she told MPs. We should use this time to expand our beef and lamb exports to the CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) markets which are expected to account for a quarter of global meat demand by 2030. I dont buy this defeatist narrative that British agriculture cant compete. We have a high quality, high value product which people want to buy, particularly in the growing middle classes of Asia. This Australia deal is a key step to joining the trans-Pacific partnership, a market of 500million people. But Ms Thornberry blasted the deal and said it showed Ms Truss is 'not up to the job'. She said: British farmers left worse off as a result of her deal: Another broken promise and more to come when New Zealand, Canada, Brazil and America demand the same deal for their exports. Labour has demanded the deal be put to a formal vote in the Commons but the Government has said that will not happen. Ms Truss said yesterday the pact with Australia will act as a 'stepping stone' to a wider trans-Pacific trade accord as she rejected farmers' concerns about the agreement. The Government has insisted British farmers will be protected and given time to adapt, with the elimination of tariffs on Australian imports happening over the 15 year period. Ms Truss said the deal will provide British farmers with greater opportunities to sell their produce to new markets as she told them to 'stop being defensive'. The Australia deal is forecast to add between 0.01 per cent to 0.02 per cent to the size of the economy but Ms Truss defended the pact and said it would position the UK well to access emerging markets. She told ITV's Good Morning Britain programme: 'The numbers you are talking about, that is a static analysis of the world as it is now. 'What we are seeing is a huge rise in trade with the Asia-Pacific market. Australia is important in itself we are likely to see a 30% increase in trade with Australia by 2030.' She added it is 'also a stepping stone to the trans-Pacific partnership which is a major deal with 11 countries in the Pacific region, population 500 million, and what we are seeing is that is a very fast-growing part of the world where there is huge demand for British goods'. The UK wants to join the CPTPP with countries including Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand. Farmers and animal welfare campaigners are concerned the deal with Australia will lead to cheaper imports undercutting British meat which is produced to higher standards. NFU president Minette Batters said: 'We will need to know more about any provisions on animal welfare and the environment to ensure our high standards of production are not undermined by the terms of this deal.' RSPCA chief executive Chris Sherwood warned it is legal in Australia to mutilate the rear end of sheep, while chicken can be washed with chlorine and almost half of cattle are given growth hormones. The Government has dismissed the claims of British farmers being left unable to compete because of a surge in cheap Australian imports, claiming that most of the country's produce is sold in Asia. 'Australia mainly sell into the Asia-Pacific markets, which have much higher prices than here in the UK and Europe,' Ms Truss said. 'But what the deal will also enable us to do is get more opportunities for our farmers in those markets like Vietnam, like those other markets, where there is growing demand for British beef and lamb. Labour's shadow international trade secretary, Emily Thornberry, accused Ms Truss of breaking promises to protect UK farmers as she warned the favourable terms granted to Australian agriculture will also be demanded by other countries 'So we need to look outwards. I think we've got to stop being defensive and look at where the opportunities are.' Ms Truss has guaranteed that hormone-injected beef will remain banned in the UK while 'there is virtually no trade in products like chickens because it is so far away'. Ms Truss added: 'Australia has some very high animal welfare standards and in fact in some cases they are higher standards than many EU countries, where we already have a quota-free, tariff-free deal.' Under the terms of the deal, tariffs for beef and sheep meat will be eliminated after 10 years, with a duty-free quota of 35,000 tonnes of beef initially, rising to 110,000 tonnes at the end of that period, and 25,000 tonnes of sheep meat, rising to 75,000 tonnes. In the subsequent five years there will be safeguard measures aimed at ensuring Australian meat does not flood the market. Details were published by Canberra but not the UK Government. Downing Street said some of the final details of the agreement are still being worked through and agreed and it will be published in full once that has happened. One of the black candidates for the Democrat's pick for New York City's mayor was told he 'doesn't speak for black and brown communities' by one of his rivals during Wednesday's stormy final debate, ahead of the June 22 primary. Long-shot candidate Dianne Morales told black ex-Citigroup executive Ray McGuire that he does not speak for minority communities in the city amid a debate over the 'defund the police' movement in the crowded field. 'You don't speak for black and brown communities,' Morales, a nonprofit leader who identifies as Afro Latino, said to McGuire - despite the fact McGuire himself is black. Her barbed comment came after McGuire said that slashing funding from the New York City Police Department (NYPD) would 'end up in disaster for New Yorkers.' 'Let's be very clear. For black and brown communities, neither defund the police, nor stop and frisk, nor private security...' McGuire said, before being cut off by Morales. 'How dare you assume to speak for black and brown communities as a monolith,' Morales said across the auditorium. Long-shot candidate Dianne Morales (left) told black ex-Citigroup executive Ray McGuire (right) that he does not speak for minority communities in the city amid a heating argument over the 'defund the police' movement in the crowded debate Morales, wants to cut $3 billion from the NYPD, continued, saying: 'You cannot do that. You cannot do that. 'The defund movement actually was started by young black and brown people. You can't erase them in that way. It is not the truth for the community as a whole.' McGuire, saying he can speak for those communities because he speaks to them, fired back saying: 'You know what, I just did. And I'd do it again. Black and brown Americans do not want defund or stop and frisk. Full Stop.' Morales said: 'You are not speaking for all black and brown communities, because I am a member of that community, and you certainly are not speaking for me.' 'Let's exclude you,' McGuire responded. 'Let's not exclude me,' Morales shot back angrily, before the debate's moderators put a stop to the heated argument. According to a recent Ipsos/USA TODAY poll, support for redistributing police department funding in the country has decreased since August last year. The poll showed that only 28 percent of black Americans and 34 percent of Democrats were in favor of it at the time. With Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams (pictured on Wednesday arriving for the debate) holding a solid 11-point lead in the polls six days before Election Day, the two-hour debate seemed unlikely to change the campaign At one point, Adams and Andrew Yang (pictured), the former presidential candidate who appeared to be the contender to beat for much of the race, traded barbs over whether Adams had sought the backing of the police captains union, which endorsed Yang this week A new poll puts Adams out in front for the Democratic Primary that'll happen next week ahead of November's mayoral election Wednesday saw the eight leading candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for New York City mayor trade blows over public safety, housing and homelessness at the final televised debate before Tuesday's primary election. With Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams holding a solid 11-point lead in the polls six days before Election Day, the two-hour debate seemed unlikely to change what has been a fluid and unpredictable campaign as the pandemic-stricken city grapples with rising crime and economic inequality. Adams, also a former police captain, faced only a handful of attacks despite entering the evening as the front-runner in most recent polls. At one point, Adams and Andrew Yang, the former presidential candidate and entrepreneur who appeared to be the contender to beat for much of the race, traded barbs over whether Adams had sought the backing of the police captains union, which endorsed Yang this week. Scott Stringer, the city comptroller, attacked Yang for his proposal to give direct cash relief to the poorest New Yorkers, arguing that the amount of money involved would not make enough of a difference. Adams piled on, calling Yang's plan 'Monopoly money.' Pictured: The liberal candidates - Maya Wiley, a civil rights lawyer and former MSNBC analyst, speaks to the press and supporters before the debate on Wednesday Kathryn Garcia, Democratic candidate for New York City Mayor, speaks to supporters after participating in the Democratic primary debate in New York City, U.S., June 16, 2021 Much of the debate's early clashes focused on public safety, which has been the No. 1 issue during the campaign thanks to a spike in violent crime around the city. Adams, Yang and former sanitation chief Kathryn Garcia, considered more moderate candidates, have proposed beefing up the police department in response. The liberal candidates - Maya Wiley, a civil rights lawyer and former MSNBC analyst; Dianne Morales, a former nonprofit executive; and Stringer - were the only ones not to raise their hands when asked whether they would increase police officers on the subway. Wiley, whose endorsement by U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez cemented her status as the favorite among liberal activists, faulted Adams for suggesting he would reinstitute the use of stop-and-frisk, a strategy that in the past has disproportionately affected Black men. Adams, however, vowed not to implement any practice that was racially discriminatory. Dianne Morales, Democratic candidate for New York City Mayor, poses with supporters as she arrives at the Democratic primary debate in New York City, U.S., June 16, 2021 Ray McGuire, Democratic candidate for New York City Mayor, arrives at the Democratic primary debate in New York City on Wednesday Shaun Donovan, Democratic candidate for New York City Mayor, arrives at the Democratic primary debate on Wednesday in front of a crowd of supporters Scott Stringer, Democratic candidate for New York City Mayor, arrives at the Democratic primary debate on Wednesday. Stringer has been accused by two women of sexual assault in recent months amid his campaign Garcia, who has campaigned as an experience government hand, sought to stay above the fray, though she criticized several of her liberal opponents - without naming them - for supporting major cuts to the police budget. But while she is seen as being generally pro-police, Garcia is seeking to raise the recruiting age for police in NYC from 21 to 25. Adams, Wiley, Garcia and Yang are widely seen as the top four candidates, based on public polling. The city is using a new system, ranked-choice voting, in which voters can rank up to five candidates in order of preference - another reason that the race remains hard to forecast, even as early voting has already begun. Princess Diana's brother Earl Spencer today said he reported disgraced BBC reporter Martin Bashir to the Met Police twice for using fake bank statements to land the interview with his sister but the force was 'bizarrely reluctant to take it further'. The 57-year-old, speaking from his family home of Althorp, insisted that faking financial documents 'expecting to profit from them' was a crime and should be investigated by officers. He told LBC's Nick Ferrari: 'I've referred this twice to the Metropolitan Police but they seem bizarrely reluctant to take it further. 'If you went into any situation with fake bank statements expecting to profit from it you wouldn't be let off Scot free. This seems a very odd case indeed.' Earl Spencer believes police should investigate Martin Bashir for faking bank statements to land his interview with Diana (pictured) Earlier this week an internal BBC report by a long-serving former executive found there was 'no evidence' the corporation rehired Bashir to cover-up his dirty tricks in securing his bombshell interview with Diana. Today Earl Spencer criticised the report's findings and insisted the corporation had still had questions to answer about why it re-hired Bashir after the scandal. He said: 'I do think the BBC have had an enormous amount to answer for, so I went back in disbelief when they came back with yet another of their own reports finding no connection between Bashir being re-engaged and his previous known lies. 'In 2000, he was working for ITV against Panorama reporting on the victims of the Harold Shipman case and he was threatened with legal action for defamation. 'It is very hard to see how he was then put forward as Religious Correspondent a few years later after causing so much trouble.' The BBC report criticised executives for failing to do 'due diligence' about the rogue reporter's past before bringing him back to the corporation in 2016, and said that another candidate thought it was a 'done deal'. But it said there was 'no evidence' the move was intended to 'contain and/or cover' up the events surrounding the 1995 programme, and found Tony Hall, who led the internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Panorama interview, did not play a part in the decision to rehire him. Earl Spencer tweeted a link to a BBC article about the report's findings, with the message: 'It won't end with this, I promise.' The Met said today: 'In March 2021, the MPS determined it was not appropriate to begin a criminal investigation into allegations of unlawful activity in connection with a documentary broadcast in 1995 but should any significant new evidence emerge it would be assessed. 'Following the publication of Lord Dysons report we are assessing its contents to ensure there is no significant new evidence.' It came as former BBC governor Sir Richard Eyre suggested BBC journalists and executives responsible for Bashir's Panorama interview were fuelled by 'contagious, blind ambition'. A BBC report criticised executives for failing to do 'due diligence' about Bashir's (pictured) past before bringing him back to the corporation in 2016 Speaking from his family home of Althorp, Earl Spencer insisted that faking financial documents 'expecting to profit from them' was a crime and should be investigated by police The director, who sat on the corporation's board at the time of the 1995 interview, said their punishment will be 'public shame'. Former director-general Lord Tony Hall, who was managing director of news and current affairs at the time of the interview, has come under fire since Lord Dyson's blistering report in May, which criticised the methods used by Bashir to obtain his exclusive interview with the princess. The Dyson report described Lord Hall's internal investigation into the matter as 'woefully ineffective'. Appearing before MPs on Monday, the former director-general said he was 'deeply sorry' for the 'hurt' caused to the dukes of Cambridge and Sussex over the interview, while Lord John Birt, who was director-general at the time, described Bashir as a 'serial liar on an industrial scale'. Sir Richard told Sky News yesterday: 'My explanation of the whole fiasco was that the people involved were consumed by contagious ambition, blind ambition. Former BBC governor Sir Richard Eyre 'John Birt had come into the BBC as director-general, the third in the line, the previous two had been fired by the chairman Marmaduke Hussey. He came in with a specific programme of putting news on the front foot. He thought that the BBC news gathering and use of reporting of the time was very, very complacent and inward-looking. 'So he was encouraging the news department to go on the front foot. 'Panorama, like a number of BBC programmes, was very self-contained and probably still is semi-autonomous. 'So there was this group who got this massive scoop. I don't think anybody, maybe the Panorama people were, but certainly not John Birt and Tony Hall, were terribly interested in how Bashir had got access to Princess Diana. 'The whole thing was very much conducted in secrecy. Everybody outside that inner circle was astonished that Bashir, this totally unknown reporter, had got the interview.' He said he did not believe it was true that Bashir forced his way into landing the interview, and instead thought Diana was 'absolutely delighted' to meet a young journalist she could 'manipulate'. Asked what consequences senior BBC managers should face for the fact Bashir used forged documents to secure the interview, Sir Richard said: 'I simply don't know what possible punishment there is except shame. I mean, I think that Tony Hall has suffered excessively from the revelations and has apologised. 'I think John Birt has played a very good hand because of course, he was editor in chief so I feel he has to take responsibility for what happened. 'But what punishment can there be? It was 25, 26 years in the past. The punishment is public shame.' Current BBC Director General Tim Davie (right) and Richard Sharp, (left) answering questions, via video link, in front of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee over the handling of Martin Bashir's interview of Diana, Princess of Wales Discussing if there should be broader consequences for the corporation, Sir Richard said: 'Politicians have never liked the BBC. They can't bear the idea that a state broadcasting company is independent of the state and doesn't obey the mandate of the state. 'Also they hate the idea that it's paid by a hypothecated tax, so the Treasury can't play around with a tax. 'What can they do? Well, they can cut the legs off the BBC. That would be an act of massive cultural vandalism. 'The BBC is the most important cultural organisation in the world. And I very much hope that it's going to have the power to remain so.' Celebrated author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has launched a blistering attack against 'entitled' woke social media users 'terrified of having the wrong opinions' after a former student of hers accused her of transphobia. Adichie was accused of being transphobic by fellow Nigerian writer Akwaeke Emezi, who is nonbinary, after she said, 'Trans women are trans women', in a 2017 interview. Emezi went as far as to claim Adichie supported the 'murder' of trans children. In response, Adichie has published a three-part essay on her website entitled 'It is Obscene' which has since received a litany of praise on social media from fellow writers. She says: 'There are many social-media-savvy people who are choking on sanctimony and lacking in compassion, who can fluidly pontificate on Twitter about kindness but are unable to actually show kindness. 'People whose social media lives are case studies in emotional aridity. People for whom friendship, and its expectations of loyalty and compassion and support, no longer matter. People who claim to love literature the messy stories of our humanity but are also monomaniacally obsessed with whatever is the prevailing ideological orthodoxy. 'People who wield the words 'violence' and 'weaponize' like tarnished pitchforks. And so we have a generation of young people on social media so terrified of having the wrong opinions that they have robbed themselves of the opportunity to think and to learn and to grow.' Adichie (pictured) was accused of being transphobic by fellow Nigerian writer Akwaeke Emezi, who is nonbinary, after she said, 'Trans women are trans women', in a 2017 interview The We Should All Be Feminists author said she took Emezi under her wing after noticing her talent when she joined her writing workshop in 2015. She she and Emezi became friends, and Emezi even credited Adichie and her writing class with her landing her first book deal. But the pair fell out in 2017 after Adichie gave an interview where she said 'trans women are trans women' - something Emezi took offence to and publicly slammed her former mentor on social media as a transphobe and even went as far as to claim Adichie supported the 'murder' of trans children. The feud was resurrected again last year when Adichie threw her support behind JK Rowling after she was accused of making transphobic comments - sparking more attacks from Emezi. Her essay, which garnered so much attention when it was first published on Tuesday that her website briefly crashed, has received wide-spread praise among journalists and authors. The We Should All Be Feminists author said she took Emezi (pictured) under her wing after noticing her talent when she joined her writing workshop in 2015 Piers Morgan wrote on Twitter: 'This is absolutely brilliant. Everyone should read it, especially the insufferable woke brigade.' Columnist for The Times, Caitlin Moran, said: 'So glad everyone's talking about this - an absolute powerhouse of a piece by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie about the furious conditions of debate on social media, and how terrified people are of getting things wrong.' Former Guardian journalist Suzanne Moore wrote: 'She takes no prisoners. She doesn't even need to. She is just asking YOU to think. Yes think.' Namibian lawyer Monica Geingos said: 'I hope Chimamanda ignores whatever backlash will be unleashed in the next few days. I hope this was as cathartic for her to write as it was for some of us to read.' And Scottish historian Niall Ferguson added: 'A remarkable commentary by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie on the perils of teaching the current generation of students, which appears to apply from Nigeria to California.' Adichie's essay details that while Emezi would publicly vilify her on social media, in private she was desperately apologetic for insulting Adichie and appeared to be very keen to keep her as an ally, according to emails Adichie shared. Adichie responded by asking Emezi to remove her name from the bio of her debut novel, and on Tuesday, she slammed Emezi in an essay on her website where she criticized an unnamed former student. Her essay, which garnered so much attention when it was first published on Tuesday that her website briefly crashed, has received wide-spread praise among journalists and authors 'You publicly call me a murderer AND still feel entitled to benefit from my name?' she asked. 'You use my name (without my permission) to sell your book AND then throw an ugly tantrum when someone makes a reference to it?' 'What kind of monstrous entitlement, what kind of perverse self-absorption, what utter lack of self-awareness, what unheeding heartlessness, what frightening immaturity makes a person act this way?' Emezi responded to Adichie's essay by taking to Instagram, saying, the essay was meant to 'incite hordes of transphobic nigerians to target me.' Emezi had attended an annual creative writing workshop that Adichie hosts in Nigeria. Adichie explained that she helped the writer in their career, picking their story for an e-magazine after a workshop and writing 'a glowing introduction, which the story truly deserved.' In response, Adichie received an email that she published in her blog, dating back to August 2015. 'Thank you so much for that introduction,' Emezi wrote. 'It means so much to me and I'm going to keep reading it to get through the rest of my stay at Syracuse. 'I sent it to my mother and she got nervous about the piece because you said 'it disturbs', said she's not sure how she's going to feel when she reads it. But she's also one of those 'let's leave the past in the past' people. My sister approved, which meant a lot because our childhoods were each other's. Many social media users waded into the debate to show their support for Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her essay 'All that to say, I'm so grateful you gave me the space to write the short version of this piece, the encouragement to write the longer piece, and now, a platform for it. I definitely have plans to write more about Aba. Thank you, with all my heart. 'PS- I wanted to sign off gratefully + gracefully in Igbo but I said let me not fall my own hand.' Adichie received another email a year later from Emezi about the publication of Emezi's novel. 'Greetings! I hope all's been well with you this past year. Belated congratulations on the baby's arrival, I hope she's being a delight (I'm sure she is), and on the Johns Hopkins honors,' Emezi wrote. 'I was thinking about how this time last year, I'd just received the email from you about Farafina and I wanted to reach out with a quick update. I've just accepted an offer for the novel I excerpted as my application and it feels like the workshop was a catalyst for the events that've led me here. 'So, thank you, for the workshop and your words and the Olisa TV series and listening to me babble on about my story at the hotel. I deeply appreciate all of it and you.' Adichie, who has written novels such as Americanah and Half of a Yellow Sun, is one of the most popular authors in the world, celebrated by the likes of the Obamas and Oprah Winfrey. She sparked controversy back in 2017, however, when she gave an interview saying, 'I don't think it's a good thing to talk about women's issues being exactly the same as the issues of trans women.' 'My feeling is trans women are trans women,' Adichie said in the interview. 'I think the whole problem of gender in the world is about our experiences, it's not about how we wear our hair, or whether we have a vagina or a penis, it's about the way the world treats us.' 'I think if you've lived in the world as a man, with the privileges that the world accords to men, and then sort of changed, switched gender, it's difficult for me to accept that then we can equate to your experience with the experience of a woman who has lived from the beginning in the world as a woman, and who has not been accorded those privileges that men are,' Adichie continued. 'Transgender people should be allowed to be,' Adichie added. Some viewed the comments as transphobic, including Emezi, souring the relationship between the two. Emezi, who identifies as nonbinary, criticized Adichie for publishing private emails Emezi also had thoughts on people in the industry who continue giving Adichie a platform Chimamanda's 2017 take on trans women over which she was called transphobic. pic.twitter.com/QVr13omRAd Stephen Kenechukwu (@Kayceewrights) June 16, 2021 Upon learning that her name was included in the book for Emezi's debut novel, she emailed her representative, asking for it to be removed. 'I'm writing about X ... she attended my Lagos workshop two years ago and I selected hers as one of a few pieces I published after the workshop,' Adichie wrote. 'Apparently I was referred to as her 'mentor' and/or she was referred to as my 'protege,' in some articles, which led to her tweeting about it. Her tweets were forwarded to me by friends. 'In them, she reacted quite viscerally to my being called her 'mentor' and her being my 'protege.' To be fair, she is not technically my 'protege,' and it is perfectly fine that she feels this way, but her ungracious tone and the ugliness of the energy spent on her tweets surprised me. 'I recently received her book and noticed that my name was included in her official book bio. I was stunned. Surely if she is so strongly averse to my being considered a person who has been significant in her career, (which is my understanding of the loose use of protege/mentor) then it is unseemly to make the choice to include my name in her bio. I found it unusual, as I don't think I've seen it done before in a book bio, but I also now find it unacceptably cynical. 'It is only reasonable for a person who sees my name as it is used in her bio 'her work has been selected and edited by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie' to assume some sort of mentor/protege relationship. 'To publicly disavow this with a tone bordering on hostility and at the same time so baldly use my name to sell her book is utterly unacceptable to me. 'I'd like you to please reach out to her publishers and ask that my name be removed from her official book bio. I refuse to be used in this way,' Adichie concluded. She later added, 'I don't think that is my decision to take, and so will not answer either way, although it would be ideal if she herself made the decision to do so.' In 2020, Adichie defended an article from JK Rowling deemed transphobic by some as 'perfectly reasonable,' according to the New York Times, causing the feud to blow up once more. After that, Emezi took their feud public, putting out a lengthy Twitter thread criticizing Adichie. 'This is not the first time CNA has dismissed people's condemnation of transphobia as 'noise'when you people ignored her transphobia to platform her in SA a few years back, she said the same thing because she gives no f***s about trans people or harming us,' Emezi wrote on Twitter in November 2020 'When she first made her transphobia public, I speak for those of us who genuinely loved and looked up to her, that s**t broke our hearts. Me, I had graduated from her workshop + published a whole piece about it, I actually developed my nonfiction voice there,' Emezi continued. Last year, Emezi shared their thoughts on Adichie's public comments linked to 'transphobia' Emezi concluded, 'To now know that people will happily throw trans people under the bus rather than hold her accountable for her views? To be reminded that for so many people, CNA is untouchable and trans people are not worth de-platforming her?' Adichie appeared to be hurt by the criticism from Emezi because of their personal relationship. 'Here is the truth: I was very supportive of this writer. I didn't have to be. I wasn't asked to be. I supported this writer because I believe we need a diverse range of African stories,' Adichie wrote. 'Sabotaging a young writer's career is just not my style; I would get no benefit or satisfaction from it. Asking that my name be removed from your biography is not sabotaging your career. It is about protecting my boundaries of what I consider acceptable in civil human behavior. She went on to defend her 2017 interview comments, writing, 'I said that a trans woman is a trans woman, (the larger point of which was to say that we should be able to acknowledge difference while being fully inclusive, that in fact the whole premise of inclusiveness is difference).' Last week, Emezi's memoir 'Dear Senthuran' was published, bringing them back into the spotlight. Emezi's (left) memoir was published last week. Previously, they received a request to remove Adichie's (right) name from their debut novel because of the feud between the two Adichie (right) is pictured with Michelle Obama during a London event in 2018 Later in her essay, Adichie launched an even strong offensive against her target. 'A person who genuinely believes me to be a murderer cannot possibly want my name on their book cover, unless of course that person is a rank opportunist.' Adichie, who has written novels such as 'Americanah' and 'Half of a Yellow Sun,' is one of the most popular authors in the world Adichie concluded her essay by touching upon cancel culture. 'And so we have a generation of young people on social media so terrified of having the wrong opinions that they have robbed themselves of the opportunity to think and to learn and to grow,' Adichie wrote. 'I have spoken to young people who tell me they are terrified to tweet anything, that they read and re-read their tweets because they fear they will be attacked by their own,' she continued. 'The assumption of good faith is dead. What matters is not goodness but the appearance of goodness. We are no longer human beings. We are now angels jostling to out-angel one another. God help us. It is obscene.' In Emezi's Instagram story responding to Adichie's essay, they wrote, 'Adichie's social capital originated from the publishing industry. Emezi also had thoughts on people in the industry who continue giving Adichie a platform. 'You in the industry continue to platform her, laud her work with no mention of the harm her views inflict on the trans community, and on other writers,' Emezi continued. Neither person involved has publicly commented on their feud since it exploded this week. A woman who discovered her identity had been stolen has revealed the incredible steps she took to track down the alleged fraudster, before she was confronted in the street in a fiery exchange. Fed up with the speed of the police investigation for the mystery scammer, Katie Hastings went on a hunt to find the alleged culprit, even finding out the woman's home address. The saga began when Ms Hastings received a call from a Vodafone employee working at the Burwood Shopping Centre, in Sydney's inner-west. When mysteriously asked by the staffer if she was in Sydney, she revealed she was in Brisbane for work and was met with a shock answer - 'there is a version of you here trying to buy a phone.' 'This girl had the potential to ruin my life,' Ms Hastings said. 'So I decided I was going to play cat and mouse with her.' Katie Hastings (pictured) started a cat and mouse hunt with an alleged fraudster after discovering someone trying to buy a phone under her name in Sydney - when she was 900km away in Brisbane In a fiery confrontation in the street, the alleged scammer (pictured) was furious about being questioned - demanding the crew 'walk away' When confronted by A Current Affair in the street, the alleged scammer unleashed at a reporter, furiously refusing to answer questions. 'Ill be calling for harassment if you dont leave me alone. So on your way, thank you very much. Walk away,' she said. 'Goodbye, I have not given you permission to film me, its a breach of privacy. I have not given you permission. Goodbye. After discovering her personal information had somehow been compromised, Ms Hastings made a beeline for her local police station back in Sydney to file a report on the matter. 'That (same) night I had all of these verification codes sent through to my phone. I was like "oh my god, she's trying to get into my accounts or my emails or my bank", it was that type of verification code,' she told the program. Determined to stop the alleged scammer, Ms Hastings (pictured, left and right) opted to turn the tables and tracked her down to her home address - which she then handed over to police 'I went back to the police station the next day and I said "have you spoken to the witness? What have you done?". 'They said "it's only been 24 to 48 hours, give us some time".' Frustrated at the police's inactivity, Ms Hastings took on the role of an honorary detective with gusto. After chatting with the Vodafone employee at the Burwood Shopping Centre who initially called her, she devised a plan of attack. 'The next step was I went and sat in the seat she was sitting in and I thought to myself, "there's four cameras on me here with a clear view of my face, bang, bang, bang",' she explained. 'So I contact Westfield security,' she said. She was told CCTV wasn't available to be handed over, but discovered the alleged scammer had been seen walking towards Optus and then Coles. Since she didn't already have an account with Optus, which is what had alerted Vodafone, the woman had allegedly been able to buy a phone at the other store. When Ms Hastings went to Optus, she gave her ID details including birthday and address, and discovered a phone had been purchased with her details. Fraud victim Katie Hastings (pictured) said the alleged scammer had the 'potential to ruin my life' But it was being sent to a different delivery address - the alleged scammer's - which she was able to obtain since the order was done under her name and with her identification details. 'I now have her face, her number, and I have her address,' Ms Hastings said. Rather than approach the alleged fraudster, fearing she could be part of a criminal syndicate, the savvy Ms Hastings then passed on the woman's details to police. Finally, Ms Hastings went to replace her drivers licence. 'I went into Service NSW and they said to me that I can't actually change my licence number, I need to apply for it in court and I have to jump through all these hoops,' she said. Burwood Shopping Centre, in Sydney's inner-west, was the venue where an alleged scammer is accusing of using Katie Hastings' identity to purchase a phone 'I needed to prove that this was happening to me and I needed the police report. 'However there is no police report - because they hadn't started it.' The alleged fraudster was later charged with larceny and break-and-enter with the intent to steal more than $60,000. Linda Howlett, a commander of the Financial Crime Squad with the NSW Police, had a message for fraudsters. 'It is only a matter of time before we knock on your door and arrest you,' she said. 'What I would say to victims is, secure your documentation because at the end of the day, it can have a devastating effect on your credit rating. 'This (behaviour) also has a devastating effect on poor innocent victims.' County lines gangsters rip out the fingernails and tear out the hair of children who work for them with young males raped and females passed around as 'gift girls', researchers have said. Hospital A&E staff have warned of a rise in the number of injuries sustained by victims, according to a report from the University of Nottinghams Rights Lab. These injuries included fingernails being pulled off, hair torn out and multiple stab wounds, said one youth worker during an interview with researchers. The health professional added: 'Whereas before Covid-19 you may have seen one or two injuries on a young person, now they will be repeatedly stabbed. 'So we're talking five, six times is kind of an average amount of stab wounds.' The term county lines refers to the individual phone lines used by gangs to sell and distribute drugs. The gangs, which are linked to increasing violence in provincial towns and shire counties, recruit children and teenagers to transport drugs from cities to the provinces. Hospital A&E staff have warned of a rise in the number of injuries sustained by county lines gang victims, according to a report from the University of Nottinghams Rights Lab (file photo) One hospital worker reported an increase in the number of males aged 21 and under attending A&E in the south of England who had been raped by gang members. Another employee said young women in particular were being groomed online and coerced into taking and sharing explicit images of themselves. The use of 'gift girls' was also mentioned, referring to female victims being sexually exploited by gangs and passed around the wider network as a reward. Dr Ben Brewster, who led the research, described the report as 'extremely concerning'. He said: 'These latest findings are extremely concerning taken together with the fact that professionals ability to identify signs of exploitation and safeguard vulnerable young people are being hindered by Covid-19 restrictions, it is a very alarming picture.' The research fellow added: 'One area that has seen some positive outcomes, is the privacy afforded by visiting restrictions in hospitals has meant that some young people have felt safe enough to disclose the circumstances of their injuries and experiences of exploitation. The use of 'gift girls' was also mentioned in the report, referring to female victims being sexually exploited by gangs and passed around the wider network as a reward (file photo) 'This is something that should be borne in mind when setting future policy and practice guidance.' It follows police more than halving the number of county lines drug gangs after rounding up ringleaders at home during lockdown. Last year, around 2,000 drug networks were active and at its peak between November 2019 and October 2020, up to 4,002 county lines existed. But as of May this year, that figure was just 600. Graham McNulty, of the National Police Chiefs' Council, said: 'We have turned the tide and put the pressure on them by tackling it from both ends of the chain.' It follows police more than halving the number of county lines drug gangs after rounding up ringleaders at home during lockdown (file photo) Figures earlier released in a National Crime Agency report showed more than 3,000 gangs were reported by police in 2019 double the 1,500 of 2018. It was also a four-fold increase since 2017 when there were 720 operations shipping heroin and crack cocaine from cities to provincial towns. Despite a crackdown by forces, figures from the National County Lines Coordination Centre show 800 to 1,100 phone lines advertising drugs are active every month. Gangs are recruiting an army of youngsters to replace those arrested for dealing, with the report warning that children as young as 11 are being intimidated into becoming runners. And the number of young people being groomed to become money mules so criminals can access their savings accounts has shot up by 26 per cent since 2017. The report warned: Exploitation in county lines drugs supply remains the most frequently identified form of coerced criminality with children the vast majority of victims. Health chiefs today recalled dozens of batches of blood pressure pills because they were found to contain an explosive chemical. Pharmacies stocking the affected drugs several different types of irbesartan and losartan were told to pull them after the cancer-causing impurity was detected. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, which polices the safety of drugs used in Britain, said the affected batches contained azido-tetrazole. Government officials warned the substance considered by some to be the world's most explosive chemical may increase the risk of cancer. But the MHRA insisted the measure was merely a precaution and there was no proof it has caused any harm to patients. It urged Brits told not to stop taking the drugs without consulting their GP because suddenly stopping can be risky. Some of the contaminated pills have been on the market for nearly two years, it was also revealed. It is the latest in a line of drug recalls of sartan-type medicines, which may have been exposed to cancer-causing chemicals in factories in China and India. Irbesartan and losartan are prescribed to millions of Britons with high blood pressure every year. Pharmacies stocking the affected medicines containing irbesartan and losartan (shown above) have been pulled because they were found to contain one of the world's most explosive chemicals There is also no evidence any of the pills have exploded. The MHRA said the move only applied to pharmacies and wholesalers stocking the 31 batches supplied by Bristol Laboratories Limited, Brown & Burk UK Limited and Teva UK Limited, some of which were first distributed in September 2019. Other blood pressure pills containing losartan and irbesartan are still available. Dr June Raine, chief executive of the MHRA, said: 'Patient safety is our watchword. 'We're recalling batches of certain sartan-containing as precautionary measure while we continue our investigation. TIMELINE OF COMMON BLOOD-PRESSURE DRUGS' RECENT RECALLS 2012 - The blood-pressure medication valsartan is thought to have been contaminated with the cancer-causing, rocket-fuel chemical NDMA as far back as 2012. European regulators warned last year the medication's main manufacturer in China - Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceutical - changed its manufacturing process seven years ago, which may have been to blame. July 5, 2018 - The UK recalled the drug over growing concerns. Many EU authorities then followed suit. The European Medicines Agency said it was working to establish how long, and at what levels, patients might have been exposed to NDMA. July 17 - The US Food and Drug Administration ordered a ban on valsartan's prescription. July 30 - China's National Health and Family Planning Commission said the drug must not be used for diagnosis or treatment. January 3, 2019 - The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency recalled thousands of medications containing the blood-pressure drug irbesartan over NDEA fears. The government-run body issued an alert over four batches of the medication and pulled the products - made by Actavis, now known as Accord - as a 'precautionary measure'. Advertisement 'It's important that healthcare professionals check their stock to quarantine and return these batches. 'If you've been taking one of the affected products, speak with your doctor or pharmacist before stopping any treatment they can address any concerns and can advise you on the best course of action.' Cambridge University chemical scientist Dr Ljiljana Fruk described azido-tetrazole as the the world's 'most explosive chemical' in 2019. Speaking on the The Naked Scientists radio show, she said: 'So the most explosive chemical was made in 2011 in the lab. '[It] Never went out of the lab, it was made in a special chamber and it's called azido-tetrazole. 'So that's a molecule that has 14 nitrogens in its own structure, and because of these constrained nitrogen bonds it's very explosive.' Dr Fruk, from Cambridge's Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, added: 'Some scientists said that this molecule could explode even if you look at it, because you know it really reacts on a tiniest amount of pressure.' Officials have yet to explain how the latest impurity may have occurred. But they are often caused by contamination in factories or brought on during the manufacturing or storage process. Exposure to light, temperatures or even reactions with the container that holds the drug can trigger chemical changes. Overall, more than two-thirds of all active drug ingredients originate in China and India, industry experts estimate, with China accounting for the lion's share. NHS figures reveal more than 2million prescriptions for drugs containing irbesartan were dished out in England in 2017. It comes after a similar recall saw thousands of blood pressure pills pulled from pharmacy shelves in January after carcinogenic ingredients were found in them. Four types of irbesartan hydrochlorothiazide pills were contaminated with N nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), a chemical once used in rocket fuel. Around 165,000 people are prescribed irbesartan hydrochlorothiazide every year for hypertension the medical term for high blood pressure. US drug regulators, the FDA, announced in November that Indian pharmaceutical firm, Aurobindo Pharma Ltd, had recalled 22 products containing irbesartan amid fears they also had the NDEA impurity. EU officials then announced they were 'considering' whether to recall medicines containing the Indian firm's irbesartan as a precaution. It was then suspended from supplying the chemical to other firms in Europe. A hero cop who defended the US Capitol on January 6 has slammed the 'disgusting' behavior of a Republican congressman he accused of snubbing him during a chance meeting. DC Metropolitan Police officer Michael Fanone told CNN that he approached Rep. Andrew Clyde outside an elevator on Wednesday afternoon but was dismissed by the Georgia congressman. The encounter came one day after Clyde and 20 other House Republicans voted against legislation to award Congressional Gold Medals to the officers who defended the Capitol from a wave of Trump supporters attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 Presidential election. During the insurrection, Fanone was beaten with a flagpole and stunned multiple times with a taser. He suffered a heart attack and a concussion at the time, and has been coping with post-traumatic stress disorder and a traumatic brain injury. Photos from the day show him swarmed by crowds of rioters. In footage from Fanone's bodycam, a rioter gripping the officer can be heard calling 'I got one'. Fanone can be heard screaming and telling his attackers: 'I got kids'. Speaking on Wednesday, he told CNN's Don Lemon Tonight that Clyde refused to shake his hand. 'I greeted Congressman Clyde, I was very cordial. I extended my hand to shake his hand. He just stared at me. I asked if he was going to shake my hand, and he told me that he didn't know who I was. So I introduced myself. DC Metropolitan Police officer Michael Fanone (right) told CNN that he approached Rep. Andrew Clyde outside an elevator on Wednesday afternoon but was dismissed by the Georgia congressman 21 House Republicans voted against awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to police officers who defended the Capitol on January 6. DC Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone went to the Capitol to speak to them. He tells @donlemon what happened. Watch: pic.twitter.com/KVVOuHA3Hl Don Lemon Tonight (@DonLemonTonight) June 17, 2021 During the insurrection, Fanone (center) was beaten with a flagpole and stunned multiple times with a taser. He suffered a heart attack and a concussion at the time, and has been coping with post-traumatic stress disorder and a traumatic brain injury 'I said that I was Officer Michael Fanone. That I was a DC Metropolitan Police officer who fought on January 6 to defend the Capitol and, as a result, I suffered a traumatic brain injury as well as a heart attack after having been tasered numerous times at the base of my skull, as well as being severely beaten. 'At that point, the congressman turned away from me.' Fanone said that once he had introduced himself, Fanone appeared to pull up a recording app on his phone. He said that once the elevator doors opened, Clyde 'ran as quickly as he could, like a coward.' Clyde's office did not immediately respond to a MailOnline request for comment. Fanone told CNN that he took the exchange 'very personally', calling it an insult to himself and to all members of law enforcement who responded to the Capitol on January 6. 'Obviously, I took that particular reaction very personally, but I also took it as a representation of Andrew Clyde to myself and every other member of the Metropolitan Police Department and U.S. Capitol Police that responded that day.' He had returned to the Capitol on Wednesday to try to schedule appointments with the 21 lawmakers who voted against the medal legislation. Georgia Republican Clyde (right) has frequently downplayed the riot, claiming during a House hearing in May that: 'If you didn't know the TV footage was a video from January 6, you would actually think it was a normal tourist visit' [File photo] 'I really just went there to engage with them, talk to them about my experience, show them body-worn camera footage from that day, if they were interested, and, again, just relay what my experiences were and what the experiences of some of my colleagues were. 'I didn't go there with the thoughts that I was gonna change a bunch of hearts and minds, but I wanted to better educate them as to what officers' experiences were that day.' Clyde has frequently downplayed the riot, claiming during a House hearing in May that: 'If you didn't know the TV footage was a video from January 6, you would actually think it was a normal tourist visit.' 'Let me be clear, there was no insurrection,' he said earlier in the hearing. Fanone said he 'felt compelled' to confront Clyde because of the comments he had made regarding the riot. Clyde's assertions contrast with video evidence and multiple witness accounts, which have led to criminal charges being filed against participants. During the insurrection, he was photographed attempting to barricade a door with a chair to prevent rioters entering. Photographs of officer Fanone screaming as he fought against the mob have been widely shared Bodycam footage shows the moment officer Michael Fanone is screaming in pain as one rioter is heard saying 'I got one' 'Other congressmen who voted against the bill, you know, they had different reasons, whethere it was language in the bill... But Congressman Clyde has made some pretty incendiary remarks downplaying the event. And to be honest with you, 'downplaying' is disingenuous - He just out and out lied and the reality is at this point, if you're going to sling b******* about January 6, I'm gonna call you out on it. And you're going to be held accountable.' Fanone said he was not able to meet with any members other than the chance encounter with Clyde. He added that congressional staffers he met with were extremely helpful and some did express a 'genuine interest' in arranging a sit-down meeting with representatives. He told CNN he was aware that his presence might have caused some discomfort to 'went about it by trying to kill people with kindness, being overly polite'. 'I have no regrets about the interactions and my behaviour that day. I think some members, Andrew Clyde specifically, and [a] particular chief of staff from the Montana representative's office, their behaviour was pretty damn disgusting'. Fanone previously wrote a letter to the congressmembers describing the day he nearly lost his life. 'I was pulled from my fellow officers, beaten with fists, metal objects, stripped of my badge, radio and ammunition magazine, and electrocuted numerous times with a Taser,' Fanone said. He and his partner arrived on scene and immediately joined the fight to protect the Capitol. Other officers were bashed with flag poles and axe handles. 'The fight here was nothing short of brutal,' he said. He described seeing about 30 officers standing shoulder-to-shoulder to hold back the 'onslaught of violent attackers.' 'Many of these officers were injured, bleeding and fatigued, but they contained to fight,' he said, and his commander yelled, 'Hold the line.' He described that as 'the most inspirational moment of my entire life,' but since then he has struggled with the 'psychological trauma.' Pair were jailed for life alongside Saharded Hassan, 28, who organised the hit A bodybuilder's drive-by assassin has been jailed for at least 28 years after police found his rap lyrics boasting of his role in the murder. Rajae Heslop, 22, and Irwin Constable, 20, pulled up on a stolen moped and gunned down 38-year-old Leon Maxwell near Queensbury Tube station in northwest London. Mr Maxwell, also known by the street names 'Sykes' and '2Swift', was sitting in a car with a friend when the killers fired five shots through the front passenger window. He was hit in the torso while his 29-year-old friend, who cannot be named, was also struck in the chest in the shooting shortly before 9pm on May 1, 2018. The shooters mistakenly believed Mr Maxwell and his friend were members of the Queensbury Boys gang. Heslop fled the country after the shooting and was arrested more than a year later when he returned to the UK thinking it was safe to do so. Police then found a rap song which he had written depicting his involvement in the murder. Constable and Heslop were convicted of murder earlier this year alongside Saharded Hassan, 28, who organised the hit. Leon Maxwell (pictured), 38, also known by the street names 'Sykes' and '2Swift', was sitting in a car with a friend when the killers fired five shots through the front passenger window Rajae Heslop (pictured left), 22, and Irwin Constable (right), 20, pulled up on a stolen moped and gunned down Mr Maxwell near Queensbury Tube station in northwest London Judge Rebecca Poulet, QC, sentenced Hassan to life imprisonment and ordered he serve at least 32 years. Heslop was jailed for life with a minimum of 28 years while Constable was sentenced to life and must serve at least 24 years as he was 17 at the time of the attack. Judge Poulet described the murder as 'wicked, mindless violence that appears to have been made out to the wrong target.' Mr Maxwell was a bodybuilder and nutrition adviser, described by friends as a 'naturally gifted musician'. In 2003 he was jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 12 years, for murdering Irish traveller Patrick Fitzharris over a 75 cannabis deal. Lyrics written by Hassan were found in a notebook he kept in his cell in Exeter Prison, glorifying the gang violence he helped organised: 'Anything Queensbury soon get burned, my young boys get round there and burn him.' Mr Maxwell's family said in a statement read to the court: 'Why? Why would someone decide to kill our boy that night? 'Each day we live with a huge gap that is left. We pray justice will be served as justice is all we have left.' The three killers were sentenced in March but the case can only now be reported following the conclusion of another trial linked to the same shooting. Constable and Heslop had drunk and smoked cannabis before carrying out what the judge described as a 'carefully planned attack' under the orders of Hassan. Saharded Hassan (above), 28, who organised the hit, was sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to serve at least 32 years Police later traced CCTV from the area and established the moped used was stolen the day before. They were able to identify Constable and Heslop as the men who carried out the attack. Alan Kent, prosecuting, said: 'On 1 May 2018, at about 8.50pm two men were shot at close range with a handgun. 'These two men were sitting together in a car, one in the driver's seat, the other in the passenger seat at the front. 'One of the bullets that was fired from the gun hit Leon Maxwell in the body. It passed through his lung and he died at the scene shortly after the infliction of that injury. 'He had been sitting in the front passenger seat. The man sitting in the driver's seat was also shot in the torso by a single bullet. 'He got out of the car running and took a taxi to the nearest hospital, was treated and survived his wounds 'He could not describe his attackers, the gunmen, save to say that they wore motorcycle crash helmets. I say they, because the evidence reveals two men physically carried out this shooting. 'They arrived together on a stolen moped. It seems that the pillion passenger got off of the bike actually fired the gun and while he was doing that the driver turned the bike back round and when the gun had fired off they sped. 'The evidence gathered by the police reveals that the two men on the moped at the time of the shooting and so actually carried it out are Irwin Constable and Rajae Heslop. 'Saharded Hassan whilst not present at the scene, whilst not actually on the moped or actually pulling the trigger, we suggest was the person organising this. Armed police at the scene near Queensbury Tube Station following the incident on May 1, 2018 'DNA attributed to Mr Hassan was recovered from one of the bullet casings found at the scene.' Hassan, of Harrow, Heslop, of Cricklewood and Constable, of Watford, all denied but were convicted of murder and attempted murder. Earlier this week 20-year-old Kaleel Nyeila, Samuel Ageyman, Armani Ogilvie and Abdi Karama, all aged 19, were cleared of murder and attempted murder following a separate trial by a jury at the Old Bailey. Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Goodwin said: 'The investigation team has worked tirelessly since 2018 to get to the truth about what happened on Essoldo Way in order to not only bring those involved before the courts, but to get some form of resolution for Leon's family. 'This case highlights that even when suspects make every attempt to hide their identities, through hard work and forensic opportunities, we will always endeavour to find them. 'Three men involved this murder have been given lengthy prison sentences, the professed gang leader Saharded Hassan received 32 years for his involvement. 'I would encourage anyone with information regarding gun crime to contact police. Together, we can take these dangerous weapons off of our streets and make London safer for everyone.' Disillusioned voters in France are turning to Marine Le Pen's far-right party ahead of regional elections amid frustration over rising crime, immigration and an aloof elite. Abdel Denfer, from the northern Hauts-de-France region, is one such voter. He gave up on the political elite and backed Le Pen's National Rally after a group of gypsies were allowed to reside on land near his home. The pensioner complained the Roma had been a nuisance, burning tires, quarrelling with one another and upsetting locals. Their presence was the final straw, he said, after years of broken promises by a political elite that no longer listened. Fears over crime and lack of jobs for youngsters are two key reasons why the de-industrialised and rural north is a far-right stronghold. 'Enough of being on the podium for the region with the highest unemployment, of our voices not being heard,' Denfer said, driving through Roubaix, a deprived town near the Belgian border where vines pushed through boarded up red-brick houses. Marine Le Pen (C) and RN's candidate for the regional election in Normandy Nicolas Bay (L) hold a press conference in Nesle-Hodeng, Normandy, on June 7 as part of the campaign Far-right leader Marine le Pen campaigns at an open air market of Six-Fours-les-Plages, southern France, Thursday Living in a region scarred by industrial decline, Denfer voted socialist for years before dallying with the centre-right. In Sunday's regional elections, he will cast his ballot instead for Le Pen's Rassemblement National party. For Le Pen, the vote is a test of her credibility and her success in detoxifying her party's image and eating into the mainstream right's vote ahead of a 2022 presidential election. The far-right, which runs some ten town halls including the southern city of Perpignan, has never controlled a region, which come with multi-billion euro budgets and responsibility for economic development, high schools and transport. Polls show the Rassemblement National, founded as the Front National by Le Pen's father, ahead in six regions but likely to face a wave of alliance building and tactical voting in the second round to keep it out. French President Emmanuel Macron arrives to meet people in a street of Poix-de-Picardie on Thursday The party's best chance lies in Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, the southern region encompassing the glitzy Riviera and Marseille's rough banlieues, where immigration drives the right-wing vote. But the north provides a snapshot of the frustration nationwide at rising crime, job insecurity and an aloof elite. Victory in a regional contest would boost the credentials of a party perceived by a growing number as less dangerous to democracy than a decade ago, said Brice Teinturier, an analyst with pollster IPSOS. 'The more the French see and know far-right voters, the less reluctant they will be to do it themselves,' Teinturier said. Le Pen maintains her tough stance on security, Islam and immigration but has softened her vitriolic attacks on Europe, dropping her call for an exit of the euro single currency. Her campaign to woo traditional mainstream voters comes at a time the electorate is wheeling to the right, but for many French voting for the far-right remains unimaginable. Denfer said his brother no longer spoke to him. In the northern city of Lille's shopping district, several young voters said their contemporaries increasingly talked of Le Pen as a serious and capable candidate. French President Emmanuel Macron attends a meeting with French far-right National Rally party leader Marine Le Pen at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2019 'There's more and more talk of Le Pen among my age group,' said 19-year-old university student Marieke Vandermeersch. 'It's worrying. I don't agree with the far-right's views and the fact that their ideas are taking root here, where I live, scares me.' Polls show the Rassemblement National securing about 26% of the vote in Sunday's first round, similar to its score in 2015. That year, a determined 'front republicain' - rival candidates forming alliances to block Le Pen and tactical voting by citizens - prevented the far-right from winning a single region. It is less clear how solid that front will be now as the parties jockey for position ahead of 2022 and the boundary between the mainstream right and far-right becomes more blurred, analysts say. In the northern town of Wattrelos this week, the far-right's lead candidate Sebastian Chenu distributed fliers lampooning the incumbent conservative's record on safeguarding factories and jobs. He expressed optimism the far-right would conquer its first regional authority. 'Glass ceilings are there to be punched through,' he said. An eastern Sydney limousine driver's Covid-19 vaccination history and mask use habits are under scrutiny after he came down with the virus and infected at least two other people. A new health alert, meanwhile, has been issued for a fruit grocer in inner west Sydney's Leichhardt, joining numerous east Sydney venues. The Covid-19 outbreak in Sydney's east on Thursday grew to four cases after a woman in her 70s was exposed to the virus at the Belle Cafe in Vaucluse and a mystery case popped up in the city's north west. The alarm about the latest outbreak was sounded on Wednesday when NSW Health discovered a man in his 60s and his wife had tested positive for Covid-19. It is also unclear if the man - who has the contagious Indian Delta virus variant - was wearing personal protective equipment as required for frontline workers (pictured, testing at Bondi on Thursday) The Bondi man works as a limo driver transporting international flight crews. Police are investigating whether he breached any health orders, which require those working around the hotel quarantine system to be tested for the virus daily. The man was first tested for the virus on June 15, when he returned a positive reading. It's unclear when he began working in the system and only sought Covid-19 testing when his employer requested he do so. It is also unclear if the man - who has the contagious Indian Delta virus variant - was wearing personal protective equipment as required for frontline workers, or if he had been vaccinated. Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the fact transmission had occurred outside the man's household was concerning, but NSW's track record on suppressing Covid-19 was reassuring. The Covid-19 outbreak in Sydney's east on Thursday grew to four cases after a woman in her 70s was exposed to the virus at the Belle Cafe in Vaucluse and a mystery case popped up in the city's north west (pictured, testing in Bondi on Thursday) 'There have been 190,000 people go through the Sydney hotel quarantine system and there's been a handful of issues over that time,' Mr Hazzard told ABC radio on Thursday. 'This particular driver was bound by the public health orders which require him to have masks, PPE, when he was picking up international travellers. He was required to have salivary tests each day he was working. 'The system has always relied on policy constructs, trying to encourage people to have the vaccine... in terms of forcing people to have a vaccine, in any walk of life, it's not been something governments have thought appropriate.' Additionally, a man in his 40s has tested virus-positive in the Baulkham Hills area. But NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant cautioned this might be a false positive or an old case as the viral load in his system was very low. Mr Hazzard later said that 'on balance' the result was indeed a false positive. Western Australia and South Australia have nevertheless moved to enact restrictions, shutting the border for those who attended virus exposure sites. An infected man is believed to have shipped at the Leichhardt Harris Farm on Tuesday between 9.50am and 10.05am Victoria on Thursday evening took the same step, with residents from the City of Sydney, Waverley and Woollahra council areas obliged to obtain a travel permit, get tested and isolate until they receive a negative result if they cross the Murray. WA Premier Mark McGowan says authorities are 'carefully and closely' monitoring the situation and will reimpose hard border arrangements with NSW if deemed necessary. The outbreak could also mean NSW reintroduces some restrictions ahead of the school holiday period, which begins on June 26. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian urged everyone to act with caution. SYDNEY VENUES EXPOSED TO COVID-19 - Anyone who attended the following venue at the time listed must get tested and self-isolate for 14 days from the date they were at the venue, regardless of the result. Bondi Junction, Events Cinema, Sunday, June 13 - 1.30pm-4.00pm Bondi Junction to North Sydney 200 Bus, From Bondi Junction interchange to Blue St, North Sydney (near North Sydney Station) Tuesday 15 June. Departed approx. 4.25pm, arrived approx. 5pm - Anyone who attended the following venues at the listed times must call NSW Health on 1800 943 553, get tested and self-isolate until you receive further advice. Vaucluse, Belle Cafe, Friday, June 11 - 9.15am-9.50am, Saturday, June 12 - 11.20pm-1.50pm, Sunday, June 13 - 11.30am-12.00pm, Tuesday, June 15 - 9.50am-10.25am Bondi Junction, Sourdough Cafe, Friday, June 11 - 12.40pm-1.10pm Vaucluse, Belle Cafe, Saturday, June 12 - 10.20am-10.45am Bondi Junction, David Jones, Saturday, June 12 - 11.00am-11.40am Bondi Junction, Myer, Saturday, June 12 - 11.10-12.15pm Events Cinema Bondi Junction: (all screenings other than the Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard), Sunday June 13, 1.30pm-4pm. Vaucluse, Washoku Vaucluse, Saturday, June 12 - 12.00pm-1.30pm Vaucluse, Rocco's, Monday, June 14 - 10.55am-11.30am North Ryde, Celeste Catering Macquarie Park Cemetery Cafe, Tuesday, June 15 - 1.00pm-1.20pm Zetland, Coles East Village Shopping Centre, Monday, June 14 - 11.00am-1pm. Zetland, Taste Growers East Village Shopping Centre, Monday, June 14 - 11.00am to 1pm. Redfern, Wax Car Wash Cafe, Monday, June 14 - 12pm-3pm Bondi Junction, Harry's Coffee and Kitchen, Tuesday, June 15 - 3pm-3.40pm Bondi Junction, NAB in Westfield, Tuesday, June 15 - 2.45pm-3.10pm Bondi Junction, David Jones in Westfield, Tuesday June 15 - 3.30pm-4.15pm Vaucluse, Field to Fork, Friday, June 11 - 12pm-4pm Leichhardt, Harris Farm, Tuesday June 15 - 9.50am-10.05am - Anyone who attended the following venue is a casual contact and must immediately get tested and self-isolate until a negative result is received. Bondi Fruitologist, Tuesday June 15 - 1pm-2pm Advertisement Those catching Sydney public transport are advised to wear masks and extra pop-up testing clinics have been set up in Sydney's east. 'Unless you absolutely have to attend a large gathering, absolutely have to engage in activities of a social nature ... we ask everybody to refrain,' she said. Potential exposure venues include a cinema and shopping centre in Bondi Junction, stores in Castle Hill, cafes in Vaucluse and North Ryde, a car wash in Redfern and grocery and fruit stores in Zetland. It also includes the Harris Farm fruit grocer in Leichhardt on Tuesday morning. They are in addition to public health alerts issued last week for venues in the towns of Moree, Forbes, Dubbo and Coonabarabran. A British ex-pat who refused to wear a face mask on the train home from work in Singapore is facing six months in jail after a fellow commuter filmed him and posted footage on Facebook Father-of-two Benjamin Glynn, 39, believes masks are pointless and fail to protect people from contracting Covid-19, so didn't wear one while taking the train home from work. A fellow commuter secretly filmed him and put the clip on social media, prompting officers to arrest him hours later. After 28 hours in a cell, the Yorkshireman was charged with a public nuisance offence. Mr Glynn claims officers said he faces up to six months behind bars, if found guilty. Father-of-two Benjamin Glynn, 39, believes masks are pointless and fail to protect people from contracting Covid-19, so didn't wear one while taking the train home from work in Singapore Glynn is a British expat originally from Helmsley, Yorkshire, who is now stuck in Singapore awaiting trial after Singapore police arrested him on May 8 for not wearing a mask on public transport the day before Mr Glynn's passport was confiscated, meaning he couldn't return to the UK as planned with his partner and two children - aged five and two. He also lost a new job he was due to start in the UK and fears he could have to spend as much as 12 months on bail before his trial. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, is assisting him. Mr Glynn said: 'I had no idea anyone had even been filming, but it turned out a video of me unmasked on the late train home from work surfaced online. 'The police obviously saw it and the next day they were at the door. 'I don't believe there is any evidence that masks protect you from Covid-19. 'Normally I would just tell people I'm exempt and it had never posed any issues before. 'But now I'm stuck here without my family and I don't even know when I will appear in court, never mind what my sentence will be. 'All for something I don't even believe in.' Mr Glynn had been working for a Singapore branch of a British recruitment company since January 2017. Weeks before he was due to return to the UK for a new job, he was filmed without a mask near Raffles Place, the financial district of Singapore, on May 7. In Singapore it is mandatory to wear a mask when residents leave their homes, with very few exceptions. Glynn also lost a new job he was due to start in the UK and fears he could have to spend as much as 12 months on bail before his trial 'I never normally wear a mask but this is the first time it has been an issue,' he said. 'I had no idea anyone had even been filming until the police were at the door - I've never even seen the video because it was removed before I had chance.' Police knocked on his door on the evening of May 8 and arrested him while his family were asleep, he said. Mr Glynn said he was told he was being charged with being a 'public nuisance', after he was spotted un-masked on a train the day before. His arrest papers confirm the charge and set his bail bond at 270. The anti-masker spent two days in a holding cell before being released the following Monday on bail. He said officers warned him it could take 12 months for the case to come to trial, and he will face up to six months in jail if he is found guilty. The Foreign Office said they were assisting Glynn Mr Glynn, whose family returned to Leeds on May 31, said: 'This whole situation is ridiculous. 'I want to leave the country anyway - just let me go! 'I think it's insane that I am facing a trial at all, just for not wearing a mask.' He is now out of work because he was due to transfer to a position back in the UK, which has now been revoked. 'It's a horrible situation to be in when I don't know when I can next see my family,' he said. 'Especially when I don't even believe masks stop the spread of the virus in the first place. 'I honestly believe it's a hoax - I don't feel there is any evidence to show mask-wearing is effective in any way. 'From a scientific basis, I think it's nonsense. 'But now all I can do is wait.' A spokesperson for the Singapore Police said: 'As information related to police investigations are confidential in nature, we are unable to comment further on the case.' A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: 'We are assisting a British man who is awaiting trial in Singapore, and have been in contact with the local police about his case.' Dr Craig Blower, who at the time was practising at Groves Medical Centre in New Malden, south London, reversed into another car before passing out in the driver's seat, a disciplinary tribunal heard A GP has been suspended after he downed almost an entire bottle of gin and then crashed into another car while just under six times the drink drive limit. Dr Craig Blower, who at the time was practising at Groves Medical Centre in New Malden, south London, reversed into another car before passing out in the driver's seat, a disciplinary tribunal heard. Before hitting the car, the GP had stopped in the middle of the road and was revving his engine as he struggled to control his vehicle. The tribunal heard: 'A witness reported to the police that Dr Blower had stopped his car in the middle of the road. He was seen revving the engine and appeared to be having difficulty controlling his car. 'He then reversed the car into a parking space and struck another car. Dr Blower then appeared to pass out in the driver's seat. It was at this point that the witness called the police. 'When the police arrived, Dr Blower was removed from his car and admitted that he was drunk. He was subsequently arrested and conveyed to the police station.' At the police station, two readings of Dr Blower's breath were taken - one was 201 and the other was 191 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. In England, the alcohol limit for drivers is 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath - making Dr Blower's alcohol consumption almost six times the legal limit. The doctor - who trained at Imperial College London's esteemed faculty of medicine - told police he had 'relapsed' when he bought the gin. He explained he did not want his partner to see him consume alcohol and that was why he drunk it in his car after buying the bottle from a local supermarket. Before hitting the car, the GP had stopped in the middle of the road and was revving his engine as he struggled to control his vehicle. Pictured: Groves Medical Centre in New Malden, south London The tribunal heard that prior to the incident in August 2019, Dr Blower was suffering from exam-related stress. At South West London Magistrates' Court, Dr Blower pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. He was sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment suspended for 12 months, 100 hours of unpaid work and disqualification from driving for 36 months. The Medical Professional Tribunal in Manchester has now suspended Dr Blower from practising as a doctor for three months. At South West London Magistrates' Court, Dr Blower pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol Tribunal Chair Margaret Obi said: 'In considering the wider public interest, the Tribunal noted that Dr Blower's conviction is towards the serious end of the spectrum. 'In particular, the Tribunal noted Dr Blower had put other road users at risk of harm due to his excessive consumption of alcohol. 'The Tribunal concluded that it is necessary to mark the seriousness of Dr Blower's conviction and to send a signal to Dr Blower, the profession and public. 'Accordingly, the Tribunal was satisfied that the statutory overarching objective would be met with the imposition of a period of suspension upon Dr Blower's registration.' Ukraine has launched a major raid on a Russian-linked hacking network even as Vladimir Putin shrugged off Joe Biden's threat to get tough on cyber criminals. Ukrainian police, accompanied by Korean officers, arrested six people on Wednesday accused of belonging to a hacking group known as Cl0p. The group as a whole is accused of attacking hundreds of companies including in the US and Korea, and last year was paid a $6million Bitcoin ransom by one firm. It mirrors similar attacks by other Russian-linked groups in recent months, including on JBS meat processing plants and the Colonial Pipeline - which saw a combined $15million in ransom paid to hackers. Ukraine's action stands in stark contrast to Putin's response when pressed by Joe Biden over hacking at their summit yesterday, which was to deny that Russia is the main source of attacks on US computer networks. Ukraine says it has arrested six people linked to the Cl0p hacking group which is accused of carrying out attacks on hundreds of firms including in the US Ukrainian police said they had carried out raids targeting six suspects Wednesday who they did not name for fear of hurting their investigation, Vice reported. Officers also searched 21 addresses around the capital Kiev, seizing computers, cars and around 5million Ukrainian hryvnia, or $185,000. The suspects have each been charged with hacking and money laundering, and are facing up to eight years in jail each. However, it is not clear exactly what part they played in Cl0p - a hacking group described as 'ruthless', 'sophisticated', and 'almost tireless' by those who track it. The group, also known as TA505 and FIN11, has been active since at least 2019 and has attacked hundreds of companies in that time. They operate by installing a virus on a firm's network which then harvests data and can be used to lock the system down. Hackers then issue a ransom demand to the afflicted firm, demanding cash to unlock the computers and/or prevent their data being leaked online. The group's dark-net site currently contains information from almost 60 firms including the likes of Shell, Stanford University, and the University of California. Cl0p has been linked to Russia by security firm FireEye, which says the virus the hackers used has been designed to detect whether the computers it infects use Russian-language keyboards. If they do, then the bug will destroy itself without causing any harm. Experts say the fail-safe shows the groups are either working with the Russia state, or else have come to the understanding that as long as they don't target the country, their activities will be allowed to continue. Arrests were made on the same day Biden met with Putin and pressured him to take action against cybercriminals, a demand the Russian leader largely brushed off Ukrainian police say they seized around $180,000 in cash, along with computer equipment and cars from the alleged hackers Experts have long believed that Cl0p has been operating out of the former Soviet bloc, likely with the blessing of the Russian state (pictured, a car is confiscated) Some data linked to the hackers is also written in the Russian language and they appear to stop working during Russian public holidays, FireEye added. Cl0p's methods mirror those used by other Russian-linked groups such as DarkSide, which the CIA blamed for the recent attack on the Colonial Pipeline. The Colonial Pipeline Company revealed on May 7 that it had been hit by a ransomware attack that had forced it to take the pipeline - which supplies about half the east coast's gasoline - offline. It was only brought back online after the firm paid some $4.4million to hackers in Bitcoin, but still caused panic-buying and price hikes in some states. Meat processing firm JBS was also hit by a similar attack two weeks ago, which shut down abattoirs in the US, Canada and Australia. The firm said it had paid some $11million to the hackers after the 'sophisticated' attack took all of its beef processing plants in the US offline for a day - threatening food shortages and price hikes. FBI investigators subsequently blamed the attack on REvil, another group thought to operate out of eastern Euro with ties to Russia. Another major security breach that was also linked to Russia was the SolarWinds hack last year, that compromised large sections of the US government, NATO, and other global bodies. In response to the increasing attacks, G7 leaders including President Biden issued a joint statement following their meeting in Cornwall last week calling out Russia over its tactic backing of the hackers. The statement specifically called on Putin to 'identify, disrupt, and hold to account those within its borders who conduct ransomware attacks, abuse virtual currency to launder ransoms, and other cybercrimes.' Biden warned Putin against attacks on American infrastructure at their summit yesterday, while Putin hit back - claiming the US is the top proponent of cyberattacks Two weeks ago, meat processing plant JBS was hit by a major ransomware attack and was forced to pay $11million to hackers to get its plants back online Last month, hackers also shut down the Colonial Pipeline which supplies half of the East Coast's fuel, forcing the firm to pay $4million The same issue was raised by Biden with the Russian strongman during three hours of talks in Geneva on Wednesday. Biden said he handed Putin a list of 16 industries that the US considered 'off limits' in terms of hacks, including critical infrastructure such as energy and water. Should any of them come under attack in the future, Biden said he would use America's 'significant cyber capability' to hit back at Russia - hinting that it could include taking out a vital oil pipeline on which much of the economy relies. But at a press conference afterwards, Putin largely brushed off the threat - claiming it is the US, not Russia, which is mostly responsible for cyberattacks. He has previously dismissed claims that attacks are being made by Russians or the Russian state as 'farcical'. Even Joe Biden was forced to subsequently admit in a verbal sparring match with a reporter that he is 'not confident' Putin will take action. Instead, Biden said he was hoping to use the threat of action by the US and its allies to force Putin to crack down. 'I said what will change their behavior is if the rest of the world reacts to them and it diminishes their standing in the world. I'm not confident of anything. I'm just stating the facts,' Biden said. All over-18s will be able to get Covid vaccines from tomorrow as the NHS reaches the last hurdle in its plan to offer jabs to everyone by July. The last step down through the age groups will mean any adult in Britain can get a Covid vaccine if they want one. Matt Hancock confirmed that 18, 19 and 20-year-olds will start to get invite texts and letters from the health service tomorrow. The Health Secretary, who is under immense pressure after Dominic Cummings leaked texts appearing to show Boris Johnson admitting he was 'f***ing hopeless', made the announcement at an NHS conference today. The rollout had opened up to 21-year-olds yesterday, and will tomorrow take its last step into the teens. It comes as huge queues formed across the capital today, with young Londoners rushing to get their Covid jab at walk-in clinics and over-40s cutting the wait to get their second vaccinations. Around 200 people were spotted lining up outside a pharmacy before it had even opened in north Greenwich, south-east London, this morning. Danny Thorpe, leader of the borough's council, likened the rush to get a first dose of the jab to a 'social media event' among the younger generation, adding that people are 'turning out in their droves'. Health Secretary Matt Hancock, speaking at an NHS conference today, confirmed that vaccines would be available to 18, 19 and 20-year-olds for the first time from tomorrow Around 200 people were spotted lining up outside a pharmacy (pictured above) before it had even opened in north Greenwich, south-east London, this morning More than half of UK adults have received both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, putting it far ahead of the rest of Europe Breakdown of vaccinations per London borough Barking and Dagenham: 97,512 received first dose, 64,346 had second Barnet: 217,752 and 157,294 Bexley: 145,971 and 103,854 Brent: 182,088 and 121,665 Bromley: 204,678 and 146,724 Camden: 123,418 and 76,173 Croydon: 203,176 and 139,533 Ealing: 200,777 and 127,355 Enfield: 180,226 and 138,748 Greenwich: 149,877 and 96,836 Hackney: 129,979 and 71,987 Hammersmith and Fulham: 100,873 and 58,778 Haringey: 137,710 and 85,662 Harrow: 154,766 and 110,511 Havering: 149,936 and 109,275 Hillingdon: 174,437 and 120,257 Hounslow: 164,657 and 102,401 Islington: 118,010 and 67,977 Kensington and Chelsea: 79,566 and 52,741 Kingston: 107,763 and 67,257 Lambeth: 172,669 and 104,699 Lewisham: 152,650 and 92,516 Merton: 92,516 and 79,402 Newham: 163,438 and 96,028 Redbridge: 96,028 and 108,927 Richmond: 130,027 and 82,930 Southwark: 164,043 and 97,540 Sutton: 124,075 and 86,468 Tower Hamlets: 149,047 and 76,884 Waltham Forest: 138,879 and 85,529 Wandsworth: 191,101 and 108,668 Westminster: 115,840 and 72,571 City of London: 5,063 and 3,110 Advertisement Mr Hancock said: 'As of this afternoon we have given a first dose of vaccine to four out of every five adults in the United Kingdom. 'And the speed of deployment means that tomorrow we can open vaccination to everyone over the age of 18. 'I think its an incredible achievement on the vaccination side.' Speaking at a separate NHS conference on Tuesday, Sir Simon Stevens the head of the health service said: 'It is now very important that we use the next four weeks to finish the job to the greatest extent possible for the Covid vaccination programme, which has been a historic signature achievement, in terms of the effectiveness of delivery by the National Health Service with over 60million doses now administered.' It follows Greenwich Council offering vaccinations at walk-in and pop-up clinics with no booking required. Depending on which pharmacy and people's age, patients do not need proof of address, immigration status, ID or an NHS number. Other boroughs also taking part in the initiative include Bexley, Bromley, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark. Meanwhile, Dr Vin Diwakar, the medical director for the NHS in London, has encouraged over-40s in the capital to make sure they get their second dose within eight weeks, after health chiefs reduced the dosing gap because of the rapid spread of the Indian variant. More than half of UK adults have received both doses of a Covid vaccine, putting it far ahead of the rest of Europe. Mr Thorpe told the Evening Standard: 'What this increasingly shows is that far from being a city of hesitancy, as we move into younger age groups, Londoners now want to see the back of Covid. 'People are turning out in their droves. Particularly for the younger generation, this is becoming a social media event. We are spreading the word through all our channels and seeing an amazing, amazing response.' Dr Diwakar added: 'To ensure maximum protection, I urge all Londoners to book in their second dose as soon as possible.' The newspaper previously reported that at least 100,000 jabs a day have to be handed out in London for the Prime Minister to reach his target. Boris Johnson is aiming for all people aged over 18 to have a first dose of the jab and for two thirds of adults to have both doses by July 19. It comes as analysis suggests the chance of getting Covid after being vaccinated drops sharply 21 days following a first dose. People who become infected post-vaccination are also less likely to have symptoms than those who test positive for the virus but who have not been jabbed. The findings have been published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and are based on a sample of adults who had received the vaccine up to May 31. They suggest the risk of infection increases following a first dose, peaking at around 16 days. There is then a 'strong decrease' in risk up to around one month after the first dose, and the risk then declines slowly but steadily. Danny Thorpe, leader of the borough's council, likened the rush to get a first dose of the jab to a 'social media event' among the younger generation (pictured: vaccination queues at the Day Lewis Pharmacy in Greenwich today) Rates of infection post-vaccination are likely to be very low, however. Out of a sample of 297,493 people vaccinated, 1,477 (0.5 per cent) were subsequently found to have a new positive infection of Covid-19. There was a very slight difference between whether the person had received the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine (0.8 per cent of the total) and Oxford/AstraZeneca (0.3 per cent). From a sample of 210,918 adults who had received both doses of vaccine, just 0.1 per cent were subsequently found to have a new positive infection. Possible explanations for infection shortly after getting the vaccine include someone catching Covid-19 before they had received a jab, or exposure to Covid-19 at a vaccination centre, the ONS said. The analysis came as separate figures suggests cases of Covid-19 are 'rising exponentially' across England, driven by younger and mostly unvaccinated age groups. A study commissioned by the Government found infections increased 50 per cent between May 3 and June 7, coinciding with the rise of the Delta coronavirus variant which was first detected in India and is now dominant in the UK. Data from nearly 110,000 swab tests carried out across England between May 20 and June 7 suggests Covid-19 cases are doubling every 11 days, with the highest prevalence in north-west England and one in 670 people infected. Meanwhile, Downing Street has said that the Government wanted people to travel abroad 'as soon as it is safe to do so' but stressed that no decisions had been made about opening up holidays for those who had received both doses. The Prime Minister's official spokesman told a Westminster briefing: 'As we have always set out, we want people to be able to travel abroad as soon as it is safe to do so. 'Currently we have set out a traffic light system for international travel. We are always learning more about the virus and its variants. 'At this stage in the pandemic, our current approach is the right one, but we keep our measures under review, and that was set out clearly in both the road map and the Global Travel Taskforce report. 'On the point about double vaccinations, absolutely no decisions have been made on that.' A mother accused of murdering her six week old baby boy by shaking him to death previously 'assaulted' another of her children, a court heard. Chelsea Cuthbertson, 28, denies shaking Malakai Watts so hard he suffered catastrophic head injuries, but doctors allegedly discovered his cardiac arrest was most likely caused by a 'non-accidental injury'. He was rushed to hospital from her flat in Hythe, near Southampton, Hants, but tragically died four days later after he was taken off life support. Malakai was 'grey from head to toe' when police arrived at the two-bed flat on February 2 2019, a jury was told. The court has heard he died of a head injury and an examination discovered several other injuries, including eight fractured ribs, at least one being from a previous incident. Today at Winchester Crown Court, Hants, Cuthbertson's partner Dell Watts, 44, said the mother had harmed one of her other children in the past. Chelsea Cuthbertson (pictured at Winchester Crown Court earlier hearing) denies murdering her child despite doctors claiming death was most likely caused by a 'non-accidental injury' A jury was told the pair each had a son from previous relationships before they met in August 2014. While cross-examining Mr Watts, Joanna Martin QC, defending Cuthbertson, said: 'Both [children] were living with the other partners for different reasons. 'Chelsea told you very early on in your relationship that she had assaulted [her first born]. 'She was 19 and she suffered from post natal depression. She had done something terrible to him. 'She had pressed on his forehead and left bruises on his forehead. 'Although she hadn't told the truth initially to the father and grandfather, she accepted it when she was interviewed by the police and she was given something called a community resolution.' Dell Watts, 43, (left outside court yesterday), told the jury Cuthbertson (right) had previously injured another of her children and had been handed a community resolution by the police Mr Watts confirmed Cuthbertson told him she had assaulted her child and she had been suffering from post natal depression when they first met. The court heard Cuthbertson and Mr Watts also had four children together, including Malakai. Mr Watts said he had stayed in contact with Cuthbertson 'because I love her to death' despite believing she had murdered Malakai. Ms Martin said: 'You have consistently lied to the authorities, whether it's the police, social services or family court, about your contact with Chelsea.' Mr Watts said: 'I wanted her to tell me the truth and I have always tried to get the truth out of her but she won't talk about it.' Ms Martin revealed several Google searches Mr Watts had carried out on his phone during the relationship, including 'How can I kill Chelsea?' and 'How do I find out if my Mrs is messaging other blokes?'. Ms Martin questioned Mr Watts over the rib injury which was dated as being sustained around 7 to 12 days before Malakai's death. She explained that on January 28, about nine days before the infant's death, Mr Watts messaged his boss to say he had to take Malakai into hospital. Ms Martin asked him: 'Bearing in mind this is around the time of the earlier rib fracture... Had something happened to Malakai overnight when you were there?' Mr Watts denied anything was wrong, and said he lied to his boss about needing to go to the hospital, so he could miss work and take Malakai and his twin sister to be registered at the doctor's surgery. At Winchester Crown Court (pictured), Mr Watts confirmed Cuthbertson told him she had assaulted her child and she had been suffering from post natal depression when they first met However, Cuthbertson also messaged her friend Shannon to say both she and Mr Watts had been 'up all night' with Malakai and were taking him to the doctor, so she couldn't meet her friend that day. Mr Watts denied any knowledge of Malakai being in any pain. Sally Howes QC, prosecuting, told jurors there was an 'escalating resentment' in the couple's 'love hate' relationship which was evident in text messages Cuthbertson had sent to Mr Watts. She said Cuthbertson was frustrated with Mr Watts because she felt he did not help around the house and with the children, particularly when he returned to work shortly after Malakai was born. Some of those text messages were read out in court by Ms Howes, with Cuthbertson writing 'I'm sick of doing everything and being in all the time', 'my home isn't a hotel and it's just going back to when you lived here before' and 'people make time for their family, you never do'. Ms Howes added: 'These texts indicated an escalating resentment towards Dell Watts.' The court heard the couple argued the night before Malakai stopped breathing and in the morning shortly before Cuthbertson called for an ambulance. Ms Howes said: 'Her resentment and anger reached such a point that morning that she took it out on Malakai, squeezing him around the chest, shaking him and then causing an impact to his head. 'Her intention at that time must have been to cause him harm even if the catalyst was to take out her resentment on him.' Cuthbertson denies murder. The trial continues. Advertisement What were the key failings identified in the report? 1 - Security ignoring a parent's warning about Abedi: Chris Wild, who was waiting with his partner for their 14-year-old daughter, approached Abedi and spoke to him before the bomb went off. At 10.14pm he then spoke to a security guard called Mohammed Agha who was on duty in the City Room. Sir John Saunders said this was the 'most striking missed opportunity and the one that is likely to have made a significant difference.' 2 - Guard's failure to report Abedi to supervisors after fearing confronting him could be 'racist': At 10.23pm, eight minutes before the blast, Mr Agha spoke to his colleague Kyle Lawler, who went to look at Abedi. Lawler told the inquiry that Abedi appeared to have a slightly nervous reaction to being looked at and seemed 'fidgety' but he felt 'conflicted' about what to do and was fearful of being branded a racist and would be in trouble if he got it wrong. 3 - Police going to get a kebab, leaving Arena's foyer unguarded: British Transport Police officers could have been patrolling as Abedi approached Manchester Arena, but instead two drove away for a kebab on a two-hour lunch break. 4 - No security checks on mezzanine level where Abedi was hiding: The chairman drew attention to the lack of a check by Showsec steward Jordan Beak on the mezzanine level of the City Room foyer where Abedi was hiding. 'This was a significant missed opportunity,' Sir John said. 5 - Security guards' lack of alertness over attack risk: Mohammed Agha had a previous opportunity to spot Abedi when Abedi arrived in the City Room foyer at 9.33pm. 'Had Mohammed Agha been more alert to the risk of a terrorist attack, he had sufficient time to form the view that Salman Abedi was suspicious and required closer attention,' Sir John said. 6 - No police officers on guard at mezzanine level from 10pm to 10.30pm when there should have been at least one: There were no British Transport Police officers in the City Room during the period 10pm to 10.31pm and there should have been at least one. If they had been present Abedi could have been spotted. 7, 8 and 9 - Failure to spot three hostile surveillance runs: Abedi visited the arena to carry out hostile reconnaissance, after his return from visiting his parents in Libya on May 18, and on May 21, and the afternoon of May 22, the day of the attack, which represented three opportunities to stop him. The CCTV was overwritten and it is not possible to know whether Abedi visited the arena before his departure for Libya on April 15. Advertisement Manchester Arena suicide bomber Salman Abedi should have been identified as a threat to security on the night he killed 22, a public inquiry ruled today - as it revealed nine missed opportunities to stop the deadliest attack on British soil since 2005. Inquiry chair Sir John Saunders said Arena operator SMG, its security provider Showsec and British Transport Police, who patrolled the area adjoining Manchester Victoria rail station, were 'principally responsible' for the failings. In a blistering summary, he criticised 'serious shortcomings' by stewards for Showsec, particularly after a worried parent drew their attention to the bomber lurking around suspiciously for nearly an hour but a poorly-trained security guard did not want to confront him for fear of being called racist. He also slammed British Transport Police after officers drove five miles for a kebab over a two-hour lunch break, leaving no one on duty in the City Room Foyer, where Abedi blew himself up on May 22, 2017 during an Ariana Grande concert. Sir John said he considered it was likely the bomber, 22, would still have detonated his device if confronted 'but the loss of life and injury is highly likely to have been less'. In one of his main recommendations, Sir John gave his backing to a law to force venues with over 100 guests to seek security advice and to implement 'reasonable' measures. He proposed an enforcement process similar to the current health and safety laws and said government would have to pay for more officers to carry it out. The government has already launched a four-month consultation which is due to end on July 2. The law, known as a 'Protect Duty' had been dubbed Martyn's Law, after Martyn Hett, one of the victims of the attack. The chairman said progress on the law, which was deemed 'unlikely' in a parliamentary report three years ago, was a 'testament to the efforts of Figen Murray', Martyn's mother. 'After this report we are one step closer to ensuring that a difference can be made,' said Ms Murray. 'Now the recommendations have to be acted upon by the government, so that all venues have security and that no other families have to go through what we have.' On the night of the attack, Manchester-born Abedi, of Libyan descent, walked across the City Room foyer towards an exit door and detonated his shrapnel-laden device, packed into his bulging rucksack, at 10.31pm just as thousands, including many children, left the concert. Sir John said: 'No-one knows what Salman Abedi would have done had he been confronted before 10.31pm. We know that only one of the 22 killed entered the City Room before 10.14pm. Eleven of those who were killed came from the Arena concourse doors into the City Room after 10.30pm.' Sir John said: 'The security arrangements for the Manchester Arena should have prevented or minimised the devastating impact of the attack. They failed to do so. There were a number of opportunities which were missed leading to this failure. 'Salman Abedi should have been identified on 22nd May 2017 as a threat by those responsible for the security of the Arena and a disruptive intervention undertaken. Had that occurred, I consider it likely that Salman Abedi would still have detonated his device, but the loss of life and injury is highly likely to have been less.' He said Arena operator SMG, its security provider Showsec and British Transport Police, who patrolled the area adjoining Manchester Victoria rail station, were 'principally responsible' for the missed opportunities. Paul Hett, the father of Martyn Hett, 29, who died in the arena bombing, said: 'Our wonderful son Martin lost his life in the Manchester Arena attack. Since then our lives have been torn apart and we were heartbroken to find that Martin had just been in the wrong place at the wrong time. 'We entrusted the lives of our loved ones to organisations who we believed had a duty of care to protect them. This inquiry has rightly found that we were failed by them on every level. 'This atrocity should and could have been prevented, and 22 people would not have lost their lives.' Abedi at Victoria Station making his way to the Manchester Arena, on May 22, 2017, where he detonated his bomb Abedi sitting in the foyer at Manchester Arena, where police officers should have been on patrol and confronted him A timeline of terror: How police and security blundering allowed bomber to strike 6pm At 6pm the doors to the Manchester Arena were opened and 14,200 people flooded into the stadium. Some of those arriving had been given the tickets to watch Ariana Grande as a Christmas or birthday present. 8.30pm Terrorist Abedi is caught on CCTV arriving at the neighbouring Victoria Metrolink Station. He has his packed rucksack on his shoulders and heads to the public toilets, where he remains for ten minutes. 8.49pm British Transport Police PCSO's conduct a security sweep moments after Abedi left the toilets. They missed him by 59 seconds. 8.51pm The killer is then spotted in the City Room - the foyer of the Manchester Arena. He had taken a lift from the toilets to the footbridge and into the concourse. He remained here for 19 minutes and was unseen. Then he moved to the Metrolink platform and sat down for 16 minutes. 9.36pm A BTP officer and PCSO returned to the area after spending two hours on a break getting kebabs. By mere minutes, they missed the terrorist walking from the station to the City Room. 9.29pm The terrorist arrived in the City Room and stayed until people began filing out. 10.15pm A member of the public approaches security about Abedi. The security guard then goes to his colleague who tries to radio it in, but they said the line was busy. 10.31pm The terrorist detonated his device, killing the 22 innocents standing in the foyer. Another 264 were injured. 10.33pm Greater Manchester Police are alerted to the bomb blast, and within six minutes it is declared a major incident. 10.42pm The first paramedic arrived at Victoria station. Two more follow but they are the only ones to enter the arena over the whole evening. Armed police also arrive and close the road. There are 12 ambulances by 10.49pm. 12.37am Three fire crews get there at 12.37am. They had earlier been told to wait three miles away at Philips Park Fire Station. 2.46am By this time everyone injured had been removed from the scene. Advertisement BTP officers were supposed to be present in the foyer at the end of the concert, but they took a two-hour meal break on the night of attack and were patrolling the nearby station when the bomb went off. Two officers drove five miles to get a kebab during a two-hour meal break on the night of attack while two others took a 90-minute meal break. He added: 'Across these organisations, there were also failings by individuals who played a part in causing the opportunities to be missed.' The inquiry heard Abedi made three reconnaissance trips to the venue, adjoining Manchester Victoria railway station, before his fateful last journey and noticed a CCTV blind spot on the raised mezzanine level of the City Room. Abedi, dressed in black, crouched down upstairs for nearly an hour, occasionally praying, before he walked down to the foyer. A concerned Christopher Wild, waiting with his partner to pick up her daughter, earlier approached Abedi upstairs and said he asked him what was in his rucksack but he did not reply. When further pressed, Abedi told him he was 'waiting for someone' and asked for the time. Mr Wild thought 'nervous' Abedi looked out of place and raised his concerns at about 10.15pm with Showsec steward Mohammed Agha, who was guarding an exit door, but told the inquiry he felt 'fobbed off'. It was another eight minutes before Mr Agha relayed the concerns to colleague Kyle Lawler as the former had no radio to the security control room and did not believe he could leave his post, the inquiry heard. Mr Lawler told the inquiry that he was worried that if he did approach Abedi he might be branded a racist. Showsec is one of the largest stewarding and security companies in the country and provides staff for venues including Manchester City's ground and Twickenham stadium, the inquiry was told. In his report, Sir John said; 'I am satisfied that there were a number of missed opportunities to alter the course of what happened that night. More should have been done. 'The most striking missed opportunity, and the one that is likely to have made a significant difference, is the attempt by Christopher Wild to bring his concerns about Salman Abedi, whom he had already challenged, to the attention of Mohammed Agha. 'Christopher Wild's behaviour was very responsible. He stated that he formed the view that Salman Abedi might 'let a bomb off'. That was sadly all too prescient and makes all the more distressing the fact that no effective steps were taken as a result of the efforts made by Christopher Wild.' Hearings at the public inquiry into the circumstances leading up to and surrounding the attack have been ongoing in the city since September last year. Retired High Court judge Sir John is issuing his findings on a rolling basis, split into three volumes. A further report will follow on the emergency response and the experience of each of those who died, and finally an analysis of whether the atrocity committed by Abedi, could have been prevented. Following the publication of today's report, June Tron, mother of Philip Tron, 32, from Gateshead, who was killed in the attack, said: 'Every life taken in this horrendous attack has destroyed the lives of those close to them and like the many other families affected we don't want anyone else to go through what we have following the loss of Philip. Figen Murray, the mother of Martyn Hett, speaks to the media outside Manchester Magistrates Court this afternoon Following the publication of today's report, June Tron, mother of Philip Tron, 32, from Gateshead, who was killed in the attack, gave a statement to the media She said: 'Every life taken in this horrendous attack has destroyed the lives of those close to them and like the many other families affected we don't want anyone else to go through what we have following the loss of Philip' Undated handout file photos issued by Greater Manchester Police of the 22 victims of the terror attack during the Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena in May 2017. (top row left to right) Off-duty police officer Elaine McIver, 43, Saffie Roussos, 8, Sorrell Leczkowski, 14, Eilidh MacLeod, 14, (second row left to right) Nell Jones, 14, Olivia Campbell-Hardy, 15, Megan Hurley, 15, Georgina Callander, 18, (third row left to right), Chloe Rutherford,17, Liam Curry, 19, Courtney Boyle, 19, and Philip Tron, 32, (fourth row left to right) John Atkinson, 26, Martyn Hett, 29, Kelly Brewster, 32, Angelika Klis, 39, (fifth row left to right) Marcin Klis, 42, Michelle Kiss, 45, Alison Howe, 45, and Lisa Lees, 43 (fifth row left to right) Wendy Fawell, 50 and Jane Tweddle, 51 'It has been extremely hard to listen to evidence which has highlighted how our Government has failed to take extra steps to ensure security is as it should be at venues like this across the country, and how organisations who are supposedly experts in running such venues and events can make so many basic mistakes relating to safety and security. 'We hope that, as a result of this inquiry, many lessons are learned and that laws are introduced and changes made quickly to ensure people can go to a concert or a big public event in confidence that they have the best possible protection.' Neil Hudgell, of Hudgells Solicitors, who represents the bereaved families of Philip Tron and Sorrell Leczkowski, said: 'This inquiry has strongly demonstrated that there was an inexcusable catalogue of failings at every level which made the venue an attractive target to a terrorist attack, failed to deter or prevent the outrage, and as a result contributed to the loss of life and injury. 'Significantly, at the time, despite the country's national threat level for a terrorist attack being classed as severe, the Government did not have laws in place to enforce venues such as the Manchester Arena and other concert venues to take appropriate counter-terrorism measures in such an environment. John Cooper QC, who represents a number of bereaved families, said: 'It is a damning report about the level of security at the arena and not just a matter of turning on 16 and 17-year-olds who were doing their job. 'There were poor risk assessments, areas not being patrolled and a matter for the British Transport Police who were criticised for their attention to detail. These are serious and damning observations being made against all those who were responsible for keeping young people safe.' In the hour before bomber Salman Abedi struck, killing 22, he waited at the back of the City Room foyer before his attack when stewards failed to respond after a worried parent pointed him out Abedi makes his way through Victoria Station on his way to Manchester Arena where he detonated the bomb Pictured: CCTV still image of Salman Abedi at Manchester Arena on May 22, 2017, moments before he detonated his bomb which killed 22 people Police taking a break to get a kebab, door staff with just three minutes of anti-terror training and race fears over approaching Libyan suspect: Damning report reveals nine key failings that saw bomber easily dodge security to kill 22 Manchester Arena Inquiry chairman Sir John Saunders identified nine key opportunities to stop attack. These are listed below. Failing 1: Security ignoring a parent's warning about Abedi Chris Wild, who was waiting with his partner for their 14-year-old daughter, approached Abedi and spoke to him for 1min and 20 secs at 10.11pm, 20 minutes before the bomb went off. At 10.14pm he then spoke to a security guard called Mohammed Agha who was on duty in the City Room. Sir John Saunders said this was the 'most striking missed opportunity and the one that is likely to have made a significant difference.' 'Christopher Wild's behaviour was very responsible. He stated that he formed the view that Salman Abedi 'might set a bomb off.' 'That was sadly all to prescient and makes all the more distressing the fact that no effective steps were taken as a result of efforts made by Christopher Wild.' The chairman said Mohammed Agha could have done more immediately following his conversation with Mr Wild. 'Mohammed Agha did not respond appropriately because he did not take Christopher Wild's concerns as seriously as he should have. Responsibility for this rests both on Mohammed Agha and Showsec,' Sir John said. 'At this point in the events, the concert was not due to finish for another 15 minutes. This was a sufficient period of time both for an investigation of Christopher Wild's concerns and for decisive action to be taken by those in charge of the event.' How Showsec executive urged manager 'not to expect too much' from security guards because 'if they weren't here they'd be flipping burgers' Concerns about the poor skills of security guards had already been raised earlier in the Manchester Arena Inquiry. John Lavery, a former Showsec operations executive, told the panel: 'I'll never forget, when I joined, one of the senior managers, he said 'John, don't expect too much from these people please. If they weren't here they would be flipping burgers'. They were very young, inexperienced, had never seen angry people in their lives, it was a difficult job for them'. Meanwhile, the Arena's management were accused of 'penny pinching' after it emerged that they tried to reduce the number of stewards before the suicide bomb attack to save money on the minimum wage. Families of the victims suggested that if there had been more stewards on duty conducting more checks, it would have put the bomber off targeting the Ariana Grande concert in May 2017. A stewarding review conducted in April 2016, just over a year before the attack, was told that other venues were increasing the number of stewards after the attack on the Bataclan music venue in Paris. James Allen, the general manager for SMG, the arena operator, had also been to a conference in which his French equivalent had talked about increasing the number of staff by 20 per cent. In a document, Miriam Stone, who was head of events at the arena, pointed out: 'It should be noted in the current national security climate that most venues are in the process of increasing staff numbers. Many are carrying out full searches in anyone entering the venue both front and back of house. 'That is something we have resisted for a number of reasons including inconvenience to the public, increased staffing (to the levels or around 5000 + per show) as well as the need for an increased call time to get everyone into the venue in time for the show.' Where full searches had been carried out, for the singer Adele, the costs of those searches 'can be, and are passed on to the promoter as it becomes an 'artist requirement' rather than a venue choice.' In a statement, Ms Stone added: 'SMG is a commercial organisation which was resistant to spending more money that was needed. They also didn't want to look like Fort Knox.' John Cooper QC, for the 12 of the victims' families, said: 'The primary reason seems to be that full searches increase staff and that has been resisted because of cost. You are penny pinchers, you skimp, don't pay for security properly and you put lives at risk.' But Mr Allen told the inquiry: 'I don't believe we were.' He was asked how promoters reacted when they tried to pass on the cost for more security. 'If they want to do it they do it, if they don't they don't,' Mr Allen said. 'If we ask them, then we have to pay, if they ask us, for a reason other than terrorism, it is for them to pay.' In a legal interview after the bombing, Miriam Stone said that every August SMG asked ShowSec, their security contractors, for the prices for the following year. In 2016 she was asked to make 'savings per show to account for the rise in costs' from the higher minimum wage. Notes from the interview said: 'If SMG wanted her to cut down more you would have to decide if you wanted to lose on customer service or security.' When the bill came in from Showsec, it took into account the living wage, and Mr Allen, had said: 'The rates were increasing so we needed to change the spreadsheets and need to save 250 an event.' Ms Stone 'jokingly said she could ask the artist to play 15 minutes less,' the notes said. Advertisement Failing 2: Guard's failure to report Abedi to supervisors after fearing confronting him could be 'racist' At 10.23pm, eight minutes before the blast, Mr Agha spoke to his colleague Kyle Lawler. Mr Lawler could be seen looking up the steps towards the raised area and apparently raising his hand to operate his radio. However, at 10.25pm, he left the City Room and walked back across the footbridge to stand again with Mr Atkinson, where he was when the bomb went off six minutes later. Lawler told the inquiry that Salman Abedi appeared to have a slightly nervous reaction to being looked at and seemed 'fidgety' but he felt 'conflicted' about what to do and was fearful of being branded a racist and would be in trouble if he got it wrong. 'While Kyle Lawler did make some effort to get through [to his control room on the radio], I do not consider that his efforts were adequate,' Sir John said. 'His body language as he walked away from the City Room indicates that he was, by that stage, unconcerned. 'This was another missed opportunity. The inadequacy of Kyle Lawler's response was a product of his failure to take Christopher Wild's concern and his own observations sufficiently seriously, as was the case for Mohammed Agha. 'Responsibility for this lies with both Kyle Lawler and Showsec.' Failing 3: Police going to get a kebab, leaving Arena's foyer unguarded British Transport Police officers could have been patrolling as suicide bomber Salman Abedi approached Manchester Arena, but instead two drove away for a kebab on a two-hour lunch break. A report by Sir John Saunders, chairman of the inquiry, into security arrangements at the venue, concluded there were 'significant failures' by all of the five BTP officers on duty at the Arena venue that night. But the force was also criticised as an organisation for failing to instil in their officers the 'necessary alertness' while on duty. The five on duty had been instructed by their sergeant to ensure at least one was present in the City Room when the concert ended. But they failed to follow orders. If a BTP officer had been present, Abedi may have been challenged after a member of the public, Christopher Wild, reported his concerns to Showsec stewards about half an hour before the explosion. In the lead up to the attack, at 10.31pm on May 22, 2017, the practice was that once shows at the Arena began, officers generally 'put their feet up' until the show was over and the crowd emerged, the inquiry has heard. At 7.27pm Police Constable Jessica Bullough and a PCSO colleague drove five miles from Victoria Station to south Manchester, to get a kebab, and was off duty for two hours and nine minutes. BTP officers 'took breaks substantially and unjustifiably in excess of what they were permitted to', Sir John's report said. It meant that when Abedi made his 'final approach' to the City Room, dressed all in black and walking almost bent double, carrying his heavy rucksack bomb, no officers were patrolling the area around the Arena. The same officers were praised for their response after the blast - running into the City Room foyer to help those injured. Though all five BTP officers on duty at the Arena failed in their performance, there was also a lack of clear leadership and supervision by the force, the report concluded. Responding, BTP Chief Constable Lucy D'Orsi said in a statement: 'I would like to reassure everyone that British Transport Police, as you would expect, has been reviewing procedures, operational planning and training since this dreadful attack took place in 2017. 'We will never forget that 22 people tragically lost their lives following the truly evil actions of the attacker and many received life-changing injuries.' PC Bullough was the first officer on the scene of the attack and got the Queen's Police Medal for her actions PC Renshaw travelled in a car from Victoria Station to Mazaa's kebab shop (pictured) in Longsight, Manchester, to pick up the takeaway Failing 4: No security checks on mezzanine level where Abedi was hiding The chairman also drew attention to the lack of a check by Showsec steward Jordan Beak on the mezzanine level of the City Room foyer where Abedi was hiding. The 22 victims of the Manchester Arena bombing in May 2017 Elaine McIver , 43 : the off-duty police officer died in the attack, which injured her husband and children; : the off-duty police officer died in the attack, which injured her husband and children; Saffie Rose Roussos , 8 : the youngest victim was separated from her mother and sister in the seconds after the blast; : the youngest victim was separated from her mother and sister in the seconds after the blast; Sorrell Leczkowski , 14 : schoolgirl died in the bomb blast, while her mother, Samantha and grandmother Pauline were badly hurt; : schoolgirl died in the bomb blast, while her mother, Samantha and grandmother Pauline were badly hurt; Eilidh MacLeod , 14 : confirmed dead having been missing since being caught up in the blast with her friend Laura MacIntyre; : confirmed dead having been missing since being caught up in the blast with her friend Laura MacIntyre; Nell Jones , 14 : farmer's daughter travelled to the pop concert with her best friend for her 14th birthday; : farmer's daughter travelled to the pop concert with her best friend for her 14th birthday; Olivia Campbell-Hardy , 15 : her family searched desperately for her for nearly 48 hours and went on TV to plead for news; : her family searched desperately for her for nearly 48 hours and went on TV to plead for news; Megan Hurley , 15 : the Liverpool schoolgirl was with her brother who suffered serious injuries in the blast; : the Liverpool schoolgirl was with her brother who suffered serious injuries in the blast; Georgina Callander , 18 : met Ariana Grande backstage at a previous gig and died in hospital with her mother at her bedside; : met Ariana Grande backstage at a previous gig and died in hospital with her mother at her bedside; Chloe Rutherford , 17, and Liam Curry , 19 : couple from South Shields 'wanted to be together forever and now they are', their family said; : couple from South Shields 'wanted to be together forever and now they are', their family said; Courtney Boyle , 19 , and Philip Tron , 32 : criminology student and her stepfather were confirmed dead following a Facebook appeal; , : criminology student and her stepfather were confirmed dead following a Facebook appeal; John Atkinson , 26 : pop fan from Radcliffe, Greater Manchester, was in a local dance group and was leaving the gig when the blast happened; : pop fan from Radcliffe, Greater Manchester, was in a local dance group and was leaving the gig when the blast happened; Martyn Hett , 29 : public relations manager from Stockport, who was due to start a two-month 'holiday of a lifetime' to the US two days later; : public relations manager from Stockport, who was due to start a two-month 'holiday of a lifetime' to the US two days later; Kelly Brewster , 32 : civil servant from Sheffield who died trying to shield her 11-year-old niece from the bombing; : civil servant from Sheffield who died trying to shield her 11-year-old niece from the bombing; Marcin Kils , 42 , and Angelika Kils , 39 : both killed as they waited for their daughters who both survived the blast; , : both killed as they waited for their daughters who both survived the blast; Michelle Kiss , 45 : mother-of-three from Clitheroe, Lancashire, went to the Ariana Grande concert with her daughter; : mother-of-three from Clitheroe, Lancashire, went to the Ariana Grande concert with her daughter; Alison Lowe , 44, and friend Lisa Lees , 43 : both killed when they arrived to pick up their teenage daughters who were not hurt; : both killed when they arrived to pick up their teenage daughters who were not hurt; Wendy Fawell , 50 : mother from Leeds was killed by the blast while picking up her children at the Arena with a friend; : mother from Leeds was killed by the blast while picking up her children at the Arena with a friend; Jane Taylor , 50 : mother-of-three from Blackpool was killed as she waited to collect a friend's daughter from the concert Advertisement 'This was a significant missed opportunity,' Sir John said. 'Had Jordan Beak gone up onto the mezzanine, he would have seen Salman Abedi. The circumstances would have resulted in Salman Abedi being identified by an adequate pre-egress check as being suspicious. This is turn would have prompted further action. 'I accept that Jordan Beak was simply following the training he had been given in relation to the pre-egress check. Principal responsibility for this missed opportunity lies with Showsec.' However he said SMG, the arena operator also 'bear some responsibility as well.' Failing 5: Security guards' lack of alertness over attack risk Mohammed Agha had a previous opportunity to spot Abedi when Salman Abedi arrived in the City Room foyer at 9.33pm. 'Had Mohammed Agha been more alert to the risk of a terrorist attack, he had sufficient time to form the view that Salman Abedi was suspicious and required closer attention,' Sir John said. 'This conclusion, had Mohammed Agha been adequately trained, would have caused him to draw Salman Abedi to his supervisor's attention at this stage. 'This, in turn, would have brought into sharp focus that Salman Abedi had chosen to position himself out of the sight of the cameras. 'This was a missed opportunity. Had this opportunity not been missed, it is likely to have led to Salman Abedi being spoken to before 9.45pm. 'Had Salman Abedi been spoken to at this stage, he may have been deterred. He may have detonated his device. He may have left the city Room for a period, before attempting to return later. None of these possibilities is likely to have resulted in the devastation of the magnitude caused by Salman Abedi at 10.31pm.' Failing 6: No police officers on guard at mezzanine level from 10pm to 10.30pm when there should have been at least one Police also had a previous opportunity to stop the attack. There were no British Transport Police officers in the City Room during the period 10pm to 10.31pm and there should have been at least one. 'Responsibility for this failing lies with PCs Jessica Bullough and Stephen Corke and Police Community Support Officers Mark Renshaw and Jon Morrey. They share this responsibility with BTP as an organisation,' Sir John said. 'Salman Abedi's age meant that he did not fit the demographic of a parent waiting for a child. While Salman Abedi may have been a sibling of a friend of an attendee, his age was a further piece of relevant information when considering whether or not his presence at that stage of the evening was suspicious. 'This, added to his clothing, backpack and where he had chosen to position himself on the mezzanine, would have resulted in him being identified by a vigilant BTP officer, had such a person been present from 10pm.' Charred clothing recovered after Abedi set off his bomb at Manchester Arena in the terror attack on May 22, 2017 Shrapnel that was recovered after the atrocity, which was deadliest terror attack on British soil since 2005 The kitchen-lounge in the Granby House apartment in Manchester where Abedi lived for the four days before the bombing Failings 7, 8 and 9: Failure to spot hostile surveillance runs Salman Abedi visited the arena to carry out hostile reconnaissance, after his return from visiting his parents in Libya on May 18, and on May 21, and the afternoon of May 22, the day of the attack, which represented three opportunities to stop him. The CCTV was overwritten and it is not possible to know whether Abedi visited the arena before his departure for Libya on April 15. The chairman said: 'These presented opportunities to detect, disrupt or deter him. Salman Abedi's hostile reconnaissance was conducted at times and in a way which made detecting him a substantial challenge.' He made make no criticism of any individual for not having detected the hostile reconnaissance on those occasions but added: 'There existed the opportunity for SMG to make hostile reconnaissance more difficult for Salman Abedi during events by pushing out the security perimeter of the security operation. 'This could have been a missed opportunity, depending on how the new security perimeter operated. It may have had the effect of deterring Salman Abedi from attacking the arena. 'Had things been done better by SMG and Showsec and had BTP officers been more alert to the possibility of hostile reconnaissance, the prospect of detecting it would have been increased.' Pictured: Ewan Fulton, 20, has been jailed for three years and two months after admitting culpable homicide in connection to the death of teenager Mhari O'Neill in December 2018 A man who killed a 15-year-old girl by plying her with alcohol and abandoning her on a hill to freeze to death has been sentenced to three years and two months in prison. Ewan Fulton had met 15-year-old Mhari O'Neill on the social media app Yubo, which he later described as being like 'Tinder for teenagers', before they met up in the city and he bought a litre of vodka. The court heard in a conversation about the cold weather, Fulton had messaged 15-year-old Mhari saying 'Ur gonna to freeze to death' before their meeting. The next morning, Mhari O'Neill was found dead at Calton Hill in Edinburgh and a pathologist determined the most likely cause of death was hypothermia with intoxication playing a role. Fulton, 20, pleaded guilty to culpable homicide at the High Court in Edinburgh in May, while a number of not guilty pleas, including over unrelated sexual assault and assault incidents, were accepted by the Crown. The court heard Fulton, of Livingston, West Lothian, had bought vodka and cigarettes for Mhari on December 7, 2018 which they consumed together at at the beauty spot. It was heard Fulton, then aged 18, had left the teenager in a state of partial undress and unable to seek help as he wanted to get to Waverley train station before the last service home. During his time with her he engaged in sexual activity with the under age child and compressed her neck. Sentencing Fulton at the same court on Thursday, judge Norman McFadyen told him: 'You had no justification for believing that a severely intoxicated child could safely be abandoned in this remote part of Edinburgh on a cold, wet and windy night. 'There were many things you could have done. You essentially did nothing for her, you panicked and left. Pictured: Mhari O'Neill was found dead at Calton Hill in Edinburgh in December 2018 and experts determined the most likely cause of death was hypothermia with intoxication involved 'There was nothing you could do without assistance and you were not willing to get any assistance for Mhari when she was at her most vulnerable. What is culpable homicide in Scotland? Culpable homicide is the term used in Scots law for an offence of causing the death of another person without planning or intending to. It is different to murder where there is criminal intention, and from causing death by an accident where no-one can be blamed. Culpable Homicide is committed where the accused has caused loss of life through wrongful conduct but where there was no intention to kill. It is comparable to the charge of manslaughter in England and Wales. Advertisement 'I accept that you bitterly regret what happened, 'I consider, because of the gravity of the offence, a custodial sentence is the only appropriate sentence.' The judge told Fulton that Mhari's mother had said their lives will never be the same without her. Mhari had told her mother that she was planning to visit the city's Christmas market before meeting Fulton at Waverley train station. In the lead up to the meeting he had messaged her saying: 'It is freezing today should've worn my pimp coat.' She replied: 'DW I'll freeze with you.' He responded: 'Ur gonna freeze to death. OMG.' They were later seen on Calton Hill that night by a homeless man, Lee McLaughlin, who noticed that Mhari was slouched forward and her speech was slurred. Prosecutor Alex Prentice QC said: 'He described the evening as cold and stated he was surprised that the female had no jacket on and felt she may be at risk of hypothermia. He stated that she appeared drowsy.' Fulton arrived back at the city's main railway station alone shortly before 11pm and did not appear to be unsteady on his feet in CCTV footage, said the advocate depute. Flowers were left at the scene after the girl died in the Calton Hill area of Edinburgh in 2018 Mhari's mother, Donna O'Neill had made several attempts to contact her daughter but failed to receive a reply. After she failed to return home at an agreed time her family began looking for. She was reported missing at about midnight. A dog walker found her lying face down shortly after 6am the following day in front of a park bench. 'She was lying on top of a vodka bottle which still had a small amount of liquid in it. Her mobile phone was lying nearby with its screen completely smashed. Fulton went to work at a shop in Edinburgh that day but later asked to go home, claiming that he felt sick. He said Mhari a message asking: 'Are you alive?' He was traced by police as a recent contact of Mhari's and said he had drunk vodka with her at Calton Hill. At Edinburgh High Court (pictured), the judge sentenced Ewan Fulton to 38 months in prison He said they took part in 'heavy petting' but after they drank almost all of the large bottle of vodka the affection stopped because 'she was so f****d'. Fulton said: 'It was like she had lost all motor skills, she was too drunk to do anything.' Fulton told a friend: 'That girl has a family and if I had stayed she would be alive.' He told another friend that he had 'no choice but to leave', but added: 'I got her drunk - she's 15.' Defence counsel Shelagh McCall said the author of a background report prepared on Fulton had concluded that the offence was 'a one off'. She said: 'He is a young man who has made a bad decision with catastrophic consequences to make his way to the station.' 'Clearly he was aware of her significant intoxication and incapacity as a result of alcohol and he was aware of it being a cold night,' she said. The defence counsel added that Fulton, now 20, was 'full of remorse' and had made a suicide attempt. Fulton had previously admitted culpably and recklessly putting Mhari at risk of death by giving her the alcohol to an extent she became unable to look after herself. The judge sentenced Fulton to 38 months in prison, backdated to May 24, and placed him on sexual offenders register indefinitely. Tens of thousands of Victorians are fleeing the coronavirus-impacted state in unprecedented numbers as it struggles under relentlessly looming lockdowns. Residents are fleeing the coronavirus-impacted state in droves with four lockdowns, ongoing uncertainty and unfavorable business conditions sending thousands packing. New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed that 30,700 Victorians have packed up and left since March last year - when the state was given its first stay-at-home orders. Property Council of Australia executive director Danni Hunter said the figures are 'very alarming', with the Daniel Andrews government seeming hellbent on using lockdowns to contain the virus' spread. Victorians, who once boasted their state was the culture capital of Australia and the sporting heartbeat of the nation, are now headed for the exits. Pictured: Pedestrians in Melbourne Residents are fleeing the coronavirus-impacted state in droves with unrelenting lockdowns, ongoing uncertainty and unfavorable business conditions sending tens of thousands packing. Pictured: Cars sit in line behind a police checkpoint on July 8 on the NSW-Victoria border 'Victorians are on the move and Victoria is no longer the place to be,' she told news.com. 'We've seen it across our state with the devastating impact to business, families, jobs and our CBD and Victorians are voting with their feet.' Just four years ago, when the state's economy recorded a 3.8 per cent increase in the financial year to 2017, Victoria's population surged by 140,000. In 2019, the state welcomed 121,500 new faces, but in 2020, during the height of the Covid pandemic, the population only increased by about 700. Ms Hunter said Victoria's economic expansion has been underwritten by it's rising population. But with the number of new residents now plummeting it's likely to have a significant impact on Victoria's economic recovery in the wake of the Covid crisis. New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed that 30,700 Victorians have packed up and left since March last year - when the state was ordered into it's first of four lockdowns. Pictured: Lockdown protestors in Melborne With the number of new residents now plummeting it's likely to have a significant impact on Victoria's economic recovery in the wake of the Covid crisis. Pictured: A worker at a Melbourne CBD cafe 'The last time Victorians left in large numbers, the Victorian economy went into recession in the early 1990s. Population growth equals economic growth and greater prosperity for all Victorians,' Ms Hunter said. Figures last week from job website Seek found that Melburnians topped the list when it came to interstate applicants for Sydney jobs. Jobseekers in the Victorian capital also made up nearly one in ten applicants applying for positions in listed in Adelaide. Interstate removal service Muval recorded a 50 per cent rise in the number of Victorians searching how to 'move away from Melbourne'. It's been a brutal year for Victorians with the coronavirus pandemic sending the state into Stage Three stay-at-home order on four occasions, including a relentless 112-consecutive-day lockdown from June to October. Passengers from Melbourne arrive at the baggage reclaim hall at Sydney Airport - with many fleeing the city The impact of Covid has meant Victoria's world-renown cafes and restaurants were largely decimated by the draconian restrictions The virus has claimed the lives of 820 people in Victoria - far more than any other state in Australia. The impact meant Victoria's world-renown cafes and restaurants were largely decimated by the draconian restrictions, along with the state's events industry and retail sector. Former Melbourne resident Vienna Magan, 30, who recently moved to Queensland with her two children to find work as a nurse told the Herald Sun the restrictions eventually became too much. 'We are sick of lockdown and the uncertainty,' Ms Magan said. 'As a family it would be nice to localise ourselves for school and work. 'Here, I can develop my clinical skills within the hospital environment with better pay.' Advertisement No10 today poured cold water on the idea of working from home becoming the 'default' after coronavirus amid a backlash from businesses - insisting there are 'clear benefits' from being in offices. The emergence of proposals for a legal right to flexible working has sparked fears employers will be blocked from insisting staff attending offices unless they can prove it is essential. The Government will consult on the plan originally pledged in the 2019 Tory manifesto - over the summer ahead of possible legislation later this year. But the prospect sparked a backlash amid fears it could damage productivity, harm firms that rely on workers going into the office and prevent a return to normality in town and city centres. Businesses said it should a 'conversation' with staff, and 'does not need intervention from Government'. London mayor Sadiq Khan also warned that the return to offices would be an 'important part of our economic recovery'. However, Downing Street insisted this afternoon that working from home will not be made the 'default' position, and the aim is to help parents and others who need more flexibility. And Treasury minister Jesse Norman suggested that businesses could provide general reasons such as the need for staff to 'develop' to ask them to come to offices. 'Every company and every different organisation is going to want to have different approaches,' he told Sky News. 'There are certainly people who are affected differently by lockdown and their needs need to be listened to just as much as anyone else's. 'You will have seen there are some institutions that are taking the view that it is really essential that people should be in the office, and it is unfair to younger people in their judgment not to do that because of the opportunities to grow and to develop peoples skills and bring them on in the organisation. 'This is going to be very company or organisation specific and any guidance the government puts out is going to have to recognise that.' Boris Johnson's (pictured today) spokesman has played down alarm at the idea that millions of staff will be given a 'default' right to work from home after the pandemic Treasury minister Jess Norman suggested that businesses could provide general reasons such as the need for staff to 'develop' to ask them to come to offices Asked about the work from home rules, the PM's spokesman said: 'I think on this we have always been clear there are significant benefits to be gained from people working in the office, be it innovation, delivery, supporting and developing people and of course ensuring people have a higher quality working environment. 'We have asked people to work from home where they can during the pandemic but there are no plans to make this permanent or introduce a legal right to work from home.' Asked if people will have the legal right to request to work from home, the spokesman said: 'What we are consulting on is making flexible working a default option unless employers have good reasons not to. That is the consultation as committed to at the last election.' Challenged whether flexible working would mean the right to stay at home for at least some of the week, the spokesman said: 'As I say, the work of the flexible working task force is to look at flexible working as a whole. 'That covers a range of options. I am not going to pre-empt that work and we will set out the position in due course. 'But as I have said, there is no plans to making working from home permanent or introduce a legal right to work from home.' A report from Tony Blair warned this week that almost six million white-collar jobs were at risk of being shipped abroad if the work-from-home revolution continued. Both Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Boris Johnson have spoken about the benefits of office life as well as the danger that a permanent home-based culture could create 'zombie towns'. But there are mounting signs that the government will not urge all workers to return to offices when the delayed 'Freedom Day' unlocking finally happens - now meant to be on July 19. Before the pandemic, the Conservative manifesto promised to legislate for flexible working. But the suggestion that businesses could be forced to agree to people permanently working from home sparked alarm. Kate Shoesmith, deputy chief executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, said: 'Businesses and workers across the UK have proven that long-term remote working is possible and beneficial for some of us. 'It's right that employees should have the right to request flexible working arrangements. However, remote working won't be the best policy for everyone. Individual employers should think seriously about what is best for their business and consult with their employees before deciding their stance on remote or flexible working. This is a business conversation with their people, it does not need intervention from Government.' Joe Fitzsimons, senior policy adviser at the Institute of Directors, said many business leaders were taking a hybrid stance into the future following a year of mixed experiences with remote working. 'Ultimately different organisations have different needs, and they will be uniquely placed to work with their staff to find the best solution,' he said. Mike Clancy, general secretary of the Prospect union, said: 'There is a real risk that we end up with a two-tier workforce, further divided between those who can work from home being given flexibility, and those who can't being given none.' A spokesman for the Mayor of London said: 'The pandemic has clearly changed the pattern of work in this country, but lots of central London's brilliant businesses depend on footfall that comes from office workers - whether our dry cleaners, cafes, shops or bars. 'Many employers are exploring a hybrid model of working whereby most staff split their time between remote and office working, and the mayor recognises there are benefits to people's work-life balance of not being in the office every day Monday to Friday. 'But as we emerge from lockdown, seeing more people safely return to offices and workplaces will be an important part of our economic recovery.' Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove suggested this week that a hybrid model that included home working was likely to become the norm for many, adding: 'We won't go back to the status quo.' It could effectively allow the millions of office staff who have worked from home during the pandemic to remain doing so for all or part of the week, indefinitely. Yesterday, a leaked Cabinet Office presentation on the post-Covid 'new normal' revealed ministers had been told they should not encourage workers to go back to their desks even if all social distancing measures are lifted on July 19. Ministers were told that the Government was now 'actively looking at ways to help people continue working from home if there is no need for them to be in an office'. A formal consultation on giving workers a legal right to work from home goes a stage further however. Ministers were also advised that face masks were likely to be needed 'in some settings', potentially for months or even years. And there was a warning that restrictions on foreign travel may have to remain in place for a 'significant period'. Any move to sanction a permanent shift to home working is likely to meet resistance from Conservative MPs. Felicity Buchan, Tory MP for Kensington, said the continued advice to work from home was having a devastating impact on central London businesses. Mark Harper, chairman of the Covid Recovery Group of Tory MPs, said ministers had no business interfering in relations between employers and their staff. And fellow Conservative Sir Charles Walker claimed that for many younger people working from home was the equivalent of the new 'dark satanic mills'. Under existing law, employers can require staff to attend the workplace. Ultimately, a refusal to go in to work can be deemed an 'unauthorised absence', allowing an employer to begin disciplinary proceedings. But the Business Department is now looking to change the law to encourage flexible working. Mr Johnson pledged to introduce the change at the 2019 election. A Flexible Working Taskforce, established by Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng this year to advise on the change, is expected to recommend that people are given the right to continue working from home. Peter Cheese, the co-chairman of the taskforce, said last month that the pandemic had demonstrated that staff could work effectively outside traditional workplaces. He cited a survey showing that 71 per cent of firms had found home working either boosted or made no difference to their productivity. In March, Mr Sunak said that home working was no substitute for an office environment with 'people riffing off each other'. And a senior source last night insisted Mr Johnson continued to believe in the benefits of office working. A popular bowling club, a Lorna Jane sportswear shop and a busy Harris Farm supermarket have been added to Sydney's spiralling Covid exposure list. New South Wales has seen four new coronavirus cases in the last 48 hours, after a 40-day run without a single infection. Authorities are now scrambling to keep the lid on a potential outbreak, after a driver who transported international flight crew tested positive on Wednesday. The Bondi man's wife has since also tested positive, as has a woman in her 70s who was at a Vaucluse cafe at the same time. A man in his 40s in Sydney's north-west, with no known links to other infections, has also tested positive - but authorities are still investigating whether he currently has the virus. Northmead Bowling Club was announced as an exposure site late on Thursday night, with anyone there from 3.30pm to 10pm on Sunday June 13 told to get tested and isolate immediately. Testing queue swelled again on Thursday as yet more exposure sites were announced (pictured, the drive-through clinic in Bondi Beach) An infected case visited Northmead Bowling Club (pictured) on Sunday for six-and-a-half hours A further venue in the East Village Shopping Centre in Zetland has also been put on alert, with anyone who went to Lorna Jane in the centre on Monday between 11am and 1pm told to seek testing and isolate for two weeks, regardless of the result. Bondi's The Health Emporium is also now on the list. Gladys Berejiklian has warned Sydney residents to avoid large-scale events near the city's growing list of 19 exposure sites to prevent a potential super-spreader event. However she stopped short of making face masks compulsory on public transport. An infected man is believed to have shipped at the Leichhardt Harris Farm on Tuesday between 9.50am and 10.05am Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said genomic sequencing showed the limousine driver had a strain of the highly-contagious Indian Delta varient never seen before in Australia. 'This strain does not match anything that's been uploaded in Australia at this time, but it does match perfectly a sequence that's been uploaded from the US,' she said. The Indian Delta variant of the virus is believed to spread faster than the Indian Kappa strain, with global health experts warning it could also be even deadlier. Ms Berejiklian said she strongly recommended wearing a mask on public transport in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. The announcement came as Tasmania, Victoria and Queensland announced anyone who had been to the exposure sites was not allowed to enter their state. Digital signs encouraging customers to wear face masks during the pandemic pictured at Westfield Bondi Junction. A woman in her 70s has also tested positive in Vaucluse, meaning Sydney's latest outbreak has reached four cases Cars line up for Covid-19 testing in Sydney on Thursday. New South Wales has recorded two new Covid-19 cases overnight The island state announced Wednesday morning it would block all New South Wales travellers who had been to any of the hotspots and anyone who had visited a listed site since June 11 has to immediately get tested and isolate. 'Anyone who is planning on travelling to Tasmania who has been to any of these high-risk premises at the specified dates and times will not be permitted to enter the state,' Tasmania's Director of Public Health Mark Veitch said. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk also said she would closely monitor the ongoing situation, with closed borders likely to occur given the previous decisions to quickly block residents from New South Wales from entering the state. SYDNEY VENUES EXPOSED TO COVID-19 - Anyone who attended the following venue at the time listed must get tested and self-isolate for 14 days from the date they were at the venue, regardless of the result. Bondi Junction, Events Cinema, Sunday, June 13 - 1.30pm-4.00pm Bondi Junction to North Sydney 200 Bus, From Bondi Junction interchange to Blue St, North Sydney (near North Sydney Station) Tuesday 15 June. Departed approx. 4.25pm, arrived approx. 5pm - Anyone who attended the following venues at the listed times must call NSW Health on 1800 943 553, get tested and self-isolate until you receive further advice. Vaucluse, Belle Cafe, Friday, June 11 - 9.15am-9.50am, Saturday, June 12 - 11.20pm-1.50pm, Sunday, June 13 - 11.30am-12.00pm, Tuesday, June 15 - 9.50am-10.25am Bondi Junction, Sourdough Cafe, Friday, June 11 - 12.40pm-1.10pm Vaucluse, Belle Cafe, Saturday, June 12 - 10.20am-10.45am Bondi Junction, David Jones, Saturday, June 12 - 11.00am-11.40am Bondi Junction, Myer, Saturday, June 12 - 11.10-12.15pm Events Cinema Bondi Junction: (all screenings other than the Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard), Sunday June 13, 1.30pm-4pm. Vaucluse, Washoku Vaucluse, Saturday, June 12 - 12.00pm-1.30pm Vaucluse, Rocco's, Monday, June 14 - 10.55am-11.30am North Ryde, Celeste Catering Macquarie Park Cemetery Cafe, Tuesday, June 15 - 1.00pm-1.20pm Zetland, Coles East Village Shopping Centre, Monday, June 14 - 11.00am-1pm. Zetland, Taste Growers East Village Shopping Centre, Monday, June 14 - 11.00am to 1pm. Redfern, Wax Car Wash Cafe, Monday, June 14 - 12pm-3pm Bondi Junction, Harry's Coffee and Kitchen, Tuesday, June 15 - 3pm-3.40pm Bondi Junction, NAB in Westfield, Tuesday, June 15 - 2.45pm-3.10pm Bondi Junction, David Jones in Westfield, Tuesday June 15 - 3.30pm-4.15pm Vaucluse, Field to Fork, Friday, June 11 - 12pm-4pm Leichhardt, Harris Farm, Tuesday June 15 - 9.50am-10.05am - Anyone who attended the following venue is a casual contact and must immediately get tested and self-isolate until a negative result is received. Bondi Fruitologist, Tuesday June 15 - 1pm-2pm Advertisement NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has strongly urged anyone travelling on public transport in Sydney's eastern suburbs to wear a mask after the area's Covid-19 outbreak A hotel quarantine driver tested positive for the highly-contagious delta variant of coronavirus at the Bondi Beach testing facility on Wednesday. Pictured is a drive-through Covid-19 testing queue in Sydney The state recorded another Covid-19 case overnight as a man in his 40s not linked to the other cases in the latest outbreak tested positive to the virus - taking its total to four A medical worker prepares to administer a test at the Bondi Beach drive-through centre in Sydney on Thursday 'In line with other jurisdictions, we will maintain restrictions on travel from Greater Melbourne for another seven days, and we strongly advise those planning travel to Greater Sydney to reconsider,' she tweeted on Thursday morning. Contact tracers are meanwhile racing to find Sydneysiders who visited various exposure sites including a David Jones store, a cinema, several cafes and restaurants and a bakery in the city's east and north-west between June 11 and June 15. The airport worker first attended the Belle Cafe in Vaucluse on June 11 between 9.15am-9.50am and returned on June 12, June 13 and June 14 at various times. He also attended Sourdough Bakery at Westfield Bondi Junction between 12.40pm-1.10pm on June 11. The news of a new locally-acquired case sparked long queues at the Bondi drive-through testing clinic (pictured on Wednesday night) which saw opening hours extended from 4pm to 10pm to accommodate the surge East Village shopping centre in Zetland, inner-Sydney, has been listed as a Covid exposure site - including its Coles supermarket - after an infected person visited on Monday He returned to the shopping centre the following day where he shopped in David Jones between 11am-11.40am and Myer between 11.40am-12.15pm. The infected man attended a movie screening of The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard at Event Cinemas Bondi Junction on Sunday afternoon, June 13 for the 1.45pm screening. Anyone who attended the 1.45pm screening in cinema 1 at the venue on June 13 is ordered to get tested immediately and self-isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result. Other moviegoers who were at the cinema on Sunday between 1.30pm-4pm are ordered to get tested and self isolate until further notice from authorities. Authorities are scrambling to track down hundreds of shoppers he may have exposed the virus to at another popular Westfield shopping centre. Pictured: Westfield Bondi Junction Customers wearing face masks at Westfield Bondi Junction. Contact tracers are racing to find hundreds of people who may have been exposed to the virus in the shopping centre He also dined at two Vaucluse restaurants including Washoku on June 12 between 12pm-1.30pm and Rocco's on June 14 between 10.55am-11.30am. The most recent venue he visited was the Celeste Catering Macquarie Park Cemetery Cafe in North Ryde on June 15 between 1pm-1.20pm. There are reports the frontline worker was not vaccinated, despite vaccines being offered to those working in the quarantine sector since March. A teenage girl has saved a schoolgirl from being snatched by a stranger who posed as her father's friend. Emma Carlile, 15, spotted the suspect approach the child as she walked home from Weatherhead High School in Merseyside on Tuesday. She said she realised something was wrong when she heard him say: 'I'm your dad's friend, don't you remember me? I've been to your house before.' Emma said she overheard the 11-year-old - who was carrying a Harry Potter backpack - tell him she did not know him and watched as she tried to pull out her phone. But the man said: 'No you don't need to ring anyone, you know who I am, I'm your dad's mate.' Emma watched as the pair rounded a corner and decided to follow them and intervene. Her father Rik told the Liverpool Echo: 'She shouted the first name that came into her head, she said - ''Hey Bethany! Dad will be home tonight from police training''. Emma Carlile (pictured), 15, spotted the suspect approach the child as she walked home from Weatherhead High School in Merseyside on Tuesday 'Apparently the girl looked at her and just opened her eyes wide as if to say thank you. She said she looked startled.' Emma said as soon as she started shouting over to the girl the man walked quickly away down towards Wallasey Village train station. Mr Carlile said the girl thanked her and when they got over the road she said to make sure she got home safe and tell her parents what happened. Emma said the man was 6ft tall with short grey hair and stubble. He was of large build wearing a green t-shirt and black trousers. Mr Carlile reported what happened to the police and wrote a Facebook warning other parents. She said she realised something was wrong when she heard him say: 'I'm your dad's friend, don't you remember me? I've been to your house before.' Pictured: The school The post received hundreds of comments praising Emma for her 'quick thinking' and 'bravery'. One woman said: 'Well done to your daughter, this is such an amazing thing she's done you must be so proud.' Another replied: 'Well done to your daughter, she has potentially just saved that young girls life. Amazing what a credit to you x.' One parent posted: 'Wow! Such a brave clever girl! Well done!' And another added: 'Well done to your daughter. Fab quick thinking. So brave. Scary to think what could of happened.' Mr Carlile said he was proud of Emma but she does not believe she has done anything out of the ordinary. He added: 'When you speak to Emma about it she's really blase, and she's just like I could see was uncomfortable. 'I told her again this morning, you could have saved that girl's life, you just don't know.' A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: 'We received a third party report from a member of the public at 6.45pm yesterday, Tuesday June 15, that earlier that day a female walking through Wallasey village had been approached by an older male who had put his arm round her. 'A teenager approached the pair and spoke to the female and the man walked away in the direction of the train station. 'Neither the female or the male have been identified at this stage.' A millionaire Canadian casino CEO and his actress wife have been fined just $817 each and avoided jail time despite violating COVID-19 quarantine and flying to a rural town to get the vaccine early. Rodney Baker, 55, and his 32-year-old wife Ekaterina Baker pleaded guilty in Whitehorse, Yukon on Wednesday to two counts each of violating the territory's COVID-19 rules, which included a mandatory 14-day quarantine. They were not charged for getting the vaccine early. Baker was the CEO of Great Canadian Gaming Corp - a major owner of casinos and race tracks across Canada - but was forced to resign after the couple's actions caused outrage across the country. The couple, who live in Vancouver, flew into Whitehorse January 19 before chartering a private jet two days later to Beaver Creek - a small community in the country's northwest region near the Alaska border. Canadians Rodney Baker, 55, and his 32-year-old wife Ekaterina Baker pleaded guilty in Whitehorse, Yukon on Wednesday to two counts each of violating the territory's COVID-19 rules, which included a mandatory 14-day quarantine They received their Moderna vaccines at a mobile clinic in Beaver Creek after lying about working at a local motel. The couple then flew back to Whitehorse. Under territory rules, they were supposed to quarantine for 14 days after first arriving in Whitehorse. The small community, which is home to the White River First Nation, was given priority to receive the vaccine because of its indigenous population, remoteness and limited access to health care. The local government had announced that anyone living or working in Yukon would be eligible to receive the vaccine, even if they had IDs or health cards from other jurisdictions. After the couple received their vaccines, suspicious locals called the motel to confirm they worked there. Territorial enforcement officers later intercepted them at Whitehorse airport where they were in line to fly back to Vancouver. Ekaterina Baker, 32, married her millionaire husband in 2017. The actress is pictured above on June 12 in New York attending the Tribeca Film Festival The couple received the vaccine after they lied about working at this motel in Beaver Creek. The small community had been given priority to receive the vaccine because of its remoteness, an elderly population and limited access to health care The couple flew into Whitehorse on January 19 before chartering a private jet two days later to Beaver Creek. The couple then flew back to Whitehorse after receiving the vaccine. Under territory rules, the couple were meant to quarantine for 14 days after first arriving in Whitehorse The Bakers were served with violation tickets for not quarantining and also giving a false address in their self-declaration for where they would be isolating. They both plead guilty to failing to self-isolate for 14 days and failing to act in a manner consistent with their declarations upon arriving in Yukon. Chief Judge Michael Cozens agreed with a joint sentencing submission, ordering the Bakers to pay the maximum of $408 (C$500) for each charge, plus a victim surcharge. The Bakers testified they each donated $4,085 (C$5,000) to the global vaccine sharing effort known as COVAX. The judge encouraged the couple to offer their reparations directly to the Beaver Creek community, which is home to the White River First Nation. Baker resigned as Great Canadian Gaming Corp.'s president and chief executive after their actions made news. An information circular published by Great Canadian Gaming in March said Baker earned a total of about $5.5 million in compensation from the company in 2019. The company owns and operates more than 20 casinos in British Columbia, Ontario, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Baker became president in 2010 and CEO the following year. Indiana woman Anna Morgan-Lloyd, 49, who was arrested for her involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot told a federal judge this week that she had watched the Holocaust film Schindler's List and read books such as Just Mercy to educate herself on the plight of others in an effort to receive a lenient sentencing A Capitol rioter whose accomplice branded their January 6 antics the 'best f**king day ever' on Facebook claimed she'd watched Schindler's List to reform herself as she admitted her crimes. Anna Morgan-Lloyd, 49, was arrested in February after she and a friend, Dona Bissey, 52, both of whom are from Bloomfield, Indiana, posted on Facebook about their involvement in the riot, with Lloyd writing in one of the posts that it was the 'best day ever.' Bissey uploaded a snap of them together with an almost-identical caption - but added in an f-bomb to emphasize her glee. She also told of her delight at picking broken glass out of her purse afterwards. Lloyd's lawyer, Heather Shaner said the rioter had watched and read a list of movies and books at her request, in a bid to better understand 'government policy' and persecution of Native Americans, African Americans and European Jews, according to court filings. That list included Steven Spielberg's 1993 Holocaust masterpiece, as well as Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee and Just Mercy. 'We have discussed the books and also about the the responsibility of an individual when confronting "wrong,"' she said in her Lloyd's defense. Lloyd (far right) and her friend Dona Bissey, 52, were arrested after posting photos of themselves in the Capitol building on Facebook Lloyd (left) and Bissey (right) at a March 1 court hearing after the two were charged in connection to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot Lloyd admitted parading, demonstration or picketing in a Capitol Building at a court in Washington DC on Friday, with prosecutors agreeing to a proposed sentence of 40 hours community service and a $500 fine. She is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday, and is on course to be the first person to be formally punished for the January 6 riots. She added that her client had also watched the Tulsa Burning, a History Channel documentary film about the 1921 Tulsa massacre and Mudbound, a 2017 film about the plight of a black man returning from World War II to a Jim Crow Mississippi. Lloyd submitted a number of documents in her defense to prove she'd watched those books and films including a movie review of Schindler's List and book report on Just Mercy, a 2014 book by lawyer Bryan Stevenson chronicling his efforts to overturn wrongful convictions of Black people in the American South. Also included was a letter Lloyd wrote apologizing for her involvement in the riot, and outlining what she learned from her reading and film viewing. 'I honestly dont remember when I found out we would be walking to the Capitol Building, but that was all it was going to be,' she wrote adding. 'I even did some shopping on the way.' lloyd's attorney told a federal judge that she recommended her client read Schindler's list to learn of the plight of European Jews. The Oscar winning 1993 film based on the book starred Liam Neeson as the eponymous Oscar Schindler The FBI obtained Facebook posts from the two connecting them to the riot Lloyd wrote that it was 'the most exciting day of my life' Lloyd admitted she and Bissey were among the first people in the Capitol building that day She continued, 'Ive lived a sheltered life and truly havent experienced life the way many have. I dont live a pampered life. My husband and I have worked hard for everything that we have. My lawyer has given me names of books and movies to help me see what life is like for others in our country.' Lloyd said in cases where she could, she watched the movie version because, 'it sinks in better.' 'Ive learned that even though we live in a wonderful country things still need to improve,' she wrote. 'People of all colors should feel as safe as I do to walk down the street.' The two Indiana women were among the hundreds of protesters who stormed the Capitol building that day. If lloyd's sentencing goes as scheduled on Friday she will be the first person formally sentenced in connection to the riot The FBI obtained Facebook posts of Lloyd and Bissey at the riot, including a picture Bissey posted of the two captioned, 'Inside the Capitol Building.' Other posts included Lloyd writing, 'I'm here. Best day ever. We stormed the capital building me and Dona Bissey were the first 50 people in,' and, 'That was the most exciting day of my life.' Bissey has yet to plead guilty to the charges against her. The uncles of an heir to a prominent legal dynasty found shot dead next to his mom sobbed as they spoke for the first time since the murders - and revealed how their nephew had received threats for allegedly killing a 19 year-old girl. Paul Murdaugh's uncles Randy and John Murdaugh said the 22 year-old had received chilling warnings before he was found shot next to his mother Maggie, 52, at their hunting lodge in Islandton, South Carolina, on June 6. But they say they'd dismissed them as the work of a crackpot. Speaking on Good Morning America Thursday, Randy said: 'I don't really know of any enemies,' said Randy. 'We hear all this talk on social media in regard to Paul but I don't really know of anybody who would truly be an enemy or would truly want to harm them.' John spoke of unspecified threats made to Paul, and said he'd initially dismissed them as harmless. He did not share any further details on who had issued them, but admitted that the family now wonders if they were wrong to discount their seriousness. 'I didn't think it was credible threats. If it was I would have tried to do something or notified someone,' he said. 'But I guess, maybe I made a mistake.' Paul had denied boating under the influence charges over a 2019 boat smash that saw 19 year-old Mallory Beach hurled to her death from a vessel he was sailing, allegedly while drunk. Paul and Maggie's corpses were found by Alex Murdaugh - who is Paul's dad, Maggie's husband, and Randy and John's brother. Randy and John grew emotional as they pleaded for people with information on the murders to come forward, no matter how 'big or small' the details. The family of the son and mom from a prominent South Carolina legal dynasty who were shot dead in a double murder broke down in tears as they issued a plea for help on GMA Thursday Buster, Margaret, Paul and Alex Murdaugh (left to right). Margaret, 52, and Paul Murdaugh, 22, were found dead, shot multiple times, in the backyard of their sprawling estate in Islandton, South Carolina, June 6 Alex Murdaugh - a part-time prosecutor for the 14th Circuit solicitor's office - called 911 at 10.07pm on June 6 to say he had returned home and found their bodies outside the residence. Officers arrived on the scene to find both Paul and Margaret dead from multiple gunshot wounds. Paul had been awaiting trial on charges relating to Beach's death, after she was thrown from the boat he was driving. He denied the allegations he had faced. A police source told local newspaper The Island Packet that they believed Paul to have been the target of the murders, with his mom shot for being with him when the killer or killers struck. Two different guns were used in the shootings. Questions around a possible tie between the incident and last week's killings continue to mount as the state attorney general is refusing to close the case into the boat crash despite the death of the man accused of being culpable. The local community felt Paul was receiving special treatment in the boating death case due to his family's power and legal expertise. The Murdaugh family has dominated the county's legal system for decades, prosecuting nearly every criminal case in the southern part of the state. Alex's brothers Randy and John Marvin Murdaugh (left and right) revealed Paul had been receiving threats from strangers but insisted the family did not have enemies Several family members have served as county elected prosecutors in the 14th Circuit solicitor's office going back almost a century. But Randy and John denied that the family exercised its legal power to interfere in the boating case in any way and said they believe the perception of them as a 'dynasty' is all wrong. 'You see words like dynasty used and power and I don't know exactly how people use those words but we're just regular people and we're hurting just like they would be hurting if it happened to them,' said Randy. The family members choked back tears as they revealed how, on the day of the murders, Alex had just taken their dying father Richard Murdaugh III back to the hospital and gone to check on their mother. He then returned to his own home to find the bodies of his son and wife, they said. Law enforcement sources previously told local outlet The Island Packet Alex told cops he had been out shooting that day when he returned to the grim scene. John said he got a phone call from Alex that night and just 'knew something was wrong.' 'I got a call from Alex Monday night. As soon as I picked up the phone I knew something was wrong,' he said. Paul had been awaiting trial on charges relating to the 2019 boating death of Mallory Beach (pictured), who was thrown from the boat Paul was allegedly driving while drunk when he crashed it 'Oh man, he just told me: "Come as fast as you can. Paul and Maggie have been hurt."' Randy described his brother as a 'very caring person' whose wife Maggie was 'the rock of the family.' 'His voice - the fear, he was just distraught,' Randy said of speaking to his brother. He added that the horrific murders had changed them as 'a family'. 'I can't imagine horror that my brother is experiencing,' he said. John told how one moment Alex is 'upright and strong, and making his way and then he just breaks down'. The family said they were speaking out to urge anyone with information to come forward. 'The person that did this is out there and there's information however big or however small it is,' said Randy. The Murdaughs were dealt another tragedy last week when three days after Monday's murders, Paul's grandfather and Alex's father Richard Murdaugh III died aged 81. His death is believed to have been the result of natural causes. Now, 11 days on from Paul and Margaret's murders, little is known about what happened. Investigators were seen searching near a swamp close to the scene of the murders, reported GMA. Police have made no arrests, revealed no suspects, persons of interest or possible motives, and little information has been released to the public. They have ruled the deaths a double homicide but insisted there is no risk to the public. Cops have also appealed for anyone with information to come forward, and have refused to release audio of the 911 call made by Alex Murdaugh on the evening he found his wife and son dead. The Murdaugh family home where the two bodies were found. Colleton County Coroner Richard Harvey said they had each been shot multiple times, with their time of death placed at between 9pm and 9.30pm The bodies were said to be found near a dog kennel on the family's property by Richard This graphic shows the Murdaugh family tree Repeated requests for information from SLED were denied, citing an active investigation - even though South Carolina state law requires police to provide some records on cases in the days following an incident. On Tuesday, State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) finally shared a press release about the investigation. It gave few details, other than confirming Alex made the 911 call at 10.07pm to report finding his wife and son's bodies. The agency again ruled out releasing further information about the case saying it does not want to jeopardize the investigation. 'SLED is committed to conducting a professional and thorough criminal investigation to bring justice in the deaths of Paul and Maggie,' it said. 'SLED is further committed to transparency and will release any additional information, including additional information provided during the 911 call, at the appropriate time. 'However, we cannot and will not do anything that could jeopardize the integrity of this investigation or that would violate the due process afforded to all in our constitutional system of justice.' Officials also finally set up a dedicated tip line for the case. Prior to this press release, the only report released to date had been a one-line statement from Colleton County Sheriff's Office Tuesday. It reads: 'On June 7, 2021 at approximately 2226 hours I responded to 4147 Moselle Rd in Colleton County in reference to two gunshot victims found by the caller.' Colleton County Coroner Richard Harvey confirmed Monday the two victims had each been shot multiple times, with their time of death placed at between 9pm and 9.30pm. Paul (right) - the son of a powerful South Carolina legal family - is thought to have been the intended target of the shooting that also killed his mom Margaret (left) The coroner said authorities would know more when the full autopsy is completed in around six weeks' time. Harvey refused to answer any further questions about the case or confirm reports that two separate firearms were used in the slayings. 'That is all the information we are releasing at this time,' Harvey said Monday. 'They were both shot multiple times and SLED will take it from here,' he said. A law enforcement source last week told The Island Packet Paul was shot in the head and upper body with a shotgun, while Margaret was shot with an assault rifle. The source said Paul was thought to have been the intended victim of the shooting while Margaret was likely in the wrong place at the wrong time. Their bodies were found several yards apart from one another and shell casings were discovered at the scene, they said. SLED was handed the case from Colleton County Sheriff's office almost immediately due to the Murdaugh family ties to the 14th Circuit solicitor's office. Rumors continue to swirl over the case given the silence from officials and Paul's charges over the boating death. The South Carolina Attorney General's Office said Monday the charges had been dropped following Paul's death but that the investigation remains open. Paul, Margaret, Alex and Buster. The Murdaugh family has ruled the county's legal system for decades, prosecuting nearly every criminal case in the southern part of the state Alex and Margaret pictured together. Officials continue to remain tight-lipped about the double murders 'We had every intention of moving forward with Paul Murdaugh's prosecution,' spokesperson Robert Kittle told the Island Packet. 'While the charges against him will be dismissed, the case has not been closed because the investigation is not finished.' The local paper had asked the office for the case files. This has fueled speculation about why the investigation is still ongoing, with the attorney representing Paul saying he believes it suggests cops are probing a tie between the 2019 death and the double murder. 'I can understand that they would not want to open the investigative file to disclosure because there may be information related to the murder investigation,' said attorney Jim Griffin. Paul was awaiting trial on three felony charges of facing one count of boating under the influence causing death and two counts of boating under the influence causing great bodily injury over the death of Mallory in 2019. According to depositions filed as part of a lawsuit brought by Mallory's family last year, he and Mallory were part of a group of six who went by boat to an oyster roast on Paukie Island on February 23 2019. The group left to head back around midnight. Witnesses at the party said they urged the group not to travel by boat as it was foggy and cold and they had been drinking. Paul was 'grossly intoxicated', got into an argument in a bar and insisted on driving the boat, according to testimony. Mallory Beach (pictured). Questions around a possible tie between her boating death and last week's murders continue to mount as the state attorney general is refusing to close the case into the boat crash despite the death of the man accused of being culpable Paul's attorney said the fact the 2019 case is not closed suggests a tie between the case and the murders Pauls cousin Anthony Cook, who was also Mallory's boyfriend, said Paul was behaving erratically in the moments before the crash. He started yelling at his girlfriend and slapped her, before stripping down into his underwear in the 40 degree weather, he said. 'Paul for some reason acted like he was on drugs or something. He started taking his clothes off during one of the arguments, and it is 40 degrees outside,' Cook sad in his testimony. 'I've seen him do it a few times when gets drinks. I don't know why he does that.' Paul then allegedly pushed the boat full throttle and it crashed into bridge pilings that lead to Parris Island. Mallory was thrown from the boat and drowned. It took dive teams nine days to find her body in the water. Cook also testified that Paul would often get drunk and become a different person, earning him the nickname 'Timmy'. An excerpt from testimony by Anthony Cook, who is Paul's cousin and was Mallory's boyfriend at the time, describing Paul strip down to his boxers Excerpt from Cook's testimony about Paul's drunk alter ego 'Timmy' Excerpt from Cook's testimony about the arguments before the boat accelerated and crashed 'It's a different name because he turns into a completely - totally different person. So somebody will say, 'All right. Here comes Timmy. We got to go."' Paul pleaded not guilty and was due to stand trial. The day after the boating accident - and weeks before Paul was charged - the 14th Circuit solicitor's office told the attorney general about the conflict of interest. Mallory's mother filed a wrongful death civil lawsuit against the family last year. The suit also named Parker's convenience store, saying a store clerk sold alcohol to two of the underage teens that night after one of them flashed a fake ID. Both Mallory and Paul were underage at the time. The first two judges it was assigned to each recused themselves from the suit and it was eventually handed to a judge from another county in the state. The Beach family released a statement after the murders saying they hoped the killer would be brought to justice. 'The Beach Family extends its deepest and warmest sympathies to the Murdaugh family during this terrible time. 'Having suffered the devastating loss of their own daughter, the family prays that the Murdaughs can find some level of peace from this tragic loss. 'They would like the family and the community to know that their thoughts and continued prayers are with the Murdaughs. Authorities are refusing to release almost any information about the investigation despite state rules. Colleton County Sheriff's Office released this one-line statement Tuesday 'It is their most sincere hope that someone will come forward and cooperate with authorities so that the perpetrator of these senseless crimes can be brought to justice.' Paul's family connections are believed by some in the local community to have landed him with softer treatment from prosecutors. There are now growing concerns the family's powerful role in the county's legal system could jeopardize the current murder investigation and the search for the killer or killers. The sheriff's office handed the case to SLED last week due to the Murdaugh family ties to the 14th Circuit solicitor's office, according to The Post and Courier. Alex works as a part time prosecutor for the office. On Thursday, Richard Murdaugh III - Paul's grandfather and Margaret's father-in-law, died aged 81 from an unspecified illness Three generations of the family - Alex's father, grandfather and great-grandfather - ran the office consecutively from 1920 through 2005. There was a brief gap in 1995 when Buster Murdaugh was accused of helping moonshiners evade authorities. It is now headed up by non-family member Duffie Stone. However, the 14th Circuit solicitor's office is still involved with the investigation and has not handed off the case, reported The Post and Courier. Funerals were held Friday for Paul and Margaret. Hundreds including public officials gathered for the service as they were laid to rest in Hampton Cemetery. Alex and Margaret also had another son named Buster. As well as dominating the 14th Circuit solicitor's office, Randolph Murdaugh also founded law firm Peters, Murdaugh, Parker, Eltzroth & Detrick in 1910. The Murdaugh family's power has helped them accrue vast amounts of wealth in the county, including owning more than 1,700 acres of land including the hunting lodge where the double murders took place. They have been struck by other tragedy in the past with Randolph killed when a freight train hit his car. The Democratic candidates in New York's Mayoral race clashed on policing, race and what kind of foods should be allowed in the city in their final debate ahead of the primary next week, with one candidate telling her black opponent that he 'doesn't speak for minorities' in his criticism of defunding cops - even though he is black. Front-runner Eric Adams, a former NYPD cop who has been endorsed by George Floyd's brother, was slammed by his opponents for his promise to bring back stop-and-frisk and the controversial anti-crime unit that de Blasio disbanded last June in the heat of the BLM movement. Maya Wiley, one of the most liberal candidates who is ranking third in the polls, didn't raise her hand when all of the candidates were asked if they'd put more cops on subway cars amid a surge in violent public transit crime. Neither did Dianne Morales, who wants to cut the NYPD's budget by $3billion, or Scott Stringer. The other candidates did raise their hands. When asked what she'd ban in the city, Wiley said 'every sugary drink' because her kids 'love them'. Adams said he'd get rid of processed meat, whereas Yang said he'd crackdown on the 'those ATVs that are terrorizing our streets right now.' In one of the most memorable moments from the debate, long-shot contender Dianne Morales fumed at opponent Raymond McGuire - a black businessman - telling him he 'didn't speak for minorities' when he said 'black and brown communities do not want to defund the police.' Morales wants to cut another $3billion from the NYPD's budget. McGuire said he disagreed and so did others in the black and brown communities. He said defunding the police would 'end in disaster' for New Yorkers'. Asked who would put more cops on NYC's subway cars, every candidate aside from Dianne Morales, Maya Wiley and Scott Stringer said they would. There has been a surge in stabbings and attacks on New York's subways Maya Wiley: No additional cops on subway cars, but let's ban sugary drinks. Wiley is third in the polls and wants to cut the NYPD's budget. She spends $550-a-month on a private security patrol car in her Brooklyn neighborhood Eric Adams: Former NYPD cop and the front-runner. He wants to bring back stop-and-frisk, take paperwork out of cops' hands to put more on the street and he's been endorsed by George Floyd's brother. He also said in 2018 that he's going to start taking his gun to church because of the number of religious hate crimes unfolding in America Kathryn Garcia: Defunding the police isn't the answer, but let's raise the hiring age for the NYPD from 21 to 25. She also wants to get New York to become reliant on renewable energy. Garcia is second in the polls. She previously led the Sanitation Department Andrew Yang: Endorsed by police union, wants to establish a universal basic income but opponents say he'll need 'monopoly money'. He also wants to put mentally ill homeless people into city-funded psych wards Raymond McGuire: Entrepreneur, he doesn't want to defund the police nor does he want to bring back stop-and-frisk. He says defunding the police would end in 'disaster' for New Yorkers. He's been endorsed by Jay Z, P. Diddy and Nas Dianne Morales: Wants to cut NYPD budget by $3billion, does not want more cops on subway cars, she also wants to take them out of schools and remove them from traffic situations Scott Stringer: City Comptroller, he doesn't think there needs to be more cops on subways. He also doesn't think it's right to put mentally ill homeless people into psych wards Shaun Donovan: Wants to invest $500million in community-focused public safety and racial justice initiatives, says everyone in NYC should live within 15 minutes of good groceries, healthcare, transport and schools Irate, she fired back at him: 'How dare you assume to speak for black and brown communities as a monolith.' In one of the only moments of unanimity, none of the candidates said they'd hire outgoing Mayor Bill de Blasio in any capacity in their administrations. Adams said he wouldn't give de Blasio a formal role but that he would seek his advice before taking office. None of the others said they'd hire him in any capacity, including Wiley, who used to work for him. Yang and Adams, two of the candidates who have received the most attention, traded blows over the Captains' Endowment Association police union endorsing Yang over Adams, who used to be a cop. Yang said it showed Adams can't be trusted, that his own union doesn't even want to stand behind him. 'The people you should ask about this are his colleagues. They think Im a better choice than Eric for keeping us and our families safe,' Yang said. Adams shot back that he never wanted their endorsement in the first place because the association once referred to George Floyd's death as a 'game' in which they were being used as a pawn. Yang and other candidates also slammed Adams for saying he'd be taking his gun to church after the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting which claimed 11 lives in 2018. Violent crimes across NYC are spiking at a worrying rate and all of the candidates are campaigning on the issue. The Manhattan South police district, seen in the above charts, covers the key tourist area in and around Times Square A new poll puts Adams out in front for the primary election that'll happen next week ahead of November's mayoral election At the time, he hadn't yet announced he was going to run. The day after the shooting, he said: 'From now on, I will bring my handgun every time I enter a church or synagogue.' The shooter was brought down by police. Adams wants to give the police more man-power by taking away their clerical duties to put them back on the street. He also wants to bring back stop-and-frisk - the controversial practice that many dubbed racist and a means of racial profiling - but says he'll never let anyone be 'abused' by it. The candidates agreed on one thing - none would hire current Mayor Bill de Blasio in their administrations, and some said they wouldn't even consult him for advice Kathryn Garcia, who is second in the polls, doesn't want to defund the police but she does want to raise the recruitment age of the NYPD from 21 to 25. She said on Wednesday night: 'To be quite honest with you, these are complicated times, and several of my opponents are using #DefundThePolice. 'I just don't think that's the right approach.' She also wants to make the city entirely reliant on renewable energy. Yang, who wants to give out $1billion in COVID relief and establish a universal base income for New Yorkers, was accused of dreaming up generous schemes that he'd have to pay for with 'monopoly money'. The primary is on June 22 and will decide who is the Democratic candidate in November's election. New York City hasn't had a Republican mayor since 2001, when Rudy Giuliani was replaced by Michael Bloomberg. There are only two Republican candidates to consider; Fernando Mateo, who wants to add 20,000 to the NYPD, and Curtis Sliwa, the head of the Guardian Angels. Australian states are taking no chances with travellers from New South Wales after a Covid outbreak in Sydney grew to four cases in less than 48 hours. Thousands of people will now be forced to take tests and isolate if they wish to travel interstate from NSW. Authorities in Sydney are scrambling to keep the lid on a potential outbreak, after a driver who transported international flight crew tested positive on Wednesday. The Bondi man's wife has since also tested positive, as has a woman in her 70s who was at a Vaucluse cafe at the same time. A man in his 40s in Sydney's north-west, with no known links to other infections, has also tested positive - but authorities are still investigating whether he currently has the virus. The outbreak has lead to a number of border rule changes for people travelling from NSW, from out-right bans for some to complicated declaration documents for others. States have rushed to impose restrictions on some Sydneysiders after the outbreak began (pictured, health workers at Bondi Beach's testing centre on Thursday) One of the positive cases man, who lives in Bondi, is employed as a driver who picks up international airport crew (pictured, testing at Bondi Beach on Thursday) Police are also investigating whether the man - who has the Indian Delta virus variant - breached any health orders by not wearing PPE when behind the wheel. He is required to be tested daily as a frontline worker, and at this stage it isn't known if he was wearing personal protective equipment - a mandatory requirement - or if he had been vaccinated. Below are all the restrictions brought in by other states and territories in response to the outbreak. Victoria Residents from the City of Sydney, Waverley and Woollahra Councils need to obtain a travel permit, get tested within 72 hours and isolate until they receive a negative result. No people who have visited any of the exposure sites in Sydney are allowed into the state, and if already there, must isolate immediately. Queensland From Saturday, June 19, all arrivals, from any state, will require a border declaration pass. Anyone already in the Sunshine State who has attended one of the exposure sites in NSW is automatically required to quarantine. A number of states - including Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia - have closed the border to those travelling from NSW after the recent outbreak in Sydney's east Testing numbers are said to be on the rise in NSW after three confirmed positive cases in Sydney's east (pictured, medical workers administering tests at Bondi Beach) Northern Territory Any person who has arrived in the Top End since June 1 and has been to an exposure site must immediately get tested and undertake 14 days of quarantine at a suitable venue. Those deemed casual contacts must also isolate, get a Covid test and remain in self-quarantine until a negative test is returned. South Australia The border is shut for those who attended the specified virus exposure sites in NSW. Western Australia The border is shut for those who attended the specified virus exposure sites in NSW. Tasmania The border is shut for those who attended the outlined virus exposure sites in NSW. Australian Capital Territory Complete a declaration form within 24 hours of becoming aware that you have been to an exposure location, get a Covid test and then isolate until the result is confirmed as negative. Professor Lockdown Neil Ferguson is 'more optimistic' about Britain's Covid fight against the Indian variant than he has previously been. The prominent SAGE adviser warned just last week that the country faced a third wave 'at least comparable in terms of hospitalisations' to previous peaks due to the ultra-infectious new strain. But Professor Ferguson, whose frightening death forecasts prompted the first lockdown and spooked ministers into triggering the most recent delay to Freedom Day, said fresh data had given him confidence admissions and deaths would remain at 'manageable levels'. His comments last Thursday came on the back of evidence showing the mutant 'Delta' variant was twice as likely to cause severe illness in unvaccinated people compared to the Kent variant and could be up to 80 per cent more infectious. But the epidemiologist appears to have changed his tune after real-world data on Monday revealed the vaccines were extremely effective at blocking severe disease and hospitalisations. Meanwhile, Professor Chris Whitty today warned that Covid had 'not thrown its last surprise at us' as he cautioned against getting complacent about the virus today. England's chief medical officer said the winter period could be 'very difficult' and hinted that rolling back restrictions had not been completely taken off the table. Professor Lockdown Neil Ferguson is 'more optimistic' about Britain's Covid fight against the Indian variant than he has previously been. His optimistic comments were echoed by fellow SAGE member Professor Graham Medley, who said it was unlikely the country would move backwards when July 19 comes round But the comments were offset by more pessimistic comments from Professor Christ Whitty, who today warned that Covid had 'not thrown its last surprise at us' as he cautioned against getting complacent about the virus Latest analysis by PHE estimates that Pfizer's vaccine slashes the risk of being hospitalised by the Indian variant by 96 per cent after two doses and AstraZeneca's jab cuts it by 92 per cent. Previous real-world analysis by PHE found that Pfizer's jab was 97 per cent effective at preventing admissions from the Kent variant. PHE has not yet published data on AstraZeneca's effect on older strains The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Imperial College London and Warwick University all underestimated how well the vaccines would protect people from being hospitalised with the Indian Covid variant in models which influenced the decision to delay June 21 Freedom Day. The underestimate meant their models likely overestimated the number of deaths and hospitalisations that will follow in the coming weeks and months. Public Health England's real-world analysis showed the jabs were extremely effective after two doses Professor Ferguson was speaking at a medical conference about the Delta strain today, where he was asked about whether the new 'terminus date' on July 19 will be irreversible. 'I'm hoping we won't have to reverse cause and I suspect we won't,' he said. 'I think we will see hospitalisations and deaths rise but at manageable levels. So I'm more optimistic than I was.' SAGE's frightening Covid death estimates used to justify delaying Freedom Day will be slashed by tens of thousands because the models used out of date data SAGE's Covid death predictions may be downgraded by tens of thousands because the vaccines are performing better than expected against the Indian variant and the estimates were based on out of date data. In papers submitted to the Government this week which ultimately led to Freedom Day being pushed back to July 19, modellers at Imperial College London warned that there could 200,000 more fatalities in the UK by next June. While that model looked at a 'worst-case' scenario, other universities forecasting the crisis for SAGE said it was realistic to expect 40,000 to die in that time. However, the gloomiest forecasts were based on assuming that two doses of AstraZeneca's vaccine gave as little as 77 per cent protection against being hospitalised with the Indian 'Delta' variant. They also worked on the assumption that being fully immunised with Pfizer's jab may only reduce admissions by 84 per cent. The groups' central assumptions had protection slightly higher. But it has since emerged the vaccines perform much better against the mutant strain than any of the estimates plugged into SAGE's models. Public Health England's best guess is that two doses of AstraZeneca's jab cuts the risk of hospitalisation by up to 92 per cent, while the figure for Pfizer's was even higher at 96 per cent. The new vaccine efficacy estimates, based on real-world data of 14,000 Delta cases in England, were made public just minutes after SAGE's frightening forecasts were published on Monday, which led many to assume it was too late to use PHE's data in its models. Yet Dr Susan Hopkins, the deputy director of PHE's national infection service, admitted to MPs yesterday that the Government knew about the figures last Friday. It suggests ministers and their scientific advisers pressed ahead with publishing the calculations, which strengthened the argument for delaying June 21, despite knowing there was more accurate data available. Tory MPs have questioned why the real-world data hadn't been given precedence and have called for the models to be re-calibrated with the new estimates. Advertisement His optimistic comments were echoed by fellow SAGE member Professor Graham Medley, who said it was unlikely the country would move backwards. Professor Medley, chair of the SPI-M modelling group within SAGE, told the Royal Society of Medicine conference: 'I agree with Neil. 'I find it very unlikely that we will have to move backwards from where we are, the question is about moving forwards.' On Monday Public Health England said it believed that doses of AstraZeneca's jab cuts the risk of hospitalisation by up to 92 per cent. The figure for Pfizer's was even higher at 96 per cent. This was based on data of 14,000 Delta cases in England between April 12 and June 4, of which 166 were admitted with the disease. The findings calmed some fears about the variant, which had mutations thought to give it the ability to dodge vaccines. But given how infectious it is - PHE's best guess is that it's at least 80 per cent more transmissible than the Kent version - scientists are sure it will still cause infection numbers to spike when the country unlocks. Professor Ferguson and Professor Medley admitted there was a high level of uncertainty around how many of these will translate into hospital admissions and deaths. 'We know it's more transmissible, Alpha [the Kent variant] is still going down despite relaxation and delta is going up,' Professor Medley said. 'The million dollar question is we are going to see a lot of cases in the next few weeks, I'm certain of that, how that translates into hospitalisations and deaths we don't know,' he added. 'At some point the Government will have to unlock and at that point we are going to see a rise in transmission even more than we are at the moment but it's how that translates into hospitalisations that is uncertain. 'We know delta compromises vaccine effectiveness. But the compromising is more so after one dose so we're speeding up getting second doses out there. 'Hopefully in four weeks time everyone above the age of 40 will have had the opportunity to have had a second dose of vaccine. Hopefully that puts us in a better place moving forward.' But Professor Whitty struck a more pessimistic tone as he speaking at an NHS conference today. He warned cases will shoot up in the next few weeks and that could lead to a further winter surge. 'We need to... brace for the fact that the coming winter may well be quite a difficult one,' he said. 'My expectation is that we will get a further winter surge, late autumn/winter surge, and that is because we know that winter and autumn favour respiratory viruses, and therefore it'd be very surprising if this particular highly transmissible respiratory virus was not also favoured. 'The other thing we need to bear in mind is that we had a minimal flu winter, last winter, or RSV [a respiratory virus] in kids. 'We will get all of those back this coming winter, unless the Covid situation is so bad that everybody has started to go back to minimising their social contact again. 'So either we will have a very significant Covid surge, we will minimise our contacts and we will have less respiratory viruses.' Professor Whitty said most scientists agree there will be 'further problems' in the colder months. 'How big they'll be I think is uncertain, and that partly depends on do we get new variants which can evade vaccines better, and partly depends on how the current wave passes through the UK.' He warned the virus would continue to throw up problems over the next few years. 'The period over the next two or three years, I think, new variants may well lead to us having to revaccinate or consider boosting vaccination as they come through. 'So, I think we have to just be aware that Covid has not thrown its last surprise at us and there will be several more over the next period.' Because there are still very few overall hospital admissions from the Indian Covid variant, Professor Medley said experts could not be absolutely certain about their estimates. Referring to PHE's promising findings, he told the conference: 'First of all when we say 90 per cent effectiveness there is very little certainty with that estimate. 'There's just not enough data... it's somewhere between 85 per cent and 95 per cent. 'But we're still talking about very effective vaccines against Delta. We will evaluate the situation over the summer... and the Government is already planning for a potential booster program in the autumn.' Defending the decision to push back the original June 21 Freedom Day, Professor Ferguson said: 'The uncertainty spans the range of having a third wave with 100 deaths, 200 deaths a day at its peak to something like the level we saw in January so that is why we've delayed for four weeks.' A new recording exposes a GOP candidate with threatening to kill his political rival with Ukrainian and Russian hit squads. Politico reported Thursday that it had obtained a recording of Florida Congressional candidate William Braddock saying that if it looked like rival Anna Paulina Luna was going to win the GOP primary for the 13th District Congressional seat, he would take her out. 'I really don't want to have to end anybody's life for the good of the people of the United States of America,' Braddock said in a conversation last week. 'That will break my heart. But if it needs to be done, it needs to be done. Luna is a f**king speed bump in the road. She's a dead squirrel you run over every day when you leave the neighborhood.' A new recording exposes Florida Congressional candidate William Braddock saying he wants to make GOP rival Anna Paulina Luna (pictured) 'disappear' using Ukrainian and Russian hit squads Politico obtained a recording of a phone conversation in which GOP Congressional candidate William Braddock (pictured) appears to say he wants to 'sacrifice' fellow Republican Anna Paulina Luna Braddock said his 'polling people' were going to charge him $20,000 to do a poll before the GOP primary. 'And if the poll says Luna's gonna win, she's gonna be gone. She's gonna disappear,' he said in the recording. 'For the good of our country, we have to sacrifice the few ... For the better or the good of the majority of the people, we've got to sacrifice the few.' The Tampa Bay Times had reported Monday that Luna, who ran for the seat in 2020 and lost to Democratic Rep. Charlie Crist, had filed a stalking injunction against Braddock. 'I received information yesterday (at midnight) regarding a plan (with a timeline) to murder me made by William Braddock in an effort to prevent me from winning the election for FL-13,' Luna wrote in the petition. In the document she also accused her 2020 primary rival Amanda Makki and Matt Tito, who's thinking about jumping in the 2022, of being involved in a plot to 'take her out.' Another woman, a nurse turned conservative COVID-19 whistleblower, Erin Olszewski, also filed an injunction against Braddock. Olszewski was the woman who gave Politico a recording of a phone conversation she had with Braddock where she said he made the threats. In it, Braddock makes rambling statements about having access to alleged assasins. He said he would get help from fellow Freemasons to finance the plot and also import millions from Malta and Gibraltar. Luna accused Matt Tito (left) who ran for the Florida statehouse in 2020 and might run against her in the GOP primary in 2022, as well as Amanda Makki (right), who she beat in the 2020 GOP primary, as plotting alongside rival William Braddock to 'take her out' 'I have access to a hit squad too, Ukrainians and Russians,' he said, warning Olszewski, 'don't get caught out in public supporting Luna ... Luna's gonna go down and I hope it's by herself.' Politico reached Braddock by text, where he refused to say if he made threats about Luna or brought up Ukrainian and Russian hit squads. He told the publication it was allegedly me ... there is no proof to that' saying the recording 'may even be altered and edited.' 'This is a dirty political tactic that has caused a lot of people a lot of stress and is completely unnecessary,' he said. Olszewski denied manipulating the recording and said she recorded him because of his 'unhinged' dislike for Luna - who had been backed in the last election cycle by embattled Rep. Matt Gaetz and former President Donald Trump. Olszewski turned the June 9 recording over to St. Petersburg police and informed Luna about it, who then filed the stalking injunction against Braddock. She had called him on a smart phone where his name and number are shown on-screen and then video-recorded the conversation using another phone. Braddock had reached out to Olszewski, who penned the controversial COVID-19 book 'Undercover Epicenter Nurse,' to try and get her to appear on a healthcare panel. After several conversations she said she worried about his attitude toward Luna, which she told Politico was 'threatening.' On the recorded call Olszewski asked Braddock for details on the alleged plot. 'I call up my Russian and Ukrainian hit squad and within 24 hours, they're sending me pictures of her disappearing,' he said. 'No, I'm not joking. Like, this is beyond my control [at] this point.' Olszewski asked Braddock if the killers were snipers and he responded that they were, 'Russian mafia. Close-battle combat, Tech 9s, Mack 10s, silencers kind of thing. No snipers. Up close and personal. So they know that the target has gone.' It's a third-degree felony to record someone in Florida without their permission. Olszewski indicated to Politico that St. Petersburg police said she wouldn't be in trouble. In his text messages to Politico Braddock indicated he might sue Olszewski over making the recording. 'The folks in possession of whatever recording they think they have of myself or someone else (which may even be altered and edited) will be facing civil damages suit(s) when the paperwork is file [sic] with the county and felony charges after I file with the local police department,' Braddock wrote. Makki and Tito - who also talked to The Tampa Bay Times - continued to criticize Luna for including their names in the injunction against Braddock. Anna Paulina Luna received the support of former President Donald Trump for her 2020 House bid. Here she appears at a Make America Great Again rally in Tampa days before the election Makki, who lost to Luna in the 2020 GOP primary, told The Times, 'I mean I really think that she's exhibiting behavior that I would say is concerning,' she said of her former rival. She then told Politico, 'The fact she dragged me through the mud, after not seeing or talking to me after 11 months, it really calls into question her judgment.' Tito told The Tampa Bay Times he and Luna once got in a tiff during a radio show appearance together, but said he was 'shocked' by the allegations. 'But it's kind of like this is what she does,' Tito said. 'She can't debate you on the policy issues. She plays the victim better than anybody I've ever seen.' Talking to Politico Tito maintained it was a 'total political hit job.' 'Luna doesn't want me to get in the Republican race because she knows I'll beat her. I'm a better candidate. She's trying to wipe me out of the race, trying to embarrass me, intimidate me, smear my name so she has a wider path to the nomination.' This is the shocking moment a woman was smashed over the head with a bottle and stabbed in the neck in a horrific fight in Leeds. The 33-year-old was left with blood pouring down her face and stumbling down the road after the vicious brawl in East End Park last night. The attack followed a row between her and a 49-year-old woman who came out her house. Sickening footage showed the first woman bash on a front door with what appeared to be a washing pole. She tried to break her way in through a window but the occupants came out screaming at her. The attack followed a row between her and a 49-year-old woman who came out her house The second woman picked up a bottle and advanced on the first as she tried - but failed - to connect with her head The video cut away from the argument as the cameraman was hit by crockery hurled by one of the women. But when they recovered it showed the fighters yelling at each other and slugging it out in front of the house. The second woman picked up a bottle and advanced on the first as she tried - but failed - to connect with her head. They grappled for a few seconds and pulled each others' hair before the second woman slammed the glass on her enemy's head - sending shards across the street. She then shoved the broken glass into the other woman's neck, with the first letting out a piercing scream. They grappled for a few seconds and pulled each others' hair before the second woman slammed the glass on her enemy's head - sending shards across the street Five officers worked together to calm the woman and two led her away from the scene of the attack as the clip ended The two continued to brawl over a parked BMW and bit each other before two men dragged them off and pushed the first woman away. The woman who was hit by the bottle continued to square up to the other over the road as blood and juice trickled down her head. She then tried to get to her foe for a second bout but her face was immersed in blood and she walked away. A witness said: 'It was a row between the two women that has got well out of hand. I've seen some catfights, but this is the worst one I've seen.' They added: 'They've armed themselves with a stick and a bottle and it got pretty bloody.' Later footage showed the first woman stagger down a main road as a group followed her, with police trying to coax her into a squad car Later footage showed the first woman stagger down a main road as a group followed her, with police trying to coax her into a squad car. Five officers worked together to calm the woman and two led her away from the scene of the attack as the clip ended. A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: 'At 8.05pm yesterday (16/6) police were called reports of a fight in Temple View Terrace, East End Park. 'Officers attended and found a 33-year-old woman had received injuries after being assaulted with a bottle. She was treated at hospital and later discharged. 'A 49-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent. She was also treated at hospital for an injury before being discharged. She remains in custody. 'Enquiries into the incident are ongoing.' Matt Hancock suffered an awkward moment with Prince Charles today as his attempted 'elbow bump' was shunned. The Health Secretary was greeting the heir to the throne for a visit to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital when the mix-up happened. As Charles walked through the entrance Mr Hancock thrust out his elbow, but the royal offered his usual 'namaste' welcome. The mismatch resulted in a bizarre dance, ending when the Prince waved away Mr Hancock and joked that it was like doing the 'hokey cokey'. The situation arose as Mr Hancock reels from the extraordinary private messages revealed by maverick former No10 chief Dominic Cummings - including Boris Johnson's brutal assessments of his performance in the pandemic response. The PM branded Mr Hancock 'f****** hopeless' and suggested Michael Gove would have to take over. Mr Hancock today brushed off the controversy, telling journalists he was 'just off to deliver more vaccines' as he left his London home this morning. Meanwhile, a minister risked inflaming the row today by insisting he had 'no idea' whether the PM thinks the health secretary is 'hopeless'. However, after initially appearing unwilling to take sides in his round of interviews, Jesse Norman then switched to stress that Mr Johnson is a 'massive supporter' of Mr Hancock. Matt Hancock was greeting Prince Charles for a visit to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital when the mix-up happened. As Charles walked through the entrance Mr Hancock thrust out his elbow, but the royal offered his usual 'namaste' welcome Mr Hancock and the royal appeared to see the funny side of their awkward mix-up today The Prime Minister's now estranged former consigliere, accused Mr Hancock of being a serial liar who misled Mr Johnson over issues including care homes, PPR and pandemic preparedness. The Health Secretary denies the claims. Mr Hunt today played down headlines that Hancock would be cleared for want of hard evidence. Jeremy Hunt plays down claims Hancock has already been cleared of 'lying' Jeremy Hunt today played down reports that Matt Hancock is to be cleared of lying to Boris Johnson at the height of the pandemic. Dominic Cummings made the bombshell allegation about the Health Secretary when he appeared before MPs a fortnight ago as part of a tirade of attacks on the senior minister. Mr Cummings, the Prime Minister's now estranged former consigliere, accused Mr Hancock of being a serial liar who misled Mr Johnson over issues including care homes, PPE and pandemic preparedness. The Health Secretary denies the claims. Following a new Cummings Twitter spree of revelations yesterday - including WhatsApp messages where the PM called Mr Hancock 'f***ing hopeless' - Mr Hunt gently pointed out that they showed Mr Johnson's 'frustration' but were not proof of lying. This sparked headlines this morning that Mr Hancock would be cleared by the joint investigation by the Commons' science and health committees. But Mr Hunt said that was the wrong conclusion to make, tweeting: 'The joint select committee report into lessons learned from Covid has not been written, let alone seen by any committee member. To say that some of the most serious (Dominic Cummings) allegations have not been substantiated at this stage is quite different.' The committees gave Mr Cummings a deadline last week to substantiate his claims about Mr Hancock's behaviour, which he missed. Advertisement Escorted by Pippa Nightingale, Chief Nurse of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, the VIP party walked through the hospital corridors, thanking members of staff for what they had done for the country during the pandemic. They also visited an indoor garden area, which serves as a time-out area enjoyed by patients, families and staff away from the pressures of the unit and chatted to young people and staff from Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust. Meanwhile, Jeremy Hunt today played down reports that Matt Hancock is to be cleared of lying to Boris Johnson at the height of the pandemic. Dominic Cummings made the bombshell allegation about the Health Secretary when he appeared before MPs a fortnight ago as part of a tirade of attacks on the senior minister. Mr Cummings, the Prime Minister's now estranged former consigliere, accused Mr Hancock of being a serial liar who misled Mr Johnson over issues including care homes, PPE and pandemic preparedness. The Health Secretary denies the claims. Following a new Cummings Twitter spree of revelations yesterday - including WhatsApp messages where the PM called Mr Hancock 'f***ing hopeless' - Mr Hunt gently pointed out that they showed Mr Johnson's 'frustration' but were not proof of lying. This sparked headlines this morning that Mr Hancock would be cleared by the joint investigation by the Commons' science and health committees. But Mr Hunt said that was the wrong conclusion to make, tweeting: 'The joint select committee report into lessons learned from Covid has not been written, let alone seen by any committee member. To say that some of the most serious (Dominic Cummings) allegations have not been substantiated at this stage is quite different.' The committees gave Mr Cummings a deadline last week to substantiate his claims about Mr Hancock's behaviour, which he missed. Downing Street has declined to deny that the messages are genuine, with the PM's spokesman merely insisting he has full confidence in Mr Hancock. Asked in a round of interviews this morning if Mr Johnson regarded Mr Hancock as hopeless, Mr Norman said: 'I have no idea what the Prime Minister thinks about these matters. 'I can tell you what we've been presented with is one side of a snapshot of a conversation, I have no idea if it's true or false, in the middle of the worst economic, social and public health crisis we've had for 100 years. 'So would it be surprising if the odd snapshot portrayed in a certain light gave a certain view to people?' But later it seemed Mr Norman had rethought - or been told to rethink - his lukewarm backing for Mr Hancock. 'I think this is some of the biggest nonsense I've heard,' he said on BBC Radio 4's Today programme. 'The Prime Minister obviously, as anybody would detect, is a massive supporter of the Health Secretary, he's coming firmly behind him. There can be no question of loss of confidence.' Mr Cummings levelled his latest allegations in a lengthy substack blog post today minutes before the weekly PMQs In an exchange with Boris Johnson from March 27 last year Dominic Cummings criticised the Health Secretary over the failure to ramp up testing Mr Cummings gave a brutal assessment of the performance of the government during an exchange of messages in April 2020 Huge changes to superannuation law that will put money back into Australians' pockets have cleared parliament. The contentious superannuation laws which the government says will boost savings and cut fees have cleared parliament. But the federal government was forced to delay the changes until November 1. Currently, workers often unknowingly open many small accounts and get signed up to default insurance, attracting multiple fees. From November, workers will be 'stapled' to their existing super fund when they change jobs. 'Let's not forget that Australians pay more than $30billion in superannuation fees and charges every year,' Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said on Thursday. The overhaul of the $3.2trillion superannuation pool will save consumers more than $17billion, according to the government 'Yet many Australians don't know the amount they have in super or indeed that it is their money to access.' He said the overhaul of the $3.2trillion superannuation pool will save consumers more than $17billion. The laws also benchmark performance and shuts down access to poorly performing funds. But critics say it will trap millions of people in dud products, including super funds slammed for dodgy dealing by the banking royal commission. The Industry Super Australia organisation says the government has given poor super products a leg up at the cost of the workers they are fleecing with their high fees and lousy performance. People in blue-collar jobs or people working in new riskier jobs may not be covered by their old insurance. 'Young workers who will move into hazardous sectors like building and construction deserve superannuation legislation that recognises their unique needs,' Cbus chief executive Justin Arter said. 'Let's not forget that Australians pay more than $30billion in superannuation fees and charges every year,' Treasurer Josh Frydenberg (pictured on Thursday) said A proposed review by Treasury will examine occupational exclusions in insurance. Labor opposed the changes and independent senator Rex Patrick failed to extend performance tests to more retail super products during the hard-fought final two days of debate. The government had already removed a contentious veto power for the treasurer over funds' investment decisions. Labor leader Anthony Albanese said there were those in the government who believed it was 'time to kill superannuation stone dead'. 'That is the view of the Liberal and National parties when it comes to workers having decent retirements and having dignity in their later years,' Mr Albanese told parliament. 'They are not content to trash the aged care system - they want also before people get to aged care to have a pretty bad retirement.' Centre Alliance senator Stirling Griff said the amendments addressed many of the problems in current rules that effectively reduced retirement incomes. 'Our changes will mean millions of Australians will retire with more money in their super and a better, more dignified retirement,' Senator Griff said. More than 3.5 million Americans are still collecting traditional state unemployment benefits as the number of people seeking new jobless aid claims rose last week for the first time in two months. The Labor Department said on Thursday that the number of Americans receiving continued unemployment benefits rose slightly by 1,000 to just over 3.5 million for the week ending June 5. That figure was at about 19 million around this time last year when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the economy to largely shutdown. The government said 14.8 million people were receiving some type of jobless aid - including supplemental federal jobless benefits and regular state unemployment aid - during the week of May 29, which is down from 30.2 million a year earlier. Meanwhile, new weekly applications for unemployment aid rose 37,000 to 412,000 last week despite widespread evidence that the economy and the job market are rebounding steadily from the pandemic recession. The number of Americans applying for new jobless aid rose 37,000 to 412,000 last week for the first time in two months, the Labor Department said on Thursday As the job market has strengthened, the number of weekly applications for unemployment aid has fallen for most of the year. The number of jobless claims generally reflects the pace of layoffs. Weekly applications for unemployment aid had dropped for six straight weeks and economists had expected another dip last week. Still, the government's report showed the the four-week average of claims, which smooths out week-to-week ups and downs, fell by 8,000 last week to 395,000 - the lowest four-week average since the pandemic slammed the economy in March 2020. AnnElizabeth Konkel, an economist at the Indeed Hiring Lab, said the slight rise in weekly jobless claims shouldn't be cause for concern just yet. 'The big picture is that while we are not back to a 'normal' level yet of initial claims, they are no longer astronomically high,' she said. A year ago, nearly 1.5 million people had applied for unemployment benefits in one week. With vaccinations up and more consumers venturing out to spend - on restaurant meals, airline fares, movie tickets and store purchases - the economy is rapidly recovering from the recession. Weekly applications for unemployment aid had dropped for six straight weeks and economists had expected another dip last week. Instead, it rose to 412,000 last week for the first time since April AnnElizabeth Konkel, an economist at the Indeed Hiring Lab, said the slight rise in weekly jobless claims shouldn't be cause for concern just yet because new claims were broadly trending downwards All that renewed spending has fueled customer demand and led many companies to seek new workers, often at higher wages, and avoid layoffs. In fact, the speed of the rebound from the recession has caught many businesses off guard and touched off a scramble to hire. In May, employers added a less-than-expected 559,000 jobs, evidence that many companies are struggling to find enough workers as the economy recovers faster than expected. But many economists expect hiring to catch up with demand in the coming months, especially as federal unemployment aid programs end and more people pursue jobs. They note that the economy still has 7.6 million fewer jobs than it did before the pandemic struck. And employers are posting job openings faster than applicants can fill them. In April, they advertised a record 9.3 million job openings, up a sharp 12 percent from the number in March. The rapid rollout of vaccines has brought the number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases down to an average of just over 12,000, from around 250,000 a day in early January. Though jobless claims have tumbled since the start of 2021, when they exceeded 900,000, they remain high by historical standards. Before the pandemic paralyzed the economy in March 2020, unemployment applications were running at about 220,000 a week. Advertisement A teenager with Down syndrome is 'heartbroken' after she was excluded from her cheerleading team's yearbook photo. Morgyn Arnold, 14, posed for photos with the squad at Shoreline Junior High School in Layton, Utah, only to later learn that the school selected an image without her in it for publication in the yearbook. Arnold's older sister, Jordyn Poll, took to Facebook to call out the school, writing in a post: 'I hope that no one ever has to experience the heartbreak that comes when the person they love comes home from school devastated and shows them that they're not in the picture with their team.' Poll explained that her little sister served as the cheer squad's manager and 'spent hours learning dances, showing up to games, and cheering on her school and friends' only to be left out of the official yearbook snap. Administrators from Shoreline Junior High responded, saying the selection of the photo without Morgan was a 'mistake'. Morgyn Arnold, 14, posed for photos with her squad at Shoreline Junior High School in Layton, Utah. She is seen front and center However, the school selected an image without Arnold in it for publication in the yearbook (seen above) 'We are continuing to look at what has occurred and why it occurred,' they wrote on Facebook. 'Apologies have been made to the family and we sincerely apologize to others impacted by this error. We will continue to address it with the parents of the student. We will continue to look at our processes to ensure this does not happen again.' However, Poll claims it is not the first time her sister has been excluded. 'This is the second time in three years that sweet Morgyn has been left out of the yearbook. Two years ago they didn't even include her in the class list,' Poll proclaimed on Facebook. 'We contacted the school administration this year, and the answer we got was as ignorant as the photo. To the Shoreline Junior administrator who blatantly said they didn't know what we were expecting of them & there was nothing they could do, I hope you can take this away you can be better and I expect you to be better.' Morgan's older sister, Jordyn Poll, appeared on Fox 13, explaining why she chose to call the school out Later, Poll added that her Facebook post was in no way a critique of the other cheer squad members. 'Please listen and hear me clearly - these girls are not the problem. Please stop shaming them!! They were kind, inclusive, and they are Morgyn's friends,' she stated. Poll later appeared on Fox 13, explaining why she chose to call the school out. 'Morgyn is my very best friend, and my heart was broken for her to experience this kind of exclusion,' she stated. 'I felt like at some point it was on me to say something.' Advertisement Two-thirds of UK firms plan to outsource the same or more of their IT services within the next two years, a new report has revealed. A third of those companies (33 per cent) plan an increase to their outsourcing over that period, the survey of more than 250 British businesses found. Manufacturing and chemical firms, and those in the financial industry, are the most likely to move more or all of their IT services out-of-house, according to the report. Reducing costs was given as the main reason for outsourcing, the survey found. It comes as another report, by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, warned that almost six million white-collar jobs are at risk of being shipped abroad if the work-from-home revolution continues. Meanwhile, a leaked report today revealed how the Government was considering introducing a legal right for employees to be able to work-from-home post-Covid. But in a stark message former CBI boss Digby Jones warned that if office workers are given the right to 'flexible working', town and city centres will die, local tax revenues will evaporate, transport systems will collapse and productivity will fall. Lord Jones warned the UK was becoming a 'Zombie nation' which will, 'revert to the enervating era of the British disease of the 1970s, of low ambition and absence of national self-confidence, of underinvestment and industrial unrest.' The outsourcing survey, by Whitelane Research and PA Consulting, found that 65 per cent of respondents plan to outsource at the same rate or more in the next two years. One third (33 per cent) said they were planning to outsource more of their business. However 16 per cent of organisations said they were planning to outsource less, meaning the amount of companies planning to up their outsourcing in the next two years is around 17 per cent net. By industry, the manufacturing and chemicals sector (59 per cent), and the financial services sector (46 per cent), are planning to increase outsourcing the most. Cost reduction was cited as the number one driver for businesses to outsource, with 66 per cent listing it as their reason. Manish Khandelwal, IT Transformation expert at PA Consulting, said the pandemic had been a key driver in companies increasingly turning to outsourcing and that expected the demand to 'increase post-Covid'. A third of those businesses (33 per cent) plan to increase their outsourcing over that period, the survey, of more than 250 British businesses, found. Manish Khandelwal (pictured left), IT Transformation expert at PA Consulting, said the pandemic had been a key driver in companies increasingly turning to outsourcing and that expected the demand to 'increase post-Covid'. It comes as No.10 (pictured right: Prime Minister Boris Johnson) today poured cold water on the idea that the Government could make new legislation which would mean workers were no longer forced to come into the office The outsourcing survey, by Whitelane Research and PA Consulting, found that 65 per cent of respondents plan to outsource at the same rate or more in the next two years. One third of those said they are planning to outsource more of their business Cost reduction was cited as the number one driver for businesses to outsource, with 66 per cent listing it as their reason Firms that have already outsourced since the start of the Covid pandemic Barclays In April it was announced that Barclays has shifted some call centre operations to the UK from India as staff there struggle to cope with the ongoing Covid-19 crisis. Chief executive Jes Staley said the bank employs 20,000 people in India but many have been forced to stay at home to look after family members as the country's death toll soars. Mr Staley said Barclays had sent money via its charitable foundation to support the efforts in the country, and moved some work back to the UK. Mr Staley said: 'India is very important to the bank and there is extraordinary hardship going on there right now. 'We were very mindful that a number of employees need to stay home now, they've got family that are sick that they need to take care of. 'We are making payments, but allowing them to help their families manage through this pandemic. It's a very tough place right now.' Nestle It was also announced in April that Nestle is planning to axe nearly 600 staff and shut its Newcastle factory that makes Fruit Pastilles - and shift production of most of its sweets to EU plants instead. The Swiss-owned firm is proposing the closure of its site in Fawdon towards the end of 2023, with the loss of around 475 jobs, with a further 98 job cuts in York. While some production will continue to remain in Britain, more than half will be moved to the continent, it emerged today. The company said it was proposing changes to adapt its confectionery manufacturing for the future, with a 29.4 million investment at its factories in York and Halifax. Nestle said the proposed changes would 'create a more efficient manufacturing footprint' and have been announced as early as possible to allow time for consultation with workers and unions. The multinational company acknowledged that the closure of the Fawdon would have a major impact on the area and pledged to support the local community. The factory, which first opened in 1958, makes all the Rolos in the world and also produces a range of sweets that includes Fruit Pastilles, Mini Eggs, Caramac and Munchies. ASOS In July last year it was reported that hundreds of ASOS workers were set to lose their jobs with the firm moving the bulk of customer service work to the Philippines Around 500 day shift employees at its customer care centre in Leavesden, Hertfordshire, were informed that they were facing possible redundancy. An email to staff from chief executive Nick Beighton in July last year insisted that the move was 'not an impact of Covid-19'. In a video call, bosses announced they were opening a new customer care centre in the Philippines to support their international customers, an insider said. It is believed staff were allowed to apply for new roles in the refund department, but only 128 positions were put up for grabs. Advertisement Commenting on the report, he said: 'It is evident that industry has embraced the changes that have come about since COVID-19 and used the opportunity to reduce operating expense (Opex), introduce new ways of working, focus on innovation and improve productivity. 'COVID-19 accelerated the pace of digital transformation and customers, service providers and employees have all have come together and demonstrated unprecedented agility and resilience. 'As businesses look to grow post-pandemic the demand is expected to increase, digital transformation across all industries will speed-up and the war for talent will only intensify.' The survey comes after a report by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change warned almost six million white-collar jobs are at risk of being shipped abroad if the work-from-home revolution continues. It said the 'mass experiment' with remote working during the pandemic has 'begun to loosen the binds' that previously tied working roles to specific places. As a result, well-paid professions are vulnerable to being shifted overseas including the jobs of graphic designers, accountants and software experts. The report warned that if ministers do not take urgent action there will be consequences similar to those caused by the 'loss of manufacturing jobs in the 1970s, but on an accelerated timeframe'. According to the research, 5.9million jobs 18 per cent of the UK's workforce could be lost offshore. The report said: 'Having put in place the digital infrastructure to make remote working possible, businesses, especially larger ones, are likely to persist with it even after the pandemic in order to reduce overheads, boost productivity and recruit talent from a wider geography. 'As a result, they may opt to employ only the core staff required for in-person collaboration and decision-making while outsourcing and offshoring those who are not.' Meanwhile, No10 today poured cold water on the idea of working from home becoming the 'default' after coronavirus amid a backlash from businesses - insisting there are 'clear benefits' from being in offices. The emergence of proposals for a legal right to flexible working has sparked fears employers will be blocked from insisting staff attending offices unless they can prove it is essential. The Government will consult on the plan originally pledged in the 2019 Tory manifesto - over the summer ahead of possible legislation later this year. But the prospect sparked a backlash amid fears it could damage productivity, harm firms that rely on workers going into the office and prevent a return to normality in town and city centres. Businesses said it should a 'conversation' with staff, and 'does not need intervention from Government'. London mayor Sadiq Khan also warned that the return to offices would be an 'important part of our economic recovery'. However, Downing Street insisted this afternoon that working from home will not be made the 'default' position, and the aim is to help parents and others who need more flexibility. And Treasury minister Jesse Norman suggested that businesses could provide general reasons such as the need for staff to 'develop' to ask them to come to offices. 'Every company and every different organisation is going to want to have different approaches,' he told Sky News. 'There are certainly people who are affected differently by lockdown and their needs need to be listened to just as much as anyone else's. 'You will have seen there are some institutions that are taking the view that it is really essential that people should be in the office, and it is unfair to younger people in their judgment not to do that because of the opportunities to grow and to develop peoples skills and bring them on in the organisation. 'This is going to be very company or organisation specific and any guidance the government puts out is going to have to recognise that.' Boris Johnson's (pictured today) spokesman has played down alarm at the idea that millions of staff will be given a 'default' right to work from home after the pandemic Treasury minister Jess Norman suggested that businesses could provide general reasons such as the need for staff to 'develop' to ask them to come to offices Asked about the work from home rules, the PM's spokesman said: 'I think on this we have always been clear there are significant benefits to be gained from people working in the office, be it innovation, delivery, supporting and developing people and of course ensuring people have a higher quality working environment. 'We have asked people to work from home where they can during the pandemic but there are no plans to make this permanent or introduce a legal right to work from home.' Asked if people will have the legal right to request to work from home, the spokesman said: 'What we are consulting on is making flexible working a default option unless employers have good reasons not to. That is the consultation as committed to at the last election.' Challenged whether flexible working would mean the right to stay at home for at least some of the week, the spokesman said: 'As I say, the work of the flexible working task force is to look at flexible working as a whole. 'That covers a range of options. I am not going to pre-empt that work and we will set out the position in due course. 'But as I have said, there is no plans to making working from home permanent or introduce a legal right to work from home.' Both Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Boris Johnson have spoken about the benefits of office life as well as the danger that a permanent home-based culture could create 'zombie towns'. But there are mounting signs that the government will not urge all workers to return to offices when the delayed 'Freedom Day' unlocking finally happens - now meant to be on July 19. Before the pandemic, the Conservative manifesto promised to legislate for flexible working. But the suggestion that businesses could be forced to agree to people permanently working from home sparked alarm. Kate Shoesmith, deputy chief executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, said: 'Businesses and workers across the UK have proven that long-term remote working is possible and beneficial for some of us. 'It's right that employees should have the right to request flexible working arrangements. However, remote working won't be the best policy for everyone. Individual employers should think seriously about what is best for their business and consult with their employees before deciding their stance on remote or flexible working. This is a business conversation with their people, it does not need intervention from Government.' Joe Fitzsimons, senior policy adviser at the Institute of Directors, said many business leaders were taking a hybrid stance into the future following a year of mixed experiences with remote working. 'Ultimately different organisations have different needs, and they will be uniquely placed to work with their staff to find the best solution,' he said. Mike Clancy, general secretary of the Prospect union, said: 'There is a real risk that we end up with a two-tier workforce, further divided between those who can work from home being given flexibility, and those who can't being given none.' Get back to work! Furious bosses condemn Whitehall blueprint to give workers the right to work from home forever and make it ILLEGAL to force them back to the office By Jason Groves, Political Editor for the Daily Mail Millions of office staff would be given a 'default' right to work from home under post-pandemic plans from ministers. The proposals would change the law to make it impossible for employers to insist on staff attending the workplace unless they can show it is essential. The Government will consult on the plan part of a drive to promote flexible working over the summer, ahead of possible legislation later this year. The move is likely to spark a backlash amid fears it could damage productivity, harm businesses that rely on workers going into the office and prevent a return to normality in town and city centres. A report from Tony Blair warned this week that almost six million white-collar jobs were at risk of being shipped abroad if the work-from-home revolution continued. The plans are also likely to spark a fierce Cabinet battle. Both Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Boris Johnson have spoken about the benefits of office life as well as the danger that a permanent home-based culture could create 'zombie towns'. A Whitehall source said: 'We are looking at introducing a default right to flexible working. That would cover things like reasonable requests by parents to start late so they can drop their kids at childcare. 'But in the case of office workers in particular it would also cover working from home that would be the default right unless the employer could show good reason why someone should not.' Millions of office staff would be given a 'default' right to work from home under post-pandemic plans from ministers Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove suggested this week that a hybrid model that included home working was likely to become the norm for many, adding: 'We won't go back to the status quo.' It could effectively allow the millions of office staff who have worked from home during the pandemic to remain doing so for all or part of the week, indefinitely. Yesterday, a leaked Cabinet Office presentation on the post-Covid 'new normal' revealed ministers had been told they should not encourage workers to go back to their desks even if all social distancing measures are lifted on July 19. Ministers were told that the Government was now 'actively looking at ways to help people continue working from home if there is no need for them to be in an office'. A formal consultation on giving workers a legal right to work from home goes a stage further however. Ministers were also advised that face masks were likely to be needed 'in some settings', potentially for months or even years. And there was a warning that restrictions on foreign travel may have to remain in place for a 'significant period'. Any move to sanction a permanent shift to home working is likely to meet resistance from Conservative MPs. Felicity Buchan, Tory MP for Kensington, said the continued advice to work from home was having a devastating impact on central London businesses. Mark Harper, chairman of the Covid Recovery Group of Tory MPs, said ministers had no business interfering in relations between employers and their staff. And fellow Conservative Sir Charles Walker claimed that for many younger people working from home was the equivalent of the new 'dark satanic mills'. Under existing law, employers can require staff to attend the workplace. Ultimately, a refusal to go in to work can be deemed an 'unauthorised absence', allowing an employer to begin disciplinary proceedings. But the Business Department is now looking to change the law to encourage flexible working. Mr Johnson pledged to introduce the change at the 2019 election. A Flexible Working Taskforce, established by Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng this year to advise on the change, is expected to recommend that people are given the right to continue working from home. Peter Cheese, the co-chairman of the taskforce, said last month that the pandemic had demonstrated that staff could work effectively outside traditional workplaces. He cited a survey showing that 71 per cent of firms had found home working either boosted or made no difference to their productivity. In March, Mr Sunak said that home working was no substitute for an office environment with 'people riffing off each other'. And a senior source last night insisted Mr Johnson continued to believe in the benefits of office working. Advertisement The remarkable 'lost' diaries of a German tank commander who went from being a hardened Nazi to a broken soldier in just a few weeks of fighting in the Second World War war have been unearthed. Leutnant Friedrich Sander lost faith in the German war machine after cracking during the brutal Operation Barbarossa - the German invasion of the Soviet Union, which began in June 1941. His secret journals have been found 80 years later and are to be turned into a documentary by History Hit, the streaming network set up by historian Dan Snow. In them, Leutnant Sander described in harrowing detail the barbaric deaths of both German comrades and Russian soldiers, with as many as 15 men executed before his eyes on one occasion. The gruesome acts were enough to tip the highly decorated Panzer commander over the edge. After seeing many colleagues killed and horrifically maimed from driving through a minefield he wrote: 'I have had enough. I want to scream. I just want to scream it all away. My nerves can't take any more.' Also revealed in the new documentary are Leutnant Sander's unseen images of the doomed invasion. The first months of the operation were a success for Nazi troops, who made it to within 15 miles of Moscow before a Soviet counter-offensive pushed them back from December 1941. This fightback, coupled with the fact that the Germans were not prepared for the horrendous conditions of the Russian winter, led to Nazi forces retreating westwards from late 1941 onwards. Ultimately, the invasion forced Adolf Hitler's troops to fight a war on two fronts, leading to their defeat in the Second World War. The remarkable 'lost' diaries of German tank commander Leutnant Friedrich Sander, who went from being a hardened Nazi to a broken soldier in just a few weeks of fighting in the Second World War war, have been unearthed. Pictured: Leutnant Sander (second from the left) with his German Panzer tank crew during Operation Barbarossa in 1941 Leutnant Sander lost faith in the German war machine after cracking under the gut-wrenching scenes during Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union. After seeing many colleagues killed and horrifically maimed from driving through a minefield he wrote: 'I have had enough. I want to scream. I just want to scream it all away. My nerves can't take any more.' He was so disillusioned that he predicted that Germany would lose the Second World War by as early as December 1941. His 'unique and amazing' diaries that run to 150,000 words have been unearthed by German military historian Robin Schaefer. Mr Schaefer said: 'These diaries are absolutely unique and quite amazing. 'They tell the story of the campaign through the eyes of a German junior officer in a way in which it has never been told before. 'Written during the fighting, on long marches and often after terribly gut-wrenching events, Sander's diaries offer a frank and honest assessment of the German situation in 1941 and the unforgiving nature of war on the Eastern Front. 'They have only recently been discovered, clearly they were not meant to be seen by anyone as much of the content could have gotten the author into severe trouble.' Also revealed in the new documentary are Leutnant Sander's unseen images of the doomed invasion, the failure of which ultimately led to Nazi Germany's defeat in the Second World War Leutnant Sander (pictured during Operation Barbarossa) became so disillusioned that he predicted that Germany would lose the Second World War by as early as December 1941 The war graves of German soldiers who died during the invasion. The photo was among those in Leutnant Sander's archive, which was uncovered by German military historian Robin Schaefer A destroyed German Panzer tank after it had been blown up in the summer of 1941. Hitler launched Operation Barbarossa on June 22, 1941 with the aim of invading the Soviet Union to secure future German interests Mr Snow added: 'The invasion launched by Hitler against Stalin 80 years ago this month was the start of the most terrible clash in human history. 'The diaries are so powerful, so vivid and so rich that interviews with historians, presenters and re-enactment are all unnecessary. 'His voice unbiased by the horrors that were to come.' Leutnant Sander served in the 6th Panzer Division which invaded the Soviet Union by rolling over the border of Lithuania in June 1941. Then aged 24, he recalled the moment he and his colleagues stood around to listen to Adolf Hitler's address at the start of the operation that would result in almost one million deaths. He wrote 'the show would go ahead.' He described how the mood in his tank was excellent with one colleague playing the harmonica as they advanced. Spirits were so high that Leutnant Sander even took a bottle of champagne with him to toast his division's first attack. An extract for August 24 described the horrific aftermath of one fight his crews engaged in. He wrote: 'In total more than 20 corpses lay around the destroyed tank. A wounded Russian was also lying there, still with his rifle in his hand. He didn't react when I ordered him to raise his arms. I shot him myself. I did the same to another who pretended to be dead' At the start of the invasion, Leutnant Sander cracked open a bottle of champagne but by the end he was even wondering if the German cause was right Two members of a German tank crew are seen smiling next to their vehicle in the summer of 1941 The ruthlessness of the German advance was borne out on June 27, 1941, when his crew spotted a Russian soldier who played dead before opening fire on the passing German infantry. He wrote: 'That isn't a good idea when facing tank men like us - floor the accelerator, turn left and run over him. Problem solved.' He went on: 'Some of the gunned down Russians in front are still moving. Szepanski finishes them off with a rifle.' As the Germans advanced towards Leningrad (St Petersburg) in July 1941, the young officer is convinced of the Nazis' goal to end Bolshevism, calling the local population a 'big herd of submissive cattle.' An extract for August 24 described the horrific aftermath of one fight his crews engaged in. He wrote: 'In total more than 20 corpses lay around the destroyed tank. 'A wounded Russian was also lying there, still with his rifle in his hand. He didn't react when I ordered him to raise his arms. 'I shot him myself. I did the same to another who pretended to be dead.' A big turning point for Leutnant Sander came on October 2 when many tanks were destroyed in a minefield near Wjasma, between Smolensk and Moscow. Panzer tanks in the summer of 1941. A big turning point for Leutnant Sander came on October 2 when many tanks were destroyed in a minefield near Wjasma, between Smolensk and Moscow He wrote of the terrible injuries suffered by two men in particular. He states: 'They have managed to pull Gossler out alive, but both his legs are badly torn up. 'Both legs are only attached to the body by thin strips of sinew and flesh. Gossler doesn't want to stay still, he has gone insane'. Pictured: German Panzer tanks seen in 1941 A German Panzer tank crossing a bridge in the winter of 1941. By December 21, 1941, when the Red Army had turned the tide of the German advance and the invaders were enduring the harsh conditions of the Russian winter, Leutnant Sander started to doubt the Nazi cause He wrote of the terrible injuries suffered by two men in particular. 'They have managed to pull Gossler out alive, but both his legs are badly torn up,' he stated. 'Both legs are only attached to the body by thin strips of sinew and flesh. Gossler doesn't want to stay still, he has gone insane. 'He has started to sing with a slurring voice, so great is his pain. 'Next, I have to take care of Oberholz. He is still sitting in the driver's seat. Two men then carefully lift him out. 'His spine is broken, and he is totally paralysed. He can hardly speak. 'It is just awful. I briefly jump onto the tank to look at Weigand. I have enough. I want to scream. I just want to scream it all away. My nerves can't take any more.' On November 30 he described coming across the sight of eight partisan fighters, including two women, who had been hanged by the Germans. Further along the road he encountered more Russian prisoners of war (PoWs) who had been summarily executed by their German captors. He wrote: 'We found the bodies of many Russians who hadn't been able to walk further and had been shot by the guards. 'I myself alone counted 15 men who were lying in a ditch.' By December 21, 1941, when the Red Army had turned the tide of the German advance and the invaders were enduring the harsh conditions of the Russian winter, Leutnant Sander started to doubt the Nazi cause. He wrote: 'I tell my men that this is about the reshaping of Europe, the absolute defeat of Bolshevism, the enemy of the people. 'But have I myself really taken these slogans to heart? 'Am I myself convinced by what I try to convincingly explain to my men? By December 21, 1941, when the Red Army had turned the tide of the German advance and the invaders were enduring the harsh conditions of the Russian winter, Leutnant Sander starts to doubt the Nazi cause. Pictured: A German Panzer tank on the move next to a car erman infantry soldiers alongside a Panzer tank. The diaries were discovered by Mr Schaefer in an estate clearance in Germany in 2018, with work on the documentary starting in 2020 'Again and again it is damn hard to get my own head around the fact that everything we are being ordered to do here is right.' On January 14, 1942 he added: 'Even if we manage, against my expectations, to stop the Russian advance, then no one needs to know more than necessary about the hammering we have received. 'And if we fail to stop them, then this will be the beginning of the end. 'This is how I see it at least. All our sacrifices would have been in vain.' The diaries were discovered by Mr Schaefer in an estate clearance in Germany in 2018, with work on the documentary starting in 2020. Two German Panzer tanks rolling through a village in the summer of 1941. The Nazis had initial success with the invasion, but were pushed back by Soviet forces who eventually gained the upper hand in the bitter fighting Mr Snow said: 'We have been searching to find a way to do this conflict justice, to get beyond the statistics, the tens of millions killed, wounded and brutalised and tell the story of what it was actually like'. Pictured: A German soldier stands next to the turret of a Panzer tank Leutnant Sander became disillusioned with Germany's ultimate aim in the war. He wrote: 'I tell my men that this is about the reshaping of Europe, the absolute defeat of Bolshevism, the enemy of the people. But have I myself really taken these slogans to heart? Am I myself convinced by what I try to convincingly explain to my men?. Pictured: A German soldier sits on the top of his tank Mr Snow added: 'For the first time in a documentary series we are letting the voice of a soldier be the narrator. 'This is the first instalment. The story of the Eastern Front through the eyes of one young German'. Pictured: German soldiers stand atop a tank which appears to be damaged, as another of the vehicles sits next to it One page in Leutnant's diary includes his small sketch of a tank. The documentary 'Barbarossa: The Lost Diaries' will be coming soon via History Hit TV Mr Snow said: 'We have been searching to find a way to do this conflict justice, to get beyond the statistics, the tens of millions killed, wounded and brutalised and tell the story of what it was actually like. 'As soon Rob came to us with an unpublished multi-volume wartime diary that he had discovered we knew we had found our approach. 'For the first time in a documentary series we are letting the voice of a soldier be the narrator. 'This is the first instalment. The story of the Eastern Front through the eyes of one young German. 'We will live through the war in the east as he lived it.' The documentary 'Barbarossa: The Lost Diaries' will be coming soon via History Hit TV. Don Lemon - who lives in a $4.3 million home in Sag Harbor where 80 percent of residents are white - has said black and white Americans are 'living in two different realities.' The CNN host told the Washington Post there had been a 'false reality' that racism no longer existed in the US after the nation elected its first black President Barack Obama. The subsequent election of Donald Trump then became a 'wake-up call to white people', he said, while black people knew racism 'was lurking beneath the surface' the whole time. 'We're living in two different realities as black and white people,' he said. The 55-year-old also described the video of George Floyd's murder as an 'equalizer' and said its timing was especially impactful because 'we didn't know what was going to happen the next day, or the next minute, or if we were going to have a job' due to the pandemic. Don Lemon (pictured on CNN) - who lives in a $4.3 million home in Sag Harbor where 80 percent of residents are white - has said black and white Americans are 'living in two different realities' Lemon, who is black, earns a $4 million annual salary as a staple on CNN, where he hosts 'Don Lemon Tonight.' He lives in a 2,750-square-foot four-bedroom cottage in the predominantly white area of Sag Harbor, New York state, with his fiance Tim Malone. Sag Harbor has seven times more white residents than any other race or ethnicity, according to Data USA. In 2018, 80 percent of the population were white, while just 3 percent were black or African-American. Lemon, originally from Louisiana, bought his home in the area for $3.1 million back in 2016 before completely renovating it with the help of his interior designer neighbors. It is now worth $4,353,741, according to a Zillow estimate. He also owned a three-bedroom condo in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan, where 54 percent of residents are black, according to Census data. Lemon, who is black, lives in a $4.3 million four-bedroom cottage in Sag Harbor, New York state where 80% of the population are white and just 3% black with his fiance Tim Malone (pictured together in front of their home) Lemon pictured on a boat in an Instagram post. He earns a $4 million annual salary as a staple on CNN However, Lemon offloaded this property and moved out of the more racially diverse area in February, after it sold for $1.5 million. Lemon spoke to the Post about racism in America, following the release of his book 'This Is the Fire: What I Say to My Friends About Racism' in March. 'There's also this false reality that we're living in a post-racial world after the election of Barack Obama,' Lemon said. 'That was all bulls**. It was a wake-up call to white people who thought we were living in a nonracist world.' He added: 'We're living in two different realities as black and white people. Lemon spoke to the Post about racism in America, following the release of his book 'This Is the Fire: What I Say to My Friends About Racism' in March 'We knew, as black people, what was lurking beneath the surface. I still believe that [Trump] was the necessary wake-up for America to realize just how racist it is.' The 55-year-old described the video of George Floyd's murder as a 'singular moment' and 'an equalizer in the way that it made us all vulnerable and empathetic at the same time.' 'A collective vulnerability and empathy. We all became human, and we saw the humanity - finally - in this black man who was getting killed by a police officer,' he said. The timing of the black man's death at the hands of law enforcement was more impactful as it came during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said. 'We were also doing it during a time when we may have been sick ourselves, or our next neighbor was sick, our moms, or any loved one,' he said. The CNN host said he and others didn't know if they would get sick or lose their jobs, with many fearing at the onset of the pandemic that the economy could collapse. 'We didn't know what was going to happen the next day, or the next minute, or if we were going to have a job,' he said. 'Some people couldn't pay their bills, some people were hungry.' Lemon spoke of his horror watching Floyd being murdered in the footage that set off a movement calling for an end to racism activists say pervades all aspects of American society, and police brutality against black men and women. Lemon in front of his Sag Harbor pad. He also owned a three-bedroom condo in the predominantly black neighborhood of Harlem but sold it for $1.5 million in February 'It was 9 minutes and 29 seconds of a police officer really believing that he was God and had the absolute right to snuff the life from someone. And I think I realized that it was different for a few reasons,' he said. 'One, we got to see it. Two, for how long it was. Three, he was begging for his life and for his mother. 'Four, just the nonchalance, the apathy from the police officer was just unbelievable. "I'm going to do this, and f--- you." Taking his Taser out and daring the citizens who wanted to help, like, "I dare you. This can be you."' Lemon said the footage proved what black people had been saying for so long: that police are killing them. 'The George Floyd video, because it was a police officer, and black people had been saying for so long, "We're being beaten up and killed by police officers, and no one is paying attention. This must stop,"' he said. Floyd (pictured) died Memorial Day 2020 during an arrest over a counterfeit bill White cop Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd's neck for more than nine minutes (above) until he died. The murder was captured on video sparking a racial justice movement Lemon said the video of the death of Ahmaud Arbery - the 25-year-old unarmed black jogger gunned down in a neighborhood in Georgia by three white men - was 'just as disturbing'. He lamented that the footage of Arbery and Floyd will likely not be the last. 'I don't think that George Floyd will be the last video that we see like that, unfortunately, but I do think that it is the most impactful one that we'll see in a very long time,' he said. Lemon acknowledged that conversations about racism are 'tiring' but that it is important to have those discussions with friends. 'Whether we like, as black people, being the teachers or helping to guide White people through racism - it's uncomfortable sometimes, it's tiring - unfortunately to some degree you have to do it, because otherwise they may take the wrong actions, and we want people to do it the right way,' he said. 'And the right way is by understanding and seeing our humanity.' An American man has smashed up a shop in Cambodia after claiming that the owner refused to serve him water because he was white. The shocking moment, captured on footage taken at a store in the southern city of Kampot, shows the man tipping over crates and hitting hanging displays with his fist. During an expletive-filled tirade, he calls the shopkeeper a 'racist c***' and claims she refused to sell him water because he is white. The man can be heard imitating the woman's shouts after he knocks over some produce before telling her to 'f*** off'. He appears to be returning to his scooter parked outside the shop, before going back in, throwing boxes around and continuing to verbally abuse the shopkeeper. The shirtless man continually hits hanging displays before punching one and knocking it to the ground as onlookers tentatively gather outside. 'I don't give a f***, You f***ing sell people water when they come here for water you f***ing racist c***,' he barks. The American man started smashing up the shop in Cambodia after claiming that the owner refused to serve him water because he was white. He had pulled up on the scooter (left) and approached the owner before unleashing his tirade The shocking moment, captured on footage taken at a store in the southern city of Kampot, shows the man tipping over crates and hitting hanging displays with his fist Shouting from the street, the man flashes his middle fingers at the woman who appears to be on the phone. The angry shopper climbs onto his scooter, shouting: 'Who's going to come back when they've got you swimming in the f***ing ocean again?,' in an apparent reference to a humanitarian crisis which began in 1975 following the takeover of Cambodia by the Khmer Rouge. Hundreds of thousands fled the country in 1978 when Vietnam invaded and ousted the Khmer Rouge, crossing the land border into Thailand. The man appears to be conflating this mass movement with the wider Indochinese refugee crisis of the late 1970s. Hundreds of thousands of so-called 'boat people' fled Vietnam beginning in 1978, three years after Communist rule began. Twenty western countries, including the United States accepted 623,800 refugees, most of them boat people. The unidentified man was arrested by local police a few hours after the incident, according to local media. He was also photographed on the back of a police motorcycle (right) During an expletive-filled tirade, the man calls the shopkeeper a 'racist c**t' and claims she refused to sell him water because he is white 'We're the only ones who came and pulled your sorry a**** out of the f***ing water,' the man says in the video. 'Ask your f***ing refugee friends who came and got you out of the ocean after they slaughtered you?,' he says before scooting off. Video of the man's rampage was shared on Facebook by the store owner, named only as 'Asrey Kampot'. They appealed for help to identify the man and bring him to justice, saying: 'Please help the international community catch a foreigner who destroyed my goods and abused my body without knowing the reason why. I hope that the police will help to find justice.' It is not clear why the man was refused service, though local media noted he was not wearing a face mask or a helmet for the scooter he arrived on - both required under current laws. However several other people are seen passing on scooters without helmets in the video. It is not clear why the man was refused service, though local media noted he was not wearing a face mask or a helmet for the scooter he arrived on - both required under current laws. Pictured: Damaged goods following the incident The unidentified man was arrested by local police a few hours after the incident, according to local media. He was also photographed on the back of a police motorcycle. Some on social media have called for the man to be sent to prison and deported after serving his sentence, as well as paying for the damage caused. It remains unclear whether the man's accusations of racism will be investigated. A large number of foreign nationals live in Kampot, which has suffered in the last year due to the collapse of the tourism industry, the main means of income for many expats living there. It is not clear whether the man in the footage was a resident or a visiting tourist. Scarface, the world's most famous lion, has died of natural causes aged 14, in Kenya. The king of animals, and the oldest lion in the Maasai Mara game reserve, was known for the huge scar across his right eye. He had his own Facebook page, and starred in several documentaries, including the BBC's Big Cats Diary. His passing leaves a 400 square-mile territory up for grabs in the Kenyan reserve. Scarface, the world's most famous lion, has died of natural causes aged 14, in the Maasai Mara game reserve in Kenya The king of animals, and the oldest lion in the Maasai Mara game reserve, was known for the huge scar across his right eye The massive area in the Malaika and Ashnil camp territories was once held by Scarface and his three brothers: Morani, Sikio, and Hunter. They were known as the 'Four Musketeers' and headed a pride of nine females with cubs and a few young males. Conservationists said the lion, whose species typically live between 10 and 14 years, had become skinny and sickly in the period leading up to his death. Announcing his death, the Mara Predator Conservation Programme said: 'At 1 pm local time [on Friday, June 11], Scarface took his last breath. 'He died in peace without any disturbance from vehicles and hyenas. We were the only vehicle on the scene and by his side, hoping to give him any kind of comfort. 'The Mara has lost yet another one of its great iconic males. May his legend forever live on.' His passing leaves a 400 square-mile territory up for grabs in the Kenyan reserve. The massive area in the Malaika and Ashnil camp territories was once held by Scarface and his three brothers: Morani, Sikio, and Hunter The brothers were known as the 'Four Musketeers' and headed a pride of nine females with cubs and a few young males The World Heritage Species made a similar announcement shortly afterwards, describing the lion as 'legendary'. Scarface suffered a series of injuries in his lifetime and was hit by a the spear of a Maasai warrior who was trying to protect his cattle. He received the scar across his eye, earning him the nickname Scarface, during a 2012 territory raid with his brothers when he was just four years old. Vets repeatedly intervened to treat the wound when it opened, preventing infection. Conservationists described the lion as a strong and charismatic leader, a perception helped by his scarred image. Michelle O'Brien said: 'For me, it was love at first sight in February 2014, when I learned of his legendary life. He owned his world. 'October 2019, I was blessed to see him again...older, frail but magnificent. He stood only three feet away from our truck and gave us the 'look'. I will miss you, old friend.' Scarface had his own Facebook page, and starred in several documentaries, including the BBC's Big Cats Diary The four survivors of a fatal boating accident for which the murdered scion of a powerful South Carolina family was awaiting trial have voluntarily stepped forward to give DNA samples and statements to investigators, DailyMail.com has learned. Paul Murdaugh, 22, was gunned down alongside his mother Maggie, 52, in a brutal double homicide in the family's sprawling hunting estate in Islandton, South Carolina, Monday 7 June. Murdaughs' father, Maggie's husband, Richard Alexander Murdaugh, 53, told investigators that he found the bodies outside the family's hunting lodge, by the dog kennels when he returned from a night out. He placed a call to 911 at 10.07pm. The time of death has been placed between 9pm and 9.30pm. Both had been shot multiple times: Paul in the head and torso with a shotgun, his mother with an assault rifle. News of the survivors' and Beach's family members pro-active co-operation comes as Murdaugh's uncles, Randy and John Marvin, appealed for information and told Good Morning America that their nephew had received threats in the wake of the accident. Paul Murdaugh (center) was facing three felony charges in relation to a drunken boat crash in 2019 that killed a teenage girl at the time of his death. Paul, 22, and his mother Margaret, 52, were found shot dead at their hunting lodge in Islandton, South Carolina on the night of June 7 Mallory Beach (pictured ) was killed in a 2019 boating accident allegedly caused by Paul. Questions around a possible tie between her boating death and last week's murders continue to mount as the state attorney general is refusing to close the case into the boat crash despite the death of the man accused of being culpable Neither man specified any threat in particular as they said they had dismissed them as the work of a 'crackpot.' John said, 'I didn't think it was a credible threat. If it was I would have tried to something or notified someone. But I guess maybe I made a mistake.' The younger Murdaugh was awaiting trial on three felony counts two of boating under the influence and one of causing death and bodily injury for his role the 2019 boating accident that claimed the life of 19-year-old Mallory Beach. Paul had been indicted and released on a $50,000 bond He had been indicted and released on a $50,000 bond. According to legal documents seen by DailyMail.com Murdaugh was 'highly intoxicated,' 'drunk' and 'belligerent,' on the February night two years ago when he sped his boat into a piling on Archer's Creek. All of the six youths on board that night were under 21, all were ejected from the vessel and all but Beach made it to shore. Beach's mother, Renee, has brought a wrongful death suit which is currently proceeding against the company who sold alcohol to Murdaugh, his father, who is known as Alex, and his older brother, Richard Alexander Jr, known as 'Buster,' whose ID Murdaugh used that day. One theory into which investigators of Colleton County Sheriff's Officer and South Carolina's State Law Enforcement Division have said they are looking is that Murdaugh was the target of the killing while his mother's death was unfortunate 'happenstance.' But, as rumors swirl around the deaths, DailyMail.com has learned that the four youngsters on board that night Paul's ex girlfriend Morgan Doughty, Beach's boyfriend Anthony Cook, his cousin Connor Cook and Connor's girlfriend, Beach's best friend, Miley Altman and members of Beach's family have all given DNA samples to homicide investigators. All of the survivors testified to Murdaugh being drunk and there being arguments over his determination to drive his boat. Beach's boyfriend Anthony Cook offered to get an Uber but Murdaugh was insistent they would travel by boat despite the fog and the lack of any light on the vessel We went from a two-mile-per-hour idle to the bow of the boat sticking up in the air and I went to the back,' Anthony Cook said as he described the accident Corporal John Keener, an officer on the scene on the night of the crash, spoke about Murdaught being 'belligerent and stupid' and generally difficult Both Cook and Altman told how Murdaugh, 'slapped, pushed and spat' on his girlfriend Doughty as the bitter arguing continued Doughty told how she and Beach cowered in the boat with their arms 'intertwined,' as Murdaugh continued the journey that was doomed to end in such tragedy Will Folks, founding editor of local outlet Fitsnews.com told DailyMail.com, 'All of the kids on the boat and their family members have voluntarily come forward to provide DNA samples and speak to investigative officers.' SLED spokesman Tommy Crosby confirmed that investigators have also pulled digital and cell-phone records including those belonging to Alex Murdaugh to pin down individuals' movements on and around the day of the murders. He described this as 'a usual investigative process.' Murdaugh was interviewed by investigating officers on Thursday 10 June. Sources close to him state that he has a 'cast iron alibi' for the night of the killings and that he is merely co-operating with the investigation to clear himself. The Murdaugh family has loomed large over the small county seat of Hampton where their legal dynasty has dominated for the better part of a century. Three generations of the family have held the title of solicitor, with sway over the fate of criminal cases in South Carolina's 14th Judicial Circuit and the name carries a legacy of power and influence. In a further twist in this murky tale DailyMail.com has learned that allegations of obstruction of justice in the original criminal enquiry into the boat crash are also being investigated. According to Folks the information comes from law enforcement and prosecutorial sources with direct knowledge of the case. Beach family attorney Mark Tinsley maintained that the family have 'every confidence,' in the Attorney General and described them as 'hopeful' that the AG's office would, 'continue to investigate and prosecute any improprieties related to any attempts by any members of law enforcement to influence the original criminal investigation related to the boat crash.' Paul's ex-girlfriend Morgan Doughty (pictured together) has been cooperating. According to Doughty, Paul was, 'an angry drunk,' who thought he was 'invincible' Mallory's best friend, Miley Altman, is one of six who were on the boat the night of the fatal crash who provided DNA samples and spoken with SLED officers. Miley is pictured with Mallory as a child and before her death Beach's boyfriend Anthony Cook (pictured) agreed to give DNA samples to police and is cooperating with investigators Anthony posted a heartbreaking tribute to his girlfriend Mallory who he called 'the love of my life' The information has emerged as DailyMail.com can reveal new details of the night of the crash as set out in the youngsters' devastating depositions obtained by DailyMail.com and given as part of Renee Beach's civil suit. They paint a chaotic scene of the events leading up to and after the horrific incident which took place when Murdaugh insisted on boating downtown after an oyster roast on Paukie Island. According to Murdaugh's then girlfriend, Morgan Doughty, Murdaugh was, 'an angry drunk,' who thought he was 'invincible.' All of the survivors testified to Murdaugh being drunk and there being arguments over his determination to drive his boat. Beach's boyfriend Anthony Cook offered to get an Uber but Murdaugh was insistent they would travel by boat despite the fog and the lack of any light on the vessel. Cook told attorneys that Murdaugh had a 'crazy' alter-ego called 'Timmy' who came out when he was drunk. On the night in question Cook stated, 'The whole way everybody was fighting and arguing. We drifted around in circles numerous times. We idled along.Miley was steady hollering that she had to work the next morning. She was ready to go. 'All Paul was doing was making a fool of himselfthen for some reason Paul acted like he was on drugs or something. 'He started taking off his clothes during one of the arguments and it is 40 degrees outside.' According to Cook, Murdaugh stripped 'all the way down to his boxers,' and belligerently refused to let anyone else drive his boat. Both Cook and Altman told how Murdaugh, 'slapped, pushed and spat' on his girlfriend Doughty as the bitter arguing continued. Asked if Murdaugh had ever spat on her when he was sober, Doughty replied, 'No.' She admitted to having witnessed him smoking weed and taking cocaine on other occasions. Describing the terrifying scenes as the youngsters begged Murdaugh to let someone else drive, or just take them home, Altman recalled, 'I yelled at him once and he just told me..he was like..shut the eff up and sit the eff down. Nobody else is driving my boat.' Doughty told how she and Beach cowered in the boat with their arms 'intertwined,' as Murdaugh continued the journey that was doomed to end in such tragedy. Alex's brothers Randy and John Marvin Murdaugh (left and right) revealed Paul had been receiving threats from strangers but insisted the family did not have enemies Ultimately, Cook remembered, the boat suddenly took off. In a chilling recollection he said ,'We went from a two-mile-per-hour idle to the bow of the boat sticking up in the air and I went to the back.' Cook pulled Beach down next to him and held onto her but the next thing he knew, he testified, he was 'waking up' in the water, grabbing at piles of weed and debris and fighting against the swift current and frigid temperatures. In among the panic the survivors quickly established that nobody could locate Beach. In an emotional Facebook post barely a month after Beach's death Cook wrote how he would have to live the rest of his life, 'with the memory of getting thrown into the freezing pitch black water with the true love of my life in my arms.' He wrote, 'I had to swim against that current for 15 minutes in a panic screaming her name begging her to answer me. I had to swim to shore without her to save my own life and live in regret of that forever. I'm reminded of that by every little thing all day everyday!' Charges against Murdaugh have been dismissed following his death but the criminal investigation into that night is still ongoing, as is Beach's wrongful death suit. The incident is still an open wound in the small community in and around Hampton. According to one local who asked not to be named the Murdaugh family moved from their home in town and onto their 1,700 acre hunting estate after the accident in a bid for privacy. There was little movement at the property when DailyMail.com visited this week. One worker, who carried a firearm, arrived to feed the dogs still housed in the kennels next to the scene of last week's gruesome discoveries. He declined to comment. Lazaro Barbosa, 32, is wanted for breaking into a farm home in the Federal District town of Ceilandia on June 9, and killing a family-of-four Brazilian authorities are searching for a career criminal who allegedly broke into a farm and killed a family-of-four. Lazaro Barbosa, 32, allegedly attempted to rob a farm home in the Federal District town of Ceilandia on Wednesday, June 9, but shot and stabbed Claudio Vidal, 48, and his two sons, Gustavo Vidal, 21, and Carlos Vidal, 15. Vidal's wife, and the mother of the two others killed, Cleonice Marques, 43, saw Barbosa breaking into the home and called family members to seek help, her brother told the police. Barbosa allegedly then kidnapped Marques and shot her dead before dumping her body in a stream, where the local fire department found her Saturday. Local media outlets reported that security forces zeroed in on Barbosa on nearly a week later, but he managed to escape after an early morning shootout that left a police officer wounded in Cocalzinho de Goias, a town in the state of Goias, west of the Federal District. A second police officers attempted to arrested approximately a 3pm when Barbosa shot him in the face and fled. SEE VIDEO BELOW Cleonice Marques's body was discovered in a stream in the Federal District, Brazil, on Saturday, three days after her husband and two sons were executed by Lazaro Barbosa Firefighters search for the body of Cleonice Marques, who was allegedly murdered by Lazaro Barbosa on June 9 According to the Military Police, Barbosa stole a car after he killed the family and set it on fire in Cocalzinho de Goias on Friday. Three days later, he broke into a farm where he shot and injured four people before he burned down the home. He allegedly kidnapped the farmhouse's caretaker and forced him to smoke marijuana. Barbosa then stole another vehicle on Sunday and left it stranded on a stretch of highway BR-070. Brazilian online news portal G1 reported Barbosa was reportedly shot by man housesitting a residence in Cocalzinho de Goias on Monday after he entered the home. 'I heard a noise and shouted for my brother-in-law to call the police,' the man said. 'Lazaro had then already shouted, 'I'm going in.' And then I shot him. He said, 'You hit me, I'm going to kill you.' Then he ran away.' Barbosa was spotted on surveillance camera walking through the shed of farm house located between the towns of Edelandia and Girassol. He asked a worker for food and then ran into the forest. Authorities spent the night guarding a nearby farm house in Edelandia on Monday but retreated Tuesday, which allowed Barbosa to break in and hold a married couple and their 16-year-old daughter hostage. The girl hid in her bedroom and texted the police, 'Help, Lazaro is here at home,' before the murder suspect took her and her parents into a nearby forest where he fled after he saw police helicopters hovering over the area. The three individuals were rescued by the police. Public Security Secretary Rodney Miranda said Barbosa was planning to execute the family. A 16-year-old girl is helped by authorities in Brazil after she and her parents were kidnapped Tuesday by Lazaro Barbosa, a suspect wanted for the murdering a family-of-four June 9. The girl texted the police and alerted them that Barbosa was inside her farm home Authorities have released several digital images of what Lazaro Barbosa may look like as he remains on-the-run following the murder of a family-of-four Pictured is a spot where Lazaro Barbosa recently spent the night sleeping while evading police captured in Brazil Federal District police spokesman Michello Bueno said Barbosa's familiarity with the region has allowed him to evade capture. 'He was raised in this regions. Knows every detail. Also, he is a hunter,' Bueno said. 'So he hides, he sleeps in trees. He'a guy who has expertise. He is not a common bandit.' Barbosa has a criminal rap sheet that stretches all the way back to 2007, when he was arrested Barra dos Mendes, Bahia, on double murder charges, but escaped from prison 10 days after his capture. He was arrested in 2009 and jailed at the Papuda Penitentiary Complex in Brasilia, but escaped in 2016. In 2018, authorities captured him in Aguas Lindas de Goias and charged with murder, illegal possession of a weapon, robbery and rape, but escaped prison on July 23. Barbosa broke into a farm in the Goias town of Santo Antonio do Descoverto on April 8, 2020 and attacked an elderly man with an ax. Authorities said that was involved in a home invasion in the Federal District city of Sol Nascente on April 26, 2021, and locked a man and his son in a bedroom before he raped his wife. On May 17, Barbosa once again attempted to rob a house and took a family hostage. He locked the men in a room and forced the women to remove their clothing and cook him dinner. A Christian baker from Colorado has been fined after refusing to make a gender transition cake, as supporters claim he is being targeted by LGBT activists. Jack Phillips violated the state's anti-discrimination law by refusing to make the birthday cake for lawyer Autumn Scardina, a transgender woman, the state judge ruled in the case. Phillips famously won a partial victory at the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018 for refusing to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. In Tuesday's ruling, Denver District Judge A. Bruce Jones said Scardina was denied a cake that was blue on the outside and pink on the inside to celebrate her gender transition on her birthday in violation of the law. While Phillips said he could not make the cake because of its message, Jones said the case was about a refusal to sell a product, not compelled speech. He pointed out that Phillips testified during a trial in March that he did not think someone could change their gender and he would not celebrate 'somebody who thinks that they can.' 'The anti-discrimination laws are intended to ensure that members of our society who have historically been treated unfairly, who have been deprived of even the every-day right to access businesses to buy products, are no longer treated as 'others,', Jones wrote. A Colorado baker violated the state's anti-discrimination law by refusing to make a birthday cake for a transgender woman, a state judge has ruled. The same baker, Jack Phillips (pictured), famously won a partial victory at the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018 for refusing to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple The group representing Phillips, Alliance Defending Freedom, said Wednesday that it would appeal the ruling, which ordered him to pay a $500 fine. The maximum fine for each violation of Colorado's Anti-Discrimination Act is $500. But it was not clear from the ruling if the fine was for the two attempts that Scardina made to order the cake or just one. 'In this case, an activist attorney demanded Jack create custom cakes in order to 'test' Jack and 'correct the errors' of his thinking, and the activist even threatened to sue Jack again if the case is dismissed for any reason,' the group's general counsel, Kristen Waggoner, said in a statement. 'Radical activists and government officials are targeting artists like Jack because they wont promote messages on marriage and sexuality that violate their core convictions,' the statement added. Ms Waggoner said that the case 'represents a disturbing trend: the weaponization of our justice system to ruin those with whom the activists disagree. 'We will appeal this decision and continue to defend the freedom of all Americans to peacefully live and work according to their deeply held beliefs without fear of punishment,' she said. In Tuesday's ruling, Denver District Judge A. Bruce Jones said Autumn Scardina (pictured) was denied a cake that was blue on the outside and pink on the inside to celebrate her gender transition on her birthday in violation of the law Scardina, an attorney, attempted to order the cake on the same day in 2017 that the U.S. Supreme Court announced it would hear Phillips' appeal in the wedding cake case, that Phillips ultimately won. Scardina said she wanted to 'challenge the veracity' of Phillips statements that he would serve LGBT customers, but her attempt to get a cake was not a 'set up' intended to file a lawsuit, Jones said. One of Scardina's attorneys, John McHugh, said the case is about how LGBT people are treated, not just what happened to her. 'This is about a business that is open to the public that simply says to an entire class of people in the community that your identity, who you are, is something that is objectional,' he said. 'This case started the day the Supreme Court decided they were going to hear our case. It was a very busy, very crazy day at the shop,' Phillips said of the transgender cake to Fox News in March. 'In the middle of all of this chaos, we got a phone call from an attorney in Denver asking us to create a cake pink on the inside with blue icing on the outside.' A Bible verse is displayed in baker Jack Phillips' Masterpiece Cakeshop in Lakewood, Colorado U.S. September 21, 2017. Picture taken September 21, 2017 He said that he was told the cake would be 'two colors, a color scheme, a combination, designed to celebrate a gender transition.' 'We told the customer, this caller, that this cake was a cake we couldn't create because of the message, the caller turned around and sued us,' Phillips told Fox News. 'This customer came to us intentionally to get us to create a cake or deny creating a cake that went against our religious beliefs. 'This customer had been tracking our case for multiple years. This case was just a request to get us to fall into a trap,' he added at the time. Phillips previously won a case that was heard before the Supreme Court in 2018 after he refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. In a 7-2 ruling, the Supreme Court ruled that Colorado's Civil Rights Commission displayed anti-religious bias when it sanctioned Phillips for refusing to make a wedding cake in 2012 for Charlie Craig and Dave Mullins, a same-sex couple. In 2018, the Supreme Court ruled that Colorado's Civil Rights Commission displayed anti-religious bias when it sanctioned Phillips for refusing to make a wedding cake in 2012 for Charlie Craig and Dave Mullins, a same-sex couple (pictured) In a 7-2 ruling, the Supreme Court ruled that Colorado's Civil Rights Commission displayed anti-religious bias when it sanctioned Phillips for refusing to make a wedding cake in 2012 for Charlie Craig and Dave Mullins, a same-sex couple Phillips' lawyers argued that his cakes are an art form - a 'temporary sculpture' - and being forced to create one to commemorate a gay wedding would violate his rights under the U.S. Constitution to freedom of speech and expression and free exercise of religion. He told the state civil rights commission at the time that he can make no more than two to five custom cakes per week, depending on time constraints and consumer demand for the cakes that he sells in his store that are not for special orders. Mullins and Craig, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, said Phillips was using his Christian faith as pretext for unlawful discrimination based on sexual orientation. The ACLU said the baker was advocating for a 'license to discriminate' that could have broad repercussions beyond gay rights. The case became a cultural flashpoint in the United States, underscoring the tensions between gay rights proponents and conservative Christians. The litigation, along with similar cases around the country, is part of a conservative Christian backlash to the Supreme Court's gay marriage ruling. Phillips and others like him who believe that gay marriage is not consistent with their Christian beliefs, have said they should not be required to effectively endorse gay marriage, despite it being legal. A 14-year-old boy was found living on his own in New Jersey for six months after his father allegedly abandoned him to move back to their home country of Honduras. Officers in Morris Township encountered the teen - who has not been named - at around 4am on June 11 after noticing he was riding his bike without any headlights, according to a police press release. The officers followed the teen to a house off the side of the road and a resident of the property told them the teen did live in the area, but without relatives or a legal guardian. Investigators later confirmed the teen had been living on his own for the past six months. A 14-year-old boy was found living on his own in Morris Township, New Jersey, for six months after his father abandoned him to move back to their home country of Honduras (file photo) Police said the teen came to the United States on his own in December 2019 and was living with his father until 2020 - when the father moved back to Honduras. The teen then moved in with his uncle before leaving in January to live on his own for reasons that remain unclear. After officers discovered his living situation the teen was evaluated at a hospital and placed in custody of the Division of Child Protection and Permanency. Authorities have not filed any charges in connection with the case. DailyMail.com has contacted Morris Township police for more information. Victoria's top doctor is under fire after flying to Canberra for an awards ceremony, while millions of others in his state are banned from travelling more than 25km from their homes. Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton jetted into Canberra to attend an event held by the National Health and Medical Research Council on Wednesday night, where health officers from other states were also in attendance. Furious Victorians blasted Dr Sutton, who helps the Andrews government decide its lockdown rules, with many not able to attend family funerals or weddings outside of Melbourne - while he can jet off to a glitzy event. The Victorian health department said he was at the celebratory dinner in a 'work capacity' and did not do anything wrong, but the state opposition called the interstate dash a slap in the face to long-suffering Victorians. Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton (pictured) jetted into Canberra to attend an event held by the National Health and Medical Research Council on Wednesday night Poll SHOULD BRETT SUTTON HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO TRAVEL INTERSTATE? Yes - it was part of his job No - it's hypocritical SHOULD BRETT SUTTON HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO TRAVEL INTERSTATE? Yes - it was part of his job 56 votes No - it's hypocritical 448 votes Now share your opinion 'We can't have visitors, we can't have people coming to our own home and yet the chief health officer who is providing advice to the government buzzes off to Canberra for a glitzy awards night,' Victoria's Shadow Health Minister Georgie Crozier told reporters. 'I think that says a lot about the priorities of the chief health officer and of the Andrews government.' Victoria was thrust into its fourth Stage Three lockdown since the Covid pandemic began on May 27, after a return international traveller contracted the virus in South Australian hotel quarantine and then flew to Melbourne. It was a bitter blow for the state, which had endured an 112-consecutive-day lockdown last year. Residents once again were only permitted to leave their home for four reasons - work, providing or receiving healthcare, grocery shopping and essential exercise. Victorians also had to wear masks indoors and out and were not allowed to travel more than 5km away from their home. As case numbers eased, the restrictions were wound back and the travel radius was stretched to 25km for Melbourne residents. At 11:59 on Thursday, all the restrictions were wound back. But not before Mr Sutton travelled to the nation's capital. Health workers register a man at a Covid-19 coronavirus testing site in Melbourne on June 16 A woman scans a QR check-in code at a coronavirus testing centre behind the Kings Park townhouse complex in Melbourne on June 16 One Melburnian reacted with fury on Twitter, saying the state's pandemic leaders have a 'do as I say, not as I do' attitude. 'Today I missed my grandmother's funeral in Adelaide. This hurts,' the person said. Another said: 'So an awards ceremony is considered work? Who gets to decide what's work?' Others said it 'doesn't pass the pub test' and asked 'Zoom not working?' But some said the outrage was overblown. 'All the other CHOs went and the health ministers. It was specifically for them. Why should Brett miss out? IT WAS WORK. Jesus Christ. Find something else to whinge about,' a person commented. People queue outside a Covid-19 coronavirus testing site in Melbourne on June 16 as the state began to ease its lockdown Ministers warned the BBC over a 'we know best' attitude today as they demanded the corporation 'acts fast to restore trust' after the Martin Bashir row. In a response to MPs, the government said the broadcaster showed signs of being 'detached both from criticism and the values of all parts of the nation that it serves'. The shot across the bows came after a report by former master of the rolls Lord Dyson criticised the methods used by Bashir to obtain his exclusive 1995 interview with Princess Diana, including using fake bank statements. It said the journalist used 'deceitful conduct' which was then covered up by a 'woefully ineffective' internal investigation, in which the BBC failed to uphold 'governance, accountability and scrutiny.' Responding to a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee report on the future of public service broadcasting, the Government repeated that it is looking at whether governance and regulation needs to be 'strengthened' Chairman of the BBC, Richard Sharp (left) and current BBC Director General Tim Davie (right) Ministers warned the BBC over a 'we know best' attitude today as they demanded the corporation 'acts fast to restore trust' after the Martin Bashir (left) row. Pictured right, Boris Johnson today The response said: 'It is the Government's belief that the BBC must act fast to restore trust, and reassure the country that it will shine a light on any other areas falling short of the high standards we rightly expect from it. 'The BBC needs to improve its culture to ensure this never happens again and that means a new emphasis on accuracy, impartiality and diversity of opinion. 'The Government notes that the BBC can occasionally succumb to a ''we know best'' attitude that is detached both from criticism and the values of all parts of the nation that it serves and believes cultural change must be a focus for the director-general and new chair on the back of the Dyson report. 'We will use the midterm Charter review to determine whether the governance and regulatory arrangements should be strengthened.' Current director-general Tim Davie appeared before the committee earlier this week and said the Duke of Cambridge's criticism in the wake of the Dyson report was 'upsetting' and a 'sad day' for the broadcaster. Mr Davie, who took up the role in September 2020, said he has 'engaged with the royal household directly' since the publication of the inquiry's findings in May, adding the BBC had offered an 'unconditional apology' shortly afterwards. He was also questioned over why Bashir had been rehired by the BBC in 2016 as religious affairs correspondent and said the interviewers were aware of 'some of the controversies' around Bashir but that they 'did not see them as substantive enough to block a re-hiring or stop them'. He added: 'With what I know now, having personally commissioned Lord Dyson to go at this, that hiring would never have been made, there's no doubt about that.' A review commissioned by the BBC and conducted by Ken MacQuarrie, said the theory that the journalist was re-employed to conceal events surrounding the interview was 'entirely unfounded'. A BBC spokesman said: 'We welcome the Government's recognition that public service broadcasters, including the BBC, provide high-quality content and trusted news. We also welcome the clear support to ensure that content is accessible and available to all in the future. 'As an organisation, the BBC has set out ambitious plans for change. We will continue to focus on delivering value for all licence fee payers by providing them with the high quality content and impartial, trusted news they expect.' Thousands of workers in Sydney's CBD are set to end the week in style, with complimentary $100 vouchers for meals as part of a state government drive to get workers back into the city. The significant investment, said to be worth $50million, is part of NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet's quest to support struggling city lunch venues from surrounds including Surry Hills, Circular Quay and The Rocks. It will also be part of Tuesday's budget as the state government tries to entice professionals working from home back into town. The revolutionary scheme will allow about 500,000 people to apply for the meal tickets. Unlike the existing Dine & Discover vouchers in NSW, which have to be spent separately in four $25 installments, these vouchers can be used all at once - giving diners $100 off their bill. Scroll down for video Thousands of workers in Sydney's CBD (pictured) are set to see out the week in style, with complimentary $100 vouchers for meals soon to be readily available for Fridays exclusively The food vouchers - worth $100 - will only be applicable for businesses located within the 2000 postcode in Sydney's CBD The vouchers will only be valid on Fridays, and for businesses located near the 2000 postcode covering the central business district. Eligibility criteria will mirror the exceedingly popular Dine & Discover vouchers introduced in April this year that are now expiring at the end of July instead of in two weeks' time. The aim is to encourage high volumes of people to start working from the office again in the Harbour City leading into the weekend. 'It's about making Friday's fantastic and fun and at the same time helping the Sydney CBD which has been hit hardest by COVID with a reduction in CBD workers and the absence of overseas visitors for more than a year,' he said. 'This will be a targeted program designed to get more people back into the heart of the greatest city on earth and on the way through spend a little extra on retail and services businesses.' Deputy Premier John Barilaro told Sunrise the government wanted to bring some buzz back to Sydney's city centre and entice professionals who were working from home to return to the CBD. 'We want to reactive the CBD. It's hurting more than any other part of the state,' he said. 'Here's a way to do it.' Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello confirmed the vouchers will be available via the Service NSW app. Non-digital voucher options will also be accepted by venues. 'The program will be inclusive, with a non-digital option available to customers without a smartphone,' Mr Dominello said. The announcement of the food vouchers, said to be worth $50million, is part of NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet's (pictured) quest to support struggling city lunch venues in Sydney's CBD Perrottet also stated the pending budget, his fifth, is the start of a pathway to get the state back on its feet financially. He paid tribute to the people of NSW, labelling its workers 'world leaders' in their collective quest to see the state work through the pandemic and beyond. Committee for Sydney chief executive Gabriel Metcalf said visiting a city restaurant during the day was a civic duty and hailed the voucher scheme. 'I can't think of a better Australian tradition to revive right now than the long lunch,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'In these tough economic times, it's practically a civic duty. 'Have one meal for yourself and one for the country.' Anh Taylor, 94, was injured after a man who had just been released from prison stabbed her 'multiple' times in an unprovoked attack in San Francisco An elderly Asian woman was injured after a man who has recently been released from prison stabbed her 'multiple' times in an unprovoked attack in San Francisco. Police officers were called to the scene in the Tenderloin district around 10:15am where they found Anh Taylor, 94, with multiple stabbing wounds, according to San Francisco Police Department. She was treated at the scene in Tenderloin area before being taken to hospital where she underwent surgeries to wounds on her wrist and torso. She was also hit in the head. Taylor is in stable condition, CBS5 reported. Police arrested Daniel Cauich, 35, for the attack about one and a half hours later after they circulated a photo of him taken from surveillance video. He was wearing an ankle monitor at the time of his arrest. Authorities also recovered a knife in the area the suspect used to attack Taylor. Police arrested Daniel Cauich, 34, for the attack about one hour and half later after they circulated a photo of him taken from surveillance video. Taylor, who is from China and Vietnam, has lived in the area for more than 40 years and is the widow of a US veteran. Taylor's neighbor, Miranda Benvenuti, told NBC News the victim is kind, generous, strong, sweet and independent person. Benvenuti was devastated to learn she was stabbed. Benvenuti said one of Taylor's favorite things to do was to bake cookies. Taylor had given her and her partner some after they once saved her from an elevator gate. After Wednesday's attack, Cauich is facing charges of attempted homicide, battery with serious injuries, elder abuse, committing a felony while on bail or release, great bodily injury enhancement and probation violation, police said. It has not yet been decided if he'll be charged with a hate crime. Cauich was released from prison less than a month ago on burglary charges, but court records show he was let go due to lack of evidence, San Francisco Chronicle reported. He was previously arrested on charges of deadly stabbing, but a judge dismissed the case in 2019 due to lack of evidence, ABC 7 reported. There is no motive as to why the suspect has stabbed Anh Taylor as of now, but it is being investigated whether it can be categorized as hate crime. Anti-Asian hate crime reported to police in 15 of America's largest cities and counties, rose 169%, from 32 to 86, in the first quarter of 2021 in comparison to the first quarter of 2020 Wednesday's incident comes amid a surge in hate crimes targeting Asian Americans and Asians living in the United States. Anti-Asian hate crime reported to police in 15 of America's largest cities and counties, rose 169%, from 32 to 86, in the first quarter of 2021 in comparison to the first quarter of 2020, according to an analysis of official preliminary data by the Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism (CSHE) at California State University, San Bernardino. In March, Vilma Kari was walking to church in midtown Manhattan when Brandon Elliot, 38, approached her, knocked her to the ground and kicked her repeatedly For instance, Asians form 35% of San Francisco's population. In the first quarter of 2020, the number of reported hate crimes went from five to 12 which is an increase of 169%. Similarly, 14.5% of New Yorkers are Asian. The number of filed reports went up from 13 to 42 which leads to a total of 223%. At least 11.6% Angelenos in Greater Los Angeles Area are Asians. The number of cases has gone up from five to nine which is about 80% increase. In Boston, Asians form about 9.7% of Bostonians. Their number of reported crimes has also gone up from five to eight which is about 60%. Brandon Elliot kicked Vilma Kari to the ground and hit her repeatedly after yelling a racial slur at her in Manhattan. He was out on parole for murdering his own mother at the time Josephine Zhao, one of the members of Chinese Democratic Club in San Francisco, said she is very angry that 'Criminals are treated better than Asian seniors and asked who is not doing their job'. In March, Vilma Kari was walking to church in midtown Manhattan when Brandon Elliot, 38, approached her, knocked her to the ground and kicked her repeatedly. Elliot kicked her to the ground and hit her repeatedly after yelling a racial slur. He was out on parole for murdering his own mother at the time. In another incident in the same month in San Francisco, Xiao Zhen Xie said she was standing at a traffic crossing on Market Street on Wednesday when a man punched her in the face. The 76-year-old grabbed a stick to defend herself and began beating the man. She then lunged at him again while he was being taken away on a stretcher. Last month, an Asian dad was punched in the head 14 times in an unprovoked attack while pushing his toddler's stroller through San Francisco in broad daylight. The 36-year-old father, who identified himself as only 'Bruce', was walking his baby in Mission bay neighborhood of San Francisco on Friday afternoon when a man came up to him and punched him from behind. He was seen on surveillance footage getting knocked to the ground and blocking the 14 blows to his head and back as his son's stroller slowly rolls away. When his attacker backs off, the father is seen protectively running to his son's stroller while pedestrians and customers look on in shock. Republicans have torn into President Biden's performance at his press conference in Geneva on Wednesday and criticized hearing more about his 'favorite ice cream flavors' than his inability to answer 'basic' questions, with aides stopping him from going off-script. GOP House members also criticized his 'weak' performance at his summit with Vladimir Putin and insist the US needs to put 'our best leaders forward'. Their condemnation follows comments from CNN Chief National Affairs Correspondent Jeff Zeleny that Biden is the most 'protected' president he has seen, and aides were screaming at him to stop answering when he strayed from his pre-approved list of reporters at the end of the briefing. Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs told DailyMail.com: 'President Biden clearly is not capable of running this country, which begs the question, who is? The media has set such low standards for Biden that we hear more about his favorite ice cream flavors than the fact he is unable to coherently answer basic questions. 'It's well past time to hold Biden and his administration to the same standard that Trump was mercilessly held to.' Florida Rep Byron Donalds said the 'muzzling' of the president shows what 'little faith his administration has in his capabilities. In a statement to DailyMail.com, he said: 'This is the least transparent presidential Administration in modern American history. 'President Biden has said the quiet part aloud several times by admitting his staff handpicks questions and questioners in the few press engagements he does. 'The muzzling of our Commander-in-Chief is a detriment to the First Amendment, our Constitutional Republic, and exposes what little faith his Administration has in his capabilities.' Republicans have torn into President Biden's performance at his press conference in Geneva on Wednesday and criticized hearing more about his 'favorite ice cream flavors' than his inability to ask questions. Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs (right) told DailyMail.com: 'The media has set such low standards for Biden that we hear more about his favorite ice cream flavors than the fact he is unable to coherently answer basic questions CNN's Jeff Zeleny on Wednesday said that he had never seen a president as controlled by his media advisors as Biden, noting that he had covered Trump, Obama and Bush. Zeleny said that Biden's aides would 'scream' at him to stop talking CNNs Jeff Zeleny: We havent seen Biden answer questions without his aides screaming at him to stop pic.twitter.com/spQobCFlW1 RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 16, 2021 Biden on Wednesday afternoon in Geneva turned on a CNN reporter, Kaitlan Collins, who asked him why he was 'confident' that Putin would change his ways. Biden angrily replied that he never said he was confident During the conference, Biden chewed out the press, and specifically CNN's Chief White House Correspondent Kaitlan Collins, shouting in the crowded auditorium: 'I'm not confident I'll change his behavior. What do you do all the time?' Biden's National Security advisor Jake Sullivan and White House communications director Kaste Bedingfield watch on the sidelines during Biden's press conference North Carolina Rep. Ted Budd also told DailyMail.com: 'Throughout President Biden's trip abroad, he projected American weakness to other leaders and to the world. 'His performance at the press conference was yet another example of weakness. Our country needs to put our best leaders forward, and we are not doing that right now. We would be better served if we had a president who put America First.' Zeleny spoke on Wednesday after Biden's much-hyped meeting with Vladimir Putin in Russia. Biden angrily confronted Zeleny's CNN colleague Kaitlan Collins, asking her: 'What the hell?' when she questioned him about the summit. Biden later apologized, before boarding the plane to leave. Zeleny said that Biden wanted to set his own narrative after the meeting, saying: 'We have seen President Biden do that pretty well.' He continued: 'What we have not seen him do is answer questions like that without his aides screaming at him to stop. 'I have never seen a president, covering the last four of them, who was so protected by his aides in terms of often not wanting him to answer some questions.' Biden said on Wednesday that he warned Putin that Russian cyber attacks on 'critical' U.S. infrastructure would draw a serious American response and told his counterpart just how harmful a cyber attack might be on an oil pipeline that is the lifeline of the Russian economy. Biden threatened retaliation and made his explicit comment publicly - even as he denied making any kind of a 'threat' in his meetings with the Russian president - as they discussed ransomware attacks that shut down the Colonial pipeline and has other U.S. and multinational businesses on edge. His cyber saber rattling came during a contentious press conference where he also shouted at a CNN reporter who yelled out a question asking why he was so confident the Russian strongman would change his behavior, given his denials and his history. 'I'm not confident I'll change his behavior. What do you do all the time?' he said. The president later apologized to Collins, saying he should not have been a 'wise guy' Biden walked up to the reporter, with his suit jacket off on an unusually hot day, and accused her of not knowing her business gesticulating while holding his Ray-Ban sunglasses. 'When did I say I was confident? I said What I said was let's get it straight,' Biden said. 'I said what will change their behavior is if the rest of the world reacts to them and it diminishes their standing in the world. 'I'm not confident of anything. I'm just stating the facts.' Minutes after the tense exchange, Biden sought to clean up the incident, speaking with traveling reporters under the wing of Air Force One. 'I shouldn't have been such a wise guy with the last answer I gave,' Biden said. The reporter Biden berated, CNN's Kaitlan Collins, said on air she was 'just doing my job' and said Biden didn't need to apologize. She called it 'completely unnecessary' and said 'he did not have to apologize, though I do appreciate that he did.' Biden has frequently raised eyebrows with suggestions that he is being 'controlled' by his press advisors. President Joe Biden (C) poses with US staff members, preparing departing the airport, after the US-Russia summit in Geneva on June 16, 2021 Biden is known for his folksy style of speaking, and of frequently worrying aides by freewheeling with his answers - straying at times from their highly-restrictive script Joe Biden on Sunday held a press conference in the United Kingdom at the end of the G7 summit. The president's team had made preparations for him to take questions from five media outlets - AP, Bloomberg, Reuters, The Wall Street Journal and NBC News. He joked that he could not stray from their list During a G7 summit press conference on Sunday, he joked he shouldn't be answering extra press questions or he will 'get in trouble' with his staff. Biden spoke for 12 minutes to sum up the meeting, held in the United Kingdom. 'Now, why don't I take some of your questions?' he said at the end of his remarks. After fielding a question from the Associated Press on his plans for meeting President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday in Geneva, he turned to a Bloomberg reporter for his second question. 'I'm sorry, I'm going to get in trouble with staff if I don't do this the right way,' he said, then calling on Jennifer Jacobs of Bloomberg. He took further questions from Reuters, The Wall Street Journal and, as his final question, NBC News. Yet as he began to walk away, more questions were shouted at him. 'I'm going to get in trouble with my staff,' he said, turning back to the press pack. 'Yeah, go ahead. But I can pretend that I didn't answer you.' During the press conference he also mixed up Syria and Libya. 'I'm hopeful that we can find an accommodation where we can save the lives of people in for example, in in Libya,' the president said, mentioning the north African country for the third time instead of Syria, which is in the Middle East. The White House later brushed the confusion off, confirming that it was indeed, Syria, the country where Russia and the US have been involved in a decade-long civil war, which the president was referring to. Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, said last month that she does encourage Biden to limit his responses to journalists' questions The exchange bore echoes of a similar encounter last month at the White House. Biden, following a series of meetings on the COVID-19 vaccine and infrastructure, chatted to the press before remarking: 'I'm not supposed to be answering all these questions.' His remarks have given fuel to right-wing critics, who accuse Biden of being senile and being controlled by minders. Sean Hannity, the Fox News host, has nicknamed him 'Sippy Cup', saying that he needs treating like a child. Jen Psaki, White House press secretary, said that she frequently urged the 78-year-old to refrain from chatting with the media and taking questions. 'He takes questions nearly every day he's out from the press,' Psaki said on a podcast in May. 'That is not something we recommend. In fact, a lot of times, we say, 'Don't take questions.' 'But he's going to do what he wants to do because he's the president of the United States.' As many as 16,000 people in England may have caught Covid twice, Public Health England said today. Only 53 cases of reinfection have been confirmed by scientists but another 16,371 have been listed as 'possible' or 'probable' by the health chiefs. How often people actually get the virus more than once remains a mystery to scientists and cases are rare but certainly possible. Today's report the first time PHE has estimated the scale of two-time infections in the UK suggests the risk of it happening is vanishingly rare at a maximum of 0.3 per cent of people who ever test positive. Most people struck down a second time were elderly, the data showed, which likely reflects the facts that old people's immune systems don't build immunity as well. Dr Susan Hopkins, a PHE infectious disease boss, said: 'The rate of Covid reinfection is low [but] it is important that we do not become complacent about this.' New variants of the virus raise the risk of someone being reinfected because immunity from past infections or from vaccines works less well against them. Oxford University scientists today published a paper that found some people had 'no evidence of immune memory' six months after illness and that others' immune systems were likely even weaker in the face of new variants of the virus. Public Health England data showed the peak of possible reinfections coincided with the take-over of the Kent variant in January, with up to 900 second cases at the same time as 350,000 first infections, suggesting the rate is incredibly low PHE's Dr Susan Hopkins said: 'The rate of Covid-19 reinfection is low [but] it is important that we do not become complacent about this' PHE's Dr Hopkins said: 'People are understandably concerned about whether you can catch Covid more than once. 'While we know that people can catch viruses more than once, these data currently suggest that the rate of Covid reinfection is low. 'However, it is important that we do not become complacent about this and it is vital to have both doses of the vaccine and to follow the guidance at all times to reduce your chance of any infection.' The figures in the agency's report showed it is difficult for researchers to work out what constitutes a reinfection because some people are sick for a long time. It said there were 15,893 'possible' cases where the two positive tests had been at least 90 days apart but scientists had not checked to see whether it was the same variant of the virus. The genetic signature of the virus changes constantly even when it is classed as the same variant, so medics can tell if someone has been infected on two different occasions or just had the same virus circulating in their body for weeks. PHE said there were 478 'probable' reinfections, in which someone has tested positive in the past and then again recently with a variant that wasn't around the first time. This rules out the possibility of it being the same infection. And there were 53 confirmed reinfections, in which both virus samples had been checked in a lab and were clearly different and at least 90 days apart. In total there could have been a maximum of 16,424 reinfections so far out of 4,565,813 cases by June 13, the report's cut-off a rate of 0.36 per cent. Figures published in the report showed that over-80s had by far the highest rate of reinfection, with around 10 reinfections for every 1,000 first-time infections. The rate was slightly higher for women in every age group and reinfection generally became less likely the younger people got, with it lowest in teenagers and children 'PROF LOCKDOWN' NEIL FERGUSON NOW 'MORE OPTIMISTIC' ABOUT COVID FIGHT Professor Lockdown Neil Ferguson is 'more optimistic' about Britain's Covid fight against the Indian variant than he has previously been. The prominent SAGE adviser warned just last week that the country faced a third wave 'at least comparable in terms of hospitalisations' to previous peaks due to the infectious variant. But Professor Ferguson said fresh data had given him confidence admissions and deaths would remain at 'manageable levels'. He said today: 'I'm hoping we won't have to reverse cause and I suspect we won't,' he said. 'I think we will see hospitalisations and deaths rise but at manageable levels. So I'm more optimistic than I was.' Advertisement Figures published in the report showed that over-80s had by far the highest rate of reinfection, with around 10 reinfections for every 1,000 first-time infections. The rate was slightly higher for women in every age group and reinfection generally became less likely the younger people got, with it lowest in teenagers and children. New variants raise the risk that someone will get coronavirus for a second time, a Government-funded study claimed today. Researchers from the universities of Oxford, Liverpool, Sheffield, Newcastle and Birmingham, funded by the Department of Health, looked at immunity to the virus in 78 healthcare workers who had tested positive for the virus. It found that some of the people showed little or no immune responses six months after their infections and that their blood was not able to fight off the Alpha or Beta variants the Kent or South Africa strains. The paper suggested that, for some people, natural immunity to a previous infection is not enough to protect against getting Covid again in the future. Oxford's Dr Christina Dold, who ran the study, said: 'We found that individuals showed very different immune responses from each other following Covid-19, with some people from both the symptomatic and asymptomatic groups showing no evidence of immune memory six months after infection or even sooner. 'Our concern is that these people may be at risk of contracting Covid-19 for a second time, especially with new variants circulating.' Health minister and member of the House of Lords, Lord Bethell, added: 'This powerful study addresses the mysteries of immunity and the lessons are crystal clear. You need two jabs to protect yourself and the ones you love.' The Supreme Court ruled unanimously on Thursday that the city of Philadelphia overreached in imposing an anti-discrimination law on a Catholic charity that refused to place foster children with same-sex couples. Its justices said the city violated the Constitution in limiting its work with the group - Catholic Social Services - as a result of the agency's policy, with Justice John G. Roberts penning the opinion for six members of the court. 'The refusal of Philadelphia to contract with CSS for the provision of foster care services unless it agrees to certify same-sex couples as foster parents cannot survive strict scrutiny, and violates the First Amendment,' Roberts wrote. The Supreme Court ruled unanimously on Thursday that the City of Philadephia had overreached in its imposing an anti-discrimination law on a Catholic charity that refused to place foster children with same-sex couples. Roberts said that the group 'seeks only an accommodation that will allow it to continue serving the children of Philadelphia in a manner consistent with its religious beliefs; it does not seek to impose those beliefs on anyone else.' Catholic Social Services is affiliated with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The decision was mostly limited to the facts of the case and is not anticipated to have a nationwide impact. It was also the first case of the term to be heard by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, a devout Catholic appointed by former President Donald Trump, and who is seen as one of the more conservative justices. Barrett, however, has vowed to interpret the laws as they are written. Philadelphia officials learned in 2018 from a newspaper reporter with the Philadelphia Enquirer that the agency would not certify same-sex couples to become foster parents. Justice John G. Roberts issued the majority opinion, saying it was a violation of the First Amendment The city has said it requires that the two dozen-plus foster care agencies it works with not to discriminate as part of their contracts. The city asked the Catholic agency to change its policy, but the group declined, and as a result, Philadelphia stopped referring additional children to the agency. Catholic Social Services sued, but lower courts sided with Philadelphia. There is no record that any same-sex couple has ever asked to work with the agency. In such a case, the couple would be referred to a different group, Catholic Social Services has said. Because of its beliefs, the Catholic agency also does not certify unmarried couples. It was the first case of the term to be heard by Justice Amy Coney Barrett since her appointment last October Philadelphia had argued that the charity was free to express its views but could not dictate the terms of public contracts with the city. Additionally the city said it was not punishing the agency, saying that it still has millions of dollars worth of annual contracts with Catholic Social Services, NBC News reported. A lawyer with The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty who argued on behalf of Catholic Social Services cheered the ruling. 'It's a beautiful day when the highest court in the land protects foster moms and the 200-year-old religious ministry that supports them,' Lori Windham said in a statement. Rwandan prosecutors have requested a life sentence for the man who inspired the film Hotel Rwanda as he faces trial for terrorism. Paul Rusesabagina, 67, once praised for saving over 1,000 ethnic Tutsis from Rwanda's 1994 genocide as a hotel manager, was charged with financing terrorism, complicity in murder, and forming an armed rebel group last year. The charges relate to attacks by armed groups in Rwanda in 2018 and 2019. Prosecutors are also seeking to link him to activities that killed at least nine people. Rusesabagina, a Belgian citizen and US resident, has denied the charges, and said they are politically motivated. His family claim he has been mistreated and raised concerns he will not get a fair trial. Rwandan prosecutors have requested a life sentence for Paul Rusesabagina (picture, centre) who is on trial for terrorism related to attacks by armed group in Rwanda in 2018 and 2019 Rusesabagina talks to his lawyer Rugaza David inside the Kicyikuri primarily court in Kigali on September 14, 2020 Rusesabagina has claimed the charges are a politically motivated response to his criticism of Rwanda's long-time president, Paul Kagame. He also alleges he was abducted last year while visiting Dubai and taken to Rwanda, where he was charged. But a court on Thursday ruled that he was not kidnapped when he was tricked into boarding a chartered flight. Rwanda's government has claimed that Rusesabagina was going to Burundi to coordinate with armed groups based there and in neighbouring Congo. Amnesty International blasted the 'lack of transparency' around his arrest in September, saying 'reports that he has been denied access to the lawyer hired by his family are red flags that cannot be ignored'. Rusesabagina inspired the film Hotel Rwanda for his role saving hundreds of ethnic Tutsis from Rwanda's 1994 genocide. He was played by Don Cheadle in the 2004 film His daughter, Carina Kanimba, has claimed her father is a 'political prisoner'. 'He is accused of invented charges, and zero evidence against him has been presented in the Rwandan kangaroo court.' The family also has said Rusesabagina was being refused access to food and water, but Rwanda's prison authority has denied the claim. The case has received global attention. This month, the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice said it had filed a formal submission in the US recommending sanctions against the Rwandan Justice Minister, Johnston Busingye, and the head of the Rwanda Investigation Bureau, Col Jeannot Ruhunga, for their role in Rusesabagina's detention. Rusesabagina stopped appearing in court in March, saying he does not expect justice after his request to postpone the trial to prepare his defence was rejected. His lawyer, Felix Rudakemwa, has also claimed that Rusesabagina's legal papers were confiscated by prison authorities. Rusesabagina was initially represented by Rwandan lawyers David Rugaza and Emeline Nyembo. The pair were discounted as state-imposed representation by his family outside Rwanda. The family also has said Rusesabagina was being refused access to food and water, but Rwanda's prison authority has denied it (pictured, Rusesabagina in court in September) An ex-Army Major killed a neighbor he believed was sleeping with his bigamist ex-wife and two others to stop a child rape court martial against him. Christian Martin, 53, was found guilty Wednesday of the 2015 murders of Calvin Philips, Pamela Phillips and Edward Dansereau in Pembroke, Kentucky. Calvin, 59, was found shot dead in the cellar of his home in November 2015. The charred remains of his wife Pamela, 58, and their neighbor Dansereau, 63, were found hours later a few miles away in a cornfield inside her burned out car. They had both been shot in the head. The murders took place just two weeks before Calvin was due to testify against Martin in a court martial case where the 30-year military veteran was accused of child rape and assault of his stepson. Investigators said the other victims were shot for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Martin later moved to North Carolina, and began a career working for American Airlines subsidiary PSA in 2018, after being discharged from the military. The allegations were first made by Martin's ex-wife Joan Harmon, who he had recently learned was a bigamist. Martin claimed in a 2016 interview that Calvin was also having a long-term affair with Harmon. Christian Martin, 53, (pictured still in his pilot uniform in his 2019 mug) was found guilty Wednesday of the 2015 murders of Calvin Philips, Pamela Phillips and Edward Dansereau in Pembroke, Kentucky With the witness out of the picture in the court martial case, Martin was found guilty on charges of two counts of mishandling of classified material and two counts of assault of a child but was found not guilty on both charges of rape of a child and communicating a threat. He was discharged from the military and sentenced to 90 days in jail, before later moving out-of-state to begin a new career as a commercial pilot. The gruesome triple murders went unsolved for more than three years until Martin was dramatically arrested at Louisville International Airport in May 2019 - just minutes before he was about to fly a plane for American Airlines' subsidiary PSA Airlines. Martin was convicted of all charges in the triple murder case in Hardin Circuit Court Wednesday, including three counts of murder, one count of arson in the first degree, one count of attempted arson, two counts of burglary in the first degree, and three counts of tampering with physical evidence. He faces 20 years to life without parole in the sentencing phase of his trial, which began Thursday. The jury spent just seven and a half hours deliberating before returning their verdict Wednesday evening. During the two-week trial, Special prosecutor Barbara Whaley said Martin had the motive to kill neighbor Calvin because he was set to testify in the court-martial that could have ended Martin's Army career. A military witness testified at the trial that Calvin was the reason for the court martial being brought in the first place. Meanwhile, Calvin's wife Pamela and Dansereau were in the wrong place at the wrong time, said prosecutors. Calvin Philips and Pamela Phillips. Calvin, 59, was found shot dead in the cellar of his home in November 2015 Edward Dansereau. The charred remains of Pamela, 58, and Dansereau, 63, were found in a cornfield inside her burned out car Martin was accused of shooting Calvin dead in his home on the morning of November 18. He then allegedly moved the body to the cellar and tried unsuccessfully to burn it. Martin then returned to the home later that day, bumping into Pamela and Dansereau, who he then also shot and killed. He then set an alarm for 1.10am the following morning and got up and drove the two bodies a few miles away in Pamela's car, before torching the vehicle. Whaley said a shell casing at the scene was shown to have been fired from a .45-caliber handgun found in a safe in Martin's home across the street. Martin's dog tags were also found in the Philips' home. Prosecutors also pointed to Martin's cell phone tower records which showed he was inactive at three points during November 18 2015. Martin is seen on CourtTV as the jury returned their verdict Wednesday - finding him guilty on all charges Martin continued to protest his innocence throughout his trial, taking the stand Tuesday to slam the charges against him as 'stupid' They said the murders were committed and the bodies moved and burned during those inactive periods. The records, prosecutors said, also disproved his alibi that he was at home at the time of the killings. But, Martin continued to protest his innocence throughout his trial, taking the stand Tuesday to slam the charges against him as 'stupid.' 'Stupid. I didn't do it and the evidence shows I didn't do it,' Martin testified, reported WMSV. 'I didn't do anything like that at all. Like I said, all the evidence shows I didn't do anything with this. I'm not involved in this.' Martin also claimed that Calvin was actually going to testify in support of him at the court martial. He said Calvin had admitted to his private investigators that he had never heard Harmon accuse Martin of assaulting her or her children. Martin in court in 2019. The murders took place just two weeks before Calvin was due to testify against Martin in a court martial case. The 30-year military veteran was accused of child rape and assault Martin in court in 2019. Martin was arrested at Louisville Airport in May 2019 - 3 years on from the murders - just as he was about to fly a commercial plane 'My private investigators had interviewed Calvin, and we have his audio, and it was played on Channel 4 Nashville, and he denied all of that,' Martin testified. His defense attorney Tom Griffiths argued there was forensic proof that the bullets that killed the victims did not come from his client's gun. He also noted there were no eyewitnesses, no DNA and no fingerprints. The defense claimed evidence pointing to Martin could have been planted - possibly by his ex-wife who had access to his firearms. Both the shell casing and the dog tags were found by family members of Calvin several months after the murders. Martin's ex-wife Joan Harmon. Martin claimed in 2016 that Calvin was having a long-term affair with Harmon Harmon and her son both invoked the Fifth Amendment to avoid testifying in the trial. In a 2016 interview with WSMV, Martin said he believed Harmon had been having a long-running affair with Calvin. 'Everyone in town knew what was going on while I was at work every day,' Martin said. 'They were together all day long, and they didn't really try to hide it or anything like that.' But he said he was grateful to his neighbor as it helped him get out of his bigamist marriage. Martin and Harmon's marriage was voided around three years prior to the murders, after he discovered she had already been married to another man before they wed. Martin claimed his ex-wide warned him 'I will ruin your life' when they split. Martin was named a person of interest in the murders almost immediately after the bodies were discovered and his house was raided by a SWAT team at the time. However it was three years before he was indicted on May 10 2019. He was then handcuffed and arrested the following day at the airline gate at Louisville airport as he was about to pilot a commercial plane. Martin in an undated military picture. In the court martial, he was found guilty of mishandling classified material and child assault, was discharged from the military and sentenced to 90 days in jail Following his dismissal from 30 years in the military, Martin (pictured) was hired as a Bombardier CRJ First Officer for PSA Airlines in January 2018 He was still wearing his pilot uniform when he was photographed in his mugshot. Due to the high-profile nature of the case, the trial was moved from Christian County to Hardin County. In the court-martial, the trial was pushed back to the following May. Martin was convicted by the military court of mishandling classified information and assault on a child. He was discharged from the military and sentenced to 90 days in jail. Martin served in the Army Reserve from 1986 to 1990, on active duty from 1990 to 1993, then in the Army National Guard from 1993 to 2005. He was on active duty again from 2005 serving as a Fort Campbell Major when he was dismissed in 2016. He was hired as a Bombardier CRJ First Officer for PSA Airlines in January 2018. Tesco has joined the growing number of supermarkets to change the name of its Kaffir lime leaves over customer concerns the word has historically been used as a racial slur in South Africa. The supermarket chain said it stands against racism and discrimination of any kind and has started the process of changing the name of its product. Waitrose was the first retail giant to announce it would be dropping the term from its Cooks' Ingredients product yesterday. The lime leaves will be re-labelled as Makrut Lime Leaves 'in response to customer comments we've received', the retailer said. The new packaging of the dried lime leaves, which are a popular ingredient in South East Asian cuisine, will be rolled out to all shops and Waitrose.com by early next year. Tesco confirmed they would be following suit in a statement to MailOnline which read: 'We stand against racism and discrimination of any kind. Along with other retailers, we have started the process of changing the name of our lime leaves.' Tesco and Sainsbury's still use name on their websites, but both supermarket chains have now confirmed they are in the process of changing it to remove the use of the word from products Tesco joined other retailers today by announcing it had started the process of changing labels Although the company did not have a date for when this would come into effect, the retailer said it was working with suppliers to make the change 'as soon as possible'. Sainsbury's and the Co-op followed suit yesterday and are in the process of updating the names of the leaves on their own food packaging. The Co-op said it has a 'zero policy on racism' and the use of any 'racial slur terms' as it confirmed it would be altering any descriptions of the leaves on its packaging. Tesco, Asda, Marks and Spencer and Iceland all use the name Kaffir lime leaves on their websites. Waitrose's Cooks' Ingredients product (pictured) will be re-labelled as Makrut Lime Leaves The lime fruit (pictured), known botanically as Citrus hystrix, is native to Sri Lanka Waitrose grocery trading manager Helena Dennis said: 'This name change is a crucial step in recognising how important it is for us to listen to customers and educate ourselves when it comes to the language we use. 'While some of our customers may be unaware of the connotations of this particular word, it's important to us that we avoid offending anyone who shops with us. 'It is changes like this that ensure we are moving forward. 'We need industry-wide support on this, and encourage other retailers to do the same in order to make a difference on a widespread, national scale.' A spokesman for Co-op said: 'Co-op has a zero policy on racism, which also includes the use of any racial slur terms. 'The leaves do appear listed on the packaging of a very small number of Co-op products and we have started the process to change the name.' And a Sainsbury's spokesman said: 'We're already in the process of updating our product descriptions and believe a number of other retailers are as well.' The new packaging of the dried lime leaves, which are a popular ingredient in South East Asian cuisine, will be rolled out to all shops and Waitrose.com by early next year (file photo) Waitrose said it would explain the name change in shelf labelling, on recipe cards and in its cookery schools as other literature still widely refers to Kaffir lime leaves. The fruit, known botanically as Citrus hystrix, is native to Sri Lanka and is also found in Mauritius and South East Asia, including Thailand, where it is known as Makrut. It is thought Scottish botanist HF MacMillan introduced the fruit to the English-speaking world, using the name Kaffir lime in the late 1800s. However, the word was used in apartheid South Africa as an anti-black insult. In 2018, a woman was jailed there for abusing a black policeman with the word. Many chefs and food writers in Britain, Australia and the US have chosen to adopt the name Makrut for the fruit instead. Greek police were today quizzing the husband of murdered Briton Caroline Crouch after finding smartwatch data which suggests she didn't die when he says intruders killed her, local media reported. Twenty-year-old Caroline was strangled to death in front of her 11-month-old daughter at their home near Athens on May 11. Husband Charalambos 'Babis' Anagnostopoulos, 33, told police that he was tied up by three robbers who broke into their home in the early hours, put a gun to his child's head, strangled his wife, and then got away with 10,000 in cash. Detectives have extracted biometric data from Caroline's watch which they believe pinpoints the exact moment her heart stopped beating - which officers think differs from Mr Anagnostopoulos' version of events, according to local media. It is not clear to what degree the timings of the biometric data deviate from Mr Anagnostopoulos' narrative. Officers also say the couple were bickering in the hours before her death, with text messages exchanged in English showing one had called the other 'stupid.' Police from Athens collected Mr Anagnostopoulos by helicopter for another interview on Thursday after he attended a memorial service with relatives on the island of Alonissos. Caroline Crouch, 20, (right) was strangled to death in front of her 11-month-old daughter at her home near Athens on May 11. Her husband Charalambos 'Babis' Anagnostopoulos, 33, (left) told police that he was tied up by three robbers who broke into their home in the early hours, put a gun to his child's head, strangled his wife, and then got away with 10,000 in cash. Police are looking at a smartwatch which they believe provides vital biometric evidence about the night she was killed (pictured: Mr Anagnostopoulos and Ms Crouch with their daughter) In their first official statement in five weeks, the police said: 'The husband of the victim in Glyka Nera (the Athens suburb) is at the homicide department, in order to be examined as the only eye witness following new data that has emerged from the inquiry.' New evidence retrieved by digital forensics specialists has also turned up another clue on the CCTV recording equipment that was running at the couple's home. On the night of the murder, the memory card was removed from the device, but experts were able to obtain a timing from the clock on the recorder which appears to deviate from the narrative provided by Mr Anagnostopoulos. But it was also reported that the clock on the device may have been out of sync with the actual time. Police flew into a Greek island where Mr Anagnostopoulos has been mourning with relatives to shuttle him back to Athens earlier today. A spokesman from the homicide division told local broadcaster Ant1, 'the data discovered in the analysis cannot wait.' The spokesman said that Mr Anagnostopoulos was informed yesterday but police had respected his wishes to attend a memorial for his wife today. He was whisked away from the island of Alonissos by boat to the neighbouring island of Skiathos where the police helicopter took him back to Athens. The spokesman told Ant1: 'We waited for the memorial service to end and then the 33-year-old was transferred to GADA (Police HQ), it could have happened yesterday as well. The husband of the victim was transported to Athens from Alonissos, in order to be examined as the only eyewitness.' Detectives are poring back over details of the crime after their current lines of inquiry failed to yield a viable suspect. They did arrest a man late last month - a Georgian with a history of violent burglaries who tried to leave the country on a fake passport - but have failed to link him to the crime. DNA evidence collected from underneath Caroline's fingernails as she fought her attacker has also proved to be inconclusive. Detectives had been hunting for at least three men - two of who were described as medium height and build, and one shorter and fatter - who Mr Anagnostopoulos said had spoken to him in Greek but spoke a foreign language among themselves. Babis shared a tribute to his wife Caroline Crouch last month after her death. Under the photo taken on their wedding day he writes: 'Together forever. Have a nice trip my love' Mr Anagnostopoulos previously told police that three men broke into his family home early on May 11, stole 10,000 he was keeping in a Monopoly box, then strangled his wife As well as the Georgian suspect, it was reported that police were looking to speak with an Albanian man who had recently released from prison in the hopes that he might be able to shed light on the crime. Investigators were trying to work out how burglars had known there was 10,000 in cash in the house, after Mr Anagnostopoulos, a helicopter pilot, told them the thieves seemed to know about it. According to Mr Anagnostopoulos' account, he quickly told the robbers the money was kept in a Monopoly box but they demanded more from him. The men killed the family dog, tied up Mr Anagnostopoulos, then tortured Caroline for an hour to get her to reveal the location of the family's valuables, before strangling her in front of their daughter. The killers made off with valuables and a stack of bank notes that Mr Anagnostopoulos had withdrawn to pay for building work. They left Mr Anagnostopoulos bound to a bed - before he managed to get to a phone and use his nose to dial a neighbour, who alerted police. Caroline Crouch, 20, was strangled to death in front of her 11-month-old daughter at her home in the Glyka Nera suburb The Georgian suspect was arrested in the Evros region of north-east Greece on May 21. His car was stopped close to the Bulgarian border for a routine check and he was found to have a fake passport, a police source said. He was accused, along with four others, of a burglary in Attica in early March where an elderly couple were tied up and robbed of money and jewellery. But police failed to link him to the crime. Caroline, a statistics student at the University of Piraeus, moved to the island of Alonissos with her Filipino mother Susan Dela Cuesta and British father David Crouch, 78, when she was eight. The couple met four years ago on the island and were married in July 2019 in a ceremony in Portugal. Caroline then gave birth to their first child in June last year. A corrections officer was jailed for 10 years after raping three women on house arrest - and warning one victim: 'I can make you disappear.' Yulian Gonzalez, 36, was convicted of three rapes at a court hearing in Miami on Wednesday, 18 months after his crimes were first reported in September 2019. The women came forward claiming that Yulian Gonzalez forced them to perform sexual acts and raped them during his parole visits. According to the arrest report, one victim claimed that Gonzalez threatened to send her back to jail if and even implied he could kill her by making her 'disappear.' Yulian Gonzalez has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to raping three woman while he was working as their parole officer The officer was assigned to the 'monitored release' program running out of a corrections building that used to house female inmates. Gonzalez was assigned to monitor a 42-year-old woman who was sentenced to house arrest while awaiting trial. He was first arrested in September 2019 when the woman under his supervision told police that her parole officer expressed romantic and sexual interest in her a month earlier. She said eventually forcing her to perform sexual acts on Gonzalez during his court mandated home visits. The 36-year-old was arrested in September 2019 and charged with several counts of armed kidnapping and armed sexual battery The 11-year veteran of the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department was initially charged with four counts of armed kidnapping and armed sexual battery. Surveillance video and GPS tracking data confirmed that Gonzalez took the 43-year-old woman to North Miami's adult only Nexx Motel in his department issued vehicle four separate times. The motel advertises rooms to 'set the mood' advertising rooms with stripper poles, neon lights, and sexually suggestive photos plastered on the walls. Gonzalez would force his victims to perform sexual acts and rape them during his court-issed mandatory home visits threatening to send them back to jail if they did not comply Then in October 2019, Gonzalez faced additional charges when two more victims came forward. A 26-year-old woman and a 32-year-old woman came forward claiming that Gonzalez raped them in their homes on several occasions while performing his court mandated home visits. Gonzalez pleaded guilty and has been sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by an additional 10 years of parole and mandatory status as a registered sexual predator. The 36-year-old worked for the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department for 11 years as part of the 'monitored' release program Director of the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation center, Daniel Junior, commented on the disturbing situation saying: 'On behalf of MDCR, I am deeply saddened that the actions of one employee could tarnish the good work of the Monitored Release Bureau and the proud men and women of MDCR who dedicate their lives to ensuring the safety of the public.' A village pub built in 1884 has been destroyed by a fire after it was 'struck by lightning' during a ferocious storm. Firefighters rushed to The Green Man pub in Wrotham, Kent, in the early hours of this morning in a bit to tackle the blaze with five fire engines and the water from a neighbour's swimming pool. Heartbroken owner Alex Brooks, 34, was called at 3.40am by neighbours who saw the flames take hold of the 19th century building. He arrived by 4am to find his beloved pub totally consumed by the fire and now claims he has 'lost everything'. Mr Brooks and his partner spent 25,000 getting the pub Covid complaint in the last year - after they took over its ownership in 2017. The building also contained family portraits going back 100 years. A village pub built in 1884 has been destroyed by a fire (the aftermath, pictured) after it was 'struck by lightning' during a ferocious storm Firefighters rushed to The Green Man pub (pictured before the fire) in Wrotham, Kent, in the early hours of this morning in a bit to tackle the blaze with five fire engines and the water from a neighbour's pool Heartbroken owner Alex Brooks, 34, was called at 3.40am by neighbours who saw the flames take hold of the 19th century building. Pictured: An archive picture of the pub Mr Brooks said: 'I got the phone call about 3.40am from a neighbour and managed to get down here around 4am to find it all ablaze. 'I've lost everything. A laptop with all my business details and some family portraits going back 100 or so years. 'We've all busted a gut to get back up and running with everything that's happened this year and now this.' He said the past 12 months had been a struggle with the pandemic and problems finding staff because of Brexit. Mr Brooks and his partner spent 25,000 getting the pub Covid complaint in the last year - after they took over its ownership in 2017. Pictured: Firefighters tackling the blaze Mr Brooks arrived by 4am to find his beloved pub totally consumed by flames and now claims he has 'lost everything'. Pictured: The aftermath Locals say the building (pictured today) was struck by lighting during storms yesterday - but this has not been confirmed A fire engine and crew from the technical rescue unit remained at the scene this morning. They removed the first floor of the listed building that started as a beer shop back in 1884. They will remain at the scene to asses fire damage going forward. Locals say the building was struck by lighting during storms yesterday - but this has not been confirmed. A spokesman for the Kent Fire and Rescue Service said: 'At the height of the fire, five fire engines, a height vehicle, and a bulk water carrier were at the scene, and crews used hose reel jets and compressed air foam to bring the fire under control. 'No casualties have been reported and the cause is not yet known.' Dido Harding the former head of the much-criticised Test and Trace programme has applied to become the head of NHS England. Baroness Harding, a Tory peer, has stepped away from her role running the health service's hospital trusts to pursue the top job. If successful in replacing Sir Simon Stevens when he stands down as chief executive July, the former Talk-Talk chief would become the first woman to hold the role. But her decision to apply is hugely controversial because of her time in charge of Test and Trace, which ended earlier this year. In March, the former head of the Treasury branded the 37billion contact tracing programme the 'most wasteful and inept public spending programme of all time'. Last year Boris Johnson faced calls to sack Lady Harding and replace her over the continued poor performance of what was meant to be a 'world-beating' system. According to a biography on the NHS England website, Lady Harding, 53, whose husband is a Tory MP, has stepped down as chair of NHS Improvement during the recruitment process. She has held that position since October 2017 and her career includes top roles at Talk-Talk, Thomas Cook, Woolworths and Tesco. As well as Lady Harding, NHS England's chief operating officer Amanda Pritchard is also one of the favourites to succeed Sir Simon. Baroness Dido Harding is said to be considering putting herself forward to run the health service in England She studied Policy, Politics and Economics at Oxford University, alongside David Cameron, and is married to John Penrose, Conservative MP for Weston-super-Mare The updated biography on the NHS England website states: 'Dido has applied to become the next CEO of the NHS and has therefore stood aside as Chair of NHS Improvement whilst the recruitment process takes place. Sir Andrew Morris is standing in for her during this time.' NHS England announced in April that current NHS chief executive Sir Simon was to stand down 'as planned' at the end of July to become a crossbench peer in the House of Lords. In a letter to colleagues, he described being in charge of the NHS through 'some of the toughest challenges in its history' as a privilege. Sir Simon who has been in charge for seven years has served through three elections and the Covid pandemic. WHO ELSE IS IN THE RUNNING FOR THE JOB? Amanda Pritchard NHS England chief operating officer The current holder of the NHS's number two job is many people's favourite to succeed Sir Simon Stevens as chief executive of NHS England. The daughter of a bishop, Ms Pritchard grew up in Durham and went to Oxford University before spending her entire 25-year career in the NHS. Emily Lawson Former NHS England chief commercial officer Emily Lawson is the incoming head of the No10 delivery unit after leaving her post as NHS England chief commercial officer. She has been discussed as an interim leader for NHS England between Sir Simon's departure in July and her start at the delivery unit. Trade magazine HSJ has credited her as one of the outside bets. Advertisement According to the NHS England annual report for 2019/20, the chief executive's salary was between 195,000 and 200,000. The report stated that Sir Simon had, during that year, voluntarily taken a 20,000 annual pay cut for the sixth year in a row. Boris Johnson said the outgoing health chief had 'led the NHS with great distinction for the past seven years'. But Downing Street refused to endorse Lady Harding after she confirmed earlier this month that she was interested in running the NHS. She was heavily criticised during her stint in charge of the country's contact tracing programme. A report earlier this year said T&T had 'minimal impact on transmission' despite receiving 37billion of funding. The Commons Public Accounts Committee said in March there was no evidence the tracing scheme had made a dent in Covid transmission, despite its 'unimaginable' budget. Last year No10 spent 22bn on Test and Trace and the Chancellor promised to throw another 15bn at it in 2021, bringing the total cost to 37bn. The PAC report said the Government was treating British taxpayers 'like an ATM machine'. Sir Nicholas Macpherson, a member of the House of Lords and former permanent secretary at the Treasury, also waded into the row. He posted a cutting tweet that added: 'The extraordinary thing is that nobody in the government seems surprised or shocked. No matter: the BoE will just print more money.' Lady Harding's leadership of Test and Trace last year prompted senior backbencher Sir Bernard Jenkin, chairman of the Liaison Committee, to join Labour in suggesting she be replaced. At one point in October last year, ahead of the second lockdown which came in in November, the system hit a record low with just 59.6 per cent of the contacts of people who tested positive for the disease being successfully contacted and told to self-isolate. Sir Bernard, who chairs the Liaison Committee of senior MPs which questions the Prime Minister twice a year, said the peer should be given a 'well-earned break' so she and others could 'reflect on the lessons learned so far'. Last September she was ridiculed when she claimed nobody was 'expecting' to see the 'really sizeable increase in demand' for Covid checks ahead of the start of the school year. Lady Harding's comments, which come despite the return of schools and more people heading back to work, sparked outrage as she told MPs 'none of the modelling' had suggested there would be such a steep uptick in requests. She blamed the Government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) for seemingly getting its predictions wrong as she said testing capacity had been built based on the panel's recommendations. Sir Simon Stevens announced he will step down as chief executive of NHS England in July There were also numerous reports of staff at deserted walk-in testing centres turning people away if they didn't have an appointment or weren't showing obvious coronavirus symptoms. Baroness Harding was appointed CEO of TalkTalk in 2010, serving in the role for seven years, during which the company was the victim of a cyber attack that saw the personal and banking details of 157,000 customers accessed by hackers. She was subjected to repeated blackmail attempts after the hack, with demands for Bitcoins in exchange for stolen data, which included customers' names, email addresses, mobile numbers, home addresses and dates of birth. In the aftermath, TalkTalk was fined a record 400,000 for security failings which allowed the data to be accessed 'with ease' in one of the biggest data breaches in history. TalkTalk is thought to have lost 60million from the fallout with an estimated 100,000 angry customers leaving, mainly to BT, while 2015 profits halved to 14million and shares lost nearly two-thirds of their value. Baroness Harding faced repeated calls to step down over the breach, but stayed on until 2017, when she resigned to focus on her 'public service activities'. Later that year, she was appointed chair of NHS Improvement, responsible for overseeing all NHS hospitals. The parents of a British woman half-drowned in a terrifying crocodile attack in Mexico have visited the lagoon where she was almost killed. Sean and Sue Laurie were taken to the Laguna de Manialtepec, near Puerto Escondido, by tourism officials to highlight how the nature park one of the few places in the world to witness sparkling plankton known as bioluminescence can be visited safely. Their twin daughters, Melissa and Georgia, both 28, were taken to an unsafe part of the lake where crocodiles were nesting by a rogue tourist guide last week who assured them it was safe to swim. Melissa was dragged under the water and put into a terrifying death roll as deadly predator tried to drown the zoo keeper from Berkshire. She only survived because her twin Georgia fought off the ten-foot beast by punching the beast repeatedly in the face as she dragged her sister to safety. Melissa suffered terrible injuries from the attack including deep bites to her body, legs, hands and wrists some of which turned septic. She also suffered a suspected punctured lung but is now recovering well in hospital. Dad Sean, mum Sue and twin Georgia posed for a picture with tourist chiefs and a British consular official to highlight that the lagoon can be visited safely if taken an official tour with a qualified guide. Mr Sandoval said: '[Tourism officials] took a tour of the Laguna de Manialtepec with relatives of the English girls who had a few days ago [an] encounter with a crocodile. 'For the municipal government, it is a priority to clarify the conditions of this attack. 'Manialtepec Lagoon has been the livelihood of many families for years and has been preserved as a safe zone for the different tourist activities visiting Puerto Escondido in the face of any eventuality. 'And we repeat our recommendation that any tourist service should be hired with formally established companies and the safety indications be observed on every tour.' Melissa's parents also spoke of her recovery after visiting her in hospital for the first time. Father Sean said the attack had left her with lasting physical and mental scars. He said she suffered terrible injuries from the attack including deep bites to her body, legs, hands and wrists some of which turned septic. 'We spent many hours with Melissa,' said Sean, 63. 'It was a great relief to be reunited with her. She is improving well and is shuffling about the Hospital Angel Del Mar, where she is being treated. He added: 'She has some interesting bite marks! She's also got drains in her abdomen and she may have one of them removed today. Melissa Laurie's parents Sean and Sue and her sister Georgia (third, fifth and fourth from the left respectively) went to the lagoon where she was attacked by a crocodile with representatives of the local tourism industry to show that the area is safe if travelers go with licensed tour guides Melissa Laurie's father Sean (left, with her mother Sue) said the attack has left his daughter with lasting physical and mental scars. The couple have traveled to Mexico to be by her hospital bedside Melissa (left) is recovering in hospital following the terrifying attack. Her twin Georgia (right), 28, saved her sister from the crocodile's jaws 'She has to exercise her lungs because the capacity has diminished. She's having soup and water. 'She is looking positive physically but still having trouble sleeping.' Sean and Melissa's mother Sue left their home in Sandhurst, Berkshire, on Monday to be with Melissa in hospital and Georgia, 28, who had saved her sister from the crocodile's jaws. They landed in Mexico on Tuesday and went straight to the hospital to see her. Georgia sustained wounds to her hand after punching the crocodile during the ordeal on June 6. She has been a frequent presence at her sister's beside during her recovery. A now-closed GoFundMe campaign set up by the family to cover the twin's medical expenses raised a whopping 43,813. In an interview with ITV News on Monday, Georgia said that she and Melissa had been swimming at Manialtepec Lagoon with two friends when the crocodile attacked Melissa and dragged her beneath the water. 'We saw the crocodile and we tried to swim to safety but unfortunately my sister didn't escape that - so it took her under. 'We tried to call her name but there was no answer so I went towards my friends and tried to find my friends and then I just saw her body floating towards me. Georgia (right), who fought off a crocodile as it dragged her twin sister into a Mexican lagoon, has spotted walking near the hospital in between visits Pictured: Melissa (left) and Georgia earlier in their trip to Mexico 'I jumped into action with my rescue training that I remember and dragged her body towards me and laid her on my chest and tried to revive and she started going into a fit. 'And the crocodile came back twice - so I beat it off but the third time is when I sustained the most injuries.' During the interview, Georgia said that Melissa remembered being dragged underwater in the first crocodile attack, feeling like she was going to drown and thinking her arm was being ripped off. Georgia explained how a boat with tour guide went past at the right time, but those onboard could not help at the time. The crocodile then came back, injuring Melissa as it tried to death roll and take her away, but it eventually fled following Georgia's sustained punching on the nose. Melissa sustained puncture marks covering her abdomen and legs, along with a fractured wrist, cuts to her stomach and water in her lungs, Georgia said. She was last week seen walking around the hospital with wounds to her hand - sustained from punching the crocodile during the on June 6 ordeal. 'It was trying to take her away,' Georgia said. 'I punched it in the nose with both fists and it felt hard, like hitting a table, but it scared it off.' 'No one warned us there were crocodiles there at all. We hadn't been drinking, there was no alcohol involved. 'We were just there for a chill-out. Melissa swan off by herself and got into trouble. I didn't know what was happening but I swan towards her.' Georgia (left) was comforted by a friend as she left the Angel Del Mar Hospital on Wednesday The twins and friends are pictured smiling in the hospital following the horrific crocodile attack in Mexico As she got closer Georgia, a qualified diver, noticed the reptile viciously attacking her sister. 'I saw her getting jerked around and I saw a croc's head which was about two feet long. The croc swam off, but kept coming back,' she said, the Sun reported. 'That's when it grabbed her by the leg and got her in a death roll. She went round and round and it was trying to drag her away. 'I was pounding it, and that's when it grabbed me and bit my arm. I bashed it with the other hand and it let me go. That happened three times. 'The croc battle seemed to go on a long time but adrenalin kicked in.' Melissa was then pulled from the water by Georgia with the help of Moises Salinas, a 16-year-old deck hand on a tour boat named Espatula Rosada. Salinas jumped into the shallow murky waters along the Manialtepec River and helped pull Melissa onto the boat before rushing her and her sister to an ambulance 20 minutes away. Once Melissa was on the boat, the extent of her injuries became clear, Georgia said. 'She had puncture wounds everywhere but wasn't bleeding out. She was drifting in and out of consciousness, Moises Salinas, 16, who works as a helper on a tour boat named Espatula Rosada, jumped into the shallow murky waters along the Manialtepec River to help rescue Melissa 'The thing that worried me was she was coughing up blood and saying, 'I'm drowning, I'm drowning'. It was scary, and she screamed too. 'I thought of how I had seen her face down in the water for a long time, so I was worried how much water she had swallowed.' Once at hospital, Georgia explained: 'The doctors were worried about her lungs, because they thought she may have got pneumonia from an infection. 'I had to sign some papers saying treatment could go ahead, which included an induced coma. That was scary, because it seemed touch and go.' At the weekend, Melissa spoke about her ordeal for the first time, telling MailOnline in a short voice message from her hospital bed: 'I am extremely grateful that I came out of this alive. 'And that I had Georgia fight my side for me. 'So I am very happy for that.' A Texas judge has denied a motion to throw out the confession of the woman accused of helping to dismember the body of Fort Hood Army Specialist Vanessa Guillen. Cecily Aguilar, 22, was charged with tampering with evidence after she told investigators that she helped bury Guillen's body in April of last year. At the time, Aguilar was dating Specialist Aaron Robinson, 20, the main person of interest in Guillen's gruesome slaying. Last month, Aguilar's defense team filed a motion to toss her confession, claiming it was taken illegally and investigators violated her constitutional rights. During her interrogation, which occurred on June 30 of last year, officers allegedly failed to read Aguilar her Miranda rights. But on Wednesday, a judge denied the motion to dismiss the confession, saying it had been given voluntarily. Video of Aguilar's conversation with investigators was played during the hearing According to ABC 13, Aguilar could be heard on tape telling investigators 'I'm ready to get this **** over with'. She reportedly told them that Robinson put a gun to her head and demanded that she accompany him to the Leon River, Texas to dispose of Guillen's remains in April 2020. Robinson had been accused of sexual harassment. Cecily Aguilar (left) has been charged with tampering with evidence after she confessed to investigators that she helped cut up and hide Vanessa Guillen's body in April of last year. Guillen is pictured at right Aguilar was dating Specialist Aaron Robinson (pictured), the main person of interest in Guillen's gruesome slaying. Guillen, 20, was last seen at Fort Hood on April 22, 2020. The Army designated her as AWOL two days after she vanished. Guillen's disappearance sparked a large-scale search, but her dismembered and buried remains were not found until June 30 at Leon River - 23 miles from where she was last seen. Investigators learned that Robinson was the last person to speak to Guillen. However, he told police that, on April 22, Guillen left an arms room and he went to be with his girlfriend Cecily Aguilar, who backed up his claim. Investigators later discovered that Robinson's phone pinged in Belton, Texas, by a bridge near the Leon River in the early morning hours shortly after Vanessa vanished. When they went to the location, they found a burn pile, including a tough box, an item Guillen had been seen with earlier by eyewitnesses. Investigators noted that Robinson and Aguilar shared multiple phone calls the night of Guillen's disappearance, which Aguilar said was because she couldn't find her phone. On June 30, hours after investigators discovered Guillen's dismembered body, Army officials at Fort Hood detained Robinson. However, he managed to escape and was later spotted by Army and civilian police in the city of Killeen, just outside of Fort Hood. As officers were closing in to make an arrest, he pulled out a gun and shot himself dead. The same day, Aguilar allegedly confessed to police that Robinson had killed Guillen. Investigators believe Robinson bludgeoned Guillen to death with a hammer, removed her body from an armory at Fort Hood, and then dismembered her and buried her remains on April 22. Guillen, 20, was last seen at Fort Hood on April 22, 2020. The Army designated her as being AWOL two days after she vanished Guillen's killing shocked the military and forced the high command to re-examine the extent to which a culture of sexual harassment had taken root throughout the armed forces. She disappeared after she told her family that she had been sexually harassed while on base. Last year, a separate, civilian-run probe was launched examining the overall culture at Fort Hood. As a result of the investigation, the Army fired or suspended 14 officers and enlisted soldiers at Fort Hood and ordered policy changes to address chronic failures of leadership that contributed to a widespread pattern of violence. An independent review found that the Army's Sexual Harassment and Assault Response and Prevention Program (SHARP) failed to curb sexual assault and harassment on bases due to structural failures. Panelists said there was a lack of training, resourcing and staffing at the SHARP office on Fort Hood. It also found that the command climate failed to practice the program's core values below the brigade level, which led to less trust in the program. The actions come after a year that saw at least 31 soldiers assigned to Fort Hood die due to suicide, homicide or accidents, including the bludgeoning death of Guillen. Guillen's killing shocked the military and forced the high command to re-examine the extent to which a culture of sexual harassment had taken root throughout the armed forces Advertisement Britain today breached 11,000 coronavirus cases for the first time since February as the Indian variant continues to spread across the country. Department of Health bosses posted 11,007 positive tests, up 48.9 per cent on last Thursday's figure of 7,393 and the highest daily total since February 19 (12,027). Coronavirus hospitalisations also spiked by 45 per cent in the space of the week, with the outbreak now starting to put pressure back on some parts of the NHS where the mutant strain is spreading quickest. There were 222 Covid admissions on Sunday the latest day data is available for up from 153 the previous week. Meanwhile, deaths have more than doubled in a week, with 19 victims today compared to seven last Thursday. Despite the gloomy figures and fears of a third wave rivalling the crises seen last spring and in January, there are positive signs the outbreak may already be slowing. A symptom-tracking study today estimated 15,760 people are now getting sick with coronavirus each day up only a third in a week after doubling in the previous seven-day spell. One of the experts behind the surveillance project claimed cases may even peak within the next fortnight. And Separate Public Health England data released today revealed infections are falling in a dozen council areas of the country, including the delta variant hotspots of Bolton, Blackburn with Darwen and Bedford. Ministers have launched a testing blitz across swathes of the country to crack down on the mutant strain. Official Department of Health infection data showed the average daily rate of increase in positive tests had halved in a week until today, with today's 11,000 cases figure reversing the trend but only slightly. Professor Lockdown Neil Ferguson said he was growing 'more optimistic' about Britain's Covid fight against the Indian variant on the back of real-world data showing the vaccines are extremely effective at preventing severe disease from the mutant strain. The prominent SAGE adviser, whose frightening death forecasts prompted the first lockdown and spooked ministers into triggering the most recent delay to Freedom Day, said he now believed hospital and death rates would remain at 'manageable levels'. More than four fifths of adults have now had a first vaccine dose as the rollout continues at pace. Some 195,565 first doses were dished out today, taking the country's total to 42.2million. And 234,834 second jabs were put in people's arms yesterday, taking the total number of fully vaccinated adults to nearly 30.7million (58.2 per cent). Even though there are early signs outbreak could be slowing, cases are likely to continue to tick upwards for a number of weeks until it peaks, before starting to come down. Professor Chris Whitty today warned that Covid had 'not thrown its last surprise at us' as he cautioned against getting complacent about the virus today. England's chief medical officer said the winter period could be 'very difficult' and hinted that rolling back restrictions had not been completely taken off the table. Slide me Public Health England data released today showed cases are spiralling out of control across the vast majority of the country The average number of people testing positive each day (yellow bars) appears to have stopped accelerating as rapidly as it had in May and early June, with the rate of increase (red line) now showing that there are smaller increases each day, suggesting the outbreak is still growing but not as quickly as it was The Covid Symptom Study estimates that 15,760 people are now getting sick each day, up only a third on a week earlier after it had doubled the week before that. The large majority of cases are among unvaccinated people, it predicts A more detailed analysis showed that an estimated four times as many unvaccinated people are getting symptoms of the virus compared to those who have had both jabs 12,830 per day (blue line) compared to 2,930 (orange line) a Public Health England data shows case rates per 100,000 people are peaking in 20- to 29-year-olds and 10- to 19-year-olds The data shows case rates are significantly higher in the North West of the country, despite cases falling in the Indian variant hotspots of Bolton and Blackburn with Darwen Case rates per 100,000 are now rising equally in men and women, unlike in the peak of the second wave where infections were more common in women Covid outbreaks are growing in 90% of areas in England but rates are SHRINKING in Indian variant hotspots of Bolton, Blackburn and Bedford Covid cases are surging in 90 per cent of England's local authorities, as the Indian variant continues to cause havoc across the country. Public Health England data released today show infections are rising in all age groups, ethnic communities and regions particularly the North West, where the mutant strain is rife. Health chiefs called for people to abide by social distancing measures ahead of England's Euro 2020 clash with Scotland tomorrow night. But infections are falling in a dozen council areas of the country, including the delta variant hotspots of Bolton, Blackburn with Darwen and Bedford, according to the same weekly surveillance report. And separate data shows the surge in cases that spooked Boris Johnson into delaying the end of lockdown may already be slowing down. Official Department of Health infection data show the average daily rate of increase in positive tests has halved in a week. Meanwhile, a symptom-tracking study estimated that 15,760 people are now getting sick each day up only a third in a week after doubling a week earlier. Advertisement It came as: Dido Harding the former head of the much-criticised Test and Trace programme applied to become the head of NHS England; A senior minister today said Covid-weary Brits could yet have quarantine-free holidays abroad this year as it was confirmed that plans are being considered to allow double-jabbed tourists to travel abroad more freely; It was revealed MPs griped that Commons staff were putting their 'personal safety' above parliamentary duties during the pandemic; SAGE's Covid death predictions may be downgraded by tens of thousands because the vaccines are performing better than expected against the Indian variant and the estimates were based on out of date data; Public Health England announced As many as 16,000 people in England may have caught Covid twice. The PHE data showed Covid cases are surging in 90 per cent of England's local authorities, as the Indian variant continues to cause havoc across the country. Infections are rising in all age groups, ethnic communities and regions particularly the North West, where the mutant strain is rife. Health chiefs called for people to abide by social distancing measures ahead of England's Euro 2020 clash with Scotland tomorrow night. Infection rates for the week ending June 13 were lowest in the east of England, with just 37 positive tests per 100,000 people. But rates are now increasing in every region, with figures growing quickest in the North East from 42.6 92.6 per 100,000 (118 per cent). Case rates are highest in 20- to 29-year-olds at 195.9 per 100,000 with most in the age group not yet having their first vaccine. Rates were lowest in people aged 80 and over, who were first in line for vaccines when the inoculation campaign began in December. The infection rate for the oldest age group stood at just 9.6. In another gloomy sign, the hospital admission rate is increasing, from 1.13 to 1.48 admissions per 100,000 people in the most recent week. Admission rates were highest in the North West, at 2.62 per 100,000. Prof Lockdown now says he's 'more optimistic' about UK's fight against Covid variant - but Chris Whitty says we need to brace for a 'very difficult' winter ahead Professor Lockdown Neil Ferguson is 'more optimistic' about Britain's Covid fight against the Indian variant than he has previously been. The prominent SAGE adviser warned just last week that the country faced a third wave 'at least comparable in terms of hospitalisations' to previous peaks due to the ultra-infectious new strain. But Professor Ferguson, whose frightening death forecasts prompted the first lockdown and spooked ministers into triggering the most recent delay to Freedom Day, said fresh data had given him confidence admissions and deaths would remain at 'manageable levels'. His comments last Thursday came on the back of evidence showing the mutant 'Delta' variant was twice as likely to cause severe illness in unvaccinated people compared to the Kent variant and could be up to 80 per cent more infectious. But the epidemiologist appears to have changed his tune after real-world data on Monday revealed the vaccines were extremely effective at blocking severe disease and hospitalisations. Meanwhile, Professor Chris Whitty today warned that Covid had 'not thrown its last surprise at us' as he cautioned against getting complacent about the virus today. England's chief medical officer said the winter period could be 'very difficult' and hinted that rolling back restrictions had not been completely taken off the table. Advertisement Medical director of Public Health England Dr Yvonne Doyle said: 'Case rates have increased across all age groups and regions around England, and we are seeing further increases in hospitalisations. 'We now know that two doses of either vaccine offers very high levels of protection against hospitalisation from all variants, including Delta and so it is important to take up the offer of the vaccine to protect yourself and others. 'We know many of you will be currently enjoying Euro 2020, but please when going to fan zones or celebrating with friends, follow the guidelines in place and enjoy the tournament safely.' Britain is scrambling to vaccinate as many people as possible in June to boost the nation's chances of reopening on July 19, the rescheduled date. Everyone over the age of 21 is now eligible for a jab and 30.5million people are already fully vaccinated along with 42m who have had a single dose. It came as Department of Health statistics revealed that the rate of increase in average daily cases appears to have slowed noticeably in mid-June. Positive tests had started to rocket in the first week of this month, with the average number of people being diagnosed surging between June 1 and June 10. The average number of people who tested positive each day in the week up to June 9 was 5,984, which was a 66 per cent spike from the 3,606 average in the week up to June 2. Between June 9 and yesterday, June 16, however, the increase was half as fast and only 32 per cent. All over-18s will be invited for Covid vaccines TOMORROW as huge queues form in London All over-18s will be able to get Covid vaccines from tomorrow as the NHS reaches the last hurdle in its plan to offer jabs to everyone by July. The last step down through the age groups will mean any adult in Britain can get a Covid vaccine if they want one. Matt Hancock confirmed that 18, 19 and 20-year-olds will start to get invite texts and letters from the health service tomorrow. The Health Secretary, who is under immense pressure after Dominic Cummings leaked texts appearing to show Boris Johnson admitting he was 'f***ing hopeless', made the announcement at an NHS conference today. The rollout had opened up to 21-year-olds yesterday, and will tomorrow take its last step into the teens. It comes as huge queues formed across the capital today, with young Londoners rushing to get their Covid jab at walk-in clinics and over-40s cutting the wait to get their second vaccinations. Around 200 people were spotted lining up outside a pharmacy before it had even opened in north Greenwich, south-east London, this morning. Danny Thorpe, leader of the borough's council, likened the rush to get a first dose of the jab to a 'social media event' among the younger generation, adding that people are 'turning out in their droves'. Advertisement But the most up-to-date figure, based on the 11,000 cases recorded today, has seen the rate increase slightly. Although the number of people catching the virus is clearly still rising likely a function of a greater number of local outbreaks as the Indian 'Delta' variant takes off in more areas it may be growing slower. The numbers back up findings from the ZOE and King's College Covid Symptom Study, which produced its weekly report today and found symptomatic cases of the virus had risen 32 per cent in the week to June 12. This was compared to a huge surge of 160 per cent a week earlier, when the number of people getting sick each day more than doubled from 4,600 to 12,000. There are now an estimated 15,760 developing symptoms each day, the report said. Around 12,830 of those are likely to not have had a vaccine while just 2,930 have had two jabs one in five cases. Professor Tim Spector, the King's College London epidemiologist who runs the symptom tracking study, said: 'The numbers this week seem to be slowing down, which is good news. Worrying areas with a high number of cases like Scotland and the North West are starting to level off. 'I'm predicting based on past experience that, although we may not have reached the peak quite yet, within two weeks we will see cases beginning to drop again.' But he insisted the PM's decision to put 'Freedom Day' on hold until mid-July was 'probably necessary' as his study showed vaccines are doing a huge amount of heavy lifting and slashing case numbers. He said that Wales, which is further ahead with its vaccine rollout than other parts of Britain, was seeing 'protection against rises' offered by the jabs, hinting that herd immunity was developing in areas with high coverage. He added: 'Wales in particular has seen tangible benefits from a faster than average vaccination rate, where they previously had some of the highest rates in the country, we are now seeing clear protection against rises. Wales is now several weeks ahead of the rest of the UK in terms of vaccinations, so it looks like the rest of us will soon follow suit.' One of the key reasons the Prime Minister decided not to go ahead with ending lockdown next week was because experts fear not enough people have been vaccinated to prevent a devastating third wave. Just over half of adults have had two vaccine doses. Over three quarters nearly 41million people have had their first jab but studies show that a single shot doesn't offer good protection against the new Delta variant, with only around 33 per cent protection from infection. 'Boris Johnsons decision this week to delay the lifting of all restrictions in the UK, was a difficult but probably necessary one,' Professor Spector added. 'Its good to see decisions being made from the data, not dates. 'Life is better than it was, where we can go out and see friends and family, so having a few more weeks will give us the time and space to get more people vaccinated. 'We have already seen that being fully vaccinated dramatically reduces both the likelihood of contracting the virus, as well as severity of symptoms, so its crucial that everyone eligible for the vaccine gets the first or second jab as soon as possible.' The Symptom Study shows there are still Covid hotspots in the North West and Scotland but Professor Spector said they were coming under control Covid cases appear to be flat or falling in the hardest-hit places, with the infection rate in Blackburn with Darwen, which took over from Bolton as the country's hotspot at the end of May, falling after appearing to peak on June 4 when there had been an average 143 cases per day over the previous week. The local health director there said he thought infections had now 'peaked'. The same trend appears to be playing out in Bolton, Bedford and Burnley, all among the first hit by the Delta variant (below) And asked about whether the current state of the Government's roadmap could be reversed because of a surge in cases at a medical conference today, SAGE advisor Professor Ferguson 'I'm hoping we won't have to reverse cause and I suspect we won't,' he said. 'I think we will see hospitalisations and deaths rise but at manageable levels. So I'm more optimistic than I was.' His optimistic comments were echoed by fellow SAGE member Professor Graham Medley, who said it was unlikely the country would move backwards. Professor Medley, chair of the SPI-M modelling group within SAGE, told the Royal Society of Medicine conference: 'I agree with Neil. 'I find it very unlikely that we will have to move backwards from where we are, the question is about moving forwards.' Professor Ferguson warned just last week that the country faced a third wave 'at least comparable in terms of hospitalisations' to previous peaks due to the ultra-infectious new strain. SAGE's frightening Covid death estimates are to be slashed by tens of thousands because the models used out of date data on how well vaccines beat Indian variant SAGE's Covid death predictions may be downgraded by tens of thousands because the vaccines are performing better than expected against the Indian variant and the estimates were based on out of date data. In papers submitted to the Government this week which ultimately led to Freedom Day being pushed back to July 19, modellers at Imperial College London warned that there could 200,000 more UK fatalities by next June. While that model looked at a 'worst-case' scenario, other universities forecasting the crisis for SAGE said it was realistic to expect 40,000 to die in that time. However, the gloomiest forecasts were based on assuming that two doses of AstraZeneca's vaccine gave as little as 77 per cent protection against being hospitalised with the Indian 'Delta' variant. They also worked on the assumption that being fully immunised with Pfizer's jab may only reduce admissions by 84 per cent. The groups' central assumptions had protection slightly higher. But it has since emerged the vaccines perform much better against the mutant strain than any of the estimates plugged into SAGE's models. Public Health England's best guess is that two doses of AstraZeneca's jab cuts the risk of hospitalisation by up to 92 per cent, while the figure for Pfizer's was even higher at 96 per cent. The new vaccine efficacy estimates, based on real-world data of 14,000 Delta cases in England, were made public just minutes after SAGE's frightening forecasts were published on Monday, which led many to assume it was too late to use PHE's data in its models. Yet Dr Susan Hopkins, the deputy director of PHE's national infection service, admitted to MPs yesterday that the Government knew about the figures last Friday. It suggests ministers and their scientific advisers pressed ahead with publishing the calculations, which strengthened the argument for delaying June 21, despite knowing there was more accurate data available. Tory MPs have questioned why the real-world data hadn't been given precedence and have called for the models to be re-calibrated with the new estimates. Advertisement His comments last Thursday came on the back of evidence showing the mutant 'Delta' variant was twice as likely to cause severe illness in unvaccinated people compared to the Kent variant and could be up to 80 per cent more infectious. But the epidemiologist appears to have changed his tune after real-world data on Monday revealed the vaccines were extremely effective at blocking severe disease and hospitalisations. Meanwhile, Professor Chris Whitty today warned that Covid had 'not thrown its last surprise at us' as he cautioned against getting complacent about the virus today. England's chief medical officer said the winter period could be 'very difficult' and hinted that rolling back restrictions had not been completely taken off the table. It comes as the vaccine rollout was extended to everyone as young as 18 and will open to all adults tomorrow. There had been early signs this week that cases were beginning to come under control in the areas first hit by the Delta variant, suggesting the strain can be controlled without lockdowns. Covid cases appear to be flat or falling in the hardest-hit places, with the infection rate in Blackburn with Darwen, which took over from Bolton as the country's hotspot at the end of May, falling after appearing to peak on June 4 when there had been an average 143 cases per day over the previous week. It remains the worst-affected place in the country but if the trend keeps up the change of fortunes could suggest that, as was seen in Bolton, simple surges in testing and vaccinations and tougher advice on travelling in or out of the area and social distancing could be enough to keep a lid on local outbreaks. Ministers this week urged another 3.6million people in Birmingham, Liverpool, Warrington and parts of Cheshire to try to avoid travelling and be more careful about virus control measures in a bid to slow outbreaks there. The other areas that were first to be hard hit by the strain when it emerged in April Bedford and Burnley also appear to have arrested the spread of Covid by scaling up local efforts to stamp it out and test and isolate everyone. Those four areas, Bedford, Blackburn, Bolton and Burnley, were the first to see cases surge, the first to get extra help from the Government to control the virus, and now appear to be the first to see infections levelling off. Blackburn's public health director, Dominic Harrison, said that cases appeared to have 'peaked' there after a massive spike. On Twitter the local health chief said yesterday: 'Good news increasingly strong signal that the [Blackburn with Darwen] case rate may have peaked on 7th June (at 667) & that the fall in daily case numbers will be sustained for at least 7 days. First sustained fall since initial Delta variant case on 7th April. 'Based on Blackburn and Bolton experience other areas with Delta variant surge (with strong surge response) may get: 8 week rise in cases, increased but manageable hospitalisations with very low mortality. This may be what 'living with COVID 'looks like!' Infections are still rising fast in many areas that have been added to the official hotspots, however, with cases going up in twice as many areas as they are flat or falling. There are 34 areas now on the list of places to face tougher guidance, which offers a 'package of support' from the Government to include surge testing, enhanced contact tracing and financial support to Covid cases and their contacts who have been asked to self-isolate. Recent data from these 34 areas show that infections appear flat in 10 places, are falling in two (South Ribble as well as Blackburn) but are rising in 22 places. Most of them are recent additions to the enhanced support list and ministers will be hoping the extra measures help to turn the tide on infections in those places, too. CNN is jumping on the NFT bandwagon and will be selling off news coverage of historic events to collectors, the news network announced on Wednesday. The WarnerMedia-owned company said that it is launching 'Vault by CNN: Moments That Changed Us', through which it will be offering non-fungible tokens (NFTs). It said that it will be minting its coverage of historical moments covered during its 41-year history - such as the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Gulf War, or the September 11 terrorist attacks - on the Flow blockchain service. People will then be able to purchase them as digital collectables. CNN is jumping on the NFT bandwagon and will be selling off news coverage of historic events to collectors, the news network announced on Wednesday. Pictured: A man attacks the Berlin Wall with a pickaxe on the night of November 9th, 1989 [file photo]. Could the fall of the Berlin wall be one of the 'Moments' sold by CNN? Pictured: U.S. soldiers arrive at a burning oil refinery in Al-Khafji, Saudi Arabia, near the Kuwait border, after Iraqi bombardment during the Gulf War. CNN made a name for itself with its coverage of the Gulf War in 1991 Currently, the date and cost for the first batch of these 'moments' is yet to be announced, but CNN said it could include coverage from specific themes such as presidential elections, early CNN exclusives and world history. 'The winner (tokenholder) of each Moment will own the digital copy for collectible purposes,' CNN said in a statement released on Wednesday announcing the NFTs. The tokenholders will then be able to display their 'Moments' on their user page in the Vault, and in some cases the buyers will receive a video display case that will allow them to display the moment in a physical location on a screen. CNN said that it is working with a third party company to create these physical versions of the 'Moments'. Unlike a number of other NFTs being offered on the growing market, those wanting to purchase one from CNN will not have to pay with cryptocurrency. People will be able to buy them with a credit card instead, but will need to create a digital wallet with the blockchain company Blocto. It said that it will be minting its coverage of historical moments covered during its 41-year history - such as the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Iraq war or the September 11 terrorist attacks - on the Flow blockchain service. Pictured: Smoke pours from the twin towers of the World Trade Center, September 11, 2001 [file photo] The WarnerMedia-owned company said that it is launching 'Vault by CNN: Moments That Changed Us', through which it will be offering non-fungible tokens (NFTs) Top 10 NFT sales so far Everydays: the First 5000 Days - $69.3 million The Harmony - $10.3 million Cryptopunk #7804 - $7.6 million Beeple's CROSSROAD - $6.60 million) The first Tweet of Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey - $2.9 million Cryptopunk #6965 - $1.6 million Axie Infinity Virtual Game 'Genesis' Estate - $1.5 million Cryptopunk #4156 - $1.5 million Forever Rose - $1 million Rick and Morty 'The Best I Could Do' - $1 million Advertisement 'Until now, there has been no way to collect these moments, CNN explained in its FAQs about the new service. 'Users can often find old footage online, or packaged up in documentaries, but they cannot "own" them or display them in the way they can with a print newspaper or magazine.' An NFT is a unique digital token encrypted with an artist's signature, which verifies its ownership and authenticity and is permanently attached to the piece. It allows 'original' versions of popular online content - like viral memes and tweets - to be sold as if they were physical pieces of art. The high-profile digital assets to go up for sale as NFTs include Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey's first tweet, which fetched $2.9 million, as well as the classic viral video 'Charlie bit my finger' which brought in $761,000. They exploded in popularity in February and March. A single NFT by the digital artist Beeple fetched $69.3 million at Christie's, in the first sale by a major auction house of artwork with no physical form. A Singaporean crypto investor paid $69.3 million for this massive digital collage by Beeple The tokens are similar to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum in that they live on blockchain networks - a decentralized, distributed ledger that records transactions of digital assets. But unlike traditional cryptocurrencies, NFTs are non-fungible, meaning that one cannot be exchanged for another. The digital assets have collectors value, and can represent items including still images, GIFs, videos, music and more. The most valuable NFT work so far, called 'Everydays: The First 5000 Days' is a collage of 5,000 individual images, which were made one-per-day over more than thirteen years. It sold for $69,346,250, which a crypto asset investor based in Singapore who goes by the pseudonym 'MetaKovan' paid in the form of cryptocurrency Ether. The sale put Beeple into the top three most valuable living artists, Christie's said, trailing only David Hockney and Jeff Koons. A pregnant pig has escaped the farm where she was destined for the chop so that she could safely give birth to her ten piglets in the woods. Anna Aston, 49, was left gobsmacked when she spotted the escapee mother pig feeding her babies in the undergrowth in woodland near Ollerton, Nottinghamshire, on Monday. She contacted Brinsley Animal Rescue after making the discovery whilst out walking her dog, and volunteers have since named the daring pig Matilda. The charity is now appealing to the pig farmer to allow them re-home the 'Ollerton 11' so they can avoid the fate of being slaughtered. Mother-of-two Ms Aston says she hoped the farmer would now find the heart to spare them the chop after they 'earned their freedom' thanks to Matilda's escape. Ms Aston, of Swadlincote, Derbyshire, said: 'I was just walking near the woods on Monday evening when I heard something in the hedges which I knew immediately was quite big. 'I thought maybe it was another dog or a badger and I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this pig and her piglets rustling around in the undergrowth. Matilda the pig made a brave escape from a local pig farm to give birth to her ten piglets in woodland near Ollerton, Nottinghamshire on Monday 'I knew they weren't wild boar; they just looked like ordinary pigs, which I thought wasn't normal. I walked on but couldn't get these pigs out of my mind and I was worried for their safety. 'I didn't realise there is a pig farm nearby and she must have escaped from there. It's incredible really that she went to such lengths to protect her babies. 'She deserves a safe and happy life with her little family and I think she has earned her freedom now. I hope the farmer has the heart now to allow the pig to be re-homed. 'Just like the Tamworth Two all those years ago we now want to see justice for the Ollerton 11.' Jon Beresford, who runs the charity, said he would need permission from the farmer to remove the pig and her piglets, which are believed to be around three-weeks-old. The ten piglets are still being looked after by their mother in the woods, as she enjoys her new found freedom. The animals are being fed by volunteers at Brinsley Animal Rescue Volunteers are now hoping to re-home the 11 animals and save Matilda from the chop But he is hopeful that Nottinghamshire County Council will allow them to move the animals to safety on welfare grounds if their pleas to the farmer are rejected. They have dubbed the family the 'Ollerton 11' after the Tamworth Two - a pair of pigs that famously escaped while being unloaded from a lorry at an abattoir in WIltshire in 1998. Jon believes Matilda's motherly instincts kicked in and she knew she had to get herself and her babies to safety in order to protect them. He said: 'It's almost like her maternal instincts are like "I want to get out of here and have my babies" and she has broken out. As Matilda has a nose ring she is not able to forage for food herself - the charity hopes to take the animals to a sanctuary to live out their days 'We are now appealing to the farmer to let her be rescued by us as she has shown such bravery, determination and strong love for her babies. 'We think she has earned her freedom now and it would be wrong to take her back to the abattoir. 'She also has a ring through her nose, which we consider cruel, because pigs use their noses to forage for food and upturn roots. 'She is in the wild and hasn't been able to find food, so we have been taking food up for her as she tends to her little piglets. 'We have been trying to contact the farmer without any joy so far so we may have to approach the animal department at the local authority. 'If they agree we can move her on welfare grounds or the farmer comes back to us and agrees - then we can save her from the chop. 'We hope the farmer can find the heart to let us rescue Matilda.' Louise Smith, a volunteer for the charity, added: 'She has a ring through her nose which meant she was unable to forage for food herself. 'We left food for her to eat but she only seemed interested in caring for her young. 'We are really hopeful the farmer allows us to commence the rescue and get Matilda and her family to a sanctuary where they can live out the rest of their natural lives.' Police have launched a hunt for a hit-and-run cyclist who killed a 79-year-old retired teacher while she was out for an evening walk. Retired teacher Jane Stone was hit while crossing the road in Monmouth, Gwent, at 9.55pm last Monday. She was taken to hospital, but died of serious head injuries four days later. Police released a CCTV image of a cyclist who fled the scene. Police say he is a man in his 20s. Mrs Stone's heartbroken family today paid tribute to the 'very caring and active' widow. Retired teacher Jane Stone was hit by a cyclist while crossing the road in Monmouth, Gwent, at 9.55pm last Monday. She was taken to hospital, but died of serious head injuries four days later A statement said: '[Mrs Stone] was healthy and physically active, only a few years ago abseiling down the church tower to raise funds. 'Having been born and brought up in Monmouth she trained in London as a teacher, in which profession she was well respected and appreciated. 'In retirement and being a widow, she returned to her roots, involving herself with great enthusiasm in many aspects of Monmouth life. 'She was a past Churchwarden of St Thomas's Church, was a Lay Eucharistic Minister, Sacristan and heavily involved in all church activities, helping and supporting members of the community as needed. 'She enjoyed long distance walking, setting herself the challenge of completing 1,000 miles per year and was currently tackling - with her walking friend - Offa's Dyke from South to North Wales. Police released a CCTV image of a cyclist who fled the scene. Police say he is a man in his 20s 'Jane was a well-loved member of the family and closely followed the lives of her great nieces and nephews.' Gwent police say enquiries are ongoing to locate the cyclist who left the scene. Her church paid tribute to 'full of life' Mrs Stone who they desrcibed as a 'supportive and tireless' churchwarden. A spokesman for Monmouth Parishes said: 'Jane was always so full of life and willing to share not only her time but also her faith in her care for others. 'She was a supportive and tireless churchwarden for many years and a hardworking sacristan who gave her considerable talents in ensuring that the highest standards were maintained behind the scenes of worship. 'She was a lively contributor to house groups and study groups, a welcoming hostess and she also made a significant contribution to St Thomas PCC. Mrs Stone's heartbroken family today paid tribute to the 'very caring and active' widow (pictured) 'A fearless and loyal friend for all those who knew her well.' PS Leighton Healan, senior investigating officer, said: 'We're releasing this CCTV image of a man we would like to speak to in connection with this collision as he may be able to assist us with our enquiries. 'If anyone believes they recognise this man or know of his whereabouts, then please get in contact with us. 'I would also like to appeal directly to the individual - please come forward to assist this investigation and help us establish what happened. 'Anyone who witnessed the collision, who has not yet spoken with officers, is also urged to make contact. Anyone with any dash-cam footage of the area at the time is also asked to come forward.' A former San Francisco substitute teacher has pleaded guilty to three federal sex tourism charges after admitting that he repeatedly traveled to Vietnam to engage in 'illicit sexual conduct' with boys as young as 11. Paul Bodner, 65, entered the guilty pleas Tuesday in US District Court for the Northern District of California. He faces up to 30 years in prison. Bodner, who until recently was employed as a substitute teacher in the San Francisco Unified School District, was indicted in January of last year stemming from his foreign travels from July 2015 through August 2016. According to the indictment, Bodner traveled in March and July 2016 to Vietnam, where he met local boys aged 11 or 12, and engaged in sex acts with them at a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. Paul Bodner, a long-time substitute teacher from San Francisco, has admitted to repeatedly traveling to Vietnam and having sexual encounters with boys as young as 11 in Ho Chi Minh City (stock photo) During an interview with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the veteran educator was said to have admitted that he was attracted to 'young Asian boys,' reported The Mercury News. Bodner had worked in San Francisco public schools on and off since 1985 until 2019. Over the course of his 35-year career, he faced numerous allegations of sexual misconduct, but was allowed to keep his job, prosecutors stated. When questioned by law enforcement officials in 2016, Bodner allegedly admitted that he befriended students during the 1980s but 'felt that they would have rejected his sexual advances.' In the early 2000s, a student accused Bodner of having an inappropriate relationship with her brother. Instead of being fired, the teacher was counseled by the principal of the school where he worked at the time, according to court records. In 2004, police uncovered a video that allegedly showed Bodner performing sex acts with Asian males of 'questionable age,' and another recording that depicted Asian children, aged 5 to 10, on a playground. Bodner was spared charges in those cases and went on teaching for another 15 years. Bodner came under renewed scrutiny in 2016 upon returning from a trip to Vietnam. At the airport, US Customs and Border Patrol agents searched the man's luggage and discovered a stash of photos of 'partially clothed young boys,' along with condoms and a diary listing playground locations. In 2017, Bodner was said to have reached out to several alleged victims in Vietnam on social media. One message allegedly written by Bodner read: 'soon I will ask our friends to pray and pray hard to realize I did not have sexual relationships with anyone before they were 18 When I know they give me my phone back, I can give out a lot of money to celebrate.' Bodner again traveled to Vietnam in 2018 and 2019, and transferred thousands of dollars to alleged victims, according to prosecutors. When asked about those payouts by the HSI, Bodner claimed he paid the boys because he felt sorry for them and not in exchange for sex. Bodner has been behind bars since his arrest last year, despite his attorneys' efforts to have him released, arguing that he was at a high risk of contracting COVID-19 in jail because he suffered from a sexually transmitted disease and other maladies. Bodner is due back in court for his sentencing in September. A cremation business in Maine has been shut down after investigators discovered the remains of 11 people were left unrefrigerated for weeks. Affordable Cremations Solutions in Lewistown had its operations suspended and its owner Kenneth Kincer's funeral license was revoked on Monday following an investigation by the state, according to the Lewiston Sun Journal. Maine's Board of Funeral Services first got wind of the appalling tactics taking place in April, when complaints came in that Affordable wasn't allowing family members to retrieve bodies. An investigator who visited the business last week reported an overwhelming 'odor of decomposition' and observed a 'reddish brown fluid on the floor' before spotting bodies that were not properly stored. Affordable Cremation Services had its business operations suspended following a state investigation which revealed they left 11 bodies unrefrigerated and rotting 'The health and physical safety of the public are in immediate jeopardy,' Chad Poitras, chairman of the Board of Funeral Services, wrote in the state's order. The suspension is for 30 days and Kincer is forbidden from practicing any aspect of funeral service, pending a formal hearing with the Board of Funeral Services. After multiple people reported to the state that Affordable wasn't releasing bodies, Kincer received a letter from the regulators regarding information and to find someone else to designate an alternative licensee to proceed over the matter. No response was provided by Kincer. When an investigator came around on April 8, the building was locked. Kincer, who ended up being there a week later, told state officials he was ill at the time. Kenneth Kincer told state regulators he was ill on numerous occasions while investigators tried to find him to get answers after several complaints were filed about Affordable's business practices During the second visit, the investigator discovered that five uncremated remains were unrefrigerated, yet no odor of decay. In a follow-up visit on June 8, the investigator came across three bodies that had been at the business since April and five that had been there since May. And on June 10 the investigator discovered 11 bodies that were left unrefrigerated. One of those bodies was too large to be put in a body bag and found in an unsealed box, the investigator said. He also reported seeing a reddish, brown fluid on the floor, flowing down into the drain. This forced the state to immediately take action and shut down Affordable because the situation was deemed too hazardous. The state's Office of Vital Tactics also revealed it had obtained two complete and one incomplete death certificates from Affordable between April 27 to June 8. Neither Kincer or his attorney could be reached for comment. Vladimir Putin on Thursday praised the outcome of his summit with U.S. President Joe Biden, called him an astute and shrewd negotiator and criticized attempts in the press to try and characterize him as frail. The Russian president, who hailed Biden as a highly experienced and constructive interlocutor at a news conference in Geneva, gave his backing to the U.S. leader on Thursday in a video call with graduates of a government management school. Biden kept him on his guard with his savvy negotiating skills, Putin said. 'He perfectly knows the matter,' Putin said. 'He is fully concentrated and knows what he wants to achieve. And he does it very shrewdly.' He dismissed what he described as media attempts to cast Biden as physically frail, noting that the 78-year-old U.S. president was in great shape even though the meeting wrapped up a European tour for him that included the G-7 and NATO summits. 'He was on a long trip, he flew in from across the ocean, involving jetlag,' the 68-year-old Putin said, adding that he knows how tiring travel can be. Vladimir Putin on Thursday praised the outcome of his summit with U.S. President Joe Biden, called him an astute and shrewd negotiator and criticized attempts in the press to try and characterize him as frail Biden noted the 78-year-old U.S. president was in great shape even though the meeting wrapped up a European tour for him that included the G-7 and NATO summits. 'He was on a long trip, he flew in from across the ocean, involving jetlag,' the 68-year-old Putin said, adding that he knows how tiring travel can be At the end of his press conference on Wednesday, Biden snapped at CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins when she asked him if he had confidence that Putin would change. He later apologized and said he was 'being a wise guy' 'The atmosphere was quite friendly,' he added. 'I think we managed to understand each other, we managed to understand each other's positions on key issue, they differ on many things and we noted the differences. 'At the same time, we established areas and points where we can possibly bring our positions closer in the future.' The two leaders concluded three hours of talks Wednesday at an opulent villa facing Lake Geneva by exchanging expressions of mutual respect but firmly restating their starkly different views on cyberattacks, the conflict in Ukraine, political dissent and other issues. At the same time, they announced an agreement to return each other's ambassadors and mapped more talks on arms control and cybersecurity. Putin particularly emphasized the importance of an agreement to conduct dialogue on cybersecurity between experts, saying it would help reduce tensions. Biden said he and Putin agreed to have their experts work out an understanding about what types of critical infrastructure would be off-limits to cyberattacks. The agreement follows a flood of ransomware attacks against U.S. businesses and government agencies that U.S. officials said originated from Russia. The Russian president, who hailed Biden as a highly experienced and constructive interlocutor at a news conference in Geneva, offered more praise of the U.S. leader on Thursday in a video call with graduates of a government management school Putin, who has strongly denied any Russian state role in the cyberattacks, argued Thursday that 'instead of finger-pointing and bickering, we should better combine efforts to fight cybercrime.' Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the summit as positive and productive, saying it allowed the leaders 'to directly put forward their positions and try to understand where interaction is possible and where there can be no interaction due to categorical disagreements.' Peskov particularly noted the joint statement from the presidents that said the two countries will conduct a dialogue on strategic stability issues and reaffirmed that 'a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought' - a principle declared by U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev at their Geneva summit in 1985. 'The atmosphere was quite friendly,' he added. 'I think we managed to understand each other, we managed to understand each other's positions on key issue, they differ on many things and we noted the differences Restating the principle was a 'significant achievement' amid current tensions between Moscow and Washington, said Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, who attended the talks. Looking into Biden's 'soul', a Tolstoy quote and comparing Capitol rioters to his opponents: The top quotes from Putin's press conference 'You don't have time to open your mouth and you're shot dead,' he said, referring to mass shootings in the United States. 'Look at American streets. People are getting killed there,' he said. 'You can get a bullet in the neck.' 'This man knew that he was breaking the law of Russia,' Putin said of Navalny. 'He is somebody who has been twice, convicted, and he consciously ignored the requirements of the law,' he said 'There is no happiness in life, there is only a mirage on the horizon, so cherish that' 'On the question of who is murdering whom, people rioted and went into the Congress in the U.S. with political demands and many people were declared as criminals and they are threatened with imprisonment for 20 to 25 years. And these people were immediately arrested after those events. On what grounds we don't know, always 'He [Biden] talked a bit about his family, what his mother told him, they are important things - maybe they are not quite relevant - but it does talk about the level of his moral values, which is very attractive and it seems to me that we did speak the same language. It certainly doesn't imply that we must look into each other's eyes and find a soul or swear our affection but essentially our talks were pragmatic Advertisement The strategic stability dialogue would cover a wide range of issues related to nuclear and other weapons and is key to reducing the risk of conflict between the two superpowers. The talks follow a decision this year to extend the New START, the last remaining U.S.-Russian arms control pact and would be aimed at working out a follow-up agreement after it expires in 2026. The negotiations will be complex and strenuous. The U.S. is worried about new destabilizing weapons developed by Russia, such as the atomic-powered, nuclear-armed Poseidon underwater drone, while Russia wants to include U.S. missile defense and potential space-based weapons in an agreement. 'It's a difficult task to conjugate the approaches and formulas,' Ryabkov said. 'But we are ready to try to solve it.' Konstantin Kosachev, a deputy speaker of Russia's upper house of parliament, hoped that talks between experts would help reduce the bad blood. 'The more often experts will meet, the less room the politicians will have for speculation and manipulation,' he told The Associated Press. The decision to return the ambassadors, who left their posts amid the tensions, was also widely billed by Russian officials and experts as an important move to stabilize ties. Russia recalled its ambassador, Anatoly Antonov, for consultations in March after Biden described Putin as a killer in an interview. John Sullivan, the U.S. ambassador to Moscow, flew home in April after public suggestions from Russian officials that he should leave to mirror Antonovs departure. U.S.-Russian ties have plummeted to all-time lows after Moscow's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, accusations of Russian interference in elections and cyberattacks, and Western criticism of the Kremlin's crackdown on the opposition. Biden criticized the imprisonment of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and other moves by the Kremlin to stifle dissent and independent media. Putin shot back, keeping to his practice of never mentioning his chief political foe by name, saying Navalny knew he was breaking the law and was duly punished. He added that government critics designated as 'foreign agents' were pursuing malign Western interests. In comments posted to his Instagram account, Navalny denounced Putins comments as lies. 'He just doesnt say a word of truth,' Navalny said. 'Clearly, he just physically cant stop lying.' Navalny 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 - an accusation that Russian officials reject. In February, Navalny was given a 2 1/2-year prison term for violating the terms of a suspended sentence from a 2014 embezzlement conviction that he dismissed as politically motivated. Navalnys supporters held a protest in Geneva ahead of Putins visit and dotted the city with billboards blasting the Kremlin for refusing to investigate his poisoning. On Ukraine, Russia reaffirmed its view that the country's bid for NATO membership represents a red line, while the U.S. has restated that the alliance's doors remain open for its membership. Some in Ukraine voiced hope the summit could help ease tensions that spiked this year when Russia bolstered its forces near Ukraine. The two leaders concluded three hours of talks Wednesday at an opulent villa facing Lake Geneva by exchanging expressions of mutual respect but firmly restating their starkly different views on cyberattacks, the conflict in Ukraine, political dissent and other issues 'Reducing the conflict potential in U.S.-Russian relations could help lower tensions on our border with Russia,' said Volodymyr Fesenko, head of the Penta Center think tank. But independent Kyiv-based political expert Vadim Karasev warned of a danger that the lack of resolution of the conflict with Russia-backed separatists in Ukraines eastern industrial heartland known as the Donbas would make it frozen, and the country would steadily drift to the fringes of international politics. 'The results of the Putin-Biden meeting will cool Kyivs aspirations,' Karasev said. 'Ukraine wont be able to quickly join NATO, and the conflict in Donbas will become a chronic one. The Ukrainian issue will lose its acuteness, leaving Kyiv on the periphery of the global agenda.' Experts say that sharp differences rule out any quick progress on the divisive issues. 'Confrontation will continue, but there is a hope now that instead of being uncontrollable it could become more orderly,' said Valery Garbuzov, the head of the U.S. and Canada Institute, the government-funded think-tank. Goldsmiths University in London is to allow students to delay sitting their exams or apply for assignment extensions if they have suffered 'racial trauma' The institution has changed its policy after a proposal from the students' union, updating the list of circumstances students can cite when applying for extensions for exams or essays to include race-based trauma. Students at the university in New Cross, south-east London, will have to write to academics explaining why they want a postponement. It will then be considered by officials, who will decide whether to allow the delay through a process called 'self-certification'. The university is thought to be the first university in the UK to allow black and people of colour [PoC] students to defer taking exams because of racism. Sara Bafo, president of Goldsmiths Students' Union, tweeted that the university had agreed to the union's proposals to include racial trauma as a reason to delay exams and essays for ethnic minority students. Goldsmiths University in London is to allow students to delay sitting their exams and apply for assignment extensions if they have suffered 'racial trauma' Sara Bafo, president of Goldsmiths Students' Union, tweeted the university had agreed to the union's proposals to include racial trauma as a reason to delay exams and essays Ms Bafo tweeted: 'Institutional/systemic racism... clearly impacts Black and PoC students' ability to submit essays or exams due to the trauma of it' She said: 'The university has agreed to our proposal to incorporate 'racial trauma' as a reason to defer essays and exams for Black and PoC students, it will be done through self-certification (moving away from providing so called evidence). 'Institutional/systemic racism... clearly impacts Black and PoC students' ability to submit essays or exams due to the trauma of it.' Students will be able to apply for extensions through a process of 'self-certification', which means they will no longer have to provide evidence. The Equality and Human Rights Commission said in 2019 that around 13 per cent of students said they had experienced racial harassment at university. A fifth of those said they had been physically attacked, while around half said they had experienced racist name-calling, insults and jokes. Last year, Oxford and Warwick universities offered black students the chance to apply for lenient marking due to racial trauma they experience after the murder of George Floyd in the US in May last year. Goldsmiths Students' Union confirmed that the university had agreed to its proposals, calling the decision a 'step in the right direction' Alumni of Goldsmiths include Steve McQueen, who directed the Oscar-winning film 12 Years a Slave, and artist Damien Hirst. Professor Frances Corner, Warden of Goldsmiths, said in a statement: 'This change relates to our extenuating circumstances policy which enables students to ask us to take into account serious life events when assessing their progress with their studies. Categories include medical conditions, trauma, bereavement, court attendance and caring responsibilities. Racial trauma will be added to this. 'If a student's report of extenuating circumstances is accepted, they must still complete their academic work but may, for instance, be given a longer deadline or the chance to defer an assessment for a defined period. 'Self-certification for this kind of support is common at universities and students are entitled to proper support when the need arises. 'A student must submit a detailed statement which is carefully considered by academic departments who then decide an appropriate response. 'Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis, with the College committed to providing the best possible support to each of our students.' Goldsmiths Students' Union confirmed that the university had agreed to its proposals, calling the decision a 'step in the right direction'. It said: 'The Uni has agreed to our Sabbs' proposal to include 'racial trauma' as a reason to defer essays for Black & PoC students through self-certification, not an evidence based approach. This is great news and a step in the right direction. 'Well done to those involved in discussions!' Surveillance cameras at a military base in Colombia captured the moment a soldier clears a man to drive an SUV into the facility and also showed him walking out of the complex hours before the vehicle exploded and injured 36 people. Authorities have yet to identify the suspect behind Tuesday's bombing at the 30th Army Brigade in the northeastern city of Cucuta near the border with Venezuela. A security camera showed the man pulling up in a 2017 Toyota Fortuner at the entrance at 12:32pm local time. A second surveillance camera captured him carrying a bag as he approached a man standing near a security booth. He appeared to notice the camera and adjusted his face mask, leaving the base undetected at 1:50pm. The first bomb exploded at 3:05pm and a second one went off at 3:10pm. According to investigators, the vehicle was packed with 66 pounds of pentaerythritol tetranitrate, which is also known as pentrhyte and was first used by the German military during World War I. Still image of security camera video that shows a soldier speaking to the driver of a SUV at entrance of the 30th Army Brigade in the Colombian northeastern city of Cucuta on Tuesday. The driver, a male who has not been identified yet, parked the vehicle next to a building and abandoned the military complex before the SUV exploded. A total of 36 people, including 29 soldiers were injured. No casualties were reported Still image from a surveillance camera located at the exit of the 30th Army Brigade in Cucuta, Colombia, shows the moment a man leaves the military facility on Tuesday moments after he parked a SUV, which exploded several hours later. Two bombs placed in the vehicle contained 66 pounds of Investigators filed a report indicating that 66 pounds of the pentaerythritol tetranitrate explosive was placed inside the SUV that exploded inside a military base in Colombia on Tuesday. Th explosive is also known as pentrhyte and was first used by the Germany military during World War I The Office of the Attorney General of Colombia said the investigators interviewed the previous owner of the vehicle, who said he sold the vehicle in May. The man, whose name was withheld, received $32,000, which were split in two payments. The buyer paid him $5,000 on May 29 and handed him $27,000 on June 4. The Office of the Attorney General of Colombia and the military said the terror attack was orchestrated by Jose 'El Rolo' Guzman, 52, who commands a cell within the National Liberation Army (ELN), the largest remaining rebel group in the South American nation. Despite a 2016 peace deal with Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels, Colombia's military continues to battle National Liberation Army guerrillas, crime gangs and former FARC members who reject the accord. The Colombian government is offering a $135,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those who were involved. Authorities in Colombia are searching for a man who on Tuesday drove a SUV inside a military base and parked it next to a building where U.S. military personnel where staying before it exploded The Office of the Attorney General of Colombia and the military said the terror attack was orchestrated by Jose 'El Rolo' Guzman, 52, who commands a cell within the National Liberation Army (ELN), the largest remaining rebel group in the South American nation 'Let it be clear that the members of the ELN's central command have responsibility,' Defense Minister Diego Molano. 'These terrorists cannot continue posing as peace managers abroad while they commit atrocious acts against our soldiers and Colombians.' The car bomb exploded next to a building where U.S. military personnel were staying at. A total of 29 Colombian soldiers were injured, including one who had surgery. The injury toll could have been higher but most personnel were in preventative isolation because of coronavirus, a high-ranking official told Reuters on Tuesday. Cellphone video recorded by an individual at the 30th Military Brigade complex in the border town of Cucuta captured the moment the vehicle exploded a second time while smoke billowed. In a separate video, an American soldier is heard telling his Colombian counterpart, 'I am f***ing good,' right before the second bomb went off. A Colombian soldier is taken into a hospital after he was injured following a car bomb explosion at the 30th Military Brigade facility in Cucuta, Colombia, on Tuesday A view of the destroyed facilities of a military base after two bombs inside a car went off Tuesday in Cucuta, Colombia. At least 36 people, including two civilians, were injured Videos posted on social media showed dark columns of smoke rising from the base followed by a loud explosion that shattered windows and destroyed offices. 'We just had a f****** car bomb put here. It wrecked all of this s***, all of what used to be (building) nine. They turned the offices into s***,' a Colombia soldier says while he was looking to see if anybody was trapped in the building that were damaged. 'Family, thanks to God I am well. Look how the American's base was left. They turned all of these facilities into s***.' Dozens of U.S. advisors are stationed in Colombia, but the U.S. military's Southern Command did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Health workers transport an injured soldier to the Duarte Medical Clinic moments after a car bomb exploded at the facilities of the 30th Brigade of the Colombian Army on Tuesday The remains of a car bomb that exploded inside a military base are seen in Cucuta Cucuta is located on the border with Venezuela and is the capital of the state of North Santander, where several criminal groups are fighting over drug trafficking routes and use the loosely patrolled border with Venezuela to smuggle fuel and weapons. Last year a group of U.S. military trainers and advisers from the First Security Force Assistance Brigade spent time at the base that was bombed Tuesday, where they helped the Colombian military to plan anti-narcotics operations. FBI agents were working on assisting Colombian officials in the investigation. The government blamed FARC dissidents for a car bomb attack in March in Cauca province which injured more than 40 people. A 2019 ELN car bomb attack at Bogota's police academy killed 22 people and ended nascent peace talks between the group and the government. Germany's CureVac jab has been found to be only 47 per cent effective against Covid-19 in the latest blow to the EU's vaccine rollout. The results from a trial with 40,000 participants have caused CureVac shares in Frankfurt and New York to fall more than 50 per cent, erasing more than 5billion from the company's market value. The interim results from the late-stage testing are below the minimum threshold of 50 per cent efficacy set by the World Health Organisation. Germany's CureVac jab has been found to be only 47 per cent effective against Covid-19 in the latest blow to the EU's vaccine rollout The German government had invested 250million in Curevac and the EU secured up to 405 million doses of the vaccine in November, of which 180 million are optional, in the only major supply deal for the product tested in the trial. The findings are the latest disappointment for the EU which has had a number of stumbling blocks in its vaccine rollout across the bloc. European countries suffered from the AstraZeneca row as leaders debated its proven efficacy before trying to seize jabs from Britain, and have also endured a slow rollout while the UK has raced ahead in its vaccination programme. The total number of fully vaccinated adults in the UK has risen to nearly 30.7million, 58.2 per cent of the population, while in Germany only 49 per cent have received at least one dose. Curevac's chief executive said the figures were 'sobering' but the German company still aims to finish a final analysis within weeks that will determine whether it will still seek regulatory approval. The biotechnology company said more than two dozen variants of the coronavirus were found in its trial across 10 countries, a fact that may have affected the outcome. A volunteer receives a dose of CureVac vaccine or a placebo during a study by the German biotech firm Late-stage trials of BioNTech/Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which like CureVac's are based on mRNA technology, had efficacy rates of well above 90 per cent but took place when the original version of the coronavirus was dominant. Data on their products have, however, so far suggested only somewhat weaker protection against new variants. 'This could cast doubt on competitiveness of its mRNA platform,' Jefferies said in a research note on CureVac's study. 'The results are sobering,' said chief executive Franz-Werner Haas. 'We recognize that demonstrating high efficacy in this unprecedented broad diversity of variance is quite challenging.' Still, CureVac said it will continue to analyze data from the trial and this may affect the final outcome. 'We are going full-speed for final readout,' said Haas, adding that the company expects to reach that point in 2-3 weeks. Meanwhile, CureVac is also working on a second-generation vaccine, aiming to start trials this fall. The German government, which invested 250million in CureVac last year, said the disappointing results won't affect its initial vaccine campaign The German government, which invested 250million in CureVac last year, said the disappointing results won't affect its initial vaccine campaign. Chancellor Angela Merkel's chief of staff, Helge Braun, told media group RND that the government remains committed to offering every citizen a vaccine by the end of September. Public health representatives across the globe are pushing for a fast deployment of available vaccines to counter highly contagious mutations such as the Delta variant that first emerged in India. The Jefferies analyst said CureVac's readout was in stark contrast with results announced by Novavax this week, showing that its experimental vaccine was more than 90 per cent effective, including against a variety of concerning variants of the coronavirus in a US-based clinical trial. Yet, CureVac's efficacy rate was similar to Sinovac's vaccine which the World Health Organization said this month was 51 per cent effective in preventing symptomatic disease, taking the Chinese shot one step closer to be deployed in low and middle-income countries under the COVAX platform. Peter Kremsner of the University Hospital in Tuebingen, the scientist leading the CureVac study, said a low dosage was likely the reason behind the disappointing efficacy, but tolerability concerns posed limits to increasing the dose. With just 12 micrograms of mRNA per dose, the company has been seeking to position itself as a low-dose alternative to BioNTech and Moderna's established shots with 30 and 100 micrograms per shot, respectively. CureVac CEO Franz-Werner Haas told Reuters the company still planned to apply for approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMA), provided the shot clears the formal hurdle of 50 per cent efficacy. However the EMA said on Thursday it would not impose a 50 per cent efficacy threshold for vaccines, adding full trial data was necessary for it to make a sound assessment on the benefits and risks of a shot. After the interim results, the European Commission said it would need to wait for final results and the assessment of the EU drugs regulator before taking any steps, a spokeswoman for the EU executive told a news conference on Thursday. Bayer and Novartis, two of several production partners that CureVac had lined up to mass-manufacture its product, said they were following developments closely and were awaiting further analysis. A mass shooting that left four people dead and four seriously injured in Chicago's Southside was carried out by two gunmen who shot all but one of the victims in the head execution-style, police say. Police received a call about shots fired from people on the second floor of the house at about 5.45am Tuesday and when they arrived they found four people dead in various rooms. Citing a preliminary report, Chicago police spokesman Steve Rusanov said that someone broke into the home some time before 5.40am on Tuesday and started shooting. It marked Chicago's third mass shooting in the span of a week as the US continues to battle a harrowing surge in gun violence. Denise Mathis, 32, Rantanya Rogers, 28, Blake Lee, 34, and Shermetria Williams, 19, were killed in Tuesday's shooting. The victims are pictured above from left to right Police received a call about shots fired from people on the second floor of the house at about 5:45 am and when they arrived they found four people dead in various rooms Police initially said the shooting broke out after an argument in the home and there were two volleys of gunshots, adding there were no signs of forced entry. All of the victims had been shot in the head, as had three of the victims who survived, with the remaining surviving victim suffering a gunshot wound to the back. Friends and family are mourning the loss of the victims, who had gotten together for a birthday party in the home. One of the victims, Denise Mathis, 32, was a mother of five who had just taken her children to Six Flags over the weekend. Mathis' family said she was a devoted mother. 'She was a good person a free-spirited person,' her cousin Vickie Smith told the Sun-Times. 'She loved her family.' Also killed in the shooting was 19-year-old Shermetria Williams. The mother of a 2-year-old daughter was set to graduate from high school the same day she was killed. Her father Demetrius Williams told the Sun-Times he was at home putting on a shirt and tie for her ceremony when he heard she had been killed. 'This is unbelievable a massacre,' Williams said at the crime scene as he held the ticket for his daughter's graduation. 'Why? Why did this have to happen?' Back at her home there were red roses and balloons that said 'Congratulations,' the Sun-Times reported. Ratanya Aryiel Rogers, 28, was a mother of a young boy who was the birthday girl celebrating her 28th birthday. Rogers was waiting for a ride home when the gunfire began, the Sun-Times reported. The fourth victim was 34-year-old Blake Lee, who lived in the home and did odd jobs in the neighborhood, the Sun-Times reported. Lee's uncle Raheem Hall said he warned his nephew to 'stay away from the wrong crowd.' 'He was a good guy,' Hall added. 'He did no harm to no one. He was just trying to live his life as an ordinary guy.' Friends and family are mourning the loss of the victims, who had gotten together for a birthday party in the home All of the victims had been shot in the head, as had three of the victims who survived, with the other surviving victim shot in the back The killings were among recent massing shootings in Chicago and elsewhere in the country that have prompted fears about a spike in U.S. gun violence heading into the summer. Days before the a mass shooting in Chicago left a woman dead and nine adults injured when two suspects walked up to a crowd gathered on the sidewalk and opened fire just after 2 a.m. on Saturday, ABC 7 Chicago reported. Tuesdays massacre was only the first mass shooting that day- later that afternoon five people were wounded in a shooting in West Garfield Park that left four in good condition and one man in critical condition, Fox 32 reported. The shooting at West Garfield Park was the fourth mass shooting in Chicago in just over a week. The medical examiner's office reported that nearly 300 of the 390 homicides in Cook County so far this year have taken place in Chicago, according to Fox 32. Which is down from the 342 the county had recorded during the same period last year. At a news conference on Tuesday Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot pleaded for help from the federal government, calling for a 'multi-jurisdictional, national solution to this horrible plague of gun violence.' 'This is a national problem,' she said. 'Cities individually cannot tackle this problem. We just cannot. In Chicago, we've done absolutely everything possible and we need help from the federal government.' A database compiled by The Associated Press, USA Today and Northeastern University that tracks mass killings - defined as four or more dead, not including the perpetrator - showed that Tuesdays shooting in Chicago was the 18th mass killing, of which 17 were shootings, this year in the U.S. A former police officer who worked undercover infiltrating the Albanian mafia but then fled to the UK after his cover was blown has been spared jail after he was caught selling cocaine for gangsters in London. Maurisio Malaj, 30, was working for the Albanian police force when he went undercover and infiltrated the mafia there, a court heard. Malaj, who had been transferred to a different unit for medical reasons, then fled Albania when crime bosses discovered he was a police officer and torched his father's car. A former police officer who worked undercover infiltrating the Albanian mafia but then fled to the UK after his cover was blown has been spared jail after he was caught selling cocaine for gangsters in London (file photo) He tried to seek asylum in England, but was unable to work without settled immigration status after exhausting his savings. After asking friends for work, he was offered a job delivering cocaine in the City of London for a drug gang, which he took, Inner London Crown Court heard. Malaj was arrested in Bishopsgate on April 16 this year and remanded in custody. Rakesh Bhasim, defending for Malaj, said: 'He was working undercover but the police there are slightly different to the police force here. 'The police took issue with him and transferred him for a year. 'He was eventually dismissed after he was absent for three days for medical reasons. 'Unfortunately his details were leaked and he received threats and his father's car was burnt due to arson. 'That is why he left Albania, to protect his family. 'He came here with the intention to get honest legitimate work, and given the opportunity, he would work. Judge Ian Darling sentenced Malaj to two years imprisonment, suspended for two years Judge Ian Darling, sentencing Malaj, said: 'You were the end point of a distribution line receiving information on your phone, telling you where to go and deliver cocaine. 'You had a not insignificant amount of cocaine in your possession but I am satisfied that you undertook this employment for minimal personal gain. 'It is said, and not disputed, that you were employed by the Albanian police force. 'It makes the fact that you are standing in the dock in a court room in England more shameful. 'You have betrayed your profession's ethics.' Malaj was sentenced to two years imprisonment, suspended for two years, with a requirement to do 200 hours of unpaid work. Judge Darling added: 'How your future pans out is not in my control, and ultimately it might not be in yours, but I am giving you a chance to try to rebuild your life and your freedom.' Shaven-headed Malaj, wearing a green Adidas t-shirt, sighed in relief in the dock and told the judge: 'Thank you very much, thank you very much.' Malaj, of no fixed abode, admitted possession with intent to supply cocaine. Eduardo Martinez, 24, from California, faces four counts of transmitting harmful material to a minor and eight counts of using a computer to lure a child A California man has been arrested on a dozen felony counts for allegedly grooming a 12-year-old Florida girl for sex, exchanging nude photos with her and telling her he wanted to get her pregnant. Eduardo Martinez, 24, dubbed a 'deviant creep' by law enforcement, was taken into custody in Tehama County, California, on Tuesday on a warrant from Polk County, Florida, charging him with four counts of transmitting harmful material to a minor and eight counts of using a computer to lure a child. The investigation into Martinez, of Red Bluff, California, began unfolding last month, when a Florida woman reported to the school resource officer at her daughter's school that she had discovered nude and sexually explicit photos and videos on the 12-year-old's phone, according to a press release from the Polk County Sheriff's Office. The mother said she also found graphic SnapChat messages between her daughter and an unknown man. The school resource deputy turned that information over to the sheriffs office's Computer Crimes Unit. Martinez is accused of exchanging nude photos and videos with a 12-year-old girl from Florida on SnapChat, telling her he wanted her to have his baby (stock photo) Detectives conducted a forensic search of the victim's phone and uncovered 'a pattern of sexual grooming,' including SnapChat messages where the suspect asked the victim to send him images and videos of her performing sexually exploitive acts, which the girl did, according to the authorities. 'Detectives also found a conversation between the suspect and the victim where the suspect told the victim that he wanted to get her pregnant,' the press release stated. The girl falsely told Martinez that she was 15 years old and did not want to get pregnant, to which he was said to have replied: 'Idc you are a baby. I want a baby.' Among the trove of information found on the girl's phone were multiple texts where she referred to the suspect as 'Eduardo,' along with a photo of a naked man. During the investigation, detectives identified the suspect as Martinez, who was then arrested by the Red Bluff Police Department. When interviewed by the police, Martinez allegedly admitted to sending the 12-year-old sexually explicit photos and videos. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd slammed Martinez in a statement as a 'sexually deviant creep' He also warned detectives that they will find 'hundreds' of pieces of X-rated material depicting the 12-year-old victim and other underage girls with whom he said he had been communicating. During the interview, Martinez said he had just relocated to Red Bluff from Oregon in January of this year for a 'fresh start.' 'I cant say this often enough: Predators are lurking online and on apps looking for children to groom for sex,' stated Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. 'This is why it is so important for parents to make it their business to check their childs electronic devices often. 'Because this mother checked her daughters phone and told law enforcement, a predator was stopped before something worse could happen. As far as this sexually deviant creep in California.' As of Thursday afternoon, Martinez remained jailed in Tehama County without bond on a fugitive from justice warrant pending his extradition to Florida. Jamie King, 39, has lost his claim for 10m compensation A British actor who suffered PTSD after seeing his dying newborn son in intensive care has lost his claim for 10m compensation. Jamie King, 39, who has appeared in hit shows Mad Men, The Tudors and CSI:Miami, had told the High Court he had lost a role in the Oscar winning film Dunkirk because of the trauma of watching his five day old son die. But his claim against RUH Bath NHS Foundation Trust was dismissed by the judge who ruled that even if Mr King had won the part in Dunkirk, it was far from certain that it would propel him to stardom. Mr King said he suffered post-traumatic stress disorder caused by seeing his critically ill son Benjamin in intensive care shortly after his birth. His wife, Canadian actor Tamara Podemski, has previously won undisclosed compensation from RUH Bath NHS Foundation Trust which admitted liability for their sons death in May 2016. Benjamin was born - by emergency caesarean section - at the RUH, but died five days later from severe brain damage having been starved of oxygen in the womb. Ms Podemski had been due to have a caesarean procedure at the hospital the previous day but it was postponed. An investigation into the incident found that postponing the operation was the incorrect decision. The trust admitted that if he had been delivered earlier, the baby would not have been injured and would have survived. Mr King's wife, Canadian actor Tamara Podemski, (pictured together) has previously won undisclosed compensation from RUH Bath NHS Foundation Trust which admitted liability for their sons death in May 2016 Benjamin was born - by emergency caesarean section - at the RUH Bath (pictured), but died five days later from severe brain damage having been starved of oxygen in the womb Mr King claimed compensation as a secondary victim, based on his visit to see his son as he struggled for life in the intensive care unit. Days later, the couple had to make the terrible decision to allow Benjamin to die from his injuries, caused by inhaling meconium. Ms Podemski was two weeks overdue by the time of the birth and after going to a birthing centre in Frome, Somerset where they live, she was rushed by ambulance to RUH, but a Caesarian was put off until the next morning and the couple sent home. In a harrowing statement to the court, Mr King said that by 5am the following morning his wife could no longer feel the baby moving: My heart was racing and I was feeling very anxious. I knew something was wrong and we had to get to the hospital as soon as possible I was very scared As soon as we arrived, I shouted out in the reception area that this was an emergency and where was everybody, and a receptionist told me to calm down. 'I said that she didn't understand what was going on. Tamara was in pieces and I desperately wanted help to come. It was very intense Tamara and I were both panicking. Ms Podemski (pictured) had been due to have a caesarean procedure at the hospital the previous day but it was postponed After the operation, he said he was taken to see Benjamin in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU). There were a lot of people around Benjamin's cot working on him.. As I walked closer I saw that it was much worse than I thought. He was attached to machines and they were all bleeping loudly. There were a lot of different people working around the cot and there seemed like a lot of panic. He said he saw Dr Steve Jones, who he recognized: I asked him "He's alive?" but Dr Jones said, "Yes, he's alive, but he is very sick and we still might lose him". In that instant all my hopes were dashed and I shouted out "Don't say that, we don't know that yet". I felt like I wanted to punch him for taking away my hope. There was a lot of tension in the room. As I looked down at Benjamin, I felt sick to my stomach. I desperately wanted to hold him but I couldn't. He was all hooked up to machines, looking like a science experiment and I couldn't get close to him. But after the four-day hearing in Bristol, the judge threw out his claim, saying that although what happened to him was horrifying, it did not meet the legal tests sufficient to qualify for compensation. The acting profession is littered with examples of "one-hit wonders", actors who never managed to capitalise on their big break, said Deputy High Court Judge Philip Mott QC. Mr King had been unable to work for about a year after his sons death because of post-traumatic stress disorder and pulled out of contention despite auditioning for a part in the film Dunkirk, which starred Harry Styles, the judge said. Mr King had claimed that he was on the verge of a big break and valued his past losses at 1.1 million and future losses at 8.5m, putting his claim at around 10m. The precedents for a claim as a secondary victim were set in a previous case, Alcock vs South Yorkshire Police, by the relatives of a victim of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, said the judge. Mr Kings case met three of the four control mechanisms set down by the law lords, but not the last. The first three were that the claimant must: Have a close tie of love and affection with the person killed, injured or imperilled; Have been close to the incident in time and space; Have directly perceived the incident rather than, for example, hearing about it from a third person. But the fourth criterion, that the claimants illness must have been induced by a sudden shocking event, was not met, said the judge, partly because he sided with the medical staff who testified that they had taken Mr King aside and carefully prepared Mr King for the visit to NICU by explaining the gravity of his situation. He explained: In ordinary language, what happened to the Claimant was "horrifying". He had been waiting for the birth of his second child, what should have been a joyous event, and instead he was told that Benjamin was seriously unwell and might die. That would be a nightmare for any parent. But from time to time such things happen, with or without clinical negligence, and hospital staff have to prepare the parents and allow them to see their damaged child. The sight of Benjamin in NICU on his first visit must have brought home to the Claimant vividly the seriousness of his condition as explained previously by Dr Edmonds. I have no doubt that the Claimant is a person especially affected by visual triggers, and with a capacity to imagine and empathise with suffering which is invaluable to him as an actor. The agreed psychiatric evidence is that this sight did cause him PTSD. But in my judgment it was not an objectively shocking and horrifying event in the Alcock sense. The judge pointed out that even if Mr King had won his claim, he would have valued his compensation at much less than was claimed, and said he would have awarded 17,500 in damages, past lost earnings of 124,168, medical expenses at 8,530.95, and future medical expenses at 589.86. Embattled tech startup Lordstown Motors have admitted they do not have any firm orders for their debut truck days after claiming otherwise. The electric truck firm, based in Warren, Ohio, made the admission shortly after its president claimed there were enough orders for its Endurance truck to see the firm through 2022. At a meeting of the Automotive Press Association of Detroit, Lordstown President Rich Schmidt claimed that the company was on track to begin production in September. He announced that the startup had enough binding orders to continue production at its plant in Lordstown, Ohio through May 2022. But on Thursday, the company admitted that the statements Schmidt made about the orders were inaccurate saying: 'Although these vehicle purchase agreements provide us with a significant indicator of demand for the Endurance, these agreements do not represent binding purchase orders or other firm purchase commitments.' The price for shares of the company have been cut in half this year and slid at the opening bell Thursday before slightly recovering. Lordstown Motors stock opened at $10.06 per share and gradually recovered peaking at $11.07 until it hit a low at $10.03 at 12:20 pm EST. Share prices had closed at $10.78 the previous day. That is almost a third of the all-time high of $29.01 recorded in September 2020, with Lordstown shares trading for a respectable $26.91 as recently as February. Lordstown Motors changed course on Thursday when they admitted that they do not have any reliable firm orders for their electric trucks days after the company's president said otherwise Earlier this week Lordstown President Rich Schmidt claimed that the company had enough preorders of their Endurance electric pickup truck to begin production in September and last through May 2022 Share prices for Lordstown Motors stock is currently far off from its all-time high of $29.01 in September 2020 as they opened on Thursday at $10.06 Lordstown Motors has continued to struggle this year with potential class-action lawsuits, cars that set themselves alight and the departure of its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer earlier this week. The electric truck startup first signaled trouble in May when the CEO at the time, Steve Burns, released a statement saying that the company had 'encountered some challenges' due to the pandemic. Burns announced that the company would cut the years production goal in half from about 2,200 vehicles to 1,000 vehicles, according to CNBC. In early June, Lordstown filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission saying it needed to raise more money and might not survive. It has $587 million in cash reserves, but said that was insufficient to start its high-tech production line. Then on Monday Burns and CFO Julio Rodriguez resigned as the company acknowledged preorders for the Endurance were vague and could not be guaranteed to translate into actual sales. The Endurance is claimed to have 600 horsepower, four hub motors, and a 250 mile range, all at a cost of under $55,000. Lordstown Motors lost its two top bosses on Monday when Chief Executive Officer Steve Burns (left) and Chief Financial Officer Julio Rodriguez (right) resigned Lordstown Motors' share prices have continued to drop through the past year as the company may be facing several class-action lawsuits by investors who claim they have been defrauded Lordstown reported losses of $125 million in the first quarter of 2021, and is facing stiff competition from more established rivals. Last month, Tesla CEO Elon Musk boasted that the upcoming Cybertruck has more than 250,000 pre-orders. The wedge-shaped truck, modelled to look like something out of a sci-fi movie, has an entry-level price of $39,000 and is still slated to begin production later this year at Musk's Giga factory near Austin in Texas. Ford has also muscled in on the e-truck market. Its F-150 Lightning pickup truck, will be available in spring 2022 and will cost from $39,974 to about $55,000. Lastly, GMC's new five-seat Hummer EV SUV, which while have the ability to drive diagonally, is going for $105,595 and is set to debut in early 2023. Other all-electric start-ups are also doing better than Lordstown. Rivian, based in Normal, Illinois, has been asked to build 100,000 electric delivery vans for Amazon, with the first 10,000 vehicles due to join the online delivery giant's fleet by the end of 2022. Workhorse in Cincinnati, Ohio, has hailed its C-Series electric van as a future contender in the electric vehicles market, but its factory has also been hit by staff shortages caused by a COVID outbreak. The firm must also win a large order from the United States Postal Office to guarantee its future. Meanwhile, Lordstown is contending with a search for new leadership among other publicity concerns that began shortly after it became a publicly traded company through a merger with a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC). In January, a prototype of the Endurance pickup truck caught fire 10 minutes into its initial test drive in Michigan. In February, company shares began to drop and, the following month, the company failed to pay $570,000 in real estate taxes. Around the same time, short-selling firm Hindenburg Research accused Lordstown of lying about the number of pre-orders the company claimed to have received for its flagship Endurance vehicle. When it announced its deal to go public through a reverse merger last August, Lordstown said it had pre-orders for its Endurance pickup truck worth about $1.4 billion. But Hindenburg filed a report concluding that Lordstown's figures did not seem likely. 'After months of denials, Lordstown is finally beginning to acknowledge its precarious financial state and that its earlier production projections were nowhere close to reality,' Hindenburg said a statement to CNN Business. The report spawned four potential class-action lawsuits against Lordstown by investors who claim they were defrauded. Lordstown responded to the Hindenburg report on Monday and said it conducted an independent investigation revealing the report to be 'unsubstantiated.' However, it acknowledged that one potential buyer that made a large number of preorders doesn't appear to have adequate resources to make those purchases. Other preorders appear too vague or weak to be relied on, the company said. In a quarterly regulatory filing, the company said that the $587 million it had on hand as of March 31 isnt enough to begin commercial production of its full-sized electric pickup called Endurance Lordstown introduced the public to the $52,500 electric pickup truck last May The Endurance will have a range of 250 miles per charge, a towing capacity of 7,500 pounds, and peak horsepower of 600hp. Above designers are working with a clay model of the car A gay couple in Florida have been fined for flying a small Pride flag in the front yard of their suburban home. Bob Plominski and Mike Ferrari decided to hang the flag from the mailbox of their Oakland Park property on June 1 in honor of Pride month, which celebrates the increased visibility of the LGBTQ communities. However, on June 5, the couple received a citation from the The Eastland Cove Homeowners Association, ordering them to remove the flag by June 15 or face a fine of $50 per day. Plominski says he was 'shocked' and 'upset' when he received the violation from the HOA. The small flag is the same size as a sheet of A4 paper. A gay couple in Florida have been fined for flying a small Pride flag in the front yard of their suburban home 'We've done this before and it's a simple showing of our pride to the community and it's up for 30 days,' Plominski told NBC 6. He claims he and Ferrari have previously flown the flag and have never had any issues. 'I really think the citation is because it's a gay Pride flag and someone in the neighborhood is offended, simple as that,' Ferrari told the news network. The HOA told NBC6 that a complaint had come in, but that the order to remove the colorful cloth is not discriminatory. A member of the HOA board stated that, as per the rules, only American flags or military flags are allowed to be flown in front of local houses. Bob Plominski and Mike Ferrari decided to hang the flag from the mailbox of their Oakland Park property on June 1 in honor of Pride month, which celebrates the increased visibility of the LGBTQ communities However, the defiant couple are refusing to take down the flag despite the fact they have started racking up the hefty daily fine. The pair plan to appear before a grievance committee to make an appeal, which will likely be heard in July. 'It's going to stay up until June 30th,' Plominski stated. 'We as a community worked really hard to earn and get to where we are today. We're not going to back down on this one.' Meanwhile, a Wisconsin couple also recently were ordered to take down their Pride flag by a local homeowners association Meanwhile, a Wisconsin couple also recently were ordered to take down their Pride flag by a local homeowners association. Memo Fachino, 35, and Lance Mier, 36 had been flying the same rainbow flag outside their home since 2016, before the Homeowners' Association voted on a new rule to ban all flags in the neighborhood. The proud pair responded by setting up rainbow-colored floodlights across the entire front of their house. More than a dozen undocumented immigrants were arrested as their boat collided with a sea wall in South Florida on Thursday morning. Deputies and marine units were dispatched to the area in Pompano Beach at 8:45 a.m. Authorities detained 11 individuals from the boat and three others as they were running away or hiding in the area. The migrants were coming from Jamaica, making a stop in The Bahamas on their way to the US. One of the handcuffed migrant with a red T-shirt on briefly explained why they took the risk to cross the ocean as he was being taken away by officials. The man, who was unidentified, said: 'There is killing going on there now. We don't want to live. We want a better life. No life in Jamaica right now.' Multiple witnesses told WLPG-TV that after the boat carrying the migrants crashed, some made a run for it, and hid in empty homes and a construction site. More than a dozen undocumented immigrants were arrested as their boat collided with a sea wall in South Florida on Thursday morning One of the handcuffed migrant with a red T-shirt on briefly explained why they took the risk to cross the ocean as he was being taken away by officials. The man, who was unidentified, said: 'There is killing going on there now. We don't want to live. We want a better life. No life in Jamaica right now' The latest monthly report released by CBP showed that Border Patrol agents stopped 180,034 migrants in May along the southwestern border, a slight increase from 178,854 the prior month, with the increase driven largely by single adults. Pictured: The boat carrying the migrants is seen crashed into a sea wall Multiple witnesses told WLPG-TV that after the boat carrying the migrants crashed, some made a run for it, and hid in empty homes and a construction site before they were arrested David Dube, a witness who filmed the boat hitting the sea wall told WLPG-TV: 'It was coming really slow, zigging and zagging. You can tell something wasn't right'. Another witness, Mary Cheever, saw a man running through her yard. 'It was scary, I am glad everything is over.' The migrants were turned over to U.S. Border Patrol agents and officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) were also on scene, according to CBS Miami. David Dube, a witness, videotaped the incident as the boat was zigzagging and hit the sea wall. Another witness, Mary Cheever, saw a man running through her yard. 'It was scary, I am glad everything is over' A Broward Sheriff's Office Deputy detains one of the multiple migrants who came ashore on the intracoastal waterway Thursday The migrants were coming from Jamaica, making a stop in The Bahamas on their way to the US. They were arrested in Pompano Bay in Florida on Thursday According to the U.S. Coast Guard, there have been 483 migrant intercepted in South Florida since May 1, WLPG-TV reported. The latest monthly report released by CBP showed that Border Patrol agents stopped 180,034 migrants in May along the southwestern border, a slight increase from 178,854 the prior month, with the increase driven largely by single adults. From March to May more than 530,000 people were apprehended and pushed back into Mexico after attempting to cross without legal immigration papers, according to the Customs and Border Protection. There is no official estimate on how many did get through, but the sheer number of attempts suggests a rise in successful crossings, CBP officers have said. Encounters with unlawful border crossers at the United State-Mexico international were at a low of 17,106 in April 2020 and unraveled up during former President Donald Trump's last eight full months in office. The numbers of encounters at the southwestern border increased during President Biden's first four months at the White House. This chart shows how 2021 border crossings - pictured in blue - rocketed on crossings made in 2020, represented by the brown line (2018 is pictured in gray, with 2019 in orange) DailyMail.com reached out to CBP regarding encounters that were reported from January 1 to January 19 under the Trump administration and from January 20 to January 31, Biden's first 12 days in office. Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott, who has been critical of the way the Biden administration has responded to the growing number of migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, announced Wednesday plans to use $250 million in state money and crowdsourced financing to build more barriers along borderline. However, questions remain over how far Abbott can go for a project whose total cost, length and timeline are unclear and could face legal challenges from the federal government. The governor was a fierce supporter of Trump's failed campaign promise to stop undocumented migrants from illegally entering the U.S. by building a wall along the 1,954-mile long border. A total of 1,200 miles of the border stretched out across Texas. 'In response to the federal government's neglect of all of the people who live along the border, the people who are facing the consequences of the spread of drugs like fentanyl, Texas is stepping up and doing more than any other state ever has done to respond to these challenges along the border,' Abbott said during a virtual press conference. 'Texas taxpayers are having to step up so we as a state can protect our citizens.' Trump on Tuesday said he will be joining Abbott on a trip to the U.S.-Mexico border June 30. 'The Biden administration inherited from me the strongest, safest, and most secure border in US history and in mere weeks they turned it into the single worst border crisis in US history,' he said. 'We went from having border security that was the envy of the world to a lawless border that is now pitied around the world.' Carnival Cruise lines has been hit by hackers who gained access to personal and health information of guests, employees and crew members, marking the fourth data breach in 18 months for the beleaguered cruise line. The cruise giant, which spent much of the last year crippled by the effects of the pandemic, confirmed to DailyMail.com Thursday it fell victim to a data breach back in March. The attack came to light on March 19 when the company said it 'detected unauthorized third-party access to limited portions of its information technology systems'. Hackers were able to gain access to highly personal and sensitive information of guests, employees and crew members across its Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and medical operations. Such information included: passport numbers, dates of birth, addresses, health information, names, phone numbers, social security and national insurance numbers. It is not clear how many customers or employees were impacted by the breach. Carnival Corp has been hit by hackers who gained access to personal and health information of guests, employees and crew members, marking the fourth data breach in the last year for the cruise line. Carnival Cruise Line's Mardi Gras ship in Port Canaveral in June Company spokesperson Roger Frizzell said all guests, employees, crew and other individuals whose personal information may have been impacted had been notified and a dedicated helpline had been set up to support any concerns. The breach was first revealed by tech site BleepingComputer.com which obtained the letter sent out to impacted customers. In it, the world's biggest cruise ship operator revealed an unauthorized third party had gained access to 'a limited number' of email accounts. 'It appears that in mid-March, the unauthorized third-party gained access to certain personal information relating to some of our guests, employees, and crew,' it read. 'The impacted information includes data routinely collected during the guest experience and travel booking process or through the course of employment or providing services to the Company, including COVID or other safety testing. 'That information may include names, addresses, phone numbers, passport numbers, dates of birth, health information, and, in some limited instances, additional personal information like Social Security or national identification numbers.' When the breach was discovered, the company quickly shut it down to prevent further unauthorized access, it said. Regulators were notified and a cybersecurity firm was brought on board to investigate the matter. Carnival sought to reassure customers that the investigation indicates 'a low likelihood of the data being misused' by the perpetrators. It is continuing to review its security and privacy policies and procedures in light of the breach. The cruise giant, which spent much of the last year crippled by the effects of the pandemic, fell victim to a data breach back in March it revealed in a letter to impacted customers This marks the fourth cybersecurity breach to strike the cruise operator in just 18 months following other hacks in March, August and December 2020. The December breach only came to light in a US Securities and Exchange Commission filing in April, reported BleepingComputer.com. In the filing, the company said it had 'detected ransomware attacks in August and December 2020. For the latter, the company said there was 'no indication of any misuse of information potentially accessed or acquired.' At the time, Carnival and subsidiaries AIDA Cruises and Costa Crociere all reported IT issues. This came after Carnival revealed in an SEC filing in August that one its brands fell victim to a ransomware attack which accessed and encrypted its IT systems on August 15. The ransomware attack 'accessed and encrypted a portion of one brand's information technology systems', it said, before the hacker downloaded data files. Hackers accessed personal info of guests, employees and crew across Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and medical operations including: passport numbers, dates of birth, addresses, health information, names, phone numbers, social security and NI numbers An investigation was launched and law enforcement and legal teams were notified. It later emerged that the breach had impacted 37,500 customers and employees. Five months earlier in March, Carnival had fallen afoul of another cyber attack where hackers breached employee email accounts and accessed customer data. The series of cyber attacks comes amid a rough year for the cruise operator and the wider industry. Last week, Carnival Corp announced it will restart its trips from US ports this summer for fully vaccinated guests. The operator said it would require guests to have received the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to the cruise and have proof of vaccination. The cruise industry ground to a halt last year as the ships became breeding grounds for the virus and the CDC issued a no-sail order. The CDC updated its guidance for restarting the industry Wednesday, recommending only fully vaccinated people take trips when sailings resume from US ports in a few days' time. The CDC also recommended that travelers get tested one to three days before their trips and 3 to 5 days after their trips. Royal Caribbean said on Wednesday it would delay the inaugural sailing of its Odyssey of the Seas cruise by nearly a month after eight vaccinated crew members tested positive for COVID Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley broke the news in a Facebook post on Tuesday The updates come after two passengers on Royal Caribbean Group's Celebrity Millennium tested positive and eight crew members tested positive aboard its Odyssey of the Seas. Royal Caribbean has now been forced to delay the inaugural sailing of Odyssey of the Seas by nearly a month. The outbreak happened despite all 1,400 crew members being vaccinated on June 4. Those infections happened before the 14 day post-vaccine mark, June 18, at which point people are considered largely immune from a COVID infection. All of those infected were asymptomatic, or not suffering from any serious symptoms, a spokesman said. The cruise industry and the CDC have been working together to restart cruises after the three big companies, Royal Caribbean, Carnival Corp and Norwegian Cruise Line reported being hammered by a years' worth of lost business. Moscow is facing new coronavirus variants which are more aggressive and spreading faster in the city, causing a rapidly deteriorating situation in the Russian capital, its mayor said on Thursday. Mayor Sergei Sobyanin warned the new mutations of the virus are also harder to recover from and more infectious as he ordered an increase in hospital beds amid the concerning rise in Covid-19 cases. The Russian capital recorded 7,704 new infections on Sunday, the most in a single day since December 24. The daily figures have remained high this week, with 6,195 cases recorded on Thursday. 'It's likely we are facing new, more aggressive variants which spread more quickly,' said Mr Sobyanin said on Thursday during a video conference with government officials battling the pandemic. Mayor Sergei Sobyanin warned the new mutations of the virus are also harder to recover from and more infectious as he ordered an increase in hospital beds amid the concerning rise in Covid-19 cases. Pictured: Ambulances arrive at a Moscow hospital on June 17 where patients infected with Covid-19 are being treated The Russian capital recorded 7,704 new infections on Sunday, the most in a single day since December 24. The daily figures have remained high this week, with 6,195 cases recorded on Thursday In separate remarks made as he met people who work in the Moscow restaurant business, Mr Sobyanin warned that a new mutation has arrived in the capital. 'A new mutation has arrived, a new strain is active,' Mr Sobyanin said, according to the RIA news agency, without saying which variant he was referring to. 'It's more aggressive, it's harder to recover from, it spreads faster. It's much more likely to penetrate a person's immune system.' Mr Sobyanin warned Friday's caseload would be more than 9,000, which would be highest figure recorded in Moscow since the pandemic began. Until the beginning of June, daily new infections had been mostly below 3,000 for months. 'It's tripling, there's an enormous dynamic that we have not seen during the previous waves,' Mr Sobyanin added. Russia has admitted that several new Covid-19 strains are circulating in the city, which are up to 58 per cent more resistant to the country's main vaccine Sputnik V. Mr Sobyanin warned Friday's caseload would be more than 9,000, which would be highest figure recorded in Moscow since the pandemic began. Until the beginning of June, daily new infections had been mostly below 3,000 for months During the televised video conference with government officials, Mr Sobyanin said Moscow was rapidly increasing its number of hospital beds to treat a possible influx of COVID-19 patients. There are currently enough beds available, he said. 'This dynamic is fairly unexpected given that more than 60 per cent of Muscovites have either already been ill or been vaccinated - it is a large segment of the population... We of course did not expect an increase (in cases), but a decrease,' Mr Sobyanin said. 'We are very close to stricter decisions - temporary but stricter - in terms of restrictions,' Mr Sobyanin added. The head of the consumer health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor, Anna Popova, who was also at the meeting, said the number of coronavirus cases attributed to the Delta variant, which was first identified in India, was rising significantly across the country. Ms Popova said: 'The proportion of the Indian (Delta) variant has clearly progressed over the last two weeks.' Health Minister Mikhail Murashko told the video conference the number of cases across Russia had climbed an average of 30 percent in recent weeks and people aged 30-40 were particularly affected. It comes as the mayor warned on Wednesday that more than 12,000 people in Moscow are hospitalised as a result of Covid-19 Giving more details on the new variants of Covid-19, the architect of the Sputnik V vaccine Alexander Gintsburg, director of the Gamaleya Institute, said: 'We are currently identifying a range of variants which are circulating in Moscow. 'And here there is far from just the Wuhan strain, there is also a mutated Indian strain. We are now studying Sputnik V's efficacy against these variants.' The Kremlin has expressed dismay over the slow progress in Russia's vaccination programme despite Russia making its Sputnik shot widely available to people in Moscow in December. The mayor on Wednesday ordered mandatory vaccinations for Moscow residents working in the service industry, citing a 'dramatic' rise in coronavirus infections. In a blog post, he wrote: 'We simply must do everything to carry out mass vaccinations in the shortest possible time and stop this terrible disease, stop the deaths of thousands of people.' In recent days there have been long queues of ambulances waiting to drop off patients at hospitals, and reports there are shortages of beds What are the main variants recognised by the WHO? 'Alpha' variant First spotted: Kent Scientific name: B.1.1.7 'Beta' variant First spotted: South Africa Scientific name: B.1.351 'Gamma' variant First spotted: India Scientific name: P.1 'Delta' variant First spotted: India Scientific name: B.1.617.2 Advertisement Some 60 per cent of all service industry workers in Moscow - just over two million people - were ordered to be fully vaccinated by August 15, including taxi drivers, staff at cultural venues and restaurant workers. Mr Sobyanin said the number of people signing up for the shot had tripled on Thursday, and that he expected the case surge to further spur demand: 'I think the number will rise every day.' It comes as the mayor warned on Wednesday that more than 12,000 people in Moscow are hospitalised as a result of Covid-19. In recent days there have been long queues of ambulances waiting to drop off patients at hospitals, and reports there are shortages of beds. Mr Sobyanin wrote on his personal blog: 'More than 12,000 people are in hospitals with varying degrees of severity. In terms of morbidity, we are already at the level of last year's peak.' Deputy Mayor Anastasia Rakova said there had been a more than 70 per cent increase in hospital admissions during the past week, and Moscow could run out of beds to treat Covid patients in two to three weeks, according to Interfax news agency. The mayor on Saturday announced this week was a 'non-working' week in the capital to try to control the virus. Moscow health officials have in recent weeks reported a steady rise in the number of new infections, mirroring a trend across Russia. The increase in cases comes as authorities struggle to encourage Russians to get vaccinated, even though the country launched a mass campaign of free jabs in December. Sobyanin, whose city of some 12 million is the epicentre of the outbreak in Russia, said just 1.8 million residents had been inoculated. Sobyanin, whose city of some 12 million is the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak in Russia, said just 1.8 million residents had been inoculated The new variants have meant the nation's Sputnik V vaccine's efficiency has worryingly dropped. Dr Gintsburg told the Interfax: 'When it comes to [Sputnik V's] efficacy in lab conditions, there is a decrease of 29-58% compared to the serum received from the Wuhan strains.' Urgent tests are underway on the newly identified strains. He claimed this was 'not all critical'. Immunologist Vladimir Bolibok said: 'The most important reason for the increase in coronavirus infections, in all likelihood, is the emergence of our own, Moscow, strain. Our own mutation, which began to spread throughout Russia. 'Possibly the Moscow strain did not originate in Moscow either. It just got to Moscow from some other city and began to spread strongly.' Data analyst Alexander Dragan warned: 'The pandemic is only speeding up... We are now facing a fully-fledged third wave of the pandemic across dozens of regions.' Mr Sobyanin said on Saturday the city was repurposing thousands of hospital beds for an influx of Covid patients and told residents to stay off work in the coming week to help curb the spread of the virus. Sports pitches, playgrounds and other attractions inside large parks were closed for a week from Sunday. Bars and restaurants were ordered to close no later than 11pm. Sobyanin last week announced that all Muscovites who get their first coronavirus jab would be automatically entered into a lottery to win a car. Despite introducing a strict lockdown after the pandemic swept across Russia last spring, authorities lifted most restrictions by mid-summer in an effort to protect the struggling economy. Russia started its mass vaccination campaign in December, with homegrown vaccine Sputnik V - touted by Putin as the best in the world. The country has since approved three more vaccines for public use: EpiVacCorona, CoviVac and the one-dose Sputnik Light. Countries around the world have been struggling to battle vaccine hesitancy, but most have stopped short of mandatory vaccines except in limited cases. Since December only 19 million out of a national population of 146 million have received at least one dose of a vaccine, according to the Gogov website which tallies Covid figures from the regions and the media in the absence of a national statistics office. Russia overtook Britain on Thursday as the European country to record the most Covid deaths with 127,992. However the Rosstat statistics agency, which uses a broader clinical definition of fatalities linked to Covid-19, says at least 270,000 Russians have died from coronavirus. Holly Springs police officer John Burson, 25, was killed in the line of duty Wednesday night after he was dragged and killed by a vehicle during a traffic stop. Before his death he was able to shoot and kill the driver of the vehicle, authorities said A rookie Georgia police officer managed to kill a driver who was dragging him to his death before succumbing to his wounds after a traffic stop turned violent. Office Joe Burson, 25, of the Holly Springs Police Department just outside Atlanta, Georgia shot and killed Ansy Dolce, 29, after pulling the suspect over for a speeding violation in Cherokee County around 11pm EST Wednesday night. At some point during the stop, Dolce tried to flee, and ended up dragging Burson behind his car. Burson was able to fire off several shots and kill Dolce, before dying of of the wounds inflicted after he was pulled by the car. The GBI said its investigation was ongoing. Burson had been on the force for roughly a year and a half, Holly Springs Police Chief Tommy Keheley said during a news conference on Thursday afternoon, calling him a 'model officer.' Burson, who lived in the city of Ball Ground, was recently married with no children, according to Keheley, who said he had broken the news of the death to his wife, Marykate in person on Wednesday night. Burson with his wife Marykate. Holly Springs Police Chief Tommy Keheley said he had personally delivered her the news of her husband's death. The two were recently married with no children, he said 'He was a model officer. If you had the ability to clone officers you would want them to be Joe Burson,' he said. 'He has been an asset to this department, he will be greatly missed.' Keheley said he would leave specific details of the incident to state investigators, but said authorities believed the dragging had led to Burson's death. Autopsies to confirm how both men died have been scheduled. Law enforcement officers formed a guard of honor for Burson as his remains were taken from a morgue to a funeral home on Thursday. Police refused to confirm whether the car Dolce was driving was stolen. 'The bottom line is all of this could have been avoided,' he said. The GBI is performing an autopsy on Burson's body, and body camera footage from the scene was being investigated. A Facebook post by GBI Assistant Director John Melvin described Burson as a 'Good friend,' and a 'fundamentally good man.' Melvin said the two had attended the police academy together. 'I lost a good friend today,' he wrote in a Facebook post. 'It hurts more than I can express.' The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said it was still investigating the incident and that more details of the incident would emerge 'In our ten weeks together, the cadets of Session 8 formed a deep bond and lasting friendships with each other,' he wrote. 'Joe was instrumental in this because he was a fundamentally good man. He gave his best. He cared about his classmates. He loved his family.' Neighboring police departments also offered their condolences. The Woodstock Police tweeted Thursday morning: 'This morning, our thoughts and prayers are with the Holly Springs Police Department and the family of the fallen officer who gave his life while on duty last night. May we come together to lift our neighbors up in the days to come.' 'Please keep the Holly Springs Police Department in your thoughts and prayers as we mourn the loss of one of their officers who was killed in the line of duty last night,' the Paulding County Sheriff's Office wrote on Facebook. Atlanta has been hit by a crime spike in the last two years. A total of 155 murders have been recorded so far in 2020 - more than the 95 killings reported through the whole of 2019. Aggravated assaults have also rocketed, with Mayor Kesha Lance Bottoms saying she is unsure of how to tackle the issue, and saying she was open to suggestions. A former South Carolina sheriff's deputy has been sentenced to just a year and a day in federal prison after admitting that he had been running an illegal gambling ring and accepting bribes in exchange for tips about planned raids. Ex-Florence County Sheriff's Lt Mark Fuleihan, 49, learned his fate on Wednesday, nearly two months after he pleaded guilty to charges of unlawfully and knowingly conduct, finance, manage, supervise, direct, and own an illegal gambling business. Fuleihan's 366-day prison sentence will be followed by three years of supervised release, the US Attorney's Office for the District of South Carolina said in a press release. Fuleihan, who had been on the force since 1995, was arrested in April 2020, accused of taking bribes from 2013 to 2017 to keep illegal gamblers out of trouble. Scroll down for video Ex-Florence County Sheriff's Lt Mark Fuleihan, 49 (left and right), has been sentenced to 366 days in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in an illegal gambling ring. He had been on the force since 1995 Then once the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) began investigating the gambling ring and public corruption, the warrants said Fuleihan stopped taking money but kept giving them information, according to the deputys cellphone records which included calls to the gamblers on days when state agents were planning action. State charges of Ethics Act bribery and misconduct in office are still pending against Fuleihan. The disgraced deputy is one of nine defendants to be charged in the case and is among eight defendants who have pleaded guilty and were sentenced to probation or house arrest. Homeland Security Investigations and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division launched an investigation years earlier after leaning that a senior law enforcement official was committing obstruction by informing gambling operators about impending raids. . Evidence presented in court showed that since at least July 2014, Fulhein and his co-defendants operated illegal gambling dens throughout Florence and Williamsburg. Fuleihan was said to have been tipping off the operators of gambling dens about planned raids, wiretaps and federal warrants in exchange for bribes The gambling ring allowed people to play illegal slot machines, collected proceeds and paid out winnings. About $1million in cash was said to have been deposited into the accounts of at least two members of the gambling ring. 'The evidence showed that Fuleihan was essential to the ability of the gambling operation to operate,' stated the press release. 'Fuleihan used his former position as a senior officer with the Florence County Sheriffs Office to uncover details about the joint federal and state investigation into the illegal gambling operation, which included calling SLED officials and requesting to be informed about any upcoming operations related to gambling enforcement. Fuleihan would then tip off his co-defendants, and they would use that inside information to evade law enforcement operations and to destroy evidence. 'Fuleihan was recorded on several calls with at least one member of the gambling operation discussing pending federal search warrants, potential wiretaps, and law enforcement raids,' according to federal prosecutors. Fuleihan pleaded guilty in April to charges of unlawfully and knowingly conduct, finance, manage, supervise, direct, and own an illegal gambling business At least one member of the illegal gambling operation explained how Fuleihan would sell previously seized gambling machines back to members of the illegal gambling operation. 'We trust our law enforcement officers to protect society and stand against wrongdoing,' stated Acting US Attorney Rhett DeHart. 'When an officer violates that trust, it is imperative that we hold them accountable. I commend our state and federal partners for doing just that in this case. This team was able to dismantle a criminal organization that was bolstered by a crooked cop and to send that officer to prison.' In a summit meeting between President Biden and Vladimir Putin that was carefully choreographed in advance, only one of the leaders brought a general who is in command of a million-strong army: the Russian. The question Kremlinologists are still assessing now that the Geneva summit is over is what does the general's presence signify? In terms spelled out in advance, Biden and Putin first met one-on-one, accompanied only by notetakers and translators during their encounter Wednesday. But in a second expanded meeting, Putin was joined by Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces and First Deputy Minister of Defense. Gerasimov is a high-powered member of the Russian military command the equivalent of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, who did not attend. Gerasimovs presence was striking and unexplained, but on the whole, I take it as a positive signal, Sir Adam Thompson, a former British diplomat who is Director of the European Leadership Network told DailyMail.com. Valery Gerasimov, Russian Chief of the General Staff, attended an expanded meeting between President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Biden's delegation included diplomats and security advisors Biden, on the other hand, brought along a bevy of top diplomats and members of his national security council to the meeting. In my experience, these things are carefully managed no way it was a surprise, one former U.S. government official told DailyMail.com. Biden was joined by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, another seasoned diplomat Undersecretary of State for Russia Victoria Nuland U.S. Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan, and two other members of the NSC staff. Biden himself referenced the composition of his team during his post-summit press conference Wednesday although he appeared to misstate its composition, while answering a question about summit wrapping up sooner than expected. Biden chalked this up to each man saying what he had to say. The reason it didn't go longer is: When is the last time two heads of state have spent over two hours in direct conversation across a table, going into excruciating detail? You may know of a time; I don't. I can't think of one, Biden said. So we didn't need, as we got through, when we brought in the larger group our defense, our intelligence my Secretary of State was with me the whole time our ambassador, et cetera. We brought everybody in. We had covered so much, Biden said. Valery Gerasimov, Russia's First Deputy Defense Minister and Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Russian President's Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, and Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov (L-R) talk ahead of a Russia-United States summit at the Villa La Grange. All three attended the session From left to right: Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov and Chief of the General Staff of Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov. Gerasimov's U.S. counterpart, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, was not there Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov (L) and Valery Gerasimov, Russia's First Deputy Defense Minister and Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, talk ahead of a Russia-United States summit at the Villa La Grange. Gerasimov's presence could be a signal Russia took the meeting seriously. Topics such as Afghanistan, Syria, and hacking came up President Joe Biden (L) and Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) met for talks at the Villa La Grange in Geneva, accompanied by key aides Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, left, and head of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia and First Deputy Defense Minister Valery Gerasimov, second left, visit a military technological center in Anapa, Russia, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018. Shoigu did not attend the summit meetings The White House only provided the full list of attendees to reporters Wednesday night, after the summit was over, with no further discussion. It did not respond to requests for comment about the general's attendance or any asymmetry. There are plenty of reasons to include high-level military representation. Biden said one topic that came up was how we can each contribute to the shared effort of preventing a resurgence of terrorism in Afghanistan where Russia has a historic role. Biden also spoke about the urgent need to reopen humanitarian corridors in Syria a move that would require cooperation of the Russian military. There have been some tense confrontations between U.S. and Russian military personnel in Syria. And the U.S. has long maintained that a Russian military intelligence unit, the GRU, is behind election hacking efforts in 2016. Biden said he raised election interference directly with Putin. And the U.S. says the GRU has undertaken brazen operations against allies as well. In October 2020, a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh charged six hackers who it said were members of Unit 74455 of the Russian Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), a military intelligence agency of the General Staff of the Armed Forces. The indictment said the military hackers and coconspirators engaged in hacks to undermine, retaliate against, or otherwise destabilize: (1) Ukraine; (2) Georgia; (3) elections in France; (4) efforts to hold Russia accountable for its use of a weapons-grade nerve agent, Novichok, on foreign soil; and (5) the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games after Russian athletes were banned from participating under their nations flag, as a consequence of Russian government-sponsored doping effort. Two presidents, six diplomats and only one general: why did Putin bring the head of his joint staff to the summit? Russian side: Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Executive Office of the President and Press Secretary Yury Ushakov, Aide to the President of the Russian Federation Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces and First Deputy Minister of Defense Anatoly Antonov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the United States Sergey Prozhogin, Deputy Director of the Department of North America of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs U.S. side Secretary of State Antony Blinken National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation John Sullivan NSC Senior Director for Russia Eric Green NSC Director for Russia Stergos Kaloudis Advertisement If Biden wanted to deliver a stern message to the Russians to roll back hacking efforts by the GRU or proxies, Gerasimov is one person the U.S. side would want to hear it. He also is someone U.S. counterparts already know, having served in his post for nine years. In addition, having his powerful military chief in the room may have provided Putin another way to angle for macho advantage in a summit willed with one-upmanship. The two sides selected Switzerland, a neutral country, at a time when Biden could tack it onto an existing trip, rather than a special visit to a country within Moscows sphere like a past summit in Slovenia. It was decided Putin would arrive first which prevented him from rolling in half an hour late like he did to an Obama summit. Even the transport became a subject of comparison, with Putin landing in his presidential aircraft just half an hour before the appointed time, a day after Air Force One arrived. Gerasimov isnt the only high-level military official the Russians could have sent. Thompson said it was striking that Gerasimov was there but not Russian Defense Minister Sergey Kuzhugetovich Shoigu or Secretary of the Russian Security Council Nikolay Patrushev, who is Jake Sullivans counterpart. Sullivan met with Patrushev in May to prepare for the summit. Having Gerasimov present also builds on an existing channel. Even amid serious breakdowns in communication, military-to-military talks have been among the most effective lines of communications, including efforts to 'deconflict' after the U.S. launched a bombing campaign in Syria. The former U.S. official called it one of the only bilateral channels that works still. In the past, when the chair of the joint chiefs of staff calls Gerasimov and sends a message, the Russians listened. Nuland herself spoke to the utility of the channel in 2018, when the Trump administration set up military-to-military contacts amid tensions over Syria and other issues. These channels are especially vital at a time when relations at the leader level are so unpredictable, she said at the time. His presence could also send a message about the political influence of the military within the Russian state. A New Jersey congressman became the latest star of a work-from-home debacle when he was caught wearing only boxer shorts during a Zoom meeting with colleagues in the US House of Representatives. When Rep. Donald Payne, 62, stood up during Thursday's virtual meeting, his Captain America shirt rolled up, exposing his blue boxers and belly as he lingered in front of computer camera apparently unaware of how much he was showing off. Stunned and mortified, Rep. Kat Cammack, of Florida, covered her mouth and then smirked as she looked around her screen to see if anyone else was seeing what she was seeing. Rep. Donald Payne, in the middle wearing the Captain America shirt, is about to stand up during a virtual legislative meeting When he does, his shirt rolls up and his belly and boxer shorts are exposed, and Rep. Kat Cammack, of Florida, covers her mouth Payne represented New Jersey's 10th district since 2012, when he took over for his late father who died of colon cancer The woman talking during Zoom mishap - Rep. Yvette Clarke, of New York - either didn't notice what happened or chose to ignore it because she kept speaking without skipping a beat. The embarrassing moment was caught in a 24-second clip tweeted by Republican Rep. Beth Van Duyne, who didn't waste the opportunity to take a shot at her Democrat colleague. 'Another reason Democrats should get off Zoom and back to work. #TheStruggleIsReal,' she tweeted along with clip, which has nearly 26,000 views. Donald Trump Jr. retweeted a story about Payne's mistake and said, 'I guess this is why so many people in congress wont talk about obesity as an epidemic in America!?!' Donald Trump Jr. chimed on Payne's Zoom blunder in a Tweet Payne didn't directly address the incident in a statement to DailyMail.com. 'As a public servant, my focus has always been the public good and my work to better the lives of my constituents and all Americans, regardless of the circumstances,' Payne said. Sam Morgante, Payne's junior legislative director, backed Payne in a tweet and accused Rep. Van Duyne of fat-shaming the longtime New Jersey representative. 'Hey Congresswoman, Rep. Payne, Jr.'s Legislative Director here. It's no secret that as a diabetic the Congressman has his weight struggles. But we try to stick to policy here in Congress,' Morgante tweeted in response to her video. Sam Morgante, Payne's junior legislative director, backed Payne with these tweets Payne won a special election in 2012 to replace his late father, who served as the state representative for more than 20 years before he died of colon cancer during his term. Payne went on to win a three-way primary in 2020 with nearly 90 percent and then easily took the general election with 83 percent of the votes. In 2021, Payne was voted to be Chairman of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials in the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, which has jurisdiction over national infrastructure and all modes of transportation, including aviation and mass transit. Of his biggest accomplishments was securing $900 million to fund the Gateway Project, which is part of a multi-year, multi-billion-dollar project to rebuild transportation infrastructure between New Jersey and New York. He took heat in March for appearing to asleep during a virtual hearing of the Aviation Subcommittee of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Payne has represented New Jersey for nearly 10 years and followed in his late father's footsteps Payne appeared to be asleep during a March Zoom legislative meeting Payne is the latest victim of the pandemic Zoom gaffe, which have provided countless hilarious and mortifying moments over the last year and a half. At the end of May, a staffer with a camera crawled behind Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland while she was being interviewed on live TV by host Seth Myers and then tried to hide behind the desk. Other classic Zoom blunders include the time when Texas lawyer Ron Ponton left a kitten filter on and turned himself into a cat in February or the time when a South African traditional leader Xolile Ndevu's wife accidentally walked into the frame completely naked during a parliamentary Zoom meeting at the end of March. A Dawson's Creek and Wasteland writer committed suicide after a long-haul battle with COVID-19 that left her bedridden and continuously riddled with pain more than a year later. Heidi Ferrer, 50, took her own life on May 26 at her home in Los Angeles, California following a lengthy battle with COVID-19, her family said. The mother-of-one contracted the virus in April 2020 after experiencing body aches, including severe pains in her feet and ankles, fatigue and flu-like symptoms. Her symptoms escalated and by June she was bedridden. Over the following months, Ferrer's fatigue and foot pain remained but she also became crippled with neurological tremors. In a heartbreaking blog post that she penned back in September titled 'How I'm recovering from long haul COVID', Ferrer detailed how the virus had crippled her but declared that 'COVID won't win'. Heidi Ferrer, 50, took her own life on May 26 at her home in Los Angeles, California following a lengthy battle with COVID-19, her family said 'The monster is real and it came for me. Recovering from COVID-19 has been one of the hardest things I've ever gone through and I've been through a lot,' she wrote. 'In my darkest moments, I told my husband that if I didn't get better, I did not want to live like this. I wasn't suicidal, I just couldn't see any quality of life long term and there was no end in sight. 'One of the cruelest things COVID did to me was to take away my ability to have dreams. I don't mean dreams in my sleep, I mean I completely stopped dreaming about my future because I couldn't picture it. It was a wall. 'Yes, everyone had lost our trips, our events, our free lives during the shutdown, but I had lost all of that and also became suddenly crippled with scary neurological programs.' Ferrer told those going through similar long-haul struggles with COVID that they could all pull through together and urged them never to give up. 'I believe this in my bones: If you are suffering from this monster, you will eventually make it out, we will heal,' Ferrer wrote. 'Slowly, almost inexorably, sometimes glacially we are recovering. It's just that no one knows for sure how long it might take, maybe six months, maybe a year.' Ferrer detailed how her condition started to improve in August and that she had longer stretches of good days. The mother-of-one contracted the virus in April 2020 after experiencing body aches, including severe pains in her feet and ankles, fatigue and flu-like symptoms. She is pictured above in her last family photo with husband Nick Guthe and 13-year-old son Bexon Her husband Nick Guthe, who is a screenwriter, director and producer, revealed news of her death on social media following the 13-month battle Heidi's husband posted this photo taken three months before her death. Her condition is believed to have deteriorated rapidly in the last few months 'I now believe that I will still have more 'waves' of symptoms and bad days, but it feels like it's happening every month now instead of every 1-2 weeks,' she said. 'My loose timeline is that about two weeks after the first symptoms mid-April, I had COVID toes May 1st, then one month later succumbed to 2 months of crippled pain from hell, then I began to slowly heal. 'I had a turning point at 12 weeks, then a much bigger one at 16 weeks, and Im expecting to be much better in two months, 6 months from the symptom onset. Fingers crossed. 'Time will tell, but Im focusing on being wildly optimistic. COVID wont win.' At the end of her blog post, Ferrer wrote: 'I'm not out of the woods yet, but I see a clearing.' Her condition is believed to have deteriorated rapidly in the last few months. Her husband Nick Guthe, who is a screenwriter, director and producer, revealed news of her death on social media following the 13-month battle. 'She fought it like she lived, ferociously, but in the end it was relentless and took away everything from her,' Guthe wrote in a Facebook post. Ferrer was a career scriptwriter who penned several episodes of the hit 90s shows Dawson's Creek and Wasteland, as well as several films. In recent years, she became an avid and well-known blogger. She is survived by her husband Nick and their 13-year-old son Bexon. The Greek husband of murdered Briton Caroline Crouch has confessed to killing her in front of their baby when she threatened to walk out on him - before inventing the story of a gruesome robbery to cover his tracks. Babis Anagnostopoulos had initially told police that burglars broke into the family home near Athens in the early hours of May 11, tied up him and his wife, threatened their infant daughter with a gun, strangled Caroline to death, then fled with 10,000 in cash in a case which shocked Greece. But now police say Babis has confessed to stuffing cloth into Caroline's mouth and then smothering her to death during a row in which she had threatened to leave him along with their child, before spending the pre-dawn hours staging the robbery. As part of his cover-up, detectives say the 33-year-old helicopter pilot drowned the family dog and hanged its body from an a stair banister - something he would later blame on the 'raiders'. But his story fell apart when a fitness tracker on Caroline's wrist showed her heart had stopped beating hours before the alleged break-in took place. More tracking data from Babis's phone also showed him moving from the attic to the basement of the house and back again, despite claiming to have spent all night tied to the bed. And data from a security camera at the home showed its memory card had been removed at 1.20am - again, hours before Babis claimed the break-in happened. Police said Babis broke down and confessed when confronted with the evidence during an eight-hour questioning session that ended with a statement of his guilt issued by officers at 9.36pm local time yesterday. Babis Anagnostopoulos (left) admitted killing Caroline Crouch (right) after detectives found smartwatch data which suggested she didn't die when first claimed The 33-year-old helicopter pilot's confession came after an eight-hour interrogation by Hellenic Police (pictured: Mr Anagnostopoulos and Ms Crouch with their daughter) He told police in his statement: 'That night we were fighting early. At one point she threw the child in the crib and told me to leave the house. 'She pushed me and punched me. I lost my temper, I suffocated her with the pillow. hen I made up the robbery.' Police 'suspected Babis from the first moment they saw him' Police who were first on the scene of the 'break in' had suspected Babis was the real culprit from the moment they laid eyes on him, the chief of police has told Greek media. George Kalliakmanis, president of police in Attica, said officers had compared Babis to a 'Greek Oscar Pistorius' - the South African athlete convicted of shooting dead girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at their home after proclaiming his innocence. He told Greek news site Protothema that detectives had immediately noticed the 'coldness' of Babis, adding that one officer had even taken his baby daughter away from him to 'protect' the girl. Upon investigating the house further, Mr Kalliakmanis said there were signs the burglary had been staged because very few of the cupboards and wardrobes had been disturbed. Typically, burglars will rip open every potential hiding place in search of valuable to steal, Mr Kalliakmanis said. But in this house, they appeared only to have searched in the places that Babis said valuables had been stored. He added that officers had concealed their initial suspicions from Babis and had pursued his burglary narrative to keep him calm, all the while believing the true suspect was much closer to home. Advertisement Babis is now being held in custody in Athens and is expected to be hauled before a magistrate today when he will be formally charged with murder. 'When faced with the evidence he confessed,' said Apostolos Skrekas, a police spokesman. 'The tracker contradicted his initial testimony that he had been roped up and gagged by three assailants. Instead, what we found was that he moved around the house, going from the attic to the basement.' Greek police said in a statement: 'Investigation of the homicide of a 20-year-old native (or resident) that took place on May 11, 2021 in Glyka Nera. 'The perpetrator is her 33-year-old husband, who confessed to his act.' The confession comes five weeks after Babis led mourners at Ms Crouch's funeral and read a eulogy while standing over her grave. 'Our loved ones are the most important people to us all,' he said at the time - wiping away tears while holding their baby daughter in his arms. 'You should always look after your loved ones and enjoy your time together.' On social media, the young couple appeared to enjoy a blessed life - 20-year-old Caroline posting family snaps of the couple with their daughter, or else showing off their idyllic-seeming life in Greece as she wandered on sunny beaches in bikinis. The pair had met while Babis was on holiday to the Greek island of Alonissos where Caroline, who was born in the UK, had lived with her parents since the age of eight. They were married in 2018, and she gave birth to their first child - a daughter - in June last year. But friend said last night that the idyllic images were merely a mirage - in fact, Babis was a jealous and controlling husband and Caroline was deeply unhappy. 'She could not have the time she wanted with her friends and she was constantly expressing her complaints about his behavior,' a source told Greek news site Ethnos. Police had also revealed during their investigations that both Babis and Caroline had been in therapy at the time of the killing, speaking to the same psychologist but during separate sessions. At the time, it was reported that Caroline was suffering from post-natal depression. Officers did not say what Babis was being treated for. Texts found by police on the coupe's phones backed up suspicions of a less-than happy marriage, according to police, with messages exchanged in English showing one had called the other 'stupid.' On the night of the murder, Caroline had allegedly messaged a friend saying that she was leaving Babis. Phone data also showed that Caroline had attempted to book herself into a hotel on the night she died, detectives said. Police also revealed on Thursday that officers had 'immediately' suspected Babis of committing the murder, after noticing his 'cold' demeanor when they arrived at the crime scene on the morning of May 11. One officer even told how he took Babis's daughter away from him and handed the girl to her grandmother out of fear that he might harm the girl, Protothema reports. But detectives agreed to pursue the burglary theory while keeping their suspicions about Babis under wraps to avoid 'spooking' him into fleeing. That included allowing him to attend a memorial service for Caroline on the island of Alonissos with Caroline's family on Wednesday. But, following the service, officers arrived and asked Babis to come with them to answer some more questions after a 'breakthrough' in the probe - telling him that the evidence was so urgent that it 'could not wait' A boat was used to take Babis to the neighbouring island of Skiathos where a police helicopter whisked him to Athens, and the eight-hour interrogation session began. His confession ends a month-long investigation into what authorities billed 'a near-perfect murder' for the lack of evidence the killer left behind. Anagnostopoulos, who trained as a helicopter pilot in Liverpool, had married Miss Crouch in May 2018 after they met while he was on holiday to Alonissos. Miss Crouch, a student at the University of Piraeus, had a British passport. She moved to Alonissos with her mother Susan Dela Cuesta and father David Crouch, 78, when she was eight. Three days after her death, every shop, bar and restaurant on the island of Alonissos closed as its 2,000 residents laid to rest the British woman they had adopted as their own in a hilltop cemetery overlooking the Aegean. Earlier, her killer had brazenly addressed the mourners from the altar of the islands Greek orthodox church. Wiping away a crocodile tear, he told them: I was very lucky that I knew her and she loved me. I was very lucky for all the moments we had together. One thing that makes me even more sad than her death is the fact that our daughter will grow up without remembering her beautiful mother, who was the joy of life, though our daughter will always be with me and with all of us. As the wife hed killed was buried, Anagnostopoulos still clutching their infant daughter to his chest hugged Miss Crouchs distraught mother. Anagnostopoulos spent 37 days expertly playing the part of the grieving widower, providing the police with a detailed account of the robbery and even descriptions of the intruders. He claimed that three men had broken into the house through a downstairs window, disabling security cameras before strangling the family dog on their way upstairs to the couple's bedroom where they found them asleep. Babis claimed he was blindfolded and gagged, then tied to a bedpost with his back towards Caroline, who was also restrained. He said the men had somehow known the couple were keeping 10,000 in cash at the house, hidden inside a Monopoly box, which they had planned to use for building works on a new plot of land they had bought. Babis said he quickly gave up the location of the money to avoid an altercation, but the men were not satisfied and began demanding more valuables. Through a gap in his blindfold he claimed to have seen the men - who he said spoke Greek to him but a foreign language among themselves - point a gun at his baby daughter's head while making their threats. That had caused Caroline to scream, he said, after which the burglars bundled her to the bed and suffocated her before fleeing the property and leaving him tied up. He claimed to have spent hours in that position, before managing to free himself just enough to crawl to a phone and dial a neighbour's number with his nose. The neighbour then summoned police, who arrived to find the grisly scene. Police had initially pursued the burglary narrative, and even arrested a suspect - a Georgian with a history of violent burglaries who tried to leave the country on a fake passport - but failed to link him to the crime. DNA evidence collected from underneath Caroline's fingernails as she fought her attacker has also proved to be inconclusive. Babis shared a tribute to his wife Caroline Crouch last month after her death. Under the photo taken on their wedding day he writes: 'Together forever. Have a nice trip my love' Mr Anagnostopoulos previously told police that three men broke into his family home early on May 11, stole 10,000 he was keeping in a Monopoly box, then strangled his wife Caroline Crouch, 20, was strangled to death in front of her 11-month-old daughter at her home in the Glyka Nera suburb But the investigation now appears to have been a ruse, concocted so that Babis would remain calm and stay in Greece while they pursued him as the real suspect. During that time, Babis had given several interviews to the media while allegedly playing the grieving husband - telling reporters 'imagine how I feel' when questioned about the tragedy. He was also frequently pictured with Caroline's parents, even hugging her mother at the funeral which took place last month. Babis had also sat down for two lengthy interview session with police, sticking to his story about the break-in both times. Suspicions around him only crept into public view a few weeks ago, when it emerged the police had interviewed the couple's therapist. At the time, detectives said they had uncovered 'vital evidence' about Babis and Caroline's relationship that they believed would help solve the case. Babis is expected to be formally charged with murder on Friday. It is unclear whether he will enter a plea at the same time. President Joe Biden is 'committed' to holding some kind of one-on-one meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Thursday, a day after Biden said he and the Chinese leader are not 'old friends.' 'What the president said about there being no substitute for leader-level dialogue as a central part of why he held the summit with Putin, also applies to China and President Xi Jinping,' Sullivan said on a press call Thursday. 'Now, it could be a phone call, it could be a meeting on the margins of an another international summit, it could be something else.' Sullivan pointed out that both Biden and Xi are 'likely to be at the G20 in Italy in October' but said the White House, for now, doesn't have firm plans for a future get-together. President Joe Biden (left) is 'committed' to holding a one-on-one meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) his national security adviser told reporters Thursday National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Thursday the meeting with Xi 'could be a phone call, it could be a meeting on the margins of an another international summit, it could be something else' 'So I will leave it at that for now because we're not coming off of this trip the last thing we're doing on Thursday is planning the next thing,' Sullivan said on a call meant to rehash Biden's first foreign trip to the United Kingdom, Brussels and Switzerland. 'But soon enough we will sit down to work out the right modality for the two presidents to engage,' Sullivan said. Biden returned to the United States late Wednesday night. Sullivan added that Biden will 'engage in the coming months with President Xi in some way to take stock of where we are in the relationship and ensure that we have that kind of direct communication that we found valuable with the president yesterday,' a nod to Biden's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. 'We're very much committed to that,' Sullivan said. 'It's now just a question of when and how. We'll work through that and have more to report.' During Wednesday's press conference in Geneva after the Putin meeting, Biden pushed back on the assertion that he was on friendly terms with Xi. Biden was asked by Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy if Biden would call Xi 'old friend to old friend, and ask him to open up China to the World Health Organization investigators who are trying to get to the bottom of COVID-19.' 'Let's get something straight,' Biden replied. 'We know each other well. We're not old friends. It's just pure business.' President Joe Biden answered questions on the way out of his Wednesday presser including one from Fox News' Peter Doocy about pressuring the Chinese to open up the country to World Health Organization investigators looking into the origins of COVID-19 Doocy stood up and yelled his questions at Biden as the president was starting to depart. Biden was in Geneva to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time as the U.S. leader. But another headline that's been dominating the news over the past few weeks is the admission from U.S. intelligence agencies that they couldn't determine with certainty whether COVID-19 came from an animal-human interaction or escaped from the Wuhan lab. Biden is giving them several more months to dig in, while the G7 powers called on the WHO at the beginning of last weekend's summit in the United Kingdom to again investigate COVID-19's origins. Doocy pointed out that Biden said how important it is to have 'face to face dialogue' with world leaders, one of the reasons he gave for having an in-person meeting with Putin. 'You have spoken many times about how you have spent perhaps more time with President XI than any other world leader,' the Fox News reporter said, before asking Biden if he'd reach out to his Chinese counterpart. Doocy then asked Biden 'what happens now' with the Chinese refusing to cooperate. Biden suggested China could be motivated by the 'world's attitude' toward the country if the government drags its feet. 'China's trying very hard to project itself as a very responsible and very, very forthcoming nation,' Biden said. 'They are finding it hard to talk about how theyre helping the world in terms of COIVD-19, and vaccines, theyre trying very hard.' 'Look, certain things you dont have to explain to the people of the world, they see the results,' he continued. 'Is China really trying to get to the bottom of this?' One of two men suing actor Kevin Spacey for sexual misconduct in the 1980s had all of his claims dismissed by a judge because the accuser refused to identify himself publicly. US District Judge Lewis Kaplan made the decision on Thursday after lawyers for the accuser - referred to in court documents as 'C.D.' - said his real identity would result in 'sudden unwanted attention'. The lawyers also said being recognized publicly would be 'simply too much for him to bear'. Last month, the judge made it clear that knowing who C.D.'s true identity would amplify the public's interest in him because of Spacey's celebrity status. Kevin Spacey was being accused of having a sexual relationship with two males when they were teenagers occurring in the 1980s According to C.D., he and Spacey began a sexual relationship in 1983 when C.D. was 14 years old. The two's relationship ended after he refused Spacey's attempt to penetrate him. Actor Anthony Rapp, the second plaintiff, said he was the same age as C.D. in 1986 when Spacey made an unwanted sexual advance at him while at a party in the actor's home. Spacey has vehemently denied any wrongdoings involving him, C.D. and Rapp. Spacey, 61, is a two-time Oscar winner and one of the most recognizable actors on the planet. Besides C.D. and Rapp, plenty more accusers have come forward with claims of sexual misconduct against Spacey. Anthony Rapp (pictured) accused Kevin Spacey of making sexual passes at him when he was with him in his home during a party back in the 1980s Kevin Spacey has had sexual assault allegations centered around him over the past four years that go back almost four decades from celebrities and other notorious people alike Heather Unruh who alleged her 18-year-old son was sexually assaulted by the star in 2016. That lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice after it was revealed Unruh deleted texts off her son's phone before giving it to police. Criminal charges were also dropped from the case. Documentary filmmaker Tony Montana made claims that Spacey groped his penis in in a Los Angeles Pub in 2003. Roberto Cavazos, a former actor at the Old Vic theater, said that he dealt with some not so pleasant advances from Spacey in 2008. Cavazos said the advances were on the boarder of harassment. Richard Dreyfuss' son, Richard, also made assertion that Spacey too groped him when he was 18. Spacey was one of Hollywood's leading men before the allegations against him and won two Oscars for his performance in 'American Beauty' and 'The Usual Suspects' Spacey had dropped out of the public eye from all the allegations and Hollywood disowning him but has resurfaced over the past couple of months post COVID isolation All of those cases were dropped. All of the legal troubles have taken Spacey out of the public eye and cost him his starring role on the popular Netflix series 'House of Cards' in 2017. C.D., Rapp and Spacey's lawyers all declined any further comment. A feminist artist has been cancelled by the Royal Academy after trans activists complained about her 2019 blog in which she called a woman 'an adult human female' and criticised LGBT charity Stonewall. The institution pulled the work of Jess de Wahls, a textile artist born in East Berlin, from its gift shop after activists accused her of expressing 'transphobic views' in a blog posted to her website two years ago. Miss de Wahls had criticised 'gender identity ideology' and Stonewall, the controversial LGBT organisation which has been accused of fostering a climate of intolerance in workplaces across the UK. She had also warned that the 'ideology' of gender politics enforced censorship akin to that found in her birthplace - the East German police state - and had a detrimental impact on the rights of women and girls. Though she defended the rights of transgender people, Miss de Wahls claims her work was pulled from the gift shop as a result of a 'concerted effort' from online activists over her alleged transphobia. In a statement published on Instagram today, the RA said it had received complaints for selling works 'by an artist expressing transphobic views' and said that Miss de Wahls's work 'will not be stocked in future'. The academy added: 'The RA is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and does not knowingly support artists who act in conflict with these values. We would like to reiterate that we stand with the LGBTQ+ community'. Miss de Wahls wrote in a 2019 blog that a woman is 'an adult human female' and 'not an identity or feeling', adding: 'I can not accept people's unsubstantiated assertions that they are in fact the opposite sex to when they were born.' Jess de Wahls, who was born in East Germany, was found to be in 'conflict' with the values of the British institution over views expressed in a 2019 blog post which criticised 'gender identity ideology' and Stonewall She wrote: 'I have no issue with somebody who feels more comfortable expressing themselves as if they are the other sex (or in whatever way they please for that matter). However, I can not accept people's unsubstantiated assertions that they are in fact the opposite sex to when they were born and deserve to be extended the same rights as if they were born as such. 'And I do not believe that these beliefs should override existing protections that are in place as a result of the biological realities of women, since their purpose is to relieve oppression based on women's physicalities and reproductive functions (not identity or feelings). Feelings don't have human rights. Humans do. 'I am also completely at a loss over Stonewall's (the LGBTQ lobby group) updated description of transgender, seeing that, by their logic, almost anybody would fall under this category, including those that don't identify as trans. 'How is it okay for an organisation in Stonewall's position to categorise somebody as transgender, even if that person doesn't do so themselves?' She added: 'With everything said, I am genuinely deeply worried. 'I worry that we have increasingly become a society where valid concerns regarding women's rights, children's safeguarding and freedom of speech, are being classed as hate speech to stop any debate from happening. 'I worry because this notion of 'wrong think' and wrong speak' feels eerily reminiscent of my East German childhood, and that's actually quite terrifying.' The Royal Academy issued a statement online on Thursday, in which it said it had received complaints for selling works 'by an artist expressing transphobic views' The Instagram statement added: 'The RA is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and does not knowingly support artists who act in conflict with these values. We would like to reiterate that we stand with the LGBTQ+ community' Maya Forstater, who won an appeal after losing her job following tweets stating trans women were 'not women', warned of the growth of 'McCarthyism' in society. She told the Telegraph: 'Organisations have got used to overreacting to complaints of transphobia. They need to take a deep breath, look at the Equality Act and consider that everybody has rights.' The campaign groups Sex Matters has called on the director of the RA to reinstate Miss de Wahls' works and apologise to the artist. In a letter, they claimed the decision to pull her work came after a 'handful of coordinated complaints', adding: 'The Royal Academy is carrying out an egregious and blatant belief discrimination against textile artist Jess de Wahls.' Miss de Wahls is a textile artist who makes embroidered portraits, often dealing with feminism. Her work was sold in the RA gift shop, where prints of controversial artists have previously been made available for sale. Prints of the work of Paul Gauguin, who reportedly had sexual relationships with young girls, were sold during the 2020 exhibition Gauguin and the Impressionists. Eric Gill, an artist and sculptor now known to have sexually abused his daughters, was an associate of the RA during his lifetime. MailOnline has approached the RA for comment. A group of migrants were saved from dying after U.S. Border Patrol agents found them locked inside the cargo area of a truck that was stationed at a parking lot in western Texas. Agents assigned to the Big Bend Sector received an anonymous tip about a human smuggling incident involving a U-Haul truck and a Dodge Journey next to a McDonald's restaurant in the border town of Van Horn on the evening of June 10. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said that the border agents helped 33 undocumented migrants exit the truck. The majority of the individuals were spotted sitting next to each other while three others were found sitting atop a metal structure. A group of migrants were saved from dying after U.S. Border Patrol agents found them locked inside the cargo area of a truck that was stationed at a parking lot in western Texas. At total 33 migrants were saved from dying after U.S. Border Patrol agents found them locked inside the cargo area of a truck that was stationed at a parking lot in western Texas on June 11. CBP said 12 migrants were taken to area hospitals and treated for heat exhaustion At least 12 of the migrants were taken to area hospitals due to heat exhaustion. The others received treatment for dehydration. CBP said that the migrants 'were close to perishing due to the excessive heat and lack of fresh air in temperatures still hovering near 100 degrees.' All of the migrants, along with those who were discharged after recovering from their heat-related illnesses, were processed for unlawful entry into the United States. A CBP spokesperson told DailyMail.com that the U-Haul driver and the SUV driver were taken into custody. It's not clear what the nationalities of the migrants were, they said. 'Had our heroic agents not been able to free these trapped undocumented migrants, we could have seen 33 miserable deaths in this event,' Big Bend Sector Chief Patrol Agent Sean L. McGoffin said in a statement. 'Smugglers do not care what type of misery they put people through as they take their money.' Pictured is one of the two drivers who were arrested at a McDonald's parking lot in Van Horn, Texas, after Border Patrol agents from the Big Bend Sector foiled a human smuggling incident and rescued 33 migrants from a locked U-Haul truck on June 10 In a separate incident, U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Laredo Sector stopped a U-Haul truck in Laredo, Texas, and rescued 27 undocumented migrants who were locked inside the vehicle's cargo area. The truck's cargo area temperature topped 106 Fahrenheit. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, agents from the U.S. Border Patrol Laredo Sector stopped a U-Hail truck Sunday and detained 27 migrants from Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico who were allegedly being smuggled by a driver and passenger, both U.S. citizens The truck (left) was stopped on Interstate 35 in Laredo, Texas, on Sunday as part of an immigration checkpoint conducted by agents assigned to the U.S. Border Patrol Laredo Sector. A Border Patrol agent's thermometer registers the temperature inside the truck's cargo area where 27 migrants were hidden The latest monthly report released by CBP showed that Border Patrol agents stopped 180,034 migrants in May along the southwestern border, a slight increase from 178,854 the prior month, with the increase driven largely by single adults. From March to May more than 530,000 people were apprehended and pushed back into Mexico after attempting to cross without legal immigration papers, according to the Customs and Border Protection. There is no official estimate on how many did get through, but the sheer number of attempts suggests a rise in successful crossings, CBP officers have said. Encounters with unlawful border crossers at the United State-Mexico international were at a low of 17,106 in April 2020 and unraveled up during former President Donald Trump's last eight full months in office. The numbers of encounters at the southwestern border increased during President Biden's first four months at the White House. DailyMail.com reached out to CBP regarding encounters that were reported from January 1 to January 19 under the Trump administration and from January 20 to January 31, Biden's first 12 days in office. This chart shows how 2021 border crossings - pictured in blue - rocketed on crossings made in 2020, represented by the brown line (2018 is pictured in gray, with 2019 in orange) Former President Donald Trump speaks toured a section a border wall in Alamo, Texas on January 12, 2021 Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott, who has been critical of the way the Biden administration has responded to the growing number of migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, announced Wednesday plans to use $250 million in state money and crowdsourced financing to build more barriers along borderline. Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott, who has been critical of the way the Biden administration has responded to the growing number of migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, announced Wednesday plans to use $250 million in state money and crowdsourced financing to build more barriers along borderline. However, questions remain over how far Abbott can go for a project whose total cost, length and timeline are unclear and could face legal challenges from the federal government. The governor was a fierce supporter of Trump's failed campaign promise to stop undocumented migrants from illegally entering the U.S. by building a wall along the 1,954-mile long border. A total of 1,200 miles of the border stretched out across Texas. 'In response to the federal government's neglect of all of the people who live along the border, the people who are facing the consequences of the spread of drugs like fentanyl, Texas is stepping up and doing more than any other state ever has done to respond to these challenges along the border,' Abbott said during a virtual press conference. 'Texas taxpayers are having to step up so we as a state can protect our citizens.' Trump on Tuesday said he will be joining Abbott on a trip to the U.S.-Mexico border June 30. 'The Biden administration inherited from me the strongest, safest, and most secure border in US history and in mere weeks they turned it into the single worst border crisis in US history,' he said. 'We went from having border security that was the envy of the world to a lawless border that is now pitied around the world.' An explosive new documentary claims notorious Boston gangster James 'Whitey' Bulger was a victim of the FBI, despite his involvement in at least 11 murders. Bulger - who died in 2018 - was the head of Boston's notorious Winter Hill crime gang for decades before going on the run in the mid-1990s. He subsequently became one of the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives, despite the fact he had worked for the agency as a top-level informant for many years. Bulger was eventually tracked down living in Los Angeles, then found guilty of a raft of racketeering charges. He also was convicted of 11 murders, with some theorizing he may have even killed up to 19 men. Now, the new documentary My Name Is Bulger - which is on Discovery+ starting Thursday - implies that law enforcement officials may have made the Boston gangster appear worse than he really was in a bid to protect their own reputations. An explosive new documentary claims notorious Boston gangster James 'Whitey' Bulger was a victim of the FBI, despite his involvement in at least 11 murders. He is pictured in a 1953 mugshot Bulger was eventually tracked down living in Los Angeles, before he was tried in 2013 and found guilty of a raft of racketeering charges. He was implicated in at least 11 murders, with some theorizing he may have even killed up to 19 men According to The Daily Beast, which was granted a sneak peak at the film, My Name is Bulger has various speakers make the case that Whitey was basically a victim, both of the FBI which ostensibly made him out to be an informant so they could hide the fact that theyd taken his bribes - and of forces that put him in the West Virginia prison [in 2018]'. The publication additionally asserts that there are numerous interviewees in the film that imply 'that the Whitey vilified by the media and the feds was a fictional creation'. His girlfriend, Catherine Greig, is interviewed in the documentary. She was freed from prison in 2020 after serving a nine-year federal prison sentence for helping Bulger evade capture for 16 years. The Daily Beast asserts that Greig 'praises Bulger as a kind and gentle soul who, upon arriving in California [as fugitives], spent an hour helping an elderly couple fix their flat tire.' 'This attempted rehabilitation of Whitey Bulger feels a bit strained,' the publication claims. My Name is Bulger largely revolves around Bulger's brother, William Bulger, who had a glittering career in Massachusetts state politics. William Bulger served 35 years in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, 18 of which were spent as the president of the Senate. The documentary discusses how his political career has been overshadowed by the criminal activities of his notorious brother. The new documentary was released on Discovery+ on Thursday. It largely revolves around Bulger's brother, William Bulger, who had a glittering career in Massachusetts state politics. Bulger became one of the FBI's 10 Most Wanted Fugitives, despite the fact he had worked for the agency as a top-level informant for many years. He is pictured following his capture in 2011 William Bulger served 35 years in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, 18 of which were spent as the president of the Senate. The documentary discusses how his political career has been overshadowed by the criminal activities of his notorious brother James 'Whitey' Bulger was brutally beaten to death in prison in 2018 with a padlock hidden inside a sock. Earlier this year, a prisoner accused of the murder who has spent more than two years in solitary confinement as a result insisted he was innocent and begged to be allowed back into the general population. Sean McKinnon, 35, speaking for the first time, told NBC News: 'I told the feds, "If I had something to tell them, I would. I know nothing. I'm an innocent man".' He is now sharing a cell with Boston gangster Paul DeCologero, 46, who was also accused of the killing, but they are separated from the general population and denied privileges, meaning they are still considered to be in solitary. A third suspect, notorious mob hitman Fotios 'Freddy' Geas, 54, is being isolated in a separate unit, while a fourth, Felix Wilson, was released after six months when his sentence came to an end. All men deny involvement with Bulger's death. Bugler, 89, was brutally beaten to death in his cell at Hazelton federal prison, West Virginia, with a padlock hidden inside a sock. Bulger was a leading figure in Boston's underworld before he went on the run for 16 years. He was finally captured in Santa Monica with Greig in June 2011. Details of his capture and subsequent death in jail are laid bare in a recent book, Hunting Whitey: The Inside Story of the Capture & Killing of America's Most Wanted Crime Boss, by Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge. The Boston underworld kingpin and his girlfriend had managed to go undetected for years by posing as an elderly couple under the names of Charles and Carol Gasko prior to their arrest. Bulger was convicted in 2013 of a slew of crimes, including at least 11 murders, and was sentenced to life behind bars. They brutally attacked the wheelchair-bound Bulger, beat him with a lock in a sock, tried to gouge out the mobster's eyes with a shiv and attempted to cut out his tongue. His body was found wrapped in a sheet 12 hours later by prison officers, who said the gangster was hardly recognizable. Bulger was a leading figure in Boston's underworld before he was finally captured in Santa Monica with girlfriend Catherine Greig in June 2011 after being on the run for 16 years. Police are searching for a suspect caught on surveillance footage punching an 82-year-old man buying coffee at a Manhattan bodega and then running away with his cane. NYPD released the footage of the Wednesday morning robbery inside Big Apple Food Market, located in the Lower East Side. The footage shows the elderly man standing at the counter when the suspect walks up to him and confronts him. The suspect holds up his fist inches from the senior citizen's face while holding on to his cane as at least two men stand nearby and do nothing. The suspect attacked the 82-year-old when he refused to hand over any money When the elderly man does not budge the suspect lightly punches him in the head before he suddenly shoves him to the ground and runs away with his cane The 82-year-old man does not budge and the suspect lightly punches him in the head before he suddenly shoves him to the ground and runs away with his cane. Police say the elderly man was ordering a coffee when the suspect accosted him and demanded money. The suspect attacked the 82-year-old when he refused to hand over any money, police said. The victim suffered a minor head injury, but refused medical attention at the scene. The suspect is being described as having a dark complexion, a partially bald head and being in his 30s. He was last seen wearing a black jacket, black pants and black sneakers, police said. The attack against the defenseless elderly man comes as random assaults and overall violence takes over New York City. Police are searching for the suspect, (pictured) described as having a dark complexion, a partially bald head and in his 30s NYPD is offering a $3,500 rewards for information leading to the arrest of the suspect caught on footage NYPD said the robbery took place inside Big Apple Food Market (pictured) in the Lower East Side Crime in New York has spiraled since COVID hit US shores, with felony assaults rising eight percent for the first six months of 2021, compared to the same period last year. A total of 7,971 assaults took place between January and the start of June 2020, compared to the 8,604 recorded so far this year. Rapes are up by 10 per cent this month, compared to 2020, with 108 recorded this month, compared to 99 over the same period in 2019. And robberies - which includes muggings - have soared by close to 40 percent this month, from 782 for the same period in 2020, to 1,086 this year. In May, Governor Andrew Cuomo called the spike in violent crime a 'major problem' and said unless the NYPD gets a handle on it soon, the city would become undesirable. 'New Yorkers don't feel safe and they don't feel safe because the crime rate is up. It's not that they are being neurotic or overly sensitive - they are right.' he said. Anyone with information regarding the suspects whereabouts can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS. Ghislaine Maxwell has been awarded $13.70 from a woman who accused her of sexual abuse, then dropped the case to join the Jeffrey Epstein compensation fund. The judge ordered that Maxwell's accuser, anonymized in court papers as Jane Doe, to pay $5 in court docketing fees as well as $8.70 in 'other costs.' The latter appears to be what the federal court system charged her for reading an 87-page document online at 10 cents a page, according to Bloomberg. In May, Maxwell's lawyer Laura Menninger filed papers seeking compensation from Jane Doe for filing fees and 'search and printing cost.' When the case was first filed Jane Doe's attorney Robert Glassman told the Daily News that Maxwell was being petty: 'It wasn't enough for Ms. Maxwell to abuse young women. Now, despite being in jail for that abuse, she is going after one of her victims for $13.70 from behind bars. It's crazy,' he said. In a rare win, Ghislaine Maxwell has been awarded $13.70 from one of her accusers after Maxwell's lawyers filed a suit in May to recoup legal fees after Jane Doe voluntarily dropped the case and joined an out-of-court settlement. Maxwell is pictured in a court sketch from April 2021 Ghislaine Maxwell in a court sketch during her arraignment hearing on a new indictment at Manhattan Federal Court in April. Her lawyer has claimed vermin droppings fell from air vents and raw sewage 'permeated' her cell in the latest complaint about her Brooklyn jail conditions The legal action seems particularly petty considering Maxwell's claim in previous court filings that she is worth more than $20 million. Jane Doe filed a lawsuit in 2020 claiming to be Jeffery Epstein's first victim. The woman was first introduced to Epstein by Maxwell when she was 13 years old while attending Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan. In the suit she describes Maxwell as acting like 'an older sister' taking her to movies and shopping while also frequently making references to sex in preparation to be sexually abused by the couple. The woman eventually dropped her case taking an out-of-court settlement that involved a compensation fund for victims. Due to her voluntary dismissal of the case, Maxwell was legally allowed to recoup costs. It remains unclear why she decided to do so. Maxwell, 59, has been held behind bars at the Brooklyn jail since her arrest on July 2 2020 on federal sex trafficking charges. She is expected to stand trial in November accused of procuring girls as young as 14 for convicted pedophile Epstein to sexually abuse between 1994 and 2004. The British-born socialite denies the allegations and has tried - and failed - five times to convince a judge to release her on bail, citing the allegedly squalid jail conditions. Maxwell's defense team and family have filed a litany of complaints about her treatment in the detention center. Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein in 2005. Maxwell is accused of procuring girls as young as 14 for convicted pedophile Epstein to sexually abuse between 1994 and 2004 Earlier this month, her family claimed conditions breached United Nation rules around caring for prisoners as she had been 'subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.' They have previously claimed she is woken by guards every 15 minutes shining a light into her cell to check on her. They also said her cell stinks of sewage and lacks drinkable water. In April, her attorneys released a photo of Maxwell sporting a black eye inside the jail. They said she did not know how she got it but that it could have been from shielding her eyes in an attempt to sleep. Her attorneys have branded her treatment 'the Epstein effect', as the Bureau of Prisons is under pressure to prevent her committing suicide after Epstein died on their watch in his cell. Maxwell's lawyers released a photo of Ghislaine Maxwell with a bruise under her left eye in April. It is not clear how she got the bruise, but Maxwell told lawyers it might have come from shielding her eyes during the nighttime checks Prosecutors dispute the allegations that she is being treated differently to other inmates. Maxwell was denied bail for a fifth time on June 2 - marking the second rejection by the appeals court, following three other rejections by her trial judge. In the latest bail quest, Maxwell's lawyers asked the appeals court to at least order the lower-court judge to conduct a hearing where evidence related to bail could be shown. The 2nd Circuit rejected that, too. Maxwell's trial was initially set to begin next month, however the trial date was pushed back after her lawyers requested more time to prepare. Her trial is now expected to begin November 29. A courtroom sketch of Maxwell from July. Maxwell, 59, has been held behind bars at the Brooklyn jail since her arrest on July 2 2020 on federal sex trafficking charges She was arrested on July 2 when federal agents swooped on her home in Bradford, New Hampshire, aptly named Tuckedaway. She was charged with conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and two counts of perjury. The charges relate to the alleged grooming of three girls between 1994 and 1997 for Epstein across London, Florida, New York and New Mexico. Prosecutors say Maxwell also took part in some of the abuse herself. Epstein (with Maxwell in the early 2000s) died by suicide at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan August 2019 while awaiting trial In March, another indictment added a fourth teenage girl to the allegations and extended the years of the alleged conspiracy to 2004. Two of the four women who say they were abused by Maxwell and Epstein say they were just 14 when they were recruited for sex. Maxwell has pleaded not guilty to all charges and faces up to 80 years in prison if convicted. Ghislaine Maxwell is expected to stand trial in November for multiple criminal charges including sex trafficking Epstein was found hanging in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan August 2019 while awaiting trial. He had pleaded not guilty to sexually abusing girls as young as 14 and young women in New York and Florida in the early 2000s. His death was ruled a suicide but his attorneys and some family members claim he was murdered to stop him from sharing what he knows about other high profile, powerful people. The couple's friends included Prince Andrew - who has been forced to withdraw from public life over the scandal. They were also close to Bill Clinton, and Epstein met Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates multiple times too. Christian creationist Edwin Poots is set to stand down as DUP leader following an internal revolt against him - just three weeks after being elected party chief. A meeting of DUP party officers got under way at party headquarters in Belfast today, with the recently appointed leader facing a major heave amid speculation he could potentially face a vote of no-confidence. The DUP appears to be in disarray after a majority of its elected representatives turned on Mr Poots after he reached an agreement with Sinn Fein on Irish language legislation to prevent Stormont from collapsing. In a statement following the meeting, Mr Poots said: 'I have asked the party chairman to commence an electoral process within the party to allow for a new leader of the Democratic Unionist Party to be elected. 'The party has asked me to remain in post until my successor is elected. 'This has been a difficult period for the party and the country and I have conveyed to the chairman my determination to do everything I can to ensure both unionism and Northern Ireland is able to move forward to a stronger place.' It means that Mr Poots becomes the shortest serving leader in DUP history. He was voted in as Arlene Foster's successor on May 14, following a revolt against the former First Minister by supporters of Mr Poots. DUP leader Edwin Poots leaves a party meeting in Belfast tonight before announcing he would stand down from the role following an internal party revolt against him Edwin Poots, leader of the DUP, leaves the party headquarters in Belfast on June 17, 2021 How post-Brexit trading tensions are helping to plunge Northern Ireland into its most serious crisis since 1998 The DUP, which is rooted in the fundamentalist Free Presbyterian Church, opposed Northern Ireland's 1998 peace accord. It later became reconciled to it and has shared power with the Irish Republican Army-linked Sinn Fein. The British government retains an array of powers affecting Northern Ireland, but the Belfast assembly can make laws in areas including agriculture, education and health. The power-sharing relationship has often been strained, and Britain's economic split from the European Union at the end of 2020 has further shaken the political balance in Northern Ireland. Post-Brexit trade rules have imposed customs and border checks on some goods moving between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, angering Northern Ireland's British unionists who say the new checks amount to a border in the Irish Sea and weaken ties with the rest of the UK. Tensions over the new rules contributed to a week of street violence in Northern Irish cities in April that saw youths pelt police with bricks, fireworks and gasoline bombs. Advertisement He was formally ratified as leader on May 27, meaning he officially served just 21 days in the role. His planned departure follows a dramatic 24 hours in Northern Irish politics. A sizeable majority of MLAs and MPs voted against his decision to reconstitute the powersharing Executive with Sinn Fein in a bruising internal meeting just minutes before the process for nominating Stormont's leaders began in the Northern Ireland Assembly. Sinn Fein had threatened not to fill the post of deputy because of a feud about protections for the Irish language. That would have mothballed the administration - under the power-sharing arrangements set up as part of Northern Ireland's peace accord, a government can't be formed unless both roles are filled. The language issue cuts to the heart of tensions between Northern Ireland's mostly Catholic nationalists, who see themselves as Irish, and Protestants, who largely identify as British. The Northern Ireland Assembly, in which the DUP is the largest party, has failed to pass a law ensuring protections for the Irish and Ulster Scots languages, despite the power-sharing parties agreeing last year to do so. But after crisis talks with the two parties, the British government said early Thursday it would step in and pass the legislation in the UK Parliament if the Belfast assembly did not do it by September. Sinn Fein welcomed the move, with party leader Mary Lou McDonald saying it had broken the 'logjam of DUP obstructionism.' Mr Poots accused Sinn Fein of creating instability, but agreed to nominate a first minister. That provoked fury from many DUP colleagues. Members were furious that Mr Poots pressed ahead with nominating his Lagan Valley constituency colleague Paul Givan as First Minister, after Sinn Fein secured a key concession from the UK Government to legislate for Irish language laws at Westminster. A post-midnight announcement by the Government, committing to pass the stalled laws at Westminster in the autumn if they were not moved at the Stormont Assembly in the interim, was enough to convince Sinn Fein to drop its threat not to nominate a deputy First Minister as joint head of the devolved Executive. The development came after a night of intensive talks involving Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis and DUP and Sinn Fein delegations in Belfast. Many DUP politicians had warned against a Government intervention on such a sensitive devolved issue and they were enraged that Mr Poots was still prepared to enter a new coalition on that basis. A meeting of DUP party officers got under way at party headquarters in Belfast, amid speculation Mr Poots could potentially face a vote of no confidence. Mr Poots left the meeting after 8pm, saying only 'how are you' to gathered media before being driven off in a waiting car. He declined to respond to media questions about his leadership and whether he faced a motion of no confidence during the meeting. DUP leader Edwin Poots during the nomination of Paul Givan as First Minister, in the Stormont Assembly in Parliament Buildings in Belfast Following the announcement by Mr Poots, a Sinn Fein spokesperson said: 'Whoever leads the DUP is a matter for that party. 'Sinn Fein has worked for weeks to bring stability to the Executive - our priority is our response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the continued successful rollout of the vaccination programme and rebuilding our economy to sustain jobs and livelihoods. 'We have monumental challenges ahead that will require unity of purpose and urgency. They include tackling the totally unacceptable hospital waiting lists that have left people crucified, in pain and without hope. 'That is our focus and should remain the focus of all ministers in the Executive.' The remaining DUP party officers left the meeting at their headquarters at 8.50pm, all departing together. All of them, including senior party figures such as Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, Diane Dodds, Sammy Wilson and deputy leader Paul Bradley, refused to speak to the media as they left. A statement confirming Mr Poots' intention to stand down was issued shortly after. The Irish language legislation is one of several outstanding elements of the New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) deal that resurrected powersharing in Northern Ireland after a three-year impasse. Since becoming the new DUP leader, Mr Poots has repeatedly said he is committed to implementing all of the NDNA agreement. Sinn Fein has however demanded specific and immediate action on the Irish language aspect, insisting the legislation must be tabled at Stormont ahead of the summer recess if it is to become law before the end of the current Assembly mandate next spring. The cultural elements of the NDNA, which include protections for Irish and Ulster Scots speakers, would be delivered in the form of amendments to the 1998 Northern Ireland Act. With the law changes having already been drafted as part of the NDNA deal, the draft legislation can commence its journey through the Assembly once the Executive gives it the green light. Canberra has been hit with an urgent Covid alert amid reports a Sydney man with low levels of the virus visited the nation's capital while infected. The man in his 40s from Baulkham Hills in Sydney's north-west visited the ACT on June 14. Health authorities are urging anyone who went to the National Gallery of Australia's Boticelli to Van Gogh exhibition or gift shop from 12-1.45pm on Monday to get tested and immediately isolate. The same advice applies to anyone who visited Via Dolce Pasticceria, a popular Italian dessert and pizza eatery, on the same day from 2.45-3.15pm. The alert for Canberra comes as Sydney's Covid exposure list continues to grow, with a popular bowling club and Harris Farm supermarket added on Tuesday night. New South Wales has seen four new coronavirus cases in the last 48 hours, after a 40-day run without a single locally acquired infection. Authorities are now scrambling to keep the lid on a potential outbreak, after a driver who transported international flight crew tested positive on Wednesday. Health authorities are urging anyone who went to the National Gallery of Australia's Boticelli to Van Gogh exhibition or gift shop from 12-1.45pm last Monday to get tested and immediately isolate Anyone who visited Via Dolce Pasticceria, a popular Italian dessert and pizza eatery last Monday from 2.45-3.15pm is advised to get tested and immediately isolate The Indian Delta variant of the virus is believed to spread faster than the Indian Kappa strain, with global health experts warning it could also be even deadlier Testing queue swelled again on Thursday as yet more exposure sites were announced (pictured, the drive-through clinic in Bondi Beach) The Bondi man's wife has since also tested positive, as has a woman in her 70s who was at a Vaucluse cafe at the same time. Dr Greg Kelly, from The Children's Hospital at Westmead in Sydney, blasted NSW Health over poor protocols that allowed the driver to contract the virus while working. 'This latest NSW leak 100% preventable. Australia, all that is standing between airborne #COVID-19 & frontline workers (and therefore you, grandma & the rest of us) is a flimsy surgical mask,' he wrote. 'No airborne PPE, no smart workplace engineering, & no vaccine. THIS JUST ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH. 'People absolutely need to start losing jobs over this, and I dont mean poor cafe and gym owners, I mean people with responsibility for quarantine.' A man in his 40s in Sydney's north-west, with no known links to other infections, has also tested positive - but authorities are still investigating whether he currently has the virus. An infected case visited Northmead Bowling Club (pictured) on Sunday for six-and-a-half hours An infected man is believed to have shipped at the Leichhardt Harris Farm on Tuesday between 9.50am and 10.05am Northmead Bowling Club was announced as an exposure site late on Thursday night, with anyone there from 3.30pm to 10pm on Sunday June 13 told to get tested and isolate immediately. A further venue in the East Village Shopping Centre in Zetland has also been put on alert, with anyone who went to Lorna Jane in the centre on Monday between 11am and 1pm told to seek testing and isolate for two weeks, regardless of the result. Bondi's The Health Emporium is also now on the list. Gladys Berejiklian has warned Sydney residents to avoid large-scale events near the city's growing list of 19 exposure sites to prevent a potential super-spreader event. However she stopped short of making face masks compulsory on public transport. Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said genomic sequencing showed the limousine driver had a strain of the highly-contagious Indian Delta varient never seen before in Australia. 'This strain does not match anything that's been uploaded in Australia at this time, but it does match perfectly a sequence that's been uploaded from the US,' she said. The Indian Delta variant of the virus is believed to spread faster than the Indian Kappa strain, with global health experts warning it could also be even deadlier. Ms Berejiklian said she strongly recommended wearing a mask on public transport in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. The announcement came as Tasmania, Victoria and Queensland announced anyone who had been to the exposure sites was not allowed to enter their state. Digital signs encouraging customers to wear face masks during the pandemic pictured at Westfield Bondi Junction. A woman in her 70s has also tested positive in Vaucluse, meaning Sydney's latest outbreak has reached four cases Cars line up for Covid-19 testing in Sydney on Thursday. New South Wales has recorded two new Covid-19 cases overnight The island state announced Wednesday morning it would block all New South Wales travellers who had been to any of the hotspots and anyone who had visited a listed site since June 11 has to immediately get tested and isolate. 'Anyone who is planning on travelling to Tasmania who has been to any of these high-risk premises at the specified dates and times will not be permitted to enter the state,' Tasmania's Director of Public Health Mark Veitch said. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk also said she would closely monitor the ongoing situation, with closed borders likely to occur given the previous decisions to quickly block residents from New South Wales from entering the state. SYDNEY VENUES EXPOSED TO COVID-19 - Anyone who attended the following venue at the time listed must get tested and self-isolate for 14 days from the date they were at the venue, regardless of the result. Bondi Junction, Events Cinema, Sunday, June 13 - 1.30pm-4.00pm Bondi Junction to North Sydney 200 Bus, From Bondi Junction interchange to Blue St, North Sydney (near North Sydney Station) Tuesday 15 June. Departed approx. 4.25pm, arrived approx. 5pm - Anyone who attended the following venues at the listed times must call NSW Health on 1800 943 553, get tested and self-isolate until you receive further advice. Vaucluse, Belle Cafe, Friday, June 11 - 9.15am-9.50am, Saturday, June 12 - 11.20pm-1.50pm, Sunday, June 13 - 11.30am-12.00pm, Tuesday, June 15 - 9.50am-10.25am Bondi Junction, Sourdough Cafe, Friday, June 11 - 12.40pm-1.10pm Vaucluse, Belle Cafe, Saturday, June 12 - 10.20am-10.45am Bondi Junction, David Jones, Saturday, June 12 - 11.00am-11.40am Bondi Junction, Myer, Saturday, June 12 - 11.10-12.15pm Events Cinema Bondi Junction: (all screenings other than the Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard), Sunday June 13, 1.30pm-4pm. Vaucluse, Washoku Vaucluse, Saturday, June 12 - 12.00pm-1.30pm Vaucluse, Rocco's, Monday, June 14 - 10.55am-11.30am North Ryde, Celeste Catering Macquarie Park Cemetery Cafe, Tuesday, June 15 - 1.00pm-1.20pm Zetland, Coles East Village Shopping Centre, Monday, June 14 - 11.00am-1pm. Zetland, Taste Growers East Village Shopping Centre, Monday, June 14 - 11.00am to 1pm. Redfern, Wax Car Wash Cafe, Monday, June 14 - 12pm-3pm Bondi Junction, Harry's Coffee and Kitchen, Tuesday, June 15 - 3pm-3.40pm Bondi Junction, NAB in Westfield, Tuesday, June 15 - 2.45pm-3.10pm Bondi Junction, David Jones in Westfield, Tuesday June 15 - 3.30pm-4.15pm Vaucluse, Field to Fork, Friday, June 11 - 12pm-4pm Leichhardt, Harris Farm, Tuesday June 15 - 9.50am-10.05am - Anyone who attended the following venue is a casual contact and must immediately get tested and self-isolate until a negative result is received. Bondi Fruitologist, Tuesday June 15 - 1pm-2pm Advertisement NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has strongly urged anyone travelling on public transport in Sydney's eastern suburbs to wear a mask after the area's Covid-19 outbreak A hotel quarantine driver tested positive for the highly-contagious delta variant of coronavirus at the Bondi Beach testing facility on Wednesday. Pictured is a drive-through Covid-19 testing queue in Sydney The state recorded another Covid-19 case overnight as a man in his 40s not linked to the other cases in the latest outbreak tested positive to the virus - taking its total to four A medical worker prepares to administer a test at the Bondi Beach drive-through centre in Sydney on Thursday 'In line with other jurisdictions, we will maintain restrictions on travel from Greater Melbourne for another seven days, and we strongly advise those planning travel to Greater Sydney to reconsider,' she tweeted on Thursday morning. Contact tracers are meanwhile racing to find Sydneysiders who visited various exposure sites including a David Jones store, a cinema, several cafes and restaurants and a bakery in the city's east and north-west between June 11 and June 15. The airport worker first attended the Belle Cafe in Vaucluse on June 11 between 9.15am-9.50am and returned on June 12, June 13 and June 14 at various times. He also attended Sourdough Bakery at Westfield Bondi Junction between 12.40pm-1.10pm on June 11. The news of a new locally-acquired case sparked long queues at the Bondi drive-through testing clinic (pictured on Wednesday night) which saw opening hours extended from 4pm to 10pm to accommodate the surge East Village shopping centre in Zetland, inner-Sydney, has been listed as a Covid exposure site - including its Coles supermarket - after an infected person visited on Monday He returned to the shopping centre the following day where he shopped in David Jones between 11am-11.40am and Myer between 11.40am-12.15pm. The infected man attended a movie screening of The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard at Event Cinemas Bondi Junction on Sunday afternoon, June 13 for the 1.45pm screening. Anyone who attended the 1.45pm screening in cinema 1 at the venue on June 13 is ordered to get tested immediately and self-isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result. Other moviegoers who were at the cinema on Sunday between 1.30pm-4pm are ordered to get tested and self isolate until further notice from authorities. Authorities are scrambling to track down hundreds of shoppers he may have exposed the virus to at another popular Westfield shopping centre. Pictured: Westfield Bondi Junction Customers wearing face masks at Westfield Bondi Junction. Contact tracers are racing to find hundreds of people who may have been exposed to the virus in the shopping centre He also dined at two Vaucluse restaurants including Washoku on June 12 between 12pm-1.30pm and Rocco's on June 14 between 10.55am-11.30am. The most recent venue he visited was the Celeste Catering Macquarie Park Cemetery Cafe in North Ryde on June 15 between 1pm-1.20pm. There are reports the frontline worker was not vaccinated, despite vaccines being offered to those working in the quarantine sector since March. Texas Republican Rep. Ronny Jackson, who served as Donald Trump's White House physician, on Thursday night called on Joe Biden to take a cognitive test to prove that he was capable of leading the country. 'We can't sit on this any longer,' Jackson told Fox News host Sean Hannity. He said Biden's performance overseas this week with world leaders was 'embarrassing'. Jackson told Hannity: 'He's not physically or cognitively fit to be our president right now.' Jackson said he had been saying this for years. 'I know what the rigors of this job are, physically and cognitively - it's demanding. 'He's not inspiring confidence. 'It's sending the wrong message to our adversaries.' Ronny Jackson, who served as Donald Trump's personal physician, on Thursday night told Sean Hannity he was deeply concerned about Joe Biden's mental state - declaring that he had been voicing concern for several years Jackson said that Biden's behavior on his trip to the UK, Belgium and Switzerland had been 'embarrassing' Jackson added: 'We need to know that we can trust our president, and we need to know that he's in charge of what's going on and someone else isn't pulling the strings behind the scenes. 'Because that's what it looks like now.' Jackson himself was subject to an Inspector General's report in March that found he engaged in 'inappropriate conduct' involving alcohol use, 'disparaged' and 'belittled' subordinates. He was Trump's unsuccessful nominee in 2018 to become the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. The congressman announced earlier on Thursday that he has sent Biden a letter urging him to take a cognitive test. Jackson has been circulating the letter with House colleagues and has been able to get the signatures of 13 GOP lawmakers. The letter cites the president's 'mental decline and forgetfulness', notes several of his 'gaffes', and urges the White House to publish the test results immediately. Texas Republican Rep. Ronny Jackson, who served as Donald Trump's White House physician, has sent President Joe Biden a letter urging him to take a cognitive test to prove he is 'mentally fit to be commander in chief It was addressed to the president, his physician Dr. Kevin O'Connor and Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci, and called on the Biden to share the results with the country. 'The American people deserve to have absolute confidence in their president,' it read. 'They deserve to know that he or she can perform the duties demanded of the office, and they deserve to have full transparency on the mental state of their highest elected leader. 'I would argue that the American people don't have that confidence in President Biden.' It goes on to list examples of moments of the president's apparent confusion - forgetting the name of the Defense Secretary, muddling Air Force One with Air Force Two, and apparently forgetting the words to the first line of the Declaration of Independence. 'Just everything that has been going on for the last year and a half [Biden] doesn't know what's going on, where he's at. He's very confused all the time,' he said in an interview with The Hill. Jackson was the physician in the Obama and Trump administrations, but has never evaluated Biden. He was famous for his partisan diagnoses, on one occasion saying that Trump had 'incredibly good genes' and that 'if he had a healthier diet over the last 20 years, he might live to be 200 years old.' On a Trump campaign call in October, he said he was convinced Biden does 'not have the mental capacity, the cognitive ability to serve as our commander in chief and head of state'. The letter went on to say how Trump's opponents and the media 'clamored for the then president to take a cognitive test. Trump 'excelled' at the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, it continued, before suggesting Biden was a prime candidate for further examination because of his forgetfulness. Trump later described the test, which he said he took to silence critics. 'It was 30 or 35 questions. The first questions are very easy,' he told Fox News. 'The last questions are much more difficult. Like a memory question 'It's like, you'll go, 'Person, woman, man, camera, TV.' 'So they say, 'Could you repeat that?' 'So I said, 'Yeah. So it's, person, woman, man, camera, TV.' ' OK, that's very good. If you get it in order, you get extra points.' Biden suffered an embarrassing stumble on the steps of Air Force One in March before flying to Georgia. He often jogs to the foot of the stairs and hops up one or two steps in a show of vigor when he knows the cameras are trained on him Biden's health and mental dexterity have been a frequent target for critics. At the age of 78 he has faced repeated questions about whether he has the energy and strength to get through a full four-year term or run again. They intensify with every misstep - such as when he tripped up the steps to Air Force One in March - or verbal gaffe, such as when he almost referred to Russian President Vladimir Putin as President Trump during his recent European trip. Biden frequently jogs to the steps of the presidential aircraft and the White House has issued multiple slow-motion videos of the president striding purposefully about his business. The White House has committed to releasing the results of a medical check-up before the end of they year, but officials are generally reluctant to discuss the president's health. Fully vaccinated tourists could be exempted from quarantine and testing when they return from amber list countries. It would mean amber list destinations, which include most of Europe, as well as the US, could effectively go green for the double-jabbed. However, the options to be considered by ministers are in their infancy and are unlikely to be in place before August. Fully vaccinated tourists could be exempted from quarantine and testing when they return from amber list countries Currently, Britons are advised not to travel to amber list countries unless it is essential although there is no legal sanction for doing so, provided travellers quarantine at home for ten days after returning and take two Covid tests. It has not yet been decided whether the proposals will be restricted to people returning to the UK, or those visiting here. It is also not clear whether there will be an exemption for children or those who are unable to be vaccinated. The plans will be discussed before June 28, the date on which ministers are due to announce the results of a wider review of the traffic light system for testing and quarantining travellers. Asked about the plans yesterday, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'Absolutely no decisions have been made on that.' A government spokesman said: 'Recognising the strong strategic rationale and success of the vaccine programme, we have commenced work to consider the role of vaccinations in shaping a different set of health and testing measures for inbound travel.' The change could save summer holidays for many as Spain, Portugal, Greece and the United States are currently on the amber list. Under current rules, Britons must self-isolate for ten days on return Tory MPs and travel chiefs have long been demanding a system to allow Britain to exploit the success of its vaccine programme for international travel. The EU has agreed no quarantine and testing schemes with key trading partners including the US and Hong Kong. At least 33 countries including Germany, France, Spain and Greece exempt vaccinated passengers from quarantine. Henry Smith, Tory chairman of the all-party Future of Aviation group, said Britain would be an 'outlier' if it did not adopt the same approach. 'If we don't do it, we will be at a significant disadvantage to our international competitors. Public health paranoia will have trumped common sense,' he said. Steve Heapy, boss of airline Jet2.com and tour operator Jet2holidays, described the prospect to exempt the fully-jabbed from quarantine as 'very welcome news'. Tory MPs and travel chiefs have long been demanding a system to allow Britain to exploit the success of its vaccine programme for international travel 'The vaccination programme was designed to protect people from coronavirus so that they can enjoy their freedoms once again,' he said. 'If people have received two doses of the vaccine and are still not allowed to travel overseas to enjoy their holidays, what is the purpose of the vaccination programme? 'At present, the UK remains largely grounded and our customers are left to look on with envy whilst the rest of Europe opens up.' Yesterday, Professor Neil Ferguson told the Royal Society of Medicine that current travel restrictions were 'ineffective window dressing'. He said measures including the mandatory ten-day quarantine were ineffective at reducing the spread of Covid. The epidemiologist, from Imperial College London, pointed to the rapid spread of the Indian variant as evidence that the quarantine policy 'doesn't work'. He also hinted that vaccinated Britons would be able to go on holiday in the 'coming weeks'. He added: 'Certainly from an epidemiological perspective, having fully vaccinated people travel pose less of a risk than having people who haven't been vaccinated travel. I suspect we will see something along those lines, evolve in the coming weeks.' Priti Patel and Robert Buckland have apologised to rape victims as they admitted they were 'deeply ashamed' after a review found that just 1,439 rapists out of 128,000 rapes committed in the past year were convicted. The Home Secretary, Justice Secretary and Attorney General Michael Ellis called the failings in the criminal justice system 'completely unacceptable' as they vowed to prosecute more than 1,000 extra rape suspects by the end of the current Parliament. A 60-page review revealed that 57 per cent of rape victims withdraw from their cases because they feel judged or disbelieved, fear for their mental health, and cannot face the trauma of a trial. Just 1,929 rape victims out of around 128,000 in the past year saw their suspected attacker charge - a rate of just 1.5 per cent - down from more than eight per cent on just five years ago. In a foreword to the report, which sets out measures to reverse plummeting rape prosecution rates, Miss Patel and Mr Buckland said: 'We owe this to every victim and are extremely sorry that the system has reached this point. 'These are trends of which we are deeply ashamed. Victims of rape are being failed. Thousands of victims have gone without justice. But this isn't just about numbers - every instance involves a real person who has suffered a truly terrible crime. 'We are not prepared to accept that rape is just 'too difficult' a crime to prosecute. We can, and must, do better. At the heart of this review is a system and culture change to ensure that victims feel supported and able to stay engaged with their case.' Justice Secretary Robert Buckland and Home Secretary Priti Patel (pictured) set out a blueprint which will see new targets introduced for the criminal justice system across England and Wales Ministers last night voiced their 'deep shame' over a sharp decline in rape convictions as they published an action plan to reverse the trend Combatting 'rape myths': Law Commission to review tougher restrictions on courts' cross-examination of victims The Law Commission has been asked to review tougher restrictions on courts' cross-examination of victims' previous sexual relationships and measures to combat 'rape myths' among juries, lawyers and judges. The review said: 'Reporting a rape takes a huge amount of bravery, so it is intolerable that the process of seeing a complaint through can be so painful, frustrating, and exhausting.' In 2020, Crown Prosecution Service lawyers set out a list of 39 myths or stereotypes that they should challenge when bringing a case to court. They include the false claims that rape has to always be violent or involving physical force, women cannot be raped by their husbands or partners, and that rape occurs between strangers in dark alleys. Advertisement The review blamed the collapse on intrusive police probes into victims' digital communications and court and investigative delays. It also cited a lack of specialist resources and 'inconsistent' support for survivors, including cases where the police inquiries were dropped without any explanation. Performance 'scorecards' will be published for the first time, which will allow league tables to be compiled on the way police forces and the Crown Prosecution Service handle rape. The ministers set an ambition of returning the numbers of rape suspects charged back to 2016 levels, the point at which they started to fall, by the end of the current Parliament in 2024. This would mean more than 1,000 more victims should see their perpetrators brought to trial. Under the plan, detectives will be told to focus rape investigations on offenders' behaviour rather than on the victim's 'credibility'. 'If you're a victim of a burglary, you don't expect a huge focus upon every aspect of your private life, just because you've been the victim of that type of crime,' said Mr Buckland. 'The focus is on trying to identify who was responsible and going after the perpetrator. 'In rape cases... what I want to try and move away from is this obsessive and too focused approach on the credibility or otherwise of the victim.' There will be 'much greater external scrutiny' of police and CPS decisions, including external panels to analyse cases where police decide to take no further action. Following controversy over the way victims' mobile phones are taken away for long periods of time for digital forensic examination, there will be a new pledge that 'no-one is left without a phone for more than 24 hours'. Replacement phones will be provided if the target is unavoidably exceeded. There will also be a new 24-hour support line for victims, and a variety of steps to ensure they have proper support, including legal advice. In other measures, pilot schemes will test how rape victims can challenge police requests for personal information. Vulnerable victims will be given the right to refuse permission for their mobile phones to be examined by police, the document says. The plan also sets out longer-term work on the way rape victims are treated under cross-examination by defence lawyers. In a foreword to the report, which sets out measures to reverse plummeting rape prosecution rates, Miss Patel and Mr Buckland said: 'We owe this to every victim and are extremely sorry that the system has reached this point' Ministers will ask the Law Commission to review whether current rules governing lawyers' ability to ask questions about a victim's previous sexual behaviour are 'watertight enough', Mr Buckland said. A government source said there was concern the justice system had become over-cautious after the 2017 case of Liam Allen, a student wrongly accused of rape. It emerged that a huge database of electronic messages had not been disclosed to his defence team which proved the complainant had pestered him for 'casual sex'. Sources said the 'pendulum had swung too far the other way'. The report added: 'The current situation is totally unacceptable and the Government is determined to change it: we owe this to every victim and are extremely sorry that the system has reached this point.' Katie Russell, of Rape Crisis England and Wales, said: 'Whether what has been announced will be enough remains to be seen. 'But we sincerely hope it will lead to change and we are fully invested in it being a success it has to be a success for the benefit of victims and survivors who are currently being failed, and victims and survivors of the future.' Dame Vera Baird, the Victims' Commissioner, said the Government had a 'mountain to climb' to restore confidence in the justice system. She added: 'It is disheartening that truly transformative policies, such as the pre-recording of video evidence of intimidated witnesses are to be put off yet again by further consultation, piloting or general delay.' One week after US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told lawmakers Thursday that he was 'concerned' about two Iranian warships thought to be carrying weapons bound for Venezuela, diplomatic warnings seem to have resulted in the ships changing course and moving along the west coast of Africa instead. While the ships now appear to be moving up the African coast, there is a possibility that they could change course once again. Officials in the US believe the ships may have been preparing to conduct an arms transfer in Venezuela. They believe the change in course was the result of successful diplomatic pressure to have governments in the region turn the ships away. According to Politico, a defense official believes the ships now appear to be headed towards either the Mediterranean and Syria or Russia. This map shows the path of the Iranian warships and where they may be headed next Iranian state TV previously reported that the ships, including the domestically built destroyer Sahand, had made it to the Atlantic Ocean Former oil tanker, Makran, is one of two ships that were sailing south along the east coast of Africa and were believed to be en route to Venezuela before changing course TankerTrackers.com believes the ships are now headed towards Syria for military exercises TankerTrackers.com tweeted their own projection that the warships may be headed to Syria for military exercises with Russia and will reach Gibraltar around July 4. Still, last week was the first time Iranian warships ever rounded the Cape of Good Hope in Africa, showing the country's growing naval might. The White House, State Department and Pentagon have not publicly commented on the ships' movements. Speaking before the Senate Armed Service Committee, Austin said last week that he shared senators' worries about the ships, which were believed to be somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean at the time after departing from the Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas last month. 'I am absolutely concerned about the proliferation of weapons, any type of weapons, in our neighborhood,' he told members of the committee. It was the first public remarks he made about the vessels, which US intelligence officials have been tracking since they embarked on an unprecedented mission around the east coast of Africa toward the Atlantic Ocean, Politico reported. Iranian naval ship the Makran is seen in Bandar Abbas, Iran, in this satellite image taken in April The ships also rounded the Cape of Good Hope for the first time in Iranian history (Sahand) The Biden administration had been pressuring Venezuela as well as Cuba to turn the ships away, with a senior administration official saying that the US views delivery of weapons in its hemisphere as a threat and that it will take 'appropriate measures' to prevent it. 'The delivery of such weapons would be a provocative act and understood as a threat to our partners in the Western Hemisphere,' a senior administration official told Politico. 'We would reserve the right to take appropriate measures in coordination with our partners to deter the transit or delivery of such weapons.' The US also reached out to other countries in region, asking them to turn the ships away as well, the outlet reported. Former national security adviser John Bolton referred to the ships as 'pirate ships.' 'The United States has a legitimate right of self-defense against both of them,' Bolton said. Retired Adm. James Stavridis also wrote in an op-ed that 'intervention may be justified' if the ships tried to carry out an arms transfer in Venezuela. 'If the U.S. was willing to seize Iranian oil shipments for violating sanctions last year, it should be prepared to take direct action to stop these small but lethal machines of war from being delivered to a corrupt and dangerous regime in Caracas,' Stavridis wrote in Bloomberg. Iranian state TV previously reported that the ships - the domestically built destroyer Sahand and support vessel Makran - had made it to the Atlantic Ocean in what Iran's deputy army chief Admiral Habibollah Sayyari described as the Iranian navy's longest and most challenging voyage yet. In this photo released last Thursday by the Iranian army, warships seen in the Atlantic Ocean An image grab from footage obtained from Iranian State TV IRIB on December 27, 2019 shows a view of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy frigate Sahand during joint Iran-Russia-China naval drills in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Oman Iranian state TV released a short clip of the destroyer cruising through the Atlantic's rough seas. The video likely was shot from the Makran, a converted commercial oil tanker with a mobile launch platform for helicopters. 'The Navy is improving its seafaring capacity and proving its long-term durability in unfavorable seas and the Atlantic's unfavorable weather conditions,' Sayyari said, adding that the warships would not call at any country's port during the mission. Intelligence indicated that the Makran was at one point carrying Iranian fast-attack craft typically associated with its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard Corps. Satellite imagery from Maxar technologies showed at least seven such vessels on the ship's deck. The craft, believed to be part of the Peykaap family of boats, were recently seen swarming US Coast Guard and Navy ships in the Persian Gulf in April. The incidents only resulted in warning shots. It is not clear whether the craft were still aboard when the Makran left port. A senior Biden administration official told Politico that the ships are believed to be carrying weapons as part of a deal struck between Iran and Venezuela last year, but did not specify what kind of armaments they could be carrying. Iran maintains close ties to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, and has shipped gasoline and other products to the country amid a US sanctions campaign targeting fuel-starved Caracas. Venezuela is believed to have paid Iran, under US sanctions of its own, for the shipments. Iran has also established both a car assembly plant and a huge cement factory in Venezuela. A top aide to Maduro denied press reports that the ships would dock there. During a news conference on May 31, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh declined to say where the Makran was going. 'Iran is always present in international waters and it has this right based on international law and it can be present in international waters,' he said. 'No country is able to violate this right, and I warn that no one makes miscalculations. 'Those who sit in glass houses should be careful.' Retired Adm. James Stavridis also wrote in an op-ed that 'intervention may be justified' if the ships tried to carry out an arms transfer in Venezuela (Makran pictured) 'This does not look like an oil or fuel cargo delivery,' tweeted Sen. Marco Rubio last week, who serves as vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee. 'This has all the markings of delivery on an arms sale (such as fast attack boats) to Venezuela coupled with the opportunity to project a message of strength to the Biden administration.' Last year reports emerged that Venezuela was considering purchasing long-range missiles from the Islamic Republic, which the US considered a 'red line,' Politico reported. That sale never came to pass. Access to sick pay for individuals self-isolating with Covid was suppressed by the Treasury in the winter peak of the pandemic, it has been claimed. Leaked emails suggested staff were instructed to conceal how a little-known function of the furlough scheme could be used to access help. According to messages obtained by the news site Politico, civil servants in January and February were told to conceal the provision as Covid cases surged, along with the furlough schemes cost. Furlough can be used to cover self-isolation, but HMT (Her Majestys Treasury) are reluctant to say this explicitly in guidance because it could lead to employees being furloughed who do not need to be, a senior civil servant was said to have complained. Labour, which has called for greater financial support to increase self-isolation compliance, accused Chancellor Rishi Sunak (pictured) of shameful and reckless behaviour The official also claimed the Treasury was blocking information that would have told employers and employees how to access the cash. Politico said it had seen emails in which the subject was repeatedly raised between officials, advisers and ministers. It was cynically suppressed Labour, which has called for greater financial support to increase self-isolation compliance, accused Chancellor Rishi Sunak of shameful and reckless behaviour. Statutory sick pay is worth 96.35 per week and is not available to everyone, while the one-off self-isolation payment for people on low incomes is 500. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer (pictured) said he was really concerned by the revelation Downing Street did not deny the report but said self-isolation should not be a consideration when a business is deciding if a business should furlough an employee. Unsafe test kits cleared Rapid Covid tests recalled in America over accuracy fears can still be used in the UK. The US Food and Drug Administration last week branded the devices a risk to health. But the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) yesterday concluded they are safe. The Government has spent 2.8billion on the Innova kits, distributed by NHS Test and Trace. The MHRA said their licence, due to end next week, had been extended after a satisfactory outcome of the review undertaken as a result of recent action in the USA. Advertisement Government guidance says the scheme is not intended for short-term absences from work due to sickness. If employers want to furlough employees for business reasons and they are currently off sick, they are eligible to do so, as with other employees. In these cases, the employee should no longer receive sick pay and would be classified as a furloughed employee. A Treasury spokesman last night said: It has always been clear that the purpose of the furlough scheme is to support jobs weve been upfront about that from the start. Echoing official guidance, he said: If an employer wants to furlough an employee for business reasons and they are currently off sick then they are eligible to do so as with other employees. He added: This has been set out in guidance since April last year. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he was really concerned by the revelation. Self-isolation is a huge tool in the armoury when it comes to defeating the pandemic, but too many people felt that they couldnt afford to self-isolate, he added. We have been saying this for a year or more, so the idea now that this has been suppressed I think is so wrong in terms of how we fight this pandemic. Joe Clarke, a national officer at the Unite union, said: This revelation is absolutely disgusting and demonstrates that the Government acted recklessly with the safety of workers. The Government cynically suppressed this information from businesses at a time when over 1,000 people a day were dying from Covid. More than 1.5million operations were cancelled or delayed last year as the pandemic wreaked havoc on NHS hospitals, a damning report reveals today. Total surgical procedures plummeted by one third in 2020 compared with previous years due to the catastrophic impact of Covid-19. Experts projected this shortfall will increase to 2.4million operations by the end of this year leading to avoidable deaths and plunging millions of patients into misery and pain. The study is the first to lay bare the true scale of disruption to surgery as the NHS stopped publishing official data on cancelled operations during the pandemic. The figures emerged as Matt Hancock yesterday warned NHS waiting lists could double as patients who have put off seeking care during the pandemic come forward. After 18 months of chemotherapy, Adrian Rogers was given a glimmer of hope when he was deemed ready for potentially life-saving bowel cancer surgery last February. Pictured, with his wife Amanda, 48 The Health Secretary revealed 7.1million fewer people than expected were added to the list for a diagnosis or non-urgent treatment last year. Waiting lists already stand at a record 5.1million and are expected grow even as the NHS returns its focus to tackling the backlog. The research compared levels of surgical procedures in England and Wales during 2020 with the average number carried out from 2016 to 2019. It found there were 1,568,664 fewer surgical admissions than expected, with total operations down 33 per cent. The figures emerged as Matt Hancock (pictured) yesterday warned NHS waiting lists could double as patients who have put off seeking care during the pandemic come forward Shockingly, only 2.3 per cent of planned elective operations occurred last April and overall surgery including emergencies fell by 73 per cent (file image) The biggest fall in admissions was seen in Class 3 semi-urgent surgery for illnesses such as prostate or skin cancer. Some 904,000 fewer operations were carried out. Were left with what-ifs After 18 months of chemotherapy, Adrian Rogers was given a glimmer of hope when he was deemed ready for potentially life-saving bowel cancer surgery last February. Adrian Rogers died in February But when the pandemic hit, the 46-year-olds operation was delayed and the number of tumours in his bowels and liver rose from six to 20. Tragically, in August he was told his cancer was terminal and he passed away in February. At the time, Mr Rogers, from Nottinghamshire, said the health service left him and his family high and dry. After his death, his wife Amanda, 48, said: I do often think about the what-ifs what wouldve happened if he had been able to have his operation at the start of last year. Advertisement Even Class 1 emergency life-saving surgery, such as for strokes or appendicitis, was down 13 per cent last year. Elective surgery including hip and knee replacements or hernias fell by 52 per cent with nearly half a million patients missing out. Shockingly, only 2.3 per cent of planned elective operations occurred last April and overall surgery including emergencies fell by 73 per cent. Hospitals were forced to cancel thousands of operations to make space for a surge in Covid patients and free intensive care beds. The Governments stay at home message during lockdown has also been blamed for putting people off getting symptoms checked or coming forward for surgery out of fear of catching Covid. The study, published today in the British Journal of Anaesthesia, concluded it would take six months of pre-pandemic surgical activity to get through the shortfall. Co-lead author Dr Tom Dobbs, from Swansea University Medical School, said: The interruption of surgical treatment will be felt by millions of patients for many years to come. We need more financial commitment from Government and tough decisions to be made about which patients should be prioritised for NHS treatment over the coming weeks, months and years. Dr Tom Abbott, co-lead author from Queen Mary University of London, added: The long-term consequence of the disruption is unclear but we anticipate that for many patients their quality of life will be severely affected. But an NHS spokesman said: This study is wrong to compare the data in this way because the reduction in this activity occurred because fewer people came forward for care this is why the NHS has been running a campaign encouraging people to access services when they need to, as normal. At the NHS Confederation conference yesterday, Mr Hancock said the Government will increase staffing and funding, and hopes to return treatment to above pre-pandemic levels. An apparently random drive-by shooting spree in the suburbs northwest of Phoenix has left one person dead, three others shot, and another nine treated for minor injuries. Police in Surprise, Arizona confirmed on Thursday afternoon that the suspected shooter's vehicle had been intercepted by officers, and that a lone suspect was in custody. The chaotic shooting spree spanned across eight separate scenes where shots were fired, as the gunman drove a white SUV through the area firing wildly at strangers, investigators said. 'We don't know the nexus, we don't know what the motive was, we have an idea of what this person was thinking when they went out and did this,' said Peoria Police Department Sergeant Brandon Sheffert. 'Obviously we want to figure that out.' Police have not yet released any identification or information about the suspect, saying only that he is an adult male. Cops say further information will be released when he is booked into jail. Police released this photo of the suspect vehicle after taking the alleged shooter into custody The suspect vehicle in the shooting spree is seen after being stopped by police. One suspect is in police custody after the drive-by shooting rampage on Thursday in Arizona Investigators respond to the scene of one of the shootings. The chaotic shooting spree spanned across eight separate scenes where shots were fired Peoria police said multiple shootings occurred Thursday afternoon in Arizona FBI agents were spotted on the scene assisting local investigators, according to AZFamily.com. Peoria police say there were at least 13 victims over the course of the hour and a half shooting spree, including four gunshot victims, one of whom died. The other three gunshot victims are expected to survive. The additional injuries included cuts from broken glass and similar shrapnel injuries, police said. Sgt. Greg Welch told DailyMail.com that the shootings appear to have been carried out 'at random'. Arizona resident Hailee Beaton said her mom was shot by the unnamed suspect. It is not clear what condition her mother is in. At 4pm, she tweeted to warn people to stay off the road as someone was 'driving around and shooting random cars.' 'There's multiple victims, including my mom that have been shot or have had their vehicles shot on Bell Road, Union Hills and the 303.' 'We don't know he nexus, we don't know what the motive was, we don't know what this person was thinking when they went out and did this,' a Peoria Police Sgt Brandon Sheffert (right) said The first known shooting happened near 115th Avenue and Bell Road at around 12.30pm. A few minutes later, a vehicle was shot at on the Loop 303 and El Mirage Road in Surprise. Someone else was shot in their car shortly after. A woman was later shot in Peoria, southeast of Surprise. She suffered from non-life-threatening injuries. The fatal shooting occurred on the Loop 101 at Thunderbird Road, where a victim was found dead inside a car. Police confirmed there were at least eight separate shooting incidents before the suspect was apprehended. The deadly spree came to an end when a crew of firefighters spotted an SUV matching the suspect vehicle description and alerted nearby police units in Surprise. Investigators said that the suspect was cooperative when confronted, and taken into custody without incident. A gun was recovered from the vehicle, police said The vehicle description had been broadcast widely over emergency radio networks in the area after a 911 caller provided a detailed description, including license plate number, police said. Investigators said that the suspect was cooperative when confronted, and taken into custody without incident. A firearm was recovered from the suspect's vehicle by Surprise police officers who effected the stop. 'This is an extremely complex investigation because it involves multiple jurisdictions,' said Sgt. Sheffert. Agencies involved in the investigation include the Peoria Police Department, Surprise Police Department, Glendale Police Department, Maricopa County Sherriffs Office, Arizona Department of Public Safety, FBI and ATF. The Peoria Police Department will be the lead agency on the investigation, and is expected to release more information on Thursday night. Victoria has recorded one new local Covid-19 case as New South Wales anxiously waits to hear whether its four-case outbreak has grown further. The state's Department of Health on Friday found one community case of the virus and one in hotel quarantine overnight from 35,252 test results. Health authorities in NSW and Canberra meanwhile are on alert after an infected Sydney man in his 40s carrying low levels of the virus visited the ACT on June 14. The man, from Baulkham Hills in Sydney's north-west, visited the National Gallery of Australia's Boticelli to Van Gogh exhibition and gift shop from 12pm to 1.45pm on Monday. Anyone who visited the gallery at the same time has been told to get tested and immediately isolate until they receive a negative result. The same advice applies to anyone who visited Via Dolce Pasticceria, a popular Italian dessert and pizza eatery, on the same day from 2.45-3.15pm. Victoria has recorded one new local Covid-19 case from 35,252 test results. Pictured is a queue outside a Covid-19 testing site in Melbourne on Wednesday The alert for Canberra comes as Sydney's Covid exposure list continues to grow, with a popular bowling club and Harris Farm supermarket added on Tuesday night. New South Wales has seen four new coronavirus cases in the last 48 hours, after a 40-day run without a single locally acquired infection. Authorities are now scrambling to keep the lid on a potential outbreak, after a driver who transported international flight crew tested positive on Wednesday. The Bondi man's wife has since also tested positive, as has a woman in her 70s who was at a Vaucluse cafe at the same time. Dr Greg Kelly, from The Children's Hospital at Westmead in Sydney, blasted NSW Health over poor protocols that allowed the driver to contract the virus while working. 'This latest NSW leak 100% preventable. Australia, all that is standing between airborne #COVID-19 & frontline workers (and therefore you, grandma & the rest of us) is a flimsy surgical mask,' he wrote. Health authorities are urging anyone who went to the National Gallery of Australia's Boticelli to Van Gogh exhibition or gift shop from 12-1.45pm last Monday to get tested and immediately isolate Anyone who visited Via Dolce Pasticceria, a popular Italian dessert and pizza eatery last Monday from 2.45-3.15pm is advised to get tested and immediately isolate The Indian Delta variant of the virus is believed to spread faster than the Indian Kappa strain, with global health experts warning it could also be even deadlier. Pictured are cars lining up for Covid-19 testing at Bondi on Thursday Testing queue swelled again on Thursday as yet more exposure sites were announced (pictured, the drive-through clinic in Bondi Beach) 'No airborne PPE, no smart workplace engineering, & no vaccine. THIS JUST ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH. 'People absolutely need to start losing jobs over this, and I dont mean poor cafe and gym owners, I mean people with responsibility for quarantine.' A man in his 40s in Sydney's north-west, with no known links to other infections, has also tested positive - but authorities are still investigating whether he currently has the virus. An infected case visited Northmead Bowling Club (pictured) on Sunday for six-and-a-half hours Northmead Bowling Club was announced as an exposure site late on Thursday night, with anyone there from 3.30pm to 10pm on Sunday June 13 told to get tested and isolate immediately. A further venue in the East Village Shopping Centre in Zetland has also been put on alert, with anyone who went to Lorna Jane in the centre on Monday between 11am and 1pm told to seek testing and isolate for two weeks, regardless of the result. Bondi's The Health Emporium is also now on the list. Gladys Berejiklian has warned Sydney residents to avoid large-scale events near the city's growing list of 19 exposure sites to prevent a potential super-spreader event. An infected man is believed to have shipped at the Leichhardt Harris Farm on Tuesday between 9.50am and 10.05am However she stopped short of making face masks compulsory on public transport. Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said genomic sequencing showed the limousine driver had a strain of the highly-contagious Indian Delta varient never seen before in Australia. 'This strain does not match anything that's been uploaded in Australia at this time, but it does match perfectly a sequence that's been uploaded from the US,' she said. The Indian Delta variant of the virus is believed to spread faster than the Indian Kappa strain, with global health experts warning it could also be even deadlier. Ms Berejiklian said she strongly recommended wearing a mask on public transport in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. The announcement came as Tasmania, Victoria and Queensland announced anyone who had been to the exposure sites was not allowed to enter their state. Digital signs encouraging customers to wear face masks during the pandemic pictured at Westfield Bondi Junction. A woman in her 70s has also tested positive in Vaucluse, meaning Sydney's latest outbreak has reached four cases The island state announced Wednesday morning it would block all New South Wales travellers who had been to any of the hotspots and anyone who had visited a listed site since June 11 has to immediately get tested and isolate. 'Anyone who is planning on travelling to Tasmania who has been to any of these high-risk premises at the specified dates and times will not be permitted to enter the state,' Tasmania's Director of Public Health Mark Veitch said. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk also said she would closely monitor the ongoing situation, with closed borders likely to occur given the previous decisions to quickly block residents from New South Wales from entering the state. Advertisement A massive Sahara Desert dust cloud is sweeping in across the Atlantic coast, which is set to provide Florida residents with brilliant sunsets to Florida and terrible allergies. NASA is monitoring the cloud, which was swept off Africa by strong winds swirling across the deserts of Mali and Mauritania, and Bob Smerberck with AccuWeather told DailyMail.com that the plume will hit southern Florida Friday. 'It is right on the doorstep [of Florida] right now,' said Smerberck, who is the senior meteorologist. 'It will shift northward across the state tomorrow and through the weekend.' The dust plume, which traveled nearly 5,000 miles across the ocean, is expected to dampen storm activity but worsen air pollution, causing trouble for some people with allergies and other respiratory problems, which some health experts say symptoms could mimic those from COVID-19. However, the plume is carrying 24 tons of dust particles that scatters more light in the sky, producing beautiful red, orange and pink colors in the sky Florida residents. 'The plume is going to give us beautiful sunsets and sun rises, but on the other hand, it will give you allergies and respiratory issues. It is like a double-edged sword,' Smerberck said. Scroll down for video A massive Sahara Desert dust cloud is sweeping in across the Atlantic coast, which is set to provide Florida residents with brilliant sunsets to Florida and terrible allergies. Pictured is an animation of the plume on June 16 Around this time last year, another desert plume came sweeping across the Atlantic that was so massive, it earned the nickname 'Godzilla.' 'Last year was one of the biggest dust clouds in 50 years and stretches the same distances as this year's, but it went deeper into the US,' said Smerberck. 'But we will see how far this one goes.' Just like the one in June 2020, dry winds carrying the recent cloud could help smother storm systems by drying out the humid tropical air that feeds turbulent weather across a well-traveled route for hurricanes, experts said. Some parts of the plume in the Caribbean are very thick, according to Smerberck, which is already causing poor visibility in islands such as Cuba. NASA is monitoring the dust (red), which was swept off Africa by strong winds swirling across the deserts of Mali and Mauritania. Trade winds are carrying the plume across the ocean, with the leading edge expected to arrive in Florida in the coming days The plume is expected to dampen storm activity but worsen air pollution, causing trouble for some people with allergies and other respiratory problems, and some health experts say symptoms could mimic those from COVID-19. Meteorologists are watching the plume closely and pictured is a prediction for Friday, June 18 Just like the one in June 2020, dry winds carrying the recent cloud could help smother storm systems by drying out the humid tropical air that feeds turbulent weather across a well-traveled route for hurricanes, experts said However, there is also a disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico that could cut off the dust cloud as it attempts to travel further north. 'We are in prime time right now for these dust system and looks like it will continue,' Smerberck said. 'Last year there was a lot of tropical activity of African easterly waves, which gives more chances for these winds that carry the dust. 'Right now it looks pretty busy. There is a similarity this year as last year and it may be an above average but that can change.' A recent study identified Godzilla's path last year and it could be a similar route taken by this year's dust plume. African easterly jets carried it to the Atlantic where it was handed off to the North Atlantic Subtropical High, which then transported it towards the Caribbean region. 'Once the dust reaches the Caribbean region, the Caribbean low-level jet that's another system along with the subtropical high can further transport the dust from Caribbean region towards the State,' said the study's lead author, Bing Pu, assistant professor of geography & atmospheric sciences at KU, in a statement regarding the study. Data of the current dust cloud showed that on Wednesday, June 16, Florida residents were already experiencing poor air quality. Trade winds are carrying the dust nearly 5,000 miles across the ocean, with the leading edge expected to arrive in Florida in the coming days Just like the one in June 2020, dry winds carrying the recent cloud could help smother storm systems by drying out the humid tropical air that feeds turbulent weather across a well-traveled route for hurricanes, experts said Data showed that on Wednesday, June 16, Florida residents were already experiencing poor air quality Scientists and health experts have long monitored the plumes for their effect on weather, the climate and the oceans, but it is unclear how severely the incoming plume of dust will affect human health. 'Those patients are dragging with them some level of damage to their lungs and this dust storm could very well exacerbate their symptoms,' Orlando Health pulmonologist Dr. Herman Gaztambide, told Wesh 2. 'When you have COVID-19 infection, it's an active infection, so you are expected to have a fever with it which is very different than allergies which would give you almost every other symptom, but allergies can never give you fever. When the plume makes its way over Florida, skies will become hazy due to the tiny dust particles, resulting in enhanced sunsets in the Sunshine state. The 2020 dust storm was record-breaking event that formed on June 14 and reigned terror on the Atlantic until June 28. According to NOAA's Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, the dust plume was somewhere between 60 to 70 percent heavier than average, making it the dustiest event since records began around 20 years ago. Earth's energy imbalance has doubled in the 14-year period from 2005 to 2019, according to a study led by NASA researchers. This means more energy is being absorbed from the Sun than is reflected back to space, throwing the Earth's energy 'out of balance' and warming the planet. The Earth's positive energy imbalance is due to increasing atmospheric pollution in the form of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and ozone (O3), researchers say. These pollutants block the Earth's radiant heat from escaping into space, increasing absorption of sunlight and trapping heat within the atmosphere. Unless the rate of heat uptake subsides, greater changes in climate than are already occurring should be expected, the experts warn. Scroll down for video More energy is being absorbed from the Sun than is emitted back to space, throwing the Earth's energy 'out of balance' and warming the planet Earth's energy imbalance is still relatively small a 0.3 per cent difference between solar radiation absorbed and thermal radiation emitted to space as of 2019. But any kind of positive imbalance increases the risk of ice sheet disintegration and sea level rise during this century. WHAT IS ENERGY IMBALANCE? Energy imbalance is described as the difference between the amount of energy from the sun arriving at the Earth and the amount returning to space. Earth's climate is determined by a delicate balance between how much of the Sun's radiative energy is absorbed in the atmosphere and at the surface and how much thermal infrared radiation Earth emits to space. A positive energy imbalance means the Earth system is gaining energy, causing the planet to heat up. Most of the energy imbalance warms the ocean. The remainder heats the land, melts ice and warms the atmosphere. Source: NASA/International Science Council Advertisement 'The trends we found were quite alarming in a sense,' said study author Dr Norman Loeb at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. Dr Loeb told Scientific American that energy imbalance 'is a much more fundamental measurement than surface temperature'. 'This is the entire planet, what is being added or removed from the entire planet,' he said. And according to a 2016 study, energy imbalance is 'the most fundamental metric defining the status of global climate change'. The Earth takes in about 240 watts per square metre of energy from the Sun. In 2005, it was radiating about 239.5 watts creating a positive imbalance of around 0.5 watt. But by 2019, that gap had nearly doubled to about 1 full watt per square metre. The energy increase between 2005 and 2019 is equivalent to every person on Earth using 20 electric tea kettles at once, study author Gregory Johnson at NOAA told the Washington Post. 'It is a massive amount of energy, he said. Its such a hard number to get your mind around. Earth's climate is determined by a delicate balance between how much of the Sun's radiative energy is absorbed in the atmosphere and at the surface mostly by the oceans and how much thermal infrared radiation Earth emits to space. A positive energy imbalance means the Earth system is gaining energy, causing the planet to heat up. The warming drives other changes, such as snow and ice melt, and increased water vapour and cloud changes that can further enhance the warming. Earth's energy imbalance is the net effect of all these factors. Scientists at NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) compared data from two independent measurements to determine the positive energy imbalance. Firstly, NASA's Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) suite of satellite sensors measures how much energy enters and leaves Earth's system. In addition, data from a global array of floats dotted around the world's oceans, called Argo, gives an estimate of the rate at which the world's oceans are heating up. Energy imbalance is described as the difference between the amount of energy from the sun arriving at the Earth and the amount returning to space (concept image) Since about 90 per cent of the excess energy from an energy imbalance ends up in the ocean, changes in ocean heat should match overall trends of incoming and outgoing radiation, NASA says. 'The two very independent ways of looking at changes in Earth's energy imbalance are in really, really good agreement,' said Dr Loeb. 'They're both showing this very large trend, which gives us a lot of confidence that what we're seeing is a real phenomenon and not just an instrumental artefact.' To determine the primary factors driving the imbalance, the team used a method that looked at changes in clouds, water vapour, combined contributions from trace gases and the output of light from the Sun. It also determined something called 'surface albedo' the amount of light reflected by the Earth's surface as well as tiny atmospheric particles called aerosols and changes in surface and atmospheric temperature distributions. The study reveals that the doubling of the imbalance is partially the result an increase in greenhouse gases due to human activity, also known as anthropogenic forcing. Also, increases in water vapour are trapping more outgoing longwave radiation, further contributing to Earth's energy imbalance. Additionally, a decrease in clouds and sea ice lead to more absorption of solar energy. This is because their reflective white surfaces are ideal for bouncing back the Sun's light. On top of this, researchers point to the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) a climatic event which cover vast areas of the Pacific Ocean over periods of 20 to 30 years. A flip of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) from a cool phase to a warm phase likely played a major role in the intensification of the energy imbalance. The Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) is a term used to explain climatic events that cover vast a area of the Pacific Ocean. Exceedingly high or low temperatures from the PDO results in a horseshoe-like pattern off the western coast of the US (pictured) An intensely warm PDO phase that began around 2014 and continued until 2020 caused a widespread reduction in cloud coverage over the ocean and a corresponding increase in the absorption of solar radiation. 'It's likely a mix of anthropogenic forcing and internal variability,' said Dr Loeb. 'And over this period they're both causing warming, which leads to a fairly large change in Earth's energy imbalance. The magnitude of the increase is unprecedented.' The study, published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, is only a snapshot relative to long-term climate change. Because of this, it's not possible to predict with any certainty what the coming decades might look like for Earth's energy balance, they say. But observing the magnitude and variations of Earth's energy imbalance are vital to understanding Earth's changing climate, according to the team. A male rat in China has given birth by Caesarean section after a 'vile' experiment that involved joining it to a female rat and transplanting a uterus. Scientists from the Naval Medical University in Shanghai said the experiment may have 'a profound impact on reproductive biology.' They did not spell out the implications for humans but it comes after studies exploring the possibility of transplanting a uterus into transgender women. The team joined a male and female rat together by attaching their skin and sharing their blood, then transplanting a uterus into the male and implanting embryos into both male and female rats. The embryos were allowed to develop to term, that is 21.5 days, with ten successful pups out of 27 'normal' embryos in the male delivered by Caesarean section. Those went on to live into adulthood and were able to reproduce, suffering no wider ill effects to heart, lung or liver, the team explained. The scientists said: 'A mammalian animal model of male pregnancy was constructed by us.' However, PETA's Senior Science Policy Advisor, Emily McIvor, called the study 'frankenscience' and 'vile'. For the study they joined a male and female rat together by attaching their skin and sharing blood between the two halves of the new pairing, then transplanting a uterus into the male half and implanting embryos into both male and female rats For the study they joined a male and female rat together by attaching their skin and sharing blood between the two halves of the new pairing, then transplanting a uterus into the male half and implanting embryos into both male and female rats How male rats gave birth The researchers created what is known as a parabiotic pair, that is they conjoined a male and female rat. This involved opening them up and attaching them together by their skin to create a single flow of blood. They used inbred Lewis rats for the study as they were less likely to reject their shared blood. Then, once the shared system was established, the researchers grafted a uterus into the male half of the pair. They then implanted developing embryos into both the male and female halves, to ensure the female was pregnant. This was so the 'shared blood' and system would be 'pregnant blood'. They found this was necessary for the embryos within the male uterus to develop to full term. They were allowed to grow to term - or 21.5 days - and then both sets were delivered by Caesarean section. They had 46 'pairs' of rats and a total of 562 embryos were transferred to female halves and 280 to the males. A total of 169 (30%) of embryos had developed normally in the native uteruses of females, whereas only 27 (9%) had developed normally in the grafted uteruses of males. At term just ten pups survived after being delivered from the male uterus but they had no long term health issues. Advertisement The scientists said they were inspired to see if an embryo could survive in a 'male uterus' by male seahorses who give birth. Male pregnancy is an incredibly rare phenomenon in nature - so rare that syngnathidae, a family of fish which includes seahorses, pipefishes, and seadragons, is the only known species where males carry offspring in pregnancy. The study builds on earlier experiments where mouse embryos were implanted into other parts of the male body - not a uterus - but they only develop for a short time. So they designed a 'rat model' that removed these constraints, effectively stitching a male and female rat together to create a single conjoined entity. But Ms McIvor told MailOnline: 'Surgically joining two sensitive rats who endured mutilation and weeks of prolonged suffering is unethical and in the realm of Frankenscience.' 'Rats have nervous systems just like those of humans,' she said, adding that 'they feel pain, fear, loneliness, and joy, just as humans do.' The team used inbred Lewis rats, which have a 21 to 23 day gestation, with groups of female rats selected either for their uterus or to develop the initial embryo. They transplanted the uterus from a female into the male rat, who had been previously castrated. The team implanted embryos into the newly implanted uterus, as well as the native uterus of the female rat that was still joined to the male. This allowed them to observe embryonic development in the grafted uterus of the male under pregnant blood exposure. Implanting embryos in the uterus of the attached female rat worked as a test and also so the ones in the male could develop under the shared 'pregnancy blood'. In total they had 46 pairs of rats conjoined together with both sides made pregnant, and a total of 562 embryos were transferred to female halves and 280 to the males. 'We found that 169 embryos had developed normally in the native uteruses of the females, whereas only 27 had developed normally in male rats,' the team, led by Rongjia Zhang, said. Effectively by implanting the embryo in the female half of the pairing as well as the male, it meant their newly shared blood was under female pregnant conditions. 'Finally, we performed caesarean section if the male was pregnant,' they explained. While performing caesarean section on the males, they found some abnormal dead foetuses - a phenomenon not observed in those born to the attached female. There were a number of conditions found within the hundreds of embryos implanted within the 46 pairs of rats, as well as health issues within the rat pairs themselves They castrated the male and blocked the female vagina so that both sets of rats gave birth through Caesarean section 'These dead foetuses differed from normal foetuses in terms of morphology and colour; they were accompanied by atrophied or swollen placentas,' the team said. There were also surviving foetuses, some lasting just two hours and others more than a day, according to the researchers, who say that the body weight after two hours wasn't significantly different to those born of the female. The ten successful pups that were born of the male rat developed into adulthood and were 'functionally reproductive, the team added. These pups also had no obvious abnormalities in the heart, lung, liver, kidney, brain, testis, ovary or uterus, based on a histological examination. Some of the foetuses survived to term, others were reabsorbed into the uterus, those developing in the female uterus were much more successful, the team found 'To our knowledge, pregnancy has never been reported in male mammalian animals,' the authors wrote in their paper. 'In this study, we constructed a rat model of pregnancy in the male and found that transplanted embryos were able to develop to adulthood in the grafted uteruses of males [conjoined to a female] during exposure to the blood of pregnant female. 'The success rate of the entire experiment was very low, but 10 pups were successfully delivered from males by caesarean section.' However, to make it possible for a male with an implanted uterus to successfully develop and give birth to pups, they had to expose both the uterus and male to the blood and body of a pregnant female rat attached by their skin. They designed a 'rat model' that removed these constraints, effectively stitching a male and female rat together to create a single conjoined entity Peta's Ms McIvor added: 'In this vile study, after being castrated and forcibly conjoined to a female rat, male rats were cut open and implanted with a uterus and embryos were inserted in them all to establish if they could 'successfully' produce young. 'The main result: "abnormal" dead foetuses,' she added. 'These shocking experiments are driven solely by curiosity and do nothing to further our understanding of the human reproductive system. 'Animals deserve to be respected and left in peace, not bred in laboratories, experimented on, and treated like disposable objects.' The findings have been published in the biology pre-print server bioRxiv.org. It's often referred to as the 'King of the Dinosaurs', and now a new study has revealed that T.Rex was a tyrant from a young age. Researchers from the University of Maryland suggest that everywhere T.Rex rose to dominance, their juveniles took over and wiped out all other medium-sized predators. While previous research has suggested that medium-sized predators disappeared due to a lack of prey, the new findings suggest that teen T.Rex may actually be to blame. Scroll down for video Researchers from the University of Maryland suggest that everywhere T.Rex rose to dominance, their juveniles took over and wiped out all other medium-sized predators WHAT WAS T. REX? Tyrannosaurs rex was a species of bird-like, meat-eating dinosaur. It lived between 6866 million years ago in what is now the western side of North America. They could reach up to 40 feet (12 metres) long and 12 feet (4 metres) tall. More than 50 fossilised specimens of T.Rex have been collected to date. The monstrous animal had one of the strongest bites in the animal kingdom. An artist's impression of T.Rex Advertisement In the study, the team set out to understand why there was a dramatic drop-off in diversity of medium-sized predators in lands that eventually became central Asia and Western North America around 95 to 80 million years ago. Thomas Holtz, who led the study, said: 'Earlier in the history of dinosaurs, in most communities you'd have a bunch of different types of carnivores of various size ranges from small fox-sized all the way up to the occasional giants. 'Then something happens between 95 and 80 million years ago, where we see a shift. 'The really big carnivores, larger than an elephant, like tyrannosaurs and their kin, become the apex predators, and the middle-sized predators, say leopard to buffalo-sized carnivores, are either missing or very rare.' In previous research, the team found that young tyrannosaurs were faster and more agile than their parents, and likely hunted prey similar to medium-sized dinosaurs. Now, they suggest that as T.Rex evolved and grew, their juveniles outcompeted other carnivorous dinosaurs. However, the team acknowledges that it is also possible that something else eliminated the other dinosaurs, and T.Rex simply filled the gap. 'Ultimately resolving that is going to rely on the most basic first-level aspect of paleontology, which is boots on the ground and picks in the sediments,' Mr Holtz said. 'We need more sampling sites from this interval between about 95 and 80 million years ago.' In the study, the researchers analysed the existing record of 60 dinosaur communities from 201 to 66 million years ago. They counted the number of carnivorous species and sorted them into size categories, with 'medium' dinosaurs listed as those weighing 50 to 1,000kg, and 'large' dinosaurs as those exceeding 1,000kg. The analysis revealed that in 31 communities, tyrannosaurs were not the largest predators, and there was a wide range of medium predators. In Asia and North America, those communities existed from 201 to 80 million years ago, while in other areas, they continued to exist through to 66 million years ago. They counted the number of carnivorous species and sorted them into size categories, with 'medium' dinosaurs listed as those weighing 50 to 1,000kg, and 'large' dinosaurs as those exceeding 1,000kg Meanwhile, in the other 29 dinosaur communities, tyrannosaurs were the largest predator, with medium-sized predators either rare or absent. Despite this, prey species were found to be just as diverse in these communities. Mr Holtz explained: 'So, what does this mean? In those communities where middle-sized predators are gone but the prey species are just as diverse, can we say that no one is preying upon these middle-sized prey? No. 'That's almost certainly not the case. It is quite likely juvenile tyrannosaurs took over the ecological role of the missing middle-sized carnivores.' The team now hopes to look further into the composition of prey species communities to uncover whether or not there was a change in prey size when T.Rex took over. Mr Holtz added: 'These interactions are important for understanding what life was like during the time of the dinosaurs. 'But in the broader sense, having more understanding of changing ecosystems, and in this case, looking at the predator and prey components of an ecosystem, gives us a better and more diverse view of how the interactions of life work in the world, even today.' Advertisement Guess who's back, back again? Murder hornets - so tell a friend. After Washington state's Department of Agriculture successfully destroyed a nest of Asian giant hornets in November 2020, another hornet - colloquially known as the murder hornet - has been identified in Snohomish County, Washington. A Marysville resident found and reported the dead bug on June 4 via the agency's Hornet Watch Report Form. Entomologists determined it was a male, but after looking at its DNA and coloring, they believe it to be unrelated to the Whatcom County or Canadian murder hornets seen in 2019 and 2020. The Asian giant hornet, which has an extremely painful sting, is the world's largest hornet at two inches. 'The find is perplexing because it is too early for a male to emerge,' said Dr. Osama El-Lissy, deputy administrator for the USDA Plant Protection and Quarantine program, in a statement. A Marysville, Washington resident found the dead murder hornet and reported it on June 4 The entomologists deciphered it was a male hornet, but after looking at its DNA and coloring, they believe it to be unrelated to the Whatcom County or Canadian murder hornets seen in 2019 and 2020 'Last year, the first males emerged in late July, which was earlier than expected. However, we will work with WSDA to survey the area to verify whether a population exists in Snohomish County. USDA will continue to provide technical expertise and monitor the situation in the state. USDA has already provided funding for survey and eradication activities as well as research into lures and population genetics.' The experts believe that since it was an 'exceptionally' dry specimen, it's an old hornet from a previous season that was not discovered until now. Male murder hornets (whose scientific name is Vespa mandarinia) typically have not popped up until at least July and it's unclear how it wound up in Marysville, Washington. The dead murder hornet was found in Marysville, a town in Snohomish County, Washington, north of Seattle The experts believe that since it was an 'exceptionally' dry specimen, it's an old hornet from a previous season that was not discovered until now Washington is making plans for the 2021 murder hornet season, similar to last year's, emphasizing public outreach, reporting and trapping. The new finding highlights how important the public is to finding this invasive species, which can decimate entire hives of honeybees, which are already under siege from mites, diseases, pesticides and loss of food. 'This new report continues to underscore how important public reporting is for all suspected invasive species, but especially Asian giant hornets,' Sven Spichiger, WSDA managing entomologist said in the statement. 'We'll now be setting traps in the area and encouraging citizen scientists to trap in Snohomish and King counties. None of this would have happened without an alert resident taking the time to snap a photo and submit a report.' More than half of confirmed Asian giant hornet sightings in Washington and all in Canada came from the public, the agency added. Those who spot the Asian giant hornet should report them online at agr.wa.gov/hornets, emailing hornets@agr.wa.gov or calling 1-800-443-6684. The first confirmed detection of the hornet in the US was in December 2019 near Blaine and the first live hornet was trapped in July 2020. More than half of confirmed Asian giant hornet sightings in Washington and all in Canada came from the public The invasive insect is normally found in China, Japan, Thailand, South Korea, Vietnam and other Asian countries. 'The hornets enter a "slaughter phase" where they kill bees by decapitating them. They then defend the hive as their own, taking the brood to feed their own young,' the WSDA said previously. The agency has already killed six or seven hives in Washington State. Despite their nickname, the hornets kill at most a few dozen people a year in Asia, and experts say it is probably far less but they do deliver painful stings to humans. Hornets, wasps and bees typically found in the US kill an average of 62 people a year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Elon Musk's SpaceX used a recycled Falcon 9 booster to deliver a national security satellite to orbit for the first time Thursday. The 230-foot-tall rocket, topped with the GPS III SV05, ignited its nine Merlin engines at 12:10pm ET at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Launch Complex 40. Go Falcon and go GPS, a host of the mission said during the livestream as the Falcon 9 took off with bright blue skies hanging above. 'We are pretty excited to watch today's landing because it marks the first mission supporting the US Space Force with a flight driven booster.' And the milestone was met: the Falcon 9 made a successful landing on the 'Just Read the Instructions' droneship about eight minutes after it took off from Earth. GPS III SV05 will assist with a powerful, highly encrypted military GPS signal's positioning, timing and navigation to US military users worldwide. Scroll down for video The 230-foot-tall rocket, topped with the GPS III SV05, ignited its nine Merlin engines at 12:10pm ET at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Launch Complex 40 This is the 19th successful Falcon 9 landing for 2021 and SpaceX's 88th recovery of a booster. The US Space Force device joins 31 other military satellites orbiting Earth more than 12,000 miles above the surface, which circle our planet twice a day. The GPS satellites are designed to provide signals that are more accurate and powerful than previous generations. In a briefing on June 14, USSF SMC deputy mission director Walter Lauderdal was quoted by CNBC as saying: 'In preparation for this first-time event we've worked closely with SpaceX to understand the refurbishment processes and are confident that this rocket is ready for its next flight. Go Falcon and go GPS, a host of the mission said during the livestream as the Falcon 9 took off with bright blue skies hanging above. 'We are pretty excited to watch today's landing because it marks the first mission supporting the US Space Force with a flight driven booster' Pictured is the Falcon 9 rocket as it leaves Earth and enters orbit to deliver the satellite. GPS III SV05 will assist with a powerful, highly encrypted military GPS signal's positioning, timing and navigation to US military users worldwide 'We continue to work with [SpaceX] and, looking ahead to the SV06 mission next year we'll be working with them as to what boosters are available. 'We are certainly open to using other boosters not just ones that have flown [for Space Force]. 'Taken as a whole, our disciplined approach is part of an uncompromising dedication to mission success executed one launch at a time.' The Falcon 9 rocket ignited its Merlin engines at 12:09pm ET and shoot off toward space a second later. About two minutes into the mission, the first and second stages separated, and the second stage activated its engines just seconds later. About two minutes into the mission, the first and second stages separated, And the second stage activated its engines just seconds later And at three minutes and 27 seconds, the fairing was deployed. The Falcon 9 made landfall on the droneship in the Atlantic Ocean at approximately eight minutes and 33 seconds after lift-off. So far, the US Pentagon has awarded SpaceX with five of the six GPS III satellite launch contracts, valued at $469.8 million. Although using a reusable rocket will be a first for Space Force, the unit is currently looking at whether or not large rockets developed commercially can be used to deliver cargo quickly to hotspots around the world, such as war zones. The aim is for the rockets to have the capability of transporting up to 100 tons of cargo to a wide range of locations. The Falcon 9 made a successful landing on the 'Just Read the Instructions' droneship about eight minutes after it took off from Earth Pictured is the satellite as it travels into orbit to join 31 other GPS military satellites Space Force could also look at rockets that may be able to 'air drop' cargo after arriving at a destination without landing at all, according to CBS News. 'This idea has been around since the dawn of spaceflight,' Greg Spanjers, who is manager of the Rocket Cargo program at the Air Force Research Laboratory, told CBS. 'It's always been an interesting, intriguing idea [but] it's never really made sense in the past.' The Falcon 9 booster used Thursday is the same that launched the GPS III SV04 satellite last November (pictured) SpaceX is currently the leader in large rockets with its massive Starship, but Space Force has not confirmed whether or not the Musk-owned firm is part of the research. Spanjers pointed out that the idea is being studied now because technology is catching up, with companies such as Blue Origin and United Launch Alliance trying to follow in SpaceX's footsteps. 'We don't see SpaceX as being the only viable provider of this capability,' Spanjers said, adding that a 'number of providers' may compete for contracts for the study. A giant ancestor to the modern-day rhinoceros roamed China 26.5 million years ago, according to the team that found its remains. It was the 'largest land mammal' that ever lived, reaching 26ft long and 16ft tall, according to the team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing. The colossal creature, named Paraceratherium linxiaense, weighed 24 tons and was four times heavier than an African elephant, the largest animal to walk the Earth today. The hornless herbivore roamed Asia 26.5 million years ago - browsing the forests for leaves, soft plants and shrubs and looked similar to an 'overgrown tapir'. The fossilised remains of this giant beast, whose neck let it reach trees as high as 23ft, were dug up at a prehistoric animal graveyard in Gansu, north western China. The bizarre animal had a slender skull, short trunk and an unusually long and muscular neck, the Chinese researcher said, adding it was a 'friendly giant'. A giant ancestor to the modern-day rhinoceros roamed China 26.5 million years ago and was taller than a giraffe, according to the team that found its remains The fossilised remains of this giant beast, whose neck let it reach trees as high as 23ft, were dug up at a prehistoric animal graveyard in Gansu, north western China PARACERATHERIUM: AN EXTINCT GENUS OF GIANT RHINO Paraceratherium is an extinct genus of hornless rhinoceros. It was one of the largest terrestrial mammals ever to have lived on land. The creature lived during the early to late Oligocene between 34 and 23 million year ago. It was found through Eurasia between China and the Balkans. The exact size isn't known but the largest of the genus are thought to be as much as 26ft long and 23ft high including their neck. They survived for about 11 million years before going extinct, although the exact reason is unknown and it is unlikely there was a single cause. Advertisement On the way across the Asian continent the creature faced prehistoric hyenas and giant crocodiles - and endured the frigid wilderness of the Ice Age. Lead author Professor Tao Deng said it had a body weight of 24 tons, similar to the total weight of four African elephants or eight white rhinos. At the shoulders it as about 16ft hight and 26ft long, with long legs good for running and a head reaching up to a total of 23ft to reach the leaves at the tree top. 'Its prehensile nose trunk was extremely useful to wrap around branches - allowing the sharp front teeth to strip off the leaves,' said Professor Deng. 'Its tusk-like incisors are primarily used to break twigs and strip bark, as well as to bend higher branches.' The skull and legs are longer than all reported land mammals, making it suited to open woodlands under humid or arid conditions, according to the study author. Paraceratherium was identified from a perfectly preserved skull, jaw and atlas - the first cervical vertebra of the spine that supports the head. Giant rhino specimens are scarce - and most are fragments. These are among the best found - and help fill an important branch in the beast's family tree. Deng said: 'It is one of the largest land mammals that ever lived. The giant rhino has primarily been found in Asia. But its evolutionary relationships remain unclear. The fossilised remains of this giant beast, whose neck let it reach trees as high as 23ft, were dug up at a prehistoric animal graveyard in Gansu, north western China 'This animal has distinct characters - a slender skull with a short nose trunk and long neck, and a deeper nasal cavity than other giant rhino species..' Paraceratherium, described in the journal Communications Biology, is closely related to the giant rhinos of Pakistan, suggesting it passed through the Tibetan region. 'From there, it may have reached the Indian-Pakistani subcontinent in the Oligocene epoch between 34 and 23 millions years ago where other giant rhino specimens have been found,' said Professor Deng. The giant rhino is one of the most iconic Ice Age beasts - wiped out by climate change, disease and human hunting. But its origins are a mystery. Deng said: 'The Tibetan region likely hosted some areas with low elevation, possibly under 6,500ft during Oligocene. 'The lineage of giant rhinos could have dispersed freely along the eastern coast of the Tethys Ocean and perhaps through some lowlands of this region.' The rock that forms the Himalayas was once submerged by the ancient sea. Giant rhino remains found have been found in Eastern Europe, but they mainly lived in China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and Pakistan. Deng said: 'During the Oligocene, dispersal for the giant rhino from the Mongolian Plateau to South Asia could have been along the eastern coast of the Tethys like other mammals, such as anthracotheres and ruminants.' The remains were found within brownish red silty mudstones and sandstones in the Jiaozigou formation in China Giant rhino specimens are scarce - and most are fragments. These are among the best found - and help fill an important branch in the beast's family tree It adds to evidence the Tibetan region was not yet the elevated plateau it is today, without height great enough to deter the giant rhino and other great mammals. The possibility is supported by other evidence, including fish and plant fossils that date back to the same period from central Tibet that display tropical characteristics. 'Through to the late Oligocene, the evolution and dispersal of the giant rhino demonstrate Tibet, as a plateau, did not exist and was not yet a barrier to the largest land mammals,' Professor Deng added. Paraceratherium would have been majestic - even compared to the amazing mammal faunas of Eurasia between 35 and 20 million years ago. Paraceratherium was identified from a perfectly preserved skull, jaw and atlas - the first cervical vertebra of the spine that supports the head The bizarre animal had a slender skull, short trunk and an unusually long and muscular neck, the Chinese researcher said, adding it was a 'friendly giant' Its vertical reach enables it to eat food at the top of the canopy - unlike the modern elephant's method of extending a flexible trunk. The arrival of a different kind of herbivore might have triggered ecological changes that helped drive the rhinos to extinction. At the time tropical forests were shrinking and grassy savannahs were spreading. Rhinos belong to a group of animals called perissodactyls. They have hooves - and an odd number of toes on their rear feet. On the way across the Asian continent the creature faced prehistoric hyenas and giant crocodiles - and endured the frigid wilderness of the Ice Age It is believed they first appeared 55 million years ago in India - which at the time was not attached to Asia and perissodactyls were the ancestors of today's rhinos - as well as all modern horses, zebras and tapirs. It is not clear why Oligocene rhinos got so big, it may have been a way of coping with the more open grassy habitat. What's more, despite being so large, Paraceratherium wasn't safe from predators, as it and other huge prehistoric rhinos were hunted by gigantic crocodiles and 'dog-bears' called Hemicyon. The findings have been published in the journal Communications Biology. Bionic bird! A wild vulture had its right leg amputated after a terrible accident and experts created a prosthetic using a metal anchor to help it fly and hunt A metal implant has gone into a bearded vulture, the world's first 'bionic bird' Mia, a bearded vulture, suffered a major injury while still a nestling Her ankle became entangled with the sheep's wool fibers that her parents used to build the nest and her toes started to die Eventually, the foot was amputated and her right leg ended in a stump Bearded vultures are reliant on their feet for landing, walking and catching prey The prosthetic has a rubber cylinder for 'traction and stability' A number of humans have had bionic implants, but now, a metal implant has made a bearded vulture the world's first 'bionic bird.' The incredible achievement, published in Scientific Reports, notes that Mia, a bearded vulture from the Owl and Bird of Prey Sanctuary in Haringsee, Austria, suffered a major injury while still a nestling, or a bird too young to leave the nest. Her ankle became entangled with the sheep's wool fibers that her parents used to build the nest and her toes started to die. Eventually, the foot was amputated and her right leg ended in a stump, which would have eventually resulted in death from malnutrition. Then the team of veterinarians from the sanctuary contacted Dr. Oskar Aszmann, a reconstructive surgeon at the Medical University of Vienna, about making a prosthetic for Mia - something that had never been done before. A metal implant has gone into a bearded vulture known as Mia in Vienna, Austria, making her the world's first 'bionic bird' Mia suffered a major injury while still a nestling when her ankle became entangled. Her toes started to die and eventually, the foot was amputated and her right leg ended in a stump Bearded vultures are reliant on their feet for landing, walking and catching prey To design the prosthetic limb for the bird, the experts needed something that would be durable enough and let the bird grip prey, but deal with the shock of walking and landing, so they turned to a technique known as osseointegration 'Following a clinical visit to Haringsee, it was clear that the rare bird could not survive long in its current condition,' Aszmann said in a statement. 'We designed and fabricated a special bone implant that could be surgically attached to the stump.' Bearded vultures are especially reliant on their feet, not only for landing, but for catching their prey, as well as walking. The prosthetic has a rubber cylinder for 'traction and stability.' It's also intended to help minimize her twisting and damaging the leg further To design the prosthetic limb for the bird, the experts needed something that would be durable enough and let the bird grip prey, but deal with the shock of walking and landing, so they turned to a technique known as osseointegration. For osseointegration, external parts of the prosthetic are directly connected to a bone anchor to guarantee it's attached to the skeleton. 'This concept offers a high degree of embodiment, since osseoperception provides direct intuitive feedback, thereby allowing natural use of the extremity for walking and feeding, Aszmann added. 'For the first time we have now successfully bionically reconstructed the limb of a vulture.' The bionic leg is a black rubber cylinder that gives Mia 'traction and stability,' the researchers wrote in the study. It's also intended to help minimize her twisting and damaging the leg further. Mia went under a general anesthesia for a couple of hours, but rehab started shortly after the successful operation. 'The bird made the first attempts to walk after just three weeks and the prosthesis was under full load after six weeks,' Aszmann explained. 'Today the bearded vulture can once again land and walk using both feet, making it the first 'bionic bird'.' Bearded vultures are considered 'near threatened,' according to IUCN's Red List. Their numbers, which are in the low hundreds, have been severely hampered by habitat loss and persistent threats, including humans, collisions with power cables and wind farms. Aspiring astronauts and 'para-astronauts' have just one day left to apply to join the European Space Agency astronaut group and potentially fly to space and the moon. The deadline to submit an application for ESAs astronaut selection is 23:00 BST on Friday 18 June, giving applicants just one more day to apply. ESA opened applications for its astronaut and astronaut (with a physical disability) vacancies on March 31, the first time in more than a decade. Anyone living in an ESA member country, including the UK, that meets the minimum requirements including an advanced degree, and has a passion for space can apply. Individuals with missing feet or lower legs, either from amputation or birth defects, are eligible, as too are people who are shorter than 130 cm (4ft 3in). The agency extended the deadline from the original March 31 to June 18 to give residents of new ESA member state Lithuania time to apply, but the deadline change applies to people from any ESA member, including the UK. A recruitment drive from the European Space Agency (ESA) and the UK has launched today with the ultimate goal of hiring and training people who will be sent to the moon before the end of the 2020s Astronaut criteria The UK Space Agency hopes the next professional UK astronaut will be selected through this recruitment drive. To be eligible to file an application, an individual must: have a master's degree (or higher) in Natural Sciences, Medicine, Engineering, Mathematics or Computer Sciences OR be qualified as an experimental test pilot be fluent in English Good knowledge of a second language be calm under pressure and be willing to participate in life science experiments Flexible with regards to place of work Advertisement This is just the beginning of the application process though, as ESA officials will have to sift through the applications sent in to find the best candidates to move forward. The closure of the vacancies marks the start of a comprehensive six-stage selection process, expected to take around one and a half years, with the next group of astronauts announced publicly in Autumn 2022. At the end of this process, ESA plans to appoint four new members to its astronaut corps and establish a reserve of approximately 20 of the best remaining candidates. In the words of ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet who is currently serving his second mission on the International Space Station: 'apply, apply, apply.' 'The most selective step is whether or not you are going to apply,' said Pesquet. 'Theres maybe one in a thousand people who are going to be picked up, but there is one in a million who will apply.' ESA have secured three astronaut trips to the Lunar Gateway due to be built in orbit around the Moon and hope to be able to send European's to the surface of our natural satellite in the future. 'Astronauts will fly further away from Earth than anybody has ever been' when they go to the Gateway as it will be further from Earth than the Moon, says Frank De Winne from the ESA astronaut training centre. 'The first five to ten years will see astronauts fly to the ISS, but after that there will be opportunities to fly to the Moon and further than the Moon,' Jan Womer, ESA Director General, said they were actively recruiting for new astronauts despite those from the last selection still being active as they need to 'secure a continuity' and smooth transfer of knowledge between generations. 'The International Space Station is a destination for the future but we are also looking towards the Moon, especially the Gateway, and so we're looking for new astronauts.' Womer said all astronauts are 'European astronauts'. He says he understands they are loved and held up with pride by their home nation, but at the heart they are pan-European astronauts that are celebrated throughout the continent. There will be a rigorous training regime for the handful of potential astronauts selected from the thousands of applications PARASTRONAUT: ESA SEARCHING FOR DIFFERENTLY ABLED CANDIDATE The European Space Agency is looking for a parastronaut that could travel to the ISS in the future. The person selected will join the reserve crew while ESA work with partners to find a safe way to travel. Individuals with missing feet or lower legs, either from amputation or birth defects, are eligible, as too are people who are shorter than 130 cm (4ft 3in). Tim Peake says he 'wouldn't have any reservations travelling to space with someone with disabilities'. ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti said we 'didn't evolve to be in space'. She said we're 'all disabled in space' and it is just a case of perfecting the technology to take candidates who would otherwise be selected to be an astronaut if it were not for a disability. Advertisement Although more people than ever are being encouraged to apply, there are still stringent restrictions on who can become an astronaut. For example, people are only eligible if they are either qualified as an experimental test pilot or hold a master's degree or higher in Natural Sciences, Medicine, Engineering, Mathematics or Computer Sciences. Fluency in English is essential, as too is the ability to be calm under pressure and a willingness to participate in life science experiments. ESA are looking for up to six 'career astronauts' that will command missions and be permanent members of the ESA Astronaut crew, as well as a selection of 'reserve astronauts' to step in for short term or short notice missions. These would be a one-off or limited duration mission, with reserve astronauts remaining with their current employer, but hired by ESA temporarily. 'They could come from contributing members of ESA, including associated states such as Canada, willing to fund an astronaut, says David Parker from ESA. They are looking for up to 20 astronauts to join the volunteer, reserve crew. To apply you will need to upload a CV, medical certificate and proof of qualifications and that you meet all the requirements. Jennifer Ngo-Anh, a space scientist with ESA, said it is a challenging job that requires candidates that can work with inter-disciplinary and international teams. The European Space Agency is looking for a parastronaut that could travel to the ISS in the future TWO TYPES OF ASTRONAUT VACANCY The European Space Agency (ESA) is searching for two types of astronaut candidates. Permanent - career astronauts The career astronauts will be selected to work permanently for the European Space Agency and will lead missions. They will be regularly scheduled for space travel and up to six will be picked from the candidates. Temporary - reserve astronauts Reserve astronauts will continue in their usual place of work but be called up for short notice and duration trips to the International Space Station. These will be missions in partnership with other agencies and there will be a pool of 20 reservist astronauts. Advertisement 'Candidates need to have fine and advanced motor skills and need to be calm under pressure, but there will be a strong team supporting them. 'Astronauts are the most visible characters of our space programme and so will contribute to outreach and public relations activities before, during and after a mission,' she said. Following this period of time there will be a 17-month process of screening and testing before the finalists are announced in October 2022. There will then be a 17-month process of screening, psychological, practical, and psychometric testing, medical selections and two interview selections until the final applicants will be appointed and announced in October 2022. 'It is a tough process, I found it tough going through but just took it one step at a time. A large number won't make it through the application phase to round one, so an attention to detail is very important,' said Tim Peake. 'Becoming an astronaut has been a dream come true. It brings together many of my passions,' Samantha Cristoforetti, current ESA astronaut said of the opening. She said it covers 'science and technology, complex machines, demanding operational environments, international teams, physical fitness, public outreach. And of course, occasionally you get to ride a rocket to work!' ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet is currently on the ISS, becoming the first European to fly to the station on a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule Candidates will go through a rigorous selection process including screening, psychological testing, medical testing and interviews Frank De Winne from the ESA astronaut centre said the first missions of the new astronauts will be to the ISS as it is still the core of ESA projects. Jan Womer said 'diversity is not a burden for us, diversity is an asset for us.' 'Diversity is something we are looking into in more broader sense, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability and other characteristics,' he said. 'We would really encourage women to apply as it is interesting and supportive to have mixed teams, but for the first time we are also selecting people with disabilities for our parastronaut project, said Womer. De Winne confirmed future astronauts would travel to space on a range of launch vehicles including SpaceX, Soyuz and Boeing. A number of European Space Agency astronauts have already been to the ISS and the new cohort will also travel to a new space station around the Moon within the decade Astronauts launching for space will be expected to be able to participate in space science missions and may one day travel to the lunar gateway 'Our astronauts can fly on any of those vehicles and it is decided on a mission by mission basis based on traffic flow to the International Space Station,' he said. De Winne said the important part is the work on the ISS and the 'bus taken to get there is of less importance,' adding 'we are open to any solution in the future'. For the parastronaut vacancy, while they will remain a member of the reserve crew, ESA plans to work with commercial space operators to find a safe way to send them to the ISS where thy can perform 'meaningful and useful work'. 'We believe it is time to assess the feasibility of sending astronauts with physical disabilities into space, Womer said. More than half of Earth's rivers and streams stop flowing periodically or run dry for part of the year, according to a new study. They can be found in all climates and continents, researchers said, and range from Himalayan snow-fed creeks and Saharan wadis to half-a-mile-wide rivers on the Indian sub-continent. Even the longest river in the world, the Nile, has parts that stop flowing from time to time. Scientists said climate change was partially to blame, along with the withdrawal of water for human and agricultural use. Scroll down for video Water world: More than half of Earth's rivers and streams stop flowing periodically or run dry for part of the year, according to a new study. They are shown on this map above They said it had affected many former perennial streams and rivers, including the Nile, the Indus and the Colorado River. 'Given continued global climate and land use change, an increasingly large proportion of the global river network is expected to cease to flow seasonally over the coming decades,' said Bernhard Lehner, one of the study's authors and a professor at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. About 51 to 60 per cent of the 39million miles of rivers and streams on Earth stop flowing periodically, or run dry for part of the year, the researchers said. As expected, they found that non-perennial rivers which run partially or fully dry for part of the year are most common in arid areas where there is more evaporation than rainfall. However, they are also in tropical climates and even in the Arctic, where rivers freeze for parts of the year. The authors also said smaller rivers and streams are more likely to dry up because they have more variable flow. Slide me Fluctuating: Rivers that stop flowing for part of the year are in all climates and continents, researchers said. Pictured is part of the Clauge river in Jura, France, in flow and dried up Scientists have used the data to create the first map of its kind for non-perennial rivers. They hope it will help monitor future changes in river flow intermittence, as well as how these rivers and streams support biological diversity. 'Non-perennial rivers and streams are very valuable ecosystems as they are home to many distinct species that are adapted to cycles of water presence and absence,' said Mathis Messager, an author of the study and PhD student at McGill. 'These rivers can provide critical water and food sources for people and they play an important role in controlling water quality. 'But more often than not they are mismanaged or altogether excluded from management actions and conservation laws as they are simply overlooked.' The study has been published in the journal Nature. In an effort to remove fake reviews from its site, Amazon said it needs the help of social media companies. In a June 16 blog post, Amazon said that fake reviews from 'bad actors' are increasingly coming from social media services, either via the 'bad actors' themselves or a third-party service hired to perform this service. 'While we appreciate that some social media companies have become much faster at responding, to address this problem at scale, it is imperative for social media companies to invest adequately in proactive controls to detect and enforce fake reviews ahead of our reporting the issue to them,' Amazon wrote in the post. 'Protecting consumers will require all of us to work together to ensure we leverage our unique knowledge, partner with each other, and stop attempted fraud and fake reviews before it has a chance of impacting consumers.' To remove fake reviews from its site, Amazon is asking social media companies for help Amazon says fake reviews from 'bad actors' are increasingly coming from social media services A paper published earlier this year concludes the nefarious reviews are coming from Facebook 'Buyers are instructed to simulate organic search for a product, engage with content on Amazon, not use a gift card or discount codes, and write a positive, five-star review after a week in order to evade detection by Amazon' the author wrote in the study It's unclear which social media companies Amazon was talking about as part of its Project Zero initiative, but it's probable it was been referring to Facebook. Amazon's Project Zero initiative launched in February 2019 to drive counterfeiting off its site, In a paper published earlier this year entitled, 'The Fault in the Stars: Understanding the Underground Market of Amazon Reviews,' the author concludes the nefarious actions are coming from Facebook. 'We interview several agents and buyers and discover that buyers are targeted via customized advertisements and Facebook groups,' the study's author, Rajvardhan Oak, from the University of California, Berkeley, wrote. 'Although they are aware that these activities violate Amazons terms of service, incentives for both buyers and agents are monetary. 'Buyers are instructed to simulate organic search for a product, engage with content on Amazon, not use a gift card or discount codes, and write a positive, five-star review after a week in order to evade detection by Amazon.' In the first three months of 2020, Amazon said it reported more than 300 groups of connected entities - customer accounts, selling accounts, products, brands and more - to social media companies, who took a median of 45 days to shut down the groups. In the first three months of 2021, more than 1,000 groups were reported, with the average take down time decreasing to a median of five days. Facebook has not yet responded to a request for comment from DailyMail.com. Amazon isn't relying on social media companies alone to remove the fake reviews. It has used machine learning, coupled with human investigators, to 'proactively prevent fake reviews from ever being seen in our store.' Nonetheless, the issue has become pervasive for the Jeff Bezos-led tech giant. Following an investigation by the Financial Times, Amazon removed 20,000 fraudulent reviews in the UK in September 2020. In May, it removed tech accessory brands such as Aukey and Mpow amid a fake review scheme leak, Digital Trends reported. He was famously sacked from The Hamish and Andy radio show before he made it big on Nova FM. But that didn't stop Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli and Hamish Blake from becoming good friends. 'Our friendship is probably greater than people even think,' he told Daily Mail Australia earlier this week. EXCLUSIVE: 'We're closer than people think': Celebrity Apprentice's Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli, 41, has discussed his long-running friendship with radio star Hamish Blake Wippa, 41, continued: 'We just enjoy each other's company, we've been friends for a long time.' 'We're lucky that our boys play well together and wives, Lisa and Zoe [Foster Blake], get on together,' he continued. Wippa explained that while he and Hamish, 39, have been friends for a number of years, their friendship became even tighter when they both welcomed children. Nice! Speaking of his friendship with Hamish, Wippa told Daily Mail Australia: 'We just enjoy each other's company, we've been friends for a long time' 'We love giving our kids adventures, so we're offering into the same ideas,' he explained. Wippa also joked that there were concerns Hamish could be the father of his third child. 'I know people think we're tight, but there's a few discussions the moment our third child Francesca was born,' he laughed. 'She is very fair compared to how dark the boys are, so it just trying to work out if Hamish is the father,' Wippa joked. 'We don't know at this stage, we haven't run any tests. But, you know stranger things have happened.' Close bond: Wippa explained that while he and Hamish have been friends for a number of years, their friendship became even tighter when they both welcomed children. Pictured alongside their wives Zoe and Lisa on holiday in 2019 Laugh a minute! Back in 2019, Hamish joked that during an overseas trip to Europe the two men suggested to their wives, Zoe and Lisa, they do a 'partner swap' Back in 2019, Hamish joked that during an overseas trip to Europe the two men suggested to their wives, Zoe and Lisa, they do a 'partner swap'. 'We said, ''hey girls, we've all been best friends for a long time. The four of us'',' he joked. 'How about a partner swap?...Me and Wippa are going to dinner. You girls can stay together.' Laugh a minute! While it was a joke, Hamish did admit that he and BFF Wippa did enjoy a bit of skinny dipping together, stripping off for a swim off the back of the yacht While it was a joke, Hamish did admit that he and BFF Wippa did enjoy a bit of skinny dipping together, stripping off for a swim off the back of the yacht. The TV and radio host explained the nude swimming was not weird, as it was to 'impress their wives', who found it funny. It comes as Hamish and his wife Zoe relocated from Melbourne to Sydney's Vaucluse after splurging $9million on a mansion in December last year. Notoriously private Sunrise host Natalie Barr has offered a rare glimpse into her family life in an interview with this month's Australian Women's Weekly. The Channel Seven presenter, 53, appears on the cover of the magazine with her rarely seen teenage sons, Lachlan, 19, and Hunter, 16. And in a wide-ranging chat, Natalie opened up about her life away from breakfast television and revealed why her family always 'comes first'. Her boys: Sunrise host Natalie Barr, 53, proudly introduced her teenage sons, Lachlan, 19, and Hunter, 16, in an interview with this month's Australian Women's Weekly 'I may have this amazing career, but Andrew and the boys come first,' she said, referring to her husband, film editor Andrew Thompson. Natalie added that working in breakfast TV allows her to juggle motherhood and her career because she can be a 'full-time mum for the rest of the day' once her shift ends. 'I could be with them and watch them grow up every day. In that way, it was magical,' the former newsreader-turned-anchor said. Priorities: 'I may have this amazing career, but Andrew and the boys come first,' she said, referring to her husband, film editor Andrew Thompson She also said that as her sons grow up, her only wish is for them to have a good life and to be 'happy and healthy'. Natalie and Andrew have been married since 1995, and she was working for Seven when she welcomed both her children. She previously said that communication was the secret to a happy marriage. Working mum: Natalie and Andrew have been married since 1995, and she was working for Seven when she welcomed both her children. Pictured in Sydney on March 27, 2021 'We talk a lot, all day, every day. One of the top things for us has always been respect to respect what the other wants to do,' Natalie told The Sydney Morning Herald. 'Also, to give one another space and to talk about how you're feeling, where you want to go in life, and to be honest.' Natalie was promoted to Sunrise co-anchor alongside David 'Kochie' Koch in March, following the departure of Samantha Armytage. Pregnant Love Island star Natasha Webster enjoyed a night out at the Fast and Furious 9 premiere with her boyfriend Dan Bulley on Wednesday. The 27-year-old influencer looked radiant as she showed off her baby bump in a nude midi dress that hugged her figure. She teamed the frock with a small white bag and a pair of trendy sneakers. Mum and dad's night out! Pregnant Love Island star Natasha Webster enjoyed a night out at the Fast and Furious 9 premiere with her boyfriend Dan Bulley on Wednesday She styled her blonde locks in waves that cascaded down her shoulders and her makeup comprised pink blushed cheeks, lashings of mascara and cherry lipstick. She beamed on the red carpet alongside her handsome beau, who wore a Ralph Lauren jacket with a T-shirt and trousers. The couple's outing comes after Natasha announced in February she and Dan were expecting their first child together. She's glowing! She styled her blonde locks in waves that cascaded down her shoulders and her makeup comprised pink blushed cheeks, lashings of mascara and cherry lipstick Parents-to-be: The couple's outing comes after Natasha announced in February she and Dan were expecting their first child together She wrote on Instagram: 'We are so excited to announce that I am PREGNANT. Our little bundle of joy is arriving in spring.' The following month she revealed they were expecting a son during a gender reveal party held at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton hotel. She popped a cannon that was filled with blue confetti, writing on Instagram: 'Probably the biggest surprise of my life, so excited! Can't wait to meet my little man.' Baby on the way: She wrote on Instagram, 'We are so excited to announce that I am PREGNANT. Our little bundle of joy is arriving in spring' 'Can't wait to meet my little man': The following month she revealed they were expecting a son during a gender reveal party held at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton hotel Natasha was eliminated from Love Island Australia early on in the first season, after failing to form a connection with any of the male contestants. While she has 187,000 followers on Instagram, she has mostly kept her love life out of the public eye, with the exception of her relationship with Dan. Love Island Australia's third season will air on Channel Nine later this year. Big Brother star Tilly Whitfeld has revealed it took her 'months' to get over her 'traumatic' exit from the show. The 21-year-old went on the Channel Seven reality show with the motto 'act dumb, play smart' - breaking a record with her number of challenge wins. But despite her best efforts, Tilly was ultimately sent home during Wednesday night's episode during a game of Russian Roulette against housemate Ari Kimber. 'I just sat in my suitcase and cried': Big Brother's Tilly Whitfeld, 21, (pictured) has revealed it has taken her 'months' to get over her eviction 'I don't know if you could see my face, I just went numb. I couldn't even cry,' she told Daily Mail Australia of her elimination. 'I just knew I was holding it,' she said of the diamond box, which had her eliminated rather than return to the Big Brother house. Tilly explained while others may have celebrated their homecoming with family, she was 'heartbroken'. Sad: 'I don't know if you could see my face, I just went numb. I couldn't cry,' she told Daily Mail Australia of her elimination on Wednesday night Unlucky! 'I just knew I was holding it,' she said of the diamond box which would have her evicted rather than return to the Big Brother house 'It wasn't some happy thing,' she said, before revealing that she was the only evicted contestant to be driven directly home, instead of staying at a hotel overnight. 'They took me straight home,' she revealed. 'It was just traumatic, it took me months to get over it and I'm still sad about it.' Tilly said that after she was dropped off at home by producers, within minutes she decided to call fellow evictee Mary Kalifatidis for support. Who knew they were friends? Tilly said that after she was dropped off at home by producers, within minutes she decided to call fellow evictee Mary Kalifatidis [left] for support 'The first thing I did was call up Mary. I needed to call her because I was obviously very upset,' she recalled. 'I literally just sat in my suitcase and cried, I was so sad... I couldn't do anything. I felt that I had just went numb.' Big Brother continues on Monday at 7.30pm on Seven She recently returned to the modelling world after taking a break from acting. And it appears Jodi Gordon has well and truly hit her stride, as she stunned in a new loungewear campaign unveiled this week. In a photo shoot posted to Instagram on Wednesday, the 36-year-old offered a glimpse of her lacy bra while posing in a stylish pyjama set. Sultry: Jodi Gordon has well and truly hit her stride since returning to modelling, as she stunned in a new loungewear campaign unveiled this week Jodi cast a sultry gaze at the camera as she reclined on the deck of a rural property. Her loungewear campaign comes after she attended Australian Fashion Week in a variety of stylish looks earlier this month. Following a week filled with runways and media appearances, Jodi spoke about her return to the fashion world on Channel Seven's The Morning Show. Chic: The 36-year-old offered a glimpse of lacy bra while posing in a stylish pyjama set '[It was] great to see Australian fashion,' she told hosts Kylie Gillies and Larry Emdur. She went on to say that by pursuing an acting career on soaps Neighbours and Home and Away, she had to 'step away' from the fashion industry for several years. 'I felt that doing Neighbours I stepped away from that little bit, so it was exciting to be back in the fashion world again,' she said. Debrief: Her loungewear campaign comes after she attended Australian Fashion Week in a variety of stylish looks earlier this month. Following a week filled with runways and media appearances, Jodi spoke about her return to the fashion world on Seven's The Morning Show During the five-day event, Jodi strutted her stuff at the Carriageworks venue in Redfern, Sydney. She only made one misstep on the Monday she she suffered a minor wardrobe malfunction while modelling a Bally trench coat worn as a dress. In footage shared to YouTube by Kobie Thatcher, Jodi was seen quickly readjusting her blue coat after nearly exposing her underwear. Oh, no! During the five-day event, Jodi strutted her stuff at the Carriageworks venue in Redfern, Sydney. She only made one misstep on the Monday she she suffered a minor wardrobe malfunction while modelling a Bally trench coat worn as a dress Proving she's a total pro, the model-turned-actress kept calm and composed during the blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment. Jodi had amped up the sex appeal on day one of Fashion Week, showcasing her toned legs in the trench coat and a pair of $1,400 stocking boots by Fendi. The brunette started her career as a model before joining the cast of Home and Away in 2005, playing pole dancer Martha MacKenzie. Kym Marsh has revealed that her father Dave has been diagnosed with incurable prostate cancer after delaying going to a doctor during lockdown. The actress, 44, explained that he is now using a mobility scooter and the disease has spread to his pelvis, spine, ribs and left leg in a new interview with The Sun. Encouraging others to get checked early, Dave, 76, also told how being 'fit' enough to walk the newly-engaged soap star down the aisle 'means the world' to him. 'It's been a very difficult time': Kym Marsh has revealed that her father Dave, 76, has been diagnosed with incurable prostate cancer after delaying going to a doctor during lockdown Reflecting on the tough diagnosis, Kym praised her 'close' family for helping each other through the awful news but admitted: 'It has been a very difficult time 'The reality is that in Dad's case it has now spread to his pelvis, spine, ribs and left leg, which is of course bad news. The former Coronation Street actress continued that doctors are 'talking about it being incurable' but also treatable and hope to extend her dad's life. She added that although Dave is still in 'a lot of pain', he is responding well to some hormone treatments. Family: The soap star, 44, and her father, 76, are very close with Kym explaining that Dave's cancer has now 'spread to his pelvis, spine, ribs and left leg' (pictured in February 2020) Dave, who admitted he had 'ignored' having pain for some time, added that his wish to walk newly-engaged Kym down the aisle is giving him the strength to keep going. He said: 'I want to be fit and well enough to walk Kym down the aisle after she recently got engaged making sure I'm there means the world to me.' Kym, who will appear in a video on BBC Morning Live on Thursday, continued to emphasise that it's important to catch cancer early so there's less chance it'll spread. The actress and her father, who is now using a mobility scooter, encouraged others to get checked, especially after lockdown when many didn't want to go a doctors. Official figures have shown that the number of men urgently referred for suspected prostate cancer fell by more than a quarter during the pandemic. 'Making sure I'm there means the world to me': Dave told how he's determined to be at Kym's wedding to her new fiance Scott Ratcliff (pictured with his daughter in an undated snap) Engagement: Kym announced that her Army Major beau had popped the question on Saturday Important: The actress and her dad have encouraged other men to get checked out and see their doctors if they have any worries (pictured together on This Morning in 2015) NHS England data shows the number of patients urgently referred for the cancer fell by 28 per cent between April 2020 and January of this year - about 52,000 fewer. The charity Prostate Cancer UK estimates at least 8,600 fewer men started treatment for prostate cancer in that time, down around a third on 2019. It said the drop in referrals is largely attributed to fewer men seeing their GP during this time. Urgent cancer referrals are made when family doctors strongly suspect a patient may have the disease. Kym and Dave told the publication that although they can never know for certain if things could have been different, they do know that 'speed is crucial' with cancer. Worrying: Official figures have shown that the number of men urgently referred for suspected prostate cancer fell by more than a quarter during the pandemic (Kym and Dave pictured) The duo encouraged others who have been putting off making appointments to call their GPs and get checked out. The sad news comes just days after Kym announced her engagement on Saturday. The former Coronation Street star posed loved-up snap of herself and fiance Scott Ratcliff, 32, taken at the moment the Army Major beau proposed over the weekend. Sharing the picture of herself and Scott kissing in front of a light-up Happy Birthday sign on Instagram on Sunday, Kym wrote: 'I said YES!!!!!! Sooooo happy!!! ' The actress shared the exciting news with fans in an interview with OK! and said she's 'over the moon' to be marrying her beau after nearly three years together. She said: 'I'm absolutely over the moon - I can't believe it. It's been the best birthday surprise ever. I can't stop smiling!' WHAT IS PROSTATE CANCER? How many people does it kill? More than 11,800 men a year - or one every 45 minutes - are killed by the disease in Britain, compared with about 11,400 women dying of breast cancer. It means prostate cancer is behind only lung and bowel in terms of how many people it kills in Britain. In the US, the disease kills 26,000 men each year. Despite this, it receives less than half the research funding of breast cancer and treatments for the disease are trailing at least a decade behind. How quickly does it develop? Prostate cancer usually develops slowly, so there may be no signs someone has it for many years, according to the NHS. If the cancer is at an early stage and not causing symptoms, a policy of 'watchful waiting' or 'active surveillance' may be adopted. Some patients can be cured if the disease is treated in the early stages. But if it diagnosed at a later stage, when it has spread, then it becomes terminal and treatment revolves around relieving symptoms. Thousands of men are put off seeking a diagnosis because of the known side effects from treatment, including erectile dysfunction. Tests and treatment Tests for prostate cancer are haphazard, with accurate tools only just beginning to emerge. There is no national prostate screening programme as for years the tests have been too inaccurate. Doctors struggle to distinguish between aggressive and less serious tumours, making it hard to decide on treatment. Men over 50 are eligible for a PSA blood test which gives doctors a rough idea of whether a patient is at risk. But it is unreliable. Patients who get a positive result are usually given a biopsy which is also not foolproof. Scientists are unsure as to what causes prostate cancer, but age, obesity and a lack of exercise are known risks. Anyone with any concerns can speak to Prostate Cancer UK's specialist nurses on 0800 074 8383 or visit prostatecanceruk.org Advertisement The Hear'Say star looked radiant as she stole a kiss from her new fiance, wearing a striking floral dress for her birthday celebrations. The couple had been dating since July 2018 but have had to endure long stints of separation as Scott serves abroad, with Kym admitting last April that they had at the time been apart for seven months. She previously told The Sun that the Covid lockdown has meant Scott is spending more time at home. Kym said: 'He's actually home. He was due to go to staff college in September but we've ended up spending most of the past year together. 'I feel so lucky to be in this situation. It has given me the opportunity to have more time with Scott, my son David, my daughters Emilie and Polly and the rest of my family. I'm not taking those things for granted.' Happy news! The actress shared the exciting engagement news in an interview with OK! and said she's 'over the moon' to be marrying the Army Major after nearly three years together Kym had split from Matt Baker three months before sparking up a romance with Scott, after a two year romance. She was first in a relationship with builder David Cunliffe before her rise to fame in 2001's Popstars, and the couple had a son David, 25, and daughter Emilie, 25, during a five-year relationship. After breaking onto the pop scene as a member of Hear'Say Kym married EastEnders star Jack Ryder, 36, in 2002, but they divorced in 2009 after she admitted having an affair with Hollyoaks star Jamie Lomas, 43. Kym went onto marry Jamie in 2012, and the couple have daughter Polly, eight. The couple's first child Archie, passed away shortly after his premature birth in 2009. Just over a year after tying the knot, Kym filed for divorce from Jamie in 2013 citing 'unreasonable behaviour. She is also a grandmother, with Emilie welcoming baby son Teddy in May 2019. Brian Austin Green's relationship with Sharna Burgess is going from strength to strength since taking things public in January. And the Beverly Hills, 90210 actor, 47, revealed on Thursday he was looking forward to a long and happy future with his Australian dancer girlfriend, 35. 'Honestly right now, this campaign, Sharna, my kids, my life, the prospect of what the future holds the excitement of all of that, my life in general makes me smile,' the Trueheart ambassador told Sydney's Daily Telegraph. 'My life in general makes me smile': Brian Austin Green (right) revealed on Thursday he was looking forward to a long and happy future with his girlfriend Sharna Burgess (left) 'I'm in a really good, happy place,' the father of four added. Meanwhile, Dancing with the Stars veteran Sharna expressed her love for the actor and his three young sons he shares with estranged wife Megan Fox. Brian also has a 19-year-old son, Kassius, from his relationship with Vanessa Marcil. 'Brian makes me smile, his beautiful boys make me smile, our life, the things we're doing,' Sharna said. Happily in love: 'I'm in a really good, happy place,' the father of four told The Daily Telegraph It comes after the couple - who have teamed up for the Trueheart campaign to support the charity Smile Train - revealed how their romance blossomed during the Covid pandemic on The Kyle and Jackie O Show last week. He told the radio hosts they were able to 'connect more' because Covid regulations forced them to wear face masks on their initial dates. 'For us, sitting at coffee shops and doing what we could [on dates]...it really helped us connect more,' he said. Bonding: It comes after the couple - who have teamed up for the Trueheart campaign to support the charity Smile Train - revealed how their romance blossomed during the Covid pandemic on The Kyle and Jackie O Show last week Brian explained: 'One of the positives that I think has come out of wearing masks... [is that] people have reconnected again.' 'I can't tell you how many people I've looked at in the eye and really connected with.' 'And also [we didn't have to] rush. Just take time to actually connect,' added Sharna, who hails from Wagga Wagga, Australia, but now lives in LA. Honeymoon phase: Sharna has been dating the '90s heartthrob, who split from wife Megan Fox last year, for about eight months Sharna has been dating the '90s heartthrob, who split from wife Megan Fox last year, for about eight months. He shares sons Noah, eight, Bodhi, six, and Journey, four, with his estranged wife. The Transformers star, 35, left him after falling for rapper and actor Machine Gun Kelly in early 2020. She filed for divorce in November. Married At First Sight star Beck Zemek enjoyed a date night with her boyfriend Ben Mitchell in Perth on Wednesday. The reality TV villain and her beau went arm-in-arm as they posed on the red carpet at the premiere of Fast & Furious 9. The 28-year-old flaunted her toned midriff in a pink crop top and white three-quarter length jeans. Loved-up! Married At First Sight's Beck Zemek showed off her toned abs in a crop top as she cosied up to boyfriend Ben Mitchell at the premiere of Fast & Furious 9 in Perth on Wednesday Beck teamed the ensemble with a black jacket and wore a comfortable pair of black boots. She was all smiles as she posed alongside Ben on the red carpet after arriving to the event. Ben also dressed casually in black jeans, a matching coloured T-shirt and sneakers. Stylish: The 28-year-old flaunted her toned midriff in a pink crop top and white three-quarter length jeans Beck debuted her relationship with Ben in April, posting a video of the couple going snorkelling together after being asked by fans on Instagram if she was single. While she did not give away the identity of her man at the time, she was seen holding hands with him underwater. Meanwhile, Beck is currently focused on her post-MAFS career as a social media influencer. Casual: Ben also dressed casually in black jeans, a matching coloured T-shirt and sneakers After signing with a talent agency in Perth, the blonde beauty has started booking endorsements with brands like Booby Tape and BooHoo clothing. She's also launched a separate Instagram account focused on food and gut health. Despite her success on Instagram thus far, it's unclear if she has actually resigned from her pre-fame job as a manager at a 'growing company' in Perth. Beck was 'married' to Jake Edwards on the most recent season of MAFS, but the pair split up by the time the reunion was filmed. Tom Hiddleston is the latest star to sign up to read a CBeebies Bedtime Story. The 40-year-old actor - known for roles in The Night Manager and Loki - will make his CBeebies debut on June 25 when he reads Supertato, a story by Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet. The story is about a superhero potato and a supervillain pea. Get cosy: Tom Hiddleston is the latest star to sign up to read a CBeebies Bedtime Story The Kong: Skull Island actor will open the story with: 'Tonights bedtime story is all about a supervillain. This guy is really naughty, very cheeky and bright green. 'But never fear, because where theres trouble, a superhero is sure to follow.' Tom is currently starring in Disney Plus spin-off series Loki, reprising his role as Marvels God Of Mischief. Fellow superhero actors Tom Hardy - Venom - and Chris Evans - Captain America - have appeared on Bedtime Stories in recent years. Story time: The 40-year-old actor - known for roles in The Night Manager and Loki - will make his CBeebies debut on June 25 when he reads Supertato, a story by Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet In good company: Tom Hardy has also appeared on Bedtime Stories The likes of Eddie Redmayne and Robbie Williams have also appeared. Tom appeared on MTV News to chat about Loki on Wednesday - touching upon his character's gender-fluid identity. 'Its been in the story of the character for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Loki is a trickster; boundaries and identity have always been fluid,' he said. 'And Ive really enjoyed that. 'I remember when I was first cast, reading about that stuff, and Im really pleased that we have a place to explore it.' Fellow hunk: Fellow superhero actor Chris Evans - Captain America - has appeared on Bedtime Stories in recent years Chat: Tom appeared on MTV News to discuss Loki on Wednesday - touching upon his character's gender-fluid identity He went on: 'Im excited to explore his magical power. I think thats something that weve never really tapped into in a deep way in the MCU. 'I knew we were going to get into it, and apart from being self-important, hubristic, and puffed-up, he can be, in the comics, highly-skilled at magic. 'And we might get to see a bit more of that in the series.' She has a new film, television series and podcast - on top of an already busy schedule. And on Wednesday Sophia Bush lived up to the old 'dress for success' motto when she stepped out to take care of business in New York City. While making her way to an appointment, the Southern California native looked all business and style in a pink plaid suit, consisting of fitted pants and a blazer that appeared to have a touch of 1970s retro added to the modern ensemble. Dress for success: Sophia Bush, 38, was the picture of business and style when she stepped out in a pink plaid suit in New York City on Wednesday The pants had a highwater design, which helped show off her perfectly matched pink/burgundy heeled boots The One Tree Hill alum, 38, rounded out the ensemble with a white top, a stylish white purse and her long brown tresses pulled back into a ponytail with a center part. Adding to her appeal, the actress flashed an infectious smile as she made her way down the street on a sunny day with temperatures hovering close to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. On point: The One Tree Hill alum, 38, paired her plaid suit with pink/burgundy boots, a white top, a stylish white purse by DeMellier, and her long brown tresses pulled back into aponytail Beaming: The actress and activist flashed an infectious smile while out and about It wasn't all work and no play for Bush. In between stops she found time to take a break for lunch with Samantha Barry, the editor-in-chief for Glamour magazine. The two ladies sat in the outside patio of a quaint Manhattan restaurant, and indulged in an assortment of fish, vegetables and pasta, along with a tasty glass of wine. Barry, 39, took time out to take a photo of Bush and share it on Instagram with the caption: 'Sunshine and food with @sophiabush.' Bush shared it on her Instagram Story and wrote, 'Seeing my @sambarry today was SOUL FOOD. And the pasta didn't hurt.' R&R: Bush met up for lunch with Samantha Barry, the editor-in-chief of Glamour magazine Fashionista: Barry, 39, took over as Glamour magazine editor-in-chief in 2018, making her only the eighth person to hold the title since it was founded back in 1939 Bush has a lot on her plate right now on the work front. She stars in the upcoming horror film - False Positive - alongside Ilana Glazer, Justin Theroux, Gretchen Mol, Pierce Brosnan, Josh Hamilton and Kelly AuCoin, which is slated to drop on Hulu June 25. It is said to be a contemporary take on the classic film Rosemary's Baby. Bush also scored the lead role in the new CBS medical drama series - Good Sam - where she plays the talented yet stifled heart surgeon Dr. Sam Griffith. The series, which also stars Skye P. Marshall, Michael Stahl-David and Edwin Hodge, is expected to premiere as a midseason entry during the 202122 television season. And if that wasn't enough, Bush has also reunited with former One Tree Hill co-stars Hilarie Burton-Morgan and Bethany Joy Lenz in the new weekly podcast, Drama Queens, on iHeartRadio. The three ladies reminisce about the nine seasons they spent on the beloved teen soap series. Reunited! Bush has reunited with One Tree Hill co-stars Hilarie Burton-Morgan and Bethany Joy Lenz for the new podcast - Drama Queens on IHeartRadio Bush already hosts her podcast - Work In Progress, where she talks frank and funny about her personal and professional life, including politics, and with people who inspire her. Along with her role as Brooke Davis in the The WB/CW drama series One Tree Hill (2003-2012), the actress is also best known for portraying Erin Lindsay in the NBC police drama series Chicago P.D. (2014-2017). Her film resumes includes the romantic teen drama John Tucker Must Die (2006), the road thriller The Hitcher (2007), the independent film The Narrows (2008), the biographical legal drama Marshall (2017), the action thriller Acts Of Violence (2018), and the animated superhero film Incredibles 2 (2018). A lawyer suing Erika Girardi and her husband Tom Girardi said in a podcast interview Wednesday that he believes he can prove the reality star, who has not been charged with any crimes, was 'incredibly involved' in fraud allegedly perpetrated by her estranged husband. Class-action attorney Jay Edelson, 48, told Reality Life With Kate Casey that if his lawsuit against Erika and Tom was successful her possessions could be seized and auctioned off. Edelson's firm represents victims of the Lion Air Flight 610 crash in October 2018 and he filed a lawsuit last year in federal court accusing Tom Girardi, 82, of embezzling settlement funds from 'widows and orphans' to fund a lavish lifestyle chronicled by Erika, 49, on The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills. Reality star: A lawyer suing Erika Girardi, shown last month in Los Angeles, and her husband Tom Girardi said in a podcast interview Wednesday that he believes he can prove the reality star, who has not been charged with any crimes, was 'incredibly involved' in fraud allegedly perpetrated by her estranged husband 'We believe we're going to be able to prove that Erika was incredibly involved in not just the law firm, but also, he was loaning money to her company 10s of millions of dollars to her company,' Edelson said. 'And we think that money came from client funds. And we're going to look into all of that. And that's all going to be, you know, part of proof that we showed to a jury that she was knee-deep in this fraud, and she can say, 'Oh, she didn't know anything about it.' And I think that's going be hard for to convince a jury of,' he added. Edelson PC in its December lawsuit alleged that Tom and Erika 'are on the verge of financial collapse and locked in a downward spiral of mounting debts and dwindling funds'. Erika filed for divorce from Tom in November 2020 a month before they were both named as defendants in the lawsuit filed by Edelson. The defendants: Edelson PC in its December lawsuit alleged that Tom and Erika, shown in January 2017 in West Hollywood, 'are on the verge of financial collapse and locked in a downward spiral of mounting debts and dwindling funds' A documentary titled The Housewife And The Hustler was released Monday on Hulu documenting the couple's legal troubles. 'She was basically taking client funds and using it to fund her lifestyle. And if we're successful (in their case), that means that we're going to be able to get whatever possessions she has back in order to pay off any sort of judgment,' Edelson said. 'So there's no exception of you know, this is a valuable piece of artwork. I mean, it gets really nasty when you get a judgment and someone doesn't want to pay, you literally can depose them and say we want to go through your purse, take out the possessions in your purse, what is that? You know, that is no longer yours. Yeah, it gets really, really nasty,' he added. Reality podcast: Class-action attorney Jay Edelson, 48, told Reality Life With Kate Casey that if his lawsuit against Erika and Tom was successful her possessions could be seized and auctioned off Incredibly involved: 'We believe we're going to be able to prove that Erika was incredibly involved in not just the law firm, but also, he was loaning money to her company 10s of millions of dollars to her company,' said Edelson, shown in an undated photo Edelson also commented on the couple's dynamics and said he didn't view Erika as a victim. 'I will go to my grave saying that Erica is the smarter of the two of them. I just, I fundamentally believe that. My view of Tom is that he is such a fragile ego,' he said. 'So I wonder, I have no idea what their relationship was like, but she she played him pretty well. ...So, I don't view her as a victim. I view her as kind of, you know, she was kind of conning the con man,' Edelson said. DailyMail.com has reached out to Erika for comment on Edelson's interview. She recently jetted abroad with her boyfriend Joe Davies. And Faye Brookes showed off her sensational figure in a white one-piece on Wednesday as she peered over the Mykonos sea from the comfort of a yacht. The former Coronation Street actress, 33, worked her best angles in a series of sun-soaked social media snaps. 'On Wednesdays we wear white': Faye Brookes showed off her sensational figure in a white one-piece on Wednesday as she peered over the Mykonos sea from the comfort of a yacht for an Instagram photo Her windswept tresses were styled in a natural wave as she appeared to wear minimal make-up for the boat trip. Faye rocked shades and wrote online: 'On Wednesdays we wear white' Sharing additional photos to her Instagram Story, the soap star rested on a net and posed next to her pals. She also uploaded chic Polaroid snaps from her day out. Greece and its islands are currently on the UK government's Amber list, meaning those returning to Britain must quarantine for 10 days on their return. Relaxation: The former Coronation Street actress, 33, worked her best angles in a series of sun-soaked social media snaps The government also requires that travellers take a Covid test on or before day two and on or after day eight. It may be possible to end quarantine early if a private Covid test through the Test to Release scheme is paid for. It comes after Faye revealed in February her and Joe's plans to get married and have children as she declared he was the 'best cheerleader' when she appeared on Dancing On Ice. When asked if an engagement is on the cards, Faye responded to OK! magazine: 'I would love to get married and I know Joe would too, but right now we love our lives and there is no pressure.' Her partner Joe concurred: 'There's a huge future ahead for both of us and we're on our own journey.' Natural beauty: Her brunette tresses were styled in a natural wave and she appeared to wear minimal make-up for the boat trip Having fun: Sharing additional photos to her Instagram Story, the soap star posed next to her pals The actress also spoke of their elaborate wedding plans as she added: 'It's going to have to be a big wedding! As much as we'd love it to be intimate and have our parents there as witnesses, there are too many important people in our lives.' According to Faye, she and Joe are incredibly close to their families, and they have a 'great group of friends,' who they want to attend their wedding ceremony. She also confirmed they have 'fur babies' for now - referring to their dogs - and that they haven't made 'any plans' to have children. However, she did reveal they have discussed the possibility of having kids as Joe subtly added: 'There will be a time and place for everything.' The loved-up couple confirmed they met through mutual friends at Barry's Bootcamp in Manchester, they were first spotted together at the end of 2019. Savour the moment: She also uploaded chic Polaroid snaps from her day out Faye was introduced to her personal trainer beau through his colleague, Amy, as he covered one of her fitness classes. They initially embarked on a friendship but apparently, their mutual friends predicted a romance. The couple reflected that they weren't 'looking for a relationship' but rather, it 'became one'. 'Not only is he my best friend, but hes the best cheerleader,' Faye gushed over Joe's support following her DOI debut in January. Joe revealed he got a bit tearful during her first official skating performance as Faye thanked him for keeping her 'calm, grounded' and 'present'. She also credited her dance partner Hamish Gaman for being a 'pure professional' and a 'perfectionist.' Matthew McConaughey wanted to be a father when he was eight years old because he thought 'That's when you've made it.' The 51-year-old actor revealed how his father's lessons inspired him to aim for fatherhood at an early age while appearing on Tim McGraw's radio show Beyond The Influence Radio with Tim McGraw which airs on Apple Music Country. Explaining how is own father always made him address people as 'sir' or 'ma'am' when he was growing up, and as a child, Matthew thought the reason he had to use respectful terms when addressing adults was because they were parents. 'For me, [becoming a father] was the motivation to continue, but hopefully be able to maybe evolve and improve it,' he said. Goals: Matthew McConaughey wanted to be a father when he was eight years old because he thought 'That's when you've made it.' He's seen with wife Camila Alves, honoree Matthew McConaughey, his mother Kay McCabe and their three children, Levi, Livingston and Vida in 2019 'It was when I was eight years old is when it hit me. I wanted to be a father. I remember what it was. My dad was a "sirs" and "ma'ams" and "please" and "thank you" man, and he would introduce me to his friends. 'I'm eight years old looking up to them and shaking their hands saying, 'Nice to meet you, sir. Nice to meet you, sir. Nice to meet you, sir.' At that moment, I had already shaken many of his friends hands through years, but at that moment in my eight year old mind, what went through my mind is, "Oh, the common denominator about all these men that I'm saying 'sir' to is that they're fathers. That's why they're a 'sir.'" And the Dallas Buyers Club star who is now father to Levi, 12, Vida, 11, and Livingston, eight, whom he has with his wife Camila Alves knew that becoming a father would mean he had 'made it'. He said: 'I remember in my eight year old mind going, "That's when you've made it. That's when you become a sir. That's what success is." 'It hit me then, and it's never left me as the paramount example of what being a sir or being the greatest success you can be as a man.' Making a change: McConaughey, 51, recently discussed the possibility of entering politics in an interview for The Carlos Watson Show Matthew recently opened up about his goals beyond acting, admitting he'd considered dipping his toe into politics and is now giving thought to a run for governor of Texas. McConaughey admitted he only wanted to pursue politics if it meant addressing longstanding civic problems during an appearance on The Carlos Watson Show. 'I'm not interested in going and putting a bunch of Band-Aids on that are going to be ripped off as soon as I'm out, I'm interested in building something that can last and I'm measuring what category that is. I don't know if that's politics,' he said. 'That whole embassy of politics has some redefining of its purpose.' Watson then quizzed the Oscar winner on whether he had the 'constitution' to take challenging stands and to go up against an opponent on the offensive. 'I trust my core beliefs enough, and my values enough, to feel comfortable listening to an opposing one,' he replied. 'We try to teach our kids delayed gratification but we don't like to think about further than tomorrow we need immediate results.' Looking forward: 'I'm interested in building something that can last and I'm measuring what category that is. I don't know if that's politics,' McConaughey told the host Lacking a spine: He criticized past and current politicians for only focusing on short-term wins, rather than risking reelection for larger long-term gains He criticized past and current politicians for only focusing on short-term wins, rather than risking reelection for larger long-term gains. 'How many things do actual leaders and politicians get done that now become realized later on after they're off? They never get credit for them,' he continued. 'You only get credit for wins and Ws and Ls for what you did in that bank of those years. 'We've got to make some sacrifices for larger rewards tomorrow,' he added. One example of politicians focusing on short-term political wins while failing to better society was Texas Governor Greg Abbott's decision to end the state's mask mandate back in March, despite more than 100 deaths and thousands of new cases before reported every day at the time. 'I think the best example, for my mind, this last year is the damn dispute over the masks that got politicized,' the Killer Joe actor said. 'I'm like, "C'mon man, I'm not believing you're really scared of this little cotton thing, and I'm not believing you really feel that takes away your identity and your freedom."' Rush to judgment: He criticized Texas Governor Greg Abbott for ending the state's mask mandate in March. 'There's no data that says it's not a good thing, no data that says it's harmful' Playing it safe: The actor was bashed by right-wing fans on May 14 when he shared a photo of himself hiking with a mask on, despite it not harming him or anyone else Masks have been a sore subject for McConaughey in recent days. He shared a photo of himself hiking outdoors on May 14 while alone in a desert, only for the comments to be filled with right-wing users lambasting him for wearing a mask while he was far away from anyone else. Days earlier, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had said that vaccinated people can go without masks in almost all circumstances except heavily crowded indoor or outdoor settings, and even unvaccinated people can safely be unmasked when they're outdoors and able to social distance. Despite the fact that his mask wasn't harming him or anyone else, it stoked the rage of certain social media users. 'This is a short-term inconvenience for long-term freedom,' he said of the now-defunct mask mandate. 'There's no data that says it's not a good thing, no data that says it's harmful. Let's all take one for the team here.' That was then: Back in November he told Stephen Colbert that he was more focused on the impact he could make on society through channels other than politics McConaughey hasn't always been as interested in entering the world of politics. Back in November he told Stephen Colbert that he was more focused on the impact he could make on society through other channels. 'I have no plans to do that right now, as I said, that would be up to a lot of other people,' he said. But in March he seemed to have changed his tune when he told The Hill that he was 'looking into' a run for Texas governor. 'I'm looking into now again, "What is my leadership role?"' he said. 'Because I do think I have some things to teach and share. What is my role, what is my category in my next chapter of life that I'm going into now?' The interview took place on Beyond The Influence Radio with Tim McGraw on Apple Music Country. Listen back to the interview in full on-demand at: apple.co/_TimMcGrawRadio. She was seen kissing a 'mystery man' on Monday night while walking her dog in New York City. And on Wednesday, Page Six revealed that Padma Lakshmi's new man is celebrated writer Terrance Hayes. A source told the outlet: 'Its early days. Theyre just getting to know each other.' New love: Padma Lakshmi was seen kissing a 'mystery man' in New York City on Monday night and on Wednesday, Page Six revealed his identity as writer Terrance Hayes The Top Chef host, 50, looked lovely in a flirty white outfit and wedge sandals. Her sleeveless dress had ruffles and a thigh-skimming hemline and she wore it cinched in at the waist thanks to the addition of a brown belt. Hayes, 49, was more casual in a black t-shirt and blue jeans with brown slides. The writer won the National Book Award in 2010 for his collection of poems titled Lighthead and was a recipient of a MacArthur fellowship and a Guggenheim fellowship. Date: The couple's PDA took place outside the Top Chef host's Manhattan apartment building after walking her dog Eye-catching: Lakshmi, 50, looked lovely in a flirty white outfit and wedge sandals. Her sleeveless dress had ruffles and a thigh-skimming hemline and she wore it with a brown belt Writer: Hayes, 49, was more casual in a black t-shirt and blue jeans with brown slides. He won the National Book Award in 2010 and has received MacArthur and Guggenheim fellowships Moving on: Lakshmi split from on and off love Adam Dell earlier this year. She and the venture capitalist, who have been seeing each other since 2009, share a daughter Krishna Thea, 11 Lakshmi split from longtime on and off love Adam Dell earlier this year. She and the venture capitalist, who have been seeing each other since 2009, share a daughter Krishna Thea, 11. An insider explained to Page Six: 'Adam and Padma broke up shortly after the new year; it was very amicable. They are intent on staying the best of friends and remain like family.' The source added that the two 'are committed to co-parenting their daughter, Krishna, who has always been their first priority.' The TV personality and cookbook author was previously married to author Salman Rushdie from 2004 to 2007 and enjoyed a two-year relationship with the late billionaire Teddy Forstmann. Bindi Irwin says breastfeeding her daughter has been a 'learning curve'. The 22-year-old conservationist welcomed her Grace Warrior into the world with her husband Chandler Powell on March 25, and has said shes enjoyed learning how to breastfeed her baby and building the 'little bond' between them. She said: 'It's a learning curve. You want to make sure your baby is full, and you're learning as a new mom as well. It was the most exciting moment when she figured out how to latch properly. Learning curve: Bindi Irwin says she has enjoyed learning how to breastfeed her daughter Grace Warrior and how it has build 'a little bond' between them 'It's really, really amazing to be able to have that closeness. This little bond that you have with them that is just extraordinary.' And although Bindi is happy breastfeeding, she also thinks its 'so nice' to have other options such as formula milk available. She told People magazine: 'It's so nice to have so many options now. I think that in this day and age, it's so important as a mother to encourage other moms. Everybody has a different journey when it comes to feeding their baby and it's so important to be supportive of everybody. 'As you become a mom you enter this club and it's unlike anything else in the world and everybody has different advice and thoughts. I think that as anything else, it's just about supporting each other and being encouraging with one another because everybody has a different journey when it comes to raising their baby, especially with feeding.' Baby makes three! Bindi announced she had given birth on Instagram on in late March with a sweet picture of herself and Chandler holding baby Grace Bindi announced she had given birth on Instagram on in late March with a sweet picture of herself and Chandler holding baby Grace. And the Crikey! Its the Irwins star explained she had chosen the middle names Warrior Irwin for her tot in memory of her late father, Steve Irwin, whom she called 'the most incredible wildlife warrior'. She wrote: 'March 25, 2021. Celebrating the two loves of my life. Happy first wedding anniversary to my sweetheart husband and day of birth to our beautiful daughter. Grace Warrior Irwin Powell. 'Our graceful warrior is the most beautiful light. Grace is named after my great-grandmother, and relatives in Chandler's family dating back to the 1700s. Her middle names, Warrior Irwin, are a tribute to my dad and his legacy as the most incredible Wildlife Warrior. Her last name is Powell and she already has such a kind soul just like her dad (sic).' A medical student aged 21 has become the youngest winner of The Great British Sewing Bee after learning the craft on YouTube. Serena Baker, who taught herself to sew aged 15, last night won the seventh series of the BBC competition after ten weeks of tasks that culminated in her creating a show-stealing yellow evening gown. Miss Baker, from Glasgow and studying at Edinburgh University, said: 'I hope it proves that sewing can be a hobby for everyone.' Serena Baker, a medical student aged 21, has become the youngest winner of The Great British Sewing Bee after learning the craft on YouTube Serena Baker (pictured with judge Esme Young), who taught herself to sew aged 15, last night won the seventh series of the BBC competition after ten weeks of tasks that culminated in her creating a show-stealing yellow evening gown The student learnt to sew as a teenager by watching YouTube videos as she grew interested in fashion. She vowed, with four years of medical training ahead of her, to 'be sewing the whole time whenever I can'. Judge Patrick Grant said of the evening gown: 'Serena, I love it. It looks simple but it isn't. 'I think the bodice is incredibly neatly constructed. I think the gathering on this skirt is exceptional, it's so even. She has delivered a gown with real impact.' Fellow judge Esme Young said: 'I definitely could see it on the red carpet. It looks great. Well done.' On winning the seventh series of the show, hosted by Joe Lycett, Miss Baker said she hoped to 'inspire' the younger generation to take up sewing as a hobby. On winning the seventh series of the show, hosted by Joe Lycett, Miss Baker said she hoped to 'inspire' the younger generation to take up sewing as a hobby She said: 'I've had a lot of support from Scotland and I feel so excited to bring the trophy home to Scotland, I hope I've made the country proud. 'Also, I hope it proves sewing can be a hobby for everyone. 'It used to be associated with older ladies, so I hope I've inspired younger people to start sewing.' Regarding the future, she said: 'I have two more years at university, then I have two foundation years training as a junior doctor, and after that I am not sure. I will still be sewing the whole time whenever I can. She beat 11 other contestants to the title, pipping textile artist Raphael, 34, and retail assistant Rebecca Grimbleby, 23, in last night's final. Alana Lister may not have found lasting love on Married At First Sight. But the 30-year-old school teacher looked anything but heartbroken as she enjoyed a wild night out on the Gold Coast on Wednesday. Alana, who split from MAFS groom Jason Engler weeks after their final vows, was joined by several other reality stars at a party hosted by fashion retailer Nasty Gal at Split at Nobby Beach. Party time! Newly single Married At First Sight star Alana Lister looked anything but heartbroken as she enjoyed a wild night out on the Gold Coast on Wednesday Alana wore a leopard print camisole top and high-waisted leather-look trousers. She accessorised with a white fringed jacket and high-heeled boots, and styled her long hair in loose curls. At one stage, she necked Fireball whisky shots from an ice sculpture display. Looking good: Alana wore a leopard print camisole top and high-waisted leather-look trousers Bottoms up: At one stage, she necked Fireball whisky shots from an ice sculpture display Dressed up: She accessorised with a white fringed jacket and high-heeled boots, and styled her long hair in loose curls Alana was joined at the event by several Love Island stars, including Edyn Mackney, Cassie Lansdell, Jessie Wynter, Shelby Bilby, Phoebe Thompson and Cynthia Taylu. Shelby turned heads in a casual yet chic plaid shirt dress, while Cassie looked flawless in a white cut-out number. Last month, Alana addressed rumours she was in talks to be the next Bachelorette. Glamorous: Alana was joined at the event by several Love Island stars, including Edyn Mackney, Cassie Lansdell, Jessie Wynter, Shelby Bilby, Phoebe Thompson and Cynthia Taylu Hot to trot: Cassie (right) looked flawless in a white cut-out dress Fun times: Shelby poured some Fireball whisky into a shot machine made of ice Getting the pins out: Shelby turned heads in a casual yet chic plaid shirt dress She told Yahoo she was interested in the role but was still under contract at Nine. 'I don't even know if they're casting The Bachelorette right now anyway, but legally I don't think I could do it in general because of my contract,' she said. She added that it would be difficult for her to eliminate the contestants at the rose ceremonies because she's 'really empathetic'. 'I'm really empathetic it'd be hard for me to kind of pick the guys out and kick them out but I mean, I would give it a go,' she said. The Covid-19 pandemic has halted travel for more than a year, but on Thursday the Today show team jetted off on a trip to New Zealand. Well, not the entire Today show team. As Karl Stefanovic, Ally Langdon, Brooke Boney and Richard Wilkins caught a flight out of Sydney Airport, newsreader Alex Cullen sulked as he held the fort at Nine HQ. Where's my invite? The Covid pandemic has halted travel for more than a year, but on Thursday the Today show team jetted off on a trip to New Zealand. Well, everyone except for Alex Cullen At about 9am, the departing hosts recorded a video as they entered the terminal, and Alex didn't look impressed. He was in the studio with Today Extra presenters David Campbell and Belinda Russell. 'I've tracked them down to Sydney Airport! Where are you?' Alex asked his co-hosts. Gang's (almost) all here! At about 9am, the departing hosts recorded a video as they entered the terminal, and Alex didn't look impressed back in the Today newsroom 'We're going to New Zealand, aren't you coming, Alex?' Ally cheekily responded. 'No I'm not! Thanks for bringing it up again,' he snapped back. Ally then rubbed salt into the wound by turning the camera to show Richard, Karl and Brooke, who were joining her on the overseas trip. Accident: Their visit to New Zealand marks the first time Today has ventured away from Nine's North Sydney headquarters since their ill-fated trip to the Gold Coast in February Their visit to New Zealand marks the first time Today has ventured away from Nine's North Sydney headquarters since their ill-fated trip to the Gold Coast in February. During that excursion, Ally injured herself badly during a pre-recorded hydrofoiling segment and was out of commission for a month. The Today show airs weekdays from 5:30am to 9am on Nine Andy Cohen said that he doesn't think The Housewife and the Hustler will impact Erika Jayne's status on the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, and questioned why a pair of alums in the Bravo franchise were featured in the recent documentary from Hulu. The documentary detailed allegations of fraud and embezzlement against Jayne's estranged husband Tom Girardi, 82, and examined how Jayne, 49, could peripherally be involved in the legal fracas. The Bravo boss, 53, speaking on SiriusXMs Radio Andy Wednesday, was asked if the documentary could have an impact on the reality star's standing on the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. The latest: Andy Cohen, 53, said that he doesn't think The Housewife and the Hustler will impact Erika Jayne's status on the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, and questioned why a pair of alums in the Bravo franchise were featured in the recent documentary from Hulu 'Well, I dont know,' Cohen answered. 'I dont think that documentary will affect her future on the show.' The caller said that after watching the Hulu doc, they were put off by seeing Jayne on the series amid the ongoing legal situation. Cohen noted he was puzzled by the appearances of Real Housewives alums Danielle Staub, 58, and Dana Wilkey, 46, in the documentary. 'I will say the idea that Danielle Staub and Dana Wilkey are the experts in this documentary about Erika is questionable at best,' Andy said. 'So I kind of realized I wasnt gonna learn anything new from them about Erika.' The documentary detailed allegations of fraud and embezzlement against Jayne's estranged husband Tom Girardi, 82, and examined how Jayne, 49, could peripherally be involved in the legal fracas Background: Cohen noted he was puzzled by the appearances of Real Housewives alum Danielle Staub, 58, and Dana Wilkey, 46, in the documentary Cohen added that 'the Tom Girardi stories continue to be deeply disturbing, and we have to see how this plays out.' Jayne was dropped by her legal team from the firm Dinsmore & Shohl LLP Monday amid the release of the new Hulu doc. The legal firm said 'the relationship of trust and confidence that is essential to a properly functioning attorney-client relationship has broken down and, in the good faith assessment of counsel, the relationship is irreparable,' Page Six reported Tuesday, citing court docs it reviewed. The firm, which was representing Jayne in the bankruptcy of her estranged husband Tom Girardi, said it had informed the Atlanta-born reality star of its decision on Monday. Tom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and dementia in March, the same month his legal license in California was revoked The couple rose to fame on Bravo's Real Housewives of Beverly Hills The firm said it had advised the Bravo personality of 'the potential consequences of not timely securing replacement counsel' if she did not retain a new attorney in timely fashion. The Housewife and the Hustler featured interviews with former clients accusing Girardi, 82, of financial theft in their cases, and noted Jayne's involvement in an LLC he had, with some funds allegedly being routed to her company EJ Global. Tom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and dementia in March, the same month his legal license in California was revoked. Tom faces a litany of legal problems, including a $2 million class action lawsuit claiming fraud and embezzlement from the firm Edelson PC in connection with the 2018 Lion Air Flight 610 crash, in which all 189 people onboard died. Problems: In addition to the split, Tom Girardi faces a number of other legal situations, including bankruptcy and multiple civil lawsuits from his former clients He and Jayne were sued for allegedly embezzling funds meant for families of victims, while Edelson PC, a firm for their ex clients, said in court docs their divorce last fall was orchestrated to 'fraudulently protect Tom and Erika's money' as they're 'on the verge of financial collapse.' In the Hulu doc, attorney Sunny Hostin pointed out that Jayne is seeking to have her high-dollar items classified as 'separate property' in their split, claiming they were 'gifts to her.' Reporter Brandon Lowrey of Law360 said in the doc that the estranged couple is 'together in these bankruptcy proceedings' and that 'it's going to be hard for her to say she didn't know that anything was going on.' In a preview for the show's 11th season, Jayne said of the accusations, 'No one knows the answer but him.' Filming is well under way on Stan's new original drama series Wolf Like Me. And on Tuesday, Isla Fisher was spotted shooting dramatic scenes in Sydney with her lookalike body doubles. The Australian actress, 45, wore a floral dress and grey plaid coat as her stuntwomen arrived in matching attire to take on the action scenes. New project: Isla Fisher (left) watched on as her lookalike stunt doubles (one is pictured right) filmed action scenes for Stan Original Series Wolf Like Me in Sydney on Tuesday Isla's doppelgangers mirrored her look down to the last detail as they were seen dashing across the set and leaping over a fence. Her body doubles also carried handbags and brown heels while shooting the stunt. Back in April, Stan announced that Wolf Like Me would be filmed in Australia. Doubles: The Australian actress, 45, wore a floral dress and grey plaid coat as her stuntwomen (one is pictured here) arrived in matching attire to take on the action scenes Character: Isla's doppelgangers mirrored her look down to the last detail Action! They were seen dashing across the set and leaping over a fence The upcoming series is written by Aussie filmmaker Abe Forsythe, and is based on his own life experience. The six-part series will also be directed by Forsythe and is being made in conjunction with NBCUniversal's streaming service Peacock in the U.S. Each episode of the drama series will run for 30 minutes. On the run: Her body doubles also carried handbags and brown heels while shooting the stunt New series: Back in April, Stan announced that Wolf Like Me would be filmed in Australia Isla will play a character named Mary while her co-star Josh Gad will play Gary - two strangers who are brought together in a twist of fate. Gary is described as an 'emotional wreck', who 'struggles to provide for his daughter since the death of his wife'. Meanwhile, 'Mary has a secret she can't bring herself to share with anyone'. Coming soon: The six-part series will also be directed by Forsythe and is being made in conjunction with NBCUniversal's streaming service Peacock in the U.S Role: Isla (pictured) will play Mary while her co-star Josh Gad will play Gary - two strangers who are brought together in a twist of fate In a statement to Stan, Forsythe said: 'Wolf Like Me is a very meaningful project for me, the stakes are extremely high but grounded by things we can all relate to. 'I'm so excited to have Isla and Josh on board, and I know the audience will be surprised seeing them in a different way as these characters.' Isla was last seen in Curb Your Enthusiasm and the movie Godmothered. Character: 'Mary has a secret she can't bring herself to share with anyone' Rita Moreno is backtracking on her highly-publicized defense of Lin-Manuel Miranda after he was accused of sidelining Afro-Latinx actors in his movie In The Heights. Just twenty-four hours after the veteran actress and star of West Side Story told Stephen Colbert that critics were 'attacking the wrong person', Moreno, 89, issued an apology in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. 'I'm incredibly disappointed with myself,' she declared Wednesday evening. 'While making a statement in defense of Lin Manuel Miranda on the Colbert Show last night, I was clearly dismissive of black lives that matter in our Latin community.' Change of heart: Rita Moreno is backtracking on her highly-publicized defense of Lin-Manuel Miranda after he was accused of sidelining Afro-Latinx actors in his movie In The Heights Moreno went on: 'It is so easy to forget how celebration for some is lament for others.' She then explained: 'In addition to applauding Lin for his wonderful movie version of In the Heights, let me add my appreciation for his sensitivity and resolve to be more inclusive of the Afro-Latino community going forward. See, you CAN teach this old dog new tricks.' On Monday, Miranda had promised to 'do better' in a message posted to Twitter that acknowledged the validity of the colorism criticisms. Mea culpa: 'I'm incredibly disappointed with myself,' the veteran star, 89, declared Wednesday evening. 'While making a statement in defense of Lin Manuel Miranda on the Colbert Show last night, I was clearly dismissive of black lives that matter in our Latin community' Controversy: Miranda came in for criticism for only giving lead roles in his musical movie to light-skinned Latinos, while those with darker complexions were resigned to background roles Opinion: Puerto Rico-born Moreno told Stephen Colbert Tuesday the attacks on Miranda were unfair. 'It's like you can never do right,' she said. 'They're really attacking the wrong person!' Praised the Hamilton creator: She said that the Washington Heights-born playwright, musician and actor 'is the man who literally has brought Latino-ness and Puerto Rican-ness to America' The Puerto Rico-born Moreno is an EGOT winner - one of the 16 people in the world to have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony. She told Stephen Colbert on his CBS late night show on Tuesday that she believed the attacks on Miranda were unfair. 'It's like you can never do right,' she said. 'They're really attacking the wrong person!' She said that the Washington Heights-born playwright, musician and actor 'is the man who literally has brought Latino-ness and Puerto Rican-ness to America'. Moreno's words were given extra weight by the fact she is the first Hispanic woman to ever win an Oscar. She received the Academy Award for her role in West Side Story - another movie musical famed for the diversity of its cast. Hollywood heavyweight: Moreno's words were given extra weight by the fact she is the first Hispanic woman to ever win an Oscar. She received the Academy Award for her role in 1961's West Side Story (pictured with star Natalie Wood) Broadway hit: In The Heights tells the stories of several characters living in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Upper Manhattan in New York City. Miranda, who was born in the Heights, is a producer on the movie that he adapted from his successful stage musical In The Heights is set in New York City's diverse Washington Heights neighborhood, and there has been much buzz about the new movie, which has been touted as bringing Latino culture to the fore. However, earlier this week, some critics charged that lead roles were only given to light-skinned Latinos, while those with darker complexions were resigned to background roles. Last week, Felice Leon - a critic from website The Root - expressed concern about 'the lack of Black Latinx people represented' in the film during an interview with In The Heights director, Jon M. Chu. She observed that the main cast 'were light-skinned or white-passing Latinx people.' Chu responded explaining: 'In the end, when we were looking at the cast, we were trying to get the people who were best for those roles. 'But I hear you on trying to fill those cast members with darker-skinned [actors]. I think that's a really good conversation to have, something that we should all be talking about.' Sorry: Miranda issued an apology via Twitter on Monday acknowledging the validity of the colorism criticisms and promising to 'do better'. He's pictured at the Tribeca Festival on June 9 Public apology: 'I'm truly sorry', the actor, musician and playwright said in a statement. 'I can hear the hurt and frustration over colorism, of feeling still unseen' Miranda - who wrote and produced the movie - subsequently posted his apology on Twitter. 'I started writing In The Heights because I didn't feel seen. And over the past 20 years all I wanted was for us-ALL of us-to feel seen,' he wrote. 'I'm seeing the discussion around Afro-Latino representation in our film this weekend and it is clear that many in our dark-skinned Afro-Latino community don't feel sufficiently represented within it, particularly among the leading roles.' The Hamilton creator, 41, went on: 'I can hear the hurt and frustration over colorism, of feeling still unseen in the feedback. I hear that without sufficient dark-skinned Afro-Latino representation, the work feels extractive of the community we wanted so much to represent with pride and joy.' He added: 'I'm truly sorry. 'I'm learning from the feedback, I thank you for raising it, and I'm listening,' he added. 'I'm trying to hold space for both the incredible pride in the movie we made and be accountable for our shortcomings. 'I promise to do better in my future projects, and I'm dedicated to the learning and evolving we all have to do to make sure we are honoring our diverse and vibrant community. Out now: The film version of Miranda's stage musical stars Anthony Ramos, Melissa Barrera and Leslie Grace. It was released in theaters and simultaneously streaming on HBO Max In The Heights tells the stories of several characters living in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Upper Manhattan in New York City. Miranda, who was born in the neighborhood, wrote the original play while at university. In 2004, he partnered with playwright and lyricist Quiara Alegria Hudes to turn it into a stage musical which premiered on Broadway in 2008. It won four Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Original Score. The film version starring Anthony Ramos, Melissa Barrera and Leslie Grace and directed by Jon M. Chu was released in the United States on June 10 in theaters and simultaneously streaming on HBO Max. She recently denied she's undergone a boob job. And Swedish-Australian model Kelly Gale showed off her God-given assets in a steamy Instagram post on Wednesday. The Victoria's Secret Angel flaunted her ample cleavage in a barely-there neon green bikini. All mine! Victoria's Secret model Kelly Gale showed off her ample cleavage in a barely-there neon green bikini in a throwback photo on Wednesday, after the Swedish-Australian model denied she's undergone a boob job The brunette beauty posted a throwback photo of herself posing in front of a lake, which was taken during a recently trip to Stockholm. Kelly revealed her natural beauty by going makeup free and wore her dark long locks out and around her shoulders. The photo was presumably taken by her fiance Joel Kinnamen, who had accompanied his bride-to-be on the trip. They are real! Kelly recently set the record straight on rumours that she has had a breast enlargement. Responding to an online fan on social media, who wrote: 'Boob job?' Kelly said: 'False. They're big, they're real' Kelly recently set the record straight on rumours that she has had a breast enlargement. Responding to an online fan on social media, who wrote: 'Boob job?' Kelly said: 'False. They're big, they're real.' Kelly went on to reveal her bra size, with a second questioner asking: 'You're a 34D'. 'False. Not sure what my actual size is but I wear 32C cause that's what I think looks good and feels good.' Fitness fanatic! Kelly recently showed off her phenomenal figure in revealing beige activewear Kelly has consistently denied getting breast implants, despite being repeatedly asked about it by curious fans. She was also asked by fans if she had breast implants during a Q&A on Instagram Stories in October last year. 'No [I haven't had breast implant surgery]. The answer right now is no. In the future, that answer's going to change I'm pretty sure,' she said at the time. Matt Agnew has blasted Waleed Aly after he sensationally claimed social media platforms are to blame for online bullying during Wednesday's episode of The Project. The 42-year-old Project panelist argued that social media sites such as Twitter fostered a culture which encouraged trolls. His comments infuriated the 33-year-old former Bachelor, who claimed Waleed's argument 'absolutely does my head in'. Fighting words: Matt Agnew has blasted Waleed Aly after he sensationally claimed social media platforms are to blame for online bullying during Wednesday's episode of The Project 'Anyone with a shred of empathy and human decency will not wade into the realm of making death threats or telling people to kill themselves,' Matt wrote in an impassioned post on Instagram on Thursday. 'Trying to suggest "the machine" has any responsibility in such despicable, abhorrent behaviour is irresponsible and further enables garbage behaviour as it allows the shifting of blame. 'This makes me so mad that this is even being debated. If all it takes is opening Twitter, Instagram, or [insert social media of choice] for you to start spewing vile hatred and telling people to kill themselves then the problem is not the machine; the problem is you.' Controversial: Project panelist Waleed Aly argued that social media sites such as Twitter fostered a culture which encouraged trolls Matt said he sided with fellow Project panelist Rachel Corbett, who similarly slammed Waleed for his remarks. '@_rachelcorbett is right. Cancel culture is dumb. Making mistakes is the quintessential learning tool for humans, and it's important we don't destroy people for making mistakes, and allow them an opportunity to learn and grow,' he added. 'Saying that, I also have a hard time fathoming how someone can make a mistake as repugnant as telling someone to kill themselves.' Outrage: Matt said he sided with fellow Project panelist Rachel Corbett, who similarly slammed Waleed for his remarks The show's panelists were discussing model Chrissy Teigen's online bullying when the conversation degenerated into a heated argument on Wednesday's episode of The Project. Waleed and Rachel, 40, raised their voices and spoke over one another during the segment, during which they debated whether Teigen or Twitter were more responsible for the model's online 'death threats' against fellow celebrities. At one point a visibly frustrated Corbett snapped at Aly, 'You can't say it's the fault of [Twitter].' 'Anyone with a shred of empathy and human decency will not wade into the realm of making death threats or telling people to kill themselves,' Matt wrote in an impassioned post on Instagram on Thursday While she argued for greater 'personal responsibility' for social media users who troll others online, Waleed seized the opportunity to rail against 'the platform'. 'You can think whatever you want of Teigen, she was joining pile-ons. So she's part of that fashion trend in that moment,' said Waleed. But Rachel immediately pushed back, saying, 'That doesn't absolve of her of personal responsibility. You can't say it's a fault of the platform.' 'You can think whatever you want of Teigen, she was joining pile-ons. So she's part of that fashion trend in that moment,' said Waleed 'I can say that, and it's not the same as absolving her from responsibility,' Waleed countered. 'But it absolutely is a result of the platform, and I think if we're trying to say we're going to solve these problems by picking out the people who misuse it and attacking them.' He added: 'Great, do that if you want to, but you're solving nothing. This is a bonfire.' 'Trying to suggest "the machine" has any responsibility in such despicable, abhorrent behaviour is irresponsible and further enables garbage behaviour as it allows the shifting of blame,' wrote Matt However, Rachel wasn't having any of it, lashing out at Aly, 'You cannot say it's not your responsibility, how you behave and interact on that platform. That platform does not draw you in to behaviour that you have no responsibility for.' But Waleed disagreed, stating, 'The problem is the machine. You've got to blow up this machine.' He doubled down on the assertion, saying: 'Some platforms drive us into worse behaviours than other platforms, that's a fact.' Weighing in: Rachel argued for greater 'personal responsibility' for social media users who troll others online, while Waleed seized the opportunity to rail against 'the platform' 'That drives me nuts. Because as somebody who would never behave [like Teigen did] on that platform it makes me so angry. Why am I trying to be a good person, if you can just say, "Oh, well, the platform made me do it"?' snapped Rachel. 'I'm not saying "the platform made me do it", but I'm saying the platform creates that environment and encourages it,' concluded Waleed. Chrissy, 35, has been the target of backlash since her abusive tweets originally made in 2011 resurfaced online, including one that urged a then 16-year-old Courtney Stodden to kill herself. Two-time Oscar nominee Scarlett Johansson was only nine when she scored her 'first real paying acting job' on a sketch on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. The 36-year-old former child star made her small-screen debut as spelling bee champion Sarah Hughes in a segment taped for the March 15, 1994 episode. In it, Sarah is lauded despite misspelling every word she attempts including lugubrious, sesquicentennial, and apology. Cute! Two-time Oscar nominee Scarlett Johansson was only nine when she scored her 'first real paying acting job' on a sketch on Late Night with Conan O'Brien This exasperates Conan's loyal sidekick Andy Richter, who receives hisses and boos from the studio audience clearly in on the joke. 'Hey Sarah, I know what will cheer you up. How would you like to be my sidekick for the rest of the show. Would you like that?' the 58-year-old talk show host asked. After the fourth grader gushed she'd 'love' to be his sidekick, O'Brien smiled: 'You're terrific.' Scarlett appeared on Conan's talk shows four more times, including in 2003 when she reminisced about her 'embarrassing piece of acting.' Throwback! The 36-year-old former child star made her small-screen debut as spelling bee champion Sarah Hughes in a segment taped for the March 15, 1994 episode Oops! In it, Sarah is lauded despite misspelling every word she attempts including lugubrious, sesquicentennial, and apology 'I hate to seem like a jerk': This exasperates Conan's loyal sidekick Andy Richter (L), who receives hisses and boos from the studio audience clearly in on the joke The 58-year-old talk show host (R) asked: 'Hey Sarah, I know what will cheer you up. How would you like to be my sidekick for the rest of the show. Would you like that?' 'I remember this big redheaded man,' Johansson recalled. 'And I remember Andy, after the show, he was just thrilled that I was his biggest fan at the time. He gave me his signed picture and I still have it.' The native New Yorker's first professional acting gig was, age eight, in Playwrights Horizons' stage production of Sophistry at the Studio Theater in 1993. Nicholas Martin's off-Broadway play also starred Ethan Hawke, Calista Flockhart, Anthony Rapp, and Steve Zahn. After the fourth grader gushed she'd 'love' to be his sidekick, O'Brien smiled: 'You're terrific' 'I remember this big redheaded man': Scarlett appeared on Conan's talk shows four more times, including in 2003 when she reminisced about her 'embarrassing piece of acting' Johansson recalled: 'And I remember Andy, after the show, he was just thrilled that I was his biggest fan at the time. He gave me his signed picture and I still have it' Scarlett then scored roles in North, Manny & Lo, The Horse Whisperer, and Ghost World before landing her breakout role in Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation in 2003. Johansson went on to win many trophies including a Tony Award, Independent Spirit Award, honorary Cesar Award, and MTV Generation Award. On June 29, the 5ft3in bombshell celebrates the 39th birthday of her husband of eight months - SNL head writer Colin Jost - whose memoir A Very Punchable Face drops on July 14. Hard work and good luck: The native New Yorker then scored roles in North, Manny & Lo, The Horse Whisperer, and Ghost World before landing her breakout role in Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation in 2003 (pictured with Bill Murray) Esteemed: Scarlett went on to win many trophies including a Tony Award, Independent Spirit Award, honorary Cesar Award, and MTV Generation Award (pictured May 16) Newlyweds: On June 29, Johansson celebrates the 39th birthday of her husband of eight months - SNL head writer Colin Jost (R) - whose memoir A Very Punchable Face drops July 14 Scarlett next reprises her role as former KGB assassin Natasha Romanoff in Cate Shortland's $200M-budget prequel Black Widow, which hits UK theaters July 7 and US theaters July 9. It's Johansson's eighth time portraying Black Widow, but her first solo film in the Marvel Comics Universe. Black Widow also features Florence Pugh, Rachel Weisz, David Harbour, William Hurt, and Ray Winstone. Miley Cyrus has a jam-packed performance schedule ahead of her, including headlining the Lollapalooza music festival in July. And the 28-year-old musician proved she is in tip top shape as she appeared on Instagram in a groovy green bikini on Wednesday. 'It's been a hot girl summer for like 3 years straight. no break,' captioned Cyrus, referring to Megan Thee Stallion's go-to slogan. Tip top shape: Miley Cyrus proved she is in tip top shape as she appeared on Instagram in a groovy green bikini on Wednesday The Hannah Montana alum captured her physique in selfie mode, which allowed her to make her taut tummy the photo's focal point. She showcased her glowing makeup-free complexion and wore her bright blonde strands in messy bun secured with a hot pink satin scrunchie. Miley was modeling the Tia set by the bathing suit brand Frankie's Bikinis, which she tagged in her post alongside Emi Jay who designed her scrunchie and flower hairclip. Giving each of the brand's a shout-out, Cyrus credited her 'girls' for making her look 'right and tight for this hot girl summmmmmer.' Female owned: Miley was modeling the Tia set by the bathing suit brand Frankie's Bikinis, which she tagged in her post alongside Emi Jay who designed her scrunchie Tatted up: Posing with her back to the camera and her hands on her hips, Miley displayed her vast collection of arm and back tattoos Suggesting she is friends with each of the brand owners, Miley wrote: 'be nice to your friends. you never know when they are gonna start bad a** female owned/ran businesses.' She gave fans a closer look at her summer-ready lounge wear look in a snapshot shared to her main Instagram feed. Posing with her back to the camera and her hands on her hips, Miley displayed her vast collection of arm and back tattoos. 'I dont know what yall wanna see more. My back tat or me in concert! Here ya go! Now theres only one thing left to do!' captioned the Wrecking Ball songstress, who included all of her upcoming tour dates in the post. Rockstar life: Cyrus has a jam-packed performance schedule ahead of her, including headlining the Lollapalooza music festival in July; Miley pictured in April Cyrus' first show on the docket is slated for July 4 at the Resorts World hotel in Las Vegas, which officially opens to the public on June 24. Weeks later, the Plastic Hearts hitmaker will take the stage during Lollapalooza in Chicago, Illinois on July 29, alongside the likes of Playboi Carti and Steve Aoki. Come September, she will perform at the Napa Valley music festival in California before tackling shows in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Atlanta, Georgia. Las Vegas: Cyrus' first show on the docket is slated for July 4 at the Resorts World hotel in Las Vegas, which officially opens to the public on June 24 Lollapalooza: Weeks later, the Plastic Hearts hitmaker will take the stage during Lollapalooza in Chicago, Illinois on July 29, alongside Playboi Carti and Steve Aoki Her final performance slots will be in October in Texas during the Austin City Limits Music Festival. As for her personal life, Miley recently became an aunt for the very first time following the birth of her younger brother Braison's son on June 8. Braison and his wife Stella announced their son Bear Chance's arrival via Instagram, with Miley taking to the platform shortly after to celebrate her family's new addition. First-time aunt! As for her personal life, Miley recently became an aunt for the very first time following the birth of her younger brother Braison's son on June 8 Welcome to the world! Braison Cyrus, 27, announced the birth of his first child, a son named Bear Chance Cyrus, with his wife Stella McBride in an Instagram post 'Congrats on becoming a dad - Great to know you're still an idiot. @braisonccyrus,' she wrote. 'And my gorgeous sister in law, who is 4EVR my idol! Most bad a** ever! @stellamcyrus Love you my famillllyyyyy!' In Braison's original post, he uploaded a heartwarming photo of himself cradling the newborn. 'Congrats on becoming a dad': Miley, 28, quickly took to her Instagram Story to share a tribute to her younger brother and sister-in-law as she shared a snap of his feet in Birkenstock sandals 'God poured every bit of his mercy, tenderness, beauty and strength into Bear and @stellamcyrus during her herculean feat of birthing him,' the new dad continued in his caption. 'I'm so blessed that he and his mom are healthy and couldn't be more amazed by her strength and bravery.' He ended the post by giving thanks to all the people who were there for the couple during the pregnancy and birth, adding, 'I am beyond grateful to the staff at the hospital and to our friends and family offering us encouragement and support. God is so good. Hallelujah.' KC Osborne is being accused of duping her followers after filming a video of herself using skincare products. The 32-year-old shared a sponsored post to Instagram for Tribe Skincare last week, but fans have accused her of pretending to apply the hyaluronic acid mask. KC's post was uploaded by Overinfluencers Instagram page alongside the caption: 'Just another influencer selling a product without actually applying it.' 'She's selling a product without applying it!' Fans have called out Married At First Sight's KC Osborne (pictured) for 'pretending to use skincare products' in sponsored post Another person commented: 'Hahaha how does this get approved from the brand's team? I am screaming.' 'Does this form of "marketing" seriously work? The poor brand paying money for this,' a third agreed. Daily Mail Australia has contacted KC Osborne for comment. 'How does this get approved?' The 32-year-old shared a sponsored post to Instagram for Tribe Skincare last week, but fans have accused her pretending to apply the products In the video, KC held a jar of the hyaluronic acid mask up to the camera before lightly rubbing it on. She then used the hydrating eye serum before applying the moisturiser. 'I am in love with @tribeskincare. The products are so light on the skin and leave my skin feeling super hydrated and glowing,' she captioned the post. 'The hyaluronic acid mask helps with fine lines, breakouts and adds moisture to the skin. I will be adding these 3 products to my daily routine,' she continued. 'Use my code KC10 and get your skin glowing. They also offer free express shipping on all orders! #ad.' Slammed: KC's post was uploaded by Overinfluencers Instagram page alongside the caption: 'Just another influencer selling a product without actually applying it' KC rose to fame on last year's season of Married At First Sight as an intruder couple with Drew Brauer. The pair agreed to stay together during their final commitment ceremony, before breaking up just weeks later. She eventually moved on with another fellow co-star, Michael Goonan but they split up in July. Ewan McGregor's daughter Clara tried her hand at a second red carpet appearance after her last one was preempted by an unexpected dog mauling incident that landed her in the ER. The 25-year-old actress/producer stepped out at the premiere of her dad's movie The Birthday Cake which she produced on Wednesday in Beverly Hills, alongside her mother Eve Mavrakis and sister Esther Rose McGregor. Clara proudly displayed her healing facial wounds which seemed to have turned to scabs at the event, just days after revealing the severity of the situation for the first time. Round two! Ewan McGregor's daughter Clara, 25, proudly displays her healing facial wounds following a dog attack at the premiere of The Birthday Cake in LA on Wednesday evening Ouch! She had first displayed her facial wounds following the dog attack at The Mob Museum in Las Vegas on Friday June 11 The blue-eyed stunner donned an eye-catching red dress that fell above her ankle and featured puffy sleeves. And she paired the look with kitten heels that were adorned with a bow and carried a floral bag. She was seen hugging film director Jimmy Giannopoulos in one snap before posing for another shot with actress Vera Bulder. And she went light on the makeup while beaming from ear to ear not shy about showing off the healing wounds that were sprinkled near the bridge of her nose and cheek. Proud display: She went light on the makeup, not shy about displaying her bite marks which had turned to scabs Family: The premiere was also attended by Ewan's ex-wife Eve and his daughter Esther Rose Close knit group: The actress/producer was seen posing for red carpet photos with the film's director Prior to a recent red carpet appearance last Friday June 11 at The Mob Museum in Las Vegas, Clara found herself in an unexpected predicament after she was bitten by a dog. She shared photos of herself on the red carpet and in the hospital as she wrote: 'When a dog bite lands you in the ER 30 mins before the red carpet ... thank you @themobmuseum for having us, @thebirthdaycakemovie comes out in theaters and on VOD June 18th!' The second-generation starlette continued to look poised during that red carpet appearance as well, as she donned a khaki three piece suit by Fendi. Despite being fresh from the hospital, on her Instagram Stories she maintained her sense of humor and added 'makeup courtesy of dog teeth.' Grace under fire: Clara also shared a shot from a hospital as she smiled in a sweatshirt in the wake of the frightening incident Stylish: The second-generation star wore a khaki three piece suit by Fendi to June 11 screening Progression: In her Wednesday evening appearance she showed off the progression of her healing wounds Clara is a producer on her father's latest film, which features an ensemble cast including Val Kilmer, Gossip Girl vet Penn Badgley, Ashley Benson, and Katie Holmes' now ex-boyfriend Emilio Vitolo Jr. In addition to her producing credit she also makes an appearance with her father Ewan who was not present at the first screening. The film follows young Italian man Giovanni, played by Shiloh, who reluctantly continues the family tradition of bringing a cake to his uncle to mark the 10th anniversary of his father's passing. Gio witnesses a murder while on his way that forces him to learn the truth behind his father's death. Married At First Sight's Jake Edwards has stepped down from the position of CEO at his mental health charity Outside The Locker Room. The 33-year-old shared the news to his Instagram on Thursday, alongside a gallery of pictures of himself working at the organisation. 'Six years ago, following the toughest period of my life, Outside the Locker Room was born through a desire to help others struggling with their mental health...' he began the heartfelt announcement. It's over! After six years as the CEO of his mental health charity Outside The Locker Room, Married At First Sight 's Jake Edwards announced on Thursday that he had stepped down from his position. 'Over that time I put together a program to educate and support young people which has now been delivered to over 400 sporting clubs and schools across Australia,' he added. Jake went on to write that his time at the charity allowed him to 'connect' with others and tell his story in a bid to inspire them. 'Its been a privilege I will be forever grateful for,' he added. As he concluded, Jake revealed that OTLR had come to the stage where it needed 'to find new leadership, with fresh and exciting ideas to take it into the future'. Grateful: 'Its been a privilege I will be forever grateful for,' he added Jake's announcement comes after the former AFL player had a three-week stint at a wellness retreat. Earlier this month, he thanked fans for their support during the trying time and beyond. 'Thanks for all the support and lovely messages everyone. Not just now but over the last five weeks,' Jake wrote on Instagram. Support: Earlier this month, Jake Edwards (pictured) thanked fans for their 'support and lovely messages' following his stint at a wellness retreat Thankful: The 33-year-old posted a picture of himself flashing a peace sign and wrote: 'Thanks for all the support and lovely messages everyone. Not just now but over the last five weeks' It comes after Jake shared an emotional video with fans from a wellness retreat, after stepping away from the limelight following his very public split from Sophie Guidolin in May. In the footage posted to Instagram, Jake said that asking for help 'probably saved his life', before cryptically discussing some of the 'choices he's made' which he says have 'impacted me and the people I love'. 'Some of you might have noticed that recently I've been spending some time away,' he began. Speaking out: It comes after Jake shared an emotional video with fans from a wellness retreat 'Through no fault but my own, the last two months have been extremely difficult. I've made some choices in my life that has impacted me personally, but also impacted people that I love and care about. 'My mental health got to a point that I needed to step away, and that's what I did.' At the time, Jake's management confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that the reality star wasn't in rehab, but instead took time away in a wellness retreat. By definition, a wellness retreat promotes health and wellbeing through physical, psychological and spiritual activities to reflect on life in private surroundings. Breaking his silence: 'Through no fault but my own, the last two months have been extremely difficult. I've made some choices in my life that has impacted me personally, but also impacted people that I love and care about,' Jake said Jake described the experience as both 'confronting and challenging'. 'One of the toughest things in life is to put your hand up and admit that you need help, and I was fortunate enough to be able to come away to a place like this with the full support of my family and friends,' he continued. 'As hard and as challenging as it's been, and confronting with many tears on the way, it's changed my life and probably saved my life as well.' He concluded by saying he's now found 'some answers which has been really important', and looks forward to sharing the positive changes with fans in future. 'For anyone who has sent messages, it really, really means a lot. To my family and friends I love you all so, so much and I'll be seeing you all again very soon,' he said. He made no direct mention of his public split from Sophie, 32, which the pair announced on May 14. If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 24 at any time of the day, seven days a week for anonymous support and guidance Audrina Patridge firmly put Sean Stewart in the 'friend zone' on Wednesday's episode of The Hills: New Beginnings on MTV. The 36-year-old reality star had gone on a few dates with Sean, 40, but realized romance wasn't in their future while also acknowledging a connection with Brody Jenner, 37. Sean met Audrina for a date in downtown Los Angeles and revealed that he had rented out an entire rooftop restaurant for her. Friend zone: Audrina Patridge firmly put Sean Stewart in the 'friend zone' on Wednesday's episode of The Hills: New Beginnings on MTV 'Something special for you,' Sean said. Audrina in a confessional admitted that Sean had tried harder than any of her exes. 'No one has ever gone to the lengths that Sean has just to date me. It's hard to walk away from, but at the same time, I'm not feeling the same feelings as he is,' she said. The son of British rocker Sir Rod Stewart, 76, had sushi, rock shrimp and tacos ordered for Audrina and told her about injuring his rib during a sparring session that morning. Unrequited feelings: The 36-year-old reality star had gone on a few dates with Sean, 40, but realized romance wasn't in their future Great lengths: No one has ever gone to the lengths that Sean has just to date me. It's hard to walk away from, but at the same time, I'm not feeling the same feelings as he is,' Audrina said in a confessional 'Can I be real with you right now?,' Sean then asked Audrina. 'I actually enjoy your company. I just like being with you,' Sean told her. 'I think you're beautiful inside and out, and I think you have a great personality.' 'I do have so much fun with you, but there's no...,' Audrina told Sean. Opening up: 'I actually enjoy your company. I just like being with you,' Sean told her. 'I think you're beautiful inside and out, and I think you have a great personality' 'I just, being in a relationship right now, I just, I can't,' she continued to tell him. Sean was clearly disappointed and Audrina told him that she was 'really sorry'. 'Okay,' he said. Just friends: 'I just, being in a relationship right now, I just, I can't,' Audrina continued Audrina earlier told Whitney Port, 36, that she was planning on telling Sean they were better off as just friends after a recent group trip to San Diego. 'He brought, like, a lot of fun and lightness, but I just, romantically, I realized, after that trip, I'd rather just be friends,' she told Whitney. 'He's texting me a lot. He's calling me a lot. He wants to hang out, and I'm just feeling like there's too much pressure. So I feel like it's time to have the "Friend" talk with him,' Audrina said in a confessional. Catching up: Audrina earlier told Whitney Port, 36, that she was planning on telling Sean they were better off as just friends after a recent group trip to San Diego 'Oh, well, poor Sean,' Whitney said. Audrina then admitted to Whitney that she was 'hanging out' with Brody and admitted they've always had 'chemistry'. She wondered in a confessional if it was the right time for her and Brody since they were both single. Hanging out: Audrina then admitted to Whitney that she was 'hanging out' with Brody and admitted they've always had 'chemistry' Show newcomer Caroline D'Amore fresh off a divorce also decided to share her feelings for her best friend Kaitlynn Carter, 32, during the episode. 'I feel like a lot of people can relate to the one or two girlfriends in your life that you are a bit flirty with. Kaitlynn and I are definitely like that. She's so beautiful and I love her energy, so there's a little attraction there,' Caroline admitted. She later admitted to her friend and manager Hamilton that she had feelings for Kaitlynn. Best friend: Show newcomer Caroline D'Amore fresh off a divorce also decided to share her feelings for her best friend Kaitlynn Carter, 32, during the episode 'I'm a little hesitant to do anything about it, because she's like my best friend. ...''Hey, we're best friends. I also kinda want to make out with you'',' she told Hamilton. Caroline later confessed her true feelings for Kaitlynn at a party celebrating one year of sobriety for Jason Wahler, 34. 'I do feel like we're so close, so I get why you would feel like that. We're so similar, we literally like share everything with each other,' Kaitlynn told her. Being honest: Caroline later confessed her true feelings for Kaitlynn at a party celebrating one year of sobriety for Jason Wahler, 34 'I worry, because I feel like, because we're so close and I have been in a relationship with women and we have that in common, that we have that attraction, that maybe the reason you feel like that is more situational,' she added. Caroline took the rejection in stride and told Katilynn that she hoped their relationship wouldn't get weird. Kaitlynn assured her that they were all 'good'. The Hills: New Beginnings will return next week on MTV. She's gearing up to welcome her first child next month. Yet Lauren Goodger showed no sign of slowing down as she was spotted running some errands in Essex on Wednesday. Keeping cool during the UK heatwave, the 34-year-old reality star looked radiant in a floaty black maxi dress that clung to her bump. Bumping along nicely: Heavily pregnant Lauren Goodger kept cool during the heatwave in a black maxi dress in Essex on Wednesday Skimming over her pregnancy curves, the garment boasted short sleeves to keep her cool, while the hemline was cut at ankle length, exposing a pair of black flip flops. Injecting a bit of glamour, Lauren added a mini Balenciaga handbag and oversized shades, adding some glitz with delicate gold jewellery. Lauren - who wore her glossy chestnut locks pulled back into a ponytail - looked deep in concentration as she headed home from the shops while staring intensely at her phone. Speedy: She's gearing up to welcome her first child next month. Yet Lauren showed no sign of slowing down as she was spotted running some errands in Essex Lauren was not joined on the outing by her partner Charles Drury, 23, who is the father of her unborn child. The reality star is due to welcome their baby girl next month and recently revealed that she will likely give birth at home. Speaking to Jenny Powell and Kelly Pegg on their Hot Mess Mums Club podcast last week, the former TOWIE star explained: 'I'm low risk, so they are kind of edging me to a home birth, and I don't like the thought of going to hospital.' Bumping along: Keeping cool during the UK heatwave, the 34-year-old reality star looked radiant in a floaty black maxi dress that clung to her bump Looking good: Skimming over her pregnancy curves, the garment boasted short sleeves to keep her cool, while the hemline was cut at ankle length, exposing a pair of black flip flops Lauren continued: 'Giving birth is the most natural thing a woman can do, I know it's hard and it's horrendous, but when you go to hospital they see a thousand of you, they haven't got a huge amount of time. 'As much as the doctors and nurses are lovely, they are on a time scale, so if you wanna do everything in your own time you can't dictate that in a hospital. 'At home you can have a birthing pool, have candles on, music, be relaxed through it and I think the more relaxed I am the more chance I will have an easy birth.' All about the accessories! Injecting a bit of glamour, Lauren added a mini Balenciaga handbag and oversized shades, adding some glitz with delicate gold jewellery Busy bee: Lauren - who wore her glossy chestnut locks pulled back into a ponytail - looked deep in concentration as she headed home from the shops while staring intensely at her phone Lauren added: 'The more they are poking and prodding me, the more tense I will feel and the more hard it will be. You haven't got to pack a bag, you have everything you need.' Lauren also revealed that she would like two more children, although her third child may not arrive until she is 40. 'I'm 34 and I'm having my first, so you know, but depending on life and situations and whatever happens, I would like to have probably three kids.' She continued: 'So by the time this one's here I will just be turning 35, so I could be 40 when I have my last.' California gubernatorial candidate Caitlyn Jenner got lunch at Lucky's in the Malibu Country Mart on Tuesday with her live-in manager Sophia Hutchins and her advisor Brad Parscale. The transgender 71-year-old - who's never run for political office before - appeared a bit tense while clad in a striking red-patterned wrap dress and nude sandals. The 45-year-old 'MAGA architect' used to serve as campaign manager for former President Donald Trump before being demoted last July. California gubernatorial candidate Caitlyn Jenner (M) got lunch at Lucky's in the Malibu Country Mart on Tuesday with her live-in manager Sophia Hutchins (L) and her advisor Brad Parscale (R) Brad was hospitalized at Broward Health Medical Center on September 27 and 10 of his firearms were seized after reports of a suicide attempt at his Fort Lauderdale home - according to the Sun Sentinel. Earlier on Wednesday, Fox Nation aired an interview with Caitlyn where she blasted current Governor Gavin Newsom for being 'for the elites not the people.' 'We're not a pro-business state. We're against business here in this state,' Jenner said on No Interruption with Tomi Lahren. 'You know, lower taxes, less regulations. I want more people not on welfare, I want more people with the dignity of a job, okay? And so that's why I've always been on the Republican side. But as an inclusive Republican, I am for everybody. DVF? The transgender 71-year-old - who's never run for political office before - appeared a bit tense while clad in a striking red-patterned wrap dress and nude sandals Everything okay? The 45-year-old 'MAGA architect' (R) used to serve as campaign manager for former President Donald Trump before being demoted last July, and he was hospitalized on September 27 for a reported suicide attempt 'We're against business here in this state': Earlier on Wednesday, Fox Nation aired an interview with Caitlyn where she blasted current Governor Gavin Newsom for being 'for the elites not the people' Jenner said on No Interruption with Tomi Lahren (R): 'I've always been an inclusive Republican. I want them to come to my side. The Republican Party needs to change, okay? And to be honest with youI am the poster child for change' 'I am for everybody': The two-time Olympic gold medalist's platform includes less regulations, lowering taxes, closing the border, leading the COVID recovery, and addressing affordable housing/homeless crisis 'I am here for every Californian that's out there. If you don't have an economy, you can't have social programs. You can't fix things. So that's why I've always been an inclusive Republican.' The two-time Olympic gold medalist added: 'I want them to come to my side. The Republican Party needs to change, okay? And to be honest with youI am the poster child for change.' Caitlyn's platform also includes closing the border, leading the COVID recovery, and addressing affordable housing/homeless crisis. Of the 47 other declared candidates, Jenner's biggest competition is Republican rival - businessman John Cox - in the recall election which could comes as early as August. 2018 gubernatorial runner-up: Of the 47 other declared candidates, Caitlyn's biggest competition is Republican rival - businessman John Cox (pictured June 3) - in the recall election which could comes as early as August Burn! Jenner's street sighting came the same day former stepdaughter Khloe Kardashian (R) retweeted a post about California reopening by her nemesis Newsom Ouch: The 36-year-old reality star shared this message with her 29.3M Twitter followers The former KUWTK patriarch's street sighting came the same day former stepdaughter Khloe Kardashian - who boasts 29.3M Twitter followers - retweeted a post about California reopening by her nemesis Newsom. Caitlyn's name is brought up during the two-part 20th season Keeping Up with the Kardashians reunion, which taped back on April 23. Moderator Andy Cohen ominously asked Jenner's ex-wife #3 Kris Jenner: 'Have you forgiven Caitlyn for how she treated you?' Airing Thursday! The former KUWTK patriarch's name is brought up during the two-part 20th season Keeping Up with the Kardashians reunion, which taped back on April 23 She made her name as an international model in the 2000s. But on Thursday, Miranda Kerr stepped back into the 90s when she attended a throwback party in Los Angeles. The 38-year-old beauty dazzled in head to toe Versace for the event, which she documented on Instagram. Out of time: On Thursday, Miranda Kerr (pictured) stepped back into the 90s when she attended a throwback party in Los Angeles The Sydney-born bombshell clad her model physique in a tight leather mini skirt as she posed for photos with friends. Around her slender waist was a black leather belt with a chunky gold buckle. She paired the garment with a gold, patterned Versace bustier with black lace trim. Miranda wore her wavy brunette tresses loose and her subtle makeup was capped off with a dash of nude lip. On theme: The 38-year-old beauty dazzled in head to toe Versace for the event, which she documented on Instagram Peace: The Sydney-born bombshell clad her model physique in a tight leather mini skirt as she posed for photos with friends Continuing the gold theme with her accessories, Kerr wore several necklaces and rings for the event. She simply captioned the Instagram post, '90s party'. The former Victoria's Secret Angel shares one son, Flynn, 10, with her ex Orlando Bloom, and sons Hart, three, and Myles, one, with her Snapchat founder spouse Evan Spiegel. It was revealed on Thursday that her ex-husband Nick Cannon has welcomed twin boys - and still has another child on the way. Yet Mariah Carey seemed to have another man on her mind as she paid homage to her 2009 Eminem diss track Obsessed. Taking to Instagram, the 52-year-old diva shared a throwback video of last year's viral Tik Tok craze, The Wipe It Down Challenge, which shows people wiping a mirror to reveal an alter ego or different version of themselves. Wipe it down: Mariah Carey donned a face mask and rollers as she shared a hilarious Tik Tok challenge... after ex Nick Cannon revealed he'd welcomed twin boys While the craze usually involves someone transforming from casual to ultra glamorous, Mariah took things one step further as she added a third character, going from drab to fab to drag. She began the challenge in a dressing gown with a bright green face mask and her hair in rollers, before the video cut to her looking stunning in a low-cut gold dress and bouncy blow dry. Mariah then quoted the lyrics to her hit song Obsessed before it cut to her dressed as the male stalker in the original music video - who was widely believed to be based on rapper Eminem. The mother-of-two captioned the clip: 'Just for laughs... from last year's lockdown when all I did was wipe tings down #HappyAnniversaryObsessed'. Good one: The 52-year-old diva shared a throwback video of last year's viral Tik Tok craze, The Wipe It Down Challenge, which shows people wiping a mirror to reveal an alter ego Hilarious: While the craze usually involves someone transforming from casual to ultra glamorous, Mariah took things one step further as she added a third character Just for laughs: The mother-of-two captioned the clip: 'Just for laughs... from last year's lockdown when all I did was wipe tings down #HappyAnniversaryObsessed' Mariah and Eminem's long-running feud began in 2002 after the rapper alleged he had a six-month fling with Mariah, that she strongly denied. What followed was a series of back and forth diss tracks between the pair, with Eminem referencing the fling in his 2002 songs Superman and When The Music Stops and 2009's The Warning. He even rapped about her then-husband Nick Cannon on Bagpipes From Baghdad, which Mariah responded to with the song Obsessed. Seeing double: Mariah paid homage to her hit song Obsessed which featured her dressed as a male stalker in the original music video - who was widely believed to be based on Eminem Mariah's Tik Tok clips came after it was revealed her ex-husband Nick has welcomed his sixth child with girlfriend Abby De La Rosa. The 30-year-old DJ announced that the pair had welcomed twin boys named Zion Mixolydian and Zillion Heir Cannon on June 14. The birth of the twins marked the arrival of Nick's second and third children in just six months, and the now-father of six is expecting his seventh baby with model Alyssa Scott. Father of six! Mariah's Tik Tok clips came after it was revealed her ex-husband Nick has welcomed his sixth child with girlfriend Abby De La Rosa Nick also welcomed a daughter by the name of Powerful Queen, six months, back in late December with ex Brittany Bell, and the pair also share a son named Golden who is three-years-old. In May it was revealed that he was set to father his seventh child with model Alyssa who revealed she will name their son Zen. And as Nick also never commented on that pregnancy, a seemingly scorned Alyssa called him a 'player' on Instagram. He also shares twins Monroe and Moroccan, 10, with ex-wife Mariah. Katie Price professed her love for her fiance Carl Woods as the couple celebrated their first anniversary in Turkey where the reality star had lipsuction this week. The former glamour model, 42, took to Instagram on Wednesday and shared a series of throwback snaps of the couple along with a gushing tribute to her partner, 32. Alongside the post, Katie wrote: '1 year anniversary with my world @carljwoods absolutely perfect and love him so much Thankyou Ruby @the.pricey for doing this video I asked you to do .' Romance: Katie Price professed her love for her fiance Carl Woods as the couple celebrated their first anniversary together in Turkey The snaps included several of the couple cosying up next to each other as well as snaps from their holidays to Turkey and the Maldives. Carl shared a photo of the couple at a restaurant enjoying a good board and wrote: '1 year today almost to the hour, you flipped my world 360. I love you always. Happy Anniversary dolly @katieprice'. The couple went on their first date following the first lockdown and have been together ever since. Katie announced in April that the pair were engaged after Carl proposed just six weeks after Katie's divorce from her third husband Kieran Hayler was finalised. Love The former glamour model, 42, took to Instagram on Wednesday and shared a series of throwback snaps of the couple along with a gushing tribute to her partner, 32 Speaking to OK! magazine about their engagement, Katie said: 'It's refreshing to be with a man that if I decided I never wanted to work again, he'd look after me, I just love him. 'We'd spoken about it a lot, so I knew he was going to, I just didn't know when. It was amazing. Carl asked my mum and dad for permission - and Junior. With Carl, Mum's already told him not to mess me around and so far he's passed the t****r test.' Katie added Carl isn't interested in her fame 'or anything to do with' her alter-ego Jordan and has his own money. It comes after Katie defended travelling to Turkey for liposuction, calling it a 'work trip'. Tribute: Carl shared a photo of the couple at a restaurant enjoying a good board and wrote: '1 year today almost to the hour, you flipped my world 360. I love you always' The mother-of-five went under the knife on Tuesday after gaining two stone in the past year, and is having the procedure filmed for her reality show. Turkey is on the red list of countries, which the UK government says are at the highest risk from Covid, and should not be visited 'except in the most extreme of circumstances'. Foreign nationals are prohibited entry to the UK if they have been in any of the red list over the previous 10 days, and British residents must complete 10 days of hotel quarantine. There are limited exemptions for essential workers. Now Katie - who flew to Turkey with Carl on Monday - has stated that filming the procedure for Katie Price: My Crazy Life, constitutes as an extreme circumstance, due to the fact it is a work trip, and her current weight has left her in physical pain. History: The couple went on their first date following the first lockdown and have been together ever since A representative for the star told MailOnline: 'Katie has travelled with her fiance to undergo a surgical procedure. 'The purpose of this travel is essential in that it is for her work, she is being filmed undergoing the operation.' Katie broke both feet last summer after jumping off a 25ft wall while on holiday with her family, which has left her unable to do much cardio. Touching on the incident, Katie's rep continued: 'Since her horrific accident in Turkey last year that left Katie with life changing injuries, Katie has not been able to exercise or lose weight gained post op in the way she has successfully done so in the past. Hard at work: Katie recently defended travelling to Turkey for liposuction, calling it a 'work trip' (pictured with Carl at the airport on Monday) 'Despite her efforts to lose weight she has gained over two stone - this in turn has put immense pressure and further strain on her feet and is directly affecting her walking and management of day to day as a mother of five without being in constant pain. 'Katie accepts she is in a fortunate position to be able to undergo this procedure and would like to reassure in doing so is part of her "work", in sharing her journey as she endures further emotional, mental struggles and challenges.' Katie's representative stressed that both the star, Carl and camera crew will stay in a mandatory quarantine hotel when they get back, costing 1,750 per person. Katie has booked in for full body liposuction with Mono Cosmetic Surgery - the same clinic where a mother-of-three died in August after undergoing the same treatment. Now and then: Katie has been unable to do much cardio after breaking both her feet over the summer and as a result has put on two stone (pictured right in January 2020) Tragic: Katie has booked in for full body liposuction with Mono Cosmetic Surgery - the same clinic where mother-of-three Abimbola Ajoke Bamgbose (pictured) died in August after undergoing the same treatment Abimbola Ajoke Bamgbose, a 38-year-old social worker from Dartford, Kent, passed away after buying a 5000 overseas package deal including liposuction and a Brazilian Butt Lift. The inquest heard that a post-mortem examination found that Abimbola suffered perforations to the bowel and a cause of death was given as peritonitis with multiple organ failure as a complication of liposuction surgery. The hearing was told that such perforations were a rare complication in the UK, with about three to five cases in the past decade, but that it might be more common abroad. Chris Hemsworth and wife Elsa Pataky were recently in Sydney to attend the star-studded Gold Dinner. And a fan has shared her sighting of the Thor star in the wild, in an amusing TikTok video made this week. The user, @beingafoolforyou, captioned the video: 'This is not a drill yall I saw Chris Hemsworth today!!!!!' Scroll down to see video Gone wild: A fan has shared her sighting of Thor star Chris Hemsworth (pictured left) in the wild, in an amusing TikTok video made this week In the brief video, the fan screams 'Chris!' out of her car window. Across the street, a man appearing to be Hemsworth stands with a group of male friends. He then waves at the fan, prompting her to scream, 'Oh my god!' She added a caption to the post: 'IM SHAKING'. Rare sighting: Across the street, a man appearing to be Hemsworth stands with a group of male friends Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky dressed to the nines when they attended the Gold Dinner at Sydney Airport last week. But on Tuesday, the Hollywood power couple were back to their boho best during an outing in their hometown of Byron Bay. The Spanish actress, 44, shared a photo of herself with her husband, 37, as they met with the founder and director of Local Futures, Helena Norberg-Hodge, and her colleagues ahead of their talk in the coastal town. Happy to be home: Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky (right) were back in their element at home in Byron Bay as they met with the founder and director of Local Futures, Helena Norberg-Hodge (centre), and her colleagues ahead of their talk in the coastal town on Tuesday Elsa kept it simple in a grey shirt with black leopard print leggings, sneakers and oversized sunglasses. Chris also opted for a laidback look, wearing a beige T-shirt, tracksuit pants and sneakers, with a cap and sunnies. Elsa wrote in the caption: 'She I had a great time at a Local Food Feast with Helena Norberg-Hodge on Saturday as part of World Localisation Day.' Dressed to the nines: The couple's relaxed meeting with the Local Futures founder comes after they made an appearance at the star-studded Gold Dinner in Sydney on Thursday The couple's relaxed meeting with the Local Futures founder comes after they made an appearance at the star-studded Gold Dinner in Sydney on Thursday to raise money Sydney Children's Hospital foundation. They were joined at the event with Chris' younger brother Liam and his girlfriend Gabriella Brooks, and their friend Luciana Barroso - the wife of actor Matt Damon. Chris donated two tickets for the Sydney premiere of Thor: Love and Thunder, scheduled to be released in 2022, according to The Daily Telegraph on Saturday. Star-studded evening: Chris and Elsa (right) were joined at the event with Chris' younger brother Liam and his girlfriend Gabriella Brooks (left), and their friend Luciana Barroso (centre) - the wife of actor Matt Damon The tickets went under the hammer for $60,000, which helped raise a record setting $4.4 million for the foundation. The Gold Dinner 2021 raises funds to support mental health research and care at the Sydney Children's Hospital. The return of the charity event comes after it was cancelled last year due to Covid. The offspring of Sting and film producer Trudie Styler, Eliot Sumner, is enjoying a romance with lingerie model Sarah Holt. The 30-year-old, who plays a bodyguard in the forthcoming James Bond film No Time To Die, enjoyed a date in London's Soho last week with the Agent Provocateur campaign star, also 30, from Cornwall. Eliot, who identifies as non-binary, put on a loved-up display with Sarah as they walked through the capital holding hands, before enjoying a passionate kiss. Out on the town: The child of Sting and film producer Trudie Styler, Eliot Sumner, enjoyed a romantic date with model Sarah Holt in London last week The musician sported a blue zip-up jacket, black T-shirt and joggers. They teamed the look with patent black boots. Model Sarah, meanwhile, showcased her long legs in a white knee-length skirt with thigh-high slit. She complemented the look with an embroidered top and snakeskin print bag. Packing on the PDA: The lovebirds enjoyed a passionate kiss in the street during the date night Romance: The couple haven't disclosed how they met, but a friend said Eliot was recently using dating app Bumble (pictured last month) 'Most people assume I'm some blonde bimbo,' Holt told Playboy magazine, 'but I've read The Age Of Reason by Jean-Paul Sartre three times and Crime And Punishment twice.' The couple haven't disclosed how they met, but a friend said Eliot was recently using dating app Bumble. Back in 2015, Eliot spoke about how their famous parents' reaction after coming out as gay. The musician told Evening Standard: 'They knew already. So I didn't need to. I've never come out to anyone. My friends always knew and I always knew.' Eliot - who previously went by the name Coco - added that they don't particularly identify with either gender, and wants to be known instead as a 'musician'. Just like dad: Eliot has followed in the footsteps of their famous father, creating music and becoming a success in her own right (pictured Sting with wife Trudie in 2019) 'I don't believe in any specifications. I think forever I was trying to figure out maybe... what I am,' Eliot added. 'But I don't think anyone should feel pressured to have any kind of label or tag on them. Eliot has followed in the footsteps of their famous father, creating music and becoming a success in her own right. The talented star, who sings and plays guitar and has supported the likes of Lykke Li and La Roux - released their debut album in 2010 under the guise I Blame Coco. Sumner appeared briefly in the films Me Without You (2001) and Stardust (2007). They made their adult acting debut in Guy Ritchie's The Gentlemen last year and are set to appear in the upcoming James Bond film No Time to Die. Hollywood actor Sam Worthington will star in the new Stan Original film Transfusion, alongside Bloom star Phoebe Tonkin. Stan made the announcement on Friday, with filming already underway around Sydney this week. Sam will star as Ryan Logan, a former special forces operative, who is battling to cope with life after the loss of his wife. Starring role: Sam Worthington, 44, (pictured) is set to star in the new Stan Original film Transfusion alongside Bloom actress Phoebe Tonkin, Stan announced on Friday Life takes another cruel twist when he is then thrust into the criminal underworld to keep his only son from being taken from him. Bloom actress Phoebe Tonkin will portray Logan's wife Justine in the film, while Matt Nable will play Johnny. The role of the son in the film will be portrayed by Edward Carmody, who will portray Billy Logan. Stan's Chief content officer Cailah Scobie said audiences would be in for a powerful, thought-provoking film. Co-star: Sam will star as Ryan Logan, a former Special Forces operative, who is battling to cope with life after the loss of his wife. Phoebe Tonkin (pictured) will portray wife Justine in the film 'The Stan Original Film Transfusion is set to be a powerful and thought-provoking Australian thriller,' she said. 'We're delighted to welcome Matt Nable as actor, writer and director, along with the star-studded cast of Sam Worthington and Phoebe Tonkin. 'We're also very pleased to again be working with John Schwarz, Michael Schwarz, and the entire creative team, on another fantastic Stan Original project.' Triple treat: Matt Nable (pictured) will work on the production as an actor, writer and director. The film will be released on the streaming service next year Meanwhile, Deeper Water Films' Michael Schwarz, said the production has a mix of action and emotion for audiences. 'In Transfusion we've found a movie that has that special combination of visceral action and achingly beautiful emotion,' he said. 'Matt is an already accomplished writer and actor, and it's incredibly exciting to watch him step into the director's chair and bring his own words to life.' 'With Sam he has the perfect actor to showcase the rugged vulnerability of this very powerful script.' Stars: Sam recently relocated to Australia with his model wife Lara Worthington, with the pair settling in Sydney after years in Los Angeles Glamazon: 'The opportunity to write, direct, and co-star alongside talent such as Sam and Phoebe is phenomenal,' Matt said of Sam and Phoebe (pictured). Here: Paris, 2020 Director, writer and star Matt said it was phenomenal to work with such a talented cast, including the Hollywood stars. 'The opportunity to write, direct, and co-star alongside talent such as Sam and Phoebe is phenomenal.' The Stan Original film Transfusion will be available on the streaming service in 2022 She is currently enjoying a sun-soaked break with her daughter Kate Hudson, 42, and partner Kurt Russell, 70. And Goldie Hawn looked incredible as she hit the beach at Skiathos Island, Greece in a blue swimsuit on Tuesday. The Hollywood icon, 75, was every inch the doting grandmother as she played with her granddaughter, Rani, two. Family holiday: Goldie Hawn looked incredible as she hit the beach at Skiathos Island, Greece in a blue swimsuit on Tuesday Goldie highlighted her figure in the flattering swimsuit which featured a low-scoop neckline. She accessorised her swimwear with a statement aqua ring, gold bracelets and oversized shades. Goldie appeared to be having the time of her life as she playful threw Rani in the air under a parasol. Sweet: The Hollywood icon, 75, was every inch the doting grandmother as she played with her granddaughter, Rani, two All aboard! Goldie is currently enjoying a sun-soaked break with her daughter Kate Hudson, 42, and partner Kurt Russell, 70 During the beach trip, Goldie was pictured talking to Kate's partner Danny Fujikawa, 35, as they cooled off their feet in the sea. The family later headed out on a boat, with Goldie's husband Kurt playing captain. Goldie and Kurt have been together since 1983, and while Kate's biological father is actor Bill Hudson she has openly admitted that she considers Kurt to be her 'real' father, referring to him as 'Pa'. Family holiday: During the beach trip, Goldie was pictured talking to Kate's partner Danny Fujikawa, 35, as they cooled off their feet in the sea Age-defying: Goldie highlighted her figure in the flattering swimsuit which featured a low-scoop neckline Last month, Goldie talked about her own battle with depression when she rose to fame as an actress. Appearing on Good Morning Britain, Goldie said: 'When I was young, I became depressed, I was 21, rising to success, it's a very difficult thing. I didn't necessarily want that. 'In doing so, I was very depressed and I had a lot of these issues where I couldn't even go outside in public. This is something that for me I worked through. 'I went to a doctor, I went to a psychologist, I learned about quieting my mind and what happens to the brain, I studied the brain. She's got style: She accessorised her swimwear with a statement aqua ring, gold bracelets and oversized shades 'I didn't understand why we weren't taking it out and putting in our classrooms for our kids to learn and enjoy and to be able to have a much better sense of self-regulation.' Goldie added: 'Happiness is a choice. Unfortunately, I didn't want to be a big deal. I wanted to go home I wanted to be a dance school teacher. I did have a plan. 'So I didn't have delusions of grandeur on any level, I was extremely realistic. The problem was, I was a dancer. And then things changed. 'For every one of us, we have a different reason for why we might feel low, depressed, anxious, a lot of these things If I broke my arm I would go to a doctor, if I fell and hurt my hip I would go to a doctor. Doctors can help us and we should never be ashamed to say, 'I'm feeling sad'.' Goldie launched MindUp to help children learn mindfulness techniques. She is best known for playing DI Kate Fleming in the Jed Mercurio's critically-acclaimed BBC drama Line Of Duty since 2012. And Vicky McClure has now turned her attentions to another police thriller, ITV series Trigger Point, in which she plays a bomb disposal operative. In first look pictures of the upcoming series, which is currently in production, Vicky, 38, transforms into front line officer Lana Washington. Typecast! Vicky McClure plays a bomb disposal operative in FIRST LOOK snaps of Jed Mercurio's ITV drama Trigger Point, (pictured) after starring as DI in his hit show Line Of Duty The actress is starring in Trigger Point, which is produced by Line Of Duty creator Jed Mercurio's HTM Television, alongside Adrian Lester, who will play fellow bomb disposal operative Joel Nutkins. The upcoming series focuses on counter terrorism policing and the extraordinary work of the Metropolitan Police Bomb Disposal Squad. Trigger Point will see a terrorist campaign threaten the capital over the summer with the bomb disposal operatives, known as 'Expos', at the forefront of urgent efforts to find out who is behind the bombings before fatalities escalate. Vicky's character Lana and Adrian's Joel are both ex-military with the two close friends after serving together in Afghanistan. At it again: In first look pictures of the upcoming series, which is currently in production, it sees Vicky, 38, transform into front line officer Lana Washington Famous role: She is best known for playing DI Kate Fleming in the BBC's critically-acclaimed drama Line Of Duty since 2012 (pictured left in Line Of Duty and right in Trigger Point) In the first look snaps, it sees Vicky and Adrian as their characters dressed in their bomb disposal operative uniforms as they investigate a crime scene. Vicky also took to her Twitter to share the news as she shared a collection of photos from the show. She tweeted: 'Meet Lana Washington & Joel Nutkins! Were off to an explosive start!! Cant wait to reveal more as we go alongweve got an incredible cast!! 'And the crew are creating absolute gold! Trigger Point!! @ITV @HTMTelevision @AdrianLester #triggerpoint.' Upcoming drama: The actress is starring in Trigger Point, which is produced by Line Of Duty creator Jed Mercurio's HTM Television, alongside Adrian Lester, who will play fellow bomb disposal operative Joel Nutkins Plot: The upcoming series focuses on counter terrorism policing and the extraordinary work of the Metropolitan Police Bomb Disposal Squad Thriller: Trigger Point will see a terrorist campaign threaten the capital over the summer with the bomb disposal operatives, known as 'Expos', at the forefront of urgent efforts to find out who is behind the bombings before fatalities escalate The six-part thriller series has been commissioned for ITV by Head of Drama, Polly Hill, who will oversee production from the channel's perspective. Vicky isn't the only Line Of Duty star to take on a new police role with her co-star Adrian Dunbar, who is best known for playing Superintendent Ted Hastings, set to play retiring Detective Inspector, Alex Ridley, in ITV's new drama Ridley. Of the new show, Adrian, 62, said earlier this month: 'I don't think I've ever headed into a production with more excitement and enthusiasm. 'As an actor I know how rare it is to be given such a wonderful opportunity, and the combination of Polly Hill and Chloe Tucker at ITV and Jonathan Fisher at West Road Pictures means we are in both safe and creative hands. Exciting: Vicky also took to her Twitter to share the news as she shared a collection of photos from the show 'Jonathan and I worked closely together on the very successful series Blood, and I'm confident we can bring some of that magic to Ridley. 'Here's to getting the team together and developing a show that audiences can find both entertaining and engaging.' The plot sees Ridley replaced by his former protegee, Acting DI Carol Farman, who later enlists him as a police consultant on a complex murder case. This then takes a dark and unexpected turn, and he is enticed out of retirement into his former role and revives his partnership with Carol. AC-12! Vicky isn't the only Line Of Duty star to take on a new police role with her co-star Adrian Dunbar, who is best known for playing Superintendent Ted Hastings - pictured right in show still, set to play retiring Detective Inspector, Alex Ridley, in ITV's new drama Ridley Paul Matthew Thompson - one of the lead writers of ITV detective drama Vera - has written and co-created the show, alongside Jonathan, and both will act as executive producers. Jonathan said: 'I couldn't be happier to be getting started on Ridley, as we continue to build the West Road production slate with our second commission for ITV. 'We're so excited to be teaming up once again with the inimitable Adrian Dunbar, bringing to life Paul Matthew Thompson's characterful and engaging scripts. 'ITV has a fine tradition of nurturing much-loved detective series, and it's a real privilege to be bringing Ridley to the channel.' Exciting: Of the new show, Adrian, 62, said earlier this month: 'I don't think I've ever headed into a production with more excitement and enthusiasm.' (pictured in June) Paul added: 'I am thrilled to be working with Jonathan Fisher and West Road Pictures to bring Ridley to life for ITV. 'Equally delighted that he'll be portrayed by the iconic Adrian Dunbar. With his maverick idiosyncrasies, a heart on sleeve empathy and a unique approach to solving crime we hope Ridley will soon join the canon of favourite TV detectives.' The four, two-hour episodes will begin filming later this autumn. Line Of Duty series six aired its finale in May, where mysterious antagonist 'H' was finally unmasked as DSU Ian Buckells (Nigel Boyle),yet season seven is still to be confirmed. On the force: Adrian has acted as Superintendent Ted Hastings in Line Of Duty on BBC One for the past six years, and has become a favourite with TV fans over the past decade (pictured with co-star Vicky McClure in LOD series 4) The series' writer, Jed Mercurio, admitted late last month that it is 'too soon' to consider whether the show will continue, but hinted there is 'clearly potential' for a further plot about Owen Teale's character, Philip Osborne. While creator Jed, 55, is unsure if it will be the last-ever season, he confirmed it is possible he could further explore the Chief Constable (Owen, 60) in a future storyline. When asked if series six could be considered 'a finale, or a clearing-out of the past' ahead of a fresh start, he replied to Den Of Geek: 'I'd say it's too soon. It's too soon to draw that conclusion. It could be either of those, or it could be something different.' Chris Hemsworth appeared tense when he was spotted on the tarmac at Sydney Airport on Wednesday. The 37-year-old Thor star seemed to have been having a serious conversation as he spoke on his mobile phone. Standing alongside his private jet, Chris paced up and down as he talked on his phone, before finally getting on the plane. Is everything okay? Chris Hemsworth appeared tense when he was spotted on the tarmac at Sydney Airport on Wednesday An airport shuttle bus drove past as he chatted, but both Chris and the driver appeared unfazed. He continued to talk on his phone as he climbed up the stairs and onto the plane, before flying back home to Byron Bay. The Hollywood hunk had been in Sydney for work commitments, before heading back home to his family. Real talk: The 37-year-old Thor star seemed to have been having a serious conversation as he spoke on his mobile phone He was accompanied by a male assistant, who trailed behind him as he stepped onto the plane. Chris was dressed casually for the flight, stepping out in baggy black tracksuit pants, which he paired with a cream-coloured hooded sweatshirt. He appeared to have been wearing a white T-shirt underneath, and rounded out his sporty ensemble with taupe-coloured high-top sneakers with stars. Life of luxury: Standing alongside his private jet, Chris paced up and down as he talked on his phone, before finally getting on the plane It was announced on Sunday that Chris had made the Queen's Birthday honours list. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his contribution to the performing arts and ongoing charity work. In addition to supporting a variety of wildlife conservation charities, Chris is a patron for the Australian Childhood Foundation and donated $1million to the 2019 bushfire appeal. She's pulled out all the stops with her outfit choices so far at Royal Ascot. And Charlotte Hawkins, 46, didn't disappoint for Ladies Day on Thursday as she posed up for a storm at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire. The broadcaster looked incredibly stylish as she donned a baby pink dress with rainbow panels nestled between the pleats on the skirt. Dressed to impress: Charlotte Hawkins brightened up Royal Ascot's Ladies Day in rainbow pleated dress and hot pink fascinator in Berkshire on Thursday Adding even more colour to the look, Charlotte opted for a hot pink floral fascinator and boosted her frame with fuchsia high heels. Ensuring everyone would get a good look at her ensemble, the blonde bombshell picked up her skirt and twirled while milling around the concourse. The ITV racing host has worn a number of demure yet eye-catching outfits to the sporting event this week. Gorgeous: Adding even more colour to the look, Charlotte opted for a hot pink floral fascinator and boosted her frame with fuchsia high heels Charlotte took to Instagram on Wednesday to say how much she loved her job, and added that her outfits were 'all in a day's work', as she thanked her stylist Sophie Kirkwood. Charlotte was also pictured with Mark Heyes who has a fashion segment on Lorraine. Posting on Instagram, Mark expressed how much he was enjoying himself, writing: 'Its day 2 of Royal Ascot and its already turning out to be a cracker!! 'How gorgeous does my @charlottehawkins1 look. Loving my @mossbros waistcoat, tie and hanky combo and of course my @shopoliverbrown top hat and tails.' He also shared a fun video drinking an espresso martini with Charlotte, saying: 'It's a daily drink time, that's right, what are we having today Charlotte?' to which she replied: 'Espresso martinis! That will put a spring in our step, cheers!' Stunning: The broadcaster looked incredibly stylish as she donned a baby pink dress with rainbow panels nestled between the pleats on the skirt Television personality: Charlotte is a television professional who reports on horse racing for ITV and appears on Good Morning Britain Royal Ascot is part of a list of pilot events taking place, allowing 12,000 revellers to attend, before the possible lifting of all measures to curtail the Covid-19 pandemic in July. Earlier this month, The Telegraph reported the Queen, 95, - an avid horse racing fan - would not attend this year's Ascot because of ongoing restrictions. Ascot had been planning for an attendance of 4,000 a day. The new figure will allow all those who rolled over 2020 bookings to be accommodated with a 'material but not significant' number of tickets left over, according to a track spokesperson. Perfect pair: On Wednesday Charlotte was pictured with Mark Heyes, who has a fashion segment on Lorraine, who remarked he was having a 'cracker' of a day Such fun: Stylist Mark took to Instagram to document the day where he shared a fun video drinking an espresso martini with Charlotte The number of spectators will be well below the usual attendance of over 300,000 over the five days but the increased number was welcomed by Frankie Dettori, whose 73 royal meeting victories have only been bettered by Lester Piggott (116). Dettori, who was leading rider at the royal meeting for the seventh time last year, said: 'There's nothing better than Royal Ascot with people. I know it's not 60,000 (a day) but it's better than what we thought. 'Last year I was leading rider at Royal Ascot and won three Group Ones, including the Gold Cup. To have nobody there to see any of that, it was like someone had cut my arm off. 'Those are the biggest races we've got here and I won them in front of empty grandstands. It goes without saying it wasn't the same.' Jenna Coleman looked relaxed and effortlessly stylish as she headed out to run errands in London on Thursday. The actress, 35, dressed in a smart but casual fashion as she walked through the UK capital with a cool drink in her hand. The Serpent star wore a baby blue cardigan with grey buttons, with the sleeves finishing three quarters of the way down her arms. Going about her business: Jenna Coleman, 35, looked relaxed and effortlessly stylish in a blue cardigan and white skirt as she headed out to run errands in London on Thursday She wore a cream skirt which reached almost down to her ankles, with the light material gently flowing in the breeze as she walked. She had on a pair of black flatform sandles with brown stitching, with the straps crossing over and fastening above her feet. The television actress carried an iced coffee in one hand and a hot drink in the other while a small white bag hung over her wrist. Shining star: The Serpent star wore a baby blue cardigan with grey buttons, with the sleeves finishing three quarters of the way down her arms A ruby red bag hung over her shoulder and rested to the front on her hips as she strolled along the road. The star hid behind a large pair of dark sunglasses as she enjoyed the summer weather. Last month it was announced former Doctor Who actress Jenna would be joining the cast of new series The Sandman. Bag it up: A ruby red bag hung over Jenna's shoulder and rested to the front on her hips as she collected a couple of coffees from a local shop She will play Johanna Constantine, the great-great-great grandmother of comic book character John Constantine, who was played by Keanu Reeves in 2005 film Constantine. In a blog post on Netflix's website, show creator Neil Gaiman explained why he chose Jenna. He wrote: 'I created her (Johanna) to fill the role that John Constantine does in the past. Actress in demand: Last month it was announced former Doctor Who actress Jenna would be joining the cast of new series The Sandman 'When we broke down the first season, given that we knew that we would be encountering Johanna in the past, we wondered what would happen if we met a version of her in the present as well. 'We tried it and the script was sparkier, feistier, and in some ways even more fun. 'So having written her, we just had to cast her. Jenna Coleman gave us the Johanna of our dreams - tough, brilliant, tricky, haunted and probably doomed.' Kym Marsh broke down in tears as she spoke with her father after his incurable prostate cancer diagnosis. The presenter, 44, filmed the interaction with her dad Dave, 76, in a segment for BBC Morning Live on Thursday to raise awareness of the disease. It was revealed this week that Dave's cancer has spread to his pelvis, spine, ribs and left leg and is incurable after he delayed going to a doctor in lockdown. Heartbreaking: Kym Marsh broke down in tears as she spoke with her father Dave after his incurable prostate cancer diagnosis in a clip on Wednesday's BBC Morning Live In an emotional clip, Kym turned to her father and said: 'You've always taught me to be strong, never to take things lying down, sink or swim', to which Dave responded, 'you've only got one life, look after it and live it'. 'You certainly do that,' Kim replied, breaking down in tears as she sobbed, 'I'm in absolute awe of you dad, your fight and your... love you dad, so proud of you'. As Dave said, 'I'm going nowhere', Kym sobbed, 'I know you're not. You can't leave me.' Emotional: Kym was left in tears as she spoke about her father's devastating diagnosis on the show in order to raise awareness of the disease Tragic: In an emotional clip, Kym turned to her father and said, 'You've always taught me to be strong, never to take things lying down, sink or swim' In another segment of the show, a tearful Kym also spoke to Prostate Cancer UK's Chief Executive Angela Culhane about the emotional support her father needs. Kym explained: 'Dad's so grateful he's been able to put on a treatment. He's not really been told where to go for emotional support for him. 'I think it's been a real struggle and for us to see dad cry, and be as emotional as he is, it's not like him to be like that. 'So for us to watch that it's really difficult for us as well. We're not quite sure how we can support him.' Upsetting: In another segment of the show, a tearful Kym also spoke to Prostate Cancer UK's Chief Executive Angela Culhane about the emotional support her father needs Kym revealed her father's diagnosis on Wednesday as she praised her 'close' family for helping each other through the awful news. She admitted: 'It has been a very difficult time The reality is that in Dad's case it has now spread to his pelvis, spine, ribs and left leg, which is of course bad news. The former Coronation Street actress continued that doctors are 'talking about it being incurable' but also treatable and hope to extend her dad's life. She added that although Dave is still in 'a lot of pain', he is responding well to some hormone treatments. Heartbreaking: Kym revealed her father's diagnosis on Wednesday as she praised her 'close' family for helping each other through the awful news (pictured in February 2020) Dave, who admitted he had 'ignored' having pain for some time, added that his wish to walk newly-engaged Kym down the aisle is giving him the strength to keep going. Kym got engaged last Saturday on her birthday to soldier Scott Ratcliff. Dave said: 'I want to be fit and well enough to walk Kym down the aisle after she recently got engaged making sure I'm there means the world to me.' Kym continued to emphasise that it's important to catch cancer early so there's less chance it'll spread. The actress and her father, who is now using a mobility scooter, encouraged others to get checked, especially after lockdown when many didn't want to go a doctors. Official figures have shown that the number of men urgently referred for suspected prostate cancer fell by more than a quarter during the pandemic. Engagement: Dave said his wish to walk newly-engaged Kym down the aisle is giving him the strength to keep going (Kym pictured with her fiance Scott Ratcliff) NHS England data shows the number of patients urgently referred for the cancer fell by 28 per cent between April 2020 and January of this year - about 52,000 fewer. The charity Prostate Cancer UK estimates at least 8,600 fewer men started treatment for prostate cancer in that time, down around a third on 2019. It said the drop in referrals is largely attributed to fewer men seeing their GP during this time. Urgent cancer referrals are made when family doctors strongly suspect a patient may have the disease. Kym and Dave told the publication that although they can never know for certain if things could have been different, they do know that 'speed is crucial' with cancer. The duo encouraged others who have been putting off making appointments to call their GPs and get checked out. Worrying: Official figures have shown that the number of men urgently referred for suspected prostate cancer fell by more than a quarter during the pandemic (Kym and Dave pictured) The sad news comes just days after Kym announced her engagement on Saturday. The former Coronation Street star posed loved-up snap of herself and fiance Scott, 32, taken at the moment the Army Major beau proposed over the weekend. Sharing the picture of herself and Scott kissing in front of a light-up Happy Birthday sign on Instagram on Sunday, Kym wrote: 'I said YES!!!!!! Sooooo happy!!! ' The actress shared the exciting news with fans in an interview with OK! and said she's 'over the moon' to be marrying her beau after nearly three years together. She said: 'I'm absolutely over the moon - I can't believe it. It's been the best birthday surprise ever. I can't stop smiling!' WHAT IS PROSTATE CANCER? How many people does it kill? More than 11,800 men a year - or one every 45 minutes - are killed by the disease in Britain, compared with about 11,400 women dying of breast cancer. It means prostate cancer is behind only lung and bowel in terms of how many people it kills in Britain. In the US, the disease kills 26,000 men each year. Despite this, it receives less than half the research funding of breast cancer and treatments for the disease are trailing at least a decade behind. How quickly does it develop? Prostate cancer usually develops slowly, so there may be no signs someone has it for many years, according to the NHS. If the cancer is at an early stage and not causing symptoms, a policy of 'watchful waiting' or 'active surveillance' may be adopted. Some patients can be cured if the disease is treated in the early stages. But if it diagnosed at a later stage, when it has spread, then it becomes terminal and treatment revolves around relieving symptoms. Thousands of men are put off seeking a diagnosis because of the known side effects from treatment, including erectile dysfunction. Tests and treatment Tests for prostate cancer are haphazard, with accurate tools only just beginning to emerge. There is no national prostate screening programme as for years the tests have been too inaccurate. Doctors struggle to distinguish between aggressive and less serious tumours, making it hard to decide on treatment. Men over 50 are eligible for a PSA blood test which gives doctors a rough idea of whether a patient is at risk. But it is unreliable. Patients who get a positive result are usually given a biopsy which is also not foolproof. Scientists are unsure as to what causes prostate cancer, but age, obesity and a lack of exercise are known risks. Anyone with any concerns can speak to Prostate Cancer UK's specialist nurses on 0800 074 8383 or visit prostatecanceruk.org Advertisement The Hear'Say star looked radiant as she stole a kiss from her new fiance, wearing a striking floral dress for her birthday celebrations. The couple had been dating since July 2018 but have had to endure long stints of separation as Scott serves abroad, with Kym admitting last April that they had at the time been apart for seven months. She previously told The Sun that the Covid lockdown has meant Scott is spending more time at home. Kym said: 'He's actually home. He was due to go to staff college in September but we've ended up spending most of the past year together. 'I feel so lucky to be in this situation. It has given me the opportunity to have more time with Scott, my son David, my daughters Emilie and Polly and the rest of my family. I'm not taking those things for granted.' Happy news! The actress shared the exciting engagement news in an interview with OK! and said she's 'over the moon' to be marrying the Army Major after nearly three years together Kym had split from Matt Baker three months before sparking up a romance with Scott, after a two year romance. She was first in a relationship with builder David Cunliffe before her rise to fame in 2001's Popstars, and the couple had a son David, 25, and daughter Emilie, 25, during a five-year relationship. After breaking onto the pop scene as a member of Hear'Say Kym married EastEnders star Jack Ryder, 36, in 2002, but they divorced in 2009 after she admitted having an affair with Hollyoaks star Jamie Lomas, 43. Kym went onto marry Jamie in 2012, and the couple have daughter Polly, eight. The couple's first child Archie, passed away shortly after his premature birth in 2009. Just over a year after tying the knot, Kym filed for divorce from Jamie in 2013 citing 'unreasonable behaviour. She is also a grandmother, with Emilie welcoming baby son Teddy in May 2019. She shocked viewers when she was revealed to be the Frog on The Masked Dancer. And Kelly Brook commanded attention once more on Thursday in distressed denim shorts as she arrived for work at Global Radio Studios in London. The presenter, 41, put on a leggy display in her shorts, which she teamed with a floral top for her Heart FM show. Pins out: Kelly Brook put on a leggy display on Thursday in distressed denim shorts as she arrived for work at Global Radio Studios in London She rocked brown suede boots and was prepared for the rain as she clutched an olive green umbrella. Kelly tucked her wavy chocolate tresses behind shades and wore full coverage make-up which highlighted her radiant complexion. The model draped a green shoulder bag over her shoulder as she entered the radio building. Kelly was unveiled to be the Frog on The Masked Dancer last week, with Oti Mabuse being the only judge to correctly predict that it was her underneath the costume. Walk this way: The presenter, 41, rocked brown suede boots and was prepared for the rain as she clutched an olive green umbrella ahead of her Heart FM show Talking after the reveal, Kelly said: 'I have always loved dancing, I've not danced for years. I can pat myself on the back and say: "Yeah, I did that" it's been the best experience ever.' Kelly revealed several clues about her identity, which included Love Island font on her megaphone - as she presented the first-ever series in 2005 - and references to her cameo on Smallville in 2002 as Victoria Hardwick. The model also danced to Little Mix's Shout Out To My Ex which could have also been a hint at her past former flames which include the likes of Jason Statham, Billy Zane and Thom Evans. Judges Mo Gilligan and Davina McCall were left shocked over the reveal as they both exclaimed: 'I can't believe it, so brilliant' and 'I'm actually shocked!' Accesorise: The model draped a green shoulder bag over her shoulder as she entered the radio building Big reveal: Kelly was unveiled to be the Frog on The Masked Dancer last week, with Oti Mabuse being the only judge to correctly predict that it was her underneath the costume Other stars unveiled during the series included Zoe Ball as Llama, Christopher Dean as Beagle, Eddie The Eagle as Rubber Chicken and Dita Von Teese as Beetroot. Louise Redknapp was unmasked as Flamingo and Jordan Banjo was discovered to be Viper. And during Saturday's finale, Tamzin Outhwaite was revealed as Scarecrow, Take That's Howard Donald as Zip and Bonnie Langford unmasked as Squirrel. However it was gymnast Louis Smith, 32, who was crowned the winner after donning the disguise of Carwash and wowing the judges with his performance to the iconic dance track Party Rock Anthem as he donned his elaborate costume. Guesses: She danced to Little Mix's Shout Out To My Ex which could have also been a hint at her past former flames While appearing on Heart Breakfast on Monday, Kelly revealed that it was 'so lonely' backstage as the contestants had to keep their identities secret from each other and couldn't chat. She explained how the stars even wore jumpers that said 'don't speak to us' while filming at Wembley. Radio hosts Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden quizzed Kelly about taking part in The Masked Dancer. Speaking about not knowing who anyone was in the show, Kelly said: 'Yes it was so lonely backstage! We walk around with these jumpers on that say, "Don't speak to us". Surprise: Judges Mo Gilligan and Davina McCall (pictured left) were left shocked over the reveal as they both exclaimed: 'I can't believe it, so brilliant' and 'I'm actually shocked!' 'You're just backstage at Wembley thinking, is everyone else as terrified as I am? 'Because you don't have that camaraderie, so you can't share any of your experience, so you think you're the only one freaking out. 'But since the show has aired and we've figured out who everyone is, I've been talking to you Howard [Donald] and Bonnie [Langford], and everyone's like 'did you do this, did you feel like this' and everyone was in the same boat really.' The trio also discussed whether Kelly managed to correctly guess any of the other contestants, which included Zoe Ball as Llama and Christopher Dean as Beagle. Kelly told Amanda and Jamie: 'Not reallyI couldn't bear not knowing so I went on Twitter and once I saw all the fans guessing, then things started to make sense. 'I knew then that Squirrel must be Bonnie [Langford] because only Bonnie can move like that! To be honest I thought it was Ashley Roberts!' Amanda laughed and agreed, saying: 'So did we! We thought she was double bluffing so everyday she's like 'guys it's not me' and I was like, there's no one I know that can stick their leg up round their ear like Ashley Roberts!' She made her name on the silver screen and even earned the Oscar for her role in 1999's Shakespeare In Love. But Gwyneth Paltrow's daughter Apple has never seen any of her films. The 48-year-old actress and businesswoman appeared on the premiere of Shop TODAY With Jill Martin on Thursday as she revealed that both of her children have not gone out of their way to see her films. Dynamic duo: Gwyneth Paltrow appeared on the premiere of Shop TODAY With Jill Martin on Thursday as she revealed that both of her children have not gone out of their way to see her films 'I don't think my daughter has seen me in a movie': Gwyneth clarified, as she is seen with eldest child Apple The star shares two teenage children - 17-year-old daughter Apple and 15-year-old son Moses - with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin as she was asked by the 45-year-old Emmy Award-winning television personality what her kids' favorite movie of hers is. Gwyneth responded: 'My kids have never seen me in a movie. 'I mean, I think my son has seen the 'Iron Man' things, but I don't think my daughter has seen me in a movie.' Family: The star shares two teenage children - 17-year-old daughter Apple and 15-year-old son Moses - with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin Host Jill was shocked by the revelation as the A-list actress elaborated further. Gwyneth placed her hands over her heart as she said: 'She said she likes me here like how she knows her and it's weird when I'm on screen. The GOOP founder said that her personal favorite movie that she's been in was 2001's The Royal Tenenbaums. Gwyneth said: 'My kids have never seen me in a movie. I mean, I think my son has seen the 'Iron Man' things, but I don't think my daughter has seen me in a movie' 'It's weird when I'm onscreen': Host Jill was shocked by the revelation as the A-list actress elaborated further Shop TODAY With Jill Martin can be found streaming on TODAYs streaming channel TODAY All Day. Last month, Gwyneth gushed over her daughter in a sweet Instagram post as she celebrated her eldest child's 17th birthday. 'Can it be? 17 today?? My sweetest girl... YOU ARE MY LIFE! You make me belly laugh every day. You are brilliant and hardworking,' the Iron Man star wrote. 'You are fully YOU which I respect and admire so much. I wish I had had even a spoonful of the self-acceptance you have when I was your age. You are so inspiring and just so cool,' Gwyneth continued. 'YOU ARE MY LIFE!': Last month, Gwyneth gushed over her daughter in a sweet Instagram post as she celebrated her eldest child's 17th birthday She added: 'I remember the morning you came into the world so perfectly, I just cant believe it was 17 years ago. Happy birthday, my angel.' Along with her affectionate words, Gwyneth posted a rare photo of her daughter from a recent tropical vacation. In the candid sunset snap, the teen is seen looking off-camera, seemingly in mid-sentence while at a dining table in a beachside setting. Goop CEO and founder Gwyneth rarely shares images of her two children across her social media accounts, though Apple is now making more frequent appearances. Bond: A selfie of Gwyneth and Apple together In April, Apple good-naturedly roasted her mother in a hilarious TikTok video posted to the Goop account. Apple poked fun at her mother's ongoing cleanse, which has been going on 'since the day I was born,' and gave fans of the brand an intimate look at her morning ablutions. Last month, Gwyneth wished a happy 15th birthday to her son Moses, who she described as her 'little shredder' in a sweet social media post. Angel of mine: She said, 'I remember the morning you came into the world so perfectly, I just cant believe it was 17 years ago. Happy birthday, my angel' Low profile: Goop CEO and founder Gwyneth rarely shares images of her two children across her social media accounts, though Apple is now making more frequent appearances She shared several images of the birthday boy on her Instagram account as she paid tribute to her youngest child with her ex-husband Chris. 'Holy Moses I can't believe you are 15 today. You are the dreamiest, sweetest, most brilliant guy ever. I love you so much, you can't fathom it. Happy birthday you little shredder,' she captioned a series of snaps of her son. Gwyneth and Chris Martin co-parent their children amicably. The couple were married for 11 years before famously 'consciously uncoupling' in 2014, followed by their official divorce in 2016. In 2018, Gwyneth remarried to Glee producer Brad Falchuk, while Chris has been in a relationship with Dakota Johnson for the last few years. Uncoupled: Gwyneth and Chris Martin co-parent their children amicably. The couple were married for 11 years before famously 'consciously uncoupling' in 2014. Pictured in 2014 Kelly Dodd has slammed her Real Housewives of Orange County co-star Braunwyn Windham-Burke after it was revealed that both stars have been axed from the show earlier this week. Dodd, 45, had faced intense backlash last year for her controversial opinions on COVID-19, as well as facing accusations of racism and homophobia, but on Thursday, she put the blame squarely on Windham-Burke, 43. A text message sent from Kelly to Braunwyn says: 'This was your fault. We'd still be on the show if you didn't make things so dark and ugly and brought all that political "woke" BS.' It goes on, 'Your lies about me, calling me a racist and a homophobe were horribly destructive and your phony storylines didn't help either.' 'We'd still be on the show if it wasn't for your woke BS': Kelly Dodd (left) SLAMS her RHOC co-star Braunwyn Windham-Burke (right) for getting them both fired Known for their fights on the show, in November last year, Dodd accused Windham-Burke, who is gay, of calling her 'a racist and homophobic (sic) in a nationally televised interview.' Giving a classy clap back and ignoring the vitriol, Braunwyn replied in the text messages: 'Well I'm still sober and still gay, like I said if you ever want to talk I'm here' Explaining the beef further, Kelly said on Instagram: 'I can't believe this Braunwyn has the audacity to text me !! She went on a podcast .. She said she was fired from the show because we all didnt like her because she's gay.' 'Not because she's a horrible person. Not because she treated everyone like s**t and made no effort to be friends with us. Not because she went on a press tour and made horrible accusations about us calling all of us homophobes and racist, Not because shes a terrible mother.' She raged on: 'Not because she's a horrible person to her husband. The only reason she was fired is because she is gay. What a fucking nut job classic narcissist! ' Variety confirmed the news that the ladies will not be returning for the 16th season earlier this week. Attack: Kelly shared these screenshots of her sparring with Braunwyn on Thursday Classy clap back: Ignoring the vitriol, Braunwyn replied: 'Well I'm still sober and still gay, like I said if you ever want to talk I'm here' While Kelly and Braunwyn are not welcome on the cast any longer, Heather Dubrow is set to make a triumphant return to the show after taking four seasons off following her last stint in 2016 for season 11. Dodd faced intense backlash last year for her controversial COVID-19 opinions and later toasted to being a 'super-spreader' while at a bar with friends amid strict lockdown and social distancing measures in California. Bravo also cancelled the contracts for Elizabeth Lyn Vargas, who was on the most recent season. Shannon Storms Beador, Gina Kirschenheiter and Emily Simpson will be back for another season in front of cameras. Reports that Tamra Judge will also return have only been confirmed on the Housewives Wikipedia page. Kelly Dodd will not be returning for the 16th season of Real Housewives of Orange County, according to Variety; seen in 2019 Tweeting about the news on Tuesday, Kelly wrote: 'The last five years have been an amazing experience. The next five years will be even better. I am so grateful for all the love and support and so excited about the future.' Kelly was dropped from her partnership with Positive Beverages in February due to her 'controversial views and opinions' on COVID-19. She first partnered with the brand in February 2019 and regularly promoted the sparkling beverage on her social media accounts and in episodes of RHOC. Statement piece: Kelly was back in the spotlight for sporting a Drunk Wives Matter hat at her surprise bridal shower in Orange County in October In January, Kelly and her friends toasted to being 'super spreaders' as they dined maskless in Newport Beach despite surging cases of the coronavirus throughout Southern California. In response to being let go from the company, Kelly noted that she was 'glad I could help put Positive Beverage on the map and wish them well.' '2020 has taught us that words have power and listening can unite ... we listened to you and have an important action to share,' the brand first shared. Get the champs! Heather Dubrow is set to make a triumphant return to the show after taking four seasons off following her last stint in 2016 for season 11; seen in 2018 Out with the old: Kelly Dodd was dropped from her partnership with Positive Beverages due to her 'controversial views and opinions' on COVID-19 Yikes: In January, Kelly and her friends toasted to being 'super spreaders' as they dined maskless in Newport Beach despite surging cases of the coronavirus throughout Southern California 'Our core values of wellness, community, diversity and inclusion should be reflected by our brand and anyone associated with it,' head of Brand Zach Muchnick comments, 'it has become clear over the past few months that Kelly's controversial views and opinions have distracted from our primary objectives, so effective today, we are no longer affiliated with Kelly Dodd-Leventhal.' 'We welcome all people - however they are and whatever they are passionate about - to Positive Beverage,' says CEO, Shannon Argyros, 'but there must always be an underlying layer of respect. Unfortunately, we feel Kelly's stance is no longer congruent with our core values. We appreciate her contributions during our affiliation, and she will always be a part of Positive Beverage's history, but we do not align with her opinions or global views while we uphold our own values and the values of customers.' Dodd claimed she was 'getting a lot of hate for being at a restaurant we're allowed to be at' after California partially lifted dining restrictions amid the ongoing pandemic. 'The sheeple are mad,' she said. 'I'm not a super spreader because there's nothing to spread because we all got the vaccine and we don't have it, so there's nothing to spread about super spreaders.' Dream team: Reports that Tamra Judge will also return have only been confirmed on the Housewives Wikipedia page Kelly made headlines last April after saying on social media that she believed that the pandemic was 'Gods way of thinning the herd' as she argued with an Instagram user who called her out after taking a cross-country flight. After a user wrote to Dodd, 'If non-essential workers keep traveling back and forth like you, it will last longer,' the reality star replied, 'Do you know how many people died from the H1N1, the swine flu or SARS? Its 25% get your facts straight you are only hearing numbers not the reality! Its Gods way of thinning the herd!' She subsequently apologized for the remarks and attempted to clarify her statement. 'When I wrote that its "Gods way of thinning the herd," thats not what I meant,' Dodd said on Instagram Stories. 'What I meant was, "Do these pandemics happen because its Gods way?" Im not God. Im not insensitive. 'I feel bad for all the families that have lost loved ones, and I do think we should all stay at home and protect everybody. Thats not what I meant, and I want to apologize to anyone who got offended, OK? Im sorry.' She apologized again while appearing on Watch What Happens Live, saying of her past controversy: 'It was insensitive and I apologize if I hurt or offended anybody.' After putting her Malibu mansion on the market for $14.9 million earlier this year, Pamela Anderson has now reduced the price of the property by nearly $2 million after a sale on the home fell through. The residence now has a price tag of $12.9 million, according to The Sun. As Pamela, 53, says goodbye to her California digs, she is now living in her native Canada with her bodyguard husband Dan Hayhurst. Now available for $12.9M! Pamela Anderson has dropped the price of her luxurious Malibu mansion after a sale on the property fell through The Malibu property is roomy with four bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms in what looks like a very modern tree house. The unusual structure was designed by architect Philip Vertoch. Stars who have owned homes in the area include Ed Norton, Jim Carrey and Leonardo DiCaprio. Barbara Stanwyck, Clara Bow, Ronald Coleman and Gloria Swanson also spend time in the small community. There is a rooftop deck with a fireplace which is perfect for watching the sunset over dinner. And the property also includes a sizable blue-bottom swimming pool that includes built-in stools and am all-wood sauna. Meanwhile: Anderson has moved to Canada with her bodyguard husband Dan Hayhurst Home sweet home: The property is roomy with four bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms in what looks like a very modern tree house Pamela has already been staying in her native Vancouver where she is living on her grandmother's former property which she bought 30 years ago. The home is on Vancouver Island, in British Colombia, Canada. The star has said she feels comfortable there during lockdown from the COVID-19 pandemic. New chapter: Pamela has already been staying in her native Vancouver where she is living on her grandmother's former property which she bought 30 years ago (pictured 2019) Her husband, whom she wed on Christmas Eve, is with her. The two wed on the grounds of the dwelling. 'It's time I went back to my roots. I'm in love and recently married my "average Joe" (as he likes to call himself),' Pamela explains of her decision to leave Malibu behind. 'I'm creating my life here now again where it all started. It's been a wild ride, now full circle,' the star says. 'I left my small town in my early twenties for Playboy, traveled all around the world, just to come home one of the most beautiful places on earth. I made it home in one piece, a miracle. I'm a lucky girl.' They sparked split rumors after fans noticed she hadn't been posting photos with her husband in recent months. Now Tori Spelling has revealed she and her husband Dean McDermott, 54, are currently sleeping in separate bedrooms. Pressed about their sleeping arrangements during a recent appearance on Jeff Lewis Live, the former 90210 actress, 48, revealed she has been sharing her bed with her children and dogs ever since Dean left for work for six months. 'My kids and dogs sleep in my bed': Tori Spelling has revealed she and her husband Dean McDermott are currently sleeping in separate bedrooms (pictured 2018) 'Right now my kids and dogs sleep in my bed,' Tori said when asked by Jeff if she and Dean were currently sharing the same bed. 'So he's in the guest room?' Lewis asked. 'He's in a room,' Tori clarified. Tori revealed her children have yet to return to their own bedrooms ever since Dean left for work. 'They all stayed with me': Tori revealed her children have yet to return to their own bedrooms ever since Dean left for work (pictured 2019) 'Since he left - this is not good, you guys - but since he left, he was gone for six months filming in another country, they all stayed with me,' Tori said. 'So I currently still have four in the bedroom with me who have yet to go back to their rooms.' Dean had been up in his native Canada in recent months filming the police series Lady Dicks, but fans of the couple have been worried that his recent absences signal that the couple is on the rocks. Fueling the speculation was Tori herself, who has been spotted out several times without her wedding ring on. Family matters: Tori and Dean share sons Liam, 14, Finn, eight, and Beau, four, and daughters Stella, 13, and Hattie, nine Around Thanksgiving, Tori shared the family's Christmas card on Instagram, but Dean was absent from it. In his place, the actress held up his headshot and explained that he was 'away for work,' adding 'we did our best to incorporate him.' 'Good Riddance 2020. Welcome 2021!' she captioned the photo. Back in LA! McDermott was spotted earlier this week with his family in Calabasas after he was gone filming the police series Lady Dicks in Canada However, the couple were recently seen hanging out with their family in Calabasas. Dean previously admitted in 2014 during the filming of the documentary True Tori that he had been unfaithful to his wife. The series followed the aftermath of their marital turmoil, but the Mother, May I Sleep With Danger? star admitted on Roxy Manning and Tammin Sursok's podcast Women On Top that her children were 'really upset' after learning of the infidelity by reading recaps of the show. 'My kids have not seen clips, but they've seen something out there online and my daughter saw something,' she explained. 'It really upset her, and she said, "Daddy I saw something online that said you cheated on Mommy."' Tori admitted at the time that the children were still young enough for them to lie and say the headlines were made up while claiming they were just having marital issues, though she said they would have to be more forthcoming as the children grew up. Tori and Dean share five children: sons Liam, 14, Finn, eight, and Beau, four, and daughters Stella, 13, and Hattie, nine. Advertisement She never fails to look sensational. And Anya Taylor-Joy dazzled once again as she attended a photocall ahead of the 2022 Dior Croisiere (Cruise) fashion show at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens on Thursday. The Queen's Gambit star, 25, looked every inch the Grecian goddess as she rocked a semi-sheer gown which boasted a sparkling gold material. Golden girl! Anya Taylor-Joy dazzled in a stunning gold dress as she attended a photocall ahead of the 2022 Dior Croisiere (Cruise) fashion show in Athens, Greece, on Thursday Anya looked incredible in her glittering ensemble, ensuring to work all of her angles as she showcased the look ahead of the show. The beauty flashed a glimpse of her toned legs while moving around the light mesh material of her gown and flaunting her incredible physique. Her gown also featured a chic cape-style detailing which saw the material of the dress fall over Anya's shoulders and down her back. Letting her dress do all the talking, Anya kept her accessorises to a minimum only donning a selection of gold rings for the fashion event. Stunning: The Queen's Gambit star, 25, exuded style and ensured to work all her angles for the camera in a semi-sheer Grecian-inspired gown Looking good: Anya span her glittering mesh layers around while posing up a storm at the star-studded runway show Style: She braided back her blonde locks as to showcase the show-stopping back of her gown Also seen at Dior's show in Athens were stunning models Suki Waterhouse and Cara Delevingne, who both ensured to showcase their impeccable fashion sense. Suki also opted for a floating number, rocking a sage green chiffon dress boasting a very low-cut neckline and long flowing sleeves. The blonde beauty added to her boho-vibe by wearing her blonde locks down and styling her floor-length gown with a pair of scrappy sandals. Boho chic: Suki Waterhouse also opted for a floating number, rocking a sage green chiffon dress boasting a very low-cut neckline and long flowing sleeves Model moment: The blonde beauty toted a small Dior bag and completed her look with stylish sandals Night out: She posed up a storm, letting her long tresses cascade over her shoulders She completed her look by toting a small handbag by Dior and adding a long gold necklace with a selection of stones sitting in-between her cleavage. Actress and model Cara, 28, opted for fitted gold number, showcasing her physique in a fringe dress with statement black straps to emphasise her ample assets. Adding a splash of colour to her look, Cara donned a slick of bright red lipstick, while she also opted for a grey smokey-eye. Work it: Elsewhere at the event, Cara Delevingne put on a busty display in a shimmering gold dress featuring edgy black straps Wow! She completed the look with a full face of glamorous make-up The Carnival Row star wore her brunette locks in quaffed style, with some strands pinned back away from her pretty features. Cara added further glitz to her look with a pair of drop earrings and a pair of gold cage boots. Anya's appearance at the fashion show comes after it was reported that she has been cast with Ralph Fiennes in The Menu. The 25-year-old actress and 58-year-old actor have been tapped to feature in the dark comedy flick for Searchlight. Putting on a show! Fireworks went off behind the models during the outdoor event in Athens Very cool: Lights and fire also entertained the star-studded audience during the night Hitting the catwalk: Several models toted large bags as they walked around the stadium track Mark Mylod who has played a key part in the success of the acclaimed TV series Succession is directing the film with Adam McKay producing through his Hyperobject Industries banner together with Betsy Koch. The movie is a darkly comedic psychological thriller set in the world of eccentric culinary culture that focuses on a young couple who visit a restaurant on a remote island where a famous chef has prepared a lavish menu and shocking surprises. Anya will star as one half of the couple with Ralph playing the role of the chef. Will Tracy and Seth Reiss have penned the screenplay with DanTram Nguyen and Zahra Phillips overseeing the project for the studio. 2022 Dior Cruise: Models rocked all-white ensembles with one wearing a padded jacket (left) and another looking sensational (right) in a one-shoulder ballgown Production on Colton Underwood's controversial Netflix docu-series has gotten underway, Us Weekly reported on Thursday. Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy, 29, who will be a part of the upcoming show, confirmed that the drama surrounding Colton and his ex Cassie Randolph will be addressed in the series. The Bachelor Nation stars previously dated and Cassie accused Colton of stalking and harassing her, going so far as to seek a temporary restraining order against him - which she later dropped. Cameras rolling: Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy confirmed that the drama surrounding Colton Underwood and his ex Cassie Randolph will be addressed Colton's upcoming controversial Netflix docu-series, Us Weekly reported on Thursday 'When he came out, the show was also leaked and it took things out of context, and also, like, the information that was leaked wasn't even necessarily correct,' Gus told Us Weekly. 'So he and I both took kind of a lot of heat online that I felt like was sort of unnecessary and some of it I don't even disagree with, and people had qualms and wanted an explanation of his situation with his ex,' he continued. Adding: 'I think that that's totally fair and valid that people took issue with that, and I think that the show will address that.' Colton came out as gay on Good Morning America in April, telling Robin Roberts that he'd been 'coming to terms' with and 'processing' his sexuality since earlier in the year. 'When he came out, the show was also leaked and it took things out of context, and also, like, the information that was leaked wasn't even necessarily correct,' Gus told Us Weekly. (Gus in 2018) Shortly after the announcement it was leaked that he'd been filming the process for a Netflix docu-series and the news of the show was met with immediate backlash. Kenworthy, who came out as gay in 2015, told Us it was 'not fair for people to be hypercritical' of Colton, how he came out or his past. Underwood was accused by his ex Cassie Randolph - who he dated for over a year after meeting on The Bachelor - of stalking and harassing her. 'It sort of feels like you're drowning sometimes,' Kenworthy said. 'And then you get through that and you climb up the ladder and I think people are too quick to pull the ladder up after them.' 'So he and I both took kind of a lot of heat online that I felt like was sort of unnecessary and some of it I don't even disagree with, and people had qualms and wanted an explanation of his situation with his ex,' he continued. 'I think that that's totally fair and valid that people took issue with that, and I think that the show will address that.' Backlash: Underwood was accused by his ex Cassie Randolph - who he dated for over a year after meeting on The Bachelor - of stalking and harassing her 'There's other people that still need help, and Colton was one of them,' he continued. A Change.org petition has been circulating in response to the news of Colton's Netflix series. The petition, called 'Cancel Colton Underwood's Netflix Documentary,' cites accusations Colton stalked and harassed Cassie as reason for the cancellation. She filed a restraining order against him last year and accused him of stalking and harassing her. In documents filed with the request to the court and obtained by DailyMail.com, it is alleged Colton was 'stalking and harassing' Cassie, sending her 'unsettling text messages', repeatedly calling her, and placing a 'tracking device on her vehicle to track her whereabouts.' His truth: Colton came out as gay on Good Morning America in April, telling Robin Roberts that he'd been 'coming to terms' with and 'processing' his sexuality since earlier in the year The restraining order request also said that Colton had been seen outside her parents' home in Huntington Beach, California, on several occasions, including one time he was outside Cassie's bedroom window at two in the morning. 'Mr. Underwood also watches Ms. Randolph's apartment in Los Angeles. Mr. Underwood admitted to his roommate and his roommate's girlfriend (who is also Ms. Randolph's friend) that he goes on multiple walks a day to Ms. Randolph's apartment building,' the document continued. Colton 'obsessively called and sent text messages' when Cassie had a male visitor, leaving Cassie 'startled that he knew who was coming in and out of her apartment, and felt like she was being watched.' He sent similar messages when she visited her family and friends, indicating that he knew where she was, the documents read. She later dropped the restraining order. When he was interviewed on GMA, Colton apologized for 'how things ended' with Cassie, admitting he 'messed up' and 'made a lot of bad choices'. Advertisement Alessandra Ambrosio shared several bikini photos to her Gal Floripa Instagram page this week where she was modeling a new bikini from her Underwater Dream Collection for summer. The siren from Brazil had on a white and pink number with frills here and there making it extra feminine as she held on to a cocktail with the shell of a mango as her cup. The star, 40, said in her caption that she was in 'paradise' as she lay on a hammock by a pristine white sand beach. Sandy day: Alessandra Ambrosio shared several bikini photos to her Gal Floripa Instagram page this week where she was modeling a new bikini for summer as she held on to a cocktail with the shell of a mango as her cup It's been a busy year for Alessandra. She has been in the throes of a PDA-packed relationship with her new beau Richard Lee ever since debuting their romance several months ago. She continued to spread the love as she locked lips with her hunky boyfriend in honor of his birthday on Tuesday. The runway star posted a slideshow gushing about her birthday beau, including a snap of herself giving Richard a kiss on the lips. The couple clinked glasses as they locked lips whilst enjoying a scrumptious meal at Kassi Beach House in Las Vegas. Stellar: The siren from Brazil had on a white and pink number with frills here and there making it extra feminine One of the flirty snaps captured the gorgeous twosome looking as smitten as can be as they shared a drink. The birthday boy couldn't help but dote on his girlfriend as he affectionately puckered up to her in one of the snaps. Alessandra and her boyfriend looked incredible for their night out celebrating Richard's big day. The catwalk queen dazzled in a shimmering plunging red dress with head full of glossy brunette locks. Bright idea: The star, 40, said in her caption that she was in 'paradise' as she lay on a hammock by a pristine white sand beach Richard looked smart and sharp in a midnight blue T-shirt, grey slacks, and white sneakers. Birthday kisses! Ambrosio continued to spread the love as she locked lips with her model boyfriend Richard Lee in honor of his birthday on Tuesday Gushing about her other half, Alessandra posted in the caption, 'Happy birthday to my favorite person in the world @_bigasia. I Love you with all my heart meu coracao !!!' Alessandra started off the day showering her boyfriend with attention. The beauty treated her beau to breakfast in bed, serving the shirtless hunk a tray of candle-lit cake and other goodies. The shirtless model blew out the candles to his decadent cake after Alessandra instructed him to make a wish. It has been just a few months since Alessandra and Richard went public with their relationship, and the couple have been practically attached at the hip ever since then. From volleyball sessions to their current trip to Las Vegas, the couple are clearly having the time of their lives with each other. Alessandra shares two children - Anja, 12, and Noah, nine - with her ex-fiance Jamie Mazur who co-founded RE/DONE. After splitting with Jamie, Alessandra got romantically involved with Italian fashion designer Nicolo Oddi who founded the brand Alanui with his sister Carlotta. The pair split sometime in December, just months before the model sparked romance rumors with Richard with various dinner dates in February. Martin Lewis is set to join Susanna Reid as a guest host on Good Morning Britain, as the show continues its roster of co-anchors following Piers Morgan's exit earlier this year. The consumer specialist - known for his Money Saving Expert franchise - said he was 'stoked' to be joining the team, having been a longstanding face on ITV's various morning shows. While only a three-day stint (June 28 to June 30), there are rumblings of Martin, 48, coming back for more, should he impress viewers. Co-host: Martin Lewis is set to join Susanna Reid as a guest host on Good Morning Britain, as the show continues its roster of co-anchors following Piers Morgan's exit earlier this year 'For 15 years I loved answering questions on Good Morning Britain. Now I'm stoked about getting the chance to ask them,' he said in a statement about the gig. 'While I hope to set the agenda on key consumer issues like scams and the financially excluded, I'm also up for the challenge of spreading my wings on all subjects. 'And when it comes to holding power to account, I always play fair with a straight bat, but that doesn't stop me swinging it hard.' Money Saving Expert was founded in 2003 and was sold in 2012 for a staggering 87 million. Another one: Susanna is yet to have a full-time co-anchor assigned since Piers left in March Consumer specialist: He is known for his Money Saving Expert franchise, and said he was 'stoked' to be joining the team, having been a longstanding face on ITV's various morning shows He has been at the forefront of campaigns regarding PPI, and offers advice on shows such as This Morning on topics such as loans and credit scores. He currently fronts The Martin Lewis Money Show alongside Angellica Bell, which has been on the air for six series. He is said to be worth an estimated 125 million and is married to fellow TV presenter Lara Lewington, with whom he shares a daughter, Sapphire, seven. Knows his stuff: He has been at the forefront of campaigns regarding PPI, and offers advice on shows such as Lorraine on topics such as loans and credit scores Money talks: He currently fronts The Martin Lewis Money Show alongside Angellica Bell, which has been on the air for six series GMB Editor Neil Thompson said of Martin: 'He is a journalist and broadcaster at the top of his game. Trust has been and continues to be hugely important throughout the pandemic. And I can't think of many people more trustworthy than Martin Lewis.' Since Piers left the show amid a row concerning Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Oprah interview, which aired in March, a rotation of co-hosts have joined remaining anchor Susanna. The likes of Bill Turnbull - formally Susanna's BBC Breakfast co-star - as well as Alastair Campbell, Richard Madeley and Adil Ray have also been stepping into the role, yet no long-term replacement has been assigned yet. Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6AM on ITV and on ITV Hub. I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! bosses have reportedly arranged for crew to stay in a caravan park in North Wales incase the 2021 series can't return to Australia. In 2020, the production team moved into the Golden Sands Holiday Park in Rhyl for the duration of the show, which was filmed 15 minutes away at Gwyrch Castle. A source has now claimed that execs have scouted out the venue's availability once more as a 'back-up plan' just incase plans to jet abroad have to be scrapped. Back-up: I'm A Celebrity bosses have reportedly arranged for crew to stay in a caravan park in North Wales incase the 2021 series can't return to Australia (pictured hosts Ant and Dec) Speaking with The Mirror, the source claimed: 'Everyone is hoping to get back Down Under for the sunshine, including Ant and Dec. 'But just in case that is ruled out by the authorities, a back-up plan is essential and thats why the caravan site has been primed once more.' An I'm A Celebrity spokesperson said: 'We'll announce the location for the new series of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! in due course'. Golden Sands Holiday Park is popular with holidaymakers during summer months and this year there is thought to be availability for holidaymakers until November. Back again? In 2020, the production team moved into the Golden Sands Holiday Park in Rhyl for the duration of the show (pictured some of the caravans at the park) I'm A Celeb usually kicks off in the middle of November and runs into the first week of December, with Giovanna Fletcher being crowned Queen Of The Castle in 2020. It was reported in April that show bosses won't know if I'm A Celebrity will be able to return to its usual home in Australia for the upcoming 2021 series until September. According to The Mirror, everyone is thought to be 'very keen' to return to the jungle and it is now just a 'waiting game' to know if it'll be possible. In March, ITV chief executive Dame Carolyn McCall confirmed that bosses are hoping the show will return to the jungle as that is how the show is 'meant to be'. Speaking as the network published its group annual results, she said: 'If we can go back to Australia and this show is meant to be in Australia then thats what well do. We have a very good plan if not, as we have already done it once (in the castle). Going back for round two? There has been lots of speculation the show will return to Gwrych Castle in Wales for 2021 with reports claiming ITV have already booked it as a backup Prior to the confirmation, hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly sparked claims that this year's series will be returning to Wales. The presenting duo said they'd be 'very happy' to remain in the UK for filming when the series returns later this year, joking they 'wouldn't miss the jet lag'. Last year's I'm A Celebrity was relocated to Gwrych Castle in Wales after plans to record the usual show in Australia became impossible due to COVID. Speaking to Digital Spy magazine, Ant said: 'If during coronavirus we have to stay put and do it in Wales again, I'd be very happy. All good with them: Ant and Dec also said they'd be 'very happy' to remain in the UK for filming when the series returns later this year, joking they 'wouldn't miss the jet lag' (pictured in 2020) 'We were very welcomed in Wales. There were cardboard cut-outs of me and Dec in the butcher's, and the local school did a tribute. We'd happily go back there. We'd miss the sunshine, mind.' Dec added that he 'wouldn't be disappointed' if filming was once again taking place in Wales later this year, adding: 'The people in Wales were lovely... 'They made us feel very welcome. I had a lovely time. I will miss the sunshine, but I will not miss the jet lag of coming back from Australia.' And it seems that the show has already reserved the castle for another series just in case they can't get to Australia. In February, a source told The Sun: 'Ultimately they are at the mercy of COVID-19 restrictions. Formally an agreement is in place for the use of Gwrych Castle this year. Should the show need to be held there again it has all got the green light.' Possibility: The show is said to have been given the option to film Down Under, after the 2020 series was filmed in Gwrych Castle in Abergele, Wales (2020 winner Giovanna Fletcher) It was also reported at the end of May that the show has reportedly been given the green light from Australian border force to return to the jungle. According to reports, the show, hosted by Ant and Dec, has been given the option to film Down Under. Although there is the option for a jungle return, an ITV spokesperson told MailOnline a decision has not yet been made on whether the show will return to Australia or not. A spokesperson said at the time: 'No final decision has yet been made regarding the location for the new series.' Meanwhile, a border force source told The Sun: 'Everyone is delighted with this news. All the signs are now pointing towards a return to the jungle. 'As great as a year in the castle was, the show is made by its surroundings and the glitz and glamour of the jungle. 'ITV have assurances from Australian border control bosses that even if a wider travel ban is still in place for tourists, they'll get the paperwork and clearance they need to send cast and crew to Oz. It's a big moment.' Entry to Australia is currently closed to most arrivals amid the pandemic and the country has been hailed one of the world's Covid success stories, where infection rates are near zero, due to their strict lockdowns and border control. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced this month that Australia won't re-open borders until mid-2022. However, travellers who have been in New Zealand for 14 days or more can travel by air to Australia and will not require an exemption. Australian citizens and returning permanent residents and their immediate family members are permitted to enter Australia without an exemption. Sophia Bush and her boyfriend Grant Hughes put on an affectionate display as they stepped out for a laid-back lunch date on Wednesday afternoon. The happy couple, who coordinated in summery white and beige outfits, were arm-in-arm while crossing the street together. For their outing, the 38-year-old actress sported a light brown leather jacket, light-wash jeans and a chic pair of white booties. Going strong: Sophia Bush and her boyfriend Grant Hughes put on a very affectionate display as they stepped out for a laid-back lunch date on Wednesday afternoon She completed her look with a few chunky gold necklaces, a white tank top and matching handbag. Her highlighted brown hair was pulled back in a sleek ponytail and she rocked a 'no makeup' makeup look, which accentuated her natural beauty. Meanwhile, Bush's beau, who cofounded the organization FocusMotion Health, looked handsome in a white button-down and a fitted pair of caramel trousers. Blissful: The happy couple, who coordinated in summery white and beige outfits, held hands while crossing the street together and enjoying the glorious sunshine The lovebirds have been going strong for about a year, since they first ignited dating rumors last May amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Bush also has a lot on her plate right now on the work front. She stars in the upcoming horror film - False Positive - alongside Ilana Glazer, Justin Theroux, Gretchen Mol, Pierce Brosnan, Josh Hamilton and Kelly AuCoin, which is slated to drop on Hulu June 25. Casual: For their outing, the 38-year-old actress sported a light brown leather jacket, light-wash jeans, a chic pair of white booties and a bag by DeMellier It is said to be a contemporary take on the classic film Rosemary's Baby. Bush also scored the lead role in the new CBS medical drama series - Good Sam - where she plays the talented yet stifled heart surgeon Dr. Sam Griffith. The series, which also stars Skye P. Marshall, Michael Stahl-David and Edwin Hodge, is expected to premiere as a midseason entry during the 202122 television season. And if that wasn't enough, Bush has also reunited with former One Tree Hill co-stars Hilarie Burton-Morgan and Bethany Joy Lenz in the new weekly podcast, Drama Queens, on iHeartRadio. The three ladies reminisce about the nine seasons they spent on the beloved teen soap series. Reunited! Bush has reunited with One Tree Hill co-stars Hilarie Burton-Morgan and Bethany Joy Lenz for the new podcast - Drama Queens on IHeartRadio Bush already hosts her podcast - Work In Progress, where she talks frank and funny about her personal and professional life, including politics, and with people who inspire her. Along with her role as Brooke Davis in the The WB/CW drama series One Tree Hill (2003-2012), the actress is also best known for portraying Erin Lindsay in the NBC police drama series Chicago P.D. (2014-2017). Her film resumes includes the romantic teen drama John Tucker Must Die (2006), the road thriller The Hitcher (2007), the independent film The Narrows (2008), the biographical legal drama Marshall (2017), the action thriller Acts Of Violence (2018), and the animated superhero film Incredibles 2 (2018). Angelina Jolie claims three of her children with ex-husband Brad Pitt had hopes to testify against him in their ongoing custody case. Jolie, 46, and Pitt, 57, - who finalized their divorce in 2019 - are parents to six kids, five of them minors: Maddox, 19, Pax, 17, Zahara, 16, Shiloh, 14 and twins Vivienne and Knox, 12. Court documents did not state which of the children were reportedly willing to speak against their father. In a December 2020 court document reviewed by Us Weekly, Jolie's legal team said that 'three of the children have asked to testify' in the ongoing custody proceedings. The latest: Angelina Jolie, 46, claims three of her children with ex-husband Brad Pitt, 57, had hopes to testify against him in their ongoing custody case 'The children whose custody is at issue are old enough to understand what is going on,' Jolie's lawyer said. 'The trial is necessarily going to impact them emotionally. 'To make any of the children endure what may be a futile and void proceeding is beyond unjustified. It is cruel.' The legal team for the Maleficent actress had filed the docs in her efforts to disqualify Judge John Ouderkirk from ruling over the case. While Jolie and Pitt initially agreed to Judge Ouderkirk as a private judge to keep the details of the case sealed, she said last August that the judge is compromised because of 'ongoing business and professional relationships' he has with one of Pitt's lawyers; and that she will appeal a finalized decision made by Ouderkirk in the case. Jolie and five of her children with Pitt were snapped at a premiere in LA in 2019 Details: Jolie's legal team said in court docs filed earlier this year that the presiding judge denied the actress 'a fair trial, improperly excluding her evidence relevant to the children's health, safety, and welfare, evidence critical to making her case' Ouderkirk was kept in the case in October, and in the December 2020 filing, Jolie's legal team said that Ouderkirk's presence at the helm of the case has made for a bad situation in which the children sought out to take the stand and speak their mind in the case. Jolie's legal team said in court docs filed earlier this year that the judge denied the actress 'a fair trial, improperly excluding her evidence relevant to the children's health, safety, and welfare, evidence critical to making her case.' An insider told the outlet that Maddox last month delivered testimony that 'wasn't very flattering toward Brad, and that 'he doesn't use Pitt as his last name on documents that aren't legal and instead uses Jolie. Maddox wants to legally change his last name to Jolie, which Angelina has said she doesn't support.' 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. Nacogdoches, TX (75965) Today Cloudy this morning with thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 86F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Variable clouds with showers and scattered thunderstorms. Storms more numerous this evening. Low 71F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. TikTok is the 7th most used social media network in the world and Reggae/Dancehall music is the 7th most used genre on the platform as revealed in a music report by TikTok recently. TikTok has over 689 million active users and in their 2020 music year-in-review report, they revealed that more than 176 different songs surpassed 1 billion streams including Shaggy and Conkorahs remix of Banana. TikTok is now indisputably a reliable predictor of hits in multiple genres of music. Five of the songs first discovered on there due to user-generated videos went to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Whats even more convincing is the speed at which songs are racking up views in the tens of millions. The remix of Conkarah and Shaggys Banana jumped 250 thousand views within a day. Presently, Laa Lee has a viral challenge with his song Tip Innnah It streamed almost 13 million times with users making over 14 thousand videos doing the #tipinnahitchallnege at a rate of over 500 thousand streams per day. Compared to YouTube where the David Island and Everton Gentles music video for the same song only has three million views since December 2020. Reggae-Dancehall music is not climbing as fast as Hip Hop which is the number one genre on TikTok. Last year Drakes Toosie Slide, generated a billion views in just three days, and WAP by Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion did the same in just two weeks. Although Hip Hop is the dominant genre with over 50 percent consumption, Music editorial lead at TikTok William Groger told Variety Magazine that, There is also a list of Unexpected Hits and Niche Discoveries, where by TikToks community helped shape internet and IRL culture with these unearthed gems. Another highlight from report is that more than 70 artists have broken into the industry on TikTok with major record label deals. In speaking to Frankie Music who has responsibility to market Tip Innah It by Laa Lee he said, the dance came out before the song then Lala Lee put the likkle youth in the video and thats how the two things connect. The Likkle Youth being a young sensation who developed the now-viral dance that can be seen performed by influencers, celebrities, and other people from all over the world. Some of the more popular user-generated videos done by fans are made on trains, malls, hotels, bedrooms, and airports all over the world. Although not always the case, many of the successful songs on TikTok can be as a result of artists who use the platform to lead trends said William Gruger to Variety Magazine, A major common factor among artists who broke and received deals from their activity on TikTok is that they are major users of the platform as well. These artists are engaged with their TikTok followers, leaning into trends on the platform and building relationships with audiences who support their music. Star examples of this include 24kGoldn who earned his first #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, Flo Millis breakout May I, which inspired 1.3M creates, and Panama native Latin superstar Sech, who has over 1.7M followers earned from his frequent reaction duets and charming dance moves. With the vast majority of users under 30, last July TikTok announced a 200 million Creators Fund as a way to support creators. They said creators will start to receive an amount for their engagement on the platform monthly. They did not define the requirements to qualify, however some creators have reported income of $0.02-$0.04 per 100 views (RPM). Unlike YouTube, TikTok pays rights holders and artists based on the number of videos that use the music and not by the number of streams. Advertising Exec and former record label executive Steve Stoute said on the Earn Your Leisure Podcast recently that, Really what you want is TikTok to be the place where you promote the song and then if you could go you like that? you can listen to the full length song on Apple Music and one of these streaming platforms. TikTok is available in over 200 countries but the streaming giant has experienced many geopolitical setbacks with governments from major markets either banning or regulating its wide-scale use. It is not available in China but its sister app Doujin which does pretty much the same thing has 600 million users. Last June, TikTok was banned in India as it was on track to record 120 million users in that country. The app was almost banned in the United States and is not available in Hong Kong, and at least three more countries. LifeSpan surpassed 15 billion impressions in less than a month according to Google Trends. The almost 100-year-old drink company became the talk of the world when TikTok creator Nathan Apodaca @420doggface208 casually drank a cran-raspberry drink on his way to work. After becoming famous due to the video, The Miami Herald reported that Nathan DoggFace Apodoca is selling his iconic video as an NFT, or non-fungible token, in an auction starting Friday, his manager told McClatchy News. Since then other companies have encouraged workers to post videos to TikTok while at work. worldmusicviews.com Daytona Beach, FL (32114) Today Mostly cloudy early, then thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 86F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies early with scattered thunderstorms developing late. Low 76F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Skip to main navigation Juneteenth Commemoration Juneteenth commemoration in 1900 Juneteenth commemoration in 1900 New York designated Juneteenth as an official state holiday for the first time on June 19, 2021. Juneteenth (short for June 19th) commemorates African American freedom in our country. Its history goes back to June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger read federal orders in Galveston, Texas, that declared all enslaved people in Texas were free. While President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation a full two and a half years before the end of the war, it wasn't until the war's end that enslaved people in Texas knew they were free. As this year marks the 156th anniversary of Juneteenth, DEC recognizes the continued struggle and delayed liberation some communities face as they search for environmental freedoms and equality. We support the spirit of Juneteenth by: Ensuring all New Yorkers and visitors have the freedom to access, enjoy and feel welcome on state lands; Providing Community Impact Grants, competitive grants that empower communities to develop and implement solutions to environmental justice issues; Co-chairing the Climate Action Council (DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos), tasked with preparing a plan to achieve the State's bold clean energy and climate agenda - liberating New York, including its most vulnerable populations, from the effects of greenhouse gas emissions; and Leading a Climate Justice Working Group - comprised of representatives from environmental justice communities statewide - tasked with incorporating the needs of disadvantaged communities in the State's energy and climate agenda. DEC conducting air monitoring in neighborhood, an environmental justice community DEC conducting air monitoring in Albany South End neighborhood, an environmental justice community This Juneteenth, we continue to strive for environmental and climate justice. The freedom to enjoy a clean and safe environment is the right of every New Yorker, and we will continue to work to bring equity and justice to historically overburdened communities. Check out these Juneteenth events around the state, and let's celebrate independence and liberty with our fellow New Yorkers! (links leave DEC website) Van Cortland Park Alliance - Bronx's Juneteenth Celebration Binghamton's Juneteenth Celebration Albany's Juneteenth Celebration Buffalo's Juneteenth Celebration Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription and are still unable to access our content, please link your digital account to your print subscription If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. A parliamentary standing committee recently called for stringent action other than denial of vigilance clearance against the officers who failed to submit their returns. It has also recommended the DoPT and the CVC to increase surveillance on such officials. Representational image/By arrangement HYDERABAD: As many as 14 IAS officers from Telugu states are among the 349 civil service officers across the country who have not submitted their annual immovable property returns for the year 2020 within the stipulated time limit. Of these, eight are from Andhra Pradesh and six from Telangana. There are also a few IAS officers who have not filed their returns for the previous years 2019 and 2018, too. As per All India Services (Conduct) Rule, 1968, all civil service officials are required to submit their returns in January every year. A parliamentary standing committee recently called for stringent action other than denial of vigilance clearance against the officers who failed to submit their returns. It has also recommended the DoPT and the CVC to increase surveillance on such officials. According to the official data available with the Centre's Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), which deals with service matters of IAS, the six officers who did not file returns are KY Naik, M V Reddy, P Venkata Rami Reddy (Siddipet collector), RV Karnan (Khammam collector), T Vinay Krishna Reddy (Suryapet collector) and Sandeep Kumar Jha. The eight officers from AP include chief secretary Aditya Nath Das, Budithi Rajsekhar, I Srinivas Srinaresh, K Dhananjaya Reddy, P Basanth Kumar, TK Rama Mani, D Markandeyulu and R Mahesh Kumar. For the year 2019 too, four IAS officers from Telangana did not file their returns. They are G Kishan, N Satyanarayana, D Amoy Kumar and VP Gautham. From AP, there are 10 IAS officers in this category. They are JS Venkateswara Prasad, R Karikal Valaven, K Vijayanand, I Srinivas Srinaresh, K Ramgopal, Muddada Ravi Chandra, Shashi Bhushan Kumar, B Sreedhar, Kanti Lal Dande and KV Ramana. Surprisingly, there are 10 officers each from Telangana and AP who failed to file returns even for 2018. No action has been taken against the errant. The Union Ministry of Personnel issued an order in January this year asking IAS officers to submit details of their immovable assets by January 31, failing which they could face disciplinary action. It said the rules provide that every member of the service shall submit by January 31 an annual return giving full particulars of the immovable property inherited by him, owned or acquired by him or held by him on lease or mortgage, either in his own name or in the name of any member of his family or in the name of any other person. "Failure on the part of the members of the service to comply with the requirements of the aforesaid provisions constitutes good and sufficient reason for institution of disciplinary proceedings, among other things," said the order. In order to facilitate the filing of details, th DoPT had introduced online filing of immovable property returns (IPR) in respect of lAS officers from January 1, 2017 through the module designed for the purpose. "Through this module, the officers can submit the IPR either electronically or upload scanned copy of the manually filled in IPR," said the order. This online module closes automatically after the prescribed timeline of 31st January, 2021 in respect of the calendar year 2020. The officers need not send a hard copy either to their cadre or to the DoPT. "(We) would, therefore, request you to kindly issue necessary instructions to all lAS officers working in your ministry and its various departments to ensure that they submit their IPRs for the year 2020 (as on 01.01.2021) online in the IPR module, as per the prescribed timeline, secretaries of all central government departments and chief secretaries of state governments have been told. As many as 5,205 IAS officers are working across the country against the sanctioned strength of 6,715, according to DoPT data. Vijayawada: Minister for municipal administration Botsa Satyanarayana stated that the Jindal Waste to Energy Plant with 15MW capacity in Guntur would start its operations by next month. Only 10 per cent of the works for the plant was completed during the term of the Telugu Desam government, but the YSRC gave top priority to the completion of the works, he said on Thursday. Satyanarayana said two waste-to-energy plants were under construction, one in Guntur and the other in Visakhapatnam. The minister inspected the Jindal plant at Obulanaidupalem on the outskirts of Guntur city and reviewed the progress of the works. Jindal urban waste management project president M.M. Chari explained about the features of the plant through a power-point presentation. He said that 100 per cent of the works of machinery installation and plant had been completed and what remained to be done was to give connectivity to the electricity sub-station. There is a need for water supply to the plant and they are ready to launch the plant in 20 days if connectivity is provided, he added. The minister asked the officials to complete power connectivity works and further the installation of water pipelines in a weeks time. He asked the Swachchandra Corporation to hold a meeting with the municipalities to collect waste from houses through segregation methods and reach the same to the waste-to-energy plant. The TD government had signed an MoU with Jindal in 2016 to complete the plant in 18 months. But only 10 per cent of the works were completed before the YSRC came to power in 2019. The present government is giving priority for completion of the plant, he said. Satyanarayana said besides Guntur, another waste-to-energy Plant is coming up in Visakhapatnam. Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy would inaugurate the Guntur plant in July. The minister said waste would be collected from Guntur, Vijayawada, Tenali, Chilakaluripet, Sattenapalli, Mangalagiri, Narasaraopet, Ponnur and Tadepalli for the Guntur plant. The plant would generate 15MW power and the government would purchase this from the plant. He affirmed that there will be no adverse impact on the peoples health due to the operations of the plant. The waste collected from houses in the villages in a 5km radius would be taken to the plant. The minister said steps would be taken for restart of the stalled underground drainage works in Guntur city. Guntur Mayor Kavati Sivanaga Manohar Naidu, MLAs Ambati Rambabu, Maddali Giridhar and Dr Gopireddy Srinivas Reddyand Guntur collector Vivek Yadav were among the officials who participated in the programme. The court directed the principal secretary for municipal administration and urban development to determine and pay the compensation to the society within two months. Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court has ordered the payment of compensation to the Kalyannagar Co-operative Housing Society Limited in Yousufguda, after a 50-year legal fight over its purchase of 38 acres of land which was later encroached by people with political support. The court directed the principal secretary for municipal administration and urban development to determine and pay the compensation to the society within two months. Notably, the government had flouted several orders issued by the High Court on this land in the past. The compensation should be calculated as per the provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 for 38 acres and 2,121 square yards in Survey No.s 28/1 and 128/10 of Yousufguda village. The calculation should be made as per the market value of the land as it existed on June 2, 2021, the court ruled. As per the Act of 2013, the compensation to the acquired land in the urban areas will be five times of the present market value. A division bench comprising Justice Ramachandra Rao and Justice Vinod Kumar issued the orders to the government as it had not implemented the courts earlier directions to allot alternative land to the Kalyannagar Society in lieu of the land that had been encroached. The encroached land had been classified by the government as a slum colony. In 1989, the special court constituted under the AP Land Grabbing (Prohibition) Act directed the government to allot alternative land to Kalyannagar Society. Then, the HC had also on several occasions since 1995 asked the government to allot alternative land or evict the encroachers but the orders were not implemented by the government. The court observed that injustice was done and fraud was played on the Kalyannagar Society with encouragement from the then Congress MLA P. Janardhan Reddy and that the society was suffering since then with the prolonged legal battles. Quoting from the Constitution that the concept of equity, justice and good conscience is integral to Indian law, the bench declared that the damage done to the society should be compensated. The court also imposed costs of Rs 2 lakh on the state of Telangana, to be given to the Kalyannagar Society within eight weeks. The court also declared the notifications issued by the government designating the area as a slum was null and void ab initio. As per the case, the Kalyannagar Co-operative Housing Society was registered as a co-operative society in 1963 with 350 members from the lower and middle class families. On 5.11.1964, the society purchased land from C. Rajya Lakshmi Devi and another individual, an extent of 34 acres and and 4,472 square yards. In another sale deed, it purchased from A. Ramaswamy three acres and 2,489 square yards in Survey No. 128/1 and a part of Survey No. 128/10 of Yousufguda village. On 1.3.1978, the director of town planning and the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad (MCH) issued an approved layout to the society comprising 287 house plots in an area of 38. acres. However, the sale deeds could not be executed in favour of the members in view of the prohibition under the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976 and the society was awaiting exemption from the provisions of the Act. In the meantime, the land started being encroached with help from (then) local MLA Janardhan Reddy. Even after the court issued injunction orders, the encroachers occupied the society land. With the help of the then, 503 huts were raised in the land belonging to the society. In 1988, the government deleted the land parcel from the excess holdings under the Urban Land Ceiling Act. A land grab case had been lodged against 503 dwellers. The court declared them as encroachers and ordered that they be evicted. However, the orders were not implemented. In 1992, the then local body declared the area as a slum but no compensation was paid to the Kalyannagar Society. In 1993, Janardhan Reddy, then minister for labour, employment and housing, gave a statement at a meeting chaired by him that the state government desired to retain the notified land. He promised to consider giving alternative land of equal value free of cost to the Kalyannagar Society and to maintain the status quo till then. Contrary to this, later, slum area developmental works were done. Aggrieved by this, the society members approached the High Court. The case started getting shifted from one bench to another. Though several orders were passed by the court from time to time, directing the respondents to explore the possibility of giving alternative land to the society, nothing came of it. Ultimately the state bluntly refused to grant anything to the society. New Delhi: India on Thursday asked Pakistan to take appropriate steps to address the shortcomings in a bill introduced in the country's national assembly last week providing for the right of appeal to Indian death-row convict Kulbhushan Jadhav. Spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Arindam Bagchi said the bill has a provision for inviting the municipal court to decide whether any prejudice has been caused to Jadhav on account of the failure to provide consular access in accordance with a verdict of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). "We call upon Pakistan to take appropriate steps to address the shortcomings in the bill," Bagchi said at a media briefing. He said the municipal court cannot be the arbiter of whether the State has fulfilled its obligation under international law. Bagchi also called upon the neighbouring country to comply with the judgment of the ICJ in the case relating to Jadhav. Jadhav (50), a retired Indian Navy officer, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and terrorism in April 2017. Subsequently, India approached the ICJ against Pakistan for denial of consular access to Jadhav and challenging the death sentence. The Hague-based ICJ ruled in July 2019 that Pakistan must undertake an "effective review and reconsideration" of the conviction and sentence of Jadhav and also grant consular access to India without further delay. The petitioner had alleged that the newly introduced PASA gives powers to the administration to detain a person without any public disclosure for a period of up to one year. (DC file image) Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Thursday dismissed a PIL challenging the Lakshadweep administrations reform measures including the move to introduce Lakshadweep Development Authority Regulation 2021 (LDAR) and the Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Act (PASA) in the islands. The court dismissed the plea, observing that the alleged reform measures were at draft stage. The high court had earlier sought the response of the Central government on the issue. The PIL was filed by Congress leader K P Noushad Ali. The petitioner had alleged that the newly introduced PASA gives powers to the administration to detain a person without any public disclosure for a period of up to one year. CM Jagan of at the review meeting on the Nadu-Nedu progress on Thursday. (Photo: Twitter @AndhraPradeshCM) VIJAYAWADA: The Government of Telangana has embarked on a school infrastructure development project similar to that of the Andhra Pradesh governments flagship scheme, Nadu Nedu. After learning that the Andhra Pradesh government has developed an end-to-end encrypted software with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) for the ongoing school revamp project, the Telangana government sought out TSC to provide software and services to it. TS principal secretary (education) Sandeep Kumar Sultania wrote a letter to principal secretary (school education) B. Rajasekhar, seeking information about the Nadu Nedu programme for a similar project in Telangana. The officials informed the CM of this at review meeting on the Nadu-Nedu progress on Thursday. TCS had informed TS that a formal no objection was required from the AP government to design a project on the lines of Nadu-Nedu, using the same software. Hence, the TS wrote to the AP education department seeking its consent, to which AP responded positively. The Chief Minister said, if this is for the benefit of our Telugu people, we should provide them all the support they need. New Delhi: With China listening, defence minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday called for freedom of navigation, overflights and unimpeded commerce in the South China Sea where the Chinese Navy is flexing its muscles. Mr Singh called for an open and inclusive order in the Indo-Pacific based upon respect for sovereignty and the territorial integrity of nations while addressing the eighth ASEAN defence ministers meeting Plus. The ADMM Plus is an annual meeting of the defence ministers of 10 ASEAN countries and eight dialogue partner countries -- Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the United States. Brunei is the ADDM Plus forums chair this year. Mr Singh also stressed on peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue. India calls for a free, open and inclusive order in the Indo-Pacific, based upon respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations, peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue and adherence to international rules and laws, said Mr Singh in a video conference. He said maritime security challenges are an area of concern for India, adding that sea lanes of communication are critical for peace, stability, prosperity and development of the Indo-Pacific region. In this regard, developments in the South China Sea have attracted attention in the region and beyond. India supports the freedom of navigation, overflights and unimpeded commerce in these international waterways, said the defence minister. He said that India hopes that the code of conduct negotiations will lead to outcomes that are in keeping with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and do not prejudice the legitimate rights and interests of nations that are not party to these discussions. Mr Singh said India has strengthened its cooperative engagements in the Indo-Pacific based on converging visions and values for the promotion of peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. Premised on the centrality of Asean, India supports the utilisation of Asean-led mechanisms as important platforms for implementation of our shared vision for the Indo-Pacific, said Mr Singh. He added that Indias engagement with the Southeast Asian region, of which ASEAN is a primary component, is based on its Act East Policy announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2014. Key elements of this policy are to promote economic cooperation, cultural ties and develop strategic relationships with countries in the Indo-Pacific region through continuous engagement at the bilateral, regional and multilateral levels, he added. Rama Rao on Thursday dashed off a letter to Sitharaman pointing out that there were many limitations and problems in implementing the Atmanirbhar package. (Photo:Twitter@MinisterKTR) HYDERABAD: Industries minister K.T. Rama Rao urged Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman to redefine "Atmanirbhar Bharat" package and help the ailing MSME (micro, small and medium enterprises) sector in Telangana state. Rama Rao on Thursday dashed off a letter to Sitharaman pointing out that there were many limitations and problems in implementing the Atmanirbhar package. He stated that it has been more than a year since Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the Atmanirbhar Bharat Rs 20 lakh crore aid package to help various sectors affected by Covid-19 crisis. "I have been working hard to ensure that micro and medium enterprises, which are the backbone of the manufacturing sector in Telangana state, benefit from this package. I am sorry to inform you that the attractive elements in the package you have announced are the most minimal for micro and medium industries here which have been severely affected by the Coronavirus crisis," Rama Rao wrote, adding that more than 80 per cent of MSMEs in the state have been facing difficulties in the wake of the lockdown with more than 25 per cent of them losing their revenues altogether. Rama Rao said Rs 3 lakh crore from the package was earmarked for the Guaranteed Emergency Credit Line Scheme, mainly for MSMEs. However, after the release of the scheme guidelines, MSMEs in Telangana state feel that there is nothing special about it, he said. The minister also added that the Atmanirbhar Bharat Assistance Package announced two more schemes for debt-ridden MSME units and innovative MSMEs. "Unfortunately, according to the information available at present, nowhere in the country, except in Telangana state, does it appear that these two schemes have started. The Subordinate Debt Scheme announced for debt-ridden MSMEs offers the lowest loan amount. However, there is no clarity on the viability of MSMEs in the current crisis situation. In such a case, the minimum loan amount you can give is not enough to meet the needs of the respective MSMEs. In addition, the Corpus Fund Scheme guidelines announced for innovative MSMEs have not yet been released," the minister added. Hyderabad: A Cabinet sub-committee on education held a meeting with the state education minister Sabitha Indra Reddy on Thursday, to decide on steps to equip and strengthen government schools with infrastructure facilities on par with private schools in the state. The committee has decided to submit its recommendations to Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao for further instructions, a circular released on Thursday said. It is learnt that the state government will implement a scheme similar to the Andhra Pradesh government's flagship 'Nadu Nedu' scheme that uses an end-to-end encrypted software with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) for their already under-progress school revamp project. The state government has sought out TCS to use the software for the state as well, for which they will have to acquire a formal no-objection certificate from the AP government. The Telangana state government has now written to the Andhra Pradesh education department seeking the same, to which, an official notification said, the AP government has responded positively. The Telangana state government in its 2021 budget had announced a new scheme to upgrade government schools and had allocated an amount of Rs 4,000 crore under which state-run schools were to be revamped over the next two years. Apart from providing basic facilities, the government will take up construction and repair of buildings and sanitation facilities, and provision of furniture and other amenities. Modern technology will be used to put classrooms on digital platforms, the finance minister Harish Rao had said. By Cathy Chan and John Cheng, Theyve raised salaries and promised quicker promotions. But the worlds biggest securities firms and banks are still struggling to retain junior investment bankers in Asia, challenging their expansion plans for a region thats growing faster than almost anywhere else. Recruiters and executives say the exodus is in some ways more difficult to stem than in New York and London, where analysts and associates have rebelled against the industrys work-till-you-drop culture. In Asias biggest hubs, young employees are more likely to leave because they think they can earn more -- and climb the corporate ladder faster -- at one of the many fintech and investment firms that have sprouted up to tap the regions buoyant economies and swelling piles of wealth. The challenge is particularly acute in China and Hong Kong as foreign firms ramp up hiring to take advantage of a financial opening in Asias largest economy, competing with each other as well as the local startup scene. The whole industry is running into a pretty big supply and demand issue, and I dont think this is going to be alleviated any time soon, Mark Leung, JPMorgan Chase & Co.s chief executive officer for China, said in a Bloomberg Television interview. The US lender is among banks including Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Credit Suisse Group AG and HSBC Holdings Plc. hiring hundreds of staff for their push into China. While its hard to quantify turnover with any certainty, an informal Bloomberg News poll of executives at four global securities firms found that anywhere between 13% to 15% of investment banking analysts and associates left their roles this year, roughly double the average in previous years. Thats in line with estimates for the US and higher than the UK, according to executives at recruiting firms. Exits have picked up despite annual pay raises of 25% to 30% since 2019 for Hong Kong-based bankers covering in-demand sectors like technology and health care, said executives who oversee groups or the region, asking not to be named discussing private information. The increments have been more subdued for Southeast Asia where attrition is also rising, one of them said. Jonathan Lam left HSBC Holdings Plcs investment bank in Hong Kong in the middle of last year to join Butler, a home concierge company he helped start that offers personalized services ranging from housekeeping to fixing washing machines and hosting dinner parties. It was the feeling of making an impact and owning something that drove Lam to quit his debt capital markets job right after a promotion, he said. The prospect of a financial windfall also helped. With banking you can make good money in the short term, but with startups, if you grind it through, it will lead to big fortunes, said Lam, 30, who founded Butler with alumni of Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Wells Fargo & Co. The startup completed a funding round last year and has 30 employees. Asias economic rise has made it one of the worlds most attractive regions for entrepreneurs. Its share of global startup investments rose to about 40% in 2015-2017, up from 10% a decade earlier, according to McKinsey. Its home to more than a third of the worlds unicorns, the nickname for startups valued at $1 billion or more. The attrition is made more acute by the fact that finance is still a growth industry in Asia and is smaller relative to the overall economy than in the US and Europe. More than half of finance firms in mainland China surveyed by recruitment firm Michael Page expect to increase their headcount by about 11% this year, on average. Financial services will likely be the most-active recruiter in Hong Kong and the second most-active in Singapore, the poll showed. Some smaller hedge funds and money managers in Hong Kong are offering double the salary to lure talent, two quantitative trading analysts at a Wall Street bank said based on approaches from headhunters. Private equity firms, where employees get a share of profits, have also been active recruiters of junior talent in the past year, including Bain Capital, PAG and Hillhouse Capital, one of the people said. In Singapore, opportunities are sprouting at hedge funds and private equity firms as well as a new breed of fintech and digital banking firms, according to Lim Chai Leng, a senior director at recruiting firm Randstad Singapore. A former banking associate at HSBC in Hong Kong, who asked not to be named, jumped to a fund manager last year, accepting a 20% cut in base salary. Hed seen his total remuneration rise 70% over four years with the bank, he said, but wanted to get on the path to managing his own capital. Startups and smaller boutique firms can offer flexible working and other benefits that established players have struggled to keep up with, said James Carss, managing director at executive search firm NRG in the UK The churn rate in the UK is three to four months behind Asia, but is likely to catch up, he said. Big Tech Big technology firms are also drawing from the banks. Morgan Stanley Vice President Shiyi Lin last month left to join the strategic investment group at Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., according her LinkedIn page. In Singapore, Jack Mas Ant Group Co., Southeast Asias most-valuable startup Grab Holdings Inc. and its most valuable company Sea Ltd. are setting up digital banks. Daniel Yuan, a Yale-educated former analyst at Goldman Sachs, left in 2019 to become chief of staff at online finance company Futu Holdings Ltd. While he credits Goldman for teaching him everything he knows about finance, he found his ability to move up the ladder too rigid. I knew exactly what I needed to do and how long I needed to keep doing this in order to advance my career at Goldman, Yuan said. At a leaner and more entrepreneurial corporate like Futu, theres a lot of flexibility around what I can do, especially in my capacity as the chief of staff. Banks are starting to notice. One example is Lams old firm, HSBC, which counts Hong Kong as its largest market. The lender, which is in a midst of a major pivot to Asia, last month promised a shorter career path for new associates, offering promotions after three years instead of four. It also pledged to boost pay. JPMorgan is also hiring more junior bankers and staff globally. Lenders are raising pay for junior employees, enforcing curfews and adding staff to prevent defections and ease discontent as a jump in deals during the pandemic intensified the focus on work-life issues. Wall Street was set abuzz earlier this year by a leaked presentation from junior analysts at Goldman Sachs that detailed their grueling workload and punishing hours. Spokespeople for Goldman, HSBC and JPMorgan declined to comment for this story. In Asia, junior bankers are more likely to leave for career opportunities that they see as more financially attractive, said John Mullally, regional director at Robert Walters in Hong Kong. The long hours and stress of banking careers are a factor, but just not as much as it is for their counterparts in Europe and the US For some beleaguered bankers, the exodus of their colleagues at the same time as dealmaking is thriving, is taking its toll. Over the past 12 months, mergers and acquisitions have jumped 30% in Asia Pacific, while initial public offerings have risen 44%, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. An associate at JPMorgan, who asked not to be named, said his workload doubled after a colleague quit for a financial technology firm in December, leaving him to work 18 hours a day, on average, without a break for almost two months. Hes now actively hunting for a job at a buy-side firm, he said, looking for a place with less hierarchy and more opportunities for career advancement. --With assistance from David Ramli, Stephen Engle and Michael Patterson. President Bashar al-Assad was among those to be vaccinated after Syria received a first shipment of Russian Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine, Russia's Interfax news agency reported on Thursday, citing the Syrian ambassador to Russia. Ambassador Riad Haddad did not say how big the shipment was but said the vaccine was now being administered to the public after doctors and the country's senior leaders were among those to get the first shots. Copyright 2020 Ministerio de Defensa de Espana P. de la Castellana, 109 28071 Madrid - Tlf.: (34) 91 395 50 00 You are the owner of this article. The former Don Guanella School of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on Sproul road in Marple Township. CRIME Three arrested, one sought in $125G check 'washing' scheme Jeffrey Toobin attends the PEN Literary Gala on May 22, 2018, in New York. The CNN legal analyst returned to the network June 10 for the first time in more than seven months after he was caught masturbating on a Zoom call with former colleagues at The New Yorker. Where are the best places to shop? Who gives the best haircut? Who cooks the best burger? Join our readers in selecting the "Best of Windham." Make your picks! Hundreds of children in Derry are awaiting eye surgery and routine appointments as the Western Trust is experiencing difficulties recruiting a specialist doctor. At present the Western Trust has no Paediatric Ophthalmologist after a consultant who held the post for more than 10 years left in September 2020 to take up a new job as a career choice. Ophthalmology is a branch of medicine and surgery that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the eye. A doctor appointed in May 2021 as a replacement was a temporary locum who decided that the travel involved was excessive - covering Altnagelvin and Ballymena - and decided to leave. The Western Trust now has 106 children aged below 15 years of age on the Paediatric Ophthalmology surgical waiting list. In addition, 360 Paediatric Ophthalmology patients are currently waiting for routine appointments and reviews. A spokesperson for the Trust said it has commenced paediatric surgery which has been triaged as non-complicated. No surgery has begun in the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust which will handle the Western Trusts more complex cases. He added: We are currently working with the Belfast Trust who have agreed to see urgent paediatric ophthalmology patients and there are clinics on a Wednesday PM in Ballymena and the Royal Victoria Hospital. We are trying to find a long-term solution for the paediatric ophthalmology service and have been working with Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and the Health and Social Care Board. Recruitment has been difficult due to this being a specialist post and we have gone out several times to recruit with no success. Details of the vacancy emerged at this months Western Trust Board meeting. Board members were notified of a new corporate risk because the vacant Ophthalmology post which resulted in no clinics. The Board heard that no consultant is in place to lead Ophthalmology and no routine cases are being seen resulting in long-waiting lists. The Board was asked whether it wanted to approve that risk. Mr Joe Campbell, Non-Executive Director, asked how that risk manifests in the Trust. Geraldine McKay, Director of Acute Hospitals, said that last Autumn the Trust lost its Paediatric Ophthalmologist who resigned. Since then we have been delivering different aspects of the service across a number of our adult ophthalmologists, she explained. At present we will not be able to replace her. We have been managing this risk. Ms McKay said the Trust has received intensive support from Belfast colleagues. The post has been advertised as part of international recruitment to appoint a locum consultant. She added that the Trust is trying to move to a regional service but in the interim it has been escalated to a corporate risk. Any complex treatment at this time will be carried out in Belfast until the post is filled, she concluded. A Derry couple say they are living through a bureaucratic nightmare as they attempt to recoup money lost after their new clothing store was ruined by raw sewage. Local man Kieran Moore and his partner, Louise, set up their dream business at Lisnagelvin Shopping Centre in September 2020. Combining his partners expertise in retail and his own in digital marketing they launched menswear store, Elkstone. Business was going really well, they hit the ground running and people complimented them on the stores impressive layout and professional finish. However, Mr Moore says their dream turned into a nightmare in February of this year when, after a period in lockdown, they returned to find it covered in raw sewage. The sewage came up through a latch on the ground which Mr Moore says was not properly sealed. As a result, he says, over 30k worth of stock was made worthless overnight as it could no longer be sold. He explained: We have been the collateral damage of two giants, Tesco and the managing agents for Lisnagelvin Shopping Centre, CBRE. Our store was destroyed by a massive sewage problem that both parties refuse to take responsibility for. We made it out of the other end of the pandemic healthy and ready to expand, until the sewage problem at Lisnagelvin shopping centre destroyed over 30,000 of our stock. Its been four months since the incident. The centre refuses to sort the sewage problem, they haven't tried to negotiate a contract for us to stay and no one has compensated us for our losses. His store sat to the rear of the shopping complex and, he says, the sewage which surfaced into his store came from Tesco, with the flushing of blue roll blamed in part. Mr Moore contacted Tesco and CBRE asking them to compensate him for the lost stock. While prepared to stay at first, he now says that the situation has dragged on too long and he cant justify pumping more money into the store at Lisnagelvin. He said: The stress is too much. We decided to wash the clothes and give them to some local charities as we werent legally allowed to sell them any more and it would have resulted in reputational damage. CBRE are saying it is Tescos fault and I have to claim off them but Tesco is saying it isnt their fault. It has been hell, were caught up in a bureaucratic nightmare. I thought if we could make it through the pandemic, we could make it through anything. In response to the allegations, a Tesco spokesperson said: We understand the centre management and landlord are investigating the concerns. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for CBRE, who manage the centre on behalf of the landlord, said it is aware of the issues at the centre. A spokesperson added: The retail unit that was damaged has since been refitted at a cost to the landlord, and the matter is now currently with the relevant insurance teams and is in the process of being resolved. Elkstone is in the process of rebuilding and the local owners intend to open a new store on the Strand Road in the near future. A deal has been reached between the main parties in Northern Ireland to continue the Stormont Executive. Sinn Fein has agreed to back the DUP's Paul Givan as First Minister. However, this only happened after an agreement was put in place late last night for the implementation of an Irish language act. Sinn Fein had said it would not support a new DUP First Minister unless the UK government passed the legislation. Northern Ireland secretary of state Brandon Lewis says the assembly now has to bring those rights into law in a matter of months. When Arlene Foster stood down as First Minister earlier this week, Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill also lost her position as Deputy First Minister because the roles are a joint office. The DUP has named Mr Givan as its pick to replace Mrs Foster, while Sinn Fein said Ms O'Neill would resume her post as Deputy First Minister. It is understood the Stormont business committee could meet at short notice to try and arrange a special sitting today to nominate a first and deputy first minister. A special information booklet to assist people working locally within the Chinese catering industry setting out the health and safety guidelines around coronavirus was launched this week by the Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Alderman Graham Warke. The information has been translated into Mandarin to ensure that the current Health and Safety information is accessible to anyone working in catering where stringent controls are required to operate safely. Launching the booklet, Mayor Warke said it was essential that all local food businesses have access to the relevant guidelines. "Health and Safety is paramount as we begin to take the first steps back to normality following lockdown. "Any business serving the public, particularly those selling and delivering food products, has a responsibility to ensure they are putting the measures in place to do so safely and in full compliance with the latest guidelines. "I want to thank the Sai Pak community for working closely with Council in the production of this leaflet which will be a valuable aid to anyone working within the catering industry who has had difficulty accessing the right information. "And I also want to acknowledge the fantastic work being done by Council's Health and Safety and Consumer Protection Team within Environmental Heath and Council's Good Relations team, to assist local businesses as they begin the journey towards recovery after Coronavirus and help restore customer confidence at this challenging time." Head of Health and Community with Derry and Strabane Council, Seamus Donaghy, encouraged those within the Chinese catering industry to ensure staff are aware of the new resource. "Throughout the pandemic we have made great efforts to product and make available relevant guidance information for businesses. "If English is not a first language, then this can be a real life barrier to accessing such important and supportive guidance, that will help with running a safe and successful business. "Health and Safety has never been more important than during this health crisis and Council has been working with the local business community to equip them with the information they require to implement the controls needed to operate safely. "I would encourage business owners to circulate and communicate the guidance contained in this booklet, to any staff who may benefit from it." Welcoming the booklet, Nikki Yau from the Sai Pak community said: "The Sai Pak Chinese Community Association would like to thank Derry City and Strabane Council's Environmental Health Department and the Good Relations Team for providing very clear guidelines and information on how to help manage workplaces safely under the pandemic." The translated booklet is downloadable from: https://www.derrystrabane.com/Subsites/Health-Community-Wellbeing/Covid-19 Information from major research into Covid-19 to be stored at Altnagelvin Hospital Derry firm Seagate in collaboration with Ulster University and Dell Technologies A Derry firm has combined its research and data storage capabilities in a collaboration which will allow advanced analyses of Covid 19 patient data. Findings from the collaboration by Seagate Technologies, Ulster University and Dell Technologies Ireland will inform decisions around drug treatments for those with severe symptoms and possibly long covid, as well as providing an insight into how genes may influence vaccination efficiency. The Ulster University research team will examine large volumes of medical datasets to establish if there are links between Covid-19, genetic make-up and the severity of the disease. . Data storage company, Seagate, and multi-national IT company Dell Technologies, have delivered the infrastructure required to store patient information for this major research project at the Northern Ireland Centre for Stratified Medicine based at C-TRIC on the Altnagelvin Hospital campus. Seagate donated 100 12TB Hard drives and Dell Technologies donated critical equipment and expertise to help deliver a complete solution. The collaborative partnership is part of the Data4Good initiative aimed at data usage for the benefit of humanity. It created a petabyte of data which is the equivalent of over 1000 large home computers working together or the capability for an individual to store 4,000 digital photographs every day for their lifetime. Fergus O'Donnell, plant manager and site lead at Seagate, said the collaboration involved a huge effort from the teams at Seagate, Dell Technologies and Ulster University working together to overcome the many logistical and organisational arrangements to help deliver a complete solution. He added: It is important to support these advanced analytics capabilities which enable progress in this vital area of research and bring benefits for local and global communities." Professor of Genomics, Tony Bjourson, Director of the Northern Ireland Centre for Stratified Medicine at C-TRIC at Altnagelvin, and the project lead on the UU THRIVE City Deal project said: We are delighted this crucial infrastructure is now set up, thanks to Seagate and Dell Technologies as without this data storage and IT capacity we could not undertake this work. We recently completed the recruitment of the 500 Covid19 patients for whole genome sequencing. It means reading the sequencing of the 3.2 billion chemical letters that make up each of our genomes. This generates huge amounts of raw data that has to be stored to allow very advanced computational genomic analyses. This collaboration, which came about when Seagate and Dell Technologies responded to our call for assistance, offers a good example of how research transforms lives and how technology acts as a catalyst for innovation. We will pursue more of these kind of collaborations through the Derry and Strabane City Deal in the years ahead through data analytics via CARL and health innovation via THRIVE and of course industry partnerships such as this one will be key. For now, as our work during Covid-19 continues, we are so grateful to partners such as Seagate and Dell Technologies for coming together in this way. Edwin Poots is in the middle of another crisis just weeks into his time as DUP leader. It follows his decision to nominate Paul Givan as First Minister today at Stormont despite strong opposition from within his party. Mr Givan and Michelle O'Neill of Sinn Fein were installed as First and Deputy First Ministers at a special sitting of the Stormont Assembly. Mr Poots formally nominated Mr Givan, a Lagan Valley MLA, while Ms O'Neill was nominated by her Sinn Fein colleague Conor Murphy. However, senior members of the DUP had urged Mr Poots to delay nominating a new First Minister following Arlene Foster's resignation due to 'serious concerns' about the British government's decision to introduce Irish language legislation. That decision was taken following talks which ended late last night. Mr Poots had written to the party's eight Westminster MPs and its Stormont Assembly team informing them that he would nominate Mr Givan to take up the post 'at the earliest opportunity'. Despite the opposition from many of the DUP politicians, Mr Poots went ahead with the nomination today. The BBC is reporting that the vast majority of DUP MLAs - 24 to four this morning voted against Mr Poots nominating Mr Givan as First Minister at this time, during a meeting ahead of the special assembly sitting. East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson later said the feeling of the party was 'very, very clear'. "What has been done today... shouldn't have been done and the vast majority of people believe that is the case," Mr Wilson told BBC Radio Ulster's Talkback programme. Asked if he had confidence in Mr Poots, Mr Wilson said any leader 'should bring people along with them'. A collective textile banner, produced during workshops commissioned by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Councils Good Relations team, is now on display in Flowerfield Arts Centre and will be available to view for the next month. The piece draws on the theme of UK Refugee Week We Cannot Walk Alone which continues until June 20th . Workshop participants created arpillera dolls and were invited to extend their hand to someone outside of their current circle with a different experience to their own. Curator Roberta Bacic from Conflict Textiles said: "At a time when there are almost 26 million refugees globally, we welcomed this opportunity to engage with refugees and the wider community through this hands-on, interactive workshop programme. The collective banner - the outcome from the six workshops - is a very practical demonstration of the theme of this years Refugee Week. Later this year, the banner created in Causeway Coast and Glens will travel to the Platforma Festival in Yorkshire to be part of the Conflict Textiles artist-in-residence programme Suitcases: Telling Textile Travels. It will be displayed alongside similar creations from Germany, Argentina and Catalonia. This festival for the arts by, with and about refugees is produced by Counterpoints Arts. In addition, a Small Worlds Cafe was held for young people in partnership with the Education Authority Youth Voice group and Roe Valley Residents Association. This provided an opportunity to meet local individuals who come from other parts of the world and learn about their experiences and backgrounds. Welcoming both initiatives, the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Councillor Richard Holmes, commented: We want our communities to be welcoming places of mutual respect where people feel safe, valued and know that they can depend upon one another. The past year has certainly shown us that we cannot walk alone and I am proud of the sense of community spirit that we have witnessed here and in other projects. Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Good Relations Officer Bebhinn McKinley added: We were overwhelmed with the interest and in addition to the collective banner, young people from Roe Valley Residents Association, using cardboard silhouettes, used materials to personalise their dolls and respond to the Refugee Week theme. It highlighted to them the importance of reaching out the hand of friendship to someone who may be different. Sincere thanks to all those who contributed including Limavady Hens Shed, Roe Valley Residents Association, Threads of Culture group and other individuals across the Borough. The collective textile banner will be available for community groups and organisations to display at their own premises later in the year, while a further Small Worlds Cafe for adults is planned for September. To find out more and register your interest email Bebhinn.mckinley@ causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk. These projects received support from The Executive Office through the Together: Building a United Community Strategy, District Council Good Relations Programme. The family of a local couple who both died of Covid earlier this year have raised more than 7,000 in thanks for the staff at Altnagelvin Hospital who cared for them. Barney and Sarah (Blossom) McGlinchey, from Greysteel, died within hours of each other in the intensive care unit at the Derry hospital on January 20. Their family paid tribute to the healthcare professionals at the hospital and set up a fundraiser for staff on the Covid ward and intensive care unit. Their appeal raised a total of 7,650 and members of the McGlinchey family visited the hospital last week to hand over the money (photo below). A spokesperson for the family said they were indebted to the staff of Altnagelvin. "They have provided comfort to our parents and the wider family. Endless phone calls and questions were never a problem. "The treatment and care was outstanding and, despite huge challenges, they brought mummy and daddy together for their final earthly journey. For this we will be eternally grateful." Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider subscribing to our ePaper and/or free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. Edwin Poots has resigned as leader of the DUP. He announced tonight that he is stepping down after less than a month in the post. His resignation came following another dramatic day at Stormont. Earlier today, Mr Poots had nominated Paul Givan for the role of First Minister despite opposition from a large number of senior people within the party. They were angry at Mr Poots agreeing last night to a move by the British government to introduce Irish language legislation over the head of Stormont. The DUP held an emergency meeting this afternoon in Belfast. In a statement issued a short time ago, Mr Poots said: "I have asked the Party Chairman to commence an electoral process within the Party to allow for a new leader of the Democratic Unionist Party to be elected. "The Party has asked me to remain in post until my successor is elected. "This has been a difficult period for the Party and the country and I have conveyed to the Chairman my determination to do everything I can to ensure both Unionism and Northern Ireland is able to move forward to a stronger place." Priyamani reveals Shah Rukh Khan once gave her Rs. 300 during Chennai Express shoot which she still keeps in her wallet The Family Man actress Priyamani has now become a household name thanks to the success of the Raj and DK webseries. The actress who has always been famous in the South had famously done the Chennai Express song get on the dance floor with Shah Rukh Khan. Priyamani looked back at shooting with the Bollywood star and needless to say she was charmed. The actress recalled how the actor had also given her Rs. 300 at the time which she still keeps in her wallet. During an interview with Zoom she revealed her experience working with the actor and said, We shot for the song in Wai for over five nights and it was great (experience). He (SRK) is called the Badshah of Bollywood for a reason. He is one of the biggest superstars we have in our country. And he never lets that success get into his head. As in terms of when we shoot, he is such a sweet guy and as normal as anybody can be. He makes everybody was comfortable around him. I think his persona, his charisma itself makes you love him more because of the human being that he is. Revealing the story behind the Rs. 300 she added, And he made me extremely comfortable right from day one - from the time I met him - I reached a day before we started the shoot. Right from that time till the time we finished the shoot, he has been an absolute sweetheart. He has taken care of all of us so well. So much so, that in between, we played Kaun Banega Crorepati on his iPad. He gave me 300 rupees which I still have with me in my wallet. He just makes you feel comfortable. He is such a sweet guy and as I said, he is one of the biggest superstars we have in our country. Chennai Express released in 2013. Both the film and Priyamanis song with Shah Rukh were massive hits that fans love to date. The actress who plays Manoj Bajpayees wife Suchi in The Family Man is currently enjoying the success of the second season which released recently. Anushka Sen tests positive in Cape Town while shooting for Khatron Ke Khiladi 11? Cape Town is currently seeing a host of TV actors have fun and participate in some adventure as Khatron Ke Khiladi 11 is being shot there. But looks like there has been a little problem on the sets currently. Anushka Sen, who is also a participant of this season, has reportedly contracted COVID-19 in Cape Town. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anushka Sen (@anushkasen0408) According to a report in Spotboye, Balveer actress Anushka Sen had taken the Covid test and her results had come positive on Monday. She had not been showing any symptoms though. The actress is currently being quarantined there. Following the protocols, the rest of the cast and crew of the adventure-based reality show underwent the Covid test again, and all their results have come negative. They are shooting the show just like before. No official confirmation or statement has been made yet. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ColorsTV (@colorstv) This is unlikely to delay the schedule since reports had been doing the rounds earlier that Anushka has already been eliminated. It has also been said that Vishal Aditya Singh was the first contestant to be eliminated. This year, the contestants include Shweta Tiwari, Divyanka Tripathi, Arjun Bijlani, Nikki Tamboli, Vishal Aditya Singh, Aastha Gill, Sana Makbul, Anushka Sen, Mahekk Chahal, Rahul Vaidya, Abhinav Shukla, Varun Sood and Sourabh Raaj Jain. Minister Byrne expresses concern regarding new Hungarian anti-LGBTQI law Press release The Minister for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne T.D. has expressed his deep concerns regarding the anti-LGBTQI+ aspects of a new law passed by the Hungarian Parliament on 15 June. The new law provides for restrictions on LGBTQI+ content in media. There is also a de facto prohibition on talks on LGBTQI+ issues in schools and educational programmes. Commenting on the law, Minister Byrne said: Ireland stands for freedom of expression and protecting human rights, including the rights of members of the LGBTQI+ community. Everyone deserves to be treated equally and to live free from discrimination. Promoting the rights of LGBTI+ persons is a human rights priority for Ireland. The law passed by the Hungarian parliament does not respect these principles and goes against the fundamental values on which the EU is founded and to which Hungary has subscribed. I respectfully ask the Hungarian government and parliament to reconsider this damaging legislation. Ireland will continue to work with our EU partners and others to constructively engage with Hungary on these very important issues. ENDS Press Office Notes for Editors On 15 June, the Hungarian National Assembly passed a bill on stricter measures against paedophile criminals and on amending legislation related to the protection of children by a 157 to 1 vote. The Speaker of the Parliament will now send the Bill to the President for signing. It is possible for the President to refer the Bill to the Constitutional Court for consideration but this is unlikely to happen and the Bill is very likely to become law in the next 7 days. Politicians from many opposition parties condemned the legislation for equating paedophilia with homosexuality and further stigmatising the LGBTQI+ community through the introduction of a law that uses safeguarding children as a pretext for solidifying the existing climate of inequality and intolerance. The Bill provides for restrictions in media (including advertising) on content regarded as encouraging homosexuality or gender transition. There is also a de facto prohibition on talks on LGBTQI issues in schools and educational programmes. The new legislation further stigmatises the LBGTQI community in Hungary and will have a chilling effect on NGOs advocating for LGBTQI rights and organisations who support these issues. Commission President Von der Leyen tweeted a statement expressing concern and saying this would be examined to see if it breaches EU law. Belgian Foreign Minister Sophie Wilmes (Belgium is the current holder of the Benelux Presidency) noted that Benelux ministers were very concerned about the new Hungarian legislation and intend to make a joint statement at the 22 June GAC. Ireland intends to add our support to this initiative. | Subscriber content preview OLYMPIA (AP) The state Transportation Commission has recommended an across-the-board fare increase to cover the costs of Washington State Ferries for the next two years. Fares for vehicles and walk-ons would rise 2.5% on Oct. 1 and another 2.5% on Oct. 1, 2022, under the proposal endorsed unanimously by the commission's seven citizen members, the Daily Herald reported. . . . Subscriber content preview PORTLAND (AP) Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has signed a bill passed by the Legislature legalizing human composting. Brown signed House Bill 2574 on Tuesday, which will legalize what's also known as natural organic reduction, KOIN-TV reported. It also clarifies rules surrounding alkaline hydrolysis, known as aqua cremation. The law goes into effect July 1, 2022. . . . Subscriber content preview SEATTLE The former First Evangelical Church and Parsonage, at 165 Valley St., sold for almost $2.7 million, according to King County records. The buyer was Sage Homes Northwest LLC, which is planning a six-unit townhouse project. . . . Local Her mother's legacy: Daughter of Mississippi civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer continues mother's fight ANONYMOUS In this Aug. 22, 1964 photograph, Fannie Lou Hamer, a leader of the Freedom Democratic party, speaks before the credentials committee of the Democratic national convention in Atlantic City, in efforts to win accreditation for the largely African American group as Mississippis delegation to the convention, instead of the all-white state delegation. Hamers only surviving daughter, Jacqueline Hamer Flakes, will be the keynote speaker at the Holly Springs Juneteenth Celebration this Saturday. Below: Mississippi civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer, left, sits with her daughters Lenora and Jacqueline. As Hamers only living daughter, Flakes feels its important to continue down the same trails her mother blazed. COURTESY PHOTO In this photograph provided to the Daily Journal by Jacqueline Hamer Flakes, Mississippi civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer, left, sits with her daughters Lenora and Jacqueline. As Hamers only living daughter, Flakes feels its important to continue down the same trails her mother blazed. Rogelio V. Solis A looming statue of Fannie Lou Hamer is displayed prominently in the Fannie Lou Hamer Memorial Garden in Ruleville, Miss., Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017, as a tribute honoring the civil rights activist. Hamers only surviving daughter, Jacqueline Hamer Flakes, will be the keynote speaker at the Holly Springs Juneteenth Celebration this Saturday. Jacqueline Hamer Flakes TUPELO As the youngest daughter of civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer, Jacqueline Hamer Flakes grew up intimately aware of prejudice and how much her mother struggled against it. Now, as Hamers last living daughter, Flakes greatest desire is to honor her mothers work. Flakes will serve as keynote speaker for the Holly Springs Juneteenth Celebration this Saturday, June 19, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Flakes will share the spirit of her mothers organizing and encourage others to be inspired by her example. I just want people to take this at heart and understand what my mother fought for, Flakes said. It wasnt her plan to go out and be a civil rights activist or a human rights activist, but it was Gods plan, so Im just glad that she followed through with it. Early life While Fannie Lou Hamer is remembered as one of Mississippis most prolific civil rights and voting rights activists, Flakes, 54, remembers her first and foremost as her mother. Hamer and her husband, Perry Pap Hamer, raised four adopted daughters, including Flakes biological mother, Dorothy Jean, who died while Flakes was only six months old, and Flakes herself. Quote "She never stopped moving, and never stopped with the civil rights activism. She kept going, and I just want people to know that we can all do the same thing because thats what we need right now. Jacqueline Hamer Flakes Daughter of Fannie Lou Hamer Although biologically Flakes great aunt, Hamer raised her adopted children as her own. While Flakes has often wondered what life would have been like to live in her biological fathers house, she cherished her time with her adoptive parents. My life in Fannie Lou Hamer and Paps house, it was awesome because there was always food around, there were always people around, there was always laughter, Hamer said. Hamers activism start By the time Flakes was born in 1966, Fannie Lou Hamer was already four years into her work with the Civil Rights Movement. Hamer and her husband, Pap, were sharecroppers on the W.D. Marlow Plantation outside Ruleville. In 1962, Hamer attended an event hosted by the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) at William Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, where she learned information she never knew about Black rights, particularly the right to vote. If You Go What: Holly Springs Juneteenth Celebration of Fredom When: Saturday, June 19, from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. A 4K walk/run will precede the event at 7:30 a.m., and a parade will be held at noon. Where: Marshall County Courthouse in Holly Springs Who: Jacqueline Hamer Flakes, daughter of Mississippi civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hammer, will serve as the event's keynote speaker. She will speak about carrying on her mother's legacy and discuss the affects of mental illness on the Black community. Why: Care Now Food Pantry co-founder Rolanda Lester, who is helping organize the event, said the celebration has been planned as a way to help the community have a better understanding of the importance of Juneteenth. After that meeting, Hamer decided she wanted to be part of the movement. She came home to share the information with her family, Flakes said. Hamer became one of the front-runners for voter registration drives in the Mississippi Delta, but was mistreated for her efforts. For attempting to register herself and 17 others to vote, she was met with slurs at the courthouse in Indianola and kicked off her plantation while her husband stayed until the end of harvest. She was forced to move around several times in her lifetime, just to avoid violence. Once, her house was shot more than 16 times by racists. When she and other SNCC workers held a voter registration conference in South Carolina in 1963, they were arrested and taken to Winona jail, where she was beaten. Even after she was sent out of state to heal, it took three months for her to return, Flakes said of her mother. But when she came back, she was stronger than ever, and she never stopped moving, and never stopped with the civil rights activism. She kept going, and I just want people to know that we can all do the same thing because thats what we need right now. Hamer continued travelling across the state to speak about voting, and in 1964, she helped found the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party to challenge the states all-white delegation at the Democratic National Convention that year. Through it all, Hamer lived by faith. She loved the word of God, and she knew the bible, and no matter what was going on, she never showed fear, never showed fear, and I loved that about her, Flakes said. She would stand up strong, have her hands on her hips and say she was going to tell it like it is, and thats what she did. Her mothers legacy Much of Hamers activism focused on economic power for African Americans. She started the Freedom Farm, as part of the Freedom Farm Collective, where she purchased land in Sunflower County in an attempt to give poor people a chance to own land on which they worked. While it ended in 1975, its impact continues, Flakes said. Its like three blocks of families that she helped to either get the house built or to get the loans or the grants or the cash that they needed to get the lots or to pay down on the homes to get them built, Flakes said. Im just so proud of just hearing today how the people in Ruleville or in the Delta just talk about my mom and how she helped them. In March 1977, Fannie Lou Hamer died while battling complications with hypertension and breast cancer. She was 59 years old. Flakes was 10 when her mother died, and she felt the loss in her soul. I was her baby, Flakes said. As the cancer spread in her body, she would call me in the room. They called me Cookie. Shed say, Cookie, come on in here and lay down with Mama, Im cold, and she would just want me near her all the time. After her mothers death, Flakes realized that though Hamer left a legacy that inspired many to start scholarship foundations in her name, she and her sister still struggled to make ends meet. It was hurtful knowing that people have started the foundations, but Fannie Lous children, the two daughters that she adopted and was raising as her own, struggled to get through school because we didnt have anybody helping us with books or anything, anything. No one offered anything, Flakes said. As she struggles to recover from her own battle with cancer, Flakes plans to follow in her mothers footsteps to make Ruleville and the Delta a better place. One area she wants to see change is seeing political power shift in Ruleville. She still believes that disparities exist between how money is invested in African American buildings. With much of the older generation now deceased, Flakes worries that her mothers legacy, and all that she fought for, might be forgotten. If we get together and try to form organizations in our towns, we can try to make things better for our children, for our future generations, Flakes said. Weve got to get our villages back together. We have to get our villages back together. For Flakes, continuing down the same trails blazed by her mother is the most fitting way to honor the work that did and all she accomplished. Im the last daughter of Fannie Lou Hamer that is living at this time, Flakes said. I vowed that Im going to continue my mothers legacy. A federal judge has prevented drilling and construction on 449 oil and gas leases covering 334,762 acres in Wyoming, saying the federal government didnt examine potential effects to imperiled greater sage grouse when it leased those lands in 2017. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management failed to take a hard look at the direct and indirect impacts to greater sage-grouse, Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Ronald Bush of Idaho wrote in a June 9 ruling. He sent the leases back to the BLM for additional scrutiny. The BLM also failed to consider a reasonable range of alternatives in February, June and September 2017 when it sold rights to develop the parcels, the judge wrote in a 51-page decision. The agency considered only two options whether to lease or not to lease not whether the leases could be deferred as had been the previous practice in priority greater sage grouse habitat. The ruling, which covers leases issued from the Buffalo, Newcastle, Casper, Worland, Lander, Kemmerer, Pinedale and Rawlins BLM offices, came in an ongoing case in which conservationists challenged the Trump administrations America First Energy Plan. Judge Bush also remanded leases in Montana for reconsideration. Bushs decision came in a suit Western Watersheds Project and the Center for Biological Diversity filed naming Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt and the BLM and claiming they didnt follow environmental laws when they sold the leases. The State of Wyoming, Western Energy Alliance and Jonah Energy joined the suit on Bernhardts side. [U]ntil the concerns referenced in this Memorandum Decision and Order are sufficiently addressed, BLM may not authorize new drilling/surface disturbing activities on the leased parcels, Bush wrote. Decision unhinged from facts? Conservationists hailed the decision, but Gov. Mark Gordon is frustrated by Judge Bushs ruling, his spokesman wrote in an email. We are currently evaluating our options as to whether the state will appeal the ruling, Michael Pearlman said in the note. Gordon is pleased Bush did not vacate the leases, Pearlman wrote, a sentiment shared by the energy industry. But industry leaders still condemned Bushs decision. The Western Energy Alliance said it was simply unhinged from the factual record. The National Environmental Policy Act on which Bush based his decision shouldnt be endless rounds of re-analysis trying to arrive at some hypothetical, absolutely perfect document, WEA president Kathleen Sgamma said in a statement. Looking for that silver bullet is against the Congressional intent of NEPA and a reason that infrastructure projects in this country take so much longer than they should and some, like Keystone, never get done, her statement reads. An attorney for conservationists said the Biden administration should go further and abandon these unlawful Trump decisions. Laird Lucas, executive director of nonprofit law firm Advocates for the West, said in a statement the court found the imperiled sage-grouse is particularly harmed by oil and gas development, but the Trump administration and BLM refused to acknowledge those impacts and misled the public. Center for Biological Diversitys senior attorney Michael Saul called Bushs ruling another stunning defeat for the Trump administrations serial lawbreaking policies. The Trump administration targeted some of our nations most ecologically sensitive public lands for drilling and fracking, without even considering the consequences, Western Watersheds Erik Molvar said in a statement. Among the areas leased, the conservationists said, were parts of the sage grouse-rich Golden Triangle and the Red-Desert-to-Hoback mule deer migration corridor, route of the longest known land-mammal migration in the Lower 48. Industry officials have said drilling restrictions contained in the leases limits known as stipulations constrain development so it would not impact sensitive wildlife habitats. Missing analyses In siding with the conservationists, Bush also wrote that the BLM didnt analyze cumulative impacts drilling would have on sage grouse. BLM violated NEPA by not providing an adequate explanation of why it didnt consider deferring leasing in priority habitat, Bush wrote. In failing to take a hard look, the BLM also fell short by not describing baseline conditions for greater sage grouse in the lease areas. The agency offered broad descriptions of the birds condition where more information was necessary and available, Bush wrote. NEPA requires this so that the boots-on-the-ground characteristics of lease parcels can be understood and examined comparatively, one against another, vis a vis potential lease sales, he wrote. Bush also criticized BLMs position that site-specific impacts are not possible to describe at the leasing stage because nobody knows where wells might be drilled on a particular leased parcel. But BLM had lots of site-specific information, the judge wrote, including the location of breeding-ground leks and key habitats, annual counts from leks, breeding population trends and the amount of grouse habitat already affected by people and other disturbances like wildfires. The upshot of this is to highlight the existence of additional information and data that could have informed a more site-specific impacts analysis than what BLM actually performed, Bush wrote. On a side issue, he refused to exclude Western Watersheds from the suit based on claims that it had not engaged the BLM early on with its complaints. Although Western Watersheds was not involved in some early aspects of the tiff, issues it raised in the suit were brought to the BLMs attention earlier by others, Bush said, putting the agency on notice that critics were alleging deficiencies that it should address. Greater sage grouse numbers have declined sharply over recent decades but a series of drilling restrictions imposed in 2015 on Western federal lands kept the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from protecting the bird under the Endangered Species Act. Among the safeguards adopted by the U.S. Forest Service and BLM was a focus on first leasing in non-critical grouse habitat and regular deferral of lease sales in priority grouse country. That changed under Trump. His first Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke and Zinkes successor Bernhardt rewrote leasing guidelines. The conservation groups filed the suit in 2018 after the BLM auctioned the acreage for development. Wyoming and industry joined the action defending the BLM decision. Angus M. Thuermer Jr. is the natural resources reporter for WyoFile. He is a veteran Wyoming reporter and editor with more than 35 years experience in Wyoming. Contact him at angus@wyofile.com or (307) 690-5586. Follow Angus on Twitter at @AngusThuermer Duncan, OK (73533) Today Thunderstorms during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. High 83F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening. A few showers developing late. Low around 70F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%. Almost 50,000 in funding has been announced for three archaeological heritage sites in Louth, by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The total amount of funding is 49,159, split between Taaffs Castle in Carlingford, Glaspistol Castle Towerhouse near Clogherhead and the Featherbed Lan Town Walls in Drogheda. Taaffs Castle in Carlingford is set to get the most from the grants, with 25,000 being provided to help with conservation works as well as improve the castles resilience to climate change. Featherbed Lan Town Walls in Drogheda will get 21,330 in funding, while Glaspistol Castle Towerhouse will receive 2,829. Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan said that the project would help to protect Irelands archaeological heritage, with a total of 4.2 million being spent in 2021. There are communities in every county who care for and champion their local monuments, and Im delighted that they will benefit from this scheme, said Minister Noonan. And it is a massive support to the heritage sector, providing job opportunities across these projects for archaeologists, conservation architects, stone masons, and other professional trades. Fianna Fail Senator for Louth, Erin McGreehan, welcomed the package, saying that the funding will be well spent to ensure the upkeep of the monuments. This is great news, the funding awarded to these structures is fantastic. It is so important to take care of our structural heritage, it is part of who we are and our history, said Senator McGreehan. A baking initiative to provide cakes to the homeless and those in Direct Provision wants to kick start the programme in Dundalk by recruiting more volunteer bakers. Consider it Cakes, a nonprofit initiative that has been delivering baked goods for the last year is trying to get more hobby bakers in the Dundalk area on board to help provide confections for people living in Dundalks Direct Provision centre. Franciska Acs, who started the initiative over the lockdown, has over 500 bakers involved in the group across the entire country, but currently only has three bakers in Dundalk. Dundalk, for instance, is a place where we have requests but we dont have yet that many bakers on board, said Acs. According to Acs, there have been three requests for cakes from the Dundalk Direct Provision centre since the group expanded to Dundalk, and she is expecting more to arrive as cakes are delivered and shared around the centre. We have three bakers now and we already have three cake requests in June, which is okay, its doable but as soon as more people are requesting a cake, we need more bakers, said Acs. Its really just about that people can get together and celebrate, especially in Direct Provision like the days are pretty similar, so at least the birthdays should be nice, said Acs They dont have a lot of money and if you dont have a kitchen, ordering a cake is really expensive. Acs says that the first cake for the Dundalk Direct Provision Centre was delivered on Sunday, June 6th. The centre is located in Carrol Village, with between 50 and 80 residents being housed in the facility at any one time. Acs also said that the group have been working with homeless charities around the country to work on food distribution for homeless people. Acs said that this was an area they want to get involved within Dundalk, but that due to a lack of volunteers, they will be focusing on those in Direct Provision for now. One thing Acs highlights is that the initiative is not just for experienced bakers, and that anyone is able to get involved to help out. You dont have to be a professional to join the initiative, said Acs, and that some of the bakers who have gotten involved are as young as 10-years-old. Everyone is welcome to join and theres no pressure. The idea of the initiative came to Acs over the lockdown, when she had the time to bake and wanted to bake, but didnt have anyone to share the cakes with. Everything started in lockdown and I started to have a lot of time. The main thing was, I wanted to bake but I couldnt eat all of it myself, You cant bring it to the office, you cant meet friends, said Acs, and that she began to hear more about Direct Provision and decided to bake for residents of the system instead. I wanted to do something I love and then help other people, and it was the best thing ever and I never thought that so many people wanted to do the same, said Acs. I dont think anywhere else theres so many passionate people who want to bake for strangers. For Acs, she believes that the initiative shows that Irish people care for those within Direct Provision and that those who are currently staying there are welcomed as part of the local community. She says that people who have been in Direct Provision long-term might not have been in contact with the local community, especially with Covid-19 keeping people apart. Thats a big part, just to make them feel special and welcome in Ireland, especially with the Covid situation. Theyre just in the centres and theres no interaction at all, said Acs. For those who are seeking to get involved with the initiative, Acs says that they are currently operating out of a Whatsapp group, with Facebook and Instagram accounts showcasing the work of bakers all across the country. Anyone interested should contact Franciska Acs via email at franziskaacs@gmail.com. The government has unveiled supports worth over 430,000 for the live performance industry in Louth, with Dundalk venue the Spirit Store set over 157,000 worth of grant aid for summer shows A total of 431,907 worth of grant aid for live performances for Louth was unveiled by Tourism and Culture Minister Catherine Martin earlier this week. A total of eight companies will split the funding, with a mix between live music and performance art being aided. Dundalk venue, the Spirit Store, will receive 157,539 to host a mixture of outdoor and indoor shows at their premises on Dundalk quay. Speaking to the Dundalk Democrat, owner Mark Deary said that it was a great day for the venue and that it was the most money that the venue had ever seen in one go. Its by miles the most money Ive ever seen in one go, said Deary, and that a lot of the money will be passed through the venue to both artists and technicians who work on shows. Deary said that the venue will have to host a minimum of 15 gigs using the funding, but that he expects that they will be able to at least double that figure. Its a huge relief to know that music will be happening again, that therell be small audience at them...That the financial burden weve been carrying for the last 18 months can now be resolved. Its great, said Deary. The minimum 15 gigs will have to take place by 30th September. Deary said that on the acts that will be performing, he wants to see some well-known acts in, alongside getting the local music scene going again. Were looking to try to run shows that involve local bands as well as better known national figures. It will reflect the vibrant local music scene in Dundalk and surrounding counties. Deary says that the audiences will be small to start with, but he hopes that as the vaccination programme continues they will be able to get more people into the venue. The audience at these subsidised shows will probably be very small, a couple dozen people per gig. We have to assume that were able to get back to work and run gigs that arent going to lose money every time. That means that we effectively need to close to sell out them, said Deary, who is positive about getting the live performance industry back on its feet before the end of the year. A pop music festival is also being proposed by Dundalk PR Ltd, operating under the name The Venue. They are set to receive 20,840 to help run the festival. Minister Martin said that she was pleased to be announcing the funding to help support those in the arts industry. I am very pleased to announce this funding, which will encompass and support a wide range of performances over the coming summer months, said Minister Martin. I know this funding will assist in the employment of performers, artists, technicians, creative and performance support staff across the sector, bringing much-needed employment to many who have not had work for many, many months. Louth Fine Gael TD Fergus ODowd welcomed the action by the government, saying that it will help provide a boost to businesses that have been closed due to the pandemic. This is really welcome news and will give local applicants a real boost as they try to manage what has been and will continue to be an exceptionally difficult time for the live performance and arts industry, said Deputy ODowd This will give artists the opportunity to perform and at the same time provide much-needed employment opportunities in the sector. The last year has really made us stop and think, and take time to reflect about what is important to us. The realisation that there is nothing more important than family and cherishing those close to us has been universal. Garrett Mallon is an award-winning goldsmith and jewellery designer with over 35 years experience; creating sculpted, contemporary Irish jewellery using precious metals and traditional skills. He runs the Garrett Mallon Design House, exhibiting his own work and also pieces from almost 100 Irish artists and craftspeople in his retail gallery. More importantly, Garrett is a father to three children, and a husband to his wife Sarah. Sarah and two of their three children live with a genetic heart condition called Long QT Syndrome. Long QT Syndrome is a disturbance of the hearts electrical system which causes heart rhythm problems. A person with LQTS is prone to dizziness, fainting spells and even sudden cardiac death. Whilst it was an unsettling time for the family to receive this diagnosis, up to 50% of people living with LQTS never have any symptoms, so they take solace in the fact that they are aware of the condition. Once diagnosed, the Mallons lives changed considerably; from their children having to stop playing sports, ensuring their schools and colleges were equipped with defibrillators, and training for teachers, family and friends in case of an emergency. Garrett and his family have received enormous support over the years from the Irish Heart Foundation. As a father Garrett was compelled to contribute in some small way, so he created the Irish Heart Collection. This is a very personal collection with a percentage of the proceeds from sales going to the Irish Heart Foundation Patient Support Services. The Irish Heart Foundation have been hugely influential in their lives, with Sarah seeking out advice from their Patient Support Service on numerous occasions; one instance being how to tell her children about their condition, and what words to use so that a child would understand. Inspired by the help she has received, Sarah now volunteers as the Chair of the Irish Heart Foundation Long QT Patient Support Group, supporting other families who are going through similar situations. For Garrett, as a father, it is about giving back and raising awareness of the amazing work that the Irish Heart Foundation carries out on a daily basis, helping Irish families deal with experiences such as theirs. Garrett said: The Irish Heart Foundation has been a life changing force in our daily lives, providing my family and I with invaluable support. "I created the Irish Heart collection, where a gold heart is safely cocooned in a silver dome, to reflect their unwavering support and to say thank you. "I hope this will make people more aware of the work of the Irish Heart Foundation, and trust that the proceeds of the sales from my collection will help others in some way. CEO of the Irish Heart Foundation Tim Collins commented: We are grateful to Garrett for using his talent to create such a beautiful collection, which represents the support he and his family received from the Irish Heart Foundation. "We encourage people to purchase a piece from the Irish Heart collection as a percentage of sales will go directly to supporting, educating and advocating for the thousands of people who are affected by heart disease and stroke each year. To find out more about the Irish Heart Foundation and the supports they offer www.irishheart.ie It's a whole new world for social media businesses, and now an Irish college is offering the first-ever course in how to become an influencer. Institute of Technology Carlow has launched Digital Hustle - Irelands first school for influencers this week. It is Irelands first online summer course for teenagers who are interesting in learning how to become a social media influencer. And there has already been a huge reaction to the offering with just a few course places left. Digital Hustle, Irelands first school for influencers is funded by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and is open to TY and senior cycle secondary school students who are interested in developing an online presence, an online business or launching a fan page or a social justice campaign. Starting on 21st June, the week-long course will teach how to build a personal brand. The course was created and designed by Dr Irene McCormick after hearing a career guidance expert discuss how influencing should be seen as a career choice. Many people consider influencers self-absorbed when, in fact, they are incredibly hard-working, industrious people. There is still a mentality out there that if someone says they want to be an influencer people snigger, but if any of us were doing a side-hustle making 500 a month we would be thrilled, commented Dr McCormick. The course will feature a number of successful influencers who will teach students about the basics of growing their following and capitalising on their brand. They include: IT Carlow PR and media student Lauren Whelan, who has amassed over 600,000 followers on TikTok and fronted social media campaigns for Samsung, Lifestyle Sports, Amazon Prime and Subway; Nia Gall, considered one of the most popular TikTok stars in Ireland, with 285,000 followers; and the teen coffee entrepreneurs behind Quirky Coffee, who are navigating the big world of digital marketing and brand building online. Speakers will also include IT Carlow academics and marketing experts, including Dr Eleanor OLeary (popular culture), Dorothy Keane (marketing) and Ciaran OLoan (brand planning). The course will also advise on digital identities, the psychology of memes, protecting your privacy and mental health, and telling your story online. For further information, email DigitalHustle@ITCarlow.ie. Readers Survey As our valued readers, we want to hear from you. Please take a moment to fill out the survey below. - Thank you, Eastern Arizona Courier Click Here We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Submit Fair royalty: The 11 candidates competing for the title of 2021 Great Jones County Fair Queen, picutred from left to right, are: Brooklyn Stark, Callie Lynch, Elizabeth Riniker, Reagan Schneiter, Karli Recker, Delainy Fellinger, Bronwyn Hodge, Kelsey Adams and Lillian Strait. Not pictured were Adel Hogan and Grace Lubben. The public is invited to the open portion of the competition July 11 at the Monticello Eagles Club at 6:30 p.m. The Great Jones County Fair Queen will be crowned during sneak a peek night July 20 in the Farm Bureau Financial Services Amphitheater at 6:30 p.m. A huge diamond weighing more than 1,000 carats, which could be the third-largest mined in history, has been discovered in the southern African country of Botswana Kiana Sears, president of the East Valley NAACP, wants the Mesa Police Department to ban all forms of neck restraints and form a citizen review board. EBRD and EU provide new funding for MSMEs in Ukraine Financing via Ukrgasbank to support corporate competitiveness and export opportunities Borrowers to benefit from EU grants upon investment The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union are providing new funds to support micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Ukraine. The EBRD will lend the hryvnia equivalent of 25 million to Ukrgasbank, a key local lender, for loans to local companies to upgrade their processes and equipment and to advance sound health and safety practices. At least 70 per cent of the loan will go to financing investments in green technologies. Borrowers are eligible to receive grant incentives and technical assistance on successful investment projects, funded by the EU under its EU4Business initiative. The support is part of the EU4Business-EBRD credit line a joint financing instrument designed to boost the competitiveness and export ambition of local businesses. Investments in high standards and quality products will allow businesses to compete more successfully on both the local and international markets. The EU4Business-EBRD credit line programme is also available in Georgia and Moldova and has recently been extended to cover the entire Eastern Partnership region. Ukraine is a top-three investment destination for the EBRD. In the past two years alone, the Bank has committed 2 billion to the economy. The EBRD finances infrastructure, energy efficiency and energy security, agricultural and industrial projects, as well as smaller businesses. The investments are combined with support for policies that promote a more enabling business environment. About Ukrgasbank THE Cork Midsummer Festival is upon us! Opening last Monday, it runs to June 27, pouring out a full two weeks of music, theatre, dance, visual arts, literature, and family events. And dont we just need it after the year weve had! Naturally enough, since the entire festival had to be planned during lockdown restrictions, many of the events are online, but thats not a drawback. In fact its a positive encouragement. As Deirdre Kinahan of Landmark Productions points out: Hey, invite your friends round, get in some drinks and nibbles, and enjoy an evening at the theatre what could be better? There are a few live shows, one of the most delightful surely being Art Gifts City Stage: On Your Doorstep, a short live performance of music, theatre, poetry, opera, circus or dance, delivered to your doorstep! These individual performances are free, but need to be booked. Tomorrow and Saturday in these locations: Blackpool / The Glen; Knocknaheeny / Sundays Well; Ballyphehane / The Lough; Mahon; Ballincollig; Montenotte / Mayfield; Blarney; Ballintemple / Blackrock; Douglas; Glasheen. Marie Mullen in The Saviour Landmark Productions stage The Saviour, a blistering new play by Deirdre Kinahan, online at Everyman this weekend. Marie Mullen and Brian Gleeson are directed by Louise Lowe. Kinahan is renowned for her plays which attack and expose the wrongs at the heart of our society. In The Saviour, she charts the extraordinary shift in social, political and religious life in Ireland over the past 30 years. Kinahan is emphatic on what a dreadful place the older Ireland really was for women. It was a Catholic caliphate where the church controlled every aspect of our being. The whole battle was played out over womens bodies. If you had children without marriage you were a whore, if you didnt have kids, you were a dry old stick, a joke, a waste. Your only purpose was to produce. Bullying works all over the world and the church in Ireland was expert in bullying. This poor woman in The Saviour was a victim to that past and yet clings to it with fervour. She cant and wont see it for what it was. Its a metaphor, says Kinahan, for what this country has come through. And she has a warning. Theyre still out there, even in this modern Ireland, waiting in the long grass. Theyd drag us back in a moment if they could. Her aim is to draw her audience in, get them involved, then hit them with the dark truths beneath the surface. Hopefully they will leave with new attitudes, a changed perspective. Thats what theatre can do. The Saviour, Saturday, June 19 at 3pm and 8pm; Sunday, June 20, 8pm, live online. Regina Crowley, who devised that unique show, Notes To A Star, at Blackrock Castle Observatory last week, will be performing Prometheus Now for Gaitcrash against the dramatic backdrop of a melancholic warehouse on the Marina next week, June 21-23. The figure of Prometheus is used to reignite a spark of hope and renewal, in a compelling online performance which features an exciting blend of classical piano, theatre, sound art, and videography. How about something to stimulate while strolling through the city? Bassam Al-Sabahs Longing, Beyond, commissioned by the Glucksman and curated by Chris Clarke, conveys visions of war, resistance and perseverance. In the window facade of Finns Corner, where the Grand Parade meets Washington Street, the work comprises a scaffolding installation of video monitors, hand-tufted rugs and sculptural objects. On display throughout the festival. Go along and gaze as long as you want to! Dont miss Bad Shiobhan, a new work by choreographer Siobhan Ni Dhuinnin in association with the Firkin Crane. Featuring her father, traditional boat-builder Padraig O Duinnin, it shares the culture and tradition of boats and boat-building. Online from tomorrow until Sunday, but can also be accessed via streaming on demand June 19/20. Find it at www.corkmidsummer.com/whats-on? A well-known advocate of the elderly in Cork has raised concerns about the delay experienced by some people over the age of 60 in receiving a second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. Paddy OBrien said there are many people in their 60s waiting anxiously for their second jab after he received phone calls from those concerned about the delay. Many people I spoke to were so happy when they got their first jab and they thought this was the beginning of going back to their own life again but that has all changed and people are back again in their own homes waiting for this very important vaccine. The over 60s are upset and annoyed that they cannot get back to the normal way of living and to the life they had prior to March 2020 without the second jab, he said. He said that restrictions are still affecting many in their 60s who, without the second jab, cannot return to daycare centres when they reopen on July 5, cannot go to mass, visit their families and cannot meet their friends. Mr OBrien said that it is most upsetting for those in their 60s to hear of people in their 50s receiving the second vaccine before them while they continue to experience the same loneliness and sadness as experienced prior to the first injection. This long delay with second vaccination must and should be top priority, he said. Meanwhile, speaking to Virgin Media news this week, HSE chief executive Paul Reid, said that around 450,000 people who are awaiting a second dose of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine will receive it within the next five weeks. He confirmed that the wait time for a second AstraZeneca dose is being gradually reduced from 12 weeks to eight following advice from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). We started the process this week of giving people the second dose of AstraZeneca, that we will work through over the next five weeks, he said. Mr Reid said it is planned that the second doses of AstraZeneca will be completed by July 19. So, 450,000 people over the course of the next five weeks will receive their second dose of AstraZeneca, he said. Mr Reid said that with the presence of the Delta variant, it is really important that people do come forward for their second dose vaccine. You dont have your fullest protection until you have your second dose vaccine, he said. Netflix has dropped a trailer for the three part series looking at the unsolved murder of French producer Sophie Toscan du Plantier in the town of Schull, West Cork, in 1996. This three-part series examines one of Irelands most famous murder cases and looks at the brutal murder, which shocked the country, triggered one of the biggest murder investigations Ireland had ever seen and became a national obsession. The documentary charts the circumstances of her death, unravelling the extraordinary story from its beginning, 24 years ago to the present day and includes exclusive access to Sophie Toscan du Plantiers family. The series will bring together, for the first time, the views of her family with Ian Bailey, the man at the centre of the investigation. Sophie: A Murder in West Cork will premiere on Netflix on June 30. A barman at Cape Clear Island was found guilty of sexually assaulting a young woman visiting the island when he drove her home from the Club Chleire pub two years ago. The jury reached a unanimous verdict of guilty in the case against Duncan Harper, 35, at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on two counts of sexually assaulting the young woman on a summers night in 2019. Prosecution barrister Brendan Kelly said a victim impact statement would be required before sentencing of Duncan Harper for the sexual assaults. Judge Sean O Donnabhain adjourned sentencing until June 30. Bail refused Defence barrister, Stephen ODonoghue asked for the accused to be remanded on bail until then. The judge refused and remanded Duncan Harper in custody for sentencing at the end of the month. The judge said the accused could be identified but not the young woman who was sexually assaulted. The complainant was a visitor to the island and she said that she had been awake for almost 24 hours at the time of the disputed incident. She said she dozed off in the front seat of Duncan Harpers van and that the accused man put his hand over and put it inside her top and her bra and on to her right breast. She said the second sexual assault consisted of him putting his hand up her dress, high up her leg close to her vaginal area. The young woman testified that there was a music session in the Club Chleire pub that night that went on well into the early hours of the morning of June 23 2019. Duncan went to close up the bar at 5am ... I was going to walk home. Duncan offered me a lift home. Initially, I refused. But I would have seen him talking to people I trusted and there was two men in the van. "Duncan dropped the two men on the way to where I was staying. He said he could drop me home or would he give me a tour of the island. I was being polite. I said, I dont mind. But I was exhausted. I was up since 7am. He went up a massive hill to the opposite side of the island. "I realised I did not want to be there. I was definitely out of my comfort zone. At a certain point he leaned in to kiss me. I said, No. I turned towards the door. I felt totally uncomfortable and quite frightened. I turned away and said, No. I was trying to make small chat. I was up nearly 24 hours. I had a few drinks (in the pub earlier). I started falling in and out of sleep. He put his hand inside my top. He put his hand inside my bra. He felt my right breast. He told me to relax, he would drive me home. I would have been going in and out of sleep aware his hand was inside my dress, on my leg, on the upper part of my leg, my right leg. It was a struggle to get his hand away. She said that when she eventually arrived back where she was staying she fell into her friends arms and told her what happened. Defence barrister Stephen ODonoghue cross-examined her and said the defendant denied that this happened and that he did not sexually assault her in any way and did not offer her a tour or bring her on a tour of the island that morning. The complainant, who is in her early twenties, became upset and said, I would not be here if my recollection of the evening was untrue. This has battered my confidence. It has taken two years from my life. Why on earth would I put myself through that? Mr ODonoghue said there were so many inconsistencies in the complainants evidence there had to be a doubt and that the accused had to be given the benefit of this doubt and acquitted. Brendan Kelly for the prosecution said her account had been consistent throughout her statements to gardai and her evidence in the trial at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. Duncan Harper did not give evidence. David Raleigh A pyrite action group has been formed in Co Limerick for people whose homes and lives have been affected by defective concrete blocks in their properties. One such couple, Ann and Kieran Ryan from Askeaton, built their family home in 1990, however in 2010 cracks began forming in the plaster due to pyrite. Now in a state of disrepair with deep cracks, the propertys window frames have buckled under the strain of the movement of the defective blocks. This story needs to be told, there is very little publicity about it in Limerick, most of the cases we know of are in Donegal and Mayo, but we would like to know if others in Limerick have been affected, Ms Ryan said. We just don't know how long the walls are going to hold, the windows are straining, upstairs especially, it really is a nightmare, she added. Were just worn out from it, we are worried the house is going to cave in around us. Over the years the cracks have spread like a virus throughout the home, leaving the couple in fear the house will fall in on them. A local action group has now formed online to encourage others to share their stories. Ms Ryan (58) described their situation as soul-destroying and joined thousands of others at a national protest in Dublin on Tuesday, calling on the government for 100 per cent redress over the pyrite and mica scandal. We cant afford to knock our house but it will have to be demolished, its so badly damaged, and its only getting worse. We are living on our nerves, explained the mother-of-two who was recently made redundant from her catering job of 27 years, due to the impact of Covid-19. At night youd be listening to cracking sounds and wondering if the walls are going to fall out. At night youd be listening to cracking sounds and wondering if the walls are going to fall out, its that bad. The Ryans said they are thousands of euros out of pocket, which they spent investigating the cracks, hiring structural engineers, and having the blocks tested for pyrite. Mr Ryan (60) said they also sought legal advice, but due to financial restraints, they decided not to pursue the company which they claim sold them defective concrete blocks they used to build their dream home. We were advised not to take them on because they might end up taking our site off of us is we lost the case, Mr Ryan said. We are only hoping the Government will help us, because we cant do it ourselves Its a disgrace, we are only hoping the Government will help us, because we cant do it ourselves, there is no one going to give me, someone who is 60 years of age, a mortgage. The damage started in the west gable and has spread across the house through the kitchen, the bedrooms, upstairs, over windows, Mr Ryan said. Im concerned for our safety because its getting worse. The rain comes through the cracks in the kitchen, when you get heavy showers, it pours down onto the floor. The family have attempted to stem the leaks, as well as the cold in winter, by pumping silicone into the cracks, but Mr Ryan said this was not an adequate solution. One engineer said to me to plaster it up, but that has been proven not to work because after six months all the plaster starts to drop off again because the blocks blow. If you were to power-wash the corner blocks, in the space of a minute, the water would be into the kitchen, the blocks just crumble away. Mr Ryans sister Ann, who also attended Tuesdays national priest in Dublin, is also battling pyrite in her home. They thought it was subsidence and they got their home underpinned which cost them thousands and it turned out it wasn't subsidence, it was the blocks, she said. It was over ten years ago when we started having problems and I got blocks from the same place as my brother. The cracks are quiet bad, the corner blocks have lifted out badly. When we took the blocks out to test them, some of them were like mud, they just crumbled into dust. Limerick, Clare and Sligo are not included in the grant scheme for Donegal and Mayo and we are not satisfied with this - we are looking for 100 per cent redress too, she added. Stay up to date on COVID-19 Get Breaking News Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. Sponsored By: St Anthony's Hospital Elba, AL (36323) Today Cloudy early, then thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High near 85F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.. Tonight Rain showers this evening with overcast skies overnight. Low 72F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. ELKHART The Elkhart County Symphony is scheduled to perform live for the first time under the baton of its new music director during an event at Wellfield Botanic Gardens. This April 10, 2018 image released by Arizona State University shows ASU professor Devoney Looser at her home in Phoenix, Ariz. Looser unearthed Rev. Henry Thomas Austens attendance at the 1840 World Anti-Slavery Convention in London. Austen is the brother of Pride and Prejudice author Jane Austen. Looser calls him a a next-generation Austen publicly supporting abolition. (Deanna Dent/ASU via AP) Jared Kushner does a television interview at the White House on Oct. 26, 2020, in Washington. Kushner, the son-in-law of former President Donald Trump and one of his top advisers during his administration, has a book deal. Broadside Books, a conservative imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, announced Kushners book will come out in early 2022. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) In this June 29, 2020 file photo, the Supreme Court is seen on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) Digital approach to demonstrating vaccination status The final stages of planning are underway to provide Isle of Man residents with access to their COVID vaccination certification for travel, via the UK NHS App. The UK NHS App will be the only electronic vaccination status certificate supported by Isle of Man Government which is expected to be internationally recognised for residents. The development has been progressed by Governments COVID Response team to ensure Island residents can demonstrate they have completed the two dose course of vaccination when travelling abroad. The app is also intended for use at ports of entry to the Isle of Man, in line with proposed changes to the Islands border restrictions. The Department of Health and Social Care, via Manx Care, will share all vaccination data with NHS UK for its sole and specific use on the NHS App, therefore not for any other purpose. Once the data is received, residents will be able to view their vaccination certificate in digital format on the app, or obtain a hard copy letter if required. Residents who do not wish to participate will be able to opt-out of the process, and further details on this will be released shortly. Residents are strongly encouraged to use the electronic vaccination certification as the primary method to support international travel, but those who are unable to do so can request evidence of their vaccination status in letter form, prior to travel. Residents will still need to follow other rules when travelling abroad, which may include providing a negative pre-departure test. Anyone travelling abroad should check the entry requirements of their destination country on the GOV.UK foreign travel advice pages. Minister for Health and Social care David Ashford said: This is positive news for the many people who are anxious to have their vaccination status held in a recognised and secure digital format. Linking into the UK NHS App puts us in a strong position, as it is expected to be widely recognised and accepted. Creating our own system would be less practical, more costly, and in terms of securing recognition among other jurisdictions, very challenging. He added: There is still some work to do in relation to the final implementation, but we are keen to share our plans at this stage. We will provide further details as soon as possible. Information will be added to the Government's COVID-19 Vaccination website pages and in due course, further guidance will be available from the COVID Community Support team. Island residents are already able to download the UK NHS App. Individuals will need to validate their identity using photographic ID and also provide their NHS number as part of the registration process. The NHS number is on each persons NHS record card, issued when registering with a GP practice. The NHS number is also used to register for Patient Access, a free, digital web-based facility which offers Isle of Man patients remote access to their GP records. An additional benefit is that the NHS App also acts as a viewing portal for individuals to see their health information held by GPs. This is only available for those registered for electronic Patient Access. Residents vaccination certificate on the NHS App has no connection to any other database or data collection exercise in the UK. Opting out will be a straightforward process, either from the beginning, or in the future should an individual wish to withdraw. Guidance on how people will be able to access their COVID-19 vaccination status is available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/demonstrating-your-covid-19-vaccination-status-when-travelling-abroad "Focus now is on getting through the 32,000 second doses' says CM The Chief Minister says almost 63,000 people have now received their first dose of vaccine, and almost 30,000 people have received their second dose. Howard Quayle said the Government's focus was now on getting through the 32,000 second doses booked in over the coming weeks. "Progress with vaccinations both here and in the UK is a key factor in being able to progress with implementing our exit framework." But two other factors remain equally important: case numbers in our nearest neighbours; and the emergence of any variants of the virus that give us cause for concern." From Monday 28th June, anyone who has had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccination administered within the British Isles and has had at least a two week period following their second dose allowing the vaccine to take full effect will be able to travel to the Isle of Man unrestricted. Josephine Smith Lively Davis passed away June 27, 2021, at the age of 83 at her home in Decatur, Alabama. A celebration of life will be at Ridout's-Brown Funeral Home on Friday, July 2, 2021. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to noon. Funeral services will follow in the chapel at noon with Cha According to BuzzFeed News, Democratic Senator Ron Wyden and Representative Ted Lieu will introduce legislation later today that seeks to restrict police use of international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) catchers. More commonly known as Stingrays, police frequently use IMSI catchers and cell-site simulators to collect information on suspects and intercept calls, SMS messages and other forms of communication. Law enforcement agencies in the US currently do not require a warrant to use the technology. The Cell-Site Simulator Act of 2021 seeks to change that. IMSI catchers mimic cell towers to trick mobile phones into connecting with them. Once connected, they can collect data a device sends out, including its location and subscriber identity key. Cell-site simulators pose a two-fold problem. The first is that they're surveillance blunt instruments. When used in a populated area, IMSI catchers can collect data from bystanders. The second is that they can also pose a safety risk to the public. The reason for this is that while IMSI catchers act like a cell tower, they don't function as one, and they can't transfer calls to a public wireless network. They can therefore prevent a phone from connecting to 9-1-1. Despite the dangers they pose, their use is widespread. In 2018, the American Civil Liberties Union found at least 75 agencies in 27 states and the District of Columbia owned IMSI catchers. In trying to address those concerns, the proposed legislation would make it so that law enforcement agencies would need to make a case before a judge on why they should be allowed to use the technology. They would also need to explain why other surveillance methods wouldn't be as effective. Moreover, it seeks to ensure those agencies delete any data they collect from those not listed on a warrant. Although the bill reportedly doesn't lay out a time limit on IMSI catcher use, it does push agencies to use the devices for the least amount of time possible. It also details exceptions where police could use the technology without a warrant. For instance, it would leave the door open for law enforcement to use the devices in contexts like bomb threats where an IMSI catcher can prevent a remote detonation. "Our bipartisan bill ends the secrecy and uncertainty around Stingrays and other cell-site simulators and replaces it with clear, transparent rules for when the government can use these invasive surveillance devices," Senator Ron Wyden told BuzzFeed News. The bill has support from some Republicans. Senator Steve Daines of Montana and Representative Tom McClintock of California are co-sponsoring the proposed legislation. Organizations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Electronic Privacy Information Center have also endorsed the bill. China has launched its first crewed mission in five years, successfully sending three astronauts to its new Tianhe space station, CNBC has reported. Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming, and Tang Hongbo will be the first three astronauts to board the station and will spend three months there testing systems and doing spacewalks. The three astronauts rode in a Shenzhou-12 spacecraft atop a Long March 2F rocket that launched around 9:22 AM China time from the Juiquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. The mission was declared a "complete success" at 9:43 AM. VCG via Getty Images The crew will set up quarters in the core module, launched in April 2021 amid controversy over the Long March 5b rocket's reentry. The main goal of the crew is to bring the 24 ton module online. "We need to set up our new home in space and test a series of new technologies," said commander Nie Haisheng. "So, the mission is tough and challenging. I believe with the three of us working closely together, doing thorough and accurate operations, we can overcome our challenges." The mission is the first of 11 planned to Tianhe during the space station's construction phase. China will send another two modules and several more crewed missions in an effort to complete the station by the 2022 deadline. China was excluded from the US-led International Space Station, but has said that it may allow foreign involvement in its own station. China has accelerated its space program over the last few years. It recently landed a lunar-sampling robot on the Moon and sent it back to Earth, then landed a rover on Mars earlier this year. Down the road, China plans to land astronauts on the Moon within the next decade in partnership with Russia. Going forward, you may have to plan mid-week watch parties for Disney+ shows. The streaming service has moved its original series' release day from Friday to Wednesday, according to The Hollywood Reporter. As the publication notes, the news comes after Loki's first episode released on June 9th, a Wednesday became the most watched premiere on the platform. Previous Disney+ originals like The Mandalorian, WandaVision and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier launched on a Friday, which is also Netflix's day of choice to drop whole shows for binging. Loki's debut episode was supposed to come out on a Friday (June 11th), as well, and it would've had to compete for attention with the second part of Netflix's Lupin and Hulu's Love, Victor. Disney moved up its premiere to June 9th, though, and gave it a Wednesday release schedule instead. It turned out to be the right decision based on the first episode's performance, one the company is most likely hoping to replicate with this new release schedule. Disney+ has announced new schedules for its upcoming shows to reflect this change, including the animated Monsters, Inc. series Monsters at Work (from July 7th to July 2nd). Much-awaited Marvel titles like Hawkeye, Ms. Marvel, She-Hulk and Moon Knight aren't in the list, but they'll also be released on Wednesdays. Any original movie that'll launch on Disney+ will still premiere on a Friday, though, so its films and shows no longer have to compete with each other. Microsoft's board has named CEO Satya Nadella as chair, marking the first time a person has held both the positions since the company's co-founder Bill Gates stepped down as chief executive in 2000. The change is the latest acknowledgement of the role Nadella has played in revitalizing the tech giant. During his seven-year tenure as CEO, Microsoft has witnessed sharp growth in its Azure cloud computing, productivity and gaming divisions. Nadella has also overseen several successful acquisitions including Minecraft, LinkedIn, GitHub and, more recently, gaming behemoth ZeniMax. Today, Microsoft is the world's second-most valuable company behind Apple with a market value above $1.9 trillion. In this role, Nadella will lead the work to set the agenda for the board, leveraging his deep understanding of the business to elevate the right strategic opportunities and identify key risks and mitigation approaches for the boards review, Microsoft said in its announcement. As part of the shuffle, former chair John W. Thompson will return to his role as lead independent director. The move comes a year after Gates stepped down from Microsoft's board amid an investigation into his relationship with a female Microsoft employee, though he still serves as an advisor to Nadella. According to the Financial Times and The Wall Street Journal, the company's board has represented the change as a natural extension of Nadella's leadership, and a move that has been informally discussed since late last year. Snapchat is removing a controversial speed filter from its app. The filter, which Snapchat introduced in 2013, allows users to share how fast they're moving. Safety campaigners have claimed it encourages reckless driving. "Nothing is more important than the safety of our Snapchat community, and we had previously disabled the filter at driving speeds," a spokesperson for Snapchat's parent company, Snap, told Engadget. "Today the sticker is barely used by Snapchatters, and in light of that, we are removing it altogether." A spokesperson told NPR, which first reported on the move, that the filter is used in a few thousand snaps per day. That's a tiny fraction of the 5 billion or so snaps that are shared on the app daily. The timing of the move is raising some eyebrows. The filter has been tied to several car crashes over the years, including some fatal accidents. The parents of three teenagers who died in a 2017 high-speed Wisconsin crash filed a lawsuit against Snap. In the moments before the crash, one of the boys posted a snap that used the speed filter, as the Electronic Frontier Foundation noted. Last month, an appeals court allowed the case to proceed, ruling that Snap wasn't protected from liability under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act 1996. That provision typically protects internet companies from being held accountable for what their users post. Snap claims the filter didn't cause the crash, and this week it filed a motion to dismiss the case. Before removing the speed filter, Snap made several tweaks. The filter was changed to a sticker to make it less prominent and a "Don't Snap and drive" appeared whenever someone used it. In the months before deciding to remove the sticker entirely, Snap limited the top speed that could be captured and shared to 35MPH. Today, as Star Trek fans know, is Captain Picard Day. To celebrate the occasion, CBS has released the first trailer for season two of Star Trek: Picard. The clip opens with Captain Picard calling for Laris, one of his Romulan housekeepers, before we hear the voice of Q. "Oh, dear. You're a bit older than I imagined," says a grizzled John de Lancie reprising his role as the omnipotent being. "Mon Capitaine, how I've missed you." We then see a collection of scenes depicting an alternate future version of the Star Trek universe where Elnor and Raffi are on the run, Rios is wearing a fancy new Starfleet Delta and Dr. Jurati has been imprisoned. "Welcome, my friend, to the very end of the road not taken," Q says as the scenes unfold. The trailer culminates with Seven of Nine waking up to find her Borg implants missing. Are we seeing a vision of Star Trek where Q never forced an encounter between the Enterprise-D and the Borg? We don't know, and we'll have to wait until next year to find out when the second season of Star Trek: Picard hits Paramount+. Enid, OK (73701) Today Mostly cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 85F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Low 63F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. 2021-06-17 Maeci The Foreign Ministry welcomes the decision of the Libyan authorities to resume the procedures for issuing visas to Italian military personnel working in Misurata, as part of the Bilateral Assistance and Support Mission in Libya (MIASIT). This is a positive development that will allow the Mission to return to normal operations, achieved in the wake of a persistent dialogue with the authorities in Tripoli conducted by the Italian Foreign Ministry and the Embassy in Tripoli, in constant liaison with the Ministry of Defence. For Minister Di Maio, this result, for which I also wish to thank Minister Guerini, is an important sign of cooperation shown by the Libyan authorities, which is part of the broader and strategic bilateral cooperation between Italy and Libya. Daunting and uncertain is the future for people who must decide whether, where, when, and how to vacate their homes as the climate changes. Communities who will absorb this influx of uprooted people also face challenges. In a special issue of Science, "Fallback Strategies: Planning for Climate-Induced Relocation," experts examine ways in which interdisciplinary basic and applied research can - and must - engage with and support communities and governments navigating this landscape. As this work is done, "we must consider not only what science can do, but how science is done, and by whom," emphasizes Science's senior commentary editor Brad Wible. Considering retreat from climate change raises tensions about what losses are unacceptable and what aspects of societies should be maintained. In a Review, Katharine Mach and A.R. Siders integrate research across disciplines to chart a roadmap for retreat that is strategic and managed - i.e., designed and executed in ways that promote broader societal goals like social justice, environmental health, and cultural heritage. Such a retreat plan differs from past practice, say Mach and Siders, noting that historically, managed projects - like voluntary buyouts to move small numbers of families out of flood-prone homes in the United States - have been largely incremental adjustments implemented using a handful of policy tools and guided by a limited set of social values. These efforts have also raised equity concerns about who is offered buyouts and how they are treated in the process. The authors address the way climate retreat has been framed historically: as "a deprioritized, politically perilous option." If it were prioritized, say Mach and Siders, it could be more effective at reducing risk, more socially equitable, and more economically efficient. The authors further note the forms retreat has taken so far, but argue that managed retreat can take on even more. Implementing "lessons learned from design-thinking and planning and by integrating insights from a range of social sciences and the arts" could lead the way, Mach and Siders say. They note that pursuing such visions could lead to harms as well as beneficial outcomes; "top-down or overly techno-optimistic visions, in particular, may continue colonialist, autocratic, or otherwise unjust traditions." Key features of effective processes therefore involve factors including diverse responses; integration of local, Indigenous, scientific, and other scholarly knowledge; and meaningful public deliberation. "Our goal in authoring this article is not to suggest that managed retreat will be the optimal adaption in any place," say the authors, "but to encourage serious consideration of retreat in climate-related transformations." The special issue also includes an Editorial that emphasizes the importance of Indigenous communities playing a leading role in any efforts involving climate-forced relocation in their homelands. "Communities forced to make the awful decision to leave their ancestral lands must define every aspect of how research occurs in order to ensure that the research supports their efforts to create long-term adaptation strategies to respond to the accelerating climate crisis," write Robin Bronen and Patricia Cochran. Five Policy Forums tackle issues ranging from the hidden costs climate change causes in terms of human displacement to a lack of bottom-up analyses in climate risk assessment, which stands to minimize the potential for human agency to find creative, locally appropriate solutions. One Policy Forum also highlights how Bangladesh, among the most vulnerable countries to climate change in South Asia, can stand as a model of disaster management, adaptation, and resilience. ### New study challenges long-standing assumptions about disease severity in infants, and suggests that standard qPCR interpretations underestimate the true burden of other highly contagious diseases, such as COVID-19 and influenza New study challenges long-standing assumptions about disease severity in infants, and suggests that standard qPCR interpretations underestimate the true burden of other highly contagious diseases, such as COVID-19 and influenza. Pertussis, also known as "whooping cough," remains a significant cause of death in infants and young children around the world and, despite global vaccination programs, many countries are experiencing a resurgence of this highly contagious disease. A new study by Boston University School of Public Health and the University of Georgia's Odum School of Ecology presents evidence that could help explain this resurgence: asymptomatic individuals. Lots of them. Published in the journal eLife, the study suggests that most adults and many children who contract pertussis display no symptoms at all--a reversal of what many experts have long believed about an infection that can cause months of violent coughing fits and "whooping" sounds. The paper builds upon a 2015 study in which the researchers discovered a series of weakly positive pertussis infections after collecting nasal swab samples from 2,000 mother/infant pairs in Zambia every 2-3 weeks for several months, using quantitative PCR (qPCR) diagnosis. In a standard qPCR analysis, these low-intensity signals would be discounted as false-positive results. But the repeated clusters of mother/infant cases, which illustrated a natural arc of infection as the infection ran its course, suggested that these weak PCR signals provided important information about disease. "The fact that we found concordance within the mother/infant pairs told us that, in all likelihood, even the weakly affected mothers are contagious at close range, and are probably infecting their babies," says Dr. Christopher Gill, co-lead author of the study and associate professor of global health at BUSPH. Asymptomatic spread is not a unique phenomenon with infectious diseases, he says, but as the world has seen with COVID-19, the ability to detect asymptomatic infections early and accurately through qPCR can provide vital information about the epidemiology and burden of diseases. "This was a quest to understand weakly positive qPCR and then determine what proportion of pertussis transmissions are coming from asymptomatic people," Gill says. To confirm that these weak signals were accurate and relevant, the researchers conducted a closer analysis for the eLife study, and discovered additional evidence supporting the likelihood of asymptomatic transmission. The cluster of weak signals aligned with stronger signals, indicating that they occurred during an outbreak; the clusters reflected the natural rise and fall of an epidemic; signals were strongly clustered within mother/infant pairs; and the stronger the qPCR signal, the more likely individuals were to experience symptoms. Confident in their findings, the researchers then compared the symptomatic cases to the asymptomatic cases and discovered that about 70% of infected mothers displayed no symptoms, and about 25% of infected babies displayed no symptoms. And infants with only mild symptoms (cough or runny nose) comprised over 50% of infections. "We expected this in mothers, since pertussis becomes less severe with age and repeat exposure," says co-lead author Dr. Christian Gunning, post-doctoral researcher at UGA's School of Ecology. "But mild and asymptomatic infection in infants was assumed to be quite rare. And what we see here is the opposite--severe pertussis in infants is the exception rather than the rule." The findings underscore the need for a shift in the way qPCR tests are interpreted, Gill says. "Using a 'line in the sand' approach to interpret results is too simplistic and leads us to discard true and useful information," he says. "If one were trying to map a flu season, it would make more sense to use the weakly positive PCR results as an early warning of impending flu outbreaks, rather than waiting for symptomatic patients with very strong PCR results to start showing up in the ER." Gunning agrees, saying disease surveillance plays an important role in preventing and responding to disease outbreaks. "Our results differ from traditional approaches that medical doctors use to diagnose and treat patients," he says. "When we tested many people many times, we could 'peer under the hood' and see a lot of hidden infections in this population." Gunning says that a similar approach could help monitor for outbreaks of COVID. "To control disease outbreaks, we need to know when and where the disease has spread. New strategies like wastewater monitoring could leverage weak qPCR signals to give us a better, fasteridea of who's at risk, and allow us to more quickly intervene. And if you only look at sick people, you're going to miss a lot." ### At SPH, the study was co-authored by William MacLeod, research associate professor, Lawrence Mwananyanda, adjunct research assistant professor, Donald Thea, associate professor of global health, and Rachel Pieciak, research fellow. Additional co-authors are Geoffrey Kwenda of the University of Zambia, Zacharia Mupila of Right to Care, and Pejman Rohani, of UGA. Funding for the research was provided by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the National Institutes of Health National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases under award number R01AI133080. About the Boston University School of Public Health Founded in 1976, the Boston University School of Public Health is one of the top five ranked private schools of public health in the world. It offers master's- and doctoral-level education in public health. The faculty in six departments conduct policy-changing public health research around the world, with the mission of improving the health of populations--especially the disadvantaged, underserved, and vulnerable--locally and globally. About the University of Georgia Odum School of Ecology Through research, teaching and public service, the Odum School of Ecology at the University of Georgia is shaping the future of ecological inquiry and application to better understand our rapidly changing planet. It offers graduate and undergraduate degrees in ecology and conservation. Areas of particular focus include conservation ecology, ecosystem ecology and disease ecology. The world's first school committed solely to the study of ecology, its roots date back to the 1950s when namesake and founder Eugene P. Odum began his groundbreaking ecosystem ecology research at UGA. The giant rhino, Paraceratherium, is considered the largest land mammal that ever lived and was mainly found in Asia, especially China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and Pakistan. How this genus dispersed across Asia was long a mystery, however. A new discovery has now shed light on this process. Prof. DENG Tao from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (IVPP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and his collaborators from China and the U.S.A. recently reported a new species Paraceratherium linxiaense sp. nov., which offers important clues to the dispersal of giant rhinos across Asia. The study was published in Communications Biology on June 17. The new species' fossils comprise a completely preserved skull and mandible with their associated atlas, as well as an axis and two thoracic vertebrae from another individual. The fossils were recovered from the Late Oligocene deposits of the Linxia Basin in Gansu Province, China, which is located on the northeastern border of the Tibetan Plateau. Phylogenetic analysis yielded a single most parsimonious tree, which places P. linxiaense as a derived giant rhino, within the monophyletic clade of the Oligocene Asian Paraceratherium. Within the Paraceratherium clade, the researchers' phylogenetic analysis produced a series of progressively more-derived species--from P. grangeri, through P. huangheense, P. asiaticum, and P. bugtiense--finally terminating in P. lepidum and P. linxiaense. P. linxiaense is at a high level of specialization, similar to P. lepidum, and both are derived from P. bugtiense. Adaptation of the atlas and axis to the large body and long neck of the giant rhino already characterized P. grangeri and P. bugtiense, and was further developed in P. linxiaense, whose atlas is elongated, indicative of a long neck and higher axis with a nearly horizontal position for its posterior articular face. These features are correlated with a more flexible neck. The giant rhino of western Pakistan is from the Oligocene strata, representing a single species, Paraceratherium bugtiense. On the other hand, the rest of the genus Paraceratherium, which is distributed across the Mongolian Plateau, northwestern China, and the area north of the Tibetan Plateau to Kazakhstan, is highly diversified. The researchers found that all six species of Paraceratherium are sisters to Aralotherium and form a monophyletic clade in which P. grangeri is the most primitive, succeeded by P. huangheense and P. asiaticum. The researchers were thus able to determine that, in the Early Oligocene, P. asiaticum dispersed westward to Kazakhstan and its descendant lineage expanded to South Asia as P. bugtiense. In the Late Oligocene, Paraceratherium returned northward, crossing the Tibetan area to produce P. lepidium to the west in Kazakhstan and P. linxiaense to the east in the Linxia Basin. The researchers noted the aridity of the Early Oligocene in Central Asia at a time when South Asia was relatively moist, with a mosaic of forested and open landscapes. "Late Oligocene tropical conditions allowed the giant rhino to return northward to Central Asia, implying that the Tibetan region was still not uplifted as a high-elevation plateau," said Prof. DENG. During the Oligocene, the giant rhino could obviously disperse freely from the Mongolian Plateau to South Asia along the eastern coast of the Tethys Ocean and perhaps through Tibet. The topographical possibility that the giant rhino crossed the Tibetan area to reach the Indian-Pakistani subcontinent in the Oligocene can also be supported by other evidence. Up to the Late Oligocene, the evolution and migration from P. bugtiense to P. linxiaense and P. lepidum show that the "Tibetan Plateau" was not yet a barrier to the movement of the largest land mammal. ### This research was supported by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and the Second Comprehensive Scientific Expedition on the Tibetan Plateau. An international survey by the University of Munster's Cluster of Excellence "Religion and Politics" provides the first empirical evidence of an identity-related political cleavage of European societies that has resulted in the emergence of two entrenched camps of substantial size. "We see two distinct groups with opposing positions, which we call 'Defenders' and 'Explorers'", says psychologist Mitja Back, spokesperson of the interdisciplinary research team that conducted the most comprehensive survey of identity conflicts in Europe to date. "Who belongs to our country, who threatens whom, who is disadvantaged? Across all such questions of identity, the initial analyses of the survey reveal a new line of conflict between the two groups, which have almost diametrically opposite opinions. In debates over identity, these opinions have hardened into seemingly irreconcilable conflicts. The study could open up new avenues to tackle these conflicts". The two camps together account for a significant proportion of citizens in all countries: more than one-third in Germany (Fig. 3.1) and almost three-quarters in Poland (Fig. 3.4). In liberal democratic states like Germany, the proportion of 'Defenders' is 20% and that of 'Explorers', 14%. In France and Sweden, 14% and 29% 'Defenders', and 11% and 15% 'Explorers', respectively, were observed. In a semi-authoritarian country like Poland, where according to the researchers the government provides populist support to the 'Defenders' opinions, the proportion of both groups combined is 72%. "This shows how much the conflict can escalate in a country: the polarized positions can grow to form the majority", says Mitja Back. "The degree to which a population becomes polarized and how far feelings of threat and narrow ideas of identity also entail feelings of disadvantage and mistrust therefore vary depending on the political system. This suggests that identity conflicts are open to political influence". Who are 'Explorers' and 'Defenders'? 5,011 respondents in Germany, France, Poland and Sweden took part in the survey, which the Cluster of Excellence conducted with "Kantar Deutschland" at the end of 2020. Its authors are the sociologists Detlef Pollack and Olaf Muller, the psychologists Mitja Back and Gerald Echterhoff, and the political scientist Bernd Schlipphak. Their Working Report, "Of Defenders and Explorers: An identity conflict over belonging and threat" (http://go. wwu. de/ izpgb ), provides initial results. Drawing on the detailed results on more than 20 questions examined, they used cluster analyses to form groups comprising people with very similar attitudes and displaying strong differences one from the other. This yielded the patterns of 'Explorers' and 'Defenders' across all questions. In all countries, the 'Defender' group largely endorse a narrow definition of who belongs to their country, with only those belonging who were born in the country, have ancestors of the ethno-national majority, and/or belong to the dominant religion. They therefore defend traditional criteria such as ethnic and religious homogeneity. At the same time, 'Defenders' feel rather threatened by foreigners such as Muslims and refugees, and consider themselves rather disadvantaged. They are also more dissatisfied with democracy and more distrustful of political institutions. The 'Explorer' group, on the other hand, reject a narrow definition of belonging based on ethno-religious criteria. Its members do not feel threatened by foreigners, but instead see immigration and growing diversity as an opportunity, and they also advocate a society with many notions of life oriented towards equality. They see themselves as being well represented by the political system, are more satisfied with democracy, and are more likely to trust political institutions. In semi-authoritarian Poland, however, where the government provides populist support to 'Defenders' positions on ethno-religious homogeneity and protection against foreigners, the 'Explorers' also feel disadvantaged and are dissatisfied with democracy and government. The two groups also differ strongly in cultural, religious, psychological and social terms (Figs. 3.6 and 3.7), with 'Defenders' in all countries being far more attached to home and religious than 'Explorers'. The former also have a stronger preference for social hierarchies and trust other people less, while the reverse is true of the latter. 'Explorers' also tend to be quite young, highly educated, more likely to live in a city, and less likely to be affected by socio-economic hardship. Except in Poland, 'Defenders' are more likely than 'Explorers' to be found among the elderly and the low educated. They tend to live in rural areas and, again with the exception of Poland, consider themselves to have a lower social status. Political effects and recommendations The cultural conflict also has strong political effects: 'Defenders' favour populist parties and believe much more in the concept of a "strong leader"; they are also prone to conspiracy theories and advocate elements of direct democracy. 'Explorers' hold diametrically opposed views. For example, 26% of 'Defenders' in Germany and 57% in Poland are likely to vote for a populist party (Fig. 6.6), while 'Explorers' tend not to. According to the researchers, this can represent fundamentally different concepts of politics: 'Defenders' favour concepts more in line with anti-pluralist ideas that claim that political regulations should express a single popular will; 'Explorers', in contrast, share attitudes more compatible with pluralist ideas that claim that politics is a process of negotiation and compromise between different interests. Mitja Back: "A person's positioning in the conflict as 'Explorer' or 'Defender' can have a strong impact on the form of democracy desired. Cultural conflicts over identity have therefore become very entrenched politically, and now structure the population's social and political views to a significant extent". By linking their results to other insights from current research, the authors see the polarized positions as being rooted in fundamental and rather stable psychological needs of varying strength, such as security and stability ('Defenders'), or openness and change ('Explorers'). According to the report, this implies that societies are always composed of a mixture of 'Explorers' and 'Defenders'. In contrast to more material conflicts, the identity conflict is therefore more difficult to negotiate, and especially so when ideas of identity are framed in religious or fundamentalist terms. Identity conflict is also exacerbated by the effects of globalization, such as migration, increasingly supranational instead of national policies, and crises such as the financial crisis and the Covid 19 pandemic. "This makes questions of identity - who belongs to the country, or who triggers feelings of threat - all the more urgent". The researchers therefore urge politicians to refrain from taking one of the two sides. Neither in liberal democracies nor in authoritarian countries has this led to movement in entrenched conflicts, as at least one group always feels excluded. Rather, it is important to take the underlying psychological needs on both sides seriously, and to understand them as social resources, while tracing the sometimes widely divergent demands of both groups back to their functional core. "In this way, it is possible to filter out which positions are not acceptable to each group, and which are open to negotiation. Only by doing so can we find a basis for compromise that currently seems impossible, as well as space for dialogue without one side devaluing the other". (vvm/sca) ### Detailed results behind the core findings: a selection The researchers back up their core findings on the groups of 'Defenders' and 'Explorers' with detailed results for individual countries and for the factors that determine the identity conflict. Results underline that 'Defenders' and 'Explorers' occupy polarized positions. In Germany, for example, 61% of 'Defenders' advocate a narrow definition of ethno-religious belonging; 49% feel threatened by Muslims, and 55%, by refugees; 45% feel culturally disadvantaged; and only 21% are satisfied with democracy, with only 11% trusting the government and parliament. In contrast, in the group of 'Explorers', less than 15% have a narrow, ethno-religious definition of belonging, none feel threatened or marginalized, and a large majority (93%) are satisfied with democracy and trust political institutions (the federal government, 100%; the EU, 99%). Similar results were obtained for France and Sweden. Poland is an exception. In this semi-authoritarian country, where the government supports 'Defenders' positions such as the desire for ethno-religious homogeneity and protection against foreigners, 29% of 'Defenders' and 49% of 'Explorers' feel politically marginalized. The latter are also dissatisfied with democracy in the country and distrust the government, whereas they have a high level of trust in the EU (74%). 'Defenders' in Poland are satisfied with democracy in the country (57%), and have a high level of trust in the government and parliament (72%), but far less trust in the EU (32%). Society is much more divided than it is in other countries, with 'Explorers' and 'Defenders' making up 72% of the population in Poland. "The example of Poland shows that the political system and political communication influence how divided a society is, and how much each group feels marginalized and accepts democratic institutions". In Germany, the two groups differ in socio-cultural, religious and psychological terms as follows: in the 'Defender' group, 33% have a high level of religiosity, 52% feel more attached to home than to the world, 34% believe in social hierarchies, and 31% are sceptical of other people. In contrast, 24% of 'Explorers' are strongly religious, 31% have a strong attachment to home, 4% believe in social hierarchies, and 3% have little trust in people. The other countries show similar tendencies here. (vvm/sca) Survey methods The Working Report "Of Defenders and Explorers: An identity conflict over belonging and threat" presents results of a survey conducted at the University of Munster's Cluster of Excellence "Religion and Politics" as part of the project "Threat perceptions, feelings of belonging, acceptance of democratic rule: A new religiously shaded line of conflict in Europe?" Its authors are the sociologists Detlef Pollack and Olaf Muller, the psychologists Mitja Back and Gerald Echterhoff, and the political scientist Bernd Schlipphak. Survey fielded via random sampling in four European countries (Germany, France, Poland and Sweden) in line with the highest methodological standards Survey period: 9 November to 18 December 2020 5,011 participants (in Germany, 1,402; 506 of whom from the five federal states in the east and Berlin; in France, 1,208; in Poland, 1,200; in Sweden, 1,201) CATI procedure (CATI: Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing) Consideration of landline and mobile phone numbers (dual-frame sampling design) Conducted by the market research company "Kantar Deutschland" (Berlin) Participants answered questions on ten themes (see overview below), initially on the following four factors that are central to identity conflict: definitions of national belonging, feelings of threat, feelings of disadvantage, and perception of political representation and governance. Added to these were cultural, religious and psychological factors, as well as social characteristics such as age, gender, education and region, which at the end were weighted to avoid bias. Most factors are composed of several individual questions (items). The researchers applied the statistical instrument of cluster analysis to the detailed results on all factors examined. Cluster analyses enable researchers to find out whether the landscape of opinions shown by the survey can yield distinct social groups in the identity conflict. The existence of such distinct social groups has been discussed, but not yet empirically verified. The study demonstrated two consistent groups across all factors and countries, whose members show very similar attitudes, and who as groups show strong differences from each other. This resulted in the pattern of 'Explorers' and 'Defenders'. (sca/vvm) Structure of the survey A) Factors determining identity conflict 1) Definitions of national belonging (such as questions about an ethno-religious definition of belonging) Example question: "Some people think that the following things are important to be a real German. Others think that they are not important. How do you rate these things? In your opinion, to be a real German, is it very important, quite important, not very important, or not important at all that a person ... has been born in Germany? has lived in Germany for most of her life? is a Christian? has German ancestors?" 2) Threat perceptions (e.g. questions about feelings of threat from Muslims and refugees, since these minority groups most often appear in discourses of belonging) Example questions (agree/disagree): "Muslims threaten our way of life and our values in Germany", "The values and beliefs of Muslims are not compatible with the general values and beliefs in Germany", "Muslims threaten the economic situation in Germany", "Muslims living here threaten public safety in Germany", "Because of Muslims, there are more acts of violence in Germany" 3) Feelings of disadvantage (such as questions about economic, political and cultural recognition or marginalization) Example questions (agree/disagree): "The work of people like me is not recognized enough in society", "No matter how hard we work, people like me are not appreciated", "The problems of people like me are unimportant to most politicians", "Most politicians do not care what people like me think", "The values of people like me have are becoming less and less important in society", "The customs, traditions, and manners of people like me are less and less appreciated" 4) Political representation and governance (such as questions about satisfaction with democracy, and trust in the national government and the European Union) Example questions (agree/disagree): "All in all, I am satisfied with how democracy works in Germany", "For the following public institutions or groups of people, please indicate how much you personally trust each of them - Bundestag, federal government", "For the following public institutions or groups of people, please indicate how much you personally trust each of them - the EU" B) Social, cultural, religious, psychological and political factors 5) Socio-demographic characteristics (age, level of education, residential area) 6) Assessments of the socio-economic situation (e.g. questions about where respondents would position themselves on an imaginary social ladder, or their assessment of the economic situation of their own country) 7) Socio-cultural factors and attitudes (e.g. questions about contacts with Muslims, degree of attachment to home, and national pride) 8) Personality traits and social attitudes (e.g. questions about trust in people in general, belief in social hierarchies, and right-wing authoritarianism) 9) Religion and religiosity (e.g. questions about religious affiliation, church-based religious practice, and fundamentalist positions) 10) (Desired) models of political governance (e.g. questions about approval of liberal democracy and of populism, and about the conspiracy mindset) Example questions (agree/disagree): "Democracy is a good form of government", "There should be a strong leader who does not have to worry about parliament and elections", "The country is ruled by a few large interest groups looking out for themselves", "The will of the people should be decisive in this country's politics", "There are many important things happening in the world that are controlled by influential groups without the public's knowledge" (sca/vvm) Established in 2000, the EULAR Meritorious Service Award recognises rheumatologists who have brought honour and distinction to the field through personal, professional or community service activities that are conducted within the scope of scientific research, clinical science through their activities in EULAR, national or international organisations. The EULAR Board selects the recipients and are listed at: eular.org/awards_meritorious_service.cfm The EULAR Meritorious Award recipients are honoured at the Opening session at the annual European Congress of Rheumatology. The EULAR 2021 Virtual Congress Opening session, June 2, will be broadcasted virtually at: congress.eular.org/eular_tv.cfm. About the 2021 EULAR Meritorious Service Award recipients Maxime Dougados, MD, is a rheumatologist. He has been the head of the department of Rheumatology at Cochin Hospital in Paris from 1995 to 2018, he is professor of rheumatology at the University of Paris. He is a clinical researcher working as a member of the INSERM unit 1153 focused on biostatistics and clinical epidemiology. He has been involved in the field of osteoarthritis and thereafter in the field of rheumatoid arthritis and currently mainly in the field of spondyloarthritis He has published more than 1000 articles and he is a member of the editorial board of several journals such as Annals of Rheumatic Diseases. Within EULAR, he started to work within the standing committee of clinical affairs in which he has proposed the procedures to elaborate the different EULAR recommendations. He has also acted as the EULAR/ACR liaison person facilitating the conduct of different initiatives such as the ACR/EULAR criteria for rheumatoid arthritis. During his EULAR presidency, he has promoted the creation and the development of FOREUM ( the European Foundation for Research in Rheumatology. Prof. Josef Smolen, Editor-in-Chief of the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, is professor of Internal Medicine and chairman of the Division of Rheumatology and Department of Medicine 3 at the Medical University of Vienna. He is also head of the 2nd Department of Medicine - Centre of Rheumatic Diseases at Hietzing Hospital, Vienna. Served as president of the EULAR from 2003-2005, as president of the Austrian Society of Rheumatology from 2005-2007 and as president of the Austrian Society of Immunology 2007-2009. Since 2003 he is a member of the Austrian Academy of Sciences and since 2007 of the German Academy of Sciences. He became fellow of the Royal Society of Physicians in 2008 and Honorary Doctor of the University of Lund in 2010. His main research activities include clinical trials and outcomes research, in addition to laboratory?based research in the fields of experimental arthritis, autoimmunity, in vivo imaging, proinflammatory cytokines, and cellular immunology. He is editorial board member of several professional journals and editor of textbooks and handbooks in the field of rheumatology. ### Testicular cancer is the most common cancer among men under 40 in Europe and the USA. National statistics from the Cancer League indicate 471 new cases and 12 deaths in Switzerland. In general, the prospects for successful treatment of testicular cancer are good over time and, especially with early diagnosis, even further improved. Even if metastases are already present, testicular cancer can be successfully treated with appropriate therapy in the majority of cases. New classification enables even more targeted treatment The primary treatment for testicular cancer is the removal of the affected testicle. However, the disease is often only discovered at a stage where metastases are already present and then, after the primary surgical procedure, follow-up drug or radiological treatment is necessary. The new data have been used to make a more detailed classification of metastatic disease stages, making it possible to plan and carry out therapy in an even more targeted manner. Prof. Dr. med. Jorg Beyer, co-initiator of the study project and first author of one of the two publications of the IGCCCG Update Consortium estimates: "In many cases, we may be able to administer medication a little more selectively. At the same time, we have an increased certainty that we will not miss any case with an aggressive progression. And with the new classification, the benefits for the patient are twofold: a reduced treatment burden with respect to chemotherapy and increased certainty in terms of outcome." International research consortium conducts extensive study Previous treatment guidelines were based on data from 1975 to 1990 involving a total of 5862 patients. The new study compared these results with more recent data from 1990 to 2013 and a larger number of patients. The International Germ-Cell Cancer Collaborative Group Update research consortium (IGCCCG Update Consortium) examined data from 30 medical centers in 17 countries (Australia, Europe, Russia and America). The study included documentation of 12 149 patients with metastatic testicular cancer. Particular attention was paid to potential criteria that could help refine classification. And another piece of good news: better prognosis for testicular cancer patients Compared with the original data, the new study results revealed that the prognosis has improved significantly in all cases. In the "good prognosis" classification, 5-year survival increased from 86% to a new 95%. And in the "intermediate prognosis" group, this value increased from 72% to 88%. The improvement was most impressive in the group with widely metastasized disease and the poorest prognosis: 5-year survival increased from 48% to 67%. Prof. Dr. med. Daniel Aebersold, Chairman of the Board of UCI University Cancer Center Inselspital, adds: "The study impressively demonstrates the progress made in cancer therapy. In just well over twenty years, it has been possible to significantly improve the prospects of a long-term tumor-free life after a testicular cancer diagnosis." Prospects The next step will be to incorporate the consortium's findings into treatment guidelines and reduce the burden of cancer therapy. In addition, new approaches to the treatment of metastatic testicular cancer need to be considered, such as those currently being investigated in a SAKK study which aim to combine radio- and chemotherapy. It can be assumed that optimized therapies for testicular cancer will lead to a further improved prognosis with reduced treatment intensity in the coming years. ### The German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and the German Council for Sustainable Development (RNE) have published a joint position paper presenting paths to climate neutrality by 2050. In it, the Leopoldina and the RNE highlight options for action to effect the changes needed within society, at political level and in the business world, in view especially of the urgency and the historic dimensions of the transformation we face. With the paper, the Leopoldina and the RNE are consciously not seeking to engage in a race to set the most ambitious target. They are instead offering an options paper for setting the right course and covering the key implementation steps. The position paper was presented at the RNE's 20th annual conference and was handed over to the Federal Chancellor, Dr Angela Merkel. "The opportunities presented by the European Green Deal, the new US administration and additional climate commitments made by, for example, China and the G7 must now be exploited to expand and reinforce international climate protection alliances," says Prof. (ETHZ) Dr Gerald Haug, President of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. "In addition to a global carbon price, what's needed are foresighted, cross-sector investments in infrastructure expansion and in new climate-friendly technologies," Haug continues. Dr Werner Schnappauf, Chairman of the RNE, points to the importance of the project often being underestimated: "Action on an entirely different scale is needed to bring about a real transformation. A fundamental change in direction is necessary in order to achieve climate neutrality. The decarbonisation of industry alone will require up to four times the current volume of energy from renewable sources." This illustrates how quickly renewable energies and the related networks need to be expanded in the years to come, he says. "As much green electricity as possible being made available as quickly and as affordably as possible will be crucial here," Schnappauf emphasises. The citizens need to be involved and their engagement promoted to achieve the changes this entails, he says. "This challenge of the century calls for swift action that does justice to our responsibility towards the young and future generations," says Schnappauf. The authors focus on carbon emissions trading as the lead instrument with which to realise the transformation, embedded in an overall climate policy strategy that includes regulatory framework, funding and governance policy. A broad mobilisation of private capital will also be needed, they argue, which in turns requires long-term security of investment. Another key assertion of the position paper is that climate protection can only unfold the necessary impact if pursued at the European level as part of the European Green Deal and ultimately also globally. In addition to options in the area of market policy action, the authors address the issues of financing, foreign policy, international solidarity, social equity and education. The joint position paper can be found here: http://www. leopoldina. org/ en/ climate-neutrality ### About the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina As the German National Academy of Sciences, the Leopoldina provides independent science-based policy advice on matters relevant to society. To this end, the Academy develops interdisciplinary statements based on scientific findings. In these publications, options for action are outlined; making decisions, however, is the responsibility of democratically legitimized politicians. The experts who prepare the statements work in a voluntary and unbiased manner. The Leopoldina represents the German scientific community in the international academy dialogue. This includes advising the annual summits of Heads of State and Government of the G7 and G20 countries. With 1,600 members from more than 30 countries, the Leopoldina combines expertise from almost all research areas. Founded in 1652, it was appointed the National Academy of Sciences of Germany in 2008. The Leopoldina is committed to the common good. Follow the Leopoldina on Twitter: http://www. twitter. com/ leopoldina About the German Council for Sustainable Development (RNE) The German Council for Sustainable Development (RNE) advises the Federal Government on issues of sustainability policy. It acts in this capacity as an independent entity, and since 2001 its members have been appointed every three years by the Federal Government. The Council consists of 15 public figures, comprising individuals from civil society, the business sector, the scientific community and the political arena. It has been chaired since 2020 by Dr Werner Schnappauf and his deputy, Prof. Dr Imme Scholz. The Council also carries out its own projects aimed at advancing the topic of sustainability in practical terms. In addition, it helps shape topically focused momentum within policy and societal dialogue. The Council is supported in its activities by an administrative office based in Berlin. Follow the RNE on Twitter: http://www. twitter. com/ RNE_DE Contacts: Dr Kathrin Happe, Deputy Head of the Department Science - Policy - Society German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina Email: kathrin.happe@leopoldina.org Riccarda Retsch, Project Manager German Council for Sustainable Development (RNE) Email: riccarda.retsch@nachhaltigkeitsrat.de Media contacts: Caroline Wichmann, Head of the Department Press and Public Relations German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina Tel.: +49 (0)345 472 39-800 Email: presse@leopoldina.org Marijke Eschenbach, Media Relations German Council for Sustainable Development (RNE) Tel.: +49 (0)30 3384 24-233 Email: marijke.eschenbach@nachhaltigkeitsrat.de The role of people infected with malaria without showing symptoms presents a hidden risk to efforts to control the disease after they were found to be responsible for most infections in mosquitoes, according to a study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases. Researchers from the Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration (IDRC), London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Radboud university medical center and University of California, San Francisco, found asymptomatic children in the Uganda study were the biggest source of malaria parasites transmitted to mosquitoes. This could provide a new opportunity for control efforts by targeting this infectious reservoir. Malaria presents a major health threat globally, with 94% of cases on the African continent alone, according to the WHO World Malaria Report 2020. The disease is passed to a human through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito causing infection with the parasite. The predominant and most deadly parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, accounts for over 75% of mortality worldwide and is highly prevalent in Uganda. Malarial parasites depend on a life cycle in which they constantly move back and forth between humans and mosquitoes. Successfully interrupting transmission of the disease can involve clearing parasites from human 'hosts' using anti-malaria drugs. Nagongera sub-county (Tororo district) in eastern Uganda has historically very high malaria transmission but following intensive malaria control efforts, such as insecticide-treated bednets, indoor residual spraying (IRS) with insecticides and access to malaria drugs, infections - or at least symptomatic cases - have gone down remarkably. The research team aimed to investigate patterns of malaria infection and understand more about transmission in the area. The study involved two years of regularly testing more than 500 people for evidence of malaria parasites. The genetic make-up of parasites was determined, as well as their ability to infect mosquitoes. The researchers found that individuals who were asymptomatic were unknowingly responsible for most mosquito infections in the study. People with symptomatic infections were responsible for less than 1% of mosquito infections and appeared to play a negligible role in sustaining transmission. School-aged children aged 5-15 years were responsible for over half (59%) of the infectious reservoir, followed by the under-5s (26%) and people aged 16 years and older (16%). Surprisingly, the researchers found just four children were linked to 60% of the infected mosquitoes studied. Co-author Dr John Rek from IDRC said: "These findings are a real eye opener in the fight against malaria. We found that infections in school-aged children drive malaria transmission. Some children harboured billions of malaria parasites in their bloodstream without experiencing symptoms." LSHTM co-author Professor Sarah Staedke said: "School-aged children are an important reservoir of malaria parasites that could be easily targeted for control interventions, such as chemoprevention through intermittent preventive treatment. "This would benefit individual children, may reduce malaria transmission, and could help sustain malaria gains if intense vector control measures are interrupted." Understanding transmission among asymptomatic cases is particularly important in areas where malaria control has been successful, but there is a risk that malaria might resurge when control measures are relaxed or withdrawn. Asymptomatic children that keep malaria circulating at relatively low levels could be sufficient to cause infections to quickly rebound if control efforts are not maintained. In other parts of Uganda, when intense malaria control with indoor residual spraying was halted, infections rebounded within weeks. Principal author Professor Teun Bousema, from Radboud university medical center, said: "Our study demonstrates that even when malaria appears under control, there is a reservoir of infected individuals who can sustain the spread of this deadly disease. Unless their infections are targeted, malaria can quickly return." Overall, these findings provide evidence that asymptomatic infections are an important source of onward transmission to mosquitoes. Many malaria infections that contribute to transmission are initially below the level detectable by conventional diagnostic tests, including microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests. Professor Moses Kamya, IDRC co-author of the study, said: "Only through focused interventions, ideally supplemented by highly sensitive testing, can we target the reservoirs of infection in school-age children." The study authors acknowledge limitations of the study including the length of time between participant sample selection and mosquito feeds, meaning they did not routinely measure infectiousness in the first few weeks of asymptomatic infections. They also noted that trial participants had exceptionally good access to care whereas in other settings people with symptomatic malaria infections might develop more transmissible infections if treatment is not administered quickly. ### The study was funded by the US National Institutes of Health, with additional support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the European Research Council. Notes to Editors For more information or interview requests, please contact press@lshtm.ac.uk. A copy of the embargoed paper is available upon request. Once published the paper will be available here: http://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(21)00072-4/fulltext Publication: C. Andolina et al. Sources of persistent malaria transmission in a setting with effective malaria control in eastern Uganda: a longitudinal, observational cohort study. The Lancet Infectious Diseases. DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(21)00072-4 London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) is a world-leading centre for research, postgraduate studies and continuing education in public and global health. LSHTM has a strong international presence with over 3,000 staff and 4,000 students working in the UK and countries around the world, and an annual research income of 180 million. LSHTM is one of the highest-rated research institutions in the UK, is partnered with two MRC University Units in The Gambia and Uganda, and was named University of the Year in the Times Higher Education Awards 2016. Our mission is to improve health and health equity in the UK and worldwide; working in partnership to achieve excellence in public and global health research, education and translation of knowledge into policy and practice. Lesley Chow, an assistant professor of bioengineering and materials science and engineering in Lehigh University's P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science, is a 2021 recipient of the Early-Career Undergraduate Research Mentoring Award (ECURMA) presented by the Engineering Division of the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR). The peer-nominated award recognizes Chow's contributions as a mentor to undergraduate students "from a diverse range of backgrounds and identities" and her support of their efforts to share their work with the scholarly community. The recognition also confirms Chow's track record of involving undergraduates in her research lab, as well as her commitment to expanding research and other experiential learning opportunities for students. Over the past six years, she has supervised more than 30 undergraduate students in research activities, with many going on to receive prestigious awards and fellowships, such as the National Science Foundation's Graduate Research Fellowship Program. Students from her group have presented their research at the David and Lorraine Freed Undergraduate Research Symposium, hosted annually by the Rossin College, as well as at the Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Meeting and regional conferences, such as the Northeast Bioengineering Conference. "This award is well-earned by Dr. Chow, as her students, both current and prior will attest," says Sabrina Jedlicka, an associate professor of bioengineering and materials science and engineering and the Rossin College's associate dean for academic affairs. "She embodies the spirit of inclusive mentorship and has inspired many scientists and engineers--new and established--to strive for a more holistic approach to their mentorship philosophy." The Chow Lab is currently focused on approaches to improve regeneration of musculoskeletal tissue interfaces, such as the osteochondral interface between bone and cartilage. Recreating these complex interfaces poses a significant engineering challenge as native tissues possess gradients in biochemical, structural, and mechanical properties that are critical for normal biomechanical function. Her team is developing biomaterials-based strategies to guide spatial cell behavior and tissue formation to engineer tissues that mimic these structure-function-property relationships. "We have such an incredibly talented pool of undergraduate students at Lehigh, and I'm so fortunate to be able to have the best of the best doing research in my lab," Chow says. " I am particularly proud of the inclusive environment we have created that enables trainees to be their whole selves. I am so proud of their successes and can't wait to see what they do next." Since 1978, CUR has brought together leaders in higher education focused on "providing high-quality and collaborative undergraduate research, scholarly, and creative activity opportunities for faculty and students." The organization supports the idea that involvement in research activities helps undergraduates succeed in their studies and professional aspirations. Chow joined Lehigh University in 2015 following her postdoctoral training at Imperial College London and her PhD at Northwestern University (2009). Her research interests focus on the design of novel biomaterials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. Building on her previous experience with supramolecular design and biomaterial fabrication, the Chow Lab combines different materials and advanced fabrication techniques to generate scaffolds with architectures and spatially organized functionality that resemble native biological tissues. She is particularly interested in utilizing 3D printing and self-assembly approaches to organize synthetic polymers, natural biopolymers, and peptides into hierarchical structures and compositions. These scaffolds serve as platforms to deepen understanding about how native tissue organization affects cell and tissue function across length scales and improve clinical translation of biomaterials. ### Related Links: We are pleased to announce that Anna M. Sawka, MD, PhD, has been appointed the next Editor-in-Chief of Thyroid, the Official Journal of the American Thyroid Association (ATA), published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. Dr. Sawka is a Clinician Scientist and a practicing Endocrinologist at the University Health Network, which is affiliated with the University of Toronto, in Canada. "I am very honored to accept the role of the next Editor-in-Chief (EiC) of the official journal of the American Thyroid Association - Thyroid, beginning January 2022," said Dr. Sawka. "Thyroid has grown into a premiere, internationally-recognized source of peer-reviewed scientific research and clinical practice guidelines in the field of Thyroidology. The success of Thyroid is a testament of the skilled leadership of esteemed prior Editors-in-Chief, as well as the immense contributions of Associate Editors, the Editorial Board, Peer Reviewers, dedicated ATA staff, and publishing authors. I look forward to working with Dr. Kebebew and the entire team at Thyroid in the EiC transitional period, in continuing to advance scientific publication in our field. I will be guided by the ATA mission of promoting excellence in thyroid patient care through the dissemination of scientific discoveries and knowledge translation of clinical practice guidelines in the collaborative and diverse community of Thyroid, " Dr. Sawka will work closely with Dr. Kebebew through 2021, with a full transition to Editor-in-Chief in January 2022. "The ATA is thrilled that Anna Sawka, MD, PhD will be the next Editor-in-Chief of Thyroid. She will succeed Dr. Electron Kebebew, who deserves acknowledgement for his capable leadership of the journal as well as our appreciation for his dedication in furthering the prominence of our flagship journal," says American Thyroid Association President Victor J. Bernet, MD, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida. "Dr. Sawka is a globally recognized and respected leader in the field of thyroid disorders as well as methodology for literature review and guideline development. She has published extensively on topics related to hypothyroidism and thyroid cancer. Anna has been very active in the American Thyroid Association to include being a co-Chair of the Guidelines and Statement Committee and a contributor to several ATA clinical guidelines and statements. We are very excited for Dr. Sawka to assume the reins as the next Editor-in-Chief of Thyroid and have full confidence that she will successfully take the journal to even greater heights." Dr. Sawka was recently promoted to Professor in the Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto. She holds a PhD in Health Research Methodology/Biostatistics and Epidemiology from McMaster University. Her research focus is primarily in thyroid cancer. She has received scientific career awards from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Cancer Care Ontario, the Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism, and the University of Toronto. "We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Anna Sawka as the sixth Editor-in-Chief of Thyroid, and look forward to working with her," says Mary Ann Liebert, President of the company that bears her name. ### About the Journal Thyroid, the official journal of the American Thyroid Association (ATA), (https:/ / www. thyroid. org/ ) is an authoritative peer-reviewed journal published monthly online with open access options and in print. The Journal publishes original articles and timely reviews that reflect the rapidly advancing changes in our understanding of thyroid physiology and pathology, from the molecular biology of the cell to clinical management of thyroid disorders. Complete tables of content and a sample issue may be viewed on the Thyroid website. The complete Thyroid Journal Program includes the highly valued abstract and commentary publication Clinical Thyroidology, led by Editor-in-Chief Angela Leung, MD and published monthly, and the groundbreaking videojournal companion VideoEndocrinology, led by Editor William Barry Inabnet, III, MD and published quarterly. Complete tables of content and sample issues may be viewed on the Thyroid website. About the American Thyroid Association The American Thyroid Association (ATA) is dedicated to transforming thyroid care through clinical excellence, education, scientific discovery and advocacy in a collaborative and diverse community. ATA is an international professional medical society with over 1,800 members from 43 countries around the world. The ATA promotes thyroid awareness and information through ClinicalThyroidology for the Public, a resource that summarizes research for patients and families, and extensive, authoritative resources on thyroid disease and thyroid cancer in both English and Spanish. The ATA websitehttp://www. thyroid. org serves as abonafideclinical resource for patients and the public who look for reliable thyroid-related information. About Mary Ann Liebert Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers is known for establishing authoritative peer-reviewed journals in many promising areas of science and biomedical research. A complete list of the firm's more than 90 journals, books, and newsmagazines is available on its website. African American mothers continue to have the lowest breastfeeding rates, even as the breastfeeding rates have risen in the U.S. over the past 25 years. Racism is an important barrier to breastfeeding, as examined in Part 2 of a special issue on "Breastfeeding and the Black/African American Experience: Cultural, Sociological, and Health Dimensions Through an Equity Lens," published in the peer-reviewed journal Breastfeeding Medicine. Click here to read the issue now. The special issue is led by Guest Editor Sahira Long, MD, a pediatrician and lactation consultant. Exploring how racism creates barriers to breastfeeding for Black mothers and how Black women resist racism during their quest to breastfeed are Catasha Davis, PhD and Aubrey Van Kirk Villalobos, DrPH, Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University, and coauthors. In their article, the authors identify three forms of institutionalized racism as significant barriers to breastfeeding: the historic exploitation of Black women's labor; institutions pushing formula on Black mothers; and lack of economic and employer-based support. "Institutional support for breastfeeding from employers and hospitals is an essential ingredient for countering institutionalized racism," state the authors. In the article "Reimagining Racial Trauma as a Barrier to Breastfeeding versus Childhood Trauma and Depression among African American Mothers," Maria Muzik, MD, Michigan Medicine and colleagues examined the relationship between several maternal risk factors and breastfeeding status at 6-months postpartum. "We found that African American mothers had reduced rates of breastfeeding at 6 months, above and beyond all the other risk factors in the model," said the researchers. Arthur I. Eidelman, MD, Editor-in-Chief of Breastfeeding Medicine, states: "This two-part Special Issue addresses the multiple facets of this ongoing public health crisis, and will assist in mobilizing our nation's resources in remedying the consequences of institutionalized racism." ### About the Journal Breastfeeding Medicine, the official journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, is an authoritative, peer-reviewed, multidisciplinary journal published 10 times per year in print and online. The Journal publishes original scientific papers, reviews, and case studies on a broad spectrum of topics in lactation medicine. It presents evidence-based research advances and explores the immediate and long-term outcomes of breastfeeding, including the epidemiologic, physiologic, and psychological benefits of breastfeeding. Tables of content and a sample issue may be viewed on the Breastfeeding Medicine website. About the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) is a worldwide organization of medical doctors dedicated to the promotion, protection, and support of breastfeeding. Our mission is to unite members of the various medical specialties with this common purpose. For more than 20 years, ABM has been bringing doctors together to provide evidence-based solutions to the challenges facing breastfeeding across the globe. A vast body of research has demonstrated significant nutritional, physiological, and psychological benefits for both mothers and children that last well beyond infancy. But while breastfeeding is the foundation of a lifetime of health and well-being, clinical practice lags behind scientific evidence. By building on our legacy of research into this field and sharing it with the broader medical community, we can overcome barriers, influence health policies, and change behaviors. About the Publisher Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers is known for establishing authoritative peer-reviewed journals in many promising areas of science and biomedical research. A complete list of the firm's 90 journals, books, and newsmagazines is available on the Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publisher's website. Out-of-pocket spending for maternal and newborn hospitalizations among privately insured families can exceed $10,000 if babies require neonatal intensive care ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The price tag for giving birth in America may bring some families sticker shock - even for those with private insurance. And when delivering moms require caesarians or their newborns need neonatal care, some families may spend as much as $10,000 out-of-pocket, according to a new Michigan Medicine-led study. "Childbirth is the most common reason for hospitalization in the U.S.," said lead author Kao-Ping Chua, M.D., Ph.D.,a pediatrician and researcher at University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and the Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research Center. "Our findings show that some privately insured families are shouldering an astoundingly high financial burden for childbirth-related hospitalizations." During 2016-2019, privately insured families paid an average of $3,000 out-of-pocket for maternal and newborn hospitalizations, according to the research in Pediatrics. But for one in 6 families, out-of-pocket spending exceeded $5,000. And when neonatal intensive care was required, the price climbed to over $10,000 for about 1 in 11 families. "Many privately insured families believe that if they have health insurance, they're protected from the costs of childbirth hospitalizations. Unfortunately, this is simply not true for many families, particularly if their baby needs NICU care," Chua said. "Having a healthy baby is expensive enough given the costs of diapers, childcare, and baby equipment. Adding a $10,000 hospital bill on top of this can devastate some families." Researchers analyzed national data of 12 million privately insured enrollees across all states in the country. They identified 398,410 maternal deliveries that were linked to at least one newborn hospitalization covered by the same family plan. Overall, average out-of-pocket spending for the delivery and newborn hospitalizations was $3,068. When cesarean birth occurred, the average bill was $3,389. When NICU care was needed, the average bill was $4,969. This bill exceeded $10,000 for 9% of instances when NICU care was needed. About 30% of the time, deliveries and newborn hospitalizations were covered by high-deductible health plans, such as a health reimbursement arrangement or health savings account. Out-of-pocket costs were primarily driven by deductibles and co-insurance. Chua said he was inspired to pursue the study because of his own personal experience that involved a $5,000 out-of-pocket bill after the birth of his second daughter. "This is an issue that impacts millions of Americans at some stage in their lives," he said. "Before delivery, clinicians can help privately insured families understand their childbirth benefits. If large bills are expected, clinicians should advise families to save money, assuming they have the means to do so. After delivery, clinicians should screen families for financial hardship, particularly those experiencing resource-intensive hospitalizations, such as NICU care, and connect them with local resources to address food, housing, and financial insecurity." While substantial cost-sharing may be justified for low-value care, childbirth is a necessary, high value service, says senior author Michelle Moniz, M.D., M.Sc.,an obstetrician gynecologist at University of Michigan Health Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital. Moniz says policies should aim to alleviate the financial burden of childbirth on families. Ideally, insurers would waive most or all cost-sharing for these hospitalizations, consistent with the approach taken by Medicaid programs and many peer, high-resource countries, she says. The new study adds to Moniz' previous study examining the out-of-pocket costs of pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care for mothers. . "Maternal and childbirth hospitalizations are essential to families' health and wellbeing, with some babies needing longer stays because of complex or unexpected medical conditions," Moniz said. "These services are vital to ensuring the best possible outcomes for moms and newborns. We should be looking at ways to improve childbirth coverage to avoid sending families home from the hospital with thousands of dollars in debt." ### Paper cited: "Out-of-Pocket Spending for Deliveries and Newborn Hospitalizations Among the Privately Insured," Pediatrics. DOI: 10.1542.2021-050552 'God forbid we need this, but we'll be ready' Medication would be taken early in the disease, so you don't get as sick Future drug could also treat common cold CHICAGO --- Scientists are already preparing for a possible next coronavirus pandemic to strike, keeping with the seven-year pattern since 2004. In future-looking research, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine scientists have identified a novel target for a drug to treat SARS-CoV-2 that also could impact a new emerging coronavirus. "God forbid we need this, but we will be ready," said Karla Satchell, professor of microbiology-immunology at Feinberg, who leads an international team of scientists to analyze the important structures of the virus. The Northwestern team previously mapped the structure of a virus protein called nsp16, which is present in all coronaviruses. This new study provides critical information that could aid drug development against future coronaviruses as well as SARS-CoV-2. "There is great need for new approaches to drug discovery to combat the SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic and infections from future coronaviruses," Satchell said. "The idea is this future drug would work early in the infection," Satchell said. "If somebody around you gets the coronavirus, you would run to the drugstore to get your medication and take it for three or four days. If you were sick, you wouldn't get as sick." The paper was published in Science Signaling. Satchell's team has mapped or 'solved' three new protein structures in three-dimensional views and discovered a secret identifier in the machinery that helps the virus hide from the immune system. They discovered a coronavirus-specific pocket in the protein, nsp16, that binds the virus-genomic fragment held in place by a metal ion. The fragment is used by the coronavirus as the template for all the viral building blocks. For this reason, Satchell said, there is potential to make a drug to fit this unique pocket that would block function of this protein from the coronavirus. It would not block the function of a similar protein from human cells that lacks the pocket. Thus, such a drug would only target the invader protein. Nsp16 is considered one of the key viral proteins that could be inhibited by drugs to stop the virus shortly after a person gets exposed. The goal is to stop the virus early before people get too sick. Since little research was done on nsp16, Satchell's team has worked to generate key information about this protein and is collaborating with chemists who will use the information to design drugs against the protein. While some of the coronavirus proteins vary a lot, nsp16 is nearly the same across most of them. The unique pocket discovered by Satchell's group is present in all the different coronavirus members. This means that drugs designed to fit this pocket should work against all coronaviruses, including a virus that emerges in the future. And it should work against the common cold that is caused by a coronavirus. Satchell envisions any drug developed from her team's discovery of the coronavirus pocket would be part of a treatment cocktail taken by patients early in the course of the disease. That could include drugs similar to Remdesivir, a drug that prevents the virus from producing the template for the building blocks that is necessary for it to replicate itself. The team behind the discovery The Northwestern team in the Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases (CSGID) expressed, purified and crystallized this protein. The idea of the project came from first study author George Minasov, research associate professor of microbiology-immunology at Feinberg. He worked with Feinberg research associate professor Ludmilla Shuvalova to crystallize the protein and also with post-doctoral fellow Monica Rosas-Lemus, who developed an assay to test the function of the protein based on information from the structure. The team collaborated with Purdue University investigator Andrew Mesecar, who helped with biochemistry assays. Data on the structure was collected by the Life Sciences Collaborative Access Team at the Advanced Photon Source of Argonne National Laboratories by Joseph Brunzelle. Minasov solved the structure from the collected data. This project is one of many carried out by the CSGID to use structural biology to understand the biology of the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, the center has made significant contributions to the development of vaccines, drugs and diagnostics. The international team has solved more than 70 different viral structures to reveal viral protein structure, interactions with possible drugs and interactions with antibodies. This work is made freely available to the global community to use to accelerate efforts to design new treatments against coronavirus to combat COVID-19 and future pandemics. ### The CSGID is supported by a contract from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, in part to serve as a response site to conduct structure biology research in the event of an unexpected infectious disease outbreak. NIAID has been working closely with the Center since early January to coordinate center activities with other research supported by NIAID to enable drug discovery. This study was funded by contract HHSN272201700060C from NIAID. The Yellow fever mosquito (scientific name, Aedes aegypti) spreads multiple untreatable viruses in humans and is primarily controlled using a pesticide called permethrin. However, many mosquitoes are evolving resistance to the pesticide. A new study by Karla Saavedra-Rodriguez of Colorado State University and colleagues, published in the journal PLOS Genetics, identifies mutations linked to different permethrin resistance strategies, which threaten our ability to control disease outbreaks. When treated mosquitoes encounter permethrin in the wild, they will do one of the following: immediately die, be knocked out but recover, or be unaffected. Saavedra-Rodriguez and her colleagues decided to investigate the genetic variations that lead to these three responses to the pesticide. The team collected mosquitoes from a permethrin-resistant colony in Tapachula, Mexico, exposed them to the pesticide in the lab and then sequenced the genomes from each group. When they compared the genomes from the three types of mosquitos, they found that unaffected mosquitoes primarily had mutations in VGSC, a gene for a cellular sodium channel known to be involved in pesticide resistance. To a lesser extent, these mosquitoes also carried mutations in detoxification genes and cuticle protein genes. The cuticle makes up the insects' tough outer shell and can slow the pesticide as it enters the body. Insects that recovered from exposure had mutations in cuticle protein genes and in a different group of detoxification genes. The results show that there are distinct genetic changes behind these two types of permethrin resistance. The results of the new study will help scientists to track mutations linked to resistance in populations of the Yellow fever mosquito from Southeastern Mexico. This knowledge can help scientists understand how mosquitoes have evolved resistance and when a population can no longer be controlled with permethrin. This understanding will be necessary to develop tools to support future insecticide management strategies. ### Peer-reviewed; Experimental study; Animals In your coverage please use this URL to provide access to the freely available article in PLOS Genetics: http://journals. plos. org/ plosgenetics/ article?id= 10. 1371/ journal. pgen. 1009606 Citation: Saavedra-Rodriguez K, Campbell CL, Lozano S, Penilla-Navarro P, Lopez-Solis A, Solis-Santoyo F, et al. (2021) Permethrin resistance in Aedes aegypti: Genomic variants that confer knockdown resistance, recovery, and death. PLoS Genet 17(6): e1009606. https:/ / doi. org/ 10. 1371/ journal. pgen. 1009606 Funding: KSR and WCB were supported by award number R01AI121211 by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health (https:/ / www. niaid. nih. gov/ ). 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. The findings and conclusions in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the National Institutes of Health. Author Americo Rodriguez was unable to confirm their authorship contributions. On their behalf, the corresponding author has reported their contributions to the best of their knowledge. CAMBRIDGE, MA--Geothermal energy systems have the potential to power the world and become the leading technology for reducing greenhouse gas emissions if we can drill down far enough into the Earth to access the conditions necessary for economic viability and release the heat beneath our feet. Quaise Inc. is developing a potentially disruptive and completely unique drilling technology to make that happen. That was the takeaway from a paper presented by Matt Houde of Quaise at the World Geothermal Congress (WGC) on June 15. Houde not only described the company's technology, which was pioneered at MIT, but also presented several calculations and a cost model showing its technical and economic feasibility. Houde's coauthors are Quaise CEO Carlos Araque, Ken Oglesby of Impact Technologies LLC, and Paul Woskov of the MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center (PSFC). Accessing the Mother Lode The mother lode of geothermal energy is some 2 to 12 miles beneath the Earth's surface where conditions are so extreme (for example, temperatures are over 374 degrees C, or 704 degrees F) that if water could be pumped to the area it would become supercritical, a steam-like phase that most people aren't familiar with. (Familiar phases are liquid water, ice, and the vapor that makes clouds.) Supercritical water, in turn, can carry some 5-10 times more energy than regular hot water, making it an extremely efficient energy source if it could be pumped above ground to turbines that could convert it into electricity. Today we can't access those conditions except in Iceland and other areas where they are relatively close to the surface. The number one problem: we can't drill down far enough. The drills used by the oil and gas industries can't withstand the formidable temperatures and pressures that are found miles down. Houde began his talk with a quote from the Department of Energy's 2019 Geovision report, an analysis of the geothermal industry in the United States: "Supercritical resources can be found everywhere on Earth by drilling deep enough...Drilling to this depth is financially prohibitive with existing technology...Economic production of supercritical resources will require the development of entirely new classes of drilling technologies and methods." Quaise is working to that end. The company's technique replaces the conventional drill bits that mechanically break up the rock with millimeter wave energy (cousins to the microwaves many of us cook with). Those millimeter waves (MMWs) literally melt then vaporize the rock to create ever deeper holes. The title of Houde's WGC talk: "Rewriting the Limits for Deep Geothermal Drilling: Direct Energy Drilling Using Millimeter Wave Technology." "It sounds like sci-fi technology, but it's not," says Houde. "It is definitely real, and it's feasible and practical. It's just a matter of implementing it and validating it in the lab and in the field." A Strong Foundation Houde emphasizes that the Quaise approach is based on technology "that's already mature and commercialized," having been developed over decades for fusion energy research and for the oil and gas industries. Quaise is simply repurposing that technology for a different application. For example, the MMW energy key to the technology is produced with a gyrotron machine and directed to its target (deep, hot rock) via waveguides. Both were developed over some 50 years of research into nuclear fusion as an energy source. The Quaise technique also takes advantage of conventional drilling technologies such as those developed by the oil and gas industries. Quaise will still use these to drill down through surface layers to bedrock, which was what they were optimized for. Then the system will switch to the MMW technology. The latter "simplifies everything downhole such that nothing is particularly sensitive to the high temperatures and pressures. That allows us to mitigate many of the issues we have with conventional mechanical rigs at these depths," Houde says. Running the Numbers Houde presented several calculations showing the technical feasibility of the Quaise approach. For example, he showed that the drilling rate even several miles into the Earth should be roughly the same as that for conventional geothermal drilling. Further: the Quaise MMW technology automatically melts the rock to create a strong glass "liner" that prevents the hole from collapsing and protects the waveguide. About six miles down, that would replace the cement casings currently used to protect the boreholes associated with conventional, mechanical drilling nearer the surface. This, in turn, actually solves additional problems like the downtime associated with removing broken drill bits. Houde also presented calculations regarding the removal of the vaporized rock, which is done using existing compressor technology to pump a purge gas down into the hole along with the MMW energy. Think of the general setup as a straw within a larger straw. The energy and gas travel downhole through the inner straw where they eventually reach and vaporize the rock at the bottom. Then the gas carrying the vaporized rock, or particulate, travels back up to the surface through the space between the two straws. "Our calculations show that the particulate can be conveyed uphole with downhole pressures and flow rates that fall within bounds of existing compressors," Houde says. A cost model of the economic feasibility of the Quaise approach is also promising. Houde notes that few geothermal wells have been drilled past ten kilometers (~six miles), but to get that far using conventional technology costs more than $5,000 per meter. The cost model indicates that MMW drilling could reach twice that depth at drilling costs of around $1,000 per meter. What's Next? Although experiments at MIT have shown the general feasibility of drilling with MMW energy, the technique must still be proved in the field. Quaise aims to do just that over the next few years out in the western United States, working in collaboration with Altarock, MIT's PSFC, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Impact Technologies, and General Atomics. Investors in the company are the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (Houde is project manager for the ARPA-E grant), The Engine at MIT, Vinod Khosla, and Collaborative Fund, among others. A video about Quaise can be seen here. ### June 17, 2021, Mountain View, CA - The SETI Institute and Frontier Development Lab (FDL.ai) are announcing the launch of SpaceML.org. SpaceML is a resource that makes AI-ready datasets available to researchers working in space science and exploration, enabling rapid experimentation and reproducibility. The SpaceML Repo is a machine learning toolbox and community managed resource to enable researchers to more effectively engage in AI for space science and exploration. It is designed to help bridge the gap between data storage, code sharing and server-side (cloud) analysis. SpaceML.org includes analysis-ready datasets, space science projects and MLOPS tools designed to fast-track existing AI workflows to new use-cases. The datasets and projects build on five years of cutting-edge AI application completed by FDL teams of early-career PhDs in AI/ML and multidisciplinary science domains in partnership with NASA, ESA and FDL's commercial partners. Challenge areas include earth science, lunar exploration, astrobiology, planetary defense, exploration medicine, disaster response, heliophysics and space weather. "The most impactful and useful applications of AI and machine learning techniques require datasets that have been properly prepared, organized and structured for such approaches," said Bill Diamond, CEO of the SETI Institute. "Five years of FDL research across a wide range of science domains has enabled the establishment of a number of analysis-ready datasets that we are delighted to now make available to the broader research community." FDL applies AI and machine learning (ML) technologies to science to push the frontiers of research and develop new tools to help solve some of humanity's biggest challenges, both here on Earth and in space. Projects hosted on SpaceML.org for the research community include: A project tackling the problem of how to use ML to auto-calibrate space-based instruments used to observe the Sun. After years of exposure to our star, these instruments degrade over time - a bit like cataracts. Recalibration requires expensive sounding rockets. Using ML, the team has been able to augment the data, in effect "removing" the cataracts. "The hurdle for many researchers to start using the SDOML dataset, and to begin developing ML solutions, is the friction they experience when first starting," said Mark Cheung, Sr. Staff Physicist at Lockheed Martin and Principal Investigator for NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory/Atmospheric Imaging Assembly . "SpaceML gives them a jumpstart by reducing the effort needed for exploratory data analysis and model deployment. It also demonstrates reproducibility in action." Another project demonstrates how the data reduction of a meteor surveillance network known as CAMS (Cameras for Allsky Meteor Surveillance) could be automated to identify new meteor shower clusters - potentially the trails of ancient Earth crossing Comets. Since the AI pipeline has been put into place a total of 9 new meteor showers have been discovered via CAMS. "SpaceML helped accelerate impact by bringing in a team of citizen scientists who deployed an interpretable Active Learning and AI-powered meteor classifier to automate insights, allowing the astronomers focused research for the SETI CAMS project," said Siddha Ganju, Self Driving and Medical Instruments AI Architect, Nvidia (founding member of SpaceML's CAMS and Worldview Search Initiatives). "During SpaceML we (1) standardized the processing pipeline to process the decade long meteor dataset collected by CAMS, and, established the state of the art meteor classifier with a unique augmentation strategy; (2) enabled active learning in the CAMS pipeline to automate insights; and, (3) updated the NASA CAMS Meteor Shower Portal which now includes celestial reference points and a scientific communication tool. And the best thing is that future citizen scientists can partake in the CAMS project by building on the publicly accessible trained models, scripts, and web tools." SpaceML also hosts INARA (Intelligent ExoplaNET Atmospheric RetrievAI), a pipeline for atmospheric retrieval based on a synthesized dataset of three million planetary spectra, to detect evidence of possible biological activity in exoplanet atmospheres - in other words, 'Are We Alone?' SpaceML.org seeks to curate a central repository of project notebooks and datasets generated from projects similar to those listed above. These project repositories contain a Google 'Co-Lab' notebook that walks users through the dataset and includes a small data snippet for a quick test drive before committing to the entire data set (which are invariably very large). The projects also house the complete dataset used for the challenges, which can be made available upon request. Additionally, SpaceML seeks to facilitate the management of new datasets that result from ongoing research and in due course run tournaments to invite improvements on ML models (and data) against known benchmarks. "We were concerned on how to make our AI research more reproducible," said James Parr, FDL Director and CEO, Trillium Technologies. "We realized that the best way to do this was to make the data easily accessible, but also that we needed to simplify both the on-boarding process, initial experimentation and workflow adaptation process." "The problem with AI reproducibility isn't necessarily, 'not invented here' - it's more, 'not enough time to even try'. We figured if we could share analysis ready data, enable rapid server-side experimentation and good version control, it would be the best thing to help make these tools get picked up by the community for the benefit of all." FDL launches its 2021 program on June 16, 2021, with researchers in the US addressing seven challenges in the areas of Heliophysics, Astronaut Health, Planetary Science and Earth Science. The program will culminate in mid-August, with teams showcasing their work in a virtual event. Visit SpaceML.org. ### About FDL FDL applies AI technologies to science to push the frontiers of research and develop new tools to help solve some of humanity's biggest challenges. FDL is a public-private partnership with NASA in the USA and ESA in Europe. It brings together some of the brightest minds from space science, AI and the commercial sector. It receives support from NASA HQ, NASA ARC, NASA MSFC, the SETI institute and commercial AI partners Google Cloud, IBM, Intel and NVIDIA. Challenge partners include Lockheed Martin, the Mayo Clinic, MIT Portugal, USGS, Planet and the Luxembourg Space Agency. FDL is hosted by the SETI Institute in Mountain View, California - in partnership with NASA Ames Research Center. FDL Europe is hosted by Oxford University in partnership with ESA's Phi Lab (ESRIN) and ESA Mission Operations (ESOC). FDL (US) and FDL Europe are both run and administered by Trillium Technologies Inc. NASA provides funding for the Frontier Development Lab (FDL) through a cooperative agreement with the SETI Institute. About the SETI Institute Founded in 1984, the SETI Institute is a non-profit, multidisciplinary research and education organization whose mission is to lead humanity's quest to understand the origins and prevalence of life and intelligence in the Universe and share that knowledge with the world. Our research encompasses the physical and biological sciences and leverages expertise in data analytics, machine learning and advanced signal detection technologies. The SETI Institute is a distinguished research partner for industry, academia and government agencies, including NASA and NSF. Contact Information: Rebecca McDonald Director of Communications SETI Institute rmcdonald@SETI.org The new tool, designed at the IQAC-CSIC, can help to understand the origin of some diseases and the development of new drugs A study performed by researchers at the Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC) from the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) in collaboration with Stony Brook University (USA) proposes a new strategy for the development of new drugs based on the inhibition of tyrosine kinase enzymes, molecules that activate and trigger many cellular processes. The results have been published in the Chemistry - A European Journal. The new approach is based on the regulation of the signaling cascade of tyrosine kinases, and could lead to the development of improved and more selective tools for research, diagnosis or treatment of some diseases. Tyrosine kinases are a set of enzymes that are essential for communication between the cells of our body, which trigger biochemical reactions that are important for life. "The dysfunction of these enzymes is related to serious diseases such as diabetes, some neurological disorders and many types of cancer," explains Ignacio Alfonso, a researcher at the IQAC-CSIC. They activate different signaling pathways Cell signaling is the process by which cells communicate. In the cell there are many types of receptors or specific proteins that recognize the proteins synthesized by the body and make the cell respond to them. One of the most important are tyrosine kinases. "Cells receive signals from the environment when a molecule (a hormone, for example) binds to one of these receptors. The receptor recognizes the molecule and triggers a series of chemical reactions", explains Alfonso. This allows cells to work to control vital functions of the body, such as cell multiplication or destruction. Each process has its own signaling path. After the first molecule in the signaling pathway receives the signal, another molecule is activated, then another and another, and so on throughout the signaling cascade until cellular function is fulfilled. "The abnormal activation of signaling pathways can lead to diseases, such as cancer", says the researcher. Kinases are a family of molecules that activate many different signaling pathways, which implies that they themselves participate in all of these processes. "When you want to avoid any of these processes, a research strategy is to inhibit kinases, blocking them with synthetic molecules. But this strategy is not very selective, since other important pathways may be inhibiting," warns Alfonso. In fact, the similarity between kinases and their functional versatility (the same kinase acts on different molecules and is involved in different processes) has made it difficult to design specific inhibitors to modulate pathological situations or dissect different functions in basic research. Target: the place where kinases act It is here where this work proposes an alternative strategy: not to inhibit the kinases, but to cover and block the molecules on which the kinases act. The tool for this would be artificial synthetic receptors, that is, synthetic molecules that would protect the place where the kinases exert their action. "Our group has designed molecules that interact with the substrates of the kinase, and not with the kinase" explains Alfonso. "We have prepared artificial molecular 'cages', made up of pseudopeptides, that are able to modulate the activity of these enzymes" clarifies the researcher. "This complementary approach paves the way for selective modulation of an individual kinase-stimulated signaling pathway, without interfering with other functions of the kinase," explains Todd Miller from Stony Brook University. "This technology would enable investigators to dissect the contributions of specific signaling pathways in cellular function". Despite being a proof-of-concept study, the results of this study could lead to more selective modulators/inhibitors of these kinases that would be used as research tools for the full understanding of this complex communication network. "This approach generates basic knowledge, which could be essential to better understand key biological functions and the origin of many diseases", concludes Dr. Alfonso. ### AURORA, COLORADO, June 16, 2021 -- Foresight Diagnostics, the emerging leader in blood-based lymphoma disease monitoring, announced today that clinical performance of its minimal residual disease (MRD) detection platform in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) will be presented at the 16th International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma (ICML) on June 18-22, 2021. The oral presentation demonstrates the utility of Foresight Diagnostics' proprietary PhasED-Seq technology to improve MRD detection rates in DLBCL patients in low-disease burden settings. "Foresight's MRD testing platform can detect relapsing disease 200 days earlier than current methods in DLBCL patients receiving first-line therapy," says David Kurtz, MD, PhD, a Stanford University professor and a co-founder of Foresight Diagnostics who will present the talk at ICML. "We believe that such early detection constitutes the future standard for ctDNA-guided patient monitoring and treatment in the clinic and for drug development applications. We're proud that our abstract was selected for oral presentation at this year's ICML meeting and are excited to share this impactful data." The presentation, titled "Phased variants improve DLBCL minimal residual disease detection at the end of therapy" will be presented during Session 3: Aggressive Lymphomas (Channel 3) on Sunday, June 20 at 17:45-19:15 (CEST). Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detection has prognostic value in DLBCL and has the potential to change the management of lymphoma in the clinic. But detection is still challenging in low-disease burden states with existing methods, such as MRD detection at the end of therapy. Foresight's talk at ICML will introduce Phased Variant Enrichment & Detection Sequencing (PhasED-Seq), Foresight's proprietary ctDNA technology that leverages a novel class of somatic alteration called "phased variants" (PVs). By identifying and tracking PVs, PhasED-Seq enables ctDNA MRD detection down to parts-per-million levels, providing levels of sensitivity that are significantly better than SNV-based methods. The talk will also demonstrate that PVs are common in B-cell lymphomas and occur in stereotyped locations, enabling an "off-the-shelf" approach to variant monitoring that does not require tumor tissue or patient-specific customization. "While many patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma are cured using standard therapies, there remains a great need to accurately identify those who are not cured and would benefit from new therapeutic strategies," states Foresight Board Member Mark Lee, MD, PhD, a founding executive at GRAIL and most recently SVP and Global Head of Personalized Healthcare at Genentech. "The improved sensitivity for ctDNA-based MRD detection during and after treatment showcases the potential for PhasED-Seq as the new standard for lymphoma MRD applications, such as MRD-adapted clinical trials." Foresight Diagnostics recently announced a $12.5M Series A financing to accelerate the commercialization of the PhasED-Seq technology and also presented clinical performance data on PhasED-Seq at the 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting. Foresight's first commercially available test offering will be a CLIA-validated B-cell lymphoma MRD assay, and the company is initiating retrospective and prospective clinical studies with multiple partners to evaluate the utility of the assay in patients with a variety of B-cell malignancies. ### Learn more about attending the 2021 ICML meeting at https:/ / www. icml. ch/ icml/ home. html . About Foresight Diagnostics Foresight Diagnostics is a privately held cancer diagnostics company and CLIA-registered laboratory. The company has developed a novel liquid biopsy testing platform for the measurement of minimal residual disease (MRD) that is significantly more sensitive than existing tests (with a detection limit below 0.0001%, or one part-per-million). The improved sensitivity of the lymphoma MRD assay would provide actionable information to physicians and biopharmaceutical companies to enable more personalized treatment approaches for patients with B-cell malignancies. For more information, please visit http://www. foresight-dx. com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. About PhasED-Seq The Foresight MRD platform is based on the Phased variant Enrichment and Detection by Sequencing (PhasED-Seq) technology. Similar to duplex sequencing, PhasED-Seq lowers the error profile of mutation detection in sequencing data by requiring the concordant detection of two separate non-reference events in an individual DNA molecule. However, unlike duplex sequencing, both events occur on the same sequencing read pair, thereby increasing the efficiency of genome recovery. By detecting more than one mutation, PhasED-Seq can more accurately distinguish tumor-derived cell free DNA (i.e., ctDNA) from healthy cell free DNA - enabling detection of ctDNA at levels below one part-per-million (<0.0001%). PhasED-Seq has been extensively validated in hundreds of patients with B-cell lymphomas. When Ana K. Spalding, a Research Associate at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) and Assistant Professor of Marine and Coastal Policy at Oregon State University (OSU) talks about mentorship in academia, she describes it as meaningful relationship. It goes beyond conversations about research and publications, and into shared experiences. This is just one approach--proposed by Spalding and 23 other women scientists from around the world, in a new article published in PLOS Biology--that calls for a shift in the value system of science to emphasize a more equal, diverse and inclusive academic culture. The authors came together after reading a paper in Nature Communications that was later retracted, which claimed that women in science fare better with male rather than female mentors. That paper used data on co-authorship among senior and junior researchers and citations as measures of mentorship and success. Yet these metrics are flawed and biased against marginalized groups. The data show that women receive more manuscript rejections and are less likely to be published in prestigious journals than men, while ethnically diverse scientific teams experience lower acceptance rates and fewer citations than less diverse teams. Meanwhile, productivity is not always a sign of a supportive working environment, and recent studies show that graduate students are twice as likely to experience mental health challenges, compared to the general population with equivalent education. For women of color in STEMM fields, the trend is even more pronounced. They face both systemic sexism and racism, along with daily microaggressions. The situation is not much better for sexual minorities. Spalding is afro-Panamanian, and a minority among tenured faculty at OSU. According to a 2019 article in the Chronicle of Higher Education, less than 1 percent of tenured professors at OSU look like her. In the state of Oregon, things are not much different, where only about 2 percent of the population is Black or African American, per the U.S. Census Bureau. So, around OSU, challenges range from lack of representation in predominantly white spaces where her presence or expertise are questioned, to finding places to get her hair done (where hair, as a representation of Blackness is often questioned or seen as unprofessional). As a graduate student, she never felt represented. Looking back, Spalding understands how important it would have been to have the kind of support where her identity and culture were considered holistically. In that sense, the PLOS Biology article encourages individuals to explore a variety of mentoring relationships throughout their careers: relationships that may help them achieve their different goals and needs beyond academia. This is one crucial way to promote wellbeing and foster a sense of belonging for mentees with diverse backgrounds, increasing their retention in science. "Don't think you have to be a certain way to belong," Spalding said. "Feel confident that you belong, but also look for people who accept you as you are." Ultimately, the authors call for the scientific community, in particular those in positions of power and privilege, to take strong action towards helping ensure safe and healthy work environments for scientists from diverse backgrounds, while supporting a more inclusive value system in science that embraces the multifaceted nature of scientific impact. With these changes in place, the scientific world will not only have a greater capacity for innovation, which is essential for addressing the pressing challenges of our times, such as pandemics and climate change, but will be a better place from a purely humanistic perspective. As an example, Katalin Kariko, a Hungarian scientist who immigrated to the United States, struggled to find a permanent position for decades, relying instead on senior scientists to take her in. Now, her groundbreaking research in mRNA has made possible the development of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines against Covid-19. "I'm particularly excited about the idea of expanding our definitions of science to be more inclusive of applied and relevant contributions to societal issues such as climate change (which may or may not get into the highest impact journals)," said Spalding. "Furthermore, I am keen on supporting a 'multidimensional mentorship model' that emphasizes mentee wellbeing in academia." ### The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, headquartered in Panama City, Panama, is part of the Smithsonian Institution. The Institute furthers the understanding of tropical nature and its importance to human welfare, trains students to conduct research in the tropics and promotes conservation by increasing public awareness of the beauty and importance of tropical ecosystems. Ultrathin, flexible computer circuits have been an engineering goal for years, but technical hurdles have prevented the degree of miniaturization necessary to achieve high performance. Now, researchers at Stanford University have invented a manufacturing technique that yields flexible, atomically thin transistors less than 100 nanometers in length - several times smaller than previously possible. The technique is detailed in a paper published June 17 in Nature Electronics. With the advance, said the researchers, so-called "flextronics" move closer to reality. Flexible electronics promise bendable, shapeable, yet energy-efficient computer circuits that can be worn on or implanted in the human body to perform myriad health-related tasks. What's more, the coming "internet of things," in which almost every device in our lives is integrated and interconnected with flexible electronics, should similarly benefit from flextronics. Technical difficulties Among suitable materials for flexible electronics, two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors have shown promise because of their excellent mechanical and electrical properties, even at the nanoscale, making them better candidates than conventional silicon or organic materials. The engineering challenge to date has been that forming these almost impossibly thin devices requires a process that is far too heat-intensive for the flexible plastic substrates. These flexible materials would simply melt and decompose in the production process. The solution, according to Eric Pop, a professor of electrical engineering at Stanford, and Alwin Daus, a postdoctoral scholar in Pop's lab, who developed the technique, is to do it in steps, starting with a base substrate that is anything but flexible. Atop a solid slab of silicon coated with glass, Pop and Daus form an atomically thin film of the 2D semiconductor molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) overlaid with small nano-patterned gold electrodes. Because this step is performed on the conventional silicon substrate, the nanoscale transistor dimensions can be patterned with existing advanced patterning techniques, achieving a resolution otherwise impossible on flexible plastic substrates. The layering technique, known as chemical vapor deposition (CVD), grows a film of MoS2 one layer of atoms at a time. The resulting film is just three atoms thick, but requires temperatures reaching 850 C (over 1500 F) to work. By comparison, the flexible substrate - made of polyimide, a thin plastic - would long ago have lost its shape somewhere around 360 C (680 F), and completely decomposed at higher temperatures. By first patterning and forming these critical parts on rigid silicon and allowing them to cool, the Stanford researchers can apply the flexible material without damage. With a simple bath in deionized water, the entire device stack peels back, now fully transferred to the flexible polyimide. After few additional fabrication steps, the results are flexible transistors capable of several times higher performance than any produced before with atomically thin semiconductors. The researchers said that while entire circuits could be built and then transferred to the flexible material, certain complications with subsequent layers make these additional steps easier after transfer. "In the end, the entire structure is just 5 microns thick, including the flexible polyimide," said Pop, who is senior author of the paper. "That's about ten times thinner than a human hair." While the technical achievement in producing nanoscale transistors on a flexible material is notable in its own right, the researchers also described their devices as "high performance," which in this context means that they are able to handle high electrical currents while operating at low voltage, as required for low power consumption. "This downscaling has several benefits," said Daus, who is first author of the paper. "You can fit more transistors in a given footprint, of course, but you can also have higher currents at lower voltage - high speed with less power consumption." Meanwhile, the gold metal contacts dissipate and spread the heat generated by the transistors while in use - heat which might otherwise jeopardize the flexible polyimide. Promising future With a prototype and patent application complete, Daus and Pop have moved on to their next challenges of refining the devices. They have built similar transistors using two other atomically thin semiconductors (MoSe2 and WSe2) to demonstrate the broad applicability of the technique. Meanwhile, Daus said that he is looking into integrating radio circuitry with the devices, which will allow future variations to communicate wirelessly with the outside world - another large leap toward viability for flextronics, particularly those implanted in the human body or integrated deep within other devices connected to the internet of things. "This is more than a promising production technique. We've achieved flexibility, density, high performance and low power - all at the same time," Pop said. "This work will hopefully move the technology forward on several levels." ### Co-authors include postdoctoral scholars Sam Vaziri and Kevin Brenner, doctoral candidates Victoria Chen, Ca??l Koro?lu, Ryan Grady, Connor Bailey and Kirstin Schauble, and research scientist Hye Ryoung Lee. Funding for this research was provided by the Swiss National Science Foundation's Early Postdoc Mobility Fellowship, the Beijing Institute of Collaborative Innovation, the U.S. National Science Foundation and the Stanford SystemX Alliance. In the Name of Racial Justice: Why Bioethics Should Care about Environmental Toxins Keisha Ray Facilities that emit hazardous toxins, such as toxic landfills, oil refineries, and chemical plants, are disproportionately located in predominantly Black, Latinx, and Indigenous neighborhoods. Environmental injustices like these threaten just distribution of health itself. Facilities that emit environmental toxins wrongly make people's race, ethnicity, income, and neighborhood essential to who is allowed to breathe clean air and drink clean water, and thus, who is allowed to be healthy. This can be seen in the environmental crises in Louisiana; Mississippi; Houston, Texas; and Flint, Michigan. Since bioethics purports to concern itself with the principle of justice as applied to individuals and increasingly to populations, the field ought to concern itself more with environmental injustice. Keisha Ray is an assistant professor at McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. ### Also in this issue: "Ending One's Life in Advance," by Margaret Pabst Battin and Brent M. Kious "Gene Editing: How Can You Ask 'Whether' If You Don't Know 'How'?," by Bryan Cwik "What Has Covid Exposed in Bioethics? Four Myths," by Susan M. Wolf For more information, contact Susan Gilbert Director of Communications The Hastings Center 845-424-4040 x244 gilberts@thehastingscenter.org A long-term passive rewilding study has shown that natural regeneration could make a significant contribution to meeting the UK's ambitious woodland expansion targets - potentially at no cost and within relatively short timescales. The research, led by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), found natural growth due to seed dispersal by birds, mammals and wind can produce biodiverse and resilient woodland. Woodland development can be rapid, while avoiding the cost, management and plastic tubing involved in planting schemes. The study - published in the journal PLOS ONE - found that after just 15 years, previously bare agricultural fields became a wildlife-rich shrubland. Within 40-50 years it had progressed to native closed-canopy oak, ash and field maple, with densities of up to 390 trees per hectare. Meeting the Government's target to plant 30,000 hectares of woodland each year in the UK by 2025 is set to come at a high cost to the taxpayer, with schemes such as the 5.7 million 'Northern Forest' planned between Liverpool and Hull. While natural regeneration relies on proximity to existing woodland or mature trees and is not suitable for all sites, the scientists involved in the study say incorporating passive rewilding into national planting targets could result in significant cost savings. Their research has informed the Forestry Commission's new England Woodland Creation Offer scheme (EWCO), which is offering grants to landowners for natural tree colonisation for the first time. Dr Richard Broughton of UKCEH, who led the study, says: "Biodiversity-rich woodland that is resilient to drought and reduces disease risk can be created without any input from us. Our study provides essential evidence that passive rewilding has the potential to expand native woodland habitat at no cost and within relatively short timescales. "Natural colonisation could play a significant role in helping to meet the UK's ambitious targets for woodland creation, as well as nature recovery and net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. It is an effective option for expanding woodland in many places without the costs of planting, the disease risk of transporting nursery-grown saplings, or using plastic tree tubes that are unsightly and pollute the environment." Dr Broughton says the research also highlights the crucial role of natural seed dispersers such as wind, mammals and birds - especially jays, which are commonly regarded as pests by landowners and are persecuted for their predation of other birds. "The huge benefits that jays provide in natural colonisation by dispersing tree seeds, especially acorns, helps to create more woodland habitat for all wildlife and far outweighs any impact of predation," he adds. The study was carried out by scientists from UKCEH as well as Bournemouth University; the Polish Academy of Sciences; the Natural Resources Institute in Finland; Pozna? University of Life Sciences in Poland; and the University of Cambridge. The research team studied woodland development on two former agricultural fields over 24 and 59 years respectively - a two-hectare field of grassland abandoned in 1996 and a four-hectare barley field abandoned in 1961. The two sites are next to Monks Wood National Nature Reserve in Cambridgeshire, an ancient woodland that has been documented since 1279 AD. The tree and shrub growth at Monks Wood has been monitored by researchers over several decades. This has included counting trees during field surveys as well as measuring vegetation heights and spatial cover using remote sensing data (Lidar laser scanning from aircraft). Importantly, the study found the developing woodland was not hindered by herbivores such as deer and rabbits, so did not require fencing. Young trees were protected by the initial growth of bramble and thorny shrubs, giving truth to the old saying: 'The thorn is the mother of the oak'. The young woodland was also resilient to periods of drought in dry summers, which will be important for future woodlands coping with climate change. ### Further information Broughton et al. 2021. Long-term woodland restoration on lowland farmland through passive rewilding. PLOS ONE. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252466 The research was completed under ASSIST, a National Capability programme (NE/N018125/1) funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). The researchers liaised with Natural England and Defra during their study, including site visits and workshops. Their work is informing afforestation policies, including the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO), which opened for grant applications on June 9. Media enquiries For interviews and information, please contact Simon Williams, Media Relations Officer at UKCEH, via simwil@ceh.ac.uk or +44 (0)7920 295384. The paper, images of woodland from the two study sites at Monks Wood after 24 years and 59 years respectively, are available on request. About the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) The UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology is a centre for excellence in environmental science across water, land and air. Our 500 scientists work to understand the environment, how it sustains life and the human impact on it - so that together, people and nature can prosper. We have a long history of investigating, monitoring and modelling environmental change, and our science makes a positive difference in the world. The issues our science addresses include: air pollution, biodiversity, biosecurity, chemical risks, extreme weather events, droughts, floods, greenhouse gas emissions, land use, soil health, sustainable agriculture, sustainable ecosystems, sustainable macronutrient use, and water resources management. The enzyme RNA polymerase II recognizes and transcribes artificially added base pairs in genetic code, a new insight that may help advance the development of new therapeutics If the genome is the recipe of life, base pairs are the individual ingredients listed. These chemical structures form DNA, and every living organism on Earth has just four. The specific arrangements of these four base pairs -- A, T, C, G -- make us who and what we are. So it was a big surprise when Scripps Research scientists revealed in 2014 that they could introduce two new, unnatural base pairs (they called them X and Y for short) into the genetic code of living bacteria in the lab. It was like two never-seen-before ingredients tossed into the recipe, hypothetically expanding the variety of dishes a cell can whip up. Researchers immediately saw the potential applications: With more control and selection, they might be able to use cells as tiny kitchens to cook up new medicines and vaccines. But just because there are more letters in a genetic recipe doesn't mean the cell can read them, or knows what to do with them -- or that any of it works in the cells of organisms more complicated than bacteria. In a study published June 17, 2021 in Nature Chemical Biology, a team led by researchers at Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at University of California San Diego helped address these hurdles. The team revealed that yeast cell machinery seamlessly "reads" the unnatural X and Y ingredients, the way it would A, C, T and G, and translates them into RNA, which could eventually be translated into proteins, the basis for just about every part of the cell. Unlike bacteria, yeast are eukaryotes, part of the same multicellular class of life as animals, plants and fungi. (A note about safety: These synthetic cells can't survive without special liquid food provided in the lab.) "Now we can see exactly how eukaryotic cell machinery interacts with unnatural base pairs, but it's not perfect, there's room to improve in terms of selectivity and efficiency," said senior author Dong Wang, PhD, professor in the Skaggs School of Pharmacy. "It's our hope that this finding will have a profound impact in the field by enabling the design of more effective, next-generation unnatural base pairs." Wang's lab has long studied RNA polymerase II, an essential enzyme found in every fungal, plant and animal cell. RNA Pol II reads the DNA recipe and helps convert the genetic code into messenger RNA. (That mRNA then carries that genetic recipe out of the nucleus and into the cytoplasm, where it's translated and used to assemble proteins as instructed.) In the past, the team has studied the structure of RNA Pol II and how it responds to normal genetic recipe hiccups such as DNA damage caused by radiation. In their latest study, Wang's team revealed for the first time step-by-step what it looks like, structurally speaking, when eukaryotic RNA Pol II picks up and incorporates unnatural base pairs as it transcribes a piece of DNA. In doing so, they discovered, for example, that RNA Pol II is selective -- it can bind X or Y on one strand of a double-stranded DNA genome, but not the other. "What we have now is a unique view of what is and what is not well recognized by RNA Pol II," said Wang, who is also professor at UC San Diego School of Medicine and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. "This knowledge is important for us to design new unnatural base pairs that can be used by host RNA polymerases." ### Co-authors of the study include: Juntaek Oh, Ji Shin, Wei Wang, Liang Xu, Jun Xu, Jenny Chong, UC San Diego; Ilona Christy Unarta, Xuhui Huang, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; Aaron W. Feldman, Rebekah J. Karadeema, Ramanarayanan Krishnamurthy, Scripps Research; Floyd E. Romesberg, Synthorx. The UC Davis Clinical Translational Science Center (CTSC) received notice of its third National Institutes of Health (NIH) award renewal, a vote of confidence in the center's ability to advance outstanding research in human health. The 5-year award, almost $33 million, comes from NIH's National Center for Advancing Translational Science (NCATS). It provides critical funding to CTSC to continue its essential services for the UC Davis research community. "Our expert CTSC faculty and staff have built a nationally recognized translational research culture at UC Davis," said Allison Brashear, dean of UC Davis School of Medicine. "The CTSC's NIH grant renewal recognizes the tremendous value of their contributions in promoting distinguished health scholarship and in reducing health disparities." One of the first clinical translational science centers in the U.S. In 2006, UC Davis received one of the first 12 NIH Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) in the nation to establish a center for clinical and translational science. The center supported the full spectrum of translational research (from bench to bedside to dissemination and implementation). It served as a hub for researchers promoting human health. In 2011 and 2016, under the leadership of Lars Berglund, the CTSC was successfully renewed. Now, directed by Ted Wun and associate director Nicholas Kenyon, the CTSC will initiate its 4th consecutive award - one of only a handful of institutions across the United States with this fortunate distinction - providing funding for another five years (2021-26). CTSC enables translational science at UC Davis Over the years, CTSC programs have blossomed into a mature and highly valued institutional infrastructure with connections across UC Davis, the UC system and the national CTSA consortium. "The CTSC embraces a flexible and collaborative culture aimed at research facilitation and resource sharing," said Wun, CTSC director and UC Davis School of Medicine associate dean for research. "We work behind-the-scenes to enhance biomedical research at UC Davis." With robust institutional support to augment NIH grant funding, the CTSC promotes translational research at UC Davis by: Training and cultivating the workforce Engaging patients and communities in every phase of the translational process Supporting the integration of special and underserved populations in research across the human lifespan to promote health equity Innovating processes to increase the quality and efficiency of research, particularly of multisite trials Advancing the use of cutting-edge informatics CTSC-affiliated faculty and staff facilitate research across disciplines. They help form, support and retain research teams working to improve human health. The CTSC fosters trainee and scholar success at all career stages. For example, it manages KL2 and TL1 awards for UC Davis. KL2 awards support highly qualified junior faculty to conduct mentored, multidisciplinary, patient-oriented clinical research. The TL1 program provides clinical and translational research training for medical and predoctoral students and postdoctoral trainees in the basic sciences. The CTSC also facilitates better health among underserved rural communities, such as the San Juaquin Valley. It has established strong community partnerships to advance health care access and community-based participatory research. Recently, it offered the Vietnamese Mini-Medical School and the Food for All initiative, in support of the Asian community in Sacramento. CTSC mobilization during COVID-19 The CTSC impact on clinical and translational science at UC Davis was highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, the center pivoted to provide specialized support to research teams conducting studies on coronavirus. It enhanced access to digital health data, helped recruit participants, provided regulatory support and implemented protocols for many of the COVID-related clinical trials. "We are proud of the way UC Davis, and the CTSC, responded to this pandemic with robust research and collaborations," said Prasant Mohapatra, vice chancellor for research at UC Davis. "The CTSC has established multiple grant-funded projects to address the disproportionate impact that COVID had on underserved communities." ### The impact of marine plastic pollution on human health tops a list of health-related concerns over marine threats in a large scale survey which could help shape policy over how best to protect our oceans The impact of marine plastic pollution on human health tops a list of health-related concerns over marine threats in a large scale survey which could help shape policy over how best to protect our oceans. Researchers at the University of Exeter led a survey of more than 15,000 people across 14 European countries, plus Australia, as part of the interdisciplinary European collaboration called the Seas, Oceans and Public Health in Europe (SOPHIE) Project, funded by Horizons 2020. Working with colleagues from the European Marine Board, the University of Vienna and the University of Queensland, the SOPHIE project investigated public perceptions towards various marine topics, including marine plastic pollution. The new study, published in Global Environmental Change, found that both Europeans and Australians were highly concerned about the human health impact of marine plastic pollution, ranking it top of 16 marine-related threats in terms of cause for concern, including chemical or oil spills, marine biodiversity loss and climate change related effects such as sea-level rise and ocean acidification. The research comes as plastic pollution is widely acknowledged as a major cause for international concern. Tiny particles of plastic known as microplastic have been found in all sea life sampled, meaning they are likely to be ingested by humans. However, while much is known about the ecological damage, including to marine life and other wildlife, the potential impacts on human health are inconclusive. The study found that people surveyed supported more research to understand the impact of marine plastic pollution on our health. Lead author Sophie Davison, of the University of Exeter's European Centre for Environment and Human Health, said: "Plastic pollution is one of the fastest-growing environmental challenges on our planet. Yet, while the damage to marine life is well understood, the impact on human health remains unclear. Our study indicates that this is of grave concern to the public, and that there's widespread support for more research in this area." Research has shown that plastic pollution breaks down to miniscule particles of microplastic, which find their way into the guts of sea creatures, birds and other wildlife. Yet to date, the evidence surrounding if and how they affect humans, for example by ingesting them through eating seafood, is limited. Co-author Mathew White, an environmental psychologist at the University of Vienna, said the paper aimed to inform decision-making around policy on plastic pollution and funding for research into potential human health impacts. He said: "Given that marine plastic pollution is a global challenge and all of society contributes to some degree to the plastic consumption cycle, we urgently need to find ways of connecting the high level of concern with ways of curbing the leakage of plastic into the environment." The findings echo a recent poll of 8,000 people, conducted by the Government's Department for the environment, food and rural Affairs. The survey found that three quarters of respondents felt that plastic pollution and litter was the greatest threat to the health of the seas, and 94 per cent of people believe the health of oceans and humans are inextricably linked, in turn echoing a warning from researchers led by Exeter which set out an action plan to instigate the first stages of change. The University of Exeter is a world leader on microplastics research, including the biological impact on marine animals, and developing a new method to test for different types of plastic simultaneously. ### The new paper is entitled 'Public concern about, and desire for research into, the human health effects of marine plastic pollution: Results from a 15-country survey across Europe and Australia', and is published in Global Environmental Change. "Boomers" and "millennials" who go to church are more likely to trust their neighbours and donate to charity, according to a new study. Religious beliefs and participation help close the gaps in civic participation between millennials and their elders, researchers have found. Experts have measured the social "capital" religion gives people of all ages. They found those in their 20s and 30s were less likely to join groups and associations, and less likely to be religious, but being involved with the church gave them more "religious capital" than older people who also attended services. The study shows boomers often have more social capital than millennials and are more likely to be religious. Religious millennials may be more likely to encounter and interact with boomers, and this could "boost" the value of their religious capital. Religious boomers, in contrast, are likely to encounter others of the same age with similar social lives, so their church-based interactions have less of a social benefit. The research, by Stuart Fox from Brunel University, Ekaterina Kolpinskaya, from the University of Exeter, Jennifer Hampton and Esther Muddiman, from the Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research and Data (WISERD) based at Cardiff University and Ceryn Evans from Swansea University, is published in The Sociological Review. Researchers used data from the UK's Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS). The sample included information about all those born between 1946 and 1958, and those born after 1982. They measured religious participation through self-reported frequency of attendance at religious services. Researchers found participating in religion gave boomers and millennials more social trust, despite how often they attended church. Those who participated at least once a year were more likely to trust their neighbours - by around four to five percentage points. Millennials who said their religious belief made "some" difference to their daily life were around four percentage points more likely to donate to charity than those who said it didn't make difference, while those who said it made ""much" difference are seven percentage points more likely. Boomers who attended religious services at least once a week were the most likely to donate to charity, and around eight percentage points more likely than those of a similar age who didn't attend church. The same is true for millennials, although the difference between those who participate weekly and who do not participate at all is 12 points. Dr Fox said: "While lower levels of religious capital are contributing to lower levels of social capital among millennials, religious activity is also a more effective source of social capital for millennials than their elders. "We found millennials are less likely to join groups or associations than boomers, regardless of their religious participation, so have less social capital." Researchers found the effect of religion on membership of community associations is limited, apart from older Baptists and Methodists, who were around eight per cent and four per cent respectively more likely to join community associations than their peers who are involved in other religions, or none. Millennials who said religious beliefs made a big difference to their daily lives were significantly more likely to join community associations - by around 13 points. The research shows millennials who participated in religious services at least once a year - or once a month, or once a week - is around 10 points more likely to join a community association than one who does not. For boomers the same difference is 3 points. Dr Kolpinskaya said: "We found religious participation increases associational membership for both generations regardless of its intensity: what matters is the difference between boomers or millennials who participate in religious activity at all, and boomers or millennials who do not." ### Columbia, SC -- Christina Andrews, associate professor of health services policy and management at the University of South Carolina's Arnold School of Public Health and an expert on addiction treatment will lead a study funded by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism to examine the effectiveness of Medicaid-covered alcohol use disorder treatment. Andrews and co-principal investigator Amanda Abraham, an associate professor of public administration and policy at the University of Georgia, will use a $2.5 million, four-year R01 grant to conduct their research. "The United States continues to grapple with rising alcohol-related hospitalization and mortality," Andrews says. "Expanding access to alcohol use disorder treatment is an urgent public health priority." Medicaid is intended to increase access and reduce mortality among vulnerable populations; however, many state-level programs do not cover all the needed treatments for alcohol use disorder and have policies that restrict access. Further, most Medicaid programs contract with managed care organizations. Despite this prevalence of partnerships, little is known about the content, implementation and outcomes of the specific, varied plans that are offered. With this study, which is the first of its kind, Andrews and her team will investigate the effects of these programs on access to alcohol use disorder treatment as well as adverse outcomes for the participants (e.g., emergency department visits, hospitalizations, mortality). The project will encompass 142 different Medicaid-contracted managed care organization plans across 18 states and the full continuum of treatment. "This research will provide tangible guidance to states and Medicaid managed care organization plans," Andrews says. "Specifically, it will help us better understand how to best structure coverage and utilization management parameters to ensure appropriate and efficient access to alcohol use disorder treatment." Andrews joined the UofSC Arnold School of Public Health in 2020 after spending eight years as a faculty member in the university's College of Social Work. Her work focuses on addiction treatment, particularly in response to the opioid epidemic and alcohol use disorders. She is currently a co-investigator on two other projects (i.e., financing for opioid use disorder treatment within the criminal justice system; Medicaid care plan coverage for opioid use disorder medications) that are funded with $19 million from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Andrews has a bachelor's degree in sociology (Ithaca College in New York), a Master of Social Work (Boston University) and a Ph.D. in Social Service Administration (University of Chicago). ### About the University of South Carolina The University of South Carolina is a globally recognized, high-impact research university committed to a superior student experience and dedicated to innovation in learning, research and community engagement. Founded in 1801, the university offers more than 350 degree programs and is the state's only top-tier Carnegie Foundation research institution. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of 20 locations throughout the state, including the research campus in Columbia. With 56 nationally ranked academic programs including top-ranked programs in international business, the nation's best honors college and distinguished programs in engineering, law, medicine, public health and the arts, the university is helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and around the world. An earthquake ripped through the South Island of New Zealand on September 2, 2010, its epicenter narrowly missing the city of Christchurch by about 40 kilometers, or 25 miles. Disaster struck nearly six months later, when an aftershock centered on the city, killing 185 people and injuring many more. The sequence also caused an estimated 40 billion dollars in damage. In response, the New Zealand government formed the Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission to investigate the aftermath and building failures in particular. They developed a list of recommendations for the New Zealand government to act on. "There was very strong motivation behind actually implementing change," said professor Rick Henry, a senior lecturer in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Auckland. "To our advantage as engineers, we had some tangible recommendations we could point to that needed to be addressed." These recommendations formed the basis for revisions to the New Zealand Concrete Structures Standard NZS 3101 and subsequently the U.S. Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete ACI 318. Henry and colleagues generated first-of-its-kind data on lightly reinforced concrete walls commonly used in multi-story buildings in areas with low or moderate seismicity all over the world. The dataset was published and made publicly available on the Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure (NHERI) DesignSafe cyberinfrastructure, funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation. Rick Henry and Yiqiu Lu, a research fellow in Henry's lab at the University of Auckland, were awarded a DesignSafe Dataset Award 2021, which recognized the dataset's diverse contributions to natural hazards research. "In the earthquake engineering space, we see DesignSafe as the most visible platform where publishing that data would allow the most users to find and use it," Henry said. The researchers began their investigations by being puzzled over wall damage they saw caused by the Canterbury earthquake. They noticed a lack of distributed cracks at points engineers call 'plastic hinges,' such as at the base of the wall, where they expected more bending in response to the ground shaking. "There was very little cracking in walls that should have sustained large deformations," Henry explained. "Investigators found that all of the steel reinforcement had fractured or broken. It was hidden damage within the wall that raised a lot of the concerns around, why did we get that?" Henry and Lu focused on simulating seismic demands on walls in the lab, testing 11 wall components with about 80 sensors to measure their deformations and strains to increasingly applied loads that simulated seismic actions of larger and larger earthquakes. The high-quality documentation and dataset they generated includes details of the test walls, their material properties, test setup, the instrumentation plan, loading protocol, test sequences, test observations, crack patterns, photos, videos, time-lapse animations, and sensor data. A paper on the dataset was published in the March 2021 issue of the Journal of Structural Engineering of the American Society of Civil Engineers. "We looked at how we place limits on wall design to ensure that we get the required performance we need," Henry said. "There hadn't been much in the way of testing around what we'd deemed as lightly reinforced walls." Much of what Henry's lab does when they're trying to understand structural responses is either to test physical components or to develop numerical simulation. He emphasized that they go hand-in-hand. "Sometimes we see things in earthquakes, and sometimes we see things in the lab," he said. "They all help us to improve our understanding of it. One really useful outcome of doing physical testing is that we can then use that to calibrate and verify models that might be used for designing buildings." He explained that earthquake engineering fits broadly into two categories. One is for existing buildings that might not have been designed up to current standards. "Can we predict and understand what buildings are going to do during earthquakes," posited Henry. "In particular, how do we need to intervene or strengthen them to improve their performance?" Secondly, there is the category of new buildings and the general improvement of the design process. "Most of what we focus on is applied in that applied end of research. To be able to put what we've done into practice and see a change in new design or some engineering practices as a result of our work is the objective of what we're doing." Henry said. Funding for Henry's work on wall testing came from the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), and more recently from the New Zealand Center for Earthquake Resilience (QuakeCORE), which is a collaborating organization with DesignSafe. ### DesignSafe is a comprehensive cyberinfrastructure that is part of the NSF-funded Natural Hazard Engineering Research Infrastructure (NHERI) and provides cloud-based tools to manage, analyze, understand, and publish critical data for research to understand the impacts of natural hazards. The capabilities within the DesignSafe infrastructure are available at no-cost to all researchers working in natural hazards. The cyberinfrastructure and software development team is located at the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) at The University of Texas at Austin, with a team of natural hazards researchers from the University of Texas, the Florida Institute of Technology, and Rice University comprising the senior management team. NHERI is supported by multiple grants from the National Science Foundation, including the DesignSafe Cyberinfrastructure, Award #1520817. SAN ANTONIO (June 17, 2021) -- Convalescent plasma therapy was associated with better survival in blood cancer patients hospitalized with COVID-19, especially in sicker patients. The findings by the COVID-19 and Cancer Consortium (CCC19) are newly published in the peer-reviewed journal JAMA Oncology. The Mays Cancer Center, home to UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson, is part of the CCC19. The international consortium is composed of 124 medical centers and institutions in North and South America that conduct research to learn how COVID-19 affects cancer patients. Dimpy Shah, MD, PhD, is an epidemiologist and assistant professor of population health sciences at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and a member of its Mays Cancer Center. She serves on the CCC19 steering committee, leads the consortium's Epidemiology Core Committee and is a co-senior author on the study. "Early case reports suggested that cancer patients with COVID-19 benefitted from convalescent plasma, but this is the first analysis that associated convalescent plasma with improved survival using this large, real-world data set," Dr. Shah said. The analysis compared the 30-day death rates of hospitalized adults with both blood cancer and COVID-19 from patient data supplied by the CCC19 consortium institutions. The analysis compared treatment data from 143 patients who received convalescent plasma and 823 who did not. "Our study showed a 48% reduced risk of death for COVID patients who had blood cancer and had received convalescent plasma compared to similar patients who did not receive this treatment," she said. "This survival benefit with convalescent plasma was even greater in patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit (60% reduced risk of death) and those who needed mechanical ventilation (68% reduced mortality)," she said. Blood cancers are associated with defects in the immune system. They begin either in the bone marrow, where blood is made, or in cells of the immune system. These types of cancer include leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Plasma is the largest component of human blood. Red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets are other major blood components. Convalescent plasma is plasma donated by patients who have recovered from an infection, such as COVID 19, and has been used to treat other patients suffering from the disease. Convalescent plasma was used to treat patients during the 1916 poliomyelitis outbreak in New York and during the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic, as well as later for viral infections. "While acknowledging the limitations of non-randomized observational data, this study provides an important signal regarding the benefits of convalescent plasma. We recommend that researchers conduct randomized clinical trials to prospectively evaluate the benefits of convalescent plasma in patients with blood cancer and severe COVID-19," added Pankil Shah, MD, PhD, MSPH, assistant professor of urology at UT Health San Antonio. As the lead data scientist, Dr. Pankil Shah performed the analysis for this CCC19 study. Ruben Mesa, MD, FACP, executive director of the Mays Cancer Center, added, "Membership in the CCC19 is just one example of our cancer center's commitment to provide the best possible care for patients throughout South Texas. In addition to providing evidence-based treatments, we also offer our patients participation in hundreds of cancer clinical trials led nationally and at our cancer center that evaluate the newest possible treatments." He continued: "Throughout the pandemic we have safely cared for our patients and encourage the public to continue getting cancer screenings to avoid the possible progression of undiagnosed cancer to stages where it is more difficult to treat. We are open and ready to safely provide cancer screenings, research opportunities and treatment to the people of South Texas." ### Other authors on the study include corresponding author Jeremy Warner, MD, MS, FASCO, associate professor medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC); lead author Michael Thompson, MD, PhD, oncologist and hematologist with Advocate Aurora Health and Advocate Aurora Research Institute; and additional lead author Jeffrey Henderson, MD, PhD, associate professor of medicine and molecular microbiology at Washington University. The CCC19 was formed in early 2020 to rapidly collect data as part of an effort to understand the unique effects the coronavirus has on cancer patients. For more information about CCC19, visit https:/ / ccc19. org . Association of Convalescent Plasma Therapy With Survival in Patients With Hematologic Cancers and COVID-19 Michael Alan Thompson, Toni K. Choueiri, Peter P. Yu, Clara Hwang, Mike J. Joyner, Jonathon W. Senefeld, Zhuoer Xie, Elizabeth V. Robilotti, Esperanza Papadopoulos, Elizabeth A. Griffiths, Daniel B. Flora, Anthony P. Gulati, Samuel M. Rubinstein, Pankil K. Shah, Vadim S. Koshkin, Elizabeth M. Wulff-Burchfield, Christopher T. Su, Dimpy P. Shah, Jeremy Lyle Warner, Sanjay Mishra, Jeffrey P. Henderson Published: June 17, 2021, JAMA Oncology https:/ / jamanetwork. com/ journals/ jamaoncology/ fullarticle/ 2780916 The Mays Cancer Center, home to UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson, is one of only four National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Centers in Texas. The Mays Cancer Center provides leading-edge cancer care, propels innovative cancer research and educates the next generation of leaders to end cancer in South Texas. Visit www.UTHealthsaMDAnderson.org. To see how we are battling COVID-19, read inspiring stories on Impact. Taking lessons learned from a decade of funding over 100 adaptation initiatives in conservation through the WCS Climate Adaptation Fund, authors offer a rapid assessment framework that can be used to facilitate climate-informed conservation and nature-bas A new article, published as a Perspective in the journal Conservation Science and Practice, introduces a rapid assessment framework that can be used as a guide to make conservation and nature-based solutions more robust to future climate. Climate change poses risks to conservation efforts, if practitioners assume a future climate similar to the past or present. For example, more frequent and intense disturbances, such as wildfire or drought-induced tree mortality, can threaten projects that are designed to enhance habitat for forest-dependent species and sequester carbon. Overlooking such climate-related risks can result in failed conservation investments and negative outcomes for people, biodiversity, and ecosystem integrity as well as lead to carbon-sink reversal. Drawing from lessons learned from a decade of funding over 100 adaptation initiatives through the WCS Climate Adaptation Fund, the authors offer a simple framework that enables users to rapidly assess how--and by what means--climate change will require innovation beyond business-as-usual conservation practice. This tractable assessment encourages practitioners and funders to use the "what, when, where, why, and who"--or the "5Ws"--of climate-informed action as a tool in project design and implementation. The "what," for example, means considering whether climate variability and projected changes will require taking new actions or modifying existing actions. The "who" asks users to consider: by whom, with whom, who benefits and who might bear potential harm or tradeoffs from project implementation and anticipated outcomes. Using the 5Ws in practice can result in doing conservation differently in the warming world and help practitioners achieve their desired objectives. They use available science and local knowledge to address climate risks to traditional investments in reforestation, fire management, watershed restoration, and habitat protection. Take reforestation as an example: a traditional approach might aim to enhance habitat and carbon sequestration using seed or seedlings from historically-dominant tree species. Tree mortality due to unsuitable climate conditions could then lead to unexpected habitat degradation and reductions in carbon sequestration. A climate-informed approach favors native species that are expected to thrive under future climate. Seed or seedlings can be sourced from warmer and/or drier locations to assist migration to climatically-suitable areas. The 5Ws facilitates this process of figuring out what, if anything, should be done differently from the status quo. "There's such a pressing need for adaptation," notes Lauren E. Oakes, the article's lead author. "So, we need to mainstream strategic actions that are robust to future climate change into conservation efforts and nature-based solutions across the world." There is a breadth of rigorous tools available for adaptation practitioners, but the complexity cost and time required to use them can stall their broad uptake. Oakes says the "5Ws" offers an initial, less daunting entry into the climate-informed planning process for practitioners endeavoring to make their projects more robust to future conditions. The authors offer this rapid assessment as a pathway to broader adoption of adaptation planning, an urgent need as investments in nature-based solutions continue to ramp up. ### The article was co-authored by Lauren E. Oakes and Molly S. Cross, researchers on the Forests and Climate Change team at the WCS Global Conservation Program, and Erika Zavaleta, Professor at the University of California-Santa Cruz and former advisor to the Climate Adaptation Fund. The WCS Climate Adaptation Fund is a program made possible through the generous support of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. About the Wildlife Conservation Society WCS saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. To achieve our mission, WCS, based at the Bronx Zoo, harnesses the power of its Global Conservation Program in nearly 60 nations and in all the world's oceans and its five wildlife parks in New York City, visited by 4 million people annually. WCS combines its expertise in the field, zoos, and aquarium to achieve its conservation mission. Visit: newsroom.wcs.org Follow: @WCSNewsroom. For more information: 347-840-1242. About the Climate Adaptation Fund The WCS Climate Adaptation Fund is a re-granting program for projects that advances effective interventions to help wildlife, ecosystems, and people adapt to climate change. Since 2011, the Fund has invested over $21 million in grant awards to U.S. conservation non-profits to catalyze innovative, science-driven projects responding to the impacts of climate change. To learn more, visit https:/ / www. wcsclimateadaptationfund. org/ In a paper published in NANO, a team of researchers from Jiangnan University, China have prepared a convenient sensing platform which can detect microRNA-205 (MiR-205) with high sensitivity and excellent selectivity using TpTta-COF nanosheet and fluorescent oligonucleotide probes. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a kind of malignant cancer derived from the epithelial cells, which shows an apparent regional aggregation with a high prevalence in Southern China and Southeast Asia. With the ongoing improvement of radiotherapy technology, the therapeutic effect of NPC patients has been increased significantly. However, the easy recurrence and metastasis still cause the poor prognosis of NPC patients. Many researches indicated that radiation resistance may be a major obstacle leading to residual or recurring of tumor continues and it was also thought to be the main cause of treatment failure for NPC. An important attribute of MiR-205 is their potential use as predictive biomarker for anti-radiation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), and it is pivotal to monitor the dynamic change of MiR-205 for personalized precise treatment. There are several methods aiming at detecting MiR-205 while rarely has worked out questions such as limited complex detection processes, poor sample detection limit or spending lots of time. Therefore, a method for detecting MiR-205 based on 2D COF nanosheets and fluorescent oligonucleotide probe was constructed and invested of the fluorescent single-stranded DNA (ss-DNA) probes through fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). 2D COF materials could adsorb single-stranded DNA (ss-DNA) because of ? stacking interaction. The fluorescence of the dyes will be quenched through fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Dye-labeled ss-DNA binds to 2D COF, and the fluorescence is recovered upon its specific interaction with the target biomolecules. The degree of fluorescence recovery is dependent on the conditions in the reaction environment, and it is also affected by the concentration of COF particles. By monitoring the fluorescence intensity of the biosensing platform, the concentration of target miRNA in the solution can be reflected, which indicated the feasibility of constructing the foundation for the quantitative determination of miRNA. The results show that the method enables to capture MiR-205 sensitively in aqueous solution with a detection limit of 4.78 nM in the range 0-500 nM and R2= 0.989, and the method offers great specificity in that it can distinguish the target miRNA from mismatch non-target miRNAs. Considering its simple operability and excellent specificity, it has great application prospects in the detection of miRNA biomarker in clinical diagnosis and personalized treatment plan. ### This research was supported in part by the Top-notch Academic Programs Project of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PPZY2015B146), Wuxi Science and Technology Development Fund (N20192044), 2018 Innovative research team of Jiangsu Province, Construction project of Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging (18DZ2260400), and Shanghai Municipal Education Commission (Class II Plateau Disciplinary Construction Program of Medical Technology of SUMHS, 2018-2020). Corresponding authors for this study are Zhaoqi Yang (zhaoqiyang@jiangnan.edu.cn) and Gang Huang (huanggang@sumhs.edu.cn). Additional co-authors of the paper are Sen Li, Shaoxian Yin, Yanfei Cai and Jian Jin from Jiangnan University. For more insight into the research described, readers are invited to access the paper on NANO. A large, retrospective, multicenter study involving Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis indicates that convalescent plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients can dramatically improve likelihood of survival among blood cancer patients hospitalized with the virus. The therapy involves transfusing plasma -- the pale yellow liquid in blood that is rich in antibodies -- from people who have recovered from COVID-19 into patients who have leukemia, lymphoma or other blood cancers and are hospitalized with the viral infection. The goal is to accelerate their disease-fighting response. Cancer patients may be at a higher risk of death related to COVID-19 because of their weakened immune systems. The data, collected as part of a national registry, indicate that patients who received convalescent plasma from donors who had recovered from COVID-19 had a death rate of 13.3% compared with 24.8% for those who did not receive it. The difference was especially striking among severely ill patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). Such patients treated with convalescent plasma had a death rate of 15.8% compared with 46.9% for those who didn't receive the treatment. "These results suggest that convalescent plasma may not only help COVID-19 patients with blood cancers whose immune systems are compromised, it may also help patients with other illnesses who have weakened antibody responses to this virus or to the vaccines," said Jeffrey P. Henderson, MD, PhD, an associate professor of medicine and of molecular microbiology at Washington University. "The data also emphasize the value of an antibody therapy such as convalescent plasma as a virus-directed treatment option for hospitalized COVID-19 patients." The research is published June 17 in the journal JAMA Oncology. Henderson collaborated with researchers from the international COVID-19 & Cancer Consortium (CCC19) formed over a year ago to collect and analyze data on the disease's unique interactions. More than 70 institutions in the consortium -- including Advocate Aurora Health in Wisconsin and Illinois, Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn., and the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. -- participated in this study. The scientists looked back at patient data to compare the 30-day mortality of 966 hospitalized adults with a blood cancer, such as leukemia, lymphoma or multiple myeloma, who also were diagnosed with COVID-19. The patients, whose average age was 67, were hospitalized at some point from March 17, 2020, through Jan. 21, 2021, due to complications from COVID-19. Of the patients studied, 143 received convalescent plasma, and 823 did not. Of the 338 patients admitted to ICUs because of severe COVID-19 symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or cardiac distress, those who received the treatment were more than twice as likely to survive. "In March 2020, the Food and Drug Administration provided a pathway for hospitalized patients to receive COVID-19 convalescent plasma if requested by their physicians," Henderson explained. "After this, the decision to give convalescent plasma was made by physicians and patients on a case-by-case basis. There were no restrictions on when during the course of illness convalescent plasma could be given to patients." Early in the pandemic, many scientists urged evaluation of convalescent plasma to treat the virus, based on the plasma's historical effectiveness in fighting other viruses. During the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, some newly infected patients were treated successfully with plasma from people who had recovered from the flu. Additionally, during the outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2002 and 2003, health-care workers used plasma transfusion experimentally and, in many cases, successfully to treat small numbers of people. SARS is caused by a coronavirus closely related to the one that causes COVID-19. However, limited data on the novel coronavirus also caused pause among physicians. Randomized controlled trials -- the gold standard in research -- proved elusive, in most cases, due to the time required to prepare and coordinate adequate trials, and the need for scientists to prioritize among multiple investigational treatment options. Some preliminary results also disappointed, showing convalescent plasma only worked as a treatment in the general patient population if infused within days after diagnosis in patients who hadn't yet progressed to having severe complications. "As more COVID-19 patients began receiving convalescent plasma, we started hearing physicians around the country report remarkable clinical improvements following convalescent plasma infusions in COVID-19 patients with blood cancers and antibody deficiencies, some of whom were already very ill," said Henderson, one of several physicians who formed the COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Program Leadership Group to study the use of convalescent plasma for treating COVID-19. "I have seen one of my own patients with blood cancer quickly improve after receiving convalescent plasma. Similar stories that were often very detailed suggested that a formal study would help physicians with decisions they were already making on a daily basis." During the past year, over phone calls, emails and Zoom chats, updates on convalescent plasma -- its historical success and its prospects for COVID-19 -- were a staple in conversations between Henderson and his longtime friend and co-author Michael Thompson, MD, PhD, who also was his roommate during undergraduate school at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Thompson is now an oncologist and hematologist at Advocate Aurora Health, and Advocate Aurora Research Institute, both in Wisconsin, as well as a member of the steering committee of the COVID-19 & Cancer Consortium. "It became increasingly evident that patients with leukemia, lymphoma and other blood cancers were particularly susceptible to severe COVID-19 and that COVID-19 may develop in a unique way in these patients," said Henderson. "We discussed that we might learn something from patients in the COVID-19 & Cancer Consortium, and things started to snowball from there." Henderson contacted fellow researchers in the COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Program, including Michael J. Joyner, MD, who is a professor of anesthesiology at the Mayo Clinic and works closely with the FDA. Thompson reached out to Jeremy Warner, MD -- a professor of medicine at Vanderbilt, a steering committee member of the COVID-19 consortium and who operates the CCC19 registry. Together, the researchers plumbed the group's registry of de-identified data abstracted from medical records. "The data started coming fast and furious," Henderson recalled. "Given that patients with blood cancers have higher mortality rates from COVID-19, we suspect our findings, along with other similar cases not in this database, support using convalescent plasma to improve survival in these patients," Thompson said. Henderson and Thompson contributed equally as the study's first authors. Joyner is a co-author, and Warner is the senior author. "Despite the inevitable limitations of retrospective data, we find these results compelling and certainly hope that they will be quickly investigated in a prospective clinical trial," Warner added. "We are exploring future research, including whether there is an interplay between patient factors and treatments received prior to the development of COVID-19, such as B-cell depleting monoclonal antibodies." ### Foreign exchange analysts at Credit Agricole note that the Euro has strengthened over the past few weeks despite a sharp weakening in the capital account. An important element is that capital outflows from the Euro area have been hedged against dollar weakness while inflows to the Euro area have not been hedged against potential Euro losses. The bank does not consider that this trend is sustainable, especially if the Federal Reserve moves to a less accommodative policy. A policy shift would unsettled equity markets, risk sharp outflows from Euro-zone equity markets and potentially reverse dollar selling. The bank notes; We maintain our neutral to slightly bearish outlook for the cross in H221. EUR/USD traded marginally lower at 1.2120 on Wednesday ahead of the Federal Reserve policy statement. Euro Exchange Rates Boosted by Unhedged Capital Inflows According to Credit Agricole, the Euro has drawn strong support from optimism over a rebound in growth with sentiment boosted by an easing coronavirus restrictions and stronger global trade flows. The bank notes that so far in the second quarter, flows have picked up noticeably. Significantly, these flows have also been dominated by unhedged flows. The bank also notes, however, that European funds have been aggressive buyers of fixed income assets and stocks abroad. This has pushed the Eurozone net portfolio flows into very negative territory. According to Credit Agricole, Historically, very negative readings of the Eurozone broad basic balance went hand in hand with EUR weakness. Above: Euro basic balance chart The Euro has been resilient so far because the strong outflows from the Euro-zone have been hedged. In other words, Euro-zone investors buying foreign assets have also sold overseas currencies. If, for example, funds buy Wall Street stocks, they have also sold the US dollar. The apparent disconnect between the EURs recent resilience and the dire capital flow backdrop of the currency is made more worrisome by the fact that, according to our corporate FX flow data, one of the most important buyers of the EUR Eurozone exporters are still largely missing in action. ...but Currency Vulnerable if Risk Appetite Slides Benign trends in risk appetite will tend to support this investment stance, especially while the Euro remains strong. There will, however, be the risk of a sharp reversal if there is a slide in global economic confidence. Without corporate demand, the EUR could be vulnerable to spikes in risk aversion, which could put an end to the foreign inflows into European stock markets. One trigger for a move would be a Federal Reserve move towards a less accommodative monetary policy. Thursday, June 17, 2021 By Lynn Espejo South East Bureau Chief The Midnight Report The Cosmetology program at the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) camp at Bryan, Texas, is under investigation by a state licensing agency. The Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR) is investigating the program at the camp and looking into the staff who operate it. Since sometime last year, TDLR has been seeking cooperation from FPC Bryan staff, in an attempt to verify the hours reported by the prison camp for classes taught to inmates participating in its Cosmetology Program. The program is offered to inmates in conjunction with the state licensing board. The hours in question were reported to the State of Texas, by staff working at the camp. TDLR reports that originally FPC Bryan's staff members Erin Valentine-Godwin, Supervisor of Education & Recreation, and Mark Cameron, Education Specialist, at the camp, agreed to cooperate, and provide the information the state investigator was seeking. However, the following day, a legal representative from the South-Central Regional Office of the BOP, contacted the state investigator and refused to provide the records without a court order. It would appear that the BOP is attempting to prevent or stall the investigation, by forcing the state to lawyer up. Read Entire Story at the Midnight Report Los Angeles, CA - June 16, 2021 - Individuals looking for an exemption to avoid Washington State's new long-term care insurance tax will find fewer options according to the American Association for Long-Term Care insurance. "There are now only two traditional long-term care insurance companies offering policies through brokers and new minimum coverage requirements will significantly reduce the number of potential buyers," explains Jesse Slome, director of the organization. Slome noted that Mutual of Omaha has announced that it will no longer accept applications from Washington residents. "That leaves two brokerage-oriented insurers, NGL and Thrivent. They both have set minimal age and coverage levels for Washington residents." Both companies will only accept policies from individuals who are age 40 or older. "With their new minimal coverage requirements for Washington residents, someone looking for coverage solely as a way to be exempt from the new tax will need to earn $200,000 or more. Of course, at that price the private insurance will provide a significantly greater benefit than the State of Washington's plan." A few options exist for individuals younger than 40 Slome notes. "There are some linked benefit or hybrid policies that qualify for the exemption," he explains. "However, we still advise consumers just looking for a way to avoid the taxes that their annual income should be at least $200,000 or more before taking the time to investigate private coverage." Slome notes an additional caution for individuals. "Many of the consumers I've spoken have indicated they will drop coverage once their exemption is filed," he explains. "While the State has not said they will ask insurers to validate that coverage is in place, I suspect they will amend the law to close this potential loophole. So, I've been cautioning against dropping coverage until that issue is fully resolved." The American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance has been connecting Washington consumers with long-term care insurance agents. Individuals who are 40 and over and who have annual incomes of $200,000 or more are invited to call the organization at 818-597-3227. To learn more about Washington long-term care insurance options visit the Association's website at www.aaltsi.org/Washington. The Tenacious Journey of the REAL Trader Joe As told by the Founder Himself LOS ANGELES, CA June 18, 2021. International publishing house HarperCollins Leadership is pleased to announce the launch of the highly anticipated book Becoming Trader Joe. Trader Joe's is one of the most beloved grocery brands in America today, with loyal fans that have accumulated over 50 years. The story of its revolutionary success is told by the founder, Joe Coulombe, who truly was a visionary. This book takes the reader on an exploration into the creative and expansive mind of a true entrepreneur who made his riches by seeing opportunities where others would miss them. "We should all be inspired to think like Joe. He shares how to get from 'where you are' to 'where you want to be' by thinking outside the box. What a fascinating life!" -- Jack Canfield, Author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series In 1967, Joe owned 16 "variety stores" when a Texas retail force was positioned to come to California and challenge Joe's success. That "Texas force" was the 7-11 retail chain. This created a cathartic reaction in Joe. But he was destined not to fail. The concept for Trader Joe's coalesced from several pieces of stimuli: a popular Theme Park boat ride, movies like "Beyond the Reef" were playing in the theaters, and the fact that Trader Vic's had invented and popularized the Mai Tai drink with little umbrellas. All of these pieces came together in Joe's mind to form his final vision. "At a time in American history when frozen dinners and processed foods were the trusted staples, Joe saw the opportunity to create a different type of grocery store for the 'over-educated and underpaid' consumer, the burgeoning middle class. The book is filled with stories of brilliant marketing moves, including the story about 'Extra-large eggs' that readers will surely enjoy." -- Leroy Watson, Joe's first employee, and life-long friend In his own words, Joe takes us on a journey from the different phases and business strategies of Trader Joe's which in many ways mirrored the same growth and expansion Joe went through personally throughout the process. From the "Good Time Charlie" phase where the signature Hawaiian shirt was born to the "Whole Earth Harry" phase in which the organic food strategy came to fruition to the "Mac the Knife" phase which catapulted Trader Joe's to the success it still enjoys today. Joe Coulombe passed away in 2020 at the age of 89 during the publication of this book. In celebration of his life and as a true labor of love, co-author Patty Civalleri and Joe's right-hand man Leroy Watson, have made it their mission to fulfill Joe's legacy by following through with the publication of Joe's book. Becoming Trader Joe is now being packaged as a limited episode series for sale to the cable and streaming platforms. "This is a true 'David and Goliath' story," said Civalleri. "Joe went up against the big guys and by all accounts, he shouldn't have succeeded." The book Becoming Trader Joe is scheduled for release on June 22, 2021. Author Bio: Joe Coulombe (1930 2020) founded Trader Joe's in 1967 which has become one of America's most beloved grocery store chains. Coulombe successfully built the Trader Joe platform until his retirement in 1988 and is thought to be one of the great American entrepreneurs. Coulombe grew up on an avocado farm just outside of San Diego, California. He attended Stanford University earning a Bachelor's Degree in Economics and a Masters in Business. Coulombe served on several corporate boards and consulted for many companies including Patrinis, Sport Chalet, Big 5, and Thrifty Corp. Joe and his beloved wife Alice were married over 60 years and have three children. Co-Author Bio: Patty Civalleri is a historian, global archaeology professional, public speaker, and award-winning author, who has traveled internationally exploring lost civilizations and international cuisine. Civalleri's travel books have won 14 global awards including the coveted Irwin Award for the 2017 Best International Travel Book of the Year. Civalleri has served on several boards including the Director's Council of the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at UCLA and the Board of the Center for Medieval & Renaissance Studies at California State University in Long Beach. She has a passion for international cuisine and is a self-proclaimed foodie who loves to cook. Civalleri resides in Long Beach with her husband Roger. Thursday, June 17, 2021 So far, we have posted a variety of reasons for believing Jim Garrison was behind the QUICK article from April 1967. In addition, there was a story in QUICK which was not in the press, and could only have come from Jim Garrison. It concerned James Dondson, who spent part of the weekend of the assassination with Clay Shaw in San Francisco. "The questioning of Shaw's male lover James Dondson made me even more certain that Shaw was head of the plot. At the very hour Kennedy was killed, Shaw was in bed with Dondson in the same hotel room. A few minutes after the assassination, a certain Richard Randoff called the hotel and told Shaw that Kennedy had been shot. Even though the caller only used the word "shot," it was immediately clear to Shaw that Kennedy was dead. He hung up the phone, turned to Dondson, and said, 'Now I have to call a few people right away.'" Very few people knew that Clay Shaw was with James Dondson the weekend of the assassination. One person who did know was writer and part-time Life Magazine photographer Lawrence Schiller. Here is an FBI report with the details : The story in the FBI report about Dondson matches the QUICK story almost word for word. Even the story about the phone call from Richard Randoff is in both. Shaw received a telephone call at the hotel room on the morning of November 22, 1963, apparently from one Richard Randoff, 435 Frederick Street, San Francisco. In the call, Shaw was advised that President Kennedy had been shot. In Dondsons opinion, Shaw reacted as though it was an accepted fact that the President had been killed although the news media did not announce the death of the President until about one hour later. Shaw immediately made several telephone calls from the hotel room. The phone call was from a Dick Randolph, not Randoff. Here is an excerpt from the journal of Richard Billings : "Garrison reveals Dondson told him Shaw got word of assassination from a Dick Randolph, who works for the May Company . . . Having Angeloff checking Seattle HQ of hotel chain to locate St. Francis records . . ." Jim Garrison asked Donald Dooty, a friend of Clay Shaw, about this on March 23, 1967 : And the story about Dondson meeting Jim Garrison was true - here are two pictures of him with Garrison in Las Vegas: Dondson contacted the defense team after Schiller brought him to Las Vegas where he met Garrison: Very few people know about Shaw and Dondson. There was no mention of Dondson in the New Orleans newspapers in March and April 1967. There is another part of the QUICK article that again points to Garrison: "But I have reason to believe that Shaw, as the inventor of the plot, tried to keep his active participation in the plot to a minimum, when he learned about Oswald's political connections. It may have been these political reasons or the jealousy of Oswald - in any case, Shaw was not involved in the last phase of the attack. The fact that he planned the plot with Ferrie should be enough to get him ten years in prison. But I am more than happy to let him go if he would help me find the real shooter: Manuel Garcia Gonzales." Schiller's interview of Garrison was written up as a memo. Unfortunately, a copy of that memo is at the Assassination Archives and Research Center (AARC) which is currently closed. But we do have a description of that memo from the Peter Vea Index of Garrison materials at the AARC: This memo confirms the FBI report, and has many of the familiar Garrison tropes we have been talking about - the "Pinky" nickname for Jack Ruby; the Breck Wall order to Ruby to kill Oswald; and the JFK assassination as a "thrill killing" like the Leopold and Loeb murder. The story in QUICK points directly to Jim Garrison, and provides clues as to the origin of the article. But more on that later. Our Next Blog Post on the QUICK article Jim Garrison disavows authorship. Previous Posts on the QUICK Article Did a Homosexual Conspiracy Kill JFK? Was the QUICK article about a homosexual conspiracy written by Jim Garrison? (Part One) The city of San Antonios $75 million job retraining program for people thrown out of work during the pandemic continues to struggle to land out-of-work residents in jobs. Since the one-year program was launched nine months ago, Train for Jobs SA has helped 214 area residents get jobs through May. That was up from 124 job placements reported at the end of April. With training completed for 2,372 participants, it was at 40 percent of its goal. The program provides training for jobs in business, information technology, manufacturing, logistics and health care. Funded with a one-time city allotment of $75 million, its set to end in September. The start of it was slower than what we anticipated, said Heber Lefgren, whos working in the Economic Development Department to help oversee the program. As we now have almost nine months of experience, I think with us using that as the baseline, I think that we are picking up. Lefgren, the citys director of Animal Care Services, is on special assignment with the department as the city seeks a permanent director for workforce programs. On ExpressNews.com: San Antonios job-retraining program off to a slow start Train for Jobs SA is effectively a dry run for the sales tax-funded effort called SA Ready to Work thats set to start in September. San Antonio voters in November approved a -cent sales tax that will generate as much as $40 million annually for SA Ready to Work. Lefgren said this week that the number of job placements could be higher than reported because the office recently changed its reporting rules. Previously, the office tallied placements after 90 days on the job. Now its using more real-time information. He said its likely there are some whove landed jobs but havent been employed for 90 days, so its taking time for the data to catch up. He cited a pool of 541 people who have graduated from training but arent yet listed as being in a job. Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer I do believe that there is a portion of those 541 individuals who have been placed, but it just hasnt been reported back to us, Lefgren said. A team of nonprofits, service organizations and educational institutions including Alamo Colleges, Chrysalis Ministries, Family Service, Project Quest, Restore Education, Workforce Solutions Alamo and SA Works have partnered to support the Train for Jobs SA program. By April, about 6,300 residents had expressed interest in the program. That number is now 7,438. Of those, about 6,000 have completed the intake process and qualified for training. Thats up by 1,400 since April. On ExpressNews.com: Rocky start for citys job retraining program; unemployed face phone tie-ups, website confusion An additional 780 are pending completion of the intake process. The process, which involves confirming eligibility, an interest assessment and collecting background and demographic information, takes a month on average. In some cases, it can take several months. One of the lessons we learned is that the intake takes a wide variety of time dependent on the needs of the participant, Lefgren said. In April, 2,330 had begun training, and that increased to 2,449 in May. There was slow intake for a few of the months, so naturally that follows us along the pipeline, he said. Lefgren said Train for Jobs SA is on track to meet its goals. On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio area unemployment continues to fall from pandemic-era record highs as job growth slows There are lessons that we have learned, and ultimately we still believe that well be able to reach the goals that are outlined, he said. Currently, the program has trained 2,372, or almost 40 percent of its goal of 5,973 trained participants. Its reached 70 percent of its overall goal of 8,062 total participants. As of June 1, women made up 66 percent of the programs enrollees. About 65 percent of applicants identified as Hispanic, 17 percent African American and 14 percent white. About 1 percent identified as Asian, and 3 percent identified as another race or ethnicity. More than a third of enrollees came from industries hit hard by the pandemic, including the hospitality and retail sectors. And more than 60 percent previously earned incomes at or below the poverty line. Lefgren expects interest in the program to pick up as the $300 weekly federal unemployment benefit winds down in Texas by June 26. In May, Gov. Greg Abbott said the state would opt out of the extra federal money. We naturally anticipate that as a result we will identify individuals requesting help and coming in to get assistance, Lefgren said. While Train for Jobs SA is not explicitly a test bed for the follow-on SA Ready to Work, the city is taking advantage of what its learning. Were utilizing the lessons learned in the preparation for the Ready to Work initiative, Lefgren said. Because of our experience, I do believe that as a community we will be more prepared and even more successful with Ready to Work. Early in the program, the city identified that fewer people than expected were interested in child care programs. The City Council redirected $10 million that was allocated for providing child care. Weve also seen a lower than anticipated need for stipends, Lefgren said, referring to the 1,661 who have received a $450 weekly stipend to offset costs during training. The total of stipend payments a participant can receive is $1,950. Lefgren said dialing 311 is the easiest way to get more information about the program. For those who feel a need, or feel trapped, due to lack of lack of training, lack of experience and a desire to have help to assist with obtaining the new skill set and therefore be qualified for a higher-paying job, please call 311, he said. Brandon Lingle writes for the Express-News through Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms. ReportforAmerica.org. brandon.lingle@express-news.net In May, the Texas State Securities Board revoked attorney and financial adviser Randall H. Fields state securities license a move that struck me as very odd. In their disciplinary order, state regulators said Fields had violated his fiduciary responsibilities to clients as he aggressively traded options on their behalf and that these violations amounted to fraudulent business practices. It was odd because you dont expect somebody like Fields, 72, to receive such a sanction. Fields served as chairman of Baylor Universitys Board of Regents in the mid-1990s. He chaired the Deacon Council at Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio. He served as president of Northside ISDs school board during four terms as a trustee. The NISDs Randall H. Fields Elementary School on the far Northwest Side is a testament to his clean reputation and career of service to the school district, San Antonios largest. Why the heck would someone with Fields history of civic leadership risk wrecking their reputation with financial shenanigans of the sort state securities regulators accused him of? The violations the securities board cited him for are rooted in one of the more complex and risky investment strategies. William Luther, Staff / William Luther From Express-News Staff Writer Patrick Danners May 20 story on the securities boards action against Fields: In a statement, state regulators said Fields utilized an aggressive, high-risk strategy that involved simultaneously buying and selling call or put options at different strike prices to realize immediate profit based on the price spreads. Call and put options are a right to buy and sell shares at set prices. Two of Fields clients they began investing with Fields in 2014 were conservative with their money, but regulators said Fields put capital of theirs into options trading anyway. The TSSB also alleged that he told the clients, wrongly, that hed only earn fees if they made money on the trades. A scalp for the TSSB? For his part, Fields said the situation amounted to a gross misunderstanding between myself and former clients. They proceeded to file a complaint with the Texas State Securities Board, he said. The TSSB needed a scalp and mine was the nearest one within reach. Clint Edgar, the boards deputy commissioner, responded in a constrained manner when I brought up the scalp comment, saying, When we see serious misconduct we pursue it. In this particular case, Edgar said, This was a consent order. Not everything that we would allege would come out unless there was a public hearing. Fields claims that in the roughly 10 years he ran a high-risk options-trading strategy, clients of his who participated broke even overall. He said he invested his own money and his familys on exactly the same terms as his clients. I could not independently verify Fields statements, but they seem pertinent to his story. I dont have access to what the TSSB might know beyond whats in the order, which Fields signed off on. Were left guessing. But heres where I come out: The regulators focused on small-potatoes errors to punish Fields. The issue of his investment strategy and pay scheme was the bigger problem. In my view, they were deeply unwise but legal and not punishable offenses. The consent order, at least as written, seems nitpicky. Fields strategy was limited to investors categorized as Qualified Eligible Participants (QEP), which means they had a minimum of $2.1 million in their securities accounts. Fields typically traded only a fraction of a clients net worth, no more than 30 percent of their accounts. On the two main issues he was sanctioned for, Fields said, he was accommodating customers in a way that led to minor disclosure infractions. In his telling, they were technicalities, peripheral to Fields business. Sterling references I spoke to two former investment advisory colleagues of Fields with knowledge of his practices. Both are still in the industry and requested anonymity. One told me that he didnt want to get in any way crosswise with the Texas State Securities Board. Both effusively praised Fields. One of his former colleagues said, Randy is an upstanding citizen. I think the world of him. He has an unimpeachable reputation. The other said, The guys like a saint. If theres a fault here, its that he didnt defend (against the TSSBs allegations) more rigorously. Their assessments make me sympathetic to Fields side of the story. But I dont think that takes him off the hook. Fields primary error, in my opinion, is in not reflecting on the nature of his trading strategy. This was a big error but not necessarily a fraudulent one. The strategy Fields followed an options strategy for clients in which he sold short-dated options on the S&P 500 index and simultaneously bought the same options. By pairing a sale and a purchase of options on the broad stock market, Fields and his customers could collect money by taking a very short-term risk, typically three to five days. By trading between 1,000 and 3,000 contracts at a time, Fields could make anywhere from $30,000 to $150,000 per trade within a week. If the stock market stayed steady over that three- to five-day period, thats the profit they would keep. But when markets got volatile as they did in late 2018, to everyones detriment that same short-term trade, of that many contracts, could lose $500,000 to $1.5 million. Theres a Wall Street description for this style of strategy. On the trading desk at Goldman Sachs, where I once worked, we called this practice picking up nickels in front of a steamroller. Strategies like these are common and totally legal and unwise. Over time, they tend to work, then work again, then work again and then... your portfolio gets absolutely killed. But maybe the worst of it was the compensation structure Fields established for his trades. Again, totally common, totally legal and unwise. Fields got paid 25 percent of the clients gains per month. Yet, if the client lost money one month, Fields didnt have to return any of the fees hed collected the previous profitable month. So the it works, it works, it works and then you get killed approach results in consecutive monthly fees to Fields, and then no return of previous fees the month the client gets slammed. This is a heads I win, tails I do not lose payout. This somewhat resembles things I myself used to do, once upon a time. I have my regrets. I asked Fields if he had any regrets about the strategy. I regret ever meeting those two people, he said. We rocked along nearly 5 years with that structure. With monthly reviews, face-to-face meetings, there was not a question about that. Either those two gentlemen misunderstood from the start or they were disappointed. I cant crawl into their minds. On numerous occasions, I asked them whether they wanted to stop. Later, he added: Yeah, its an aggressive strategy. For everybody, I would have been a little less aggressive with the amounts allocated. I was allocating an exposure of about 30 percent of an account at any given time. Thats hindsight, he said. You can look back at any given time and say, Heres the strategy that would have worked best at any point in time. When you project into the future, its throwing at a dart board. Fields is right, to a point. Only with hindsight do we know what worked, and what didnt. I also asked whether he regretted his method of compensation, earning 25 percent of gains but giving up nothing for losses. In hindsight, I would have done that differently, he said. To the state securities board, it was a problem. The other side is, this is not a savings account. This is not a passive mutual fund. This is an aggressive trading fund. Its something that worked in the past, but we cant guarantee that its going to work, he said. Would I recommend it to anyone who hesitates to agree? No. Would I do it again, knowing what would happen down the road? No, I wouldnt. Certainly not with these individuals. Listening to Fields, I hear a tremendous amount of investment wisdom. But I still have deep reservations about what I see as the toxic combination of the strategy and his compensation scheme. At the end of the day, however, his strategy and his compensation werent what the TSSB sanctioned him for even though, in my opinion, that was the worst part. Complaint #1 One complaint was that he had could have used an online, low-fee options trading platform, but instead chose to pay higher fees to a human broker. These higher commissions for broker-assisted trades were not specifically disclosed to clients. The TSSBs consent order stated, Respondent [Fields] received the advantages of time and convenience while his clients received no advantage at all. This claim doesnt ring true. It portrays Fields as choosing a lazy method of trade execution, abdicating his fiduciary duty. What seems more likely true is what Fields says, which is that his trading volume got too large for the lower-cost electronic platform. He needed to use a human broker who charged a higher commission. Complaint #2 The second complaint was more serious. Fields was accused of making calculation errors after he offered to limit his own compensation for the two unhappy clients. This kind of compensation limit is known as a high-water mark, and this is how it works: his clients had to make returns above a certain level before Fields got paid his 25 percent fee. Regulators said Fields incorrectly calculated the high-water mark. The TSSB noted rightly that these fee restrictions are advisable when dealing with volatile markets. On the other hand, theres no law against not having a high-water mark, and Fields said he never offered it to anybody else except his two unhappy clients. These clients eventually took their unhappiness to the TSSB. Fields said he offered to redo any mistaken calculation What I told the board was, If Ive miscalculated, I will correct it but he never got the chance. The TSSB consent order also said he told his clients, I only make money when you make money. Without a correctly calculated highwater mark, that statement obviously would be untrue. However, Fields denies making that guarantee to the two clients. I never said that I would never say that to any client, he said. Of course, Fields and his lawyer did sign the consent agreement that included that allegation. Learning wrong lessons? Fields doesnt see his strategy as flawed. He believes he got unfairly scalped by regulators. Fields unhappy clients probably have the impression that Fields actions the subjects of their complaints were to blame for their losses. I disagree. Fields legal, but flawed, options trading strategy and compensation scheme were to blame for their poor results. The TSSB mostly elides the issue of the strategy itself, in favor of disclosure enforcement. The TSSBs Edgar seemed frustrated with my semi-exoneration of Fields. But, of course, he could not show me more than what was in the public consent order. So I dont know what else he knows that wasnt made public. These differing perspectives are all dissatisfying to me. Im interested in this case because when we sanction people for the trees but miss the forest, we learn the wrong lessons. The real problem here is massive fees for a questionable investment strategy that could lead to potentially mediocre or bad long-term results. In the meantime, for readers whether you are a QEP or a much more modestly wealthy investor Ill continue offering the same advice over and over again: Please stick to simpler, lower-cost strategies. And never pick up nickels in front of a steamroller. Michael Taylor is a columnist for the San Antonio Express-News and author of The Financial Rules for New College Graduates. michael@michaelthesmart money.com |twitter.com/michael_taylor Used to be, the joke about 24-hour restaurants was they couldnt close even if they wanted to, because they lost the keys a long time ago. I guess everybody found their keys. San Antonios reliable 24-hour sit-down standbys Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia in Market Square and a network of Jims Restaurants across the city arent open 24 hours right now. You can thank COVID for that, and the lingering labor shortage. But sometimes you just want to sit down, have a bite and shake off the party adrenaline before you head home. Or head back out. So where can you eat after midnight thats not a Whataburger drive-thru or a taco truck in somebodys parking lot? Were not talking about all-night chains like Dennys or IHOP, but local restaurants with personalities that fit their neighborhoods. I found five that offer indoor sit-down service past midnight, doing everything from tacos and waffles to burgers, pizza, Korean food and shawarma. And while none of them stays open all night, theyre staying up long enough to keep you going. On ExpressNews.com: Review: The Pearl's Best Quality Daughter Chinese-American restaurant gives an uneven, but ever-so-stylish showing in San Antonio Mike Sutter /Staff Arirang With rice and fat and beef and heat, Korean food is perfect for soaking up the night, and Arirang on Austin Highway is there for you six nights a week. While this family-run restaurant is dark and quiet, theres a riot of color happening on the table. Dolsot bibimbap is an artists palette of distinct patches of sprouts, greens, carrots, radish, beef and raw egg over rice. The magic happens when you swirl it into a kaleidoscope of flavor thats comforting and exhilarating at the same time. The cute college-age couple at the next table asked the waiter if the seven little dishes of potatoes, kimchi, pickled radish, fish cakes and other delicacies she brought to the table were samples. Ive never thought of banchan that way, but it works. Supplement your samples with a steaming bowl of kimchi soup with tofu and a fortifying plate of steamed eggs as fluffy as a French omelet. 2154 Austin Highway, 210-650-3845, arirang-san-antonio.com. Hours: The restaurants open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily except Tuesday, when its closed. The kitchens open until 1:30 a.m. Monday and Wednesday through Saturday; open until 1 a.m. Sunday. Mike Sutter /Staff Cuishe Cocina Mexicana If your night doesnt begin or end until the tacos al pastor show up, Cuishe is your Stone Oak destination on Friday and Saturday nights after midnight. They roast tangy achiote-spiced pork on a trompo rotisserie and shave it to order with pineapples, onions and cilantro on handmade corn tortillas. Theyre like street tacos served in a stylish, thumping Mexican nightclub, with Ricky Martin and Shakira shimmering across the video screens. The late-night menu on Fridays and Saturdays also includes rich stewed beef tongue with tortillas, a toasted al pastor torta and roasted potatoes for the after-hours carbs you need to balance out a strong mezcal cocktail with blood orange and ginger beer. 115 N. Loop 1604 E., Suite 1108, in Stone Oak, 210-960-8935, cuishemx.com. Late-night hours: On Fridays and Saturdays, Cuishe is open from noon to 2 a.m.. A one-page bar menu of tacos and small plates kicks in at 11:45 p.m. and is served until 1:30 a.m. Mike Sutter /Staff Francis Bogside A bar and grill that doesnt serve food after midnight? We just call that a bar. Southtowns Francis Bogside defies that notion by keeping the kitchen open every night until about 1:20 or 1:30 a.m., depending on which barkeep you ask on which night. Its solid, dependable bar food, including a juicy double cheeseburger done smashburger style, good chicken wings slathered in Thai curry paste and a respectable pizza with sausage and bell peppers on a crust thats thick enough to hold up on its own or fold if thats what youre into. Francis Bogside pours a proper pint of Guinness, and seating options range from barstools to high-tops by the bandstand to cozy booths in which to conjure up more late-night adventures. 803 S. St. Marys St., 210-369-9192, francisbogside.com. Hours: 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily, with the kitchen open until about 1:20 or 1:30 a.m. On ExpressNews.com: 5 San Antonio-area restaurants for great po'boys Mike Sutter /Staff Habibi Cafe Its an unlikely sight in Alamo Heights: A cafe full of young people lounging inside and on the broad patio after midnight smoking hookah pipes as clouds of smoke swirl around their heads. Its BYOB, and the couple in front of me was rocking a 12-pack of tangerine White Claw to go with their apple-scented tobacco. The hookah pipes have an enticing menu of their own, but a full menu of Mediterranean food standards is an even stronger reason to hit Habibi, especially a chicken shawarma wrap in crispy pita bread served with fresh cucumber-tomato salad and rice. A full spread might include fragrant stuffed grape leaves, supple slices of lamb and beef gyro, flaky baklava and a strong, long-handled pot of cardamom-scented Turkish coffee to keep you rolling. 5306 Broadway, 210-437-0242, Facebook: @heightshookahcafeSA. Hours: 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily, with the kitchen open until 1:30 a.m. Mike Sutter /Staff Luthers Cafe If you need a good, old-fashioned American diner breakfast at 1 a.m. on a Friday, or if your ego needs a boost from the waitstaff calling you honey and sweetie, Luthers is the answer. This LGBTQ-friendly hangout near San Antonio college is like an indoor-outdoor house party that serves cheeseburgers and frozen Jack-and-Cokes and puts on a drag show every Friday and Saturday at 9 p.m. The hearty Breakfast Platter includes two eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast, and the all-day breakfast menu includes good snack-size chicken-and-waffle sandwiches and overstuffed breakfast tacos, including the crazy-quilt migas action of the S.A. Style taco. 1503 N. Main Ave., 210-223-7727, lutherscafe.com. Late-night hours: 11 a.m. until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. msutter@express-news.net | Twitter: @fedmanwalking | Instagram: @fedmanwalking Years ago, when Kathy Kardons cat, Fortunado, slipped out of the house, she worried for his safety. When he found his way home again a few days later, she was suddenly faced with a pet emergency. Fortunado had impaled his face on a piece of wood that was firmly lodged near his eye. I have no idea how it happened, she recalls. He wasnt bleeding, but he was not in good shape. Calm, cool and collected, Kardon put him in a carrier and rushed him to the vet for emergency surgery to remove it. As soon as she handed the carrier over to the vet, she broke down. I usually am good in an emergency, she says. Its afterwards I fall apart. These are my babies, and I worry about them. Her baby, Fortunado lived to be 13, but not before he had a few more pet emergencies, including one time when he ate something that made him very sick and another when he got stung by a bee and his paw swelled up to the size of a catchers mitt, Kardon says. Pet emergencies can be very scary moments for a pet owner, and its likely every pet owner will face at least one during their pets lifetime. Would you know what to do if your dog or cat was choking, poisoned, hit by a car, broke a bone, passed out from heatstroke or got a piece of wood impaled in their face? June is National Pet Preparedness Month, a reminder that knowing what to do can mean the difference between life or death for your dog or cat. The good news: help is literally at your fingertips these days. Because of the pandemic, the American Red Cross moved their Pet First Aid class online at redcross.org/take-a-class/first-aid/cat-dog-first-aid. For just $25, you can learn how to handle a variety of emergency situations and it covers such things as how to check your pets vital signs, how to handle breathing and cardiac emergencies, and how to handle wounds, bleeding and seizures. Another great resource is the American Red Cross Pet First Aid App. The app offers veterinary advice for everyday pet emergencies and step-by-step instructions on how to give a pet CPR, how to give a Heimlich-like maneuver to a dog or cat thats choking and even how to handle blood sugar emergencies or what to do if your dog collapses. It also lists early warning signs for when to contact the veterinarian and offers an animal hospital locator, a great resource if you are traveling with your pet and you need emergency help. Take a class and/or download the app. Being prepared and having a little knowledge about what to do in the event of an emergency can shave minutes off response time and give your pet a better chance at surviving. Send your pet questions, tips, and stories to cathy@petpundit.com. You can read the Animals Matter blog at http://blog.mysanantonio.com/animals and follow her at @cathymrosenthal. COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) Missouri's Republican governor and attorney general said in a defiant letter to the U.S. Department of Justice on Thursday that they stand by the state's new law that would ban police from enforcing federal gun rules. Gov. Mike Parson and Attorney General Eric Schmitt wrote that they still plan to enforce the new law, which Parson signed Saturday. The measure penalizes local police departments if their officers enforce federal gun laws. Schmitt and Parson wrote that they will fight tooth and nail to defend the right to own guns as spelled out in the state constitution and the new law. We will not tolerate any attempts by the federal government to deprive Missourians of this critical civil right, they wrote. In a letter sent Wednesday night and obtained by The Associated Press, Justice Department officials pointed out that federal law trumps state law under the U.S. Constitutions Supremacy Clause. Brian Boynton, an acting assistant attorney general at the Justice Department, said in the letter that Missouri's law threatens to disrupt the working relationship between federal and local law enforcement and noted that the state receives federal grants and technical assistance. Missouris new law would subject law enforcement agencies with officers who knowingly enforce federal gun laws to a fine of about $50,000 per violating officer. Boynton said Missouris law conflicts with federal firearms laws and regulation and that federal law would supersede the states new statute. He said federal agents and the U.S. attorneys offices in the state would continue to enforce all federal firearms laws and regulations. He asked that Parson and Schmitt clarify the law and how it would work in a response by Friday. Schmitt is running for U.S. Senate. Republican lawmakers who pushed Missouris new law said they were motivated by the potential for more restrictive gun laws under Democratic President Joe Biden. Republican Sen. Eric Burlison, of Battlefield, helped pass the bill and said he's not aware of any federal gun laws currently enforced that are not also illegal under state law. But he said the legislation, HB 85, will prevent local law enforcement from enforcing any wild ideas later enacted under Biden. If this administration wants to go down a path of enforcing unconstitutional gun grabs, then our law enforcement officers, through HB 85, will not be lifting a finger to help them," Burlison said. State Democrats have argued the law is unconstitutional and will likely get overturned if challenged in court. Similar bills were introduced in more than a dozen other states this year, including Alabama, Arkansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Wyoming, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia and Iowa. In Texas, the governor has called for the state to become a so-called Second Amendment sanctuary. Several states passed similar laws under then-president Barack Obama, though judges have ruled against them. Prosecutors in Missouri's attorney general's office have withdrawn from nearly two dozen federal drug, gun and carjacking cases in St. Louis, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. They had been working with federal counterparts as part of the Safer Streets initiative that Schmitt touted in 2019. Schmitt spokesman Chris Nuelle said in a statement that the Attorney General's Office has been replacing prosecutors as is the natural course in the Safer Streets Initiative. We have been and continue to be committed to fighting violent crime, and were also committed to protecting law abiding citizens Second Amendment rights, Nuelle said. WACO Nearly a year after the remains of Vanessa Guillen were found in a remote woods, the Houston soldiers family sat in the same room for the first time with the woman accused of helping to mutilate, bury and cement over her body. Of course they spoke to us previous to entering the courtroom about having no outbursts, but it was really hard to sustain all of that, Mayra Guillen, the older sister of the slain Fort Hood Army specialist, said Wednesday outside the Waco courthouse. Seeing this person for the first time ever, it brings back a lot. ... It was really hard to maintain your cool. Cecily Ann Aguilar sat shackled in an orange jail uniform on the opposite side of the courtroom from the Guillen family, flanked by two public defenders at the hearing. After 2 hours of testimony, U.S. District Judge Alan D. Albright succinctly denied her request to suppress her confession. Her defense lawyer argued that officers had improperly questioned Aguilar after shed given them different stories in two previous interviews. They said she could get in trouble for lying to federal officers. They encouraged her to tell them the truth without explaining she had a right a lawyer and that anything she said could be used against her, defense counsel said. Aguilar told police Spc. Aaron Robinson bludgeoned Guillen. During her confession, Robinson escaped the place where he was detained at Fort Hood, and, as police narrowed in to make an arrest, he shot himself in the head, authorities said. Lewis Berray Gainor, her defense lawyer, argued Wednesday that police deliberately violated the law by waiting to give Aguilar her Miranda Rights until after she confessed on June 30, 2020. Aguilar, 23, of Killeen, is accused of helping her boyfriend, Spc. Aaron Robinson, hide the body of the 20-year-old arms mechanic after he bludgeoned Guillen with a hammer in an armory at the military post. On HoustonChronicle.com: Vanessa Guillen: A vibrant life and tragic death that sparked a movement Two investigators who heard Aguilars confession firsthand took the stand at the hearing. A Texas Ranger and a Waco police officer on the federal task force investigating Guillens April 2020 disappearance detailed how they stopped Aguilar on the base and asked her to come talk with them one more time. She had turned down a request to take a polygraph test during a previous exchange with the officers. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Frazier played video clips of the confession to a rapt courtroom. Aguilar walks casually into a small windowless interrogation room at the Army CID office in short shorts and a sweatshirt. She chats with one of the officers about the tattoos on her thigh, peppering her speech with expletives. One officer asks in the video if shes ready to tell them the truth. Aguilar says, Might as well. Lets get this s- - - over with. She spent the next hour outlining the gruesome details of Guillens slaying and how she and her boyfriend hid her body, said John Ray, a Waco officer on the U.S. Marshals task force. She also helped officers by reaching out to Robinson, the suspected killer, via cell phone. When Samuel Travis Dendy, a Texas Ranger, tells Aguilar on the video that she is under arrest, Aguilar acts astonished. What? Im going to jail? I was held against my will, she says. The officers testified that they sought to clarify whether she thought police were detaining her during the interview. Dendy testified that Aguilar told him, no, she was saying that Robinson had forced her at gunpoint to help hide the body. Lupe Guillen, Vanessas 17-year-old sister, said she couldnt bear to be in the room with Aguilar. Instead she led a crowd of about 20 supporters outside the courthouse in chants calling for Justice for Vanessa. Her sisters disappearance and gruesome death sparked a reckoning in the Army and at Fort Hood about sexual harassment and assault in the military and inspired murals and corridos in her honor. Her family members have met repeatedly with members of Congress in Washington, D.C. to push for the proposed I am Vanessa Guillen Act, which was reintroduced in May. The law would require that sexual assault and harassment allegations be investigated outside of the militarys chain of command. An Army report in April found that a supervisor sexually harassed Guillen and the encounter profoundly impacted her morale. The soldiers family repeatedly told officials after her disappearance they believed shed been attacked as a result of sexual harassment, but a previous Army investigation, conducted shortly after her death, found no link. They have also taken an active role in attending hearings in the criminal case against Aguilar. After hearing the testimony, the judge took a short recess and returned to deliver his decision. Aguilar stood to leave after hearing him deny her request. Her eyes were puffy and red. gabrielle.banks@chron.com Texans will soon be able to carry handguns without a license. Hotels cant stop their guests from taking guns into their rooms. The government cant shut down gun shops during a declared disaster. Gov. Greg Abbott signed a slate of gun-related laws at a ceremonial event in San Antonio on Thursday. The seven bills range from technical changes, such as allowing Texans to carry a gun in any type of holster, to more broad political statements, such as declaring Texas a Second Amendment sanctuary state. There is a need for people to have a weapon to defend themselves in the Lone Star State, Abbott said. The event was hosted on the grounds of the Alamo, which Abbott said represents the idea of freedom in Texas. The most prominent of the laws featured was the so-called constitutional carry legislation, House Bill 1927, which the governor had officially signed into law the day prior. Starting Sept. 1, Texans age 21 and over can carry a handgun in public either concealed or openly without a permit or training. 1927 is a model for the nation, said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Lets get the other 29 states to join the first 21 that have instituted similar laws, he added. The law will remove the states $40 fee to obtain a handgun license and will also take away training requirements. While gun advocates say they arent against safety courses, they assert the training should be voluntary. Texans are still forbidden from carrying guns in schools, hospitals, amusement parks and some other public places. Private businesses can still prohibit their customers from bringing guns inside. The bill was among the most controversial passed this session, as advocates for stricter gun control hoping for new safety measures this session after a series of mass shootings in Texas two years ago asserted that constitutional carry would only lead to more killings. TEXAS TAKE: Get the latest news on Texas politics sent directly to your inbox every weekday On August 3, 2019, a gunman opened fire at a Walmart in El Paso, killing 23 and injuring 23 others. Just weeks later, another gunman went on a shooting spree in Midland and Odessa, firing a gun from his vehicle. Eight people, including the perpetrator, were killed; 25 were injured. Despite overwhelming support for gun violence prevention legislation, Republicans, led by a cowardly governor, are more interested in groveling for the gun lobbys attention than they are in preventing gun violence and honoring victims and survivors in El Paso and across Texas, said U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, on Wednesday. Other bills signed Thursday include House Bill 2622, the sanctuary state measure, which prevents state officials from enforcing federal gun restrictions. House Bill 1500 classifies firearm and ammunition retailers as essential businesses, shielding them from closure during emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Senate Bill 20 allows Texans to carry their guns inside their hotel rooms when traveling, and Senate Bill 19 prohibits the state from contracting with any companies that discriminate against the firearm industry. House Bill 957 exempts Texas-made noise suppressors from federal regulations, and Senate Bill 550 removes the requirement that a person must carry a gun in only a shoulder or belt holster. This was an unprecedented, record-setting session for any state not just Texas, Patrick said. The event came just days after Texas most recent mass shooting in Austin, when at least one gunman opened fire on the capital citys popular Sixth Street early Saturday morning. One person died, and 13 others were injured, police said. Two people have been arrested in connection with the incident. Both are minors. The shooting prompted renewed calls for gun restrictions over the weekend, with Democrats and advocates assailing the Legislature for making it easier to access firearms as gun violence increases across the country. One thing is clear greater access to firearms does not equal greater public safety, Austin Mayor Steve Adler said. Abbott said Thursday that hed been able to speak with the family of the man who died, and they were adamant that the state move forward with gun rights legislation. Those who believe and support Second Amendment rights we support the right of every law-abiding American to be able to have a weapon to defend themselves, Abbott said. That is different from teenagers unlawfully getting access to guns to commit crimes. Those are people who deserve to be behind bars for the rest of their lives. Wayne LaPierre, the executive vice president of the National Rifle Association, joined GOP lawmakers in San Antonio for the bill signing. Its an increasingly dangerous world, LaPierre said. People want to be able to protect themselves, and thank God Texas is leading the way for the country in making that possible. cayla.harris@express-news.net twitter.com/caylajharris Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday pointed to Texas Republicans push for sweeping new voting restrictions as a key illustration of the need to restore federal oversight of elections. While meeting at the White House with a group of Democratic members of the Texas Legislature, Harris pointed to the U.S. Supreme Courts 2013 ruling to nullify the lynchpin of the landmark Voting Rights Act that kept states like Texas under preclearance of its voting laws to safeguard the rights of voters of color a measure Democrats are hoping to bring back with new federal legislation. We have seen exactly what we feared when that case came down in 2013. Because that case was an opening of a door to allow states to do what otherwise we have protected against, which is states putting in place laws that are designed, in many cases quite intentionally, to make it difficult for people to vote, Harris said. And so this is what we've seen over and over again, and what's happening right now in Texas is, of course, a very clear and current example of that. Harris' remarks came at the start of a meeting with 16 Democratic members of the Texas Legislature. The vice president, who is leading the Biden administrations voting rights efforts, invited the lawmakers to the White House after state representatives in May staged an 11th hour walkout of the state Capitol to break quorum and prevent a final vote on what is considered one of the most restrictive GOP-backed state voting bills following the 2020 election. On Wednesday, Harris called the Democrats "courageous leaders" and "American patriots." On ExpressNews.com: Sen. Ted Cruz joins Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene in call for Fauci's firing The bill Democrats defeated, Senate Bill 7, would have brought sweeping changes to Texas elections by restricting voting hours, narrowing local officials control of elections, further tightening the rules for voting by mail and bolstering access for partisan poll watchers, among several other provisions. It is just one of a series of Republican-backed bills that have been proposed in state legislatures across the country following the 2020 election during which former President Donald Trump pushed false and baseless claims of voter fraud. In Texas, Republicans have defended SB 7 as an election integrity measure meant to combat fraudulent votes, even though there is no evidence of widespread fraud. In a series of meetings with U.S. senators and congressional leaders, Democrats have been using the trip and the national attention their quorum break garnered to push for a pair of federal bills that could preempt portions of the Texas legislation they temporarily prevented from becoming law and restore expansive protections for voters of color. With Republicans in full control of the Legislature, Gov. Greg Abbott has vowed to call lawmakers back this summer for a special legislative session to pass the bill into law. The far-reaching federal For the People Act would overhaul elections, requiring states like Texas to offer automatic and same-day voter registration. Under the law, Texas would also have to drop its tight eligibility requirements for voting by mail, among several other changes to state law. The more narrowly tailored John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act could place Texas back under federal oversight so its election laws could not go into effect before the federal government ensured they wouldnt undermine the voting rights of people of color. Under preclearance, various sets of political maps and voting restrictions were placed on hold with federal courts repeatedly finding Texas lawmakers intentionally discriminated against voters of color in drawing them up. The many Democratic legislators here today in Washington, D.C. are the latest in a long line of Texans who have come to our nations capital to fight for election access and equality and to ask for federal oversight in order to protect the right to vote, state Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, said in a statement after the meeting. Two weeks ago, in our state Capitol, Texas House and Senate Democrats stood united to stop a harmful voter suppression measure from becoming law. Weve done our part. Now, we need Congress to do theirs. While several Texas Democrats expressed hope this week that their trip to Washington moved the ball forward in passing the legislation, it remains to be seen whether their efforts will do anything to break the stranglehold Republicans have on moving the Democratic agenda. While the For the People Act has passed the House, it is short Democratic votes in the U.S. Senate. Both pieces of legislation also face a Senate procedural hurdle known as the filibuster, which sets a 60-vote threshold to bring the legislation up for a vote. Democrats have been unable to overcome that requirement, and two Democratic senators U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona remain as holdouts to eliminating the filibuster. We know we have a great challenge in front of us and therefore a fight, which is to fight for every Americans right, Harris said on Wednesday, flanked by Thompson and state Rep. Gina Hinojosa of Austin in the Roosevelt Room. Texas U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz both oppose the legislation, criticizing the Democratic push behind them as an effort to diminish the state's control of elections. The White House discussion between Harris and state lawmakers was led by state Rep. Jessica Gonzalez, the Dallas Democrat who serves as the vice chair of the House elections committee, and centered on the coalition-building behind their efforts to pull down SB 7 as well as the role Texas Democrats could play in forging a path forward on the federal legislation. The theme that came out of it is that we need to continue to build a broad-based coalition and really let Americans of all stripes understand the precarious nature of our democracy and the importance of our right to vote," said state Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, who chairs the Mexican American Legislative Caucus. Abby Livingston contributed to this report. The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org. A downtown San Antonio hotel will soon be turned into a city shelter for the most vulnerable homeless people. City Council approved a 12-month lease agreement for $1.17 million with the Days Inn on East Houston Street. The shelter will have up to 45 rooms available for individuals and couples who have significant and multiple barriers to housing as well as those who often struggle in communal environments, according to documents from Thursdays City Council meeting. The lease starts July 1. The facility is designated as a low-barrier shelter, which means clients will not be required to engage in social services and will not be penalized for actively using drugs or alcohol. However, drugs and alcohol will not be allowed at the shelter, according to SAMMinistries President and CEO Nikisha Baker. We dont require that you stay; we dont require that you come and go or have a specific curfew, Baker said. Low-barrier shelters are identified as a need in the citys strategic plan to combat homelessness. On ExpressNews.com: We cant arrest ourselves out of this - San Antonio homeless numbers down amid pandemic as Texas moves to ban encampments SAMMinistries, an interfaith ministry that helps the homeless, will operate the hotel for an additional $1.73 million. The organization will provide case management and connect clients to substance abuse and mental health resources and other services they may need to achieve self-sustainability. The shelter is supposed to serve as a bridge to permanent housing, Baker said. She anticipates they will help about 250 people in a year, with each client staying 90 to 120 days. Funding comes from the CARES or Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. District 10 Councilman Clayton Perry was the lone vote against the hotel shelter. He thought the item hadnt gone through the proper channels council committees to be considered yet. District 7 Councilwoman Ana Sandoval agreed but ultimately voted in favor of the lease agreement. Perry also thought the city is spending valuable federal funds where theyre not needed. He said the city should instead find room in the current homelessness budget. On ExpressNews.com: You get trapped - San Antonio homeless need coordinated services, more support Baker said her organization has visited with providers across the country that have implemented similar models to get folks shelter. Austin has purchased a handful of hotels or motels to house some of its homeless population temporarily. We are incorporating the feedback bumps and bruises that they have experienced along the way, she said, including the emergency hotel Haven for Hope, which started operating during the pandemic to shelter homeless individuals most at-risk for coronavirus complications temporarily. SAMMinistries has also used a few rooms out of a La Quinta hotel downtown since April as a pilot program for a low-barrier shelter. The city originally leased the rooms to house people during quarantine. Of the 15 people in this pilot program, four have found permanent housing in 60 days, Baker said. District 8 Councilman Manny Pelaez was supportive of the hotel lease. I think this is a clutch play in a crucial time right now, Pelaez said. I dont know what the alternative is other than to just plainly say let people continue to live under bridges and outside during a record-setting, hot summer. Im not a doctor, the employment and labor lawyer said, but I think if you leave people outside continuously in 100-plus temperatures, youre probably going to end up with a few dead bodies. And not on my watch. Melody Woosley, director of the citys Department of Human Services, assured the council that the downtown Days Inn is not a luxury hotel; it has a 2.5-star rating on Trip Advisor. Residents will not have access to typical hotel amenities such as minibars or room service but will have their rooms cleaned and be able to participate in case management and other services. Clients will be referred to the shelter through various street outreach teams. The most vulnerable clients who dont do well in group settings will be placed first. Mayor Ron Nirenberg acknowledged that policymakers often debate how to fix homelessness with one solution, whether with transitional housing, the housing first model or supportive housing. Weve got to do it all, he said The mayor encouraged his colleagues to take the urgency they have to address homelessness and use it also to discuss human services, such as programs for mental health, substance abuse, domestic violence, housing affordability and workforce development. We are reaping what we sow, he added, and its resulting in the homeless crisis that we see today. On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio officials eye purchase of hotel for homeless after removal of tent camp near downtown The City Council also accepted $337.6 million in federal funds Thursday. The majority $302.1 million came from the American Rescue Plan Act. More than half, $163.5 million, will go toward replenishing funds lost during the pandemic. About $49.7 million in federal funds and an additional $5.5 million from Bexar County will go toward emergency rental assistance. In all, the money will assist 11,800 families, according to Edward Gonzales, the assistant director of the citys Neighborhood and Housing Services Department. The programs initial $133.6 million budget is expected to run out in July. As of Thursday, the city had helped 39,548 households with rental, mortgage and utility payments. Additionally, $38.3 million will go toward the operations at the San Antonio International Airport, $26.6 million will be used to address health disparities, $20 million will go into constructing and rehabilitating affordable housing and about $4 million will go toward the Head Start program. About $35.5 million came from CARES Act and other federal funding and will be used to fund the citys coronavirus response plan. Of these funds, $15.7 million will go toward the citys health implementation plan. Almost $11.2 million will go toward airport programs, $8 million will go toward Head Start and the Child Care Services programs, and $500,000 is going to housing security. City Council also approved $3.9 million from the American Rescue Plan Act to address health disparities. This includes contact tracing services, mental health services, domestic violence counseling and other services. liz.hardaway@hearst.com | Twitter: @liz_hardaway Amanda Lee Myers /Associated Press Thirty-six United States Postal Service workers in San Antonio were attacked by dogs in 2020, making the Alamo City the ninth most hazardous city for postal workers when it comes to dogs, according to new rankings by USPS. Overall, Texas had three cities on the top ten list with Houston ranking first in the nation with a total of 73 workers attacked, and Dallas landing at No. 7 with 38 workers attacked last year. Dog attacks are defined as anything from nips and bites to aggressive or vicious attacks, according to a USPS news release. Last year, more than 5,800 USPS employees were attacked by dogs, according to the USPS report. WASHINGTON It has been 156 years since the last enslaved African Americans learned of their freedom in Galveston, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Now Juneteenth is finally a federal holiday. A day after the U.S. Senate cast a historic vote commemorating the date, the House of Representatives followed course on Wednesday and made Juneteenth the 11th national holiday. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Houston pushed House leaders for quick action to get the bill sent to President Joe Biden for his signature in time to celebrate Juneteenths anniversary on Saturday. I pressed them to early this morning to be able to say that, whatever mechanism we had, we needed to do it, said Jackson Lee, who presided over the House as it passed the measure. What I see here today is racial divide crumbling, being crushed this day, under a momentous vote that brings together people who understand the value of freedom, Jackson Lee said. And that is what Juneteenth is all about. BACKGROUND: Senate passes bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday Juneteenth is a celebration of the end of slavery in the United States, when the message of freedom was finally delivered on June 19, 1865, in Galveston. It has been a state holiday in Texas since 1979, and most other states eventually followed suit. But it took years for Congress to establish it as a national holiday. The House voted 415-14 to send a bill to do so to Biden for his signature. Republicans who spoke against the measure complained that the formal name of the holiday Juneteenth National Independence Day could conflict with Independence Day on July 4 and said the bill should have gone through committees before coming to the floor for a vote. Two Texas Republicans voted no: U.S. Reps. Chip Roy of San Antonio and Ronny Jackson of Amarillo. I do believe there will be some division that comes out of embracing this so quickly, Roy said. I dont believe the title National Independence Day works and I would prefer we had a debate on that. Roy said he would have preferred calling the holiday Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day or Freedom Day. The effort was led by a bipartisan duo of Texans Jackson Lee and Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, who last year successfully pushed for a federal study for a 51-mile Emancipation Trail between Galveston and Houston, a necessary first step toward establishing a national landmark commemorating the announcement of the abolition of slavery in Galveston. There is no better time than the present particularly given the strife weve seen, the level of distrust, for example, between law enforcement and the communities they serve than to acknowledge our nations history and to learn from it, Cornyn said. Our founders didnt believe they were creating a perfect union, but said they wanted to strive to create a more perfect union. And so acknowledging and learning from the mistakes of the past is critical to making that progress toward making a more perfect union. Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox The historic vote comes as bills intended to curb police brutality and protect minority voting rights have stalled in Congress. States including Texas, meanwhile, have moved to ban so-called critical race theory. Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday signed into law a controversial bill to limit the way teachers talk about racism. But lawmakers sought to largely avoid politics as they cheered a rare bipartisan victory on Wednesday. It is something about freedom that is contagious and that is what this holiday will bring about, Jackson Lee said. We will be able to talk about the value of our mutual history. Well understand Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglass and many others who did not look like me. U.S. Rep. Al Green, a Houston Democrat, called Juneteenth a holiday for America. I believe that the celebration of emancipation is something that we should all benefit from, Green said. While its about the slaves being free, its about the notion that until we are all free, none of us can truly say that we are free. Cornyn and Jackson Lee said they plan to celebrate in Galveston on Saturday. Jackson Lee said she would get started early. I dont want to start anything, but my office will be closed on Friday, because it is on Saturday, she said. Today we have crushed racial divide and we are in fact unified around freedom. ben.wermund@chron.com President Joe Biden signed legislation Thursday ratifying Juneteenth as the countrys 12th national holiday. The occasion commemorates June 19, 1865, when news of the Emancipation Proclamation was delivered to the last enslaved Americans in Galveston. It marked the end of slavery in the United States and has become an annual moment of celebration and reflection for African Americans. This day doesnt just celebrate the past, it calls for action today, Biden said, adding that the legacy of slavery endures through everyday inequalities, including limits on access to the ballot, to home ownership, to bank loans and other foundational qualities of life in America. In Texas, Juneteenth has been a state holiday for more than 40 years, and it is now observed by most other states as well. Congress was slow to follow, and Thursdays signature comes amid renewed divisions over acknowledging and confronting the countrys legacy of discrimination. JUNETEENTH: Descendants of the emancipated reflect on Juneteenth But the effort, led by two Texans Democratic U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee and Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn brought a rare moment of unity in both chambers of Congress. It sailed through the Senate and passed with all but 14 Republicans in opposition in the House. Its the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was created in 1983. One of the federal holidays, Inauguration Day, happens every four years. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management, which is the human resources office for the federal government, tweeted Thursday that most federal employees will observe the new holiday Juneteenth National Independence Day on Friday since June 19 falls on a Saturday this year. Texas pride Bidens audience included scores of members of Congress and Opal Lee, a 94-year-old Texas woman who campaigned for the holiday. Texas was the first state to make Juneteenth a state holiday. Im happy as pink, said Doug Matthew, 70, and a former city manager of Galveston who has helped coordinate the communitys Juneteenth celebrations since 1979. He credited the work of state and local leaders with paving the way for this weeks step by Congress. Im also proud that everything started in Galveston, Matthew said. Pete Henley, 71, was setting up tables Thursday for a Juneteenth celebration at the Old Central Cultural Center, a Galveston building that once was a segregated Black school. He said the Juneteenth holiday will help promote understanding and unity. All holidays have significance, no matter what the occasion or what its about, but by it being a federal holiday, it speaks volumes to what the country thinks about that specific day, said Henley, who studied at the school before it was integrated and is president of the cultural center. He said his family traces its roots back to enslaved men and women in the Texas city who were among the last to receive word of the Emancipation Proclamation. As a country, we really need to be striving toward togetherness more than anything, Henley said. If we just learn to love each other, it would be so great. Two Texans vote no Some of the Republicans who voted against the measure complained that the formal name of the holiday Juneteenth National Independence Day could conflict with Independence Day on July 4 and said the bill should have gone through committees before coming to the floor for a vote. Others panned it as an effort to celebrate identity politics. Since I believe in treating everyone equally, regardless of race, and that we should be focused on what unites us rather than our differences, I will vote no, Rep. Matt Rosendale of Montana said in a statement. Two Texas Republicans voted no: U.S. Reps. Chip Roy of San Antonio and Ronny Jackson of Amarillo. Supporters were celebrating the lopsided vote in favor of the measure. For those skeptics who think that Congress cant get anything done on a bipartisan basis, making Juneteenth a federal holiday ought to put that into proper context. We moved with incredible alacrity and got this done, Cornyn said as he headed to the White House for the signing ceremony. Biden also emphasized the overwhelming support for the bill from lawmakers in both parties, calling the law one of his proudest moments as president. Ive only been president for several months, but I think this will go down, for me, as one of the greatest honors I will have had as president, he said, addressing legislators and supporters. Not because I did it. You did it, Democrats and Republicans. Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story misstated the number of federal holidays. There are 12. We missed Inauguration Day, which is celebrated every four years. This report contains material from the Associated Press. jeremy.blackman@chron.com WASHINGTON As soon as U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee heard that the U.S. Senate had passed legislation on Tuesday making Juneteenth a federal holiday, the Houston Democrat said she began pushing leaders in the House to bring it to the floor for a vote as soon as possible. The holiday, commemorating the day that the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston finally learned of their freedom 2.5 years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed was just days away, and Jackson Lee wanted the bill sent to President Joe Biden for his signature in time to celebrate on Saturday. I pressed them to early this morning to be able to say that, whatever mechanism we had, we needed to do it, she said. By Wednesday afternoon, Jackson Lee was presiding over the House as it passed a bill making Juneteenth the countrys 11th national holiday. What I see here today is racial divide crumbling, being crushed this day, under a momentous vote that brings together people who understand the value of freedom, Jackson Lee said. And that is what Juneteenth is all about. BACKGROUND: Senate passes bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday Juneteenth is a celebration of the end of slavery in the United States, when the message of freedom was finally delivered on June 19, 1865, in Galveston. It has been a state holiday in Texas since 1979, and most other states eventually followed suit. But it took years for Congress to establish it as a national holiday. The House voted 415-14 to send a bill to do so to Biden for his signature. Republicans who spoke against the measure complained that the formal name of the holiday Juneteenth National Independence Day could conflict with Independence Day on July 4 and said the bill should have gone through committees before coming to the floor for a vote. Two Texas Republicans voted no: U.S. Reps. Chip Roy of San Antonio and Ronny Jackson of Amarillo. I do believe there will be some division that comes out of embracing this so quickly, Roy said. I dont believe the title National Independence Day works and I would prefer we had a debate on that. Roy said he would have preferred calling the holiday Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day or Freedom Day. The effort was led by a bipartisan duo of Texans Jackson Lee and Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, who last year successfully pushed for a federal study for a 51-mile Emancipation Trail between Galveston and Houston, a necessary first step toward establishing a national landmark commemorating the announcement of the abolition of slavery in Galveston. There is no better time than the present particularly given the strife weve seen, the level of distrust, for example, between law enforcement and the communities they serve than to acknowledge our nations history and to learn from it, Cornyn said. Our founders didnt believe they were creating a perfect union, but said they wanted to strive to create a more perfect union. And so acknowledging and learning from the mistakes of the past is critical to making that progress toward making a more perfect union. Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox The historic vote comes as bills intended to curb police brutality and protect minority voting rights have stalled in Congress. States including Texas, meanwhile, have moved to ban so-called critical race theory. Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday signed into law a controversial bill to limit the way teachers talk about racism. But lawmakers sought to largely avoid politics as they cheered a rare bipartisan victory on Wednesday. It is something about freedom that is contagious and that is what this holiday will bring about, Jackson Lee said. We will be able to talk about the value of our mutual history. Well understand Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglass and many others who did not look like me. U.S. Rep. Al Green, a Houston Democrat, called Juneteenth a holiday for America. I believe that the celebration of emancipation is something that we should all benefit from, Green said. While its about the slaves being free, its about the notion that until we are all free, none of us can truly say that we are free. Cornyn and Jackson Lee said they plan to celebrate in Galveston on Saturday. Jackson Lee said she would get started early. I dont want to start anything, but my office will be closed on Friday, because it is on Saturday, she said. Today we have crushed racial divide and we are in fact unified around freedom. ben.wermund@chron.com KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) Hati Maronjei once swore he would never get a COVID-19 shot, after a pastor warned that vaccines aren't safe. Now, four months after the first batch of vaccines arrived in Zimbabwe, the 44-year-old street hawker of electronic items is desperate for the shot he cant get. Whenever he visits a clinic in the capital, Harare, he is told to try again the next day. I am getting frustrated and afraid, he said. I am always in crowded places, talking, selling to different people. I cant lock myself in the house. A sense of dread is growing in some of the very poorest countries in the world as virus cases surge and more contagious variants take hold amid a crippling shortage of vaccine. The crisis has alarmed public health officials along with the millions of unvaccinated, especially those who toil in the informal, off-the-books economy, live hand-to-mouth and pay cash in health emergencies. With intensive care units filling up in cities overwhelmed by the pandemic, severe disease can be a death sentence. Africa is especially vulnerable. Its 1.3 billion people account for 18% of the world's population, but the continent has received only 2% of all vaccine doses administered globally. And some African countries have yet to dispense a single shot. Health experts and world leaders have repeatedly warned that even if rich nations immunize all their people, the pandemic will not be defeated if the virus is allowed to spread in countries starved of vaccine. Weve said all through this pandemic that we are not safe unless we are all safe," said John Nkengasong, a Cameroonian virologist who heads the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We are only as strong as the weakest link. Zimbabwe, which has imposed new lockdown measures because of a sharp rise in deaths and cases in the country of over 15 million people, has used just over a million of 1.7 million doses, blaming shortages in urban areas on logistical challenges. Long lines form at centers such as Parirenyatwa Hospital, unlike months ago, when authorities were begging people to get vaccinated. Many are alarmed as winter sets in and the variant first identified in South Africa spreads in Harare, where young people crowd into betting houses, some with masks dangling from their chins and others without. "Most people are not wearing masks. There is no social distancing. The only answer is a vaccine, but I cant get it, Maronjei said. At the start of the pandemic, many deeply impoverished countries with weak health care systems appeared to have avoided the worst. That is changing. The sobering trajectory of surging cases should rouse everyone to urgent action, said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, Africa director of the World Health Organization. Public health measures must be scaled up fast to find, test, isolate and care for patients, and to quickly trace and isolate their contacts. New cases on the continent rose by nearly 30% in the past week, she said Thursday. In Zambia, where a vaccination campaign has stalled, authorities reported that the country is running out of bottled oxygen. Sick people whose symptoms are not severe are being turned away by hospitals in Lusaka, the capital. When we reached the hospital, we were told there was no bed space for her," Jane Bwalya said of her 70-year-old grandmother. They told us to manage the disease from home. So we just went back home, and we are trying to give her whatever medicine can reduce the symptoms." Uganda is likewise fighting a sharp rise in cases and is seeing an array of variants. Authorities report that the surge is infecting more people in their 20s and 30s. Intensive care units in and around the capital, Kampala, are almost full, and Misaki Wayengera, a doctor who heads a committee advising Ugandas government, said some patients are praying for someone to pass on" so that they can get an ICU bed. Many Ugandans feel hopeless when they see the astronomical medical bills of patients emerging from intensive care. Some have turned to concoctions of boiled herbs for protection. On social media, suggestions include lemongrass and small flowering plants. That has raised fears of poisoning. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni imposed new restrictions this month that included closing all schools. But he avoided the extreme lockdown measures of last year, saying he didn't want to hurt people's livelihoods in a country with a vast informal sector. For beauticians, restaurant workers and vendors in crowded open-air markets struggling to put food on the table, the threat from COVID-19 may be high, but taking even a day off when sick is a hardship. Testing costs $22 to $65, prohibitive for the working class. Unless I am feeling very sick, I wouldn't waste all my money to go and test for COVID, said Aisha Mbabazi, a waiter in a restaurant just outside Kampala. The 28-year-old had a scare weeks ago, she said, noting that a COVID-19 infection could cost her the job if her employer found out. But she has been unable to get a shot. "I really wanted the vaccine because for us, any time you can get COVID, she said. Even just touching the menu. Dr. Ian Clarke, who founded a hospital in Uganda, said that while vaccine demand is growing among the previously hesitant, the downside is that we do not know when, or from where, we will get the next batch of shots. Africa has recorded more than 5 million confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 135,000 deaths. That is a small fraction of the world's caseload, but many fear the crisis could get much worse. Nearly 90% of African countries are set to miss the global target of vaccinating 10% of their people by September, according to the World Health Organization. One major problem is that COVAX, the U.N.-backed project to supply vaccine to poor corners of the world, is itself facing a serious shortage of vaccine. Amid a global outcry over the gap between the haves and the have-nots, the U.S., Britain and the other Group of Seven wealthy nations agreed last week to share at least 1 billion doses with struggling countries over the next year, with deliveries starting in August. In the meantime, many of the world's poor wait and worry. In Afghanistan, where a surge threatens to overwhelm a war-battered health system, 700,000 doses donated by China arrived over the weekend, and within hours, "people were fighting with each other to get to the front of the line," said Health Ministry spokesman Dr. Ghulam Dastigir Nazari. The vaccine rush is notable in a country where many question the reality of the virus and rarely wear masks or social distance, often mocking those who do. At the end of May, approximately 600,000 Afghans had received at least one dose, or less than 2% of the population of 36 million. But the number of those fully vaccinated is minute so few I couldnt even say any percentage, according to Nazari. In Haiti, hospitals are turning away patients as the country awaits its first shipment of vaccines. A major delivery via COVAX was delayed amid government concern over side effects and a lack of infrastructure to keep the doses properly refrigerated. Im at risk every single day, said Nacheline Nazon, a 22-year-old salesperson who takes a colorful, crowded bus known as a tap-tap to work at a clothing store in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, because that is all she can afford. She said she wears a mask and washes her hands. If the vaccine becomes available, she said, "Ill probably be the first one in line to get it. ___ Mutsaka reported from Harare, Zimbabwe. Associated Press writers around the world contributed to this report. WASHINGTON (AP) The United States is devoting $3.2 billion to speed development of antiviral pills to treat COVID-19 and other dangerous viruses that could turn into pandemics. The new program will invest in accelerating things that are already in progress for COVID-19 but also would work to come up with treatments for other viruses, said Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nations top infectious disease expert. He announced the investment Thursday at a White House briefing. There are few treatments that exist for many of the viruses that have pandemic potential, he said, including Ebola, dengue, West Nile and Middle East respiratory syndrome. But he added, vaccines clearly remain the centerpiece of our arsenal. The U.S. has approved one antiviral drug, remdesivir, specifically for COVID-19, and allowed emergency use of three antibody therapies that help the immune system fight the virus. But all the drugs have to given by IV at hospitals or medical clinics, and demand has been low due to these logistical hurdles. Health experts have increasingly called for a convenient pill that patients could take themselves when symptoms first appear. Some drugmakers are testing such medications, but initial results arent expected for several more months. The new funds will speed those tests and support private sector research, development and manufacturing. Last week, the U.S. said it would purchase 1.7 million doses of an experimental antiviral pill from Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, if it is shown to be safe and effective. Results from a large study of the drug, molnupiravir, are expected this fall. Early research suggests the drug may reduce the risk of hospitalization if used shortly after infection by stopping the coronavirus from quickly reproducing. It did not benefit patients who were already hospitalized with severe disease. Several other companies, including Pfizer, Roche and AstraZeneca, are also testing antiviral pills. The currently available drugs have mostly been shown to help patients avoid hospitalization or shorten their recovery time by several days. Under President Donald Trump, the U.S. poured more than $19 billion into rapidly developing multiple vaccines. But less than half that amount went toward developing new treatments. That shortfall has become increasingly concerning as the vaccination campaign slows and experts emphasize the need to manage the disease in millions of Americans who may never get the shots. Until this week, the only medicines shown to boost survival were steroids given to patients sick enough to need extra oxygen and intensive care. But on Wednesday, U.K. researchers reported that one of the antibody combinations successfully reduced deaths in a large study of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Fairfield, MT (59436) Today Sunshine to start, then a few afternoon clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 96F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 58F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. In a wide-ranging interview from the corner office atop his eponymous New York City tower last week, an unfiltered Donald Trump showed he has lost none of his edge as he attacked President Bidens ethics, demanded reparations from China for COVID-19, and advanced his claim that the 2020 election was stolen. Here are some of the highlights, as the former president held forth on a range of issues in his inimitable style. Chinese Influence Over the Bidens, and America Trump whose administration was hobbled by false charges that he was beholden to Russian President Vladimir Putin -- asserted that China has American politicians, especially Biden and the son [Hunter Biden] wrapped around their finger. They know so much about Biden thats so illegal [that the president] can no longer be a person that takes on China because they can blackmail him like nobodys ever been blackmailed before. China has tremendous power over the Biden administration because of Biden himself, Trump added. There was tremendous money paid to the Biden family not only China; there were numerous other countries too, and its not allowed to be spoken about. Trump did not provide evidence for these claims, although a U.S. Senate committee report on the Biden familys business dealings raised questions about its involvement with Chinese, Russian, and Ukrainian nationals and entities. Information found on a laptop once owned by Hunter Biden who is facing a federal investigation into his taxes has also raised questions about the President Bidens ties to his sons questionable affairs. We were doing great with China. I was going to be doing things that wouldve put us on a course that wouldve been forever great, and now we have people they almost cant be tough on China because China knows too much about them, Trump said. Its a very sad thing. With respect to the political class more broadly, Trump asserted that Chinas got the strongest lobbying machine youve ever seen. You go to Washington and try and hire somebody to oppose China? Cant do it. Theyve got everybody. The 2020 election Trump remains adamant that the results were illegitimate. Youve heard the expression that the person who counts the votes is far more important than the candidate, right? I never thought much about it; turned out to be right. Its a corrupt election and youll never hear me say anything else. And theyre vicious. They go after you for saying it. Although it is widely disputed that any alleged improprieties influenced enough votes to swing the election to him, Trump remains fixated on the mail-in votes that were counted late in the evening on Election Day in many states, eroding a larger-than-expected Election Day turnout by Trump supporters. He presented several charts showing the changes in the presidential vote counts -- including those in swing states such as Pennsylvania -- as election night wore on into the wee hours of the morning. Our elections are rigged he said. People say, Oh, just focus on the future. You cant focus on the future when this happens. Later, the former president asserted: I dont believe that a message of defund the police, open borders, sanctuary cities, no freedom of speech gets 50% of the vote. I think you get 50% because [Democrats] cheat like hell in the elections and thats what they want to do to the whole country. Possible Wuhan Lab Leak Denounced by Democrats and the media as a racist for blaming China for COVID-19, Trump feels vindicated as evidence emerges suggesting that the virus might have leaked from a Chinese virology lab in Wuhan. But he believes it was unintentional, likely a product of gross incompetence. What was intentional, in Trumps mind, was the decision by Chinese leaders to allow its citizens to travel globally, which spread the pandemic. Trump has called for countries to cancel their debts to China as part of a down payment on a future reparations plan that he suggests ought to total some $10 trillion. Trump said COVID-19 has exacted prices and affected history in ways that may be hard to measure. Before the pandemic, he said, he had a great relationship with with Chinese General Secretary Xi Jinping. But the China virus killed all of that. ... [It] killed a lot of people, it also killed my relationship [with Xi]. Boycotting the 2022 China Olympics Trump said he would not pull America out of the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing and neighboring Hebei province because it would be unfair to the athletes. Describing the Olympics as peanuts, Trump also suggested that a boycott would be seen around the world as sour grapes. I see it both ways, he added, but I would not do that. You go. You compete. You win." The Border and Central America Policy Trump said the Biden administration has totally lost control of the U.S.-Mexico border. He also questions the wisdom of the administrations plan to provide several billion dollars in aid to the Central American countries from which immigrants are flowing. I refused to give them money, and their signs [say], We love Trump, Trump won. Theyre booing [Vice President Kamala Harris]. Meanwhile, instead of saying were not going to pay you, [the Biden administration is] giving them $4 billion. I treated them so tough, and they liked me, he said, adding that the Biden administration treats them weakly. The Durham Probe Trump asked, rhetorically, about the status of the federal probe into the origins of Russiagate led by Special Counsel John Durham: Where the hell is Durham? Is that an embarrassment, or what? I wonder if Durhams ever even going to come out with a report. They have him scared, Trump continued. Probably come out with a bad report. When I heard that he was going to come out with a report sometime during the Biden administration, I said, You gotta be kidding. Its a disgrace. In the meantime, we dont hear anything about him. During the interview, President Trump focused on the success of the candidates he endorsed, and his continued endorsements -- while describing Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell as a "stupid bastard." Trump also touted his efforts to facilitate vaccine development through Operation Warp Speed and roll it out in short order as perhaps his greatest achievement. He also emphasized his toughness in deal-making with friends and enemies alike. Over the course of the more than hourlong session, Trump gave the distinct impression that he is itching to get into the presidential race in 2024. Ben Weingarten is Deputy Editor of RealClearInvestigations. This interview was conducted as part of a book project on U.S.-China policy under the auspices of the Fund for American Studies Robert Novak Journalism Fellowships. (The Center Square) Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced details Wednesday about the state building its own border wall to help slow the growing number of immigrants entering the U.S. illegally. The announcement came after the governor pledged to build a wall last week at a border summit held in Del Rio, Texas. "The Biden administration has abandoned its responsibilities to secure the border and Texans are suffering as a result," Abbott said. "The problems along the border are only getting worse due to President [Joe] Biden's inaction. Property is being destroyed, deadly drugs and illegal weapons are being smuggled into communities throughout the state, law enforcement is having to redirect their resources, and county judges and mayors are facing skyrocketing expenses. Texas is doing more than any state has ever done to protect the border, but it is clear that more is needed, he added. In the Biden administration's absence, Texas is stepping up to get the job done by building the border wall. Through this comprehensive public safety effort, we will secure the border, slow the influx of unlawful immigrants, and restore order in our border communities." Abbott also signed a letter he is sending to Biden demanding that the president immediately return to Texans any land that was taken by the federal government initially intended to be used to build a border wall that wasnt used. Previously, the federal government used condemnation powers to take property from Texans for the purpose of building a border wall. Since Biden took office, the federal government halted construction of the border wall. Securing the international border is one of the federal governments most fundamental responsibilities. Your sworn duty to faithfully execute the laws includes an obligation to enforce immigration laws to ensure the safety of all Americans, including Texans, the letter to Biden states. Abbott has contacted Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who was tasked with overseeing the border crisis, and said he has never received a reply. Neither Biden nor Harris have visited the border since an influx of immigrants . In addition to the letter to Biden, Abbott also signed a letter to the Texas Facilities Commission directing it to hire a project manager to oversee construction of the Texas border wall. The process to find the manager has already begun, he said. Once hired, the individual will lead the planning and construction of the wall and hire contractors and subcontractors to build it. They will identify state land, city land, and privately owned land to build it. The legislature also authorized the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to transfer $250 million into a disaster fund to pay for the initial process. Though securing the international border and protecting the life and property of its citizens surrounding that border is the duty of the federal government, the current administration has shown time and time again an unwillingness to embrace this fundamental responsibility, Abbott wrote in a letter to the state DCJ. The legislature already allocated $1 billion to the Texas Department of Public Safety, which has diverted state police to the border area. The state also began installing additional security cameras, providing support with additional aircraft, helicopters and watercraft, and has begun offering local governments assistance with prosecuting criminals. Building the wall will be a group effort, not just for Texas but for America, Abbott said. Anyone who wants to contribute to building the wall can donate online at www.borderwall.texas.gov. In response to the interstate compact Abbott announced last week with Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, asking for other states help, eight have already replied, he said. Oklahoma, Arkansas, Iowa, Florida, North Dakota and South Dakota are either sending police or state national guardsmen, and Georgia and South Carolina are sending members of their state national guard. All states helping Texas are helping their own residents, Abbott said, by working to prevent or reduce the spread of dangerous drugs coming into their own neighborhoods. Texas DPS has seen an 800% increase in fentanyl alone, the agency has said. Texas DPS has made over 1,500 arrests and captured 35,000 people who evaded Border Patrol in a few months time. Last April, roughly 17,000 people were apprehended by Border Patrol. This April, that number increased to 170,000. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said that the resolution and letters Abbott signed today are the most consequential signed by any governor in modern history. Because reclaiming our land and border is a fight for our survival. We are being invaded. We are on pace to apprehend two million people this year. We will not let our state and our country be invaded. (The Center Square) - President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed a broad range of issues but had little substance to show after a summit in Geneva, Switzerland on Wednesday. After a long week of meetings at the G-7 and NATO, Biden finished his first international trip as president by meeting with Putin amid tension between the U.S. and Russia. After the nearly three hours of discussion, Biden and Putin held separate press conferences to address issues that were talked about at the summit. Putin held his press conference first and faced sharp questions from American reporters. Rachel Scott, reporter for ABC News, pressed Putin on his treatment of political opponents, specifically the jailing of opposition leader Alexey Navalny, asking So my question is, Mr. President, what are you so afraid of? Putin did not answer the question, instead making a comparison between the Black Lives Matter group in the U.S. and Russian opposition groups. Putin was pressed again but instead made a comparison between Russian opposition groups and rioters at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. At the press conference, Putin also announced the U.S. and Russia would allow each other's ambassadors to return to their stations in Moscow, Russia, and Washington, D.C. respectively, after both countries withdrew them following comments by Biden where he called Putin a killer. Putin also refused to take any responsibility for cyberattacks against the U.S. including the most recent attack against the Colonial Pipeline. The cyberattack on the pipeline in May caused gas shortages and soaring gas prices across the east coast. The operators of the pipeline had to pay a $4.4 million ransom to regain control of the pipeline. Biden at his press conference spoke about cyberattacks, specifically the Colonial Pipeline attack, and attempted to provide insight on his discussion with Putin. I looked at him, I said, Well, how would you feel if ransomware took on the pipelines from your oil fields? He said it would matter, said Biden. This is not about just our self-interest, its about a mutual self-interest. Biden stressed that he did not wish ill-will against Putin or the Russian people during his discussion with the Russian president. He stated he wanted success for both the American and Russian people. Now, I told President Putin my agenda is not against Russia or anyone else, its for the American people, said Biden. Fighting COVID-19, rebuilding our economy, re-establishing relationships around the world, our allies and friends, and protecting the American people. Thats my responsibility as president. When asked about specific leverage Biden had to get Putin to stop hacks and other cyberattacks like Solar Winds, he talked about Putins credibility on the world stage as a factor. He knows there are consequences, said Biden. His credibility worldwide shrinks. Lets get this straight. How would it be if the United States were viewed by the rest of the world as interfering with the elections directly of other countries and everybody knew it? Critics are already blasting Biden for achieving little substantial progress out of this summit, but Biden is pushing for patience to see active change by Russia. Well find out within the next six months to a year whether or not we actually have a strategic dialogue that matters, said Biden. Well find out whether we work to deal with everything from release of people in Russian prisons or not. Well find out whether we have a cybersecurity arrangement that begins to bring some order. On Nov. 16, 1884, a circuit-riding Baptist preacher whose territory included the Montana, Idaho and Dakota territories led a Sunday service at the East Gallatin Grange Hall. Immediately, a handful of residents decided to organize a Baptist church, which would meet for the next few years at the Grange or the old log Hillsdale schoolhouse near Dry Creek. Congregants wanted their own church, though, and by Oct. 14, 1889, the walls were laid out on the ground and raised. The budget for the new Dry Creek Baptist Church? Just $150. Fast forward 130 years. The Dry Creek Bible Church is now in its third building expansion since 1884, with a new sanctuary dedicated in 1982, and its most recent building program started last winter. This time, the price tag is closer to $1 million, said Doug Solberg, the chairman of the building committee. The church just finished Phase One of its current building program, Its starting to look like a building, Solberg joked with the Belgrade News this week. The foundation for the new edition was poured around February, he said. The dried-in exterior, protected walls will be done mid-July, he added. Were going along as we have the funds, he added. Phase Two will be finishing the inside, and Phase Three connecting to the old building. Getting the foundation and walls up took a little less than half of the $1 million budget, he said. A ballpark estimate for the next phase is around $200,000, he said. Anyone who wants to donate $200,000, we can use it, Solberg joked. When might this all be done? Ill be elated if were in by Christmas, but thats quite optimistic. The church hasnt yet done any bake sale type fund-raising, he added. The church started talking about expanding a decade ago, he added, and we really didnt want to start until we had enough for the whole project. Its taken years for us to get this far. No one could agree, and it got put on the back burner. And then we started up again. Dry Creek is facing the same construction constraints all construction is currently facing scarcity of materials, and prices that have gone through the ceiling. No, construction is not cheap, Solberg agreed. Its not a good thing. We were lucky and bought a lot of our materials before things started getting so expensive. The new sanctuary will be a change from the more formal, pew-centered worship style. With 18-foot-ceilings, its planned to do double-duty as a community outreach center. They will trading in their pews for folding chairs. With its new 18-foot-ceilings in the sanctuary, the community can play ball or hold a concert by moving chairs out of the way. In the 1980s, that expansion project immediately filled the at-that-time new sanctuary, and Dry Creek moved to two Sunday services. This summer, Sunday services are averaging some 240 worshippers, Solberg added. The new sanctuary will hold 300, and a to-be-completed mezzanine will be able to add even more worshipers. The older sanctuary is currently used for Sunday service overflow, Solberg said. Right now, were already pretty full. According to Dry Creek Pastor Jim Carlson, his congregation is noteworthy for being the longest-running Protestant church in Montana. The Belgrade Centennial History volume says that by 1903, there was talk of moving the church from the East Gallatin (because of a dwindling congregation). On Jan. 20,1905, Bill Brownell and Harry Cramer physically moved the church from East Gallatin to its current Dry Creek location using log skids and several teams of horses. By the 1980s, the church changed its name from Dry Creek Baptist to its current Dry Creek Bible Church. The Gallatin Conservation District is planning to investigate a complaint about concrete on a bank of the East Gallatin River on land near Gov. Greg Gianfortes home just north of Bozeman. Guy Alsentzer, executive director of the Upper Missouri Waterkeeper, filed the complaint with the district over concrete spotted on the river bank near Gianfortes home this week. In a copy of the complaint provided to the Chronicle, Alsentzer wrote that he floated the East Gallatin on Sunday after being alerted to concrete in the river and along the bank near Manley Road. Alsentzer took photos and a video showing several pieces of concrete in the river and along the bank. In the complaint, Alsentzer said he is aware that the (Gallatin Conservation District) rarely permits the dumping of concrete wastes in waterways, both because such fill materials themselves are pollutants and because such wastes can negatively affect aquatic habitat, stream sinuosity, and flood patterns. Alsentzer wrote that he is filing the complaint so the concrete can be investigated. Alsentzer told the Chronicle that while he was floating on the river, he used mapping software to drop location pins that he later used to determine the GPS coordinates for where the concrete is located. Alsentzer said he is confident the GPS coordinates he recorded are very precise. The coordinates show the concrete is along a piece of land owned by the East Gallatin LLC. The Montana Secretary of States business database lists Susan Gianforte as the registered agent for that East Gallatin LLC. Gianfortes office declined to answer specific questions about the complaint Tuesday afternoon, saying the governor had not yet been notified by the conservation district about it. Becky Clements, the Gallatin Conservation District administrator, said midday Tuesday that she had not yet made contact with the property owner over the complaint. The conservation district will look into the complaint, Clements said, and will likely do an inspection in July in advance of its board meeting that month. The districts board would be responsible for handling any possible violations related to the complaint, which could include fines or requiring the property owner to remove the concrete, Clements said. The district did issue a permit related to Gianfortes property in 2019, but Clements said Tuesday she had not yet been able to locate any other permit that would account for the concrete. This story has been updated to correct the name of the Upper Missouri Waterkeeper organization. Who won Wednesdays summit meeting between Presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin? It is rare that one participant wins a summit JFKs first meeting with Khrushchev in Vienna was perhaps one such occasion. Usually, leaders restate well-known policies, and they take the measure of each other. Biden and Putin have met many times in the past. But this was the first meeting with Biden as American president. Who won, if either of them did, will become clear only in the months and years ahead. Moreover, U.S.-Russian relations are a process, not a series of victories and defeats. For the moment, and as superficial as it is, the question is, how did the two men look? What was their body language? How convincing were they? How self-confident did they seem? Who left the meeting feeling stronger? Barack Obama's bet that he could do good business with Vladimir Putin turned out very badly. Obama had raised the hopes of so many people in 2008 that he had emerged, deus ex machina, as America's complete political leader he turned out being critically unprepared in foreign policy. Obama's failures with Russia, China, Syria and Iraq, jihadism and the Islamic State, were all costly in geopolitical and human terms. Joe Biden of course was Obama's vice-president and shares some of that responsibility. As president, however, Biden is acting with unexpected strength and confidence. The 78-year-old American president seemed more vigorous, lively and combative than his 68-year-old counterpart. First of all, Biden seemed more convinced of his case. He arrived in Geneva after successful meetings with America's allies in the G7, NATO and the European Union. Bidens theme of democracies vs. autocracies is mobilizing, and it puts the West on offense. European leaders responded well to it. Putin by contrast arrived having been in power for 20 years, playing the same old tune. He looked fatigued and exasperated at his post-meeting press conference. Around the cable and network news channels, the experts gave their various predictable slants. This one criticized Biden for having lifted America's sanctions regarding the Nordstream 2 pipeline that will bring Russian natural gas under the Baltic Sea directly to Germany, bypassing Ukraine. That one criticized the American president merely for meeting Putin, giving him a global stage. Yet another asserted that it's almost always useful to talk to adversaries, and that in this case, as with China, the U.S. has common interests that can serve as a basis for cooperation outside issues of conflict. It is far from certain that Biden is correct in saying, as he did, that foreign policy is mainly like personal relationships writ large. Bad mistakes can be made by those with little psychological insight. An infamous case is Bush 43's pronouncement that he'd looked into Putin's eyes and was able to get a sense of his soul". In his own press conference, Biden showed himself to be a global thinker, with an unusual knowledge, and a sympathy, for other countries history. About Russian history and leaders, he said that Putin, who had first been named prime minister in 1999 by the floundering semi-liberal Boris Yeltsin, had long ago given up on a liberal democratic future for Russia. He had concluded that, after all, Russia, as its history shows, is a great power only when its people are united in and by a powerful state. Biden added it seemed almost a slip of the tongue that he understood Putin and Russia's eternal fear of being encircled by enemies. As to Russia's thin alliance with China, Biden noted that Russia has an over-2000 mile, vastly underpopulated and defended Siberian border with China, and that Han Chinese are unofficially colonizing Russian territory by simply moving there. Putin, in his own press conference, showed again that he seems to have little sense of the United States as a country, a people and an idea. It is not that Putin is provincial. He has a European rather than simple Russian nationalist mentality. This begins with his deep understanding of Germany, having been a KGB intelligence officer in the German Democratic Republic for 16 years before resigning in 1991 to go into politics in Saint Petersburg. Responding to journalists questions about his governments political repression in Russia, Putin threw out a few vague counter-assertions about the Black Lives Matter movement, and 'somebody getting shot in the back'. He said he didnt quite remember the details. And overall, he seemed noticeably less well-informed than in the past, or even just less alert, less quick on his feet. He didnt seem bored, maybe it was frustration. The conclusion here is that of the two men only Biden looked happy to be where he was, vigorous, ready to engage. Putin seemed weary. Whereas Biden looked and sounded sincere, confident that he was telling the truth and in simple words, Putin looked as he so often does, like a liar working hard to be mistaken as sincere. Sheep producers have raised concerns over the availability and capacity of UK abattoirs after the government announced a ban on live exports. The UK is set to become the first European country to end live exports after new powers were unveiled seeking to boost animal welfare. The second Animal Welfare Bill was launched last week as part of the government's ambition to 'protect pets, livestock and wild animals'. But the National Sheep Association (NSA) has now questioned the sector's capability of meeting some of the wider implications of the Bill. Particularly, the Bill's aim of reducing travel time from the point of production to slaughter 'needs to also address the availability, capacity and location of abattoirs and slaughter facilities'. The NSA added there was also a 'real shortage' of staff and labour at these smaller sites. Chief executive Phil Stocker said: For years we have heard that the UK has over capacity in slaughtering, and in theory, this might be correct. "But with increased stock to be slaughtered, pressure on journey times, and a shortage of available labour there needs to be investment in options rather than just the application of restrictions." To be able to cater for a ban on live exports, the group believes there needs to be sufficient locally placed abattoirs in livestock rearing areas with attention given to their operation to ensure they can provide the appropriate service. Most farmers want to keep journeys to slaughter as short as possible, the NSA explained, but there still needs to be choice and competition in order to maintain prices. Recent government policy has led to a steady decline in the network of small-to-medium-sized, multi-species abattoirs in the UK. A report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare (APGAW) on small abattoirs highlighted the decline of abattoirs since the 1930s. The number of licensed abattoirs in the UK has decreased from 30,000 registered in the 1930s to around 250 today. The loss of smaller, local abattoirs has meant that livestock have had to travel longer distances within the UK. The NSA explained that there was also an obstacle for those trying to establish local and direct supply chains at a time when there was growing consumer interest. For some farmers in the South East of England, the closest facility has been across the channel in France, according to the group. Mr Stocker said there was also 'added frustration and disappointment' for the sector as the government explored trade deals with other countries, such as Australia. "Trade deals are now being explored and agreed that threaten our standards and values, simply offshoring practices not allowed here and pushing things conveniently out of sight. "The UK government has set its stall out clearly regarding ambitions for animal welfare with the launch of this Bill," he added. A Dorset farmer is campaigning for a change in the law to protect livestock from dog attacks following the tragic death of his pregnant Highland cow. 'Gladis' had been grazing at Eggardon Hill near Bridport when she was chased to death in a suspected dog attack on the evening of 26 May. Farmer Cameron Farquharson said the attack 'should never have happened' as it was an 'act of complete negligence'. The incident was not reported at the time and Glady wasn't found until the next day. The discovery was distressing for the family. Had I been informed at the time, Gladis might not have languished all night in serious injury, pain and distress, and we might have been able to save her and her unborn calf," he said. Sadly, this is not an isolated case. "Farmers are not feeling supported by the government or the police on these matters," Mr Farquharson explained. "Until they are, theyll keep on happening. If we report these incidents to the police, they can investigate, and the figures will get added to the stats. "But theres not often a resolution, especially when the owners havent come forward. A proposed change to the law is being supported by West Dorset MP Chris Loder, who pushed through parliament the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act. To support the 'Gladis Law', Mr Farquharson is calling farmers to come forward with their own stories, and to pledge their support for the bill by emailing hello@redlandscoppice.co.uk. He added: Weve been overwhelmed by the tremendous support from the public on social media and it means a lot to me and my family. "What we need now is the farming community to speak up and help us protect our livestock from dog attacks. Origin of the Motion of the Ocean in the Straits of Florida Revealed Eddies are circular currents of water with a whirlpool motion that moves nutrients to the waters surface. Ocean currents sometimes pinch off sections that create circular currents of water called eddies. This whirlpool motion moves nutrients to the waters surface, playing a significant role in the health of the Florida Keys coral reef ecosystem. Using a numerical model that simulates ocean currents, researchers from Florida Atlantic Universitys Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute and collaborators from the Alfred-Wegener-Institute in Germany and the Institut Universitaire Europeen De La Mer/Laboratoire dOceonographie Physique et Spatiale in France are shedding light on this important motion of the ocean. They have conducted a first-of-its-kind study identifying the mechanisms behind the formation of sub-mesoscale eddies in the Straits of Florida, which have important environmental implications. Despite the swift flow of the Florida Current, which flows in the Straits of Florida and connects the Loop Current in the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf Stream in the Western Atlantic Ocean, eddies provide a mechanism for the retention of marine organisms such as fish and coral larvae. Since they trap the nutrient rich West Florida Shelf waters, they provide habitat to many reef and pelagic species within the region of the Florida Keys Reef Track, which sustains the very high productivity of this region. Moreover, despite the tendency of the West Florida Shelf to overflow into the Straits of Florida, the formation of eddies provides a mechanism that limits the cross shelf transport of nutrient-laden waters. As a result, the formation of eddies stops the export of the West Florida Shelf waters across the Straits of Florida, preventing events such as red tides from crossing over to Cuba or the Bahamas. Conversely, toxic red tide waters emanating from the shelf remain longer in the vicinity of the Florida Keys Reef Tract coral reef ecosystem, adversely affecting the ecosystems health. These small-scale frontal eddies are frequently observed and present a wide variety of numbers, shapes, and sizes, which suggest different origins and formation mechanisms. Their journey through the Straits of Florida is at time characterized by the formation and presence of mesoscale, but mostly sub-mesoscale frontal eddies on the cyclonic side of the current. The study, published in the Journal of Physical Oceanography , provides a comprehensive overview and understanding of the Straits of Florida shelf slope dynamics based on a realistic two-way nested high-resolution Regional Oceanic Modeling System (ROMS) simulation of the South Florida oceanic region. The full two-way nesting allowed the interaction of multiscale dynamics across the nest boundaries. Results showed that the formation of the sub-mesoscale frontal eddies in the Straits of Florida are associated with the sloshing of the Florida Current, which consists of the oscillation of the distance of the current core from the shelf. When the Florida Current core is pushed up against the shelf, the shear on the shelf increases and sub-mesoscale frontal eddies can be formed by barotropic instability. When this position is relaxed, baroclinic instability instead is likely to form sub-mesoscale eddies. Unlike barotropic instability, which is shear driven, baroclinic instability is driven by changes in density anomalies. In the Straits of Florida, eddies smaller than their open ocean relative are formed. Those eddies, called sub-mesoscale eddies, are common and can be easily observed in ocean color imagery, said Laurent Cherubin, Ph.D., senior author and an associate research professor, FAU Harbor Branch. Unlike the larger open ocean mesoscale eddies, they are not in geostrophic balance, meaning that their circulation is not sustained by the balance between the pressure gradient and the Coriolis forces. Instead, some of the frontal eddies in the Straits of Florida are in gradient wind balance, which indicates that a third force, the centrifugal force, is large enough to modify the geostrophic balance. The Florida Current is part of the western branch of the wind driven north Atlantic anti-cyclonic gyre, which is intensified on the western side of the North Atlantic basin in comparison to its eastern side. Similar types of currents also are found on the western side of ocean basins such as the Agulhas current in the southern Indian Ocean or the Kuroshio in the northern Pacific Ocean. They are called boundary currents because they impinge on the continental shelf and as such, they undergo a significant amount of friction on the ocean floor. This friction, which acts vertically and horizontally on the boundary current, contributes to the formation of a sheared boundary layer. Our study shows that this shear layer can become unstable and form eddies. This process is in fact a pathway for the dissipation of wind energy injected in the ocean. Therefore, in the Straits of Florida, eddies smaller than their open ocean relative are formed, said Cherubin. In addition to sub-mesoscale eddies formed locally in the Straits of Florida, there are incoming mesoscale eddies that transit in the Straits of Florida, such as the Tortugas Gyre. Findings from our research also show that mesoscale eddies can be squeezed on the shelf and transformed into sub-mesoscale eddies when the Florida Current is in its protracted position or remains relatively unaffected if the Florida Current is retracted from the shelf, said Cherubin. Study co-authors are Nicolas Le Paih, a Ph.D. student in physical oceanography, Alfred-Wegener-Institute; and Xavier Carton, Ph.D., a professor at the Institut Universitaire Europeen De La Mer/ Laboratoire dOceonographie Physique et Spatiale. This study was supported in part by NOAA grant Coastal and Ocean Climate Applications (NA12OAR4310105) and by the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation. -FAU- The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you, we are excited to offer 4 weeks FREE Digital & Print access to all subscribers new and returning alike. We are dedicated to continuing providing reliable, high quality journalism. This is possible with the trust and support of our subscribers in the community we are proud to serve. Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release SubCategory Select Sub-Category Thalapathy Vijay who entertained one and all with his part in Master, is set to be seen on the big screen again. The actor has shot for a schedule of Thalapathy 65 and we hear that the makers have built huge sets in Chennai to shoot the second schedule of the film. Thalapathy 65 is directed by Nelson Dilipkumar. However, rumours are rife that the makers of Vijays next film might release an official announcement on his birthday. Vijays birthday is on June 22 and a big news is expected to come in on that day. Thalapathy 66 has created a lot of stir online already and there is a lot of speculation about who will direct the project. Well, lets hope the official announcement is made this weekend. New partnership between General Fusion and UKAEA is a landmark collaboration in the development of fusion, a technology for the world's low-carbon future VANCOUVER, Canada and LONDON, UK, June 17, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (BST) -- The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and General Fusion have announced an agreement under which General Fusion will build and operate its Fusion Demonstration Plant (FDP) at UKAEA's Culham Campus. General Fusion will enter into a long-term lease with UKAEA following construction of a new facility at Culham to host the FDP. The FDP will demonstrate General Fusion's proprietary Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF) technology, paving the way for the company's subsequent commercial pilot plant. General Fusion will benefit from the cluster of fusion supply chain activities in the UK, centered on UKAEA's globally recognized expertise and presence in the field. Amanda Solloway, Science Minister for UK Government said: "This new plant by General Fusion is a huge boost for our plans to develop a fusion industry in the UK, and I'm thrilled that Culham will be home to such a cutting-edge and potentially transformative project. Fusion energy has great potential as a source of limitless, low-carbon energy, and today's announcement is a clear vote of confidence in the region and the UK's status as a global science superpower." The Fusion Demonstration Plant at Culham is the culmination of more than a decade of advances in General Fusion's technology, and represents a major milestone on the company's path to commercialization. The Fusion Demonstration Plant will verify that General Fusion's MTF technology can create fusion conditions in a practical and cost-effective manner at power plant relevant scales, as well as refine the economics of fusion energy production, leading to the subsequent design of a commercial fusion pilot plant. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2022, with operations beginning approximately three years later. General Fusion and UKAEA intend to collaborate on a range of fusion energy technologies for power plant design and operation. "Coming to Culham gives us the opportunity to benefit from UKAEA's expertise," stated Christofer Mowry, CEO, General Fusion. "By locating at this campus, General Fusion expands our market presence beyond North America into Europe, broadening our global network of government, institutional, and industrial partners. This is incredibly exciting news for not only General Fusion, but also the global effort to develop practical fusion energy." The Culham Campus, the home of the UK's national fusion research programme, is owned and managed by UKAEA, widely recognized as a world leader in fusion energy development and innovation. "This is a great development for UKAEA, very much in line with our mission to lead the development of sustainable fusion energy, and builds on our long heritage of hosting major fusion facilities such as the Joint European Torus," said Ian Chapman, CEO of UKAEA. About General Fusion General Fusion's mission is to pursue the commercialization of fusion energy based on its proprietary Magnetized Target Fusion technology. The company is based in Vancouver, Canada, with locations in Washington, D.C., and London, U.K. The company was established in 2002 and is funded by a global syndicate of leading energy venture capital firms, industry leaders, and technology pioneers. General Fusion's partnership with the UKAEA coincides with an expansion of the company's global headquarters and research facilities in Vancouver, Canada, and a growing presence in the United States. Twitter: @GeneralFusion More information: www.generalfusion.com (https://generalfusion.com/) Media contact: Grace Peach Director, Marketing and Communications General Fusion Email: media@generalfusion.com (mailto:media@generalfusion.com) Phone: 1-866-904-0995 About UK Atomic Energy Authority The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) carries out fusion energy research on behalf of the UK Government at Culham Science Centre near Oxford. UKAEA oversees Britain's fusion programme, headed by the MAST Upgrade (Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak) experiment. It also hosts the world's largest fusion research facility, JET (Joint European Torus), which it operates for European scientists under a contract with the European Commission. Fusion research at Culham is funded by the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and by the European Union under the EURATOM treaty. Twitter: @UKAEAofficial More information: www.gov.uk/ukaea (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-atomic-energy-authority) Media contact: Nick Holloway UKAEA Media Manager nick.holloway@ukaea.uk (mailto:nick.holloway@ukaea.uk) A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/10dddd6f-2034-4cca-98b8-be66f10b601b (https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/10dddd6f-2034-4cca-98b8-be66f10b601b) TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 15, 2021 / Sparta Group (TSXV:SAY) (the "Corporation" the "Company", "Sparta Group", "Sparta Capital", "SAY.V" or "Sparta") has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") with Austin, Texas based SBL Testing Technologies USA Inc. ("SBL USA") to acquire a minority position in SBL USA. The agreement will provide Sparta expanded market coverage in both the United States and abroad for its recently announced workplace virus protection program and will provide Sparta's TruckSuite and Sparta Health division's access to important new technologies related to the fight against COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. This includes a recently acquired distributorship for SAFE ENTRY STATION, an advanced AI screening technology, developed by Canadian based Predictmedix Inc. (PMED)(PMEDF) in partnership with Toronto based JUICEWORKS. The system is designed to rapidly screen individuals for symptoms associated with COVID-19, influenza and other respiratory infectious diseases. The system can also be configured to screen for THC and alcohol impairment. The agreement between Sparta and SBL will also involve a line of soon-to-be introduced saliva-based point-of-use rapid-tests for COVID-19 screening. As part of the arrangement, Sparta has committed to assisting SBL in its efforts to secure initial rounds of business development funding. Under the terms of the agreement, Sparta will acquire a minority position in SBL USA, immediately opening additional sales channels to international industrial clients (especially in the industrial energy and resource sector) and will allow for SBL to provide its products to Sparta's TruckSuite and Sparta Health Group clients. Sparta also has an option to expand its position based on certain milestones being achieved. Before even turning to any of Sparta's divisional sales channels, and only utilizing SBL's established networks, orders for more than sixty workplace virus protection systems are projected to be in house by the end of 2021. Once sales training has been completed with the Sparta team, updated proformas can be made available. "When finalized, we believe this agreement will not only allow us the ability to better fulfill plans to expand our reach internationally, but it will bring significant value to our customers because it will give us quick, easy access to some of today's most advanced technologies and tools related to both COVID-19 mitigation and to some important new areas of concern expressed by our present customer base," said Sparta President, John O'Bireck. O'Bireck and his team use both the general workforce and the tourism industry as an example of potential demand for pathogen protection tools. A recent survey by the multinational professional services network, Deloitte indicates a total of 89 percent of those who worked from home during the pandemic will be going back to the workplace at some point in 2021. As employers prepare for their workforce to return, safety measures are top of mind. Meanwhile, the tourism industry is trying to bounce back, but just last week the Global Media Forum DW based in Germany, reported that 70 countries had more cases of COVID as opposed to a drop in cases, and continue to struggle with the virus. The news has sparked debate about when tourism should open again and what tools should be used to keep travellers safe. With headquarters in both Calgary and Austin, Texas, SBL ("SBL" is the collective term for SBL USA and its sister company SBL Testing Technologies Inc.) is a well-established provider of on-site rapid testing technologies and support tools to help employers manage risk and maintain worker safety. While SBL's primary focus has been on providing workplace safety solutions for the Canadian industrial sector, SBL USA has been concentrating on both industrial and commercial markets throughout the USA and the Caribbean, which will complement the efforts of Sparta's TruckSuite division and their Sparta Health Group division. "What the Sparta team has put together for both its Sparta Health and TruckSuite divisions is very exciting and we look forward to being a part of both the execution of that sales cycle and a provider of some very exciting complimentary technologies." said Rich Robillard, Managing Director of SBL. About SBL SBL integrates innovative safety & testing technologies into complex workplaces, aligning to corporate risk profiles, safety programs, and operational processes. SBL works with businesses, government agencies, and organizations in all industrial sectors, leveraging technology to reduce risk and enhance policy effectiveness. SBL's team has successfully provided risk management, safety solutions and workplace testing technologies for decades. Pandemic Response / Business Continuity solutions are led by a team who collectively have 80+ years of delivering fully integrated solutions to government agencies & Fortune 500 companies worldwide. You can learn more about SBL testing technologies through the following video link: SBL technology and by visiting www.sbltt.com. About Sparta Sparta Group (a.k.a. Sparta Capital Ltd.) is a technology-based company that owns or holds a controlling interest in a network of independent businesses that supply energy saving technologies designed to reduce energy inefficiencies, achieve reduced emissions, and increase operating efficiencies in various industries. In response to the COVID-19 crisis, Sparta has also expanded its scope to help facilitate supply of necessary materials while assisting talented inventors who are looking to introduce innovative technical solutions that will bring greater normalcy to the post COVID-19 world. Sparta's network of independent businesses provides a wide range of specialized energy capturing, converting, optimizing, and related services to the commercial sector. Sparta provides capital, technical and engineering expertise, legal support, financial and accounting knowledge, strategic planning, and other shared services to its independent businesses. Sparta is a publicly traded company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange Inc. under the symbol "SAY" (TSXV:SAY). Additional information is available at www.spartagroup.ca or on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. For further information please contact: John O'Bireck, President & CTO Email: jobireck@spartagroup.ca Telephone: (905) 751-8004 Cautionary Statements: This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. Although the Corporation believes in light of the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information because the Corporation can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date of publication of this news release and the Corporation undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change. Furthermore, the Corporation undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of the Corporation. These include, but are not limited to, the failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals, necessary financing and risks associated with the environmental technologies industry in general. All forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Sparta Group View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/652062/SpartaTM-Bolsters-its-TruckSuiteTM-and-Sparta-Health-GroupTM-Divisions-by-Signing-an-MOU-to-Acquire-Position-in-USA-Based-WorkPlace-Pathogen-Protection-Company-SBL Proceeds to support rapid advancement of pipeline with over 15 therapeutic programs currently in development across oncology, major inflammatory disorders and rare disease Company to expand with U.S. operations in Boston area and pursue collaborations globally with leading academic institutions Apollo Therapeutics, a portfolio-based biopharmaceutical company rapidly advancing potentially transformative treatments based on breakthrough discoveries, has completed a $145 million (over 100 million) financing. The financing was led by Patient Square Capital, which will take a controlling position in the business, with participation from additional investors including Rock Springs Capital, Reimagined Ventures and UCL Technology Fund. Proceeds from the investment will support advancement of Apollo's robust pipeline into development, expansion of the company's operations including establishment of a presence in the Boston, MA area and pursuit of new collaborations globally. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210616006040/en/ "Five years ago, Apollo's innovative model was created by three world-leading universities Cambridge, Imperial College London and University College London forming a joint venture with global pharma partners AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline and Johnson Johnson Innovation to efficiently advance breakthrough discoveries that have the potential to be transformative treatments for patients," said Dr. Richard Mason, CEO of Apollo. "In that time, Apollo has exceeded traditional growth benchmarks rapidly building a pipeline of over 15 promising programs. There is significant opportunity ahead of us to bring new treatments to market as our lead programs move into clinical development. We will look to build on our existing collaborations, foster new relationships with additional top academics around the world and in-license drug candidates from new partners." Added Jim Momtazee, Managing Partner of Patient Square and member of Apollo's Board of Directors, "For the past twenty years, I have pursued a thesis in therapeutics of backing outstanding teams and building multi-product portfolios in important areas of medicine. Patient Square continues to be very enthusiastic about that business model. We are extremely excited to partner with the team at Apollo, as we see tremendous potential in their product portfolio and their novel partnership approach with three of the world's top academic institutions pursuing some of the most innovative science globally. We look forward to working closely with the Apollo team to broaden their reach globally and to bring a number of potentially life-changing medicines to patients." Rooted in Collaboration Apollo was originally established in late 2015 as a unique joint venture between the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London (then subsequently IP Group Plc), University College London, AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Johnson Johnson Innovation. Apollo was set-up to bridge the gap from deep academic science to patient benefit in the most capital and time efficient way possible. By fostering relationships with top academic scientists and leveraging insights from strategic partners with late-stage development and commercial expertise, Apollo seeks to develop therapeutics that have transformative potential above the current standard of care. The company evaluates breakthrough scientific discoveries across multiple criteria, including having a compelling and testable biological hypothesis or having a differentiated mechanism or technology compared to other therapeutics in development or on the market. Each of the joint venture founders retains a minority stake in the company post financing. Efficiency in Development To advance programs efficiently, Apollo leverages a portfolio-based model with a centralized team of drug development 'architects' working alongside asset-level teams of subject matter experts. Together, these teams are able to rigorously evaluate therapeutic programs in an objective, data-driven manner prioritizing critical experiments to de-risk programs early. The company is able to comprehensively evaluate programs, while committing minimal spend until demonstrating biological validation. This capital efficiency allows Apollo to focus on scaling a robust and potentially transformative pipeline, with over 15 therapeutic programs in development today across oncology, major inflammatory disorders and rare disease. Building Upon Success With proceeds from this financing, Apollo plans to advance its lead therapeutic programs into clinical development as well as identify new programs. In addition, the company plans to expand its UK operations in the Cambridge area, and in the United States with a new facility in Boston/Cambridge. Apollo's growing team will also explore additional collaborative relationships with leading academic researchers around the world. Established Leadership Apollo is led by Dr. Richard Mason, who was recently appointed as chief executive officer. Dr. Mason has over 20 years' experience in the biotech industry, including serving as the head of the Johnson Johnson Innovation Center in London. Before this, he was CEO of novel anticoagulant antibody company XO1 until the sale of the company. Previously, Dr. Mason was the executive leadership team member responsible for strategy and business development at listed companies BTG and Cambridge Antibody Technology where he led numerous M&A and partnering transactions. He received degrees in medicine from St. Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College and immunology from University College London and trained in internal medicine in London. In conjunction with the financing, Jim Momtazee, Managing Partner of Patient Square Capital, will join Apollo's Board of Directors. Prior to Patient Square, Mr. Momtazee spent over 21 years at KKR, where he helped establish the firm's health care industry group in 2001 and subsequently was head of the Americas Health Care Investment Team for over 10 years. Mr. Momtazee has spent years on the board of directors of Jazz Pharmaceuticals, HCA, PRA Health Sciences and BridgeBio Pharma, among other companies. Jazz Pharmaceuticals and BridgeBio Pharma are both examples of the multi-product thesis pursued by the Patient Square team, and that accumulated experience will be particularly additive in supporting the growth and expansion of Apollo in the years to come. Dr. Richard Butt who has been with Apollo since its inception, will serve as the company's chief scientific officer. Jamie Heath will join the company as chief financial officer and Arjun Krishnan as chief business officer. Dr. Ian Tomlinson who previously chaired Apollo's investment committee, will join the Board as a non-executive director. About Patient Square Capital Patient Square Capital is a dedicated health care investment firm that partners with best-in-class management teams whose products, services and technologies improve health. We utilize our deep industry expertise, our broad network of relationships and a true partnership approach to make investments in companies that will grow and thrive. We believe in the power these companies have to improve patient lives, strengthen communities and create a healthier world. Patient Square is purpose-built by a team of industry-leading executives, differentiated by the depth of our focus in health care, the breadth of our health care investing experience, and the network we can activate to drive differentiated outcomes. Most importantly, patients are squarely at the center of all that we do. For more information, visit www.patientsquarecapital.com. About Apollo Therapeutics Apollo Therapeutics is a portfolio-based biopharmaceutical company rapidly advancing a robust pipeline of potentially transformative therapeutic programs based on breakthrough discoveries. Through deep relationships with world-leading scientists and inventors, the company identifies programs with strong biological hypotheses and potential to become meaningful new treatment options. Apollo's model combines drug development 'architects' and deep subject matter experts to build an expansive and de-risked pipeline in oncology, major inflammatory disorders and rare disease. Apollo was formed in late 2015 as a joint venture between three leading academic institutions University of Cambridge, Imperial College London and University College London, and three pharmaceutical and healthcare companies AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Johnson Johnson Innovation JJDC, Inc. For more information, visit www.apollotherapeutics.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210616006040/en/ Contacts: Media Contact (Apollo Therapeutics) Tyler Gagnon Canale Communications tyler.gagnon@canalecomm.com (508) 904-9446 Media Contact (Patient Square Capital) Zach Kouwe/Shree Dhond/Doug Allen Dukas Linden Public Relations zkouwe@dlpr.com; shree@dlpr.com; doug@dlpr.com (212) 704-7385 LONDON, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today marks the launch of the 15th edition of the Global Peace Index from the international think-tank the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP). Key results Civil unrest rose globally by 10%, with Belarus recording the largest deterioration. There were 14,871 violent demonstrations, protests and riots recorded globally in 2020. recording the largest deterioration. There were 14,871 violent demonstrations, protests and riots recorded globally in 2020. Over 60% of people globally are worried about sustaining serious harm from violent crime. Iceland remains the most peaceful country in the world, and Afghanistan the least peaceful. remains the most peaceful country in the world, and the least peaceful. Although there has been an improvement in militarisation since 2008, there are now signs that this trend has reversed. The economic impact of violence increased in 2020 to $14.96 trillion - equivalent to 11.6% of the world's GDP or $1,942 per person - due to increased military spending. - equivalent to 11.6% of the world's GDP or per person - due to increased military spending. The death toll from terrorism has declined for the sixth consecutive year. COVID-19 highlights In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic had a noticeable impact on violence, with some improvements, such as violent conflict, while other indicators deteriorated significantly including violent demonstrations. Three times as many countries deteriorated than improved. Political instability also increased with twice as many countries deteriorating than improving. There were widespread protests against pandemic related measures with over 5,000 events recorded globally. Countries such as India , Chile , Italy , France , Germany , and South Africa were particularly impacted by demonstrations. , , , , , and were particularly impacted by demonstrations. The Czech Republic , Estonia , Germany , Ireland , Lithuania , the Netherlands , Norway , Singapore , Slovenia , and Switzerland are best placed for a post-COVID-19 recovery. The 15th edition of the annual Global Peace Index (GPI) report, the world's leading measure of global peacefulness, reveals that the average level of global peacefulness deteriorated for the ninth time in twelve years in 2020. Overall, 87 countries improved in peacefulness, whilst 73 deteriorated. This was the second smallest in the history of the index but the report also reveals that improvements in peace are more gradual than declines. As much of the world looks towards a COVID-19 recovery, increased civil unrest and political instability will be important to navigate. Iceland remains the most peaceful country in the world, a position it has held since 2008. It is joined at the top of the index by New Zealand, Denmark, Portugal, and Slovenia. Afghanistan remains as the least peaceful country in the world for the fourth consecutive year, followed by Yemen, Syria, South Sudan, and Iraq. Eight of the ten countries at the top of the GPI are located in Europe. This is the largest share of European countries to be ranked in the top ten list in the history of the index. The largest improvement in peacefulness occurred in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, which recorded significant reductions in conflict; however, it is still the least peaceful region in the world. Iraq recorded the second largest improvement globally after Ukraine. Burkina Faso experienced the biggest deterioration of any country in the world, falling 13 places. The indicators that had the largest deteriorations in the 2021 GPI were: military expenditure (105 countries), weapons imports (90 countries), political instability (46 countries) and violent demonstrations (25 countries). The following indicators had the most improvements: terrorism (115 countries), internal conflicts fought (21 countries) and deaths from internal conflict (33 countries). Steve Killelea, Founder & Executive Chairman of IEP said: "The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated shifts in global peacefulness. Although there was a fall in the level of conflict and terrorism in 2020, political instability and violent demonstrations have increased. The economic fallout from the pandemic will create further uncertainty, especially for countries that were struggling prior to the pandemic." Civil unrest & COVID-19 Fuelled by the pandemic the key negative trend this year is the global rise in civil unrest. The largest regional deterioration in peacefulness occurred in North America, due to the increased levels of political instability, homicides, and violent demonstrations. Events such as the storming of the Capitol building and widespread protests across the United States in support of the Black Lives Matter movement increased civil unrest, political instability and the intensity of internal conflict in 2020. As much of the world went into lockdown, the total level of political and civil unrest rose. Between January 2020 and April 2021, over 5,000 pandemic-related violent events were recorded, and 25 countries deteriorated in the violent demonstrations indicator - in comparison to just eight that improved. The violent demonstrations score is now the highest since the inception of the index, with the largest deteriorations occurring in Belarus, Myanmar, Russia, the United States, and the Kyrgyz Republic. During the pandemic, countries with higher levels of peacefulness had more resilient economies. High Peace* countries recorded reductions of less than 7% in total hours worked, while low Peace countries recorded up to 23% according to IEP's Business & Peace Report 2021. The full post-pandemic recovery will not be quick or easy. It is also likely to be uneven, and countries with weak fiscal situations will find it harder than others. Equatorial Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Laos are amongst the countries considered to have the greatest risk of large falls in peacefulness. Although Europe experienced a number of protest events last year, the region remains the most peaceful in the world; however, political instability rose across the continent, along with key indicators of Militarisation, including military expenditure, weapons imports, and nuclear and heavy weapons capabilities. Militarisation and terrorism Global militarisation has increased over the past two years with more countries increasing military expenditure and their armed services personnel rate. This is a reversal of the trend of the prior decade where 105 countries had improved, while 57 deteriorated. The US, China, Germany and South Korea had the largest increases in military expenditure in the last two years. The death toll for terrorism continues to decline, with total deaths from terrorism falling for the last six consecutive years. Preliminary data for 2020 suggests that less than 10,000 deaths were caused by terrorism. Despite the total number of conflict-related deaths falling since 2014, the number of conflicts globally increased by 88% since 2010. However, new conflicts are emerging in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa with sub-Saharan Africa accounting for over 65% of total violent conflicts in the 2021 GPI. Preliminary data suggests that this trend is likely to continue. Overall, the economic impact of violence in 2020 rose slightly to $14.96 trillion - or 11.6% of global GDP - due to an increase in global military expenditure, which rose by 3.7%. This is equivalent to $1,942 for every person on the planet. Thomas Morgan, Associate Director of Research, says: "Violence is a very real and significant threat to many people around the world. Over 60% of people globally are worried about being the victim of violent crime. However, despite the high fear of violence most people feel the world is getting safer. Nearly 75% of people globally felt that the world was as safe or safer than 5 years ago." Violence and safety Violence remains a pressing issue for many people globally and is cited as the biggest risk to daily safety in almost a third of countries. Over half of the population in Afghanistan, Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, and Dominican Republic reported violence as the greatest risk to their safety in their daily lives. Despite this, some indicators of violence have recorded significant improvements since the start of the index, including perceptions of criminality which has improved in 86 countries. 123 countries have seen their homicide rate fall since 2008 and people from 84 countries have stated they feel safer walking alone. Even with these improvements, data has revealed that women are 5% more fearful of violence than men** - while some countries have extreme differences. In Portugal 23% of women are more fearful of violence than men. Regional overview: The Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) remained the world's least peaceful region, but recorded the biggest improvement. remained the world's least peaceful region, but recorded the biggest improvement. In Sub-Saharan Africa , half of the population have had a recent experience of violence. Those living in Namibia had the highest experience of violence in the world at 63%. , half of the population have had a recent experience of violence. Those living in had the highest experience of violence in the world at 63%. Over 50% of people in the Asia-Pacific region feel safer now than five years ago. In China , 63% of people said that they felt safer, which is the best result in the region. region feel safer now than five years ago. In , 63% of people said that they felt safer, which is the best result in the region. Europe recorded an improvement in peacefulness on the 2021 GPI, because of the continued improvement of the terrorism impact indicator . in peacefulness on the 2021 GPI, because of the continued improvement of the . North America had the largest deterioration on the index fuelled by political instability in the US. had the largest deterioration on the index in the US. For the first time in five years, peacefulness deteriorated in Russia and Eurasia due to an increase in violent demonstrations. in due to an increase in violent demonstrations. South America experienced the second largest regional deterioration, owing to increases in violent crime and civil unrest . experienced the second largest regional deterioration, owing to . Due to improvements in the Militarisation and Safety and Security domain, South Asia was one of only three regions to record an improvement in peacefulness over the last year. was one of only three regions to record an over the last year. In Central America and the Caribbean , nine countries deteriorated, with only Nicaragua , Haiti , and Guatemala recording improvements. For more information and to download the Global Peace Index 2021 and also the Business & Peace Report 2021, visit visionofhumanity.org and economicsandpeace.org NOTES TO EDITORS *High Peace is the attitudes, institutions and structures that create and sustain peaceful societies, also known as Positive Peace. ** Data from the Lloyds Register World Risk Poll/IEP The GPI report, articles and interactive maps are available at: visionofhumanity.org Twitter: @globpeaceindex / twitter.com/globpeaceindex Facebook: @globalpeaceindex facebook.com/globalpeaceindex About the Global Peace Index (GPI) Produced by the international think-tank the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), the GPI report presents the most comprehensive data-driven analysis to date on peace, its economic value, trends, and how to develop peaceful societies. The report covers 99.7% of the world's population and uses 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators from highly respected sources to compile the index. These indicators are grouped into three key domains: Ongoing Conflict, Safety and Security, and Militarisation. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/792052/IEP_Logo.jpg Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 17, 2021) - Edison Cobalt Corp (TSXV: EDDY) ("Edison", "EDDY" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a Definitive Purchase and Sale Agreement (the "Agreement") to acquire Resource Ventures S.A. ("ReVe"), an Argentina corporation that owns or controls the rights to over 148,000 hectares (365,708 acres) of prospective lithium brine claims in the province of Catamarca, Argentina. The claims are principally located in the two geologic basins known as the Antofalla Salar and the Pipanaco Salar in South America's famed Lithium Triangle. Salar de Antofalla ("Antofalla") Located less than 20 km west of Livent's producing lithium operation (fka FMC Corporation, Livent is Argentina's largest lithium producer) in northern Catamarca Province, the Antofalla Salar hosts one of the largest lithium-bearing basins in the region. It is over 130 km long and varies between 5km and 20 km across. On September 12, 2016, Albemarle Corporation, the world's largest producer of lithium, announced that it had acquired from Bolland Minera, S.A., a large private mining company, exclusive exploration and acquisition rights to a claim block located in the center section of the Antofalla Salar. At that time, Albemarle publicly stated its belief that Antofalla has the third largest lithium brine reservoir in the world. In 2016, Roskill information Services reported that Bolland had drilled 56 boreholes over 265km2 and defined a resource of 83mt of potash (KCl) grading 6,400mg/l and 2.22mt of lithium (11.8mt LCE) grading 350mg/l. Bolland's test wells were drilled between 2008 and 2011 in the claim block now owned by Albemarle and were completed in conjunction with the Institute of Mineral Resources for the National University of La Plata in Buenos Aires ("Inremi"). Well logs, permeability, hydraulic gradient, core sample chemistry, and gravimetric studies published by Inremi during that period indicated substantial values for lithium and potassium continuously observed from the surface down to a depth of over 500 meters, suggesting that Antofalla is one of the deepest basins in the region. In 2018, ReVe secured TEM geophysical studies conducted by Quantec Geoscience Argentina S.A., including 187 soundings points conducted across 36.4 km of line scans covering approx. 15,655 hectares (38,683 acres) of claims in the northern area of its claims in the Antofalla Salar - all of which indicated the presence of prospective brines down to a depth of approx. 500 meters, which was the intended depth limit of the surveys. Brine in the basin could extend to even greater depths than the TEM scans revealed. "ReVe's assets in and around the Antofalla Salar are made up of approximately 107,000 hectares (264,397 acres) of semi-contiguous claims in the northern and southern parts of this salar, offsetting either side of Albermarle's holdings in the center of this salar. This vast block of lithium claims creates what management believes are to be a very impressive entry point for EDDY as we enter the burgeoning lithium sector," stated Nathan Rotstein, CEO of Edison. "Large land holdings with viable brine represent extensive, long-life resources, which will be critical for both producers and buyers as this quarter of the energy metals space continues to mature in the future to meet the ever-increasing market demand for lithium. Salar de Pipanaco ("Pipanaco") ReVe's claims in the Pipanaco Salar consist of over 41,000 hectares (101,311 acres) of core areas in this salar, which is located approximately 50 km due west of Catamarca city. These properties are in the very early stages of exploration with minimal surface samples having been collected to date. This salar is at a much lower altitude than Antofalla and was drilled more than ten years ago in a program for the federal government of Argentina to identify new sources of fresh water. Based on those drilling reports, the Company believes that these Pipanaco holdings, which are located at only 700-750 meters above sea level, could represent a favorable site for a lithium extraction facility or a potash mine, as well as being a potential location to create a regional lithium processing facility located less than a two-hour drive from Catamarca city. Nathan Rotstein further comments, "Our initial emphasis will focus on developing our properties at Antofalla, as it is a globally renowned lithium basin. Our claims in the Pipanaco salar, while only early stage exploration, may prove to be strategic for a potential regional lithium processing facility located less than 50km from Catamarca city. We believe this strongly positions the Company as a lithium player in South America's famed lithium triangle, during an energy metals commodities bull cycle. Our growth will be accelerated by acquisitions within the lithium space." Under the terms of the Agreement Edison can acquire ReVe and a 100% interest in its properties for a purchase price of $1,850,000.00 paid by the issuance of 10,000,000 common shares of the Company at a deemed price of $0.185 per share. The Company will also pay a finder's fee of $92,500.00 by the issuance of 500,000 common shares of the Company at a deemed price of $0.185 per share. All securities issued pursuant to the above transactions will be subject to a hold period of four months from the date of closing. The above transaction and payment of finder's fees are subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval. Cautionary Statement: Investors are cautioned that the above information and the information on the adjacent properties is taken from the publicly available sources. The Company has not been able to independently verify the information contained. The information is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization on the Property, which is the subject of this news release. The Company will need to conduct exploration to confirm historical mineralization reported on the property and there is no guarantee that significant discovery will be made as a result of its exploration efforts. The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and aproved by Afzaal Pirzada, P. Geo., a consultant of the Company, an independent qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. About Edison Cobalt Corp. Edison Cobalt Corp. is a Canadian-based junior mining exploration company focused on the procurement, exploration and development of cobalt, lithium and other energy metals. The Company's acquisition strategy focuses on acquiring affordable, cost-effective and highly regarded mineral properties in areas with proven geological potential. The Company is looking to build a portfolio of quality assets capable of supplying critical materials to the battery industry. The Company intends to capitalize on and have its shareholders benefit from the renewed interest in the battery metals space. On behalf of the Board of Directors: "Nathan Rotstein" Nathan Rotstein Chief Executive Officer, Director For more information please contact: Tel: (416) 526-3217 Email: info@edisoncobalt.com Website: www.edisoncobalt.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. We seek Safe Harbour. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/87786 Schlieren (Zurich), Switzerland, 17 June, 2021 - Kuros Biosciences (SIX: KURN), a leader in next generation bone graft technologies and a pioneer in the emerging field of osteoimmunology, today announced that high-profile surgeons will present on the STRUCTURE clinical trial with Fibrin-PTH and on preclinical and clinical data for MagnetOs bone graft at the upcoming 16th annual meeting of the Korean American Spine Society, and at the Spine Summit 2021. Company management will also attend several U.S. clinical conferences in June, July and August. MagnetOs bone graft is supported by a growing set of preclinical data demonstrating equiva-lence to the current gold standard, autograft, with over three years of clinical experience since its first use in the UK in May 2017. About Fibrin-PTH (KUR-113) Fibrin-PTH (KUR-113) consists of a natural fibrin-based healing matrix with an immobilized targeted bone growth factor (truncated human parathyroid hormone (PTH) analog). Fibrin-PTH (KUR-113) is designed to be applied directly into and around an intervertebral body fusion device as a gel, where it polymerizes in situ. Fibrin-PTH (KUR-113) functions via the well-established mechanism of action of parathyroid hormone; has been demonstrated in animal models of spinal fusion to be comparable to rhBMP-2; and has been shown in preclinical studies to be easy to use and ideal for open or minimally invasive techniques. The safety & efficacy of Fibrin PTH (KUR-113) has not yet been evaluated for spinal fusion in humans. About MagnetOs bone graft MagnetOs bone graft has an advanced submicron surface topography that leads to the formation of bone in spinal fusion defects rather than scar tissue. In preclinical models, MagnetOs preferentially directs the body's early wound healing response toward the bone-forming pathway, an effect that is so potent that bone can be formed even in soft tissues without the need for added cells or growth factors. This ground-breaking research led to Kuros attaining an osteoinductive claim for MagnetOs in Europe and it is now supported by more than three years of clinical experience since its launch in the United Kingdom in May 2017. Results from in vitro or in vivo laboratory testing may not be pre-dictive of clinical experience in humans. MagnetOs is not cleared by TGA or FDA as an osteoinductive bone graft. Indications statement U.S.: MagnetOs is an implant intended to fill bony voids or gaps of the skeletal system, i.e., posterolateral spine. Mag-netOs must be used with autograft as a bone graft extender in the posterolateral spine. These osseous defects may be surgically created or the result of traumatic injury to the bone and are not intrinsic to the stability of the bony structure. All markets: Please refer to the instructions for use for your local region for a full list of indications, contraindications, warnings, and precautions. About Kuros Biosciences AG Kuros Biosciences is a leader in next generation synthetic bone graft technologies for targeted and controlled bone healing. Kuros's bone graft substitute, MagnetOs, is commercialized in the U.S. and UK for use in posterolateral spinal fusions. Kuros's lead product in development, Fibrin PTH, a drug-biologic combination for spinal interbody fusion, has started a phase 2 clinical trial in the U.S. Kuros is located in Schlieren (Zurich), Switzerland, Bilthoven, The Netherlands and Burlington (MA), U.S. The Company is listed according to the International Reporting Standard on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the symbol KURN. Visit www.kurosbio.com for additional information on Kuros, its science and product pipeline. Forward Looking Statements This media release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to be materially different from historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. You are urged to consider statements that include the words 'will' or 'expect' or the negative of those words or other similar words to be uncertain and forward-looking. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements include scientific, business, economic and financial factors, Against the background of these uncertainties, readers should not rely on forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no responsibility for updating forward-looking statements or adapting them to future events or developments. Live webinarwith Dr.Vargas and Dr. Knuttinenon15 July 2021at 4 pm CET / 10 am ET Ghent, BELGIUM - 17June 2021 - Sequana Medical NV (Euronext Brussels: SEQUA, the "Company" or "Sequana Medical"), an innovator in the treatment of diuretic-resistant fluid overload in liver disease, malignant ascites and heart failure, today announces that it will host a Key Opinion Leader (KOL) call on July 15th, 2021 from 4 pm CET / 10 am ET to 5 pm CET / 11 am ET. The KOL call will discuss the impact of recurrent and refractory liver ascites on patients and healthcare systems and the potential of alfapump therapy in NASH-related ascites. The webinar will feature a testimonial from a patient living with refractory ascites and treated with alfapump, followed by a presentation by KOLs Hugo E. Vargas, M.D. and Grace Knuttinen, M.D., Ph.D., both of Mayo Clinic, who will discuss the impact of ascites on the patients' quality of life and the limitations of current treatment options. They will also share their experience with the alfapump implantation and discuss its potential in the treatment paradigm for these patients. A Q&A session with the KOLs and Sequana Medical management will follow the formal presentations. Ascites is the most common reason for hospitalisation of patients with advanced liver disease and is forecast to grow dramatically driven by NASH-related cirrhosis. Sequana Medical's alfapump has been granted FDA breakthrough device designation for the treatment of recurrent or refractory ascites due to liver cirrhosis. The alfapump is a fully implantable pump system that moves ascites from the peritoneal cavity into the bladder, where it is passed naturally from the body through urination. The alfapump is approved in Europe and POSEIDON, the North American pivotal study to support regulatory approval in the US and Canada is underway. Positive interim data from the POSEIDON study were reported in November 2020 with further interim data expected in Q2 2021 and primary endpoint data in Q2 2022. The webinar will be webcasted live at https://media.rampard.com/20210715b/. To get access to the webinar a registration in advance is required. The presentation and a replay of the webinar will be available on the website of Sequana Medicalshortly after the event. For more information, please contact: Sequana Medical Lies Vanneste Director Investor Relations Tel: +32 498 05 35 79 Email: IR@sequanamedical.com LifeSci Advisors Guillaume van Renterghem Tel: +41 76 735 01 31 Email: gvanrenterghem@lifesciadvisors.com About Dr. Vargas Hugo E. Vargas, M.D. is a Mayo Clinic Consultant in the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and the Mayo Clinic Transplantation Center. His current clinical and research interests include management of cirrhosis complications, acute chronic liver disease and alcohol related liver disease. Dr. Vargas is the Medical Director for the Office of Clinical Research - Arizona and a Professor of Medicine in the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine and is the Chair of the Clinical Research Subcommittee, and the Vice Chair of the Arizona Research Operations Management Team. Dr. Vargas received his M.D. from Hahnemann University Graduate School of Medicine, has authored or coauthored more than 125 peer-reviewed articles and is a Fellow of the AASLD, AGA, ACG, ASGE and ACP. About Dr.Knuttinen Grace Knuttinen, M.D., Ph.D. is a Mayo Clinic Consultant and Professor in the Department of Radiology. She is an interventional radiologist with Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, with clinical and research interests in hepatobiliary disease, the management of post liver transplant complications, and vascular disease. Dr. Knuttinen has more than 20 years' experience in interventional radiology and is a member of the Leadership Academy of the Society of Interventional Radiology and an Invited ABR Board Examiner for International Radiology at the American Board of Radiology. She is the Director for the Mayo Alix School of Medicine Dual Degree program, and the Director for the Barretts ASU- Mayo Alix School of Medicine Premedical Scholars program. Dr. Knuttinen received her M.D. and Ph.D. from Northwestern University, has coauthored over 95 peer-reviewed articles and written 13 book chapters. She is a Fellow of the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) and is the chair of a national SIR committee and currently the principal investigator of an ongoing national prospective funded clinical trial. About Sequana Medical Sequana Medical is a commercial stage medical device company utilizing its proprietary alfapump and DSR (Direct Sodium Removal) technologies to develop innovative treatments for fluid overload in liver disease, malignant ascites and heart failure where diuretics are no longer effective. Fluid overload is a frequent complication of many large diseases including advanced liver disease driven by NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis)-related cirrhosis and heart failure, with diuretic resistance being widespread. The U.S. market for the alfapump resulting from NASH-related cirrhosis is forecast to exceed 3 billion annually within the next 10-20 years. The heart failure market for DSR and the alfapump DSR is estimated to be over 5 billion annually in the U.S. and EU5 by 2026. The alfapump is a unique, fully implanted wireless device that automatically pumps fluid from the abdominal cavity into the bladder, where it is naturally eliminated through urination. DSR is Sequana Medical's proprietary approach to managing sodium and fluid overload through use of a sodium-free infusate administered into the abdominal cavity. In the U.S., the Company's key growth market, the alfapump has been granted breakthrough device designation by the FDA for recurrent or refractory ascites due to liver cirrhosis. Interim data from the ongoing North American pivotal study (POSEIDON) showed positive outcomes against all primary endpoints of the study. This study is intended to support a future marketing application of the alfapump in the U.S. and Canada. In Europe, the alfapump is CE-marked for the management of refractory ascites due to liver cirrhosis and malignant ascites and is included in key clinical practice guidelines. Over 850 alfapump systems have been implanted to date. Sequana Medical has combined its proven alfapump and proprietary DSR therapy, and is developing the alfapump DSR, a breakthrough approach to fluid overload due to heart failure. RED DESERT, the repeated dose alfapump DSR study in diuretic-resistant heart failure patients has demonstrated that repeated DSR therapy is able to both manage the fluid and sodium balance of these patients as well as restore their diuretic response and improve their cardio-renal status. The SAHARA DESERT study of alfapump DSR in decompensated heart failure patients is ongoing. Sequana Medical is headquartered in Ghent, Belgium. For further information, please visit www.sequanamedical.com . Important Regulatory Disclaimers The alfapump system is not currently approved in the United States or Canada. In the United States and Canada, the alfapump system is currently under clinical investigation. The DSR therapy is still in development and it should be noted that any statements regarding safety and efficacy arise from ongoing pre-clinical and clinical investigations which have yet to be completed. The DSR therapy is not currently approved for clinical research in the United States or Canada. There is no link between the DSR therapy and ongoing investigations with the alfapump system in Europe, the United States or Canada. Note:alfapump is a registered trademark. DSR and alfapump DSR are registered trademarks in the Benelux. Forward-looking statements This press release may contain predictions, estimates or other information that might be considered forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. These forward-looking statements represent the current judgment of Sequana Medical on what the future holds, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Sequana Medical expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements in this press release, except if specifically required to do so by law or regulation. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of Sequana Medical only as of the date of this press release. Attachments - Free access for academic users to Euretos AI Platform - Access to the world's most extensive machine-read knowledgebase focused on molecular disease and drug research - The Euretos AI Platform is already proven in some of the largest pharma and biotech companies in the world UTRECHT, Netherlands, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Euretos is pleased to announce that access to its AI Platform will be available for free to all academic users. The integrated data, toolset and workflows that have long been used by the corporate research community in drug development are now made available to the academic research community. "The Euretos AI Platform is currently being used with some of the largest pharma and biotech companies in the world as well as in a number of large public-private partnerships," says Aram Krol, CEO of Euretos. "By making our platform available for free for academic researchers, who are mainly involved in fundamental early disease research, we want to make our contribution to supporting this crucial early investigative effort." The Euretos Platform offers access to the world's largest machine-read knowledge base to provide academic researchers with intelligent and proactive search capabilities, powerful and intuitive analytics functions, visualised relation maps, and many specific workflows for data-driven disease insights such as for target assessment. In addition, it contains curated public data, such as a comprehensive cell type expression library. Access to the platform can be requested here: View plans and pricing Biological research technologies have advanced significantly over the last two decades, providing a wealth of new data covering increasing molecular diversity and more significant manipulation and understanding of biological systems. This has lead to an explosion in the publication of scientific papers and research data. Until now, few tools were available to navigate this wealth of information and to assess the relevance for each biologist's research projects. The Euretos AI Platform now provides an integrated view of publications and relevant research data in combination with user-friendly features and workflows to enhance fundamental disease and drug research productivity. For example, users can create gene sets from literature automatically and overlay them with the results of their wet-lab experiments and understand how these are enriched in the various relevant cell types. From there, biologists can infer the molecular pathways explaining their experimental results, all without depending on bioinformatics experts. About Euretos At Euretos, we are driven by a deep desire to unravel the complexities of human disease biology. We are convinced that understanding disease on a molecular level reduces the risk and cost of therapy development. This leads to better and safer treatment options for more patients. The proliferation of molecular biological research technologies allow for a more granular understanding of physiological processes but is accompanied by an escalation of data variety and volume. By connecting data scientists to experienced biological researchers in our multi-disciplinary teams, we leverage the richness in data to develop state of the art computational disease models which can be readily applied to various challenges in the drug development process. We work with our partners in the biopharmaceutical industry to transform drug development through our data-driven disease insights. Website: https://www.euretos.com/ Rio Tinto has appointed Peter Cunningham as Chief Financial Officer with immediate effect. Peter, who has been Interim Chief Financial Officer since 1 January 2021, will also join the Rio Tinto Board as an executive director at the same time. Peter was previously Group Controller and has held a number of senior financial and non-financial leadership positions across Rio Tinto in Australia and the UK. In a career spanning 28 years with Rio Tinto, he has held roles including Global Head of Health, Safety, Environment Communities; Head of Energy and Climate Strategy; and Head of Investor Relations. Prior to joining Rio Tinto, Peter qualified as a chartered accountant. Rio Tinto chief executive Jakob Stausholm said "I am delighted to confirm Peter in the role and, having worked closely with him for a number of years, I know he is the ideal person to be our Chief Financial Officer. His detailed knowledge of the company and of the financial and non-financial drivers of our industry will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen Rio Tinto." Rio Tinto chairman Simon Thompson said "I look forward to Peter joining the Rio Tinto Board and know from experience that his deep understanding of Rio Tinto and commitment to disciplined capital allocation will serve shareholders well and enrich our Board discussions." Rio Tinto confirms that there are no matters to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 9.6.13(1)-(6) of the Listing Rules of the UK Listing Authority. Classification: 3.1. Additional regulated information required to be disclosed under the laws of a Member State. Notes to editors Peter Cunningham will be issued a standard Rio Tinto executive contract, which includes a 12-month notice period. The remuneration package is in line with our Remuneration Policy approved by shareholders in 2021, and is comprised of the following elements: A base salary of 700,000. Target annual bonus opportunity at 100 per cent of base salary (with a maximum opportunity of 200 per cent of base salary). A long-term incentive plan award of up to 400 per cent of base salary with the first grant to be made in 2022. A company pension contribution or a cash allowance in lieu of pension equal to 14 per cent of base salary. Other benefits will include company provided health care coverage and eligibility to participate in the all-employee share plans. A minimum shareholding requirement of 300 per cent of base salary applies. Further detail will be disclosed in the 2021 Directors' Remuneration Report. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210616006071/en/ Contacts: Please direct all enquiries to media.enquiries@riotinto.com Media Relations, UK Illtud Harri M +44 7920 503 600 David Outhwaite M +44 7787 597 493 Media Relations, Australia Jonathan Rose M +61 447 028 913 Matt Chambers M +61 433 525 739 Jesse Riseborough M +61 436 653 412 Media Relations, Americas Matthew Klar T +1 514 608 4429 Investor Relations, UK Menno Sanderse M: +44 7825 195 178 David Ovington M +44 7920 010 978 Clare Peever M +44 7788 967 877 Investor Relations, Australia Natalie Worley M +61 409 210 462 Amar Jambaa M +61 472 865 948 Rio Tinto plc 6 St James's Square London SW1Y 4AD United Kingdom T +44 20 7781 2000 Registered in England No. 719885 Rio Tinto Limited Level 7, 360 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 Australia T +61 3 9283 3333 Registered in Australia ABN 96 004 458 404 riotinto.com Category: general SHANGHAI, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Fotric produces highly innovative thermal imagers by combining components from world class manufacturers with designing insights from end users and field engineers. Today, we are proudly announcing the release of our latest handheld camera series: the 320M/F and the 340A. The Fotric 320M/F are compact and rugged thermal cameras designed for industrial purposes. The android platform-based system grants users fluid operational experience. They also come with sophisticated analytical software such as the MagicThermal, which can enhance the visual representation of thermal distribution on a user-designated area. The seamless thermal/visual image fusion feature allows inspectors to identify and locate electric anomalies with ease. In short, the series encompasses every need of a basic thermal inspection. These cameras excel in building inspection, oil and gas industry, and electrical/motor system maintenance in manufacturing industry. The Fotric 340A are advanced thermal cameras designed for professional users. It's equipped with every function of 320M/F and much more. The high resolution of up to 640*480 combined with 5-inch LCD screen reveals even the most subtle details in crisp and vibrant thermal images. The laser ranger assisted ultra-focus system help inspectors thrive in heavy load assignments by taking high-quality, well-compensated images in lightning speed. What's more, the interchangeable lens option on these cameras makes them highly adaptable for demanding working environment. Finally, the devices can also record historic data of a device/system and perform trend analysis, thus determine if and when the monitored object requires maintenance or replacement. This series is designed for experienced users in more demanding industry, such as the electric utility industry, metallurgy, and Petro-chemical industry. *We are looking for experienced distributors in the US and EU region. If you are interested in collaborating with us, please visit www.fotric.com, and contact info@fotric.com. Media Contact: Celine, +86 15618512265 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1535405/1.jpg NEW YORK, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- New York Residence, Inc., a world-renowned real estate brokerage firm, is pleased to announce that Mr. Richard Pino, Chief Financial Officer and Associate Broker, will be traveling to Croatia from July 4th through August 1, 2021 to meet with customers. New York is open for business. As of June 15th, New York City has fully reopened all venues for business. Further, the Governor has launched "New York Open for Business" initiative to promote the many assets of investing in New York. This will accelerate New York's real estate transactions in the second half of the year. For more than a decade, New York Residence has been traveling the globe to introduce international buyers to, and educate them about, the advantages of purchasing in one of the strongest real estate markets, New York City. We have successfully found homes, commercial properties, and investment properties for many of these clients. Mr. Pino has traveled to Croatia, Italy, Columbia, Panama, China, Hong Kong, Russia, Ireland, and throughout the US to meet with customers, real estate professionals, and to represent New York Residence at international trade shows. Real Estate Brokerage Is Still A Relationship Business. Real estate professionals need to be willing to travel to meet with customers at their request. Customers can easily find information by surfing many third-party real estate websites, but in-person and phone communication is still the most important interaction to educate customers about potential real estate acquisitions, Richard stated. Historically, New York Residence was ranked within the top five of Manhattan Boutique Firms, was ranked number 20 in closed transactions amongst all firm sizes, and New York Residence was ranked number 22 in listing dollar volume amongst all firm sizes. New York Residence is a real estate brokerage firm that was formed in February 2005, and specializes in advisory services, residential, commercial, and investment property brokerage sales and rentals for the international and domestic markets. It maintains three offices in New York, with international offices located in Hong Kong, Seoul, and Singapore. New York Residence' corporate headquarters is located at 1501 Broadway, 26th floor, in the iconic Paramount Building in the heart of Times Square. Private appointments will be held at Demex d.o.o., an audit and tax firm based in Rovinj., and may be arranged in advance by sending an email to Mr. Pino at rpino@nyr.com. Media Contact: Richard Pino Chief Financial Officer / Associate Broker New York Residence O-212-360-7000 x125 M-917-209-7862 rpino@nyr.com DGAP-News: Steinhoff International Holdings N.V. / Key word(s): Miscellaneous Steinhoff International Holdings N.V.: FURTHER UPDATE ON DUTCH SUSPENSION OF PAYMENTS PROCEDURE AND RELATED ONGOING LITIGATION 17.06.2021 / 08:30 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. FURTHER UPDATE ON DUTCH SUSPENSION OF PAYMENTS PROCEDURE AND RELATED ONGOING LITIGATION Steinhoff International Holdings N.V. ("SIHNV") provides the following update on the Dutch suspension of payments proceedings (the "Dutch SoP") it is currently subject to in respect of the appointment of a committee of representation ("CoR") and the ruling for measures regarding the list of claims as referred to in Article 259 of the Dutch Bankruptcy Act (Faillissementswet). On Wednesday 16 June 2021, the Amsterdam District Court (the "Court") refused to grant the additional requests made by Hamilton for interim measures related to the Dutch SoP claim analysis and voting process. SIHNV, SIHNV's administrators and certain other parties to the proceedings had previously opposed those requests. The ruling of the Court of 16 June 2021 is non-appealable. As announced previously, Hamilton has separately lodged an appeal against the 28 May 2021 decision of the Court to appoint the CoR. That appeal is currently pending before the Amsterdam Court of Appeal with a hearing on the admissibility of the appeal being scheduled for 22 June 2021. SIHNV will continue its defence against any attempt to disrupt the proposed global litigation settlement and SIHNV's ongoing Dutch SoP. The appeal lodged by Hamilton has not caused the Court to reschedule the deadline of 15 June 2021 for the submission of claims against SIHNV ('voting record date'). The claims administrator will now commence a review of the claims that have been received in the Dutch SoP. SIHNV's administrators have requested the supervisory judges in the Dutch SoP to defer the creditors' meeting of 30 June 2021. This request is currently pending, and no revised date for the creditors' meeting has yet been scheduled. Further updates will be provided in due course. SIHNV has a primary listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and a secondary listing on the JSE Limited. Stellenbosch, South Africa 17 June 2021 17 June 2021 Board of Directors Declares Share Buyback On 16 June 2021, Acron's Board of Directors resolved that the Company repurchase its outstanding shares as envisaged by clause 2, Article 72 of the Federal Law On Joint-Stock Companies. The number of shares sought shall not exceed 4,053,400, which is 10 per cent of the authorised capital. The repurchase price shall be RUB 6,050 per share. Therefore, the buyback amount shall not exceed RUB 24.5 billion. Shareholders may apply for repurchase from 8 July 2021 through 6 August 2021 inclusive. The repurchased shares shall be paid on or before 21 August 2021. If the total number of shares tendered by the Company's shareholders exceeds 4,053,400, shares shall be repurchased from selling shareholders on a pro rata basis. A notification of the share buyback shall be posted on the Company's website at https://www.acron.ru/enon or before 17 June 2021. Media contacts: Sergey Dorofeev Anastasia Gromova Tatiana Smirnova Public Relations Phone: +7 (495) 777-08-65 (ext. 5196) Investor contacts: Ilya Popov Sergey Smirnov Investor Relations Phone: +7 (495) 745-77-45 (ext. 5252) Background Information Acron Group is a leading vertically integrated mineral fertiliser producer in Russia and globally, with chemical production facilities in Veliky Novgorod (Acron) and Smolensk region (Dorogobuzh). The Group owns and operates a phosphate mine in Murmansk region (North-Western Phosphorous Company, NWPC) and is implementing a potash development project in Perm Krai (Verkhnekamsk Potash Company, VPC). It owns transportation and logistics infrastructure, including three Baltic seaport terminals and distribution networks in Russia and China. Acron subsidiary North Atlantic Potash Inc. (NAP) holds mining leases and an exploration permit for ten parcels of the potassium salt deposit at Prairie Evaporite, Saskatchewan, Canada. Acron also holds a minority stake (19.8%) in Polish GrupaAzoty S.A., one of the largest chemical producers in Europe. In 2020, the Group sold 7.8 million tonnes of main products to 74 countries, with Russia, Brazil, Europe, and the United States as key markets. In 2020, the Group posted consolidated IFRS revenue of RUB 119,864 million (USD 1,661 million), with EBITDA of RUB 35,311 million (USD 489 million). Acron's shares are traded on the Moscow Exchange, and its global depositary receipts are traded at the London Stock Exchange (ticker AKRN). Acron employs over 11,000 people. For more information about Acron Group, please visit www.acron.ru/en. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 17, 2021 / Minaean SP Construction Corp. (TSXV:MSP)(Frankfurt:NJA)(Berlin:NJA) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has submitted an Expression of Interest for the CONSTRUCTION OF A "SUPER SPECIALITY HOSPITAL" in Madagascar. Pursuant to a conference call with the Head and management team of Direction Generale en charge des Projets (DGPP) of Madagascar on March 2nd, 2021 discussing the Company's capabilities and interest in construction of a hospital project, an Expression of Interest (EOI) of was requested to be submitted. The project, involving design, finance and construction of a 100 bed "Super Speciality Hospital" to be executed through a Government to Government model was discussed in detail during the call. The EOI has now been submitted as per the request made by DGPP, Madagascar, with the Company's profile and track record of its affiliated partner, Shapoorji Pallonji Group, which has constructed 45 hospitals exceeding 19,000 beds and growing. Through DGPP's recent response, they have requested further details and clarification on the class of hospital that will be constructed. The communication is ongoing with DGPP to ensure the Company has the correct and specific information needed to work on a preliminary proposal. Based on the current indication and estimates, the budgeted construction cost of the hospital is expected to be approximately US$ 100 million. In Madagascar, after years of socio-political crisis which weakened its health system and slowed down the progress of health development made during the previous decades, Madagascar has been working towards a socio-economic recovery of the country. The health sector plan has an ambitious goal that states "In 2030, the entire Malagasy population is in good health in a healthy environment in which they have a better and productive life". The current government's health policy prioritizes the provision of adequate and modern medical equipment and health facilities at regional and district levels to ensure quality care for its citizens. In addition, the Government of Madagascar is seeking to establish universal health coverage for children under 5 years, pregnant women and people over 65. Challenges include access to medical facilities, distribution of medical staff, drug and medical supplies are not being sufficiently stocked, and sub optimal administration of the health sector. Over 60 percent of Madagascar's people live more than 5 kilometers from a health center, often in very remote and difficult to reach areas without roads or communications. About the Company Minaean SP Construction Corp. is a company well known for its pioneering efforts in the manufacture of light gauge steel components for the construction industry and modular metal buildings in India. Upon partnering with India's well known 156 year old construction conglomerate "Shapoorji Pallonji Group" (SP) in 2016 as an affiliated subsidiary, the Company changed its business model to take advantage of its $7 billion revenue partner's expertise and track record in Construction and Infrastructure projects globally. The Company through its business relations established with the Government of Canada's trade offices has been developing contracts in Africa and Latin America and is focusing more towards construction of hospitals in these countries. SP is known for its expertise in construction of hospitals, having constructed their first hospital project in Mumbai, India in 1923. Since then SP has established its credibility in this field having completed construction of 45 hospitals, the last one being the well known 600 bed "Al Sabah" hospital in Kuwait. The Company establishes its ability to execute these contracts in partnership with SP and is confident of being a front runner in this industry by the end of this decade. The shares of Minaean SP Construction Corp. (parent company) are publicly traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "MSP" and on the Berlin and Frankfurt Stock Exchanges under the symbol "NJA". For more information, please visit www.minaean.com. On behalf of the Board of Directors MINAEAN SP CONSTRUCTION CORP. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Minaean SP Construction Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/652058/Expression-of-Interest-Requested-and-Submitted-for-Construction-of-Hospital-Project-in-Madagascar VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 17, 2021 / Gold Mountain Mining Corp. ('Gold Mountain' or the 'Company') (TSX.V:GMTN)(OTCQB:GMTNF)(FRA:5XFA) is pleased to announce that it has signed a Letter of Intent ("LOI") with New Gold Inc ("New Gold") to increase its tonnage delivered to New Afton from 70,000 to 350,000 tonnes per annum beginning in year four of production. This addition reflects a 400% bump to the delivery commitments outlined in the Company's Ore Purchase Agreement with New Gold (the "OPA") and provides a clear path to scale mining operations. Highlights The increase in ore delivery allows Gold Mountain to scale mine operations without the need for an on-site mill. The Company foregoing an on-site mill was a substantial driver for reducing its all-in sustaining costs ("AISC") from $735/ounce to $554/ounce (USD). Ramp up in mining operations to 350,000 tonnes per year is scheduled to begin 2024. "We recently updated our PEA with an increase to our production profile in years 4-11, an increase in total ounces produced over the life of mine, and the continuation of selling our ore directly to New Gold. In order to substantiate those economics we felt it was important to show a willingness on both sides to expand the long term working relationship, by executing this LOI. Based on trade off studies that we have completed as part of our ongoing PFS work with JDS Energy and Mines, it became apparent constructing a mill in Year 4 was not the correct decision," commented Kevin Smith, CEO and Director of Gold Mountain. "This new plan eliminates a large amount of CapEx and reduces the environmental impacts by not building an on-site mill and tailings storage facilities. This will allow us to reallocate that capital into continuing to aggressively explore the property, as well as accelerate the remediation and expansion of the existing underground decline. Continuing to demonstrate this project's economics and scalability has always been a high priority. This new mine plan has us producing more gold sooner, at a drastically lower AISC. With the drill turning and the Elk being approximately six months away from commercial production, we intend to continue pushing the pace over the second half of 2021." Ore Purchase Agreement On January 26th 2021, the Company entered into an Ore Purchase Agreement with New Gold to purchase the ore from the Elk Gold Mine. The Company will deliver ore to New Gold's New Afton Mine located 133km from the Elk Gold Mine in Kamloops BC. Under the terms of the Ore Purchase Agreement, Gold Mountain will deliver 70,000 tonnes of ore per annum or approximately 200 tonnes per day. The Ore Purchase Agreement has a term of three years. The ore will be sampled and weighed at the Elk Gold Mine to determine the contained ounces of gold and silver. Following delivery, New Gold will pay Gold Mountain at the end of each calendar month based on the value of the gold and silver in the ore, net of the agreed metallurgical recovery and concentrate selling costs. The terms of the Ore Purchase Agreement mitigate the variance and volatility of operational throughput and allows the Company to avoid any risk of recovery. Letter of Intent The LOI contemplates an increase to the annual tonnage delivered to New Gold by 400%. Under the terms of the LOI, New Gold confirmed its ability to purchase up to 350,000 tonnes of ore per year beginning in year 4. The new terms allow Gold Mountain to scale production without the requirement to build an on-site mill, drastically reducing its capital requirements over the life of mine. The Company foregoing an on-site mill was a substantial driver for reducing its AISC from $735/ounce to $554/ounce (USD) in its latest Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA"). For more information, see the Company's press release dated May 27, 2021 at www.sedar.com. With the LOI in hand, Gold Mountain will now look to streamline the permitting process required to scale production by avoiding the environmental impact of an on-site mile. The Company anticipates increasing production to 350,000 tonnes per year beginning in 2024 subject to both the Company and New Gold obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals. New Gold Permitting Update Additionally, New Gold has submitted its Notice of Departure ("NOD") to the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation to receive ore from the Elk Gold Mine. The NOD contemplates New Gold processing 70,000 tonnes per annum in years 1-3. Both parties do not foresee any delays to the production schedule which anticipates ore delivery in October 2021. Qualified Person The foregoing technical information was approved by Grant Carlson, P.Eng., a Qualified Person, as defined under National Instrument 43-101 and the Chief Operating Officer for Gold Mountain Mining Corp. About Gold Mountain Mining Gold Mountain is a British Columbia based gold and silver exploration and development company focused on resource expansion at the Elk Gold Project, a past-producing mine located 57 KM from Merritt in South Central British Columbia. Additional information is available at www.sedar.com or on the Company's new website at www.gold-mountain.ca. For Further information, please contact Gold Mountain Mining Corp. Kevin Smith, Director and Chief Executive Officer Phone: 604-309-6340 Email: ks@gold-mountain.ca Website: www.gold-mountain.ca Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) has reviewed or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this Release This news release includes certain 'forward-looking statements' under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward- looking statements include statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release and are not purely historical including any information or statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future and often, but not always, use words or phrases such as "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "estimates" or "intends", or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward looking statements in this press release include those relating to the Company's ability to increase production to 350,000 tonnes per year, the timing to scale production at the Elk Gold Project and the timing for New Gold to obtain permits necessary to process ore from the Elk Gold Project. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals; the price of gold; and the results of current exploration. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Gold Mountain 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. For a comprehensive overview of all risks that may impact the Company, please see the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis for the year ended January 31, 2021. SOURCE: Gold Mountain Mining Corp View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/652055/Gold-Mountain-Signs-Letter-of-Intent-with-New-Gold-to-Increase-its-Tonnage-Limit-in-its-Ore-Purchase-Agreement Development of Sales Channels for Produced Sand Continues SHERMAN OAKS, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 17, 2021 / Petroteq Energy Inc. ("Petroteq" or the "Company") (TSXV:PQE; OTC PINK:PQEFF; FSE:PQCF), a company focused on the development and implementation of its proprietary oil-extraction technologies, is pleased to announce that the oil produced last week at Asphalt Ridge (the "POSP") Petroteq's oil sands facility was sold and collected by a buyer last Friday as expected. The buyer was only able to load 200.52 barrels of crude, owing to trucking weight limitations. The buyer paid West Texas Intermediate ("WTI") pricing of US$70.91 per barrel for the 10.2 API heavy sweet crude oil produced by the POSP. Transport costs of US$13.00 per barrel to the refinery in Nevada reduced the net realized price to US$57.91 per barrel. A sample of produced oil is also being prepared for shipment to Quadrise Fuels International Plc in the United Kingdom, for the purpose of assessing the suitability of the heavy sweet oil produced by the POSP for their MSARO technology. It is expected that this sample will leave the US before the end of June 2021, with testing taking place following arrival in the UK. As previously announced, Petroteq and Greenfield are continuing to work with a local drilling fluids company to identify customers for the clean sand that results from the POSP for use as a potential frac sand. The fluids company has, to date, taken an initial 40 tons and it is expected that they will take the additional 700 tonnes of processed sand currently available, together with further sand as it is produced, over the coming weeks. The proceeds from the sale of sand are expected to be approximately US$15-20 per ton. George Stapleton, Petroteq COO, commented: "The fact that we were able to receive WTI pricing for the oil produced by the POSP demonstrates that the heavy, sweet (low sulfur) oil produced from Utah's tar sands will likely command a premium price relative to other heavy oils. There also appears to be a market for our produced sand, which is a bonus." About Petroteq Energy Inc. Petroteq is a clean technology company focused on the development, implementation, and licensing of a patented, environmentally safe, and sustainable technology for the extraction and reclamation of heavy oil and bitumen from oil sands and mineable oil deposits. The versatile technology can be applied to both water-wet deposits and oil-wet deposits - outputting high-quality oil and clean sand. Petroteq believes that its technology can produce a relatively sweet heavy crude oil from deposits of oil sands at Asphalt Ridge without requiring the use of water, and therefore without generating wastewater which would otherwise require the use of other treatment or disposal facilities which could be harmful to the environment. Petroteq's process is intended to be a more environmentally friendly extraction technology that leaves clean residual sand that can be returned to the environment, without the use of tailings ponds or further remediation. For more information, visit www.Petroteq.energy. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. and Canadian securities laws. Words such as "may," "would," "could," "should," "potential," "will," "seek," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect" and similar expressions as they relate to the Company are intended to identify forward-looking information. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking information. Forward-looking information contained in this press release includes statements concerning the timing of when oil to be shipped to Quadrise will leave the US and when testing by Quadrise will commence, and the amount of clean sand expected to be purchased by a local drilling fluids company and the anticipated proceeds of such sales. Such statements reflect the Company's current views and intentions with respect to future events, based on information available to the Company, and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, without limitation, the Company and its partners having the resources and services available to continue and complete work on the POSP and operate it continuously. In addition, readers are cautioned that there is no certainty that the Company's extraction and processing technology will be commercially viable. Material factors or assumptions were applied in providing forward-looking information. While forward-looking statements are based on data, assumptions and analyses that the Company believes are reasonable under the circumstances, whether actual results, performance or developments will meet the Company's expectations and predictions depends on a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results, performance and financial condition of the Company to differ materially from its expectations. Certain of the "risk factors" that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation: uncertainties around the ability of the Company to prepare and submit an updated, revised Notice of Intent that will be acceptable to Utah's Department of Oil, Gas and Mining before 1 July 2021, and thereby avoid a further shutdown of operations at the POSP; uncertainties inherent in the estimation of resources, including whether any reserves will ever be attributed to the Company's properties; since the Company's extraction technology is proprietary, is not widely used in the industry, and has not been used in consistent commercial production, the Company's bitumen resources are classified as a contingent resource because they are not currently considered to be commercially recoverable; full scale commercial production may engender public opposition; the Company cannot be certain that its bitumen resources will be economically producible and thus cannot be classified as proved or probable reserves in accordance with applicable securities laws; changes in laws or regulations; the ability to implement business strategies or to pursue business opportunities, whether for economic or other reasons; status of the world oil markets, oil prices and price volatility; oil pricing; state of capital markets and the ability of the Company to raise capital; litigation; the commercial and economic viability of the Company's oil sands hydrocarbon extraction technology, and other proprietary technologies developed or licensed by the Company or its subsidiaries, which currently are of an experimental nature and have not been used at full capacity for an extended period of time; reliance on suppliers, contractors, consultants and key personnel; the ability of the Company to maintain its mineral lease holdings; potential failure of the Company's business plans or model; the nature of oil and gas production and oil sands mining, extraction and production; uncertainties in exploration and drilling for oil, gas and other hydrocarbon bearing substances; unanticipated costs and expenses, availability of financing and other capital; potential damage to or destruction of property, loss of life and environmental damage; risks associated with compliance with environmental protection laws and regulations; uninsurable or uninsured risks; potential conflicts of interest of officers and directors; risks related to COVID-19 including various recommendations, orders and measures of governmental authorities to try to limit the pandemic, including travel restrictions, border closures, non-essential business closures, 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 including a possible national or global recession; and other general economic, market and business conditions. Readers are encouraged to review the risk factors discussed or referred to in the Company's disclosure documents, filed with United States Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov (including, without limitation, its most recent annual report on Form 10-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), and with the securities regulatory authorities in certain provinces of Canada and available at www.sedar.com. Should any factor affect the Company in an unexpected manner, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, the actual results or events may differ materially from the results or events predicted. Any such forward-looking information is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. Moreover, the Company does not assume responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such forward-looking information. The forward-looking information included in this press release is made as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable law 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. CONTACT INFORMATION Petroteq Energy Inc. Alex Blyumkin Executive Chairman Tel: (800) 979-1897 SOURCE: Petroteq Energy Inc View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/652111/WTI-Price-Paid-for-The-First-Truck-Load-Of-Oil-Produced-After-Restart-of-Operations Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 17, 2021) - Moovly Media Inc. (TSXV: MVY) (OTC Pink: MVVYF) (FSE: 0PV2) ("Moovly" or the "Company") announced that it has built an integration to HubSpot and was featured in a collection of media apps. Moovly and HubSpot users can now use Moovly's leading multimedia creation platform to create engaging sales and marketing videos and seamlessly publish these into the HubSpot CRM platform. This integration forms a link between engaging video content creation and sales & marketing activities as it is proven that video converts more leads and generates more sales. Jake Morgen, HubSpot Partner Manager: "Moovly is a leader in the video creation space helping SMBs to Enterprise companies leverage effective content across various channels. Now integrated directly to HubSpot, Moovly is providing a powerful experience for users to seamlessly embed their Moovly media into HubSpot content with a simple drag and drop. We're lucky to have Moovly as one of our initial adopters of HubSpot's new Media Bridge to drive an impactful customer experience for our joint users." Moovly CEO Brendon Grunewald said, "We are extremely proud to be featured in HubSpot's collection of media apps, with a market cap of 24Bn, a leading CRM platform for scaling companies. Through integration users can make engaging content in Moovly and access that in HubSpot for use in their campaigns, emails and dynamic landing pages." Looking for more info. HubSpot [www.hubspot.com] Moovly [www.moovly.com] The integration [https://ecosystem.hubspot.com/marketplace/apps/sales/video/moovly] About Moovly: Moovly is the leading provider of creative cloud-based tools to create compelling marketing, communications and training videos and video presentations. Moovly's advanced Studio Editor with millions of assets seamlessly integrated (via partnerships with Getty Images & Storyblocks) is all you need to create engaging video content to promote, communicate or explain your product, service or message. Moovly's API and Automator technologies allow third parties to automate parts or all of the content creation process, including mass video customization, personalized videos (video version of mail merge), automatic content creation or updating by connecting data sources. With clients including users from over 300 of the Fortune 500, small businesses, freelancers and Ivy league universities, Moovly is an intuitive, cost effective choice for DIY creation of engaging video-based content. "Your story begins with Moovly" Files are available for download in our press room at www.moovly.com/pressroom. For additional information about Moovly, please visit www.moovly.com. Brendon Grunewald President, CEO and Director Email: press@moovly.com Kelsey Chin CFO and Company Secretary Email: press@moovly.com - ### - Reader Advisory This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "objective", "ongoing", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plans", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information or statements. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements and information with respect to Moovly's future business plans and the expected benefits of its products. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. By its nature, such forward-looking information is subject to various risks and uncertainties, which could cause the actual results and expectations to differ materially from the anticipated results or expectations expressed. These risks and uncertainties, include, but are not limited to, Moovly's inability to continue to commercialize its products or demand for its products decreases or disappears. Other risk factors are set forth in detail in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis dated September 30, 2020 which is available for review under the Company's corporate profile at www.sedar.com. Some other risks and factors that could cause the results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information also include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions in Canada, the United States and globally; industry conditions, unanticipated operating events; failure to obtain any necessary third party consents and approvals, if and when required; the availability of capital on acceptable terms; the need to obtain required approvals from regulatory authorities; stock market volatility; competition for, among other things, capital and skilled personnel; changes in tax laws; and the other factors. Readers are cautioned that this list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is given as of the date hereof, and to not use such forward-looking information for anything other than its intended purpose. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by 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 adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/87836 The new group provides best-in-class solutions across the regulatory value chain and connects regulators and the financial industry across the globe BearingPoint RegTech ("RegTech"), a leading European provider of innovative regulatory, risk, and supervisory technology solutions, has signed an agreement regarding the acquisition of Vizor Software ("Vizor"). Vizoris a global leader in regulatory and supervisory technology headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. With the newly formed partnership, RegTech and Vizor aim to accelerate their future growth journey. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210617005052/en/ Jurgen Lux, CEO BearingPoint RegTech (Photo: Business Wire) The combination of the two companies follows a clear strategic rationale as the companies fit perfectly together and complement each other ideally with their solution portfolios. RegTech and Vizor have a strong track record within the regulatory and supervisory technology space. Furthermore, the two companies serve complimentary geographies. While RegTech can rely on a strong customer base in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and a growing presence in adjacent geographies such as Benelux, Ireland, the Nordics, and the UK, Vizor's customers are primarily based in Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, and Middle East. As part of one group, RegTech and Vizor are well positioned for further growth. The group will provide innovative regulatory, risk, and supervisory technology solutions to all stakeholders across the regulatory value chain. The combined organization will maximize synergies in product development and innovation to create even more value for their customers. Together, RegTech and Vizor serve more than 7,000 firms including banks, insurance companies, and financial services providers with reporting solutions. At the same time, they enable more than 50 regulators and tax authorities to collect and analyze data from 34,000 firms in 60 countries. Jurgen Lux, CEO of BearingPoint RegTech, states: "The deal with Vizor is an important milestone in RegTech's development. It demonstrates that we are growing strongly as a stand-alone company since Nordic Capital came onboard as our new owner late last year. Both Vizor and RegTech have over 20 years of history, are market leaders with our RegTech and SupTech solutions, and complement each other perfectly in terms of products, markets, and customers. As a combined company, we will develop a strategy for further, sustainable growth to fulfill our shared mission: to contribute to the transparency and stability of the financial markets with our solutions." Conor Crowley, CEO at Vizor Software, comments: "Since we founded Vizor over 20 years ago, we have made the company a renowned technology provider for central banks, regulators and tax authorities around the world. Vizor's decision to join forces with RegTech is crucial for the further development and international growth of our company. We look forward to opening a new chapter together with RegTech not only in the history of our company, but also in the field of RegTech and SupTech." Emer FitzPatrick, Country Lead Ireland at BearingPoint RegTech, adds: "As Country Lead Ireland, I am particularly excited about the combination of RegTech and Vizor. Our Irish team will now not only be part of a large international RegTech provider, but also part of a larger organization in Ireland. We look forward to working with the management and entire team at Vizor, with whom we share not only a very similar vision and mission, but also cultural values." The current management team at Vizor will remain and work in close partnership with RegTech. The sellers were advised by Novacies Capital (M&A) and Eversheds Sutherland (Legal). The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals. The parties involved have agreed not to disclose further details of the transaction. About Vizor Vizor Software is a global leader in regulatory and supervisory technology, trusted across over 30 countries worldwide. Using their experience of over 20 years in the industry, the company operates within three areas: SupTech for Financial Regulators, RegTech for regulatory reporting across Banking, Insurance, and Pensions as well as cross-border Automated Exchange of Information (AEOI) for Tax Authorities. Since the foundation in the year 2000, Vizor Software has been developed and shaped to serve the evolving needs of competent authorities around the world. Ready for market since the end of 2014, the Vizor AEOI solution has become the world's leading solution for Tax Authorities. Vizor is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, and has a total workforce of approximately 100 employees. For more information, please visit: www.vizorsoftware.com About BearingPoint RegTech BearingPoint RegTech is a leading international provider of innovative regulatory, risk, and supervisory technology solutions (RegTech, RiskTech, and SupTech), of tax reporting products, as well as of services along the Regulatory Value Chain for financial services. Customers representing 6,000 firms worldwide, among them large international banks, a major part of the largest European banks, leading insurance companies as well as supervisory authorities and central banks, trust BearingPoint RegTech's products and services. BearingPoint RegTech works closely with regulators and, as a member of standardization bodies such as XBRL, actively contributes to the standard-setting process. BearingPoint RegTech combines regulatory know-how with a proven, reliable, and forward-looking RegTech solution suite, advisory, managed services, and training seminars. BearingPoint RegTech is headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany, and has a total workforce of approximately 650 employees. For more information, please visit: www.reg.tech View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210617005052/en/ Contacts: BearingPoint RegTech Sandra Hering Head of RegTech Marketing Communications Phone: +49 69 13022 3666 E-mail: sandra.hering@bearingpoint.com - As part of initiative, Pondicherry, India-based firm to provide insurance cover, periodic testing, COVID care and relief support and Post-COVID care programmes for all employees and their families PUDUCHERRY, India, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Integra Software Services stands with its employees, their spouses and families in the face of the pandemic. The India-based organization is committed to implementing a comprehensive action plan through its COVID task force that supports employees and their dependants in these difficult times. As soon as the early signs of the pandemic spread were noted, Integra proactively rolled out several employee welfare measures. For the bulk of Integra's workforce, 2000+ employees and their dependents, based in India, Integra has implemented the following welfare measures. Insurance Cover Over and above the Medical Insurance cover, Integra provides an amount of about INR 50,000 to all its employees based in India in case they require COVID treatment. in case they require COVID treatment. Integra is one of the few organizations to provide Life Insurance cover, commenced 4 years ago for all its employees, taken as an employee welfare measure, without any statutory mandate, to support the family in the unfortunate event of an employee's death.) Safety The cost of COVID vaccination for employees in India borne by Integra. borne by Integra. Vaccination awareness campaigns and communication on a daily basis encouraging all employees to get vaccinated. Periodic COVID testing for all employees who work from the office in business-critical work functions. Strict adherence to workplace safety policies as per government guidelines. COVID Care and Relief Support for employees, their spouses and families Teleconsultations with doctors, through phone/video call For the infected, curated COVID medical kit with essential medicines, immunity boosters, health supplements, masks, sanitizer, and disinfectant Dedicated 24x7 ambulance stationed at the office premises to provide COVID-related emergency assistance to employees and families 24x7 COVID call centre set up to provide critical information on the availability of hospital support, essential medicines, self-isolation facility, or consultation to employees; it is run by Integrites for Integrites COVID Isolation Centre with paramedical staff and a visiting doctor, basic medication, food, and oxygen beds Qualified external counsellors in addition to internal counsellors to help employees cope with pandemic-induced anxiety and fatigue Virtual yoga and meditation sessions for employees to help alleviate stress and anxiety Post-COVID care programmes to accelerate the recovery process of employees through rebuilding respiratory function, energy enhancement, anxiety assessment and relief, immunization, and nutrition and nourishment. The organization is constantly communicating to its employees on various relief measures available to them. Many employees have benefitted from the critical support. Integra Software Services, founded in 1994 as a partnership organization and incorporated as a private limited company in 2000, is one of the leading content services and digital solutions services providers, with multiple offices in India and offices in the US and the UK. Contact : Prakash Nagarajan DGM Marketing +91-9566444960 Prakash.nagarajan@integra.co.in Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1532264/Integra_Logo.jpg South Asia led the global trend, while the gap in mobile ownership persists LONDON, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A record number of women in South Asia now use mobile internet services, helping shrink the gender gap to 15% from 19% last year in low- and middle-income countries despite the onset of COVID-19, according to the fourth annual GSMA Mobile Gender Gap Report published today. The gains in South Asia, which had the most significant gender gap in 2019 with women 50% less likely than men to use mobile internet, masked the stagnation in other regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa. Women in both regions now face a similar gender gap in mobile internet use - 37% in Sub-Saharan Africa and 36% in South Asia. The GSMA report showed an estimated 112 million more women started using mobile internet last year across low- and middle-income countries. Nevertheless, 234 million fewer women than men access mobile internet. Moreover, the underlying gender gap in mobile ownership persists and is proving difficult to close. Affordability, lack of literacy and digital skills, and lower awareness of mobile internet are critical and common barriers for women. Structural inequalities in society and discriminative social norms also remain a challenge. Even when women have the same levels of education, income, literacy, and employment as men, they are still less likely to own a mobile phone or use mobile internet. Women were more likely than men to access the internet exclusively via mobile in almost all markets surveyed. In Kenya, for example, 63% of male internet users said they only used the internet via a mobile device compared to 79% of females. This reliance by women on mobile demonstrates the disproportionate benefit of increasing their access. "If women are to become equal citizens in a more digital, post-COVID world, closing the mobile gender gap has never been more critical," said Mats Granryd, Director General, of the GSMA. "I urge policymakers, the private sector and the international community to take note of the important findings laid out in the Mobile Gender Gap Report because only concerted action and collaboration will enable women and their families to reap the full benefits of connectivity." The GSMA introduced the Connected Women Commitment Initiative in 2016 to catalyse action to close the mobile gender gap. Mobile operators continued to make commitments during 2020, with 40 mobile operators across Africa, Asia and Latin America making formal commitments to accelerate digital and financial inclusion for women since 2016. These operators have already reached more than 40 million additional women with mobile internet or mobile money services. The GSMA's Mobile Gender Gap Report 2021 is available at: https://www.gsma.com/r/gender-gap/ Further information on the Connected Women Commitment Initiative can be found at: https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/connected-women/the-commitment/ About GSMA The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting more than 750 operators with almost 400 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces the industry-leading MWC events held annually in Barcelona, Africa, Los Angeles and Shanghai, as well as the Thrive Series of regional conferences. For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA. About GSMA Connected Women GSMA's Connected Women Programme works with mobile operators and their partners to address the barriers to women accessing and using mobile internet and mobile money services. Connected Women aims to reduce the gender gap in mobile internet and mobile money services and unlock significant commercial opportunities for the mobile industry and socio-economic benefits for women. This report is the output of a project funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The views expressed are not necessarily those of either organisation. For more information, please visit www.gsma.com/connectedwomen Media Contacts: GSMA Press Office pressoffice@gsma.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1385555/GSMA_Logo.jpg Combined Solution Will Set the Industry Standard for Climate Analytics Integration of Baringa's Climate Change Scenario Model Will Enhance BlackRock's Aladdin Climate to Help Companies Assess Climate Impact BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE: BLK) and Baringa Partners today announced their entry into a definitive agreement for BlackRock to acquire and integrate Baringa's industry-leading Climate Change Scenario Model into BlackRock's Aladdin Climate technology. The new long-term partnership is a significant milestone for both firms, as they collaborate to set the standard for modelling the impacts of climate change and the transition to a low carbon economy on financial assets for investors, banks and other clients. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210617005087/en/ Baringa and BlackRock will bring together their expertise to develop climate risk models underpinning Aladdin Climate, as well as innovating other climate analytics solutionsThrough the partnership, Baringa will use the core Aladdin Climate capabilities as part of its growing global consulting work in advising financial services, governments, regulatory bodies, and clients across all sectors on climate risk and developing net zero strategies. While the reallocation of capital to sustainable investment strategies continues with over USD$2.3 trillion of assets under management in sustainability funds globally as of the first quarter of 20211 understanding the potential impacts of climate change and the transition to a low carbon economy on their portfolios remains a complex challenge for investors. With the number of governments and companies making commitments to achieve net-zero continuing to grow alongside increased regulatory requirements for climate-related disclosures, companies and investors alike are seeking solutions to help assess climate risk. Sudhir Nair, Global Head of the Aladdin Business at BlackRock comments, "Investors and companies are increasingly recognising that climate risk presents investment risk. Through this partnership with Baringa, we are raising the industry bar for climate analytics and risk management tools, so clients can build and customise more sustainable portfolios. The integration of Baringa's models and the ongoing collaboration between our firms will enhance Aladdin Climate's capabilities, helping our clients understand transition risks in more sectors and regions than ever before." Colin Preston, Global Head of Climate Solutions at Baringa said, "Climate change is the number one challenge and opportunity of our generation. Having developed the leading Climate Change Scenario Model, we are excited to partner with BlackRock to accelerate the adoption of this solution by organisations across the globe. The integration of Baringa's Climate Change Scenario Model into BlackRock's Aladdin platform will inform the reallocation of capital across the global economy, accelerating the transition to net zero." Baringa developed its market-leading climate scenario modelling capabilities on 20 years of experience. Baringa's solutions support net zero commitments, TCFD reporting, regulatory reporting, investment and capital allocation strategies, as well as developing climate risk management capabilities. As the leading solution in the financial services sector, Baringa's Climate Change Scenario Model is informing clients with assets totalling more than $15 trillion; supporting the management of climate risk and the reallocation of capital to achieve net zero. BlackRock began developing Aladdin Climate to fill a void in climate risk analytics by creating technology to help clients better understand and mitigate the financial impacts associated with climate change on their portfolios. Aladdin Climate is offered through the Aladdin platform and is used by BlackRock's Financial Markets Advisory (FMA) group to deliver sustainability advisory services to clients. It measures both the impacts of physical risks, like extreme weather events, and transition risks such as policy changes, new technology, and energy supply at the financial instrument and portfolio levels. About BlackRock BlackRock's purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate About Baringa Baringa Partners is an independent business and technology consultancy which operates globally with offices in the US, Asia, Europe, the UK, and Australia. Baringa has developed the world's leading climate scenario modelling and temperature alignment capability. For more information, please visit www.baringa.com/climaterisk or e-mail ClimateChange@baringa.com About Aladdin Aladdin is BlackRock's end-to-end portfolio management, risk management and operations platform used by institutional investors including asset managers, pension funds, insurers, banks and corporate treasurers. It combines sophisticated risk analytics with comprehensive portfolio management, trading and operations tools on a single, unified platform. Also customised for wealth managers, Aladdin provides a common language across the investment lifecycle and enables a culture of risk transparency among users. About Baringa's Climate Change Scenario Model Baringa has developed market-leading climate scenario modelling capabilities through the firm's specialist experience advising governments, energy, and financial services clients on climate risk over the past 20 years. The Climate Change Scenario Model is used by clients who have assets totaling more than $15 trillion. (pre-announcement with BlackRock) 1 Sources: Simfund, Morningstar "Sustainable Investment -Overall" for US MFs; Broadridge "RI-Screened", "RI -Embedded" for Non-US MFs, GBI "Sust.", "Sustainability related" for global ETFs; data as of Mar 2021. Excludes FoFs and closed-end funds. US Sustainable Money Market funds not included in Morningstar's flagging methodology. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210617005087/en/ Contacts: Media: Emma Phillips Emma.phillips@blackrock.com +44 20 7743 2922 Dave Stevens Dave.Stevens@baringa.com +44 7779232224 Geeta Kana Geeta.kana@blackrock.com +44 (207) 7434361 Liam McGrory Liam.McGrory@baringa.com +44 7947336428 Norwegian researchers have conducted a study to assess the technical feasibility of solar parks in polar regions. They found out that snowdrifts may be a major issue but they also believe that snow accumulation can be reduced through snow fences and proper system design.A group of scientists from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, the University Centre in Svalbard, and Norway-based consultancy Multiconsult, has sought the assess the technical feasibility of large scale PV projects in polar regions and has investigated, in particular, the performance of a small-scale, ground-mounted, solar ... 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. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - BlackRock, Inc. (BLK) announced Thursday a definitive agreement to acquire and integrate Baringa Partners' Climate Change Scenario Model into BlackRock's Aladdin Climate technology. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The companies collaborate to set the standard for modelling the impacts of climate change and the transition to a low carbon economy on financial assets for investors, banks and other clients. The companies said the new long-term partnership is a significant milestone for both firms. In the deal, Baringa and BlackRock will bring together their expertise to develop climate risk models underpinning Aladdin Climate, as well as innovating other climate analytics solutions. Through the partnership, Baringa will use the core Aladdin Climate capabilities as part of its growing global consulting work in advising financial services, governments, regulatory bodies, and clients across all sectors on climate risk and developing net zero strategies. Sudhir Nair, Global Head of the Aladdin Business at BlackRock said, 'Investors and companies are increasingly recognising that climate risk presents investment risk. Through this partnership with Baringa, we are raising the industry bar for climate analytics and risk management tools, so clients can build and customise more sustainable portfolios.' 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. SHANGHAI, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Human Horizons, the company behind the world's-first evolvable super SUV, the HiPhi X, has announced that Michael Li has joined the company as Co-President, reporting directly to Ding Lei, Chairman, Founder, and CEO of Human Horizons. With a wealth of experience in the automotive industry, Michael will also serve as Chairman of Sales and Service, overseeing all HiPhi sales, after-sales, customer development, daily operations, brand PR, and product communications. Moving forward, Michael will be dedicated to improving the overall quality of customer service provided by the company, ensuring a positive experience throughout the entire customer lifecycle. Regarding his appointment, Michael Li said, "I am so honored to be joining the Human Horizons team. This is an innovative company that is not only leading the way in the automotive industry, but also understands what consumers really want, and how to give it to them. Under the guidance of Ding Lei and the current management team, the company has achieved some very impressive results within a short period of time. I look forward to continuing their work, forging closer relationships with users and providing genuinely great quality products and services." Human Horizons founder and CEO, Ding Lei noted, "Michael's appointment is a crucial step in the next stage of our journey at Human Horizons. He brings with him much experience and knowledge in marketing and brand operations whilst also being a forward-thinking visionary. At this moment in time, the on-schedule delivery of the HiPhi X is an important milestone for the company, marking the beginning of a new stage of co-creation with our users to create genuine value together." Michael Li holds a bachelor's degree in Engineering from Hefei University of Technology and a master's degree in Power Engineering from Dalian University of Technology; he was also awarded an EMBA from the China Europe International Business School. Michael has won numerous awards and was named a notable figure in China's automotive industry during the 30th and 40th anniversary of China's reforms. Michael Li has accumulated in-depth experience in the automotive industry, and driven innovative sales and marketing strategies that bolstered brand market share. His previous roles include board member, Deputy General Manager, and Sales Manager at Chery Automobile as well as board member and Deputy Manager of Operations at Hyundai Motors (Beijing). Prior to these positions, Michael also served as Sales Director of Mercedes-Benz (China), CEO of Qoros Auto, Vice President of Hyundai Motor Group (China), and General Manager of Dongfeng Yueda Kia Motor Co., Ltd. In other associated changes, Human Horizons Co-Founder Kevin Chen will step down as CMO but continue to serve as COO. In this role, Kevin will support Ding Lei in overall business management, daily operations, and product planning, as well as supporting product center management, driving overseas business planning and facility construction. Kevin will also work with the company's management team to focus on brand-building. About HiPhi HiPhi is a premium brand created by Human Horizons and enhanced by its users. HiPhi X is an EV with a lightweight hybrid aluminum-steel construction and sustainable vegan leathers and recyclable materials which add to the sustainable nature of Human Horizons' EV products. About Human Horizons Human Horizons was established for R&D in innovative and leading intelligent mobility technologies as well as the industrialization of future-oriented smart vehicles. Furthermore, Human Horizons builds smart transportation technologies and contributes to the development of smart cities, which will redefine human mobility. Forward-Looking Statement This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminologies such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "aims," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "likely to," and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Human Horizons' beliefs, plans, and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Human Horizons' strategies, future business development, and financial condition and results of operations; Human Horizons' limited operating history; risks associated with electric vehicles; Human Horizons' ability to develop, manufacture, and deliver vehicles of high quality and appeal to customers on schedule and on a large scale; Human Horizons' ability to grow manufacturing in its joint venture plant; product defects or any other failure of vehicles to perform as expected; Human Horizons' ability to build the Human Horizons and HiPhi brands; Human Horizons' ability to compete successfully; Human Horizons' ability to secure sufficient reservations of orders; changes in consumer demand and government incentives, subsidies, or other favorable government policies; general economic and business conditions globally and in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Human Horizons does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1213394/HiPhi_Logo.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1535465/Michael_Li.jpg Speyside Home of Johnnie Walker opens ahead of Johnnie Walker Princes Street launch in Edinburgh as part of 185 million Diageo investment LONDON, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Diageo continues its commitment to whisky tourism in Scotland with the opening of the reimagined Cardhu Distillery in Speyside. All roads now lead to the Johnnie Walker Princes Street whisky experience in Edinburgh - the centre-piece attraction in the company's visionary ambition for whisky tourism in Scotland - that will launch this summer. The distinctive flag used by Helen Cumming of Cardhu's founding family - one of whisky's most famous female pioneers - to warn illicit distillers of the approaching 'excise man' in the 1800s now flies proudly above the distillery once again. This is the latest move in a journey across the Johnnie Walker 'four corners' distilleries of Glenkinchie in the Lowlands and the Highland distillery of Clynelish, which opened their doors to the public after being transformed into world-leading tourism destinations. The new visitor experience celebrates the distillery's 200-year history and legacy as a pivotal part of the Johnnie Walker story, it was sold by the Cummings' family to Johnnie Walker and Sons in 1893 and became integral to the Johnnie Walker success story over the coming decades. The state-of-the-art space includes a re-designed immersive story-telling experience with a projection story room, whisky tasting kitchen and updated whisky experience tours. Cristina Diezhandino, Diageo Chief Marketing Officer, said: "We are delighted to be raising the flag at Cardhu to mark the opening of the new visitor experience just as our distilling pioneer Helen Cumming did two centuries ago. When Helen raised her flag, it was to warn her neighbours and the local community, but today we raise the flag in a symbol of confidence and ambition for the future of Scotch whisky and tourism in Speyside and throughout Scotland. "Cardhu is a special whisky, a special distillery with a special history and heritage, and the investment we have made creates an exciting and engaging experience that will surprise and delight visitors whether they are local staycationers in the UK or tourists from around the globe when they are able to travel." Cardhu is the third of the 'Four Corner' Johnnie Walker distillery experiences - which are single malt distilleries that represent Scotland's four whisky making regions and contribute to the world's number one Scotch whisky - to be transformed as part of Diageo's Scotch whisky investment. Following on from the launch of Johnnie Walker Princes Street later this Summer, Caol Ila Distillery on Islay will be next to reopen in 2022 after its own reimagining, to complete the 'four corners' story. Most recently, the iconic "ghost" distillery of Brora was also reawakened after 38 years and is producing whisky once again as part of the Diageo investment. Ewan Andrew, President of Global Supply Chain and Procurement, said: "Cardhu is the latest step in our 185million investment journey to transform Scotch whisky tourism and to create truly world-class visitor experiences at our distilleries, and at Johnnie Walker Princes Street when it opens later this summer. "Everyone involved in this project is incredibly proud of the visitor attractions we are creating, and of the contribution they will make to the economic recovery of Scotland. This is not just an investment in Scotch whisky tourism, but an investment in the future growth of Scotch whisky by engaging new generations of whisky consumers both at home and around the world." At Cardhu visitors will be invited to discover the incredible story of Cardhu in the brand home's new story room where guests can watch a captivating animation retelling of the whisky's origins by Scottish production studio Eyebolls. The projected film will tell the story of the distillery's beginnings and how the tale of Helen Cumming waving the now iconic red flag to warn fellow distillers of approaching tax collectors has gone on to be one of the most acclaimed stories in whisky. Guests will also be able to explore the distillation and maturation process of Cardhu's signature whisky, bursting with notes of orchard fruits and freshly cut grass, as part of a selection of updated interactive tours and experiences, and enjoy a dram or delicious highball at the brand home's new modern Tasting Kitchen. Cardhu Distillery will initially welcome UK visitors in accordance with the latest safety guidelines and look to host international tourists when it is deemed safe to travel by the Scottish Government. Diageo has worked closely with Euan's Guide, a Scottish Charity that works to improve accessibility at all visitor attractions, to make the brand home more accessible for visitors. Diageo has also introduced new sustainability measures as part of its redevelopment to help drive its ambitious Society 2030: Spirit of Progress action plan, such as reducing overall light pollution, conserving water with landscaping and site implementations systems and safeguarding local pollinators and wildlife with a new biodiversity protection programme. Recently the Lowland and Highland homes of Johnnie Walker, Glenkinchie and Clynelish, received Scotland's most prestigious Green Tourism Gold award and Cardhu will open as a Green Tourism Gold accredited site. Green Tourism's certification programme provides a framework to achieve a sustainable tourism business and recognises the commitment of businesses which are actively working to become more sustainable. With the award recognising the full breadth of each distillery's green operating credentials - from sending zero-waste to landfill, to the sustainability of its distillation process and the high standards of water efficiency and stewardship. For more information and to book a tour at Cardhu Distillery, please visit https://www.malts.com/en-row/distilleries Full details of the distilleries and Johnnie Walker Princes Street redevelopment can be found in this downloadable press pack. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1534862/Cardhu_Distillery.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1534863/Cardhu_Distillery.jpg The "UK Travel Insurance Consumer Research Report 2021" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This report will examine the motivations, experiences and opinions of the UK travel insurance customer. It focuses primarily on annual multi-trip insurance, although the report also discusses in places single trip insurance. The research will identify and analyse consumer attitudes towards travel insurance, look at the claims experience of policyholders, and investigate why they choose one route to purchase over another. In addition, it will explore how price sensitivity is impacting the market. Similar research was run in 2019 and this report compares and contrasts the findings. Compared with 2019, 2021 has seen a significant decline in the number of overseas travel trips taken, with the duration of trips also shortening. Despite this, ownership of multi-trip insurance held up well: in 2021, 22% of all consumers owned multi-trip travel insurance, compared with 25% in 2021. This relatively small decline, however, reflects the continued coverage of travel insurance in packaged bank accounts. Fewer policyholders in 2021 owned multi-trip cover via standalone policies compared with 2019, while the percentage owning via packaged bank accounts increased. This suggests passive ownership i.e., ownership not directly related to taking a trip aboard increased in 2021 compared with 2019. While multi-trip insurance ownership held up reasonably well, ownership of single trip insurance declined very significantly. In 2019, single trip insurance was owned by 40% of all consumers over the previous year. In 2021, this had declined to just 15%. In 2021 only 5% of policyholders were first time buyers of multi-trip insurance in the last year (i.e., made their first ever travel insurance purchase and have been with their current provider for less than 1 year). This is well down on the 15% of new FTBs in 2019 and is another indication of the impact of COVID-19 travel restrictions on the market. Other findings from the report, include: While policyholders who have multi-trip travel insurance find the experience satisfying and largely pain free, the satisfaction of those who have claimed declined in 2021 compared with 2019, although it remains high. In 2021, compared with 2019, fewer claimants were satisfied with the outcome of their claim, fewer had a completely successful outcome to their claim and most significantly of all, far fewer thought the claims process was easy, with almost one-third of claimants in 2021 considering the claims process as hard. It could be that given the impact of COVID-19 on claims, claimants have found it harder to claim or make a completely successful claim. The percentage of multi-trip policyholder making a claim in the past year declined significantly in 2020/21 compared with 2018/19, no doubt reflecting the decline in overseas trips over this period. While few policyholders can register or have registered a claim via a customer online portal, the incidence of doing so has increased sharply between 2019 and 2021. Key Topics Covered: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY COVID-19 leads to a drop in policy ownership and a decline in market size. Ownership biased towards more affluent consumers. Policyholders are relatively loyal, but the customer merry-go-round still spins. Policyholders like to discover deals online, mainly via PCWs. Multi-trip policyholders balance price and cover Brands are not of prime importance. Most policyholders have a good experience. Significant drop in claims The claims process runs smoothly but there were increased frictions in 2021 Introduction PROFILE OF THE POLICYHOLDER Slight drop in ownership of multi-trip travel insurance Collapse in the single trip travel insurance market Fewer overseas holiday trips, especially to Western Europe More affluent consumers are the most likely to own travel insurance. Frequent travellers the most likely to own travel insurance. Multi-trip policyholders tend to own standalone policies and pay for them annually Insured travellers like to minimise their risks. THE CUSTOMER JOURNEY BEGINS Over seven-in-ten multi-trip policyholders are multiple customer journey takers. The renewal prompt helps kick start the customer journey Travelling overseas inspired switching in 2020/21 Switching can become habitual. Many of those renewing only do so after starting on a new journey. Over half of those renewing without searching still try and get a better deal. BUYING A POLICY: FINDING THE RIGHT DEAL If looking for a deal, the attention goes towards Price Comparison Websites Policyholders acquiring their multi-trip policies in the last year rely heavily on PCWs And the focus on PCWs will shape the next customer journey PCWs offer the winning combination: easy access and the info required PCWs are also a prime purchasing channel especially for single trip insurance POLICY ACQUISITION: PRICE NEGOTIATION Multi-trip policyholders balance price and cover Brands are not of prime importance The final price/cover offer is the result of a negotiated settlement. Negotiations likely to centre on broad policy features Policyholders need their information delivered in a concise manner BEING A POLICYHOLDER Being a policyholder is an easy and satisfying process Policy management is moving online Significant drop in travel insurance claims Claiming remains a largely satisfying experience but less so than before MARKET SIZE AND TRENDS Travel insurance market declines by almost 40% A diverse market in terms of brands For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rvshvc View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210617005365/en/ Contacts: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 There are hundreds of different diseases and even more symptoms that can affect pets. Even a veterinarian cannot remember all of them without help. The new GekkoCompass application, recently launched by a Finnish company, suggests the most probable diagnosis and the appropriate treatment at the touch of a button to the veterinarian. In treating their patients, veterinarians use numerous different sources to arrive at a diagnosis. Now, however, there is no longer a need for stacks of books or confusing notes. GekkoCompass creates a list of possible diagnoses in probability order, based on the patient's symptoms, laboratory results, and other findings. After the diagnosis is selected, the appropriate treatments are suggested to the veterinarian. GekkoCompass provides support throughout the patient's treatment chain reducing the risk of human error at all stages. It does not forget things and preconceptions will not influence the diagnoses suggested. GekkoCompass currently includes information for internal diseases of dogs and cats. With these alone there are nearly 25,000 different disease-symptom combinations. The content will grow to embrace new animal species as well as different fields of veterinary medicine. All this information is available to all veterinarians worldwide regardless of the level of veterinary education or the country's resources. Johanna Majamaa, CEO of GekkoVet Oy, states: "The main idea behind this application's development has been the desire to promote animal welfare worldwide. With GekkoCompass, the veterinarian will find diagnoses and recommended treatments faster and with greater confidence. At the same time, information is accumulated as veterinary medicine real world data (RWD). This is the first time ever when this data is automatically structured along the patient treatment path. PetCompass, a sister product that we have just launched, arose out of this same idea, but is intended for pet owners. We thought, why not provide professional-level information to animal owners as well and facilitate the flow of information between owners and veterinarians?" Until now, pet owners have had to look for pet health information from a variety of sources, the reliability of which varies greatly. Now up-to-date information on the pet's condition is easily available in one place through the PetCompass mobile app. GekkoVet Oy is working with If P&C Insurance, which offers its dog and cat insurance customers the Premium version of the PetCompass application for 3 months free of charge. "During the corona pandemic, the number of new pet owners has grown sharply. We want to help, especially, the less experienced dog and cat owners by offering peace of mind in the different everyday situations that they and their pets find themselves in. The application provides a reliable and effortless way to discover the causes of a pet's symptoms and to easily get in touch with a veterinarian (or a remote veterinarian) if this is necessary," says Heidi Elomaa, If's veterinarian and Product Manager for Animal Insurance. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210617005381/en/ Contacts: CEO Johanna Majamaa, DVM GekkoVet LLC +358451896144 johanna.majamaa@gekkovet.com gekkovet.com London, June 17, 2021 Discover what happens when two of the world's most innovative companies join forces to tackle a major challenge together. The ultimate goal of the partnership between CNH Industrial and Nikola Corporation is to develop and produce a complete line-up of zero-emission heavy-duty trucks. The greatly reduced carbon footprint will provide concrete environmental benefits thereby contributing to a cleaner, greener future. In this latest episode, we go behind the scenes with the teams who are working on turning that vision into reality: cnhindustrial.com/AnElectrifyingPartnership IVECO and FPT Industrial, the commercial vehicle and powertrain brands of CNH Industrial N.V. (NYSE:CNHI / MI:CNHI), began their collaboration with Nikola at the end of 2019 with the aim of developing and deploying zero-emission Class 8 heavy-duty trucks, powered by both battery and hydrogen fuel-cell, in North America and Europe. By leveraging the partners' respective expertise and technological know-how, the project has very quickly moved from the drawing board to the trial stages with the prototypes already built. The film follows the first Nikola Tre battery-electric vehicle (BEV) prototype on its journey beginning at the IVECO manufacturing facility in Ulm, Germany, the production hub for European Manufacturing Joint Venture between CNH Industrial and Nikola. On arrival by ship in Baltimore, the truck is transported across the U.S. turning heads and garnering admiring comments along the way for its original and innovative design finally arriving at the Nikola headquarters prior to continuing on to proving grounds in Phoenix, Arizona. Here the validation and commissioning testing begins and the truck is put through its paces in a series of increasingly demanding trials designed to test powertrain performance and durability. The film contains an in-depth interview with Pablo Cebrian Robles, VP of Engineering, Heavy and Medium Trucks for IVECO, with additional comments from the Nikola team, as they receive the prototype for the first time on U.S. soil. Find out more about CNH Industrial's and Nikola's partnership to achieve zero-emission transport at: cnhindustrial.com/AnElectrifyingPartnership CNH IndustrialN.V. Sign up for corporate news alerts from the CNH Industrial Newsroom: bit.ly/media-cnhindustrial-subscribe Media contact: Francesco Polsinelli Corporate Communications Manager, Europe CNH Industrial Tel.: +39 335 1776091 E-mail: mediarelations@cnhind.com www.cnhindustrial.com Attachments VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 17, 2021 / Hannan Metals Limited ("Hannan" or the "Company") (TSXV: HAN)(OTC PINK:HANNF) reports on the results from the soil geochemical sampling program from the Tabalosos East prospect within the San Martin JOGMEC JV sediment-hosted copper-silver project in Peru (Figures 1 and 2). Hannan is rapidly advancing the Tabalosos East target and demonstrating scale and continuity of copper-silver mineralization over 18 kilometres of combined strike, within a 6 kilometre by 2 kilometre area (Figure 2). Three geological teams with more than 10 local assistants and guides are systematically sampling traverses across the densely vegetated jungle. The survey is the first systematic attempt to map the continuity of the high-grade mineralized outcrops reported in March 2021. Highlights: The soil survey confirms continuity of previously reported high grade copper mineralization at Tabalosos East which included outcrop mineralization of up to 2.0m @ 4.9% copper and 62 g/t silver. The area is covered by dense jungle vegetation and in parts relatively steep topography. It is estimated that <1% of the bedrock outcrops; A total of 1,211 soil samples have been taken with approximately 50% of the survey completed. Sampling will be ongoing for another two months; Results demonstrate continuity of sub-cropping stratabound copper-silver mineralization over 18 kilometres of combined strike, within a 6 kilometre by 2 kilometre area (Figure 2); Permitting to undertake advanced exploration work within Tabalosos East, including diamond drilling, are ongoing with Environmental Impact Statement (Declaracion de Impacto Ambiental, or "DIA") baseline studies underway. Michael Hudson, CEO, states, "These results demonstrate the scale of the Company's multi-kilometre long copper-silver anomalies at the Tabalosos East prospect and coincide with, and expand upon, areas of known mineralization in outcrop. Encouragingly, these data confirm the continuity of mineralization at the same stratigraphic position and outline 18 kilometres of subcropping mineralization at Tabalosos East. Our sediment-hosted San Martin copper-silver project continues to develop into a major copper-silver system of scale for Peru." The soil survey was designed to determine the continuity of copper-silver mineralization under soil cover over larger areas. Hannan has previously reported high grades of copper and silver in outcrop up to 2.0 metres @ 4.9% copper and 62 g/t silver. The 2,500 point soil sampling program was designed to determine the continuity of copper silver mineralization under soil cover over larger areas. The program consists of approximately 35-line kilometers of survey lines covering an area measuring 6 kilometres by 2.6 kilometres. The main survey lines are spaced at 250-metre centers running east-west, with shorter infill survey lines spaced at 150-metre centers. Soil samples were collected every 20 meters along each of the survey lines. Approximately 1,212 samples to date have been collected and assayed. Specific areas of interest discovered in the survey to date (Figure 2) include: Zona Sur: A 1.4 kilometre long anomaly composed of two parallel zones striking E-W. The anomalies show excellent correlation with channel sampled outcrops (reported here) and including 2.0 metres @ 4.9% copper and 62 g/t silver (partially sampled) and 0.4 metres @ 6.3% copper, 152 g/t silver (partially sampled), but importantly double the strike length of the outcrop zone. A 1.4 kilometre long anomaly composed of two parallel zones striking E-W. The anomalies show excellent correlation with channel sampled outcrops (reported here) and including 2.0 metres @ 4.9% copper and 62 g/t silver (partially sampled) and 0.4 metres @ 6.3% copper, 152 g/t silver (partially sampled), but importantly double the strike length of the outcrop zone. Zona Oeste: A new blind discovery over three regional lines with over 2.2 kilometres of strike that is open to the N and S. The copper anomalies are situated in the same stratigraphic position in all three lines, close to the mineralized contact seen elsewhere on the project. Additional sampling is needed to determine the continuity of the mineralization. A new blind discovery over three regional lines with over 2.2 kilometres of strike that is open to the N and S. The copper anomalies are situated in the same stratigraphic position in all three lines, close to the mineralized contact seen elsewhere on the project. Additional sampling is needed to determine the continuity of the mineralization. Zona Norte: To date one sampling line has been completed in the northern area. This line revealed a broadly elevated zone of 800 metres length with three distinct anomalies with soil values >100 ppm copper. To date one sampling line has been completed in the northern area. This line revealed a broadly elevated zone of 800 metres length with three distinct anomalies with soil values >100 ppm copper. Salt dome targets: The salt dome targets show elevated background values of copper with internal high copper values over five lines with up to 800 metres of strike continuity. Some boulders of gypsum with disseminated chalcopyrite have been observed near the anomalies. The anomalies show excellent correlation with channel sampled outcrops (reported here) and include 1.0 metre @ 6.3% copper and 101 g/t silver (partially sampled), 1.8 metres @ 3.7% copper and 42 g/t silver (partially sampled) and 2.2 metres @ 2.4% copper and 29 g/t silver (full sample). Future work during the dry season at Tabalosos East will focus on continued systematic soil sampling, trenching, and sampling of key soil anomalies and detailed geological mapping to aid the interpretation of the soil anomalies. About the San Martin JOGMEC JV Project (Copper-Silver, Peru, 88 mining concessions for 660 sq km) On November 30, 2020 Hannan announced that it had signed a binding letter agreement for a significant Option and Joint Venture Agreement (the "Agreement") with JOGMEC. Under the Agreement, JOGMEC has the option to earn up to a 75% beneficial interest in the San Martin Project by spending up to US$35,000,000 to deliver to the joint venture ("JV") a feasibility study. The Agreement grants JOGMEC the option to earn an initial 51% ownership interest by funding US$8,000,000 in project expenditures at San Martin over a four-year period, subject to acceleration at JOGMEC's discretion. JOGMEC, at its election, can then earn: an additional 16% interest for a total 67% ownership interest by achieving either a prefeasibility study or funding a further US$12,000,000 in project expenditures in amounts of at least US$1,000,000 per annum (for a US$20,000,000 total expenditure); and, subject to owning a 67% interest, a further 8% interest for a total 75% ownership interest by achieving either a feasibility study or funding a further US$15,000,000 in project expenditures in amounts of at least US$1,000,000 per annum (for a US$35,000,000 total expenditure). Should JOGMEC not proceed to a prefeasibility study or spend US$20,000,000 in total, Hannan shall have the right to purchase from JOGMEC for the sum of US$1, a two percent (2%) Participating Interest, whereby Hannan's Participating Interest will be increased to fifty-one percent (51%) and JOGMEC's Participating Interest will be reduced to forty-nine percent (49%). At the completion of a feasibility study, JOGMEC has the right to either: purchase up to an additional ten percent (10%) Participating Interest from Hannan Metals (for a total 85% maximum capped Participating Interest) at fair value as determined in accordance with internationally recognized professional standards by an agreed upon independent third-party valuator; or receive up to an additional ten percent (10%) Participating Interest from Hannan (for a total 85% maximum capped Participating Interest) in consideration of JOGMEC's agreement to fund development of the project, by loan carrying Hannan until the San Martin Project generates positive cash flow. After US$35,000,000 has been spent by JOGMEC and before a feasibility study has been achieved, both parties will fund expenditures pro rata or dilute via a standard industry dilution formula. If the Participating Interest in the Joint Venture of any party is diluted to less than 5% then that party's Participating Interest will be automatically converted to a 2.0% net smelter royalty ("NSR"), and the other party may at any time purchase 1.0% of the 2.0% NSR for a cash payment of US$1,000,000. Hannan will manage exploration at least until JOGMEC earns a 51% interest, after which the majority participant interest holder will be entitled to act as the operator of the joint venture. Initial exploration activities will focus on the collection of the geological, geophysical, and geochemical datasets in the JV project areas. Sediment-hosted stratiform copper-silver deposits are among the two most important copper sources in the world, the other being copper porphyries. They are also a major producer of silver. According to the World Silver Survey 2020 KGHM Polska Miedz's ("KGHM") three copper-silver sediment-hosted mines in Poland are the leading silver producer in the world with 40.2Moz produced in 2019. This is almost twice the production of the second largest producing mine. The Polish mines are also the sixth largest global copper miner and in 2018, KGHM produced 30.3 Mt of ore at a grade of 1.49% copper and 48.6 g/t silver from a mineralized zone that averages 0.4 to 5.5 metres thickness. Technical Background All soil samples were collected by Hannan geologists using an in-house protocol for soil sampling in jungle areas. The samples were subsequently analyzed with a portable XRF deploying a protocol developed by Hannan for the San Martin project. The method is designed to minimize risk of contamination and ground disturbance. In most cases the sample media is the "B-horizon" of the soil profile. Only 100g of sample material is collected from each site. From the soil sample a pellet is being produced which is dried and analyzed by a portable XRF (pXRF). Certified reference material, blanks and field duplicates are routinely added to monitor the quality of the pXRF data. In addition, 10% of all samples are submitted to ALS in Lima for 4-acid ICP-MS analysis to check the quality of the pXRF data. Channel samples are considered representative of the in-situ mineralization samples and sample widths quoted approximate the true width of mineralization, while grab samples are selective by nature and are unlikely to represent average grades on the property. About Hannan Metals Limited (TSXV:HAN)(OTC Pink:HANNF) Hannan Metals Limited is a natural resources and exploration company developing sustainable resources of metal needed to meet the transition to a low carbon economy. Over the last decade, the team behind Hannan has forged a long and successful record of discovering, financing, and advancing mineral projects in Europe and Peru. Hannan is a top ten in-country explorer by area in Peru. Mr. Michael Hudson FAusIMM, Hannan's Chairman and CEO, a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained in this news release. On behalf of the Board, "Michael Hudson" Michael Hudson, Chairman & CEO Further Information www.hannanmetals.com 1305 - 1090 West Georgia St., Vancouver, BC, V6E 3V7 Mariana Bermudez, Corporate Secretary, +1 (604) 685 9316, info@hannanmetals.com Forward Looking Statements Certain disclosure contained in this news release, including the Company's expectations regarding the Agreement and the payments and earn-in upon the successful completion of certain milestones, may constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. These statements may relate to this news release and other matters identified in the Company's public filings. In making the forward-looking statements the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to the potential impact of epidemics, pandemics or other public health crises, including the current coronavirus pandemic known as COVID-19 on the Company's business. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. 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 SOURCE: Hannan Metals Ltd. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/652060/Hannan-Soil-Sampling-Defines-Copper-Silver-Mineralization-Over-18-Kilometres-at-Tabalosos-East WATERLOO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 17, 2021 / SkyWatch Space Applications Inc. (" SkyWatch "), a Waterloo-based space technology startup, announces today that it is now an authorized distributor of Airbus Defence and Space (" Airbus ") to deliver medium- and high-resolution Earth observation data through the SkyWatch EarthCache platform and API. The addition of Airbus to the roster of satellite data providers on the EarthCache platform enriches the SkyWatch aggregation model, and provides a "one-stop-shop" for Earth observation data customers. The agreement comes at a moment when the industry is growing rapidly with more organizations across multiple industries seeking Earth observation data. According to Euroconsult , the global market for commercial Earth observation data and services is expected to grow to $8 billion by 2029, from $4.6 billion in 2019. "Airbus is a leader in the Earth observation market, and we're thrilled to bring Airbus data onto the EarthCache platform," says James Slifierz, CEO at SkyWatch. "The data quality and area coverage that Airbus provides are definitely in demand from our customer base, and we're looking forward to making this offering available through our platform." The agreement with Airbus will give EarthCache customers global access to 1.5m medium-resolution and 50cm high-resolution archive data from areas of interest with Pleiades, SPOT 6, and SPOT 7 satellites. "We are thrilled to have SkyWatch as the newest authorized distributor in our network," says Nicolas Stussi, Managing Director, Intelligence North America. "By enabling EarthCache with Airbus data, users will have expanded access to premium data for easy integration into their applications." EarthCache is the simplest way to integrate commercial satellite imagery into any application, removing the complexity out of Earth observation data sourcing and processing. EarthCache is a single point to access the best Earth observation data available for application developers across all industries, with a robust, easy-to-use API suite, pay-as-you-use analysis-ready data, and custom parameters for data requests. To learn more about EarthCache, visit www.skywatch.com/earthcache. About SkyWatch SkyWatch is on a mission to make Earth Observation data accessible to the world. Trillions of pixels of our planet are captured from space every day. Drawing on the team's experience in space data aggregation software, we're building infrastructure to connect satellite data operators and application developers. SkyWatch raised a $7.5 million Series A in 2020 and is expecting to double its size this year. About Airbus Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2019, it generated revenues of 70 billion and employed a workforce of around 135,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as one of the world's leading space companies. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide. Contact Kelly Winter Director, Marketing +1 519 498 1997 kelly@skywatch.com Fabienne Grazzini Airbus Defence and Space +33 6 76 08 39 72 fabienne.grazzini@airbus.com Related Images SOURCE: SkyWatch View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/651935/SkyWatch-Signs-Authorized-Distributor-Agreement-With-Airbus-Defence-and-Space 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, June 17, 2021))) ("Rockridge" or the "Company") is pleased to announce initial results from its recently completed diamond drilling program at its Knife Lake Copper Project located in Saskatchewan, Canada (the "Knife Lake Project" or "Property"). The Company drilled a total of 2,043 metres in twelve drill holes and has received assays and completed interpretation for the first nine holes (1740.0m). Results for the remaining three holes will be released once results have been compiled and interpretation is complete. The Knife Lake Project, consisting of 81 claims totaling 55,471 hectares (137,069 acres), is an advanced-stage copper, silver, zinc and cobalt exploration property in Saskatchewan host to the Knife Lake Deposit. Knife Lake VMS Project Location Map: https://www.rockridgeresourcesltd.com/_resources/images/Knife-Lake-Region-20210331-003.jpg The drill program at the Gilbert North and South target areas was designed to evaluate conductivity and magnetic anomalies identified during the 2021 airborne VTEM Plus survey and corresponding surficial geochemical anomalies. Previous surficial work programs have indicated that the stratigraphic position of the targeted anomalies correlates with the Knife Lake Deposit to the east. Additional drilling at the Knife Lake Deposit was designed to infill resource drilling. Gilbert North and South Drill Hole Locations: https://www.rockridgeresourcesltd.com/_resources/images/DDH-Expand-NR_20210329.jpg Rockridge's CEO, Jonathan Wiesblatt, commented: "Although the Knife Lake Deposit was discovered many years ago the exploration in and around the maiden resource has been negligible until just recently. The airborne VTEM Plus survey that was conducted in 2021 expanded the regional target areas beyond the Knife Lake deposit increasing the probabilities of making new and potentially meaningful discoveries. The work at Gilbert Lake has been the first drilling program beyond the Knife Lake Deposit in decades and the results thus far have been very encouraging. We believe that the discovery potential at the broader 15km Gilbert trend remains high and warrants follow up work in the near term which is currently being planned. We continue to learn more about the Knife Lake Deposit and are compelled by its high grade and near-surface composition. The progress we have made at Knife Lake is excellent and lines up with our thesis that the known deposit is a remobilized portion of a larger VMS system." Highlights 2021 drill program expanded to 2,043.0 metres in twelve drill holes Highlight drill intercepts at the Gilbert South target area include pyrrhotite-pyrite dominant VMS-style mineralization hosted at the same stratigraphic horizon as the Knife Lake Deposit Drilling focused on discovering VMS style copper deposits along newly defined conductors as well as at the Knife Lake VMS deposit Infill drilling at the Knife Lake deposit (follow up to the 2019 drill program) returned 1.95% Cu, 0.11 g/t Au, 7.41 g/t Ag, 0.53% Zn and 0.02% Co (2.34% CuEq) over 14.02m beginning at 24.62m in hole KF21021 Results for the remaining three holes will be released once results have been compiled and interpretation is complete Deposit is thought to be a remobilized portion of a "primary" VMS deposit; most of the historical work has consisted of shallow drilling at the deposit area with little regional work carried out and limited deeper drilling below the deposit Over 300 holes provided data for first NI 43-101 resource estimate of the shallow Knife Lake deposit Knife Lake NI 43-101 resource estimate from 2019 provides excellent anchor for Project and includes indicated resources of 3.8 MT at 1.02% CuEq. (3.8 MT at 0.83% Cu, 3.7 g/t Ag, 0.097 g/t Au, 82 ppm Co,1740.7 ppm Zn) as well as inferred resources of 7.9 MT at 0.67% Cu Eq (7.9 MT at 0.53% Cu, 2.4 g/t Ag, 0.084 g/t Au, 53.1 ppm Co, 1454.9 ppm Zn) There is strong discovery potential in and around the deposit as well as at regional targets on the Property; modern exploration techniques and methods are being utilized with a goal of making new discoveries Planning is now underway for a summer 2021 exploration program to follow up on the results of this drill program Knife Lake Winter/Spring 2021 Diamond Drill Hole Results and Geological Summary: The first eight holes of the program (1690.0m) were completed at the Gilbert Lake North and South target areas which are approx. 5 to 6 km to the west of the Knife Lake Deposit. Geophysical modeling on the airborne VTEM Plus data revealed that three historic holes drilled at Gilbert North by previous operators did not intersect the prospective conductive body. The Gilbert South target, which is over 2.5 km in length, had never been drilled. Knife Lake Priority Target Areas: https://www.rockridgeresourcesltd.com/_resources/images/Knife-Lake-Airborne-EM-Feb2021.jpg Gilbert South Target: Several holes (KF21013, -014, -015 and -020) at Gilbert Lake South intersected encouraging VMS-style mineralization, including semi-massive and net-texture pyrrhotite-pyritechalcopyritesphalerite, hosted in intermediate-mafic metamorphosed volcanics and pegmatites. The host lithologies are interpreted to be the same stratigraphic horizon as the Knife Lake Deposit. Drill hole KF21013 intersected three zones of semi-massive to net-textured pyrrhotite-pyrite chalcopyrite sphalerite hosted in amphibole gneiss, proximal to the contact with a pegmatite intrusion ranging from 0.72m to 2.72m wide (drill thickness). Drill Holes KF21013, KF21014 and KF21015: https://www.rockridgeresourcesltd.com/_resources/images/Section-KF21013-to-015.pdf Drill hole KF21014, designed to test up-dip of the mineralization seen in KF21013, intersected similar semi-massive to net-textured pyrrhotite-pyrite dominant sulphide horizons. Unlike the previous hole no pegmatite intrusions are associated with the mineralization. Drill hole KF21015 tested the down-dip mineralization potential and continued to intersect semi-massive to net-textured pyrrhotite-pyrite. Assay results show anomalous precious and base-metal enrichment at pegmatite contacts including 1.32 ppm Ag over 3.31m (112.94m - 116.25m) and 1.26 ppm Ag, 381.20 ppm Cu and 779.32 ppm Zn over 6.81 m (136.57m - 143.38m). A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on the image or link below: Plate 1: Net texture pyrrhotite-pyrite mineralization observed in KF21015 (115.80m): Drill hole KF21016 was designed as a 100 m step-out to the south of hole KF21013-015 to test the continuity of sulphide mineralization along strike. The hole did not intersect a significant mineralized horizon, however borehole electromagnetics "BHEM" indicate that the strongest part of the conductor is located off-hole to the northwest. Drill Hole KF21016: http://www.rockridgeresourcesltd.com/_resources/images/KF21016-BHEM-KBB.png KF21017 was drilled approximately 1,000m south of the holes, KF21013-16 and -20, targeting a strong VTEM Plus conductor. The hole did not return significant mineralization, however, results from the BHEM survey indicate an off-hole conductivity anomaly down dip that remains prospective requires further drill testing. Drill Hole KF21017: https://www.rockridgeresourcesltd.com/_resources/images/KF21017-BHEM-KBB.png Drill hole KF21020 was designed as a 100m north step-out from holes KF21013-015 to further investigate continuity of mineralization along strike. The hole was successful at intersecting the targeted mineralized horizon first identified in previous holes. Assays confirmed visual logging observations that the mineralization is Fe-sulphide rich, returning weakly anomalous precious and base-metal enrichment including 1.35 ppm Ag over 3.34 m (86.50m - 89.84m) and 1018.04 ppm Zn over 1.84m (88.00m - 89.84m) Gilbert North Target: Drill holes KF21018-019 were completed at Gilbert North testing a corresponding surficial geochemical Cu-in-soil anomaly and airborne VTEM Plus conductivity anomaly along prospective Knife Lake stratigraphy. The borehole EM survey indicates that both holes missed the source of the conductivity anomaly along the top edge. Further deep drilling at Gilbert North to define the source of the geophysical anomaly is recommended. Drill Holes KF21018 and KF21019: https://www.rockridgeresourcesltd.com/_resources/images/KF21018-and-019-BHEM-KBB.png Knife Lake Deposit: Drill hole KF21021 was designed to follow-up on the 2019 resource drilling program and infill historic drilling at the Knife Lake Deposit. Semi-massive to massive and net textured chalcopyrite-pyrite-pyrrhotite-sphalerite mineralization is hosted in intermediate-mafic volcanic and pegmatite intervals between 25.25m-38.64m. Drill hole KF21021 returned 1.95% Cu, 0.11 g/t Au, 7.41 g/t Ag, 0.53% Zn and 0.02% Co (2.34% CuEq) over 14.02m beginning at 24.62m. A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on the image or link below: Plate 2. Net texture chalcopyrite-pyrite-pyrrhotite-sphalerite mineralization observed in hole KF21021 (26.3m) Drill Hole Results Table for Hole KF21021: Hole From To Core Length Cu Au Ag Zn Co CuEq (m) (m) (m) (%) (g/t) (g/t) (%) (%) (%) KF21021 24.62 38.64 14.02 1.95 0.11 7.41 0.53 0.02 2.34 Includes 25.25 35.50 10.25 2.25 0.13 8.87 0.62 0.02 2.67 Includes 25.25 30.25 5.00 2.71 0.19 12.01 0.65 0.02 3.21 Includes 25.25 27.57 2.32 4.36 0.34 17.14 0.56 0.02 5.00 * Drill indicated intercepts (core length) are reported as drilled widths; true thickness is undetermined. ** No cutoffs or metal recoverability were factored into CuEq calculations. *** Assumptions used in USD for the copper equivalent calculation were metal prices of $4.50/lb Cu, $19.38/lb Co, $1,864.00/oz Au, $27.90/oz Ag, $1.38/lb Zn. Copper equivalent (CuEq) was calculated using the formula CuEq = Cu% + ((Zn%*Zn Price*22.0462) + (Co%*Co Price*22.0462)+ (Augpt*Au Price/31.1035) + (Ag *Ag Price/31.1035)) / (Cu price*22.0462). The remaining results from the winter 2021 drill program will be released once assays have been compiled and interpreted. Outstanding results include one infill hole from the Knife Lake Deposit and two holes that followed up on the off-hole conductor near hole KF21016. Planning is now underway for a summer 2021 exploration program to follow up on the encouraging results thus far from this drill program. Knife Lake Geology and History: The Knife Lake Deposit is interpreted to be a remobilized VMS deposit. The stratabound mineralized zone is approximately 15m thick and contains copper, silver, zinc, gold and cobalt mineralization which dips 30 to 50 eastward over a known strike-length within Rockridge's claim area of 3,700 metres, and a known average down-dip extension of approximately 300 metres. Knife Lake Deposit Map: https://www.rockridgeresourcesltd.com/_resources/projects/KnifeLake-Fig2.jpg The deposit is hosted by felsic to intermediate volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks which have been metamorphosed to upper amphibolite facies. The deposit contains VMS mineralogy which has been significantly modified and partially remobilized during the emplacement of granitic rocks. The mineralization straddles the boundary between two rock units and occurs on both limbs of an interpreted overturned fold. The Company completed twelve holes consisting of 1,053 metres of diamond drilling in the 2019 winter drilling program. This represented the first drilling on the property since 2001 and had two primary objectives: confirm the tenor of mineralization reported by previous operators and expand known zones of mineralization. Highlights from the drill program included previously reported hole KF19003 which intersected net-textured to semi-massive sulphide mineralization from 11.2m to 48.8m downhole. This 37.6 metre interval returned 2.03% Cu, 0.19 g/t Au, 9.88 g/t Ag, 0.36% Zn, and 0.01% Co for an estimated 2.42% CuEq. Additionally, previously reported drill hole KF19001 intersected net-textured to fracture-controlled sulphide mineralization from 7.5 metres to 40.6 metres downhole. This 33.1 metre interval returned 1.28% Cu, 0.12 g/t Au, 4.80 g/t Ag, 0.13% Zn, and 0.01% Co for an estimated 1.49% CuEq. Compilation and initial modelling indicate potential for expansion of the deposit at depth. The recent drilling focused on resource upgrade as well as infill drilling between historical holes. The program gave the Company's technical team valuable insights into the property geology, alteration, and mineralization that will be applied to future regional exploration on the highly prospective and underexplored land package. The Knife Lake deposit is a near surface VMS deposit starting a few metres below surface and the deposit remains open at depth and along strike for potential resource expansion. Recently Rockridge announced a maiden NI 43-101 resource estimate for the Knife Lake deposit (see the News Release dated August 14th, 2019) which consisted of an indicated resource of 3.8 million tonnes at 1.02% CuEq at a 0.4% CuEq cut-off (3.8 MT at 0.83% Cu, 3.7 g/t Ag, 0.097 g/t Au, 82 ppm Co, 1740.7 ppm Zn). In addition, there is an inferred resource of 7.9 million tonnes at 0.67% CuEq at a 0.4% CuEq cut-off (7.9 MT at 0.53% Cu, 2.4 g/t Ag, 0.084 g/t Au, 53.1 ppm Co, 1454.9 ppm Zn). Refer to the NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Mineral Resource Estimate for the Knife Lake Property, Saskatchewan dated September 27, 2019, filed on Sedar. QA/QC: Samples were sent for geochemical analysis with ALS Global, Vancouver for the following analyses: 48 element four acid ICP-MS (ME-MS61) and gold (Au) 30 g Fire Assay - AA finish (Au-AA23). Over limit analysis were completed using the following analyses: Ore Grade copper (Cu), nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn) - four acid ICP-AES (ME-OG62). On receipt of final certificates of analysis, the QA/QC sample results were reviewed to ensure the order of samples were reported correctly, that the blanks ran clean, and that the results for each standard had minimal variance from its certified value. QA/QC for the Knife Lake drilling included certified reference material ("CRM's") and blanks that were inserted into each sample batch in order to verify the analytical from the lab. Qualified Person: Kerry Bates, P. Geo., a "qualified person" for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and a Geologist employed by TerraLogic Exploration Inc., has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure in this news release relating to the Knife Lake Project. About Rockridge Resources Ltd. Rockridge Resources (TSX.V: ROCK) is a public mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral resource properties in Canada, specifically copper and gold. The Company's core copper project is the Knife Lake Project located in Saskatchewan which is ranked as the #3 mining jurisdiction in the world by the Fraser Institute. The project hosts the Knife Lake Deposit, which is a VMS, near-surface Cu-Co-Au-Ag-Zn deposit open along strike and at depth. There is strong discovery potential in and around the deposit area as well as at regional targets on the large property package. The Company's secondary asset is the Raney Gold Project, which is a high-grade gold exploration project located in the same greenstone belt that hosts the world class Timmins and Kirkland Lake lode gold mining camps. Recently reported drill hole RN 20-06 intersected 28.0 g/t gold over 6.0 metres at a shallow vertical level of 95 metres, which is the best result from the project thus far. Rockridge's goal is to maximize shareholder value through new mineral discoveries, committed long-term partnerships, and the advancement of exploration projects in geopolitically favourable jurisdictions. Additional information about Rockridge Resources and its project portfolio can be found on the Company's website at www.rockridgeresourcesltd.com. Rockridge Resources Ltd. "Jonathan Wiesblatt" Jonathan Wiesblatt CEO For further information contact myself or: Jordan Trimble, President or Spencer Coulter, Corporate Communications Rockridge Resources Ltd. Telephone: 604-687-3376 Toll Free: 800-567-8181 Facsimile: 604-687-3119 Email: info@rockridgeresourcesltd.com NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE. Forward Looking Information This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that management of the Company expects, are forward-looking statements. 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. Although management 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. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, include market prices, exploration and development successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Please see the public filings of the Company at www.sedar.comfor further information. TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 17, 2021 / Grid Metals Corp. (the "Company") (TSXV:GRDM)(OTCQB:MSMGF) is pleased to report the final results from the Q1 2021 Parisien Lake area drill program at its East Bull Lake palladium property (the "Property") located near Sudbury, Ontario. Drilling continued to intersect palladium-dominant mineralization in the Central Parisien Lake Zone, including large step outs to the east of the main area of drilling. Similar palladium-rich mineralization was also intersected in two drill holes located several hundred metres to the south. One of these holes also intersected a pyroxenite-hosted, platinum-dominant style of mineralization - adding to a growing list of PGM-Cu-Ni sulfide mineralization styles discovered on the Property. The Company also completed an eight-hole drill program targeting bulk tonnage nickel sulfide mineralization at its Bannockburn Township property located in the Timmins region of Ontario. Results are pending for those holes. Highlights The Central Parisien Lake Zone was intersected in four additional holes (see Figure 1) including step outs of up to 400 metres east of the main area of drilling. Significant results from these four holes are summarized in the table, below, and include: 14.0 metres of 1.2 g/t palladium equivalent (Pd Eq) grade in hole EBL21-10 containing a 1.0 metre interval of 7.0 g/t Pd Eq 14.2 metres of 1.3 g/t Pd Eq in hole EBL21-11 16.0 metres of 1.6 g/t Pd Eq in hole EBL21-12 including 8.0 metres with 2.4 g/t Pd Eq 6.0 metres of 1.9 g/t Pd Eq in hole EBL21-14 Two additional holes were completed in the South Parisien target area, located 400 metres south of the main area of drilling on the Central Parisien Lake Zone. Both holes intersected near surface palladium-rich mineralization having similar characteristics to the mineralization in the Central Parisien Lake Zone. One of the holes intersected a new, platinum-rich style of mineralization. The most significant results are: 7.0 metres averaging 1.1 g/t Pd Eq in hole EBL21-13 from 3.0 metres downhole depth 2.0 metres of platinum-rich mineralization averaging 1.6 g/t Pt and 1.2 g/t Pd in hole EBL21-15 The geochemistry and mineralogy of this Pt-rich intersection are broadly similar to those observed in the Merensky Reef of the Bushveld Complex in South Africa. Previous geological investigations (e.g., Peck et al., 2001, Economic Geology, v.96, p.559-581) on the Property have identified a number of similar occurrences of pyroxenite-hosted disseminated sulfide mineralization that tend to have a greater proportion of platinum relative to palladium than is typically observed on the Property. However, these occurrences are exclusively present as sub-metre size inclusions within the Basal Layer. Accordingly, the intersection reported in hole EBL21-15 could represent a potential source layer for these inclusions - a concept to be tested by completing short step-out holes adjacent to EBL21-15 in the next program. Dr. Dave Peck, the Company's Vice-President of Exploration and Business Development, stated "the palladium-rich Basal Layer, which is the primary host to palladium mineralization at East Bull Lake, has now been intersected in over thirty (30) historic and recent drill holes over a strike length of >1.5 km. In addition, the first two holes drilled into the South Parisien Target area, located several hundred metres to the south, both collared in the same style of palladium-rich disseminated sulfide mineralization. One of these two holes also intersected platinum-dominant mineralization hosted by a narrow pyroxenitic unit. This represents an intriguing new target type on the Property - possibly a Bushveld-style PGM reef." Figure 1. Location of drill holes EBL21-10 to 15, Parisien Lake area, East Bull Lake palladium property. Drill hole specifications are provided in the Appendix. The current extent of the Central Parisien Lake Zone is outlined in yellow. Selected analytical results for Drill Holes EBL21-10 through EBL21-15, Central Parisien Lake (CPL) Zone and South Parisien Lake (SPL) target. See Figure 1 for hole locations and Appendix 1 for hole specifications. Hole ID Target Area From (m) To (m) Length (m) Pd (g/t) Pt (g/t) Au (g/t) Cu (%) Ni (%) Pd Eq (g/t) EBL21-10 CPL 66.00 80.00 14.00 0.94 0.37 0.03 0.01 0.01 1.21 inc. 67.00 68.00 1.00 5.74 2.01 0.15 0.03 0.01 7.02 and 76.00 79.00 3.00 1.53 0.55 0.04 0.01 0.01 1.90 EBL21-11 CPL 69.00 71.00 2.00 1.57 0.37 0.08 0.04 0.03 1.97 and 93.00 107.25 14.25 0.91 0.26 0.07 0.05 0.05 1.30 inc. 94.00 98.00 4.00 2.40 0.65 0.08 0.10 0.05 3.09 EBL21-12 CPL 73.00 78.00 5.00 0.57 0.19 0.04 0.19 0.08 1.13 and 89.00 115.48 26.48 0.78 0.21 0.04 0.05 0.04 1.09 inc. 94.00 110.00 16.00 1.18 0.30 0.05 0.07 0.05 1.60 and inc. 98.00 106.00 8.00 1.86 0.43 0.09 0.10 0.06 2.45 with 98.00 102.00 4.00 2.33 0.51 0.11 0.10 0.06 2.97 EBL21-13 SPL 3.00 19.00 16.00 0.46 0.16 0.02 0.10 0.04 0.78 inc. 3.00 10.00 7.00 0.68 0.24 0.03 0.14 0.05 1.12 EBL21-14 CPL 122.00 181.72 59.72 0.32 0.09 0.02 0.05 0.04 0.54 inc. 122.00 129.00 7.00 0.45 0.12 0.02 0.05 0.03 0.66 and 137.00 143.00 6.00 1.30 0.33 0.07 0.14 0.09 1.94 EBL21-15 SPL 0.90 18.00 17.10 0.18 0.09 0.01 0.04 0.03 0.35 and 44.00 46.00 2.00 1.22 1.60 0.09 0.15 0.05 2.45 Notes: Based on current 3D geological interpretations, the true thickness is estimated to range between approximately 50-80% of the length of the reported mineralized intervals. Pd Eq is the palladium equivalent grade expressed in grams per tonne that is calculated using the following long-term consensus price forecasts ($US) sourced from S&P Global Metals and Mining Research and dated October 30, 2020: Pd - $1,813.90/oz; Pt - $955.55/oz; Au - $1,832.01/oz; Cu - $2.96/lb; Ni - $6.87/lb. Next Steps Recent drilling and geophysical modeling indicates that the Central Parisien Lake Zone is associated with discrete resistivity low anomalies that the Company believes are reflecting both increased alteration intensity and total sulfide abundance. The trend of resistivity lows underlying the Central Parisien Lake Zone extends approximately two kilometres further to the west into an area with no previous drilling and limited surface sampling. This represents an important target for the next phase of drilling, which is expected to commence toward the end of the summer. Other drilling being planned for the Parisien Lake area include: Follow-up on massive sulfide intersections and associated borehole EM anomalies obtained from the 2020 and 2021 drilling at Parisien Lake Complete short step out holes around the platinum-rich mineralization intersected in EBL21-15 Test for the presence of feeder structure-related palladium mineralization in the modelled north-south structure cutting across the Central Parisien Lake Zone (Figure 1) adjacent to which the best palladium grades and widths are present In addition to the Parisien Lake target there are several other kilometre-scale exploration targets on the Property (Figure 2). Many of these targets have never been drilled (Figures 3 and 4) and all exhibit similar favourable characteristics to those observed at Parisien Lake, e.g.: Outcropping or near surface palladium mineralization Prospective geology (Basal Layer, Footwall Breccia) Low resistivity and total magnetic intensity Proximity to potential feeder structures The Company will soon initiate a summer field program to help prioritize these other targets for drilling. Several of these targets will be tested in the next phase of drilling, following which the Company will be in a much stronger position to determine where it should focus initial resource delineation drilling on the Property. The Company is also awaiting results from selective rhodium analyses and preliminary metallurgical test work on Parisien Lake core samples and expects to report on this work within the next several weeks. Figure 2. Additional exploration targets at the East Bull Lake property. The background image is a resistivity depth slice at 250m below surface in which darker and warmer colours represent areas of anomalously low resistivity that are believed to correlate with thick sections of mineralized Lower Series (Basal Layer) rocks near the base of the intrusion. Historical drilling and surface sampling highlights, keyed to the target name and sourced from previously filed Company Assessment Reports, are also provided. Figure 3. West lobe exploration targets showing historical anomalous surface assays, drill hole locations and resistivity anomalies. Figure 4. East lobe exploration targets showing historical anomalous surface assays, drill hole locations and resistivity anomalies. Update on Bannockburn Nickel Property The Company recently completed eight holes in a ~2,700 metre exploration drilling program at its Bannockburn Township nickel property located ~100 km south of Timmins, Ontario. The program is focused on determining the average grade and thickness of secondary, bulk-tonnage nickel sulfide mineralization along a one kilometre section of the previously intersected B Zone target. Historical drilling results for the B Zone indicate strong similarities in terms of thickness, grade and mineralogy to the Crawford nickel deposit owned by Canada Nickel Company (CNC), which is also located in the Timmins region. Initial results from the new drilling are expected prior to month end. Quality Assurance and Quality Control Grid Metals applies best practice quality assurance and quality control ("QAQC") protocols on all of its exploration programs. For the current drilling program, core is logged and sampled at a core facility located in the town of Massey, Ontario - approximately 30 km south of the property. NQ-size drill core samples are cut into halves using a diamond saw. Standard sample intervals of 1.00 metre length are used unless a major geological, structural or mineralization boundary is encountered. Samples are bagged and tagged and transported by courier to, for this news release, the Actlabs Thunder Bay analytical facility. Actlabs analyzes each sample for Pd, Pt and Au using a lead collection fire assay on a 30 g pulp split and an ICP-OES finish. Copper, Ni and Co are analyzed using a 'near total' fusion multi-acid digestion and an ICP-OES finish. The Company uses two PGE certified reference materials ("CRMs") and one analytical blank purchased from Canadian Resource Laboratories to monitor analytical accuracy and check for cross contamination between samples. One of the CRMs or the blank are inserted every tenth sample within a given batch. The analytical results for the two CRMs and the blank for the sample batches reported here did not show any significant bias compared to the certified values and the results fell within the acceptable limits of variability. Dr. Peck, P.Geo., has reviewed and approved the technical content of this release for purposes of National Instrument 43-101. About Grid Metals Corp. Grid Metals Corp. is an exploration and development Company that has three projects focused on Nickel Copper-PGM-Cobalt. In addition to the East Bull Lake Palladium Property the Company is currently active at its Bannockburn Nickel project near Timmins, Ontario where the target is bulk tonnage nickel mineralization. The Company has a PEA stage Ni-Cu-PGM project (Makwa- Mayville) in southeastern Manitoba. To find out more about Grid Metals Corp., please visit www.gridmetalscorp.com. On Behalf of the Board of Grid Metals Corp. Robin Dunbar - President, CEO & Director Telephone: 416-955-4773 Email: rd@gridmetalscorp.com David Black - Investor Relations Email: info@gridmetalscorp.com We seek safe harbour. This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking information within the meaning of the Securities Act (Ontario) (together, "forward-looking statements"). Such forward-looking statements may include the Company's plans for its properties, the overall economic potential of its properties, the availability of adequate financing and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward- looking statements to be materially different. Such factors include, among others, risks and uncertainties relating to potential political risk, uncertainty of production and capital costs estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, physical risks inherent in mining operations, metallurgical risk, currency fluctuations, fluctuations in the price of nickel, cobalt, copper and other metals, completion of economic evaluations, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, the inability or failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis, and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis for the most recent financial period and Material Change Reports filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators and available at www.sedar.com. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulations 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. This news 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 U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements. Appendix 1. Specifications for Drill Holes Cited in this News Release Hole Number Easting (m) Northing (m) Elevation (m) Azimuth Dip Length (m) EBL21-010 410092 5141995 371 360 90 215.0 EBL21-011 410454 5142031 383 360 90 191.0 EBL21-012 410504 5142043 388 360 90 221.1 EBL21-013 409900 5141440 380 225 75 226.0 EBL21-014 410503 5142061 372 180 55 233.0 EBL21_015 409899 5141443 365 320 50 178.0 SOURCE: Grid Metals Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/652032/Grid-Metals-Reports-New-Drill-Results-from-East-Bull-Lake-Palladium-Property-Completes-Initial-Drilling-at-Bannockburn-Nickel-Property MONTREAL, QC / ACCESSWIRE / June 17, 2021 / Quebec Precious Metals Corporation (TSXV:QPM)(FSE:YXEP)(OTCQB:CJCFF) ("QPM" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received confirmation from the Depository Trust Company ("DTC") that its common shares are now eligible for electronic clearing and settlement through DTC in the United States. QPM currently trades on the OTCQB under the ticker symbol CJCFF. DTC is a subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corp. DTC manages the electronic clearing and settlement of securities of publicly traded companies in the United States. Securities that are eligible to be electronically cleared and settled through DTC are considered DTC eligible. This electronic method of clearing securities accelerates the settlement process for investors and brokers, enabling a security to be traded over a much wider selection of brokerage firms. Normand Champigny, Chief Executive Officer of the Company stated: "We are pleased that our securities are now DTC eligible. This means that our common shares can be transferred electronically between United States brokerage firms and eliminates physical stock certificates. This is important for American investors." About Quebec Precious Metals Corporation QPM is a gold explorer with a large land position in the highly-prospective Eeyou Istchee James Bay territory, Quebec, near Newmont Corporation's Eleonore gold mine. QPM's flagship project is the Sakami project with significant grades and well-defined drill-ready targets. QPM's goal is to rapidly explore the project and to advance the project to the mineral resource estimate stage. For more information please contact: Jean-Francois Meilleur President Tel.: 514 951-2730 jfmeilleur@qpmcorp.ca Normand Champigny Chief Executive Officer Tel.: 514 979-4746 nchampigny@qpmcorp.ca Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Quebec Precious Metals Corporation View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/652044/Quebec-Precious-Metals-Shares-Now-DTC-Eligible Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 17, 2021) - Big Ridge Gold Corp. (TSXV: BRAU) ("Big Ridge" or "Company") is pleased to announce new additions to the company's technical and advisory teams. We are pleased to announce that Jeff Burke will be joining as Project Manager for the Hope Brook Gold Project located in southwestern Newfoundland. In addition, Dr. Laurie Curtis and Dr. Bill Pearson will be joining the Big Ridge Gold Corp. advisory team and current director, Nick Tintor will become Chairman of the board. "We are excited to make these additions to the Big Ridge team," commented Mike Bandrowski, President and CEO of Big Ridge Gold Corp. "The addition of Jeff Burke, Laurie Curtis and Bill Pearson brings significant experience and knowledge of the Hope Brook Gold Project and they will be an integral part of the exploration program moving forward." In addition, Nick Tintor will assume the role of Chairman of the board. "Nick, who has been on the Big Ridge board since October 2020, has played a key role in negotiating the recently announced earn-in agreement for the Hope Brook Gold Project. Combined with his past Newfoundland experiences in gold mine exploration and development, Nick's appointment will go a long way in assisting the company in advancing the Hope Brook Gold Project," Mr. Bandrowski added. Jeff is a registered geologist (P.Geo) in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, and an environmental professional (EP) with over 10 years experience in mineral exploration, project management, environmental permitting and compliance. He has worked extensively with various epithermal and intrusion-related gold systems across Avalonia Terrane within Atlantic Canada. Furthermore, Jeff brings direct experience from previous programs at the Hope Brook Gold Project during his time with Coastal Gold. Jeff has been involved with managing various junior exploration companies, technology start-ups, and engineering firms with experience across all stages of mineral development through to reclamation. He currently sits on the board of directors for the Mineral Research Association of Nova Scotia and is a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. Dr. Curtis is an economic geologist with over 45 years of experience in exploration, mine development, and financing of precious metals resources. He holds a PhD from the University of Toronto and is a licensed professional geologist (Ontario) and a lifetime member of the PDAC. Dr. Curtis is currently a director of Excellon Resources Inc. and formerly a director of Wheaton River Minerals, High River Gold and Breakwater Resources. In 1996, he founded Intrepid Minerals Corp. as a mineral exploration and development company and was with the company through to 2014. During that period, he acted as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Under his tenure, the company advanced projects in Argentina, Central America and Western Australia. During the transition to Intrepid Mines, he effected substantial financings and negotiated significant joint ventures with major international mining companies. Dr. Curtis was also vice-president and senior analyst of global resources at Dundee Capital Markets from 2011 to 2015 and mining analyst at Clarus Securities from 2010 to 2011. He received the Arbor Award from the University of Toronto for raising awareness of funding of undergraduates in the field of earth sciences. Dr. Bill Pearson, P.Geo. is a Professional Geoscientist with over 46 years of experience in the national and international mining industry in all phases from grassroots exploration through to advanced projects and mine development. He has carried out exploration and development programs in 18 countries in North and South America, Europe, East Asia and Australia and has been on the Board of several public junior mining companies. From 2010 to 2015, he was the President & CEO of Coastal Gold Corp., who explored the Hope Brook project and negotiated the sale of the company to First Mining Finance. Previously, he was the Vice President, Exploration for Desert Sun Mining Corp in Brazil (sold to Yamana in 2006) and Executive Vice President, Exploration for Central Sun Mining Inc. in Nicaragua (sold to B2Gold in 2009). Currently, he is Executive Vice President Exploration for Eloro Resources exploring the Iska Iska silver-tin polymetallic project in Bolivia. He is the founding president of the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario (now Professional Geoscientists Ontario) and in 2015 he received the PDAC Distinguished Service Award for his service to Canada's Mineral and Exploration Industry. About Big Ridge Gold Corp. Big Ridge Gold Corp. is an exploration and development company managed by a disciplined and experienced team of officers and directors. The Company is committed to the development of advanced stage mining projects using industry best practices combined with strong social license from our local communities. Big Ridge owns 100% interest in the highly prospective Oxford Gold Project located in Manitoba, 100% interest in the Destiny Gold Project in Quebec where Clarity Gold Corp. (CLAR - CSE) is earning up to a 100% interest and is exploring in the Beardmore-Geraldton gold belt in Ontario. Big Ridge is now the operator of the Hope Brook Gold Project located in Newfoundland and Labrador. For more details regarding the Company's projects, please visit our website at www.bigridgegold.com ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD, Mike Bandrowski, President & CEO For Further Information Contact: Mike Bandrowski, President & CEO BIG RIDGE GOLD CORP. 1 Yonge Street, Suite 1801 Toronto, ON, M5E 1W7 Tel: 416-540-5480 Email: Mike@bigridgegold.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "intends", "estimates", "envisages", "potential", "possible", "strategy", "goals", "objectives", or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to future events or future performance and reflect current estimates, predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events, including the closing of the Offering. All forward-looking statements are based on Big Ridge's and its employees' current beliefs as well as various assumptions made by them and information currently available to them. 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 on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the respective parties, 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. When relying on our forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to Big Ridge, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Big Ridge does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by the Company or on our behalf, except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/87828 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 17, 2021) - Orestone Mining Corp. (TSXV: ORS) (FSE: O2R1) is pleased to announce the results of a recently completed drilling program at its Captain gold-copper project near Fort St James, North Central British Columbia. Two diamond drill holes were completed during the period of April 9 to May 5, 2021 intersecting tabular gold-copper mineralized kspar (potassic) altered replacement zones within a large magnetic low anomaly. The exploration model at Captain is a large scale potassic-sericite altered calc-alkaline gold-copper porphyry. Drill holes C21-01 and C21-02 spaced 815 metres apart, were drilled to depths of 821 and 611 metres respectively (see website for all maps and sections referenced). The holes targeted a gold-copper porphyry and both holes intersected thick tabular potassic-sericite altered replacement zones with wide gold-copper mineralized sections (see table below). Hole From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Gold g/t Copper % Gold Equiv. g/t C21-01 541.0 577.0 36.0 0.26 0.05 0.33 C21-01 656.7 742.4 85.7 0.37 0.06 0.45 C21-02 223.0 313.0 90.0 0.20 0.02 0.22 C21-02 414.0 436.0 22.0 0.70 0.01 0.71 Metal prices used to calculate Gold Equivalent are: copper US$3.00; gold US$1650 The present drill holes combined with hole C20-03 have outlined a tabular, sericite altered envelop 500 metres thick along a strike length of 800 metres and a width in excess of 1000 metres, and open to the east (500m x 800m x1000m). This represents a large volume of intensely hydrothermally altered latite/monzonite volcanic rocks with thick zones of potassic alteration containing gold-copper mineralization; two 82-85 metre wide zones in the north ("Cross Section A") and a 90 metre wide zone in the south ("Cross Section B"). This environment indicates the presence of a large gold-copper porphyry system and the lower intersection in drill hole C21-02 indicates the potential for higher grade within the mineralized system. "We are very encouraged by the results of this drill program. All of the mineralized intercepts encountered on the Captain Project to date indicate that a gold enriched calc-alkaline porphyry system exists. This type of system can host large, gold rich deposits and in some cases with a higher-grade core such as the Red Chris Deposit in BC and the Cadia-Ridgeway Deposits in New South Wales, Australia. In terms of size, the outer phyllic alteration halo has been intersected in drilling over an area of 1.5 by 2 kilometres indicating the presence of a large hydrothermal fluid rich system. Follow-up drilling will be underway during the summer," stated David Hottman, CEO and Director of Orestone Mining Corp. The Company is well financed to continue exploring at Captain with further drilling planned for August to test the eastern portion of the magnetic low 500-600 metres NNE of the present drill holes. Quality assurance/quality control procedures Orestone Mining has implemented a rigorous quality assurance/quality control program to ensure best practices in sampling and analysis of diamond drill core. All assays are performed by Activation Laboratories Ltd. (ActLabs), with sample preparation and analysis carried out in their full-service facility in Kamloops, BC. Sample preparation involves crushing the entire sample to 80% minus 2 mm followed by pulverizing a 250g split to 95% minus 105 m. Primary analysis for gold is done by fire assay on a 30 gram subsample with an atomic adsorption finish. Additionally, samples are prepared using Aqua Regia partial digestion and analyzed for 38 elements including copper by inductively coupled plasma (ICP). For over-limit values, samples are re-analyzed for gold by fire assay with a gravimetric finish and for copper by Aqua Regia (partial) digestion followed by assay grade ICP. The drill program was under the control of a registered professional geologist complying with standards and practices as established by the Association of Engineers and Geoscientists of the Province of British Columbia." All contractors and the Company on the drilling program, worked under Covid-19 protocols complying with guidelines issued by Provincial Health Officer (PHO) of British Columbia to ensure the safety and health, for all personnel. Gary Nordin, P.Geo, a director of the Company, is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Nordin has reviewed and approved the technical information in this press release. The 100 percent owned Captain gold-copper project encompasses 37 square kilometers and hosts a large porphyry system located 41 kilometers north of Fort St. James and 30 kilometers south of the Mt. Milligan copper-gold mine in north central British Columbia. The Captain Project features relatively flat terrain, moderate tree cover and an extensive network of logging and Forest Service roads suitable for exploration year around. To stay informed of the latest corporate activities please click here to provide consent and receive news and updates. For more information, please visit Orestone's website at www.orestone.ca ON BEHALF OF ORESTONE MINING CORP. David Hottman CEO For further information contact: David Hottman at 604-629-1929 info@orestone.ca 407 - 325 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 1Z7, Canada Phone: 604-629-1929 Fax: 604-629-1930 www.orestone.ca 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. This news release has been prepared by management and no regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected including, but not limited to, market conditions, availability of financing, currency rate fluctuations, actual results of exploration and development activities, environmental risks, future prices of copper, gold, silver and other metals, operating risks, accidents, labor issues, delays in obtaining governmental or regulatory approvals and permits, and other risks in the mining industry. In addition, there is uncertainty about the spread of the COVID-19 virus and the impact it will have on the Company's operations, global supply chains and economic activity in general. All the forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those in our continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances save as required by applicable law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/87853 NEW YORK, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- With wide application in the food processing industry and increasing use in nutraceuticals, the global banana flakes market is set to experience growth of value CAGR of 5.5% and reach US$ 780 Mn by 2031. Banana flakes are associated with several health benefits; they are gluten-free and come with health benefits such as reduction in chronic inflammation and are beneficial for digestive concerns. Banana flakes also have a longer shelf life and are used in various food products for texture, flavoring, and to increase their nutritional content. Key Takeaways from Market Study The banana flakes market in East Asia is expected to surge in countries such as China and Japan at CAGRs of 7% and 5%, respectively, with China covering a market value share of around 75%. is expected to surge in countries such as and at CAGRs of 7% and 5%, respectively, with covering a market value share of around 75%. In Asia Pacific , banana flakes are used in the food processing industry, growing at a value CAGR of 6.5%. Manufacturers are also offering banana flakes in the nutraceutical segment, which is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of close to 8%. , banana flakes are used in the food processing industry, growing at a value CAGR of 6.5%. Manufacturers are also offering banana flakes in the nutraceutical segment, which is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of close to 8%. The food processing industry covers a major share of the market, along with application in bakery, confectionery, and dairy products, and is expected to show significant value CAGR of over 5%, owing to growing awareness among consumers about the nutritional value of banana flakes. The market in the U.S. is projected to expand at a value CAGR of over 4% and account for almost 90% of North America . . France , Nordic, and BENELUX countries are expected to expand at significant value CAGRs of 6.7%, 7.2%, and 7.6%, respectively. , Nordic, and BENELUX countries are expected to expand at significant value CAGRs of 6.7%, 7.2%, and 7.6%, respectively. Efficient supply chain and distribution channels of banana flakes are facilitating easy availability. Online distribution of the business to consumer segment is expected to witness over 6% CAGR through 2031. The outbreak of COVID-19 disrupted the supply chain of banana flakes in the international market, impacting imports. However, with increasing demand for healthy and nutritional products, demand for banana flakes is expected to recover over the next two to three quarters. Request for sample PDF of report: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/20980 "Manufacturers should focus on offering banana flakes in the food processing as well as nutraceutical industry for heightened profits," says a Persistence Market Research analyst. Competitive Landscape Players manufacturing and distributing banana flakes are focusing on increasing their supply capacity to respond to growing demand from food processing companies. Manufacturers are also constantly making efforts to offer banana flakes for end use in various industries, such as nutraceuticals. For any other query ask an expert: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/ask-an-expert/20980 In 2019, Symrise established an innovation lab at the Unilever Foods Innovation Centre in the Wageningen Campus. In the partnership, Symrise will work together with scientists of the internationally renowned Wageningen University & Research. In 2019, Orchard Valley Foods Group acquired a majority share in The Ingredients Co, Australia to create Orchard Valley Foods Australia Ltd., as part of the company's continued expansion into the Australian foodservice and bakery markets. The company has an exclusive agreement to distribute Orchard Valley's product ranges in Australia and New Zealand . Get full access of report: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/20980 Explore More Valuable Insights Persistence Market Research, in its new report, offers an impartial analysis of the global banana flakes market, presenting historical data (2016-2020) and estimation statistics for the forecast period of 2021-2031. The study offers compelling insights on the basis of nature (organic and conventional), end use (food processing industry, nutraceuticals, retail/household, foodservice industry, and others), and distribution channel (business to business and business to consumer), across seven major regions of the world. Browse Research Release at: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-reports.asp Browse End-to-end Market: Food and Beverages Related Reports: Banana Puree Market: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/banana-puree-market.asp Banana Flour Market:https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/banana-flour-market.asp About Persistence Market Research Overview: Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance. To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes. Contact Rajendra Singh Persistence Market Research U.S. Sales Office: 305 Broadway, 7th Floor New York City, NY 10007 +1-646-568-7751 United States USA - Canada Toll-Free: 800-961-0353 Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com Visit Our Website: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/661339/Persistence_Market_Research_Logo.jpg Fredericton, New Brunswick--(Newsfile Corp. - June 17, 2021) - TRU Precious Metals Corp. (TSXV: TRU) (OTCQB: TRUIF) (FSE:706) ("TRU" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed a property-wide soil sampling program at its Rolling Pond Property in the Central Newfoundland Gold Belt. The Rolling Pond property is contiguous with the south end of New Found Gold's Queensway project. New Found Gold reported drill intercepts on May 21, 2021 at the Queensway Project of 146.2 grams per tonne gold over 25.6 meters.[1] The completed geochemical surveying program represents TRU's first phase of field work at the Rolling Pond property and consisted of extensive and detailed sampling (684 samples were collected). The sampling covered the large hydrothermal and quartz breccia system, which has been identified over a 1.2 km strike length but has never been subjected to a systematic soil geochemical survey. The sampling was positioned to expand upon a known soil geochemical anomaly near the south-central area of the property where a coincident multi element soil anomaly has returned gold values from 5 parts per billion (ppb) to 142ppb, one of two gold anomalous areas spanning a 500m length. The samples are being submitted to Eastern Analytical of Springdale, NL for gold fire assay and 34 element ICP geochemical analysis. Eastern Analytical is an independent accredited assay lab that conforms to requirements of ISO/IEC (International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission) 17025. Figure 1: TRU Rolling Pond Property Location To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5993/87859_0cd23d8114ff892e_001full.jpg Figure 2: TRU Precious Metals Rolling Pond Soil Sample Location To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5993/87859_0cd23d8114ff892e_002full.jpg TRU Co-Founder and CEO, Joel Freudman, commented, "We are excited to announce the completion of our first phase of work at Rolling Pond. Completing this detailed geochemical survey is a cost-effective way to provide the Company with greater technical data on this large target area and assists in facilitating guidance for our next phases of groundwork. Rolling Pond, being next door to New Found Gold's Queensway Property, provides TRU with an advantageous access point to the prospective geology of that area. We remain encouraged by historical findings that the nature and style of mineralization at the Rolling Pond Property appears similar to that of New Found Gold's and thus look forward to the results from this program." Barry Greene, P.Geo. is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the contents and technical disclosures in this press release. Mr. Greene is a director and officer of the Company and owns securities of the Company. About TRU Precious Metals Corp. TRU has assembled a portfolio of 5 gold exploration properties in the highly prospective Central Newfoundland Gold Belt. The Company has an option with a subsidiary of TSX-listed Altius Minerals Corporation to purchase 100% of the Golden Rose Project, located along the deposit-bearing Cape Ray - Valentine Lake Shear Zone. TRU also owns 100% of the Twilite Gold Project, located along the same Shear Zone, and 3 under-explored properties including its Rolling Pond Property (under option) bordering New Found Gold Corp.'s high-grade Queensway Project. TRU's common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "TRU", on the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol "TRUIF", and on the Frankfurt exchange under the symbol "706". TRU is a portfolio company of Resurgent Capital Corp. ("Resurgent"), a merchant bank providing venture capital markets advisory services and proprietary financing. Resurgent works with promising public and pre-public micro-capitalization Canadian companies. For further information about TRU, please contact: Joel Freudman Co-Founder, President & CEO TRU Precious Metals Corp. Phone: 1-855-760-2TRU (2878) Email: ir@trupreciousmetals.com Website: www.trupreciousmetals.com To connect with TRU via social media, below are links: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TRU-Precious-Metals-Corp-100919195193616 Twitter https://twitter.com/corp_tru LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/tru-precious-metals-corp YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHghHMDQaYgS1rDHiZIeLUg/ Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information 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. Information in this press release relating to third-party mineral exploration properties are from sources believed to be reliable, but that have not been independently verified by TRU. Certain historical technical information herein relating to Rolling Pond Property has been supplied by the optionor of this property and has not been independently verified by TRU. This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including those relating to exploring the Company's mineral exploration properties and the prospectivity and mineralization of the Company's properties. These statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding the execution and success of exploration plans that are believed by management to be reasonable in the circumstances, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including without limitation: mineralization hosted on adjacent and/or nearby properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on the Company's properties; the exploration potential of the Company's properties and the nature and style of mineralization at same; risks inherent in mineral exploration activities; volatility in financial markets, economic conditions, and precious metals prices; challenges in attracting and retaining qualified personnel; and those other risks described in the Company's continuous disclosure documents. Actual results may differ materially from results contemplated by the forward-looking statements herein. Investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements herein except as required by applicable securities laws. [1] Source: https://newfoundgold.ca/news/new-found-intercepts-146-2-g-t-au-over-25-6m-in-65m-step-out-to-south-at-keats-extends-high-grade-zone-to-425m-down-plunge/ To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/87859 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 17, 2021) - Rockcliff Metals Corporation (CSE: RCLF) (OTCQB: RKCLF) ("Rockcliff" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the commencement of the Company's multi-phased Q3 and Q4 exploration program on several of its high priority targets. This multi-phased, $2.5 million fully funded exploration program, will include over 7,500 metres of drilling scheduled to begin in August. Drilling will focus on two priority targets - the TGR NI-PGE Prospect discovered in 2020 at the Company's Tower Property (see April 30, 2020 press release) and the historical high-grade Copperman Cu-Zn Deposit. Both of these projects are 100% owned by Rockcliff. In addition to the drill program, the Company will complete over 2,200 kilometres of airborne geophysical flying and geological and ground geophysical surveys. The Flin Flon-Snow Lake greenstone belt ("Belt") is the largest Paleoproterozoic volcanogenic massive sulphide ("VMS") district in the world and is best known for its prolific high-grade VMS metal endowment and almost 100 years of continuous production from over 30 mines. Don Christie President and CEO commented, "exploration is an integral part of the operating strategy of a junior resource company and in our case a necessary complement to the extensive project development work we have carried out over the past 12 months on our portfolio of high-grade deposits. In the current commodity price environment, we must remain focused on the timely execution of our strategic objectives and look forward to providing our shareholders with positive developments on both our exploration and development initiatives over the remainder of 2021". Figure 1 below, highlights the Company's land position in the Belt. Figure 1: Rockcliff's property portfolio (in purple) within the Flin Flon-Snow Lake greenstone belt To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3071/87888_1231317dd4801851_001full.jpg TGR Ni-PGE Prospect, Tower Property : Planned 4 to 6 holes, 1500 metres. Four to six drill holes totalling 1,500 metres are planned at the high-grade TGR Ni-PGE Prospect to follow up on the discovery hole and additonal drilling completed in 2020. The TGR Ni-PGE discovery hole was initially tested for potential VMS mineralization associated with a large interpreted VMS target located 600 metres south of the Company's copper-rich Tower Deposit. The 2020 discovery hole intersected significant nickel-PGE mineralization at a down hole depth of 244.8 metres. From To Length Ni% Pt gpt Pd gpt Rh gpt Ir gpt Os gpt Ru gpt NiEq % 244.8 247.2 2.4 2.53 1.32 3.35 0.48 0.45 0.69 1.53 4.99 244.8 246.7 1.9 3.08 1.64 4.20 0.60 0.56 0.87 1.92 6.17 245.45 246.7 1.25 4.46 2.28 6.13 0.88 0.83 1.29 2.84 8.96 245.45 245.7 0.25 10.80 9.19 14.50 2.51 1.85 2.70 7.40 22.82 Nickel Equivalent ("NiEq") metals values used in the April 30, 2020 press release were US$6.10/pound nickel, US$1,450/ounce palladium, US$865/ounce platinum, US$6,000/ounce rhodium, US$1,675/ounce Iridium, US$400/ounce osmium and US$280/ounce ruthenium. No process recoveries or smelter payables were included in the calculation. True thickness is not presently known at this time. Figure 2: Tower TGR Ni-PGE Prospect To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3071/87888_1231317dd4801851_003full.jpg Copperman Cu-Zn Deposit and Nearby Anomalies, Copperman Property: Planned 12 to14 holes, 6,000 metres. Twelve to fourteen drill holes totalling 6,000 metres are planned. The drilling will test the historical Copperman Cu-Zn Deposit and several nearby untested surface geophysical anomalies. The Copperman Cu-Zn Deposit was discovered in 1927 by surface trenching. Mineralization is associated with at least three high-grade lenses. Historical near surface drill results documented in the Manitoba Mineral Deposits Database; Deposit # M63J/12-004 included: 8.3 metres grading 3.62% copper, 2.59% zinc 9.7 metres grading 1.69% copper, 5.05% zinc 7.0 metres grading 8.09% copper, 7.29% zinc 7.6 metres grading 1.85% copper, 4.58% zinc Historical drill results cannot be relied upon for a basis for future drill results. Figure 3: Copperman Property To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3071/87888_1231317dd4801851_004full.jpg SLS #1-#5 Properties: Airborne VTEM survey. The favourable VMS geology within the Company's 100% owned SLS properties are buried under a thin limestone cover. The SLS properties represent a significant and strategic land package of underexplored VMS potential located in the southern half of the prolific Belt that hosts the Flin Flon and Snow Lake VMS mining camps. A total of over 2,200 kilometres of airborne VTEM flying will be completed over specific strategic areas of the properties that represent high priority areas interpreted as VMS conductive trends. The purpose of the program will be to isolate potential anomalies with VMS upside in preparation of a planned drill program in early 2022. DC Zone, Lon Property: Line cutting and surface geophysical TDEM survey. The DC Zone is a mineralized surface outcrop associated with widespread VMS alteration and historical grab samples from trace up to 6% zinc. Historical surface geophysics identified a buried 600-metre-long geophysical anomaly below the surface mineralization. The purpose of the program is to pin point the location of the historical DC anomaly in preparation of a planned drill program in early 2022. QP Ken Lapierre P.Geo., VP Exploration of Rockcliff, a Qualified Person in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements as set out in NI 43-101, has read and approved the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for the disclosure contained in this press release. About Rockcliff Metals Corporation Rockcliff is a Canadian resource development and exploration company, with several advanced-stage, high-grade copper and VMS dominant deposits in the Snow Lake area of central Manitoba. The Company is a major landholder in Belt which is the largest Paleoproterozoic VMS district in the world, hosting high-grade mines and deposits containing copper, zinc, gold and silver. The Company's extensive portfolio of properties totals approximately 4,500 km and includes seven of the highest-grade, undeveloped VMS deposits in the Belt. Rockcliff has joint ventures in the Belt with Hudbay Minerals at the Company's 49% owned Talbot Copper Deposit and with Kinross at its 30% owned Laguna/Lucky Jack/Puella Bay gold properties. For more information, please visit http://rockcliffmetals.com YouTube: Rockcliff Metals Corporation Twitter: @RockcliffMetals LinkedIn: Rockcliff Metals Corp Instagram: Rockcliff_Metals Facebook: Rockcliff Metals Corporation For further information, please contact: Rockcliff Metals Corporation Don Christie President & CEO Cell: (416) 409-8441 dchristie@norvistacapital.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes", or the negatives and / or variations of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur", "be achieved" or "has the potential to". In particular, the forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, statements regarding: future projected production, capital costs and operating costs, recovery methods and rates, development methods and plans, commodity prices and Mineral Resource Estimates. Statements relating to "Mineral Resources" are deemed to be forward-looking information, as they involve the implied assessment that, based on certain estimates and assumptions, the Mineral Resources described can be profitably produced in the future. Forward looking statements are based on the certain assumptions opinions and estimates as of the date such statements are made, and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include: delays resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in market conditions, unsuccessful exploration results, possibility of project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, changes in the costs and timing of the development of new deposits, inaccurate resource estimates, changes in the price of copper or zinc, unanticipated changes in key management personnel and general economic conditions. Mining exploration and development is an inherently risky business. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be accurate and results may differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. For a discussion in respect of risks and other factors that could influence forward-looking statements, please refer to the factors discussed in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis for the year ended March 31, 2020 and subsequent quarterly financial reports under the heading 'Risk Factors'. These factors are not and should not be construed as being exhaustive. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Any forward-looking information and the assumptions made with respect thereto speaks only as of the date of this news release. The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information after the date of this news release to conform such information to actual results or to changes in the Company's expectations except as otherwise required by applicable legislation. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/87888 Reaffirming Commitment to Creating Shareholder Value Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 17, 2021) - Xigem Technologies Corporation (CSE: XIGM) (FSE: 2C1) ("Xigem" or the "Company"), a technology provider for the emerging remote economy, today announced that it has retained the services of investor relations and communications firms ("IR Parties") to provide services for the Company. The IR Parties are arms-length to the Company. Vancouver-based Whoa Is Media Inc., dba SmallCap Communications, is providing social media and communications services to the Company for an indefinite term, for a one-time fee of US$30,000. SmallCap Communications offers fully managed social media programs designed to help public companies reach and connect with an investor audience. JBN Partners, LLC, based in South Carolina, is providing investor relations and corporate financial public relations services for an initial term of six months, for a fee of US$100,000. The contract may be renewed for additional six-month terms by agreement of the parties. Xigem also announced the cancellation of 200,000 warrants to purchase common shares of the Company, the issuance of which was previously announced on June 2, 2021. Xigem further advises that the Finder Warrants, issued in conjunction with the private placement that was announced on June 2, 2021, were common share purchase warrants. About Xigem Technologies Corporation Established in Toronto, Ontario, Xigem Technologies Corporation (CSE: XIGM) (FSE: 2C1) is positioned to become a leading SaaS technology platform for the emerging near trillion dollar remote economy, with software capable of improving the capacity, productivity, and overall remote operations for businesses, consumers and other organizations. Beginning with "iAgent," the Company's patented technology, Xigem's portfolio will provide organizations, businesses and consumers with the tools necessary to thrive in a vast array of remote working, learning and treatment environments. www.xigemtechnologies.com Instagram: @xigemtechnologies Twitter: @XigemTech Facebook: @xigemtechnologies LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/xigem-technologies CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release may contain certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All information contained herein that is not historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. Xigem undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third-parties in respect of Xigem, its securities, or financial or operating results (as applicable). Although Xigem believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, such forward-looking statement has been based on expectations, factors and assumptions concerning future events which may prove to be inaccurate and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond Xigem's control. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and is made as of the date hereof. Xigem disclaims any intention and has no obligation or responsibility, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Xigem Technologies Corporation On behalf of the Company: Brian Kalish, Chief Executive Officer For further information: Phone: (647) 250-9824 ext.4 Investors: investors@xigemtechnologies.com Media: media@xigemtechnologies.com Twitter: @XigemTech Instagram: @xigemtechnologies Facebook: @xigemtechnologies LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/xigem-technologies www.xigemtechnologies.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/87858 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 17, 2021) - Kodiak Copper Corp. (TSXV: KDK) (the "Company" or "Kodiak") today announced the mobilization of a second drill rig to Kodiak's 100% owned MPD copper-gold porphyry project ("MPD") in Southern British Columbia, where the Company is executing a fully funded drill program of up to 30,000 metres in 2021. Drilling this year has focused on extending the Gate Zone where Kodiak made a high-grade copper-gold discovery at the northern end of a one kilometer long soil anomaly (see news release September 3, 2020). The second rig will initially assist in step out and infill drilling at Gate. As the year progresses, the Company expects to move one of the rigs to the Dillard Zone, situated approximately 2 kilometres southeast of the current drilling. Dillard is a high-priority target similar to the Gate Zone, characterized by a substantial copper-in-soil anomaly, geophysical responses and encouraging mineralization in historic drilling. Claudia Tornquist, President and CEO of Kodiak said, "It is a truly exciting time for Kodiak as we follow up on our transformative Gate Zone discovery with a fully funded, significantly larger drill program. We are pleased with the progress of the program to date and are looking forward to accelerating the drilling at the Gate Zone. Our shareholders can expect the first results from this year's drill campaign in a few weeks and a steady flow of drill results throughout the remainder of 2021." MPD is a large, consolidated land package (147 km2) located near several operating mines in the southern Quesnel Terrane, British Columbia's primary copper-gold producing belt. The project is located midway between the towns of Merritt and Princeton, with year-round accessibility and excellent infrastructure nearby. Jeff Ward, P.Geo, Vice President Exploration and the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this release. For further information please contact Mr. Knox Henderson, Investor Relations, at +1 604 646 8362 or khenderson@kodiakcoppercorp.com. On behalf of the Board of Directors Kodiak Copper Corp. Claudia Tornquist President & CEO About Kodiak Copper Corp. Kodiak is focused on its 100% owned copper porphyry projects in Canada and the USA. The Company's most advanced asset is the MPD copper-gold porphyry project in the prolific Quesnel Trough in south-central British Columbia, Canada, where the Company made a discovery of high-grade mineralization within a wide mineralized envelope in 2020. Kodiak also holds the Mohave copper-molybdenum-silver porphyry project in Arizona, USA, near the world-class Bagdad mine. Kodiak's porphyry projects have both been historically drilled and present known mineral discoveries with the potential to hold large-scale deposits. Kodiak's founder and Chairman is Chris Taylor who is well-known for his gold discovery success with Great Bear Resources. Kodiak is also part of Discovery Group led by John Robins, one of the most successful mining entrepreneurs in Canada. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statement (Safe Harbor Statement): This press release contains forward looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "expect", "estimate", "objective", "may", "will", "project", "should", "predict", "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements. In particular, this press release contains forward looking statements concerning the Company's exploration plans. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward looking statements because the Company cannot give any assurance that they will prove correct. Since forward looking statements address future events and conditions, they involve inherent assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of assumptions, factors and risks. These assumptions and risks include, but are not limited to, assumptions and risks associated with conditions in the equity financing markets, and assumptions and risks regarding receipt of regulatory and shareholder approvals. Management has provided the above summary of risks and assumptions related to forward looking statements in this press release in order to provide readers with a more comprehensive perspective on the Company's future operations. The Company's actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive from them. These forward looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and, other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/87862 Other Eagle Intersections Include 4.88 gpt Gold over 24.93 Metres & 5.57 gpt Gold over 22.86 Metres Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 17, 2021) - Endurance Gold Corporation (TSXV: EDG) (the "Company") is pleased to provide the final assay results for the remaining thirty (30) of the thirty-five (35) reverse circulation ("RC") holes drilled in 2021 at its Reliance Gold Property (the "Property") in southern British Columbia. The Property is located 4 kilometres ("km") east of the village of Gold Bridge with year-round road access, and 10 km north of the historic Bralorne-Pioneer Gold Mining Camp which has produced over 4 million ounces of gold. Drilling has successfully identified a significant extension to the Eagle Zone gold discovery which remains open to further expansion and will be tested with the upcoming planned diamond drilling program. Twenty-seven (27) of the thirty-five (35) RC holes drilled in 2021 have reported gold intersections. The following table highlights the best gold intersections from seven (7) new holes at the Eagle Zone: To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4976/87868_e297b870848f58c0_002full.jpg "These encouraging results highlight the outstanding exploration potential of the Reliance Property" stated Robert Boyd, CEO of Endurance Gold "We look forward to a continuing season of drilling to grow the many targets we are confirming over almost 2 kilometres of strike within the Royal-Treasure Shear Complex." Eagle Zone - The Eagle Zone continues to deliver encouraging drill results with seven (7) additional very encouraging drill intersections expanding the Eagle Zone downdip to the southwest and towards the southeast along the Royal Shear structural corridor. All intercepts reported from the Eagle Zone to date are exposed at surface or within 50 metres ("m") of surface with a projected footprint that is now expanded to 170 m by 80 m. The Eagle Zone is still open for expansion to the southeast and downdip to the southwest. Highlight gold assay results from the 2021 Eagle Zone RC drilling include 14.08 grams per tonne gold ("gpt Au") over 15.24 m (est. 8.4 m true width). Other excellent intersections at Eagle include 4.88 gpt Au over 24.39 m (est. 12.8 m true width), 5.57 gpt Au over 22.86 m (true width), and 2.86 gpt Au over 21.34 m (true width). RC chip logging of un-oxidized gold mineralization at Eagle has identified sulphidized ankerite-sericite altered volcanics, and pervasively silicified volcanics with associated quartz vein stockwork and/or quartz breccia. Observed common sulphides included pyrite, arsenopyrite and stibnite. A drill hole plan map and the four vertical sections for the Eagle Zone are appended below as sections 5635737N, 5635770N, 5635793N, and 5635816N and available on the Company website. Drilling of the Eagle Zone down dip to the southwest is complicated by a northwest striking, steeply southwest dipping structure which hosts a strongly altered, silicified and anomalously mineralized feldspar porphyry intrusive with indications of associated multigenerational quartz breccia and mineralized fragments. The Eagle Zone remains open for possible expansion on the southwest side of this area of faulting and intrusive and will be tested in the next phase of drilling. Diamond drilling of this feature will be required to fully understand and define the contacts of the intrusive and the possibility that this intrusive is genetically associated with a 'feeder zone' to the Eagle Zone mineralization. Additional Drilling Results - Summarized in the table below are additional gold results from drilling at the Eagle, Eagle South, Imperial, Diplomat. Treasure and Crown Targets all located along the prospective Royal-Treasure Shear Complex. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4976/87868_e297b870848f58c0_003full.jpg Interpretation of these drill results, and those reported on May 27, 2021 at the Diplomat target, have identified a steeply dipping breccia vein stockwork zone that has been traced in drilling for an estimated 120 m on strike and 110 m along the dip plane. The best intersection to date at Diplomat returned 16.39 gpt Au over 4.57 M which was reported in late May. Based on the current interpretation of strike and dip, the true width of this breccia vein stockwork zone is estimated at 3 m. This Diplomat breccia vein stockwork could represent a northwestern strike extension of the Imperial Zone. As reported on May 27, 2021 the Treasure Prospect has been tested by three (3) short RC holes and the first hole reported in late May returned 1.6 gpt Au over 6.1 m. New results have returned 2.13 gpt Au over 1.52 m, and 0.94 gpt Au over 1.52 m. Management is encouraged by these results as they confirm that the Treasure Shear is a gold-bearing structure and a viable exploration target. At the Imperial Zone, two RC holes tested for a potential north-south striking mineralized structure oblique to the Imperial trend. One of these holes intersected 1.53 gpt Au over 3.05 m, and the other intersected 1.95 gpt Au over 6.1 m. A third 2021 RC hole at Imperial tested a soil anomaly between the Imperial and Diplomat Zones and intersected 8.66 gpt Au over 1.52 m, supporting the possibility of connecting mineralized structures between the Imperial and Diplomat Zones. At the Crown Zone, the initial two holes intersected narrow zones of gold mineralization, but water ingress difficulties negatively affected RC sample quality. Further evaluation of the Crown Zone will be conducted by diamond drilling. Property Activity - A program of follow-up soil sampling, prospecting, geological mapping and additional channel sampling is currently in progress. Further preparation of the property for diamond drilling locations will be required ahead of drilling which is currently planned to commence in July or August. The 3DIP geophysical crew completed their survey in late May and preliminary results are expected shortly. Community Consultation and Engagement - The Company is proud of its efforts to engage and inform local communities, as well as employ local personnel and contractors as much as possible, including the First Nation communities. Engagement and dialogue are continuing with affected First Nation communities to determine opportunities for mutually beneficial participation. This outreach effort resulted in the Company contracting Tsal'alh Development Corporation (TDC) to assist in providing personnel and contracting assistance with numerous aspects of our exploration program in 2020 and continuing in 2021. Approximately 25% of our 2020 manpower efforts were provided to the Company by TDC. In addition, we continue to engage other residents and local service providers located within the Upper Bridge River Valley to assist with our exploration program. Endurance Gold Corporation is a company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of highly prospective North American mineral properties with the potential to develop world-class deposits. ENDURANCE GOLD CORPORATION Robert T. Boyd FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT Endurance Gold Corporation (604) 682-2707, info@endurancegold.com www.endurancegold.com RC samples were collected under the supervision of a geologist at the drilling rig. Drilling was completed using a 3.5 inch hammer bit and rock chip samples were collected using a cyclone. Sample size were reduced to 1/8th size with a riffle splitter at the drilling rig. A second duplicate split and coarse chips were collected for reference material and stored. All RC samples have been submitted to ALS Global in North Vancouver, BC, an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited laboratory, where they are crushed to 70% <2 mm then up to 250 gram pulverized to <75 microns. Samples are then submitted for four-acid digestion and analyzed for 48 element ICP-MS (ME-MS61) and gold 30g FA ICP-AES finish (AU-ICP21). Over limit samples returning greater than 10 ppm gold are re-analyzed by Au-GRA21 methodology and over limit antimony returning greater than 10,000 ppm Sb are re-analyzed by Sb-AA08 methodology. The pXRF analysis was conducted by a Company geologist at the project site within 24 hours of drilling on the complete 1/8th duplicate split reference material. An Olympus Vanta XRF Analyzer was used for the analysis which is capable of measuring elements from concentrations as low as single parts per million (ppm). The work program was supervised by Darren O'Brien, P.Geo., an independent consultant and qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101. Mr. O'Brien has reviewed and approved this news release. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This news release may contain forward looking statements based on assumptions and judgments of management regarding future events or results that may prove to be inaccurate as a result of factors beyond its control, and actual results may differ materially from the expected results. Figure 1 To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4976/87868_e297b870848f58c0_004full.jpg Figure 2 To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4976/87868_e297b870848f58c0_005full.jpg Figure 3 To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4976/87868_e297b870848f58c0_006full.jpg Figure 4 To view an enhanced version of Figure 4, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4976/87868_e297b870848f58c0_007full.jpg Figure 5 To view an enhanced version of Figure 5, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4976/87868_e297b870848f58c0_008full.jpg To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/87868 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 17, 2021) - Provenance Gold Corp. (CSE: PAU) (FSE: 3PG) (OTCQB: PVGDF) (the "Company") announces the commencement of a drill program on its White Rock property in the northeastern corner of Elko County, Nevada. After reviewing the historic exploration information on the property and reinterpreting the geology, the Company expanded its land position to 258 claims covering 5,160 acres. The expansion was done to cover the extensive gold system on the property. The core of this system hosts gold mineralization that extends across an area at least 3.2 Km by 1.6 Km. Initial field work suggests the system is potentially significantly larger than currently recognized. Scattered widely spaced historic drilling of parts of the property with distances between holes up to 290 metres apart confirmed the extensive mineral system. These historic drill holes intersected several thick intervals of open-pit grade gold mineralization across a wide area, such as 73 metres of 0.55 g/t gold, 32 metres of 0.655 g/t gold and 3 metres of 5.7 g/t gold respectively. The Company believes the geology of the White Rock mineral system has similarities to the geology of the nearby Black Pine gold system in southern Idaho. At Black Pine, the gold system is hosted in a complex of thrust faults. The Company believes a similar thrust complex underlies the White Rock mineralization, and the postulated thrust complex will be an exploration target. The focus of an initial drilling program will be to confirm and expand on historic drilling that intersected thick intervals of continuous gold mineralization within the 3.2 Km by 1.6Km core area of gold mineralization. Simultaneously, the Company will be mapping and sampling additional areas of gold mineralization adjacent and nearby. Rauno Perttu, the Company's CEO states "After a thorough review of the project's database by myself and my team we have a new understanding of the projects mineral system and have been impatiently waiting for drill permits and equipment to start advancing the White Rock project. I believe it is a true "company-maker" and has the potential to develop into a major gold resource as we continue exploration." Figure 1: Location of White Rock Property and Original Claim Block To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5654/87877_proven2.jpg Rauno Perttu, P. Geo., a Qualified Person (as defined by National Instrument 43-101), and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this News Release. About Provenance Gold Corp. Provenance Gold Corp. is a precious metals exploration company with a focus on gold and silver resources within North America. The Company currently holds interests in three properties in Nevada, USA. For further information please visit the Company's website at https://provenancegold.com or contact rclark@provenancegold.com. On behalf of the Board, Provenance Gold Corp. Rauno Perttu, Chief Executive Officer Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange, nor its regulation services provider, accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. This news release may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When or if used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to the intended development and exploration of the Mineral Hill silver property, and other factors or information. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily 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 risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause 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. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/87877 MONTREAL, June 17, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bombardier Inc. ("Bombardier" or the "Corporation") today announced certain matters with respect to its cash tender offer previously announced on June 3 2021 (the "Tender Offer") to purchase for cash up to US$1,000,000,000 aggregate purchase price (exclusive of Accrued Interest) (as such aggregate purchase price may be increased or decreased by the Corporation, the "Aggregate Maximum Purchase Amount") of three series of its outstanding senior notes (collectively, the "Notes") due 2022 and 2023 as identified in the Offer to Purchase (as defined below), subject to the Acceptance Priority Levels and the 2023 Tender Cap (as such 2023 Tender Cap may be increased or decreased by the Corporation, including the increase described herein), as applicable, and possible proration, as set forth in the Offer to Purchase containing the terms and conditions of the Tender Offer, subject to amendment with respect to the 2023 Tender Cap as announced hereby. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Offer to Purchase dated June 3, 2021 (as amended hereby, the "Offer to Purchase") with respect to the Tender Offer. The Tender Offer and the Offer to Purchase are hereby amended as follows: The 2023 Tender Cap is amended to increase it to US$520,558,062.50 so that Bombardier may purchase on the Early Settlement Date up to US$520,558,062.50 in aggregate purchase price (exclusive of Accrued Interest) of the 2023 Notes. As of the Early Tender Date for the Tender Offer, US$210,183,000.00 aggregate principal amount of the 6.000% Senior Notes due 2022 (17.52%) were validly tendered and not validly withdrawn, US$88,364,000.00 aggregate principal amount of the 5.750% Senior Notes due 2022 (48.77%) were validly tendered and not validly withdrawn and US$489,937,000.00 aggregate principal amount of the 6.125% Senior Notes due 2023 (47.85%) were validly tendered and not validly withdrawn. As a result of the amendment set forth herein, all Notes that were validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or before the Early Tender Date will be accepted for purchase by Bombardier on the Early Settlement Date. All such Notes that have been accepted will be settled on the Early Settlement Date in accordance with the terms of the Tender Offer as set forth in the Offer to Purchase, as amended hereby. Bombardier expects such Early Settlement Date to be June 18, 2021. On the Early Settlement Date, the aggregate total purchase price payable under the Offer to Purchase (as amended hereby) for Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to the Early Tender Date and accepted for purchase will have reached the 2023 Tender Cap (as amended hereby) with respect to the 2023 Notes. As a result of the amount of 2023 Notes accepted for purchase on the Early Settlement Date, no 2023 Notes tendered after the Early Tender Date will under the terms of the Offer to Purchase (as amended hereby) be accepted for payment unless, in the Corporation's sole and absolute discretion, the terms of the Tender Offer are further amended or waived by the Corporation to permit further purchases of 2023 Notes. There can be no assurance that the Corporation will further amend or waive any terms of the Tender Offer to accept any 2023 Notes tendered after the Early Tender Date or amend the Tender Offer in any other respect. Except as expressly set forth herein, the terms and conditions with respect to the Tender Offer are as set forth in the Offer to Purchase, subject to the Corporation's right to further waive, amend or terminate any provisions of the Tender Offer, in the Corporation's sole and absolute discretion. The obligation of the Corporation to accept for purchase, and to pay for, Notes validly tendered pursuant to the Tender Offer is subject to, and conditioned upon, the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions as set forth in the Offer to Purchase, in the sole and absolute discretion of the Corporation. None of Bombardier, the trustees for the Notes, the agents under the respective indentures for the Notes, the dealer managers, the information and tender agent, any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates or any of its or their respective directors, officers, employees or representatives makes any recommendation to Holders as to whether or not to tender all or any portion of their Notes, and none of the foregoing has authorized any person to make any such recommendation. Holders must decide whether to tender Notes, and if tendering, the amount of Notes to tender. All of the Notes are held in book-entry form. If you hold Notes through a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee, you must contact such broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee if you wish to tender Notes pursuant to the Tender Offer. You should check with such broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee to determine whether they will charge you a fee for tendering Notes on your behalf. You should also confirm with the broker, dealer, bank, trust company or other nominee any deadlines by which you must provide your tender instructions, because the relevant deadline set by such nominee may be earlier than the deadlines set forth in the Offer to Purchase. Bombardier has retained J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. to serve as dealer managers for the Tender Offer. Bombardier has retained Global Bondholder Services Corporation to act as the information and tender agent in respect of the Tender Offer. For additional information regarding the terms of the Tender Offer, please contact J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. at their respective telephone numbers set forth on the back cover page of the Offer to Purchase. Copies of the Offer to Purchase may be obtained at www.gbsc-usa.com/bombardier/or by contacting Global Bondholder Services Corporation at (866) 807 2200 or by email at contact@gbsc-usa.com. This notice does not constitute or form part of any offer or invitation to purchase, or any solicitation of any offer to sell, the Notes or any other securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction, and neither this notice nor any part of it, nor the fact of its release, shall form the basis of, or be relied on or in connection with, any contract therefor. The Tender Offer is made only by and pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Offer to Purchase and the information in this notice is qualified by reference to the Offer to Purchase. None of the Corporation, the dealer managers or the information and tender agent makes any recommendations as to whether Holders should tender their Notes pursuant to the Tender Offer. This announcement does not constitute an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell any securities in any jurisdiction or in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. In those jurisdictions where the securities, blue sky or other laws require the Tender Offer to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Tender Offer will be deemed to be made by the dealer managers or one or more registered brokers or dealers licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction. Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements based on current expectations. By their nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to important known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause our actual results in future periods to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. For additional information regarding these risks and uncertainties, and the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements, please refer to the Offer to Purchase. For information Royal Bank of Canada supporting young people during Covid-19 pandemic Virtual celebrations held by RBC Capital Markets employees in Canada , U.S., U.K., France , Germany , Japan , Hong Kong , Australia , Barbados and Bahamas US$5 million donated to over 50 charities worldwide Six UK charities - Teenage Cancer Trust, Ronald McDonald House UK, Rainbow Trust, Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity, Demelza Hospice Care for Children, Noah's Ark Children's Hospice LONDON, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of a global charitable initiative by Royal Bank of Canada, called RBC Charity Day for the Kids, US$5 million is being donated to more than 50 youth-focused charities around the globe, reaffirming RBC's strong commitment to supporting youth organizations. What started out in 2015 as Trade for the Kids, has progressively become a much larger and more integrated global charitable initiative for all RBC Capital Markets staff globally. The troubling impacts of COVID-19 continue to affect many children and young people around the world from increased poverty to the greater stress caused by social isolation and lack of in-person activities. RBC continues to strengthen its community response efforts, and supports hundreds of youth mental health organizations around the world. To date, the annual fundraising event has raised US$20.2 million for 100 youth-focused charity partners around the world. This year's global RBC Charity Day for the Kids event has expanded to more countries around the world and is not just focused on donations but also promoting the efforts of our charity partners to support young people. Employees in Canada, U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, Barbados and Bahamas celebrated RBC's year-round culture of giving and philanthropy by virtually taking part in a day full of creative and engaging multimedia content. In the U.K., where RBC Charity Day for the Kids celebrated its fifth year, former patients, families and staff from six charities (see full list of charities here) made the day compelling by sharing their heart-felt, surprise webcam reactions to the reveal of the RBC Charity Day the Kids' donation announcements with RBC staff globally. "Charities and non-profits globally, and in particular those supporting youth mental health services, continue to feel significant strain brought on by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Derek Neldner, CEO and Group Head of RBC Capital Markets. "There is a growing need to provide necessary support services and resources to navigate these extremely challenging times and RBC and its employees are proud to rally support for these worthy initiatives. RBC Charity Day for the Kids is one of the many ways in which our employees and clients have the opportunity to learn more about supporting our youth through direct engagement with our charity partners. We thank our charity partners for their commitment to helping revive our communities, as well as our employees and clients for living our culture of giving." In 2020, RBC donated CA$140 million to charitable organizations through cash donations and community investments. For more on RBC Charity Day for the Kids and the benefitting charities, click here . About RBC Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 86,000+ employees who leverage their imaginations and insights to bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada's biggest bank, and one of the largest in the world based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our 17 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 27 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com.? We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at rbc.com/community-social-impact. About RBC Capital Markets RBC Capital Markets is recognized by the most significant corporations, institutional investors, asset managers, private equity firms, and governments around the globe as an innovative, trusted partner with an in-depth expertise in capital markets, banking, and finance. We are well-established in the largest, most mature capital markets with over 7,900 employees across North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region in 58 offices and 14 countries, collectively encompassing more than 85% of global investment banking activity each year. About RBC Charity Day for the Kids Launched in 2015 in New York, RBC Charity Day for the Kids - formerly known as RBC Trade for the Kids, is a day focused on raising money and awareness of some of RBC's longstanding charitable partnerships aimed at supporting children and youth. In 2021, RBC Charity Day was held for the fourth time globally across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Caribbean, supporting over 50 charities. To date, through this initiative, RBC has donated US$20.2 million to 100 charities. For more on RBC Charity Day for the Kids and the benefitting charities, click here . Media inquiries: Mark Hermitage: +44-20-7653-4057 GOSH Charity About Great Ormond Street Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity: Great Ormond Street Hospital is one of the world's leading children's hospitals with the broadest range of dedicated, children's healthcare specialists under one roof in the UK. The hospital's pioneering research and treatment gives hope to children from across the UK with the rarest, most complex and often life-threatening conditions. Our patients and families are central to everything we do - from the moment they come through the door and for as long as they need us. Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity needs to raise money to support the hospital to give seriously ill children, the best chance for life. The charity funds research into pioneering new treatments for children, provides the most up to date medical equipment, funds support services for children and their families and supports the essential rebuilding and refurbishment of the hospital. You can help us to provide world class care for our patients and families. For more information visit www.gosh.org Noah's Ark Noah's Ark Children's Hospice provides care and support for babies, children and young people who have life-limiting or life-threatening conditions, living across north and central London. The majority of the children they support are unlikely to reach their 18th birthday. Their care team enable these children to have as high a quality of life, and death, as possible. They support children to lead fulfilling lives and experience moments of real joy, focusing on what they're able to do, rather than on any perceived limitations. At end-of-life, Noah's Ark provide them with compassion, dignity and comfort. Noah's Ark Children's Hospice also support families during their child's life and help them to face the future with hope after their child has died. Rainbow Trust Children's Charity Rainbow Trust Children's Charity supports families who have a child aged 0-18 years with a life-threatening or terminal illness. When a child has a serious illness, family life is turned upside down and time becomes more precious than ever. Rainbow Trust pairs each family with an expert Family Support Worker who helps them at home, in hospital and in the community. Family Support Workers enable families to make the most of their time together, helping them to cope. They provide practical and emotional support, wherever families need it, for as long as it is needed. Support for the whole family can include listening to their fears and anxieties; saving families time by driving them to hospital appointments; helping explain illnesses, diagnoses and treatments; spending time with a seriously ill child, keeping them company during long appointments or hospital visits; organising fun activities to support brothers and sisters; supporting families with an ill baby on the neonatal unit; and if a child dies, giving bereavement support which might include helping arrange a funeral. The COVID-19 pandemic has piled further unimaginable pressure onto these parents and children, and Rainbow Trust Family Support Workers continue to provide a lifeline to them. To find out more visit rainbowtrust.org.uk. Demelza Find out more about Demelza at www.demelza.org.uk, follow the charity on Facebook at www.facebook.com/demelzahospice or @demelzahospice on Twitter. Notes to editors: Right now, there are almost 50,000 children with terminal conditions in the UK. And as more children live longer with their conditions, there's increasingly urgent need to support them and their families. For every parent, the health and happiness of their children is the single most important thing in the world. But the reality is any child could be born with or develop a terminal condition. Demelza provides specialist care and emotional support for children with terminal conditions, whether in family homes across East Sussex or in the family hospices in Sittingbourne and Eltham. Demelza can help families and their loved ones enjoy their time together, for as long as they have. or in the family hospices in Sittingbourne and Eltham. Demelza can help families and their loved ones enjoy their time together, for as long as they have. The unique support we give comes at a price, and at present we're only reaching 20 per cent of the children that we could help. As a charity, we're almost entirely dependent on the generosity of our supporters to provide the funds that keep our services going. Please help us make sure every family and child can depend on us when they need us most. For further information, please contact: Kate Barber PR and Communications Manager Tel: 07889 565241 Email: kate.barber@demelza.org.uk Teenage Cancer Trust Every day, seven young people aged 13-24 hear the words "you have cancer". Teenage Cancer Trust puts young people in the best possible place, physically, mentally and emotionally, for their cancer treatment and beyond. We do it through our expert nurses, support teams, and hospital units. And we're the only UK charity dedicated to providing this specialised nursing care and support. Teenage Cancer Trust is a registered charity: 1062559 ( England & Wales ), SC039757 ( Scotland ). Ronald McDonald House Charities UK Ronald McDonald House Charities UK was founded 32 years ago and in this time has supported nearly 50,000 families. Ronald McDonald Houses provides free 'home away from home' accommodation for families so they can be moments away from their child in hospital. To ensure the Charity can continue to support families for another 30 years, Ronald McDonald House Charities UK relies on the generosity of supporters and fundraisers, including McDonald's customers, without whom it would be unable to continue its work. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1534791/RBC_Capital_Markets_RBC_Global_Charity_Day_for_the_Kids____5_mil.jpg ING toreview strategic options for itsRetail Banking businessin France ING announced today that it is conducting a strategic review of its Retail Banking business in France. The review is focused solely on the Retail Banking business and not on ING's Wholesale Banking activities in France. ING has been active in the French retail banking market since 2000 as an online bank and currently serves around 1 million customers, offering current accounts, mortgages, consumer lending and investment products. ING France has around 700 employees, of which two-thirds work in Retail Banking. Globally more than 57,000 ING employees o?er Retail and Wholesale Banking services to customers in over 40 countries. Any potential outcome of the review of ING's Retail Banking business in France would be carried out in accordance with the social and regulatory legislation in force, taking into account the best interests of our customers, employees and other stakeholders. Note for editors For further information on ING, please visit www.ing.com. Frequent news updates can be found in the Newsroomor via the @ING_newsTwitter feed. Photos of ING operations, buildings and its executives are available for download at Flickr. ING presentations are available at SlideShare. Press enquiries Investor enquiries Christoph Linke ING Group Investor Relations +31 20 576 43 15 +31 20 576 6396 Christoph.Linke@ing.com (mailto:Christoph.Linke@ing.com) Investor.Relations@ing.com (mailto:Investor.Relations@ing.com) ING PROFILE ING is a global financial institution with a strong European base, offering banking services through its operating company ING Bank. The purpose of ING Bank is empowering people to stay a step ahead in life and in business. ING Bank's more than 57,000 employees offer retail and wholesale banking services to customers in over 40 countries. ING Group shares are listed on the exchanges of Amsterdam (INGA NA, INGA.AS), Brussels and on the New York Stock Exchange (ADRs: ING US, ING.N). Sustainability forms an integral part of ING's strategy, evidenced by ING's leading position in sector benchmarks by Sustainalytics and MSCI and our 'A-list' rating by CDP. ING Group shares are included in major sustainability and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) index products of leading providers STOXX, Morningstar and FTSE Russell. In January 2021, ING received an ESG evaluation score of 83 ('strong') from S&P Global Ratings. IMPORTANT LEGAL INFORMATION Elements of this press release contain or may contain information about ING Groep N.V. and/ or ING Bank N.V. within the meaning of Article 7(1) to (4) of EU Regulation No 596/2014. Certain of the statements contained herein are not historical facts, including, without limitation, certain statements made of future expectations and other forward-looking statements that are based on management's current views 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 such statements. Actual results, performance or events may differ materially from those in such statements due to a number of factors, including, without limitation:. This document may contain inactive textual addresses to internet websites operated by us and third parties. Reference to such websites is made for information purposes only, and information found at such websites is not incorporated by reference into this annual report. ING does not make any representation or warranty with respect to the accuracy or completeness of, or take any responsibility for, any information found at any websites operated by third parties. ING specifically disclaims any liability with respect to any information found at websites operated by third parties. ING cannot guarantee that websites operated by third parties remain available following the filing of this document or that any information found at such websites will not change following the filing of this document. Many of those factors are beyond ING's control. Any forward looking statements made by or on behalf of ING speak only as of the date they are made, and ING assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or for any other reason. This document does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, any securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction. Attachment VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 17, 2021 / Wedgemount Resources Corp. (CSE:WDGY) ("Wedgemount" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that it has commenced the 2021 field exploration program at its year-round, road accessible Eagle copper-gold property, located in the highly prospective Quesnel Trough copper district, of central British Columbia. Mark Vanry, President & CEO of Wedgemount commented, "We are excited to kick off our inaugural exploration program at our Eagle property. Eagle will be the first of our three exploration programs planned for the summer of 2021. We look forward to updating the market as we advance the dynamic combination of assets and start to unlock the true potential of these properties." Eagle Property The 2,500 hectare Eagle property is strategically located midway between the Mt. Milligan copper-gold mine of Centerra Gold and the Kwanika copper-gold development project of Northwest Copper. The property straddles the margin of the prospective Hogem Batholith where historical geological mapping and rock and soil sampling have outlined a broad, northwest-trending, three kilometer long corridor of porphyry-related copper-gold mineralization and widespread zones of copper-in-soil anomalies. Three targets have been identified (Vector, Mid and Nighthawk) which have seen intermittent exploration since the mid-1960's but have only limited drill testing (Price and MacDonald, 2021). Highlights from historic drilling include drill hole EA91-06 which returned 27.28 metres of 0.87 % copper and 0.32 grams per tonne (g/t) gold (Nighthawk Zone) and drill hole EA91-12 which returned 17.9 metres of 0.82 % copper and 0.47 g/t gold, 2.5 kilometres north at the Vector Zone. Mineralization in both holes reportedly comprised porphyry-related disseminated and stringer-hosted chalcopyrite bornite (Stewart and Walker, 1991). In late-2020, Wedgemount completed a property-wide, 112 line-kilometer airborne versatile time domain electromagnetic (VTEM) and magnetic geophysical survey. Results from the VTEM survey outlined multiple high-conductive anomalies locally coincident with known porphyry-related copper-gold mineralization (e.g., Nighthawk). A newly identified, 270 by 350 metre anomaly, one kilometer southeast of Nighthawk, was located and represents a priority area for geological mapping and sampling (Price and MacDonald, 2021). 2021 Plans Prior to crew mobilization, Wedgemount completed a thorough compilation of all historical geological, geochemical, and geophysical data. This compilation forms an important digital framework for targeting in under-explored areas. Phase 1 of the multifaceted program will consist of focused geological mapping, rock and soil sampling and re-logging of historic drill core followed by a targeted induced polarization (IP) geophysical survey. The overall goal of the program is to improve the understanding of mineralization and alteration styles of the main zones and to define new vectors to aid in drill hole targeting. Data Verification and National Instrument 43-101 Disclosure Some data disclosed in this news release relating to sampling and drilling results are historical in nature. Neither the Company nor a Qualified Person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), have verified the data, and, therefore, investors should not place undue reliance on such data. In some cases, the data may be unverifiable due to lack of drill core. Mineralization hosted on adjacent and/or nearby and/or geologically similar properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on the company's property. The technical information disclosed in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Christopher Leslie, P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. References Price, B.J., and MacDonald, K., 2021, Technical Report Eagle Property, Tchentlo Lake, BC, 75 p., sedar.com Stewart, F., and Walker, T., 1991, 1991 Diamond drilling report on the Eagle Property, 127 p., ARIS Report 21762, aris.empr.gov.bc.ca 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. On behalf of the Board of Directors, WEDGEMOUNT RESOURCES CORP. Mark Vanry, President and CEO For more information, please contact the Company at: Telephone: (604) 343-4743 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. Forward looking statements made in this news release include the Company's plans for exploration of the property and anticipated exploration results. 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, availability of funds, personnel and other resources necessary to conduct exploration programs, successes of the Company's exploration programs, 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/652059/Wedgemount-Commences-Exploration-Program-at-the-Eagle-Copper-Gold-Property VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 17, 2021 / 79 Resources Ltd. (CSE:SNR) ("79 Resources " or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive share purchase agreement with an arm's-length Calgary-based investor to acquire all of the outstanding common shares of Buck Gold Inc. ("Buck Gold")(the "Transaction"). Buck Gold is a privately held exploration company headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia which controls approximately 1,200 square kilometres (~296,000 acres) of mineral properties located near Houston, British Columbia. The mineral properties controlled by Buck Gold are contiguous to area-holdings of Newmont, Teck and Copper Mountain Mining, and surround Sun Summit Mineral Corp.'s Buck deposit, which has been generating significant market attention through recent drill intercepts. "The acquisition of Buck Gold is transformative for 79 Resources. We are excited for this generational opportunity to acquire such a sizable and highly prospective land package ideally located in a mining friendly jurisdiction. Helicopter-based geophysical work and ground-based follow-up by Buck Gold has defined a number of immediate high-priority targets adjacent to Sun Summit that 79 Resources will move quickly to further explore once the transaction closes," said Steven Feldman, CEO of 79 Resources. Figure One: Buck Gold Inc. - Five Point Gold Project "The Nechako Plateau represents one of the most prospective mining investment regions in British Columbia, with development-stage discoveries like Artemis Gold's Blackwater gold deposit, as well as a new generation of wealth-building discoveries such as Surge Copper's Ootsa project and of course Sun Summit's emerging Buck gold deposit. I am looking forward to providing my support to 79 Resources as it advances an impressive exploration model within a tier-one discovery camp for the benefit of shareholders," stated Ryan Kalt. Transaction Details To acquire a 100% interest in the securities of Buck Gold, the Company shall issue 80 million common shares (the "SNR Shares") as consideration for all outstanding common shares of Buck Gold now held by Ryan Kalt ("Mr. Kalt"). The SNR Shares will be subject customary escrow provisions imposed by the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE"). The properties held by Buck Gold are subject a 2% gross royalty in favour of Mr. Kalt. The Transaction is expected to constitute a Fundamental Change of the Company in accordance with the policies of the CSE, and as such is subject to certain CSE filings, shareholder approval, CSE approval and other customary regulatory approvals (as applicable). Completion of the Transaction will result in a change of control, as that term is defined by the policies of the CSE, with Mr. Kalt holding, on a post-closing and direct basis, a total of 80 million common shares to be issued by 79 Resources pursuant to the Transaction. A shareholder meeting to approve the proposed Transaction is expected to be held in August 2021. Upon closing, the Company has agreed to pay a finder's fee of 2 million common shares in connection with the Transaction to an arm's-length party. Qualified Person: Mr. Garry Clark, P. Geo., is the Independent Qualified Person for 79 Resources and he has reviewed and approves the technical content of this press release. About 79 Resources Ltd. 79 Resources Ltd. is a recently formed junior mining exploration company. The Company's objective is to acquire, explore and develop precious and base metal properties of merit. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Steven Feldman" __________________________ Steven Feldman Director FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Tel. 1-604-683-3995 Toll Free. 1-888-845-4770 Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. These forward -looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and by those made in our filings with SEDAR in Canada (available at WWW.SEDAR.COM). SOURCE: 79 Resources Ltd. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/652036/79-Resources-Ltd-Announces-Definitive-Agreement-to-Acquire-All-Outstanding-Securities-of-Buck-Gold-Inc-Secures-Dominant-1200-Square-Kilometers-Position-within-Nechako-Plateau-Surrounding-Sun-Summit-Minerals-Corp First-generation immigrant's 13-year-old mobile app development agency has helped hundreds of customers while creating more jobs in the United States and India. Its rebranding comes on top of its success, but the agency is committed to solving critical problems using innovative, cutting-edge OpenSource technology without breaking its customers' bank. CHARLOTTE, NC / ACCESSWIRE / June 17, 2021 / Confianz Global, Inc., North Carolina's multi-award-winning mobile app development agency , announced that it is rebranding its app development services arm as StackBench and has launched its new website. This move comes as it looks to launch its product brands that will have their own websites, sales teams, and development and support teams. Confianz Global Inc. builds end-to-end integrated solutions for a complete automation experience that promotes business growth for individual startups and small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). The app development agency has been extending customized software solutions to its clients since 2008. It will now separate its services business to drive exponential growth of its products into the market. Confianz Global Inc.'s solutions use open-source technologies and cover multiple domains, including enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, custom web application development, custom app development for Android and iOS platforms, custom blockchain application development, as well as artificial intelligence integration. The company was founded by Anoop Menon in 2008 to cater to SMBs after he realized that this segment of businesses could not afford the high cost of sizable proprietary software. Of the rebrand, Menon said, 'This is a big turning point for us since the inception of the Confianz brand in 2008. StackBench will continue to take care of the services arm of our business, such as building custom mobile apps, web apps, and ERP solutions. The name StackBench is derived from 'Stack,' which means to use multiple software stacks to solve customer problems, and 'Bench,' which is short form for the benchmark for quality.' According to 2019 Top 10 SMB Technology Trends, 76% of SMBs strongly agree that digital technologies greatly impact their business practices, while 27% are considering business intelligence and analytics as the top areas in which they plan to allocate more business investments. This is closely followed by 23% who intend to spend on marketing automation and enterprise resource planning. Furthermore, a Deloitte Connected Small Businesses in the United States report revealed that digitally advanced small businesses realized significant benefits such as earning two times as much revenue per employee and experienced revenue growth over the previous year that was nearly four times as high. However, it also found that 38% believe that digital tools are not effective for their business among the least digitally engaged small businesses. 'The biggest risk for any business spending money on software development is whether the vendor is going to deliver. We are removing this risk for our customers. When you approach us with a software development project, we will build you a proof-of-concept app with no charge to you. You can evaluate the quality of our work and then decide on whether you want to continue to work with us or not. If you decide to walk away, no questions asked. This will be what StackBench is going to be known for,' Menon continued. On the back of growing investor interest in its suite of products, Confianz Global Inc.'s rebranding as StackBench lays the foundation for raising capital to expand its products business, making sure each brand of products is self-sustainable financially and operationally. 'There are a few reasons for this rebranding exercise, we wanted a simple two-word English name that Americans can easily spell and pronounce. Confianz was a confusing name for many, the service business needs its own name so that anyone going to our website clearly knows what we do. If we mixed this with products, honestly, our website would look convoluted, we have seen interest from external investors in our products. Separating the service business from products helps us to raise capital for the exponential growth these products are trying to achieve,' Menon added. About StackBench Since 2008, StackBench has been in the business of helping its clients succeed and grow. Software and IT systems are the central bloodline of every business. These systems define how efficiently the business interacts externally and internally. Whether the client's aspiration is to have a proven ERP (one software that runs the business), roll out a custom mobile app to better service its end clients, or modernize a legacy web software to run efficiently, StackBench has got its clients covered. StackBench can be explained in two words, 'Custom Software'. For more information, visit https://stackbench.com/ About Confianz Global Inc. Confianz Global Inc. delivers fully integrated software services to meet the unique needs of individual startups, small, and medium-sized businesses. They have grown exponentially alongside the fast-paced IT industry over the last 13 years. As a global enterprise with an established presence in the USA and India, Confianz Global Inc. provides quality software services to clients in nearly 50 countries around the world. The company's solutions cover multiple domains, including ERP systems, custom web application development, custom app development for Android/iOS platforms, custom app development for Android/custom blockchain application development, and artificial intelligence. They build end-to-end integrated solutions for a complete automation experience that promotes business growth. The company also provides the option to hire dedicated android app developers and iOS app developers to fulfill custom project requirements. For more information, visit https://www.confianzit.com/ # For The Media Name: Anoop Menon Company: Confianz Global Inc. Address: 128 S Tryon St, 21st floor, Charlotte, North Carolina 28202 Phone: +1 704 215 4622 Email: anoopmenon@confianzit.com GMB: https://www.google.com/maps?cid=8623636161692057430 SOURCE: Confianz Global Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/652113/Mobile-App-Development-Agency-Confianz-Global-Inc-Rebrands-Services-Arm-as-StackBench-Launching-its-Products-for-Exponential-Growth Provider of North America's only premium hospital beds for the home announces the latest addition to its line of exceptional products. The company aims to make high-quality home medical equipment more available to seniors aging at home across the US and Canada, a growing trend due to the COVID-19 pandemic. LONDON, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 17, 2021 / SonderCare, the premium home medical equipment provider, today announced that it has launched the Aura Premium Extra Wide 48' hospital beds on its website. The Extra Wide 48' is a larger version of its standard Aura Premium beds, made for clients who require a little extra space on top of the bed's adjustable functionality that adds comfort and assistance to their daily living. As COVID-19 struck elderly populations particularly hard around the country, many seniors have shown an increasing preference to remain in their homes as opposed to moving into care communities. This product launch aims to make home health care easier for today's seniors. With 8 out of 10 deaths and the vast majority of hospitalizations attributed to the country's over-65 population, seniors have understandably been hesitant to enter facilities or communities with large numbers of at-risk residents. During the height of the pandemic, SonderCare worked ceaselessly to provide quality service and expedited shipping to those in need of home medical equipment and remains committed to doing so in the coming years. For more information, visit https://www.sondercare.com/ 'SonderCare continues to offer the highest quality home medical equipment, searching the world for the latest products to help our customers stay safe and comfortable in their homes. We are pleased to announce our newest custom product, the 48' wide Aura bed. The extra width of this bed helps to provide greater movement, comfort and care for our users,' said Ben Martin, President of SonderCare. SonderCare offers medical products like its Aura home hospital bed line that greatly exceeds the quality of traditional market offerings. This is done through its commitment to high-quality materials, innovative design, and the utmost attention to user comfort and safety. The Aura home hospital bed line is equipped with unique features such as Chair position, Zero Gravity, Tilt/Trendelenburg control, and super hi-lo bed positioning. Nearly 90% of retirement age adults want to remain at home as they age. Although many won't require regular longer term care at a hospital or other care facility, they often still need some personal care services. SonderCare serves these needs with its premium hospital beds and a suite of luxury senior healthcare and homecare products. Other features of the Aura and Aura Premium Extra Wide 48' hospital beds include: 2 Multi-Height Assist Rails Backrest and Knee Elevation FallSafe Ultra-Low Height Comfort Chair Position Wheel-Casters & Central Brake Pedal Certified to International Hospital Standard About the Company: SonderCare's mission is to provide the world's best beds, furnishings, mattresses and other room accessories specifically designed for the senior living market. Our beds provide all the care and support for users that a traditional hospital bed would, and yet it is the only bed on the market that combines this functionality with an attractive, stylish, non-institutional design - all while meeting current medical certification standards. # For The Media Name: Ben Martin Company: SonderCare Address: 980 Green Valley Rd, London, ON N6N 1E3, Canada Phone: +1 833-649-7772 Email: ben.martin@sondercare.com Website: https://www.sondercare.com/ SOURCE: SonderCare View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/652114/SonderCare-launches-AuraTM-Premium-Extra-Wide-48-an-Enhancement-of-its-Flagship-Premium-Hospital-Beds Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 17, 2021) - Whitehorse Gold Corp. (TSXV: WHG) ("Whitehorse Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce implementation of core environmental, social, and corporate governance ("ESG") initiatives as part of its commitment to discover and develop resources in a sustainable manner at the Skukum Gold Project (the "Project" or the "Skukum Gold Project") in Yukon, Canada. ESG Highlights include: Employment of C/TFN citizens directly and through affiliated/owned service providers Commencement of best practice environmental baseline programs Minimizing the Project's carbon footprint via a solar power system installation Formation of a Technical Committee to support and oversee aspects of the upcoming exploration program Whitehorse Gold's CEO, Kevin Weston, commented, "We are very proud to build alliances with local communities and indigenous peoples, specifically the C/TFN, as we prepare to commence our first full season of exploration at the Skukum Gold Project. The participation of and related benefits to the community are key to the Company's success as we move the Project forward. We also believe that the use of solar power generation technology on our exploration program marks the first step in our carbon reduction plan and establishes the Company's commitment to responsible mineral exploration and development." EMPLOYMENT To date, eleven C/TFN citizens have been hired to support Whitehorse Gold's planned field program through the Company's exploration services provider, Archer, Cathro & Associates (1981) Limited. The C/TFN citizens, some of which worked on our initial exploration program last year, will undertake an extensive onboarding and orientation program prior to commencing work at the Skukum Gold Project. Additionally, maintenance of the final portion of the Skukum Gold Project access road will be undertaken by Southern Lakes Logistics, an entity which is owned and operated by a member of the C/TFN community. ENVIRONMENT The Company has entered into an agreement with SLR Consulting Limited to undertake environmental baseline testing required for the advancement of Project activities. SLR Consulting Limited, global leaders in environmental and advisory solutions, will be working in concert with Metro Drilling Inc., a C/TFN member-owned business, on this program. Whitehorse Gold has also engaged MGRID Energy Inc., a C/TFN member-owned company, to implement a solar power initiative at the Skukum Gold Project's 50-person camp. As part of the initiative, a microgrid energy supply system will be installed, which is comprised of an 80kW lithium-ion battery storage bank powered by a 75kW propane clean burning generator and 150 405-watt solar panels (equaling approximately 60kW of power generation capacity). This system is intended to allow the Company to assess the efficacy of low carbon power for its exploration activities in the future. INVESTOR RELATIONS PROGRAM The Company also announces that it has retained Proactive Investors North America Inc. ("Proactive") to assist with investor outreach and general market awareness. Proactive is a leading multimedia news organization, investor portal, and events management company, with offices in Toronto, Vancouver, New York, London, and Sydney. It operates financial websites-providing breaking news, commentary and analysis on hundreds of listed companies, and syndicates content across a broad range of financial and general news portals. The Company has engaged Proactive for a 12-month term for the fee of $22,500 allowing for unlimited editorial and video interview coverage of news releases and other corporate developments. All content will be published on Proactive's websites and further featured through Proactive's network of syndication partners. The agreement is subject to the acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company and Proactive are at arm's length and, to the Company's knowledge, Proactive does not have any direct interest in the Company or its securities. About Whitehorse Gold Corp. Whitehorse Gold is a responsible mineral exploration and development company focused on its 170-square-km Skukum Gold Project located in southern Yukon, approximately 55 km southwest of Whitehorse. The project hosts the advanced-stage Skukum Creek and Goddell deposits, and the past producing Mt. Skukum high-grade gold mine, all of which remain open for expansion, plus additional untested mineralized occurrences. Project infrastructure includes an all-weather access road, a 50-person camp, approximately 6 km of underground development, and a previously operating 300-tpd mill and associated infrastructure. Operations by a previous operator at Mt. Skukum from 1986 to 1988 saw 233,400 tons of ore mined and processed to recover approximately 79,750 ounces of gold. On Behalf of Whitehorse Gold Corp. signed "Kevin Weston" Kevin Weston, CEO & Director For further information please contact: Steve Stakiw, Vice President - Corporate Affairs Phone: 1-604-336-5919 Email: info@whitehorsegold.ca www.whitehorsegold.ca 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. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this news release, including, without limitation, the engagement of and work to be completed by the C/TFN employees and contractors, the services to be provided by Proactive and the future plans, objectives or expectations of the Company are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by words or phrases such as "expects", "is expected", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "estimates", "assumes", "intends", "strategies", "targets", "goals", "forecasts", "objectives", "budgets", "schedules", "potential" or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions, assumptions, factors and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. The opinions, assumptions, factors and estimates which may prove to be incorrect, include, but are not limited to: that market fundamentals will result in sustained precious metals demand and prices; that there are no significant disruptions affecting operations, including labour disruptions, supply disruptions, power disruptions, security disruptions, damage to or loss of equipment, whether due to flooding, political changes, title issues, intervention by local landowners, environmental concerns, pandemics (including COVID-19) or otherwise; that the Company will be able to obtain and maintain governmental approvals, permits and licenses in connection with its current and planned operations, development and exploration activities, including at the Skukum Gold Project; that the Company will be able to complete the required upgrading and retrofitting of the Skukum Gold Project infrastructure to be fit for the Company's planned mining activities; that the Company will be able to meet its current and future obligations; that the Company will be able to comply with environmental, health and safety laws; that the Company will be able to secure financing on suitable terms; and the assumptions underlying mineral resource estimates and the realization of such estimates. 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 differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others: social and economic impacts of COVID-19; actual exploration results; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; results of future exploration activities and resource estimates; future metal prices; availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms; general economic, market or business conditions; uninsured risks; regulatory changes; defects in title; availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis; accidents or equipment breakdowns; delays in receiving government and regulatory approvals; unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same; and other exploration risks or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause such actions, events or results to differ materially from those anticipated. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and accordingly readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this news release or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/87866 Sudbury, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 17, 2021) - SPC Nickel Corp. (TSXV: SPC) ("SPC Nickel" or the "Company") is pleased to announce partial assay results from the drill program at its Janes Ni-Cu-PGM Project (the "Project") located in Sudbury, Ontario. The program focused on defining the extent and continuity of the high-grade Trench 1 mineralization and consisted of 16 short, closely spaced drill holes. Assay results from the first hole have been completed and are reported in Table 1. Grant Mourre, CEO and President of SPC Nickel Corp. commented, "We are delighted to have received results for the first hole from the Trench 1 drill program at Janes. Drilling is so far validating the high-grade nature of the mineralization that was observed at surface in a recent channel sample program. We feel the property has potential for both near-surface PGM-rich mineralization as well as high-grade massive nickel mineralization at depth. The Company will initially focus on evaluating the near-surface economic potential of the property and later transition to evaluating the potential to host massive sulphide mineralization. We are encouraged with the progress to date and look forward to reporting the results of the remaining 15 holes as they become available." Assay Results Table 1: Assay results from the Trench 1 target area. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6510/87854_table1.jpg Note: 3E PGM represents Pd g/t + Pt g/t + Au g/t. Equivalent values calculated using the 30-day average metal prices of US$8.03/lb. Ni, US$4.54/lb. Cu, US$1,187/oz Pt, US$2,833/oz Pd, US$1,882/oz Au and $27.77/oz Ag. Recoveries were not used in calculations. Note that all drilling intervals are down-hole lengths. True thicknesses cannot be estimated with available information. The Trench 1 drill program is designed to test the lateral and vertical continuity of the mineralized zone that is exposed at surface in a 35 metre by 30 metres mineralized outcrop. Mineralization at the Trench 1 area is dominated by disseminated sulphides, hosted within a hypersthene-bearing gabbro unit situated 10 metres above the basal contact of the Nipissing sill and the surrounding metasediments. Earlier this year, SPC Nickel completed a channel sampling program at the Trench 1 showing that returned 2.25 g/t Pd, 0.41 g/t Pt, 0.26 g/t Au, 1.09 % Cu and 0.50 % Ni over 22.00 metres (see SPC Nickel Press Release dated May 25, 2021). Historic drilling completed by Pacific North West Corp. in 1999 intersected 2.28 g/t Pd, 0.33 g/t Pt, 0.20 g/t Au, 1.01 % Cu and 0.27 % Ni over 18.05 metres (from 32.0 - 50.05 metres) in JR99-011 and 2.08 g/t Pd, 0.33 g/t Pt, 0.30 g/t Au, 0.84 % Cu and 0.27 % Ni over 14.01 metres (from 9.90 - 23.91 metres) in JR99-061. The historical information shown in this news release was obtained from historical work reports filed by Pacific North West Corp. with the Ontario Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines and has not been independently verified by a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43 101. The Trench 1 drill program consisted of 16 holes ranging in depth from 27 to 51 metres that tested an area measuring approximately 75 metres by 45 metres. Results from the first hole are presented in Table 1 while the remaining holes are being processed with results expected over the next 3 to 4 weeks. Table 2 provides collar locations, azimuths and dips for the drill hole included in this release as well as the remaining holes completed in the Trench 1 area. Table 2: Drill collar locations, azimuths and dips for drill holes completed at the Trench 1 area. Drill Collar Locations (NAD 83 UTM Zone 17N) Drill hole Easting Northing Elevation Depth (m) Dip Azimuth Status JP-21-001 547205 5171348 252 51 -90 300 Included in release JP-21-002 547205 5171348 252 27 -45 300 Pending JP-21-003 547205 5171348 252 27 -45 260 Pending JP-21-004 547205 5171348 252 30 -45 200 Pending JP-21-005 547215 5171360 251 36 -90 300 Pending JP-21-006 547215 5171360 251 27 -45 300 Pending JP-21-007 547215 5171360 251 27 -45 260 Pending JP-21-008 547215 5171360 251 51 -45 200 Pending JP-21-009 547225 5171358 250 45 -90 300 Pending JP-21-010 547224 5171344 250 42 -50 300 Pending JP-21-011 547223 5171344 250 51 -90 300 Pending JP-21-012 547220 5171329 250 51 -50 300 Pending JP-21-013 547219 5171329 250 51 -90 300 Pending JP-21-014 547219 5171313 250 51 -90 300 Pending JP-21-017 547232 5171293 250 50 -90 300 Pending JP-21-018 547198 5171319 253 30 -90 300 Pending Reference Assessment Report 2.19887, Diamond Drill Program Janes Property, Pacific North West Capital Corporation, June 25, 1999. 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. The historical information shown in this news release was obtained from historical work reports filed by Pacific North West Corp. with the Ontario Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines and has not been independently verified by a Qualified Person as defined by NI 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. Quality Assurance and Quality Control SPC Nickel follows rigorous sampling and analytical protocols that meet or exceed industry standards. Core samples are stored in a secured area until transport in batches to the ALS facility in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. Sample batches include certified reference materials, blank, and duplicate samples that are then processed under the control of ALS. All samples were analyzed in Vancouver by ALS Chemex. Platinum, palladium, and gold values were determined together using standard lead oxide collection fire assay and ICP-AES finish. Over limits for Pd were determined using fire assay and AAS. Base metal values were determined using sodium peroxide fusion and ICP-AES finish. Silver values were determined using an aqua regia digestions and an AAS finish. A Certified Reference Material (CRM) standard, blank or duplicate is inserted on every 10th sample in the following order: CRM, blank, CRM, duplicate. The cycle repeats every 40 samples, thus ensuring that 10% of samples submitted are control samples. 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/87854 Penang, Malaysia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 17, 2021) - Duesenberg Technologies Inc. (OTCQB: DUSYF) (the "Company" or "Duesenberg"), an OTCQB-listed issuer, announced today that the Company had incorporated Duesenberg Heritage LLC for the sole purpose of reproducing very limited Duesenberg Heritage vehicles which were originally manufactured in the 1920s and 1930s; such as the Duesenberg Model J and Boat Tail series. "The construction of the vehicles from that era is very time consuming and would require highly specialized and skilled tradesman. This business will generate revenue independent of the core business of Duesenberg, as we see it being a niche market for the high-end collectors. Collectors, who value history and heritage of Duesenberg's original vehicles," stated Joe Lim, the President and Executive Chairman of the Company. Duesenberg Heritage LLC has entered into negotiations to acquire the Intellectual Property and other assets of Duesenberg II from Hampshire Motors Group Ltd, which will allow to start the development and manufacture of these heritage lines. The Intellectual Property shall include engineering data, trade secrets in development and assets on parts of the models. The transaction is a related party transaction for Duesenberg Technologies Inc., as Mr. Joe Lim is a major shareholder and director of both companies. Mr. Joe Lim is abstaining from negotiation on the agreement. The Company expects to sign the agreement for the Intellectual Property before end of this month. More information will be the disclosed in the next coming week. About Duesenberg Technologies Inc. Duesenberg Technologies Inc. was established out of the collective ambition of investors experienced in the online business and marketing. Duesenberg Technologies' goal is to be climate neutral across its full value chain, in line with the goals set by the Paris Agreement. The Company is committed to energy resiliency through Development in Energy Transition Goal with added environmentally friendly technologies to its business strategy. This strategy identifies an immediate and urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to help mitigate the effects of climate change, reduce energy use, and improve air quality. The Company is posed to play a vital role in supporting all three of these objectives by reducing the environmental impact through manufacturing a new type of luxury electric vehicles. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Lim, Hun Beng (Joe), President CONTACT INFORMATION Duesenberg Technologies Inc. +1-236-304-0299 contactus@duesenbergtech.com Forward-looking Information Cautionary Statement Except for statements of historic 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", "are optimistic that" "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates 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 statements including, but not limited to our ability to execute prospective business plans; inexperience in developing and mass-producing electric vehicles and heritage vehicles; actions by government authorities, including changes in government regulation; changes in the electric vehicle market; dependency on certain key personnel and any inability to retain and attract qualified personnel; developments in alternative technologies or improvements in the internal combustion engine; disruption of supply or shortage of raw materials; failure of our conceptual vehicles to perform as expected; failure to manage future growth effectively; future decisions by management in response to changing conditions; inability to design, develop, market and sell electric or heritage vehicles and services that address additional market opportunities; inability to keep up with advances in electric vehicle technology; inability to reduce and adequately control operating costs; inability to succeed in maintaining and strengthening the Duesenberg brand; labor and employment risks; misjudgments in the course of preparing forward-looking statements; our ability to raise sufficient funds to carry out our proposed business plan; the unavailability, reduction or elimination of government and economic incentives; uncertainties associated with legal proceedings; general economic conditions, because they may affect our ability to raise money; our ability to raise enough money to continue our operations; changes in regulatory requirements that adversely affect our business; and other uncertainties, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the business plans for the Company as described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's filings, which are available at www.edgar.com. We seek safe harbor. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/87865 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 17, 2021) - Tombill Mines Limited (TSXV: TBLL) (the "Company" or "Tombill"), is pleased to provide an exploration update at its 100% controlled, royalty-free flagship and patented Tombill Main Group property within the Geraldton Gold Camp. Highlights to Date of Phase One Program Hole TB21-005A, a wedge hole drilled from mother hole TB21-005, returned 6.23 grams per tonne (gpt) gold over 13.3 metres (m) confirming Hardrock's robust F-Zone extends onto its flagship property. confirming Hardrock's robust F-Zone extends onto its flagship property. This intercept is situated approximately 250m west of the eastern property boundary with the neighbouring Hardrock mine. Tombill believes this intercept cuts the lower third of the 150m tall F-Zone target, and is therefore commencing a wedge hole, TB21-005B, that will better test the full breadth and height of this mineralized zone. F-Zone remains wide open down-plunge to the west and will soon be tested by hole TB21-006, a 150m step-out to the west of TB21-005. and will soon be tested by hole TB21-006, a 150m step-out to the west of TB21-005. Recent drilling has indicated an area of structural complexity exists between hole TB21-005 and the eastern property boundary where Tombill has determined a series of N-S trending faults and at least one post mineral dyke have shifted the F-Zone from its projected position. The F-Zone intercept encountered in hole TB21-005A indicates this body of mineralization is back in its original trajectory and should remain so further to the west. Due to structural complexities discussed above, holes TB21-001, TB21-002, TB21-003, and their respective wedge holes encountered short intercepts of F-Zone material as well as other zones of mineralization (see table below). Hole TB21-003 failed to reach target. Tim Twomey, Senior Geological Advisor to Tombill, commented; "The F-Zone intercept encountered in hole TB21-005A is robust and geologically similar to those I found within the Hardrock project when I was leading the team that delineated the F-Zone for Premier Gold Mines between 2008 to 2012. The area of structural complexity we encountered in our first drill holes required some careful interpretation, but now that we have solved this complex geological puzzle, I am confident the F-Zone will continue westward where it remains open down-plunge. We look forward to seeing results from further step-out drilling beginning with hole TB21-006 that will be collared 150m west of TB21-005. We also look forward to seeing results from wedge hole TB21-005B which we have designed to better test the full width and height of the F-Zone." Figure 1 - Longitudinal Section in 3D Looking North To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7659/87889_0b740c80543838ef_003full.jpg Table 1 - Significant Results of Phase One Program to Date Hole-ID Collar UTM Azimuth/Dip (degrees) From (m) To (m) Length (m) Au (gpt) Zone TB21-001 500987E, 5502807N 012/-82 Encountered post mineral dyke TB21-001A Wedged at 400m on TB21-001 1191.0 1192.0 1.0 6.03 F-Zone TB21-002 501048E, 5502609N 355/-82 768.0 769.0 1.0 4.21 HW Zone drilled below F-Zone 1203.0 1203.8 0.8 6.90 K-Zone TB21-003 501072E, 5502888N 359/-82 Abandoned due to technical difficulties TB21-004 501048E, 5502609N 358/-78 757.7 758.7 1.0 5.29 UM-Zone 1242.4 1244.5 2.1 4.50 F-Zone TB21-005A 1018.5 1022.7 4.2 2.99 SP Zone Wedged at 600m on TB21-001 1078.0 1081.5 3.5 2.05 F-Zone Upper 1095.0 1108.3 13.3 6.24 F-Zone Note: UTM co-ordinates in NAD83 Zone 16U Phase One Program Update Phase One Program on the Tombill Main Group is ongoing with five mother holes completed plus three daughter holes or planned wedges (Fig. 1). This program is focussed on the western strike extension of neighbouring Hardrock Project's robust F-Zone. The area immediately west of Tombill Main Group's eastern property boundary has been found to be geologically complex with N-S trending faulting and at least one post mineral dyke. Tombill's geology team have now assembled enough drill-hole data to accurately interpret this area of complexity thus allowing for better targeting of the F-Zone moving forward. The following is a synopsis of the results to date: TB21-001 did not intersect the F-Zone target but rather intersected a post-mineral diabase dyke at a low-angle to its north-south strike direction. Several late faults were also encountered. Daughter hole TB21-001A was completed to a downhole depth of 1220m and intersected the very bottom tip of the F-Zone in a "fault offset block". This intercept returned 6.03 gpt Au over 1.0m in typical F-Zone alteration with a quartz veinlet containing visible gold (VG). TB21-002 was designed to test the area of structural complexity below the F-Zone rather than targeting the zone itself. It was completed to a down-hole depth of 1453m and also encountered areas of structural complexity. This hole intersected a new zone of mineralization named the HW Zone returning 4.21 gpt Au over 1.0m and also intersected the interpreted bottom of the K-Zone, showing typical mineralization in banded iron formation (BIF), and returning 6.90 gpt Au over 0.8m. TB21-003 was drilled to 891m down-hole, but was abandoned due to technical difficulties before the F-Zone target was reached. TB21-004 was completed at a down-hole depth of 1394m and intersected the bottom tip of the F-Zone in the "fault offset block". It returned 4.50 gpt Au over 2.1m within typical F-Zone type mineralization. This hole also intersected a new zone of mineralization within ultramafic intrusive called the UM Zone returning 5.29 gpt Au over 1.0m. TB21-004A has recently been wedged from mother hole TB21-004 and will test the F-Zone "fault offset target" above the narrow intercept in hole TB21-001A. The F-Zone "fault-offset target" was identified based on an intercept of F-Zone mineralization with VG intersected in hole TB21-001A. The fault that is believed to offset this target was modelled from data from TB21-004 at 323m, where a faulted and brecciated zone containing smoky quartz crystals was intersected. This is a similar structure as the Mosher No. 3 Shaft Fault that offset the F-Zone, encountered in the 1960's at Mosher Mine's 17 th level. level. TB21-005 was drilled to a down-hole depth of 875m and was stopped prior to testing the F-Zone when it was determined it had deviated from the direction necessary to hit the target. TB21-005A - a daughter hole -- was wedged from TB21-005 at 600m. This hole first intersected the SP Zone returning 2.99gpt Au over 4.2m and then the F-Zone returning 6.24 gpt Au over 13.3m. TB21-005B - a newly commenced daughter hole -- is drilling to test the F-Zone 50m above the TB21-005A intercept. Tim Twomey further states: "We are also encouraged by the number of other subsidiary zones that the drilling has intersected on the way to the F-Zone target. These are relatively narrow where they have been intersected due to their different plunge orientation when compared to the F-Zone. So, we believe that when we focus on those zones after the F-Zone is delineated, there will be more robust intersections within those other zones where maximum dilatancy had occurred adjacent to the F-Zone plunge." More than 7 km of core have been drilled to date on the Phase One Program. The Program is ongoing with two drills from Rodren Drilling. Figure 2 - F-Zone Mineralization in Hole TB21-005A at Around 1099 m. Sample #445087 Within Photo Returned 50.6 gpt Au Over 1.0 m From 1095.0 To 1096.0 m. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7659/87889_tombill2_550.jpg Figure 3 -- Cross-section showing intercepts in Hole TB21-005A To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7659/87889_tombill3_550.jpg Adam Horne, CEO - commented; "Some 400m from hole MM170 on our neighbours claims, and 250m west of our eastern property boundary, our technical team has diligently confirmed the continuation of the robust F-zone plus additional gold zones plunging from east to west onto our ground. Mineralization encountered in hole TB21-005A is in line with that of the F-Zone of our neighbour, Hardrock Project. We aim to extend this 4.5 km long zone as we continue to pursue step-out drilling to the west of hole TB21-005. We are also pleased to be pursuing our new near surface targets for which our preliminary work shows solid potential for discovery of new mineralized zones like those next door at Hardrock." Quinton Hennigh, Advisory Board Director, further added; "The first drill holes of the Phase 1 Program clearly showed we were facing unexpected structural complexities near the eastern edge of our target area. The geology team at Tombill quickly interpreted this early data and successfully adjusted the drill program resulting in confirmation that the F-Zone extends onto our ground. Recent magnetic data suggests we should not encounter further complexities as we now step-out further to the west. Exploration is always full of challenges, but in this case, these were met head on by Tombill's well-seasoned exploration team. It is always a delight to see such work in progress." QA/QC Assays were performed at Actlabs accredited lab in Geraldton, Ontario. Tombill geologists insert blanks and standards into the sample stream at a rate of 1 per 20 samples. A chain of custody is maintained to the assay lab. At present, the true widths of the mineralized intercepts have not been calculated. Qualified Person Glen Kuntz, P.Geo, of Nordmin Engineering Ltd., 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 and has reviewed and approved its scientific and technical content. About Tombill Tombill owns various royalty-free mineral exploration and past-producing gold properties in the Geraldton and Beardmore Camp, Ontario. The Company's business is mineral exploration, primarily gold. It has 74 claims: 60 are owned and patented, five leased, and nine where it owns the mineral rights. Of these, the Tombill Main Group property comprises 58 claims: 54 owned patents, and four owned mineral rights. The Tombill Main Group claims were originally staked in the first Geraldton Gold Rush in the 1930's by Tom Johnson and his brother Bill. For more information, please visit www.tombillmines.com, and contact: Adam Horne Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Email: adam@tombillmines.com / Tel: +44 (0) 207 529 2351 Reda Jalabi Strategic Development Email: reda@tombillmines.com / Tel: +44 (0) 207 529 2361 Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the trading date of the Company's common shares on the TSXV. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in filings by the Company with the Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSXV) 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/87889 Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - June 17, 2021) - Quantum eMotion Inc.* (TSXV: QNC) (OTC Pink: QNCCF) (FSE: 34Q0) ("QeM" or the "Company") announces that the Company has partnered with Syntronic Research and Development Canada Inc., an engineering firm specializing in the design and development of electronics, electro-mechanics, embedded and IT software. Under the agreement, Syntronic will provide optimized design, integration and small-scale manufacturing services to produce the first version of its portable USB QRNG product based on the operational prototype that QeM has developed. Francis Bellido, CEO, commented: "Our first product will be a USB-powered, FPGA-based design of a digital and analog assembly allowing a host PC to control the Quantum Number Generator (QRNG) and receive the requested random samples over the USB connection. Ultimately, we want our portable QRNG to deliver strong hardware protection, with a simple touch, across any number of IT systems and online services". QeM's strategic intent is to commercialize the first ultra-portable QRNG based on electron quantum tunneling and to provide a simple hardware security module that will provide bullet-proof protection for sensitive data inside standard servers, make blockchain-based processes inviolable and enable internet users to communicate uncrackable information across from any device to any number of services. Taimoor Nawab, VP Business Development at Syntronic commented: "We are excited to work with Francis and team at Quantum eMotion to help bring this cutting-edge technology to realization and look forward to supporting them throughout the productization process." *Previously named Quantum Numbers Corp About QeM The Company's mission is to address the growing demand for affordable hardware security for connected devices. The patented solution for a Quantum Random Number Generator exploits the built-in unpredictability of quantum mechanics and promises to provide enhanced security for protecting high value assets and critical systems. The Company intends to target the highly valued Healthcare Services industry while ensuring its technology is also relevant and applicable to others, such as Financial Services, Cloud-Based IT Security Infrastructure, Classified Government Networks and Communication Systems, Secure Device Keying (IOT, Automotive, Consumer Electronics) and Quantum Cryptography. For further information, please contact: Francis Bellido, Chief Executive Officer Tel: 514.887.5469 Email: info@quantumemotion.com Website: www.quantumemotion.com About Syntronic R&D Canada Inc Syntronic is a leading engineering design house specializing in advanced product and systems development, production and aftermarket services. We work for several of the most technically intensive companies around the world and in a variety of markets, such as telecom, defense, industrial, MedTech and automotive where the requirements on security, availability, stability, and reliability are extremely high. Syntronic R&D Canada contact: Taimoor Nawab, VP Business Development Tel: 613 383 1111 Email: learnmore@syntronic.com Website: www.syntronic.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 press release may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary materially from targeted results. Such risks and uncertainties include those described in the Corporation's periodic reports including the annual report or in the filings made by Quantum from time to time with securities regulatory authorities. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/87892 Donations to help local vaccinations, reopening of community resources and return to classroom efforts PORT WASHINGTON, NY / ACCESSWIRE / June 17, 2021 / Global Industrial, a value-added national distributor of industrial products and MRO supplies, and a subsidiary of Systemax Inc. (NYSE:SYX), today announced that it has partnered with The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) to support the National League of Cities (NLC). Together, they are providing small and mid-sized cities with needed supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) to boost local vaccination rates, reopen city buildings and community centers, and protect teachers and students returning to classroom instruction. Global Industrial is providing Albany, East Point and Union City, Georgia, with more than 30,000 units of sanitizer and masks to support local efforts and help these communities get back to normal. The company has a close connection to the state of Georgia, with a distribution center located in Buford. Barry Litwin, Chief Executive Officer of Systemax, said, "Throughout the pandemic, Global Industrial has been there for its customers and to assist local community initiatives. We are proud to be a member of NAW and honored to support their partnership with the NLC, who has provided the necessary infrastructure and relationships to make this mission possible." NAW CEO Eric Hoplin said, "We have seen a tremendous response from our membership in support of our various pandemic and community-based initiatives. I would like to thank Global Industrial for their generosity which will have a direct impact on these communities." The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors is the trade association that represents the entire United States distribution industry, with 30,000+ companies encompassing $6 trillion in GPD. The National League of Cities (NLC) is the voice of America's cities, towns and villages, representing more than 200 million people. NLC works to strengthen local leadership, influence federal policy and drive innovative solutions. About Global Industrial Global Industrial is a subsidiary of Systemax Inc. (NYSE:SYX). With more than 70 years of going the extra mile for its customers, Global Industrial is one of North America's most experienced industrial distributors. The Company offers more than a million industrial and MRO products including its own Global Industrial exclusive brands. With extensive product knowledge and a solutions based approach, Global Industrial helps customers solve problems and be more successful. At Global Industrial, "We can supply that". About Systemax Inc. Systemax Inc. (to be renamed Global Industrial Company effective June 21, 2021), through its operating subsidiaries, is a provider of industrial products in North America going to market through a system of branded e-Commerce websites and relationship marketers. The primary brand is Global Industrial. Forward-Looking Statement This press release contains forward looking statements within the meaning of that term in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Additional written or oral forward-looking statements may be made by Systemax Inc, the parent company of Global Industrial, from time to time in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission or otherwise. Any such statements that are not historical facts are forward looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are based on management's estimates, assumptions and projections and are not guarantees of future performance. Investor/Media Contact: Mike Smargiassi/ Ryan Golden The Plunkett Group 212-739-6729 mike@theplunkettgroup.com/ ryan@theplunkettgroup.com SOURCE: Systemax View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/652076/Global-Industrial-Partners-with-NAW-to-Support-Local-Communities VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 17, 2021 / Barksdale Resources Corp. ("Barksdale" or the "Company") (TSXV:BRO) (OTCQX:BRKCF) is pleased to provide the following updates to shareholders. The Company announced on May 12, 2021, that it had executed a definitive agreement with Regal Resources Inc., ("Regal") whereby Barksdale will consolidate a 100% interest in the Sunnyside project, located in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, USA (the "Transaction"). The Company has been informed by Regal that its management information circular for the special meeting of Regal shareholders ("Shareholder Meeting") related to the Transaction has been uploaded to Regal's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. The Shareholder Meeting is scheduled for 10:00AM (Pacific Time) on Wednesday July 7, 2021. The Transaction is subject to regulatory approval as well as approval by Regal shareholders. The board of directors of Regal has determined that the proposed Transaction is in the best interests of Regal, is fair to its shareholders and is recommending that shareholders of Regal vote in favor of the proposed Transaction. Further to the Company's news release of June 17, 2020, the Company has decided to proceed with its option to acquire a 100% interest in the Guajalote patented mining claim, which is located within close proximity to the Company's projects in Arizona and is surrounded by South32's Hermosa project. To exercise its option, the Company has issued a total of 100,138 common shares with a deemed value of US $50,000 to the Optionors. All shares issued to the Optionors are subject to a four month hold period, which expires October 11, 2021. Barksdale Resources Corp. is a base metal exploration company headquartered in Vancouver, BC, that is focused on the acquisition, exploration and advancement of highly prospective base metal projects in North America. Barksdale is currently advancing the Sunnyside copper-zinc-lead-silver and San Antonio copper projects, both of which are in Patagonia mining district of southern Arizona, as well as the San Javier copper-gold project in central Sonora, Mexico. ON BEHALF OF BARKSDALE RESOURCES CORP Rick Trotman President, CEO and Director Rick@barksdaleresources.com Terri Anne Welyki Vice President of Communications 778-238-2333 TerriAnne@barksdaleresources.com For more information please phone 778-238-2333, email info@barksdaleresources.com or visit www.BarksdaleResources.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 news release. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and are based on a number of estimates and assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking information are neither promises nor guarantees, and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, uncertain and volatile equity and capital markets, lack of available capital, actual results of exploration activities, environmental risks, future prices of base and other metals, operating risks, accidents, labor issues, delays in obtaining governmental approvals and permits, and other risks in the mining industry. In addition, there is uncertainty about the spread of COVID-19 and the impact it will have on the Company's operations, supply chains, ability to access mineral properties, conduct due diligence or procure equipment, contractors and other personnel on a timely basis or at all and economic activity in general. All forward-looking information contained in this news release is qualified by these cautionary statements and those in our continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. SOURCE: Barksdale Resources Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/652024/Barksdale-Provides-Corporate-Update VICTOR, N.Y., June 17, 2021, an artesanal and hand-crafted mezcal brand created by Breaking Bad co-stars Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston. The investment was made through Constellation's venture capital group, and Dos Hombres remains independently owned and will continue to manage, market, and produce its award-winning mezcals. "Aaron and Bryan have turned their shared passion for mezcal into a truly unique brand and have created an exceptional liquid that receives frequent praise from both the industry and its consumers," said Jennifer Evans, vice president, Constellation Ventures. "Our goal is to make strategic, minority investments in high potential brands in growing categories, and the U.S. mezcal market continues to show great potential. We're excited to further invest in the category with a great team and brand that we feel has a lot of growth runway." The U.S. mezcal market has grown rapidly in the last few years and is expected to continue its strong growth trajectory. The overall U.S. mezcal category grew 14% in 2020 according to IWSR, and ultra-premium mezcal (priced above $30 per bottle) is projected to be the largest and fastest-growing segment within the category. After forming what the duo dubs a "special bond" while filming the critically acclaimed AMC television show and knowing they would not be sharing the screen together for quite some time, Paul and Cranston began discussing ways they could work together again as they sipped cocktails at a bar in New York. They soon found inspiration from the drinks in their hands and set their sights on teaming up to create a truly special mezcal. "We have fallen in love with all things mezcal - the process, the community behind the spirit, the tradition," said Paul. "We were just two guys on a quest to find a spirit that we felt everyone would love, and we've put a lot of energy into this. We couldn't be more excited for the next chapter with Constellation and continuing to build this brand. We have big hopes and dreams for Dos Hombres and we are thrilled that Constellation's vision for Dos Hombres is aligned with ours." Launched in 2019, Dos Hombres is the product of multiple generations of proud mezcal producers from the small village of San Luis del Rio, in a remote section of Oaxaca, Mexico. The brand is made with hand-selected Espadin agave that are cooked in underground pit ovens, milled by donkey-drawn tahona, fermented for 7-10 days with mountain spring water, and double distilled in copper stills. The end product is a well-balanced mezcal that features signature smokiness, yet smooth with hints of apple, mango, local Oaxacan fruits, and wood. "It really has been an incredible journey," added Cranston. "From an idea at a bar, to searching all over Oaxaca, hiking through the most majestic landscape in search of a mezcal that spoke to us, to meeting incredible people along the way, to where we are today - we can't wait to keep sharing this brand with the world." Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. ABOUT CONSTELLATION BRANDS At Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ and STZ.B), our mission is to build brands that people love because we believe sharing a toast, unwinding after a day, celebrating milestones, and helping people connect, are Worth Reaching For. It's worth our dedication, hard work, and the bold calculated risks we take to deliver more for our consumers, trade partners, shareholders, and communities in which we live and work. It's what has made us one of the fastest-growing large CPG companies in the U.S. at retail, and it drives our pursuit to deliver what's next. Today, we are a leading international producer and marketer of beer, wine, and spirits with operations in the U.S., Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy. Every day, people reach for our high-end, iconic imported beer brands such as Corona Extra, Corona Light, Corona Premier, Modelo Especial, Modelo Negra, and Pacifico, and our high-quality premium wine and spirits brands, including the Robert Mondavi brand family, Kim Crawford, Meiomi, The Prisoner brand family, SVEDKA Vodka, Casa Noble Tequila, and High West Whiskey. But we won't stop here. Our visionary leadership team and passionate employees from barrel room to boardroom are reaching for the next level, to explore the boundaries of the beverage alcohol industry and beyond. Join us in discovering what's Worth Reaching For. To learn more, follow us on Twitter @cbrandsand visit www.cbrands.com. MEDIA CONTACTS INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACTS Mike McGrew 773-251-4934 / michael.mcgrew@cbrands.com (mailto:michael.mcgrew@cbrands.com) Amy Martin 585-678-7141 / amy.martin@cbrands.com (mailto:amy.martin@cbrands.com) Patty Yahn-Urlaub 585-678-7483 / patty.yahn-urlaub@cbrands.com (mailto:patty.yahn-urlaub@cbrands.com) Marisa Pepelea 312-741-2316 / marisa.pepelea@cbrands.com (mailto:marisa.pepelea@cbrands.com) A downloadable PDF copy of this news release can be found here: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/d9225f12-2bd0-4541-b6d4-e9f43b1ca6ef AEC Repayment Demonstrates Power of Investing in Refugee Entrepreneurs; AEC Responds by Offering Digital Accessibility and New Financing Options in New Geographies KIGALI, Rwanda, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- African Entrepreneur Collective (AEC), a network of business accelerators, is celebrating World Refugee Day by highlighting the value of investing in refugee and host community businesses. With offices in 8 refugee camps in East Africa, AEC is the largest lender to refugee businesses in Africa and boasts a 98% repayment rate. They have worked with almost 30,000 entrepreneurs and invested nearly $4.1M in refugee communities. This year for World Refugee Day, which takes place annually on June 20th, AEC has released data about the impact of investing in entrepreneurs and businesses in refugee communities globally. Their impact data shows that business development support and 2,000 loans to refugees has now yielded 15,000 new jobs and generated $27M in new revenue. "Investing in refugee communities is a key component of investing in an integrated Africa. AEC's new data has shown the power of businesses in refugee communities to flourish and make significant economic impact with the host community. With added digital and tech access, AEC is now also increasing pathways to the digital economy, a key element of financial inclusion for refugee communities," says Isaac Kwaku Fokuo, Jr., Founder of Botho Emerging Markets Group. With this track record of financial inclusion, AEC vows to expand its impact even more in honor of World Refugee Day: launching a new office in Garissa County, Kenya, home to the Dadaab Refugee Complex, and rolling out a new digital loan app that will increase access to finance for refugee communities. These two offerings will help AEC exponentially reach more people, diversify access points and introduce digital accessibility. "AEC's work with entrepreneurs has consistently shown that investing in refugee businesses is catalytic for economic development in refugee and host communities. By bringing new investment opportunities to refugee-hosting businesses in Garissa and a digital solution for access to finance for refugees in Rwanda, we're able to leverage AEC's investment thesis into new growth options, starting this week," says Julienne Oyler, CEO of AEC. AEC Kenya, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, celebrated the launch of the new Garissa office by welcoming their first cohort of 250 entrepreneurs last week, just ahead of World Refugee Day. The cohort is composed of 61% women participants and a variety of business types. The new office will feature access to AEC's new app for finance and is part of AEC Kenya's strategy to support 9,000 businesses in Kenya by 2022. AEC's new app and increased digital accessibility is a continuation of AEC's larger pivot towards digital solutions for their entrepreneur clients. "During COVID-19, movement restrictions limited how we could provide services in refugee communities. Like most businesses, it forced us to quickly develop digital offerings that would work for our population. Because we were able to make expedient implementations and because 39% of our AEC staff are refugees ourselves, we were able to continuously serve refugee host communities through the COVID crisis, despite movement restrictions," says Olive Ashimwe, Regional Refugee Director at AEC. The new AEC loan app is available for AEC entrepreneurs and offers an option of five languages: English, French Kinyarwanda, Swahili and Somali. Once users have created a profile, they can apply for financing, check the status of their application, and will soon be able to track their repayments. In order to increase accessibility of the app to entrepreneurs, Inkomoko Entrepreneur Development (AEC's Rwanda affiliate) will distribute 500 smartphones, beginning in Rwanda's Gihembe refugee community later this month. Initiated by MTN Rwanda, in partnership with the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, the ConnectRwanda campaign was launched in December 2019, with the objective of providing smartphones to unconnected households across Rwanda to leverage the digital economy. Inkomoko's distribution will be the first one focused on refugees. In the coming years, AEC pledges to continue this work in Rwanda, providing investments to 75% of refugee households in Rwanda, reaching 25,000 families. "As a small business owner, I have done the best I can to grow my shop into a sustainable revenue stream. With AEC Kenya's program, I hope to learn the skills to take my business to the next level. I am also very thankful that AEC Kenya offers Sharia-compliant products so I can access investment opportunities," said Shukri Muhumed, a business owner in AEC's first Garissa cohort. AEC will release more on refugee investments on their social media channels beginning Thursday, 17th June. Please follow AEC and its local affiliates on social media: SOCIAL MEDIA: AEC Twitter/Facebook: @AfricaLead AEC KENYA Twitter/Facebook: @AfricaLeadKenya Instagram: @aec.kenya INKOMOKO (Rwanda) Twitter/Instagram/Facebook: @Inkomoko With Refugees WRD2021 About African Entrepreneur Collective African Entrepreneur Collective is a network of business accelerators and loan funds with a social mission to create jobs and improve lives. AEC has worked with entrepreneurs in Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania since 2012. At the UNHCR Global Refugee Forum in 2019, AEC made a private sector pledge to support 35,000 refugees and host community entrepreneurs in 5 countries by 2024, one of the largest entrepreneurship pledges to date. With 160 staff in 12 offices across East Africa, African Entrepreneur Collective has helped more than 30,000 entrepreneurs run their operations more efficiently and strategically, generating a combined new revenue of $48M USD. AEC is the largest lender to refugee entrepreneurs in Africa. For more information please visit www.AfricanEntrepreneurCollective.org Media Contact: Autumn Marie Faraj autumn@kglfwd.com Phoenix, Arizona--(Newsfile Corp. - June 17, 2021) - The Stock Day Podcast welcomed Newcore Gold Ltd. (OTCQX: NCAUF) (TSXV: NCAU) ("the Company"), a gold exploration company advancing its Enchi Gold project located in Ghana, Africa's largest gold producer (1). President, CEO and Director of the Company, Luke Alexander, joined Stock Day host Everett Jolly. Jolly began the interview by asking about the Company's background and current projects. "Our project is located in Ghana. It is a district scale exploration project," said Alexander. "We put out some updated numbers last week, which included an updated resource." he shared. "We've identified 25 targets across the overall project, of which 6 of them we have drilled on and four of them make up that current resource," said Alexander. "We also put out an updated PEA, which really underpins the value of the company and highlights what a robust project we have at Newcore Gold." "What are the key value drivers that you see moving forward?", asked Jolly. "Our project is a heap leach project, and that is important because it is a much less capital intensive way of producing gold," explained Alexander. "We have an upfront capital of $97 million, which includes a 30% contingency," he said, before elaborating on the robust economic potential of the project. "We put our study out last Tuesday, and on the back of that we have traded 3.8 million shares," said Alexander. "Where we will go from here is ultimately building off of that, continuing to explore." "Can you comment on the exploration upside and what you think will have a meaningful impact on the PEA?," asked Jolly. "PEA is a 'Preliminary Economic Assessment," said Alexander. "So, we use an independent engineering company to look at our project," he explained. "They analyze that and come up with a financial model. We have released the results from that financial model last week, and within the next 45 days we will produce a full technical report." "In terms of the 66,000 meter program, it is the largest ever drill program on our project," continued Alexander. "We have been putting out a lot of drill results over the last 6-8 months," he added. "In terms of the PEA, we were only able to include about 20,000 meters of that total 66,000 meters of drilling," said Alexander. "We have an additional 46,000 meters that we will include down the road." "We're looking to expand on our four existing resource areas, as well as starting to target some new areas that have never been drilled before," said Alexander. "That will be the focus for us over the next months. We will continue to aggressively drill and that is how we think we create the most value for our shareholders." "What is your strategy from here?", asked Jolly. "Where we think we will create the most value is growing the overall size of the resource," said Alexander. To close the interview, Alexander encouraged listeners and shareholders to keep up-to-date on the Company's current projects and announcements, and expressed his confidence in the Company's growth as they continue to move forward. To hear entire interview, follow the link to the podcast here: https://audioboom.com/posts/7888513-newcore-gold-ltd-discusses-pea-results-and-progress-of-66-000-meter-drill-program-with-the-stock. Investors Hangout is a proud sponsor of "Stock Day," and Stock Day Media encourages listeners to visit the company's message board at https://investorshangout.com/. The PEA is preliminary in nature, includes Inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that PEA results will be realized. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. A technical report for the PEA will be filed by Newcore on SEDAR on or before July 23, 2021. About Newcore Gold Ltd. Newcore Gold is advancing its Enchi Gold project located in Ghana, Africa's largest gold producer (1). Newcore Gold offers investors a unique combination of top-tier leadership, who are aligned with shareholders through their 32% equity ownership, and prime district scale exploration opportunities. Enchi's 216 km2 land package covers 40 kilometres of Ghana's prolific Bibiani Shear Zone, a gold belt which hosts several 5 million-ounce gold deposits, including Kinross' Chirano mine 50 kilometers to the north. Newcore's vision is to build a responsive, creative and powerful gold enterprise that maximizes returns for shareholders. (1) Source: Production volumes for 2019 as sourced from the World Gold Council. On Behalf of the Board of Directors of Newcore Gold Ltd. Luke Alexander President, CEO & Director For further information, please contact: Mal Karwowska | Vice President, Corporate Development and Investor Relations +1 604 484 4399 info@newcoregold.com www.newcoregold.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes statements that contain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation ("forward-looking statements"). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussion with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often, but not always using phrases such as "plans", "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) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, to: timing of completion of a technical report summarizing the results of the PEA; the development, operational and economic results of the PEA, including cash flows, capital expenditures, development costs, extraction rates, recovery rates, mining cost estimates; estimation of mineral resources; statements about the estimate of mineral resources; magnitude or quality of mineral deposits; anticipated advancement of the Enchi Gold Project mine plan; future operations; future exploration prospects; the completion and timing of future development studies; results of our ongoing drill campaign; anticipated advancement of mineral properties or programs; future exploration prospects; and the future growth potential of Enchi. These forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business. The assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to Newcore. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of Newcore believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, Newcore cannot assure its 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. Forward-looking information also involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others: risks related to interpretation of metallurgical characteristics of the mineralization, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, delays or inability to receive required approvals, taxes, mining title, the speculative nature of the Company's business; the Company's formative stage of development; the Company's financial position; possible variations in mineralization, grade or recovery rates; actual results of current exploration activities; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; fluctuations in spot and forward prices of gold and 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, unusual or unexpected geological formations); the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities; 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. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Non-GAAP Measures This news release includes certain terms or performance measures commonly used in the mining industry that are not defined under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), including cash costs and AISC per ounce of gold. Non-GAAP measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS and, therefore, they may not be comparable to similar measures employed by other companies. We believe that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, certain investors use this information to evaluate our performance. The data presented is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. About The "Stock Day" Podcast Founded in 2013, Stock Day is the fastest growing media outlet for Nano-Cap and Micro-Cap companies. It educates investors while simultaneously working with penny stock and OTC companies, providing transparency and clarification of under-valued, under-sold Micro-Cap stocks of the market. Stock Day provides companies with customized solutions to their news distribution in both national and international media outlets. The Stock Day Podcast is the number one radio show of its kind in America. SOURCE: Stock Day Media (602) 821-1102 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/87894 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 17, 2021) - Graphene Manufacturing Group Ltd. (TSXV: GMG) ("GMG" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the signing of a non-binding Letter of Intent (LOI) with OPENIA Project Management Services LLC ("OPENIA") for the exclusive distribution of THERMAL-XR~ powered by GMG Graphene throughout the United Arab Emirates. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8082/87830_773b6458d4739954_001full.jpg Under the auspices of His Excellency Ahmed Al Khatib, Chief Development & Delivery Officer Expo 2020 Dubai, and Trade and Investment Queensland Commissioner Middle East Ms. Donna Massie, OPENIA Chairman Mohammed Fadel Al Mazrooei and GMG CEO & Managing Director Craig Nicol signed the Letter of Intent - taking place simultaneously in the Australian Pavilion at EXPO 2020 DUBAI and the Trade and Investment Queensland office in Brisbane. THERMAL-XR~ powered by GMG Graphene is a coating system for restoring and improving energy efficiency to corroded or poorly performing refrigeration and air conditioning coils. The process coats, protects and rebuilds lost thermal conductivity by leveraging GMG's Graphene to increase the heat transfer rate, resulting in efficiency improvement, and reductions in both energy and Co2 emission for customers. GMG CEO and Managing Director Craig Nicol stated, "The growing demand for cooling is impacting power generation and distribution capacity and is often one of the highest costs of a company's operation. GMG's THERMAL-XR coating system is a high-tech but easy to apply solution to improve efficiency and save energy. The technology is a clear example of GMG's Graphene's ability to transfer heat, providing measurable efficiency gains for air conditioning asset owners. The Letter of Intent between GMG and OPENIA builds on the introduction by the Queensland Government's global business agency, Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ), which has been very helpful. I am very pleased about reaching this milestone and very excited to see THERMAL-XR penetrating the strategic Middle-East market". OPENIA Chairman Mohammed Fadel Al Mazrooei said, "We are very pleased to progress our relationship with GMG in the UAE. The potential of this innovative product to bring both emission and energy savings to customers throughout the region aligns with our country's strategy for environment and sustainability. The importance of THERMAL-XR and Clean-tech Graphene products in general to this part of the world is recognised today with the attendance of His Excellency Ahmed Al Khatib, and the Honorable Ms. Donna Massie here at the Australian Pavilion of EXPO 2020 DUBAI." Trade and Investment Queensland Commissioner Middle East Ms. Donna Massie said, "GMG is an exceptional Queensland company with excellent values providing sustainable, innovative world-class energy saving and storage solutions. Trade and Investment Queensland are very pleased to support this LOI and to continue to assist and support GMG's growth and development in all Middle East markets." GMG's Middle East and North Africa Representative Mounir Bouaziz added "This region has a big challenge when it comes to the energy costs to cool buildings. A simple solution such as Thermal-XR that can reduce energy costs has great potential here. The Letter of Intent provides a rapid pathway for mobilisation, operations, and future growth between GMG and OPENIA for the distribution of THERMAL-XR within the United Arab Emirates". About OPENIA OPENIA is a Dubai-based local solutions provider that helps international companies and startups establish and develop their business throughout the Middle East and North Africa. By researching new solutions and opportunities, they consult with their clients and regional partners to develop and implement strategies to maximize their impact within the region. For further information regarding OPENIA, please contact Chris Pugh, General Manager, at chris@openia.ae, +971 58 9771493. About GMG GMG is an Australian based clean-tech disruptive company listed on the TSXV (TSXV: GMG) that produces graphene and hydrogen by cracking methane (natural gas) instead of mining graphite. By using the company's proprietary process, GMG can produce high quality, low cost, scalable, 'tuneable' and no/low contaminant graphene - enabling demonstrated cost and environmental improvements in a number of world-scale planet-friendly/clean-tech applications. Using this low input cost source of graphene, the Company is developing value-added products that target the massive energy efficiency and energy storage markets. The Company is also in the early stages of pursuing additional opportunities for GMG Graphene, including developing next-generation batteries, collaborating with world-leading universities in Australia, and investigating the opportunity to enhance the performance of lube oil, biodiesel and diesel fuels. For further information, please contact: - Craig Nicol, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the Company at craig.nicol@graphenemg.com, +61 415 445 223 - Leo Karabelas at Focus Communications, leo@fcir.ca, +1 647 689 6041 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. The forward-looking statements herein are made as of the date of this press release only, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budgets", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "projects", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements relating to: (a) the deployment of the Company's resources, including its personnel; (b) global market trends, including the growing demand for cooling, its impacts on power generation, distribution capacity and business operational costs; (c) potential applications and expected performance, safety profile and production and maintenance requirements of the THERMAL-XR coating system; (d) the Company's expansion and potential for growth in the Middle-East market and the regional importance of THERMAL-XR; (e) future collaboration between the Company and OPENIA for the distribution of THERMAL-XR within the United Arab Emirates; (e) the intention of the Company to research, develop and produce certain products; and (f) the Company's intention to engage third parties to assist in the development of its products. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions of management, including, without limitation, assumptions regarding the accuracy of the Company's cost and timing expectations, the ability of the Company to achieve the expected results of its THERMAL-XR coating system, that the Company will be successful in the deployment of its resources and personnel, that the Company will be able to negotiate and enter into a definitive binding agreement with OPENIA with respect to the exclusive distribution of THERMAL-XR, that market demand for the Company's products will be consistent with the Company's expectations, that the Company's operations and ability to develop its products will not be adversely impacted by COVID-19, the Company's ability to research, develop and test its products within anticipated timelines, that results of testing and development data will be consistent with anticipated results and estimates. Additionally, forward-looking information involve a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements of GMG to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, without limitation: (a) GMG's operations could be adversely affected by possible future government legislation, policies and controls or by changes in applicable laws and regulations; (b) public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic may adversely impact GMG's business and the ability of the Company to produce, develop or distribute its products; (c) the volatility of global capital markets; (d) political instability; (e) the failure of GMG to attract and retain skilled personnel; (f) unexpected development and production challenges; (g) GMG could face technology or software disruptions; (h) unanticipated costs; (i) the transactions contemplated by the LOI may not be completed; (j) market demand for GMG's THERMAL-XR coating system may not meet the Company's expectations; and (k) the risk factors set out under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's final long form non-offering prospectus dated March 31, 2021 available for review on the Company's profile at www.sedar.com, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict. 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. Neither GMG nor any of its representatives make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, sufficiency or completeness of the information in this press release. Neither GMG nor any of its representatives shall have any liability whatsoever, under contract, tort, trust or otherwise, to you or any person resulting from the use of the information in this press release by you or any of your representatives or for omissions from the information in this press release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/87830 Title of Security CUSIP/ISIN Principal Amount Issued Outstanding Principal Amount Tender Consideration(1) 3.600% notes due 2024 03938L BB9/US03938LBB99 U.S.$750,000,000 U.S.$750,000,000 U.S.$ 1,076.50 6.125% notes due 2025 03938LAZ7/US03938LAZ76 U.S.$500,000,000 U.S.$256,893,000 U.S.$ 1,176.00 4.550% notes due 2026 03938L BA1/US03938LBA17 U.S.$750,000,000 U.S.$750,000,000 U.S.$ 1,130.00 (1) Per U.S.$1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn. Does not include Accrued Interest (as defined below) which will be payable to holders who tender Notes that are accepted for purchase by the Company. June 17, 2021- 14:45 CET - ArcelorMittal (the "Company" or "ArcelorMittal") announces the launch of its tender offer (the "Offers" and each, an "Offer") to purchase for cash, any and all of its series of 3.600% notes due 2024 (CUSIP 03938L BB9 / ISIN US03938LBB99) (the "2024 Notes"), its series of 6.125% notes due 2025 (CUSIP 03938LAZ7 / ISIN US03938LAZ76) (the "2025 Notes") and its series of 4.550% notes due 2026 (CUSIP 03938L BA1 / ISIN US03938LBA17) (the "2026 Notes", and together with the 2024 Notes and the 2025 Notes, the "Notes"). Following the consummation of the Offers, the Notes that are purchased by the Company in the Offers will be retired and cancelled and no longer remain outstanding. This announcement does not contain the full terms and conditions of the Offers, which are contained in the offer to purchase dated June 17, 2021 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Offer to Purchase") and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, and is subject to the offer restrictions set out below and more fully described in the Offer to Purchase. Notes may be validly tendered at any time on or before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on June 24, 2021, unless extended or earlier terminated (as may be extended or earlier terminated, the "Expiration Time"). Notes must be tendered in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Offer to Purchase. Subject to certain conditions, holders may tender Notes in the Offers pursuant to guaranteed delivery procedures by transmitting a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery to the Tender Agent prior to the Expiration Time, as described in more detail in the section "The Offers-Procedures for Tendering Notes-Guaranteed Delivery Procedure for Notes" in the Offer to Purchase. With respect to the Notes validly tendered prior to the Expiration Date and not validly withdrawn and accepted for purchase by the Company, other than Notes tendered pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures, the Company expects to pay the notes tender consideration (the "Tender Consideration"), which is the U.S. dollar amount payable per U.S.$1,000 principal amount of the Notes set forth in the table above, together with any Accrued Interest (as defined below), to the holders thereof on the third Business Day after the Expiration Time (the "Any and All Settlement Date"). No early participation amount will be payable on the Notes. With respect to Notes tendered pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures and accepted for purchase by the Company, if any, the Company expects to pay the Tender Consideration, together with any Accrued Interest, to the holders thereof on the third Business Day after the Expiration Time. For the avoidance of doubt, interest will cease to accrue on the Any and All Settlement Date for all Notes accepted in the Offers, including any Notes tendered by the guaranteed delivery procedures. The Tender Consideration will be payable in cash. In addition to the Tender Consideration, holders who tender Notes that are accepted for purchase by the Company pursuant to the Offers will also be paid accrued and unpaid interest from, and including, the immediately preceding interest payment date for the Notes to, but excluding, the Any and All Settlement Date (the "Accrued Interest"). Notes tendered may only be withdrawn at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on June 24, 2021 (such date and time, as the same may be extended, the "Withdrawal Deadline") but, except as otherwise provided, not thereafter. The relevant deadline set by the relevant clearing system or any intermediary for the submission of tender instructions may be earlier than the deadlines set out herein. Concurrently with the Offers, ArcelorMittal is also announcing the commencement of an invitation (the "Invitation for Offers") to non-U.S. holders outside of the United States to tender for cash certain euro-denominated notes (the "Euro Notes") to offer to sell Euro Notes up to a maximum aggregate principal amount of $1.5 billion less the principal amount of Notes tendered pursuant to these Offers (the "Concurrent European Offer"). Invitations to the Concurrent European Offer are not open to any holder of such notes that is in the United States or a U.S. Person (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended) or a U.S. resident. If you are in the United States, a U.S. Person or a U.S. resident that holds any such notes, you may not offer to sell them pursuant to such invitation. You may not tender any notes in the Offers other than the Notes specified on the cover page of the Offer to Purchase. The Concurrent European Offer is not being made pursuant to the Offer to Purchase. ArcelorMittal will fund the Offers and the Concurrent European Offer with existing cash resources. The Offers are being made to reduce the Company's gross debt through the early repayment and cancelation of the Notes that are accepted for purchase pursuant to the Offers. Similarly, the Concurrent European Offer (as described and defined above, and on which these Offers are not conditional) is being made to reduce the Company's gross debt through the early repayment and cancellation of the Euro Notes that are accepted for purchase pursuant to the Concurrent European Offer. Citigroup Global Markets Limited, Credit Agricole Securities (USA) Inc., Goldman Sachs International, Intesa Sanpaolo IMI Securities Corp., Mizuho Securities USA LLC, SMBC Nikko Capital Markets Europe GmbH and Societe Generale have been appointed to serve as dealer managers for the Offers (the "Dealer Managers"). D.F. King has been retained to serve as the information agent and tender agent in connection with the Offers. For additional information regarding the terms of the Offers, please contact Citigroup Global Markets Limited by email at liabilitymanagement.europe@citi.comor by telephone at +44 20 7986 8969 or +1 800 558 3745or by telephone at +1 866 807 6030or by telephone at +1 800 477 9296or by telephone at +44 20 3527 7545or by telephone at +33 1 42 13 32 40 /+33 1 42 13 79 52 or +1 855 881 2108or telephone: New York: +1 877-732-3619 (toll free within U.S.) or at + 1 212 269 5550 (collect) and +44 20 7920 9700 (London). All documents relating to the Offer, together with any updates, will be available via the Offer Website: https://sites.dfkingltd.com/ArcelorMittal. The times and dates above are subject, where applicable, to the right of the Company to extend, re-open, amend, limit, terminate or withdraw an Offer, subject to applicable law. Accordingly, the actual timetable may differ significantly from the expected timetable set out above. Holders should confirm with the bank, securities broker or any other intermediary through which they hold their Notes whether such intermediary needs to receive instructions from a holder before the deadlines specified above in order for that holder to be able to participate in, or withdraw their instruction to participate in, an Offer. None of ArcelorMittal, the Dealer Managers or the information and tender agent makes any recommendation as to whether any holder of the Notes should tender or refrain from tendering all or any portion of the principal amount of the Notes. Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Offer to Purchase. Important Information This press release is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation to buy any Notes nor is it a solicitation for acceptance of the Offers. It is also not an invitation to any holder of the bonds which are subject of the Concurrent European Offer to offer to sell such bonds to the Company, which is being made by a separate Invitation for Offers. The Company is making the Offers only by, and pursuant to the terms of, the Offer to Purchase. The Offers are not being made to (nor will tenders of Notes be accepted from or on behalf of) holders of Notes in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities, blue sky or other laws of such jurisdiction. This announcement must be read in conjunction with the Offer to Purchase. This announcement and the Offer to Purchase (including the documents incorporated by reference therein) contain important information which should be read carefully before any decision is made with respect to the Offers. If you are in any doubt as to the contents of this announcement or the Offer to Purchase or the action you should take, you are recommended to seek your own financial and legal advice, including as to any tax consequences, immediately from your stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, accountant or other independent financial or legal adviser. Any individual or company whose Notes are held on its behalf by a broker, dealer, bank, custodian, trust company or other nominee or intermediary must contact such entity if it wishes to participate in the Offers. ### European Economic Area. In any European Economic Area ("EEA") member state (each, a "Member State"), the Invitation for Offers is only addressed to and is only directed at qualified investors within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended or superseded) (the "EU Prospectus Regulation"), in that Member State. Each person in a Member State who receives any communication in respect of the Invitation contemplated in the Invitation for Offers will be deemed to have represented, warranted and agreed to and with the Dealer Managers and the Company that it is a qualified investor within the meaning of Article 2(e) of each of the EU Prospectus Regulation. United Kingdom restrictions. This announcement and the Offer to Purchase are for distribution only to persons who (i) are outside the United Kingdom; (ii) have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (as amended, the "Order"); (iii) are persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) ("high net worth companies, unincorporated associations etc.") of the Order; (iv) are members or creditors of certain bodies corporate as defined by or within Article 43(2) of the Order; or (v) are persons to whom an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000) in connection with the issue or sale of any securities may otherwise lawfully be communicated or caused to be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). This announcement and the Offer to Purchase are directed only at relevant persons and must not be acted or relied on by persons who are not relevant persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons. France. This announcement, the Offer to Purchase or any other documents or offering materials relating to the Offers have been distributed or caused to be distributed and will not be distributed or caused to be distributed in France, other than to qualified investors (investisseurs qualifies), as defined in Article L. 411-2 1 of the French Code monetaire et financier and in Article 2(e) of the EU Prospectus Regulation. None of this announcement, the Offer to Purchase, nor any other such offering material has been submitted for clearance to the Autorite des marches financiers. By participating in an Offer, an investor resident and/or located in France will be deemed to represent and warrant to the Company, the Dealer Managers and the Information and Tender Agent that it is a qualified investor. Italy. None of this announcement, the Offers, the Offer to Purchase or any other documents or materials relating to the Offers have been or will be submitted to the clearance procedures of the Commissione Nazionale per le Societa e la Borsa ("CONSOB"), pursuant to applicable Italian laws and regulations. The Offers are being carried out in the Republic of Italy ("Italy") as an exempted offer pursuant to article 101-bis, paragraph 3-bis of Legislative Decree No. 58 of February 24, 1998, as amended (the "ConsolidatedFinancial Act") and article 35-bis, paragraph 4 of CONSOB Regulation No. 11971 of May 14, 1999, as amended (the "Issuer's Regulation"). The Offers are also being carried out in compliance with article 35-bis, paragraph 7 of the Issuers' Regulation. Holders or beneficial owners of the Notes located in Italy may tender the Notes in the Offers through authorized persons (such as investment firms, banks or financial intermediaries permitted to conduct such activities in Italy in accordance with the Consolidated Financial Act, CONSOB Regulation No. 20307 of February 15, 2018, as amended, and Legislative Decree No. 385 of September 1, 1993, as amended from time to time, and Legislative Decree No. 385 of September 1, 1993, as amended) and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations or with requirements imposed by CONSOB or any other Italian authority. Each intermediary must comply with the applicable laws and regulations concerning information duties vis-a-vis its clients in connection with the Notes or the Offers. Each intermediary must comply with the applicable laws and regulations concerning information duties vis-a-vis its clients in connection with the Notes or the Offers. This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014. About ArcelorMittal ArcelorMittalis the world's leading steel and mining company, with a presence in 60 countries and primary steelmaking facilities in 17 countries. In 2020, ArcelorMittal had revenues of $53.3 billion and crude steel production of 71.5 million metric tonnes, while iron ore production reached 58.0 million metric tonnes. Our goal is to help build a better world with smarter steels. Steels made using innovative processes which use less energy, emit significantly less carbon and reduce costs. Steels that are cleaner, stronger and reusable. Steels for electric vehicles and renewable energy infrastructure that will support societies as they transform through this century. With steel at our core, our inventive people and an entrepreneurial culture at heart, we will support the world in making that change. This is what we believe it takes to be the steel company of the future. ArcelorMittal is listed on the stock exchanges of New York NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO OR TO ANY PERSON LOCATED OR RESIDENT IN THE UNITED STATES, ITS TERRITORIES AND POSSESSIONS (INCLUDING PUERTO RICO, THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS, GUAM, AMERICAN SAMOA, WAKE ISLAND AND THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS, ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA) OR TO ANY U.S. PERSON (AS DEFINED BELOW) OR IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE IT IS UNLAWFUL TO DISTRIBUTE THE INVITATION FOR OFFERS. ArcelorMittal Announces Invitation for Offers to Sell for Cash up to the Maximum Acceptance Amount of its EUR 500,000,000 0.950% Notes due 17 January 2023 (the "January 2023 Bonds"), of which EUR 366,879,000 in aggregate principal amount are outstanding; EUR 750,000,000 1.000% Notes due 19 May 2023 (the "May 2023 Bonds"), of which EUR 750,000,000 in aggregate principal amount are outstanding; EUR 1,000,000,000 2.250% Notes due 17 January 2024 (the "2024 Bonds"), of which EUR 1,000,000,000 in aggregate principal amount are outstanding; and EUR 750,000,000 1.750% Notes due 19 November 2025 (the "2025 Bonds"), of which EUR 750,000,000 in aggregate principal amount are outstanding Luxembourg, 17 June 2021 - 14:45 CET - ArcelorMittal ("ArcelorMittal" or the "Company") announces the commencement of an invitation (subject to offer restrictions) to holders of the bonds (the "Bondholders") set forth in the table below (the "Bonds") to submit offers to sell for cash (each such offer, an "Offer to Sell") up to a maximum aggregate principal amount of USD 1,500,000,000 of the Bonds (as converted into U.S. Dollars at the U.S. Dollar / Euro foreign exchange rate determined by the Company and Dealer Managers on 24 June 2021 using the Bloomberg BFIX screen) (or, if such screen is unavailable, a generally recognised source for currency quotations selected by the Dealer Managers), less the principal amount of USD Notes accepted for purchase pursuant to the Concurrent USD Offer (the "Maximum Acceptance Amount"), subject to the right of the Company to amend the Maximum Acceptance Amount, to the Company for cash on the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the invitation for offers ("Invitation for Offers" or the "Invitation"). Description of the Bonds ISIN Listing Minimum Denomination Outstanding aggregate principal amount Purchase Price Purchase Yield (1) Maximum Acceptance Amount EUR 500,000,000 0.950% Notes due 17 January 2023 XS1730873731 Luxembourg 100,000 366,879,000 N/A -0.15% USD 1,500,000,000 (as converted into U.S. Dollars), less the principal amount of USD Notes accepted for purchase pursuant to the Concurrent USD Offer (subject to the right of the Company to amend the Maximum Acceptance Amount) EUR 750,000,000 1.000% Notes due 19 May 2023 XS2082323630 Luxembourg 100,000 750,000,000 N/A -0.15% EUR 1,000,000,000 2.250% Notes due 17 January 2024 XS1936308391 Luxembourg 100,000 1,000,000,000 N/A -0.10% EUR 750,000,000 1.750% Notes due 19 November 2025 XS2082324018 Luxembourg 100,000 750,000,000 106.35% (1,063.50 for each 1,000 in principal amount) N/A (1) For information purposes only (i) the January 2023 Bonds Purchase Price will, when determined in the manner described herein on the basis of a Settlement Date of 29 June 2021, be 101.434 per cent. (1,014.34 for each 1,000 in principal amount), (ii) the May 2023 Bonds Purchase Price will, when determined in the manner described herein on the basis of a Settlement Date of 29 June 2021, be 101.894 per cent. (1,018.94 for each 1,000 in principal amount) and the (iii) the 2024 Bonds Purchase Price will, when determined in the manner described herein on the basis of a Settlement Date of 29 June 2021, be 105.417 per cent. (1,054.17 for each 1,000 in principal amount). The Purchase Price for each of the January 2023 Bonds, the May 2023 Bonds and the 2024 Bonds will be determined in accordance with market convention and expressed as a percentage of the nominal amount of the January 2023 Bonds, the May 2023 Bonds and the 2024 Bonds, respectively, and is intended to reflect a yield to the first date on which the Company may exercise the residual maturity call option under the terms of the January 2023 Bonds, the May 2023 Bonds and the 2024 Bonds, respectively, as further described in the Invitation for Offers. Should the Settlement Date in respect of the January 2023 Bonds, May 2023 Bonds or 2024 Bonds accepted for purchase pursuant to the relevant Offer to Sell differ from 29 June 2021, the January 2023 Bonds Purchase Price, May 2023 Bonds Purchase Price and 2024 Bonds Purchase Price will be re-determined, all as further described in the Invitation for Offers. This announcement does not contain the full terms and conditions of the Invitation, which are contained in the invitation for offers dated 17 June 2021 prepared by ArcelorMittal (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Invitation for Offers"), and are subject to the offer restrictions set out below and more fully described in the Invitation for Offers. The Invitation will commence on 17 June 2021 and will expire at 17.00 hours CEST on 24 June 2021 (the "Invitation Period"), unless the Invitation Period is extended, withdrawn, terminated or amended at the sole discretion of the Company. Offers to Sell, once submitted, may not be withdrawn except in the limited circumstances described in the section "Amendment and Termination" of the Invitation for Offers. Subject to the right of the Company to extend, re-open, withdraw, terminate or amend the terms and conditions of the Invitation, the Company may purchase for cash up to the Maximum Acceptance Amount of Bonds validly offered for sale by Bondholders in accordance with the terms set out in the Invitation for Offers. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company may choose to purchase none of the Bonds offered for sale or to accept significantly more or less (or none) of any Series as compared to any other Series. In the event that the Offers to Sell received by the Tender Agent are in respect of an aggregate principal amount of Bonds that is greater than the Maximum Acceptance Amount (as amended, if applicable), the Company intends to accept the offered Bonds on a pro rata basis by applying the relevant Pro-Rating Factor, as more fully described in the Invitation for Offers. A separate Offer to Sell must be submitted on behalf of each beneficial owner of the Bonds, given the possible proration. The price payable per principal amount of the Bonds in respect of which Offers to Sell are accepted will be: a price determined as described in the "Terms of the Invitation for Offers-Purchase Price" below (i) with respect to the January 2023 Bonds, by reference to a fixed yield of -0.15% (the "January 2023 Bonds Purchase Yield"), (ii) with respect to the May 2023 Bonds, by reference to a fixed yield of -0.15% (the "May 2023 Bonds Purchase Yield"), (iii) with respect to the 2024 Bonds by reference to a fixed yield of -0.10% (the "2024 Bonds Purchase Yield") and with respect to the 2025 Bonds, a fixed price of 106.35%, (in each case the "Purchase Price"), plus in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the Bonds from and including the immediately preceding interest payment date for such Bonds up to, but excluding, the Settlement Date (as defined herein) ("Accrued Interest"). Concurrently with the Invitation, the Company is making an offer to purchase for cash any and all of the (i) USD denominated 3.600% Notes due 16 July 2024, (ii) USD denominated 6.125% Notes due 1 June 2025 and (iii) USD denominated 4.550% Notes due 11 March 2026 (the "USD Notes"), and the offer being referred to herein as the "Concurrent USD Offer". The Concurrent USD Offer is not being made pursuant to the Invitation for Offers.Bondholders may not tender any securities in the Offers to Sell other than the Bonds specified above. The Company will fund purchases of bonds tendered in the Invitation and the Concurrent USD Offer with existing cash resources. The Settlement Date for the Invitation is expected to take place on or about 29 June 2021, or telephone: London: +44 20 7920 9700. The Invitation for Offers is expected to be distributed to Bondholders today. This announcement must be read in conjunction with the Invitation for Offers. Subject to the relevant restrictions, a copy of the Invitation for Offers is also available at the Offer Website https://sites.dfkingltd.com/arcelormittal and may be obtained at no charge from D.F. King Ltd. None of ArcelorMittal, the Dealer Managers, the Information and Tender Agent makes any recommendation as to whether any Bondholders should tender or refrain from tendering all or any portion of the principal amount of such Bonds. This announcement is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation to buy any of these Bonds nor is it a solicitation for acceptance of the Invitation. ArcelorMittal is making the Invitation only by, and pursuant to the terms of, the Invitation for Offers. The Invitation is not being made to (nor will Offers to Sell accepted from or on behalf of) holders of Bonds in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities, blue sky or other laws of such jurisdiction. Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Invitation For Offers. ### United States. The Invitation is not being made and will not be made directly or indirectly in or into, or by use of the mails of, or by any means or instrumentality (including, without limitation, facsimile transmission, telex, telephone, email and other forms of electronic transmission) of interstate or foreign commerce of, or any facility of a national securities exchange of, or to beneficial owners of the Bonds who are located in the United States as defined in Regulation S of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or to U.S. Persons as defined in Regulation S of the Securities Act (each a "U.S. Person") and the Bonds may not be offered for sale in the Invitation by any such use, means, instrumentality or facility from or within the United States, by persons located or resident in the United States or by U.S. Persons. Accordingly, copies of the Invitation for Offers and any documents or materials related to the Invitation are not being, and must not be, directly or indirectly, mailed or otherwise transmitted, distributed or forwarded in or into the United States or to any such person. Any purported Offer to Sell in response to the Invitation resulting directly or indirectly from a violation of these restrictions will be invalid, and Offers to Sell made by a person located in the United States or any agent, fiduciary or other intermediary giving instructions from within the United States or any U.S. Person will not be accepted. Each Bondholder participating in the Invitation will represent that it is not a U.S. Person, is not located in the United States and is not participating in such Invitation from the United States. For the purposes of this and the above paragraph, "United States" has the meaning given to it in Regulation S of the Securities Act and includes the United States of America, its territories and possessions (including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Wake Island and the Northern Mariana Islands), any state of the United States of America and the District of Columbia. European Economic Area. In any European Economic Area ("EEA") member state (each a "Relevant State"), the Invitation for Offers is only addressed to and is only directed at qualified investors within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended or superseded) (the "EU Prospectus Regulation") in that Relevant State. Each person in a Relevant State who receives any communication in respect of the Invitation contemplated in the Invitation for Offers will be deemed to have represented, warranted and agreed to and with the Dealer Managers and the Company that it is a qualified investor within the meaning of Article 2(e) of each of the EU Prospectus Regulation. United Kingdom. The Invitation for Offers is only addressed to and is only directed at qualified investors in the United Kingdom within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law in the United Kingdom by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (the "UK Prospectus Regulation") in the United Kingdom. Each person in the United Kingdom who receives any communication in respect of the Invitation contemplated in the Invitation for Offers will be deemed to have represented, warranted and agreed to and with the Dealer Managers and the Company that it is a qualified investor within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the UK Prospectus Regulation. Additional United Kingdom restrictions. This communication, the Invitation for Offers and any other documents or materials relating to the Invitation is for distribution only to persons who (i) are outside the United Kingdom; (ii) have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (as amended, the "Order"); (iii) are persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) ("high net worth companies, unincorporated associations etc.") of the Order; (iv) are members or creditors of certain bodies corporate as defined by or within Article 43(2) of the Order; or (v) are persons to whom an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000) in connection with the issue or sale of any securities may otherwise lawfully be communicated or caused to be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). This document is directed only at relevant persons and must not be acted or relied on by persons who are not relevant persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons. France. The Invitation for Offers nor any other documents or offering materials relating to the Invitation have been distributed or caused to be distributed and will not be distributed or caused to be distributed in France, other than to qualified investors (investisseurs qualifies), as defined in Article L. 411-2 1 of the French Code monetaire et financier and in Article 2(e) of the EU Prospectus Regulation. Neither the Invitation for Offers, nor any other such offering material has been submitted for clearance to the Autorite des marches financiers. By participating in the Invitation, an investor resident and/or located in France will be deemed to represent and warrant to the Company, the Dealer Managers and the Information and Tender Agent that it is a qualified investor. Italy. None of the Invitation, the Invitation for Offers or any other documents or materials relating to the Invitation have been or will be submitted to the clearance procedures of the Commissione Nazionale per le Societa e la Borsa ("CONSOB") pursuant to applicable Italian laws and regulations. The Invitation is being carried out in the Republic of Italy ("Italy") as an exempted offer pursuant to article 101-bis, paragraph 3-bis of Legislative Decree No. 58 of 24 February 1998, as amended (the "Consolidated Financial Act") and article 35-bis, paragraph 4 of CONSOB Regulation No. 11971 of 14 May 1999, as amended (the "Issuer's Regulation"). The Invitation is also being carried out in compliance with article 35-bis, paragraph 7 of the Issuers' Regulation. Bondholders or beneficial owners of the Bonds located in Italy may tender the Bonds through authorised persons (such as investment firms, banks or financial intermediaries permitted to conduct such activities in Italy in accordance with the Consolidated Financial Act, CONSOB Regulation No. 20307 of 15 February 2018, as amended, and Legislative Decree No. 385 of 1 September 1993, as amended from time to time, and Legislative Decree No. 385 of 1 September 1993, as amended) and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations or with requirements imposed by CONSOB or any other Italian authority. Each intermediary must comply with the applicable laws and regulations concerning information duties vis-a-vis its clients in connection with the Bonds or the Invitation. ### About ArcelorMittal ArcelorMittalis the world's leading steel and mining company, with a presence in 60 countries and primary steelmaking facilities in 17 countries. In 2020, ArcelorMittal had revenues of $53.3 billion and crude steel production of 71.5 million metric tonnes, while iron ore production reached 58.0 million metric tonnes. Our goal is to help build a better world with smarter steels. Steels made using innovative processes which use less energy, emit significantly less carbon and reduce costs. Steels that are cleaner, stronger and reusable. Steels for electric vehicles and renewable energy infrastructure that will support societies as they transform through this century. With steel at our core, our inventive people and an entrepreneurial culture at heart, we will support the world in making that change. This is what we believe it takes to be the steel company of the future. ArcelorMittal is listed on the stock exchanges of New York VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 17, 2021 / Lucky Minerals Inc. (TSXV:LKY)(OTC PINK:LKMNF)(FRA:LKY) ('Lucky' or the 'Company') is pleased to announce it has received sample assay results from its ongoing work at the Wayka epithermal gold discovery at its 100% owned Fortuna Property ('Fortuna'). Fortuna comprises approximately 55,000 hectares in a known mineralized zone in southern Ecuador. Wayka lies along an elevated ridge that trends northeast with elevations ranging from approximately 3,600 meters to 3,700 meters above sea level and is bound to the East by the El Buitre Porphyry and to the West by the Emma Porphyry. Wayka - An Advanced Argillic Alteration Zone - Expanding and Remains Open One of the key exploration tools when exploring a high sulfidation epithermal system is the identification of the higher temperature alteration minerals (generally identified as advanced argillic alteration zones). These advanced argillic alteration zones are usually comprised of mineralized breccias, areas of vuggy silica and feeder zones that carry gold mineralization. Lucky's exploration team has continued with geological mapping and sampling at Wayka. Terraspec analyses of rock samples taken from the southern zone of Wayka has outlined an area of advanced argillic alteration with outcrops of vuggy silica that measures approximately 800 meters by 1,000 meters and remains open to the south. Within this newly explored area, a rock panel sample returned 4.15 g/t gold from a siliceous volcanic breccia. This work has extended the alteration zone to the south by approximately 500 meters. Please see the updated alteration and gold geochem map below. To view a larger image of the geochem map please click here. Wayka Gold Geochem and Alteration Map To date we have received a total of 51 assay results from ALS Chemex Labs for Wayka. The table below includes 29 chip panel samples not previously released with gold above 0.020 g/t. To view a larger image of the table below please click here. Wayka Chip Panel Samples Above 0.020 g/t Gold A total of 83 rock samples have recently been submitted for Terraspec analyses to determine the type of alteration minerals associated within this mineralized system. We expect these pending lab results to assist in identifying potential feeder zones. As the geological work at Wayka continues, we anticipate our understanding of the mineralized system to improve as more detailed work is completed. At present, Wayka has been observed to remain open in all directions. Francois Perron President and CEO states 'We are extremely pleased with the results being returned from our work in the field. Not only have we found the highest gold grade in a surface sample to date at Wayka, but we have also demonstrated the scale of the high temperature alteration to be of kilometric size. We look forward to continuing to narrow in our focus on the underlying feeder zones.' Fortuna - Next Steps Wayka Exploration teams are focused on geological mapping and the gathering of rock samples from outcrop to increase our understanding of the current zones and expand the known footprint of the mineralized system. This work will be followed by a detailed mag survey and trenching program which will subsequently lead to scout drilling. El Garo - Soil Sampling Continues Field work continues at El Garo which is located less than 8 kilometers north of Wayka. El Garo is a large epithermal system with outcrops of dacite and vuggy silica. Due to a lack of outcrop,the soil sampling program initiated last year is now presently in the process of being completed. Results from this program will be combined with trenching followed by a detailed mag survey leading to a drilling program at El Garo. Macuche - Geological Field Work Continues Field work continues at Macuche mainly comprised of geological mapping and sampling. Also, old pit type excavations are being cleared of brush to expose the bedrock. A 20 meter long hand dug trench has been systematically sampled at 1 meter intervals. Thus far 28 samples have assays pending from Macuche. QA/QC Protocols All exploration work is completed following QA/QC protocols and include the insertion of a coarse blank, a standard and duplicate sample on every batch of 25 samples. Samples are being submitted approximately every two weeks to ALS Chemex Labs in Quito for preparation work, and the analytical work is completed at their lab facility in Lima, Peru. ALS Chemex is an ISO certified and accredited laboratory. Results will be released as they are received. About Lucky Lucky is an exploration and development company targeting large-scale mineral systems in proven districts with the potential to host world class deposits. Lucky owns a 100% interest in the Fortuna Property. The Company's Fortuna Project is comprised of twelve contiguous, 550 km2 (55,000 Hectares, or 136,000 Acres) exploration concessions. Fortuna is located in a highly prospective, yet underexplored, gold belt in southern Ecuador. Covid-19 Safety Protocols Lucky Minerals has strict rules in place for all workers arriving to and from field sites. All personnel are tested upon arriving and leaving and are tested every two weeks. All personnel are housed in separate and private accommodations and are isolated from the community. Qualified Person Victor Jaramillo, M.Sc.A., P.Geo., Lucky's Exploration Manager and a qualified person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101, is responsible for supervising the exploration program at the Fortuna Project for Lucky Minerals and has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD 'Francois Perron' Chief Executive Officer Further information on Lucky can be found on the Company's website at www.luckyminerals.com and at www.sedar.com, or by contacting Francois Perron, President and CEO, by email at investors@luckyminerals.com or by telephone at (866) 924 6484. 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 Statement Regarding Adjacent Properties and Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the future operations of the Company and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as 'will', 'may', 'should', 'anticipate', 'expects' and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the future plans and objectives of the Company are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. 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. Such factors include, but are not limited to: uncertainties related exploration and development; the ability to raise sufficient capital to fund exploration and development; changes in economic conditions or financial markets; increases in input costs; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological or operational difficulties or inability to obtain permits encountered in connection with exploration activities; and labor relations matters. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Company's forward-looking information. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations also include risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by Canadian securities law. SOURCE: Lucky Minerals Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/652077/Lucky-Minerals-Extends-Wayka-Alteration-Zone-500-Meters-to-the-South-and-Samples-Up-to-415-gt-Gold Data integration provider works with the data cloud to help global enterprises achieve faster time to insight DENVER and MANCHESTER, England, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Matillion , the leading enterprise cloud data integration platform, today announced that it has been named the FY2021 Technology Partner of the Year for Data Integration by Snowflake, the Data Cloud Company . Matillion was recognized for its achievements in the Snowflake ecosystem, accelerating the cloud modernization journey of agile enterprises like Slack, Cisco, and Western Union. In an IDG Research MarketPulse survey , a majority of enterprise data professionals cited lack of scalability and flexibility as a challenge when preparing data for analytics. With Matillion and Snowflake, businesses can take advantage of low-code design patterns and native push-down integrations to speed the development of crucial data workflows. Matillion products work on Snowflake's platform to load, transform, and sync data for advanced analytics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and other innovative use cases. Matillion holds Elite Status and Technology Ready Validation in the Snowflake Partner Network , demonstrating the company's support for Snowflake's best practices around performance, reliability, and security. Matillion's platforms enable a range of enterprise use cases along the cloud data journey. Matillion Data Loader is a no-code, lightweight solution to ingest data. The product works alongside Matillion ETL as a platform to join and transform data sources for analytics. Both Matillion products are available in Snowflake Partner Connect to help enterprises with diverse data needs, from simple data loading to complex data transformations. Hundreds of global enterprises use Matillion with Snowflake to achieve: Faster data integration - Data teams can extract, load, and transform data without sacrificing sophistication or speed. Slack reduced the time to develop a new report from six hours to 30 minutes. Data teams can extract, load, and transform data without sacrificing sophistication or speed. Slack reduced the time to develop a new report from six hours to 30 minutes. Cloud ROI - Native integrations within Matillion ETL enable enterprises to maximize Snowflake's performance with cutting-edge platform integrations. DocuSign reduced their ETL run time by 72 percent. Native integrations within Matillion ETL enable enterprises to maximize Snowflake's performance with cutting-edge platform integrations. DocuSign reduced their ETL run time by 72 percent. Data governance - Organizations can easily meet data security and sovereignty requirements in any region of the world. "Cloud providers like Matillion and Snowflake are undoubtedly the most well-positioned technologies to help global enterprises make their data useful for insights that turn to business innovation," said Matthew Scullion, CEO at Matillion. "We are thrilled to be named a Snowflake Technology Partner of the Year and look forward to serving new and existing enterprise customers to make data their most strategic asset." "We are honored to announce Matillion as a Technology Partner of the Year. Matillion's data integration platform delivers powerful ELT, data orchestration and replication to help our joint customers differentiate and gain a competitive advantage," said Colleen Kapase, SVP of Worldwide Partner and Alliances at Snowflake. "Matillion has been a top partner of Snowflake's for many years and has become a modern data integration and transformation choice for our large enterprise customers. We look forward to building on our strong partnership and continuing to serve the Snowflake ecosystem." Learn more about the success Matillion and Snowflake customers have achieved at https://www.matillion.com/resources/matillion-snowflake . For further data transformation industry updates and perspectives, follow Matillion on Twitter @Matillion and LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/matillion-limited/ . About Matillion Matillion makes the world's data useful with an easy-to-use, cloud-native data integration and transformation platform. Optimized for modern enterprise data teams, only Matillion is built on native integrations to cloud data platforms such as Snowflake, Delta Lake on Databricks, Amazon Redshift, Google BigQuery, and Microsoft Azure Synapse to enable new levels of efficiency and productivity across any organization. Learn how Matillion delivers rapid returns on cloud investments for global enterprise customers at www.matillion.com. Contact: Sally Brown, matillion@inkhouse.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/775068/Matillion_Logo.jpg CRANBROOK, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 17, 2021 / Eagle Plains Resources (TSXV:EPL) has been notified by option partner Rockridge Resources Ltd. (ROCK)(RRRLF)(RR0) ("Rockridge") that it has received initial results from the recently completed diamond drilling program at the Knife Lake Copper Project located in Saskatchewan, Canada (the "Knife Lake Project" or "Property"). Rockridge drilled a total of 2,043 metres in twelve drill holes and has received assays and completed interpretation for the first nine holes (1740.0m). Results for the remaining three holes will be released once results have been compiled and interpretation is complete. The Knife Lake Project, consisting of 81 claims totaling 55,471 hectares (137,069 acres), is an advanced-stage copper, silver, zinc and cobalt exploration property in Saskatchewan host to the Knife Lake Deposit. See Knife Lake VMS Project Location Map here The drill program at the Gilbert North and South target areas was designed to evaluate conductivity and magnetic anomalies identified during the 2021 airborne VTEM Plus survey and corresponding surficial geochemical anomalies. Previous surficial work programs have indicated that the stratigraphic position of the targeted anomalies correlates with the Knife Lake Deposit to the east. Additional drilling at the Knife Lake Deposit was designed to infill resource drilling. See Gilbert North and South Drill Hole Locations here Rockridge's CEO, Jonathan Wiesblatt, commented: "Although the Knife Lake Deposit was discovered many years ago the exploration in and around the maiden resource has been negligible until just recently. The airborne VTEM Plus survey that was conducted in 2021 expanded the regional target areas beyond the Knife Lake deposit increasing the probabilities of making new and potentially meaningful discoveries. The work at Gilbert Lake has been the first drilling program beyond the Knife Lake Deposit in decades and the results thus far have been very encouraging. We believe that the discovery potential at the broader 15km Gilbert trend remains high and warrants follow up work in the near term which is currently being planned. We continue to learn more about the Knife Lake Deposit and are compelled by its high grade and near-surface composition. The progress we have made at Knife Lake is excellent and lines up with our thesis that the known deposit is a remobilized portion of a larger VMS system." Highlights 2021 drill program expanded to 2,043m in twelve drill holes Highlight drill intercepts at the Gilbert South target area include pyrrhotite-pyrite dominant VMS-style mineralization hosted at the same stratigraphic horizon as the Knife Lake Deposit Infill drilling at the Knife Lake deposit (follow up to the 2019 drill program) returned 1.95% Cu, 0.11 g/t Au, 7.41 g/t Ag, 0.53% Zn and 0.02% Co (2.34% CuEq) over 14.02m beginning at 24.62m in hole KF21021 Results for the remaining three holes will be released once results have been compiled and interpretation is complete Knife Lake NI 43-101 resource estimate from 2019 provides excellent anchor for Project and includes indicated resources of 3.8 MT at 1.02% CuEq. (3.8 MT at 0.83% Cu, 3.7 g/t Ag, 0.097 g/t Au, 82 ppm Co,1740.7 ppm Zn) as well as inferred resources of 7.9 MT at 0.67% Cu Eq (7.9 MT at 0.53% Cu, 2.4 g/t Ag, 0.084 g/t Au, 53.1 ppm Co, 1454.9 ppm Zn) There is strong discovery potential in and around the deposit as well as at regional targets on the Property; modern exploration techniques and methods are being utilized with a goal of making new discoveries Planning is now underway for a summer 2021 exploration program to follow up on the results of this drill program Knife Lake Winter/Spring 2021 Diamond Drill Hole Results and Geological Summary The first eight holes of the program (1690.0m) were completed at the Gilbert Lake North and South target areas which are approx. 5 to 6 km to the west of the Knife Lake Deposit. Geophysical modeling on the airborne VTEM Plus data revealed that three historic holes drilled at Gilbert North by previous operators did not intersect the prospective conductive body. The Gilbert South target, which is over 2.5 km in length, had never been drilled. See Knife Lake Priority Target Areas Map here Gilbert South Target Several holes (KF21013, -014, -015 and -020) at Gilbert Lake South intersected encouraging VMS-style mineralization, including semi-massive and net-texture pyrrhotite-pyritechalcopyritesphalerite, hosted in intermediate-mafic metamorphosed volcanics and pegmatites. The host lithologies are interpreted to be the same stratigraphic horizon as the Knife Lake Deposit. See Drill Hole KF21013, KF21014 and KF21015 Sections here Drill hole KF21013 intersected three zones of semi-massive to net-textured pyrrhotite-pyrite chalcopyrite sphalerite hosted in amphibole gneiss, proximal to the contact with a pegmatite intrusion ranging from 0.72m to 2.72m wide (drill thickness). Drill hole KF21014, designed to test up-dip of the mineralization seen in KF21013, intersected similar semi-massive to net-textured pyrrhotite-pyrite dominant sulphide horizons. Unlike the previous hole no pegmatite intrusions are associated with the mineralization. Drill hole KF21015 tested the down-dip mineralization potential and continued to intersect semi-massive to net-textured pyrrhotite-pyrite. Assay results show anomalous precious and base-metal enrichment at pegmatite contacts including 1.32 ppm Ag over 3.31m (112.94m - 116.25m) and 1.26 ppm Ag, 381.20 ppm Cu and 779.32 ppm Zn over 6.81 m (136.57m - 143.38m). See Drill Hole KF21016 Section here Drill hole KF21016 was designed as a 100 m step-out to the south of hole KF21013-015 to test the continuity of sulphide mineralization along strike. The hole did not intersect a significant mineralized horizon, however borehole electromagnetics "BHEM" indicate that the strongest part of the conductor is located off-hole to the northwest. See Drill Hole KF21017 Section here KF21017 was drilled approximately 1,000m south of the holes, KF21013-16 and -20, targeting a strong VTEM Plus conductor. The hole did not return significant mineralization, however, results from the BHEM survey indicate an off-hole conductivity anomaly down dip that remains prospective requires further drill testing. Drill hole KF21020 was designed as a 100m north step-out from holes KF21013-015 to further investigate continuity of mineralization along strike. The hole was successful at intersecting the targeted mineralized horizon first identified in previous holes. Assays confirmed visual logging observations that the mineralization is Fe-sulphide rich, returning weakly anomalous precious and base-metal enrichment including 1.35 ppm Ag over 3.34 m (86.50m - 89.84m) and 1018.04 ppm Zn over 1.84m (88.00m - 89.84m) Gilbert North Target See Drill Hole KF21018 and KF21019 Sections here Drill holes KF21018-019 were completed at Gilbert North testing a corresponding surficial geochemical Cu-in-soil anomaly and airborne VTEM Plus conductivity anomaly along prospective Knife Lake stratigraphy. The borehole EM survey indicates that both holes missed the source of the conductivity anomaly along the top edge. Further deep drilling at Gilbert North to define the source of the geophysical anomaly is recommended. Knife Lake Deposit Drill hole KF21021 was designed to follow-up on the 2019 resource drilling program and infill historic drilling at the Knife Lake Deposit. Semi-massive to massive and net textured chalcopyrite-pyrite-pyrrhotite-sphalerite mineralization is hosted in intermediate-mafic volcanic and pegmatite intervals between 25.25m-38.64m. Drill hole KF21021 returned 1.95% Cu, 0.11 g/t Au, 7.41 g/t Ag, 0.53% Zn and 0.02% Co (2.34% CuEq) over 14.02m beginning at 24.62m. Drill Hole Results Table for Hole KF21021: Hole From To Core Length Cu Au Ag Zn Co CuEq (m) (m) (m) (%) (g/t) (g/t) (%) (%) (%) KF21021 24.62 38.64 14.02 1.95 0.11 7.41 0.53 0.02 2.34 Includes 25.25 35.50 10.25 2.25 0.13 8.87 0.62 0.02 2.67 Includes 25.25 30.25 5.00 2.71 0.19 12.01 0.65 0.02 3.21 Includes 25.25 27.57 2.32 4.36 0.34 17.14 0.56 0.02 5.00 * Drill indicated intercepts (core length) are reported as drilled widths; true thickness is undetermined. ** No cutoffs or metal recoverability were factored into CuEq calculations. *** Assumptions used in USD for the copper equivalent calculation were metal prices of $4.50/lb Cu, $19.38/lb Co, $1,864.00/oz Au, $27.90/oz Ag, $1.38/lb Zn. Copper equivalent (CuEq) was calculated using the formula CuEq = Cu% + ((Zn%*Zn Price*22.0462) + (Co%*Co Price*22.0462)+ (Augpt*Au Price/31.1035) + (Ag *Ag Price/31.1035)) / (Cu price*22.0462). The remaining results from the winter 2021 drill program will be released once assays have been compiled and interpreted. Outstanding results include one infill hole from the Knife Lake Deposit and two holes that followed up on the off-hole conductor near hole KF21016. Planning is now underway for a summer 2021 exploration program to follow up on the encouraging results thus far from this drill program. Knife Lake Geology and History The Knife Lake Deposit is interpreted to be a remobilized VMS deposit. The stratabound mineralized zone is approximately 15m thick and contains copper, silver, zinc, gold and cobalt mineralization which dips 30 to 50 eastward over a known strike-length within Rockridge's claim area of 3,700 metres, and a known average down-dip extension of approximately 300 metres. See Knife Lake Deposit Map here The deposit is hosted by felsic to intermediate volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks which have been metamorphosed to upper amphibolite facies. The deposit contains VMS mineralogy which has been significantly modified and partially remobilized during the emplacement of granitic rocks. The mineralization straddles the boundary between two rock units and occurs on both limbs of an interpreted overturned fold. The Company completed twelve holes consisting of 1,053 metres of diamond drilling in the 2019 winter drilling program. This represented the first drilling on the property since 2001 and had two primary objectives: confirm the tenor of mineralization reported by previous operators and expand known zones of mineralization. Highlights from the drill program included previously reported hole KF19003 which intersected net-textured to semi-massive sulphide mineralization from 11.2m to 48.8m downhole. This 37.6 metre interval returned 2.03% Cu, 0.19 g/t Au, 9.88 g/t Ag, 0.36% Zn, and 0.01% Co for an estimated 2.42% CuEq. Additionally, previously reported drill hole KF19001 intersected net-textured to fracture-controlled sulphide mineralization from 7.5 metres to 40.6 metres downhole. This 33.1 metre interval returned 1.28% Cu, 0.12 g/t Au, 4.80 g/t Ag, 0.13% Zn, and 0.01% Co for an estimated 1.49% CuEq. Compilation and initial modelling indicate potential for expansion of the deposit at depth. The recent drilling focused on resource upgrade as well as infill drilling between historical holes. The program gave the Company's technical team valuable insights into the property geology, alteration, and mineralization that will be applied to future regional exploration on the highly prospective and underexplored land package. The Knife Lake deposit is a near surface VMS deposit starting a few metres below surface and the deposit remains open at depth and along strike for potential resource expansion. Recently Rockridge announced a maiden NI 43-101 resource estimate for the Knife Lake deposit (see the News Release dated August 14th, 2019) which consisted of an indicated resource of 3.8 million tonnes at 1.02% CuEq at a 0.4% CuEq cut-off (3.8 MT at 0.83% Cu, 3.7 g/t Ag, 0.097 g/t Au, 82 ppm Co, 1740.7 ppm Zn). In addition, there is an inferred resource of 7.9 million tonnes at 0.67% CuEq at a 0.4% CuEq cut-off (7.9 MT at 0.53% Cu, 2.4 g/t Ag, 0.084 g/t Au, 53.1 ppm Co, 1454.9 ppm Zn). Refer to the NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Mineral Resource Estimate for the Knife Lake Property, Saskatchewan dated September 27, 2019, filed on Sedar. Knife Lake Option Agreement Details To earn a 100% interest in the Knife Lake Project, Rockridge has agreed to make a cash payment to Eagle Plains of $150,000 (complete), issue up to 5,550,000 common shares of Rockridge (2,750,000 shares issued to date) and complete $3,250,000 in exploration expenditures ($1,195,000 to date) over four years. Eagle Plains will retain a 2% net smelter royalty ("NSR") on certain claims which comprise the project area. Under the terms of the agreement Rockridge is designated as the Operator of the project. QA/QC Samples were sent for geochemical analysis with ALS Global, Vancouver for the following analyses: 48 element four acid ICP-MS (ME-MS61) and gold (Au) 30 g Fire Assay - AA finish (Au-AA23). Over limit analysis were completed using the following analyses: Ore Grade copper (Cu), nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn) - four acid ICP-AES (ME-OG62). On receipt of final certificates of analysis, the QA/QC sample results were reviewed to ensure the order of samples were reported correctly, that the blanks ran clean, and that the results for each standard had minimal variance from its certified value. QA/QC for the Knife Lake drilling included certified reference material ("CRM's") and blanks that were inserted into each sample batch in order to verify the analytical from the lab. Qualified Person Kerry Bates, P. Geo., a "qualified person" for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and a Geologist employed by TerraLogic Exploration Inc., has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure in this news release relating to the Knife Lake Project. About Eagle Plains Resources Based in Cranbrook, B.C., Eagle Plains continues to conduct research, acquire and explore mineral projects throughout western Canada. The Company is committed to steadily enhancing shareholder value by advancing our diverse portfolio of projects toward discovery through collaborative partnerships and development of a highly experienced technical team. Eagle Plains also holds significant royalty interests in western Canadian projects covering a broad spectrum of commodities. Management's focus is to advance its most promising exploration projects. In addition, Eagle Plains continues to seek out and secure high-quality, unencumbered projects through research, staking and strategic acquisitions. Throughout the exploration process, our mission is to help maintain prosperous communities by exploring for and discovering resource opportunities while building lasting relationships through honest and respectful business practices. Expenditures from 2011-2020 on Eagle Plains-related projects exceed $22M, most of which was funded by third-party partners. This exploration work resulted in approximately 37,000 m of diamond-drilling and extensive ground-based exploration work facilitating the advancement of numerous projects at various stages of development. On behalf of the Board of Directors "Tim J. Termuende" President and CEO For further information on EPL, please contact Mike Labach at 1 866 HUNT ORE (486 8673) Email: mgl@eagleplains.com or visit our website at http://www.eagleplains.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore, involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. SOURCE: Eagle Plains Resources Ltd View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/652056/Eagle-Plains-Partner-Rockridge-Resources-Intersects-195-Cu-011-gt-Au-741-gt-Ag-053-Zn-and-002-Co-234-CuEq-over-1402m-at-Knife-Lake-Copper-Project-Saskatchewan VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 17, 2021 / GGX Gold Corp. (TSXV:GGX)(OTCQB:GGXXF)(FRA:3SR2) (the "Company" or "GGX") is pleased to announce the silver and tellurium assay results for the Perky and C.O.D veins from the 2020 diamond drilling program at the Company's 100% owned Gold Drop property (the "Property") located in the Greenwood Mining Camp in south-central British Columbia. Silver and Tellurium assay results were recently received for all the C.O.D (COD20-01 to COD20-019) and Perky (PKY20-01 to PKY20-17) veins drilled in 2020. Gold assay results were reported in the April 7, 2021 News Release. The Perky vein located approximately 200 metres west of the C.O.D vein reported the most significant result of 235 g/t gold, 880 g/t silver, and 660 ppm tellurium over 0.53 metre core interval from drillhole PYK20-08. The Company plans to continue diamond drilling at the Perky vein in 2021 to continue delineation of high-grade gold, silver, and tellurium mineralization. Drill core from PKY20-08: quartz vein The following lists the drill intercepts over 1.0 grams per tonne gold for the C.O.D and Perky veins. Gold assays above 20.0 grams per tonne gold are bolded. Hole From (m) To (m) Interval Length (m) Gold (g/t) Silver (g/t) Tellurium (ppm) Description PKY20-01 60.48 60.93 0.45 1.66 6.64 5.86 Quartz veinlet, pyrite in granodiorite PKY20-04 27.91 28.41 0.5 4.72 37.6 21 Quartz veinlet, pyrite in granodiorite PKY20-07 0.96 1.85 0.89 26.7 66.5 40.8 Quartz vein, visible gold PKY20-07 1.85 2.3 0.45 119.5 250 122 Quartz vein, pyrite PKY20-08 0.7 1.31 0.61 2.07 3.36 3.2 Quartz vein, rusty PKY20-08 1.31 1.73 0.42 9.63 64.6 43.2 Quartz vein, rusty PKY20-08 1.73 2.26 0.53 235 880 660 Quartz vein, visible gold PKY20-08 2.26 2.87 0.61 81.4 471 229 Quartz vein, visible gold PKY20-09 10.44 10.97 0.53 7.47 53 41.5 Quartz vein, pyrite PKY20-09 10.97 11.47 0.5 2.73 16.6 9.63 Quartz vein, rusty, pyrite PKY20-12 9.2 10.06 0.86 26.9 163 109.5 Quartz vein PKY20-13 3.38 3.88 0.5 2.46 16.55 10.75 Quartz vein, pyrite PKY20-13 4.59 5.09 0.5 3.72 28.4 26.1 Quartz vein, pyrite PKY20-13 5.09 5.62 0.53 7.26 54.6 34 Quartz vein, pyrite PKY20-13 5.62 6.19 0.57 20.4 107 59 Quartz vein, pyrite PKY20-14 36.76 37.32 0.56 1.4 13.2 8.26 Qtz stringers, pyrite PKY20-15 2.66 3.26 0.6 3.54 14.75 12.5 Quartz vein PKY20-15 8.75 9.23 0.48 2.44 19.2 10.8 Quartz vein, pyrite PKY20-15 9.23 9.66 0.43 3.81 19.45 11.3 Quartz vein COD20-09 15.61 16.28 0.67 2.22 9.74 7.72 Quartz vein, pyrite COD20-09 16.28 16.6 0.32 1.75 31.4 191 Quartz vein COD20-09 18.2 18.79 0.59 11.95 123 94.9 Quartz vein, pyrite COD20-10 17.57 17.97 0.4 2.44 29.2 17.1 Quartz vein COD20-10 19.67 20.62 0.95 2.45 17.3 16.8 Quartz veinlet, pyrite COD20-10 20.62 21.8 1.18 27.7 114 135.5 Quartz vein COD20-11 18.03 18.43 0.4 9.14 30.8 43.6 Quartz vein COD20-11 20.24 20.74 0.5 9.66 22.1 25.6 Quartz veinlet, pyrite COD20-11 21.4 22.49 1.09 3.34 16.8 14.45 Quartz veinlet, pyrite Note that the intercept lengths are drill core lengths and are not true widths. Due to lack of information on the geometry of the and C.O.D and Perky veins, true widths cannot be determined at this time. Analyses disclosed in this release were conducted by ALS Global - Geochemistry Analytical Lab in North Vancouver, BC, Canada. ALS is an independent, fully accredited commercial laboratory. All mineralized vein samples were analyzed by the metallics sieve method (ALS Code Au-SCR24) with gold determination by fire assay. For other samples, gold was determined by the fire assay method using a 50-gram sample weight and AA finish. Over-limits were re-analyzed by fire assay using a gravimetric finish. Other metals were analyzed as part of a 48-element package using a four-acid digestion and determination by ICP-MS. The Company also announces that it has granted 800,000 stock options at an exercise price of $0.16 to its directors, officers, employees and consultants. The options are exercisable for five years and will be cancelled 30 days after cessation of acting as director, officer, employee or consultant of the Company. The stock options are not transferable and will be subject to a four-month hold period from the date of grant and any applicable regulatory acceptance. Sebastien Ah Fat, P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and consultant to the Company, approved the technical information in this release. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Barry Brown, CEO 604-488-3900 Office@GGXgold.com Investor Relations: IR@GGXgold.com Forward Looking Statement This News Release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the acquisition of certain mineral claims. 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 and Revolver undertakes no obligation to update such statements, except as required by law. Forward-looking statements are based on the then-current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts about the business and the industry and markets in which the Company operates, including that: the current price of and demand for minerals being targeted by the Company will be sustained or will improve; the Company will be able to obtain required exploration licences and other permits; general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner; financing will be available if and when needed on reasonable terms; the Company will not experience any material accident; and the Company will be able to identify and acquire additional mineral interests on reasonable terms or at all. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including: that resource exploration and development is a speculative business; that environmental laws and regulations may become more onerous; that the Company may not be able to raise additional funds when necessary; fluctuations in currency exchange rates; fluctuating prices of commodities; operating hazards and risks; competition; potential inability to find suitable acquisition opportunities and/or complete the same; and other risks and uncertainties listed in the Company's public filings. These risks, as well as others, could cause actual results and events to vary significantly. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information, which are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information, or the material factors or assumptions used to develop such forward looking information, will prove to be accurate. The Company does not undertake any obligations to release publicly any revisions for updating any voluntary forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities law. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: GGX Gold Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/652110/GGX-Gold-Silver-and-Tellurium-Assay-Results-880-gt-Silver-and-660-ppm-Tellurium-over-053-Meters-Perky-Vein-Historic-Gold-Mining-Camp-Greenwood-BC TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 17, 2021 / GreenBank Capital Inc. (CSE:GBC)(OTC PINK:GRNBF)(FRA:2TL) ("GreenBank" or "the Company") isvery pleased to announce that The Substantia Group, ("Substantia") a wholly owned subsidiary of GreenBank's portfolio company, Staminier Ltd. ("Staminier") has entered into a multi-phase agreement to help turn one of the UK's prominent towns into a city through an inspired landmark and carbon neutral development which Substantia hopes will be seen as a major contribution to the United Kingdom's "Global Britain" objectives. The proposed development ("the Project") also supports the ambitious goals of the 'Thames Estuary Growth Board' ("TEGB") which describes the region as the UK's number one growth opportunity. By 2050 the TEGB's growth plan envisages 1.3m new jobs being created, 1m new houses being built and 115bn GVA added to the region's economy. Award winning international design architects firm, Lead8, have drawn up the initial plans and will be engaged to develop more detailed plans as the project progresses. Savills, the international real estate specialists, also form a key part of the team behind the project. The concept behind the plan has also had significant local support including that of the area's Member of Parliament. Phase One of the plan is to agree, with both the Local and National Governments, on which of the three possible areas to build 3,500 residential units, a state-of-the-art University, retail and hospitality units - including hotels, restaurants and bars - along with the supporting transport and infrastructure modernisation required. The intention is for the project to include a mixture of facets that will prove highly attractive to people across the whole of the local community as well as drawing in buyers and visitors from further afield. Enhancing the appeal and profile of the local area as an important and attractive "destination" in its own right, as well as a commuter centre for London, is a theme that will underpin the whole project. Phase One also includes obtaining options from relevant Government bodies. Phase two is to partner with international developers to obtain detailed planning/zoning permission after having secured the options; phase three is to develop the City in partnership with international developers and large institutional or Sovereign Wealth funds; and phase four is the sale of the real estate. Successful completion of each phase represents highly profitable potential exit opportunities. Substantia already has an existing portfolio of development projects - either as principal or adviser - exceeding 800m (C$1.4bn) of Gross Development Value. This Project, when successfully completed, is expected to have a Gross Development Value exceeding this figure. (Source: Substantia's Schedule of Current Contracted Projects ) This additional, very substantial, real estate project illustrates the innovative blend of GreenBank's successful business model: namely the identification of, and investment in, businesses that have the potential to be globally scalable through exponential growth, blended with, and supported through, traditional merchant banking services and underpinned by the enhanced asset backing that comes from substantial real estate investment and the acquisition of long established and already profitable companies. This enlightened mix offers asset backing and diversity to reduce risk whilst still building in the prospect of exponential growth and is one of the reasons why GreenBank recently won Capital Finance International's 2021 Award for "Most Innovative Global Merchant Bank in Canada". Key Terms of the Transaction Substantia has agreed to invest up to 500,000 (C$855k) during phase 1, in return for up to 37.5% of the project company (split as to 250,000 in ordinary shares and 250,000 in redeemable preference shares), and to provide a secured loan (the "Secured Loan") of up to 7m (C$12m) during phase 2. On a successful exit ("Exit") greater than 50m (C$85.5m) the Secured Loan would be repaid together with a gain of 250% and the repayment of up to 250,000 for the subscribed preference shares. After the payment in respect of the Secured Loan has been made, the remaining proceeds would be split pro rata between the shareholders so that Substantia also received 37.5% of those proceeds. In the event that the total Exit monies are less than 50m (C$85.5m), the amount to be returned in respect of the principal and interest on the Secured Loan, and the preference shares, would be capped at 50% of the Exit monies with the balance split pro rata between the shareholders so that Substantia also received 37.5% of that balance. All liabilities payable by the project company from the Exit monies (for instance deferred consultancy fees or salaries) will be treated as part of the return to Substantia for the purposes of applying the 50% cap. The Secured Loan is not repayable and the redeemable preference shares are not redeemable other than on an Exit. If Substantia does not exercise its right to subscribe for the entire 500,000 of ordinary and preference shares to which it is entitled then its percentage of the returns on an Exit will be reduced pro-rata from the 37.5% stated above. David Lonsdale, CEO of GreenBank, commenting on the transaction said "This exciting and major real estate project, has very great potential and highlights again how the innovative GreenBank approach of blending Unicorn investments with asset backing sets us apart as an innovate global merchant bank for the future, as recently recognised by Capital Finance International presenting us with the 2021 Award for "Most Innovative Global Merchant Bank in Canada" Terry Pullen, CEO of Substantia and a GreenBank director said, "We are proud and committed to be leading this truly unique opportunity, with our distinguished and proven team, to creatively regenerate a stunning location into a highly desirable destination to live, learn and work in harmony with the natural environment". GreenBank currently owns 19% of Staminier with an option to acquire 100% and has announced a desire to exercise the option subject to any necessary regulatory and other approvals. About GreenBank GreenBank is a next generation merchant banking business that has a flexible low-cost overhead structure designed to maximize profitability. Our management are based in Toronto, Dallas, New York and London and are used to working across borders remotely. Our model of remote working, dynamic space and flexible contracts -rather than expensive offices, and large fixed costs - establishes GreenBank as a global merchant bank for the future, both during and after COVID19. GreenBank is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange, the Frankfurt Boerse and on the OTC Markets in the USA. (Trading symbols CSE: GBC and FRA: 2TL and OTCMKTS: GRNBF). GreenBank invests in undervalued exponential growth companies focused on building consistent capital appreciation for its shareholders. For details of our "6 Key Drivers of Value" please see our latest Investor Presentation: https://greenbankcapitalinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/03.11.20_Greenbank-Deck-compressed.pdf For more information please visit our website www.GreenBankCapitalInc.com or contact Mark Wettreich at +1 (214) 202-4353 or by email Mark@GreenBankCapitalinc.com SOURCE: GreenBank Capital Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/652135/Landmark-Residential-Retail-Hotel-University-Development-Within-1-Hour-of-London-to-be-Led-by-GreenBank-Portfolio-Company-Substantia NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 17, 2021 / Adcore Inc. ("Adcore" or the "Company") (TSX:ADCO)(FSE:ADQ), a leading e-commerce advertising management and automation platform to leverage digital marketing in an effortless and accessible way ("Effortless Advertising"), is pleased to announce that it closed today its previously announced marketed offering (the "Offering") of units (the "Units") of the Company. The Company issued 3,100,000 Units at $1.33 per Unit (the "Offering Price") for gross proceeds of $4,123,000. Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole purchase warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant is exercisable into one Common Share for a period of 24 months from the closing of the Offering at an exercise price of $1.80, subject to adjustment in certain events. The Warrants will begin trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange today under the symbol "ADCO.WT". The Offering was completed through a syndicate of underwriters led by Canaccord Genuity Corp. as sole bookrunner, and including Echelon Wealth Partners Inc., Roth Canada, ULC and Haywood Securities Inc. (collectively, the "Underwriters"). The Offering was made by way of a prospectus supplement dated June 11, 2021 to the Company's existing short form base shelf prospectus dated May 10, 2021 (collectively, the "Prospectus"). The Prospectus has been filed with the securities commissions in each of the provinces and territories of Canada, and is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The Company expects to use the net proceeds from the Offering for sales and marketing, research and development and general corporate purposes, as more particularly described in the Prospectus. The Company has granted the Underwriters an option (the "Over-Allotment Option") to cover over-allotments and for market stabilization purposes, exercisable at any time up to 30 days subsequent to the closing of the Offering, to purchase up to an additional 465,000 Units on the same terms and conditions of the Offering, for additional gross proceeds of up to $618,450. The Over-Allotment Option is exercisable to acquire Units, Common Shares and/or Warrants comprising the Units (or any combination thereof) at the discretion of the Underwriters. In connection with the Offering, the Company has issued 217,000 compensation warrants (the "Compensation Warrants") to the Underwriters. Each Compensation Warrant is exercisable to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of $1.33 for a period of 24 from the closing of the Offering, subject to adjustment in certain events. No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this press release. The Units, Common Shares and Warrants 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 described herein may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, a person in the "United States" or a "U.S. person" (as such terms are defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to exemptions from those registration requirements. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of Adcore in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. ABOUT ADCORE Adcore is empowering entrepreneurs, advertisers, and the future of e-commerce through its advertising management and automation platform. By combining extensive industry knowledge and experience with its proprietary artificial intelligence engine, Adcore offers a unique digital marketing solution that empowers entrepreneurs and advertisers by managing and automating their e-commerce store advertising, and monitoring and analyzing the performance of their advertising budget to ensure maximum Return on Investment. In addition to being named numerous times on Deloitte's Fast 50 Technology list, Adcore is a certified Google Premier Partner, Microsoft Partner, Facebook Partner and TikTok Partner. Established in 2006, the Company employs over fifty people in its headquarters in Tel Aviv, Israel and satellite offices in Toronto, Canada, Melbourne, Australia, Hong Kong and Shanghai, China. For more information about Adcore, please visit https://www.adcore.com/investors/ FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including statements about the Company, the terms of the offering, including the use of the net proceeds of the Offering. Wherever possible, words such as "may", "will", "should", "could", "expect", "plan", "intend", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "predict" or "potential" or the negative or other variations of these words, or similar words or phrases, have been used to identify these forward looking statements. These statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management as at the date hereof. Forward-looking statements involve significant risk, uncertainties, and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law. A more complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company appears in the Preliminary Supplement and the Base Shelf Prospectus, and in the Company's Annual Information Form and other continuous disclosure filings, which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation, except to the extent required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events, or for any other reason. For further information please contact: ADCORE INC. https://www.adcore.com/investors/ Martijn van den Bemd, GM North America U.S. Investor Relations John Nesbett/Jennifer Belodeau IMS Investor Relations Canada Investor Relations Virtus Advisory Group Telephone: 647-497-5337 Telephone: 203-972-9200 Telephone: 416-644-5081 Email: martijn@adcore.com Email:jnesbett@imsinvestorrelations.com Email: info@virtusadvisory.com SOURCE: Adcore Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/652126/Adcore-Announces-Closing-of-Marketed-Offering Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 17, 2021) - Lions Bay Capital Inc. (TSXV: LBI) ("Lions Bay" or the "Company") announces that it has entered into a loan and option agreement with Salamander Mining International Ltd. ("Salamander") as a result of which it may earn a direct cash flow from gold processing within the next year. Under the terms of the agreement Lions Bay will: Loan Salamander $US1 million over the next four months secured by a first charge over its assets; Receive interest of 15 per cent on the outstanding balance; The loan will be repaid on a monthly basis from the free cash flow from the Joyce tailings project commencing five months from the loan initiation with total term of the loan being 18 months; Receive a raising fee entitling Lions Bay to 25 per cent of the free cash flow of the Joyce tailings project in Zimbabwe; Be granted a 9-month option to acquire 100 per cent of Salamander in return for the issuance of 100 million Lions Bay shares; Be mandated to secure a public listing of Salamander on an appropriate recognised international stock exchange; and Receive a 12-month option to acquire 20 per cent of Salamander for $2 million. Salamander is a Mauritius based mining group currently focused on tailings extraction and pyrometallurgical recovery of gold. The co-founder and CEO of Salamander is Mr Lloyd Birrell who was instrumental in the reopening of ERGO (now DRD Gold) and founded Stonewall Resources (now ASX listed Theta Mines). The other co-founder and CFO is Deon Robbertze who has extensive experience with mining projects in sub-Saharan Africa including the role of CFO at Xstrata SA (now part of Glencore). Under the terms of the loan agreement, Salamander will use $US750,000 of the funds to build and operate a 20,000 ton per month mobile treatment plant to be initially located on the Joyce mine in Zimbabwe, some 50 kms from capital, Harare. The plant will produce a gold concentrate which will be exported and is expected to be operational before the end of 2021. Salamander designed and constructed a 12,500 ton a month plant for Bosveld Mines in South Africa which is currently being commissioned. Salamander is entitled to 10 per cent of the profit of the operation and has a $US2.1 million loan note secured by the plant and tailings. Salamander is also a major creditor of the Vantage Goldfields group which is currently in Business Rescue, which is similar to a receivership in Canada. Vantage was placed into business rescue in April 2016. At the time its mines and mills were producing at an annual rate of 32,400 ounces of gold. Its published reserves and resources were in the order of 4.96 million ounces. Salamander is in negotiations with the various parties and creditors with a view to treating the tailings from the mines and using the funds to settle debts and reopen underground operations. The Vantage gold assets are located within the Barberton Greenstone belt, a world renowned heavily mineralised zone stretching from Zimbabwe through Eastern South Africa and into north-western Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland). Mining of the belt has been taking place for over 100 years and is home to famous gold mines such as Sheba, Consort, Fairview and Agnes. These mining areas have limited oxidised orebodies remaining but vast resources of gold that is refractory, encased in pyrite, making recovery extremely difficult. Up until the late 1980s there were numerous roasters in South Africa which enabled the recovery of gold from concentrates produced from the Barberton sulphide ores. Environmental concerns forced the closure of these facilities and now almost all these concentrates are shipped for gold processing and recovery in China. Realizing that a roaster project is critical to unlocking the gold production potential of the Barberton resources, the Salamander team has formulated a plan to solve the environmental problems associated with roasting concentrate by securing a strategically located base metal mineral resource that utilizes the sulphuric acid produced as a by-product of roasting to produce magnesium sulphate. Salamander has a 50 per cent interest in Kobolondo Mining Pty Ltd (KME). The remaining 50 per cent is owned 25 per cent by the Ingwenyama Trust for the Nation (administered by His Majesty, King Mswati 111) and 25 per cent the Government of Eswatini (KME has been granted a mining lease over the old Havelock chrysotile asbestos mine with 25 million tonnes of tailings containing 23 per cent magnesium. By leaching the tailings with sulphuric acid, the chemical structure of the chrysotile asbestos is destroyed thereby achieving dual objectives of rehabilitation and low-cost magnesium sulphate production. It is planned to complete a competent persons report on the project as soon as possible and a bankable feasibility study by the end of the year. The executive chairman of Lions Bay, Mr. John Byrne, commented: "The Salamander loan transaction is the first of what I hope are several steps that transform Lions Bay from an investment company to an operating company. The loan is a normal part of our business, but it provides us with several options that will only be exercised on verification of the business case and all necessary regulatory and shareholder approvals. We look forward to working with the Salamander team to deliver the best results for our shareholders." About Lions Bay Capital Inc. Lions Bay Capital Inc. is a TSX-V listed Investment Issuer that is focused on high return investment opportunities, principally in the mining, clean energy and clean technology sectors, where it provides public and private companies with strategic and financial support. On behalf of the Board of Lions Bay. John Byrne Executive Chairman Tel: +61 3 9236 2800 Email: jbyrne@lionsbaycapital.com For more information, please visit the corporate website at www.lionsbaycapital.com or contact the above. 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. Disclaimer & Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future events or future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of terminology such as "may", "should", "intend", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "project", "predict", "potential", or "continue" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. This news release may also contain inferences to future oriented financial information ("FOFI") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The information in this news release has been prepared by our management to provide readers with an outlook for our future activities. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/87863 3MW cryptocurrency mining facility to be powered by clean, sustainable low-cost hydropower. BlockMint will now be able to directly mine cryptocurrency and potentially offer other crypto miners a safe, low cost sustainable mining location outside China. Allows BlockMint to greatly expand its cryptomining capabilities in a green and sustainable manner. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 17, 2021) - BlockMint Technologies Inc. (TSXV: BKMT) ("BlockMint" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement to acquire a facility for cryptocurrency mining located in Manitoba, Canada, which will be powered by clean, sustainable and low-cost hydropower. The facility is currently configured for approximately 3 MW of power to be sourced from Manitoba Hydro. Until recently, the facility operated as a bitcoin mining operation and is being sold to BlockMint without the bitcoin mining rigs. Power costs are highly competitive and there is potential to further expand available power beyond 3 MW. Following the proposed acquisition, BlockMint intends to install cryptocurreny mining hardware either directly purchased and/or through revenue share arrangements with one or more third parties. BlockMint's CEO, Nelson Ijih commented, "The potential acquisition of this mining facility represents a major milestone for BlockMint. It will allow us for the first time to directly mine cryptocurrencies. It also supports our commitment to the sustainable use of blockchain based applications which we first conveyed with the introduction of the carbon offset feature of our Minter cryptomining browser. We have been very deliberate in our search for an acceptable mining facility wanting to ensure that any cryptomining undertaken by the Company is done in an environmentally friendly and responsible manner. It is also timely given the increased scrutiny of cryptocurrency mining by Chinese authorities which is causing many miners to search for new locations outside China to place recently ordered hardware. This facility ticks all the boxes for miners searching for a new facility, i.e. low power costs, clean energy, favorable and safe jurisdiction, etc. It represents a new and exciting chapter for the Company." Under the terms of the agreement, the Company would pay CDN$900,000, comprised of CDN$350,000 payable in cash and the balance of CDN$550,000 payable in common shares of the Company (the "Shares"), for the facility. The price of the Shares to be issued to the vendor in settlement of the purchase price is to be calculated as the volume weighted average price of BlockMint's common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") for the ten trading days immediately preceding the closing date of the transaction. Closing of the proposed acquisition is conditional upon approval by the TSXV, final due diligence and inspection of the facility and other closing conditions typical for the acquisition of an industrial facility. The Shares to be issued to the vendor upon closing of the transaction will be subject to a hold period expiring four months and a day after their date of issuance. About BlockMint Technologies Inc. BlockMint, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Blockmint (USA) Technologies Inc., develops distributed systems and networks that enable a more decentralized deployment of blockchain based applications such as cryptocurrency mining. The Company's Minter browser allows users to use their spare computing power to mine cryptocurrencies to earn either: (i) carbon credits to help offset their carbon footprint; or (ii) fractional ownership in a NFT. The current version of Minter is for use on desktops and laptops with a Windows operating system and is available at getminter.com. On behalf of BLOCKMINT TECHNOLOGIES INC. Nelson Ijih Nelson Ijih, CEO info@blockmint.ai 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 STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the closing of the transaction to acquire the facility for cryptocurrency mining, purchase and installation of mining equipment in the facility, potential arrangements with third parties, power costs, and the business strategy and objectives of BlockMint. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. There is further no assurance that the Company will be successful in developing, commercializing or profitably operating its new business in the manner described. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/87821 WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Kroger Co. (KR) reported a profit for the first-quarter dropped 88.5 percent from last year. Quarterly sales declined 0.6 percent from previous year. Quarterly adjusted earnings per share topped analysts' expectations. The company raised its full year guidance. Kroger's board has approved a $1 billion share repurchase program. The previous authorization expired last week. The company now expects adjusted net earnings per share for fiscal year 2021 to be in the range of $2.95 to $3.10, compared to the prior outlook of $2.75 to $2.95 per share. Analysts expect annual earnings of $2.85 per share. The company now expects 2021 adjusted identical sale to decline between 2.5 percent and 4 percent, while it had earlier projected a decline between 3 percent and 5 percent. The company now expects two-year identical sales stack to be in the range of 10.1 percent to 11.6 percent. Kroger's net earnings attributable to the company for the first-quarter dropped 88.5 percent to $140 million from $1.21 billion last year's with earnings per share declining to $0.18 from $1.52 in the previous year. Net earnings attributable to the company, excluding certain adjustment items, was $918 million or $1.19 per share compared to $972 million or $1.22 per share in the prior year. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report earnings of $1.01 per share for the first-quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items. Total company sales for the first-quarter declined 0.6 percent to $41.30 billion from $41.55 billion for the same period last year. Excluding fuel, sales decreased 4.0 percent from the prior year. Analysts expected revenues of $39.78 billion for the first-quarter. Identical sales without fuel decreased 4.1 percent compared to an increase of 19 percent in the prior year. In Thursday pre-market trade, KR was trading at $37.60 up $0.05 or 0.13 percent. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX KROGER-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de State ceremony including world leaders to take place at Babyn Yar on 6 October Two new memorial installations to be unveiled at Babyn Yar, plus commemorative events across the world KYIV, Ukraine, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, announced today at a joint press briefing alongside the Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center (BYHMC), that an official state event to mark the eightieth anniversary of the Babyn Yar massacre will take place on 6 October, 2021 in Kyiv. 33,771 Jewish victims were shot at Babyn Yar by the Nazis during just two days, 29 and 30 September 1941. Tens of thousands of Ukrainians, Roma, mentally ill and others were shot thereafter at Babyn Yar throughout the Nazi occupation of Kyiv. The estimated number of victims murdered at Babyn Yar is around 100,000, making it Europe's largest mass grave. Babyn Yar has become a powerful symbol of the 'Holocaust by Bullets,' the estimated 2.5 million Jews who were murdered near their homes in similar Nazi mass shootings across Eastern Europe, 1.5 million of them in Ukraine alone. The Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center announced earlier this year for the development of a museum complex, which will stretch over an area of 150 hectares, making it one of the world's largest Holocaust memorial centers. A dozen buildings will eventually be erected as part of the complex, including a symbolic synagogue, which was recently completed. Two additional structures, both memorial installations, will be unveiled to coincide with the state commemoration on 6 October. The "Crystal Wall of Crying," by conceptual and performance artist, Marina Abramovic will be one of the biggest art installations constructed in Europe during the last decade. "Kurgan of Memory" will be the first museum building on the site. The architecture takes the shape of a kurgan, a type of tumulus or burial mound raised over a final resting ground, significant to the history of Ukraine. Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak noted that the state is preparing a significant action plan regarding the 80th anniversary of the Babyn Yar tragedy. "It is very important for us that after 80 years since this deplorable tragedy took place, and on the 30th year of Ukraine's Independence, President Volodymyr Zelensky has become the one who has finally taken personal control over this issue. And we have really started building the Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center, the first stage of which will be opened this year." Yermak said that President Zelensky has established a task force to complete the entire memorial within a few years and start operating as a museum complex. "Historical justice and historical memory, without which humanity cannot develop, are really very important for Ukraine. This is a global event to emphasize once again that such tragedies should not be repeated. On the other hand, it will once again demonstrate that Ukraine is a country of tolerance, a peaceful country." Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that the Cabinet of Ministers plans to approve an action plan for the 80th anniversary of the Babyn Yar tragedy as soon as possible. He commented, "Implementation and support of the initiatives to commemorate the events at Babyn Yar is testament to our sadness and awareness of the greatest tragedy on the European continent during the last century." Human rights activist Natan Sharansky, Chair of the supervisory board of the Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center, told today's briefing, The 80th anniversary of this dreadful massacre is the ideal opportunity to right an historic wrong, for the sake of Ukraine, the Jewish People and indeed the world. It is a chance to tell the stories of those who were murdered, to honor their memories and to learn the lessons of this terrible tragedy." Ilya Khrzhanovsky, BYHMC's Artistic Director, who is developing the museum complex along with an international artistic board comprising world renowned architects and artists said, "Our goal is to create a space that makes the history of Babyn Yar close and relevant to anyone, no matter the nation, gender, age or religion. We want people to feel and understand that the story of Babyn Yar is their story, the story of their neighbours, their city, their nation, their world. Babyn Yar is a place of death for many victims - Jews, Roma, Soviet prisoners, psychiatric patients, Ukrainian nationalists, communists. All those who died there must be remembered and commemorated. All of them deserve to have a voice to tell the story of Babyn Yar. In this way, Babyn Yar is a polyphonic story, made up of the many stories of the people who died there, witnesses and survivors, of the tangible, cultural and natural objects that call this history." Photos - Courtesy, Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center About the Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center The Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Centre https://babynyar.org/en is a non-governmental charity whose purpose is to preserve and cultivate the memory of the Holocaust and the Babyn Yar tragedy in Ukraine by turning the Babyn Yar area into a place of remembrance. The Foundation's mission is to worthily honour the memory of the victims of the tragedy and to contribute to the humanization of society through preserving and studying the history of the Holocaust. In September 2020, Ukraine's government represented by the Minister of Culture Oleksandr Tkachenko, under the auspices of the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, signed a memorandum of understanding and cooperation with BYHMC, represented by Supervisory Board member Ronald S. Lauder, to promote the construction of a fitting memorial to the Babyn Yar tragedy. A series of commemorations during 2021 will mark the eightieth anniversary of the Babyn Yar tragedy. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1535680/Babyn_Yar_Andriy_Yermak.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1535679/Crystal_Wall_of_Crying.jpg LONDON, ENGLAND / ACCESSWIRE / June 17, 2021 / The Global Palladium Fund (GPF), established by MMC Norilsk Nickel, the world's largest producer of palladium and high-grade nickel and a major producer of platinum and copper, has today launched the world's only physically-backed copper and nickel Exchange Traded Commodities (ETCs) for trading on the London Stock Exchange. Alexander Stoyanov, Chief Executive Officer of GPF said: "GPF is committed to democratising investment in precious and base metals. The new physical copper and nickel ETCs benefit from our low pricing, enhanced transparency and security and sustainable supply source." The ETCs are attractively priced with annual total expense ratios (TERs) of 0.85% and 0.75% respectively, making them the most cost-effective way for European-based investors to achieve exposure to the metals through an exchange-traded product, as they seek to take advantage of the energy transition megatrend. Copper and nickel are two of the minerals that will feature prominently in the transition to clean energy as highlighted by the International Energy Agency in their recent report, The Role of Critical Minerals in Clean Energy Transitions. The new ETCs are on London Stock Exchange, with a listing on Xetra to follow next week. The listings follow the launch of GPF's physically-backed, low-cost gold, silver, platinum and palladium ETCs earlier this year. All six physically-backed metal Exchange Traded Commodities (ETCs) list today on Borsa Italiana - the largest listing of its kind in over a decade. GPF is the first ETC issuer to use Blockchain technology to provide investors with enhanced transparency and security in their metal ETCs by recording bar information into distributed ledger technology. Earlier, Nornickel's president, Vladimir Potanin, has pledged to explore technological innovations in the financial sector, such as tokenization, to create added value, democratize access and benefit society. Interros, Russia's largest investment company founded by Mr. Potanin over 30 years ago, has joined the consortium of investors backing Atomyze - an international tokenization platform. The new ETCs enable investors to take exposure to metals that feature prominently in the transition to the net-zero economy. Targeting family offices, wealth managers, institutional and other similar professional investors, the new physically-backed copper and nickel ETCs will track the spot price of the metals. The metal backing GPF ETCs is stored in secure warehouses in Rotterdam. Global Palladium Fund The Global Palladium Fund was created to make the world's precious, base and rare-earth metals accessible to everyone and to advance the development of world-changing technologies in essential areas such as aerospace, electronics, and the automotive. We care about our planet deeply and stand ready to ensure that its resources are spent wisely where they are needed most. GPF is proud to be supported by Nornickel. Its products are in high demand across the globe and it has operations in the Russian Far North, Finland and South Africa. For more information, visit: www.gpf.global Media contact: Maria Dzenisa pr@gpf.global Related Images SOURCE: Global Palladium Fund View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/652145/Nornickels-Global-Palladium-Fund-Lists-Worlds-Only-Physically-Backed-Copper-and-Nickel-ETCs-on-London-Stock-Exchange-Metals-Critical-to-Enabling-the-Clean-Energy-Transition KAISERAUGST, Switzerland, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Solvias, one of the largest independent analytical testing, contract research, development and manufacturing companies, today announced that it has acquired Canton, Mass.-based Chemic Laboratories, Inc. (Chemic). With this acquisition, Solvias gains a strong foothold in the United States and highly complementary laboratory testing capabilities. Located in the biopharmaceutical hub of Boston, Chemic expands Solvias' global presence and portfolio of integrated testing and analytical services. As one organization, Solvias and Chemic: support 650+ pharmaceutical corporations, biotech businesses, emerging ATMP companies, as well as medical device and cosmetics companies; operate nearly 225,000 square feet of laboratory space in Switzerland , France and the United States in accordance with the highest industry standards, including ISO, cGMP and GLP; , and in accordance with the highest industry standards, including ISO, cGMP and GLP; offer an extensive suite of analytical services including chemical and physical characterization, quality control, microbiology and cell biology testing and stability testing; provide combined areas of strengths in synthesis, catalysis and in extractable and leachable testing; employ more than 600 people possessing deep scientific and technical expertise, with a significant number holding advanced academic degrees. Joseph St. Laurent, co-founder, president and chief scientific officer, Chemic, said, "In the 20+ years we have grown Chemic, Solvias is the only organization we have encountered that shares our vision and has the team to build a world-renowned organization. Solvias is highly regarded for its scientific expertise, innovation and outstanding customer service. Together, we share a deep-seated commitment to our clients and complementary scientific knowledge and analytical services on a global scale." Scott A. Goodrich, co-founder and site head, Chemic, added, "This is a great opportunity to further expand our offering in the Boston area, United States and beyond." Chemic is Solvias' first acquisition since partnering with health care investors Water Street Healthcare Partners and JLL Partners in June 2020 to strategically grow the company. Since then, Solvias has recruited industry leaders to join its board and commenced a program to significantly upgrade and expand its information technology platform and infrastructure in support of further global expansion plans. The company is pursuing organic investments and acquisitions to add specialized capabilities to support clients in the growing areas of biologics and cell & gene therapies. Karen Huebscher, Ph.D., chief executive officer, Solvias, stated, "We are making great progress toward our goal of building Solvias into a global leader at the forefront of our industry. In a short amount of time, we have grown our teams, advanced organic initiatives and completed a strategic acquisition. Our combination with Chemic provides us with an important presence in the United States and extends our scientific capabilities to meaningfully benefit our customers and our mission of helping them bring safer and better products to market faster." Chemic's co-founders, Messrs. St. Laurent and Goodrich, will join Solvias' leadership team and continue to lead operations in the United States. They also will continue to operate Chemic's product development businesses as separate entities. Financial terms of the acquisition are not being disclosed. About Chemic Laboratories Chemic Laboratories is a full-service FDA-registered and DEA licensed, cGMP/GLP contract chemistry organization (CCO). Founded in 1998, Chemic offers unparalleled contract analytical, API synthesis, and formulation development to the pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device industries. The company provides these services through a strategically designed and highly technical facility equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation. About Solvias AG Solvias is a world leader in contract research, development and manufacturing. The industries the company serves include pharmaceuticals, biotech, emerging ATMP companies, medical device and cosmetics. Headquartered near Basel, Switzerland, Solvias employs more than 600 highly qualified team members who work together to understand their customers' needs. Solvias takes pride in delivering innovative solutions that meet the highest quality standards. With its excellent infrastructure and unrivaled expertise, Solvias develops, analyzes and tests a wide range of biological and chemical substances and products. The company also offers one of the largest proprietary ligand portfolios for catalytic transformations and a suite of related custom synthesis and catalysis technology services. Drawing on the company's well-established scientific expertise and proven track record, Solvias provides integrated services, products and technologies to help its customers bring safer and better products to market faster. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1534178/Karen_Huebscher_solvias.jpg DGAP-News: Cryptology Asset Group PLC / Key word(s): Statement/Cryptocurrency / Blockchain Cryptology's estimated NAV as of 09/06/2021 is 154.74 17.06.2021 / 16:00 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Corporate News Cryptology Asset Group p.l.c. ("Cryptology") Malta, 10.06.2021 Cryptology's estimated NAV as of 09/06/2021 is 154.74 Last week, Cryptology announced it would be committing USD 100 million to invest globally in crypto-related venture funds over the next 24 months Malta, 10.06.2021. Cryptology Asset Group (ISIN: MT0001770107; Ticker: CAP:GR), a leading European investment firm for crypto assets and blockchain-related business models, announced its most recent estimated Net Asset Value ("NAV") per share of 154.74. The stock closed yesterday at 144.00, roughly 7.0% below NAV. Last week, Cryptology announced it would be allocating $100 million to invest in crypto venture funds over the next two years. The move positions Cryptology's tradable shares not only as an easy access point to crypto's most successful ventures, such as Block.one and Northern Data, but its most successful investors in the near future as well. Patrick Lowry, CEO of Cryptology, says "Cryptology is broadening its investment scope outside of just blockchain companies and into crypto assets and crypto venture funds as well. We view this not only as a diversification tool, but as a means to expand our dealflow capabilities by collaborating with the managers of the funds we invest in." Cryptology shares currently trade on several German exchanges including Borse Dusseldorf, Gettex and Tradegate. In order to increase trading liquidity and open up to new shareholder groups, Cryptology is currently exploring an international listing. The ticker symbol for Cryptology was recently changed from 4UD to CAP. About Cryptology Asset Group p.l.c. Cryptology is a leading European crypto asset and blockchain-related business model investment company. Founded by Christian Angermayer's family office, Apeiron Investment Group and crypto-legend Mike Novogratz, Cryptology is the largest publicly traded holding company for blockchain- and crypto-based business models in Europe. Noteworthy portfolio companies include crypto-giant and EOSIO software publisher Block.one, leading HPC provider Northern Data, commission-free online neobroker nextmarkets, and crypto asset management group Iconic Holding. Media Contact: Cryptology Asset Group p.l.c. Jefim Gewiet (COO) 66/67, Beatrice, Amery Street, Sliema SLM 1707 Malta E-mail: info@cryptology-ag.com Barcelona, Spain--(Newsfile Corp. - June 17, 2021) - Nectar Leaf, an international ecommerce brand specializing in all-natural products, has been making headlines after the launch of their specialty kratom tea line to the European market. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7756/87787_capture2.jpg Headquartered out of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, Nectar Leaf is now making their presence felt on a global scale. With offices now in Barcelona, Spain, Nectar Leaf EU is delivering the benefits of their natural products to European consumers. In the states, Nectar Leaf is known for their CBD, kratom, and coffee products. Now, however, they are taking a slightly different approach to capturing the European market. It all came together after launching kratom infused tea. It's a hit to say the least. Kratom is well known in the United States. According to recent reports, there is an estimated population of 13 million kratom consumers as of the end of 2020. Why is it so popular you may ask? Consumers report taking kratom to alleviate chronic and acute pain, mitigate withdrawal symptoms, and receive an uptick in mood and well-being. One of the biggest knocks on kratom, however, is its difficulty to consume due to its bitter taste. Nectar Leaf found a way to change this. The biggest hit for Nectar Leaf was their introduction of single serve kratom tea bags. They make traditional methods like the toss n' wash obsolete. The options are also seemingly endless. You begin by selecting your preferred strain of kratom: Bali, Maeng Da, or Red Vein Kali. Next is both the hard and exciting part, choosing what kind of tea you are going to get! They are broken into two subcategories: Standard and Infusion. Standard teas are a combination of both of Nectar Leaf's Black and Herbal Teas. The difference between the two is that black teas come from the Camellia sinensis plant and have undergone a near complete process of fermentation and oxidation. Herbal teas, on the other hand, do not come from the Camellia sinensis plant and instead come from a combination of various plant materials. They do not contain caffeine but carry plenty of perks in their own right. Standard teas include: Hibiscus Mint, Pu'er, Sencha Green, Chamomile, Lemon Ginger Green, and Oolong Blue Infusion teas are wonderful due to the fact that they are loaded with added benefits from each ingredient. Each unique combination of flowers, fruits, spices, roots, and leaves are sure to make your taste buds pop as well. You can read more about them here: Infusion teas include: Chamomile Mint, Egyptian Peppermint, Organic Energy, Purifying Fruit, Soothing Citrus, and Casala Chai Black. Consumers have been raving about Nectar Leaf kratom tea's simple brewing process as well. Coming in the form of individual drip filter bags, brewing your kratom tea is as easy as can be. It is as simple as boiling and pouring water! Not only that, but purchasers can rest easy knowing that all Nectar Leaf products, both EU and domestic, undergo rigorous testing to ensure customer safety. Nectar Leaf is a brand to keep your eye out for. Their kratom coffee, kratom tea, capsules, extracts, and CBD products are truly second to none. Contact: Nectar Leaf contact@nectarleaf.com 307-228-4337 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/87787 MOSCOW (dpa-AFX) - The United States and Russia have agreed to open a dialogue on nuclear arms control. In their first meeting in Geneva, with the aim of reducing the risk of armed conflicts and the threat of nuclear war, US President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin agreed to begin an integrated bilateral Strategic Stability Dialogue in the near future. 'Through this Dialogue, we seek to lay the groundwork for future arms control and risk reduction measures,' reads a U.S.-Russia presidential joint statement. The two leaders also reaffirmed the principle that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought. They agreed to return ambassadors to each other's capitals. The top diplomats were mutually withdrawn for consultations in March, after Washington accused Moscow of interfering in last year's U.S. presidential election. At a post-summit press conference, Biden said the Dialogue, involving military experts and diplomats, will 'work on a mechanism that can lead to control of new and dangerous and sophisticated weapons that are coming on the scene now that reduce the times of response, that raise the prospects of accidental war.' Biden said he handed over to Putin a list of 16 U.S. critical infrastructure entities, from the energy sector to water systems, demanding that they should be off limits to attack by cyber or any other means. Biden made it clear to President Putin that Washington will continue to raise issues of fundamental human rights, including concerns about cases like jailed Opposition leader Aleksey Navalny. He also raised the case of two American citizens detained in Russia - Paul Whelan and Trevor Reed. Biden said he also made it clear that the United States will not tolerate attempts to violate its democratic sovereignty or destabilize U.S. democratic elections. 'Russia is in a very, very difficult spot right now. They are being squeezed by China. They want desperately to remain a major power,' he told reporters. No significant progress was made during the three hour talks, media reports say, while Biden said they paved the way for a genuine prospect to improve U.S. relations with Russia. The US-Russia summit was the last item in President Biden's agenda before leaving home. He, along with his Wife Jill Biden, returned to Washington after a hectic week-long European schedule. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de European TopSoho S.a r.l. European TopSoho S.a r.l.: 250 Million 4% Secured Guaranteed Bonds Due 2021 Exchangeable into Shares of SMCP S.A. (ISIN XS1882680645) 17-Jun-2021 / 16:40 CET/CEST European TopSoho S.a r.l.: 250 Million 4% Secured Guaranteed Bonds Due 2021 Exchangeable into Shares of SMCP S.A. (ISIN XS1882680645) LUXEMBOURG - Media OutReach - 17 June 2021 - European TopSoho S.a r.l. (the "Company" and, together with its holding companies and subsidiaries, the "Group") announces information in relation to its 250 million 4% secured guaranteed bonds due 2021, exchangeable into shares of SMCP S.A. (ISIN XS1882680645) (the "Bonds"). Reference is made to (1) the trust deed dated 21 September 2018 between the Company, the Guarantor and BNP Paribas Trust Corporation UK Limited relating to the Bonds (the "Trust Deed"); and (2) the announcements of the Company dated 18 January 2021 and 8 March 2021 (the "Announcements"). Unless otherwise defined, capitalised terms in this announcement will have the same meaning as those defined in the Trust Deed and the Announcements, as applicable. Recent Events Further to the Announcement of the Company dated 8 March 2021, the Company, together with its advisers, has been engaged in on-going dialogue with the Ad Hoc Group and its advisers with respect to implementation of the Proposed Transaction referred to in such Announcement. The Company is pleased to announce that it has agreed with the Ad Hoc Group and its advisers the implementation of the Proposed Transaction. However, as the Company was not able to satisfy the necessary conditions for the Proposed Transaction in a timely manner, the terms agreed with the Ad Hoc Group differ in certain respects to the summary terms provided in the Announcement dated 8 March 2021. A summary of the terms agreed with the Ad Hoc Group in respect of the Bonds is therefore set out below. These terms have been implemented by way of an Extraordinary Resolution by way of written resolution passed on 17 June 2021 pursuant to the Conditions of the Bonds (the "Extraordinary Resolution") and are immediately effective (referred to herein as the "Transaction"). Summary of the Transaction The Transaction includes amendments to the Conditions, the Trust Deed and certain other documentation in connection with the Bonds and the entry into of documentation ancillary thereto. A copy of the supplemental trust deed dated 17 June 2021 entered into for the purposes of implementing the Transaction is appended to this announcement (the "Supplemental Trust Deed"). The summary terms of the Transaction are as follows, which is qualified in its entirety by reference to the contents of the Supplemental Trust Deed: Certain undertakings by the Company Certain undertakings by the Company have been provided, including (i) to prohibit dividends and other specified payments by the Company, (ii) to maintain its centre of main interest (as that term is used in Article 3(1) of Regulation (EU) 2015/848 of 20 May 2015 on insolvency proceedings (recast)) in Luxembourg, (iii) to publish its audited financial statements for the 2020 financial year by no later than 30 June 2021, (iv) to pay certain costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Transaction, (v) to promptly notify the Trustee if any other security interest is granted in respect of the Shares which are held by the Company but which are not already subject to the security constituted by the Trust Deed and (vi) upon the election of the Bondholders holding in excess of one half in principal amount of the Bonds, to provide periodic updates on the refinancing process for the Bonds. In addition, the Company has confirmed that all SMCP shares that it holds which do not comprise part of the security for the Bonds are not otherwise subject to any mortgage, charge, pledge, lien, encumbrance or other security interest securing the obligation of, or any declaration of trust in favour of, any person, or any other agreement or arrangement having a similar effect Disapplication of Events of Default and certain other provisions insofar as they relate to the Guarantor The Guarantor will remain the sole guarantor under the Bonds, but (1) the Events of Default listed at Conditions 14(a)(i) to 14(a)(v) of the Trust Deed have been amended such that certain circumstances affecting and/or relevant to the Guarantor will not result in an Event of Default under the Bonds; and (2) certain other covenants in the Trust Deed shall be disapplied insofar as they relate to the Guarantor. If the Guarantor is subject to an insolvency or similar event, the Trustee may, among other things, declare that an amount equal to all amounts that are or would be payable in respect of the Bonds and the Trust Deed by the Company if a Default Notice had been delivered or the Bonds otherwise became automatically due and payable shall be immediately due and payable by the Guarantor as a principal obligor and prove in such insolvency or similar event as a creditor in respect of such amount, however, none of the foregoing will entitle the Trustee to declare that the Bonds have become immediately due and payable, or otherwise issue a Default Notice or give rise to an Event of Default, and all amounts actually recovered from the Guarantor further to the carrying out of any such action shall be applied by the Trustee in accordance with Clause 7 of the Trust Deed. Ad Hoc Group Transaction Payment and Deferred Fee If the Bonds have not been repaid or redeemed or otherwise purchased and cancelled, in each case in full, on or prior to the date falling five Business Days after the Maturity Date, the Company shall pay (or procure the payment of) (i) to the Ad Hoc Group, an amount of EUR 5,000,000 and (ii) to all Bondholders, an amount equal to 2 per cent. of the principal amount of the Bonds then outstanding. Waivers of defaults and withdrawal of outstanding Default Notices Any alleged and/or actual Events of Default and Potential Events of Default, which may have arisen in respect of the circumstances set out in Clause 7(a) of the Supplemental Trust Deed, have been waived. All outstanding Default Notices shall be withdrawn and the Trustee shall take such reasonable further steps and notify such further parties as are required to give effect to such withdrawal. Appointment of GLAS SAS (London Branch) as Trustee The Company has agreed to recognise the appointment of GLAS SAS (London Branch) as trustee under the Bonds. The Company notes that GLAS SAS (London Branch), acting on the instructions of the Ad Hoc Group, has filed proceedings against the Company and the guarantor of the Bonds in the High Court of Justice in England to seek declaratory relief that it has been validly appointed as trustee under the Trust Deed. As part of the agreement reached between the Company and the Ad Hoc Group, GLAS SAS (London Branch) has agreed to discontinue those proceedings. New Company call option and extension of permitted indebtedness The Company shall be permitted to redeem the Bonds in advance of the Maturity Date, subject to prior notice, at the Early Redemption Settlement Amount. The scope of indebtedness which is permitted to be incurred for the purposes of refinancing the Bonds will be broadened. Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company and related matters The Company shall be permitted to incur subordinated indebtedness, as defined in Clause 4.6(c) of the Supplemental Trust Deed. Further to the foregoing, GLAS SAS (London Branch) as Trustee, the Company, and certain other original subordinated parties have also entered into the Subordination Agreement for the purposes of subordinating certain amounts of indebtedness to the Bonds. Further details Any requests for information can be directed to the Company's financial and legal advisers: Perella Weinberg UK Limited, as financial adviser to the Company 20 Grafton Street London W1S 4DZ Email: PWPProjectOx@pwpartners.com Linklaters LLP, as legal adviser to the Company One Silk Street London EC2Y 8HQ Email: Sapphire@linklaters.com About European TopSoho S.a r.l. European TopSoho S.a r.l. is an investment holding company established in Luxembourg. The Company is the controlling shareholder of SMCP S.A. which is a leading accessible luxury fashion company listed on the regulated market of Euronext Paris. European TopSoho S.ar.l. is a subsidiary of Shandong Ruyi Technology Group Company Limited, the leading apparel manufacturer and fashion brands operator headquartered in Shandong, China. * * * * * * * This press release contains inside information released by the Company under Regulation (EU) 596/2014 (16 April 2014). Legal Entity Identifier (LEI): 222100WPZ89Z7MJRFX19. TRUST DEED http://release-manager.media-outreach.com/i/Download/157396 Dissemination of a CORPORATE NEWS, transmitted by EQS Group. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Findit Featured Members Benefit From Customized Online Marketing Campaigns Offered by Findit ATLANTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / June 17, 2021 / Findit, Inc. (OTC PINK:FDIT) owner of Findit.com, a full-service social networking platform that 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: DeltaVera, American Craftsman Renovations, Hip Hop Bling, and Velox Insurance. In today's release, Findit will be highlighting four featured members that utilize Findit marketing campaigns. Each of these members on Findit has a recurring monthly marketing campaign with Findit that helps improve their 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 is DeltaVera. DeltaVera has become the trusted source for premium Delta 8 THC products including Delta 8 THC gummies and Delta 8 THC pre-rolls. Their Delta 8 THC gummies even won 3rd place in the 2021 High Times Hemp Cup, a true testament to the quality, consistency and brand. DeltaVera offers the best edibles and smokables in the industry to ensure that every THC user has the opportunity to enjoy this easy-going cannabinoid in whichever way they desire. They strive to stay ahead of the curve to meet new, healthy and enjoyable innovations the moment they arrive. DeltaVera's products are curated from a carefully selected set of American farms, containing only the very best ingredients. Each product is packaged in a renewable container with a QR code, allowing anyone to easily access lab results and other information on the product to ensure a safe and fully informed experience. Visit DeltaVera to browse their great selection of products, to learn more about Delta 8 THC, or to find a carrier of DeltaVera products near you. Follow DeltaVera on Findit findit.com/delta-8-gummies Our second featured member is American Craftsman Renovations. American Craftsman Renovations is a locally owned and operated, full-service general contractor in Savannah, GA, that offers custom residential remodeling, renovation, restoration, and repair services to homeowners. From minor handyman repairs to major home improvements, American Craftsman Renovations helps homeowners transform their homes. To improve their overall online presence in search and social, they have claimed a total of 33 names on Findit that surround the services that they offer in the areas that they provide those services. Recently, they began offering handyman repairs, home improvements, and custom woodworking services in Savannah, GA. Findit adjusted its focus to go after these new targeted keywords. Content is created on a regular basis as part of their campaign to help elevate their online presence throughout the web, driving traffic to their website and to reach the target audiences looking for the services American Craftsman provides but who have not yet heard of American Craftsman Renovations. Findit also produced a new video for American Craftsman Renovations highlighting home improvements and handyman repairs, two new phrases they are wanting to index under in search engines. Having assisted with improving indexing for these search terms, American Craftsman Renovations is now focused on improving indexing for home additions, structural repairs, and major remodeling projects such as kitchen or bathroom renovations. Get in touch with American Craftsman Renovations by calling them at 912-481-8353. Follow American Craftsman Renovations on Findit findit.com/savannahadditions Our third featured member is Hip Hop Bling. Now the perfect time to stock up on all of your favorite bling bling jewelry, iced-out pieces and accessories for yourself, friends, and family. Hip Hop Bling sells high quality, fashion hip hop jewelry, including bracelets, chains, diamonds, watches, and more. Their jewelry offers an authentic look and feel to real diamond and gold jewelry but is offered at a more competitive price point. Hip Hop Bling is the trusted source for premium jewelry offered at incredible value and their entire collection is available online at Hiphopbling.com. Shop on the go via the Hip Hop Bling app, available for Android and IOS devices. As part of Findit's campaign, content is created through several Findit URLs, driving traffic to Hip Hop Bling's website for customers to place orders who are interested in the products Hip Hop Bling sells. Celebrate Father's Day this weekend with high quality jewelry from Hip Hop Bling. To help celebrate Father's Day, Hip Hop Bling is running a special promotion where shoppers can save 30%, just use code is 'FD30' at checkout and save 30% off your entire purchase of qualifying items. Follow Hip Hop Bling on Findit findit.com/hiphopbling Download the Hip Hop Bling App from the Google Play Store Download the Hip Hop Bling App from the Apple App Store Our final featured member 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. To shop for insurance, visit Velox Insurance online, stop by one of their 40+ locations, or call 770-293-0623. Follow Velox Insurance on Findit findit.com/best-car-insurance-quotes 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. Want to be a featured member on Findit? Get in touch with us at 404-443-3224 or email clark@findit.com. Findit provides marketing services to anyone that is looking to improve their online presence. Our marketing campaigns are customized to your needs and budget and include a wide range of services from content creation and social sharing to video production and SEO for your website. For more information, get in touch with us today and ask about our customized marketing campaigns. Some of the videos published in this release were created by Findit as part of the marketing campaign for the client. 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/652134/Findit-Features-Members-DeltaVera-American-Craftsman-Renovations-Hip-Hop-Bling-and-Velox-Insurance Lunaphore Technologies SA, a Swiss life-sciences company developing innovative next-generation equipment for cancer research, announces the appointment of Dr. Carlo Bifulco, an expert in Translational Molecular Pathology and Pathology Informatics, to its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) to provide strategic advisory support to the company's scientific activities and product portfolio development. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210617005459/en/ Dr. Carlo Bifulco (Photo: Business Wire) Dr. Bifulco is a Surgical Pathologist with additional fellowship subspecialty training, expertise, and board certification in Molecular Genetic Pathology and Hematopathology. Dr. Bifulco serves on the Global Colon Cancer Immunoscore Task Force led by the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) and is co-Chair of the SITC Pathology Task convened to establish multiplexed immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence (mIHC/IF) standards. His current translational research is focused on supporting the characterization of the tumor immune microenvironment through immunohistochemical and image analysis techniques, and on the integration of genomics in immuno-oncology. Dr. Bifulco's role in the SAB will be to bring strategic insights that will enable Lunaphore to become leaders in the field of high-dimensional analysis of histopathological samples and to support the company in the establishment of scientific partnerships with key stakeholders in coming years. "We are very excited to have Dr. Bifulco join us as we seek to bring our microfluidic-based platforms to the next-level." noted Dr. Dupouy, CTO at Lunaphore. "Dr. Bifulco is an innovative Pathologist, whose insights will be invaluable for Lunaphore to harness the potential of multiplexed immunofluorescence in the field of translational research as well as to provide us with a better understanding of US-focused clinical practices, even more so in this era of cancer immunotherapy". "I am very excited by Lunaphore's microfluidic technological advances, aiming to improve speed, reliability, reproducibility and accuracy of tissue-based biomarker testing", said Dr. Bifulco. "Physician decision-making in personalized medicine needs robust biomarkers, and solutions such as Lunaphore's Fast-Fluidic Exchange (FFeX) may become instrumental to improving patient outcomes". Dr. Bifulco currently serves as the Director of Molecular Pathology and Pathology Informatics at Providence, and as the Director of Translational Molecular Pathology and Molecular Genomics at the Earle A. Chiles Research Institute in Portland, Oregon, a division of the Providence Cancer Institute. He oversees the Province System Molecular Genomics Laboratory, one of the largest clinical genomics labs in the Pacific Northwest, which provides state-of-the-art genomic sequencing to cancer patients across the seven-state system. Prior to joining Providence, Dr. Bifulco served on the Pathology faculty at the National Cancer Center in Milan, at the University of Florida and at Yale University, and completed fellowships in Hematopathology at Yale and in Oncologic Surgical Pathology and Molecular Genetic Pathology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. About Lunaphore Lunaphore Technologies S.A. is a Swiss company transforming the field of tissue analytics in cancer research through the development of innovative staining and imaging technology platforms. The award-winning technology at its core is called FFeX (Fast Fluidic Exchange). Using high-precision microfluidics, complex assays can be automated, extracting comprehensive data much faster than current techniques. Lunaphore was founded in 2014 with the vision of bringing -omics like approaches to tissue analytics and has been recognized as one of the most innovative companies internationally. For further information on Lunaphore and its products, please visit www.lunaphore.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210617005459/en/ Contacts: Irene Tamayo Lunaphore Corporate Communications Email: communications@lunaphore.com Theophile Mounier Lunaphore Corporate Finance Email: theophile.mounier@lunaphore.com BMO Commercial Property Trust Limited (a closed-ended collective investment scheme established as a company with limited liability under the laws of Guernsey with registered number 50402) LEI Number: 213800A2B1H4ULF3K397 (The "Company") 17 June 2021 RESULT OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING At the Annual General Meeting of the Company held today all Ordinary and Special Resolutions set out in the Annual General Meeting Notice sent to Shareholders dated 9 April 2021 were duly passed. Details of the proxy voting results which should be read along side the Notice are noted below: Ordinary Resolution For Discretion (voted in favour) Against Abstain 1 420,253,680 52,881 53,662 861,302 2 420,125,350 52,881 672,852 347,441 3 420,920,648 52,881 89,387 135,608 4 420,237,783 52,881 635,925 271,935 5 413,572,253 52,881 7,299,140 274,251 6 420,219,043 52,881 655,165 271,436 7 420,230,634 52,881 641,402 273,608 8 420,694,120 52,881 132,923 318,601 9 420,355,307 52,881 567,943 222,394 10 420,538,372 52,881 147,455 459,817 11 420,775,284 52,881 188,273 182,087 Special Resolution For Discretion (voted in favour) Against Abstain 12 417,250,944 52,881 3,677,507 217,193 13 420,286,185 52,881 222,839 636,619 14 397,843,994 52,881 23,045,308 256,342 Note -A vote withheld is not a vote in law and has not been counted in the votes for and against a resolution. The Special Resolutions were as follows: Special Resolution 12 That the Directors of the Company be and they are hereby generally empowered, to allot and issue ordinary shares in the Company or grant rights to subscribe for, or to convert securities into, ordinary shares in the Company (''equity securities'') for cash, including by way of a sale of ordinary shares held by the Company as treasury shares, as if any pre-emption rights in relation to the issue of shares contained in Article 6.2 of the Company's articles of incorporation did not apply to any such allotment of equity securities, provided that this power: (a.) expires at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company after the passing of this resolution or on the expiry of 15 months from the passing of this resolution, whichever is the earlier, save that the Company may, before such expiry, make an offer or agreement which would or might require equity securities to be allotted after such expiry and the Directors may allot equity securities in pursuance of any such offer or agreement as if the power conferred hereby had not expired; and (b.) shall be limited to the allotment of equity securities up to an aggregate nominal value of 799,366 being approximately 10 per cent of the nominal value of the issued share capital of the Company, as at 9 April 2021. Special Resolution 13 That the Company be authorised, in accordance with section 315 of The Companies (Guernsey) Law 2008, to make market acquisitions (within the meaning of section 316(1) of The Companies (Guernsey) Law 2008 of ordinary shares of 1p each (''Ordinary Shares'') (either for retention as treasury shares for future resale or transfer, or cancellation), provided that: (a.) the maximum number of Ordinary Shares hereby authorised to be purchased shall be 14.99 per cent of the issued Ordinary Shares on the date on which this resolution is passed; (b.) the minimum price which may be paid for an Ordinary Share shall be 1p (exclusive of expenses) (c.) the maximum price (exclusive of expenses) which may be paid for an Ordinary Share shall be the higher of (i) 105 per cent of the average of the middle market quotations (as derived from the Daily Official List) for the Ordinary Shares for the five business days immediately preceding the date of purchase; and (ii) the higher of the last independent trade and the highest current independent bid on the trading venue which the purchase is carried out; and (d.) unless previously varied, revoked or renewed, the authority hereby conferred shall expire at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company after the passing of this resolution, or on the expiry of 18 months from the passing of this resolution, whichever is the earlier, save that the Company may, prior to such expiry, enter into a contract to purchase Ordinary Shares under such authority which will or may be executed wholly or partly after the expiration of such authority and may make a purchase of Ordinary Shares pursuant to any such contract. Special Resolution 14 That the Articles of Incorporation contained in the document produced to the meeting and signed by the Chairman for the purposes of identification, be approved and adopted as the new Articles of Incorporation of the Company in substitution for, and to the exclusion of, the existing Articles of Incorporation, with effect from the conclusion of the 2021 Annual General Meeting. Enquiries: Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited The Company Secretary Trafalgar Court Les Banques St Peter Port Guernsey GY1 3QL Tel: 01481 745001 END NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION INTO THE UNITED STATES OR THROUGH U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 17, 2021 / Westbridge Energy Corporation (TSXV:WEB.H)(" Westbridge " or the " Company ") is pleased to announce that it has completed its previously announced business combination (the " Transaction ") with Georgetown Solar Inc. (" Georgetown "), pursuant to a business combination agreement dated March 4, 2021. The Transaction has resulted in the reactivation of the Company pursuant to the regulations of the TSX Venture Exchange (the " TSXV "), and the listing of the common shares of Westbridge on Tier 2 of the TSXV. Prior to the Transaction, Georgetown was a privately-held company focused on the development of large scale utility solar PV projects. Georgetown is currently in the process of assessment for development of the solar property known as the Georgetown project, which is comprised of approximately 710 acres located in Vulcan County, Alberta (the " Georgetown Project "). To date, Georgetown has conducted fieldwork, wetland delineation and classification and engineering assessments with respect to the Georgetown Project, with a view to the development of the project to "ready to build" status and divestiture. Following the completion of the Transaction, Westbridge will focus primarily upon the further assessment and development of the Georgetown Project, while seeking additional solar project development opportunities to enhance the overall value of the Company. "Today's closing marks a major catalyst for Westbridge as we transition our Company into renewable energy," said Scott Kelly. "The Georgetown project launches our strategy of bringing technology-enabled, greenfield solar development opportunities to retail investors. Lead by Stefano Romanin and a team with more than 40 successful renewable energy exits worldwide, we see a bright future for solar and significant potential for shareholder value." "We are excited to be one of the only pure-play solar development companies to offer investors access toutility-scale solar projects with theliquidity of a public company" said Stefano Romanin, incoming Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Company. "As a listed company, new opportunities for expansion in the Canadian and U.S. markets are more readily available, providing ESG investment opportunities for investors and ultimately delivering abundant, cheap and clean electricity to consumers." The Company's shares will commence trading on Monday, June 21, 2021 on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol WEB. Transaction Structure The Transaction was structured as a three-cornered amalgamation pursuant to which Georgetown amalgamated with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Westbridge and Westbridge acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Georgetown from the shareholders of Georgetown in exchange for the issuance of an aggregate of 20,000,000 common shares of Westbridge (each, a " Westbridge Share ") to such shareholders (being calculated based on a ratio of 2,000 Westbridge Shares for each one share of Georgetown outstanding). An aggregate of 1,200,000 Westbridge Shares were issued to a finder (the " Finder ") in connection with the Transaction. Concurrent Financings As a condition of the closing of the Transaction, Westbridge completed an oversubscribed private placement (the "Private Placement") of 32,060,000 subscription receipts ("Subscription Receipts") at a price of $0.125 per Subscription Receipt to raise aggregate gross proceeds of $4,007,500. Immediately prior to the closing of the Transaction, each Subscription Receipt automatically converted, for no additional consideration, into one unit (a "Westbridge Unit") comprised of one Westbridge Share and one-half of one share purchase warrant (each whole such share purchase warrant, a "Westbridge Warrant"). Each Westbridge Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one additional Westbridge Share at an exercise price of $0.20 for a period of two years from the date of issuance of the Westbridge Warrants, provided that in the event that, at any time following August 16, 2021, the closing price of the Westbridge Shares is equal to or exceeds $0.35 per share for any 10 trading days within any 30-trading day period, Westbridge may accelerate the expiry date of the outstanding Westbridge Warrants by providing 10 days' notice pursuant to the dissemination of a press release announcing such accelerated expiry date. The gross proceeds of the Private Placement were deposited in escrow at closing of the Private Placement with a mutually acceptable escrow agent, and released to Westbridge immediately prior to the closing of the Transaction. In addition, as a condition to the closing of the Transaction, Georgetown issued convertible debentures in the aggregate principal amount of $350,000 which, as of closing of the Transaction, were automatically converted into an aggregate of 2,800,000 Westbridge Units at a deemed price of $0.125 per Westbridge Unit (the " Debenture Financing "). Following the completion of the Transaction, the net proceeds from the Private Placement and Debenture Financing are anticipated to be principally used to further assess and develop the Georgetown Project, and for general working capital purposes. While Westbridge intends to spend the funds available to it as stated above, there may be circumstances where, for sound business reasons, a reallocation of funds may be necessary. Capitalization Upon completion of the Transaction, there are an aggregate of 74,992,154 Westbridge Shares outstanding, of which the current shareholders of the Company hold 18,932,154 Westbridge Shares (or approximately 25.2%), shareholders of Georgetown hold 20,000,000 Westbridge Shares (or approximately 26.6%), purchasers in the Private Placement hold 32,060,000 Westbridge Shares (or approximately 42.8%), purchasers of Convertible Debentures hold 2,800,000 Westbridge Shares (or approximately 3.7%) and the Finder holds 1,200,000 Westbridge Shares (or approximately 1.6%). In addition, there are 21,466,431 convertible securities of Westbridge outstanding upon closing of the Transaction (inclusive of 17,430,000 Westbridge Warrants), each entitling the holder to acquire one additional Westbridge Share in accordance with the respective terms thereof. The securities of Westbridge issued to the holders of Convertible Debentures and shareholders of Georgetown are subject to the following voluntary hold periods: (i) the securities comprising the WEB Units issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Debentures are subject to a hold period expiring August 16, 2021; and (ii) the Westbridge Shares issued to shareholders of Georgetown are subject to (I) value security escrow agreements in accordance with the requirements of the TSXV, providing for release of 10% upon the issuance of the final TSXV bulletin approving the Transaction and 15% every six months thereafter; and (II) a voluntary hold period expiring on the date that is six months following the closing of the Transaction with respect to 50% of such Westbridge Shares, and 12 months following the closing of the Transaction with respect to the remaining 50% of such Westbridge Shares. No new control person of the Company was created as a result of the Transaction. New Directors and Officers Upon completion of the Transaction, the directors and officers of Westbridge are as follows: Stefano Romanin, Chief Executive Officer and Director - Stefano is an experienced investor in the private equity and energy sector, with a track record of deals in excess of $2 billion including wind, solar, biomass and energy from waste. Most recently, Stefano was the founder and CEO of a solar PV platform with assets of 1.45GW globally that was successfully sold to a large institutional investor. He was the director and owner of one of the largest energy from waste projects in the United Kingdom and he worked alongside investors to develop and build $1bn of solar PV assets across Europe and North America. Previously, he worked in JP Morgan's private equity team, focusing on direct and secondary investments, creating a dedicated platform for secondary private equity investments. Stefano studied at Stanford University, Grenoble Graduate School of Business and University of Milan and holds a MSc in International Business (1st Class honours). Phillip Stubbs, Chief Financial Officer - Philip is a qualified Chartered Accountant. His strong financial background derives from years long experience at Deloitte, as well as serving as finance director at an alternative investment manager, specialized in real estate, infrastructure and renewable energy, with a focus on the structuring, funding and exit of investments that ensured the delivery of strong returns to investors. Margaret McKenna, Chief Operating Officer and Director - Margaret (Maggie) is a lawyer by training with a background in general corporate law and commercial litigation. Maggie was recently the Development Director for 2 large scale solar PV in Alberta with total capacity in excess of 600MWp. In previous roles, Maggie has acted as general counsel and corporate secretary of a private remediation technology start-up company with Canadian and U.S. operations and served as in-house counsel for a multinational real estate investment and development company. Maggie has a BA from Indiana University and a JD from John Marshall Law School. She is admitted to the Illinois State Bar and the Law Society of Alberta. Paul Larkin, Director - Paul brings in excess of 40 years of experience in corporate finance and capital markets to the Company. He is currently President of New Dawn, an investment and financial consulting firm providing administration and financial advisory services to a number of private and public companies. From 1972 to 1984, he held various corporate finance positions in the Canadian Banking system. Paul currently serves as a director and member of the audit committee of several public companies and, in such roles, has had experience with the review and understanding of the accounting principles relevant to public companies and interpreting and assessing the financial statements of public companies. Darren Collins, Director - Darren serves as the Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary and Director of Bald Eagle Gold Corp. (TSXV: BIG), and formerly served as Chief Financial Officer of Westbridge. Mr. Collins has over 15 years of corporate experience as an executive, director advisor of private and public companies. His expertise spans mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity financings, go-public transactions, commercial partnerships, accounting, and corporate governance. In recent engagements as Chief Financial Officer, he has led fundraisings totalling over $100 million in equity capital and launched active M&A programs for early stage companies over the last five years. Prior to his current corporate activities, Mr. Collins worked for several investment and merchant banks, including Alegro Capital, LP in London, UK, Scotia Capital Inc. and Quest Capital Corp. (now known as Sprott Resource Lending Corp.) in Toronto, Canada. Mr. Collins holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in finance from Dalhousie University. On behalf of the Board of Directors Stefano Romanin CEO Westbridge Energy Corporation +44 (0) 020 3940 5765 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 statements about the Company's expectations regarding the proposed operations of the Company following the completion of the Transaction and the use of proceeds of the Private Placement and the Debenture Financing, which are forward-looking in nature and, as a result, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them as actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include general business, economic, competitive and social uncertainties; and the delay or failure to receive all applicable regulatory and third party approvals, and availability of financing. The forward-looking statements contained in this press 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, except as required by law. SOURCE: Westbridge Energy Corporation View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/652153/Westbridge-Announces-Completion-of-Business-Combination-with-Georgetown-Solar Rio Tinto has started operations at a new commercial scale demonstration plant to produce high-quality scandium oxide at its Rio Tinto Fer et Titane (RTFT) metallurgical complex in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec. The $6 million project, in which the Government of Quebec contributed approximately $650,000 through the Quebec Plan for the Development of Critical and Strategic Minerals, was completed on time and on budget, less than six months after the start of construction. Six employees have been hired to operate the plant, which uses an innovative process developed by RTFT to extract high purity scandium oxide from the waste streams of titanium dioxide production, without the need for any additional mining. Commissioning work is now being undertaken as production ramps up to a capacity of three tonnes of scandium oxide per year. RTFT is already considering the potential for further investments to add additional modules in line with market demand. Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium managing director Stephane Leblanc said: "For the first time, customers will benefit from a North American supply of scandium oxide for applications in solid oxide fuel cells, lasers, lighting products or as an additive to produce high-performance alloys. In less than two years, we have gone from testing a process to extract this critical material in a lab to being able to supply approximately 20% of the global market. This is a testament to our team's capacity to think outside the box and deliver on our commitments." Quebec Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Jonatan Julien said: "I am very pleased to see this major critical and strategic minerals project come to fruition in Quebec. It will help strengthen the security of our supply and add value to our industrial waste from the mining sector. It is also consistent with the government's vision of creating wealth in a greener economy. I wish Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium and the team at this new plant every success!" This project is part of a series of innovations supported by Rio Tinto's Critical Minerals and Technology Centre in the field of critical minerals and materials, including the recent launch of a water atomized steel powder for 3-D printing applications. With its world-class aluminium business, Rio Tinto is also well positioned to produce aluminium-scandium alloys to meet customer's needs. In March, the company announced an agreement to provide a first batch of high-performance aluminium-scandium alloy from its North American operations to Amaero, a leader in metal additive manufacturing. To learn more, visit www.elementnorth21.ca Notes to editors RTFT operates an open cast ilmenite mine at Lac Tio near Havre-Saint-Pierre, on Quebec's North Shore. The ore is used to produce high-quality titanium dioxide feedstock, pig iron, steel and metal at RTFT's metallurgical complex in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec. Together, the sites employ over 1,600 people. RTFT has operated in Quebec for 70 years and pioneered the process of removing iron from ilmenite. In the last decade, RTFT has focused on developing, marketing and fine-tuning the UGS process, which produces slag with a very high titanium dioxide content sold to pigment producers. Founded in 1967, RTFT's Critical Minerals and Technology Centre conducts research on process improvement and develops new products. The Centre features state-of-the-art equipment and highly specialised instruments, such as inductively coupled plasma spectrometers, X-ray diffractometers, atomic absorption units, image analysers, scanning electron microscopes and powder metallurgy testing laboratory. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210617005667/en/ Contacts: Please direct all enquiries to media.enquiries@riotinto.com Media Relations, UK Illtud Harri M +44 7920 503 600 David Outhwaite M +44 7787 597 493 Media Relations, Australia Jonathan Rose M +61 447 028 913 Matt Chambers M +61 433 525 739 Jesse Riseborough M +61 436 653 412 Media Relations, Americas Matthew Klar T +1 514 608 4429 Investor Relations, UK Menno Sanderse M: +44 7825 195 178 David Ovington M +44 7920 010 978 Clare Peever M +44 7788 967 877 Investor Relations, Australia Natalie Worley M +61 409 210 462 Amar Jambaa M +61 472 865 948 Rio Tinto plc 6 St James's Square London SW1Y 4AD United Kingdom T +44 20 7781 2000 Registered in England No. 719885 Rio Tinto Limited Level 7, 360 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 Australia T +61 3 9283 3333 Registered in Australia ABN 96 004 458 404 riotinto.com Category: RTFT Investments will support growing regional demand for can coatings for food, beverage, personal care PPG (NYSE: PPG) today announced an expansion of its coatings manufacturing capacity in Europe for packaging applications. The investments at sites in The Netherlands and Poland will support growing customer demand in the region for the latest generation of coatings for aluminum and steel cans used in packaging for beverage, food and personal care items. Financial details related to the expansions were not disclosed. The projects include a further expansion of the company's location in Tiel, The Netherlands, which will increase the plant's production capacity for PPG INNOVEL non-BPA internal coatings for beverage cans by 30%. Expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2022, the project follows a 50% expansion completed at the end of 2020. The Tiel plant also will double its production capacity for PPG iSENSE external coatings that are used for the exterior of metal cans for beverage and personal care packaging. That project is expected to be completed by the end of 2021. PPG Innovel is the most widely used, non-BPA internal beverage can spray technology in the world, providing flavor-neutral properties and suitability for a broad range of filling products. PPG iSense specialty overvarnish coatings offer differentiating sensory surface effects for can exteriors, including textured finishes that help brands stand out on increasingly crowded store shelves. PPG also will double capacity at its Cieszyn, Poland, plant to support the growth of the PPG NUTRISHIELDline of non-BPA, internal, food can coatings. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the third quarter of 2021. "These investments demonstrate our long-term commitment to support our packaging customers across Europe and beyond," said Alessandro Borzino, PPG general manager, packaging coatings, Europe, Middle East and Africa. "They will improve our ability to efficiently supply the innovative coatings solutions that canmakers and brands trust." These latest investments follow a project completed last year to expand packaging coatings capacity at the company's Bodelshausen, Germany site. That project doubled production capacity for white lacquers that are used on the external surface of personal care and caps and closures packaging. The research and development (R&D) facility at the site has also been expanded and now represents the company's European R&D packaging center of excellence. Its official inauguration will be later this year. "We are dedicated to delivering novel and breakthrough technologies to exceed our customers' expectations," said Borzino. "Through our commitment to innovation and dedication to quality and high-performance products, PPG provides increased value for brand owners and operational advantages to manufacturers." To learn more about PPG's packaging coatings, visit www.packagingcoatings.com. PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD At PPG (NYSE:PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and materials that our customers have trusted for more than 135 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers' biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 70 countries and reported net sales of $13.8 billion in 2020. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com. We protect and beautify the world is a trademark and iSense, Innovel, Nutrishield and the PPG Logo are registered trademarks of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210617005678/en/ Contacts: PPG Media Contacts: Mark Silvey Corporate Communications +1-412-434-3046 silvey@ppg.com Andrew Wood Corporate Communications, EMEA +31 6 5121 6579 awood@ppg.com Investor Contact: John Bruno Investor Relations +1-412-434-3466 jbruno@ppg.com www.ppg.com Organizations from across the globe showcase the value of using Blue Prism to transform business models through intelligent automation LONDON and AUSTIN, Texas, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Prism today announced the winners of its annual Blue Prism Customer Excellence Awards for outstanding innovation and transformational use of its software. The awards showcase how customers use Blue Prism's intelligent automation to scale and digitally transform their operations. After submitting an in-depth submission, each winning organization was selected by a panel of distinguished judges made up of industry analysts, consultants and journalists. CEO & Chairman of Blue Prism, Jason Kingdon, commented: "The commitment shown by our customers to digitally transform their organizations has been exceptional. Our customers require scale to achieve the highest possible ROI and our technology supports these objectives. Not only do their stories showcase the transformative potential of a Blue Prism digital workforce, but they underscore exactly how Blue Prism's intelligent automation enables them to scale quickly, and deliver value. I congratulate every customer and look forward to seeing more outstanding innovation throughout the year." ROM Excellence & Business Value Driver Excellence: Lloyds Banking Group Winner of two awards, Lloyds Banking Group has delivered a transformation programme with an aim to facilitate the 'bank of the future' by automating over 200 processes supporting all divisions across the Group. Implementing a scalable, federated robotic operating model (ROM) and a robust, expandable IT infrastructure has delivered value within three years with two million hours of capacity created and significant improvements to consistency and accuracy. Strategic Transformation: Invesco Invesco, an independent investment management firm, used Blue Prism's intelligent automation to automate data monitoring and intake digitization, accelerating daily operations to better manage client portfolios. In three years, the company has created over 150 processes across three regions, resulting in an estimated $2 million in annual savings and 90% time efficiency improvement in business processes. Innovation Excellence: Prosegur Innovative initiatives such as 'Probot', a project designed to build additional capabilities to Blue Prism intelligent automation, have ensured scalability and reliability across Prosegur's automations, culminating in reduced operating times, enhanced speed and accuracy, greater compliance, and a more consistent client experience. Its RPA platform security has also been enhanced using the Prosegur RPA security module. Best Newcomer: Ohio's Hospice Ohio's Hospice, a partnership of not-for-profit hospices, partnered with Blue Prism with a key objective to improve the quality of and access to care. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Ohio's Hospice has established a series of automations that provide increased quality and compliance, loss avoidance, cost recovery, and improved care through faster insurance approvals, quicker admissions, and more accurate data for clinicians. In a short timeframe Ohio's Hospice and its partners are seeing dramatic improvements to its operations, allowing them to focus on delivering the best possible patient care. Pinnacle Award: CEO's Choice Blue Prism's CEO and Chairman Jason Kingdon personally handpicked the Pinnacle Award winners, the highest honor given by Blue Prism. These lighthouse customers have blazed a trail of digital transformation. Pinnacle Award APAC - HKEX - for a spotless record in security and robustness and producing some of the most innovative automations ever seen. HKEX has used intelligent automation as a true strategic enabler, rolling out the software in over 10 different business function areas. - for a spotless record in security and robustness and producing some of the most innovative automations ever seen. HKEX has used intelligent automation as a true strategic enabler, rolling out the software in over 10 different business function areas. Pinnacle Award EMEA - Old Mutual - for taking intelligent automation to new levels with a great focus on individual service and service excellence. - for taking intelligent automation to new levels with a great focus on individual service and service excellence. Pinnacle Award Americas - Bell Canada - for an ambitious approach to their Center of Excellence (CoE) and strategic focus on customer services. During COVID-19 Bell Canada accelerated their automation, completing 20% more transactions with a strong focus on operational excellence. The winners listed above are global top category winners. Learn more about our full list of 33 winners from around the world. Notes to editors: ? Blue Prism is a global leader in?enterprise robotic process automation (RPA) and?intelligent automation, transforming the way work is done. We have over 2,000 customers in over 170 countries and 70 industry verticals, 30%?in?the Forbes Global 2,000,?creating value with new ways of working by unlocking efficiencies and returning millions of hours of work back into their businesses.?Our enterprise digital?robots offer high-scale automation that is secure, smart, accessible to all, enabling centrally managed human and digital workforces of the future and freeing up humans to re-imagine work.?To learn more visit?www.blueprism.com?and follow us on Twitter? @blue_prism ?and on? LinkedIn . 2021 Blue Prism Limited. "Blue Prism", the "Blue Prism" logo and Prism device are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Blue Prism Limited and its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.? Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 17, 2021) - First Light Capital Corp. (TSXV: XYZ.P) ("First Light"), a capital pool company under the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"), and New Oroperu Resources Inc. (TSXV: ORO) ("New Oroperu") are pleased to announce that they have entered into a definitive arrangement agreement dated June 16, 2021 (the "Arrangement Agreement") to combine and create Anacortes Mining Corp. ("Anacortes") - a new growth-oriented gold company in the Americas (the "Transaction"). Anacortes intends to focus on continued exploration and advancement of New Oroperu's Tres Cruces project located in Peru, in addition to seeking further growth opportunities in the Americas. Jim Currie will lead Anacortes as the President and Chief Executive Officer. In connection with the Transaction, First Light intends to complete a concurrent C$20M subscription receipt financing. Key Highlights Tres Cruces is one of the highest-grade oxide deposits globally and hosts oxide plus sulphide Indicated resources of 2.474 Mozs at 1.65 g/t gold and Inferred resources of 104 kozs at 1.26 g/t gold, inclusive of 630 kozs of high-grade leachable gold at 1.28 g/t gold (see New Oroperu's news release dated March 18, 2021 for further information, a copy of which is available at www.sedar.com) Tres Cruces is strategically located in a highly prospective geological belt that hosts significant gold deposits such as Lagunas Norte, which is located within 10 km, Yanacocha and Pierina Anacortes will be led by a new management team and Board with extensive experience in Latin America and Peru and proven capabilities in all facets of mine development and operations Well-capitalized post-closing of the $20M Private Placement (as defined below) Underexplored property with oxide and sulphide resource growth potential - Tres Cruces has not been drilled since 2008 when gold prices were approximately US$850/oz, and several of the best drill intercepts from the previous drilling campaign are below and outside of the current pit-constrained mineral resource Attractive pro forma relative valuation on an enterprise value per Indicated resource ounce basis Management and Board of Directors Upon completion of the Transaction, it is expected that the leadership team of Anacortes will be comprised of: Jim Currie (President, Chief Executive Officer and Director) Engineer with over 40 years of senior management, engineering, and operations experience Most recently Chief Operating Officer of Equinox Gold Corp. Previously Chief Operating Officer of Pretium Resources Inc. and New Gold Inc. Steven Botts (President, Peru) Over 40 years of experience in mining with a focus on the areas of project development, environmental management, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable development Most recently Vice President and Managing Director of Tahoe Peru, where he managed both the La Arena and Shahuindo gold heap leach operations Horng Dih Lee (Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary) Previously Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and VP at Eastern Platinum Ltd., Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of Esrey Resources Ltd., Chief Financial Officer and Vice President at Diamond Fields Resources, Inc. and Chief Financial Officer and Vice President for Northern Orion Resources, Inc. Marshall Koval (Special Advisor) Mining executive with more than 42 years of corporate management, M&A, finance, mineral exploration, mine development, and operations experience globally Currently serves as President, CEO and Director of Lumina Gold Corp., CEO and Director of Luminex Resources Corp., Director of Equinox Gold Corp., and Director of Miedzi Copper Corp. Board of Directors to be comprised of four nominees from First Light, including Andy Carstensen, a professional geologist and current Vice President, Exploration, of Luminex Resources Corp., and Wayne Livingstone, current President and Chief Executive Officer of New Oroperu Jim Currie, President and Chief Executive Office of First Light, stated, "Our team has been aggressively pursuing a foundational asset for Anacortes and Tres Cruces meets several of our investment criteria. The asset provides an established resource base, significant exploration potential for both the oxides and sulphides, and several development opportunities. Through focused efforts on engineering and exploration, we believe we are well-positioned to generate significant value for the stakeholders of both First Light and New Oroperu." Wayne Livingstone, President and Chief Executive Officer of New Oroperu, stated, "This transaction culminates the hard work and dedication of New Oroperu and its partners since inception. We look forward to seeing Tres Cruces advanced under the expertise of Jim and his team, and we are excited for the next chapter in a prolific gold camp that saw Barrick mine more than 10 million ounces at Lagunas Norte, approximately 10 km away." Transaction Details Under the terms of the Arrangement Agreement, which was negotiated at arms-length, each New Oroperu shareholder will receive 5.815 common shares of First Light (each a "First Light Share") for each New Oroperu common share held (each a "New Oroperu Share") (the "Share Exchange Ratio"). A portion of the New Oroperu options outstanding will vest immediately prior to closing of the Transaction and shall be transferred to New Oroperu for cancellation at closing of the Transaction ("Closing") for an amount equal to the positive difference between the exercise price and the 20-day volume weighted average share price of New Oroperu for the 20-day period ending on the day prior to the announcement of the Transaction. All remaining outstanding options of New Oroperu will be exchanged for equivalent options of First Light in accordance with the Arrangement Agreement and based on the Share Exchange Ratio. The outstanding New Oroperu warrants will be adjusted to become exercisable for First Light Shares based on the Share Exchange Ratio. Based upon the Share Exchange Ratio, a total of 162.2 million First Light Shares will be issued to New Oroperu shareholders based on a total of 27.9 million New Oroperu Shares outstanding, before giving effect to the Consolidation (as defined below), representing total consideration equal to approximately $76 million, based on a price per First Light Share of $0.47, the closing price on June 16, 2021. The Transaction will constitute a change of control of New Oroperu, and at closing New Oroperu will be required to pay an aggregate of approximately C$2.3M in cash change of control payments to five insiders. It is anticipated that upon completion of the Transaction, current First Light and New Oroperu shareholders will own 16% and 84% of Anacortes, respectively, without giving effect to the Private Placement. After giving effect to the Private Placement, it is expected that current First Light shareholders, New Oroperu shareholders and investors in the Private Placement will own approximately 13%, 66% and 21% of Anacortes, respectively. Directors and officers of New Oroperu representing 14.9% of New Oroperu Shares, in addition to Pan American Silver Corp. that represents 17.4% of the New Oroperu Shares, have entered into lock-up and voting support agreements in connection with the Transaction. It is intended that the Transaction will constitute First Light's "Qualifying Transaction" in accordance with Policy 2.4 of the TSXV (the "CPC Policy") and that Anacortes will be listed as a Tier 1 Mining Issuer on the TSXV. First Light and New Oroperu are acting at arm's length and the Transaction is not considered a Non-Arm's Length Qualifying Transaction under the CPC Policy. Accordingly, the CPC Policy does not require First Light to obtain shareholder approval for the Transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, First Light intends to obtain shareholder approval in connection with its proposed name change, the Consolidation (as defined below) and the election of the director nominees set forth above. Board of Directors' Recommendations The Board of Directors of each company has determined that the Transaction is in the best interests of their respective company and recommends that their respective security holders vote in favour of the Transaction. Echelon Wealth Partners Inc. ("Echelon") provided a fairness opinion in connection with the Transaction to the Board of Directors of New Oroperu stating that, as of the date of such opinion and based upon and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated in such opinion, the Share Exchange Ratio is fair, from a financial point of view, to shareholders of New Oroperu. Haywood Securities Inc. ("Haywood") also provided a fairness opinion in connection with the Transaction to the Board of Directors of New Oroperu stating that, as of the date of such opinion and based upon and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated in such opinion, the consideration payable by First Light pursuant to the Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to shareholders of New Oroperu. Details of the Arrangement The Transaction will be effected by way of a court-approved plan of arrangement pursuant to the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). In connection with the Transaction, First Light will change its name to Anacortes Mining Corp. and will ask its shareholders to approve an increase in the number of its directors from three to five, and to elect the five director nominees set forth above. The Arrangement Agreement includes customary deal protection provisions, including fiduciary-outs in specified circumstances, a right to match and non-solicitation provisions. A termination fee in the amount of C$2.5 million will be paid to First Light should the Arrangement Agreement not be completed in certain circumstances. Completion of the Transaction is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, receipt of all applicable shareholder, court and regulatory approvals, and First Light completing a concurrent financing to raise minimum gross proceeds of C$17.5M. Concurrent Financing In connection with the Transaction, First Light and two of its subsidiaries have entered into an agreement with Haywood as co-lead Agent and sole bookrunner on behalf of a syndicate of agents, including Clarus Securities Inc. as co-lead agent (together, the "Agents"), to complete a brokered private placement of subscription receipts (each a "Subscription Receipt") at a price of C$0.40 per Subscription Receipt (the "Subscription Price") for gross proceeds of up to approximately C$20,000,000 (the "Private Placement"). These Subscription Receipts will be offered by First Light and by one of its subsidiaries ("Finco"). First Light has granted the Agents an option to sell up to an additional 25% of the number of Subscription Receipts sold under the Private Placement at the Subscription Price, exercisable in whole or in part at any time up to 48 hours prior to the closing of the Private Placement. The gross proceeds from the Private Placement will be deposited and held in escrow and shall be released immediately prior to completion of the Transaction upon satisfaction of certain conditions (the "Release Conditions"). Each Subscription Receipt sold by First Light will entitle the holder thereof to receive one First Light Share and one-half of one common share purchase warrant of First Light (each full warrant, a "First Light Warrant"). Each Subscription Receipt sold by Finco will entitle the holder to receive one Finco common share (each a "Finco Share") and one-half of one Finco common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant a "Finco Warrant"). After conversion of the Finco Subscription Receipts, the Finco Shares and the Finco Warrants shall be exchanged for a First Light Share and a First Light Warrant on a "one for one" basis. Each First Light Warrant shall be exercisable for one First Light Share at an exercise price of C$0.55 for a period of 24 months from the closing date of the Private Placement. If the Release Conditions are not satisfied on or before the Outside Date (as such term is defined in the Arrangement Agreement), or if First Light advises the Agents or announces to the public that it does not intend to satisfy the Release Conditions, the escrow agent will return to holders of the Subscription Receipts an amount equal to the aggregate Subscription Price for the Subscription Receipts held by them, together with a pro rata portion of interest earned on the escrowed proceeds and the Subscription Receipts will be cancelled and of no further force or effect. Anacortes intends to use the net proceeds of the Private Placement to advance Tres Cruces and for general corporate purposes. Key next steps for Tres Cruces include (i) data compilation and validation, (ii) exploration drilling to increase oxide and sulphide mineral resources, (iii) the advancement of a feasibility study for a standalone oxide operation, (iv) permitting, (v) the evaluation of synergies for oxide development, and (vi) the assessment of sulphide development scenarios, including potential synergies. In connection with the Private Placement, the Agents will receive a cash commission equal to 6.0% of the gross proceeds of the Private Placement and that number of compensation subscription receipts equal to 6.0% of the aggregate number of Subscription Receipts sold under the Private Placement. Share Consolidation Immediately following completion of the Transaction, Anacortes will consolidate its common shares at a ratio of six pre-consolidation shares to one post-consolidation share (the "Consolidation). Sponsorship Under the policies of the TSXV, First Light will be required to engage a sponsor for the Transaction unless an exemption or waiver from this requirement can be obtained. First Light intends to apply to the TSXV for an exemption or waiver of the sponsorship requirement however there is no assurance that an exemption from the sponsorship requirement will be met or that a waiver will be granted. Additional Details Full details of the Transaction will be included in First Light's filing statement, a copy of which will be made available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). Full details of the Transaction will also be included in the management information circular of New Oroperu to be mailed to New Oroperu shareholders in connection with the Transaction. Insiders and Principals of the Resulting Issuer The following persons are expected to be insiders of Anacortes: Name Jurisdiction of Residence Jim Currie British Columbia, Canada Steven Botts Lima, Peru Horng Dih Lee British Columbia, Canada Marshall Koval British Columbia, Canada Wayne Livingstone British Columbia, Canada Pan American Silver Corp. British Columbia, Canada Advisors and Counsel First Light has retained Medalist Capital Ltd. and Trinity Advisors Corporation as financial advisors and Clark Wilson LLP as legal advisor. New Oroperu has retained Haywood Securities Inc. as financial advisor and Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP as legal advisor. Haywood also provided a fairness opinion to the board of directors of New Oroperu. About New Oroperu New Oroperu is a junior exploration company based in Vancouver, B.C., which owns the Tres Cruces gold project in Peru. The Tres Cruces gold project currently hosts a mineral resource estimate of 2.474 million ounces of gold at 1.65 g/t in the Indicated category, which includes 630,000 ounces of leachable gold resources. This mineral resource is described in a NI 43-101 Technical Report & Resource Update for the Tres Cruces project, North-Central Peru, prepared for New Oroperu by Jeffrey D. Rowe, James N. Gray and Ruperto Castro Ocampo with an effective date of March 16, 2021, which has been filed on New Oroperu's profile on SEDAR and can be viewed at www.sedar.com. Jeffrey D. Rowe, P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. For further information, please contact Christina McCarthy, V.P. Corporate Development of New Oroperu, at (416) 712-6151, email christina@oroperu.com or K. Wayne Livingstone, President and Chief Executive Officer of New Oroperu, at (604) 638-1408, email kwl@oroperu.com. About First Light First Light is a capital pool company pursuant to Policy 2.4 of the TSXV. Except as specifically contemplated in such policy, until the completion of its Qualifying Transaction (as defined in the policy), First Light will not carry on business, other than the identification and evaluation of companies, businesses or assets with a view to completing a proposed QT. Investors are cautioned that trading in the securities of a capital pool company is considered highly speculative. For further information, please contact Jim Currie, President and Chief Executive Officer of First Light, at (604) 764-7108. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements which constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation ("Forward-looking Statements"). All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, are Forward-looking Statements and are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the Forward-looking Statements. The Forward-looking Statements in this news release may include, without limitation, statements about the Company and New Oroperu's current expectations, estimates and projections for the pro forma company, the structure and estimated value of the Transaction, the anticipated timing of the respective shareholders meetings and the closing of the Transaction, the timing and anticipated receipt of required shareholder, court and stock exchange approvals and the ability of the parties to satisfy the other conditions to, and to complete, the Private Placement and the Transaction; the anticipated benefits of the Transaction to shareholders and the combined company, including corporate, operational and other synergies; the anticipated uses of the net proceeds of the Private Placement; and the expected management team of the combined company. Often, but not always, these Forward-looking Statements can be identified by the use of words such as "anticipated", "estimated", "potential", "open", "future", "assumed", "projected", "used", "detailed", "has been", "gain", "planned", "reflecting", "will", "anticipated", "estimated" "containing", "remaining", "to be", or statements that events, "could" or "should" occur or be achieved and similar expressions, including negative variations. Forward-looking Statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company and New Oroperu to control or predict and which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-looking Statements. Such risks, uncertainties and factors include, among others, the completion and timing of the Transaction, the ability of the Company and New Oroperu to receive, in a timely manner, the necessary approvals to satisfy the conditions to closing of the Transaction; the ability to complete the Transaction on terms contemplated by the Company and New Oroperu, or at all; the ability of the combined company to realize the anticipated benefits of, and synergies and savings from, the Transaction and the timing thereof; the consequences of not completing the Transaction; the accuracy of the pro forma financial information of the combined company; changes in general economic conditions and financial markets; political risks; risks relating to the current and potential adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, financial markets and the parties' operations; and risks inherent in mineral exploration. Although Forward-looking Statements contained in this news release are based upon what each of the parties believe are reasonable assumptions at the time they were made, such statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company and New Oroperu disclaim any obligation to update any Forward-looking Statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by law. There can be no assurance that these Forward-looking Statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on Forward-looking Statements. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell, or solicitation of an offer to buy, nor will there be any sale of any of the securities offered in any jurisdiction where such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including the United States of America. The securities being offered as part of the Private Placement 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 accordingly may not be offered or sold in the United States except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws, or pursuant to available exemptions therefrom. Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, TSXV acceptance and if applicable pursuant to TSXV requirements, majority of the minority shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the filing statement to be prepared in connection with the Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of a capital pool company should be considered highly speculative. The TSXV has in no way passed upon the merits of the Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this press release. Not For Dissemination in the United States or For Distribution to U.S. Newswire Services. This Press Release Does Not Constitute an Offer to U.S. Persons To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/87912 Combined offering to provide customers with the unique ability to generate interactive 3D experiences for their sellers with a web-based, no code environment WALTHAM, Mass., June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Bigtincan (ASX:BTH), the global leader in sales enablement automation, announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of Vidinoti SA to further its mission of creating the Buying Experience of the Future for the world's leading Enterprise customers. With this acquisition, Bigtincan strengthens its ability to provide sales professionals with tools to virtually present products in their customers' actual environments. Headquartered in Fribourg Switzerland, Vidinoti is a leader in the area of Augmented Reality, leveraging a strong portfolio of patents and a web-based content management system that allows users to manage augmented content at scale. The increased engagement created by these unique experiences results in better learning, more frequent interactions, better responses and stronger brand recognition. The combination of Bigtincan and Vidinoti creates a new way to develop, deploy and manage AR content - offering companies a compelling value proposition and alternative to traditional means of communication and interaction with buyers. "The ability to interact digitally with objects in the real world can dramatically improve the buying experience for companies in traditional high-touch verticals like industrial manufacturing, retail, and hospitality," said David Keane, CEO and Co-founder of Bigtincan. "With Viditnoti's technology, Bigtincan's customers can create augmented experiences for their products at scale without relying on third parties and deliver them on any device." "Augmented reality has game-changing potential in areas like buyer engagement; it can completely redefine how salespeople interact with their customers," said Philippe Jeanrenaud, CEO of Vidinoti. "We are thrilled to continue our journey with Bigtincan to explore the possibilities, design innovative use-cases, and bring AR and VR to support the growth and effectiveness of the sales process." To learn more about Bigtincan, visit www.bigtincan.com. About Bigtincan Bigtincan (ASX:BTH) helps sales and service teams increase win rates and customer satisfaction. The company's AI-powered sales enablement automation platform features the industry's premier user experience that empowers reps to more effectively engage with customers and prospects and encourages team-wide adoption. Leading brands including AT&T, Thermo Fisher, Merck, ANZ Bank and others rely on Bigtincan to enhance sales productivity and fuel customer engagement. With global sales and marketing headquartered in Boston, Bigtincan also has offices across EMEA, Australia and Asia. To discover more about how your organization can benefit from the Bigtincan platform, please visit www.bigtincan.com or follow @bigtincan on Twitter. About Vidinoti Vidinoti, based in Fribourg Switzerland, is a leader in the area of Augmented Reality founded in 2010 as a spin-off from the Ecole Polytechnique de Lausanne (EPFL). Vidinoti's goal is to create a more engaging and richer user experience by seamlessly combining the real environment with interactive digital content. The increased engagement created by these unique experiences results in better learning, more frequent interactions, better responses, and stronger brand recognition. For more information, visit vidinoti.com. Media Contacts Pam Dearen VP Marketing Communications & Customer Relations marketing@bigtincan.com 1-617-981-7557 Rye Brook, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - June 17, 2021) - Here To Serve Holdings Corp. (OTC Pink: HTSC) (the "Company") is pleased to announce its wholly owned subsidiary, ICF Industries Inc., has purchased a 15% non-dilutive stake in Kaiyon Biotech Inc. ("Kaiyon"). Kaiyon is a company creating medicines using psilocybin to treat debilitating conditions. According to Cesar Herrera, President of ICF Industries, "Kaiyon doctors are early recipients of KFDA approval to study psilocybin in South Korea. We believe the scientists, doctors and researchers involved in Kaiyon are amongst the best in the world and they will be studying at Kaiyon's Bio-lab. We cannot be happier with this arrangement between the Company, Kaiyon, and Pervasip Corp. We believe we have amassed a world-class group of professionals for studying the positive effects of psilocybin." A royalty agreement is being negotiated by the team and will be announced shortly. About Here To Serve Holding Corp. Here to Serve Holding Corp. is a holding company that hunts for undervalued assets and accepts shares of common stock as a fee for its corporate advisory, SEC compliance, consulting, and marketing services. Run by an experienced team of professionals with diverse backgrounds, the Company formed two wholly owned subsidiaries, ICF Industries Inc. and Fortune Nickel and Gold Inc. ICF provides the advisory services to other companies and Fortune is dedicated to the global acquisition, exploration, and development of mining properties in prolific jurisdictions. Fortune recently acquired mining projects known as the Gowan and Beck-Ottaway properties located in the Timmins mining camp in Ontario, Canada. The Timmins mining camp lies at the heart of the Abitibi greenstone belt, which contains some of the world's largest deposits of gold, silver, copper, zinc, nickel, platinum-group metals, and industrial minerals such as talc. Fortune believes its projects have substantial gold and nickel potential. For more information: Please call Investor Relations with any questions at 855-4NICKEL (855-464-2535) extension 1. The information contained herein includes forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or to our future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond our control and which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects our current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/87925 THIS NEWS RELEASE IS INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION IN CANADA ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 17, 2021 / Pelangio Exploration Inc. (TSXV:PX)(OTC PINK:PGXPF); ("Pelangio" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed the final tranche of the non-brokered private placement previously announced on May 21, 2021 and June 10, 2021 (the "Offering"). In this final tranche, the Company raised gross proceeds of $275,000 (the "Final Tranche") by issuing 1,718,750 flow-through units of the Company (the "FT Units") at a price of $0.16 per FT Unit. Proceeds of the Offering will be used for exploration and drill programs at Pelangio's Dome West, Gowan and Hailstone projects. Each FT Unit is comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company ("Common Share") issued on a "flow-through" basis for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and one half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole Common Share purchase warrant a "Warrant") also issued on a flow-through basis. Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at a price of $0.20 for a period of eighteen (18) months following the closing date of the Offering, subject to adjustment in certain events and provided that, if after four months and one day after the closing date of the Offering, the VWAP of the Common Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V") is at or above $0.40 for a period of 15 consecutive trading days, the Company may accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants by disseminating a press release and in such case the Warrants will expire on the 20th day after the date on which such press release is disseminated. The gross proceeds from the sale of the FT Units will be used to incur qualifying Canadian Exploration Expenses. Qualifying expenses are to be incurred by no later than December 31, 2022 for renunciation to investors of FT Units in the Offering effective December 31, 2021. In connection with the closing of the Final Tranche, the Company paid finder's fees to Leede Jones Gable, an arm's length finder, consisting of $5,250 in cash and 32,812 non-transferrable warrants ("Finder Warrants"). Each Finder Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Common Share at a price of $0.16 for a period of eighteen months from the Initial Closing Date. All securities issued in the Final Tranche of the Offering, including the Finder Warrants, are subject to a statutory hold period expiring on October 18, 2021. The Offering remains subject to final acceptance by the TSX-V. Neither TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. About Pelangio Pelangio acquires and explores prospective land packages located in world-class gold belts in Ghana, West Africa and Canada. In Ghana, the Company is exploring its two 100% owned camp-sized properties: the 100 km2 Manfo property, the site of eight near-surface gold discoveries, and the 284 km2 Obuasi property, located 4 km on strike and adjacent to AngloGold Ashanti's prolific high-grade Obuasi Mine, as well as the newly optioned Dankran property located adjacent to its Obuasi property. In Canada, the Company is currently focused in Ontario at its Dome West property, situated some 800 meters from the Dome Mine in Timmins; at its Gowan polymetallic project, located 16 km east of the Kidd Creek Mine, and is advancing its Hailstone property in Saskatchewan. See www.pelangio.com for further detail on all Pelangio's properties. For additional information, please visit our website at www.pelangio.com, or contact: Ingrid Hibbard, President and CEO Tel: 905-336-3828 Toll-free: 1-877-746-1632 Email: info@pelangio.com Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements herein may contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements or information appear in a number of places and can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements and information include statements regarding the Offering generally, the proposed use of proceeds and the Company's exploration plans. With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, we have made numerous assumptions, receipt of final acceptance by the TSX-V and the state of the equity markets. Such forward-looking statements and information are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement or information. Such risks include the changes in equity markets, share price volatility, volatility of global and local economic climate, gold price volatility, political developments in Ghana, and Canada, increases in costs, exchange rate fluctuations, speculative nature of gold exploration, including the risk that favourable exploration results may not be obtained, delays due to COVID-19 safety protocols, and other risks involved in the gold exploration industry. See the Company's annual and quarterly financial statements and management's discussion and analysis for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to the forward-looking statement and information. There can be no assurance that a forward-looking statement or information referenced herein will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Also, many of the factors are beyond the control of the Company. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward- looking statements or information. We undertake no obligation to reissue or update any forward-looking statements or information except as required by law. All forward-looking statements and information herein are qualified by this cautionary statement. SOURCE: Pelangio Exploration Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/652203/Pelangio-Exploration-Completes-Final-Tranche-of-Flow-Through-Private-Placement-for-Aggregate-Gross-Proceeds-Of-750000 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 17, 2021) - Universal PropTech Inc. (TSXV: UPI) (OTCQB: UPIPF) (FSE: 8LH) ("UPI" or the "Company") announces that on June 1st it had entered into a services agreement (the "Agreement") with Digitonic Ltd. ("Digitonic"), an arm's-length party to the Company and a leading digital and mobile marketing firm based in Glasgow, Scotland, to provide marketing services focused on the North American markets. Digitonic will provide the Company with content creation, distribution and advertising services in North America. The term of the Agreement commences on or around June 21st ("Term"), and will run for an approximate six week period. In consideration for the services provided, the Company has agreed to pay Digitonic a fee of USD$216,000. All content created by Digitonic on behalf of the Company and its investments will be reviewed and vetted in accordance with the Company's enhanced review procedures prior to dissemination. The services provided by Digitonic may be delayed or terminated at any time and may be renewed by mutual consent. As of the date hereof, Digitonic does not own any securities of the Company and to the Company's knowledge does not to intend to acquire securities in the capital of the Company. About Universal PropTech Inc. Universal PropTech Inc. (TSXV: UPI) (OTCQB: UPIPF) (FSE:8LH) is a leading building innovation company, selecting, integrating, deploying, and maintaining PropTech in healthy buildings. As trusted advisors, we provide holistic evidence-driven solutions and services for building developers, owners, and operators in Canada. UPI operates through its wholly owned subsidiary, VCI Controls Inc. ("VCI"), a leading supplier and integrator of PropTech healthy building solutions and services. VCI is an industry leader in the acquisition and deployment of intelligent building technology, including the integration of all building systems utilizing the latest in communications technologies and standards. VCI's business focuses on digital controls and mechanical services, performance monitoring, and energy efficiency solutions. With headquarters in Toronto, Universal PropTech Inc. has offices across Canada including, Halifax, Montreal, and Ottawa. For more information, visit www.universalproptech.com. Contact Information Universal PropTech Inc. Chris Hazelton President and Chief Executive Officer chazelton@universalproptech.com (647) 300-2957 Additional Universal PropTech Statement The Company diligently posts updates through videos from the official company YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRYxig8nvpmMeDNaK_6OOSw Please join the conversation on our Universal PropTech supporter's telegram group at: https://t.me/UniversalPropTech Forward-Looking Statements Certain information provided in this press release constitutes forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information typically contains statements with words such as "anticipate", "believe", "forecast", expect", "plan", "intend", "estimate", "propose", "project", or similar words suggesting future outcomes. The Company cautions readers and prospective investors in the Company's securities not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information as, by its nature, it is based on current expectations regarding future events that involve a number of assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the Company. The forward-looking information included herein is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking information included herein is made as of the date hereof and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange ("Exchange"), nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. 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/87904 NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 17, 2021 / Viva Gold Corp. ("Viva" or the "Company") (TSXV:VAU) announces that it has repriced its brokered private placement announced on May 5, 2021 and upsized by announcement on May 7, 2021. Pursuant to the amended terms, Research Capital Corporation will act as sole agent and sole bookrunner (the "Agent") in connection with this best efforts, private placement offering of units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of $0.17 per Unit (the "Offering Price") for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $4,000,000 (the "Offering"). Each Unit will be comprised of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant shall be exercisable to acquire one Common Share (a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.25 per Warrant Share for a period of 36 months from the closing of the Offering. The Agent will have an option (the "Agent's Option") to offer for sale up to an additional 15% of the number of Units sold in the Offering at the Offering Price, which Agent's Option is exercisable, in whole or in part, at any time up to 48 hours prior to the closing of the Offering. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for working capital requirements and other general corporate purposes, including technical study on the Tonopah Gold project. Technical study at the Tonopah gold project is expected to include both infill and step out drilling, metallurgical and baseline environmental study, and the initiation of pre-feasibility/feasibility study for the project. "This repricing is made in reaction to the recent decline in Viva share price due to a combination of declining gold markets and third-party actions that have delayed the Company's financing effort", states James Hesketh, President & CEO. The securities to be issued under the Offering will be offered by way of private placement in each of the provinces of Canada, and such other jurisdictions as may be determined by the Company, in each case, pursuant to applicable exemptions from the prospectus requirements under applicable securities laws. The Offering is scheduled to close on or about the week of June 21, 2021, or such earlier or later date as agreed upon between the Company and the Agent (the "Closing") and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"). The Units to be issued under the Offering will have a hold period of four months and one day from Closing. In addition, it remains a TSXV condition of the Offering that, as announced on June 11, 2021, the voting securities placed in the Offering, including, any Warrant Shares, and any Viva voting securities issued to the Agent in payment of Offering fees or commissions upon exercise of any compensation options issued to the Agent, will be excluded from the voting at the Viva special meeting scheduled for August 17, 2021 or any meeting of the Company's shareholders held in lieu thereof. In connection with the Offering, the Agent will receive an aggregate fee equal to 6.0% of the gross proceeds from the Offering, including in respect of any exercise of the Agent's Option, payable in cash or Units, at the option of the Agent. In addition, the Company will grant the Agent, on date of Closing, non-transferable compensation options (the "Compensation Options") equal to 6.0% of the total number of Units sold under the Offering (including in respect of any exercise of the Agent's Option). Each Compensation Option will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price equal to the Offering Price for a period of 36 months following the Closing. 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 accordingly, may not be offered or sold within the United States except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities requirements or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any securities in any jurisdiction. About Viva Gold Corp. Viva Gold is a gold exploration and project development company with a focus on Nevada. Viva's management team has extensive experience in mining exploration, development and production and are supported by a Board of Directors and advisors who are proven mine finders, deal makers and financiers. Viva trades on the TSX-V as "VAU", on the OTCQB in the US as "VAUCF" and on the Frankfurt exchange under "7PB". For additional information on Viva Gold and the Tonopah Gold Project, please visit our website: www.vivagoldcorp.com. For Further Information, Contact: James Hesketh, President & CEO (720) 291-1775 jhesketh@vivagoldcorp.com Valerie Kimball, Director Investor Relations (720) 933-1150 vkimball@vivagoldcorp.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Information This news release contains certain information that may constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking statements under applicable Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking information"). This forward-looking information entails various risks and uncertainties that are based on current expectations, and actual results may differ materially from those contained in such information. These uncertainties and risks include, but are not limited to, the strength of the global economy; the price of gold; operational, funding and liquidity risks; the potential for achieving targeted drill results, the degree to which mineral resource estimates are reflective of actual mineral resources; the degree to which factors which would make a mineral deposit commercially viable are present; the risks and hazards associated with drilling and mining operations; the ability of Viva to fund its capital requirements, and changing circumstances that cause Viva's management to amend the expected us of the Offering proceeds. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed in the Company's disclosure materials filed with the security's regulatory authorities in Canada available at www.sedar.com. Readers are urged to read these materials. Viva assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from such information unless required by 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 adequacy or accuracy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. SOURCE: Viva Gold Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/652219/Viva-Gold-Announces-Repricing-of-Financing Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 17, 2021) - Battery Mineral Resources Corp. ("Battery" or the "Company") (TSXV: BMR) is pleased to announce that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement to raise gross proceeds of up to $1,000,000 (the "Offering") through the issuance of up to 1,388,888 common shares in the capital of the Company issued on a flow-through basis (each, a "FT Share") at a price of $0.72 per FT Share. These funds will be used to finance the continuation of the Company's 2021 Canadian exploration programs in Ontario and Quebec. The FT Shares will qualify as "flow-through shares" for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada). FT Shares sold to investors who are resident in Quebec will qualify as "flow-through shares" for the purposes of the Taxation Act (Quebec), with proceeds used to incur qualifying exploration expenditures on the Company's Fabre Project in Quebec. Gross proceeds raised from investors resident outside of Quebec will be used to incur qualifying exploration expenditures on the Company's Ontario Cobalt District projects, including Elk Lake, McAra, Gowganda, Wilder, Shining Tree and White Reserve (Figure 1). Closing of the Offering is expected to occur on or about June 30, 2021. FT Shares issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period of four-months and one day. Completion of the Offering is subject to a number of conditions, including without limitation, receipt of TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") approval. Finder's fees may be paid to eligible finders in accordance with the policies of the TSXV consisting of a cash commission equal up to 6% of the gross proceeds raised under the Offering. The continuation of the 9,000 meter 2021 program will focus on the Gowganda and Fabre projects. In Gowganda, specifically, Gowganda East and Kilpatrick, the holes will target the horizon which is upper contact of the Diabase along the eastern limb of the Nipissing Diabase Sill. Historically this contact was the principal ore host in the Gowganda Camp which produced 60.1 million ounces silver & 1.3 million pounds of cobalt from 1910 - 1989. In addition, target identification using geophysics has proven valuable. Three Dimensional Induced-Polarization ("3D-IP") surveys at Kilpatrick and most recently at Gowganda East have identified high chargeability anomalies which coincide with the Nipissing Diabase upper contact horizon and will be drill tested. At Fabre, a recent follow-up 3D-IP survey has extended the strong IP chargeability anomaly to the southwest of BMR's 2019 drilling. Drilling is planned to test this anomaly which coincides with the best of the historic drilling at Fabre West. The Summer and Fall field work program consisting of prospecting, geological mapping, rock sampling, targeting known mineral cobalt - silver occurrences and historic workings, is aimed to identify new high priority targets for drilling, trenching and ground geophysical surveys. Figure 1: BMR's land position in the Cobalt Embayment To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6076/87960_8dd4e57e84fe6b11_002full.jpg Additional Information P. J. Doyle, FAusIMM (#208850), Battery Mineral Resources Corp. - Vice President Exploration - Canada, supervised the preparation of and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release pertaining to the Canada Exploration Program. Scientific and technical information pertaining to the cobalt resource at McAra was extracted from the Company's NI 43-101 "Technical report on Cobalt Exploration Assets in Canada" dated as of May 26, 2020 with an effective date of March 31, 2020, prepared by Glen Cole (P. Geo) of SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. About Battery Mineral Resources Corp. Battery is a multi-commodity resource company which provides investors with exposure to the world-wide trend towards electrification. Battery is engaged in the discovery, acquisition, and development of battery metals (cobalt, lithium, graphite, nickel & copper), in North and South America and South Korea with the intention of becoming a premier and sustainable supplier of battery minerals to the electrification marketplace. Battery is the largest mineral claim holder in the historic Gowganda Cobalt-Silver Camp, Canada and continues to pursue a focused program to build on the recently announced, +1 million pound cobalt resource at McAra by testing over 50 high-grade primary cobalt silver-nickel-copper targets. In addition, Battery 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 currently developing the Punitaqui Mining Complex, and pursuing the potential near term resumption of operations at the prior producing Punitaqui copper-gold mine. The Punitaqui copper-gold mine most recently produced approximately 21,000 tonnes of copper concentrate in 2019 and is 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. 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. Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. 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 obtain sufficient financing to complete exploration and development activities, 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/87960 Akur8, a Paris, France and New York, NY-based company automating insurance pricing with proprietary AI, closed a Series B funding round of $30m. The round which brought total funding to $42m saw the participation from BlackFin Capital Partners and MTech Capital. The company intends to use the funds to accelerate: international expansion, with a particular focus on furthering its US presence, and establishing a presence in APAC in 2022, and product development pipeline to cover the full pricing suite, advancing US-tailored features and creating more value-added features to enhance existing modules. Led by Samuel Falmagne, CEO, Guillaume Beraud-Sudreau, and Chief Actuary, Akur8 developed an AI-based insurance pricing solution that automates modeling for insurance companies while keeping full transparency and control on the models created, as required by regulators worldwide. In less than two years, the company has acquired more than 30 customers across 10 countries, including global leaders AXA, Generali and Munich Re, specialty insurers Canopius and Tokio Marine Kiln, insurtechs Wakam and wefox, as well as mutualistic player Matmut. The platform is used daily by 350 users within insurers pricing teams, to compute their pricing models across P&C, personal and commercial lines, and health. The company has offices in Paris, London and New York, where 20 nationalities are represented within its diverse team of 50 employees. FinSMEs 17/06/2021 Arrived Homes, a Seattle WA-based real estate investing platform, raised $37M in seed funding and debt financing. The round was comprised of $10m in equity financing and $27 in debt financing. The equity round was led by Core Innovation Capital with participation from Bezos Expeditions (the personal investment company of Jeff Bezos), Good Friends, Time Ventures, Spencer Rascoff, Dara Khosrowshahi, Hadi Partovi, Fred Tuomi, PSL Ventures and Neo. The company intends to use the funds to scale the team and build up its supply of rental homes across the country. Founded by Ryan Frazier (CEO), Kenny Cason (CTO), and Alejandro Chouza (COO), Arrived is a company with SEC qualified offerings allowing anyone to buy shares in individual rental homes via a real estate investing platform. The companys system manages end-to-end all elements of the investment experience, from finding the most promising investment properties based on home appreciation and local rental cash-flow potential to the management of the day-to-day operations. To date, Arrived has secured over 30 properties throughout Arkansas, North Carolina, and South Carolina, which are either fully funded or are being prepared to offer to investors. FinSMEs 17/06/2021 Pieter Haesaert and Ilse Vermeersch founded C4T in 2004. Custom4trade, a Mechelen, Belgium-based digital customs management company, raised 17M in Series C funding. The round was led by 83North. The company intends to use the funds to expand sales from European regions to the USA and accelerate growth and its business reach. Led by CEO and Founder Pieter Haesaert and COO Ilse Vermeersch, C4T simplifies customs and trade with its SaaS solution, CAS, which connects corporations, logistics service providers, customs brokers, and customs authorities with a centralised, multi-country platform that has built-in legal compliance. The company has served customers across industries, including retail, automotive, high tech, manufacturing, raw materials, and fast-moving consumer goods, to accelerate international commerce, realize duty and administrative savings, and adapt to massive changes in trade, including Brexit. CAS is built on the Microsoft Azure platform and delivered as a Service (SaaS). FinSMEs 17/06/2021 Nymbus Cuso, a Miami, FL-based provider of banking technology solutions, closed a $5m financing round. The round was led by the Curql Fund. The company intends to use the funds to continue to expand its development efforts. THE PRESS RELEASE Nymbus CUSO Secures New $5 Million Financing Round Venture Capital Fund Curql Connects Credit Unions to Strategic Fintech MIAMI June 15, 2021 NYMBUS, a leading provider of banking technology solutions, today announced the closing of a new round of financing led by the Curql Fund. The $5 million investment will be used towards Nymbus CUSO and accelerate a shared commitment to breakthrough technology for ensuring continued growth and stability for the credit union community. Launched in 2020, the Curql Fund invests in the visions of entrepreneurs who thoughtfully and purposefully develop financial services technology that revolutionizes and innovates how people engage with their money. It is managed by Next Level Ventures which is the largest investment firm managing credit union assets today. Our investment in Nymbus CUSO by our flagship fund is based on the level of differentiation it brings to the credit union space, said Nick Evens, CEO of Curql. Their technology is more than a digital solution that works within a credit union; its Banking-as-a-Service model allows credit unions to quickly stand up an entirely digital organization that includes the required people, processes and technology. Furthered Evens, We are excited to play a role in pushing this solution forward and working with the Nymbus team at Curql Collective, an ecosystem that opens up access to breakthrough technology for credit unions by minimizing threats, creating opportunities to successfully improve, disrupt and position the industry with a best-in-class member experience. All while cultivating a more significant number of options to help fintech companies grow and prosper. Founded in March 2021 to help break through barriers to growth, Nymbus CUSOs mission is to connect credit unions with trusted fintech offerings that both simplify technology delivery and enable new digital revenue opportunities. Curqls investment follows an additional $20 million funding round recently led by VyStar Credit Union to advance the development of Nymbus CUSO. We have aggressive plans to amplify the capabilities of credit unions and extend their reach to new niche segments, said John Janclaes, President of Nymbus CUSO. This investment is further validation that Nymbus fresh model for growth is the path for any credit union to not only compete, but thrive long-term, in this extraordinarily competitive environment. Collaboration and investment from Curql and VyStar Credit Union, two of the credit union movements most forward-thinking and respected advocates, will help bring ongoing and rapid innovation to more credit unions and better solutions and experiences to their members. For more information on Nymbus CUSO and how to get involved, visit nymbus.com/cuso. About NYMBUS Nymbus enables banks and credit unions of any size to grow and attract new market segments by delivering a full suite of banking technology, including Loan Origination, CRM and Digital, along with the operational resources to launch and run a new digital bank. Whichever growth path you choose, Nymbus buys back decades of lost time and accelerates your ability to engage and support the entire customer journey. About Curql Curql is a collaborative approach to venture capital launched in 2020 by the progressive, industry-leading credit unions of Members Development Company (MDC) and is steered by a collective of former founders, operators, and leaders in the FinTech and VC spaces. The groups flagship Curql Fund I invests in the visions of entrepreneurs who thoughtfully and purposefully develop financial services technology that revolutionizes and innovates how people engage with their money. Curql Fund I is managed by Next Level Ventures, the largest investment firm managing credit union assets today. The Next Level team has over 50 years of collective experience in supporting the remarkable people leading the way in innovative technology development. Trait Biosciences, Inc, a Vancouver BC-based company focused on developing technologies that enable the production of CBD products, raised C$31M in Series A funding. The financing, which features a combination of new cash and the conversion of existing company debt, was led by Btomorrow Ventures (BTV), supported by Gotham Green Partners (GGP) and additional investors from Traits earlier fundraising rounds. The company intends to use the funds to accelerate the research and development needed to commercialize its proprietary 2XGLY Water Soluble Cannabinoid technology and to underwrite R&D in an array of technologies designed to strengthen cannabinoid production practices and improve operating margins for cultivators. Led by Peter McDonough, CEO, Trait Biosciences is a global leader in cannabinoid research, focused on developing technologies that enable the production of CBD products. The company currently has more than 90 active patent applications focused on innovative cannabinoid technology. Traits first-to-market product enabling readily available marketplace CBD extract to be converted into a water-soluble cannabinoid extract is slated to launch in 2022. The company is also developing an IP portfolio in biomolecular plant transformation technology designed to improve minor cannabinoid productivity in plants and strengthen overall crop yield for hemp cultivators. FinSMEs 17/06/2021 Veralox Therapeutics, a Frederick, Md.-based biotechnology company developing first-in-class small molecule therapeutics that treat the underlying pathologies of diseases with significant unmet medical needs, closed a $16.6m Series A financing. The round was led by Hatteras Venture Partners with participation from Genesys Capital, Point Field Partners and Alexandria Venture Investments as well as support from previous investors Sanofi Ventures, JDRF T1D Fund, Maryland Momentum Fund, VTC Innovation Fund and TEDCO. In conjunction with the funding, Ben Scruggs, PhD, principal at Hatteras Venture Partners, and Jamie Stiff, MBA, managing director at Genesys Capital, will join the Veralox Therapeutics board of directors. The company intends to use the funds to advance the development program for its lead product candidate VLX-1005 for the treatment of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Led by Jeffrey W. Strovel, PhD, chief executive officer, Veralox Therapeutics is developing first-in-class therapeutics that target the underlying pathologies of diseases with unmet medical needs based on advanced understanding of the role of 12-lipoxygenase (12-LOX) in the onset and development of many serious diseases and conditions. The companys lead candidate, VLX-1005, is in development for the treatment of patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Second generation therapeutic products are under development for type 1 diabetes and other immune-mediated and inflammatory diseases. In January 2021, Veralox announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) for VLX-1005, a first-in-class small molecule inhibitor of 12-lipoxygenase, for the treatment of HIT. The FDA also approved Veralox Investigational New Drug (IND) application for initiation of a Phase 1 clinical trial of VLX-1005 in HIT. FinSMEs 16/06/2021 Shell x XCharge Financing Programme Signing Ceremony and Cooperation Plan Launching XCharge, a Beijing, China-based provider of an electric vehicle (EV) charging solution in Asia-Pacific and Europe, closed its Series B funding round. Backers included Shell Ventures and other investors. The company intends to use the funds to scale up to meet the accelerated demand in charging services in fast-expanding markets. XCharge is an innovative EV charging solution provider with a wide range of AC/DC/HPC products and technologies, including V2G, load management and SaaS. In addition to public charging, the company has developed a product line specialized in e-bus, home and workplace chargers, with the backend for OTA delicacy management. Instead of manufacturing and selling charging stations, XCharge offers customizable one-stop charging services to enable more profitable business models, preparing its business clients towards the exciting EV era. Since 2015, it has deployed 35,000+ chargers, dispensing 20+ GWh power per month to 120+ EV models in Asia-Pacific and Europe. FinSMEs 16/06/2021 Jeremy Cortial & Ruben Grigri, co-founders of Yellowpop Yellowpop, a NYC-based home brand specializing in LED neon signs, closed a $4m Series A funding. The round included participation from Eutopia, a distinguished Paris- and New York-based early-stage venture capital fund. The company plans to use the funds to continue its global expansion through 2021 and further develop as a lifestyle and home brand. Beyond the brands signature LED neon signs, Yellowpop plans to use the funding to expand and develop its product line into a holistic home decor brand, beginning with new partnerships featuring blue-chip artists and brick-and-mortar retail locations in cities like New York, Paris, and London. Yellowpop will also be adding over a dozen new roles to their team. Led by Jeremy Cortial and Ruben Grigri, Yellowpop is a lifestyle and home brand, providing consumers with a means of decorating their homes with trendy LED neon designs. The company has partnered with creators, designers, and artists on limited-edition collections like Jonathan Adler, Sarah Bahbah, Andre Saraiva, Susan Alexandra, Clara Bergel, David Elia, Emily Eldridge, Girl Knew York, and Jean Andre. In addition to working with a broad range of creatives and brands across the world, Yellowpop also specializes in customized B2B applications whether it be for interior designers, event planners, and retail brands to bring pop to their projects. FinSMEs 16/06/2021 Tampa, FL (33646) Today Rain this morning. A slight risk of a thunderstorm for the afternoon. High 86F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies early with scattered thunderstorms developing late. Low 77F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu. Visit www.bobatthemovies.com for a chance to recommend movies to review between now and the time theaters reopen. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis castigated the Biden administration for creating a disaster and an emergency at the nation's border with Mexico and said Wednesday that he would send law enforcement to Texas and Arizona, whose Republican governors have appealed to other states for help. DeSantis became the first governor to heed the call from his fellow Republicans, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, to send law officers to the border to help with interdiction efforts to capture those entering the country illegally -- including those working for cartels trafficking illicit drugs to all corners of the country. Americas border security crisis impacts every state and every American, DeSantis said in a statement. The Biden Administration ended policies implemented by President Trump that were curbing illegal immigration, securing our border, and keeping Americans safe." Last week, Abbott and Ducey issued a letter seeking help from their fellow governors, claiming that the administration of President Joe Biden has proven unwilling or unable to secure the U.S.-Mexico border. Border states like Texas and Arizona are ground zero for this crisis and bear a disproportionate share of those burdens," their letter said, adding that "additional manpower is needed from any state that can spare it. A spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the agency would continue to leverage our longstanding relationships with state and local enforcement," but deferred to state officials to speak to any steps they are taking to increase an enforcement posture. Republicans have long made border security an issue and had eagerly supported Trump's program to build walls along the nearly 2000-mile (3,220-kilometer) border between the United States and Mexico. The Biden administration has since suspended the project. Im proud to announce today that the state of Florida is answering the call. Florida has your back, DeSantis said. But the Florida governor was scant on details, including when the personnel will head to the border or how many. He said law officers would be sent as part of preexisting mutual aid agreements with other states, which are usually activated in times of emergencies. DeSantis vowed to send personnel from the Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Sheriffs offices in at least nine Florida counties also are adding to the states contingent of law officers. He also mentioned other support, but his office could not immediately provide details. Last Friday, Abbott announced he would build new barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border and launch an aggressive campaign to arrest migrants. Both Abbott and DeSantis are up for reelection next year and have not ruled out running for the White House in 2024. Abbott has made immigration a key focus since Biden took office. A few weeks ago, he issued an order that would pull state licenses from more than 50 shelters that house about 4,000 migrant children. The Biden administration has threatened to sue. Trump announced Tuesday he would visit the border later this month at Abbott's invitation. Legal experts say the U.S. Supreme Court has made clear that the power to enforce immigration law is in the hands of the federal government. Large numbers of migrants have been showing up at the border, many turning themselves over to U.S. Border Patrol agents in hopes of staying to fight asylum cases. But the numbers of families and children traveling without their parents crossing into the U.S. have dropped sharply since March and April while the encounters with single adults have remained high. Overall, there were 180,034 encounters on the Mexican border in May compared with 178,854 a month earlier. Although the numbers are historically high, they are not comparable to previous years because speedy expulsions under pandemic-related powers have translated into people making repeated attempts at crossing. FILE - In this Friday, April 30, 2021, file photo, visitors exit The Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif. California will offer six "dream vacation" incentives to spur more people to get coronavirus vaccinations, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday, June 14, 2021, on the eve of the state's awarding of $15 million in cash prizes. Goodies in the package include floor seats at an NBA game with the LA Lakers, and tickets to Disneyland, Legoland, SeaWorld and a symphony, he said. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File) A new climate is emerging in Europe, and not only meteorologically speaking. And while the European summer should be warm and sunny, June also is marking a country-by-country reopening of most retail, bars, restaurants, and fitness clubs, giving back a real enthusiasm to consumers, franchisees, and franchisors across the continent. On the health side, everyone remains cautious about the pandemic because of the 2020 cycles (summer recession, September increase), the slowing of the vaccination rate, and the spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant, now to 60 countries, including the U.S. Most countries in Europe still impose restrictions inside restaurants, mandatory masks outdoors, working from home for corporate employees, and many travel restrictions. In the U.K., despite a 40% vaccination rate, Prime Minister Boris Johnson this week announced a 4-week extension of coronavirus restrictions because of the Delta variant. In France, an 11 p.m. curfew is still in place until June 30, but theaters and cinemas are now open and live events allowed up to 1,000 participants (with a negative PCR test or proof of vaccination ). All over Europe (either the geographical entity including the U.K., Norway, and Switzerland; or the political and economic entity known as the European Union), travel conditions are still very strict from one country to another, and many corporate companies have not yet lifted their business travel ban. By June 30, European countries should finalize a standard protocol, including a vaccination passport, to facilitate cross-border travel good news for the tourism industry and for every business activity, including franchising. The franchising model still appeals On the franchising side, despite the strong disruption brands, operators, and clients faced during the past 15 months, the franchise partnership model proved its robustness. Thanks to the ability and agility of franchisors and franchisees to collaboratively build new processes, adapt their business models, and invest in digital solutions, many prospective entrepreneurs believe in a post-Covid future through franchising. Todays entrepreneurs expect a franchisor to prove its capacity to anticipate the new consumption trends that will appear, and to sustain the development of its franchise partners through a peer-to-peer approach and supportive relationship. In many different industries, from food to services through fitness concepts, European entrepreneurs remain eager to discover, replicate, and develop a new foreign brand in their national and local markets. Depending on their territory and current operations, they may favor a multi-unit development agreement, rather than a master franchise partnership with sub-franchising development opportunities. European franchise shows go live this fall Today, in mid-June 2021, Europe is focused on ending the lockdown step by step and preparing for a cheerful summer, and franchisors across the continent are sharpening their tools to be ready for September, which will mark the re-start of live events for franchising including: Franchise Expo Paris Sept. 2629 The International Franchise Show London, October 12 Franchise Expo21 Frankfurt, Germany, Nov. 46 MAPIC 2021 Cannes, France, Nov. 30 Dec. 2 For updated information on these European markets and events, go online or contact me directly at the phone number or email address below. Christophe Angleys, Director of European Development for Franchise Update Media, is based in Paris. His extensive experience includes more than a decade as Sales & International Development Director for Franchise Expo Paris, where he helped produce one the largest franchise events in Europe. Through his key contacts and invaluable perspective on franchising in France, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas, he has helped numerous franchisors to identify, qualify, and recruit the right master and multi-unit franchises and develop profitable, sustainable partnerships worldwide. Contact him at christophea@franchiseupdate.com or +33 6 61 55 67 46. 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. FILE - In this May 12, 2020 file photo, Israeli soldiers patrol after a soldier was killed when a rock thrown off a rooftop struck him in the head during an arrest raid, in the village of Yabad near the West Bank city of Jenin. The Israeli military says it is reining in a controversial practice of conducting late-night raids of Palestinian homes in the West Bank aimed at gathering information about the houses and their inhabitants. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed) Have any questions? Please give us a call at 907-352-2250 Gainesville, TX (76240) Today Thunderstorms - some may contain locally heavy rain, especially during the morning hours. High near 85F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Increasing clouds with showers arriving overnight. Low 71F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%. Galveston, TX (77553) Today Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 90F. WNW winds shifting to S at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Cloudy skies this evening followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms overnight. Low 81F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Theft prevention tips Here are some preventative measures that can be taken by vehicle owners to minimize the chances of being a victim of theft of catalytic convertors: Park vehicles inside garages or warehouses if possible. Speak to a mechanic about aftermarket catalytic converter locks. Block access to fleet vehicles which are often targeted. Listen. Removal of these devices is quick but extremely loud. The most common tool is a battery powered hand saw. Attempt to identify the location of the noise, if its under a vehicle and seems suspicious, contact your local police. Source: Galveston Police Department Sony has opened applications for its PlayStation 5 system software beta program. The initiative will give console owners the chance to test new PS5 features before they're officially rolled out, with Sony using feedback gathered during testing to guide development. Those interested in taking upcoming PS5 features for a spin can sign-up for the program -- currently open to those based in the U.S., Canada, Japan, United Kingdom, France, and Germany -- on the PlayStation website. Successful applicants will then be emailed by Sony with full details on how to take part. Sony noted that beta system software "is a pre-release version of software that has not been thoroughly tested and may be incomplete or contain errors," which serves as a warning to those who might be expecting a silky smooth beta experience. You can find more information on the beta program, including additional eligibility conditions, over on the PlayStation website. The Democrats sprawling voting rights bill, known on Capitol Hill as HR 1, is dead. Officially, the bill is still clinging to life. But Sen. Joe Manchin III of West Virginia, the majority partys stubbornly maverick 50th vote, signed its writ of execution recently, complaining that the bill looked too partisan to him. That made HR 1s demise inevitable; even its advocates knew it was unlikely to get 50 votes in its current form let alone survive a filibuster, which requires 60 votes to overcome. The problem with HR 1 is that, unpalatable as it may be for other Democrats to admit, Manchin is right. As election law expert and reform advocate Richard L. Hasen of UC Irvine noted, the bill is a wish list of progressive proposals. It includes federally mandated automatic voter registration and minimum standards for absentee voting, good things that most Republicans oppose ostensibly because they would be federal incursions into an area normally left to the states, but also because they might make it easier for Democrats to win elections. And the bill doesnt stop there. It also includes more exotic measures like a public financing system for congressional elections, new ethics rules for the Supreme Court, and campaign finance reforms that Democrats have sought for more than a decade. The Lebanon City Council on June 9 approved a budget of just over $73.5 million for the 2021-22 fiscal year. The total budget, which includes both operating costs and capital spending, is up 16% over the budget for the previous fiscal year. Looking solely at the operations, the budget allocates $39 million for the next fiscal year, an increase of $7.8 million over the previous year and an increase of nearly 25%. Much of this increased spending is due to an influx of federal funds. The city of Lebanon will receive $3.5 million from the American Rescue Plan. The city also received just under $600,000 in federal funds from the first Coronavirus Relief Act. That money was incorporated in the 2020-21 budget and helped the city manage some of its increased costs during the pandemic. Another reason for the increase in the budget is the expected return to normalcy following the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020-21 budget was intentionally conservative. For example, the city anticipated reduced property tax collections due to the economic downturn. Looking back, it is now clear that this did not take place and the citys property tax proceeds were not impacted. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Lebanon Express. As a result, the city is basing the upcoming budget on normal property tax projections.Total property tax revenue is projected to be up 5% in 2021-22. Gettysburg, PA (17325) Today Sun and clouds mixed. Slight chance of a rain shower. High around 80F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Mostly clear. Slight chance of a shower throughout the evening. Low 59F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Gillette, WY (82718) Today Partly cloudy. Windy during the morning. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 93F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 61F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Gillette, WY (82718) Today A mix of clouds and sun. Gusty winds diminishing during the afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 93F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 61F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Sydney, Australia, June 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Self-doubt is a significant obstacle when pursuing ones passions since there is an inner voice of fear that shadows all ambitions. In an encouraging move by International Keynote Speaker and CEO Advisor, Oscar Chavez, for a limited time, he is giving away his $3M LinkedIn Playbook at zero cost to help CEOs and business owners scale post-covid. From an early age, Oscar Chavez, flouted self-doubt to embark on an entrepreneurial journey. At the age of 16, he kick-started his business career as a corporate magician; and at 23, he became the youngest high-performance sales executive in Australias largest and iconic technology companies. He then went on to compete on Season 2 of Australias The Voice (aired to 4 million Australians, with over 1.7M views on YouTube), where he was publicly ridiculed for his obesity. Following The Voice, Oscar dropped an incredible 70 kgs post-show over 12 months. This transition contributed to his becoming an instant social media hit, inspiring audiences globally. The transformation triggered his subsequent successes, including closing a $3M deal on LinkedIn in a single month with no advertising spend back in December. The results were really phenomenal for my business and I know the many challenges businesses face when it comes to generating qualified leads and closing them as a client, Chavez says. Which is why he created some training to show business owners and CEOs the step-by-step process to generate qualified leads using only their LinkedIn profile. Chavez has been hosting weekend workshops on the $3M LinkedIn Playbook since February and his clients have had some stellar results. One of Oscars clients generated six booked meetings and had a proposal sent out in the same week after attending the $3M LinkedIn Playbook training. But this is the first time Chavez is opening the doors to his training at zero cost. I have a global network, so it was challenging for some people to attend the live training due to the time differences, so I decided to eliminate that barrier and give it away for free as a test. So many CEOs and business owners make excuses for themselves. Most of the time its due to fear and self-doubt - they question whether they have what it takes to get to the next level and theyre overwhelmed by the mixed messages in the industry so my $3M LinkedIn Playbook is a great starting point to test a lead generation channel - especially because theres no ad spend involved, Chavez says. How Oscar defied self-doubt to Build a $17 Billion Advisory Business Obstacles can be discouraging, but those with an open mind come out with a valuable lesson they use to improve their lives, as is the case with Oscar Chavez. Oscar shares his top 3 tips on how to level up in life and business: Screw mediocrity Oscar claims the biggest barrier to achieving ones goals is the pull to conform to the everyday people lifestyle. That is - going to work day in and day out, going home and tuning into everyday people TV rather than taking massive action to transform their lives into something more meaningful. For Oscar, he would prefer to work longer hours during the week and on weekends for the luxury of being able to go off-grid for a few months without falling into debt and with the comfort of knowing that his business continues to grow without him. According to Oscar, whom you choose to surround yourself with will determine whether or not you will succeed in attaining your lifes biggest goals. Its OK to wake up one day and realize that the friendships you have are holding you back. But the choice on what to do about it is up to you, says Chavez. Increase transparency Everyone makes mistakes and has problems to solve. According to Oscar, to be successful, you must be ruthless in looking for problems to solve, "Most people are so busy trying to talk about their solutions and deliver their unique selling propositions that they miss out on the opportunity to learn about their customers intimately. People walk into meetings over-prepared knowing exactly what they want to pitch to their clients. People need to shut up and just listen". Chavez says that solving a problem is just as much about listening and reading between the lines as merely thinking about a viable solution. Take no prisoners Oscar says that everybody is so scared about the opinions of others that it cripples them with fear and stops them from taking meaningful action to unleash the full potential of their lives. The definition of take no prisoners for Chavez is to be ruthlessly uncompromising in pursuing ones objectives. Without this hunger and drive, Chavez says that people will not live up to their full potential and may live their lives littered with regret. Conclusion Oscar Chavezs successful track record equips him with an unbeatable ability to help businesses and individuals understand how to achieve more in business with less. For a limited time, Oscar is giving away his $3M LinkedIn Playbook at zero cost. Implement Oscars strategies for success and start scaling your business today. For more insights, reach out through: Email: oscar@oscar-chavez.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theoscarchavez/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/theoscarchavez Websites: https://www.oscar-chavez.com https://www.growthlymarketing.com https://www.theboardroomglobal.com Media Details Company: Business Advisor, Oscar Chavez Email: oscar@oscar-chavez.com Website: https://www.oscar-chavez.com Attachment Dublin, June 17, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Thailand Data Center Market - Investment Analysis and Growth Opportunities 2021-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Thailand Data Center Market Will Witness Investments of USD 1 Billion By 2026, Growing at a CAGR of 8% During 2021-2026. This report offers analysis on the Thailand Data Center market share and elaborative analysis of the existing and upcoming facilities, datacenter investments in terms of IT, electrical, mechanical infrastructure, general construction, and geography. It discusses market sizing and estimation for different segments with respect to the investment in the facilities. The adoption of 100 GbE switches among data centers in Thailand is likely to grow due to cloud data center deployments. The Thailand data center market includes about 14 unique third-party data center service providers, operating more than 30 facilities. In addition, the country also consists of several on-premises or dedicated data centers owned by local enterprises. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digital transformation in Thailand. KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE REPORT: Retail colocation dominates the market with around 90% share, with wholesale colocation contributing the remaining 10% of the market share. TCC Technology, NTT Global Data Centers, INET Thailand, CAT Telecom, UIH, WHA, True IDC, SUPERNAP (Switch), and CSL are some of the prominent colocation providers in the country. The active implementation and adoption of 5G in the country have also paved the way for the adoption of IoT solutions in the country. SUPERNAP Thailand and PTT data center facility are the two facilities in Thailand certified as Tier IV by Uptime Institute. Architects 49 offered design service for The Stock Exchange of Thailand's data center facility. THAILAND DATA CENTER MARKET INSIGHTS Digital transformation in Thailand is fueling the adoption of cloud-based services, which, in turn, is growing the demand for data centers in the country. Thailand's cloud computing market is expected to reach around USD 700 million by 2026, generating around 30,000 jobs in the next five years. The big data market in the country is expected to grow by 15% YoY in the coming years. In 2016, the Thailand Board of Investments announced tax incentives for data centers that include an eight-year tax privilege, and favored electricity rates, for data centers built in an area of at least 21,500 square feet. The government's Thailand 4.0 initiative promotes the adoption of IoT technology for smart city initiatives, and digital transformation of industries is promoted under the Industry 4.0 initiative. In Thailand, the IoT market is driven by consumer-related IoT, like manufacturing, logistics, and transportation. Phuket, Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Chon Buri, Rayong, Bangkok, and Chachoengsao, among other cities are working towards the development of smart cities in Malaysia. ST Telemedia Global Data Centres and Frasers Property Bangkok Phase I data center facility will add over 80,000 square feet of IT space by Q4 2021. Huawei Technologies plans to build its third modular data center facility in the country. THAILAND DATA CENTER MARKET VENDOR LANDSCAPE Bangkok has a high number of facilities, clustered and smaller in area, with larger facilities located further away from the city. Arista Networks, ATOS, Cisco Systems, Dell Technologies, Fujitsu, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), IBM, Inspur, Lenovo, and NetApp are some of the IT infrastructure providers in the market. The rack power density to increase in the country due to hyperscale data center investments during the forecast period. IT Infrastructure Providers Arista Networks ATOS Cisco Systems Dell Technologies Fujitsu Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) IBM Inspur Lenovo NetApp Data Center Construction Contractors & Sub-Contractors ARUP Architects 49 Limited Plan Architect Chaan Meinhardt Group PPS Group QTC Group Finishing Touch Design Studio Support Infrastructure Providers ABB Caterpillar Cummins Cyber Power Systems Delta Electronics Eaton Fuji Electric HITEC Power Protection Kohler Mitsubishi Electric Legrand Piller Power Systems Rittal Schneider Electric Vertiv Group Data Center Investors ST Telemedia Global Data Centres Huawei Technologies KT Corporation Internet Thailand (INET) True Internet Data Center (TRUE IDC) The segmentation includes: EXISTING VS. UPCOMING DATA CENTERS Existing Facilities in the country (Area and Power Capacity) Bangkok (No. of facilities: 22) Other Locations (No. of facilities: 9) List of Upcoming Facilities in the country (Area and Power Capacity) THAILAND DATA CENTER INVESTMENT COVERAGE Infrastructure Type IT Infrastructure Electrical Infrastructure Mechanical Infrastructure General Construction IT Infrastructure Servers Storage Systems Network Infrastructure Electrical Infrastructure UPS Systems Generators Transfer Switches & Switchgears PDUs Other Electrical Infrastructure Mechanical Infrastructure Cooling Systems Rack Cabinets Other Mechanical Infrastructure Cooling Systems CRAC & CRAH Units Chillers Cooling Towers, Condensers, and Dry Coolers Other Cooling Units General Construction Building Development Installation & Commissioning Services Building and Engineering Design Physical Security Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) Tier Standards Tier I & Tier II Tier III Tier IV WHY SHOULD YOU BUY THIS RESEARCH? Market size available in terms of investment, area, power capacity, and colocation revenue. An assessment of the Thailand data center market investment by colocation, hyperscale, and enterprise operators. Data center investments in terms of area (square feet) and power capacity (MW) across Thailand. A detailed study of the existing Thailand data center market landscape, an in-depth industry analysis, and insightful predictions about the data center market size during the forecast period. Snapshot of existing and upcoming third-party facilities in the country Facilities Covered (Existing): 31 Facilities Identified (Upcoming): 3 Coverage: Bangkok and Other Locations (Chon Buri, Saraburi, Pathum Thani, Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, & Songkhla) Existing vs. Upcoming (Data Center Area) Existing vs. Upcoming (IT Load Capacity) Data center colocation market in Thailand by revenue & forecast (2020-2026) Retail Colocation Pricing Wholesale Colocation Pricing Classification of the market investments into multiple segments and sub-segments (IT, electrical, mechanical, general construction services, and tier standard) with market sizing and forecast. A comprehensive analysis of the latest trends, growth rate, potential opportunities, growth restraints, and prospects for the data center market. Business overview and product offerings of prominent IT infrastructure providers, construction contractors and sub-contractors, support infrastructure providers, and investors operating in the market. A transparent research methodology and the analysis of the demand and supply aspect of the market. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/pm1pab London, June 17, 2021 Discover what happens when two of the worlds most innovative companies join forces to tackle a major challenge together. The ultimate goal of the partnership between CNH Industrial and Nikola Corporation is to develop and produce a complete line-up of zero-emission heavy-duty trucks. The greatly reduced carbon footprint will provide concrete environmental benefits thereby contributing to a cleaner, greener future. In this latest episode, we go behind the scenes with the teams who are working on turning that vision into reality: cnhindustrial.com/AnElectrifyingPartnership IVECO and FPT Industrial, the commercial vehicle and powertrain brands of CNH Industrial N.V. (NYSE:CNHI / MI:CNHI), began their collaboration with Nikola at the end of 2019 with the aim of developing and deploying zero-emission Class 8 heavy-duty trucks, powered by both battery and hydrogen fuel-cell, in North America and Europe. By leveraging the partners respective expertise and technological know-how, the project has very quickly moved from the drawing board to the trial stages with the prototypes already built. The film follows the first Nikola Tre battery-electric vehicle (BEV) prototype on its journey beginning at the IVECO manufacturing facility in Ulm, Germany, the production hub for European Manufacturing Joint Venture between CNH Industrial and Nikola. On arrival by ship in Baltimore, the truck is transported across the U.S. turning heads and garnering admiring comments along the way for its original and innovative design finally arriving at the Nikola headquarters prior to continuing on to proving grounds in Phoenix, Arizona. Here the validation and commissioning testing begins and the truck is put through its paces in a series of increasingly demanding trials designed to test powertrain performance and durability. The film contains an in-depth interview with Pablo Cebrian Robles, VP of Engineering, Heavy and Medium Trucks for IVECO, with additional comments from the Nikola team, as they receive the prototype for the first time on U.S. soil. Find out more about CNH Industrials and Nikolas partnership to achieve zero-emission transport at: cnhindustrial.com/AnElectrifyingPartnership CNH Industrial N.V. (NYSE: CNHI /MI: CNHI) is a global leader in the capital goods sector with established industrial experience, a wide range of products and a worldwide presence. Each of the individual brands belonging to the Company is a major international force in its specific industrial sector: Case IH, New Holland Agriculture and Steyr for tractors and agricultural machinery; Case and New Holland Construction for earth moving equipment; Iveco for commercial vehicles; Iveco Bus and Heuliez Bus for buses and coaches; Iveco Astra for quarry and construction vehicles; Magirus for firefighting vehicles; Iveco Defence Vehicles for defence and civil protection; and FPT Industrial for engines and transmissions. More information can be found on the corporate website: www.cnhindustrial.com Sign up for corporate news alerts from the CNH Industrial Newsroom: bit.ly/media-cnhindustrial-subscribe Media contact: Francesco Polsinelli Corporate Communications Manager, Europe CNH Industrial Tel.: +39 335 1776091 E-mail: mediarelations@cnhind.com www.cnhindustrial.com Attachments MILWAUKEE, June 17, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brady Corporation (NYSE: BRC) (Brady) announced today that it has acquired The Code Corporation (Code or the Company) for approximately $173 million. Brady will fund the transaction with cash on hand as well as with borrowings on its existing revolving line of credit. Code has forecasted sales of approximately $50 million for Bradys first full fiscal year of ownership, which is for the year ending July 31, 2022. Brady anticipates EBITDA from Code of approximately $10 million for the first full fiscal year ending July 31, 2022, inclusive of integration-related costs. Code specializes in high-quality barcode scanners and the associated software to power track-and-trace applications. The Company was founded more than 20 years ago and is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. The majority of Codes sales are into the U.S. healthcare industry. The Company also has a growing product offering of barcode scanners designed for industrial track-and-trace applications. Brady is a leader in high-performance niche application industrial printers and materials, and the acquisition of Code will better position Brady as a full-service provider of industrial track-and-trace applications. Code is a highly-regarded brand for its offering of durable high-performance barcode scanners, said Bradys President and Chief Executive Officer, J. Michael Nauman. The addition of Codes high-quality complementary product offering to Bradys already existing leadership position in niche application industrial printers and materials will accelerate Bradys expansion in the industrial track-and-trace market. Once integrated, our complete service offering in these faster growing end markets should accelerate Bradys overall growth profile. We also intend to increase investments in research and development and increase Codes addressable market through Bradys global footprint throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas. Kent Hansen, CEO of Code stated, Over the last several years, we expanded our product offering, developed strong software solutions, expanded our patent portfolio, and have secured a strong position in the healthcare industry. We are proud of what weve accomplished at Code. The sale of Code to Brady, a market leader in printing and materials, is a very exciting next chapter for The Code Corporation. Bradys strong presence in both healthcare and industrial settings will most certainly open up many more opportunities than those that would have been available to us as an independent company. We believe that the sale to Brady provides an unparalleled opportunity for future growth, access to new markets and access to new customer sets. A webcast regarding this acquisition will be available at www.bradycorp.com/investors beginning at 9:00 am central time tomorrow, June 18, 2021. Brady Corporation is an international manufacturer and marketer of complete solutions that identify and protect people, products and places. Bradys products help customers increase safety, security, productivity and performance and include high-performance labels, signs, safety devices, printing systems and software. Founded in 1914, Brady has a diverse customer base in electronics, telecommunications, manufacturing, electrical, construction, medical, aerospace and a variety of other industries. Brady is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and as of July 31, 2020, employed approximately 5,400 people in its worldwide businesses. Bradys fiscal 2020 sales were approximately $1.08 billion. Brady stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BRC. More information is available on the Internet at www.bradyid.com. In this news release, statements that are not reported financial results or other historic information are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the Company's future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations. The use of words such as may, will, expect, intend, estimate, anticipate, believe, should, project, continue or plan or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain and are subject to risks, assumptions, and other factors, some of which are beyond Bradys control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For Brady, uncertainties arise from: Bradys ability to successfully integrate the acquisition of The Code Corporation; adverse impacts of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic or other pandemics; decreased demand for our products; our ability to compete effectively or to successfully execute our strategy; Bradys ability to develop technologically advanced products that meet customer demands; raw material and other cost increases; difficulties in protecting our websites, networks, and systems against security breaches; extensive regulations by U.S. and non-U.S. governmental and self-regulatory entities; risks associated with the loss of key employees; divestitures and contingent liabilities from divestitures; Bradys ability to properly identify, integrate, and grow acquired companies; litigation, including product liability claims; foreign currency fluctuations; potential write-offs of Bradys goodwill and other intangible assets; changes in tax legislation and tax rates; differing interests of voting and non-voting shareholders; numerous other matters of national, regional and global scale, including major public health issues and those of a political, economic, business, competitive, and regulatory nature contained from time to time in Bradys U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including, but not limited to, those factors listed in the Risk Factors section within Item 1A of Part I of Bradys Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2020 and subsequent Form 10-Q filings. These uncertainties may cause Brady's actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in its forward-looking statements. Brady does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements except as required by law. TORONTO, June 17, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nobel29 Resources Corp. (TSX-V: NBLC; OTC: NBTRF) (the Company or Nobel) announces that it has commenced Induced Polarization (IP) surveys over the priority target areas indicated by the recently completed magnetometer survey (see news release June 11, 2021) at the Algarrobo project in Chile (Figure 1) (the Project or the Algarrobo Project). The planned survey contemplates doing poledipole arrays over the larger target areas indicated by the magnetic survey and gradient array in the areas of the mineralized trends where the higher grade veins are known to occur and sand cover is demonstrated to be relatively thin (Figure 2). The contract for the survey was awarded to Argali Geofisica EIRL, a highly experienced geophysical contractor in the Chilean copper environments. Approximately 80 line-kilometers of IP surveying has been laid out which should be completed in approximately 6 weeks. High priority areas should be completed in approximately 3-4 weeks. It is expected that final assays from the drill campaign will be received in that period and the magnetic, IP and reconnaissance drilling along with trenching and geological mapping can be integrated prior to commencing the main phase of diamond and RC drilling. According to Vernon Arseneau, P.Geo., COO of Nobel, Although the Project area has been subject to artisanal mining for decades, which demonstrates the presence of high-grade copper mineralization distributed over at least 5 kilometers, the Project is unusual in that there is limited basic geological mapping, geophysical data or documentation of the geological controls on the mineralization given the long history of mine development. The reconnaissance drilling by the Company integrated with the new magnetic and IP data bases and basic geological and structural mapping will provide a powerful base from which to effectively explore the Project. IP Survey Details The larger targets will be surveyed with the pole-dipole array and a dipole spacing of 100m or more to obtain significant depth penetration of 400m or more. Sand dunes (mostly in the western part of the grid) may present problems for the pole-dipole array which requires many regularly spaced current electrodes along the line. If current cannot be transmitted in the sand areas, then the gradient array will be tested to see if chargeability can be acquired in the sand dune areas. Test lines will be run in dune areas and results will be reviewed during the trials, and a decision will be made on the optimum configuration prior to finalizing the survey parameters. The gradient array with short dipole spacings on the order of 20m will be tested over areas that host vein mineralization. If results warrant, the gradient survey will be extended. In the gradient array areas line spacing will be approximately 100 meters, over the larger targets in the pole-dipole coverage areas it is anticipated lines will be approximately 400 meters apart. Figure 1: Location of the Algarrobo IOCG Project https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/79fe6030-3565-4b07-b9f4-2bcc7b3623ef Figure 2: Planned Induced Polarization (IP) survey coverage over priority areas, Algarrobo project https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7bec85b4-ce0f-4ba3-bad2-9342fd19adf7 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: David Gower Nobel29 Resources Corp. Email: info@nobel-resources.com Qualified Person The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Vernon Arseneau, P.Geo, and Mr. David Gower P.Geo., Qualified Persons as defined by National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Information This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the mineralization of the Project, the prospectivity of the Project, the Companys exploration program and the results thereof, the Companys drill program and the Companys future plans. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as plans, expects or does not expect, is expected, budget, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates or does not anticipate, or believes, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward- looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Nobel29, as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, geopolitical and social uncertainties; the actual results of current exploration activities; risks associated with operation in foreign jurisdictions; ability to successfully integrate the purchased properties; foreign operations risks; and other risks inherent in the mining industry. Although Nobel29 has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Nobel29 does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. Winston-Salem, NC, June 17, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In an effort to combat prescription drug abuse in Oregon, Inmar Intelligence, the data-driven technology-enabled services company, announced today that it has been contracted by the Drug Takeback Solution Foundation (DTSF) to execute a consumer drug takeback program in cooperation with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The program, which will launch July 1, 2021, will provide drug take-back receptacles throughout the state of Oregon and make mail-back envelopes available in hundreds of locations. Oregon passed the Drug Takeback Law in 2019 due to growing public health concerns surrounding the improper disposal of medications leading to water contamination, and drug diversion resulting in drug overdoses. COVID-19 drastically affected those struggling with substance abuse disorders, with Oregon seeing a nearly 40 percent increase in overdose deaths in 2020. In an effort to combat prescription drug abuse in Oregon, and protect the states environment from the effects of improper disposal of prescription medications, the Drug Takeback Solutions Foundation is working with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and Inmar Intelligence to expand and enhance access to consumer drug take-back options across the state. This program is funded by pharmaceutical manufacturers at no cost to pharmacies, other collectors or the consumer. Inmar Intelligence, the leader in facilitating the safe collection and disposal of unused and expired medication, is uniquely positioned to leverage its operational efficiencies, dispenser relationships and economies of scale developed as the largest provider of pharmaceutical reverse logistics services in the country to manage drug take-back programs on any scale. With this approval from the State of Oregon, Inmar Intelligence will begin executing a program that includes a network of easily accessible kiosks that the community can use to safely and appropriately dispose of their unwanted prescription medications, preventing diversion and misuse of the drugs. With the level of prescription drug abuse on the rise since the pandemic began, and concerns about trace pharmaceuticals in the water, the implementation of the Consumer Drug Takeback Program in Oregon will provide a necessary method of safe and secure medicine disposal, said David Mounts, Chairman and CEO of Inmar Intelligence. Our all-inclusive, safe and secure program offers solutions for unwanted medications in cabinets at home and supports community efforts to combat the drug epidemic. Inmar Intelligences program is compliant with the DEA Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010. Inmar Intelligence is currently operating take-back programs with various retail partners and is also an approved Stewardship Operator in several jurisdictions, including programs in Massachusetts and several counties in California. Inmar Intelligence has over 4,000 drug take-back receptacles contracted nationwide and has over 90 licenses with state and local agencies, including DEA, FDA and DOT. With more than 20 years helping healthcare clients, servicing over 50,000 pharmacies, over 80 percent of U.S. hospitals, and processing over 95 percent of the industry's wholesale returns, Inmar Intelligence is proud to be the leader in pharmaceutical returns. For more information about Inmar Intelligences solutions for Healthcare, please visit https://www.inmar.com/pharmacy-manufacturers-consumer-drug-take-back-program. About Inmar Intelligence Commerce Accelerated. We began 40 years ago by using technology to revolutionize the coupon industry. Today, our predictive analytics, technology-enabled and market-driven platforms are built to solve some of the biggest obstacles to growth across industries in the face of changing markets and consumer behaviors. Inmars customer-centric approach is evident through our success helping companies, including those in highly regulated industries, dynamically engage audiences through influencer, e-commerce, loyalty, conversational commerce and programmatic media solutions. We help leading Fortune 500 companies and emerging brands stay relevant, improve operations and propel growth while providing their consumers with personalized and precision-driven tools to improve health and safety, save money and more conveniently go about their lives. Throughout our history, we have served retailers, manufacturers, pharmacies, health systems, government and employers as their trusted intermediary and helped them redefine innovation. For more information about Inmar, please follow Inmar on Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook, or call (866) 440-6917. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 17, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Lithium Corp. (American Lithium or the Company) (TSX-V:LI | OTCQB:LIACF | Frankfurt:5LA1) is pleased to provide an update on recent developments at its Tonopah Lithium Claims Project located close to Tonopah, Nevada (TLC). Highlights: The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has confirmed that American Lithiums Plan of Operations, submitted in January 2021, (the PO) has been accepted for review and is deemed complete Biological and Cultural Baseline Surveys prepared by American Lithium, in conjunction with EM Strategies Inc. of Reno, conducted in 2020 confirmed that no species or habitat protected under the Endangered Species Act are present within the Project Area. BLM has confirmed that a standard Environmental Assessment (EA) is sufficient for approval of this PO. Approval of PO anticipated within 3 months, enabling next phase of development. Next phase at TLC to include a drill program of up to 95 drill holes to extend, expand and upgrade existing resource and complete up to 5 test pits for metallurgical bulk sampling. Company remains focused on becoming a secure, sustainable, environmentally responsible supplier of battery-grade lithium products for the North American Battery / EV markets. Strong alignment with 100-Day Review focused on strengthening Critical Supply Chains, including domestic lithium supply, recently announced by The White House. Simon Clarke, Chief Executive Officer & Director of American Lithium stated, We are very pleased that the BLM has accepted the Companys Plan of Operations as complete. This is a key step towards the approval of the PO and the launch of the next phase of development and operations at TLC. The proactive and early steps taken by the Company to ensure that no major environmental issues exist at TLC are helping us move the project ahead as quickly as possible and differentiate us positively from several other claystone projects in Nevada. At the same time, securing water rights for TLC early in the process, while recognizing the need to be as water efficient as possible and to minimize impacts to the land and water surrounding TLC, has also shown our commitment to be as environmentally responsible as possible and the retaining of Minviro further underlines this commitment. Our focus is not only on implementing a flowsheet to produce battery-grade lithium products at TLC which is as cost-effective as possible but also one that minimizes any potential environmental impacts. Our flow-sheet design work and process engineering continue at a fast pace while we await approval of the PO and the launch of the next phase of drilling. TLCs unique characteristics provide it with the potential to be amongst the best lithium projects globally from a cost and environmental perspective. TLC Project Update Plan of Operations As reported on January 13th, 2021, the Company filed an Application for a Plan of Operations (PO) for its next phase of development and operations at TLC. This PO increases the surface disturbance allowance to 168 acres in two phases, 84.5 acres in Phase 1, and 78.5 acres in Phase 2, and includes all necessary descriptions of environmental and reclamation planning for the next phase of operations, which includes: Up to 95 new drill holes to further understand, characterize and high-grade the extensive TLC resource and to enable resource expansion to the north, south and west of the current resource and to upgrade existing resource classifications. Click here for latest TLC Plan of Operations Map. Up to 5 large test pits planned to provide bulk sample material for metallurgical testing as the Company moves to finalize and optimize its flow-sheet design to produce battery-grade lithium products and to maximize project economics while minimizing environmental footprint. One 5-acre laydown area intended for future pilot plant work for feasibility phase. Biological and cultural surveys that can be used for future permitting work for feasibility phase and future mine plan, without additional cost. The American Lithium team prioritized all environmental and cultural work early on to fast-track the project towards this next phase of drilling and testing. The biological surveys conducted for the PO Application found no species or habitat protected under the ESA (Endangered Species Act) within the project area, expediting the Companys ability to move towards this next phase of development. Information gained under the proposed new drilling / testing program will lead to finalization of a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) and a mine plan. The BLM has accepted and deemed the PO complete with no significant issues. At this stage of development, and based on the environmental work conducted to date, the BLM has commenced an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the TLC Project as opposed to the more arduous Environmental Impact Study (EIS). With the PO application now being deemed complete and the EA commenced, the Company can now focus on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements for the permitting of future phases of the TLC project. Life Cycle Assessment - Minviro Sustainability Consultants In addition to the fact that the TLC Project has no endangered species or plants, the characteristics of the clays-hosted lithium mineralization also provide several environmental advantages for the recovery of lithium products. The mineralization is near surface, easy to mine and highly leachable. American Lithium has retained Minviro Ltd (Minviro) to complete a Life Cycle Assessment for the production of battery-grade lithium products at TLC, integrating environmental impact data into the decision-making process as the Company looks to finalize and optimize its flow-sheet design. The sustainability expertise provided by the Minviro life cycle assessment will be a huge step in ensuring that the flow-sheet design selected leverages the unique characteristics of TLC claystone mineralization into the best lithium recovery process from an environmental perspective. Minviro, a Registered Sustainability Consultancy headquartered in London, England, is a team composed of industry experts on environmental impacts in the mining industry. Robert Pell, PhD., Founder and CEO at Minviro, holds a degree on life cycle assessment of critical metal projects, positioning him as a global expert in determining the impacts of various mining operations and processing methods. The Minviro team is rounded out by a team of experienced engineers and scientists who are passionate about improving the environmental performance of critical global resource projects. Qualified Person Mr. Ted OConnor, P.Geo., a Director of American Lithium, and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical geological information contained in this news release. About American Lithium American Lithium is actively engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of lithium projects within mining-friendly jurisdictions throughout the Americas. The company is currently focused on enabling the shift to the new energy paradigm through the continued exploration and development of its strategically located TLC lithium claystone project in the richly mineralized Esmeralda lithium district in Nevada as well as continuing to advance its Falchani lithium and Macusani uranium development projects in southeastern Peru. Both Falchani and Macusani have been through preliminary economic assessments, exhibit strong additional exploration potential and are situated near significant infrastructure. Please watch our informative project update videos and related background information at https://www.americanlithiumcorp.com For more information, please contact the Company at info@americanlithiumcorp.com or visit our website at www.americanlithiumcorp.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. On behalf of the Board of Directors of American Lithium Corp. Simon Clarke CEO & Director Tel: 604 428 6128 For further information, please contact: 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 press release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the plans, objectives and advancement of the TLC, Falchani and Macusani Projects (the Projects), exploration drilling plans, in-fill and expansion drilling plans, results of exploration and development plans, expansion of resources and testing of new deposits, environmental and social community permitting, and any other statements regarding the business plans, expectations and objectives of American Lithium. Forward-looking statements are frequently identified by such words as "may", "will", "plan", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend", indicate, scheduled, target, goal, potential, subject, efforts, option and similar words, or the negative connotations thereof, referring to future events and results. Forward-looking statements are based on the current opinions and expectations of management are not, and cannot be, a guarantee of future results or events. Although American Lithium believes that the current opinions and expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable based on information available at the time, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements since American Lithium can provide no assurance that such opinions and expectations will prove to be correct. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and subject to a variety of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including risks, uncertainties and assumptions related to: American Lithiums ability to achieve its stated goals, including the anticipated benefits of the acquisition of Plateau Energy Metals Inc. (Plateau); the estimated costs associated with the advancement of the Projects; risks and uncertainties relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and the extent and manner to which measures taken by governments and their agencies, American Lithium or others to attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19 could affect American Lithium, which could have a material adverse impact on many aspects of American Lithiums businesses including but not limited to: the ability to access mineral properties for indeterminate amounts of time, the health of the employees or consultants resulting in delays or diminished capacity, social or political instability in Peru which in turn could impact American Lithiums ability to maintain the continuity of its business operating requirements, may result in the reduced availability or failures of various local administration and critical infrastructure, reduced demand for the American Lithiums potential products, availability of materials, global travel restrictions, and the availability of insurance and the associated costs; risks related to the certainty of title to the properties of American Lithium, including the status of the Precautionary Measures filed by American Lithiums subsidiary Macusani Yellowcake S.A.C. (Macusani), the outcome of the administrative process, the judicial process, and any and all future remedies pursued by American Lithium and its subsidiary Macusani to resolve the title for 32 of its concessions; risks regarding the ongoing Ontario Securities Commission regulatory proceedings; the ongoing ability to work cooperatively with stakeholders, including but not limited to local communities and all levels of government; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic; the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; the possibility that any future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with our expectations; risks that permits will not be obtained as planned or delays in obtaining permits; mining and development risks, including risks related to accidents, equipment breakdowns, labour disputes (including work stoppages, strikes and loss of personnel) or other unanticipated difficulties with or interruptions in exploration and development; risks related to commodity price and foreign exchange rate fluctuations; risks related to foreign operations; the cyclical nature of the industry in which American Lithium operates; risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms or delays in obtaining governmental approvals; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the uncertain global economic environment and the effects upon the global market generally, and due to the COVID-19 pandemic measures taken to reduce the spread of COVID-19, any of which could continue to negatively affect global financial markets, including the trading price of American Lithiums shares and could negatively affect American Lithiums ability to raise capital and may also result in additional and unknown risks or liabilities to American Lithium. Other risks and uncertainties related to prospects, properties and business strategy of American Lithium are identified in the Risks and Uncertainties section of Plateaus Managements Discussion and Analysis filed on January 19, 2021, in the Risk Factors section of American Lithiums Managements Discussion and Analysis filed on January 29, 2021, and in recent securities filings available at www.sedar.com. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. American Lithium undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Cautionary Note Regarding Macusani Concessions Thirty-two of the 151 concessions held by American Lithiums subsidiary Macusani, are currently subject to Administrative and Judicial processes (together, the Processes) in Peru to overturn resolutions issued by INGEMMET and the Mining Council of MINEM in February 2019 and July 2019, respectively, which declared Macusanis title to 32 of the concessions invalid due to late receipt of the annual validity payments. In November 2019, Macusani applied for injunctive relief on 32 concessions in a Court in Lima, Peru and was successful in obtaining such an injunction on 17 of the concessions including three of the four concessions included in the Macusani Uranium Project PEA. The grant of the Precautionary Measure (Medida Cautelar) has restored the title, rights and validity of those 17 concessions to Macusani until a final decision is obtained at the last stage of the judicial process. A Precautionary Measure application was made at the same time for the remaining 15 concessions and was ultimately granted by a Court in Lima, Peru on March 2, 2021 which has also restored the title, rights and validity of those 15 remaining concessions to Macusani, with the result being that all 32 concessions are now protected by Precautionary Measure (Medida Cautelar) until a final decision on this matter is obtained at the last stage of the judicial process. A final date for the last stage of the judicial process has not yet been set. If American Lithiums subsidiary Macusani does not obtain a successful resolution of the Processes, its title to the concessions could be revoked. TORONTO, June 17, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Xanadu Mines Ltd (ASX: XAM, TSX: XAM) (Xanadu or the Company) is pleased to update the market on its on-going exploration program for porphyry copper and gold deposits at the Kharmagtai District in the South Gobi region of Mongolia. Highlights Disciplined program continues to target and define higher grade zones at Kharmagtai. Partial Assays returned for drill holes KHDDH567 and KHDDH568, scissor holes following up KHDDH565 (see ASX/TSX Announcement dated 18 May 2021) KHDDH567 returns 86.7m @ 0.61% eCu from 660.3m including 54m @ 0.75% eCu from 667m including 6m @ 1.06% eCu from 669m KHDDH568 returns 46.4m @ 0.60% eCu from 693.7m This drilling confirms location of the broader zone of high-grade mineralisation but is interpreted to have missed the very high grade, gold-rich bornite zone due to displacement along the Fifty-Fifty fault. Current diamond drill hole KHDDH571 is a follow up to target this zone on the hanging wall side of that fault. Current 3 rig program includes two other diamond drill rigs focusing on resource expansion drilling at White Hill (KHDDH569) and Zaraa (KHDDH570). Visual results indicate: White Hill drill hole expands copper sulphide mineralisation by approximately 300m to the south of the current resource, indicates possible presence of higher-grade blocks. Zaraa drill hole expands interpreted mineralisation by approximately 100m to the east. Xanadus Chief Executive Officer, Dr Andrew Stewart, said Xanadu is running a disciplined exploration program to define higher grade blocks within a large zone of >0.6% eCu mineralisation. Todays results show effective progress, which we expect to be a steady build over the next 6 months. Over this time, we will share both drill results and project implications on a regular basis. The partial assay results from our scissor holes KHDDH567 and KHDDH568 demonstrate structural complexity in the high-grade Bornite Zone at Stockwork Hill, with the zone pinching and swelling along its interpreted strike length. Late structures have moved parts of the high-grade bornite zone, which is not uncommon in older systems such as Kharmagtai. The estimated width of the defined high-grade mineralisation at the Stockwork Hill Deposit ranges between 20 and 100 metres, however this is limited by a lack of drill holes along the northern and southern flanks, which we will target through our drilling program. For our resource growth objective, the visual mineralisation logged in current drill holes at White Hill and Zaraa are encouraging and highlight the potential for substantial expansion of the global resource. We look forward to providing regular updates on this structured program as we build the grade and scale of Kharmagtai. Partial Results for KHDDH567 and KHDDH568 KHDDH567 was drilled targeting the extensions of the high-grade bornite zone approximately 80m west. Assays for the 780m have been returned with results for the remaining 256m due within two weeks. Hole ID From Interval Cu Au eCu KHDDH567 660.3m 86.7m 0.36 % 0.49g/t 0.61 % including 667m 54m 0.42 % 0.66g/t 0.75 % including 669m 6m 0.56 % 0.98g/t 1.06 % KHDDH568 was drilled targeting the extensions of the high-grade bornite zone 80m. Complete assays have been returned KHDDH568. Hole ID From Interval Cu Au eCu KHDDH568 693.7m 46.4m 0.32 % 0.55g/t 0.60 % These holes show that the bornite zone appears to form in two compartments split by a fault (50:50 fault) Both drill holes intersected the bornite zone adjacent to the 50:50 fault and show that the bornite zone thins next to the fault. Drilling is currently underway with KHDDH571 targeting the western compartment of the bornite zone where previous drill holes suggest the bornite zone thickens again (Figure 1). In plan view, the bornite zone appears to be offset by the 50:50 fault and the western compartment steps to the north (Figure 2). Figure 1 is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/15e82b79-fd58-4f17-8a88-e65165dd4bc5 Figure 2 is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ee7ae6fa-9762-4ba5-861f-0ad69adf2e28 Current Drilling The Exploration Program is currently underway with three active diamond drill holes - KHDDH569, KHDDH570 and KHDDH571 (Figure 3). Deeper extension of mineralisation under White Hill is being tested with drill hole KHDDH569. KHDDH569 is currently at 860m and based on visual estimates is in high-grade mineralisation (Figure 4). This is significant and should add a large volume of mineralisation to the White Hill deposit. No significant high-grade mineralisation has been drilled at White Hill previously, and this current drilling suggests there the potential for blocks of higher-grade within the larger White Hill deposit (similar to those identified at Stockwork Hill). At Zaraa, drill hole KHDDH570 is expanding the mineralisation there, pushing mineralisation over 100m to the east. KHDDH570 is currently at 850m and based on visual estimates has encountered over 500m of moderate grade mineralisation (Figure 5). Current drill hole KHDDH571 aims to test the western extension of the gold-rich, bornite zone under Stockwork Hill (Figure 1). KHDDH571 is currently at 660m and approaching the zone of interpreted mineralisation. Figure 3 is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c092c190-a568-4d1b-bf92-5ce59c0ad6bf Figure 4 is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/83b951b4-1cba-4307-a03e-d56602674cd4 Figure 5 is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/38ebb766-515d-4887-b06b-a5379f94fb05 About Xanadu Mines Xanadu is an ASX and TSX listed Exploration company operating in Mongolia. We give investors exposure to globally significant, large scale copper-gold discoveries and low-cost inventory growth. Xanadu maintains a portfolio of exploration projects and remains one of the few junior explorers on the ASX or TSX who control an emerging Tier 1 copper-gold deposit in our flagship Kharmagtai project. For information on Xanadu visit: www.xanadumines.com. Andrew Stewart CEO Xanadu Mines Ltd Andrew.stewart@xanadumines.com +61 409 819 922 This Announcement was authorised for release by Xanadus Board of Directors. Appendix 1: Drilling Results Table 1: Drill hole collar Hole ID Prospect East North RL Azimuth () Inc () Depth (m) KHDDH567 Stockwork Hill 592605 4877304 1296 0 -70 1,036.2 KHDDH568 Stockwork Hill 592556 4877308 1295 0 -70 1,104.6 KHDDH569 White Hill 591766 4876609 1314 0 -60 1,350 KHDDH570 Zaraa 594727 4877204 1271 197 -65 1,200 KHDDH571 Stockwork Hill 592455 4877275 1295 0 -65 1,000 Table 2: Significant drill results Hole ID Prospect From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Cu (%) CuEq (%) AuEq (g/t) KHDDH567 Stockwork Hill 263 322 59 0.07 0.14 0.17 0.34 and 386 390 4 0.11 0.18 0.24 0.47 and 436 440 4 0.07 0.18 0.21 0.42 and 660.3 747 86.7 0.49 0.36 0.61 1.19 including 660.3 743 82.7 0.51 0.37 0.63 1.23 including 667 721 54 0.66 0.42 0.75 1.47 including 669 675 6 0.98 0.56 1.06 2.07 and 762 776 14 0.08 0.10 0.14 0.27 assays pending KHDDH568 Stockwork Hill 0 34 34 0.05 0.13 0.15 0.30 and 286 441 155 0.06 0.15 0.18 0.35 and 693.7 740.1 46.4 0.55 0.32 0.60 1.17 including 696.2 740.1 43.9 0.56 0.33 0.61 1.20 and 765.6 786 20.4 0.08 0.14 0.18 0.36 and 798 834 36 0.10 0.11 0.16 0.32 and 927 933 6 0.14 0.07 0.14 0.26 and 955 963 8 0.18 0.01 0.10 0.20 and 985 1,007 22 0.07 0.12 0.15 0.30 including 1,001 1,005 4 0.06 0.37 0.40 0.79 and 1,031 1,062 31 0.06 0.16 0.19 0.38 including 1,055.7 1,060 4.3 0.16 0.53 0.61 1.20 Appendix 2: Statements and Disclaimers Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves Reporting Requirements The 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (the JORC Code 2012) sets out minimum standards, recommendations and guidelines for Public Reporting in Australasia of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. The Information contained in this Announcement has been presented in accordance with the JORC Code 2012. The information in this Announcement relates to the exploration results previously reported in ASX Announcements which are available on the Xanadu website at: http://www.xanadumines.com/irm/content/announcements.aspx. The Company is not aware of any new, material information or data that is not included in those market announcements. Competent Person Statement The information in this announcement that relates to exploration results is based on information compiled by Dr Andrew Stewart, who is responsible for the exploration data, comments on exploration target sizes, QA/QC and geological interpretation and information. Dr Stewart, who is an employee of Xanadu and is a Member of the Australasian Institute of Geoscientists, has sufficient experience relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity he is undertaking to qualify as the Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves and the National Instrument 43-101. Dr Stewart consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on this information in the form and context in which it appears. Copper Equivalent Calculations The copper equivalent (CuEq or eCu) calculation represents the total metal value for each metal, multiplied by the conversion factor, summed and expressed in equivalent copper percentage with a metallurgical recovery factor applied. The copper equivalent calculation used is based off the eCu calculation defined by CSA in the 2018 Mineral Resource Upgrade (see ASX Announcement dated 31 October 2018). Copper equivalent (CuEq or eCu) grade values were calculated using the following formula: eCu = Cu + Au * 0.62097 * 0.8235, Where Cu = copper grade (%); Au = gold grade (gold per tonne (g/t)); 0.62097 = conversion factor (gold to copper); and 0.8235 = relative recovery of gold to copper (82.35%). The copper equivalent formula was based on the following parameters (prices are in USD): Copper price = 3.1 $/lb (or 6,834 $ per tonne ($/t)); Gold price = 1,320 $ per ounce ($/oz); Copper recovery = 85%; Gold recovery = 70%; and Relative recovery of gold to copper = 70% / 85% = 82.35%. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this Announcement, including information as to the future financial or operating performance of Xanadu and its projects may also include statements which are forwardlooking statements that may include, amongst other things, statements regarding targets, estimates and assumptions in respect of mineral reserves and mineral resources and anticipated grades and recovery rates, production and prices, recovery costs and results, capital expenditures and are or may be based on assumptions and estimates related to future technical, economic, market, political, social and other conditions. These forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Xanadu, are inherently subject to significant technical, business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results reflected in such forwardlooking statements. Xanadu disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly or release any revisions to any forwardlooking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, circumstances or results or otherwise after the date of this Announcement or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, other than required by the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and the Listing Rules of the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). The words believe, expect, anticipate, indicate, contemplate, target, plan, intends, continue, budget, estimate, may, will, schedule and similar expressions identify forwardlooking statements. All forwardlooking statements made in this Announcement are qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements. Investors are cautioned that forwardlooking statements are not guarantee of future performance and accordingly investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forwardlooking statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. For further information please visit the Xanadu Mines Website at www.xanadumines.com. Appendix 3: Kharmagtai Table 1 (JORC 2012) Set out below is Section 1 and Section 2 of Table 1 under the JORC Code, 2012 Edition for the Kharmagtai project. Data provided by Xanadu. This Table 1 updates the JORC Table 1 disclosure dated 11 April 2019. JORC TABLE 1 - 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 (e.g. 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 (e.g. 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 (e.g. submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed information. Representative core samples were split from PQ, HQ & NQ diameter diamond drill core on site using rock saws, on a routine 2m sample interval that also honours lithological/intrusive contacts. The orientation of the cut line is controlled using the core orientation line ensuring uniformity of core splitting wherever the core has been successfully oriented. Sample intervals are defined and subsequently checked by geologists, and sample tags are attached (stapled) to the plastic core trays for every sample interval. Reverse Circulation ( RC ) chip samples are splits from one-meter (1m) intervals using a 75%:25% riffle splitter to obtain a 3kg sample ) chip samples are splits from one-meter (1m) intervals using a 75%:25% riffle splitter to obtain a 3kg sample RC samples are uniform 2m samples formed from the combination of two split 1m samples. Drilling techniques Drill type (e.g. core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc.) and details (e.g. 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.). The Mineral Resource estimation has been based upon diamond drilling of PQ, HQ and NQ diameters with both standard and triple tube core recovery configurations, RC drilling and surface trenching with channel sampling. All drill core drilled by Xanadu has been oriented using the Reflex Ace tool. 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. Diamond drill core recoveries were assessed using the standard industry (best) practice which involves: removing the core from core trays; reassembling multiple core runs in a v-rail; measuring core lengths with a tape measure, assessing recovery against core block depth measurements and recording any measured core loss for each core run. Diamond core recoveries average 97% through mineralization. Overall, core quality is good, with minimal core loss. Where there is localized faulting and or fracturing core recoveries decrease, however, this is a very small percentage of the mineralized intersections. RC recoveries are measured using whole weight of each 1m intercept measured before splitting Analysis of recovery results vs grade shows no significant trends that might indicate sampling bias introduced by variable recovery in fault/fracture zones. 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. All drill core is geologically logged by well-trained geologists using a modified Anaconda-style logging system methodology. The Anaconda method of logging and mapping is specifically designed for porphyry Cu-Au mineral systems and is entirely appropriate to support Mineral Resource Estimation, mining and metallurgical studies. Logging of lithology, alteration and mineralogy is intrinsically qualitative in nature. However, the logging is subsequently supported by 4 Acid ICP-MS (48 element) geochemistry and SWIR spectral mineralogy (facilitating semi-quantitative/calculated mineralogical, lithological and alteration classification) which is integrated with the logging to improve cross section interpretation and 3D geological model development. Drill core is also systematically logged for both geotechnical features and geological structures. Where drill core has been successfully oriented, the orientation of structures and geotechnical features are also routinely measured. Both wet and dry core photos are taken after core has been logged and marked-up but before drill core has been cut. 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. All drill core samples are core splits from either PQ, HQ or NQ diameter cores. A routine 2m sample interval is used, but this is varied locally to honour lithological/intrusive contacts. The minimum allowed sample length is 30cm. Core is appropriately split (onsite) using diamond core saws with the cut line routinely located relative to the core orientation line (where present) to provide consistency of sample split selection. The diamond saws are regularly flushed with water to minimize potential contamination. A field duplicate core sample is collected every 30 th sample to ensure the representivity of the in-situ material collected. The performance of these field duplicates is routinely analysed as part of Xanadus sample QC process. sample to ensure the representivity of the in-situ material collected. The performance of these field duplicates is routinely analysed as part of Xanadus sample QC process. Routine sample preparation and analyses of DDH samples were carried out by ALS Mongolia LLC ( ALS Mongolia ), who operates an independent sample preparation and analytical laboratory in Ulaanbaatar. ), who operates an independent sample preparation and analytical laboratory in Ulaanbaatar. All samples were prepared to meet standard quality control procedures as follows: Crushed to 75% passing 2mm, split to 1kg, pulverised to 85% passing 200 mesh (75 microns) and split to 150g sample pulp. ALS Mongolia Geochemistry labs quality management system is certified to ISO 9001:2008. The sample support (sub-sample mass and comminution) is appropriate for the grainsize and Cu-Au distribution of the porphyry Cu-Au mineralization and associated host rocks. 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 (e.g. standards, blanks, duplicates, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels of accuracy (i.e. lack of bias) and precision have been established. All samples were routinely assayed by ALS Mongolia for gold Au is determined using a 25g fire assay fusion, cupelled to obtain a bead, and digested with Aqua Regia, followed by an atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) finish, with a lower detection (LDL) of 0.01 ppm. All samples were also submitted to ALS Mongolia for the 48-element package ME-ICP61 using a four-acid digest (considered to be an effective total digest for the elements relevant to the Mineral Resource Estimate ( MRE )). Where copper is over-range (>1% Cu), it is analysed by a second analytical technique (Cu-OG62), which has a higher upper detection limit ( UDL ) of 5% copper. )). Where copper is over-range (>1% Cu), it is analysed by a second analytical technique (Cu-OG62), which has a higher upper detection limit ( ) of 5% copper. Quality assurance has been managed by insertion of appropriate Standards (1:30 samples suitable Ore Research Pty Ltd certified standards), Blanks (1:30 samples), Duplicates (1:30 samples core duplicate) by XAM. Assay results outside the optimal range for methods were re-analysed by appropriate methods. Ore Research Pty Ltd certified copper and gold standards have been implemented as a part of QC procedures, as well as coarse and pulp blanks, and certified matrix matched copper-gold standards. QC monitoring is an active and ongoing processes on batch by batch basis by which unacceptable results are re-assayed as soon as practicable. Prior to 2014: Cu, Ag, Pb, Zn, As and Mo were routinely determined using a three-acid-digestion of a 0.3g sub-sample followed by an AAS finish (AAS21R) at SGS Mongolia. Samples were digested with nitric, hydrochloric and perchloric acids to dryness before leaching with hydrochloric acid to dissolve soluble salts and made to 15ml volume with distilled water. The LDL for copper using this technique was 2ppm. Where copper was over-range (>1% Cu), it was analysed by a second analytical technique (AAS22S), which has a higher upper detection limit (UDL) of 5% copper. Gold analysis method was essentially unchanged. 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. All assay data QAQC is checked prior to loading into XAMs Geobank data base. The data is managed by XAM geologists. The data base and geological interpretation is managed by XAM. Check assays are submitted to an umpire lab (SGS Mongolia) for duplicate analysis. No twinned drill holes exist. There have been no adjustments to any of the assay data. 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. Diamond drill holes have been surveyed with a differential global positioning system ( DGPS ) to within 10cm accuracy. ) to within 10cm accuracy. The grid system used for the project is UTM WGS-84 Zone 48N Historically, Eastman Kodak and Flexit electronic multi-shot downhole survey tools have been used at Kharmagtai to collect down hole azimuth and inclination information for the majority of the diamond drill holes. Single shots were typically taken every 30m to 50m during the drilling process, and a multi-shot survey with readings every 3-5m are conducted at the completion of the drill hole. As these tools rely on the earths magnetic field to measure azimuth, there is some localised interference/inaccuracy introduced by the presence of magnetite in some parts of the Kharmagtai mineral system. The extent of this interference cannot be quantified on a reading-by-reading basis. More recently (since September 2017), a north-seeking gyro has been employed by the drilling crews on site (rented and operated by the drilling contractor), providing accurate downhole orientation measurements unaffected by magnetic effects. Xanadu have a permanent calibration station setup for the gyro tool, which is routinely calibrated every 2 weeks (calibration records are maintained and were sighted) The project Digital Terrain Model (DTM) is based on 1m contours from satellite imagery with an accuracy of 0.1 m. 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. Holes spacings range from <50m spacings within the core of mineralization to +500m spacings for exploration drilling. Hole spacings can be determined using the sections and drill plans provided. Holes range from vertical to an inclination of -60 degrees depending on the attitude of the target and the drilling method. The data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish anomalism and targeting for porphyry Cu-Au, tourmaline breccia and epithermal target types. Holes have been drilled to a maximum of 1,300m vertical depth. The data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish geological and grade continuity, and to support the Mineral Resource classification. 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. Drilling is conducted in a predominantly regular grid to allow unbiased interpretation and targeting. Scissor drilling, as well as some vertical and oblique drilling, has been used in key mineralised zones to achieve unbiased sampling of interpreted structures and mineralised zones, and in particular to assist in constraining the geometry of the mineralised hydrothermal tourmaline-sulphide breccia domains. Sample security The measures taken to ensure sample security. Samples are delivered from the drill rig to the core shed twice daily and are never left unattended at the rig. Samples are dispatched from site in locked boxes transported on XAM company vehicles to ALS lab in Ulaanbaatar. Sample shipment receipt is signed off at the Laboratory with additional email confirmation of receipt. Samples are then stored at the lab and returned to a locked storage site. Audits or reviews The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data. Internal audits of sampling techniques and data management are undertaken on a regular basis, to ensure industry best practice is employed at all times. External reviews and audits have been conducted by the following groups: 2012: AMC Consultants Pty Ltd. was engaged to conduct an Independent Technical Report which reviewed drilling and sampling procedures. It was concluded that sampling and data record was to an appropriate standard. 2013: Mining Associates Ltd. was engaged to conduct an Independent Technical Report to review drilling, sampling techniques and QAQC. Methods were found to conform to international best practice. 2018: CSA Global reviewed the entire drilling, logging, sampling, sample shipping and laboratory processes during the competent persons site visit for the 2018 MRE and found the systems and adherence to protocols to be to an appropriate standard. JORC TABLE 1 - SECTION 2 - REPORTING OF EXPLORATION RESULTS (Criteria in this section apply to all succeeding sections). Criteria Commentary Mineral tenement and land tenure status The Project comprises 2 Mining Licences (MV-17129A Oyut Ulaan and (MV-17387A Kharmagtai): Xanadu now owns 90% of Vantage LLC, the 100% owner of the Oyut Ulaan mining licence. The Kharmagtai mining license MV-17387A is 100% owned by Oyut Ulaan LLC. Xanadu has an 85% interest in Mongol Metals LLC, which has 90% interest in Oyut Ulaan LLC. The remaining 10% in Oyut Ulaan LLC is owned by Quincunx (BVI) Ltd (Quincunx). The Mongolian Minerals Law (2006) and Mongolian Land Law (2002) govern exploration, mining and land use rights for the project. Exploration done by other parties Previous exploration at Kharmagtai was conducted by Quincunx Ltd, Ivanhoe Mines Ltd and Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd including extensive drilling, surface geochemistry, geophysics, mapping. Previous exploration at Red Mountain (Oyut Ulaan) was conducted by Ivanhoe Mines. Geology The mineralisation is characterised as porphyry copper-gold type. Porphyry copper-gold deposits are formed from magmatic hydrothermal fluids typically associated with felsic intrusive stocks that have deposited metals as sulphides both within the intrusive and the intruded host rocks. Quartz stockwork veining is typically associated with sulphides occurring both within the quartz veinlets and disseminated thought out the wall rock. Porphyry deposits are typically large tonnage deposits ranging from low to high grade and are generally mined by large scale open pit or underground bulk mining methods. The deposits at Kharmagtai are atypical in that they are associated with intermediate intrusions of diorite to quartz diorite composition; however the deposits are in terms of contained gold significant, and similar gold-rich porphyry deposits. Drill hole Information Diamond drill holes are the principal source of geological and grade data for the Project. See figures in this ASX/TSX Announcement. Data Aggregation methods The CSAMT data was converted into 2D line data using the Zonge CSAMT processing software and then converted into 3D space using a UBC inversion process. Inversion fit was acceptable, and error was generally low. A nominal cut-off of 0.1% eCu is used in copper dominant systems for identification of potentially significant intercepts for reporting purposes. Higher grade cut-offs are 0.3%, 0.6% and 1% eCu. A nominal cut-off of 0.1g/t eAu is used in gold dominant systems like Golden Eagle for identification of potentially significant intercepts for reporting purposes. Higher grade cut-offs are 0.3g/t, 0.6g/t and 1g/t eAu. Maximum contiguous dilution within each intercept is 9m for 0.1%, 0.3%, 0.6% and 1% eCu. Most of the reported intercepts are shown in sufficient detail, including maxima and subintervals, to allow the reader to make an assessment of the balance of high and low grades in the intercept. Informing samples have been composited to two metre lengths honouring the geological domains and adjusted where necessary to ensure that no residual sample lengths have been excluded (best fit). The copper equivalent (eCu) calculation represents the total metal value for each metal, multiplied by the conversion factor, summed and expressed in equivalent copper percentage with a metallurgical recovery factor applied. The copper equivalent calculation used is based off the eCu calculation defined by CSA in the 2018 Mineral Resource Upgrade. Copper equivalent (CuEq or eCu) grade values were calculated using the following formula: eCu or CuEq = Cu + Au * 0.62097 * 0.8235, Gold Equivalent (eAu) grade values were calculated using the following formula: eAu = Au + Cu / 0.62097 * 0.8235. Where: Cu - copper grade (%) Au - gold grade (g/t) 0.62097 - conversion factor (gold to copper) 0.8235 - relative recovery of gold to copper (82.35%) The copper equivalent formula was based on the following parameters (prices are in USD): Copper price - 3.1 $/lb (or 6834 $/t) Gold price - 1320 $/oz Copper recovery - 85% Gold recovery - 70% Relative recovery of gold to copper = 70% / 85% = 82.35%. Relationship between mineralisation on widths and intercept lengths Mineralised structures are variable in orientation, and therefore drill orientations have been adjusted from place to place in order to allow intersection angles as close as possible to true widths. Exploration results have been reported as an interval with 'from' and 'to' stated in tables of significant economic intercepts. Tables clearly indicate that true widths will generally be narrower than those reported. Diagrams See figures in the body of the report. Balanced reporting Resources have been reported at a range of cut-off grades, above a minimum suitable for open pit mining, and above a minimum suitable for underground mining. Other substantive exploration data Extensive work in this area has been done and is reported separately. Further Work The mineralisation is open at depth and along strike. Current estimates are restricted to those expected to be reasonable for open pit mining. Limited drilling below this depth (-300m RLl) shows widths and grades potentially suitable for underground extraction. Exploration on going. JORC TABLE 1 - SECTION 3 - ESTIMATION AND REPORTING OF MINERAL RESOURCES Mineral Resources are not reported so this is not applicable to this Announcement. Please refer to ASX Announcement dated 31 October 2018 for Xanadus most recent reported Mineral Resource Estimate and applicable Table 1, Section 3. JORC TABLE 1 - SECTION 4 - ESTIMATION AND REPORTING OF ORE RESERVES Ore Reserves are not reported so this is not applicable to this Announcement. STOCKHOLM, Sweden, June 17, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Goobit Group has signed a collaboration agreement with Xpecunia Nordic. The agreement gives Goobit exclusive rights across the Nordic countries to sell the cryptocurrency that Xpecunia Nordic extracts by means of green energy. This makes BTCX the first Nordic exchange platform to offer cryptocurrency uniquely produced with renewable energy. The company's goal is to work for a growing share of sustainably produced cryptocurrency on the BTCX-platform. The Swedish crypto industry is now taking an important step towards a greener mining of cryptocurrencies. Through a new agreement with the mining experts Xpecunia, BTCX will be able to offer cryptocurrencies that have been mined using solar energy. "BTCX is Sweden's oldest exchange for cryptocurrencies and thanks to a close collaboration with Xpecunia, we can now offer customers guaranteed green crypto assets," says Par Helgosson, CEO of Goobit. By focusing on building on solar power plants in direct connection to the mining premises, Swedish Xpecunia can produce crypto assets without generating direct carbon emissions and the company already has several plants in Sweden. It is these solar-produced crypto assets that Goobit now will sell on the BTCX platform. "In the next step, BTCX will introduce a framework and a methodology for certification of crypto mining where the producers need to meet a number of criteria in order to be certified," says Par Helgosson. "It also allows buyers of cryptocurrencies to be sure of its origin." The Swedish countryside is excellent for crypto. Sweden's location is excellent for mining crypto with sun, wind and water, and the new investments are mostly made in rural environments, far from the big cities and thus contribute to create jobs in the countryside both during construction, but also long-term to maintain facilities. There are great advantages off using the surplus energy in electricity production from solar cells to mine crypto assets. "The creation of cryptocurrencies has so far been a form of arbitrage of electricity," says Daniel Mostrom, CEO of Xpecunia. "Now we are changing the equation completely. Xpecunia has a solution which eliminates the environmental problem, lowers electricity costs radically and dramatically increases profitability." Work to make crypto mining more eco-friendly is ongoing all over the world. In China authorities cooperate to phase out coal power in crypto mining, and in the US, Elon Musk and the newly started Bitcoin Mining Council is at the forefront working to make renewable energy a basis for production. "We wanted to buy locally produced goods," says Christian Ander, founder of BTCX. "Locally produced goods are good at all levels, this also applies to cryptocurrencies, and the advances in solar energy will revolutionize electricity production in crypto mining." BTCX will also be able to report how large the share of sales of "green" cryptocurrencies is. The ambition is to transparently report future trends. Contact person: Par Helgosson, CEO Goobit Group AB (publ), telephone: +46 70 978 80 00 par.helgosson@goobit.se About BTCX / Goobit Group Goobit AB was registered in 2012 and is one of the world's first and Sweden's leading crypto exchange company. The company offers exchange services of SEK and EUR to the digital currencies' Bitcoin and Ether and has so far exchanged over 1.7 billion SEK. The company's most famous brands are BTCX Express and Standard BTCX. Goobit Group AB (publ) was registered in 2013 and is a group with operations in the wholly owned subsidiaries Goobit AB, Goobit Blocktech AB and Goobit Exchange AB. Goobit AB offers services for retail and corporate customers as well as financial institutions. For more information, see Goobit's website www.goobit.se About Xpecunia Xpecunia extracts cruptocurrencies using self-produced solar energy. The extraction is continuously adapted with the support of a self-learning model to the volatile and rapidly changing development of cryptocurrencies to optimize the extraction and create the best possible return. Through proven profitability after three years of operation, Xpecunia aims to scale up the existing operations, to establish a new business area and generate increased margins with lower climate impact. For more information, see Xpecunia's website www.xpecunia.se Media Contact: Company: Goobit Group Website: https://www.goobit.se/ Email: par.helgosson@goobit.se telephone: +46 70 978 80 00 Source: Goobit Group SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, June 17, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, actress Katherine Heigl, joined by Animal Wellness Action, Center for a Humane Economy, the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation, Wild Horse Photo Safaris, the Red Birds Trust, and the Cloud Foundation, announced the Wild Horse and Burro Freedom Rally to be held on Friday, July 2nd, at 10:00 a.m. on the south steps of the Utah State Capitol to raise public awareness of the plight of Utahs famed Onaqui wild horses, who face a devastating mass helicopter roundup beginning July 12 that will send 80 percent of the herd to an uncertain future. Heigl and leaders of the groups involved will speak to rally attendees, before traveling directly to the rangeland where the Onaqui wild horses live wild and free. Press should plan to arrive at the event at 9:30 a.m.; protestors should plan to arrive between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. Last month, Heigl, a Utah resident, and co-founder of the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to animal welfare, joined the campaign to prevent the eradication of most of the treasured Onaqui herd in the Great Basin Desert. The horses, beloved far and wide by wild horse enthusiasts, tourists, and photographers, are scheduled to be rounded up by helicopter and incarcerated in private holding facilities by the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and U.S. Dept. of Interior (DOI) led by Secretary Deb Haaland, a former Member of Congress from New Mexico. With their historic place on the public lands of Utah, the Onaqui horses are living treasures that contribute to the beauty of the Great Basin Desert, as well as the economic vitality of nearby communities, said Katherine Heigl. Instead of cruel helicopter roundups, I call on the Bureau of Land Management to leave the Onaqui horses on the land, manage them humanely with fertility control, and limit livestock grazing to protect the ecosystem." I have reviewed Annual Reports from Bureau of Land Management dating back to 2012, said Erika Brunson, twice a Commissioner for LA Department of Animal Services, and member of the Global Council for Animals. It is obvious that the roundup tactics of the Bureau have not worked, nor have they properly managed public land. Public Land is legally dedicated to the public and wild horses, not commercial animals. The Bureau allows thousands of commercial cattle and sheep to roam public land who rip up the grass by the root, while horses do not, yet the Bureau blames the horses for erosion, claiming they must do roundups since food is scarce. I have seen photos of the wild herds, and they are healthy, majestic, and beautiful. I have seen videos of the round ups, and they are horrific. The bureau currently has over 50,000 wild horses in captivity, yet they still want to round up more wild horses. This is inconceivable. They dont even know what to do with the horses in their possession; sadly, many are sold for meat and sent to Mexico and Canada for slaughter. We need to unite and stand up for what is right. We must tell our Senators, Congress Members, as well as the President, and Vice President that we want round ups to immediately stop and demand the Bureau to create a new plan to manage OUR public land. The Onaqui horses are living symbols of Utahs proud frontier heritage, and they deserve to live wild and free on their range, said Scott Beckstead, director of campaigns at Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy. We will use our rally to call on the Bureau of Land Management to cancel the cruel helicopter roundup, limit livestock grazing on the horses Herd Management Area, and manage the herd humanely in a way that honors them, and the important role horses have played in the history of both Utah and the United States of America. The Onaqui wild horses hold unparalleled value in the state of Utah, said Jen Rogers, photographer, and owner of Wild Horse Photo Safaris. They are a modern-day reminder of our rich historical past which has garnered them admiration as one of the most photographed herds of horses in the world. For those lucky enough to spend time with the herd, the Onaqui are incredible teachers of family bonds, trust, loyalty, and communication. A true representation of freedom and the spirit of the Wild West, they are something to be cherished and protected by all of us here in Utah and beyond. What's happening to the Onaqui herd is happening to wild horses and burros across the West. Polls show that Americans, Democrats and Republicans alike, love our wild horses and burros, said Deniz Bolbol, Advocacy Director for The Cloud Foundation. On this Fourth of July weekend, Congress and President Biden must work with the vast majority of Americans who want these animals managed on the range with humane birth control, not terrifying and tragic roundups. Background: Descended from horses used by pioneers and native tribes in the late 1800s, the Onaqui horses are known for their robust beauty and their ability to thrive in the harsh environment of the Great Basin Desert of western Utah. They are a favorite among wild horse photographers and enthusiasts and are believed to be the most popular and photographed wild herd in the country. Tourists from all over the country, and even the world, travel to Utah to view and photograph their favorite animals, including stallions with names like Charger, Goliath, Buck, Moondrinker, with glimpses of the herds elder statesman, Gandalf (also known as Old Man by some), being the most coveted prize. But the Onaqui horses are facing a grim future. On July 12, the BLM will use helicopters to chase, trap, and remove most of them from their home range on Utahs Great Basin Desert. Helicopter roundups of wild horses are notorious for their cruelty and the suffering they inflict on the animals. Horses will be chased for miles in the summer heat to the point of utter exhaustion, and some will sustain injuries or even be killed. There are new foals and elderly horses in the herd who will be in jeopardy of being left behind, wounded, or even killed during the terror, chaos, and confusion of the stampede into the traps. From there the horses will lose the two things that mean the most to them their families and their freedom. They will be shipped by truck to BLM corrals where they will languish in barren feedlot conditions, awaiting an uncertain future. After being sorted and separated, the BLM will offer the animals for adoption, a process that poses a grave threat to their lives, as it has been recently reported that the BLMs wild horse and burro adoption program is sending horses to their deaths in foreign slaughter plants. The BLM claims there is insufficient forage for the horses on their HMA, yet the agency has allocated wild horses only between 9 and 15 percent of the resources on public lands, while livestock are allocated between 85 and 91 percent. Livestock greatly outnumber the horses currently on the HMA, yet the agency has announced no plans to reduce or eliminate private grazing, and continues to follow the direction of a diabolical plan misleadingly deemed the Path Forward, that calls for the roundup and eradication of tens of thousands of wild horses and burros on federal lands at a cost of up to $5 billion to the American tax-payer, according to the most recent Acting Director of the BLM. The roundups are also planned for tens of thousands of wild horse and burro herds across the western United States, as the BLM heeds the wishes of the livestock industry and scrambles to remove as many wild equines as possible. Unless that is, they are stopped. In April, a coalition of more than 70 groups sent a letter to Secretary Haaland calling for a freeze on grazing permits and an elimination of livestock grazing on all wild horse and burro Herd Management Areas. There has been no response from Haaland despite the media contacting the Secretary's Office and the White House, who declined to comment. The lack of response from the Biden Administration, combined with Haaland's testimony before the House Appropriations Committee on April 20th that the Dept. of Interior is "in agreement with the plan of the previous Administration," prompted a second letter in May directly to the President himself. Signed by more than 90 groups, rescues, and businesses, and more than 1,100 individuals, the letter called for Biden to immediately place a moratorium on the mass helicopter roundups. There has since been no response from the White House. Visit the campaign website at www.SaveTheOnaqui.org for more details on the rally. Advocates can also contact action@animalwellnessaction.org here with further questions or comments. Photos of the Onaqui horses can be viewed and used for reporting courtesy of Jen Rogers here. Animal Wellness Action (Action) is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(4) organization with a mission of helping animals by promoting legal standards forbidding cruelty. We champion causes that alleviate the suffering of companion animals, farm animals, and wildlife. We advocate for policies to stop dogfighting and cockfighting and other forms of malicious cruelty and to confront factory farming and other systemic forms of animal exploitation. To prevent cruelty, we promote enacting good public policies, and we work to enforce those policies. To enact good laws, we must elect good lawmakers, and thats why we remind voters which candidates care about our issues and which ones dont. We believe helping animals helps us all. The The Center for a Humane Economy (the Center) is a non-profit organization that focuses on influencing the conduct of corporations to forge a humane economic order. The first organization of its kind in the animal protection movement, the Center encourages businesses to honor their social responsibilities in a culture where consumers, investors, and other key stakeholders abhor cruelty and the degradation of the environment and embrace innovation as a means of eliminating both. The Jason Debus Heigl Foundation, is a 501(c)3 non-profit, founded in 2008 by Nancy and Katherine Heigl. The Heigls desire to end animal cruelty and abuse inspired them to create an organization dedicated to animal welfare that would celebrate the compassion, kindness and memory of a beloved son and brother. Throughout his brief lifetime, Jason loved all animals, especially dogs, cats, and monkeys, and he lived his life extending compassion and kindness to all creatures great and small. The Foundation is his legacy. The Cloud Foundation (TCF), a 501(c)3 non-profit, has been at the forefront of wild horse advocacy since its inception in 2005. TCF was founded by Emmy award-winning filmmaker Ginger Kathrens, creator of three acclaimed PBS Nature series documentaries that followed the wild stallion Cloud throughout the seasons of his life. Dedicated to the protection and preservation of wild horses and burros on our public lands, The Cloud Foundation advocates for protecting natural wild equid behaviors, repatriation of wild horses to zeroed-out Herd Areas, and equal allocation of forage within Congressionally-designated Herd Areas. Red Birds Trust 501(c)(3) is a grassroots organization based in Tooele, Utah founded by local wild horse advocates who have immersed themselves in the lives of the Onaqui here in Utah's west desert. It is our goal to help these wild horses live their best lives both on the range and after adoption. Because all board positions are filled by volunteers donating their time and energy to the cause it then allows for all donations received to go to the betterment of our wild and adopted Onaqui horses. Attachments WASHINGTON, DC, June 17, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This morning, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) held a hearing entitled COVID-19 Response and Recovery: Supporting the Needs of Students in Higher Education and Lessons on Safely Returning to Campus. Dr. C. Reynold Verret, president of Xavier University of Louisiana, a UNCF (United Negro College Fund) member institution, testified of his universitys coronavirus response, how Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have put the historic federal investment to good use and how students from low-income backgrounds have been supported. Dr. Verret represented Xavier, the New Orleans community, all UNCF-member institutions and indeed all HBCUs with aplomb as he explained the pains experienced by HBCUs and their students while responding to COVID-19, said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO of UNCF. The disparities we all knew existed were painstakingly clear and New Orleans was an early ground zero. Our students and institutions benefitted from a strong federal investment, thanks to congressional leadership. Xavier University was an excellent example to explain how HBCUs have bounced back and led to keep so many low-income and first generation college students on track for higher education degrees. Xavier University of Louisianas president, Dr. Verret, a biochemist and immunologist, is also a respected leader in higher education, said Lodriguez V. Murray, senior vice president for public policy and government affairs at UNCF. He was uniquely qualified to testify, not just among HBCUsbut among all higher education leaders. Xavier has a track record as the top feeder school for Black Americans into medical and healthcare careers. He was a leader in the African American community in the early stages of the vaccine rollout. His institution began discussing possible COVID responses as early as January 2020, and he has led on the health disparities responses that have plagued New Orleans. We are proud of how well he represented our entire community of institutions before the Senate HELP Committee today. Dr. Verret joined Ms. Youlonda Copeland-Morgan of the University of California at Los Angeles; Mr. Anthony Harris, a student at Baldwin Wallace University; and Ms. Madeline Pumariega, president of Miami Dade College in providing expert witness testimony before the Senate committee with joint jurisdiction over much of education priorities as well as health responses. View todays testimony here: help.senate.gov/hearings/covid-19-response-and-recovery-supporting-the-needs-of-students-in-higher-education-and-lessons-on-safely-returning-to-campus-on-safely-returning-to-campus. Dr. Verret previously provided congressional testimony before the House Education Committee in 2019. ### About UNCF UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nations largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students education and development through scholarships and other programs, strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically Black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding nearly 20 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, A mind is a terrible thing to waste. Learn more at UNCF.org, or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Twitter at @UNCF. Los Angeles CA, June 17, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CurrencyWorks Inc. (CurrencyWorks or the Company), (CSE: CWRK and OTCQB: CWRK), a financial technology blockchain pioneer, NFT, and digital payment provider, is pleased to announce that bidding is coming-to-a-close on the very first NFT sale as part of its partnership with Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auctions through the Motoclub.io platform. Motoclub, powered by CurrencyWorks, the premier digital collectibles marketplace for car enthusiasts, launched its first NFT series one week ago - The Barrett-Jackson Prestige Collection. This exclusive set of digital collectibles features four historic vehicles that crossed the block at the 2021 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction in March. The cars featured in this special SparkNFT sale are each the very first of their kind all VIN 001s from three of Detroits largest motoring brands: Lot #4001 - 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 - Live auction June 18th Lot #4002 - 2021 Ram 1500 TRX Launch Edition - Live auction June 18th Lot #4003 - 2021 Ford Bronco 2-Door - Live auction June 19th Lot #4004 - 2022 GMC HUMMER EV Edition 1 - Live auction June 19th Each NFT will feature 1 x exclusive video, 1 x illustration and 3 x still images all for the collector to enjoy from their Motoclub digital wallet. It is not too late for collectors to register to bid with the sales ending in live auctions at the Barrett-Jackson 2021 Las Vegas Auction - Click here. Reception from car enthusiasts toward this new way of collecting automotive memorabilia has been overwhelmingly positive, with the number of people joining Motoclub in its first week exceeding all expectations. Nick Cardinale, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Barrett-Jackson, commented: Were thrilled with the response weve had since announcing the launch of these collector car NFTs early last week. The four VIN 001 vehicles selected to feature in the launch of these are prime examples of the sought-after collectibles we intend to bring to car enthusiasts across the world. Cameron Chell, Chairman of CurrencyWorks, said: Motoclub is already making its mark in the car and motosport scene, and this is just the beginning. Motoclub is intending to revolutionize the automotive memorabilia market with its unique SparkNFTs, offering an experience that collectors can only appreciate through the content we are offering. About CurrencyWorks CurrencyWorks Inc. (CSE: CWRK and OTCQB: CWRK) is a publicly-traded company that builds and operates FinTech Platforms for Digital Currencies, Digital Assets, and Security Tokens. For more information on CurrencyWorks, please visit us at www.currencyworks.io . For additional investor info visit www.currencyworks.io or www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov searching CWRK. Media Contact Arian Hopkins arian@currencyworks.io Company Contact Bruce Elliott, President Phone: 424-570-9446 Bruce.elliott@currencyworks.io About Barrett-Jackson Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Barrett-Jackson, The World's Greatest Collector Car Auctions, is the leader in collector car auctions and automotive lifestyle events. Barrett-Jackson specializes in providing products and services to astute classic and collector car owners and automotive enthusiasts around the world, and holds automotive lifestyle events in Scottsdale, Arizona; Palm Beach, Florida; Houston, Texas, and Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information go to www.barrett-jackson.com About Motoclub.io Motoclub is a digital collectible space for automotive enthusiasts and fans of automotive memorabilia. Motoclub partners with some of the biggest names in motorsport, classic and contemporary vehicles, to bring collectors some of the most unique and exclusive digital collectibles available today. All Motoclub collectible NFTs are minted, sold, and traded through its own specially created platform for buyers to enjoy through their own Motoclub digital wallets. The Motoclub platform is supported and managed by blockchain pioneers CurrencyWorks Inc. For more information go to http://www.motoclub.io Washington, D.C., June 17, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Organic Trade Association honored the non-profit organization Georgia Organics with its prestigious Member of the Year Award at the associations 2021 Annual Meeting held virtually June 16. Georgia Organics has for almost 25 years been devoted to promoting sustainable foods and organic farms in Georgia. During the pandemic, Georgia Organic was instrumental in helping hard-hit families stay supplied with healthy foods, and enabling struggling farmers to maintain their markets and their livelihoods. The recognition of Georgia Organics drew praise from Capitol Hill. Congratulations to Georgia Organics for being named the Organic Trade Associations Member of the Year, said Senator Raphael Warnock of Georgia. The past year has been difficult for Georgians, but Georgia Organics has worked diligently to support our states growing organic sector and our neighbors who are seeking out organic products. As a proud member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, I look forward to working with Georgia Organics and my Senate colleagues to strengthen opportunities for our organic farmers. I am so pleased that Georgia Organics is being recognized by the Organic Trade Association for its leadership in advancing organic agriculture in Georgia and around the country, said Congressman Sanford Bishop of Georgia. Michael Wall of Georgia Organics inspired me to join the Congressional Organic Caucus this year. Together, we are working to make sure that USDAs conservation and cost-share programs are accessible to small-acreage, organic farmers and that they are not left behind in the Departments climate-smart ag policies. I look forward to continued leadership from Georgia Organics going forward. Congratulations to the Georgia Organics team! While Georgia Organics has been a valued member of the Organic Trade Association since 1999, its commitment to connecting organic food from farmers to families has never been more apparent than during these recent pandemic times. Its important work has included direct financial aid to Georgia farmers, helping them reach consumers, and efforts to fill the food gap for thousands of out-of-work food service employees with healthy organic produce from local farms. Georgia Organics also covered the funding gap in certification cost-share caused by a reduction in what USDA was covering, and helped pay fees for Black farmers seeking organic certification. Alice Rolls, President and CEO of Georgia Organics, and Michael Wall, Director of Farmer Services for Georgia Organics, accepted the award. Rolls and Wall were recognized for their expert advocacy and meaningful participation in trade association activities. We have so many examples of working with you both to promote and advance organic. From encouraging Congressman Bishop to join the Organic Caucus to participating in our Farmers Advisory Council fly-ins to partnering on the new state advocacy initiative, you have shown exemplary service and leadership to advance our mission-based work, said Laura Batcha, CEO and Executive Director of the Organic Trade Association. Batcha added, You are well loved in the organic world, always willing to lend time, expertise and influence. It is our honor to recognize you both for your contributions as engaged members of the Organic Trade Association! In her acceptance of the award, Rolls stressed the importance of working on a local scale, of being in touch with the community, and thanked the Organic Trade Association for sharing those priorities. We are deeply touched to be recognized. Im grateful that the OTA team values groups like Georgia Organics. We provide the boots on the ground, local connections, a megaphone for farmer stories, and the on-ramp for a passionate public ready to be engaged. We value your partnership and expertise. It is this bridge building between small and large, conventional and organic that will enable us to sledgehammer these tired, old barriers. Wall paid special tribute to his colleagues at Georgia Organics, and stressed the importance of the economic health of small farmers and rural communities: It means so much that an organization as large as OTA values the importance of the work we do in support of small-scale farmers in Georgia. Its hard to imagine an ag system that nurtures small-scale organic growers, but if anything can achieve that, I believe its the economic development that comes from a bustling organic industry in our rural communities. We have a lot more work to do together. And Im looking forward to doing this work with yall." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the membership-based business association for organic agriculture and products in North America. OTA is the leading voice for the organic trade in the United States, representing over 9,500 organic businesses across 50 states. Its members include growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers' associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants, retailers and others. OTAs Board of Directors is democratically elected by its members. OTA's mission is to promote and protect ORGANIC with a unifying voice that serves and engages its diverse members from farm to marketplace. The Organic Trade Association does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, national origin or ancestry, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation or military status. Persons with disabilities who require alternate means for communication of program information can contact us at info@ota.com. Gloucester, MA (01930) Today A steady rain this morning. Showers continuing this afternoon. Cooler. High 63F. Winds NE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Cloudy this evening with showers after midnight. Low 58F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Juneteenth events What is happening on Juneteenth on Cape Ann? Juneteenth Vigil - Rockport When: Saturday from 11 to 11:45 a.m. Where: In the front yard of First Congregational Church on Main Street in Rockport. Bring: Signs that convey principles of racial equality, freedom, love and justice. Celebrate Juneteenth - Gloucester When: Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Where: Picnic Area C, Stage Fort Park, across from The Cupboard, 41 Hough Ave. Note: This event is permitted by the city as picnic for family and friends of the organizers. The organizers explained that it was never meant to be circulated on social media as a large, public event with speeches or rallies. Freedom Rally - Gloucester When: Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. Where: Stage Fort Park, 28 Hough Ave. ELKHART [mdash] Helen Free was born Feb. 20, 1923 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to James S. Murray and Daisy Piper Murray, who died when Helen was six years old. Graduating as valedictorian of Poland Seminary High School in 1941, she attended the College of Wooster, initially majoring in Engli Note: We've recently updated our online systems. If you can't login please try resetting your password. You must login with an email address. If you don't have an email associated with your account email circulation@skagitpublishing.com for help creating one. According to Pirelli both Red Bull Racing and Aston Martin pushed the limit with their tyre pressures in Azerbaijan. Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll probably suffered a blowout at high speed on the streets of Baku because of this. Pirelli does state that neither team has broken any rules with this. "What happened in Baku is simply that the running conditions expected were different compared to the actual running conditions - and that created the failure," Pirelli boss Mario Isola told Motorsport.com. The Italian explains that due to the reduced pressure and the large amount of energy in the tyres, the cheeks of the tyres get standing waves. Expected and actual driving conditions did not match "Standing waves are putting a lot of energy into the inside shoulder of the tyre. And at a certain point, the tyre breaks. That is what happened, and the reason why we had this situation in in Baku," Isola explained. However, this was not the only reason for the blowouts. Pirelli's calculated predictions did not match the actual situation on track. For each race weekend Pirelli calculates that teams drive with a certain pressure and camber. There is a margin on this, so they are sure the tyre can perform ok. "In that case, we didn't achieve these conditions, not because teams were doing something against the regulations, but because they were looking as usual for performance, and that created a different scenario to what we were expecting," said Isola. New tyre pressure rules There is no minimum pressure that the tyres must have says Isola, but that rule is going to change in 2022. Then there will be a standard pressure sensor on the tyres. This is part of the new era that Formula 1 is entering with new cars. Local featured Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival carnival on the move? Tribune file photo / Matt DeYoung Could the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival carnival be on the move? The safety and security of the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival carnival was the topic of a special City Council work session Monday afternoon. Grand Haven Public Safety Director Jeff Hawke cited a number of concerns he had with the upcoming festival carnival in the downtown, explaining how police might handle a variety of public safety risks. Drawing on examples from 2017 to 2019 the 2020 festival was canceled due to COVID-19 Hawke recommended to both the City Council and festival representatives to move the carnival to a new location. One incident, he said, involved someone with a gun. The reason for the recommendation is to be proactive and nip this stuff before it starts so we dont end up responding to a tragedy, Hawke said. Hawke said his initial thought was to move the carnival to Harbor Island, but he realizes that might not be possible. Festival Executive Director Michael Smith believes the islands land conditions to be too soggy and unable to support the rides. Hawke said he understood the economic concerns there might be to relocate the carnival, but couldnt let that outweigh his judgment and recommendation. The City Council and festival representatives seemed open to the idea of potentially moving the carnival to a new location, but such a move is unlikely for this year. Its 45 days to showtime, Festival Committee Chairman Scott Klaassen said Monday. (Carnival operators) could choose not to come to Grand Haven and then there is no revenue, but the crowds will still be there for fireworks and a parade. Klaassen said it might be better to plan for a move next year and begin to look for an alternative site this fall. One temporary solution might be to rearrange some of the rides to keep the older crowd separated from the children at the carnival and let traffic flow more openly. The recommendation was to use the now-vacant space at Chinook Pier. It was also suggested to cancel Friday and Saturdays carnival, but this was seen to be a less-likely solution since those are the carnivals most profitable days. Klaassen said that if the city chooses to cancel the carnival on Friday and Saturday, then carnival operators Skerbeck Entertainment might cancel their contract with the city. The festival will be discussed again at the City Councils work session on June 21, and voted on at its July 6 meeting. The 2021 festival is scheduled for July 30 to Aug. 8. On its website, the festival lists many of its traditional events, but notes that all event details (are) subject to change and/or cancellation due to federal/state/local pandemic regulations. Grand Haven, MI (49417) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 72F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds. Low 58F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Lincoln will debut its first global fully electric vehicle next year, the first step toward electrifying its entire portfolio of vehicles by the end of the decade. The new electric vehicle will debut as the brand celebrates its 100th anniversary next year and accelerates growth in North America and China. By mid-decade, Lincoln expects half of its global volume will be zero-emissions vehicles and plans to electrify its portfolio of vehicles by 2030. This is part of the companys Ford+ plan and Ford Motor Companys planned investment of more than $30 billion in electrification by 2025. The companys new rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive battery electric flexible architecture will enable Lincoln to deliver four new and distinct fully electric vehicles. The first fully electric Lincoln will join the plug-in hybrid Aviator and Corsair SUVs, as the brand shifts toward electrification. Lincoln also plans to expand its portfolio of personalized experiences, using the Lincoln Way app to deliver an enhanced suite of connected services as it prepares for an electrified future. Lincoln vehicles will introduce next-generation technology that helps the brand create always-on relationships with clients, offering more connected vehicle experiences through a new tech stack. The Lincoln Intelligence System, a cloud-based platform for integrating electrical, power distribution, computing systems in connected vehicles, enables a software-first approach to update performance without changing hardware. Continuous quality improvements, plus new features and capability updates for SYNC 4-enabled vehicles will be rolled out through the Lincoln Enhance platform via over-the-air software updates. This summer, 2021 Lincoln Nautilus clients will receive their first software updates, including enhancements to their navigation system, Apple CarPlay and digital owners manual. A new update to the hands-free digital assistant Alexa arrives this fall. Soon, the brand will build on its comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assist features with the introduction of Lincoln ActiveGlide hands-free highway driving technology. Using advanced camera, radar and driver monitoring technologies, Lincoln ActiveGlide will allow a driver to operate hands-free on prequalified sections of divided highways called Hands-Free Blue Zones. Future Lincoln vehicles will benefit from a unique digital platform built on top of the Android operating system for a constantly improving, ever more personalized ownership experience. The Lincoln Intelligence System will allow for the creation of more connected, sensory experiences. Slovakia-based Mobility & Innovation a.s. (M&I) has ordered Loop Energys S300 fuel cell module to fuel the electric powertrain of its new 8-meter transit bus as part of the companys M&I composite platform. This order is the first under the commercial agreement signed between the parties, which anticipates more than US$1.9 million in fuel cell shipments from Loop Energy over the next two and a half years. M&I is the developer of a lightweight and zero-emission city bus platform, known for its zero emissions powertrain and industry leading GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) for a zero-emission transit bus vehicle. Manufactured with laminate composite materials, M&I buses are lighter than comparable steel vehicles. The low-curb weight enables greater passenger capacity, while still meeting even the most stringent of axel load requirements. To meet the need for both power density and fuel-efficient energy, M&I has selected Loop Energy to provide their proprietary fuel cell modules. Loop can deliver power and enable a smaller fuel storage system without compromising the weight or range of the bus. The fuel cell system will also aid in improved total cost of ownership for M&Is customers. Ricardo, in collaboration with the Arup AECOM consortium, is supporting the UK Department for Transport (DfT) in developing a system for measuring non-exhaust emissions (NEE) of particles, under real-world driving conditions. Non-exhaust emissions of particles from road vehicles primarily arise from a combination of brake wear, tire wear, road surface wear, and the resuspension of dust particles. Emission data from the UK NAEI (National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory) estimate that NEE are now the primary source of coarse and fine particulate matter (PM 10 and PM 2.5 ) from road transport in the UK. A key aim of this project is to improve knowledge on NEE and address the gaps so it can be used to inform policy and legislation aimed at reducing tire and brake wear particulate emissions. As the shift towards electric and hybrid vehicles increases it is important to address these gaps now. A December 2020 report from the OECD on NEE from road transport noted that: While they stand to eliminate exhaust emissions, this report shows that electric vehicles are not likely to provide substantial benefits in terms of non-exhaust emissions reductions. Regenerative braking systems can reduce brake wear, but tyre wear, road wear, and road dust resuspension remain significant sources of non-exhaust emissions from electric vehicles. Non-exhaust emissions from these sources can in fact be higher for electric vehicles than for their conventional counterparts, as the heavy batteries in electric vehicles imply that they typically weigh more than similar conventional vehicles. This is particularly the case for electric vehicles with greater autonomy (driving range) that require larger battery packs. Non-exhaust Particulate Emissions from Road Transport : An Ignored Environmental Policy Challenge Ricardo will contribute expertise in air quality, particle measurements and automotive emissions to design and test a system to determine the overall feasibility of an on-board tire and brake wear measurement. Establishing an accurate and efficient system that can successfully detect NEE of particles under real-world driving conditions will help to better inform our current knowledge of how different brake, tire and road materials perform under real-world driving conditions and how this contributes overall to transport related pollutant emissions. Paul Willis, Technical Director for Air Quality Measurements at Ricardo Ricardo Energy & Environments Particle Measurement Center (PMC) and Automotive teams have previously co-operated extensively on the Particle Measurement Program (PMP). The PMC continues to support PMP-related applications by providing an ISO17025-accredited calibration service for solid particle counting instrumentation (both particle counters and sample conditioning systems) used for regulatory compliance measurements of vehicle emissions by the automotive sector around the world. Support local journalism We are making critical coverage of the coronavirus available for free. Please consider subscribing so we can continue to bring you the latest news and information on this developing story. "Lift Every Voice and Sing," written by brothers James Weldon Johnson and John Rosamond Johnson, began as a poem in 1900 for schoolchildren. Before long, the song spread across the nation at NAACP events, within Black churches, and in community meetings, gaining prominence each time it was sung. Known as the "Black National Anthem," "Lift Every Voice and Sing" is a triumphant story that chronicles and acknowledges the past while marching forward toward freedom. Lift Every Voice connects young Black journalists with Black elders in our communities to celebrate and learn from their life experiences - deepening connections with the past to position us all for a better future. Hearst Connecticut Media has joined Hearst newspapers, magazines and television stations across the nation to publish dozens of profiles as part of the project. Adrianne Baughns-Wallace was the first African-American news anchor in New England when she joined the WFSB team in 1974. Before making history as a broadcast journalist, she joined the Air Force and attended the University of Albany despite some doubts from others, including teachers at her all-girls high school and a college professor of communications, because she was a nontraditional student. When adversity followed her into her career as a journalist, she advocated for racial equity so that other Black people would not have to endure what she did. Below is a Q&A with Baughns-Wallace that has been condensed and edited for clarity. Q. There were times when you felt unsupported in your career. How did those experiences make you feel and how did you respond? A. The first line of Black professionals coming into these organizations didn't know how to navigate, but we learned on the job because we werent going to be pigeonholed. When I got to WFSB, I decided that the most important thing for me was to influence how our community was being represented in the news. People assumed that it was all me and it wasnt. We got together one night and started documenting what was happening to everybody and how we didnt feel comfortable going into HR at that time. We worked behind the scenes to support young people that were coming through and being made to feel as though they were totally incompetent. It wasnt that they were incompetent. They were not getting the same mentorship and support. Q. Can you describe the times when your group gathered together to share information? A. Sometimes they were gatherings at peoples houses. If there were events that we were invited to, we wanted to make sure that there was a presence to try to raise the visibility. There were ways in which the community needed to learn how to advocate for itself. At that time, the producer would decide what was news and the folks sitting around the table could advocate for things inside, but the best advocacy came from the pressure from outside. There was an education that we were all getting and needed to share within the community. Q. What was your group able to accomplish from gathering and sharing information about how Black employees were being treated? A. We were able to persuade a WFSB producer. We talked about profiling the African-American middle class and it had never been done, as far as we knew, in television news at that time. That may not seem like a lot, but back then, that was an important series to put in. I think that began to help people open up their eyes to the reality of the perceptions of the African-American community. That was also around the same time as Black Enterprise so this was a great opportunity for us to highlight and profile, not only the folks that got into Black Enterprise and Ebony Magazine but everybody else in the middle and the young people who were leaving universities and beginning to emerge in new sectors of the economy. Paul Pettie / For Hearst Connecticut Media Q. What was the response to the work that your group was doing? A. I think the response was positive. My lens, for the most part, was how I chose to share with the general audience. I came in the old Walter Cronkite era. You just gave the news and you moved on. This is a whole new day. Q. How have you seen news change since you were a broadcast journalist, specifically with how Black Americans are portrayed in the news? A. When we look at the numbers of African Americans that show up on the screen, were way ahead of where we ever were. We have a diversity of opinions. We can speak not only to issues that are germane to us directly as a culture and as a people, but we have a diversity of opinions in so many other areas but we need to look deeper. Whos making the decisions? Whos running the organizations? Who decides whats news today? Who decides what the opinions are? Who decides the diversity of opinions? Thats where the power is. Thats not to demean the talented people that are in front and communicating and are delivering the truth and the information in journalism. I think thats going to be critical to our survival not only as a people but as a country. Paul Pettie / For Hearst Connecticut Media Q. What would the news, or media in general, look like for you to think weve finally got it right? A. I think that our schools are going to be very important in that change, to some extent. Even the basic part of how we communicate and what our expectations are for our children. How do we teach folks and not just by the textbook about life? That would be an ideal world for me. The desire has to be nurtured in the earlier stages. You have to have a thirst for wanting to know more and be open to exploring other sides. I think thats part of education. Its part of a culture that our society would have to adapt. I'm hopeful that you, as young people, can see a future and that you have the energy, the will and the desire to make it happen. We should be doing what we can to support you because the future is your vision now, not ours. Q. Before we close out, is there anything else you want to say? A. Someone asked me recently, What would you tell your 30-year-old self today? The word that came out was "bold." I think that's somewhat connected to how I perceived myself as not having a level of self-confidence. I could do things behind the scenes more comfortably than I could upfront. I look at these young activists today, and Im just so proud of them. I just think they have such courage to confront systems. Unfortunately, I think that discrimination and oppression had such an effect on us. Im glad to see that the succeeding generations are not feeling that level of pressure that we did at that point. So I would say boldness. I think thats critically important. Q. In addition to being bold, what advice would you give to aspiring journalists, especially Black journalists? A. To be bold, authentic, and get in good trouble just like John [Lewis] said, because whenever you confront any situation where people dont want to change, the truth has to be told. Youve got to know what your point of integrity is. WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden spent his first trip overseas highlighting a sharp break from his disruptive predecessor, selling that the United States was once more a reliable ally with a steady hand at the wheel. European allies welcomed the pitch and even a longtime foe acknowledged it. But while Biden returned Wednesday night to Washington after a week across the Atlantic that was a mix of messaging and deliverables, questions remained as to whether those allies would trust that Biden truly represents a long-lasting reset or whether Russian President Vladimir Putin would curb his nations misbehaviors. Bidens mantra, which he uttered in Geneva and Brussels and on the craggy coast of Cornwall, England, was that America was back. It was Putin, of all people, on the trips final moments, who may have best defined Bidens initial voyage overseas. President Biden is an experienced statesman, Putin told reporters. He is very different from President Trump. But the summit with Putin in Geneva, which shadowed the entire trip and brought it to its close, also underscored the fragility of Bidens declarations that the global order had returned. Though both men declared the talks constructive, Putins rhetoric did not change, as he refused to accept any responsibility for his nations election interference, cyberhacking or crackdown on domestic political opponents. At the summits conclusion Biden acknowledged that he could not be confident that Putin would change his behavior even with newly threatened consequences. Biden's multilateral summits with fellow democracies the Group of Seven wealthy nations and NATO were largely punctuated by sighs of relief from European leaders who had been rattled by President Donald Trump over four years. Yet there were still closed-door disagreement on just how the Western powers should deal with Russia or Bidens declaration that an economic competition with China would define the 21st century. Everyone at the table understood and understands both the seriousness and the challenges that were up against, and the responsibility of our proud democracies to step up and deliver for the rest of the world, Biden said Sunday in England. As vice president and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Biden had trotted the globe for more than four decades before he stepped off Air Force One and onto foreign soil for the first time as commander in chief. His initial stop, after a speech to thank U.S. troops stationed in England, was for a gathering with the other G-7 leaders. The leaders staked their claim to bringing the world out of the coronavirus pandemic and crisis, pledging more than 1 billion coronavirus vaccine doses to poorer nations, vowing to help developing countries grow while fighting climate change and backing a minimum tax on multinational firms. At the groups first face-to-face meeting in two years because of the pandemic, the leaders dangled promises of support for global health, green energy, infrastructure and education all to demonstrate that international cooperation is back after the upheavals caused by the pandemic and Trumps unpredictability. There were concerns, though, that not enough was done to combat climate change and that 1 billion doses were not nearly sufficient to meet the stated goal of ending the COVID-19 pandemic globally by the end of 2022. The seven nations met in Cornwall and largely adhered to Bidens hope that they rally together to declare they would be a better friend to poorer nations than authoritarian rivals such as China. A massive infrastructure plan for the developing world, meant to compete with Beijings efforts, was commissioned, and China was called out for human rights abuses, prompting an angry response from the Asian power. But even then, there were strains, with Germany, Italy and the representatives for the European Union reluctant to call out China, a valuable trading partner, too harshly. And there a wariness in some European capitals that it was Biden, rather than Trump, who was the aberration to American foreign policy and that the United States could soon fall back into a transactional, largely inward-looking approach. After Cornwall, the scene shifted to Brussels where many of the same faces met for a gathering at NATO. Biden used the moment to highlight the renewed U.S. commitment to the 30-country alliance that was formed as a bulwark to Moscows aggression but frequently maligned by his predecessor. He also underscored the U.S. commitment to Article 5 of the alliance charter, which spells out that an attack including, as of this summit, some cyberattacks on any member is an assault on all and is to be met with a collective response. Trump had refused to commit to the pact and had threatened to pull the U.S. out of the alliance. Article 5 we take as a sacred obligation, said Biden. I want NATO to know America is there. When Air Force One touched back down in Washington, Biden again faced an uncertain future for his legislative agenda, the clock ticking on a deadline to land a bipartisan infrastructure deal as the president was confronted with growing intransigence from Republicans and mounting impatience from fellow Democrats. But Biden and his aides believe he accomplished what he set out to do in Europe. The most tactile of politicians, Biden reveled in the face-to-face diplomacy, having grown frustrated with trying to negotiate with world leaders over Zoom. Even amid some disagreements, he was greeted warmly by most of his peers, other presidents and prime ministers eager to exchange awkward elbow bumps and adopt his build back better" catchphrase. At the end of each day, Biden would huddle with aides, including Secretary of State Tony Blinken and national security adviser Jake Sullivan, eagerly going over a play-by-play of the days meetings and preparing for the next. Aides padded his schedule with some down time to pace the 78-year-old president, though there were still a few missteps, including some verbal flubs and when he simply neglected to announce a Boeing-Airbus deal in front of the European Council. His summit with Putin, coming three years after Trump sided with the Russian leader over U.S. intelligence agencies when those two men met in Helsinki, loomed over the trip, with the cable networks giving it Super Bowl levels of hype. Aides wanted to confront Putin early in the presidency, with some hope of reining in Moscow and reaching some stability so the administration could more squarely focus on China. There were no fireworks in their summit near the Swiss Alps, and the nations agreed to return ambassadors to each others capitals and took some small steps toward strategic stability. But while Biden was able to deliver stern warnings to Putin behind closed doors, he also extracted few promises. In the Russian presidents post-summit remarks, he engaged in classic Putin misdirection and what-about-ism to undermine any of the United States moral high ground. In his own Geneva news conference, Biden stood against a postcard-perfect backdrop of a tree-lined lake, taking off his suit jacket as the sun beat down from behind, so bright that reporters had trouble looking directly at the president. Once more, Biden declared that America was back, but he also soberly made clear that it was impossible to immediately know if any progress with Russia had, in fact, been made. What will change their behavior is if the rest of world reacts to them and it diminishes their standing in the world, Biden said. Im not confident of anything; Im just stating a fact. ___ Madhani reported from Geneva. ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) Former President Laurent Gbagbo returned home to Ivory Coast on Thursday, a decade after his refusal to concede defeat in a presidential election sparked months of violence that left more than 3,000 people dead. Gbagbo was extradited to the International Criminal Court at The Hague in 2011 and spent eight years awaiting trial on war crimes charges. A judge acquitted him in 2019, saying prosecutors had failed to prove their case. The verdict was appealed but upheld in late March, clearing the way for Gbagbo to leave Belgium, where he had spent the past two years. After coming down the steps to the runway, Gbagbo soon made his way to a vehicle that was then surrounded by crowds as it headed toward the city. He later made a brief but emotional speech to his supporters at his former campaign headquarters in Cocody. I am happy to return to Ivory Coast and to Africa, he said before adding: I know that I am Ivorian but in prison I knew that I belonged to Africa. While the government led by his longtime rival President Alassane Ouattara has allowed Gbagbos return to Ivorian soil, there already have been concerns about what impact his presence will have on the nation's political stability. It is not immediately known whether the 76-year-old ex-president will seek to re-enter politics. Tensions between the jubilant crowds and security forces were high, with tear gas being used to disperse people coming to greet Gbagbo near the airport on Thursday. Clashes continued later along the route Gbagbo's vehicle took toward his former campaign headquarters. His opponents, though, maintain he should be jailed in Ivory Coast, not given a statesmans welcome. Some demonstrated outside Gbagbos residence in the Cocody on Wednesday. Thursday remained mostly a day of jubilation for Gbagbos supporters, who long have maintained his prosecution was unfair and politically motivated. The ex-president garnered nearly 46% of the vote in 2010 and maintains a strong base of supporters. After his arrival we want peace and reconciliation, we want to live together because we were born together so we are obliged to live together said Chief Tanouh, a traditional leader from the country's east. Ouattara, who was ultimately declared the winner of the 2010 vote and has been president of Ivory Coast ever since, did not greet Gbagbo at the airport Thursday. The current president won a controversial third term in office late last year after the opposition claimed many of its candidates were disqualified including Gbagbo. It still remains unclear what will become of other pending criminal charges against the ex-president. Gbagbo and three of his former ministers were sentenced to 20 years in prison on charges they broke into the Abidjan branch of the Central Bank of West African States to get cash amid the post-election crisis in January 2011. Its unlikely that Ivorian authorities will jail the ex-president, says Ousmane Zina, a political scientist at the University of Bouake. However, Ouattara is likely to attach conditions to Gbagbos return in an effort to avoid reigniting tensions of the past, he added. Before granting a pardon or amnesty, he will want to obtain a guarantee that the country will remain peaceful, Zina said. ___ Associated Press journalists Krista Larson in Dakar, Senegal; and Bishr El- Touni, Mark Carlson and Lorne Cook in Brussels contributed. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Newly filed court documents detail gun evidence recovered from the scene of a fatal shooting of a driver during an arrest attempt by members of a federal task force in Minneapolis. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has said evidence indicates Winston Boogie Smith Jr., who was Black, fired his gun before he was killed June 3 in a parking ramp in the city's Uptown neighborhood by members of a U.S. Marshals Service fugitive task force. Authorities have said Smith was wanted on a warrant for being a felon in possession of a gun. Search warrant affidavits filed this week in Hennepin County District Court show that 15 cartridge casings from police firearms were found outside of the SUV in which Smith was sitting and six cartridge casings from another gun were found inside. According to one affidavit, a Smith and Wesson M&P 380 pistol was also recovered from the drivers side of the SUV and the six casings found inside matched the pistol. Following the shooting, the BCA said a handgun and spent cartridge cases were found inside the drivers area. Attorneys for an unidentified woman who was in the SUV with Smith said last week that she never saw him with a weapon. A loaded magazine was also found in a duffel bag in the SUV, according to an affidavit. Authorities also said they found cash, tablets in prescription bottles, as well as baggies and plastic containers that contained what was described as plant material. Smith's death happened in a city that has been on edge since the death of George Floyd just over a year ago and the fatal shooting of Daunte Wright by an officer in nearby Brooklyn Center in April. Smiths shooting sparked days of protests in the neighborhood as his family members and community members have demanded transparency. Authorities have said there is no body camera or police vehicle camera footage of the shooting. __ This story has been corrected to note that 15 cartridge casings were found outside Smiths vehicle, not 14, according to the search warrant affidavits. Google announced its plans to open its first permanent brick and mortar store in New York City last month and today Google unveiled the store in a blog post. The store will open its doors to the public on Wednesday June 17. In anticipation of its new store opening, Google offers a look inside the store, its layout, and spaces throughout. In Googles Blog post, the company explains that the stores materials, furniture, and fixtures were all considered with sustainability in mind. The veneer on the walls is a soft gray responsible sourced hickory, each lighting fixture is energy efficient and our custom cork and wood furniture was created with a local craftsman from Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Googles intention for those entering the store is to find a light-filled space thats centered around experiencing the helpfulness of our products. A 17-foot-tall glass structure is found near the entrance of the store where customer can interact with what Google calls its Imagination Space. The first experience built here is based on Google Translate, which will simultaneously translate what you say into 24 languages. Other areas of the store are intended to test Googles experiences in spaces that feel warm and comforting as if you were at home. The Store will have interactive hands-on areas where patrons can check out the latest Pixel phones, Pixelbook devices, as well as Nest Home and Fitbit products. There will be a dedicated space for workshops and events, as well as Sandboxes where people can immerse themselves and test out Googles experiences. There will be a Nest Sandbox in a simulated living room, a Stadia Sandbox where you can stream Stadia games, and a Pixel Sandbox where you can play with the Pixel cameras. Aside from experiences, customers will be able to come in for on-site Pixel repairs. The store will be located at the street level of Googles office building in Chelsea. The building is next door to Chelsea Market and the Google Store will be on the northeast corner of 15th Street and 9th Avenue. Source Xiaomi's MIUI has come a long way in recent years and we've often praised the custom skin for how mature it has become. However, there are still some bugs and inconsistencies feature-wise from one Xiaomi phone to the other. To fix that the company is now gathering a MIUI Pioneer Team. The team will be based in China and its main task is to gather user information and feedback regarding MIUI so the developers' team can better understand the issues Xiaomi phone owners have. Essentially, it wants to work closely with the MIUI community. And although the team is assembled in China, it will be working on the global version of MIUI as well, not just the Chinese MIUI. It could also mean that Xiaomi will be moving towards a better, more refined skin altogether, seeing how several senior team members are going to be a part of the MIUI Pioneer Team. Not many details have been disclosed, but it's clear that the team will start with ironing out current issues with the software before moving on. Source (in Chinese) Haiti - FLASH : The Peligre plant occupied by strangers The EDH informs that following the test carried out on Wednesday afternoon at plant 3 in Carrefour, the Peligre plant was unable to get back on the grid. Investigations indicate that the power plant's auxiliary generator was damaged at the exciter level. EDH's General Directorate is not yet in a position to say whether it is a question of sabotage or of a technical failure which prevents the company from increasing the tension on the metropolitan network of 36 Mw. "The EDH also recalls that the attackers have occupied the Peligre hydroelectric plant since Tuesday with the complicity of security agents responsible for protecting staff and equipment. No decision is taken by the authorities to dislodge them and arrest them for legal consequences." HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Business : Haiti Startup Talent, registrations open The CASELI Foundation Center for Support and Services for Local and International Businesses announces the official launch of "Haiti Startup Talent - Incubation Program for Young Entrepreneurs". Financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), this project is a government-run program for which the Economic and Social Assistance Fund (FAES) is the executing agency. For 3 years, through "Haiti Startup Talent", the CASELI Foundation will support young people who have business ideas or of startups, innovative and with high growth potential. For the first Promotion of the program, at least 15 startups representing around fifty people may be selected by competition. Participation in the competition and the program are completely free, Online registration form : https://haitistartuptalent.com/en/application01/ A first selection will be made on file by a jury of experts. Secondly, individual interviews will make it possible to identify the best and most innovative business ideas, which will also have been able to integrate at least one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Haiti Startup Talent will require a full time commitment from the selected participants. These will benefit from a full-time 6-month incubation program, which will give them access to the best entrepreneurship training, a network of mentors and a fully equipped shared workspace. Participants who have successfully completed the incubation program will then have the opportunity to present their startup to a network of partners and potential investors to obtain a loan or investment. The CASELI Foundation has started receiving online registrations since Friday, June 11, 2021. The deadline to participate in the first selection is July 16 at midnight. All detailed information on the selection process and application procedures are available at : https://haitistartuptalent.com HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Politic : Final project of the new Constitution in 45 days The Executive, while maintaining the holding of the postponed "sine die" constitutional referendum due to the strong rebound of Covid in Haiti https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33987-haiti-flash-the-west-department-hard-hit.html , in a Decree dated June 16, published in Le Moniteur special issue N33, granted a new period of 45 days to the Independent Advisory Committee (CCI) for the development of the Project of the new Constitution. At the end of this period, which ends on July 31, 2021, the decree stipulates that the members of the committee must submit "[...] to the President of the Republic the final draft of the Constitution accompanied by the report of the preparatory works." S/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... Covid : No vaccines before July Haiti, which has not started vaccination against covid but will be a priority for the arrival of doses in July according to Jarbas Barbosa Deputy Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Construction of the bridge over the Abricot River Minister Nader Joiseus visited the construction work of the bridge erected over the Abricot river, in Lalouere, 4th communal section of Saint-Marc. He took the opportunity to speak with notables grouped within Community organization. Covid-19 contingency plan The Ministry of Justice will organize a videoconference, this Thursday, June 17, 2021, to discuss the Covid-19 contingency plan in prison centers, public prosecutors, courts and courts of the Republic. The Government Commissioners and officials of the Directorate of Prison Administration (DAP) will take part in this important meeting and consider the possibilities of relieving congestion in prisons in the midst of a pandemic. Competition for a new promotion of commissioners The PNH announces that a competition will be organized on July 2 for the new start of the academic year at the National Police Academy (ANP); This new promotion of student commissioners will strengthen the design and command framework of the institution. Art Center : drawing and painting workshops, registrations open The Art Center propose you "Body and Arts" a series of workshops in drawing and painting, for artists of intermediate level (July 6 to 26 Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registrations (500 Gourdes - fees 15,000 Gourdes all included) are exceptionally open until July 6, 2021; subject to availability and compliance with health measures related to Covid-19. Contact us at 48 41 4231 or contact@lecentredart.org to secure your place ! EU supports bilateral agenda with Haiti Within the framework of the celebration of the XIII Political Dialogue between the European Union and the Dominican Republic Roberto Alvarez the Minister of Foreign Affairs considered fundamental the support and the permanent accompaniment of the European Union, of the multilateral organizations and of the other actors of the international community in building a future bilateral agenda with Haiti. HL/ HaitiLibre Login or sign up to follow actresses, movies & dramas and get specific updates and news Login Sign Up Email Password Password Username Your E-mail will only be used to retrieve a lost password. Stay logged in Help Korean Movie | 2021 Omnibus Drama Directed by Cho Sa-young () Jerim () Jin Ok-ham () Jung So-min-I () 99min | Release date in South Korea: 2021/06/17 Synopsis There is something that is hard to explain to family, lovers, or anyone in the world. Near and far, you are my familiar stranger. "Jon-jae's Gift" ( , jon-jae-eui seon-mul) by Jerim Jon-jae, a middle-aged man who is about to turn 50 is disappointed with his appearance in the mirror when he finds his hair falling out one by one. He has a secret affair with another woman other than his wife, but he has never spent the night with his lover. He just goes back home every time. "Seo-ri" (, seo-ri) by Cho Sa-young Seo-ri recently left her boyfriend Jeong-goo. After some time has passed, she still can't understand why he suddenly chose to kill himself. Also, her mother who visits her is noisy as if she's not allowing Seo-ri a time to grieve, making her suffer. "Waiting on a Memory" ( , chu-eok-e-seo gi-da-rin-da) by Jung So-min-I There is a different world from where we live in, where time runs in the opposite direction. So-yeong who feels that her presence is fading as she gets older, gets a chance to live again as a child in a different world that she accidentally got into. While enjoying the happy time there, the resentment towards life gradually fades away... "Lost People" ( , gil ilh-eun sa-ram-deul) by Jin Ok-ham Joon-woong, who was determined to end his life on his own, receives a phone call with news that his father has Alzheimer's. He puts his suicide on hold for a while and finally returns home to see his father. Joon-woong walks behind his father's footsteps and peeks into a hidden truth. Hannibal, MO (63401) Today Mostly cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. High 81F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Clear skies. Low 61F. Winds light and variable. Check out our Affordable Print and Online Subscription Rates! Affordable rates for: Adams, Clay, Nuckolls and Webster Counties, as well as the towns of Doniphan and Giltner, Fillmore, Franklin, Kearney, Thayer Counties, Smith, Jewell Counties (Kansas) Subscribe Mohave County Supervisors deserve a vote of thanks for refusing to go along with a From Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks As the summer heats up, boaters, floaters and swimmers are hitting the water to cool down. Montanas many rivers, lakes and reservoirs offer fun recreational opportunities like swimming, boating and floating, but its important to remember to be safe while enjoying the water. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that drowning is the fifth leading cause of unintentional injury/death for people of all ages, and that potentially, half of all boating deaths could be prevented with the use of life jackets. The CDC also states that amon... Travis Scott described Kylie Jenner as his "wifey" and said he "loved" her in a speech. The 'Out West' musician has stayed close to the 23-year-old beauty since they split two years ago but further fuelled speculation they were back together when the 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians' star and their three-year-old daughter Stormi accompanied him to the Parsons Benefit event in New York on Tuesday (15.06.21). After posing together for pictures on the red carpet at Rooftop at Pier 17, Travis, 30, was one of organisers The New School's honourees and paid tribute to his daughter and her mom in his speech. He said on stage: "Stormi, I love you and wifey, I love you." And an onlooker claimed the pair were being openly affectionate towards one another. The source told People magazine: "Travis and Kylie were being very sweet and cute together. They were holding hands and seemed fully back on." The event marked the first time Kylie and Travis have walked the red carpet together since the premiere of the 'Astroworld' hitmaker's 'Look Mom I Can Fly' documentary in August 2019, two months before it was revealed they were "taking space apart" from their relationship. They sparked speculation they were back together last month when they were seen out in Los Angeles' Catch with Kylie's sister Kendall Jenner and her boyfriend Devin Booker, and friends Justin and Hailey Bieber. Kylie also accompanied Travis and Stormi on a trip to Houston, Texas, to see his family. And the reunion may not come as a shock to many because in February it was reported the pair weren't "ruling out getting back together." A source said at the time: "Kylie and Travis are still madly in love. You can tell every time they are together that there is a lot of love there. Both of their faces light up when they are together and both seem very happy." Scenes similar to this will occur June 12-19 at Bear Creek Ranch upstream on the Guadalupe River from the Spur 98 bridge, when the 2021 Texas Archeological Field School will be held in Kerrville. Dig sites are closely measured and marked by string-line levels, so all finds can be identified by location and depth for cataloging. Edney proposes sweeping changes to zoning code Big changes in zoning would be in place if the Henderson County Board of Commissioners were to accept recommendations by one of its own. Commissioner Michael Edney announced last week his support for proposed zoning code changes that would vastly expand where residential uses would be permitted, eliminate an antiquated one-acre zoning category and eliminate conditional-use zoning. In a reference to the East Flat Rock asphalt plant, Edney also said he wanted to amend the countys rules to prevent zoning applicants from repeatedly filing and then withdrawing rezoning requests. Commission Chair Bill Lapsley said the board took no action to send the ideas to the Planning Board for review. We were not aware of these until he read them, he said. It hadnt been brewing. I think we were all somewhat surprised when he brought them up. We didnt give any direction to send it to the Planning Board. We didnt vote on it. Apparently there was a miscommunication. The Edney proposals did go to the Planning Board, which was scheduled to talk about them at its regular meeting on Thursday. Housing in any zone I think single-wide manufactured homes are an entry level into home ownership and the way were zoned right now there are not many places where they could go at all, Edney said last week at a regular board meeting. Im not suggesting you can put a singlewide beside a mansion in Flat Rock. If someone owns some industrial zoned property, instead of going back through all the process of rezoning why cant you put a singlewide an area thats zoned industrial. Commissioners created a problem by zoning rural land for industrial use in an attempt to attract manufacturing, Edney said. I want to change the ordinance to allow residential structure in any zone, he said. Years ago, on Upward Road and McMinn Road, for instance, We zoned some stuff industrial because thats kind of what we wanted but then the landowners wanted to come let grandkids live there so we changed it back to residential zoning. Ive got no problem allowing a residential home in an industrial zoned area if thats what the folks want to do if they own the property. If you owned it and dont have any plans of selling it and you want to keep it in the family, put a house trailer, whatever, there, why not? The R-40 zone is duplicated elsewhere in the zoning code, Edney said. Thats antiquated pre-code. It only applies to certain part of the county, he said. Its the only one-acre lot and basically it was (created for) Flat Rock and then Flat Rock incorporated. Negotiating with developers just looks bad Commissioners have made use increasingly of conditional zoning that gives the board the authority to extract concessions from applicants. I want to do away with conditional zoning altogether, Edney said. Its been nothing but a nightmare and a headache between asphalt plants and Tap Root dairy. It puts this board in a position of negotiating with developers and it just looks bad. We can define the zoning areas either youre in or youre out. If you open up and allow folks to build houses wherever they want to, that does away with that and it doesnt put us in a position of (negotiating with developers). Were going to be accused of being bought off anyway, no matter what, but with conditional zoning, it allows for that appearance. Commissioners OKd the Tap Root rezoning after the developer agreed to more than 70 conditions relating to everything from street widths to parking to a clubhouse and pool. We eliminated some of the hazards that are actually in River Stone with regard to the narrow roads and the parking, Commissioner Rebecca McCall said. This wouldnt give us that option. So when you define your districts, Edney responded, you define the things that are important to you the setbacks, all that sort of stuff. Heres what the rules are going in instead of making them up as we go. Not right to be held hostage Earlier in the June 7 meeting, an East Flat Rock resident, Terrie Garren, called for the zoning code change that Edney later recommended. Neighboring homeowners mounted an intensive campaign to oppose the rezoning request for the asphalt plant, only to have applicant Jeff Shipman withdraw it twice days before a vote of the Board of Commissioners. It's not right to hold a community hostage continuously, Garren said. We're giving our time, our money we're paying our taxes. We are good citizens living in this town and we don't feel like we should be held hostage over his situation or anybody else's. It's not right for them to be allowed to play games with our lives. Henderson County should have in place rules to protect us all." Edney proposes a rule change to add a provision that you can only withdraw your application one time as a freebie. If you withdraw it a second time youre treated as if it was denied or something to avoid this in-and-out sort of thing. County Attorney Russ Burrell, who had researched how other counties treat withdrawn applications, found a model from Guilford County that Henderson County could adopt. If you withdraw it a second time you treat it as if it had failed on a vote and that time period (to refile) might be two years instead of the current one, he said. In an interview later, Edney said he did not intend for the ideas to be incorporated into the comprehensive plan rewrite, which is just getting started and will take more than a year. Im saying these are things were going to be dealing with hopefully in the next few months, he said. I think those things have got to be addressed by the Planning Board. We need their input and suggestions and recommendation. They may come up with things I havent thought about and change my mind. We'll keep you connected to all the updated local news and information about what's happening in Hendersonville and Sumner County! Click Here to Subscribe! Free access for current print subscribers As a home delivery subscriber, you get free unlimited digital access to premium content on HenryHerald.com, including local news, local sports, obituaries, legal notices, local features, and the e-edition. All you need is your print subscription account number and your last name. Don't know your subscription number? Email access@henryherald.com with your delivery address. Activate your account now. Note: We've recently updated our online systems. If you can't login please try resetting your password. You must login with an email address. If you don't have an email associated with your account email customercare@heraldandnews.com for help creating one. Greenville, TX (75401) Today Thunderstorms likely this morning. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High 86F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Variable clouds with showers and scattered thunderstorms. Storms more numerous this evening. Low 71F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Provo, UT (84601) Today Sunshine to start, then a few afternoon clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 92F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 66F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Uniontown, PA (15401) Today Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 71F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Slight chance of a shower throughout the evening. Low 57F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. An online bake sale to combat antisemitism has drawn many Jewish participants, but Daniela Weiner, right, is among the few non-Jews to participate. (JTA) - When Daniela Weiner heard about a virtual bake sale against antisemitism, the Chicago pastry chef and food photographer didn't think twice about joining. Weiner is not Jewish. But she has participated in benefit bake sales before, raising $1,500 last year for racial justice causes, and she also knew that some of her Jewish friends in the food world were alarmed by a recent spate of antisemitic incidents. "Seeing a friend talk about this, crying on social media that she is afraid ... I cannot even imagine," said Weiner, who is originally from Austria. "For me it was an instinct to join." Few other non-Jewish foodies made the same decision. It's a dynamic that organizers of the bake sale say reflects a broader trend of Jews being left to fight antisemitism alone despite a social justice environment that prizes allyship. Whitney Fisch, a longtime food blogger who is one of the organizers, said she knows of only two non-Jews on the roster of participants for Bake a Stand: Bake to End Antisemitism, which begins Friday. That's not because they weren't asked, she said. "I've had people say no, I don't know if I'm comfortable with this," Fisch said. "There definitely have been people who claim to be allies for social justice and civil rights just straight up ignore me." Fisch and the sale's other organizers said they are pleased by the turnout among Jewish food personalities, who will sell or auction baked goods and other products to benefit an Ohio Holocaust museum. Participants include Instagram food celebrities such as Jake Cohen, who plans to auction a copy of his "Jew-Ish" cookbook to his 346,000 followers, and Adeena Sussman, who has 130,000 followers for her posts about Israeli food. They also include dozens of people with much more modest followings: One woman in Houston, for example, is selling challahs for $18 and boxes of cookies for $10 to her 500 followers. Fisch, who plans to bake and sell 20 babkas, organized an in-person bake sale three years ago to benefit efforts to reunite families separated at the U.S. border. She said she was inspired to coordinate a virtual edition on top of her day job, running an Ohio Hillel, after seeing misinformation and one-sided narratives circulate during the recent Israel-Gaza conflict - then feeling alone in trying to push back. "In our opinion, we felt there was such a knee-jerk run to condemn Israel, which allows for antisemitism to grow, and to not support anything related to combating antisemitism," she said. "People seem scared to say they support a Jewish person's right to live in this world without fear." The bake sale's "values statement" contains no mention of Israel, and Fisch and her collaborators said they chose to direct proceeds toward the Holocaust and Humanity Center in Cincinnati, where Fisch lives, because the organization focuses exclusively on combating antisemitism and other forms of hate. Other organizations that include Israel advocacy in their work were deemed "too polarizing" for the bake sale, Fisch said. The museum is preparing educational materials about antisemitism for participants to share on social media during the bake sale, according to its CEO, Sarah Weiss. "One of my hopes with this is that it draws attention in a different way that other institutions wouldn't get," she said, noting that on Instagram, Jewish food personalities may be more likely than Jewish organizations to have non-Jewish followers. Yet Israel continues to loom large for many of the participants. Weiner said she had received "very disturbing messages" since announcing her participation, including from a friend who told her, "I would not support this. Israel is killing innocent children." Another sent pictures of children who died in Gaza and said she hoped Weiner would think about them while baking. "I just can't wrap my mind around it," Weiner said. "What's happening in Israel and Gaza, it's scary. But also what's happening in front of our doors is scary, too." Leah Koenig, the author of multiple Jewish cookbooks, said she wanted to participate because she knew that some people in her life, including her in-laws, had grown fearful about wearing kippahs in public over the past several years. But she initially worried that others might equate her participation with support for the Israeli government. "Are they going to think that I'm too far to the right?" Koenig said she asked herself. "I've decided I don't care. Because at this point standing up as a Jew against antisemitism is important enough." Koenig worked with Fisch and Lindsey Silverman, a Los Angeles recipe developer and food photographer, to coordinate the bake sale's launch. Unlike Koenig, Silverman hasn't made her Jewish identity a focus of her food career, whose centerpiece is a blog and Instagram feed called Dolly and Oatmeal, where she posts gluten-free and dairy-free recipes from her Los Angeles kitchen. "My religion or what I believed in has never been part of [my work]," Silverman said. "Now the two have kind of merged and I feel obligated and the need to stand up for my people. There's no way I couldn't." The initiative echoes last year's Bakers Against Racism bake sale, which engaged more than 2,000 bakers and raised more than $1.6 million for racial justice initiatives in its first weekend - then evolved into a movement to elevate bakers of color. Many Jewish bakers participated. Fisch said Bakers Against Racism, which both expressed solidarity with the Palestinians and rejected antisemitism in recent Instagram posts, had not responded to her invitation to share information about Bake a Stand. (The movement's account did not respond to a message from the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.) But she said she was excited by those who had, including Weiner, whom she praised Thursday on Instagram as "a queen and truly ally" after learning that Weiner was Catholic. Weiner has sold eight boxes of gluten-free brownies and cookies. She wants to raise $500, but she isn't sure she'll get there. "At the end of the day I feel like if I donate $50, it's still $50 they didn't have," she said. And Koenig, who is planning to auction a fruit galette to locals in New York City and her "Little Book of Jewish Sweets" cookbook to people farther afield, said she was proud to participate despite the lackluster turnout by allies. "If it has to start from people within the Jewish community, it's still important to do," Koenig said. "It's a good first step and we'll see where it goes." I need laughter. (We all do!) ... I recently saw on television (naturally) a television special. ROBERT KLEIN (and his harmonica and jokes) was the star. I also saw Don Rickles (super funny!) And one of my very favorites, JERRY SEINFELD. I tried to never miss a show of his (and still don't!) And, speaking of funny, I miss Joan Rivers. I knew her and have been told I sometimes sound like her (when I don't clear my throat) probably because we were both born in Brooklyn. TikTok, SAID MY CLOCK ... I haven't heard the expression tick tock since I was a toddler ... yet the Z Gens know it very well. Anyway, I read this recently and send it along to you: "TikTok and the World Jewish Congress recently announced that they would be working together as part of the short-form video platform's commitment to remove anti-Semitic content. A few months ago, TikTok became one of the first platforms to announce that it would remove content that denies well-documented events such as the Holocaust. The company took further action when it announced that it would increase measures to take down misinformation and hurtful ideologies about Jewish, Muslim, and other communities ... including conspiracy myths about notable Jewish individuals and families commonly used as proxies to spread anti-Semitism. After extensive engagement, as an indication of the company's comprehensive approach to addressing hateful content, TikTok laid out steps the company is undertaking to tackle anti-Semitism. These span all areas of the platform's work, from the moderation of content to supporting the creation and dissemination of educational information. Over the past year, the World Jewish Congress has worked with TikTok to remove anti-Semitic hate speech and Holocaust denial, distortion, and trivialization from the platform. Moving forward, TikTok and the WJC will also seek ways to amplify educational campaigns about issues such as the Holocaust and the impact that anti-Semitism has on communities worldwide." Magen David Adom ... I received this recently from Magen David Adom (Red Star of David), and pass it along to you: But first, I will send a copy of the letter I received also. It was sent by Israeli, ROY GRILAK: "Ever since I was 16, I've donated blood every few months. It was a simple way to give back to my community and help those in need. I never imagined that just a few years later, I'd be one of those people who desperately needed a blood transfusion and got it through the selfless acts of strangers. Back to the Magen David Adom letter: "In a matter of seconds, the routine Israeli Defense Force patrol became a terror-filled fight." That moment is forever frozen in Roy Grilak's memory. "It was a quiet night, nothing out of the ordinary. Then, as the patrol walked toward a nondescript building on the edge of their perimeter, shots rang out. Hezbollah fighters laid in wait to ambush the unsuspecting troops ... and once they sprang their trap, the battle was horrific." What happened next: How Roy's story unfolds: "I was just 21 when I was wounded in battle while serving in the IDF. I was shot five times, in my leg, lower jaw, hand and back. Shrapnel also pierced me all over my body. I needed blood to survive, and after a long hospital stay, reconstructive operations and intensive psychotherapy, I finally learned to walk again." Back to the first letter: Roy's life depended on two important things: a speedy evacuation to a medical facility, and an immediate blood transfusion. Thanks to the quick response of medics from the IDF and Magen David Adom he is okay. If you ever wondered how you can make a positive difference for Israel when it's confronting the coronavirus pandemic and rising terror and rocket attacks, this is how ... Phone 212-757-1627. Oy Vay ... am I okay? ... A while back, maybe a few years, I wrote in this column that I love dogs better than people. As a result, the Heritage got lots of complaints from readers. I tried to soften the blow by writing in my very next column that I loved dogs better than SOME people. Nobody complained! Anyway, I love dogs! My current dog, an 11-year-old named Chloe is like my daughter. That's why I got so excited when I read the summer 2021 issue of J Life magazine. I just happen to love this magazine and wish it came out weekly. Not only does it celebrate Orlando's Jewish people, it is the creation of a fabulous family. The publisher is SAMANTHA TAYLOR, the executive publisher is SHEILA KRAMER and the managing editor is MICHAEL KRAMER. Michael, a fabulous pianist, performed with me in Manhattan and, of course, right here in Central Florida. His son, BEN KRAMER, is a fabulous bassist I've also had the pleasure of performing with. Getting back to dogs ... I read a great article in the current issue of J Life titled "Dog Moms Unite! (I'm a dog mom! Chloe and I look like twins! We have the same eyes, the same nose, the same lips, the same thighs and the same stomach!) The article starts off like this: "When MYRIAM GUTSTEIN founded the Orlando Dog Mom Club a couple of years ago, the young entrepreneur was just looking to connect with other local women who loved pooches as much as she did." She got much more response than she expected and even I intend to go (if Chloe wants to, of course.) To learn more about this fun club, email TheDogMomClub.com or visit Facebook.com/groups/ODMClub. The Winter Park Playhouse ... This great performance doesn't begin until July 30 (with previews on July 29-30) but I have to mention it because it's titled "Crazy For Gershwin." AND I'M CRAZY FOR GERSHWIN! The Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando ... Here is just a small portion of a message from CEO KEITH DVORCHIK. It strikes home with me. These are NOT easy times! "The past weeks have been filled with challenges. Bombs falling on Israel, a rise in antisemitism throughout the country including things locally. The news is filled with reports of increased Jew hatred and even Aaron Keyak, the U.S. National Jewish engagement director, tweeted, 'if you fear for your life or physical safety, take off your kippah and hide your (Star of David).' Google's chief of Diversity was found to have stated in a 2007 tweet that Jews have an "insatiable appetite for war" (he has since been reassigned). Officials at Rutgers University made a statement against antisemitism and then retracted it because it upset the anti-Israel, anti-semitic population. It's easy to get depressed and be filled with worry and concern." (I am depressed and worried. Not for myself ... rather for my children and grandchildren.) One for the road ... Here's another Henny Youngman joke for you to enjoy (I hope!): "I was so ugly when I was born that the doctor slapped my mother!" And another: "I haven't spoken to my wife in three weeks. I didn't want to interrupt her." Israeli actresses Alena Yiv (l) and Shira Haas play a mother and daughter in "Asia," an award-winning Israeli film now seeing a U.S. release. (JTA) - Shira Haas, the Israeli actress who vaulted into superstardom with her roles in the TV series "Shtisel" and "Unorthodox," has a track record of playing multifaceted characters. Nonetheless, she faced unprecedented challenges when making the new film "Asia," which dominated last year's Ophir Awards (the Israeli equivalent to the Oscars), was in the Central Florida Jewish Film Festival last November, and is seeing a U.S. release this week. In the starkly photographed, minimalist film, Haas plays Vika, a tough yet sensitive kid struggling from a degenerative neurological disease. She lives with her single mother, Asia (Alena Yiv), a free spirit, and the two women are forced to come to terms with Vika's accelerating condition. For Haas, who was diagnosed with kidney cancer at age 2 and saw her growth stunted as a result of her chemotherapy treatments, the role presented a unique challenge. "First, I had to deal with Vika's physical condition, which changes from scene to scene, and it had to be very specific - from the way Vika holds a cup to the way she walks," Haas told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency over the phone from her home in Tel Aviv. "Though it is never spelled out in the movie, she has ALS [Lou Gehrig's disease]. We consulted with a doctor throughout." Writer-director Ruthy Pribar based the story on the prolonged death of her own sister 14 years ago, having recalled her mother's relentless, selfless devotion over that period. Pribar, who wrote the script during her own pregnancy, said she often wondered if she could measure up to her own mother when she became one. She's not convinced women are born to be mothers. "Being a mother is a daily process," Pribar, who put the production on hold until after she gave birth, said during a phone interview from Tel Aviv. "I have good days, but also bad days when I think who gave me the right to be a mother?" It's a question few other filmmaking teams are quite as equipped to deal with. "Asia" is unusual for featuring a strong female presence both behind and in front of the camera: In addition to the writer-director, the cinematographer and editor are women, too. Among the nine Ophirs awarded to the film, eight went to women, including for best picture, best actress (Yiv) and best supporting actress (Haas). Throughout much of the film, set in a bleak, working-class Jerusalem neighborhood, the Russia-born Asia speaks to Vika in Russian, while Haas responds in Hebrew. Haas translated Asia's Russian lines into Hebrew and memorized them in order to respond spontaneously in Hebrew when Asia talks to her. Breaking down Vika's complex emotional journey as a youngster learning to face her own inevitable demise, Haas said, required some deep soul-searching. "I read Elizabeth Kubler-Ross on the five stages of grief - from negotiation to depression to anger to denial to finally acceptance," she said. "It was hard. Even though the film is about death and grief, it's also about love and connection between a mother and daughter." Early in the film Asia, who works as a nurse, is by turns an almost indifferent mom and/or a buddy. She and her daughter are close in age and even look alike; they could be sisters. At one point they share a cigarette. Vika envies her mother's easy sexual encounters and is saddened at her own prospect of dying a virgin. For Yiv, playing Asia as a nontraditional mother required an imaginative leap. "Asia's distance from Vika, especially in the beginning, was difficult for me to understand," she said from her home in Haifa. "Still, it's a very familiar modern story where teenagers become the parents to the parents who feel little responsibility for their children." Like any contradictory character, Asia raises many questions. Pribar and Yiv view her through a feminist lens, insisting that she has enjoyed her life and is no victim. Despite telling her daughter that "the only good thing I ever got from a man was you," she's not feeling sorry for herself: The statement instead is an expression of mother-daughter bonding. And the film's ending, without giving away any spoilers, works to reset that bond. In Haas's words, "Vika has allowed herself to become the child." Even in its bleakest moments, the three artists insist "Asia" is a love story and an affirmation of life. "Asia" premiered June 11 in New York, with Haas and Pribar in person at select screenings, and expands to more cities June 25. Chew on this: One of America's most iconic gum brands was originally a Jewish-owned tobacco business. In 1891, Morris Chigorinsky emigrated from Russia to the United States, where in the early 1900s he assumed control of the American Leaf Tobacco Company. But by 1938 - by then Chigorinsky had changed his surname to Shorin - the business was flailing. His four sons decided to save the family from certain penury by starting a new penny candy business, Topps Chewing Gum Inc., with the name borrowed from an Chattanooga candy company they purchased. Following the end of World War II, the Shorin brothers - Abram, Ira, Joseph and Philip - aggressively set about supplanting their then-dominant competitor, Dubble Bubble, manufactured by Fleer, through the launch of Bazooka Bubble Gum. The gum cleverly capitalized on the nation's postwar patriotic pride in the wake of their recent victory, not only via its name (derived from the rocket-propelled weapon invented and deployed by American troops) but also through its red, white and blue packaging. The product sold well, but in 1953, Topps made an alteration to the design that proved to be a game changer: the inclusion of small comic strips starring Bazooka Joe, a swashbuckling kid who donned a black eye patch and got into scrapes and adventures with his crew of streetwise companions. The wrappers - ultimately there were over 1,500 manufactured - also featured fortunes and immediately became collector's items among consumers and candy enthusiasts, who still vigorously buy and sell vintage strips on online auction websites. While the original flavor continues to be the bestseller, Topps has also introduced variations, such as Grape Rage, Cherry Berry and Watermelon Whirl. In 2012, Bazooka discontinued the inclusion of comics in favor of "brainteaser" wrappers and subsequently found itself in a sticky situation. Loyalists were displeased and chewed out corporate honchos for the most unwelcome change. In 2019, Topps responded to the call to adhere to the original look by issuing a Throwback Pack intended to be "inspired by the brand's iconic original packaging" with "nostalgic 1980s graphics and Original flavor Bazooka Bubble Gum wrapped in classic comics." Testaments to Bazooka's enduring popularity have bubbled up over the years in sitcoms such as "How I Met Your Mother," "Seinfeld" and "King of Queens." The candy made a particularly sweet cameo in an episode of "30 Rock," in which NBC exec Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) erroneously and hilariously claimed Bazooka's founder inherited a quarry of pink rocks, then baked them to transform them into gum. While Bazooka continues to be cherished in many countries, the gum has amassed a particularly unique cult following in Israel. In the 1960s, Islico Ltd. began making Bazooka in Tel Aviv, which was taken over by Lieber Co. in the 1970s, then assumed in the 1980s by the food conglomerate Strauss-Elite, which continues to manufacture the candy today, in addition to snack mashups like Bazooka-flavored marshmallows and even milk. "So culturally iconic are the strips in Israel," The Jerusalem Post reported in 2017, "that they even inspired one local artist to assume "Bazooka Joe" as his pseudonym because "he naturally connected with the colors and simplicity of the comics.'" Chomping at the bit to get a glimpse of some of these crazy toons? Those interested in Israeli Bazooka historiography can visit a virtual museum dedicated to displaying the cartoons over the decades. This article originally appeared on The Nosher. (JNS) - They're baaaaack! If you're in Israel this month, you can't miss the clusters of them downing falafel on Jerusalem's Ben-Yehuda Street, cooling off in the Dead Sea, climbing Masada at sunrise or slipping prayers between the stones of the Western Wall in Jerusalem. After more than a year of pandemic silence, the Birthrighters have returned with all the gusto of young adults who'd waited out the year of coronavirus restrictions with visions of Israel dancing in their heads. Take Conor Mullaney, who applied for a Birthright Israel trip months ago with little hope of going then. "I'd been looking forward to being in Israel for a very long time," says Mullaney, a third-year finance student at the University of Maryland's Global Campus, who arrived on May 24 with the very first Birthright Israel group to set foot on Israeli soil since the pandemic shut the program down more than a year ago. "Even though I've read a lot on Israeli politics and history, never having been here until now, I didn't fully understand how it all fits together," he says. "Being here has changed my life and the way I see the world." It also included holding the bar mitzvah he'd never had at the Western Wall with his new friends cheering him on. Or take his fellow Birthright traveler Sami Marshak, an aspiring attorney who after the Birthright experience is starting a summer internship with a Tel Aviv international law firm. While the Rutgers University junior had been to Israel years ago with family, she notes that "it's extremely cool being here with friends." And then there's Jack Berkey, who was busy exploring the country with pals from his school, the University of Michigan. It worked out perfectly to have this opportunity to see Israel for the first time between college graduation and beginning his new job, Berkey reports. "I came with zero expectations of what I will experience," he said. "I've always wanted to come but with COVID, it wasn't happening last year. So when I heard I could come on Birthright this spring, I thought, 'This is my chance; I'm not going to miss out on it.' " These three young adults were indeed fortunate to secure a spot; some 6,000 applicants are now qualified and looking forward to going, reports Birthright's vice president of Global Marketing Noa Bauer. Most of these are expected to be able to enjoy Birthright this summer, with another 20,000 waiting in the wings for winter, spring and beyond. When they go, they'll join the whopping 750,000 young adults ages 18 to 32 from 68 countries who in the last 21 years have experienced the unforgettable sights, sounds, smells and tastes of Israel through a free Birthright trip. In fact, the newly released Pew Research Center study of American Jews found that while just under half of Jewish adults (45 percent) have been to Israel, among those ages 25 to 34, more than a quarter report having traveled on a Birthright trip. Bauer's stats say more than a third of the young Jewish adults have been on a Birthright trip, "which makes it a potent force for influencing how an entire generation feels about both Israel and their Jewish identity. And now, after more than a year of isolation, they're so happy to be free to come and explore at a time when Israel is back to life and more exciting than ever." "I've always identified Jewishly, but this is my chance to find out what that really means." Indeed, professor and American social psychologist Len Saxe, who directs the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University and has been following how college students have dealt with pandemic isolation this past year, says the time is ripe for them to go. "For this generation coming off the loneliness and emotional challenges of COVID, the hunger to engage with peers makes this a propitious moment to go to Israel and an important moment in our history for young Jews to establish personal relationships with their peers, including the young Israelis they get to know on the trip." That's because only face-to-face contact works for establishing bonds, he maintains. "Online works only if you've already formed the relationship in person, and grow and deepen it on the phone and online." For Scott and Amy Jaffee of Brookville, N.Y., involvement in Birthright began five years ago when their oldest son returned from his trip. "We saw how energized and inspired he was when he got back, including the rapport he had with his Israeli peers and the beginning of understanding what a young Israeli's life is like." And, adds Amy, who now serves as co-chair of Birthright Israel Foundation's Long Island Leadership Cabinet, "we began thinking about all the Jewish kids who need to go to Israel but can't afford it, and we wanted to pay it forward." 'An important time to strengthen Jewish identity' The rise in anti-Semitic acts and presence in the last few months, including but not limited to anti-Israel pressures from college campuses to social media to online hate to the images from the January riot on Capitol Hill, has not escaped the notice of Birthright-goers. "We've had our fair share of pro-Palestinian rhetoric on campus," says Marshak, noting one professor who said that Israel is an apartheid state and that the Jews have no historical right to the land. "The media also influences what people think, including all of us who came here questioning our beliefs and not knowing how to feel about Israel." Her own view: "Despite Israel's problems, here I see Jews of different politics and religious views all feeling the same way about the rise in anti-Semitism, the importance of Israel and the fear that history could repeat itself." Berkey, too, had heard the anti-Israel voices being raised at his school. "I've heard a lot about Israel, and it wasn't necessarily positive," he says. "But I refused to believe any of it until I could come with an open mind and see it for myself." The Jaffees recall meeting one young woman who'd bad-mouthed Israel on the flight over-an attitude that lasted until she got off the plane. 'She said as soon as she arrived, she began questioning her own assumptions, and wound up falling in love with Israel and the idea of being Jewish," says Scott Jaffee. "This kind of transformation was something we wanted to be a part of." Rabbi Shlomo Gestetner who directs the Mayanot Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem, one of Birthright's providers, says "the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe and now in the United States makes this such an important time to strengthen Jewish identity. And the only lasting way to do that is to come to the land filled with Jewish history, where you can hear our ancient language spoken on the street and walk on the same 2,000-year-old stones our ancestors walked on." 'The sense of unity that I never expected' Many a Birthrighter reports those few days in Israel truly strengthen their connection to the Jewish people and to Israel, says Barry Shrage, former president of Boston's federation, Combined Jewish Philanthropies, who now teaches at the Brandeis Hornstein Program in Jewish Professional Leadership. "It's a transformational experience, and though we know you can't get back what you lost so the kids who should have gone this past year might go later or we may have missed them altogether, but now is a particularly important moment to go." "Here I see Jews of different politics and religious views all feeling the same way about the importance of Israel." In a time of "woke anti-Israel and anti-Semitic propaganda, fighting it with information and advocacy can go only so deep, and facts can and will be distorted by our enemies," continues Shrage. "The only thing that really works is getting to know their brothers and sisters in Israel, and truly understanding the heart of the Israelis. You can't educate someone to love and identify with the Jewish people and Israel. Falling in love has to be experiential, and Birthright is the best way we have of giving them that experience." Bauer adds that "just getting them here and showing them the real Israel is the single most powerful way to fight BDS attacks. And, though they're not necessarily going to wave the Israeli flag on campus when they get back, they have a much better chance of questioning the hate they could face from a place of deep connection after having seen firsthand what the Israelis are made of and what they're dealing with." Bauer says when they do hear accusations, returned Birthrighters tend to "pick up the phone and call their Israeli friends and ask them what's really going on over here." Berkey put it this way: While zipping up his backpack as the plane touched down at Ben-Gurion International Airport: "I've always identified Jewishly, but this is my chance to find out what that really means." Marshak discovered one thing it really means when her group arrived at Israel's national cemetery on Jerusalem's Mount. Herzl. "I wasn't really expecting much," she says. "But we saw a bunch of soldiers mourning over one grave, and everyone in my group just stopped and mourned with them, staying for the prayer. It really felt like one of us had died. "I know I'll always remember that moment-the sense of unity that I never expected and never felt before," she adds. "You never know how things will affect or change you. But I guess after this, I'm feeling more open to new experiences shaping me and my understanding of things." Tampa, FL Tuesday afternoon, more than 1,200 people participated in a Town Hall Briefing on antisemitism organized by seven Florida Jewish federations (Orlando, Tampa, Gulf Coast, Sarasota/Manatee, Lee/Charlotte, Greater Naples and AJC West Coast Florida). This was assembled in response to the recent vandalizing of the Florida Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg on May 27. St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway said, The Florida Holocaust Museum was vandalized by a person or group on May 27, 2021 with antisemitic /racially biased graffiti. We need the assistance of our community to find the people responsible for this hurtful act. We want to let the vandals know that we wont tolerate this criminal activity in our city, state, or country. Led by Jewish Federation of Sarasota Board president, Randon Carvel, participants heard about the alarming rise in antisemitic acts and how they could stand up to hateful actions. In recent weeks, there has been a significant increase in antisemitic incidents in person and online, including Jews being beaten in New York and Los Angeles and their religious institutions threatened and vandalized in Florida. This comes at a time when antisemitism, hate crimes, and ethnically and racially motivated extremism remain at historic highs. State Senator Joe Gruters, who introduced Governor Ron DeSantis, stated that business leaders need to step up and defend Israel. He also expressed pride in HB 741, that defined antisemitism. Governor Ron DeSantis said, Florida, regardless of party, has no tolerance for antisemitic behavior. We need to go on the offense against antisemitism. We need to speak with one voice. We are going to stand strong with our Jewish brothers and sisters. DeSantis went on to share many of the partnerships Florida has had with Israeli industry and technology. One example was the problem with blue/green algae in Lake Okeechobee. While on a trade mission to Israel his first year in office, he met with BlueGreen Water Technologies, who specialize in blue/green algae. The company was given a $945,000 state contract to keep the algae in Lake Okeechobee and out of the St. Lucie River sanctuary. DeSantis is also a strong supporter of Holocaust education in K-12 public schools. He supports safety in all Jewish days schools, allocating $4 million to these schools for security. Participants were encouraged to post on social media and to demand action from Congress to address the threat of all forms of antisemitism and other types of hate. Congressman Vern Buchanan said, The U.S. Jewish community has experienced a disturbing and dramatic rise in anti-Semitism. Violence against Jewish people has no place in our country. As a member of the Bipartisan Task Force to Eliminate Anti-Semitism, I am committed to combating this evil ideology. Participants were encouraged to call for doubling the amount of funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to $360 million to protect faith-based institutions and fully funding the recently passed Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act. The Jewish community is too frequently the victim of assault, threats, vandalism, and other forms of intimidation. We should not need to say this in the 21st century, but now, more than ever, we must stand together to affirm the safety and security of Israel and of our Jewish friends and neighbors here at home. State Representative Fiona McFarland said. How do we make it better? she asked and then answered the question: By educating, having discussions to bridge the gulf between people. State Representative Ben Diamond said, Public officials and private citizens must continue to stand up and speak out against antisemitism and other forms of hatred and bigotry. Too many Americans feel unsafe right now, and we must work together to change that. We can have no tolerance for antisemitic vandalism, harassment or violence. Our communities are stronger when we are united, and we must continue to encourage everyone to educate themselves about the past and about the issues we care so deeply about. The rise of antisemitism around the world and in the United States has been well documented over the last several years; including a recent FBI report indicating that greatest amount hate crimes are directed against Jews. In the past three weeks there has been a 400 percent increase in reported antisemitic activities in the United States. State Attorney Andrew Warren said, We start by uniting against hate. But unity isnt enough. We must fight antisemitism at its source, denounce those who refuse to denounce intolerance, and pledge to combat all forms of prejudice and bigotry. Carvel concluded the zoom briefing by encouraging people to come to the Holocaust Museum and learn more about antisemitism in order to be able to speak the truth to those who believe differently. The virtual event was the first time that these organizations have come together for a statewide joint event. Christine DeSouza contributed to this article. What can we do? Visit ActAgainstAntisemitism.org and use their toolkit. Contact your members of Congress and urge them to take action against antisemitism. Speak out Proactively to prevent antisemitism. Be there for each other. Act by calling a friend, sign a petition and help repair acts of vandalism. Unite by reaching out to allies from synagogues, churches, schools, clubs and other civic groups. Invite guests to your Shabbat dinner table and Jewish holiday celebrations. Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, in Gaza City, May 31, 2021. (JNS) - Hamas leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, told a group of students and academics in Gaza on Saturday that the terrorist organization has the capability to demolish Tel Aviv and that Israel had only destroyed 3 percent of Gaza's tunnel network last month during "Operation Guardian of the Walls." "God has decreed that we must attack Tel Aviv, and there are other capabilities we have not revealed," said Sinwar, adding that Hamas and its terrorist partners could launch 130 missiles at the city per minute. Sinwar went on to say that Hamas had used only "50 percent of its power" during the 11 days of fighting that erupted on May 10 and that its strategic goal was to "unite the people behind Hamas." "Israel has failed to destroy our capabilities to resist it. Their plan to kill 10,000 fighters failed," he said. "Israel did not destroy more than 3 percent of the tunnels in Gaza. The [Hamas 'Metro'] was not destroyed because we love our land, and it loves us back." According to the Israel Defense Forces, upwards of 60 miles of Hamas's tunnel network was wrecked in the fighting. The terror leader also said if conflict breaks out again, "the shape of the Middle East will change." "We have proven there are those willing to defend the Al-Aqsa Mosque and ready to pay a heavy price. We foiled a Zionist, Talmudic and biblical project to divide the Al-Aqsa mosque in time and space," said Sinwar. The Hamas leader called on the countries of the world to invest in Gaza and pledged that the funds would not be used to wage war against Israel. He also intimated that Hamas wasn't interested in re-engaging in talks in Cairo with the Fatah movement. "Any talk of governments and conferences whose purpose is to waste time is useless and unacceptable," he said. Addressing the Palestinian Authority's proposal to form a unity government after P.A. leader Mahmoud Abbas canceled the Palestinian parliamentary elections, Sinwar said the Palestinian Liberation Organization must be restructured to represent all the Palestinian factions and "establish a national strategy for managing the conflict [with Israel] and to realize some of the aspirations of our people." The Egyptians, the Fatah leadership and the world, he said, need to understand that "the PLO without Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front [for the Liberation of Palestine] and other factions is just empty political theater." This article first appeared in Israel Hayom. (JNS) Israels Ambassador to the United States and the United Nations Gilad Erdan met with senior leadership of the Associated Press on Monday in New York, where he told the media outlet that Hamas was using the Gaza media tower to jam Iron Dome batteries in Israel. The unit was developing an electronic jamming system to be used against the Iron Dome defense system, said Erdan, officially informing for the first time why Hamas operating in that building posed such an imminent threat to Israeli civilians and was prioritized by the Israel Defense Forces. Erdan added that AP is one of the most important news agencies in the world, and Israel doesnt think that AP employees were aware it was being cynically used in this way by Hamas for a secret unit. Erdan met with AP president and CEO Gary Pruitt and vice president of international news Ian Phillips to reaffirm that Israel upholds the importance of press freedom and ensures the safety of journalists wherever they are reporting. The IDF strike on the 12-story Gaza media tower on May 15, known as the Al-Jalaa tower, which housed the offices of the AP, Al Jazeera and other media outlets, drew worldwide condemnation at the time. However, the IDF insisted at the time that Hamas was using the building as a base of operations for Hamas military intelligence, including gathered intel for attacks against Israel, manufactured weapons & positioned equipment to hamper IDF operations. The ambassador went on to assure the news agency that Israel did everything it could to make sure that no employees or civilians were hurt during this important operation. There were no causalities reported from the strike. He added that in contrast, Hamas is a genocidal terrorist organization that has no regard for the press. It purposely places its terror machine in civilian areas, including in offices being used by international media outlets. Erdan also told AP that Israel is willing to assist in rebuilding its offices and operations in Gaza. (JNS) One week to the day after the Florida Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg was vandalized, hundreds gathered on Thursday to say no to anti-Semitism and stand up for the Jewish community. It was back on May 27 that graffiti, including a swastika and the words The Jews are guilty, was discovered painted on the outside of the museum. It came amid an upswing in anti-Semitic incidents worldwide many related to Israels recent conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip and St. Petersburg Police are still searching for the suspect or suspects. The June 3 rally was a community response to show their support for the Jews of St. Petersburg and beyond. Among speakers at the event was Toni Rinde, a Holocaust survivor who said, I once asked my parents why is it that people hate us. Can you explain hate to a 7-year-old little child? We in our museum try to explain hate. We teach how to be an upstander. When you see wrong being done, we teach: Fix that wrong. The citys mayor, Rick Kriseman, also addressed the crowd, as did local faith and community leaders. A letter sent to the museum by White House senior adviser Cedric Richmond was read aloud by museum executive director, Elizabeth Gelman. It said, in part, As the museum has recognized, this cowardly act of hate demonstrates that its work is more important than ever. We are grateful for the witness that you provide regarding the lessons of the Holocaust, especially during such challenging times and we pledge to continue working with you to ensure that every life is valued and that no one has to fear because of who they are or how they worship. Attendees were asked to bring a book that is meaningful to them. During the event, Michael Igel, the museums board chair, held up his personal copy of Elie Wiesels Night, signed by the author. As we gather to unite against hate, we ask everyone to hold up our books together, to remind the world that education is the solution to stopping anti-Semitism, said Igel. Please hold up your book together with me as a symbol of tonights message. Unity and education will always stamp out hate. (JNS) A dozen Jewish Democratic lawmakers have issued a statement strongly condemning recent remarks made by Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), who equated Israeli and U.S. actions to terrorist groups like Hamas and the Taliban. In a tweet on Monday, she wrote: We must have the same level of accountability and justice for all victims of crimes against humanity. We have seen unthinkable atrocities committed by the U.S., Hamas, Israel, Afghanistan and the Taliban. Her tweet also included a link to a video, where she questioned U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Americas opposition to the International Criminal Court. In response, a dozen DemocratsReps. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.), Ted Deutch (D-Fla.), Lois Frankel (D-Fla.), Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), Elaine Luria (D-Va.), Kathy Manning (D-N.C.), Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), Dean Phillips (D-Minn.), Kim Schrier (D-Wash.), Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.)published a joint statement on Wednesday night slamming Omars remarks. Equating the United States and Israel to Hamas and the Taliban is as offensive as it is misguided. Ignoring the differences between democracies governed by the rule of law and contemptible organizations that engage in terrorism at best discredits ones intended argument and at worst reflects deep-seated prejudice, said the statement. It continued, noting that while America and Israel are imperfect, like all democracies, using false equivalencies give cover to terrorist groups. The lawmakers urged Omar to clarify her remarks. Instead, she hit back on Thursday morning, accusing her Democratic colleagues of using Islamophobic tropes. The constant harassment & silencing from the signers of this letter is unbearable, she wrote on Twitter. However, Omar later released a statement on Thursday afternoon, claiming the conversation with Blinken was was about accountability for specific incidents regarding those ICC cases and was not a moral comparison between Hamas and the Taliban and the U.S. and Israel. I was in no way equating terrorist organizations with democratic countries with well-established judicial systems. The statement by the group of pro-Israel Democrats came after some two-dozen Democratic lawmakers had debated on Wednesday on how to rebuke Omar for her statement and whether to call her out by name. Jeff Mendelsohn, executive director of Pro-Israel America, said that Omars comments are outrageously dangerous. Once again, he said, she emboldens terrorist organizations like Hamas, which has explicitly called for the outright annihilation of Israel and the genocide of all Jews. This hatred against Israel breeds hatred against Jews, and we have recently seen anti-Semitism surging across America clearly stoked by the hateful rhetoric used to demonize Israel, Americas closest ally in the Middle East. The difference should be clear to everyone The remarks by Omar are part of an increasingly critical tone that progressive members of the Democratic Party have taken in recent weeks aimed at the Jewish state. During the 11-day conflict last month between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, progressives spoke out forcefully against Israel, accusing the Jewish state of human-rights violations and potential war crimes. They also called for conditioning U.S. aid to Israel and moved to block a weapons sale agreement to Israel. However, other colleagues in Congress, including Democrats, accused them of stoking anti-Semitism, which saw a sharp uptick during the Gaza conflict and afterwards. Omars statement also renewed calls by Republicans to have her removed from the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Many Republicans had opposed her membership on the committee when she was selected by House Speak Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) in 2019. Ilhan Omar must be removed from the House Foreign Affairs Committee, wrote Jewish Republican lawmaker Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.). She should have never been appointed to this committee in the first place. Omar has a history of anti-Semitic rhetoric and activity. In 2019, she suggested that supporters of Israel were motivated by money, tweeting: Its all about the Benjamins. On Twitter, Israels ambassador to the United States and the United Nations Gilad Erdan questioned how a member of Congress could compare Israel and the United Statestwo vibrant democracies with robust legal systems & militaries that strive to avoid civilian casualtieswith jihadi terrorists who purposely murder civilians? The difference should be clear to everyone, he wrote. American Jewish Committee CEO David Harris also called Omars remarks beyond shocking and beyond reprehensible, and urged more Democrats to speak up. (JNS) A Massachusetts state senator is under fire for comments he made legitimizing Hamas, a Palestinian terrorist organization, as well as a call to replace Israel with a binational state. In a statement posted on his website on May 28, State Sen. Jamie Eldridge, a Democrat who serves the Middlesex and Worcester district, commented on the recent 11-day conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, urging much-needed dialogue around this very serious and consequential conflict. Against the backdrop of hundreds of human lives lost over the course of this long-standing conflict, I hope more people can engage in this dialogue with an acknowledgment of the massive power differential between the Israeli government and Hamas in what is left of the Palestinian territories, he said. He went on to say that he fully opposes the Israeli occupation and that if a two-state solution cannot be found, then it may be time to embrace the establishment of a single democratic country including the lands of Israel and Palestine. The statement was immediately slammed by the JCRC of Greater Boston. It is utterly shocking that a member of the Massachusetts Senate would elevate Hamas as a legitimate actor in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, said the Jewish umbrella group. There can be absolutely no moral equivalence between the State of Israel an American ally, whatever criticisms one may hold about that nations government and Hamas, a designated foreign terror organization by both the United States and European Union, that is funded and supported by the regime in Iran and whose charter explicitly calls for the elimination of the State of Israel, it continued. The JCRC said it has reached out to Eldridge for clarification of his views, but he has not responded to the request. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett (front row, left), Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid (front row, right) and Israeli ministers pose for a group photo of the newly sworn-in Israeli government, at the President's Residence in Jerusalem on June 14, 2021. (JNS) - Israel's 36th government passed a vote of confidence at a special Knesset session on Sunday night with Yamina Party leader Naftali Bennett sworn in as the country's 13th prime minister. Bennett has replaced now-former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who held the position for the past 12 years and who served another three years prior to that, from 1996 to 1999, making him the longest-serving premier in Israel's history. With the transfer of power, Netanyahu became the head of the opposition, replacing Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid, who, according to a rotation agreement with Bennett, will serve as foreign minister for two years and then assume the role of prime minister. The special Knesset session on Sunday began with a speech by Bennett, in which he presented the composition of his Cabinet. His address was interrupted several times by shouts of "liar" and "vote thief" on the part of disgruntled right-wing and haredi rivals in the plenum. Religious Zionist Party head Bezalel Smotrich, fellow party members Itamar Ben-Gvir and Orit Struck, Likud Knesset member May Golan, Shas Knesset member Moshe Abutbul and United Torah Judaism Knesset member Yitzhak Pindrus all were removed from the hall by Knesset Speaker Yariv Levin. Levin was replaced at the start of the vote by Yesh Atid Knesset member Mickey Levy. Bennett made a point to thank Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, saying: "You both sacrificed a great deal for the State of Israel." "We are facing an internal challenge, a schism among the people that is on display at this very moment," he said, referring to the shouts emanating from the plenum. This division, he continued, "has led us to a storm of hatred and a clash of brothers, paralyzing the country." In an apparent jab, he said that "credit must be given to Netanyahu" for "paving the way" to cooperation with the Islamist Ra'am Party and its leader, Mansour Abbas. It referred to Netanyahu's initial attempt at courting the latter to back the coalition he tried to build. Lapid forfeited his prepared speech, the full text of which he gave to the media, opting instead to "ask for forgiveness" from his 86-year-old mother in attendance. "I wanted her to be proud of Israel's democratic process," he said. "Instead, she and every other Israeli citizen is ashamed of you [opposition MKs] and has again remembered why it's time to replace you." Netanyahu's speech, which went on for more than half an hour (exceeding its 15-minute limit), listed the accomplishments of the governments he has led and attacked incoming coalition members Yamina and Gideon Sa'ar's New Hope Party as "fake right." Expressing "concern" about Bennett's ability to confront Tehran and deal with the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden, he said that the incoming prime minister "does the opposite of what he promises" and "will fight Iran the same way that he wouldn't sit [in a coalition] with Lapid, Labor and Ra'am." "We are facing an internal challenge, a schism among the people that is on display at this very moment." Bennett, he insisted, "doesn't have the international standing; he doesn't have the credibility; he doesn't have the capabilities; he doesn't have the knowledge; and he doesn't have the governmental support to allow him a real defense [against Iran]. Among all the differences between us and the incoming government, this is the most important and most fateful difference to the future of Israel." Winding down his fiery address, he stated, "I will fight daily against this terrible, dangerous left-wing government in order to topple it. With God's help, it will happen a lot earlier than you think." In conclusion, he issued a warning to Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah that he's "not going anywhere," ending in English: "We'll be back soon." Following the vote of confidence, Netanyahu shook Bennett's hand before moving to his literal new seat in the Knesset. The new government is comprised of eight (left, right, center and Islamist) of the 13 parties that won seats in the elections. It will be the first government in Israel's history to have an Orthodox Jew as prime minister and to include an Arab party. Members of the new government The following is the composition of the incoming Cabinet: Naftali Bennett (Yamina)-prime minister Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid)-alternate prime minister and foreign minister Benny Gantz (Blue and White)-defense minister Gideon Sa'ar (New Hope)-justice minister Avigdor Lieberman (Yisrael Beiteinu)-finance minister Ayelet Shaked (Yamina)-interior minister Yifat Shasha Biton (New Hope)-education minister Nitzan Horowitz (Meretz)-health minister Orna Barbivai (Yesh Atid)-economy minister Merav Michaeli (Labor)-transportation minister Karin Elharar (Yesh Atid)-energy minister Elazar Stern (Yesh Atid)-intelligence minister Omer Bar-Lev (Labor)-public security minister Ze'ev Elkin (New Hope)-housing and Jerusalem affairs minister Yoaz Hendel (New Hope)-communications minister Tamar Zandberg (Meretz)-environment minister Hili Tropper (Blue and White)-culture and sport minister Pnina Tamano-Shata (Blue and White)-immigration and absorption minister Meir Cohen (Yesh Atid)-welfare minister Merav Cohen (Yesh Atid)-social equality minister Matan Kahana (Yamina)-religious affairs minister Hamad Amar (Yisrael Beiteinu)-minister in the Finance Ministry Oded Forer (Yisrael Beiteinu)-agriculture and Negev minister Esawi Frej (Meretz)-regional cooperation minister Orit Farkash-Hacohen (Blue and White)-science and technology minister Yoel Razvozov (Yesh Atid)-tourism minister Nachman Shai (Labor)-Diaspora affairs minister Hours before a vote to oust him, outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly accused President Joe Biden of endangering Israels security by taking a soft line on Iran. He also compared Bidens Iran policy to the refusal of the U.S. to bomb the Auschwitz concentration camp in 1944. Netanyahu said that the Biden administration had asked him to keep their disagreements on Iran private, Axios reported, but that he refused to do so, valuing his hard line on Iran over smooth relations with the United States. The prime minister depicted himself as the only man standing between Iran and an arsenal of nuclear weapons, and claimed Iranians were celebrating his departure. A motley alliance of Israeli parties on Sunday ousted Netanyahu, the countrys longest-serving prime minister, and formed a new government in a seismic shift in the countrys turbulent politics. Naftali Bennett, a right-wing Jewish nationalist and former tech millionaire, was to take over at the helm of the eight-party bloc, united only by their shared disdain for the hawkish right-wing leader known as Bibi. Netanyahu also said hed rejected U.S. demands to freeze settlement construction and opposed Bidens plan to reopen the U.S. consulate in Jerusalem, claiming Bennett lacked the stature or credibility to take similar stands. Netanyahu then vowed to bring the dangerous government down, and much sooner than you think. If it is destined for us to be in the opposition, we will do it with our backs straight until we topple this dangerous government and return to lead the country in our way, he said. This originally appeared on Newsmax. (JTA) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned violent rhetoric on every side of the political spectrum Sunday but also claimed that Israels incoming government, which will replace him, is the result of the greatest electoral fraud in the history of the country. Netanyahus speech came as the head of Israels Shin Bet security service warned of a rise in rhetoric that encourages violence. A pro-Netanyahu lawmaker compared two of his rivals to terrorists facing a death sentence, and members of the incoming coalition have received death threats in recent days. At least one American Middle East analyst compared Netanyahus words to former President Donald Trumps rhetoric ahead of Jan. 6. Recently, we have identified an increase and severe exacerbation in violent and inciting discourse, especially on social media, said Nadav Argaman, the head of the Shin Bet, which is roughly equivalent to the FBI in the United States. This discourse could be interpreted by certain groups or individuals as permission to commit violent and illegal activity that could, God forbid, cause harm to human life. Last week, an ideologically diverse coalition of Netanyahus opponents declared that they would be able to form a government that would end Netanyahus 12-year run as prime minister, the longest in Israeli history. The coalition will have the narrowest of majorities in Israels parliament, the Knesset, and needs to be voted in before it takes office. Netanyahu and his allies have been trying to persuade members of the coalition to defect and vote against it, which would deprive it of a majority. The vote approving the new government was held on June 14. In the days surrounding the announcement of the new government, right-wing groups have protested outside the private homes of politicians in the new coalition, and some lawmakers have received added security after receiving threats to their lives. An open letter from leading right-wing religious Zionist rabbis published on Saturday night called on readers to do everything so that this government is not formed. Afterward, prominent signatories said that they were not condoning violence. In addition, Israeli officials are weighing whether to allow right-wing activists to march in Jerusalems Old City on Thursday, in a parade that has previously featured racist chants. The parade was rescheduled for Thursday after having been interrupted by rocket fire from Gaza last month. On Sunday, a lawmaker from Netanyahus Likud party, May Golan, compared two members of the incoming coalition to suicide bombers: Naftali Bennett, the incoming prime minister, and Gideon Saar both of whom were Netanyahu allies before joining with his political rivals. Not at all to equate these things, but I compare them today to suicide bombers, said Golan in an Israeli TV interview. Theyre like terrorists who dont believe in anything, go out on their suicide mission, [and] even if they know theyre getting a death sentence, they dont care. Earlier that day, in a speech to Likud lawmakers, Netanyahu publicly condemned violent rhetoric for the first time since the new government was announced. He claimed that he and his family had also received death threats, which he said werent treated with equal weight. We condemn all incitement and violence from every side, he said in his speech Sunday. The principle needs to be clear and the same for everyone. Incitement and violence, and incitement to violence, will always be out of bounds. But he added, You cant treat criticism from the right as incitement and criticism from the left as a legitimate act of free expression. Immediately after saying that, Netanyahu claimed that the incoming government was the result of historic election fraud. And at the end of his speech, he said, as he has multiple times recently, that the new government endangers the state of Israel in a way we havent seen for many years. We are witnesses to the greatest electoral fraud in the history of the country, and in my opinion, in the history of democracy, he said. And so people feel, justifiably, very cheated, and theyre reacting to that. You cant silence them. He added that the commentators, the studios, and the whole absurd propaganda machine that has come together for their benefit you dont need to be afraid to go after them, my friends. Because thats part of the fraud. The outgoing prime minister also made clear that he has no plans to retire if the new government takes office. Netanyahu, who is slated to become leader of the parliamentary opposition, said that if the new government is established, God forbid, we will bring it down very quickly. Meanwhile, the heads of the new coalition are preparing to take office. Leaders of its eight parties, which span the political right and left and include an Arab-Israeli party, met on Sunday for the first time since their coalition was announced. In a speech Sunday, Bennett called on Netanyahu to move on and let the new government take office. He condemned violence but also said that not every opposition to the government is incitement and that politicians need to develop a thick skin. Its not a catastrophe, its not a tragedy, its a change in government a normal event in any democratic state, Bennett said. I call on Mr. Netanyahu: Let go. Allow the state to move on. People are allowed to vote for a government even if you dont lead it. (Israel Hayom via JNS) The years of archaeological excavations Israel has conducted on the Temple Mount in Jerusalems Old City have yielded no proof that a Jewish Temple ever existed in the city, Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh told Al Jazeera on Monday. When asked about current tensions in Jerusalem, Shtayyeh said that Jerusalem was at the core of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict Since 1967 and the occupation of the West Bank, Israel has carried out a series of excavations underneath al-Aqsa mosque which havent proved any connection whatsoever to the hall [Temple] or anything similar, said Shtayyeh. He went on to say that since 1967, Israel has been implementing a plan known as Jerusalem 2020, which he claimed is designed to reduce the Palestinian population in the capital to some 19 percent. This has failed completely, he said, adding that Palestinians make up 40 percent of the population of Jerusalem. With regard to the Temple Mount, he said, Israel seriously wants to divide the compound in terms of space and schedules. When asked if he thought that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wanted an escalation in violence as a way of torpedoing Israels nascent unity government, Shtayyeh said, The U.S. intervened on the Sheikh Jarrah matter and to keep the status quo in place. Jordan, Qatar and other Arab states want the Palestinian arena in general and Al-Aqsa mosque in particular to stay calm. The war in Gaza was a personal matter for Netanyahu and now he is linking Jerusalem to his personal interests because he wants to stay in power. Any escalation in is Netanyahus interest, said Shtayyeh, adding that as far as the Palestinians are concerned, it makes no difference who Israels prime minister is, because without the establishment of a Palestinian state, the conflict will continue. Shtayyeh, who spoke to Al Jazeera from Qatar following a meeting with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, said that the two had discussed Qatari aid to the Palestinians and ways of solidifying the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The world is without question showing unprecedented support for the Palestinians. In a meeting, the director of Facebook told me that the hashtag Sheikh Jarrah had been shared 76 million times, he said. The P.A. prime minister met with senior Facebook executives last month to discuss complaints that Palestinian posts were being blocked amid the conflict with Israel, Time magazine reported. Shtayyeh also said that if Israel would allow eastern Jerusalem residents to participate in P.A. legislative elections, P.A. leader Mahmoud Abbas would set a new date for them to be held. The P.A. was pouring $140 million into the Gaza Strip each month, he said, and had renewed the payment of salaries of 25,000 government workers there. When asked about reconciliation efforts in Cairo, Shtayyeh said he hoped the rift between Fatah and Hamas would come to an end. The Palestinians need to work together and not decide on a war or on peace separately, he declared. This article first appeared in Israel Hayom. Pro-Palestinian activists protest against the unloading of an Israeli ship at the Port of Oakland, Calif., on June 4, 2021. (JNS) - Hundreds of anti-Israel protesters prevented the unloading of an Israeli container ship from Asia at the Port of Oakland, Calif., on Friday, with the cooperation of the local longshoremen's union, which refused to unload the vessel. The protest was sponsored and organized by the Arab Resource and Organizing Center, a pro-Palestinian BDS group operating in the Bay Area. In a Sunday Facebook post, the group, which claimed "thousands" streamed to the protest throughout Friday, praised International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 10, which it said had "honored the six simultaneous community pickets during both the morning and evening shifts, and did not work the ship." "Knowing that it could break neither our blockade nor the workers' demonstration of solidarity, in a dramatic move, community members watched as the Israeli apartheid-profiteering ship left the port of Oakland! #BlockTheBoat #BDS," said AROC. The Zachor Legal Institute, which combats BDS and anti-Semitic organizations in the United States, told JNS that by refusing to unload a ship with perceived Jewish ownership, the members of International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 10 had engaged in an "unlawful secondary boycott in violation of longstanding National Labor Relations Act rules." "Local 10 has a history of these types of violations, and members of the union have openly supported the terror-backed groups promoting the boycotts," said Zachor. In a May 16 letter to the president of Local 10, Zachor said the boycott "is being promoted by a foreign organization" whose members include known terror groups, among them Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. "[Y]et Local 10 cooperated with the racist boycott despite knowing of its illegality and discriminatory intent," said the group. The Israeli ship, the ZIM Volans, originally intended to dock in Oakland the week of May 17, but then turned towards Los Angeles, according to AROC's website. At some point, for reasons that aren't clear, it again made for Oakland. The last time an Israeli ship attempted to dock at the Port of Oakland was in 2014. The ship, the ZIM Piraeus, was met by protesters who physically threatened warehouse union workers and blocked their vehicles, according to reports at the time. The protesters succeeded in driving the ship from port. In the wake of their success in Oakland, pro-BDS activists called for a June 6 boycott of the ZIM Tarragona, scheduled to dock in the Port of New York and New Jersey on Sunday. WASHINGTON (JTA) After a dozen Jewish Democrats in Congress asked Rep. Ilhan Omar to clarify remarks in which she grouped Hamas and the Taliban with the United States and Israel, she complied but not before she got something off her chest. An insinuation in the request that she was covering for terrorists was Islamophobic, Omar said in a tweet, and she exhorted her colleagues to call first next time. On Monday, I asked Secretary of State Antony Blinken about ongoing International Criminal Court investigations, Omar said Thursday afternoon. To be clear: the conversation was... (JTA) Bestselling authors Elin Hilderbrand and Casey McQuiston removed references to Anne Frank and Israel from their novels this week following an outcry on social media from small subsets of readers. The moves have ignited a storm of controversy in the literary world. The campaigns against the books have been successful despite appearing to be relatively small in size, and originate from wildly different perspectives on Jews and Israel. One takes the authors to task for a joke perceived as antisemitic, while the other objects to the mere mention of Israel. In the former case, the firs... On March 28, 2021, three student organizations from the University of Miami Law School the South/West Asian and North African Law Students Association, the Black Law Students Associations, and Miami Law National Lawyers Guild welcomed Ahmad Abuznaid and Philip Agnew to speak about the Black social justice movement in the U.S. and Palestinians activism against apartheid. Abuznaid and Agnew are co-founders of the Dream Defenders, an organization founded after the killing of Trayvon Martin to promote transformative justice, socialist ideas, and defunding the police. Abuz... (JNS) According to a May 29 report in The Hill, U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) is in the final stage of preparing a motion to censure Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) over concerns about her extremist views. Schneider said that the basis of his censure is the failure of her party to call her out, to condemn her and to isolate her. Multiple media outlets reported in February, however, that 11 Republicans voted with Democrats in favor of removing Greene from her committee seats. It would appear, then, that the heavy lifting has in fact been appropriately executed. But if Schn... It was exactly 20 years ago. My wife and I were attending a Shabbat dinner in Madrid on June 1st when someone gave us the news. A suicide bomber had struck a seaside discotheque, the Dolphinarium, in Tel Aviv. There were reportedly many casualties. The final death toll was 21 youngsters, ages 14-25. They were mostly Russian-speaking immigrants out for a night of fun. Another 100 people were wounded. The terrorist was armed and sent by Hamas. His aim was to kill as many Israelis, as many Jews, as possible. His father, upon hearing the news, proudly declared his son to be a martyr. The... (JNS) In 1992, Israeli Labor Party leader Yitzhak Rabin came to power with an overwhelming 44 seats against the Likuds 32. Then-Likud chairman Yitzhak Shamir suffered a major defeat and subsequently resigned. This was when Benjamin Netanyahu won the Likud leadership contest. Rabin built a coalition with the brand-new Meretz Party (12 seats), which was a merger of three parties (Ratz, Shinui and Mapam) and the religious Shas Party (six seats) to reach 62 in the 120-seat Knesset. Oslo I saw the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip and the city of Jericho, where a hand... (JNS) Perhaps to non-Israeli followers of Israeli politics, soon-to-be-king Naftali Bennett is doing what is only natural for a politician: making the best deal possible, while extricating the country from a political quagmire that has lasted for more than two years. Indeed, Bennett campaigned to be Israels prime minister, and this is precisely what hes achieving. So why are there protesters outside the homes of Knesset members Ayelet Shaked, Bennetts No. 2, and Nir Orbach, sixth on Bennetts right-wing Knesset list? Why do polls show that two-thirds of Bennetts ow... At a South African village after a herder unearthed a mysterious gem, over 1,000 people armed with pickaxes swamped the area. Citizens flocked to KwaHlathi in the country's KwaZulu-Natal province in search for new stones touted to be diamonds. Sucking on a stone dugged up from a hillside in the province, single mother Lihle Magudulela spat out dirt. She had a conviction she may have discovered a diamond. Thousands have swamped the outskirts of the village. It is located over 300 kilometers (186 miles) southeast of Johannesburg. They followed suit the said cattle herder last week. "I hadn't seen or touched a diamond in my life. It's my first time touching it here," Skhumbuzo Mbhele said in a report by CBS News. Are They Diamonds? Over the rural pocket of South Africa, diamond fever has prevailed. Treasure hunters are scrabbling through mud and rocks in a field. Appeals by the authorities for composure and for the throngs of people to disperse fell short. The prospect of detecting a diamond sent glimmering ripples of hope to one of the poorest South African regions. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to aggravate decades of high unemployment rates. Joining villagers who have been unearthing since Saturday, the citizens traveled from across South Africa. The unearthing was a life changer, according to one digger Mendo Sabelo, holding a handful of small stones. According to the mines department on Monday, it was sending a group comprising of mining and geological experts to the site to collect samples and to initiate an evaluation. It added that a formal technical report will be issued at the appropriate time. Read Also: The World's Most Expensive COVID-19 Face Mask Costs $1.5 Million South Africa is widely known for its mineral wealth. It is the place that holds the global record for rough diamond discovery. With shovels, picks, and forks, hoping to find unfounded riches, people have been persistently digging, reported Arirang. They are not deterred by the fact the stones are not yet valued. Long lines of cars have piled onto the gravel road adjoining the open field. Some have begun selling the unidentified stones from 100 rand to 300 rand. News of the initial finding became prevalent fast. This incited a rush to the site despite messages of caution by the government that the stones might be worthless. Several diggers discovered more of the mysterious stones. They set them aside in small dirt-encrusted piles. According to digger Mendo Sabelo, a 27-year old father of two, "This means our lives will change because no one had a proper job, I do odd jobs. When I returned home with them, (the family was) really overjoyed," reported Geo News. Due to health hazards posed by COVID-19, the provincial government has appealed to the people to leave the area. They also consider conducting proper evaluation of the stones to be initiated by mining experts. Millions of South Africans are in poverty. Stark inequalities also persist almost three decades following the end of apartheid in 1994. Related Article: Meghan Markle Accused of Stealing Princess Diana's Jewelry Worth $10M She Worn in her Wedding @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The UN Security council reported the incident wherein, for the first time, a drone assaulted humans without any outside input. Most military drones are programmed for specific function and advances which give them a certain autonomy tethered to programming or its operator. Drones may have attacked humans already In March, the alleged AI drone, Kargu-2 quadcopter which is made by the Turkish firm and military tech company STM, attacked soldiers who were withdrawing and are loyal to the Libyan General Khalifa Haftar, reported the Independent. The United Nations Security Council's Panel of Experts made a report on Libya. They have yet to see if there were fatalities due to the rampaging quadcopter. A global ban might also be considered to prevent the building of autonomous robots that can opt to kill and will be prohibited before it happens. UN-recognized Government of National Accord drove the Haftar Affiliated Forces (HAF) out from Libya's capital Tripoli over the year; and the drone may have been functional since January 2020, said experts. According to the UN, cited the Big Think, "Unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UAVs) or lethal autonomous military equipment such as the STM Kargu-2 were used to trace logistics convoys and retreating HAF and attack them remotely." The UAV drone is designed to loiter and implement use of machine learning-based object classification to select and engage targets remarked STM. These drones have a swarn function that links up to twenty of them, functioning as one when looking for a target. In a report, noted NPR, "These military drones that attack humans are programmed to attack targets without the need for data connection between operator and the munition: in essence, a real 'fire, forget and find' capability." Read also: Top Secret Unmanned Aircraft System Built by Lockheed Martin, Is it Ready for Flight? What experts think of UAVs? Several prominent robotics and AI experts, like Elon Musk, Stephen Hawking, and Noam Chomsky, already advocated for a ban on "offensive autonomous weapons," like those which can search for and kill specific people depending on their software. Researchers have predicted that the data utilized training such autonomous sentient robots to recognize and classify objects including buses, automobiles. People may have not been highly powerful or resilient, but that the AI system may learn erroneous lessons. One warning came with the black box in machine learning, which is a form of decision-making in AI which is most opaque that carries a risk. A mistake can happen that a UAV can attack the wrong target based on reasons that cannot be immediately understood. National security consultant Zachary Kallenborn, whose specialty is UAV drones, stated that there is an elevated risk of something going awry. Drone AI can miscommunicate the wrong command which can be dangerous. He added that communication between AI can end in cascading error, which will be shared by all units in a swarm. This is something that can be extremely serious, causing a whole swarm to act in uncertain ways. If anyone has been slain by a UAV that attacks its own, then it will be the first case of military drones attack on humans. Related article: Kim Jong Un Develops Suicide Drones for Spying, Remote Attacks @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin were looking to relieve tensions during a major summit. Biden cautioned that will be major repercussions if the US experiences cyber-aggression or if detained Russian dissident Alexei Navalny is harmed. Putin denied involvement in any cyberattacks. The summit was held in an 18th-century villa overlooking Lake Geneva. The leaders shook hands upon arrival prior to going inside. Aides had previously downplayed hopes for the meeting. According to both leaders, they are looking for their talks to be more stable and to forge predictable connections despite the fact that they do not see eye-to-eye in many issues including cyber-hacking, arms control, Ukraine, and election interference. Expectations of solving such disagreements are low. Biden's View of Foreign Affairs Biden's meeting on Wednesday with the Russian leader came following months of days of preparation. The President's decision to convene on Wednesday's summit boiled down to his basic view of foreign affairs: it is all about the person. Both leaders projected optimism for future associations notwithstanding continued divisions on thorny topics including human rights abuses and cyberattacks. Biden depicted the tone of the discussions as "good, positive." Putin remarked it was "constructive" and there was a "glimpse of hope," reported NBC News. Read Also: Russia Denies Entry to 2 European Airlines for Planning Not To Pass Belarus Air Space on the Way to Moscow After his three-hour meeting with Putin in Switzerland, Biden said, "The bottom line is I told President Putin that we need to have some basic rules of the road that we can all abide by," reported USA Today. The two leaders called the meeting their first since the US president took office to discuss a series of issues that have plagued US-Russia relations for years. They discussed Moscow's increasingly brazen crackdown on democracy supporters, cyberattacks, and Russia's threat to the NATO military alliance that has long been a bedrock of the United States' security relations with European allies. Biden also said that he considered it important to meet in person to avoid miscommunication about the messages he wanted to convey. He said, "I did what I came to do." Both men recognized that relations between the United States and Russia have reached a post-Cold War low in the past few years. As the leaders expressed disagreements, they also proffered measured evaluations of each other. They avoided the heated rhetoric that has at times tainted bilateral relations. A prevailing goal of the president's team in planning his summit with Putin was to alleviate the spectacle that unfolded in Helsinki in 2018. This was when former President Donald Trump convened with Putin alone for two hours and emerged to state that he took the Russian leader's word over US intelligence on election meddling. Biden boarded Air Force One, making his way back to Washington following the meeting. The Russian President had already taken off for Moscow aboard his plane by the time Biden's plane took off, reported AP. Related Article: Russia Calls United States an 'Unfriendly Country' Ahead of Biden-Putin Meeting @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Southwest Airlines has once again been forced to delay or cancel hundreds of its scheduled flights on Wednesday amid disruptions earlier this week. On Monday night, Southwest Airlines began having issues with a weather data supplier which prevented pilots from safely flying the planes. While officials were able to fix the problem within a few hours, technological issues were discovered on Tuesday, causing half of the company's flights to be delayed or canceled, according to data from FlightAware. The airlines suffered similar problems on Wednesday from issues that were not resolved the day before. Authorities canceled about 10% of the company's flights and delayed about 19% later that afternoon due to the unresolved issues, the data showed. Canceled or Delayed Flights While the technological issues from Tuesday have been resolved, the company was still seeing a small number of canceled or delayed flights as operations slowly returned to normal, Dan Landson, a spokesman for Southwest Airlines, said. On Tuesday, the airlines revealed it was struggling with "network connectivity," which was unrelated to Monday's weather data problems, Landson said. He added there was no evidence that suggested the company's computer systems have been compromised by a third party, MSN reported. Southwest Airlines is facing these problems amid its 50th-year celebrations. Since the beginning of the pandemic, airline officials worldwide have observed a drastic reduction in the demand for air travel. Air travel companies in the United States are slowly returning to normal operations as the country's COVID-19 cases continue to drop and vaccination rates continue to rise. Read Also: Trump Tries to Overturn Election Defeat Using Voter Fraud Claims, New Emails Revealed The summer season has brought more and more people coming back to airlines to travel in the air. Businesses and states have also started reopenings amid the lifting of coronavirus restrictions. On Tuesday, the governors of California and New York announced the easing of most restrictions. On Sunday, more than two million people were screened at airports by the Transportation Security Administration, more than any day since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. Extended Inconvenience While Southwest Airlines had an extended period of canceled or delayed flights, the scheduled travel was during a part of the week that was commonly not as busy as other days. However, there were still thousands of customers that have been affected. The airline's staff members have also struggled with delays and cancellations. The company's management has been working nonstop to provide regular updates to their flight attendants and provide accommodation to affected customers who were left stranded, Lyn Montgomery, the president of Transport Workers Union Local 556, said, the New York Times reported. Many of the world's air carriers are struggling to accommodate the surge of customers amid a shortage of staff. The employee reductions were a result of buyouts and other packages authorities implemented to save money during the pandemic. One notable example is when Southwest, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines warned flyers there are potential long hold times for customer service. Officials also encouraged customers to use self-service options to reduce the number of people waiting in line, CNBC reported. Related Article: More Than Half of Cosmetic Products Sold in the US, Canada Contain Cancer-Causing Ingredients, Study Reveals @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's latest photos circulating online show that he has dropped a significant weight. Peole around the world grew curious and concerned about Kim's health condition, knowing that he has not named a successor that would take over his duties if he becomes incapacitated. Hong Min, a senior analyst at Seoul's Korea Institute for National Unification, concluded that Kim Jong Un's weight loss is more likely a positive sign, signifying he is improving his health, rather than an indication of serious disease. Hong said, "If he was experiencing health problems, he wouldn't have come out in public to convene the plenary meeting of the Workers' Party's Central Committee," as per Newsweek via MSN. The North Korean leader comes from a family with history of cardiac issues and is known for binge drinking and smoking. His grandfather and father, who both governed North Korea before him, died of heart problems. His weight may raise the risk of cardiovascular disease, experts said. The Unification Ministry of South Korea stated it has no information on Kim's health to disclose. In South Korea, his thinner appearance has sparked public curiosity, with media outlets releasing pictures of his old and present appearances. According to Seo Yu-Seok of the Institute of North Korean Studies in Seoul, the North's recent formation of a first secretary of the governing Workers' Party, the country's No. 2 role, might be linked to Kim's probable health problems. Kim Jong Un may have agreed to the post's formation at the request of top officials; but he has yet to designate someone to the position since it may weaken his hold on power. When worldwide concern over Kim's health arose last year after he skipped the observance of his late grandfather's birthday, several experts thought that Kim Yo Jong, Kim's younger sister, was next in line to assume her brother's leadership. Others have suggested that collective leadership is also an option. Why does Kim Jong Un's weight loss matter to the world? In rival South Korea, the health of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has long been a source of morbid curiosity, as it lies in the shadow of Kim's 1.2-million-strong army and expanding arsenal of nuclear-armed missiles. Kim's health has become a growing concern in Washington, Seoul, Tokyo, and many other international cities since he has yet to appoint a successor who, in the case of his incapacitation or death, would be in charge of nuclear weapons program aimed against the US and its allies. North Korea, which has never been open about its leadership's inner workings, has closed itself up even more in the last year to shield itself from the COVID-19 pandemic, as per the LATimes. Kim Jong Un looked to have dropped a significant amount of weight in recent official media photos, including those published Wednesday. Has Kim Jong Un lost weight? His watch strap, among other things, would certainly suggest so: https://t.co/JJDyt2Fa4x @nknewsorg pic.twitter.com/3r8KHfnw9y James Pearson (@pearswick) June 8, 2021 His expensive watch strap is tighter, and his face is slimmer. Kim, who is around 5 feet, 8 inches tall, and weighed more than 300 pounds before, may have shred 20 to 40 pounds, according to some observers. Read Also: Russia Discovers New COVID-19 Variant; Testing Whether Vaccines Work Against 'Moscow Strain' North Korean leader's weight loss may indicate grip on his position Analysts watching Kim Jong Un's every step for hints about what's going on in North Korea noted a major shift last week when he walked by news cameras on his way to a politburo meeting. The leader, who was known for his luxurious life of imported French cheeses, cognac, and cigarettes, appeared to have lost weight. Is it just the camera angle or has Kim lost a *lot* of weight? https://t.co/sOZ6dFJxsw Vipin Narang (@NarangVipin) June 5, 2021 Per ABC News, it was Kim Jong Un's first public appearance in almost a month. North Korea observers rushed to the internet to evaluate his new look and speculate on what it signified. Even his $15,500 Swiss watch's tighter strap was observed. Kim Jong Un, who is only 37 years old, has the potential to dominate North Korea for decades, just like his father and grandfather did. However, the chain-smoking, hard-drinking leader is said to have several health issues, including gout. In 2014, Kim Jong Un went absent for 40 days, skipping a key legislative session, and reappeared with a walking stick. The assembled international media observed his breathing was strained at a historic border summit with South Korea's president in 2018. According to Dr. Bong Young-shik, a research fellow at the Yonsei University Institute for North Korean Studies, the Hanoi Summit with then-US President Donald Trump in 2019 allowed South Korean medical experts to get a closer look at Kim. They assessed that his days were numbered up to age 52. While some reports said he was severely ill, others believe he was hiding to prevent contracting the coronavirus. When he eventually reappeared, a little mark on his wrist indicated that he had undergone cardiovascular surgery, according to some. Experts in North Korea are now discussing whether Kim Jong Un's slimmer waistline is an indication he's losing weight to retain his position or whether he's suffering from another health problem. Related Article: North Korea's Kim Jong Un Appears to Have Lost Some Weight. Why is the World Watching His Waistline? @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Attorney General Merrick Garland overturned a Trump-era immigration policy on Wednesday that made it impossible for individuals to seek asylum in the US. These are due to fears of domestic abuse or gang violence. Garland vacated a decision by former Attorney General Jeff Sessions that contended the asylum claims had incorrectly extended to involve victims of "private violence," including gangs domestic violence, in 2018. His decisions came in closely monitored cases where his predecessors Sessions and Attorney General William P. Barr broke with the previous cases to reverse decisions by immigration appeals that would have allowed such asylum claims. The decisions are applicable to all cases in the system, including appeals. This will impact thousands of migrants. New Instructions The United States government ended two Trump administration policies that made it difficult for immigrants fleeing violence to qualify for asylum, especially those from Central American. Attorney General Merrick Garland released new guidelines to immigration judges to halt implementing Trump-era instructions that made it difficult for immigrants who faced gang or domestic violence to gain asylum in the US. This directive restores earlier legal standards as the Biden administration initiates a public rulemaking process that seeks input from the public on evaluating threats from private actors, which could be used as a basis for an asylum claim. According to the Justice Department, Garland's actions were a follow-up to an executive order President Joe Biden issued in February that provided federal officials nine months to release new regulations governing the interpretation of when an asylum applicant is faced with the possibility of persecution based on his or her membership in a specific social group, reported Politico. Read Also: Biden, Putin Discuss Issues at Geneva Meeting, Leave With Agreements But Clear Tensions Remain Garland's decision came in a closely watched case designated as A-B, a name stemming from the initials of the woman appealing for asylum. The department's Board of Immigration Appeals discovered in 2016 that she was a member of a specific social group and stating that El Salvador is not doing enough to protect those in violent relationships, reported The Seattle Times. Numerous Central Americans escaping gang recruitment and extortion and women escaping domestic abuse have arrived in the US since 2013. Several cases remain to be adjudicated, creating a large backlog in immigration courts. Attorney General Vanita Gupta asked the Civil Division's immigration arm to assess pending cases that can be affected by Garland's overturning. The action is the current administration's most recent reversal of a Trump-era policy. The move can make it more convenient for immigrants to win their cases for humanitarian protection. The decision is widely supported by immigrant advocates. According to Kate Melloy Goettel, legal director of litigation at the American Immigration Council, "The significance of this cannot be overstated. This was one of the worst anti-asylum decisions under the Trump era, and this is a really important first step in undoing that," reported KFVS 12. Related Article: Kamala Harris Snaps Again on Border Crisis After Awkward Exchange With NBC's Holt: "I'm Not Finished" @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. June 19, or more commonly known as Juneteenth, has become the day to commemorate news of the Emancipation Proclamation reaching Texas. It is now an official federal holiday, with the White House passing the legislation on Wednesday. The House passed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act as it moved swiftly through both chambers. Its passage came only a day after the Senate passed the legislation, after being held back in the upper chamber. It landed on United States President Joe Biden's desk for signing only a few days before Saturday when the Juneteenth holiday falls. The new act gives a day off to all federal employees. Commemoration of Freedom The legislation commemorates June 19, 1865, when slaves from Galveston, Texas discovered then-President Abraham Lincoln passed the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing slaves across the country two and a half years prior. People also know the holiday as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day. The end of slavery was announced in Galveston, Texas by Major General Gordon Granger on June 19, 1865, following then-President Lincoln's 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth only became a Texas state holiday in 1980, BBC reported. While all but one state. South Dakota, has officially commemorated Juneteenth in the decades since, only a few observed it as a paid holiday. Read Also: $1.2 Trillion Infrastructure Plan Receives Bipartisan Support, But Democrats Raise Fresh Concerns Passage of the Bill On Wednesday evening, the legislation passed in the House with a unanimous 415-14 voting on a bipartisan basis. Those who opposed were all Republicans. The House floor was filled with loud cheers when the passage was announced. Democratic Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts acknowledged President Biden was still out of the country ahead of the voting. However, he said they would discuss with the White House how to get the legislation signed by the Democratic leader as soon as possible, CNN reported. The United States has enough federal holidays and it should not be increased, GOP Texas Rep. Ronny Jackson said as his reason for opposing the act shortly before the voting. Many residents in several states already celebrate the date, he said, USA Today reported. In 2020, Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin blocked the legislation, arguing it would cost the government at least $600 million per year to give another day off. But this week, he dropped his objection despite his arguments, which allowed the bill to progress out of the chamber. The Wednesday voting was announced by House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, who also thanked the supporters of the bill. Shortly before the final passage of the legislation, Democratic Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas said the bill expressed the crumbling of the racial divide in the United States. She added it showed just how many people understood the value of freedom. Making Juneteenth a federal holiday is a major step in acknowledging the wrongdoings of the past and marks the first step in moving forward to provide equal justice and to fulfill the Emancipation Proclamation's promise as well as the Constitution, Charles Schumer, the Democratic leader of the State, said. Related Article: New Yorkers Celebrate With Firework Displays After Lifting of COVID-19 Restrictions, Honors Essential Workers Related Article: New Yorkers Celebrate With Firework Displays After Lifting of COVID-19 Restrictions, Honors Essential Workers @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Airbnb compensated a visitor $7 million after she claimed she was raped in a Manhattan apartment, according to a report. It is alleged that the huge payment is part of the firm's systematic effort to conceal the incident. Alleged Rape in Manhattan In a recently published article in the New York Post, an unidentified 29-year-old Australian woman alleged that she was raped in Manhattan on New Year's Day in 2016. She and four of her friends leased a first-floor apartment on West 37th Street, a few streets south of Times Square. The room guests reportedly picked up their keys at a neighboring bodega without presenting identification then proceeded to a New Year's Eve celebration. However, the suspect had a duplicate of the apartment keys, which he used before the assault, according to a report published in BBC News. The suspect, 24-year-old Junior Lee, was reportedly hiding in the toilet when the woman returned from a club without her companions just after midnight. He is accused of raping her and brandishing a kitchen knife at her. 2Read Also: Virtual Travel Experiences For Exploring the World From Your Living Room $7 Million Settlement to the Victim According to a recently published report in Yahoo News, neither Airbnb nor the apartment host can be sued or blamed by the victim as part of the $7 million settlement. The same report claims that the settlement was reached two years after the purported assault. Meanwhile, Airbnb spokesman Ben Breit said, "In sexual assault cases, in the settlements we've reached, survivors can speak freely about their experiences. This includes the NYC case," according to Hindustan Times. The alleged Manhattan crime was disclosed as part of a larger probe of Airbnb's "internal safety team," which is in charge of cleaning up the company's biggest problems. Former Airbnb safety agents reported several horrific instances, including hosts who found dismembered human parts or bloodstains in their homes. Airbnb's Non-Disclosure Agreement Until 2017, those who settled with Airbnb over events similar to this were allegedly forced into non-disclosure agreements. There may be more incidents like this that have gone unreported. Following the #MeToo movement's revelation that such agreements may be used to shield abusive businesses, Airbnb amended the non-disclosure agreement with a provision stating that "recipients cannot disclose the details of their settlement or suggest that it is an admission of wrongdoing." Firm Calls for a Nationwide Registration Earlier this month, the firm spearheaded demands for a national registration system for short-term rental operators, who would be obliged to acquire a registration number from the government or an independent body before listing their properties on sites like Airbnb. Airbnb said that the change will allow local governments to inform platforms about problems with listings in their region. It will also allow platforms to remove bad actors by stopping individuals from circumventing laws by moving their listings to another booking site. Since the incident, the business has not changed its policies regarding keys and where hosts may leave them. On the platform, hosts are not obliged to employ keypad locks or change keypad codes between reservations. They are also not required to inform Airbnb of anybody else who possesses a duplicate of a property's key. @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. According to a new study, Polynesians visited Antarctica approximately 1,300 years earlier before Westerners arrived. Antarctica's history revise? Scientists in New Zealand revealed that oral histories point to a Polynesian explorer seeing an icy, mountainous continent without much sunlight, reported Live Science. Combined with "gray literature", or historical accounts unpublished in peer-reviewed journals as well artwork and oral history of the culture, researchers theorize that Polynesians visited Antarctica more than a thousand years before Westerners. Most records date the continent's discovery as 1820. Study members state," The Maori link to the discovery of Antarctica is part of the story from the seventh century." When the first Westerners made voyages to the south during the 19th century, several Maori were present as crew members and as doctors, but they were subject to prejudice according to the study, noted Science Daily. Antarctica is regarded as a legend by ancient peoples. The Greeks had an idea of the cold continent's existence, one reason is that a lower continent would need another one in the south as opposed to the northern hemisphere. This is explained by the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) saying the Greeks called the southern continent 'Antarktikos' which was opposite of 'Arktos' (arctic) in the Northern hemisphere. The discovery of the Antarctic predates claims by 1,300 years gives the Greeks notion as something surprising even before it was verified. Read also: Antarctic Krill Not Totally Affected by Climate Change Caused by Human Activity, Further Study Needed Search for legendary 'Antarktikos' During the age of exploration, many seafarers in the 1400s to 1600s were trying to locate Antarctica. One of them was Captain James Cook, who tried but did not succeed. Records do not say who came across it first, whether it was a Russian officer, someone from the Royal Navy, or an American sea captain. In any case, this "discovery" is a late arrival, based on the new study published online on June 6 in the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. The study uses the oral histories of different Maori groups. Priscilla Wehi, a conservation biologist at the University of Otago in New Zealand noted one of these stories, which is about a Polynesian explorer, Hui Te Rangiora (also known as Ui Te Rangiora) and his men. It talks about how they sailed to the southern continent on the vessel Te Ivi o Atea. Researchers found that even if the early 600s date is correct, indigenous explorers reached Antarctica even before Mori arrived in New Zealand between 1200 and 1300. The Mori's ancestors lived in Polynesia at the time. According to New Zealand ethnographer Elsdon Best, he documented the Maori starting in the late 1800s to early 1900s. He concluded that the Maori were traveling great distances in the Pacific. Studying at the Mori name "Te Tai-uka-a-pia," wherein "tai" refers to "sea," researchers showed supporting evidence. According to an 1899 report by ethnologist S. Percy Smith, "uka" signifies "ice," and "a-pia" implies "like the arrowroot," which resembles snow when scraped. To this effect, Maori researchers were studying Antarctica and artwork done by indigenous peoples, seen near the research stations. The discovery of the Antarctic predates claims by 1,300 years is a major claim that changes how we approach the Southern continent. Related article: National Geographic Cartographers Add the Southern Ocean of Antarctica on The World Map as The Fifth Ocean @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The South Carolina Supreme Court on Wednesday barred the scheduled executions of two inmates through electrocution. It indicated they cannot be put to death until they have the option of a firing squad as laid out in South Carolina's newly revised capital punishment law. US states are scrambling to search for alternatives to lethal injections amid a drug shortage. The state had planned to execute Brad Sigmon, who was sentenced to two murders in 2002, using the electric chair on Friday. If it had pushed through, it would have been the first use of capital punishment in South Carolina in a decade. Another execution would have followed. Freddie Owen's electric chair execution for murder during an armed burglary was slated for June 25. Choosing Between Electrocution or Firing Squad The executions were scheduled less than a month following the passage of a new law, which says that the convicted should decide between electrocution or firing squad if lethal injection drugs were not available. The statute is to restart executions following an involuntary 10-year pause due to the failure to procure the drugs needed for execution, reported ABC News. Both Sigmon and Owen chose lethal injection. However, prison officials were unable to get a hold of lethal injection drugs. They also have not yet put together a firing squad, leaving the 109-year-old electric chair as the only option. Chrysti Shain, a spokeswoman for the South Carolina Department of Corrections, stated on Wednesday, "The department is moving ahead with creating policies and procedures for a firing squad reported AP. In the same interview, Shain also indicated that they will let the court know when a firing squad can be presented as an option for executions. Read Also: SC Governor Signs Fetal Heartbeat Bill; Bans Abortion After Heartbeat Detection Attorneys for the two men had contended that death by electrocution is unusual and cunning. They also stated that convicts have the right to die by lethal injection. They also added that the state has not yet exhausted all methods to attain lethal injection drugs, reported Aljareeza. The lawyers remarked the new law moves South Carolina toward less humane execution methods. Another condemned inmate named Richard Moore was slated to be put to death in December last year. However, the Supreme Court of the state also delayed his execution due to a shortage of lethal injection drugs. Moore has petitioned South Carolina's high court to vacate his death sentence. He is waiting for their response. State lawyers have maintained that jail officials are merely acting by the law. They added the United States Supreme Court has never found electrocution to be unconstitutional. Owens and Sigmon have run out of traditional appeals in the past few months. This leaves the state Supreme Court as their only option to decide on their executions following the admission of the corrections agency that it still did not have lethal injection drugs even after the passage of the new law. Related Article: Police Have Cows To Thank for After the Animals Block the Suspect, Ending a Car Chase @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. China successfully sent the first team of astronauts to its self-developed space station on Thursday, several years after being banned from the International Space Station (ISS). The country has been working to become dominant worldwide in space exploration. On top of a Long March 2F rocket, the world's second-largest economy launched three astronauts Liu Boming, Tang Hongbo, and Nie Haisheng into space on a Shenzhou-12 spacecraft approximately at 9:22 a.m. The first crew is en route to the Tianhe module of China's space station. The launch of first Chinese crew was a 'complete success' Per CNBC, the Chinese government built the space station into orbit at the end of April. The spacecraft took off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, in China's northwest. The mission is a complete success at about 9:43 local time, said Zhang Zhifen, Director of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. This is China's first time since 2016 to send a strong mission around and will be an important source of pride as Beijing embarks on the 100th founding anniversary of the Communist party. Beijing has given high importance to fusion research, with China trying to rival the US in a variety of technological sectors. By 2022, China aims to have a fully functioning, self-developed three-module space station. In April, one of the modules of the "Tianhe" Space Station was launched, the quarters of the astronauts. And China dispatched a cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-2 last month to dock with Tianhe. This spaceship carries supplies such as food for the crew. This year and next, China will carry out eleven missions, including four manned missions, to build the space station. The three astronauts spend three months in the space station, testing and doing spacewalks to check all necessary technologies to build and operate the space station, like life support mechanisms and in-orbit service. Read Also: NATO Leaders Claims China Presents "Systemic Challenges," Pledges to Counter Its Rise China has been banned from the space station since 2011 The ISS has banned China since 2011 when the US Congress passed legislation restricting American contact with the Chinese space program over national threats. In 2013, three Chinese astronauts flew the Shenzhou 10 mission, according to an interview. China urged cooperation with other nations in space, especially the United States, said the country's most experienced astronaut at the time. Nie Haisheng, the Shenzhou 10 commander, said, "As an astronaut, I have a strong desire to fly with astronauts from other countries," TIMES reported. According to CNET, Tiangong-1, China's space station was launched that same year. The station operated for only four years before its service halted. In early 2016, the country's space program was reported to have lost control and came crashing down, landing in the Pacific Ocean, two years later. Then Tiangong-2 was launched, which is a follow-up station and deorbited in 2019. Both space programs provided a new Chinese space station named Tiangong. The new station can move up and down in orbit as needed, orbiting at about 230 miles above the Earth, roughly 20 miles lower than the ISS. The world was fascinated by the spent rocket booster, which was used to lift Tianhe into orbit, and its descent back to Earth after the launch of the Tianhe core module in April. Its deorbit was uncontrolled, sparking fears that it may re-enter the planet and fall onto a populated area. Fortunately, there are many unpopulated places on Earth, and the rocket landed in the Indian Ocean, not far from the Maldives. Although the Long March 2F rocket differs somewhat from the Long March 5B used in that launch, there have been concerns about China's deorbiting tactics. How China was prepared for Shenzhou 12's rocket to fall to Earth was one of the first questions journalists at the conference press Qiming on. Related Article: Chinese Rocket Expected To Fall Back to Earth This Weekend, Where Will the Debris Fall? @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Internal Revenue Services has sent out more than four million economic impact payments in June, with more scheduled to be distributed over the next coming weeks. Last week, officials at the IRS announced it has sent 2.3 million stimulus payments to Americans eligible to receive the checks under President Joe Biden's American Rescue Plan. The new round of payments included "plus-up" adjustments for people who received less money than what they were initially entitled to. On June 9, the IRS said it has now delivered more than 169 million relief payments, worth more than $395 billion. The last batch of checks is expected to amount to a total of $4.2 billion. However, many Americans said they have yet to receive any financial aid from the government, according to CBS News. Millions of Payments While millions of stimulus payments have begun hitting bank accounts and mails in March, many are still waiting for their checks from the Biden administration. Experts say it could be because the IRS is currently prioritizing sending out checks to people who had already filed their 2019 and 2020 tax returns. However, the IRS has sent out 900,000 checks to people who recently filed a tax return but did not previously have their records with the agency. The tax agency also said they sent 1.1 million payments as "plus-up" adjustments for people who qualified for bigger checks based on their recently processed tax returns. The IRS said it would continue sending out more payments. It also advised Americans to use the "Get My Payment" tool, which was launched to allow people to get an update on their payment status. Read Also: 'Get My Payment' Tool, Now Available for 3rd Stimulus Check For Americans expecting their checks by mail, the U.S. Postal Service also launched a free online tool to track stimulus payments. The latest batch of checks come as 25 states are set to end their enhanced unemployment benefits soon. Experts say millions of jobless workers receiving $300 weekly could be affected by the cut. Loss of Benefits A recent estimate from the Century Foundation and reported by CBS News, a liberal-leaning think tank, found that 1 in 4 people are estimated to lose their benefits due to the early cut off. The study also found that the unemployment rate in the U.S. is standing at 5.8%, which is far higher than the 3.5% recorded before the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2019. A new study conducted by TransUnion also found that one-third of households continue to cope with reduced income because of the coronavirus pandemic. "One spouse may be fine or one partner is fine but the other is seeing an impact," Charlie Wise, head of global research and consulting at TransUnion, noted in the study. "It'll take a lot to get everyone back to full employment." This prompted a group of 20 Democratic senators to address a March 30 letter to President Joe Biden, calling him to send out recurring stimulus payments. The senators did not specify how much the checks should amount to, but they noted that the payment should last until the end of the pandemic. Related Article: Third Stimulus Check: Why Do You Need to Track It? @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Ghislaine Maxwell, a British socialite facing federal sex trafficking charges in the United States, is still subjected to raw sewage, water deprivation, guards' "hyper-surveillance," and other inhumane treatment in jail. Maxwell is preparing for a potential November trial on allegations that she arranged for the sexual abuse of four young girls by late businessman Jeffrey Epstein. If convicted, Maxwell will face up to 80 years imprisonment. In the latest complaint against Brooklyn jail, Maxwell's lawyer claimed raw sewage permeated her cell and vermin droppings fell from air ventilators. Maxwell's lawyer claims she is maltreated in jail Epstein's alleged madam claimed that the sewage in her cell was so bad that she had to be moved to another cell, as per Daily Mail. She has been held behind bars since her arrest in July 2020. In November, she is expected to stand trial for having recruited girls of 14 years of age from 1994 to 2004 for Epstein, a pedophile convicted of sexual abuse. The British-born socialite pleaded not guilty and has attempted - and failed - five times to persuade a court to let her out on bail, citing allegedly horrible jail conditions. On Tuesday, Sternheim said that Maxwell is still subject to raw sewage, lack of water, hyper-monitoring, overcrowding, and other treatment. During a four-hour meeting on Sunday, Sternheim also claimed that the guards are still permitted to examine Maxwell's private legal files and observe her discussions with the attorneys. Read Also: Chrissy Teigen Bullying Scandal: The Reason of Her Acts, Apologies as Another Celeb Claims Similar Incident Court denies Ghislaine Maxwell's bail request On Wednesday, the federal court of appeal denied the British socialite's bail request. She is to remain in a New York prison. Maxwell's plea for a hearing was similarly rejected by the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan on what their attorneys termed "horrific" conditions of imprisonment at the Metropolitan Center in Brooklyn. Maxwell's other lawyer, David Markus said in an email, "Ghislaine Maxwell is subjected to more grueling conditions than any other inmate. This is due to the Epstein effect. Because Epstein died on the jail's watch, it has decided to torture Ghislaine. That's wrong," Reuters reported. Her lawyers have said that she cannot properly prepare for the trial due to lack of drinking water, sleep deprivation, and the inability of meeting her lawyers in private or of preventing prison guards from examining her confidential documents and an unpowered computer examine proof. The trial judge of Maxwell, Alison Nathan, US District Judge, denied her bail request three times and called her a significant danger to flight. Police will review new allegations against Epstein, Maxwell British police report that they investigate accusations made in a recent Channel 4 News probe into the 10-year sexual abuse, trafficking, and treatment of several women and minors in the UK by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his former partner, Ghislaine Maxwell. The allegations, at least half a dozen of which the broadcaster said could be much higher, prompted fresh calls on the Metropolitan Police Service to fully investigate the "Epstein scandal" that struck the attention of British Prince Andrew, Queen Elizabeth II's son, due to his relation to the disgraced US financier. According to Channel 4 News broadcaster, the claims, including sexual assault and rape came from a combination of collected evidence, court papers, interviews, and witness accounts. Related Article: Ghislaine Maxwell Demands Government to Drop Names of Alleged Victims in Sex Trafficking Case @YouTube @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Chinese COVID-19 vaccines are currently being called into question as coronavirus infections surged in countries using them. In Seychelles, 60% of the population are fully vaccinated against the virus. Many accredited the speedy vaccine rollout to China, who exported Sinopharm shots to the country. But in mid-May, health officials began to report a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases in the chain of islands off the east coast of Africa. The new seven-day rolling average reached 400 new cases, a stark contrast to the 50 daily cases reported in April, according to BBC. The Seychelles Health Ministry later revealed that more than a third of the infections occurred in residents who received the Chinese vaccine doses. The case in Seychelles was also seen in other countries, such as Bahrain and Mongolia, , prompting experts to reassess the effectiveness of the shots. What We Know About the Chinese COVID-19 Vaccines China's two flagship vaccines, made by Sinovac and Sinopharm, are being distributed across 95 countries. Beijing had previously promised to ship 800 million doses of their shots, with 272 million being delivered as of mid-June. The Chinese government had secured emergency use authorizations from the Food and Drug Administration around December 2020. However, results from late-stage trials of the shot revealed that they weren't as effective as protections offered by COVID-19 vaccine shots developed by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna. "All patients produced high-titer antibodies, the neutralizing antibody positive conversion rate was 99.52%, and the vaccine's protective efficacy against the disease caused by the new coronavirus infection (Covid-19) was 79.34%," a press release from China read. A later review conducted by researchers in Hong Kong showed that the Chinese vaccines only had an efficacy rate of 62%. A separate study conducted by Brazil's Butantan Institute found that the Chinese shots were only 51% effective against preventing mild disease, but 100% effective against hospitalizations. Read Also: Illinois Residents Discovered to Have Been Infected With COVID-19 Before First Reported Cases in the US What Other Countries Are Doing To Fight COVID-19 In Seychelles, health officials have introduced a new set of lockdown restrictions in hopes of curbing the spread of the virus. In Bahrain, where at least 1.6 million people have been vaccinated with Sinopharm, the government is offering shots of the pfizer vaccine to act as a booster. In Chile, the government imposed another lockdown on Saturday as cases rose despite having vaccinated 60% of the country's adult population. The country's vaccination program rolled out Sinovac shots. "You really need to use high-efficacy vaccines to get that economic benefit because otherwise they're going to be living with the disease long term," Raina MacIntyre, head of the biosecurity program at the Kirby Institute of the University of New South Wales in Sydney, told The New York Times. "The choice of vaccine matters." Shao Yiming, a Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention expert, previously admitted that their shots were not designed to prevent all infections, but only to offer some resistance against severe illnesses. However, Beijing has been aggressive with media outlets that questioned the efficacy of the Chinese vaccines, with the foreign ministry claiming that such reports exposed an "unhealthy mind-set" of "denigrating China," according to The Wall Street Journal. Related Article: China Successfully Launches First Astronauts for Space Station Construction After Being Banned From ISS @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Copyright 2021 at Sun Newspapers/ APG Media of East Central Minnesota. Digital dissemination of this content without prior written consent is a violation of federal law and may be subject to legal action. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic is upset about the teams decision to part ways with longtime executive Donnie Nelson, Marc Spears of ESPN said on The Jump Wednesday (video link). They were really, really close, Spears said, adding that Doncic will issue a statement on Nelsons dismissal on Thursday. Nelson was credited for pushing for the draft-night trade with the Hawks that landed Doncic in Dallas. Doncic is currently in Slovenia with its national team, which is training for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Lithuania later this month. Spears also claimed there arent any ongoing talks between Doncic and the franchise regarding a rookie scale extension, though there would be no need for talks to be occurring at this point. His rookie scale extension couldnt be signed until August and the deadline is prior to the start of next season. Its no secret the Mavs will offer their franchise player the maximum allowable contract. According to Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News (Twitter link), Doncic hasnt shared his feelings with anyone regarding Nelsons departure from the organization, so its inaccurate to claim that hes upset about it. Townsend confirms that Doncic is expected to speak about the situation on Thursday during a press conference for the qualifying tournament. Pipeline 16 June 2021 Kerzner International Holdings Limited ("Kerzner"), the owner of the ultra-luxury One&Only Resorts and iconic Atlantis Resort & Residences brands worldwide, has entered into a resort management agreement with Grivalia Hospitality S.A. for One&Only Aesthesis to be developed in Athens, Greece. The 21-hectare beachfront estate, within a 6-hectare forest reserve, responds to demand for additional One&Only experiences in Europe following the recent opening of One&Only Portonovi in Montenegro and the announced development of One&Only Kea Island in Greece, accelerating the strategic growth of the One&Only portfolio. Tucked away in a legendary hideaway on the dramatic Glyfada seafront, glamour will return to this fabled location, with a bacchanalian celebration of Athens through One&Only's ultra-luxury lifestyle experience. A juxtaposition of ancient myth and modern indulgence, One&Only Aesthesis is at the crossroads of Greek history and culture-from the Acropolis and Parthenon to Syntagma Square and Cape Sounio and the glamourous Athenian Riviera, with its exclusive beachfront of Glyfada. The resort is just moments away from the vibrant metropolis, surrounded by endless blues and glistening islands dotting the horizon. A true paradise embodying Grecian heritage and authentic Athenian allure, the resort will be the perfect sanctuary, honouring the cosmopolitan sophistication of the '60s and '70s. Remaining true to the One&Only brand promise, the resort will celebrate the legendary Athenian Riviera whilst providing stunning, intuitive design. A playful return to nature, the resort is inspired by the azure waters and the incredible natural surroundings, providing a modern Greek elegance, yet showcasing powerful elements dominant in Greek mythology like fire and water, carved from a palette of natural stone and timber. The resort will become a haven of independent spirit, where sea meets land, providing the allure of adventure, reigniting the charm of years gone by with thoughtfully curated experiences. As with all One&Only properties, the resort will offer innovative programming for families with children whilst carefully preserving space for adults only as well. Like all properties within the One&Only collection, One&Only Aesthesis will place an emphasis on privacy, the ultimate hideaway, with the majority of accommodation being secluded villas with private pools, perfect for couples or families. Villa One will also be introduced, the definitive word in exclusivity and what will surely become Athens' most sought-after address. Following an exclusive global partnership with leading health and wellness expert brand Chenot, the resort will be home to Chenot Spa, with tailored programmes and pioneering treatments scientifically designed to enhance guests' vitality and optimum health, all year round. Setting new standards for resort wellbeing, the partnership provides state-of-the-art, science-based treatments together with the extraordinary level of luxury and service that One&Only is renowned for. A cutting-edge fitness centre -featuring both indoor and outdoor spaces will also be part of the overall lifestyle offering. Pipeline 17 June 2021 Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has been appointed by Chongqing Sunac Huacheng Real Estate Development Co., Ltd. to manage Rosewood Chongqing, set to open in the city's Central Business District in 2030. Situated in the Jiangbeizui International Financial Center, one of China's preeminent establishments for financial services, the ultra-luxury hotel will underscore Chongqing's rapid economic development and growing tourism market as the city continues to build influence and recognition as one of the country's most premium destinations. In addition to the prosperous potential of the locale, which is one of just four Chinese municipalities, the property further demonstrates Rosewood's unwavering efforts to diversify its regional footprint as the tenth project in Greater China and the eighteenth in Asia. Sitting in close proximity to the City Center and high-end shopping and dining outlets, as well as multiple transportation hubs including an impressive subway interchange station on site, Rosewood Chongqing will be housed in a new build, mixed-use development and serve as an ideal gateway to the destination's myriad business, leisure and cultural offerings. The hotel will occupy the most significant of the project's four towers, which spans 470 meters and 103 floors and is the tallest building in the city and the twelfth tallest building in the world. Together the towers will also feature deluxe offices, apartments, residences, retail shops and public green spaces to present not only an entirely new lifestyle experience, but a completely revitalized city skyline. Upon completion, the hotel will offer 183 refined accommodations, including 25 spacious suites. Apart from four dining outlets - a bistro, a living room, a Chinese restaurant and a specialty bar, the hotel will also feature Sense, A Rosewood Spa with multiple treatment rooms, a fitness center and an indoor swimming pool to create a serene urban sanctuary in the bustling city center. Rosewood Chongqing will also offer 945 square meters of meeting and event space for gatherings, including a grand ballroom. Rosewood Chongqing marks the latest addition to the brand's most impressive pipeline to date and evidences Rosewood's strategic expansion in Asia: when it opens, it will be the brand's eighteenth property on the continent and the tenth in the Greater China area alone. This project follows the recent announcements of Rosewood Miyakojima and Rosewood Hangzhou and adds to the additional pipeline properties in key areas including Shanghai, Hoi An and Shenzhen. Pipeline 17 June 2021 109 all-villa Hilton Maldives Amingiri will welcome guests from end 2021. Hilton (NYSE: HLT), one of the world's fastest-growing hospitality companies, has announced the signing of a management agreement with Amingiri Holdings Pvt Ltd, a hospitality focused subsidiary of Maldivian construction and real estate development company Amin Construction Pvt Ltd to launch the 109 all-villa Hilton Maldives Amingiri. Scheduled to open at the end of this year, Hilton Maldives Amingiri will mark the entry of Hilton's flagship Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand into the Maldives. It will be the fourth resort under the company's portfolio of brands in the Maldives, joining Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island and SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton. Hilton Maldives Amingiri is strategically located on Amingiri Island in the Male Atoll, directly accessible from the Maldives' Velana International Airport via a 15-minute speedboat ride. The resort will feature 109 well-spaced beach and water villas, each with a private pool, including an exclusive six-bedroom villa ideal for travellers looking to reunite and create new travel memories with loved ones around the world in an iconic destination after more than a year of connecting remotely. A pool, spa, fitness centre and salon will also be available for guests to clock in time to work out or to refresh themselves. Guests can enjoy an array of dining options from the resort's six restaurants and bars to suit their mood and palate throughout the day, including: Habitat : the resort's all-day dining restaurant which celebrates international cuisines inspired by cultures ranging from the Mediterranean to South East Asia through its live kitchens, presenting a delectable breakfast spread in the morning before evolving into an a la carte dining venue for lunch and dinner where guests can enjoy themed nights offering indulgent flavours from around the world. : the resort's all-day dining restaurant which celebrates international cuisines inspired by cultures ranging from the Mediterranean to South East Asia through its live kitchens, presenting a delectable breakfast spread in the morning before evolving into an a la carte dining venue for lunch and dinner where guests can enjoy themed nights offering indulgent flavours from around the world. Re-Fuel : A teens-only zone where junior guests can gain access through a secret speakeasy-style entrance in the kids' club. The rooftop deck is a tranquil oasis where teens can relax and unwind. A dedicated bar will serve a curated menu specifically catering to the needs and wants of the teenage traveller. : A teens-only zone where junior guests can gain access through a secret speakeasy-style entrance in the kids' club. The rooftop deck is a tranquil oasis where teens can relax and unwind. A dedicated bar will serve a curated menu specifically catering to the needs and wants of the teenage traveller. EDEN: An adults-only resort's destination bar specializing in champagne and gin-based drinks in a highly bespoke and intimate setting where guests can celebrate special occasions with unparalleled views of the Maldivian sunset. The upcoming Hilton Maldives Amingiri will feature Hilton CleanStay, an industry-leading programme to deliver a new standard of cleanliness and disinfection across all of Hilton's hotels globally, providing peace-of-mind from check-in to check-out. Appointment 17 June 2021 A key addition to the team, Rodriguez is a veteran of the local hospitality industry with 17 years of hotel sales experience with luxury destinations throughout New Orleans. Rodriguez began his hotel sales career as a Corporate Sales Manager preparing for the opening of the Loews New Orleans Hotel in 2003. As a pre-opening team member, he contributed extensively to the property's initial marketing campaign and the bid for the hotel's AAA Four Diamond rating. He l ater joined the Windsor Court New Orleans in 2004, where he rose through the ranks from Sales Manager to Director of Sales and Marketing. In 2010, he took a position as Director of Sales at The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans. Rodriguez returned to the Loews New Orleans Hotel in 2016 as Director of Sales and Marketing, a role he enjoyed until accepting the offer to join the opening team at Virgin Hotels New Orleans. Appointment 17 June 2021 Crowne Plaza Today New Delhi Okhla is pleased to announce the appointment of Shuvendu Banerjee as the new General Manager. With an illustrious experience of more than two decades, Shuvendu Banerjee has held leadership positions and worked with renowned domestic and international hospitality brands across the country. In his new role, Shuvendu will be responsible for the continued success of the hotel by combining cutting-edge hospitality with innovative experiences for the guests. He will focus on implementation of cleanliness protocols recommended by global IHG Ways of Clean programme to ensure safety of the guests as well as the team members. His expertise lies in devising sales and marketing strategies for maximum profitability for the stakeholders along with overall operational efficiency. He opines that a General Manager's role is extremely versatile and diverse due to which every day is a new day. He is strong believer in harnessing the team's strength and believes in working with a strong focus on strategy and quality. Shuvendu is a company veteran having spent over 14 years at IHG Group. He moved to this role from Crowne Plaza Cochin where he headed the team as their General Manager and worked very closely with industry partners and tourism fraternity. Prior to that, he has worked with Crowne Plaza Gurugram and Crowne Plaza Rohini, spearheading Sales & Marketing and Operations. Shuvendu played an integral role during the launch of Crowne Plaza brand in India and also worked in the pre-opening team of two of the hotels. He follows an open and approachable leadership style and works extensively towards building leaders for tomorrow. Shuvendu holds PGDBM in Marketing from Symbiosis Institute of Distance learning, certification from Cornell University and Harvard University Management programmes and is an alumnus from International Institute of Hotel Management. He has also perused Strategic Leadership course from IIM Ahmedabad. In his leisure time, Shuvendu is passionate about sports, music and driving. Appointment 17 June 2021 Colette Sullivan has been appointed the Manager of PR & Marketing at the first five-star hotel in Dubai, the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek. Colette joins the heritage property from Radisson RED Dubai Silicon Oasis, where she led the opening campaign of the brands debut in the Middle East. Previously, Colette launched the RED brand in the UK at the Glasgow property, and was also recently involved in the opening marketing campaign of Radisson RED Johannesburg, where she consulted on a task force basis. With 4 years' experience in hospitality with Radisson Hotel Group, Colette has already been recognised for her contribution to the industry, winning the CIM 2020 Rising Star of Travel Marketing at the UK Travel Marketing Awards, and being listed in Hotelier Middle East 30 under 30. Prior to her career in hospitality, Colette worked in Retail Marketing at Head Office level for known UK brands such as Mamas & Papas and Arran Aromatics. Since relocating to Dubai two years ago, Colette has demonstrated a quick grasp of the local market and has been involved in regional projects for Radisson Hotel Group including the launch of staycation and dining offer campaigns. External Article 17 June 2021 A full recovery of the U.S. hotel sector relies on the return of three sources of room demand: leisure travelers, corporate transient and large industry and private groups. Group demand declined sharply in 2020 when travelers stayed away from large indoor gatherings, as weddings were postponed and association meetings were canceled. The sharp rise in vaccinated Americans has led to a surge in recent demand from leisure travelers, and this is clearly visible in recent data from STR, CoStar's hotel analytics firm. There is also some positive news in an uptick in group demand. In April, the U.S. hotel industry sold over 2 million group room nights for the first time since early 2020. This total demand, however, is still less than a third of the group demand seen in 2019. Press Release 17 June 2021 This past spring semester, three former Disney executives led a course on Leadership and Ethics for the School of Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) at Northern Arizona University. Named the Cockerell Leadership Academy for Student Scholars (CLASS), it offered a new Leadership Certificate course for NAU students. Advertisements According to Executive Director and Professor Fred DeMicco of the School of HRM, this new Leadership offering was inspired by NAU Professor John Cauvin, a former successful owner of hotels in Arizona, who conceived a General Manager Leadership program called GM LEAD. Working with Lee Cockerell (former Executive Vice President Walt Disney World Operations, where Dr. DeMicco worked and obtained his Ducktorate degree from Disney University); Dan Cockerell (former Vice President, Magic Kingdom Park) and Valerie Cockerell (former Disney Institute Instructor), developed an 8-week synchronous and hybrid class during the spring semester. The theme of the course was Hows the Culture in your Kingdom? presented by the Cockerell Academy. The Cockerell Academy (Cockerellacademy.com) teachers introduced students to an effective leadership/ethics /management framework to teach students practical, real-life examples of leadership case studies from years of experience from working at Disney. Leading Self, Leading Others, Leading Team, and leading Change were the four foundational pillars of this unique course, according to Dr. Fred DeMicco. In addition, classes provided several points for being a successful leader. Getting exposure and experience makes all the difference. So get out of your village! according to Lee Cockerell can help define you and build key personal and teamwork attributes for a successful career. According to Dan Cockerell, Whatever you do, your guests better love it, your employees better love it, and it better work! are words to succeed by in the hospitality industry. Great leadership and great service are based on simple concepts, but do not confuse simple with easy! points out Valerie Cockerell, for your personal and leadership success to the hospitality students. Elisabeth Gutt, an NAU HRM exchange student from Vienna, Austria, stated: I am so grateful to have received the opportunity to take part in the HRM GM Lead Certificate Program with Lee, Daniel, and Valerie Cockerell. It is incredible to learn from and have conversations with leaders of our industry. This is by far one of the most valuable experiences I made during my studies, and I would recommend every student to participate. HRM Student Luyi Liu from China felt the Leadership program gave her many insights into what exceptional Leadership should be like, especially in our Hospitality Industry. From our presenters' personal stories and those real-life experiences, we can better understand how leadership could work well in our daily life and what kind of things we could do to provide better leadership skills. Participating in this Leadership program is really a great experience to learn and grow, and I am excited to apply what I have learned in this program into my future career. Thank you, Lee, Dan, and Valerie; it was an amazing journey with you, guys! According to Dr. Fred DeMicco, Some of the subjects for the class included Organizational fitness and the Eisenhower Matrix for Dealing with distractions and the not important/not urgent tasks. To Assess, delegate, or automate the not important/urgent tasks and to Dedicate time for the Important/ Not urgent task eating your elephants. Other real-world learning included prompts such as the following scenario. You are promoted to lead a team of 32 employees and manage a high-end restaurant at a luxury hotel. The restaurant is located on the top floor of the hotel and is a highly popular destination known for the quality of its fine dining and sweeping vistas. Students have to write a memo to their team to communicate their five operating practices and priorities. Safety, Courtesy, Show, and Efficiency, in that order, are quality standards that had to be translated into actionable items and behaviors to permeate the entire organization. The CLASS identified all the touchpoints between guests and the Disney operation and assessed each step according to the quality standards. Leaders must be confident and humble. Mini-case study vignettes challenged our students to make decisions such as this scenario: You have just been promoted to the General Manager of the Grand Floridian Hotel at Walt Disney World, leading a team of 250 cast members. Decide how you will spend your first 90 days? What are the things you should not do in the first 90 days? Lay out your operating practices to your team, including vision, values, and your communication style. Define how you like to proceed with delegation/empowerment and problem-solving. Lay out your expectations regarding personal development for your team and what performance indicators you will be accessing. Populate your Eisenhower matrix with Urgent/Important tasks and Important/Not urgent tasks. Other NAU CLASS tips included spending more time in areas of the business you do not understand and meeting as many hotel employees as possible. Have lunch in the cafeteria to mix and mingle with the frontline. Be a super listener. Do not make big decisions about the operation. Do not comment on things you do not understand. Do not focus on processes more than people. Do not rush to impress your team with your knowledge to justify your promotion. Do not just gravitate towards what you know best. Do not lend an ear to just a few people. These are several of the many key teaching points for the NAU CLASS. "HRM has offered me so many fantastic out-of-the-box learning experiences (from Disney examples), and being a part of the CLASS was no different. Learning from the Cockerells was an incredible interactive opportunity. In the weeks that I took the CLASS, I learned so much about things that I can use in my career and things I have already been able to implement in my life." - Delanie Rendon- NAU HRM Ambassador. Dr. Fred DeMicco is currently working with the Cockerell team to expand the CLASS Certificate program to other students in the NAU W.A. Franke College of Business. In addition, he will explore a Disney-inspired Transformation Guest Services course for the W.A. Franke College of Business students at Northern Arizona University. Press Release 17 June 2021 LONDON - The nominations to join the HSMAI Region Europe Board of Directors are open until 7 July, 2021. The 19 board members will be made up of senior management, marketers and academics working in the UK and European hospitality industry. Candidates are invited to submit nominations by return of this form to email: [email protected]. Advertisements The successful candidates will join the President and CEO of HSMAI Region Europe, Ingunn Hofseth, and the newly elected Chair Michael Nowlis - anindependent consultant and a former Associate Dean at Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management. Ingunn Hofseth comments: This prestigious leadership opportunity is open to any HSMAI member in the UK and across Europe looking to be part of the team working on the strategic direction of the industry in the post-pandemic era as the hospitality industry embarks on its business recovery." "Whilst 60% of board positions are made up of those working directly in the hospitality industry in the region, HSMAI Region Europe is particularly keen to ensure the board is made up of a complementary mix and diverse backgrounds and careers. Above all, all the board members will be passionate about helping to drive our industry forward and flourish in 2022 and beyond. They will join the board members that are already elected to serve on the board: Paul Proctor, Vice President - Commercial Europe at InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) Vice President - Commercial Europe at InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) Monique Jaspers-Wijn, Global Head of Data Insights & Digital Media Travelport at Travelport Global Head of Data Insights & Digital Media Travelport at Travelport Per Griwell, VP Commercial / CCO, Business Development & Franchise at Thon Hotels VP Commercial / CCO, Business Development & Franchise at Thon Hotels Markus Keller, Senior VP Sales & Distribution at Accor Senior VP Sales & Distribution at Accor Roberta Possenti, Vice President Europe at Preferred Hotels Vice President Europe at Preferred Hotels Guy Barnes, Area Vice President Growth, EMEA at IDeaS Area Vice President Growth, EMEA at IDeaS Michael Schaffner, VP Sales EMEA at Duetto VP Sales EMEA at Duetto Gino Angels, Co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer at OTA Insight CEO & Board member at Foodback and Former Chair of HSMAI Region Europe and Chair of the Nomination Committee Martin Jrgensen announced today: We look forward to adding more people to the board later this summer and we will make sure we get a good balance of competence and gender. We are looking for individuals that can help us to continue to build on our strong culture on appreciative leadership. Michael Nowlis newly elected Chair of the HSMAI Region Europe Board commented: As the global hospitality industry emerges from the most difficult period of the last half century, sales and marketing will be critical functions in restoring the sector to profitability. HSMAI Region Europe will play a leading role in driving industry renewal and growth. I am humbled to have been selected to chair the HSMAI board and support a talented executive team in these challenging but exciting times. Opinion Article 17 June 2021 The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically altered the worlds economic situation leading many economists to predict that it will have as great, or even greater, impact as the great depression of the 1930s. As such, many of the fields fundamental principles must be reconsidered for the coming years, including several which received less attention in recent years as learnings from the Great Recession superseded them. In order to properly educate students and managers about the relationship between economic theories and practical implications on the hospitality industry, such shifts must be incorporated into macroeconomic courses and executive education programs as to better reflect the current economic realities facing firms and their leaders. Advertisements 2.9.1 Deemphasizing the learnings from the 2008 financial crisis Until March 2020, what kept economists awake at night was the fragile recovery from the 2008 Great Recession, the biggest financial crisis since the Great Depression (Blanchard & Johnson, 2013). The case study of the 2008 financial meltdown has been part of standard undergraduate programs (Colander, 2010) which enabled instructors to draw practical links between traditionally abstract macroeconomics theory and the hospitality industrys contemporary challenges. From a pedagogical point of view, it is worth illustrating the contraction of aggregate consumption with an industry- related example. For instance, in the hospitality industry, the drop in income was reflected in a contraction of the occupancy rate, average daily rate, and revenue per available room in hotels across most of the world (Alonso-Almeida & Bremser, 2013). The COVID-19 crisis has already put the 2008 crisis and its substantial fallout to the backburner. Students and managers need to understand the current situation (Colander, 2010), which means that the 2008 financial crisis could be part of an economics history course but perhaps no longer play a central role in an undergraduate macroeconomics course for hospitality management students as this industry is largely recognized to be one of the most severely impacted by the current crisis. 2.9.2 Emphasizing aggregate supply analysis Unlike the 2008 financial crisis, the COVID-19 crisis has impacted not only aggregate demand butand this is the noveltyalso aggregate supply. The consequences of a drop in aggregate demand are very well-known. Aggregate demand was at the heart of Keynesian theory, which emerged from the ashes of the Great Depression. Keynes stormed into macroeconomics theory by refuting the application of Says Law (at least in the short run). Where Says Law focuses on supply, Keynes argued that aggregate demand was more important. In short, according to Keynesian theory aggregate demand generates aggregate supply (and not vice-versa). Reflecting the Keynesian approach, most macroeconomics courses taught in hospitality management schools examine the construction of the so-called IS-LM model which is a mathematical representation of Keynesian theory. While the IS-LM model analysis is still valid, the COVID-19 crisis also requires the study of aggregate supply as production costs have also been affected. In the hospitality industry, for example, not only have guests stopped traveling (demand side) but also, the industry had to deal with social distancing that impacts the cost structure and therefore the supply side. The contraction of aggregate supply has no precedent, at least in the recent past. To include aggregate supply, the educator needs to leave the context of the (Keynesian) short-run analysis and more strongly embrace a medium-run analysis. The medium run is the period of time needed to bring the economy up to the level of production determined by supply (Blanchard & Johnson, 2013). The medium-run analysis has of late played only a marginal role in traditional undergraduate macroeconomics courses. Amid the current situation, however, there is a need to reinforce such analysis in order to better contemplate the effects of supply. 2.9.3 Incorporating the medium-run model The impact of COVID-19 on aggregate supply also requires the introduction of new elements traditionally not part of an undergraduate macroeconomics course in hospitality management education. In fact, the COVID-19 crisis brought Say's law back into vogue. As mentioned above, this new element needs to be incorporated into the medium-run model. Traditionally, the medium-run analysis is presented through the use of a graphical analysis. Today, educators need to not only cover the medium run in greater depth via a simple model combining price setting and the wage setting equations, but also by adding extra components such as labor productivity. It is, nonetheless, undeniable that COVID-19 has impacted the productivity of workers and as such assuming that it holds constant (as standard undergraduate textbooks generally suggest) is no longer accurate. Such changes would provide a more nuanced and refined model for analyzing complex macroeconomic conditions and their impact on, for example, the labor-intensive hospitality industry. References A nuclear fusion startup backed by billionaire Jeff Bezos will build its first pilot power plant outside of London, potentially accelerating a new way of generating clean energy. Canadas General Fusion Inc. is one of about two dozen startups trying to harness the power that makes stars shine. Rather than splitting atoms like in traditional fission reactors, fusion plants seek to bind them together at temperatures 10 times hotter than the sun. Doing so releases huge quantities of carbon-free energy with no atomic waste. While national laboratories have been trying to build economically sustainable fusion machines for more than a half century, private investors have only recently joined the pursuit as urgency builds to find new sources of emissions-free power to slow global warming. There are a lot of people preparing to take shots on goal right now, General Fusion Chief Executive Officer Chris Mowry said in an interview. We now have the first best but there are lots of others lining up. Globally, more than $1.5 billion has poured into private fusion startups such as TAE Technologies Inc. and Commonwealth Fusion Systems in the U.S. Public funding from 35 countries has gone toward the $22 billion International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) being built in southern France. The project was supposed to begin testing in four years, though that date is now in doubt after pandemic lockdowns snarled supply chains. General Fusions announcement follows a call in April by the U.S. National Academies of Science for the country to accelerate plans to build a pilot fusion reactor capable of generating electricity as soon as 2035. Last November, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson offered $17 billion in support for green industries including nuclear power. His government wants an operating fusion plant based on the ITER design by 2040. The plant will be a huge boost for our plans to develop a fusion industry, U.K. Science Minister Amanda Solloway said in a statement on Thursday. Fusion energy has great potential as a source of limitless, low-carbon energy. Mowry said the U.K.s support for the General Fusion pilot plant was very meaningful, but didnt elaborate on the size of its financial support. General Fusion, which raised $100 million in its last round of fundraising, is again preparing to tap investors to help finance the project. "At some point we're going to go public," Mowry said. Construction is expected to begin next year on the companys $400 million facility near the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy in Oxfordshire. Theres a great talent pool there that knows how to operate and maintain large fusion machines, said Mowry. Culham is currently home to the Joint European Torus (JET) and has become one of the worlds most important fusion-science hubs. But much of the work on that project, which has endured over four decades, will wind down once ITER begins testing in southern France as government funding is redirected toward the newer project. Both JET and ITER are derived from designs first tested in the Soviet Union. Lasers and powerful electromagnets are arrayed around a supercooled, doughnut-shaped container to hold superheated plasma in place that is used to fuse the atoms. General Fusions machine takes a radically different approach. Its magnetized-target fusion reactor compresses a hydrogen target surrounded by a swirling wall of molten metal. Some 500 synchronized pistons that encompass a cylinder fire at a rate of six to 60 shots per minute. Heat from the plasma is transferred into the metal, where it can then be channeled to turbines that produce power. And unlike the massive future fusion reactors envisioned by ITER that can generate more than 1,000 megawatts of electricity each, General Fusions machines will produce just 115 megawatts of power not enough energy to light up a large city, but more than enough to stabilize grids filled with intermittent solar and wind power. Thats the sweet spot of distributed energy, said Mowry, an engineer who formerly worked at General Electric Co. Not all physicists agree that smaller fusion reactors like the one General Fusion is building will generate the most cost-efficient energy. But scientists acknowledge that private investors are helping to balance pure research against commercial opportunity. It is time to dispel the idea that fusion is an academic endeavor in pursuit of an energy unicorn, said International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi. We can see this is around the corner. We are approaching this moment fast. LAS VEGAS Nevada is distributing $5 million in cash prizes to residents who have been vaccinated as part of an effort to encourage more people to get shots. Gov. Steve Sisolak said Thursday that the new Vax Nevada Days initiative provided skeptics one more reason to get vaccinated. His announcement adds Nevada to a growing list of states offering incentives to revive flatlining vaccination efforts and maintain demand. More than half the states residents 12 and older have received at least one dose of vaccine and 42.7% or more than 1.1 million statewide have completed their inoculations. ___ MORE ON THE PANDEMIC: Some in Washington seeking 9/11-style commission on coronavirus U.K. reports more than 10,000 daily virus cases, first time since Feb. Dr. Fauci: U.S. to spend $3B for antiviral pills for COVID-19 CureVac CEO: Vaccine data sobering at 47% efficacy ___ Follow more of APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine ___ HERE'S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING: ATLANTA Georgia officials say state health workers and others will participate in more than 370 community vaccination events between now and July 4th, trying to push up the states lagging rate of COVID-19 vaccination. Georgia ranks in the bottom 10, per capita, for vaccinations, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. The announcement came Thursday, the day before Vice President Kamala Harris will visit Atlanta Friday to promote vaccination. Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock also released a public service announcement urging Georgians to get a shot. Despite the low vaccination rates, Public Health Commissioner Kathleen Toomey says she remains hopeful that Georgia can reach 70% to 80% of the eligible population in coming months. ___ CHICAGO Illinois has joined the group of states offering millions of dollars in cash prizes and scholarships to encourage residents to get vaccinated. Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Thursday the state will offer $7 million in cash prizes and $3 million in scholarships through a new lottery open to all residents who have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose. Prizes will range from $100,000 to $1 million, and children can win a college savings plan worth $150,000. Names in Illinois vaccination database will be automatically eligible for the lottery. Participants will be required to have a shot by July 1. Weekly drawings will begin July 8. ___ BATON ROUGE, La. Louisiana will offer residents who have gotten vaccinated against COVID-19 a chance to win a share of $2.3 million in cash prizes and college scholarships. Gov. John Bel Edwards hopes financial incentives will persuade those reluctant to get the shots to change their minds. The top winner could take home $1 million under the plans announced Thursday at a news conference that included a giant fake check and a live brass band. Drawings will take place over five weeks, starting July 14. The state will give away nine $100,000 scholarships to winners ages 12 to 17. Four $100,000 cash prizes and one $1 million award will be handed out to winners age 18 and older. Registration for the drawings begins Monday at noon. LANSING, Mich. Michigan will lift all indoor capacity restrictions and mask requirements next week, 10 days sooner than planned amid vaccinations and plummeting COVID-19 infections, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Thursday. The states main coronavirus order will expire at the end of Monday instead of July 1, bringing an end to mandatory 50% occupancy limits inside restaurants, gyms and entertainment venues and at indoor events like weddings and funerals. The move came days after California and New York lifted most of their remaining restrictions, joining other states in opening the way, step by step, for what could a close-to-normal summer. Today is a day that we have all been looking forward to, as we can safely get back to normal day-to-day activities and put this pandemic behind us, Whitmer, a Democrat, said in statement issued 15 months after she first signed emergency orders to control the coronavirus. We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the medical experts and health professionals who stood on the front lines to keep us all safe. About 4.9 million residents, or 60%, of those ages 16 and older have gotten at least one vaccine dose. State health officials said some virus orders will remain in place to protect vulnerable populations in prisons, long-term care facilities and the agriculture industry. Guidance for schools, where many students are not yet authorized to be vaccinated, will be issued next week. ___ OLYMPIA, Wash. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday announced a new COVID-19 vaccine incentive lottery for the states military, family members and veterans because the federal government wasnt sharing individual vaccine status of those groups with the state and there were concerns they would be left out of a previously announced lottery. The announcement comes after last weeks start of a lottery that has already had two drawings for $250,000 prizes, and also includes giveaways for college tuition assistance, airline tickets and game systems, among other prizes. A final drawing in that lottery will be for a $1 million prize on July 13. Washington is among several states that created lotteries in hopes of increasing the pace of vaccination. The governors office believes the state is the first with a separate lottery for those who have been vaccinated at military locations. The new separate lottery applies to military, military staff and family members who were vaccinated through the Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs, or the National Guard. A spokesman for Inslee said that the Department of Defense will be involved in circulating a form for military members to fill out. ___ ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. New Mexico is under pressure to get thousands of people vaccinated Thursday to meet a deadline set by Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. She wanted to reopen the state July 1, as long as 60% of residents 16 and older were fully vaccinated. Data from the New Mexico Department of Health shows 59% of eligible residents are fully vaccinated, marking just a slight increase from the day before. Some say it would be difficult hit the mark given that daily increases have amounted to just a few tenths of a percent. The governors office also lifted mask requirements for youth athletes who are fully vaccinated. ___ WASHINGTON Theres a push on Capitol Hill and beyond for a full-blown investigation of the coronavirus outbreak by a national commission like the one that looked into 9/11. The proposal comes amid lingering questions over the governments response to the crisis and the origin of the virus that has killed more than 600,000 Americans. A bill introduced by Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey and Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine would establish such a commission. The death toll from the COVID-19 pandemic is more than 200 times that of the 9/11 attacks but Congress has yet to establish a similar blue ribbon commission to investigate the vulnerabilities of our public health system and issue guidance for how we as a nation can better protect the American people from future pandemics, Menendez and Collins wrote in an essay this week in The New York Times. The inquiry could include a look at the origins of the virus; early warnings and other communication with foreign governments; coordination among federal, state and local agencies; the availability of medical supplies; testing and public health surveillance; vaccination development and distribution; the uneven effect on minorities; and government relief policies. However, its prospects are unclear. Many are concerned politics will get in the way of any inquiry, as happened when Republicans came out against a commission to investigate the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol by supporters of Donald Trump. ___ WASHINGTON The U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan is locking down because of a massive spike in coronavirus cases among employees. The embassy in Kabul already is on uncertain footing due to the imminent withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan. Now the embassy is ordering staffers into virtual isolation to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Its already killed at least one person and sent 114 into quarantine. The embassy says in a notice to employees that most group activities, including work meetings and recreational gatherings, are banned. The restrictions will remain in place until the chain of transmission is broken. Violators will be removed from the country on the next available flight. ___ HONG KONG Coronavirus vaccine incentives offered by Hong Kong companies, including a lucky draw for an apartment, a Tesla car and even gold bars, are helping boost the citys sluggish inoculation rate. The city of 7.5 million, which hasnt experienced a major outbreak, is battling vaccine hesitancy driven by multiple factors, including fears of serious side effects, a mistrust of the government and a lack of concern from residents. There have been fewer than 12,000 coronavirus cases since the beginning of the pandemic. Just 16% of people in Hong Kong have been fully vaccinated. But since the first incentives were announced at the end of May, there has been a surge in bookings. Nearly 600,000 of the 3 million shots given since February came in the last two weeks. More than 450,000 people signed up on the first possible day for the chance to win the one-bedroom condominium, worth $1.4 million in one the worlds most expensive property markets. Registrations began this week and will remain open until September, when the draw will take place. Proof of vaccination is required to claim the prize. ___ COLOMBO, Sri Lanka Authorities say the first delta variant in the community has been detected in Sri Lanka. Dr Chandima Jeewandara, Director of immunology and molecular medicine of the Sri Jayewardenepra University says the delta variant has been detected in five samples collected from the capital Colombo. Dr. Jeewandara says its the first community detection. Previously, two people were found to be infected with the delta variant in a quarantine facility. The delta variant was first identified in neighboring India and is considered a more transmissible version of the disease. Sri Lanka has seen a sharp increase of positive cases and deaths since April because of the celebrations and shopping by the people during the traditional new year festival. Sri Lankas total confirmed positive cases have reached 230,692 and 2,374 confirmed deaths. ___ NEW YORK The U.S. Open tennis tournament will allow 100% spectator capacity throughout its entire two weeks in 2021. This comes a year after spectators were banned from the Grand Slam event in New York because of the coronavirus pandemic. The U.S. Tennis Association made the announcement Thursday. The U.S. Open, held at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, is scheduled to start on Aug. 30. The U.S. Open will be the first Grand Slam tournament to have full attendance since the Australian Open in January-February 2020, before the start of the pandemic. More than 700,000 people attended the two-week U.S. Open in 2019. On Tuesday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said many of the states remaining social distancing rules would be eased because 70% of its adults have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine. ___ ST. PETERSBURG, Russia Slovakia coach Stefan Tarkovic says defender Denis Vavro and a member of the teams coaching staff have tested positive for the coronavirus ahead of the European Championship match against Sweden. They are the first positive tests for COVID-19 to have been announced since Euro 2020 started. Tarkovic says Vavro has no symptoms and is isolating. He didnt disclose the name of the coach. Testing took place on Wednesday. The game against Sweden is in St. Petersburg on Friday. ___ LONDON The U.K. has recorded more than 10,000 daily coronavirus infections for the first time in nearly four months, likely the result of the spread of the more contagious delta variant. Government figures Thursday reported 11,007 daily cases, the highest daily amount since Feb. 19. The variant, which accounts for around 95% of all new cases in the U.K., is considered by government scientists to be between 40% to 80% more transmissible than the previous dominant strain. The spread of the variant upended plans for the lifting of all restrictions on social contact next week. Instead, Prime Minister Boris Johnson delayed the easing by four weeks to July 19. Most of the new infections are among younger age groups who have not received a vaccine. The U.K.s vaccine rollout will be extended to all adults over age 18 on Friday. ___ ROME With just over 50% of the Italian population having received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, right-wing leader Matteo Salvini is pressing for an end or easing of nationwide mask-wearing rules. Salvini says he lobbied Italian Premier Mario Draghi on Thursday to end the rule requiring masks at least outdoors as soon as possible. Salvini urged Italy to follow the example of neighboring France, which a day earlier announced the end of the mask-wearing requirement outdoors except in crowd situations. In France, more than 59% of adults have received at least one dose of a vaccine. As of Thursday, 27% of Italys population over age 12 has been fully vaccinated. Italys daily numbers of confirmed cases, ICU admissions and deaths have been dropping in recent weeks. ___ WASHINGTON The United States is devoting more than $3 billion to advance development of antiviral pills for COVID-19 and other dangerous viruses that could turn into pandemics. The pills would be used to minimize symptoms after infection. They are in development and could begin arriving by years end, pending the completion of clinical trials. Top U.S. infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci announced the plan Thursday at a White House briefing. Fauci says the new program would invest in accelerating things that are already in progress for COVID-19 but would also work to innovate new therapies for other dangerous viruses. Several companies, including Pfizer, Roche and AstraZeneca, are testing antivirals in pill form. ___ LONDON Britains government is extending its coronavirus vaccine program to all those over the age of 18, as figures show 80% of adults in the country have received their first dose. Health Secretary Matt Hancock says everyone over 18 can start booking their vaccine appointments on Friday. More than 42 million first vaccine doses have been delivered in the U.K. since the rollout began more than six months ago. About 30.4 million have received both doses. Britains government is racing to vaccinate all adults before July 19, the date officials set for the lifting of Englands final remaining lockdown restrictions. The U.K. has experienced a resurgence of infections, driven by the more transmissible delta variant. There were more than 9,000 new cases reported Wednesday, though deaths have remained low. Troy and Marguerite Williams had hung on through the shutdowns and capacity limits, making the tough decisions that went with them, including laying off workers. By last June, with people venturing out again and sales rebounding, they felt their restaurant, Alfredas Soul Food, had turned the corner. Then, Troy Williams was jolted awake by a phone call at 5 a.m. At the other end of the line was his maintenance man, repeating over and over: The whole place is blown up. The whole place is blown up. An explosion at the bar next door in the Third Ward had ripped through Alfredas, blowing out windows, collapsing ceilings, and destroying the air conditioning and just about everything else. The damage easily topped $100,000, and, for the first time, Williams confronted a fear he had refused to believe through all the turmoil and pressure and heartache of the pandemic. His business might not make it. The Williams are among the thousands of small business owners across Houston and Texas who guided their companies along the edge of survival over the past year, facing extraordinary challenges and devastating setbacks as COVID-19 upended the economy. Many fell off that edge. More than 3 million businesses about 1 in 5 shut down across the country at the height of the pandemic, according to study from the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, a nonpartisan think tank at Stanford University. Almost half of Black-owned businesses such as Alfredas 41 percent closed as did one-third of Latino- and immigrant-owned businesses. Even in the best of times, experts say, running, sustaining and growing a small business is no easy feat. It requires business savvy, smart planning and not a small measure of luck. It also demands long hours, hard work and irrepressible optimism. NOT OVER: The recovery is underway, but not everyone is out from under 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. Troy Williams admits he didnt have much optimism left that early morning in June 2020 as he surveyed the shattered glass, piles of rubble and mangled floor tiles. He began tallying the figures in his head: the cost of the damage, what his insurance might cover and how much he and his wife had in the bank. For a moment, he wondered whether he should give up. Just a moment. Were not going to let Alfredas go down on our watch, Troy Williams told himself. Its not just our business, its the communitys business. Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Local institution Alfredas opened its doors 57 years ago in Houstons Third Ward, serving up smothered oxtail, turkey wings and collard greens and building a loyal following that reaches across generations. It became a center of community life where friends met to catch up, families celebrated milestones, and just plain hungry neighbors relished the stick-to-the ribs dishes. About three years ago, Marguerite Williams came across an ad describing a more than 50-year-old soul food restaurant for sale. She turned to her husband and said: That sounds like Alfredas doesnt it? The Williams, who had lost their downtown cafe, Toasters Houston, in Hurricane Harvey, took ownership of the restaurant in January 2018. They quickly learned that Alfredas was more than a business. In their first week, they officiated a wedding at the restaurant. The restaurant had a history that the Williams wanted to preserve. But they also put their own twist on the menu, incorporating Southern Cajun favorites like shrimp and grits and banana pecan Foster French toast with the traditional soul food dishes on the menu. Troy Williams built a website, promoted the restaurant with photos and marketing materials on social media, and set up third party apps, such as Uber Eats, for take out and delivery. When the pandemic hit, those investments paid off as business went online and takeout and delivery kept them afloat. It wasnt easy, though. With business just a fraction of what it had been, Troy Williams knew he had to lay off workers for Alfredas to survive, but it didnt make him feel less guilty. Those were tough conversations to have, he said. At least they were able to draw from unemployment. Alfredas had employed more than 20 people. Now, with just half of the staff, Williams started work every day at 2 a.m., doing the cooking and prep work ahead of the opening a job once done by three cooks. WORKER SHORTAGE: Galveston restaurants are busier than ever, but cant find workers Sales fell 25 percent in April 2020, then 50 percent in May, but the payroll was still about $30,000 a month and rent $10,000. Vendors and utilities were still sending bills, too, requiring a juggling act of paying bills at the last minute as Marguerite Williams managed the diminished cash flow. Relief came from the federal emergency lending program called the Paycheck Protection Program. The Williams secured a $56,000 loan in the first round and a $70,000 loan in the second, both quickly spent on payroll and rent. By last June, Alfredas had turned the corner. Sales had reached 80 percent of pre-pandemic levels, and Troy Williams felt, it wouldnt be long until they were all the way back. Then, came the early morning phone call on June 12 of last year. We had some momentum, Troy Williams said. When the explosion came, that momentum was wiped out. Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Two gas cans The Houston Fire Department suspects that arson caused the bar explosion. Investigators found two gasoline cans at the scene. For the second time in less than three months, Williams had to tell his employees they were out of jobs. The challenge seemed even more daunting than the pandemic shutdowns; the Williams couldnt even rely on takeout orders to bring in money. Their insurance policy covered only 40 percent of the costs of rebuilding the restaurant and replacing supplies. Troy Williams spent hours on the phone negotiating with the insurance company, trying to squeeze out a little more money. They started draining their savings. They borrowed from a friend. They looked for government grants. One day, at 4 a.m., the cellphone of Marguerite Williams pinged. It was a message from her husband, who was working early that morning, alerting her to the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, a $28.6 billion program operated by the Small Business Administration. The Williams applied, but are still waiting. The funding has been held up by lawsuits filed by white small-business owners challenging criteria that gives priority to minority- and women-owned firms. Last weekend, nearly 3,000 applicants were notified that federal court rulings in Texas and Tennessee had halted their payments. The Williams couldnt help but think about the PPP loans, which, when first distributed, largely bypassed minority-owned businesses as bigger and better-connected companies sucked up the money. African Americans didnt sue when that happened, Troy Williams said. Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Staff of one Alfredas reopened in October, but it wasnt the triumphant return the Williams had hoped for. Their savings were depleted. Many of their employees had moved on to other jobs. Others didnt want to risk catching COVID-19. As Marguerite Williams handled the business side, keeping the books, negotiating with vendors and paying the bills, Troy Williams became a staff of one at the restaurant cooking, cleaning and ringing up customers. His day began at 2 a.m. It ended at 8 p.m. Basically, if something were to happen to me, that was it. I was concerned about getting sick, Troy Williams said. But at the same time, when you own a business, those are the sacrifices you have to make. The grind went on for four more months, eighteen hours a day, seven days a week. Troy Williams was exhausted to the bone, his muscles aching from standing on his feet all day, lifting 75-pound pots of collard greens and yams. Texas Inc.: Get the best of business news sent directly to your inbox Today, Alfredas has about a dozen employees working as customers slowly return with the increase in vaccinations, decline in COVID-19 cases and lifting of social distancing restrictions. But sales are still only half of pre-pandemic levels. Troy Williams figures that many people thought the explosion brought an end to Alfredas, believing the restaurant would never reopen and the Williams would just move on to something else. Far from it. They have hired a marketing firm to increase the restaurants exposure and stared hosting events to draw more customers. With a $40,000 grant from an American Express program administered by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, they are upgrading the restaurant, expanding outdoor seating and adding new signage. The last year tested the Williams as no other. Even though sales are down, they are still dishing up shrimp and grits, sweet corn and candied yams. Marguerite Williams likened the rebirth of Alfredas to soul food itself. The roots of the term reach back to slavery, when slaves had to make meals from the leftovers, offal and unwanted livestock parts that plantation owners didnt eat. Soul food evolved out of necessity, Marguerite Williams said. Black people were given the less than, and they took that less than and were able to make this culinary creation. becca.carballo@chron.com General Motors will boost its investments in electric vehicles and self-driving technology. The Detroit automaker on Wednesday said it will increase investment in EVs and autonomous vehicle technologies to $35 billion through 2025, a 75 percent boost from its initial commitment of $20 billion in March 2020. It is the second increase by GM, which raised the amount to $27 billion in November. GM in January said it would produce only electric vehicles by 2035. The company has also set a goal to reach annual global EV sales of more than 1 million by 2025. "We are increasing our investment to scale faster because we see momentum building in the United States for electrification, along with customer demand for our product portfolio," GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra said in a statement. INSIGHT: More Texas companies are plugging into electric vehicles. Will shoppers follow? In addition to a duo of battery plants currently being built in Ohio and Tennessee, GM said it plans build two more battery factories in the U.S. by mid-decade. The exact locations were not disclosed. GM is stepping up in other modes of transportation as well. On Tuesday, the company said it has partnered with transportation solution company Wabtec Corp., headquartered in Pittsburgh, to develop and commercialize the automakers battery and fuel-cell technologies for locomotives. Wabtec merged with GE Transportation in February 2019. As well, GM is collaborating with Honda to build two EVs, an SUV for the Honda brand and an Acura for GM. GM's increase in spending on EVs and self-driving technology comes a month after Ford unveiled the F-150 Lightning, an all-electric version of its best-selling pickup. The Michigan-based automaker has committed $11.5 billion to electrify some of its most popular vehicles. In Texas, Tesla is constructing a gigafactory outside Austin to produce electric cars, pickup trucks and batteries. The manufacturing plant is expected to be completed before the end of 2021, with some operations potentially coming online sooner. Who is this? Michael Tracys voice crackles like a log on a fire. I feared a conversation with Tracy would start this way. Hes 78 and has spent the past 43 of those years working and living in a remote Texas border town, having recoiled from a Houston art scene he says cast him as a black sheep, prompting him to move 350 miles away from here. Even his admirers use words like guarded and confrontational to describe Tracy. But hes not unwelcoming. A long conversation with Tracy was full of moments in which we stepped on each others commentary. Each time he yielded with a, No please, continue. Id like to hear what you were about to say If Tracys art makes no compromises, his reputation as combative feels like a byproduct of people refusing to engage in a conversational dance with him to simply look past a gruff exterior. Over a couple of hours, he throws out as many questions as he answers. Tracys queries didnt probe what I knew when I entered his show Season in Hell: Painting, Sculpture and Film 1990-2001 at Bill Arning Exhibitions but rather what I felt as I walked through this bracing set of works. If you arrive at a point where youre viewing something but not feeling anything, then you havent been prepared correctly to experience it, he says. Or that something is pat. More Information 'Season in Hell: Painting, Sculpture, and Film 1990-2021' When: noon-6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday through June 27 Where: Bill Arning Exhibitions, 604 W. Alabama Details: free; billarning.com See More Collapse Pat does not apply to Tracys first Houston exhibition in five years and only his second since his Terminal Privileges at the Menil Collection in 1988. Season in Hell certainly provokes feeling. The head and the heart and As I walked toward the front door, Arning who opened the gallery three years after his abrupt departure from the Contemporary Arts Museum, Houston waved me to a different point of entry. He wants viewers to experience first a dark room populated by pieces in black and gray. Cosmos I-IV is a single work, four imposing panels of acrylic on canvas that Tracy made between 2008 and 2014. The canvases look like clouds before a deluge. They exude viscosity, seeming to swirl or dance as the eye moves across them. In the middle of the gallery, a wood table made by Tracy hosts about 20 bronze sculptures. Positioned together, they are reminiscent of the Capuchin Crypt in Rome, even though theres nary a skull among them: There are heads and ears and shoulders. There are also more penises than a urologist sees in a week. For an artist who long ago situated himself on an international border, Tracy appears focused on contrasts and juxtapositions, and fine lines between sacred and sexual, powerful and weak. Naturally, his sculpture and paintings then express tumult with an ominous tone informed by a world immersed in conflict. Several of the bronze heads displayed in Season in Hell bear little tears along the surface of the scalp. These gouges have to do with trauma, of course, Tracy says. Bleeding hearts and flaming hearts are calling cards in so much art made south of the Rio Grande, where Tracy has long drawn some inspiration. But the sculptures in Season in Hell are focused more on the head and, well, an organ some 18 inches farther south. The pieces suggest the contrast between power and lack of power. I guess theres a political aspect with the human penis, as far as what it represents, Tracy says. This is this conduit for reproduction. But theres a lot more to it than that. And people dont want to take that seriously. Its harder to explain that than it is in terms of the female body. Its clear breasts are this essential part of human culture these days. The mysteries below the waist are not quite so mysterious in the male. I guess Im concerned about people interpreting this strictly as eroticism. A friend calls it purely pornographic. I just dont think it is. Festival of colors Tracy says, My paintings are all a product of performance. I have a practice for decades and decades that has to do with paint. Paint for its pure self. I work on paper and drawings, preparatory things. Things around it. Season in Hell shows some of those preparatory things; several studies for the Cosmos suggest the finished pieces. But the studies offer little warning for how explosive the canvases come across. It is not difficult to imagine Tracy involved in a physical ritual resembling a dance. The resulting paintings beg to be touched: the paint applied with such visceral energy that they teeter close to sculptures. Leaving the Cosmos room, the eyes are almost assaulted with color when surrounded by Devi I, Devi II and their corresponding studies, undertaken last year. Tracy estimates hes traveled to India more than 30 times. And befitting the exhibitions title and the wintry tones of the first room, the Devi pieces are bright like spring. The pinks and yellows and reds remind of the colored powders that illuminate the Hindu Holi ritual, the Festival of Colors. Tracys Devi paintings draw their name from the 1960 Satyajit Ray film. But his titles can cut a misleading path. Strong vertical forms emerge on Tracys canvases, which reminded me of the old poster for the film, which split into two parts the face of a woman revealed to be an Indian goddess. Ah, it has nothing to do with that film, Tracy says. He instead was thinking of a San Francisco-based psychiatrist he met. He asked her to analyze a vandals work at a historic site in San Ygnacio. Years later they reconnected: His town was dealing with flood; hers with fire. She wanted to continue our personal conversations, he says. She had terminal cancer and wanted to connect, not as a doctor/patient or in a professional way. Just this other experience. I learned so much about this woman, and then she died. So I tried to express something about that connection with those paintings. Seasons and home Tracys adopted home bears mention. He has called San Ygnacio home since 1978, when he left a Galveston studio hed occupied for years because he felt his work wasnt welcome in Houston. Or maybe he felt he wasnt welcome in Houston. In a scene full of provocateurs, he took on a reputation as particularly terrible among enfants terribles. Recently, hes drawn more attention for his preservation work in San Ygnacio, which like all preservation work comes with conflict. More than a quarter century ago he co-founded the River Pierce Foundation, which sought to stave off modernity from the colonial town. His story began from a point much farther. Tracy speaks with guarded reverence about his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, and with a little barb about his subsequent base of operations in Houston. I grew up along the shores of Lake Erie, he says. Home of the Cleveland Orchestra. The Cleveland Museum of Art, which is superior to anything between the coasts. He earned an MFA from the University of Texas at Austin and had an exhibition at the McNay in San Antonio in 1971. He settled in Galveston, where Tracy drew notice for Sacrifice I, 9.13.74 (The Sugar). Interested in ritual and sacrifice in different cultures, Tracy sacrificed one of his favorite paintings upon a wood altar set in front of a giant white pyramid at the Imperial Sugar Co. warehouse. The tone of Tracys voice changes ever so slightly when talking about Houston, as though hes vacillating between hurt and anger with frenetic vibrations. The Menil has the biggest collection of my work of any place, he says. But nobody has published anything. Look it up. I dont have any books. He lets the thought linger. Im not very paranoid, he says with a cigarette chuckle. At least not above average. The grandness of the canvases on display in Season in Hell is contrasted with a detail I missed until Arning pointed it out. Tracy cast some vases that flank one of the gallery doors. Each one is filled with dead cactus fronds, which leak onto the walls and floors, essentially becoming an organic, kinetic work. All the plant life at his home in San Ygnacio died in the February freeze. Maybe that has something to do with all of this, he says of Season in Hell. I dont know. I wanted this reminder of what climate change produces in my own backyard. A piece of bubble wrap peeks out from the acrylic on one of his Devi paintings, an effect Tracy chose for the way it resembled a honeycomb. He brings up the decline in bee populations and later the water quality of the Rio Grande. He allows himself to worry about the fragility of other things: insects, coastal areas, democracy. Over the course of a conversation, these concerns death, conflict, extinction, disaster start to explain the tough exoskeleton attributed to Tracy. They also feel connected to this work that represents the past 30 years. Its quite physical, but deep beneath the layers of paint or the bronze is this suggestion of gentleness or, if not gentleness, a disappointment in the behaviors of people. Callouses dont form without friction. And Tracy doesnt shy from confrontation. One of his sculptures, War, critiques the general misinterpretation of the strong, virile military knight. The warriors epaulets are in the shape of womens legs. Though the exhibitions title creates a distressing mood, from another perspective, a gritty hopefulness can be found buried deep in it, too. The nature of seasons implies something other than stasis. That feeling courses through his Devi works inspired by a death but awash in the colors of spring. andrew.dansby@chron.com When Rhonda McDonald was deep into researching her family history in the middle of the night, uncovering stories she had never heard before, she says she would feel a tap on her shoulder. Sometimes a light would flicker or a cool breeze would move like a whisper through the house. Once she heard a baby cry. McDonald believes her ancestors were reaching out in some way, like praying hands. McDonald is the great-granddaughter of Joseph Vance Lewis, one of the first African American lawyers in Houston and the first Black lawyer admitted to the bar of the U.S. Supreme Court. He settled in Freedmens Town, which was one of the nations most prosperous Black communities and one of the landmarks along the proposed Emancipation Trail, a 51-mile route from Galveston to Houston that marks the migration of former enslaved people to a place they could build a new life. On this Juneteenth, McDonald and other descendants of African Americans who helped establish those landmarks celebrate a strong sense of connection to their roots and to Houston. Now Playing: Video: Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle Juneteenth honors the day June 19, 1865 when Union Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived with hundreds of Black soldiers in Galveston to inform enslaved African Americans that they had been freed under the Emancipation Proclamation, which had been signed by President Abraham Lincoln more than two years earlier. But that proclamation ended slavery only in the states that had seceded; the entire country was not freed until December 1865, when the 13th Amendment was adopted. IN THE STAR SECTION Words here to promote the Juneteenth Visual Essay. SECTION D See More Collapse Still, word spread slowly through the state to let enslaved Texans know they had been freed. I started researching my family history about 10 years ago, and it captivated me, she said. I would look at Census records, historical files and old photos, and in doing that I believe I summoned their spirits. For a long time, I felt their presence in my home. I never felt scared, just proud. It felt like they were saying, Im with you. To the descendants, Juneteenth is more than a cursory celebration but a chance to reflect on a rich legacy that has helped shape history. On Tuesday, the Senate passed a bill to make it a national holiday. It passed in the House and was signed by the president on Thursday. Juneteenth becomes the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was established in 1983. As a child, Juneteenth was just an opportunity for us to be together over a great meal and have a good time and fellowship, McDonald said. But with all that transpired last year, it has a completely different meaning to me. I certainly began sharing stories with my children that Ive never shared with them before. It will be something that will be as important to us as Easter and Christmas. Lewis, who was born into slavery, built a home for himself and his wife, Pauline Gray Lewis, at 1218 Wilson in Freedmens Town, now in Fourth Ward. They married at the nearby Antioch Baptist Church. In Lewis autobiography, Out of the Ditch: A True Story of an Ex-Slave, he proudly describes the house as the modern building which the author built for his queen. The house, which has deteriorated over the years, was purchased by the Rutherford B.H. Yates Museum in 2007. The museum has waged a campaign to raise money to save historic homes such as the Lewises. But McDonald knows Houston isnt kind to historic buildings. Often times, they make way for something shiny and new. In order to go forward, you have to be able to preserve some of history and some of what has paved the way for you to go forward, she said. Juneteenth means freedom At Emancipation Park, Jacqueline Whiting Bostic believes her great-grandfather, Jack Yates, would be proud of the park today, despite the signs of gentrification, such as new townhome developments, looming nearby. Yates led freedmen to pool their money to buy the 10 acres of land as a home for Juneteenth celebrations. Founded in 1872, Emancipation Park is the oldest park in the city. Bostic serves on the board of the Emancipation Park Conservancy and has been lauded for her efforts to preserve Houstons Black history. She also is a member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, where Yates was pastor. She says she enjoys walking the halls of the church, nestled in Freedmens Town, with the neon message of Jesus Saves glowing from its steeple. Juneteenth means freedom to me, Bostic said. It means that people of my birth and my community were allowed as citizens of the United States to be free, to live, to work and to do the things that other Americans were allowed to do, that they will no longer be enslaved. I know they would be happy to know that we are still taking part in the things that they started. In Galveston, where Juneteenth began, June Collins Pulliam lives in the same house as her parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. All were members of Reedy Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, a cornerstone of the islands Juneteenth story. From her front porch is a view of the Gulf. The air feels heavy with history. Pulliam cradles a photo taken in 1885 of her family who had arrived on the island 20 years earlier. Her great-grandfather Horace Scull was just 5 years old. Her mother, Izola Collins, a musician and educator who died in 2017 at age 87, wrote Island of Color: Where Junteenth Started, based on her great-grandfathers journals. The book captures the significance and pageantry of Juneteenth in the 1800s and early 1900s. Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Because of my familys history on the island, I particularly feel that (the Juneteenth celebration) is a mixed bag, Pulliam said. There has been lots of progress that has taken place, a lot of opportunities that did not exist. I had some firsts of my own life, having been a child of the 60s when the civil rights movement was in full bloom. I integrated my own elementary school a year after Ruby Bridges. There were many firsts after that. Those opportunities are something that I know represent progress. And yet, there is a mixed emotion because of the things we are still experiencing today. A legacy carries on 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. Just north of Galveston in Texas City was a settlement of freedmen cowboys who pooled their money to purchase several hundred acres of land to house their family and raise cattle. At 95, Vera Bell Gary is one of the oldest living descendants of the 1867 Settlement; shes the granddaughter of settler Thomas Caldwell. Her father owned the settlements only grocery store. She lives in the family home where she grew up. The Black cowboys who founded the settlement were proud men who took care of their families and their neighbors, she said. This was the their community. No doubt we lived in a segregated community. It was referred to as the Black settlement. Nevertheless, we all knew this was our place, she said. Today, many of the youth in the area carry on their legacy riding horses in trail rides, rodeos and Juneteenth parades. Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Legacy, leaving a mark, is what Juneteenth is about, McDonald said. And what her great-grandfather Lewis would expect. He would want me to use my voice as he did, she said. I think hed be proud of us, for sure, but he would want more and expect more. Thats just the truth. Their history and accomplishments are all embodied right in here in me. Im a custodian of their legacy and Im passing it on to my kids so they understand that we were not just slaves. We have always been so much more, and we always will be. joy.sewing@chron.com The whole soul of man is a sort of picture gallery, a grand panorama, in which all the great facts of the universe, in tracing things of time and things of eternity, are painted. Frederick Douglass With more than 160 known photographs taken of him, Frederick Douglass may have been the most photographed person in the 19th century. Douglass even gave a few lectures on photography and the importance of having an image convey the reality of a situation or a person, rather than leaving it to the often-unflattering caricatures of illustrators. Would he have predicted how that would have changed in over a century, as most all of us carry a camera in our pockets, capturing even lifes most mundane moments? Or perhaps he was aware, that with the camera, there is power in images that can bolster a movement. So many stories have been lost or buried, by neglect or by design, along the proposed Emancipation Heritage Trail tracing the journey of Texas freedmen from Galveston to Houston. But many are still there, waiting to be explored. For this Juneteenth photo series, I used an 8x10 large format camera, without sensor or filters just wood, cloth bellows and glass. Its similar to the cameras that were in use in the 1800s, those that Douglass would have sat in front of time and again. By slowing down the process to make these images, I attempted to create a series of photos, a grand panorama, of a route that became the first step to freedom for many Americans, a freedom that had been denied, fought against and delayed, but won. Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer The Houston Symphony announced earlier this year details about its 2021-22 season, which will be the last under music director Andres Orozco-Estrada. But the announcement came around the time Orozco-Estrada was denied entry to the United States from his home in Austria because of coronavirus-related diplomatic protocols. Details were confirmed, dates were not. But this week the Houston Symphony announced specifics about Orozco-Estradas return. My final season as musical director is going to be, I dont mean to say the strongest, Orozco-Estrada told the Chronicle last month. But the motivation is like the strongest energy drink, if you will. The Houston Symphonys season begins Sept. 11 with international superstar Renee Fleming. Then a week later, Orozco-Estrada will return for three days of shows arranged around Ludwig van Beethoven, whose 250th birthday last year, was largely quiet because of COVID-related cancellations. Among the programming that week will be George Bridgetowers Henry for fortepiano and voice, along with Beethovens Triple Concerto, which will feature a pair of Houston Symphony stars: concertmaster Yoonshin Song and principal cellist Brinton Averil Smith. Theyre joined by guest pianist Yefim Bronfman. The symphony will also perform Beethovens Symphony No. 5. Orozco-Estrada returns to lead the symphony through Tchaikovskys The Nutcracker in time for a Christmas program that includes Samuel Barbers Violin Concerto. More Information Houston Symphony 2021-2022 season When: Opens Sept. 11 Details: Full schedule, more information and tickets available at houstonsymphony.org See More Collapse He returns in March for two consecutive weekends of shows. Emanuel Ax visits for the first, March 18-20, which finds the symphony covering Saint-Saens Le carnaval des animaux, which will also feature principal keyboard Scott Holshouser. Orozco-Estradas farewell concerts will take place April 29-May 1. He gave some indication of their direction when he spoke to the Chronicle last month. I want to do a big symphony by Mahler because I love him so much, he said. I didnt want to be selfish. I wanted to think about the right program for this crucial moment in time. What are the right pieces to program? What is the perfect match to get in all that we need to get in to connect. I thought Mahler would be important as the pandemic hopefully reaches its end. A wonderful way to reconnect with people. To bring people in safely and let them see what we can do on stage. It seemed like a simple thing, but its complex. Complexity aside, and true to his word, Orozco-Estrada will lead the Houston Symphony and guests through Gustav Mahlers Resurrection Symphony, with mezzo-soprano Kelley OConnor and the Houston Symphony Chorus. Mahlers piece written between 1888 and 1894 was, true to its title, informed by the composers contemplation on life and death, redemption and resurrection. Orozco-Estrada promised something big. Like the Super Bowl. Since his arrival in 2014, Orozco-Estrada has left a formidable imprint on the symphony simply through the hiring process: 25 musician appointments were made during Orozco-Estradas tenure, including concertmaster Yoonshin Song who arrived two years ago. To hear Orozco-Estrada describe the process, his sculpting of the Houston Symphony was a means to an end, the end being connection. He took the symphony around the world, with tours in Europe and South America. He increased its presence online. He oversaw the launch of the community-embedded musician program, which took Houston Symphony performers outside of Jones Hall to play schools, medical facilities and other spaces with less forgiving acoustics but engaged audiences. Upon his arrival, Orozco-Estrada built seasons around canonized pieces and composers. He led the Houston Symphony through a series of recordings of Antonin Dvorak. But he also worked to expand representation in Jones Hall, a trend hell continue through his last season. Every concert I want to do something new, he said. New pieces, first performances. Something by a Latino composer, an African-American composer, more women composers. If you do these works with the energy and the spirit you bring to Beethoven, Brahms, Dvorak, you can feel the response from the audience. And the recognition is wonderful but more importantly it gives me inspiration, pushing me for the next one. We tried this, it seemed crazy, great. Lets go again for the next one. The Houston Symphony team has been so supportive because I have some crazy ideas. And of course, they support it. See what happens He recalled a show in which a DJ took the stage at shows end and mixed what was played, some Brahms into some Haydn. It was unusual, Orozco-Estrada said. But you could see young people there making pictures and their eyes were wide open. There are other opportunities to try things in different ways. Orozco-Estradas penultimate year with the Houston Symphony was hardly a wash, despite his absence. The symphony had to shuffle programming repeatedly, sometimes at the last minute. It had to bring in guest conductors when Orozco-Estradas travel plans were scuttled because of constantly shifting COVID-related policies. But the Houston Symphony endured the past year and a half without shutting down, remarkable and possibly unique compared to other major symphony orchestras. Early shows were livestreamed from an empty hall. Soon after, a small, socially distant audience found its way into Jones Hall. And attendance has gradually inched upward with hopes for capacity shows later this year. Whether the crowd is virtual, 24 percent capacity or full capacity, Orozco-Estrada says the approach is the same. People sometimes see this crazy person singing and jumping like a crazy actor, he said. They think, Whats wrong with him? But I feel like everything depends on the situation. In the end, you need to not just be yourself but to serve some purpose. And the purpose is to communicate. To create connection. You dont know who is listening to you. So you need to be creative and sensitive and find a way to touch the people in front of you. andrew.dansby@chron.com Sugar Land resident Vijay Pallod firmly believes in the far-reaching power of yoga. Its a gift from India that can make a difference in everyones life, he said. Hes been practicing the discipline that unites body and mind for more than 30 years, and theres even a room at his workplace dedicated to yoga and meditation. The whole company realizes the benefits, Pallod said. For my age group, this is one thing that really helps us a lot, especially during COVID when we needed mental health. Pallod serves on the board of Hindus of Greater Houston, which has partnered in hosting International Day of Yoga since 2015 with the Consulate General of India Houston and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. This year the event is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. June 20 at Buffalo Bayou Park, 105 Sabine, and 6 to 8 p.m. June 21 at India House, 8888 W. Bellfort. MORE FROM LINDSAY PEYTON: Houston imams and rabbis unite for a common goal - peace In honor of the event, Pallod felt called to do something new. Being from India, he says he does not fully understand racism in the U.S. When George Floyd was murdered last summer, Pallod felt horrified. It was a catalyst to deepen his grasp on current events and find a way to get involved to make a positive impact. He started by examining his own bias and determining ways to improve. I have three children, born and raised here, and they understood exactly what happened, Pallod said. Their call to action sank in. He called his friend Benny Tillman, the first African American president of the Vedic Friends Association, an international organization dedicated to Vedic culture based in Atlanta. Benny, he said, can you please guide me? What can we do? Dont do something just one year to show youve done something, Tillman replied. Make it sustainable. Pallods first thought was promoting yoga since he was such a fan. He proposed developing a grant for Black students who wanted to train as yoga teachers. I thought that was fantastic, Tillman recalled. You want to lift people up and encourage them. Thats how the Hindus of Greater Houston grant was born. This year, the organization donated $8,000 to fund yoga-teacher training for four Black students. Two students, Alex Kaufmann and Adryn Mari, completed their training at the Melanin Yoga Project, a nonprofit that has been dismantling racism in Houstons yoga community since its founding in 2017. Mari, who l ives in north Houston, had already enrolled in her second training at Melanin Yoga Project when her payment was refunded. She learned that the grant from Hindus of Greater Houston would cover the session instead. I had no idea, Mari said. It was just this beautiful, unexpected gift. I have so much gratitude for this. Receiving the funding further encouraged her to be an instructor. I wanted to teach, but I thought, Now I have to teach because people see something in me, Mari said. On HoustonChronicle.com: 'God puts us together': Houston-area adoption program helps build families Scholarship recipient Jordan Dunn-Ridgill, who completed his training at Pralaya Yoga, also has worked with Melanin Yoga Project in the past. Dunn-Ridgill has taught for four years at different studios and also hosts yoga events, such as Yoga, Artz and Brunch. For him, the training scholarship is paying off. Its definitely helped my teaching already, he said. Sharonda Hines also received a scholarship to complete her yoga-teacher training with SVYASA Houston in the West Oaks Mall. This training was exactly what I needed to grow as a teacher, to look at the deeper aspects of yoga, she said. It inspired me to get in touch with more spiritual aspects of yoga. Hines explained that cost is often a deterrent for studying the mind-body practice. Unfortunately, it can be quite expensive, she said. Things can cost hundreds and thousands of dollars. Cost is an issue. Accessibility is an issue. And a lot of classes are not with people of color. Hines hopes that more organizations will address this issue and help spread yoga in a more inclusive manner. Being a person of color, I had never heard of yoga, she explained. Yoga in my perspective was for rich people, not your ethnicity. Hines is originally from Lubbock and served in the military for 10 years. She discovered yoga after receiving a coupon for a 30-day program. Now she is an instructor. My ultimate goal is to do some work in my community of veterans, she said. For Hines, yoga was a vehicle to reclaim life after the military. Thats a space where yoga can help, she said. Its helped me be a better friend, a better mother, a better worker and overall better human being. Hines believes that practicing yoga can help ease suffering in a number of ways for all communities. Yoga is inclusive, not exclusive, she said. Yoga is life, and no one owns life. On HoustonChronicle.com: How an urban ranch combines yoga and plant cultivation to heal Houstonians Like Hines, students were selected for the Hindus of Greater Houston scholarship based on their passion for spreading yoga to marginalized communities. Mari, for instance, wants to make yoga more accessible and affordable. Her current class in Spring, which builds a foundation for yoga and focuses on breath, is donation based. Pallod said that plans call for continuing the scholarship long after these first four recipients complete their studies. The response has been so good, he said. We will continue this each year. We need to do something. Mari said that the scholarship is an example of what can be done to address inequity and bias in the yoga community. Theres a lot more to do to bring Black yoga teachers to the forefront, she said. I really appreciate the groups who are coming together to bring awareness to diversity in yoga. Still, Mari added that more strides should be made across the city. That needs to be something were doing more of in Houston, she said. Davina Davidson, founder of the Melanin Yoga Project, has worked for the past four years with studio owners, increasing dialogue and developing strategies to create a safer space and more diversity in Houstons yoga community. The problem can often be traced to the fact that yoga teachers in Houston are primarily white. The missing link is education, Davidson said. Thats why I created Melanin Yoga Project. Its an educational platform. Thats really what was missing in the community. She said more yoga studios could offer scholarships to students of color, taking a cue from what Hindus of Greater Houston is doing. This sheds light; its a need, she said. Lindsay Peyton is a Houston-based freelance writer. Shocked by an Associated Press investigation into the loss and theft of military guns, the Pentagon's top general signaled Thursday that he will consider a systematic fix to how the armed services keep account of their firearms. The APs investigation reported how some of the missing guns have been stolen and later used in violent street crimes, while many others have vanished without a clue from the militarys enormous supply chains. In all, AP identified at least 1,900 guns that the four armed services recorded as lost or stolen during the 2010s. Most came from the Army. Because some of the service branches provided incomplete data -- or none at all -- that total is a certain undercount. I was frankly shocked by the numbers that were in there, Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Appropriations Committee at a hearing Thursday. In a statement, Milleys spokesman said the chairman would explore overhauling how the services track and secure weapons. Milley would like to consider a systematic fix in the future where the accountability of weapons and the ability to track and query these numbers is simplified and accurate, said Col. Dave Butler. Later Thursday, an Army spokesman said the military branch with the most guns would also fill gaps in how it accounts for lost and stolen weapons. "The Army staff met today to develop a way forward to fix this problem and we will provide more information as this effort evolves, said Col. Cathy Wilkinson. Four senators have publicly expressed concerns since AP published Tuesday. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., was the latest to question military officials during a Capitol Hill appearance. Citing a case in which automatic assault rifles were stolen from an Army base and sold to a California street gang, Feinstein asked Milley at Thursday's hearing what the military is doing to ensure there are no problems like this and that weapons are well secured. Milley responded that he had asked the leaders of each armed service to do a deep dive on their numbers. He said the initial information they have given him suggests the number of missing weapons is significantly less than what AP reported. The AP derived its figures from records provided by the service branches, including criminal investigations, lost property forms and data from small arms registries, as well as internal memos AP obtained. I need to square the balance here. I owe you a firm answer, Milley told Feinstein. His spokesman, Butler, elaborated: Although we cant yet verify the numbers reported by AP, the chairman believes this is another example of the free press shining a light on the important subjects we need to get right. Top officials with the Army, Marines and Secretary of Defenses office have said missing weapons are not a widespread problem and noted that the number is a tiny fraction of the militarys stockpile. Before publication of the APs investigation, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in an interview that the armed services can account for 99.999% of their several million firearms. Though the numbers are small, one is too many, Kirby said. Lawmakers focus so far had been a new reporting requirement, not systematic reform. The Pentagon used to share annual updates about stolen weapons with Congress, but the requirement to do so ended years ago, apparently in fiscal year 1994. In more recent years, the Office of the Secretary of Defense has decided when to advise lawmakers of significant losses or thefts. No such notifications have been made since at least 2017, the Pentagon said. Among the several hundred missing firearms that AP identified during subsequent years was a stolen Army pistol that authorities linked to shootings in New York. Other cases included weapons parts that an Army insider brought to the Texas-Mexico border to sell. On Thursday, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said he planned to write a mandatory reporting requirement into the National Defense Authorization Act that Congress is drawing up this summer. In a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Blumenthal also asked that the Department of Defense's Office of the Inspector General conduct a thorough review of policies and security procedures. Describing themselves as very concerned by APs findings, Sens. Tim Kaine, D-Va., and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., have said they would be looking into questions raised by the reporting. The APs investigation, which began in 2011, is the first public accounting of its kind in decades, in part because neither the Department of Defense nor the armed services are required to tell the public about AWOL weapons. The Army, the largest of the military services and one with more than 3 million firearms, and Air Force could not readily provide data to the AP on how many weapons were lost or stolen from 2010 through 2019. ___ This story has been corrected to attribute a quote to Col. Cathy Wilkinson. ___ Hall reported from Nashville, Tennessee; LaPorta reported from Boca Raton, Florida; Pritchard reported from Los Angeles. Also contributing was Robert Burns in Washington. ___ Contact Hall at https://twitter.com/kmhall; contact LaPorta at https://twitter.com/jimlaporta; contact Pritchard at https://twitter.com/JPritchardAP. ___ Email APs Global Investigations Team at investigative@ap.org or https://www.ap.org/tips/. See other work at https://www.apnews.com/hub/ap-investigations. Police on Wednesday arrested a man accused of beating an 85-year-old Houston socialite to death in 2011 following a violent robbery at his Montrose home, court records show. The suspect, Michael Cuellar, now 52, was charged with murder in the death of Roland Darby Suiter, who died in 2012 months after the attack. Police believe anywhere from $100,000 to $200,000 in cash was stolen from the home in the 3400 block of Roseland. The robbery happened about a half hour before Suiters cousin was slated to pick him up for dinner, court records show. He found Suiter at his desk. His face was swollen, bloodied and his speech slurred. Police at the time believed several suspects entered Suiters home and that he knew his attackers. There was no sign of forced entry into the home. The suspects likely knew where Suiter stashed his cash, police said. crime stoppers / crime stoppers Investigators indicated Thursday that only one suspect may have been involved. An officer managed to talk to Suiter soon after his hospitalization in November 2011 and learned that he was sitting at his desk when someone attacked him. He remembered nothing else. The officer asked Suiter if he had anything of value in his home and he revealed that he kept up to $200,000 in a blue box in his bedroom. The officer returned to the home and found no sign of the box, according to court records. Six months later, Suiter died from complications from blunt force head injuries. Louis Molnar, Suiters partner at the time and a former city council candidate, said he called Suiter minutes after the attack. I was in Baytown. I dont know how else to explain it. A cold snap ran through my body and Darby came to mind, Molnar, who now lives in Canada, said Thursday. When I talked to him he seemed confused. By the time Molnar reached Montrose, police had cordoned off the home and Suiter was leaving in an ambulance. I felt so nauseated by the situation. I almost fainted and started praying, Molnar said. Suiter characterized in the 1980s as a millionaire real estate tycoon founded the Suiter Construction Co., which erected several apartment complexes and homes in Houston during the 1960s and thereafter. He also played the saxophone for the Henry King Orchestra and the Billy Ledbetter Orchestra, according to an obituary. Suiter Way in Pasadena was named for him. Suiters relatives could not be reached Thursday. Houston Police Department Molnar said investigators reached out to him around 2016 while taking another crack at the cold case. The investigation, he said, caused several of Suiters friends to cast suspicion on each other. He had so many close people but he was a man of tremendous wealth. Fingers were pointed, Molnar said. Police at some point identified Cuellar as a person of interest in an unrelated cold case murder investigation from 1998. A buccal swab from him matched DNA evidence gleaned from Suiters home following the robbery. How Suiter knew Cuellar was not immediately known. Police returned to interview Cuellar in February 2020 and he denied ever having known Suiter or being at his home. Court records show Cuellar was out on deferred adjudication for a theft charge in which he stole more than $1,500 in food stamps at the time of the fatal robbery. His criminal history in Harris County primarily includes felony convictions for theft and aggravated assault-related charges that happened in the 1980s. Prosecutors on Thursday requested that Cuellar be held without bond. Harris County magistrate Lionel Castro sided with a public defender on the request that he be held on a $100,000 bond. Cuellar works as a construction contractor and has lived at a home with his girlfriend and two children for several years, the public defender said. He is slated to return to court Friday. He plans to hire an attorney. nicole.hensley@chron.com Jay R. Jordan / Jay Jordan, Staff A woman was shot and killed early Thursday in the parking lot of a gym in southeast Houston, police said. The woman was walking around 5:20 a.m. across the parking lot of a fitness center on the 10500 block of Fuqua Street when three people approached her in an SUV, according to the Houston Police Department. Mark Winema / Getty Images/Mark Wineman / Getty Images A man was shot dead early Thursday in southwest Houston, police said. Homicide detectives responded shortly after 8 a.m. to a shooting on the 9500 block of South Gessner Road where one man was found dead, according to the Houston Police Department. OnSceneTV A man was shot and killed Wednesday night outside of a bar in southeast Houston, police said. Officers responded shortly after 9 p.m. to a notification that nine rounds were fired on the 6400 block of Dumble Street, said Lt. R. Willkens. There they located an unidentified man with a gunshot wound to the chest who died at the scene. Thirty school districts, including Houston ISD, and two associations signed a letter to urge Gov. Greg Abbott to add legislation funding virtual learning to any special session for other proposed laws. A bill that would have ensured districts receive funding for each student enrolled in online-only classes died after Democrats broke quorum to kill a controversial voting bill. The bill was expected to be called at 11:40 p.m. on May 30. The signatories of the letter sent Wednesday which also include Aldine, Conroe, Goose Creek Consolidated, Klein and Spring ISDs noted that many districts scrapped plans to offer virtual learning this upcoming school year after the bill did not get a vote. A spokesperson for Abbott did not immediately respond to a request for comment. We respectfully request that you add virtual learning to the list of items for the legislature to act on during any special session you call prior to the 88th Legislative Session, the letter reads. Over the past year, many students have discovered that virtual learning provides them with an opportunity to learn and grow in their own unique way. There is no new statutory framework authorizing remote instruction without the legislation, according to Texas Education Agency. The agency used disaster authority for the 2020-21 school year to OK funding for remote instruction, but that authority cannot be used for the new school year. Under the proposal, districts and charters with a state-issued academic accountability rating of C or higher for the previous year would have been allowed to operate a local remote learning program. Districts that decided to offer such programs would have had wide discretion over which students could enroll. The four largest school employees unions had opposed the original bill. Most students are better suited in an in-person environment, according to the letter. But a number of students have benefited from virtual learning, such as those whove pursued outside interests, worked to support their family while still learning and others whove received treatment for different illnesses and health challenges. There are thousands of students across the state of Texas who thrive in a virtual environment and we have an obligation to ensure that they receive the best education possible by providing them with the choice to receive their learning virtually, the letter reads. We have an opportunity to expand public school choice for families and meet our students where they are instead of letting them fall through the cracks of a system that was not built for them. alejandro.serrano@chron.com Tenants in Kansas City expressed frustration with the Department of Housing and Urban Development after meeting this week with officials to discuss the department's investigation into a federally-subsidized company with housing properties across the country, including in the Houston area. Members of KC Tenants and the Gabriel Towers Tenant Union met on Tuesday with Bruce Ladd, a HUD regional administrator, according to the tenant organizations. Gabriel Towers is owned by The Millenia Companies, an Ohio-based company with more than 250 properties that was the subject of a Houston Chronicle investigation. During the meeting, HUD officials interrupted and disrespected the tenants, refused to answer simple questions and deflected responsibility, referring residents to a number of other government agencies for many of their questions, according to KC Tenants. A HUD spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. James "Pappy" Stone, president of the Gabriel Towers union, said in a video posted to social media that he left the meeting thinking that HUD officials and Millenia executives were "in bed together" and "working as a team." The group was concerned, too, that HUD had narrowed the scope of its investigation. Organizers want federal officials to investigate the company's nationwide practices, not just address the problems at the Kansas City residence. "They want to talk about only what's going on here at Gabriel Towers when Millenia has a bigger problem," Stone said. "They have these issues all over." The tenant groups are also demanding that HUD terminate its business relationship with the company within the next year and develop an accountability process to hold other landlords accountable for similar issues. The meeting came after Kansas City organizers staged a protest late last month and secured an agreement from HUD Secretary Marica Fudge that she would look into Millenia. A Houston Chronicle investigative report uncovered habitability complaints at the company's properties nationwide and found that the problems are enabled by breakdowns at the local, state and federal levels of government. While advocates have proposed solutions, none have succeeded. The Gabriel Towers tenants began organizing a year ago, according to KC Tenants, but residents "are still living in squalor, with mold, bed bugs, broken doors, and retaliatory management." anna.bauman@chron.com The Harris County Pets Animal Shelter is currently experiencing record-high intakes and is in need of adopters and fosters to help get animals out of the inundated shelter and into loving homes. On HoustonChronicle.com: BARC animal shelter closing this weekend due to upper respiratory illness outbreak As of June 15, the shelter has over 500 animals in its care, according to representatives. The shelter is waiving adoption fees for all available cats and dogs through Sunday, June 20. All pets are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and come with a Harris County pet license that lasts one year. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Among those looking for a home are kittens Teacup (A574261) and Spork (A574262). These 7-week-old black domestic shorthair cats were found on the side of a busy Houston road by an animal control officer. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Also waiting at the shelter is Sachary, a 6-month-old, male, German Shepherd mix who was surrendered by his owner after they decided they did not have time for a dog. Shelter staff said Sachary is a sweet guy who could use some attention. He loves men and women but doesn't get along so well with other dogs. His animal ID is A573387. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Alaska is a beautiful 1-year-old, female, Alaskan Husky mix who was found running loose with another dog. She is one of many strays hoping a new owner will come and find them. Her animal ID is A575227. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Samson is a 2-year-old, male, black/white Labrador mix who came into the shelter as an owner surrender. Samson is great with women, small dogs and children but is not a huge fan of large dogs and some men. He is house trained and his animal ID is A575066. Adoption appointments must be made online or by calling 281-999-3191. The shelter is located at 612 Canino Road. Adoption hours are 12-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. The shelter is also looking for fosters, volunteers, and donations of pet food or newspapers. See below for more available animals at Harris County Pets... rebecca.hennes@chron.com A civil trials jury selection spiraled last week as prospective Harris County jurors on Zoom did just about everything but pay attention - including playing video games, applying makeup, driving, sleeping and vaping on camera. An account of the mayhem in state District Judge Dedra Davis virtual court was included in a motion last week to the Texas Supreme Court, where a defendant in another of the jurists cases is fighting her attempts to force a virtual jury trial over their objections. As more and more judges physically return to their courtrooms and hold jury trials in person, virtual trials are still allowed under pandemic-era emergency orders from the states high court. The state Supreme Court case involving a multi-million dollar personal injury lawsuit against Allied Aviation Fueling Company of Houston, Inc. could address a judges ability to demand a virtual trial, which many civil and criminal attorneys have outright opposed since the outbreak of COVID-19. I think most trial lawyers in the state, not all, believe very strongly that a virtual trial is not only unauthorized, but is not the way to run a railroad, said Rusty Hardin, a civil attorney for Allied Aviation. Davis set the Allied case for a virtual trial despite the companys objections, and attorneys appealed the case up to the Texas Supreme Court before jury selection could begin. The supreme court has since prohibited the virtual trial from taking place unless all parties consent. When the Allied case was halted, Davis shifted to an asbestos case. Two summer interns for Rusty Hardin & Associates, representing Allied Aviation, watched the jury selection in the asbestos case last Wednesday and wrote down what they saw for a court filing to the supreme court. Attorneys for the company on Thursday submitted the brief as part of their efforts to oppose their previously ordered virtual trial, instead of their preferred in-person setting. Among the potential jurors in the asbestos case was one woman who put on makeup and applied fake eyelashes during the Zoom call. Davis saw her and responded, A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do, the interns reported. Other people drove cars, disappeared off camera, or positioned themselves so their faces couldnt be seen, according to the court filing. One prospective juror played video games while wearing a headset, and others prepared meals, ate food, used cell phones, read books and did office-type work. A juror who apparently drank alcohol also danced and blasted the TV in the background, one intern reported . Another lay in bed with a blanket and food, watching TV. And yet another did yoga stretches on camera, according to the filing. That remote proceeding has thus far looked nothing like the serious, substantive endeavor expected of jury trials in which significant property interests are at stake, Allieds lawyers wrote. In jury selection, potential jurors are at least instructed to turn off their cell phones and not communicate with anyone electronically, according to the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. Theyre also told not to discuss the case with anyone. Davis and her court coordinator did not respond to requests for comment. Its unknown whether any of those potential jurors were seated for a panel on the asbestos case. Davis seated a jury and held multiple days of trial before a circuit appeals court delayed the proceedings over objections to no court reporter being in the courtroom. Attorneys on both sides of the asbestos case declined to comment. They filed multiple appeals over the jury selection process and the court reporter, the latter of which was picked up on appeal. Davis did not have a court reporter available, and both parties jointly hired someone, according to court filings. Both of the interns for Hardins firm said in their filing that Davis denied a request to allow the use of the court reporter. Only two virtual jury selections have occurred in Harris County, a court administrator said. The most recent supreme court order for pandemic-era proceedings allows for virtual jury selection, although most have occurred in person in the county. All in-person jury selections occur at NRG Arena. Barbara Barron, liaison defense attorney for the asbestos multi-district litigation docket, said she has not been aware of a local Zoom trial of this magnitude. Like many of the colleagues she knows, she said Zoom trials seem premature without having ironed out the possible constitutional violations they could pose. If were going to continue to give parties due process and fair trials, then were going to have to make sure that potential jurors are paying attention and not distracted, Barron said. From what Ive read and heard with regard to the recent jury selection, it gives me pause to wonder how fair a trial those parties are receiving if the jurors are only paying attention partly. Certain criteria would need to be met for online jury trials to be deemed effective, said Judge Mark Davidson, over the multi-district asbestos docket. Its up to each judge to decide whether the dynamic of jurors seeing witnesses and being seen (on Zoom) is in fact a jury trial, Davidson said. However, it is not a true jury trial without jurors seeing body language of witnesses and not being able to interact with each other during jury deliberations If that cant happen online, I dont know. Attorneys in Alameda County, Calif. last year encountered a similar situation to what occurred in Davis court. Potential jurors were distracted during virtual jury selection, some possibly asleep, one person on an elliptical machine and others on electronic devices, according to ABA Journal. Criminal defense attorneys in Harris County largely opposed virtual jury trials throughout the pandemic, citing concerns that they would have difficulty reading jurors and witnesses body language, among other concerns. And virtual jury selection and trials opens up the possibility of external influences from spouses or other household members who can hear the proceedings, some attorneys say. The opinion Ive heard through the listserve, all of our emails: Virtual jurors and virtual witnesses are just a disaster, said Joe Vinas, president of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association. This is kind of case in point. Youve got everybody doing what we all fear. NASHVILLE, Tenn. For three years, the Southern Baptist Convention has been at a crossroads, its leaders warning that the world was watching as the faith group dealt with scandals over sexual abuse, racism and misogyny. And for three years, victims of each have waited with bated breath, have anxiously pleaded and prayed that the nations second-largest faith group would change course. Many of their prayers were answered this week in Nashville. That much was clear by the sobs of three abuse survivors that echoed across a packed convention center on Wednesday, after the faith group overwhelmingly approved a historic investigation into alleged misconduct by top leaders. On HoustonChronicle.com: Abuse of Faith: A Houston Chronicle investigation That much was clear a day prior, as a Black Texas pastor rejoiced that he would not have to leave his beloved denomination over racism and white supremacy. That much was clear as the SBCs annual meeting adjourned Wednesday evening, and as thousands of shocked-but-relieved believers departed for home, ready to return to the local church work that is sacrosanct to their faith. Over two days, some-17,000 SBC church delegates many of them young offered one rebuke after the next of the faiths hard-line leaders whove been at the center of myriad scandals that had already pushed out well-known officials and numerous Black churches, including one of Houstons largest congregations. Hannah Kate-Williams on Wednesday night was still in shock. Today, I saw the power and ripple effect of a few men willing to come alongside us, Williams said. Because a people few stood first and said we were worthy, many followed and acted on our worth. This is the heart of Jesus, she continued. Williams is among hundreds of abuse survivors who have called for the SBC to do more in the wake of a 2019 Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News investigation, Abuse of Faith, that found hundreds of SBC church leaders and volunteers had been convicted of sex crimes. Those findings dominated the SBCs last meeting, in 2019, and prompted a handful of reforms that leaders and survivors agreed were merely first steps. Since then, infighting among leaders, COVID-19 and debates over critical race theory - a scholarly field that examines racism in legal structures - had largely crowded out conversations on abuse. A handful of leaked letters and audio recordings earlier this month refocused the SBCs attention. In one 2020 letter that was leaked to media, outgoing SBC leader Russell Moore wrote that members of the faith groups executive committee had attempted to stifle abuse reforms, and had retaliated against him for working with survivors. Among the leaders Moore accused was Mike Stone, the former executive committee chairman who placed second in the SBC presidential race on Tuesday. Stone narrowly lost in a run-off with Ed Litton, an Alabama pastor who has been outspoken on racism and the need for more sex abuse reforms. On HoustonChronicle.com: Southern Baptists elect as president pastor who has been outspoken on abuse, race issues A day later, on Wednesday, a major abuse proposal was given the greenlight by officials. It called for a three-year, third-party audit of sex abuse across the denomination that will be under the purview of an SBC entity that has been outspoken on abuse issues. This is a monumental step forward for the SBC, said Rachael Denhollander, a prominent lawyer and abuse survivor. After years of urging for this move, I'm deeply encouraged to see such overwhelming support. A denominational audit can yield vital information necessary to make meaningful reform. A few hours later, the SBC approved a separate, third-party inquiry into its executive committees handling of abuse. Williams and two other survivors wept in each others arms after it passed. It wasnt perfect Each proposal had profound consequences for David Baumgartner, a 22-year-old minister in Arlington, Texas. Earlier this year, the leader of Baumgartners church, prominent Black pastor Dwight McKissic, announced his congregation might leave the SBC depending on the outcome of a series of votes in Nashville, including the presidential election. Baumgartner knows well the consequences of worldly strife: In 2019, his then-pastor refused to certify his ordination after Baumgartner posted on Facebook that hed support Joe Biden in the 2020 election. He soon found a home at the church of McKissic, who for decades has called on the SBC to confront sexual abuse, racism and its roots in support of slavery. Baumgartner said this week that there is a clear generational divide in the SBC, which decades ago went to war with itself over literal interpretations of the Bible, the role of women in churches and, to a lesser degree, its stance on homosexuality. He agrees with all of the SBCs stances on those issues, but says theres a schism in the rhetoric around them. My generation will not stand for racism, he said. We will not stand for misogyny or homophobia. Matt Carter, pastor of Houstons Sagemont Church, said hes noticed similar differences in the attitudes of young and old Southern Baptists. Before taking the helm of Sagemont, he established another SBC church in Austin where the average congregant was 28. Carter said some in the pews of his old church had concerns about its affiliation with the SBC because of news stories and controversies over its stances on social issues. Younger Southern Baptists, Carter said, see the good, but then they also see the negative, and theyre weighing those two. The younger generation would always ask questions about why we are affiliated with the SBC, he said. There is definitely less skepticism in my new congregation. Jon Kelly knows those conversations well. Over the last few years, he said hes had at least a dozen people question why his small, multi-ethnic Chicago church remains affiliated with the SBC. He understands the question, which he said is usually rooted in concerns about SBC leaders and misses what he says are the best parts of the faith group: Its focus on evangelism and humanitarian relief. Kelly, 38, grew up in a particularly rough part of Philadelphia, and was a Sunni Muslim for most of his teenage years. Then, at 19, he and his friends decided to rob a local drug dealer. One of Kellys friends shot and killed the man, and Kelly at one point faced a life sentence for his involvement in the murder. Kelly spent the next few years in prison, and said he discovered Christianity while in solitary confinement with only a Bible to read. After his release, an SBC relief organization helped him secure a large building in a particularly violent neighborhood on Chicagos west side. Because of the SBC, he said, hes able to provide much-needed services to a desperate community that cares little about denominational affiliations or squabbles between the SBCs mostly-white power structure. Kelley, who is Black, said he disagrees with many SBC members views on issues such as critical race theory. But those problems are tertiary to his daily, local work, he said. Leaving the SBC would be among the most selfish things I could do to Austin, the Chicago neighborhood in which hes pastored for a haf-decade. The neighborhood of Austin doesnt care about any of that, he continued. But they care about resources and having people who are willing to help. Why would I let things like this discussion about CRT take resources away from the neighborhood of Austin? He said Wednesday that he was encouraged by the stances taken throughout the week by SBC church delegates in Nashville. Still, he thinks the SBC can always be better, and repeated a refrain that was commonplace among many of his Southern Baptist brethren as the meeting closed. It wasnt perfect, but it was a step in the right direction, he said. robert.downen@chron.com Regarding Abbott said lawmakers fixed power grid. So why is Texas sweating out another blackout? (June 16): Is the governor going to ask for another study when all the experts not in his pocket have stated that his proclaimed solutions are inadequate? What we really need is another governor. Gerry Aitken, Stafford So ERCOT is calling on Texans to conserve electricity during a period of hot weather and, apparently, an unexpected reduction in generation capacity. I wonder, has anyone told ERCOT that within a few years, there will be a significant number of electric powered vehicles filling Texas roadways. Where will power for those vehicles come from? When will ERCOT begin to take care of its business? Louis DuPree, Magnolia Sometimes, I do not envy your editorial responsibilities. I can imagine the proof-readers meeting concerning this articles lead. So, in colder weather, when warming our homes with heaters, we should turn our thermostats down to conserve energy. However, in warmer weather, when cooling our homes with air-conditioners, rather, we should turn our thermostats up to conserve energy. Your traditionalists would be recommending that to turn the thermostat down is a well-worn convention, whereas your engineers and scientists would be recommending the more scientifically precise wording to be turn the thermostat up. Oh well, at least ERCOT in their pointed-head wisdom has us thinking about it. Robert F. Forker, Houston Gov. Greg Abbot claimed that everything that needed to be done was done to fix the power grid in Texas in the recent legislative session. Wrong. Fundamentally wrong! Back in the days of monopoly electric utilities like HL&P, you could collect damages if the food in your freezer spoiled during a power outage. That was because the utility was effectively required to supply reliable power. If they failed to do so, the Public Utility Commission could refuse their next request for a rate hike or even lower their rate. The utility was held responsible for planning, so they kept five-, 10- and 20-year growth plans to meet future generation and transmission needs. Electric utilities were allowed approximately a 15 percent return on their investment, i.e., the regulated utility model. Yes, the utility would typically apply belt and suspenders to solve some problems and they were bureaucratically staffed compared with current standards, which tended to increase their costs as well as their returns. But they were reliable! This is the missing component in todays system and it is absolutely critical. Todays Texas grid is supposed to provide low cost electricity but my Texas electric rate is pretty close to my cost from Florida Power & Light, still a regulated utility. I remember when HL&P was castigated for advertising their services. Their customers were a captive audience and the ads were essentially being paid with customer money. What a waste! Dont even think about making political contributions with customer money. Now there are a host of private corporations making up our electric system and they advertise as well as make political contributions yes, with our money. So, Texas electricity costs are not lower than the old regulated monopoly utilities and no one is ultimately responsible to deliver reliable power to your meter. This is untenable. Edward Quillen, Houston Baptist debate Regarding Southern Baptists elect as president pastor who has been outspoken on abuse, race issues, (June 15): Better for these pastors to stay and debate and correct the wrongs they find than to slink off like cowards and leave the Southern Baptist Convention in the same dismal condition it was before they left. Critical Race Theory is either racist or those teaching it are teaching things it doesnt, such as sending kids home to tell their parents they are racists or that whites engage in white privilege, or that all whites are inherently racists. A proper discussion of Americas racial history is good. Racists teaching racist views is not good. As for women in the church, go ask Paul what he thought about women in authority over men in the church then come talk to me. The SBC honors women in womens roles in the church. There is no mention of women pastors in the New Testament or have these pastors found a new version? In any event, Im not surprised liberalism has found its target, conservative Christians. J. Jones, La Porte More than personality Regarding In pursuit of wisdom, (June 11): Conservative columnist Cal Thomas seems to think only Donald Trumps caustic personality has kept Republicans out of power. But isnt the partys problem bigger than that? The best judge of the national mood is the presidential election, the one time when the whole nation expresses a political preference. Since 1992, Democrats have won the popular vote seven out of eight times. And if Republicans were so confident of their popularity, why would they be enacting election laws favoring their interests? (Although one sensible Republican in the Texas Legislature did point out that Republicans, too, vote absentee.) The silliest thing Thomas said, quoting Daniel McCarthy, is that the Democrats have no one to replace Joe Biden. This is the party of Kamala Harris, of Elizabeth Warren, of numerous House members given the spotlight in the impeachment trials. They are the Democratic future, and they look competent and promising. And caustic isnt enough. How about rude, crude and cruel for starters, and crooked as more evidence comes in? The Trump presidency was a disaster. That he was the choice of the party shows how utterly the GOP has abandoned principles, common sense and even decency. Its the Republicans future that should worry us. Nancy Perich Daly, Houston Gun violence Regarding Man, 25, dies after downtown Austin shooting that wounded 14, (June 13): The governor signed into law a bill that allows people over 21 to openly carry a weapon just about anywhere in Texas. This is dangerous, to say the least. How many more innocent bystanders must be hurt or killed before we realize the folly of this measure? The leadership of this state is making Texas less safe. Patrick Cooney, Cypress Gov. Greg Abbott has signed Texas constitutional carry legislation, allowing Texans over age 21 to carry handguns in public without a license starting Sept. 1. The law, a huge win for guns rights advocates, was one of the most controversial measures passed this session. Bill supporters said the legislation would simply restore Second Amendment rights to law-abiding Texans, while critics have said the move will only lead to more gun violence. Abbott signed the legislation Wednesday afternoon without immediate comment, per the states online bill tracker. His office sent out a media advisory shortly afterward, saying the governor would hold a ceremony in San Antonio on Thursday to sign off on several bills related to gun rights, including permitless carry. The law will remove the states $40 fee to obtain a handgun license, and will also take away training requirements. While gun advocates say they arent against safety courses, they assert the training should be voluntary. Texans are still forbidden from carrying guns in schools, hospitals, amusement parks and some other public places. Private businesses can still prohibit their customers from bringing guns inside. TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox The measure, House Bill 1927, did not pass the Legislature without fanfare. At one point in March, it appeared all but dead after Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the leader of the Senate, said the upper chamber didnt have the votes to pass it. The bill had faced opposition not only from gun reform advocates and Democrats, but also from law enforcement officers who said the legislation would make their jobs more difficult. Support changed steadily over the next few weeks, as legislators tacked on amendments to allay law enforcement concerns. House and Senate officials met behind closed doors in May to hash out a final version of the bill, which allows officers to disarm a person at any time for the officers safety and toughens penalties for felons and domestic violence offenders caught carrying a gun. By working together, the House & Senate will send Gov. Abbott the strongest Second Amendment legislation in Texas history and protect the right of law-abiding Texans to carry a handgun as they exercise their God-given right to self-defense and the defense of their families, state Rep. Matt Schaefer, R-Tyler, tweeted last month. At least 20 other states have a variation of the permitless carry law. Still, opponents have denounced the measure as bad policy that will make it easier for criminals to obtain guns. Democrats have said the law is especially offensive because lawmakers did not approve any gun control legislation this session in response to the mass shooting in El Paso in August 2019. The public was not asking for this and voters overwhelmingly oppose the measure, said Ed Espinoza, the executive director of the left-wing nonprofit Progress Texas. It is now easier to get a gun than it is to vote or get allergy medicine in Texas. cayla.harris@express-news.net Texans will soon be able to carry handguns without a license. Hotels cant stop their guests from taking guns into their rooms. The government cant shut down gun shops during a declared disaster. Gov. Greg Abbott signed a slate of gun-related laws at a ceremonial event in San Antonio on Thursday. The seven bills range from technical changes, like allowing Texans to carry a gun in any type of holster, to more broad political statements, such as declaring Texas a Second Amendment sanctuary state. There is a need for people to have a weapon to defend themselves in the Lone Star State, Abbott said. The most prominent of the laws featured in Thursdays event was the so-called constitutional carry legislation, House Bill 1927, which the governor had signed into law the day prior. Starting Sept. 1, Texans age 21 and over can carry a handgun in public either concealed or openly without a permit or training. 1927 is a model for the nation, said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Lets get the other 29 states to join the first 21 that have instituted similar laws, he added. The bill was among the most controversial passed this session, as advocates for stricter gun control hoping for new safety measures this session after a series of mass shootings in Texas two years ago asserted that constitutional carry would only lead to more killings. TEXAS TAKE: Get the latest news on Texas politics sent directly to your inbox every weekday On August 3, 2019, a gunman opened fire at a Walmart in El Paso, killing 23 and injuring 23 others. Just weeks later, another gunman went on a shooting spree in Midland and Odessa, firing a gun from his vehicle. Eight people, including the perpetrator, were killed; 25 were injured. Despite overwhelming support for gun violence prevention legislation, Republicans, led by a cowardly governor, are more interested in groveling for the gun lobbys attention than they are in preventing gun violence and honoring victims and survivors in El Paso and across Texas, said U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, on Wednesday. Other bills signed Thursday include House Bill 2622, the sanctuary state measure, which prevents state officials from enforcing federal gun restrictions. House Bill 1500 classifies firearm and ammunition retailers as essential businesses, shielding them from closure during emergencies, like the COVID-19 pandemic. Senate Bill 20 allows Texans to carry their guns inside their hotel rooms when traveling, and Senate Bill 19 prohibits the state from contracting with any companies that discriminate against the firearm industry. House Bill 957 exempts Texas-made noise suppressors from federal regulations, and Senate Bill 550 removes the requirement that a person must carry a gun in only a shoulder or belt holster. This was an unprecedented, record-setting session for any state not just Texas, Patrick said. The event came just days after Texas most recent mass shooting in Austin, when at least one gunman opened fire on the capital citys popular Sixth Street early Saturday morning. One person died, and 13 others were injured, police said. Two people have been arrested in connection with the incident. Both are minors. City leaders, alongside Democratic lawmakers, renewed calls for gun restrictions after the incident. Abbott said Thursday that hed been able to speak with the family of the man who died, and they were adamant that the state move forward with gun rights legislation. Those who believe and support Second Amendment Rights we support the right of every law-abiding American to be able to have a weapon to defend themselves, Abbott said. That is different from teenagers unlawfully getting access to guns to commit crimes. Those are people who deserve to be behind bars for the rest of their lives. Wayne LaPierre, the executive Vice President of the National Rifle Association, joined GOP lawmakers in San Antonio for the bill signing. Its an increasingly dangerous world, he said. People want to be able to protect themselves, and thank God Texas is leading the way for the country in making that possible. cayla.harris@express-news.net Houston, MO (65483) Today Plenty of sunshine. High 83F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Low 59F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks with U.S. President Joe Biden during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of a NATO summit at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Monday, June 14, 2021. Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natalie Warner, Jennifer Szczucinski, Greg Goodwin, Katharine Dolin (left to right), join U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen and Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt during a discussion of the Safer Streets initiative on Oct. 8, 2019, in St. Louis. Photo by Robert Patrick, rpatrick@post-dispatch.com. Subscribing to our services is a three step process. First you have to create an account and then you have to pick if you want to subscribe to digital and or print. Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition. If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create. Huntingdon, PA (16652) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 77F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Some clouds. Slight chance of a shower throughout the evening. Low 58F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. How to market, sell your new music merch The power of merchandise is two-fold, in that it not only provides a strong source of revenue, but also also helps promote your band and music simply by being out in the world. For this reason, its important to develop merch ideas that will jive specifically with your fanbase. Guest post by Carla Malrowe from the Bandzoogle Blog If you are creating music that is unique, inspired, and impressive, your merchandise should be exactly that as well. Band merchandise can serve as a strong revenue stream and at the same time, a sustainable means to promote your band. Therefore, it needs to be carefully considered. Pins, keyrings, and coasters are so last decade! Lets look at how you can come up with fresh merch ideas that will resonate with your fans. Fresh ideas that are fan-centered Define your fans preferences first. Audience research is made so much easier in the age of social media. Social media channel insights and social listening tools will help you to get to know your fans a little bit better. You can also see right away who is tagging you in their posts and what specifically they are sharing about you. This way, youll get to know what your fans like in general, and what they like about you. It might take some time, but in-depth research on the interests of your fan base is crucial if you want to successfully sell outside-the-box merch. Here are some ideas: If your music appeals to gamers, sell fancy mouse pads. If your fans largely consist of surfers, sell beautifully branded beach towels. If your fans tend to be environmentalists, sell branded canvas shopping bags and water bottles. If your fans largely consist of teenage girls, sell cute branded bobby socks. Build a professional website in just a few clicks where you can sell band merch commission-free! Sign up to sell merch online with Bandzoogle now. Branding your merch Branding can stretch far beyond your band logo. Depending on the size of your actual items, band photographs, album cover art, or your lyrics can become the design you use to brand your merch so it traces clearly back to you. In other words, think past the obvious. Fans are often more interested in deeper-level merch anyway. If there are specific lyrics that the crowd always sings along to at concerts, then those are the lyrics to use. The band photographs that received the most engagements on your social channels will be the photos to use. Ask followers to choose between a few designs on Instagram or run a poll on Facebook. Hone in. Merch that tells the story Books containing stories about the band (hardcopy or digital), allow fans to get an in-depth look at your journey and to get closer to the music. The origin story of the band, the process of creating the album, a deep dive into the lyrics, memorable moments from tours; these are all possible topics you could explore in a book. A book of promotional art like tour posters and flyers, album artwork, and behind-the-scenes photography are other options. Both hardcopy and digital publications have their perks. A large beautiful coffee table book can serve as a cool feature piece, whereas with digital, multimedia content can be incorporatedsuch as demo versions of songs and video clips of interviews. Novelty merch for super-fans only Completely unique, high-quality items that resonate with your band culture are very valuable to a fan, especially if there are only a limited few of them available. Super-fans find this kind of exclusivity to-die-for. As long as it resonates with your bands aesthetic, it can be anything that is a little bit unusual. To generate some ideas, think about which of your other skills you could put to work to come up with something unique. Better yet, collaborate with another artist, and bring a wholly fresh perspective into the works to see what ideas they might have. A music box ringing the tune of your hit single could be a very special gift for a super fan. How about homemade soaps or candles with scents named after your songs? What about a deck of playing cards, or a coloring book, or a pillow case? If your fans will buy it, do it. Selling your merch online A great way to sell your merch online is through your band website which should include the features and functionalities of a smooth-running eCommerce store. It should be easy to browse across users devices, and feature beautiful photos of your merch items as well as detailed descriptions, options for sizes and colors, etc. The checkout process should be seamless; fans should experience the buying journey as a breeze. But, your website is not the only online platform on which you should sell and promote your merch (of course!) Social media channels like Facebook and Instagram allow fans to shop straight from your band page, without even having to leave the site, so make use of this with every integration available to you. In addition, consider adding your products to online marketplaces that accommodate vendor accounts like Amazon and eBaythese are trusted shopping channels for many people. Physical merch sales Physical sales remain important. A fan that buys something from your merch table at a concert or festival stall is not only buying a product; theyre investing in a piece of memorabilia. Buying merch then and there, right after theyve seen your band, makes the item more valuable. The merch stand should always be super professional. Avoid just having a bunch of stuff awkwardly packed on a dirty trestle table. Invest in racks and shelves and stands to showcase your items. Have professionally printed price tags. Make sure you are sufficiently stocked. Additionally, try a band merch pop-up store. Temporary shops that sell band merch exclusively are becoming more popular. Approach a few other bands and collaboratively invest in a pop-up store that runs for a few days in a bustling area. If a pop-up store isnt on the cards, what about a band merch market (even a digital one)? Impress for success Almost any product can be branded. For that reason, you really have a myriad of options available when it comes to selecting your band merch items. However, before you make final decisions about what to sell, make sure it fits the following criteria as discussed above: Is it unique and original? Is it already in demand in your community? Does it speak for your band? Does it appeal to your biggest fans, or is it supposed to attract new fans? Offer your fans usable, wearable, or adorable items covered in your signature designs. Make it easy for them to access, browse, and purchase. Give them stunning pieces of memorabilia to brag about. Not only will you be keeping your fans impressed, but you will also be sustaining a profitable music career. So think fresh, and set the merch benchmark high and exciting. Carla Malrowe is an avid alternative songwriter and vocalist from South Africa. Her electro-industrial project, Psycoco, just released their new single Stay Awake. Malrowes music is a haunting juxtaposition of electronic and analogue sounds with lyrics that explore a post-apocalyptic conflict between love and loss. Her solo album, Missing Circus Freak, will be released in May 2021. Share on: The board of Williamstown's Affordable Housing Trust holds the first in-person meeting Wednesday for a town committee since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Williamstown Housing Trust Launches Emergency Mortgage Aid Program Patrick Quinn, left, and Andrew Hogeland, who is attending his first meeting since joining the board of the Affordable Housing Trust. WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. The board of the town's Affordable Housing Trust made some history on Wednesday evening and not just because it became the first town board or committee to meet in person since March 2020. It was that, and the feeling in Town Hall was both familiar and surreal for a town grown used to virtual meetings throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. But the real news happened before the meeting began as the trust finalized the second program the trustees developed in hours of Zoom meetings over the last 15 months. "The final document was signed today," Stan Parese said of the paperwork creating the Williamstown Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program. The new initiative is similar to an emergency mortgage assistance program the trust created last year to help renters in town who were adversely affected by the pandemic. Like the rental program, the mortgage assistance program is being administered by Pittsfield's Berkshire Housing Development Corp. with funds provided by the trust. "If you're currently a homeowner and because of a COVID-related economic setback you are struggling in keeping your property you can reach out to Berkshire Housing or reach out to your lender," Parese said for the benefit of anyone who may watch Wednesday's meeting on the town's community access television station, WilliNet. "There's a term people may be familiar with if you're in forbearance and you're income eligible, you can reach out to your bank or Berkshire Housing directly. "Berkshire Housing is serving as a really important go-between between our funds and your needs." The income-eligibility requirements are slightly different between the rental and mortgage assistance programs. The former requires recipients to be at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income as determined by the federal government. Currently, for a household of three people in Williamstown, that figure stands at $63,900, Parese reported on Wednesday. The mortgage assistance program is available to households making up to 100 percent of the AMI (currently $79,900 for a family of three). Chair Tom Sheldon explained that the difference in limits is due to forces outside the board's control. The provisions of federal CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act funding (which is being used to replenish the trust's expenditures) is 80 percent for rental assistance programs. There is no corollary for mortgage programs; but all of the trust's initial funding comes from the town's Community Preservation Act coffers, and those are restricted to beneficiaries who make up to 100 percent AMI. On Wednesday, Liz Costley, who has served as the trust's liaison to Berkshire Housing for the emergency rental assistance program, reported that there were no applications for the aid since the board last met. But she said BHDC's special programs case manager indicated that is not because need does not exist. "Right now there is lots of available federal funding [for renters]," Costley said. "She said she's glad that we're initiating a fund for homeowners. This is a group not as well served as tenants." Later in the meeting, Sheldon reiterated an often-feared hope that once federal COVID relief programs expire, local initiatives like the trust's will be needed more than ever. "The beginning of 2022, I think the need will be more pronounced as various aid programs expire," Sheldon said. In the meantime, the trustees encouraged residents who are having trouble paying for their housing due to the pandemic to check with Berkshire Housing (413-499-1630) to see what program might help. In other business on Wednesday, the AHT board's newest member asked whether the panel wants to advocate for a couple of proposals in Boston that would create an additional funding stream for local housing trusts. One is a statewide excise tax on property transfers that Boston then would create a fund to be distributed to municipalities to support affordable housing efforts. Another would create a local option tax similar to the property tax surcharge created by the Community Preservation Act; this proposal would allow towns and cities to levy a surcharge on real estate transfers with the revenue staying local. Andrew Hogeland, who recently stepped into the AHT Board spot designated for a member of the Select Board, said he heard about the proposals through his work on the Massachusetts Select Board Association, which he serves representing boards in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire Counties. "I expressed a preference for a local option," Hogeland said. "I have a little bias against money going to a state agency. They have overhead." Both Sheldon and Parese encouraged Hogeland to represent the board's interest in supporting some mechanism for generating revenue and concurred with his preference for a local tax that residents can choose to levy, as they did with the CPA tax. Hogeland also asked his colleagues to think about how the board and the town as a whole should commemorate the coming 10th anniversary of Tropical Storm Irene, which devastated the Spruces Mobile Home Park and ultimately led to the loss of 225 moderately priced homes. "It could be a walk, it could be a service, it could be a sign commemorating things," Hogeland said. "It should be simple," Costley said. "It is a somber event." Hogeland noted that the storm did galvanize efforts in town to address an already acute need for affordable housing, leading to, among other things, the creation of the Affordable Trust itself. Parese said the 10-year milestone is an opportunity to keep the issue in the public eye. "For the progress we've made, we're still way behind where we were," he said. "It's not a bad idea to remind people we're not overwhelmed with available affordable housing." Medical Matters Weekly Welcomes Meghan Gunn 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 Meghan Gunn, chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), on its June 23 program. The show will air at 12 p.m., and Gunn will her insights about COVID-19 vaccines for children. 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 . The show is also available to view or download a podcast on www.svhealthcare.org/medicalmatters Meghan Gunn, is a pediatrician at SVMC Pediatrics and the chair of the Department of Pediatrics at SVMC. She has worked at SVMC since 2013. She received her undergraduate education in Biology from Syracuse University and earned her medical degree from the University of Vermont College of Medicine. She continued with a residency in Pediatrics at University of Massachusetts Medical School. She is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. 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 30: Nicholas Weinberg, MD, Emergency Medicine physician at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health, will share his experiences working on the search-and-rescue teams, including at Mt. Denali in Alaska. 12 p.m. Wednesday, July 7: Jeffrey Parsonnet, MD, infectious disease physician at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health, will share his work as leader of the organization's post-acute COVID syndrome (commonly referred to as "long haulers") program. 12 p.m. Wednesday, July 14: Becca Filson, FNP, of SVMC's Hospital Medicine, and Lisa Downing-Forget, MD, of SVMC Internal Medicine, will discuss diversity and inclusion at SVMC and in the healthcare field. Videos and podcasts are on svhealthcare.org/MedicalMatters, as well as YouTube and on many podcast-hosting platforms, respectively. 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 21: Rosalind Case, PhD, of Monash University about the psychological aspects of healthcare choices Artificial reefs: Sri Lanka minister dismisses Indian concerns, says ban bottom trawling first by MAHADIYA HAMZA June 17,2021 | Source: EconomyNext Dismissing objections raised by Indian fisherman against Sri Lankas artificial reef project, State Minister of Fisheries Kanchana Wijesekara said India must ban the destructive practice of bottom trawling instead. Fisherfolk in Tamil Nadu have objected to a Sri Lankan initiative to submerge discarded buses in the islands northern waters in an effort to create an artificial reef. Twenty such buses were submerged near the Delft Island off Jaffna on June 11. The New Indian Express reported July 16 that experts in India have called the move irresponsible while fishing communities have expressed fears that the buses would drift underwater into Indias territorial waters affecting their fishing industry. Defending the project, State Minister Wijesekara told EconomyNext June 17 said it was the result of years of study. It is not irresponsible project but one that is globally proven and practiced. We dont accept their claims or the statements they are making, he said. According to Wijesakara, this is the fourth phase of a project initiated about six months ago by the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to cultivate artificial reefs around Sri Lanka. The first phase was in Trincomalee, while the second and third phases were carried out in Galle and Matara respectively. The fourth phase, this time in the countrys northern waters, is ongoing. Marine research in Sri Lanka is carried out by the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), which is currently dealing with the aftermath of the X-Press Pearl shipping disaster, one of Sri Lankas worst ecological disasters in history. For about two to three years, NARA and the Department of Fisheries have been studying how we can develop artificial reefs for fish spawning. That is the main idea behind this project. Similar projects have been done all over the world, even in developed countries. Sri Lanka is the first country in the region to do it, said Wijesakara. We did a couple of underwater museum galleries as well, he added. Responding to claims made by the Indian fishermen and experts, the minister said theyre probably baseless, as artificial reef building has been tried globally. Marine conservationists worldwide have, indeed, attempted to construct artificial reefs with varying degrees of success. Large steel structures such as shipwrecks are considered suitable, while smaller unsecured structures are considered less so. If a scientific agency is saying this is an irresponsible move, then they probably dont have scientific research to back it. The most irresponsible act of the Indian marine research institute is not banning bottom trawling. This is a banned and illegal practice globally which damages marine environment and reserves, said Wijesakara. Indian fishermen encroaching into Sri Lankan waters in the north has been a long-drawn issue, as has the alleged robbing of Sri Lankas marine resources thanks to bottom trawling. Fishing vessels from South India had got into the habit of straying over the Indo-Lanka maritime border during a 30 year civil war when Sri Lanka fishermen were banned from entering the Northern waters a practice that didnt quite end with the war. Wijesekara said that despite requests made on numerous occasions to stop bottom-line trawling by Indian fishermen, nothing has been done to minimise it, while Sri Lanka banned the practice entirely in 2017. I dont know who these fishermen are that are objecting to [the reef project], but I assume they engage in bottom trawling. Their concern might be that the submerged vehicles would affect their fishing gear. But this is a 100% scientifically proven method; it doesnt cause any damage to the sea bed, he said. This will create more artificial fish spawning spaces and coral beds so I urge our Indian counterparts to make a move on banning bottom trawling instead and to consider its impact to the ocean, he added. According to US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an artificial reef is a manmade structure that may mimic some of the characteristics of a natural reef. These are often made by submerged shipwreck, oil rigs, gas platforms and other offshore structures. Marine resource managers also create artificial reefs in underwater areas that require a structure to enhance the habitat for reef organisms, including soft and stony corals and the fishes and invertebrates that live among them, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said on its website. Materials used to construct artificial reefs have included rocks, cinder blocks, and even wood and old tires. Nowadays, several companies specialise in the design, manufacture, and deployment of long-lasting artificial reefs that are typically constructed of limestone, steel, and concrete. 2021 Echelon Media (PVT) Ltd. All Rights Reserved Theme(s): Fishing Craft, Gear and Fishing Methods. Tin mines close in on an Indonesian fishing hamlet still clinging to nature by Intan Iskandar June 17,2021 | Source: Mongabay In the lore of Bangka Island, one of the worlds main tin-producing centers, the rocky, white-sand beach of Tuing holds a special place. Tuing Beach is one of several areas around Bangka, off the southeast coast of Indonesias Sumatra Island, where locals believe they can spot the footprints of Akek Antak, a mythological figure who appears prominently in oral tradition here. Often called the White Arab, Akek Antak is thought by some historians to have been a Sufi mystic who actually lived around the 10th century, around the time that Islam may have begun its spread throughout the Indonesian archipelago. The Lom people, who live in Tuing hamlet, believe they are descended from Akek Antak, giving them added motivation to protect the environment here. We dont dare damage the rocks here, Sukardi, 51, a Tuing community leader, told Mongabay during a recent visit to the beach. Today, though, Sukardi says his community faces a threat: a plan to allow Indonesias largest tin mining company to expand its operations into Tuings pristine coast. For generations, the Lom, said to be the oldest tribe in Bangka, have preserved their land and sea to build their livelihoods outside of mining. Unlike the rest of their Indigenous community residing in neighboring hamlets who gave in to tin mining, they still hold on to their ancestors oldest wisdom: living in harmony with nature. Mine-free for centuries, dating back to colonial times, Tuing faces the South China Sea on the northeastern coast of Bangka. The hamlet covers an area of about 2,500 hectares (6,200 acres), with a population of about 185 families. Our lives have been peaceful and happy, Sukardi said. We have enough food, we can send our children to school just by selling fish and harvest. So why destroy nature by mining for tin? Bangka is the source of about 90% of all the tin mined in Indonesia, the worlds second-largest producer of the metal, mainly used as solder in electronic devices. It has long become the leading industry here and boosted the domestic economy. But decades of mining have left their mark. Environmental degradation and water and air pollution have been devouring Bangka since the tin mining rush started in the early 2000s, when mobile phones became widespread and demand for solder multiplied. The Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi), an NGO, found that tin mining in Bangka has degraded 5,270 hectares (13,022 acres) of coral reef and 400 hectares (988 acres) of mangrove forest. Between 2017 and 2020, Walhi recorded 40 deaths linked to tin mines, with more than half of them in 2019 alone. According to the Mining Advocacy Network (Jatam), an industry watchdog, Bangka registered the most deaths in Indonesia of people falling into abandoned mining pits, with 57 reported dead between 2014 and 2020 in this way. These threats are the Lom peoples greatest concern regarding the coastal zoning plan that underlies state-owned miner PT Timahs permit. Under the zoning plan approved by the government of Bangka-Belitung province, 11.2% of the areas waters are allocated for mining. The Indigenous Lom community strongly oppose to this tin mining plan and has held several meetings to protest, said Edo Martono, an official in Mapur village, of which Tuing hamlet is a part. This isnt the first battle by Bangka residents against the zoning plan rolled out just last year. Although the local government says the interests of the fishing communities have been taken into account and the zoning plan was approved by consensus, the impact on Bangkas fishers has proven to be devastating, locals say. Fishermen of Matras and Teluk Kelabat are some of the many examples of people losing their source of income because of coastal mining in Bangka, Edo said. Tuings waters are known as the squid center of Bangka, where around 170 fishermen from around the area fish daily. We have only been using rods and nets to fish, not even 5 miles from the shore, Sukardi said. We are prohibited to damage or alter anything in the sea. Many fishermen from other areas also fish here. We welcome them as long as they use fishing rods and nets. Besides fishing, Sukardi is also a farmer. The coral reefs along the Tuing coast are also well preserved. We fish on those coral reefs. We understand that if they are damaged, fish will disappear, he added. Last year, a France 24 documentary reported the visible ecological impacts of coastal mining in Batu Belubong, a hamlet 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) down the coast from Tuing. Water polluted by mud, pumped from great depths, could be seen for kilometers. Beaches in some places were covered with blocks of clay. A decrease in fish populations was also reported, especially near the mines, affecting local livelihoods. 2021 Copyright Conservation news Theme(s): Communities and Organisations. World Sea Turtle Day: A timely reminder that Omans sea turtles need saving June 17,2021 | Source: Times of Oman With its pristine beaches and balmy waters, the Sultanate offers the ideal home for sea turtles. In fact, it hosts the second largest population of Loggerhead sea turtles in the world, one of the most important nesting areas for Green turtles across the northern Indian Ocean, in addition to two other species (Hawksbill and Olive Ridley) that return annually to nest on its long stretch of coastline. As we celebrated World Sea Turtle Day on June 16th, our attention is drawn to this remarkable species, which has lived in the worlds oceans for over 100 million years, and which faces various threats. A combination of disturbances like coastal development and beach driving, bycatch (accidental capture of turtles in fishing nets), ghost fishing, light pollution, plastic pollution and climate change are negatively impacting the sea turtles habitat and ecosystem, with each of the four species found in Oman now listed as threatened (either vulnerable or in some cases critically endangered), on the IUCN Red List, a global repository that categorises the conservation status of different species. Last year, researchers published the disheartening finding that there has been a 79 per cent decline in the nesting population of Loggerhead turtles on the island of Masirah, a traditional stronghold over the past few decades. For the last 13 years, the Environment Society of Oman, in collaboration with the Environment Authority have been trying to counteract this loss, for the sake of conserving the species, of maintaining a healthy marine environment, and of preserving the socio-economic balance of communities. This long-term programme has been funded by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and implemented with the help of local collaborators including Five Oceans Environmental Services LLC and Future Seas SPC. Sea turtles play an important role in maintaining healthy ocean ecosystems, as well as being integral to the very delicate food chain. This of course has huge implications for fishing communities, not to mention those who rely on income from turtle-related tourism, said Suaad Al Harthi, ESOs Executive Director. The situation is extremely worrying, yet it is these communities who are now helping us to rectify it. This is why, as well as our research work, we put significant effort into engaging locals, to raising their awareness of the importance of marine turtles, and garnering their support on key conservation actions. Through a holistic community approach, we aim to work together to reverse the declining trend. As such, ESO has spearheaded a range of activities including dedicated net clean-ups, awareness videos, community outreach programmes, and several publications. On the ground, it has assembled a field team of Masirah island residents to monitor and protect populations, part of its mandate to train and hire Omanis in conservation strategies, community engagement and NGO management, as well as supporting the livelihood of local communities. The field teams are also supplemented with graduates from ESOs capacity building programme. These efforts are growing year on year, as ESO focuses on engaging and inspiring the next generation. Meanwhile, it continues to accelerate knowledge and understanding of turtle biology, ecology and conservation needs, as well as raising the international profile of Omans turtles. ESO will forever advocate for our precious marine turtle populations, but our challenges are far from over. We have to continue this momentum and we know it is only with the involvement of the local community, and by promoting this culture among young people, our future environmental ambassadors, that we can be successful in conserving our natural resources and ensuring that they are still around for future generations, added Suaad. 2021 Muscat Media Group. Theme(s): Others. Jamaica Energy Partners Group to host fisherfolk training session this month June 17,2021 | Source: JIS From Thursday, June 17 18 and Friday, June 24 25, 2021, private power-producing giant Jamaica Energy Partners (JEP) Group will host its inaugural fisherfolk training programme for sixty fishermen and women from the Old Harbour Bay, Eastern and Western Kingston Communities. The first two sessions slated for this week (June 17 and 18) will run from 10 am 1 pm daily at the Agent HQ Restaurant, Chiney Beach, Rockfort. The final two sessions (June 24 and 25) will occur at the Repooh Restaurant from 10 am 1 pm each day. Participants will learn about fishing methods, conservation and sustainability methods, safety at sea and mapping, and quality management and fish handling processes. The purpose of this training session is to educate the fisherfolk about sustainable fishing practices, with the intent to contribute to the viability of their livelihood. Sustainable fishing practices allow us to enjoy seafood while preserving the lifeblood of our oceans. Many individuals, communities, and nations continue to rely on fish and other aquatic life as a source of food and raw materials. To maintain fish stocks, the reduction of overfishing and bycatch through fisheries management is crucial. Proper sustainable operations minimize environmental impacts such as pollution, diseases, and other damage to coastal ecosystems. According to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, SDG 14 speaks to Life Below Water, which advocates for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas, and marine resources. Through this initiative, the JEP Group also supports SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The Groups Corporate Social Responsibility portfolio seeks to engage the communities surrounding its operations to become more sustainable through community development activities. JEPs power plants are situated close to three fishing villages: Old Harbour Bay, Rae Town and Rockfort. As good corporate citizens, the energy company will continue to protect our neighbours and their environs through education and training. Theme(s): Communities and Organisations. US-EU trade war winding down with five-year suspension of tariffs by Cliff White June 17,2021 | Source: SeafoodSource The United States and the European Union have resolved a trade dispute that had resulted in a ramping up of tariffs, including on some seafood products. The quarrel, dating back to 2004, centered around subsidies for European airplane-maker Airbus and U.S. plane manufacturer Boeing. The dispute was brought before the World Trade Organization, which ruled in October 2020 that each side could impose billions of dollars in tariffs. Under the direction of then-U.S. President Donald Trump, in 2019, the United States imposed USD 7.5 billion (EUR 6.8 billion) on 19 categories of European goods, including 25 percent tariffs on luxury food products such as cheese, olives, and wine. In turn, in October 2020, the European Commission instituted 25 percent tariffs on 130 U.S. products collectively valued at USD 4 billion (EUR 3.4 billion). But current U.S. President Joe Biden pushed for a detente after he was inaugurated in January 2021, and both sides agreed to suspend all tariffs in March as a resolution was negotiated. That agreement came on Tuesday, 15 June, as the U.S. Trade Representative announced a cooperative framework that suspended U.S. tariffs on E.U. goods for five years. After years of bitter litigation and weeks of intense diplomacy, we have reached a deal on a set of high-level principles that resets U.S.-EU engagement in the large civil aircraft industry, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said in a press release. We are strongest when we work with our friends and allies, and the partnership with European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis is a demonstration of that principle in action. Our goal was clear to forge a new, cooperative relationship in this sector so that our companies and our workers can compete on a more level playing field. During the dispute, U.S. importers paid approximately USD 2.2 billion (EUR 1.8 billion) in duties, while European imports paid around USD 1.1 billion (EUR 908 million) in duties, according to the European Commission. With this agreement, we are grounding the Airbus-Boeing dispute. It proves that the trans-Atlantic relationship is now moving to the next level, and that we can work with the US on tackling long-running disputes, European Commission Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis said. We now have time and space to find a lasting solution through our new Working Group on Aircraft, while saving billions of euros in duties for importers on both sides of the Atlantic. In a press release, the National Fisheries Institute, the biggest U.S. seafood trade group, said it applauded the decision to end the tariffs. This bilateral action is an important development that helps seafood companies operate in a more predictable climate, NFI President John Connelly said. The E.U. is an important growth market for U.S. seafood exporters, and they will benefit from this more stable environment. Throughout this dispute, seafood has been collateral damage, as fish swimming in the Atlantic Ocean could not be further from the planes flying overhead. Todays announcement is welcome news. The U.S.-E.U. agreement includes a commitment to joint collaboration to confront the threat from Chinas non-market practices, according to Tai. For almost 20 years we have been at each others throats, fighting each other in terms of competition between our industries. While we have been engaged in this fight, others are taking the opportunity to launch their own industries, and we have been too busy fighting each other to pay attention, Tai said in a post-summit news conference, according to The New York Times. The E.U. has long held the view that increasing trade with China could have a politically moderating impact, according to former International Monetary Fund China head Eswar S. Prasad. But the E.U. has changed its perspective and now views China as an economic competitor and a systemic rival, according to Prasad. The Biden administration is clearly eager to deescalate tensions with traditional allies while rebuilding a common front with them in getting tougher on China, Prasad said. In tandem with renewed U.S. leadership of the G7, it is becoming evident that the major Western economies are now uniting in their attempts to rein in what they view as unfair Chinese trade and economic practices. In her press conference, Tai said the agreement with the E.U. creates a model we can build on for other challenges. 2021 Diversified Communications. All rights reserved. Theme(s): Post Harvest Technology and Trade. Swiss banks as allies for indigenous communities in Russias Far North by Dominique Soguel-dit-Picard with input from Igor Petrov Swiss banks might not be the most obvious allies for indigenous communities struggling to survive in Russias Far North. But their financial clout could drive multinationals to change their business practices, argue those affected by a major environmental disaster last year. A delegation from the Russian Arctic travelled more than 4,800 kilometres to Switzerland this month. Top of their agenda was calling attention to the lasting consequences of one of the largest oil spills in their country's history. They want Swiss banks to use their influence to push the company responsible to protect the environment and properly consult indigenous communities. On May 29, 2020, a fuel storage tank failed, flooding two local rivers with some 21,000 tons of diesel near the Siberian city of Norilsk. The company behind that environmental disaster is Russian company, Norilsk Nickel, or Nornickel, the worlds leading producer of refined nickel and palladium. This spill is the tip of the iceberg, says Rodion Sulyandziga, director of the independent Centre for Support of Indigenous Peoples of the North. Pollution and disempowerment of indigenous communities didnt start one year ago. It is a long story. The 2020 diesel spill was a social disaster as much as it was an environmental disaster, the rights activist told SWI swissinfo.ch. It had crippling consequences for indigenous communities trying to make a living in a tough habitat through fishing, reindeer herding and hunting. It also hurt their ability to trade. They have to go far in the tundra to find new places for fishing, for hunting, Sulyandziga said. They dont have much fish or meat because of the oil spill. An even if they have [some], they cannot sell, because it has a special smellprofit is going down. Credit Suisse spokesman Yannick Orto noted that business transactions with companies from sensitive sectors and industries are subject to a reputational risk review process, which considers the rights of local communities and environmental implications. Credit Suisse regularly engages in dialogue with NGOs and other stakeholders in this regard, he said. Around 10,000 indigenous people live on the Taymyr Peninsula, where Norilsk is located. Nornickel also has a production site in Russias eastern Kola Peninsula where the Saami people live. In both regions, pollution by the company is seen as a direct threat to the indigenous way of life. Russias Norilsk smelter complex in the Arctic Circle has the highest sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions in the world, according to satellite data from US space agency NASA commissioned by Greenpeace. The smelters are responsible for more than 50% all SO2 emissions across Russia. Other environmental incidents in the region include the leaking of iron oxides from Norilsks Nadeja plant which turned the Daldykan river red, according to STP. A 2020 fire at one of the companys industrial waste sites covered the tundra with smoke, choking flora, fauna and people. An industrial accident at a Nornickel processing plant in Norilsk also killed three people and wounded three others in February this year. The nature is poisoned, a part of the Sami soul is poisoned, said Danilov, who describes a lunar landscape with water and land contaminated within a 30-kilometre radius of the city of Monchegorsk, home to a Nornickel refining hub. We are already at the edge of the Earth. There is nowhere else that we go. We want to save our people and pass on what our ancestors passed on. SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR Theme(s): Communities and Organisations. We've recently updated our online systems. If you can't login please try resetting your password. You must login with an email address. If you don't have an email associated with your account email circulation@idahopress.com for help creating one. Community Information If you would like to submit an upcoming event or community announcement, please contact our staff at 208-232-4161 or send an email to cjohnson@journalnet.com. We will also accept news from local clubs and engagement, wedding and anniversary announcements. You can post your community or club events on our calendar. Obituaries Submit an obituary/notice All obituaries must be placed by your mortuary or onlineDeadline is 3 p.m. for publication the next day. The ISJ is not responsible for spelling, grammar, or basic mistakes. Note: We've recently updated our online systems. If you can't login please try resetting your password. You must login with an email address. If you don't have an email associated with your account email circulation2@journalnet.com for help creating one. Name: David Levine Organisation: Ricoh USA, Inc. Job title: Vice President of Corporate and Information Security & CSO, CISM Date started current role: November 2018 Location: Lawrenceville, Georgia David Levine is Vice President of Corporate and Information Security & CSO for digital services and information management provider, Ricoh USA, Inc. In this role, he has responsibility for operational security, security strategy, security policy, corporate and physical security, trade compliance, access management, eDiscovery and litigation support and some compliance functions. Levine chairs Ricohs Security Advisory Council and leads Ricohs Global Virtual Security team and is routinely engaged in customer opportunities to discuss risk and security. Levine is a member of Forrester Researchs Security & Risk Leadership Board, the FBIs InfraGard Program and is an Atlanta Governing Body Co-Chair with EVANTA. What was your first job? I started my career as a professional photographer before heading back to school to get a degree in Management Information Systems with minors in Computer Science and Business Management. My first job post-graduation was for a systems integrator in Tampa Fla. On my first day, I was given a dot matrix printer and told to fix it and I clearly recall wondering what I got myself into. How did you get involved in cybersecurity? I found my interest gravitating toward all things security when I headed up the infrastructure team at Ricoh. I enjoyed working with our sales team on helping them educate customers and close deals based on helping customers with their individual security needs and challenges. Given the uptick in the need for all companies to place a higher prioritisation on cybersecurity, I soon realised we needed information security to be its own department at Ricoh, and fortunately, leadership supported my vision for the team, which is how I came into the role of CISO/CSO. What was your education? Do you hold any certifications? What are they? Bachelors degree in information systems with minors in computer science and business from Eckerd College; Harvard Business Publishing leadership development program. My certifications are: Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), ISACA; Six Sigma Black Belt. Explain your career path. Did you take any detours? If so, discuss. Aside from my initial career as a photographer, the one detour I took later on in my career was to move out of the IT department and participate in our companys Six Sigma program. I became a Green Belt, then a Black Belt and Green Belt instructor. I really enjoyed the program and projects, which gave me a broader sense of different parts of the business and made key contacts within the business that still pays dividends. However, eventually, I found my way back to technology taking the role of vice president of infrastructure and end user services at Ricoh. As mentioned above, it was in this role I first became engrained in security, which was a blended function within infrastructure at the time. Was there anyone who has inspired or mentored you in your career? I have had some great mentors along the way ranging from those I reported to in addition to co-workers and associates. What do you feel is the most important aspect of your job? My primary mission is to protect our company, employees and customers. I work to achieve this mission daily by having good clear communication, alignment with the business, and always looking for ways to help each of these audiences achieve their goals, while not compromising security. What metrics or KPIs do you use to measure security effectiveness? This is always an interesting topic. Some of the things we track range from our maturity compared to our goals and peers, number and severity of incidents, key projects supported, phishing testing effectiveness, vulnerability and patching volume and timelines. Metrics and KPIs can vary widely depending on several factors including the maturity of the program and audience. If I am communicating with senior leadership, the information will be at a higher level and presented in a way that is meaningful to them. If I am communicating with operational teams, the metrics will be more detailed and technical. I also do not think there is a single set of universal metrics that works for all companies. The companys goals, mission and maturity also play a factor in what you track and report. Is the security skills shortage affecting your organisation? What roles or skills are you finding the most difficult to fill? At Ricoh, weve been fortunate to have both internal recruitment and intern programs. Both of these initiatives have helped us keep a dedicated security team where employees grow into their careers at Ricoh. Perhaps because I took a non-traditional career path, but to me, Im more interested in finding people who are dedicated and have a passion for learning versus finding those with a list of existing achievements we need to fill a role. Its been very rewarding to see our team grow into roles, which today would be difficult to fill as there is no doubt a shortage. Referrals and good networking also go a long way in helping identify good candidates. Cybersecurity is constantly changing how do you keep learning? Im a strong proponent for peer learning. Finding opportunities to talk and discuss challenges with fellow CSOs is invaluable. Im very active in my local CISO community and also enjoy meeting up with peers around the country in virtual events or when we can return to them in-person gatherings. Theres always more to learn and learning by example and best practices from others who have tackled a particular challenge is one of the best ways to continue to grow and stay abreast of the latest cybersecurity challenges. In addition, Im always keeping an eye on daily news feeds, the latest threat intelligence reports and attending webinars. What conferences are on your must-attend list? This year clearly changed dramatically the way in which we attend conferences. The upside, with everything being virtual, I was able to attend many more than I would have normally. The obvious downside is you miss all the in-person interaction and impromptu conversations, which honestly are sometimes the best! Being part of Forresters Risk and Leadership council, I always try and attend at least one conference. There is always great access to analysts and a strong peer group. I was also fortunate to attend a European conference last year in Switzerland and that provided great insight into their views and priorities. What is the best current trend in cybersecurity? The worst? The best trend? Better tools and continued collaboration and information sharing come to mind. Im not sure if this qualifies as worst per se, but tool overlap from the standpoint of major partners continuing to make acquisitions to broaden their portfolios can be a challenge. For example, I can purchase cloud access security broker (CASB) functionality from a wide array of sources that we already leverage. In some cases, we would be better served with good interoperability as opposed to another solution. Also, ongoing ransomware attacks and breaches have to make the worst list. What's the best career advice you ever received? Your career is your responsibility. What advice would you give to aspiring security leaders? Do not just focus on the technical aspects of the role. Today, the soft skills are just, if not more important, in some cases. Being able to communicate effectively, write and present well, will be of tremendous help. To move forward in any business function, it has never been more important to be agile. This is particularly true in security as in most cases we cant predict when the next security threat will hit, just that it will. Being flexible and willing to collaborate with and work effectively with the business will help ensure your success. What has been your greatest career achievement? Building our security program and team from the ground up would have to take the top spot! Looking back with 20:20 hindsight, what would you have done differently? Great question! There are always things I would do differently given the opportunity. Perhaps, even more relationship building and helping ensure a more structured communication cadence with leadership throughout the company. Strong working relationships will never serve you wrong, and can make a significant difference in helping achieve both individual and company goals. Sulabh Srivastava, a journalist affiliated with the private television channel ABP News, died a day after he filed complaints to Uttar Pradesh Police seeking protection. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its Indian affiliates, Indian Journalists Union (IJU) and National Union of Journalists (NUJ(I) urge authorities to conduct an impartial investigation in this case and to bring justice for Sulabh Srivastava. Preliminary investigations from the police revealed that Srivastava hit a handpump along the road and had an accident while returning home on motorcycle from Lalganj town in Uttar Pradesh on the night of June 13. Street laborers found Srivastavas body lying near a brick- kiln and called his family and relatives using his mobile phone. Immediately, Srivastavas colleagues and relatives rushed him to a hospital in Pratappur district. The hospital then declared him dead. On June 12 Srivastava, 42, lodged a complaint with Uttar Pradesh (UP) police over whatsapp that he received threats for his reporting about a liquor selling group on June 9. Srivastavas whatspp complaints read, Last two days, whenever I went out of my house for some work, I felt I was being followed. Based on sources and public discussion, I feel that some liquor mafia who are unhappy over my news, can cause harm to me and my family. Meanwhile Sulabhs wife, Renuka Srivastava, filed a case at Kolwali Police Station on June 14 against unknown persons, accusing the liquor mafia of being involved in the murder. She accused police of not being responsive despite being informed of the threat in writing. Following the filing of the case, UP police started investigating the case on 14 June. Journalist unions and political leaders also condemned the incident and criticized the way UP police handled the case. The IJU President, Geetartha Pathak, said: The IJU believes that Sulabh Sivastava was brutally murdered by liquor baron for exposing their involvement in illegal activities. His postmortem report also suggests that he was murdered. The IJU demands a judicial/CBI investigation on the case. The NUJ (I) President, Ras Bihari, said: Members of the NUJI from all over the country are very sad and angry on the mysterious death of journalist Sulabh Shrivastava. We demand that a fair investigation should be done to unearth the truth. The IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger, said: The IFJ is alarmed by the mysterious death of Sulabh Srivastava. The Indian authorities must conduct a swift and transparent investigation into the death of the journalist and determine whether it was murder or not. A culture of impunity in India cannot be allowed to spread. When Ian Schreier took a job at Maritas Cantina, a Mexican restaurant in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania while he was in university in the late 80s, it was to pay the bills while he studied to be a history teacher. But he fell in love with the restaurant business and when the then-owner promised hed sell Schreier the Cantina once he was ready to move on, Schreier took him at his word. Schreier has now owned Maritas for 20 years in addition to the decade he spent as manager, and he more than knows the ups and downs that the restaurant business can bring. Restaurants operate on notoriously thin margins and any kind of disruption can bring a restaurateurs cashflow to a screeching halt. He learned this the hard way first in 2008, when the Great Recession caused his clients--mainly students and lawyers--to tighten their financial belts, and then again over the last year, during the pandemic. The COVID-19 crisis has been particularly difficult for Schreier, given that he had to shutter his doors for large chunks of time over the last year. Not only did he have to lay staff off, but he had to do something hes rarely had to before: cook. At 53, I didnt expect to have to come into my business seven nights a week and physically work, he says. Ive been cooking for the last year, trying to get the timing down with the deep fryer and putting stuff on the grill. Its been a whole new challenge. The ups and downs of business ownership Outside of the pandemic, its the typical business issues that keep Schreier up at night, from making payroll, managing staff, marketing and having enough money to buy new inventory during slower times, typically in November and December. Payroll becomes a problem because Im trying to keep the cooks, so they dont go elsewhere to get a job and then the waiters become frustrated because theyre not making money, he says. Still, the challenges seem minor in comparison to the feeling he gets when meeting customers, helping employees, and serving his community delicious food. When I first got involved in the bar restaurant business, I loved making connections and meeting interesting people, he says. A lot of people in our community come to restaurants when they need help, and this place has given me the opportunity to help a lot of people. Using loans to get through tough times To keep his operations going in both good times and bad, Schreier has had to tap into some financial support. When the financial crisis hit, he turned to Rapid Finance for a merchant cash advance, which gives businesses access to capital based on their future credit card receivables. In 2009, Schreier borrowed $30,000 to help him cover payroll and hes used the companys services ever since. He now typically borrows $10,000 during leaner times, which he pays back daily. Because the merchant cash advance is based on a portion of the businesss future revenue receivables, theres no fixed payment term. As an added bonus, the application process is generally simple to complete. Schreier continued to use Rapid Finance during the pandemic and while he didnt deviate from his usual $10,000 loan, it took him a little longer to pay it back this time. It took me about six months, more than the usual three-and-a-half, but I needed the money to make ends meet, he says, adding that he re-upped again to help keep his remaining staff paid. They always fund me immediately. For Schreier, a huge part of Rapid Finances appeal is the relationship hes built with his representative: over the years theyve watched each others families grow and even through the COVID-19 pandemic, Schreiers rep has constantly reassured him that support will be there as business get tight. For Schreier it isnt just about the money, but the feeling that the company is behind him both in getting him the funds he needs and helping him pay back each loan at his own pace. We figure out a percentage that they're going to draft out of my bank account so I can pay the loans off without even thinking about it, he says. I'm much more comfortable with that repayment structure. It just works for me and the way I run my business. Ask Mike Maxey whether he likes running his own business and he will emphatically say no. No, not really at all--its not my main forte, says Maxey, who has been running Mikes Boise Clutch, an Idaho automotive repair shop, since 2000. Im not the greatest busines man in the world. Yet, Maxey would never work for someone else, which is something he did years ago and also didnt enjoy. Hes the type of entrepreneur who refuses to put profit before people. Rather than upselling customers on work they dont want or overcharging for basic repairs, he gives his clients exactly what they need and nothing more. He could probably make more money by convincing customers to do additional work, he says, but he would rather build a solid relationship with the people in his neighbourhood than make a quick buck. Id rather close the shop than steal from someone, Maxey says. My theory has always been that I want to take care of the customer like I would take care of my own family. I personally spend a lot of time in the shop still working on stuff because my customers expect it. Doing business the right way has worked well for Maxey. Mikes Boise Clutch now has six employees in addition to Maxey himself, and the shop is almost always busy. He brings in about $130,000 a month, on average, up from about $50,000 when he first opened shop. He now wants to increase his top line by 10 percent month-over-month, which he hopes to achieve by pouring extra money into advertising. Clearly, Maxey has plenty of business-owning skills--hes just not as enamoured with running payroll, staying on top of taxes and managing people as he is working on cars and providing good service. It just works, he says about his business. I dont run it like an actual business--the guys who work for me, were all friends. I dont love things like taxes, which creep up on me, and all the other little things Im not good enough keeping an eye on. Get help to cover costs If Maxey is going to run his business his way--and he has no regrets about the way he operates--hes going to need some help from time to time, whether its to manage cash flow, pay a tax shortfall or give his shop a new coat of paint. He uses the merchant cash advance from Rapid Finance a financial company that provides financing solutions to small businesses, to help him cover the costs of running a business. This loan gives his business access to capital based on its future credit card receivables. Because payments are based on receivables, theres no fixed payback term and the payments themselves are flexible. The company also has several other small business-related financing solutions, such as small business loans, lines of credit and bridge loans. Each type comes with different features, including various payment terms--some can be paid back in as little as three months and others as long as 60 months--borrowing limits and more. His first interaction with Rapid Finance was during the 2008 economic crisis, when Maxeys customers suddenly couldnt afford to fix their cars. As a result, he didnt have the cash to pay his suppliers. His banks hands were tied at the time, but an unexpected call from Rapid Finance allowed Maxey to get the money he needed, which he easily paid off once customers started coming back. Because of that experience, hes now a client for life. He borrows about $20,000 every few months, which he always pays back within 90 days--the cash comes out of his bank account daily. He stuck to that schedule during COVID-19, which he says didnt impact nearly as much as the Great Recession. A lot of people were still going to work where we are and while many stayed home, it was also a good time to get their car fixed, he says. It was just sitting at home otherwise. While Maxey may think hes not the best businessman he does love the freedom that comes with running his own shop on his own terms. Having an extra cushion of money available whenever he needs it means that hes been able to cut the shops business hours down to five days a week so that he and his staff can always enjoy the weekend. Maxey now has plans to set up a second shop, though hes also eyeing the day where he can retire and pass his business onto his son. For now, though, hes content to do good work for his local community. Zara has come under scrutiny after one of its head designers got into an online argument with a model over the Israel-Palestine conflict. According to screenshots of private messages shared by model Qaher Harhash, Vanessa Perilman, Zaras head designer for its womens department, sent him a Direct Message on Instagram in which she criticised his advocacy for people living in Gaza. In the messages, attributed to Perilman, it said: Maybe if your people were educated then they wouldnt blow up the hospitals and schools that Israel helped to pay for in Gaza. The people in my industry know the truth about Israel and Palestine and I will NEVER stop defending Israel and people like you come and go in the end. Israelis dont teach children to hate nor throw stones at soldiers as your people do. Harhash subsequently shared screenshots of the messages on his Instagram Stories, which were rapidly shared, and Perilmans alleged comments were criticised. Perilmans Instagram account has since been deleted. Commenting on the messages in an interview with NBC News, Harhash explained how he was shocked to learn that Perilman worked in a high-powered role at Zara. I went into their profile, and I saw that it said shes the senior womens designer at Zara, he said. So I was like, I backed up, I thought to myself, like first of all, I just dont want to mess with, with anyone you know. Many social media users responded to the comments by calling for shoppers to boycott Zara, with the hashtag #boycottzara trending on Twitter. One user addressed the retailer on Instagram by writing: Your head designer is entitled to her political opinion. However, this is vile anti-Palestinian and Islamophobic rhetoric. Companies like yours only seem to act when it hurts your bottom line In a statement sent to The Independent, Inditex, the company that owns Zara, said it does not accept any lack of respect to any culture, religion, country, race or belief. The statement continued: Zara is a diverse company and we shall never tolerate discrimination of any kind, the company continued. We condemn these comments that do not reflect our core values of respect for one another, and we regret the offense that they have caused. The Independent has been unable to contact Perilman for comment. The World Health Organization (WHO) is facing criticism after the first draft of its Global Alcohol Action Plan seemed to suggest there should be a prevention of drinking among pregnant women and women of childbearing age. The draft, which was released on Tuesday, 15 June, has been hailed a risk to hard-won womens rights by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS). The charity, which advocates for affordable services to prevent unwanted pregnancies, highlighted that there is no consensus regarding whether low to mid-level alcohol consumption during pregnancy is actually harmful. Current NHS guidance states that drinking alcohol during pregnancy poses risk to the baby. It said the risk is higher the more you drink, but there is no proven safe level. Your baby cannot process alcohol as well as you can, which means it can damage cells in their brain, spinal cord and other parts of their body, and disrupt their development in the womb, the NHS advises. In its draft, the WHO urged governments to give appropriate attention to the prevention of drinking among pregnant women and women of childbearing age. It said prenatal alcohol exposure is one of the most dramatic manifestations of harm to persons other than drinkers and leads to the development of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Elsewhere in the draft, the WHO said alcohol use contributed to 0.7 million deaths of women across the world in 2016. More than three times the number of men, 2.3 million, died from alcohol use in the same year. Clare Murphy, Chief Executive of BPAS said: It is extremely disturbing to see the World Health Organization risk hard-won womens rights by attempting to control their bodies and choices in this way. By treating all women for 40 years of their lives as little more than vessels, the WHO reduces women to little more than their reproductive capabilities. The charity has also criticised the language of the draft, which it said will fuel anti-abortion rhetoric. The narrative that women need to be stopped from posing a risk to foetuses even those which do not exist - is used around the world to surveil and criminalise women making decisions during pregnancy. A global organisation such as WHO should recognise the power that such dangerous messaging about womens behaviour carries, and should be more alert to the impact of these statements. We urge them to review this document as a matter of urgency, Murphy said. According to WHO, several rounds of consultations will take place before the action plan is finalised. This is a first draft of that plan. A spokesperson said: The overall objective of WHOs public health work with regard to alcohol is to protect health and prevent health conditions that result from its harmful use. The current draft of WHOs global action plan does not recommend abstinence of all women who are of an age at which they could become pregnant. However it does seek to raise awareness of the serious consequences that can result from drinking alcohol while pregnant, even when the pregnancy is not yet known. Businesses have warned Boris Johnsons government that any attempt to give employees the legal right to work from home would cause chaos in offices across the country. Reports suggest ministers are considering proposals to allow millions of workers to choose whether they want to carry on working from home after Covid restrictions come to an end. But business owners told The Independent that the government should not intervene saying firms are better placed to work out what is best for them and their staff when the final lockdown curbs are lifted. Rachel Hayward, co-founder of business swapping platform The Swap Shop, said: The theory is great, but the practice could be unworkable given that many businesses need people in the workplace. She added: Businesses and their employees should be left to work this out for themselves as giving people the default right to work from home could be legislative overkill. Imran Hussain, director of Harmony Financial Services, said any government efforts to try to come up with a blanket work from home policy will not suit every industry and could cause corporate chaos. But Joanna Swash, chief executive of Moneypenny, a Wrexham-based telephone answering and live chat service, said most businesses had already introduced flexible working and hybrid models. We need the ability to make our own decisions, she said. We do have to be careful there arent businesses out there forcing employees to do things that are unnecessary But I dont think we need legislation to do that. Anger and concern about potentially cumbersome legislation arose after a government source told the Daily Mail: We are looking at introducing a default right to flexible working. That would cover things like reasonable requests by parents to start late so they can drop their kids at childcare. The Conservative 2019 manifesto also promised to legislate to make sure firms offered more flexible working. But Downing Street moved to dampen the row on Thursday. The prime ministers official spokesperson said the government had no plans to make working from home the legal default after the pandemic. Jesse Norman, the Treasury minister, told Sky News an announcement on proposals to boost flexible working would be made in due course, adding: Of course we want a balanced return to work. This is going to be very company or organisation specific and any guidance the government puts out is going to have to recognise that. The Federation of Small Businesses warned the government against any snap decisions this summer. Well be stressing that small businesses should be afforded the space to install the working arrangements that work best for them, said its chair, Mike Cherry. Trudy Simmons, founder of The Daisy Chain Group (Trudy Simmons) However, some business owners think a legal right to work from home would be a good idea. Trudy Simmons, founder of The Daisy Chain Group for female entrepreneurs, said it would give staff greater freedom. Giving people the right to work from home would be a huge step forward for all businesses, and encourage employees to chose how and when they can do more for the company that they work for, said Ms Simmons. She added: When people are given choices employers will get more out of their employees. Unions have also warned of a risk of a two-tier workforce, divided between those who can work from home being given flexibility, and those who cannot being given none. Angela Rayner, Labours deputy leader, said: Instead of leaks and briefings the government must publish their proposals for office-based workers post 19 July. The starting point must be a strengthening of workers rights on flexible working so that workers are not pressured or blackmailed back into unsafe workplaces. Coronavirus case numbers in the UK borough hardest hit by the new Delta variant appear to have peaked and are now falling, the director of public health there has said. Infection rates in Blackburn with Darwen look to have topped out on 7 June and have been in decline in the 10 days since, Dominic Harrison tweeted. Good news, he wrote. Increasingly strong signal that the BwD case rate may have peaked on 7 June (at 667) and that the fall in daily case numbers will be sustained for at least seven days. It was, he added, the first sustained fall since initial Delta variant case on 7 April. The drop which comes after a huge testing and vaccination operation were mobilised has hugely welcome implications for the rest of the country: it appears to show that, despite being 60 per more transmissible than early iterations, the new variant can be managed without resorting to full lockdown. Crucially, too, fears that rising case numbers would result in increased hospital admissions and deaths appear not to have played out, offering further evidence that vaccines may have broken the link between case numbers and mortality rates. In a joint statement, with council leader Mohammed Khan and adult services director Sayyed Osman, Professor Harrison said: The support we have had in surge testing and extra vaccinations for over-18s over the last four weeks is having an impact... We need to make the most of this opportunity. We urge all our residents to pull together and do everything they can to help get control of our virus rates now. Its also vital that everyone takes up the offer of the vaccine. The added: If we all do our bit, within another four weeks the picture in Blackburn with Darwen could look very different. Despite the signs that the targeted measures - which have also been implemented across Greater Manchester and Lancashire - are working, Covid-19 cases for the whole of the UK continue to rise, with 9,055 new infections reported on Wednesday, the highest since early February. A highly decorated police officer convicted of possessing a child abuse video on her phone has won an appeal against her dismissal from the Metropolitan Police. Superintendent Robyn Williams, 56, who was commended for her work after the Grenfell Tower disaster, was sentenced to 200 hours of community service for possession of an indecent image in November 2019. She was dismissed from the force with immediate effect after a special disciplinary hearing in March 2020 found her conviction amounted to gross misconduct. Ms Williams appealed the dismissal decision and it was upheld on Wednesday by a panel which determined that she should have been issued with a final written warning rather than being dismissed. The Police Superintendents Association said the independent panel, consisting of a legally qualified chair, a lay person and a serving senior police officer, found her dismissal from the Met to be both unfair and unreasonable and therefore allowed her appeal against her dismissal. The trial at the Old Bailey heard that Ms Williams received the video via WhatsApp from her older sister Jennifer Hodge, 57, who had originally been sent the clip by her long-term boyfriend, 63-year-old Dido Massivi. The court accepted Ms Williams did not view the footage but the jury was not convinced she was unaware of it being on her phone. Jurors heard that Ms Williams had an exemplary disciplinary record and was highly regarded for her work both in the aftermath of Grenfell and at successive Notting Hill Carnivals. She was awarded the Queens Police Medal for distinguished service in 2003. Ms Williams said: I am extremely pleased with todays outcome and would like to thank the members of the panel for their decision, Gerard Boyle QC for continually fighting my case, and for the countless people within policing and beyond, including representatives of the Police Superintendents Association, who have supported me throughout. For over a year, before and during the pandemic, I have continued to support local people by working within community initiatives. I am therefore delighted to be able to return to the work I love, serving our communities within London. Police Superintendents Association professional standards coordinator Victor Marshall said: We have continued to support Robyn since the original allegations against her were made. We are pleased that todays panel agreed that her dismissal was unreasonable in light of the complex circumstances surrounding her conviction and we are delighted she will be able to continue to serve the communities of London. The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: We are aware of the outcome of todays police appeals tribunal in which Novlett Robyn Williams appealed her dismissal without notice following her conviction for possessing an indecent image of a child. The tribunal determined Ms Williams dismissal should be replaced with a final written warning. We await the full judgment. Once received, we will then consider the ruling and engage with Ms Williams representatives accordingly. The full judgment is expected to be published in about a weeks time. Ms Williams appeal against her conviction for having a child abuse video on her phone was refused by the Court of Appeal in February. A new first minister for Northern Ireland was installed today amid open dissent among his own DUP party over concessions made to Sinn Fein in order to restore power-sharing. There were threats of a vote of no confidence in DUP leader Edwin Poots, which could bring an abrupt end to Paul Givans tenure as the Stormont executives youngest ever leader at just 39. All but one of the unionist partys MPs and all of its representatives in the House of Lords signed a letter this morning voicing disquiet about a deal brokered late last night to permit the establishment of a new administration in the wake of Arlene Fosters resignation. Under the terms of the deal, Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis said the UK government would put legislation protecting the Irish language through Westminster if Stormont fails to make it law by September. The move cleared the way for Mr Givan to take up the position of first minister, with Sinn Feins Michelle ONeill as deputy first minister, later in the day. The language issue had threatened to block the restoration of power-sharing, with Sinn Fein making clear it would not nominate Ms ONeill to her former position unless the DUP agreed to press ahead with legislation which was promised in an earlier agreement but has not yet been delivered. Mr Lewis hailed the breakthrough as an important milestone in the delivery of our shared commitments. But DUP MPs and peers responded with an email to Mr Poots warning they were very concerned about this development and requesting an urgent meeting. Mr Poots and Mr Givan attended a fractious meeting of DUP MLAs and MPs, but are understood to have left before a vote in which those present voted 24-4 against the decision to nominate a first minister. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 8 June 2021 POOL/AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures GettyImages-1233613088.jpg POOL/AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 22 June 2021 Actor Isaac Hampstead Wright sits on the newly unveiled Game of Throne's "Iron Throne" statue, in Leicester Square, in London, Tuesday, June 22, 2021. The statue is the tenth to join the trail and commemorates 10 years since the TV show first aired, as well as in anticipation for HBO's release of House of the Dragon set to be released in 2022 AP UK news in pictures 19 June 2021 England appeal LBW during day four of their Womens International Test match against India at the Bristol County Ground PA UK news in pictures 18 June 2021 Scotland fans let off flares in Leicester Square after Scotland's Euro 2020 match against England ended in a 0-0 draw Getty UK news in pictures 17 June 2021 Members of the Tootsie Rollers jazz band pose on the third day of the Royal Ascot horse racing meet AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 16 June 2021 A woman and child examine life-size sculptures of a herd of Asian elephants set up by the Elephant Family and The Real Elephant Collective to help educate the public on the elephants and the ways in which humans can better protect the planets biodiversity, in Green Park, central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 June 2021 Hydrotherapists with Dixie, a seven-year-old Dachshund who is being treated for back problems common with the breed, in the hydrotherapy pool during a facility at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home's in Battersea, London, to view their new hydrotherapy centre PA UK news in pictures 14 June 2021 Scotland's David Marshall in the net after Czech Republic's Patrik Schick scored their second goal at Hampden Park Reuters UK news in pictures 13 June 2021 Raheem Sterling celebrates with Harry Kane after scoring Englands first goal of the Euro 2021 tournament in a match against Croatia at Wembley Reuters UK news in pictures 12 June 2021 Oxfam campaigners wearing costumes depicting G7 leaders pose for photographers on Swanpool Beach near Falmouth, Cornwall EPA UK news in pictures 11 June 2021 Members of the Vaxinol team, who are commercial, industrial and residential cleaners specialising in disinfection and decontamination, use electrostatic spray systems to deep clean the Only Fools Bar in Liverpool PA UK news in pictures 10 June 2021 A woman walks her dogs as the incoming tide begins to wash away the heads of G7 leaders drawn in the sand by activists on the beach at Newquay, Cornwall AP UK news in pictures 9 June 2021 Adam Chamberlain, 45, general manager of Big Tree pub in Sheffield, has put up over 500 flags, taking 36 hours, in preparation for Euro 2020, which kicks off this weekend Tom Maddick / SWNS UK news in pictures 8 June 2021 REUTERS UK news in pictures 7 June 2021 A pedestrian wearing a face covering walks over Westminster Bridge near the Houses of Parliament in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 6 June 2021 Isobel Salamon, founder of the Edinburgh Cinema Club, poses alongside the Leith Trainspotting murals in Quality Yard, Leith, Edinburgh, for the programme launch of the Cinescapes Festival which starts on July 4 with a Trainspotting 1 and 2 double bill PA UK news in pictures 5 June 2021 A long exposure photograph captures the rotation of the earth as the stars blur into circles over Knowlton church ruins in Dorset Nick Lucas/SWNS UK news in pictures 4 June 2021 Balloonists take flight during the opening of the Midlands Air Festival in Alcester, Warwickshire PA UK news in pictures 3 June 2021 Members of the Household Cavalry during the Major General's annual inspection of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment in Hyde Park, London PA UK news in pictures 2 June 2021 Hannah Vitos of the Blenheim Art Foundation, poses for a photograph next to artist Ai Weiwei's Gilded Cage (2017) sculpture in the grounds of Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Britain Reuters UK news in pictures 1 June 2021 People swim in the Sky Pool, a transparent swimming pool bridge across two exclusive residential blocks standing next to the US Embassy in Nine Elms, in London, Tuesday, June 1, 2021 AP UK news in pictures 31 May 2021 People enjoy the hot weather at Brighton beach Reuters UK news in pictures 30 May 2021 People venture into the sea as they enjoy themselves during a hot day on Brighton Beach AP UK news in pictures 29 May 2021 Swimmers at the Stonehaven Open Air Pool in Aberdeenshire, which reopens after lockdown restrictions were eased PA UK news in pictures 28 May 2021 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures as he meets Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban at Downing Street in London REUTERS UK news in pictures 27 May 2021 White Pelicans in the sunshine in St James's Park, London PA UK news in pictures 26 May 2021 Boats are seen at Southsea Moorings in Portsmouth Reuters UK news in pictures 25 May 2021 York Glaziers Trust employees Kieran Muir (left) and Emily Price (right) remove a stained glass window panel at the start of a new five year, 5m project to conserve York Minsters South East Transept and its medieval St Cuthbert Window PA UK news in pictures 24 May 2021 Dark rain clouds above an oast house at Bewl Water reservoir near Lamberhurst in Kent during one of the rainiest Mays on record, with the UK seeing 131 per cent of the usual months rainfall already PA UK news in pictures 23 May 2021 The Premier League trophy with the Manchester City club colour ribbons on, at Etihad Stadium, prior to the last Premier League match of the season. City will finally pick up the trophy after they won the league on 11 May Getty UK news in pictures 22 May 2021 Gary Kenny lifts the Buildbase FA Vase Trophy after Warrington Rylands won the FA Vase Final against Binfield at Wembley Stadium Getty UK news in pictures 21 May 2021 A family buffeted by the wind whilst crossing the the Millennium Bridge in London, with wind and rain forecast to ravage the UK on the first Friday that people have been allowed to meet in large groups outside in England PA UK news in pictures 20 May 2021 Devon And Cornwall Police Demonstrate Their Skills For Policing The G7 Summit Getty Images UK news in pictures 18 May 2021 An employee stands before a costume for the Queen of Hearts by Bob Crowley on display at the Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London PA UK news in pictures 17 May 2021 Passengers prepare to board an easyJet flight to Faro, Portugal, at Gatwick Airport after the ban on international leisure travel for people in England was lifted following the further easing of lockdown restrictions in England PA UK news in pictures 16 May 2021 Emergency workers at the scene of a suspected gas explosion, in which a young child was killed and two people were seriously injured, on Mallowdale Ave Heysham which caused 2 houses to collapse and badly damaged another PA UK news in pictures 15 May 2021 Pro-Palestinian activists and supporters let off smoke flares, wave flags and carry placards during a demonstration in support of the Palestinian cause as violence escalates in the ongoing conflict with Israel, in central London AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 14 May 2021 Member of staffs tighten screws and paint a Marlin skeleton, before it goes on display at the Natural History Museum in London, as the museum prepares to reopen to the public on 17 May, following the further easing of lockdown restrictions in England PA UK news in pictures 13 May 2021 A worshipper at the Baitul Futuh Mosque in Mordon, south London, ahead of Eid al-Fitr. The celebration marks the end of the Muslim month of fasting, called Ramadan. PA UK news in pictures 12 May 2021 A couple have wedding photos taken in Westminster, London Getty UK news in pictures 11 May 2021 The sun rises on Coquet Island, off Amble on the Northumberland coast, where as many as 35000 seabirds cram onto this tiny island to breed PA UK news in pictures 10 May 2021 Newly elected for a second term Mayor of London Sadiq Khan during his signing in ceremony at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre on Londons Southbank PA UK news in pictures 9 May 2021 People mill around St. Michael's tower on top of Glastonbury Tor as it is seen through blooming yellow rapeseed on a day of mixed weather in Glastonbury, Somerset PA UK news in pictures 8 May 2021 Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford elbow bumps newly elected MS Labour candidates Elizabeth Buffy Williams, Rhondda, left, and Sarah Murphy, Bridgend & Porthcawl Labour, right, as they meet in Porthcawl, Wales PA UK news in pictures 6 May 2021 A group of five Sisters from Carmelite Monastery in Dysart cast their vote in the Scottish Parliamentary election at Dysart Community Hall, West Port, Dysart PA UK news in pictures 5 May 2021 Leader of the Labour Party Sir Keir Starmer (centre) with West Midlands Metro Mayor candidate Liam Byrne (far right) and Labour Deputy Leader, Angela Rayner (far left) during a visit to Birmingham, whilst on the election campaign trail PA UK news in pictures 4 May 2021 Artists Heather Ackroyd and Dan Harvey stand within 100 oak saplings which form part of a living art installation entitled Beuys' Acorns by the UK-based artist duo, outside the Tate Modern in London PA UK news in pictures 3 May 2021 Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie feeds the Gentoo penguins during a visit to Edinburgh Zoo on the campaign trail for the forthcoming Scottish Parliamentary Election on May 6 PA UK news in pictures 2 May 2021 Chelsea players celebrate their fourth goal during the Womens Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich, at Kingsmeadow Stadium in south west London. The Blues won the game 4-1, (and the tie 5-3 on aggregate) sending them through to their first Champions League final AFP/Getty The atmosphere at the meeting was described by party sources as dreadful, utterly dreadful and bedlam. Another said: The meeting was in total disarray. And following Mr Givans installation, rumours began to spread of proposals for a vote of no confidence in Mr Poots. Amid the turmoil, former leader Ms Foster seemingly took delight in trolling the man who forced her out of power, tweeting about her lovely lunch at a Belfast restaurant and adding: Hope everyone is having a great day this lovely sunny afternoon. The new leader, who took office less than a month ago after Ms Fosters 28 May resignation, later arrived at DUP headquarters for a meeting with party officers. Arriving at the meeting, DUP MP Sammy Wilson did not rule out the possibility of a confidence vote. And asked if Mr Poots would survive it, he replied: It wouldnt be a final decision, it would be decision by the executive. I think that any leader who doesnt have the confidence of party officers and didnt have the confidence of their assembly group and their MPs will find it very difficult to stay in their position. You cannot lead people who are not following you. If you have no followers, you cant be a leader, can you? Mr Wilson made it clear that Mr Givans position would be in doubt if Mr Poots was toppled. If Edwin is no longer leader, then whoever did become leader would have the choice of the first minister, said Mr Wilson. These are all decisions we have got to make. And he added: The one thing I can tell you is that there is no appetite for a situation where we have an assembly which can have its powers stripped from it by the secretary of state at a whim simply because Sinn Fein demand that they get something that they cant persuade others in the assembly to deliver for them. Party chair Lord Morrow told reporters they would have to wait and see whether there would be a vote of no confidence in Mr Poots. Hopes for the establishment of a new power-sharing administration in Northern Ireland have hit a last-minute obstacle, as senior members of the DUP wrote to party leader Edwin Poots urging him to delay nominating a new first minister. A late-night deal on language legislation appeared to have defused the crisis which threatened to collapse the executive in the wake of the resignation as first minister of Arlene Foster on 14 June. In an announcement in the early hours of Thursday, Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis said he was ready to put legislation protecting the Irish language through Westminster if Stormont fails to make it law by September. The move cleared the way for the planned nomination today of the DUPs Paul Givan as first minister and Sinn Feins Michelle ONeill as deputy first minister heading a new Northern Ireland executive. However seven of the DUPs eight MPs and five of its members of the House of Lords have now written to Mr Poots urging him to stall the process. Mr Poots wrote to the partys Westminster MPs and Stormont Assembly team telling them he will nominate Mr Givan at the earliest possible opportunity. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 8 June 2021 POOL/AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures GettyImages-1233613088.jpg POOL/AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 22 June 2021 Actor Isaac Hampstead Wright sits on the newly unveiled Game of Throne's "Iron Throne" statue, in Leicester Square, in London, Tuesday, June 22, 2021. The statue is the tenth to join the trail and commemorates 10 years since the TV show first aired, as well as in anticipation for HBO's release of House of the Dragon set to be released in 2022 AP UK news in pictures 19 June 2021 England appeal LBW during day four of their Womens International Test match against India at the Bristol County Ground PA UK news in pictures 18 June 2021 Scotland fans let off flares in Leicester Square after Scotland's Euro 2020 match against England ended in a 0-0 draw Getty UK news in pictures 17 June 2021 Members of the Tootsie Rollers jazz band pose on the third day of the Royal Ascot horse racing meet AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 16 June 2021 A woman and child examine life-size sculptures of a herd of Asian elephants set up by the Elephant Family and The Real Elephant Collective to help educate the public on the elephants and the ways in which humans can better protect the planets biodiversity, in Green Park, central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 June 2021 Hydrotherapists with Dixie, a seven-year-old Dachshund who is being treated for back problems common with the breed, in the hydrotherapy pool during a facility at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home's in Battersea, London, to view their new hydrotherapy centre PA UK news in pictures 14 June 2021 Scotland's David Marshall in the net after Czech Republic's Patrik Schick scored their second goal at Hampden Park Reuters UK news in pictures 13 June 2021 Raheem Sterling celebrates with Harry Kane after scoring Englands first goal of the Euro 2021 tournament in a match against Croatia at Wembley Reuters UK news in pictures 12 June 2021 Oxfam campaigners wearing costumes depicting G7 leaders pose for photographers on Swanpool Beach near Falmouth, Cornwall EPA UK news in pictures 11 June 2021 Members of the Vaxinol team, who are commercial, industrial and residential cleaners specialising in disinfection and decontamination, use electrostatic spray systems to deep clean the Only Fools Bar in Liverpool PA UK news in pictures 10 June 2021 A woman walks her dogs as the incoming tide begins to wash away the heads of G7 leaders drawn in the sand by activists on the beach at Newquay, Cornwall AP UK news in pictures 9 June 2021 Adam Chamberlain, 45, general manager of Big Tree pub in Sheffield, has put up over 500 flags, taking 36 hours, in preparation for Euro 2020, which kicks off this weekend Tom Maddick / SWNS UK news in pictures 8 June 2021 REUTERS UK news in pictures 7 June 2021 A pedestrian wearing a face covering walks over Westminster Bridge near the Houses of Parliament in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 6 June 2021 Isobel Salamon, founder of the Edinburgh Cinema Club, poses alongside the Leith Trainspotting murals in Quality Yard, Leith, Edinburgh, for the programme launch of the Cinescapes Festival which starts on July 4 with a Trainspotting 1 and 2 double bill PA UK news in pictures 5 June 2021 A long exposure photograph captures the rotation of the earth as the stars blur into circles over Knowlton church ruins in Dorset Nick Lucas/SWNS UK news in pictures 4 June 2021 Balloonists take flight during the opening of the Midlands Air Festival in Alcester, Warwickshire PA UK news in pictures 3 June 2021 Members of the Household Cavalry during the Major General's annual inspection of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment in Hyde Park, London PA UK news in pictures 2 June 2021 Hannah Vitos of the Blenheim Art Foundation, poses for a photograph next to artist Ai Weiwei's Gilded Cage (2017) sculpture in the grounds of Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Britain Reuters UK news in pictures 1 June 2021 People swim in the Sky Pool, a transparent swimming pool bridge across two exclusive residential blocks standing next to the US Embassy in Nine Elms, in London, Tuesday, June 1, 2021 AP UK news in pictures 31 May 2021 People enjoy the hot weather at Brighton beach Reuters UK news in pictures 30 May 2021 People venture into the sea as they enjoy themselves during a hot day on Brighton Beach AP UK news in pictures 29 May 2021 Swimmers at the Stonehaven Open Air Pool in Aberdeenshire, which reopens after lockdown restrictions were eased PA UK news in pictures 28 May 2021 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures as he meets Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban at Downing Street in London REUTERS UK news in pictures 27 May 2021 White Pelicans in the sunshine in St James's Park, London PA UK news in pictures 26 May 2021 Boats are seen at Southsea Moorings in Portsmouth Reuters UK news in pictures 25 May 2021 York Glaziers Trust employees Kieran Muir (left) and Emily Price (right) remove a stained glass window panel at the start of a new five year, 5m project to conserve York Minsters South East Transept and its medieval St Cuthbert Window PA UK news in pictures 24 May 2021 Dark rain clouds above an oast house at Bewl Water reservoir near Lamberhurst in Kent during one of the rainiest Mays on record, with the UK seeing 131 per cent of the usual months rainfall already PA UK news in pictures 23 May 2021 The Premier League trophy with the Manchester City club colour ribbons on, at Etihad Stadium, prior to the last Premier League match of the season. City will finally pick up the trophy after they won the league on 11 May Getty UK news in pictures 22 May 2021 Gary Kenny lifts the Buildbase FA Vase Trophy after Warrington Rylands won the FA Vase Final against Binfield at Wembley Stadium Getty UK news in pictures 21 May 2021 A family buffeted by the wind whilst crossing the the Millennium Bridge in London, with wind and rain forecast to ravage the UK on the first Friday that people have been allowed to meet in large groups outside in England PA UK news in pictures 20 May 2021 Devon And Cornwall Police Demonstrate Their Skills For Policing The G7 Summit Getty Images UK news in pictures 18 May 2021 An employee stands before a costume for the Queen of Hearts by Bob Crowley on display at the Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London PA UK news in pictures 17 May 2021 Passengers prepare to board an easyJet flight to Faro, Portugal, at Gatwick Airport after the ban on international leisure travel for people in England was lifted following the further easing of lockdown restrictions in England PA UK news in pictures 16 May 2021 Emergency workers at the scene of a suspected gas explosion, in which a young child was killed and two people were seriously injured, on Mallowdale Ave Heysham which caused 2 houses to collapse and badly damaged another PA UK news in pictures 15 May 2021 Pro-Palestinian activists and supporters let off smoke flares, wave flags and carry placards during a demonstration in support of the Palestinian cause as violence escalates in the ongoing conflict with Israel, in central London AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 14 May 2021 Member of staffs tighten screws and paint a Marlin skeleton, before it goes on display at the Natural History Museum in London, as the museum prepares to reopen to the public on 17 May, following the further easing of lockdown restrictions in England PA UK news in pictures 13 May 2021 A worshipper at the Baitul Futuh Mosque in Mordon, south London, ahead of Eid al-Fitr. The celebration marks the end of the Muslim month of fasting, called Ramadan. PA UK news in pictures 12 May 2021 A couple have wedding photos taken in Westminster, London Getty UK news in pictures 11 May 2021 The sun rises on Coquet Island, off Amble on the Northumberland coast, where as many as 35000 seabirds cram onto this tiny island to breed PA UK news in pictures 10 May 2021 Newly elected for a second term Mayor of London Sadiq Khan during his signing in ceremony at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre on Londons Southbank PA UK news in pictures 9 May 2021 People mill around St. Michael's tower on top of Glastonbury Tor as it is seen through blooming yellow rapeseed on a day of mixed weather in Glastonbury, Somerset PA UK news in pictures 8 May 2021 Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford elbow bumps newly elected MS Labour candidates Elizabeth Buffy Williams, Rhondda, left, and Sarah Murphy, Bridgend & Porthcawl Labour, right, as they meet in Porthcawl, Wales PA UK news in pictures 6 May 2021 A group of five Sisters from Carmelite Monastery in Dysart cast their vote in the Scottish Parliamentary election at Dysart Community Hall, West Port, Dysart PA UK news in pictures 5 May 2021 Leader of the Labour Party Sir Keir Starmer (centre) with West Midlands Metro Mayor candidate Liam Byrne (far right) and Labour Deputy Leader, Angela Rayner (far left) during a visit to Birmingham, whilst on the election campaign trail PA UK news in pictures 4 May 2021 Artists Heather Ackroyd and Dan Harvey stand within 100 oak saplings which form part of a living art installation entitled Beuys' Acorns by the UK-based artist duo, outside the Tate Modern in London PA UK news in pictures 3 May 2021 Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie feeds the Gentoo penguins during a visit to Edinburgh Zoo on the campaign trail for the forthcoming Scottish Parliamentary Election on May 6 PA UK news in pictures 2 May 2021 Chelsea players celebrate their fourth goal during the Womens Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich, at Kingsmeadow Stadium in south west London. The Blues won the game 4-1, (and the tie 5-3 on aggregate) sending them through to their first Champions League final AFP/Getty But the MPs and peers responded with an email stating that they are very concerned about this development. They requested an urgent meeting to explain the basis of your agreement with the secretary of state and Sinn Fein before any further steps are taken in this process, including the nomination of a first minister. The language issue has been at the centre of a row since Ms Foster was forced out as DUP leader and first minister, automatically triggering Ms ONeills removal from her post. Ms Fosters successor as party leader Mr Poots chose 39-year-old Mr Givan to become the youngest person to lead Northern Ireland since the creation of the power-sharing executive in 1999. But Sinn Fein made clear it would not renominate unless the DUP agreed to press ahead with legislating on the Irish language, threatening to collapse the executive. Irish language laws are an unfulfilled commitment within the 2020 deal that restored power-sharing at Stormont. Mr Poots has vowed to implement all outstanding aspects of the New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) deal, including Irish language legislation but has declined to promise it within the current Assembly mandate. Speaking in Belfast in the early hours of Thursday, Mr Lewis said: My preference remains for the language and identity provisions of NDNA to be implemented by the Northern Ireland Executive as planned. This includes the creation of an Ulster Scots Commissioner, an Irish language Commissioner and an Office of Identity and Cultural Expression. I am disappointed that it has not yet brought this legislation forward in the Assembly. However, following my intensive negotiations with the parties over the last few days, today I can confirm that if the executive has not progressed legislation by the end of September, the UK government will take the legislation through parliament. If that becomes necessary, we will introduce legislation in October. Mr Lewis said that the move marked an important milestone in the delivery of our shared commitments in the NDNA agreement and ensuring the future stability of the Northern Ireland executive. But Mr Poots told the BBCs Good Morning Ulster he didnt welcome the intervention by the secretary of state and said there was no necessity for anyone to step in. Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald said: The British government has agreed to legislate for Acht na Gaeilge and the cultural package at Westminster. This will happen in October with Commissioners appointed by March 2022. We told the British government that this is the only viable option to deliver these rights as the DUP were unwilling and incapable of delivering on their commitments. It is deeply regrettable that the DUP chose to block rights in this way for so long. Irish speakers have been waiting for 15 years for basic rights and recognition to be delivered. This is important for Irish language speakers and for wider society because power sharing is based on inclusion, respect and equality. There is an important responsibility on the Irish and British government to ensure no further delay. Three pieces of art looted by the British military in the late 19th century will return to Nigeria from New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art as part of a broader effort among museums to return art taken from the country. The Met's move follows those of museums in Europe which have also recently returned art to Nigeria. CNN reported that two of the pieces, a pair of 16th-century Benin Court brass plaques called "Warrior Chief" and "Junior Court Official," were given to the museum in 1991 from an art dealer named Klaus Perls and his wife Dolly. Another piece, a 14th-century "Ife Head," was offered to the museum by another collector. The Met conducted research alongside the British Museum, which included input from the Nigerian National Commission for Museum and Monuments, and decided it would be best to return the pieces. The director general of the commission, Abba Isa Tijani, praised the move in a statement. "We sincerely appreciate the transparency exhibited by the Metropolitan Museum of Art regarding issues leading to the return of these objects," he said. The plaques were originally part of a 153-piece collection of African royal treasures given to the museum by the Perlses 30 years ago. The treasures included carved elephant ivory, jewelry, masks, musical instruments and brass figures. Mr Perls told The New York Times in 1991 that his collection of African art developed somewhat by accident over the years. "I started buying African art simply because I liked to see it together with the works of the Picasso generation of artists in which I specialized as a dealer," he said. "Soon, however, my predilection for Benin art asserted itself, and it became the only kind of African art I continued to buy, until, quite unnoticed, it developed into a collection." The Met said that the plaques were taken from Benin Royal Palace in present-day Nigeria in 1897 by British military forces. They then entered the British Museum's collection. Around 1950 or 1951, the London Institution transferred the pieces, as well as 24 others, to the National Museum in Lagos. The pieces disappeared from the museum "at an unknown date and under unclear circumstances," according to the Met. The art was then sold at an international art market, where Mr Perls bought them. Germany also announced that it will begin returning Benin bronze pieces from its national collections beginning next year. As efforts to return the pieces grow, Nigeria's minister of information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, is asking that other museums consider returning African artwork that was taken during colonial occupations as well. Nigeria enjoins other museums to take a cue from this, he said in a statement. The art world can be a better place if every possessor of cultural artifacts considers the rights and feelings of the dispossessed. The Justice Department has abandoned its lawsuit against John Bolton former President Donald Trump s onetime national security adviser, over his book that officials argued disclosed classified information, Bolton's representatives said Wednesday. They said prosecutors also have dropped a grand jury investigation over the book's publication. The Trump administration sued last year to block the release of Boltons book, The Room Where It Happened, and to recover copies of the book that had already been distributed. The book, released in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election, offered a behind-the-scenes, and unflattering, account of Trumps foreign policy dealings. It described how Trump asked Chinas President Xi Jinping to help the American's reelection prospects and how Trump had pressured his Ukraine counterpart for politically charged investigations. Justice Department lawyers who sued over the book had insisted that the manuscript contained classified information that could damage national security and that Bolton, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, had failed to complete a prepublication review process designed to prevent the disclosure of government secrets. These actions represent a complete vindication for Ambassador Bolton, and a repudiation of former President Trumps attempt, under the pretext of protecting classified information, first to suppress the books publication and when that failed in court, to penalize the ambassador, said Bolton spokeswoman Sarah Tinsley. Boltons lawyers say he moved forward with the book after a White House National Security Council official, with whom Bolton had worked for months, had said the manuscript no longer contained classified information. That official, Ellen Knight, described in a letter submitted to the court last September how Trump administration officials repeatedly exerted political pressure in an unsuccessful effort to block the book's release. She described an unusual process of delay tactics and legal maneuverings. Knight, a career government records professional, said through her lawyer that after she had determined that the manuscript no longer contained classified information and was ready for clearance, she learned that a political appointee with no experience in the prepublication review process had been assigned by the White House to conduct a new review. That official subsequently flagged hundreds of passages in Bolton's manuscript that the official believed were still classified. A federal judge last year rejected the Justice Department's efforts to halt the book's release, partly because hundreds of thousands of copies had already been distributed. But the judge expressed concern that Bolton published the book before receiving a formal clearance letter, which Knight said was blocked by the White House. Besides suing Bolton, the Justice Department opened a criminal investigation over the book, though that inquiry has now been dropped, said Bolton's representatives. A department spokesman declined to comment on Wednesday. Bolton's lawyer, Charles J. Cooper, described the government's efforts to block the book as part of a politically motivated order by Trump. By ending these proceedings without in any way penalizing Ambassador Bolton or limiting his proceeds from the book, the Department of Justice has tacitly acknowledged that President Trump and his White House officials acted illegitimately, Cooper said in a statement. The book generated substantial attention even before its publication after news broke during Trump's first impeachment trial that Bolton had written how Trump had linked the supply of military assistance to Ukraine to that countrys willingness to conduct investigations into Trump's Democratic rival, now-President Joe Biden Those allegations were at the heart of an impeachment trial that ended with Trump's Senate acquittal in February 2020. Bolton though refused to testify at impeachment proceedings. Bolton's time at the Trump White House was unsurprisingly rocky. A noted national security hawk, Bolton was an odd choice for Trump, who advocated ending the United States' overseas military operations. The two continued to clash in public comments long after Bolton left office. ____ Follow Eric Tucker on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/etuckerAP Michael Cohen has said that members of Donald Trumps family were involved in the criminal activity of the Trump Organization, and he claims there is proof. The former presidents personal attorney made these claims to Ari Melber, host of The Beat on MSNBC, during a discussion of a story reported by The New York Times that alleged prosecutors may soon indict Allen Weisselberg, the CFO of the Trump Organization, in their criminal investigation into the former presidents company. The report states that a grand jury is currently looking at all the evidence surrounding Mr Weisselberg. Most of the investigation is centred around if he paid taxes due on gifts provided to him by Mr Trump, such as private school tuition, cars and an apartment lease. Mr Weisselberg is believed to have worked alongside Donald Trump for decades. Mr Cohen said he believed that Mr Weisselberg would be cooperating with federal authorities to save himself and his adult sons in the case. He told the MSNBC, "So, Allen has a choice. The choice is, do you want to spend the golden years of your life behind bars while remaining loyal to Donald Trump, knowing that Trump would absolutely 100 per cent not be loyal to you, or are you going to allow yourself and your sons to go to prison versus pass along the information and try to get yourself some sort of leniency?" He continued, "On top of that, they have, again, documentary evidence you know, the problem with everybody in the Trump Organization is that they all lie." He explained that they omit the truth frequently, knowing this from personal experience of both doing it himself and witnessing it, such as the the entire set up for the hush money for Stormy Daniels, which he alleges Mr Weisselberg helped orchestrate, alongside himself. "And they will continue, as I did, including with Congress. We all lied in order to protect Donald. The problem, though, is that there are documents that show the opposite, that I wasnt the only one that lied in the creation of that document. It was Ivanka and Jared and the lawyers. All of them were involved in the setting up of that of that information to Congress. So, yes, Im the one that suffered the consequences, and my belief is that Allen is going to suffer the same consequences," the lawyer-turned-author-and-podcast-host said. The investigation the The Times article refers to is the one by Cyrus R Vance Jr, the Manhattan district attorney. There is a parallel investigation being led by New York state Attorney General Letitia James. We have informed the Trump Organization that our investigation into the organisation is no longer purely civil in nature, the attorney general said in a statement last month. We are now actively investigating the Trump Organization in a criminal capacity, along with the Manhattan DA, Ms James continued. The investigation was started in 2019 following Mr Cohens testimony in a congressional hearing that Trump had told shareholders his assets were worth more to obtain loans. However, he would make the value lower for tax purposes. Trump, a Republican, has denied the need for the investigations as both Ms James and Mr Vance are Democrats, therefore he labelled them political in nature. The Independent reached out to Allen Weisselberg, Jared Kushner and a representative for the Trump Organization for comment. The US Supreme Court has rejected a Republican-led challenge to the Affordable Care Act, surviving another major constitutional challenge and preserving healthcare protections for millions of people. In a 7-2 decision, justices on the nations high court argued that Donald Trump, Texas and 19 other states in the case did not have standing to challenge the landmark 2010 healthcare law. According to the opinion from Justice Stephen Breyer, plaintiffs did not have a legal right to challenge the individual mandate provision of the law, which attached a tax penalty for Americans who did not obtain insurance. Plaintiffs failed to show a concrete, particularised injury fairly traceable to the defendants conduct in enforcing the specific statutory provision they attack as unconstitutional, Justice Breyer wrote. They have failed to show that they have standing to attack as unconstitutional the Acts minimum essential coverage provision. The Trump administration following nearly a decade of Republican challenges to the law, including failed attempts to repeal and replace it set the tax penalty at zero dollars, as the administration and Republicans in the ACA case argued that the individual mandate is no longer constitutional under the taxing authority of Congress, in a bid to invalidate the entire law and strip away health insurance protections for millions of Americans in the process. Conservative Justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch dissented. The healthcare law a hallmark of President Barack Obamas domestic agenda survived two other Supreme Court challenges in 2012 and in 2015, and it has effectively been enshrined within the nations byzantine healthcare system, including recent provisions in coronavirus relief legislation to bolster funding for health coverage. Without the ACA, and no immediate plan to provide healthcare coverage for people who rely on Obamacare-serviced plans, the nations uninsured would grow by more than 20 million people, according to the Urban Institute. More than 15 million lower-income Americans who benefit from expanded Medicaid coverage under law would also be left out. Within three months, more than 1 million people signed up for care coverage through the ACAs federal insurance marketplace after President Joe Biden opened enrolment in February in the wake of the public health crisis and economic fallout that saw millions of people lose their jobs and employer-backed health coverage. The special enrolment period extends through 15 August. The president who was caught on a hot mic telling Mr Obama that the ACA was a big f***ing deal when he signed it into law in 2010 has pledged to expand and build on the law in office. Its still a BFD, Mr Bidens chief of staff Ron Klain said on Twitter. With millions of people relying on the Affordable Care Act for coverage, it remains, as ever, a BFD, Mr Biden added. And its here to stay. In a White House statement, Mr Biden said the ACA is stronger than ever, delivers for the American people, and gets us closer to fulfilling our moral obligation to ensure that, here in America, health care is a right and not a privilege. The ACA is here to stay, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in remarks from the US Senate following the ruling. Now were going to try to make it bigger and better. Alabama Republican Congressman Mo Brooks is trying to arrest a man who served his wife a lawsuit from Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell. The lawsuit aims to hold Mr Brooks accountable for his role in the deadly Capitol riot on 6 January. According to AL.com, Mr Brooks alleges that a process server entered into the couple's home without permission. He also released a surveillance video that showed a man following Ms Brooks into the family's garage in order to serve her the lawsuit. Mr Brooks did not take the situation well. "Well, Swalwell FINALLY did his job, served complaint (on my WIFE). HORRIBLE Swalwell's team committed a CRIME by unlawfully sneaking INTO MY HOUSE & accosting my wife!" Mr Brooks wrote in a tweet. Mr Brooks said he plans to seek misdemeanour criminal trespassing charges against the process server. The other defendants Mr Swalwell is suing Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr, and the former president's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani all acknowledged the lawsuit through their attorneys and waived the serving process. Mr Brooks did not, choosing instead to go into hiding to try to dodge the lawsuit. He managed to evade Mr Swalwell for several months, but was eventually located. Phillip Andonian, an attorney for Mr Swalwell, told CNN that the process server did not break any laws while presenting Ms Brooks with the lawsuit. No one entered or even attempted to enter the Brookss house. That allegation is completely untrue. A process server lawfully served the papers on Mo Brooks's wife, as the federal rules allow, Mr Andonian said. This was after her initial efforts to avoid service. Mo Brooks has no one but himself to blame for the fact that it came to this. We asked him to waive service, we offered to meet him at a place of his choosing. The lawyer said Mr Brooks could have worked things out like a civilised person but that he chose instead to engage in a juvenile game of Twitter trolling over the past few days while he evaded the lawsuit. He demanded that we serve him. We did just that. The important thing is the complain has been served and Mo Brooks can now be held accountable for his role in inciting the deadly insurrection at the Capitol, Mr Andonian said. Mr Brooks released a statement claiming he had been served three times within a week. Congressman Eric Swalwell lied in his politically motivated, meritless lawsuit against President Donald Trump and me when he falsely claimed I incited the January 6 Capitol violence. Swalwells attorneys lied again when they strutted in front of the news media like peacocks in heat and falsely accused me of avoiding Swalwells lawsuit service when the fact is they could have served me roughly a hundred times before, during or after both Swalwell and I voted together on the House floor, or served me by US Mail to my home address, he wrote. In fact, when they finally got serious about serving me with the lawsuit, they served me not once, not twice, but three times, all within one week! So much for avoiding service or being difficult to find! Mr Brooks has tried to distance himself from the Capitol rioters since the event, releasing a lengthy statement condemning the violence and calling the participants fools who have done more harm than good to the Republican Party. However, Ali Alexander, the organiser of the Stop the Steal rallies that culminated with the rally on 6 January, claims Mr Brooks was a central planner of the event. Days before the attack at the Capitol, Mr Alexander posted a video naming both Mr Brooks and US Reps Paul Gosar and Andy Biggs as co-organisers of the rally that happened ahead of the riot. During the rally, Mr Brooks told the crowd that today is the day American patriots start taking down names and kicking ass. Amidst an increasingly draconian crackdown on civil liberties spearheaded by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his conservative Fidesz party, a new anti-LGBT+ law was passed by Hungarys parliament on Tuesday making the country the only European Union member to have such homophobic legislation. The new law explicitly bans the dissemination of material deemed to promote homosexuality and transgender identities to those under the age of eighteen, as part of an effort to protect minors. As expected, such an illiberal measure has drawn the ire of various watchdogs and campaigners both across Hungary and the rest of Europe, who deem it symptomatic of the growing repressiveness being fostered in the Central European country. Apart from the way in which this new law seemingly makes the age-old and profoundly harmful association of homosexuality with paedophilia, it could also cause tangible harm to LGBT+ children. In a country where 42 per cent of LGBT+ individuals have reportedly contemplated suicide and more than half of queer youths have reported feeling unsafe at school, cutting teenagers off from vital support networks could amount to a death sentence. What this new law most urgently highlights, however, is that the rights and protections recently afforded to the LGBT+ community cannot be taken for granted. Hungary is not the first country to recently take a step backwards on this front. In 2013, the Russian government passed the infamous gay propaganda law to which Hungarys own law has been compared that has stifled the development of a national Pride movement and has had a deeply damaging effect on the countrys LGBT+ community. Six years later, Poland witnessed the creation of LGBT-free zones, eventually taking up around a third of the countrys territory. The far right, which demonises, and occasionally uses, the LGBT+ community as part of its political ping pong game and artificial culture wars, remains a powerful force across the world. The electoral appeal of nationalist demagogues may have been dented by their failure to tackle the Covid-19 crisis, but throughout Europe, hard-right parties maintain enough support to occupy a coveted vantage point from which to launch a blitz in upcoming general elections. With the far right retaining such a strong presence within the global political landscape, no LGBT+ individual or other minority can truly feel protected. This all serves to illustrate why Pride remains just as necessary today as it was 50 years ago even in a country like the UK, where the LGBT+ community enjoys near-equality and social acceptance in pockets of the country. In London and other British cities, Pride has become such a star-studded fixture that its easy to forget what has always been at its heart: protest. While the gaudier, gimmicky commercialism that has attached itself to Pride has been rightly attacked, such criticisms are often unfairly conflated with another popular line of thought. If LGBT+ people now have equal rights, the argument usually goes, why do we need Pride or this general onslaught of rainbow media? But as hackneyed as it may sound, history has shown time and time again that rights are not set in stone, and can easily be reversed especially when right-wing parties desperately need to pander to their electorates underlying insecurities to score extra political points. Pride remains important in a world that is still too ready to gnaw at LGBT+ rights when it sees fit. Apathy is dangerous, and complacency is the first step on the path towards totalitarianism. Since 1963, The Independent has helped create a great community! Since our founding in September of 1963, The Independent has been dedicated to giving Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, and Sunol readers the news they need to be in-the-know about what's going on in the Tri-Valley region. remaining of Thank you for Reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Indiana, PA (15701) Today Mostly cloudy early with scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High near 70F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Showers early, then cloudy overnight. Low around 55F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. The National Investigative Agency (NIA) arrested former cop Pradeep Sharma in Mumbai for his alleged involvement in the Antilia' bomb scare case and the murder of businessman Mansukh Hiran, an official said. An NIA team had picked up Sharma from Lonavla near Mumbai late on Wednesday night, after which he was brought to the central agency's office in south Mumbai for questioning, he said. File Raids and interrogation The arrest came shortly after his home in Mumbai's Andheri was raided by a team from the central agency and armed CRPF (central reserve police force) personnel, who arrived at Sharma's home at 5 am and conducted searches for around six hours. "The NIA also conducted a raid at his residence located in J B Nagar in Mumbai's Andheri (west) around 6 am, and the operation continued for several hours. The officials recovered some incriminating documents from his house," the official said. PTI The raids come after possible links between Pradeep Sharma and an individual named Santosh Shelar, who was arrested this week and has been sent to NIA custody till June 21. There are photographs of Sharma and Shelar together but these have been dismissed by the ex-cop, who has said Santosh Shelar was a police informant. Sharma also said there are photographs of him with thousands of other people, indicating that pictures with Shelar don't mean anything. Link between Sharma and Waze Sharma - regarded by some as former Assistant Inspector Sachin Waze's mentor - was first questioned in April. At that time an agency official said they had "some definitive clues that some help could have been provided by Sharma in the Mansukh Hiran case". BCCL Waze - who is in NIA custody - had indicated the 20 gelatine sticks found in the SUV near the Ambani residence were procured through Pradeep Sharma's contact, agency sources had told NDTV earlier. Waze is regarded as the prime suspect in both cases - the bomb scare and the death of businessman Hiran, who had claimed the explosives-filled SUV was stolen from him. But, why the suspicion on Sharma? The NIA had indicated Sharma is on their radar not just because of links to Waze but because of meetings with the accused held after the crime. These indicate he was trying to help Waze, who was caught on camera planting a threatening letter in the SUV, a NIA source said. In 2019 Pradeep Sharma quit his high-profile police job to contest the Assembly polls on a Shiv Sena ticket. He lost the election and now runs an NGO named PS Foundation. File According to the NIA they were arrested June 11 from Mumbai's Malad area. However, a senior Mumbai Police official had claimed they were caught in Latur district June 10. Mansukh Hiran - an auto parts dealer who had claimed the SUV used in the bomb scare was stolen from him - was found dead in a creek in Thane on March 5. Days earlier police had recovered an SUV filled with 20 gelatine sticks from near Ambani's Mumbai home - Antilla. The deadlier version of the Delta variant of COVID-19, Delta Plus, is expected to trigger a third wave of the pandemic in India. The Delta variant of the Coronavirus was majorly responsible for the second COVID wave, which shattered the countrys healthcare infrastructure. And now, when there are talks about the possibility of a third wave and what could possibly trigger that, Delta Plus is emerging as a dangerous proposition for both the healthcare experts as well as the policymakers. In the context of public discourse regarding detection of new variants, NITI Aayog Member (Health) VK Paul has reminded that the newly detected 'Delta Plus' variant is not yet classified as a Variant of Concern (VOC). Reuters The variant was observed in Europe in March and has been notified and brought into public domain on June 13 this month. As 'Delta Plus' is not yet classified as a VOC, Paul said, the way forward is to watch the potential presence of 'Delta Plus' in the country and take the appropriate public health response. "The present status is that yes, a new variant has been found. This is as of now a Variant of Interest (VoI), not as yet classified a VoC," Paul clarified in a Covid-19 media briefing. The government may not have classified this variant as VoC, but due to the way it behaves, it has been discussed and considered as the mutant that could create problem in the highly populous areas across the country. Evades monoclonal antibody use The Delta plus variant has also been found to nullify the use of monoclonal antibody. Agencies The Delta variant played a major role in the second wave. An additional mutation of this variant, known as 'Delta Plus', has been detected and submitted to the global data system. According to the data available in the public domain, this variant nullifies the use of a monoclonal antibody. Earlier, the World Health Organization (WHO) had renamed the B.1.617.2 variant of the coronavirus, first identified in India, as the 'Delta variant'. Delta plus may trigger third wave in Maharashtra The highly virulent "Delta plus" variant of the novel coronavirus could stoke a third wave in Maharashtra, according to a Maharashtra minister. Agencies The number of active patients could reach up to eight lakh, while 10 per cent out of them could be children, said the presentation made by the state health department, as per an official release. The Delta plus variant could stoke a third wave in Maharashtra. It could spread at double the rate," said an official during the presentation. A Spanish man dubbed the "cannibal of Las Ventas" was sentenced to 15 years in jail after being convicted of killing and eating his mother. Alberto Sanchez Gomez, 28, was arrested in 2019 after police found body parts around his mother's home - some in plastic containers. What had happened? In early 2019, Alberto Sanchez Gomez strangled his mother in the apartment they shared in Madrid following an argument between the two, according to a statement from the Madrid, Spain provincial court published. Spanish Police Gomez later cut up his mother's body and ate her over a period of at least 15 days, CNN reports. He was arrested in February 2019, and started his trial in April. The court rejected Sanchez's arguments that he was experiencing a psychotic episode at the time of the killing. What raised suspicion? Police arrived at the home in eastern Madrid in February 2019 after a friend raised concerns about the welfare of Maria Soledad Gomez, Gomez's mother, who was in her 60s. During the trial, the court heard that Sanchez, then aged 26, had strangled his mother during a dispute. He then dismembered and ate parts of her body over the following two weeks, feeding some to his dog. Twitter When officers arrived to the scene, they found parts of the victim stored in Tupperware boxes. Documents show Gomez placed other parts of his mother in the freezer and in trash bags. What charges will he serve? He will now serve 15 years for murder and a further five months for the desecration of a corpse. He has also been ordered to pay his brother $73,000 (INR 53 lakh) in compensation. He has been charged against homicide and five months for desecration of a corpse after he chopped up his mother's body and ate "her cadaver over at least 15 days", feeding some to his dog. Getty Spanish media say he had been known to police because of violence against his mother and that he had breached a restraining order at the time of his arrest. At the 2021 New York Indian Film Festival, presented by the Indian American-founded Indo-American Arts Council, the Kannada film, Pinki Elli (Where is Pinki), won the Best Screenplay award for Prithvi Konanur and the Best Actress award for Akshata Pandavapura. Director Ramesh Sharmas Ahimsa Gandhi: The Power of the Powerless, a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, won the Best Documentary Feature Award. (NYIFF/Facebook photos) Woodbridge, VA (22192) Today Cloudy with occasional light rain...mainly in the morning. High near 80F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Slight chance of a shower throughout the evening. Low around 60F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Woodbridge, VA (22192) Today Showers early, then cloudy in the afternoon. High near 80F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Slight chance of a shower throughout the evening. Low around 60F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. With a major research university right in our backyard, a strong military presence and innovative companies throughout the metro region, theres often a plethora of interesting science and technology news to be found in Southern Arizona. Heres a breakdown of the most interesting recent deve A ban on employers mandating vaccines for their workers inched ahead in the Pennsylvania House on Tuesday with a committee vote supported by all Republicans and opposed by every Democrat. The main sponsor, Rep. Russ Diamond, R-Lebanon, called it a very simple question of workers rights. Diamond has been a fervent opponent of coronavirus mitigation policies and has been publicly skeptical of mask wearing and vaccines. Labor and Industry Committee Chairman Jim Cox, R-Berks, said lawmakers were responding to increasing reports that employers are requiring vaccines, forcing some workers to choose between the vaccine or losing a job. An amendment by Cox took out a provision in Diamonds bill that would have ended employer-mandated tests for marijuana. Diamond said after the meeting that the marijuana testing language lacked support. The bill would let workers or prospective workers avoid workplace mandated vaccinations by putting into writing that their doctor has concerns it might harm their health; that they have religious or strong moral or ethical convictions against a vaccine; that they already had COVID-19; or that they are concerned because it has not been fully approved by federal regulators. At the end of the day you cannot force an individual to take an experimental vaccine, said Rep. Barb Gleim, R-Cumberland. Pennsylvanians with religious and medical concerns can opt out of vaccinations, said Rep. Pam Snyder, D-Washington, noting that hospital and business groups oppose the bill. Here we are today telling every business in the commonwealth what they can and cannot do, Snyder said. This isnt about vaccines. This is about what we are trying to mandate every business in the commonwealth to do. She noted a Texas federal judges decision last week that threw out a lawsuit filed by employees of a Houston hospital system over its requirement that all staff be vaccinated. This bill isnt going to change anything because its going to be thrown out in court, Snyder said. Last week, the state Senate passed on party lines veto-bound legislation to prohibit so-called public-sector vaccine passports and to put limits on a state health secretarys powers when fighting a contagious disease. That bills prohibition on vaccine passports would apply to state agencies, counties, municipalities, school districts and universities that receive state aid, but not private businesses or organizations. It would bar the governmental entities from requiring a proof of vaccination to use services, enter a building or engage in activities. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Commercial Lines Business Insurance Pennsylvania Politics PARIS A French court on Tuesday ordered IKEA to pay a 1 million euro ($1.2 million) fine for spying on its French staff, after the worlds biggest furniture retailer was found guilty of improperly gathering and storing data on its employees. The French branch of Ingka Group, which owns most IKEA stores worldwide, was accused of snooping on its workers and some clients over several years. The flatpack furniture group, which has recognized there were some improper practices, was accused of breaching employees privacy by reviewing records of their bank accounts and sometimes using fake employees to write up reports on staff. Worker representatives said the information was used to target union leaders in some cases or used to IKEAs advantage in disputes with customers, after the firm trawled data on peoples finances and even what cars they drove. It was also found to have paid for access to police files. Prosecutors had been pushing for a 2 million euro fine. Lawyers for Frances CGT union and several individuals seeking compensation said the final amount was not hefty, but welcomed the outcome. Its the symbolism here that matters, said Solene Debarre, a lawyer representing the CGT. The company said it was reviewing the court decision to see if further measures were needed, after it took steps to stamp out the surveillance tactics. IKEA Retail France has strongly condemned the practices, apologized and implemented a major action plan to prevent this from happening again, the Ingka group said. IKEA employs around 10,000 people in France, its third biggest market after Germany and the United States, and has experimented with new formats there, including a store launched in 2019 in the heart of Paris. It is best known for its vast self-service stores out of town but many shoppers have shifted online, particularly during the pandemic lockdowns when demand for office furniture, food jars and cooking products grew strongly. The Ingka groups operating profit in the year to the end of August 2020 fell, hurt by store closures during the coronavirus crisis, though it has projected a rebound. Fines The firms former chief executive in France, Jean-Louis Baillot, was found guilty in the case and handed a two-year suspended prison sentence. Judges fined him 50,000 euros for storing personal data. The allegations centered on the 2009-2012 period, although prosecutors said the spying tactics began in the early 2000s. In total 15 people faced accusations in the trial. Two of the accused were found not guilty of all charges against them, including a police officer, and Stefan Vanoverbeke, who ran IKEA in France from 2010 to 2015 and still has a senior position in the groups retail operations. Others were cleared on some charges, such as systematically divulging confidential information, but found guilty of others, including illegally obtaining personal data. Sanctions ranged from a 5,000 euro fine for a former human resources manager to several suspended prison sentences. IKEA fired several managers and overhauled its internal policy after the allegations came to light in 2012. The Swedish firm has long denied setting up a widespread espionage system, and was absolved on Tuesday of systematically violating personal data. IKEA operates through a franchise system. Ingka Group is the main franchisee to brand owner Inter IKEA Group. ($1 = 0.8238 euros) (Reporting by Caroline Pailliez, additional reporting by Anna Ringstrom in Stockholm; writing by Sarah White; editing by Matthieu Protard, Christian Lowe and Edmund Blair) Topics France Howden, the London-based international insurance broker, announced that Luigi Sturani has been appointed chief executive officer, Europe, along with Enrico Nanni who joins his team as chief commercial officer, Europe, in two newly created roles for the company. The appointments reflect the continued expansion and investment for the broking group in Europe, including a wave of more than 300 new joiners in the past 24 months. Both appointments were effective from June 2, 2021. Sturani will lead a diverse regional management team, supported by Louise Cable-Alexander, CEO, Northern Europe, and Danny Sever, CEO of Howdens Mediterranean region, tasked with providing a credible alternative for clients and talent in the region. The team will oversee more than 1,400 people across Europe, and continue to build by focusing on talent, the acquisition of culturally aligned businesses, and further investment in technology. Sturani was previously at Aon in London for 15 years, where he held the roles of CEO Specialty, EMEA and managing director and head of Global Property and Casualty, Crisis Management. Prior to that, he was with Willis, where he held the role of managing director. Nanni was previously chief commercial officer, Specialty, EMEA, at Aon, where he held various other senior management positions after joining from Willis in 2006. *** Hamilton Insurance Group Ltd. announced the appointment of Vanessa Young as head of Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Insurance across its global operations. Young joined Hamilton last month, based in London, and reports to Miles Osorio, active underwriter of Lloyds Syndicate 4000. With 20 years technical and industry experience, Young joined Hamilton from Willis Towers Watson (WTW), where she was executive director for the Transactional Risks unit in London. She led the establishment of a client-focused, technical and risk-based approach to M&A broking projects. Prior to WTW, Young was a senior underwriter/solicitor at Neon Underwriting, where she worked on numerous UK and international transactions with a focus on the renewable energy and real estate sectors. Previously, she qualified as a solicitor at Dentons LLP where she remained as a senior associate on the corporate team until she joined Bird & Bird as a legal director, working predominantly on international renewable M&A deals, as well as advising managing agencies within the Lloyds market. *** Ballantyne Brokers Ltd., the London-based independent London broker, continues to add to its senior leadership team with the appointment of Ian Martin as divisional director, Property, and Derrick Lloyd as head of Claims Broking. The appointments are effective immediately. Martin was latterly a director at Alternative Distribution Operations at Willis Re, having previously held a senior role at Aons MGA & Programme Solutions team. With more than 30 years experience in insurance claims, Lloyd was previously claims director of Decus Insurance Brokers. Topics Mergers Agencies Aon Willis Towers Watson The South Sioux City Council in Nebraska has approved payment of $500,000 to settle its part in 16 lawsuits filed against the city and a now-defunct biogas plant by homeowners who accused the plant of sending rancid fumes through the city sewer system and ruining their homes. The settlement calls for the city, Big Ox Energy, three insurance companies and two other companies to pay a combined $1.75 million, which will be divided among the homeowners. The city council approved South Sioux Citys portion on June 14, the Sioux City Journal reported. Big Ox began operations in September 2016, separating solids from industry wastewater to create methane. The plant sold the methane and injected it into a nearby natural gas pipeline. Big Ox was subject to odor complaints soon after it began operations and was cited for numerous environmental violations until it shut down in 2019. Neither South Sioux City and Big Ox, which have both denied the homeowners claims, admit liability in the settlement. After the complaints and lawsuit, Big Ox in turn sued two other companies. The first was former soybean processor CHS Inc., which it said illegally released acidic wastewater into the citys sewer system. The second was Olsson Inc., an engineering firm that Big Ox said recommended wastewater from its plant be routed through a sewer main that ran through residential areas. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. A U.S. appeals court on Wednesday revived a lawsuit in which shareholders of Google parent Alphabet Inc. accused the company of fraudulently concealing security vulnerabilities, including in its Google+ social network. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco said the lawsuit raised a strong inference that Alphabets then-Chief Executive Larry Page and his successor, Sundar Pichai, knew about the bugs and an internal memo on security issues but intentionally concealed the information from investors. Alphabet and its lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the 3-0 decision. The lawsuit, led by the state of Rhode Island, followed an October 2018 Wall Street Journal article that said Google concealed the exposure of private data for nearly 500,000 Google+ users because it feared regulatory scrutiny and reputational harm. Alphabets share price fell more than 6% over the following three days, reducing the Mountain View, California-based companys market value by more than $50 billion. Google ultimately admitted it had discovered the data exposure in March 2018, though there was no evidence of misuse, and decided to shut down the consumer version of Google+. Its failure to disclose the vulnerabilities sooner drew bipartisan condemnation from Congress. In Wednesdays decision, Circuit Judge Sandra Ikuta accepted the shareholders argument that Alphabet stayed silent to buy time, and avoid the spotlight that Facebook Inc. was then under because Britains Cambridge Analytica had harvested data from tens of millions of its users. As it turned out, Alphabet successfully bought itself about six months of time, Ikuta wrote. The competing inference that Alphabet knew of this information but was merely negligent in not disclosing it is not plausible. The case was returned to U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White in San Francisco, who had dismissed it in February 2020. We are grateful to have the opportunity to sit down with Mr. Pichai, Mr. Page and others to get the bottom of what they did, the plaintiffs lawyer Jason Forge said in an interview. The case is In re Alphabet Inc. Securities Litigation, 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 20-15638. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Steve Orlofsky) Topics Lawsuits Cambridge Mobile Telematics has acquired rival TrueMotion for an undisclosed price in a deal that give it an expanded presence and capabilities in the global auto insurance market. The cash and stock transaction closed on June 17. CMT declined to disclosed the specific purchase price, though a spokesperson disclosed it was a 9-figure deal. Massachusetts-based Cambridge Mobile Telematics is considered the global leader in the mobile telematics and analytics space, and TruMotion, which is headquartered in Boston, is the second largest mobile telematics provider, the deal announcement noted. By combining, the companies are poised to capitalized more broadly on an increasing trend of insurers turning to telematics as a more precise underwriting tool to measure client driving risks. The combined company provides telematics services to 21 out of the 25 largest auto insurers in the United States, as well as carriers in 20 countries including Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, South Africa, Japan and Australia, according to the deal announcement. CMT has offices in Cambridge, Mass., Seattle, Tokyo, Chennai and London. TrueMotion, outside of Boston, has offices in Budapest. Both companies have helped transform the auto insurance industry, powering the shift from traditional rating models to usage-based and behavior-based insurance. We are excited to work together to bring telematics solutions to the users of the 1.4 billion vehicles on the worlds roads, said William Powers, CEO of Cambridge Mobile Telematics. TrueMotion CEO Ted Gramer noted that both companies were founded in Cambridge, Mass. about a decade ago with the same mission and focus. Today, we are joining forces to accelerate this journey, Gramer said. This acquisition makes sense on so many levels. Complementary Parts Both companies bring to the table things the other company lacks. Cambridge Mobile Telematics, for example, has a hardware/Internet of Things component that TruMotion doesnt have, the CMT spokesperson noted. On the other hand, TruMotion has been entirely app based, but CMT has App+Tag programs that have a second source of ground truth data (data provided by direct observation and measurement). As well, CMT just launched a video telematics product with a dual facing camera. At the same time, the spokesperson pointed out, both companies have similar crash detection and claims products, and their telematics platforms are similar. The main gain here is one of synergy, the spokesperson said, with CMT tapping into TrueMotions great talent working on very similar technology and compatible cultures focused on customers and data privacy also combining. CMT said that the acquisition will strengthen its ability to help insurers and the mobility industry modernize emergency response and claims process. This will be possible due to the companies innovations for real-time crash detection and AI-based crash reconstruction using high-frequency sensor data, according to the deal announcement. CMT explained that the technology enables organizations to dispatch roadside assistance within seconds of a crash, receive detailed information about a crash in minutes and improve damage assessment for insurance claims. Plans call for absorbing TrueMotion fully into the CMT, which will remain as Cambridge Mobile Telematics and be based in Cambridge. TrueMotion talent will also remain on the team, and Gramer is now CMTs chief operating officer. The combined company will have 400 employs: 225 from CMT and 175 from TrueMotion. Source: Cambridge Mobile Telematics The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a Republican bid that had been backed by former President Donald Trumps administration to invalidate the Obamacare healthcare law, ruling that Texas and other challengers had no legal standing to file their lawsuit. The 7-2 ruling authored by liberal Justice Stephen Breyer did not decide broader legal questions raised in the case about whether a key provision in the law, which is formally called the Affordable Care Act, was unconstitutional and, if so, whether the rest of the statute should be struck down. The provision, called the individual mandate, required Americans to obtain health insurance or pay a financial penalty. It marked the third time the court has preserved Obamacare since its 2010 enactment. President Joe Bidens administration in February urged the Supreme Court to uphold Obamacare, reversing the position taken by the government under Trump, who left office in January. The ruling came in a lawsuit by Texas and 17 other Republican-governed states and later joined by Trumps administration. A coalition of 20 states including Democratic-governed California and New York and the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives intervened in the case to try to preserve Obamacare after Trump refused to defend the law. The two dissenting justices were conservatives Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch. Republicans fiercely opposed Obamacare when it was proposed, failed to repeal it when they controlled both chambers of Congress and have been unsuccessful in getting courts to invalidate the law, which was Democratic former President Barack Obamas signature domestic policy achievement. The Trump administration did take steps to hobble the law. The Supreme Court has a 6-3 conservative majority bolstered by the October confirmation in a Republican-led Senate of Trumps third appointee, Amy Coney Barrett, but the Republican Obamacare challengers still came away disappointed. The Supreme Court in 2012 and 2015 also fended off previous Republican challenges to Obamacare. Biden has pledged to expand healthcare access and buttress Obamacare. Biden and other Democrats had criticized Republican efforts to strike down the law at a time when the United States was grappling with a deadly coronavirus pandemic. If Obamacare had been struck down, up to 20 million Americans stood to lose their medical insurance and insurers could have once again refused to cover people with pre-existing medical conditions. Obamacare expanded the Medicaid state-federal healthcare program and created marketplaces for private insurance. In 2017, Trump signed a Republican-backed tax law that eliminated the financial penalty under the individual mandate, which gave rise to the Republican lawsuit. The tax law meant the individual mandate could no longer be interpreted as a tax provision and was therefore unlawful, the Republican challengers argued. The Supreme previously upheld Obamacare by deeming the financial penalty under the individual mandate a tax permissible under the Constitutions language empowering Congress to levy taxes. (Reporting by Lawrence Hurley; Editing by Will Dunham) Topics Politics The Western U.S. could be in for a wild ride thanks to climate change. Thats the brunt of the buzz in the news this week, as multiple media outlets gave heavy coverage to the severe drought and heatwave currently creeping over the region. Climate Change Batters the West Before Summer Even Begins, reads the headline in a stunning piece of long-form journalism in the New York Times published on Thursday. The article calls out 115-degree temperatures in Arizona and Nevada, and depleted water supplies in reservoirs like Lake Mead, now at an all-time low. CNN had a few articles on this, including and one titled: An eighth of the US population is sweltering under a record-breaking heat dome. Climate change is making it worse. It notes that upwards of 300 record-high temperatures are in jeopardy of being broken this week, while 40 million-plus people are on alert across the Western U.S. for a long-lasting, potentially lethal heat wave. NASA says Earth now trapping unprecedented amount of heat and its doubled in just 15 years. The headline is from an article in The Hill, which cites a joint study between NASA and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration showing that more energy in the form of heat has entered and stayed in the Earths atmosphere than has left, adding to the large body of scientific literature confirming temperatures on the planet are rising. Another ominous headline, Megadrought in West directly linked to climate change, experts say, on the ABC News website, leads to an article that states the megadrought thats plaguing much of the region is a direct consequence of warming global temperatures, according to experts. The term megadrought, the article notes, is used to describe a severe and intense drought that spans a couple of decades. BlackRock BlackRock Inc. and Baringa Partners on Thursday announced their entry into a definitive agreement for BlackRock to acquire and integrate Baringas Climate Change Scenario Model into BlackRocks Aladdin Climate technology. The new long-term partnership is a significant milestone for both firms, as they collaborate to set the standard for modelling the impacts of climate change and the transition to a low carbon economy on financial assets for investors, banks and other clients, states an announcement of the deal. The plan is for Baringa to use the core Aladdin Climate capabilities as part of its global consulting work in advising clients on climate risk and developing net zero strategies. BlackRock began developing Aladdin Climate to fill a void in climate risk analytics through technology to help clients better understand and mitigate the financial impacts associated with climate change on their portfolios. Aladdin Climate is offered through the Aladdin platform and is used by BlackRocks Financial Markets Advisory group to deliver sustainability advisory services to clients. It measures the impacts of physical risks, like extreme weather events, and transition risks like policy changes, new technology, and energy supply. AIG and Climate Legal & General Investment Management plans to sell holdings in four companies including U.S insurer American International Group Inc. after deeming theyre making insufficient progress on addressing climate change risks. The UK asset manager said this week it will also divest investments in Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd., Pennsylvania-based utility PPL Corp. and China Mengniu Dairy Co., according to a Bloomberg article appearing in Insurance Journal on Tuesday. The article states that the companies either provided unsatisfactory responses to LGIMs climate questions or breached red lines around coal involvement, carbon disclosures or deforestation. Climate change is a pressing concern for money managers: the physical impacts of global warming, such as extreme heat and rising seas, as well as the possibility of a rapid and chaotic transition away from fossil fuels, pose significant risks to investors, the article states. Thats leading investment firms to apply greater pressure on the companies they own to cut emissions and prepare for a low carbon future. The latest action from Legal & General Group Plcs investment arm comes after it said in October it would engage on climate issues with over 1,000 companies responsible for more than 60% of the greenhouse gas emissions produced by publicly traded companies. LGIM is selling its stake in AIG because of the insurers lack of policies on excluding thermal coal insurance and because it has not disclosed figures on the amount of emissions it finances, according to the Bloomberg article. IDF Summit How can the global insurance industry and the public sector work together to understand and manage climate risk and its challenges, while building resilience for those most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change? That complex question was front-and-center at the Insurance Development Forum this month, which brought together 1,000-plus delegates from across 90 countries for the IDF Summit 2021 Building Resilience in a Risker world: Actions towards a climate resilient future. The summit took place virtually June 7 and 8. Attendees included the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, the president of the World Bank, and the UN special envoy for climate action and finance, as well as other leaders from the UN, international institutions, governments, and leading i insurance brokers and carriers. The discussions were timely ahead of the G7 meetings. One answer to the aforementioned question was to improve understanding of risk and analytics. Another consensus was that a systemic shift is needed to move from ex-post to pre-arranged crisis financing, in order to drive anticipatory action to limit the impact of disasters, save lives and make more efficient use of limited resources. That approach includes better leveraging of insurer balance sheets to support a greater suite of ex-ante risk financing tools for governments. Past columns: Topics Climate Change Two more defendants have pleaded guilty conspiring to stage automobile accidents in order to defraud insurance and trucking companies. The defendants from Orleans and Jefferson Parishes pleaded guilty before United States District Court Judge Sarah S. Vance to helping stage automobile accidents with tractor-trailers in New Orleans, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana said. U. S. Attorney Duane A. Evans said Doniesha Gibson, 29, of New Orleans, and Erica Lee Thompson, 46, of Harvey, Louisiana, entered guilty pleas on charges of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud. According to the guilty pleas, Gibson and Thompson, along with their co-conspirators and others, beginning in approximately as early as 2015 and continuing through the present, conspired to commit wire fraud in connection with staged accidents with Cornelius Garrison, including two that occurred on Oct. 15, 2015, and Sept. 6, 2017. With the current pleas, a total of 22 defendants have been convicted in Operation Sideswipe. Gibson admitted to being a passenger in a staged accident on Oct. 15, 2015. On that day, her former co-defendant intentionally drove a 2014 Dodge Avenger owned by Gibson into a Hotard bus while traveling on the I-10 near the flyover of the I-510. Gibson retained an attorney and thereafter made a claim for damages. The total settlement for the Hotard bus accident was approximately $677,500. Thompson admitted that on Sept. 6, 2017, on the I-10 near the Almonaster exit, she was a passenger in a 2015 RAV4 being driven by a former co-defendant, when he intentionally crashed into a tractor-trailer owned by Averitt Express. Thompson retained counsel and made a claim for damages. The total settlement for the Averitt accident was $30,000. In total, the victim trucking, bus, and insurance companies paid out approximately $707,500.00 for these two fraudulent claims orchestrated by the defendants and others. Gibson and Thompson face a maximum sentence of five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and/or a fine of $250,000 or the greater. Sentencing in this matter is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2021, before United States District Judge Sarah S. Vance. Source: U.S. Attorneys Office Topics Auto Louisiana JONESBORO, Ga. The family of a mentally disabled man is suing a Georgia behavioral health system, saying its employees forced him onto a bus to Atlanta where he wandered the streets and suffered from hypothermia. The lawsuit was filed this week against Riverwoods Behavioral Health in Clayton County and the company that operates it. Mario Scott went to a hospital in Jackson, Georgia, in January to have his medication refilled, and a doctor filled out paperwork that had him sent to Riverwoods, according to the lawsuit. Staff members asked sheriffs deputies to try and locate Scotts mother, who cared for him, but she wasnt home because she was hospitalized for COVID-19 at the time, the lawsuit states. Workers at the center then forced him onto a bus bound for Atlanta, which dropped him off at a homeless shelter in the city. But Scott never checked into the shelter, and was instead wandering the streets and was suffering from hypothermia, the familys lawyers, Stewart Miller Simmons Trial Attorneys, said in a statement. We were heartbroken because we couldnt find him for days, Scotts sister-in-law, Tawanda Scott, told WXIA-TV. A missing person report was filed, and Scott was eventually reunited with his mother after someone recognized him from news reports that he was missing. Riverwoods did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment on Wednesday. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Georgia accuro Solutions Hires Furlong as Chief Strategy Officer accuro Solutions has hired George Furlong as chief strategy officer. He brings experience in workers compensation and managed care to the new medical bill review and provider payment technology company. Most recently, Furlong served as senior vice president of managed care for Sedgwick Claims Management Inc. Before joining Sedgwick, Furlong was the chief business intelligence officer for Universal Smart Comp. He previously served as the senior vice president, program development and analytics for Bunch & Associates Inc., and earlier, as vice president of business development and analytics for CHOICE Medical Management Services LLC. He started his workers compensation career in information management and analysis with METRACOMP, a United HealthCare Company. In his new role, he works with accuro Solutions other leaders and its clients to improve how medical payments are managed. Based in Sarasota, Florida, accuro Solutions provides bill processing technology and services to drive the workflow from the mailroom through medical bill review and provider payment for companies in the property/casualty insurance industry. Source: accuro Solutions Safety National Hires OGrady as Vice President of Large Casualty Underwriting Tim OGrady has joined Safety National as vice president of underwriting in the companys large casualty division, which is responsible for large deductible workers compensation, commercial auto and commercial general liability coverage distribution. He is based in Alpharetta, Georgia. With nearly 30 years of industry experience, OGrady brings a large account underwriting background to Safety National. He has previously served in various underwriting leadership positions managing regional underwriting teams for several lines of coverage, including large casualty, umbrella and multi-national, at national insurance providers. OGrady will be responsible for leading large casualty underwriting for the Southwest region and Colorado through oversight of Safety Nationals Dallas office. In addition, he will directly manage Safety Nationals large casualty presence in Florida, Alabama and Mississippi. Safety National is based in St. Louis, Missouri. Source: Safety National Thousands of Central California farmers were warned Tuesday that they could face water cutoffs this summer as the state deals with a drought that already has curtailed federal and state irrigation supplies. The State Water Resources Control Board notified about 6,600 farmers in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed who have rights to use water from the Central Valley estuary of impending water unavailability that may continue until winter rains come. This is how dry things are, water board Chairman Joaquin Esquivel told the Sacramento Bee. The hydrology that were seeing is not there There will not be enough natural flow. The state also must provide enough flow in the rivers to maintain populations of protected fish species in rivers while keeping cities and communities from running out of water, Esquivel said. Its unclear when the allocations will be cut or whom it will affect. Some farmers have first crack at supplies under a complicated distribution system involving rights-holders. Many farmers already have been told they will get little or nothing from two large allocation systems, the federal Central Valley Project and the State Water Project. In May, the federal government announced that it was slashing allocations for agricultural and urban uses because of projected drops in water flow to the Sacramento, Feather, Yuba and American rivers. The 2021 water year for the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Basin is currently the driest since 1977, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation warned. Gov. Gavin Newsom last month declared a drought emergency for much of the state, including the Central Valley, and the U.S. Drought Monitor says most of Californias population is in areas suffering from extensive drought just a few years after California emerged from the last punishing multiyear dry spell. California has seen unusually dry winters and extraordinarily warm spring temperatures. The Sierra Nevada snowpack, which provides about a third of the states water, was at just 59% of average on April 1, when it is normally at its peak. And the warm spring led to quick melting of the snowpack in the waterways that feed the Sacramento River, which in turn supplies much of the states summer water supply. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics California Agribusiness A judge has approved a $15 million settlement against a doctor in a lawsuit by the parents of an incapacitated woman who was sexually assaulted and later gave birth at a Phoenix, Ariz. long-term care center, marking the last of several deals to resolve legal claims over the rape. The settlement made on behalf of Dr. Phillip Gear, who cared for the woman for 26 years while she lived at Hacienda Healthcare, was deemed reasonable last week by a judge. But the insurer for Gear, who died late last year, said in court papers it has no obligation to pay the amount, arguing the doctors policy didnt cover claims arising from a sexual act. It is the biggest publicly known settlement reached over the attack on the woman, who has been in a vegetative state since childhood and gave birth in December 2018. Her parents sued the state of Arizona, Gear and another doctor who cared for their daughter. The state, which contracts with companies like Hacienda to provide services to people with developmental disabilities, settled last summer for $7.5 million. Dr. Thanh Nguyen, who cared for the woman in the months before the surprise birth, and a medical group also resolved claims against them last summer for an undisclosed amount. And Hacienda Healthcare agreed to settle for an undisclosed amount before the womans parents filed their lawsuit in late 2019. In declaring the $15 million settlement reasonable, Judge Theodore Campagnolo concluded Gears treatment of the woman had fallen below the standard of care by failing to diagnose her pregnancy and regularly examine her. The judge said requests by the womans mother to have only female employees tend to her daughter werent followed. Campagnolo also said evidence that the incapacitated woman was the victim of numerous sexual assaults was undisputed in the civil case. Kevin Barrett, an attorney who previously represented Gear in a lawsuit filed against the doctor by his insurer, didnt immediately return a call late Tuesday morning seeking comment. Gear died on Dec. 20. The pregnancy was discovered when an employee at the long-term care facility was changing the garments of the then-29-year-old victim and noticed she was in the process of delivering a child. Employees told police that they had no idea the woman was pregnant. The birth triggered reviews by state agencies, highlighted safety concerns for patients who are severely disabled or incapacitated, and prompted the resignation of Haciendas chief executive. Police have said DNA from Nathan Sutherland, a licensed practical nurse who worked at Hacienda, matched a sample taken from the womans son. Sutherland, who was fired after his arrest and later gave up his nursing license, has pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual assault and abuse of a vulnerable adult. He wasnt a target of the lawsuit. The victim lived at Hacienda for 26 years, until the birth of her son, who is now being cared for by her parents. The woman has been in a vegetative state since she was a young child. Campagnolo wrote the cause of her condition is unclear. When she was around 2 years old, she suffered a near drowning that deprived her brain of oxygen, though there also was testimony that she had congenital issues, such as seizure disorders, from shortly after her birth, the judge wrote. Lawyers for the family have said Hacienda missed signs that the woman was carrying a baby, such as her weight gain and swollen belly, and that she delivered the boy without pain medications. Their lawsuit also alleged the state did a poor job of monitoring Haciendas operations. Campagnolo said medical records showed Gear didnt conduct regular examinations of the woman for at least three years before he was transferred in September 2018. Even though the womans mother had requested that her daughter be cared for by only women, evidence shows Sutherland and other men had cared for her over the years, Campagnolo wrote. The judge said the womans mother made the requests after she was told her daughter may have been the victim of a sexual assault in 2002. Phoenix police have said health authorities at the time found some Hacienda employees had used language of a sexual nature when speaking to patients, but they were unable to substantiate allegations of physical abuse. Police said there was insufficient evidence to warrant a criminal complaint against employees. Gears insurer argued Gear wasnt the womans primary care physician when she gave birth and couldnt be held responsible for sexual assault. The former fact is accurate, and the second fact is arguable, Campagnolo wrote. However, Dr. Gears liability was not limited to one sexual assault and the birth. Campagnolo wrote Gear had known since 2002 that there were sexual abuse allegations that could have included the patient in question. The fact that the internal investigation did not find evidence of sexual assaults would not take Dr. Gear off the hook, Campagnolo wrote, adding that the doctor knew the womans mother had requested only female caregivers. Megan Rose, a spokeswoman for the Arizona Department of Administration, declined to comment on the states settlement. Hacienda spokesman David Leibowitz, Nguyens attorney Andrew Rosenzweig, and Robin Burgess, an attorney representing Gears insurer, James River Insurance Company, didnt return calls seeking comment. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Legislation Arizona Lockton Insurance Brokers LLC has named Sherri Harrison, senior vice president, to market leader. Harrison is responsible for clients, people, operations and the growth of the benefits practice in San Diego, Calif., and Orange County, Calif. Harrison has more than 27 years of consulting, brokerage and carrier experience. She was senior consultant/San Diego office leader for Mercer before joining Lockton two years ago. Lockton Insurance Brokers LLC is the Pacific region of global insurance broker Lockton Cos. Locktons Pacific region encompasses nine offices throughout the Western U.S. Hanleigh has named Bill Haley as sales director in Dana Point, Calif. Hanleigh is a managing general underwriter offering high-limit disability, personal life and accident, and special risk contingency coverages to high net worth professionals, athletes, entertainers, and organizations. Haley has more than 35 years of experience in income protection solutions for professionals and executives, with a focus on guarantee standard issue, integrated plan designs, risk transfer, and other disability income risk management strategies. He started his sales career with Unum in Washington D.C. for 14 years and then helped open Mass Mutuals DISO office in Atlanta, Ga., where he worked for 15 years. His most recent position was regional director for the West and PNW Regions at Guardian Life Insurance. Hanleigh is a subsidiary of CRC Group, a national wholesale distributor of specialty insurance products. Topics California Leadership Lockton Here is a selection of people starting new roles with Datascan, Data Edge, Each&Other, Corporate HR Ireland, Tangent and Carbery Group. Lisa Hayes has been appointed as HR manager with Datascan, the digital document management service providers. She will provide HR support to Datascan's 50 employees in its Finglas and working remotely. She brings HR management experience across technology and hospitality sectors. She has held several senior HR roles with Tifco Ltd in the Crown Plaza Hotels in Blanchardstown, Dublin Airport and Dundalk. She has also worked in HR roles in the Carphone Warehouse and the National Standards Authority of Ireland. Lisa holds a degree in Human Relations from National College of Ireland, a post-grad diploma in Legal Studies from DIT, and a CIPD Certificate in Employment Relations Law and Practice, also from NCI. This is Datascans first designated HR role and demonstrates the companys rapid expansion due to service demands since the Covid-19 pandemic. Martin OLeary has been appointed as senior account manager with Data Edge, the network and application performance management company. His specific remit is to extend telecom network management, air traffic control monitoring systems and power monitoring. His prior roles include head of enterprise solutions group Ireland at Ricoh Ireland and pre-sales technical consultant at Corrata. He holds a degree is in Engineering from Waterford Institute of Institution and a Masters in Energy Management from Dublin Institute of Technology. Martin also has extensive experience working with clients in the Telecom space during his time as Service Engineer and Solution Architect with Ericsson. His time working in Ericssons Product Development Unit (PDU) also involved lecturing in Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) and Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT). Aoife ODwyer has been appointed as creative director at design company Each&Other. Promoted from senior visual designer, she now takes responsibility for leading the visual direction and UI design of projects while also supporting the team through UX design, research, and validation efforts. She brings over 10 years of industry experience, specialising in digital visual and user interface (UI) design. Her focus is on leading the visual design direction of projects from concept through to final outputs and making sure the team delivers to the highest standards and quality throughout. Aoife studied Fine Art in Crawford College of Art & Design in Cork and Industrial Biochemistry in University of Limerick. She is currently undertaking the Professional Design Management Diploma run by the Design Skillnet. Douglas Higgins has been appointed as head of sales with Corporate HR Ireland, and will work closely with founder Niall O'Connell. Douglas brings over 20 years of experience in senior business development and sales management roles. He has a background in HR and technology sectors. A graduate of the Institute of Technology Carlow, he joins the team at a key time in the company's development. Founded in 2008, Corporate HR Ireland is an Irish-owned company specialising in outsourced HR for SMEs all over Ireland, advising on strategic HR, workplace investigations, third party representation, and performance management. The company has experienced significant growth recently as companies seek to navigate their way through remote working and the challenges the past year have brought for employers. Louise Grubb has been appointed as chair of Tangent, Trinity College Dublins Ideas Workspace, championing its goal to support 11,000 learners in entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and helping establish 500 start-ups by 2026. Louise succeeds Brian Caulfield as chair. She is CEO and founder of TriviumVet, the Co Waterford animal healthcare company which works with veterinarians globally to develop and commercialise medicines and diagnostics for use in companion animals. She has over 20 years experience in the pharma and life sciences industries and was a finalist in the EY Entrepreneur of the Year awards in 2016. She holds a BSc in Nutrition and Dietetics from TCD, and an MBS in International Marketing from DCU. TCD launched Tangent in partnership with Bank of Ireland in 2019. Cormac OKeeffe, current chair of Lisavaird Co-op, has been appointed to succeed TJ Sullivan as chair of Carbery Group, the West Cork-based international ingredients, flavours and award-winning cheese producer. A dairy farmer from Courleigh, Clonakilty, he first joined the Lisavaird board in 2006 and has held several roles. He has also been vice-chair of Shinagh Estates and a board member of Munster Bovine and the National Cattle Breeding Centre (NCBC). He holds a diploma in Environmental Science and Social Policy from UCC and is a member of the Carbery Greener Dairy Farms group. Dermot OLeary, chair of Bandon Co-op, has been appointed vice-chair of Carbery Group. Carbery Group, formed in 1965, is owned by four Irish co-ops Bandon, Barryroe, Drinagh and Lisavaird. It employs over 900 people worldwide. Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue has said increased competition from Australia as a result of the new Deal with the UK is something he is concerned about while the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) regards it as a dangerous scenario that will undermine Irish beef exports to the UK. The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) said the most immediate challenge posed to the domestic agriculture industry would most likely come from Australian lamb but warned that New Zealand dairy exporters would have Irelands UK customers in their sights too. In a statement to the Irish Examiner, the Minister said that Irish beef worth over 2.3bn and just short of 518,000 tonnes was exported in 2020 and the UK, with 45% in both volume and value, was by far the biggest export market. "The proposed Australian Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ), of 35,000 tonnes increasing to 110,000 tonnes in year 10, does present opportunities for increased competition for Irish beef exports on UK market," he continued. "Given the importance of the UK market to the sector, this is a matter of concern." Trade disruption The Minister went on to say there was potential for market disruption to trade patterns by Brexit and his department has been focused on market diversification as a result. "In the period since 2017 new or improved market access to several third countries has been gained," he continued. "Despite the welcome development of additional markets, it is likely that the UK will remain a key market for Irish beef. "Bord Bia research has shown that British consumers have high regard for Irish beef, and Bord Bia is continuing its intensive marketing in the UK. "The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has submitted an application for a PGI for grass-fed Irish beef to the Commission. "If approved, this could help significantly in all our premium beef markets including in the UK." The Deal The deal, meanwhile, centres almost entirely on goods and eliminates tariffs on exports to both countries over 15 years. British farmers will be protected by a cap on tariff-free imports for 15 years using tariff rate quotas and other safeguards; The UK Government has insisted that hormone-fed beef will not be allowed into domestic supermarkets as a result of the deal but the National Farmers Union (NFU), however, is concerned there was no mention of safeguards for animal welfare when a press release was issued on Tuesday; There are also animal welfare practices allowed in Australia but banned in the UK that have raised concerns; And, antibiotics are permitted for use as a growth promoter in Australia but banned in the UK since 2006. Perilous precedent IFA President Tim Cullinan said the proposed trade deal sets a perilous precedent and is very concerning for Irish beef farmers. The threat to our markets is the biggest fallout and this is precisely the dangerous scenario that we have signaled following the Brexit vote in June 2016, he added. Trade deals between the UK and third countries have the potential to undermine what is a very important market for our beef exports. IFA and NFU are expected to hold a bilateral meeting on the implications of the deal today (Thursday, June 17). ICMSA President Pat McCormack, meanwhile, focused on what he described as the Irish Government's preoccupation with agri-related emissions which were going to be put into perspective by the new deal. Emissions There is the prospect now of consignments of beef, lamb and dairy products being shipped literally from the other side of the planet to Britain with all the massive transportation-related emissions involved in that, he added. The idea that it makes more environmental and economic sense to ship beef, lamb, or dairy from Australia to Britain than it does to produce and sell it from Ireland just shows how bizarre and illogical the whole debate has become. There has to be some overarching logic and plan to this or we have to accept that Irelands policy - sadly typified by the Climate Action Bill - will actually do nothing but severely damage our own farming and food production sectors with no gain whatsoever towards global emissions reduction. ICMSA has been repeating this for years: theres no point in Ireland reducing its carbon-efficient farming and food production if we are replaced in our markets by competitors with less carbon-efficient farming. Thats not even neutral; the situation is actually made worse. Cork Harbour tours The Cailin Oir ferry of Cape Clear Ferries is offering exciting adventures in Cork Harbour and Crosshaven this summer. Offering a variety of tour options, it will operate day tours, evening tours, trips to Spike Island and private hire. Anyone for a sunset cruise in the second largest natural harbour in the world? See corkharbourcruises.com for details and prices. Kayak on Lough Hyne Fancy a magical row through sparkly water? Travel to West Cork for a kayak through bioluminescent water from dusk into darkness. You wont believe your eyes when the sky fills with stars over the dazzling water. See atlanticseakayaking.com for details and prices. Cork Whale Watch In Union Hall, theres a chance to get up close and personal with some amazing sea creatures. From minke and fin whales to some impressive humpback whales, youd never know what youll see travelling through the waves with the boat. The purpose-built whale watching vessel, the Holly Jo provides the ideal platform for that once-in-a-lifetime experience. See corkwhalewatch.com for details and prices. Dursey Boat Trips Enjoy the rugged beauty of the Beara peninsula from a sea safari boat trip. On your journey, youll learn the history and folklore of the area, as well as spot some local bird and wildlife, including whales, dolphins, basking sharks, seals. Make sure you take plenty of pictures and videos. See durseyboattrips.com for details and prices. Ocean Escapes Want to take your trip into your own hands? Charter a boat and bring your family on a unique route in a private vessel. The fully customisable trips from Crosshaven, Monkstown, Cobh or Aghada allow you to stop off at a private beach or enjoy a sunset on a 100-year-old pier. You can plan the trip yourself or let Ocean Escapes arrange the trip for you. See oceanescapes.ie for details and prices. Higher Education Minister Simon Harris has said it is 'offensive' for public health officials to suggest people would deliberately manipulate the results of rapid antigen tests. The National Public Health Emergency Team has defended its cautious approach to antigen tests amid criticism that its stance was holding back a wider reopening of society, particularly the aviation industry. As part of the Nphet defence, consultant immunologist Professor Mary Keogan told an Oireachtas committee this week that antigen tests could be manipulated by rubbing butter and pouring tonic water on them. However, Mr Harris said this argument against the use of the rapid tests didn't stack up, describing it as offensive to the public. He said the public must not be spoken down to as if they do not understand the issue and that peoples only desire is to stay safe and keep their families safe. The one thing that I did find somewhat offensive, was this idea that the public will be looking to manipulate tests. The people I know in this country, only look to keep themselves and their family alive, he said. And look to keep their businesses afloat and to look after each other. We shouldn't speak to the people in this country as though they are not smart enough to understand. I have yet to hear from a nutter on an antigen test, he added. Meanwhile, the Chief Medical Officer has said that Ireland is now experiencing "near elimination" of Covid-19 in the vaccinated population. Dr Tony Holohan has said the incidence is dropping in the 50-65 age group who are in the process of receiving protection from full vaccination. "Incidence is also reducing in most age groups, showing commendable compliance with public health measures as the vaccination programme is rolled out to more and more people," said Dr Holohan. His comments come as the Health Protection Surveillance Centre has reported 373 new cases of Covid-19. There are currently 54 Covid patients in hospital, of which 18 are in ICU. There have been three hospitalisations in the past 24 hours. Nphet chair, Professor Philip Nolan said all indicators of the disease are improving all across the country. If things continue this way, he said the risk profile will alter for the better. "In April/ May incidence was stable at 400-500 cases a day this has now reduced to a five day average of 303," said Prof Nolan. "Hospital admissions have reduced from 103 to 57 in the past two weeks." Things will continue to improve if the vaccine uptake continues at the current rate and if new variants, such as the Delta, can be kept at bay. Vaccine rollout reaching 'strong peak' People aged between 35 and 39 will be able to register for their vaccines from Sunday Around 61% of people in Ireland have had their first vaccine dose and 31% are fully vaccinated, according to the HSE chief executive. More than 3.4 million jabs have been administered to date, including over 2.3 million first doses and 1.2 million second doses. Paul Reid said the vaccine rollout is reaching a strong peak, with 320,000 doses set to be administered this week and around 300,000 next week. However, he said those levels are set to drop in July, when the vaccine rollout moves to two supply lines, Pfizer and Moderna. People aged between 35 and 39 will be able to register for their vaccines from Sunday but Mr Reid has warned that this will be a slower age group to move through. Dr Holohan said those who have been fully vaccinated can safely resume normal life. They can meet other fully vaccinated people from up to two households indoors without masks or social distancing. Fully vaccinated people can also meet unvaccinated people from one other household indoors and without masks. Those who have not yet been fully vaccinated are advised to continue to wash and sanitise hands regularly, manage close contacts, avoid crowds, socialise outdoors and wear masks where appropriate. Those people who have received their first dose of AstraZeneca are strongly urged to complete the process by getting their second dose. Dr Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, said that recent advice from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee states that mixing vaccine doses is not recommended. Opening his partys online ard fheis on Tuesday night, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar sought and managed to do what all leaders hope to do in such a speech. Rally their own troops, kick the Opposition for being hopeless, and suggest some mad and controversial idea that garners headlines and provokes a firestorm, thereby guaranteeing some noise around said conference. Varadkars claim that a united Ireland is achievable in his lifetime certainly did all three of those things at once. People were asking if Varadkar has forgotten what party hes leader of. Has he joined Sinn Fein? joked one minister. On one level, the speech and its contents were easily dismissed. Varadkars use of the phrase in my lifetime was interesting. It has the ring of something dramatic, when in reality, it means nothing. It was a meaningless banality, but it sounded good. Varadkar is still a reasonably young man and nobody knows how long he will live for. Is it five years? Is it 50? Other parts of the speech were not so easily rubbished. Predictably enough, the speech contained a sharp kick in the shins to Sinn Fein, allowing Varadkar to continue on his strategy of polarising Irish politics between his party and the one led by Mary Lou McDonald. Seeking in some ways, as he put it, to wrestle control of the issue away from Sinn Fein, Varadkar said he wanted his party to lead the discussion. But, given their near-11 years in office, and their passive attitude toward the North for much of that time, there is justifiable suspicion as to the genuine nature of what the Tanaiste was saying. Interesting questions Aside from the predictable playing to his base, Varadkar did pose some interesting questions as to what sort of unified Ireland do we would want to live in. It means the unification of the people of our island as well as territory of Ireland, and it is a legitimate political aspiration. The views of unionists must be acknowledged, understood, and respected, but no one group can have a veto on Irelands future. He spoke of Fine Gael establishing a branch in Northern Ireland with the same status as a constituency organisation. Not with a view to contesting elections, but with a view to recruiting members and building networks with like-minded people, including those in other parties, he said. We need to reach out to all sides. And we need a presence on the ground to do so. Varadkar, in the most significant part of his speech, said his party needs to develop our own vision of what unification should look like. Predictably enough, he dismissed what he called the crude vision espoused by Sinn Fein. Its not an inclusive one a cold form of republicanism, socialist, narrow nationalism, protectionist, anti-British, euro-critical, ourselves alone, 50% plus one and nobody else is needed. That is not a 21st-century vision. He said any move to unification must not be the annexation of the North. It means something more, a new state designed together, a new constitution and one that reflects the diversity of a bi-national or multi-national state in which almost a million people are British, he said. Like the new South Africa, a rainbow nation, not just orange and green. Pointing to the logistical and political challenges, he said as a country we have to be willing to consider all that wed be willing to change new titles, shared symbols, how devolution in the North would fit into the new arrangements, a new Senate to strengthen the representation of minorities, the role and status of our languages, a new and closer relationship with the United Kingdom. Sinn Fein has pushed hard for a border poll, as permitted under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, since the commencement of Brexit and those calls have loudened since the elimination of the unionist majority for the first time. Ms McDonald has spoken of a tolerant and inclusive republic and has said she is willing to surrender the tricolour if necessary. In her partys last election manifesto, and therefore its stated party policy, Sinn Fein said it wants to establish a joint Oireachtas committee, as well as an all-island Citizens Assembly, on Irish unity. This is with a view to ultimately holding referendums in Ireland and the North on the subject. Fianna Fail, the self-declared republican party under Taoiseach Micheal Martin, has sought to strengthen its own reunification credentials through the creation of its shared-island unit, and will now feel the urge to ramp up its own rhetoric, given Varadkars recent comments. The sharp criticism of Varadkars ard fheis speech from Ulster unionists was not surprising. The timing of his speech was somewhat dubious. At a time when the Northern Executive is in crisis during a messy transition of power within the Democratic Unionist Party, amid heightened tensions around the Brexit process and the Northern Ireland protocol, Varadkars comments were high-risk and clearly, to an already hostile unionist community, they were incendiary. Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie suggested the remarks were unhelpful at a time when Stormont is facing collapse in a row between the Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein over Irish-language legislation and loyalist tensions are simmering over post-Brexit arrangements. Good man, Leo, for bringing up Irish unity again when we are in a crisis, he said. Defending his comments yesterday, Varadkar said the debate on Irish unity does not belong to any one party, and denied that his comments were linked to the pending by-election in Dublin Bay South. Nobodys talking much about Irish unity to me or unification, he said. Unfortunately, the issues that people are talking about there are different. It is Busconnects, its Sandymount cycle lanes, its housing, its the pandemic. That doesnt mean that we cant also talk about some of those bigger, longer-term issues. He also denied that his comments would further destabilise matters in Belfast. If theyre unable to put together an Executive in the next week, that would be because of relations between the parties in Northern Ireland, not for anything external, in my view, but I do think that they will be able to do that by the way. I would ask the counter question when is the good time? Does he have a point? Is there ever a good time to talk about a united Ireland? For decades we have heard the sabre-rattling from parties here in the Republic the issue. But we have seen precious little discussion or debate as to what sort of united Ireland that would be. While most if not all of the main parties publicly espouse a desire to see North and South reunite, they have done nothing about it. Brexit has fundamentally shifted the landscape around the future of this island and, as former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern recently said, a border poll may be desirable within a decade. The patent danger is that with tensions running high, North and South, any significant move forward on this issue could yield nothing more than a doubling down on existing sectarian and tribal differences. PLANNERS have given the go-ahead for the 6m expansion of the Vienna Woods Country House Hotel, which will almost double its bedroom capacity. The decision by Cork City Council to green-light the ambitious project has been welcomed by hotel co-owner Michael Magner, who described it as a vote of confidence. It sends a clear signal that the local authority wants to support family businesses, as well as the hospitality industry. Its great news for us, for local employment, for the local economy, " he said. Moreover, it will create badly-needed jobs in a sector that has been absolutely ravaged by the pandemic." The next step would be to take stock of the post-pandemic environment and to make sure the funds are there to cover the costs. All going well, we would hope to start work in the fourth quarter of this year, Mr Magner said. The expansion, which will add 42 bedrooms to the existing 45, will be the second major investment in the hotel, which has already undergone a 5m upgrade since 2006. Mr Magner, who owns the hotel with his father-in-law Brian Scully, is also planning to add a spa, as well as a 25-seat cinema, a virtual golf facility, and a cardio workout/gym area. Two single-storey extensions will be added to the sides of the hotel to create a new lobby and a new pre-reception space, as well as an extension to the dining room. A three-storey extension is planned over the ground-floor ballroom to accommodate the extra bedrooms as well as the spa, with a terrace at third-floor level. The grant of planning permission comes with 23 conditions none of which are onerous, Mr Magner said. Once the project is up and running, its expected to create 50 new jobs and add 1.8m to the local economy in wages and salaries. Mr Magner said Vienna Woods was in a very comfortable position as regards expansion, as they would be plugging into an existing facility rather than building from scratch. So getting to turnkey on this will be considerably less than if it was a greenfield site. The extension will not interfere with the original house, a listed building dating back to 1756. Vienna Woods Country House Hotel, on 22 acres of woodland in Glanmire, is a 15-minute drive from Cork City centre. Burma Arakan Army Frees Detained Myanmar Police and Immigration Officers An Arakan Army fighter in Paletwa, Chin State. / The Irrawaddy Ethnic armed group the Arakan Army (AA) released 17 police and immigration officers on Wednesday in a further sign of warming relations between the AA and the military regime. The Rakhine State-based AA had been detaining the officers since October 2019. The armed group released the officers at the border of Rathedaung and Buthidaung townships, according to a Rathedaung-based civil society organization member who asked for anonymity. We heard that 17 police and immigration officers detained from the Shwe Nadi vessel were freed somewhere near Yay Soe Chaung village on Wednesday. But I dont know the details, he said. The AA seized the Shwe Nadi ferry between Sittwe and Buthidaung on the morning of Oct. 26 2019 near Rathedaung Township and abducted a total of 58 security personnel and civilians. Myanmars military said it was able to rescue over 10 of the security personnel. In a statement, the AA said that scores of abductees and some AA soldiers providing security for them were killed in air attacks as Myanmars military attempted to rescue the detainees using helicopters. The armed group handed 25 civilians over to village authorities in Ngwe Taung village of Buthidaung Township on Nov. 5 2019. It is unclear how many of the people released on Wednesday are police and how many are immigration officers. On June 11, the AA also reportedly freed some other people it had abducted from the Shwe Nadi ferry. It is unclear how many were released. Rakhine State Administrative Council spokesman U Hla Thein said he did not know about the case. Neither the AA nor Myanmars military has issued statements about the release. The Irrawaddy was unable to contact the AA or military. Myanmar authorities declared the AA a terrorist group in March 2020 after fighting broke out in Rakhine State, western Myanmar between the military and the group in late 2018. However, the two sides have observed an unofficial ceasefire since last years November election, leading to peace talks between the junta and the AA. During the talks the AA demanded that all cases opened against people arrested for alleged ties to the armed group be dropped and all detainees released. The State Administration Council, as Myanmars junta describes itself, removed the AA from the list of terrorist groups on March 11 this year. That was followed by the regime dropping charges against some individuals arrested over their alleged ties to the AA, including relatives of the AA chief Major General Tun Myat Naing. You may also like these stories: Senior Citizens Die After Myanmar Junta Soldiers Set Village on Fire Myanmar Junta Deploys Reinforcements to Eliminate Kayah Civilian Resistance Ethnic Karen Armed Group in Myanmar to Abide by Ceasefire Agreement Burma Kayah State Resistance Groups Reject Ceasefire with Myanmar Junta Local resistance fighters in Kayah State. / FBR-Karenni The announcement of a ceasefire by the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) does not represent all the Karenni resistance fighters engaged in armed struggle against the military regime in Kayah State, said a resistance group information officer. On June 15, the KNDF released a statement saying it would temporarily cease attacks as towns and villages were being damaged and more than 100,000 people have been displaced from their homes. It said the decision was made at the request of local peace organizations and religious leaders. That letter was issued by a group [within the network]. We knew nothing about it. Kayah Li Phu group has also issued a statement that they do not accept that statement. We wont stop fighting, said a KNDF spokesman. The KNDF is a network of civilian resistance fighters, Karenni organizations and armed groups in Kayah State, southeast Myanmar. KNDF civilian resistance fighters were involved in fierce clashes with junta troops in Demoso, Loikaw and Pruso townships from May 21 to June 12. The decision to stop fighting has met with opposition from young civilian resistance fighters fighting under the flag of the KNDF. Three groups from the KNDF announced the ceasefire with the regime the Karenni National Peoples Liberation Front (KNPLF), Karenni National Peace and Development Party (KNPDP) and Kayan New Land Party (KNLP) according to a KNDF member. Some lower-level members of the KNPLF, KNPDP, and KNLP fought alongside local resistance fighters in Kayah. However, the leaders of those groups negotiated with the military regime to stop the fighting. The KNPLF and KNPDP are the border guard forces. They along with the KNLP held talks [with the regime]. But, they didnt use their name. They used the name of the KNDF instead. They dont represent the KNDF. We young people didnt know about the talks, said a KNDF member. All three groups had previously signed a truce with Myanmars military between 1990 and 2000. The leadership of the three groups have helped the junta in their battles with local resistance fighters, with the KNPLF and the KNLP reported to have assisted the regime when it brought in reinforcements from southern Shan State to attack local resistance groups. Karenni forces will have to meet and talk again as those groups announced the ceasefire under the name of KNDF without the consent of all the groups involved in the network, said a KNDF member. The Kayah Li Phu Youth Central Committee released a statement saying the statement by the KNDF has nothing to do with them. We would say that the statement does not represent us all. Things are different from one place to another. That statement was issued in response to a situation in a particular place and cant cover all places. So we say that statement is nothing to do with us, said the information officer of the Kayah Li Phu Youth Central Committee However, a spokesman of the Demoso Township Peoples Defense Force (PDF) said the group has stopped fighting in response to the ceasefire announcement of the KNDF. When we fight again, we can no longer fight in the town and villages. They have burned down many buildings in the town. Many people are left homeless. Although we were fighting the military, they destroyed houses. So if we fight again, they will continue to destroy houses. So we have stopped fighting, said the Demoso PDF spokesman. The leaders of PDFs and Generation-Z fighters were not involved in peace talks with the regime. Only the KNPLF, KNPDP, and KNLP held talks with the regime. The military regime agreed not to arrest armed civilian fighters during the truce, said the Demoso PDF spokesman. But we will fight back if they launch attacks on us. In the meantime, we will wait for the nationwide D-Day [to be announced by the parallel National Unity Government (NUG)]. Otherwise, we will only suffer. We will wait for the NUG defence minister U Yee Mon. If the whole country rises, we wont wait for the military to attack us. We will attack them first. But for now, only Karenni people are suffering, he said. The Demoso PDF will remain active in the western part of the town and Dawt Ngan Khar ward. It had been weeks since the military regime held secret talks over a ceasefire in Kayah State. As the talks went on, the regime asked displaced persons to return to their homes. I think they dont want to see camps for the internally displaced in Kayah State. And they want to cover up the fact that they destroyed houses. So they are asking people to return to their homes. People will rebuild their homes anyway when they return. The military regime wants to make it appear as if nothing has happened in Kayah, said a Karenni activist. Residents of Ngwe Taung village in Demoso were asked to return to their homes by the junta on June 14 and 15. Villagers came back to find that at least 20 houses and shops had been looted while they were away. Returnees are now clearing rubble from their homes. Even the residents of Dawt Ngan Khar ward, which has seen the heaviest urban fighting in Kayah State, are returning to their homes. The military regime however did not officially announce its ceasefire with local armed groups and its call for locals to return home. At least 30 buildings, including places of worship, were damaged or destroyed by Myanmar military artillery strikes during the fighting between May 21 and June 12 in Demoso. Four civilians were killed when junta forces shelled a church in Kayan Tharyar village in Loikaw where displaced persons were sheltering. More than 100,000 people have been displaced by the fighting in Kayah State. You may also like these stories: New and More Deadly COVID-19 Variants Found in Myanmar Time Is Right for India to Step In and Help Solve Myanmar Crisis Burma Myanmar Junta Troops Go on Rampage in at Least a Dozen Sagaing Villages Local villagers forced to flee by junta raids. / CJ Junta forces have reportedly been raiding villages in Tabayin Township of Sagaing Region since clashes with local resistance fighters early this week, according to local sources. A local resistance fighter died, another was injured and three were detained in clashes with junta troops in rural parts of Tabayin on Monday. Two junta troops died and five were seriously injured in the fighting, according to the township Peoples Defense Force. Local residents have fled their homes after junta troops opened fire in several villages. They have cut off the electricity. Junta troops came to attack us because they dont want to go to the front line, and also perhaps because two daughters of a military informant were killed, said a resident of Seb Pyar Kyin Village. On June 13, the elder brother of the Inpin Village administrator was shot dead and two daughters of the Kyii Village administrator were stabbed to death. One of the daughters was reportedly a teacher working for the military regime. The juntas raids followed their deaths, according to local residents. Junta troops also searched and looted houses in Nyaung Hla Village on Monday. They raided our village and arrested a villager. They made targeted searches based on tip-offs from military informants. They broke open shops and stole things, said a Nyaung Hla resident. Locals from more than a dozen villages in Tabayin have fled their homes since the raids. You may also like these stories: Myanmar Goalie Who Flashed Protest Salute Opts to Stay in Japan Senior Citizens Die After Myanmar Junta Soldiers Set Village on Fire Fate of Rakhine Charity School Members Unknown After 10 Days Guest Column Myanmars Emerging Landscape Looks Beyond Suu Kyi An anti-regime protester and soldiers in Yangon in February. / The Irrawaddy It is not a new tactic for military chief Min Aung Hlaing to keep State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as a perfect hostage after she experienced over 10 years of freedom. She, of course, is perfect because of the popular belief that she alone can save the nation. She is also perfect because she is a bargaining chip to be used by foreigners and a few citizens in Myanmar eager to find a third way between the NLD (National League for Democracy) and the military to establish a compromise between democracy and dictatorship. But the two options are incompatible. Power within Myanmars military is very personal. Military chiefs from Saw Maung (1988 to 1992) to Senior General Min Aung Hlaing use the same tactic: locking up Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her allies to weaken the opposition. Why do they have such ill feelings toward her? The author Dr. Michal Lubina points to various reasons why the generals dislike Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as a political opponent. First regime survival of Than Shwes (and other generals), personal animosity towards Suu Kyi, gender biases and her hybrid Burmese-ness, so different from their own xenophobic nationalism cultivated within the hyper-masculine military. Dr. Kyaw Yin Hlaing, another academic, over a decade ago introduced the informal Third Force political alliance, arguing that western sanctions on Myanmar were not achieving their desired effect. If the NLD and the junta could not find a way to work together, Myanmar people should think about unlinking political changes with Aung San Suu Kyi, he wrote. He highlights the Third Force argument in his essay, Political Impasse in Myanmar, published 10 years ago, saying the people must look beyond Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her NLD to achieve democracy. This argument is based on the assumption that the military is too strong to be toppled by force and, as a result, the people must consider fighting for political freedom by playing the political game within the institutional framework set by the military itself, Dr. Kyaw Yin Hlaing said. The Third Force group provided technical input to many political parties, including the NLDs breakaway parties, to play in the political game within the framework of the regimes 2008 Constitution. In this context, the author Mael Raynaud sees a hybrid system made of elements of democracy and dictatorship in the military-drafted Constitution and ultimately in the pseudo-democratic regime of President U Thein Sein. The political approach of the Third Force was very controversial among political activists and analysts in Myanmar. The late politician and writer, Maung Wuntha, told me in 2011: This group wanted to move forward Myanmars politics without Aung San Suu Kyi. Seemingly it was on the same page as the military regime. The junta put Daw Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest for more than 15 years and held the 2010 general election without the NLD. After this, it successfully formed a quasi-civilian government, something the junta took all credit for during its transition to democracy. Senior General Than Shwes regime (1992-2011) regarded Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as a dead tiger when it released her in 2010. The dead tiger, however, revived quickly. She won a parliamentary seat in a 2012 by-election and the NLD won a landslide in the 2015 general election. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi formed the first civilian-led government in 58 years within the framework set by Gen. Than Shwes regime. Although Daw Aung San Suu Kyis authority is still considered omnipotent, the narrative has become more diverse, initiated by different political entities, since 2010. A new landscape has emerged and at the highest levels, a call for that elusive third force is again heard. The interval between one political regime and another The researchers Guillermo ODonnell and Philippe Schmitter wrote about Myanmars transition after 2010 warned of instability during transitions from certain authoritarian regimes toward an uncertain something else. They defined transitions as the interval between one political regime and another. The Feb. 1 coup showed that interval is over. The regime is now heading towards a new cycle of military rule which many fear will last decades. The continuing popularity of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is seen as a threat to the military elite. This depressing scenario seems to confirm the Third Forces logic about unlinking political changes from Aung San Suu Kyi. But if U Thein Seins government (2011-16) and its think tank formed with Third Force members were able to unlink political changes with Aung San Suu Kyi after 2010, would the February coup have happened? Dr. Elliott Prasse-Freeman sharply criticized the role of the Third Force in Myanmars politics in his research paper Power, Civil Society, and an Inchoate Politics of the Daily in Burma/Myanmar in the Journal of Asian Studies in 2012. He wrote: Promulgating a different mechanism for change, the Third Force subtly asserts that the entire oppositional political project should be abandoned and that a broad civil society sector (comprised of grass-roots and elite groups) should fill the void, collaborating with the state. This is short-sighted because it ignores mass democracy, and replaces it with the technocratic skills of the Third Force. Today the Third Forces logic, as first described in 2010, has proven unsuccessful. It underestimated Daw Aung San Suu Kyis popularity. Without mass support, no genuine change is possible. U Thein Seins Third Force government was able to sustain only one term despite trying to lure international legitimacy and foreign investment and build an image as a peacemaker. The NLDs landslide victory in 2015 interrupted the goal for political change without Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Unfortunately, the interval without the military dictatorship lasted only 10 years. A new hybrid approach in the spring revolution Military hostility towards Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is even more intense this time. She is now facing prison sentences with several charges, including inciting public unrest, breaking the Official Secrets Act and corruption, that could put her in prison for the rest of her life. House arrest alone seems not to assuage the military, so it wants to throw her in prison. It reveals the generals mounting hatred of the 75-year-old who has won the peoples hearts for decades. The military should look beyond Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD this time. That might be the elusive third way. The coup has turned a dispute between the generals and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi into a war between the pro-military elite and civil society. The military believes the longer it shuts out the opposition, the longer it can hold power. But locking up all political opponents does not seem to work in the 21st century. As the regime has not enough capacity to lock up or terrify the whole population, its attempt to rule has failed because of the ungovernable mass. Perhaps the landscape has made a significant leap from one man or woman dominance, whether a dictator or a democratic leader, to community-led initiatives. A combined strategy of nonviolent protest and armed resistance is a hybrid approach emerging from the spring revolution. These community-led initiatives were derived from collective action by student activists, factory workers, civil servants, social activists, elected MPs and many others who do not want to live under military rule. Dr. Zaw Wai Soe, the civilian National Unity Governments health and education ministerial appointee, told Mizzima media: Todays revolution is the peoples revolution. Neither nationality nor parties matter. Im not a member of a political party. Im taking part in this revolution not for one party or one nationality but for humanity and the basic rights of people. Thirteen years ago, Thakin Chan Tun, a veteran politician, told The Irrawaddy: The Burmese political conflict is between the rulers and the subjected people. The opposition, particularly the NLD, is only a tool of the democracy struggle. During the struggle period, there is no third group. They are merely apologists for the rulers, rather than advocates for the subjected people. Will the subjected people now look beyond Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to achieve genuine democracy? They are not looking for a compromise with the military but the voice of the people expressed in the 2015 and 2020 elections and now being expressed in the protests of the subjected people. Mon Mon Myat is an author and a PhD candidate at the Peacebuilding Program at Payap University in Chiang Mai, Thailand. You may also like these stories: Senior NLD Member Warns of Myanmar Juntas Plot for Illegal Electoral Win Myanmar Court Testifies in Three Cases Against Suu Kyi Myanmars Detained Suu Kyi Gave Residences and Almost All Her Money to Charity Burma Senior NLD Member Warns of Myanmar Juntas Plot for Illegal Electoral Win NLD supporters celebrate the partys election victory at the head office in Yangon on Nov. 8, 2020. / The Irrawaddy National League for Democracy (NLD) Central Executive Committee member U Aung Kyi Nyunt says the military regimes plan to abolish the party is a plot to illegally win the next general election. As they know, there is no way to compete against the most popular party so they are trying to eliminate the NLD before holding an election, he told The Irrawaddy. U Aung Kyi Nyunt, 70, who chairs the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) formed by MPs who won seats in the 2020 general election, said: But it wont be possible as it is clear from the beginning that this is not fair and the people wont accept it. The NLD came to power after a landslide victory in the 2015 general election and won an even greater majority in November last year. It was set to start a second term but the military seized power on Feb. 1 and arrested most of the party leaders, including State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint. The regime justified the coup by accusing the NLD of manipulating the vote, despite no international or domestic election monitoring groups finding any significant evidence of electoral fraud. The junta annulled the results of the election in which the military proxy parties suffered heavy defeats. It pledged to hold a new election and hand power to the winner. Its handpicked electoral body chairman U Thein Soe, a former general, announced in a meeting with various political parties in late May that the NLD must be disbanded for committing voter fraud last year. He also dubbed the NLD leadership traitors for rigging the vote and said the commission will consider taking action against the party. U Aung Kyi Nyunt said the public support could not be discarded by orders from the regime-appointed electoral commission. The NLD will be there, as long as the people are, he said, repeating Daw Aung San Suu Kyis message to the public in reference to the regimes attempt to dissolve her party. Last week, the regimes Ministry of Home Affairs started a probe into whether any political parties have had contact with the CRPH or the shadow National Unity Government (NUG), both of which the regime has designated terrorist organizations and unlawful associations. The NUG was formed by the CRPH as a shadow government to rival the military regime. The Political Parties Registration Law empowers the authorities to abolish parties with links to terrorist or unlawful associations. The move was viewed as an attempt by the regime to provide legal cover to dissolve the NLD. Many NLD members and lawmakers face arrest warrants for having links with the CRPH and NUG. More than 200 NLD members are still in custody, including ministers, lawmakers, central executive committee members, state and regional members and youth members. Several members have been killed while in detention. Numerous party members are in hiding and all the NLD offices have closed. Many NLD members were former political prisoners under previous juntas. Party offices were sealed off. Party members, even at ward and village tract levels, are being arrested. However, the NLD cant be annihilated through these terror crimes, U Aung Kyi Nyunt said. The veteran politician, who was also re-elected in last years election, said the revolution, which began with anti-regime protests, will produce democracy. We elected lawmakers will try to uphold our duties and responsibilities entrusted by the people, he said. You may also like these stories: Myanmar Court Testifies in Three Cases Against Suu Kyi Myanmars Detained Suu Kyi Gave Residences and Almost All Her Money to Charity Myanmars Bago Region Sees Sharp Spike in COVID-19 Cases While the number of COVID-19 cases across Florida have slowed, that is not the case among residents at Floridas nursing homes. A recent AARP report shows Floridas rate of infections at nursing homes is higher than the national average. Data from the the AARP Public Policy Institute, collaborating with Scripps Gerontology Center at Ohios Miami University, created a Nursing Home COVID-19 Dashboard to track nursing home measures in four-week snapshots in several categories. The most recent period ending May 16 shows that Florida had .63 COVID-19 cases per 100 nursing home residents. Thats higher than the national average of 0.4 per 100 residents, according to the data. Floridas rate has risen from 0.4 in April to the .63 in May, according to the data. In addition, Floridas .63 figure ranks 11th of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Alaska has the highest rate, of 1.04, followed by Colorado, West Virginia, Washington, Michigan, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Nevada and Maine and Florida, according to the data. Dionne Polite, AARP Florida interim state director, said in a written statement: Not only are new reports of nursing home resident cases on the rise, but nearly 50% of Florida nursing homes continue to report new cases of COVID-19 among staff at these facilities. Encouraging vaccination of Floridas long-term care workers must remain a priority. COVID cases in the data are described as the number of residents, or staff and facility personnel, with new laboratory positive COVID-19 test results, as reported by the facility. Other categories in the data include total residents and staff who died, personal protective equipment shortages and staffing shortages. This report first appeared on the website of the Florida Phoenix, a nonprofit news organization dedicated to coverage of state government and politics from Tallahassee. Florida Phoenix editor Diane Rado contributed to this report. Spains Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, while speaking at an international tourism fair in Madrid, announced that all vaccinated travelers will be able to visit Spain as of June 7th. From June 7th, all vaccinated people and their families will be welcome in our country, Spain, regardless of their country of origin, Sanchez told reporters, adding that theyre welcome more than welcome without restrictions nor health controls, Sanchez told reporters. According to a Reuters article, before the pandemic Spain was the world's second most visited country but tourism to Spain dropped 80% leaving its beaches and hotels almost deserted. So, what Is Required to enter Spain? Incoming travelers must be able to show digital proof of vaccination, a negative COVID-19 test, or proof that they recently recovered from the virus. Spain will be taking part in a pilot program for the EUs digital COVID-19 health certificate this month and aim to have it implemented for the June 7 reopening. For the complete Reuters article, click here. On Friday, officials with the Walker County Hospital District board announced that they have finalized a $7.8 million purchase of Huntsville Memorial Hospital. Do you feel like this is a good use of tax dollars, and is this the right direction for the struggling health care facility? You voted: Ithaca, NY (14850) Today Scattered thunderstorms during the morning becoming more widespread this afternoon. High around 70F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Low 58F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Optus Business report notes that the construction sector is now expanding, and investments in communication technology will play a key role in the sector's growth. The expansion also translates to new job opportunities. Australias economy is now shifting from recovery to expansion due to the strong growth of housing construction industry in early 2021. The construction sector is poised to expand, and investments in communications technology will enable this growth, according to a study by Optus Business. The Construction Industry Pulse report surveys insights from 400 respondents in the Australian construction industry and reveals how investments in technology will be critical for helping businesses achieve their goals for 2021 and beyond. The report found that despite the economic and resource challenges of 2020, confidence among construction business owners was rated high with larger organisationsemploying between 200 and 300 staffthe most optimistic about their prospects for the next 12 months, with 32% being very confident in their financial growth. The top three nominated areas for investment and growth in the next financial year were staff training, salary increases, and business technology. These investments will support strategy, personalised solutions, and the ongoing use of interactive documents. New employment expected The growth of the construction sector will also translate to new job opportunities. Businesses with five to 19 employees were most bullish about employing new staff, with 22% reporting they would like to increase employee numbers. Across all businesses, additional priorities included employment of new and relevant skill sets (29%), investment in dependable networks (23%), training in new technology (23%), and the ability to work from home (19%). Examining their interest in new technology further revealed that 50% would invest more in mobile phones, 47% in laptops, 14% in mobile broadband solutions, and 27% in tablets. Respondents interest in dependable networks came from their need to manage large data volumes securely and affordably. These investments are said to be supported by applications and business solutions training for employees. These results clearly show the important role communications technology plays in underpinning Australias construction sector and its ability to rebound in 2021 and beyond, notes Optus Business managing director Libby Roy. Secure and reliable high bandwidth connections are absolutely essential in construction, not just for supporting day-to-day operations, but also for moving the massive data files that define construction processes, while also ensuring smooth work-from-home scenarios. Roy observes: It is fantastic to see the emphasis on bringing in new skills and training workers in technology. As the market for digitally skilled workers tightens, it is vital that construction companies build training programs that can deliver the pipeline of skills needed to ensure they can get the most out of their technology investments. Roy notes that Australian Government initiatives such as the $12.7 million expansion of the Digital Solutions - Australian Small Business Advisory Service program (announced in the latest Federal Budget) would go a long way in helping the sector implement training programs. This program is important for smaller construction businesses, which were more likely to rely on a bare minimum technology approach (81%), while 70% of larger companies harnessed technology to improve their operations and updated it more often (71%). Cyber security measures lacking The report also showed that larger organisations are more aware of the potential threat from cyber-attacks. 47% expressed concern about the impact of viruses and attacks on company data. Only 47% of all organisations reported having defensive measures in place. Despite this, 30% of larger businesses (200-300 staff) were attacked, along with 7% of small businesses (1-4 staff). Being exposed to cyber-attacks creates another level of company risk with legislative or regulatory consequences, as there are severe implications relating to breaches of cyber securityespecially when linked to critical infrastructure, and privacy breaches, warns Roy. For any business, this makes it important to protect personal, business and financial information. At Optus Business, weve been listening to our customers and have extensive programs in place to help business customers build their awareness of cyber threats and defensive strategies, as well as helping them to train staff to avoid taking actions that can weaken defensive barriers, she says. She adds: For us it is about connecting customers to technology that improves their lives and business. Like most industries, the report found the construction sector had to contend with a substantial proportion of workers (30%) working from home, although the nature of the industry meant a considerable proportion remained onsite (20%). Larger organisations were more likely to report they had implemented comprehensive support offerings for at-home workers, including offering information and support services and allowing employees to take hardware and equipment such as monitors home. But despite these investments, the study concludes, workers in larger businesses were least likely to feel they were well-prepared and supported to work at home (31%), and more workers in smaller companies felt well supported (45%). Swinburne University of Technology launches a series of graduate certificate courses to help students land a job in the digital economy. The said courses will emulate real life work scenarios and gives students the chance to demonstrate their capabilities. Swinburne University of Technology launches a series of bootcamp graduate certificate courses, developed in partnership with FourthRev, to upskill career changers and provide students the digital capabilities required to stand out in the digital economy. The courses are available on-campus and through its online arm, Swinburne Online. Alongside completing projects, which will emulate real life work scenarios and designed with industry partners GitHub and Tableau, students will also work on a live project with employer partner, Xero. The said project will give students the chance to demonstrate their capabilities in an industry environment to further their work credentials. The FourthRev course launch comes after the recent Swinburne University of Technology Work Integrated Learning announcement, which committed to providing students enrolling in 2021 the opportunity to gain industry experiences within their studies. The launch coincides with the Australian Federal Governments apprenticeship wage subsidy program, which is a part of it multi-billion-dollar investment in skills and training in its Economic Recovery Plan. In less than two years, FourthRev co-founders Omar de Silva (pictured) and Jack Hylands have formed partnerships with tech companies AWS and Tableau to create learning experiences that provide a direct pathway to qualifications and employment in the digital economy. A total of five courses will be available in marketthree of which will be online and two delivered on campuscovering Professional Data Analytics, Programming and Development, and Product Management. Each course will focus on developing the in-demand digital capabilities of learners seeking to break into digital roles or accelerate the trajectory they are already on. Curriculums feature software support, materials and insights from industry contributors such as Tableau, MuleSoft and Dropbox. Swinburne says the graduate certificate courses are focused on industry-relevant capability development and active project-based learning. FourthRev co-founder and Swinburne graduate Omar de Silva says the best way to address the growing digital skills gap is through close collaboration between industry and higher education partners. The scale of the digital skills gap cannot and should not be underestimated, but equally there is a huge opportunity. If education providers and industry can come together to create learning experiences that will translate to real-world success, Australia has the potential to be one of the most digitally robust and advanced markets in APAC, if not the world, de Silva emphasises. He adds: Were delighted to be working with Swinburne to support them in their mission to empower students to enjoy the most exciting and meaningful career opportunities available to them upon receiving their qualifications. FourthRev courses are currently available via 11 higher educational providers worldwide, including RMIT, University of Canberra, and University of California, Irvine. The start-up is in talks with further 20 organisations, and there are plans to double the number of higher education partners in the next 12-18 months. Swinburne University of Technology deputy vice chancellor (Academic) interim professor Chris Pilgrim (pictured) says the university had combined its academic and research expertise with the latest industry intelligence to provide career changers with future-focussed courses. In a rapidly transforming world of work, Swinburne is committed to helping leaders to be effective by partnering with companies that have valuable insights into what the future workforce needs, Pilgrim says. He concludes: The launch of the bootcamp offering gives professionals an opportunity to enhance their career prospects in a fast and flexible way. The next student cohort for this accelerated industry-focused course commences in July 2021. COMPANY NEWS: Nintex's annual customer awards program celebrates public and private sector organisations in every industry and geography for their digital transformation success with the Nintex Process Platform Nintex, the global standard for process management and automation, today announced 18 winners of the 2021 Nintex Solution Innovation Awards, including this year's 2021 Nintex Champion - Coca-Cola Beverages Florida. Three top partner organisations Publicis Sapient, Hub Collab, and System RKK also received a 2021 Nintex Partner Award in Business Transformation for helping customers digitally transform. "We congratulate all of our 2021 Nintex Solution Innovation Award winners for their inspiring digital transformation success this past year," said Nintex chief executive officer Eric Johnson. "We applaud all of these award-winning organisations for their success in improving the way people work with the Nintex Process Platform." Coca-Cola Beverages Florida (Coke Florida) achieved top honours as the 2021 Nintex Champion. This innovative, independently owned Florida bottler is successfully automating simple to sophisticated business processes across its departments and operating locations in the state of Florida with Nintex capabilities. By leveraging the full Nintex Process Platform for process management and automation, including process mapping, workflow automation, RPA and more, Coke Florida has quickly mapped, managed, and optimised workflows across its entire operations helping efficiently support the company's growth. Coke Florida has also implemented solutions on the Nintex Process Platform to ensure its employees, vendors and customers are safe which has been critically important during the COVID-19 pandemic. To learn more about Coca-Cola Beverages Florida's Nintex success visit: https://www.nintex.com/case-study/coca-cola-beverages-florida/ Two 2021 Healthcare Heroes are also being recognised as part of this year's awards program. Baptist Health and Los Angeles County, Department of Health Services (DHS)/Internal Services Departments are being honoured for their organisations' innovative use of the Nintex Process Platform to rapidly respond to public health needs in 2020. 2021 Nintex Solution Innovation Awards winners by award category are available online at https://www.nintex.com/solution-innovation-awards-2021/ and include: 2021 Nintex Champion Coca-Cola Beverages Florida COVID-19 Heroes Baptist Health Los Angeles County, Department of Health Services (DHS)/Internal Services Departments Regional Transformation Leaders Americas: KBR from Houston, Texas, USA Asia Pacific: Hanes Australasia from Hartwell, Victoria, Australia Europe Middle East and Africa: Mohammed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Game Changing Solution-Specific Deployments Improved Operational Performance with Nintex Drawloop: HMT Achieved Process Excellence with Nintex Promapp: Hitachi Vantara Enhanced Customer Experience with Nintex RPA: National Gallery Singapore Delivered productivity with Nintex K2: Jio Platforms Industry Breakthroughs Education: Hernando County School District Engineering and Construction: RG Construction Financial Services: BDO Australia Health and Life Sciences: Rakuten Medical Manufacturing: E.T. Browne Drug Company Non-Profit: Matchis Foundation Public Sector: City of Toronto Corporate Security Business Continuity Capital Bank The Nintex Solution Innovation award winners were selected by a panel of judges based on nominations submitted directly by Nintex customers or Nintex partners. The awards recognise customer organisations in every industry and geography for their digital transformation success with the Nintex Process Platform. The Business Transformation category of the 2021 Nintex Partner Awards recognises Nintex Partners for top customer entries in this year's Solution Innovation Awards program. The complete 2021 Nintex Partner Awards announcement will be shared in July 2021. To learn how more organisations are achieving digital transformation and improving the way people work with the Nintex Process Platform, visit https://www.nintex.com/why-nintex/case-studies/. About Nintex Nintex is the global standard for process management and automation. Today more than 10,000 public and private sector organisations across 90 countries turn to the Nintex Platform to accelerate progress on their digital transformation journeys by quickly and easily managing, automating and optimising business processes. Learn more by visiting https://www.nintex.com/ and experience how Nintex and its global partner network are shaping the future of intelligent process automation. Digital infrastructure company Equinix says it is committed to becoming climate-neutral and has set a science-based target (SBT) for emissions reduction across its global operations and supply chain by 2030. Equinix says its commitment - aligned with the Paris Climate Agreement - is a critical step to ensure that the company continues to advance investments and innovations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and keep global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. According to Equinix, the expected impact of these sustainability efforts on the broader digital ecosystem is sizable, and the companys many and diverse customers are expected to benefit from the greening of their digital supply chains. Equinix says it plans to remain committed to engaging these stakeholders to drive transparency and impact. The targets are supported by Equinixs leadership and strategies across renewable energy, green finance, public policy advocacy, and leading design and operations, says Equinix. Equinixs approved emissions reduction target by the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) builds on the companys strong track record on sustainable growth and innovation, including achieving over 90% renewable energy coverage for its data centres from 2018 to 2020. To date, Equinix has issued US$3.7 billion in green bonds toward environmentally sustainable projects across green buildings, renewable energy, energy and water efficiency, waste and clean transportation. Equinix is a founding member of the EU Climate Neutral Data Centre Operator Pact, as well as a founding board member of the Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance (REBA). The company is committed to designing and operating with an environmental focus, and in 2020 invested US$14 million to create a global Energy Efficiency Center of Excellence dedicated to driving improved efficiencies across its sites, added Equinix. According to Equinix, as part of its science-based target, it is aiming to reduce its Scope 1 and 2 emissions (direct and indirect from electricity) by 50 per cent by 2030 against a 2019 baseline. To achieve this goal, Equinix is targeting to reach 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030, fulfilling its commitment to RE100. Additional carbon emission reductions will be achieved through driving energy efficiency savings, reducing refrigerant loss, phasing out high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants and investigating the replacement of diesel generators with cleaner on-site generation technologies. Equinix is also committing to partnering with top suppliers by engaging with those responsible for 66 per cent of Equinixs Purchased Goods and Services and Capital Goods supplier-related emissions, to set their own science-based targets by 2025. The company will also address fuel- and energy-related activities (FERA) with the aim to reduce the carbon associated with the delivery of power to its sites by 50 per cent by 2030. Digital infrastructure is the backbone of todays economy and allows people to work and connect from anywhere and everywhere. We share the urgency of governments, the industry, and our customers that innovation and action are essential to ensure data centres are more sustainable and reduce carbon emissions quickly to address the impacts of global climate change, said Raouf Abdel, EVP Global Operations, Equinix. Our recent Global Tech Trends survey illustrated this with an increase in demand for greater transparency in IT infrastructure. We have seen this with the over 100% increase in requests for our Green Power Reports (GPRs), which empower customers to track progress against their own sustainability goals and reporting efforts. Guy Danskine, Managing Director, Equinix Australia said: Its upon all of us in the technology sector to take action on climate change to protect our planet for future generations. Data centres, which continue to grow to serve the needs of Australian enterprises, network service providers, hyperscalers and other cloud-based services in todays digital economy, need to become more sustainable and contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions. Our announcement today is an important step for Equinix to play its part and push towards climate-neutral services. Volunteer group Australian Parents for Climate Action has urged the NSW Government to reject Snowy Hydros proposal to build a $600 million gas power plant in Kurri Kurri; and instead asks the NSW Government to support the manufacturing of solar panels in the Hunter Valley. The action group says that according to its Environment Impact Statement, the Federal governments proposed Kurri Kurri gas plant will inject 500,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases into the environment each year, as well as generating harmful air pollution that will impact on local families in the Hunter region. Concerned parents from Australian Parents for Climate Action made 37 of the 257 submissions against the new Kurri Kurri gas fired power plant, whereas only 2 submissions were made in favour of the project, says the group in a statement just released. According to Australian Parents for Climate Action supporting solar manufacturing in the Hunter instead would help the region to transition to a climate safe economy - and they see this manufacturing as a win-win for Hunter jobs and families, and have tied it to their proposed Solar Our Schools ask of the Federal Government to fund solar and batteries for all schools and early childhood centres. The Hunter already has high levels of air pollution from coal mining. This new gas plant proposal will add to that air pollution, putting children and elderly people at risk. I want to see the government investing in projects that create jobs in renewable energy and contribute to a future for our children that sees them breathing clean air and sees us working towards achieving climate targets, says Pamela Sharp, Teacher and supporter of Australian Parents for Climate Action, Hunter Valley, New South Wales. Suzie Brown, National Director, Australian Parents for Climate Action says: Our members are everyday Australian parents nurses, teachers, accountants, homemakers who want our government to sensibly invest in a safe, prosperous future for our children based on clean energy. We urge the Minister to directly address the overwhelming public opposition to the Kurri Kurri gasproject, not just from our group, but also from economists, energy market experts, climate scientists, health professionals and others. For me the construction of the Kurri Kurri Power Station makes little sense as there are far better uses of taxpayer money. Instead of sinking money into this project, we could be investing in cleaner energy sources which promote job creation, help drive down power prices, avoid financial strain on hospitals by limiting respiratory diseases, and prevent the massive economic losses that climate change will bring, notes Miklos Bolza, Journalist and supporter of Australian Parents for Climate Action, New South Wales. COMPANY NEWS: At a time when organisations are focused on simplifying data management, mitigating threats from ransomware attacks, and accelerating their move to the cloud, more enterprises and mid-size organisations around the globe are relying on Cohesity to back up, manage, protect, and derive value from their data. This is evidenced by Cohesity's record-breaking financial performance in its third quarter 2021 results. The third quarter, which ended 30 April 2021, saw Cohesity firing on all financial cylinders: Strong subscription business: Cohesity achieved a nearly 80% increase year-over-year YoY (Q3/Q3) in annual recurring revenue (ARR), further emphasising the success of the company's subscription-based software model. Strong net expansion rate: Cohesity's net expansion rate or the rate of expansion net of churn from existing customers over the last year continues to exceed 130% in Q3, a benchmark for leading subscription/SaaS companies. This means that ARR from Cohesity's existing customer set grew more than 30% over the last 12 months. Rapid customer growth: Cohesity saw more than a 40% increase YoY (Q3/Q3) in the number of customers doing business with the company, bringing its customer count to nearly 2,500 globally. In Q3, Cohesity recorded its largest transaction from a single customer in company history. Strong traction across verticals and the Fortune 500: The company added 30 financial services customers to its roster in Q3, bringing the total number of customers in that vertical to nearly 350 globally. The company saw a nearly 40% increase YoY (Q3/Q3) in the number of Fortune 500 accounts doing business with Cohesity. Cohesity customers include three of the top five pharmaceutical companies globally and two of the top five Fortune 500. Triple-digit growth in multimillion-dollar deals: Cohesity realised a 73% increase YoY (Q3/Q3) in the number of customers that spent between US $1 million and US $5 million on Cohesity software in total lifetime spend, and a 333% YoY (Q3/Q3) increase in customers with more than US $5 million in total lifetime spend. Strong partner momentum: The company saw more than a 20% increase YoY (Q3/Q3) in the number of partners actively selling Cohesity. The average contribution per partner (total bookings divided by the number of partners) grew 25% during the same time period of the prior year. These metrics indicate that not only are more partners selling, but their contribution is increasing. "Our record-breaking results show that more businesses are trusting Cohesity to manage their data in a world in which hybrid cloud is the norm, ransomware attacks are soaring, and the need to derive value from data has never been greater," said Cohesity CEO and founder Mohit Aron. "Customers are also embracing Cohesity because we give them the flexibility to manage data their way either directly, via our as-a-service offerings, or a combination of both all through one platform with one user interface. No other vendor today offers this type of choice and radical simplicity." "Cohesity is the multicloud data management company to watch," said Sequoia Capital partner Carl Eschenbach. "With a very healthy subscription business, benchmark net expansion rates, and a rapidly growing customer base and partner ecosystem, the company is hitting the mark from every angle and the future looks very bright." Third quarter 2021 milestones In its third quarter of 2021, Cohesity customers demonstrated resilience against ransomware attacks as the company unveiled new innovations that propel modern data management. Healthcare Provider Rapidly Recovers Data with $0 Ransomware Payment: After being hit by a ransomware attack, Sky Lakes Medical Center relied on Cohesity's anti-ransomware capabilities to successfully recover all of its servers and applications -- without paying a penny of the ransom. Not only did the effort save the healthcare provider money and preserve trust in its systems, it also helped the company treat patients largely without disruption, potentially saving lives. Sustained Focus on Security: Cohesity announced its strategic partnership with In-Q-Tel, a not-for-profit strategic investor that invests in innovative technology solutions to support the national security communities of the U.S. and its allies. As part of this partnership, In-Q-Tel has invested in Cohesity. Cohesity also expanded its C-suite with the addition of Brian Spanswick, the company's first chief information security officer. Spanswick hosted an expert conversation with the Secret Service on tips to prevent ransomware. SaaS expansion to Canada: Cohesity announced the general availability of DataProtect delivered as a service to Canadian customers. This backup as a service (BaaS) offering empowers Canadian customers to focus on managing their data while Cohesity takes care of the underlying infrastructure hosted on AWS. Comprehensive Support for Microsoft 365: With the Cohesity Pegasus 6.6 release, Cohesity broadened protection for Microsoft 365. Cohesity now supports Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, OneDrive, Public Folders, Microsoft Teams, and Microsoft Groups. Cohesity is delivering SLAs that extend well beyond Microsoft's 30-day defaults. Data Management Training and Certifications: Every industry is looking for IT professionals who can modernise data infrastructure, protect and recover from cyberthreats, and do more with data. To address the growing need, the company launched Cohesity Academy, a comprehensive data management training and certification program, that enables IT professionals to advance their skills and expertise, which can also help companies achieve critical business outcomes. Industry Accolades: Cohesity was named a Customers' Choice in the 2021 Gartner Peer Insights Voice of the Customer: Distributed File Systems and Object Storage, following being named Customers' Choice in the Gartner Peer Insights Voice of the Customer: Data Center Backup and Recovery Solutions. Cohesity was also featured among CRN's Coolest Cloud Companies for 2021. "Cohesity's platform offers a flexible, software-defined approach for creating a unified data layer that consolidates data across hybrid and multicloud infrastructure and addresses the data fragmentation problem for enterprises," said In-Q-Tel senior partner Brinda Jadeja. "The visibility, security, and control provided by Cohesity's data management platform are essential for protecting sensitive data. These capabilities make Cohesity's solution well suited for securing and managing data in the diverse operating environments of the U.S. intelligence and defence communities." About Cohesity Cohesity radically simplifies data management. We make it easy to protect, manage, and derive value from data across the data centre, edge, and cloud. We offer a full suite of services consolidated on one multicloud data platform: backup and recovery, disaster recovery, file and object services, dev/test, and data compliance, security, and analytics reducing complexity and eliminating mass data fragmentation. Cohesity can be delivered as a service, self-managed, or provided by a Cohesity-powered partner. Support Local Journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by subscribing or making a contribution. Subscribe or contribute This Week in Review A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more. UpNest compiled census population data between 2010 and 2019, the most recent year available, to find the fastest-growing metropolitan areas. Combining this data with the Purchase-Only Housing Price Index, which measures the average change in prices of single-family homes, UpNest found how t Click for more. Jacksonville, TX (75766) Today Cloudy skies this morning followed by thunderstorms during the afternoon. High 86F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Low 72F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%. 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. Managing Editor Rebecca Huntington has worked for newspapers across the West. She hosts a rescue podcast, The Fine Line. Her family minivan doubles as her not-so-high-tech recording studio. Register with JOC.com and receive 5 free pieces of content for the first thirty days. After thirty days, you will receive 3 pieces of content and after sixty days you will receive 1 piece of content. To receive full access, Subscribe Today . You can also subscribe to our daily newsletter. Register FILE - Students find the doors locked to the ITT Technical Institute campus in Rancho Cordova, Calif. The U.S. Education Department says it's erasing student debt for thousands of borrowers who attended a for-profit college chain that made exaggerated claims about its graduates' success in finding jobs. The Biden administration is approving 18,000 loan forgiveness claims from former students of ITT Technical Institute, a chain that closed in 2016. Tennessee is offering three limited-edition posters highlighting each of its three Grand Divisions to celebrate 225 years of statehood. Sarah Owens is a senior at Milligan University and a native of Alabaster, Ala.. She is majoring in communications and is a member of the Milligan Women's Soccer team. She has a passion for traveling and animals and an interest in international cultures. Follow Sarah Owens 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 Lemons Family Charitable Trust recently donated $15,000 to Bright Futures Joplin for its snack pack program. Pictured (from left) are Laura Rasmussen, of U.S. Bank on behalf of the trust; Sandra Cantwell, executive director of student services for the Joplin School District; and Sarah Coyne, coordinator of Bright Futures Joplin. Courtesy | Bright Futures Joplin This April 10, 2018 image released by Arizona State University shows ASU professor Devoney Looser at her home in Phoenix, Ariz. Looser unearthed Rev. Henry Thomas Austens attendance at the 1840 World Anti-Slavery Convention in London. Austen is the brother of Pride and Prejudice author Jane Austen. Looser calls him a a next-generation Austen publicly supporting abolition. Reporter Susan covers the towns of Somers and Ellington. She joined the JI in May 2021 and graduated from Skidmore College. She recently completed docent training for the Wadsworth Atheneum and hopes to start giving tours some time next year. The colonial past is back in the spotlight in many countries, from New Zealand to France, Canada to Germany, or Sweden to the Netherlands. Official apologies, demands for reparations and restitution of cultural heritage, truth commissions: Can the arsenal of transitional justice deal with colonial crimes and their consequences in today's world? Use the +/- buttons in the upper left corner of the map below to zoom in (or your fingers on mobile) JusticeInfo.net Truth Commissions on colonial acts Truth Commissions on colonial acts Financial and symbolic reparations Financial and symbolic reparations Restitutions of cultural objects and property Restitutions of cultural objects and property Dismantling of colonial symbols (statues taken down and streets renamed) Dismantling of colonial symbols (statues taken down and streets renamed) Dont portray us as a band of beggars coming to demand reparation. [] I think the Europeans have obligations to us, like all the unfortunate, but especially to us for harms that they caused. That is what I call reparation. These words of Aime Cesaire, renowned Martinican author of Discourse on Colonialism, still resonate everywhere in the world 71 years after they were published. The issue concerns 70% of the worlds population, either as a citizen of a colonizing country or as one of the colonized, according to French history professor Bouda Etemad, author of the book Crimes and Reparations, the West faced with its colonial past. The colonized and their descendants, he writes, have the right to demand reparation from the European powers for the harms these States committed over a period of 500 years, from the discovery of America by Christopher Colombus to independence in the second half of the 20th century. Forced labour, slavery, persecution, executions, extermination, bombardments, looting and forced cultural assimilation: the list is long of violent abuses that accompanied colonization in Africa, the Near East, Asia, the Americas, Oceania and northern Europe. Our special focus concentrates on the period known as the second colonial empire which from 1815 marked the new expansionism of the Western powers until the wave of independence in the 1960s and 1970s. Colonization, a crime against humanity In France, when Emmanuel Macron, then a presidential candidate, declared on February 14, 2017 in Algiers that colonization "is a crime against humanity, a real barbarity and part of this past that we must look in the face by also apologizing to those towards whom we committed these actions", he aroused the ire of the right and the far right, who accused him of sullying or betraying his country. French political icon and patriot Georges Clemenceau, nicknamed "the Tiger" for his fierce attacks as an opponent and then for strength of his character as head of government at the end of the First World War, had already said it 130 years ago. On July 28, 1885, while European nations shared Africa among themselves, when his political adversary Jules Ferry invoked before parliament the "duty" of the "superior races" to "civilize the inferior races", Clemenceau replied: "Superior races! Inferior races! (...) Look at the history of the conquest of these peoples that you call barbaric and you will see violence, every crime unleashed, oppression, blood flowing freely, the weak oppressed, tyrannized by the victor! That is the history of your civilization! (...) How many atrocious, appalling crimes have been committed in the name of justice and civilization? Not to mention the vices that Europeans brought with them: alcohol, opium that they spread and imposed if it pleased them. And it is such a system that you are trying to justify in France, in the land of human rights!" He also added that: The conquest you advocate is the pure and simple abuse of force (...). It is not what is right, it is the negation of it." Demands for truth and reparations In recent years, as men and women in former colonial countries entered politics after the fall of colonial empires, and as formerly colonized peoples have become more vocal, the demands for truth and reparation have grown. The veil of silence is being torn apart. Scandinavian countries are working to establish the truth about the violence suffered by their indigenous people, inspired by the example of Canada. Belgium and Australia have set up truth commissions, while France is considering it and Joe Biden's United States seems more willing to join this historical rendez-vous. Everything indicates that the colonial past has become the present of transitional justice, and that this groundswell is causing ripples on all continents. And so while demands for reparations by victims and their descendants are not new, there are now starting to be some responses. The need to render justice to the enslaved and/or colonized populations has led to a search for ways to "repair" the wrongs done. Louis Georges Tin, president of the Council of Black Associations of France (Conseil representatif des associations noires de France), defines them as "legal, moral, material, cultural or symbolic mechanisms set up to compensate a social group or its descendants, individually or collectively, after large-scale damage". This cannot happen without the first, still hesitant step of official recognition of harms caused. On 26 March 2019, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the fundamental rights of people of African descent in Europe, recognising that the racism and discrimination experienced by people of African descent is structural and stems from historically repressive structures of colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade. On 17 June 2020 after the murder of George Floyd in the United States, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet, said during a debate on racism and police violence that she was favourable to reparations. Behind todays racial violence, systemic racism, and discriminatory policing lies the failure to acknowledge and confront the legacy of the slave trade and colonialism, she said. We also need to make amends for centuries of violence and discrimination, including through formal apologies, truth-telling processes, and reparations in various forms. In both the North and the South, there are more and more initiatives to shed light on this violent past, to make financial reparations, to return cultural property and human remains, or for former colonizing countries to express official apologies. This Justice Info world map presents, in a non-exhaustive way, the official mechanisms of truth and reparations over the last 20 years that have been initiated by ex-colonizers with regard to their former colonies. A UN court will give its verdict on June 30 on two former Serbian spy chiefs accused of playing a major role in running death squads during the 1990s wars in the former Yugoslavia. Jovica Stanisic, 70, and Franko Simatovic, 71, have been retried on four charges of crimes against humanity and one charge of war crimes by the tribunal in The Hague after they were both acquitted in 2013. The court announced the date of the verdict in a statement and ordered both men, who are on provisional release, to return to the UN detention unit in The Hague pending the ruling. Stanisic, the former head of Serbias old state security service and a key figure in the regime of Slobodan Milosevic, and his deputy Simatovic are accused of backing paramilitary groups that terrorised Bosnia and Croatia. These groups cut a swathe of terror and destruction across Croatia and Bosnia during the conflicts that erupted amid the collapse of Yugoslavia after the fall of communism. They included an elite unit dubbed the Red Berets and the feared paramilitary outfit run by Zeljko Arkan Raznatovic, called Arkans Tigers. The death squads attacked towns and murdered Croats, Muslims and other non-Serbs to force them out of large areas, seeking to establish a Serb-run state, prosecutors alleged, seeking life sentences for both men in the original trial which opened in 2008. UN prosecutors maintain that Stanisic and Simatovic were part of a joint criminal enterprise that included the late Serbian president Milosevic and Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic. Stanisic and Simatovics acquittal before the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) unleashed a storm of protest and was overturned in 2015 after prosecutors appealed. Milosevic died in custody in The Hague before he could go on trial while Karadzic is serving a life sentence for genocide. The case of Stanisic and Simatovic is one of the last dealt with by the ICTY, after former Bosnian Serb military chief Ratko Mladic had his life sentence for genocide upheld last week. Ivory Coasts former president Laurent Gbagbo returned home on Thursday for the first time in a decade after being acquitted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) of crimes against humanity, AFP journalists saw. Gbagbo, 76, arrived aboard a flight from Brussels to a tense atmosphere, with police using tear gas to disperse supporters near Abidjan airport. Gbagbo was forced out in April 2011 after a months-long conflict sparked by his refusal to accept electoral defeat by Alassane Ouattara, the current president. The short but bitter war claimed around 3,000 lives, divided the country along north-south lives and left traumatic memories that linger today. He was then transferred to The Hague for a lengthy trial on charges relating to the conflict. He was acquitted in January 2019, a verdict that was upheld in March this year. His homecoming is seen by many commentators as a crucial test of national stability. The authorities say they welcome his return to help national reconciliation following presidential elections last year in which scores of people died. Ouattara, 79, has issued his erstwhile rival with a diplomatic passport and promised him the rewards and status due to ex-presidents. But they have also worried about potential unrest as Gbagbos many supporters celebrate their heros return. His attorney Habiba Toure told AFP in Brussels that Gbagbo is happy, enthusiastic and wants to play his part to try to reconcile Ivorians. He needs to talk to his people. On Wednesday, a Philadelphia man was arrested for a fatal shooting at the King of Prussia Hotel. Prosecutors said a drug deal took place on Monday. Jonathan Tunnell, 40, was charged with the murder of Henry Palmen, 35, who was found dead at the Fairfield Inn at about 3:30 pm on Monday. After investigations led the authorities to determine that he was the so-called shooter, Tunnell was arrested by U.S. Marshals near Philadelphia International Airport. A maintenance worker at the Mall Avenue Hotel near the King of Prussia Mall found that Palmen was unresponsive in his hotel room and reported suspected drug overdose to the authorities. When the Upper Merion police arrived at the hotel room, they found that the small bullet wound on the side of Palmens head was bleeding. Investigators said they found many cannabis food packaging and a large number of white and orange pills that have not yet been identified. There is no cash in the room. A joint investigation by the Upper Merion Police and Montgomery County detectives determined that Palmen received the drugs via shipment from California and plans to meet with Tunnell to sell the drugs. Investigators checked the surveillance video and found that before the shooting, Tunnell was walking toward the hotel along Mall Boulevard. The authorities said that hotel employees said they also saw Tunnell entering the Fairfield Inn and boarding the elevator. Police said that about 20 minutes after Tunnell arrived at the hotel, he was seen walking fast in the opposite direction of Mall Boulevard. Although Tunnell was covered up in surveillance video, investigators said they were able to identify him through visible tattoos on their hands and the cooperation of witnesses. Tunnells criminal history can be traced back to 1999, including a 2005 plea for an attempted murder in Norristown. He was sentenced to 10 to 20 years in state prison and was released in August last year. He is receiving federal probation due to drug cases and state parole related to the Norristown arrest. He was listed as a wanted criminal for violating parole regulations. Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele said: The Upper Merion Police did an excellent job in the immediate operation of the hotel room. They obtained the necessary evidence to quickly resolve the murder, which appears to have occurred in During the deterioration of the drug trade. The defendant was released on parole in August last year and was wanted for breaching his parole and probation before the murder. Excellent and prompt police work, with the help of the US Marshals, allowed him to This dangerous defendant left the street. Prior to the preliminary hearing on June 28, Tunnell was still being held at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility. On Tuesday, a fire broke out in the Kin Ma village of about 800 people. An estimated 200 houses were burned to ashes and bricks. According to several residents living in the village, the military set fire to a village in central Myanmar after clashes with opponents. At least two elderly people were burned to death. As the protest against the coup detat on February 1 continued, news of suspected violence by the military came. Dozens of protesters on motorcycles held a dawn strike in Kachin State. Parade was held in Ganzhen and Dawei. Thursday, Tanintay area. MRTV National Television stated that the fire on Tuesday in Kin Ma, a village of about 800 people in the Magway region, was caused by terrorists, otherwise the media reported deliberately conspired to discredit the army. Reuters was unable to independently verify the cause of the fire. A military spokesperson did not answer a call for comment. Several villagers described the incident via phone calls and photos seen by Reuters. According to several villagers, only about 30 houses were left in Jinma on Wednesday, and about 200 houses were turned into piles of ashes and bricks. At 9:52 pm on Tuesday night (15:22 GMT), NASAs satellite fire tracking system could record the fire. Villagers, who asked not to be named, said that at least two people were killed when security forces set fire after fighting opponents of the coup. A 32-year-old volunteer who helped displaced people in the village said that the two deceased were elderly residents who could not escape their homes during the fire. He said that some people returned to the village on Wednesday and found the bodies. Secluded resident Villagers told Reuters that most residents of the village still hide in the nearby forest. MRTV stated that 40 terrorists set fire to a house in Jianma, causing a fire that spread to 100 of the 225 houses in the village. Myanmar has been plagued by violence and protests Since the commander-in-chief of the army Min Aung Lai arrested the elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and seized power from the army. For most of the Southeast Asian countrys independence, generals ruled the Southeast Asian country with an iron fist, and then gave some power to the civilian government in a decade of tentative political reform. The fire destroyed a Burmese village and killed four elderly people. Residents of Jinma Village in the Magway region of central Myanmar told Radio Free Asia that the army set fire. pic.twitter.com/99sxfsBzoR -Radio Free Asia (@RadioFreeAsia) June 16, 2021 Photos and videos of the aftermath of the Golden Horse Fire show that the white embers above the village emit a thin layer of smoke on the blackened ground. Charred wooden boards, metal plates, bricks and cooking utensils were scattered all over the floor, leaving only a few trees. Some images show dead animals. The British Embassy in Myanmar said on Twitter: There are reports that the military government burned down the entire village of Magway and killed elderly residents. This once again shows that the military continues to commit terrible crimes and does not respect the people of Myanmar. Words from Ambassador Dan Chugg. Human rights groups accused the Burmese army of burning down hundreds of villages in an offensive in 2017 that drove hundreds of thousands of Rohingya, mainly Muslims, to neighboring Bangladesh. The security forces denied the arson and in some cases attributed the fire to the Rohingya. The West is increasingly condemning the military government because the military uses force against its opponents. But the United Nations and The Association of Southeast Asian Nations failed to take a unified stand and put more pressure on the coup leaders. The human rights organization Political Prisoners Aid Association stated that security forces have killed about 865 civilians since the coup detat, although the military disputes this number. A Philadelphia man who was arrested on Tuesday and charged with stealing nearly $1 million in salary protection program funds provided by the federal government to businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic may spend the rest of his life in prison. 50-year-old Devron Brown was charged with two counts of bank fraud and nine counts of money laundering as part of the alleged acquisition and abuse of a PPP loan program. U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The indictment alleges that Brown fraudulently obtained approximately $937,500 in PPP funds after submitting an application in June last year, in which the information about his so-called construction business Just Us Construction Inc. was incorrect. Prosecutors said Brown made several false statements about the number of employees in his company, the wages and payroll taxes he paid, and how he intended to use the loan. The indictment stated that he allegedly used the funds for a new home, a motorcycle, two cars and diamond jewelry in Florida. Allegedly, Brown submitted a second fraudulent PPP loan application earlier this year, but was rejected by the Small Business Administration. Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams (Jennifer Arbittier Williams) said: The Salary Protection Program funds are designed to help small businesses in the United States continue to pay their employees, even if their income drops significantly due to the pandemic. The thieves who took the funds were taking advantage of the misfortune of others-while plundering them, they also plundered all the taxpayers who funded the plan. The Salary Protection Program was established by the SBA last year to help companies maintain their livelihoods and continue to pay their employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. FBI agent Michael J. Driscoll said: The Salary Protection Program is designed to provide emergency financial assistance to companies and employees hit by the pandemic. Unfortunately, criminal opportunists with dollar signs in their eyes. Work soon began to try to deceive the federal government by cutting funds. The FBI will continue to actively pursue those who use PPP funds to fund their luxurious lifestyle. Taxpayer expenses. If all charges are convicted, Brown may face up to 150 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of US$4.25 million, compensation and a special assessment of US$1,100. As states in the United States seek to replace the death penalty by injection in the case of drug shortages, prisoners must choose to die through firing squads, the court stipulated. The Supreme Court of South Carolina blocked Two executions As states in the United States are scrambling to find alternatives to the death penalty in the face of drug shortages, according to the states recently revised death penalty law, an electric chair conference will be held this month. South Carolina He planned to execute Brad Sigmund on an electric chair on Friday. He was convicted of two murders in 2002, the first time the state has used the death penalty in ten years. Freddie Owen was executed by the electric chair for murder during an armed robbery, scheduled to be executed on June 25. But the states Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that these people cannot be executed unless they can choose to be executed by the firing squad. This is stipulated in the states revised law, which compels the person sentenced to death if injecting drugs to death. Choose between electrocution or firing squad. unavailable. The regulation aims to restart the execution of the death penalty after a 10-year involuntary moratorium attributed to the countrys inability to purchase drugs. This 2019 photo shows South Carolinas electric chair in Columbia [File: Kinard Lisbon/South Carolina Department of Corrections via AP Photo] Spokesperson for the South Carolina Department of Corrections tell Local media Greenville News said, The department is developing policies and procedures for firing squads. We are seeking guidance from other states in this process. We will notify the court when A firing squad Become an option for execution. The two lawyers argued that death by electrocution was cruel and unusual. They also said that these people have the right to die from the death penalty by injection, and the state has not exhausted all methods to obtain injection drug injection. Another prisoner sentenced to death, Richard Moore, was originally scheduled to be executed in December 2020, but the South Carolina Supreme Court had previously postponed the execution due to a lack of injecting drugs. Moore has petitioned the State Superior Court to vacate his death penalty And is waiting for a response. The last person executed by the electric chair was the murderer Linda Lyon Brock, who was convicted in Alabama in 2002. gas chamber In addition to electric chairs and firing squads, some states also plan to use gas chambers for death sentences. Arizona begins renovation Its gas chamber was last used 22 years ago, and prisoners were executed at the end of last year. The state also purchased hydrogen cyanide gas, which the Nazis used to kill 865,000 Jews in Auschwitz alone. Alabama may also plan to start executions through gas chambers, but it requires nitrogen and oxygen deprivation. Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC) Report Citing court documents, the Alabama Department of Corrections is about to complete the preliminary physical construction of the nitrogen hypoxia system and its safety measures. Once the build is complete the security experts will conduct on-site visits to evaluate the system and look for any issues that need to be resolved. The document does not specify whether the state plans to use gas chambers for specific executions. According to DPIC executive director Robert Dunham (Robert Dunham), it is difficult to tell what may be the problem. He told Newsweek that the execution of the death penalty through hypoxia has never been done before, and no one knows whether it will be like this. Supporters of work say they will. And there is no way to test it, because it is totally unethical to experimentally kill someone against someones will, he said. The restrictions of the Trump era make it more difficult for asylum seekers who have fled domestic or gang violence to obtain protection in the United States. The Biden administration abolished Trump-era policies that made it difficult for asylum-seekers fleeing domestic or gang violence to obtain protection in the United States. This move was welcomed by immigration advocates and viewed it as an important step forward. step. In a three-page legal opinion, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland stated on Wednesday that the broad language in the decision made during the administration of former President Donald Trump may cause confusion and hinder asylum applications. Make a careful case-by-case ruling. Garland has issued a new policy that will make it easier for asylum seekers fleeing domestic and gang violence to win humanitarian protection cases. Kate Melloy Goettel, director of litigation law at the U.S. Immigration Commission, said: The importance of this matter cannot be overstated. This is the worst anti-asylum decision of the Trump era. One, this is a very important first step in revoking this decision. President Joe Biden promised to pursue a more humane immigration system than his predecessor, who formulated a series of anti-immigration policies, including Ban entry for citizens of several Muslim-majority countries Strict restrictions on the southern border with Mexico. The Center for Gender and Refugee Research (CGRS) at the University of California, Hastings School of Law explained in a statement on Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Justice under Trump has issued a precedent decision that effectively imposes Hit. The center stated that these restrictions have caused disproportionate harm to women, children, and LGBTQ+ people, as well as deporting people to the country from which they fled. These decisions are legally flawed and have brought unnecessary confusion to the decision-making process, causing judges to wrongly refuse protection by prejudging the case instead of fair consideration based on the facts of each case, the statement said. CGRS welcomed Garlands statement, saying it marked the great progress made by the Biden administration in rebuilding the asylum system. Garland also revoked a separate decision on Wednesday that restricted asylum applications based on persecution of family relations. Todays statement will help eliminate some of the damage caused by the Trump administrations attack on the asylum. Together with our colleagues, we call on the Biden administration to speed up and deepen their efforts in this regard, a full-time lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Cody Wofsy said. The Immigration Rights Project also stated in the CGRS statement. Immigration advocates urged Biden to take more steps to fulfil his promise to rebuild asylum in the United States, including stopping use Public health directives in the Trump era Called during the COVID-19 pandemic Allow most asylum seekers to be turned away without hearing their request. But the President of the United States is facing increasing political pressure from Republicans and other critics because Record number of asylum seekers Arrived at the countrys border with Mexico to seek protection. Biden promised to address the root causes of immigration, and he instructed Vice President Kamala Harris to curb immigration.She visited Guatemala and Mexico this month Tell potential asylum seekers: do not come. These remarks aroused widespread criticism from immigration advocates who stated that asylum is a right guaranteed by international law and urged the Biden administration to honor its promises that violated Trumps policies. Most of the asylum-seekers who have arrived at the US border in recent months are from southern Mexico and the so-called Northern Triangle countries such as El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, which are suffering from widespread violence, socio-economic crisis and devastating blows. The impact of the recent storm. Congress submitted a bill to President Biden to designate June 19 as a federal holiday to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. The U.S. Congress passed a bill on Wednesday to make June 19Or June 19, which is a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the country. The US House of Representatives followed the Senate with an overwhelming number of votes to pass the bill and sent it to President Joe Biden for signature. The Senate passed the bill unanimously on June 15, speeding up the process of deliberation and legislation. Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib said: The passage of the June Festival National Independence Day Act is a long overdue recognition of the pain and suffering of generations of our black community. The June festival is to commemorate the last enslaved black Americans who learned of their freedom after the American Civil War between the Confederate slave states in the south and the federal free states in the north. The Confederate soldiers surrendered in April 1865, but it was not until June 19 that the Union soldiers brought news of freedom to Galveston, Texas, and the last enslaved black man received the news. That was two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation to free American slaves in 1862. June Festival is called the Second Independence Day of the United States. It is an important holiday for African Americans. Black communities across the United States will celebrate it through prayer breakfasts, civic activities, family gatherings, barbecues and parties. A copy of the Declaration of Emancipation signed by then U.S. President Abraham Lincoln and then Secretary of State William Seward [File: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum photo/via AP] Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Tuesday: Designating June as a federal holiday is an important step in acknowledging past mistakes. But we must continue to work to ensure equality and justice and fulfill the promises of the Emancipation Declaration and our Constitution. In the recent national liquidation with the United States, June Festival has a greater significance History of racism And broad nationwide protest After death George Freud Last year, a black man choked to death under the knee of a white policeman. Democratic Rep. Brenda Lawrence said: We still have a lot of work to do to eliminate systemic racism, discrimination and hatred in this country. We still live in blatant racism and slavery today. These discriminations deprive us of access to education, deprive us of opportunities for economic development, deprive us of our rights, and deprive us of the right to work and own property. . This is still a problem in the United States, Lawrence said. He said that Republican Senator Ron Johnson opposed a bill to celebrate June Day as a federal holiday in the last Congress because of the high cost and lack of debate. Johnson pointed out that he supports the resolution to recognize the significance of the June festival, but he is worried that the new holiday will give federal employees another day off, at an annual cost of about $600. Although it still seems strange to require taxpayers to provide federal employees with paid time off to celebrate the end of slavery, it is clear that Congress has no interest in discussing this matter further. Therefore, I do not intend to oppose it, Johnson said before voting on Tuesday. Said in a statement. Almost all American states have recognized June Festival as a holiday or officially celebrate this day, and most states hold celebrations. June Festival is a paid holiday for state employees in Texas, New York, Virginia, and Washington, DC. According to legislation, the federal holiday will be called June National Independence Day. The government will allow foreign holidays from July 19, predicting the boss of RYANAIR The boss of Ryanair predicts that the British will fly abroad for holidays before July 19. Michael OLeary believes that the government will relax restrictions on travel to popular European holiday destinations before school holidays. He told The Sun: We think they will not be able to extend [the restrictions] More than July 19 or 21, there are two reasons. First of all, the school holidays will begin, and I think people will only travel to Portugal and Spain by then, ignoring these restrictions. Secondly, we believe they will say yes, we can no longer control it, we have extended what we said-by then they will lift the restrictions, at least for passengers who are vaccinated for short trips. Because for a populist government like Boris Johnson, the difficulty is that if it is postponed beyond the third week of July, it will interfere with many peoples holidays. And he doesnt like to annoy others. There was news on Wednesday evening that the future of the Terra Nova oilfield had rekindled hope, and the Newfoundland and Labrador oil industry, which had been prepared for bad news before, was relieved. Suncor Energy said that in principle, it has reached an agreement to reorganize the ownership of the oil field, continue to plan for a major transformation of the assets, and may approve a plan to resume production in the fall. Although not a guarantee, [the agreement] Suncor CEO Mark Little (Mark Little) said in a press release issued after 8pm in New Taiwan Dollars that in the next few months, the path will be opened to ensure the resumption of operations for many years to come. After participating in the months-long campaign to save the oilfields, the union leaders representing many of the workers on Terra Nova were ecstatic. We are eager to work with Suncor. We are eager to get back to work and do what Terra Nova wants to do, which is to make money. Let employees pay taxes and try to help bring the economy back, Dave Mercer, President of Unifor Local 2121 Mercer told CBC News in a telephone interview. Depends on the commitment of the province As part of the agreement, Little said that a subset of the seven oil companies that originally participated in Terra Nova will increase its ownership interest. Suncor increased its shareholding from 38% to 48%. However, the complete picture of the new ownership structure was not disclosed. CBC News previously confirmed that four partners including ExxonMobil, Equinor, Mosbacher and Chevron have decided to withdraw from the partnership. Suncor stated that the agreement is subject to the final terms and approval of all remaining partners. Little also said that the deal depends on the $500 million in cash and royalties promised by the provincial government. Secretary of Energy Andrew Parsons confirmed that the province will fulfill its commitment of C$205 million from the Petroleum Industry Recovery Fund and the concession of approximately C$300 million that should have been paid to the provincial government Fee reduction. Parsons said on Wednesday evening: We are very excited; very happy that our partners can complete this work together. Getting this news today is really a huge boost for our province, our industry, and all these women and men; they have had a lot of difficult months. Oil companies had asked the provincial government to hold equity in the project, but the ruling Liberal Party rejected the idea, saying it was too risky for the province already facing a financial crisis. Parsons said the agreement on Wednesday confirmed the provinces position. I think this shows that we are taking the correct positioning. The offer we made is very good, and it is a correct transaction, he said. The aging Terra Nova FPSO (Floating Production, Storage and Offloading Vessel) has not produced oil since the end of 2019, and most of the more than 1,000 jobs related to the oil field have been lost. In late May, Little said that if the seven companies fail to reach an unanimous decision on the way forward, the possible outcome of the oil field is decommissioning and abandonment. Little set June 15 as the deadline for reaching an agreement. As the deadline passed on Tuesday, there was no news from the company, and tensions intensified. The oil and gas industry association (Noia) of the province welcomed the news. Noia CEO Charlene Johnson said: This announcement is long-awaited good news, good news for our offshore oil and gas industry, and even for our province. Johnson said Terra Nova provided thousands of jobs, billions of dollars in royalties and revenue, and helped our supply and service departments improve their expertise in operating in severe weather conditions. This is very good news, accompanied by great comfort. In a statement on Wednesday evening, Governor Andrew Fury said: Our government has been and will continue to support the oil and gas industry in the province. On behalf of the workers and their families, we are very pleased that the project owner has reached this temporary equity interest. Solution, continue to work hard to ensure the safety of this project for the next 10 years. Read more articles from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador According to Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, Canada detains thousands of asylum seekers under frequent abuses every year, and people of color seem to be held for longer periods of time. Two major human rights organizations on the record In the joint report People in immigration detention, including those fleeing persecution and seeking protection in Canada, are often handcuffed, shackled and imprisoned, with little contact with the outside world. The Secretary-General of the Canadian Chapter of Amnesty International stated that the country is known for its abusive immigration detention system and Canada for its rich diversity and values ??of equality and justice. Ketty Nivyabandi said that Canada should not have racism, cruelty and human rights violations against people who come to this country in search of safety and a better life. The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) stated on its website that individuals may be detained for a variety of reasons, including whether they have a criminal conviction, whether they lack community links, or whether they may pose a threat to the government. Public or Canadian security. It stated that the National Immigration Detention Framework launched in 2016, with a five-year investment of US$138 million, has created a better and fairer system that supports humane and dignified individuals while protecting public safety. treatment. Group calls on Canada to phase out its system Nivyabandi said that Canada should sign and ratify the United Nations Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture to further prevent violations and open places of detention to international inspections. She added that Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch called on Canadian authorities to gradually end immigration detention in Canada. The 100-page report stated that people may be detained for months or years for immigration-related reasons. Detainees from communities of color, especially black detainees, seem to be held for longer periods of time and are usually held in provincial prisons. According to the report, Canada detained 8,825 people between the ages of 15 and 83 between April 2019 and March 2020, of which 1,932 were detained in provincial prisons. During the same period, 136 children were detained to avoid separation from their detained parents, including 73 children under 6 years of age. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International found that since 2016, Canada has held more than 300 immigrant detainees for more than a year. I feel like a dog The report includes 90 interviews with former immigrant detainees and their relatives, mental health experts, academics, lawyers, civil society representatives and government officials. The report stated that the names of most detainees were concealed to protect them from reprisals by immigration authorities. In 2020, a former detainee was held in a prison in Ontario. He said: I dont feel like a person there: I feel like a dog. The guards will only open the latch to feed me. When we mingled with Canadian prisoners in the prison, they asked why we were there. They thought we were the Taliban. We explained that we were fleeing the Taliban, said another former detainee who came to Nova Scotia. He was detained after the provincial prison. Canada in 2017. I chose Canada because I think it welcomes refugees. I think Canada is better than this. Researchers from these two organizations also reviewed related reports, UN documents, and undisclosed government documents obtained through 112 information access requests. Watch | The COVID-19 vaccine was not provided to certain prisoners until May: After the rapid spread of COVID-19 in Canadian prisons and prisons, inmates were designated as high-risk groups, but CBC News analysis found that some provincial agencies did not provide the first dose of vaccine until May. Some prisoners said that they received limited information about vaccinations. 2:03 According to the report, many asylum seekers are held in provincial prisons along with the general prison population, often in solitary confinement, while those with psychosocial disabilities or mental health conditions are discriminated against. Human Rights Watch Deputy Director of Disability Rights Summer Muscati said Canada is one of the few countries in the north of the world where people seeking security risks are held indefinitely. Muscati said that the immigration authorities discriminate against disabled people, making their detention conditions more stringent than many other detainees, and their release conditions are also more stringent. The two organizations found that many immigrant detainees had suicidal thoughts when they began to lose hope of being released, and those fleeing traumatic experiences and persecution were particularly affected. They stated that many former immigrant detainees continue to live under the influence of psychosocial disabilities that they developed during months of imprisonment and even years after release. Advocacy groups stated that CBSA is still the only major law enforcement agency in Canada without independent civilian supervision, which has led to serious human rights violations under immigration detention. COVID-19 provides a real opportunity Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, Canadian authorities have released immigrant detainees at an unprecedented rate, said Muscati. With the pandemic under control in Canada, the government has not resumed business as usual, but has a real opportunity to overhaul its immigration and refugee protection system to prioritize mental health and human rights. After the long-standing trade dispute between the United States and the European Union was resolved, and the United States agreed to suspend tariffs on one of Scotlands main exports, Scottish single malt whisky manufacturers breathed a sigh of relief on Thursday. . As part of the aerospace subsidy trade dispute, former US President Donald Trump imposed a 25% tariff in October 2019. Although the United Kingdom is no longer a member of the European Union, it belongs to the European Union when tariffs are imposed. Earlier this week, the United States and the European Union reached an agreement to end the dispute, paving the way for the two sides to suspend tariffs on a range of products such as olive oil and cheese as well as whiskey. The Scotch Whisky Association estimates that in the 18 months to March 2021, tariffs have reduced total exports to the United States by 30%, equivalent to approximately 600 million pounds (850 million US dollars). This agreement eliminates the threat of re-imposing tariffs on Scotch whisky next month and allows brewers to focus on restoring exports to our largest and most valuable export market, said Karen Bates, CEO of the association . After the election of US President Joe Biden, it was widely expected that US-European relations would thaw, and Biden made it clear that he intended to improve relations. In March of this year, the two sides agreed to temporarily suspend tariffs related to the Airbus-Boeing dispute in order to seek a solution. After the United States and the European Union reached an aerospace agreement, the British Secretary of International Trade Liz Truss and the U.S. Trade Representative Catherine Tay agreed to stop retaliatory tariffs within five years. Todays agreement delineates a very disruptive issue, which means that we can focus on taking our trade relationship with the United States to a new level, including working more closely to challenge unfair practices in countries such as China, and Use the power of free trade to build better [coronavirus] Pandemic, Truss said. Dai said that the two sides also agreed to establish a civil aviation industry working group and cooperate on third-country non-market practices to ensure fair competition and respond to common challenges from other countries. China and other non-market economies. Following Britains departure from the EUs economic track at the beginning of this year, it is free to negotiate trade agreements with any country it wants. Earlier this week, the British government negotiated with Australia on the outline of a free trade agreement that will eliminate tariffs on various commodities in the next few years. Ivan Menezes, chief executive of beverage giant Diageo, said the removal of tariffs on Scotch whiskey and other recent developments showed that Brexit could bring benefits. With the end of this dispute, the removal of the remaining tariffs on British spirits by the new free trade agreement with Australia, and the opening of trade negotiations with India, the worlds largest whisky market, Britains new independent trade policy is now bringing about The major benefits are Scotch and Scotch, Menezes said. His companys stable single malt whiskies include Talisker and Laphroaig. The Scottish National Party, which manages the decentralized government in Scotland, urges the British government to provide more support to help companies that have suffered losses. Although this announcement was very popular after months of cross-party campaigning, the loss of Scotch whisky exports is jaw-dropping and the industry needs time to get back on its feet, said lawmaker David Linden. According to Thursdays agreement, the UK will suspend 25% tariffs on American rum, brandy and vodka for a period of five years. However, due to the steel and aluminum disputes between the European Union and the United States, American whiskey will continue to face a 25% tariff imposed by the United Kingdom. The American Distilled Liquor Committee welcomed Thursdays agreement and hopes to find a resolution as soon as possible to remove tariffs on American whiskey. The committee said this resulted in a 53% drop in exports to the UK. We hope that this positive momentum will also lead to the rapid and permanent removal of EU and UK tariffs on American whiskey, said Chris Swanger, CEO of the group. Karen Betts, his colleague at the Scotch Whisky Association, said she hopes these can be resolved as soon as possible. Newest: Japan announced on Thursday that it will ease the coronavirus emergency in Tokyo and six other regions starting next week. As the country begins to make final preparations for the Olympics, the number of new cases per day is declining for more than a month. Since late March, Japan has been struggling to slow down a wave of infections driven by more infectious mutations. The number of new cases per day soared to more than 7,000. Severely ill patients in Tokyo, Osaka and other metropolitan areas overwhelmed hospitals . Since then, daily cases have dropped significantly, paving the way for Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to downgrade the state of emergency to less stringent measures when it expires on Sunday. The new measures will last until July 11, which is 12 days before the Olympic Games. Yoshihide Suga said that the relaxation measures will focus on closing bars and restaurants in advance. If there is another surge and strain the hospital, we will act quickly, including strengthening measures, said Yoshihide Suga, addressing medical experts concerns. At the virus team meeting on Thursday, experts approved the governments plan to downgrade emergency situations in Tokyo, Aichi, Hokkaido, Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, and Fukuoka. Earlier this week, a flight attendant of Japan Airlines (JAL) received a dose of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the companys facility at Tokyos Haneda Airport. (Kim Kyung-hoon/Reuters) Dr. Shigeru Omi, head of the governments COVID-19 team, said: We must do everything we can and provide firm financial support, to minimize the risk of a recurrence of infection. Japan does not enforce strict blockades, and the state of emergency allows county leaders to order the closure of non-essential businesses or shorten business hours. Compensation shall be paid to those who comply, and a fine shall be imposed on those who violate it. Home quarantine and other measures for ordinary people are only requirements and are increasingly being ignored. Japans Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Norihisa Tamura told reporters that even during the Olympics, the government will not hesitate to issue an emergency statement again to protect peoples lives. Okinawa will remain in a state of emergency, hospitals will still be overcrowded, and Hiroshima and Okayama will be removed from the list. Ryuji Wakita, director of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, which leads the governments COVID-19 Advisory Committee, said that infections in many areas have decreased, but the slowdown in Tokyo has bottomed out. He warned that infections may increase and there are already signs of rebound among young people. Wakita said that although more and more people are receiving injections, it is expected that by the end of July, most of the countrys 36 million elderly people will be fully vaccinated, but young people are basically not vaccinated, and the infection may soon be vaccinated. Bring a burden to the hospital. In order to prevent another boom, the key is to prevent people from wandering around during the Olympics and summer vacation, he said. Experts said that for the safety of the Olympics, speeding up the launch of vaccines is essential. Suga opened a mass vaccination center and began vaccinating in large companies as part of an ambitious goal of up to 1 million doses per day. As of Wednesday, only 6% of Japanese people were fully vaccinated. -From the Associated Press, last updated at 7 am EST Whats happening in canada Watch | The fight for the second COVID-19 vaccine is causing concern in high-risk areas: People in hot spots in Ontario have been scrambling to get a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, but the dangerous delta variant has not spread equally in all places. Some people worry about the unfair distribution of vaccines, especially in high-risk areas. 2:42 As of early Thursday morning, Canada had reported 1,405,162 confirmed COVID-19 cases, of which 14,163 were considered active. The death toll on CBC News is 26,001. To date, more than 30.3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been vaccinated across the country. CBCs vaccine tracker. In Atlantic Canada on Wednesday, health officials reported 12 new cases of COVID-19, including: Eight cases Nova Scotia , The province enters The second stage of reopening on Wednesday. , The province enters The second stage of reopening on Wednesday. Three cases New Brunswick , Governor Blaine Higgs announced on Wednesday that the province has reached the vaccination threshold required to transfer to it. Reopen next. , Governor Blaine Higgs announced on Wednesday that the province has reached the vaccination threshold required to transfer to it. Reopen next. A new case Newfoundland and Labrador, Health officials said on Wednesday that the appointment for the second dose will be advanced. No new cases reported Prince Edward Island, As of Wednesday, there are no active COVID-19 cases. in Quebec, Health officials reported 1 new death and 153 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday. OntarioAt the same time, another 12 deaths were reported on Wednesday, 384 new cases COVID-19. On Wednesday in the Prairie Province, Manitoba Seven other deaths and 144 new cases COVID-19. At the time of the update, the province expressed its hope that everyone 12 years of age and older would be eligible for a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by the end of next week. Saskatchewan At the same time, health officials reported two other deaths and 74 new cases COVID-19 on Wednesday.In the neighbourhood Alberta, Health officials report 153 new cases COVID-19 and four other deaths. Throughout the North, health officials are Yukon Territory Warned on Wednesday, The growing COVID-19 outbreak Already more than anything we have seen before. Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley said that of the 49 active cases in the Territory, 44 were in Whitehorse. No new cases nationwide North-west region or Nunavut on Wednesday. in British Columbia, Health officials reported on Wednesday 113 new cases COVID-19 and four deaths related to COVID-19. -From CBC News and Canadian media, the last update time is 7:05 AM EST What is happening around the world A woman in a raincoat walked past a mural depicting a woman wearing a mask to spread awareness of COVID-19 in Mumbai. (Punit Paranjpe/AFP/Getty Images) As of early Thursday morning, the COVID-19 case database showed that there were more than 177 million reported cases worldwide.This Johns Hopkins University Tracker The reported global death toll exceeds 3.8 million. inside AmericaCosta Ricas health authorities said that after studying existing clinical studies, they decided to temporarily refuse to provide Coshine Biotechs vaccine, saying that its effect is not good enough. in Africa, Some of the worlds poorest countries are facing a double crisis: a surge in COVID-19 cases and a severe shortage of vaccines. Fear is rising in African countries such as Zimbabwe, Zambia and Uganda. in EuropePortugal is experiencing a surge in coronavirus cases, and the government is scheduled to review its pandemic regulations on Thursday. The European Union country reported 1,350 new cases on Wednesday, the highest single-day total since February. Experts say that the delta variant first discovered in India may be driving the spread. The Lisbon area accounts for nearly 1,000 new cases. inside Asia Pacific In the region, the Indonesian President has ordered the authorities to speed up the countrys vaccination campaign because the World Health Organization has warned that social restrictions need to be tightened as the countrys new coronavirus cases surge. Before they were allowed to enter a shopping mall in Surabaya, Indonesia, health workers collected swab samples from shoppers to test for COVID-19. (June Crisvanto/AFP/Getty Images) We need to speed up vaccination to achieve community immunization, and we hope this can stop the spread of COVID-19, President Joko Widodo said on Thursday during a visit to a vaccination center outside the capital Jakarta. inside middle East, Bahrain approved the emergency use of regn-cov2 drugs, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, and Roches newly authorized COVID-19 antibody combination as part of its coronavirus treatment plan for the treatment of existing mild and moderately symptomatic cases. -From the Associated Press and Reuters, the last update time is 7 am EST Globally, nearly 800 million people do not have access to electricityabout 600 million of them are in sub-Saharan Africa. In a world of increasing inequality between the rich and the poor, this is a clear injustice. After the pandemic, with cheap renewable energy and green investment, we can create a history of energy poverty in the next ten years. It is possible to achieve universal energy access by 2030, but we need to start striding forward as soon as possible. Therefore, the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the European Union invite other partners to join us in making energy access the core of cooperation with Africa. The lack of electricity inhibits those aspects of daily life that many of us take for granted. Electricity powers our economy: we need it in schools, offices and hospitals, and now it can refrigerate life-saving vaccines. We need to expand electricity supply on an industrial scale so that families in sub-Saharan Africa can pursue the same standard of living as families in other parts of the world. Technological progress and unprecedented declines in the cost of renewable energy can now provide the cheapest electricity in human history. In the past 20 years, the large-scale expansion of global power supply has been mainly driven by coal-fired power plants. But investing in coal no longer makes sense. Africa is the best place in the world to use solar energy and has proven that a cleaner road is possible. Between 2014 and 2019, 20 million people in Africa received electricity for the first time each year, and most of the growing demand was met by increasingly competitive solar and hydroelectric power generation installations. Utilizing the abundant energy of the African continent can help develop local employment opportunities and avoid expensive import costs. Unfortunately, despite advances in technology, the world still cannot fulfill our global commitment to universal energy by 2030. The COVID-19 crisis caused a major setback. If no action is taken, this may develop into a lasting negative trend. Last year, the number of people without access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa increased-for the first time in seven years. Restrictions caused by the pandemic hinder jobs that connect families, businesses, schools, and hospitals, and the global economic downturn has severely restricted the budgets of African countries. This greatly limits the space for African governments to provide funding for clean energy investments, and causes millions of people to fall back into extreme poverty, unable to afford basic electricity services. Barriers to deploying solar and other renewable technologies in Africa include the initial cost of installing them. Once solar and wind power plants are up and running, they have the advantage of free energy supply-solar and wind energy. However, in developing economies, given the limited financial resources of these communities, the upfront cost of establishing a micro-grid or independent household solar system is huge, especially in rural communities. In addition, companies trying to build new renewable energy projects are not always able to guarantee stable income from the beginning and face difficulties in attracting investors. In general, companies in developing economies face much higher borrowing costs than companies in developed economies, which adds additional barriers to any renewable energy project. These difficulties are now exacerbated by the economic losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has lasted much longer in many developing economies in Africa and other regions. The good news is that there are solutions to these challenges. They include innovative pay-as-you-go business models to share upfront costs, improved policies and regulatory frameworks to promote more projects, and international and regional organizations stepping up efforts to support the development of the industry and reduce costs. The financing cost of renewable energy projects. All governments and relevant international organizations must urgently reaffirm our commitment to eradicate energy poverty by 2030, including in the upcoming UN High-Level Dialogue on Energy. We must support this commitment with stronger actions. The European Union and the International Energy Agency are cooperating to make clean energy an integral part of international efforts to achieve net zero emissions. This is how we solve the problem of uneven energy access without locking in any more harmful fossil fuel emissions. The IEA and the European Commission, through their green energy initiative, make access to clean energy the core of our cooperation with African governments. We will work to increase the number of people, businesses and industries in Africa that have access to affordable, modern and sustainable energy services. In 2021, the European Commissions green energy initiative will enter a new phase. Once in place, grants, technical assistance and other financial instruments will support investment in renewable energy generation and promote energy efficiency across Africa. In the next seven years, 30% of the EUs international cooperation budget will be used to combat climate change. But public funds alone are not enough. Private sector investment will be the key, and many European companies are ready to step in. But if we are to succeed in making Africas energy poverty a thing of the past, we need the worlds joint efforts to end overseas financing of coal power, accelerate cooperation in the development of clean power in Africa, and increase financial support from developed economies. Let us be clear-access to clean energy is not just climate action. Renewable energy is a good business and an economical way to generate electricity. Investing in clean energy is a comprehensive economic development strategy. Therefore, we count on other major economies and organizations to work with us to take concrete steps to make energy poverty history in the next decade. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. Explanation: When did Madeleine McCann disappear? Madeleine McCann disappeared from her Portuguese vacation apartment 14 years ago, triggering a global search, but so far has not been able to find the missing child. Despite a 12 million investigation by the police, Madeleines whereabouts-or whether she is alive or dead-remains a mystery. Madeleine disappeared on May 3, 2007, when her family was from Leicestershire and was on vacation in Praia da Luz, Algarve, Portugal. Parents Gerry and Kate left their three childrenincluding the toddler twins Sean and Emilyin their apartment, while they ate at a snack bar 120 meters away. When Kate came back to check on the children around 10pm, she found that Madeleine was not in her bed and was missing. In September of the same year, the two doctors Gerry and Kate were named arguidos in a sensational manner by the Portuguese police. The following summer, the McCann family was cleared by Portuguese investigators, who announced that they had exhausted all avenues for the case. In June 2020, Christian B was revealed as the new main suspect. A report on the May 2017 attack stated that it missed an opportunity to prevent or mitigate its damaging impact. The night the suicide bomber Salman Abedi detonated the explosive device at the Manchester Arena in England should be identified as a security threat, as thousands of people were leaving Ariana Grande (Ariana Grande). Grande) concert, the public investigation into the fatal attack in 2017 has ended. Investigation chairman John Sanders said on Thursday that on the night of the explosion, the head of security at the site in northwest England missed many opportunities to prevent its damaging effects. The explosion on May 22, 2017 killed 22 people and injured hundreds. The incident occurred when Salman Abedi, who was born in Manchester, was killed in an explosion. He walked through the hallway of the arena city room to the gate and detonated the shrapnel filled in his bulging backpack. installation. Sanders said that Abedi is likely to still detonate his device if he encounters security personnel, but adds that if this is the case, the loss of life and injury is likely to be less. I have come to the conclusion that the security provided by the organizations responsible for this is seriously flawed, as well as some peoples mistakes and mistakes, he told the families of the deceased gathered in Manchester Magistrates Court. But he also made it clear that the impact of the attack was the responsibility of Abedi and his brother Hashim, who helped him plan the attack. When considering the errors and deficiencies raised in the report, one must first consider that the responsibility for what happened and for causing so many deaths and serious injuries lies with the suicide bomber Salman Abedi and his brother Hash. Hm, he assisted him in the preparation work, he said. Abedis brother was sentenced to life in prison last year for playing an indispensable role in the attack. Safety fault Since September last year, Manchester has been conducting hearings on the cause of the bombing and surrounding circumstances. Thursdays report focuses on security failures related to the attack and is the first of three reports released by the investigation. It concluded that Abedi should be identified as athreatening by those responsible for the safety and destructive intervention of the arena. The report criticized the actions of Manchester Arena operator SMG, security provider Showsec and the British traffic police on the night of the explosion. Investigators heard that at the end of the performance, a British traffic police officer should have appeared in the foyer of the arena, where the bomb detonated, but no one was present. A security guard at Showsec also told the investigation that when he saw Abedi about five minutes before the attack at 10:31 in the evening, he had a bad feeling but did not approach him because he was afraid Be branded as a racist. His hunch is wrong. Im not sure what to do, said Kyle Lawler, who was 18 when the attack occurred. I dont want people to think that I have a stereotype of him because of his race. Lawler said he had tried to send a signal to the control room via radio, but he gave up because the radio traffic could not be connected. A member of the public reported to security 15 minutes before Abedi detonated his bomb, which was full of 3,000 nuts and bolts. Thursdays report stated that the person felt he was deceived and described the incident as the most shocking missed opportunity to prevent or mitigate the attack. Janet Malcolm (Janet Malcolm) is a curious and daring subjective writer and journalist. She is known for her critique of murders and challenges from art to the news itself. She has passed away. She is 86 years old. According to her daughter Anne Malcolm, Malcolm died at the New York Presbyterian Hospital on Wednesday. The reason is lung cancer. This Prague native is a long-term contributor to The New Yorker and author of many books. She has practiced a post-modern style in which she often draws peoples attention and doubts about her role in the narrative. Whether even the most serious observer can be trusted. Every reporter who is not too stupid or too conceited to notice what is happening knows that his actions are morally untenable. This is her beginning Reporter and Murderer. The 1990 book attacked Joe McGinniss true crime classic Fatal vision As the main case of the author deceiving his subject-the convicted killer Jeffrey McDonald. Janet Malcolms The Journalist and the Murderer (The Journalist and the Murderer), published in 1990, is a study of journalistic ethics. The number one book in modern libraries. Ranked 97th among the 100 best non-fiction works of the 20th century. (Random House) Looking back at her selection of works in 2013, Forty-one false startsFor The New York Times, Adam Kirsch praised Malcolm for his strong uniqueness and very interesting literary experience. Most of the works in the book find that Malcolm observes the present (David Salle, Thomas Struth) or the past (Julia Margaret Cameron, Edith Wharton) Of artists and writers, Kirsch wrote. But what the reader remembers is Janet Malcolm: her cool intelligence, her psychoanalytic skills, and her withdrawal can make her counterpart hang herself with her own words. On Thursday, The New Yorker editor David Remnick praised Malcolm as a master of non-fiction writing and expressed her willingness to accept challenges from her peers. Remnick told the Associated Press: Journalists may be one of the most superficial and complacent tribes. Janet sometimes dares to question what we do. Controversial career Malcolms words and the words she attributed to others brought her respect, contempt, and prolonged litigation. In 1983, she reported on Jeffrey Musayev Mason, the former director and psychoanalyst of the Sigmund Freud Archives in London. She said that Mason called himself a knowledgeable dancer and vowed that he would be called the greatest analyst of all time and would turn Freuds hometown into a place of sex, women and fun.Her report is now in The New Yorker and is the basis of the book published in 1984 In the Freud Archives. Mason sued for US$7 million in compensation for five quotations that were fabricated and ruined his reputation. The case lasted for many years. The Supreme Court of the United States allowed her to be tried, and Malcolm testified that she could not find a notebook to record some of his remarks, which made her very suspicious. In 1994, a federal court jury in San Francisco ruled that she was not guilty of defamation, although it determined that she fabricated two quotations. The jury found that the quotations were wrong and could be defamatory, but Mason failed to prove that she acted deliberately or recklessly. Malcolm left San Francisco Federal Court on June 3, 1993 to participate in a lawsuit brought by psychoanalyst Jeffrey Masson. He claimed that Malcolm incorrectly cited and slandered him in a 1983 magazine article. (George Nikitin/Associated Press) A year later, facing a new round of suspicion, Malcolm announced that she had found the missing notebook while playing with her granddaughter. I dont believe it, Mason said at the time. This is the adult version ofDog Eats My Homework. Except in this case, the dog regurgitated the notes after 12 years. Malcolms honors include the 2008 PEN Biography Award Two lives: Gertrude and Alice, And was nominated by the National Book Critics Association in 2014 Forty-one false starts. Ranking of Modern Libraries of American Book Publishing Imprint in 1999 Reporter and Murderer Ranked 97th in its list of the 100 best non-fiction works of the 20th century. Her other books, most of which were edited by her second husband Gardner Botsford, include The Silent Woman: Silvia Plath and Ted Hughes with Psychoanalysis: Impossible Career. Malcolm was born in Jana Wienerova in 1934. Five years later, after the Nazis annexed Czechoslovakia, he immigrated to the United States with his family. Her parents changed the last name to Winn. At the University of Michigan, she met her first husband, Donald Malcolm, who later became the writer of The New Republic and The New Yorker. After getting married in 1959, Janet Malcolm moved to the East and occasionally published film reviews in The New Republic and a poem in The New Yorker, but in addition, she spent several years raising her daughter. Donald Malcolm died in 1975. Her second husband, Botsford, died in 2004. Breakthrough in The New Yorker Malcolms breakthrough occurred in 1966, when she wrote an article about childrens books for The New Yorker, which impressed the editor William Sean, and he finally gave her a column about furniture . She quickly expanded her subject and changed her approach. When I first started doing a long-form live report, as the New Yorker claimed, I modeled myme, the New Yorkerme, using images of stocks, civilization and humanity as models, but As I progressed, I started to mend her and change her personality, she told Paris Review in 2011. Yes, I gave her faults and vanity, and perhaps most importantly, strong opinions. I let her stand aside. I was influenced by what is called deconstruction in the air, she added. The idea I got from it was the idea that there is no such thing as a calm observer, and every narrative is affected by the prejudice of the narrator. Texas Governor Greg Abbott will fund his own border wall on the Mexico-U.S. border and set aside $250 million as a down payment to advance the work. The Republican governor announced plans for such projects on Wednesday, saying that the down payment will be used to hire project managers and contractors to build the wall, and part of the funds will come from donations. 3 Texas Governor Greg Abbott said he will allocate $25 million to build the border wall Credit: Reuters 3 Abbott declared 34 counties near the border a disaster on June 1 Credit: Rex Abbott even made one website Let people send money to support the project. With record levels of illegal immigration, drugs and contraband pouring into Texas, the open border policy has led to a humanitarian crisis on our southern border, it wrote. Texas is working with communities affected by the border crisis to apprehend and detain individuals who illegally enter Texas, the page continued. Our efforts will only be effective if we work together to ensure border security, conduct criminal arrests, protect landowners, remove dangerous drugs from our communities, and provide Texans with the support they need and deserve. 3 Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said he will send police to Texas and Arizona to help deal with border issues Credit: Getty Images-Getty The governor announced plans for the project last week, echoing former President Donald Trumps 2016 presidential pledge on how Mexico will pay for the wall between the two countries. Abbott also stated that the state will rely on private landowners and local governments to provide land voluntarily for the wall. Based on the conversations I have had, my belief is that the combination of state land and volunteer land will generate hundreds of miles to build a wall in Texas, Abbott told reporters at the Austin News conference. On June 1, the governor announced disasters in 34 counties around the Mexican border, saying that these counties were occupied by dangerous gangs and cartels and human traffickers. Then he criticized the Biden administration for giving up[ing] Its responsibility to ensure border security and Texans suffer as a result. Because of President Bidens inaction, the border issue will only get worse, Abbott said. Properties are being destroyed, deadly drugs and illegal weapons are being smuggled into communities throughout the state, law enforcement has to redistribute their resources, county judges and mayors are facing skyrocketing costs. Texas has done more to protect its borders than any state, but it clearly needs more. Meanwhile, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Announce His state will send police to Texas and Arizona to help resolve the current border crisis. The truth is here After the Pentagon report briefing, lawmakers said UFOs pose a national security risk Painful loss Pornstars George Floyd mural reappears after she was found dead at the age of 27 caveat Police rape hell The former New York Police Department policeman was raped by 3 policemen and firefighters, and she needed surgery Protest bloodbath When the car crashed into a crowd, the driver was charged for killing a woman and hurting 3 people Terrible death A 7-year-old boy was bitten to death by a group of dogs while going out with his brother Cruel death The terrible details in Killing Sons and Moms-as revealed by his face-scraping of the law The news of DeSantis came after Abbott and Arizona Governor Doug Dusey sent a letter to the governors of 48 other states seeking border assistance. DeSantis said: The Biden administration has put an end to President Donald Trumps effective policy to curb illegal immigration at the southern border. They revoked policies designed to protect our borders and keep Americans safe. The Royal Mounted Police of Saskatchewan said that two people claimed that they were witnesses to Comst. Shelby Patton passed away on June 12 and shared a false report with CBC News. When CBC News contacted the two men on Thursday morning, they said they fabricated the story they told reporters on Saturday. CBC News interviewed the couple at the scene in Wolseley, Sask State, about 100 kilometers east of Regina. Police said Patton died while on duty after being hit by a stolen truck there. The two face charges, including manslaughter and possession of stolen goods related to Pattons death. In the interview, the couple who claimed to be witnesses told CBC News that they saw the incident from their apartment, and they said they ignored the scene. Then on Thursday morning, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police stated in a statement that after interviewing two people who spoke to CBC News and claimed that they had witnessed Bartons death, investigators determined that the two people had failed at the time of the incident. Not in Wolseley. The police said that investigators determined that the witnesss apartment did not know the location of the incident. Graphics | Information from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police about the incident that led to Const.Death of Patton (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) The police said investigators also determined that Pattons gun did not leave the holster, as the two claiming to be witnesses said. CBC deleted what was reported as a witness, and Editors note published In the story shared in the interview between the two. The couple expressed shock and emotion at the witnesses they said, the note said. At the time, we had no reason to doubt their story. A former Army pilot was found guilty of murdering three neighbors on Wednesday-he claimed that one of them had an affair with his bigamy ex-wife and testified in his child rape military court trial. The 53-year-old Christian Richard Martin shot and killed Edward Dansereau and his married couple Calvin and Pamela Phillips nearly six years ago. ) And face 20 years and life imprisonment. 4 Christian Martin was convicted of murdering three neighbors on Wednesday Image source: Associated Press: Associated Press 59-year-old Calvin Phillips (Calvin Phillips) Was shot In the cellar of his home in Pembroke, Kentucky, November 18, 2015. The next day, Calvins wife, 58-year-old Pamela Phillips, and their neighbor, 63-year-old Edward Dansereau (Edward Dansereau) were also found in the cornfield near her burnt car. Both of them were shot in the head. After a two-week trial and seven hours of deliberation, the jurors convicted Martin this week. 4 Calvin and Pamela Phillips were murdered in 2015 Credit: Facebook/Russellville Blues Prosecutors argued that Phillips planned to testify in a military court trial two weeks after Martin was murdered. Martin served in the military from 1986 to 2016. His ex-wife, Joan Harmon, accused him of physical and sexual abuse and mishandling of classified military materials. Daily mail report. Phillips told the private investigator Martin hired that he believed the pilot had stolen an Army laptop. The prosecutor claimed that Martin killed Phillips to prevent him from testifying on the laptop, and that his wife and neighbors were unfortunately present. However, Martin claimed that he had no motives because Calvin would be his star witness in his defense in a military court. He said in an interview WSMV In April 2016, Calvin Phillips had a long-term affair with an ex-wife known to everyone in town. 4 Neighbor Edward Duncerro, 63, was also murdered Credit: Facebook/Russellville Blues Everyone in the town knows what happens when I go to work every day, Martin said. They were together all day, and they didnt really try to hide it or anything like that. Three years before the murder, Martin and Harmon had broken up, and their marriage was annulled after he discovered that she had a husband. He claimed that he was not jealous of her love affair with Calvin Phillips because it freed me from this huge mess. I just call her a former bigamist, Martin said in a 2016 interview. However, he claimed that after they broke up, Harmon accused him of rape, sodomy, child abuse, child molestation and theft of military computers. Philips told a private investigator that he found the laptop while helping Harmon move away. Star Witness He is my star defense witness, Martin said. My private investigator went through all the accusations with him and then refuted everything with the flow. I was like, I am gold. The other thing he did for me was that he let me get rid of this bigamy relationship. This woman has basically milked me for eight years, I dont know. So I really owe him, he added Up. Phillips family claimed that his comments that the victim was his star witness were ridiculous. My parents died for this military court, son Matt Phillips said in 2019. National Broadcasting Corporation. My father is a federal witness. This is not only an attack on my family, but also an attack on the entire judicial system. Martin was eventually found guilty of one count of mishandling classified information and assaulting children under the age of 16 in a military court. He was expelled from the army and imprisoned for 90 days. 4 Martin was convicted of three murders in court on Wednesday Credit: Court TV After the murder, he also moved from Christian County, Kentucky, and recently lived in North Carolina because the prosecutor found no evidence that could initially link him to the death. However, he was eventually sued in May 2019 when he worked as a pilot for PSA Airlines, a subsidiary of American Airlines. The next day, as the co-pilot was on a flight from Louisville to Charlotte, North Carolina, he was arrested. Martin was still wearing a uniform when the facial photos were taken. Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron announced that he was convicted of three counts of murder, one count of first-degree arson, one count of attempted arson, two counts of first-degree burglary and three counts of tampering with physical evidence. on Wednesday. After Phillips son Matt contacted the Kentucky Attorney Generals office, he took over the case in 2017, saying he was worried that the murder investigation had stalled. In a statement, relatives said that they are troubled by what they have suffered and are further concerned that someone is still free to do whatever they want, beyond human civilization or the laws of our country. Painful loss The porn stars George Floyd mural resurfaces after she was found dead at the age of 27 Chilling threat The son and mother targeted death threats before they were both killed UF-WOAH UFO warned because lawmakers said some things we cant handle Fallen angel Victorias Secret abandoned supermodels and hired diversified high achievers The truth is here After the Pentagon report briefing, lawmakers said UFOs pose a national security risk caveat Police rape hell The former New York Police Department policeman was raped by 3 policemen and firefighters, causing her genitals to deform Cameron said in a statement on Wednesday: Our hearts and prayers are with the families and friends of these victims. Families and the Pembroke community have suffered huge losses. Although this sentence does not alleviate this pain, I hope they can find some peace and comfort today. I thank our special prosecutors Barbara Wheli and Alex Garcia, as well as the Kentucky State Police and Christian County Sheriffs Office for their work in this case, Cameron added. The author is a senior researcher at Harvard Kennedy School The leaders of the Group of Seven in Cornwall last weekend announced a proposed loan facility to compete with Chinas One Belt, One Road initiative, sending a clear message: they are worried about Chinas growing geo-economic impact in the world force.Largest official creditor. There is reason to worry. The world of sovereign debt loans is the Wild West. The enforceability of sovereign debt contracts is very small (confiscation of a countrys assets is not easy), the contract terms between creditors are very different, and countries have no bankruptcy procedures. The worry about China as a lender is not that it violates international standards, because there are not many such standards. The worrying thing is that Chinese loans will make the situation of borrowers worse-and subject to political pressure from China. A kind Learn World Bank chief economist Carmen Reinhart and others found that as of 2019, the 50 countries with the most debt to China accounted for nearly 40% of their total reported foreign debt. China would argue that it is filling the gap in the market and taking risky loans so that poorer countries can fund their development, just as it did.It will also emphasize that it has voluntarily signed the G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) and General framework 2020 debt. This DSSI Allow the worlds 73 poorest countries to suspend debt repayments before the end of this year. The common framework applies to the same countries and allows debtors to request debt restructuring in the IMF loan program and obtain the same restructuring conditions from all creditors. This is to avoid the problem of collective action. Some creditors insisted because they were worried that debtors would use their loan savings to repay other creditors. Critics believe that Chinas participation is political reality. When China was an emerging lender in the 2000s, it could free-rider in debt restructuring and hoped to avoid significant write-downs. As the largest official lending institution, China hopes that the treatment will be comparable in order to share the losses as much as possible. The characteristics of Chinas bilateral loans also show that participation in DSSI and the Common Framework has not changed it.two State-owned Development Bank Supervise most of the Belt and Road loans. They are public entities, more like multilateral organizations, which are ultimately responsible to Beijings State Council and cannot accept losses over a period of time.Based on a study 100 bilateral loans For Chinese entities, all contracts since 2015 have included confidentiality clauses, making it impossible for other creditors, investors, banks or taxpayers to determine the countrys financial status. Nearly one-third of bilateral Chinese state-owned loan contracts also require the debtor to maintain an escrow account as a guarantee for debt repayment. Funding for these accounts comes from government revenue or funds generated from projects funded by loans. This means that foreign lenders can control large revenue streams. More than 90% of Chinas bilateral contracts contain clauses that allow state-owned entities to terminate the contract and demand repayment when the debtor country implements major legal or policy changes. All contracts with Chinese policy banks contain cross-default clauses that allow creditors to demand immediate repayment when the borrower defaults on other lenders. These provisions allow creditors to influence the foreign or domestic policies of the borrower and are helpless in the event of a debt crisis. So far, we have little data to guide us on how to treat China as a creditor when borrowers are in trouble.Only Chad Creditor committee Several meetings were held under the common framework to obtain assurances from official creditors that they would restructure their debts. Since Chinese policy banks are accountable to the State Council, they will be extra careful to add points to all t and i before making such guarantees. Slow negotiations may not be malicious, but the longer the debtor waits for help, the more help it needs. Overall, with the growth of Chinese loans, there have been no more debt distresses in the past 20 years. But this also coincides with a period of extremely loose monetary policy and abundant liquidity. There is also not much evidence that China has exerted political pressure on loans. But in the new world where China is seen as a strategic competitor, as long as its lending behavior is opaque and borrowers may be influenced by Beijings politics, G7 leaders have reason to worry. in my final post I reported that the Mexican Senate refused to resolve the Supreme Courts 2018 directive to pass reforms legalizing recreational use of marijuana in the just-concluded legislative session. Unless you are a Mexican senator or a Supreme Court judge, you may not have much leverage to accelerate the implementation of legislation that will support the development of the legal cannabis industry. However, when marijuana is finally fully legalized, there are steps you can take to put yourself in a good position. Remember that medical marijuana is fully legal in Mexico (that is, not only stipulated in general regulations, but also with implementing regulations).As we reported Here, Mexicos medical regulations cover: Control, promote and sanitary supervision of cannabis raw materials, pharmacological derivatives and drugs, and manage activities including primary production for manufacturing and supply; Production of raw materials for research and seed production; Health and pharmacology research; manufacture of pharmacological derivatives and drugs; Medical activities related to diagnosis, therapeutic care, rehabilitation and palliative care, and; Import, export and marketing of medical marijuana products. Individuals and companies can carry out all these activities with relevant licenses or permits. However, regulators have not fully caught up with the law. The Medical Regulations require current institutions to issue implementation guidelines, but this has not yet happened.Although as we mentioned Here, This is not only legally feasible, but you have the right to apply for a permit/license in any specified field, and the current institution has not been granted a grace period for issuing guidelines. We have seen companies obtain licenses through multiple channels. [A note: cannabis supplements are unlikely to be considered medicine by COFEPRIS, and therefore businesses are unlikely to be able to obtain the health registration authorization necessary for their import and merchandising in Mexico.] Another way I like is industrial hemp, which has less political influence than recreational hemp.As i reported Here, Mexicos General Sanitation Law now stipulates that any cannabis derivative with a concentration of 1% or lower THC that has a large number of industrial uses can be sold, exported, and imported in accordance with the requirements of applicable sanitary regulations. . These provisions should have been included in the Cannabis Act, but they are clearly not. Therefore, cannabis is still a legal but unregulated industry in Mexico, which in turn means that cannabis-related activities (commodity sales, import and export, and production and processing) are legal in Mexico-even without cannabis regulations. Cannabis specific license. Nevertheless, I recommend applying to COFEPRIS for general authorization to carry out these activities. Finally, consumers can also apply for a cannabis cultivation/consumption license for personal use through COFEPRIS. protection If your initial permit application is unanswered or denied, take action (ie, a lawsuit in federal court asking the government to defend its actions).By submitting a copy protection In the lawsuit, you argued in the Mexican Federal Court that the Mexican Supreme Court has declared that it is unconstitutional to prohibit the use of cannabis for individuals, and therefore COFEPRISs failure to issue a cannabis cultivation/consumption license for personal use violates your constitutional rights. My bottom line: If you are interested in taking the lead in the Mexican cannabis industry, medical marijuana provides a completely legal and regulated opportunity that you can use immediately. Establishing a medical marijuana business will enable you to develop your operational infrastructure, secure capital (if needed), and position yourself as an insider when Mexico finally opens up its cannabis industry completely. Another good opportunity that requires careful legal preparation is industrial hemp. As i am in mine Previous post, Mexican state legislators have different views from their federal counterparts on cannabis. It is said that legislators in many states are drafting legislation to pave the way for the establishment of a legal industrial hemp industry. As in the United States, full legalization of cannabis cultivation and distribution seems inevitable, and it is understandable that interested stakeholders want to be prepared when the door opens. What should you do? Set up your company in Mexico How do you start?In addition to simple business registration, you should also Register your brand name and logo as a Mexican trademark as soon as possibleI urge you not to delay these two things, because most government agencies in Mexico are under-staffed, under-funded, and very slow in response time. You also need to consider the time required to translate and legalize the documents you need. Since cannabis permits/licenses are not transferable, it almost always makes sense to set up your Mexican company before you apply for any cannabis permits or licenses. Drafting a business plan I know this sounds like a cliche, but I cant tell you how many times we have dealt with actual or potential customers who just want to do something with marijuana now because marijuana is about to be legalized. It is important that your Mexican cannabis business plan takes into account what is actually legal in Mexico and your actual resources and capabilities. Consider marijuana With this, I am not just referring to supplements, foods, etc. (this was not legal in Mexico before the cannabis law was passed). Consider an actual manufacturing industry: Unlike the medical or adult cannabis use industry, industrial cannabis is much less politicized in Mexico, and it is relatively easy to form a Mexican cannabis company and insert it into Mexicos existing value chain. Dont forget that if you know how to make it work for you, the lack of regulation in Mexico may be a blessing in disguise. Mexicos lack of cannabis regulations means that application fees are low or non-existent, and there are few government requirements that must be met. The absence of regulation also means that there is no foreign investment cap. As always, if you contact me directly, I will be happy to answer questions or discuss specific details. Polarized Armenia is preparing to vote in parliamentary elections. This is seen as a test of whether the hard-won democracy can survive the political turmoil caused by the failure of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict last year. The results of Sundays elections will determine the future of post-war Armenia and the 30-year conflict with Azerbaijan, but many voters have yet to decide whether to choose between bad or worse in the eyes of some people. Four groups and 22 political parties will oppose the caretaker prime minister Nikol Pashinyan, who stepped down in April after months of protests after signing a peace agreement last year and ending six weeks of fighting. At least 6,000 people on both sides were killed in the conflict, most of them soldiers. The agreement was facilitated by Russia and is widely regarded as beneficial to Azerbaijans old enemy. Armenia returned Nagorno-Karabakh and its surrounding territories to neighboring countries, but Pashinyan insisted that facing greater losses, He has no choice. In what experts say may be the most competitive election in the history of modern Armenia, the four former leaders of the current republic are participating in parliamentary elections. With the exchange of threats and insults and the prevalence of populist rhetoric, some believe that confrontation may spread to the streets. Pasinyan-Kochalyan duel The front runners include former journalist Pashinyan and former President Robert Kocharyan. The latter is a former journalist who took the lead in a peaceful protest called the Velvet Revolution in 2018. Some people think that he represents a corrupt old guard who was deposed during the uprising. Although Pashinyan and his Civil Contract Party promised to separate business from politics during their tenure, Kocharyan still faces a bribery investigation due to the alleged bribery of a business woman during his last months as president in 2008 $3 million. Pashinyan took the lead in launching the Velvet Revolution in 2018 and then came to power [Tigran Mehrabyan/PAN Photo via Reuters] In total, six candidates face criminal charges. Kocharyan, who leads the Armenian Union, is also the former leader of Nagorno Karabakh and comes from its capital, Stepanakert. He positioned himself as an experienced and security-conscious politician, and he is about to retire, leading Armenia through difficult times. But lack of confidence in the current and previous authorities may lead to low voter turnout. According to a March poll conducted by the US-based International Republican Institute, more than 40% of respondents said they would not vote in the election. Voters interviewed by Al Jazeera expressed indifference to all aspects of the political spectrum. Georgi Ghahramanyan, a 37-year-old linguist from the capital Yerevan, will vote for Kocharyan because under certain circumstances, you have chosen the lesser of two evils. He said: He is charming and strong-willed, so I think he can handle the current situation better than just talk. If any party or group fails to get 50% of the votes, a second round of voting will be held between the two parties with the most votes. Experts warn that there are already signs that if this happens, politicians may call on their supporters to take to the streets. I dont support Pashinyan, but everything is better than returning the Kocharyan regime, said 42-year-old teacher Alex Mehrit. Richard Giragosian, director of the think tank of the Regional Research Center in Yerevan, said that Kocharyan represents the Jurassic Park of Armenian politics-the revenge of the dinosaurs. He expects Pashinyan to win with a smaller majority. Voters who are hesitant will become the key swing votes that may support the government, not because they like or support Pashinyan, but because the opposition is more dangerous, he said. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict casts a shadow over the polls The opposition has not announced any different approaches during or after the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict that began in September last year. In the eyes of many in Armenia, the country is still at war-intermittent skirmishes and ceasefire violations continue to occur in the border areas. Kocharyan is also the former leader of Nagorno Karabakh, from the capital of Stepanakert [File: Vahram Baghdasaryan/Photolure via Reuters] Last week, Baku handed over 15 prisoners of war (POW) in exchange for a map detailing the location of the Agdam mines, the area ceded to it under the November peace agreement. But the outcome of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict remains a core issue for many Armenians, as does the continued presence of Russian peacekeepers in the region under the terms of the agreement that Moscow helped plan. Regardless of who is in power, this country is now more firmly on the track of Russia, said Gilagosian, who thinks Moscow prefers Pashinyan to win. The Kremlins Armenia is the exact opposite of Belarus-Pashinyan is a useful trophy for the president as a legitimate and democratically elected leader. [Vladimir] Putin, unlike [Alexander] Lukashenko. Narek Minasyan, a senior expert at the Orbeli Analysis Center supported by the government, said that the possibility of another large-scale confrontation with Azerbaijan in the short term is low, but issues such as prisoners of war have been politicized. He said the election will answer several key questions about society. Do Armenian citizens want the revolution and democratization process to continue in 2018? Do they think this historical stage is a failure? Do they prefer former authoritarian leaders who try to position themselves ascrisis managers to overcome crises? Mina Xian said. Some people think that the wounds after the war are too deep and the elections will not bring stability, but will deepen the crisis. Yaremchuk speaks The Ukrainian amulet Yaremchuk takes the team spirit of North Macedonia as one of their strengths. He said: North Macedonia is not like [Memphis] payment, [Frenkie] de Jong or [Georginio] Wijnaldum, but they have a real team spirit, I can feel it. They have the right idea on the court, they fight. This will be one of the toughest games in our teams history. We just need to focus on our game, respect our opponents, and stay aggressive. Under the leadership of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the chances of serious dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians are slim. However, the rise of his former disciple Naftali Bennett (Naftali Bennett) gave Palestinian intellectuals more reason to worry. Although most people expected him to be as bad as Netanyahu, others said he would be more active in implementing his agenda and expanding illegal settlements. Some hope that he may shrink and become pragmatic under pressure from the Biden administration. As a staunch supporter of Jewish settlements and the annexation of most of the West Bank (including occupied East Jerusalem), Bennett also opposed the two countries solution to the conflict. At first glance, he seems to be no different from his predecessor. Both parties are opposed to the resumption of any kind of peace process that might force them to make room for the Palestinians aspirations. Netanyahu is known by his nickname Bibi, and he even conspired with the Trump administration to kill the idea of ??East Jerusalem as the capital of the future Palestinian state. The U.S. relocates its embassy from Tel Aviv Go to cities with holy sites of Islam, Judaism and Christianity. But Mheimer Absada, associate professor and head of the Department of Political Science at Al-Azhar University in the Gaza Strip, said that the promotion of the hard-line and ultra-nationalist Bennett to prime minister may be even more dangerous. Netanyahu expanded the settlements, but under pressure in 2009 and 2010, he also froze the settlements. [former US President Barack] Obama, Absada said. The difference between Netanyahu and Bennett is that, as we have seen, Netanyahu can succumb under international pressure. In addition, he seems to be flexible in the two-State solution. Sometimes he would say Hes okay. Bennetts ideology is much stronger and his position is much stronger. Definitely worse than Netanyahu Bennett won the title of politician through active support Illegal Israeli settlements. Suddenly climbing from his position would anger his extreme right supporters in the country, some of whom have described him as a traitor who joined the centrist, the left and the Arab League. Mustafa Barghouti, chairman of the Palestinian National Initiative Party, said that from a Palestinian perspective, he expects Bennet to be worse than Netanyahu. Bennet advocates gathering Palestinians in Area A and Area B, which account for only 38% of the West Bank, and annexing the remaining 62% of Area C, Barghouti said, referring to the West Bank and East Jerusalem rule of thirds in 1995 The Oslo Agreement signed in 1989. Continuing to settle in Area C means that the possibility of a two-state solution has been assassinated. He is definitely worse than Netanyahu. However, some people dared to hope that the multi-party and multi-ideological coalition led by Bennett would impose checks and balances on his policies. Last week, Netanyahu was defeated by a narrow margin in a vote of confidence in the Knesset. However, the alliance that ousted him was considered extremely fragile. It is composed of Bennetts former colleagues in the Likud Group Avigdor Lieberman with Gideon Thrall He is expected to get along with them on anti-Palestinian policies. But the Yesh Atid centrist party, the left-wing Meretz party, and the first Palestinian United Arab list (Raam) are also part of this clumsy coalition. Strange Government Yoel Guzansky is a senior researcher at the National Institute of Security (INSS), specializing in Gulf politics and security. He said that how long this alliance can survive and what kind of political plan it proposes is a big question mark. What kind of consensus this strange government can reach is a big question, Guzansky said. Usually, when there are different political parties with different ideologies in a government, they have the smallest thing in common to unite them. In this case, expelling Bibi is a consensus. But Bennett faces many challenges. Guzansky said that the next challenge for the new prime minister is whether he will Demolition of the Evyatar settlement The outpost, located south of Nablus in the West Bank. It was built illegally under Israeli law and will be demolished. We will have to see what Bennett will do, he said. There is also a Bedouin settlement in the Negev Desert. If he takes it apart, then he may have problems with his Arab allies. Guzanski said he believes Bennett may become pragmatic in terms of tensions with the Palestinians. Bennett was allowed without flinching Jewish nationalists flag parade Passing through Jerusalem. This is considered a serious provocation by the Palestinians, especially since the conflict between Israel and Hamas last month has just ended. However, there were no reports of conflicts in the local area. However, in response to the parade, Hamas floated burning balloons into the southern city of Israel, and Israel launched an air strike. But there was no loss of life. Israeli politicians, from left to right: Benny Gantz, Yail Rapid, Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Lieberman [AFP] More powerful There are countless irreconcilable differences between the different members of the alliance. But the Arab members have little influence on Israeli policies, and no one else in the alliance is expected to take risks for the Palestinians in the occupied territories. Barghouti described the expectations of any centrist or leftist who stood up for the Palestinians as naive. He recounted the moment when Bennett reiterated his vision of continuing to settle in Zone C last week. We didnt hear Meretz or anyone in the center say they disagreed. They were present in Parliament. This can only mean one thing-the current government will continue to implement the illegal settlement policy, which may even be more powerful. Bennetts greatest enemy will be the Biden administration, which has called for a freeze on illegal settlements. The upcoming opening of a consulate for Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem is expected to push Israel to return to the negotiating table for peace talks. Although some Palestinian thinkers are not ready to abandon Biden, Barghouti and others worry that Bennett may acquiesce in reopening the Iran-US nuclear agreement to ensure that the United States does nothing on the Palestinian issue. Irans deal will be at the expense of the Palestinian issue, Barghouti said. But we will not remain silent. Since the conflict last month, Palestinian resistance has indeed accelerated. A new generation of activists It seems that they are also determined to save their homeland and the land of their ancestors. The Palestinians said, Bibi or Bennett, their resistance will continue. LAFAYETTE - The oil and natural gas industry is one of the leading industry's in Louisiana in terms of economic impact, taxes paid and employment. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry says all of those benefits are being threatened by an executive order made by The Biden Administration. Back in January shortly after President Biden's inaguration he made an executive order that put a temporary ban on the selling of leases to parts of land offshore. Attorney General Jeff Landry says Louisiana needs that land in order to keep it's oil and gas industry flourishing. "Listen Mr. President, you have to abide by the law." said Landry Attorney General Jeff Landry is suing The Biden Administration. Landry believes that the President's temporary ban on new oil leases on U.S. lands and waters is unconstitutional, attacks fossil fuels and decreases Louisiana's employment rate. "When you don't drill you deplete your resources. It really hurts our National Security at a time when The United States had finally become energy independent,. Were now going to be dependent on foriegn oil." said Landry Louisiana Solicitor General Elizabeth Murrill is leading the lawsuit on behalf of Louisiana and 12 other states. Those states include Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and West Virginia. Murrill says President Biden is trying to stop enforcing federal law. Now while the ban may be temporary Murrill says the aftermath consist of too many negative aspects that have long lasting consequences. "It's a continuous system and when you stop the gears from moving you simply stop, basically the entire pipeline of projects. Eventually there will be nothing left." said Murrill Inside the courtroom U.S. Department of Justice Trial Attorney Michael Sawyer says the temporary halt of lease sales won't effect anyone financially. This because drilling is allowed for current leases which amount to 70% of fundning. In comparison to new leases which only amounts to 2.5% of funding. "He is violating congressional authorizations and demands and mandates that we explore the resources in The Gulf of Mexico and on other federal lands." said Murrill On the contrary Sawyer says nothing is being violated. Adding that Landry and his team are suing for land that's auction time had expired. That land now becomes a noncompetitive lease where plaintiff's have given reasons why the land should'nt be sold because of negative climate changes that happened under The Trump Administration. President Biden's temporary executive ban was implented on January 27th of this year. This ban can last anywhere from 4 to 8 years but The Biden Administration says they have no intention of stretching the ban past one. Attorney General Jeff Landry says that if today's court hearing does not go in his favor then this will be one of many court hearings. Court hearings that he says he will take all the way to The Supreme Court. At this time both parties agree that somewhere between 6 and 7 leases have been postponed since President Bidens ban. Deputies were dispatched to the 20000 block of North Frontage Road Lot 92 in Iowa, Louisiana in reference to a disturbance on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. Deputies spoke with the complainant and her daughter who admitted to being in an argument. The daughter destroyed a television and assaulted the complainant. Shanequa Rochelle Arvie , 25, of Iowa was arrested and booked on Domestic abuse battery and simple criminal property damage. During booking deputies discovered prescription medication and Arvie was also charged with possession of legend drugs. Subscribe to our podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you get podcasts. A MoDOT supervisor named Lloyd Crawford was struck and killed by a vehicle in the city's Northland on Monday morning. He was 61 years old and had been with MoDOT since 2003. In "My Roommate is a Gumiho" Episode 7, Shin Woo Yeo (Jang Ki Yong) found out that Lee Dam (Hyeri) could be the next target of the assailant, who used to be a gumiho like him before. That was why the handsome gumiho became overprotective of his roommate. "My Roommate is a Gumiho" Episode 7: Shin Woo Yeo Discovers His New Enemy Wants to Get His Marble In the beginning of Episode 7, Shin Woo Yeo's colleague, Hwang Yoo Jin (Han Ji Eun), was attacked by his new enemy - a creature who wants to get the marble from Shin Woo Yeo. After he heard what had happened, the male gumiho rushed to the police station to acquire complete information of the killings that happened in their city. To his surprise, the victims are all acquainted to him, making him think that Lee Dam could be in danger. Yang Hye Sun (Kang Han Na) was also alarmed by what Shin Woo Yeo discovered. To help him, she granted his favor to always look out for Lee Dam inside the campus. Meanwhile, Lee Dam was inside the bookstore looking for materials to use in her studies. She remembered that her roommate gumiho once wrote a book about history and when she saw it, Lee Dam grabbed it. While she was busy examining the book, a stranger came to her side - the male mountain deity (Go Kyung Pyo) that Shin Woo Yeo and Yang Hye Sun knew. Lee Dam told Shin Woo Yeo about the guy he met inside the bookstore and this made him curious and concerned about his student-roommate. Similarly, Shin Woo Yeo was secretly looking for Lee Dam wherever she went. He became protective of her after knowing about the evil creature she might encounter. Lee Dam Discovers Shin Woo Yeo's First Love While browsing through the book of poetry that Lee Dam borrowed from Shin Woo Yeo, she saw a handmade portrait of a woman inside. She found a name under the portrait. She then went to her roommate and asked if Seo Hwa (Jung So Min) was her first love. Shin Woo Yeo was caught off guard. He didn't expect Lee Dam to see the portrait of Seo Hwa. But he confessed to his roommate that the woman in the portrait was, indeed, his first love from years ago. Knowing this, Lee Dam got jealous that her friend Do Jae Jin (Kim Do Wan) was bothered by her actions. When she was walking with Shin Woo Yeo outside the school campus, Lee Dam saw a lady who looked like Seo Hwa and she began to panic. Her blossoming feelings for the male gumiho make her wish he wouldn't see the lady as he might remember his first love. Male Mountain Deity Warns Shin Woo Yeo about the Evil Creature Who Wants to Get His Marble to Lee Dam The stranger that Lee Dam saw in the bookstore was actually the male mountain deity who used to protect her against the creature who wanted her dead. The male deity met Shin Woo Yeo and Yang Hye Sun on one of the rooftops of the university campus. The male deity told them about his mission and the possible danger that Lee Dam and Shin Woo Yeo might encounter anytime soon. Thinking of what he has said, Shin Woo Yeo made a decision to let go of Lee Dam for her safety. Shin Woo Yeo Asks Lee Dam to go on a Trip After Lee Dam's exams, Shin Woo Yeo asked her to go on a trip. Different from their first museum date, Lee Dam felt more comfortable knowing that Shin Woo Yeo was by her side. When it was late at night and they were about to go home, Shin Woo Yeo finally confessed to Lee Dam. Shin Woo Yeo said he already knew how to remove the marble in her body from the start but he lied to her, because he didn't want her to let go - Lee Dam was the first human being to make him feel special. But since things are getting more complicated, Shin Woo Yeo finally had the courage to take the marble inside Lee Dam's body. Will this be their last memory of each other? Let's all find out in the next "My Roommate is a Gumiho" episode! IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 'My Roommate is a Gumiho' Episode 6: Kim Do Wan and Kang Han Na Set Hyeri on a Blind Date Have you watched the latest "My Roommate is a Gumiho" episode? How's the story so far? Don't forget to share your thoughts with us in the comments! For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at Kdramastars. Kdramastars owns this article. Written by Shai Collins After Hyeri's "Reply 1988" co-star and real-life friend, Kang Mina will be making her special appearance in the ongoing tvN series "My Roommate is a Gumiho." Kang Mina to Appear in "My Roommate is a Gumiho" as Kim Do Wan's Ex-Lover On June 17, per various media reports, it was revealed that idol-actress Kang Mina will make a cameo in "My Roommate is a Gumiho" Episode 8. The former gugudan member will play as Jin Ah, Do Jae Jin's (Kim Do Wan) ex. Her character is described as cute and lovely, but also has an arrogant and bold personality. Jin Ah will make Do Jae Jin's heart shatter into pieces again. tvN releases still cuts of #KangMina for her cameo appearance in #MyRoommateIsAGumiho, which will happen on tonight's 8th ep. She will be playing as #KimDoWan's ex-girlfriendhttps://t.co/7obSwliYzn #KoreanUpdates RZ pic.twitter.com/yoCsfKrgQB KoreanUpdates! (@KoreanUpdates) June 17, 2021 In the previous episodes, it was revealed that Do Jae Jin has been in love during his high school days, but the woman whom he considered as his first love scammed him and discovered that apart from him, she was also with another guy. tvN also dropped new stills showing Kang Mina's encounter with Do Jae Jin. In one of the photos Kang Mina is sitting in front of her ex-boyfriend in a cafe. Will this be the moment that they have been waiting for to get closure about their abandoned love? Let's all find out in the next "My Roommate is a Gumiho" episode on June 17 at 9:40 p.m (KST). You can watch it on tvN or iQiyi. Recently, the "Chicago Typewriter" actor Go Kyung Pyo made a special appearance in "My Roommate is a Gumiho" Episode 7 and received good feedback from viewers. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 'My Roommate is a Gumiho' Episode 7: Jang Ki Yong Becomes Protective of Hyeri Kang Mina's First Historical Drama to Air in the Second Half of 2021 Meanwhile, Kang Mina is also preparing for her first historical drama "When Flowers Bloom, I Think of the Moon." It has been said that Kang Mina and "Record of Youth" star Byun Woo Seok" were the last two actors to complete the list of the drama cast. "My Roommate is a Gumiho" actress Hyeri and actor Yoo Seung Ho are also part of the star-studded cast and are said to be the leads of the drama. The filming for "When Flowers Bloom, I Think of the Moon" already began, as seen on Girl's Day Hyeri's Instagram updates. This will be Kang Mina's drama comeback following "Hotel Del Luna" in 2019. What are you most excited about Kang Mina's special appearance in the next "My Roommate is a Gumiho" episode? Don't forget to share your thoughts with us in the comments! For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at Kdramastars. Kdramastars owns this article. Written by Shai Collins Lee Sang Yoon and Honey Lee will be working together for a new exciting drama! Honey Lee and Lee Sang Yoon to be Your New Rom-Com Couple The rumor about Lee Sang Yoon receiving an offer to be part of a new drama project started in December 2020. For actress Honey Lee, in January of 2021, she was in discussions to also join the cast of "One the Woman." And finally, on June 17, it was confirmed that the two actors will be joining forces to lead the SBS drama. Comedy series "One the Woman" depicts the story of a corrupt female prosecutor who is in a dilemma of bringing back her memories after getting amnesia and switching lives with a rich daughter-in-law who is said to be her lookalike. Actress-beauty queen Honey Lee is expected to portray two roles as the chaebol daughter-in-law named Kang Mi Na and a female prosecutor Jo Yeon Joo. Opposite to her is actor Lee Sang Yoon, who will play Han Seung Wook's character, a third generation chaebol who still have feelings for his first love. With a brand new concept, this project also marks the actor's and Honey Lee's first drama team-up. Since they have acted in various films and series before, these versatile actors are expected to showcase comedic vibe. Their chemistry is already gaining attention from fans. "One the Woman" will premiere in the second half of 2021 through SBS. About Honey Lee and Lee Sang Yoon With her lauded Korean beauty, there is no doubt that Lee Ha Nee, popularly known as Honey Lee, was crowned as the 3rd runner up at the 2007 Miss Universe. With numbers of candidates from all over the world, Honey Lee was able to clinch her title at the prestigious beauty pageant. Apart from her stint at the Miss Universe, she also pursued careers in music, acting, and in modelling. Similarly, talented actor Lee Sang Yoon has been into various television projects. His notable portrayal in the 2019 Series "VIP" won him the Excellent Actor Award in SBS Drama Awards. Both Lee Sang Yoon and Honey Lee's latest drama were in 2019 - "VIP" for the actor and "Fiery Priest" for the beauty queen-actress. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 5 Actors and Actresses Who Prove They are More Than Just Pretty Faces Are you excited about the upcoming onscreen romance of Lee Sang Yoon and Honey Lee? Share your thoughts with us in the comments! For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at Kdramastars. Kdramastars owns this article. Written by Shai Collins Netflix Japan invited Song Joong Ki for an interview and talked about the success of his drama "Vincenzo." Song Joong Ki was Overwhelmed by the Support, that "Vincenzo" Keeps on Receiving in the Global Audience On June 16, Netflix Japan released a short video interview of Song Joong Ki on their official YouTube channel. The professional actor started by greeting his Japanese fans. This was followed by a short but sincere message to all the people who supported "Vincenzo." According to him, "I heard that many people from all around the world like 'Vincenzo.' Thank you very much for supporting the series, and I hope that everyone enjoyed watching 'Vincenzo.'" It is in no doubt that apart from Asia, Song Joong Ki and even the "Vincenzo" cast are still receiving lots of love and support from the overseas fans. The influence that each and everyone who are part of the series made had a big impact on the global audience. You Might Also Like: Jeon Yeo Bin Receives Special Award From 'Vincenzo' Squad When talked about the continued success of "Vincenzo," which became a hot trend on Netflix in various countries, the Korean actor shared, "For me, it is really hard to be in the top 10, especially in different countries where Netflix is available. That's why it's an honorable phenomenon to be included in the top 10 list that is most watched by the audience." You Might Also Like: More of 'Vincenzo': Meet the Iconic Members of Cassano Geumga Family Song Joong Ki Chose Choi Myung Hee as the Character He Wants to Portray the Most Song Joong Ki added, " I was also wondering if they could understand Korean because it's a foreign language to many, but fortunately these viewers and fans seem to understand everything and I think they are enjoying it more." Meanwhile, when asked about which among the characters in the series would he choose to portray, Song Joong Ki humbly chose Choi Myung Hee's role played by great actress Kim Yeo Jin. The "Descendants of the Sun'' star confessed that there were a lot of parts in Choi Myung Hee's character that he wanted to express on his own. Song Joong Ki shared, "I was envious of Choi Myung Hee's character because she is a provocative character, and I wonder if I can express Song Joong Ki's villainous side if I do it." Furthermore, "Vincenzo" was able to finish its run with the 6th highest viewership rating in tvN's drama history. It also took the top spot in Netflix's Today's Top 10 in Asia. And last May 12, "Vincenzo" ranked as No.4 in the Netflix global drama rankings. In Case You Missed It: Kwak Dong Yeon Receives Sweet Gift from 'Vincenzo' Co-Star Kim Yeo Jin What can you say about the continued success of "Vincenzo" in the global market? Share your thoughts with us in the comments! For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at Kdramastars. Kdramastars owns this article. Written by Shai Collins. EUGENE, Ore. A Colorado man pleaded guilty on Thursday to a federal hate crime charge for the unprovoked stabbing of a Black man at an Arby's in Ontario, Oregon, in December of 2019. The victim had walked into the Arby's at a Pilot Travel Center in Ontario to submit materials for a job application, according to court documents. He was sitting by himself in a booth, waiting for the restaurant manager, when 27-year-old Nolan Levi Strauss walked into the building and came up from behind. "Suddenly, unprovoked and without warning, Strauss stabbed the man twice in the neck," the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon said in a statement. "The man tried to grab Strausss hands and take the knife, and, in the process, managed to prevent Strauss from stabbing him again." A maintenance worker tried to intervene, ordering Strauss to drop the knife. The stabbing victim managed to break free of Strauss and got to the other side of the restaurant before he collapsed on the floor, and the worker used a belt to secure Strauss' hands and detain him until police could arrive. "While they waited, the worker asked Strauss why he stabbed the man," federal prosecutors continued. "Strauss replied, 'Because he was Black, and I dont like Black people.'" Strauss was arrested at the scene and later admitted to investigators that he tried to kill the victim because he was Black. Everyone deserves to go to work without fearing they will be a victim of violence because of how they look or how they live. Racist attacks like this one powered by hate and grounded in ignorance strike at the heart of our community, said Kieran L. Ramsey, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon. We should all draw strength from our diversity and work together to protect our neighbors. The victim survived after emergency surgery at a hospital in Boise, Idaho. Strauss was indicted in September on a federal hate crime involving an attempt to kill, pleading guilty to the charge on Thursday. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, with sentencing set for September 9 in Eugene. This crime serves as a horrifying reminder that racism and bigotry still exist and threaten the safety of communities of color. Hate crimes not only hurt victims, but spread fear across entire communities, said Acting U.S. Attorney Scott Erik Asphaug. This conviction should send a strong message that federal law enforcement will not tolerate hate-motivated acts of violence and will move swiftly to hold those responsible accountable. WASHINGTON, D.C. Federal regulators on Thursday approved the transfer of four dams along the Klamath River from power company PacifiCorp to groups that are working to remove the dams and return the river to free-flowing conditions. The push to remove the J.C. Boyle, Copco No. 1 & 2, and Iron Gate dams has been in the works for years, with proponents of removal eventually gaining agreement in 2010 with PacifiCorp, mapping out the plan to transfer control. Those efforts hit a snag in July of 2020, when the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) stipulated that it would only approve the project if PacifiCorp remained a co-licensee, taking a share of any potential liability. The Klamath River Renewal Corporation (KRRC), which represents supporters of the removal project, went back to the drawing board. By November of 2020, they'd re-emerged with buy-in from the governors of Oregon and California, who agreed to take on the mantle of co-licensees in order to free PacifiCorp from the arrangement. With that, the proposal went back to the FERC for another look. On Thursday, the FERC approved transfer of the license on all four dams from PacifiCorp to KRRC and the supporting states, signaling a major milestone for the project. This is a crucial and significant step forward in accomplishing KRRCs core mission to remove the four lower Klamath dams and restore a free-flowing river, said Jim Root, president of the KRRC Board. Root noted that the KRRC project will constitute the largest dam removal and river recovery effort in US history. I am deeply appreciative to all of the parties who have supported this project over the years, and I wish to especially note the significant and sustained efforts of our Tribal partners. The FERC decision today respects PacifiCorps business decision to transfer its license for the four aging Klamath River dams," Senator Ron Wyden said in a statement. "These dams are not operated for flood control and provide no irrigation benefits. This is a critical step in restoring an iconic river system in a way that improves and reconnects habitat for fish and wildlife, acknowledges Tribal treaty obligations, protects power customers, and relieves pressure on upstream farmers and ranchers. The KRRC said that it plans to begin removal of the dams in 2023, although further regulatory approvals will be needed before the process can go forward. SALEM, OR On Thursday, the Oregon House of Representatives passed House Bill 3265, the Sanctuary Promise Act, which Democrats say will protect Oregonian immigrant and refugee communities "by prioritizing community safety, human rights, and dignity." In 1987, Oregon became the first "sanctuary state" in the US, barring law enforcement from detaining undocumented immigrants if they have not committed a crime beyond being in the country illegally. An attempt to repeal the law in 2018 gathered enough signatures to appear on the ballot, but failed at the polls. If passed in the Senate and signed into law, HB 3265 would update the current laws and set clearer guidelines, prohibiting local law enforcement and government agencies from working and engaging with federal immigration authorities for the purposes of enforcing federal immigration law. House Democrats said it will also work to reestablish the trust in government and local systems that has been lost in past years with the unlawful detainment of community members, growing doubt of government intentions, and creation of policies like public charge. "Immigrant and refugee communities are human beings and deserve to be treated with dignity and compassion, said co-chief sponsor, Representative Teresa Alonso Leon. When people come to this country, in many cases it is because they are fleeing poverty, violence, and natural disasters, an experience I know firsthand. HB 3265 will make sure our communities safety is prioritized, while also providing legal recourse in the face of injustice. Specifically, HB 3265 will prohibit local law enforcement and other public entities from gathering and sharing individuals immigration information with federal immigration authorities, from providing assistance with immigration law enforcement, and from operating immigrant detention centers. It will also prohibit federal immigration authorities from carrying out warrantless civil arrests in and around Oregons courthouses and provide immigrant and refugee communities with the option to take legal action if the law is violated. Democrats said that the legislation was brought forth by Oregons immigrant and refugee communities and passed in consultation with community stakeholders, including law enforcement, counties, district attorneys, our court system, the Department of Corrections, and the Attorney General. Oregons communities are stronger, healthier, and safer when they are inclusive of all, said Tony DeFalco, executive director of Latino Network. People of color, immigrants, and refugees in Oregon seeking to take part in civic society and access needed services experience exclusion and harm when they are targeted because of their perceived immigration status. HB 3265 will create real and tangible progress toward reducing this exclusion and harm. The bill passed 36-21 and now heads to the Senate for consideration. MEDFORD, Ore. Two teams of southern Oregon women will take to the skies and compete in a race this week that includes competitors from multiple countries. The five local pilots are among more than 200 women pilots competing in the Air Race Classic Air Derby between June 12 and 26. "The Cheetah Champs" consists of Monica Weyhe, Patricia Orsini, and Claire Almquist, who will be flying a Grumman Cheetah. "The New Heights Aviatrixes" includes Margueritte Hickman and Leigh Frisbee-Pinkerton, piloting a Cessna 182. Typically, the Air Race Classic takes place for four days over roughly 2400 nautical miles, with the route changing every year. Due to COVID-19, the ARC Board decided to change the traditional race to an air derby format allowing each team to create their own route of five legs, at least 65 nautical miles to each leg. Before flying the route, the teams submit their anticipated time to complete it. Each time will record their route with GPS system and submit it when they are finished, flying during daylight hours under Visual Flight Rules. Teams that fly the closest to their route and meet the estimated times will claim the air derby's prizes. Hickman said that her team will be flying for the derby on Friday. Women's air racing started in 1929 with the Women's Air Derby. Twenty pilots, including the famed Amelia Earhart, raced from Santa Monica, California to Cleveland, Ohio. The Cheetah Champs Weyhe, a retired public library director, earned her pilots license in her 1978 Cheetah in 1986 in Alaska, where she lived for 20 years. She has flown twice in the historic Air Race Classic. Orsini, a corporate finance professional, learned to fly in 2013 after retirement, fulfilling a lifelong passion. Almquist, currently a commercial property developer and manager, learned to fly in 1992, and as a geologist, enjoys observing landforms from the air. The New Heights Aviatrixes Hickman, retired from public fire service, has been flying since 1996 when she learned to fly with a group of firefighters. Frisbee-Pinkerton, a chiropractor, has been around aviation her whole life as her grandfather was a crop duster in Mississippi and her dad was an airline pilot. She achieved her own pilot's license in 2000. Hickman and Fresbee-Pinkerton are sponsored by their businesses, New Heights Chiropractic and Wellness Clinic and Sage Fire Solutions, LLC. PROSPECT, Ore. Kellie Stancliff of San Antonio, Texas, is putting out a call for help to the people of Jackson County after her son's motorcycle was discovered east of Prospect, thousands of miles from his home. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office put out a statement regarding the recovery of 35-year-old Kirk Jones' bike within the Sky Lakes Wilderness boundary earlier this week. Jones had been last seen in the San Antonio area on June 3, and Stancliff says that he was expected at a family gathering the following day. "He's a 6-foot-3, very skinny, happy-go-lucky kind of guy," said Stancliff. "He's not very outdoorsy, so we're not really sure what he's doing up in Oregon at this point, in the area y'all are in. So we are looking around to see if y'all can help out." Jones is a computer nerd, Stancliff said. He's been on a sabbatical since May 2019 from his last job as a business intelligence analyst for Rackspace, a cloud solutions tech company. Stancliff said that she last saw Jones on May 30 at a family dinner, the first time that the entire family had gotten together at a restaurant since the COVID-19 pandemic began. She said that he acted normally and seemed to be enjoying himself. That night, Stancliff recalls, he'd said that he would be over the following week to play games with the family. On Friday, June 4, the family tried to contact Jones, but they did not get a response. "By Sunday we knew that something was wrong," Stancliff said. "It's not unusual for him not to answer the first text, but he wasn't answering his phone, it was going straight to voicemail . . . so we called the police and got the missing persons setup to work." According to Stancliff, video at Jones' apartment building caught him leaving the morning of June 3. That was the last time that any of his loved ones saw him. San Antonio Police have searched Jones' apartment, and Stancliff said that the effort yielded nothing of note, though he'd possibly sold a few things. In Jackson County, search and rescue teams have been scouring the woods around Prospect, where Jones' motorcycle surfaced. Stancliff does not know why Jones would have set out on such a long trip when he did, or what took him to Oregon. She's hoping that someone in Jackson County has remembered seeing him and can provide more information about his disappearance. If you have seen Jones or have any information, please call JCSO Sergeant Shawn Richards at 541-591-1843, or through dispatch at 541-776-7206. BROOKINGS, Ore. A 42-year-old Brookings man who was stabbed in the neck by his neighbor on Sunday has died in the hospital, according to the Curry County Sheriff's Office. Dispatch received a 911 call about the stabbing at 7:15 p.m. on Sunday. The caller, Jennifer Lee, reported that her boyfriend had been stabbed in the neck. Deputies and ambulance crews responded within minutes, CCSO said. The victim, Christopher Phillips, was rushed to the hospital in Brookings. Lee told the responding officers that before Phillips passed out, he told her that their neighbor had stabbed him with a large knife. Although deputies found "a substantial amount of blood" in Phillip's house, they determined that the stabbing occurred somewhere outside. Meanwhile, Phillips' condition quickly deteriorated. Emergency Room staff managed to stabilize him, but they began arranging to have him airlifted to Medford. Troopers and crime scene analysts from Oregon State Police were called in to help map out the crime scene, with a Sheriff's Office detective and the County District Attorney responding as well. By 8 p.m., deputies went over to detain the neighbor, Justin Graziano. Eventually gaining a search warrant for Graziano's home, CCSO said that investigators found and seized the weapon allegedly used in the stabbing. While Cal Ore Life Flight Ambulance tried to transport Phillips to the Crescent City Airport for a flight to Medford, they were forced to detour to Sutter Coast Hospital as his condition once again deteriorated. Phillips underwent emergency surgery and remained in the ICU as of Monday. On Wednesday, CCSO said, Phillips was flown to OHSU in Portland. He died just after midnight on Thursday due to complications from his injuries. "Christopher Phillips' family have been notified and the Sheriffs Office expresses our condolences," the agency said. "The Curry County District Attorney has been informed and additional charges against Justin Graziano, who remains in custody, will be forthcoming." The last person who asked me that is still missing. If you need me, I'll be underwater. It's a dry heat. You call this hot? Bring it on. Vote View Results 10 Shares Share A vital sign of U.S. democracy voter participation is very low, and health professionals providing holistic care can be part of the solution. Holistic care should be expanded to include civic health. U.S. voter participation ranks 28th among 35 nations with similar economies and government structures, and this low rate is only exacerbated by the recently proposed at least 250 laws in 43 states that would make voting more difficult. I propose that an effective way to encourage voter turnout is to promote the health care setting as a place to register to vote. Social factors have long been recognized as major drivers of both population and individual health, and civic engagement is no different. As a medical student in my first year of training, I have already seen the power that legislation can have on an individuals health. I have spoken with patients who consider not applying for health insurance because of concerns regarding public charge. And I have worked with doctors to find the least expensive version of a drug whose inflated price came because companies were allowed to become monopolies. If nothing else, COVID-19 has taught us how much of an impact government policy can have on health, from shelter-at-home orders to vaccine distribution guidelines. To highlight the importance of voting, medical students and physicians should be trained to ask their patients if they are interested in registering to voting. During a visit, physicians often learn about a patients social history, everything from tobacco use to housing status, that greatly impact health. While the social history can reveal structural barriers such as food or housing insecurity that are nearly impossible to address in a single doctor visit, promoting voter registration is a direct, immediate action a provider can take to empower patients. Some may fear that discussing voting during a doctor visit will lead to partisan conversations, biased treatment of patients or feeling unsafe. But conversations regarding the importance of voting do not inherently have to be partisan they can be as simple as giving an interested patient a QR code to register to vote. Doctors are trained to be good communicators and handle sensitive health topics. We can also train doctors to have respectful, non-partisan conversations about voting. An understandable concern is that health professionals will not have enough time during busy medical visits to address voting, and that added responsibilities can lead to provider burnout. However, conversations about voting can lead to productive actions such as directing patients to high-quality voter registration and mobilization resources. Burnout is often associated with situations where physicians feel their actions are futile. Because conversations about voting lead to easily actionable outcomes, instead of consuming energy, they can motivate physicians and combat burnout. Creating voter registration opportunities in clinics and hospitals will not only help heal the low voter turnout in the general population it will also address the low voter turnout among physicians. Physicians consistently vote on average 14 percentage points lower than the general population. Because we have intimate experience with the impact that policy has on health, doctors and medical students have an added responsibility to speak up and a direct way to do this is at the polls. Our country is facing a voting crisis with multiple layers: chronically low overall voter participation, even lower voter participation among physicians and to add insult to injury an increasing number of laws that make voting more difficult, especially for those with chronic health conditions. Voter registration in health care settings can be part of the solution to all these problems problems that threaten the health of a democratic society. Through these civic health conversations, both physicians and patients will increase their awareness and be empowered to raise their voices by voting. It is time for the clinic be a place for civic health as well as physical health. Rio Barrere-Cain is a medical student. Image credit: Shutterstock.com The Senate has unanimously passed a resolution establishing June 19 as Juneteenth National Independence Day, a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the US. It needs to pass the House and be signed by President Joe Biden to become law. Here's what you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day. (You can also get "5 Things You Need to Know Today" delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here.) 1. Biden trip President Joe Biden is meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Geneva today for a much-anticipated summit that caps off Biden's first trip abroad in office. The goal of the meeting is to, in the words of the White House, "restore predictability and stability to the U.S.-Russia relationship." Biden and Putin will discuss future arms control arrangements, the recent ransomware attacks that the US believes have been carried out by criminal groups in Russia, climate change, and the Kremlin-imposed restrictions on the US diplomatic presence in Russia. Biden and his administration are still fully formulating a strategy on how to approach the US' tense relationship with Russia, and over the last few weeks, Biden has sought advice from Russia experts, political advisers, national security aides and even fellow world leaders on how to engage with Putin and reshape relations. 2. Election emails A previously secret batch of emails was released by the House Oversight Committee yesterday, and the messages shed new light on how former President Donald Trump pressured the Justice Department during his quest to overturn the 2020 election results. The White House and the DOJ aren't supposed to mesh when it comes to investigations and prosecutions, in order to keep politics out of the justice system. But these latest emails show Trump was unrelenting in crossing that invisible line, and that he and his lawyers saw the DOJ as a way to legitimize their false election claims. Also of note: Jeffrey Rosen, acting attorney general in the final days of Trump's presidency, was prepared to resign rather than buy into Trump's claims. Under the Biden Justice Department and Attorney General Merrick Garland, more and more documents concerning Trump's controversies are being released to relevant committees. 3. Coronavirus The CDC has determined the Delta variant is now a "variant of concern," a designation given to strains of the virus that scientists believe are more transmissible or can cause more severe disease. Currently, the variant, which was first discovered in India, accounts for about 10% of infections in the US, but some experts are worried it could become the dominant strain. (Currently, the dominant strain in the US is a different variant, first discovered in the UK.) It's just another reason vaccinations are important, doctors say. In fact, some pediatricians in the US say they've been vaccinating as many adults as children. It's fairly common and convenient practice, one pediatrician said, to offer vaccines to all family members who come into a pediatrician's office. 4. Gaza The Israeli military struck targets in Gaza overnight, marking the first airstrikes there since a ceasefire went into effect nearly one month ago after a spate of historic violence. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that the airstrikes were in response to incendiary balloons launched from Gaza earlier in the day. The IDF says the balloons were launched as a protest to a provocative far-right flag march in Jerusalem during which some extremists chanted "Death to Arabs" and "This is our home." While there hasn't been a retaliation for the airstrikes yet, the situation along the Israel-Gaza border remains extremely tense, and the possibility of an imminent and serious escalation still looms. 5. UFOs Members of the House Intelligence Committee will receive a classified briefing this morning on UFOs -- or, rather, UAPS (Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon). UFOs have been a very controversial topic circling Washington, as military leaders have argued for years over whether to take the sightings seriously. Even as sightings of unexplainable objects rose into the hundreds, Pentagon officials have wrestled with how much time and resources to devote to investigating them. So far, it's been a hard road separating science fiction-level public fascination from real national security implications. In a few weeks, the US intelligence community is scheduled to deliver an unclassified report on the matter for Congress. BREAKFAST BROWSE 'Beauty and the Beast' musical series in the works at Disney+ It will focus on our favorite egg eatin', expectoratin' villain, Gaston. Girl Scouts say they have millions of boxes of unsold cookies due to the pandemic No, you can't purchase them and hoard them like a squirrel. But you can help donate them to first responders and food banks. A painting by David Bowie purchased for $5 at a Canadian landfill is now selling for thousands One man's trash is another man's Space Oddity. A new problem for Peloton owners: Hacks You know we're living in the future when you have to worry about people hacking your fancy exercise bike. This swarm of autonomous robots gets smarter the more it works Interesting technology advancement, or "Westworld" promo? TODAY'S NUMBER $2.74 billion That's how much Mackenzie Scott, philanthropist and former wife of Amazon's Jeff Bezos, is giving away in her most recent round of donations. These latest funds will go toward organizations that focus on the arts and combating racial discrimination. She's donated about $8.5 billion to charity in less than a year. TODAY'S QUOTE "There are systematic barriers in housing and we have a role to play in addressing them." Heather Higginbottom, president of the JPMorgan Chase Policy Center. The bank is calling for legislative reform to stop racial bias in home appraisal in the US. TODAY'S WEATHER Check your local forecast here>>> AND FINALLY He's hooked I came across this video from last year about a young crochet prodigy in Minnesota, and it's just about the most charming thing ever. (Click here to view) When many kids were running around playing tag or video games, Chanda Prescod-Weinstein was thinking about particle physics. After her mother took her to see "A Brief History of Time," Errol Morris' 1991 documentary about theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, she fell in love with the discipline. She was just 10 years old. Nearly 30 years later, she is the first Black woman to hold a tenure-track faculty position in theoretical cosmology as an assistant professor at the University of New Hampshire. Prescod-Weinstein is one of the country's few core faculty members of both physics and women's and gender studies departments at a higher institution. In her new book, "The Disordered Cosmos: A Journey into Dark Matter, Spacetime, and Dreams Deferred," Prescod-Weinstein invites readers into the universe as she sees it -- and as a self-described queer agender Black woman, she sees it differently than many people. Her book chapters -- including "The Physics of Melanin," "Black People Are Luminous Matter" and "The Anti-Patriarchy Agender" -- show her focus "at the intersection of astrophysics and particle physics" and at the intersection of physics and Black feminist thought and anti-colonial theory. Her book is a tour of particles like quarks and leptons, as well as the axions that Prescod-Weinstein specializes in, but it also explores the various structural oppressions that affect who gets to study and discover them -- and even who gets to name those discoveries. She points to terms like WIMP -- weakly interacting massive particles -- and its relative MACHO, or massive astrophysical compact halo objects, as examples. "You can tell that physicists love an acronym," she wrote, "and that the physicists who came up with WIMP and MACHO were almost certainly men." Women and people of color, she notes, are routinely left out of histories of science, despite their important role in the progress that White men are credited with making. Prescod-Weinstein asks us to consider how science would be different if scientists were from more diverse backgrounds, and if it incorporated Indigenous scientific knowledge and voices. We spoke to Prescod-Weinstein about her ideas and her hopes for future scientists. This conversation has been lightly edited for clarity. CNN: The subtitle of your book combines dark matter, space-time and dreams deferred. How do those three things intersect for you? Chanda Prescod-Weinstein: I'm a dark matter expert, and so of course, the dark matter -- an invisible form of matter that we believe comprises 80% of the universe -- is going to figure into it in some big way. And dark matter exists in this larger context of space-time, which is how Einstein's theory of relativity requires us to think of space and time, as existing in relationship with each other. I also wanted to be honest that this was going to be part of the larger social context and not just the larger physical context. That larger social context is dreams deferred. That is both a comment on the social issues that I raise in the book, but also a comment on having to raise the social issues. CNN: How so? Prescod-Weinstein: "Dreams deferred" refers to a suite of poems by Langston Hughes, about the Black experience under White supremacy in America and in all of its facets, and that there are still limits on how we live. One of the things that attracted me to particle physics and particle physics as a career path when I was 10 years old was that it seemed so far away from the problems that my parents were confronting. When I was a young person dreaming of particles, it was never my dream to write a book about popular science that also problematizes how science happens. And yet here I am doing this work. CNN: Tell us more about your parents and how their work influenced you. Prescod-Weinstein: I had a political vocabulary that was maybe a little bit unusual for a kid who was interested in physics. My parents were both political organizers. I was raised by a Black feminist thinker who was also doing Black feminist organizing. She was spending a lot of time dealing with the problem of the way poverty is criminalized in the United States. I was also at points going to picket lines with my father, who was a union organizer and, at one point, a union officer. I was seeing a lot of bad things, and I was hearing a lot of bad stories. Particle physics just made it seem like there is a universe out there, and life isn't just about what's messed up on our little planet. And that was really exciting -- that maybe there was a way to get away from the bad stuff. But it turned out that it wasn't just my job to do the things in physics that excite me, but to think about what I was doing in a larger social context and the impact of my work on the larger community. The question that I'm interested in, ultimately, is how can we be in good relations with each other and what is the role that scientists play in what kinds of relationships we have with each other? But also: What is the role that particle physics and cosmology can play in promoting good relations? CNN: You note that White people sometimes find the term "dark matter" scary and foreboding, and that for terms like that and others, "a Black feminist physicist working in the 1960s would never have used this language." How would such terms be different if scientists had been and were now a more diverse group? Prescod-Weinstein: My biggest pet peeve around the phrase "dark matter" is that it's not a good name for it, because it misrepresents the properties of the thing. It's not dark; it's actually invisible. The thing about a question like yours is that it's speculative fiction. At the time that dark matter got its name, there were almost no Black men and literally zero Black women with a doctorate in physics. So, we have no idea. It would be another 40 years between when dark matter got its name around 1933, and when Willie Hobbs Moore got her doctorate in physics in 1972 at the University of Michigan; she was the first African American woman to earn a doctorate in physics. But it's an interesting question to ask, and I think it's one that we have to ask, knowing that there never actually will be a clear, definitive answer. And at the same time, we have to grapple with these alternative futures that were foreclosed because of White supremacy, because of patriarchy. CNN: Can you give an example of someone whose future in physics was curtailed because of White supremacy? Prescod-Weinstein: Elmer Imes was the second African American to earn a doctorate in physics, which he did at the University of Michigan in 1918. His work as an experimentalist actually played a really important role in providing evidence for quantum mechanics. When you're situating the history of how quantum mechanics came to be accepted as a correct model for physical reality, Elmer Imes should be part of that story. The way that students of physics typically learn the history of the field is through anecdotes that their professors told them during class and through anecdotes that are littered throughout their textbooks. But Black people have our own community historians, like Dr. Jami Valentine Miller, the first African American woman to earn a doctorate in physics from Johns Hopkins University. She runs African American Women in Physics and has been keeping track of Black women who have a doctorate in physics and related areas. A lot of these stories get transferred through oral communication, even if no one has been given the opportunity to write it up for a publication. I think publishers have a really big role to play here when writing their quantum mechanics textbooks. I think that we are long overdue for a history of Black people in American physics. CNN: Would having more physicists who look similar to you have made a difference in your path? Prescod-Weinstein: I talk in the book about meeting Nadya Mason, an incredibly accomplished condensed matter experimentalist at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, who is also a Black woman. She shares my heritage: one Black, non-Jewish parent and one White Jewish parent. Meeting Nadya was incredibly important for me, but we were both the kinds of students who got into Harvard. This kind of representation is particularly helpful for the chosen few. But if you have a situation where you're living in a bubble of a chosen few, effectively the power relations are unchanged. Yes, it is important to see examples. But if those examples are exceptions, then you have a problem. I don't want to undercut the significance of my accomplishments, because I know that I have worked hard and that I have overcome barriers. I also know that as a light-skinned woman who has a Harvard degree, I experienced less racism because of my appearance. I don't think that representation or diversity and inclusion necessarily bring us to material change that actually changes those power relations. What we need are a different set of power relations. CNN: You talk about making the "night sky accessible" to all children. What does that mean to you? Prescod-Weinstein: It starts with a very simple question: How do we create the conditions so that every child has access to a dark night sky and the opportunity to sit and wonder underneath it? It has very deep implications, because that requires thinking about public transportation and how people get access to dark night skies. It requires thinking about pollution and whether dark night skies continue to be possible. And it has to do with thinking about patriarchy: making it safe to be out under a darkening sky. It has to do with making sure that parents aren't working 80-hour weeks because their jobs don't pay a living wage. It's about making sure that everyone has access to good health care, to clean water, to food, because it is hard to just enjoy and wonder when you are either being poisoned or when you are hungry. At the end of the day, even though I have pretty extensive critiques of the scientific community, at heart I'm still a scientist who is really passionate and excited about the fact that we can use math to describe the universe. It's such an incredible thing that it starts with learning to count when you're a toddler and ends with being able to describe to my students how gold is made in stellar explosions. Each generation is tasked with doing the work of trying to push the boundaries further into freedom. I find myself hoping that someone from the next generation will actually get to live my dream, which is enjoying learning about the universe and telling its stories, without being distracted by racism, transphobia and other forms of oppression. Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly referred to Willie Hobbs Moore's accomplishment. She was the first African American woman to earn a doctorate in physics. EUGENE, Ore. -- For 45 years the state of Oregon has recognized June 19 as Juneteenth to commemorate the end of slavery. In April, lawmakers voted to make it a state holiday, starting next year. But starting this year, according to Mayor Lucy Vinis, the city of Eugene is declaring the day an official holiday. With a unanimous 28-0 vote, senators passed House Bill 2168, which recognizes the June 19 holiday's cultural and historical significance. Gov. Kate Brown signed it into law last week. Eric Richardson, the Executive Director of the local NAACP, said this is huge progress for our country. I want people to know that this is just an opening for more discoveries, more interactions, and more understanding about where our nation has been and where our nation can go with collective impact, coming together, and really looking at best practices going forward, Richardson said. There will be a Juneteenth celebration this Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. at Alton Baker Park in Eugene. This family-friendly event is free and with live music, dancing and education, organizers say it's supposed to be a "magical" day for everyone. Drea Smith, event organizer, said that theres an extra reason to celebrate this year. Joy needs to be brought to the forefront of the focus especially after a pandemic, when all of us suffered -- doesn't matter what race, Smith said. Everyone experienced some sort of heaviness during these times. So, this is a time to celebrate and get together. LEBANON, Ore. A Lebanon man pleaded guilty Thursday to fraudulently converting millions in COVID-19 relief funds intended to help small businesses to personal use. Andrew Lloyd, 51, was convicted of bank fraud, money laundering and aggravated identity theft. Officials with the U.S. Attorneys Office said Lloyd took advantage of economic relief programs administered by the Small Business Administration using CARES Act funds. Lying to gain access to economic stimulus funds will be met with justice, said Weston King, SBA Office of Inspector General Western Region Special Agent in Charge. According to court documents, the investigation into Lloyd started in October 2020 based on information suggesting he had fraudulently applied for Paycheck Protection Program loans and other assistance at multiple financial institutions. Beginning in April 2020, Lloyd began submitting loan applications using the identities of relatives and business associates without their permission. Lloyd also falsified information justifying the loan amounts he requested, including claiming to employ up to 64 employees. In total, six of the nine PPP loan applications Lloyd submitted were accepted, resulting in a payout of more than $3.4 million, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. One application for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan was also accepted, resulting in $160,000 in payments to Lloyd. Officials say Lloyd used the money to purchase real estate and invest in securities, which substantially increased in value. More than $11 million has been seized from Lloyds accounts. Lloyd was charged on Jan. 5 and will be sentenced Sept. 9. The attorneys office is recommending more than five years in prison. As part of a plea agreement, Lloyd will be required to pay $3.6 million in restitution to the U.S. Treasury and will forfeit the $11 million and the properties that he purchased. Accomplice Russell Schort, 39, of Myrtle Creek was charged as well and is scheduled to plead guilty July 1, officials said. SPRINGFIELD, Ore. -- Springfield Police are investigating a series of calls to the Willamalane Skate Park regarding unruly teenagers. Authorities say some of the incidents could be connected to a harassment case at the beginning of the month near the Willamette River. Lt. George Crolly said his department received 13 calls in one month to the skate park. Typically, police respond to two or three calls during the summer months to a single park. Crolly said the calls have ranged from graffiti to yelling and screaming and assaults. He said one person suffered minor injuries during one of the assaults. RELATED: REPORTS OF TEENAGERS HARASSING PEOPLE NEAR THE D STREET BOAT RAMP IN SPRINGFIELD The descriptions of the teens involved vary, and according to police, the crimes are not all committed by the same group. However, Crolly said some descriptions are similar to a group of teens who harassed a man at the D Street Boat Ramp on June 2. One description that sticks out is a teen with orange hair. Crolly said no ones been arrested in any of these cases. Usually, School Resource Officers are a big help being the ears on campuses, but the pandemic has made it hard for investigators to find clues at schools. Normally our resource officers are not only there for enforcement of criminal activity but to be there for somebody for the kids to talk to if there's a problem witnessing something, perceiving a problem or are being threatened, Crolly said Springfield Police have stepped up patrols around the skate park. Crolly said if youre witnessing any criminal activity at the park, use your phone to take pictures or record video because by the time police arrive, the teens have scattered. While witness by the human eye is good, its more powerful if we have video footage, Crolly said. BY Damali Mukhaye Medical experts have cautioned Ugandans against taking medication being given to covid-19 patients without testing for the virus. Dr David Nahamya, the secretary to the National Drug Authority Secretary says this has been noted in families where one person has tested positive for covid-19 and the rest of the members sign up for covid-19 medicine without first testing. He says some people with covid-19 like symptoms such as fever, cough and flu have started taking medicine bought across the counter, from various pharmacies. The commonly used medicine by the population who have not tested for covid-19 include Zinc, Panadol, Vitamin C and Azithromycin. Dr. Nahamya, says people should go slow on taking covid-19 medication without diagnosis since the effect of taking wrong medication for a wrong illness are enormous including drug resistance. Dr Rosemary Byanyima, the Deputy Director of Mulago Referral Hospital said that the Ministry of Health has released guidelines for the treatment of covid-19 which must be followed. By Tonny Abet & Nobert Atukunda The oxygen crisis in Ugandas medical facilities is biting harder now with atleast 30 Covid-19 patients reported to have died at Mulago national referral hospital alone on Tuesday night. This was after the hospitals oxygen supply malfunctioned. Speaking on condition of anonymity, senior Mulago hospital staff said 18 bodies had by yesterday afternoon been released for burial. There were however different accounts of what happened. One version is that oxygen supply to the Intensive Care and High Dependency Units failed at night, while the other that is corroborated by the officials is that oxygen supply pressure dropped drastically due to high intake by patients. Dr. Rosemary Byanyima, the Mulago hospital deputy director said she was not sure about the deaths, but admitted that the facility had been grappling with the problems of oxygen supply from the plant. Meanwhile, the ministry of health announced yesterday that 49 new covid-19 deaths occurred on Tuesday, the highest single day reported fatalities bringing the total to 508. The number of infections now stands at 65, 631. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading. To subscribe, click here. Already a subscriber? Click here. Kilgore, TX (75662) Today Scattered thunderstorms this morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely. High around 85F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms this evening with a few showers possible late. Low around 70F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. Kilkenny students have been encouraged to apply for a national accounting technician apprenticeship programme which will create jobs in the region as part of 125 positions nationally. And local employers have been encouraged to sign up for the scheme to avail of a government annual base grant per-registered apprentice from early 2022. The Accounting Technicians Ireland Apprenticeship is a funded, work-based learning programme in which locally-placed apprentices earn at least 19,890 a-year. Applications for the apprenticeship, which will be based in Waterford, Dublin, Wicklow, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Monaghan, are now open. Accounting Technicians Ireland, whose apprenticeship programme has been the source of over 456 jobs, has embraced blended learning. The initiative allows students to spend four days a week working, often online with the agreement of the employer since the pandemic, and one day a week studying. School leavers, Leaving Cert students, career changers, and mature learners can all apply for the programme through Accounting Technicians Ireland. The Accounting Technicians Ireland Apprenticeship provides a real alternative for school leavers who prefer practical training to a full-time college programme, or those who embarked on a college course and found it did not suit them. It is also an attractive option for existing employees and mature learners who want to pursue accounting. Large firms and smaller practices, as well as industry and the public sector have all embraced the programme. This is the third year of the National Gallery of Irelands participation in the programme, and according to Mary Leane, its head of finance, it is a great way to upskill. Apprentices are not just gaining a qualification, they are also learning work based skills which they can continue to build on throughout their career. Apprentices are delighted with the opportunity to earn as they learn while gaining practical experience in the workplace. The Accounting Technician Apprenticeship works for both the younger and more mature student. There are many reasons why someone may not have completed formal training earlier in their career, and the apprenticeship provides an opportunity to progress into new roles and areas. According to Gabriela Airini, Head of Apprenticeship at Accounting Technicians Ireland, the government grant will increase employer participation. Accounting Technicians Ireland is pleased our apprenticeship contributes towards job creation and economic recovery. Since the programmes foundation in 2017, the Accounting Technician Apprenticeship has been the source of over 456 jobs. Graduates are capable of filling all kinds of accounting and finance roles across all sectors of the economy. Each year, more employers sign up and we now partner with over 302 employers across 17 sectors. For more details see accountingtechniciansireland. ie AUSTIN, Minn. Construction is set to begin on a multi-million dollar bio-science manufacturing facility in Austin, Nu-Tek BioSciences says it will hold a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday for its new 60,000 square foot plant being built in Creekside Business Park. The project is expected to cost $35 to $40 million and create 35 to 40 new jobs in Austin. Nu-Tek says the new facility will be home to the first dedicated animal-free peptone manufacturing facility in the United States. Peptones are used in both the bio-tech and wellness foods industries. WDS Construction, the general contractor for the project, will co-host the groundbreaking and Steve Grove, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development is expected to attend. The Nu-Tek project in Austin is receiving $175,000 in state funding. General Motors announced Wednesday that it has increased its planned spending on electric vehicles to $35 billion by 2025. That represents a 75% increase since March, 2020. At that time, GM had said it would spend $20 billion on electric vehicles in that timeframe -- an amount that was later increased to $27 billion, and has now been increased again. GM had also previously announced that it hoped to produce nothing but zero-emission vehicles, including electric and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, by 2035. With this new funding announcement, GM also said it will add fully electric commercial trucks to its future vehicle plans as well. The automaker will also add more manufacturing capacity for electric SUVs. This is in addition to GM's recently remodeled Factory Zero, near the automaker's Detroit headquarters, and changes to its Spring Hill, Tennessee, factory, as well as additional investments in a number of other factories so it can make electric cars. The automaker also announced it will boost production of battery cells in the US and will speed up plans to build two new battery plants. This is in addition to battery plants already under construction in Tennessee and Ohio. "GM is targeting annual global EV sales of more than 1 million by 2025," GM chairperson and CEO Mary Barra said in a statement, "and we are increasing our investment to scale faster because we see momentum building in the United States for electrification, along with customer demand for our product portfolio." Barra credited GM's strong recent financial performance for allowing the increased investment. GM has said it expects to deliver better-than-expected results in the second quarter of 2021. And CNN Business has also reported that the automaker is about to complete the most profitable 12 months in its 112-year history. The company is also working to increase applications for its hydrogen fuel cell technology, in which hydrogen gas is used to create electricity inside a vehicle rather than relying on batteries. GM recently announced it will supply fuel cells to Wabtec Corp., a company that is developing a battery-powered locomotive. GM will also supply fuel cells to Navistar, which is developing hydrogen-powered trucks and Liebherr-Aerospace for use as auxiliary power units for passenger jets. The only electric vehicles GM currently offers in the US are the Chevrolet Bolt EV and the closely related Bolt EUV. Among GM's offerings in China is the very tiny Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV, which is the best-selling electric car in that country, the world's biggest market for electric cars. For the American market, GM has announced the GMC Hummer EV and Hummer SUV, as well as the Cadillac Lyriq electric luxury SUV and a new electric Chevrolet Silverado. GM is also working with Honda on electric SUVs for the Honda and Acura brands. Electric vehicles currently make up less than 2% of passenger vehicle sales, but GM is already facing heavy competition. Ford already sells the Mustang Mach-E electric SUV and recently unveiled the electric F-150 Lightning pickup. Volkswagen now offers the ID.4 SUV and its Audi luxury division sells the E-Tron SUV and recently revealed the E-Tron GT performance car. Volkswagen Group also announced last March, its own big investment in battery production. WEST DES MOINES, Iowa Hy-Vee says it is getting into the banking and insurance business. The grocery store chain says it is launching Hy-Vee Financial Services at locations across its eight-state region. That will allow customers to apply for things like checking and savings accounts, auto and home insurance, home mortgages, consumer loans and pet insurance. Customers are now seeking more affordable and more convenient financial options, says Hy-Vee Chairman, CEO and President Randy Edeker. By leveraging our ownership of our subsidiary Midwest Heritage, we are able to serve our customers in a new way that meets those needs, while also bringing more value to our Hy-Vee Fuel Saver + Perks and Hy-Vee Plus members. Hy-Vee says it has worked with Midwest Heritage to install contactless financial services kiosks in 210 locations. Using the kiosks, customers can access QR codes to learn more about specific services on their mobile device or pick up brochures for more information. The in-store kiosks serve as a gateway for Hy-Vee customers to learn more about the affordable offerings available to them, says Tony Kaska, chairman, CEO and president of Midwest Heritage. Customers who inquire to learn more about Hy-Vee Financial Services can expect to receive a personalized, high level of service as we help them select the best offerings based on their tailored financial needs and goals. ROCHESTER, Minn. - The U.S. House backed a bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday Wednesday, a day Americans commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth marks the events of June 19th, 1865, when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas received news they were free, two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Barbara Jordan of the Rochester Branch NAACP says national recognition of Juneteenth would help everyone understand the experiences of people of color, past and present. "As we learn, it's not that we want society to think 'woe is us' as people of color, but we want them to recognize the experience of our ancestors, ourselves, and only with that recognition can we level set, and begin to talk about eliminating racism and disparities in our society." Jordan continued, "I'm a big proponent of education, I think it's the panacea for all that ails our society. We just need to educate ourselves. So when people ask me 'what can I do?', I say 'educate yourself, read, learn about other people.' Not just African Americans, but learn about other races, ethnicities, other than yourselves. It will go a long way toward advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in this society." Working with the Rochester Branch NAACP, Jordan is one of an array of Med City community members coming together to host a Juneteenth Jubilee this Saturday. She says it's exciting to know Juneteenth may be named a federal holiday ahead of this weekend. "Wouldn't it be poetic justice to be able to celebrate not only Juneteenth, but the passage of the federal holiday this weekend." Senator Tina Smith of Minnesota was one of the lawmakers who introduced the bill. Smith says making Juneteenth the nation's 12th federal holiday is a meaningful step toward achieving a greater goal. "Commemorating Juneteenth as a federal holiday is an encouraging and meaningful step, and we have so much farther to go on the path towards justice in this country," Smith said. "I think we need to use this victory to build momentum for the systemic change that we need in this country." After passing both houses of congress, the bill now heads to President Biden's desk to be signed into law. MASON CITY, Iowa A thief is sentenced for stealing from Mills Fleet Farm in Mason City. Jonathan David Patterson, 32 of Mason City, pleaded guilty to second-degree theft and was ordered to serve three to five years of supervised probation and pay Mills Fleet Farm $4,780 in restitution. He received a deferred judgment, which means this conviction will be removed from his record if he successfully completes his probation. Store employees told investigators they observed Patterson stealing money on four different occasions between February 2 and March 8. ROCHESTER, Minn. - The Delta variant now accounts for nearly 10% of new coronavirus cases in the U.S., according to the CDC. There have been more than 40 cases confirmed in Minnesota. The good news is that in Olmsted County, this week had the first day since the beginning of the pandemic there were no new COVID-19 cases reported. Public health director, Graham Briggs, said that's because of herd immunity. Briggs explained he's fairly confident the pandemic for Olmsted County is coming to an end. However, he said it's more transmissible than the other strains and the only way we will beat it is to get everyone vaccinated. "We're at a point here locally where we're not done with COVID. We still need to vaccinate young kids," said Briggs. "We're still likely to see some hotspots or outbreaks of transmission in areas where we've got pockets of unvaccinated people that are choosing to be unvaccinated." As long as there are people out there who remain unvaccinated, new variants will continue emerging, which is what's happening right now with the Delta strain. "There's going to be areas that haven't had access to vaccine that are going to be at risk to this variant. This is more transmissible and can put more strain on systems," said Briggs. "In the United States where we are seeing low vaccine uptick, I do have some concern that we might see those areas have another round of transmission as we move into the fall months and that sort of thing." As of Wednesday, more than 52% of the total U.S. population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Medical experts say it is effective against the Delta variant. Briggs said it's possible to see an evolution with the COVID-19 vaccine in the future depending on the new variants that could pop up. ROCHESTER, Minn. Two men arrested with thousands of oxycodone pills are pleading not guilty. Dahir Omar Dahir, 25 of Rochester, and Abdullahi Ahmed Islaw, 25 of Rochester, are charged with first-degree sale of drugs and first-degree possession of drugs. Abdullahi Islaw Abdullahi Islaw They were arrested after a February 8 traffic stop in the 800 block of Elton Hills Drive NW. Rochester police say both men could be seen making movements into the backseat of their vehicle when they were pulled over. Officer say around 6,000 oxycodone pills were found inside. Authorities say these types of pills are coming up from Mexico and are getting dispersed all over the country. No trial date has been set for either Dahir or Islaw. Jasper, TX (75951) Today Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 89F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy overnight with thunderstorms likely. Low 72F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV/AP) --- Missouri Gov. Mike Parson and Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt have responded to the Department of Justice concerning its criticism of a gun bill Parson signed into law last Saturday. Parson and Schmitt authored a letter to President Biden and the DOJ on Wednesday, saying the state will "fight tooth and nail" to defend the Second Amendment. Justice Dept.: Missouri governor can't void federal gun laws The Justice Department is warning Missouri officials that the state cant ignore federal law, after the governor signed a bill last week that bans police from enforcing federal gun rules. The Second Amendment Preservation Act is about protecting law-abiding Missourians against government overreach and unconstitutional federal mandates," Parson said. "We will reject any attempt by the federal government to circumvent the fundamental right Missourians have to keep and bear arms to protect themselves and their property. Throughout my career, I have always stood for the Constitution and our Second Amendment rights, and that will not change today or any day." In a letter sent Wednesday night and obtained by The Associated Press, Justice officials said the U.S. Constitutions Supremacy Clause outweighs the measure that Gov. Mike Parson signed into law Saturday. The new rules penalize local police departments if their officers enforce federal gun laws. The public safety of the people of the United States and citizens of Missouri is paramount, Acting Assistant Attorney General Boynton wrote in the letter. Parson and Schmitt's seven-page letter ends with this: "We will fight tooth and nail to defend the right to keep and bear arms protected by the Second Amendment, Article I, 23 of the Missouri Constitution, and the Second Amendment Preservation Act. And we will not tolerate any attempt by the federal government to deprive Missourians of this critical civil right. You can read the letter from Parson and Schmitt here: Weather Alert ...Forecast flooding changed from Minor to Moderate severity and increased in duration for the following rivers in Missouri... Missouri River at Jefferson City. River forecasts are based on observed precipitation and forecast precipitation for the next 24 hours. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Rainfall heavier than forecast could cause river levels to rise even higher than predicted. The National Weather Service will monitor this developing situation and issue follow up statements as conditions change. This product, along with additional weather and stream information, is available at https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=lsx. && ...Forecast flooding increased from Minor to Moderate severity and increased in duration until early Monday morning... The Flood Warning continues for the Missouri River at Jefferson City. * Until early Monday morning. * At 7:45 PM CDT Thursday the stage was 26.0 feet. * Flood stage is 23.0 feet. * Moderate flooding is occurring and moderate flooding is forecast. * Recent Activity...The maximum river stage in the 24 hours ending at 7:45 PM CDT Thursday was 26.1 feet. * Forecast...The river is expected to rise to a crest of 26.1 feet just after midnight tonight. It will then fall below flood stage Saturday evening. * Impact...At 26.0 feet, Pumping from a ditch in Hartsburg, MO begins. At this height...numerous county roads near McBaine... Easley...and Ashland are flooded. These include Coats Lane... Grocery Branch...Burr Oak...Old Plank...Cedar Tree...Jemerson Creek...Christian School...Claysville...and Soft Pit Hill Roads. && Fld Observed Forecasts (7 pm CDT) Location Stg Stg Day/Time Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Missouri River Jefferson Cit 23.0 26.0 Thu 7 pm 26.1 22.8 19.0 15.3 11.8 && South Korea's top nuclear envoy, Noh Kyu-duk, will hold bilateral and trilateral talks with his U.S. and Japanese counterparts in Seoul next week to discuss cooperation over the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, the foreign ministry said Thursday. Noh is scheduled to meet bilaterally with Sung Kim, the new U.S. special representative for North Korea, and his Japanese counterpart, Takehiro Funakoshi, on Monday. The three will also meet trilaterally on the same day. Kim, who currently doubles as U.S. ambassador to Indonesia, is set to arrive in Seoul on Saturday for a five-day trip. It will mark his first trip to South Korea since taking office as Washington's point man on Pyongyang. "Noh plans to hold a meeting with Special Representative Sung Kim for discussions on bilateral cooperation in making substantive progress in the complete denuclearization and establishment of lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula," the ministry said in a press release. The nuclear talks have been arranged as they seek to chart a coordinated diplomatic strategy to resume nuclear diplomacy with a recalcitrant Pyongyang. The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has completed its monthslong review of policy on the North and said it would pursue a "calibrated, practical approach" toward the goal of the complete denuclearization of the peninsula. (Yonhap) Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Sunshine to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 73F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Low 52F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) Another giveaway has been announced to entice Oregonians to get their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, and this time its for a chance to visit one of Portlands popular attractions for free. The Oregon Zoo said Wednesday that Metro, the government agency that operates it, will be giving away 1,000 free passes to future zoo goers. The passes will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis to those who receive a vaccine this weekend at the All4Oregon clinic at the Oregon Convention Center or at clinics focused on vaccinating Black communities, Indigenous communities and communities of color. Metro told FOX 12 that after 100 passes are given out the at OCC, the rest will be distributed directly to county health leads to determine which events they will provide passes as an incentive." The breakdown of passes given to each county is as follows: Washington County will get 300 passes, Clackamas County will get 200 and Multnomah County will get 400. FOX 12 was not provided exact times or locations for the other clinics since those decisions have not yet been made. People who would like to attend a clinic to receive the zoo pass incentive are encouraged to call their public health department or 211 for more information. The zoo passes will be available while supplies last. The passes will be valid for zoo entry through mid-December. This is the latest incentive to convince Oregonians to get vaccinated. All4Oregon announced last week that it would give away 1,500 grocery story gift cards, each worth $100, at its mass vaccination sites including the OCC. The OCCs last day of vaccinations will be Saturday. Appointments can be scheduled online, or patients are welcome to walk-in. As of Thursday morning, Oregon is just over 60,000 adults shy of reaching Gov. Kate Browns statewide goal of 70% of Oregonians 18 and older with at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine needed for the states reopening. As our region looks to meet the governors goal of a 70% vaccination rate, we need to do everything we can to encourage people to get these safe, effective vaccines, Metro Council President Lynn Peterson said in a statement. We need to do this to safely reopen and offer shows and events at the Oregon Convention Center, Portland Expo Center and Portland5 Centers for the Arts. But more importantly, we need to do this to protect the lives of Oregonians and ensure there isnt another harmful surge of COVID-19 this fall that devastates even more Oregon families. We want to welcome people back to the Oregon Zoo in a way that hasnt been possible for more than a year, said zoo deputy director Uptal Passi, who made the passes available for this promotion. And the sooner we reach that 70% rate, the sooner we can see that happen. MORE: FOX 12s ongoing local coronavirus coverage Veteran state trooper may not have been truthful in Greene case BOZEMAN, Mont. Starting this fall, Montana State University's Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering will be offering a new bachelor of science degree for those interested in biomedical engineering. Jeff Heys is a professor and graduate of Montana State University who has worked to get this valuable program started for students looking to be in the growing industry. Were hopeful that there will be good high paying jobs, were also hoping that more small industries really starts to develop in the Gallatin Valley and the rest of the state so some of these graduates can stay within Montana and really help solve problems," Heys said. The major comes along with the growing need for certain medical equipment and pharmaceuticals making it one of the best times for students to join the new program. Heys said technologies like medical imaging, advanced surgical tools and prosthetics continue to grow with the aging baby boomer generation and the jobs are almost endless. The biomedical engineering minor has been a huge hit since it launched a couple years ago with around 100 students taking classes, but this new degree will add about a half dozen new courses specifically for the major. Heys said there is no cap for how many students can start signing up for classes this fall. Weather Alert ...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT MDT SATURDAY NIGHT... * WHAT...Dangerously hot temperatures of 96 to 102 degrees are forecast for several consecutive days. Temperatures will only cool off to around 65 degrees at night. * WHERE...Portions of central, south central, and southeast Montana. * WHEN...Until Midnight MDT Saturday Night. * IMPACTS...A prolonged period of hot temperatures will increase the threat of heat related illnesses for those with prolonged exposure. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The hottest temperatures are expected on Saturday. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles. Car interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1. && HARDIN, Mont. - Governor Greg Gianforte toured One Health Bighorn Wednesday afternoon and contributed his governor's salary from the first quarter of 2021 to the federally qualified health center in Hardin. One Health Bighorn serves communities in southeast Montana, including providing comprehensive substance use disorder treatment services. We face a drug epidemic in our state, and while theres no silver bullet to end it, we can combat it by promoting treatment and recovery for Montanans struggling with addiction, Gov. Gianforte said. One Health Bighorns substance use disorder treatment services transform lives and rebuild families and communities. Given their successful efforts, Im proud to support their critical mission. According to a release, Gov. Gianforte toured the facility and met with providers, patients and staff. During the tour, the governor heard directly from peer support specialists and providers about the innovative ways they are using Medication-Assisted Treatment to help individuals struggling with addiction. He also learned about how One Health is successfully using telehealth to provide services and how it is proactively reaching out to the most vulnerable to provide them support. At the conclusion of the tour, the governor presented his first quarter salary to Dr. David Mark, the CEO of One Health. The contribution will be used to support One Healths peer support program as well as Medication Assisted Treatment for individuals with opioid and meth use disorders, as stated in the release. Were grateful to Governor Gianforte for the tremendous and thoughtful gift. We will be using this generous donation to support the substance use disorder work we are doing and help those in our community overcome addiction, Dr. Mark said. Founded by physician leaders in response to community needs in southeast Montana, One Health, formerly Bighorn Valley Health Center, opened in Hardin in 2012. One Health provides a full continuum of federally qualified health care services, Medication-Assisted Treatment, outpatient substance use disorder treatment services, and mental health services in an integrated behavioral health framework ROME, JUN 17 - League leader Matteo Salvini said Thursday that he wants Italy to follow France's footsteps and end the obligation for people to wear facemasks outdoors, with COVID-19 contagion figures improving. "I'll talk to (Premier Mario) Draghi about it," Salvini told RAI radio. "It will certainly be one of our proposals. "If the whole of Europe is going in this direction, even in places where the situation is not as good as ours, then we must consider this opportunity too". Like almost all of Italy's major parties, Salvini's League is backing Draghi's government of national unity. (ANSA). ROME, JUN 17 - Giorgia Meloni, the leader of the right-wing Brothers of Italy (FdI) party, has said she in not in favour of Italy's centre-right parties merging to form a single group. Ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia (FI) has proposed forming a single centre-right party. But League leader Matteo Salvini has also poured cold water on the idea, saying he prefers to press ahead with a plan to make ties with FI closer by forming a federation. "There are more risks than benefits to the single party," Meloni told Thursday's Corriere della Sera. "I have always thought that the specific nature of each party is a strength for the centre right. "We represent over 50% of (Italian) voters. "Making everything uniform would cause us to lose more than we could gain". FdI is the only major party not supporting Premier Mario Draghi's government of national unity. (ANSA). ROME, JUN 17 - Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio.and League leader Matteo Salvini both said Thursday that they hope Italy can soon end the obligation for people to wear facemasks outdoors, with COVID-19 contagion figures improving, a move France has made as of today. "It is the government's aim to remove (obligatory) facemasks outdoors as of this summer and we are close," Di Maio, a senior member of the 5-Star Movement (M5S), said via Facebook. "We have been waiting for this moment for months and now that the numbers tell us that we are overcoming the health crisis, it is necessary to accelerate . "Facemasks have been an essential tool to protect us from the virus. "Now being able to take them away outdoors is a first step towards returning to normality". Salvini said that he wants Italy to follow France's footsteps. "I'll talk to (Premier Mario) Draghi about it," Salvini told RAI radio. "It will certainly be one of our proposals. "If the whole of Europe is going in this direction, even in places where the situation is not as good as ours, then we must consider this opportunity too".. (ANSA). BRUXELLES, 17 GIU - European Commission Vice-President Dubravka Suica has said that the "long-term vision for rural areas" that the Commission will present at the end of the month will give more opportunities and targetted solutions to these areas because it is necessary to "avoid asymmetric recoveries and ensure all European territories have the instruments to come back from the pandemic". Suica was speaking at an event on the transition and transformation of rural areas in Lisbon organized in collaboration with the Portuguese duty presidency of the EU as part of the ESPON week devoted to the EU cooperation programme specialized in the analysis of regional policies. The vice-president stressed the need to exploit the opportunities of the EU's green and digital transition and learn the lessons of the pandemic. "This will help us to identify the instruments to have better quality of life in rural areas, achieve balanced territorial development and stimulate the economic growth of these areas," Suica added. According to the vice-president, the use of new technologies will be particularly important in contributing to elaborating a "new outlook of growth" in rural areas that "goes beyond agriculture, animal farming and silviculture" in favour of the manufacturing and service sectors. Portuguese Environment Minister Joao Pedro Matos Fernandes took part in the event, which was moderated by ESPON Director Wiktor Szydarowski. Matos Fernandes said that the territorial dimension was the connection between the Portuguese National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) and the national programme for territorial planning because "the issue of territory must be at the centre of public policies". Vasco Cordeiro, the vice-president of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), then outlined the elements he sees as crucial in order to ensure a just, Green recovery for rural areas: awareness at the sub-national level, empowerment at all levels of governance and lawmakers who are aware of the issues and implement "the right decisions". ESPON carries out, and will continue to carry out, a decisive role in these three areas, Cordeiro observed, providing data at the European, national and sub-national levels, without which "there are no political decisions". The vice-president complained about the lack of participation of the regions in the decision-making process in relation to the reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP) and the structure of the multi-year financial frameworks. (ANSA). ROME, JUN 17 - Premier Mario Draghi on Thursday signed a decree introducing the COVID Green Pass proving COVID vaccination, which will be valid across the EU from July 1. The pass will also ensure "the full inter-operablity of digital certifications in all the countries in the Union", sources said. The pass will permit travel across the EU for those who have been fully vaccinated, and allow access to all health systems. (ANSA). Move to hand mental health authority to OHA changes almost nothing After being closed several months for renovations, Lake Genevas Riviera is now open and the city is celebrating it with two events this summer. Thursday, July 15, is Lake Geneva Day, which includes live music, an open house and a ceremony to rededicate the Riviera, located at 812 Wrigley Drive, Lake Geneva. A String of Pearls the grand reopening gala for the Riviera is Saturday, Aug. 28. Recently, Lake Geneva City Mayor Charlene Klein issued a proclamation to establish July 15 as Lake Geneva Day. During July 15, the public can visit the newly renovated Riviera Ballroom and first-floor shops from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The rededication ceremony is in the ballroom at 4 p.m. The celebration spills into nearby Flat Iron Park, where Swing Nouveau performs from 6 to 8 p.m. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Lake Geneva Day activities are free to attend. For A String Of Pearls, black tie and pearls will be admired, but not required. The gala is in the Riviera Ballroom, with cocktails starting at 5 p.m. Guests will be seated for dinner at 6:15 p.m. Dancing and dessert to follow. MADISON The filing deadline is midnight Friday, June 18, for Wisconsin municipalities to receive Local Government Recovery Funds through the American Rescue Plan Act. According to a press release from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue issued Thursday, 300 municipalities had not yet filed to receive their funds. Communities must file to receive these valuable community rebuilding funds. That is the only way we can send them their share of funds. I want to stress that right now they don't need a spending plan in place, so that should not stand in their way. Decisions on how to best spend it in their respective communities can be made later, said Wisconsin Department of Revenue Secretary Peter Barca. Funds will be distributed in two payments. The first will be provided at the end of June 2021 to those who file by the deadline, and the second will be sent in 2022. Local governments are authorized to use their relief funds in the following ways: To support public health expenditures Address negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency Replace lost public sector revenue Today, the Assembly voted on a series of bills relating to policing, framed as a solution and a response to this movement. I want to be clear: this package does not adequately respond to the calls for real change, state Rep. Greta Neubauer, D-Racine, said in a news release Wednesday evening. These bills do not accomplish what we know needs to be done to make our communities safe for everyone, especially people of color. We should not be limiting the use of chokeholds and studying no-knock warrants, we should be banning them. We should be investing in the provision of critical community resources including mental health care, social services and non-police crisis response instead of sending more resources to a policing model that does not meet our needs. Culver's Buffalo Chicken Tenders Culver's Buffalo Chicken Tenders are out of stock right now. Go to Culvers right now and you can still get ButterBurgers, crinkle cut fries and all the custard you desire, but you probably cant get one popular item: Buffalo chicken tenders. Outside many Culver's, taped to doors and on speakers at the drive-thru menu, are signs that say the popular spicy item probably won't be on the menu again until the fall. Its the result of a limited supply of chicken nationwide. The scarcity is caused by more than just a couple factors, some pandemic-related, some not. For one, there were significant die-offs of chickens in Texas in February during unprecedented, fatal ice storms that pushed temperatures in some places far below freezing and knocked out power grids that powered heating systems. That reduced supply nationwide, since Texas has the sixth-most chickens of any U.S. state. Buckets Pub, 2031 Lathrop Ave., Racine People gather to watch the NCAA men's basketball tournament at Buckets Pub on March 25, 2005. On top of that, labor shortages due to too-low wages or too-high unemployment benefits or people choosing not to work due to safety concerns related to COVID-19, depending on whom you ask have led to some factories producing below expectations. Prices are up 55% or 60%, said Chuck Brandt, owner of Buckets Pub, 2031 Lathrop Ave., a restaurant that has won several Best of Racine contests for its chicken wings. One supplier, Brandt said, told him that an entire shift of workers at a chicken factory walked off, citing COVID-19 concerns, as an example of the wide-ranging supply chain disruptions. Siblings Jake and Alisa Haman, who run the family-owned Culvers along Highway 20 near Interstate 94 in Yorkville and are on course to open their own co-owned Culvers at 4542 Douglas Ave., Caledonia, before the year is out, couldnt point to a clear reason why theyre out of stock of Buffalo chicken. That comes from corporate and it happens with a range of different items, Jake Haman said. Its the distributors, whatever theyre going through. Industry leaders have been careful to not call the lack of chicken a shortage. A spokesman for the National Chicken Council told USA Today last month that there is a very tight supply but short of a shortage. Culvers is saying the same thing. According to Culvers corporate office, since all chicken is in short supply right now, the company decided to stop offering Buffalo chicken tenders while still keeping regular chicken tenders on the menu. The nations supply of chickens is currently tight, but not to the point that it could be labeled a shortage. The tight supply chain includes all chicken, which means wings, tenders and breasts all are affected, which in turn is affecting restaurants and grocery stores alike, Eric Skrum, director of public relations and communications for Culvers, said in an email. There are a variety of factors contributing to the nationwide tightened supply, including increased product demand and heavy winter storms in chicken growing areas like Texas. Culvers continuously monitors our supply chain to ensure we meet the expectations of our guests in delivering high-quality food made with the best ingredients. As part of our proactive approach to supply chain management, we have shifted our chicken tender supplies to meet the higher guest demand for our Regular Chicken Tenders. Like Brandt, Alisa Haman said she could point the limited supply to either issues of labor shortages or distribution difficulties. Since the pandemic, we've had this left and right, Jake Haman said, referring to all the shortages that have occurred in the past 16 months. Right now (its) the Buffalo tenders, he continued. But, if you go to any restaurant right now it's just a shortage. Added Brandt: Its a trickle-down effect. Out of the coop, off of menus Some restaurants across the U.S. are taking chicken items off the menu altogether while others are raising their prices. The owner of an upstate New York restaurant told Fox Business this week that chicken prices are up almost 100% while the cost of fryer oil is up more than 120%. There are also a couple minor causes. Over the past few years, theres been a widespread spike in demand for fried chicken sandwiches partially blamed on the boom of the Chick-fil-As restaurant chain (it went from 500 locations in the U.S. in 1993 to 1,000 in 2001, and now more than 2,600) leading to competitors such as Burger King and McDonalds offering their own imitator chicken sandwiches. More recently, the wildly popular social media platform TikTok was used to launch a trend that caused demand for Nashville Hot Chicken sauce from KFC and other hot sauces to skyrocket, thus lowering supply of the common chicken accompaniment. Diana Panuncial contributed to this report. As the national food system came to a screeching halt in the early days of the pandemic, the demand for food increased, providing a unique opportunity for local agriculture. This opportunity was only possible due to the hoarding of supplies, the closure of restaurants and outbreaks in large scale processing causing an inability to garner normal goods from large chain grocers. To find the necessary nutrition, consumers were forced to turn towards local producers or processors to fill gaps. Luckily, our local farmers took this challenge head on forging a better relationship with consumers and showing the importance of home-grown agriculture to our wellbeing. With the pandemic in our rear-view mirror, this next growing season will determine if we learned our lessons of the past or will consumers revert to large scale agriculture. There are plenty of signs that local agriculture is thriving in the Mountain State. Since the West Virginia Department of Agriculture took over the regulation of farmers markets, we have seen those markets double in number. This has been accomplished by reducing burdensome regulations to open new avenues for producers to sell their products. The other half of the equation is more and more consumers want to know their farmer. These customers value knowing how someone raises or grows their product and where exactly it comes from. Its this commitment that can really help our communities experience economic growth, as well as create resiliency in case of future pandemics. Another indicator of growth is the boom within local meat production. Over the last year, meat processing is up 200% and livestock slaughter up 41%. Most processors are telling their customers they are booked solid for the next year. This increased demand is a direct result of the lack of product we saw within our chain grocery stores. For this trend to continue, habits must change, but we also must scale up production by either expanding existing facilities or allowing new facilities to enter market gaps. What it will take is lifting some federal regulations, as well as local investments. The new Buzz Foods facility, located in Kanawha County, is a perfect example of an opportunity to grow our livestock industry and create greater access to local meats. We need to replicate their model throughout the state. Support Local Dairy Unfortunately, not all agriculture industries saw a bump during the pandemic, and with June being National Dairy Month, its a perfect time to highlight and support West Virginias operations. A lack of increased demand is nothing new to U.S dairy, as consumption has plateaued in recent decades. At the same time, technology has brought efficiencies to the industry requiring less cows to maintain production levels. The solution is innovation by either creating micro-distilleries or adding value to the fluid milk with products such as cheese. Either avenue takes a commitment from us, the consumers, to support these innovations, as well as states lifting regulations to foster innovation. By allowing these businesses to adapt, they can move into new demand gaps allowing these home-grown businesses to survive. If you havent caught on to the message I am trying to get across, its simply that local agricultural systems are not only vital to our economy but to the health of our citizens and the states ability to navigate a pandemic. How we support those farmers is by reducing regulations, opening new market opportunities, helping them embrace innovation and, most importantly, supporting them with consumer demand. Therefore, this summer I am calling on all West Virginians to show gratitude to those who kept us fed when national food systems crumbled last year. During Dairy Month, get to know your local dairy farmer and visit your community farmers market. Understand why these hard-working folks chose this career path, how they make their product and why it matters to our communities. Get out and support a local producer because home-grown agriculture is vital to West Virginias future. Nearly an hour into the phone call, the woman began to get suspicious. The man on the line said he was with the Internal Revenue Service and that she owed a penalty for tax fraud. But to make the payment, he told her to drive to a nearby Food 4 Less grocery store in suburban San Diego and purchase an iTunes gift card. Twice he said she owed 1,000 rupees, before correcting himself to say $1,000. Even the name he gave, Daniel Parker, sounded odd. He spoke with a foreign accent and mangled basic phrases. Advertisement Your name is Daniel Parker? Are you sure? she finally asked. Yeah, maam, he replied. I am sure. But it was too late. The 29-year-old National City woman had already shared an iTunes card number worth $500 becoming one of tens of thousands of Americans drawn in by an extensive, years-long scam in which callers from India pose as IRS agents to extort money from taxpayers. Indian call centers have built a reputation for handling customer service and tech support inquiries for major U.S. companies. But in recent years, investigators in the United States, Canada, Britain and other countries have traced several organized phone frauds involving callers posing as computer technicians, debt collectors, immigration officials or tax agents to Indian call centers. On their surface, little sets the illicit call centers apart from legitimate ones. They operate almost in the open, using the same corporate-style office spaces and recruiting from the same vast pool of English-speaking college graduates allowing the crimes to persist for years. This year, the Federal Trade Commission described Indian call centers as the source of various impostor frauds that have reached consumers throughout the English-speaking world. Last month, police in the northern Mumbai suburb of Thane (pronounced THA-nay) raided three office buildings suspected of being used to make the fraudulent IRS calls and rounded up more than 700 people for questioning. At least 70 remain behind bars as investigators have expanded the probe to include dozens of call centers in multiple Indian states. Weeks later, the Justice Department announced the indictments of nearly 60 people in India and the United States for involvement in shady call centers that had conned more than 15,000 Americans out of hundreds of millions of dollars since 2012. Advertisement Among those indicted for conspiracy, fraud and money laundering is the suspected ringleader of the Thane operation Sagar Thakkar, also known as Shaggy, a flamboyant twentysomething with a taste for ripped jeans and fast cars, who is believed to have fled India as police closed in on his business. The scheme part of what the IRS described in 2014 as the largest phone fraud to target American taxpayers has exposed a dark side of Indias $30-billion call center industry, a symbol of this booming countrys information economy and one of its biggest exports to the West. It has blighted the image of India, said Parag Manere, deputy police commissioner in Thane. Someone who does this kind of thing, they will not be tolerated. Parag Manere, deputy police commissioner in Thane, India, helped bust the fake call centers. (Shashank Bengali / Los Angeles Times ) Advertisement Yet the Thane police investigation and the federal indictment unsealed in late October showed how the scam went on for several years despite growing concern in both countries. The Oct. 4 raids in Thane led police to the headquarters of the operation in Ahmedabad, in the western state of Gujarat, which has a large diaspora population in the United States. There investigators found computers with sophisticated call blasting software that was used to place thousands of voice mails to numbers in the U.S. The messages would warn the recipient that he or she was suspected of tax fraud and order the person to call a U.S. number routed to one of the call centers in India. Authorities believe dozens of calls a day were fielded at the offices set up this year outside Mumbai, Indias commercial capital, whose large numbers of jobless English-speaking college graduates were prime candidates for recruiters. Advertisement Police said entry-level callers were paid about $300 a month, plus commissions a typical call center salary, though far less than the amounts they extorted from individual victims. Any large country where the employment opportunities are few but the number of available graduates is high, you will always have the risk of illicit activities, said K.S. Viswanathan, vice president of industry initiatives at Nasscom, an industry group that has worked with U.S. authorities to combat call center fraud. In Thane a once-sleepy backwater now exploding with high-rise apartments and office blocks most of the callers operated out of a nine-story tower of glinting blue glass called the Hari Om IT Park. When it opened this year, police said, suspects used the cover of an outsourcing company and signed a lease to occupy six floors, installing desks and partitions to house hundreds of employees. Starting in July, large groups of employees mostly men in their 20s began arriving around 7 every evening, typical working hours for call centers that deal with customers in the United States. They would wrap up around 6 a.m. and return that night to start a new shift. Advertisement There was nothing suspicious that we saw in that time, said Prem Bahadur, the buildings caretaker, who lives in a small room on the ground floor behind a hulking generator. It looked like a normal call center. A second office opened a month later, in a basement below a bank branch. The 4,800-square-foot space was subleased from a tenant who had a five-year lease, and representatives of the landlord said they did not know the identities of the tenants. Authorities believe these two offices and a third nearby raked in between $150,000 and $225,000 every day. They knew they were cheating people, Manere said. But perhaps they didnt care because the victims were foreigners. Advertisement At one of the offices, police found a six-page script used to train employees. In long, convoluted passages filled with gaffes one police officer said the fast-talking Indian callers sounded like parrots it demanded the target make an immediate payment or police would show up at your doorsteps within 30 minutes. If the person sounded ready to pay, the call would be handed to a more experienced closer to complete the deal. But if he or she expressed suspicion, the script suggested a sharp response: I will promise you will gonna lose everything what you have and you will end up paying bills to IRS to your rest of your life. I thought they were prank callers because of the kind of language they were using, said Anant Dhillon, an Indian immigrant in Victoria, British Columbia. Advertisement Returning a message from the Canadian Revenue Agency in April, Dhillon, a bank employee, was connected to a call center that he assumed was near Mumbai, because he could make out voices in the background speaking Marathi, the local language. They said I owed thousands of dollars. But I said I only make about $40,000 a year so there must be something wrong with your numbers. Then the guy started swearing at me in Marathi and Hindi. Dhillon hung up and reported the call to local police. But many others were taken in. One Indian immigrant in Tustin contacted Thane police to say his 75-year-old father had been conned into paying $2,000. Another elderly American suffered a fatal stroke after being threatened on the phone, police said. Advertisement Some victims described in the federal indictment paid tens of thousands of dollars using dozens of gift cards, such as iTunes cards. Once they obtained the card number, scammers transferred the money to a prepaid debit card, which they used to purchase a money order, authorities said. That money was deposited into a U.S. bank account and wired to India using the informal hawala money transfer system. U.S. and Indian agencies have made arrests before in similar cases. Last year a Pennsylvania man, Sahil Patel, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for his role in an India-based IRS scam, though the kingpins remained at large. The Thane bust could be the most significant yet. The Better Business Bureau, which used to field approximately 200 reports of tax scams every week, said that after the arrests in India it received just 11 complaints in a week. Advertisement The impostors seemed unaware the police were closing in. Speaking to the National City woman on Sept. 24, a caller in Thane insisted she leave her office immediately to make a payment, according to a recording police provided to The Times. The woman wondered how she could owe a tax penalty, saying she had earned less than $20,000 in 2015. But the callers demands only grew more specific. She had to keep him on speakerphone while she drove to the Food 4 Less, he said, and when she went inside to buy the iTunes card. Just keep the phone in your pocket, he said. I cant, she replied, sounding worried. I dont have any pockets. Advertisement It was agreed that she would keep the phone in her hand. Twenty minutes later, the $500 transaction completed, the caller asked for an additional $500, saying that would make her free from the IRS. She had rent and car payments due, but agreed to pay the following week. Satisfied, the caller asked if he could give her a compliment before hanging up. You have a sweet voice, he said. Advertisement Ten days later, the police swooped in. shashank.bengali@latimes.com Follow @SBengali on Twitter for more news from South Asia Special correspondent Parth M.N. contributed to this report. Advertisement ALSO China is no longer ruining their livelihoods, but these Filipino fishermen arent entirely grateful Islamic State claims responsibility for deadly attack inside Shiite mosque in Afghanistan Buying baby formula at $40 a can, and other stories of survival from Aleppo Before the eventual Mexico City reopening, the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is expected to have talks regarding the U.S.-Mexico border during meetings in the city on Tuesday. U.S.-Mexico Border Negotiations In his post on social media, the DHS Secretary shared that he is looking forward to a productive visit to the city. He mentioned that he wants his visit to strengthen the ties between the two neighboring countries. According to El Paso Times, Mayorkas arrived in Mexico's capital late Monday. Mayorkas' visit to Mexico City came after last week's high-profile meeting between U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. The visit of Mayorkas in the neighboring country was his first trip abroad as chief of the nation's border authority. Moreover, there is an agreement between the two countries that there will be a binational working group that will be studying the necessary conditions that need to be achieved prior to the U.S.-Mexico border reopening from trade to travel. The land ports of entry have been closed since midnight on March 21, 2020, except for 'essential travel.' Meanwhile, U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents were allowed to cross the border on a normal basis, but Mexican nationals, despite having valid tourist visas, have been prohibited from crossing the land ports of entry. Their only option was to take a flight, as they were allowed to fly to the U.S. Also, the border restrictions have been a burden for residents living near the border who were accustomed to crossing the border on a regular basis. Border residents usually shop or visit their friends and family who are also living near the border. ALSO READ: U.S. to Buy 500 Million Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccines to Share Through COVAX Alliance Both Sides of the Border In addition, a nonprofit group that promotes business and economic development in areas like Juarez, El Paso and the Southern region of New Mexico emphasized how the pandemic changed the economy in the areas near the border. The CEO of the Borderplex Alliance, John Barela shared that 15% up to 30% of all retail trade happening in El Paso prior to the pandemic came from shoppers and visitors from Mexico. Furthermore, not only areas in the U.S.'s side were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The other side in Mexico also suffered due to the global health crisis. Mexico has recently struggled in vaccinating their people living in border cities. On the other hand, after the bilateral meeting between Harris and Lopez Obrador, Mexican officials said the U.S. agreed to donate 1.35 million doses of the one-shot Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to Mexico, Associated Press reported. Mexico currently plans to distribute the vaccines from the U.S. to individuals who are 18- to 40-year-olds in its northern border cities. Mexican officials pointed out that there is a need to raise vaccination rates to facilitate the reopening of the border. The donated doses arrived in Mexico City on Tuesday. Mexican Foreign Relations Secretary Marcelo Ebrard, who met with Mayorkas in Mexico City, stated that after the vaccinations in the area there will be no public health arguments for keeping the border closed. RELATED ARTICLE: VP Kamala Harris Meets With Mexico's President Seeking Cooperation; AOC Slams Harris Over Guatemala Speech WATCH: Biden announces US will donate 500 million Covid-19 vaccines -from CNN A huge sinkhole that appeared in Mexico last month continued to grow. It has recently swallowed up a nearby house and two dogs. Only one bedroom and an outer wall were the only portions left after the house fell into the sinkhole, according to a New York Post report. Herberto Sanchez has a family who lived in the said home. Sanchez said that they have nothing. He added that they are not from around the area, without any relatives and that they are alone. One of the residents of the house said that they heard something like a rumbling. Magdalena Xalamihua said that they thought it was fireworks, but when they looked outside, they saw the earthmoving and the water coming up like waves, according to a Vice report. READ MORE: Thousands of Missing Persons in Mexico's Jalisco State Remain Unidentified in Morgues Sinkhole in Mexico It is still not known why the sinkhole appeared in the first place. However, Mexico's national civil defense office said that it could be caused by an underground river. Residents speculated that it could be a result of water extraction by factories in the area. The residents of a nearby house said that they first heard strange sounds and discovered a hole around five meters in diameter. A week later, the crater continues to grow and now measures 100 meters, according to a Forbes report. The said sinkhole has gained public attention after a rescue operation was launched to save two dogs trapped in the hole for four days. The dogs, Spay and Spike, were playing in the farm field surrounding the sinkhole when they fell in, according to an ABC News Go report. The governor, Miguel Barbosa, said that they are looking how to support other farmers nearby who have been affected by the sinkhole. Barbosa added that they will find a way to compensate them. Meanwhile, the governor said experts are studying both possibilities for the sinkhole. He noted that if water extraction is the cause, he would cancel any permits. The office warned people to stay away from the site in the town of Zacatepec in Puebla state. Authorities said that this is not a tourist attraction or a place to visit with their family. They also set up metal barriers and police tape to keep onlookers out. Officials have also restricted flying drones over the site of the sinkhole. Sinkholes Explained A sinkhole can be anywhere between a slight depression in the group right up to an enormous hole. It has no natural surface drainage. With this, any water that gets into a sinkhole cannot get out via the surface, which leads it to drain downwards. Sinkholes usually occur when the rock under the surface does not dissolve in water. However, it is made of grains that are small enough to be carried away by underground water currents. It could also be triggered by intense rainstorms or floods or long-term leakage from sewer or storm-water pipes. Sinkholes usually form mainly in limestone, according to an ABC Net news report. READ NEXT: Jalisco Cartel Boss El Mencho's Daughter, La Negra, Asks U.S. Judge to Free Her WATCH: Huge sinkhole in Mexico threatens to swallow house | Mexico giant hole | Latest World English News -from WION The White House teamed up with online delivery company Instacart in attracting more COVID vaccine takers in the U.S., in a prize that will not be turned down by people: snacks. The delivery company announced to online grocers on Wednesday about the sweepstakes called "Get Vaxxed for Snacks," according to a USA Today report. The partnership between the online delivery company and the White House is inclined with President Joe Biden's goal of getting 70 percent of Americans vaccinated by July 4. READ NEXT: California Gov. Gavin Newsom Offers Vacation Incentives to Further Promote COVID Vaccinations "Get Vaxxed for Snacks" Instacart is the latest company to urge the Americans in taking the COVID-19 vaccine and support the White House's National Month of Action, which gears to vaccinate more Americans. "Instacart is proud to join the White House's effort to encourage more vaccinations in the U.S. so we can all gather safely around the table again and celebrate with friends and family," said Instacart founder and CEO, Apoorva Mehta in a statement. Two hundred winners of the July 1 draw will receive a $500 Instacart gift card that will fill the lucky online grocers' fridge with snacks and food this summer. The sweepstake is open to all legal residents of the United States and the District of Columbia who received their first shot or fully vaccinated Americans, aging 18 years old and above. However, online grocers who are from New York and Florida will not enjoy the incentive from the company because sweepstakes are prohibited by their states. Furthermore, employees of sponsors and their affiliates, advertising promotion agencies, subsidiaries, and the immediate family members of Instacart's employees are not allowed to submit an entry. Instacart also pointed out that one person per household is only eligible to submit an entry on the sweepstakes, that will run from June 16 to June 30, 11:59 in the evening, PT. To register, entrants need to indicate specific information on Instacart's website, such as providing the date of the first vaccination. Apart from instructing the online grocers on how to enter the sweepstakes, Instacart also underscored that winners who have any portion of their $500 gift card that is unclaimed or unused will be forfeited by the company and would not be substituted with no additional compensation. Instacart on Promoting COVID-19 Vaccine to Online Grocers "Get Vaxxed for Snack" sweepstakes was not the first program Instacart made to support the vaccine rollout in the United States. The online delivery company spearheaded the "COVID-19 Vaccine Stipend Program" for their online grocers' community. The said program aimed to provide their shoppers and in-store teams with financial assistance while they take time to get inoculated against COVID-19. To date, the company paid out about $2 million under the said program. Apart from Instacart, several companies also held their incentives to entice more vaccine takers in the U.S. USA Today reported that Krispy Kreme is giving away free doughnuts to those who show COVID-19 vaccine cards. CVS Health, United Airlines, Kroger, and Anheuser-Busch also hopped in to attract more vaccine takers. READ MORE: Homeland Security Secretary to Discuss Border Restrictions in Mexico City Reopening of Ports WATCH: How to use Instacart to Have Groceries Delivered to Your Door - From Techboomers President Joe Biden has snapped at a reporter at the end of his press conference on Wednesday in Geneva about the results of his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to Fox News, the reporter asked Biden why he was confident Putin would change his previously malign behavior. Joe Biden answered the reporter by saying that he was not confident Vladimir Putin would change his behavior and then added, "What in the hell, what do you do all the time?" The president continued to say that what will change Putin's behavior is if the rest of the world reacts to him and diminishes his standing in the world. He further noted that he was not confident of anything and just simply stating a fact. The reporter who raised the question was CNN's Kaitlan Collins, who has cited Vladimir Putin's past behavior and his denial of alleged involvement in cyber attacks and downplaying human rights abuses during the press conference of the Russian president. Collins then asked Biden how it makes up a constructive meeting with the Russian president. Biden said if the reporter does not understand that, she is in the wrong business. The president then walked away. Joe Biden reportedly approached the press on the tarmac and addressed the reporters before boarding Air Force One. The president then apologized for the harsh way he answered the reporter's question and said he should not have been a "wise guy," National Review reported. Collins said she was only doing her job and that the president's apology was "completely unnecessary." However, she added that she appreciated what the president did. READ NEXT: Pres. Joe Biden Unleashes Several Gaffes at G7 Summit Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin Meeting Joe Biden said that he made it clear in his meeting with Vladimir Putin that the United States will act against Russia if it continues its behavior that harms America's interests, NBC News reported. The president said it would take time to know whether there will be any significant progress, and he was not confident that he had done anything to change Putin's behavior. Joe Biden met with Vladimir Putin for just under four hours. Biden said this was slightly shorter than the White House officials expected but plenty of time to cover critical issues. Joe Biden said he warned Vladimir Putin that the U.S. has significant cyber capabilities if the Russian president ever tries to violate basic norms. He noted that he gave Putin a list of 16 entities critical to the U.S. infrastructure that should be off-limits. Biden also said that responsible countries need to take action against criminals who do ransomware activities on their territory. He then asked experts in both countries to work on specific understandings of what's off-limits and follow up on certain cases. The president also said that human rights will always be on the table, adding that he would continue to call out Russia for human rights violations. Joe Biden said how could he be the United States president if he does not speak out against the violation of human rights. Administration officials said the two sides made some progress on a couple of grounds, such as allowing respective ambassadors to return to their overseas post after both were pressured to return home in April. READ MORE: 'Something's Not Right' With Biden's Health, Former White House Physician Says WATCH: Biden Snaps at Reporter Before Apologising for 'Being Such a Wise Guy' - From The Sun A Colorado Springs tenant allegedly vandalized her rent-to-own home and left dead cats in the bathroom after she was evicted. Mimi Foster, a real-estate worker for 30 years, said the previous tenant was in a rent-to-own situation for about 10 years when she stopped paying rent and was evicted. Foster said the previous property management company had let the tenant back to the property unsupervised, and that's when the vandalism happened, Denver Post reported. The real-estate worker noted that the home was left empty for several months after it was discovered to be vandalized. They also found several cats locked in the house and left to die. Foster said the neighbors were terrified of the former tenant. She noted that the former tenant ran a pet rescue, so it shocked neighbors when cats were brought in there, locked in, and killed. According to a Washington Post report, one spray paint in the dining room read a question saying, how do they like the sh*t on the carpets. READ NEXT: Water Shortage in Hoover Dam Seen To Fall Below the Federal Threshold This Summer Listing for the Colorado Springs House A Tuesday listing on Redfin described the house as a "little slice of hell." Foster wrote that the house is not for the faint of heart but for people who are willing to see the "polished gem inside." The house was listed this week after over a year of trying to get landlord Suzy Myer's insurance company or authorities to intervene in the situation. Myers lives in Arizona and is in remission from cancer. She said she's praying for a miracle, with the house heading to foreclosure on June 30. Before the home was vandalized, the place was a place of comfort for Myers and her family. However, due to financial and health problems, they were forced to move in the mid-2000s. The original tenant of the house was the mother of the tenant who vandalized the property. The former tenant cannot be reached for comment on the matter. The real estate agent said that the house would be worth $700,000 when fixed up. However, Foster said they are waiting for an offer that would meet their selling price. Several Homes in Denver Vandalized In April, many homes in Denver were vandalized, including the governor's mansion. Reports said that most of the houses targeted were in the city's Cheesman Park neighborhood. Some of the vandals include saying police makes white people safe than minorities and a call to abolish the police. An anarchist "A" was sprayed on a plaque outside the governor's mansion, Gazette reported. Several demonstrations were held in Denver in April after police shot Adam Toledo, a Latino teen in Chicago, and Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black man from Minnesota, during a traffic stop. Police did not announce any connections between the protests and the vandalized properties, KKTV 11 reported. READ MORE: Killer Dad Chris Watts Spends 36th Birthday Alone in Prison: 'He's an Outcast,' Says Source WATCH: Homebuying Becoming Increasingly Competitive in Colorado Springs - From KOAA 5 The U.S. Congress passed a bill that will make "Juneteenth" an official federal holiday instead of being celebrated only in several states in America. The Congress, composed of the U.S. Senate and House, passed the said bill, which is now on its way to the president's office. If signed by the president, Juneteenth will become the 11th federal holiday and the first new one since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was passed in 1983. READ NEXT: Pres. Joe Biden Lashes Out at Reporter Over Questions About Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin "Juneteenth" Bill on Its way to the President's Office The bill passed by Congress was made possible when the House voted 415-14 in making Juneteenth or June 19 a federal holiday, according to a New York Post report. The voting on the House happened on Wednesday, June 16. Meanwhile, the Senate unanimously passed the bill a day earlier the House held their voting. "Our federal holidays are purposefully few in numbers and recognize the most important milestone," said New York Representative Carolyn Maloney. The representative also pointed out that she cannot think of a more important milestone to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. Associated Press reported that the vast majority of states in the U.S. recognize Juneteenth as a holiday or an official observance when the last enslaved African Americans learned they were free. Under the legislation, the federal holiday will be known as "Juneteenth National Independence Day." "It [Juneteenth] also reminds of what we don't have today," said Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman from New Jersey, pointing out the full access to justice, freedom, and equality. "All these are often in short supply as it relates to the Black community," said Coleman. Despite the victory acquired in the Congress, the bill still faced opposition from 14 GOP members in the House, such as Representative Andy Biggs from Arizona, Andrew Clyde of Georgia, and Tom McLintock of California. "Since I believe in treating everyone equally, regardless of race, and that we should be focused on what unites us rather than our difference, I will vote no," said Republican Representative Matt Rosendale. Representative Higgins also expressed his disappointment regarding the bill's name that included "Independence" instead of "Emancipation." However, Representative Brenda Lawrence from Michigan argued that "independence from being enslaved in a country is different from a country getting independence to rule themselves." Lawrence reiterated their responsibility to teach the "generation of Black and White Americans the pride of people who have survived" and succeeded in the U.S. despite slavery. "Juneteenth" Celebration Across U.S. Despite eyeing to become an official federal holiday, Juneteenth was already commemorated in the 48 states of the U.S., as well as in Washington D.C. Major General Gordon Granger announced in 1865 that former President Abraham Lincoln freed the enslaved people. Texas was the last Confederate state that enacted the proclamation. On April 27, the state of Hawaii passed the measure, but details of whether their governor has signed the bill into law were not yet available. Meanwhile, South Dakota has not yet recognized Juneteenth as a holiday in their state. READ MORE: Pedro Castillo Claims Victory Before Official Announcement in Peru Presidential Election; Keiko Fujimori to Challenge Vote Results WATCH: The Importance of Juneteenth - From Harvard Business School At least 36 people were injured in Colombia after car bomb explosions took place at a military base near the country's border with Venezuela on Tuesday. Authorities are now investigating the incident. According to the country's defense ministry, the two explosions happened at a base used by the 30th Army Brigade in the northeastern city of Cucuta. Aljazeera reported that two men drove a white Toyota truck onto the site after posing themselves as officials. Defense Minister Diego Molano said that the Colombian government rejects and repudiates the said vile and terrorist act, which aimed to attack the soldiers of Colombia. Molano noted that one of the wounded already underwent surgery, while 29 were hospitalized. A number of U.S. advisors are stationed in Colombia. However, according to a Reuters report, the U.S. military's Southern Command did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The U.S. Embassy in Bogota tweeted on its account that a small group of American military personnel were at the base when the explosion took place. However, they were unharmed. The embassy added that the soldiers were there to do training exercises. READ NEXT: Colombian Woman Found Partially Eaten by Her Cats After She Died From COVID at Her Flat In Spain Behind the Car Bomb Explosions in Colombia Molano said the suspect behind the explosions is Colombia's largest remaining rebel group, the National Liberation Army, the Associated Press reported. He also noted that members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia could have been involved. The said group signed a peace deal with the government in 2016. The explosions came after announcements of protests being paused. Protests leaders said they would suspend marches that have been going on for seven weeks. At least 50 people have already died in the protests in Colombia over poverty and inequality. The demonstrations had started on April 28. In 2019, a car bomb explosion was set off by ELB at a police academy in Bogota. The incident had killed 21 people and pushed the government to end peace talks with the rebel group. Colombia Protests The Colombian government has tried to introduce a new tax reform in response to the COVID pandemic but was met with protests. Since then, Colombia's President Ivan Duque had withdrawn his tax plans. However, protests continued across the country. Members of the National Strike Committee said at a news conference that they would suspend marches that have been occurring every week to prevent more deaths at the hands of police. The protest leaders said they are also suspending the protests to prevent the spread of the pandemic. They noted that the Colombian government has not yet met most of their petitions. So they will change their strategy. They said they would focus on meeting with civil society organizations to draft legislation that will be introduced to the country's congress in July, NBC News reported. However, they noted that this does not mean that social mobilization will stop in Colombia. Francisco Maltes, president of Central Union of Workers, said that the mobilization would continue as the causes that led to the demonstrations are still unattended. READ MORE: Amid Mass Protests, Colombia Braces for More COVID Infections WATCH: Car Bomb Attack at Colombian Military Base Wounds 36 - From FRANCE 24 English A former mayor in northern Mexico was sentenced to eight years of imprisonment after admitting his role to the murder of a journalist in 2017. Mexico News Daily reported that a court in Chihuahua state handed down the sentence to the former mayor of Chinipas, Hugo Amed Schultz Alcaraz, on Tuesday, June 15. According to AFP, Schultz was arrested last December for his involvement in the killing of journalist Miroslava Breach in Chihuahua city. READ NEXT: Emma Coronel Aispuro, Wife of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman Pleads Guilty to Drug Charges in U.S., Faces Potential Life Sentence Ex-Mayor in Mexico Gets 8 Years in Prison in Journalist's Death Hugo Amed Schultz Alcaraz's sentence was made shorter after he accepted some of the terms the court has offered to him. Apart from the eight years of jail time, Schultz, a member of the conservative National Action Party (PAN), was barred from running for public office in the future and the right to appeal. He was also ordered to provide monetary compensation and make a public apology to Miroslava Breach's family for his role as an accomplice. According to investigators, the former mayor provided information to the organized crime group that carried out the killing that drew international condemnation. Juan Carlos Moreno, also known for his alias "El Larry," was allegedly the "intellectual author" of the murder. He was sentenced to 50 years imprisonment last August. Miroslava Breach, who wrote a series of reports on drug trafficking networks in the state, was shot eight times in the head on March 23, 2017. "I am very sorry that actions on my part contributed to her (Breach) regrettable murder," Schultz said in his public apology. As he expressed his apology to Breach's family, the former mayor acknowledged that his contribution affected the journalist's rights, adding that he regretted "the consequences that they resulted in." "The absence of Miroslava Breach as a critical journalistic voice has undoubtedly affected the right of society to public information," Schultz noted. Reports said that Jose Luevano Rodriguez, former state leader of the PAN, allegedly ordered his former spokesman Alfredo Pinera to question and record Breach about the sources of her stories. The said audio recordings were then handed to Schultz, who passed them onto Moreno. More than four years after the journalist's death, there is still an arrest warrant pending for one other suspected intellectual author of the murder and a driver Jaciel "N." Rodriguez and Pinera are still at liberty. Mexico Journalist Killings Watchdog Reporters Without Borders rated Mexico as one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists. According to AFP, Miroslava Breach is one of the more than 100 journalists murdered in Mexico since 2000. Meanwhile, data from Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) showed that between 1992 and 2021, 57 journalists in Mexico were killed. Four of them died due to dangerous assignments. READ MORE: Mexico Sinkhole Now Larger Than a Football Field, Swallows House and Traps 2 Dogs WATCH: Worldwide Round-up of Journalists Killed, Detained, Held Hostage or Missing in 2017 - From Reporters Sans Frontieres Former President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he believes that the COVID pandemic resulted from a "terrible accident" that escaped from a Wuhan lab. According to Fox News, Donald Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity that he was fairly certain that COVID was an accident from Wuhan lab. "I believe it was a terrible accident... I believe it came from the lab... I really hope, and I believe... it was incompetence," Trump said. He noted that some people do not necessarily agree with such claims. However, Trump said that we have to find out more about it and why did it happen. Hannity pushed on and asked Trump about the possibility that U.S. tax dollars paid for "that gain of function research" being done in the Wuhan virology lab, where the coronavirus possibly leaked. Donald Trump then prided his administration's efforts to stop the U.S. funding for gain-of-function research that "started under the Obama administration" and credited the travel restrictions he imposed on China at the beginning of the pandemic. The former president was one of the first people to suggest that a lab leak might have been the source of the COVID pandemic. Some experts are saying it might be possible or even likely, including the nation's top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci. READ NEXT: WHO Report Concludes COVID-19 Originated in Bats, 'Unlikely' to Be Result of Lab Leak Some Experts Deny Wuhan Lab Leak Theory to Avoid Being Associated With Donald Trump Some scientists denied the possibility of a lab leak virus origin because they were afraid of being associated with Trump and becoming a "tool for racists," The Blaze reported. One of these experts is Alina Chan. She is a postdoctoral associate at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University. Chan was among 18 experts who signed a letter in May demanding that the Wuhan lab leak theory be investigated thoroughly. Chan said the theory is more like breadcrumbs everywhere, and they are not always leading in one direction. According to NBC News, the letter helped jumpstart a new round of calls to investigate the Wuhan lab leak hypothesis, which included demands from President Joe Biden and other leading scientists. Chan said that during the Trump administration, some scientists did not want to publicly call for an investigation into lab origins because it was scarier to be associated with Donald Trump and become a tool for racists. Maciej Boni, an associate professor of biology at Penn State University, said there had been no new evidence over the past 16 months that the coronavirus originated from a lab. Boni specializes in tropical disease epidemiology and viral evolution. Shi Zhengli, a top Chinese virologist, had denied accusations and found herself defending the reputation of her lab in Wuhan. Shi said speculations about the coronavirus coming from her lab in Wuhan were baseless, The New York Times reported. Research on SARS coronaviruses was underway at the Wuhan lab before the COVID spreads, which lead some people to believe that a test or experiment may have gone wrong. The lab leak possibility was deemed a conspiracy theory before, but new calls for a more thorough probe had put it in the spotlight again. Senior Chinese foreign policy adviser Yang Jiechi urged the United States to respect facts and sciences and stop politicizing the issue, ABC Net reported. READ MORE: Growing Evidence Shows COVID-19 Leaked From Wuhan Lab, Contrary to China's Claims WATCH: Donald Trump Issues Statement On COVID Origin Probe: "Everyone Agrees I Was Right On Wuhan Lab Leak" - From Republic World Texas Governor Greg Abbott delivered a victory for gun advocates after signing a bill Wednesday, June 16, allowing holstered handguns to be carried statewide without any permit. Permitless Handgun The conservative wing of the party also celebrated the approval. Starting on September 1, House Bill 1927 will take effect, which will allow any individual 21 years or older to legally possess a firearm in the state of Texas. Texans will be permitted to carry a handgun in public without any permit. Currently, the state law of Texas allows residents 21 or older to carry a handgun only after they have completed the required training and criminal background checks to obtain a license to carry. But according to the Texas Tribune, Texas Governor Greg Abbott will be holding a bill signing ceremony at the Alamo in San Antonio at 11 a.m. Thursday for the permitless carry measure alongside other gun bills. Abbott is expected to be joined by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, House Speaker Dade Phelan, and other Republican lawmakers. The National Rifle Association representatives will also join in the ceremony. Last month, the House and Senate sent the measure to Abbott after they had reached a compromise that addressed some concerns from law enforcement. The final version created stiffer penalties for illegal weapons carried by felons and those individuals convicted of family violence offenses. In addition, the bill will also be allowing individuals previously convicted of unlawfully carrying a handgun in a public place to have their convictions erased from their record. It will be providing a limited affirmative defense for those individuals who mistakenly bring their handguns to certain prohibited places in the past. ALSO READ: Texas Family Welcomes Third Baby With the Same Birthday; Parents Revealed Children Different Due Dates Meanwhile, the current directs the Department of Public Safety of the state of Texas to create a free, online gun safety course. But under the new bill, training is no longer required to carry a handgun. However, businesses can prohibit guns by posting a sign visible to their customers and visitors. On the other hand, Texas Democrats, alongside gun control activists, have denounced the bill which allows the permitless carrying of a handgun. They have emphasized that the bill would increase gun violence in Texas, and it will give criminals an easier way of accessing and obtaining guns. Texas Democrats also expressed their frustration over the Legislature's failure to pass bipartisan gun control measures in the aftermath of multiple mass shootings in the state. Progress Texas executive director Ed Espinoza said Wednesday that Gov. Abbott and Republicans are out of touch with the Texas voters. A poll from the UT/Texas Tribune found that 57% of Texans strongly support background checks on all gun purchases, Austin American-Statesman reported. More Surprises from Abbott The Republican governor of Texas announced during a press conference on Wednesday that officials are making a major down payment on a border wall that is going to be built for the state. Abbott emphasized that it will help to respond to Democrat President Joe Biden's border crisis. In a letter, Gov. Abbott directed the Executive Director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Bryan Collier to transfer $250 million from the General Revenue to the Disaster Fund within the Trusteed Programs of the Office of the Governor, Daily Wire reported. RELATED ARTICLE: Homeland Security Secretary to Discuss Border Restrictions in Mexico City Reopening of Ports WATCH: Texans can carry handguns without a license or training starting Sept. 1 -from KENS 5: Your San Antonio News Source Fentanyl has been a problem in the county of San Diego in the past years, but federal agents confirmed that the pandemic worsened the drug addiction as Fentanyl overdose deaths ballooned to 200%. 20 Times More Potent Than Heroin By the end of the year, a joint warning had been issued by the San Diego County law enforcement and prosecutors regarding the dangerous potential of the drug. They estimated that 700 fentanyl overdose deaths were projected in San Diego County in 2021. According to KPBS, the San Diego County District Attorney's Office stated that the multi-agency Narcotics Team Task Force 10 is responding to an average of five to six calls weekly on overdose deaths investigation. They mentioned that most of the cases were fentanyl overdose. The task force was in charge of investigating overdose deaths in the county. Law enforcement officials stated that fentanyl overdose deaths are currently spiking around the county. Moreover, officials said that overdose deaths are spiking across the county on a yearly basis. From only 151 overdose deaths in 2019, it jumped to 461 deaths in 2020. And in 2021, they projected that it will not be less than 700 deaths. In addition, District Attorney Summer Stephan shared that parents in the county are finding their children from fentanyl overdoses and boyfriends discovering their girlfriends dead. She also added that children are currently being placed at risk due to the alarming spike in overdose deaths. Stephan also said that it has been alarming throughout the years, but currently, the increase has been huge compared to the past. The District Attorney's Office responded to the issue by launching an outreach campaign that details the dangers of using fentanyl. They also stepped up in procuring dealers whose sales resulted in the deaths of San Diego residents. Currently, three defendants were charged with murder in relation to fatal overdoses, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. Furthermore, District Attorney Summer Stephan mentioned that fentanyl-laced drugs continue to be sold on the streets. She also stated that it is not safe, especially if they are not taken from a pharmacy. The San Diego County law enforcement responded to the fentanyl overdose issue by equipping its sheriff's deputies with Naloxone. It is a nasal spray that counters the effects of opioid overdoses. The county also offers drop boxes where expired, unused or unwanted medications can be disposed of to keep San Diego residents safe. ALSO READ: San Diego Gold Medalist Swimmer Pushes For Another Olympic Shot, Refuses to Surrender Against Chronic Disease On the other hand, Kate Judd, the Program Director for Shoreline Recovery Center, shared that around half of the clients that they were serving were diagnosed with opioid use disorder. She emphasized that it is a significant margin of the population, NBC San Diego reported. Judd also shared that it's an addiction that she knows firsthand. She said that before turning 15, she struggled with fentanyl addiction. She revealed that what makes it more addicting is the fact that people can easily hide it. Also, DEA Special Agent Michael Wasser shared that fentanyl is a synthetic chemical compound that's much cheaper and easier to make than heroin; however, it is 20 times potent. By only taking one-fifth of the amount of powder in a packet of artificial sweetener, Wasser said that it can kill someone. RELATED ARTICLE: Tennessee Mom Overdosed in Fentanyl, Toddler Left in Car Seat Found Dead Due to Starvation WATCH: Officials warn of spike in San Diego County fentanyl-related overdose deaths - from CBS 8 San Diego Need help logging in? We have transitioned to a new user-friendly interactive website. You will need an account and a subscription to see the site in its entirety. HOME DELIVERY subscribers get online access for free with their subscription. If you are a home delivery subscriber, create a new account and follow the directions to validate your home delivery subscription. If you were a previous ONLINE ONLY subscriber, you should have received an email with directions on how to log in. If you are still experiencing issues contact us at bulletincirc@gmail.com. Front-page featured Bloomer's 'butterfly lady' shares passion for raising monarchs Staff photo by Dan Reiland Muriel Fox holds a monarch caterpillar Tuesday outside her home in Bloomer. Fox has been raising monarch butterflies for over 30 years. Staff photo by Dan Reiland Muriel Fox of Bloomer talks about her passion for raising monarch butterflies through all of their life stages. Staff photo by Dan Reiland Muriel Fox shows the book given to her by an uncle in the 1940s that sparked her interest in butterflies. Staff photo by Dan Reiland Muriel Fox of Bloomer has raised monarch butterflies for over 30 years. Monarch caterpillars eat milkweed on Tuesday June 15, 2021. Contributed photo Monarch caterpillars attach their chrysalis to a piece of screen Muriel Fox attaches to the top of an ice cream bucket before completing their transformation into adult butterflies. During the pupal stage the transformation from larva to adult is completed BLOOMER From the time she was a young girl, Muriel Fox has always loved butterflies. Her favorites are the iconic orange and black monarch butterflies, which she has been raising for more than 30 years. The Bloomer resident figures she has gotten so much joy from the increasingly threatened species that shes happy to return the favor by giving the butterflies a boost. Widely known as the butterfly lady, Fox has taken to spreading her wings in recent years by sharing her knowledge of and passion for raising monarchs. At an average of 35 or so a year, Fox estimates she has released more than 1,000 monarchs into the wild, with the number climbing exponentially when considering the legions of friends and family members she has recruited to join the cause. Its like a passion with me, said Fox, wearing a butterfly pin on her denim shirt. It gets to be that time of year and I just cant wait to start raising them. Still, she acknowledged the hobby is getting more difficult to pursue at age 89 and she might have to give it up one of these years. Her friends say theyll believe it when they see it. Indeed, Fox chuckled at the memory of a recent egging trip when four women spotted her in a ditch and stopped their car to see if she was all right. The women were astounded when Fox explained she was simply collecting monarch eggs that she hoped to raise into butterflies. Monarchs lay their eggs on the leaves of milkweed plants. You never know where youll find her, joked Jim Falls niece Kathy Zimmerman, one of Foxs many monarch-raising proteges. Foxs devotion to butterflies is apparent not only in her favorite hobby, but also in her decor her apartment is filled with artistic renditions of the winged creatures in all sizes and colors and her enthusiasm as she discusses monarchs. Theyre so beautiful, she said of the butterflies with a 3- to 4-inch wingspan. Theyre like a flying flower. Scientists report that monarch numbers in North America have declined significantly over the past two decades. After an extensive status assessment, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in December determined that listing the monarch under the Endangered Species Act was warranted but precluded at the time by higher priority listing actions. The agency indicated that climate change and habitat loss and fragmentation were among the key factors threatening monarchs, which are renowned for migrating to warmer wintering grounds in the mountain forests of central Mexico. Megan Giefer, a naturalist at Beaver Creek Reserve near Fall Creek, said residents can make a positive impact on the monarch population by planting more milkweed and native pollinator plants. Some also can help by raising the butterflies if they follow the right techniques. It makes me so happy to see people out there trying to save something, Giefer said. Beaver Creek, where Fox once helped raise monarch caterpillars in the lab, still raises about 300 of the black, yellow and white caterpillars per summer. While some people oppose raising monarchs out of the belief that butterflies raised in captivity wont survive, a recent study by Ontarios University of Guelph showed that monarchs raised indoors still know how to fly south if given enough time to orient themselves. The study was published in the journal Conservation Physiology. Fox insisted she has no intention of getting in the way of a natural process, but just wants to offer a helping hand to creatures that otherwise have almost no chance of survival. She only gathers monarch eggs from milkweed plants in ditches destined for mowing or fields about to be sprayed with insecticide. We never go and get them when there is a chance they can survive on their own, she said. The process of raising monarchs starts with collecting the eggs from milkweed plants, the species sole source of food, and then keeping them in small containers until they hatch into tiny caterpillars. Fox then feeds the voracious caterpillars fresh milkweed leaves twice a day. Eventually, the caterpillars, which she affectionately calls cats, spin a web that they attach to screening material she puts over a hole she cuts in the lid of an ice cream bucket and form a chrysalis that dangles from the webbing. I always worry theyre going to fall off because they spin so hard, said Fox, who still keeps a yellowed copy of The Butterfly Guide given to her by an uncle when was a high school student. Finally, a wet monarch butterfly emerges from the chrysalis, dries its wings for a few hours and flies away. Its a process Fox has down to a science, although she laughed about the memory of one mishap when a caterpillar somehow got loose in her home and she was unable to find it. Several days later she was surprised by a monarch that flew out from under her dining table, where she later found the remnants of a previously undetected chrysalis. Mail carrier Lori Hagen was introduced to monarch raising one day when she was delivering mail to Fox, who invited Hagen to see the circle of life. The women became friends and eventually started searching for milkweed together. Now Hagen is hooked, as she reported Thursday having 16 chrysalises and 15 caterpillars at her house in Chippewa County. Shes inspired a lot of people, including me, Hagen said. If we can help even 10 monarchs and have that many more heading to Mexico in the fall, thats 10 more that might make it. The latest monarch ally Fox has spawned is 11-year-old Wyatt Nesja of Bloomer. Nesja, the grandson of friends of Fox, cuts fresh milkweed leaves for Fox whenever she is unable to retrieve her own. He delivered his latest batch of the precious cargo on Tuesday, helping to perpetuate the cycle of life for Fox's monarchs. Zimmerman and Fox agreed that doing what they can to help a declining species is both satisfying and fun. When you watch them fly away, it gives you such a great feeling like youre making a difference, said Zimmerman, a retired teacher who used to show elementary school students how to raise monarchs and then got back into the hobby after encouragement from Fox. Id hate to see monarchs diminish so much that we dont have them anymore, Fox added. Fox, who started raising butterflies when she lived in Chippewa Falls, recalled that the day she moved into her apartment in Bloomer a monarch swooped low and flew right over her head. Naturally, she took it as a reminder that her work was not done. A convicted rapist on trial for allegedly making death threats told gardai he ordered the murder of the barrister who prosecuted him and said the only reason hes not dead is because I decided to do it myself. Michael Murray (50), with an address at Seafield Road, Killiney, Dublin, is accused of leaving messages with threats to kill against Dominic McGinn SC and Tony McGillicuddy BL between Nov 6, 2014 and February 11, 2015. Murray is also facing harassment charges over allegations he made online posts advertising Mr McGinn and two other people involved with his rape trial as prostitutes. He has plead not guilty to all of these charges. At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on Wednesday Detective Garda Daniel Treacy said Murray was arrested at the Midlands Prison on May 8, 2015. The month before, the court heard, Murray resisted a search while being taken to hospital, and got into a struggle with prison officers who spotted a white Samsung phone sticking out of his buttocks and seized it. Det Gda Treacy told Sean Gillane SC, prosecuting, that Murray initially denied using the phone to contact Mr McGinn and Mr McGillicuddy, saying others had access to the phone. But Murray went on to say he wanted Mr McGinn dead for prosecuting him for rape. Fuck Dom, fuck him. The only reason hes not dead is because I decided to do it myself. I could have got someone else. He claimed he had found a connection between his phone and that of the husband of the woman hes convicted of raping. I asked the State to hand over the phone records. They held on to them for four years. He said the conviction would have hung over him even if the Court of Appeal overturned it. Im only telling it straight. No DNA, the hospital said nothing happened. She said she was kidnapped off the street... she wasnt pulled off any street. Right now 15 years or life it makes no difference... I dont care about threats to kill. I know its ten years or whatever I dont care. The reason Ive given you that is because it relates to my trials It was put to Murray that he had phoned Garda Headquarters just before 1am on November 16, 2014, when a male voice told a civilian telephonist: Dom McGinn was going to be shot dead. Was that the night he was to be shot? I put out the hit on him. I wanted to do it myself. If you call me a rapist, Ill kill you. I dont care who the fuck you are. Ill smash him into pieces. Ill throw him into Dun Laoghaire Harbour if you like. When youre from nothing and youre in the system as long as I am ... I wouldnt care if I was shot after shooting him or shot trying to get out. Murray was asked if he made a phone call to Tony McGillicuddy on February 9, 2015, around half past ten. Probably did yeah. It was put to him that he said on that occasion: Tony you prosecuted a man we know, you and Dominic McGinn. Were after you. He replied in the affirmative. He said he got Dominic McGinns number a long time ago from someone in the legal profession, but said he couldnt recall who. Asked about the advertisements with Mr McGinns name on BackPage.com Murray replied: Does he give out about the girls calling him? I heard he swings both ways I was trying to get him some work. Do unto others as they have done unto you, he said. He had me up on the stand asking about escorts. That is why I put him up as an escort. Im not a nice guy, Im into crime like. Im not about raping women in my apartment. Theyve destroyed me and my family and theres no going back from it, he told Gardai. On Monday Murray pleaded guilty to possessing a mobile phone without the permission of the governor while he was in custody at the Midlands Prison on February 11, 2015. He says the was given to him by his solicitor, Joanne Kangley while he was in hospital the previous November. The trial continues on Thursday before Judge Karen O'Connor and a jury, and is expected to run for up to four weeks. ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE On Monday Murray pleaded guilty to possessing a mobile phone without the permission of the governor while he was in custody at the Midlands Prison on February 11, 2015 a phone he says he was given by his solicitor. The court heard that at around half past nine that evening, Murray told prison officers he had swallowed razor blades, and arrangements were made to have him brought to hospital in Portlaoise. But as he was in a state of undress during a search of his clothes in the prisons reception area, he began to resist the officers and the phone fell from his rectal area and onto a bench. Detective Garda Daniel Treacy told the court Murray was arrested at the prison and brought to Portlaoise Garda Station for interview on May 8, 2015. Murray said the phone he used belonged to his solicitor Ms Joanne Kangley, who he said had passed it to him while he was in hospital the previous November. He denied coercing her to give it to him. I have no threats on her if thats what youre saying. How would I threaten her? He said he was using between 30 and 50 a day in credit, and that Ms Kangley was one of a number of people topping it up for him. She used her credit card. She was hardly forced, he told gardai. Bakers in Laois and other counties around Ireland are invited to put their brown bread baking skills to the test in the 2021 edition of National Brown Bread Baking Competition. There's a grand prize of 15,000 for the overall winner of the competition held in association with the National Ploughing Association (NPA) and the Irish Countrywomens Association (ICA). NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said: The NPA are delighted that the hugely popular National Brown Bread Baking competition is returning this year. Every year the interest grows and the standard is escalating with hundreds of entries from all around the country. Despite having to cancel this years Trade Exhibition due to Covid the National Ploughing Competitions will take place from Sept 15th to 17th and plans are in place to build a programme of activities around #Ploughing2021 including digital activations for all to get involved with and the highly anticipated National Brown Bread Baking winner will be announced on the final day. Hilda Roche, President of the ICA said: The members of the Irish Countrywomens Association are very much looking forward to participating in this years National Brown Bread Baking Competition. I wish everyone the very best of luck. If you think you have the recipe for success, log onto www.aldi.ie/brown-bread- competition or www.ica.ie for information on how to enter, full terms and conditions and competition rules. The winners brown bread will be stocked in all Aldi Stores in Ireland for twelve months and they will receive a grand prize of 15,000. The competition will be open to all members of the public (over 18). All successful entrants will be contacted on August 20, to attend the finals, due to take place on September 10 in Howth Castle Cookery School, with the winner then announced on September 17. All entrants will be asked to drop off their freshly baked bread at one of the following Aldi stores on the prescribed date below picture of last year's winner Marie McCarthy: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4 9am- 11am Aldi Head Office Naas, Newbridge Road, Naas, Co. Kildare, W91 VE40. Aldi Swords, 10 Seatown Rd, Townparks, Swords, Co. Dublin, K67 V2N7. Aldi Athlone, Golden Island, Ankers Bower, Athlone Co. Westmeath N37 FC04. WEDNESDAY, August 11 9 am - 11 am Aldi Macroom, Oakwood, Sleveen East, Macroom, Co. Cork, P12 ER89. Aldi, Newcastle West, , Co. Limerick, V42 KD35. Aldi, Main Street, Gort, Co. Galway, H91 PV44. WEDNESDAY, August 18 9 am - 11 am Aldi New Ross, Marshmeadows, New Ross, Co. Wexford, Y34 NP48. Aldi Castlebar, Lannagh Rd, Garryduff, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, F23 TV29. Aldi Cavan, Dublin Rd, Tullymongan Upper, Cavan, H91PK29. Group Buying Director, John Curtin said, "At Aldi, we are a proud supporter of Irish suppliers and producers, so we are delighted to sponsor The National Brown Bread Baking Competition again this year and to be able to host the competition during these challenging times. Last years winning product Maries Brown Bread has been a great success, and we want to ensure that Irelands best bakers have the opportunity to take part in this fantastic competition again this year. We look forward to sampling Irelands best brown bread in the coming weeks and announcing the winner on September 17th in Howth Castle Cookery School. Cill Dara le Gaeilge is inviting applicants for the first ever full-time Irish language executive officer in County Kildare. This exciting role will see the appointee work with local businesses in County Kildare that wish to promote their business or offer services through the Irish language. Similar business support schemes are available today in Galway, Mayo, Ennis and Cork. Cill Dara le Gaeilge also support= community groups that are organising Irish language events in the county and the newly appointed executive officer will play a key advisory and supportive role. Announcing details of the new role Daithi de Faoite, Cathaoirleach of Cill Dara le Gaeilge, said It is a very exciting development for County Kildare that for the first time ever, we will have a dedicated resource working to promote the Irish language with local businesses, service providers and with community groups. We have made great progress in recent years with the publication of a five year plan for the language in County Kildare, collaborating with Kildare County Council and national organisations such as Glor na nGael and Conradh na Gaeilge. We are very grateful to Minister Catherine Martin and Minister of State Jack Chambers for their support and that of their department to support Cill Dara le Gaeilge, allowing us to now press ahead in taking on a full-time executive officer Cill Dara le Gaeilge is the lead organisation for Irish language planning in County Kildare. The process of drafting the first ever Irish language plan for Co. Kildare started back in 2017 through a series of workshops, surveys and community meetings before the final version of the first ever county-wide plan for County Kildare was launched on 28 February 2019 in Aras Chill Dara, Naas. Cill Dara le Gaeilge recently hosted Meitheal Chill Dara, an Irish language planning conference for County Kildare with over sixty people in attendance for the Zoom based virtual get-together. Cill Dara le Gaeilge also launched a new podcast series called PodScealta Chill Dara that aims to share stories with an Irish language interest for people in County Kildare. Taking on a full-time executive officer is a real game changer for the development of the language in the county building on the success of Gaelscoileanna, active community groups and other language activists and enthusiasts across the county according to Daithi de Faoite. Supporting local business is a key part of our ethos and we look forward to engaging with local traders and businesses that wish to use Irish language in marketing, signage, social media or indeed that wish to offer services as Gaeilge to the growing Irish language community in the county. More information www.cilldaralegaeilge.ie Newbridge Silverware, the iconic Irish lifestyle and craft company has designed and created this years Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Trophy. The silver trophy was designed and handmade by the craftspeople at the famous Kildare factory. The trophy entitled, Excellence has been inspired by the Curragh Racecourse itself and features the undulating shapes of the round courses and the challenging turns and testing uphill finish of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby course. The trophy centre piece is a magnificent silver horse and rider which has been embellished with over 100 crystals, symbolising purity, strength and excellence. The track layout has been made from silver which has been meticulously crafted by hand by master craftsman, Lorcan Harney and mounted on an elliptical surround. Layers of silver were set onto the elliptical form for dramatic effect. Nora Ulrich, the Head Designer at Newbridge Silverware said, We wanted to capture a sense of movement and by layering silver material, this allows the trophy to look different from each angle, representing the sense of horses in motion. The team at Newbridge Silverware also made trophies in the same design for the winning trainer, jockey, owner and breeder. Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free said, We would like to commend Newbridge Silverware for their creativity and innovation in designing the trophy. This collaboration with Newbridge Silverware and the Curragh Racecourse is very appropriate. Congratulations to all involved and we look forward to presenting this beautiful trophy to the worthy winner on Saturday, 26th of June. William Doyle, CEO of Newbridge Silverware said, We were delighted to have been given the opportunity to design the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Trophy this year. Our company has been handcrafting cutlery, jewellery and homeware products from our factory here in Newbridge since 1934. The methods and processes we use to make our products have remained virtually unchanged for nearly 90 years. This piece was designed and handmade by our team in the factory and we are delighted to be part of the legacy of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby. Pat Keogh, Chief Executive of the Curragh Racecourse said, We are delighted that Dubai Duty Free are supporting Newbridge Silverware using their very talented Irish based designers and local production team to produce spectacular trophies for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby this year. The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby will take place at The Curragh on Saturday, 26th of June. A man allegedly had his front door smashed in with a hammer and was assaulted over a drug debt of 5,000, it was claimed at Naas District Court on June 9. John Coyne, 28, whose address was given as 23 Grove Heights, Robertstown and Thomas Cross, 39, whose address was given as 13 Grove Heights, Robertstown, face allegations of assault at 6 Ballyshannon apartments, Derrinturn on June 8. Gda Christopher McDonagh gave evidence of arresting John Coyne and taking him to Leixlip garda station. He said the injured partys door was smashed in with a large hammer and the injured party was assaulted. Read more County Kildare news Gda McDonagh said he was objecting to bail on the basis of the seriousness of the charge, the nature of the evidence and the possibility of imprisonment if convicted. He said the injured party identified John Coyne and is personally known to him. He also said that the hammer had not been found and he was concerned that it might be disposed of. He also alleged that three people arrived at the apartment and left after the injured party fought back. The court heard that the injured party spent 12 hours at Naas hospital and he was bruised but had no broken bones. Gda McDonagh said the injured party described a pair of Nike runners which the defendant was wearing and a similar pair were found in the defendants bedroom as well as naming him. He added forensic test results are awaited. He said an undertaking to keep out of Carbury would not be sufficient because the gardai fear he will approach the injured party. Solicitor Tim Kennelly said that as far as the defendant is concerned, this is a false allegation and his client has no intention of going near the injured party. Garda Mark Shields also objected to bail and he alleged that a vehicle which was identified through enquiries was recovered in Kilpatrick, Kilmeague and registered to another person 13 Grove Heights. He said he did not believe that person resides there. He claimed that the injured party identified Thomas Cross as one of the males who broke into the apartment and assaulted him. He further claimed that the injured party described clothing Mr Cross was wearing and this was similar to what he wore when he was arrested. He said no admissions were made by the defendant and the incident was connected to an alleged 5,000 drug debt. Solicitor Tim Kennelly said his client denies these claims, which are based on the evidence of a person who is not here. He said his client has no affiliation with the drugs trade and would observe any bail conditions such as signing on, providing a mobile number and he has no intention of contacting the injured party. Judge Desmond Zaidan adjourned the case and refused bail commenting that strict bail conditions would not be appropriate and he was satisfied that the objections are sustainable in law. The case was adjourned again on June 16 with Thomas Cross and John Coyne remanded in custody for a week. Leitrim County Council has granted planning permission to Coillte to build 8 industrial wind turbines in Leitrim close to Drumkeerin and Dromahair. These turbines are of huge scale, 70% taller than the existing turbines in the area, (170 m tip height compared to 100 m tip height.) Wind Aware Dromahair, a local community group campaigning in opposition to Coilltes development wants to state the following: "We are seriously troubled by the Councils decisions and very disappointed that they do not share our concern for the protection of the beautiful unspoiled landscape of the area. Leitrim, a Rural Haven is how our wonderful County is portrayed. The extraordinarily large scale of these wind turbines, if built, would dominate the scenic landscape and tower above even the existing turbines in the area and would undermine the growing tourism sector in Leitrim and Sligo. "The likelihood of further landslides is an unacceptable risk, along with the loss of biodiversity. "Undisturbed and undrained bog is internationally recognised as a vitally important carbon storage reservoir. During construction of the wind farm, thousands of tonnes of bog would be dug up and replaced by concrete. This loss of carbon storage is only one example of the many un-assessed environmental costs of the manufacture, transportation and construction of wind turbines."In addition, the electricity generated by these rural wind farms in the west of Ireland has to be transferred via the national grid to areas of demand, mainly the east of the country, which is in itself a costly and uneconomic process. (Eirgrid public consultation document : Shaping Our Electricity Future.) "Wind Aware Dromahair gives huge thanks to our many supporters and strong, determined local community for their hard work and encouragement."Concerned people say NO to giant wind turbines in Leitrim and Sligo and YES to smaller scale sustainable, renewable solutions that truly create employment and are less damaging to our precious landscape. "Wind Aware Dromahair will now progress, with even more determination, by submitting appeals to An Bord Pleanala." Lawyers for Darren Redmond, one of the men accused of abducting and assaulting Quinn Industrial Holdings director Kevin Lunney, are disputing the prosecution's attempt to link their client to a phone number allegedly used during the offences. Prosecution counsel Sean Guerin SC has called witnesses to tell the Special Criminal Court that a person using the name Darren Redmond, his address in Dublin 3 and his date of birth, gave the phone number, ending in 567, when applying for a passport. The same name, address and telephone number were also given when booking a holiday to Las Vegas before the assault on Mr Lunney and when ordering food for delivery from a Domino's Pizza in Dublin three days after the assault. The prosecution wants to use mobile phone data to track the movements and calls made by a number of phones allegedly linked to the accused men around the time of the offences. Mr Redmond denies any involvement in the false imprisonment and assault and is on trial at the three-judge, non-jury court. A 40-year-old man who cannot be named by order of the court, Alan OBrien (40), of Shelmalier Road, East Wall, Dublin 3, Darren Redmond (27), from Caledon Road, East Wall, Dublin 3 and Luke OReilly (67), with an address at Mullahoran Lower, Kilcogy, Co Cavan have all pleaded not (NOT) guilty to false imprisonment and intentionally causing serious harm to Mr Lunney at Drumbrade, Ballinagh, Co Cavan on September 17, 2019. Mr Lunney has told the court that he was bundled into the boot of a car near his home and driven to a container where he was threatened and told to resign as a director of Quinn Industrial Holdings. His abductors cut him with a Stanley knife, stripped him to his boxer shorts, doused him in bleach, broke his leg with two blows of a wooden bat, beat him on the ground, cut his face and scored the letters QIH into his chest. They left him bloodied, beaten and shivering on a country road at Drumcoghill in Co Cavan where he was discovered by a man driving a tractor. Colleen Hattie, a travel agent, told Mr Guerin that following a garda inquiry she found a record of a booking for flights to the USA and a stay at the Excalibur Hotel in Las Vegas from September 6 to September 12, 2019. Mr Redmond's name and address were used in the booking along with the 567 number that Mr Guerin has alleged is associated with Mr Redmond. Under cross examination the witness agreed with Michael Bowman SC, for Mr Redmond, that there was no date of birth recorded on the documents produced in court. She said she would have handwritten the birth date on another document not before the court. She also agreed that she had no recollection of the interaction with the person who made the booking. Linda Carroll told Mr Guerin that she works in the passport office and received a request from gardai for information relating to Mr Darren Redmond with the accused man's date of birth. Ms Carroll produced a handwritten passport application form for Darren Redmond using Mr Redmond's address, with his date of birth and associated with the 567 phone number. A photograph was also attached to the file. The witness told Mr Bowman that the document produced in court was printed from a scan. The original documents are destroyed after three months, she said. Aiga Grison told Mr Guerin she is a store manager at a Domino's Pizza in Drumcondra. In January 2020 gardai asked her for information relating to the 567 number. She retrieved records from the Domino's system of orders for delivery on September 15 and 18, 2019. The customer name on the system was "Darren" with Mr Redmond's address in Dublin 3. Ms Grison agreed with Mr Bowman that the records are automated and there is no way of telling whether those details were given on that occasion. Mr Guerin has told the court he also wishes to associate a number ending in 200 with Cyril McGuinness, who is now deceased. McGuinness is alleged to have instructed the four accused by phone during the abduction and assault. Peter Power told Mr Guerin that he owns a plant hire and haulage business and got to know McGuinness as someone who could get parts from the UK at a reduced price. He initially knew him as Jimmy but later learned his name was Cyril. "He was good to deal with," the witness said, and they would speak three to four times a week for about four years. McGuinness drove a green Mercedes and sometimes a Citroen Berlingo van with an English registration. He smoked all the time and, Mr Power said, in October 2019, not long before he died, he thought McGuinness "looked a bit stressed". Mr Power said the 200 number "sounds familiar" when asked if that was the number he had for McGuinness. The witness also confirmed that he handed to gardai a number of invoices related to transactions with companies that McGuinness had worked for in 2019. The court has also viewed CCTV footage from various locations showing different vehicles on dates in September 2019. The trial continues in front of Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, and Judge Gerard Griffin and Judge David McHugh. Read Kevin Lunney's earlier evidence HERE There was further really positive news this evening from the Department of Health with confirmation that a further 373 new cases of Covid-19 have been recorded in Ireland. It said there are 54 patients in hospital and just 18 patients currently in ICU. Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said: "We are now experiencing near elimination of Covid-19 in the vaccinated population. "For the 50-65's who are in the process of receiving protection from full vaccination, incidence is dropping. Incidence is also reducing in most age groups, showing commendable compliance with public health measures as the vaccination programme is rolled out to more and more people." He said that those who are fully vaccinated can "safely resume normal life". This means "meeting other fully vaccinated people from up to two households indoors without masks or social distancing, and meeting unvaccinated people from one other household indoors and without masks," Dr Holohan said. He urged those who are awaiting vaccination to continue adhering to the public health messages like washing hands regularly, managing your contacts, avoiding crowds, wearing masks and socialising outdoors. Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn told today's National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) briefing that the national 14-day incidence rate here is now 99.5 cases per 100,000 population. The main Irish opposition party, Sinn Fein has risen 3% in public opinion according to the latest Ipsos MRBI survey to 31%. Sinn Fein has a four point lead on its nearest rivals Fine Gael in the latest poll. Fine Gael is in second place on 27%, which is down 3 and Fianna Fail stands at 20%, up 6. Support for the Green Party and Labour was unchanged at 6% and 3% respectively. The Social Democrats dropped a point to 2%, while People Before Profit saw the opposite effect, up one point to 2%. Independents and others were down six points to 13%. The Governments approval rating has jumped by 10 points since February, with more than half of voters, 53%, saying they are satisfied with the coalition. Meanwhile in Northern Ireland, the nomination of First and Deputy First Ministers is expected to happen later today, meaning the Executive will be restored four days after Arlene Foster resigned as First Minister. This comes after the British government has agreed to introduce an Irish language act in Northern Ireland if the Stormont Assembly fails to do so by the end of September. Also read: Is Leitrim the best place to live in Ireland? POSITIVE Covid-19 tests in Limerick and the wider Mid West region are to be referred for further assessment as fears over the new strains of the disease rise. To date less than 30 new cases of Covid-19 variants originating from India (Delta), Brazil (Gamma) and South Africa (Beta) have been detected in the Mid-West region. "The Department of Public Health Mid-West can confirm that it has recorded, less than ten cases of each of the confirmed variants - the Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1), and Delta (B.1.617.2) variants of concern [VOC] in the Mid-West region over the last number of months," said a spokesperson. Given the concern over variants and the recent surge in cases of Covid-19 in Limerick, Public Health Mid-West has ordered extra measures. Our team adopts a cautious approach and when there is a concern about a suspected variant of concern, we initiate some extra public health measures and immediately request samples of new positive cases to be tested for variants through a process called genome sequencing, a spokesperson confirmed. This involves positive cases being referred to see if there is any trace of either the Delta, Gamma or Beta variant of the disease present. Following a noticeable increase in cases in late May this year, our department requested all new cases in Limerick to be sequenced for possible variants, the department confirmed, This process takes a number of weeks to complete, therefore it is a number of weeks before we know for certain the final classification of these cases. Dr Nicola Stapleton, a GP in Limerick city, said: The difficulty at the moment is the base rate of cases in Limerick is still extremely high, so if we had something like the Delta variant here, it would be very problematic very quickly. It has not been confirmed if there are cases of the Delta variant in Limerick. Figures earlier this week suggested there were 126 cases of the Delta variant in the State, with 111 in the North. On Tuesday, ministers ordered that travellers arriving into Ireland from Britain where the strain is more widespread will have to self-quarantine for 10 days or five days if they are fully vaccinated. First identified in India, the new variant is a cause of increasing concern, as its at least 60% more transmissible than the original variant. Despite this the director of Public Health Mid-West, Dr Mai Mannix has urged the business community to protect its staff and customers. It comes after her department reported evidence of people who are confirmed close contacts attending work when they should be restricting their movements for at least 10 days, pending a negative PCR test result. It is very discouraging and frustrating for businesses who have re-opened to be faced with possible closure again due to Covid outbreaks, and it is important that all employees and managers understand their responsibilities in the workplace, said Public Health Mid-West. The body also warned of contaminated personal protective equipment in some retail settings, and urged staff to remain vigilant. If measures are lax amid a high incidence rate in the community, businesses are at increased risk of small to large outbreaks, Dr Mannix added. In other developments this week, pharmacies across the city and county are taking delivery of vaccination doses. As 24,000 vaccine doses arrive in Limerick this week, chemists are offering the single-shot Johnson and Johnson jab to the over-50s. Daire Scanlan, who runs three outlets in Limerick said he will be taking weekly cold-chain delivery. The vaccines are mapped to be delivered this week in Limerick. I am lucky as I have many pharmacist vaccinators in my employment which means they will be able to administer the vaccines, he said. Mr Scanlan encouraged people to contact his pharmacy using its online booking system to secure the free inoculation. Meanwhile, all people who have yet to receive a vaccine are being encouraged to have a test with a pop-up facility at St Josephs in Mulgrave Street set to remain open until next Monday, June 21. Operating daily from 11am until 7pm, no appointment will be necessary, with the free service opening as part of the recent spike in new Covid-19 cases. The HSE has extended its new online booking system for Covid-19 tests to Limerick. People living across the county can log onto the online system and book in a free test at Eastpoint Business Park in the Ballysimon Road up to 24 hours in advance. Elsewhere, the fallout over the closure of the vaccination centre at Limerick Racecourse for five days this month and next month continues. In a move described by Sinn Fein TD Maurice Quinlivan as farcical in the extreme, the Limerick vaccination centre did not operate at the Patrickswell Racecourse on Saturday in order to allow a horse racing meeting. It will be the same situation this Friday, and on July 4, 10 and 22. The HSE has insisted this was built into its contract with the racecourse and added the capacity of vaccinations was not being diminished or reduced at all because of this. COMMENTS from the head of the Limerick garda division that the investigation into the 1996 killing of Jerry McCabe remains open, have been welcomed. Chief superintendent Gerard Roche confirmed at a commemoration to mark 25 years since the brutal killing that officers are still investigating the incident which left the detective garda dead, and his colleague Ben OSullivan seriously injured. The two Special Branch detectives were rammed and fired upon by the gang. Four men served prison sentences after pleading guilty to Det Gda McCabes manslaughter while on trial for his murder in 1999. A fifth was jailed for conspiracy to commit robbery of the post office van on the day. Two other gang members are believed to be on the run in Spain and South America. Local Fine Gael TD Patrick ODonovan paid tribute to Mr McCabes widow Ann, who spoke at the commemoration. She is a remarkably brave woman who has shown such strength of character to defend the honour and memory of her husband and what was done to him. But more than that, she has thrown down serious questions to political leaders in this State which must be answered. In particular, there are questions for those who have consistently refused over years to condemn this atrocity. Those people continue to have questions to answer, he said. This organisation might attempt to re-invent itself with new policies, Instagram and Tik-Tok, however for me, their continued opposition to the special criminal court which has proven itself as invaluable tool in the fight against people who like the killers of Jerry McCabe wished to destroy our state and its democratic values, render them an unfit organisation to govern a democratic state, he added. Mayor Michael Collins described the attack as an affront against our democracy and our sense of decency. It shattered our idea of security, how could someone be gunned down just for doing their job. It wasnt just that members of the Gardai were being attacked, these were men with families and young children. How their lives would be irrevocably changed! They were members of our community, men who could be relied on to support events and help out when needed. Twenty-five years on now and that same horror and revulsion remains with the people of Limerick, he added. A former mayor, Cllr Stephen Keary, who bestowed the Freedom of Limerick on Mr McCabe and Mr OSullivan has appealed to Justice Minister Heather Humphreys and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to combine their resources to have the two men brought to justice and bring some form of closure for the McCabe family. He also pledged to ensure the memory of the officer remains alive. THERE are fears for up to 60 jobs at the Myson factory in Newcastle West as its parent company places the plant under review. Rettig Ireland, which trades as Myson Heating Controls has operated in the county town for more than 50 years. Staff there produce radiator valves and control equipment. But now, its parent company, Purmo Group has confirmed it will be entering a process of consultation, a move which is calling the future of the factory into question. The company has insisted no decision has been made, and the future of all the workers in Newcastle West will feature in the examination from the very beginning." A spokesperson for the firm stated: The plant has suffered from changeable market demand, competition from low-cost countries and more recently, the rise in material prices. Market forces have not favoured the facility in south-west Ireland in recent years. Linda Currie, the chief people officer at Purmo Group said: Were very sad to be bringing the future of the plant into question. Our plant is a major employer in the local area and many families will be worried about the future. Our staff have worked incredibly hard to maintain the business, but despite this, the plant has been struggling to attain the same strong performance as the rest of the group. Purmo Groups communications director Justin Roux added that the situation is no indication of the skills and excellence at the facility. We have been exhaustive in our efforts, but we have reached a point where we have to consider everything, he added. Mayor Michael Collins, who represents the town of Newcastle West said: They have been a very good company to both Newcastle West and west Limerick. Its sad and disappointing to see this. Im hoping if there is an announcement, we can get some action into place straight away to secure further jobs for that plant, and that land. Back in 2019, workers at Rettig were placed on short-time after the company lost part of a British contract. Rettig Irelands plant in Newcastle West is based at Sheehan's Road in Gortboy. Its parent company Purmo is headquartered in Finland. President Joe Biden marked his first presidential summit with Russia's Vladimir Putin with a gift, bestowing his counterpart with a pair of custom aviator sunglasses. Biden is so known for wearing aviator shades that he's sometimes parodied over them. He notably kept wearing his aviators while meeting Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle on Sunday. The custom aviators are a brand manufactured in Massachusetts and designed for fighter pilots, the White House said, announcing the gifts after Biden and Putin concluded their summit in Geneva on Wednesday. The US leader also gave Putin a crystal sculpture of an American bison made by a New York-based glass company. The Kremlin has not said whether and how Putin may have reciprocated. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. National security police in Hong Kong arrested the top editor of a popular pro-democracy newspaper and searched the companys newsroom, in the most targeted action involving a media organizations journalistic operations yet in a yearlong crackdown on dissent. Apple Dailys editor in chief, Ryan Law, was photographed on Thursday being led away in handcuffs by officers from his home in the Quarry Bay neighborhood. The raid was the latest in a series of moves against the newspaper group and its publisher, Jimmy Lai, a multimillionaire Beijing critic. Scores of police, armed with a warrant they said covered the power of searching and seizure of journalistic materials" under the national security law, also searched the Apple Daily newsroom. The newspaper reported that officers were looking through computers and searching desks. Four other directors of the company were also arrested. Police said all five were detained under suspicion of collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security." Steve Li, a senior police superintendent, told reporters that the publication has conspired with others to request foreign countries, organizations and individuals to impose sanctions against Hong Kong and China. More than 30 Apple Daily articles were involved, and authorities froze the equivalent of $2.3 million from three related companies: Apple Daily Ltd., Apple Daily Printing Ltd. and AD Internet Ltd. The articles played a crucial part in a conspiracy and provided ammunition for foreign countries or groups to impose sanctions, Mr. Li said. Mr. Lai, the publisher, is currently serving a prison sentence for unauthorized assembly related to protests that erupted in the city in 2019. He is also awaiting trial on foreign-collusion charges under the security law. Last month, Hong Kong police froze Mr. Lais assets, including his majority stake in Apple Daily. Pro-Beijing figures have called for authorities to shut down the paper, which has extensively covered and supported the democracy movement in Hong Kong. Press freedoms and other civil liberties in Hong Kong have steadily eroded under the national security law, freedom advocates and media observers say, as Beijing has made clear it wont tolerate dissent and challenges to its power in the city. The arrests Thursday raised new questions about how journalists can report on pro-democracy groups and protests that can be deemed in violation of the national security law, which was imposed by China almost a year ago. The broadly worded law prohibits acts and words considered to promote secession or considered seditious, and convicted offenders can face long jail terms. Most of the citys opposition leaders have since been jailed or have fled the city. More than 200 officers raided Apple Dailys newsroom last August, though police said at the time they werent focused on news operations. In November, authorities pressed charges against an investigative journalist with a public broadcaster, sending chills into the citys freewheeling media industry. Others arrested on Thursday, according to a report by Apple Daily, included Cheung Kim-hung and Royston Chowrespectively the chief executive and chief operating officer of Next Digital, which publishes the newspaperas well as associate publisher Chan Pui-man and a news director named Cheung Chi-wai. Their homes were also searched. Police sealed off the newsroom and employees were made to register at makeshift tables, a live stream by the paper showed. Journalists already in the office were ordered to leave, and at least one officer was pictured looking through materials on a staffers computer, Apple Daily said in a Facebook post. Mr. Li, the police official, said officers had to look into computers to find evidence. Police officers took the personal details of employees who had just arrived, but barred them from entering their offices, directing them to leave or allowing them in the canteen only, Apple Daily reported. An Apple Daily reporter filmed the police search from outside the building, peering into the newsroom through thick windows. Advocates in Hong Kong have warned that press freedom, which is constitutionally protected in Hong Kong, is being rapidly undermined under the assertive rule of Beijing. Choy Yuk-ling, also known as Bao Choy, a former freelance producer with Radio Television Hong Kong, was convicted and fined in April for conducting a search for owners of car-license plates on a public database. The information was included in an investigative report. RTHK, a government-funded broadcaster with a longtime reputation for independent reporting, saw drastic changes this year as a career bureaucrat with no journalism experience was put at the helm. The broadcaster has since pulled episodes of programs and removed older shows from its YouTube channel. A radio show host was arrested under a separate colonial-era sedition law earlier this year. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. The U.S. and European Union plan to cooperate more on technology regulation, industrial development and bilateral trade following President Bidens visit, in a bid to help Western allies better compete with China and Russia on developing and protecting critical and emerging technologies. Central to the increased coordination will be a new high-level Trade and Technology Council the two sides unveiled Tuesday. The aim of the TTC is to boost innovation and investment within and between the two allied economies, strengthen supply chains and avert unnecessary obstacles to trade, among other tasks. You see the possibility for alignment," said European Commission Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager in an interview. In a sign of both sides aspirations for the council, it will be co-chaired on the U.S. side by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai. The EU side will be co-chaired the Ms. Vestager, the blocs top competition and digital-policy official, and fellow Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis, who handles trade. As the EUs top antitrust enforcer, Ms. Vestager has gained prominence for her cases against U.S. tech giants including Apple Inc., Google parent Alphabet Inc. and Facebook Inc. Former presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump both said her policies unfairly targeted American companies. Ms. Vestager has said her work doesnt single out any nationality. The TTC, which is slated to hold its first meeting in the fall and oversee many working groups, will allow the EU and U.S. to focus on cooperation, she said. Both sides stressed they would maintain regulatory autonomy within their respective legal systems. Unstated in the TTCs official remit is a desire for the worlds largest liberal democratic powers to draw closer vis-a-vis China, Russia and other autocracies that wield increasing international influence. Mr. Bidens weeklong trip to Europe centered around efforts to strengthen ties with Western allies and unite in response to adversaries. The coronavirus pandemic has exposed weaknesses in Western economies manufacturing bases, resulting in shortages of vital goods from medical masks to microchips. Straining relations, Mr. Trump repeatedly criticized Europe for its economic, security and defense policies. Mr. Biden has struck a contrasting stance, seeking compromise and partnership with Europe. The two sides agreed Tuesday to suspend a 17-year trade fight over subsidies to jetliner makers Boeing Co. and Airbus SE, the longest and most costly fight in World Trade Organization history. Ms. Vestager said the trade deal shows the potential for real, tangible results" from trans-Atlantic cooperation. Microchips are likely to be an early focus of U.S.-EU cooperation, Ms. Vestager said, potentially via the TTC. The EU recently announced the objective of increasing its share of global chip-making from 10% to 20% and pledged more than $150 billion to the effort, which could come from coronavirus relief funding. The U.S. Senate recently passed a bill allocating $52 billion to domestic chip manufacturing and R&D. It needs to pass the House and be signed by Mr. Biden to become law. Washington and Brussels both want to increase domestic chip manufacturing to secure supply chains exposed by the coronavirus and to counter China. Beijing has made technological self-reliance a national goal, and the state and private sector are investing billions of dollars in domestic chip-making, although not all of its endeavors have been successful and Chinese companies still lag far behind Taiwanese, South Korean and U.S. counterparts. Proponents of state aid for chip projects say it is necessary to level the playing field with Asian countries that have used generous incentives to grow their industries in the past couple of decades, transforming an industry that was dominated by the U.S. and Europe in the 1990s. The cost of building the most advanced chip-making plants has also skyrocketed to around $20 billion in recent years. Obviously, there are important assets on both sides," Ms. Vestager said of the U.S. and EU. I think it is a bit too early to say what will come of it, but clearly, the potential for cooperation has been registered." The TTC will also seek to align policies on regulation and standards for new technologies like artificial intelligence. China has made international standards-setting a national priority, especially for emerging technologies where norms have yet to be established. AI and related technologies, like biometrics and voice-recognition, have raised ethical issues not encountered with more traditional technologies, and where fundamental differences over privacy and human rights divide the West and autocracies. I would really hope that as democracies we could agree on some of the fundamentals when it comes to standards-setting," Ms. Vestager said. Theres a possibility to show that when we say that democracies can deliver on the basis of democratic values, there is something real in that." This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. HT Digital Streams Limited (hereinafter referred as "HTDSL") recognizes the importance of maintaining the privacy of every user who visits our website. We value your privacy and appreciate your trust in us. We are committed to be transparent about the data we collect about you, how it is used and with whom it is shared. This Privacy Policy applies when you use/visit our website, mobile or tablet application, or any other online service (collectively, the "Services") that links or refers to it. It does not governs or apply to information collected or used by HTDSL or its group companies through any other means. By visiting and/or using our website, you agree to this Privacy Policy. 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Deleting Your Information You may submit a request to access or delete the information we have collected about you by sending your request to us at privacymanager@hindustantimes.com We will respond to your request consistent with applicable law and subject to proper verification. Reach Out To Us For any complaint related to our services or content of the website the aggrieved person may raise the query/complaint within a period of 7 (seven) days from the date of first publication to the email id mentioned herein: Email: privacymanager@hindustantimes.com HT Digital Streams Ltd. Corporate Office: 2nd Floor 18-20 KG Marg New Delhi-110001 Phone: + 91 11 66561123 An illustration of Paraceratherium linxiaense chomping down on vegetation on what is now the northeastern Tibetan Plateau about 26.5 million years ago, during the late Oligocene epoch. The remains of a 26.5-million-year-old giant, hornless rhino one of the largest mammals ever to walk Earth have been discovered in northwestern China, a new study finds. The newly identified species, Paraceratherium linxiaense named after its discovery spot in the Linxia Basin in Gansu province towered over other animals during its lifetime. The 26-foot-long (8 meters) beast had a shoulder height of 16.4 feet (5 m), and it weighed as much as 24 tons (21.7 metric tons), the same as four African elephants , the researchers said. The new species is larger than other giant rhinos in the extinct genus Paraceratherium, said study lead researcher Deng Tao, director and professor at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing. A new family tree analysis of Paraceratherium species, including P. linxiaense, reveals how these ancient beasts evolved as they migrated across Central and South Asia at a time when the Tibetan Plateau was lower than it is today, Tao told Live Science in an email. Related: Photos: These animals used to be giants Researchers have known about the fossil trove at Linxia Basin, located at the northeastern border of the Tibetan Plateau, since the 1950s, when farmers there began discovering "dragon bones," Tao said. Digs in the 1980s revealed rare, but fragmentary giant rhino fossils. That changed in 2015, with the discovery of a complete skull and jaw of one giant rhino individual, and three vertebrae from another individual, both dating to the late Oligocene epoch (33.9 million to 23 million years ago). When the researchers saw the fossils, the bones' completeness and "huge size [were] a great surprise for us," Tao said. An anatomical analysis, in addition to the fact that the fossils were larger than those from other known species in the Paraceratherium genus, revealed that they belonged to a previously unknown Paraceratherium species. The giant, well-preserved skull and jaw of one of the newly identified Paraceratherium linxiaense individuals. (Image credit: Tao, D. Communications Biology (2021); CC-BY-4.0 The skull and jaw bones showed that P. linxiaense had a giant, 3.7-foot-long (1.1 m) head; a long neck; two tusk-like incisors that pointed downward; and a deep nasal notch, indicating that the animal had a trunk like that of a tapir . The giant rhino likely wrapped its trunk around branches so it could easily strip off leaves with its front teeth, Tao said. P. linxiaense stood on four long legs that were good for running, and its head could reach heights of 23 feet (7 m) "to browse leaves of treetops," Tao said. Image 1 of 2 Red rock deposits dating to the Cenozoic era in the Linxia Basin in northwestern China's Gansu province. (Image credit: Deng Tao) Image 2 of 2 The large axis (second cervical vertebra) of the giant rhino Paraceratherium linxiaense, compared with a technician. (Image credit: Deng Tao) Family tree Most species within Paraceratherium lived in Central Asia (what is now Mongolia and Kazakhstan), but one far-flung species, P. bugtiense, lived farther south, in what is now western Pakistan. This distant location puzzled scientists, so Tao and his colleagues set out to see if they could discern this species' relationship with other Paraceratherium species, including the newfound P. linxiaense. The team created the rhino ancestor's family tree by analyzing the anatomy of 11 giant rhino species and 16 other animal species in the superfamily Rhinocerotoidea, including two living rhinos. The analysis revealed that the Mongolian giant rhino (P. asiaticum) dispersed westward to what is now Kazakhstan, and its descendant lineage expanded to South Asia and evolved into P. bugtiense during the early Oligocene, Tao said. Image 1 of 2 This map shows where the different fossils of giant rhino from the genus Paraceratherium have been found. Notice how far away Paraceratherium bugtiense is from the other giant rhinos. (Image credit: Tao, D. Communications Biology (2021); CC-BY-4.0 Image 2 of 2 In the family tree analysis, researchers assessed 11 giant rhino species and 16 other Rhinocerotoidea animal species, including two living rhinos (Rhinoceros unicornis and Ceratotherium simum). Notice how, at the bottom, the tree shows how Paraceratherium bugtiense evolved into P. lepidum and P. linxiaense. (Image credit: Tao, D. Communications Biology (2021); CC-BY-4.0 At that time, Central Asia was arid, while South Asia was relatively humid, with a mosaic of forested and open landscapes, where giant rhinos likely browsed for food, Tao said. During the late Oligocene, tropical conditions allowed giant rhinos to trek northward, back to Central Asia. It appears that the far-flung P. bugtiense crossed the Tibetan region, and evolved into two closely-related species: the newly found P. linxiaense, known from China, and P. lepidum, known from China and Kazakhstan. Given that some of the world's largest mammals took this impressive journey, it's likely that the Tibetan region "was still not uplifted as a high-elevation plateau" at that time, Tao said. It may have been under 6,600 feet (2,000 m) during the Oligocene, and "giant rhinos could have dispersed freely through this region," he said. The study was published online Thursday (June 17) in the journal Communications Biology . Originally published on Live Science. One of the biggest mysteries of the novel coronavirus is why it affects some people more severely than others. Now, a group of scientists has found that people who experience a greater-than-average intensity of bitter taste known as "supertasters" were less likely to become infected with, or become severely ill from, COVID-19. This enhanced bitter taste is driven by a gene called T2R38; when a person inherits a copy of the gene from both parents, that person becomes a supertaster, according to The Washington Post . But this gene does more than enhance the taste of bitterness; it has also been linked to having a better innate immune response against pathogens. Related: 20 of the worst epidemics and pandemics in history Those who inherit this gene from both parents tend to have more hair-like filaments, called cilia, in their nose and sinuses, and these filaments help to clear pathogens from the body. When activated, two copies of this gene also trigger the body to produce more mucus and nitric oxide to fight pathogens, according to the Post. Previous research that focused mainly on bacterial infections and inflammation found that the more intensely people experience bitter tastes, the stronger their innate immune responses are, according to the Post. In a new study, published May 25 in the journal JAMA Network Open , researchers wanted to see how supertasting affected the ability to fight COVID-19. Dr. Henry Barham, lead author of the new study and an ear, nose and throat doctor at Baton Rouge General Medical Center in Louisiana, became interested in the question after spending hours and hours performing operations that increased his exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, according to the Post. Despite wearing protective gear, some of his colleagues got COVID-19 at the hospital, but Barham, a supertaster, did not. For the study, Barham and his team recruited 1,935 participants, gave them taste strip tests and asked them to rate how intensely bitter the test strip was. Then, the researchers classified people as supertasters, tasters (those who inherit only one copy of the gene from one parent) or nontasters (those who don't inherit any copy of the gene and who either experience lower intensity of bitter tastes or who don't taste them at all). They found that 508 participants were supertasters, 917 were tasters and 510 were nontasters. During the course of the study period, from the start of July 2020 to the end of September 2020, a total of 266 participants tested positive for COVID-19, and 55 of them required hospitalization. Nontasters were "significantly more likely" than tasters and supertasters to test positive for SARS-CoV-2, to be hospitalized and to be symptomatic longer. Of the 55 patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to the hospital, 47 (85%) were nontasters. Of the 266 people who tested positive for COVID-19, only 15 (6%) were supertasters. Overall, the ability to taste bitterness could accurately predict who was going to develop severe COVID-19 about 94.2% of the time, according to the Post. Still, the study was small, and the researchers only discovered a potential link between this enhanced ability to taste bitterness and the risk of developing severe COVID-19. "Our largest limitation in this observational study is the potential for confounding factors and the fact that SARS-CoV-2 is a novel virus, thus preventing prior knowledge of the degree of inoculation, symptoms and outcomes in different populations," the authors wrote. Still, supertasters should get vaccinated against COVID-19, Barham told the Post. "Even supertasters, as they age, have the potential to get sick, especially if exposed to a high viral load," he said. (Barham has a financial interest in the test kit that was used in the study.) Read more about the supertaster study in The Washington Post . Originally published on Live Science. Researchers discovered two previously-unknown cell types in the brains of adult mice and named one of these cell types "gorditas," due to their plump, rounded appearance, The Scientist reported . Both newfound cell types are called glia, meaning they are part of a class of non-neuronal cells found in the nervous system that help out neurons by supplying structural support, nutrients and insulation, among many other functions. The two glial cells sprung from a pool of stem cells self-renewing cells that can differentiate into different cell types that the research team activated in their experiments. These stem cells usually remain fairly dormant in the adult mouse brain , but the team figured out how to switch them on, according to the new study, published June 10 in the journal Science . Related: From dino brains to thought control 10 fascinating brain findings The stem cells sit in an area of the brain called the ventricular-subventricular zone (V-SVZ), within the walls of fluid-filled cavities called ventricles located on the left and right sides of the brain. By comparing dormant V-SVZ stem cells with active ones, the team found that most of the dormant cells carried high levels of a receptor called platelet-derived growth factor beta (PDGFR-beta), while only about half of the active cells carried a similar amount. The team disabled PDGFR-beta in genetically modified mice; the GM mice without that receptor function had more active stem cells in the V-SVZ compared with unmodified mice. It was in these experiments that the gorditas cells appeared, as the newly-activated stem cells differentiated into new cell types. The gorditas are a kind of glial cell known as an astrocyte, which are usually large and spiky-looking, unlike the chubby, squat gorditas. Astrocytes help to build, maintain and refine connections between neurons and also form part of the blood-brain barrier, which keeps harmful substances from entering the brain, according to BrainFacts.org , a public information initiative of the Society for Neuroscience. The team also discovered a never-before-documented kind of oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC), an intermediate between stem cells and glial cells called oligodendrocytes, which insulate neurons in the brain and spinal cord, according to BrainFacts.org . OPCs usually lie buried deep within solid brain tissue, rather than within ventricle walls, as seen in the new study, study co-author Fiona Doetsch, a stem cell biologist and neuroscientist at the University of Basel in Switzerland, told The Scientist. "Nobody expected them to be inside the ventricular system and attached to the wall of the ventricle, and so nobody had ever looked there before," Doetsch told The Scientist. "But when you actually look, you can see them really beautifully." Although the OPCs didn't mature into full-blown oligodendrocytes, the cells still grabbed hold of neurons that reached into the V-SVZ via long-range "wires"; these connections may allow the cells to communicate with brain regions far away from the ventricles, Doetsch suggested, but the OPCs' exact function is not yet known. The new study is "a very important addition to the whole story about these fascinating [stem] cells that exist in the adult brain of rodents that have the capacity to generate new cells," Arturo Alvarez-Buylla, a developmental neuroscientist at the University of California, San Francisco, who was not involved in the work, told The Scientist. Read more about the newfound brain cells in The Scientist . Originally published on Live Science. Temperatures in Death Valley, California, hit a scorching 122 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees Celsius) Tuesday (June 15), short of the all-time record for this spot at the lowest elevation in North America but more than 10 degrees hotter than the average high temperature at this time of year. The broiling temperatures were part of a broader heat wave across the American Southwest and West this week. On Tuesday, Denver reached a high of 101 F (38 C), the earliest in the year the temperature has topped 100 F (37.8 C) since 2013. The same day saw a sweltering 105 F (40.6 C) in Billings, Montana, a record for that date, and an all-time high of 107 F (41.7 C) in Sheridan, Wyoming, tying a previous state record. Salt Lake City also tied its highest temperature ever recorded, 107 F, on Tuesday. Southern California broke multiple heat records , with Palm Springs wilting under a high temperature of 119 F (48.3 C). Meanwhile, Phoenix, Arizona, tied its 1974 record temperature of 115 F (46.1 C). Death Valley is known for its withering heat. The desert is situated below sea level but walled in by steep mountains, according to the National Park Service (NPS). Sunlight heats the dry desert floor, and the heat stays trapped by the surrounding rock and soil. The all-time highest air-temperature record in the world was set at Furnace Creek in Death Valley on July 10, 1913. On that day, Furnace Creek hit 134 F (57 C). Related: Hell on Earth: Take a photo tour of Death Valley Contributing to the current heat is a weather pattern known as a "heat dome." According to CNN , a ridge of high pressure over the western U.S. is trapping hot air close to the surface and also pushing away any potential precipitation. Sunny skies are also heating things up within the dome. And making matters worse, much of the West is currently in a deep drought . Drought means less moisture in the air and soil. When it's wetter, a significant fraction of solar energy goes to heating and evaporating this moisture, said Karen McKinnon, a climate scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles. In drier times, this wet "heat sink" is missing, so temperatures are free to soar. "All of that heat is coming in, but the soils are so dry," McKinnon told Live Science. "So more of that heat is going to go into increasing temperatures instead of evaporating water." Though Death Valley is no stranger to high temperatures, average temperatures in June are typically closer to 110 F (43.3 C) than to 120 F (48.9 C), according to the NPS. The average high temperature there in July is 116 F (46.7 C). Temperatures in Death Valley through Friday are expected to match or exceed Tuesday's high. An excessive heat warning is in place for much of California and Arizona through Saturday. Originally published on Live Science. The 'moonikin' dummy undergoes a vibrational test in a chair from the new Orion module at the Kennedy Space Center. NASA has released an amusing photo of a spacesuit-donned test dummy being put through its paces in a launch simulator at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The dummy, which NASA affectionately dubbed "moonikin," will be the first passenger aboard the new Orion spacecraft during the first uncrewed Artemis I mission, expected later this year. The dummy will help scientists understand the forces that real astronauts will experience during the launch of the new Space Launch System (SLS) the most powerful rocket ever built in following missions. If the crewed Artemis II launches as scheduled in 2023, it will be NASA's first mission to the moon since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. The mission will also include the first woman and person of color to set foot on the lunar surface. But before they do, the new Orion lander and SLS rockets that they will be using to get there must be put through rigorous testing to ensure they are safe for human astronauts. Related: Animals in space: 10 beastly tales In the new photo, the "moonikin" sits in the Orion lander's seat as engineers test out its energy dampening system, the Crew Impact Attenuation System, during vibrational testing. During the actual launch of Artemis I, the dummy will sit in the commander's chair of the Orion module and will wear a first-generation Orion Crew Survival System suit the spacesuit astronauts will wear during launch, entry and other dynamic phases of their missions. It will also be equipped with sensors to measure acceleration, vibration and radiation, according to NASA . Artemis I will also carry two model human torsos, called phantoms, made from materials that mimic human bones, soft tissues and organs. NASA is currently holding an online competition in which members of the public can help name the astronaut model by voting for their favorite names in a bracketing system. The eight potential names are Ace, Wargo, Delos, Duhart, Campos, Shackleton, Montgomery and Rigel. Originally published on Live Science. A wild vulture recently had surgery in Vienna to implant a bionic leg. While still a nestling, Mia suffered a major injury to her right leg. Her parents had used sheep wool to hold the nest together, and some of the fibers became tangled around the young vulture's ankle. With her strangled foot starved for oxygen , her toes began to die. Fortunately for Mia, a team of veterinarians treated her injury. However, the foot was beyond repair; an amputation left her with a right leg ending in a stump. Related: In photos: Birds of prey For a bearded vulture, lacking a foot is a death sentence, because the bird won't be able to feed itself. With an 8.5-foot (2.6 meters) wingspan, these rare birds, listed as "near threatened" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, are some of the largest predatory birds native to Europe, Africa and Asia. These vultures need strong legs to lift their own body weight and seize prey. "It was clear that the rare bird could not survive long in its current condition," Dr. Oskar Aszmann, a reconstructive surgeon with MedUni Vienna who specializes in building prosthetics for humans, said in a statement . A team of veterinarians, led by Sarah Hochgeschurz of the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, contacted Aszmann for help. Aszmann is an expert in limb reconstruction, but such a procedure had never been performed on a bird. Designing a prosthetic limb for a predatory bird presented a number of unique challenges. A detachable prosthetic would not have been durable enough to withstand the daily punishment a raptor would subject it to. Any prosthesis would have to be able to not only grip prey but also withstand the shock of such a big bird landing. Related: 10 weirdest medical cases in the animal kingdom Image 1 of 3 An X-ray image of the new prostheses. Metal threads screw the implant into the bone, and over time the bone grows over it. The metal rod is attached at the base to a rubber cylinder that resembles a sushi roll. (Image credit: Sarah Hochgeschurz et al., Scientific Reports / CC by 4.0 Image 2 of 3 Various layers of cohesive soft materials are located around the central metal attachment to the prosthesis. A rough rubber surface provides traction and stability. (Image credit: Sarah Hochgeschurz et al., Scientific Reports / CC by 4.0 Image 3 of 3 The bearded vultures amputation stump prior to surgery shows scarring. (Image credit: Sarah Hochgeschurz et al., Scientific Reports / CC by 4.0 So the team designed Mia a custom implant that would be mounted directly into the leg bone. Using a technique called osseointegration, the surgeons installed a metal anchor into Mia's leg bone where her ankle used to attach. Over time, the bone grows into the metal threads on the anchor, "integrating" the metal rod into Mia's skeleton. The team then attached her prosthesis to the anchor. Instead of being shaped like an artificial bird foot, the vulture's bionic leg is a black rubber cylinder that makes Mia look like she accidentally stepped on a sushi roll. It's designed to allow Mia to grip both surfaces and prey but also to act as a shock absorber for softer landings. The cylindrical design is intended to minimize the potential of her twisting and damaging her leg when it got caught on branches, and the metal anchor integrated into the bone will provide Mia a high level of tactile feedback, Aszmann said. The team described the procedure in a study published June 11 in the journal Scientific Reports . The surgery required anesthetizing Mia for more than two hours but it was a success. "The bird made the first attempts to walk after just three weeks, and the prosthesis was under full load after six weeks," Aszmann said in the statement. "Today the bearded vulture can once again land and walk using both feet, making it the first 'bionic bird.'" Bearded vultures roam the wild, feeding on the bones of other animals. Now, Mia gets to hunt again, thanks to a little titanium in hers. Originally published on Live Science. The world's largest swimming pool designed for astronaut training and development of subsea robots will be built in the U.K. near the Cornwall Airport Newquay, which expects to serve as a spaceport for Virgin Orbit launches beginning next year. Part of what will become the Blue Abyss underwater center, the 164 feet long (50 meters) 130 feet deep (40 m) pool will have a stepped floor and a 164 feet deep (50 m) shaft measuring 52 feet wide (16 m). The company said in a statement that the pool would be able to hold 1,483,216 cubic feet (42,000 cubic meters) of water, which is equivalent to 17 Olympic-sized swimming pools or 168 million cups of tea. The company is now negotiating with the local authority, Cornwall Council, to purchase four plots of land next to the future Spaceport Cornwall, where the center will be located. It will then apply for a planning permission, assuming construction to be completed within 18 months after that. The center is expected to open in 2023. Photos: NASA is testing the first of its new moonwalking spacesuits underwater The company didn't say whether it has already raised the entire sum of 150 million ($213 million) required for the construction of the center, which will also feature hypobaric and hyperbaric chambers simulating the effects of high and low pressure, as well as a microgravity suite, a training center with classrooms and on-site accommodation facilities. British astronaut Tim Peake, who spent 186 days on the International Space Station in 2016, is one of the company's board members. "Cornwall is the perfect home for Blue Abyss, a region with great potential for its space, aerospace and renewable energy ambitions," Peake said in the statement. "This project will join Goonhilly Earth Station (a large radiocommunication space station located in Cornwall) and Spaceport Cornwall as significant national assets, creating a deep-sea and space-research training and test facility, as well as a fantastic educational resource, helping to widen our knowledge of how humans and technology can function in extreme environments." Related: Virtual reality will be a big part of Boeing's Starliner astronaut training The astronaut training center was designed by Robin Partington, a British architect known for the Gherkin, one of London's most recognisable skyscrapers. (Image credit: Blue Abyss) The center, the brainchild of former British Army diving instructor John Vickers, was designed by British architect Robin Partington, who led the design of the Gherkin, one of London's most recognizable skyscrapers. "We are planning a globally unique facility with a wide range of potential uses that tap into so many of the industries that Cornwall and the U.K. Southwest are known for," Vickers said in the statement. "Blue Abyss will be a huge research asset for aerospace, offshore energy, underwater robotics, human physiology, defense, leisure and maritime industries." The center will have a sliding roof through which a 33-ton (30 metric tonne) crane will lower large objects into the pool. These objects might include mock-ups of components of the International Space Station, as well as underwater film sets or mock-up cave systems for testing of remotely operated submarines. The pool's temperature, lighting and salinity will be adjustable to simulate different conditions, including different currents at varied depths. Follow Tereza Pultarova on Twitter @TerezaPultarova. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook. Denham Springs, LA (70726) Today Partly cloudy this morning with thunderstorms becoming likely this afternoon. High 87F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely. Low 73F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Click here to read the full article. Walt Disney Animation Studios and the pan-African entertainment company Kugali revealed the first images of their hotly anticipated Disney Plus original series Iwaju during a presentation Wednesday night at the Annecy Animation Festival. Set in a futuristic version of Lagos, Nigeria, the series offers what production designer Hamid Ibrahim described as a Kugali-Disney mash-up. This is a true collaboration. Its not Disney in some ways pushing our vision onto Kugali, said Walt Disney Animation Studios chief creative officer Jennifer Lee. It is a collaboration in that both companies are getting something out of it and supporting each other. During the presentation, the shows creators revealed a sneak peek at their futuristic vision of Lagos, a sprawling mega-city that straddles a lagoon and is divided into a densely populated mainland and a more affluent island. That physical separationmeans that we have a very unique set-up for storytelling already built into the DNA of the real-life Lagos, said Kugali co-founder and Iwaju cultural consultant Tolu Olowofoyeku. Writer-director and co-founder Ziki Nelson said the creative team was building a futuristic world rooted in the contemporary setting. Ibrahim revealed the first images of a metropolis whose glittering towers soar above the crowded cityscape below, and showed off the sleek flying cars and augmented reality glasses that will be a feature of daily life in the Lagos of Iwaju. Though details of the storyline and its main characters are still under wraps, Nelson said the plot would focus on the inequality that is a feature of everyday life in Nigeria, as well as challenging the status quo. Its really about that inspiration, or aspiration and desire, to try and engineer society for living in a more positive way, he said. Working remotely across three continents, production on Iwaju includes creatives in Burbank, London, Montreal, Lagos, Uganda and Zimbabwe. The aesthetic draws on Kugalis signature comic-book style, which Nelson described as a visual experience that you cant really find anywhere else, borrowing on both Eastern and Western art styles while incorporating traditional African art styles that weve infused into that aesthetic. Disney VFX supervisor Marlon West (Frozen, Frozen 2) added, It may not look like a Disney film, but it needs to look like Disney quality. Were going to bring our A-game. The childhood friends Nelson and Olowofoyeku began their collaboration with a podcast focused on comics, video games, and animation from across the African continent and diaspora, before shifting gears. We realized that what the community needed wasnt someone to talk about the content and put it on the map. They needed someone to actually create the content, said Nelson. The partners rebranded and soon launched as the comic book company Kugali. Lee recalled her first encounter with the creators, when she came across a BBC story about an African comic book company that was hoping to take on Disney, in which one of the co-founders insisted they were going to kick Disneys you-know-what. I was like, OK, lets connect, she said, laughing. The Disney exec was soon blown away by their storytelling, noting that there were stories with themes that I had never seen put together in that way. There were ideas [based on] folklore that I had never had access to. The companys vision, she added, dovetailed with her own philosophy for the venerable animation house. We, as Disney, can tell the stories of the world, but by the people of the world, and having people tell their own stories, she said. Head of story Natalie Nourigat, whose animated short Far From the Tree premiered at Annecy on Tuesday and will be released in theaters with Disneys Encanto this fall, described Iwaju as an example of an ever growing hunger for authenticity, andfor new stories. This project is proof that there is a place for whatever story you want to tell in the world, and theres a hunger for it, she added. If youre not seeing yourself represented, if youre not seeing something thats true to you represented, or something that you care about represented, please make it. The Mouse House showed it was redoubling its drive for more diverse storytelling on Thursday, with an announcement first revealed by Variety that its partnering with a crop of rising African toon talents on Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire, a Disney Plus Original anthology of animated films set to premiere on the companys streaming platform in late 2022. Inspired by the continents diverse histories and cultures, the 10-part anthology is an action-packed collection of sci-fi and fantasy stories that will present bold visions of advanced technology, aliens, spirits and monsters imagined from uniquely African perspectives. Oscar-winning director Peter Ramsey (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) will serve as executive producer. Speaking during the Annecy Festival on Wednesday, Lee acknowledged that both Disney and the animation industry as a whole have had a struggle to diversify. Theres so much more we can do in storytelling if we diversify our storytellers, she said. She channeled the words of the companys founder, who said that storytelling must continue to evolve, when noting that Disneys unprecedented global reach offers a platform for a wider range of storytellers to reach the world. Theres so many different filmmakers, artists out there, who have a voice that we can help the world hear, she said. The benefits flow both ways, she added, noting that the collaboration with Kugali has made us better storytellers at Disney[by] shaking up how we work. Its making us move towards the future. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Doug Liman is a renowned filmmaker behind an array of hit blockbusters from The Bourne Identity to Edge of Tomorrow. During his director series at the Tribeca Festival 2021, which was moderated by Jason Hirschhorn on Tuesday night, Liman revealed that he created his first film at the age of six. It was a short documentary about dogs in Central Park, which Limans older sister was quick to criticize. She was like, its just dog shitting, whos gonna want to watch that?' Liman recalled. The reality is, I was six years old with a camera. Its very hard to track a dog thats running in a park, you really have to wait for them to stop running. And it turns out, the only time they werent running was when they were pooping. So I had a whole movie of dogs pooping. Liman said that he likes to surround himself with very critical people because at the end of the day, the audiences and critics are gonna be critical. He went on to say that hes known to be pretty harsh back, but assumes its a safe space. If were working together, we respect each other, Liman said. We established that, now lets just get to the hard work of making a film. Liman said hes getting ready to do a third film with Tom Cruise, who he previously worked with on 2014s Edge of Tomorrow and 2017s American Made. The filmmaker said he typically tries to be positive with actors because they have to look good on camera, which is where one of his techniques comes into play. No matter how bad [the take] was, you call cut and you say, Okay, that was, fill in compliment,' Liman said. Now you say, Lets go again, and lets try something.' After 20 takes, however, Liman said one scene with Cruise wasnt working, and he was running out of compliments to hand out. And Im like, Tom, that was, uh and Tom goes, Terrible?' Liman recalled. Im like, Yeah, that was terrible. He was like, Yeah, I could tell it was terrible. I was doing it. And Im like, To be honest, it was like, awful.' Liman said he and Cruise went back and forth about how bad these takes were, which was Limans way of reiterating the importance of finding actors and producers with whom you can be honest with when somethings not working. When making a new film, Liman revealed that he strives to do the opposite of what he had just done before. For better or worse, I treat making films like its an adventure, Liman said. I dont necessarily want to know how its gonna work out when I go into it. The best indicator of a great filmmaker, according to Liman, is the ability to tell captivating stories. All of this is the same as telling stories by the campfire, film is just one way to do that, Liman said. At a dinner party, there are the people who are like, Let me tell you about my day, and its like boring as hell that person probably shouldnt be making movies. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Rita Moreno has posted a new statement saying that she is incredibly disappointed following her comments about the lack of Afro-Latino representation in In the Heights. During an appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on Tuesday night, Moreno defended In the Heights creator Lin-Manuel Miranda over criticism that the film did not cast any dark-skinned Afro-Latinos in its leading roles. Well Im simply saying, cant you just wait a while and leave it alone? Moreno said on the show. Theres a lot of people who are Puertorriquenos, who are also from Guatemala, who are dark and who are also fair. We are all colors in Puerto Rico. And this is how it is, and it would be so nice if they hadnt come up with that and just left it alone, just for now. I mean, theyre really attacking the wrong person. In a new statement posted to Twitter, Moreno acknowledged that she was clearly dismissive of dark-skinned Afro-Latinos and the importance of the communitys representation on-screen. Im incredibly disappointed with myself. While making a statement in defense of Lin-Manuel Miranda on the Colbert Show last night, I was clearly dismissive of black lives that matter in our Latin community, Moreno wrote. It is so easy to forget how celebration for some is lament for others. Morenos statement continued in a thread, in which she praised Mirandas response to the criticism. In addition to applauding Lin for his wonderful movie version of In The Heights, let me add my appreciation for his sensitivity and resolve to be more inclusive of the Afro-Latino community going forward, Moreno said. See, you CAN teach this old dog new tricks. In addition to applauding Lin for his wonderful movie version of In The Heights, let me add my appreciation for his sensitivity and resolve to be more inclusive of the Afro-Latino community going forward. See, you CAN teach this old dog new tricks RITA Rita Moreno (@TheRitaMoreno) June 17, 2021 Online discussion on the topic over the weekend stemmed from a video article in The Root, published on Wednesday. In an interview with In the Heights director Jon M. Chu and stars Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera and Gregory Diaz IV, journalist Felice Leon questioned the films casting decisions. What would you say to folks who say that In the Heights privileges white-passing and light-skinned Latinx people? Leon asked, to which Chu replied: I would say thats a fair conversation to have. Listen, were not going to get everything right in a movie. We tried our best on all fronts of it. On Monday, Miranda issued an apology for the lack of representation, saying that he fell short. I can hear the hurt and frustration over colorism, of feeling still unseen in the feedback. I hear that without sufficient dark-skinned Afro-Latino representation, the work feels extractive of the community we wanted so much to represent with pride and joy, Mirandas statement said in part. In trying to paint a mosaic of this community, we fell short. Im truly sorry. Im learning from the feedback, I thank you for raising it, and Im listening. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Starlight Media, a Chinese-owned film financier, will leverage its growing Hollywood connections and partner with a group of leading Chinese entertainment firms to launch global streaming service SYSM. The platform, whose initials stand for See You See Me, will combine film, TV and user-generated content as well as e-commerce, digital asset trading and social media. Domiciled and regulated in the U.S., it will operate with subscription and ad-supported layers. Subscription tiers will start at $5.99 per month. The venture is additionally backed by Stars Collective, the international talent development program that Starlight launched last year; Jetsen Huashi Wangju, one of Chinas largest digital media companies; and Sky Link TV, a U.S.-based Chinese TV broadcaster. Jetsen has a vast library of new media and animation content and holds global rights to 25,000 TV episodes. Combining the best features from leading VOD platforms and social networks with an innovative system that rewards users for engaging with content, we feel SYSM is offering everything audiences are craving, in one central hub. Moreover, this is a tremendous direct-to-consumer solution for our growing Stars Collective community, which will be delivering a significant amount of original content beginning next year, said Starlight CEO Peter Luo. SYSM will be available to users by early 2022. It will include films, TV series and shorts from Jetsen, and be fed content from Stars Collective as its protegees films are completed. Operators say they aim to have 300-500 original feature films on the platform within three years of launch, and between 1,500 to 3,000 TV episodes and digital videos. Social media, e-commerce, crowd-funding and trading of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) will be additional functions that combine fan interest with finance and create an ecosystem that is differentiated from other streaming systems. An online community can be engaged through chat rooms, fan clubs, contests, rankings and celebrity interaction. Fans will also be able to earn SYSM virtual currency coins by uploading original content, engaging with other creators and translating content. The coins can be spent in a variety of ways, including gifts to stars, fan-financing of Stars Collective projects and for the subscription to SYSMs paid tiers. SYSMs NFT market will allow buying and selling of music, film, art and collectables signed by their respective creators. Some may be sold through auction on the site. Luo says the COVID-19 pandemic, work from home trends and the growing importance of streaming services are combining to reshape the film industry and that SYSM is a response to it. This is a great time to launch SYSM. It is designed with the future in mind. The digital transformation we see represents a film industry upgrade, perhaps the next Industrial Revolution, Luo told Variety. We can see how this SYSM ecosystem shortens production times, builds interest and achieves quicker monetization. That in turn reduces the financial risk borne by investors who may otherwise be exposed for a period of five to seven years. Luo says many parts of the SYSM ecosystem are being worked on in different places and that other elements have yet to be developed. These include potential involvement of the prestigious Beijing Film Academy and digital currency being developed by an undisclosed Australian partner. An online theater component may include live concerts, stage plays, premieres and other live events. Starlights conventional movie-finance business has been involved with Crazy Rich Asians, Midway and Marshall. Its upcoming films include James Wans Malignant for New Line; the supernatural horror film Umma for Sony Pictures, directed by Sam Raimi and starring Sandra Oh; an action-thriller trilogy starring Thai martial arts star Tony Jaa; Golden Empire, with Donnie Yen; and Thai filmmaker Baz Poonpiriyas thriller The Innkeeper. On the TV side, it recently revealed a series adaptation of Rebecca F. Kuangs award-winning fantasy novel trilogy: The Poppy War, Dragon Republic and The Burning God, as well as a TV series adapted from the popular action-fantasy novel Stone Junction to be directed by Alan Taylor (Game of Thrones, Mad Men). The companys Stars Collective program was launched in 2019 and supports filmmaking diversity. It provides a mix of development funding and mentoring from tutors who include Raimi, Taylor, Chinese superstar Huang Xiaoming, and producers Donna Gigliotti, Gianni Nunnari, Chris Lee, Han Sanping, Paula Wagner, Patrick Wachsberger and Eric Heumann. It is expected to deliver upwards of 300 feature films in the next three years. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Amazon is thinking outside the box for ways to promote its new sci-fi action movie The Tomorrow War. Literally. For the first time, Amazon will be branding its shipping boxes to promote an Amazon Studios film. The boxes will be used in the United States, Canada, Brazil and Australia beginning Friday, June 18. In the past, Amazons television properties have been promoted on boxes. The movie is set for release July 2. Chris Pratt stars as Dan Forester, a soldier sent into the future to the year 2052 to fight off an alien invasion in order to rewrite the future to leave the world a better for his daughter. Directed by Chris McKay and written by Zach Dean, the blockbuster hopeful also includes Betty Gilpin, Sam Richardson, Edwin Hodge, J.K. Simmons, Yvonne Strahovski, Jasmine Mathews and Keith Powers. Amazon reportedly shelled out $200 million for rights to The Tomorrow War, which was developed and produced by Skydance Media. Paramount Pictures was originally set to distribute the film but brokered a deal with Amazon in the wake of theaters closing due to the COVID pandemic. The Tomorrow War will be a global event that will surprise and delight our customers around the world, Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke said in April when the movies July release date was announced. Director Chris McKay has brilliantly crafted this unique, action-packed sci-fi escape that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats and tug on their heart strings with its father-daughter storyline. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. During a digital press conference hosted by Rep. Henry Cuellar on Wednesday, he discussed the latest update regarding the non-essential travel ban but said that there is still no definitive answer on when the federal government will lift the restriction. However, Cuellar remained optimistic over a near-future reopening as he said he was told by White House officials and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas that they were engaging with both Mexico and Canada on how to reopen the border. That sentence is probably the most significant thing Ive heard from the administration ... that is important, said Cuellar, who highlighted that was the first time the White House had been in discussion with both countries on reopening. Still, the congressman seemed a little less sure of the reopening compared to the last times Laredo officials spoke on the matter. On June 3 during the weekly COVID media briefing, Mayor Pete Saenz discussed a planned date of reopening of June 21. Cuellar also discussed that date a few days later, although he said it was unofficial. And on Wednesday, he instead provided a range of dates spanning all the way through July. Im not going to say they are going to open on the 21st, Cuellar said. We are still trying to find out if they are going to do that, but we are hoping somewhere between the 21st and July 4 to hear some news. Cuellar previously said that unless lightning strikes from the White House there would be an announcement on the border reopening during last October, although one never came. And COVID cases picked up tremendously in the ensuing months making the effort moot. Both Cuellar and Saenz have been citing concerns about the June reopening date, stating that Title 42 could potentially being removed and there could be an influx of migrants arriving when that happens. And seeing as they had not received a plan from the federal government at that time, opening in June brought with it concerns. However, the government has still not officially addressed any specific date for the bridges to be reopened or any plans for the removal of Title 42. It also seems that the early June discussions between U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador did not provide any tangible result regarding the reopening. Cuellar also said that he invited Harris to visit the border. He sent a letter to her asking for them to come get a first-hand look at immigration concerns while stating that economic struggles continue due to the travel restrictions. Additionally, Cuellar said that after a Tuesday evening discussion with Marcelo Ebrard Mexicos Secretary of Foreign Relations they discussed the flow of vaccines from the U.S. to Mexico. But Ebrard said that it would need additional doses for the border communities on the Mexican side. Other subjects were also discussed Wednesday around Texas, including the current plan from Gov. Greg Abbott on the building of a border wall and the permitless open carry legislation. According to Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, Texas representative for the 120th House District, the state allocated $1.3 billion toward border security in their budget, including a Texas-paid wall and the hiring of additional Border Patrol agents. But Cuellar said that he believes the state does not have the proper funding to build the wall and referenced the efforts of former President Donald Trump to build one and how much it cost the country. Cuellar added that President Joe Biden will not be waiving any environmental laws to build the Texas fence, ultimately making it more difficult for Abbott to act on building it. Considering the recent declarations by Abbott to crowdsource the wall, Gervin-Hawkins and Cuellar agreed that the state should focus on addressing the Electric Reliability Council of Texas power issues that have affected Texans throughout the state. Gervin-Hawkins said that during a discussion with ERCOT officials, she asked if it would be possible to connect with the national grid and if Texas energy would be better protected. She proposed that the national grid could be used as a backup, but added that ERCOT would be sending her a report weighing the pros and cons of the integration. On Monday, ERCOT issued a reduce electrical service announcement to Texas residents as power plants were shut down due to high temperatures this week. This comes after the major winter storm which saw many in the state without power in February resulting in over 151 deaths, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. The permitless carry bill was also discussed and Gervin-Hawkins shared her concerns. She said that despite supporting the second amendment and gun control, permitless carry would allow those without training or permit to brandish a gun in public. She is also concerned about the difficulties the bill would be responsible for in terms of tracing weapons or gun owners. cocampo@lmtonline.com Danny Zaragoza /Laredo Morning Times file A man has been arrested for the smuggling attempt of more than $1 million in crystal meth through a local international bridge, according to an arrest affidavit. Luke Stephen Law arrived at the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge driving a gray Volvo sedan along with a passenger. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers referred him to secondary inspection, where a K-9 unit alerted to possible contraband within the vehicle. Federal authorities have identified a man involved in the human smuggling attempt of more than 80 migrants. At about 9:30 p.m. on June 4, Border Patrol agents received information about migrants being loaded into a tractor-trailer east of the intersection of East Del Mar Boulevard and Bob Bullock Loop. An Office of Air and Marine unit responded to the area. Authorities observed a parked 18-wheeler. A Pontiac sedan and a Nissan sport utility vehicle were seen leaving the area in opposing directions. The pontiac traveled to the intersection of Inspiration Parkway and Del Mar, where the occupants abandoned the vehicle and ran into the brush. Responding agents secured the Pontiac but were unable to apprehend the occupants. Authorities maintained surveillance on the Nissan. Agents activated their emergency equipment attempting to pull over the Nissan. But the Nissan continued south on the Interstate 35 access road before stopping abruptly and the occupants exiting the Nissan. Agents apprehended 11 people, including the driver who was identified as Julio Cesar Gonzalez-Soto. Authorities then discovered 72 people inside the locked trailer. Five individuals were unaccompanied children from Mexico. All had crossed the border illegally. In a post-arrest interview, Gonzalez-Soto stated he was to be paid $1,800 to transport the migrants. He added he crossed the border two days prior to the smuggling attempt. After crossing, a man recruited him to transport the migrants. Gonzalez-Soto stated when he saw the helicopter, he fled the area trying to get away and fled on foot before (agents) caught him in the nearby brush, states the affidavit. Gonzalez-Soto was arrested and charged with transport, attempt to transport and conspire to transport migrants. JIUQUAN, China (AP) Three Chinese astronauts have begun making Chinas new space station their home for the next three months, after their launch and arrival at the station Thursday marked further advances in the countrys ambitious space program. Their Shenzhou-12 craft connected with the station about six hours after taking off from the Jiuquan launch center on the edge of the Gobi Desert. About three hours later, commander Nie Haisheng, followed by Liu Boming and space rookie Tang Hongbo, opened the hatches and floated into the Tianhe-1, the core living segment of the station. Pictures showed them busy at work unpacking equipment and at one point turning to the camera to greet and salute audiences back on Earth. This represents the first time Chinese have entered their own space station, state broadcaster CCTV said on its nightly news. China has now sent 14 astronauts into space since 2003, when it became only the third country after the former Soviet Union and the United States to do so on its own. Chinas leaders hope the mission will be a complete success as the ruling Communist Party prepares to celebrate its centennial next month. Although contact between the Chinese space program and NASA is restricted by U.S. law, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson issued a statement Thursday expressing, Congratulations to China on the successful launch of crew to their space station! I look forward to the scientific discoveries to come. The mission is the third of 11 planned through next year to connect the Tianhe-1 to two laboratory modules and send up crews and supplies. The current crew will carry out experiments, test equipment and prepare for the future missions. A fresh crew and supplies will be sent in three months. Each crew will have three members, with the station's capacity at six, when crews are being exchanged. Two of China's past astronauts were women, and future crews on the station will include women. Uniformed military personnel and children waving flowers and flags and singing patriotic songs saw off the astronauts before they entered the Shenzhou-12 to be blasted into space atop a Long March-2F Y12 rocket at at 9:22 a.m (0122 GMT) Thursday Beijing time. The rocket dropped its boosters about two minutes into the flight followed by the cowling surrounding the crew's craft. After about 10 minutes it separated from the rocket's upper section, extended its solar panels and shortly afterward entered orbit. About a half-dozen adjustments helped line up the craft for docking with the Tianhe-1, or Heavenly Harmony, module at about 4 p.m. (0800 GMT). The travel time is down from the two days it took to reach China's earlier experimental space stations, a result of a great many breakthroughs and innovations," the missions deputy chief designer, Gao Xu, told state broadcaster CCTV. So the astronauts can have a good rest in space which should make them less tired," Gao said. Other improvements include an increase in the number of automated and remote-controlled systems that should significantly lessen the pressure on the astronauts," Gao said. China is not a participant in the International Space Station, largely as a result of U.S. objections to the Chinese programs secrecy and close military ties. However, China has been stepping up cooperation with Russia and a host of other countries, and its station may continue operating beyond the International Space Station, which is reaching the end of its functional life. Chinese space officials have also said foreigners may be part of future crews on the station after it is fully built next year. China landed a probe on Mars last month that carried a rover, the Zhurong, and earlier landed a probe and rover on the moon's less explored far side and brought back the first lunar samples by any countrys space program since the 1970s. China and Russia this week also unveiled an ambitious plan for a joint International Lunar Research Station running through 2036. That could compete and possibly conflict with the multinational Artemis Accords, a blueprint for space cooperation that supports NASAs plans to return humans to the moon by 2024 and to launch an historic human mission to Mars. After the Tianhe-1 was launched in April, the rocket that carried it into space made an uncontrolled reentry to Earth. Usually, discarded rocket stages reenter the atmosphere soon after liftoff, normally over water, and dont go into orbit. China dismissed criticism of the potential safety hazard at the time, and officials said the rocket used Thursday was of a different type and reentering components were expected to burn up before they could be a danger. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Iran's tattered nuclear deal with world powers hangs in the balance as the country prepares to vote on Friday for a new president and diplomats press on with efforts to get both the U.S. and Tehran to reenter the accord. The deal represents the signature accomplishment of the relatively moderate President Hassan Rouhani's eight years in office: suspending crushing sanctions in exchange for the strict monitoring and limiting of Iran's uranium stockpile. The deal's collapse with President Donald Trump's decision to unilaterally withdraw America from the agreement in 2018 spiraled into a series of attacks and confrontations across the wider Middle East. It also prompted Tehran to enrich uranium to highest purity levels so far, just shy of weapons-grade levels. With analysts and polling suggesting that a hard-line candidate already targeted by U.S. sanctions will win Friday's vote, a return to the deal may be possible but it likely won't lead to a further detente between Iran and the West. "Its certainly not as complex as drafting a deal from scratch, which is what the sides did that resulted in the 2015 deal," said Henry Rome, a senior analyst focusing on Iran at the Eurasia Group. But theres still a lot of details that need to be worked out. He added: I think theres a lot of domestic politics that go into this and an interest from hard-liners, including the supreme leader, to ensure that their favored candidate wins without any significant disruptions to that process. The 2015 deal, which saw Iranians flood into the streets in celebration, marked a major turn after years of tensions between Iran and the West over Iran's nuclear program. Tehran has long insisted that its program is for peaceful purposes. However, U.S. intelligence agencies and International Atomic Energy Agency say Iran pursued an organized nuclear weapons program up until 2003. In order to ease the threat seen by the West, Iran agreed under the deal to limit its enrichment of uranium gas to just 3.67% purity, which can be used in nuclear power plants but is far below weapons-grade levels of 90%. It also put a hard cap on Iran's uranium stockpile to just 300 kilograms (661 pounds). Tehran also committed to using only 5,060 of its first-generation centrifuges, the devices that spin the uranium gas to enrich it. Before the deal, Iran had been enriching up to 20% and had a stockpile of some 10,000 kilograms (22,046 pounds). That amount at that enrichment level narrowed Iran's so-called breakout time how long it would take for Tehran to be able to produce enough weapons-grade uranium for one atomic bomb. Prior to the deal, experts estimated Iran needed two to three months to reach that point. Under the deal, officials put that period at around a year. The deal also subjected Iran to some of the most-stringent monitoring ever by the IAEA to monitor its program and ensure its compliance. What the deal didn't do, however, was involve Iran's ballistic missile program or Tehran's support of militant groups around the region such as the Lebanese Hezbollah or the Palestinian Hamas that the West and its allies have designated terrorist organizations. At the time, the Obama administration suggested further negotiations could spring from the deal. However, Trump entered the White House on a promise to tear up the accord in part over that, which he ultimately did in 2018. In the time since, Iran has broken all the limits it agreed to under the deal. It now enriches small amounts of uranium up to 63% purity. It spins far-more advanced centrifuges. The IAEA hasn't been able to access its surveillance cameras at Iranian nuclear sites since late February, nor data from its online enrichment monitors and electronic seals hobbling the U.N. nuclear watchdog's monitoring abilities. Iran also restarted enrichment at a hardened underground facility and is building more centrifuge halls underground, after two attacks suspected to have been carried out by Israel. If Iran's nuclear program remains unchecked, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned it could shrink Tehran's breakout time down to a matter of weeks. That has worried nonproliferation experts. I think for the international community and specifically for the United States putting the nuclear program back into a box is critical," said Sanam Vakil, the deputy head of Chatham Houses Middle East and North Africa program who studies Iran. "Its important because beyond the nuclear agreement, the negotiators are ultimately hoping to lengthen and strengthen the deal. And so you cant even get there until the current deal is stabilized. Since President Joe Biden took office, his diplomats have been working with other world powers to come up with a way to return both the U.S. and Iran to the deal in negotiations in Vienna. There have been no direct U.S.-Iran in those negotiations, though separate talks have been underway involving a possible prisoner swap. In Friday's presidential election in Iran, hard-line judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi appears to be the front-runner. He's already said he wants to return Iran to the nuclear deal to take advantage of its economic benefits. But given his previous belligerent statements toward the U.S., further cooperation with the West at the moment appears unlikely. Meanwhile, it remains unclear when a deal will be reached in Vienna. And while Iran has broken through all the accord's limits, there's still more it could do to increase pressure on the West. Those steps could include using more centrifuges, further increasing enrichment, restarting a facility that makes plutonium as a byproduct or abandoning a nuclear nonproliferation treaty. Its a very fine tool, Rome said. "The Iranian political leadership can decide quite specifically what type of signal it wants to send, whether thats the type of machines it uses, the speed of the production, the quantity of the production in order to send a message to the West about the degree of pressure it wants to put on. ___ Follow Jon Gambrell on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jongambrellAP. COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) The Swedish prime minister said Thursday he will wait to learn the outcome of no-confidence vote and then think through what is best for Sweden" after a government ally won support from three opposition parties to unseat him. If Prime Minister Stefan Lofven loses the vote on Monday, it could bring an abrupt end to his leadership of the Scandinavian country after seven years. The Left Party said this week that it had lost confidence in Lofven and his center-left minority government, The small party said it would call for a no-confidence vote in the 349-seat Riksdag if the prime minister did not stop a proposal to abolish rent controls on newly built properties. The Left Party, which is not in Lofven's two-party government but has used its 27 parliament seats to back the coalition of Social Democrats and Greens. Its saber-rattling gives the party an opportunity to raise its profile. Lofven called the Left Partys threat so hasty. He said the wording of the plan at the center of the party's demand was up for discussion and not finalized. Such a proposal doesnt exist, Lofven said. To throw Sweden into a political crisis in this difficult situation for the country, it is not responsible, the prime minister said, referring to the coronavirus pandemic and its consequences. The prime minister has two options if a no-confidence motion passes: calling a snap election or putting in "a request for dismissal and becoming the head of a caretaker government. There is no clear alternative to Lofven for prime minister. On Thursday, three opposition parties the center-right Moderates and the Christian Democrats, and the right-wing populist Sweden Democrats which is rooted in a neo-Nazi movement said they would join the Left Party in voting against the government. This government should never have taken office. We have already voted no to Stefan Lofven several times. We will, of course, do it again, Moderate Party leader Ulf Kristerssons said. The governing coalition holds 116 parliament seats. All together, the four parties opposing Lofven have 181 lawmakers. To succeed, a vote of no confidence must be supported by an absolute majority, which is 175 votes. However, both the center-left and the center-right blocs have refused to cooperate with the Sweden Democrats, the country's third-largest party, which made great strides in the September 2018 national election. The party has for months criticized Lofven for not doing enough to fight immigration and crime. In recent years, the Sweden Democrats have worked to soften its image and has played a role in breaking down longstanding taboos on what Swedes could say openly about immigration and integration without being shunned as racists. Swedens next parliamentary election is scheduled for next year. Political science professor Tommy Moller said he doubts there will be an early one called. The government will probably fall, and then Stefan Lofven returns with a new government, he told Swedish news agency TT. He said the Left Party had entered a chicken race and might bail on trying to send the prime minister packing because of the prospect of being forced to vote alongside the Sweden Democrats. After four years, Puhoi historian and museum archivist Jenny Schollum has handed over her spot on the Mahurangi Matters roster of history contributors to me. In 1976, I was the founding president of the Puhoi Historical Society, later renamed the Puhoi Heritage Museum Incorporated. Im no longer president, but I thought the origins of the old historical society would be a good place for me to start. The first decade of the societys life saw the emergence of many of the trends, themes and topics, that became not only of importance for the new historical society, but also broadened its influence to contribute to the welfare of the whole Puhoi community and to some of its neighbours as well. Identifying some of those topics of significance, which emerged in the first 10 years and which are still active today in some form, would be a fitting way to pay tribute to the hard work and dedication of the society for almost half a century. I say for almost half a century because even its longest surviving members, and certainly few of Puhois newer residents, will realise that our society had its earliest beginnings, not in the worthy desire to preserve and foster the heritage of our ancestors, but in a little group of people, me included, who met quietly for around six months to oppose the subdivision of the Shrine Block, now Slowater Lane. Some took their opposition to the then Town and Country Planning Tribunal. Not surprisingly, the Bohemian farmers wanting to sell their land to a developer did not support our protest. Our 10-member Puhoi Protest Group comprised, apart from myself, almost exclusively, non-Bohemian residents. We lost the case, but for me, in 1975, a relative girl of 28, with no experience of public life or village politics, fresh from almost four years of teaching in grammar schools in Germany, and bright-eyed and idealistic about having bought land in the village of my ancestors, it was a sharp lesson in accepting the inevitability of change. It was an experience now familiar to most New Zealanders whether we welcome it or whether we dread it, whether we are its instigators, its beneficiaries or its victims. I am, of course, speaking of subdivision. After we failed to halt the subdivision of the Shrine Block, and, also of surrounding land, including Saleyards Road and the farm opposite the church, our little group bowed to the publics wishes and agreed upon a different direction the formation of a society which did fit with what the Bohemians and some newer residents valued. The establishment of an historical society with its aims, still in existence today, of preserving the history and heritage of our Bohemian ancestors, was almost universally agreed upon. Ill be exploring that history and heritage in future columns. Judith Williams, Puhoi historian bohemia1863@gmail.com Lockport, NY (14094) Today Cloudy this morning with thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 67F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 58F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. The beginning of the school year when you got to show off your new duds, new cars, new looks! Sports! Playing, cheering, watching high school athletics. The arts: Dramatic arts, musical groups and shows, graphic arts groups, debate, etc. The prom! No dancing the night away or punch bowl antics. The daily interactions. Just being with the group, hanging with friends and classmates. Access to college recruiters and advisors its harder to line up higher education. Walking onstage to get a diploma while all the family is watching with everyone elses family. Vote View Results A disqualified driver who drove into a car containing a mother and her five-year-old child has been jailed for four-and-a-half years. Graham Campion (27) had already been disqualified from driving for 14 years when he drove into the woman's car and then failed to remain at the scene following the collision. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that the woman and her child were travelling home from Tallaght Hospital when the impact of Campions car forced her car off the road. Dessie Reynolds goal the turning point as slick Longford avoid drop Reigning Munster champions Tipperary second best in NFL relegation play-off From the moment Dessie Reynolds broke through the Tipperary defence to score the decisive only goal with 14 minutes gone in the second half, the force was with revitalised Longford who stepped up another gear to win by the comfortable margin of seven points in the finish. Campion of Harmonstown Road, Artane, pleaded guilty to endangerment and damaging a car at the N81 Tallaght Bypass on April 16, 2017. He has 68 previous convictions, including convictions for dangerous driving, driving without a licence, no insurance and drugs offences. Garda John Ryan told Diana Stuart BL, prosecuting, that in the early hours of the morning on the date in question, the victim heard a bang while driving onto a roundabout, before realising that a silver BMW had collided with her vehicle. Gda Ryan said the victim was concerned her car might flip due to the force of the impact, and that the incident felt like it lasted forever. The woman and her son managed to climb out of the car after the collision. Shortly before blacking out, Gda Ryan said the woman saw a man leaving the scene of incident. Gda Ryan agreed with Michael Hourigan BL, defending, that a relative of his client died in an accident and this proceeded the beginning of significant abuse of alcohol and drugs by his client. The garda agreed with counsel that his client has a history of working over the years. He agreed the accused is in a long-term relationship and has three children. Mr Hourigan said his client was apologetic and remorseful for what was undoubtedly a terrifying experience for the victim. Counsel said his client had suffered from addiction issues over the years and had been homeless living in the city centre prior to going into custody. Judge Pauline Codd said that one of the most serious aggravating factors in the case was that Campion was disqualified from driving at the time of the incident. The judge said the fact that he left the scene further aggravates the offence. She said the accused was fortunate that the victim and her son did not suffer more serious injuries. Judge Codd sentenced Campion to four-and-a-half years imprisonment. She also ordered that he be disqualified from driving for 15 years. Local News, Travel & Local Attractions, Press Releases By Chris Boyle Published: June 17 2021 "Relentless erosion threatened the structural integrity of this historic Long Island treasure," Governor Cuomo said. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, have announced stonework designed to reduce shoreline erosion and preserve a National Historic Landmark guiding mariners for over 200 years has begun at the Montauk Point Lighthouse on eastern Long Island. "Relentless erosion threatened the structural integrity of this historic Long Island treasure and we're proud to have taken action with our federal partners to preserve this iconic landmark," Governor Cuomo said. "We are excited to see work beginning on this project and look forward to giving future New Yorkers the opportunity to visit and learn about the rich history of Long Island, our state and our nation here at Montauk Point." New York District Commander, COL Matthew Luzzatto said, "Montauk Lighthouse is an important navigational aide for marine traffic bound for the Port of New York, supporting billions in global commerce. Visible for 20 miles, the lighthouse also has significant cultural, historical, and educational value. The work we're performing will fortify and protect this national treasure for years to come." The contractor has completed all site preparations setting up the staging area, building an access road to the revetment, fencing off the construction area and placing monitors on site to measure vibrations. In addition, the historic bunker has been successfully relocated from the revetment area and stone deliveries to the project site have begun. Full excavation and stonework on the revetment are ready to begin. Work on the nearly 1,000 linear feet of stone revetment includes removing and reusing five- and 10-ton stones already in place, adding 10- and 15-ton stones, and stabilizing the upper slope above the revetment with terracing and vegetation. The construction contract award total is $30.7 million for work expected to take two years. The estimated total project cost is $44 million. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is committing $15.4 million as the non-federal sponsor. These investments will upgrade the revetment, reduce shoreline erosion, and maintain cultural resources associated with the lighthouse educational, archaeological, and historical. The Montauk Historical Society owns the land and will maintain the site after work is complete. DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "The shoreline restoration at Montauk Point Lighthouse is critically important to protect and preserve this historic landmark and increase visitors' enjoyment of the historic treasures at this site. DEC is proud to partner with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the town of East Hampton, and the Montauk Historical Society as New York State continues to make record investments in infrastructure to protect treasures like the lighthouse from the impacts of climate change, bolstering the local economy in the process." State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said, "The Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation is proud to partner with federal and fellow state agencies to restore the Montauk Point Lighthouse by upgrading the stone revetment. The Montauk Point Lighthouse is one of Long Island's gems, where thousands of New Yorkers and tourist alike visit every year to appreciate our beautiful coastline. This project will greatly enhance the existing structure and the overall experience by all who visit Montauk Point." The lighthouse, commissioned by George Washington in 1796, originally sat 300 feet from the edge of the bluff. Over the years, erosion has taken its toll: Today, just 70 feet separate the lighthouse from the Atlantic Ocean only an aging revetment keeps it from being lost to the sea. The lighthouse complex also includes a museum, lighthouse tower and keeper's house, fire control tower and garage. The museum will be open to the public during construction. In 1996, the U.S. Coast Guard transferred ownership of the site to the Montauk Historical Society, which maintains the property. The Society, dedicated to the protection, preservation, and educational development of the lighthouse, has maintained the revetment since the early 1990s. East Hampton Town Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc said, "The Montauk Lighthouse is a national historic landmark as well as a Long Island icon and tourist attraction. East Hampton cherishes preserving its history, and I am happy to see this important project move forward." Local News, Crime, Press Releases, Politics By Chris Boyle Published: June 17 2021 Legislation introduced following incidents on Long Island where Confederate Flags were displayed on Fire Trucks and on Public Property. This week, the New York State Assembly passed legislation introduced by State Senator Anna M. Kaplan (D-North Hills) and Assemblymember Michaelle Solages (D-Elmont), S.4615A/A.5402A, that will ensure symbols of hate are prohibited from being displayed on public property and taxpayer funded equipment throughout the state of New York. The action in the Assembly followed action by the State Senate, who passed the legislation in May. The legislation comes following a widely reported incident last year involving the display of a confederate flag on a fire truck in a parade in Suffolk County, and following the revelation of a confederate flag being displayed in a window at a fire department in Nassau County. "You'd think it was common sense that taxpayer property can't be used as a platform for hate, but shockingly there's no law saying so." said bill sponsor Senator Anna M. Kaplan. "Public property belongs to all of us, and this measure is critical to ensure that our public property isn't used to promote hatred. I'm proud that, together with my partner Assemblymember Michaelle Solages, we were able to get this legislation passed through both houses of the Legislature, and I look forward to the Governor signing it into law this year. It's simply too important, and we can't wait any longer to get it done." Hate-inspired symbols will never be tolerated in our state, and I am proud to partner with Senator Anna Kaplan to ensure that all municipal corporations adhere to that very sentiment, stated Assemblymember Michaelle Solages. Now more than ever, it is imperative that New York State stands firm and consistent in our commitment to denouncing hate, bigotry, and intolerance in all its forms. The legislation, S.4615A/A.5402A, will: Prohibit the selling or displaying of symbols of hate on public property: Expanding on legislation enacted last year (S.8298B), the bill will prohibit municipal corporations, towns, cities, villages, fire districts, volunteer fire companies, or police departments from selling or displaying symbols of hate, except when the display is for educational or historical purposes. Following passage in both houses of the legislature, the bill now goes to the Governor. Local News, Crime, Press Releases By Chris Boyle Published: June 17 2021 Devon Lewis, 35, was convicted by a jury on Nov. 13, 2020, of six counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, officials say. Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini has announced the sentencing of a Manhattan man for selling heroin and cocaine. My administration has made it clear that we are going to seek stiff penalties for anyone dealing drugs in our community, which is one of many strategies were employing to get this poison off our streets, District Attorney Sini said. This is an individual who was not only selling drugs, but allegedly attempted to avoid facing the consequences of those actions with a scheme he tried to pull on the Court. Clearly that scheme did not work, and he was convicted by a jury and fittingly sentenced to the maximum possible prison time in this case. Devon Lewis, 35, was convicted by a jury on Nov. 13, 2020, of six counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a class B felony, and six counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a class B felony. He was sentenced yesterday by Suffolk County Court Judge Timothy Mazzei to the maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. In September 2019, Lewis sold quantities of heroin and cocaine to an undercover police officer on three occasions. The sales occurred in the Wyandanch area near a house where Lewis previously resided. A search warrant was executed at the residence on Sept. 25, 2019, by the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office and the Suffolk County Police Departments Narcotics Section, First Precinct Special Operations Team and Emergency Service Section, which resulted in Lewis arrest. The jury trial against Lewis began on Sept. 17, 2020, and closing arguments were expected to occur on Sept. 24, 2020. However, on Sept. 23, 2020, Lewis provided the Court with a photograph of a document purporting to show that his wife, Blair McDermott, who had been present for the duration of the trial, had tested positive for COVID-19 that day. A determination was made to suspend the trial and resume after McDermott received a negative COVID test. A virtual conference on the case was held on Oct. 1, 2020, during which Lewis affirmed to the Court that he and McDermott were quarantining in their residence in Manhattan. On Oct. 14, 2020, Lewis defense attorney submitted to the Court a photograph of a document provided by Lewis purporting to show that McDermott had tested positive for COVID again on Oct. 8, 2020. The trial resumed on Nov. 12, 2020, following McDermotts receipt of a negative COVID test. An investigation by the District Attorneys Office revealed that McDermott had allegedly altered the documents submitted to the Court to show positive COVID test results when she had in fact tested negative. McDermott also allegedly altered the date of the initial COVID test, which had been administered on Sept. 17, 2020. Pursuant to the investigation, a search warrant was executed on Lewis cell phone immediately following his conviction, which revealed evidence that Lewis and McDermott knowingly provided the false documents to the Court. The cell phone analysis also revealed that during the time period in which the defendants purported to be quarantining at their residence in Manhattan, they had in fact traveled to various locations in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland, including visiting several hotels and casinos. Additionally, in August 2020, Lewis provided the Court with a doctors note stating that he had asthma and therefore any jail sentence imposed during the coronavirus pandemic would be a health risk. The investigation found that the doctors note was forged. In connection with these allegations, Lewis and McDermott, 36, are each charged with two counts of Forgery in the Second Degree, a class D felony; two counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony; and two counts of Criminal Contempt in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor. Lewis is also charged with Forgery in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor. Those charges are still pending. This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Emma Pearce and Robert Archer, of the Narcotics Bureau. Leesburg, VA (20175) Today Cloudy early with peeks of sunshine expected late. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 78F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Mostly clear. Slight chance of a shower throughout the evening. Low 56F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Ensure you get a print copy of the Loudoun Times-Mirror delivered weekly to your home or business! Complete online access is included with all print subscriptions purchased online. Plus, up to four other members of your household can share online access through this subscription with their own, individual linked accounts at no additional charge. (Are you a current advertiser? Ask your sales rep for our special advertiser rate code!) (Alliance News) - easyJet PLC has launched 12 new UK domestic routes amid government rules limiting foreign travel. The new routes include Liverpool-Bournemouth, Birmingham-Newquay and Manchester-Edinburgh, leading environmentalists to accuse the London-listed budget airline of putting profits over "our planet's health". Summer 2020 saw huge demand for trips to beach locations as people rushed out of urban areas after the first coronavirus lockdown ended. Accommodation providers have also seen strong booking numbers this year, partly driven by quarantine and testing requirements for overseas holidays. Flights between Liverpool and Bournemouth will take one hour whereas rail travel between the same locations involves changing trains once and an overall journey time in excess of five hours. Travel between Birmingham and Newquay will take one hour and 15 minutes by air, or five hours and 50 minutes by rail with two changes of trains. The Manchester-Edinburgh route replaces a service lost when Flybe ceased operations in March 2020. Flights will take 65 minutes, compared with direct trains which take around three hours. John Sauven, executive director of Greenpeace UK, said: "Domestic flights have long been a symbol of how our economic system incentivises our own destruction. "Companies like easyJet claim to take sustainability seriously, but their announcement of 12 new domestic routes, including one under 200 miles, shows they will not prioritise our planet's health over their profits until they are forced to do so by law. "The UK government claims to be a climate leader but is considering lowering taxes on domestic flights despite them being cheaper than train fares on many routes. "What will it take to make ministers understand that you can't hit carbon reduction targets without carbon reduction policies?" The distance between Birmingham and Newquay as the crow flies is just below 200 miles, but by land transport it is about 240 miles. easyJet is returning to Leeds Bradford and East Midlands airports with new flights to and from Belfast International. Those routes were previously operated by Stobart Air, which collapsed over the weekend. Stobart Air was owned by Esken Ltd. Flight frequencies are being ramped up on easyJet's existing routes from Belfast International to Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow The expansion of easyJet's domestic flying means it is also adding Belfast City, East Midlands and Leeds Bradford airports to its network. EasyJet's UK manager Ali Gayward said: "We know our customers can't wait to be reunited with friends and family or to explore the UK so these additional new routes today should prove popular and will further strengthen our UK domestic network providing customers with even more choice. "We were sorry to see the news about Stobart Air and so are pleased to continue to provide key regional connectivity from Belfast International Airport to East Midlands and Leeds Bradford airports, as well as launching easyJet operations for the very first time from Belfast City Airport to London Gatwick. "We also know it is important to our customers to be reunited with loved ones overseas so we continue to urge the UK government to add more countries to the green list a which can be done safely a to make this possible." By Neil Lancefield, PA Transport Correspondent source: PA Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. Lindsell Train Investment Trust PLC - investment trust with stakes in blue-chip firms such as Diageo PLC and Nintendo Co Ltd - As at March 31, net asset value per share up 24% year-on-year at GBP1,185.65 vs GBP956.65. For the year, NAV total return at 29%, compared to the company's benchmark which is the annual average running yield on the longest-dated UK government fixed rate bond currently UK Treasury 1.625% 2071, which returned 4.0%. Declares total dividend of GBP50 per share, up 12% from GBP44 the prior year. Current stock price: GBP1,420.00 Year-to-date change: down 2.1% By Dayo Laniyan; dayolaniyan@alliancenews.com Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. Whitbread PLC - Dunstable, Bedfordshire-based hospitality firm - At annual general meeting, 36% of shareholders vote against resolution two, to approve the annual report on remuneration. "We have already had conversations with a number of shareholders regarding the remuneration report and we look forward to ongoing constructive discussions with shareholders over the coming months. We will report on any actions resulting from those discussions in due course," the group stated. Despite this, all resolutions proposed were passed. Earlier Thursday, Whitbread says it anticipates a boost in demand and a continued improvement in bookings, though sales still remain below pre-virus levels. The Premier Inn hotel chain owner remained upbeat over its prospects as lockdown restrictions ease, noting "very strong" booking trends in tourist locations for the summer. Despite the optimism, Whitbread's first quarter sales were down significantly compared to pre-pandemic levels. Total UK accommodation sales were down 61% in the first quarter, the 13 weeks to May 27, compared to the same period in financial 2020, so the 13 weeks to May 30, 2019. Current stock price: 3,350.00 pence Year-to-date change: up 6.0% By Dayo Laniyan; dayolaniyan@alliancenews.com Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. (Alliance News) - Carnival Corp has detected unauthorised access to its computer systems three months ago, particularly to data on guests and crew, Bloomberg reported Thursday. The cruise operator had said in response to questions that it had noticed the intrusion on March 19, with third party access to personal data on customers, employees and crew for its Carnival, Holland America and Princess lines, as well as company medical operations. Bloomberg reported that Carnival has notified regulators and hired a cybersecurity firm to investigate. "There is evidence indicating a low likelihood of the data being misused," the group stated. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-06-17/carnival-discloses-breach-of-personal-data-on-guests-and-crew?srnd=premium-europe Shares in Carnival closed 0.1% higher at 1,760.60 pence on Thursday in London, but its New York shares were down 1.9% at USD28.72. By Dayo Laniyan; dayolaniyan@alliancenews.com Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. (Alliance News) -A Syncona Ltd on Thursday reported an annual jump in asset value, pushed up by its life science portfolio. The life sciences investor reported net assets of GBP1.30 billion as at the end of March, up 4.3% from GBP1.25 billion a year ago. Accordingly, its net asset value per share rose to 193.8p from 185.6p and its NAV total return for the year was 4.4%, a comeback after a decline of 13% for the 2020 financial year. Performance was driven by the life science portfolio, as its value jumped 51% to GBP722.1 million from GBP479.5 million a year prior. Syncona's profit for the year ended March 31 was GBP53.2 million, swinging from a loss of GBP195.6 million a year ago. It booked total gains of GBP58.6 million for the year, compared with losses of GBP203.0 million. Having deployed GBP189.2 million in the recently ended year, it expects to invest around GBP100 million to GBP175 million in the year ahead. "This covers our existing portfolio companies with several set to enter the clinic and continue to progress their programmes through clinical development. In addition, it also covers the foundation of new companies as we seek exciting new opportunities across a range of therapeutic areas," said Syncona. Separately, the firm on Thursday said Syncona Investment Management Ltd Chief Financial Officer John Bradshaw is retiring. He will be replaced by Rolf Soderstrom, who was recently CFO at BTG PLC. Syncona Investment Management is Syncona Ltd's investment manager. Bradshaw will retire at the end of July, having been with the Syncona life science business since its inception in 2012. Soderstrom will join as CFO on July 19, bringing over 30 years' experience in finance with him. As a result of his appointment at Syncona, Soderstrom will step down from the board of pharmaceutical services firm Ergomed PLC. Syncona shares were up 0.4% at 215.95p in London early Thursday. Ergomed shares were down 1.5% at 1,281.05p. By Lucy Heming;A lucyheming@alliancenews.com Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. (Alliance News) - Vaccines could play a role in opening up international travel for British holidaymakers, under plans being considered by the UK government. Officials are looking at proposals that could allow Britons who have had both coronavirus vaccine doses to avoid having to quarantine when returning from countries on the amber list, according to reports in the Daily Telegraph. A government spokeswoman confirmed that work has begun to "consider the role of vaccinations" for inbound travel following the continued success of the jab's rollout. This could mean the return of holidays to popular summer hotspots such as Spain, Portugal, France and Italy, which are all currently on the UK's amber list. People arriving from the limited number of holiday destinations on the green list are not required to self-isolate, while amber arrivals must quarantine at home for 10 days. A UK government spokeswoman said: "As set out in the Global Travel Taskforce, we are working with industry for a safe return to international travel, guided by one overwhelming priority, public health. "Decisions on our traffic light system are kept under constant review, and based on a range of health factors. "Recognising the strong strategic rationale and success of the vaccine programme, we have commenced work to consider the role of vaccinations in shaping a different set of health and testing measures for inbound travel." Demand for air travel collapsed in March of last year when the UK went into lockdown in response to the crisis, with the government now under pressure to restart international travel by the battered tourism industry. Meanwhile, Ryanair Holdings PLC is reportedly preparing to launch legal action with the owner of Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands airports against the UK government over its international travel traffic light system. The risk-based system with red, amber and green ratings for different countries, determines the quarantine and coronavirus testing requirements people face when returning to the UK. The legal action to be brought by Ryanair and the Manchester Airport Group will call for more transparency over how Whitehall decides which countries qualify for the green list, the BBC said. source: PA Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. Today Partly cloudy early. Thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 89F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Locally heavy rainfall possible. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy overnight with thunderstorms likely. Low 73F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Tomorrow Thunderstorms. High around 85F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%. Exton, PA (19341) Today Cloudy this morning followed by isolated thunderstorms this afternoon. High 78F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Some clouds. Slight chance of a shower throughout the evening. Low 59F. Winds light and variable. Jefferson, GA (30549) Today Rain this morning. Scattered thunderstorms for the afternoon. High 82F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Some passing clouds. Low 64F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Manchester Center, VT (05254) Today Rain likely. High 64F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch.. Tonight Light rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers overnight. Low 53F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. FILE - Jared Kushner does a television interview at the White House on Oct. 26, 2020, in Washington. Kushner, the son-in-law of former President Donald Trump and one of his top advisers during his administration, has a book deal. Broadside Books, a conservative imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, announced Kushners book will come out in early 2022. Rafael Varane has hailed Paul Pogba for his performance in France's 1-0 victory over Germany on Tuesday night and praised the way he did not react to the incident with Antonio Rudiger. Pogba appeared to be bitten on the shoulder by the German central defender during the first half and Varane joked about how he watched the situation unfold. "What's true is that watching Paul [Pogba] last night was a gift, a delight, but from that to being bitten, it went downhill a bit," Varane said in his press conference after the match. "I believe that Paul could have gone down, but he isn't like that. "After the match [Pogba and Rudiger] spoke and there is nothing else to it. [Rudiger] could have been punished for his action, but it was not the case. Let's look forward." According to L'Equipe, Rudiger will not be be punished by UEFA. Goldie Wilkinson, 90 of Alderson died Tuesday, June 29, 2021. Family will greet friends and relatives 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Bishop Funeral Service. Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Friday at Bishop Chapel of Memories Burial will follow in Memory Gardens Memorial Park Cemetery. Marietta, GA (30060) Today Showers and a few thunderstorms likely. High 81F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Partly cloudy skies. Low 63F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Lee Morris is one of at least two members of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners who has taken issue with the Development Authority of Fu Atlanta, GA (30303) Today Mixed clouds and sun with scattered thunderstorms. High near 80F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Partly cloudy skies. Low 64F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Submit A Press Release $25.00 / for 2 days Ensure your press release runs prominently on our website and in our E-mail Newsletter. Gauranteed placement on these platforms is $25. Note: All submissions will go through our editorial approval process before being posted. Two new exhibitions at the High Museum of Art in Midtown celebrate not only the eras of the works on display but also the diversity of both th Meadville, PA (16335) Today Mixed clouds and sun with scattered thunderstorms. High around 65F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Low near 55F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. OTTAWA June 16, 2021 June 14, 2021 Canada June 15, 2021 Canada June 15, 2021 Canada June 15, 2021 31,163 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases 889 active cases 29,921 recovered cases 535 deaths. Nunavut June 15 Iqaluit Northern Ontario Ontario May 31, 2021 Sandy Lake Long Lake Ontario Sunday, June 13 Kashechewan June 10 Canada Canada Canada Alberta Northwest Territories Vaccine distribution (vaccine roll-out chart updated weekly) Mental health and wellness in First Nations and Inuit communities Hope for Wellness Help Line Prime Minister announces new supports for Indigenous Peoples and communities Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Indigenous communities Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Prevention and risks COVID-19 guidance for schools Kindergarten to Grade 12 COVID-19 update in Nunavut Government of Canada Releases Supporting Canadians and Fighting COVID-19: Fall Economic Statement 2020 Fighting COVID-19 Fall Economic Statement 2020 Indigenous Community Support Fund COVID-19 Economic Response Plan Statement by Minister Miller on the COVID-19 outbreak at Kashechewan First Nation Canada , TRADITIONAL UNCEDED ALGONQUIN TERRITORY, ON,/CNW/ - Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is committed to supporting Indigenous communities in their response to COVID-19 and continues to work closely with Indigenous organizations and provincial and territorial governments. As ofreported an incredible accomplishment in its vaccination efforts, with more than 33,113,116 COVID-19 vaccine doses being distributed across the country. As of, in First Nations communities with information available, over 82% of individuals aged 18 and older have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and over 43% have received two doses.Many provinces and territories continue to prioritize first doses to the population aged 12 and older with various approaches implemented across, including home-based, school-based, family-based and drive-thru clinics to reach households and support uptake. As of, over 75% of individuals aged 12 and older have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in First Nations, Inuit and territorial communities. Of this group, 46% have received their second dose. In provinces and territories, Indigenous Peoples aged 12 and older are currently eligible to register for their first vaccine dose. According to the Public Health Agency of, 70% of individuals aged 12 and older has received one dose.We thank all those who have received their first dose of the vaccine, but remind everyone that it is important to get your second dose, especially in the context of mitigating the impact of the delta variant.As of, the following COVID-19 data have been confirmed:The Government ofalso provided reports on, confirming 8 active case of COVID-19 inThe Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) continue to assist Indigenous communities across the country.As part of Operation VECTOR, which is the CAF's support to the federal, provincial and territorial governments in distributing COVID-19 vaccines, Canadian Rangers and additional CAF personnel are extending their assistance to provincial vaccination authorities by completing logistics and general duty tasks in various communities of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation into continue supporting the Government ofand ORNGE partners with the delivery of the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to community members aged 12 to 17.ORNGE's Operation Remote Immunity 2.0 launched on, and aims to vaccinate approximately 6,000 youth aged 12 to 17 in 31 Ontario fly-in First Nations communities in Northern communities. This week, ORNGE-supported vaccine clinics are being held in North Cariboo andAs part of Operation LASER, which is the CAF's response to a worldwide pandemic situation, Canadian Rangers are currently activated in Attawapiskat First Nation, Fort Albany First Nation, Kashechewan First Nation and58 First Nation into provide assistance with COVID-19 response efforts in these communities.ISC continues to work closely with the leadership of Kashechewan First Nation and other partners, including Mushkegowuk Tribal Council (MTC), Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA), the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, the Canadian Red Cross, and other federal and provincial government departments to address the urgent health needs of the community in light of its recent COVID-19 outbreak.On, representatives from ISC, the CAF, MTC and WAHA were on the ground in the community and met withleadership to identify the gaps and come up with solutions to address critical priorities identified by the community. This includes creating additional infrastructure required to help contain spread within the community; actively ensuring the health and mental health needs of the community are met; and meeting the needs of families, including relief supports, food and bottled water. ISC representatives remain in community to collaborate with partners on facilitating the coordination of supports.Collaboration between ISC, the CAF and other partners is ongoing, and a coordinated approach to deliver these critical supports to the community is underway.As of, ISC has supported Indigenous-led capacity to screen, triage and isolate by funding more than 824 infrastructure initiatives, including funding the acquisition of more than 502 mobile structures; identifying more than 117 existing community spaces that can be upgraded or re-tooled to provide additional protections to clients and staff; and funding more than 111 smaller building repair, upgrade and small-site servicing projects to create safe and operational spaces.Despite many challenges throughout the pandemic, it is important to recognize the resilience and hard work of Indigenous communities in. While the vaccine results are encouraging, Indigenous communities are making decisions based on ensuring the health and well-being of their community members, recognizing the need for continued vigilance as outbreaks continue to occur. At an individual level, it remains essential to keep our loved ones, our communities and ourselves safe during an outbreak. This includes minimizing in-person interactions with people outside our immediate household, avoiding gatherings, wearing a mask and washing our hands frequently. Indigenous leadership, including the guidance offered by Elders and Knowledge Keepers, has been central in promoting vaccine confidence, encouraging community members to get vaccinated and ensuring people have the information and resources needed to stay healthy and combat COVID-19.Vaccination awareness and education continues to be amplified to Indigenous youth acrosson a grassroots level through collaborations such as the Indigenous Youth COVID-19 Vaccine Task Group, a grassroots approach to supporting vaccination awareness and education among Indigenous youth in. This group includes 19 First Nations and Metis representatives from the Assembly of First Nations, Metis Nation of, Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, the National Association of Friendship Centres and the Government ofwhile broadening its participation to include Inuit youth.ISC recognizes the major impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the lives of Canadians, as well as the increased need for mental wellness supports. ISC is committed to helping Indigenous communities access services and encourages individuals to reach out to local health and wellness service providers and seek guidance on how to manage stress, anxiety and loneliness, especially if your personal safety is at risk. All Indigenous Peoples can access the Hope for Wellness Help Line at www.hopeforwellness.ca or by calling1-855-242-3310.Stay connectedJoin the conversation about Indigenous Peoples inTwitter: @GCIndigenous Facebook: @GCIndigenous Instagram: @gcindigenousFacebook: @GCIndigenousHealthTwitter: @Min_IndServYou 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 The history of Pride has been forged in the trials and tribulations faced by the LGBTQIA+ community as well as the resilience displayed by pathbreaking individuals from the community, bravely fighting for equality to this day. Pride is a celebration of self worth and dignity as well as a jubilant proclamation of one's identity. 1. Remembering The Stonewall Riots The Stonewall riots refer to the uprising that took place at Stonewall Inn in June 1969. This uprising was a watershed moment in LGBTQIA+ History. This incident catalysed the socio-political narrative around the community from one of disenfranchisement to that of empowerment. Since the first time these celebrations occurred in 1970 to the 52nd time in 2021, the Pride Month forever honours the struggles and resistance showcased by members of the LGBTQIA+ community on that fateful day at Stonewall Inn. 2. Expressing Allyship To LGBTQIA+ Communities Allyship shouldnt be superficial and restricted exclusively to the month of Pride. For as long as contemporary history is to be remembered, the LGBTQIA+ community have been victims of pain and suffering at the hands of cis-het society at large. By creating safe spaces, raising awareness and educating ourselves on the plight of the community, allies can play a crucial role in creating a safe and nurturing environment for the LGBTQIA+. Siddharth Bali 3. Loving Others And Yourself Authentically The Pride Month banishes shame, secrecy and other boundaries enforced upon the LGBTQIA+ community by cis-het society at large. It propagates change, hope and pride in ones identity. It inspires people to love others and themselves, proudly and passionately. Dhruv Kapur 4. Believing In The Power Of Diversity The LGBTQIA+ community is a constantly evolving space, where diversity is not just accepted but empowered. Whether youre Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Gay, Transgender, Intersex, Asexual, Non-Binary, Gender non-conforming, or even an ally, the Pride Month welcomes you all with open arms and abundant love. Saim 5. Self-Acceptance Not everyones journey towards self-acceptance looks identical; its a spectrum where some people are out and proud of their identities, while others still struggle with theirs. Accepting and loving ones identity regardless of where they are on their personal journey is one of the most important messages of Pride. Its an essential and positive stance against discrimination towards the LGBTQIA+ community. 6. Honouring LGBTQIA+ Activists Fight For Equality American gay liberation activist and self-identified drag queen, Marsha P. Johnson is fondly remembered as having birthed Pride at Stonewall with her resistance along with other prominent activists. Harvey Milk, Alice Nkom, Arsham Parsi and Ashish Row Kavi are some other inspirational activists from the LGBTQIA+ community who braved rebuke, oppression and often death in their fight for equality. Empowered by the spirit of resistance since its inception, the Pride Month has proudly amplified and honoured the works of LGBTQIA+ activists past and present. 7. Different, And Human Traditionally cis-het society has looked at differences as an innate flaw in human nature. It does so in order to avoid any symptom of diversity. However, the Pride month believes in embracing these differences to be truly human. As a proponent of intersectionality it encourages individuals to find strength in their differences, transforming into a collective for the good of all, not islands of disconnect. 8. Raising Awareness And Education About LGBTQIA+ Topics The issues that concern the LGBTQIA+ community can range from LGBTQIA+ representation and equality, Access to affordable and quality health care, employment and housing discrimination among several others. The Pride Month passionately raises awareness and education around these topics, ensuring the communitys problems dont go unheard by society at large. 9. A Celebration Of Love And Individuality An individuals identity is undoubtedly unique due to the varying experiences associated with our nature and nurture. No two individuals go through life in identical fashion. However, cis-het culture insists on dissecting different parts of our identity to fit the archaic mould it deems best. The Pride Month aims at shattering such out-dated ideals, celebrating love as well as the individuality of our identities. Its well established that gender is a spectrum. People should be free to identify as who they feel at different points on this spectrum. Come as you are, for pride welcomes you with open arms. Tejeshwar Sandhoo Us Indians find pride in everything remotely desi. From a song that went viral to Priyanka Chopra joining Hollywood, we love boasting, waxing eloquent about everything associated with our roots. India is also famous for producing so many super intelligent humans who have not only managed to hold some key global positions across the world but are also leading some big company names out there. Indians Who Hold High Profile Jobs In Abroad Here are top 7 India-born men who currently hold a high profile job abroad: 1. Sundar Pichai BCCL The name is already synonymous with Google and needs no introduction. Born in Madurai, Sundar went to IIT Kharagpur and then to the prestigious Wharton School in Pennsylvania. Pichai joined Gooogle in 2004 and became CEO in 2015 2. Satya Nadella BCCL This Hyderabad born business genius is the head of Microsft who holds an MS in Computer Science from Wisconsin. Before he joined Microsoft in 1992, he was a part of Sun Microsystems. 3. Nikesh Arora BCCL This Indian-American business executive graduated from IIT Varanasi before joining Google. He then served as the president of SoftBank Group for two years, from 2014 to 2016. He is currently the CEO of Palo Alto Networks. 4. Dinesh Paliwal BCCL Not many may be acquainted with this Indians contribution to our musical experience. He was the CEO at Harman International until last year before moving on to the board of directors. Also, he earned his engineering degree from IIT Roorkee and is solely responsible for shooting Harmans revenue in the last few years. 5. Pankaj Patel BCCL He is currently the chief strategy officer at a venture capital firm called JC2 Ventures and previously served as executive vice-president at Cisco Systems. 6. Suresh Vaswani BCCL His portfolio is quite colourful and by the looks of it, he must be a very busy man. He was previously the chairman of Dell India and is currently a senior director with Everstone group and an external advisor to Bain Consulting. 7. Sanjay Mehrotra Twitter He is the founder of SanDisk and served as CEO from 2011 to 2016 before becoming the now-CEO of Micron Technology. Meridian, MS (39302) Today Isolated thunderstorms this morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely. High 81F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.. Tonight A few thunderstorms this evening. Mostly clear skies late. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%. Click here to log in and see all of our other subscription options for the Mesabi Tribune, including online only & auto-renewal subscriptions. In summer 2020, The New York Times coordinated a nationwide project to document the lives of Americans out of work because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study involved collaborating with 11 other local newsrooms around the U.S. The Messenger-Inquirer was the only newspaper from Kentucky in the collaboration. The resulting collection of stories was published Oct. 23, 2020, in the New York Times print edition and at nytimes.com/outofwork. The following list is the Messenger-Inquirer's local unemployment coverage from that time period; read more by clicking the "New York Times Project" header. Click on "Out Of Work In America" to go to the full Many resources available to celebrate Michigan's Great Lakes and fresh water assets all year long Many resources available to celebrate Michigan's Great Lakes and fresh water assets all year long Another Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week -- which was June 5-13 -- has come to an end. Thank you to everyone who participated by appreciating our incredible water resources, educating others on why lakes and rivers are vital to Michigan and recreating responsibly near or on the water. Even though the week is officially over, that doesn't mean we should turn our focus away from our five Great Lakes and more than 11,000 other bodies of water. If you haven't already done so, check out the Office of the Great Lakes' Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week, which has resources that you can use all year round. Just in case you missed any of the great content EGLE and the Office of the Great Lakes provided last week, here's a rundown: EGLE Director Liesl Clark spoke of the appropriateness of the week's themes of Appreciate, Educate and Recreate and why they are so important to all Michiganders. EGLE worked with our partners the Department of Natural Resources and the MiStem Network at the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity to develop videos around the week's three themes. Checkout the #MiGreatLakesWeek hashtag on Twitter or Facebook to see all the rich content people and organizations across the state posted last week. Throughout the summer local groups are planning water cleanup events. Check this calendar listing to see if there's one in your community. It's never too late to volunteer with MiCorps, Adopt a Beach, for cleanup help identify and control aquatic invasive species or learn how to properly dispose of old medications. Before you head out to enjoy some of Michigan's treasured water bodies this summer, be sure to consult the Tips to Recreate Responsibly With Water, found on the Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week website, for On the Water, In the Water and While Fishing. If you're looking for something to watch or read on your phone, tablet or laptop as you relax this summer on the beach or in the backyard, here are some options: Keep the conversation going using the #MiGreatLakesWeek hashtag until next year's Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week. Photo caption: Lake Huron near Caseville. Like this content? Follow us on Twitter at @MichiganEGLE or on Youtube.com/MichiganEGLE Take a short survey and let us know what you think about MI Environment. Governor Whitmer, Michigan Officials Celebrate U.S. Supreme Court Decision That Upholds the Affordable Care Act Governor Whitmer, Michigan Officials Celebrate U.S. Supreme Court Decision That Upholds the Affordable Care Act This release was also issued by Governor Whitmers Office. Media Contact: Laura Hall, 517-290-3779, halll17@michigan.gov Consumer Hotline: 877-999-6442, Michigan.gov/HealthInsurance FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 17, 2021 (LANSING, MICH) Today, State of Michigan officials celebrated the United States Supreme Courts 7-2 decision that upholds the Affordable Care Act in California v. Texas. Every Michigander deserves access to quality, affordable health care, and todays Supreme Court decision is a victory for all Michiganders, said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The high quality, affordable health coverage provided under the Affordable Care Act is an essential part of our plan to help Michigan build back better. Its the reason why I worked with both Democrats and Republicans to expand coverage to more than 900,000 Michiganders through the Healthy Michigan Plan, and its why I will continue working to protect health care for people across the state. We applaud this decision and will continue our efforts to ensure all Michiganders have access to comprehensive and affordable health insurance "I am proud to be among the 20 attorneys general who fought to defend the Affordable Care Act and applaud this ruling alongside the millions of people who have worried about their benefits being stripped away, said Attorney General Dana Nessel. This decision from the United States Supreme Court rejecting the challenge to the ACA ensures the Act remains in place to protect the health and lives of millions of Americans by providing coverage and access to comprehensive treatments. With this decision, 20 million Americans, including more than 1 million Michiganders, can continue to have the security and peace of mind that comes from comprehensive health coverage available through provisions of the ACA, said DIFS Director Anita Fox. In addition, all Michiganders will continue to benefit from the protections established by the law, including coverage for preventive care, preexisting conditions, and coverage for young adults through their parents plans. The Supreme Court ruling is great news for the more than 900,000 Michiganders who have access to health care coverage under our Healthy Michigan Plan, said Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Director Elizabeth Hertel. They can keep their health insurance. The Affordable Care Act gave Michigan the opportunity to create the bipartisan Healthy Michigan Plan. As a result, hundreds of thousands of people in our state are able to lead healthier lives, be more productive, and realize their dreams. MDHHS will continue to work to expand access to health care coverage. Millions of Michiganders benefit from the ACA every day, including: More than 900,000 Healthy Michigan Plan beneficiaries who are covered by Michigans Medicaid expansion program allowed by the ACA. Nearly 300,000 Michiganders who get coverage in the Health Insurance Marketplace created by the ACA, and 250,000 of them receive federal tax subsidies to lower their monthly health insurance premiums. More than 70,000 young adults who are insured through their parents. More than 200,000 seniors and people with disabilities who save on prescription drugs through expanded drug coverage. More than 6 million insured Michiganders who do not have to pay out-of-pocket for preventive services such as flu shots, vaccines, mammograms, and screenings for heart disease, cancer, depression, diabetes, and more. More than 1.7 million Michiganders with pre-existing conditions who can access coverage without fear of insurance company denials. A special enrollment period is open to all Michiganders until August 15 on HealthCare.gov, the Health Insurance Marketplace created under the Affordable Care Act. This enables consumers to buy new coverage or to change health plans to better suit the needs of their families during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. This enrollment opportunity, coupled with the expanded tax subsidies offered by the American Rescue Plan, gives consumers a strong incentive to obtain or upgrade Marketplace health coverage before the August 15 enrollment deadline. DIFS can help consumers with health insurance questions and complaints and can provide information about the Health Insurance Marketplace. Contact DIFS Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 877-999-6442 or Michigan.gov/HealthInsurance. The mission of the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services is to ensure access to safe and secure insurance and financial services fundamental for the opportunity, security, and success of Michigan residents, while fostering economic growth and sustainability in both industries. In addition, the Department provides consumer protection, outreach, and financial literacy and education services to Michigan residents. For more information, visit Michigan.gov/DIFS or follow the Department on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn. ### BIG RAPIDS Two Ferris State University residence hall sites found contractors engaged in significant activity as the campus profile changes ahead of the $29.5 million Center for Virtual Learning construction. Physical Plant Senior Project Manager Joe Haupt said Vandercook Hall is the current focal point as summer begins. However, work began before the 2020-21 academic year ended to prepare Taggart Hall for demolition. In April, contractors were moving through prep work from the upper floors downward, such that activity in June will be based in the first floor of that building, Haupt said. Their abatement tasks will continue through the lowest levels of the building, ahead of the demolition crews advance to bring Taggart Hall down. Haupt said since students and staff were living in Vandercook Hall until the first part of May, all grounds work and other efforts had to wait, but most of the contractors involved in abatement are now on the job of demolition preparations at that site. The process for abatement in Vandercook follows the same pattern as in Taggart, and the removal of infrastructure there will not be as extensive, Haupt said. To follow our schedule for site development, as it relates to the CVL construction project, we intend to have Vandercook Hall razed by early July. Haupt said they expect to have Taggart Hall demolished by the first week of August. The Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget is currently following a review process on plans for the Center for Virtual Learning, which will be located at the Vandercook site between Hallisy Hall and the Ferris Library for Information, Technology and Education (FLITE). The Center for Virtual Learning development has $22 million in state of Michigan funding as a Capital Outlay Project, and Haupt said that government approval of their drawings is required accordingly. Once the DTMB concurs, our construction management firm can solicit estimates on project pricing, Haupt said. The best-case scenario for this aspect of the project would see negotiations wrapped up by the end of July, with awards made to subcontractors almost immediately thereafter. Haupt said their optimal timeline for developing the Center for Virtual Learning would find the foundation for the center laid before students return to campus for fall classes. He said the work to create a green space on the Taggart Hall parcel is sufficiently set back from South and State streets that it will not restrict campus vehicular traffic. Even in the Center for Virtual Learning construction area, we do not anticipate needing to close North Campus Drive for north or southbound travel, Haupt said. There may be days where partial closure is required when we reach the point of demolition on those higher sections of Vandercook Hall so that safety is assured for motorists and contractors. WASHINGTON (AP) In another victory for religious groups at the Supreme Court, the justices on Thursday unanimously sided with a Catholic foster care agency that says its religious views prevent it from working with same-sex couples. The court said the city of Philadelphia wrongly limited its relationship with the group as a result of the agency's policy. The ruling was specific to the facts of the case, sidestepping bigger questions about how to balance religious freedom and anti-discrimination laws. Instead, the outcome turned on the language in the citys foster care contract. Three conservative justices would have gone much further, and LGBTQ groups said they were relieved that the decision was limited. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for a majority of the court that Catholic Social Services seeks only an accommodation that will allow it to continue serving the children of Philadelphia in a manner consistent with its religious beliefs; it does not seek to impose those beliefs on anyone else. Roberts concluded that Philadelphias refusal to contract with CSS for the provision of foster care services unless it agrees to certify same-sex couples as foster parents ... violates the First Amendment. Roberts noted that no same-sex couple has ever asked to work with Catholic Social Services, which is affiliated with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. If that were to happen, that couple would be referred to one of the more than 20 other agencies that works with same-sex couples, Catholic Social Services has said. For over 50 years, CSS successfully contracted with the City to provide foster care services while holding to these beliefs, said Roberts, one of seven members of the court who is Catholic or attended Catholic schools. Because of its beliefs, the Catholic agency also does not certify unmarried couples. In recent years, religious groups have been delighted by victories at the court, often by wide margins. That includes cases in which the court lifted a ban on state aid to religious schooling, gave religious schools greater leeway to hire and fire teachers and allowed a cross to remain on public land. More recently, the court repeatedly sided with religious groups in fights over coronavirus restrictions. Philadelphia learned in 2018 from a newspaper reporter that Catholic Social Services would not certify same-sex couples to become foster parents. The city has said it requires the foster care agencies it works with not to discriminate as part of their contracts. The city asked Catholic Social Services to change its policy, but the group declined. As a result, Philadelphia stopped referring additional children to the agency. Catholic Social Services sued, but lower courts sided with Philadelphia. In coming to the conclusion that Philadelphia had acted improperly, Roberts said the city gave Catholic Social Services a choice between curtailing its mission or approving relationships inconsistent with its beliefs. He also pointed to language in the city's standard foster care contract. The contract says that agencies cannot reject prospective foster or adoptive parents based on their sexual orientation unless an exception is granted. Because the city created a process for granting exemptions, it cannot then deny Catholic Social Services an exemption, Roberts concluded. The case's outcome was similar to a 2018 decision in which the court sided with a Colorado baker who would not make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. That decision, too, was limited to the specific facts of the case and dodged bigger issues of how to balance religious freedom and anti-discrimination laws. But the court has grown more conservative since that ruling. In "both cases the court reached narrow, very fact-specific decisions that leave non-discrimination laws and policies standing and fully enforceable by governments, said Leslie Cooper, deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Union LGBTQ & HIV Project, which was involved in the case on Philadelphia's side. Three conservative justices who joined Roberts' opinion said they would have gone further. Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch said they would have overruled a 1990 Supreme Court decision that they said improperly allows limits on religious freedom. Alito called the court's ruling Thursday a wisp of a decision. Gorsuch said it was an (ir)resolution, predicting that the litigation would continue, with the city perhaps rewriting its contract. Philadelphia City Solicitor Diana Cortes said the ruling was a difficult and disappointing setback. In a statement, she said the court had usurped the Citys judgment that a nondiscrimination policy is in the best interests of the children in its care." But she said the city was also gratified that the justices did not radically change existing constitutional law to adopt a standard that would force court-ordered religious exemptions from civic obligations in every arena. A lawyer with The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty who argued the case on behalf of Catholic Social Services called it a common-sense ruling in favor of religious social services. The Supreme Court recognized that CSS has been doing amazing work for many years and can continue that work in the city of Philadelphia, Lori Windham said. ___ Associated Press writer Mark Sherman contributed to this report. NEW YORK (AP) Manhattan district attorney candidate Tali Farhadian Weinstein and her husband, a hedge fund manager, paid no federal income taxes in four recent years because they reported negative income from investment losses or used deductions to reduce their bill, ProPublica reported Wednesday. The couple said in response that they have followed the law and paid more than half of their income in federal, state and city taxes, totaling $124 million in tax payments on $246 million in earnings since they married in 2010. Farhadian Weinstein is among eight Democrats running to replace Cyrus Vance Jr., who is retiring at the end of the year, with the winner likely to inherit his ongoing criminal investigation into former President Donald Trump. Primary voting started Saturday and ends next Tuesday. Farhadian Weinstein, a former federal prosecutor, told ProPublica she and Boaz Weinstein, the founder of Saba Capital Management, reported income in 6 of the last 11 years. In those years, she said, they paid more than half of their earnings in federal, state and New York City taxes. In an interview, Farhadian Weinstein told The Associated Press that the issue would have no bearing on her handling of the Trump case, which has involved scrutiny of his tax records. In its article, part of a series on tax strategies of the wealthy, ProPublica said there was no indication the Weinsteins did anything illegal. ProPublica has an ideology that theyve been trying to put out with this series of articles, and I think its interesting and worth discussing whether we should have a wealth tax rather than an income tax, Farhadian Weinstein told the AP. But right now we have an income tax system. And so in the years that you dont earn income, you dont pay taxes. ProPublica reported that Farhadian Weinstein and her husband listed negative income for two of the four years in which they paid no federal income taxes. In the other two years, the nonprofit news organization reported, she and her husband listed about $1 million in earnings but were able to trim their bill through deductions. Boaz Weinstein took issue with ProPublica's reporting and an assertion in the article that he and Farhadian Weinstein paid a federal income tax rate of 25.9% between 2010 and 2018. ProPublicas analysis focuses on individuals who havent had to pay taxes because they havent sold their stock or their companies. That is not us," Boaz Weinstein said. "Nearly all of our investment income is from Saba funds which elected to pay tax every year on all income at ordinary income rates. Because losses in Saba funds in certain years meant that we earned no income, ProPublica has made the simplistic error of averaging a year we paid 50% of our income with a year we had no income to make the claim that we paid on average 25%. Our story said the Weinsteins paid on average 12.6% annually in federal income taxes over a period of nine years and they did, including three years in which they paid zero," ProPublica president Richard Tofel told The Associated Press. "During years they had taxable net income, as we said, their federal income tax averaged just under 26%. Mr. Weinstein is adding in state and local income taxes, which, as we said, are not the subject of our story, and not actually disputing the storys accuracy, Tofel said. ProPublica's report, based on troves of tax records the news organization obtained for some of Americas wealthiest people, led to criticism for Farhadian Weinstein from some of her rivals. Former Manhattan prosecutor Lucy Lang said Farhadian Weinstein was ill-suited to take over the Trump investigation, saying the most high-profile tax evasion investigation in the countrys history can't be entrusted to someone "who themselves has not paid federal taxes. Liz Crotty, another former prosecutor, tweeted: Everyone should have to play by the same rules. That means paying your taxes too, not buying an election. Recent disclosures show Farhadian Weinstein has donated $8.2 million to her campaign, more than the combined amount the seven other candidates have raised. Lang has given $500,000 to her campaign. Farhadian Weinstein said she's spending heavily to ensure voters understand their choices and understand what is at stake in this election, and that they're aware of her background, which includes a stint in the top leadership of the Brooklyn district attorney's office, and her vision for reforming the Manhattan prosecutor's office. Farhadian Weinstein said her opponents are seizing on the tax story and raising concerns about how she'd handle the Trump matter because they want to slow her momentum. Once you clarify that we are, in a very straightforward way, paying 50-plus percent of our income in taxes, theres no story left in terms of a connection to an open investigation, to tax evasion, or any matter related to the DA's office, she said. ___ Follow Michael Sisak on Twitter at twitter.com/mikesisak Two bridges in Huron County have been listed to receive federal funding as part of the INVEST in America Act. Congresswoman Lisa McClain, a Republican who represents Michigans 10th district, listed eight transportation projects in her district that would get funds for replacements or rehabilitation work. The two Huron County bridges in question are the Haist Road Bridge over Pigeon Creek in Winsor Township, which would receive $194,400 for rehabilitation, and the Kuhl Road Bridge over Shebeon Drain in Fairhaven Township, which would receive $1.28 million for a replacement. Michigans roads and bridges are in dire need of repair and Im glad the House Committee and Infrastructure see several of my funding requests as critical priorities for Michiganders, McClain said in a statement. I look forward to these projects being includes in the final appropriations bill. There are also two Sanilac County projects listed as part of the funding requests. They are the Marlette Road Bridge over the South Branch of the Cass River replacement, which would get $1.406 million, and reconstructing M-19 and M-46, which would get around $10 million. In total, the eight projects listed in McClains district would receive around $29.8 million in federal funds if the INVEST in America Act becomes law and they are fully funded. Erik Tamlyn, a highway engineer for the Huron County Road Commission, said the road commission was requested by McClains office to submit projects it felt were federal aid eligible and submitted four bridge projects. The other two bridges that were not selected were Notter Road over the Pigeon River in Winsor Township and McAlpin Bridge in Brookfield Township. Tamlyn believes that the Kuhl Road and Haist Road bridges were selected due to how much traffic they handle. Kuhl Road is considered a primary road for the county. Basically, we provided evidence that our community would support this kind of improvement, and they were selected, Tamlyn said. The road commission also attempted to receive funding for these four bridges through the Local Agency Bridge Program, a competitive Michigan Department of Transportation program that provides funding for bridge repairs and replacements. For that, only $6 million is given out per year to each of the seven different regions of Michigan, including the 15-county Bay Region Huron County is part of. Tamlyn has yet to hear if those bridges were also selected to get funding from that program this year. Those program funds are 90-95% either state or federal funds, with local governments covering the rest of the costs. The INVEST in America Act aims to invest $547 billion over a five-year period to update the infrastructure across the United States. Of that money, $319 billion would go toward various highway investments. This includes fixing outdates or broken infrastructure, with the country having 47,000 structurally deficient bridges. The legislation will be voted on in the House of Representatives later this month. The bill needs to go through the House, the Senate, and be signed by President Joe Biden to become law. VERNON One person died following a pickup truck and moped crash Wednesday, according to police. South Windsor resident Owen Wright, the 70-year-old moped driver, was pronounced dead at Rockville General Hospital, according to a Vernon police release from Sgt. Robert Marra. The pickup truck driver, a 50-year-old Vernon resident, was also sent to the hospital for minor injuries, Marra wrote. The vehicles crashed by the Interstate 84 exit 65 on/off ramp on Route 30 close to 6 a.m., according to Marra. Vernon Police with the assistance of Metro Traffic Services are investigating the crash, Marra wrote. No charges have been filed at this time but it remains an active investigation. Officials request witnesses or those who have information to call Officer Dominic Marandino at 860-872-9126. It was five days after police said Newtowns Peter Manfredonia was wanted in connection with two homicides, an assault, a home invasion and kidnapping that he was taken into custody in Maryland. The body of Yale graduate student Kevin Jiang was found on Feb. 6. Qinxuan Pan, wanted in connection with his death, was arrested in May, in Alabama. Police tracked cellphones, followed leads from family and friends, and used license plate readers to find him, according to an unsealed affidavit. New Haven Police Department Timothy Settles, of Norwich, was identified by police in early May as a person of interest in connection with an arson that was set hours after the dog-attack death of his 1-month-old. He remains at large. The methods that fugitives use to elude capture are, according to experts, as varied as the methods police use to capture them. Police work is trying to solve a puzzle, said James Perez, a crime prevention specialist and a lieutenant with the Fairfield Police Department. Crimes and criminals are like puzzle pieces. Lenny DePaul spent 30 years tracking and arresting fugitives from justice. He spent 25 years with the U.S. Marshals, after six years with the United States Secret Service. DePaul finished his career as commander of the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force. Jordan Fenster Years after retiring, DePaul still very much feels like a fugitive hunter. It just gets in your blood, he said. I still wake up at the crack of dawn, I stare at my phone waiting for it to ring. DePaul said most fugitives are ultimately apprehended, and while they employ varied tactics, they usually get caught for the same reason. They get comfortable, he said. They make that mistake. Into the woods There are, Perez said, some basic things fugitives from justice do to evade capture: Stay away from all electronics, alter your appearance, gain weight, lose weight, change your hair and live quietly, minding your own business. Cellphones can be used to track a fugitive's whereabouts, as can credit cards. Thats why many fugitives attempt to flee into the woods, and live off the grid. Its usually only a temporary solution. You can go completely off the grid, but you've got to eat, DePaul said. You can go dark for a month, two months maybe, if you're successful, and live in the woods, depending on where you're from and what type of a person you are. DePaul offered the example of Tyler Terry and Adrienne Simpson, arrested last month by police in South Carolina in connection with five homicides. Terry had been found after allegedly spending a week hiding out in the woods. He ends up in the woods for like a week, DePaul said of Terry. You know, he looked like he was about ready to die when they caught up to him. Other fugitives try to live in plain sight, as Perez said, taking a job for cash under an assumed name in a place where you have no connections. Sometimes its more advantageous to live in plain sight because theres less suspicion, he said. Perez said fake or forged documents and credit cards can be purchased online. You can literally go on there anonymously and purchase stolen credit cards, new IDs, a fake identity, he said. Eventually, though, with a few exceptions, fugitives get caught. Use those stolen credit cards purchased on the dark web and there is likely a camera taking your picture. Someone is watching. Eddie Mathis, for example, was out there for seven, maybe eight years, DePaul said. He was selling cars in [Detriot] under a different name. "America's Most Wanted" featured Mathis story, and every time the show would air, he would go dark, DePaul said. There was one person that made a call into the show and says, I'm telling you this guy is selling cars in Detroit. Matthis, who authorities said was responsible for a double homicide in New York, was found in a hotel room in Michigan in 2003. He was wounded during a shootout with police and died on his way to the hospital. Coded messages One fugitive ultimately caught by DePaul was a hashish marijuana guy in New York City in the 1980s. DePaul said the Brooklyn, N.Y., man was 57 years old when he went on the run. He was probably the most sophisticated fugitive I've ever had to chase, he said. He was out there 11 years when I finally caught up to him. That particular fugitive used a series of disguises, made sure to stay only a short time in any one location and was found with his phone numbers coded in what DePaul called a tic-tac-toe method. When I looked at his phonebook, I would see like a backwards letter L, I would see like a U, I would see like a regular L, I would see a square box, I would see like a letter C, DePaul said. Every number would correspond to a different square on a tic-tac-toe board, so each number would be represented by a shape. He altered his appearance. He would always use a coin phone back in those days, DePaul said. And his disguises were pretty good. You can change your name, change your appearance. You got these things, too, DePaul said, indicating his fingers. They're called fingerprints. Some people put acid on them, some people try to alter those things. But people have an inherent need to communicate, DePaul said. A fugitive will miss his or her family and friends, get comfortable, make contact and get caught. As much as you want to alter your appearance, go on the run, you're going to raise some questions in neighborhoods that you move into and people that you're dealing with, and you're always going to be in touch with your family, your mom for her birthday, your kids, whoever, DePaul said. And, you know, the warrants never go away. Time, DePaul said, is on the side of the investigators. You got somebody looking at you every day, every second of the day, he said. So, you make that one fatal call, even though you're using five burner phones, it doesn't matter. Animal instincts When youre on the run long enough, DePaul said human instincts turn into animal instincts. These people are sleeping with one eye open. They know not to use their phone, they know not to get on a computer or social media or talk to any family members or kids or this and that and that goes on for a little while, he said. But there is that time that they're going to want to somehow maybe show up, visit somebody, send a message somehow. That, ultimately, is how many fugitives get caught. There are computer systems that encourage state, local and federal information sharing, most notably the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). But, usually, its the human desire for connection and good, old-fashioned police work on which people like DePaul rely. You hit the ground running, knocking on doors, Q&Aing people, family members, DePaul said. Somebody is going to make a mistake, or there's a jealous wife or ex-wife out there, or a girlfriend or boyfriend. Perhaps the most effective fugitives escape to a foreign nation with no extradition treaties with the United States, but that presents problems, too. It's the hardest to get into as a fugitive as well. That works both ways, DePaul said. Let's say you think you've got them located in whatever country that doesn't have a treaty. You sit back and wait. You got to do your due diligence, you follow up every once in a while, you put the appropriate notices in place. Sooner or later, that fugitive will want to come home. If that person travels, you're just hoping he or she gets into a country that we work with, DePaul said. And we have friendlies around the world, even though we're not physically in-country. Force multiplier The group DePaul ran was the first of its kind, created by act of Congress in response to the 9/11 attacks. They mandated the U.S. Marshals to establish permanent fugitive task forces throughout the country, he said. We ended up with 350 full-time investigators from over 90 different federal, state and local agencies. And the specific language from Congress was to target the most dangerous violent felony fugitives across the globe. The results were significant. DePaul said after his agency was created in 2002, we were averaging 100 to 120 arrests a week just in our region alone, which is nothing compared to the U.S. Marshals service in general. The U.S. Marshals are averaging, I think, anywhere from [60,000] to 90,000 arrests a year. But its not just marshals like DePaul. What he called the force multiplier makes being a fugitive a difficult proposition, he said. A force multiplier means basically bringing everybody together on the same sheet of music, he said. We're sharing information at the speed of the internet with different agencies from federal, state and local jurisdictions. Everybody's got a piece of that puzzle. When somebody goes on the run, a family member somehow is connected with probation, parole, Department of Corrections, DEA, local police department, Social Security Administration. It's endless. That being said, not every fugitive is captured. Frank Matthews, for example, charged with trafficking and selling heroin and cocaine in the 1960s and 1970s, has yet to be caught. Denzel Washington played Matthews in the movie about his life. Frank Matthews has been on the run since the 70s, DePaul said. I think he's dead, personally. But he was able to elude capture for many, many years. Still, DePaul said the people who hunt fugitives are ahead of the curve. When you do this for a living, you're doing it 24/7, holidays, weekends. You become pretty good at it, he said. I can't work a drug case. I know nothing about bank robbery cases. But when it comes to hunting human beings, you get good at it. Not to beat our own chests, but we're the best in the business. BRIDGEPORT Nearly 100 people were partying, jammed into a small basement area in a downtown building when shots rang out on May 16, according to police. Police said people were nearly trampled as the crowd rushed for the single exit, turning over tables as they fled. Two men were left bleeding on the floor: Charles Dimples Barnes, 38, who had been shot in the head and was pronounced dead at the scene, and Norman Peters, 40, who was shot in the arm, abdomen and thigh and died at St. Vincents Medical Center. On Wednesday, two men who police said were part of the behind-the-scenes party arrangements, Josiah Israel, 36, and Christopher Mojica, 37, were arraigned in Superior Court on charges of second-degree reckless endangerment, unauthorized sale of alcohol and conspiracy to commit the unauthorized sale of alcohol. Neither man entered pleas on the charges and the case was continued to July 2. According to the arrest warrant affidavit, both men claimed at the time shots rang out they were in the bathroom fixing a plumbing problem. They claimed they had no information on the shooting. Kaitlyn Edwards, a recent graduate of the Bridgeport police academy, was terminated from her police job after she lost her badge and police identification while off-duty and at the club May 16. Police said she told them she had no information on the shooting. The shooters have not been arrested and police said the homicides are still under investigation. The warrant affidavit states that Israel told Detective Martin Heanue that he had been renting the basement of the Main Street building since 2019 for his church, Temple of the Way. He said the basement also was subleased for events. Israel told the detective that Mitchell Noel, the former owner of Moes Burger Joint on Main Street and the owner of the Ten20 club on Barnum Avenue, had approached him several months before the shooting about using the basement space for parties. Israel said Noel complained to him at the time that he had been forced to close his club early because of COVID-19 regulations and was looking for a space for after-hour parties, the affidavit states. Israel said he rented the basement space to Noel on two occasions, April 30 and May 7, without problems. May 16 was different, Israel said, according to the affidavit: Noel was not going to attend until after midnight and Israel would have to buy the alcohol himself. Mojica handed out flyers for the event and more than 70 people showed up at the door at 10 p.m. Men paid a $20 cover charge while women got in for a $10 entrance fee, the affidavit states. In addition, patrons had to buy their drinks. Israel and Mojica had no license to sell alcohol beverages and no permit to operate a club, the affidavit states. Mojica told Heanue they had hired DJ FM to provide the music, another man to do security and bartenders. They hoped to make a profit of at least $1,000, the affidavit states. Mojica acknowledged seeing people running towards the door and stepping over each other. The rushed exit of those fleeing gun fire could have created a trampling situation which is a risk of physical injury, the affidavit states. Israel and Mojica declined comment. Noel, 37, was charged with second-degree reckless endangerment in connection with the incident and is scheduled to be arraigned on June 23. Includes prior reporting by staff writer Brian Lockhart. HARTFORD Democratic leaders of the state House of Representatives Wednesday stripped out a controversial Senate amendment on legalizing marijuana, then led approval of the recreational cannabis bill endorsed by Gov. Ned Lamont. The bill passed 76-62 after seven-and-a-half-hour debate, sending it back to the Senate Thursday for final action. A dozen Democrats voted against the legislation and one Republican, Rep. Rich Hayes, of Putnam, voted for it. House Majority Leader Jason Rojas, one of the key negotiators in the compromise bill, which will legalize possession of up to one-and-a-half ounces for adults 21 and over on July 1, said many lawmakers in recent years came around to support the measure. It would make Connecticut the 19th state to approve adult-use cannabis. Undoing past injustices has driven Connecticuts long effort for legal, recreational marijuana to the edge of approval. The bill would give preference for cannabis business licenses to people who grew up or have lived as adults in targeted, disadvantged neighborhoods; and it would strongly favor labor unions trying to organoze workers, among other equity measures. Rojas recalled that long after the federal government outlawed marijuana in 1937, the campaign against cannabis was exacerbated by President Richard Nixons war on drugs starting in 1971. That entangled whole generations of people who were tainted and whose lives ruined in the criminal justice and incarceration system. That impact on people has been disproportionately borne by low-income people, people of color, of those who live in urban areas and those who simply could not afford legal counsel, Rojas said shortly before the 9 oclock vote. It is clear that where you lived, where you consumed cannabis, your income, the impact of your involvement with cannabis resulted in a disparate treatment resulting in negative consequences for not only the individual, but their families and entire communities. Among Democrats who voted against the measure were Rep. Andrew Baker of Bridgeport; Rep. Dan Fox of Stamford; Rep. Christine Goupil of Clinton; Rep. Mary Mushinsky of Wallingford; and Rep. Michelle Cook of Torrington. An ambitious rollout schedule could have retail cannabis available by May of next year if, as expected, the Senate adopts the House version and Lamont signs it. A dramatic turn The vote took on added drama 24 hours earlier, on Tuesday night, when Sen. Gary Winfield, D-New Haven, offered an amendment in the middle of the debate in the Senate. The measure, which passed, would expand eligibility for preference on license to people who had previous cannabis convictions, from throughout the state. That broke what was a handshake agreement among Lamont and proponents, including Democratic leaders and the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus. Winfield made the move at the request of another New Haven lawmaker, state Rep. Robyn Porter. Ive never seen anything like that before, said state Rep. Juan Candelaria, D-New Haven, a longtime proponent for legal cannabis who said he was stunned by the 11th-hour Senate amendment that threatened months of work. We had a deal, he said in an early afternoon interview on the House floor. After a long meeting of House Democrats, Rojas and House Speaker Matt Ritter said that rather than court a promised veto from Lamont, House members would amend the Senate bill and reinsert the original language from last week. While the House agreed unanimously to take out Tuesdays Senate amendments, the long-awaited, multihour debate and vote on adult-use cannabis sharply divided the chamber, which Democrats control 97-54. A initial Republican amendment failed 82-52 around 5 p.m., with 16 lawmakers missing one a week after the end of the regular legislative session. Rojas said while at the committee level, majority Democrats approved legislation to allow those convicted of drug crimes to become eligible for licenses, he described the deletion of the proposal an example of the negotiation process with Lamonts office. The measure to favor people convicted of marijuana crimes had been approved by Democrats in a committee, but Rojas said the negotiated deal carried the day. Lamont, who gave ground to Democratic legislators on several key bills, insisted that so-called social-equity candidates for licenses come from lower-income neighborhoods that had been targets of the failed war on drugs. We fought a Civil War over this The House debate began shortly after 1:30 p.m, when Rep. Steve Stafstrom, D-Bridgeport, co-chairman of the Judiciary Committee, introduced the bill, which he described as the product of as many as nine years of negotiations. Quickly, the House unanimously approved stripping out the two Senate amendments, then voted unanimously to restore an anti-revolving door policy to ban members of the General Assembly from participating in the adult-use cannabis market for two years after leaving office. Rep. Craig Fishbein, R-Wallingford, the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, said legalizing marijuana could violate his oath of office to uphold the United States Constitution. It appears to me that we fought a Civil War over this, Fishbein. Were saying to the federal government that we dont care you passed a law. Thats a troublesome position to be in. While federal law still bans marijuana, in recent years the U.S. Justice Department has issued notices that it would not interfere with states that legalize marijuana. Does anybody here think that if we pass this legislation, the commercialization of pot wont hurt our youth? asked Rep. Tom ODea, R-New Canaan. Were turning marijuana into Big Tobacco. The addiction-for-profit industries addict the most vulnerable. ODeas amendment would have raised the age from 21 to 25. It failed 82 to 52. Stafstrom suggested that ODea pursue a higher-age law next year, and possibly expand it to include the purchase of alcoholic beverages and cigarettes. Ive been sitting on the fence so long I have splinters, admitted Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, D-Westport, co-chairman of the Public Health Committee. Ive come a long ways, he said, stressing that potency guidelines in the current bill are too high. I think the most important part of this is were creating a regulatory environment. Steinberg also praised the bills dedicated revenue stream for mental health programs and public awareness, but was critical of the eventual allowance of home-growing on July 1, 2023. Steinberg introduced an amendment to eliminate home-growing from the bill. We cant wipe out the black market, but we can do everything we can to create a responsible market in Connecticut, Steinberg said. After a brief debate, he withdrew the amendment, however. Investing in communities State Rep. David Rutigliano, R-Trumbull, who owns several restaurants, said he has seen young employees use the drug over a number of years. He spoke in favor of a third GOP amendment that would have limited the bill to home-growing, similarly to the way Vermont first approved the issue in 2018. That proposal was rejected 114-21. I have no question in my mind that this is a mistake for the state of Connecticut, House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora, R-North Branford. I hope that we dont regret this decision but I think we will. The state has an opportunity to build a new industry literally from the ground up, Rep. Anne Hughes, D-Easton, said, while giving opportunity to people in neighborhoods that had been longtime targets in the war on drugs. I want to invest in communities, she said. I want to see us invest in people. People with past lower-level drug-possession arrests, under four ounces of cannabis, could have their records expunged under the bill. The program would be administered by the state Department of Consumer Protection and a new Social Equity Council, a politically appointed group responsible for supervising 65 percent of tax revenue, estimated to exceed $73 million by the end of the 2025-26 budget year. The states four medical marijuana growers could get into the adult-use business by paying $3 million each. Frankly we wanted to charge an amount significant enough, said Rep. Michael DAgostino, D-Hamden, co-chairman of the General Law Committee, which was involved in the drafting of legislation in recent years. kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT MADISON Republican Selectman Bruce Wilson said Thursday he will seek the towns top elected job in hopes of challenging incumbent First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons, a Democrat, this fall. Wilson served two stints on the Madison Board of Selectmen, the first from 2015 to 2019, and then again last year, when he was selected to fill a vacancy on the board. Previously, Wilson served on the Board of Education and twice ran for a seat in the Connecticut Senate against Kennedy family scion Ted Kennedy Jr., losing both times. Lyons, who was elected first selectwoman in 2019, announced last month that she would run for re-election. Im not satisfied that the town has made any progress over the last 18 months or so, Wilson said. I realize that COVID was this unexpected curve ball that got thrown to everybody, but in the private world, everybody had to learn how to adjust to COVID and then continue on with their business. Wilson said he was frustrated that the towns state of emergency continued for as long as it did, and pointed to delays on other projects, such the proposed development of a community center at the former Academy School. I dont think [COVID] is a valid excuse, he said. Lyons was not available for comment Thursday. The Democrat won her spot as the towns chief executive by defeating then-incumbent First Selectman Tom Banisch, a Republican, by several hundred votes. Banisch told reporters at the time he was stunned at the upset, and accused Lyons of running a mean-spirited campaign. In a statement announcing her decision to run for a second term, Lyons touted her administrations response to the pandemic over the last year. In the face of COVID and its many physical, operational and emotional challenges, I am proud of the accomplishments Ive made in partnership with my fellow Board of Selectmen members and town officials, Lyons said. Although faced with many difficult decisions, we have taken the necessary actions required to protect our community while also managing to get things done in town government. Asked how he would evaluate Lyons handling of the pandemic, Wilson said he felt she had done a good job because she got out the way, and allowed public health and emergency management officials to do their jobs. Wilson was also a vocal opponent of efforts in Hartford this year to pass statewide zoning reforms that would have required towns to approve more multifamily and affordable housing. While the legislature ended up passing a watered-down version of the bill in face of Republican opposition, Wilson on Thursday accused Lyons and her administration of not speaking out against the legislation. Let them know we have zoning under control, he said. Wilson said he will formally announce his candidacy Friday evening in front of Memorial Town Hall. Party endorsements in municipal elections are due in July ahead of the Sept. 14 primaries. Election Day is Nov. 2. WASHINGTON (AP) Sen. Joe Manchin is proposing an extensive list of changes to his party's sweeping elections and voting bill, raising hopes among Democrats that they could unite behind the legislation even if the measure is nearly certain to be blocked by Republicans in a showdown Senate vote next week. Manchin, a West Virginia moderate, said he's now open to supporting a bill if it's revised, despite declaring earlier this month that the measure was the wrong piece of legislation to bring our country together." He released a proposed list of changes ahead of a meeting of Senate Democrats Thursday to discuss the path forward. That meeting was called by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who is vowing to hold a vote on the bill in June no matter what, saying we have to get it done. People were assuming that I was against (the bill) because there were no Republicans supporting it. Its not the case at all," Manchin told reporters at the Capitol. However, he added, You should not pass any type of a voter bill in the most divisive time in our life unless you have some unity on this thing because youll just divide the country further." Manchin said he was not confident other Democrats would agree to his proposed changes. Manchins overture comes as Democrats struggle to counteract state-level Republican efforts to restrict voting following Donald Trumps false claims about a stolen 2020 election. Even if Manchin is brought onboard, the voting bill stands little chance of becoming law. Manchin and other Democrats remain opposed to changes in Senate rules that would be needed to overcome a Republican filibuster. As written, the Democrats bill would bring about the largest overhaul of U.S. voting in a generation, touching nearly every aspect of the electoral process. It would remove hurdles to voting erected in the name of election security, like voter ID laws, while curtailing the influence of big money in politics. It would create a nonpartisan process for redrawing congressional districts, expand mail voting and early voting, restore the rights of felons to cast a ballot, and scores of other provisions. Manchin's revisions would curtail, rewrite or eliminate many aspects of the bill. He favors a national voter ID requirement where voters could show a utility bill or another identifying document to vote, while Democrats have sought to blunt the the impact of strict state voter ID laws. His proposal leaves out the creation of a public financing system for congressional campaigns and would allow for greater limits on mail voting. He has also called for changes to a section on the bill that would create nonpartisan commissions to redraw congressional maps. Manchin, instead, has proposed the use of computer models to prevent partisan gerrymandering. Yet his list would also leave sizable portions intact or with limited changes, including automatic voter registration, making Election Day a holiday and mandating 15 days of early voting. A good voting bill basically protects the voters, protects the states and states rights, Manchin said. A good voting bill has to be accessible. It has to be fair and it has to be secure. Democrats seemed to respond favorably. Sen. Raphael Warnock, of Georgia, told reporters the proposal was a way in which we stay engaged on the issue. He said he was less troubled by Manchin's support for voter ID laws than these terrible partisan political maneuvers by Republican state lawmakers, including in Georgia, where the GOP-controlled legislature can now remove local elections officials they object to. As Sen. Manchin has said, Inaction is not an option, said Rep. John Sarbanes, D-Md., who sponsored a version of the legislation approved by the House. Fred Wertheimer, a longtime good government activist who helped write the initial bill, called it progress and said Democrats were "now in a totally different place than we were 24 hours ago. Manchin's evolving position comes as he has faced tremendous pressure from Democrats, including those in Congress. The group End Citizens United is running a $30 million campaign to build support for the effort, which includes ads running in his home state. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had several conversations with Manchin about the bill over the weekend. And President Joe Biden said earlier this month during a speech in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that he would fight like heck to pass the bill. Still, the White House has largely let Democrats on Capitol Hill take the lead on negotiations around the legislation, and its not clear if Biden would support the compromise Manchin has proposed. The White House did not respond to a request for comment on the latest developments. As the fight in Congress drags on, the Biden administration is taking steps to address voting at the state level. Attorney General Merrick Garland delivered a speech last week that described ways in which the Justice Department would step up its efforts to protect voting rights. Garland said the department would double the number of voter enfranchisement lawyers in the Civil Rights Division and focus more closely on new voting laws for possible discrimination. Biden also tasked Vice President Kamala Harris with taking the lead on the issue. This week she ramped up her focus on voting rights. The right to vote is a given, Harris said during a meeting Wednesday with Texas Democrats who helped block a GOP-backed voting law in the state legislature. What we are seeing are examples of an attempt to interfere with that right, an attempt to marginalize and take from people a right that has already been given. ___ Cassidy reported from Atlanta ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) Lawmakers from Jersey Shore towns are pushing back against a bill meant to fast-track offshore wind energy projects by taking away local control over transmission lines and other onshore infrastructure. A bill moving quickly and quietly through the state Legislature would give wind energy projects approved by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities authority to locate, build, use and maintain wires and associated land-based infrastructure as long as they run underground on public property including streets. The BPU could determine that some aboveground wires are necessary. It appears to be an effort to head off any local objections to at least one wind power project envisioned to come ashore at two former power plants, and run cables under two of the states most popular beaches. But the measure ran into opposition from lawmakers representing shore communities on Wednesday, even as it gained support from business groups. This bill takes away the ability of shore communities to protect themselves, said Tom Rotondi, a city councilman in Ocean City, where an offshore wind project planned by the Danish firm Orsted would run power lines ashore to connect with the electrical grid. A foreign company comes in and tells shore communities what they can and can't do with their property rights. Assemblyman John Burzichelli, a southern New Jersey Democrat who sponsored the bill, said it will be amended to take local concerns into account, but did not specify which changes might be made to it. I can assure you, having been at ground zero of these discussions, we will allow nothing to happen that will disrupt Ocean City and the true gem that it is, Burzichelli said at a state Assembly hearing during which the bill was advanced. But the bottom line is transmission lines have to come. But they won't run down the middle of your street. A project planned by Orsted and Public Service Enterprise Group, a New Jersey utility company, would connect to the electric grid at decommissioned power plants in Ocean and Cape May Counties. Cables running from the wind farm, to be located between 15 and 27 miles (24 to 43 kilometers) off the coast of Atlantic City, would come ashore at one of three potential locations in Ocean City, and would run under a roadway to a former power plant in Upper Township. Cables also would need to cross Island Beach State Park in Ocean County, running under the dunes and beach and existing parking lots, out into Barnegat Bay. They would come ashore either directly at the former Oyster Creek nuclear power plant in the Forked River section of Lacey, or in Waretown, also known as Ocean Township in Ocean County. Orsted said Tuesday that the bill's mitigation process is "critical for keeping timelines and schedules not only for the developer, but for the supply chain and workforce dedicated to the project. As originally written, the bill entitles a qualified wind energy project to obtain easements, rights-of-way or other property rights from any level of government that are necessary to build the project. The BPU would make a final decision if such approvals are withheld by governments. No state, county or local government would be able to prohibit or charge a fee for the use of a street or other public property other than a road opening permit. If these governments refuse the permit for any other reason than legitimate public safety concerns, the state utilities board would be required to issue an order granting the necessary approval. ___ Follow Wayne Parry at http://twitter.com/WayneParryAC A joint Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DoD) program is working to connect military members leaving active duty with veteran sponsors who can help ease their readjustment to civilian life -- and they need your help. The Expiration Term of Service (ETS) Sponsorship Program offers newly separated veterans assistance in several areas, including employment, education, housing, legal, benefits and healthcare. The pilot program began in late 2019 and is scheduled to run through 2023. The ETS Sponsorship Program is introduced to service members during Transition Assistance briefings that all separating military members attend when leaving the service. Now officials are looking for volunteers, including recently separated veterans, to act as sponsors. Ideally, a sponsor is available in the city to which the veteran will be relocating. If not, a nearby sponsor may be assigned and the veteran will be put in touch with local resources and partners that can help the new veteran and their family adjust to civilian life in a new community. Related: Check out Military.com's transition app The sponsor will hold virtual meetings with the service member while they are still on active duty and provide knowledge about local and national programs that may be applicable to the military member's specific needs. After the veteran separates from the military and arrives in their new location, the sponsor will also set up a face-to-face meeting at a local coffee shop or other public location to discuss how the program can best assist the veteran in their transition process. Sponsors are certified by the VA and receive detailed training from the ETS Sponsorship Program on federal, state and local benefits and resources available to veterans and their families. Service member participation is voluntary. Once a veteran is enrolled in the program and settled in their new hometown, the sponsor will contact them at least once a week via email, text or phone and at least once a month via teleconference or in person. The sponsor will discuss any goals, problems or concerns the veteran or their family has and offer solutions or put the veteran in touch with local experts who can assist them. The program is in need of sponsors nationwide, and you do not have to be a veteran to volunteer. Sponsors are currently needed in Arizona, Florida, Kentucky, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin; however volunteers from any location are always welcome to apply to become a sponsor. For more information, or to sign up to become a sponsor or enroll in the program, check out the ETS Sponsorship Program's website. Stay on Top of Your Veteran Benefits Military benefits are always changing. Keep up with everything from pay to health care by subscribing to Military.com, and get access to up-to-date pay charts and more with all latest benefits delivered straight to your inbox. Just two and a half years after the Air Force's newest refueling tanker was delivered to the service, officials have begun their search for yet another tanker that would bridge the gap between the KC-46 Pegasus and a future aerial refueling capability. In a sources-sought notice posted on the government's acquisition and awards website, beta.sam.gov, the Air Force announced plans to buy between 140 to 160 "KC-Y" commercial derivative tankers at a rate of 12 to 15 aircraft per year. Read Next: Army National Guard to Halt Re-Up Bonuses Amid Sky-High Retention "The Commercial Derivative Aircraft must be operational by 2029," the notice states, adding that the Air Force is still developing the requirements. The push toward KC-Y comes as the Pentagon finalizes its business case analysis for an air refueling leasing program due to ongoing issues with the KC-46, chief among them a glitch in its Remote Vision System, or RVS, software. The first KC-46s were delivered in January 2019 despite the problem with RVS, a critical feature that permits the in-flight operator to view the refueling system below the tanker. Gen. Stephen R. Lyons, head of U.S. Transportation Command,or TRANSCOM, said last year that private contracted tankers would help relieve some of the stress on the current, overworked KC-135 Stratotanker and KC-10 Extender fleets. The aging fleets are largely responsible for the U.S. military's global tanker requests since the KC-46 still isn't ready for an overseas deployment to a combat region -- and won't be ready until at least 2023, officials have said. The KC-46 was this year cleared to begin accepting mission tasks from TRANSCOM on a case-by-case basis. KC-Y and its follow-on, KC-Z, have been long expected, with some officials hinting a future program may take the shape of an upgraded or modified KC-46. Boeing told Defense News that it anticipates offering the KC-46 for the bridge tanker program. "We've learned a lot and we're going to focus on the Air Force's needs, fulfilling the requirements of the contract, and providing exactly what the Air Force wants; we're ready to compete," Mike Hafer, head of Boeing's KC-46A Business Development team, told the outlet. But lawmakers may not be too keen to pursue that option given the troubled program thus far. During a House Armed Services Committee hearing Wednesday, some lawmakers questioned whether the service should recompete its current contract with Boeing Co, the KC-46's manufacturer, or potentially curtail its total procurement because of the company's substandard performance. Boeing has delivered more than 40 KC-46s to the Air Force. The service plans to buy 179 aircraft. Rep. Jerry Carl, a Republican from Alabama, mused that the Air Force should consider approaching Airbus for additional capability, since the European-made A330 tanker often refuels its military aircraft. Carl's district includes Airbus Mobile, an assembly site for Airbus's commercial airplanes division. "Knowing that we've got an aircraft that can be built in America, that could be already delivered because we're up to about three a month coming out of Mobile right now -- not this particular plane, but basically the same scale -- why are we not bringing this back up for a bid?" Carl said. "I would strongly urge you to look at recompeting," added Rep. Rob Wittman, a Republican from Virginia. Acting Air Force Secretary John Roth responded that recompeting the contract would likely complicate matters further, with no cost-benefit, while it seeks to buy another aircraft. "We're concerned that if we try to go into a new contractual vehicle, that would put additional delays into the program that we simply don't think would be efficacious for us," he said. In 2018, Lockheed Martin and Airbus announced a partnership for a Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A330 derivative for the purpose of supplementing the overtasked Air Force fleets. Rob Fuller, a Lockheed Martin spokesman, told DefenseOne Wednesday the two companies also intend to compete for the KC-Y program. "We are responding to the U.S. Air Force's Sources Sought Notification for the Bridge Tanker Program, offering a mission-ready solution to meet the Air Force's future tanker requirements," Fuller said. -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. Related: The New Air Force One Plane May Fall a Year Behind Schedule, Air Force Says The Air Force's effort to transform its old special operations weather team airmen into special reconnaissance airmen took a big step forward Thursday with the graduation of the new job's first apprentice course class. Just two new special reconnaissance airmen graduated at Pope Army Airfield in North Carolina on Thursday, along with seven combat controllers and a special tactics officer. But in a Wednesday interview, Maj. Spencer Reed, commander of the 352nd Special Warfare Training Squadron at Pope, said it marks a milestone in standing up the new career field, and improving how the Air Force conducts recon operations. And in future conflicts, these special reconnaissance airmen could deploy alongside teams of Green Berets or other special operators, and fly small quadcopter drones or use other recon tactics to collect vital intelligence on air or other threats needed in the field. Read Next: Army National Guard to Halt Re-Up Bonuses Amid Sky-High Retention "The core tenet of reconnaissance is gathering information," Reed said. "So let's make sure we're postured to gather the information that we want to be able to gather -- keeping in mind that future conflicts are going to look probably pretty different than the conflicts for the past 20 years in the Middle East." The old special operations weather team, or SOWT, career field, which specialized in analyzing weather in the field, was "a pretty niche career field," Reed said. So in 2019, as the military began to shift away from counterterrorism and counterinsurgency and prepare for a potential "great power" conflict against a major adversary, the Air Force completely revamped the SOWT career field. They were transformed into special reconnaissance, and the scope of their job was broadened to provide greater reconnaissance abilities in the field and fill a gap in the military's capabilities. The old SOWT training used to take about 215 days, across multiple courses and training locations. For example, SOWTs used to begin their training at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi, spending a great time learning about weather and forecasting. Now, special reconnaissance airmen come straight to Pope, which Reed said has shortened the pipeline significantly, and they only need 86 training days. Special reconnaissance airmen, all of whom are enlisted, still receive some weather training at the apprentice course, but it's been scaled far back from what SOWTs learned. Instead, they are taught several of the same common core skills learned by other special warfare airmen at the 352nd, such as land navigation, communications and small-unit tactics. But Reed said special reconnaissance airmen will also learn new, unique skills at Pope, such as long-range target interdiction; intelligence gathering to help their ground force commander plan; and high-frequency communications. High-frequency communications training had "kind of fallen out of favor" in the Air Force, Reed said. But with satellite communications, or SATCOM, becoming more prevalent, he said, the Air Force is seeing more need to use HF communications and hone airmen's skills to transmit both voice and data that way. Special reconnaissance airmen also learn how to use small unmanned aerial systems such as quadcopters, Reed said. This will give airmen their own "eye-in-the-sky" to get their units intel in the field, when something like a full-fledged MQ-9 Reaper is unavailable. For example, a special reconnaissance airman attached to a SEAL platoon could carry a quadcopter in his kit and bust it out when the unit needs to know whether there's two enemy fighters on the other side of a ridge -- or two dozen. But quadcopters would only be one tool in their toolkit, Reed said. Special reconnaissance airmen are learning many more fundamental recon skills at Pope. Special reconnaissance airmen also could be deployed ahead of a SOF unit, instead of alongside, observe the target area and report that intel back. "We use these foundational reconnaissance skills and the different tools that the airmen have ... in ways that other reconnaissance elements are not doing," Reed said. "Nobody's arguing that the Marines don't do reconnaissance or the Army doesn't do it. [But] they don't necessarily see things the way that our guys see them based on their airmanship background." In a potential "great power competition" conflict, Reed said, troops might have to operate on a battlefield where the U.S. doesn't have air superiority for the first time since the Korean War. And the U.S. will need recon troops on the ground that specialize in finding and reporting enemy air threats such anti-aircraft systems, Reed said. "Our reconnaissance forces are postured to be able to see things that are on the ground and translate that into the potential threat that is to aircraft, understand all the implications, and pass that information back," Reed said. But special reconnaissance airmen would also still be useful in a counterterror or counterinsurgency fight, or across the range of special operations missions, Reed said. Right now, special reconnaissance airmen work in Air Force special tactics squadrons alongside combat controllers, pararescuemen, special tactics officers, and tactical air control party airmen. But in the future, Reed said it's possible that they could be embedded with joint forces. The apprentice course isn't just for new recruits. Airmen who have already enlisted can also attend as part of the process for cross-training into special reconnaissance. But before arriving at Pope, most airmen will have to attend other courses to learn necessary skills, such as Army Airborne School to get their static line parachuting qualification, and to Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape School, or SERE. Now that those two airmen have graduated, they are officially special reconnaissance airmen and can wear their berets and blouse their pants in their jump boots -- but their training isn't done yet. They'll head straight to Hurlburt Field in Florida to learn more advanced skills. COVID-19 didn't throw many serious curveballs into the standup of the new apprentice course, Reed said, although the pandemic slowed some vendors' ability to manufacture the small drones the Air Force needed. The Air Force in late 2019 conducted a beta training course for special reconnaissance airmen at Hurlburt, to figure out what core tasks they would need to learn for each skill level. This first special reconnaissance apprentice course began in mid-February. The Air Force has fewer than 150 special reconnaissance airmen. -- Stephen Losey can be reached at stephen.losey@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StephenLosey. Related: As Afghanistan War Ends, General Sees New Opportunities for Special Operations In two weeks, the Army National Guard will terminate all reenlistment bonuses after far exceeding retention goals, Military.com has learned. The bonuses will stop July 1, according to a National Guard Bureau memo given to states and obtained by Military.com. Soldiers must extend their contracts before then in order to secure a bonus. Many soldiers reaching the end of a contract are offered a financial incentive, typically ranging from $3,000 to $20,000, to continue their time in the military. The amount depends on the individual's rank, the demand for their military job, and how many additional years the soldier adds to their contract. "This was a difficult, but necessary, decision to help mitigate current funding shortfalls," a spokesman with the National Guard said to Military.com in a statement. "We are mindful of the value the incentives program has on retaining quality soldiers in our formations and will continue to analyze the best approach and optimal timing for resumption of the retention bonus program." Read Next: Army May Go Back to Job-Specific Scoring After All on the New Fitness Test The spokesman added that the Guard wants to bring retention bonuses back next fiscal year, which starts in October. The funding shortage, he said, has no impact on recruiting bonuses, which are financial incentives given to individuals who initially enlist. Retention bonuses for the Air National Guard will not be interrupted. The Guard already exceeded its retention requirements this year, with leaders hailing soldiers' pride in their support of COVID-19 relief and vaccination efforts as a factor. But large bonuses paid to troops also played a role in retention success, the Guard spokesman said. Because of the aggressive retention program, a lot of money was spent quickly. "Our successful retention program centered on a very competitive retention bonus structure," he said. "As a result of that success, related expenditures are unsustainable, so we had to make the difficult decision to suspend it." Data from the Guard provided to Military.com suggests that terminating retention bonuses is mostly due to a more than anticipated volume of soldiers wanting to stay in the force. Because soldiers appear eager to continue serving, the Guard may not see the need to hand out generous checks. In 2019, the Army Guard achieved 103% of its retention goals, meaning more soldiers extended their contracts than the force was aiming for. In 2020, 102% of soldiers whose contracts were expiring decided to stay in, and as of last month, the Guard has achieved 119% of its retention goals for this year. It is unclear how much bonuses are a motivating factor for soldiers to commit to more time in service. This comes as the Army Guard faces potential cuts to its end strength. There are currently 336,500 soldiers serving in the Guard, according to Defense Department data. However, President Joe Bidens funding proposal for 2022 calls for a slight reduction of 500 troops. Lawmakers are still negotiating the details, though, and the budget is far from final. Top leaders touted 2020 as the "Year of the Guard." The force has arguably been the most high-profile element of the Defense Department over the past 15 months, juggling overseas deployments and domestic missions including securing the U.S. Capitol for months after the Jan. 6 pro-Trump insurrection; responding to numerous protests and natural disasters; and playing a key role in the nation's pandemic relief efforts. National Guard troops are mostly part-time soldiers who have to maintain civilian careers. Some are already concerned about the impact of halting bonuses for several months. "We are working our tails off, and the potential for receiving retention bonuses could represent a life-changing benefit for our soldiers," a National Guard lieutenant colonel told Military.com on condition of anonymity. "Tricare Reserve Select is great, but it's not remotely enough to retain a young person that has selflessly sacrificed throughout their enlistment period." Staff Sgt. Greg Johnson, who serves in the Indiana National Guard and recently oversaw company-level retention efforts, said he believes retention incentives are a great way to thank a soldier for their continued service. But, he added, he isn't sure a few thousand dollars will influence the decision to stay in the Guard or leave for many soldiers. Rather, he said, they want a predictable military schedule and more career opportunities. "I really don't think it makes too much of an impact," Johnson told Military.com. "It's nice, and people won't say no to it. But I also don't think it's the make it or break it incentive. Most people at my unit, so very anecdotal, wanted a more set drill schedule, opportunities for schools, and new [military occupational specialties]." -- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon. Related: After Hitting Record Retention Numbers, Air Force May Push Some Troops Toward Reserves The Justice Department on Wednesday abandoned its lawsuit against John Bolton, former President Donald Trump's onetime national security adviser, over his book that officials argued disclosed classified information, according to court documents and Bolton's representatives. Prosecutors also have dropped a grand jury investigation over the book's publication, Bolton's lawyer said Wednesday. The Trump administration sued last year to block the release of Boltons book, The Room Where It Happened, and to recover copies of the book that had already been distributed. The book, released in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election, offered a behind-the-scenes, and unflattering, account of Trumps foreign policy dealings. It described how Trump asked Chinas President Xi Jinping to help the American's reelection prospects and how Trump had pressured his Ukraine counterpart for politically charged investigations. Read Next: NCIS Recovers C-4 Explosives Missing for Months from Marine Corps Base Justice Department lawyers who sued over the book had insisted that the manuscript contained classified information that could damage national security and that Bolton, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, had failed to complete a prepublication review process designed to prevent the disclosure of government secrets. On Wednesday, the Biden administration filed a document in federal court dismissing the suit, formally bringing the yearlong court fight to an end. These actions represent a complete vindication for Ambassador Bolton, and a repudiation of former President Trumps attempt, under the pretext of protecting classified information, first to suppress the books publication and when that failed in court, to penalize the ambassador, said Bolton spokeswoman Sarah Tinsley. Boltons lawyers say he moved forward with the book after a White House National Security Council official, with whom Bolton had worked for months, had said the manuscript no longer contained classified information. That official, Ellen Knight, described in a letter submitted to the court last September how Trump administration officials repeatedly exerted political pressure in an unsuccessful effort to block the book's release. She described an unusual process of delay tactics and legal maneuverings. Knight, a career government records professional, said through her lawyer that after she had determined that the manuscript no longer contained classified information and was ready for clearance, she learned that a political appointee with no experience in the prepublication review process had been assigned by the White House to conduct a new review. That official subsequently flagged hundreds of passages in Bolton's manuscript that the official believed were still classified. A federal judge last year rejected the Justice Department's efforts to halt the book's release, partly because hundreds of thousands of copies had already been distributed. But the judge expressed concern that Bolton published the book before receiving a formal clearance letter, which Knight said was blocked by the White House. Besides suing Bolton, the Justice Department opened a criminal investigation over the book, though that inquiry has now been dropped, said Bolton's representatives. A department spokesman declined to comment on Wednesday. Bolton's lawyer, Charles J. Cooper, described the government's efforts to block the book as part of a politically motivated order by Trump. By ending these proceedings without in any way penalizing Ambassador Bolton or limiting his proceeds from the book, the Department of Justice has tacitly acknowledged that President Trump and his White House officials acted illegitimately, Cooper said in a statement. The book generated substantial attention even before its publication after news broke during Trump's first impeachment trial that Bolton had written how Trump had linked the supply of military assistance to Ukraine to that countrys willingness to conduct investigations into Trump's Democratic rival, now-President Joe Biden. Those allegations were at the heart of an impeachment trial that ended with Trump's Senate acquittal in February 2020. Bolton though refused to testify at impeachment proceedings. Bolton's time at the Trump White House was unsurprisingly rocky. A noted national security hawk, Bolton was an odd choice for Trump, who advocated ending the United States' overseas military operations. The two continued to clash in public comments long after Bolton left office. The governments abandonment of both the criminal investigation of Bolton and the civil lawsuit indicates that both actions were pursued at the behest of the Trump White House as political retribution against Bolton, and not on the legal merits, said former Justice Department national security official David Laufman. This is now one additional matter warranting investigation by the Justice Departments Inspector General, he added. Related: Trump Administration Sues to Delay Release of Bolton Book A poll of 2,000 Americans has found that members of the military community -- active-duty personnel, veterans and their family members -- are twice as likely than civilians to believe persons with post-traumatic stress disorder are violent or dangerous. And 35% of these "military-connected" individuals believe that PTSD is not treatable, another finding that professionals who treat trauma-related mental health issues find disheartening, said Anthony Hassan, president of the not-for-profit Cohen Veterans Network. "I was shocked at these percentages and then my mood went to disappointment," Hassan said. "I spent so much time in the military working on reducing stigma and educating our members to make sure they understood these diagnoses and that getting help wouldn't hurt their careers. Clearly we are not making much improvement." Hassan and other organizations that help service members and veterans want them to know that PTSD can be treated, an apt message to share for PTSD Awareness Month in June. Read Next: 'At the Limits of What I Can Do:' Marine Corps Commandant Makes Plea for Funding "PTSD's impact on mental health still hasn't hit mainstream understanding," said Teralyn Sell, a Wisconsin-based psychotherapist. "There are evidence-based trauma treatments that are available." According to the survey of 2,000 people conducted by The Harris Poll, 67% of Americans believe that most veterans have PTSD. Some 74% think most combat vets have PTSD. One in four believe patients with PTSD are violent or dangerous, and nearly 60% believe that if a person experiences a traumatic event, they will develop PTSD. In reality, however, studies show that between 13.5% and 20% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans meet the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis, as do 12% of Gulf War veterans and 15% of Vietnam veterans. But the majority of those people do not engage in violence, according the the Department of Veterans Affairs. Two surveys in 2014 of U.S. military personnel and veterans diagnosed with PTSD found that 9% engaged in severe violence and 25% were involved in physical aggression in the prior year. But alcohol misuse, younger age, financial instability, combat exposure and a history of violence before military service appeared to contribute to severe violence and aggression. Veterans with PTSD who did not abuse alcohol were not at significantly higher risk of violence, data showed. "PTSD is associated with an increased risk of violence," VA researchers have said. "[But] the majority of veterans and non-veterans with PTSD have never engaged in violence. When other factors like alcohol and drug misuse, additional psychiatric disorders, or younger age are considered, the association between PTSD and violence is decreased." Hassan said he thinks perhaps military people think those with PTSD are violent because they hear about colleagues being booted from service for an incident, and if the colleague also has a PTSD diagnosis, they associate the condition with the violence. He added that service members may believe the condition is not treatable because they know fellow veterans who have a diagnosis and receive disability compensation for their condition, and then don't get treatment or actively engage in it out of concern they will lose their benefits. "I don't know how [service members] get stuck on it, how they seem to relate PTSD with violence and reckless behavior, and how they make this assumption that treatment doesn't work when they're told in the military all the time that these aren't true," Hassan said. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, effective PTSD treatments include: prolonged exposure therapy, which has a patient confronting the trauma openly and working to tackle situations that have been avoided as a result; cognitive processing therapy, in which a therapist works with the patient to overcome negative thoughts through self-awareness and activities; and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing -- a therapy during which a patient tracks a provider's quick movements or other stimulus while thinking about a traumatic event or experiences. The science also is evolving for PTSD. A stellate ganglion block -- an injection of an anesthetic into nerves at the base of the neck --reduced PTSD symptoms in 70% of combat veterans who received it in one study. Providers are using ketamine infusions to treat chronic forms of the disorder. And most recently, a study using MDMA, or Ecstasy, when coupled with therapy, showed promise for treating the disorder. Misconceptions of PTSD, the people who have it and its treatments can deter people from getting care, which can cause lifelong suffering, Hassan said. Treatment can lead to a "more productive life," he added. "Untreated, your life can be unmanageable. People who go for treatment can improve their quality of their life, they can regain pre-crisis or pre-diagnosis functioning and they improve their relationships, at work, at home and with family and friends," he said. With the pandemic winding down in the U.S. Hassan said he has concerns for service members and veterans with the diagnosis who have suffered in the past year. According to the survey, 65% of Americans with PTSD said that the past year, including isolation resulting from the pandemic, the politically charged climate in the U.S. and civil unrest has negatively affected their recovery. "I want to remind people that if you come and get help, we really can help you improve your quality of life, there's no doubt about it," Hassan said. Options for seeking treatment in the military include contacting Military One Source at 1-800-342-9647 for guidance on where to seek further treatment, contacting a primary care provider or reaching to behavioral health providers at military clinics and hospitals or, depending on the unit, consulting with an embedded behavioral health team. Veterans have access to mental health treatment at the VA for at least one year after they leave active duty. They also can seek assistance at a local VA medical center or Vet Center, their primary care provider or community specialists. The Cohen Veterans Network announced earlier this year that it also has started offering treatment to active-duty personnel at most of their 19 locations with a referral from Tricare. "Getting help today is certainly for a better tomorrow," Hassan said. -- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Monster.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime Related: New VA Secretary Vows to 'Redouble' Efforts to Help Military Sexual Trauma Survivors ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. A jury has convicted a former commercial airline pilot of killing three of his neighbors in western Kentucky. Christian R. Martin, 53, was found guilty on Wednesday of murder, arson, attempted arson, burglary and tampering with physical evidence, said Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, whose office brought the case to trial after his predecessor, now-Gov. Andy Beshear, appointed a special prosecutor. Martin, who flew for an American Airlines subsidiary, was arrested two years ago at the Louisville airport in the 2015 slayings of Calvin and Pamela Phillips and their neighbor, Edward Dansereau, in Pembroke. Police said Calvin Phillips, 59, was found shot to death in the cellar of his home. The bodies of Pamela Phillips, 58, and Dansereau, 63, were found a few miles away in a cornfield inside her burned car. Martin faces 20 years to life without parole in the sentencing phase of his trial, which began Thursday, the Louisville Courier-Journal reported. Special prosecutor Barbara Whaley said during the two-week trial that Martin had the motive to kill neighbor Calvin Phillips because he was set to testify in a court-martial that could have ended Martins Army career, news outlets reported. His wife and Dansereau were in the wrong place at the wrong time, she said. Whaley said a shell casing at the scene was shown to have been fired from a .45-caliber handgun found in a safe in Martins home across the street and that Martins dog tags were found in the couples home. Defense attorney Tom Griffiths said theres forensic proof that the bullets that killed the victims did not come from his clients gun. He also noted there were no eyewitnesses, no DNA and no fingerprints. He said evidence pointing to his client could have been planted. Martin was convicted by the military court of mishandling classified information and assault on a child, Cameron said. He was discharged from the military and sentenced to 90 days in jail. The number of homeless veterans living on the street or in temporary shelters and cheap hotels is expected to skyrocket after the end of this month as the federal moratorium on evictions for back rent expires, top government officials said Wednesday. The Department of Veterans Affairs "is deeply concerned about possible dramatic increases in homelessness when eviction moratoria are lifted," Keith Harris, national director of clinical operations for the VA's Homeless Programs Office, said at a House Veterans Affairs Committee hearing. As they brace for the moratorium's June 30 end, the VA and the Department of Housing and Urban Development were planning to increase funding for rental assistance and boost the number of HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) vouchers by 70,000, said Richard Cho, senior adviser for housing and services at HUD. Read Next: Troops Can Finally File Medical Malpractice Claims Against the Military. Here's How The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has extended the eviction moratorium several times, most recently in March to June 30, and advocacy groups called for another extension at the hearing. Lifting the moratorium at this time "could result in an unprecedented wave of veteran homelessness," said Kathryn Monet, chief executive officer of the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. In her written testimony, Monet urged the subcommittee members to consider a range of factors that will come into play as the nation emerges from the pandemic and emergency relief assistance is eased or lifted. "There will be a deepening economic crisis when unemployment benefits sunset. Similarly, the housing crisis will deepen when the eviction moratorium sunsets," she said. Monet warned that "nearly 15 million Americans have accrued over $50 billion in missed rental payments, and veterans are among them. They will immediately be added to the 'at-risk' category of homelessness if unable to access enough emergency rent assistance or other homelessness prevention funding." Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., said "the moratorium probably saved a lot of veterans from being evicted, and once you're homeless it's nearly impossible to get out of homelessness and it's very expensive to do it." Monet agreed. "One of the things we all know about homelessness is that prior experience of homelessness increases your likelihood of being homeless again," she said. She called for an extension of the moratorium "not forever but for a little while longer until we can get everyone back on their feet." Harris responded to the issues raised by Monet and other homeless advocates by stating, "We're as concerned as anyone else in this hearing today about the possible impact of lifting the eviction moratorium." He said the VA planned to push "significant funding" to Supportive Services for Veteran Families, the VA program that provides grants to private, nonprofit organizations and consumer cooperatives for assistance to veteran families. He also noted that the VA and HUD no longer bar veterans with other than honorable discharges from receiving HUD-VASH vouchers and said that unemployed veterans who fall behind on their rent would not be barred from rental assistance once they gain a job. "If they become employed, that will not be held against them," Harris said. A Failed Campaign to End Veteran Homelessness Without directly criticizing the Trump administration, Harris and Cho said that the vaunted effort begun in 2010 to end veteran homelessness effectively had stalled from 2016-2020, with the number of veterans in shelters or on the street consistently estimated in the range of 37,000, among a general U.S. homeless population of about 580,000. The most recent HUD one-night estimate, in January 2020, put the number of homeless veterans at 37,252. "This number does not account for the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has added to the nation's housing challenges, including for veterans," Harris said. About one-third of the communities who normally participate in the survey opted out this year because of pandemic restrictions. HUD has no reliable estimate on how many veterans have been homeless in 2021. Cho said HUD did not expect to do another homeless veteran survey until 2022. Harris said one of the main problems in getting homeless veterans off the streets was the nationwide lack of affordable housing since the height of the pandemic. To address the housing crisis, Harris said in his written testimony that the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, signed into law by President Joe Biden in March, included more than $10 billion in funding for individuals who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness. He also said Biden's proposed American Jobs Plan would invest nearly $150 billion in grants and programs, "providing HUD with the tools and resources it needs to build and modernize millions of affordable and sustainable places to live and revitalize communities nationwide." The HUD and VA outlines to renew the drive to end veteran homelessness received pushback from Reps. Barry Moore, R-Ala., and Madison Cawthorn, R-N.C., who both questioned whether VA and HUD were overspending. By his estimate, VA and HUD would be spending $41,963 apiece for each of the 37,252 homeless veterans in HUD's 2020 survey, Moore said. "This is an extraordinary amount of money." Harris said Moore failed to consider the turnover in the veteran homeless population, noting that VA and HUD served about three times the 37,252 number during the course of a year. He also said VA and HUD had programs serving about 300,000 veterans that aimed to keep them in their homes and out of shelters and off the streets. Cawthorn said he was outraged that homeless veterans were not taking advantage of the expanding jobs market. "I cannot reject what I just heard more strongly," he said of the calls by homeless advocates for an extension of the eviction moratorium and expanded rental assistance. The moratorium was put in place "because people were not able to go out and get a job because of COVID-19," but currently about nine million jobs are available, he said. The jobs were not being taken "because the federal government is literally sending people paychecks to sit at home," an apparent reference to expanded unemployment benefits, Cawthorn said. "It's absolutely ridiculous. The moratorium on rent has got to end," Cawthorn said. "It's absolutely insane. It's destroying so many of these landlords' lives, because so many people are unwilling to go out and get a job. It's disgusting, and it's un-American." Harris and Cho did not respond to Cawthorn's charges, but Cho added perspective on the veteran homelessness issue in his written testimony. "When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in the United States and Americans across the country were told to stay safe by staying home, there were more than half a million Americans who could not do so because they had no home to stay in," Cho said. "That includes over 37,000 Veterans who, after serving and sacrificing in our nation's military, were sleeping either in congregate shelters with beds spaced not six feet, but inches apart, or forced to sleep outside, face the elements, and be without access to hygiene and other facilities." -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. Related: Advocates Fear a Huge Surge of Homeless Veterans as Pandemic Effects Become Clear Radarman 3rd Class Bill Harrison served on board the Fletcher-class destroyer USS Van Valkenburgh (DD-656) from September 1940 to April 1946, a year after the end of World War II. Interior Communications Electrician 3rd Class Brandon Sahagun, assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG58), stands small craft action team (SCAT) watch as Laboon transits en route to the Black Sea. Benson Cozby Barrett served in the Navy as a chaplain during WWII and the Korean War. Norfolk, VA (23510) Today Thunderstorms likely this morning. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 77F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Low 66F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. I dont support the whole concept. Im not going to be a part of it, said San Juan County Commissioner Bruce Adams. [June 17, 2021] Horizon Health Network partners with MOBIA to leverage SurgeCon software and drive Emergency Department Transformation Software to improve patient wait times and support surge management HALIFAX, NS, June 17, 2021 /CNW/ - Leading full-suite Canadian systems integrator, MOBIA, announced today that its SurgeCon software has been selected by Horizon Health Network (Horizon) to help address emergency department (ED) flow challenges, improve patient wait times, and manage patient surges. The software will be rolled out across seven sites in New Brunswick. The project has been made possible through Health Canada and Innovation Solutions Canada who identified SurgeCon as a powerful tool to improve EDs through their COVID-19 Innovation fund. SurgeCon will enable Horizon to automate workflows and proactively implement measures in the ED to improve patient outcomes and better support frontline staff. Through real-time surge protocol algorithms, SurgeCon, will instantly notify clinicians and healthcare administrators with specific actions to take based on situational changes -- helping to move patients through the ED, shortening length of overall stay, minimizing surges and ensuring that the appropriate resources are deployed. The software aims to increase transparency and collaboration across departments in the hospital. Proven to effectively reduce wait times and improve patient flow in the ED, SurgeCon was conceptualized by an emergency department physician and a nurse at Carbonear General Hospital. The software is designed, developed, and operated by MOBIA. The development of SurgeCon's sftware is supported by our collaborative research partners from Eastern Health and Memorial University of Newfoundland who are conducting a clinical trial which is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Government, and the Trinity Conception Placentia Health Foundation. The Newfoundland and Labrador Center for Health Information (NLCHI) and IWK Health Center are also supporting this initiative. SurgeCon's proven track record and quick start-up time helped to solidify Horizon's decision. "We are committed to providing the best possible patient experience and driving positive patient outcomes," said Jennifer Sheils, Chief Information Officer (CIO), Horizon Health Network. "SurgeCon will enable us to transform the way we manage flow and capacity in our emergency departments by improving patient flow, decreasing wait times and empowering staff to act before a surge occurs. Early Indications show the system is easy to implement and very user-friendly." "We are thrilled Horizon Health will be using SurgeCon to support their care efforts," said Nevin Pick, Director of Digital Transformation, MOBIA. "Technology has the power to aid clinicians and administrators in their work and SurgeCon is an exceptionally powerful tool, providing real-time data to make real-time decisions. Emergency room staff give every shift 110% and are exceptionally busy. It is an honour to be able to help reduce some of their workload by streamlining and automating portions of their workflow and surfacing the information they need to make informed care decisions." ABOUT MOBIA MOBIA, the leading full-suite Canadian systems integrator and one of Canada's Best Managed Companies, helps businesses foster connection and realize their full potential through digital transformation. Focused around five key-areas -- Broadband and Wireless Services, Hybrid Infrastructure Solutions, Managed Services, Cybersecurity and Digital Transformation Services MOBIA partners with clients to operationalize new technologies and processes, driving business agility and efficiency and truly transforming the way they work. To learn more, visit MOBIA.io. ABOUT HORIZON Horizon Health Network (Horizon) is the largest regional health authority in New Brunswick and the second-largest health authority in Atlantic Canada with expertise in diverse areas of health and community services. Focused on delivering quality and safe care to our patients, clients and their families, Horizon operates 12 hospitals and more than 100 medical facilities, clinics and offices throughout New Brunswick. Horizon provides services ranging from acute and specialized care to community-based health services. At the foundation of this health system is a robust network of community-based primary care services offered in a variety of settings in communities throughout the province. Our primary care system is comprised of a number of facilities and services, including community health centres, clinics, public health services, community hospitals, as well as addictions and mental health services. With a collaborative, team approach to offering services in English and French, Horizon delivers sustainable, safe and quality health care services to residents of New Brunswick, as well as northern Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Horizon was named one of Canada's 'Top 40 Research Hospitals for 2020 by Research Infosource Inc., a leading Canadian research and consulting firm. SOURCE MOBIA Technology Innovations Inc. [ Back To www.mobilitytechzone.com\broadband-stimulus's Homepage ] Nowadays, having a great product or service quality is no longer the only important factor that determines business success. In fact, user experience takes precedence over everything else. If you don't provide your customers with an exceptional experience, they won't hesitate to abandon you for good, regardless of how superior your product or services might be. For instance, website speed plays a vital role in determining customer experience. If your website isn't fast enough to match consumer expectations, your bounce rate will be through the roof. Moreover, when you consider that most online consumers today browse the Internet using a mobile device, you have to include mobile-friendliness into the equation. Therefore, even if you do manage to provide an exceptional experience to customers, but your website isn't mobile-friendly, your efforts are pretty much in vain. With that in mind, here are a few tips on how to improve website speed and UX for mobile devices. Test how fast your website is A lot of web owners believe that their websites are fast enough. However, in most cases, websites are barely keeping up with consumer expectations. If it takes just a second too long for your pages to load, your website visitors will bounce off. Therefore, try to find out if your website is truly up to the task or if it could use some improvements. That said, there are plenty of online speed test tools that can show you just how fast your website really is. Moreover, some of the tools can even point out what's causing your website to slow down. Design your website for mobile If you want to provide mobile users with the best possible browsing experience, you have to make sure that your website is properly designed to support mobile devices. In other words, you have to ensure that your website content can be properly displayed on mobile devices. The best way to achieve that is to implement the so-called responsive design. You can always consult with the top custom web design company to help you implement this type of design for your website. Once you design your website for mobile, your content will be able to adjust itself to any device or screen size. Provide consumers with more convenience Some web owners go as far as creating a unique environment for their customers that will guarantee a seamless user experience. The way they manage this is by creating an app version of their website. The main reason is that businesses can provide a more personalized experience to their customers this way while being able to collect relevant data for future promotions. If you want to try out this approach, you should check out some of the best software development companies in New York that could help you out. That way, the app version of your website will be much faster and able to provide customers with much better UX. Enable web caching Web caching can be a real lifesaver when it comes to improving website speed and providing a better UX for your visitors or customers. The way it works is that whenever a consumer visits your website, their browser has to download important page assets from your website so that it can display the page properly. When you enable web caching, your server tells browsers to hang on to these files, so they don't have to download them again whenever the user revisits your site. Use AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages) AMP is a project developed by Google. It is a form of mobile-optimization strategy that allows you to speed up your website and provide mobile consumers with a seamless experience. AMP strips down page elements to a bare minimum while prioritizing content readability and page loading time. Therefore, your website visitors get what they want in lightning-speed delivery times. Use content delivery network (CDN) Relying on CDN can greatly improve your website speed. Considering that you'll have web traffic from all over the world, it would be impossible for your server to handle all the requests and provide fast-enough page loading time for everyone, regardless of their location in the world. CDN eliminates any latency regarding the geographical distance between end-users and your hosting server. It caches your website files so that users can obtain those files from the server closes to them instead of sending a request to your main server. As a result, users experience much faster page loading time because their browsers can get the necessary files for displaying pages from the nearby server. Improving website speed and UX for mobile users can be challenging, to say the least. However, if you plan well ahead, you'll be able to improve website functionality so that it meets every expectation your mobile users might have. Dogs and Indians not allowed. So said the ubiquitous British Raj sign-board, symbol of a sentiment that eventually snowballed into the Quit India movement whereby the brown natives turned the tables against the gora saheb, to assert their sovereignty. However, it appears that, in their heart of hearts, the browns loved the sign-board and almost 75 years into political independence, have gleefully put up its Indianised avatar to alienate themselves from the lesser browns with a hauteur descended directly from the arrogance of the colonial masters. Welcome to one of the several sarkari offices of the government of Maharashtra, where sign-boards unabashedly assault the constitutionally established sovereign status of an unsuspecting citizen, turning him into a potential criminal liable for punitive action under a mighty impressive list of laws, serving as a barrier between him and the servants, civil or otherwise. When you walk into most Maharashtra state government offices, you are greeted by an imposing board that warns you that you may be booked under any of the Sections of the Indian Penal Codes (IPC), if you dare to misbehave with the government official. These include: Section 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty); Section 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace); Section 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation, if threat be to cause death or grievous hurt, etc); Section 332 and 333 (Voluntarily causing grievous hurt to deter public servant from his duty); Section 383, 384 and 386 ( Extortion, punishment for extortion, extortion by putting a person in fear of death on grievous hurt); Section 427 (Mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees); Section 378 an 379 (Theft and punishment for theft); Section 141 and 143 (141: Unlawful assembly and punishment for it); Section 146, 148 and 150 (Rioting, rioting, armed with deadly weapon and hiring, or conniving at hiring persons to join unlawful assembly). WHEW! Some homework they have done! Nevertheless, while the Maharashtra babudom wallows in such self-imposed splendid isolation, inveterate history repeating itself too appears in a new avatar, namely, a bunch of Right to Information (RTI) applications that seek to probe and uproot this unwarranted holier-than-thou smugness. An RTI application filed sometime back by the Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat (ABGP), a highly respected consumer organisation, had revealed that such sign-boards do not have any official sanction. And, yet, the boards have continued to stand menacingly, insulting the citizens and assailing their constitutional right to visit offices meant for their convenience and benefit. The Citizen Charter, implemented way back in 1997 where government offices are duty-bound to declare standards of service and the time limits that the public can reasonably expect, avenues of grievance redress and a provision for independent scrutiny with the involvement of citizen and consumer groups, is apparently gathering dust somewhere. On the other hand, bowing to the demands of the Maharashtra gazetted officers union, the government has allowed these sign-boards to be erected and displayed prominently, although the boards paint the citizens as criminals even before they have stepped into the office. As per a news report, the general administration department (GAD) of the Maharashtra government, in its first appeal hearing revealed to the Akhil Bhartiya Grahak Panchayat that the state government had not issued such an order, which renders the boards illegal ab initio. It only serves to terrorise citizens, said a lawyer, as the Indian Penal Codes (IPC) have been selectively chosen to target the citizens. Taking up this bizarre issue, RTI activists and users under the umbrella of the RTI Katta have embarked upon campaigning for the removal of these boards, for which they are garnering information under RTI before they set about an action plan. RTI activist Vijay Kumbhar says, These boards which are put at every government office are illegal and aim to threaten the citizens. This is against the citizens rights. Hence, we are appealing to citizens to file RTI applications, so that we can campaign for the removal of these unconstitutional boards. A draft RTI application is being circulated and applicants are being requested to share the RTI replies to [email protected] Guidelines from the Katta specify that the RTI application should seek information on: the number of boards put up in your region; since when have these boards been put up; copy of the government resolution (GR), circulars and official meetings held for such a proposal; details of the entire expenditure for making these boards; in case any such crime has been committed by citizens who visit these offices, to provide FIR and complaints made to the police by the government officer and; all information, correspondence and documents related to these boards. After gathering the applications, the RTI activists plan to have a sustained campaign for the removal of these boards and their replacement with a display of the mandatory duties of the government offices, such as the details of the Citizen Charter and delay in the discharge of official duties. The mission, to bend the babudom and to rid the citizen of its fear, is on! (This Column is edited by Shubha Khandekar) Refuting rumours spread by some social media posts about the use of newborn calf serum in Covaxin, the Union government on Wednesday clarified that the coronavirus (COVID) vaccine manufactured by Bharat Biotech Ltd, does not contain newborn calf serum. Giving clarification on the issue, Dr Harsh Vardhan, minister for health and family welfare, science and tech, and earth sciences, says, "Final vaccine product of Covaxin does not contain newborn calf serum. Claims suggesting otherwise are misrepresenting facts. Animal serum has been used in the vaccine manufacturing process for decades, but it is completely removed from the end product." Final vaccine product of #COVAXIN does NOT contain new born calf serum ! Claims suggesting otherwise are misrepresenting facts ! Animal serum has been used in vaccine manufacturing process for decades, but it is completely removed from the end product.https://t.co/NKlh5kow08 pic.twitter.com/L4CrEmZtT1 Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) June 16, 2021 In a release, the ministry of health and family welfare (MoHFW) says, "There have been some social media posts regarding the composition of Covaxin where it has been suggested that it contains new born calf serum. Facts have been twisted and misrepresented in these posts." Replying to the RTI filed by Mr Patni, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), which is India's national regulatory body for pharmaceuticals and medical devices, had said, "As per information provided by the firm, new born calf serum is used in the revival process of Vero cells, which is used for the production of coronavirus during the manufacturing of Covaxin bulk vaccine of Bharat Biotech." Noting that different kinds of bovine and other animal serum are standard enrichment ingredient, and that they are used globally for Vero cell growth, the health ministry says Vero cells are used to establish cell lives which help in the production of vaccines. This technique has been used for decades in polio, rabies and influenza vaccines. These Vero cells, after the growth, are washed with water, with chemicals, also technically known as buffer, many times to make it free from the new born calf serum. Thereafter, these Vero cells are infected with corona virus for viral growth. The ministry says, "The Vero cells are completely destroyed in the process of viral growth. Thereafter this grown virus is also killed (inactivated) and purified. This killed virus is then used to make the final vaccine, and in the final vaccine formulation no calf serum is used." Meanwhile, Bharat Biotech, the manufacture of Covaxin also clarified that while new born calf serum is used in the manufacturing of viral vaccines, the final formulation of its COVID-19 vaccine is free from all impurities. In a statement, the company says, "New born calf serum is used in the manufacturing of viral vaccines. It is used for the growth of cells, but neither used in growth of SARS CoV2 virus nor in the final formulation." "Covaxin is highly purified to contain only the inactivated virus components by removing all other impurities," it added. Vero cells, also known as African green monkey kidney cells, were officially isolated from African green monkey kidneys by Japanese scholars Yasumura Y and Kawakita Y in 1962. It was the first aneuploidy attachment-dependent cell used in producing human biological products and establishing cell lines and cell banks of different generations at the same time, says a report from AcceGen Biotechnology Thus, the final vaccine Covaxin does not contain newborn calf serum at all and the calf serum is not an ingredient of the final vaccine product, the ministry says. Covaxin is India's first indigenously developed COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by Bharat Biotech and is being used on adults in the vaccination drive since 16th January this year. In a remarkably tough action rarely seen from regulatory authorities in India, HDFC Bank Ltd has been asked to refund commission it earned from GPS devices to customer who had taken auto loan. In a public notice, HDFC Bank says it will be refunding GPS device commission to auto loan customers, whoever has availed such device as a part of auto loan funding during FY13-14 to FY19-20. "The refund will be credited to the customer's repayment bank account as registered with the bank. In case of any queries or in case such bank account is closed, such customers are requested to contact the bank from their registered email ID or call on 18002102678 with the details of auto loan account within next 30 days," HDFC Bank says in a public notice. Last month, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had imposed a penalty of Rs10 crore in HDFC Bank for contravention of provisions of Section 6(2) and Section 8 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. This action was based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance mainly related with the auto loan portfolio of the Bank. In a statement, the central bank had said, "An examination of documents in the matter of marketing and sale of third-party non-financial products to the banks customers, arising from a whistle blower complaint to RBI regarding irregularities in the auto loan portfolio of the bank, revealed, inter alia, contravention of the afore-said provisions of the Act and the regulatory directions." RBI had issued a notice to HDFC Bank advising it to show cause as why penalty should not be imposed for contravention of the provisions of the Act or directions. HDFC Bank submitted its reply. However, RBI was not satisfied. RBI says, "After considering HDFC Banks reply to the show cause notice, oral submissions made during the personal hearing and examination of further clarifications or documents furnished by the Bank, RBI came to the conclusion that the aforesaid charge of contravention of provisions of the Act was substantiated and warranted imposition of monetary penalty." In December 2020, RBI had asked HDFC Bank to halt launch of its new digital programme and on-boarding new customers for its credit card business until further orders. While demanding immediate withdrawal of the first information reports (FIRs), the Editors Guild of India (EGI) has condemned wanton misuse of laws to criminalise reporting and dissent to harass independent media in Uttar Pradesh. In a strongly worded statement, the Mumbai Press Club called upon the union ministry of information & broadcasting (MIB) to educate the UP government and its chief minister Yogi Adityanath on the tenets of 'freedom of expression' and the right to report incidents of news value. The UP Police had registered FIRs against The Wire and several journalists for their tweets on an assault on an elderly Muslim man in Ghaziabad on 5th June. In the video that was posted by those charged, the man is seen alleging that he was beaten up by some people who also forced him to chant Jai Shree Ram. Several media organizations and journalists, besides the ones charged by the police, posted this video on their social media feeds. Subsequently, EGI says, there was an alternate version offered by the UP Police claiming that the assault was born out of a dispute regarding a talisman that the elderly man had sold to some people, which was also reported by these media organizations and journalists. It says, "The Guild is deeply concerned by the UP Polices track record of filing FIRs against journalists to deter them from reporting serious incidents without fear of reprisals. It is the duty of the journalists to report on the basis of sources and in case facts become contested later on, to report the emerging versions and facets. For police to wade into such professional calls by journalists and attribute criminality to their actions is destructive of freedom of speech, which is constitutionally protected and is an entrenched feature of the rule of law." "Further, it is quite evident that the police have been discriminatory in targeting those media organisations and journalists- when thousands had tweeted the video- that have been critical of the government and its policies," the EGI added. The Editors Guild of India condemns the filing of First Information Reports (FIRs) by the Uttar Pradesh Police against The Wire and several other journalists, for their tweets on an assault on an elderly Muslim man in Ghaziabad on June 5th. pic.twitter.com/u17KMkYb42 Editors Guild of India (@IndEditorsGuild) June 17, 2021 Demanding immediate withdrawal of 'false FIRs' registered against the individuals and media organizations such as The Wire and Twitter, the Mumbai Press Club says, "To whitewash the crime, charges have been brought against the media entities for promoting communal disharmony. The police have also come to the specious conclusion that there was no evidence of communal hatred." REPORTING HATE CRIMES IS NOT A CRIME The Mumbai Press Club condemns the continued harassment of the news media in Uttar Pradesh for reporting the truth.#FreedomofExpression #FreedomOfSpeech pic.twitter.com/TvRs2HxRTx Mumbai Press Club (@mumbaipressclub) June 17, 2021 Earlier on Tuesday, the Loni Border Police Station in Ghaziabad district registered an FIR against, The Wire, Twitter Communications India Pvt, Twitter Inc, journalists Mohammad Zubair of AltNews, Rana Ayub, Congress Salman Nizami, Maskoor Usmani and Shama Mohamed under Indian Penal Code (IPC) section 153 (provocation for rioting), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups), 295A (acts intended to outrage religious feelings), 505 (mischief), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 34 (common intention) against them. Two days down the line more troubles are brewing for the US-based social media giant as a complaint has been filed against Twitter, it's India managing director (MD) Manish Maheshwari, Bollywood actor Swara Bhaskar, journalist Arfa Khanum Sherwani and others for giving communal colour without fact checking truthfulness of an incident. The complaint has also named Mohammad Asif Khan and was filed on June 16 at the Tilak Marg police station by advocate Amit Acharya. An official told IANS they are certifying the complaint and they will register a case only after that. Weather Alert ...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING... * WHAT...High temperatures in the mid to upper 90s. Some areas may exceed 100 degrees at times. * WHERE...Portions of central, north central, and west central Montana. * WHEN...Until 9 PM MDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Hot daytime temperatures may cause heat illnesses. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles. Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1. && With the new year upon us and a legislative session (under way), let us resolve to be the bright light that shines through the darkest night for the smallest and most vulnerable of angels. Lansdale, PA (19446) Today Cloudy skies this morning followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. High 79F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower throughout the evening. Low 59F. Winds light and variable. June 17, 2021 Open Thread 2021-046 News & views ... Posted by b on June 17, 2021 at 12:13 UTC | Permalink Comments next page Lorains new Sewer and Water Advisory Board, also known as SWAB, has begun its mission, and more in-depth deliberations could happen within a month. After closing for renovations, the Butterfly House is officially open for the season at Miller Nature Preserve at 2739 Center Road in Avon. @MJ_JournalRick on Twitter Richard Payerchin covers Lorain City Hall, business news and other interesting stories for The Morning Journal. Reach the author at rpayerchin@MorningJournal.com or follow Richard on Twitter: @MJ_JournalRick. Lorain Program will save city $9k in interest, Ohio treasurer says Former Republican Speaker Larry Householder speaks to the media immediately after his expulsion from the Ohio House on Wednesday, June 16, in Columbus. The Republican-led House voted 5-21 to remove him. Householder is accused of taking money from a utility in exchange for orchestrating a multi-million dollar scheme to get him elected as speaker. He has pleaded not guilty and publicly proclaimed his innocence. (Andrew Welsh-Huggins Moultrie, GA (31768) Today Mostly cloudy early, then thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High near 85F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely, especially this evening. Low 71F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. HONOLULU (AP) A police officer was charged with murder and two others were charged with attempted murder in connection with the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old boy, Honolulu prosecutors said Tuesday. It comes after a grand jury last week declined to indict the officers in the shooting that killed Iremamber Sykap on April 5. Police have said Sykap was driving a stolen Honda linked to an armed robbery, burglary, purse snatching and car theft and led officers on a chase before the shooting. Officer Geoffrey H.L. Thom fired 10 rounds into the rear window of the Honda without provocation, Deputy Prosecutor Christopher Van Marter said in court documents. Eight of the shots hit Sykap in the back of the head, back of the neck, upper back and left arm. Sykap died at a hospital. Officer Christopher Fredeluces fired one shot but did not hit Sykap, Van Marter said. The prosecutor said that while Thom claimed the Honda rammed his patrol car, body-camera footage didnt show that. Thoms patrol car sustained a few minor paint chips and some black scuffmarks, Van Marter said. He said Officer Zackary K. Ah Nee fired multiple times at Mark Sykap, the slain boy's brother who was also in the car. Mark Sykap suffered gunshot wounds in his right shoulder and right hand. Police have refused to release body-camera footage from the shooting. Thom was charged with one count of second-degree murder. Ah Nee and Fredeluces were each charged with one count of attempted second-degree murder. If convicted, each faces life in prison with the possibility of parole. A man who answered the phone at a number listed for Thom said he was not taking calls. Listed numbers for Ah Nee and Fredeluces could not immediately be found. Thom is a five-year veteran of the Honolulu Police Department. Ah Nee and Fredeluces have served with the department for three and 10 years, respectively. Interim Honolulu Police Chief Rade Vanic said he was surprised by the prosecutor's decision to seek charges after a grand jury decided not to indict. This is highly unusual, and we are not aware of a similar action having been taken in the past. While we await the courts decision, we will continue to protect and serve the community as we have always done, he said in a statement. The officers will have their police powers removed and be assigned to desk duty. Malcom Lutu, president of the state police officers' union, said in a statement: We continue to trust the process and will continue to stand by our officers. Matt Dvonch, special counsel to Honolulu prosecutor Steve Alm, said it's not unusual for prosecutors to ask a judge to find probable cause that a crime has likely been committed after a grand jury has declined to indict a person. He said prosecutors weren't bringing any new evidence that they didn't have when the case went before the grand jury. Eric Seitz, an attorney representing Sykaps family in a lawsuit against the city and police, said he was gratified prosecutors were pursuing the case. We have suspected from the beginning when we began to get information about how the events unfolded, that the shooting was entirely unjustified, he said. Now that weve seen the further evidence thats contained and attached to the charges, theres no question in our minds that this was an event that could have been and should have been prevented. The family's lawsuit alleges negligence, assault and battery. It asks a state court to award damages, reimburse costs and declare that the officers use of deadly force was unlawful and unauthorized. Jacquie Esser, a state deputy public defender who is not involved in the case, said its critical that police be held accountable for when they use excessive force and kill unarmed people or if they commit misconduct. This is a huge step towards accountability, which is critical for the communitys trust in their policing system, she said. The three officers were scheduled to appear in court on June 25. ___ This story was first published on June 15, 2021. It was updated on June 17, 2021, to correct that the officers would be eligible for parole if they are convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Activist group Environment Texas is calling on Gov. Greg Abbott to veto House Bill 4472, an emissions reduction plan authored by Rep. Brooks Landgraf of Odessa. The bill has been signed by the Texas House and Senate and sent to Abbotts desk on June 1. Alessandra Papa with Environment Texas said Landgrafs bill would divert 35 percent of funding from Texas current clean air program, the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan, and instead give that money to the Texas Department of Transportation. In theory, they (TxDOT) could use it for air pollution reduction programs like expanding bike lanes or sidewalks, but the reality in Texas is that most of that funding would go towards expanding highways, which could actually make the problem worse by adding more cars to the road, she said. Text of HB 4472 states that not less than 35 percent of funding would go to TxDOT for congestion mitigation. TxDOT would be required to submit an annual report to the Texas Department on Environmental Quality regarding certain congestion mitigation and air quality improvement projects. TERP uses its current funding to give grants to school districts, individuals and businesses for things like replacing older car engines with newer ones that produce less air pollution, according to Papa, though she said the program is already underfunded. When asked if funding was needed to expand Texas highways as more people move to the state, she said, I know that if I need to pay my electric bill, I dont take that money out of my grocery budget. Papa noted that a recent Harvard University study found that 17,000 Texans die every year from air pollution. In Midland-Odessa, there were 18 days of elevated particulate pollution in 2018, she said. I think its a shocking number and I think more people need to know the risk that theyre at, she said. School buses are a good example of diesel pollution and kids are breathing in those diesel fumes even when theyre inside the school bus. Abbott has not stated publicly whether he plans to sign HB 4472. The bill would go into effect on Sept. 1 if signed into law. WARSAW, Poland (AP) The presidents of Germany and Poland met in Warsaw Thursday to celebrate the 30th anniversary of a key treaty between the two neighbors, focusing on the positive aspects of a sometimes wobbly relationship. Germany's Frank-Walter Steinmeier held talks with Poland's Andrzej Duda, and attended a meeting with young people from both countries. The two neighbors are at odds over the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline linking Germany with Russia. Warsaw strongly opposes what it sees as a political tool for increasing Russian influence in Europe, while Berlin views it as purely a business project. The presidents made no direct reference to the subject at a news conference following their first round of talks. Steinmeier only said that Germany takes criticism seriously and will make every effort to achieve reasonable solutions. He added that good Polish-German relations were one of Europe's greatest successes in the past 30 years. The presidents also discussed plans underway for a memorial in Berlin to some 3 million Polish victims of the brutal World War II Nazi German occupation. Poland, which Germany invaded in September 1939 triggering World War II has been pressing for such a memorial. Another issue both presidents mentioned was the rights of the German minority in Poland and the Polish minority in Germany. The good-neighborly relations treaty was signed in 1991 two years after Poland shed Moscow's dominance and embarked on forging its independent West-oriented policy. One of the main goals was to put aside the long history of conflicts and warfare between the two countries. Berlin was a strong advocate of including Poland in Western structures such as NATO, which it joined in 1999, and the EU, which it joined in 2004. ______ Geier Moulson in Berlin contributed to this report. JERUSALEM (AP) Israeli prosecutors on Thursday charged a border police officer with reckless manslaughter in the deadly shooting of an autistic Palestinian man in Jerusalems Old City last year. The indictment came just over a year after the shooting of Eyad Hallaq, whose family has criticized Israel's investigation into the killing and called for much tougher charges. The shooting has drawn comparisons to the police killing of George Floyd in the United States. Rights groups say Israel rarely holds members of its security forces accountable for the deadly shootings of Palestinians. Investigations often end with no charges or lenient sentences, and in many cases witnesses are not even summoned for questioning. The officer, who remains unidentified in the indictment submitted to the Jerusalem District Court on Thursday, was charged with reckless manslaughter, and if convicted could face up to 12 years in prison. We want justice for our son, Hallaq's father, Khairi, said in response to the indictment. Why is it that when an Arab kills they say he is a murderer and when an Israeli kills they say reckless manslaughter? Hallaq, 32, was fatally shot just inside the Old Citys Lions Gate on May 30, 2020, as he was on his way to the special-needs institution that he attended. The officer's commander, who was also present during the incident, was not charged. The area is a frequent site of clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces, and the Old Citys narrow streets are lined with hundreds of security cameras that are monitored by police. But as the investigation proceeded last summer, prosecutors claimed that none of the cameras in the area had worked, and there was no footage of the incident. The Old City is part of east Jerusalem, which Israel seized in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed to its capital in a move not recognized by most of the international community. Palestinians want east Jerusalem to be the capital of their future state, and the city's fate is one of the most divisive issues in the conflict. Prosecutors from the police internal investigations department said in a statement that the decision to charge the officer was made after deep examination of the evidence, examination of all the circumstances of the incident and the claims heard during the officers hearing. They said Hallaq's death was a serious and unfortunate incident and that the officer shot him while he took an unreasonable risk that he would cause his death. According to accounts at the time, Hallaq was shot after running away and failing to heed calls to stop. Two members of Israels paramilitary Border Police then chased Hallaq into a garbage room and shot him as he cowered next to a bin. The Justice Ministry said in a statement in October, when prosecutors recommended charges against the officer, that the wounded Hallaq pointed to a woman he knew and muttered something. The officer then turned to the woman and asked her in Arabic, Where is the gun? She replied, What gun? At that point, the officer under investigation fired again at Hallaq. The woman mentioned in the statement appears to be Hallaqs teacher, who was with him that morning. At the time of the shooting, she told an Israeli TV station that she had repeatedly called out to police that he was disabled. In the charges filed Thursday, prosecutors described how the accused shot Hallaq in the stomach when he had his back against a wall in a corner, then shot him a second time in the chest while Hallaq was sprawled on the ground injured. Hallaq's family has expressed concerns the killing would be whitewashed, especially after the alleged camera malfunction. In cases of attacks against Israeli security forces, police often quickly release security-camera footage to the public. Palestinians and human rights groups say Israel has a poor record of prosecuting cases in which soldiers and police kill Palestinians under questionable circumstances. An Associated Press investigation in 2019 found that the Israeli military opened investigations into 24 potentially criminal shootings of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip over the past year. None had yielded convictions or even indictments, and in most instances, the army had not interviewed key witnesses or retrieved evidence from the field. The Israeli military says it investigates all cases in which Palestinians are killed and that its soldiers often have to make split-second decisions in hostile situations. Palestinians have carried out dozens of stabbing, shooting and car-ramming attacks against Israeli security forces in Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank in recent years. Hallaq's death prompted a series of small demonstrations in which Jews and Palestinians protested against police violence. Some evoked the killing of Floyd, which sparked a wave of protests across the U.S. demanding racial justice and police accountability. Israeli leaders expressed regret over the shooting death of Hallaq. Ayman Odeh, head of the Joint List of Arab parties in Israels parliament, criticized the indictment, tweeting that reckless manslaughter was an infuriating and denigrating charge," given the gravity of what happened. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) A St. Paul man accused of speeding up and driving into a group of protesters in Minneapolis while he was drunk, killing one person, was charged Wednesday with intentional second-degree murder. Prosecutors say Nicholas Kraus, 35, was visibly intoxicated Sunday night when he sped up and tried to jump a car that was being used as a barricade by protesters in the citys Uptown neighborhood. Thirty-one-year-old Deona Knajdek, also known as Deona Erickson, was killed. Theres nothing in the criminal complaint to suggest Kraus actions were motivated by political views or anger at protesters. The murder count alleges Kraus intended to cause death, but his actions were not premeditated. Hes also charged with two counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, for injuring two other protesters. According to the criminal complaint, Kraus told officers he saw the car and believed he needed to get over it. He said he saw people in the area, but he accelerated in order to try and jump the barricade and acknowledged that he did not attempt to brake, the complaint says. It also says he admitted that he thought he might have hit someone. Kraus will make his first court appearance Thursday and it wasn't immediately clear if he had an attorney to comment on his behalf. He's being held at the Hennepin County jail, which does not take messages for people in custody. Protests have been ongoing in Uptown since members of a U.S. Marshals Service task force fatally shot Winston Boogie Smith Jr., a 32-year-old Black man and father of three, on June 3. Authorities said they were trying to arrest Smith on a warrant for being a felon in possession of a firearm when he displayed a handgun from inside a parked SUV. Authorities also say evidence shows Smith fired his gun from inside the SUV, but a female passenger has said she never saw him with a gun. Minneapolis has been on edge since the death of George Floyd, who died last year after an officer used his knee to pin Floyd's neck to the ground, and the fatal police shooting of another Black man, Daunte Wright, in a nearby suburb. On Tuesday, city crews began clearing and reopening streets near the site of Smiths shooting and Knajdeks death, but after police left, protesters moved back in and blocked traffic. Police say 30 people were arrested Tuesday night, with most receiving misdemeanor citations. The street was open to traffic Wednesday afternoon. Though obstructions to traffic were removed, a memorial featuring messages in chalk and flowers left by mourners remained intact. The Minnesota National Guard tweeted that at the request of the city it was prepared to send about 100 soldiers to Minneapolis in the event of unrest. Witnesses have said Kraus was driving an SUV when he struck a parked car, sending it into the crowd of demonstrators. Police said protesters pulled Kraus from his vehicle and witnesses reported demonstrators struck him. Kraus was arrested and treated for injuries at a hospital. Kraus has five convictions for driving while impaired dating back to a 2007 incident, according to online court records. At one point, he told officers that the SUV he was driving on Sunday was in another person's name because he had no license due to his drunken driving offenses, the complaint says. Court records show his drivers license was canceled in 2013. A search warrant affidavit seeking a blood sample from Kraus says he admitted several times that he was the driver, without being asked, but when asked specific questions he gave illogical and irrelevant answers. Kraus told police his name was Jesus Christ and Tim Burton, that he had been a carpenter for 2,000 years, and that he wanted to get his children to the Super Bowl, the affidavit says. The officer tried to perform a field sobriety test, but Kraus was unable to follow directions and would not keep his eyes open long enough to complete the test," the affidavit said. Results from the blood tests are pending. Other injuries and deaths have been reported involving vehicles at protests across the U.S. as people have increasingly taken to the streets to press their grievances. In Minneapolis, marching onto freeways has become a common tactic. Last year, a semitrailer rolled into a crowd marching on a closed freeway. No one was seriously injured. Republican politicians in several states, including Oklahoma, Florida and Iowa, have sought legal immunity for drivers who hit protesters. ___ Associated Press/Report for America writer Mohamed Ibrahim contributed to this report. ___ This story has been corrected to show the day of Kraus first appearance is Thursday. A DNA sample led to the arrest of a Big Spring man in connection to the death of a 13-year-old West Texas girl who was reported missing more than a decade ago, according to the Texas Department of Safety. Shawn Casey Adkins, 35, was arrested Monday in Big Spring and charged with one count of murder in the death of Hailey Dunn. File photo The family of 30-year-old Savion Hall, who died in July of 2019 after he was transferred to the hospital from the Midland County jail because of low oxygen levels, filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday claiming Halls constitutional right to medical care was violated, according to a press release. Five nurses who were contract employees at the jail were charged with criminally negligent homicide, manslaughter and tampering with a government record following Halls death. They allegedly failed to maintain proper medical records pertaining to Halls treatment and made a false entry on his date and time sheet. Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday began announcing details of his plan for Texas to build its own border wall, starting the hiring process for a program manager and providing $250 million in state funds as a "down payment." "Texas will build a border wall in our state to help secure our border," Abbott said. The governor did not specify how long the wall would be or where it would be built, saying that those decisions will need to be determined by a program manager after more research. On Wednesday, Abbott directed the Texas Facilities Commission to hire a program manager to begin that work. MORE POLITICS: #AbbottFailedTexas trends as ERCOT asks 29 millions Texans to 'conserve energy' - again "My belief based upon conversations that I've already had is that the combination of state land as well as volunteer land will yield hundreds of miles to build a border wall in Texas," he said. Last week, Abbott hinted during a self-styled border summit in Del Rio that he would create a border barrier to stem the flow of immigrants and illegal drugs into the state, but he did not give details on where the barrier would be built or how it would be funded. On Tuesday morning, Abbott told Ruthless, a podcast about Republican politics, that the state would solicit donations from across the country to help pay for the wall. He said he would have a link prepared when he made the announcement, and all the money donated would be tracked and accounted for. Abbott, a two-term Republican governor, has blamed the Biden administration in Washington for a recent surge of immigrants on Texas southern border, saying in an earlier disaster declaration that new federal policies have paved the way for dangerous gangs and cartels, human traffickers, and deadly drugs like fentanyl to pour into our communities. Abbott has deployed National Guard troops to the border and ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to arrest immigrants and charge them for state laws such as trespassing, illegal entry, smuggling and human trafficking. Immigrant rights advocates have said arresting and prosecuting immigrant parents who cross the border with their children seeking asylum could lead to the same separation of families seen under the Trump administration. Advocates have also expressed concern that the move essentially criminalizes seeking asylum. But critics have also questioned Abbotts authority to get involved in immigration regulation, which is a federal government purview. The League of United Latin American Citizens has threatened to sue the state as soon as Abbott finalizes his plan for the border wall. Building a wall along the entire U.S.-Mexico border was a hallmark of former President Donald Trumps campaign. Once in office, his administration built about 450 miles of barrier, mostly in Arizona and far less in the Rio Grande Valley, according to The Washington Post. On Tuesday, Trump said he received and has accepted an invitation from Abbott to tour the border at the end of the month. Federal lawmakers have said building portions of the wall in Texas cost $26.5 million per mile. The Biden administration, which has ordered the federal government to stop construction of the wall where possible, said last week that building the wall cost taxpayers $46 million per mile in some areas along the border. Abbotts plan to crowd-fund the border walls construction is reminiscent of We Build The Wall, a private fundraising effort that raised more than $25 million for construction of a border wall. Last year, four people involved in We Build The Wall including Steve Bannon, Trumps former adviser were charged with allegedly defrauding donors to the effort. Trump pardoned Bannon before leaving office in January. The plan has another parallel to a 2011 effort by the Arizona Legislature to create a website that raised funds for constructing a fence on its Mexico border. That effort received almost $270,000 by 2014, and an advisory committee gave most of it in 2015 to a county sheriff who invested the money in security technology like GPS systems, according to The Arizona Republic. The Texas Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans and engages with them about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Rutherford County Historian Gregory Tucker recently received the Historic Preservation Medal presented by the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Tucker has been the county historian since 2013. We'll keep you connected to all the updated local news and information about what's happening in Murfreesboro and Rutherford County! Click Here to Subscribe! Discuss this article with your neighbors or join the community conversation. Click here to get access Discuss this article with your neighbors or join the community conversation. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Competitive kayaker Traci Lynn Martin paddled through west-central Illinois this week on a journey she hopes will set a world record. Martin wants to post the fastest time for a lone female kayaker to travel the Mississippi River. Going down the Mississippi has always been on my bucket list, said Martin, a nurse from Kansas City, Missouri. Seeing a group attempt to set a speed record for traveling the Mississippi inspired her. She began her journey May 17. It sort of all fell together like a jigsaw puzzle, Martin said. She tried to set a world record for the first time in 2017, attempting the longest solo journey by a surf-ski and circumnavigating the five Great Lakes in less than a year. Those attempts failed. Instead, in October she became the first person to circumnavigate the three largest lakes in North America Superior, Huron and Michigan in one calendar year. She then went on to paddle the entire south shoreline of Lake Erie. Because of a winter storm and falling temperatures, she fell short of a record circumnavigating the Great Lakes. She ended the attempt with 3,592 miles traveled 230 miles short of her goal. Martin, diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 2010, said the expeditions are not only for the thrill and scenic views, but also to inspire those who struggle every day with a chronic health condition or disability to never give up. Earlier this year, she received an additional diagnosis of scleroderma, a rare disease that involves the hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues. Scleroderma affects women more often than men. As a nurse, she noticed that people who had chronic conditions seemingly gave up on their lives, she said. When she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, several co-workers and friends told her how sorry they were for her that she would never kayak again. It was really depressing, she said. My attitude was, Im not going to let this keep me from living my life and doing what I love. In her latest kayaking adventure, Martin has averaged about 50 river miles a day. Martin paddles the Missouri River frequently and said the Mississippi River has been a calmer experience,. The Mississippi River has, just, far surpassed what I ever expected, she said. Its so amazingly beautiful and stunning. On Wednesday, CNN reported that cases of the Delta variant of COVID-19 are increasing so that the strain may become dominant among those who remain unvaccinated in the United States. The Delta variant currently accounts for 10 percent of coronavirus cases in the United States according to the CDC. Its trend toward becoming the dominant variant is concerning because it is more transmissible than even the Alpha variant or the UK variant, which is now dominant in the United States, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy told CNN. The good news is a study from Public Health England found that two doses of a vaccine is highly effective against hospitalization by the Delta variant. The same study found that the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is 96 percent effective against hospitalization for those who are fully vaccinated. However, the Delta strain can be concerning for those who remain unvaccinated. There is some data to indicate that it may be more dangerous, may cause more severe illness, Murthy told CNN. These are two important concerns and they explain in part ... why this has become the dominant strain in the UK, where over 90 percent of cases are the Delta variant. The Delta variant was declared by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday a variant of concern, joining a list of four other strains. A variant of concern, according to the CDC, is a variant for which there is evidence of an increase in transmissibility, more severe disease, significant reduction in neutralization by antibodies generated during previous infection or vaccination, reduced effectiveness of treatments or vaccines, or diagnostic detection failures. Delta joins the Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Epsilon variants on the list. Variant of concern is one of three labels, the middle ground between Variant of Interest and Variant of High Consequence. No variant has yet risen to high consequence status. The Illinois Department of Public Health on Tuesday announced that 64 cases of the Delta variant have been found across 14 counties. The Delta variant accounted for 10 percent of the new cases announced from May 23 to June 6 in the United States. This news comes less than a week after Illinois fully reopened and lifted all guidelines. Asa Donaldson of Virden has been named to the spring semester presidents honor roll at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma. To earn this honor, a student must achieve a perfect grade point average. The Illinois Department on Aging is planning a Welcome to Medicare Fair to help people navigate the complexities of Medicare and avoid late enrollment penalties. The State Health Insurance Assistance Program will have a presentation online from 2 to 6 p.m. Wednesday to provide those 60 and older and those with disabilities Medicare help. ST. LOUIS (AP) A St. Louis couple who gained notoriety for pointing guns at social justice demonstrators pleaded guilty Thursday to misdemeanor charges, but the man left the courthouse defiantly pledging to do it again if faced with the same circumstances. Patricia McCloskey pleaded guilty to misdemeanor harassment and was fined $2,000. Her husband, Mark McCloskey, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor fourth-degree assault and was fined $750. They also agreed to give up the weapons they used during the confrontation. When several hundred demonstrators marched past their home in June of 2020, the couple waved weapons at them. They claimed the protesters were trespassing and that they feared for their safety. The McCloskeys, both of them lawyers in their 60s, wore blue blazers and spoke calmly in answering questions from Judge David Mason during Thursdays hearing. Mason asked Mark McCloskey if he acknowledged that his actions put people at risk of personal injury. He replied, I sure did your honor. Mark McCloskey, who announced in May that he was running for a U.S. Senate seat in Missouri, was unapologetic after the hearing. Id do it again," he said from the courthouse steps in downtown St. Louis. "Any time the mob approaches me, Ill do what I can to put them in imminent threat of physical injury because thats what kept them from destroying my house and my family. The McCloskeys' defense lawyer, Joel Schwartz, said after the hearing the couple had hoped to raise money by donating Marks rifle to charity, but acknowledged that it was an unusual request. Because the charges are misdemeanors, the McCloskeys do not face the possibility of losing their law licenses and can continue to own firearms. On the courthouse steps after the hearing, special prosecutor Richard Callahan said the misdemeanor plea was reasonable noting the McCloskeys called the police, no shots were fired and no one was hurt. But I think that their conduct was a little unreasonable in the end, he said. "I dont think people should view this case as some type of betrayal or assault on the Second Amendment. We still have the Second Amendment rights. Its just that the Second Amendment does not permit unreasonable conduct. The June 28, 2020, protests came weeks after George Floyd's death under a Minneapolis police officer's knee. Mark McCloskey emerged with an AR-15-style rifle, and Patricia McCloskey waved a semiautomatic pistol, according to the indictment. Cellphone video captured the confrontation. No shots were fired and no one was hurt. The McCloskeys were indicted by a grand jury in October on felony charges of unlawful use of a weapon and evidence tampering. Callahan later amended the charges to give jurors the alternative of convictions of misdemeanor harassment instead of the weapons charge. Under that alternative, the evidence tampering count would be dropped. An investigation by St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardners office led to the initial indictments and harsh backlash from several Republican leaders. Then-President Donald Trump spoke out in defense of the couple, whose newfound celebrity earned them an appearance via video at the Republican National Convention. Republican Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has said that if the McCloskeys are convicted, hed pardon them. A spokeswoman for Parson didnt immediately respond to a request for comment after the hearing. Callahan, a longtime judge and former U.S. attorney, was appointed special prosecutor after a judge in December ruled that Gardner created an appearance of impropriety by mentioning the McCloskey case in fundraising emails before the August Democratic primary. Gardner went on to win reelection. Today Farmers Market: 7 a.m., Lincoln Square, 901 W. Morton Ave. Prices vary. Winchester Citywide Cleanup: 7 a.m.-4 p.m., city of Winchester, various locations. | Curbside pickup. Items not allowed are tires, microwaves, TVs, batteries, paint (dried empty cans only), oil, garbage bags, or brush. Kids Take and Make Craft: 9 a.m., Jacksonville Public Library, 201 W. College Ave. | Pressed flower mobile craft is pickup only and given out on a first-come, first-serve basis. Morgan County HCE Annual Meeting: 9:15 a.m., University of Illinois Extension Office, 104 N. Westgate Ave. Free. | All Home and Community Education (HCE) members are invited and guests welcome. Speaker is Adam Mefford, Jacksonvilles Police Chief, who will discuss new police policies and the danger of scammers. Other business will be conducted. JACIL KIP Cafe: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Jacksonville Area Center for Independent Living, 15 Permac Road. | Jay Williams from Illinois Department of Natural Resources will speak about recreational opportunities and accessibility for those with disabilities in state parks and recreation areas. Light lunch at 11:30 a.m. Presentation at noon. Zoom option available. For reservation, call Lisa at 217 245-8371. Free Noon Meal: 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Salvation Army, 331 W. Douglas Ave. | Meals in to-go containers and can be picked up at side door. Artist on the Plaza: Noon-1 p.m., Old State Capitol South Lawn, downtown Springfield. Free | After-school Special performs. Springfield Area Arts Council outdoor summer concert series Tuesday and Thursday through Sept. 2. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. For full performance schedule, go to springfieldartsco.org. Walking for Wellness: 12:30-3 p.m., First Christian Church, 2106 S. Main St. Free | Indoor walking program offered year-round Monday-Thursday. For more information, call 217-243-6445. Spirit of Faith Soup Kitchen: 3:30-4 p.m., Spirit of Faith Soup Kitchen, 105 E. Dunlap St. Free | Serving meals to go for anyone in need. Illinois Products Farmers Market: 4-7 p.m., Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 E. Sangamon Ave., Springfield. Prices vary. | Weekly through Oct. 14. Fireworks Sunset Cruise: 6:45 p.m., | Hakuna Matata, 215 W. Water St., Grafton. $30 | All of the ticket price goes toward Grafton Police. Fireworks at 8:45 p.m. For more information, call 618-786-7678. Friday Bookmobile for Kids: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Jacksonville Public Library various locations. | No library card needed. No late fees or registration. Check out two books per week. 10 a.m. Community Park; 11 a.m. Dunlap Court; Noon Minnie Barr Park; 1 p.m. Northwood mobile homes; 2 p.m. Greenbriar Apartments; 3:30 p.m. 1243 E. State St. For more information, call 217-243-5435. Free Noon Meal: 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Salvation Army, 331 W. Douglas Ave. | Meals in to-go containers and can be picked up at side door. Produce and Bakery Giveaway: 12:30-1 p.m., Salvation Army, 331 W. Douglas Ave. Free. Teen Craft Drop-In: 1-4 p.m., Jacksonville Public Library, 201 W. College Ave. | Stop by any time to make a duct tape cover for your phone. Masks required for those not vaccinated. Jacksonville Main Street Downtown Concert Series: 7-9 p.m., Central Park. Free | Phil Vandel performs. Part of First Friday celebration. Food trucks and restaurant options starting at 6 p.m. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. For more information, go to jacksonvillemainstreet.com. To submit items to the calendar, go to myjournalcourier.com and select calendar, or email jjcsocial@myjournalcourier.com. Items must be submitted at least 48 hours in advance. Two and a half months have passed since President Joe Biden designated Vice President Kamala Harris as his administrations border czar. Harris, who half-heartedly accepted her daunting new task, has neither been to the Southwest border to personally watch the ongoing illegal immigrant influx nor given a press conference on the subject. But she did meet with Alejandro Giammattei and Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the Guatemalan and Mexican presidents, to address what the White House refers to as migrations root causes. The Biden administrations critics, specifically of its border mismanagement, are disappointed that a two-day public relations trip is offered up as a serious approach to the grave problem that tens of thousands of arriving migrants represents. On the eve of her trip, officials announced that Harris will offer coronavirus vaccines, and millions of dollars towards humanitarian relief, food insecurity and anti-corruption measures. Thats all well and good. The U.S. should take every reasonable measure to help struggling Central Americans. But those are, at best, long-term solutions that do little to offset decades of the federal governments tolerance (if not encouragement) of illegal immigration. Harris doesnt have to look far to identify the true root cause of the border surges: the presidential campaign rhetoric that Biden and she engaged in, along with Bidens post-inauguration determination to open the border, and to gut Immigration Customs and Enforcement, as well as Customs and Border Protection. On Bidens first day as president, he signed 17 executive orders that expanded immigration. Leading up to and during her failed 2020 presidential effort, Harris spoke out in favor of decriminalizing illegal border crossing, offering health care to unlawfully present immigrants, and indirectly compared ICE to the KKK. Then, as if to one-up Harris, Biden promised that no one would be deported at all during his administrations first 100 days, and promised amnesty for the existing illegal immigrant population, possibly as many as 20 million. As part of Bidens plan, illegal immigrants deported during the Trump administration would be flown back to the U.S. at taxpayer expense to qualify for amnesty. To minimize the heat and to keep from dashing her well-known presidential ambitions too quickly given the near-impossible nature of her assignment, Harris is downplaying her mission as simply fact-finding. But if Harris were sincerely interested in facts, she would have engaged another of the Northern Triangle presidents, El Salvadors Nayib Bukele. In an interview with Fox News Tucker Carlson, Bukele spoke the harsh truth that Harris would prefer not to hear. Before his interview, Carlson reminded his audience that immigration has, over the last 30 years, contributed to a 100 million population increase, and that mass illegal immigration is permanent because few get sent home. Bukele, while acknowledging that El Salvador has largely failed to provide economically for its citizens, told Carlson that mass immigration is bad for both of us. Over the years, more than a third of Salvadorans have migrated, most to the U.S. Many are young, bold and ambitious the profile of people who could eventually improve their native country. As Bukele explained, loose immigration in the U.S. helps makes El Salvador a net exporter of people, not products or services. The result is that the Salvadoran economy becomes dependent on remittances from the U.S. For the U.S., immigration goes up, population increases, and El Salvador remains dependent on money sent home, a bad economic formula for both countries, Bukele concluded. If it pleases him, Biden can send Harris on a fools errand, but few Americans are deceived by his unconstitutional plan little or no enforcement and wide-open borders, the most radical, unprecedented immigration agenda in presidential history that defies laws that Congress has passed. Joe Guzzardi can be reached at guzzjoe@yahoo.com. In poorest countries, surges worsen shortages of vaccines View Photo KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) Hati Maronjei once swore he would never get a COVID-19 shot, after a pastor warned that vaccines arent safe. Now, four months after the first batch of vaccines arrived in Zimbabwe, the 44-year-old street hawker of electronic items is desperate for the shot he cant get. Whenever he visits a clinic in the capital, Harare, he is told to try again the next day. I am getting frustrated and afraid, he said. I am always in crowded places, talking, selling to different people. I cant lock myself in the house. A sense of dread is growing in some of the very poorest countries in the world as virus cases surge and more contagious variants take hold amid a crippling shortage of vaccine. The crisis has alarmed public health officials along with the millions of unvaccinated, especially those who toil in the informal, off-the-books economy, live hand-to-mouth and pay cash in health emergencies. With intensive care units filling up in cities overwhelmed by the pandemic, severe disease can be a death sentence. Africa is especially vulnerable. Its 1.3 billion people account for 18% of the worlds population, but the continent has received only 2% of all vaccine doses administered globally. And some African countries have yet to dispense a single shot. Health experts and world leaders have repeatedly warned that even if rich nations immunize all their people, the pandemic will not be defeated if the virus is allowed to spread in countries starved of vaccine. Weve said all through this pandemic that we are not safe unless we are all safe, said John Nkengasong, a Cameroonian virologist who heads the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We are only as strong as the weakest link. Zimbabwe, which has imposed new lockdown measures because of a sharp rise in deaths and cases in the country of over 15 million people, has used just over a million of 1.7 million doses, blaming shortages in urban areas on logistical challenges. Long lines form at centers such as Parirenyatwa Hospital, unlike months ago, when authorities were begging people to get vaccinated. Many are alarmed as winter sets in and the variant first identified in South Africa spreads in Harare, where young people crowd into betting houses, some with masks dangling from their chins and others without. Most people are not wearing masks. There is no social distancing. The only answer is a vaccine, but I cant get it, Maronjei said. At the start of the pandemic, many deeply impoverished countries with weak health care systems appeared to have avoided the worst. That is changing. The sobering trajectory of surging cases should rouse everyone to urgent action, said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, Africa director of the World Health Organization. Public health measures must be scaled up fast to find, test, isolate and care for patients, and to quickly trace and isolate their contacts. New cases on the continent rose by nearly 30% in the past week, she said Thursday. In Zambia, where a vaccination campaign has stalled, authorities reported that the country is running out of bottled oxygen. Sick people whose symptoms are not severe are being turned away by hospitals in Lusaka, the capital. When we reached the hospital, we were told there was no bed space for her, Jane Bwalya said of her 70-year-old grandmother. They told us to manage the disease from home. So we just went back home, and we are trying to give her whatever medicine can reduce the symptoms. Uganda is likewise fighting a sharp rise in cases and is seeing an array of variants. Authorities report that the surge is infecting more people in their 20s and 30s. Intensive care units in and around the capital, Kampala, are almost full, and Misaki Wayengera, a doctor who heads a committee advising Ugandas government, said some patients are praying for someone to pass on so that they can get an ICU bed. Many Ugandans feel hopeless when they see the astronomical medical bills of patients emerging from intensive care. Some have turned to concoctions of boiled herbs for protection. On social media, suggestions include lemongrass and small flowering plants. That has raised fears of poisoning. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni imposed new restrictions this month that included closing all schools. But he avoided the extreme lockdown measures of last year, saying he didnt want to hurt peoples livelihoods in a country with a vast informal sector. For beauticians, restaurant workers and vendors in crowded open-air markets struggling to put food on the table, the threat from COVID-19 may be high, but taking even a day off when sick is a hardship. Testing costs $22 to $65, prohibitive for the working class. Unless I am feeling very sick, I wouldnt waste all my money to go and test for COVID, said Aisha Mbabazi, a waiter in a restaurant just outside Kampala. The 28-year-old had a scare weeks ago, she said, noting that a COVID-19 infection could cost her the job if her employer found out. But she has been unable to get a shot. I really wanted the vaccine because for us, any time you can get COVID, she said. Even just touching the menu. Dr. Ian Clarke, who founded a hospital in Uganda, said that while vaccine demand is growing among the previously hesitant, the downside is that we do not know when, or from where, we will get the next batch of shots. Africa has recorded more than 5 million confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 135,000 deaths. That is a small fraction of the worlds caseload, but many fear the crisis could get much worse. Nearly 90% of African countries are set to miss the global target of vaccinating 10% of their people by September, according to the World Health Organization. One major problem is that COVAX, the U.N.-backed project to supply vaccine to poor corners of the world, is itself facing a serious shortage of vaccine. Amid a global outcry over the gap between the haves and the have-nots, the U.S., Britain and the other Group of Seven wealthy nations agreed last week to share at least 1 billion doses with struggling countries over the next year, with deliveries starting in August. In the meantime, many of the worlds poor wait and worry. In Afghanistan, where a surge threatens to overwhelm a war-battered health system, 700,000 doses donated by China arrived over the weekend, and within hours, people were fighting with each other to get to the front of the line, said Health Ministry spokesman Dr. Ghulam Dastigir Nazari. The vaccine rush is notable in a country where many question the reality of the virus and rarely wear masks or social distance, often mocking those who do. At the end of May, approximately 600,000 Afghans had received at least one dose, or less than 2% of the population of 36 million. But the number of those fully vaccinated is minute so few I couldnt even say any percentage, according to Nazari. In Haiti, hospitals are turning away patients as the country awaits its first shipment of vaccines. A major delivery via COVAX was delayed amid government concern over side effects and a lack of infrastructure to keep the doses properly refrigerated. Im at risk every single day, said Nacheline Nazon, a 22-year-old salesperson who takes a colorful, crowded bus known as a tap-tap to work at a clothing store in Haitis capital, Port-au-Prince, because that is all she can afford. She said she wears a mask and washes her hands. If the vaccine becomes available, she said, Ill probably be the first one in line to get it. ___ Mutsaka reported from Harare, Zimbabwe. Associated Press writers around the world contributed to this report. By RODNEY MUHUMUZA and FARAI MUTSAKA Associated Press David Lewis Pacheco View Photo Sonora, CA A Crystal Falls man who used social media to target kids in a sex for drugs scheme was sentenced to 30 years in prison by a judge who called him a one-man crime spree. Initially charged with 54 counts, as reported here, in all, 30-year-old David Pacheco pled guilty to 37 felony charges including three violent felonies for forcible sex crimes. Tuolumne County District Attorney Cassandra Jenecke says that provision and making sure Pacheco paid for his crimes without the kids having to testify were key concerns discussed with the victims and their families. We came to the conclusion to make a plea deal that would make it difficult for Pacheco to be released from state prison and we wanted to avoid re-traumatization for our survivors. We looked at the charges and the amount of time that he could serve, and 30 years seemed about right. Additionally, Pacheco will have to serve 85% of his sentence, at least 25 years, register as a lifetime sex offender, and be placed on parole after being released from prison. Pacheco was arrested on February 23rd after sheriffs deputies raided his home. Inside they seized over 14 pounds of marijuana, nearly two ounces of psilocybin mushrooms, concentrated marijuana, marijuana vape pens, tobacco products, alcohol products, and various marijuana-laced snack products including candy, cereal, and fun-sized bags of chips. Pacheco used this packaging to disguise the drugs, as reported here, including details of how he used these drug items to solicit sex from minors. When Pacheco was arrested, many in the community were shocked by his complex scheme, as was Jenecke. My initial thought was, wow! We think about Tuolumne County as this isolated community, but those people are out there, and they will target our children in ways that ten years ago we wouldnt have seen. Social media apps like Snapchat really opened the flood gates to predators in getting access to children, says Jenecke. Originally, sheriffs officials reported more than 100 victims, some as young as 14, but it was far worse. Jenecke revealed, As the investigation grew, I was shocked at the numbers of children he involved in this scheme. It is well over 200. Pacheco had marketed himself on Snapchat as a plug. Jenecke explained that means he has a plug-in to get the drugs and alcohol to then hook up the kids. After that, she says, word of mouth took over, allowing for the roping in of more local minors. The operation went unfettered for about five months as Pacheco would go to other counties to purchase marijuana from dispensaries, recounted Jenecke. She noted how elaborate the scheme was and repeated the judges words during Mondays sentencing, sharing, Judge Kevin Siebert called Pacheco a one-man crime spree and I think that is an absolutely accurate reflection of what he was doing. It seems like once he got a taste for it. He wasnt going to stop until we stopped him. Israeli officer charged in killing of autistic Palestinian View Photo JERUSALEM (AP) Israeli prosecutors on Thursday charged a border police officer with reckless manslaughter in the deadly shooting of an autistic Palestinian man in Jerusalems Old City last year. The indictment came just over a year after the shooting of Eyad Hallaq, whose family has criticized Israels investigation into the killing and called for much tougher charges. The shooting has drawn comparisons to the police killing of George Floyd in the United States. Rights groups say Israel rarely holds members of its security forces accountable for the deadly shootings of Palestinians. Investigations often end with no charges or lenient sentences, and in many cases witnesses are not even summoned for questioning. The officer, who remains unidentified in the indictment submitted to the Jerusalem District Court on Thursday, was charged with reckless manslaughter, and if convicted could face up to 12 years in prison. We want justice for our son, Hallaqs father, Khairi, said in response to the indictment. Why is it that when an Arab kills they say he is a murderer and when an Israeli kills they say reckless manslaughter? Hallaq, 32, was fatally shot just inside the Old Citys Lions Gate on May 30, 2020, as he was on his way to the special-needs institution that he attended. The officers commander, who was also present during the incident, was not charged. The area is a frequent site of clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces, and the Old Citys narrow streets are lined with hundreds of security cameras that are monitored by police. But as the investigation proceeded last summer, prosecutors claimed that none of the cameras in the area had worked, and there was no footage of the incident. The Old City is part of east Jerusalem, which Israel seized in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed to its capital in a move not recognized by most of the international community. Palestinians want east Jerusalem to be the capital of their future state, and the citys fate is one of the most divisive issues in the conflict. Prosecutors from the police internal investigations department said in a statement that the decision to charge the officer was made after deep examination of the evidence, examination of all the circumstances of the incident and the claims heard during the officers hearing. They said Hallaqs death was a serious and unfortunate incident and that the officer shot him while he took an unreasonable risk that he would cause his death. According to accounts at the time, Hallaq was shot after running away and failing to heed calls to stop. Two members of Israels paramilitary Border Police then chased Hallaq into a garbage room and shot him as he cowered next to a bin. The Justice Ministry said in a statement in October, when prosecutors recommended charges against the officer, that the wounded Hallaq pointed to a woman he knew and muttered something. The officer then turned to the woman and asked her in Arabic, Where is the gun? She replied, What gun? At that point, the officer under investigation fired again at Hallaq. The woman mentioned in the statement appears to be Hallaqs teacher, who was with him that morning. At the time of the shooting, she told an Israeli TV station that she had repeatedly called out to police that he was disabled. In the charges filed Thursday, prosecutors described how the accused shot Hallaq in the stomach when he had his back against a wall in a corner, then shot him a second time in the chest while Hallaq was sprawled on the ground injured. Hallaqs family has expressed concerns the killing would be whitewashed, especially after the alleged camera malfunction. In cases of attacks against Israeli security forces, police often quickly release security-camera footage to the public. Palestinians and human rights groups say Israel has a poor record of prosecuting cases in which soldiers and police kill Palestinians under questionable circumstances. An Associated Press investigation in 2019 found that the Israeli military opened investigations into 24 potentially criminal shootings of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip over the past year. None had yielded convictions or even indictments, and in most instances, the army had not interviewed key witnesses or retrieved evidence from the field. The Israeli military says it investigates all cases in which Palestinians are killed and that its soldiers often have to make split-second decisions in hostile situations. Palestinians have carried out dozens of stabbing, shooting and car-ramming attacks against Israeli security forces in Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank in recent years. Hallaqs death prompted a series of small demonstrations in which Jews and Palestinians protested against police violence. Some evoked the killing of Floyd, which sparked a wave of protests across the U.S. demanding racial justice and police accountability. Israeli leaders expressed regret over the shooting death of Hallaq. Ayman Odeh, head of the Joint List of Arab parties in Israels parliament, criticized the indictment, tweeting that reckless manslaughter was an infuriating and denigrating charge, given the gravity of what happened. By ILAN BEN ZION Associated Press BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) On Nov. 24, 2017, Robert Cruz Jr. biked north along Baker Street, on a quiet block straddling Bakersfields once-thriving old town and struggling new, restaurants interspersed with a rehab center and a prepaid phone store. A little before midnight, two officers noticed that the 37-year-old Cruz didnt have a front light on his bicycle. A patrol officer chased Cruz to a nearby yard. There, Cruz crouched behind a childs play tunnel, and the officer struck his arm with a baton. According to a police report, Cruz shouted I didnt do anything twice before the officer struck again. The patrolmen arrested Cruz for assaulting an officer, resisting arrest and for the missing bike light. Before taking him to jail, an ambulance brought Cruz to the hospital, a bone sticking out of his skin. Between 2016 and 2019, Bakersfield police officers used force that broke at least 45 bones in 31 people, according to an analysis of public records by the California Reporting Project. The city of Bakersfield released the documents under a recent California law that increases transparency in policing. The records released include those cases that involved serious injury or death. A third of the time, injuries reported included one or more broken bones. Besides Cruz, two other bicyclists stopped by patrol officers for code violations suffered broken bones during that four-year period. They also ended up at the hospital, one with head fractures, the other a broken leg. Some of the 31 people were later convicted of serious crimes, but an analysis of police reports reveals that others had charges dismissed, or never faced charges at all. While wrestling in a pile of blankets with a 57-year-old woman who was suspected of trespassing in a Greyhound station, officers broke her wrist. And when one man allegedly violated the citys curfew in Martin Luther King Jr. Park, officers tasered and hit him with a baton, breaking his leg. In all 31 cases involving broken bones, the Bakersfield Police Department determined that none of the officers involved violated departmental policy. Breaking a bone is a brutal act, said Bakersfield Police Sgt. Robert Pair, a spokesman for the department. But its also not unusual. Its the unfortunate reality that force is sometimes used in defense of officers and others, and thats the world we live in, Pair said. I dont think that that is an alarming number at all. The number of broken bones is disturbing to Stephanie Padilla, a staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California. I do think that is high, and I do think that is a really troubling number that one out of three (serious) use-of-force cases result in broken bones, Padilla said. It tracks what individuals in the community have shared with us. On Wednesday, the Bakersfield City Council unanimously approved $133 million for policing next year, an increase of $13 million. The meeting was raucous and at one point the chamber was cleared after members of the crowd chanted in support of a speaker critical of the police department. The budget hike raises the departments share to 42% of the city budget and adds 28 police officers. The councils budget hearings are the latest venue for a public debate about the quality of policing in Bakersfield, where voters narrowly approved a 1% sales tax increase to boost funding for essential services three years ago. The city pitched the sales tax as a public safety measure, but residents of Bakersfield still disagree about how best to keep the public safe. The Police Department has proposed hiring 100 officers within three years. But it remains the target of a California Department of Justice investigation opened more than four years ago by then-Attorney General Kamala Harris. Demands for policing reforms including defunding or even abolishing the department accelerated during Black Lives Matter protests last summer. I think we stand on the precipice of a critical juncture, a critical moment here in Bakersfield and in Kern County, said Traco Matthews, a local Black civic leader and chief program officer at the nonprofit Community Action Partnership of Kern. Matthews co-chairs an independent committee convened by the City Council that has offered recommendations for police reform. Can we get to a place where use-of-force incidents, especially serious use-of-force incidents, are less and the public is still safe? And every citizen, every resident, feels like they are part of this family of Bakersfield being protected and served by BPD? Absolutely, he said. Among all of the cases released by the department, internal reports concluded that the force Bakersfield police used to cause a fracture was reasonable: each dog bite, every control hold, every physical strike and every strike of the baton. Using batons, officers broke bones in 26 people; once, an officer broke the baton. Following every incident, the department applied a careful review process, Pair said. Its not a carte blanche that you can use a baton, go out there and use a baton whenever you want to, he said. Each one is scrutinized under the facts and circumstances of its own event. That scrutiny has layers. When a Bakersfield police officer uses force, the officer must report it to a supervisor, usually the sergeant on duty, according to the departments manual. The manual then directs sergeants to ensure that the person injured receives medical treatment and to investigate the incident. Policy directs sergeants to examine the scene, review video footage, interview witnesses and talk to the injured person if they consent. In Bakersfield, every sergeant also writes a report about any use of force. And every sergeants report must be reviewed by the watch commander, a lieutenant. Department spokespeople say that captains sometimes review use-of-force reports, too. When the force used is deemed reasonable, that sergeants report may be brief, as in the case of Robert Cruz Jr. In that case, the sergeants description of what happened was five sentences long. Officer Andrew Celedon reported that Cruz abandoned his bike when approached by a patrol car and ran for a nearby yard. There, he tried to jump a fence. Celedon pulled him down to the ground, where he curled up behind a play tunnel. When Celedon wrote up the incident, he emphasized the darkness in the yard and the possibility that Cruz could carry a knife, gun or weapons in his baggy clothes. Celedon stated he struck Cruz, who was crouched in a fetal position, with a baton. Kevin Robinson, an instructor at Arizona State Universitys School of Criminology and Criminal Justice and a 37-year veteran of the Phoenix Police Department, said the goal of an investigation should be to decide whether the force used was appropriate. Bakersfield in my mind has the right steps in place, Robinson said of the departments policies. Supervisors should come out and review every use of force. Within two weeks, Sgt. Charles Sherman concluded that strike against Cruz was an effective use of force, necessary for self-defense. Seth Stoughton, University of South Carolina School of Law associate professor, reviewed the Cruz report. Like others provided in response to a records request, the Police Department retrieved that report from incident tracking software sold to law enforcement agencies called BlueTeam. In it, Cruz is described as fleeing and resisting arrest, both legal conclusions offered without support. Stoughton, who testified for the prosecution at former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvins trial for the killing of George Floyd, said the report was woefully inadequate to examine an individual event. Good investigations of incidents like this are wide-ranging, he said. After-action reports should look back at what happened in detail and also look forward to offer ways to improve outcomes in the future, regardless of fault. For the incident in which a Bakersfield officer broke Cruzs bone, the sergeants report does not have anywhere near the level of detail that any competent supervisor would demand to assess, even in a very cursory fashion, the incident being described, Stoughton said. If youre using it as one of many data points to get a birds-eye view, then maybe this is all you need, he said. According to Bakersfield Police Sgt. Christopher Bagby, who works in the agencys Quality Assurance Unit, the departments use-of-force working group uses BlueTeam data to examine the effectiveness of strategy and tactics. Late in 2019, the Quality Assurance Unit also began randomized audits of the reports themselves. Pair said that the system will automatically alert a supervisor if one of the officers under their command is using more force than normal. If a sergeant sees something potentially criminal, that goes to internal affairs. That department investigates citizen complaints and also begins its own inquiries. Among the 31 broken bone cases released in Bakersfield, internal affairs investigated three, the only incidents where records show citizens complained. The internal affairs office cleared every officer in those three cases. Police and experts say that a review process is not a disciplinary process. Rather, its a way for departments to see how they can adjust and improve. Reducing violence in a community includes reducing uses of force, Stoughton said. Professional agencies need to look at each incident and ask what they can learn. Sometimes the answer is there is nothing that we could realistically change here that would have any impact, Stoughton said. The agency can control whether officers are issued a taser, for example, or that the agency can control how long an officers shift is to see if theyre fatigued and making bad decisions. In 2017, Cory Joe Pearson fired a gun through the windshield of a car at his former girlfriend and her cousin, according to police reports. Bakersfield police tracked him to a Vagabond Inn. When Pearson left his room for a smoke, one officer tackled Pearson to the ground in the motel parking lot. At the same time, another officer noticed Pearson thrashing, and struck Pearson with a baton twice, breaking his shin bone. Four years later, Pearson said he still hasnt recovered. Im in constant pain, always, because of it, Pearson said by phone from the state prison in Lancaster where he is serving a 20-year sentence for assault with a firearm. I cant run, I cant play sports, he said. I can hardly walk. The Bakersfield Police Department defends its use of force as judicious and skilled. We cant do our job without use of force, said Sgt. Lynn Martinez, who trains officers in how to use force properly. Sometimes police officers will have to hurt people to protect themselves and others. Still, theres a cost. From 2016 to 2019, Bakersfield police officers sent an average of 304 people to the hospital per year following police encounters, an analysis of internal affairs reports shows. Officers and health workers decide where subjects of the use of force receive medical care, according to the departments policies. People injured by uses of force describe emotional and financial costs from an encounter with police. Any use of force, even a relatively low-level use of force, is a significant event between a police department and the community, said University of South Carolinas Stoughton, a former Florida police officer. Its a really a significant government intrusion onto individual liberty and autonomy, he said. Of all of the aspects of policing, the use of force has probably the highest potential to be socially corrosive. Some people in Bakersfield say that they are afraid to call the police. One of them is neighborhood activist Christina Crompton. In 2017, Bakersfield officers set a dog on her cousin, Tatyana Hargrove, after mistaking her for a man. In a poll conducted by the independent Bakersfield Police Department Community Collaborative, about one in five people said they did not feel comfortable requesting assistance from the agency in an emergency situation. There are just too many incidents, said Traco Matthews, who co-chaired the collaborative. The reforms his group recommended to the City Council last month include that the department follow up on policy changes first proposed by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2004, diversify the force and hire an independent auditor. The council accepted the recommendations without comment. Six years ago, about 5 miles south of where Hargrove was stopped by the Bakersfield police, Arturo Gonzalez stepped out of his house and into another case of mistaken identity, also by Bakersfield police. In January 2015, the Bakersfield Police Department sent four officers to Gonzalezs house to perform a welfare check after his son, also named Arturo Gonzalez, called 911 rambling, not making too much sense. Records show police officers prepared for the younger Gonzalez to ambush them. A 911 dispatcher called Gonzalez Sr., who said that his son wasnt at the house; according to a transcript, the dispatcher then notified officers that the elder Gonzalez was coming outside to meet them. Video captured by a neighbors camera shows Gonzalez shuffling backward, arms raised, and lit by flashlights and a flood light in his driveway. After he knelt, officers knocked him flat, then beat and kneed the elder Gonzalez. Among his injuries were broken ribs. If this isnt a serious bodily injury I dont know what a serious bodily injury is, said Thomas Seabaugh, a lawyer for Gonzalez. But Gonzalezs case isnt counted among the 109 cases between 2014 and 2019 the department released under the state transparency law. After realizing that they arrested the wrong man, police transported Gonzalez to Mercy Southwest Hospital in an ambulance, handcuffed to a gurney. Gonzalez was not charged with a crime. No broken bones are documented in the initial police report, said Lt. Ryan Kroeker, a spokesman for the Bakersfield Police Department, who added that there were no obvious injuries. Gonzalez returned to Mercy, still complaining of pain, two days later. But it wasnt until a week later, at his primary care physician, that X-rays revealed the extent of his injuries. After blows delivered by the officers, injuries diagnosed by at least three doctors included broken ribs, a damaged spine and torn tendons in his left shoulder. Six years later, Gonzalez said he is still crippled with pain from the injuries and is still receiving care. The cost of treatment has continued to add up, from steroid injections to shoulder surgery. In late May, his doctor recommended another surgery on his back, Gonzalez said. This and other incidents have also cost money for local taxpayers. Gonzalez brought a civil rights case against the officers, including one who was present but did nothing to stop the beating, and settled with the city in 2018 for $125,000. From 2014 to 2019 the city paid out more than $1 million in 10 separate settlements for civil rights, excessive force and personal injury claims related to the police. During the same time period the city settled for an additional $1.525 million in seven wrongful death suits, also all related to the police. Gonzalez said that he doesnt go out much anymore because hes afraid that the police might stop him. Its also hard to feel safe at home, he said. When I come outside of my house, I think about the attack, he said. And I think about police officers doing this to me. After decades working in heavy labor, Gonzalez planned to devote his retirement to art. His acrylic and oil paintings adorn the walls of his house. In his entryway, Pine Mountain in Ojai, California; on his dining room wall, a beautiful Mexican woman. A few more in the living room; others throughout the house. He started painting in seventh grade. For (painting) you have to be calm and peaceful, Gonzalez said. The pain is going to trigger you out of that. Thats why he says he hasnt been painting recently. Sitting for long periods is arduous. Its too hard to raise his arms. - Alexandra Hall, Noah Baustin, Lily Taylor, Eric Ting, Daniel Wu and Ying Zhao contributed to this report. Editing by Molly Peterson, Cheryl Phillips and David Barstow. By LISA PICKOFF-WHITE, ROSS EWALD, ANNE DAUGHERTY and DANIELLE ECHEVERRIA California Reporting Project SEATTLE (AP) A trial over whether the GEO Group must pay minimum wage instead of $1 a day to immigration detainees who perform tasks like cooking and cleaning at its for-profit detention center in Washington state has ended with a hung jury. U.S. District Judge Robert Bryan in Tacoma declared a mistrial Thursday after the nine-person jury indicated they could not reach unanimous agreement following a two-week trial and about two days of deliberation. Nobody's happy, but nobody lost, Bryan told the attorneys afterward. Democratic Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson sued the Florida-based GEO Group in 2017, saying the company had unjustly profited by running the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma now known as the Northwest ICE Processing Center on the backs of captive workers. A separate lawsuit filed on behalf of detainees was also filed that year, seeking back pay. The judge, who rejected several attempts by GEO to dismiss the lawsuits, consolidated the cases for trial, which he conducted via Zoom because of the pandemic. The judge said he expected that the cases would be set for a new trial. GEO, a multi-billion-dollar for-profit prison corporation that is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange, pays workers $1 a day or less to perform essential services necessary to maintain the Northwest ICE Processing Center," Ferguson said in a written statement Thursday. A hung jury allows us to re-try the claim again in front of a new jury. GEO maintained that the detainees were not employees under the Washington Minimum Wage Act. Even if they were, the company said, it would be unlawfully discriminatory for Washington to require GEO to pay them minimum wage now $13.69 an hour when the state doesnt pay minimum wage to inmates who work at its own prisons or other detention facilities. The jury indicated it could not reach agreement on either question before it: whether the detainees were employed by GEO, and, if they were employed, if the law discriminated against the company. The definition of employee in Washingtons minimum wage law is broad it includes anyone who is permitted to work by an employer, without regard to immigration or legal work status. The law says residents of a state, county, or municipal detention facility are not entitled to minimum wage for work they perform. The detention center didn't fit that exemption because it's a private, for-profit facility, not a state, county or municipal one, attorneys for the state and for the detainees argued. At one point in their deliberations, the jurors sent a question to the judge, asking if municipal meant the same thing as federal. The judge responded that no, municipal referred to a city or town, not the federal government. The Northwest detention center houses people who are in custody while the federal government seeks to deport them or reviews their immigration status. It can hold up to 1,575 detainees, making it one of the nations largest immigration jails, though as of early this month its population was just 216, largely due to the pandemic. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement requires the company to operate a voluntary work program in part to keep the detainees occupied. It requires them to be paid at least $1 per day for work that includes cleaning bathrooms, showers and industrial kitchens; washing and folding laundry; sweeping and buffing floors; preparing and serving food; and cutting hair. GEO acknowledged it could pay detainees more if it wanted. In 2018 the company made $18.6 million in profits from the facility; it would have cost $3.4 million to pay the minimum wage to detainees. Despite the broad definition of employee in the law, the case is complex. GEOs contract with ICE requires it to comply with applicable state and local law which, the state says, includes the Washington Minimum Wage Act. But other provisions forbid GEO from hiring anyone who doesnt have legal status in the U.S. The contract spells it out: The detainees are not employees, GEO attorney Joan Mell said. They cant be. In her closing argument, Mell accused the state and detainee advocates of using the lawsuits to attack the immigration detention system without ever having to go to Congress. GEO has operated the detainee work program for more than a decade, and the state made no effort to get the company to pay the minimum wage until 2017, amid a flurry of lawsuits Ferguson filed against the Trump administration. Washington appears to be the only state suing a private detention contractor for not paying minimum wage to immigration detainees. But similar lawsuits have been brought on behalf of immigration detainees in other states, including New Mexico, Colorado and California, seeking to force GEO and another major private detention company, CoreCivic, to pay minimum wage to detainees there. The Colorado and California cases are pending, but a federal judge rejected the lawsuit brought by former detainees of CoreCivics Cibola detention center in New Mexico a decision upheld by a federal appeals court panel in March. Persons in custodial detention such as appellants are not in an employer-employee relationship but in a detainer-detainee relationship, the panel wrote. In a separate effort, Washington is trying to close the detention center entirely. This spring Gov. Jay Inslee signed a law that would ban for-profit detention centers in the state. GEO has sued to block it. LONDON (AP) The leader of the senior party in Northern Ireland's government resigned late Thursday after colleagues revolted over a deal to appoint new leaders to the Protestant-Catholic power-sharing administration. Edwin Poots, who was elected just a month ago, announced he was quitting as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party following a meeting of senior party officials. Poots said he would stay in the post until a new leader was elected. This has been a difficult period for the party and the country and I have conveyed to the chairman my determination to do everything I can to ensure both Unionism and Northern Ireland is able to move forward to a stronger place, he said. The statement came hours after Poots nominated DUP legislator Paul Givan to be Northern Ireland's new first minister. Michelle O'Neill of Irish nationalist party Sinn Fein was reappointed deputy first minister. The appointments appeared to resolve a crisis that had threatened to sink Northern Ireland's power-sharing administration. Sinn Fein had threatened not to fill the post of deputy because of a feud about protections for the Irish language. That would have mothballed the administration under the power-sharing arrangements set up as part of Northern Irelands peace accord, a government cant be formed unless both roles are filled. The language issue cuts to the heart of tensions between Northern Irelands mostly Catholic nationalists, who see themselves as Irish, and Protestants, who largely identify as British. The Northern Ireland Assembly, in which the DUP is the largest party, has failed to pass a law ensuring protections for the Irish and Ulster Scots languages, despite the power-sharing parties agreeing last year to do so. But after crisis talks with the two parties, the British government said early Thursday it would step in and pass the legislation in the U.K. Parliament if the Belfast assembly did not do it by September. Sinn Fein welcomed the move, with party leader Mary Lou McDonald saying it had broken the logjam of DUP obstructionism. Poots accused Sinn Fein of creating instability, but agreed to nominate a first minister. That provoked fury from many DUP colleagues. You cannot lead people who are not following you, DUP lawmaker Sammy Wilson said as he entered Thursdays party meeting. If you have no followers, you cant be a leader, can you? The latest crisis was triggered by the resignation of Arlene Foster as first minister and DUP leader. She quit in April, under pressure from her party over her handling of Brexit and her perceived softening on social issues such as abortion and LGBT rights. By the narrowest of margins the party elected Poots, a social and religious conservative, to replace Foster as leader. He broke with tradition by deciding not to serve as first minister. Poots was elected May on 14, formally ratified as leader on May 27 and resigned 21 days later, making him the shortest-serving leader in the party's history. he DUP, which is rooted in the fundamentalist Free Presbyterian Church, opposed Northern Irelands 1998 peace accord. It later became reconciled to it and has shared power with the Irish Republican Army-linked Sinn Fein. The British government retains an array of powers affecting Northern Ireland, but the Belfast assembly can make laws in areas including agriculture, education and health. The power-sharing relationship has often been strained, and Britains economic split from the European Union at the end of 2020 has further shaken the political balance in Northern Ireland. Post-Brexit trade rules have imposed customs and border checks on some goods moving between Northern Ireland and the rest of the U.K., angering Northern Irelands British unionists who say the new checks amount to a border in the Irish Sea and weaken ties with the rest of the U.K. Tensions over the new rules contributed to a week of street violence in Northern Irish cities in April that saw youths pelt police with bricks, fireworks and gasoline bombs. MERIDEN Isaiah Thomas and Mikhel-Bryce Nieves each had diploma in hand, having walked across the graduation stage when they shared a giant hug, fist bump and laughter as newly minted H.C. Wilcox Technical High School alumni. They were among the 179 members of Wilcoxs class of 2021 who graduated Wednesday afternoon in three separate ceremonies. Many will attend college next fall. Others will join the workforce in the trades they studied throughout high school. Another group of Wilcoxs latest graduates will join the military. Both Thomas and Nieves were students in Wilcoxs electrical shop, a group who were part of the days second wave of graduates. Thomas will head off to college in Oregon next fall. Its good to know that were opening up another chapter of our lives. Im happy for the experiences, to the friends, to my brothers, who have molded us, said Thomas, who was among the scores of students who wore blue caps and gowns Wednesday afternoon. Wilcox Principal Stacy Butkus told graduates they would be forever known as the class who survived the COVID-19 pandemic. I challenge you to let history tell the story of what comes after graduation instead of before it. Be the employees who thrive in your trades, the students who excel in college, and the servicemen and women who keep our country safe, Butkus said. She urged graduates to be difference makers and heroes to those less fortunate. Wilcox math teacher Felicia Williams, who served as co-advisor for the class throughout their four years, described the graduates as a dedicated and strong group, who were able to overcome adversity, like that imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. ... They understood the purpose of their education. They persevered, Williams said. ... Theyre strong kids. They were willing to adjust Its so interesting to watch them grow and develop into the young people theyve become. Theyre ready. Melanie Perez, who was president of the class of 2021, said despite a challenging year, she had enjoyed her high school experience. Perezs shop was health technology, and she had acquired her license as a certified nursing assistant. She will progress in the medical field, studying nursing when she starts at the University of Hartford in the fall. She had parting words for her classmates prior to going their separate ways, after a senior year that was not necessarily one they had sought. But we have all persevered and I think that is one thing that all of us have learned after this past year, that we need to persevere through anything that life throws at us. We showed our strength and our dedication to everything that we do. And Im so proud of each and every one of us for graduating today, Perez said. Amitojeroop Kaur, the classs valedictorian, stressed the importance of being adaptable. In other words, people should be able to handle things that are different or unexpected. This only happens when a person leaves his or her comfort zone, said Kaur, who heads to the University of Connecticut in the fall. It is very important for people to be able to do this, because life is filled with ups and downs, as we all experienced. We need to be ready to face whatever is coming our way. This applies to all of us. Whether were going to college, entering the world of work or serving in the military. We need to become strong mentally and remain flexible because nothing is set in stone, Kaur said. Montgomery Rios, 17, of Meriden, heads off to nearby Central Connecticut State University in the fall. She plans to study psychological science. Now that her high school career has come to an end she described a senior year that went by in a blink of the eye. Rios shop at Wilcox was hairdressing. She plans to work in that field while attending college. She credited a psychology teacher at Wilcox for inspiring her decision to study psychology after high school. I got more intrigued the more we talked about it, Rios said. On Wednesday, she was focused on having just wrapped up high school. Its crazy. All the memories Ive had since freshman year are going through my mind, and I just cant believe were leaving, Rios said. mgagne@record-journal.com203-317-2231Twitter:@MikeGagneRJ Thanks to the generosity of the Carrier Group Inc., a division of By Carrier, Inc., together with support from several other local businesses, Louis Toffolon Elementary School will now have a new permanent outdoor learning space. As part of the school districts School Business Community (SBC) partnership program, local businesses and organizations partner with Plainville Community Schools in a variety of capacities to support teaching and learning. Last October, Toffolon Principal Lynn Logoyke shared a wish for an outdoor learning space on the school grounds that students and staff could use to further enhance teaching and learning. For a long time, weve been hoping for an outdoor space to use for learning. Whats better than getting outside for a story, or a lesson or even snack time? Even before COVID, we knew that fresh air is good for all of us, but now, an outside learning space is needed even more and we are grateful to the Carrier Group and others for making that happen for us, said Logoyke. Once the outdoor learning space vision was identified, SBC partnership program coordinators Sue Bradley and Lynn Davis reached out to the local community to see if there was any interest in supporting the project. Johnny and Danny Carrier, vice presidents of the Carrier Group, Inc., answered the call. With feedback from Logoyke, representatives from the Carrier Group developed several schematic designs, and narrowed it down to a final plan. The company got to work over the schools April break, clearing and preparing a section of land in the rear of the grounds and constructing arched, stone stadium seating covered by a wooden pergola. After receiving so much from our community throughout the years, its important that we give back and invest in our childrens future, said Danny Carrier. Sue Bradley stated, We are so incredibly thankful for the very generous donation of this outdoor learning space from our amazing School Business Community program partner, Carrier Group Inc. They built a gift for the Toffolon family that will last a lifetime and we are beyond grateful. The Carrier Group team reached out to several local companies to support the project. As a result, Washington Concrete, Tilcon Connecticut and Forestville Lumber generously donated materials. When members of a caring community pool resources and talents, it is incredible to witness the outcomes that are made possible, noted Steven LePage, superintendent of schools. On behalf of Plainville Community Schools, I want to sincerely thank the Carrier Group, all vendors who made donations of materials, Plainville Rotary Club, Principal Logoyke, Lynn Davis and Sue Bradley as leaders of our School Business Community Partnerships, and all who were involved in making this wonderful new outdoor learning space possible. Press Release Passengers across the country are furious after hundreds of delays and cancellations hit Southwest Airlines flights due to internal technical difficulties. The popular airline was hit with two separate issues this week that left thousands of passengers stranded and disgruntled. On Monday, Southwest faced connectivity issues with a third-party weather supplier used on flights, delaying over 40% of the company's total flights for the day. Related: JetBlue Founder Launches Airline With $39 Flights The issue appeared to be resolved when a second system glitch on Tuesday caused connectivity issues that led to the cancellation of about 15% of total flights for the day, trickling over into Wednesday where another 260 flights were cancelled and several hundred were delayed. "We are still experiencing a small number of cancelations and delays across our network as we continue working to resume normal operations, the company said in a statement, citing that the issues had been "resolved." Unsurprisingly, this wasn't sufficient enough of an explanation for customers. Many took to social media to air their grievances and share their experiences with the airline's outages, with many angry over limited-to-no new flight options, extremely long lines at the ticket counters and being stuck on the tarmac for hours at a time. Thanks #SouthwestAirlines for cancelling my flight and stranding me in an unfamiliar city for the night due to your own computer glitch, without any compensation or even a hotel, and putting me on a terrible flight tomorrow with an awful boarding group. Awesome customer service. ScorchRaserik (@ScorchRaserik) June 15, 2021 Hey @SouthwestAir will you be compensating your passengers from todays nationwide technical issues which has grounded your ENTIRE fleet? My parents are trying to get back home after attending a family funeral. #southwest #southwestairlines Jillian Mireles (@godJilla) June 15, 2021 Caught in the #SouthwestAirlines mess day 2. Woke at 5 to see a text my flight home to PHX was cancelled. Scrambled and now going on American because I'd really like to be back in time for a 2 pm job interview. Not the frame of mind I expected to be in for this interview. Dawn Maria (@DawnMariaAZ) June 16, 2021 Hey #SouthwestAirlines wish you could go back to caring about your passengers! You knew you had a failing system, but yet continued to book flights! Now Im stuck and missing a very important event. Thanks! #donotflysouthwest Shiloh Benjamin (@benjamin735790) June 16, 2021 @SouthwestAir Many of us remember what life was like before the internet. Since you are having multi-day outages, apparently you need a contingency plan. Forcing passengers to sit on the tarmac for indeterminate amounts of time is unacceptable.#SouthwestAirlines Nicole H (@TexasNicole) June 15, 2021 Southwest Airlines nationwide outages. Ive NEVER seen airport lines this long. Only in line to check bags. Havent even been to security yet. This is insane! Glad we have 3.5 hours until our flight! #SouthwestAirlines #southwest #orlando Kelly (@ArendelleKel) June 15, 2021 Literally the longest domestic flight experience of my life!!! #SouthwestAirlines ATL MASSAGE THERAPIST (@greatly_valued) June 15, 2021 "You knew you had a failing system, but yet continued to book flights," Twitter user Shiloh Benjamin wrote. "Now Im stuck and missing a very important event." @SouthwestAir flight canceled yesterday and had to pay for a hotel. Re-booked to today, delayed 4+ hours and now a fleet wide outage. I just want to go home. #SWA #SouthwestAirlines Stephanie Harper (@monkeysmom4) June 15, 2021 "Since you are having multi-day outages, apparently you need a contingency plan," another posted. "Forcing passengers to sit on the tarmac for indeterminate amounts of time is unacceptable." Related: American Airlines Desperately Asks Employees to Volunteer for Shifts Other customers cited the situation as the "longest domestic flight experience" of their lives, with some calling the handling of the cancellations "insane" and describing their mental state was "scrambled." The company provided an update late Wednesday with a statement on social media, telling customers to expect longer-than-normal wait times with customer service. "We are in the process of resuming normal operations after a system issue this afternoon that created flight disruptions throughout our network," Southwest said. "We know many Customers still require assistance and are working to address those concerns as quickly as possible." Southwest, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, is in the midst of a promotion where customers can buy flights for 50% off on 50 selected dates in the fall. The airline saw a loss of 7% of its workforce (about 4,300 employees) from the end of 2019 to the end of 2020 due to pandemic-related layoffs and exits. The company is currently up nearly 50% year over year after the pandemic devastated the travel and aviation industry in the first half of 2020. Related: These Are the Ten Biggest Airlines Companies Copyright 2021 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved Click here to read the full article. Heidi Ferrer, a television and film writer known for her work on Dawsons Creek and Wasteland, died on May 26, her husband Nick Guthe confirmed to Variety. She was 50. Ferrer died by suicide after an ongoing battle with long-haul COVID-19. She first contracted the virus in April 2020 and saw her health worsen. By May 2021, she was bedridden due to constant physical pain and suffered from severe neurological tremors, in addition to other symptoms. Born in Salinas, Kans., Ferrer made her way to Los Angeles by the late 80s to pursue an acting career at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. A few years later, she pursued screenwriting and sold her first spec, The C Word, to producer Arnold Kopelson, setting her down on a path that would lead to her 24 years as a member of the WGA. In 1999, Ferrer served as a writer for several episodes of the hit teen drama Dawsons Creek and Wasteland, on which she worked with producers Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec. Over her career, she sold screenplays and pitches and did re-writes for major studios. Her 2008 movie, Princess, for ABC Family did well for the network and played for many years. That same year, Ferrer pivoted her writing skills to the web where she started her blog, GirlToMom.com, to document her then-infant sons battle with progressive infantile scoliosis. As her online following grew, so did the incorporation of writing into the blog. In 2014, she was invited to speak at the BlogHer Conference. For her passionate advocacy, the Infantile Scoliosis Project honored Ferrer in 2010 with the National Hero Award. In her memory, the organization has named the annual Parent Initiative Award after her. Ferrer is survived by her mother, Nancy Gilmore; sisters Laura Frerer-Schmidt and Sierra Summerville; her husband Nick Guthe, a screenwriter, director and producer; and her 13-year-old son, Bexon. If you or anyone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Courtesy, Joshua and Martha Palacios El Remedio's third truck is rolling into town and needs a new spot in San Antonio.. The popular birria and ceviche spot announced the upcoming extension in March. Owners Joshua and Martha Palacios say the truck is complete and ready for inspection. Say the phrase "wedding planning" and most couples conjure up mental images of stressful days spent trying to book venues at the desired dates, the grueling process of finding the perfect dresses and tuxes, and an overall sense of anxiousness ahead of the big day. In the internet age, engaged pairs are often left to rely on blogs and website posts for advice and tips on planning their nuptials, a time heavy process. Or, they've been forced to rely on help from old-fashioned, expensive wedding planners. Erika Perez, host of San Antonio podcast Bridal Buzz, is trying to change that. READ MORE: South Texas actor stars in new Hulu birth control comedy 'Plan B' In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the University of Incarnate Word graduate became the voice of the podcast after San Antonio Weddings owner Todd Kabes saw a need to reach soon-to-be brides in a new, more engaging way. Perez describes the result as a brand that's revolutionizing the local wedding industry and "the biggest bride tribe youll ever be a part of." The show tells stories of the wedding industry in the modern age, with relevant topics such as dating app love stories, custom digital art for weddings, and discussions of mental health struggles related to marriage not commonly discussed, like post-bridal blues. MySA asked Perez about her experience starting the show during the COVID-19 crisis, future guests, and feedback from the community. Note: This Q&A has been edited and condensed. MySA: You now have almost 100 episodes. How has the journey impacted you, and why did you become a part of the podcast? Perez: The journey has simultaneously humbled and empowered me. We launched in the middle of a pandemic, and the journey was not easy. Although I graduated with an MA in Communications from UIW, I never imagined myself as the host of a podcast. Not because I did not think it would be enjoyable, I just did not think that would happen for me. Being able to help couples achieve their wedding dreams is a rewarding experience. I hope I have the opportunity to do this for a long time. MySA: What other guests and businesses do you plan on featuring in upcoming podcast episodes? Perez: We are going to continue featuring real love stories from real couples and anything else wedding-related. The couples we currently have scheduled for interviews all possess unique love stories, which is interesting considering they're all stories about falling in love. Currently, we are working on an episode featuring Hair and Makeup by Ana. I'm also drafting a few concepts that feature other vendors in the industry, like caterers, wedding coordinators, and more. We look forward to featuring more businesses that work in the wedding industry, so couples can learn from experts who care. MySA: What has the feedback from the community been like? Perez: The wedding community has been very inviting. Many people recognize the value of a strong digital platform in 2021, and we are grateful for the positive response. You can catch up on Perez's work at the Bridal Buzz website and multiple podcast platforms, where new episodes are posted every Friday. WASHINGTON (AP) The Supreme Court, though increasingly conservative in makeup, rejected the latest major Republican-led effort to kill the national health care law known as Obamacare on Thursday, preserving insurance coverage for millions of Americans. The justices, by a 7-2 vote, left the entire Affordable Care Act intact in ruling that Texas, other GOP-led states and two individuals had no right to bring their lawsuit in federal court. The Biden administration says 31 million people have health insurance because of the law, which also survived two earlier challenges in the Supreme Court. The laws major provisions include protections for people with existing health conditions, a range of no-cost preventive services, expansion of the Medicaid program that insures lower-income people and access to health insurance markets offering subsidized plans. The Affordable Care Act remains the law of the land, President Joe Biden, said, celebrating the ruling. He called for building further on the law that was enacted in 2010 when he was vice president. Also left in place is the laws now-toothless requirement that people have health insurance or pay a penalty. Congress rendered that provision irrelevant in 2017 when it reduced the penalty to zero. The elimination of the penalty had become the hook that Texas and other GOP-led states, as well as the Trump administration, used to attack the entire law. They argued that without the mandate, a pillar of the law when it was passed, the rest of the law should fall, too. And with a Supreme Court that includes three appointees of former President Donald Trump, opponents of Obamacare hoped a majority of the justices would finally kill the law they have been fighting for more than a decade. But the third major attack on the law at the Supreme Court ended the way the first two did, with a majority of the court rebuffing efforts to gut the law or get rid of it altogether. Trumps appointees Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh split their votes. Kavanaugh and Barrett joined the majority. Gorsuch was in dissent, signing on to an opinion from Justice Samuel Alito. Justice Stephen Breyer wrote for the court that the states and people who filed a federal lawsuit have failed to show that they have standing to attack as unconstitutional the Acts minimum essential coverage provision. In dissent, Alito wrote, Todays decision is the third installment in our epic Affordable Care Act trilogy, and it follows the same pattern as installments one and two. In all three episodes, with the Affordable Care Act facing a serious threat, the Court has pulled off an improbable rescue. Alito was a dissenter in the two earlier cases in 2012 and 2015, as well. Like Alito, Justice Clarence Thomas was in dissent in the two earlier cases, but he joined Thursday's majority, writing, Although this Court has erred twice before in cases involving the Affordable Care Act, it does not err today." Because it dismissed the case for the plaintiff's lack of legal standing the ability to sue the court didn't actually rule on whether the individual mandate is unconstitutional now that there is no penalty for forgoing insurance. Lower courts had struck down the mandate, in rulings that were wiped away by the Supreme Court decision. With the latest ruling, the Supreme Court reaffirmed that the Affordable Care Act is here to stay, former President Barack Obama said, adding his support to Biden's call to expand the law. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton pledged to continue the fight against Obamacare, which he called a massive government takeover of health care. But it's not clear what Republicans can do, said Larry Levitt, an executive vice president for the nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation, which studies health care. Democrats are in charge and they have made reinvigorating and building on the ACA a key priority, Levitt said. Republicans dont seem to have much enthusiasm for continuing to try to overturn the law. Republicans have pressed their argument to invalidate the whole law even though congressional efforts to rip out the entire law root and branch, in Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnells words, have failed. The closest they came was in July 2017 when Arizona Sen. John McCain, who died the following year, delivered a dramatic thumbs-down vote to a repeal effort by fellow Republicans. Chief Justice John Roberts said during arguments in November that it seemed the laws foes were asking the court to do work best left to the political branches of government. The courts decision preserves benefits that have become part of the fabric of the nations health care system. Polls show that the law has grown in popularity as it has endured the heaviest assault. In December 2016, just before Obama left office and Trump swept in calling the ACA a disaster, 46% of Americans had an unfavorable view of the law, while 43% approved, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation tracking poll. Those ratings flipped, and by February of this year 54% had a favorable view, while disapproval had fallen to 39% in the same ongoing poll. The health law is now undergoing an expansion under Biden, who sees it as the foundation for moving the U.S. to coverage for all. His giant COVID-19 relief bill significantly increased subsidies for private health plans offered through the ACAs insurance markets, while also dangling higher federal payments before the dozen states that have declined the laws Medicaid expansion. About 1.2 million people have signed up with HealthCare.gov since Biden reopened enrollment amid high levels of COVID cases earlier this year. Most of the people with insurance because of the law have it through Medicaid expansion or the health insurance markets that offer subsidized private plans. But its most popular benefit is protection for people with preexisting medical conditions. They cannot be turned down for coverage on account of health problems, or charged a higher premium. While those covered under employer plans already had such protections, Obamacare guaranteed them for people buying individual policies. Another hugely popular benefit allows young adults to remain on their parents health insurance until they turn 26. Before the law, going without medical coverage was akin to a rite of passage for people in their 20s getting a start in the world. Because of the ACA, most privately insured women receive birth control free of charge. Its considered a preventive benefit covered at no additional cost to the patient. So are routine screenings for cancer and other conditions. For Medicare recipients, Obamacare also improved preventive care, and more importantly, closed a prescription drug coverage gap of several thousand dollars that was known as the doughnut hole. ___ Associated Press writer Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar contributed to this report. CHICAGO (AP) Illinois became the latest state to make Juneteenth an official state holiday as Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a measure Wednesday near a rare signed copy of the Emancipation Proclamation. The new law making June 19 a paid holiday for state employees and public school educators takes effect next year and came the same day the U.S. House voted in favor of making Juneteenth a federal holiday. However, under the Illinois law Juneteenth will be a paid holiday only if it falls on a weekday. Since Juneteenth is on Sunday next year, the first paid state holiday will be in 2023, according to Pritzker's office. STEVE RUARK /New York Times HONEY GROVE, Texas (AP) A man suspected of shooting a police officer in the leg in a small North Texas city appears to have fatally shot himself after an overnight standoff with officers, authorities said. Police in Honey Grove said the officer responded to a home because of a possible domestic dispute at about 11 p.m. Tuesday. The officer then encountered a man who appeared to be armed with a rifle. Police say a constable arrived to assist, and authorities were fired upon. After the officer was shot, the constable pulled the officer to safety amid gunfire. MEXICO CITY (AP) The Mexican resort of Cozumel on Wednesday welcomed the first arrival of a cruise ship carrying passengers since the coronavirus pandemic essentially collapsed the industry. Officials in the Caribbean coast state of Quintana Roo welcomed Royal Caribbean's Adventure of the Seas as it arrived from Nassau in The Bahamas at the arrival at the worlds busiest stopover for cruise ships. The cruise line requires all passengers 16 and over to be fully vaccinated. Those that arent have to get COVID-19 tests. Gov. Carlos Joaquin said about 5% of passengers aboard the ship about 150 youths or those with chronic health conditions havent been vaccinated and would be subject to special rules. State and federal health officials were on hand to oversee the arrival. The company proposed that the non-vaccinated group can only disembark on excursion packages with sanitary bubble protocols, not just to any place, Joaquin said. As you can see, these cruise ships have very strict conditions. The cruise line touted the trip as a chance to venture into Maya history during a visit to Cozumel. Quintana Roo is home to resorts like Cancun, Playa Del Carmen and Tulum. The state depends on tourism for 87% of its economic activity. Alejandra Aguirre, the state health secretary, wrote of the cruise ship arrival, We are working together for an orderly revival of economic activity. However, fate didnt appear to be smiling on the return of the cruise ships; Wednesdays weather started off fairly rainy, with significant amounts of sargasso seaweed at many of the states beaches. Mexico has not instituted any testing requirement for incoming passengers, and anecdotal evidence suggests tourists are attracted to Mexicos Caribbean resorts in part because there has been no lockdown and health precautions are largely voluntary. Many visitors shed their masks when they reach their hotels or beach clubs. The state has seen a recent upsurge in COPVID-19 cases, in part linked to increased travel around Easter week, and partial reductions at businesses like hotels and restaurants have been implemented to stem the upsurge. Mexico has never enforced a strict, European-style lockdown. The Westside of San Antonio is putting up a fight for a recently shuttered movie theater. On June 10, local Julian Wagstaff created a petition calling on Alamo Drafthouse to revive the Westlakes location at 1255 SW Loop 410. The dine-in movie chain confirmed the permanent closure of its Far West San Antonio theater in April. "As someone who really frequented that location a lot, I've been going there a lot for the past six or seven years, I didn't want the place to go down without a fight or at least something small," Wagstaff says. "I wanted to be able to say I did something small that I didn't just let this staple go away." RELATED: Alamo Drafthouse permanently closes on far West Side and neighborhood will pay the price The Alamo Drafthouse Westlakes theater was the Austin-based chain's first location to open in San Antonio in 2004. Though the Park North theater reopened last August, the chain's Stone Oak and Westlakes locations kept their doors closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the Stone Oak location is set to reopen sometime in June, the cinema chain told the San Antonio Current it will not bring back the Westlakes. The closure news comes after the company filed for bankruptcy in March. When the news broke, it disappointed many Westside Alamo Drafthouse fans, including Wagstaff, which is why he says he launched the petition that has nearly 2,000 signatures on change.org as of Wednesday afternoon. He says he was even more shocked about the closure after Deadline reported in June the chain has plans to open five new locations across the country, and that's not including the possible La Cantera theater Alamo Drafthouse teases on its website. "I didn't start this thing expecting to save the location. I just wanted to put up just a little bit of a fight," Wagstaff says. "I know it's sort of silly to hope for a location to be saved off of people signing their names in a petition but maybe we'll get some sort of response or some sort of action from them once they see there is a die-hard community there." MySA.com reached out to Alamo Drafthouse for a response but has not received any comments as of the time this article was published. A man accused of stabbing a woman at Santikos Palladium earlier this month turned himself in on Wednesday, June 16, according to the San Antonio Police Department. Police said during a news conference that Andrew Pantaleon, 24, came forward after authorities released a surveillance video last week showing him as a suspect in the incident that took place inside the theater complex just after 11 p.m. at 17700 I-10 W on Saturday, June 5. Pantaleon is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to officials. RELATED: 'I'm in so much pain': Victim of stabbing at Santikos Palladium speaks out on social media Officials say the victim was walking out to the theater when Pantaleon allegedly came up behind her and stabbed her. She was transported to the hospital in critical condition. Her condition was later updated to stable. Authorities said there is no motive as to why the suspect attacked the woman, who police later identified as Sydney Bosworth, 32. On Facebook, Bosworth has been vocal about how the stabbing has affected her, writing on Wednesday the act of violence will forever impact her life. "I feel a sense of relief that this man has been taken off the streets and will no longer be a danger to any other woman," Bosworth wrote on her Facebook after watching the live footage of the arrest. "This act of violence will forever impact my life. I truly believe if it wasn't for the San Antonio community coming together on social media and sharing his photo this man (he) would have attacked another innocent woman ... It is a beautiful day for justice in San Antonio." Online jail records show his bond is listed at $150,000. He made bond Wednesday, leaving Bosworth uneasy. "And he's out on bond... after trying to kill me," she shared on Twitter. "I'm a single mother with a young child. How do I feel safe? I almost died." Billy Calzada /San Antonio Express-News Less than 24 hours after a press conference announcing the allotment of $250 million in taxpayer funds to build a wall across the Texas-Mexico border, Gov. Greg Abbott is hosting a media photo op. The governor announced he's heading to the Alamo on Thursday, June 17, to sign into law numerous pieces of legislation relating to the second amendment, including a law that would allow Texans to carry a gun without a permit. National Army top brass discuss threats from China, Pak Manoj Mukund Naravane NEW DELHI, JUN 17 (IANS) | Publish Date: 6/17/2021 1:46:26 PM IST Amidst border standoff with China, the Indian Army holds a commanders conference led by General Manoj Mukund Naravane from Thursday to review the operational situation at the border with China and Pakistan. Indian Army Commanders Conference is an apex level biannual event, which formulates important policy decisions through collegiate deliberations. The conference is attended by senior officers of the Army including the vice chief of the army staff, all commanders, principal staff officers (PSOs) of the Army Headquarters and other senior officers. In the two-day conference, the Army top brass will discuss the current position of Chinese Peoples Liberation Army positions in disputed areas at Gogra, Hot Springs, Demchok and Depsang at Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh. China has enhanced troops, artillery and armour deployment in three sectors of Line of Actual Control -- western (Ladakh), middle (Uttarakhand, Himachal) and eastern (Sikkim, Arunachal) sectors. A year after the Galwan valley clash in Eastern Ladakh, China is still sitting at the Line of Actual Control and India has geared up for a long grind. Indian and Chinese military delegates had 11 rounds of talks to resolve border disputes at friction points. During the commanders conference meeting, Army top brass discuss how to be better prepared to face Chinese belligerence in Ladakh over the last year as a final resolution seems far off. India has enhanced military infrastructure, increased troop deployment to 50,000 to 60,000, and constructed better roads connectivity for quick mobilisation. Last month, General Naravane said that the troops are on high alert at Line of Actual Control and are keeping watch on Chinese Peoples Liberation Army activities. The Indian Army chief stated that India wants the status quo ante of April 2020 to be restored. He also stated that India has made it clear to China that de-escalation will only be considered once disengagement is completed to the mutual satisfaction of both the sides. He had said that Indian troops are on high alert and deployments have not thinned after the disengagement in Pangong River. General Naravane said that India is currently concentrating on resolving outstanding problems at other friction points like Hot Springs, Gogra and Depsang at Line of Actual Control. The army chief also stated that trust levels between two countries are low but pointed out that the trust deficit should not hinder the negotiation process. At Galwan valley, the clash took place on June 15 last year sparking a war like situation. Later by the end of August last year there was a further build up across and Pangong Lake at 14,000 ft turning it into a battle zone as India occupied key mountain tops at the Kailash Range overlooking the southern bank of the lake. Forty-nine years ago today, burglars broke into the offices of the Democratic National Committee at the Watergate Hotel in Washington DC, setting in motion a chain of events that would eventually result in Richard Nixon resigning the presidency. A look back at how Watergate scandal began Atlanta Journal-Constitution The Breaking of Stephen Colbert National Review Amazon blames social media companies for sales of fake Amazon reviews Ars Technica History As End Harpers Soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo snubbed Coca-Cola. Then their market value sank $4 billion. CBS Why 1971 was an extraordinary year in film BBC In Alaska, Commercial Aviation Is a Lifeline. The State Is Also Home to a Growing Share of the Countrys Deadly Crashes. ProPublica Making hot sauce and working to save wetlands AP Poultry prices soar to record amid U.S. chicken-sandwich wars Farm Progress SpaceX threatened with arrests as local authorities in Texas warn it may have committed a crime by using private security guards to block public roads Business Insider Financial surrealism: Lebanese opt for beer over banks Reuters Climate Change Batters the West Before Summer Even Begins NYT #COVID-19 Women in finance say mediocre male managers block progress FT Biden Administration Trump Transition Pure insanity: How Trump and his allies pressured the Justice Department to help overturn the election WaPo Class Warfare New Cold War Max Boot and his fellow neocons have this obsession with their Leaders showing power and strength because they know they themselves lack it and always have. Militarism and imperial power is how they compensate for their own inadequacies and feel vicariously strong. Adam Smith: pic.twitter.com/o6wCTX7If2 Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) June 16, 2021 Brexit Boris Johnson Toadies Up to Biden at the G7 Counterpunch India Myanmar Former head of Covid-19 vaccine rollout charged with high treason Myanmar Now China? Hong Kong Cracks Down on a Pro-Democracy Newspaper NYT Antidote du Jour (via): See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jur here. By Jerri-Lynn Scofield, who has worked as a securities lawyer and a derivatives trader. She is currently writing a book about textile artisans. The United States Supreme Court ruled 7-2 today in California v. Texas that Texas, several Republican- leaning states, and two individuals lacked standing to bring a constitutional challenge to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as none could show the sufferering of a particularized injury. This is the third time the Court has upheld the ACA. In 2012, Chief Justice John Roberts, a George W. Bush appointee, penned the 5-4 majority opinion In the first challenge, National Federation of Business v. Sebelius, which upheld the ACAs individual mandate the requirement that an individual purchase health insurance or pay a tax penalty as a valid exercise of the power of Congress to levy taxes. In 2015, in King v. Burwell, Justice Roberts, writing again, then for a 6-3 majority, upheld the ACAs subsidies for poor and middle-income individuals to purchase health insurance. Before todays decision was handed down, court observers were concerned that the now more right-leaning Court might be open to revisiting the individual mandate. Apparently, overturning the health care apple cart in the midst of a pandemic was not something that two of the Courts new right-wing Justices, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett, were willing to do. Justice Stephen Breyer wrote the opinion; Justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch dissented. Justices Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor, Clarence Thomas, and Chief Justice John Roberts also joined in the majority opinion. (Roberts had penned the previous two majority Obamacare opinions, from which Thomas dissented.) On to the case. Recall that in 2017, after Trump became president, Congress set the tax penalty for failing to comply with the individual mandate at zero dollars. Texas, along with several Republican-leaning states and two individuals, backed by the Trump administration, brought the latest challenge, claiming the individual mandate was now unconstitutional because it could no longer be justified as a valid exercise of Congresss power to tax. The plaintiffs argued this provision wasnt severable and therefore the entire ACA must be struck down. When the Trump Department of Justice abandoned defending the ACA, California and other Democrat-leaning states stepped in. Breyer wrote: we conclude that the plaintiffs in this suit failed to show a concrete, particularized injury fairly traceable to the defendants conduct in enforcing the specific statutory provision they attack as unconstitutional. They have failed to show that they have standing to attack as unconstitutional the Acts minimum essential coverage provision. Therefore, we reverse the Fifth Circuits judgment in respect to standing, vacate the judgment, and remand the case with instructions to dismiss. No kidding. Currently, the status of the individual mandate is that an individual must either buy insurance, or pay nothing. SA public service announcement. So, if an individual opts for paying nothing, wheres the injury? As indeed Justice Thomas, who switched his position in this case, having dissented from the earlier two judgements, also recognizes. Today he spelled out his reasoning in a concurrence: But, whatever the Acts dubious history in this Court, we must assess the current suit on its own terms. And, here, there is a fundamental problem with the arguments advanced by the plaintiffs in attacking the Actthey have not identified any unlawful action that has injured them. Todays result is thus not the consequence of the Court once again rescuing the Act, but rather of us adjudicating the particular claims the plaintiffs chose to bring. As Vox notes in The Supreme Court shut down an attack on Obamacare in the most dismissive way possible: Really, theres no need to say much more about this lawsuit. It was an absurd case brought under a risible legal theory that was widely mocked even by many outspoken opponents of Obamacare. The Wall Street Journals editorial board labeled this lawsuit the Texas Obamacare Blunder. Yuval Levin, a prominent conservative policy wonk, wrote in the National Review that the Texas lawsuit doesnt even merit being called silly. Its ridiculous. And now the lawsuit is dead. As it turns out, even in a 6-3 conservative Supreme Court, there are some arguments that are too laughable to be taken seriously. Yet taken seriously these wereindeed by at least one federal district court judge in Texas and at a circuit court. As the New York Times reported in Affordable Care Act Survives Latest Supreme Court Challenge: A federal judge in Texas ruled that the entire law was invalid, but he postponed the effects of his ruling until the case could be appealed. In 2019, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, in New Orleans, agreed that the mandate was unconstitutional but declined to rule on the fate of the remainder of the health law, asking the lower court to reconsider the question in more detail. Now, lawyers know that standing is a malleable concept. The justices too might have found it in this case if they looked harder, as Justice Samuel Alitos writing in dissent noted (in which Justice Neil Gorsuch joined): Todays decision is the third installment in our epic Affordable Care Act trilogy, and it follows the same pattern as installments one and two. In all three episodes, with the Affordable Care Act facing a serious threat, the Court has pulled off an improbable rescue. . In prior cases, the Court has been selectively generous in allowing States to sue. Just recently, New York and certain other States were permitted to challenge the inclusion of a citizenship question in the 2020 census even though any effect on them depended on a speculative chain of events. [citations omitted] As to whether individuals had standing to sue, Alito wrote there were novel questions. As to whether the state plaintiffs could do so, he had no doubt, and wrote at length. Once standing was established, he then considered the merits of the constitutionality of the individual mandate: Texas and the other state plaintiffs have standing, and now that the tax imposed by the individual mandate is set at $0, the mandate cannot be sustained under the taxing power. As a result, it is clearly unconstitutional, and to the extent that the provisions of the ACA that burden the States are inextricably linked to the individual mandate, they too are unenforceable. The majority of Court was not willing to be so generous with respect to standing here. And as a result, the health care insurance marketplace wont be thrown into disarray, nor will many Americans suddenly find themselves uninsured during the midst of a by no means over pandemic. The ACA created a terrible system. A Supreme Court decision overturning Obamacare overnight would have made that terrible system worse. By Brett Wilkins, staff writer for Common Dreams. Originally published at Common Dreams Echoing earlier demands from progressive groups and lawmakers, over 100 labor unions and their allies on Wednesday called on the Biden administration and Democratic congressional leaders to include expanded Medicare eligibility and prescription drug pricing reform in the $1.8 trillion American Families Plan, part of President Joe Bidens three-part Build Back Better economic and infrastructure proposal. In a letter (pdf) to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), 103 labor, faith, healthcare, racial justice, and other allied groups urged Biden and Congress to include robust Medicare drug price negotiation in the American Families Plan package and to reinvest significant savings from negotiations [in] the Medicare program, alongside other critical investments in health equity, coverage, and affordability. By using the savings to improve dental, vision, and hearing services, capping out-of-pocket costs, lowering the Medicare eligibility age, and taking other bold steps to improve our nations health, the Biden administration and Congress would be delivering on key promises and improving the lives of millions, the letter states. Currently, Americans are eligible for Medicare benefits at age 65. The American Families Plan must center the needs and priorities of BIPOC communities and expanding Medicare would help to increase coverage and access to care for communities of color who are disproportionately uninsured or under-insured, it says. The letter continues: The United States spends far more than any other country for prescription pharmaceuticals, and the largest purchaser in the world is the Medicare Part D program. High U.S. drug spending is driven by excessive prices charged by prescription drug corporations, which lead to treatment rationing and preventable negative health outcomes, including death. Enacting a robust system of direct government drug price negotiation and price spike protections that provides relief to patients regardless of medical condition, insurance provider, or status will save lives and prevent suffering and financial hardship for families across the nation. Bold drug pricing reform will support building a healthier America, as well as produce hundreds of billions of dollars in savings to reinvest in bolstering coverage, the letter asserts. With these significant estimated savings, over 10 years, it is a crucial time to address other needs of Medicare enrollees. Congress must include overwhelmingly popular reforms to lower drug prices & expand Medicare in the Build Back Better infrastructure package. Its past time to put the people over pharmas greed.https://t.co/z35XBNsYLY Public Citizen (@Public_Citizen) June 16, 2021 In addition, by expanding access to Medicare to Americans 50 and older, the Biden administration and Congress could deliver crucial progress on expanding healthcare, the letter continues. The signers explain: Medicare has achieved universal coverage for Americans 65 and older, while the uninsured rate for adults 5064 is 10.5%. Americans approaching retirement age have faced significant job loss as a result of the recession brought on by the pandemic and are at a particular disadvantage in states that have refused to expand Medicaid, leaving low-income Americans in those states particularly at risk of going without coverage and needed care. And given that most people experience increased medical needs as they age, lacking insurance at such a crucial time can mean financial ruin. Far too many Americans continue to struggle to get the care and medicine they need when they need it. Establishing government drug price negotiations and price spike protections will provide countless Americans with relief and put an end to treatment rationing, the letter says. Expanding Medicare to those 50 and older would mean giving the peace of mind that Medicare enrollees already have to 63 million additional Americans, while expanding it to only adults 60 and older would expand eligibility for Medicare to an additional 20 million Americans, it concludes. Now is the time for action to lower drug prices and improve access to care for millions. The groups demand follows similar calls from 17 Democratic senators in an April letter that argued Medicare, which was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson in 1965, is one of the most successful and popular federal programs in our nations history. The time is long overdue for us to expand and improve this program so that millions of older Americans can receive the healthcare they need, including eyeglasses, hearing aids, and dental care, the senators asserted. The lawmakers also said that lowering the Medicare eligibility age to as young as 50 would be a way to expand coverage, save lives, and implement a popular reform to a program that is already favored by a majority of the American people across the political spectrum. Indeed, an April 2021 Data for Progress survey found that 86% of Americansincluding 82% of Republicanssupport adding dental, hearing, and vision benefits to Medicare.Three-quarters of Democrats, a majority of Independents, and nearly half of Republicans also favor lowering the Medicare eligibility age to 55. Expanding access to and improving Medicare is also popular across political party lines. Data for Progress found that 86% of likely U.S. votersincluding 82% of Republicanssupport adding dental, hearing, and vision benefits to the program.https://t.co/e7knfOjzaC Data for Progress (@DataProgress) April 26, 2021 We have a unique opportunity to finally address the exploding cost of prescription drugs, said Dan Bauer, director of government affairs at the Communication Workers of America (CWA), in an statement Wednesday. These rising costs have put necessary and lifesaving treatments out of reach for working families and retirees and bold action is needed. Pursuing bold reform will also create substantial savings that can be used to expand Medicare to more seniors and cover important treatments for seniors like vision, hearing, and dental care, Bauer added. These are important steps to ensure affordable care for working families and retirees throughout the country. Eagan Kemp, health policy advocate for Public Citizen, added that lowering the Medicare eligibility age to 50, capping out-of-pocket costs, and expanding benefits to include dental, hearing, and vision would improve access to care for millions of Americans. Far too many Americans have lost their insurance or put off needed care due to the Covid-19 crisis, said Kemp. The Biden administration and Congress have a chance to deliver important progress at a crucial time. (Natural News) If you suspect that a family member or friend is becoming radicalized, China Joe wants you to tell him immediately. The fake president is launching a new war against domestic terrorists meaning conservatives who support the Constitution that calls on every American who is left of center to betray their right-leaning loved ones by reporting them to the government. We will work to improve public awareness of federal resources to address concerning or threatening behavior before violence occurs, an official from Beijing Bidens cabinet announced. Directly aligning with the Department of Homeland Securitys (DHS) If you see something, say something program, which was launched under Barack Hussein Obama, Hunters dads new snitch operation aims to unleash cultural chaos by rallying the virtue signaling troops around another obvious psychological operation. This involves creating contexts in which those who are family members or friends or co-workers know that there are pathways and avenues to raise concerns and seek help for those who [sic] they have perceived to be radicalizing and potentially radicalizing towards violence, the official added. One of the first things Resident Biden stated upon being inaugurated is that he wants to fight the rise of white supremacy, which is just a catch-all term to demonize everyone with fair skin who is not an LGBTQ-loving, state-worshiping communist. According to the geriatric in the White House, white people are the most lethal threat to the homeland today, which is why he now wants them ratted out every time they say or so something offensive that some government bureaucrat can claim is an incitement of violence. Biden wants Big Tech to rat out white people, too Since exploiting ordinary Americans to do his dirty work will not quite be enough, China Joe is also recruiting Big Tech platforms like Facebook and Twitter to promote increased information sharing with the government. If a white person who supports closing the borders and putting America first shares a post quoting one of the Founding Fathers, for instance, Beijing Biden wants that person punished in the name of protecting the homeland against domestic terrorism. Any particular tech company often knows its own platform very well, the official explained about how Big Tech will be very useful in keeping that all-seeing-eye on every American deemed a threat to the establishment. But the government sees things actually, threats of violence across platforms. They see the relationship between online recruitment, radicalization, and violence in the physical world. DHS, which was created under George W. Bush, is also planning to deploy digital literacy and digital fitness programs to determine who might be trying to engage in malicious content online. DHS also wants to identify bad actors whom it says are deliberately trying to disseminate mean things online that might hurt someones feelings. The official reassured the public that Hunters dad remains laser-focused on rooting out white supremacy from the American landscape, and that every tactic the government can come up with to do so is open game. This is a strategy that is agnostic as to political ideology or off the spectrum, the official further stated, trying to make it sound as though this is a bipartisan effort to keep Americans safe. What matters is when individuals take their political or other grievances and turn that unacceptably, unlawfully into violent action. If Biden gets word that you might be a white supremacist, you can be sure that once he wakes up from his nap, he or his handler wife will refer you to one of the three-letter agencies for punishment. And may God bless America. More related news about the fake Biden presidency can be found at Tyranny.news. Sources for this article include: Breitbart.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) His assaults were racially motivated, and he was targeting white men. (Article by B.K. House republished from 100PercentFedUp.com) In his quest to find white victims, Justin Tyran Roberts, a 39-year-old black man, took to the road, hunting men that didnt look like him. The unfortunate innocent victims, white males with military physiques, were plucked off for 2- days in 2- states, wherever Mr. Roberts could find them. The suspect told police his assaults were racially motivated, and he was targeting white men, a detective testified Monday. According to the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, Detective Brandon Lockhart testified on Monday that Roberts told police white men had picked on him and wronged him for all his life. he continued, Basically, he explained throughout his life, specifically white males had taken from him, and also what he described as military-looking white males had taken from him. On Monday, Roberts appeared in court for a preliminary hearing regarding one of the incidents where he shot a man in the back as he was getting into his vehicle. Detective Lockhart testified that Roberts said, I had to have him, about the victim. According to Lockhart, Roberts claimed that military-looking white males had been shooting at him in a wooded area with a slingshot, which had infected his skin, Mr. Lockhart testified. But he said police saw no evidence of injuries to substantiate that claim. On Saturday June 12, 2021, officers from the Columbus Police Department arrested Mr. Justin Tyran Roberts (B/M/39). He is believed to have shot 5 people in the preceding 20 hours. pic.twitter.com/wS51L7uYhX Columbus, Georgia Police Department (@CPDGA) June 13, 2021 Public defender Robin King asked that Mr. Roberts be given a mental health evaluation, saying the man was clearly suffering from delusions. The officers testimony has demonstrated that Mr. Roberts is having delusions and a disconnect from reality, King told the judge. 5- shootings took place in 3 separate incidences in Columbus, Georgia, and Phoenix City, Alabama. All five victims are expected to recover. Read mor at: 100PercentFedUp.com and AntiWhite.news. (Natural News) The so-called Covid variants, officially designated as mutations, are being used to extend the British lockdown. However, Dr. Luc Montagnier, a Nobel laureate and former director of the Retrovirology Lab at the Pasteur Institute reports that in fact it is the vaccinations that are producing the variants. (Article republished from PaulCraigRoberts.org) Dr. Montagnier says that an enormous mistake, an unacceptable mistake, a scientific and medical error has been made. The Covid vaccines are causing new variants that perpetuate the problem. Dr. Montagnier said that epidemiologists know but are silent about the phenomenon, known as Antibody-Dependent Enhancement (ADE). Prof. Montagnier explained that the trend is happening in each country where the curve of vaccination is followed by the curve of deaths. Montagniers point is supported by information in an open letter from a long list of medical doctors to the European Medicines Agency. The letter stated that there have been numerous media reports from around the world of care homes being struck by COVID-19 within days of vaccination of residents. In a recent statement French Virologist Christine Rouzioux said: the rise in new cases is occurring in vaccinated patients in nursing homes in Montpellier, in the Sarte, in Rheims, in the Moselle. I am concerned that the mistakes made by public health bureaucrats, or the deceptions in which they have engaged, have become too serious to be acknowledged and that the dangerous vaccines will continue to be administered. GlobalResearch.ca Read more at: PaulCraigRoberts.org and BadMedicine.news. (Natural News) One might argue that China Flu vaccines are free because Covid is an infectious disease that is contagious, and that cancer and diabetes are not, but cancer and diabetes are killing many more Americans than Covid-19, so that argument doesnt really hold water. Think about it; Covid kills less than one percent of its victims, where cancer kills 50 percent of its victims. Pancreatic cancer kills 90 percent of its victims, so all cancer treatment should be free, starting now, according to the logic applied to covid vaccines. Such free cancer treatments would include all supplements (like vitamin D), superfoods, chemical-free personal care products and all organic cleansing products. Vaccines for Covid are free because they cause health problems, not because they prevent them. Everyone is so germaphobic and brainwashed by the media that they believe these free mRNA jabs are to help them, to save them, to extend their life past the Chinese Flu, that kills about .04 percent of those infected mostly people already battling cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and dementia. With all this free money the Biden Regime is printing, they should be at the least, subsidizing natural medicine and indigenous cures to all these viruses and bacteria and pathogens, but instead theyre creating them in labs and releasing them, then dishing out gene therapy shots for free. Its always safe and effective and for your health and safety its like a broken record that lies to you and wont stop playing. These vaccines are not safe. Theres no science behind that. Weve already scene filthy, scummy labs where they manufacture the dirty jabs in Baltimore. FDA inspectors found brown residue on the floors and walls after employees were caught ON VIDEO dragging bags of medical waste around the laboratory. So, you were saying? Vaccines are free because they are part of a population reduction plan, just like Bill Gates bragged about at a TED conference for his White elitist Klan of followers From the mouth of the vaccine enforcer comes the real agenda, as Bill Gates planned years ago how to reduce the worlds population by BILLIONS of people by doing a really good job with vaccines and abortions. Have a listen and a look now. If you still have questions as to why the Covid-19 vaccines are free after this, then you might want to get your hearing checked. Over a decade ago, Bill Gates was planning how to wipe out billions of people, including two-thirds of all Americans. He wants to eliminate THIRTY TIMES MORE humans just in America alone, than were executed in the Holocaust, and in just as sinister and sneaky a way. Yet, in his elitist arrogance, hes still dumb enough to announce it at a TED conference. Thats right, Bill Gates planned this genocide, as he planned this TED speech, and its premeditated mass murder now that 5,000 of his 5 billion medical-experiment-victims have already died. Hes a modern serial killer who uses science and vaccines to lead people into their own personal gas chambers, and he has yet to be arrested. Bill Gates is the tyrannical leader of mass population reduction effort using vaccines and abortions Bill Gates is a Marxist psychopath billionaire who has deliberately calculated, formulated and scripted this TED presentation about healthcare (vaccines and abortions) as being the primary means to justifying his end game and goal, and that is population reduction via genocide. Its not coincidental that mRNA vaccines are causing abortions and mass damage to ovaries (blood clots and bleeding from prion overload), as top vaccine scientists and the worlds most intelligent, experienced virologists have already blown the whistle on this. Will Fauci go down with Gates (for mass murder and treason) for funding gain of function virus research and using it as the prime vehicle of population reductionism for Bill Gates evil plan? Time will tell. Tune your internet frequency to Pandemic.news for updates on these crimes against humanity being delivered under the guise of inoculation. Plus, learn how to best prepare for the upcoming vaccine-induced wipeout. Sources for this article include: Pandemic.news NaturalNews.com LifeSiteNews.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) The Houston Methodist Hospital system in Texas has suspended 178 employees without pay for refusing to get vaccinated against the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19). Houston Methodist comprises eight hospitals and several other emergency centers and clinics throughout the Greater Houston metropolitan area. Last month, it put out a new policy requiring all of its roughly 25,000 employees to get vaccinated. In addition, the company required everyone to get two doses of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine by June 7 or risk termination. According to Houston Methodist CEO Marc Boom, 99 percent of the hospital systems employees were fully vaccinated by the passage of the imposed deadline. Only 178 individuals less than one percent of the companys workforce refused to get the vaccine and did not receive a deferral or a waiver from the company. These individuals were suspended for two weeks without pay. Twenty-seven of the 178 suspended workers have received one dose of the vaccine. Boom is hopeful that the two-week unpaid suspension will convince them to get the second dose. All 178 workers are set to be fired if they refuse to get the first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by the end of their two-week suspension. We are nearly 100 percent compliant with our COVID-19 vaccine mandate, wrote Boom in an email to staff on Tuesday, June 8. Houston Methodist is officially the first hospital system in the country to achieve this goal for the benefit of its patients. I wish the number could be zero, but unfortunately, a small number of individuals have decided not to put their patients first, added Boom. (Related: Houston Methodist Hospital orders staff to withhold adverse reactions caused by COVID vaccines from official records.) An additional 332 employees were granted deferrals for pregnancies and other related medical reasons, and 285 employees were exempted due to medical or religious exemptions. Regarding the suspension, Boom said: It is unfortunate that todays milestone of Houston Methodist becoming the safest hospital system in the country is being overshadowed by a few disgruntled employees. I know that today may be difficult for some who are sad about losing a colleague whos decided to not get vaccinated. We only wish them well and thank them for their past service to our community, and we must respect the decision they made. Houston Methodist became the first hospital system in the U.S. to impose a vaccine mandate on its employees. Back in April, the hospital system told its administrative staff and new hires to get vaccinated by mid-April. It later extended this deadline to June 7. The company even offered employees a $500 bribe if they got vaccinated early on in the rollout of the vaccines. Suspended employees and supporters staged protest After the suspensions, dozens of protesters held a rally outside the Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital. They were joined by medical workers in the hospital who staged a walkout. No one should be forced to put something into their body if theyre not comfortable with it, said Jennifer Bridges, a nurse who has been working with the hospital system for over six years. Bridges was presented with documentation regarding her suspension on June 7. I cried the whole way out. Im not an anti-vax person, she said. If you want to get it, by all means, get it. I dont take that away from anybody. Just let everybody have a choice and the right to make their own decision. The protesters were joined by Dr. Angelina Farella, a pediatrician and member of Americas Frontline Doctors, a group that is strongly opposed to vaccine mandates, especially for the experimental coronavirus vaccines. Farella has refused to administer any of the COVID-19 vaccines. If you are a healthy American under the age of 50 there is no reason for you to get this vaccine, she said. She added that the vaccines might actually be dangerous for people who have already recovered from the coronavirus and have naturally developed antibodies against it. Farella and the other protesters believe that the Houston Methodist Hospital system is downplaying data from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, the federal database for adverse reactions to vaccinations. VAERS indicates there have been a significant number of deaths and adverse events related to the coronavirus vaccines. This is not how medicine was ever, said Farella. Forcing people to get a vaccine, in some cases in which they are already immune since theyve had the disease, is medical tyranny. Lawsuit filed against Houston Methodists vaccine mandate One-hundred and seventeen of the suspended workers have filed a lawsuit against Houston Methodist over its vaccine mandate. The group is being represented by Jared Woodfill from the Houston-based Woodfill Law Firm. Woodfill said that, in addition to the 117 initial plaintiffs, another 50 individuals have indicated their interest in joining the lawsuit. The Woodfill Law Firm has already asked the court to declare the hospitals vaccine mandate illegal. He argues that, because the vaccine is an experimental product, it should be illegal to force employees to receive it. [The vaccine] thats been on the market for less than a year. And yes, its being used under [emergency use authorization], but at the same time, that is experimental by definition, said Woodfill. You cant fire someone for refusing to do something illegal, and if you look at federal law, it makes it very clear that its illegal to force someone to participate in a vaccine trial. The case was initially filed in the Montgomery County District Court. But it has since been moved to federal court. The case is being handled by Judge Lynn Hughes, who has requested filings from both parties and plans to make a quick decision. Woodfill said once Hughes has issued a ruling there may be an emergency appeal filed with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. This issue, in either this case or another, should end up before the Supreme Court, said Woodfill. We will fight this all the way to the Supreme Court, said Bridges during the protest. This is wrongful termination and a violation of our rights. Learn more about how companies like Houston Methodist are attempting to force their employees to take the coronavirus vaccine through vaccine mandates by reading the latest articles at Vaccines.news. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk USAToday.com TheTexan.news (Natural News) A leaked Whitehall document seen by Politico suggests that perspex screens installed to stop the transmission of COVID-19 may actually have increased its spread. (Article by Paul Joseph Watson republished from Summit.news) Businesses and schools were told by the government to install the screens as a condition of re-opening after the first lockdown and they were widely used by essential shops throughout the entire period. Politicos Alex Wickham writes that the perspex screens could be about to be scrapped given new information the government has received on their efficacy. Ministers are also being advised that those perspex screens that have appeared in some offices and restaurants are unlikely to have any benefit in terms of preventing transmission, states the report. Problems include them not being positioned correctly, with the possibility that they actually increase the risk of transmission by blocking airflow. Therefore there is clear guidance to ministers that these perspex screens should be scrapped. Despite the report, government ministers say there is no plan to change advice on installing the screens in businesses. What other COVID-19 measures put in place to fight the spread of the virus have been utterly useless or actually made it worse? A study on the effectiveness of face masks involving 6,000 participants in Denmark found there was no statistically significant difference between those who wore masks and those who did not when it came to being infected by Covid-19. Read more at: Summit.news and Pandemic.news. (Natural News) How will the insidious vaccine industrial complex stop the bleeding from this already epidemic-sized atrocity of mRNA technology in inoculations thats proving to cause human blood to clot in the brain and lungs? The mass media (fake news) thats been teamed up with Big Pharma for decades, is playing catch and release with the blood clot epidemic, covering the carnage with a very light, informative tone and then reiterating the LIE that catching Covid is much more dangerous and has a higher likelihood of death than getting the vaccines. Sure. The only problem with that pre-scripted propaganda is that science has already proven them all wrong. Covid only has a .04 death factor on average, and for people under 25 its about 0.00. So the CDC is holding an emergency meeting to figure out the best ways to script this catch and release public disinformation campaign, which is actually their forte. Vaccination-induced cerebral venous sinus thrombositopenia (VI-CVST) The Covid-19 vaccines are causing blood clots to form in the brains venous sinuses, which prevents blood from draining out of the brain, leading to blood cell breakage and leaked blood into brain tissues, forming hemorrhages. Over 100 cases identified in Europe already, and sixty cases of these blood clots have already been clinically documented in healthy young men in Israel. The human bodys reaction to these vaccines is to create antibodies, and these proteins are functioning like prions, as the mechanism that controls their creation is broken and reconfigured by wait for it mRNA technology. Dont be misled. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines use mRNA technology, and though the J&J and AstraZeneca jabs use viral-vector based technology, mRNA is STILL part of the code those vaccines deliver into your cells, instructing them to create endless amounts of protein/prions, until your blood clots to try to control the damage being done. Its called vaccination-induced cerebral venous sinus thrombositopenia, or VI-CVST for short. Your body is now a prion wasteland, like a toxic landfill, if youve been vaccinated with mRNA technology Heres what happens. These viral vector-based vaccines dont contain any antigens; instead, they recode your DNA and tell it to produce them. The problem is there is no mechanism to control the production, so its like a factory churning out toxic products that never stop producing, and your body is the waste dump that contains it all. The CDC does not want ANYONE figuring this out, so theyre having an emergency meeting to silence all of these facts being spread all over the internet by doctors, scientists and patients/victims of vaccine induced blood clotting. The vector is the genetically modified virus the CCP created in a lab with funding set up by Dr. Fauci and the NIH. This vector delivers a corrupted genetic code for the antigen into your human cells, infecting the cells with an animal virus that otherwise would have NEVER been contagious to humans or between humans. Once the cells are infected, theyre infected for life, and will continue making enormous, immeasurable amounts of unnecessary antigen, which triggers the blood clotting. This is nothing like natural infection, and does not help with immunity to Covid-19 at all. Blood clot cases from Covid-19 vaccines are not rare, despite mainstream medias continued lies and cover-ups Even young teens and healthy young adults that have been vaccinated (for no good reason at all) are experiencing heart inflammation, because of all the little blockages in their blood from the excessive protein/prions sticking together and to the inner walls of their blood vessels. These complications, mind you, are showing up as quickly as a few DAYS after the 2nd dose of Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. The CDC is in massive damage control mode right now. Still, the CDC is trying to play catch and release, where the news for them is so bad that they have to cover it for a hot minute, but then they dismiss it and act like its rare for it to happen. Yeah, its about as rare as the Chinese Flu, we just havent tested all the infected sheeple yet (or their bodies havent produced enough proteins yet). CDC is currently investigating heart inflammation cases all around the world caused by the deadly, dirty Covid-19 vaccines: Just this week the FDA instructed Johnson & Johnson to trash 60 million doses of their corrupted Covid-19 vaccines that were contaminated (not suitable for use they said) at their filthy, disgusting Emergent BioSolutions plant in Baltimore, Maryland. The employees there were caught on video dragging bags of medical waste around the lab, spreading brown residue on the floors and walls. So much for safe and effective huh? Visit CovidVaccineReactions.com if you already got a toxic Covid jab and are experiencing side effects, blood clots, adverse events, blindness, deafness or dementia (then have your loved ones help you). Now tune your internet frequency to Pandemic.news for updates on these crimes against humanity being delivered under the guise of inoculation. Plus, learn how to best prepare for the upcoming vaccine-induced wipeout. Sources for this article include: Pandemic.news NaturalNews.com Gavi.org DennisMichaelLynch.com (Natural News) New evidence has surfaced to suggest that communist Chinas continued theft of American intellectual property extends to biotechnology. In 2011, a Chinese businessman was reportedly caught crawling through genetically modified (GMO) corn rows in Iowa on two separate occasions, pocketing transgenic seeds owned by Pioneer and Monsanto. Mo Hailong, the U.S. director of international business for Beijing Dabeinong Technology Group, was apparently mailing the high-value seeds to a relative of his in China, a multi-year FBI investigation found. Hailong and several Chinese cohorts were later arrested after they tried to smuggle more seeds out of the country using a facade of microwave popcorn bags and Subway napkins. Hailong ended up serving 36 months in prison, and it was determined that he had successfully sent a massive haul of Monsantos GMO seeds to China undetected prior to getting caught. Another Chinese man, Weiqiang Zhang, did much the same thing, though his heist was much more advanced and involved the theft of not just corn seeds but also rice, soybean and wheat seeds. After weaseling his way into a biotech crop production program at Kansas State University, followed by a rice genetics program at Louisiana State University, Zhang ended up locking in a position at Ventria, a private biopharmaceutical corporation based out of Kansas that was using GMO rice to produce recombinant proteins. Zhang gained access to a climate-controlled seed room and successfully stole $75 million worth of samples. After that, he used USDA letterhead to send counterfeit letters to six crop research colleagues in China, inviting them to come visit Ventria and several other companies doing similar research. The delegation accepted the invitation and came for the tour, only to be intercepted by U.S. Customs during a routine luggage inspection that ended up revealing all the stolen loot. All China does is steal from others A few years later, another Chinese spy by the name of Haitao Xiang got a job at Monsanto as an imaging scientist at The Climate Corporation. This program involved a big data platform with a proprietary algorithm called Nutrient Optimizer that Xiang later tried to steal using a micro-SD card. He was caught at the airport upon attempting to fly back to China with it, his one-way ticket in hand. This particular incident made headlines, and experts say it is little more than a tiny glimpse into the dark underbelly of Chinese theft. Its fair to label these cases as tip of the iceberg or tip of the dinner fork, contends Col. (Ret.) John Mills, a national security professional and former Director of Cybersecurity Policy, Strategy, and International Affairs at the Department of Defense (DoD). I mean they are a drop in the bucket. For so long, U.S. counterintelligence has been focused on Russia, yet China presents a threat many orders of magnitude greater. China is intent on cataloguing seed and DNA on a vast scale, and theyve spent at least 10 years vacuuming up every piece of tech from every sector in the U.S. You can be absolutely certain: Agriculture is right up there at the top and this is happening right now. China is also focused on acquiring as much farmland as it possibly can, into which it presumably wants to plant all those stolen seeds to claim as its own. China only knows theft, having never produced anything of actual value that it did not first steal and even that ends up being a cheap-quality knockoff that either breaks or does not work. China is nothing more than a parasite to the world, in other words. It continues to be a threat with nothing to contribute other than crime, lies and eventually war. More related news about communist China can be found at Tyranny.news. Sources for this article include: AgWeb.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) Another young person who was perfectly healthy before getting vaccinated for the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) has died following her second injection of the poison. Nineteen-year-old Simone Scott was a freshman at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., when she decided to do her part to help flatten the curve by getting needled with Modernas two-dose mRNA injection. After receiving her second dose, Scott developed a severe heart condition that required a transplant. Not long after the transplant, Scott died from what doctors are now saying was myocarditis. Scott received her second dose of Modernas syringe on May 1, and eight days later on May 9, Mothers Day, she decided to pay her parents a surprise visit. This is when Scotts mother first noticed that something was wrong. I did notice she was kind of stuffy so her voice wasnt exactly the same, Valerie Kraimer told the media. Scott survived the weekend and returned to campus on Monday, May 11, though her condition was worsening. She visited a doctor who administered a Chinese Virus test, which turned up negative, but her situation continued to unravel. On Sunday morning [May 16], she texted her father and said, Dad, I feel so dizzy. I cannot get out of bed, and thats when everything really started from there, Kraimer recalls. Since Scotts parents live hundreds of miles away, her father called campus police to have someone check on her. We learned that a doctor had to jump on her chest and give her CPR because she was that bad, and then the whole cascade of events happened, Kraimer says. They had to intubate her and realized she was in heart failure. Medical system refuses to acknowledge jab as cause of Scotts death, calls it a mystery Emergency responders hooked Scott up to an ECMO machine that mimics the function of the heart, which gave her own heart a chance to rest. After multiple interventions and attempts at resuscitation, doctors realized that Scott needed a heart transplant. Scott was then taken in for the procedure, which ultimately failed. The mRNA chemicals in her second Moderna shot were too powerful and ultimately got the best of her, though the medical system is refusing to acknowledge the truth. The official cause of Scotts death remains unconfirmed, with myocarditis being the only explanation that doctors have been able to come up with as an explanation. According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders, this inflammatory condition of the heart, which can lead to cardiac arrhythmia and death, is usually a result of the bodys immune reaction to the initial heart damage. In other words, Scotts second Moderna jab appears to have damaged her heart so severely that her immune system finished off the job with an autoimmune reaction. Scotts death came weeks after a heart complication in May, which led to a heart transplant, The Daily Northwestern reported about the incident. Pfizers pair of mRNA injections appears to do the exact same thing, as confirmed by an Israeli panel that recently determined a probable link between the Pfizer injection and a wave of myocarditis cases that have been affecting mostly young men in the Middle Eastern country who were recently vaccinated. According to former New York Times reporter Alex Berenson, doctors appear to have repeatedly missed signals as Scotts condition worsened in the two weeks following her second shot before she abruptly crashed. Northwestern, meanwhile, is continuing to require that all students who attend on-campus classes be fully vaccinated. Let the lawsuits begin. More related news about injuries and deaths caused by Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) injections can be found at ChemicalViolence.com. Sources for this article include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org NaturalNews.com (Natural News) Peter Daszak, president of the nonprofit EcoHealth Alliance (EHA), remains adamant that the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) came from a wet market in the Chinese city. The Facebook fact-checker for COVID-19 continues to insist that the disease had its origins at the Huanan Seafood Market, despite the emergence of evidence pointing to the pathogens laboratory origins. As a result number of outlets have now called out Daszak. After everything thats been published over the last month , Daszak still unequivocally believes that the virus originated naturally and that the pandemic stated at the wet market, wrote RedState Managing Editor Jennifer Van Laar, noting that Daszak was still bitterly clinging to that narrative. Back in March of this year, Daszak served as a member of the World Health Organizations fact-finding mission in Wuhan. According to Daszak, he and his colleagues in the fact-finding mission discovered a so-called 1,000-mile pathway that the virus took from southern China to the Wuhan wet market. What we found is that there is a pathway. [Somehow, the COVID-19] virus got from a bat into one of those wildlife farms. And then the animals were shipped into the [Huanan] market, he said. The fact-checker added that the infected animals subsequently passed on the pathogen to humans when the latter prepared the animals for food. Van Laar questioned why the existence of this pathway was not revealed sooner, asking: If that [was] true, why havent we heard about it before now? Fox News also pointed out Daszaks stubbornness on the matter. The conservative outlet cited a February 2020 article by Facebooks fact-checking partner Science Feedback where Daszak warned of serious repercussions that would come if people insisted on the lab leak theory. These rumors and conspiracy theories have real consequences, including threats of violence that have occurred to our colleagues in China, he said that time. (Related: In 2016, Peter Daszak admitted colleagues in China were developing killer coronaviruses.) Daszak had the confidence to dismiss the lab leak theory thanks to Fauci It appeared that Daszak expressed confidence in downplaying the laboratory origins of COVID-19 thanks to backing from National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) director Dr. Anthony Fauci. Emails from the latter, obtained via a Freedom of Information Act request revealed that Daszak thanked Fauci for lending his trusted voice in denouncing the lab leak theory. I just wanted to say a personal thank you for publicly standing up and stating that the scientific evidence supports a natural origin for COVID-19 from a bat-to-human spillover, not a lab release, reads an April 18, 2020 email from the EHA president to Fauci. Daszak added that Faucis comments and trusted voice would contribute to debunking myths being spun around the viruss origins. A day after Daszak sent the email, Fauci replied: Many thanks for your kind note. (Related: Email: Researcher who funded Wuhan lab admitted to manipulating coronaviruses, thanked Fauci for dismissing lab leak theory.) Van Laars blog post also elaborated on Daszaks involvement in parties aside from Facebook and the WHO. She noted how he gave the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) $800,000 in funding from 2014 to 2019 through EHA. This amount was subsequently used for gain of function research on bat coronaviruses. In addition, she also touched on Daszaks involvement with the WIV. The EHA president reportedly worked with WIV Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Shi Zhengli. Dubbed the bat woman, Shi gained the moniker due to her work on bat coronaviruses. Shi has likewise insisted that COVID-19 did not escape the WIV laboratory. According to a Hindustan Times report, Shi said no evidence existed for the lab leak theory. How on earth can I offer up evidence for something when there is no evidence? I dont know how the world has come to this, constantly pouring filth on an innocent scientist, she said in a text message. Visit Pandemic.news to read more stories about Peter Daszak and the debate on the origins of COVID-19. Sources include: NewsBusters.org RedState.com FoxNews.com ScienceFeedback.co Summit.news HindustanTimes.com (Natural News) The widespread drought gripping the western U.S. has drastically reduced Californias hydropower supply. With less electricity coming from hydropower dams, the state may be forced to ramp up gas-fired power generation and ask residents to reduce their electricity use. Hydroelectric power is generated by capturing the energy of water falling over dams to produce electricity. When water levels in rivers or reservoirs decline, the amount of hydropower generated decreases. In 11 of Californias 12 biggest reservoirs, water levels have fallen well below normal, according to the California Department of Water Resources (CA-DWR). Already, the states hydropower is down by about 40 percent this month compared to the same time last year, according to BloombergNEF (BNEF). Data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that hydropower output levels havent been this low since late 2015. California is walking a tightrope, BNEF analyst Brianna Lazerwitz said, noting that hydropower has provided almost 13 percent of the states electricity over the past three years. On August 18 last year, nine percent of its electricity is hydropower, but Lazerwitz predicts that it might have a gigawatt less in the same month this year. Its likely that California will be more strained this year than last, she added. Drought out west threatens Californias electricity supply This decrease in hydro supply comes as rolling heatwaves grip the western U.S. The region is currently facing its worst dry season in two decades, according to data from the U.S. Drought Monitor. California is among the hardest hit, with 85 percent of the state in extreme or exceptional drought as of June 10. Around three-quarters of its annual precipitation fall between November and March, according to the CA-DWR. But the little snow that fell melted quickly and seeped into the ground instead of flowing into rivers, streams and reservoirs. Now, the states snowpack is below normal. (Related: Despite record-breaking drought conditions, California officials are draining reservoirs.) Since smaller snowpacks melt faster than larger ones, the lower-than-average snowpack may cause available hydropower generation to peak earlier in the year, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said in a May report. That could mean less hydropower generation would be available to help meet peak electric demand mid- to late-summer. Indeed, the California Independent System Operator (California ISO), the nonprofit corporation that runs the states power grid, warned in a May report that it might face challenges meeting demand this summer. To prepare for that possibility, California utility giant Pacific Gas & Electric Company holds back on the use of its hydropower dams to have enough water in the reservoirs when temperatures soar. We have been conserving water in our reservoirs so that we have that same available volume for peak, said CEO Patricia Poppe. Last Tuesday, June 15, California ISO said that it might need to ask residents to reduce their electricity use to avert blackouts. It noted that while there is still enough power supply, disruptions such as downed power lines and mechanical failure at power plants could shake things up. Should the power supply drop, it might call this years first Flex Alert and ask people to conserve energy from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. from Wednesday to Thursday. We dont expect rotating outages this week, said California ISO spokesperson Anne Gonzales. But we are going to see some tight supplies. Our main message is one of conservation. The state may also need to turn to gas-fired power plants even as it pushes to reduce its use of carbon-based electricity. When the Western grid loses hydropower, it has to be replaced by something. And almost always, that replacement is electricity from natural gas power plants, Jordan Kern, a professor of forestry and environmental resources at North Carolina State University, told NPR. Follow CaliforniaCollapse.news for the latest news on Californias power supply problem. Sources include: Bloomberg.com DroughtMonitor.UNL.edu MercuryNews.com NPR.org (Natural News) On Sunday, June 13, leaders of the Group of Seven (G-7) nations called out the Chinese government over its human rights abuses in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. They also vowed to counter Chinas unfair trade practices and demanded a thorough investigation into the origins of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The G-7 is an inter-governmental political forum that includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. G-7 statement criticizes Chinas domestic and international behavior After discussing how to come up with a unified position on China in the G-7 summit held in Cornwall, England, leaders of the worlds wealthiest democracies issued a highly critical statement that delved into a range of concerns targeting the communist nations behavior domestically and internationally. We will promote our values, including by calling on China to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, especially in relation to Xinjiang and those rights, freedoms, and high degree of autonomy for Hong Kong enshrined in the Sino-British Joint Declaration, the G-7 said in a statement. The G-7 called for a timely, transparent, expert-led and science-based World Health Organization-convened Phase 2 of COVID-19 origins study in China. The group also underscored the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and encouraged the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues. We remain seriously concerned about the situation in the East and South China Seas and strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo and increase tensions, the group said. Statement highlights concern over Chinas human rights record The G-7 statement further highlighted concerns about forced labor in global supply chains, particularly in the agricultural, solar and garment sectors in China. These industries are the main supply chains of concern in the far western Chinese region of Xinjiang, a White House fact sheet noted. According to numerous reports, China has detained more than 1 million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in a vast network of camps in the region. Detainees are reportedly subjected to torture, political indoctrination, forced sterilization, forced labor and mass surveillance. Many Western fashion brands, tech companies and other international businesses have come under growing pressure to prove their supply chains arent tainted by forced labor in Xinjiang. Leaders agreed on the importance of upholding human rights and of international labor standards, and committed to protect individuals from forced labor, the White House said in a fact sheet. President Joe Biden has pledged to rally allies to confront Chinas economic abuses and push back against human rights violations. Biden said leaders agreed to a proposal to finance infrastructure projects in the developing world that would counter Chinas Belt and Road Initiative. The Belt and Road project has been viewed by critics as a form of debt trap that saddles developing nations with unsustainable debt levels while bolstering Chinas political and economic clout in those countries. The president also called on the regime to abide by global rules. China needs to start to act more responsibly in terms of international norms and human rights and transparency, Biden said. China accuses G7 leaders of political manipulation China has lashed out at G7 leaders for what it described as small circle power politics after they called for a new investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic and urged the country to respect human rights and freedoms in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. China pointedly cautioned G-7 leaders that the days when small groups of countries decided the fate of the world were long gone. On Monday, June 14, the Chinese embassy in Britain firmly opposed the groups joint statement, saying it had deliberately slandered China. The embassy statement said the leading industrial democracies had shown the world that they are engaging in small circle power politics while deliberately creating confrontations and divisions. It accused the G7 leaders of political manipulation over their support for a new COVID-19 inquiry amid renewed calls to look into whether the virus leaked from a research laboratory in China. The embassy statement also noted that the issue involving Xinjiang is not at all about human rights, ethnicity or religion but an issue of anti-terrorism, anti-secession and de-extremism. (Related: CCP says Uyghur Muslims opposing their own genocide are guilty of hating Asians.) It added that no one should interfere on the issues of Hong Kong and Taiwan, which Beijing considers domestic matters. It added that Hong Kong was being governed under Chinas constitution and the citys Basic Law rather than the Sino-British Joint Declaration. The embassy stated that the core essence of the joint declaration was that China had resumed sovereignty over Hong Kong and that no other country had the right to interfere in the citys affairs. During the more than 150 years of British colonial rule, Hong Kong residents were the target of oppression by the British Hong Kong government, with no human rights and democracy to speak of, the statement said. Just ask, during this period, did the United States and other countries concerned ever care about human rights and democracy in Hong Kong? Follow Propaganda.news to know more how China manipulates the media narrative to cover up its crimes. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com SCMP.com (Natural News) House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Ca.) posted to Facebook that he believes the mainstream media and tech companies have been suppressing the narrative that the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) may have originated in a Chinese lab as opposed to Chinese bats at a wet market. During the early stages of the plandemic going into the 2020 election cycle, fake news outlets diligently sidestepped the lab origin theory, calling it a conspiracy theory without merit. Now that many more people are starting to accept it, however, the media outlets that tried to cover it up look pretty darn dumb. The coronavirus likely came from a lab in China, McCarthy wrote in the post. This is a truth that elites in the mainstream media and Big Tech companies helped cover-up for over a year. At this point, there are only three options concerning the Chinese Virus. It either came from bats, came from a lab, or does not exist outside of vaccines, which some believe is how people become infected with viruses in the first place. McCarthy subscribes to the second viewpoint and many others now agree with him. Media, tech monopolies are costing people their lives Breitbart News editor-in-chief Alex Marlow spoke to Fox News Tucker Carlson the other day about this same issue, warning that media corruption will continue to propagate the notion that the Wuhan Flu just crept up on us all out of nowhere when the reality is that it was hatched by evildoers as part of a global plot. Marlow explained that many of the major media conglomerates, including NBC, ABC and Disney, do business with China and thus do not want to offend the country or its leaders by telling any truth about the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19). If they are not in China yet, they want to be in China someday soon, Marlow contends. And weve already outsourced so much of our free speech to places like YouTube. Science is also being outsourced to China, Marlow warns, the World Health Organization (WHO) perhaps being the most prominent in this regard. From the beginning, the WHO has parroted whatever China told it to concerning the Chinese Virus, and this is what the world used as evidence to support lockdowns, face masks and now, injections. We were told that Johnson was kicked off because he defied the World Health Organization, the same World Health Organization thats basically a subsidiary of China, Tucker, Marlow explained. Why did Dr. Tedros, a guy who is not a medical doctor, how come he is the most powerful doctor in the world today? Well, he was Chinas pick, even after he botched the response to a cholera outbreak in Africa. The list goes on and on. While there are independent media outlets sprouting up to take their place, the big guys are still running the show in ways that are leaving the general public in the dark as to the real culprits behind the plandemic, which include cronies within our own government. Tony Fauci might as well be Xi Jinping, seeing as how Fauci has been shilling for the communist Chinese regime for many decades. As you correctly know, it is not enough just to build your own Twitter, because these places are monopolies, which is why its so important that people start using antitrust, thinking about breaking up these companies, Marlow further told Carlson. But when they are trusting PolitiFact and Mark Zuckerberg with their science and not the actual doctors, we know that the system is broken, and now its potentially costing lives. More related news about Chinese Virus deception can be found at Pandemic.news. Sources for this article include: Breitbart.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina denounced the scientists who signed a letter published in the medical journal The Lancet back in Feb. 2020 claiming the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) naturally jumped from animals to humans. He said this was a political document put out to destroy the credibility of former President Donald Trump. The president argued in favor of the theory that the virus was engineered at one of the labs in the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV), where it accidentally infected an employee and leaked into the general populace. The letter in The Lancet was signed by 27 public health experts who described the lab leak origin theory as rumors and misinformation. We stand together to strongly condemn conspiracy theories suggesting that COVID-19 does not have a natural origin, the scientists wrote. Conspiracy theories do nothing but create fear, rumors and prejudice that jeopardize our global collaboration in the fight against this virus. Letter helped Trump lose 2020 election During an appearance on Fox News, Graham, speaking with Sean Hannity, said The Lancets letter and the medias reaction to it strongly influenced the election. He suggested that it had something to do with Trump losing. This is the Russia dossier all over again. This stinks to high heaven. This is lab-gate, China-gate, call it whatever you want to call it, said Graham. In other words, 27 scientists signed a political document shaming [Sen. Tom Cotton] and Trump and anyone else, shutting them up. The media took it and ran, and it changed the course of the election. Graham suggested that the extensive ties the scientists had to the WIV prompted the writing and publication of the letter. They were covering their a, he said. They put out a letter not based on science, but a political document trying to destroy the credibility of people who suggested it came out of a lab. The senator added that, if The Lancet had not published the letter, Trumps image during the height of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 would not have been tarnished. The lab leak origin theory would not have been severely discredited and Trump would have become one of the leading voices advocating to hold China responsible. More importantly, if it came out of the lab in China, he was right it was the China virus, and the 2020 election would have been about who could hold China accountable, Trump or Biden. Graham added that, if it could have been proven early on that the coronavirus was an engineered virus that accidentally leaked out of a lab, the public would want revenge against China. If that was the situation, the case to re-elect Trump would have been much stronger. Who would they turn to, Biden or Trump? said Graham. Who would you want in the room to hold China accountable for infecting the world with coronavirus? If it were known in February [2020] that Trump was right, I think hed be president today. Listen to this episode of the Health Ranger Report, a podcast by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, as he explains how the coronavirus laboratory origin means COVID-19 vaccines are bioweapons injections. Questions raised regarding The Lancets trustworthiness, impartiality Since The Lancet letter was published, questions regarding its credibility and the bias of its writers have been raised. This is especially true given the involvement of Dr. Peter Daszak. He signed and helped organize the 26 other scientists who helped get the letter published. Daszaks nonprofit, the EcoHealth Alliance, received grant money from the National Institutes of Health to conduct research. Daszak then funneled this money, paid for by American taxpayer dollars, to the WIV. (Related: Scientist at center of lab leak controversy put in charge of The Lancets task force to investigate virus origin.) Some of the other letters signatories have softened their stances since its publication. The Daily Mail reached out to all 27 of them. I believe a thorough investigation about the origin of the COVID-19 virus is needed, said Dr. Peter Palese, a microbiologist working at New York Citys Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. A lot of disturbing information has surfaced since the Lancet letter I signed [was published], so I want to see answers covering all questions. He declined to comment when asked how he was originally approached to sign the letter. Other signatories now have similar attitudes but maintain that the evidence supposedly points to COVID-19s natural origin. Sir Jeremy Farrar, a researcher and tropical medicine expert, said: The origins of SARS-CoV-2 are not yet certain The best scientific evidence available to date points to [a natural origin]. It is most likely it crossed the species barrier to infect and then adapt to humans at some point in 2019, but there are other possibilities which cannot be completely ruled out and retaining an open mind is critical. Leo Poon, a public health expert and professor at the University of Hong Kong, refused to answer. He said he did not want to discuss what is, to him, a non-scientific issue. No other scientists contacted by the Daily Mail have responded, including Daszak. Learn more about the coronavirus lab leak origins at Pandemic.news. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk Newsmax.com Newsweek.com (Natural News) From August 2013 to December 2018, the pharmaceutical industry paid out more than $12 billion (in disclosed payments) to 1,036,163 doctors, 1,249 teaching hospitals, and 2,191 companies. The current model of medicine incentivizes bribery, kickbacks, and institutional control over the scientists, the media and medical professionals. This Big Pharma-dominated system is also legally permitted to market directly to consumers, allowing for perpetual brainwashing of the general population and the medical professionals. Even worse, Big Pharma is set up in a way to generate high returns for their shareholders; the system is NOT incentivized to promote a healthier population. This high-return incentive brings out the most appalling behavior and the most anti-human business decisions. Big Pharma has convinced entire populations there is no natural immunity, no solutions for infections For instance, during the covid-19 outbreak, some doctors were brave enough to use safe, inexpensive antivirals such as hydroxychloroquine, zinc, ivermectin, glutathione, vitamin D and C. But instead of promoting safe, anti-viral treatments that are easy to manufacture, the Big Pharma establishment fought to suppress treatments and other approaches to help the population mount a healthy immune response. This is nothing new, for those who understand how this monopoly works. Over the decades, nutrition and traditional herbal medicine have been systematically removed from Western medicine. This suppression of vital information and natural immunity solutions ultimately paves the way for emergency use authorization of too big to fail vaccine investments. As these corporations fight for dominance, their influence over the regulatory agencies, the media, and the science leads to unethical business activities and is the reason why no pharmaceutical company can be trusted. Big Pharma greed makes medical systems vulnerable, especially during an outbreak In 2020 alone, Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Sanofi, Gilead and AstraZeneca generated a combined revenue stream of $266 billion. Even though the industry is flush with cash, the U.S. federal government handed the Big Pharma monopolies at least $18 billion in taxpayer funds to develop covid-19 vaccines. This siphoning of wealth from the American people is conducted without a single vote from the people themselves. Congress does not represent the Will of the People; they, too, are bought off by this Big Pharma monstrosity. In the most recent decade, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) was fined $3 billion for doling out kickbacks to U.S. doctors. In Great Britain, GSK was fined for bribing generic drug producers. GSK published an article in a medical journal that misled parents about the safety of an antidepressant for their children. To make an extra $100 billion, GSK jacked up the price of an asthma inhaler by 18 percent on the U.S. market. As shareholders cash in, hurting people are made more susceptible. Pfizer also hiked up the price of critical medicines that patients rely upon. Pfizer jacked up the price of an anti-epilepsy drug that 48,000 U.K. patients needed. In one years time, the National Health Services had to pay over twenty-five times the original price of this drug just to keep these patients alive. Overall, U.K. wholesalers and pharmacies faced price hikes of 2,300% all so Pfizer could reap $16 billion in profits last year alone. In a drug trial in Nigeria, Pfizer took advantage of an outbreak, lied about their experimental meningitis treatment, and subjected children to risky experimental drugs, while not providing adequate informed consent to parents. Pfizer ultimately had to pay out $75 million to affected families pennies compared to the amount of money that the federal government bailed them out within 2020. Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is currently the most successful pharmaceutical corporation in the world, with $82 billion in revenue over the past year. This success is built on unethical price hikes as well, including an unprecedented 19% price hike on leukemia and prostate cancer drugs and a 16% price hike on an HIV medication. AstraZeneca builds its empire by suppressing generic drugs that could bring more affordable options to patients. The European Court of Justice recently backed the European Commission and ruled that AstraZeneca abused its market position to stall generic drugs. AstraZeneca manipulated the markets by de-registering its market authorization for Losec, at the same time they introduced a second-generation version of the drug. This tactic withheld the clinical trials long enough to block generic drug manufacturers from bringing a cheaper alternative to the market. Big Pharmas system of greed, censorship and control makes medical systems vulnerable and puts peoples lives at risk, especially during an outbreak. Sources include: GlobalJustice.org.uk [PDF] Projects.ProPublica.org NaturalNews.com NaturalNews.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) Today the White House lays the groundwork to target conservatives as domestic terrorists. (Article by Stephen republished from WeLoveTrump.com) This may seem shocking to some but they are claiming that racially and ethnically motivated violent extremists pose the greatest terrorism threat in the United States. On the surface, many will simply say thats great because we obviously dont want ethnically motivated violent extremists running around harming others. What many fail to realize is the fact that the government isnt just after the actual individuals causing harm which in reality is a very small number. They are grouping conservatives, military, ex-military, Christians, libertarians basically anyone who isnt part of the woke culture in the group with these domestic terrorists. Think Im joking? The Atlantic reports: The Greater Danger: Military-Trained Right-Wing Extremists Prior to the Boston bombing, a series of high-profile attacks prompted concern about Islamist extremists within the U.S. armed forces. Its not unfounded, but it downplays a bigger threat. LifeSite commented: BREAKING: Biden calls Trump supporters domestic terrorists The vast majority of those attending the Jan. 6 rally were peaceful, engaging in non-violent demonstration of support for Trump and CNN reports how Biden admin to expand surveillance state: Biden team may partner with private firms to monitor extremist chatter online The Biden administration is considering using outside firms to track extremist chatter by Americans online, an effort that would expand the governments ability to gather intelligence but could draw criticism over surveillance of US citizens. The Department of Homeland Security is limited in how it can monitor citizens online without justification and is banned from activities like assuming false identities to gain access to private messaging apps used by extremist groups such as the Proud Boys or Oath Keepers. Many looked at these stories and thought thatll never happen here. The government would never actually classify upstanding Americans as domestic terrorists Well, think again! Politico reports: The White House on Tuesday announced a cross-agency strategy to combat domestic terrorism, just two weeks after President Joe Biden promised the upcoming release during his remarks commemorating the Tulsa massacre. The effort is the culmination of a review, led by the National Security Council, of how the U.S. government has dealt with the growing threat. It reiterates that militia extremists and racially and ethnically motivated violent extremists predominantly white supremacists are the most lethal and persistent terrorism threat facing the U.S. Further, this found that violent extremists who promote the superiority of the white race have the most persistent transnational connections, and maybe have frequent contact with violent extremists abroad, a senior administration official said. But the review did not find a strong connection between domestic terrorism and foreign actors, the official noted. This is largely today an inside-out problem, not an outside-in problem, the official said, though adding that there are adversaries seeking to sow divisions in our society. The strategy document focuses on understanding and sharing information about the threat, preventing the mobilization and recruitment of domestic terrorists, disrupting domestic terrorism plots and combating social problems that contribute to the growth of domestic terrorism. That means tackling racism in America, the strategy document reads. It means protecting Americans from gun violence and mass murders. It means ensuring that we provide early intervention and appropriate care for those who pose a danger to themselves or others. Some of its recommendations build on steps the administration has already taken. The document highlights the importance of better information-sharing between the feds and state and local governments on the domestic threat, as well as the importance of gathering better intelligence on extremism. Both challenges have been major priorities for the Department of Homeland Security under Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. To help DHS, U.S attorneys offices and FBI field offices have the necessary resources to address domestic terrorism, the administration is seeking over $100 million in the presidents Fiscal Year 2022 budget. The document discusses the importance of international cooperation to combat violent extremism a move already undergirded by the Biden administrations recent decision to join the Christchurch Call, a multilateral effort helmed by the government of New Zealand to eliminate terrorist content online. This also means the government will work with tech companies to improve information-sharing with social media platforms a key vector for recruitment and the mobilization of violence so that companies can better enforce their terms of service agreements to protect users, a senior administration official said. The strategy also includes a focus on digital literacy programming. It also says the government is working to augment the screening process for people receiving security clearances for government work as part of its efforts to keep potential domestic terrorists from getting national security jobs. And it says the State Department and Treasury Department are working together to assess whether more foreign groups linked to domestic terrorism can be formally designated as terrorist groups moves that would ban Americans from giving them money. The document says that Treasury is also enhancing engagement with financial institutions on domestic terrorist financing. The Department of Defense will also collaborate with DHS and the Justice Department to ensure that domestic terrorists are not working in the U.S. military or law enforcement agencies. The Pentagon will implement training for service members who leave or retire from the military frequent targets of extremist groups according to the strategy document. While groups like antifa and black lives matter are rioting across the country. While they set up what are essentialy no go zones and terrorize American Citizens it is the white Trump supporters who are labeled the domestic terrorists. This if about far more than fighting domestic terrorism, this is about isolating political dissidents and labeling them as terrorists. These are tactics employed by communist countries like China and Russia and they are being employed right in our own backyard! And of course, the brainwashed minions on Twitter fall right in line with the idea of arresting conservatives as domestic terrorists. Matt Gaetz, Gym Jordan, and the rest of maga world loses their mind b/c what they heard when he said "domestic terrorism" they heard "Republicans". This happens in 321 Local Man (@followfornow) June 15, 2021 It feels significant to have a presidential administration that will even use the *phrase* domestic terrorism. And it was satisfying to hear Merrick Garland get to be the one to say it. Im reserved in my praise for Biden but yeah, this is something. // jbl (@neurasthenya) June 15, 2021 @andybiggs4az I hope Biden hears our words. That will punish those who incited the Mass Murders, Insurrections, & Domestic Terrorism with their Rhetoric while plotting against his own govt. https://t.co/jBVdz0p9Q8 Laura (@trueazsun) June 15, 2021 Biden calls for more prosecutors, analysts and agents in fight against domestic terrorism https://t.co/469aklrhke via @usatoday Savage Democrats & Nasty Women #Fight4Justice (@GuthrieDavis) June 15, 2021 How Trump unleashed a domestic terrorism movementand how to defeat it https://t.co/HkgY2HyZZc via @MotherJones Clayton Perry 704-231-4809 (@mailmansr) June 15, 2021 Again, I must remind you that there is no mention anywhere of antifa or black lives matter when referring to domestic terror groups! Read more at: WeLoveTrump.com and Conspiracy.news Weather Alert ...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM PDT SUNDAY... * WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures of 100 to 105 degrees. * WHERE...In Washington, Lower Columbia Basin of Washington. In Oregon, Lower Columbia Basin of Oregon. * WHEN...Until 8 PM PDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Extreme heat will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...There is the possibility that all time record high temperatures will be reached or exceeded during this heat wave. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1. && SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) California regulators on Thursday approved revised workplace pandemic rules that allow employees who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus the same freedoms as when they are off the job, including ending most mask requirements. The revised regulations approved by the governor-appointed California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board come after weeks of confusion. The rules adopted in a 5-1 vote, with one member absent, now conform with general state guidelines that took effect Tuesday by ending most mask rules for vaccinated people. Gov. Gavin Newsom immediately issued an executive order waiving the usual 10-day legal review. The new rules will take effect as soon as they are filed with the secretary of state. While I understand the proposal in front of us today is extremely controversial and inconvenient, now I dont think is the time to let our guard down, said David Harrison, a labor representative on the board who voted for the revised rules. We need to do everything reasonable, and I highlight reasonable ... within our power to protect employees in California and across the country." The rules apply in almost every workplace in the state, including offices, factories and retailers. They are intended to ensure that workers are protected while businesses resume normal or near-normal activity, Eric Berg, deputy chief of health for Californias Division of Occupational Safety and Health, known as Cal/OSHA, told the board. Business groups had sought the changes but argued they didn't go far enough. They supported conforming rules for businesses with state guidelines patterned after the latest federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations. The California Chamber of Commerce, which represents more than 14,000 members, still praised a decision it said "will help employers move forward and fully reopen. Board member Laura Stock, an occupational safety expert who cast the lone opposition vote, warned that the pandemic is not over. This has real consequences that people can get sick and die due to exposure in the workplace," Stock said. She said the rules go too far by eliminating physical distancing and workplace partitions and allowing workers to self-report their vaccination status, while relying too heavily on people to be vaccinated. Whats very difficult is to figure out what the balance is so that were doing the most good for the most people, but not at all dismissing the vulnerable in our population," said Chris Laszcz-Davis, a management representative on the board. The move comes after the board did a double-twisting backflip in recent weeks when it first postponed, then rejected, then adopted, then rescinded rules that would have allowed workers to forgo masks only if every employee in a room was fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. Fully vaccinated employees will not need to wear masks, except in locations like mass transit and classrooms, where they are required for everyone, or in the event of outbreaks. Physical distancing also will end except for certain workers during major outbreaks. Vaccinated employees wont need to be tested or quarantine unless they show symptoms, even if they have close contact with an infected person. Employers must document that workers who skip masks indoors are indeed fully vaccinated. But employers have the choice of requiring workers to show proof of vaccination or allowing employees to self-report their status, with the employer keeping a record of who does the latter. They also could decide to require everyone to remain masked vaccinated or not. And vaccinated employees will still be able to wear masks if they choose without facing retaliation. Public comments to the board before the vote largely split along management and employee lines. Rob Lapsley, president of the California Business Roundtable, said the requirements that employers provide masks and keep track of employees' vaccination status add record-keeping that could create liability and privacy issues. "They do remain a significant barrier to fully reopening the economy, Lapsley said. Loosening the masking rules while a majority of Californians are not fully vaccinated and dangerous variants spread will sicken many and likely kill some workers as protections ease, countered Mitch Steiger, a legislative advocate for the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO. The California Chamber of Commerce praised the move to immediately end social distancing obligations instead of waiting until July 31, as Cal/OSHA had initially proposed. And employers must now provide the most effective N95 masks for free to unvaccinated employees only upon request, under the latest revision. Newsom promised to provide a one-month supply of the masks after business groups complained they would have to stockpile the N95s in competition with healthcare workers. There were 700 California workplace outbreaks and more than 10,000 infections in the last 30 days, Cal/OSHA's Berg said, but he said the N95s are the best alternative as other protections wane. Lapsley's organization, joined by groups representing restaurateurs, manufacturers, retailers and others, in a statement called the revised rules a step in the right direction but asked Newsom to end what they said are confusing differences between state rules and federal guidelines. There is still more work to be done and these new Cal/OSHA regulations do not ensure that the economy can roar back, the groups said. LAKE CITY, Iowa (AP) Fire has destroyed a western Iowa business that made pipe organs for churches, schools and customers from around the world, officials said. The fire at Dobson Pipe Organ Builders in Lake City was reported around 4 p.m. Tuesday, officials said. Firefighters found the building engulfed in flames that caused its exterior walls to collapse. The New Canaan YMCAs Rainbow Station preschool Class of 2021, recently graduated from the school, at the social services organization, on Friday, June 11. The Y is so proud of each and every student and wishes them all the best in Kindergarten this fall, the Y told Hearst Connecticut Media. New Canaan Mens Club / Contributed photo Art Gottlieb, a political and military historian, will speak to the members of the New Canaan Mens Club, at their meeting on Friday, June 18, about the key role submarines played during World War II in the Pacific theater. Formerly a professional curator of naval history and the technical director of exhibits at the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum on the Hudson River, Gottlieb worked closely with veterans representing all the services in creating exhibits to represent the history of warfare in the 20th century. Why are we saying Delta instead of B.1.617.2 or the variant from India? The simple answer is because its simpler for the general public to understand. It is a lot easier for a radio newsreader to say Delta than bee-one-six-one-seven-two, statistical geneticist Jeffrey Barrett told the journal Nature. The name change was decided last month by an expert committee advising the World Health Organization. That committee published its reasoning in the journal Nature Microbiology: The use of multiple nomenclature systems is confusing for health officials, the media and the public, and undermines effective liaison between all stakeholders who must communicate easily to reach swift decisions on matters of public health concern. Before the name standardization, there was some debate whether or not to use the scientific, alpha-numeric naming convention or the geographic identifier. It began with what was called the U.K. variant or B.1.1.7. Its now called Alpha. The Associated Press Style Guide has already changed its style to match the WHOs guidance, as it announced this week. The rule is now to refer to specific variants by letters of the Greek alphabet as assigned by WHO and include a brief reference to where the variant was first seen. Theres also the question of stigma. P.1 means nothing to the public, but the Brazilian variant might have a negative connotation. (Its now called Gamma.) Bioinformatician Tulio de Oliveira told the journal Nature that some health ministers in Africa have been hesitant to announce the existence of new variants for fear of being associated with it. The geographical names, we have to stop with that really, he said. That stigma is nothing new. The Spanish Flu was called Spanish not because thats where the flu originated but because Spain did not censor news of the flu, unlike other countries did during the first world war. The first report of a major epidemic hitting a European city is out of Madrid, historian Ken Davis said during a recent interview. The Spanish, by the way, called it the Naples soldier. Germans called it either Flanders fever after one of the most famous battlefields in the war, or the Russian pest. The Russians called it the Chinese fever, so this notion that everybody wants to blame somebody else for it is a very old idea. Not everyone is jumping on the Greek letter naming system bandwagon. Nature polled 1,600 of its readers (many if not most of whom are research scientists and academics) and found that about 10 percent are going to stick with the scientific, alpha-numerical nomenclature. Another 15 percent said they would continue to use the geographical descriptors. We have a knack for blaming somebody for disease, for a virus, Davos said. Viruses, of course, know no race, no color, no creed, no nationality. They don't have passports. +3 Feds, state and local round up accused drug offenders Three Lawrence County men and 17 Mercer County residents are among 25 facing federal narcotics charges, the U.S. Attorney reported at a news c FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall emphasizes the importance of partnerships among the federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in large-scale proceedings over multiple jurisdictions. His remarks, delivered at a news conference Thursday following indictments and arrests of 25 accused drug dealers in Lawrence and Mercer counties and in Ohio stressed the importance of law enforcement agencies on all levels working together. "No one agency can do this by itself," Nordwall said. "Today's arrests reflect the continuing effort to rid our communities of dangerous drugs and drug-related violent crime. We remain dedicated to aggressively investigating those who don't think twice about committing a crime in the community where they live and putting others' lives at risk. Our communities need to know this is a joint effort and couldn't be done without the help of state, local and federal partners." Three of those arrested are from Lawrence County, while 18 are from Mercer County. All are facing federal drug charges. "This is absolutely a win for Mercer and Lawrence counties," commented Paris Pratt, federal Drug Enforcement Administration special agent in charge. He encourages people to call (412) 287-3829 or visit DEA.gov for anyone who needs assistance. Pratt praised his office's relationship with Lawrence County District Attorney Joshua Lamancusa. "Relationships are everything and the (Lawrence County) D.A. has been extremely helpful and professional in all manners with the DEA. It made work easy for us to work here in Lawrence County, as well as every other county, but specifically, the D.A. here is really receptive," he said. Story continues below video Lamancusa said one of the themes often discussed between law enforcement officers is cooperation. He highlighted that "this success, like all of the previous successes we've had over the past couple of years, is directly attributed to the cooperative efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. "We've learned that we are most effective when we combine our resources, when we assign our best an brightest individuals to specialized units and we work together under one chain of command with a unified goal. May we always remember what is possible when we work together," Lamancusa said. "This list of people indicted is a who's who of significant drug dealers in Mercer County," Mercer County District Attorney Peter C. Acker said. "Some of them we've already arrested and prosecuted (previously), but the federal government has a far bigger hammer than we do at the state, and we're grateful for that. I cannot emphasize enough the cooperation we've receive from the U.S. Attorney's Office, the FBI, the DEA, the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, the state police and our local law enforcement," Acker said. Acker said Mercer County is, unfortunately, being overrun by drug dealers and drugs, many from out of state. "With the help of our partners, we aggressively attack those and intend to prosecute. We very aggressively attack people involved in drug dealing resulting in death, and we've been successful in getting those convictions, but our work is far from over." Also part of Thursday's effort was Capt. William Maitland, commanding officer for Troop D of the state police, which covers Lawrence and Mercer counties. "This battle is not over," he said. "We will continue these investigations with our law enforcement partners." Persons charged with crimes are considered innocent until proven guilty or adjudicated in a court of law. dwachter@ncnewsonline.com Cooperation between agencies key in large roundups FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall emphasizes the importance of partnershi Three Lawrence County men and 17 Mercer County residents are among 25 facing federal narcotics charges, the U.S. Attorney reported at a news conference Wednesday. Most of the individuals are in federal custody, while four are still at large, including Forrest Gilmore, 25, of New Castle, Jermall Johnson, 24, of Erie; Jimmy Gadson, 34, of Sharon and Michael Love, 43, of Jackson Center, who are considered fugitives. If anyone who has information about their whereabouts, they are encouraged to access the FBI Pittsburgh's Twitter account (@FBIPittsburgh) or call (412) 432-4000. "We undertook this investigation with the single goal in mind, to improve public safety," commented Stephen R. Kaufman, U.S. Attorney of the Western District of Pennsylvania, during a press conference in Lawrence County that was organized by his agency. The arrests culminate a year-long investigation into drug trafficking in Lawrence and Mercer counties and other communities, that included extensive use of authorized wiretaps on cell phones of some of the defendants, Kaufman said. A multiagency roundup of the suspects Thursday morning took agents armed with search warrants to residences in New Castle, the Shenango Valley and eastern Ohio, where they seized undisclosed quantities of drugs, guns and cash. Three of the defendants are from Masury, Columbus and Cleveland in Ohio and one is from Brackenridge, Allegheny County. Two grand jury indictments handed down Wednesday are for trafficking heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and other substances. The 22 named in the first indictment are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, 100 grams or more of heroin, 28 grams or more of cocaine base, a quantity of cocaine and a quantity of methamphetamine, between June 2020 and June 2021, according to the U.S. Attorney's office. Those named in a second indictment are from Lawrence County. They are Gilmore, Melvin Dorsey-Pace, 28, of New Castle, and Rayjzon Sams, 28, of New Castle and Farrell. The Mercer County list of alleged dealers includes: London Pinkins, 26, Nicholas Ostheimer, 23, and Jimmy Gadson, 34, all of Sharon; Harold Hooten, 44, Katlyn McGirr, 29, Joseph Pumphrey, 62 and Jeronte Robinson, 26, all of Hermitage; Torlando Hopson, 32, Kenneth Miller, 59, Eugene Phillips, 29, Quinton Pinkins, 36, Khiry Whiteside 30, and Denzel Williams, 27, all of Farrell; Amanda Karwowski, 29, of Grove City; Michael Love, 43, of Jackson Center; and Courtney Purdy, 30, of Mercer. Story continues below video Others named in the indictments are Jammar Shelton, 42, of Masury; James West, 45, of Brackenridge, Pennsylvania, Jermall Johnson, 24, of Erie, Jackie Bell, 29, of Columbus, and Albert Cummings, 41, of Cleveland; and Alphonse Johnson, 39, address unknown, who is currently incarcerated. One count charges Pinkins and Phillips with conspiring to launder drug trafficking proceeds between February and June, this year. Other counts charge Williams, Johnson, Kawowski and London Pinkins with possession with intent to distribute and/or distribution of 28 grams or more of cocaine base, a quantity of cocaine and/or a quantity of methamphetamine. Other counts name several defendants with possession with intent to distribute or distribution of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine base and/or cocaine within 1,000 feet of a playground, school or public housing. Kaufman said all suspects if convicted could face at least five to 40 years in prison, and fines of up to $5 million if convicted. The second indictment charges Gilmore, Dorsey-Pace and Sams with conspiring to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine between June 2020 and June 2021. They also are charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine within 1,000 feet of a playground, school or public housing. Gilmore additionally is charged with possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine on Sept. 17, 2020, and Sams is individually charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine on April 18 this year. The investigation was led the FBI, the DEA and the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General's Bureau of Narcotics Investigation. The arrests of all of the individuals were a cooperative effort among the state police, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Lawrence and Mercer County Drug Task Forces and the New Castle, Sharon, Farrell and Hermitage police departments. The Farrell police also assisted in the investigation that resulted in the indictments. Suspects are to be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. dwachter@ncnewsonline.com Newburyport, MA (01950) Today Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon. Cooler. High 61F. Winds NE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Overcast with rain showers at times. Low 58F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%. S Lalitha By Express News Service BENGALURU: With the Supreme Court mandating the formation of Dr Shivaram Karanth Layout, which was shelved by the Bangalore Development Authority, the draft plan for the layout has finally been readied. An interesting aspect of the draft is that it has earmarked public toilets as well as 3% space for commercial outlets. Dr Shivaram Karanth Layout, which will have 18,975 sites readied on 3,546 acres and 12 guntas, will be the second largest of 58 layouts of the authority. It will come up in 17 villages between Doddaballapur and Hesaraghatta areas. A top BDA official told The New Indian Express, We are fine tuning the draft plan which we are basing on the citys Revised Master Plan for 2016. The draft was presented to the urban development officials on Monday and they have suggested certain modifications. Consultant EI Technologies is readying the plan for us. The official expressed confidence that the final draft will be ready within the next two months. The officials further explained that as is the norm for BDA layouts, 15 per cent of the space would be earmarked for parks and other greenery. Ten per cent will be kept for Community Amenity (CA) sites, which includes hospitals, milk booths, educational institutions, shopping complexes and so on, he explained. Elaborating on the space reserved for commercial outlets, the official said, We have done this in order to avoid the common trend of the ground floors of residential homes turning into shops. Instead, everything will be there at one place. By PTI NEW DELHI: Two days after they were granted bail, a Delhi court on Thursday ordered immediate release of three student activists in the north-east riots "conspiracy" case, noting that delay in the verification process by the police cannot be a plausible reason for the accused to be kept imprisoned. Order on the release of Devangana Kalita, Natasha Narwal and Asif Iqbal Tanha came two days after the Delhi High Court granted them bail in the case. The trio was arrested last year under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Pulling up the police for delay in verification of addresses and sureties, Additional Sessions Judge Revinder Bedi said, "I would say that this by itself cannot be a plausible reason for the accused to be kept imprisoned till the time such reports are filed." Taking note of the undertaking given by the counsel of the accused that their client will not leave the jurisdiction of the national capital, the court sent the warrant to the Superintendent of the Tihar Jail for their immediate release. ALSO READ: Delhi Police moves Supreme Court against HC order granting bail to student activists in riots cases On June 16, Delhi Police had moved an application seeking more time from the court to verify their addresses, sureties and authenticity of the Aadhaar cards before releasing them on bail. Dismissing the police application, the judge directed them to verify the addresses of the accused in Delhi and submit the report on Thursday itself by 5 PM. Report on verification of their permanent address in other states has been called on June 23 by the court. Furthermore, the court cited the high court's observation which stated that once the incarcerated have been ordered to be released on bail and furnished the bail bond with sureties, they ought not to remain behind bars "even for a minute". "It was observed that the State should ensure the infrastructure necessary for such verification process within minimum possible time and there cannot be any reason, sufficient enough to deny such a person his liberty," the judge stated. After securing bail, the activists had moved the trial court seeking immediate release from jail. When the trial court deferred the order on their plea for Thursday, they moved the Delhi High Court, which ordered the lower court to proceed with the issue with promptitude and expedition. The three student activists were arrested in May 2020 and are accused of being the ''masterminds'' of the February 2020 violence, which had left 53 people dead and more than 200 injured. The high court while granting them bail on June 15 had observed that in an anxiety to suppress dissent the State has blurred the line between right to protest and terrorist activity and if such a mindset gains traction, it would be a "sad day for democracy". Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has moved the Supreme Court challenging the high court judgements granting them bail in the case. By PTI NEW DELHI: Twitter India MD Manish Maheshwari was questioned by the Delhi Police last month in connection with its probe into the 'COVID toolkit' case, officials said Thursday. They did not divulge further details, but said he was also questioned about the company's policy behind flagging tweets by users as "manipulated media". This came after Twitter labelled as "manipulated media" a tweet by BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra on a 'Covid toolkit', attributed to the Congress, on how to target the Modi government over its handling of the coronavirus crisis. A senior police officer said Thursday that a Delhi Police's Special Cell team, which is probing the matter, was sent to Bengaluru on May 31 where Maheshwari was questioned. ALSO READ| Ghaziabad assault case: Delhi Police receives complaint against Swara Bhaskar, Twitter India MD The row over the purported 'toolkit' escalated after the Delhi Police's Special Cell 'visited" two Twitter India offices on May 24 and served a notice, asking it to share information based on which it had classified Patra's tweet as "manipulated media". The police action drew sharp criticism from the opposition Congress and Left which had accused the government of trying to stifle free speech and indulge in intimidation. Protesting the Delhi Police "visit" to its offices, Twitter had said it was concerned about its employees and the potential threat to freedom of expression. In response, the Delhi Police had issued a release terming Twitter's statements "mendacious", and designed to impede a lawful enquiry and seek "dubious sympathy". The strongly-worded Delhi Police statement had also termed Twitter's conduct "obfuscatory, diversionary and tendentious". The government had asked Twitter to remove the ''manipulated media'' tag as the matter was pending before the law enforcement agency, and made it clear that the social media platform cannot pass judgment while the issue is under investigation. Anupama Mili By Express News Service KOCHI: According to a report with Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ernakulam along with five other districts in Kerala is on the list of 272 districts in the country with a high substance abuse rate The Department of Social Justice in Ernakulam will roll out an intensive campaign to curb substance abuse. A recent report submitted by the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has placed Ernakulam and five other districts of Kerala Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Idukki, Malappuram and Kozhikode among the 272 districts in India with high rate of substance abuse. Ernakulam district social justice officer K K Subair said a month-long campaign of the department will be launched by Higher Education and Social Justice Minister Dr R Bindu on June 26 (International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking). In 2020, the Central government had distributed `10 lakh each to the affected districts to address the menace and spread awareness. A total of 203 awareness classes were held till March 31. This included 133 offline and 70 online classes. Around 60 master volunteers were trained in Ernakulam for taking two-hour sessions. Six sessions over two days were held under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan project by the Centre in 2020. Though the campaign was supposed to close on March 31, 2021, it went on till August 15 due to the lockdown, the officer said. SPECIAL DE-ADDICTION CENTRE FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN First-of-its-kind de-addiction centre exclusively for women and children will be operational soon in Karukutty under the title Nilmal Niketan. The centre will be maintained by the same management that currently runs a similar home, Mukthi Sadan, in Pookkattupady, said Subair. Outreach & Drop-in Centre The district social justice office will also associate with Rajagiri College, Kalamassery, for an Outreach & Drop-in Centre that helps reduce the use of drugs, protects the victims of drug abuse and helps the addicted population recover. OBJECTIVES To conduct outreach activities among adolescents and youngsters in the community To provide safe and secure drop-in space for addicts with facilities for screening, assessment and counselling To refer patients to treatment and rehabilitation By PTI NEW DELHI: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on Thursday rescued 16 crew members of a sinking ship near Revdanda port in Raigad district of Maharashtra in inclement weather, an official release said here. Two ICG choppers took part in the "air-sea" coordinated operation, it said. The Second Officer of the Indian-flagged MV Mangalam intimated the authorities in Mumbai early in the morning that the vessel, with 16 crew onboard, was sinking three km away from Revdanda jetty due to ingress of water. ICG ship Subhadra Kumari Chauhan sailed out from Dighi for rescue operation while two ICG helicopters were also launched from its air station in Daman. "ICGS Subhadra Kumari Chauhan arrived in the vicinity of the distressed vessel at about 10.15 hrs. Moreover, CG helicopters also arrived at the location and commenced winching of the crew against the weather," the release said. All 16 crew were rescued and taken to Revdanda, it added. By ANI MUMBAI: Actor Bhagyashree on Thursday penned a lengthy post sharing how her mother battled Covid and underwent heart and spine surgery. "The last year has been a difficult one for all of us. For my mom.. it was was battling with Covid19, getting a knee surgery done. With various underlying health issues like diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, osteoporosis and more, it was a cause for worry." "But having successfully crossed the big ones: a heart and spine surgery, she was mentally strong and prepared," she wrote on Instagram, adding a video clip of her mother trying to walk after getting her surgery done. Bhagyashree wants people to take inspiration from her mother's stoy in these trying times. "I had to share this with you only to inspire everyone out there to never give up on taking care of yourself. Mom has always said learn from me and my mistakes... ' I did not understand or prioritize my health but you should always be conscious of what you eat, make sure you exercise regularly, sleep on time and hydrate without fail.' Her words ring true as I absorb them into my everyday life. Hope they do the same for you. Be healthy. #believeinyourself #believeachieveinspire," she added. Fans and her friends from the film industry thanked Bhagyashree for sharing such inspiring post. "So inspiring. Thanks for sharing...Sending healing, power and prayers," a user commented. "Amazing. May she recover soon," another user wrote. Reacting to the post, actor Bhumika Chawla commented: "So true." Bhagyashree is best known for making her Bollywood debut opposite Salman Khan in 1989 flm 'Maine Pyar Kiya.' She is a complete fitness enthusiast and her social media is a proof of the fact. She often posts informational videos and pictures on her Instagram account where she talks about the importance of good health. By PTI MUMBAI: Actor Priyamani is happy that women have identified with her character of Suchitra 'Suchi' Iyer and her dilemma as a wife tired of being the only caretaker of her family in the popular web series "The Family Man". While season one of the Amazon Prime Video show followed Suchi, unaware that her husband, Srikant Tiwari (Manoj Bajpayee) still works as an intelligence officer, the second season chronicled the character's frustration of not getting along with her teenage daughter Dhriti (Ashlesha Thakur) while also trying to make her marriage work. Priyamani said her attempt was to flesh out Suchi's dilemma with sincerity so that it resonates with women who find themselves in a similar situation of wanting to open up but being constantly burdened by emotional baggage. "A lot of women have identified with how Suchi wants to talk, wants somebody to listen to what she's going through but is not able to, which is what happens in a lot of households because what they want is somebody who would listen," the 37-year-old actor told PTI. "Whatever dilemma she's going through, she wants to talk to Srikant, but he's doing his job of protecting the country. So he's not able to give as much time as needed to communicate with his family," Priyamani added. The latest season saw Srikant and his team fight a new, brutal adversary named Raaji, essayed by South star Samantha Akkineni. Whereas, on the home front, Srikant's crumbling relationship with Suchi was one of the highlights of the series. ALSO READ | We'd never do anything to offend anyone: Manoj Bajpayee on 'The Family Man 2' controversy In season one, the series had hinted at the possibility of Suchi straying in her relationship with her friend and colleague, Arvind (played by Sharad Kelkar) when the two go on a work trip to Lonavala. While the second season still didn't offer any clarity on what actually transpired between the two, Suchi's guilt was constantly alluded to in the show, created by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK. The series finale ended on a cliffhanger, with Suchi finally mustering the courage to open up to Srikant. "When I read the scenes, especially the last one in the finale episode, I was blown away. I was thinking 'Is Suchi going to say what has happened or not going to say it?' Raj sir said 'let's leave it to the audience!" Priyamani said. But fans of the show have been left restless with the uncertainty. The question "Lonavala mein kya hua tha?" (What happened in Lonavala?), the actor said has now become an equivalent of "Why did Katttappa kill Baahubali?"- a question that captured fans' attention when filmmaker SS Rajamouli's first movie in the two-part "Baahubali" series ended on a cliffhanger. "This is a never-ending question! Everyone, even in season two, wanted to know what happened in Lonavala. I get at least 15-20 messages on my social media (every day), asking 'Lonavala mein kya hua tha? Please tell us, we won't tell anyone'," she said. Priyamani said the makers were completely unaware that the mystery of what allegedly happened between Suchi and Arvind would blow up and continue to garner fan interest. "We never thought this would be a topic of discussion that it has become today! I thought the title being 'The Family Man', everybody would talk about the problems Srikant faces to protect our country, but this has completely gone to another level," she added. Priyamani said while most of the dialogues were written in the script, a lot of the quirks were improvised on set, thanks to Bajpayee. A memorable scene of the couple from this season's trailer was when Srikant pauses to Google the meaning of "sham" in the middle of an argument after Suchi says their marriage is a sham. In another one, where Suchi takes Srikant to her counsellor (played by late Asif Basra), he loses his cool when he feels the counsellor is merely mouthing philosophical quotes. In response, Srikant mocks him by reciting random popular Hindi film dialogues, coupled with expletives. "The counsellor sequences were shot in one day. But the part where Manoj sir replies in quotes, naming movies, if you closely watch the scene, you can see me trying to hold my laughter. We had to do 8-9 retakes just for that particular bit because every time he started his line, I would burst out laughing! "I told Raj sir that they would have to shoot the scene with me separately because I just wasn't able to control my laughter. That one take where I tried to control my laughter is what you see on the screen now," she added. By Express News Service It was on June 16, 1996 when director Nagathihalli Chandrashekar commenced the shooting of America America. The director shared a throwback picture with us of the muhurath, and the speciality of it was the films launch that took place in America. As a writer and director, I wanted to do something different. Though different is a cliche term now, it was unique at that point in time, says Nagathihalli. Launching a film in America was an expensive dream, adds the director, about the muhurath that took place in the presence of lead actors Ramesh Aravind, Hema and Dattanna. Luckily my wife was working in the US as a software head. And as a college professor, I would visit during summer holidays. That was what gave me this idea. I got a lot of support from NRI Kannadigas, who were keen that I do a subject-based in America. The veteran director, who has been busy with Covid relief works, is simultaneously planning his next. It will be done on a bigger canvas, and details of it will be revealed as early as possible, he says. By Express News Service TIRUPPUR: Saving a bomb on big fat weddings during the lockdown has brought cheer to many a family. A newlywed couple, however, has chosen to donate all extra savings from their wedding, totalling Rs 37 lakh, towards Covid relief. Having initially budgeted Rs 50 lakh, Anu and Arul Pranesh managed to organise the wedding on June 14 at a cost of Rs 13 lakh. The couple then donated the remaining money in the budget to several government and non-governmental organisations in the State to help fight the pandemic. Arul Pranesh, who runs his family business of selling plastic products, told TNIE that many of the invitees were wary of travelling as Covid cases started to surge in western Tamil Nadu. Even the wedding hall owner returned our rental advance, he recalled. However, as the family elders decided not to postpone the wedding, we got married at the Vattamalai Angalamman temple with minimal attendance after taking permission from local authorities. Being members of the Tiruppur West Rotary Club, the family donated the money to various charitable causes run by the organisation. ALSO WATCH | Covid Updates : India logs lowest deaths in 61 days Mukesh Ranjan By Express News Service RANCHI: Villagers in Ranchis Bero block voluntarily joined a unique campaign to increase the forest cover by digging small waterholes in nearby jungles so that Sal seeds can germinate in them. Together, the Lamkana villagers dug up more than 3,500 such small pits across 20 acres of the forest area in which rainwater collects. According to village councillor Rajesh Oraon, the work was completed during the Covid-induced lockdowns in the previous and the current years. The villagers did not seek the help of the forest department or any other government agency, he said. As a morale booster, the holes they dug up last year started showing results this year as small Sal plants appeared in them, he said. The forest cover in our area has dwindled. So, we thought digging up small pits could help. The entire 20-acre jungle belongs to our village and protecting it is our duty, said Oraon. The Sal seeds dropping from the trees often get washed away in the rainwater. The villagers wanted to replant the Sal within the forest. The panchayat cleared the idea, prompting the villagers to offer shramdaan (voluntary labour) from at least one member from each family. Last year before the onset of monsoon, we succeeded in digging up more than 2,000 waterholes in around 65% of the forest area. The rest was done this year by digging up another 1,500 waterholes, said Oraon. The villagers also keep an eye on the jungle. Two youths are deputed every year. They are given 20 kg of paddy from each of the 125 households. By Express News Service GUWAHATI: The rising number of childrens deaths due to COVID-19 has become a major cause of concern for the Meghalaya government. According to official records, 5,101 children (0-14 years) have tested positive in the state since the outbreak of the pandemic last year. While 4,344 recovered, 17 perished including 13 in the past month. Official sources said 2,950 children tested positive since May 15 and 2,821 recovered. Given the situation and the prediction that children will be affected most in the possible third wave, the state government is taking no chances. The states Health Minister AL Hek told journalists on Wednesday that three prefab pediatric hospitals were coming up in the state. He said instructions had been passed on to the departments concerned to prepare well to be able to face any situation. The government is also concerned over the rising number of cases being reported from rural areas. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the government would observe the situation and formulate strategies to ensure that the rural areas were equally prepared. Last week, the Opposition Congress had advised the state to be cautious as more cases were being reported from rural areas. Till Wednesday, the state recorded 43,254 COVID cases, including 758 deaths. ALSO WATCH | Why youngsters are more vulnerable in second Covid-19 wave ? By PTI JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday termed the Centre's welfare measures for children who lost their parents to COVID-19 "defective" and demanded that they be revised as they did not provide immediate relief. He also claimed the Centre did not announce any scheme to help women whose husbands succumbed to the disease. Gehlot was speaking during a video conference on Covid vaccination. On May 29, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced a number of welfare measures, including providing financial assistance, for children who lost their parents to COVID-19. According to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), fixed deposits will be opened in the names of such children, and the PM-CARES fund will contribute through a specially designed scheme to create a corpus of Rs 10 lakh for each of them. This corpus will be used to give the beneficiaries a monthly stipend from 18 years of age for the next five years. On reaching the age of 23, they will get the corpus amount as one lump-sum for personal and professional use. Gehlot said the Centre's package did not provide immediate relief, which was of utmost importance, to the children who lost their parents to COVID-19. "The package of the government of India is defective and there is confusion about it. The government will provide financial help after a child reaches the age of 18. Who knows who will be where after 18 years? Package means instant help," he said. He added that he would speak to PM Modi about the scheme. The chief minister also alleged that the Centre did not announce any measures to help women who lost their husbands to COVID-19. On the other hand, the Rajasthan government provided immediate relief of Rs 1 lakh to children orphaned and women widowed by the pandemic apart from monthly financial assistance. The Rajasthan government's scheme provides immediate financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh to such children and widows. In addition to this, children would get Rs 2,500 per month till the age of 18 and Rs 5 lakh once they attain the age of 18 while widows would get a monthly social security pension of Rs 1,500. Besides the scheme for children, the Centre had announced a string of measures on May 29 to help the families who lost their earning members to the pandemic. These include a pension for dependents of Covid victims and enhanced and liberalised insurance benefits under the Employees' Deposit-Linked Insurance (EDLI) scheme. During the conference, Gehlot said a section of media published misleading news about the wastage of Covid vaccines in Rajasthan. Recently, a media report claimed that 500 vials of Covid vaccines were found in a dustbin at 35 inoculation centres in the state. Citing the report, the Centre wrote to the Rajasthan government on May 31 saying this was "not acceptable" and must be investigated. Replying to the Centre's letter, state Health Minister Raghu Sharma had said the news report was "false and not based on facts". Gehlot said vaccine wastage in Rajasthan at that time was around 2 per cent as against the national average of 6 per cent. The wastage has further reduced to 0.8 per cent in the state. "Our health workers were targeted and misleading news was published as part of a campaign, which was unfortunate. How can health workers dump vaccines in the dustbin? The procedure which was followed by them was in accordance with the central government guidelines," he said. "Such an unfortunate campaign was run at a time when the public was suffering. It is wrong that vaccines were wasted. Our target is to ensure zero wastage of vaccines," he said. Health Minister Raghu Sharma, Urban Development and Housing Minister Shanti Dhariwal and Assembly Speaker C P Joshi also addressed the conference that was attended by district collectors, sarpanches and other public representatives. By PTI MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court on Thursday extended the stay of Jesuit priest and activist Stan Swamy, an accused in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case, at a private hospital in the city till July 5 after the medical facility submitted a report saying his health condition remains "critical". Swamy (84) was shifted to the Holy Family Hospital in suburban Bandra for medical treatment from Navi Mumbai's Taloja prison, where he was lodged as an undertrial, following HC's order on May 28. Swamy, who suffers from several ailments, including Parkinson's disease ( a brain disorder) had moved the HC earlier this year through his counsel, senior advocate Mihir Desai, seeking treatment and interim bail on health grounds. He had tested positive for COVID-19 at the private hospital and was shifted to the ICU. A bench of Justices SS Shinde and NJ Jamdar said on Thursday that Swamy's latest medical report submitted by the private hospital said while he had recovered from COVID-19, his health condition continued to be "critical" and he "required continued intensive care." "As per the report, there are serious medical issues. In view of aforesaid report, we deem it appropriate to extend the stay of appellant till July 5," the HC said. It directed that the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the prosecuting agency in the case, be given a copy of the medical report. The bench directed the NIA to go through the report and make its submissions on Swamy's plea on July 3, the next date of hearing. The octogenarian tribal rights activist, who hails from Jharkhand, was arrested in October 2020 and has been in jail since then. The Elgar Parishad case relates to alleged inflammatory speeches delivered at a conclave held at Shaniwarwada in Pune on December 31, 2017, which the police claimed triggered violence the next day near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial on the western Maharashtra city's outskirts. The Pune Police had claimed the conclave was backed by Maoists. The NIA later took over the probe into the case in which several activists and academicians have been named as accused. Sumi Sukanya Dutta By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Amid concerns that a future COVID-19 wave may disproportionately hit children, a multi centric community based serosurvey led by AIIMS, New Delhi, has shown that infection rates among children and adults in five cities in different parts of the country, in both rural and urban areas, were similar. Citing the findings, the researchers associated with AIIMS in Bhubaneshwar and Gorakhpur, apart from Delhi, JIPMER, Puducherry, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad and Agartala government medical college and WHO have ruled out the possibility that COVID-19 surges ahead are likely to hit children harder than before. For the study, blood samples were collected from 4,509 individuals, 700 aged 2-17 years and 3,809 aged 18 and above between March 15-June 10 to check for the antibodies against SARS coV 2, confirming a history of exposure to the virus. Of the participants tested from Delhi, Faridabad, Bhubaneshwar, Agartala and Gorakhpur, 55.7% kids and adolescents had antibodies against the COVID-19 virus while in adults, the seroprevalence was found to be 63.5%. Hence, it is unlikely that any future third wave by a prevailing COVID-19 variant would disproportionately affect children two years or older, their report has said. A senior faculty at AIIMS Delhi associated with the project said that the results confirm that the narrative being propagated that kids may be more susceptible during the future waves of the pandemic may be unfounded and without any scientific basis. A further analysis of the data generated in the study showed that irrespective of the age groups, rural sites had lower sero-positivity compared to the urban site. Within the rural sites, children had slightly lower sero-positivity compared to adults. However, this differential prevalence was not observed in the urban sites. It was also seen that the prevalence in children was slightly more among female participants compared to male (58.6% versus 53.0%) but there was no statistically significant difference in sero-positivity between male and female. The researchers found that children aged 2-4 years and 5-9 years had almost identical sero-positivity rate (42.4% and 43.8%) which was lower than the rate observed for children aged 10-17 years (60.3%) The higher seropositivity rate in children aged 10-17 years may be reflective of their higher mobility and independence compared to the younger children, the study noted adding that as reported in the literature, a large proportion of children (50.9%) had an asymptomatic COVID-19 infection. SARS CoV2 seropositivity rate among children was high and comparable to the adult population, said the study stressing that it is unlikely that any future third wave by a prevailing COVID-19 variant would disproportionately affect children two years or older. ALSO WATCH | Why youngsters are more vulnerable in second Covid-19 wave ? By PTI NEW DELHI: The Indian government is actively engaged with Dominica to seek early deportation of fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi and his handover to India, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday. A Dominican magistrate court adjourned till June 25 the hearing into alleged illegal entry of Choki into the Caribbean island nation, local media there had reported earlier this week. Asked about Choksi at an online media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said he continues to be in the custody of authorities in the commonwealth of Dominica and legal proceedings are underway. "Government of India is actively engaged with the Dominican government to seek the early deportation and handover to India of Mehul Choksi to face justice in our country," he said. ALSO READ | Mehul Choksi planned escape, concealed evidence as he knew about impending enquiries: CBI "The criminal charges that Mehul Choksi faces in India and the facts relating to his continued Indian citizenship have been suitably brought to the attention of the authorities in the commonwealth of Dominica," the MEA spokesperson said. On Monday, the magistrate court was to start hearing the case of Choksi's "illegal entry" into the country on May 23 but he was a "no show", a media website Natureislenews had reported. Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi had fled India in the first week of January, 2018, weeks before the scam in the Punjab National Bank rocked the Indian banking industry. Nirav Modi escaped to Europe and was finally held in London where he is contesting his extradition to India, while Choksi took citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda in 2017 where he was staying since his escape from Delhi. Choksi, 62, had mysteriously gone missing on May 23 from Antigua and Barbuda. He was detained in neighbouring island country Dominica on May 23 for illegal entry after a possible romantic escapade with his rumoured girlfriend. His lawyers alleged that he was kidnapped from Jolly Harbour in Antigua by policemen looking like Antiguans and Indians and brought to Dominica on a boat. By PTI CHANDIGARH: The Haryana government on Thursday announced a one-time payment of Rs 5,000 each to small shopkeepers, construction workers, auto-rickshaw drivers and unorganised labourers who have faced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. BPL families who have lost a family member in the 18-50 age group to COVID-19 will be given an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced at a media briefing here on the occasion of his government completing 600 days in office. The chief minister also announced a host of other benefits, including waiver of property tax and reduction in electricity bill in the first quarter of 2021-22. Altogether, these announcements entail a financial package of over Rs 1,100 crore. Giving details, Khattar said a financial aid of Rs 5,000 each will be given to 12 lakh families who are engaged in the unorganised sector such as construction workers and auto-rickshaw drivers. This package is worth Rs 600 crore. The chief minister said to ensure that the labourers of the unorganised sector have easy access to the scheme a portal has been designed and the registrations on the portal will start from June 18. The CM also announced Rs 5,000 each for ASHA workers and those engaged in the National Health Mission. It would entail an expenditure of Rs 11 crore, he said. Similarly, a package of Rs 150 crore was announced for small shopkeepers, he stated. Khattar further said that the government had announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the BPL families whose members in the age group of 18 years and 50 years died due to COVID-19. The CM said that the state government is steadfast to provide relief to consumers of electricity during the COVID-19 crisis and the electricity department has decided that surcharge will not be levied on electricity bills till June 30. Apart from this, the state government announced relief to the traders as their business activities are affected due to COVID-19 pandemic. He said the consumers whose average electricity bill for the months of April, May and June is 50 per cent less than the average electricity bill for the months of January, February and March, their fixed charge of Rs 10,000 will be completely waived. Those consumers whose fixed charge ranges from Rs 10,000 to Rs 40,000, they will get a rebate of up to Rs 10,000 and a rebate of 25 per cent will be given on electricity bills having fixed charges of more than Rs 40,000. Khattar also said that it has been decided to waive the entire property tax for the first quarter of the year 2021-22. With this, a financial burden of about Rs 150 crore will be borne by the Urban Local Bodies Department. In another decision, he said that the government has also given permission for registration of the fourth floor of buildings in big cities. The CM said that motor vehicle tax for the first quarter of the year 2021-22 will not be levied on non-goods transport vehicles. Due to this, the financial burden of about Rs 72 crore will be borne by the government. Apart from this, the fitness date of vehicles has also been extended till June 30. He also announced a discount of 25 per cent on purchase of e-tractors. He said that the special offer on the e-tractors will benefit 600 farmers. The farmers who book e-tractor by September 30, 2021 will be eligible to get the benefit of this offer. If the number of applicants seeking this offer is less than 600 then every applicant will get the benefit of this offer and if the number of applicants is more than 600, then the decision will be taken through a draw of lots, he said. Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala, Home and Health Minister Anil Vij, Education Minister Kanwar Pal, Transport Minister Mool Chand Sharma, Power Minister Ranjit Singh, Agriculture Minister J P Dalal and others were present at the briefing. By PTI NEW DELHI: Around 3.5 lakh doctors of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) will participate in a nationwide protest on Friday demanding a central law dealing with violence against medicos. IMA national president Dr J A Jayalal said besides its members, a number of organisations such as the Association of Physicians of India, the Association of Surgeons of India, the Medical Students Network, Junior Doctor Network will participate in the protest. In Bihar and central Kerala, doctors will close their clinics in the morning to press for the demand of a central law against violence against doctors. In the evening, public interaction has been arranged to form a coordination team in each branch of IMA to stop such violence from taking place. "We are deeply hurt to see increasing physical violence on doctors and healthcare professionals. It's occurring day in and day out. The IMA is pressing for a central act against the violence," the IMA said in a statement. The Health Services Personnel and Clinical Establishment (Prohibition of Violence and Damage to Property) Bill, 2019, which sought to impose a jail term up to 10 years for assaulting on-duty doctors and other healthcare professionals was dismissed by the Home Ministry saying the special law was not feasible as health is a state subject, it said. "There are many central health laws such as the PCPNDT Act and the Clinical Establishment Act. Currently, 21 states have local laws, but what we need is a strong central law to protect doctors from violence," the doctors' body said. Listing plans for Friday's protest, the IMA said memorandums will be submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior ministers including home minister Amit Shah. All branches of IMA would submit memoranda to local authorities. "All the 1,700 branches are organizing events to mark the protest. Students' wings are very active on the event as they are the ones most concerned about how the issue is tackled and addressed," the IMA statement said. "We demand that the government enhances security features in every hospital and declare hospitals as protected zones," the statement said. On the issue of Yoga guru Ramdev's recent controversial comments, the IMA said a number of police complaints have been filed across the country for his "malafide statements, which, in our opinion, is against the interest of the citizens of the country". "Accordingly, we have urged the prime minister to take appropriate action against him. We respect Ayurveda as part of our culture and ancient science and we never go out and criticize it. Our job is to ensure that they (patients) get treated in the best way possible. We are not interested in controversies," it said. By PTI NEW DELHI: India and Pakistan have cleared all pending assignment visas, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday. "These are routine administrative matters. I understand both sides cleared all pending assignment visas yesterday," MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at a media briefing. His response came when asked whether there was any problem between the two countries in granting the assignment visas. Assignment visas are generally issued under the principle of reciprocity. The visas allow diplomats and staff members of foreign missions to operate in the countries of their posting. India and Pakistan last year reduced their staff strength in their respective high commissions by half following an incident of alleged involvement of Pakistani officials in "acts of espionage" in India. India had asked Pakistan to reduce its staff at its high commission here and announced a reciprocal trimming of staff strength in the Indian high commission in Islamabad following the incident. PTI MPB ZMN 06171940 NNNN Prasanta Mazumdar By Express News Service GUWAHATI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh sent out a firm warning to China right from the frontline as he visited Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday. He said India would not tolerate any aggression. As far as India is concerned, there is no second opinion. We are a worshipper of peace and we never resorted to aggression against any country, whether a neighbour or otherwise. But if someone resorts to aggression against us, we know how to give a befitting reply, Singh told a gathering at Kimin in Arunachal after dedicating 12 roads, built by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), to the nation. This was his maiden visit to the frontier state since the clashes occurred in eastern Ladakh last year. In November 2019, China had objected to his visit to the state. We want to maintain peace with everyone. The message that the whole world is one family had gone out from India. Our intention has never been to show any aggression against any country, the Defence Minister reiterated. He said the Northeast is strategic from the military point of view. The Northeast has a unique geography as it is bound by five countries, Singh said, taking the names of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar and Nepal but not China. Beijing lays its claim over entire Arunachal but the states Chief Minister Pema Khandu often calls it the Arunachal-Tibet border. Singh said there are challenges in the Northeast and cited the problem of border smuggling, particularly fake currency notes. The Northeast is known worldwide for its beauty and socio-cultural diversities. But the truth is that post-independence, the region did not develop at a pace it should have. It has developed under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The people here know it, the Minister said. He lauded the BRO for the construction of the roads. He said the BROs ability signified Indias self-dependence. The roads built are key to nations security, he added. Ten of the 12 roads have been built in Arunachal and one each in Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir. Fayaz Wani By Express News Service SRINAGAR: A policeman died on Thursday after terrorists opened fire in the downtown area of Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. A police official said terrorists fired from close range towards police officer Javaid Ahmad near his residence at Saidpora, Eidgah area in downtown Srinagar on Thursday evening. He said the cop received multiple bullet injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Immediately, police and CRPF men rushed to the area and launched a search operation to track down the terrorists responsible behind this attack. No terrorist outfit has so far claimed responsibility for the attack. Meanwhile, search operations are underway. This is the second terrorist attack on police officials within a week. Earlier on June 12, terrorists attacked a joint patrol party of police and CRPF in Sopore market in north Kashmir's Baramulla district. In the militant attack, two policemen and two civilians were killed and two policemen including a Sub Inspector and equal number of civilians injured. The police had blamed Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorists for the attack. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Left to fend for himself by his party, Lok Janshakti Party leader Chirag Paswan on Wednesday said in Delhi that his legal fight against the rebel group will continue. Describing himself as sher ka beta (son of a lion), he accused his uncle Pashupati Paras and five party MPs of hatching a conspiracy against him and the party when he was unwell. The lawmaker from Jamui in Bihar blamed the Nitish Kumar-led JD-U for engineering a split in his party, but avoided replying to questions on the BJPs role. He rejected the decisions taken by the faction headed by his uncle, saying the partys constitution did not allow Paras and others to take such steps. Chirag said he did not feel orphaned after the death of his father last year, but feels like one after a faction of the party led by his uncle removed him from the post of parliamentary leader. He said many in the LJP wanted to side with Bihar CM Nitish Kumar during the Assembly polls last year. These people were in favour of the politics of comfort, he alleged. If I had to do the same, I would have had to bow before Nitish Kumar. I could not do that, said Paswan. Referring to the five LJP MPs who sought his removal as LJP president, Chirag claimed the party constitution did not permit this action. A new party chief can be appointed in case of the incumbents death or resignation, he said. In his letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker, Paswan wrote: Since Article 26 of the LJP constitution empowers the Central Parliamentary Board of the party to decide who will be Leader of our Party in Lok Sabha, hence, the decision of announcing Pashupati Kumar Paras MP as leader of the party in the Lok Sabha is contrary to the provisions of the party constitution. By PTI NEW DELHI: Lok Janshakti Party leader Chirag Paswan on Thursday rejected his uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras's election as the party president, saying the meeting organised in Patna was "unconstitutional" and lacked even minimum attendance of its national executive members. He told PTI that his party has also written to the Election Commission, urging it to stop the Paras-headed faction from using its symbol and flag in its meeting. ALSO READ | Lok Janshakti Party gets new national president after leadership coup with rebel MPs LJP's secretary general Abdul Khaliq said a physical meeting of its national executive will be held in the national capital on Sunday to reiterate Paswan's earlier election as its national president amid the split in the organisation after Paras and four other party MPs staged a coup against him. The party has over 90 sanctioned members in the national executive and barely nine of them were present in the meeting in Patna on Thursday in which Paswan's paternal uncle Paras was elected as its president in his place, he said. Paswan added that only he as the party chief or Khaliq as its secretary general are authorised to hold any such meeting as per the LJP constitution. Earlier in the day, Paras was elected as the party's new president at a meeting of the party's national executive called by his supporters. Chirag Paswan, son of party founder Ram Vilas Paswan, is expected to leave for Bihar early next week to galvanise LJP supporters around his cause as both factions engage in a bitter fight to claim the party's ownership. Paswan also urged Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to reconsider his decision to recognise Paras as the leader of the party in the House, saying the LJP constitution authorises its parliamentary board to decide on its leader in Parliament. "The faction headed by my uncle can be an independent group but cannot represent LJP," he said. He said he will try to meet the Speaker over the issue and move the court if the decision is not reversed. The Paswan-faction also pointed out that while he was removed by the Paras-headed group on the ground of "one man one post" but now Paras has been elected the president despite holding the post of its leader in Lok Sabha and chief of Dalit Sena. The LJP has six MPs, including Paswan, in Lok Sabha and none in Rajya Sabha. Five of its MPs recently elected Paras as their president in place of Paswan. Lok Sabha secretariat then notified his election after all five of them met the Speaker with their representation. By PTI NEW DELHI: Absconding diamantaire Mehul Choksi had prior knowledge of the impending Enforcement Directorate (ED) enquiries against him in 2017 which triggered him to plan his escape from India and cover his tracks by concealing evidence, the agency has said. The CBI in its supplementary charge sheet has invoked Section 201 of the IPC among other charges which pertain to the destruction of evidence by a suspect as part of criminal conspiracy. Choksi allegedly in a criminal conspiracy with PNB Deputy Manager Gokulnath Shetty got back all the documents which were submitted for the issuance of 165 Letters of Undertaking (LOU) and fraudulent amendments made in 58 Foreign Letters of Credit (FLC) during March and April, 2017. Shetty "dishonestly and fraudulently" returned all the original applications along with other accompanying documents submitted by accused companies Gitanjaii Gems Ltd, Gili India Ltd and Nakshatra Brands Ltd back to them, which should have been in the custody of the bank, the CBI has alleged. "These applications along with the documents were recovered during searches conducted by CBI from the premises taken on rent by the employee of Mehul Chinubbhai Choksi at the instance of Vipul Chunilal Chitalia," the CBI alleged. The applications along with the documents were first kept at 101/A, Sony Chamber Annex, Opera House Mumbai and other premises at Khetwadi near Harkishan Das Hospital, Mumbai, the agency has alleged. ALSO READ | Mehul Choksi's 'abduction' internationl crime, brought shame to Antigua and Barbuda: Oppn party leader These were shifted on February 5, 2018, within a week of CBI taking over investigation, to Shop No. 188/A/192 on Babasaheb Jaykar Marg, Mumbai, a place taken on rent by Chitalia with the intention to cause "disappearance of evidence", the CBI alleged. These documents were recovered during the searches conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) during investigation of the case. The agency also found records of fraudulent LOUs and FLCs in the Google drive of Chitalia during police custody. While his employees were allegedly busy covering tracks of the scam on his instructions, Choksi himself was trying to escape from India to a safer destination, the CBI alleged. During 2017, Choksi had visited Hong Kong where he had met "dummy" directors of supplier companies, who were allegedly his employees, the CBI has alleged. These supplier companies Shanyao Gong Si Ltd, 4C's Diamond Distributors and Crown Aim Ltd were the beneficiaries of the LOUs and FLCs worth Rs 6,345 crore issued by the Punjab National Bank. During the visit, Choksi asked the dummy directors to not visit India as they may be subjected to ED enquiries pertaining to Gitanjali group promoted by him, the agency has alleged. "This shows that Mehul Choksi had prior knowledge of impending criminal proceedings. Hence, Mehul Choksi fled India on January 4, 2018, with dishonest intent to evade the process of law," the supplementary charge sheet filed last week said. Choksi had taken citizenship of Caribbean Island country of Antigua and Barbuda in 2017 where he was staying since 2018 till his mysterious disappearance on May 23. He was held in neighbouring country Dominica where he was arrested for illegal entry and is facing court proceedings. The Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne has claimed in interviews that Choksi had not given accurate information about him while taking citizenship through the investment scheme of the country. The CBI which filed its supplementary charge sheet nearly three years after its first report alleged that Choksi asked Directors of Hong Kong based supplier companies to get a Thailand Visa as Hong Kong operations would be closed. In December 2017, Choksi allegedly telephoned Kalpen Doshi, a director in Crown Aim, asking him that all dummy directors should provide their documents to his aide Chitalia, also an accused, to apply for work permits for Abbeycrest, Bangkok, a company controlled by him, the CBI said. Next year, Chitalia again warned dummy directors to not visit India in the wake of "more trouble" from the investigations started by agencies, it said. The directors were shifted to Bangkok in February when the investigation into the scam began, it said. But the directors returned in the second quarter of 2018. While Choksi was moving directors, Shetty, prima donna of the scam in the bank, made desperate attempts to clean his slate prior to his superannuation, the CBI has found. Shetty was approver in all the FLCs issued for Choksi's companies. He allegedly made entries in some FLCs initially in the central banking system of the PNB but later modified them to huge amounts without making any mention in the CBS to evade any scrutiny in case of default. Prior to his superannuation in 2017, he allegedly made pre-payment in 12 out of 16 bills drawn in fraudulent amendments putting them in "collection bills" rather than "negotiation bills" in the international banking messages called SWIFT. No corresponding entries were made in the CBS of the bank. By PTI GHAZIABAD: The Ghaziabad police on Wednesday arrested two more people allegedly involved in the attack on an elderly Muslim man, according to officials. So far, five people accused in the attack, whose video clips also went viral on social media, have been arrested while searches are underway for others, the police said. "Intezaar and Saddam alias Bauna, both of whom were involved in the attack on Abdul Shamad Saifi have been arrested today," Senior Superintendent of Police Amit Pathak told PTI on Wednesday. Their arrests come as the incident gained prominence with the Ghaziabad police lodging a separate FIR against social media giant Twitter, some journalists and opposition Congress politicians for circulating the video clip of the attack allegedly with an intention to disrupt communal peace. The district police has maintained that Saifi's attackers involved both Muslims and Hindus who were unhappy with him over the "tabeez" (amulet) he had sold them and ruled out any communal angle in the case. Earlier, the police had arrested three of the accused -- Kalloo Gurjar, Parvesh Gurjar and Adil -- while some others were indentified but are absconding, Superintendent of Police (Ghaziabad Rural) Iras Raja said. "Intezaar and Saddam who have been arrested today were both involved in the attack on Saifi," the officer said. "Parvesh, one of the accused, had consulted Saifi for some occult practice at his home but has had some mishappenings like wife's miscarriage and brother's accident and blamed Saifi for all this," he said. Saddam, whose sister is wedded to Intezaar, had also got an amulet made for his son by Saifi. He and Intezaar had taken him to Parvesh's home where he was beaten up, the police officer said. An FIR was lodged at the Loni police station under IPC sections 342 (wrongful confinement), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) and 506 (criminal intimidation) two days after the incident, which took place on June 5, according to officials. By PTI UNNAO: Twelve police personnel were injured when people protesting over the death of two motorcycle riders in an accident pelted stones at them near a village here, officials said on Thursday. Forty-three people have been arrested, and a case has been registered against 100 named and 250 unknown persons in connection with the violence that took place on Wednesday, the police said. The road crash that led to the protest took place on Tuesday. Devikheda village residents Rajesh (32) and Vipin (25) died as the motorcycle they were riding was hit by a car in the City Kotwali police station area, they said. A day later, after the bodies were handed over to their families for last rites following a post-mortem examination, people of the village blocked the Unnao-Kanpur road near Akrampur to press for action against those responsible and compensation for the kin of the deceased, Superintendent of Police Anand Kulkarni said. The protesters pelted stones at the sub-divisional magistrate and a police team sent there to pacify them, resulting in injuries to over 12 policemen, the SP said. Meanwhile, the Lucknow Range inspector general tweeted that Kotwali Sadar Inspector in-charge Dinesh Mishra, police outpost in-charge of Magarwara, and two constables have been suspended for laxity and incompetence. A clarification has been sought from the CO City, and the investigation of entire case has been given to the Rae Bareli additional superintendent of police, the IG said. According to local people, the police team was outnumbered and ill-equipped to handle the mob. The situation came under control after additional forces arrived at the spot. S Vijay Kumar By Subhash Kapoor was arrested in October 2011 in Germany over idol smuggling charges and he is still an undertrial in India in June 2021. This is despite a mountain of evidence unearthed and revealed by US Homeland Security seizures and criminal prosecutions under Operation Hidden Idol in New York by the Manhattan district attorneys office. The operation had also revealed a complex web of middlemen, including receivers in Hong Kong, collaborators and suppliers across India, and restorers in London and America; it also yielded over 2,622 artefacts and a further 38 from various other returns. During Prime Minister Narendra Modis official visit to the US in June 2016, America said it would return a historic 200 sculptures (independent India had restituted only 19 artefacts till 2012). But after five years, only 17 have come home. The rest are stuck in red tape as a senior team from the ASI comprising two experts on an inspection to New York in early 2019 could certify only close to a 100 and even those have not been restituted. Meanwhile, countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka have already accepted close to 50 artefacts linked to Kapoor, with the Afghans topping with 33 restitutionsa big thank you to the Manhattan DAs office for these. Even a casual glance shows the pan-India nature of this looting empire but why is that the only state that is prosecuting Kapoor is Tamil Naduthat too with only seven cases? Some of these are clearly open-and-shut cases, which makes it more baffling as to why states are reluctant to charge an art dealer already arrested over running an international smuggling racket and worse, even come forward to claim their artefacts. Take Madhya Pradesh for instance. The Goddess Mahakoka of Barhut was worshipped as a family deity. The owners in the 1970s registered it with the ASI. On the night of 18 July 2004, robbers broke in and stole her and an FIR was registered the next day. She was broken into three parts to aid smuggling and eventually put together by the now-charged restorer Richard Salmon in Brooklyn on 2 May 2006. Kapoor was listing her for sale for $15 million or about Rs 100 crore! She was seized in 2012 and has since remained in the US. No attempt has been made by the MP police to link the FIR to Kapoor yet.Or Andhra Pradesh. In October 2000, robbers hit the 2,000-year-old Buddhist site of Chandavaram, an ASI site museum at that! Shockingly this organised gang robbed the museum not once but thrice, on 23 February 2001 and again on 23 March 2001 after the October 2000 heist. They apparently came in tractors, tied up security guards, policemen and looted the site in broad daylight. Till date there is no clarity on what all were stolen but what is shocking is until a German scholar pointed out that a Kapoor-linked object from Chandavaram was with the National Gallery of Australia (marked as stolen by investigative journalist Jason Felch in 2012) in 2017, this was not picked up by the ASI. More shockingly, it was only after the physical restitution that the ASI museum accepted that it was stolen from there. There was no initiative apart from filing the mandatory FIR. On 15 August 2019, an anonymous British collector voluntarily surrendered a limestone pilaster from the same site to the Indian High Commission in London; another matched from the same theft has been sold by Wiener Galleries via a Christies auction in March 2012 and it remains untraced after that. Similar objects sold via Kapoors Art of the Past are still on display in the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Asian Civilisations Museum, Singapore. Despite the physical return of the Chandavaram Worshippers of the Buddha frieze in January 2017 that had a sales invoice of $595,000 and fake provenances created by Kapoor, the Andhra police do not even deem it fit to charge him over the case. We could give such examples for many more states. What could explain the lack of intent from the custodians? We analysed 10 cases in Indian courts where law enforcement failed to prosecute heritage crimes, in an attempt to assess the main reasons and see if any lessons can be learnt from the experiences. They range from procedural lapses, sheer incompetence, red tape, loopholes in the law and institutional decay. In this article, we look at a classic case from Tamil Naduheard in front of the Madurai Bench of the Madras HC in June 2014of a theft that happened on 17 December 1990 at the Viswanathaswamy temple in Anaikudi, Kumbakonam wherein many idols were stolen. A series of arrests made in 1991 of the eight members of the gang revealed the gruesome nature of this theft: The Murugan idol was found in two pieces, head portion and body; Valli was broken into three parts, and buried in the bank of a dry rivulet; the Deivayanai idol was recovered buried under a tamarind tree; Chandrasekara Siva found in five parts; Sivakami in three parts buried underground; another Amman idol hidden inside a granary in a house; Sokkar and Sivakami found hidden in a river bed. It is pertinent to note that in this case, the theft is connected to the mistaken belief that there is high gold content in panchaloha idols. The robbers wilfully cut the bronzes and used acids to test for gold; scientific tests have shown that the actual precious metal content is a miniscule percentage. What is actually shocking is not any of the above but the fact that despite all this, the accused were acquitted in 2002. Despite the mountain of evidence, why were they acquitted by the trial court? 1. The stray statement that there was no property register in the temple by P.W.3 (prosecution witness) had been one of the grounds for the trial court to acquit the accused. The register was subsequently traced in 2014 but why it was not found earlier was never probed. 2. The police failed to secure the broken locks of the temple on the day of the theft and the fingerprint expert could not match any prints. 3. Tamil Nadu amended Section 380 of the IPC in 1993, which deals with theft in houses and robbery, and reduced the sentence for temple robbery by half. This amendment still stays, which means that if someone steals from a house or temple in the rest of India, he will get seven years in jail, but for stealing from a place of worship in Tamil Nadu, he gets a maximum of three years and a fine of `2,000. Further, since the theft occurred in 1990, the court held that the police used the wrong section to book the thieves and they were acquitted. 4. The case of theft was for only seven missing idols but the seizures were of nine idols. 5. The photographs submitted to the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department were not signed by any HR&CE official and just wrapped in a cover with the temple name written on it and the names of each idol underneath the pictures. It took over a decade for the injustice to be reversed when the case came to a more focused court in 2014. But after all this trouble, what did the idol thieves get in the 2014 trial? Of the eight accused, four of them received three years rigorous imprisonment and the rest two years. The inferences are pretty clear in this case: temples need to maintain a property register; HR&CE has to maintain an image archive that can stand scrutiny in court; the 1993 TN special amendment to the IPC has to be removed; officers should be trained to secure theft premises; and the judiciary should be more stringent in punishing heritage crimes and criminals. Finally, for the HR&CE, just having an archive is not a solution. Rather periodic audits and inventory checks of the same need to be undertaken. But this is easier said than done as we will see from other cases in subsequent columns. S Vijay Kumar, Co-Founder, India Pride Project, and author of The Idol Thief (The India Pride Projects #BringOurGodsHome initiative has helped bring many stolen idols back to our country) (vj.episteme@gmail.com) Biswajit Dhar By In the midst of the raging second wave of Covid infections came the rather unwelcome news from the National Statistics Office (NSO) that the pandemic had caused the Indian economy to decline by 7.3 per cent in FY21, the lowest ever registered since Independence. The only redeeming aspect of this economic performance was that until a few months ago, the contraction was expected to be closer to 8 per cent. It was the better-than-expected performance of the economy in Q4, of 1.6 per cent, that helped in improving our performance in the previous fiscal. How do we read the numbers presented by the NSO, and what do these mean for the Indian economy going forward? At the outset, it would be useful to consider the areas in which the Indian economy performed relatively better in Q4. In three sectors, Q4 numbers were significantly better than those recorded in the previous quarters. The manufacturing sector grew by almost 7 per cent over the corresponding period in 2019-20, while electricity, gas, water supply and other utility services recorded a 9 per cent growth. Construction was the best performing sector, having expanded by 14 per cent . But while these sectors recorded their highest quarterly growth rates in Q4, agriculture, the only sector to have kept itself away from the gloom, expanded by just 3.1 per cent, the slowest growth across quarters during the financial year just gone by. Some words of caution need to be added while interpreting the sectoral growth numbers, especially for the three better performing sectors mentioned above. All these sectors had performed poorly in Q4 of 2019-20, and therefore the so-called base effect had influenced the NSOs latest set of numbers. This was particularly true for manufacturing, which had contracted by over 4 per cent in the closing quarter of the previous financial year due to a steep fall in output of close to 23 per cent in March 2020. The contraction was partly due to the impact of the lockdown announced in the last week of the month, but it was also due to the structural infirmities besetting Indias manufacturing that had caused this sector to contract in three quarters during 2019-20. It was in response to the falling fortunes of the manufacturing industries that the government had decided to take an important step for their revival through the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme. With regards to agriculture, while there is no assessment on whether the ongoing farmers agitation has had any impact on the growth performance of the sector, it may be difficult to argue that this development has left Indias farms untouched. Appropriate policy measures like the PLI Scheme can go a long way in improving the supply side constraints, but these may turn out to be less than adequate if the demand side continues to remain sluggish. The Indian economy is consumption-led, with private final consumption expenditure (PFCE) enjoying a share of 57-58 per cent of the GDP in recent decades. However, since 2017-18, the annual growth of PFCE had declined from 7 per cent to 5.5 per cent, and with consumers demanding less, most sectors faced uncertainties even before the pandemic-induced crisis had set in. The across-the-board impact of the Covid crisis on livelihoods had seriously impacted PFCE during the previous fiscal, resulting in its decline by 9.1 per cent and reducing its share in the GDP to 56 per cent, the lowest ever. Is the demand side likely to bounce back anytime soon? Not likely, if the job market numbers provided by the CMIE and the Consumer Confidence Survey of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) are considered. According to the CMIE, the unemployment rate was 14.7 per cent in the third week of May and it was the first time since the lockdown in 2020 that it was in double digits. More worrying was that labour force participation had virtually stagnated at 40 per cent, indicating the deep catharsis in the labour market. Moreover, the RBIs bi-monthly Consumer Confidence Survey has been reporting that consumer sentiments have consistently remained downbeat. In the latest survey for May 2021, a majority reported that their expectation was that the economy will worsen one year ahead, while nearly half felt that the employment situation will worsen. With domestic demand unlikely to recover soon, can exports provide the growth trigger for the Indian economy? This is distinctly possible as most of the major economies are well on their way towards recovery. But then, the government and business must work on ways to facilitate exports, including through improving the efficiencies of Indian industry, thus enabling it to increase its footprint in global markets. Biswajit Dhar Professor, Centre for Economic Studies and Planning, School of Social Sciences, JNU (bisjit@gmail.com) Ranjani Madhavan By Express News Service BENGALURU: The demand for Intravenous Immunoglobulins (IVIG) needed for treating post-COVID-19 Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) has gone up. MIS-C includes symptoms of fever, reddish rash over the body, red eyes and severe abdominal pain and occurs 2-6 weeks after COVID-19 infection. It's an immune reaction of the body to the virus. IVIG are antibodies against certain viruses that are injected into the patients and help them combat several infections. In order to prepare IVIG, a pooled plasma is taken from several donors to get a good population mix. "During the first and second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, we are coming across a lot of children developing MIS-C that can be cured only with IVIG treatment. The life-saving drug can prove extremely crucial when the COVID-19 virus impacts the heart muscles of the children. We usually give a 2gm dosage to children who are affected with MIS-C and it is also routinely used in lot of other immunological diseases like cancer and other infections," said Dr. Chetan Ginigeri, Lead Consultant - Dept. of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Aster CMI Hospital, where the demand has gone up by 3-4 times at the hospital's ICU as they have treated 20 kids in the last 2 weeks. As children with MIS-C are extremely sick, any shortage can prove to be fatal and hence, while the second wave is subsiding, Dr. Ginigeri said hospitals need to start preparations for the next wave. IVIG has been used for Kawasaki disease, which is similar to MIS-C, said Dr Chandrika Bhat, consultant, Pediatric Rheumatology Services, Rainbow Childrens Hospital. ALSO READ: Docs find gangrene in post-COVID patients, say it may lead to amputation of body parts "Simply put, with this, good antibodies block the bad antibodies. It resolves inflammation and the demand for IVIG has gone up. We need to use it judiciously, so there is no potential shortage of it in the future. Immunoglobulins are filtered from blood content and it is not blood group specific, which is an advantage. If MIS-C causes cardiac dysfunction, owing to inflammation, it leads to fatality. However, this is very rare. In extremely few cases, it includes kidney involvement and liver dysfunction which leads to mortality as well. Even serious cases have recovered with the help of supportive management such as use of ECMO (Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is an artificial lung and heart)," Dr. Bhat added. "IVIG along with steroids was used to treat the initial cases of MIS-C in the UK. They worked well and the children recovered and because it seemed to help, the same treatment is being continued. So the evidence for using IVIG comes from these diseases. We also see that the response to both these medications even in the sickest of children is quite dramatic," said Dr Shivakumar Shamarao, Consultant, Pediatric intensive care unit, Manipal hospitals. ALSO WATCH | Why youngsters are more vulnerable in second Covid-19 wave ? "We, along with several other centres in the country, are seeing more cases of MIS-C compared to the first wave and therefore the usage of IVIG has gone up. It is not exactly clear if IVIG is needed for all cases of MIS-C as it has a varied spectrum of illness. One category seems to be mild ones where they have self-limiting fever, rash with raised inflammatory markers. The second category is Kawasaki disease like presentation and the third most worrisome category is presentation with heart dysfunction and circulatory shock. IVIG may not be needed in the mild forms. Most of the moderate to severe spectrum of the disease (which presents like Kawasaki disease and children presenting with circulatory shock) is being treated with a combination of IVIG and steroids," Dr. Shamarao said. MIS-C can be fatal if not recognized and treated on time and the chances of recovery are very good if the same is done timely. Imported drug used to treat MIS-C In a first, paediatricians at Rainbow Children's Hospital used Anakinra, an imported drug, to treat MIS-C. Two children had significant inflammation of the heart leading to decreased cardiac function and low blood pressure. Apart from medications to increase blood pressure, they were given immunoglobulin and steroids to control the inflammation. Despite this, they continued to have persistent inflammation of the heart and were eventually administered a medication named Anakinra which belongs to a group of drugs called monoclonal antibodies. "In the western world, this is the drug of choice in children who do not respond to conventional treatment. Unfortunately, Anakinra is not available in India and must be imported. At RCH, we were able to procure this medication in time for these children and it proved to be life-saving. We are probably the first centre in India to use this drug in children with MIS-C. Both the children responded well to treatment and are now recovering," said Dr Chandrika Bhat, consultant, Pediatric Rheumatology Services, Rainbow Childrens Hospital. Chetana Belagere By Express News Service BENGALURU: The Centre for Psychosocial Support in Disaster Management, which runs a helpline (080-4611 0007) at the NIMHANS, Bengaluru, gets at least 500 calls a month from Covid-19-recovered people from across sectors with serious complaints. These are emerging as a common trait in most recovered patients, which may go on to affect productivity at work and their own mental well-being. The issues range from sleeplessness, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic attacks, suicidal thoughts, no interest in work, wanting to quit and do nothing, Generalised Anxiety Disorder (person suffering persistent nervousness), irritability, poor concentration, panic disorders with panic attacks, phobia to get back to the office fearing crowds, anger and memory issues. Several employees have reported anxieties and stress anticipating Covid-19 infection, subsequent isolation, hospitalisation, non-availability of medicines, oxygen and overall uncertainty regarding ones survival and that of near and dear ones during the pandemic.Some employees have even quit their jobs to take time out to cope with their emotional distress caused during Covid. A few have quit as they feel they are unable to cope with work-related pressures. I am aware of a few who quit their jobs to be caregivers to family members who are coping after Covid infection, said Ashwini N V, Founder-Director, Muktha Foundation and a mental health professional with keen interests in promotion of community mental health. Doctors call this a protracted period of stress like nothing our generation has ever known before. For the first time, people are working for hours undefined, the boundaries between spouse and other family members are undefined. One tends to get involved in so many household activities with available time that productivity at work comes down, says Dr Mahesh Gowda, Director and Founder, Spandana Health Care. He says many of his clients have had conflicts, heated arguments, disturbed moods, poor concentration, sleep, anger, frustration and work delivery issues. Many have also picked up addictions, not just substance abuse, but also getting hooked to OTT platforms, etc. Depression and not socialising can lead to such issues at the workplace, he says. Brand guru Harish Bijoor says, The attitude of people has seen a sea change. This is about employees and employers alike. Employees have realised there is more to life than work. All of a sudden, there is a reassessment of life and peoples priorities. There is a rejigging of passions. Family has become much more important than ever before.Experts believe such effects are temporary. Dr Himani Kashyap, Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology, NIMHANS, says that when the mind is overwhelmed, we function on auto-pilot mode, carrying out the bare minimum necessary for survival, but unable to do more. It helps to grieve, withdraw, cry, reach out to loved ones and then slowly do what brings us comfort or joy. Reading, walking, painting, music etc. help. The Pomodoro technique is a method of working for about 25 minutes with a clear and specific goal and taking a five-minute break. The exact times can be modified to suit our individual flow. The breaks must involve stepping away from ones desk. This allows for short bursts of focus interspersed with chances to reboot, she says. WHAT SHOULD WE DO FOR EMPLOYEES Rest and recoup Acknowledge its okay to cry, grieve, withdraw Reach out to loved ones, doctor, mental health professional, employers Call suitable helpline numbers Do what you love to doread, walk, listen to music, sketch, paint, pray, etc Avoid watching negative news Have fixed time for work and household chores Loving self is very important FOR WORK PROGRESS Important to take small planned breaks Pomodoro technique-working for about 25 minutes with a clear and specific goal (e.g., finish writing this page), and taking a 5-minute break The breaks must involve stepping away from ones desk a walk down the corridor, a water break, a simple errand Breaking down work into smaller, manageable chunks and doing them one at a time will help complete tasks FOR EMPLOYERS Provide safe, approachable environment at workplace Realistically revise performance standards, not be overambitious Informal/formal opportunities to support one another,like a buddy programme, a regular meeting space (online or outdoors, complying with Covid-19 norms) By PTI BENGALURU: Rumblings within the ruling BJP in Karnataka were out in the open on Thursday, even as party's national general secretary in-charge of the State Arun Singh met legislators individually, in the backdrop of speculation over replacing Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa. Amid his efforts to project that the party was united as a couple of disgruntled legislators made open statements against the government and its leadership, Singh warned them of consequences, even as he stated that their conduct has damaged the party's image and hurt lakhs of workers. MLC A H Vishwanath's openly demanded Yediyurappas ouster, and his allegations of corruption and interference in administration against Chief Minister's younger son BY Vijayendra, who is also BJP vice-president, resulted in political slugfest, as it elicited sharp reactions from CM's political secretaries M P Renukacharya and S R Vishwanath. To add to this, allegations of phone-tapping and conspiracy to fix him by MLA Arvind Bellad, who is said to be from the faction of the party that is seeking Yediyurappa's replacement, caused further embarrassment to the BJP. Singh, who met over 40 legislators individually on the second day of his three-day visit to the state, ruled out any talks with legislators on the leadership issue, and expressed happiness over the functioning of party workers and MLAs at the ground level. Commenting on statements by some disgruntled legislators, he said, every one must see to that their conduct should in no way cause damage to the party. "Just two or three people are hurting lakhs of workers and are causing damage to the party. We are watching it, we will talk to them, and if things continue whatever needs to be done will be done. I have said whatever I have to, it is not necessary to tell before media what we will do," he said. MLC A H Vishwanath, who has been embarrassing the party with his statements, after meeting Singh, said, like in other parties "family politics and demon politics" is seen in BJP too and advised that Yediyurappa become "margdarshak" and make way for others. "Yediyuruppa should become margdarshak and in his place a leader from 'Panchamasali Veerashiva' community should be appointed as Chief Minister giving him a good team of Ministers so as to be a bridge between the party and the government," he said, citing the CM's age and health. He also continued to level allegations of corruption and interference in administration against Vijayendra. The CM's political secretaries M P Renukacharya and S R Vishwanath sharply reacted, questioning the MLC's "morality". State BJP general secretary N Ravi Kumar too rejected the statement outright and said the state unit has sought action against the MLC by bringing the matter to Singh's notice. Reacting to Bellad's allegations of phone-tapping and conspiracy to fix him, Ravi Kumar, on behalf of the party said, there is no question of tapping his phone. "He is our legislator. I don't know why he (Bellad) has made such a statement, the party won't accept it, the party will talk to him," he said, while Renukacharya termed it "cheap publicity". Singh during his meetings with legislators individually is said to have discussed topics relating to organisation work, development works in the constituency, state administration, and also recent developments in the party, sources said. During the discussions several legislators are said to have discussed social justice and regional imbalance in the Yediyurappa cabinet and thereby have tried to make a case for cabinet reshuffle, they said. Social Welfare Minister B Sriramulu, after meeting with Singh, expressed hope that the party will take right decision at the right time on making him the Deputy Chief Minister, a demand echoed by his close associate and MLA from Ballari, Somashekhar Reddy. Though Bellad, a MLA from Hubli-Dharwad West and Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, who are said to be from the faction seekingYediyurappa's replacement, did not meet Singh today, Tourism Minister C P Yogeshwar, who is also reportedly disgruntled, had discussions with the national general secretary. Singh may meet some legislators on Friday as well, before taking part in the state BJP core committee meeting scheduled in the evening. In what appeared to be a show of solidarity, several Ministers and a host of legislators made a beeline to the Chief Minister's residence, while 10-15 legislators met at Yediyurappa's political secretary M P Renukacharya's residence for breakfast. Several of them questioned the need for leadership change, while asserting that Yediyurappa will complete the term and will lead the party in the next assembly polls due two years away. They also demanded action against those who are making public statements on the issue and creating confusion. Speculation has been rife for some time now that a section of the ruling BJP is trying to push for unseating Yediyurappa, despite Singh ruling out replacing the Chief Minister and asserting that the 78-year-old Lingayat strongman will continue in the top post. Meanwhile, the opposition Congress and the JD(S) have demanded dismissal of the Yediyurappa government, as the "lack of leadership is leading to anarchy". Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah also urged Yediyurappa to initiate an investigation by a sitting high court judge about the phone tapping allegations made by Bellad. By Express News Service KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Thursday directed filmmaker Aisha Sultana accused of sedition case to appear before the Kavaratti police for interrogation on June 20. She had allegedly stated that the central government had used 'bio-weapon' against islanders. While passing the interim order, Justice Ashok Menon held that in the event of arrest, she should be released on interim anticipatory bail for one week on the execution of Rs 50000 with two solvent sureties for the like sum to the satisfaction of the arresting officer. The court has reserved its final order in her bail application. The court also granted her permission to insist on the assistance of an advocate during interrogation as contemplated under section 41 (d) of CrPC after the arrest, if any. When the case came up for hearing, Senior Advocate P Vijayabhanu, counsel for Aisha Sultana, submitted that the custodial interrogation is not needed in the case and the counter affidavit filed by the Kavaratti police also not mentioning about custodial interrogation. She had made the statement during a heated discussion on the TV Channel and she did not know the implications of her statement. When she realised her mistake, she had tendered an apology for making the remarks. She is willing to cooperate with the probe and ready to appear before the police based on the notice issued under 41 A of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Opposing the bail plea, S Manu, counsel for Lakshadweep Administration, submitted that the act of the petitioner amounts to sedition. She had criticised the centre government in harsh words. It was a harmful statement and made intentionally. "She may be a good actor in the reel, but she seems a good actor in real life as well. She is pretending as an innocent after making the statement," submitted the counsel. She had practically sowed the seeds of separatism in the minds of the Lakshadweep people by making the assertion. Criticizing a government or its policies is much different from making totally baseless, ill-motivated and noxious assertions capable of exciting the feeling of disaffection, hatred and contempt against government established by law. The apologies or explanations made to avoid legal consequences will not absolve the criminal liability for the offences already completed. Prima facie she has committed offences under Sections 124 A (sedition) and 153 B (assertions against national integration) of the Indian Penal Code. The police did not act in a haste manner in the case. The police had received a complaint and after asserting the situation, the FIR registered against her. Ten days time has granted her to appear before the police as the notice was issued on June 10, pointed out the counsel. By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala stole the show at K Sudhakaran, MP, taking over as the new KPCC president at the Indira Bhavan here on Wednesday. Taking up cudgels against his own party, Chennithala quipped that none had come to defend him when the CPM had brandished him a BJP man. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, MP, invited Chennithala to New Delhi. Though Chennithala did not disclose the reason for the invite, it is believed that the Congress high command is keen to mollify him. Ever since V D Satheesan was made the Opposition leader by the high command unilaterally without taking either Chennithala or Oommen Chandy into confidence, the two senior leaders were peeved with the central leadership. During the process to select the successor to Mullappally Ramachandran too, the two factional leaders had not revealed their choice. . Tariq Anwar, national general secretary in charge of Kerala. and three of his secretaries, P Viswanath, Ivan DSouza and P V Mohan, also urged top leaders to ensure that they render all support to the new team. Chennithala was upset that he was humiliated by being sidelined at the Congress Legislature Party(LP) meeting, which saw Satheesan becoming the Opposition leader. A source close to Chennithala told TNIE that Rahul Gandhi had called him on the phone on Tuesday. Things have not been smooth during the past several weeks. Hence, Rahul has invited Chennithala to ease the prevailing tensions. He will leave on Thursday and is scheduled to meet Rahul the next day, said the source. Earlier, during his speech at the Indira Bhavan, Chennithala said that when the state Congress president is targeted by his political detractors, every Congress worker should feel it personally. He maintained that this led him to immediately rally behind Sudhakaran when the CPM claimed that he is pro-RSS. I felt upset when our own leaders took up political rivals allegations. Sudhakaran must realise that everyone flashing a smile need not be your friend, he said. However, Sudhakaran chose not to reply to Chennithalas comments. K Muraleedharan, MP, said that though he already knew this, Chennithala apparently realised this rather late. According to Muraleedharan, after he felt that he was being sidelined in the party, he had remained stoic. I keep on saying that I dont want any party position because of this attitude by the leaders. With Sudhakaran at the helm of the party, party workers are all fired up. which is definitely good. But, there is no party at the grassroots, where there is a KPCC general secretary, DCC general secretary and a booth president. However, there is nothing beyond that, which is the bane of the Congress and this should be addressed now, he said. By PTI NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Thursday said he has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine to the state and rescind the Centre's preliminary nod for Mekedatu dam in Karnataka. On his maiden visit to the national capital after assuming office as Chief Minister last month, Stalin urged Modi to grant citizenship to Tamil refugees from Sri Lanka, withdraw the Citizenship Amendment Act and the three farm laws. Raising the level of Mullaperiyar dam, priority for river linking initiatives, scrapping NEET, finding a permanent solution to the travails of fishermen at the hands of Sri Lankan Navy, completing work for AIIMS at Madurai in Tamil Nadu were among the other issues he raised. Stalin, who called on Modi, said he urged the Prime Minister to immediately operationalise the union government's vaccine manufacturing facilities in Tamil Nadu. While one facility is at Chengelpet near Chennai, another is in the Nilgiris district. "I have given a memorandum to the Prime Minister," he told reporters after his 30-minute meeting with Modi which he described as satisfactory. Asked about the release of seven Rajiv Gandhi case convicts, he said the state government's recommendation on their release was with the Centre now (forwarded by Governor Banwarilal Purohit to President Ram Nath Kovind). Also, a related matter was in court and the government would formulate its stance in accordance with the legal proceedings, he added. For long, most TN parties, including the DMK and AIADMK, have favoured the release of Rajiv case convicts as they had spent about three decades in prison and recently Perarivalan, one of the convicts, was granted leave for a month. Stalin said the union government should release full funding due to Tamil Nadu including those related to Goods and Service Tax and these were among the demands that were made in the memorandum. All entrance examinations for professional courses like the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for medicine should be scrapped and such aspects also featured in the memorandum, he said, reiterating the state's demand. He said the Prime Minister has assured his full cooperation to take forward the development initiatives of Tamil Nadu. Stalin said he would continue to exert pressure on the Centre to fulfill the demands which also included retrieving Katchatheevu from Sri Lanka, as a lasting solution to the fishermen issue. "We will extend our hand (of support) for (harmonious) ties with the Centre and at the same time raise our voice for state's rights," he replied when asked if he would pursue a line like that of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee vis-a-vis ties with Centre or like others who follow a cordial approach. Son of DMK patriarch and late chief minister M Karunanidhi, Stalin piloted his DMK to a spectacular victory in the April 6 assembly election. Though he should have met the Prime Minister immediately after becoming chief minister, the pandemic had deferred the meeting. "Now the Coronavirus cases in Tamil Nadu and other parts of India have declined considerably," he said and indicated the downward graph had paved the way for the crucial meeting today. "We will implement them all, gradually," he replied when asked if he would implement his party's poll assurances, including winding up state-owned TASMAC liquor outlets across Tamil Nadu. On the Sri Lankan Tamils issue, he had sought the Centre's intervention to ensure the "Eelam Tamils equal civil and political rights." The 25-point memorandum, which he presented to Modi, highlighted several demands of the state which also included expediting the AIIMS project at Madurai and establishing a new AIIMS in Coimbatore. Reservation for OBC should be included in the all India quota for admission to medical colleges at UG and PG level, he said. On the controversial Mekedatu reservoir project across the Cauvery river, he said he asked the centre to withdraw the permission granted to Karnataka. Stalin also sought increasing the water level in the Mullaperiyar dam to its full reservoir level of 152 feet and sought the expedition of Godavari-Cauvery and Cauvery-Gundaru rivers linkage and release of Cauvery water during this year as per the Supreme Court order. Special relief package for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, a new international airport with world-class standards at Chennai, declaring Madurai airport as an international airport, modernising airports in Salem and Thoothukudi, and passing the Bill to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and State Legislatures were among the numerous demands. By Express News Service CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday launched a scheme for extending financial assistance to children, who lost their parents to the pandemic. At the secretariat, guardians of five such children received documents for a deposit of Rs 5 lakh in the Tamil Nadu Power Finance and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited. The kids, when they become 18 years old, will receive this amount along with interest. Also, five children who lost one of their parents due to the infection, received `3 lakh assistance on Wednesday. Social Welfare Minister B Geetha Jeevan, Chief Secretary V Irai Anbu and other senior officials were present on the occasion. On May 29, the Chief Minister had announced relief measures for the children who got orphaned due to the pandemic. Some of the measures include admission on priority basis in government homes and hostels; State government will bear all their educational expenses up to graduation, including hostel fees; Rs 3,000 monthly aid if they are being taken care of by a relative or a guardian, till they attain the age of 18; a special committee at the district level will monitor their education and other matters; and all government welfare schemes will be extended to these kids on priority basis. T Muruganandham By Express News Service CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at New Delhi on Thursday and presented a memorandum containing 25 demands for Tamil Nadu in various sectors. The meeting lasted for around 25 minutes. Water Resources Minister Durai Murugan and Chief Secretary V Irai Anbu were present on the occasion. Talking to reporters at Tamil Nadu House, the Chief Minister said, "The meeting was satisfactory. The Prime Minister greeted me on becoming the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. He assured that I can contact him at any time regarding the demands of Tamil Nadu." The key issues raised during the meeting include reversal of three agricultural legislations, scrapping NEET, New Education Policy, early commencement of vaccine production at the Chengalpattu complex and revival of the Sethusamudram project. By Associated Press BEIJING: Under bright-blue morning skies, China launched its first crewed space mission in five years Thursday, sending three science-minded military pilots rocketing to a new orbiting station they're expected to reach around midafternoon. The astronauts, already wearing their spacesuits, were seen off by the commander of Chinas manned space program, other uniformed military personnel and a crowd of children waving flowers and flags and singing patriotic songs. The three gave final waves to a crowd of people waving flags, then entered the elevator to take them to the spaceship at the Jiuquan launch center in northwestern China. The astronauts are traveling in the Shenzhou-12 spaceship launched by a Long March-2F Y12 rocket that blasted off shortly after the target time of 9:22 a.m. (0122 GMT) with near-perfect visibility at the launch center on the edge of the Gobi Desert. The two veteran astronauts and a newcomer making his first space flight are scheduled to stay three months in the Tianhe, or Heavenly Harmony, station, conducting experiments, testing equipment and preparing its main living section for expansion before two laboratory modules are launched next year. Chinese astronauts, from left, Tang Hongbo, Nie Haisheng, and Liu Boming wave as they prepare to board for liftoff at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan in northwestern China, Thursday, June 17, 2021. (Photo | AP) The rocket dropped its boosters about two minutes into the flight followed by the coiling surrounding Shenzhou-12 at the top of the rocket. After about 10 minutes it separated from the rocket's upper section, extended its solar panels and shortly afterward entered orbit. About a half-dozen adjustments will take place over the next four to six hours to line up the spaceship for docking with the Tianhe at about 4 p.m. (0800 GMT), the mission's deputy chief designer, Gao Xu, told state broadcaster CCTV. The travel time is down from the two days it took to reach China's earlier experimental space stations, a result of a great many breakthroughs and innovations" Gao said. So the astronauts can a have a good rest in the space which should make them less tired," Gao said. Other improvements include an increase in the number of automated and remote-controlled systems that should significantly lessen the pressure on the astronauts," Gao said. The mission brings to 14 the number of astronauts China has launched into space since its first crewed mission in 2003, becoming only the third country after the former Soviet Union and the United States to do so on its own. The mission is the third of 11 planned through next year to add the additional sections to the station and send up crews and supplies. A fresh three-member crew and a cargo ship with supplies will be sent in three months. China expects to send women to crew the station in future launches. China is not a participant in the International Space Station, largely as a result of U.S. objections to the Chinese programs secrecy and close military ties. However, China has been stepping up cooperation with Russia and a host of other countries, and its station may continue operating beyond the International Space Station, which is reaching the end of its functional life. A man is silhouetted as she walks by a TV screen showing CCTV live telecast of the Long March-2F Y12 rocket carrying a crew of Chinese astronauts in a Shenzhou-12 spaceship lifts off at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, at a shopping mall in Beijing, Thursday, June 17, 2021. (Photo | AP) China landed a probe on Mars last month that carried a rover, the Zhurong, and earlier landed a probe and rover on the moon's less explored far side and brought back the first lunar samples by any countrys space program since the 1970s. After the Tianhe was launched in April, the rocket that carried it into space made an uncontrolled reentry to Earth, though China dismissed criticism of the potential safety hazard. Usually, discarded rocket stages reenter the atmosphere soon after liftoff, normally over water, and dont go into orbit. The rocket used Thursday is of a different type and the components that will reenter are expected to burn up long before they could be a danger, said Ji Qiming, assistant director of the China Manned Space Agency. ALSO WATCH | "Told Putin we will 'not tolerate' interfering in US democracy" says Joe Biden By Associated Press WASHINGTON: Presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin of Russia spent more than three hours discussing issues Wednesday at their summit in Geneva. They ticked through their respective lists so quickly and in such "excruciating detail," Biden says, that they looked at each other and thought, "OK, what next?" The most pressing issues the leaders discussed: Ambassadors Biden and Putin agreed to return their respective ambassadors to Washington and Moscow in a bid to improve badly deteriorated diplomatic relations between their countries. Russia's ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov, left Washington in March amid a row after Biden called Putin a killer in a television interview and imposed new sanctions on Russia over its treatment of opposition figure Alexei Navalny. John Sullivan, the U.S. ambassador to Russia, flew out of Moscow in April after public suggestions from Russian officials that he should leave to mirror Antonov's departure. Both ambassadors were present at Wednesday's summit. Putin also said the Russian foreign ministry and the U.S. State Department would begin consultations on other vexing diplomatic issues, including the closures of consulates in both countries and the employment status of Russian citizens working for U.S. missions in Russia. A senior Biden administration official said Sullivan is likely to return to Moscow next week. A different senior administration official said both governments had begun discussing consulate and local staff issues and the hope was an agreement could be reached in the next two months. Neither administration official was authorized to comment publicly by name and both spoke on condition of anonymity. Cybersecurity No breakthroughs on this issue were announced, but the leaders agreed to at least talk about what has become a major source of conflict between the U.S. and Russia. Biden said he and Putin agreed to have their experts work out an understanding about what types of critical infrastructure would be off-limits to cyberattacks. He said the U.S. presented Russia with 16 specific types of infrastructure, including energy, elections, banking and water systems, and the defense industry. The agreement comes amid a flood of ransomware attacks against U.S. businesses and government agencies, including one in May that disrupted fuel supplies along the East Coast for nearly a week. The disruption was blamed on a criminal gang operating out of Russia, which does not extradite suspects to the U.S. ALSO WATCH | "Told Putin we will 'not tolerate' interfering in US democracy" says Joe Biden Other serious incidents include the SolarWinds intrusion discovered last year in which hackers, believed by U.S. authorities to be Russian, penetrated multiple U.S. government networks and prompted Biden to impose additional U.S. sanctions against Russia. Biden said the U.S. and Russian governments would follow up on certain criminal cases, an apparent reference to cybercriminals operating with impunity from Russian territory. Putin agreed there is mutual interest in the subject. Biden also made an implicit threat against Russia, saying the U.S. has "significant cyber capability" it could use against Russia if it were to interfere with U.S. critical infrastructure. Nuclear weapons Biden and Putin instructed their diplomats to begin laying the groundwork for a new phase of arms control. The "strategic stability dialogue" would be a series of discussions designed to set the table for a negotiation by sorting out what exactly should be negotiated. More broadly, it would aim to reduce the risk of war between the world's two largest nuclear powers. Biden said the goal is to work with Russia on "a mechanism that can lead to control of new and dangerous and sophisticated weapons that are coming on the scene now, that reduce the time for response, that raise the prospect of accidental war." He said this was discussed in detail. No date was announced for the start of talks. The basic idea is to identify and sort out the many areas of disagreement over what a future arms control treaty should address. It also would address ways to avoid unintended or accidental moves that could trigger war. Shortly after Biden took office in January, he and Putin agreed to extend until 2026 the New START treaty that limits long-range nuclear weapons. The challenge now is to work out what a potential follow-on pact would include. The Russians insist it include defensive weapons, such as U.S. missile defense systems. The Americans argue that it should include so-called tactical nuclear weapons, which are not covered by New START and of which the Russians have a far larger number deployed. It might also include new and emerging technologies such as hypersonic missiles and space weaponry. Prisoner exchange Biden said he raised with Putin the plight of two Americans detained in Russia. Putin had opened the door to possible discussions about a prisoner swap with the U.S. and said those conversations would continue. Biden said he would follow up, too. The U.S. is holding two prisoners whose release Russia has sought for more than a decade, including arms trader Viktor Bout. The other is Konstantin Yaroshenko, a pilot who was extradited from Liberia in 2010 and convicted the next year of conspiracy to smuggle cocaine into the U.S. Biden said Americans Paul Whelan and Trevor Reed are being "wrongfully imprisoned" in Russia. Whelan, who also holds Canadian, Irish and British citizenship, was arrested in Moscow in 2018, convicted of espionage and sentenced to 16 years. Whelan says he was just visiting Moscow. Reed was convicted of assaulting a police officer while intoxicated and sentenced to nine years. Putin, in a recent interview with NBC News, called Reed a "drunk and a troublemaker." Human rights Biden said he'll continue to air with Putin concerns about basic human rights because it is a core tenet of what the United States stands for. Biden said he couldn't be president of the United States and not raise human rights issues during the summit with Putin. He mentioned the internationally publicised case of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. But Putin said Navalny got what he deserved when he was handed a stiff prison sentence. Navalny is Putin's most ardent political foe. He was arrested in January after returning to Russia from Germany, where he'd spent five months recovering from nerve agent poisoning that he blames on the Kremlin. Russian officials deny involvement in Nalvany's poisoning. Navalny received a 30-month prison sentence for violating terms of a suspended sentence from a 2014 embezzlement conviction he dismissed a politically motivated. Syria Biden pressed Putin to drop a push to close the last international humanitarian crossing into Syria, making clear the matter was of "significant importance" to the U.S. No deal was reached to keep it open, however. Russia is threatening to use its U.N. Security Council veto to close the aid route for millions of Syrians internally displaced by that country's war. Afghanistan and Iran Biden said Putin asked about Afghanistan and expressed a desire that peace and security be maintained there. Biden said he told Putin that a lot of that will depend on him, and that Putin indicated he was prepared to "help" on Afghanistan as well as on Iran. Biden declined to go into further detail. Biden's administration is mounting new efforts to get Iran to comply with the terms of a nuclear deal it had once agreed to before Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump, withdrew the U.S. from the agreement the U.S. and other world powers struck with Iran in 2015. Putin also talked about preventing a resurgence of terrorist violence in Afghanistan. Biden said it would be very much in Russia's interest to not see that happen. By PTI BEIJING/JIUQUAN: Three Chinese astronauts on Thursday entered the country's new space station after their spaceship successfully docked with it, just over seven hours after the launch from the Gobi Desert, in a major milestone for the Communist giant's space exploration plans and its bid to become a leading space power. According to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), Shenzhou-12 manned spaceship successfully docked with the space station core module Tianhe on Thursday afternoon and entered the orbital capsule from the return capsule of the spaceship. After a series of preparations, the astronauts opened the hatches of the node and the Tianhe module and entered the Tianhe module one by one, signifying that for the first time the Chinese have entered their own space station, the CMSA said. The trio will carry out relevant work as planned, it said in a statement here. The spaceship, launched on Thursday morning, completed orbital status setting after entering the orbit and conducted a fast autonomous rendezvous and docking with the front docking port of Tianhe, forming a three-module complex with the cargo craft Tianzhou-2, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported. The whole process took approximately 6.5 hours. This is Tianhe's first rendezvous and docking with a Shenzhou spaceship since it was sent into orbit on April 29, the report said. Earlier, the spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gobi Desert. In a textbook launch, telecast live by the official television channels, spacecraft Shenzhou-12 sent the three astronauts into the same orbit of the core module of the space station Tianhe launched in April. Billed as the most prestigious and strategically important space project for China after the country's recent Mars and previous Moon missions, the low orbit space station would be the country's eye from the sky, providing round the clock bird's-eye view for its astronauts on the rest of the world. The space station will operate in low-Earth orbit at an altitude of 340-450 km above Earth's surface for more than 10 years. The astronauts, commander Nie Haisheng, 56, Liu Boming, 54 and Tang Hongbo, 45, will stay there for a three-month long mission to carry out the painstaking work of building the space station, which is expected to be ready by next year. "It feels great," Nie, a veteran who took part in two previous manned space missions, said after reaching the near earth-orbit. It will be China's longest crewed space mission to date and the first in nearly five years. China previously sent the space station's Tianhe core cabin module on April 29, and a cargo spacecraft with supplies on May 29. The three astronauts, who will build the station, are expected to set a new record for China's manned space mission duration, exceeding the 33 days kept by the Shenzhou-11 crew in 2016. The spacecraft was launched ahead of next month's centenary celebrations of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) to showcase it as one of its important achievements of China under its leadership. Considering its political significance, two vice-premiers with responsibility for science and technology, Han Zheng and Liu He, attended the launch event at the Beijing Aerospace Flight Control Centre, besides China's top military Generals including Defence Minister Gen. Wei Fenghe. Highlighting the space station's significance, astronaut Nie in his media interaction on Wednesday made no secret that the mission is closely tied with China's ambition to become a leading space power. "This mission will be the first manned flight as part of the China space station's construction," said Nie, who has been a Communist Party member for more than three decades. "China's space exploration development has crystallised the Chinese people's thousand-year dream of flying to the sky, and added a heroic chapter to the 100-year history of struggle of the [Chinese Communist] party," he said. Once ready, the station is expected to be opened for China's close allies like Pakistan and for other international space cooperation partners. The official media said that China's purpose of space exploration has all along been the peaceful use of what many call the final frontier of humanity. "Beijing has never intended to join a zero-sum space race or compete for global space leadership," Xinhua news agency said in a commentary. "From the Moon to Mars, from unmanned planet roaming to manned space missions, China goes into the deep space with an open mind as well as steadfast readiness to cooperate with others and to share its achievements," it said. China's space station will be equipped with a robotic-arm over which the US has raised concerns for its possible military applications. The arm, which can be stretched to 15 metres, will also play a vital role in building the space station in orbit, Zhou Jianping, chief designer of China's manned space engineering project, had said. Astronauts will team up with the robotic arm to make in-orbit space station construction and maintenance possible. China, in the past, has launched several scavenger satellites fitted with robotic arms to gather and steer space debris so that it burns up in Earth's atmosphere. China plans to send several space missions including with astronauts to carry supplies and materials to complete the construction of the space station. Thursday's launch is China's seventh crewed mission to space and the first during the construction of China's space station. While Beijing showcased the space station as a success, there were also concerns about the debris as China is set to launch several space missions during the construction of the station. Last month, the debris of Long March-5B Y2 which had launched the core module caused a global stir as it fell back to Earth. Its remnants safely crashed into the Indian Ocean near the Maldives on May 9 with no reports of damage. The hurtling debris of the rocket evoked sharp criticism from the US, NASA and international astrophysicists, saying Beijing won a reckless gamble. The uncontrolled fall of the rocket stoked fears that it may fall into inhabited areas. Ji played down concerns, saying that the last stage of all types of launches was treated with passivation technology and will not explode in orbit or generate space debris. "The Shenzhou cargo ship will deorbit and re-enter the atmosphere for destruction after all pre-set tasks are completed in a controlled manner with only minimum wreckage falling into the South Pacific waters," Ji said. PTI KJV RUP MRJ AKJ 06171955 NNNN Help support your local hometown newspaper/website. Independent local news reporting matters. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription, for as little as $3, so we can continue to provide independent local reporting on our communities. MIDDLETOWN For the second year in a row, city taxpayers will get a break. The Common Council on Monday unanimously passed a $213.25 million budget package, which will lower taxes by 0.096 percent for the 2021-22 fiscal year. The fiscal package was approved 11-0, with Councilwoman Jeanette Blackwell absent from the proceedings. Mayor Ben Florsheim said hes consulted his staff, including Finance Director Carl Erlacher, and they believe its the first time in recent memory the budget received the councils unanimous support. The mill rate will be lowered by one-tenth of a mill to 35.7. An average homeowner will see between $50 and $100 savings on their annual tax bill, Majority Leader Gene Nocera said. We heard a resounding message that our community and state and nation has to do all it can to help our taxpayers, residents and business community pull out of the economic downturn during the pandemic, Nocera said. [The coronavirus outbreak was] really significant, and is going to be with us for some time. The Board of Education request was fully funded with a 2.5 percent increase, mostly due to contractual obligations, Nocera said. Last year, the tax rate decreased by 0.2 mill, to 35.8 mills, with a 0.33 percent cut in spending. Our goal was to not make cuts, with no layoffs or increase in class size, the councilman said. The class sizes range from a maximum of 16 at the primary level and mid-20s for the other grades, he said. We know the research is very clear: If you pack kids into a classroom, its very, very difficult to meet those needs, Nocera said. A tremendous amount of work went into this years budget-making process, during which leaders tried to keep spending as lean as possible amid myriad challenges presented by the pandemic, Nocera said. In early April, Florsheim released his proposed $213.04 million spending package, which, if passed, would have meant a 1.1 percent increase in spending over the current fiscal years $210.8 million budget. That plan would have raised taxes by 0.84 percent. The budget has five components: general government (funded at $178.93 million), the central fire district, sanitation, and water and sewer. In addition to lowering taxes for the second straight year, city leaders funded additional services asked for by voters, departmental heads, and the business community, Nocera said. Changes were relatively small, but meaningful at the same time, Florsheim said. The mayor said hes pleased to give taxpayers a break for the second year in a row, as well as make some key investments in the community, made possible through collaboration with city leaders. This is the second budget Florsheim has had a hand in crafting since taking office in November 2019. Its been a long and, at times uncertain budget process this year for a lot of factors, the mayor said. But I am incredibly proud and appreciative of the work that was done to get it on time as a responsible budget for our taxpayers. That is a testament to the fact that the priorities that were funding in this budget were really shared priorities of the city, he said. This budget checks off all those boxes. Some urgently needed additional jobs include $60,000 more for the Recreation Services Division to establish a one-year, summer pilot program in conjunction with Oddfellows Playhouse, Florsheim said. The move was partly in response to a rash of shootings and a stabbing this spring that killed two people. The money will support outreach to youth and families living in two neighborhoods to keep children engaged in activities and out of trouble, Recreation Services Director Cathy Lechowicz has said. Also, $65,042 was added for a human resources specialist in the Equal Opportunity & Diversity Management office who will focus on recruiting applicants who have been traditionally underserved, and hiring local people whenever possible, the mayor said. A new parks maintenance employee will come aboard at a salary of $42,578 to monitor park upgrades, such as the $2 million renovations planned this fall at Veterans Pool. Also, $100,000 was added to the citys tree budget, to help deal with the destruction caused by the emerald ash borer. Middletown is known as the Forest City with its Tree City USA designation for the 31st year in a row. The remaining additions will go toward the citys department reorganization plan. Savings were realized with funding from the American Rescue Plan. We did a lot of adjusting our budget, the mayor and department heads were fabulous trimming a little here and there without any layoffs or program reduction or reducing services, Nocera said. That adds up. The meeting can be watched online PHOENIX (AP) An unusually early and long-lasting heat wave brought more triple-digit temperatures Wednesday to a large swath of the U.S. West, raising concerns that such extreme weather could become the new normal amid a decades-long drought. Phoenix, which is seeing some of the highest temperatures this week, tied a record for the second day in a row when it reached 115 degrees (46 Celsius) Wednesday and was expected to hit 117 (47 Celsius) each of the next two days, the National Weather Service said. Scientists who study drought and climate change say that people living in the American West can expect to see more of the same in the coming years. Heat waves are getting worse in the West because the soil is so dry from the region's megadrought, said Park Williams, a University of California, Los Angeles, climate and fire scientist who has calculated that soil in the western half of the nation is the driest it has been since 1895. We could have two, three, four, five of these heat waves before the end of the summer. A few clouds were holding the temperatures down slightly in the desert region of southwest Arizona and southeast California. But there was no real relief expected from the excessive heat warning in effect until at least Sunday. Palm Springs hit a high of 120 degrees on Tuesday, The dome of high pressure spread over the West the week before the official start of summer, causing unusually hot days and warm evenings. Expecting crowds trying to cool off, a half dozen lifeguards in wide-brimmed straw hats and red T-shirts over swimsuits waited for people to arrive at a city pool in downtown Phoenix that features a water slide and several fountains. Several blocks away, outdoor misters spritzed diners on restaurant patios. In California, the operator of the state's power grid is asking residents to voluntarily conserve power for a few hours Thursday evening as record-breaking heat blankets the West this week. The California Independent System Operator issued the alert to help relieve stress on the grid. It asks people to set thermostats to 78 degrees or higher, turn off unnecessary lights and avoid using major appliances. CEO Elliot Mainzer said the grid was stable and there was no expectation of rotating power outages, but that could change as temperatures spike in the coming days. Higher temperatures also were felt in the normally temperate San Francisco Bay Area. A few cooling centers were open but mostly empty by the afternoon. Kathleen Craft, shelter coordinator for the city of Livermore, California, said temperatures had reached 99 degrees (37 Celsius) shortly after midday but only one woman had shown up at the city's cooling center. Were anticipating well see more people tomorrow when a temperature of 108 degrees is forecast, Craft said. Elsewhere in the West, triple-digit heat was forecast in Denver, which saw a record high of 101 degrees (38 Celsius) Tuesday. The weather service issued an excessive heat warning for parts of western Colorado, most of which is experiencing extreme drought conditions. Bekka Hamburg was trying to beat the heat by paddle-boarding on a lake just west of downtown Denver on Wednesday. I rented this (paddleboard) a week ago knowing that it would be like 100 degrees, the 24-year-old visiting from Indianapolis said. I didnt pack any pants, didnt pack any T-shirts. I just packed tank tops and shorts. Hamburg said it was the first time she had experienced Colorados dry heat, adding that its much easier to manage than the humid heat common in the Midwest. In Nevada, Las Vegas hit 116 degrees (46.6 Celsius), breaking the record of 114 degrees (45.5 Celsius) for the date set during a record hot spell on June 16, 1940. The region is expected to remain at 113 degrees (45 C) or hotter through Sunday, National Weather Service meteorologist John Salmen said, and still could top the all-time local high of 117 degrees (47 Celsius), set June 20, 2017. This is pretty impressive. Were seeing all-time records fall, Salmen said. New Mexico also experienced more record-breaking highs. But a possible respite was in sight with showers and thunderstorms expected in parts of the state. In Montana, temperatures over 100 degrees (38 Celsius) have made it tougher to fight wildfires that have exploded in size, triggering evacuations and destroying an undetermined number of homes. Furious winds have stoked the flames and forced the crash-landing of a firefighting helicopter. At least 14 new fires have been reported in Montana and Wyoming since Tuesday. The dry weather was also being felt in Idaho, where authorities are preparing for what could be a challenging wildfire season. Nick Nauslar, a meteorologist with the National Interagency Fire Center, told state officials this week that nearly 80% of Idaho is in drought and the rest will likely experience it in the coming months. He said Idaho had its second-driest spring in the last 126 years. ___ Associated Press journalists Olga R. Rodriguez in San Francisco; John Antczak and Christopher Weber in Los Angeles; Thomas Peipert and Brittany Peterson in Denver; Matthew Brown in Billings, Montana; Ken Ritter in Las Vegas; and Keith Ridler in Boise, Idaho, contributed to this report. GREENWICH There will be a police presence at Thursdays school board meeting as the district braces for an expected large crowd of protesters who oppose the teaching of critical race theory as well as masks and COVID-19 vaccines for students. For more than a week, a loosely affiliated group of disgruntled parents and residents called the Greenwich Patriots has urged parents to attend the school board meeting Thursday evening. It is customary for GPS to hire Greenwich police for added security for large crowds with potential for heightened disagreement, Greenwich Public Schools Director of Communications Sasha Houlihan said Wednesday. Its not clear how many protesters, in total, will attend the meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at Central Middle School. The meeting can also be watched virtually, with links available at www.greenwichschools.org/board-of-education. The Greenwich Patriots was behind a series of Stand Up Greenwich signs put up throughout town earlier this month and organized a Flag Day Rally at Greenwich Town Hall on Monday that drew more than 50 people. In response, administrators of the Facebook group Parents of Greenwich Students put up a post asking parents to attend the meeting to counter the voices of the Greenwich Patriots,who have also been vocal during the public comment section of recent meetings. Public comment will be limited to one hour at the beginning of the meeting, a practice that Board of Education Chair Peter Bernstein said is not new. If more time is needed, the board will allow additional public comment at the end of the meeting. Updates on the Western Middle School fields project and the districts Strategic Plan, which the board is currently in the midst of drafting, are also on the meeting agenda. Board policy allows the chair to set time limits on public comment as deemed appropriate. In recent months, some parents and a board member have spoken up about certain learning materials used in classrooms. In late March, during a response to his board colleagues who censured him for using explicit language during a public meeting, board member Peter Sherr drew attention to an assigned reading at the high school that he said contained inappropriate language. Days later, an explicit video was mistakenly shown to a second grade class in Greenwich, sparking more outrage. Subsequent reports of inappropriate materials, some of which are supposedly evidence of critical race theorys presence in the classroom, have been common. Critical race theory is an academic framework for viewing race and power in relation to American history. Its alleged presence in schools has been the source of debate in the last year and has polarized people in Greenwich, as well as nationally. In April, school district officials in Greenwich presented a plan to improve the curriculum development process and hopefully avoid future issues. Also, Superintendent of School Toni Jones has repeatedly denied that critical race theory is taught in Greenwich Schools. Parents skeptical of the COVID-19 vaccine for their children were also angered in March when, at a Parent Teacher Association meeting, a doctor allegedly misspoke about the vaccine, telling parents it was approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration. In fact, the Pfizer vaccine the only vaccine authorized for children was given an Emergency Use Authorization by the FDA, a lesser designation than outright approval. Jones has acknowledged that the doctor misspoke and said the district has since provided additional information about the vaccine. But some parents, including Greenwich Patriots Founder Jackie Homan, have remained alarmed at what they consider misinformation and pressure directed at kids and parents to get the shot. The state Department of Education has repeatedly encouraged residents to wear masks, which are mandated inside school buildings. The COVID-19 vaccine is not mandatory for children, according to the state, but district officials have been encouraged to share information with students about it. justin.papp@scni.com; @justinjpapp1; 203-842-2586 Free access for current print subscribers As a home delivery subscriber, you get free unlimited digital access to news-daily.com including stories, photos, obituaries, e-edition and more on your computer, tablet or phone. All you need is your print subscription account number and your last name. Don't know your subscription number? Email access@news-daily.com with your delivery address. Activate your account now. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Clouds and some sun this morning with more clouds for this afternoon. High 78F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Mainly clear skies. Low 53F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Partly to mostly cloudy. High 78F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Mainly clear. Low 53F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. featured Euclid Planning and development director updates residents on status of the waterfront improvement plan Euclid's planning and development director updates residents on status of the waterfront improvement plan Ohio House HB6 sponsor Callender says no vote on expulsion not about Householder The Teachers Guild at Lakeland Community College is sponsoring a free, virtual workshop, #DesignCamp CLE, June 15, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. for You have permission to edit this collection. Edit Close Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman, a Lima Republican, discusses the Senate passage of Ohio's two-year, $75 billion state budget, on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. Differences in how to pay for K-12 education are expected to dominate the next stage of deliberations, with the House and Senate taking different approaches to a long-term school funding solution. The two chambers must reconcile two versions of the budget by month's end. FILE - In this Feb. 28, 2021, photo, former President Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Orlando, Fla. Chatbots hold promise for dementia patient or caregiver support, but are still in their infancy, finds a paper published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research. None of the interactive digital apps tested by medical researchers and a computer scientist performed well on all testing criteria, and all the apps contained linguistic biases and usability challenges. The authors conclude that until developers produce evidence-based chatbots that have undergone end user evaluation it will be hard to evaluate their potential to adequately educate and support dementia patients and their caregivers. Dementia care is complex and no two cases of dementia are alike. Chatbots have the potential of providing caregivers with instant support that is evidence-based and personalized. While it was promising to find some advancements in this area, it was disappointing to learn that more hasn't been done." Nicole Ruggiano, first author, professor of social work, University of Alabama Chatbots have become a familiar presence in online customer service settings, and millions of people use personal digital assistants like Amazon's Alexa or Apple's Siri to perform tasks and retrieve information every day. Chatbots combine text or voice recognition, machine learning, and pre-programmed responses to afford users relatively seamless conversation with a human-like machine. Healthcare chatbots can interpret symptoms, suggest resources, or offer emotional support. "Artificial intelligence chatbots have great potential to improve the communication between patients and the healthcare system, given the shortage of healthcare staff and the complexity of the patient needs. This is especially important for dementia patients and caregivers, who keep increasing as the population ages, and face care challenges daily," said corresponding author Vagelis Hristidis, a professor of computer science in UC Riverside's Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering, and founder of SmartBot360, a healthcare chatbot company. Chatbots can provide memory training or stimulate fond recollections for dementia patients. Dementia patient caregivers, who often feel isolated and insufficient, can receive advice and emotional support from chatbots. The effectiveness of chatbot interventions, however, is only as good as the medical knowledge used in their programming and the quality of the user's interactions with the bot. "In regards to the use of a chatbot by dementia caregivers, there are many content areas family caregivers may find helpful. Caregivers are confronted by increasing care coordination challenges, and a decline in function and overall well-being of the person living with dementia," said co-first author Ellen Brown, Erica Wertheim Zohar Endowed Chair in Community Mental Health at Florida International University. "Additionally, a new caregiver may look for very different resources and information than a more experienced caregiver." To assess the potential for chatbots to assist with dementia care, a team of researchers from the University of Alabama, Florida International University, and UC Riverside identified 501 chatbot apps available for download on several popular platforms. After eliminating apps that had no chat feature, offered a chat with live humans, were not actually focused on dementia, were unavailable, or were a game, they ended up with 27 apps, only six of which fit all evaluation criteria. The apps that made the cut were: CogniCare mobile app; CogniCare (Alexa Skills version); My Life Story; Dementia Types; Build Your Brain Power; and Everything Memory. The authors assessed the productivity, effectiveness, functionality and humanity, and overall satisfaction, including affect, ethics and behavior. The apps were generally focused on the epidemiology and symptoms of dementia and less on caregiving skills and activities. It was difficult to start using all the apps, which would present a big hurdle for people without experience using computers or for people with dementia. The voice chatbot apps only responded to very specific pronunciations and vocabulary terms, limiting their use to certain speech styles and dialects. All six of the apps were only available in English, further limiting their usefulness. However, once the researchers were able to get the programs started, they worked fairly well. Of the five chatbots designed to educate about dementia, three had a breadth of knowledge and flexibility in interpreting information. Users were able to interact with the apps in a human-like way, though only one, My Life Story, passed the Turing test, in which a person interacting with a computer cannot tell if it is a computer or real person. Some of the apps had features that increased the user's enjoyment, such as soft background music, and one app elicited interaction with comments such as, "Tell me more." On ethics and privacy, only the two CogniCare apps, both produced by the same organization, fared well. All the other apps had various limitations that the researchers recommended should be improved to increase user confidence. In general, the apps' limited program content made it hard to have extended or varied conversations between users and chatbots. Because dementia is complex and the symptoms varied, this could limit the education and support the apps provide. It also was not clear if information programmed into the apps came from evidence-based medical literature or professional practice, or more questionable Internet sources. The authors conclude that although all the chatbots tested had attractive and useful features, none of them were likely to be effective providers of reliable, evidence-based information and advice or emotional support. Because chatbots have the potential to ease the burden for caregivers as well as to help dementia patients manage their own care, the authors recommend continued development and further research into chatbot apps for dementia. Progress in human health comes in many forms. We learn more about how diseases work; we pioneer new diagnostics and treatments; we come up with better ways to get care to people who need it. At the most fundamental level, though, advances in biomedicine depend on our ability to see inside the human body and understand what's happening. When a new technology enhances that ability think ultrasounds, or MRI it unleashes a wave of innovation across the entire field, and expands the boundaries of what's possible in medicine. We are on the cusp of such a wave. Emerging technologies are making it increasingly possible to visualise the interactions between, and even within, the individual cells in a living person's body. The more these technologies mature, the more discoveries they'll drive, and the closer we'll get to preventing and treating disease on a truly cellular level. What is less certain is whether the benefits of tomorrow's bioimaging technologies will be shared equitably or whether they will accrue only to the wealthy, developed countries that can afford them. The status quo favours the latter. Right now, North America and Western Europe devote about 2.5 per cent of their gross domestic product to scientific research and development. But in regions like Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Sub-Saharan Africa, R&D expenditures are just 1.0, 0.7, and 0.4 per cent of GDP respectively. If you're a biomedical scientist in one of these parts of the world, funding is generally harder to come by, particularly in the amounts that are required to purchase cutting-edge instruments. One way around the cost problem is to pool and share resources. In Latin America, for example, many biomedical scientists use publicly shared facilities and instrumentation to do their research. In other regions, though, this model does not exist; the infrastructure has not been built, nor have the scientific networks that enable this kind of collaboration. Together, these barriers and others impede biomedical research, and exacerbate the enormous inequities in global health. When scientists in sub-Saharan Africa don't have the imaging tools to study diseases that are endemic to their region and that receive little attention from researchers elsewhere it means that new diagnostics and treatments will be slower to come, and that more people will lose their lives to those diseases in the interim. If the next generation of imaging technologies is distributed as inequitably as the last, these problems are sure to worsen. We could soon find ourselves in a world where doctors in the United States can map the cancerous cells deep in a patient's body, monitor those cells over time, and use the information to design a personalised and lifesaving treatment while equally skilled doctors in Haiti may not even be able to detect a patient's tumor, because they lack access to the right instruments. That's a future where all of us will be more vulnerable. After all, bioimaging technologies also play an essential role in fighting infectious diseases; they helped scientists determine the structure of the Zika virus, and they paved the way for the first Ebola treatments. Preventing future pandemics will require much more of this kind of research and right now, scientists in many low- and middle-income countries aren't in a position to lead it. For these reasons and more, leaders in the scientific and global health communities should start investing in a world where cutting-edge bioimaging technologies are much more widely available, and where more scientists have the training to put those technologies to use. The good news is that this work is already well under way. One of the organisations driving it, Global BioImaging, has spent the last several years connecting bioimaging experts all over the world from Mexico, to India, to South Africa. Together, these scientists and facility operators are forming local and regional networks. They're sharing data, protocols, and methods. And they're using their collective power to secure the funding and instrumentation they need. While these networks are still young, their promise is extraordinary. One recent meeting brought European imaging scientists together to share their progress on cancer research. Another connected imaging experts in Europe to their counterparts in Latin America, so they could share knowledge and best practices. This network also connected politicians in Europe and Latin America to advocate for government support of imaging development. What's particularly exciting is that different bioimaging networks are catalysing each other's work. When one facility develops a powerful new method, it can propagate that knowledge across facilities everywhere. This, in turn, can accelerate many biomedical research projects at once, and help bioimaging experts attract more attention and investment. With that in mind, our organisation, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, began funding Global BioImaging in January 2020. And last month, we announced a new grant opportunity that will support bioimaging in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and former Soviet countries. Our goals are threefold: to help biomedical researchers learn about new and existing imaging technologies that can help advance their research; to build local expertise in those technologies; and to empower scientists and facility operators to form the kinds of networks that have been so successful in other regions. Of course, these efforts are only a start. Closing the global gaps in bioimaging capacity will take broad, sustained investment from governments, universities, and philanthropies in every part of the world. If you're part of an organisation that can help, we urge you to get involved. The effort will be worth it. For all our lives, we've lived in a world where the most advanced scientific tools were locked away in just a handful of countries. This has distorted the biomedical research agenda, widened inequities in global health, and slowed our advances toward lifesaving therapies and cures. But the future doesn't have to look like the past. If we take the right steps now, we can get tomorrow's imaging technologies into the hands of the people who need them most and who will drive biomedical progress for decades to come. The presence of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the blood can boost the effects of daily cannabis use and heighten the risk of developing psychosis in adulthood. Similar results have been observed, also in the presence of cytokines, when cannabis is used during adolescence. Psychotic disorders have symptoms such as delirium, loss of a sense of reality, hallucinations, hearing voices, and cognitive and social impairments. A study by researchers at the University of Sao Paulo's Ribeirao Preto Medical School (FMRP-USP) in Brazil, reported in an article in the journal Psychological Medicine, finds for the first time that individuals exposed to a combination of these two factors - the presence of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the blood and cannabis use (either daily or during adolescence) - are more likely to suffer from psychosis than those who are exposed to neither or to only one. According to the authors, the study provides "the first clinical evidence that immune dysregulation modifies the cannabis-psychosis association". The study was part of a project conducted by the European Network of National Schizophrenia Networks Studying Gene-Environment Interactions (EU-GEI), a consortium of research centers in 13 countries, including Brazil. An article published in The Lancet Psychiatry by the consortium in 2019 showed that daily cannabis use increased the likelihood of suffering from a psychotic disorder threefold. In the more recent study, the researchers analyzed data for 409 people aged 16-64, including patients experiencing their first psychotic episode and community-based controls. The sample was drawn from the populations of Ribeirao Preto and 25 other cities in the region. The variables analyzed included cannabis use frequency (daily, not daily or never), duration (five years or less), and onset age (in adolescence or later). In addition to the questionnaire on cannabis use, the researchers measured various cytokines in plasma donated by the volunteers and calculated scores representing their systemic inflammatory profiles. They also collected clinical and socio-demographic data, especially variables known as confounders, such as age, gender, schooling, ethnicity, body mass index, smoking, and use of psychoactive substances. The results obtained were independent of confounding factors. Not everyone who uses cannabis develops psychosis. This suggests that the association may be modified by other factors, which may be biological, genetic or environmental. In a previous study conducted as part of my master's research, we identified a correlation between plasma cytokines and the first psychotic episode. Following up on this discovery, and the consortium's recent publication showing a higher incidence of psychosis among subjects who used cannabis on a daily basis, our next step was to see if the biological factor [inflammatory profile] affected the link between cannabis use and psychosis." Fabiana Corsi-Zuelli, First Author of the Article The main conclusion was that such a link did indeed exist. "We found a statistically significant correlation between inflammatory profile and cannabis use on a daily basis or during adolescence. In sum, the results showed that immune system dysfunction can modify the association between cannabis use and psychosis and that a combination of these two factors increases the odds of suffering from a psychotic disorder," she said. Corsi-Zuelli is currently a PhD candidate in FMRP-USP's graduate program in neurology and neurosciences, with support from Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP. The principal investigator for the project is Cristina Marta Del-Ben, a professor at FMRP-USP's Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences. According to Del-Ben, risk factors for psychosis may be biological, including genetic predisposition and problems during pregnancy, as well as environmental, including traumatic experiences during childhood and adolescence, and exposure to psychoactive substances, especially cannabis. "The mechanisms of the disorder are poorly understood," she said. "Our findings show that frequent current use of cannabis or use of the drug in adolescence is a risk factor for psychosis. We didn't detect the same correlation with occasional or recreational use. In the multicenter study, which included European cities with varying levels and types of cannabis availability, we also found that the risk of psychosis is greater in users of stronger cannabis strains with a THC content or 10% of higher." THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the primary psychoactive constituent of cannabis or marijuana. The medical explanation of psychosis is that it is a neuropsychiatric syndrome associated with anatomical and functional alterations in the brain, possibly linked to changes in the action of dopamine, a key neurotransmitter for communication among neurons. Excessive dopamine or direct damage to certain brain regions can lead to hallucinations, delusions, delirium and disorganized behavior. Other neurotransmitters, such as glutamate, have also been implicated in the neurobiology of psychosis. Specialists are currently discussing what they call the neuroimmune link, and how immune system dysregulation may trigger neurochemical, morphological and behavioral alterations that heighten the risk of developing psychiatric disorders. Psychotic symptoms may be present in several psychiatric disorders, which may or may not be affective. Recent research has taken note of cases of psychosis in patients infected by SARS-CoV-2. Treatment of psychosis involves a combination of medication, psychotherapy and family support. Next steps According to Corsi-Zuelli, the origin of the inflammatory alterations involved in psychosis is still obscure, but it may arise from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. "The inflammation seen in psychiatric disorders is considered low-level and isn't as severe as in patients with autoimmune diseases or sepsis," she said. "Nevertheless, experimental studies suggest it entails sufficient dysregulation to produce neurochemical and behavioral alterations." The researchers plan next to study genetic variants associated with the immune system and use neuroimaging data to explore the link with environmental risk factors. "Focusing in this way on the interactions between genetics and the environment will help us understand the neurobiology of psychosis, especially the role played by the immune system," she said. The association between inflammation and psychiatric disorders is highly relevant to clinical practice and has received growing attention. "It's important to the search for alternative treatments for these disorders, and also to answering often neglected questions relating to the physical health of psychiatric patients," Corsi-Zuelli said. According to Del-Ben, in the pipeline for next steps is a partnership with Geraldo Busatto Filho, a professor at the Medical School (FM) in USP's main campus, to investigate whether inflammatory markers in blood are linked to brain alterations in some of the patients studied. The research has twice received international recognition. The Society of Biological Psychiatry selected the study for its Predoctoral Scholars Award, which was to have been formalized at SOBP's 2020 annual meeting in New York, but the pandemic forced a postponement until April 2021, when the meeting was held online. And the study was selected by the Schizophrenia International Research Society (SIRS) for presentation at its 2020 Congress, also held online.urce: The SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 may have the ability to reactivate dormant tuberculosis (TB). In a novel study scientists report in The American Journal of Pathology that infection with a specific coronavirus strain reactivated dormant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) in mice. This knowledge may help to develop new vaccines for COVID-19 and avoid a potential global tuberculosis epidemic. The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus demonstrates the ability of an emerging virus to affect masses and strain and disrupt the workings of modern healthcare systems around the world. A significant number of infected COVID-19 individuals have recovered. However, a possible host defense or antiviral mechanism against the virus is yet to be identified. There are concerns that in the long-term, the virus might activate dormant bacterial infections such as TB in select infected individuals, as alarmingly, TB is already present in one quarter of the world population. Viral infections such as the influenza virus or SARS-CoV-1 are known to cause transient immune suppression that leads to reactivation of dormant bacterial infection. The highest death rate during the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 was in patients with TB, and patients with TB or multidrug-resistant TB had a worse prognosis than others during the influenza A (H1N1) pandemic in 2009. There is an urgent need to study the association of COVID-19 with dormant TB reactivation to avoid a potential global TB pandemic. It is important to understand the host defense mechanism against this disease to develop a better vaccine and/or treatment. We therefore postulated that, similar to bacteria, adult stem cells may also exhibit an altruistic defense mechanism to protect their niche against external threat." Bikul Das, MD, PhD, Lead Investigator, Department of Stem Cell and Infectious Diseases, KaviKrishna Laboratory, Guwahati Biotech Park, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, India; and Department of Stem Cell and Infection, Thoreau Lab for Global Health, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA, USA Investigators studied the coronavirus strain murine hepatitis virus-1 (MHV-1) infection in the lung in a mouse model (dMtb) of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-mediated MTB dormancy. This showed 20-fold lower viral loads than the dMtb-free control mice by the third week of viral infection and a six-fold increase of altruistic stem cells (ASCs), thereby enhancing the defense. Tuberculosis was reactivated in the dMtb mice, suggesting that dormant TB bacteria hijack these ASCs to replicate in the lung to cause pulmonary TB. Results suggest that these ASCs are transient (they expand for two weeks and then undergo apoptosis or cellular suicide) and exhibit antiviral activities against MHV-1 by secreting soluble factors. "These findings are important because they reveal a novel ASC defense mechanism against mouse coronavirus infection, which could be used to develop novel therapeutic approaches against COVID-19," noted Bikul Das. "The finding of TB reactivation in a stem cell-mediated Mtb dormancy mouse model during MHV-1 coronavirus infection indicates that in the long-term, post-pandemic, the SARS-CoV-2 virus might activate dormant bacterial infections. This is a significant finding considering the current coronavirus pandemic, where many individuals in India and other developing countries with dormant TB infection may see an increase in active TB cases post COVID-19. The ASC-mediated defense mechanism may be targeted to develop vaccines against viral infections and avoid a potential global TB pandemic." Background notes This study of stem cell altruism was inspired by the Indian Vedantic Philosophical theory of altruistic behavior, which was referred to in the poem "Fire of Golden Nail" written by Vedic philosopher and poet Krishna Ram Das of Kamrupa, India, noted the study's authors. Poet Krishna Ram Das conceptualized the idea while undergoing surgery for throat cancer and initiated the KaviKrishna Foundation to test his idea through vigorous scientific research. "Proving altruism in mammalian cell biology is a challenging task, as we faced years of resistance from colleagues," commented Bikul Das. "Altruism is about group selection, which is very challenging to demonstrate at the molecular level. However, the idea of altruism that we are describing here is the philosophical view of Vedic Jiva Upakarvada (Vedic altruism), a part of Vedantic thought that states that during stress, the living organism acquires a higher state, known as 'Avatar.' The mandate of the KaviKrishna laboratory is to take this philosophical view forward to modern biology, specifically to develop a philosophical and social theory on global health. First author Lekhika Pathak, PhD student at the KaviKrishna Lab, GBP, IIT-Guwahati, India, commented: "I joined the laboratory hoping to further ASC research exploiting the model of MHV-1-infected stem cell-mediated Mtb dormancy. Our research findings now may provide a novel approach to understand the interaction between two pathogens, coronavirus and M. tuberculosis, both of which are major threats to global health." Co-investigator Herman Yeger, PhD, of the Department of Pediatric Laboratory Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, added: "I commend Bikul Das for being innovative in transforming a piece of Indian philosophy into a testable biological experiment on altruism. Now that we have obtained convincing data on the identification of ASC and their defense against coronavirus, we hope to develop a novel approach to tackle this growing pandemic." \A team of SMU biological scientists has confirmed that P-glycoprotein (P-gp) has the ability to remove a toxin from the brain that is associated with Alzheimer's disease. The finding could lead to new treatments for the disease that affects nearly 6 million Americans. It was that hope that motivated lead researchers James W. McCormick and Lauren Ammerman to pursue the research as SMU graduate students after they both lost a grandmother to the disease while at SMU. In the Alzheimer's brain, abnormal levels of amyloid- proteins clump together to form plaques that collect between neurons and can disrupt cell function. This is believed to be one of the key factors that triggers memory loss, confusion and other common symptoms from Alzheimer's disease. "We were able to demonstrate both computationally and experimentally that P-gp, a critical toxin pump in the body, is able to transport this amyloid- protein," said John Wise, associate professor in the SMU Department of Biological Sciences and co-author of the study published in PLOS ONE. "If you could find a way to induce more P-glycoprotein in the protective blood-brain barrier for people who are susceptible to Alzheimer's disease, perhaps they could take such a treatment and it would help postpone or prevent the onset of the disease," he said. Wise stressed that the theory needs more research. The SMU (Southern Methodist University) study also provides strong evidence for the first time that P-gp may be able to pump out much larger toxins than previously believed. P-gp is nature's way of removing toxins from cells. Similar to how a sump pump in your house removes water from the basement, P-gp swallows harmful drugs or toxins within the cell and then spits them back outside the cell. You find P-gp wherever the body is looking to protect an organ from toxins, and the brain is no exception." Pia Vogel, co-author, SMU professor and director of SMU's Center for Drug Discovery, Design and Delivery Amyloid-'s large size created questions about whether P-glycoprotein could actually inhale it and pump it back out. "Amyloid- is maybe five times bigger than the small, drug-like molecules that P-glycoproteins are well-known to move. It would be like taking New York pizza and trying to stuff that whole slice in your mouth and swallow it," Wise said. The fact that P-gp appears to be able to do just that "greatly expands the possible range of things that P-gp can transport, which opens the possibility that it may interact with other factors that were previously thought impossible," said McCormick, a former SMU graduate student in biological sciences. The research was personal SMU researchers might never have investigated the link between P-gp and amyloid- proteins if not for McCormick's dogged pursuit of the connection. The Ph.D. student, who graduated in 2017, had seen preliminary work suggesting that P-gp might play a role in pulling amyloid protein out of the brain and asked his faculty advisors, Vogel and Wise, if he could take some time to check it out. The professors concede they first tried to discourage him because they were more focused on P-gp's role in creating resistance to chemotherapy in cancer patients. However, McCormick was "passionate," about figuring out if P-gp might be able to shield someone from getting Alzheimer's, Vogel said. He devoted hours of his own time to use a computer-generated model of P-glycoprotein that he and Wise created. The model allows researchers to dock nearly any drug to the P-gp protein and observe how it would behave in P-gp's "pump." Vogel, Wise and other SMU scientists have been studying the protein for years to identify compounds that might reverse chemotherapy failure in aggressive cancers. McCormick completed the computational work with the help of his fiance, Ammerman, who got her Ph.D in biology from SMU in May. Together, they ran multiple simulations of the P-gp protein using SMU's high performance computer, ManeFrame II, and found that each time, P-gp was able to "swallow" amyloid- proteins and push them out of cells. "For the scientist in me, it was just absolutely amazing that this pump could consume something that big," Vogel said. "John [Wise] and I did not predict that would be possible." Two in vitro experiments confirmed the computational work The researchers conducted two experiments in the lab to confirm the computational results. In one experiment, Ammerman used lab-purchased amyloid- proteins that had been dyed fluorescent green, allowing them to be easily spotted easily in a microscope. In multiple trials, Ammerman exposed human cells to these amyloid- proteins. She used two types of human cells -- one where P-gp was strongly expressed and one where P-gp was not. This allowed Ammerman to test the difference between the two and see if P-gp was pumping amyloid- out. The amyloid proteins were clearly shown to be pushed out of the human cells that had overexpressed P-gp in them, supporting the theory that P-gp removes amyloid proteins on contact. Another in vitro experiment reached the same conclusion from a different direction. Former graduate student Gang (Mike) Chen worked in SMU's Center for Drug Discovery, Design and Delivery to show that an Alzheimer's-linked amyloid- caused changes in the P-gp's usage of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), indicating that there was a physical interaction between the two. ATP hydrolysis produces the energy that P-gp uses to transport toxins or drugs out of the cell. When no toxins are present, P-gp's rate of ATP stays pretty low. When challenged with transporting cargo, P-gp's ATP hydrolysis activity usually increases quite dramatically. "Even though our work can't help our grandparents, I hope that it might help others in the future," Ammerman said. "The more we know, the more power we have - and researchers after us - to address and target these devastating diseases." Research published today in the Journal of General Virology has identified missed cases of SARS-CoV-2 by retrospective testing of throat swabs. Researchers at the University of Nottingham screened 1,660 routine diagnostic specimens which had been collected at a Nottingham hospital between 2 January and 11 March 2020 and tested for SARS-CoV-2 by PCR. At this stage of the pandemic, there was very little COVID-19 testing available in hospitals, and to qualify patients had to meet a strict criterion, including recent travel to certain countries in Asia or contact with a known positive case. Three previously unidentified cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection were identified by the retrospective screening, including one from a 75-year-old female whose positive swab was collected on 21 February 2020. This patient, referred to as Patient 1, died on 3 March; two days before the first official death from COVID-19 was recorded in the UK. Patient 1 had not recently travelled abroad or been in contact with anyone known to have COVID-19 and so did not qualify for a PCR test at the time. In addition to being the first death, the researchers believe that Patient 1 is also the earliest described case of community transmission in the UK. The further newly-identified cases occurred in a 64-year-old male and a 66-year-old male, both of whom showed signs of chest infections, and both of whom recovered. The samples were collected on 2 March and 8 March 2020 respectively. International travel was only removed as an essential criterion for a SARS-CoV-2 test on 12 March 2020. The research group collaborated with the COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium (COG-UK) to sequence the SARS-CoV-2 isolates collected from the swabs used in the study, and found evidence of community transmission in Nottingham as early as February 2020. Through this genome sequence data, the group identified multiple introductions of the virus into Nottingham during late February and the month of March, many of which were a distinct lineage of the virus which dominated early phases of the outbreak within the region. Based on the findings, the researchers suggest that testing should have been made available to hospital patients with compatible symptoms but no travel history earlier in the pandemic response. It sounds like a plot from a Quentin Tarantino movie -- something sets off natural killers and sends them on a killing spree. But instead of characters in a movie, these natural killers are part of the human immune system and their targets are breast cancer tumor cells. The triggers are fusion proteins developed by Clemson University researchers that link the two together. The idea is to use this bifunctional protein to bridge the natural killer cells and breast cancer tumor cells. If the two cells are brought close enough together through this receptor ligand connection, the natural killer cells can release what I call killing machinery to have the tumor cells killed." Yanzhang (Charlie) Wei, Professor, College of Science's Department of Biological Sciences It's a novel approach to developing breast cancer-specific immunotherapy and could lead to new treatment options for the world's most common cancer. About one in eight women in the U.S. and one in 1,000 men will develop invasive breast cancer during their lives. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women in the U.S., trailing only lung cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 43,600 U.S. women will die from the disease this year. Immunotherapy harnesses the power of the body's immune system to kill cancer cells. "Very simply, cancer is uncontrolled cell growth. Some cells will become abnormal and have the potential to become cancer," Wei said. "The immune system can recognize these abnormal cells and destroy them before they become cancer cells. Unfortunately for those who develop cancer, the immune system is not working very well because of gene mutations and environmental factors. The result is that the cancer cells won the fight between the immune system and the tumors." Most breast cancer targeting therapies target one of three receptors: estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors or epidermal growth factor receptors. However, up to 20 percent of breast cancers do not express these receptors. These cancers are known as triple-negative breast cancer. Triple-negative is the most lethal subtype of breast cancer because of high heterogeneity, high metastasis frequency, early relapse after standard chemotherapy and lack of efficient treatment options. In this novel research, Wei and his researchers targeted prolactin receptors. Prolactin is a natural hormone in the body and plays a role in breast growth and milk production during breastfeeding. Breast cancer cells overexpress prolactin receptors. "When people are diagnosed with breast cancer, and it's called triple-negative, it is not good news," Wei said. "This has the potential to give patients another option." Over 90 percent of breast cancer cells express prolactin receptors, including triple-negative breast cancer cells. Wei and his team developed a bifunctional protein. One part is a mutated form of prolactin that can still bind to the prolactin receptor but blocks signal transduction that would promote tumor growth. The other part is an extracellular domain of major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related protein (MICA). When the MICA binds to the prolactin receptor, it activates the natural killer cells. "One of the things tumor cells do is to inhibit natural killer cell activation, so we use these artificial bifunctional proteins to connect natural killer cells and activate them to enhance the killing of the breast cancer cells without increased cytotoxicity," Wei said. Wei is now seeking funding for an animal model study to confirm the results. One big question is whether the bifunctional protein will bring natural killer cells to healthy cells in the body that also express prolactin receptors and kill them, too, causing severe side effects. If the animal model studies are successful, the potential new treatment could move to human clinical trials. "If we had the funding now and everything is what we expected in the animal model study, we could be in clinical trials in five or six years," he said. Wei said he expects the conversion from in-vitro and animal studies to clinical trials to be easier for this potential immunotherapy than others in the past because the protein created by the Clemson researchers uses human natural killer cells and breast cancer cells. Developing new immunotherapy for cancer is nothing new to Wei. His research combining tumor cells with dendritic cells, an important part of the body's adaptive immune system, led to a dendritoma vaccine that proved effective in melanoma, renal cell carcinoma and neuroblastoma patients. The vaccine was patented and licensed to three biotech companies. Two companies are still pursuing the vaccine therapy or related therapy. "It is my dream that someday we can create a group of these bifunctional proteins that could be used for other cancers by shifting the target molecule. We'd have the one part of the bifunctional protein that targets natural killer cells. The other part would target other cancer types that have unique markers," Wei said. Two dozen ordinary Aussies tackle whether scientists should be able to change our genes to prevent disease or create superhumans Citizen juries are ideal for probing the complexities of genome editing. Credit: Alice Mollon Organizers available for interview today. Jury meets Thursday 17 June to Sunday 20 June at Old Parliament House, Canberra. Two dozen perfectly ordinary Australians are about to turn up in Canberra to examine how the country might make its mind up about complex issues such as genome editing. The group, drawn from around the nation, will form a Citizens Jury an innovative mechanism for reflecting community opinions. Such juries are increasingly used around the world to inform all levels of government. Genome editing can potentially prevent conditions such as sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis and even some forms of cancer. But there are concerns about the risks and benefits of genome editing, and fears that at some stage in the future it could be used for such things as producing babies engineered for super-strength or musicality. The jury is set to reflect deeply on the pros and cons of this challenging subject. The idea is a product of a new approach to developing inclusive social policies, and generating broader community conversations, known as deliberative democracy. It has been put together by a group of researchers led by Professor Dianne Nicol, Director of the Centre for Law and Genetics at the University of Tasmania, and Professor Simon Niemeyer, head of Australias Centre for Deliberative Democracy and Global Governance at the University of Canberra, joined by his colleagues Professors Nicole Curato and John Dryzek. This event will demonstrate why it is good for democracy to let everyone plumbers, teachers, cooks and sailors have a say on important matters, said Professor Niemeyer. Professor Nicol added: It is well recognized globally that in novel and contentious areas such as this it is equally as important to hear from ordinary members of the public as it is to hear from experts. The Citizens Jury gives members of the public the opportunity to meaningfully reflect and deliberate on the complexities of the science and the ethical, legal and social issues it raises. The jury is the first of a series to be held around the world, culminating in a global citizens assembly in Athens. The plan arose after a research paper written by Dryzek, Nicol, Niemeyer, Curato and colleagues was published in the influential journal Science. The paper analyzed how groups of non-specialists, properly guided, can provide intelligent, reasoned and insightful responses to complex issues thus providing a balance to opinions advanced by activists and other vested interests. Professor Curato, also a leading researcher into the potential and effects of deliberative democracy, said: The opportunity to see the jury process in action is fantastic. It will give us a real-world opportunity to test our procedures and methods and tweak them, if necessary, for next time. Im confident that citizens juries will soon become a standard part of the way Australian governments arrive at policy positions. These juries are made up of citizens with no history of activism on an issue. It means they are good at reflecting on the relative weight of different values and principles, said Professor Dryzek. Think of how we trust juries in court cases to reach good judgements. Deliberation is a particularly good way to harness the wisdom of crowds. It enables participants to piece together in constructive and considered fashion the different bits of information that they hold. The jury will convene at the Museum of Australian Democracy on Thursday, June 17, and sit across the weekend. The museums director, Daryl Karp, welcomed the event. The Museum of Australian Democracy is proud to be hosting a conversation of global importance, she said. We value the engagement of citizens, informed public discussion, and finding common ground in complex decision making. So its our great pleasure to be partnering with the Citizens Genome Jury on this unique and dynamic project. We look forward to seeing how the results of this project shape future conversations and policies. Daryl Karp, Museums Director The project is funded by the Medical Research Futures Fund Genomic Health Futures Mission. Broad concerns over severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), are raised in the wake of the high transmission and rapid mutation of the virus. In the recent past, using genomic epidemiology, scientists have detected some fast-spreading and highly virulent SARS-CoV-2 variants underlining the importance of sequencing analyses. The patterns and abundance of these VOCs (variants of concern) are studied from the clinical samples from COVID-positive patients. While wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has typically been focused on pharmaceutical drugs in domestic wastewater, it is now an emerging tool to monitor the circulation and dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 at the community level. WBE employs quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to determine SARS-CoV-2 titers in sewage for correlation with the reported number of SARS-CoV-2 positive cases. However, very few studies presently utilize the combined potential of genomic epidemiology and WBE to determine the SARS-CoV-2 genomic variants circulating in a specific region. Therefore, in a recent study, researchers assessed the next-generation sequencing (NGS) of wastewater samples to gather information about the diversity of SARS-CoV-2 variants and associated mutations at the community level. In a new study, released as a preprint on the medRxiv* server, researchers from Germany, Italy and Netherlands demonstrated the utility of integrating genomic and wastewater based epidemiology (WBE) to provide unprecedented insight into the abundance of SARS-CoV-2 and the profile of the mutations associated with the VOCs (i.e., B.1.1.7, B.1.351, P.1, and B.1.617.2) in the wastewater samples. We determined the relative abundance of the VOCs based on the abundance of reads associated with certain AA mutations, write the researchers. They conducted a pan-European study under the umbrella of the EU Sewage Sentinel System for SARS-CoV-2. The researchers say that this is a direct result of what is called The HERA Incubator, which assesses the information provided by the next-generation sequencing (NGS) of wastewater samples. The researchers performed this research on wastewater influent 24h composite samples collected from wastewater treatment plants across 20 European countries, including 54 municipalities. They collected the samples from the 10th to 30th March, 2021. The researchers presented a picture of COVID-19s prevalence in the 20 European countries by using clinical sequencing data (in terms of positive cases and relative abundance of mutational sequences) and then related it to the data from their wastewater sampling. Interestingly, the team identified mutations associated with VOCs (633 mutations) in the wastewater samples. For example, the W131C mutation was only detected in wastewater samples from Denmark; it is one of the important mutations in ORF3a, which is found to assist the ion channel formation and thereby supports the virus in its infectivity. Likewise, they reported the A220V mutation, only identified in samples from Lithuania, which corresponded with the high count of A220V reported in clinical patient samples. Across the twenty European countries twenty-six ORF1ab mutations, fourteen spike protein, eight nucleocapsids (N) protein, six ORF8, and three ORF3 mutations were among the dominant mutations, exhibiting spatial and temporal variation, they noted. Mutations such as D614G mutation and P681H were dominant in both clinical and wastewater samples, demonstrating the pattern of genomic variants and the abundance of VOCs to be consistent between the clinical and the wastewater sequencing data. Notably, the researchers observed that the wastewater sequencing data also revealed genomic variants which are not reported as dominant in clinical data. These findings support the notion that wastewater sequencing data can provide novel insights into the prevalence of mutations at the community level. Across most of the wastewater samples, we detected a high occurrence of ORF8 mutations (i.e. Q27stop, R52I), which provides evidence for the circulation of SARS-COV-2 variants containing these mutations in the sampled regions While this study emphasizes that sequencing for SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater can provide additional information alongside clinical data about the prevalence of mutations, the researchers suggest that this sequencing surveillance should be considered complementary. This study clearly shows that the surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 mutation profiles associated with VOCs in wastewater samples is possible using NGS, and also provides valuable insights augmenting the clinical epidemiological research. The data generated also presents the possibility to attain a sufficient coverage of the SARS-CoV-2 genome from the wastewater samples, the researchers write. *Important notice medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information. Researchers from the University of Kent's School of Psychology have found that when people are presented with the idea of a Covid-19 "immunity passport", they show less willingness to follow social distancing and face covering guidelines. However, this willingness seems to return when people read more cautious information about Covid-19 immunity. PhD students Ricky Green and Mikey Biddlestone and Professor Karen Douglas asked participants from the UK and USA to imagine they had either recovered from Covid-19 or were currently infected. Participants asked to imagine that they had recovered were also presented with information regarding "immunity passports" and cautious versus incautious Covid-19 immunity information. Cautious information emphasised that past infection does not equal immunity whereas incautious information argued that past infection does equal immunity. The research published by the Journal of Applied Social Psychology showed that for people asked to imagine past Covid-19 infection, reading about "immunity passports" was associated with lower social distancing and face covering intentions. Participants who then read incautious immunity information reported even lower intentions. However, when participants were presented with cautious immunity information these negative effects vanished. People asked to imagine that they were infected reported higher social distancing and hygiene intentions. People who suspect they have previously had Covid-19 show less willingness to follow pandemic guidelines, presumably because they assume they have become immune to the virus since they were infected. This is concerning because social distancing guidelines are in place to protect others as well as oneself, and the exact nature of infection-acquired immunity is still not clear." Ricky Green, Lead Researcher, University of Kent 'This research suggests that early public announcements surrounding immunity passports, without prefacing them with cautious information about the unclear evidence on Covid-19 immunity, may have undermined efforts to promote virus-mitigating behaviours. Focusing on "acting like you have it" appears to be helpful in encouraging better public behaviour.' Researchers in the United States have demonstrated the effectiveness of the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines at reducing the need for emergency care or hospitalization following breakthrough infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). While recent literature has shown the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine in preventing infection, its impact on the need for emergency care or hospitalization in breakthrough infections remain unclear, particularly in regions with a high rate of variant viral strains, says the team from Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak and Beaumont Health in Southfield, Michigan. The teams observational cohort analysis conducted across an eight-hospital acute care regional health system in Michigan found that emergency department visits and hospitalizations among fully vaccinated patients with breakthrough COVID-19 were extremely rare events, even despite the region having a high incidence of SARS-CoV-2 variants. In cases where hospital-based treatment was required among the fully vaccinated, it was elderly patients with significant comorbidities who were at risk of severe outcomes, says Amit Bahl and colleagues. A pre-print version of the research paper is available on the medRxiv* server, while the article undergoes peer review. Real-world data on vaccine efficacy is still lacking The COVID-19 pandemic that began in late December 2019 continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality globally, with the death toll now having reached more than 3.83 million. While preliminary data from safety and efficacy trials of the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines have shown positive results, real-world data on their effectiveness is still lacking. Several small cohort studies and one large trial from Israel are currently our only insights into the actual rates of infection, hospitalization, and severe illness among vaccinated individuals, says Bahl and the team. Additionally, as COVID-19 variants emerge, we are in dire need of more data regarding the effectiveness of our current mass vaccination efforts. In-vitro studies have demonstrated that several variants of SARS-CoV-2 are more transmissible and less sensitive to infection or vaccine-induced antibodies than the wild-type virus. This is highly concerning, particularly in some regions in which new variant cases now outnumber the original wild-SARS CoV-2 strain, writes the team. The situation in Michigan During the most recent surge of COVID-19, Michigan was the most severely impacted region in the United States. ED encounters of COVID-19 patients among UV, PV, and FV groups Results shown are for the entire study cohort of adult COVID-19 patients presenting from December 15, 2020 thru April 30, 2021. Case rate of emergency encounters proportionated to the State COVID-19 vaccination population groups. Weekly crude and estimated trend of COVID19 infection ED visits for each vaccinated group are depicted as number of cases per 100000 over study period. The line graph illustrates the estimated trend of infection ED encounters (visits) for each vaccinated group. When the state FV population size was only 19 individuals between 12/27/2020 and 1/2/2021, one ED visit occurred in FV group which was not included in analysis due to the bias of an extreme outlier in trend analysis. Between the 5th and 12th April 2021, the number of new daily cases peaked at 7,000 and during a two-week period ending April 24th, ten SARS-CoV-2 variants were detected within the region. Vaccination efforts in Michigan have been ongoing since December and approximately 42% of the states population was either partially or fully vaccinated as of April 30th , 2021, However, it is unclear if immunization efforts have helped the situation in this recent COVID-19 surge in a population with a high incidence of variant strain disease, says Bahl and colleagues. What did the researchers do? The team conducted an observational cohort study using electronic health records across an eight-hospital acute care regional health system in Michigan. The researchers analyzed 11,834 emergency care or hospitalization encounters due to COVID-19 that occurred between December 15th, 2020, and April 30th, 2021. They compared the rate of these encounters between unvaccinated (UV), partially vaccinated (PV), and fully vaccinated (FV) individuals. The secondary endpoint was severe disease, represented as a composite outcome (ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, or in-hospital death). What did the study find? The rate of emergency department visits and hospitalizations was 96% lower in FV individuals than in UV individuals. The cohort of FV patients with breakthrough COVID-19 infections comprised only 1% of COVID-19 emergency department visits. Within this group, we found that those who required hospitalization and developed severe illness were geriatric patients, says the team. Not surprisingly, similar to other vaccinations with reduced effectiveness in the elderly population, this geriatric group represented the population most at risk for serious adverse outcomes. The composite outcome (ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, or in-hospital death) occurred in 733 (6.8%) of the UV cases, compared with 85 (10.3%) of the PV cases, and just 16 (12.4%) of the FV cases. Across all groups, there were 442 (3.7% of 11834) deaths, with 384 (3.5% of 10,880) occurring in UV patients, 50 (6.1% of 825) in PV patients, and 8 (6.2% of 129) in FV patients. The rate of emergency care visits peaked at 22.61, 12.88, and 1.29 per 100,000 individuals for the UV, PV, and FV groups, respectively, between the 4th and 17th of April. Fully vaccinated individuals substantially less likely to need emergency care or hospitalization The team says the study shows that despite the high incidence of daily infections, with a majority caused by variant strains, fully vaccinated individuals remained substantially less likely to seek emergency care or become hospitalized. The need for emergency care and/or hospitalization due to breakthrough COVID-19 is an exceedingly rare event in fully vaccinated patients, says Bahl and colleagues. In cases of breakthrough COVID-19, if hospital-based treatment is required, elderly patients with significant comorbidities remain at high risk for severe outcomes regardless of vaccination status. Future studies are needed to reassess vaccination efficacy broadly and by type of vaccine, as mutations and variants evolve, they conclude. *Important Notice medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information. In a large-scale survey, researchers found that the impacts of marine plastic pollution on human health is now ranked amid the top health-related concerns over marine threats. Marine Plastic Pollution. Image Credit: Rich Carey/Shutterstock.com Rising concern related to the effects of marine plastic pollution on human health A new study published in Global Environmental Change found that both Europeans and Australians were highly concerned about the human health impact of marine plastic pollution. Impacts of marine plastic pollution now rank among the top of 16 marine-related threats in terms of cause for concern, including chemical or oil spills, marine biodiversity loss, and climate change-related effects such as the sea-level rise and ocean acidification. The study was led by researchers at the University of Exeter as part of the interdisciplinary European collaboration called the Seas, Oceans and Public Health in Europe (SOPHIE) Project, funded by Horizons 2020. Data from surveys of over 15,000 people across 14 European countries, plus Australia, was gathered alongside colleagues from the European Marine Board, the University of Vienna, and the University of Queensland. The SOPHIE project provides particularly insightful findings as it relates to the public perceptions towards various marine topics, including marine plastic pollution, and how it affects human life. Plastic pollution is gaining increasing interest due to the extensive consequences it has on marine life. Microplastics in particular, which are microscopic plastic particles, have been found in all sea life sampled, from the Arctic Ocean to the bottom of the Marianna Trench. Particles have been found across taxonomic groups as well, from oysters and mussels to small fish and sharks. This means that humans are likely to ingest particles themselves, as consumption of seafood, or product derived from seafood, is consumed frequently across all regions of the globe. Nevertheless, despite the awareness of ecological impacts, little is known of the potential impacts of plastic particles on human health. Plastic pollution is one of the fastest-growing environmental challenges on our planet. Yet, while the damage to marine life is well understood, the impact on human health remains unclear. Our study indicates that this is of grave concern to the public and that there's widespread support for more research in this area. Sophie Davison, University of Exeter's European Centre for Environment and Human Health Indeed, through the use of surveys, the present study found that people surveyed supported more research to understand the impact of marine plastic pollution on our health. Across surveyed populations, marine plastic pollution ranked among the top 16 marine-related threats. A need for more research, education, and prevention These findings echo the results from a recent survey of 8,000 people conducted by the Government's Department for the environment, food and rural Affairs, which found that 75% of respondents felt that plastic pollution and litter was the greatest threat to the health of the seas, and 94% of people believe the health of oceans and humans are inextricably linked. As such, the responses of both surveys show a public consensus on the increasing concern related to the impacts of marine plastic pollution, echoing the worrying findings of the present study. Co-author Mathew White, an environmental psychologist at the University of Vienna, said the paper aimed to inform decision-making around policy on plastic pollution and funding for research into potential human health impacts. Given that marine plastic pollution is a global challenge and all of society contributes to some degree to the plastic consumption cycle, we urgently need to and ways of connecting the high level of concern with ways of curbing the leakage of plastic into the environment." Research efforts on the ecological impacts of plastic pollution, therefore, need to be matched by environmental surveys of plastics in seafood and clinical trials following ingestion to determine the risk and consequences to human health. Future studies could also consider the different sizes and types of particles. This is of particular importance as microplastics are not alone among harmful particles, as nanoparticles represent even smaller particles that can cross cellular membrane barriers. Health care workers often don't adopt new guidelines for best practices in medical care until well after those guidelines are established. A team of researchers led by Eunice E. Santos, the dean of the School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, has developed a new computational modeling and simulation framework to analyze decision-making and identify effective dissemination strategies for medical guidelines. The research team examined guidelines for Type 2 diabetes that were established in 2012 and were still not adopted years later. The researchers found that health care workers' specialties, patient volume and experience were among the factors that affected acceptance of individualized glycemic-control guidelines. The team developed a novel computational framework that incorporates the interactions and influences among health care workers, along with other intricacies of medical decision-making, to simulate and analyze a wide range of real-world scenarios. Researchers introduced the Culturally Infused Agent Based Model (CI-ABM) and reported their findings in the cover article for the June issue of the IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics. Their research highlights that modeling and simulating human behaviors must take into account factors such as sociocultural context and complex social interactions, without which the models can lead to a profound misunderstanding of human decision-making, they said. "One of the major challenges is capturing the decision-making of the actors and the factors that influence them. This is especially true when the agents are human beings (e.g., health care workers), where their behavior is uncertain and the information about the factors that influence their decision-making is often incomplete and/or contradictory," they wrote. The modeling system they developed incorporates social networks and cultural influences that guide decision-making, and it captures how beliefs evolve over time due to personal and external factors. It provides that ability to model real-world events that involve incomplete, imprecise and conflicting information, and it provides a way to handle uncertainty in human behavior. These aspects of their computational model led to better analysis and prediction of guideline-dissemination behaviors, the researchers said. Santos and her colleagues used the model to analyze the dissemination of a Type 2 diabetes guideline that recommends individualizing glycemic goals for patients. Diabetes care guidelines since 2012 have emphasized individualizing glycemic goals based on patient factors such as age, hypoglycemia risk and overall health. But it isn't known how many doctors have adopted this guideline. The researchers used two 2015 surveys that focused on challenges faced by doctors in individualizing the glycemic goals of their patients. The surveys included doctors from diverse backgrounds and a range of specialties - including endocrinology, family medicine and geriatrics - experience levels and practice types. In their simulation, some of the doctors received guideline recommendations from the American Diabetes Association. Best practices also spread through word-of-mouth. The team compared the results of the simulations with the answers given on the surveys. The researchers found that including sociocultural factors and information about social interactions of health care workers in their model increased the accuracy of predicting guideline-adoption behaviors of various demographic groups. In addition, by including sociocultural information, the model helps to identify factors that drive guideline-adoption behavior. The framework also allows policymakers to study the effect of different barriers to disseminating medical guideline information, identify the factors contributing to guideline adoption and create targeted strategies to improve communication about the guidelines, they said. The modeling system will help policymakers test different strategies and analyze their effects, the researchers said. It provides a way to capture the effect of unique factors - for example, when modeling guideline dissemination for infectious diseases, it can help analyze the effects of incorporating information about the novelty and mortality of infectious diseases, as well as the impact of changes in social networks due to lockdowns. Stimulation of the nervous system with neurotechnology has opened up new avenues for treating human disorders, such as prosthetic arms and legs that restore the sense of touch in amputees, prosthetic fingertips that provide detailed sensory feedback with varying touch resolution, and intraneural stimulation to help the blind by giving sensations of sight. Scientists in a European collaboration have shown that optic nerve stimulation is a promising neurotechnology to help the blind, with the constraint that current technology has the capacity of providing only simple visual signals. Nevertheless, the scientists' vision (no pun intended) is to design these simple visual signals to be meaningful in assisting the blind with daily living. Optic nerve stimulation also avoids invasive procedures like directly stimulating the brain's visual cortex. But how does one go about optimizing stimulation of the optic nerve to produce consistent and meaningful visual sensations? Now, the results of a collaboration between EPFL, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna and Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati, published today in Patterns, show that a new stimulation protocol of the optic nerve is a promising way for developing personalized visual signals to help the blind - that also take into account signals from the visual cortex. The protocol has been tested for the moment on artificial neural networks known to simulate the entire visual system, called convolutional neural networks (CNN) usually used in computer vision for detecting and classifying objects. The scientists also performed psychophysical tests on ten healthy subjects that imitate what one would see from optic nerve stimulation, showing that successful object identification is compatible with results obtained from the CNN. "We are not just trying to stimulate the optic nerve to elicit a visual perception," explains Simone Romeni, EPFL scientist and first author of the study. "We are developing a way to optimize stimulation protocols that takes into account how the entire visual system responds to optic nerve stimulation." "The research shows that you can optimize optic nerve stimulation using machine learning approaches. It shows more generally the full potential of machine learning to optimize stimulation protocols for neuroprosthetic devices," continues Silvestro Micera, EPFL Bertarelli Foundation Chair in Translational Neural Engineering and Professor of Bioelectronics at the Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna. Restoring sight, but with limited resolution The idea is to stimulate the optic nerve to induce phosphenes, the sensation of light in a region of one's field of view. The EPFL scientists plan to use intraneural electrodes, ones that pierce through the nerve instead of being wrapped around it, but there are still tremendous constraints on the resulting perceived image. The constraint comes from the physiology of the optic nerve compared to the dimensions of electrode technology. The intraneural electrode consists of stimulation sites, and these are few in number compared to the million axons bundled up in the optic nerve, the latter being no more than a few millimeters in diameter. In other words, a given stimulation site reaches hundreds to thousands of surrounding nerve fibers or axons coming from the retina, leading to very coarse electrical stimulation. Tuning this coarse electrical stimulation is a major challenge for all neuroprosthetics in general, but even more so for optical signals which are extremely complex compared to signals providing sensory feedback from upper and lower limbs, for instance. The scientists work is the first to feature automatic optimization of optic nerve stimulation protocols. "The most relevant conceptual advancement is linked to the fact that for the first time, we have defined the problem of optimizing nerve stimulation by 'closing the loop' on cortical activation patterns," explains Romeni. "In our model, the idea that we could exploit cortical signals to guide nerve stimulation produced results comparable to and better than the theoretical optimum for current approaches to nerve stimulation optimization." Our study shows that it is possible to elicit desired activity patterns in deep layers of a CNN that simulate cortical visual areas. The next step is to understand what patterns should be evoked in order to induce percepts of arbitrary visual objects." Davide Zoccolan, Professor, Neurophysiology and Head, SISSA Visual Neuroscience Lab "To meet this challenge, we are now working on building predictive models of neuronal responses based on CNNs. These models will learn the "tuning" of visual cortical neurons based on their responses to a battery of visual images, thus uncovering the mapping between image space and response space that is central for sight restoration". Clinical trials and the future ciphers For the moment, the EPFL intraneural electrodes have not yet been tested in people. With clinical trials planned within the next year in a collaboration with Italian partners at Policlinico Gemelli in Rome, the same place where implants for hand amputees were performed, the scientists wonder what the future volunteers will actually see. "The translation to patients will require dealing with intersubject variability, a well-known problem in neuroprosthetics," says Romeni. "We are far from understanding everything about the nervous system and we know that the current technology has intrinsic limitations. Our method will help to tackle both and to deal with how the brain interprets stimulation, hopefully leading to more natural and effective protocols." Lucien Wiggins, 12, arrived at Tufts Children's Hospital by ambulance June 7 with chest pains, dizziness and high levels of a protein in his blood that indicated inflammation of his heart. The symptoms had begun a day earlier, the morning after his second vaccination with the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA shot. For Dr. Sara Ross, chief of pediatric critical care at the Boston hospital, the event confirmed a doubt she'd been nursing: Was the country pushing its luck by vaccinating children against Covid at a time when the disease was relatively mild in the young and skepticism of vaccines was frighteningly high? "I have practiced pediatric ICU for almost 15 years and I have never taken care of a single patient with a vaccine-related complication until now," Ross told KHN. "Our standard for safety seems to be different for all the other vaccines we expose children to." To be sure, cases of myocarditis like Lucien's have been rare, and the reported side effects, though sometimes serious, generally resolve with pain relievers and, sometimes, infusions of antibodies. And a Covid infection itself is far more likely than a vaccine to cause myocarditis, including in younger people. Lucien went home, on the mend, after two days on intravenous ibuprofen in intensive care. Most of the 800 or so cases of heart problems among all ages reported to a federal vaccine safety database through May 31 followed a similar course. Yet the pattern of these cases most occurred in young males after the second Pfizer or Moderna shot suggested that the ailment was caused by the vaccine, rather than being coincidental. At a time when the vaccination campaign is slowing, leading conservatives are openly spreading disinformation about vaccines, and scientists fear a possible upsurge in cases this fall or winter, side effects in young people pose a conundrum for public health officials. On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's vaccine advisory committee is set to meet to discuss the possible link and whether it merits changing its recommendations for vaccinating teenagers with the Pfizer vaccine, which the Food and Drug Administration last month authorized for children 12 and older. A similar authorization for the Moderna vaccine is pending, and both companies are conducting clinical trials that will test their vaccines on children as young as 6 months old. At a meeting last week of an FDA advisory committee, vaccine experts suggested that the agency require the pharmaceutical companies to hold larger and longer clinical trials for the younger age groups. A few said FDA should hold off on authorizing vaccination of younger children for up to a year or two. Interestingly, Lucien and his mother, Beth Clarke, of Rochester, New Hampshire, disagreed. Her son's reaction was "odd," she said, but "I'd rather him get a side effect [that doctors] can help with than get Covid and possibly die. And he feels that way, which is more important. He thinks all his friends should get it." Data regarding Covid's impact on the young is somewhat messy, but at least 300 Covid-related deaths and thousands of hospitalizations have been reported in children under 18, which makes Covid's toll as large or larger than any childhood disease for which a vaccine is currently available. The American Academy of Pediatrics wants children to receive the vaccine, assuming tests show it is safe. But healthy people under 18 have generally not suffered major Covid effects, and the number of serious cases among the young has tumbled as more adults become vaccinated. Unlike other pathogens, such as influenza, children are generally not infecting older, vulnerable adults. Under these circumstances, said Dr. Cody Meissner who as chief of pediatric infectious diseases at Tufts consulted on Lucien's case the benefits of Covid vaccination at this point may not outweigh the risks for children. "We all want a pediatric vaccine, but I'm concerned about the safety issue," Meissner told fellow advisory commission members last week. An Israeli study found a five- to 25-fold increase in the heart ailment among males ages 16-24 who were vaccinated with the Pfizer shot. Most recovered within a few weeks. Two deaths occurred in vaccinated men that don't appear to have been linked to the vaccine. Young people could experience long-term effects from the suspected vaccine side effect such as scarring, irregular heartbeat or even early heart failure, Meissner said, so it makes sense to wait until the gravity of the problem becomes clearer. "Could the disease come back this fall? Sure. But the likelihood I think is pretty low. And our first mandate is do no harm," he said. Ross said the biggest pandemic threats to children that her ICU has witnessed are drug overdoses and mental illness brought on by the shutdown of normal life. "Young children are not the vectors of disease, nor are they driving the spread of the epidemic," Ross said. While eventually everyone should be vaccinated against Covid, use of the vaccines should not be expanded to children without extensive safety data, she said. The government could authorize childhood vaccination against Covid without recommending it immediately, noted Dr. Eric Rubin, an advisory committee member who is editor-in-chief of the New England Journal of Medicine. "In September, when kids are back in school, people are indoors, and the vaccination rates are very low in certain parts of the country, who knows what things are going to look like? We may want this vaccine." Moderna and Pfizer this summer began testing their vaccines in younger kids. A Pfizer spokesperson said the company expects to give about 2,250 children ages 6 months-11 years vaccine as part of its trial; Moderna said it would vaccinate about 3,500 children in the 2-11 age range. Some members of the FDA advisory committee proposed that up to 10,000 kids be included in each trial. But Marion Gruber, leader of the FDA's vaccine regulatory office, pointed out that even trials that large wouldn't necessarily detect a side effect as rare as myocarditis seems to be. At some point, federal regulators and the public must decide how much risk they are willing to accept from vaccines versus the risk of a Covid virus that continues to spread and mutate around the world, said Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "We're going to need a highly vaccinated population for years or perhaps decades," Offit said at the meeting. "It seems hard to imagine that we won't have to vaccinate children going forward." Ross argued that it makes more sense to selectively vaccinate children who are most at-risk for serious Covid disease, such as those who are obese or have diabetes. Yet even to raise questions about the vaccination program can be a freighted decision, she said. While authorities have a duty to speak frankly about the safety of vaccines, there is also a responsibility not to frighten the public in a way that discourages them from seeking protection. A 10-day pause in the Johnson & Johnson vaccination campaign in April, while authorities investigated a link to an occasionally fatal blood-clotting disorder, led to a major decline in public confidence in that vaccine, although as of late May authorities had detected only 28 cases among 8.7 million U.S. recipients of the vaccine. Because of the declining appetite for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, millions of doses are in danger of passing their use-by date in refrigerators around the country. Focusing too much attention on potential harms from the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for children could have a tragic result, said Dr. Saad Omer, director of the Yale Institute for Global Health and an expert on vaccine hesitancy. "Very soon we could be in a situation where we really need to vaccinate this population, but it will be too late because you've already given the message that we should not be doing it," he said. Eventually, perhaps next year, K-12 mandates might be called for, said Dr. Sean O'Leary, a professor of pediatric infectious diseases at the University of Colorado. "There's so much misinformation and propaganda spreading that people are reticent to go there, to further poke the hornet's nest," he said. But once there is robust safety data for children, "when you think about it, there's no logical or ethical reason why you wouldn't." This story was produced by KHN, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation. New research shows the UK's COVID-19 management decisions were based on an outdated pandemic modelling structure and suggests a more resilient approach would have been more effective. In the initial months of the pandemic, regular updates using graphs showing how the R number was behaving was the mainstay of the Government's strategy for tackling COVID-19. This type of infection transmission is usually mathematically-based on dividing the population into 'compartments'. Such an approach has been criticised for its limited scope and inability to capture critical factors, such as the effects of testing, contact tracing and isolation. In addition, these existing models tend to look back at what the outcomes were, rather than look forward at future outcomes. Professor Ashraf Labib, Professor of Operations and Decision Analysis in the Faculty of Business and Law at the University of Portsmouth, is the author of a new paper published this month in the journal of Safety Science. He urges Governments to use a more holistic approach, which provides a much richer modelling and in-depth decision analysis that can lead to better decision making. Professor Labib has developed a hybrid model - a combination of resilience triangle modelling, which, provides a specific time of 'when' to act and the bowtie modelling that deals with the question of 'how' to act. He then added five guiding principles which together provide an improved model from which lessons for the future can be learnt. Resilience-based modelling with the five proposed principles can enhance public policy decisions. The aim of such modelling is to provide a learning environment on how to absorb failure and provides an opportunity to achieve quick recovery." Ashraf Labib, Professor, Operations and Decision Analysis, Faculty of Business and Law, University of Portsmouth "Resilience modelling can offer the answer to 'when' to do things, whereas the bowtie modelling deals with causal analysis and can provide information on the 'how' questions. By combining the two, a balance is achieved in terms of dealing with a disaster, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, at both strategic and operational levels respectively. "At a strategic level, the phases of prevention of the cause, response and mitigation of the consequences are visualised and strategic milestones can be set accordingly. Whereas, through bowtie modelling more operational details of causal factors and barriers analysis are achieved. Such analysis helps to improve knowledge related to assessing existing barriers and the need for new or improved ones. In addition, the bowtie modelling provides insight to visualise and communicate the complexity of risks in a concise form." The paper also suggests it is vital that public health simulation exercises are extended to include not just policies related to health, but also include different economic scenarios caused by pandemics. Professor Labib says: "Given the complex nature of a pandemic and the experiences with COVID-19 in terms of multiple waves, emerging variants and the variety of available vaccines, the main lesson learnt from all of this is to embrace uncertainty rather than to confront it or shy away from it. This is the way we will learn and prepare for future pandemics. "Resilience as a conceptual idea is profound and considered to have a key role in dealing with disasters such as pandemics. However, there is little research on modelling resilience and integrating it with other approaches in order to systematise its operation. This paper aimed to contribute to this gap through the proposed hybrid enriched model of resilience and bowtie approaches." Professor Labib urges policy makers to shift the way they approach things. Firstly, a shift in focus of decision making from efficiency to resilience and secondly to embrace the unknown and learn from it. A rendering of artwork created by Tomisha Lovely-Allen, who is one of four artists slated to take part in Saturdays Juneteenth celebration in New Albany. Jeffersonville, IN (47130) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. High near 80F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Mostly clear. Low 58F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Goldsboro, NC (27530) Today Thunderstorms likely this morning. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 77F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then cloudy skies after midnight. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%. (Newser) The Southern Baptist Convention tamped down a push from the right at its largest meeting in decades on Tuesday, electing a new president who has worked to bridge racial divides in the church. Ed Litton, a pastor from Alabama, won 52% of the vote in a runoff against Mike Stone, a Georgia pastor backed by a new group called the Conservative Baptist Network that has sought to move the already-conservative denomination further right, the AP reports. Litton, who is white, was nominated by Fred Luter, the only Black pastor to serve as president of the nation's largest Protest denomination. Luter praised Litton's commitment to racial reconciliation and said he has dealt compassionately with the issue of sexual abuse in SBC churches, another hot-button subject at the gathering of more than 15,000 church representatives. The message that seemed to resonate with voters was that Stonewho supported a motion to repudiate critical race theory, an academic construct for framing systemic racism that has been a target of religious and political conservativeswas a divisive choice. story continues below "We're a family, and at times it seems like an incredibly dysfunctional family," Litton said after the results were announced in Nashville. "But we love each other." Delegates rejected the proposal that would have explicitly denounced critical race theory. Instead they approved a consensus measure that does not mention it by name but rejects any view that sees racism as rooted in "anything other than sin." The measure also affirmed a 1995 resolution apologizing for the history of racism in a denomination that was founded in 1845 in support of slavery and for "condoning and/or perpetuating individual and systemic racism in our lifetime." Several Black pastors have voiced frustration over critical race theory debates playing out in the SBC instead of the denomination confronting systemic racism itself. In an enthusiastically applauded address, outgoing President J.D. Greear, himself a target of criticism, lamented the "baseless accusations" some SBC leaders have endured. While denouncing liberalism, he also criticized what he saw as power-seeking and divisiveness over secondary issues. The SBC cannot be a "cultural affinity group" or "voting bloc," Greear said, but must focus on its spiritual mission. (Read more Southern Baptist Convention stories.) (Newser) Attorney General Merrick Garland moved Wednesday to undo a pair of immigration decisions by Jeff Sessions and Bill Barr. The opinions by Garland's predecessors put limits on who could qualify for asylum by claiming to be a persecuted member of a "particular social group," the Hill reports, and also affected domestic violence victims. Garland said immigration judges should no longer adhere to the old rules, per the AP. "Merrick Garland is restoring asylum protections to people who are victims of domestic abuse and gang persecution," said a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Advocacy groups had called for all 17 attorney general-level immigration court decisions made during former President Trump's administration to be reviewed. story continues below A Human Rights First official said Garland's moves could help the cases of those, especially in Central America, who are threatened by gangs. "Say they want your brother or your father but they can't get that person," she said. "They were the target, but brother or dad has since fled. They want to get them back in the country or out of hiding, so you end up being targeted." Garland said President Biden had directed the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security to decide on rules for who should qualify for humanitarian protection, based on membership in a social group. The lawyers group said Garland's decisions are important to these cases, but also "symbolically in that the administration is looking carefully at the US commitment to humanitarian law and protecting those in flight from danger." (Read more asylum stories.) (Newser) The Justice Department has dropped its investigation of John Bolton and a related lawsuit exactly one year after the Trump administration sued to block the release of memoir The Room Where It Happened. The criminal investigation into whether the former national security adviser violated laws on the disclosure of classified information was opened after the administration failed to halt publication of the memoir, which contained numerous damaging revelations about Donald Trump's approach to foreign policy. The lawsuit, which sought to seize profits from the book, could have cost Bolton millions, CNN reports. Bolton attorney Charles Cooper praised the move, saying both cases had been politically motivated. story continues below By dropping the cases, the Department of Justice has "tacitly acknowledged that President Trump and his White House officials acted illegitimately," Cooper said. The move may have protected Trump from yet more damaging revelations. Sources tell the New York Times that during the presidential transition, the Biden team concluded that the case had been pursued in a highly political manner and that plenty of "unsavory" Trump administration behavior would be revealed if Bolton's lawyer questioned former administration officials under oath. The advisers "believed it would be improper to allow a meritless case to proceed simply to embarrass the Trump administration" and recommended that the new administration drop it, the Times reports. (Read more John Bolton stories.) (Newser) A wealthy Canadian couple who lied, broke laws, and traveled thousands of miles to get a COVID vaccine have avoided jail time. Rod and Ekaterina Baker flew from Vancouver to Whitehorse, Yukon, in January but instead of isolating for 14 days as required, they chartered a plane to the tiny town of Beaver Creek after two days and posed as motel workers to get the vaccine at a local clinic. As a border community with a high proportion of elderly Indigenous residents, the remote town had been made a priority for vaccination. Residents said the couple deserved jail time for putting the community at risk, but they got away with fines totaling $1,800 at a Yukon Territorial Court hearing Wednesday, CBC reports. They could have received a maximum sentence of six months in prison for breaching coronavirus regulations. story continues below "Fortunately, nothing physical happened in this case, no one got COVID as a result," said Judge Michael Cozens. Defense lawyer Jennifer Cunningham said the Bakers "apologize unreservedly" and have already been punished by online shaming. Rod Baker resigned as CEO of a casino company after the case made the news. Janet VanderMeer of the White River First Nation delivered a victim impact statement saying the community had been outraged and disturbed by the Bakers' actions. "Educate yourself on First Nations people and small communities," she told the couple. "Educate yourself. She tells the Guardian that it is "unfortunate" they didn't receive a heavier sentence. "The judge seemed to be disgusted by their actions, but he also appeared to be limited with what he could do," she says. (Read more Canada stories.) (Newser) A solo hiker who told her husband she had been charged by bears on an Alaska trail has been found alive after a two-day search. Authorities began the search for 55-year-old Fina Kiefer early Tuesday after she called her husband for help, saying she had used bear spray after multiple bears charged on the Pioneer Ridge Trail northeast of Anchorage, NBC reports. Efforts to reach her by phone after the initial call were unsuccessful. Kiefer emerged from the woods about a mile from the trailhead Wednesday evening after deteriorating weather had ended the day's search, reports the Frontiersman. State troopers say she was taken to a local hospital for evaluation. story continues below "She was chased off the trail by bears and couldnt find it again," Master Sgt. Evan Budd, superintendent of the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center said in a statement Wednesday night, per the Anchorage Daily News. "She had waterproof matches and was able to start a fire last night." The search for Kiefer was joined by troopers, rescue dogs, Anchorage Nordic Ski Patrol, and the Alaska Air National Guard. Budd said Kiefer could see search helicopters but they were unable to spot her in dense vegetation. (An Alaska man survived another terrifying bear encounter last month.) (Newser) President Biden apparently had a slip of the tongue Wednesday during his news conference following his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This tweet by CNN's chief White House correspondent, Kaitlan Collins, got quite a bit of attention: "President Biden refers to President Putin as President Trump, then quickly corrects himself." Snopes fact-checked it and found it to be true, analyzing a video recording of the event to determine that Biden did say at one point, "I caught part of President Trump, Putins press conference, and he talked about..." The site notes, however, that the moment was so quick C-SPAN's transcript does not include it. story continues below In other "light" news from the sit-down, USA Today reports that Biden gave Putin gifts, in keeping with tradition. The POTUS is a well-known fan of aviator sunglasses, and gave his Russian counterpart a custom pair of Ray-Bans. Another gift from Biden: a crystal sculpture of an American bison, the national mammal of the US. The White House says, per Politico, that the sculpture is a "stately interpretation of one of our nations most majestic mammals and representative of strength, unity, resilience." Its base will include a plaque commemorating Wednesday's summit. (Read more US-Russia relations stories.) (Newser) Texas Gov. Greg Abbott wants to build a wall, and he isn't claiming Mexico is going to pay for it. Instead, the Republican is encouraging people to crowdfund a wall along the state's border with Mexico with donations of cash and land, the New York Times reports. The governor said Wednesday that the state would set aside a $250 million "down payment" and begin the search for a project manager. He said the state plans to build "hundreds of miles" of wall but provided few details, reports the Washington Post. Abbott accused the federal government of failing to deal with a "tidal wave" of migrants and said the border was "far more under control" during the Trump administration. Abbott is encouraging local law enforcement to start arresting migrants for misdemeanors, including trespassing. story continues below In a podcast interview Tuesday, Abbott said the state would create a portal where anybody in the US or elsewhere "who wants to help Texas build the border wall, there will be a place on there where they can contribute," per the Texas Tribune. Former Trump adviser Steven Bannon and three other men were charged last year with defrauding donors to a "We Build the Wall" campaign, though Trump later pardoned Bannon. Abbott said in the Tuesday podcast that the state's border wall fund will be overseen by the state and there will be "great transparency." "Everyone will know every penny in, every penny out, but the sole purpose for those funds will be going to build the border wall, said Abbott, who will seek a third term in office next year. (Read more Greg Abbott stories.) (Newser) The first country in the world to adopt bitcoin as legal tender recently made a big ask of the World Bank, requesting that the international financial institution help it implement its plansbut it's a no from the group to El Salvador. "This is not something the World Bank can support given the environmental and transparency shortcomings," a spokesperson notes in an email to Reuters, adding that "we are committed to helping El Salvador in numerous ways, including for currency transparency and regulatory processes." Per Axios, the World Bank's rejection could throw a wrench in the country's plans to ease in bitcoin over the next three months. story continues below As a result of El Salvador's government approving legislation earlier this month making bitcoin official legal tender there, alongside the US dollar, the cryptocurrency can now be used in any transaction, unless a business isn't yet technologically able to accept it. President Nayib Bukele had pushed for the plan, explaining it would make it easier for Salvadorans living abroad to send money home, per the BBC. The outlet notes that about 20% of the nation's GDP is made up of such funds, totaling $4 billion or so annually. Salvadoran Finance Minister Alejandro Zelaya says negotiations on the matter of bitcoin continue with the International Monetary Fund, though an IMF rep said last week there were still "a number of macroeconomic, financial, and legal issues that require very careful analysis" regarding El Salvador's incorporation of bitcoin. (Read more World Bank stories.) (Newser) American contractor Mark Frerichs was seized in Kabul 17 months agoand with the US withdrawal from Afghanistan picking up speed, his relatives fear he will be left behind. Special operations forces who could carry out a rescue operation if the 58-year-old were to be located will be gone from the country within weeks, and sources tell ABC that the Department of Justice has balked at granting a Taliban request to free former Afghan drug lord Hajji Bashir Noorzai from a federal prison. Lawmakers believe Frerichs is being held in Pakistan by the Taliban's Haqqani faction and they are urging Pakistan's ISI spy service to put pressure on the network, a tactic that has secured the release of other US hostages. story continues below Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, Frerich's home state, says the Navy veteran served his country and the "nation should leave no stone unturned as we work to secure his safe return home." Officials said in April that the US is "extremely confident" Frerich is still alive and in Taliban custody, reports the Washington Post. Earlier this month, a report from the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation warned that the end of a physical US presence in Afghanistan will erode the "leverage needed to make progress" in hostage cases, reports the AP. Frerich's sister, Charlene, tells ABC she supports releasing Noorzai, who has served 16 years of a life sentence. "This war is ending and Justice needs to understand that we're running out of options to save my brother," she says. (Read more Afghanistan stories.) (Newser) Days after a Republican congressional candidate in Florida accused a rival of plotting to kill her, the tape is out. "I really don't want to have to end anybody's life for the good of the people of the United States of America ... but if it needs to be done, it needs to be done," William Braddock said in a June 9 phone call with conservative activist Erin Olszewski, who recorded it, per Politico. Braddock is heard telling Olszewski not to support Anna Paulina Luna, the presumed front-runner in the Republican primary for Florida's 13th District, because he could send "a Russian and Ukrainian hit squad" to make Luna "disappear," per Florida Politics. "This is a dirty political tactic," Braddock, who filed as a candidate on Tuesday, tells Politico, claiming there's "no proof" it's him on the call. Politico reports the phone number and voice match with another voicemail recording of Braddock. story continues below Olszewski says she recorded video and audio of the call because of concerns over Braddock's "unhinged" dislike of Luna. "My polling people are going to charge me $20,000 to do a poll right before the primary. And if the poll says Luna's gonna win, she's gonna be gone," Braddock told her, per Politico. "I call up my Russian and Ukrainian hit squad, and within 24 hours, they're sending me pictures of her disappearing." "No snipers. Up close and personal. So they know that the target has gone," he continued, saying he was "dead ass serious." Olszewski tipped off Luna, who obtained a stalking injunction. (Two others named in the injunction, Amanda Makki and Matt Tito, deny any alliance with Braddock.) Olszewski says she also contacted St. Petersburg police, who told her not to be concerned about recording another person without their knowledge, though doing so is a third-degree felony in Florida. (Read more Florida stories.) (Newser) Janet Malcolm, the inquisitive and boldly subjective author and reporter known for her challenging critiques of everything from murder cases and art to journalism itself, has died at age 86. Malcolm's death was confirmed Thursday by a spokesperson for the New Yorker, where Malcolm was a longtime staff writer. Further details were not immediately available. The author of numerous influential books and magazine stories, the Prague native practiced a kind of post-modern style in which she often called attention to her own role in the narrative, questioning whether even the most conscientious observer could be trusted. Every journalist who is not too stupid or too full of himself to notice what is going on knows that what he does is morally indefensible was how she began The Journalist and the Murderer. story continues below The 1990 book assailed Joe McGinniss true crime classic Fatal Vision as a prime case of the author tricking his subject, convicted killer Jeffrey MacDonald. Malcolms honors included a PEN award for biography in 2008 for Two Lives: Gertrude and Alice and a nomination in 2014 from the National Book Critics Circle for Forty-One False Starts. In 1999, the Modern Library ranked The Journalist and the Murderer No. 97 on its list of the 100 best nonfiction releases of the 20th century. Her other books, most of them edited by her second husband, Gardner Botsford, included The Silent Woman: Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes and Psychoanalysis: The Impossible Profession. She was born Jana Wienerova in 1934 and emigrated with her family to the US five years later, after the Nazis annexed Czechoslovakia. Her parents changed the family name to Winn. Read the full story. (Or read other obituaries.) (Newser) After Rep. Paul Gosar said a Capitol Police officer "executed" a rioter on Jan. 6 in the US Capitol, pushback came from close to home. Tim and David Gosar, brothers of the Arizona Republican, said Thursday he's essentially gone round the bend. For someone who "peddles in lies," they said, reality becomes elusive. Gosar has made false claims about the presidential election, including that ballots were stolen and voting machines were rigged, per CNN. "It's really hard to go back to the truth once you become a pathological liar like Paul has become," Tim Gosar said. The Gosars made their comments on CNN, Axios reports. The lawmaker, who voted against bestowing the Congressional Gold Medal to all law enforcement officers for their service that day, said this week that one of them was "lying in wait" to kill rioter Ashli Babbitt. "I'd like to thank Officer Fanone and the other Capitol Hill police officers for their bravery and heroism on that day," David Gosar said. The two apologized for their brother's "disgraceful behavior" on behalf of the "actual sane members of our family, which is everyone but Paul." story continues below Republican opposition to honoring the officers or investigate the riot has given Democrats a new angle, per Politico. Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell brought up the GOP's longtime claim of respecting law enforcement after Rep. Andrew Clyde refused to shake Michael Fanone's hand in an elevator on Wednesday. Fanone received a concussion and had a heart attack while trying to push back the rioters Jan. 6; Clyde has compared the riot to a tourists' visit. Staying in former President Trump's good graces might be more important to Republicans, Swalwell suggested. "To honor Trump, @housegop will dishonor the police," he tweeted. Republicans said Democrats are just trying to divert attention from the "defund the police" cry. Republican Rep. Liz Cheney did not side with those members of her party. She helped Gosar with his gas mask as the rioters neared the House chamber, she tweeted. "It is disgusting and despicable to see Gosar lie about that day and smear the men and women who defended us," she said. (Read more Paul Gosar stories.) (Newser) A St. Louis couple who gained notoriety for pointing guns at social justice demonstrators last year pleaded guilty Thursday to misdemeanor charges and agreed to give up the weapons they used during the confrontation. Patricia McCloskey pleaded guilty to misdemeanor harassment and was fined $2,000. Her husband, Mark McCloskey, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor fourth-degree assault and was fined $750, the AP reports. When several hundred demonstrators marched past their home in June 2020, the couple waved weapons at them. They claimed that the protesters were trespassing and that they feared for their safety. The McCloskeys, both lawyers in their 60s, spoke calmly in answering questions from Judge David Mason during Thursday's hearing. Mason asked Mark McCloskey, who's running for a US Senate seat in Missouri, if he acknowledged that his actions put people at risk of personal injury. He replied, "I sure did, your honor." story continues below Mark McCloskey was unapologetic after the hearing. "I'd do it again," he said from the courthouse steps in downtown St. Louis. "Any time the mob approaches me, I'll do what I can to put them in imminent threat of physical injury because that's what kept them from destroying my house and my family." The McCloskeys' defense lawyer, Joel Schwartz, said after the hearing the couple had hoped to raise money by donating Mark's rifle to charity. The McCloskeys do not face the possibility of losing their law licenses and can continue to own firearms. The protesters, prosecutor Richard Callahan said, were a "peaceful group, including women and children." He said there was "no evidence that any of them had a weapon." Then-President Donald Trump spoke out in defense of the couple, who appeared via video at the Republican National Convention. (Read more Mark McCloskey stories.) OPINION: Rose, I'm a huge fan. Well... I was. Following the resignation of the Kiwi producer tied to They Are Us - the film in which you are poised to depict Jacinda Ardern's reaction to the Christchurch mosque shootings - I wanted a quick word. Kiwis will be familiar with your work in different ways. Like many others, I was introduced to you through the strong and lasting impact left on me by your portrayal as Helen, the 'other best friend', in Bridesmaids. Your timing, sly wit and overwhelming grace was hilarious. Over the years since, you've popped up in a steady stream of other hits and I'm glad it's all been working out. You see, knowing your Sydney roots and seeing you in those movies starring alongside big names like Mark Wahlberg and Kristen Wiig, many in New Zealand have been rooting for you. More than 3.26 million of the estimated 4.08 million New Zealanders aged 16-plus say they are likely to get vaccinated or have already been vaccinated. Just 13 percent of people surveyed said they were unlikely to get the vaccine and of those, only 7 percent say they will "definitely not" get one. Dr Ashley Bloomfield says the results are "very encouraging". "There's a growing acceptance of and willingness to take the vaccine, particularly as the numbers get higher. I think we will see the number of people who genuinely don't want to have it decline," he told a news conference on Wednesday. "There remains a core group who at the moment say they're unlikely to get vaccinated. About 8 percent of people say they remain unsure. "Our challenge - and one we're more than happy to take up - is to continue to work with those groups to ensure we answer their questions and make sure they have all the information they need to decide what's right for them - and I hope they take up that opportunity to be vaccinated." Magic Talk host Ryan Bridge met with Eldridge and her family shortly after they arrived. She explains it came as an "absolute shock" to be told she was dying from cancer, given she was initially only tested for a hormonal issue. "I wasn't even thinking I had cancer, let alone being told that I was going to die," she says. "It was something I just was not expecting. I didn't have one symptom, no signs or anything." After her terminal diagnosis, Eldridge says many people have told her she's brave or resilient - a description which she rejects. "It's not accurate. I'm not brave, I'm scared 24/7. I'm not resilient, I have no choice but to accept this fate... It's just about how I make the most of my life now, so I just choose to be happy." She says she wanted to come back to New Zealand to give herself closure, even though her parents could've made the trip to Melbourne to see her. "This is my happy place. There's nothing more calming than being in New Zealand, being around New Zealand people, it's peaceful. The older I get, the more I appreciate it," Eldridge says. "I feel like I need closure. So whether that's taking Joel to my high school and just walking around my high school, or walking up and down the main street of Rangiora - just little things like that. So he can come back here one day and just be like this is Hayley, this was Hayley's life." Health officials are now awaiting the results of serology testing, which are due later on Thursday. Dr Bloomfield said serology testing on the child's parents may indicate whether it had been a historical infection. "Officials feel it's most likely a false positive." Dr Bloomfield acknowledged there was a "possibility" the weak positive result could be a historical infection linked to last year's Bluff cluster, noting a number of cases would have likely never been identified amid the stringent lockdown. "Serology will tell us," Ardern added. However, a number of steps are being taken in the community as a precaution, the Ministry of Health said in a statement on Thursday afternoon. While the investigation is underway, a local daycare centre attended by the child will be closed for the rest of the week as a precautionary measure. Possible contacts are also asked to isolate until further information is available. A testing station will be open from 1pm at the Community Centre for other members of the small population. Public health staff have so far been unable to identify any likely source of infection and given the relative isolation of the community, authorities currently believe the person is most likely not a case, the ministry reiterated. Given Stewart Island's isolated nature, the DHB is mobilising teams of additional staff to provide increased testing on Thursday - primarily for people in the community with symptoms and for those linked to the childcare centre. It's expected any local residents seeking a test will also be accommodated. Dr Bloomfield said additional staff on the ground would help to reassure the small community. Stewart Island/Rakiura Community Board chairman Jon Spraggon confirmed a team had travelled to the island to conduct testing this morning. He told Newshub that residents are maintaining the basic public health measures, such as logging movements with the NZ COVID Tracer app. "Because we have visitors, everyone is well aware of COVID and taking necessary precautions," he said. He added the news of the weak positive result is "probably a shock" for the isolated and close-knit community. "It's something that we dread, it [getting] here. We'd hate to see it arrive on the island - but it would be more of a shock [if] it did get here." Results from the additional testing are expected on Thursday. Thursday's case update In its update on Thursday, the Ministry of Health confirmed that two new cases of COVID-19 have been detected in managed isolation facilities in the past 24 hours, but the community continues to remain free of the virus. Two patients who were receiving treatment at Auckland's Middlemore Hospital have now been discharged and taken back to the Jet Park quarantine facility. One person has recovered from the virus in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of active cases in New Zealand to 24. To date, New Zealand has recorded a total of 2357 cases of COVID-19. The two returnees tested positive on arrival on June 14 and June 15 respectively. The first travelled from South Africa via Qatar and the second from Indonesia via Singapore. Quarantine-free travel pause As announced earlier on Thursday, the suspension of quarantine-free travel with Victoria will continue until Tuesday. This decision follows a formal public health assessment on Wednesday and the consideration of further information since then. Anyone who is eligible can continue returning to New Zealand on 'green flights', meaning they will not be required to isolate when they arrive home. However, they must provide evidence of a negative test result taken within three days of departure. A PCR test is required. All passengers travelling on a return 'green flight' must also complete the Nau Mai Ra contact information and complete the health declaration to confirm they have not visited a location of interest. Travellers who are not covered by the restrictions in Victoria - and who have not visited a location of interest at the specified times - can still travel quarantine-free from other states and will not require a pre-departure test. All travellers to New Zealand are encouraged to use the NZ COVID-19 Tracer app, stay put if they are sick, and to wear a mask on all flights and public transport. Locations of interest - VIC, QLD and NSW As of 9am on Thursday, Australian health authorities have identified almost 200 locations of interest or possible exposure sites in Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales. Anyone who was at a location of interest at the specified times cannot travel to New Zealand within 14 days of the exposure event. Anyone who was at a location of interest at the specified time should call Healthline on 0800 358 5453, get tested, and self-isolate until a negative result is returned. The Ministry of Health is urging New Zealanders who have been in Victoria, regional New South Wales or regional Queensland to check the following websites to determine whether they were at any of the locations of interest: Robertson said the higher COVID-19 alert levels during the quarter only had a limited impact on the economy, "thanks to the Government's quick response to provide cash flow and confidence". Dr Murat Ungor, a senior lecturer in economics at the University of Otago, said the GDP increase was a "nice positive surprise", while ASB Bank economists described the boost as "whopping", considering market expectations of a 0.5 percent lift. ASB economists said the "massive" 6.6 percent lift in construction output in New Zealand "suggests the sector may not be as capacity-constrained as previously feared". Building consents were at an all-time high last month. Stats NZ data showed that in March, 4128 new homes were consented - the highest number since the 1940s. But ACT leader David Seymour says the boost is on borrowed money, describing the latest GDP update as "a dead cat bounce". "The Reserve Bank printed $100 billion; the Government borrowed $60 billion - we've got an economy that's running on a sugar hit." The Government is $107.5 billion in debt and figures released in the Budget showed debt is expected to increase by close to $100 billion in the next few years, peaking at 48 percent of GDP in 2023. The Government expects to get back to surplus from 2027. "Requests for a decision on financial relief for the remainder of the project have been left unanswered for months and multiple requests for visits to businesses have been ignored. "If this was a workplace, you would not contemplate leaving people to deal with this level of stress without help. There has been no compassion or respect shown for them and that needs to change. These are hard-working people who just want a fair go." Beck says Transport Minister Michael Wood was "responsive" back in March to a request for financial support and advised that options were being considered, but "time keeps marching on". "Despite requests for updates, Heart of the City and impacted businesses are none the wiser as to what is happening and with no timeframe for a decision, time is running out for many businesses in the area. On Thursday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern provided more detail about the rollout, revealing that vaccines will be administered by age cohorts with the aim to have every eligible Kiwi vaccinated by the end of the year. A key reason the vaccinations will be paced out is because doses of the jab will still be being delivered as we go. New Zealand will receive the bulk of the supply by the end of October. "We've landed on age bands, because it is a simple approach most commonly used overseas and because the risk of COVID increases as you get older," Ardern said. "Once your age band is announced, there is no cut-off. You can be vaccinated from that time on, at any time. But the sooner the better." From July 28, anyone over the age of 60 will be eligible for a vaccine. Bookings for the next age band - those over 55 - will open on August 11. From here, the rollout is indicative, as we wait for exact details from our supplier, Ardern said. However, she did say those aged over 45 will likely be invited to book a vaccine from mid-late August, those over 35 from mid-late September, while everyone else will have to wait until October. From August, vaccines will also be rolled out towards some workforces which "might otherwise be harder to reach". The Ministry of Health is currently consulting with some large businesses on how to roll this out. Fonterra and Mainfreight are eager to be involved. Mass vaccine events will also be held to ensure everyone is being reached. These will be focused on high-risk groups. "There will also be examples of rural or isolated communities where it just makes sense to vaccinate the entire population at once, such as the Chatham Islands and remote places like Reefton and Tolaga Bay." Ardern said Kiwis will be contacted when it is their turn. "When we announce an age band, they'll be able to use our national booking system to book an appointment or contact our national vaccine call centre," Ardern said. People will receive an invite via either email, text, mail or by phone. It will ask Kiwis to use BookMyVaccine and choose a location that suits them. They'll be able to book a date and time for the two doses with three weeks in between. A phone line will also be accessible. Both services will be operating from July 28, in time for the first age cohort. Ardern said while health services hold contact details for most people, some Kiwis may not get notified if their information isn't held. "That is why we will be making sure we have a solid campaign so people know when they are eligible and they will know how to contact us to book their vaccine if they don't receive their invite." People can also register their details at the end of July on the online service. The quarantine-free travel pause with Victoria will lift on Tuesday night at 11:59pm, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says. It was scheduled to lift on Thursday night. "It has been determined that the risk to public health in New Zealand continues to decrease and, at this time, public health officials consider it unlikely there is further widespread community transmission in the state," Hipkins said on Thursday morning. "However, in line with our precautionary approach we consider this short extension to be prudent." "There are now 100 cases associated with the outbreak in the greater Melbourne area, spread across all clusters. The most recent report of a case being infectious in the community was June 8, until the case announced this week of a nurse who may have worked a hospital shift while infectious." 1:20pm - National's COVID-19 response spokesperson Chris Bishop says the Government is trying to make Kiwis believe the vaccine roll-out is a success. "This was meant to be the 'Year of the Vaccine' but just like the 'Year of Delivery' resulted in the KiwiBuild and light rail fiasco, the vaccination roll-out is failing. "We are dead last in the OECD in terms of vaccinations administered per 100 people, and 120th in the world. Far from being at the front of the queue, we are at the back." Bishop says the Government needs to be more prepared. "Our front-line border workers were meant to have been vaccinated by the end of March. Yet here we are in mid-June and thousands have yet to get a single shot. "The national booking system is still not ready to go, the government has no real targets, DHBs don't know how many of their staff have been vaccinated, and the Government keeps moving the goalposts back to accommodate their repeated failures to meet loose targets. "The vaccine rollout is critical for opening New Zealand up to the rest of the world. The Government must get this right." Here's the latest on the pandemic from around the world overnight. Europe UK Britain reported its biggest daily rise in new cases of COVID-19 since February 19 on Thursday, according to government figures which showed 11,007 new infections, up from 9055 the day before. The number of new deaths within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test doubled to 19 from nine reported on Wednesday, the highest daily total since May 11 and one which takes total fatalities on this measure to 127,945. The rapid spread of the Delta coronavirus variant has driven a 50 percent rise in infections in England since May, a large prevalence study led by Imperial College London found on Thursday after Prime Minister Boris Johnson delayed the end of restrictions. Britain is considering easing travel rules for double-vaccinated people, a move that would placate airlines which have launched legal action against the government's curbs on trips abroad. Denmark Denmark will offer COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 12-15 after the adult population has been inoculated to boost its overall immunity against the virus ahead of the winter, health authorities said on Thursday. "We attended two families last week. Six of them were sharing a packet of biscuits per day and one of the families we went to yesterday, there was a can of tinned fish for the family of seven." He is working among more than twenty communities with people in a vulnerable state, including those with young babies, disabilities and other special needs. The organisation is trying to find out who needs what so families are not left out when food packs are distributed. Moli said the government was responding but many people were not being reached and were "suffering in silence". "They don't have the right data to be able to disseminate the food to those that are really in need." The charity has a "vulnerability index" and was working to collate data, he said. It had helped more than 3000 families during the lockdown in Nasinu including by "digging into our pockets and our pantries". On the other side of the capital, Sarah Conrad's charity First Responders has been cooking up 100 meals every Saturday for people around the Serua and Namosi area who were finding it hard to put food on the table. So far her 100 Hot Meals Drive has fed chicken curry and chicken palau to over 1100 people since it started last month. Conrad said she had seen a dramatic increase in people going without food and charities were working together with local government to distribute as much as they could. "Most of the cry for food is because of the lockdown. A lot of people here do have farms they can go to but because of the curfew and the lockdown they are unable to even reach their farms." She has also dug into her own pocket to pay for the hot meals. "Most of them are embarrassed to call in and ask and we reassure them that 'look this is Fiji ... you know we look out for one another'. "Today's you, maybe tomorrow's me. There's nothing to be ashamed of to ask for help." The charity wants to do a "Baby Drive" next because new mothers were crying out for aid like nappies and formula, according to Conrad. Further north in Lautoka, Ashley Krishna is a coordinator for the charity Being Helping Hands Fiji. She said many people were desperate because COVID-19 containment zones had meant they were cut off from their jobs in the bigger town of Nadi further south, although this border has now been lifted. "This particular family that I visited around Lautoka, they were surviving on boiled pawpaw and cassava leaves for three weeks until one of the neighbours reached out to me." She said not everyone had been able to get relief money from the government and social security was minimal. It was no problem getting volunteers, she said, but donations were not enough to meet demand, so the charity was suspending its work until they could get more money together. She said their Facebook page was always flooded with requests for help and with comments from people furious they were not getting any. "People are getting infuriated. People are getting angry at us as well." She said the need was heart-breaking. "Sometimes we get emotional while in the field but we have to be strong because if we start breaking down I don't know who else will be out there helping people." While Being Helping Hands Fiji needs money, Sarah Conrad said first responders preferred donations in kind such as ingredients for their hot meals. She said even people overseas could send food vouchers or buy food online to keep the charity's food drive going. RNZ Anyone in Queensland who has visited one of the exposure sites at the specified time is now automatically required to quarantine, Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young announced on Wednesday. "If you have been to any of these sites and are already in Queensland, you must immediately travel by private transport directly to your home or accommodation and quarantine," Young told reporters. "We act quickly in these situations to protect the health and safety of Queenslanders and visitors." NSW currently has 36 active cases of COVID-19, three of which are returnees from overseas who test positive in the past 24 hours. The state last reported a case of COVID-19 in the community on May 5 - 42 days ago. Fifty-six people have died from the virus in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic, with 5437 recorded cases to date statewide. Of the state's 8.166 million population, 1.737 million have received at least one dose of the vaccine since the launch of its vaccination campaign. In the past 24 hours, 17,223 doses have been administered. It comes as Kiwis and Australians alike await a decision regarding the reopening of quarantine-free travel between New Zealand and Victoria. The state was ravaged by COVID-19 in an outbreak last month, which saw health officials impose a statewide lockdown to curb the spread of the virus. New Zealand officials suspended the quarantine-free travel arrangement temporarily to ensure the virus was not transported into New Zealand. The pause, which is set to lapse on Thursday, was reviewed on Wednesday. The outcome is expected to be released shortly. Local top story City's exit plan: 'Reassessment is misunderstood by many' SHAMOKIN Reassessment can be a controversial and politicized topic and, as a result, it is not uncommon for counties to go years without undertaking a new reassessment, but Northumberland Countys last assessment in 1972 is an extreme case, according to the authors of Shamokins three-year exit plan. Prepared by Stevens & Lee Consultants, the Pennsylvania Economy League and Financial S&Lutions, the exit plan recommends city council lobby county commissioners for a countywide reassessment with a target outcome of increasing revenue. The Third Class City Code, it says, does not provide the necessary taxing authority to allow the city to fund current service levels without becoming a home rule municipality or reassessment by the county. The city is searching for ways to increase revenue in anticipation of the lapse of Act 47, which would reduce its earned income tax (EIT) rate from 2% (1.5% to the city) to 1% (.5% to the city). Voters twice turned down the election of a government study commission, eliminating any immediate possibility of forming a home rule charter with an earned income tax high enough to fill an approximate $759,000 annual budget shortfall without the enhanced EIT. According to the exit plan, Northumberland County was last reassessed in 1972, meaning the countys current assessment is older than the median age of the people living in the city and county. When Shamokin entered Act 47 in 2015 it was at its limit for general purpose real estate millage, leaving no room to gain additional general purpose revenue if needed through a property tax increase. The city remains at the current general purposes limit of 35 mills. With home rule all but dead in the water, city leaders are now pondering whether to sue the county to force a reassessment of property values. The topic of municipalities going to court to force a reassessment was broached during this months workshop and subsequent regular meeting. Councilwoman Jennifer Seidel and outgoing Mayor John Brown indicated they would be in favor of moving against the county while Councilwoman Barbara Moyer and Councilmen Charlie Verano and Scott Roughton said they do not have enough information to make a decision. Roughton said Wednesday that an example of a municipality filing suit against a county to force a reassessment was mentioned at the citys workshop, but there wast a discussion on the issue. I know (reassessment) plays a part in property taxes, in some way shape or form. But, if the courts are saying it should be done every 10 years, theres an issue there, Roughton added. Roughton described a countywide reassessment as a double-edged sword in that property taxes could decrease for some, but Northumberland County could raise taxes to pay for the reassessment, which by some is estimated to cost millions of dollars. The exit plan states that property reassessment is misunderstood by many, with most believing that property reassessment means increased property taxes. In truth, old assessments lead to a greater likelihood that there is an unfair tax burden from property-to-property based on age, new construction and property improvements made, the exit plan authors say. The exit plan states that reassessment is not a windfall of revenue for governmental agencies. Pennsylvania law, it explains, requires governmental agencies to lower their tax rate in a proportional amount to the new assessed values. For example, if the taxable assessed value doubles the governmental agency is required to reduce their millage rate by half. After completion of reassessment some tax payers bills will go up, some will go down and some will stay the same, the plan states. However, all tax payer assessments will be more equitably distributed based on current assessed values. Now that residents have preferred to operate as a traditional Third Class City, Brown said the city will have to reduce services in an amount needed to cover any projected budget shortfall, unless a county reassessment is completed within the time frame of the three-year exit plan, the city receives special authorization from the Legislature or it borrows $5 million, which would increase property taxes by 40%. Shamokin, PA (17872) Today Mixed clouds and sun with scattered thunderstorms. High 77F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to occasional showers overnight. Low 56F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. Fairbanks, AK (99707) Today Partly cloudy skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. High near 85F. ESE winds shifting to SW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies. Low 59F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. The Daily News-Miner encourages residents to make themselves heard through the Opinion pages. Readers' letters and columns also appear online at newsminer.com. Contact the editor with questions at letters@newsminer.com or call 459-7574. Community Perspective Send Community Perspective submissions by mail (P.O. Box 70710, Fairbanks AK 99707) or via email (letters@newsminer.com). Submissions must be 500 to 750 words. Columns are welcome on a wide range of issues and should be well-written and well-researched with attribution of sources. Include a full name, email address, daytime telephone number and headshot photograph suitable for publication (email jpg or tiff files at 150 dpi.) You may also schedule a photo to be taken at the News-Miner office. The News-Miner reserves the right to edit submissions or to reject those of poor quality or taste without consulting the writer. Letters to the editor Send letters to the editor by mail (P.O. Box 70710, Fairbanks AK 99707), by fax (907-452-7917) or via email (letters@newsminer.com). Writers are limited to one letter every two weeks (14 days.) All letters must contain no more than 350 words and include a full name (no abbreviation), daytime and evening phone numbers and physical address. (If no phone, then provide a mailing address or email address.) The Daily News-Miner reserves the right to edit or reject letters without consulting the writer. DT News: Does the ministry have any plans to benefit from or recycle the excavated rainwater? Eng. Khalaf: The storm water is usually discharged in the sea and other areas. We had attempted to inject it in the under- ground water in a couple of sites across the Kingdom. But recycling also is only done if strict rules are followed. The Supreme Council for the Environment had some environ- mental reservations in regards to this process as they had some concerns over water pollution suspicions, hence the processes were stopped and further discussions are in progress. But, we utilise it in irrigation purposes. We have more work and effort to be implemented in the field of rainwater drainage and recycling. Yet, we have managed to considerably reduce the negative effects of this issue on the public by taking the necessary precautionary measures and procedures ahead of the rainy season. The ministry has offered more tenders to provide tanks and containers to excavate the excessive water from roads and public areas. We have also upgraded the vacuum tankers and provided them with additional pumps to accelerate the process of excavating the water, thats in addition to installing pumps at vital areas and roads to move the water to open areas and ensure that the daily life isnt affected. DT News: What are the main challenges the ministry is facing in tackling the rainwater flooding issue? Eng. Khalaf: One of the biggest challenges we face during the rainy seasons is the uncivil behaviour of some people who remove the covers of sewage manholes and allow the rainwa- ter to enter and mix with the sewerage network. This is a grave matter as such behaviour disrupts and dam- ages the networks. The rainwater, with all its sediments, damages the pumps and other equipment of the sewerage network. This results in the rebound of the sewerage inside homes and other facilities. Such cases were reported recently, as the pumps were damaged and unable to move the sewer- age to the treatment plant. We repeatedly warn the public of the dangerous effects of such behaviours by raising more awareness on the matter through different platforms. Its noteworthy that we have also fulfilled all the requests that were received by municipal councils from citizens this year to install rainwater roof coatings to prevent any leakages inside homes, especially those belonging to the limited and medium income citizens. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Labour and Social Development Minister Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, the Chairman of the current session of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Labour Ministers Council, participated in the 109th session of the International Labour Conference (ILC 2021), held by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). ILO Director-General Guy Ryder, ILO member states labour ministers, representatives of labour organisations and lablour unions, as well as experts from the relevant organisations, participated in the virtual conference. The ILC 2021 reviewed the ILO Director-Generals report on the impacts of the COVID-19 on labour markets, and the efforts being exerted to mitigate its economic and social repercussions. The 109th ILC session also discussed equality and non-discrimination at work, the strategic goals of social protection and the importance of skills and lifelong education in developing human resources. Addressing ILC 2021 on behalf of the GCC countries, the Minister reviewed GCC states efforts to mitigate the effects of the pandemic on their labour markets, adhere to international labour standards, enhance cooperation with ILO to ensure the growth and stability of their labour markets and achieve a balance between the three production parties. Regarding Bahrains efforts to confront the pandemic, Humaidan indicated that, based on the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the Kingdom has launched an economic stimulus package worth more than $12 billion to enhance the efficiency of the health sector and ensure the continuous provision of free treatment services to citizens and residents, without discrimination. The Minister added that the government of Bahrain has spent more than one billion dollars to mitigate the economic repercussions on institutions and individuals, which contributed to limiting the layoffs of national workers in private sector facilities. He also affirmed the Kingdoms commitment to international labour conventions and standards, noting that Bahrain has respected the rights of national and expatriate workers, alike, during the pandemic. Thank you for trusting us for your local news coverage. You have reached the maximum number of free articles per month. Subscribe today for unlimited access to News-Press NOW. It's a fast and easy way to support local journalism. A shadow hung over The Palace theaters last show. On Saturday, March 7, 2020 the day after the first Danbury and Connecticut connection to the coronavirus was reported and a comedian performed at the downtown theater as an early St. Patricks Day event. It was a really funny show but something didnt feel quite right, said Carol Freud Spiegel, managing director for The Palace. The staff and audience were all talking about that virus. Shortly after, the Palace and other venues across the state and nation closed. Fifteen months later, the theater is reopening its doors Saturday night, featuring comedian Julia Scotti. With reopening has come increased cleaning and a minor restoration to the marquee. Theater officials had considered opening earlier, but will open now without the COVID-19 restrictions the state was under until a month ago. Im glad we waited until now to open, Spiegel said. The reopening comes as new COVID-19 cases in Danbury are at among the lowest since the beginning of the pandemic. The city reported eight positive tests taken June 8 through June 13, according to Danburys latest report. Thats the lowest weekly number since seven cases were reported the week of March 9, 2020, and a big improvement from several months ago, Mayor Joe Cavo said. Im excited to see businesses start to be able to reopen, he said. Its nice to be at this point in time. He said he still wants to move forward cautiously, but has seen more people in restaurants and businesses. Its a sign of encouragement, Cavo said. Patrons at The Palace will not be required to wear masks, although staff will, Spiegel said. The theater brought in an outside service to clean and sanitize the building from head to toe, she said. The air filtration system was upgraded. The theater has 400 seats, but only 200 tickets will be sold to Saturdays show. All tickets are general admission, so patrons may seat themselves away from others. This will be a self social-distanced show, Spiegel said. There are some seats that will be closed off. I don't anticipate us to be at capacity this weekend. Ahead of the opening, the theater is returning to its roots. The marquee has been painted with the historic colors the theaters opening in 1928, she said. LED lights were installed on the marquee. The space and the time has given us time to reflect on what we want to see and what we want our public to see, Spiegel said. It's pretty exciting. The theater plans to continue with interior restoration, she said. Saturdays show begins at 8 p.m. with opener Anita Wise, a stand-up comedian who has been featured at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal and has appeared on Seinfield and The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and Jay Leno. The main act is Julia Scotti, who has been named one of the Top Five Transgender Comedians in the country by The Advocate magazine. She was a finalist on Season 11 of Americas Got Talent and is known as the crazy old lady of comedy. She has a comedy special on Showtime called More Women of a Certain Age and a new documentary film, Julia Scotti: Funny That Way. Scotti said she appeals to all generations. Young kids laugh at me because I'm like a crazy grandmother, she said in a statement. Middle-aged people say I remind them of their grandmother, and my age people say it's so true what I say. DANBURY Rezoning the Danbury Fair mall to allow housing, and targeting downtown parking lots to encourage shops and restaurants are big ideas leaders should consider in the citys new master plan, a consultant urged this week. Maybe the mall is able to continue as it is, but the trends we are seeing nationally would suggest that they need to adapt in some way and we need to be sure zoning is supportive of whatever may occur at that property in the future to keep it active and viable, said Francisco Gomes, a consultant working with Danbury leaders to develop a zoning plan for the next 10 years. If you look at an aerial (photo), there is a decent amount of surface parking downtown (t)hat is always a very obvious place to look for new housing and new retail and new restaurant space. The consultants recommendations came during a 90-minute Zoom discussion about updating Danburys zoning to encourage economic growth, and to preserve the citys open space and suburban character. An overdue public engagement campaign for the master plan is set for September one month after leaders are scheduled to compete the research phase and begin to draft new land use rules. We are the seventh largest city in Connecticut, but you go into Tarrywile Park or (Candlewood) Lake and you cant believe youre in an urban environment, said Sharon Calitro, Danburys planning director and a key member of the group overseeing the master plan update. Calitro stressed the balance between progress and conservation had to be struck in the citys historic Main Street district, in the heart of the downtown corridor. 3 1 of 3 H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 2 of 3 City of Danbury Show More Show Less 3 of 3 We have been careful to craft our regulations about a height restrictions, so we dont overpower our historic district, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, Calitro said. We have to protect the historical integrity in the district and also incentivize people to have that density downtown. One way to encourage more economic development downtown is to make it easy for developers to convert parking lots into shops, restaurants, and apartments. [T]o leverage that opportunity, you have to address the parking needs with something other than surface parking, Gomes said. You have one (parking garage) on Main Street and the other one near the ice rink and the train station. The question is, where does the downtown stand with its parking needs? The city, which highlighted the parking lot opportunity in a recently completed transit-oriented development study, is courting developers to invest in a municipal parking lot on Liberty Street. City Hall believes the lot is ideal for a multi-story building with shops on the ground floor. One element Danbury cant control in its master plan is downtown landowners visions, a city leader said during the discussion. I just wish some of the downtown landowners had a little more vision, a little more imagination to look at a building or to look at an area and say, What can we do here to bring the whole area together, to make it flow better? said Arnold Finaldi, chairman of the city Planning Commission and a member of the master plan review group. I just hope there is some of that downtown, because I think downtown will benefit from it. On Danburys booming west side, owners of the Danbury Fair mall have not signaled to the city plans to follow Milfords Connecticut Post Mall, which has proposed to reinvent itself with 500 apartments and 450,000 square feet of commercial and office space. Last week, a senior property manager for Danbury Fair said the mall was attracting new businesses to fill vacancies left by the COVID-19 crisis. Danburys consultant said the city should be preparing for a scenario like the Connecticut Post Mall. Some malls are beginning to redevelop to incorporate housing on the site and I think this will be one of the big ideas we are likely to address, Gomes said. He added leaders needed to figure out if there is anything the city should be doing to support the future of this site. rryser@newstimes.com 203-731-3342 Presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin of Russia spent more than three hours discussing issues Wednesday at their summit in Geneva. They ticked through their respective lists so quickly and in such excruciating detail, Biden says, that they looked at each other and thought, OK, what next? The most pressing issues the leaders discussed: AMBASSADORS Biden and Putin agreed to return their respective ambassadors to Washington and Moscow in a bid to improve badly deteriorated diplomatic relations between their countries. Russias ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov, left Washington in March amid a row after Biden called Putin a killer in a television interview and imposed new sanctions on Russia over its treatment of opposition figure Alexei Navalny. John Sullivan, the U.S. ambassador to Russia, flew out of Moscow in April after public suggestions from Russian officials that he should leave to mirror Antonovs departure. Both ambassadors were present at Wednesday's summit. Putin also said the Russian foreign ministry and the U.S. State Department would begin consultations on other vexing diplomatic issues, including the closures of consulates in both countries and the employment status of Russian citizens working for U.S. missions in Russia. A senior Biden administration official said Sullivan is likely to return to Moscow next week. A different senior administration official said both governments had begun discussing consulate and local staff issues and the hope was an agreement could be reached in the next two months. Neither administration official was authorized to comment publicly by name and both spoke on condition of anonymity. ___ CYBERSECURITY No breakthroughs on this issue were announced, but the leaders agreed to at least talk about what has become a major source of conflict between the U.S. and Russia. Biden said he and Putin agreed to have their experts work out an understanding about what types of critical infrastructure would be off-limits to cyberattacks. He said the U.S. presented Russia with 16 specific types of infrastructure, including energy, elections, banking and water systems, and the defense industry. The agreement comes amid a flood of ransomware attacks against U.S. businesses and government agencies, including one in May that disrupted fuel supplies along the East Coast for nearly a week. The disruption was blamed on a criminal gang operating out of Russia, which does not extradite suspects to the U.S. Other serious incidents include the SolarWinds intrusion discovered last year in which hackers, believed by U.S. authorities to be Russian, penetrated multiple U.S. government networks and prompted Biden to impose additional U.S. sanctions against Russia. Biden said the U.S. and Russian governments would follow up on certain criminal cases, an apparent reference to cybercriminals operating with impunity from Russian territory. Putin agreed there is mutual interest in the subject. Biden also made an implicit threat against Russia, saying the U.S. has significant cyber capability it could use against Russia if it were to interfere with U.S. critical infrastructure. ___ NUCLEAR WEAPONS Biden and Putin instructed their diplomats to begin laying the groundwork for a new phase of arms control. The strategic stability dialogue would be a series of discussions designed to set the table for a negotiation by sorting out what exactly should be negotiated. More broadly, it would aim to reduce the risk of war between the worlds two largest nuclear powers. Biden said the goal is to work with Russia on a mechanism that can lead to control of new and dangerous and sophisticated weapons that are coming on the scene now, that reduce the time for response, that raise the prospect of accidental war. He said this was discussed in detail. No date was announced for the start of talks. The basic idea is to identify and sort out the many areas of disagreement over what a future arms control treaty should address. It also would address ways to avoid unintended or accidental moves that could trigger war. Shortly after Biden took office in January, he and Putin agreed to extend until 2026 the New START treaty that limits long-range nuclear weapons. The challenge now is to work out what a potential follow-on pact would include. The Russians insist it include defensive weapons, such as U.S. missile defense systems. The Americans argue that it should include so-called tactical nuclear weapons, which are not covered by New START and of which the Russians have a far larger number deployed. It might also include new and emerging technologies such as hypersonic missiles and space weaponry. ___ PRISONER EXCHANGE Biden said he raised with Putin the plight of two Americans detained in Russia. Putin had opened the door to possible discussions about a prisoner swap with the U.S. and said those conversations would continue. Biden said he would follow up, too. The U.S. is holding two prisoners whose release Russia has sought for more than a decade, including arms trader Viktor Bout. The other is Konstantin Yaroshenko, a pilot who was extradited from Liberia in 2010 and convicted the next year of conspiracy to smuggle cocaine into the U.S. Biden said Americans Paul Whelan and Trevor Reed are being wrongfully imprisoned in Russia. Whelan, who also holds Canadian, Irish and British citizenship, was arrested in Moscow in 2018, convicted of espionage and sentenced to 16 years. Whelan says he was just visiting Moscow. Reed was convicted of assaulting a police officer while intoxicated and sentenced to nine years. Putin, in a recent interview with NBC News, called Reed a drunk and a troublemaker. ___ HUMAN RIGHTS Biden said he'll continue to air with Putin concerns about basic human rights because it is a core tenet of what the United States stands for. Biden said he couldn't be president of the United States and not raise human rights issues during the summit with Putin. He mentioned the internationally publicized case of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. But Putin said Navalny got what he deserved when he was handed a stiff prison sentence. Navalny is Putin's most ardent political foe. He was arrested in January after returning to Russia from Germany, where he'd spent five months recovering from nerve agent poisoning that he blames on the Kremlin. Russian officials deny involvement in Nalvany's poisoning. Navalny received a 30-month prison sentence for violating terms of a suspended sentence from a 2014 embezzlement conviction he dismissed a politically motivated. ___ SYRIA Biden pressed Putin to drop a push to close the last international humanitarian crossing into Syria, making clear the matter was of significant importance to the U.S. No deal was reached to keep it open, however. Russia is threatening to use its U.N. Security Council veto to close the aid route for millions of Syrians internally displaced by that countrys war. ___ AFGHANISTAN and IRAN Biden said Putin asked about Afghanistan and expressed a desire that peace and security be maintained there. Biden said he told Putin that a lot of that will depend on him, and that Putin indicated he was prepared to help" on Afghanistan as well as on Iran. Biden declined to go into further detail. Biden's administration is mounting new efforts to get Iran to comply with the terms of a nuclear deal it had once agreed to before Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump, withdrew the U.S. from the agreement the U.S. and other world powers struck with Iran in 2015. Putin also talked about preventing a resurgence of terrorist violence in Afghanistan. Biden said it would be very much in Russia's interest to not see that happen. ___ Associated Press writers Matthew Lee, Ben Fox, Robert Burns, Jim Heintz, Ellen Knickmeyer and Darlene Superville contributed to this report. As thousands more residents got vaccinated in the past week, Connecticut reported the lowest daily number of hospitalizations since the early onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a tweet Thursday, Gov. Ned Lamont said the 37 total hospitalizations statewide reported Thursday marked the lowest number since March 18, 2020, just weeks after the first Connecticut cases were detected. Lamont in the tweet offered his thanks to the amazing health care workers who've worked tirelessly to get us to this day! Hospitalizations fell by a net 13 patients statewide Thursday from the previous day, according to the states data. Health officials recorded 35 new infections, found out of 11,801 for a daily positivity rate of 0.3 percent. One more fatality brought the states official COVID-related death toll to 8,266. The low infection rate, similar to other days this month, comes as 65.6 percent of the states total population has received at least one dose of a vaccine, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With more than 58 percent of the state population fully vaccinated, life has largely returned to the pre-pandemic normal with most businesses allowing fully vaccinated patrons to go without masks, and bars, beaches and restaurants open without restrictions. But some communities are still lagging far behind the state average for vaccinations. In Mansfield, less than 35 percent of residents have received at least one shot of the vaccine, data released Thursday shows, while less than 32 percent are fully vaccinated. The data shows some of the states largest cities, including Hartford, Bridgeport and Waterbury, are also lagging both in terms of first doses and residents who are fully vaccinated. In contrast, more than 97 percent of the 1,053 residents of Canaan have received one shot or more, the data shows, while almost 86 percent are fully vaccinated, making it the most-vaccinated community in the state. Other highly vaccinated communities include the towns of Salisbury, Lyme, Old Saybrook and Kent. As in previous reports, communities noted as a having underserved census tracts are showing lower vaccination rates. That is also reflected in data on underserved communities the state is prioritizing for vaccination based on ZIP codes. Just under half of residents in the prioritized ZIP codes have received at least one dose, versus 63 percent in other ZIP codes. About 43 percent of residents in the prioritized ZIP codes are fully vaccinated, compared with about 57 percent outside of them. However, the state still saw an 11 percent jump in the number of total vaccine doses administered in the past week for a total of more than 87,000. Weekly vaccine administration rates had been dropping off steadily since April 10, when they peaked at roughly 314,000. President commits to COVID-19 drug research While progress against the virus continues in Connecticut and across the nation, President Joe Bidens administration announced Thursday it plans to invest more than $2 billion of American Rescue Plan funds toward the development of antiviral drugs to treat COVID-19. The plan, outlined in an announcement from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, aims to develop drugs that could be taken by patients in a pill form at home before their infection gets worse. The announcement from HHS said even as hundreds of millions of Americans get vaccinated against COVID-19 and cases, hospitalizations and death rates fall, the Biden administration remains committed to identifying effective treatment options that can prevent people diagnosed with COVID-19 from progressing to serious illness and death. Under the plan, around $300 million would go toward research for the drugs with another $1 billion for evaluation and $700 million earmarked for development and manufacturing. The Biden administration also pledged up to $1.2 billion for researchers to create drugs for other coronaviruses, which could then expand to other viruses with pandemic potential, the announcement said. In Connecticut, at least one doctor said the Biden administrations drive for antiviral drugs was good news. "There's a lot of things on the table," said Dr. Zane Saul, chief of infectious disease at Bridgeport Hospital, who said he's aware of the money being funneled toward antivirals. He pointed out that at least one antiviral medication, remdesivir, had been used to treat COVID-19. However, there were concerns about the medication's effectiveness. In November, the World Health Organization recommended against the use of remdesivir in hospitalized patients, "as there is currently no evidence that remdesivir improves survival and other outcomes in these patients," the WHO said. Considering the success of the vaccines and a decline in cases, Saul said it's unclear how great a need there would be for more antivirals. Next fall, when activities start to move back inside, there will be a clearer picture of what COVID spread might look like long-term. Then well see how urgent the need is for these new agents, he said. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) Gov. John Bel Edwards has agreed to turn off federal pandemic unemployment payments at the end of July in exchange for a long-term, modest boost to Louisiana's jobless benefits, announcing Wednesday that he's signed a bill that makes the trade. Republican state lawmakers and business organizations agreed to support a $28 increase in Louisiana's maximum weekly unemployment benefits increasing the payment to a maximum of $275 a week starting in January. But they added a provision into the legislation that only allowed the benefit hike to take effect if the Democratic governor ended the $300 supplemental federal pandemic unemployment benefit by July 31, weeks earlier than required. Edwards took the deal. He issued the notification in a long list of bill signings released by his office Wednesday, with no comment on his decision. With his signature on the legislation, Edwards becomes one of the first Democratic governors to announce hell end the pandemic relief aid weeks ahead of its expiration. After the legislative session wrapped up Thursday, the governor said he already had been weighing shutting down the extra federal benefits in August, ahead of the Sept. 6 federal expiration date. The 31st of July doesn't seem like a bad compromise, he said last week. Edwards said he was trying to find a reasonable balance between helping the jobless and assisting businesses that say they're having trouble finding people to fill their employee ranks. More than half of states, nearly all led by Republicans, already have announced they were turning off the federal benefits early. Louisiana's Democratic lawmakers were split on the tradeoff, which was inserted into a bill sponsored by Rep. Chad Brown, a Plaquemine Democrat, in the final hours of the legislative session. I just cant believe youre doing this, turning down federal unemployment for people who have had the hardest year of their life, Rep. Mandie Landry, a Democrat from New Orleans, said during the House debate on the measure. Brown said he had heartburn about the tradeoff, but he said that a permanent increase going forward is desperately needed. The House passed the measure with a 74-27 vote, while the Senate agreed in a 32-5 vote. Republicans and business lobbying groups had urged Edwards to sign the bill. During his end-of-session news conference, Edwards said he expected more people would be able to go back to work in August when schools open, without worrying about the expense of childcare. He suggested the long-term increase to unemployment benefits was an important goal because Louisiana has had one of the lowest weekly jobless payments in the country. Everythings a tradeoff. Reasonable people can disagree about exactly where you draw the line, he said. ___ The bill is filed as House Bill 183. ___ Follow Melinda Deslatte on Twitter at http://twitter.com/melindadeslatte. MADISON, Wis. (AP) The Wisconsin Legislature's budget-writing committee completed its work Thursday on the state's next two-year spending plan, paving the way for the Senate and Assembly to vote on it later this month. Here are some highlights of the budget as currently written by the Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee: TAX CUTS Bolstered by rosier revenue projections, Republicans inserted $3.3 billion in income and property tax cuts into the budget. The provisions include $2.7 billion in cuts for people who earn between $24,000 and $2654,000 annually and nearly $650 million in local property tax cuts for schools and technical colleges. The budget would backfill that lost revenue with state aid. Residents would see a property tax bill but schools would come out even. K-12 SCHOOLS: Republicans gave public schools an additional $128 million in state funding over two years, which is less than 10% of the $1.6 billion that Gov. Tony Evers proposed. Republicans defended the move, noting that Wisconsin schools are slated to receive $2.6 billion in federal coronavirus relief money. However, nearly all of that would have been in jeopardy unless the state spent nearly $400 million more on schools. The additional $647 million in state aid Republicans handed schools to replace revenue lost through property tax reductions satisfies the spending requirement, ensuring schools will receive all of the $2.6 billion in federal aid. SPECIAL EDUCATION The plan would reimburse school districts 30% of special education costs in the second year of the budget, up from 28.2% currently. Special education advocates say that is woefully inadequate. The Evers budget would increase reimbursement to 45% in the first year and 50% in the second. UW SYSTEM: The eight-year-old tuition freeze would end this fall under the GOP budget. UW schools would also receive just an $8.25 million increase in funding, compared with the $192 million Evers proposed. TRANSPORTATION: There are no gas tax or vehicle registration fee increases. The budget would authorize the start of the oft-delayed Interstate 94 expansion project in Milwaukee County, as Evers wanted. State funding for transit programs was cut in half in Milwaukee and Madison, but Republicans said that was because those Democratic strongholds are receiving hundreds of millions of dollars in federal coronavirus relief money. BUILDING PROJECTS: State building projects would receive $1.5 billion in funding, which is roughly $810 million less than what Evers wanted. The UW System would get about $629, down from the $1 billion Evers put forward. STEWARDSHIP: Wisconsins land stewardship program would be extended for four years instead of the 10 that Evers wanted. The budget also would make $32 million per year available to acquire land, which is the amount available now but less than half of the$70 million Evers proposed. UNEMPLOYMENT: The budget includes more money for vocational training for the disabled, and youth and adult apprentice programs with the goal of addressing the states worker shortage problem. However, Republicans rejected Evers call to spend $15 million to improve the system for administering unemployment payments. Republicans said Evers can use federal stimulus money for that. BROADBAND: Broadband expansion would get $125 million, which is less than the roughly $200 million Evers proposed. The money would also be borrowed rather than paid with cash, as Evers proposed. BODY CAMERAS Funding to pay for body cameras for Wisconsin State Patrol officers and Department of Natural Resources wardens is included, but funding was rejected for to equip state Capitol police officers with them. JUVENILE PRISONS: A state mental health center in Madison will be expanded to reduce the number of inmates at the states juvenile prisons, but Republicans did not include funding to build a new juvenile prison in Milwaukee County. Instead, only money for the planning process was included, which Democrats said would delay the closure of the troubled Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake juvenile prisons north of Wausau. TEEN DRIVERS: Teen drivers could opt out of taking a behind-the-wheel exam under a permanent policy that was tested during the coronavirus pandemic last year. To qualify, a driver must be applying for a non-commercial drivers license, successfully complete a driver's education course that includes 30 hours of behind-the-wheel experience and not have any moving violations within six months of applying. An adult must also consent to waiving the test. WHATS OUT: Evers proposals to legalize recreational and medical marijuana, expand Medicaid and restore collective bargaining rights for public workers were among the first items killed by the legislative committee. Also removed in one vote striking out nearly 400 Evers proposals were $1 billion in higher taxes on manufacturers and capital gains; increasing the minimum wage to $10.15 per hour by 2024; suspending enrollment in the private school voucher program; and creating a so-called red flag law that would allow guns to be seized from people deemed to be a danger by courts. IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) A supporter of former President Donald Trump has pleaded guilty to felony charges for firing his handgun into a carful of Black girls who were arguing with pro-Trump agitators near the Iowa Capitol last December, injuring one. Michael McKinney, 26, pleaded guilty Wednesday to intimidation with a dangerous weapon and willful injury, charges that each carry up to 10 years in prison. He's expected to receive a prison term at his Aug. 9 sentencing, but the parole board may determine how long he actually serves. Under a plea agreement that a prosecutor called generous, the state will dismiss four charges including attempted murder and won't seek sentencing enhancements that would require McKinney to serve a mandatory minimum of five years on each count before becoming eligible for parole. McKinney, an Army veteran and resident of Saint Charles, Iowa, admitted that he intentionally fired into the girls vehicle, causing the occupants to fear serious injury from my action. He acknowledged that one of the girls, 15, was shot in the leg and seriously injured. His trial had been scheduled for Monday and McKinney had been expected to argue he fired in self-defense after the girls car backed into a Trump supporters pickup truck. McKinney was wearing body armor and heavily armed when he participated in a pro-Trump parade of slow-moving vehicles through Des Moines on Dec. 6. Police say he had a pistol, another firearm in his vehicle and was carrying two loaded magazines. A car carrying four Black teenage girls began following the caravan as it passed through the heavily Democratic city, with occupants trading epithets with Trump supporters. A confrontation broke out between the teenagers and the much larger group of Trump supporters at a Capitol parking lot. Witnesses and the teen drivers mother say the clash included racial and political taunts on both sides. Trump supporters surrounded the girls' car, yelling and honking horns, so the driver put the car in reverse and struck a pickup. Bystander video shows McKinney pulling a handgun from his waistband and firing into the car from 15 feet (4.5 meters) away. The girl who was shot had been arguing with the crowd through the vehicles sunroof. Authorities downplayed the political and racial context of the shooting, saying it grew out of a traffic dispute. The rally had been sponsored by Women for America First, the pro-Trump group that later hosted the Jan. 6 rally in Washington, D.C., before the Capitol insurrection. Trump supporters blasted authorities for charging McKinney, arguing that his shot protected rallygoers by scaring the car away and noting that McKinney frequented pro-police Back the Blue rallies. Assistant Polk County Attorney Olubunmi Salami pushed McKinney to accept the plea deal, which he noted in a filing would drastically reduce his prison sentence. Had McKinney been convicted on all counts at trial, he would have been required to serve 32 years behind bars. McKinneys lawyer can argue at sentencing that whatever prison terms he receives on each count should run concurrently. LANSING, Mich. (AP) Michigan will lift all indoor capacity restrictions and mask requirements next week, 10 days sooner than planned amid vaccinations and plummeting COVID-19 infections, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Thursday. The state's main coronavirus order will expire at the end of Monday instead of July 1, bringing an end to mandatory 50% occupancy limits inside restaurants, gyms and entertainment venues and at indoor events like weddings and funerals. Unvaccinated teen athletes will no longer have to undergo weekly coronavirus testing. The move came days after California and New York lifted most of their remaining restrictions, joining other states in opening the way, step by step, for what could a close-to-normal summer. Today is a day that we have all been looking forward to, as we can safely get back to normal day-to-day activities and put this pandemic behind us, Whitmer, a Democrat, said in statement issued 15 months after she first signed emergency orders to control the coronavirus. We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the medical experts and health professionals who stood on the front lines to keep us all safe. About 4.9 million residents, or 60%, of those ages 16 and older have gotten at least one vaccine dose. That is short of short of the state's goal, which is to vaccinate 70% as quickly as possible. The governor previously scrapped a plan to tie full reopening to the 70% mark, instead announcing on May 20 the end of outdoor capacity limits effective June 1 and indoor restrictions effective July 1. State health officials said Thursday that some virus orders will remain in place to protect vulnerable populations in prisons, long-term care facilities and the agriculture industry. Guidance for schools, where many students are not yet authorized to be vaccinated, will be issued next week. The announcement was celebrated by restaurants, fitness centers and other businesses. The hospitality industry received transcendent news today that will finally move it past 463 days of closure, capacity restrictions and elevated regulatory scrutiny that forced more than one in six Michigan restaurants to close their doors for good, Justin Winslow, president and CEO of the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association, said in a statement. I'm delighted finally that Michigan citizens are almost fully released and liberated, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, a Clarklake Republican, told reporters. He said the rules should have been rescinded earlier, contending that the number of vaccinated people, combined with those with antibodies from natural infections, met the science and medical definitions of statewide immunity. We did that months ago. The state experienced a third surge this spring, however, one that brought the country's worst case rate, record hospitalizations and thousands of deaths. Whitmer kept intact, but did not tighten, limits as she had during a second wave in the fall, citing the availability of vaccines. She has said occupancy caps, social distancing and face coverings saved lives. The seven-day average of new infections was 198, the lowest rate in nearly a year. Also Thursday, the governor got behind using a portion of Michigan's $6.5 billion in new federal virus relief funding to pay bonuses to frontline workers. Specifics of the developing proposal, which would need legislative approval, were not released. She and lawmakers included hazard bonuses or hourly pay raises for certain frontline staff in past spending laws. We will not stop until we recognize our essential workers, not just with a day of appreciation, but with hero pay that you have earned, Whitmer said while joining health care workers outside the Mission Point Nursing & Physical Rehabilitation Center in Detroit. Chaunte Jones, who works in a nursing home and is a member of SEIU Healthcare Michigan union, said she and her co-workers are "burning out. Were losing dedicated, skilled caregivers, people with 20-year-plus experience, because theyre so overworked and under-appreciated. What we went through (with) COVID has made it clear things have to change. Elected officials must do their part to value essential workers. We deserve hero pay. ___ Householder reported from Detroit. ___ Follow David Eggert at https://twitter.com/DavidEggert00 LANSING, Mich. (AP) Republicans who control the Michigan Senate passed contentious legislation Wednesday that would mandate a photo ID to vote in person and add identity requirements for people who want to vote by mail. The bills, which were sent to the GOP-led House on party-line 19-16 votes, are among a wave of Republican-sponsored measures to tighten voting rules in various states. Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will veto the bills if they reach her desk, but the GOP could eventually sidestep her with a maneuver that lets the Legislature enact citizen-initiated ballot proposals. Michigan voters without a photo ID now can sign an affidavit and cast a ballot at their polling place. More than 11,400 of nearly 5.6 million voters did that in the November election. Under the legislation, they would instead vote a provisional ballot and have to either verify their voter registration or their identity and residence within six days for it to count. Voters currently seeking an absentee ballot by mail or at an election clerk's office must sign the application, and the signature is matched to the voter file. The legislation would require applicants to include a copy of their photo ID, their driver's license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number. Those who do not would get a provisional ballot. Republicans said the bills would ensure election integrity and security, contending the system became more vulnerable following a 2018 voter-approved constitutional amendment that expanded absentee voting and allowed same-day registration. Nearly 3.3 million people a record voted absentee in November amid the coronavirus pandemic. Democrats denounced the legislation, which is opposed by clerks and voting-rights advocates, as a poll tax and said it would suppress the vote by making it harder to participate, particularly for seniors and low-income residents. They also raised identity theft concerns. The bills seek to address nonexistent problems amid former President Donald Trump's false claims that he won, they said. Trumps allegations have been resoundingly rejected by state officials who certified the results, judges who dismissed multiple lawsuits filed by Trump and his allies, and a coalition of federal and state officials who called the 2020 election the most secure in U.S. history. Trump lost. You believed the big lie, engaged in treason at the U.S. Capitol. And now you want to change the rules because you realize that the demographics of America are changing and your base is out of control," said Sen. Sylvia Santana, a Detroit Democrat who is Black. So now you want to change the rules and add barriers so that people who look like me get frustrated and decide not to vote. GOP senators argued that Michigan's photo ID law is insufficient due to the 2018 voting changes and noted that identification is required for many activities. They said voters previously were seen in person at least once, either when they registered to vote or when they voted for the first time, but now can register and vote by mail without showing ID. These bills would help ensure the security and fairness of our elections," said Sen. Ruth Johnson, a Holly Republican and former secretary of state. Requiring voters to verify their identity with ID is the best way to protect the one-person, one-vote standard. The $10 fee for a state ID card already is waived for certain people, including the elderly, those on welfare or disability assistance, the homeless and veterans, she said. GOP senators on Wednesday introduced bills they said would remove all financial barriers to getting a card. Michigan's existing voter ID requirement was first enacted in 1996, declared unconstitutional by a Democratic state attorney general in 1997, reenacted in 2005 and upheld by the state Supreme Court in 2007. A Senate committee is considering three-dozen other election bills. They would shut ballot drop boxes three hours before polls close, prohibit mass mailings of unsolicited ballot applications and ban prepaid postage on return envelopes. It was not clear how soon the House will consider the three Senate-passed bills. It is scheduled to start a summer break in three weeks. ___ Follow David Eggert at https://twitter.com/DavidEggert00 WASHINGTON (AP) Both Republican and Democratic senators pressed Interior Secretary Deb Haaland for answers Wednesday after a federal court blocked the Biden administrations suspension of new oil and gas leases on federal lands and waters. In a sharply worded ruling Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty in Louisiana ordered that plans for lease sales continue in the Gulf of Mexico, off the coast of Alaska and in all eligible onshore properties nationwide. The ruling came after President Joe Biden shut down oil and gas lease sales from the nations vast public lands and waters in his first days in office, citing worries about climate change. It's a fresh decision. Our department is reviewing the judges opinion as we speak and consulting with the Justice Department, Haaland said under questioning at a Senate hearing on her departments budget. We will respect the judges decision. Any other information will be forthcoming, she said. Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, the top Republican on the Senate Appropriations Interior subcommittee, said she was flabbergasted that Haaland did not address the court ruling or the government's vast oil and gas leasing program in her prepared remarks. I was really struck by the fact that in 17 pages of discussions outlining the budget there really is no recognition for the production on our federal land and the role that plays, Murkowski said. In light of the court ruling, she told Haaland: I expect to hear your plans to resume implementation of those lease sales. We expect you to follow the law." Haaland, a former Democratic congresswoman from New Mexico, responded, I will always follow the law." Democratic Sen. Jon Tester of Montana also appeared impatient with Haaland, saying the review ordered by Biden nearly two months before Haaland took office in mid-March appeared to be dragging on. As this review rolls on, a leasing pause gives folks in the oil and gas industry a lot of uncertainty," Tester said. Its getting harder and harder to extend that trust without hard information in the review. Tester asked Haaland when the review will be ready for prime time. Officials have said all along early summer ... so my guess is theyll be getting it sometime in the near future, Haaland said. I'm taking that as itll be out in the next month, Tester replied. Haaland did not commit to a firm timetable. The back-and-forth over the leasing pause and the court decision showed the stakes of Biden's effort to reform and likely scale back the multibillion-dollar leasing program without crushing a significant sector of the U.S. economy. Doughty's ruling, in a lawsuit filed by Louisiana Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry and officials in 12 other states, is a blow to Bidens efforts to transition the nation away from fossil fuels and stave off the worst effects of climate change, including catastrophic droughts, floods and wildfires. Biden and Haaland have said the leasing ban is only temporary, though officials have declined to say how long it will last. And its unclear how much legal authority the government has to stop drilling on about 23 million acres (93,000 square kilometers) previously leased to energy companies. Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, the top Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, called the judge's decision a victory for the rule of law and American energy workers.'' Biden's illegal ban (on new lease sales) has hurt workers and deprived Wyoming and other states of a principal source of revenue that they use for public education, Barrasso said. President Biden should immediately rescind his punishing ban and let Americans get back to work. Following Biden's Jan. 27 order, the Interior Department canceled oil and gas lease sales from public lands through June affecting Nevada, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming, as well as offshore sales in the Gulf of Mexico. The department also abandoned a public comment period for a planned offshore sale in Alaska. The 13 states that sued said that the administration bypassed comment periods and other bureaucratic steps required before such delays can be undertaken and said that the moratorium would cost the states money and jobs. Doughty, who was nominated to the federal bench by President Donald Trump in 2017, said millions and possibly billions of dollars are at stake for local governments and other public uses. Cory Morse/AP LANSING, Mich. (AP) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday asked Michigan lawmakers to reinstate certain employers' ability to hire new workers who, while working, would still get a $300-a-week unemployment benefit into early September. The governor this week has been touting the states workshare program as a return-to-work incentive as companies struggle to fill jobs amid the coronavirus pandemic. It provides partial jobless benefits when businesses bring back laid-off employees at reduced hours or they cut workers hours rather than let them go. This is the first time MK Stalin will be meeting PM Modi after the former assumed the chief minister's office in Tamil Nadu. During the two-day visit, CM Stalin is also expected to meet the interim Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi on Friday. Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin arrived at New Delhi on Thursday for a two-day visit. He is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence later today. The primary purpose of the meeting is to request for more Covid-19 vaccine doses. As per the sources, the other important issues that CM Stalin might take up with PM Modi include NEET exam, Covid-19 vaccination, release of convicts in former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhis murder case, and Cauvery water release among others. Tamil Nadu health minister Ma Subramanian said on June 13, When Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin meets PM Modi in Delhi next week he will request to provide more vaccine doses to Tamil Nadu. Also Read: Amid cabinet reshuffle buzz, PM Modi holds another meeting with party stalwarts Death numbers are expected to decrease in coming days. Vaccination is the only solution to get rid of corona infection so people should come forward to get Vaccination, he added. Health minister Ma Subramanian, health secretary J Radhakrishnan, Chennai Corporation Commissioner Gagandeep Singh Bedi jointly reviewed the vaccination drive which is going on for vegetable shop vendors in Chennai Koyambedu. This is the first time MK Stalin will be meeting PM Modi after the former assumed the chief ministers office in Tamil Nadu. During the two-day visit, CM Stalin is also expected to meet the interim Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi on Friday. Lastly, he will also oversee the work of the DMK party office in Delhi. Though China and Taiwan have many reasons to avoid a war that could kill many lives, devastate their economies and potentially lead to a nuclear conflict with the US and its allies but unfortunately the geopolitical tensions today have only heightened between the two nations. In the past years, China has tightened its control towards the self-governing island, which Beijing considers a breakaway province. Beijing claims full sovereignty over Taiwan. Xi Jinpings Chinese Communist Party has threatened to invade Taiwan for more than seven decades. Now fears are growing among people that it might actually follow through over the next few years, potentially triggering a war with the U.S. For instance, On Wednesday, Indian American Republican politician Nikki Haley said the U.S must act strongly against China, stating that if Beijing takes control of Taiwan, it will be emboldened to seize other territories around the globe. She urged to organise a boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing with allies like India, Australia, Japan, South Korea and Canada. She said And if we dont boycott, if we dont do something to really call them out, mark my words: Taiwan is next. And if they take Taiwan, its all over, because they will think that gives them free rein to grab any territory, not in the region, but anywhere they want to go. War speculations have strengthened based on past instances such as in September, Peoples Liberation Army aircraft repeatedly breached the median line in the Taiwan Strait, eliminating a de facto buffer zone that has kept peace for decades; Chinese forces have conducted a number of live-fire drills that appear directed at Taiwan, and Chinese military flights across the median line in the Taiwan Strait and into Taipeis air-defence identification zone. More recently, on Tuesday, Taiwan witnessed the largest daily incursion as over two dozen Chinese military planes flew into the countrys Air Defence Identified Zones (ADIZ). Taiwan has complained in recent months of repeated missions by Chinas air force near the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands. Tensions in the Taiwan Strait are escalatingand series of Chinese covertly attack and moves such as celebrities that refer to Taiwan are forced to apologise, suspicious Covid outbreaks in Taiwan chip makingfactories, blocks on Taiwans access to foreign vaccines, lobbies in United Nations to deny Taiwan a voice, threatens Taiwanese politicians from contacting U.S, attacks Taiwan officials at international receptions, makes investors buy illegal shares in Taiwanese companies, mention Taiwanese cities as Chinese in global NGOs list have only made observers uncomfortable. China ramped up political pressure and military threats against Taiwan. Taipei, has countered the Chinese aggression by increasing strategic ties with democracies including the US, which has been repeatedly opposed by Beijing. China has threatened that Taiwans independence means war. Despite regular war threats by China, countries like Japan, US, Australia have expressed support for Taiwan. HONG KONG (AP) Hong Kong police used a sweeping national security law Thursday to arrest five editors and executives of a pro-democracy newspaper on charges of colluding with foreign powers the first time the legislation has been used against the press in yet another sign of an intensifying crackdown by Chinese authorities in the city long known for its freedoms. Police said they had evidence that more than 30 articles published by Apple Daily played a crucial part in what they called a conspiracy with foreign countries to impose sanctions against China and Hong Kong. The newspaper said in a statement that the move left it speechless but vowed to continue its reporting and even invited other media outlets to watch the Friday editions roll off the presses, a show of its commitment to continue its work. Apple Daily has long been one of the most outspoken defenders of Hong Kong's freedoms and in recent years has often criticized the Chinese and Hong Kong governments for walking back promises that the territory could retain those freedoms for 50 years after the former British colony was handed over to China in 1997. The newspaper has thus found itself a frequent target. Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai is currently serving a 20-month prison sentence after being convicted of playing a role in unauthorized protests in 2019, when Hongkongers took the streets in massive antigovernment demonstrations in response to a proposed extradition law that would have allowed suspects to stand trial in China. Protests grew to include calls for broader democratic freedoms, but the movement only appeared to harden Beijing's resolve to limit civil liberties in the territory, including by imposing the national security law used in Thursday's arrests. The legislation outlaws secession, subversion, terrorism and foreign collusion and has been used to arrest over 100 pro-democracy figures since it was first implemented a year ago, with many others fleeing abroad. The result is that it has virtually silenced opposition voices in the city and drawn sanctions from the U.S. against Hong Kong and Chinese government officials. Those arrested Thursday included Apple Dailys chief editor Ryan Law; the CEO of its publisher Next Digital, Cheung Kim-hung; the publishers chief operating officer; and two other top editors, according to the newspaper. Police also froze 18 million Hong Kong dollars ($2.3 million) in assets belonging to three companies linked to Apple Daily, said Li Kwai-wah, a senior superintendent at Hong Kongs National Security Department. Trading in shares of Next Digital was halted Thursday morning at the request of the company, according to filings with the Hong Kong stock exchange. In an apparent show of force, more than 200 police officers were involved in the search of Apple Daily's offices, and the government said a warrant was obtained to look for evidence of a suspected violation of the national security law. Apple Daily published a letter to its readers, saying that police had confiscated many items during the search, including 38 computers that contained considerable journalistic material. Todays Hong Kong feels unfamiliar and leaves us speechless. It feels as though we are powerless to stop the regime from exercising its power as it pleases, the letter read. Nevertheless, the staff of Apple Daily is standing firm. We will continue to persist as Hongkongers and live up to the expectations so that we have no regrets to our readers and the times we are in. Hong Kong Security Minister John Lee told a news conference that police will investigate those arrested and others to establish if they have assisted in instigating or funding the offenses. He alleged that the police action against the Apple Daily editors and executives is not related to normal journalistic work. The action targeted the use of journalistic work as a tool to endanger national security, he said. In a chilling warning, he said that anyone working with the perpetrators would "pay a hefty price. He added: Distance yourself from them, otherwise all you will be left with are regrets. The Chinese government's liaison office in Hong Kong said in a statement Thursday that it supported police action, noting that while the city's mini-constitution, the Basic Law, guarantees the freedoms of speech and press, those rights cannot undermine the bottom line of national security. Freedom of the press is not a shield for illegal activities, the liaison office said. Experts said that, with the arrests, the government has sent a message that certain topics are off limits. This is a direct attack on Apple Daily, and on press freedom in Hong Kong, said Thomas Kellogg, executive director of the Georgetown Center for Asian Law. I fear that the arrests will send a message to media outlets across Hong Kong, that certain red lines will be enforced and that those who cross them risk the possibility of arrest and of jail time under the national security law. Hong Kong Journalists Association Chairman Chris Yeung echoed those concerns, saying the national security law was being used as a weapon to prosecute media executives and journalists. He said that the court warrant that allowed police to search the offices of Apple Daily had undermined journalists ability to protect their materials, a vital part of upholding press freedom. Self censorship will get worse if journalists are not sure whether they are able to protect their sources of information, said Yeung. RANDOLPH, Mass. (AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin took a little of piece of Massachusetts with him after his meeting with President Joe Biden this week. The U.S. president gave his Russian counterpart a pair of custom aviator sunglasses manufactured by Randolph Engineering, based in Randolph just south of Boston, according to the White House. Sebastian Gollnow/AP BERLIN (AP) The chief executive of CureVac said Thursday that interim results from late-stage testing of its coronavirus shot are sobering, but the German company aims to finish a final analysis within weeks that will determine whether it will still seek regulatory approval. CureVac announced late Wednesday that the vaccine had shown an efficacy of 47% against COVID-19 of any severity, according to a partial review of data from its trial involving 40,000 participants in Latin America and Europe. This is below the World Health Organization threshold of 50%. Scott P. Yates/AP ROCKTON, Ill. (AP) Fire suppression efforts continued Wednesday at a chemical fire near the Illinois-Wisconsin state line as public health officials lifted an outdoor mask mandate for those within a 3-mile radius of the Chemtool plant. Winnebago County Health Department Administrator Sandra Martell said the carbon monoxide and the hydrogen sulfide in the air remain below federal standards. However, the evacuation order for those within 1 miles (1.61 kilometer) of the fire remains in effect. HAMDEN A bridge that crosses Belden Creek via Woodin Street suffers from significant cracking and has a reduced weight capacity, according to a town memo. Another span, on Willow Street over Willow Brook, is rated as poor in a state inspection report and is limited to one-way traffic. But with the help of a state grant, the town is seeking to resolve both issues by replacing the first bridge and decommissioning the second. The state Department of Transportation on June 1 conditionally approved a grant that would fund half the estimated cost of the two projects. If approved by the towns Legislative Council, the town would put up the rest of the money, about $286,500 to replace the Woodin Street bridge and $172,999 to decommission the Willow Street structure. Ongoing issue The Willow Street bridge has been a concern since 2002 and the Woodin Street bridge has had known issues since before 2011, according to memos from Town Engineer Mark Austin, who said funds for bridge repair projects are limited, both in terms of town resources and available grant money. Hamden has been tackling problem bridges in order of priority, starting with projects on Skiff Street, Davis Street, Brooksvale Avenue, Johnson Road and Hillfield Road, according to Austin. He said the Woodin Street and Willow Street projects should be next. Because they both are operating at reduced capacity, neither structure currently presents a threat to public safety, Austin said. DOT spokesman Kevin Nursick confirmed in an email that the Willow Street bridge does not pose a safety threat. Because the Woodin Street bridge is town-owned and the state does not typically inspect it, he deferred questions about its safety to the municipality. Hamden also owns the Willow Street structure, but the state conducts regular inspections because it is part of the National Bridge Inventory, according to Nursick, who shared a 2020 inspection report giving the bridges superstructure a rating of three on a scale of zero to nine. Connecticut Department of Transportation The lowest-rated component of the bridge in this case, the superstructure determines its overall rating, according to Nursick, who said three is considered a poor rating. Zero is the worst rating and indicates a bridge should be closed, he said. The 39-page inspection report singles out concrete T-beams on the bridges underside as a primary concern. The overall deterioration of the fascia (external) concrete T-beams is the issue, Nursick wrote in his email. They have extensive spalling of the concrete with exposed rusted reinforcement. Austin likened spalling to the erosion of concrete. A spall is where the concrete kind of flakes off, he said. The town plans to decommission the bridge due to a very limited traffic volume, per Austins memo. He said traffic would be redirected to nearby side streets, with a wooded area starting north of the bridge and ending at the opposite side closed to vehicles. We hope, in the future, to use it as a walking path, but not under this current grant, Austin said. The Woodin Street bridge has its own challenges. Though the state does not regularly inspect it, the DOT did complete a screening report in 2016 noting efflorescence at the site. Nursicks email defined efflorescence as the leaching of salts from the concrete and indicated that small amounts are normal. Efflorescence that continues and becomes more extensive over time is indicative of problems, which may include excessive water intrusion and possible contamination from deicing materials, he continued. These issues can result in the breakdown of the concrete material and corrosion of the reinforcement material (metal rebar). Connecticut Department of Transportation Austin put it another way: its as if the concrete is eroding from the inside. A white dust appears, indicating water intrusion, he said. Though the problem is in the early stages, its coming to the point where we need to work on it, he said. A 2015 weight rating report caused the town to limit the Woodin Street bridges capacity, per Austins memo. The load that it was originally designed for has been lessened, he said. In other words its not as strong as it used to be. Orders to accept the state bridge grants and fund the remaining project balance passed the Legislative Councils finance committee this week. Austin said the cost had been included in the capital request for the coming fiscal year. The orders still require approval from the full Legislative Council. If all goes as planned, Austin expects construction to take place in 2023, he said. meghan.friedmann@hearstmediact.com NEW HAVEN The Board of Fire Commissioners will move forward with a lottery system to break a mass tie and offer entry-level firefighter positions, despite a lawsuit from some affected applicants who claim the city doesnt have the power to do so. Commissioners conferred in an executive, or closed door, session regarding the lawsuit, then Fire Chief John Alston recommended they move forward with the lottery system, noting the civil service list is time-sensitive. It is still my recommendation for the entry-level list, based on the time that we have left with this list and the ability of the police department to support us in our background investigations ... that we utilize a lottery system, said Alston. The commission unanimously endorsed the idea. The lawyer for those applicants filed for an injunction Thursday evening. A total of 99 people scored a perfect 100 on the entrance exam, according to a civil service list filed in the case brought by lead plaintiff Lt. Samod Rankins, a member of the department injured in the May 12 fire on Valley Street, and 30 would-be firefighters. The city had planned to draw numbered balls to determine the order in which candidates receive job offers, citing pandemic-related limitations on the size of the next class. It halted that plan after the suit was filed, then moved forward through the vote this week. The plaintiffs, represented by attorney Patricia Cofrancesco, allege the city does not have the power to use a lottery to break the tie, as it had not established that procedure in its civil service bylaws. Cofrancesco said Wednesday that the city was bulldozing the suit by moving forward in this way. The plaintiffs in the suit, she noted, had asked that any action to proceed with a lottery system be rendered null and void, as well as an associated eligibility list or hires. The city proceeded in the face of this litigation. The city proceeded at its own risk, said Cofrancesco. Theres absolutely no authority on the books ... for them to do this. Cofrancesco Thursday filed an application for an injunction. Corporation Counsel Patricia King said in a statement the city believes the lottery is the fairest option available, and believes it can appropriately defend itself during the lawsuit. After a review by the Office of the Corporation Counsel of the Charter, civil service rules and ordinances governing the hiring process, and lengthy internal discussions, we felt this was the most fair and equitable way to move forward with the hiring process with such a large number of candidates, said King. It will give everyone an equal shot at being granted a conditional offer, she said. We are anxious to get the hiring process started so we can fill critically needed positions. As for the pending lawsuit, we will vigorously defend it and are confident in our position. Rankins and other members of the New Haven Firebirds Society gathered with some of the applicants at a press event April 30, saying they were fighting for the people on the list to get a fair shake, noting that many are Black and brown residents of the city. These residents deserve a fair opportunity, said Rankins, a lieutenant with the department. Their futures, their careers, should not depend on a lotto, on the luck of the draw. Ernest Jones, also a lieutenant and president of the Firebirds, said the city should follow the normal procedure for vetting candidates, which would include background checks and an agility test. That would winnow the pool some; interviews would decrease it further, allowing the top candidates to rise to prominence, he said. Alston said previously that any delay in the hiring process would increase the cost of staffing the department, as current firefighters would have to be paid additional overtime. If a class is not seated before January 2022, when the current civil service list expires, the city also would have to finance another round of testing, he said. The list already has been extended once, which cant be done a second time. The department expects to seat approximately 22 people in its next class, he said. william.lambert@hearstmediact.com BOSTON (AP) Some pandemic-era policies that had expired on Tuesday such as allowing restaurants to offer take-out cocktails were quickly extended Wednesday after Republican Gov. Charlie Baker signed a bill sent to him by state lawmakers. The new law would also let government bodies continue to hold virtual public hearings and extend some protections for tenants facing eviction. Those protections briefly expired after the coronavirus state of emergency, which had been in place for more than a year, was lifted in Massachusetts on Tuesday. The new law would also extend hardship protections to those facing eviction by continuing the court practice of offering temporary continuances to tenants who have filed applications for rental assistance, thereby preventing evictions in cases where tenants are unable to pay rent due to COVID-19-related financial hardship until April of 2022. The new law also includes provisions intended to help tenants facing possible eviction understand their legal options. It requires landlords notifying tenants to leave a dwelling for nonpayment of rent to also provide a form that reads: This notice to quit is not an eviction. You do not need to immediately leave your unit. You are entitled to a legal proceeding in which you can defend against the eviction. Only a court order can force you to leave your unit. The form must also include information on rental assistance programs, applicable trial court rules and any relevant federal or state legal restrictions on residential evictions. Restaurants, which were among those businesses hardest hit during the pandemic, would be allowed to continue offering expanded outdoor dining through April of next year. Also under the new law, take-out cocktails would have to be sold at the same price as drinks that are consumed at the restaurant. The new law also allows podiatrists, phlebotomists, medical assistants, who otherwise wouldnt be allowed to give vaccine shots, to continue to administer COVID-19 vaccines. Most of the policies won't be extended permanently, although some supporters have pushed to have them written into state law. The take-out cocktail provision will be allowed through May 2022, while virtual hearings will continue to be an option through April of next year as long as residents are offered a method of public access during the meetings. Advocates have been pushing for the extension of remote public hearings, saying they make it easier for residents to participate without having to take time off work or schedule a babysitter to attend a meeting. Two other closely watched pandemic-era policies the expansion of early voting and mail-in voting were not included in the final bill shipped to Bakers desk. The state had offered broad mail-in voting, while also expanding the use of early voting and ballot drop boxes, to help diminish the pandemic health risk of voters crowding polling locations. Among those who support making those options permanent are voting advocates and Democratic Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin. Democratic Senate President Karen Spilka said the bill signed by Baker addressed many issues that were common to both Senate and House versions of the bill and was designed to ensure critical policies continued as quickly as possible. She also said lawmakers from both chambers will continue working together to resolve items in the near-term that were not included in the bill, including the expanded voting measures. PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) With the state and federal eviction moratorium set to expire at the end of June, Oregon lawmakers are hastily working on an amendment to keep financially struggling tenants housed and avoid mass evictions next month. The proposed Safe Harbor amendment on Senate Bill 278 would pause rental evictions for 60 days for tenants unable to pay their July or August rent, if they provide proof to their landlord that theyve applied for rental assistance through Oregon Housing and Community Services. We have had this unequal recession and unequal recovery, and there is still a subset of folks that need a little extra time and help," Rep. Julie Fahey, a Eugene Democrat, said during a committee meeting on Monday. And we have resources, in a magnitude that we have never seen before, to help those folks. Oregon has had an eviction moratorium in place since April 2020. In addition, last month Oregon lawmakers voted to extend the grace period for past due rent during the moratorium, allowing tenants to have until Feb. 28, 2022 to pay back rent. But a year into the pandemic people are still facing financial hardships. In May, 53% of Oregon renters who responded to a survey or more than 27,000 renters said that it was very likely or somewhat likely that they would be evicted from their home, according to the U.S. Census Bureaus most recent Household Pulse Survey. Last week Gov. Kate Brown announced she was extending the state's mortgage foreclosure moratorium until the end of September. But she said she did not have the authority to extend the eviction moratorium. "That means, by law, Oregon's eviction moratorium will expire on June 30," Brown said. However with many tenants still struggling lawmakers are discussing the safe harbor amendment, which would not extend the eviction moratorium but would keep people who have applied for rental assistance from getting evicted on July 1. Its certainly a step down from a true moratorium, in terms of how protective it is, because a tenant has to apply for rent assistance, Fahey said. But in my mind it will encourage more folks to apply for rent assistance and it will keep people housed." The state currently has $200 million, in federal aid, in the state's rental assistance fund to help both tenants and landlords. Another round of funding is expected to be available this fall. So far, officials from the Oregon Housing and Community Services said more than 16,600 households have started or completed the application to get rental assistance. While there is a great need for rental assistance, state officials say the problem is they cant get it out fast enough. The Legislature's great work on the (eviction moratorium) was designed based on the reasonable assumption that federal rent assistance dollars would be in distribution in communities across the state by now, but that hasnt happened, said Sybil Hebb, the director of legislative advocacy at the Oregon Law Center. "We know now that rent assistance dollars cannot be processed quickly enough to prevent evictions after the expiration of the moratorium." Along with unprecedented levels of applications for rental assistance statewide, officials say there was a lack of direction from the federal government which only published guidance on how to use the federal funds on May 7. It wasnt a dereliction of the state, said House Majority Leader Barbara Smith Warner, a Portland Democrat. The proposed amendment has been criticized by landlord associations. We have all suffered under the pandemic," Charles DeSeranno, a property owner and vice president of the Salem Rental Housing Association, said in written testimony. "And though we were seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, as of late per the governor, it would appear that was not the case as this bill just kicks the can down the road once again for a select group of citizens of this state. Landlords argued that they have already made enough compromises when it comes to rent during the pandemic in the form of the moratorium and grace period to pay back rent. Oregon is almost all the way back open and there are more jobs than ever for people to obtain. On top of that, those that have been on unemployment have been receiving additional monies each week to help them get back or stay on their feet, Michelle Bunting, the president of a property management company in Bend, said in written testimony. In addition, House Minority Leader Christine Drazan, a Canby Republican, expressed that she felt it was an extension of the states eviction moratorium. I find this to be a complete and total overreach, Drazan said. Sara Cline 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 news CHICAGO (AP) A mass shooting that left four people dead and four others wounded at a house on Chicago's South Side was believed to have been carried out by two people who shot all but one of the victims in the head, according to a police report. No arrests have been made in the Tuesday morning shooting, police said Thursday. The killings were among recent massing shootings in Chicago and elsewhere in the country that have prompted fears about a spike in U.S. gun violence heading into the summer. ISTANBUL (AP) A gunman killed one person Thursday during an attack on the office of a pro-Kurdish party in western Turkey, authorities said.. The Peoples Democratic Party, or HDP, said a gunman entered the building in Izmir province, fired shots and attempted to set the office on fire. The provincial governors office said one person was killed. The office said a suspect, a former health worker, was detained. Turkish media showed social media posts of the alleged attacker with guns and rifles. HDP confirmed the shooting victim was Deniz Poyraz, a female party employee. The HDP, the second-largest opposition party in Turkey's parliament, has faced a widespread government crackdown, with party members being accused of supporting an outlawed Kurdish militant group. Turkey's president has called them terrorists. Thousands of pro-Kurdish activists, along with lawmakers and the partys former leaders, have been imprisoned. The HDP is also facing renewed legal action seeking its closure. The HDP, in a statement, accused the Turkish government and the country's interior minister of targeting the party and provoking such attacks. The HDP's co-leader, Mithat Sancar, said later at a news conference that the attack was an attempt to sow chaos. He added that a meeting with 40 party administrators at the office scheduled for around the time of the attack had been postponed at the last minute and claimed the assailant had aimed for a massacre. He said all supporters of democracy should gather around the HDP. Some ruling party officials and opposition lawmakers condemned the attack on Twitter. WEST HAVEN The University of New Haven is requiring all members of the school community to get vaccinated against COVID-19 before taking part in the fall 2021 semester, according to the university. In order to best protect the health and well-being of our University community, and in accordance with the latest public health guidance, we are requiring the COVID-19 vaccine for all members of our University community, officials said on the UNH website. Yale University faculty, staff and postdoctoral and postgraduate trainees also will be required to be vaccinated, the schools president and provost said in a message to the university community in May. The Yale decision decision followed a requirement issued in April that all students receive the COVID-19 vaccine by Aug. 1. Some others schools around the state, including Wesleyan University in Middletown, are requiring students to receive the COVID-19 vaccine UNH officials noted that, over the last several months as the availability of vaccinations has become widespread, we have seen a dramatic reduction in infection rates. In Connecticut, specifically, where 70 percent of adults have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, the daily positivity rate is less than one percent, the UNH officials said, Fully vaccinated members of our University community will be able to immerse themselves in work and learning environments featuring pre-pandemic norms for class formats, student life, and other staples of the Charger experience, officials said. Among other reversions to pre-pandemic norms, classrooms and dining halls will be allowed at full capacity, the size of gatherings will not be limited, vaccinated students will be able to visit residence halls freely, masks will not be required, and school community members will not have to be tested for COVID-19, Summer McGee, dean of the school of health sciences, and Ronald Quagliani, associate vice president for public safety and administrative services, said in an accompanying letter to the school community. Those interested can apply for an exemption from the policy based on medical or religious grounds, as well as on strongly held personal beliefs, McGee and Quagliani said. The UNH officials said unvaccinated students, faculty, and staff who are granted a vaccine exemption must wear a face covering on campus and complete weekly COVID-19 testing. In addition they would, per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, be required to isolate if they test positive for COVID-19 or to quarantine if they are ever determined to be a contact of an individual who tests positive for COVID-19, McGee and Quagliani said. The officials said, On-campus COVID-19 testing will be available for students who are granted a vaccine exemption. The cost for this weekly COVID-19 testing may be the responsibility of the unvaccinated students. Guests will be permitted to visit campus, but will either have to wear a face covering or prove their vaccination status, McGee and Quagliani said. A forum discussion for students and families on the issue will be held Thursday, June 17, at 6 p.m. and broadcast on www.facebook.com/UNewHavenCharlie. The fall term is scheduled to begin August 23, with new students beginning to move into campus a week prior, according to the schools calendar. As the number of patients dropped into the teens at Yale New Haven Healths five hospitals and held at 50 statewide Tuesday officials are talking with other hospitals in Connecticut about mandating that their employees get vaccinated, CEO Marna Borgstrom said william.lambert@hearstmediact.com Niagara Falls, NY (14301) Today Cloudy this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High around 70F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 59F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Niagara Falls, NY (14301) Today Cloudy this morning with thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 69F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 59F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Yoruba nation freedom fighter, Sunday Adeyemo also known as Igboho has asked Fulanis to vacate the Southwest. Igboho, in a video, ur... Yoruba nation freedom fighter, Sunday Adeyemo also known as Igboho has asked Fulanis to vacate the Southwest. Igboho, in a video, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to order Fulanis in the Southwest to vacate the region. The freedom fighter claimed that Fulanis are behind banditry and kidnapping in the Southwest, hence they should vacate the region. He warned that modalities have been put in place to monitor the implementation of his directive in the region. Igboho said he would comb Southwest forest to ensure that Fulanis are evicted from the region. He insisted that Fulanis would not be allowed to overrun the Southwest. Speaking in Yoruba, Igboho said: How can six million Fulani people be commanding about 250 million other Nigerians? Tell President Buhari, if he doesnt understand Yoruba; tell him in English Language that we dont want Fulani bandits in our zone again. Work has begun already and I will begin combing all forests in Yoruba land. I want all Fulani on Yoruba land to leave. I will monitor compliance with the eviction notice. I dont issue an order without ensuring compliance. As from Monday, we dont want to hear of any kidnapping in Yorubaland again. I will show them the stuff Yoruba people are made of. Imo: Northern politicians terrorising South East Biafra group alleges We will tell them there is a clear distinction between Yoruba and Fulani. All these weapons they are brandishing, we will collect them with ease. We will blow wind into all the forests in Yoruba land. If we dont prove to these people who we are now, they will be encroaching on our lands when we achieve our Yoruba nation. Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, on Thursday commended President Muhammadu Buhari for visiting Borno State. Omo... Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, on Thursday commended President Muhammadu Buhari for visiting Borno State. Omokri, a staunch critic of Buhari said the presidents trip to Borno is an indication of his improvement. In a tweet, the former presidential aide noted that Buhari was improving in his communication. He pointed out that in the last few weeks, the president has also improved in his project delivery. Omokri tweeted: I commend General Muhammadu Buhari for visiting Maiduguri. This is a good move. To be honest, Buharis behaviour is still problematic here and there. But in the last few weeks, I have seen marked improvements in communication and interaction and project delivery. Buhari, who visited Borno State in an official capacity, commissioned some projects in the state. The president, while in Borno had directed the military and other security agencies to go after criminals and bandits in the country. Buhari had asked the military not to give any breathing space to terrorists and bandits in Nigeria. Ebonyi Governor David Umahi has hailed the arrest of a gang leader responsible for abductions in the Enyigba area of the state. Some residen... Ebonyi Governor David Umahi has hailed the arrest of a gang leader responsible for abductions in the Enyigba area of the state. Some residents were recently kidnapped in the renewed land dispute between Enyigba and Enyibichiri communities. Commissioner for Information, Uchenna Orji, in a statement on Thursday, said the kingpin and others members are in police custody. Orji disclosed that the state government has sent security operatives to Ebonyis boundary with Cameroon to apprehend fleeing suspects. The government will do everything within the law to prosecute the suspects, to ascertain the status of the abducted persons, he said. Umahi was quoted as commending the people of Abakaliki and Ikwo councils for handling the matter with maturity. The Governor warned miscreants in Izzi to desist from attacks on Ikwo indigenes. He added that any further attack will be viewed as an act of terrorism and decisively dealt with. Gunmen have abducted four Chinese expatriates working on Lagos-Ibadan railway project in Ogun state. The assailants were said to have ... Gunmen have abducted four Chinese expatriates working on Lagos-Ibadan railway project in Ogun state. The assailants were said to have ambushed the workers around Adeaga/Alaagba village in Odeda LGA area of the state. The gunmen were reported to have killed the police escort guarding the expatriates who work with the Chinese company handling the project. Confirming the development on Thursday, Abimbola Oyeyemi, Ogun command spokesperson, said the police have mobilised a tactical team of officers to track the gunmen. It is true, the incident happened yesterday. The victims are Chinese expatriates working at the constitution site at the terminus of the railway around Alaagba area, not far from Kila, Oyeyemi said. The gunmen laid ambush for the victims on their way and they were attacked. A police officer escorting them was killed. We have started the investigation since yesterday. We are on the trail of those people and hopefully we are going to get them. All our tactical teams have been deployed to that direction and we are trying to locate them and we believe that by the grace of For we are going to get them. This is coming a week after President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the 157 kilometres Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge railway for commercial operations. In 2017, Rotimi Amaechi, minister of transportation, raised concerns about the safety of the expatriates handling the project. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome has said Nigeria as a nation can be divided if nothing is done to change the current situation o... A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome has said Nigeria as a nation can be divided if nothing is done to change the current situation of things. Ozekhome said this Thursday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, during the Ladi Adebutu Good Governance Symposium held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library. The legal practitioner, who was the Guest Speaker at the occasion, explained that it was false to assume that Nigeria cannot be divided. The human rights activists said Nigeria cannot be said to be one, if the Yorubas, cannot have their own security outfit as Amotekun. He explained that the freedom of movement in Section 41 of the constitution should not be misinterpreted as freedom of movement for cows. He expressed dissatisfaction that a top government official could liken open grazing which has led to clashes between herders and farmers to spare parts selling. You want to compare nomadic AK47-wielding cattle rearers killing our fathers, our sons, brothers to Igbo spare parts sellers, who rent shops and pay taxes. When did we descend to this level? he said. It is a lie to say Nigeria is indivisible. Ozekhome recalled that many nations in the world have had reasons to go their separate ways, wondering why such is seen as a crime in Nigeria. He added that the political structure of Nigeria remains unbalanced in favour of the North. In Nigeria, the North has 19 states with 419 local government councils. The South has 17 states with 347 local government councils. This means the North has 62 LGs more than the South. He spoke further, Ghana refused to be called Gold Coast. But we want to remain Nigeria. We want to kill ourselves under a suffocating system that does not work because we must be seen to live together. I have nothing against Nigerias over 200 million population, but we say no to second enslavement. The slave trade ended over 500 years ago and you want me to be subjected to second neo-colonial slavery in my own country. I say no! the lawyer stated emphatically. However, he added that if Nigeria should remain great as one, the needful must be done; there should be proper restructuring, true federalism, devolution of powers among others. Abdulrasheed Bawa, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says Diezani Alison-Madueke, former petroleum minister... Abdulrasheed Bawa, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says Diezani Alison-Madueke, former petroleum minister, laundered $37 million through real estate. While featuring on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme, on Tuesday, Bawa had narrated how the commission investigated a female minister, who he said, connived with the managing director of a bank to purchase a property worth $37 million. The name of the minister was, however, not disclosed. Speaking during the presidential media briefing on Thursday, Bawa said he was making reference to Alison-Madueke and that she will be prosecuted once she is in the country. The anti-graft agency had filed charges of money laundering against Alison-Madueke who left the country for the UK shortly before the inception of President Muhammadu Buharis administration. Ibrahim Magu, former EFCC chairman, had said Alison-Madueke stole not less than $2.5 billion. The commission had also disclosed that it had secured the final forfeiture of over $80 million worth of properties owned by the former minister. Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has inaugurated the National Road Safety Advisory Council. Osinbajo said this was as a demonstr... Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has inaugurated the National Road Safety Advisory Council. Osinbajo said this was as a demonstration of governments continued commitment to addressing the challenges of road safety in the country. The Advisory Council is a critical aspect of the updated National Road Safety Strategy adopted by NEC and approved by the Federal Executive Council late last year. The Road Safety Advisory Council is chaired by Osinbajo, with the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Boboye Oyeyemi as Secretary. Other members of the 29-member Advisory Council include six governors representing the six geo-political zones as follows: Chief Willie Obiano, FCA, Governor of Anambra State, representing the South-East zone; Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State, representing the South-South zone; Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State, representing the South-West zone; Alh. Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, Governor of Gombe State representing the North-East zone; Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State representing North-West; Mr. Abdulrahman AbdulRasaq, Governor of Kwara State, representing the North-Central zone. Members of the Council are: Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Minister of Transport, Minister of Works, Minister of Health, Minister of Justice, Minister of Education, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Minister of Environment, Minister of Labour and Employment, Minister of Police Affairs, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, National Security Adviser, President, Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON. Others are, President, Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture NACCIMA, President, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Board Chairman, Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo presided over a virtual meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, A... Vice President Yemi Osinbajo presided over a virtual meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Under the Nigerian Constitution, the vice president is the chairman of NEC. The councils meeting is held monthly to deliberate on the coordination of the economic planning efforts and economic programmes of the various levels of government. NEC comprises the 36 state governors, the governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, minister of finance, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and other government officials whose duties hinge on the economy. At the last meeting on May 20, NEC declared its support for Nigerias effort at digital switch over. Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death. Submit Watertown, NY (13601) Today Thunderstorms. High 71F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, mainly cloudy late with a few showers. Low 57F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Author Eric Nguyen, a former New Orleanian, will discuss his new book, "Things We Lost to the Water," at 6 p.m. June 28, via video conference online. The event is co-sponsored by the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival, an annual five-day literary festival in New Orleans. Visit www.facebook.com/jeffparishlibrary for more details, including how to join the free discussion. "Things We Lost to the Water" is the story of a Vietnamese woman who arrives in New Orleans with her two young sons. She is jobless, homeless, and worried about her husband, who remains in Vietnam. As she and her boys begin to settle into life in America, she continues to send letters and tapes to him, hopeful that they will be reunited and her children will grow up with a father. But with time, she realizes she will never see her husband again. While she copes with this loss, her sons grow up in their absent fathers shadow. Their search for identity as individuals and as a family threatens to tear them apart. But then Hurricane Katrina strikes, and they must find a new way to come together and honor the ties that bind them. Nguyen earned a master of fine arts degree in creative writing from McNeese State University. He is the editor-in-chief of diaCRITICS.org, and lives in Washington, D.C. "Things We Lost to the Water" is his first novel. PRIDE MONTH: Libraries have often played an important role for LGBTQ individuals looking to find information about coming out, health, and family topics. The Jefferson Parish Library has many resources for anyone interested in LGBTQ issues. Patrons should go to the librarys website and to the search bar at the top of the page. Thousands of materials books, ebooks, audiobooks, CDs, DVDs appear when the words gay, lesbian. LGBTQ, or other words are inserted. Also, the teen centers at the East Bank Regional and West Bank Regional libraries are safe zones for LGBTQ youth. Staff can help patrons find the materials they need. WESTWEGO RENOVATIONS: The Westwego Library, 635 Fourth St., is closed for renovations, which will include a new roof, new ceilings, as well as the installation of a new fire sprinkler system, LED lights, a generator and other minor repairs. During renovations, Westwego patrons should visit the newly renovated Belle Terre Library, 5550 Belle Terre Road, Marrero, the closest library to the Westwego Branch. COMPUTER CLASSES: Get free computer training at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie. Seating is limited, and online registration is required. Visit the Computer Classes page at www.jplibrary.net/training and click East Bank Regional Schedule. Upcoming classes include: One-on-One Computer Training: 10 a.m. June 23 Introduction to Microsoft PowerPoint 2: 2 p.m. June 25 Introduction to Microsoft Excel 3: 2 p.m. June 28 One-on-One Computer Training: 10 a.m. June 29 Introduction to Microsoft Word 1: 2 p.m. June 30 WEST BANK CLASSES: Receive free computer training at the West Bank Regional Library, 2751 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey. Seating is limited, and online registration is required. Visit the Computer Classes page at www.jplibrary.net/training and click West Bank Regional Schedule. Upcoming classes include: Basic Computer Skills: 2 p.m. June 24 Basic Computer Skills: 2 p.m. June 30 BOATING SAFETY: The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will conduct a boating safety class from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 26, at the River Ridge Library, 8825 Jefferson Highway, River Ridge. The class lasts between six and eight hours and is completed in a day. Registration is recommended by going to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website. Students who complete the course will be issued a vessel operators certification card. Chris Smith is manager of adult programming at the Jefferson Parish Public Library. Theres no lack of spots for a taco platter and a margarita around town these days, but a new restaurant now taking shape will bring something different to a busy crossroads in Metairie. Las Cruces Tex Mex will be a large restaurant serving a straightforward menu, adding a dash of a barbecue smokehouse meats, and bringing a growing trend for flexible indoor/outdoor space to the corner of Airline Drive and Labarre Road. The new restaurant is the latest from Marc Bonifacic and chef Aaron Burgau, who together founded Central City BBQ in New Orleans. We dont want to duplicate what we do at Central City BBQ, Bonifacic said. But growing up here, I know theres a need for family-friendly outdoor space, and who doesnt like Mexican food? We think it could be a game changer. +5 Top Taco festival plans fall return, will relocate to Metairie You can add Top Taco to the list of local festivals and events staging comebacks this fall, and this annual extravaganza of tacos and tequila Las Cruces is set to open sometime in 2022, though Bonifacic said the timeline could range from early in the year to late in the year due to changing costs for construction materials, a national issue. The location, at 2935 Airline Dr., sits near the end of Metairie Road, where multiple neighborhoods converge. +9 Take a look inside: Central City BBQ is expanding with Metairie Tex Mex restaurant The news that Metairie will soon get a new outdoor/indoor restaurant called Las Cruces Tex Mex sparked a lot of interest this week. Its a triangular lot roughly an acre in size, bordered on one side by railroad tracks. Its a grassy lot now. Once Las Cruces is developed, people driving over the elevated stretch of Causeway Boulevard here will have a clear view down to the grounds. The menu will center on Tex Mex staples tacos and burritos, fajitas and enchiladas. There may also be a breakfast menu as the restaurant develops. The bar will serve fresh-juice margaritas and other cocktails. Las Cruces will also work in some elements from Central City BBQ, starting with a smoker for slow-cooked chicken, pork and brisket. The new restaurants name, Spanish for the crosses, is a reference to the nearby railroad crossing and also to the idea of a crossover from barbecue, Bonifacic explained. Food and restaurant news in your inbox Every Thursday we give you the scoop on NOLA dining. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The 9,000-square-foot restaurant will have 10,000 square feet of outdoor space, and an indoor, 100-person capacity events room, similar in scale to the event room at Central City BBQ. That space has proven popular for everything from company events to team dinners and wedding rehearsal parties. The outdoor space will also be key. Many new restaurants have been designed with outdoor space now, and plenty found ways to add open-air areas during the pandemic. Its a seemingly simple element that, when done right, can make a big difference for a family dining, with room for kids to romp and adults to relax too. +5 Top Taco festival plans fall return, will relocate to Metairie You can add Top Taco to the list of local festivals and events staging comebacks this fall, and this annual extravaganza of tacos and tequila The idea for Las Cruces came about during the height of the coronavirus crisis. Last spring, Central City BBQ set up a mobile stand in the parking lot of the nearby St. Catherine of Siena, part of the churchs outdoor programs. Bonifacic said many people from the neighborhood urged him to expand in the area. Bonifacic and his partners recently closed on the real estate purchase for the project. Local architecture firm GOAT will handle the design and Ryan Gootee General Contractors is the builder. Las Cruces Tex Mex 2935 Airline Dr. Projected opening: 2022 +7 Pop-up hit Bubs Burgers opens Mid-City restaurant, with gratitude for a lost friend Bubs Burgers opened its new restaurant in Mid-City on June 8 with a short menu of smash burgers and a remarkable story of a business that has +7 The Greyhound, new gastropub from Del Porto chefs, opens in downtown Covington The Greyhound is up and running in downtown Covington, taking a different approach to the idea of a family-friendly tavern. It officially open +23 At a Haitian restaurant in New Orleans, deep Creole flavor, a glimpse of something more At a glance, you can tell the namesake sandwich at Fritai will gush flavor, with rough-hewn chunks of fried pork between discs of fried planta Mayor LaToya Cantrell this week ramped up an aggressive social media campaign to counter the growing opposition to her plan to move City Hall to Municipal Auditorium in Louis Armstrong Park. As with her failed push to gut the library systems funding last year, Cantrells message is as simple as it is disingenuous: Trust me, or else. We are not convinced. In fact, its a terrible idea that needs to be scrapped. We understand the desire to move City Hall; the present building is in shambles. City employees and citizens all deserve better. In as much as government buildings are symbols, City Hall is surely a bad one. Either a top-to-bottom renovation of the existing site or a brand-new City Hall elsewhere in the city is the answer just not in Armstrong Park. The very idea of moving City Hall into Louis Armstrong Park, where it would share space (at best) with Congo Square, is fundamentally wrong. In a city whose government helped actively enforce slavery, Congo Square was the one place where African slaves and formerly enslaved people could freely practice and celebrate their cultural traditions. After reconstruction, successive mayors and city councils crafted Jim Crow laws designed to discriminate and oppress Black New Orleanians, and systemic racism at all levels of government remains a chronic problem. The Treme neighborhood, which has birthed so much of our citys culture, has endured enough already. Municipal Auditorium itself was part of a controversial 1920s redevelopment plan that displaced many Treme residents. Decades later, the neighborhood once again saw unwanted disruption when the I-10 overpass literally sliced through the heart of Treme, destroying a vibrant Black business district along North Claiborne Avenue and displacing more residents. More recently, in the years following Hurricane Katrina, Treme became an epicenter of gentrification and Black economic displacement. If Treme residents had clamored to have City Hall on their collective doorstep, or if Cantrell could somehow convince them its a good idea, more folks might countenance the proposed relocation. Youd be hard pressed, however, to find anyone in Treme or elsewhere in New Orleans who supports the concept. Besides, there are any number of viable alternatives. For instance, some have suggested moving City Hall to the sprawling but abandoned Port of Embarkation facility in Bywater. Making City Hall the centerpiece of a broader plan to clean up and revitalize the massive property could draw significant investment in that historic neighborhood and give future mayors and councils a very nice view. Another alternative: move City Hall to the East, as Kermit Ruffins and others have suggested. Huge sections of the 9th Ward remain abandoned after Katrina; finding a suitable location there won't be difficult. Yet another possibility: Find space near the present City Hall site, near the old Charity Hospital, VA Hospital and now-demolished State Office Building. Any of those alternatives would create significant job opportunities during construction and many long-term jobs after completion at restaurants, shops and other commercial developments. Best of all, finding a more appropriate location would make the new City Hall a powerful symbol of New Orleans commitment to a bright, prosperous future for all its neighborhoods. Two more defendants pleaded guilty Wednesday in a sprawling federal investigation into staged vehicle crashes into big rigs across the New Orleans area. The pleas from Doniesha Gibson, 29, of New Orleans, and Erica Lee Thompson, 46, of Harvey, bring the number of defendants who have admitted involvement in the brazen scheme to 22, out of 33 who have been charged across several federal indictments, federal prosecutors said. +2 Brazen big-rig crash scheme nets five more guilty pleas in federal court Five more defendants admitted Tuesday to participating in a scheme to smash vehicles into tractor trailers, then cash in on the insurance mone Both women pleaded guilty to mail fraud conspiracy from separate vehicle crashes. Gibson admitted to being a passenger in a staged crash into a big rig in October 2015, in which a slammer rammed a 2014 Dodge Avenger into a Hotard bus on Interstate 10 near the I-510 flyover. Thompson admitted to being a passenger in an intentional crash into a tractor-trailer on Interstate 10 near the Almonaster Avenue exit in September 2017. Gibson and Thompson both filed lawsuits as part of the scheme, aiming to collect on insurance payouts. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up They were named in a 2020 indictment that focused on the work of Cornelius Garrison, an alleged slammer accused of crashing into 50 big rigs for cash payouts. Garrison, however, was shot dead at his Gentilly apartment days after the Sept. 18 indictment, in a killing that remains unsolved. +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 The indictment, one of five that federal prosecutors have unfurled from what they dubbed Operation Sideswipe, described Garrison as a ringleader in a scheme that took auto insurance fraud to a wild new level. Garrison and a few others in the same racket targeted big rigs and the big dollars that can result from getting injured by one - with the right lawyers. Defense attorneys for insurance companies first rooted out the local schemes. Gibson and Lee each face as long as five years in prison, although maximum sentences in federal court are rare for first offenders. U.S. District Judge Sarah Vance set sentencing Nov. 3. The largest dredging company in the United States pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal charges for causing a 2016 oil spill while rebuilding one of Louisiana's barrier islands. The Houston-based Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co. LLC agreed to pay $1 million for its Clean Water and Pipeline Safety acts violations and to deposit another $2 million for a judge to disburse to victims. Charges came after a James Tassin, a local equipment operator, said the company directed him to cover up evidence and withhold information about the incident. Tassin operated the marsh buggy that cut the oil pipeline, and he pleaded guilty in March to a misdemeanor in exchange for cooperating with the government against Great Lakes. Great Lakes employees failed to alert the pipeline's owners of their work, instructed Tassin to operate the marsh buggy near those lines and told him not to tell anyone that he had dug near the site of the spill, according to court records. The defendant in this case recklessly violated regulations designed to protect the environment and then tried to hide its actions, said Christopher Brooks, special agent in charge of the Environmental Protection Agency's criminal enforcement program in Louisiana. Todays guilty plea demonstrates that we will hold violators responsible for breaking our environmental laws. In its plea, Great Lakes admitted that its "negligent supervision" of the equipment operator caused the spill on Sept. 5, 2016, while it was restoring Chenier Ronquille, an island east of Grand Isle. The oil spilled into Barataria Bay. Both Great Lakes and Tassin are awaiting sentencing. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Great Lakes did not respond immediately respond to a request for comment on its plea. The $36 million restoration of Chenier Ronquille was led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and partly funded with money that BP paid in damages for the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil disaster. +5 Scarcity of dredges could make rebuilding Louisiana's coast slower and more expensive Just as Louisiana begins an ambitious slate of projects to rebuild its crumbling coastline, the essential ingredients sea sand and river sil Great Lakes has been involved in several restoration projects on Louisianas coast, using its dredges to dig up offshore sand and transport it miles inland to nourish islands and headlands. Oil and natural gas infrastructure litter the work sites of many coastal restoration projects, creating a challenge for the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority. Plans to rebuild East Timbalier Island were abandoned after damage from oil and gas infrastructure made it too expensive and dangerous for restoration work. Visibly frustrated New Orleans City Council members, under pressure to respond to high violent crime rates, held a hearing Wednesday to publicly question why a judge released on bail the man accused of later killing Portia Pollock outside her 7th Ward home, and whether her death should prompt an overhaul of the citys unregulated ankle monitor industry. The hearing was spurred by the arrest of Bryan Andry, the man suspected of knifing the 60-year-old physical therapist to death on June 8, and quickly turned into a sounding board for council members to express their agitation about the post-pandemic spike in murders, carjackings and other violent crimes. Andry was jailed for most of 2020 awaiting trial on two armed robbery charges, and a newly released transcript shows that a prosecutor with District Attorney Jason Williams' Office objected to a decision by Criminal District Judge Angel Harris to reduce his bond. Harris went ahead anyway, while ordering Andry to wear an electronic ankle monitor upon release. But there are questions about how closely Andry was being tracked and whether his device even worked. City Councilman Jay Banks said the case has exposed "holes" in the criminal justice system. We have a quantified spike in crime, and its imperative that whatever system we have to address that works the way its going to work," he said. "We cant have it two-sided, with crime going up and then the system falling apart." Much of the hearing centered on the question of how to better monitor defendants out on bail, an issue thats bedeviled the city for years. The Orleans Parish Sheriffs Office and New Orleans Police Department used to run a joint monitoring program, but it fell apart in the mid-2010s amid disputes over its cost, manpower shortages and the high-profile 2014 slaying of a pizza delivery driver, which police blamed on two teens wearing ankle bracelets. Since then, electronic monitoring in Orleans Parish has been left to a balkanized system of private operators who work in concert with bail bonds agencies, according to three criminal court judges who appeared before the City Council. Its left up to those companies to decide when to notify judges about defendants behaving badly, Judge Robin Pittman said. We have no contract with any of those ankle monitor companies, so we dont know what that criteria is, she said. In lieu of a standardized system, Pittman said she takes it upon herself to interact with companies -- even giving out her personal cellphone number. Judges said they would prefer to have either a single contract with a private operator, or a program run by a public agency that would swoop into action when defendants fail to comply with conditions of release. +2 Suspected killer captured in fatal 7th Ward stabbing of Portia Pollock: NOPD A four-day search for the man suspected of fatally stabbing a physical therapist outside her 7th Ward home and stealing her car ended with his Mayor LaToya Cantrells administration has for months been working on a new electronic monitoring program. Nathaniel Weaver with the Office of Criminal Justice Coordination said the city is poised to launch that program soon, but only for juvenile defendants. Some critics say there's little evidence that ankle monitors reduce recidivism, while the privatized system in New Orleans has produced complaints that companies have little incentive to report violations by defendants, who must pay the companies to participate. One judge was even sued for allegedly steering defendants to a company with which he had personal and political ties. Matt Dennis, of Assured Supervision Accountability Program LLC, argues that private companies held to tough standards can save taxpayers money and reduce recidivism. But even Dennis, an industry insider, said there was no guarantee that ankle monitors by themselves will stop violent crimes. A defendant can always cut the device off before a crime, or afterward to avoid detection, which is why its critical to monitor whether a defendant is violating release conditions, he said. In Andrys case, it appears that there were no release conditions for him to violate. The judge didnt order him into home incarceration or assign him a curfew, according to a transcript of the bail hearing. +2 In New Orleans, ankle monitors, fees, donations to judge raise concerns, watchdog says After months with an electronic monitor strapped to his ankle, Aaron Jones was ready to leave the criminal justice system behind him when he w Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up If he had on an ankle monitor, he had no restrictions -- so he would still have been able to walk into this neighborhood and do what he did, said Blake Arcuri, general counsel for the Orleans Parish Sheriffs Office. Banks harshly criticized Harris' decision to release Andry, who was facing two armed robbery charges and had previously been sentenced to a long prison term for aggravated burglary. There is no way any of yall are going to tell me that this made sense, Banks told the judges. City Council President Helena Moreno agreed, saying: I looked at Docketmaster, too it goes all the way down to the floor. Docketmaster is the court's online record system. Harris declined to appear at the hearing, according to Chief Judge Karen Herman, who said that judicial canons prevent her from discussing an open case. However, a transcript of the Feb. 1 bond reduction hearing provides new insight into her decision. +3 Keva Landrum, former Orleans Parish judge, tapped for U.S. attorney post in New Orleans Keva Landrum, the former Orleans Parish criminal court judge who lost in a December runoff against Jason Williams for district attorney, is th Harris had been on the bench for just eight weeks, after defeating incumbent Judge Franz Zibilich by promising to reduce the use of jail and prison time. She and other candidates on a progressive platform argued that incarceration itself generates additional crimes in the future, and that the use of cash bail disproportionately harms poor people. Andry's attorney argued that the $250,000 bail set by Zibilich prevented him from being released to care for his arthritic mother and disabled brother. The judge should reduce his bail to $40,000, an amount his family could cobble together, said the lawyer, Lindsay Markel of the Orleans Public Defenders. "Mr. Andry is not under illusions that the resolution of this matter will not involve jail time," Markel said. "He is not trying to get out of that, he just really needs to take care of his mother." However, Assistant District Attorney Eric Cusimano pushed back, pointing Andry's recent release from a lengthy prison term. The fact is, Mr. Andry was sentenced to a crime of violence for 15 years, and upon release from that crime of violence now finds himself charged in two very strong cases with two crimes of violence involving a firearm in which two innocent civilians were held up at gunpoint and had their possessions or property taken from their immediate control, Cusimano said. In the end, Harris dropped Andrys bail to $100,000, with the condition that he enter into a drug treatment program and wear a monitor. +3 New Orleans judge tosses murder conviction; DA Jason Williams says predecessors withheld evidence A New Orleans judge on Thursday tossed the conviction of a man serving a life sentence for a 2007 murder, after Orleans Parish District Attorn No one in the criminal justice system has given a definitive answer as to whether Andry was wearing a monitor on the morning of Pollocks death. Detectives believed they spotted one of the devices on Andry in surveillance video that recorded him near the scene of the killing. But law enforcement sources have said that if Andry was wearing a device, it wasnt actually tracking his movements. Investigators had to resort to seeking cellphone records in their attempt to locate where Andry was after the slaying. The judge herself has given shifting statements. Last week, a court spokesman said there had been a mix-up when Andry was transferred from Orleans to Jefferson for bail setting on a case there that resulted in his release without a monitor. But at a court hearing Tuesday, Harris said she personally observed Andry wearing a monitor at a subsequent hearing, according to WDSU-TV. Whatever the details of Andry's case, it seems poised to reignite a long-running debate over how often defendants should be released ahead of trial. +3 Cash bail a thing of the past? Not yet, but New Orleans judges agree to new rules Orleans Parish Criminal District Court judges this month settled the last of several lawsuits over bail fees and court costs that dogged them Critics like Rafael Goyenehce, a former prosecutor whos president of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, say the system has swung too far in favor of defendants. It was a criticism that Banks echoed. Im not anti-reform, Im not anti- any of that, but public safety has to be factored into that," he said. "And I think thats what were missing here." But reform advocates say there are also huge costs to jailing people who haven't been convicted, who are cut off from families and often lose their jobs. One said local leaders shouldnt make decisions based on a single, outlier case, no matter how tragic. Will Snowden, a former public defender whos director of the Vera Institute in New Orleans, noted that one jurisdiction which closely tracks defendants released ahead of trial found that 98% avoid re-arrest for violent crimes. We know that people can be safely released when they have the pretrial services, he said. A man was shot dead Wednesday night in New Orleans' St. Claude neighborhood. Police said they were summoned at 7:22 p.m. to the 1300 block of France Street, where they found the victim, shot multiple times, in the street. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The Police Department did not immediately release other information. A man was killed in an overnight shooting on the neutral ground of Elysian Fields Avenue, and police on Thursday said they have arrested the suspected shooter. The homicide was reported to police around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday. Police found a man lying on the neutral ground in the 1600 block of Elysian Fields Avenue (map) at the edge of St. Roch and the 7th Ward. He had been shot in the chest, they said, and died at the scene. His name has not been released. Later, police said they identified Darryl Thomas, 59, as the suspected shooter and arrested him. They didn't say what pointed to Thomas or where he was arrested. He was booked early Thursday into the Orleans Parish Justice Center on a second degree murder count, according to online jail records. No other details were immediately available, including a possible motive. Anyone with information is asked to call Homicide Detective Brittany Kimbrough at 504-658-5300 or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111. Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that an arrest was made in the case. Weather forecasters expect Invest 92L, the broad low pressure system that's been stuck in the Bay of Campeche for several days, to begin moving north towards the U.S. Gulf Coast on Thursday and to threaten southeast Louisiana with as much as 10 inches of rain over the weekend. UPDATE: Possible tropical storm to make landfall in Louisiana on Saturday; see warning issued "None of the models are really developing anything strong when it comes to the wind," National Hurricane Center Director Ken Graham said Wednesday in an interview at the National Hurricane Conference in New Orleans. "So I think its important to realize whether this system develops into a tropical storm or remains a depression, its the moisture ... thats concerning." The low was still producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms Wednesday over the Bay of Campeche and southern Mexico, and little additional development was expected until at least Thursday because of the system's interactions with land, said Richard Pasch, a senior hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center. "However, the system should begin to move northward on Thursday, and a tropical depression is likely to form by late Thursday or on Friday when the low moves across the western Gulf of Mexico," Pasch said. An Air Force Reserve Unit reconnaissance plane will investigate the southern Gulf on Thursday for signs of development, he said. Wednesday's official evening forecast gave the system a 80 percent chance of becoming a tropical depression or storm by Friday and a 90 percent chance over the next five days. If it gains tropical storm strength, the system would be named Claudette. Forecasters with the Slidell office of the National Weather Service agreed that rainfall poses the greatest threat to a broad area of the northern Gulf Coast, stretching from Texas across Louisiana and as far east as the Florida panhandle by Monday morning. But the heaviest rainfall is likely to target the New Orleans area, said Tim Destri, a meteorologist with the Slidell office. The center of the storm is likely to be onshore somewhere in western or central Louisiana by Saturday morning, he said. But it's too soon to point to an exact landfall location, and that location is not likely to mean much in terms of the storm's effects. That's because a variety of weather forecast models are indicating the heaviest rainfall will be north and east of the low pressure center. Destri said Wednesday estimates for total rainfall through Monday morning include: Lake Charles - 3 to 5 inches 3 to 5 inches Lafayette to Baton Rouge - 5 to 7 inches 5 to 7 inches Hammond, Houma-Thibodaux, north shore, New Orleans - 7 to 10 inches. Forecasters warn that the system could result in coastal inundation of 1 to 3 feet Friday through the weekend, and winds of 35 to 40 mph could occur within rain bands at times. The timing of the rainfall is likely to be the biggest problem for the New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board. Long periods of heavy rainfall could stress the agency's pump stations, canals and the feeble electric system that energizes them. Environmental news in your inbox Stay up-to-date on the latest on Louisiana's coast and the environment. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Almost all of the agency's main drainage pumps are currently available, but the in-house power system that provides about half of them with the archaic, 25-cycle standard of electricity they need to work is as weak and vulnerable as it's been in recent decades. The two main workhorse turbines have been down since one exploded in late 2019 and the other went offline ahead of Hurricane Zeta, with repairs now expected to extend well into this year's hurricane season. That leaves the S&WB with two smaller turbines and five even smaller generators to produce a combined total of about 31 megawatts of power. Combined with commercial power from Entergy, which provides electricity to the other half of the pumps and can be converted in limited quantities for the rest, the S&WB says it can handle 2 inches to 6 inches of rain at a time. In Jefferson Parish, officials said that all drainage pumps but one in Lafitte should be operating by Friday. Parish workers put out portable pumps to compensate for the one that is being serviced, a spokeswoman said. Portable pumps are also being staged in low-lying areas such as Lafitte, Barataria, Crown Point and Grand Isle. Jean Lafitte Mayor Tim Kerner Jr. said his towns permanent pumps were ready but that he was reserving rental pumps as well. Similar efforts were underway for Grand Isle, where pumps were operating at full capacity, officials said. But theyre still praying to be spared. If it shifts more to Texas, we wont have to worry about it too much, Kerner said. St. Bernard Parish officials reminded residents Wednesday to pick up stray items around their yard, take care of their pets and make other preparations before the weekend. Parish workers were pumping water from canals in case of heavy rain and asking contractors to clear construction sites, said John Rahmain Jr., St. Bernard's homeland security and emergency preparedness director. Right now, we are not too sure how much rain and wind there is going to be, but we want to err on the side of caution, he said. In Plaquemines Parish, Emergency Preparedness Director Patrick Harvey said local government was monitoring the tropical disturbance and preparing for heavy rainfall. With the late-season arrival of Hurricane Zeta in November and now the potential for an early-season downpour, Harvey said, residents must stay prepared. People have storm fatigue. Zeta was an eye-opener for a lot of people, he said. Harvey said Plaquemines pump stations are operating normally and its canals are being pumped down in preparation for heavy rainfall. Officials were prepared to open a storm shelter to residents if needed, and residents will have access to sandbag stations beginning Thursday at noon. Jeff Adelson, Jessica Williams, Julian Sorapuru, and Faimon A. Roberts III contributed to this report. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story gave the wrong name for the next tropical storm. Ochsner Health, Louisianas largest health care provider, will take over the seven-hospital Rush Health System in Mississippi and Alabama, expanding Ochsners reach across the Gulf Coast. Rush and Ochsner announced Thursday that the two nonprofits had signed a "shared mission agreement" that builds upon an existing partnership started in 2019. Under the new pact, Ochsner will add 2,800 Rush employees, bringing its total to almost 35,000 doctors, nurses and other workers. The deal represents a major geographic expansion for Ochsner, and will turn the dominant health care provider in Louisiana into a regional player with a significantly larger footprint in Mississippi and access to the Alabama health care market for the first time. Ochsner will gain access to a greater pool of patients able to receive specialty care and treatments from its network of doctors and hospitals, and it could improve its bargaining power with insurers and employers. Along with seven hospitals, 30 Rush Health clinics will join the Ochsner network, bringing Ochsners total facilities to 40 hospitals and more than 100 health centers and urgent cares. Louisiana has a nursing shortage. This university is offering a tuition-free program to help. Aiming to better meet a critical nursing shortage in Louisiana, Chamberlain University, the largest nursing school in the country, is teaming The move comes amid a broader U.S. wave of health care mergers in recent years as hospital groups look to compete with other types of providers, including pharmacies, urgent-care offices and outpatient clinics. Other regions have seen the growth of multi-state behemoths, and smaller hospitals have joined bigger networks in an effort to reduce costs and consolidate care. Ochsner CEO Warner Thomas called the combination a "natural progression" of the existing partnership between the hospital groups. "We are excited to work with them to expand services while improving the health and wellness of people in the communities Rush serves," he said. Larkin Kennedy, the CEO of Rush, said the move would result in better, more affordable care. We are excited to join Ochsner Health and work with them to continue to improve quality and decrease costs while enhancing access to highly specialized care closer to home, Larkin said. Rush Health Systems will become Ochsner Rush Health once the merger is complete. The deal is pending regulatory approval, and is expected to be finalized in 2022. The hospital groups declined to provide specific deal terms. But during a news conference Thursday, Thomas said he expected to announce commitments of capital and expansion of services in coming months similar to the $465 million in investments Ochsner pledged in October when it took over Lafayette General Health, a 461-bed system. Minimum-wage employees can expect an increase to $12 per hour, a change that will affect 400 employees. Patients can use existing insurance, and medical staff will continue to be both employed and contract physicians. The hospital groups said that after the deal, patients will have more access to sub-specialties like cardiology, cardiovascular surgery, neurology, stroke care, womens services and cancer treatments and surgeries. Ochsner also plans to expand digital health to Rush patients. Ochsner is the state's largest nonprofit employer. It has grown rapidly from its New Orleans-area base in the years following Hurricane Katrina, when it bought up three area hospitals owned by Tenet Healthcare along with Memorial Medical Center, known as Baptist Hospital, and renamed it Ochsner Baptist. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up In addition to expanding throughout Louisiana, Ochsner has also expanded into adjacent industries. The system recently announced plans for a personal protective equipment warehouse in Lafayette and St. Martin Parishes, investing $150 million to create a manufacturing company under the name SafeSource Direct. A $28 million school building in partnership with Ochsners Discovery Schools charter system, where half of enrollment is reserved for children of Ochsner employees, is slated to open in Jefferson Parish next year. Ochsner isn't alone in its expansion. Ge Bai, an expert on health care pricing at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said that the coronavirus pandemic accelerated the trend of large hospital groups adding smaller, local hospitals to their systems. More money is headed Jefferson Parish's way from the EJ Hospital sale; here's how much. Jefferson Parish will get about $7.5 million from the settlement of the East Jefferson General Hospital sale to LCMC Health, according to a re LCMC Health, which operates six hospitals in the New Orleans area, acquired East Jefferson General Hospital in October of last year in a deal that began well before the coronavirus arrived. Ochsner acquired Louisiana Womens Healthcare, the largest OB-GYN physician group in the state, in March. Thomas said the mergers have been a result of a challenging economic outlook for some hospitals, and shifts toward more government reimbursement for care. You're going to see more frequent combinations like this in the future, he said, referencing another hospital merger announced in Michigan Thursday. Part of it is to address the ongoing challenges of the transition to federal and state reimbursement away from commercial reimbursement. Both CEOs from Rush and Ochsner said the combined hospital system would make care more affordable. But Bai said costs often rise after this type of consolidation. Numerous research has documented a correlation between mergers and higher prices, said Bai. Because the consolidating hospital has greater bargaining power. One area that the two CEOs said they planned to invest in is telehealth, which they said would help keep people in rural areas covered. Nurses vow to fight 'until it's won' after bill to end doctors' oversight dies in state Senate A hotly debated bill that would have allowed nurse practitioners to practice without a doctors oversight was killed without going to a vote w Ochsner has leaned heavily on telehealth during the pandemic. In 2019, there were 3,000 telemedicine visits; in 2020, that jumped to 330,000. Warner said the merger would help bring more specialty services for folks that wouldnt necessarily have to travel, doing initial consults via telemedicine or getting follow-up care virtually. We will remain committed to providing care in those communities, said Kennedy. How we do that may change. Rush Health Systems, a 106-year-old institution, has hospitals and clinics across eastern Mississippi and western Alabama. It has 250 employee and contracted physicians and 95 advanced practice providers. In 2019, tax forms for the nonprofit show it had $18.7 million in net assets and a negative $4.7 million in net income. Ochsner had total revenue of $3.8 billion in 2019, according to an audit. The system had a net income of $221.8 million. Daniel Allen Cottom was born on June 5, 1953 in Texas where he developed his life long preference for warm weather and snowless winters. Being the overachiever in the family, Dan left high school after his junior year and to begin his undergraduate education. He completed his studies with a Harrisburg, Pa. Once again, the Pocono Raceway will host the annual Drug Take Back Program during the 2021 NASCAR Doubleheader weekend, featuring safe drug disposal and prices for participants. Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced that the Office of Attorney General is again partnering with the Pocono Raceway for the annual Drug Take Back Program this year. Attendees can bring their unneeded prescription drugs to the race to safely dispose of them at the Offices drug take back location at the raceway. As Pennsylvania continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw an increase of at least 422 overdoses from 2019, the Office of Attorney General is doubling down on our commitment to combat the opioid epidemic that affects every community in the Commonwealth, said Attorney General Shapiro. We know that 70 percent of Pennsylvanians who misuse opioids get them from a friend or relatives medicine cabinet, 60 percent of Pennsylvanians who are prescribed opioids end up with leftover pills--and, ultimately, four out of five heroin users begin struggling with substance use disorder through abusing opioid prescriptions. Pocono Raceway and President Ben Mays partnership is crucial to protecting Pennsylvania families and combating the opioid epidemic," Shapiro continued. Pocono Raceway is honored to partner with Attorney General Josh Shapiro on this years drug takeback program, said Pocono Raceway President, Ben May. Year after year, NASCAR fans attending our events have answered the call and supported this initiative. We know there is still more work to do, and it is up to all of us to fight against the opioid epidemic. We encourage all fans to bring their prescription drugs to the track and to safely dispose of them during the NASCAR Doubleheader weekend this year," said May. The public is encouraged to bring unused or outdated prescription drugs to the race on Fri., June 25, Saturday, June 26, and Sun., June 27th. Pennsylvanians can bring expired and unused drugs to the take back location in fanfare on the infield throughout the weekend. Those who drop off prescription drugs will be given a voucher for prize drawings that will include driver autographed items and more. In 2018 and 2019, the Office of Attorney General partnered with Pocono Raceway to encourage Pennsylvanians to dispose of their drugs during the NASCAR Doubleheader weekend. As a result, they were able to take back approximately 150 pounds of drugs. Since Attorney General Shapiro took office in Jan. 2017, the Drug Take Back program has destroyed close to 200 tons of prescription drugs. Local Floyd County Superior Court looking toward moving jury trials out of the Forum John Bailey, File In this March 2021 file photo, Floyd County Superior Court Chief Judge John Jack Niedrach checks the spacing in the Forum River Center room used as one of two courtrooms for jury trials. With the potential for a statewide judicial emergency order to expire at the end of the month, local jury trials are likely to move back within the Floyd County courthouse from the Forum River Center. The order was first put in place in March 2020, as the number of COVID-19 cases began to rise in Georgia, and renewed several times. Earlier this month, soon to retire Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Harold Melton stated he does not expect the emergency order to extend beyond June 30. If the order expires, local control then goes back to the chief judges of Georgias 49 superior court judicial circuits. They have statutory authority to issue local orders to suspend certain legal deadlines and designate alternative court facilities. The question is what were going to do when that decision is made, said Floyd County Superior Court Chief Judge John Jack Niedrach. Were still going to take precautions. At this point, it is likely that jury trials will move back into the Superior Courts four courtrooms on the third floor of the courthouse. The courts will potentially keep holding jury selection in the smaller, and more isolated, ballroom area of the Forum. Only working in one isolated area of the large event venue is less of a security issue, Floyd County Manager Jamie McCord said. At that point, the county could reopen the Forum to its normal operations. Some events like Going Caching and Schnauzerfest, which draw large groups of participants, have used the Forum as their base. Both events are scheduled for October, and McCord said that, contingent on the emergency order expiration, the facility could then be reopened for use. Were as ready as they are, McCord said. Back at the county courthouse, Judge Niedrach said theyll likely stagger hearings that generally bring larger numbers of people into the courtroom. Talking specifically about calendar calls, which bring 30-60 people all together in one room at the courthouse, he said theyre expecting to call smaller numbers of people for staggered, separate hearings. The court will continue to utilize video hearings, especially for people at the jail a practice adopted during the pandemic. Overall, attorneys have been cooperative during the process, Niedrach said. Weve got to be flexible, he said. If we need to tighten up and be more restrictive, we will. Rome, GA (30161) Today Cloudy with rain this morning...then scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. High 84F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. Rome, GA (30161) Today Showers this morning then scattered thunderstorms developing during the afternoon hours. High 84F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. ATLANTA Former Georgia legislator and longtime Gold Dome lobbyist Pete Robinson has died at the age of 66, the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer reported Thursday. Robinson died early Thursday at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where he was being treated for bile duct cancer diagnosed in mid-June. Robinson, a Columbus native, served for a [] News Release: NREL Announces Plans To Collaborate With Georgia Institute of Technology June 17, 2021 The U.S. Department of Energys National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the Georgia Institute of Technology have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to bolster the interactions, collaborations, and joint scientific output of both institutions. The purpose of the MOU is to leverage the expansive capabilities and infrastructure of both institutions in a multidisciplinary approach; expose a pipeline of talent to challenges of practical importance and complex nature early in their academic programs; and introduce new ideas, science, and technology into the industrial and federal marketplace with jointly developed intellectual property. We are excited about this MOU, which will facilitate expanded collaboration between NREL and Georgia Techs esteemed faculty and first-rate students, said Peter Green, deputy laboratory director and science and technology officer at NREL. Together we will leverage the significant intellectual, research, and infrastructure capabilities of both institutions to address some of the critical large-scale, complex research challenges facing industry during the energy transition. It is anticipated the collaborative projects between the two institutions will: Support goals that are complementary to those held by both institutions Share and leverage specialized or unique research facilities and equipment Increase inter-institutional collaborative engagement of faculty, staff, and students Look for opportunities for additional joint research initiatives and joint appointments. Building deep, substantive partnerships to impact society's most urgent challenges is a major priority for Georgia Tech's research enterprise, said Chaouki Abdallah, executive vice president for research at Georgia Tech. We are excited about the possibilities for collaborative, innovative energy-related research with NREL, which has the potential to improve human lives and the world at large. The agreement also acknowledges that the energy research environment is evolving. Energy-related research topics are becoming more complex, and the pipeline of research talent is changing due to shifts in academic programs related to energy and the level of student interest in energy-related research as a career. The potential long-term benefits of creating and disseminating new energy technologies for the public good is regarded by the academic community as an increasingly important consideration for the nations economy and its prospects for energy security. Leaders from NREL and Georgia Tech agree that the outcomes from this memorandum of understanding will advance our ability to address this evolving landscape. NREL is the U.S. Department of Energy's primary national laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. NREL is operated for the Energy Department by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC. Roseburg, OR (97470) Today Mostly cloudy early, then sunshine for the afternoon. High 92F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds. Low near 60F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Rickey Jackson said he has spent the last six years flipping houses in Michigan City. I havent had any problems getting permits in the past, he said. A building inspector even told him he was doing more than was required, and gave him ideas about how he could do things differently to save money. I buy the lowest end houses that you can think of, he said. Jackson said he could easily become a licensed electrician, but state law requires people licensed as plumbers to do extensive apprentice work before being licensed. He doesnt want to become licensed, though, but to continue flipping houses. At one time, Michigan City had 500 vacant houses, he said. The council is addressing the problem of affordable housing in the city, so flipping houses should be encouraged, Jackson said. If I wanted to be a licensed electrician, why would I bother flipping houses, he said, when a licensed electrician could get rich doing other projects. Volunteers would be affected, too, if they wanted to help on a community project to build or remodel a home for a person who cant afford to pay for the work, Gross said. A Northwest Indiana steel executive will be honored by one of the steel industry's largest professional associations for significant contributions to the sector. Wendell Carter, senior vice president of flat-rolled steel at Cleveland-Cliffs Burns Harbor, is one of more than 20 people The Association for Iron & Steel Technology will honor at AISTech 2021 The Iron & Steel Technology Conference and Exposition. Carter, who previously oversaw ArcelorMittal USA's steel mills in Northwest Indiana, is slated to receive the AIST Distinguished Member and Fellow Award at the upcoming conference at the Music City Center in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. "Established in 1975, the Distinguished Member and Fellow Award is presented to an AIST member who has attained eminent distinction in advancing the technical development, production, processing and application of iron and steel and/or related activities of the industry, and has performed meritorious service to the association," the trade association said in a press release. CROWN POINT A Chicago man pleaded guilty Thursday to participating in a robbery that led to Hammond man's shooting death in 2017. Lucky R. Tyler, 21, could face 15 to 40 years in prison if Lake Criminal Court Judge Salvador Vasquez accepts his plea agreement. Tyler pleaded guilty to robbery resulting in serious bodily injury, a level 2 felony, and admitted to a firearm enhancement. In exchange for his pleas, Lake County prosecutors agreed to dismiss Tyler's remaining charges, including murder. Tyler admitted he worked with co-defendants Justin M. Mitchell, 26, and Paradise Haynes, 23, both of Chicago, to plan a robbery that resulted in the death of Khalil Carter, 19, on Oct. 31, 2017, at an apartment in the 500 block of Pointe Drive. Carter's cousin was wounded in a shootout that occurred after Mitchell pointed an assault-style rifle at Carter and Carter's cousin and announced, "It's a caper," according to court records. Lake County Deputy Prosecutor Keith Anderson and defense attorney Steven Mullins will argue the length of Tyler's sentence during a hearing set for July 29. CHICAGO The Federal Bureau of Investigation increased its award total for information helping lead to the arrest of Devontay Davoucci Anderson, a man with Northern Indiana connections, wanted in the shooting death of 7-year-old Jaslyn Adams. A previous $10,000 reward was increased to $25,000, the FBI stated in a news release. Anderson is considered to be armed and dangerous. Anderson, 21, and another man are accused of firing shots into a vehicle at a McDonald's drive-thru in Homan Square April 18, striking Adams and her father. Adams was shot several times and her father sustained a single gunshot wound, but survived, authorities said. On April 26 Anderson was charged with first-degree murder and a warrant was issued for his arrest, according to the Circuit Court of Cook County. In addition, a federal warrant was issued for his arrest for a charge of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. The FBI said Anderson has connections to Northern Indiana, Illinois and Florida. Anderson is described as black, 5-foot-5 to 5-foot-6, 150 to 160 pounds. He has brown eyes and a small tattoo of capital letters written in script over his left eyebrow. He is known to go the aliases of "Vontay" and "Moneybag." VALPARAISO A Valparaiso man was taken into custody after authorities became aware of a video posted to social media that contained threats of mass homicide, police said early Thursday. Brian J. Kelly, 50, was charged later Thursday morning with intimidation, a level 6 felony, Porter County Prosecutor Gary Germann said. The prosecutor's office was evaluating whether to elevate the charge to a level 5 felony, he said. Kelly was being held Thursday morning at the Lake County Jail on a warrant linked to unrelated charges out of Lake County, Valparaiso police Capt. Joe Hall said. The "threatening and disturbing" video was reported to Valparaiso police after midnight Tuesday, according to a news release. In the video, the man says he's Brian James Kelly and that he lives in Valparaiso. He goes on to threaten mass homicide, saying, "I'm sending this message as a warning. I am going to murder as many (expletive) people as I can, and then I will kill myself." Valparaiso police said they're continuing to work with Lake County authorities to investigate the threats. Police thanked community members for bringing the video to their attention. VALPARAISO A Union Township woman posted a $1,500 cash bond Monday on charges alleging she stole more than $24,000 from two school organizations while serving as their treasurer. Kristie Rouse-Sears, 28, was charged with two felony counts of theft and two misdemeanor counts of conversion. She has not yet entered pleas. Her initial hearing was set for June 23, online court records showed. Porter County sheriff's police opened an investigation in early May, after an administrator at Union Center Elementary School reported school officials had discovered the PTO checking account was missing about $8,000, according to Porter Superior Court records. School officials told police Rouse-Sears, who served as treasurer of the Union Center Elementary PTO from February 2020 to May, admitted she had been writing checks to herself from the PTO account for about a year. Rouse-Sears allegedly told school officials she had been slowly paying back the account and still owed about $3,200 in May, records state. Rouse-Sears deposited $15,352 in the PTO account May 6, the day before school administrators notified police of the alleged theft, according to sheriff's police. The lawsuit claims those provisions are unconstitutional for multiple reasons, including unlawfully impairing contracts, infringing on the right to free association, and compelling teachers to affirm an anti-union message dictated by the state. The plaintiffs also argue it's improper for the General Assembly to impose on Hoosier teachers and their unions a far more burdensome process for assigning wages to a third party compared to any other employees or unions in the state. "Placing a burden on teachers when they band together to financially support their exclusive representative while placing none on all employees who make wage assignments for individual purposes is clearly a restraint on the right of association," the unions said. Moreover, they note the attorney general is not required to make the union dues deduction form and advisory available until July 1, while the law simultaneously expires all existing deduction authorizations the same day. They said that will create an intentional union revenue gap until teachers obtain, fill out and submit the new form, and the verification process is completed perhaps until August or September when teachers and school staff return to work. "No matter your age or perceived risk, the risk of myocarditis, or blood clots, or hospitalization, or death from COVID-19 FAR exceeds any known risk from the vaccine," Adams tweeted Wednesday. Preventing illness State data show since March 2020 more than 55,000 Lake County residents have tested positive for COVID-19, and 1,007 have died because of the virus. There's been more than 19,000 COVID-19 infections and 325 deaths in Porter County, and some 12,000 infections in LaPorte County and 221 deaths. Altogether, a total of 13,763 Hoosier deaths are attributed to COVID-19, and more than 600,000 people nationwide have died from the virus. Dr. Kristina Box, the state health commissioner, said the best way to not die from COVID-19 is to not get infected with the virus in the first place. And she said the best way for Hoosiers to protect themselves from the virus is to get vaccinated as soon as possible. "President Biden's goal for all of us is to have 70% of individuals with at least one shot of the vaccine in their arm by July 4," Box said. "Indiana overall is still at 53%. ... We still have a lot of work to do." Wilms tumor is a rare kidney cancer that primarily affects children, usually around 3 to 4 years old. According to healthline.com, symptoms are similar to other childhood ailments, including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and difficulty breathing. Stage 5 means the tumor was in both kidneys. Camerons parents were lost for words of gratitude for all the support. Its just incredible, the amount of community concern and all they do for families, Jason Baker, the boys father, said. Just the sense of everyone coming together, Susanne Baker, the mother, said. So many people unselfishly came out. Its a dream come true. The dream, Susanne said, is that Wednesday also marked Camerons last chemotherapy. On July 7, she said, her son will ring the bell for being cancer-free. This is just a miracle, she said, while her husband added, Today was the icing to cap off this journey. Although rare, Wilms tumor is the most common kidney cancer in children and the fourth-most common type of childhood cancer. Healthline.com reports 1 in every 10,000 children in the U.S. is affected by Wilms tumor, and about 500 children are newly diagnosed annually. The first tropical system of the season could be headed our way by the end of the week. If the storm materializes, it will be named Claudette and is expected to bring nearly a foot of rain to parts of the southern US . 1. Biden trip After months of anticipation and diplomatic preparation, President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin met yesterday for the first time since Biden took office. How did it go? "Positive" and "constructive" were two words used by the leaders. While there were some small advancements, like a decision to return each countries' ambassador back to their posts and the establishment of task forces on cyberattacks, Biden has said the point of the summit was to reestablish dialogue with Russia, not to spark some immediate diplomatic breakthrough. Still, firm words were exchanged. Biden said he warned Putin of "devastating consequences" if jailed opposition leader Alexey Navalny were to die in prison. He also confronted Putin about a spate of recent cyberattacks believed to originate in Russia, but Putin was evasive, saying of one attack, "What do Russian authorities have to do with this?" Yesterday's summit marked the conclusion of Biden's first trip abroad. Biden noted the overwhelming support for the bill from lawmakers in both parties. He had run for president promising to unite the country and work with Republicans, but his first major legislation to provide more COVID relief to American consumers and businesses was passed along party lines and he has struggled to unite lawmakers to support a major public works bill. I hope this is the beginning of a change in the way we deal with one another," Biden said. Biden signed the legislation surrounded by members of the Congressional Black Caucus as well as the lead sponsors of the legislation in the Senate, Sens. Edward Markey, D-Mass., and John Cornyn, R-Texas. He was introduced by Vice President Kamala Harris, the nation's first African-American vice president. We have come far and we have far to go, but today is a day of celebration," Harris said. The White House moved quickly to hold the signing ceremony after the House debated the bill and then voted for it Wednesday. Our federal holidays are purposely few in number and recognize the most important milestones," said Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y. I cannot think of a more important milestone to commemorate than the end of slavery in the United States." Today is Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Let's get caught up. These headlines are in the news this morning: President Biden is encouraging nationwide celebrations on July 4 to celebrate freedom from the coronavirus; Biden talks trade ahead of summit with Putin; and Katie Ledecky coasts to Olympics where a challenge awaits. Read on for these stories, other top headlines, celebrity birthdays and more. TOP STORIES White House to host July 4 'independence from virus' bash WASHINGTON (AP) Cue the fireworks. President Joe Biden wants to imbue Independence Day with new meaning this year by encouraging nationwide celebrations to mark the countrys effective return to normalcy after 16 months of coronavirus pandemic disruption. Even as the U.S. is set to cross the grim milestone of 600,000 deaths from the virus on Tuesday, the White House is expressing growing certainty that July Fourth will serve as a breakthrough moment in the nations recovery. That's even though the U.S. is not expected to quite reach its goal of having 70% of adults vaccinated by the holiday. During floor debate, Rep. Keith Wheeler, R-Oswego, said he had issues with some of the language in the bill, but he would vote for it because of its increased enforcement mechanisms. Wheeler said he had family connections to two people killed in the Aurora Shooting at the Henry Pratt Company warehouse. And just so it's clear to everyone, that (shooter) had his FOID card revoked, almost five years before that horrible incident occurred. Five years before the shooting, but law enforcement had no tools to be able to recover that (gun), he said. Wheeler said he voted for the bill at the request of his high school classmate, Tom Wehner, whose son Trevor was killed in the shooting on his very first day as an intern. There are a lot of things in this bill that I don't love, that I don't think are going to work the way they may be intended, Wheeler said. And I commit to all my friends in the (Second Amendment) community that we will work on getting those corrected before this bill takes effect. ... But this bill gives law enforcement the actual chance that necessary tools to prevent another tragedy. Putin and Bidens meeting in Geneva President Biden met with President Vladimir Putin at an 18th-century Swiss villa in Geneva yesterday, in an encounter described by the U.S. leader as positive and by Putin as constructive. Here are the latest updates. Among the outcomes were agreements to open U.S.-Russia talks on cybersecurity and arms control and for ambassadors to return to their posts in Moscow and Washington. It was clear, though, that on issues ranging from cyberattacks to human rights, they remain profoundly divided. Cybersecurity worries: Putin denied Russian responsibility for a surge in cyberattacks against U.S. institutions and rebuffed U.S. criticism of human rights abuses. Biden said he had handed the Russian leader a list of 16 examples of critical infrastructure that were off-limits to cyberattacks, and said he made clear that if they were attacked, we have significant cyber capabilities and would respond in a cyber way. Impressions: I did what I came to do, Biden said after the summit. Speaking at a separate news conference, Putin said: I think that in this situation, there cant be any kind of family trust. But I think weve seen some glimmers. About the authors Gerson Borrero is the host and political editor of Estudio DC at HITN and a former editor in chief of El Diario Nueva York. Brent Staples is a member of the editorial board of The New York Times. Michelle Goldberg is a Times Opinion columnist. Christina Greer is a political scientist at Fordham University. Celeste Katz Marston is a longtime political reporter, a host for WBAI radio in New York and a co-author of Is This Any Way to Vote? Vulnerable Voting Machines and the Mysterious Industry Behind Them. Luis A. Miranda Jr. is a veteran New York political consultant and the chairman of Latino Victory. Eleanor Randolph is a former editorial board member of The Times and the author of The Many Lives of Michael Bloomberg. Grace Rauh is a former political reporter at NY1. Howard Wolfson was a deputy mayor under Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, a senior adviser to Hillary Clintons Senate campaign and the communications director for her first presidential campaign. Kathryn Wylde is the president and chief executive of the Partnership for New York City. The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. Wed like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips. And heres our email: letters@nytimes.com. Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Twitter (@NYTopinion) and Instagram. The last time an American president held a summit with President Vladimir Putin of Russia July 16, 2018, in Helsinki happened to be my first day working at the White House as the National Security Council director for European and Russian affairs. It was not the usual mundane Day 1 of H.R. meetings, to put it mildly. Instead, I was thrust into a vortex of unending press inquiries and hasty meetings with other National Security Council staff members. We were all responding to frantic calls from embassies and congressional aides demanding comments and clarification on President Donald Trumps bizarre assertion that he seemed to believe Mr. Putins (false) denials of interference in the 2016 election at least as much as the assessment of the United States intelligence community. The decidedly sedate spectacle of Wednesdays summit between President Biden and Mr. Putin in Geneva could not be a starker contrast to the frenzied mayhem of three years ago. Russia watchers expected the standard fare of arms control discussions and renewed strategic stability talks, including discussions on reducing the threat of unintended conflicts. What I found most reassuring were Mr. Bidens statements that he would stand firm on defending democratic values, be critical of human rights violations, protect the free press and seek justice for American citizens wrongfully detained by the Russian government. A welcome surprise and a major departure from Mr. Trumps Russia policy was the signaling of a muscular response to any further attacks on the United States, including retaliating against future cyberattacks. Critics will argue that little was accomplished Wednesday that would move the needle on U.S.-Russia relations. That may be so, if progress is measured by a single meeting. In reality, diplomacy doesnt work that way. In the short term, we will quickly see respective ambassadors return to their posts, and strategic stability talks and cyber working groups resume meetings. Yet real, long-term progress will be measured in terms of how intentionally the United States responds to Russian aggression. Any Americans who believe that this countrys race problem stops at the waters edge should disabuse themselves of the notion. Our race problem is also an international problem in that dictators and authoritarian regimes use it as a way to point out American hypocrisy on human rights, as a means of deflecting from their horrible treatment of their own people and as a way to buck American chastisement. Until America sufficiently deals with its own race problem, it will remain somewhat handicapped on the world stage. On Wednesday, at a news conference after his meeting with President Biden, Russian President Vladimir Putin brushed aside criticism of how his government was treating a pro-democracy group in his country by comparing that group to Black Lives Matter: America just recently had very severe events, well-known events, after the killing of an African American. An entire movement developed, known as Black Lives Matter. Im not going to comment on that, but heres what I do want to say: What we saw was disorder, destruction, violations of the law, etc. The Ohio House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to expel a powerful Republican lawmaker, nearly a year after he was arrested and charged in a $60 million corruption scheme while serving as House speaker. The 75-to-21 vote to expel the lawmaker, Larry Householder, came after a vigorous debate among his fellow Republicans who control the Ohio House, some of whom argued that ousting him from office violated his right to due process. It was the first time that an Ohio lawmaker had been expelled since 1857, when Representative John P. Slough was removed for punching another member of the Legislature, according to the Ohio History Connection, a state historical society. Mr. Householders removal came less than a week after Oregon lawmakers had, for the first time in state history, ejected one of their colleagues, Representative Mike Nearman, for his role in helping a far-right crowd breach the State Capitol in December. The drunken driver who plowed a sport-utility vehicle into a crowd of protesters in Minneapolis on Sunday night, killing a woman and injuring several other people, was charged on Wednesday with intentional second-degree murder, the authorities said. The demonstrators had been protesting the death of Winston Smith, a Black man who was shot by members of a federal law enforcement task force this month, when, officials said, the driver, Nicholas Kraus, barreled into them in a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Mr. Kraus, 35, of St. Paul, Minn., was intoxicated at the time and had been driving with a suspended license, according to the Hennepin County Attorneys Office, which said that he had been convicted several times of driving under the influence of alcohol. The protesters pulled Mr. Kraus from the vehicle, and some of them began to strike him, the Minneapolis Police Department said. Jared Kushner has a book deal, joining former White House officials like Kellyanne Conway and Mike Pence who are also writing books. But others from the Trump administration have had a tougher time with mainstream publishers. Those companies have struggled to find a balance between promoting a range of voices including conservative authors who can sell a lot of copies and heeding their employees, readers and authors who consider it morally unacceptable to publish them. Now there is a new publishing company, All Seasons Press, that wants those conservative authors and is pitching itself as an alternative to mainstream houses. The company is open to welcoming those authors who are being attacked, bullied, banned from social media, and, in some cases, outright rejected by politically correct publishers, it said in a news release on Tuesday. WASHINGTON Attorney General Merrick B. Garland reversed on Wednesday Trump-era immigration rulings that had made it all but impossible for people to seek asylum in the United States over credible fears of domestic abuse or gang violence, marking one of the Justice Departments most significant breaks with the previous administration. His decisions came in closely watched cases where his predecessors, the former attorneys general Jeff Sessions and William P. Barr, broke with precedent to overturn decisions by immigration appeals judges that would have allowed such asylum claims. The decisions applicable to all cases in the system, including appeals will affect tens of thousands of migrants. Hundreds of thousands of Central Americans fleeing gang extortion and recruitment and women fleeing domestic abuse have arrived in the United States since 2013, and many cases are still being adjudicated, given an enormous backlog in immigration courts. In vacating the Trump administrations stance, Mr. Garland said the Justice Department should follow the earlier precedent. Yesterday, the Senate came together, and we passed unanimously, unanimously, the law the bill that says Juneteenth is a federal holiday. It was an important moment for recognizing our history not shrinking from it, not sweeping it under the rug, not denying it, but staring it directly in the face. Itll be the only federal holiday that recognizes the terrible legacy of slavery, as well as the noble truth that none of us are free until we are all free. The Juneteenth National Independence Day Act does not right the wrongs of our nations past, but it finally gives recognition and voice to those who suffered. It finally makes this day of celebration and liberation recorded history. We are recognizing the truth of our history and the missing half of the story of our nations freedom and independence. And our work continues. Theres nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come. And it seems to me that this is the most propitious time for us to recognize our history and to learn from it. And thats the way I regard Juneteenth. Theres no better time than the present, particularly given the strife weve seen the level of distrust, for example, between law enforcement and the communities they serve than to acknowledge our nations history and to learn from it. What I see here today is racial divide crumbling, being crushed this day under a momentous vote that brings together people who understand the value of freedom. And that is what Juneteenth is all about. It is a journey of pain, brutality, separation and the racist hand of people held in bondage. To hear more audio stories from publications like The New York Times, download Audm for iPhone or Android. NASHVILLE Southern Baptists agree that the Bible is divinely inspired and without error, that belief in Jesus is the only way to Heaven, that women may not serve as head pastors, and that true marriage is between one man and one woman. But fears of liberal drift are embedded almost as deeply in the denominations roots. This week at the Southern Baptist Conventions first meeting in two years, establishment conservatives narrowly headed off an aggressive takeover attempt by an ascendant hard-right movement. But rather than calm a turbulent debate, the votes in Nashville for a new president and on a series of hot-button cultural issues only underscored the sharp divisions within the denomination and portended further fractures within American evangelicalism. Everybody Ive talked to has said we are going to have to have serious, hard conversations within our churches, said Tom Buck, the pastor of First Baptist Church in Lindale, Texas, which held an online fund-raiser to send like-minded staunch conservatives to vote at this weeks meeting. We gave more than $225,000 last year to the S.B.C., and we feel like we have no voice, he added, referring to his congregations contributions to the denomination. Still, Mr. Abbott cast aside the derision in his push to finance construction of a barrier along the border. He said he would set aside $250 million from the states general revenue as a down payment and hire a program manager who would determine the total cost of the project and the length of the wall. But he was short on other details, saying they would emerge later. His posture comes amid a massive surge of migrants. Last month, there were 180,000 encounters between migrants and immigration officials along the Southwest border, from the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas to San Diego, Calif., the most in more than two decades, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data. It also comes as Mr. Trump, who made the border wall a signature campaign promise, announced plans to visit the border region in Texas and as Republicans criticized the Biden administration as having not addressed what they classify as a crisis. Since Mr. Biden took office, the number of migrants fleeing poverty and violence in Central and South America has climbed, up from some 74,000 in January. To grapple with the sheer volume of migrants, which many officials said has disrupted daily life in border towns, Mr. Abbott said he would deploy additional law enforcement agents to assist the Border Patrol. He also said he planned to seek permission from private landowners across the Rio Grande Valley to immediately begin construction on their property. In Texas, Mr. Abbott is not the only politician with grand plans to build a wall. Don Huffines, a former state senator who is challenging Mr. Abbott in next years primary elections, has also proposed constructing a barrier, calling it a safety necessity. The Biden Administration wont secure our border, so Texas will, he said in a statement. DNV said its report was based on the field investigation and the laboratory testing of samples from the accident and that it only contains DNVs hypothesis at this point. The full investigation will be finished later this year, the company said in a statement. Mexico Citys government, which hired DNV to examine the causes of the crash, is also conducting its own investigation into the accident. We promised to provide comprehensive care to the victims and to hire a specialized company to understand with technical professionalism and, based on scientific evidence, the root cause of this terrible tragedy, Claudia Sheinbaum, the mayor of Mexico City, said during the presentation of the DNV report. The results of the independent inquiry could spell trouble for two of Mexicos most powerful figures: Marcelo Ebrard, the foreign secretary, and Carlos Slim, one of the worlds richest businessmen. Mr. Ebrard, the mayor of Mexico City when the line was built, wanted it completed before he left office in 2012, according to multiple people who worked on the project. He is seen as a powerful contender to succeed President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in Mexicos next presidential elections in 2024. In response to the release of the preliminary report, Mr. Ebrard said in a statement that determining the cause of the crash would require both a technical investigation and an inquiry that reviews the entire decision-making process in the design, layout, supervision and maintenance of the metro line. Mr. Slims conglomerate, Group Carso, built Line 12 the part of the metro that collapsed to expand the company into the lucrative rail industry. They said they think its Russia, Mr. Trump said. I have President Putin; he just said its not Russia. For good measure, he said, President Putin was extremely strong and powerful in his denial today. Even some of Mr. Trumps own supporters were aghast. It is the most serious mistake of his presidency and must be corrected immediately, said Newt Gingrich, the former Republican House speaker. On Wednesday, Mr. Biden appeared eager to strike a different tone. Where we have differences, he said just moments into the news conference, I wanted President Putin to understand why I say what I say, and why I do what I do, and how well respond to specific kinds of actions that harm Americas interests. Mr. Biden said, I told President Putin my agenda is not against Russia or anyone else. Its for the American people. And he declared: I also told him that no president of the United States could keep faith with the American people if they did not speak out to defend our democratic values, to stand up for the universal and fundamental freedoms that all men and women have in our view. Thats just part of the DNA of our country. Mr. Cummings is hardly an unbiased observer. He and Mr. Johnson had a bitter falling-out a year after Mr. Cummings masterminded the election campaign that gave Mr. Johnsons Conservative Party an 80-seat majority in Parliament. Mr. Johnson fired him last November, and the aide has lately been waging a kind of guerrilla insurgency against his former boss on social media. Public support for Mr. Johnson has remained strong as Britain recovered from its shaky start to deploy vaccines rapidly. Mr. Cummings, for his part, has been in disrepute since last year when reports surfaced that he had violated lockdown rules to travel 260 miles to his parents house in the North of England. The screenshots of WhatsApp texts offer only a fragmentary account of what happened in 10 Downing Street during that period. Mr. Hancock claimed that there was never a nationwide shortage of protective equipment, that the testing system eventually worked, and that everyone who needed treatment for Covid-19 got it. In his testimony, Mr. Hancock said he did not know why Mr. Cummings bore such an animus against him. He said he was aware that Mr. Cummings was agitating to get him fired. But he insisted Mr. Johnson had never wavered in his support and pointed out that it was Mr. Cummings who lost his job. The best thing to say about this, and this will be corroborated by lots of people in government, is that the government has operated better over the past six months, Mr. Hancock told a Parliamentary committee. Still, Mr. Cummings was at the heart of the Covid response and his WhatsApp texts with Mr. Johnson are a real-time glimpse into how the government dealt with it. He accused Mr. Hancock of rewriting history, noting that Britain initially abandoned community testing before reinstating it with Mr. Hancocks much-trumpeted target of 100,000 tests a day by the end of April 2020. Piggybacking on the attention to Russia with the Biden-Putin meeting on Wednesday, the European Union issued a long and pessimistic report on the state of relations between Brussels and Moscow. There is not much hope for better relations between the European Union and Russia anytime soon, said Josep Borrell Fontelles, the E.U.s foreign policy chief, introducing the report. It was prepared in advance of a summit meeting of European leaders next week at which the blocs future policy toward Russia will be on the agenda. That discussion has been delayed several times by other pressing issues, including the pandemic. Under present circumstances, a renewed partnership between the E.U. and Russia, allowing for closer cooperation, seems a distant prospect, Mr. Borrell said in a statement, introducing the 14-page report prepared by the European Commission. The report urges the 27-member bloc to simultaneously push back against Russian misbehavior and violations of international law; constrain Russias efforts to destabilize Europe and undermine its interests, especially in the Western Balkans and neighboring post-Soviet states; and engage with Russia on common issues like health and climate, based on a strong common understanding of Russias aims and an approach of principled pragmatism. Together these poem-jars, as theyre known, serve as a sort of diary, offering a different voice than the slave narratives that dominate Black literature from this period. Some, like the jar recently acquired by the Met, or the one owned by the Philadelphia Museum of Art since 1997, describe the function of the pots or boast about the amount of beef or pork they could hold. Others share religious messages or witticisms. One poem from 1857 says: I made this Jar for Cash /though its called lucre trash. Another, dated 1854, says: Lm says this handle/will crack. Scholars have established that the initials refer to one of his owners, Lewis Miles, who ran the Stony Bluff Manufactory, making pottery using slave labor. And in the makers ultimate rebuke, the handle remains intact today. Other verses can be read against the political upheavals of the time. I, made this Jar, all of cross/If, you dont repent, you will be lost was dated May 3, 1862, about one year into the Civil War. The most heart-wrenching inscription begins, I wonder where is all my relation. The jar, at the Greenville County Museum of Art in South Carolina, is dated Aug. 16, 1857, several years after an enslaved woman from his household named Lydia and her two sons were sent away to Louisiana, according to Leonard Todds 2008 book Carolina Clay: The Life and Legend of the Slave Potter Dave. It is not known whether Lydia was his wife. CHAPTER AND VERSE When youre opening a new book, do you breeze past the epigraph as if its extra credit and youre in a rush to finish your homework? Slow down! That short quotation is there for a reason: to set the tone and mood, and to give you some insight into a writers mind-set. Plus, in some cases the author has paid handsomely for permission to print these words so you might as well read them. Rarely has there been an epigraph as well matched to a narrative as the one at the front of Somebodys Daughter, Ashley C. Fords memoir of a childhood framed by her fathers incarceration. Before readers set foot into what our reviewer described as the heart-wrenching yet equally witty and wondrous story of how Ford came through the fire and emerged triumphant, they encounter five lines written by the Japanese poet Izumi Shikibu (whose own family life a thousand years ago was no picnic): Although the wind / blows terribly here, / the moonlight also leaks / between the roof planks / of this ruined house. Ford first encountered these words in a bookstore in Scotland, where she was looking for a volume of poetry slim enough to dip into while waiting in lines at tourist destinations. She was already working on Somebodys Daughter, now in its second week on the hardcover nonfiction list; in fact, the idea for the book first came to her 10 years ago while she was taking a nonfiction class at Ball State University. I couldnt get it out of my head, I couldnt ignore it, Ford said. So when she read Shikibus poem, Although the wind..., Ford immediately thought, Thats what my book is about. She said, When my dad went to prison, there was this crack, this separation, this ruined house. But there were so many moments when the moonlight really did peek through into those rooms. Amidst all these reasons you could see the world darkly, there is something that allows you to see magic anyway. If you can hold onto that, you can hold onto yourself. South Asia scrambles for vaccines Sri Lanka is tapping Japan. Nepal has asked Denmark. Bangladesh has appealed to its diaspora in the U.S. South Asian countries are turning to the rest of the world to jump-start inoculation campaigns that have stalled since India halted vaccine exports in March. Wealthier countries have recently offered to step up vaccine donations to the developing world such as the Group of 7s promise of one billion shots but health officials say the pledges are vague and far off, and do not address immediate needs. Obstacles: A first batch of seven million doses was earmarked by the U.S. for Nepal, Sri Lanka and other countries in Asia this month, but the details of their arrival are still unclear. The situation is desperate: Older people in Nepal have been waiting for months for a second shot. Context: Indias neighbors began vaccinations this year with a combination of doses donated by India and purchased from the Serum Institute of India. But as cases rose in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modis government blocked exports. This week, the European Central Bank proposed using gender diversity among criteria for approving board members at the banks it supervises. Such mandates are one lever for increasing representation of women in an industry still dominated by men. Another lever the focus of a recent qualitative study is to change how banks distribute opportunities and rewards, the DealBook newsletter reports. When women were asked by Women in Banking & Finance, a nonprofit group in London, to reflect on their careers, common complaints included that they were heard differently simply because they were women and that they were required to find an innovative niche to succeed in the finance industry. Men, on the other hand, were more often welcome on traditional paths. It was even worse for Black women, for whom the headwinds were more intense and the tailwinds were fewer, according to the report. Half of women interviewed specifically mentioned mediocre men, who they said could survive more easily than women with comparable abilities. When prompted to explain, women cited factors that included men belonging to a social group where other members are gatekeepers; always being around, while women are more likely to take parental leave; and a greater reluctance for companies to manage out men because they are viewed as breadwinners. The websites for several major corporations in Australia and beyond briefly stopped working for many users on Thursday, in what analysts said was a glitch caused by service disruptions at a hosting platform based in the United States. The outage was the second failure in the past two weeks that appeared to demonstrate widespread dependence on a handful of companies that maintain the plumbing underpinning the global internet. The disruptions on Thursday affected several Australian banks, the airline Virgin Australia and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, among other companies. There were also reports of service outages at the websites of companies in Germany, India and elsewhere. Just as those websites failed, the website Downdetector.com, which tracks internet disruptions, said that user reports showed a spike in possible problems at Akamai, a service provider based in Massachusetts. Downdetector.com said the reports began to spike around 12:10 a.m. Eastern time on Thursday and began to taper off about an hour later. Lordstown Motors, the struggling electric vehicle start-up, told securities regulators on Thursday that it did not have binding orders for a pickup truck it was developing, correcting statements made by its president on Tuesday. The company, which announced the resignation of its chief executive and its chief financial officer on Monday, has made several confusing and contradictory statements in recent weeks. On Tuesday, its president, Rich Schmidt, said the company had binding orders but refused to name any customers or say whether they had put down deposits. In a filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company said Thursday that it had no binding purchase orders or commitments from customers. Mr. Schmidt had also claimed, at an event of the Detroit-based Automotive Press Association, that Lordstown had enough money to begin production in late September. But last week, the company said in an S.E.C. filing that it did not have enough cash to begin production and might not survive. Lordstown gained attention by purchasing a shuttered General Motors factory in Lordstown, Ohio, in 2019. At the time, G.M. was under pressure from President Donald J. Trump to find a buyer for the plant. Mr. Trump invited Lordstowns founder and chief executive, Steve Burns, to the White House last September. Mr. Burns resigned on Monday. With tragedy comes strength, a priest (Ewan McGregor) tells Gio (Shiloh Fernandez) early in The Birthday Cake, so we can anticipate trouble. But its not the fairly predictable tonal arc that makes this first feature from Jimmy Giannopoulos click: Its the deftness with which he weaves multiple threads of unease into a single strand of throttling tension. As we learn in flashback, Gio has so far resisted his familys efforts to toughen him up. Now, on the 10th anniversary of his fathers death, his mettle will be tested as he crosses his Brooklyn neighborhood to a memorial hosted by Angelo (Val Kilmer), a mob boss and one of Gios many uncles (mostly played by familiar screen wiseguys like Paul Sorvino and Vincent Pastore). A drive-by shooting has claimed Angelos voice and his familys primacy, but Gios immediate concern is the safety of the chocolate cake hes carrying, carefully baked by his mother (Lorraine Bracco). The U.S. government spent more than $18 billion last year funding drugmakers to make a Covid vaccine, an effort that led to at least five highly effective shots in record time. Now its pouring more than $3 billion on a neglected area of research: developing pills to fight the virus early in the course of infection, potentially saving many lives in the years to come. The new program, announced on Thursday by the Department of Health and Human Services, will speed up the clinical trials of a few promising drug candidates. If all goes well, some of those first pills could be ready by the end of the year. The Antiviral Program for Pandemics will also support research on entirely new drugs not just for the coronavirus, but for viruses that could cause future pandemics. A number of other viruses, including influenza, H.I.V. and hepatitis C, can be treated with a simple pill. But despite more than a year of research, no such pill exists to treat someone with a coronavirus infection before it wreaks havoc. Operation Warp Speed, the Trump administrations program for accelerating Covid-19 research, invested far more money in the development of vaccines than of treatments, a gap that the new program will try to fill. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a key backer of the program, said he looked forward to a time when Covid-19 patients could pick up antiviral pills from a pharmacy as soon as they tested positive for the coronavirus or develop Covid-19 symptoms. In 1972, Eva Sereny was in Rome photographing rehearsals for The Assassination of Trotsky, starring Richard Burton as the Russian revolutionary, when his wife, Elizabeth Taylor, who was not in the movie, visited the set. One of Ms. Serenys shots captured a moment in the celebrated stars famously turbulent marriage, which would soon end: the two staring icily at each other, as if they were re-enacting the tensions between their characters in the 1966 film Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf? It was obvious something was going on, she told The Guardian in 2018. You could feel it there was no great love between them. I dont remember them even noticing the shot, which was taken at a distance from below. If it had been a close-up of their faces, it would have just been two people looking not very nicely at each other. The body language brings it all together. Juneteenth marked the end of slavery, but not the end of systemic, structural racism in America, Mr. de Blasio said in a statement. To begin to repair harms of the past, New York City is investing in the future and building generational wealth. Alicia Hyndman, the state assemblywoman who in 2020 sponsored legislation making Juneteenth a holiday for state workers, called Mr. de Blasio hypocritical for failing to follow through on his Juneteenth promise. For us, its our July 4, said Ms. Hyndman, who is Black and who represents southeast Queens. This is our Independence Day, Juneteenth. Thats important for people to understand. This is American history. This is how it happened. Granting workers an extra day off required labor negotiations, in part because unions were expected to help pay for the expense, the union official said. The publication The City reported in January that the unions had not heard from the mayor since he made the announcement. The timing of Juneteenth is also said to have been a complicating factor. It falls on a Saturday this year a day when some employees report to work for regular shifts and others accrue overtime. Traditionally, when holidays fall on Saturdays, city workers get the preceding Friday off. City Hall could also have made Juneteenth a floating holiday for workers to use whenever they please this year, workers who wanted to celebrate Lincolns Birthday, Feb. 12, used a floating holiday, for example. When this happened last year, it was very obvious to me that it was a symbolic gesture to try to turn around what was a very negative news cycle for him, said Olivia Lapeyrolerie, who was Mr. de Blasios first deputy press secretary at the time of his Juneteenth announcement and is Black. The early voting period lasts through Sunday, and the ranked-choice system has injected a large degree of unpredictability into the race. Still, Eric Adams, the Brooklyn borough president, remains a consistent front-runner in the sparse available polling. [Read more about the debate and the candidates visions for New York.] Here are a few of the standout moments: Attacks flew over an endorsement This week, Andrew Yang, a former presidential candidate, received the endorsement of the Captains Endowment Association, the union that represents police captains. When asked at the debate to explain why he was the candidate best equipped to tackle a rise in shootings, Mr. Yang pointed to the endorsement. The people you should ask about this are Erics former colleagues in the police captains union, Mr. Yang said. Mr. Adams tried to dismiss the endorsement, suggesting that he had not even asked for it. Mr. Yang accused him of lying. Senator Bucco was among those who spoke out against renaming Columbus Day at last Thursdays raucous board meeting. He said he was heartened that the school calendar may restore the names of all state and federal holidays. If they want to add Indigenous Peoples Day to the calendar, then by all means do it, he said. But dont violate Italian Americans civil rights by removing only them. Columbus Day has been celebrated as a federal holiday on the second Monday of October since 1971, according to the Library of Congress, but has been observed for centuries. The first recorded celebration was in New York City in 1792. In 1892, then-President Benjamin Harrison issued a proclamation that recommended local celebrations, in part in response to anti-Catholic and anti-Italian sentiments and the murder of 11 Sicilian men in New Orleans. New York and New Jersey are home to the countrys largest populations of residents who identify as Italian American. Ten miles north of Randolph, a section of Interstate Route 80 is named Christopher Columbus Highway. You cant revise history, said State Senator Joseph Pennacchio, a Republican who has been a vocal supporter of retaining the Columbus Day holiday and statues honoring the controversial explorer. Though Columbus, who is thought to have been born in Genoa, Italy, but sailed for Spain, is often credited with discovering America, he never actually set foot on the continental United States. Millions of people were already living in North America in 1492 and those opposed to naming the holiday in Columbuss honor note that his journey encouraged centuries of exploitation of Native Americans. Dr. Wilson said that Columbuss significant contributions to exploration and trade should be taught alongside his role in enslaving original inhabitants of the islands he colonized. In 1982, the economist Mancur Olson set out to explain a paradox. West Germany and Japan endured widespread devastation during World War II, yet in the years after the war both countries experienced miraculous economic growth. Britain, on the other hand, emerged victorious from the war, with its institutions more intact, and yet it immediately entered a period of slow economic growth that left it lagging other European democracies. What happened? In his book The Rise and Decline of Nations, Olson concluded that Germany and Japan enjoyed explosive growth precisely because their old arrangements had been disrupted. The devastation itself, and the forces of American occupation and reconstruction, dislodged the interest groups that had held back innovation. The old patterns that stifled experimentation were swept away. The disruption opened space for something new. Something similar may be happening today. Covid-19 has disrupted daily American life in a way few emergencies have before. But it has also shaken things up and cleared the way for an economic boom and social revival. Millions of Americans endured grievous loss and anxiety during this pandemic, but many also used this time as a preparation period, so they could burst out of the gate when things opened up. After decades of slowing entrepreneurial dynamism, 4.4 million new businesses were started in 2020, by far a modern record. A report from Udemy, an online course provider, says that 38 percent of workers took some additional training during 2020, up from only 14 percent in 2019. The announcement last week that U.S. law enforcement officials had managed to recover $2.3 million of the roughly $4.4 million ransom that Colonial Pipeline paid hackers was a welcome development. But it also raised questions about who should bear the costs of ransom payments as the threat of online extortion grows. The Colonial Pipeline ransom retrieval sends a strong message to American companies that are hacked that the government can help. This will, hopefully, encourage victims to report these attacks to the authorities. But it may also make companies more willing to pay ransom and that would be good news for cybercriminals. Any effort by the government to more aggressively reclaim ransom payments must, then, go hand in hand with a regulatory crackdown on insurance coverage for ransoms. We also need careful consideration of how much if any of the reclaimed ransoms should be returned to the victims who paid them. (In the case of Colonial, the U.S. government has not made a statement about who will receive the recovered funds.) Insurance plays a significant yet often overlooked role in the ransomware economy. Most ransomware victims do not announce that they are making ransom payments, nor that those payments are covered at least in part by their insurers. It took questioning at a House Homeland Security Committee hearing for Joseph Blount, the chief executive of Colonial Pipeline, to acknowledge that, I think there were consultations going on with the companys insurer before the ransom was paid. He also said Colonial had filed an insurance claim for the payment that he expected would be covered. That would return the filibuster to something more like we imagine it to be: Impassioned minorities could hold the floor with theatrical speeches, shining public attention on their arguments, but the majority could end debate if the minority relented. To sustain this kind of filibuster would be grueling, which is as it should be. The filibuster is an extraordinary measure, and it should require extraordinary commitment to deploy. The majority, for its part, would have to carefully weigh the consequences of proceeding with partisan legislation: They would gamble weeks or months of Senate time if they chose to face down a filibuster, with no guarantee of passage on the other end. A reform like this would demand more from both the majority and the minority and ignite the kinds of lengthy, public debates that the Senate was once known for. In leaked audio published by The Intercept on Wednesday, Manchin appeared to favor exactly this kind of change. I think, basically, it should be 41 people have to force the issue versus the 60 that we need in the affirmative, he said. In addition to changing the rules, Manchin could embrace his role as a broker of legislative compromise. His leverage is immense, and he could use it to force Republicans as well as Democrats to the table. But on voting rights, at least, Manchin hasnt been wielding his power symmetrically. The truth, I would argue, is that voting and election reform that is done in a partisan manner will all but ensure partisan divisions continue to deepen, Manchin wrote in The Charleston Gazette-Mail this month. In suggesting that he would oppose any voting reform that was not bipartisan, Manchin offered Republicans a veto over the legislation rather than a choice between partisan and bipartisan bills. He was not asking of them what he was asking of his colleagues, or even of himself. But on Wednesday, news broke that Manchins position was shifting. He is circulating a compromise voting rights memo that he believes could serve as the basis for a bipartisan bill. It eliminates much of what Democrats wanted, like the more ambitious campaign finance reforms, but it bans partisan gerrymandering, restores key provisions of the Voting Rights Act, makes Election Day a public holiday and puts in place automatic voter registration. It also includes some Republican priorities, like mandating that voters show certain forms of identification. Billions and trillions seem to be an inescapable part of our conversations these days, whether the subject is Jeff Bezoss net worth or President Bidens proposed budget. Yet nearly everyone has trouble making sense of such big numbers. Is there any way to get a feel for them? As it turns out, there is. If we can relate big numbers to something familiar, they start to feel much more tangible, almost palpable. For example, consider Senator Bernie Sanderss signature reference to millionaires and billionaires. Politics aside, are these levels of wealth really comparable? Intellectually, we all know that billionaires have a lot more money than millionaires do, but intuitively its hard to feel the difference, because most of us havent experienced what its like to have that much money. In contrast, everyone knows what the passage of time feels like. So consider how long it would take for a million seconds to tick by. Do the math, and youll find that a million seconds is about 12 days. And a billion seconds? Thats about 32 years. Suddenly the vastness of the gulf between a million and a billion becomes obvious. A million seconds is a brief vacation; a billion seconds is a major fraction of a lifetime. Comparisons to ordinary distances provide another way to make sense of big numbers. Here in Ithaca, we have a scale model of the solar system known as the Sagan Walk, in which all the planets and the gaps between them are reduced by a factor of five billion. At that scale, the sun becomes the size of a serving plate, Earth is a small pea and Jupiter is a brussels sprout. To walk from Earth to the sun takes just a few dozen footsteps, whereas Pluto is a 15-minute hike across town. Strolling through the solar system, you gain a visceral understanding of astronomical distances that you dont get from looking at a book or visiting a planetarium. Your body grasps it even if your mind cannot. SIKOLO BRATHWAITE MET HER HUSBAND in 1965, when he and his brother stopped her one day as she was shopping on 125th Street. He told her he was a photographer, gave her a business card and said he would like nothing better than to photograph her. Sikolo was intrigued, but she was also wary of two men luring a young woman to some abandoned studio, so she brought a friend along with her. It was pretty sketchy, she recalls with a laugh. When she arrived at their Harlem studio, she saw walls adorned with gorgeous images of Black women of every skin tone. These were the Grandassa Models, a fixture of the Black Is Beautiful movement, and Sikolo would soon become one of them herself. (A year later, Kwame and Sikolo were married.) Brathwaite did not invent the phrase Black Is Beautiful; he, Elombe and their AJASS associates found inspiration in the teachings of Marcus Garvey, who made this idea a cornerstone of the mass Pan-African movement he built, which reached its zenith in the 1920s. Brathwaite did, however, take this slogan of self-affirmation and give it a visual vocabulary. Beginning in the early 1960s, he and AJASS conceived the idea of gathering together a group of Black women who could model natural beauty standards in the face of whitewashing and hair straightening, through fashion shows and studio portraiture. The Grandassa Models a riff on the ancestral term for the African continent, Grandassaland would embody unaffected beauty and pride. And so on January 28, 1962, at a small club in Harlem called the Purple Manor, near the corner of East 125th Street and Lenox Avenue (now Malcolm X Boulevard), AJASS staged Naturally 62: The Original African Coiffure and Fashion Extravaganza Designed to Restore Our Racial Pride and Standards, the first in a series of fashion shows held twice a year through 1973, then more sporadically until 1992. At their height, the Naturally shows attracted thousands of attendees. These were multifaceted affairs fashion show and African dance concert, political meeting and cultural expo. The models walked the runway in clothing that they designed, inspired by the latest patterns and fashions from Africas urban centers: Accra, Nairobi, Dakar. Brathwaite began photographing the shows in color, capturing the vibrant shades of the garments and the varieties of the models skin tones. In keeping with this animating spirit of activism, Brathwaite often photographed the models out in the world as well, at street fairs and political rallies. One newly discovered image shows two Grandassa Models including Nomsa Brath (Elombes wife) reclining on the hood of a car, wearing bold, earth-toned patterns of green, brown and gold, holding a protest poster that proclaims Want Work Build Africa scrawled in the red, black and green of the Pan-African flag. As Brathwaite took on more commercial work to supplement his portraiture and documentary photography, his lens remained trained on the beauty of Blackness wherever he found it. This article is part of the On Tech newsletter. You can sign up here to receive it weekdays. We need to have a vigorous debate about what Americans might gain or lose if government officials succeed in forcing changes to technology services and companies as we know them. One thing thats standing in the way of such a debate is fearmongering by tech companies and their allies. They tend to decry anything that might alter how Big Tech operates as somehow helping China win the future. Its an intellectually dishonest tactic and a distraction from important questions about our future. It bugs the heck out of me. What prompted my eye rolling was how tech companies have responded to a recent flurry of activity that could profoundly alter life for Americas tech superstars, and all of us who are affected by their products. Several Democrats in Congress have proposed new laws to crack down on big technology companies. And the new chair of the Federal Trade Commission, Lina Khan, has advocated for aggressive enforcement of monopoly laws to stop what she sees as big tech companies preying on consumers. Those steps could unravel the status quo in technology, or not. Were in a messy phase that makes it tricky to predict what Congress, states, courts and government enforcers might do to change the rules for tech companies and whether it will do more good than harm. The land yacht surged and swayed over frost heaves at 65 m.p.h., each bump nudging the seemingly physics-defying craft as it hurtled down the highway. The engine purred its way up and down topographic reliefs and, with little hesitation, roared to life to climb the steeper passes. Despite the motor homes sedate and boxy exterior, the refinements of design and automotive engineering somehow manage to coalesce around a single idea: What if I could drive my house from my couch? Good morning. It was after 9 p.m. on Sunday when I heard two big booms within five minutes. In this part of West Los Angeles, the sounds arent so familiar and two in quick succession had me wondering: fireworks or gunshots? A quick alert from both Citizen and Ring drew comments from neighbors that confirmed it was the former: illegal fireworks, a trend that may be on the upswing as we head toward the Fourth of July. California residents already know the struggle to rein in the use of illegal fireworks. While some cities permit safe and sane fireworks (like ground and hand-held sparkling devices), most parts of the state ban larger and more dangerous ones. Still, in June 2020, amid a stringent lockdown in many parts of the state as the pandemic raged, many Californians complained about a constant barrage. In an effort to crack down on the use of illegal fireworks this summer, cities are outlining plans to protect residents and penalize offenders. Last month, the Sacramento City Council unanimously approved a new ordinance that aims to empower local law enforcement. The rules, which go into effect on June 24, will include a portion that allows the authorities to hold property owners responsible for any illegal fireworks activity on their property. Los Angeless city attorney, Mike Feuer, told me this week that part of the citys crackdown was focused on online sales. The strategy involves identifying where fireworks have been traditionally sold online, then sending cease-and-desist letters to the platforms. A Honolulu police officer has been charged with second-degree murder in what prosecutors called the unjustified fatal shooting of a 16-year-old boy after a high-speed chase in April. Two other officers have been charged with second-degree attempted murder for their roles in the confrontation. The charges were announced on Tuesday by prosecutors in Honolulu, less than a week after a grand jury had declined to indict the officers in connection with their actions leading up to the death of Iremamber Sykap on April 5. The evidence supports the conclusion that the defendants use of deadly force in this case was unnecessary, unreasonable, and unjustified under the law, Christopher T. Van Marter, a deputy prosecuting attorney, wrote in a criminal complaint. Prosecutors said that Geoffrey H.L. Thom, the officer charged with second-degree murder, had fired 10 shots without provocation into the rear window of a Honda driven by Iremamber, hitting him eight times. The deadly terrorist assault on Benghazi became a two-year ordeal for Hillary Clinton, thanks to the Republican outrage machine, while a botched military raid ordered by Mr. Trump in Niger, which left four Americans dead, has largely been forgotten even after Mr. Trump fumbled the name of one of the dead and told a grieving widow her husband knew what he signed up for. Brad Woodhouse, a veteran Democratic operative, said some in the party had wanted to Benghazi the Niger raid, but, Its just not who most of the Dem Party and Dem Party leadership is. I guess you can say we dont gin up phony crises, but I dont think thats a bad thing, he added. At some point, the public turns back to what they think is reasonable leadership. Democrats have not been able to get the same traction even on the Capitol riot, which aimed to stop the official awarding of a presidential election to its victor, in part because Republican antics and accusations have disrupted hearings on the assault. Part of the Republican advantage is just a sheer will to muscle through, regardless of Democratic incredulity. One of this weeks outrages is Mr. Bidens supposed weakness before President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, a crisis that seeks to send four years of Mr. Trumps deference to the Russian leader down the memory hole. Veteran House Republicans say they have a traditional message to impart. I think the biggest contrast right now with the Biden-Pelosi agenda is their goal to control from Washington so much of your daily life, from your paycheck to your health care decisions to everything else, said Representative Kevin Brady, Republican of Texas. We stand for the opposite. We want to create more freedom for individuals with lower taxes, a stronger economy and a safer nation. But that message has been lost amid a constantly shifting menu of crises and outrages. At the state level, Republican legislators have obscured very real efforts to curtail voting access by spotlighting cultural issues like blocking transgender athletes from high school competitions or stopping the teaching to children of critical race theory, a graduate school framework that explores how racism is infused in American institutions. For his article, Jonathan spoke to a number of Republican elected officials, among others, about the G.O.P.s new message. I caught up with him on Thursday to hear about what hed learned. Hi Jonathan. As you outline in your article, House Republicans have begun to push a narrative about the country being in crisis. All kinds of crises, in fact. But polls seem to suggest that Americans spirits are rising as the pandemic recedes. Why this message from the G.O.P., and why now? Its true that they dont seem to be capturing the nations general postpandemic joy. But core Republican voters are apparently feeling unsettled by all this Bidenism a huge pandemic relief bill; proposed social and infrastructure spending bills measuring in the trillions, not billions; about-faces on countless Trump policies. Republicans in Washington want to push that discomfort into panic mode, in hopes that the agitation spreads beyond the base to generalized anger in next years midterm season. Hence the mantra: crisis, crisis, crisis. How much would you say that the catastrophe narrative is a product of todays polarized media landscape? Many of the arguments outlined in your piece sound like red meat for the Republican base the kinds of folks who might click on a web ad bashing Biden, or donate to Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene but it seems less certain that they would resonate with middle-of-the-road voters. Is that a concern for Republican leaders? Here are the 14 Republican representatives who voted against making Juneteenth a federal holiday. Mo Brooks Mr. Brooks has represented parts of northern Alabama, including Huntsville, since 2011. He told AL.com on Wednesday that the bill should have been celebrating the Emancipation Proclamation or the passage of the 13th, 14th or 15th Amendments or the end of the Civil War. Andy Biggs Mr. Biggs has represented an Arizona district since 2017 that includes parts of Maricopa County, east of Phoenix. In a video posted on Twitter on Wednesday, he said he would have voted for the Juneteenth bill, whose formal name is the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, if Democrats had changed the holidays name to Juneteenth National Emancipation Day. They weaponize this bill like they weaponize everything else, Mr. Biggs said. Andrew Clyde Mr. Clyde has represented a largely rural district in northeastern Georgia since January. His office did not respond to a request for comment. He has said he supported a Juneteenth holiday but objected to the use of the phrase Independence Day in its name, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Scott DesJarlais Mr. DesJarlais has represented parts of southern Tennessee since 2011. He said in a statement on Wednesday that he believes it is fiscally irresponsible to continue to create new paid holidays for federal workers while the majority of hard-working private-sector employees get left to pay the bill. Paul Gosar Mr. Gosar, who has represented parts of western Arizona since 2013, said in a statement on Wednesday that Juneteenth is more debunked Critical Race Theory in action. As Ms. Little Eagle talked about her assault one recent morning, her left eye was still bloodied and swollen. The bandages had just come off her broken nose. Her right arm was a fading map of bruises. The deeper wounds were harder to see. Image A campaign poster for Ms. Little Eagle. Ms. Little Eagle and her family said tribal agencies and law enforcement had been slow to take her attack seriously. A tribal judge dismissed their efforts to get a permanent restraining order. People on local social media groups have spent weeks maligning her. Ms. Little Eagle said she no longer felt safe on the reservation. She does not know when she will return to the tribal council. It just leaves me wondering who I am, she said. More than 80 percent of American Indians and Alaska Natives become victims of violence, according to the Justice Department, a long-running crisis that activists say is worsened by inconsistent and haphazard responses from law enforcement. On some reservations, Native women are 10 times as likely to be killed as the national average, according to the Indian Law Resource Center. Under pressure from activists and victims families, leaders in Washington as well as state and tribal governments have passed laws and created task forces to address the violence and improve coordination between law enforcement agencies. But activists said little had actually changed on the ground when it came to prosecuting those who commit violence or addressing the needs of victims and their families. For his part, Justice Alito wrote that the ruling was so narrow as to be ephemeral. This decision might as well be written on the dissolving paper sold in magic shops, he wrote. If the city wants to get around todays decision, it can simply eliminate the never-used exemption power. If it does that, then, voila, todays decision will vanish and the parties will be back where they started. Philadelphia stopped placing children with foster families through the agency, Catholic Social Services, after a 2018 article in The Philadelphia Inquirer described its policy against placing children with same-sex couples. The agency and several foster parents sued the city, saying the decision violated their First Amendment rights to religious freedom and free speech. Lawyers for the city said the case, Fulton v. City of Philadelphia, No. 19-123, was an easy one. When the government hires independent contractors like the Catholic agency, they said, it acts on its own behalf and can include provisions banning discrimination in its contracts. Lawyers for the agency responded that it merely wanted to continue work that it had been doing for centuries, adding that no gay couple had ever applied to it. If one had, they said, the couple would have been referred to another agency. A unanimous three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, in Philadelphia, ruled against the agency. The city was entitled to require compliance with its nondiscrimination policies, the court said. Justice Alitos concurring opinion on Thursday spanned 77 pages, five times the length of Chief Justice Robertss majority opinion. It made the case for overruling an important precedent limiting First Amendment protections for religious practices. The precedent, Employment Division v. Smith in 1990, ruled that general laws that do not single out religion could not be challenged on the ground that they violated the First Amendments protection of the free exercise of religion. In 2013, in Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Petroleum, the court said there was a general presumption against the extraterritorial application of American law. It rejected a suit against a foreign corporation accused of aiding and abetting atrocities by Nigerian military and police forces against Ogoni villagers. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., writing for the majority in that case, said that minimal contact with the United States would not be sufficient to overcome the presumption. Even where the claims touch and concern the territory of the United States, he wrote, they must do so with sufficient force to displace the presumption against extraterritorial application. On Thursday, Justice Thomas wrote that the same kind of reasoning banned the suit against Nestle and Cargill. Nearly all the conduct that they say aided and abetted forced labor providing training, fertilizer, tools and cash to overseas farms occurred in Ivory Coast, he wrote, while the companies were said to have made major operational decisions in the United States. But allegations of general corporate activity like decision-making cannot alone establish domestic application of the 1789 law, Justice Thomas wrote. In a part of his opinion joined by only Justices Neil M. Gorsuch and Brett M. Kavanaugh, Justice Thomas went on to say that American courts should be open to only three kinds of suits under the 1789 law even if the link to the United States were adequately established: violation of safe conduct, infringement of the rights of ambassadors and piracy. Kenneth Kaunda, Zambias first president and a founding patriarch of African independence who kept his grip on power for 27 years before enduring electoral defeat, an attempted assassination, house arrest and efforts to deport him from the country he had established, died on Thursday in Lusaka, the nations capital. He was 97. His death, at a military hospital where he was being treated for pneumonia, was announced by the president of Zambia, Edgar Lungu. Zambian authorities declared 21 days of mourning. Mr. Kaunda dominated the politics of his Southern African country for a generation, beginning in the mid-1960s. He was an impassioned orator who could bring an audience to its feet and to tears; a former schoolteacher who quoted Lincoln and Gandhi; and a physically striking man who brushed his hair to stand at attention so that it added inches to his six-foot-tall stature. Mr. Kaunda outlived many of his peers among the so-called frontline leaders who had sponsored Southern Africas guerrilla wars, becoming a kind of elder statesman. But in his later years his counsel was rarely sought. Indeed, at the end he seemed something of a throwback to an era of titanic racial and geopolitical struggles of which many younger Africans, born after the demise of white rule, had little memory. MEXICO CITY A New York Times journalist was denied entry into Nicaragua on Thursday amid a nationwide crackdown against the media and civil society in the Central American nation. Anatoly Kurmanaev, who recently joined the Timess Mexico City bureau after years covering Venezuela, had his ticket to Managua canceled by the airline he was traveling on hours before the flight was set to take off, after Nicaraguan authorities refused to grant him entry. Mr. Kurmanaev had met all of Nicaraguas legal and health requirements for entry. This is an example of increasingly common challenges journalists are facing around the globe for the role they play in ensuring a free and informed society, said Michael Slackman, the Timess assistant managing editor for international. Efforts to silence journalists should be of concern to everyone. The denial of Mr. Kurmanaevs entry to Nicaragua appears to be an escalation of government attacks on independent media amid a crackdown by President Daniel Ortega, who returned to power in 2007 after leading Nicaraguas revolutionary government from 1979 to 1990. A Canadian couple who drew widespread criticism for flying to a small Indigenous community in January to get vaccinated pleaded guilty on Wednesday to violating local coronavirus restrictions, according to court records. The couple, Rodney and Ekaterina Baker of Vancouver, appeared virtually in Yukon Territorial Court and pleaded guilty to charges under the territorys Civil Emergency Measures Act, which was enacted during the pandemic and required people to isolate themselves for 14 days after entering Yukon, records show. While the Bakers will not face jail time, they were each fined $1,000 plus a $150 surcharge, totaling $2,300 for the couple. Fortunately, nothing physical happened in this case, no one got Covid as a result, Judge Michael Cozens said during court proceedings, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. There was harm, but the harm wasnt anyone catching Covid. It was certainly psychological. Now, with no guarantee of U.S. air support after international forces pull out and with a shrinking number of American aircraft overhead, Afghan commanders are being forced to make increasingly difficult decisions about which bases and outposts to hold or abandon, leaving the civilian population at the hands of the Taliban. Wednesdays battle came after a commando force of roughly 50 troops, intermixed with police officers and soldiers, carried out an operation to retake Dawlat Abad district from the Taliban with little coordination with nearby government forces, said an Afghan military official with knowledge of the operation, who was not permitted to speak to the media, quickly routing a contingent of Taliban fighters there. But several hours later, a much larger Taliban force attacked the elite force from all sides, killing at least 24 commandos and five police officers. Several troops are wounded and missing, the military official said, and despite calls for air support, no aircraft were able to respond in time. Among the scattered dead was Maj. Sohrab Azimi, a well-known and beloved officer whose job was directing airstrikes, one of the few advantages the Afghan security forces hold over the Taliban. In the seemingly endless cycle of killing and dying in Afghanistans war, the death of Major Azimi, 30, the son of a well-known Afghan general, highlighted the brutal and personal nature of this new chapter of the war. Major Azimi was the best, one of his fellow Afghan comrades observed, who spent the hours after his friends death in the north directing airstrikes in the south to defend the district of Gereshk. I cant tolerate any more my friends deaths. Three Chinese astronauts docked with the countrys still-under-construction space station on Thursday, beginning what their government expects will be a decade or more of continuous presence by Chinese astronauts in Earths orbit. Six hours and 32 minutes after the astronauts blasted off from a base in the Gobi Desert on a clear, sunny morning, their spacecraft, Shenzhou-12, docked with the stations core module. It was a perfect rendezvous and docking process, Sun Jun, deputy director of the Beijing Aerospace Flight Control Center, told CCTV, the state broadcaster, adding that the mission so far fully achieved our original goal. With that, the Chinese station, called Tiangong, or Heavenly Palace, became one of two populated outposts in orbit. The other, the International Space Station, has operated for more than two decades, but its future is uncertain because of age, budget constraints and tensions between its main partners, the United States and Russia. MANILA A former mayor accused of being a drug trafficker in the Philippines was killed Thursday after he attempted to grab a gun from officers while being transported to detention in the capital, Manila, the police said. Montasser Sabal, the former mayor of the southern town of Talitay, was arrested late Wednesday with three of his companions as they prepared to depart from the port of Batangas, south of Manila. Mr. Sabals brother, Abdul Wahab Sabal, who was also a mayor, was shot and killed outside a Manila hotel last year. Both men were among 44 mayors, vice mayors and other officials identified by President Rodrigo Duterte in May 2019 as being narco politicians. More than half of those on the list have already been killed by the police under similar circumstances in which the authorities said the suspects resisted arrest and attempted to grab officers firearms. The police said Mr. Sabal had grabbed the service firearms of the police escort while he was being transported. When an Indigenous community in Canada announced recently that it had discovered a mass burial site with the remains of 215 children, the location rang with significance. Not just because it was on the grounds of a now-shuttered Indian Residential School, whose forcible assimilation of Indigenous children a 2015 truth and reconciliation report called a key component of a Canadian government policy of cultural genocide. That school is in Kamloops, a city in British Columbia from which, 52 years ago, Indigenous leaders started a global campaign to reverse centuries of colonial eradication and reclaim their status as sovereign nations. Their effort, waged predominantly in courts and international institutions, has accumulated steady gains ever since, coming further than many realize. GENEVA President Biden had three big tasks to accomplish on his first foreign trip since taking office: Convince the allies that America was back, and for good; gather them in common cause against the rising threat of China; and establish some red lines for President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, whom he called his worthy adversary. He largely accomplished the first, though many European leaders still wonder whether his presidency may yet be just an intermezzo, sandwiched between the Trump era and the election of another America First leader uninterested in the 72-year-old Atlantic alliance. He made inroads on the second, at least in parts of Europe, where there has been enormous reluctance to think first of China as a threat economically, technologically and militarily and second as an economic partner. Mr. Biden expressed cautious optimism about finding ways to reach a polite accommodation with Mr. Putin. But it is far from clear that any of the modest initiatives the two men described on Wednesday, after a stiff, three-hour summit meeting on the edge of Lake Geneva, will fundamentally change a bad dynamic. LONDON Agnieszka Bleka has had to work hard in past years to find companies that need workers, spending much of her day reaching out to local businesses in the northern English city of Preston where she is based. But now, Ms. Bleka, who owns Workforce Consultants, a company that finds jobs in Britain for mostly Eastern and Central Europeans, said that she was fielding several calls a day from companies looking for temporary staff, and that she cant keep up with the demand. The fish pond is getting smaller, she said. And people are picking and choosing the jobs, or leaving as well, going to their home countries. Free movement between Britain and Europe technically ended at the start of 2021 because of Brexit, but the effects were masked by strict pandemic travel restrictions. Only lately, as the economy picks up steam, is the new reality beginning to be fully felt. I want to say that the image of President Biden that our and even the American press paints has nothing to do with reality, Mr. Putin said. Hes a professional, and you have to be very careful in working with him to make sure you dont miss anything. He doesnt miss anything, I can assure you. The relationship between Russia and the United States is plumbing such depths, analysts said, that it was impossible to imagine a real alleviation of tensions any time soon. And Mr. Putin in denying any responsibility for cyberattacks and rejecting any criticism of the Kremlins repression of dissent at home made it clear he was not about to change any policies. But there was hope that the relationships downward spiral, which many fear could at some point swerve toward military confrontation, could at least be halted if Moscow and Washington re-engaged in talks. Russian analysts and officials who have long been fiercely critical of the United States for, they say, seeking to weaken Russia, said they saw in Mr. Biden a recognition that he had to contend with Russian interests. The leaders meeting fully justified the most optimistic expectations and delivered the most results of any in the last decades of the relationship between the powers, Timofey Bordachev, a prominent commentator, wrote in a Kremlin-friendly online outlet, Vzglyad. Biden, believe it or not, looks to be the first American president in 30 years who is playing a long game. The praise of Mr. Biden from the pro-Kremlin commentariat was significant because the Russian elite has long seen Democrats as part of a Russophobic American establishment for which democracy and human rights are simply code words to justify attacks on Mr. Putin. But in Mr. Biden, some Russians see an experienced leader focused clearly on his priorities such as domestic affairs and competition with China for whom confrontation with Russia is not an end in itself. GAZA CITY As Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza City for the sixth night running, Dr. Ayman Abul Ouf climbed the stairs of the apartment block that his family built four decades ago, calmer than he had seemed all day. The Abul Ouf Building, nestled in a wealthy shopping district on Al Wahda Street, was the last place he thought Israel would hit. He returned to his third-floor apartment at half-past midnight, after a 16-hour day running the coronavirus team at Gazas biggest hospital. He could hear the bombs, but mainly from the television in his living room. His upscale neighborhood was considered so safe that in wars past relatives from elsewhere in Gaza waited out the bombing in his apartment. In the room next door, his son Tawfiq, a high-school senior, was studying for a science exam. One floor below, Dr. Abul Oufs father, a scientist also named Tawfiq, was making a late-night meal. One floor above, his cousins daughter, Shaimaa, a dentistry student, was texting her fiance. Thus it was that Iman, 28, an information technology worker who was shopping for lamps in Tehran on Monday, said, I will vote because the destiny of my nation is very important to me. He said he would vote for Ebrahim Raisi, the ultraconservative judiciary chief who appeared to have the only real chance of winning after the Guardian Council the body of top clerics that vets the contenders disqualified virtually all the other viable choices. Youre doing what? Really? said his new wife Melika, 21, grabbing her husbands arm in alarm. If you vote for Raisi, were done, she said, only half-joking. (Like some other voters interviewed for this article, they declined to give their full names, for fear of speaking too openly about politics.) The wife rolled her eyes as her husband listed what he said were Mr. Raisis qualifications: promises to battle the corruption many Iranians say is crushing their economy; the forcefulness to stand up to the United States in renewed negotiations over limiting Irans nuclear program in exchange for lifting American sanctions, which are deepening those economic problems. I dont believe in any of them, said Melika, a computer engineer. Im just tired of all of it. Im done. All across Tehran this week, Iranians were saying much the same thing. Its absolutely hopeless, said Reza, 33, a grocery store owner from Kermanshah, a city in western Iran, who had come to Tehrans Grand Bazaar to shop for his upcoming wedding. I have a problem with the whole system because I cant express my opinions. The only way that I can show them Im unhappy is by not voting. JERUSALEM A police officer who fatally shot an unarmed Palestinian man with autism was charged with manslaughter on Thursday, in a case that brought attention to the issue of police brutality. The family of the 31-year-old victim, Iyad al-Hallaq, expressed frustration that the authorities did not indict the officer on a more severe charge. Mr. al-Hallaq was shot last year on May 30 during his morning commute to a school for adults with disabilities in Jerusalems Old City. His death prompted comparisons to the killing of George Floyd by police officers in Minneapolis days earlier. And Mr. al-Hallaqs picture was raised at many demonstrations in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv over the past year. The prosecutors filed the indictment after coming under criticism in recent weeks because they still had not charged anyone a year after the killing. Sri Lanka is tapping Japan. Nepal has asked Denmark. Bangladesh has appealed to its diaspora in the United States. South Asian countries are looking to the rest of the world to jump-start inoculation campaigns that have stalled since India halted vaccine exports to deal with its catastrophic second coronavirus wave this spring. The ad hoc approach shows how the decision by India, the worlds biggest vaccine manufacturer, left poorer countries with few options for vaccines as richer countries hoarded much of the global supply. Even as the United States and other global powers pledge to donate a billion doses to poor nations, the World Health Organization says 11 billion doses are needed to defeat the pandemic. Countries in South Asia and elsewhere many battling outbreaks continue to scramble for vaccines. Health officials say the vaccine pledge by the Group of 7 industrialized nations is too vague to incorporate into real planning, and does little to address the immediate needs of the millions of people awaiting doses. KABUL, Afghanistan The U.S. Embassy in Kabul went into lockdown on Thursday, citing a surge in coronavirus cases that has swamped the medical facilities that remain open to American diplomats as the U.S. military and international forces depart the country. Military hospital I.C.U. resources are at full capacity, forcing our health units to create temporary on-compound Covid-19 wards to care for oxygen-dependent patients, the embassy said in a management notice released on Thursday. The notice said that one person associated with the embassy had died, several had been medically evacuated and 114 people were infected and in isolation. The document said that 95 percent of the current cases were in people who were unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated, even though vaccines were available at the embassy. It noted that 90 percent of the Afghans and people from other countries on the embassy staff had been vaccinated. In Washington, the State Departments spokesman, Ned Price, said the embassy could not require its employees to be vaccinated and confirmed that nearly all of the cases in this significant outbreak were among those who were not fully immunized. He said that Covid vaccines had been made available to the Kabul embassy workers over the last several months. What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 716-372-3121 or email nfinnerty@oleantimesherald.com. Are you a current print subscriber? You qualify for online access to the Omak Chronicle. To receive your access, create a website account and then verify your print subscription or e-edition subscription with your subscriber number, which may be found on your bill or mailing label. Craig Reeves B. G., Opalesque Geneva: According to Prestige group, a private debt provider that manages several specialist alternative credit funds, the two main themes shaping our world in response to the global pandemic are (1) fiscal stimulus and how and where it is distorting public markets, and (2) climate change and the 'greenification' of the economy, which is accelerating since the pandemic. The asset manager is benefiting from these two themes through funds that either invest in agricultural and renewable infrastructure or in SME lending. In this interview, Craig Reeves, founder of Prestige, explains the group's rationale and focus. He has more than 26 years of experience in financial services as a professional investment manager, trader, and investor in alternative investments, hedge funds, capital markets, and real estate. He will present in next week's webinar, Small Managers - Big Alpha, Episode 2 (22nd June at 10:30 am ET). Opalesque: Prestige focuses on private lending. You say you see two major trends in that space. What is the first one? Craig Reeves: The trend is clearly the financial impact and the financial response by governments around the world to the pandemic. There is an enormous amount of fiscal and monetary stimulus, trillions of dollars, and that has forced equity prices to reach all-time highs. And they may drift higher this year and next year. But the opposite has happened in the bond world: the yields have reached an all-time low. We saw in November last year $18tln of bonds in negative yield. From that perspective, that is causing investors some challenges. We are seeing in the financial press articles where people are saying that most investors have a traditional portfolio of bonds and equities, a 60/40 barbell approach, that this approach has been around for more than 50 years, but now we are living in a post-pandemic, post-Financial Crisis world. Investors should increase their allocation to alternatives, and off that allocation, put half in liquid hedge products and the other half in private market debt and equity. The market is going that way because a lot of big asset managers are building private lending teams and funds, and buying private lending businesses. One of the reasons they are doing this is because they are sitting on a lot of cash. But the reality here is that they can get a better yield and better value. A lot of the private markets are less pumped than the public markets. In private markets, they can also negotiate terms and conditions. From our side, we are seeing more of this narrative coming into the real world because we have had 25m allocated since the beginning of this year from an Italian pension fund, 32m from a very large financial institution in Finland, we are talking to a lot of private equity groups that want to allocate to private debt, we have raised more than $300m's worth of wholesale debt in the last year. There is a lot of interest in the space that we operate. This is all being driven by the hunt for yield. Opalesque: The first trend you see is the hunt for yield and therefore a general move towards private markets. What is the other trend? Craig Reeves: The other trend seems to have accelerated since the pandemic; it is climate change. A lot of the government discussions, stimulus, and fiscal and monetary extraordinary accommodation are going into the "greenification" of the economy. The EU is creating its own green bond for nearly 700bn; the UK is also doing its own thing with the biggest green bond issuance in its history, for example. For the first time ever, the EU has said to the financial regulators across Europe that they want to encourage sustainable investments. Three months ago, the SFDR was born. Every fund in Europe has had to re-submit their Offering Memorandum with their own categorisation of sustainability. For the first time in history, you have governments and regulators on the one side, and investors and consumers increasingly on the other side, insisting, asking that their money is managed in a sustainable way. Opalesque: How is Prestige riding these two waves at the same time: the hunt for yield and the search for sustainability? Craig Reeves: As a 14-year old group, we are a fund management business that raises wholesale debt effectively for three dedicated specialist finance businesses, Privilege Finance in Cambridge, Nucleus Finance in London, and Capstone Capital Group in New York. The difference between these three is the type of customer and the type of lending activities. Privilege is very much focused on farm, food, rural, agricultural businesses with a heavy focus on renewable energy, waste-to-energy infrastructure finance. We have been involved in about 50 projects. And they are on average getting bigger. Farming is under enormous pressure to change; the UN is telling governments around the world that there could be three billion more people on the planet in the next thirty years. The Nucleus and Capstone businesses are SME-lending across a range of different types of industries. They have different types of funding products from small working capital loans to larger invoice finance, property finance, facilities finance loans. Of course, now we are focused on helping companies financing sustainability - so there are companies that we avoid and others that we focus on. There is a mix of the old economy and the new economy; a steel wholesaler, civil engineering and construction businesses, a payroll company, an IT services company, a law firm, an accounting firm During the lockdown, we were financing food and convenience stores that wanted to expand, to buy more stock. Opalesque: Tell us about your credit funds. Craig Reeves: We have five different funds focusing on three main strategies: SME lending in the U.S., SME lending in the U.K., and two funds in agricultural/renewable energy infrastructure lending (in the U.K). Opalesque: Are you dealing with more opportunities now? Craig Reeves: There are a lot of opportunities coming our way, partly because of our reputation and our track record. The timing is exquisite for some of these opportunities; the deal flow pipeline is enormous, bigger than it was last year, and much bigger than two years ago. The investor side of it is looking at this in a more innovative way now. They see the need for such investments in their portfolio, either because of the yield hunting element or the ESG element. *** Founded in 2007, the Prestige group manages approximately $1bn in assets and has raised over $2bn of fund investments and $300m of wholesale debt. Its 120 team members are based in the U.K., Malta, Luxembourg, and Cayman Islands. Prestige includes Prestige Capital Management, Prestige Fund Management and Prestige Asset Management, Privilege Finance and Nucleus Commercial Finance. *** Upcoming webinar: Small Managers - Big Alpha - Episode 2 With larger quantities of capital chasing the same alpha strategies and continuing to erode alpha, savvy investors are turning to smaller and/or emerging managers as they look for alternative sources of return. Opalesque presents a carefully screened panel of such investment managers. With: - Robert Zuccaro, Target QR Strategies, - Mukhtader Mohammed, Arbitrium Capital Partners, - Craig Reeves, Prestige Funds, - Mark O. Witten, Portal Asset Management When: Tuesday, June 22nd at 10:30 am ET Free registration: www.opalesque.com/webinar/ In today's society, technology has been ingrained in virtually every profession, and not just in vocations, but also in our daily lives as individuals. And, in this modern age, even entrepreneurship is heavily impacted by technology advancements. Digital marketing has risen to become one of the most in-demand and effective fields of work today. Today's post will cover one of Bangladesh's most well-known Internet marketing influencers, Mayeen Uddin Mayeen, who is CELINA [mdash] Doyle Eugene Brittain Doyle Eugene Brittain was called to the lord on Wednesday, June 9th of 2021 in Mckinney, Texas. Doyle was born in Sigourney, Iowa and one of six children to the late Alfred and Bertha Brittain. His late siblings were Verle, Orbie, Eldon, Ruby, and Vera. H Do you appreciate the work we do as the only independent media outlet dedicated to serving OU students, faculty, staff and alumni on campus and around the world for more than 100 years? Then consider helping fund our endeavors. Around the world, communities are grappling with what journalism is worth and how to fund the civic good that robust news organizations can generate. We believe The OU Daily and Crimson Quarterly magazine provide real value to this community both now by covering OU, and tomorrow by helping launch the careers of media professionals. If youre able, please SUPPORT US TODAY FOR AS LITTLE AS $1. You can make a one-time donation or a recurring pledge. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently announced a proposed investment of $105.8 million ($50.9 million in state funds and $54.9 million in federal dollars) to modernize current facilities used by the Michigan Army National Guard (MIARNG) to address inequities that exist in the facilities provided to Michigan's female service members. The following armories in our region were awarded the following funds: Midland Armory $3.5 million ($1.75 million federal and $1.75 million state) Bay City Armory $2 million (evenly split between state and federal funds) Saginaw Armory: Total $1.5 million (also evenly split between state and federal funds) Whitmer also proclaimed June 12, 2021, Women Veterans Recognition Day, honoring Michigan's 44,700 women veterans and the many more brave women who served before them. "Michigan women have put their lives on the line to serve our country for generations and it's time they get the respect and recognition they earned," Whitmer stated. "While I am proud to declare June 12 Women Veterans Recognition Day, we need to make sure our women veterans have the year-round support to employment and educational opportunities, healthcare, mental health services and housing when they return home. With this proposed investment, we are also demonstrating to our female service members that we are serious about ensuring equity within our state." MIARNG has 37 facilities that will be improved with this investment. At the time many of these buildings were constructed, the structure and composition of the MIARNG force was primarily male and facilities like restrooms and showers were designed with that in mind. Today's force is much more diverse and has nearly 1,500 women serving. However, very few of the facilities they use for drill and other activities have been updated to reflect their needs. "It is a matter of fairness and equity that the state should embark on a mission to update these facilities to ensure parity with the facilities provided to male soldiers," stated Whitmer. "Women are a growing segment of the population stepping up to serve our state and nation and the facilities available to them should match this commitment." This investment will not only provide for necessary improvements to these facilities, but it will also infuse critical dollars into communities across the state and provide local construction jobs. "Michigan's armories and readiness centers must be modernized and improved in order to address inequities that exist in the facilities provided to our female soldiers," stated U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. "This investment would clearly demonstrate Michigan's commitment to them." Women veterans represent the fastest-growing veterans population nationwide with more than 2 million women veterans or nearly 10% of the total veteran population. In Michigan, while women veterans made up just 7% of the veteran population in 2015, that ratio will more than double by 2045 when women veterans will account for 16% of the state's veteran population. "As a veteran, I have experienced many of the struggles our female members have faced," stated Zaneta Adams, director of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) and a U.S. Army veteran. "This proposed funding is a huge step in the right direction in identifying and correcting instances of gender inequality. While there is a Veterans Day for all veterans to celebrate, Women Veterans Recognition Day is to honor this often-forgotten group of veterans while raising awareness that women serve our country in many of the same capacities as their male counterparts." The proclamation, issued in coordination with a state Senate resolution sponsored by Sen. Winnie Brinks (DGrand Rapids), is the latest critical step in recognizing and supporting women veterans who have been historically overlooked and underserved. In 2020, the MVAA launched "She is a Veteran," a three-year campaign to recognize women veterans for their service, share their unique stories and ultimately connect them to the benefits and services they earned. "This campaign has been important in telling the stories of women veterans," said Erika Hoover, women veterans and special populations coordinator at MVAA. "Every story we share about our women veterans touches our community in so many ways. After hearing the stories, women are now identifying as veterans, reaching out for mental health services and seeking community and volunteer options. We have just scratched the surface and I am so proud to be doing this work." According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), women veterans are facing numerous challenges. Among them: 1 in 4 women veterans responded "yes" when screened for military sexual trauma. More than 40% of women veterans in the VA system have been diagnosed with a mental health condition. A higher percentage of women veterans have a service-connected disability and live in poverty than male veterans. Women veterans are two to four times more likely to become homeless than non-veteran women. The suicide rate of women veterans is 1.8 times higher than that of non-veteran women. Despite these challenges, women veterans have become four-star generals, commanded ships and run major components of the VA. As women become a bigger part of the veteran population, advocates say there must be continued efforts to remember, recognize and support their service. JERUSALEM (AP) Israel launched airstrikes on the Gaza Strip late Thursday for a second time since a shaky cease-fire ended last month's 11-day war. The strikes came after activists mobilized by Gaza's militant Hamas rulers launched incendiary balloons into Israel for a third straight day. There were no immediate reports of casualties from the strikes, which could be heard from Gaza City. Israel also carried out airstrikes early Wednesday, targeting what it is said were Hamas facilities, without killing or wounding anyone. The military said fighter jets struck Hamas military compounds and a rocket launch site late Thursday in response to the balloons. It said its forces were preparing for a variety of scenarios including a resumption of hostilities." Rocket sirens went off in Israeli communities near Gaza shortly after the airstrikes. The military later said they were triggered by incoming fire, not rockets." Surveillance camera footage obtained by The Associated Press showed what appeared to be heavy machine-gun fire into the air from Gaza, a possible attempt by Palestinian militants to shoot down aircraft. Other footage showed projectiles being fired from Gaza, but it was unclear what kind or where they landed. Tensions have remained high since a cease-fire halted the war on May 21, even as Egyptian mediators have met with Israeli and Hamas officials to try and shore up the informal truce. Israel and Hamas have fought four wars and countless smaller skirmishes since the Islamic militant group seized power from rival Palestinians forces in 2007. Israel and Egypt have imposed a crippling blockade on Gaza, which is home to more than 2 million Palestinians, since Hamas took over. Earlier, Israeli police used stun grenades and a water cannon spraying skunk water to disperse Palestinian protesters from Damascus Gate in east Jerusalem, the epicenter of weeks of protests and clashes in the run-up to the Gaza war. After the crowds were dispersed, Palestinians could be seen throwing rocks and water bottles at ultra-Orthodox Jews walking in the area. Calls had circulated for protesters to gather at Damascus Gate in response to a rally held there by Jewish ultranationalists on Tuesday in which dozens of Israelis had chanted Death to Arabs and May your village burn." The police had forcibly cleared the square and provided security for that rally, part of a parade to celebrate Israel's conquest of east Jerusalem. In a separate incident, a Palestinian teenager died Thursday after being shot by Israeli troops in the occupied West Bank during a protest against a settlement outpost, the fourth demonstrator to be killed since the outpost was established last month. The Israeli military said Wednesday that a soldier stationed near the wildcat outpost in the West Bank saw a group of Palestinians approaching, and that one hurled a suspicious object at him, which exploded adjacent to the soldier. The army said that the soldier fired in the air, then shot the Palestinian who threw the object. The Palestinian Health Ministry said Thursday that Ahmad Shamsa, 15, died of a gunshot wound sustained a day earlier. Settlers established the outpost, which they refer to as Eviatar, near the northern West Bank town of Nablus last month and say it is now home to dozens of families. Palestinians say it is built on private land and fear it will grow and merge with other large settlements nearby. Nearly 500,000 Jewish settlers live in some 130 settlements across the occupied West Bank. The Palestinians and much of the international community view the settlements as a violation of international law and a major obstacle to peace. Israeli authorities have evacuated the outpost on several occasions. They appear reluctant to do so this time because it would embarrass Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and other right-wing members of the fragile government sworn in over the weekend. Palestinians from the nearby village of Beita have held several protests in which demonstrators have hurled stones and Israeli troops have fired tear gas and live ammunition. Four Palestinians have been killed since mid-May, including Shamsa and another teenager. The Israeli military also shot and killed a Palestinian woman on Wednesday, saying she had tried to ram her car into a group of soldiers guarding a West Bank construction site. In a statement, the army said soldiers fired at the woman in Hizmeh, just north of Jerusalem, after she exited the car and pulled out a knife. The statement did not say how close the woman was to the soldiers, and the army did not release any photos or video of the incident. The family of Mai Afaneh insisted she had no reason or ability to carry out an attack. In recent years, Israel has seen a series of shootings, stabbings and car ramming attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilians in the occupied West Bank. Most have been carried out by Palestinians with no apparent links to organized militant groups. Palestinians and Israeli human rights groups say the soldiers often use excessive force and could have stopped some assailants without killing them. In some cases, they say that innocent people have been identified as attackers and shot. The Palestinians seek the West Bank, where the Palestinian Authority exerts limited self-rule in population centers, as part of a future state along with the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem. Israel captured all three territories in the 1967 war and says Jerusalem is indivisible. There have been no substantive peace talks in more than a decade. ___ Associated Press reporters Adel Hana and Khalil Hamra in Gaza City, Gaza Strip, and Isaac Scharf in Jerusalem contributed. LONDON (AP) Scotch single malt whisky makers breathed a sigh of relief Thursday after the United States agreed to suspend tariffs on one of Scotland's main exports in the wake of the resolution of a long-standing transatlantic trade row over subsidies to aircraft companies Boeing and Airbus. President Donald Trump imposed the 25% tariffs on select products of the European Union, including Scotch single malt whiskies, in October 2019 as part of the trade dispute. While the U.K. is no longer an EU member, it belonged to the bloc when the tariffs were introduced. Earlier this week, the U.S. and the EU reached an agreement to end the aerospace dispute, paving the way for a 5-year suspension of tariffs. Parallel talks were held between the U.S. and the U.K. over the tariffs. The tariffs on Scotch single malts were the most high-profile to affect Britain. The Scotch Whisky Association estimated that they contributed to a 30% fall in total whisky exports to the U.S., equivalent to around 600 million pounds ($850 million) in the 18 months to March 2021. This deal removes the threat of tariffs being re-imposed on Scotch whisky next month and enables distillers to focus on recovering exports to our largest and most valuable export market," Karen Betts, the associations chief executive, said. A thaw in U.S.-EU relations had been widely expected following the election of President Joe Biden. Tariffs linked to the Airbus-Boeing dispute were temporarily halted in a bid to negotiate a solution. Following the U.S.-EU aerospace agreement, British International Trade Secretary Liz Truss and the U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai agreed to halt retaliatory tariffs for five years. Todays deal draws a line under an incredibly damaging issue and means we can focus on taking our trading relationship with the U.S. to the next level, including working more closely to challenge unfair practices by nations like China and using the power of free trade to build back better from the pandemic," Truss said. Tai said the agreement, in which both sides also agreed to form a working group on the civil aviation industry, can be built upon to "ensure fair competition and address common challenges from China and other non-market economies. Following the U.K.'s departure from the EU's economic orbit at the start of this year, it is free to negotiate trade deals independently. Earlier this week, the British government negotiated the broad outlines of a trade deal with Australia that will see tariffs on a range of goods eliminated over coming years. Ivan Menezes, the chief executive of drinks giant Diageo, said the elimination of tariffs on Scotch whisky and other recent developments illustrate the benefits that can accrue from Brexit. With the end of this dispute, a new free trade agreement with Australia that removes remaining tariffs on U.K. spirits and the opening of trade talks with India, the largest whisky market in the world, the U.K.s newly independent trade policy is now bringing major benefits for Scotch and Scotland, said Menezes, whose company's stable of single malt whiskies includes Talisker and Lagavulin. The Scottish National Party, which runs the devolved administration in Scotland, urged more support from the British government to help businesses that suffered. Whilst this announcement is very welcome after months of cross-party campaigning, the losses to Scotch whisky exports have been eye-watering, and it will take time for the industry to get back on its feet," lawmaker David Linden said. Under Thursday's agreement, the U.K. will suspend for five years the 25% tariffs on U.S. rum, brandy and vodka. American whiskeys though will continue to face a 25% tariff in the U.K. that were imposed in connection with a separate steel and aluminum dispute between the EU and the U.S. The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States welcomed Thursday's deal and hoped that a resolution can soon be found to lift the tariffs on American whiskeys, which it said have contributed to a 53% decline in exports to the U.K. We hope this positive momentum will also lead to the prompt and permanent removal of the EU and UKs tariffs on American Whiskeys, the group's CEO Chris Swonger said. ___ Follow all AP stories about Brexit and British politics at https://apnews.com/Brexit The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter Andrew Mullin. Monday, June 14 10:05 p.m. A deputy was dispatched to Hope Township where an unknown suspect drove a black Jeep Cherokee through a farm field causing crop damage. The 55-year-old male farmer did not seek prosecution. The total damage is estimated at $200. 9:18 p.m. A 55-year-old Jerome Township male was arrested for domestic violence after he assaulted his 87-year-old mother. The woman advised she was not injured. A report has been forwarded to the Midland Prosecuting Attorneys Office for review. 9:10 p.m. Deputies were sent to a Coleman business for a report of a verbal argument between the store employees and a female patron. Contact was made with all parties involved and there was no assault. The store employees stated the female patron can still come to the business if she is respectful. The female agreed and all parties went their separate ways. 8:44 p.m. A deputy was dispatched to a Homer Township residence regarding an incident involving a 52-year-old Homer Township male and his 16-year-old daughter. The deputy reminded the child of her position and responsibilities in the household. The deputy also advised all parties on the child discipline laws. 5:52 p.m. Officers responded to a domestic verbal situation on East Haley Street. 4:44 p.m. A deputy was dispatched to a Lee Township residence for a civil dispute between a 41-year-old woman and her 59-year-old mother. The 41-year-old had purchased the residence from her mother but advised she agreed to allow her parents to stay on the property in their fifth wheel until other arrangements were made on a different residence. Today, the mother was removing fence gates from the property which the 41-year-old said were part of her buying the house. The mother agreed to bring back the one gate she removed. The 59-year-old was spoken to about removing unattached property that belongs to her and the 41-year-old was advised on the eviction process if she wanted her mother off the property. The mother was also spoken to about civil remedies through the courts if she felt there was other property in dispute. 4:01 p.m. Officers responded to a two-vehicle crash in the area of East Lyon Road and Washington Street. 3:43 p.m. Officers responded to a case of larceny on North Saginaw Road. 3:28 p.m. A deputy dispatched to a Geneva Township residence regarding a possible threats complaint. A 35-year-old female reported hearing an argument next door between a 21-year-old male, a 45-year-old female and a 56-year-old male. The deputy contacted the 45-year-old female and 21-year-old male. It was reported the 58-year-old male drove by the residence and told the 21-year-old male he had a lot of money invested in a child custody issue. The 45-year-old female advised they never called 911 and didn't need law enforcement assistance. The female might choose to seek a personal protection order at later date against the 58-year-old male. 2:48 p.m. A 12-year-old Homer Township male reported hearing someone trying to open his front door. The male called his stepmom who called 911. The deputy arrived and spoke with the male who said once he started making noise inside the door handle stopped moving and the unknown subject left. The male was left with his 36-year-old stepmother. The outbuildings on the property were all secure with no signs of forced entry. 10:12 a.m. A deputy responded to a residence after a 27-year-old woman reported her 24-year-old cousin had been observed driving past her residence. According to the woman, the two have not been getting along after she had been accused of breaking into his apartment within the city of Midland. The female complainant indicated the incident was reported to the Midland Police Department. The woman was asked to contact 911 if/when her cousin was seen again driving past her home. Additionally, the woman was given advice on obtaining a personal protection order. Unsuccessful attempts were made to contact the man and there were no additional issues. 8:10 a.m. Officers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Swede Avenue. 5:32 a.m. Officers responded to a two-vehicle crash in the area of Dublin Avenue and North Saginaw Road. 3:52 a.m. Deputies were dispatched to Homer Township regarding an unknown male subject who was walking into traffic creating a hazard. Deputies checked the area, but the subject was not located. No further complaints were received. 2:59 a.m. A deputy responded to the MidMichigan ER regarding a male with a gunshot wound to the hand. The 40-year-old Jerome Township male said he was at home cleaning his 9mm semi-auto pistol when he accidentally shot himself in the left hand. The male was treated at the ER for his injuries and released. 1:37 a.m. Officers responded to a domestic assault on North Saginaw Road. Palestine, TX (75801) Today Partly cloudy this morning with thunderstorms becoming likely this afternoon. High 87F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Variable clouds with showers and scattered thunderstorms. Storms more numerous this evening. Low 72F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Harare, Zimbabwe (PANA) The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a severe toll on the economic and humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe, despite timely actions taken by the countrys authorities to support the most vulnerable groups and businesses, according to staff of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) NEW YORK (AP) Rita Moreno emigrated with her mother from Puerto Rico at age five. By six, she was dancing at Greenwich Village nightclubs. By 16, she was working full time. By 20, she was in "Singin' in the Rain." In the documentary "Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It," Norman Lear says: "I can't think of anyone I've ever met in the business who lived the American dream more than Rita Moreno." In the decades that followed, Moreno won a Tony, a Grammy, an Emmy and and Oscar, for "West Side Story." (Her entire acceptance speech: "I can't believe it." ) With seemingly infinite spiritedness, she has epitomized the best of show business while also being a victim to its cruelties. That has made Moreno, who co-stars in Steven Spielberg's upcoming "West Side Story remake, a heroic figure to Latinos, and to others. "I have never given up," she said in a recent interview by Zoom from her home in Berkeley, California. The reason for the conversation was Mariem Perez Riera's intimate and invigorating documentary, which opens in theaters Friday after playing virtually at the Sundance Film Festival and in an outdoor premiere at the Tribeca Festival. The film opens with Moreno preparing a Cuban themed party for her 87th birthday. "And I demand costumes," the screen legend says with a smile. But as upbeat as Moreno remains, "Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It" also deals frankly with the many turbulences of Moreno's life: being positioned as the "Spanish Elizabeth Taylor" and the stereotyped casting that followed; a long and painful relationship with Marlon Brando; the abuse of her agent; a confining marriage. Moreno was likewise forthright in an interview with The Associated Press while occasionally reaching for a tissue for springtime allergies. "All that cocaine," the 89-year-old joked. Remarks have been lightly edited for clarity and brevity. AP: What struck me most watching the film is that despite going through what would defeat or embitter most, you seem to have emerged with such joy and appreciation for life. MORENO: I have a very strong constitution. Maybe you inherit it. Maybe it's due to learning how to cope with my tumultuous life through psychotherapy. I really credit that for helping me through some really, really bad times. My mom was like that, too. And you know what? I have a feeling that a lot of people who are outliers have strong constitutions because it's either sink or swim, right? And I think you learn early on in life that swimming is preferable to sinking. AP: How early did you learn that? MORENO: The first test, I think, was learning English in kindergarten when I didn't know a word, not a word. That's the first thing that happened to me literally when I came to this country. Children are impressively resilient. And then, in a way, they're also extremely tender and fragile. I think the reason I ending up having such a hard time in life is that I ran into a racial bias very early on. When you're young I mean 5, 6, 7 and people call you bad names like "spic" or "garlic mouth" or "gold tooth," like in "West Side Story," you're tender, you're a child. You believe these things. You believe that you're not worthy. You don't know why, but you know that there's something wrong with you. AP: Do you remember the first time you performed? MORENO: Oh, yeah. It was for my grandpa in Puerto Rico to a rhumba record. Shaking my little booty. And he loved it. He was clapping in time to the music. And I was thinking: Wow, this is fun. And he's loving this. I like this a lot. I mean, I was born to be a performer. I think some people are just wired that way. I was just born to perform and please people and that got out of hand, too. AP: You said you wanted to be completely honest in the film but were there some things that were difficult to be candid about? You speak about being raped by your agent. MORENO: Oh, yeah. That was difficult. And talking about my husband (cardiologist Lenny Gordon, who died in 2010) was difficult in a different way. In so many ways he was a remarkable man. He was loving. I've never seen a more devoted grandfather and father and husband. But what happened with us is that he was a controlling person. I have a theory that when some people have relationships, they make a contract with each other that is never spoken or verbalized. In our case, it was I'll be the little girl and I'll be charming and I will please you. But you have to be my daddy and take care of me and protect me. That was our agreement. It was never spoken. But that's what it was. I didn't realize it until one day I wanted to start growing up and the marriage was not working. It's so much not a part of who I am. Plus, I was brought up that way. You have to please the man. But I suffered a lot. I remember times when I'd say I was going to go to the grocery store and I'd go somewhere to park the car and cry. AP: Your life seems to be this long process of unlearning the wrong things you were told about yourself. MORENO: What a wonderful way to put it. You're absolutely on the money. I had to learn that I was a person of value like all other people. But it's very difficult when you learn something from childhood. It's not as though I came to this country when I was 20 and learned something different. I was a little girl and you're very impressionable. You believe that you don't have value. You don't know why you don't have it, but you believe it. And, man, that is so hard to get rid of. You know, there's still a little girl with me, but the difference is that I can now send her to her room. There's still a nasty little girl in me who says, "I told you that couldn't happen." And I'm now able to say: "Go to your room!" AP: Your central therapy session followed years with Marlon Brando. In your memoir, you spoke about him as your greatest lover but your time with him was torturous. MORENO: Here's what's hilarious to me. It was he who said to me: "You need help. You need therapy." So the lunatic is telling the crazy woman that she needs help! (Laughs). But he was right! He was right. I remember the day he said that to me, I thought: "Yeah, but he's crazy as a loon!" AP: It's not everyone that dates Elvis just to make Brando jealous, as you did. Are you sometimes amazed by the life you've led? MORENO: Yes. But I have to say that after I saw the documentary for the very first time my daughter and I saw it together I left the screening room saying, "Wow, that's quite a life I've led!" (Laughs) But you don't think that way about yourself. Very likely, if you had something like this done about you, you would also say the same thing about yourself. AP: In watching what has and hasn't changed in that time, what stands out to you? You were there when Martin Luther King Jr. gave his "I Have a Dream" speech. MORENO: I feel extremely fortunate that I'm still around to see the sea changes that are taking place. I'll be 90 in December and I don't think I'm going to see the women's movement really progress more because I won't be around. But I've seen it change. I've seen a change in such meaningful ways and I'm grateful for that. What still concerns me mightily and profoundly is that Hispanics haven't gotten their hold on our profession, I don't know what the hell is wrong. I don't know what is not working right. The Black community has done incredibly and I have nothing but the deepest admiration for the Black professional community. They've done it and I think we can take some lessons from them. But where is our "Moonlight"? Why are we not advancing? AP: Do you have any answers? MORENO: We tend in this country to silo ourselves. We are Puerto Rican and then we are also Mexican. We are also Argentinian. We are Spanish Spain. And somehow those twains haven't really met and coalesced the way we need to. That may be the answer. But it's very complicated. People forget that we're not just Hispanic. We are from other countries. Maybe the answer, or the beginning of the answer, lies in a summit, some kind of summit. I'm not going to see that. My age forbids it. But I sure as hell hope something happens. I can't believe we're still struggling the way we are. And when we do something that's Latino, it doesn't do as well. "One Day at a Time" (a Netflix sitcom begun in 2017) was hilarious. It was marvelous. It was no accident because it had Norman Lear who chose the writers. And we lasted three and a half seasons. You wonder: Why didn't that happen? AP: Many would attribute it to the entrenched biases in Hollywood. MORENO: It's one of the very few things about my career that really makes me sad. A lot of the reviews for this documentary were fabulous. A number of the critics said something to the effect of: It's sad to think that this woman might have had a real career in films had she not had this career when she had it. And I think that's true. I think it's very, very true. I want to say I've been robbed. But you know, what good does that do? AP: After "West Side Story," you've said you were offered only similar, stereotypical roles for years. MORENO: Those were brutal. Brutal! When I got the Oscar and the Golden Globe, I thought: "OK, finally." And that's not what happened at all. In fact, it was the opposite. I was offered more Anita-type roles when I was offered something, which was not that frequent. I made a decision not to accept any more of those kinds of roles. It was a lot of coffee pourers, housewives and stuff. I said I'm not going to do them anymore. Ha-ha, I showed them. I didn't make a movie for seven years. I mean, how stubborn can you get? AP: You recently revisited "West Side Story" with Spielberg. How was that? MORENO: It was just grand. I've been a fan of Steven's work for years. When he called, he offered me a part in "West Side Story." I nearly peed my pants because this is Steven Spielberg, one of my idols. I said to him that I would love to do a cameo, but I said, "You don't really want me to do that, do you?" And he said, "Oh, no, no. It's a part. It's a real part. Tony Kushner wrote it for you." First of all, Tony Kushner's writing the script? What! I was thrilled. I was excited the way a child would be excited. Tony kept adding to the part. It's a wonderful part. It was one of the best experiences of my life. AP: I don't imagine you do, but do you have any regrets? MORENO: If I can't have all the movies I always wanted to be in which are all the Meryl Streep movies, I wanted to be her but if I can't do that, I've done pretty well, considering. And I think I've left an important legacy in a very, very meaningful sense and that is: That I have never gave up. I have never given up. I just cling and hang on to what is important to me. A great deal of that has to do with self-respect and earning respect. AP: I know it's early, but have you picked out a theme for your 90th birthday in December? MORENO: I think it's going to be Puerto Rico. (Laughs.) It means the food. It means people have to dress a certain way. I'm probably going to say Puerto Rico in the '30s. I'll make them wear Panama hats. *** Follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 NORMAL Wilbert Ferguson was known around Illinois Wesleyan University's campus as the "Grand Old Man," largely because of his quiet, unassuming manner and 50-year tenure that started in 1894. The former professor, dean, vice president and member of a committee that formed when the university was without a president was also notorious for reading in and giving advice to students from the library of his Normal home. According to an account of his life published by The Pantagraph in May 1944, Ferguson was also known to have preserved classroom records on a special bookcase in the library at his home, located on the town's south side. The library, along with the other rooms and unique features of Ferguson's residence, was showcased as part of this year's Old House Society Tour of Homes. The second leg of the tour, which will be held virtually at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, will feature three other historic homes. The tour's first leg was held last Thursday. Thirty-minute, prerecorded tours of the homes led by their respective owners will be aired over Zoom. Each session will be followed by a question and answer session with the owners. Tickets are $20 per household and can be purchased at oldhousesociety.org. OHS Vice President Deanna Stockweather said this year's tour is virtual because coronavirus mitigations in place at the time of planning prevented large groups from gathering in indoor spaces. Nonetheless, the adapted tour means patrons will get the "intimate, personal view" of the homes straight from their current owners, Stockweather said. "Since the walking tour is manned by volunteers, you're not hearing all the history and stories that you get when owners give the personal tour." Stockweather said. "This year you'll just feel like you went into house with a friend." The first leg of the tour last week featured Ferguson's former residence a 1913 Craftsman-style home located in the Highland Historic District and a 19th century Queen Anne Victorian home in Bloomington's Founders' Grove neighborhood. Thursday's second leg showcases a 1955 Mid-Century Modern home in Normal that was designed by local architect Gene Asbury, and a Founders' Grove Tudor-style home that was designed by local architect Charles E. Hall. Ferguson's former home was conceived by renowned American architect Aaron T. Simmons, who also designed 71 Carnegie libraries, and a range of courthouses, schools and churches across the Midwest. Simmons also created Cedar Crest, the Town of Normal's first comprehensively planned subdivision, and designed a majority of its 60 homes. "Bloomington-Normal has seen quite a few famous architects, and we should celebrate that," Stockweather said. "We should also celebrate these houses and tell their stories, because they represent where we've been and our local history." Proceeds from the home tour are used to fund awards, grants and provide resources to make easier owning and preserving older homes and buildings across McLean County. The money also helps the Architectural Salvage Warehouse, 214 E. Douglas St., Bloomington. Contact Timothy Eggert at (309) 820-3276. Follow him on Twitter: @TimothyMEggert Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 PIPER CITY A 19-year-old woman is dead after a one-vehicle crash Wednesday morning in Ford County. The crash occurred at approximately 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at Illinois Route 115 at Ford County 1175 North, according to a news release from Illinois State Police. A preliminary investigation indicates a 2005 silver Toyota driven by Randy O. Lopez, 24, of Piper City was traveling north on Illinois Route 115 when, for unknown reasons, he veered across the southbound lanes. The vehicle struck the guardrail before coming to rest in the ditch. Lopez and a passenger, Gabriela K. Shurr, 20, of Piper City, were transported to a local hospital with injuries. The other passenger, Anayeli I. Medina, 19, of Piper City, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to ISP. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Illinois Route 115 at Ford County 1175 North was shut down for approximately four hours Wednesday. Lopez was issued citations for driving with a suspended drivers license, failure to wear a seatbelt and improper lane usage, the news release stated. The crash remains under investigation. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. BLOOMINGTON McLean County Sheriff Jon Sandage, along with the Illinois Sheriffs Association, is asking the Illinois Department of Corrections to resume normal operations of receiving sentenced inmates. The IDOC stopped accepting admissions when Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued an executive order March 26, 2020, in an attempt to combat the spread of the coronavirus. In a letter issued to IDOC Director Rob Jeffreys on Thursday, ISA President and Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle cited Pritzkers July 27, 2020, executive order that said IDOC would resume accepting the transfer of individuals from Illinois county jails. But VanVickle said IDOC has had a continued unwillingness to accept sentenced inmates from county jails. In an emailed response to The Pantagraph four days after the letter was sent, an IDOC spokesperson said state prisons have been accepting transfers from county jails since Aug. 3, 2020. IDOC also said it has processed 7,975 new admissions and 1,206 turnarounds to date. "The Illinois Department of Corrections is committed to safely admitting as many men and women from the counties as possible. Intakes are scheduled based on space availability, quarantine requirements and COVID-19 test results," IDOC spokesperson Lindsey Hess said. The letter further cited the states uplifting of COVID-19 restrictions on June 11, as well as the significant decrease in COVID-19 cases across the state and its jails and prisons. Sandage said there are 65 people at the McLean County Detention Facility awaiting transfer to IDOC. He said the county jail has sent some people sentenced to IDOC since March 2020, but its limited and its been sporadic. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} It used to be, before COVID, we would make two trips a week to DOC with our prisoners. Now, were lucky to take one a month and they tell us how many we should bring, Sandage told The Pantagraph. Sandage wrote in a statement that the McLean County Sheriffs Office has been responsible for 9,000 bed days for people who would otherwise be at IDOC, costing local taxpayers over $500,000 for food, housing and staff. Thats going by what we think a somewhat average rate would be, what we would charge if we housed anybody elses prisoners, he said. Sandage said there are zero active COVID-19 cases within the about 250 people detained in the McLean County jail; however, he noted that the jail does not test for the virus unless a person has symptoms. He added that the facility held its second vaccination clinic last week and over 100 people detained are vaccinated. The ISA letter noted there are seven active COVID-19 cases in IDOC facilities, according to IDOC. IDOCs total population has been reduced by about 10,000 people in the last year, and it currently stands at about 26,000 inmates across the state, the letter said. Sheriffs should not and cannot continue to provide for the statutory responsibilities that are mandated to DOC, nor should they be expected to, as the risks of COVID-19 have reduced, VanVickle wrote. VanVickle concluded: We cannot continue to demand the hours of correctional staff to meet this unfair and irresponsible action of the Department, while space is clearly available to place these individuals. Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. SPRINGFIELD The Illinois house on Wednesday passed a Firearm Owner Identification card law change that would strengthen law enforcements ability to retrieve guns from those with suspended or revoked FOID cards and allow for voluntary fingerprinting to expedite renewals. Renewals FOID card applicants would not be required to submit fingerprints, but if they do, or they share with the Illinois State Police the fingerprints they filed to receive their Concealed Carry License, they would be eligible for the automatic renewal process, which is to be established by ISP by 2023. That process would allow applicants who submit fingerprints to be automatically renewed without a renewal fee, provided they purchased a gun sometime within the 10-year period between renewals and passed the ISP background check in the process. Otherwise, the application fee for renewal would remain at $10 every 10 years, but the bill would direct $5 of each renewal to State Police Firearm Services Fund and $5 to the State Police Revocation Enforcement Fund. Under current law, only $3 went to the Firearm Services Fund, with $6 going to the state Wildlife and Fish Fund and $1 going to the State Police Services Fund. The law already passed the Senate on May 31 by a 40-17 vote and it passed the House Wednesday by a vote of 75-40. Its Senate sponsor was Dave Koehler, D-Peoria, and its House sponsor was Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea. While a lawmaker put a procedural hold on the bill, Hoffman said Wednesday night he expects it to soon head to Gov. J.B. Pritzker for a signature. FOID card renewal delays have been an ongoing problem in Illinois, with gun rights groups filing lawsuits regarding the delays and lawmakers frequently citing the issue as the main reason they are contacted by constituents. The State Police supported the FOID bill, House Bill 562, and has long advocated for the redirection of funds from the renewal fees to fund a more targeted approach to renewals and enforcing revocations. Revocation enforcement The bill also strengthens enforcement mechanisms for removing guns from the hands of those who have had FOID cards revoked. That includes creating a prohibited persons portal to track people who have had their cards revoked or suspended. Law enforcement agencies would have access to that portal, and the bill requires ISP to have it online within 90 days of the bills effective date, which is January 2022. The bill also requires ISP to establish the Violent Crime Intelligence Task Force to aid in enforcement of FOID card revocation or suspension enforcement. The task force would conduct enforcement operations for those with suspended or revoked licenses, with a priority on individuals presenting a clear and present danger to themselves or to others, according to the bill. The task force would be a law enforcement entity, not a legislative task force, and the ISP director would have the authority to execute intergovernmental agreements with other law enforcement agencies to create it. Any agency that is part of the task force could apply for grants through the State Police Revocation Enforcement Fund, which receives half of the FOID fee money. Another portion of the bill would require ISP, by July 2022, to create a publicly searchable database that contains the serial numbers of weapons that have been reported stolen. Anyone purchasing a gun from a private sale could search the database to ensure it was not stolen. The measure also requires the State Police to monitor state and federal databases for residents charged with firearm-related crimes and to correlate the measure with FOID and Concealed Carry Licenses to identify individuals that should not be allowed to own a gun. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Floor debate The bill was backed by Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly. Its passage came more than two years after a shooting at an Aurora warehouse left five people dead and others injured. In starting a push for new FOID laws in 2020, Kelly said that shooter should not have had a gun because there was a 1995 felony aggravated battery conviction on his record. During floor debate, Rep. Keith Wheeler, R-Oswego, said he had issues with some of the language in the bill, but he would vote for it because of its increased enforcement mechanisms. Wheeler said he had family connections to two people killed in the Aurora Shooting at the Henry Pratt Company warehouse. And just so it's clear to everyone, that (shooter) had his FOID card revoked, almost five years before that horrible incident occurred. Five years before the shooting, but law enforcement had no tools to be able to recover that (gun), he said. Wheeler said he voted for the bill at the request of his high school classmate, Tom Wehner, whose son Trevor was killed in the shooting on his very first day as an intern. There are a lot of things in this bill that I don't love, that I don't think are going to work the way they may be intended, Wheeler said. And I commit to all my friends in the (Second Amendment) community that we will work on getting those corrected before this bill takes effect. ... But this bill gives law enforcement the actual chance that necessary tools to prevent another tragedy. Otherwise, the floor debate mirrored much of the public discourse on guns, with Republicans challenging the constitutionality of the FOID card in general and Democrats citing the need for enhanced safety measures. Rep. Deanne Mazzochi, R-Elmhurst, said the bill does not do enough to target those who own guns illegally without a FOID card. It's not going to fix the outstanding problems that people are experiencing when it comes to actually getting their FOID cards, she said. It's also not doing anything to increase the penalties on individuals who are arrested for gun crimes without a FOID cards. It's not doing anything to mandate prosecution of people who are arrested for gun crimes without possessing a FOID card. Other measures The bill also creates a FOID Card Review Board to consider appeals on denied or revoked cards. Also per the bill, anyone engaging in a private sale or transfer of a gun including the buyer and the seller would be required to maintain records of the sale for a period of 20 years, unless it was done through a Federal Firearms Licensee. The bill also authorizes ISP to produce an electronic FOID and Concealed Carry License, allows the agency to provide a single card for FOID and CCL, and would update FOID and CCL renewal dates to be the same for one cardholder. The bill also allows a card applicant to notify ISP that they would like to receive text or email notifications for renewal instead of mail reminders. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 SPRINGFIELD The Illinois House changed its rules Wednesday to allow lawmakers to cast votes on legislation remotely, giving them enough votes to pass a change to the budget bill and other measures. Shortly after this rule change, House Democrats approved the amendment to the budget that resulted from a drafting error in the bill the House passed shortly before midnight on May 31. The budget amendment that was requested by Gov. JB Pritzker passed the House Wednesday, 71-44, with the three additional remote votes giving Democrats the minimum number required to pass the bill. The budget now will head back to the governor for his signature. Pritzker issued an amendatory veto of next years $42.3 billion budget on Tuesday to ensure that state funding takes effect when the 2022 fiscal year begins on July 1. Pritzkers amendatory veto to the budget made July 1 the date that portions of next years operating budget would take effect, since some of those sections of the budget were not assigned an effective date. The amendment to the budget bill was approved on Tuesday by the Senate, 36-21, which is also exactly the number of votes it needed to pass. Votes taken in either chamber after May 31 must receive a three-fifths majority, under the state constitution, or at least 36 votes in the Senate and 71 votes in the House, in order for an earlier effective date to be implemented. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Republicans called out their Democratic counterparts for overlooking key errors in the more than 3,000-page operating budget bill that was introduced late in the night on May 31 before it was approved less than an hour later. Rep. Deanne Mazzochi, an Elmhurst Republican, said the budget should have been available earlier and posted online in order to give the public an opportunity to provide feedback. This is a budget that was passed after midnight because the majority party hoped the world wasn't watching, Mazzochi said. You ran through a $42 billion budget to give pay raises to legislators, new spending, hundreds of millions of new taxes on Illinois businesses, and the public doesn't even get a chance to give real world, meaningful feedback before you push that yes button. Some Republican House members also spoke in opposition to the resolution allowing remote voting, which will only be permitted until the first day of the fall veto session in November 2021. Rep. Tim Butler, a Springfield Republican, said the lawmakers could vote remotely for any reason because the resolution did not establish any criteria for allowing remote participation. This isn't a slippery slope. We're sliding down by allowing remote legislating. I understand, maybe, for some extenuating circumstances, but without any guidelines as to why people participate remotely, I think this is an extraordinarily bad idea, Butler said on the House floor Wednesday. The Illinois Senate had already approved remote voting in both committees and on the Senate and used the practice frequently throughout the session. But the House only approved remote voting in committees. House Majority Leader Greg Harris, a Chicago Democrat who sponsored the resolution, said he would hope this would be used responsibly by members for emergency situations, or if there were unavoidable conflicts that detain them. The remote voting resolution passed 66-45. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CHICAGO A former suburban Chicago official pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to plotting to pay bribes to get lucrative red-light cameras installed in Oak Lawn. John OSullivan, a onetime Worth Township supervisor and state lawmaker, admitted to conspiring with longtime political operative Patrick Doherty and an executive representing red-light camera company SafeSpeed to pay $4,000 in bribes to receive the official support of an Oak Lawn trustee to put the ticketing cameras at additional intersections. OSullivan, an ally of former House Speaker Michael Madigan, joined a long line of former elected officials and political operatives who are cooperating with the wide-ranging federal corruption investigation involving everything from red-light cameras to suburban liquor licenses. Preliminary sentencing guidelines call for up to two years in prison, according to OSullivans 17-page plea agreement. As part of his deal, OSullivan must provide truthful testimony when called upon. If he does so, prosecutors will recommend a reduced sentence. U.S. District Court Judge Harry Leinenweber did not set a sentencing date on Thursday. OSullivan worked as a paid sales consultant for SafeSpeed, moonlighting in the job to help the company expand in the west and southwest suburbs. The SafeSpeed executive, Omar Maani, was cooperating with federal investigators and recorded calls and meetings between the three men for the FBI. Maani was charged last year with bribery conspiracy as part of a deferred prosecution agreement with prosecutors, who have said they will dismiss the case if he continues to cooperate. Doherty also has been charged as part of the same scheme and is awaiting trial. OSullivans background includes many stops in Cook County politics. Worth Township is one of Madigans political strongholds. OSullivan was a staffer of then-Cook County Commissioner Ed Moody, long a top member of Madigans vaunted political army who also was briefly Cook County recorder of deeds. Moodys name arose as a ComEd contract employee making $4,500 a month during last years Republican-backed House investigation into Madigans role in the separate federal bribery case against ComEd. The company agreed last summer to pay a $200 million fine in a federal case in which prosecutors said the firm hired Madigan associates in hopes of persuading him to back the utilitys Springfield agenda. Neither Moody nor Madigan has been charged in the ComEd investigation. OSullivan served a brief stint as an appointed state House member and voted as a lame duck in January 2011 for a 67% increase in the income tax rate driven by Madigan. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle later put OSullivan on the county payroll as an $85,000-a-year regional superintendent at the Cook County Forest Preserve District. But OSullivan only worked for the forest preserve for a short time before resigning over what officials said were resume discrepancies. It wasnt the first time OSullivan had departed a county job. He was fired from a position at Stroger Hospital for allegedly falsifying time cards, according to an inspector generals report, but later was rehired with back pay after challenging the decision. According to federal prosecutors, Doherty, OSullivan and Maani were seeking in 2017 to renew SafeSpeeds camera contract in Oak Lawn and increase the number of intersections the deal covered. They also hoped the trustee would support a measure to have the suburb use more-lenient standards in approving proposed traffic violations submitted by SafeSpeed, prosecutors have alleged. In a recorded phone call May 23, 2017, Doherty told Maani that the Oak Lawn trustee was looking for a job for his kid, to which Maani asked whether he would want to be a violations reviewer for SafeSpeed, according to Maanis deferred prosecution agreement, which offered the most detailed version of the alleged scheme. I dont know, Doherty allegedly replied. I think hes looking to make as much money as he can because hes going to college. ... I pay him out of my LLC. Something like that. I dont know. Something for him to do. In another call two days later, Doherty again brought up the idea of paying the trustees son, saying he was willing put in a couple grand of his own money if it guaranteed them getting the other red-light camera locations, according to Maanis agreement. Honestly, let me think about it, Maani replied. Ill come up with something. Ill think of something. Eventually, it was decided that payments were going to be doled out to the relative in $500 installments over a period of eight weeks, according to the indictment filed against Doherty in February 2020. To hide the purpose of the bribes, the money would come from a company where Doherty was a manager, the indictment stated. Ill just pay it, Doherty allegedly said on one call with OSullivan. Just make sure we get the, make sure we get the (expletive) thing, the contract. The FBI recorded Doherty telling the trustees son, Its not like I need ya, but that hed pay the money anyway, according to the Doherty indictment. Doherty then cut the relative a $500 check for the first installment, the indictment alleged. Maanis cooperation also led to charges against former state Sen. Martin Sandoval, a Chicago Democrat who pleaded guilty last year to taking at least $70,000 in government-supplied cash from Maani in return for acting as SafeSpeeds protector in the state Senate. Sandoval was cooperating with prosecutors when he died in December of a COVID-19-related illness. SafeSpeed, meanwhile, has denied any wrongdoing. The company also has said Doherty and Maani were acting without its knowledge. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Mayor Lori Lightfoot maintained Thursday that she can still get significant changes to the elected school board bill passed by state legislators a day earlier, even as Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he will sign the legislation if it reaches his desk. After the bill passed the House by a 70-41 vote Wednesday, a motion to reconsider put it on hold and kept it from going directly to Pritzker. Lightfoot said she expects to have real negotiations for the first time on the issue in a couple of months with lawmakers. Weve got to address some of the obvious deficiencies in the bill, Lightfoot said, adding that those include the size of the board and a lack of campaign finance guardrails to prevent exorbitant political spending. Lightfoot had lobbied vigorously against a transition to an elected school board, which would remove Chicago Public Schools from mayoral control. Despite the mayors remarks Thursday, supporters of the plan said the city was absent as a compromise was being worked on that led to the measure approved by lawmakers. And while the House vote was a clear rebuke to the mayor, House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch tried to tamp down notions of a conflict between Democrats in Springfield and the fifth floor of City Hall. Welch noted that it was Chicago Democratic state Rep. Delia Ramirez who had placed a hold on her own bill, calling it a sincere gesture toward Lightfoot. Welch said the hold would be in place for a couple of weeks. We want to work with the mayor, and the motion to reconsider is going to give her that time to come to the table and work with the folks that support an elected school board, and were going to continue to move forward, Welch said after Wednesdays vote. Under the bill, which earlier won approval from the state Senate, the citys school board would become a hybrid panel in January 2025, with 10 members elected to four-year terms in the 2024 general election and 11 members appointed to two year terms by the mayor, including the board president. Mayoral appointments would require City Council confirmation, another element Lightfoots office had opposed. In the 2026 general election, the boards appointed members would be replaced by 10 members and a board president elected to four-year terms, putting a fully elected board in place in January 2027. The 20 board members would be elected from districts throughout Chicago while the board president would be elected at large. District boundaries would be drawn by the General Assembly, with about 135,000 people living in each district. Before Wednesdays vote, Ramirez contended that a number of issues were brought up by the city in recent days, such as financial entanglements between the city and CPS that include a city subsidy of about $500 million, used largely for pensions. She said it appeared people were playing games to try to scuttle the overall legislation. Still, Ramirez readily acknowledged the need for follow-up legislation, including a way to deal with city-CPS financial agreements, campaign finance limitations on school board campaigns and making clear that school board members would not be paid. But in remarks during floor debate preceding the vote, Ramirez said she was not willing to alter the size of the new board, which Lightfoot and others have called unwieldy. We have a couple of things we want to make sure that we address in the near future, and I really hope that shell come to the table and then we can work together on it, Ramirez said of Lightfoot after the vote. At her news conference Thursday, Lightfoot said a follow-up bill for the school board hasnt been written yet but the devil is in the details. The mayor also disputed that the bills passage is a loss for her, saying she is focused on families and not politics even though she vehemently opposed the elected school board plan. Its not a defeat for me, Lightfoot said. Its absolutely not a defeat for me. Pritzker, meanwhile, reiterated his support for the measure on Thursday, saying he campaigned in support of an elected school board. I thought it was important, though, to make sure that there was a compromise reached. The people got together and talked about how to make that a better bill, Pritzker said. They worked on it in the legislature, produced one, and Ill sign it. Pritzker acknowledged that he doesnt know what further changes might come from ongoing negotiations between the plans supporters and Lightfoot. As for the size of the board, Pritzker said he would have liked to see a smaller board but called the proposed structure not unreasonable. Proponents argue that a larger board with smaller geographic districts for each of the 20 members aside from a board president who will be elected citywide will provide better representation for neighborhoods across Chicago. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation into law Wednesday that made Juneteenth a paid state holiday in Illinois. HB 3922, co-sponsored by Rep. LaShawn Ford, D-Chicago and Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford, D-Maywood, was signed by Pritzker during a ceremony at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield. Juneteenth, celebrated each year on June 19, commemorates the final liberation of slaves in the Confederacy in 1865, following the enactment of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. It now joins New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Lincoln's Birthday, Casimir Pulaski Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus (or Indigenous People's) Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas as paid state holidays. All state flags will be lowered on Saturday and future Juneteenths will include a Juneteenth flag flying alongside both the state and American flags. The bill will be effective beginning Jan. 1, 2022 and notes that state employees will receive a paid holiday whenever June 19 falls on a weekday. With Juneteenth next year taking place on a Sunday, the first paid state Juneteenth holiday will be in 2023. Pritzker said that the move to make Juneteenth a state holiday continued Illinois' commitment to fighting for racial and social justice, building upon the efforts of the General Assembly during the 102nd session. "It brings me exceptional pride to sign into law the declaration of Juneteenth as a formal state holiday in Illinois, making us one of the few states in the nation to give it the full status it deserves," Pritzker said. "Just as Illinois led the nation as the first state to ratify the Thirteenth Amendment, in 2021, we are leading the nation in tackling structural racism head on." Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, said that the declaration of Juneteenth as a state holiday is a recognition of Black history that went well beyond just making it a paid day off from work. "You will hear many people say that it's a symbolic gesture and just another state holiday," Turner said. "I assure you, nothing could be further from the truth. The signing of this legislation is a recognition of the history of Black Americans and an opportunity to reflect on the long struggle for freedom and how far we still must go." Christina Shutt, the new executive director of the ALPLM, said the legislation carried significance for the institution which was displaying a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation until July 6 at the museum due to its direct connection to the 16th president. "(It's) important on it's own, but it carries a special resonance for us because of its direct connection to Lincoln and his vision for an America without slavery," Shutt said. "With the Emancipation Proclamation, he made ending slavery an official goal of the Civil War. He transformed a battle for a nation's survival into a battle for the nation's soul." Lightford, who helped shepherd the bill through the Senate, called the signing a "breakthrough" in the state's history. "It reminds us that freedom and racial equality have always been a hard-fought battle for Black Americans and gives us an opportunity to celebrate our culture and achievements," Lightford said. Illinois Speaker of the House Emanuel "Chris" Welch, D-Westchester, said that he would forever remember the day that Pritzker made Juneteenth a state holiday, stating that June 19 was "America's second independence day". "We can all stand proud that Illinois will officially recognize America's second independence day," Welch said. "I hope it will become a treasure for all Illinoisans. It's a day of remembrance, but also a day of joy and perseverance." Ford, his colleague in the House, said that it helped the state move forward in recognizing not just the pain of the Black experience, but fixing the inequities that impact Black lives in Illinois. "Governor Pritzker made a commitment that he would work with the General Assembly to pass a bill to commemorate Juneteenth as a state holiday and today it happened," Ford said. "Today is the first day for Illinois to officially recognize the pain of the Black enslaved and a day to move forward with work to repair the harms for Black people." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 BELLEVILLE A southern Illinois congresswoman voted against honoring police who protected the United States Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection. U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, R-Oakland, was one of 21 House Republicans who voted against the bill to award Congressional Gold Medals to U.S. Capitol Police and other law enforcement officers, while 406 members of congress voted in favor of it. Miller's office did not return a request for comment Tuesday evening. The bill awards the medal, the highest honor Congress can bestow, to the U.S. Capitol Police, the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, the Smithsonian Institution and the Architect of the Capitol. The Smithsonian and Architect will display their medals on a plaque listing law enforcement agencies that helped protect the Capitol. A violent mob forced its way into the Capitol building in January, sending members of Congress into hiding as the insurrectionists vandalized and looted the building. Capitol police officer Brian Sicknick died of injuries from the riot. Capitol officer Howard Liebengood and D.C. officer Jeffrey Smith also died days after the insurrection. The bill honors them and other officers, including Capitol officer Eugene Goodman, who diverted rioters away from Senate chambers. Shortly after being seated in January, Miller cited Adolf Hitler at a rally in front of the Capitol building ahead of the insurrection. She later apologized. Southern Illinois Republican U.S. Reps. Mike Bost of Murphysboro and Rodney Davis of Taylorville voted for the bill. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 13 PARIS (AP) France's tourism sector is taking a further step toward normality with the reopening of Disneyland Paris, two weeks after the country reopened its borders to vaccinated visitors from across the world. Europes most frequented theme park in Marne-la-Vallee, east of the French capital, opened its doors on Thursday after nearly eight months of closure. A crowd of smiling visitors was welcomed by Disney characters dancing to the sound of joyful music. Amazing, said Debbie Tater. The Delaware resident travelled from the United States to visit her family, including her daughter and two granddaughters, who live in France and whom she hadnt seen for a year and a half. Happiest place on earth, she said, with tears in her eyes. We couldnt miss the reopening," said Elodie Piedfort, from Haute-Loire region in central France. Because Im a nurse its been a very difficult year and being here, together with my son, is great. And the reopening, moving on is great as well. Visitors must wear masks inside the park and other measures are in place, including a cap on visitor numbers to ensure distancing. Pauline Baudouin, a Disney fan from Angouleme in western France, said: "We were missing the magic, because it was already a complicated period and we needed to recharge our batteries in this magical world. Prime Minister Jean Castex said Wednesday that France is returning to a form of normal life again, as he announced that people wont have to wear masks outdoors any more, except in crowded places. The government confirmed children can remove masks in school playgrounds yet they remain compulsory in class for those aged 6 and above. The 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew will be lifted on Sunday. On Thursday, Health Minister Olivier Veran said night clubs will be able to reopen in July under strict regulations a first since the France's initial lockdown in March last year, The French tourist industry hopes to rebound over the summer as the country welcomes foreign visitors again on condition they have received one of the four EU-approved vaccines. Travelers are banned from 16 countries, including India, South Africa and Brazil, that are wrestling with virus surges and worrisome variants. France started gradually reopening its economy last month. Monuments and museums, including major sites like the Louvre and Versailles, are open, as well as hotels, cafes and restaurants. Tourists will still have to wait for the Eiffel Tower, set to reopen on July 16 after major renovation work. The government said the easing of restrictions is due to a drop in daily infections and to a vaccination campaign that has seen more than 59% of Frances adult population receive at least one shot. The country opened this week vaccination to those aged 12 to 18. Follow all of APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic, https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Joe Biden was elected president and soon enough reversed Donald Trumps reduction of illegal southern border crossings to the point that we now have the highest influx in 20 years. The human suffering has been excruciating, the publicity has been poisonous and so Biden walked away from the problem, handing it to Vice President Kamala Harris who almost disappeared and has since demonstrated why that was a good idea. She finally ended up in Guatemala, a primary source of young people risking their lives in tortuous, thug-infested, sometimes deadly desert treks to the United States. Sounding like the audacious Trump himself, Harris said cut it out. Dont come north anymore. We are not going to let you in. Here are thoughts repulsive to some and a delight to others even if insufficiently backed up with action to keep many out. Along with smugglers abetting thousands of American drug deaths, illegal immigrants are rushing the border in record numbers even as TV reporters almost seem more on hand to greet them than border agents. One person less in sight than winter snow has been Harris, who didnt seem to understand when an interviewer asked why she had not gone to the border. She replied with an incomprehensible joke about not going to Europe either. Biden practically invited the immigrants when, among other moves, he freed refuges to wander in America without hearings. One of Trumps surge solutions was to immediately move asylum seekers back to Mexico until, in a number of years, judges could apply the law to their eligibility. They seem to have endured grave hurt, but after Biden began undoing the Trump strategy, Harris is saying to refugees you will be turned back with Mexico as the only landing place. Harris is looking at changing the refugee law so it would make things easier for them to sign up in the places they came from and, in my view, thats good if it happens. Also needed are far more border guards, letting ICE agents be more proactive and even building some technologically alert walls of a kind that have worked in Israel. Listen to a besieged Texas sheriff and you will get a much longer list, and, yes, costs are involved. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} But Harris said over and over again that what she really wanted was to get to the root cause of the desert treks: living conditions horrible enough for parents to further enrich gangsters guiding their children to northern opportunity. To make things better, Harris said, the United States would hand out $4 billion over coming years to countries in Central America. We will thereby risk the foreign aid curse of enhancing the luxuries of the powerful elite. Past policies of giving money to Latin American countries did not work whereas Trump's threats of tariffs did, as in getting Mexico to use armed troops to stop immigrant caravans from heading to the United States. The thing to remember is that a Gallup poll shows 158 million around the world, including 40 million in Latin America, would like to come here. A fraction of that could destroy us, of course, and what we need is enforced immigration rules that serve both the immigrants and our society, such as putting emphasis on merit in skills and education in legal admissions. That does not rule out the poor; there are lots of accomplished people in desperate circumstances and unskilled people would not be eliminated. We should look at the whole world, be fair to all and recognize that especially at a point of Americans not replacing themselves anymore, we can absolutely benefit. Jay Ambrose is an op-ed columnist for Tribune News Service. Email speaktojay@aol.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact the Parsons Sun office at (620) 421-2000 if you have any questions It's being reported in South Korea today that LG Electronics is now in negotiations with Apple on the sale of the iPhone, the iPad and Apple Watch at more than 400 LG Best Shops across the nation. The shops can use the space and salespeople made available following LG Electronics withdrawal from the smartphone business by selling Apple products. According to Business Korea, the two companies are reportedly discussing the establishment of separate Apple corners within the shops that are directly run by Apple employees or allowing LG Best Shop employees to sell Apple products after LG Electronics acquires the right to the sale of Apple products. The two sides have yet to decide when the partnership starts, but some market experts predict that it will be some time after the end of July when LG Electronics completes its pull out of the smartphone business. Although an LG Electronics official stated that they're "exploring all possibilities" with Apple, currently the two sides are in disagreement over the sale of selling MacBooks and iMacs at LG Best Shops. LG states that it sells it's own notebooks and doesn't have much interest in providing maintenance services for Apple computers. The negotiations continue. By the end of 2022 Apple should have three Apple Stores in operation in South Korea and with a deal with 400 LG Best Shops across the country, Apple will be out to challenge Samsung harder on their home turf to counter Samsung's presence in the U.S. Windows 11 may be better than we thought. PCWorld has been told by a knowledgeable source close to Microsoft that the leaked Windows 11 build is being characterized as a portion of an incomplete, early build. The source characterized the Windows 11 build as not a final product, saying that Microsoft will likely offer a fuller look at what it plans to offer at its whats next for Windows event on June 24. The source did not refer to the leaked build as either Windows 10 or Windows 11. Of course, running the winver command on the leaked build labels it as Windows 11. Its also referred to as Windows Dev build 21996.1. Its unclear what Microsoft may add to Windows 11. Though the leaked build offers a graphical overhaul to Windows 10complete with new icons and rounded corners on menusthe underlying architecture of the build appears to be heavily dependent upon Windows 10. Familiar Windows 10 apps like Mail, Calendar, and Photos all appear, and the build connects to familiar services like Microsofts OneDrive. The most profound changes are in the Taskbar and especially the Start menu, which draw heavily from the now-cancelled Windows 10X. However, the Windows 11 build that was leaked also excludes new features that had been talked about as part of an upcoming Windows release, such as an updated, improved Microsoft Store app and the Auto HDR capability that Microsoft had added to certain Xbox Series X games. The latter feature would add HDR capabilities to PC games that hadnt specifically been coded for it. Though Auto HDR is being tested as part of the Windows Insider program for PCs, it does not feature in the leaked Windows 11 build. Satya Nadellas involvement lends some credence to the report. Nadella, Microsofts chief executive, had characterized the upcoming Windows release as the most significant to Windows in about a decade, and he had publicly referred to it as the next generation of Windows as well. Would Nadella endorse Windows 11 in its current form, as represented by the leaked build? Perhaps, but its more likely that Microsoft has something else up its sleeve when it debuts whats next for Windows next week. The World Bank has approved $200 million as additional funding for the Ghana COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness and Response Project (EPRP). The money will enable the government to procure vaccines through the COVAX facility and deploy them for 13 million people. The project will strengthen the resilience of Ghanas health systems to better prepare for future pandemics and secure the continuation of essential health and nutritional services, including routine childhood immunisation. This is the second funding the World Bank has extended to Ghana under its fast-track package to enable developing countries to strengthen their COVID-19 responses. The first was a $100-million support in April last year to assist the country to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic as a short, medium and long-term support. That financing package included $35 million in emergency support to help Ghana provide improved response systems. Under the emergency package, Ghana was supported to prevent, detect and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic through the EPRP. Background Ghana experienced a surge in infections and fatalities in January 2021, when it entered a second wave of rising infections of COVID-19. The number of daily active cases in February 2021 was as high as the peak of the first wave in June 2020. Furthermore, Ghana was confirmed to have recorded the COVID-19 variant which first appeared in South Africa. Saving lives The World Bank is happy to support this second additional financing, given the importance of preventing deaths and reducing transmission of COVID-19 among the population by providing access to COVID-19 vaccines towards accelerating economic and social recovery in Ghana, the World Bank Country Director for Ghana, Mr Pierre Laporte, said in a statement issued in Washington, DC, USA. We are also aware of the continuing difficulties in having access to COVID-19 vaccines and logistics due to global vaccine market challenges and will continue to work to address the inequity in vaccine supplies that is impacting Ghana and other developing countries. The Ghana COVID-19 EPRP second additional financing will enable the country to explore the acquisition of COVID-19 vaccines from a range of sources to support Ghanas target to vaccinate 17.5 million people in a way that ensures value for money, he added. The bank said the project would also support an equitable and effective distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, in line with Ghanas National Vaccine Deployment Plan. The project will build on efforts of the existing Ghana COVID-19 EPRP by scaling up and strengthening surveillance of the pandemic, case management, increasing public acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines and COVID-19 vaccine deployment, the World Banks Health, Nutrition and Population Global Practice Manager for the West African Region, Gaston Sorgho, said. He added that it would help strengthen cold chain equipment, vaccine safety monitoring and medical waste management. $125 billion Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Bank Group has committed over $125 billion to fight the health, economic and social impacts of the pandemic, the fastest and largest crisis response in the banks history. The financing is helping more than 100 countries strengthen their pandemic preparedness, protect the poor and jobs and jump-start a climate-friendly recovery. The bank is also providing $12 billion to help low- and middle-income countries to purchase and distribute COVID-19 vaccines, tests and treatments. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin says the Bank of Ghana (BoG) is not independent of the supervision of Parliament, Bagbins comment follows a statement made by Abena Osei Asare, Deputy Minister-designate for Finance contained in a report from her vetting for asserting that Parliament must thread with caution in the exercise of its oversight responsibility on the Bank of Ghana so as not to compromise the independence of the central bank. Commenting on the Appointments Committees report for the approval of some 11 deputy minister-designate and a Minister of State, the Speaker noted that the comments by the Deputy Minister-designate are untrue citing the constitutional oversight tentacles of the legislature over institutions in the country. He said There is no such independence at all. The constitution is very clear as to the status of the Bank of Ghana, please dont add any other thing to it. Meanwhile, Abena Osei Asare denied making such an assertion and urged the Appointments committee to expunge that portion from its report. Earlier, the Bank of Ghana declined an invitation to appear before Parliament to assist with investigations into the revocation of the banking licences of Unibank and UT Bank. Writing through its lawyers, Bentsi-Enchill Letsa and Ankomah, the central bank explained that the petitioners, Prince Kofi Amoabeng and Dr Kwabena Duffour, owners of the two banks, seek to procure Parliament to review decisions that it has taken. The BoG further explained that this decision was taken according to its statutory powers under the Banks and Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions Act, 2016 (Act 930). The BSDTI Act provides how persons who are aggrieved with such decisions may seek redress for their grievances, and the prescribed resolution mechanisms do not include recourse to Parliament. The central bank indicated that the two bank owners, by petitioning Speaker Alban Bagbin, have invited the legislature to issue instructions to it in the performance of its constitutionally mandated duty of promoting economic development and the efficient operation of a banking and credit system in the country. Source: asaaseradio.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Technical University Teachers Association of Ghana (TUTAG), says it will call off its ongoing nationwide strike tomorrow Friday, June 18, 2021. The decision was arrived at after a meeting with the National Labour Commission (NLC) on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, over the associations demands. The Association began a partial nationwide strike on Monday, June 14, to demand the payment of their 2018/2019 Research arrears, negotiation of their conditions of service, among other issues. In an interview with an Accra-based radio station, Citi FM, the National President of TUTAG, Dr. Michael Brigandi said they are optimistic the NLC will fulfill its promise to the group. According to him, the NLC has given the government up to September 15, 2021, to meet their demands. The meeting went well. We went to the main issues. They admitted that all that our issues were genuine, because on the same issues they had given a ruling but that was not respected ..And they gave a timeline for the government to meet all the conditions from now up to 15th September, 2021 He added that When we came back with our executives, we all agreed that we will call off the strike on Friday. So Friday afternoon, there will be a press conference in Tamale to call off the strike. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Chief Executive Officer of the Africa Center for Security and Intelligence Studies has called on the Police Service to be on alert to combat the rising insecurity in the country. Paul Coonley Boateng who was speaking to NEAT FMs morning show charged the police to sit up after claiming our protective measures is very worrying. His comment comes days after a Police Officer and a hawker were shot dead by notorious armed robbers in a daylight bullion van attack. The Police have launched an investigation into the attack, but Paul Coonley Boateng wants them to be preemptive in their operations. Listen to the interview below Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Mr Alban Sumana Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament, has called on the country to learn from the Denmark experience on involving the youth in its democratic governance for inclusive development. He said Denmark had placed priority on its youth development and appointed some of them as advisers to Ministers to ensure social democratic governance. Mr Bagbin said the sustainability and long-term vision of any democratic policy depended on the youth, and urged African leaders to give prominence to the youth to equally and effectively participate in all areas of leadership. The Speaker of Parliament made the call on Wednesday at a webinar forum on Inclusive Party Governance and the Future of Democracy organized by the Institute for Democratic Governance in collaboration with the Embassy of Denmark and the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development. He said it was imperative for leadership of political parties to engage the youth in policy formulation from the beginning to the end and not push the decisions on them, saying, The youth understand their own problems. We need to create opportunities for the youth to participate in governance to gain the needed experience and contribute to nation building in future. Mr Bagbin pledged to partner with civil society organizations to reach out to all political parties to institute a collaborative engagement with the youth in policy decisions to strengthen democratic values. He said Ghana and Denmark shared common democratic values and both were committed to expand the frontiers of democracy, adding that even though there were threats in practicing democracy, there was the need to work together to ensure inclusive governance. Mr Mogens Lykketoft, former Speaker of Parliament in Denmark, said his country had a strong engagement with the youth, citing youth involvement in addressing the menace of climate change in recent times. He said the young generation was vibrant and willing to participate in democratic governance, stressing that there was the need for countries to give the youth more opportunities to explore through learning and take up the leadership mantle in future. Mr Emmanuel Ametepey, Executive Director, Youth Advocates Ghana, urged government to create the enabling environment for the youth to participate fully in democratic governance and not only be used for political campaigns and violent activities. He commended government for initiating the free Senior High School policy to ensure access for all students, but called for an expedited action on expanding infrastructure to address the challenges of congestion in schools. There is the need to a build a culture that will embrace long-term learning in schools to improve students performance for socio-economic development, he said. Mr Ametepey called on authorities and civil societies to continue to educate young girls on their sexual and reproductive rights to be productive in life since some of them dropped out of school due to teenage pregnancy. Ms Malene Bentsen Laursen, the United Nations Youth Delegate, said non-inclusion of the youth in policy making had gradually led to a negative shift in the tone of public debate on national issues with 57 per cent of them saying that they are less likely to participate in the democratic process. She noted that several protest movements had sprung up to fight for their rights and hence called on politicians to give recognition to the concerns of young people and allow them to engage in policy making, adding that inclusive governance was a way of overcoming challenges in the democratic process in both Ghana and Denmark. Ms Laursen urged political leaders to take responsibility of ensuring that political debates were organized effectively and not allow race, tribe or any form of affiliation to be a hindrance to the inclusion of the youth in decision making. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Blood donation services in Kenya have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, as donors who have doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine have to wait for at least seven days before donating blood. There is a perennial shortage of blood in the country. The countrys National Blood Transfusion Service rarely manages to collect its target of one million units annually. The World Health Organization (WHO) says the deferment period allows the donor to assess whether they have any side effects after vaccination. The week delay is worsening an already existing problem where hospitals are struggling to fill their blood banks. Clinical pathologist Dr Grace Kiraka says her hospital, MP Shah, does not have enough blood in its bank and has to rely on patients' relatives to donate blood should they need it. She says very few people are going to hospitals to donate blood during the pandemic and now with a deferment period there will be fewer donors. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A video from the Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram has been published, confirming the death of its leader, Abubakar Shekau. Last month, a rival faction claimed Shekau had been killed during a confrontation with its fighters. The Nigerian authorities have not commented on the claims. This video adds to the growing evidence that Shekau really is dead this time. In the three-minute clip seen by the BBC, a man dressed in white clothes with a black turban reads from a piece of paper in Arabic. Hes flanked by dozens of fighters with rifles and ammunition, standing in what appears to be a rural area. Boko Harams black flag is also visible. The man speaking is said to be Boko Haram commander Bakura Modu, also known as Sahalaba. Security analysts believe he may be the groups new leader. Many had hoped that Shekau's death would lead to a cessation of hostilities between Boko Haram and the splinter Islamic State West Africa Province. This video suggests that has not been the case. Shekau led Boko Haram for more than 10 years and was best known for kidnapping over 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, north-eastern Nigeria, in 2014. Since its creation in 2009, Boko Haram has waged an insurgency in north-eastern Nigeria, and carried out attacks in neighbouring Chad, Niger and Cameroon. In Nigeria, the violence has displaced over two million people and caused at least 30,000 deaths. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Professor Kofi Agyekum, Dean of the School of Performing Arts of the University of Ghana, has cautioned parents against giving too much freedom to their children. Professor Kofi Agyekum, popularly called Opanyin Agyekum, speaking on the spate of current crimes in Ghana admonished parents to train their children well. He noted that there is a vast difference between child rearing and child training, explaining most parents are rearing their children instead of training them. He expounded that, with child rearing, the parents overpamper their children which encourages bad behaviours because of the little to no parental discipline. "There is too much freedom today, so we have left the children," he said on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo'. Opanyin Agyekum also expressed worry over the over-indulgence of children on social media. He wished parents could turn back to the primitive ways of disciplining children because too much copying from Western culture is spoiling them. To him, parents should train the children to sift what they watch or concern themselves with on social media because the children learn a lot of things on social media, therefore should they be exposed to the bad ones, they will potentially turn into social misfits. "We must inculcate the spirit of sifting in the children to tell them not everything on social media is for them to know or see," he advised. Watch video below Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Head of Psychology at the University of Ghana, Professor Joseph Osafo has expressed worry over the current crimes in Ghana, particularly involving the youth. Speaking on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo', Prof. Joseph Osafo blamed the societal decadence on the lack of proper parental training to children. As a Psychologist, he explained the psyche of children believing should parents understand it will aid them to well-train their children to fit into the society. "Every child is a potential disaster or a success. I don't admit that a criminal is born . . . in our study, we have seen that neglected children, for example, are likely to go wayward, twice likely to wayward than children who are not neglected," he stated. Listen to his full submissions below: Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Head of Department of Linguistics of the University of Ghana, Professor Kofi Agyekum has urged the church to play an effective role in disciplining the youth to become good people in soceity. Speaking on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' programme, Prof. Agyekum bemoaned the moral and societal decadence that has characterized Ghana, resulting in the rise of crime-related cases involving the youth. "Our parents have failed us. The church has failed us. The school has failed us because every school should have guidance and counselling...'', he said. According to him, the church should not only be about holding services but also to take keen interest in the personal lives of the youth, actively impacting them positively to avoid they becoming social misfits. ''Let's unite and train our children well to reduce the crimes because if the children don't become good children, they will turn on us.'' On the part of the youth, he advised them to ''live according to your means''. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video NPP New Jersey chapter has welcomed Hajia Alima Mahama as Ghanas new ambassador to the United States. In a statement signed by the youth organizer of the chapter, Prince-Kamal Gumah expressed delight to have Hajia Alima Mahama as Ghanas first northerner to occupy such high-profile position. The group is also delight with the presidents choice. Prince-Kamal Gumah who doubles as the deputy youth organizer of the NPP USA branch noted that a special prayer session will be organized for the Hajia Alima Mahama to ensure she succeed. Hajia Alima is also a member of the NPP New Jersey chapter. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Mr James Oppong-Boanuh, Inspector General of Police, has announced a GHS20,000.00 reward to any person who gives credible information for the arrest of the suspected robbers who killed General Constable Emmanuel Osei. Constable Osei was shot and killed at James Town by the robbers who attacked a bullion van he was escorting. Superintendent of Police Mrs Sheila Kessie Abayie Buckman, Director of Public Affairs, who made these known to the media, assured the informant (s) of their safety. She encouraged the public to be on the look out for the perpetrators of the heinous crime which also claimed the life of another. On Monday, June 14, 2021 at about 1228 hours, police received a distress call from James Town that three armed men on two unregistered motorbikes had attacked and robbed a bullion Nissan van with the registration number GT 8592 W belonging to MON- TRAN Company. Police rushed to the scene and found Constable Osei on board shot dead and the driver injured. The James Town District Police Command also found the car parked in the middle of Adedenkpo Metal Market road with glasses of three doors shattered. The body of the deceased of the National SWAT was found at the front seat bleeding from the head and other parts of the body, with his AK 47 snatched by the robbers. Wisdom, the driver of the van was not met at the scene by the police team. Eye witnesses led police to a wooden structure where the body of one Afua Badu, 40, a casualty of the shooting, was found. Madam Grace Essel, an official of the financial institution, who escaped unhurt and had taken refuge in the community was sent to the Police Hospital. Meanwhile, the bodies have been kept at the Morgue for preservation and autopsy. The gang made away with the AK 47 rifle the police officer was wielding as well as an unspecified amount of money. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Mr George Bernard Shaw, a Private Legal Practitioner, has called on stakeholders in the criminal justice system to consider the inclusion of recordings of police interrogations, especially when acquiring caution statements. He said the call, by extension, was to the Rules of Court Committee and the Inspector General of Police to ensure that all interrogations were recorded at least with a mobile phone, since it was common and every police station could have one, as demanded by the Service instructions. Mr Shaw, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said; We are not asking for much because in most jurisdictions the interviews are recorded because thats the only way to get to the truth as everything will be on tape. The Legal Practitioner, who is also a Counsel in the matter involving the 14 alleged murderers of the late Major Maxwell Mahama verses the Republic, made the call ahead of a mini trial of the case. The mini trial came about as a result of objections from the Defence Counsel to the tendering of some caution and charge statements taken from the accused persons. The Court has called four witnesses to determine whether the statements were obtained voluntarily from the accused persons or not. Mr Shaw said though it might be administratively or financially expensive, at the current stage of the countrys development, mobile phones could be used to record before sophisticated recording instruments were purchased. He said the Act that governed criminal trials, (Act 30) could be amended to ensure that all police interviews were recorded to establish the truth. Mr Shaw said in cases such as beatings, cuts, and bruises, the marks sometimes disappeared before the cases were heard, with many not having medical reports. But in effect, the police will come and deny sometimes when people have been beaten mercilessly and even starve them to confess, a confession statement is taken into account for the trial and that invariably leads to injustice, Mr Shaw said. He said the main challenge was the admission of such false statements into evidence for trial. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) says it has prosecuted 5,344 defaulting employers in 2021 alone. Director-General of SSNIT, Dr John Ofori-Tenkorang made this known at a stakeholder sensitization workshop in Accra on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, on the merger of SSNIT numbers and NIA numbers of members of the Scheme. According to him, This year alone, weve had to prosecute 5,344 defaulting employers. He added that As I have said on many occasions, we take no delight in prosecuting employers. Our expectation is for every employer to pay contributions on time but when they fail to pay, even after protracted periods of engagement and negotiation, then we have no choice but to prosecute because of the obligation placed on us by law. Merger Dr. Ofori-Tenkorang said the Trust will create avenues for people to have the merger done on their phones by dialling a short code or USSD and also the SSNIT website. However, those who cannot use any of these methods can also walk in to any SSNIT office to be assisted to merge their numbers. He noted that after the merger has been completed, Members can use their Ghana Cards to transact business with the Trust. The plan is that from 2022, the Ghana Card will be the only accepted means of identification required for Members to transact business with SSNIT and we believe that with your support and partnership, we can definitely achieve this goal, he said. Dr. Ofori-Tenkorang hinted that from July 2021, new joiners will be required to have Ghana Card before joining the SSNIT Scheme. The Trust has also outlined a number of stakeholder engagements this year. These engagements are expected to ensure continuous dialogue with stakeholders and strengthen the partnership that exists between them and the Trust. In his remarks, the General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Dr. Anthony Yaw Baah commended Dr. John Ofori-Tenkorang for the level of openness and inclusiveness with which he is managing the Scheme. The Minister for Employment and Labour Relations,Ignatius Baffour Awuah, praised Management of SSNIT for bringing together players in the pension industry to ensure a successful exercise. He indicated that such a tripartite approach is the way institutions should go in promoting industrial harmony. According to him, When organisations engage stakeholders before the introduction of new programmes or initiatives, it reduces anxiety and suspicion from them. This is particularly important in circumstances where the relationship between employers, labour and SSNIT has not always been exactly cordial. After the merger is done, I am optimistic it will bring down further the average 10 working days it takes for SSNIT to process and pay benefits to retirees, he added. Source: Daily Guide Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A bullion van was attacked by armed robbers at Gomoa Okyereko on the Kasoa Winneba road Thursday afternoon. This incident comes barely four days after a similar incident at Adedenkpo, near James Town in Accra, resulted in the death of a police officer, Constable Emmanuel Osei and a hawker, Afua Badu. According to Adom Fm reporter, Kofi Adjei, the robbers shot at the front passenger seat, where a police escort was sitting, shattering the window in the process. He said, the police escort, subsequently ordered the driver to speed off while he called for reinforcement. The Winneba Police Patrol team dispatched to Mpata Junction rushed to the scene and started a gun battle with the robbers, but they fled the scene. All passengers in the bullion van escaped unhurt. The money in the van remained intact. Ghana has recently recorded a surge in daylight robberies. Apart from the James Town incident, another policeman was killed while on escort duty on the Adansi Fomena road in the Ashanti Region. The armed men, numbering about 10, allegedly shot Lance Corporal Martin Babah during an attack on the bullion van he was escorting. Source: myjoyonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A political analyst, Dr Bonsu Osei-Owusu, has urged young appointees in President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addos government to discharge their duties with dignity and honesty. That, he said, would encourage the appointment of more youth into positions of trust. Young appointees Sharing his views with the Daily Graphic on the appointment of young people to serve in President Akufo-Addos second term, Dr Osei-Owusu said their inclusion in governance was an indication of bringing new blood and energy into the political arena to run the affairs of the nation. He explained that those appointments would also pave the way for the transfer of ideas from the old to the young ones. He was of the view that the young appointees were from different generations, so they would bring diverse views and ideas to bear on their duties as ministers. The opportunity to serve the nation will also enable them to learn from the experienced ministers, especially when an older person is the substantive minister and they are to serve under him or her. We grow into political position and we do not just walk into it. Former President John Agyekum Kufour had the opportunity to grow into politics when he was appointed Kumasi City Council (KCC) Boss in 1965 at a very young age. He became a Member of Parliament for the Atwima Constituency in 1969 and later served as a junior minister of Foreign Affairs in Dr Kofi Abrefa Busias regime, he stated. Biblical evidence Supporting his views with a Bible quotation from Numbers 27:15-23, Dr Osei-Owusu said Joshua was appointed by Moses to serve the Israelites while he was still holding some political powers so that he could gradually shift the position to Joshua. So, Joshua did not just come into the scene, he understudied Moses before he finally became a leader, he added. Abuse of power Dr Osei-Owusu cautioned the young appointees to be careful so they did not abuse the power given to them. He said misusing their position would be a disadvantage to the younger generation as they would be deprived of any political positions in future. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Stakeholders at a roundtable on the need for Ghana to consider non-custodial sentences in cases of misdemeanour have urged Parliament to pass the Community Service Bill (non-custodial law) to help decongest the prisons and make them more effective and efficient. In furtherance of this, they also appealed to the Ministry for the Interior to exert pressure on Parliament for the passage since the Judiciary is empowered with the law. Organised by the Centre for Democratic Development-Ghana (CDD-Ghana) which referred to the Judicial System, the stakeholders said it was empowered with custodial sentences such as probation, parole and restricted non-custodial sentence including a fine, thus needed for the law to be passed and stressed on the need to also implement the Tokyo Rules it was signatory to, which had broad non-custodial sentences it could choose from. Jonathan Owusu, the facilitator for Justice For All, said the nation should not wait any longer but try the system, learn and perfect it since the justice system should be retributive whereby offender would reform and victims would forgive, citing restitution, among others, which were found in the Tokyo Rules under non-custodial sentences. There should be enough public education and sensitisation to avoid stigmatisation where citizens will be encouraged to get on board to help reintegrate ex-convicts, keeping inmates whereby the place is already congested is a drain on the countrys budget, I propose noncustodial sentences should be considered in terms of misdemeanour, offences which attract sentences less than three years. Assistant Superintendent of Prisons (ASP) Stephen Aboagye, at the Legal Unit, Ghana Prisons Service, disclosed that prisons had an excess of 3,247 inmates, thus the need to decongest them since convicts with different crime magnitudes were put together making less hardened more hardened after serving their terms. Apostle Lawrence Nyarko, the Director of Finance and Administration, Church of Pentecost, said when an offence was committed, the community should benefit from the punishment given and suggested community service, including sweeping and planting of trees, while convicts reported to the police till the term ended. Ameley Agyeman, Office of the Attorney General, indicated that judges must be encouraged to consider non-custodial sentences. Gifty Quaye, Assistant Director, Ministry for the Interior, attributed the delay in the passage of the Non-Custodial Bill, related to the Criminal Offence Act to governments financial constrain. Source: The Ghanaian Times Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin is calling for increased education of the public about the true mandate of parliamentarians. According to him, the misconception of the role and functions of parliament has greatly undervalued the role of the legislature in the democratic dispensation of the country and affected the effectiveness of MPs as far as the core business of the chamber is concerned. Mr Bagbin made the call at the opening of a two-day consultative meeting for West Africa-based Parliamentary Monitoring Organisations in Accra on Tuesday, 15 June 2021. The workshop, put together by the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD Ghana), with support from US-based National Democratic Institute, brought together dozens of Parliamentary Monitoring Organisations (PMOs) across the sub-region to deliberate on strengthening PMOs to enhance Parliamentary openness, inclusive policies, transparency and responsiveness. Delivering his address, Mr Bagbin urged the participants to use the opportunity to chart new paths for advocacy on the role and functions of Parliament. Below is Mr Bagbins full speech REMARKS BY THE SPECIAL GUEST OF HONOUR, RT. HON. ALBAN SUMANA KINGSFORD BAGBIN, SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT, AT THE OPENING OF THE WEST AFRICA PARLIAMENTARY MONITORING ORGANIZATIONS (PMOs) CONFERENCE ON 15TH JUNE 2021 IN ACCRA Mr. Chairman Hon. Members of Parliament present Representatives of Parliamentary Monitoring Organizations Executives of the National Democratic Institute Heads and Representatives of CSOs from other West African countries Distinguished Invited Guests Friends from the media Ladies and gentlemen! I am indeed greatly honored by the invitation to be the Special Guest of Honor for the maiden West African Parliamentary Monitoring Organizations (PMOs) conference. I would like to express my appreciation to the organizers of the conference, the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) and its collaborating partners the National Democratic Institute of Washington, Parliamentary Network Africa and the Ghana Network of Parliamentary Monitoring Organizations for this invitation. Let me also take this opportunity to warmly welcome our foreign participants to Accra. This conference, I am told, is the first stage towards connecting PMOs in West Africa to enable them to share best practices, learn from one another and explore effective ways of engaging Parliaments within their respective countries. I am particularly happy with this initiative, and I trust that discussions during the two-day conference will lead to enhanced ways of strengthening citizens-parliament engagements. Parliaments exist because of the citizens within their jurisdiction. Consequently, Parliaments need to reach out to citizens on constant basis and make them a part of what Parliaments do. In making these remarks, I wish I could abide by the wise counsel of President Franklin D. Roosevelt on speech-making; To be brief, be sincere, be seated. To be sincere, definitely I will. But to be brief in my remarks and be seated as a special guest of honor, is a rather tall order. The role of PMOs in sensitizing the citizenry Mr. Chairman, I cannot but make reference to the challenges that some countries in the West African sub-region such as Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso are currently facing. We must together as a sub-region deal with the emerging issues that confront us because they can have very serious consequences for the people within the sub-region. As legislatures we need to partner CSOs and other forward-looking organizations to assist with educating and sensitizing our citizens on the role they have to play to ensure the growth of democracy, stability and peace in the West African sub-region. I am committed to do just that as one of the key pillars of the Corporate Strategic Plan of Ghanas Parliament. The representative role of Parliaments requires the effective communication of the work of Parliament, education of the citizens on the roles and functions of Parliaments, and provision of avenues for the citizens to engage Parliament in policy discussions. Parliament is the supreme forum for the ventilation of grievances aimed at seeking redress. The MP is the communication link between his constituents and government. Through parliamentary mechanisms and tools such as Question Time, Statements, Motions, Petitions, debate on policy or bills among others, Parliament has the opportunity to draw attention of the citizens to developments within the country, explore avenues for the socio-economic growth of the country and carry the citizens along on this agenda. I believe PMOs are strongly positioned to offer support in this regard, to ensure a stronger linkage between what parliaments intend, and what actually manifests on the ground. In our current context however, the advent of technology and the increasing diversity and availability of information to citizens are pushing Parliaments to compete for the citizens attention as never before. Parliamentarians ought to be effective in communicating with, and educating the citizenry on the roles and functions of Parliaments, and to provide avenues for them to engage in policy discussions. Also, the coming into force of the Open Government Partnership (OGP), especially for countries that have signed on to it, has led to a situation in which citizens are demanding greater participation, accountability and responsiveness from Parliamentarians. There is therefore the need to reach out a lot more to citizens and engage them in parliamentary work. This is an arena that CSOs or PMOs are better positioned to support the efforts of parliaments to engage citizens and to institute procedures that will ensure that the desired impact is being achieved. It is dangerous to assume either that what has been decided will be achieved, or that what happens is what was intended, says Brian Loasby, an Economics Professor. The concept of monitoring of parliaments Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, at the base of the work of the PMOs is monitoring, which ought to be an embedded concept and an integral part of the work of parliaments. Monitoring should not be seen as an imposed control instrument or a nice to have. It is a dialogue on impact and outcome. It is an internal control measure to ensure that outcomes of the work of parliament are achieved, the processes are adhered to, transparency and accountability are assured and most importantly, the understanding and participation of the citizenry in the work of parliament is guaranteed. As we all know, what you cannot measure, you cannot monitor. Monitoring is therefore about setting a standard or target; it is about having the requisite rules, benchmarks, and tools to gather and analyse information about the performance or a set of parliamentary activities while they are ongoing. It is the systematic and routine collection of information from activities for four main purposes: (1) to appreciate and learn from the activities and experiences, and to improve the practices and activities in future; (2) to ensure internal and external accountability for the resources deployed and outcomes in such a way that it inures to the benefit of the citizenry; (3) to make decisions on how to progress with parliamentary work and the level of engagement with the citizens based on empirical evidence and facts, and (4) to promote empowerment of the citizens with respect to participation in the work of parliament. Parliaments and PMOs will have to work together to achieve this. Information and data gathered from monitoring by the PMOs therefore will be used to understand how parliamentary activities are making the desired impact. Definitely the information and data gathered will not be used to find fault but to find a remedy. I am confident that monitoring by the PMOs will focus on the measurement of the following aspects of parliamentary interventions: (1) the quantity and quality of activities or outputs what ought to be done and how to manage it; (2) the outcomes and the effects or changes that occurred as a result of the intervention, and the impact. (3) It will also look at the broader or long-term effects that were triggered by the activities. This will help provide a standard for success and achievements. Joseph M. Juran, an outstanding writer on management and leadership said: Without a standard, there is no logical basis for making a decision or taking action. Ladies and gentlemen, we all know that monitoring sometimes seem like an unaffordable luxury, an administrative burden, or an unwelcome instrument of external oversight. However, it can be a powerful tool for social and political change. It helps in assessing the difference one can make and provide vital intelligence. It assesses and demonstrates effectiveness in delivering on objectives and impacts whilst improving learning, decision-making, success factors, approaches and removal of barriers. Monitoring also contributes to empowering and motivating the partners working together on a particular cause, in this case, parliaments and the citizens. It ensures accountability on the part of key stakeholders, contributes to influencing processes, procedures and policies and to the sharing of learnings and best practices. At the end of it all, it is about measurement and control. As H. James Harrington, Chief Executive Officer of the Harrington Institute, said measurement is the first step that leads to control and eventually to improvement. If you cannot measure something, you cannot understand it. If you cannot understand it, you cannot control it. If you cannot control it, you cannot improve it. PMOs and strengthening of parliamentary work Mr. Chairman, I fully support the objectives of the Parliamentary Monitoring Organisations, given the invaluable ally that they are in the process of strengthening and promoting parliamentary work in West Africa. The monitoring that will be done by PMOs should equip parliaments to provide the required oversight responsibility over the executive arm of government. I am persuaded that education on the role and functions of parliament is critical if the electorates are to appreciate the value that Parliaments bring to the democratic process. Parliamentarians should not be seen as the main development agents by the citizens. The perceptions and expectations associated with this often leads to the neglect of the core responsibilities of MPs. This perception is highlighted in Afrobarometers research findings from Rounds four (4) through to eight. I would therefore like to charge PMOs present here to amplify their collaboration with the legislatures to embark on civic education programs to help reduce this wrong notion and increase the appreciation of the work of the legislature. I trust this conference will help to give birth to a network of West African PMOs that will be sharing experiences and challenges. I am also confident that this conference will come out with innovative ways of assisting Parliaments to be more inclusive, participatory, open, transparent, accountable and responsive to the citizens. I hope participants will find the conference very useful and provide the needed contributions to the updated research findings discussions to enrich the document and also help to reshape the work of Parliaments in West Africa. I believe that the achievement of the aims of this conference would help move West African Parliaments further along its quest for good governance and sustained democratic development in the sub-region. I wish you all fruitful deliberations. I thank you and once again, you are warmly welcome to Accra. Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Some Chiefs in the Nsawam Adoagyeri municipality, especially Sakyikrom are passionately appealing to the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Akuffo Addo and the Local government ministry to this time around appoint a unifier, disciplined, selfless person as their next MCE for their municipality. They believed that, that would have a great impact and also help improve the development and the livelihoods of the Residents in the Municipality. Speaking at a press conference called by the Sakyikrom traditional Authority, the Gyasehene of the Sakyikrom, Nana Owusu Aduomi II explained that, this is the time for Nsawam Adoagyeri as well as Sakyikrom to go far than it is now as they aren't satisfied with the performance of the out going MCE. The chiefs therefore propose Mr. Emmanuel Owusu Arthur, an Accountant by profession to be considered as the next MCE for the Municipality. The chiefs claimed their result is not solely based on the fact that, Mr. Emmanuel Owusu is a son of their land but also they've observed that he has what it takes to be a leader who is for unity. They added that, there is no harmonic relation between the Mp for the area and the incumbent MCE and it affected the NPP votes in the constituency in the 2020 general election. Such unhealthy relation almost stifled progress of the activities of the in the constituency. Considering how the MP has been now honoured by President with additional national duties, the MP Hon Frank Annorh Dompreh may have less contact schedules with his constituents than before. This thus demands that a competent person who has good working relation with the MP ought to be appointed as the next MCE to represent the Mp and president effectively in the municipality. The Abotendomehene of Sakyikrom, Nana Kwame Addo II added that such a person is Mr. Emmanuel Owusu. As he has had undoubtedly, a good working relation with the Mp when he was serving as the treasurer of the party in the constituency. Mr. Emmanuel Owusu has also demonstrated a high sense of belongingness and dedication to the Nsawam Adoagyeri municipality. As he has duly earned the trust and support of majority of the party officers in the constituency. Since he has exhibited that he's a unifier, loyalist and hard working whose ultimate aim is the progress and development of constituents in the municipality. He relates well with all the stakeholders especially traditional leaders and religious leaders in the municipality. And they believed, he together with the Mp the Municipality will see a better improvement. Source: Michael Akrofi/Peacefmomline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Danquah Institute founder, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, has celebrated the immediate past Minister for the defunct Ministry of Inner-City and Zongo Development, Dr Mustapha Hamid for his unblemished integrity describing him as one of the most principled and honest human beings I have ever known in my life. According to the journalist cum lawyer, Dr Hamid is so honest and upright in his dealings that when he is given money to perform a task, he ends up spending less for the same job. He revealed that he is the kind of person who when assigned campaign money, will spend within budget and return the remaining funds. Hamid is the kind of person when he takes campaign money, based on a budget, and he ends up spending less than that to do the same job, he brings back the change!, he said of the former Minister in a Facebook post. Mr. Otchere-Darko shared these kind words publicly to celebrate the onetime Youth Organizer of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and a founding member of the policy think tank, Danquah Institute, who celebrated his birthday on Monday. Dr. Hamid who for many years served as the spokesperson for President Akufo-Addo, during his days as an opposition leader, on Monday, June 14 clocked 50 years. The former lecturer at the University of Cape Coast was celebrated by many both within and outside the governing NPP, with many touching on his fine and endearing personality. Gabby, who said he has known Dr. Hamid for many years recounted how they first became friends during his early years as the editor of a reputable business newspaper, the High Street Journal. He also touched on the former Information Ministers days as the news editor at Choice FM and his alter invitation to him to be the editor of his paper, The Statesman. Read the unedited piece by Gabby Octchere Darko Yesterday (Monday) was the birthday of one of my best friends, Mustapha Hamid. To put it mildly, he is one of the most principled and honest human beings I have ever known in my life. A sacred trait I pray will guide and guard him for the rest of his life. Hamid is the kind of person when he takes campaign money, based on a budget, and he ends up spending less than that to do the same job, he brings back the change! Abotsi, sorry I was not around to join you yesterday. Welcome to the Club of where real life begins. Forget the hype at 40. This is it! From this time on, you start becoming even more philosophical about things you took for granted. It is not that after 50 ones performance slows down. It only matures! One becomes more efficient in how to use time and energy resources that become more and more precious as the years go by. Ive known Hamid for over two decades now. He is admirably religious, disciplined but liberal. It is this personality quirk that allows him to get on well with people. But, he resents cheats and those he considers disloyal. He is protectively Ghanaian. Jealously Danquah-Dombo-Busiast. Simply put, Hamid is a proud, humble and decent man. He is one of the very few Ghanaians I know who genuinely enjoy reading as a devout hobby! An intellectual of the highest order; loyal to his friends, his beliefs and philosophy and emotionally and intellectually defensive of the things he cherishes and holds in high devotion. Hamid was an editor of a reputable business newspaper, the High Street Journal, when we first became friends. He also became news editor at Choice FM. A couple of years later, I invited him to be the editor of The Statesman. He moved on to become the National Youth Organiser of the NPP, an acknowledgement of his years of service to the party, beginning as a foundation member of the Danquah-Busia Clubs branch at UCC in 1991. As strong an Akufo-Addo loyalist as they come, Hamid later contested and lost the general secretary position of the NPP in 2005, moving on in 2007 to become spokesperson to presidential candidate Nana Akufo-Addo and remained so throughout the opposition years. He, at the same time, went on to teach at Cape Coast University; became Executive Director of the Danquah Institute; achieved a PhD while teaching at Cape Coast; became a cabinet minister in 2017 and now looking forward to a new challenging chapter after attaining the ripe age of 50. His has been half a century of service with integrity and achievements, with much more to come. I consider myself lucky to be worthy of your friendship, Abotsi. Stay honest, stay true, stay loyal to family, party and country. Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Social Commentator, Bernard Allotey Jacobs has called on Ghanaians to offer prayers for security officers in the country. In recent times, Ghanaians have been thrown into a state of fear due to the consistent crime occurences in the nation. There's been series of killings in some places across the nation, mainly in the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions. Reports on armed robberies and daylight shooting have dominated the media. On Monday, June 14, a Police officer named Emmanuel Osei was gruesomely murdered by armed robbers in a vicinity at Jamestown, Accra, while protecting a bullion van. The driver of the van sustained gunshot injuries while two other women on the vehicle escaped unhurt. A trader was also killed by the robbers. Another recent case is the murder of wife of an aide to the Ghana National Petroleum Commission (GNPC) boss, Dr. K.K Sarpong, in Kumasi, Ashanti Region. The deceased, Benedicta Pokua Sarpong, was reportedly shot through the right window of her vehicle at the Airport Roundabout on Sunday, June 13, 2021. Aside these crimes is also reports of terrorist attacks in the Sahel region countries, particularly Burkina Faso. Speaking on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo', Allotey Jacobs was concerned about the welfare and life of the security personnel. He stressed; "We need to pray for our scurity services, particularly our soldier brothers and sisters, those in the Police and Immigration Service." He also called on the government to well-equip the security agencies to fortify them against criminal and potential terrorist attacks. ''The government's attention should be on the Immigraton Service because of what is happening in the sahel region. They need to be well-trained. They need military accoutrement. They need whatever should in a way help and make them strong on their feet.'' Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Former Central Regional Chairman of the largest opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Bernard Allotey Jacobs has slammed the Minority in Parliament after their leader claimed there is a "gradual breakdown of law and order'' in the country. The Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu made this statement following the murder of a Policeman, Emmanuel Osei, at Jamestown by armed robbers who attacked a bullion van he was escorting. The driver of the van survived by gunshot wounds. A trader was also killed by the robbers while two other women in the van escaped unharmed. To Haruna Iddrisu, the government is not doing enough to provide safety for the Police officers. The primary responsibility of the President is the safety and security of the citizens. If what we are reading is anything to go by, then we all must collectively express our disappointment at the Presidency and the handling of matters of personal safety and security, he said. He further stated, "when the Police officer who needs to protect the state is not secure, then it leaves much to be desired''. Hon. Haruna Iddrisu suggested "greater reforms" of policing in the country. "That is why I continuously share the view that as expensive as CCTV cameras would be, it would be the way to go into the future," he asserted. James Agalga, Ranking Member of the Defence and Interior Committee, has also called on President Nana Akufo-Addo to demonstrate leadership. He urged the President to bring the crimes, particularly armed robbery, which he described as shaking the foundations of the nation under control. But to Allotey Jacobs, the MPs are acting like a bunch of irresponsible people. He explained that a "responsible citizen" will ''look for peace to reign in the country'', not play politics with serious matters as crimes. Allotey Jacobs insisted the salaries of the MPs should be given to the security services to ginger them to fight against crime-related cases because the MPs have nothing to do in Parliament. "I've been thinking deeply that the MPs in Parliament should be paid for three months but give the money to the Ghana Police Service, Immigration and other security services to enhance their work up there. Because it's like they (MPs) have nothing to do in Parliament just for criticizing sake." "As a nation, we should all be responsible in our utterances, in whatever we say, in whatever we do and be doing NPP/NDC politics with this . . . I believe if they are not paid for three months and their money is given to the security personnel, they will start talking sense," he added. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Seasoned Journalist, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako Jnr. has responded to criticisms by the Minority Leader in Parliament against the administration of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. The Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu has blamed the President for the recent attacks on Police officers in the country. A 25-year old Police officer named Emmanuel Osei was shot dead by armed robbers when they attacked a bullion van at Jamestown on Monday, June 14. The Police officer and a trader were killed on the spot by the robbers while the driver survived by gunshot wounds. Meanwhile, two women on the van escaped unharmed. Commenting on the incident, the Minority Leader stated that there is a ''gradual breakdown of law and order'' under the Akufo-Addo regime. The primary responsibility of the President is the safety and security of the citizens. If what we are reading is anything to go by, then we all must collectively express our disappointment at the Presidency and the handling of matters of personal safety and security, he added. Reacting to Hon. Haruna Iddrisu's comments, Kweku Baako referred him to read statistics on crimes in Ghana within the years of 2012 and 2016 if he (Haruna Iddrisu) so claims there is a breakdown of law and order under the current regime. He queried the Minority Leader if he would say same about Ex-President John Mahama because the statistics will show a fluctuation of crime-related cases during the previous government. "My advice to him is that he should go and check the statitics, in this case we're talking about robbery, a subset of crime because, when you look at the statistics, they have all sorts of crimes. Kidnapping, Abduction, theft (common theft), threats, then robbery which is the armed robbery especially; if he checks the statitics from 2012 . . . to 2016, he will see a lot of them. I'm not sure he will accept that we should blame President Mahama for those incidents of violence. ''We should focus. The Government of Ghana and it didn't start with Akufo-Addo government has been keenly aware of the creeping threat of terrorism . . . Look, the threat of terrorism, they're keenly aware. Ghana has been keenly aware of that in the last 10, if not 15 years, and of and on the Armed Forces and other security agencies, they engage in training and exercises," he said. "The opportunistic politics is too much . . . To be honest, if we will all focus, we will make progress," he further advised the Minority. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Sulemana Braimah, the executive director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has called on the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to remove the Inspector General of Police (IGP), James Oppong-Boanuh. His call follows recent upsurge in crime activities in some parts of the country with the latest being an attack on a bullion van at Adedenkpo, a suburb of James Town in Accra on Monday leaving a police guard and a trader dead. The MFWA boss believes there are enough competent Commissioners of Police who could be appointed as IGP. The Ghana police service is a very professional institution. But why at all have we had a retired officer as IGP for close to two years? Why? None of the active COPs is competent enough to be appointed IGP? he posted on Facebook. Braimah added: I am told that in the security services, there is something called MORALE and that when it goes down, all things go down. The retired man has done his part. Its time for someone else to take over as IGP. Over to you, Mr. President. Meanwhile, the IGP has paid a visit to the family of Constable Emmanuel Osei of the National SWAT, who was murdered in cold blood by armed robbers during the bullion van attack. He pledged the police administrations resolve to bring the perpetrators to book. A psychologist has also been assigned to the family. Source: asaaseradio.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Ranking Member on Foreign Affairs in Ghanas Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has said if President Akufo-Addo wants to bath in the sky then he should fly Emirates 1st class and not luxurious private jets. His comment comes after Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul mounted a spirited defense for the decision by President Akufo-Addo to charter a private jet for foreign trips for 15,000 pounds an hour. He argued that safety and security of the president was the ultimate factor in deciding the type of aircraft used for his travels. Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, June, 16, 2021, Hon. Dominic Nitiwul argued the Presidential jet is handicapped in handling long-distance travels which will require refueling. He also revealed that the jet lacks enough luggage capacity as well as a place for the president to shower while onboard the presidential jet. The decision to travel to long and multiple destinations such as the president travelling to France, Belgium and South Africa, will always require a larger aircraft even when the Falcon is airworthyWhen the President is travelling with more than 20 people for a business tripyou will need more than just a Falcon, otherwise, the people will have to go more than a day ahead of the president to prepare themselves. The president himself must go more than a day ahead to prepare himself because no president can shower in this aircraft, so you cant move from this aircraft straight into a meeting, Mr Nitiwul added. But Hon. Ablakwa in reacting to Hon. Nitiwul stated that President Akufo Addo must be thrifty in spending the taxpayers hard-earned money. The point must be made that you have so many options if you think that the Falcon is not big enough for you, as for you you like a large number of ministers, a large size of an entourage, you want to live large, thats fine. If you want to do that, dont do it at the taxpayers expense, that is our concern. Once it is taxpayers funds you are using then there are other economical options, you can fly commercial. If its about showers in the sky Ive told you its Emirates first class and nobody will really be angry that our President has traveled first class, its the office we respect him, he must be comfortable. So you can travel first class and it will be far cheaper, well not spend anywhere near even 10% of this 15,000 an hour for an aircraft. Even if you want to charter there are bigger aircrafts at far less a cost, there are cheaper options available than this. Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP for South Tongu had in a Facebook post last month alleged that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo spent a whopping Ghc2.8m on a private jet on his recent trips to France and Johannesburg. He alleged that the president decided to rent an aircraft that cost the Ghanaian taxpayer 15,000 an hour. The former Deputy Education Minister further added that the President left Accra for Paris on the 16th of May and then from Paris to Johannesburg and back to Accra on the 25th of May accumulating a total of 23 hours amounting to a colossal 345,000. At the current exchange, the amount totals GHS2,828,432.80. He subsequently filed an urgent question in Parliament demanding answers from the Defence Minister. Source: kasapafmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Vice President, Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia has heaped praises on former President of Ghana, John Agyekum Kufour for his immense contributions to the political fortunes of Ghana. According to Dr. Bawumia, former President Kufour moved Ghana from HIPC to a frontier emerging market economy in his 8 years of rule. He explained that Mr. Kufour focused on growing the private sector, reducing poverty and restoring macroeconomic stability. Dr. Bawumia said Mr. Kufour introduced the landmark- National Health Insurance Scheme, School Feeding Program, Capitation Grant, Free Maternal Care, massive infrastructure among others. His Excellency Mahamudu Bawumia said former President John Agyekum Kufour did so many good things for this country which the generation to come will continue to be grateful. Dr. Bawumia made this pronouncement when he launched the Art and the Power of Goodness, a collection of John Agyekum Kufour by Ivor Agyeman-Duah at the French ambassador, Her Excellency Anne Sophe Aves residence in Accra. Dr. Bawumia donated an amount of 50,000 cedis to this course. Source: Pious Baidoo Banson/Peace FM News Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video 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. The Circuit Court in Accra presided over by Mr. Emmanuel Essandoh has convicted Patience Asiedua popularly known as Nana Agradaa after pleading guilty in court. Nana Agradaa, who had earlier pleaded not guilty to charges of operating TV without license contrary to section 110 of the Electronic transaction act 2008, act 772 and Charlatanic advertisement (Sika Gari) contrary to section 137 of the criminal offences Act, 1960 changed her plea from not guilty to guilty. She was therefore convicted on her own plea and was sentenced to a fine of 3,000 penalty unit (GHc36,000) on count one to wit operating TV without license, in default she will serve a three-year jail term in hard labour. For the offence of Charlatanic advertisement (Sika Gari), the court sentenced her to a fine of GHc10,000 in default, she will serve a year in prison. The court said, shes to serve the sentences concurrently which means, she will pay the highest fine which is GHc36, 000. EIB Networks Court Correspondent Murtala Inusah reported that Nana Agradaa looked sobber in the docket while changing her plea in open court. NCA debt Patience Asiedua popularly known as Nana Agradaa earlier told the Circuit Court in Accra presided over by Mr Essandoh that she has settled all her outstanding debts with the National Communications Authority (NCA). The owner of satellite television channel Thunder TV, was arrested after the station was found to be operating illegally. She then pleaded not guilty to charges and was granted a GHc500, 000 self-recognizance bail. As part of her bail conditions, she was to deposit her passport at the registry of the court. In court on May 12, the accused Nana Agradaa also told the court that, she has paid two years in advance after settling the previous debts. But Prosecution led by Detective Inspector Frederick Sarpong then said, they are not aware of that payment. To this end, the court has ordered Prosecution to file their disclosures in two weeks and have same served on the accused person. Charges She was charged with operating a TV station without license contrary to section 110 of the Electronic transaction act 2008, act 772 and offence of Charlatanic advertisement (Sika Gari) contrary to section 137 of the criminal offences Act, 1960. Background The arrest of Nana Agradaa follows a raid by a joint team of Police and National Security Intelligence Operatives, in collaboration with the National Communications Authority on the premises of the satellite television stations; Thunder TV and Ice1 TV for illegally transmitting without licenses, at Kasoa in the Central Region. Her arrest was confirmed by Communication Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful in a post At about 2200hrs on 20/04/2021, a joint team of Police and National Security Intelligence Operatives, in collaboration with the National Communications Authority, stormed the premises of two satellite television stations, namely, Thunder TV and Ice1 TV, who were illegally transmitting without licenses, at Kasoa in the Central Region. The team arrested the offenders among which included the owner of Thunder TV, Patience Asiedua, popularly known as Nana Agradaa and seized two (2) equipment each used in the illegal transmission from both premises. Nana Agradaa advertises her Sika Gari on her TV station, which she claims is her personal god that multiplies money with some rituals she makes. She has hence admitted to this illegality and is currently in custody assisting with further investigations. The influx of unregulated television stations on air have led to the promotion of certain content which may affect public order, public morality and the rights and reputation of others. As such, efforts are underway to rid the system of this canker and reduce overcrowding on Ghanas airwaves. Source: kasapafmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Ghanaian MP, Kennedy Agyapong, has flown his kids to Dubai for some sweet birthday chilling. The Member of Parliament for Assin Central is having the time of his life celebrating his birthday. Kennedy turned 61 years of age June 16th 2021. By his own admission, he has 22 children. About 17 of the kids are female and he flew 16 of them to Dubai with him alongside his wife for his birthday enjoyment. All Agyapongs daughters made the trip with the exception of his prodigal daughter Anell, who is in the United States graduating from college. A video of the first class chilling the family is enjoying in Dubai has hit the web. The video shows Ken and his daughters seated at a dinner table with the old man being celebrated by everyone. Other scenes show Ken and his wife having a tender moment during the party. At a point even the posh cars the family used to transport themselves to the venue was shown and it was fantastic. check out the video below View this post on Instagram A post shared by Maame Adwoa Amponsaah (@sweet_maame_adwoa) Source: instagram/GC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Ghana will host the launch of the biggest music awards festival about to hit the continent, GHANA NAIJA MUSIC AWARDS in July 2021. The GHANAIJA MUSIC AWARDS will bring together artists of the two West African countries [Ghana and Nigeria] to be awarded for their hard work and creativity. The launch in Accra is also expected to unveil the Country Representatives of the scheme and also the Awards Categories. The main event is expected to be held by the end of the year 2021 in Nigeria. Plans are far advance to also host GHANAIJA MUSIC AWARDS in the UK and USA. The awards event is established to reward and celebrate musical works, talents and creativity in Ghana and Nigeria while promoting the African cultural heritage. Public votes determine which artists get awarded, alongside a jury of experienced African culture, media and music industry experts/professionals. Organizers will share more details about the GHANAIJA MUSIC AWARDS with the general public soon. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Green party Leader Annamie Paul speaks during a news conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Paul has survived another day of party strife after a planned ouster shifted course, leaving her with a tenuous grip on power ahead of a likely federal election this year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) Graduating seniors in Juneau will be allowed to earn half a credit less than prior graduating classes under a change adopted this week that was billed as a way to acknowledge the impact the pandemic has had on learning. Under the change adopted by the Juneau School District Board of Education, the graduating classes of 2022, 2023 and 2024 would need 22.5 credits to graduate, rather than the 23 credits previously required. Reducing the elective credit total by a half-credit would allow more time for recovery of core content credits or other credits lost, the prop... Thank you for reading the Philadelphia Tribune. You have exhausted your free article views for this month. Please press the "subscribe" button below and see our introductory price of $0.25 per week for 13 weeks. Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you next month. The Delta variant, a form of Covid-19 first identified in India, has increased to approximately 10% of coronavirus cases in the United States, according to the CDC. State Sen. Carolyn Comitta and Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding are urging residents to donate to a food drive to benefit the Chester County Food Bank. ENTEBBE Uganda has received an additional 175,200 doses of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine donated by the French government through the COVAX facility. The vaccines arrived in the country on Wednesday night aboard KLM airlines. A team of officials from the Ministry of Health and National Medical Stores NMS received the vaccines at Entebbe International Airport. Sheila Nduhukire, the NMS spokesperson said their trucks had picked the vaccines from the airport for safe storage. The vaccines are now in the safe hands of NMS and security. Doses will be stored for onward distribution across the country, she said. The ministry of health is expected to communicate later today how the doses will be distributed and the targeted recipients. The vaccines come at a time the country is grappling with a surging number of Covid-19 cases, with a daily average of 1,000 cases and over 65 deaths recorded in the last two weeks. The new doses bring to 1,139,200, the number of Covid-19 doses received in the country. The first two batches, totaling 964,000 doses arrived in the country in March and are expected to expire by July 10, 2021. By June 13, over 800,000 people including health workers, teachers, security personnel, airport staff, the elderly and people with diabetes, hypertension and other underlying conditions had been vaccinated. Last week, the health ministry revealed that 14,460 Covid-19 vaccine doses went to waste because they were opened and not used. Scientists say vaccines lose their potency and effectiveness if they are exposed to temperatures outside the required range. This implies that once a vials seal is punctured, workers have only six hours within which to administer the vaccine. Each vial can vaccinate 10 to 12 people. Catherine Makumbi Ntabadde, the Unicef country communication specialist said Uganda is expected to receive another batch of 688,000 vaccine doses in August. She noted that these doses will be administered to people who will be getting their second jab. Uganda gave Unicef US$ 11million to procure Covid-19. Comments Itemizer-Observer DALLAS A pretty overwhelmed Jeremy Gordon was selected June 9 to replace a retiring Mike Ainsworth in Position No. 3 for the Polk County Commissioners. Lyle Mordhorst and Chair Craig Pope unanimously picked Gordon over the two other finalists, businessman Joe Rivera and Independence City Councilor Marilyn Morton. Ainsworth, who abstained from the vote, nonetheless touted the process. I would also like to mention, when were going through this process, that Craig and Lyle cant talk to each other about any of this, Ainsworth said. So, this is just boom. Youre going to find out who it is. Nobody has any idea who it is. And I appreciate that fact. Theyre not talking behind closed doors. Mordhorst gave his nomination first, reading from written comments. After extolling the virtues of Rivera and Morton, he gave his reasons for selecting Gordon. Serving as the mayor of Falls City you took it upon yourself to bring your community together and make a difference. Then you started reaching out creating partnerships with different communities and government entities to successful collaborate to meet the needs and goals that youve seen outreach for a small community, Mordhorst said. Its been very impressive what youve been able to accomplish in such a short time period. That tenacity, those relationships youve established, the ability to work with others, the willingness to put yourself out there to make things happen, will serve you well as the Polk County Commissioner No. 3. Pope said he, too, had the same appreciation of the candidates as outlined by Mordhorst. He then said he selected Gordon for not only the things he said in the public interview on June 2, but how Gordon articulated his interest and commitment to community and family in his letter that accompanied his application. He touched on quality of life first in his letter, which resonates with me, always, Pope said. He touched on his ambitions to work on housing, homelessness, economic development, tourism, law enforcement, and just general community participation. His statement was trust in government is at historic lows and he truly believes that elected leaders need to build and maintain trust above all else, Pope added. This requires listening, the willingness to be educated, to educate others, recruit people into service. Jeremy Gordon will apply these values as Polk County Commissioner and I congratulate him in him nomination for Polk County Commissioner. Gordon and his family moved to Falls City in 2015, from Wisconsin where he worked from home for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee as program manager in academic affairs. Gordon said Falls City became their permanent home in Polk County. He then became mayor of Falls City in 2017 after some urging from community folks he admires. Once you enter into that community service arena, as many of you know, opportunities continue to present themselves and you find yourself in the center of all kinds of conversations and initiatives, Gordon said during the candidate interviews on June 2. Theres nothing more fulfilling than that. After he learned of his nomination to the position, Gordon said he was pretty overwhelmed by the commissioners decision. The process was simple, transparent, but its heavy. Its a lot to consider, Gordon said in between all the congratulatory handshakes from county staff. Its a lot to get the trust of commissioners. Going from serving 1,000 people to 87,000 people. The same principals will apply, but I think the work will be same. During the interviews, Gordon outlined the top issues facing Polk County he was looking forward to addressing, including recovering post pandemic and properly investing $16.7 million in American Rescue Plan Act dollars locally, emergency preparedness in the wake of last years wildfires and maximizing tourism and recreation in Polk County. During the interview, the candidates were asked if they supported Polk County considering placing on the May 23 ballot the reauthorization of the Public Safety Levy. Gordon was unequivocal. I am absolutely in favor of renewing this levy, Gordon said. In fact, I volunteered on the campaign to organize letter writing, editorials for newspapers and did a lot of campaigning for it in my community. One of the great things about living in Polk County is the low taxes. But sometimes we ask voters to pay for certain services. I think that is the most just way to do this, that they get to choose. Without the levy we could lose 24-hour patrol, we could lose mobile crisis response team, which Ive seen work firsthand in my community with great success. So absolutely we need to keep funding the sheriffs office and those public safety services. Gordon informed the Falls City City Council about his appointment during their regular meeting on Monday (June 14), discussing the timeline for his resignation as mayor and appointment process to fill the vacancy. He plans to continue to serve Falls City through July and will continue his involvement in all things Falls City afterwards. As for the commissioner seat, he does not plan to fill it temporarily to the end of 2022. Rather, by getting out and better acquainting himself with the county residents he hopes will ingratiate him for when he runs for re-election. I didnt come to this decision lightly. It took a lot of conversation with my wife and family. Im mid-career. This would be a big career shift for me, but one Im incredibly excited about. Im hoping that optimism and public service will translate to earning the trust of voters of Polk County, Gordon said. Pope said Gordons swearing in process will be sometime in late July with a torch passing on Aug. 2. Itemizer-Observer report MONMOUTH Western Oregon University appointed Dr. Jay Kenton as its interim president, beginning July 1. He is expected to stay in the position until a national search for a president concludes at the end of the 2021-22 academic year. Kenton is an experienced higher education leader in Oregon who has supported several public universities during his career. Among Kentons multiple senior administrative posts at Oregons public universities, he worked for eight years as vice chancellor for finance and administration and chief financial officer for the Oregon University System and 16 years at Portland State University, where his last position was vice chancellor for finance and administration and chief financial officer. He briefly served as WOUs interim vice president for finance and administration and interim president at both Oregon Institute of Technology and Eastern Oregon University. Kenton recognizes that there are myriad challenges facing higher education right now, such as the pandemic and an ongoing budget crisis. While I expect a lessening of these impacts, they will remain among the primary challenges as we begin 2021-22 with the hope that operations and interactions continue to renormalize, he said. He has already outlined numerous areas of focus for the coming months, which include rebuilding enrollment and working toward becoming a Hispanic Serving Institution; support and grow existing initiatives toward diversity, equity and inclusion; resume more in-person activities on campus based on safe and effective protocols and compliance with all applicable guidelines; maintain a balanced budget and work on replenishing the universitys reserves; and attract and retain a diverse faculty and staff. I will work hard to ensure that WOU gets its fair share of federal stimulus and state general fund funding for both operating and capital needs as this will be critical in keeping the institution vibrant, relevant and sustainable, Kenton said. I will attempt to rebuild community and unity through open and honest communications, involvement of various constituencies in policy formation, giving groups reasonable timelines to respond to ideas or proposals, making data-driven decisions, and generally being forthcoming with information to eliminate surprises and support hypotheses. Finally, I will advocate that we safeguard and invest in our people as they are our most important asset. Kenton looks forward to supporting campus initiatives and the work of the universitys strategic plan. In my opinion, WOUs strategic plan is remarkably simple, yet a powerful document to guide the work of the campus in the coming months. Forward Together is the perfect title as it entails the engagement and involvement of everyone in the betterment of the enterprise. Student success, academic excellence, community engagement, accountability and sustainability and stewardship are easy tenets to support. Kenton earned his doctorate in Public Administration from Portland State University, and both a masters in Education with an emphasis in higher education administration and a bachelors in Business Administration from Oregon State University. Generac Power Systems Inc., a power and technology company that serves the residential, light commercial and industrial markets, is expanding its plans for operations in Edgefield County, according to a news release issued Thursday. As a result, 300 more new jobs will be created. Production is scheduled to begin in July at the manufacturing and assembly center that Generac announced in February that it would be establishing at 30 Industrial Blvd. in Trenton in an existing 421,000-square-foot facility. Upgrades have been made to that facility, which also will serve as a distribution center. Generac said in February that it would be hiring approximately 450 people to work there. The operations expansion announced Thursday increases the number of new jobs created to around 750. Generac was founded in 1959. Its products include backup and prime power generator systems, engine-powered and battery-powered tools and equipment; and solar/battery storage systems. The manufacturing, assembly and distribution center in Trenton will increase Generacs capacity to meet the growing demand for its home standby generators and associated energy technologies, according to the company. The Trenton location in South Carolina will serve as a distribution center to customers in the Southeast. Given multiple megatrends at play, including the growing unreliability of the grid and the increasing number of people working and learning from home, there has been significant and strong demand for Generacs residential power systems, said Generac President and CEO Aaron Jagdfeld in a news release. We are pleased to be able to substantially grow our operations in South Carolina so quickly to meet the needs of consumers. Said South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster: Generacs announcement demonstrates the seemingly unlimited growth of our economy. After establishing operations in South Carolina earlier this year, Generac is already expanding and creating 300 more jobs. We are proud of this expansion and all of the good that will come from it. Gary Stooksbury, chairman of the Economic Development Partnership of Aiken, Edgefield, McCormick and Saluda counties, said: This news is a testament to the hard work that Edgefield County has put in over the years. We are extremely proud that Generac is expanding their new operation in the county, and we wish them continued success. For more information about the Generac jobs available in Trenton, visit www.generac.com/about-us/careers. An Aiken man was arrested Tuesday on five charges connected to the sexual exploitation of minors. Investigators state Ian Michael Gerard Wright, 27, possessed multiple files of child sexual abuse material, according to a report obtained from the South Carolina Attorney General's Office. The initial report was submitted on Aug. 19, 2020, according to an incident report obtained from the Aiken County Sheriff's Office. The suspect is charged with five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, third degree, which is a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment on each count. South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest Thursday afternoon. Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the Aiken County Sheriff's Office made the arrest, according to the report. Investigators with the Attorney General's Office assisted in the investigation. Investigators received a CyberTipline report that led them to Wright, according to the report. This case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General's Office. Would you like to receive breaking news notifications from The Post and Courier? Sign up to receive news and updates from this site directly to your desktop. Breaking News Columbia Breaking News Greenville Breaking News Myrtle Beach Breaking News Aiken Breaking News Click on the bell icon to manage your notifications at any time. Success! Please click the 'Allow' button in the 'Show Notifcations' alert in your browser if one is available. Thank you for signing up! Please enable notifications in your browser and reload the page. The former leader of the National Nuclear Security Administration in congressional testimony Wednesday said expected delays in plutonium pit production, namely at the Savannah River Site, evidence the damning inaction of previous administrations. The inability to meet a 2030 deadline for the plutonium triggers as was made evident in recent budget documents and other official remarks is a vivid reminder that several administrations refused to commit to constructing a modern pit manufacturing facility over the past 20 years, Lisa Gordon-Hagerty said, replacing a critical production capability that was shuttered more than 30 years ago at the Rocky Flats Plant. Thousands of plutonium pits, nuclear weapon cores, were pumped out at the Colorado plant before it was raided by the FBI and the EPA. The U.S. has since lacked the ability to make the key warhead components in great volume. The National Nuclear Security Administration and the Department of Defense in May 2018 recommended jumpstarting pit production in South Carolina, at the Savannah River Site, and New Mexico, at Los Alamos National Laboratory. The formal suggestion was made under Gordon-Hagertys watch, and she was a major advocate for the tandem approach. U.S. policies over the past several decades have resulted in a complex whose critical operations are all, in fact, single points of failure, she said in her written remarks Wednesday. In a 2019 interview with the Aiken Standard, Gordon-Hagerty said she was absolutely confident that we will make not less than 80 pits by 2030. That is our plan. That is our goal. That is our effort. That goal, though, is no longer publicly considered satisfiable. The proposed Savannah River Site pit factory, known as the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility, could be realized as late as fiscal year 2035, and doing all the work at Los Alamos is not realistic, according to Dr. Charles Verdon, the acting boss of the National Nuclear Security Administration. Shifting all of the weight onto Los Alamos, Gordon-Hagerty suggested Wednesday, would demand flawless execution. And thats a challenge, itself. The likelihood to achieve such goals is questionable, not because of technical expertise but because, historically, pauses and work stoppages occurred on a routine basis, and we should anticipate that in the future, Gordon-Hagerty explained in her prepared testimony. No doubt this scenario thrills the global disarmament crowd and our adversaries, as we seem to knowingly inch closer toward unilateral and unintentional disarmament. Moncks Corner, SC (29461) Today Partly cloudy early. Thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 82F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. Passengers and flights continue to return to Charleston International, leading officials to project a new high will be reached by mid-summer. "We are scheduled to have July as the greatest month of this airport," Elliott Summey, CEO of the Charleston County Aviation Authority, said of the expected number of air travelers. The projection came after the state's busiest airport reported that its May passenger count came in at nearly 88 percent of the pre-COVID-19 level. Last month, nearly 410,000 arrivals and departures traveled through the airport, up 700 percent from the 51,000 tallied a year earlier. In May 2019, traffic totaled roughly 469,000. Sign up for our new business newsletter We're starting a weekly newsletter about the business stories that are shaping Charleston and South Carolina. Get ahead with us - it's free. Email Sign Up! Through May, the airport has seen about 1.2 million travelers coming and going in 2021. That compares to about 887,000 for the same period in 2020 and nearly 1.9 million in 2019, which was the busiest year ever for Charleston International. No traffic records are expected to be broken this year, but passenger volume is poised to rebound further with the addition of startup Breeze Airways and with other established carriers adding flights from the Lowcountry. Summey said Charleston International is recovering about 20 percent faster than the national average. June could bring it close to 100 percent of pre-pandemic passenger levels. "Leisure travel has come back," Summey said. "Business travel is taking a bit longer, but I see it coming back." Charleston officials have backpedaled on a proposal banning food carts and food trucks from operating within 100 feet of a restaurant or other business along King Street, the city's most popular commercial district. But City Council chose to move forward with the parts of an ordinance that would set a closing time for those mobile businesses at 1:30 a.m. The decision this week to drop the setback requirements was a victory for several mobile food vendors who warned the rules would have forced them out of downtown and effectively put them out of business. The owners of those food carts and the employees who work for those small businesses lined up at City Council's June 15 meeting contending the rules were meant to target food carts and food trucks, though none of the owners could understand why. "We are an integral part of the community," Rolanda Bayoumi, whose family operates four food carts along King Street, told council members. "I feel as though it is a direct attack on us to shut us down, and this is our livelihoods," she said. At least one business owner who operates a brick-and-mortar location on King Street spoke in support of the food cart owners who operate next to his businesses. Joe Clarke, who owns the Forte Jazz Lounge, said the mobile food vendors were good neighbors and businesses. "I'm just adding my voice to this large chorus back here," Clarke told the council. "These guys are good folks." When the council first voted on the new rules in June, Mayor John Tecklenburg and several other council members argued the setback requirements were needed to enhance public safety on King Street and to prevent crowds from forming on the sidewalks. The city's attorneys said they included the setback requirements because the rules were included in a similar ordinance for food trucks in Greenville, which Charleston officials pulled from. Sign up for our new business newsletter We're starting a weekly newsletter about the business stories that are shaping Charleston and South Carolina. Get ahead with us - it's free. Email Sign Up! But the public backlash the council received about the setback requirements seemingly changed some minds about the need for the rules. "We all want the same thing. We all want a safe King Street for our officers, our citizens, our residents and tourists, of course," said Councilman Ross Appel, who represents parts of West Ashley and James Island. "I'm worried about the proximity element here and the fact that it could just wipe huge swaths of this industry out of the market." He added, "I think these businesses provide an important role and an important service, and are important employers, frankly." Councilman Jason Sakran, who represents the Wagener Terrace area on the peninsula and part of West Ashley, also pushed his fellow council members to eliminate the 100-foot setback requirements. He said the change was "commonsense." "We talk a lot about helping small businesses," Sakran said. "Well, tonight, this vote is helping small businesses. " Sakran pointed out that not every business needs to rent or own a brick-and-mortar store or restaurant to exist on King Street. "Not everyone is Stars. Not everyone is Halls Chophouse," Sakran said, referring to two prominent businesses in the busy commercial section. The council did keep several new restrictions for food trucks and food carts. The 1:30 a.m. curfew was advanced as a means of making sure people don't linger on King Street in the early morning hours after the bars and clubs close. The council also added language that will require the mobile food vendors to position their carts and trucks at least 10 feet from a road or sidewalk to prevent their patrons from clogging up traffic. That ordinance still needs to pass another vote on council before it goes into effect. Charleston's International African American Museum is one of nearly 300 organizations that will receive donations from philanthropist billionaire MacKenzie Scott's latest round of charitable giving. The gifts, which total $2.7 billion, were announced in a blog post earlier this week by Scott, who divorced from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos in 2019 and has since pledged to give away her wealth "until the safe is empty." Scott's post listed the 286 recipient organizations and linked to their websites but did not include dollar amounts for the gifts. The International African American Museum did not disclose how much it is receiving. The philanthropist said in her post that she, her current husband Dan Jewett and a team of researchers and advisers decided to give "relatively large gifts" to the named organizations. That was done "as a signal of trust and encouragement, to them and to others," Scott wrote. Recipients of Scott's donations were encouraged to spend the money "however they choose," she wrote. With a net worth of about $60 billion, Scott is one of the wealthiest women in the world. Since making her pledge, she's given away more than $8 billion in charitable donations. Sign up for our new business newsletter We're starting a weekly newsletter about the business stories that are shaping Charleston and South Carolina. Get ahead with us - it's free. Email Sign Up! The gifts announced this week went to groups Scott described in her blog as "high-impact organizations in categories and communities that have been historically underfunded and overlooked." Recipients included higher education institutions, since they are a "proven pathway to opportunity" and arts organizations from "culturally rich areas and identity groups that donors often overlook." The International African American Museum, which is set to open in 2022, broke ground nearly two years ago at a Concord Street site that once was part of Gadsden's Wharf, a major point of entry during the transatlantic slave trade. More than $100 million in funding from governments, companies, nonprofits and individuals was raised before construction could begin. Museum leaders have continued to fundraise to support operations and build up the institution's endowment. Tonya Matthews, the recently named CEO of the IAAM, said in a statement that the museum was "humbled to receive such a signal of trust and encouragement." As we near completion of museum construction, we are grateful for continued support like this from across the country and right here at home in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, Matthews said. Physical separation became an opportunity, not an obstacle, for Seabrook Island artist Deane Bowers. In the midst of the COVID-19 quarantine, while she was brimming with emotions, Bowers began searching for ways to explore and express them creatively. While her own artwork flourished from the bombardment of unexpected inspiration, within her blossomed a desire to collaborate with other artists in some capacity, despite not being able to do so in person. Sign up for the Charleston Hot Sheet Get a weekly list of tips on pop-ups, last minute tickets and little-known experiences hand-selected by our newsroom in your inbox each Thursday. Email Sign Up! She was craving community and began developing an idea. Bowers, who uses reclaimed and recycled materials for much of her multidimensional artwork, began searching her house for what art supplies she could repurpose for a group project. When she tried to open her basement door, she was met with a stack of shipping boxes from online purchases. That's when sparks flew. "It was like the universe literally threw a box in my way and I was like, OK, theres your answer," Bowers said. She started cutting up boxes into 6-by-6-inch squares, with the hopes to find willing participants she could mail them to who would then use them as their canvases. The goal was to compile the resulting artwork together into somewhat of a cardboard patchwork quilt. She called the idea the Together While Apart Art Project, and the finished piece is currently being considered for permanent exhibit by the Medical University of South Carolina and McKissick Museum at the University of South Carolina. "I knew from my own journey as an artist that by processing these events going on in our world, my creativity would help me channel them and Id start healing myself and finding hope," Bowers said. "I felt like that would be the case with other people." Bowers reached out on all the platforms she had access to, including on her social media pages and during a podcast interview with a Los Angeles-based artist she knew. She wanted to find participants both in and outside of the Lowcountry. "I really wanted to find a community of people who wanted to be a part of something bigger than themselves," Bowers said. From late July until early October, she garnered interest from more than 30 artists across the country that were then whittled down to 19 from eight different states, as some dropped out while other obligations arose. Bowers sent everyone two to three pieces of a box and told them to think outside the box. "I wanted them to process whatever they were feeling, positive or negative, and told them to put that into art," Bowers said. Meanwhile, she began getting to know the artists who had reached out for the project. She learned that though in Cleveland, Amy Lauria had a shared love of coastal art, made from her collection of stones, driftwood and beach glass from the shores of Lake Erie. She discovered Statesville, N.C., participant Cynthia Webb was primarily a jeweler, not a painter, but was still willing to give the project a whirl. She checked on California participants Nikki Contini and Rebecca Potts during the wildfires. Everyone began chatting on social media, expressing their hardships during the pandemic and also offering support and encouraging words. Then Bowers paired up snail mail buddies, sending everyone in the group a pre-stamped envelope biweekly that they could fill with whatever they wanted to send to their selected partner. In the midst of widespread loss of life, Bowers saw before her eyes a story unfold of new friendships being born despite it all. "We really became this socially distanced community, connected over this project," Bowers said. "We all were sheltering in home and in the same pandemic boat, but took comfort in knowing we weren't in it alone." In January, the last finished squares arrived on Seabrook Island. "When I laid all the squares out on my studio table, I saw that everyone had channeled their heartache, their loneliness, their sadness, their anxiety, all into something positive," Bowers said. "The synergy was wild." Frankie Slaughter's abstract acrylic and Celie Gehrig's colorful flowers were bright and childlike splashes of wonder amid the chaos. Rachel McLaughlin's piece "No Mud, No Lotus" (Thich Nhat Hanh) perhaps encapsulated the juxtaposition of positive and negative emotions brought on by COVID-19 the most succinctly. "It's a reminder that happiness always goes hand-in-hand with struggle and suffering," she penned. "One cannot exist without the other." Charleston participant Cathy Kleiman painted angels in hopes that everyone would have a COVID-19 protector watching over them. But those angels also represented guardians watching over Black Lives Matter demonstrators as they marched for justice. "I wanted to express that every Black, Brown, White person whatever race, creed, color or sexual orientation needed guardian angels watching over them during this time for unity, peace, love, justice, mercy and understanding," Kleiman said. After Bowers compiled the separate squares into one finished piece, she began offering it as a traveling exhibit to different galleries, museums and hospitals around the country. The first to showcase it will be the University of Alabama at Birmingham's Institute for Arts in Medicine. "Part of our mission is to enhance the healing environment, and we truly feel this piece will do just that," said program coordinator Lauren Edwards. The Together While Apart Art Project will be in Alabama until December and then will travel to the Hickory Museum of Art in North Carolina for six months before arriving at the Medical College of Virginia. It could end up in Charleston, a notion supported by the South Carolina Arts Commission. Community Arts Development Director Susan DuPlessis expressed the importance of reflections such as this on eras of hardship. What especially stands out for me is the idea that community could be created in 6-by-6-inch squares," DuPlessis said. "It took an artist with a vision who said why not? And she went for it. Now, her idea and the creative work of a number of artists who dont know each other has been stitched together literally and figuratively." Bowers said she wouldn't mind the project traveling a little longer and heading out to the West Coast before settling down. She hopes that along with a message of hope it also conveys a powerful revelation she hadn't expected to discover during the pandemic: You can find and create your own community even if you can't see them face to face. "Together, even if apart, we're better," she said. COLUMBIA A Fort Jackson soldier accused of hijacking a Richland Two school bus in a desperate attempt to get back to his home state of New Jersey has been bound over for trial. Richland County Magistrate Judge Kela Thomas ruled at a June 17 preliminary hearing enough evidence existed for 23-year-old Jovan Collazo to have been arrested and charged with 19 counts of kidnapping and armed robbery, among other counts. The recruit was three weeks into his training at the Columbia Army base when authorities say he jumped the fence at Fort Jackson and halted a bus at gunpoint, forcing its driver, Kenneth Corbin, and 18 students traveling to Forest Lake Elementary School to the side of Percival Road around 7 a.m. on May 6. Brad Maxwell, an investigator in the Richland County Sheriffs Department, said Collazos actions may have been prompted by fears of an attack on him or his familys safety. He was worried about his family, or a subject coming down here to hurt him. That was my understanding, Maxwell said. I believe he was going back to New Jersey to protect his family from this individual. Collazo waived his right to attend the hearing, which was conducted virtually. Maxwell confirmed several pieces of information released on the day of Collazos arrest, including that his M4 carbine rifle did not have a magazine or bullet in the chamber. Maxwell said Collazo was insistent that he didnt want to hurt anybody. He also said the trainee may have tried to force his way into another vehicle before deciding on the school bus. Collazo was captured by police near an overpass at the heavily traveled junction of Interstate 77 and Interstate 20, about 2 miles south of where he abandoned the bus, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said in May. Maxwell said Collazo arrived to police headquarters with scratches and no shoes. Three weeks after the hijacking, Richland Two trustees updated the districts safety plan to include drilling students, faculty and staff on other vulnerabilities such as active shooters, severe weather and spot checks of surveillance systems and other safety equipment. District leaders also honored Corbin during a May 14 ceremony. We refer to our students as precious cargo. That was so evident on May 6. Our job and goal is to transport that precious cargo to and from school in a safe and timely manner, Corbin said that day at the Richland Two Institute of Innovation. It was very crucial that I performed my job to the highest degree possible, and I emphasize to parents we take that very seriously. Will Anderson, Richland Twos chief operations officer, said the district didnt have one of its 70 monitors inside Corbins bus that day, because theyre typically assigned to routes carrying children with special needs. So Corbin was alone with training that was fresh in his mind when a man wearing Army physical training clothing pointed an empty M4 carbine rifle at his head and told him to drive. Drivers are taught to speed or operate their vehicles erratically in emergency situations to alert passing motorists, and thats what Corbin did blowing past a bus stop. Charleston, SC (29403) Today Scattered thunderstorms during the morning becoming more widespread this afternoon. Heavy downpours are possible. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 84F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall may reach one inch.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 72F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Sitting at the top of the steps at the South Carolina Statehouse, John Sims sees both progress and work to be done. The Black artist and activist, in town from Florida for a residency and exhibition at the 701 Center for Contemporary Art, has spent the past 20 years burning, burying and recoloring Confederate flags, an effort to confiscate the hateful symbols and repurpose them in an empowering context. The uproar around the Confederate flag that once flew above the Statehouse dome was an early spark for the two-decade project, called Recoloration Proclamation. Sims was back in Columbia in 2015, in the wake of the murder of nine Black parishioners at the Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, leading protestors in the burning of paper Confederate flags, taking part in the public outcry that ultimately pushed the banner off its flag pole in front of the Statehouse, where it had flown since 2000. He still sees reminders of the work to be done looking out at the grounds such as the statue of avowed White supremacist Ben Tillman that stands in front of the Statehouse. And he feels them as he continues to grapple with an incident on May 17, in which Columbia Police officers entered his provided apartment with guns drawn just before 2 a.m., handcuffing him for approximately six minutes before letting him go. The full breadth of these experiences in Columbia weighed on Sims as he looked ahead to a protest at the Statehouse on June 17. The South Carolina Rally to Confront and Confiscate the Confederate State of Mind took place at noon on the sixth anniversary of the Emanuel Nine massacre. The flag is down. But there's other symbols to deal with, Sims reflected. And they're protected because of a mindset. If the mindset was different, then that would be easy to move. For Sims and the groups that joined him in this weeks protest, that mindset connects various issues police protocols and procedures, the return of firing squads for executions in South Carolina, the Heritage Act that safeguards monuments like Tillman. And for the artist, it explains how he was treated when Columbia officers responded to an alarm and an open entrance to the art center, and the subsequent response from city officials. Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook said that officers on the scene acted professionally and within protocol, save for refusing to let Sims take a picture of them. When the artist brought his grievances to City Council on June 1, specifically decrying Holbrooks statement, Mayor Steve Benjamin voiced his support for the chief, praising his leadership on issues such as transparency and training around implicit bias and unconscious bias. "To be honest, I'm very disappointed in the city, Sims said at the Statehouse. There hasn't been a response, really. I wish there'd been a more compassionate, more intelligent, more sensitive way of dealing with what happened with me. Maybe other people as well in similar situations. To hide behind protocol, procedures, which often are problematic, have baked-in racism, that is just intellectually, spiritually lazy, and a cop out. The rally, led chiefly by Sims, the National Action Network and the SC Progressive Network Education Fund, was also backed by perennial arts organizations Tapps Outpost and Trustus Theatre. Its marketing materials emphasized the need for artistic voices calling all activists(,) artists(,) poets(,) concerned citizens(,) from church spaces to art spaces, reads part of the poster. At the event, what Sims told the crowd was the world's largest Afro-colored Confederate flag was spread out on the Statehouse steps. An overwhelming amount of the speakers who took turns in front of the small but attentive crowd were Black artists, many of whom are also dedicated activists. Spoken word performer Tammaka Staley recited a poem about embracing the powerful legacy of her Blackness, a personal journey that poet, rapper and visual artist Demetrius "6ixx" Similien also explored. Dance and theater artist Terrance Henderson was the emcee, and played his drum during an arresting dance and vocal performance that reclaimed the lyrics of "Dixie" the de facto Confederate national anthem that Sims has reworked in various Black musical traditions. Longtime theater fixture Darion McCloud hit on the galvanizing determination uniting the creators and performers in attendance during his turn at the mic. He told artists who may feel "like nobody cares, nobodys paying attention, we love you." "Keep doing the work. We need you," McCloud told them. Rallying artists to fight for their own creative freedom was an emphasis for Sims. This is certainly an artist-inspired rally, he told Free Times. Considering the incident that happened to me but also, but also the nature of the show. The flag did come down. But before that (was) the activism. This space here was very polarizing nationally, Sims continued, recalling how protests at the Statehouse helped inspire the Confederate flag project that hes now winding down. And me watching this on TV and asking the question, 'How can I contribute, as an artist, as an American? So 20 years later, to come back here, to be in this space, to show the work at 701, to be able to resolve this incident that happened, and frame that in a way to motivate responses to similar experiences, to be in this space as I end this particular chapter of this work, is very special to me. Now it sets up for a new chapter, as we move beyond the physical symbols. How do we approach the mindset? How do we move beyond this Confederate mindset? Sims and Michaela Pilar Brown, executive director of the 701 Center, both spoke to Free Times about the disruption the police altercation and its aftermath brought to his residency. He couldnt finish the play he was supposed to complete while in Columbia, and the table read scheduled for last week was replaced with a discussion about how Sims is responding to the incident. Residencies are hard to come by, Brown said. They require a certain amount of commitment to your art that's recognized by the organization hosting you. They're expensive. It takes a great deal of money to bring an artist from another city into your town, to provide for them while they are there. For artists, it is an opportunity like no other, you're away from the distractions of your regular life in ways that you can't do in your general practice, because you have greater concerns about the financial impact of it. For a hosting organization, what you're doing with the artists, the activities you have planned for the artists are what benefits the people who come into your space, she added. So there's a direct impact also on the viewing public, who are looking to have opportunities to experience contemporary art in these spaces. The need to protect spaces where artists are free to create is why including them in this protest was so important, explained Tiffany James, an artist and activist who is the president of the National Action Network of Columbia and a leader for this weeks event. It's time for us to actually come together and demonstrate through our art, what does it mean to be free? she said. Why do we need to have safe spaces, so the artists can be able to create and provide joy for the community? This is definitely like the kickoff to getting artists together to address systemic issues in our city and our state. Speaking to Free Times before the event, Sims encouraged artists to push for their voice to be heard, at the rally and beyond. We can critique these granting institutions and spaces, but if they're not available or not supportive then make your own spaces, he said. Raise your own money. Like this project, I didn't have any sponsors really. I had to hustle this on my own. And you never know where that takes you. So I think part of it is being hungry, curious and thirsty. And speak up. Speak up a lot, to demand not only respect but space and support. AfroDixia: A Righteous Confiscation Through June 25. 701 Center for Contemporary Art. 701 Whaley St. 701cca.org. Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story indicated incorrectly that the city of Georgetown was a partner in putting on this event. GEORGETOWN Howard High School was Georgetown's Black high school up until 1984, and its alumni association, in partnership with Georgetown's NAACP chapter, Gullah-Geechee Chamber of Commerce, and more is putting on a Juneteenth celebration June 19. Juneteenth marks the day enslaved Black people learned the Civil War was over and they were free in 1865, even though the Emancipation Proclamation doing so was signed two years prior. The proclamation was not enforced for those two years in Southern states where more slaves were, but the surrendering of the Confederacy and the arrival of Union soldiers brought the power needed to enforce the freedom. Howard Alumni Association President Janette Graham said celebrating Juneteenth is important because so many people don't know what it is including her for most of her life. "The first time someone said something to me about it they asked 'Do y'all do a Juneteenth celebration in Georgetown?' and I was like 'Well, what is Juneteenth? As I stand before you today, I have never heard that phrase or the expression before,'" Graham said. "So it was really an eye opener, and I'm so happy that other people are going to be able to know about it." While Georgetown tried to have a Juneteenth celebration a few years back, it never really got off the ground Graham said. This year, organizers plan on meeting at the JB Beck Administration and Education Center Saturday at 9:30 a.m. for a parade, and end the parade at Soul Saving Station Church. Sign up for our Myrtle Beach weekly update newsletter. Sign up for weekly roundups of our top stories, news and culture from the Myrtle Beach area. This newsletter is hand-curated by a member of our Myrtle Beach news staff. Email Sign Up! At the church, the festivities will continue with food, music, educational speakers, voter registration opportunities and pharmacy representatives administering COVID-19 shots. Even though Georgetown County is among the highest vaccinated county per population in the state, Graham said it is important to continue to push for everyone to get vaccinated. Graham also said voter registration is important because of the laws being passed in Georgia attempting to restrict ease of and access to voting. Many residents don't vote, Graham said, because they don't see the importance of local elections. "The national election only gives them so much per state, but for their everyday living and everything around them in their community, they need to be out in the local and state elections and make sure that they have the right people in place to help them progress their community," Graham said. The Georgetown City Council Democratic primary June 8 saw a 17 percent turnout. GEORGETOWN A second person was arrested in connection with the May murder of an elderly man and woman in Georgetown County, with the first suspect remaining behind bars at the Williamsburg County Detention Center. Deputies responded to 118 Graham Road on May 22 in reference to two deceased individuals located by neighbors conducting a welfare check. The victims, later identified as Debra Goins and Roger Woodruff Sr., were found with multiple blunt force trauma wounds to their heads, according to authorities. Two suspects from Georgetown County were later identified, Ryan ONeil Woodruff, 29, and his girlfriend, Alecia Renee Childers, 31. Childers was arrested on June 16 in connection with the incident, police said. Woodruff was located and arrested in Williamsburg County on May 25. He remains at the detention center in Kingstree, facing charges of attempted murder for allegedly bludgeoning Childers in the head, hours after the double murder occurred in Georgetown. Sign up for our Myrtle Beach weekly update newsletter. Sign up for weekly roundups of our top stories, news and culture from the Myrtle Beach area. This newsletter is hand-curated by a member of our Myrtle Beach news staff. Email Sign Up! Childers survived the assault, and as she recuperated from her injuries, originally cooperated with law enforcement. But as evidence surfaced and her responsibility became more apparent, she fled, according to police. Woodruff was a relative of the victims and was living with them at the time of the murders, according to authorities. Investigators and agents from SLED were able to locate Childers in the Rose Hill community and take her into custody without incident. She was transported to the Georgetown County Detention Center where she awaits a bond hearing on two counts of murder, police said. AMECO, a global heavy equipment rental and field services company associated with one of the biggest corporate names in Greenville's history, has been sold to a New York-based private equity firm, according to a June 15 announcement. Originally operating under the badge "American Equipment Company," AMECO was launched in 1947 by the former Daniel Construction Company in Greenville. It became part of the Fluor Corporation, then called Fluor Daniel, when Fluor acquired Daniel in 1977. With the recent sale, AMECO is now owned by New York-based One Equity Partners. AMECO is one of the leading construction and maintenance planning and management firms in North America, according to a statement from the company. With the slogan "One Company, One Call, Countless Solutions," AMECO's recent projects have included fleet services for Red Stripe beer in Jamaica, maintenance and logistics for the La Negra mining operation in Antofagasta, Chile, and general construction supply for Shell in Canada. AMECO also rents out tools and sets up scaffolding for massive projects. Gary Bernardez, who led AMECO from 2001 to 2012, will serve the newly independent AMECO as chief executive officer, according to the company announcement. "The deal comes at a time of unprecedented opportunity and pressure for large contractors and owners alike," the announcement said. "The current boom in construction and capital expansion projects in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic has left the industry struggling to keep pace with rising demand for services and supplies." Fluor, the announcement said, is not the only company in the engineering, procurement and construction sector to let go of its equipment and field services divisions under the current economic landscape. "As a stand-alone company, we are better able to market and promote our services to a wider range of companies at a time when our expertise and history of simplifying site execution complexities and delivering value and bottom-line ROI are needed more critically than ever," Bernardez said in the announcement. AMECO's headquarters are at 2106 Anderson Road in Greenville. Hartness opens first farm plot Hartness, a planned urban village currently under development east of Greenville, launched its first farm plot in partnership with Mill Village Farms, a local nonprofit that runs a youth farming program. During a June 15 tour of the 2,500 square foot plot, CEO Sean Hartness said food sustainability is critical and he views the new farm as a compelling aspect of the village. Produce from the farm will eventually be used in the development's first restaurant, Village Kitchen, which opened in late May. It will also be available to residents and community members as part of a new food-sharing program and Mill Village Farms' existing FoodShare program. The first plot includes cucumbers, broccoli, radishes, arugula, squashes and four varieties of kale. Additionally, 4-foot by 8-foot planter boxes are available for residents to grow their own produce. Farm director Phill Mathis, of Mill Village Farms, said residents will eventually be able to help with the larger farm. On the third Friday of each month the village hosts Fresh Fridays, a free event which includes an open-air market with music and vendors. The next event is June 18. Quick hits Sign up for our Greenville development newsletter. Get all the latest updates on the Upstate real estate market, more openings and closings, exclusive development news and more in your inbox each week. Email Sign Up! Spinx is picking up on the self-checkout trend. In a June 15 announcement, the gas-station chain said it has launched a pilot program the company hopes will "maximize the roles of team members" and "provide increased service to all customers." While not a new concept at grocery stores, self-checkout kiosks are considered "very cutting edge" in the gas station sector, Spinx founder and board chairman Stewart Spinks said in a release from the company. The pilot program is at 1103 Pendleton St. in west Greenville. The company plans to add self-checkout stations at four more stores in the fall. By the middle of 2023, they could be at all Spinx locations. A Cincinnati-based textiles operation that has survived eight decades of massive change in the industry is set to expand in Union County. Family-owned Standard Textile, founded in 1940, will invest $15 million and add 45 employees to its operations in South Carolina, according to an announcement from Upstate SC Alliance. The Alliance markets all of northwestern South Carolina for economic development. Standard Textile supplies the healthcare, hospitality, interiors and home markets. Its expansion is expected to be complete by October. The South Carolina Department of Commerce's Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits for the project and awarded Union County a $400,000 Rural Infrastructure Fund for related costs. The rundown Some of the biggest business headlines from around the state this week. Volvo will invest $118 million at its Ridgeville campus to add production of a high-performance, electrified SUV for the "Polestar" brand it co-owns with a Chinese conglomerate (The Post and Courier) A new distribution facility in South Carolinas Pee Dee region could drastically increase agriculture exports. China and other overseas markets want our soybeans, peanuts, cotton, cotton seed and yellow peas. (The Post and Courier) The Myrtle Beach airport hired a powerful Charleston aviation consultant to help nab Southwest (The Post and Courier Myrtle Beach) Straight from the release Announcements from companies in their own words. Spartanburg-based Milliken and Company has been named Partner of the Year by IFB Solutions, a U.S.-based manufacturer who provides employment to people who are blind or visually impaired. The award, announced June 15, is given to the partner who has stood out as an organization that has gone beyond the board room to support opportunities for people who are blind. Milliken, selected from more than 400 IFB vendors, has been working with IFB since 2008 as a U.S. military fabric supplier. The partnership has provided more than 245,000 hours of work for people who are blind or visually impaired. Bank of America announced June 15 it is joining Greenville Technical College as a partner for an initiative that addresses racial and gender achievement gaps through intensive case management and personalized support services. The African American Male Scholars Initiative (AAMSI) was established in fall 2019. A study had found Black males at the college had a retention rate of 42 percent compared to 56 percent for white male students, and the on-time completion rate for Black males (7 percent) was half that of all males. In 2019, AAMSI increased persistence rates for participants to 72 percent compared to 66 percent among Black students not taking part in AAMSI. The bank is supporting AAMI with a $50,000 grant. 7-figure home sales Recent million-dollar residential sales in the Upstate. That's all for this week. Email your tips, releases and newsy bits to rgilchrest@postandcourier.com, amitchell@postandcourier.com and smirah@postandcourier.com. South Carolina reached a milestone June 17 as 40 percent of the state's residents have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control said. Many more shots would need to be given out for the state population to reach the herd immunity threshold of 70 to 80 percent. "There's still quite a ways to go," said Dr. Brannon Traxler, director of public health for DHEC. Delivering vaccines has been difficult across geographies and demographic groups, though young people in the 20- to 24-year-old group have received among the fewest vaccines of any group. South Carolina ranks 41st in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout among all U.S. states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Statewide numbers New cases reported: 94 confirmed, 70 probable. Total cases in S.C.: 492,620 confirmed, 102,741 probable. Percent positive: 2.7 percent. New deaths reported: 4 confirmed, 2 probable. Total deaths in S.C.: 8,617 confirmed, 1,173 probable. Percent of ICU beds filled: 71 percent. Sign up for our new health newsletter The best of health, hospital and science coverage in South Carolina, delivered to your inbox weekly. Email Sign Up! S.C. residents vaccinated DHEC's vaccine dashboard shows that 47 percent of the state's residents have received at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine. Hardest-hit areas In the total number of newly confirmed cases, Richland County (17), Greenville County (11) and Charleston County (8) saw the highest totals. What about tri-county? Charleston County had eight new cases on June 17, while Berkeley County had five and Dorchester County had seven. Deaths Two of the deaths from COVID-19 confirmed June 17 were people 35 to 64. Another two were patients age 65 or older. Hospitalizations Of the 136 COVID-19 patients hospitalized as of June 17, 39 were in the ICU and 17 were using ventilators. What do experts say? DHEC is continuing to urge eligible South Carolinians to get vaccinated. People ages 12 and older can receive the Pfizer vaccine. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are available for people 18 and older. Go to vaxlocator.dhec.sc.gov to find a nearby vaccine provider. Kingstree, SC (29556) Today Thunderstorms likely. Rainfall will be locally heavy at times. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 81F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-Charleston, and U.S. Rep. Tom Rice, R-Myrtle Beach, were part of the small group of Republicans who voted to repeal the nearly two-decade-old war powers measure given to the president following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The bill proposed by U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., ends the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force known as AUMF that gave then-President George W. Bush the go-ahead to invade Iraq. Ahead of the vote, the effort had more than 130 co-sponsors. Mace is one of only nine Republicans listed as a co-sponsor of the bill. The freshman congresswoman told The Post and Courier returning those war powers back to Congress is a major victory. "It's been abused by Republicans and Democrats over the last two decades," Mace said in relation to the June 17 vote. "It's not one side or the other. What I found in Congress is when someone gets power, sometimes that power gets abused." Rice, who didn't co-sponsor the legislation but did vote to repeal the AUMF, said he wanted to restore war powers to Congress like the Founding Fathers intended. "The outdated 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force has kept our country in foreign conflict for far too long," Rice said. "My vote today restores the role of Congress in declaring war and helps to put a stop to the endless wars the U.S. has been fighting in the Middle East for decades. U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-Columbia, also voted to end the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force. Every other member of South Carolina's delegation in the House voted to keep the war powers resolution. In total, 219 Democrats and 49 Republicans voted to repeal the measure. U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-Lexington, was a part of the large Republican majority that wanted to keep the AUMF in place. He told The Post and Courier in a statement that repealing the resolution without a replacement causes a risk to national security. Sign up for our SC Military Digest newsletter Get exclusive military reporting, updates from Palmetto State bases, headlines from around the globe and more delivered to your inbox each Tuesday. Email Sign up! "Repeal of the 2002 AUMF without a replacement is a deeply flawed idea and a dangerous mistake given our current global threats," Wilson said. "We must have all tools at our disposal to ensure our troops can protect American families at home and succeed in the Global War on Terrorism by defeating mass murderers overseas. The repeal of AUMF is the latest example of how Washington is trying to address America's long-standing role in Iraq and Afghanistan and how samplings of Republicans and Democrats believe it is necessary to diminish war powers from the White House and return that role back to Congress. A similar bill in the Senate is scheduled to get a vote June 22 in the Committee on Foreign Relations. Earlier this week, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., supported repealing the 2002 AUMF and said he'd bring the matter to the floor for a vote this year. Additionally, President Joe Biden supported an end to the 2002 AUMF. The administration supports the repeal of the 2002 AUMF, as the United States has no ongoing military activities that rely solely on the 2002 AUMF as a domestic legal basis, and repeal of the 2002 AUMF would likely have minimal impact on current military operations, the White House said in a statement earlier this week. CONWAY With over 70 percent of Horry County residents in favor of impact fees, residents would think the choice to implement them would be easy, but councilmembers had quite a few questions during the June 15 meeting. Impact fees are an additional one-time charge to new residential, commercial or hotel developments. Per South Carolina law, the money collected for them has to be used to benefit the community that paid for them and be used within three years of collection. Horry County Council is still trying to decide how they want to implement the fees. As the county can either implement a variety of fees for different services or one service at a time. During county council's next meeting July 13, councilmembers will need to decide between implementing all the fees parks and recreation, public safety, transportation, solid waste and stormwater or just transportation. The reason for this deliberation comes down to money. Councilmembers are concerned of the affect impact fees will have on residential and business developments. Councilmember Harold Worley, who is strongly in favor of impact fees, said the county has been discussing the fees for more than 15 years and "either you're for impact fees or you're not." "I'm just not for $5,000 on small businesses, or an entrepreneur," Councilmember Cam Crawford said to Worley. "And also, we're not talking about just developers, there's so many other industries tied to it. How is this gonna affect drywallers, how's it gonna affect plumbers, electricians it's not just developers that we're talking about." This is how the proposed impact fees breakdown The numbers for stormwater are based on where residents live throughout the county and what stormwater system they use. For single-family households, this is how the numbers breakdown: Carolina Coastal Sampit $128, Coastal Carolina $1,807, Lumber $156, Waccamaw $1,179 and Little Pee Dee $1,207. And for multi-family households this is how the numbers breakdown: Carolina Coastal Sampit $0, Costal Carolina $378, Lumber $0, Waccamaw $194 and Little Pee Dee $0. The numbers vary for non-residential units and are based on square footage. When an impact fee would have to be paid was a question raised by developers during the June 10 workshop. Many of the county's developers, like G3 Engineering Director of Business Development Felix Pitts, proposed the county to put the cost onto homeowners. But county staff, during the June 15 council meeting, explained it would be best to charge the fee during the building permit process. "It gets complicated the more you push it off," Planning Director David Jordan said explaining the impact fee collection process. Scott Slatton, director of advocacy and communications for the Municipal Association of South Carolina, said while developers normally pay the upfront cost it doesn't mean residents wouldnt pay the cost in the end as developers can then raise the price of their homes to balance the cost. Impact fees will take effect immediately, if the ordinance passes its third reading July 13. While Horry County residents will have to wait until the next council meeting for public input, residents made it clear, they want impact fees during a June 10 impact fee workshop. "One of the things that we've really been propelling council to do is to vote in favor of the impact fees, 70 percent of the constituents in your district voted to support impact fees," Horry County Rising founder April O'Leary said. Impact fees would help mitigate future flooding by increase infrastructure to the county's stormwater infrastructure, which, according to O'Leary, was designed about 80 to 100 years ago. And Worley agrees with residents. "If Jesus Christ was on this Earth right now I don't believe you could get 70 percent to vote for him," Worley said. "Not in this day in time, so what I'm saying to you is the majority of people out there the God-fearing tax payers, the voters they understand what we are talking about and they want this done. And it's the right thing to do." Paul Murdaugh had been receiving threats from strangers before being killed alongside his mother on June 7, according to members of the prominent Murdaugh family who spoke on a nationally televised interview. Maggie Murdaugh, 52, and her son, Paul, 22, were found fatally shot shortly after 10 p.m. at the familys property at 4147 Moselle Road in Islandton. Attorney Alex Murdaugh discovered the bodies of his wife and son that evening. The newly disclosed threat revelation came during a June 17 interview on ABC's Good Morning America. John Marvin Murdaugh and Randy Murdaugh Alex Murdaughs brothers, spoke of Maggie and Paul Murdaughs deaths in a four-minute video presentation on the program. John Marvin Murdaugh said he did not perceive the threats to be serious at the time. I didnt think it was a credible threat, he said in the segment. If it was, I would have tried to do something or notify someone. But, I guess, maybe I made a mistake. He did not specify from whom Paul Murdaugh was receiving these threats. Randy Murdaugh said he did not think the family had any known enemies. I really dont know of any enemies, Randy Murdaugh said. You hear all this talk on the social media with regard to Paul. I dont know of anybody that would truly be an enemy or truly want to harm them. The double homicide comes more than two years after Paul Murdaugh was accused of being drunk while piloting a boat on Feb. 24, 2019, that crashed into Archers Creek Bridge in Beaufort County. The boating crash killed 19-year-old Mallory Beach. At the time of his death on June 7, Paul Murdaugh faced charges of one count of boating under the influence causing death and two counts of boating under the influence causing great bodily injury. The Murdaughs are a prominent family in South Carolina and are known to be a legal dynasty. Three generations of Murdaughs have served as 14th Circuit solicitor covering the states southern tip. Alex Murdaugh also works part-time for the 14th Circuit solicitors office. I see words like dynasty used and power, Randy Murdaugh said in the interview. And I dont know exactly how people use those words, but were just regular people. And were hurting just like they would be hurting if this had happened to them. The investigation is led by the State Law Enforcement Division. SLED set up a tip line on June 16 to help solving the case. It plans to operate the line, 803-896-2605, around the clock. The Post and Courier has made several attempts to obtain incident reports produced by SLED and the Colleton County Sheriffs Office regarding the investigation, which are public records in South Carolina. On June 17, the paper sued SLED and the sheriff's office to gain access to the records under the state's Freedom of Information Act. On June 9, there was an interesting letter to the editor about a $30 million pedestrian bridge over the North Bridge. I still think the most cost effective way to deal with the situation is to widen the median and redo the crosswalks at Poston Road and Sam Rittenberg as well as Cosgrove Avenue and Azalea Drive. The problem with most ideas is not the bridge but the Interstate 26 interchange. Traffic coming off I-26 onto Cosgrove can be a mess at times. Then drivers want to turn onto Azalea. Drivers had better count on at least two cars running the red light at the intersection. I also have to wonder about the number of people who will use a walk or bike path. I agree it should be done but not at the proposed cost. My idea would be far cheaper. RICHARD JACKSON Thornlee Drive North Charleston Pitts is wrong In his June 6 commentary, syndicated columnist Leonard Pitts questioned whether we would have a democracy after the Republicans actions related to the 2020 election. He railed against Republicans for questioning the legitimacy of the 2020 election and the subsequent actions to change local (state) election laws. It is strange that Mr. Pitts questions the motives of people who question whether there was fraud in the 2020 election, when Mr. Pitts and Democrats complained there was Russian interference in the 2016 election and that President Donald Trump was, therefore, an illegitimate president. This claim, incidentally, was refuted by Robert Muellers $30 million special counsel investigation. If Mr. Pitts and the Democrats are so sure there was no substantive election fraud in 2020, why are the Democrats opposed to a new round of audits of election results? As for actions to change state election laws, state legislatures are merely trying to improve the integrity of their state election laws by, among other actions, requiring a valid ID to cast a vote. If you need an ID to buy cigarettes or alcohol, why shouldnt you need an ID to vote? Its important to note that none of these revisions to state election laws would be required if Democratic governors and secretaries of state in swing states had not implemented changes prior to the 2020 election that altered how votes were cast and counted. So, no, Mr. Pitts, the Republicans arent threatening our democracy. Rather, they are preventing the Democrats attempts to undermine our representative republic by diluting every legitimate vote cast by legally registered citizens. STEPHEN GOLLE Salty Tide Cove Sign up for our opinion newsletter Get a weekly recap of South Carolina opinion and analysis from The Post and Courier in your inbox on Monday evenings. Email Sign Up! Mount Pleasant Remember blast victims Once again, I am writing about the Charleston 9 from 1991. These were victims of the Albright & Wilson explosion of June 17, 1991, that killed nine people and severely injured one. Eight of them were employees of Easy Way Insulation. It will have been 30 years since this disaster. I remember that day as if it was yesterday. Please take a moment to pray for the victims families and friends who endured this horrible event. Please remember these victims: From Easy Way Insulation: Steve Evans, Richard Westbury, Harold Gates, Brian Kinney, Timmy Chubb, Dennis Douglas, Mark Hughes and Greg Pye. Frank Grimes survived the explosion. From Albright & Wilson: Francis Smalls. We will always miss you guys. CINDY THOMPSON Eastern White Pines Road Ladson Biden dignifies office There is a region in Greece in southeastern Peloponnesus named Laconia. The ancient Laconians communicated in a unique way. In their conversations, they used as few words as possible, and because of that, the following adage was born: To talk like the Laconians is philosophy. Now every time I see President Joe Biden on television talking, it reminds me of that ancient Greek adage. He is laconic in his speeches and in answering questions but is direct in using words of substance. President Biden is the antithesis of his predecessor, who almost every day was in front of television cameras giving long, cheap speeches, bragging about his achievements, blasting anyone who disagreed with his views and blaming everyone else for his mistakes. President Biden knows the difference between a short, meaningful speech and a long, cheap talk. President Biden dignifies the presidency here and abroad and is repairing the damage done by his predecessor. G.A. MONOCRUSES Savannah Highway Charleston COLUMBIA Gov. Henry McMaster's pick to become the state's next commerce secretary would lead an agency grappling with issues such as broadband-related disparities in economic development while facing increasing scrutiny over how it spends tax dollars. At a June 17 news conference at the Statehouse, McMaster introduced former telecom executive Harry Lightsey III as his nominee for the cabinet position responsible for attracting jobs and industry to the Palmetto State. Lightsey, whose nomination still needs to be confirmed by the Senate, would succeed Bobby Hitt, the longest-serving head of the S.C. Commerce Department who's helped recruit $43 billion in business investment and 150,000 jobs during his decade-long tenure. The governor touted Lightsey as the right pick to continue building on Hitt's legacy, noting his extensive experience in the state, which includes stints as South Carolina president at BellSouth Telecommunications and Southeast president of AT&T. Most recently, he was a principal with Washington, D.C., business consulting group Hawksbill Advisers. "Harry Lightsey has been a fixture in the South Carolina's business community for many years, and I am confident that as our next secretary of commerce, he will keep South Carolina winning," McMaster said. In his opening remarks, Lightsey alluded to the long-running debate over transparency at the agency, casting it as a balance between public accountability and maintaining the state's competitive edge. "We must maintain the public's trust in how their tax dollars and our state assets are used to incentivize economic development and we must do so without losing our state's competitive position," Harry M. Lightsey III said. Some of the legislators who will be voting on Lightsey's confirmation, especially state Sens. Dick Harpootlian, D-Columbia, and Wes Climer, R-Rock Hill, have pressed the agency to reveal more details about the deals they strike with companies to incentivize them to come to South Carolina and how well the companies live up to their commitments. Asked whether he believed the agency should be more forthcoming about the incentive deals, Lightsey noted he is new to the job. "You have my commitment to be as transparent as I can without sacrificing the definitive interests of the state and its citizens," Lightsey said. Sign up for updates! Get the latest political news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email Sign Up! With a telecommunications background, Lightsey could also be well-positioned to build upon one of Hitt's priorities by expanding high-speed internet service to rural areas. South Carolina ranks 31st nationally for access to broadband, according to federal data, and about half a million residents do not have access to high-speed, affordable internet. Hitt has said the lack of broadband access is one of the biggest hindrances to economic development in rural areas. "I can tell you that getting broadband infrastructure into our state and throughout the rural areas of the state should be a top priority for all of us as we go forward, and I look forward to exploring the opportunities to do that with all of the stakeholders," Lightsey said. In addition to his work in telecommunications, Lightsey was a former member of the board of directors for the Federal Reserve Bank in Richmond, Va., and was director of emerging technologies policy for General Motors. Lightseys father, Harry Lightsey Jr., was the former president of the College of Charleston, where the younger Lightsey has served as a trustee. McMaster said Hitt's "imprint on our state's economy and progress has been immeasurable," adding the former newspaper editor and BMW executive who will be retiring this fall has "solidified Team South Carolina's global brand for automotive, aerospace and tire manufacturing and their international exports to name a few." Under Hitt's leadership, Commerce has landed major investments from some of South Carolinas best-known industries, including tiremakers Michelin and Bridgestone, commercial vehicle manufacturer Mercedes-Benz Vans, appliance industry leader Samsung and the $1.2 billion Volvo Cars campus in Berkeley County. South Carolina's automotive sector has grown to a $27 billion-a-year industry during Hitt's tenure, and aerospace firms now contribute $28 billion annually to the state's economy. Hitt said he has known Lightsey for several decades and would remain available to help him as he takes on the new job at no expense to the state. "This is not easy work, it's not traditional work, but it's work I know that Harry will fit into very well," Hitt said. Guam could help save some 70,000 Afghan allies and their families, the same way the island hosted about 120,000 Vietnamese and Iraqi refugees decades ago, advocates for the evacuation of Afghan translators told Guam officials and residents on Thursday. Advocates said Guam leaders and residents' support for using the island as a temporary evacuation site should signal the White House of the need to make its decision soon to bring Afghan evacuees to Guam. Janis Shinwari, a former Afghan translator, gave a human face to what 18,000 others like him face in Afghanistan for helping American troops. "The Taliban ... would have killed me...in front of our family and then they will make a video of us, like how they are killing us and put us on social media as a warning message to the other interpreters to stop working with the Americans," Shinwari told Guam Vice Speaker Tina Muna Barnes and other Guam residents. The U.S. plans to completely withdraw its troops from Afghanistan in three months, leaving behind Afghan allies and their families, totaling about 70,000, who face deaths and torture in the hands of the Taliban and other terror groups. Shinwari, now living in the U.S. after getting his special immigrant visa, co-founded "No One Left Behind." The organization is among lead advocates for the immediate evacuation of Afghan interpreters, engineers and aid workers from Afghanistan. Guam could play a key role in keeping America's promise of "not leaving behind any of its allies in Afghanistan," lead U.S. advocates Matt Zeller, Chris Purdy and Kim Staffieri said at a Zoom meeting with Guam leaders and residents. Along with members of Congress, these advocates want to make sure Afghan allies are sent to any U.S. territory, particularly Guam, while their special immigrant visa is being processed. "Guam is a single-plane flight from Afghanistan. We don't need to stop to refuel," Zeller, a U.S. Army colonel who served in Afghanistan and co-founder of No One Left Behind, said. This is a "real big deal" from a military standpoint, he said, in addition to not having to seek landing rights from a foreign country. Zeller said he wouldn't be alive today were it not for Shinwari who, while serving as a translator, saved Zeller from being killed by the Taliban when Zeller was pinned down in a ditch after their team was ambushed in Afghanistan in 2008. No need to reinvent the wheel Guam businessman Peter Sgro Jr. and former U.S. Marine Capt. Charlie Hermosa, now with ocean carrier APL, said Guam's private sector from hotels to shipping lines and food distribution has the capacity and the capability to help the federal government execute any plan of evacuating and caring for Afghan allies. "We don't really need to reinvent the wheel. The infrastructure is in place right now to do it now," Hermosa said about the logistics needed. "Getting them here is one thing and taking care of them is another." Sgro said Guam has lots of empty hotel rooms because the COVID-19 pandemic hit the tourism industry hard. "If the president was to order emergency evacuation, it would be easy to just turn over those Department of Defense contracts with the hotels now ... for Afghan refugees," Sgro said. These are in addition to the spaces available on Naval Base Guam and Andersen Air Force Base, where camps were also set up to house war refugees in the past, Barnes said. 'A place of refuge' Zeller, a Truman National Security Fellow and a 2018 CNN Hero, said Guam would be "a place of refuge" for Afghan allies. At the Zoom meeting, Zeller thanked Guam for helping in advocating for the use of Guam as a temporary evacuation site. Barnes said she's "100% on board to be an advocate" and facilitator. Michael Martinez, who also served in Afghanistan, also volunteered to be an advocate and liaison. The vice speaker echoed Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero's message to the White House, to give Guam a seat at the table when critical discussions about Guam's role connected to any Afghan evacuation plan. Staffieri, executive director and co-founder of Association of War Time Allies, said the dynamic that Afghan allies are facing has changed drastically in the last few months since the U.S. announced the complete withdrawal from Afghanistan. "The messages we get are horrifying. People are being killed now. It's not going to wait until the NATO and the U.S. troops are gone. Its already happening. I'm so grateful for all of you to even entertain helping these folks because they really need it," she said. White House mum As of Thursday, the White House remained silent about advocates' push for immediate evacuation of Afghan allies and whether Guam would be used at all. The Biden administration plans a complete withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan on Sept. 11, the 20th anniversary of the terror attacks that got America into its longest war yet. The White House acknowledged receiving Leon Guerrero's June 12 letter to President Joe Biden but had yet to respond on the governor's key question of whether or not Guam will be used as a temporary evacuation site for Afghan allies, according to the governor's director of communications, Krystal Paco-San Agustin. In 1975 and 1996, the U.S. evacuated more than 110,000 Vietnamese and more than 2,000 Kurdish allies, respectively, to Guam, while their permanent visa applications were processed. U.S. advocates, Guam leaders including the governor, and some members of Congress said the same can be done now for Afghan allies now. Purdy, a retired Army sergeant who served in Iraq from 2004 to 2011 and project manager for the Veterans for American Ideals program at Human Rights First, said the special immigrant visa program is caught in bureaucratic red tape, that it is impossible to process the SIV applications of Afghan allies and their families before the U.S. pullout from Afghanistan. Bringing these allies to non-U.S. territories will pose another massive layer of bureaucracy, so Guam is the perfect fit, he said. Everyone agreed that the U.S. military would be able to execute the evacuation plan to Guam as soon as the White House makes that decision. "In the event the President makes a final decision and selects Guam as the Special Immigrant processing site, the State Department and Department of Defense will likely be the federal agencies tasked to oversee the evacuation and all logistics. Both these agencies have a significant amount of funds available to them for contingencies such as this," Sgro told The Guam Daily Post. "The Taliban will kill me. They would have killed me...in front of our family and they will make a video of us...to serve as a warning message," Janis Shinwari, a former Afghan translator for American troops, on Thursday told Guam officials, residents, and U.S.-based advocates for the immediate evacuation of Afghan allies. There are still about 18,000 Afghan translators like Shinwari, along with engineers and aid workers, whose lives are at risk from the Taliban and other terror groups in Afghanistan, just three months before the U.S. completes its withdrawal from the country. Guam, at this point, could play a key role in keeping America's promise of not leaving behind any of its allies in Afghanistan, lead advocates Matt Zeller, Chris Purdy and Kim Staffieri said. Along with members of Congress, these advocates want to make sure Afghan allies are sent to any U.S. territory, particularly Guam, while their special immigrant visa to relocate to the U.S. is being processed. Guam would be "a place of refuge" not only for the 18,000 interpreters but also their families, totaling 70,000 to 80,000, said Zeller, a U.S. Army colonel who served in Afghanistan. Zeller said he wouldn't be alive today were it not for Shinwari who, while serving as a translator, saved Zeller from being killed for certain by the Taliban when Zeller was pinned down in a ditch after being ambushed in Afghanistan 2008. Shinwari got his special visa and now lives in the U.S., and has been advocating for the relocation and safety of the rest of Afghan allies through the group he co-founded along with Zeller, "No One Left Behind." Zeller is as a CNN Hero, a Truman National Security Fellow, an adjunct fellow of the American Security Project, and a board member of the Association of War Time Allies. Staffieri said the dynamic that Afghan allies are facing has changed drastically in the last few months since the U.S. announced the complete withdrawal from Afghanistan. "The messages we get are horrifying. People are being killed now. It's not going to wait until the NATO and the U.S. troops are gone. Its already happening. I'm so grateful for all of you to even entertaining, helping these folks because they really need it," Staffieri, executive director and co-founder of Association of War Time Allies, said. Guam citizen-advocates Peter Sgro Jr., a private citizen and Guam businessman, along with Vice Speaker Tina Muna Barnes, facilitated a Zoom meeting between the U.S. based advocates and those on Guam. Joining them were businessman and former Marine Charlie Hermosa whose knowledgeable with logistics management and Michael Martinez, who all pledged their support to advocate for the use of Guam as temporary site for Afghan allies "in their time of need." They join Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, Del. Michael San Nicolas and other Congress members in welcoming Afghan evacuees, should the U.S. make a decision. White House mum But the White House remains silent about advocates' push for immediate evacuation of Afghan allies. The Biden administration plans a complete withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan on Sept. 11, the 20th anniversary of the terror attacks that got America into its longest war yet. The White House acknowledged receiving Leon Guerrero's June 12 letter to President Joe Biden but had yet to respond, as of Wednesday, on the governor's key question of whether or not Guam will be used as a temporary evacuation site for Afghan allies, according to the governor's director of communications, Krystal Paco-San Agustin. The governor said she wants to make sure she's part of critical discussions about any such plan to use Guam in the Afghan evacuation process. Muna Barnes echoed the governor's statement. Zeller and the rest of the advocates thanked the Guam residents and leaders for adding their voice and for pledging their support and hospitality in welcoming Afghan allies to the island. In 1975 and 1996, the U.S. evacuated more than 110,000 Vietnamese and more than 2,000 Kurdish allies, respectively, to Guam, while their permanent visa applications were processed. Advocates and some members of Congress said the same can be done now for Afghan allies. Guam and U.S. advocates said there is no need to reinvent the wheel since Guam has the capacity and the capability to host evacuees, considering that the estimated number of Afghan evacuees is much less than the number of refugees during the Vietnam War. Purdy, a retired Army sergeant who served in Iraq from 2004 to 2011 and project manager for the Veterans for American Ideals program at Human Rights First, said the special immigrant visa program is caught in bureaucratic red tape, that it is impossible to process the SIV applications of Afghan allies and their families. Bringing these allies to non-U.S. territories will pose another massive layer of bureaucracy, so Guam is the perfect fit. Zeller also said that Guam is a "single-plane flight from Afghanistan," and there's no need to refuel. From a military standpoint, he said Guam is the right place to bring the Afghan allies. Everyone agreed that the U.S. military would be able to execute the evacuation plan to Guam as soon as the White House makes that decision. "In the event the President makes a final decision and selects Guam as the Special Immigrant processing site, the State Department and Department of Defense will likely be the federal agencies tasked to oversee the evacuation and all logistics. Both these agencies have a significant amount of funds available to them for contingencies such as this," Sgro told The Guam Daily Post. This story will be updated. As we continue to build Guam back better, we cannot forget that our economy is only as healthy as our community and for too long, our commun Read more Note: We've recently updated our online systems. If you can't login please try resetting your password. You must login with an email address. If you don't have an email associated with your account email circulation@postregister.com for help creating one. @montcocourtnews on Twitter Carl Hessler Jr. is a multi-media reporter who writes about crime and justice from the Montgomery County Courthouse for 21st Century Media Newspapers Greater Philadelphia area publications. Follow Carl on Twitter: @MontcoCourtNews 10 new COVID cases for Berks County are the fewest daily since July In January 2021, the general counsel of Coca-Cola sent a letter to the law firms that represent it. The letter demanded, among other things, that these firms commit that at least 30% of each of billed associate and partner time will be from diverse attorneys, and of such amounts at least half will be from Black attorneys. In response to this outrageous policy, the American Civil Rights Project (of which I am a board member) has sent a letter to the company on behalf of concerned Coca-Cola shareholders. The letter demands that the Coke either (1) publicly retract the discriminatory outside-counsel policies it announced in January or (2) provide access to the corporate records related to the decision of Coca-Colas officers and directors to adopt and retain those illegal policies. The letter is signed by Daniel I. Morenoff, who heads the American Civil Rights Project. You can read the full text here. The letter points out to Coke that by adopting Policies of contracting, refusing to contract, and altering the terms of signed contracts on the basis of the race of Cokes counterparties, the [directors] have exposed Coke and its shareholders to material risk of liability for unlawful race discrimination under 42 U.S.C. Section 1981. Furthermore: The Policies additionally expose the company to potential litigation on other theories, including (without waiving the right to later note more): (a)the Policies order outside counsel to discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, sex, gender, and disability status in hiring, promotional decisions, firing, staffing, and internal compensation structures. In doing so, the Policies order outside counsel to violate Title VII of Civil Rights Act of 1964,Title IX of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. (b)in requiring the disclosure of individual outside-counsel team member[]s disability status, the Policies separately compel the violation of the confidentiality provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The letter states that, at the time of its January announcement, Coke knew or should have known that the policies it set forth are illegal. In the unlikely event that Coke didnt know this, it was so informed by critics and certainly by Boyden Gray in an open letter to the company in April. Yet, on the same day it received Grays letter: [Coke] executed and filed with the SEC a Form 10Q omitting any reference whatsoever to the [illegal contracting] policies or Cokes related liabilities. Given the total omission of these material liabilities, that document, by all appearances, did not contain[ ] or fairly present[ ], in all material respects, the financial condition. of the Company. Thus, [Coke] executed and submitted to the SEC a false Certification Pursuant to 18 USC Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (Emphasis added) The letter concludes with this demand: The Stockholders therefore demand that you immediately publicly retract the Policies in their entirety. If we do not receive a response to these demands within 30 business days, we will understand. . .Coke. . .to have refused to address these matters themselves. At that point, the Stockholders will be forced to seek judicial relief to protect Coke and the Stockholders interests in the company from your continued breaches of your fiduciary duties. I hope that after you have reviewed this letter, you will be in touch to inform us of how Coke will comply with these demands. The letter is dated June 11, 2021. The clock is ticking. Winston Boogie Smith was the target of a North Star Fugitive Task Force arrest operation that cornered him on the afternoon of June 3 at the top of the parking ramp adjacent to Uptowns Seven Points (better known as Calhoun Square). Smith appears to have engaged in a gun battle with members of the task force when they sought to arrest him on an outstanding warrant. The woman who was in Smiths car at the time of the shootout has retained counsel. What does she need a lawyer for? Perhaps she awaits a big payday, along with Smiths family. See part 4 of the continuing saga of Winston Boogie Smith, father of three. The task force operated under the auspices of the United States Marshals Service. Smiths shooting by law enforcement members of the task force is being investigated by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Yesterday two search warrants were filed in the case. KARE 11s Lou Raguse has a good straight news summary here. Citing the affidavit signed by BCA Special Agent James Reyerson, Lou reports: According to the search warrant receipt, agents collected a Smith and Wesson M&P 380 handgun from the front driver side of [Winston Smiths] Maserati. They also collected six Blazer 380 Auto cartridge cases from the drivers side, center console and passenger side in the front of the SUV. In addition, they collected a loaded Smith and Wesson M&P 380 magazine with seven rounds in a duffel, according to the warrant. Outside the Maserati on the passenger side where officers fired, the BCA collected fifteen FC 9mm Luger cartridge cases on the ground. The agents also collected many bullet fragments, several phones, clothing and more than $800 cash as evidence in the case, according to the search warrant. Smith promoted war with the police and did his best to wage it when the time came. Smith skipped a May 19, 2021 sentencing hearing and a new warrant in Minnesota was issued for his arrest. He was a bad dude whose supporters now seek to enroll him in the annals of the sainted, Minneapolis style with an autonomous zone dedicated to him. I am not clear on the status of the zone. The Star Tribune has posted video (below) of the police efforts to clear the heavily trafficked intersection on Tuesday evening with this caption: Police and protesters clashed Tuesday night as the City of Minneapolis cleared barricades erected across Lake Street in Uptown. The street had been occupied by protesters as a memorial to Winston Smith and Deona Knajdek. Some protesters struck officers with debris, who then responded with less lethal weapons. Smiths death during an attempted arrest by U.S. marshals who were not wearing body cameras launched daily protests at the Uptown intersection of Lake Street and Girard Avenue. Protester Deona Knajdek was killed in the zone Sunday when a driver collided with another car being used as a roadblock to prevent vehicles from driving into demonstrations in the middle of the street. The driver who killed Deona Knajdek in the zone on Sunday has now been charged with murder. Minneapolis itself is in the zone of crime, chaos, and illegality. Its police force has shrunk by 25 percent in the past year and the boy mayor of the city has asked the governor to place National Guard troops in standby. The Star Tribune is in its own zone. Its lead editorial today salutes A bipartisan push for infrastructure. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is no ones idea of a hardliner. For example, hes leading the charge to appease Iran in the hope that, with the pot sweetened, the mullahs will permit the U.S. to reenter the nuclear deal. But Blinken is what passes for a hardliner in the feckless Biden administration. Reportedly, he strongly urged Joe Biden to sanction the company and the CEO behind the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. That pipeline is vital to Russias interests in its quest to use oil and gas to isolate Ukraine and leverage its way to power in Europe. Blinken was joined in his push for sanctions by his deputy, Wendy Sherman, a major foreign policy player in past Democratic administrations. Key congressional Democrats, including Senate Foreign Relations Committee head Robert Menendez, also wanted the sanctions. But Biden declined to impose them. And in related news, Biden also decided not provide a package of lethal and non-lethal aid to Ukraine. Congress authorized him to supply the aid, worth tens of millions of dollars, but Biden didnt follow through. Donald Trump made the opposite decisions. He stood in the way of Nord Stream 2 and he suppled congressionally-authorized aid to Ukraine, albeit after trying briefly to leverage it to his political advantage. Imagine if, instead, Trump had done what Biden is doing. He would be accused of selling out to Russia and, indeed, of being Putins stooge. Yet, Bidens decisions barely rate a mention in the mainstream media. Theres a good chance you didnt know about the decision to withhold aid to Ukraine. What are Team Bidens excuses for these decisions? On the pipeline, his apologists, such as the Washington Post, argue that Biden didnt want to inflame relations with Germany and that the pipeline is basically a fait accompli at this point. (The Post, by the way, calls Bidens Russia policy a mix of confrontation and cooperation. Theres a name for that: incoherence.) These excuses are self-contradictory. If the sanctions wont stop the pipeline, its impossible to believe that sanctions aimed at halting it will have a significant effect on our relations with Germany. Anyway, since when does Germany dictate U.S. policy towards Russia? If Ronald Reagan had listened to Europeans during the Cold War, that conflict might have lingered on for at least another decade. The excuse for not aiding Ukraine is that Russia withdrew troops from the Ukrainian border. So what? Russia could bring back its troops and send them into Ukraine in short order. Indeed, the less well-equipped Ukraine is, the more likely it is that Putin will launch an attack. The notion that foreign troops need to be amassed on ones border before a nation fully prepares to defend itself from an enemy is ludicrous. No nation follows this policy. If Biden were serious about opposing Russia, he wouldnt have put Ukraine in that position. When Trump was president, Joe Biden pretended to be serious about opposing Russia. Now that Biden is in power, he is still pretending. And by the way, where are those hand-wringing Ukraine and Europe hands who testified so earnestly (or mock earnestly) during the first impeachment proceedings about Trumps betrayal of Ukraine? Can they be reached for comment now? If anything, the need to take a hard line on Russia is greater now than during the Trump administration (when, by the way, Trump did take a hard line through his actions, if not always his words). Russia is behind ransom ware attacks on U.S. infrastructure (the real thing, not the Democrats idea of infrastructure). Bidens response? Following in Barack Obamas footsteps when Russian election interference was the issue, he told Putin, in effect, to cut it out. Biden then listed 16 sectors considered critical infrastructure under U.S. policy that should be off-limits from attack. He thus seemed to imply that its okay to attack other sectors or entities. Pathetic. Green Braes Pipes and Drums pipers Neil McCrie (at left) and Heather Campbell play their bagpipes during the conclusion of the D-Day ceremony, June 6. ADVERTISEMENT The West Africa Trade & Investment Hub (Trade Hub) on Tuesday announced that it has awarded a $1.4 million(N574 million) co-investment grant to OCP Africa Fertilizers Nigeria Limited (OCP Africa). The hub, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), said the grant would help boost specialised fertilizer production in Nigeria, in order to help farmers grow crops in commercial scale and support food security in the country. This was disclosed in a statement by Michael Clements, Trade hubs chief of party. The USAID-funded West Africa Trade & Investment Hub (Trade Hub) has awarded a $1.4 million co-investment grant to OCP Africa Fertilizers Nigeria Limited (OCP Africa), a leader in the production of phosphate-based fertilizers, to install modern blending equipment within its fertilizer blending plant facility under construction in Kaduna State, the statement said. It said the top-in-class blending equipment will help bridge the gap where there is a paucity of specialized fertilizers to grow crops on a large scale and support food security in the country. According to the statement, the planned facility and equipment will produce various fertilizer blends customized to the needs of rice, maize, soybean, cassava, tomato, and other staple crops grown in Nigeria. The statement highlights that the specialty blends of fertilizers have the capacity to increase farmers yields by 50 to 85 per cent per hectare depending on the crop. Mr Clements said: This project is quite a unique one, and we are excited to partner with OCP Africa to complement the Nigerian governments policy to leverage locally available resources to expand food production capabilities. Such policies contribute significantly toward achieving the food security goals in Nigeria, in line with the USAID Feed the Future initiative, he noted. Implementation plans With the capacity to produce 120 metric tons per hour of these blends and store up to 10,000 metric tons, Trade Hub said the OCP Africa expects at least 75,000 of targeted smallholder farmers within the catchment area of the plant to benefit from the blending plants operations and associated agronomy support services. It explained further that in order to ensure that farmers in underserved markets have seamless access to these fertilizers and other quality inputs, OCP Africa will establish 36 of its one-stop-shop Farm & Fortune Hubs across 13 Nigerian states. Also, the statement stated that as part of its co-investment, OCP Africa will provide the targeted 75,000 farmers with a wide range of agricultural services, including training on good agricultural practices and soil testing. Caleb Usoh, OCP Africa Fertilizers Nigeria Limited, Country Manager, explained that; Over the years, farmers in Nigeria have recorded poor farm yields due to the quality of fertilizers and other inputs at their disposal. The production and distribution of blended fertilizers combined with the training will help farmers produce better quality crops as well as increase their yields, which will lead to higher earnings and better returns for their farming business. Key expectations Through this co-investment partnership, the statement said 826 jobs are expected to be created, including jobs for workers at the new facility, trainers, and those tapped to run the one-stop shops. It said also, in support of the Trade Hubs goal to ensure that traditionally marginalized groups have equal access to job opportunities in the agricultural sector, at least 50 per cent of these jobs will go to women and youth. The end goal of the project is to foster a thriving agricultural-business ecosystem in Nigeria, it added. The Senate of Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), on Thursday, passed a vote of confidence in the administration of the Vice-Chancellor, Abayomi Fasina. The Special Adviser on Media Matters to the vice- chancellor, Wole Balogun, said in a statement issued to journalists in Oye-Ekiti, that the vote of confidence was based on what the senate described as Mr Fasinas exemplary leadership. He said the senate, during its statutory meeting held at the Faculty of Science auditorium, passed the vote of confidence in the vice chancellor against the false news allegedly being carried by those he described as faceless people. Mr Fasina was appointed in January to replace Kayode Soremekun as the vice-chancellor. Last month, a group accused Mr Fasina of collecting double salary, from Ekiti State University and FUOYE. Since his appointment as vice-chancellor, two senior officials of FUOYE have been allegedly enmeshed in scandals. In April, the universitys registrar, Olatunbosun Odusanya, was sacked by the governing council over irregularities in appointments into the institution. Two weeks later, the bursar, Bolatito Akande, was suspended over misconduct. On Thursday, Mr Baloguns statement said: The motion to pass a vote of confidence on the floor of the senate was moved by Prof. Olajide Oladele, a Professor and Chairman, Committee of Deans. He started by requesting the vice-chancellor, who is the Chairman of the senate, to temporarily step aside and allow the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Olusola Ojo, to take over while the senate decides on the raging false social media reports portraying the vice- chancellor and the management in bad light. Afterwards, Prof Oladele continued by listing all the positive achievements and impacts made by the Fasina-led administration since he took over from his predecessor, Prof. Kayode Soremekun, on February 11. The achievements include: promotion of over 20 academic staffers, whose promotion to professorial cadre had been delayed for years for various reasons, most of which were political. Purchase of fully-packaged tractor and other equipment to boost agricultural revolution in FUOYE and approval of the take-off of FUOYE College of Medicine in October. Provision of amenities, such as electricity and pipe-borne water, for departments; establishment of a printing press, livestock farming, establishment of bakery and canteen, courtesy of the newly-created FUOYE Ventures. Establishment of FUOYE Institute of Part-Time Studies, which is currently admitting qualified students and which is meant to boost the internally-generated revenue (IGR) of the university. Others, it said, were provision of a 50-seater shuttle bus for subsidised transport system for members of staff, majority of whom come from Ado-Ekiti on daily basis to Oye-Ekiti and provision of Sienna car for SUG, led by Alabi Johnson. The statement also quoted Mr Oladele as expressing happiness with the Fasina-led administration, saying that there was academic freedom for professors and other scholars in the institution. The final leg of his motion was a request that if his motion was adopted and ratified by senate, the resolution should be so communicated to the Governing Council of the university, it said. The statement added that all members of the senate, the highest decision-making body of the institution, comprising all professors, deans of faculties, heads of departments, directors and heads of academic-related units were unanimous in their support for the motion. In conclusion, Prof Ojo instructed the secretariat to communicate the senate decision to the governing council and strongly advised all rumour mongers to desist from spreading or propagating false news on the Fasina-led administration and FUOYE in general. ADVERTISEMENT He (Ojo) further emphasised that anyone or organisation engaging in any form of false representation of the institution would be made to face legal action by the university, the statement said. (NAN) As it continues its move to be able to determine what Nigerian media organisations publish and broadcast and the medium they use for such, the Nigerian government has now included all online media among the media organisations it seeks to be able to censor. Using the existing broadcast code of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the government already censors broadcast stations, ordering them to stop the broadcast of programmes it feels uncomfortable with and imposing fines on broadcast stations at will. Many such fines and censorship have been condemned by media advocates and civil society organisations as an attack on a free press. However, undeterred by the criticism it has faced, the Nigerian government has now told the parliament that it wants all online media among those it can use the NBC law to censor. I want to add that internet broadcasting and all online media should be included in the bill, Information minister Lai Mohammed told lawmakers on Wednesday. The governments move to regulate and censor all media houses at will is part of a larger move to shrink the civic space, human rights advocates have told PREMIUM TIMES. The government recently commenced the process of regulating social media platforms after it banned Twitter, two days after the microblogging site deleted a controversial tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari. The government accused the social media platform of allowing itself to be used against Nigerias interest, saying part of the conditions for reversing the ban is that it must determine what Nigerians can post on the social media platform. The government has since asked all social media platforms to register with the NBC and ordered all broadcast stations to stop using Twitter. On Wednesday, at a public hearing by the House of Representatives on a bill to amend the NBC Act, the government sought the cooperation of the lawmakers to extend the regulatory powers of the NBC to include all online media. Section two of the proposed amendment wants NBC empowered to receive, process and consider applications for the establishment, ownership of radio and television stations. I want to add that internet broadcasting and all online media should be included in the bill, Mr Mohammed told the lawmakers. Mr Muhammad had cited Pakistan, China, Singapore, Algeria, Turkey, Australia among others as countries Nigeria is looking to emulate in regulating social media. Implication of Amendment The amendment sought by the government means that discretionary powers of fining and determining what can be published as wielded by the NBC on broadcast media may be extended to all online media. This, media advocates say, is undemocratic and makes the government effectively controlling the press and undermining the peoples right to know. Largely because the NBC is an appendage of the ministry of information, it has over the years taken controversial actions against some broadcast stations, actions which are believed to be politically motivated. It has also arbitrarily clamped down on broadcast media without resorting to any court order. The National Assembly should not enact any law that will deny press freedom, the executive director of the International Press Centre, Lanre Arogundade, told PREMIUM TIMES. If we do that (enact the law), they will take Nigeria many years back, he added in reference to the military era which Nigeria exited in 1999. He added that the proposed amendment gives NBC arbitrary power to close down a media on the basis of alleged infraction. ADVERTISEMENT This, he said, was prone to abuse as the press activities will be policed by a government agency with a non-elected body, in the guise of national security. The public should know that an assault on the media is an assault on them. Its not a media battle alone, it is for everyone, Mr Arogundade noted. He added that the governments quest to check fake news should start from its officials, citing instances where presidential aide Lauretta Onochie, who despite being culpable on some occasions of spreading fake news without consequences, was recommended as an INEC commissioner by President Buhari. The government should curb fake news itself. They should stop blackmailing the media, he said. We are concerned about an alarming backsliding on human rights across Nigeria as the Federal Government and State authorities continue to use the criminal justice system and repression to silence peaceful dissent, while failing to ensure accountability for violations of rights. People continue to suffer repressive measures including unlawful surveillance and harassment, arbitrary arrests, detention and unfair trials, a coalition of civil society organisations including Amnesty International and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) said in a recent statement. The Nigerian authorities have continued to propose laws to regulate the social media, and restrict the rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and media freedom, including through legislative bills popularly known as the Hate Speech Bill and The Social Media Bill which both provide severe punitive sanctions such as the death penalty in some cases, for social media users convicted of crimes provided under them. ADVERTISEMENT President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, on a one-day working visit. The president, whose aircraft landed at the Maiduguri International airport at 9:45 a.m., is accompanied by top officials of his government. The Governor of Borno, Babagana Zulum, was on ground to receive the visitors alongside all the security service chiefs, who arrived in the city on Thursday. The president is visiting Borno for the first time in 13 months since his last visit on February 12, 2020, when he was booed by some angry residents irked by worsening insecurity in the state. Mr Zulum, in a statewide broadcast on Tuesday, called on residents to go out in masse to welcome the president. Stopping short of begging them not to embarrass the number one citizen the way they did in February last year, Mr Zulum appealed to the people to recognise all the good works the president has done for the state in the last six years. All markets were ordered to remain closed during the visit until the departure of the president scheduled for 2 p.m. The president was immediately driven out of the airport to the site of the newly established Vocational Training Center at Njimtilo, a community on the outskirts of Maiduguri, where he cut the tape for the commissioning of the institution. The president left the centre at 10:40 a.m. for the new Borno State University, where he commissioned the Senate Building. Details later The anti-graft agency, EFCC, has said it is set to file 800 new corruption cases in court. The chairman of the commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, said this Thursday as part of the weekly briefing by Heads of MDAs to give an update on their performance in office. He addressed State House reporters in Abuja. He said the cases to be filed will border on public corruption and cybercrime. The cases were delayed largely because of the strike by judiciary workers who shut down courts in Nigeria for over two months and only recently suspended the strike. We have prosecuted a number of people within this period, secured 185 convictions and you are aware that for two months, the courts have been on strike. We have filed 367 cases and as I said within this week, we are going to file 800 cases in court on public corruption as well as cybercrime, Mr Bawa said. At the event, Mr Bawa also vowed that former Abia governor Orji Kalu will be prosecuted all over again. PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mr Kalu was set free by the Supreme Court on technicalities after being convicted of stealing billions of naira when he was Abia State Governor (1999-2007). Without addressing the substance of the case, the Supreme Court ruled that the trial judge that found him guilty had been elevated to the appeal court and should not have ruled on the matter. On Thursday, Mr Bawa gave an overview of his performance in office since assumption 100 days ago. He said the commission on Wednesday secured a judgment against a former banker, Francis Atuche, who was sentenced to six years in jail for stealing N27 billion from the former Bank PHB while he was the managing director. This case was instituted on October 16, 2009, but judgment was only given yesterday. But we are determined to continue prosecuting no matter how long it takes, he said. Recoveries Mr Bawa also gave himself a pass mark in terms of assets recovery and handling of other corruption-related matters. He said the commission under his watch since he assumed office February, about four months ago, has recovered over N6 billion, $161 million, 13,000, 1,730, 200 Canadian dollars, CFA 373,000, 8,430 in four months. Other assets which he said had been recovered under his watch included, 30 real estate assets, 13 pieces of electronics, one farmland, one factory, two motorcycles, one filling station and about 32 automobiles. Mr Bawa explained on Thursday that some many of the recoveries carried out by the EFCC did not necessarily belong to the federal government. He said over the years, the EFCC made recoveries for victims of crimes. He added that the victims could be individuals, local government, state government, the federal government, corporate entities whether in Nigeria or outside Nigeria. He cited an example of how the EFCC some weeks back, assisted in recovering about $100 million for the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA). Am I not going to record that we have recovered such an amount for NPA? He asked. ADVERTISEMENT Asked if such monies would be reflected in the EFCC recovered account with the CBN? he replied No. There are recoveries that are made directly into the EFCC account. He added, It is through systems and processes, there is Department of asset forfeiture and recovery management department in EFCC responsible for collating all the data regarding recovered assets, assets on interest forfeiture and assets on final forfeiture as well as their location and of course their management. From the time I took over, we have recovered over N6 billion, over $161 million, over 13,000, 1,730, 200 Canadian dollars, CFA 373,000, 8,430. We have recovered 30 real Easts, one carpet, 13 electronics, one farmland, one factory, two motorcycles, one filling station and about 32 automobiles. 1,502 internet fraudsters arrested, 185 convictions secured The anti-graft chief also disclosed that between January to June this year, the commission has arrested about 1,502 internet fraudsters across the country. He frowned at the rising increase of internet fraud by many Nigerian youths who are predominantly at the average age between 25 and 34 years. Mr Bawa said that the commission will continue to carry out enlightenment against cybercrimes, and take the battle to the enclaves of the perpetrations, while also calling for the assistance of the media. The rising increase of internet fraud is a huge problem. From January to the 10th of June 2021, we arrested 1,502 internet fraudsters across the country. On Monday that the court resumed, we attempted to file close to about 800 cases of internet fraud. It is a serious problem and we are working tirelessly towards curtailing it. We are working with states government that we have identified to be more vulnerable to this. All the known politically-exposed cases that you are aware of that are in court are still in court and we are vigorously and intelligently going to sustain their prosecution, the EFCC boss assured. Bawa He was nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari and confirmed by the senate as the substantive chairman of the EFCC late February. 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, his appointment was also greeted by mixed reactions from different quarters due to the formers relationship with the Attorney General of the Federation, (AGF) and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami. ADVERTISEMENT Armed bandits have abducted an undisclosed number of staff and students of the Government College (FGC), Yauri in Kebbi State, North-west Nigeria. PRNigeria reported that aside the kidnap, the bandits gathered that the bandits shot security personnel during an exchange of gunfire. The heavily armed bandits, who came on motorcycles, reportedly entered the town from the neighbouring Rijau forest in Niger State. The Kebbi State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES. Nafiu Abubakar, the commands spokesperson, in the statement, said the police are in hot pursuit of the bandits. While confirming the death of one policeman and kidnap of three teachers, he was however silent on the number or kidnapped students. A combined team of Police operatives is currently in hot pursuit of bandits who today, June 17, 2021 attacked the Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri, Kebbi State. The team comprising operatives from the Police Mobile Force, Anti-kidnapping and Counter-terrorism units are currently combing nearby forests, routes and suspected hideouts of the criminals. The Kebbi State Commissioner of Police, CP Adeleke Adeyinka, mni while condemning the attack which resulted in the unfortunate death of one policeman and gunshot injury to one of the students has assured parents and guardians of students that the Command is following credible leads and intensifying efforts to track the assailants and ensure the rescue of the missing students and teachers. Following the attack, three teachers and yet to be ascertained number of students are still missing, the statement read. Niger State where the bandits came from has seen more frequent attacks from bandits recently despite heightened security measure in the area. The state shares boundaries with Kebbi state. Also, Kaduna, Katsina , Zamfara and Sokoto States have also had a fair share of the attacks and kidnap by bandits. The most recent is the abduction of 21 students of Greenfield University in Kaduna State. The students of the private university in Kaduna State were abducted on April 20 after bandits invaded their hostels. Five of the abducted students were killed by the bandits President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday clarified his birth lineage as he revealed that though he is a Fulani, his mother is partly of Kanuri of Borno background. Mr Buhari made this revelation at the palace of the Shehu of Borno during his just concluded one-day presidential visit to the state. The president, who arrived Maiduguri in the morning, commissioned seven projects, including tertiary education facilities and health clinics. He was expected to make a remark after Governor Babagana Zulum and the Shehu of Borno had delivered their speeches. But instead of responding to the issues and demands raised by his host, the president chose to go down the memory lane to retrace his ancestry and journey in public life. My coming to this palace is so important to me; partly because it reminds me of my own background from my mothers side, he said. Culturally Im such a contradiction because my mother is partly Hausa and Kanuri. My father is hundred per cent Fulani. So I keep on fighting everybody. Coming to this palace has a lot of importance to me. My first political appointment in uniform started from here, as a military governor, I think only for seven months. And when the head of state, General Murtala, was assassinated, I had to go back and served under General Obasanjo as minister of petroleum. So I think I have been in trouble for a very long time as a governor, minister of petroleum, head of state, detention, contested three times for president; and went to the Supreme Court three times. In the fourth time, I said God dey, and God dey, I won the election. The biggest impression was on my second stand for the presidency. I went to every state in this country. And the people who stood out to see me across this country are more than what anybody can buy or force. So this is what I saw with my eyes; nobody told me. So my commitment to serve Nigerians is just to pay back with the love Nigerians showed to me. And starting my political adventure from here, I always look forward to come to Borno. I am very pleased that Borno State has been endowed with a very active governor. All you need is to try and befriend whoever is selling newspapers in your quarters, and see how the Nigerian press is appreciating him. He is always on the move. I have on many occasions had the cause to personally warn him that please dont over expose your self . He is a young man and the way he moves around including visiting the very dangerous areas where the bandits are, very few Nigerians at any level expose themselves to such dangers . May God protect all of us. I thank Your Royal Highness for the words of praise on me. Earlier the Shehu of Borno who took time to eulogise the president for his love and concern for Borno, seized the opportunity to beg the President to assist the state in the return of IDPs from northern Borno, to their recovered communities. It is not out of place to for me to use this opportunity to make special appeal to Your Excellency to ensure the return of all displaced persons in northern Borno; particularly Abadan, Mallam Fatori, Gudumbali, Gashigar, Foguwa, Tumbu (Small Islands) along the Lake Chad shores which are the bedrock of Bornos source of economy and agricultural production, the Shehu begged. The monarch argued that the return of the IDPs to their homes where they could resume their agricultural activities was in sync with the presidents policy and commitment towards promoting food security and agriculture. I am sure with your support and commitment our our governor, we hope positive steps would be initiated soonest towards the return of these communities to their respective homes. President Buhari did not respond to the Shehus plea as he took to the memory lane. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Radio Now, a news service dedicated to providing factual, unbiased and Nigerian-focused news, announces its launch of its Radio Now Specials programme. The first edition of the programme is slated to air at 11 a. m. on Friday, June 18th, 2021. Radio Now Specials aims to create and curate useful interactions that inspire us to be and act better, one person and one step at a time. Its press statement released on Thursday is reproduced below: The inaugural edition in this series, Our Common Thread, is focused on governance and nationalism and how spirituality can underpin progress. Our Common Thread features leaders from different ethnic, cultural, professional and religious backgrounds. The purpose of this is to create closer bonds between Nigerians regardless of faiths or cultures by helping everyone explore and find that place of their collective humanity from which we can build a society that is representative of all, and is equitable and just. The secondary aim is to proffer tangible solutions to modern-day issues, which will ultimately improve the life of countless people of colour, situated all over the world. With a mandate to audit our history, minds and philosophies, in order to find the common thread, and measuring this against the present day we hope to provide an opportunity for us to challenge the existing status quo across various areas and by doing so, proffer solutions that will foster progress and open-mindedness.. This edition of Our Common Thread is a ninety-minute program and will feature Dr Bayo Akomolafe, Executive Director and Chief Curator for The Emergence Network. Dr Akomolafe is globally renowned for his take on global crises, civic action, and social change issues which he examines from an indigenous lens. These times are urgent; let us slow down. Bayo Akomolafe This collaborative project features interaction between the invited speaker, the hosts and the audience members. The event will conclude with a Q&A session, featuring questions from the virtual audience in attendance. The show will stream live on Radio Now 95.3 FM, Zoom, YouTube, and a recorded version of it will be aired subsequently on the network service of the Nigerian Television Authority. The House of Representatives has passed 41 Bills under the Ninth Assembly, its spokesperson, Benjamin Kalu, said. He said the feat was recorded since they were inaugurated on June 11, 2019. Mr Kalu said this in a statement issued while presenting the report of its activities on Thursday in Abuja. He stated that 853 bills had been considered by the House since it was inaugurated. He scored the Ninth House higher in terms of performance in bill consideration and passage of bills than previous assemblies. Mr Kalu added that 66 bills are currently awaiting action by the Committee of the Whole, and 105 had passed the second reading, stressing that the House had so far considered 730 motions. He said 484 were taken in the first session and 246 considered in the second session, stressing that several of the motions considered by the House were products of diligently conducted needs analysis. This, according to him, reflects the will of the people in the exercise of its oversight responsibilities as stipulated in Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution. He added that 98 of the resolutions had addressed various challenges in insecurity, while others addressed other socio-economic issues and performance issues by the executive. Mr Kalu said 163 petitions were received by the House, which he said were all referred to the Committee on Public Petitions for consideration. He said the House had made significant progress in the consideration of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which he said had passed second reading after thorough debate. According to him, the House is set to receive the report of the ad hoc committee on the PIB after which the bill will proceed for passage in line with the commitments of the House. Mr Kalu also said that substantial progress had been made on the Electoral Act amendment bill, adding that the bill addressed reform issues like electronic voting and funding of political parties. According to him, the report of the relevant committee is currently before the House as the bill awaits passage. He regretted that the precautions put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic slowed the activities of the House committees. The spokesman said it became necessary to reduce the number of plenary sessions per week as well as other legislative activities requiring prolonged physical presence. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the scorecard by the spokesperson was to mark the second anniversary of the Ninth House. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Nigerian born University of Edinburgh Professor of Sustainable Business, Kenneth Amaeshi, has been named Professor of Sustainable Finance and Governance at the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence, Italy. The European University Institute was set up in 1972 by the founding members of the European Communities to cultivate high-level contributors to academics and policy-making who will shape social progress and the advancement of the European spirit (EUI website). Up until now the Director, Scaling Business in Africa, and Chair in Business and Sustainable Development at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, Mr Amaeshi will, amongst others, be saddled with the responsibility of overseeing research and pedagogy on global south governance, in the light of the Institutes repositioning after the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union. He is additionally expected to leverage his expertise in the dissection of global south governance endeavours vis a vis the Institutes recommendations to the European Union, towards good governance policy initiatives and financing of sustainable development. Mr Amaeshis research is international and has a very strong interface between business and society, particularly national governments in Africa. Since 2015, and in collaboration with the Tony Elumelu Foundation, he has developed the intellectual foundations of Africapitalism an economic philosophy for the development of Africa and championed its mainstreaming in the global academia. An intellectually fecund scholar, Mr Amaeshi began his tertiary education in Nigeria obtaining BA in Philosophy from the University of Uyo and MSc in Industrial/Organisational Psychology from the University of Nigeria. He also earned multiple academic degrees from several European universities, including the Pontifical Urban University, Rome (BPhil in Philosophy cum laude) and University of Hull, School of Economics, UK (MSc in Economics of Public Policy). He studied at the University of Nottingham, Business School, UK (MBA in Corporate Social Responsibility); the Oxford University, Said Business School, UK, (Visiting PhD Scholar); and the University of Warwick, Business School, UK (PhD in International Business and Political Economy). In addition to this current role at the University of Edinburgh, Mr Amaeshi is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, United Kingdom, an External Examiner at Oxford University, and an Extraordinary Professor of Business in Africa at the Graduate School of Business, University of Cape Town, South Africa. He holds a Visiting Professorship at the Lagos Business School, Pan Atlantic University, Nigeria and is the President of the Association of Sustainability Professionals, Nigeria. He was a Scholar in Residence (2016/17) at the National Pension Commission, Nigeria, amongst other prestigious appointments. Outside teaching and research, Mr Amaeshi works closely with businesses and governments in Africa, Europe, and Asia. He leads executive capacity building engagements and consultancy projects in the broad areas of sustainable finance, sustainability strategy, leadership, ethics, and governance for multinational corporations and institutions. RelatedNews No Content Available Mr Amaeshi will retain his Chair in Business and Sustainable Development at the University of Edinburgh, while at the European University Institute. Describing their gain, Alex Stubb, the Director of School of Transnational Governance at the European University Institute and former Prime Minister of Finland says: We are excited that Professor Amaeshi has accepted to join us after a very competitive recruitment process. He brings an invaluable wealth of experience and timely knowledge of the global south. In an early congratulatory message, fellow Chevening Scholar and Baze University Professor, Abiodun Adeniyi, described Mr Amaeshi as a veritable Nigerian intellectual export, a knowledge ambassador that is sure to continue soaring, for his commitment to business essences, and for his ability to expand the frontiers of financial synthesis. Reacting to Mr Amaeshis appointment, Chris Carter of Edinburgh University says: Kenneth is an outstanding academic, who has a strong track record of helping reform governance in key institutions in Nigeria. He is the ideal candidate for this important new role at the European Institute University. He is perfectly placed to generate new thinking on governance that will have positive practical benefits for Sub-Saharan institutions. Mr Amaeshi is from Imo State and a Chevening Scholar. He is probably the first Nigerian and one of few African Professors to occupy the key position at the multilateral institute, in what is seen as another pathfinding role for blacks and minority researchers, after being the first black African professor at the 438-year-old University of Edinburgh. The Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO) has asked the House of Representatives to drop a bill seeking to amend the Nigerian Press Council Act. The organisation objected to the bill during a public hearing on the bill on Thursday organised by the House Committee on Information, Culture, Ethics and Values. NPO is the umbrella organisation for the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ). The Editor-in-Chief of the Leadership newspaper, Azubike Ishiekwene, who represented the organisation at the hearing, asked the lawmakers to drop the proposed bill because of an ongoing court case. He said 17 out of the 39 clauses in the bill are parts of litigation since 1999. He recounted that the eight Senate also dropped the bill due to the pending litigation. However, in his response, the chairman of the committee, Olusegun Olatubosun (APC, Oyo), said the court process would not stop the committee from discharging its constitutional function of making laws. A coalition of civil society organisations comprising, Premium Times Centre For Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ), Media Rights Agenda (MRA), International Press Centre (IPC) and the Centre for Media Law and Advocacy in a joint memorandum, also highlighted some clauses in the bill. The Executive Director of IPC, Lanre Arogundade, who presented the position of the group, urged the committee to adopt the paths of Ghana and South Africa in the formulation of laws on media. The group said section three of the proposed bill would make the media the department of the federal ministry of information. A professional code of professional conduct for the media should never be subject of the approval of the ministry or any other political authority, the group states. The provision of section 3(d) constitutes a potential threat to press freedom and media survival as it does not provide for judicial intervention before highly punitive measures are handed down by the council and indeed could be used as a political weapon against the media. It is a matter that has been pending in court since 1999 but the first decisive ruling in the matter came in 2010 when the high court ruled that 17 out of the 39 clauses in the bill were unconstitutional, the federal government appeal and got a ruling in December 2010. That ruling was again appealed by the NPO and it is pending in the supreme court. Section 33 (3) and (4) does not give room for retraction and apology where a fake news is mistakenly published but recommends a blanket sanction up to ten million naira or closure for a period of one year or both. The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Press Council, Francis Nwosu, said past ministers of information and past leaders of the National Assembly have tried to resolve the dispute over the bill. Mr Nwosu also called for online media to be included in the bill for regulation. A former member of the House, Sanni Zorro, in his submission, urged the chairman of the committee to set up a tripartite committee to meet to resolve the issues raised by the journalists. It appears the government is undeterred in the quest to strangulate free media despite the outcry. ADVERTISEMENT On Wednesday, the Minister of information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, also requested that internet broadcasting platforms should be included in the National Broadcasting Commission Act. The National Economic Council (NEC) has endorsed the establishment of Sexual Assault Referral Centres in the country. Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State stated this while briefing journalists after a virtual of the council on Thursday in Abuja. The virtual NEC meeting was presided over by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo. Mr Sule said the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouk, made a presentation to the council on establishment and management of Sexual Assault Referral Centres. This has to do clearly with some of the challenges we are having in the country today, when it comes to rape and the effect of rape on our own children. The presentation was actually to inform NEC on how sexual assault can have a devastating impact on every aspect of the survivors. There can also be long-term psychological and physical impact as was presented by the minister. They include depression, anxiety, and the inability of these kinds of people to sleep. So, the council has taken the matter very seriously and it is addressing and is looking at the establishment of these centres. And there have been a lot of encouragement on the part of various governors to ensure they also assist the minister in setting up this. The governor said the issues of women, girls and boys that had also suffered injustice and sexual violence were discussed. He said the recent report had shown that the rate of sexual violence in some parts of Nigeria was on the increase. According the poll conducted in July 2019, one of every three girls would have experienced at least one form of sexual assault/abuse or the other in the last 25 years. The government, therefore, has acknowledged the importance of multi-partnership and collaborative efforts regarding improving criminal justice as far as the area of sexual assault is fair in Nigeria. The goals of the centres that we have mentioned actually will limit this kind of physical and mental health consequences of rape. Mr Sule said the centres would also look at immediate and continuous counseling support including the risk of harm and vulnerability assessment from the people experienced in the specialty areas. According to him, the centres will support in contacting the police, the social welfare department and civil society organisations where appropriate. He said they would render follow up services and there would also be 24 hours accessibility and referrals. `The centres, also, will serve the victims of recent rape, serious assault, regardless of the gender because these kinds of assault are not only for girls. Sometimes, boys are also involved. ADVERTISEMENT The centres are going to be limited to victims over the age of 14 or 16, while others will see paediatric cases and younger teenagers depending on availability of resources and local arraignment in place for children services. The start off cost of the centres is N2.5 monthly which covers the cost of an average of 50 clients including administration cost. The centre has also received support of over 6,050 survivors of sexual abuse as well as children, Mr Sule said. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT A former governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau, has urged the All Progressive Congress (APC) to field a southerner as its presidential candidate in 2023. Mr Shekarau, who is a serving senator, spoke in an interview with BBC Hausa Service on Wednesday. He said the idea is to ensure justice and fairness. According to him, although rotational presidency is not written in APCs constitution, he believes it is desirable for justice and fairness. For instance, the present six geopolitical zones are not reflected in Nigerias constitution, but it is a good arrangement. You cannot implement any policy in Nigeria without taking geopolitical zones into consideration. This is also the same with rotating the presidency between the North and the South. If we ignore power shift, we are not being fair to ourselves and we are not fair to history. In my opinion, power shift is necessary for all Nigerians to have a sense of belonging. I am of the opinion that, we should exercise patience and bring our brothers from the South close to us. You see, the North alone cannot produce the votes enough for the president. Likewise the South, it is only when we come together. My believe is not only geopolitical regions, there is no state in the federation that does not have a competent person to lead this country. Violating this arrangement will further divide Nigerians. Some will feel neglected or rejected, Mr Shekarau said. On the possibility of the opposition party fielding a northern candidate, the politician said both the PDP and APC face the same dilemma. Each is trying to outsmart the other. My advice to the parties (APC and PDP) is they should not look at zoning from political exploitation, but what should be just and fair. Fair play and competence of the candidate should be the be the guiding principle, he said. Commenting on the defection of some politicians to the APC, Mr Shekarau described it as a remarkable success worthy of celebration. He said: within the last two months, two governors have defected to APC. It is quite a success. There are also groups and individuals who joined the party. However, there is a need to conduct congresses and elect party officials from the ward to national levels. There is also a need to set up a modality of how to spread political appointments across the country. There was a tense atmosphere in an Ikeja High Court on Wednesday night as Francis Atuche, a former Managing Director (MD) of Bank PHB, begged Justice Lateefa Okunnu not to send him to prison following his conviction for defrauding the bank of N25.7 billion. Mr Atuche and Ugo Anyanwu, a former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the bank, were both found guilty of 22 of the 27 counts of conspiracy and stealing charge proffered against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2011. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mrs Okunnu found Mr Atuches wife, Elizabeth, who faced trial alongside the duo, not guilty of two counts of conspiracy and stealing brought against her. Messrs Atuche and Anyanwu were sentenced at nighttime following a very lengthy judgment that began at 9:12 a.m. and ended at 9:21 p.m. Plea for mercy After convicting the two bankers at 8:18 p.m., the judge asked if they had any plea to make. They answered in the affirmative. Addressing the court, Mr Atuche begged not to be sent to jail. He prayed Mrs Okunnu to temper justice with mercy. All the time I was the MD of Bank PHB, I gave my all to the bank. Never at any material time did it occur to me that I would set up a scheme to defraud the bank. I plead for mercy, leniency, your kindness, and I plead that out of your kindness and generosity, you will not allow me to go to jail. I am sorry and remorseful, he said. Mr Atuche told the court that as a professional banker and chartered accountant, he certainly did not want to become a convict. I pray that God will place in your heart to be kind. I plead from the bottom of my heart. Im extremely sorry; today will be a turning point in my life, Im very sorry, he said. Mr Atuches counsel, Paul Nneoma, in his plea for mercy, described his client as a responsible family man who had never been convicted of any crime. He appealed to the court to give Mr Atuche a fine instead of incarceration, in order to preserve his professional career. Pleading also, Mr Anyanwu told the court that he was the only son of a police officer who died when he was barely a year old. ADVERTISEMENT He said that he grew up on the premise of hardwork. What I achieved in the banking industry is by stint of hard work. I have suffered in the last 10 years of this trial. I am sorry if I was appearing cocky in the witness box during my examination-in-chief. I have two kids who are barely teenagers. They look up to their father, and I wonder what kind of impact this will have on them. Please temper justice with mercy, Mr Anyanwu said. Mr Anyanwus counsel, Silva Ogwemoh (SAN), also begged for mercy on his client. He said that one of Mr Anyanwus children had a medical condition requiring special attention. He added that Mr Anyanwu was hypertensive, urging that the court should take judicial notice of the COVID-19 pandemic and impose a fine on him instead of custodial sentence. EFCC Opposes Plea Reacting to the pleas of the defendants, the EFCC team led by Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), requested a stiff sentence as well as an order of restitution against the convicts. He said that Lagos State Government spent much funds and resources prosecuting the case in the past 10 years. We were taken to the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court several times by the defendants. During the trial, they were rude and cocky. That is not remorse, the third defendant (Anyanwu) decided to hold unto his loyalty to his boss (Atuche) against his loyalty to the state. We pray the court imposes the maximum sentence and orders restitution, he said. The judgment Mrs Okunnu eventually sentenced Mr Atuche to six years jail term and gave Mr Anyanwu four years imprisonment. During the judgment, the judge said Messrs Atuche and Anyanwu defrauded Bank PHB of billions of naira using well-recognised stockbrokers to transfer money belonging to the bank under the guise of loans and shares. It was a well-planned, well-executed scheme but the bubble burst when the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) intervened, she said. The judge held that neither Messrs Atuche nor Anyanwu was convincing as witnesses of truth. The first defendant (Atuche) was diversionary and evasive on the witness stand; sometimes confrontational and rude. The third defendant (Anyanwu) was also combative and rude under cross-examination, she said. Mrs Okunnu noted that a large volume of documentary evidence was produced by parties in the case. She said that documents such as bank records, e-mails and statements of key actors in the case played a key role in securing the conviction of the defendants. Dismissing the charge of stealing against Mrs Atuches wife, Elizabeth, regarding two companies affiliated to her which were said to have fraudulently received two billion naira worth of Bank PHB shares, Mrs Okunnu held that there was no act of fraud or dishonesty overt or covert that had been linked to her. Nothing was proved beyond reasonable doubt that she silently or knowingly endorsed the perpetuation of fraud; rather, it was the first defendant (Atuche). On account of this, the prosecution failed to prove its case of stealing against the second defendant (Elizabeth), she said. On the charge of conspiracy against Mrs Atuche, the judge held that there was no evidence that linked her to the shares bought for the two companies affiliated with her. I find that the case of conspiracy does not hold, the judge said. Mrs Atuche, who was reciting prayers with a rosary during proceedings, heaved a sigh of relief upon hearing the verdict. The judge equally made an order for restitution. She said Mr Atuche abused his position of trust by stealing from the bank. By stealing from the bank, they stole from innocent customers of the bank. I hereby make an order of restitution against the first and third defendants to refund the sums stated in counts one to 11, 14 and 24. The sums are to paid to the relevant agencies that recovered the funds on behalf of the bank, she ordered. Background NAN reports that the EFCC team led by Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), had in 2011, charged the trio with a 27-count charge of conspiracy and stealing of N25.7 billion belonging to Bank PHB via fictitious loans and shares. Mr Atuche and his spouse were accused of fraudulent conversion of money described as bank loans. The EFCC said that the couple diverted funds belonging to the bank by buying shares for fictitious companies linked to them. Mr Anyanwu was accused of using his position as the banks CFO to aid Mr Atuche in committing the crimes. The anti-graft agency said that the trio stole more than N25.7 billion belonging to the defunct Bank PHB (now KeyStone Bank) between November 2007 and April 2008, while Mr Atuche was the chief executive officer. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT There was tension in Ajowa Akoko, Akoko North-west Local Government Area of Ondo State on Wednesday, as gunmen invaded the home of a farmer. The farmer was simply identified as Dele. PREMIUM TIMES gathered the gunmen who attacked his home kidnapped his two sons and killed two of his children. Some gunmen threw the community into confusion on Wednesday when they attacked the house a farmer. Two of his children were killed while they took two away, a source who requested not to be named told our correspondent. This newspaper learnt that security operatives were already combing the Ajowa Akoko forest to apprehend the criminals as of the time of filing this report. The states police spokesperson, Tee-Leo Ikoro, confirmed the incident when contacted on Thursday morning. He said security operatives are on the trail of the evil men and investigation is ongoing. PREMIUM TIMES reports that there have been various forms of insecurity across the country. For instance, to forstall the crisis between farmers and herders across various parts of Nigeria, the 17 southern governors on May 11 resolved to ban open grazing of cattle in their states. The governors said the incursion of armed herders, criminals, and bandits into the Southern part of the country has presented a severe security challenge such that citizens are unable to live their normal lives. ADVERTISEMENT The Italian justice ministry has ordered an inquiry into the conduct of two prosecutors in the long-running OPL245 corruption case involving energy groups Eni and Shell in Nigeria. Reuters reported Tuesday that Milan prosecutors Fabio De Pasquale and Sergio Spadaro were placed under official investigation by magistrates earlier this month. The report said they were accused of allegedly not filing documents that would have supported Enis position. 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. A Milan court in March acquitted the oil companies and their former executives of wrongdoings. PREMIUM TIMES reported in May that the license of the controversial offshore oil block had expired. This newspaper learnt that Eni confirmed the expiry in response to questions at their 2021 annual general meeting. On Tuesday, the Justice Ministry in Italy said in a statement it had decided to move in the wake of the judicial investigation and following criticism of the pair by the trial judges. The ministry has asked the inspectorate to carry out preliminary investigations to correctly reconstruct the facts by acquiring the necessary documents, Reuters quoted the ministry as saying. Reuters reported that in papers filed on June 9, the judges criticised the way the prosecutors had carried out their work. The prosecutors were accused of failing to file with the trial documents a video shot by a former Eni external lawyer, which they said was relevant to the case. De Pasquale and Spadaro declined to comment on the latest development, Reuters said Tuesday. A self-styled Yoruba activist, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, has issued a fresh eviction notice on herdsmen in the six South-west states of Nigeria. Mr Igboho issued the fresh notice in an interview anchored by his spokesperson, Oluyomi Koiki, on Wednesday. We want all Fulani on Yoruba land to leave. I, myself will monitor compliance to the eviction notice, he said. I dont issue an order without ensuring compliance. As from Monday, we dont want to hear of any kidnapping in Yorubaland again. I will show them the stuff Yoruba people are made of. Tell President Buhari, if he doesnt understand Yoruba, tell him in English Language that we dont want bandits in our zone again. Work has begun already and as from Monday, I will begin combing all forests in Yoruba land. How can six million people be commanding about 250 million other Nigerians? Marriage is not by force. We cant live with you again. Yoruba nation is a vehicle of salvation and I want all Yoruba to board the vehicle and have their seats. There is no going back on the agitation for the Yoruba nation. How can we go back when we are almost at our destination? Those who have not joined us should do so now because theres no election coming in 2023. Yoruba will go, Mr Igboho said. Prior eviction notice His latest eviction notice came five months after his earlier attempt to send herdsmen out of the region. In January, Mr Igboho had led a group of men to Igangan in the Ibarapa axis of Oyo state to eject the Seriki Fulani of Igangan, Salihu Abdulkadir, triggering a face-off with the state and federal governments. He accused Mr Abdulkadir of backing criminal herdsmen behind the kidnapping and killing of farmers and residents of the community. Mr Abdulkadir denied the allegation but he was nonetheless forcefully ejected from a community he had lived in for decades. The federal and Oyo State governments frowned at the development, saying no citizen has the right to eject other citizens from wherever they wished to reside in the country. But in early February, Mr Igboho rebuffed authorities and proceeded to neighbouring Ogun State to purportedly evict herdsmen residents there. During that visit, he also vowed to dislodge herdsmen from the entire Yoruba land. On February 26, he claimed some security operatives attached to Oyo State Operation Burst attempted to arrest him at the Lagos-Ibadan expressway while on his way to meet elder statesman, Ayo Adebanjo, in Lagos. In April, he alleged another plot to arrest him but the police and the State Security Service denied attempt to arrest Mr Igboho or attack his home. His action recently led to a midnight attack that claimed several lives in Igangan community, Oyo State last week. Residents said the assailants, who were Fulanis, came to retaliate how they were attacked and forced out of Igangan. PREMIUM TIMES Thursday contacted the spokesperson of Arewa Consultative Forum, Emmanuel Yawe, for a reaction to the fresh eviction notice by Mr Igboho, but he did not respond to calls and text messages. ADVERTISEMENT This newspaper also contacted a leader of Miyetti Allah in the South-west, Bello Garba, for comments but he did not respond to enquiries. Governors actions To ensure the safety of lives and properties, 17 southern governors in May already declared a ban on open grazing, asking the mainly Fulani herders to practise a settled form of livestock production to control their incessant violent conflicts with farmers and host communities over resources. In the wake of that declaration, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, controversially challenged the governors and set an equivalence between banning open grazing and banning auto parts trading in the north. This newspaper also reported how Mr Malamis comparison was seen as a false equivalence and disguisedly targeting the Igbo group, who are known for auto parts trading, prompting protests on social media. After Mr Malamis challenge, a presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, also said the ban by the southern governors was lawless and his principal had a better plan. For eight months, Nicholas Mbah, an up-and-coming artiste, was illegally detained in Kirikiri Prison, Lagos, for participating #EndSARS protests in October 2020. He was apprehended by the officials of the Lagos State Task Force in the Ojo area of Lagos on October 29, 2020. According to his lawyer, Orji Ama-Onu, Mr Mbah was arrested while withdrawing money at an ATM stand and he was accused of being part of the #EndSARS protests that fuelled the attacks on police stations in the area. He was subsequently detained at Ojo Police Station and later transferred to Panti in Yaba. Mr Mbah was arraigned before the Magistrates Court of Lagos State sitting at Yaba on November 2, 2020, on charges of conspiracy to commit felony, armed robbery, arson and rioting. He was also said to be among folks accused of setting fire on two police patrol vehicles at Ojo Police Station valued N20 million. The court then ordered that he should be remanded. PREMIUM TIMES reported that the protester, who was suffering from hemorrhagic complication, also had his condition worsened in detention. Throughout last year and early this year, his lawyer, Mr Ama-Onu frowned on how the court kept adjourning the case, despite his clients deteriorating health condition. Granted bail On March 16, the court granted bail to Mr Mbah in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum. He was unable to meet the bail conditions that day, but by the time he did, the court which was supposed to sign for his release eventually, due to the nationwide strike embarked upon by members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) on April 6. Courts across the country only resumed on Tuesday following the unions decision to suspend the 64-day-old strike last week. Mbah finally regains freedom Mr Mbahs lawyer told an online newspaper, FIJ on Wednesday that his client was released on Tuesday. The lawyer, while explaining how he secured Mr Mbahs release, said the prison warder said the new rule was to get the court proceedings alongside the release warrant and before I could obtain the proceedings from the magistrates court, I had to surmount a lot of unnecessary obstacles, Mr Ama Onu said. Even when there was a brief interlude between the strike, we could not do much because the magistrate didnt come and the registrars were not passionate enough to summon her to the court. Yet, my conscience couldnt drop the case and allow the young man to rot in prison. It is just so pathetic that I nearly knelt down to beg these registrars to facilitate the court proceedings but they kept giving flimsy excuses like illegibility of the Magistrates handwriting and all sorts, until the strike caught up with them in the process. I finally got the assurance of release on Tuesday. PREMIUM TIMES also obtained a two-minute video clip of Mr Mbah appreciating those who showed solidarity when he was in prison. #EndSARS activist, Nicholas Mbah released from kirikiri prison after 8 months of unjust detention. https://t.co/VMMTp2sZJG #June12Protest (@RevolutionNowNg) June 15, 2021 ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, dismissed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCCs request to amend the criminal charge filed against former Group Managing Director (GMD), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu. Justice Ahmed Mohammed, in a ruling, held that granting the EFCCs application would amount to breaching the decision of the appellate court. Mr Mohammed stressed that there was a subsisting judgment delivered on April 24, 2020, wherein the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, had ordered the defendant to enter defence on Counts 3 and 4 of the charge. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the anti-graft agency had, on March 10, sought an amendment of the charge which Mr Yakubu was standing trial for. The EFCC had, in 2017, raided the residence of the ex-NNPC boss in Kaduna State and found 9,772,800 dollars and 74,000 pounds (9.8 million dollars and 74,000 pounds) in a safe. Mr Yakubu was, however, arraigned on March 16, 2017, on six counts but was ordered by the Court of Appeal to defend counts 3 and 4 which bordered on failure to make full disclosure of assets, receiving cash without going through a financial institution and intent to avoid a lawful transaction in alleged violation of Section 1(1) of the Money Laundering Act, 2011 and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the Act. Delivering Thursdays ruling, Mr Mohammed noted that the appellate court had made a decision on the appeal of the defendant on counts 3 and 4 charges. He said the agency in an application dated March 8 and filed March 10, 2021, prayed the court for an amendment of the charges. The judge said counsel to the defendant, Ahmed Raji, had argued that the order of the appeal court was for the defendant to reply to charges 3 and 4 only and not an amended charge. He said the lawyer had referred to the amended charge as unconstitutional as the defendant was at the point of cross-examination. Mr Mohammed stated that the prosecution, however, insisted that the amended charges were on the same counts 3 and 4 not other charges struck out by the appeal court. The judge stressed that making an amendment to a charge was subject to the discretion of the court, citing Section 216 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). He held that the court could only permit an amendment in the charge in as much as it did not amount to injustice on the defendant. Justice Mohammed, therefore, ruled that the court could not allow the amendment sought by the EFCC as it would amount to a breach of the decision of the appellate court. Allowing the EFCC to amend Counts three and four, of the criminal charge is tantamount to disobeying the subsisting order made by the Court of Appeal on April 24, 2020, he said. The judge then adjourned the matter until June 30 for the trial to continue. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT Governors elected under the umbrella of All Progressives Congress (APC) have endorsed the leadership of the partys national caretaker committee amidst speculation of tenure extension. The Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), under the chairmanship of Governor Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State, at a meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, passed a vote of confidence in Mala Buni-led interim leadership of the party to continue its role in the APC. The governors said the vote of confidence is imperative to encourage the leadership of the party to continue its strides in piloting her to its next level. It would be recalled that the CECPC of the party under the leadership of Governor Buni was put in place to strengthen the ruling party in the face of some challenges. The Yobe State Governor and his CECPC Committee members have succeeded in attracting serving and former Governors, Senators, House of Representatives members as well as other notable opposition figures to the party. They have also helped in stabilizing the All Progressives Congress and midwife a successful membership drive to make the party the biggest in Africa, the governors said. The governors endorsement of the partys leadership comes amidst the speculation of a possible tenure extension for the Buni-led committee. Mr Buni, who also doubles as Yobe governor, was appointed to lead a 13-member committee in June 2020 after the controversial dismissal of Adams Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee (NWC) to end the turbulent crisis rocking the party and set a new tune for its members across the country. Aside from being tasked to reconcile aggrieved members, the APC NEC also mandated the CECPC to organise the partys national convention where they will select it next crop of leaders in six month time which elapsed in December 2020. The tenure of the committee was extended by another six months due to membership registration and revalidation exercise among other underlying reasons which party leaders assured members would have been concluded by June 2021 for the national convention and congresses to hold as proposed. While the party has not announced the date for the convention in June, sources informed PREMIUM TIMES of another possible tenure extension to set things in motion for a PGF favoured candidate to assume the chairmanship position. Though Mr Buni has denied eying the APC chairmanship after his interim tenure, there are speculations that the partys governors are rooting for him to retain the seat after his one year interim tenure. This newspaper also gathered that some delegates have been notified and paid ahead of the event. President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Maiduguri, Borno State, assured citizens of the federal governments presence in fighting terrorism to the end, and ensuring that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are fully returned to continue normal lives, commending Governor Babagana Zulum for resilience and relentless efforts in rebuilding the state. President Buhari, on an official visit to the state to appraise the security situation and commission some development projects, attributed recent successes recorded by the military against insurgents and terrorists at Dikwa, Damboa and Gwoza to careful planning, infusion of new equipment and other war materials as well as quality military leadership. I am very happy to be here in Borno State once again. I consider Maiduguri and Borno State to be my home since this is the place where I cut my administrative and political teeth, when I first arrived here as Military Governor 46 years ago. While I am happy to return home, I am not happy that this visit is not a normal, peacetime home-coming. I am here today first and foremost to appraise the security situation in Borno State and the North East region in order to move full speed ahead and conclude the work of restoring permanent peace to the region. The attacks launched by cowardly terrorists against military and civilian targets last month and in previous months were a pointer to us that the work of defeating insurgency and terrorism and of restoring permanent peace to this region is not yet over. We will not rest until all the millions of Internally Displaced Persons are able to return and resettle in their homes and rebuild their shattered lives, he said. The president said all the Service Chiefs that were appointed this year either served as Theatre Commanders or were part of the commands operations at one time or the other. All of them are therefore personally familiar with the challenge of insurgency. I fully expect them to bring this wealth of personal experience to bear as we move to end this scourge once and for all. No doubt, these successes owe a lot to the role played by volunteers of the Civilian JTF, hunters and vigilantes. These good people include women, who are making huge sacrifices and patriotic contributions to our peace-restoration efforts, he added. The president noted that many servicemen and women as well as youthful volunteers had paid the supreme price in the fight to rid our communities and our country of terrorism and insurgency, appreciating their gallantry and their sacrifices. He assured their loved ones that the sacrifices will not be in vain. I must also acknowledge the very important role and the sacrifices made by parents, guardians and other loved ones amongst the people of Borno State, the North East region and the country as a whole, who support their sons, daughters, husbands, brothers and sisters in going to battlefields to defend Nigerias sovereignty, territorial integrity and its peace. I thank and commend them for their resilience and assure them success is in sight. It was a mark of our appreciation for this sacrifice made by Borno States volunteers that the Nigerian Army was authorised to enlist hundreds of volunteers from Borno State into the Army. I urge the people of Borno State, the North East region and Nigeria as a whole to sustain this cooperation with the military and the other security services. Both must see each other as being on one side in order for us to succeed, he said. The president said the late President Idris Deby of Chad played a major role in the fight against terrorism in the Lake Chad region, urging his successors to work hard in restoring democracy to the country and support the processes of bringing peace to the region. President Buhari said the recent appointment of Babagana Kingibe, an illustrious son of Borno State, as Special Envoy to Chad and the Lake Chad Basin was intended to accelerate the restoration of democratic stability in Chad Republic and enhance cooperation among all the countries of the Lake Chad Basin. Let me also assure the people of Borno and the North East that we have taken decisive measures to safeguard IDPs and refugees who recently returned from Cameroon and Niger Republic. They are engaged in the task of rebuilding their communities after more than a decade of war and terrorism. ADVERTISEMENT It was part of these measures that I gave approval for the Federal Government to build 10,000 resettlement homes in Borno State. 4,000 of these homes have already been completed. Furthermore, I approved for constant release of food intervention by Nigerian Customs Service and the North East Development Commission in order to support displaced persons. I have directed these agencies to sustain and deepen this support. I also wish to specially commend His Excellency Governor Babagana Umara Zulum for his tireless efforts in directly supervising the distribution of food and economic empowerment to IDPs in all Local Government Areas, President Buhari said. The president noted that the effort at alleviating the suffering of displaced communities will hamper the evil attempts of terrorists and insurgents to recruit fighters and spies from IDPs and other vulnerable populations through the use of paltry material incentives. On electricity supply, President Buhari said the administration will continue to make concerted efforts towards guaranteeing energy security to all populace across the nation and Maiduguri cannot, and will not be left out. He said Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation had been directed to expedite the delivery of 50MW power plant in order to ensure the prompt restoration of electricity to Maiduguri and its environs. Furthermore, in the light of the current improvement of security in the state, I have also issued directives for the immediate resumption of Oil & Gas exploration activities in the Lake Chad basin. This is part of our overall effort to restore the state back to normalcy. One episode we will never forget in our lives was last years cowardly attack on defenceless rice farmers in Zabarmari community. I have directed the Theatre Command of Operation HADIN KAI and other security agencies to work out modalities together with Borno State Government and associations of farmers, on ways to improve safe access by farmers to their farms, forests and fishing grounds. I have also directed the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to accord special support by deploying more agro rangers, through collaboration with Borno State Government, to secure additional farmlands. I highly commend the Borno State Government for its initiative in deploying the agro rangers. We will extend to it our full support, he added. The President said Governor Zulums effort at providing facilities that directly impact the livelihood of people, particularly building educational and health institutions, and constructing roads deserved applause. I have gone round to commission some of the capital projects executed by Governor Zulum in two years. I am very happy with what I saw. The Vocational Training Institute at Muna, in particular, is a very dynamic answer to skills acquisition and job creation efforts. Such an effort will ensure that in future, there will be no store of unemployed young minds for terrorists and insurgents to recruit from. I was exceedingly happy to commission very laudable capital projects executed at the Borno State University. It is the best answer that the decade-long effort of insurgents to disrupt and destroy modern education in this region has come to naught. I have directed the Federal Ministry of Health to liaise with Borno State Government and accord the needed support to the ongoing construction of Borno State University Teaching Hospital in the areas of equipment and personnel. Finally, let me, from the bottom of my heart and on behalf of the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria, commend His Royal Highness the Shehu of Borno, as well as all the other Royal Highnesses and Bulamas at all levels for their very exemplary leadership, patience, determination and wisdom during this past decade when this land was ravaged by insurgency and terrorism. The president said the fact that monarchs now operate from their domains was evidence that peace was being restored to the communities, despite the challenges that remain to be overcome. The elders, statesmen, Muslim and Christian community leaders all over this state and region also deserve our thanks and warm appreciation for their resilience, moral leadership and support for the Federal and State Governments during these trying times. I wish to reassure Your Highness the Shehu, all the Royal Highnesses, elders, the Government and people of Borno State and the North East region, of Federal Governments relentless determination in the search for peace in Borno, the Northeast and the rest of Nigeria. We will never rest until peace is fully restored and all displaced persons are resettled in their home communities. I will never forget in my life that during my career as a politician, Borno State is where I got the highest percentage of votes, more than 90 percent! The least I can do for you is to continue the relentless effort to fully restore peace to this state, the North East region and the country as a whole, he added. In his remarks, Governor Zulum thanked the president for the relative peace enjoyed in the state, buoyed by the heavy presence of military and security men who have been engaging the terrorists. We have witnessed gradual return of peace to Borno State and it is our sincere hope that insurgency will soon be brought to an end, he said. The governor said he had already spent 750 days in office, appreciating the president for various developmental interventions, which includes infrastructure, particularly the approval of 10,000 units of housing for IDPs of which 4,000 had been completed. The governor thanked the president for approval of a federal polytechnic in Mongonu after 40 years of creation, in 1976, urging more security presence so that farmers can return to their major occupation. Garba Shehu Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity) June 17, 2021 Eighteen-year-old Kemisola Oguniyi arrested by soldiers in Akure, Ondo State, after the violence that erupted in the wake of the October 2020 #EndSARS protests, has given birth to a baby in prison. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that Ms Oguniyi, who had been pregnant before she was arrested on October 22, 2020, went into labour on Tuesday, June 15, and gave birth to a baby boy on Wednesday. Ms Oguniyi was randomly picked up along with others by personnel of the Nigeria Army on the streets of Akure,for allegedly having connections with #EndSARS protesters who torched the All Progressive Congress (APC) secretariat in Akure, Ondo State. Those with whom she was arrested were Ayodele Bukunmi, Ojo Samuel and Ani Obinna. But her lawyer, Tope Tomekun, who spoke with our reporter Thursday insisted that his client was innocent. He said she was arrested along with others while on her way to the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) to get money with which she hoped to buy drugs for her sick mother. Charged with arson, riotous assembly, others The suspects were subsequently charged with conspiracy to commit arson, riotous assembly, stealing and malicious damage, and later remanded in Surulere Prison in Ondo West local government area of the state. Ms Oguniyis lawyer, Mr Temokun, told our reporter on Thursday that her client was innocent of the charges preferred against her. Her father, Rotimi Ogunbiyi, also said the arrest and illegal detention of her daughter had thrown the family into sorrow. He argued that her daughter would not have been arrested if not for her sick mother who needed drugs. Lawyer writes Chief Judge, attorney-general Mr Tomekun has, in separate letters sent to the Chief Judge of Ondo State, Oluwatoyin Akeredolu, and the states attorney-general, Charles Titiloye, called for the detainees release and the termination of the charges filed against her. PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday obtained copies of the letters dated June 17, 2021 bearing the acknowledgement stamps of the recipient offices. The lawyer, in one of the letters, urged the Chief Judge to facilitate the release of the detainee, especially due to her sinless newborn child. I write to you sir, first as a lawyer and in furtherance of my conviction as a believer in humanitarian cause of justice, to appeal to you sir, that for the sake of the sinless newborn child and in the interest of justice, to give directive that this matter be given an urgent hearing as this is one deserving case sir, in which the powers in this direction could be exercised, part of the letter seen by PREMIUM TIMES read. In his letter to the states Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Titiloye, Mr Temokun called for the entering of nolle prosequi (withdrawal of the charges) in the case filed against Ms Oguniyi. No single link between Kemisola and the allegation from the proof of evidence filed by the office of the Attorney-General which is now in my possession in furtherance of my brief from the parents, the lawyer said. He added, I reasonably hold, with a very strong conviction, that the legal advice from the office of the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions) ought to have exonerated Kemisola. ADVERTISEMENT That the office of the Attorney-General still went ahead to file charges against her which made her remained behind bars till she gave birth still baffles me. We use this medium to seek audience with the Honourable Attorney-General on this matter. He maintained that for the sake of the sinless newborn child and in the interest of justice, appeal to the attorney-General to rise to this occasion and enter nolle prosequi in the pending charge, AK/3C/2021. This is an emergency, the lawyer added. Our correspondent reached out to both the Chief Judge, Ms Akeredolu, and the Attorney-general, Mr Titiloye, for comments but they did not respond to calls and text messages. #EndSARS Many young Nigerians trooped to the streets in October 2020 in protest against police brutality. The protest tagged #EndSARS later turned violent after it was hijacked by hoodlums who looted stores, homes, warehouses, as well as private and public property, in different parts of the country. Soldiers brutally shot at young protesters who gathered at Lekki Toll gate in Lagos in desperation to end the peaceful demonstration. PREMIUM TIMES recalled that many Nigerians were arrested randomly in the wake of the #EndSARS protests. This newspaper earlier today reported that a protester, Nicholas Mbah, regained his freedom on Tuesday after spending eight months in Kirikiri prison in Lagos. ADVERTISEMENT Tanko Sununu, the lawmaker representing Shanga/ Yauri/ Ngaski federal constituency of Kebbi State, has disclosed that before the latest attack in Yauri, Kebbi State, bandits have been attacking the community uninterrupted. According to the lawmaker, the bandits had informed the people they would be back to attack the community. PREMIUM TIMES had reported the attack by bandits in Yauri, which led to the abduction of some students and teachers at Federal Government School by suspected bandits. A policeman was killed during the attack. Mr Sununu said, last week, over 300 bandits with AK 47, attacked the communities in Yauri and operated for eight hours uninterrupted. A week ago we had another calamity when bandits mentioned by eyewitnesses numbering about 250 to 300, each with AK-47 rifles and using very strong motorcycles, came into my constituency. They had a field day and operated for more than eight hours going house to house, room to room, collecting money, handsets, motorcycles and cattle, he said. The lawmaker said the people had initially fled the community after the attack because the bandits warned that they would be back. Taking it seriously, some people refused to go back and in the early hours of today, they repeated what they had done earlier and they came into the constituency, somehow around 10.30 or thereabout. They were able to have access after strong fight with some security guards, police that are guarding the Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri and they made inroad into the school. They succeeded in kidnapping some teachers and an unaccounted number of students. Some of the students and security men are currently receiving care at the General Hospital Yauri, following gun injuries. Mr Sununu called on the federal government to help ensure security in the state, as he noted that rice farmers and others are unable to go to farm due to insecurity. He added that parents cannot feel free to send their wards to school for fear of being kidnapped. Mass abductions Abduction has become pervasive in Nigeria, with bandits targetting schools across the country. Most often, the abductors demand money to release the victims. PREMIUM TIMES had in a report detailed the timeline of abductions by bandits and kidnappers. ADVERTISEMENT Agro-economic policies should not be a function of sentiments and politics but sound economics. Ranching, which some governors favour, will deliver beef to the market at a higher cost than that of the U.S. if finally adopted, because the landing cost of the equipment and services will make the price of beef completely unreachable for most households. As a businessman and one with a passion for economics, I have always believed that price could be a signal of the best economic policy choices. In my secondary school, some of my classmates called me Baba Econs. For the fun of it, I took the O level WAEC examination in Economics as an external student in my junior class, and I was glad with the result; I had A1. When I attended University of Buckingham in United Kingdom for my Masters Degree, I was grateful to God that I obtained Distinctions in International Economics and International Finance to be sure that the secondary school performance was not a fluke. Sounds boastful and immodest but it has become necessary in Nigerias heavily opinionated atmosphere to make such introduction on this emotive subject matter. After all, I am just another politician; one of those expected not to know anything. Back to the real question: What are the things that Nigerian herders do that has kept the price if beef in Nigeria as one of the lowest in the world, precisely at $4.85 per kilogramme, in comparison to the higher prices obtainable in countries where most Western-oriented commentators want us to switch our livestock production pattern to, such as the United States, where the price of beef is five times the Nigerian cost, at a whopping $24.18 per kilogramme; the Netherlands at $24.19 per kilogramme, and Israel at $21.49 per kilogramme. I reproduce below a global index of beef prices. What will be the consequence when we change the method of raising cattle? Pretty simple stuff. The first is that, the herder takes his cattle to the grass, he does not pay for the price of bringing the grass to his cattle. The second is almost similar; he takes his cattle to water, and he does not bring water to his cattle through a complex irrigation system that needs to be paid for in hard currency and maintained by experts from overseas. The third and most important, most times, is that the herder is the pharmacist, nurse and doctor of his cattle through a deep understanding of plants in the forest, passed to him by his ancestors from generation to generation, and which has now been lost to most sedentary people. This may not be an exactly preferred veterinary medical practice, but it helps him keep his cost low. He is also the social worker and the security personnel to his cattle, like David in the Bible who would puts his life at risk to save only one of his sheep, fighting physically with bare hands against the Lion. Most of us today ridicule that commitment to a work culture that has endured for generations. We say with derision that some people prefer cows to life. The truth of the matter is that for any enterprise to succeed and endure, there must be passion even before thinking about money. Perhaps that is why the herder is reluctant to embrace a system that would put his cattle in the hands of civil servants who have been designed to manage the National Livestock Transformation Plan. My economic instinct tells me that we may have ignored very important lessons from the best local expert in cattle rearing and management the Fulani herder in our emotionally driven path to create a new livestock management system. I am not a Fulani, but I grew up in New-Bussa, Niger State, and in Kwara State, surrounded by Fulani settlements. I did not grow up with the consciousness of seeing Fulanis as oppressors seeking to grab anyones land as it is now the narrative, because of the almost abject poverty of most of them that I knew while growing up. As a matter of fact, we had a lot of them as our helps, and we respected them and learnt a lot from their wisdom and simplicity. We all agree that open grazing must go for it sundry limitations, even though these are sometimes exaggerated through a general stereotyping that confuses the criminal activities of some foreign nomads who have infiltrated our forests, with the generally peaceful and lawful activities of local herders who have done their business peacefully for ages. Some of the well adumbrated sins of open grazing include: the destruction of farm lands; violence against sedentary farmers, which sometimes result in deaths; trespass on private properties; land grabbing; and the ambition of the Fulani ethnic group, even though unsubstantiated. My economic instinct tells me that we may have ignored very important lessons from the best local expert in cattle rearing and management the Fulani herder in our emotionally driven path to create a new livestock management system. Agro-economic policies should not be a function of sentiments and politics but sound economics. Ranching, which some governors favour, will deliver beef to the market at a higher cost than that of the U.S. if finally adopted, because the landing cost of the equipment and services will make the price of beef completely unreachable for most households. A word of caution for Federal Government officials: No matter how correct their positions are, they must learn the art of communication. They must not give the impression that the Fulani herders are especially favoured people by them, and unwittingly, set the Fulani up as an endangered ethnic group. The last time I checked, the cost of a fairly used 18,000-acre ranch in Argentina was a whopping $10 million (N5 billion). Hundreds of such ranches would be needed, plus the landing cost, the cost of corruption, cost of delayed delivery, ports congestion, etc. I understand that some people dont mind the higher cost of beef, as long as we deal with the Fulanis. I discussed this with a couple, who replied me in Yoruba that, Aani tori pe a je eran, ka pe malu ni boda (meaning literarily that: We wont pass the respect normally reserved for humans to a cow on account of our desire to eat beef). That may be true and in sync with the prevailing sentiments, but an enduring National Agricultural Policy cannot be determined by base sentiments but on the numbers. I am persuaded that a policy which confines herders to grazing reserves, where they will still be in control of their cattle but will not be in a position to trespass on other peoples land, would be a superior choice to a plan that hopes to put experienced pastoralists under the management of civil servants, who lack any experience in cattle breeding and who are advised by imported specialist with zero knowledge of the local environment. The policy of developing grazing reserves must, however, not be imposed on any state that does not want it; after all, land use under the Nigerian Constitution is within the jurisdiction of state governments. Those who want to breed their cattle at five times the present cost have the fundamental human right to choose that, and those who want to breed their cattle at low costs also have rights to do so; that is what true federalism means. A word of caution for Federal Government officials: No matter how correct their positions are, they must learn the art of communication. They must not give the impression that the Fulani herders are especially favoured people by them, and unwittingly, set the Fulani up as an endangered ethnic group. Both herders and farmers are Nigerians, and our ability to improve on the local experiences of these two strata in the agricultural sector, modernising their experiences, improving on their techniques and not completely abolishing them, will be the direction to go for sustainability, peace and security. I know this option would be controversial. Anyone with a better argument should bring it up and lets debate this subject. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim is a former presidential aspirant and businessman. The earlier Nigerians realised that we are the architects of our own destiny, the better it would be for us all. We all need to re-examine the value we place on education, brilliance and academic feats. Instead of expressing shock and complaining about ridiculous prize awards for academic feats, Nigerians should aim at doing something differently. I received several telephone calls following reports of the N500 cash prize awarded to the best graduating students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) a few days back. According to the news report, the three best graduating students of the Federal Government-owned institution were asked to share a sum of N1,500 among themselves. The award was tagged Sir Odumegwu Memorial Prize for the best graduating student. Although the prize sum is N1,500, three students had the same 4.63 CGPA, thus making all of them the best graduating students, as such the Best graduating students emphasised that the prize money would be shared among them. Likewise, two students in the Department of Accountancy were awarded the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation Prize of N1,000 for being the best. Both had the same CGPA, and were also asked to share the prize money. Most of the callers wanted to know if the N500 prize reported was a typographical error or was real, as they couldnt imagine such ridiculous prizes being awarded for academic excellence. After confirming the authenticity of the news report, some still chose not to believe it. I read some WhatsApp comments claiming the story was fake and the handiwork of mischievous editors out to embarrass the Federal Government and tarnish the image of the UNN. I dont blame them. Some things are hard to believe. Unfortunately, this story is not only true, it is not strange as well in our public institutions. In one of my previous columns, I highlighted some bizarre prizes awarded for academic excellence in some prestigious Nigerian universities, with some best graduating students getting as low as N200. Below are some of the examples. In my article published on October 8, 2020, Somadina received a tuber of yam and a fowl for emerging the Best Graduating Student of Mass Communication from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), formerly known as Anambra State University. Bamisaye Tosin got N200 for being the best graduating student of the Ekiti State Universitys (EKSU) Department of Civil Engineering during his set. Remember, Ekiti State prides itself as Nigerias Fountain of Knowledge. Oluwole Hikmat Ibrahim-Buruji received a N2,000 prize for topping the University of Ibadans Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies in the 2016 academic session, while Esther Fatogun, the 2018 best graduating student of Lagos State Polytechnic only got a handshake. People are free to fact-check these pieces of information. Nevertheless, Lagos State government did something spectacular for the best graduating student of its State University in 2019, as Ridwan Ola-Gbadamosi of the Faculty of Engineering received a whopping N200,000 for emerging the institutions overall best. He got N100,000 as Faculty best and N100,000 as university best. The Universitys 2020 best graduating student was the luckiest so far. Oladimeji Shotunde was not only awarded a post-graduate scholarship to any university in the world by the state government, he also received a N5 million cash prize. This is probably why many people think the N500 prize was a typographical error. But, the truth is, the Lagos case is a rarity in any Nigerian university, be it private or public. Nuhu Ibrahim, the 2018 best graduating student from Ahmadu Bello University, was also among the lucky lots. The Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, offered to sponsor his post graduate studies. He also got the Deans award for the best student from his Faculty, a laptop; an award from Royal Choice Hotel worth N50,000; and another one from a Chief Felix, also worth N50,000. In all, he received about N100,000 for his academic feat. How can a nation that allows ethnicity and quota system to reign above academic excellence develop, sacrificing merit on the altar of quota system? If we continue to subject everything to quota system, how do we create room for healthy competition and hard work? From the records above, it is clear that awarding a N500 prize for an academic feat is not a big deal in a Nigerian public institution. Some go as far as giving their best graduates mugs. This is just a reflection of the value we place on intellectualism and academic excellence. It also shows the level of decay in the system because things were not this bad in the past. Before now, students with outstanding academic performances were lured into the academy; they got automatic employment as graduate assistants and enjoyed scholarships to pursue higher degrees to enable the universities to have intellectually robust and rich faculty. Little wonder Nigeria has continued to retrogress. I remember that the Federal Government, during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, also introduced a Presidential Scholarship Scheme for First Class Nigerian Graduates as part of efforts to achieve the Transformation Agenda. All First Class graduates from any approved university were qualified to sit for an examination in which about 100 beneficiaries were selected on the basis of merit. There was nothing like federal character or quota system in selecting winners. These beneficiaries were then sponsored for postgraduate studies in top 28 universities in the world. They were expected to return to Nigeria and help build the country. However, everything changed when President Muhammadu Buhari came to power. The current President reportedly complained that there was no single Northerner on the list of the 101 successful candidates shortlisted for the scholarship programme in 2015. Since then, nothing much has been heard of the scheme. How can a nation that allows ethnicity and quota system to reign above academic excellence develop, sacrificing merit on the altar of quota system? If we continue to subject everything to quota system, how do we create room for healthy competition and hard work? Take, for example, cut-off marks for entrance into unity schools. While cut-off mark for students from Abia State was pegged at 130, the cut-off mark for students from Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara States were 9, 3, 2 and 4 respectively. These are the same students who will gain admission to universities with lower marks all in the name of quota system. Tell me, how can these kinds of students bag a First Class? Stopping a laudable programme because people from some parts of the country do not qualify for a scholarship programme is unfair to hardworking students from other parts of the country. Some people have said the North cannot survive without the quota system, I agree. No region or nation can develop when you dont value hard work and merit. Anyway, it is good that people are angry and disappointed that a Nigerian first-generation university could still award a prize of N1,500 to its best brains. Many have also observed the huge disparity between the paltry university prize money and the millions of naira that people get when they win in reality shows like the Big Brother Naija. I agree. The difference is truly clear! Lets be truthful to ourselves, how many Nigerians would, for example, have voted if BBN had been an education show? How many people would have been glued to their TV sets as they did last year if the competition had been about finding the best brains among Nigerian youths, who could proffer solutions to Nigerias teething problems? But as earlier stated in my previous column, I dont have anything against anyone taking part in a reality show; I also dont feel its wrong for a company to give any prize it deems fit to winners of its shows. After all, its all business. A smart company should be able to identify a good business opportunity and maximise its benefits. If these companies were convinced that Nigerians valued education, they would also have tailored their shows towards that direction. Lets be truthful to ourselves, how many Nigerians would, for example, have voted if BBN had been an education show? How many people would have been glued to their TV sets as they did last year if the competition had been about finding the best brains among Nigerian youths, who could proffer solutions to Nigerias teething problems? You see, every society gets what it deserves. Some have also argued that many Nigerians are angry, frustrated and just need an escape route, and that programmes like BBN help them to shift attention away from their frustrations. I quite understand. Nigeria is truly a hell of a country to a lot of people. The only snare, however, is that nothing will change until a change is demanded. After all said and done, Nigerians would still be the ones to decide the kind of society they want. If they continue to opt for reality shows, instead of pushing for a paradigm shift to re-channel our governments and companies attention to valuing excellence and academic feats, the country will keep retrogressing. Thats the awful truth! ADVERTISEMENT The earlier Nigerians realised that we are the architects of our own destiny, the better it would be for us all. We all need to re-examine the value we place on education, brilliance and academic feats. Instead of expressing shock and complaining about ridiculous prize awards for academic feats, Nigerians should aim at doing something differently. A lot can be achieved when individuals, indigenous companies, etc., start to prioritise education. Nothing stops Nigerian companies, alumni associations and well-to-do people from also encouraging academic excellence by instituting mouth-watering prize awards in our institutions. Honestly, we all need to re-arrange our priorities. Otherwise, nothing will change. The choice is ours really! Lest I forget, we still need schemes like the Presidential Scholarship Programme for First Class Nigerian graduates. Such a laudable scheme shouldnt die because of the quota system. Olabisi Deji-Folutile is the Editor-in-Chief, franktalknow.com and member, Nigerian Guild of Editors. Email: bisideji@yahoo.co.uk. ADVERTISEMENT The police in Jigawa on Thursday said some angry residents beat a 40-year-old suspected robber, Hassan Sale, to death in the state. The spokesperson of the police, Shiisu Adam, confirmed the incident to journalists in Dutse. Mr Adam said that the incident occurred on Sunday at Chandan village in Birnin Kudu Local Government Area (LGA), when the suspect attempted to break into a provision store. The deceased was caught red-handed by the owner of the shop, who raised an alarm that attracted the residents to the scene. On June 13, at about 10.30 a.m., information reached us that one Hassan Sale, aged 40, who resides in Kyaurawa village, went to Chandan village in Birnin Kudu LGA and started breaking into a provision shop belonging to one Garba Samaila. The suspect was beaten to a state of coma and was rushed to the Birnin Kudu General Hospital for medical attention but died while receiving treatment on June 14, Mr Adam said. He said that investigation was ongoing to trace and arrest those responsible for the act. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said 18 political parties indicated interest to participate in the Anambra governorship election scheduled for November 6. INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this at the second quarterly meeting of the commission with political parties on Thursday in Abuja. Mr Yakubu said all the 18 political parties had scheduled their primaries for the election in line with the dates provided for in the timetable released by the commission. In the case of the FCT Area Council elections, political parties have concluded their primaries for the 68 constituencies made up of six Area Council Chairmen and 62 Councillors. A total of 14 out of 18 political parties have nominated 110 candidates for Chairmanship/Deputy Chairmanship positions and 362 candidates for Councillorships Altogether, 14 political parties have nominated 472 candidates to vie for 68 elective positions in the FCT. An infographic distribution of the nominations by Area Councils is included in your folders for this meeting, he said. Mr Yakubu urged party leaders to appeal to their candidates for peace in the Anambra governorship election, FCT Area council polls and other by-elections coming up. As you are aware, a number of by-elections and major end of tenure elections are scheduled to hold before the 2023 General Election. This weekend, two by-elections are holding in Kaduna State for the Sabon Gari State Constituency in which five political parties are fielding candidates. Jigawa State for the Gwaram Federal Constituency where ten political parties are participating. We have concluded all arrangements for these bye-elections, including the sensitive materials that will arrive today in the two constituencies. So far, the processes have been rancour-free. We urge you to appeal to your candidates and supporters to maintain the current peaceful atmosphere. For the outstanding by-elections, I want to assure you that as soon as vacancies are declared by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, we will release the timetable. The timetable for the Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency of Plateau State and the Lere Federal Constituency of Kaduna State. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT Gunmen on Wednesday abducted four workers of a Chinese company handling the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge railway project and killed a policeman in Ogun. Abimbola Oyeyemi, the State Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the incident in a statement on Thursday in Abeokuta. Mr Oyeyemi said the command had deployed tactical teams and are on the trail for the kidnappers. He, however, said that the police could not ascertain whether the gunmen were herdsmen. It is true, the incident happened on Wednesday. The victims are Chinese expatriates working at the construction site at the terminus of the railway around Alaagba area, not far from Kila. The gunmen laid ambush for the victims on their way and they were attacked. A police officer escorting them was killed. We have started the investigation since yesterday, we are on the trail of those people and hopefully, we are going to get them. All our tactical teams have been deployed to that direction and we are trying to locate them. We believe that by the grace of God, we are going to get them. We cannot say for now if the abductors are Fulani herdsmen until when we are able to get them, Mr Oyeyemi said. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT A 26- year-old man, Moses Olaitan, who allegedly impersonated a traditional ruler and defrauded a woman of N51 million on Thursday appeared in an Ikeja Chief Magistrates Court. The police charged Mr Olaitan, a barber who resides at Iyana Governor Road, Idi- Iroko, Ogun State, with impersonation, stealing, obtaining by false pretences and threat to life. The prosecution counsel, Raji Akeem, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on July 17, 2020 at Ojokoro area of Lagos. Mr Akeem alleged that the defendant and some others at large, collected N51 million from Joy Okoro, to prepare a concoction for ritual cleansing so that she can become a queen. He added that the defendant impersonated to be Oba Elegushi on social media, professed love to the complainant and told her to come to Nigeria from London where she stays. The defendant told her that she would undergo a ritual cleansing before she can come to the palace and be a queen and linked her up with some at large. The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of sections 56, 287, 314, 380 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. Chief Magistrate O. I Adelaja admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N51million with two sureties in like sum. The magistrate adjourned the case until July 5 for mention. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT At least 127 suspected traffic robbers were arrested in Lagos State between March and June this year, the police have said. Muyiwa Adejobi, the police spokesperson, in a statement on Thursday, said that the suspects were arrested in different parts of the state as part of the efforts of the Police command in combating traffic robbery. Mr Adejobi said the Police Commissioner Hakeem Odumosu disclosed the figure on Thursday while briefing officers on the need to tackle the menace of traffic robbery. The Commissioner of Police, while giving the assurance today Thursday 17th June 2021, in his Ikeja office, confirmed the arrest of not less than One Hundred and Twenty Seven Suspected traffic robbers at various locations within Lagos State from March 2021 till date, the statement reads. Mr Odumosu also kicked off combat training, musketry and range practice for police personnel in the command. The police boss said the trained police operatives will be attached to the newly formed Anti Traffic Robbery Squad to tackle the menace of robbery in traffic in Lagos State. The police boss assured Lagosians that robbery in traffic will soon fizzle out and become a history in the state because human and material resources are being deployed to tackle the menace headlong. PREMIUM TIMES reported how the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu donated crime-fighting equipment to the police and other security agencies. Mr Sanwo-Olu donated 150 vehicles, four high-capacity troop carriers, 30 patrol cars, and two anti-riot water cannon vehicles to the police as part of efforts to strengthen security responses across the State. The police boss said the recent donation of crime-fighting equipment and communication gadgets to the command will help intensify the fight against traffic and other crimes in the state. More Traffic robbers In a recent operation, officers of the Rapid Response Squad, (RRS) arrested two suspected robbers along Ikorodu Road on Monday. The suspects are Tunde Ramoni, 21, and Adepoju Samuel, 34. Mr Samuel was arrested while robbing a motorist with an unregistered motorcycle around Tipper area, Ketu, while Mr Ramoni was arrested at Ojota, the police said. During the course of investigation, it was revealed that Tunde Ramoni was once arrested with a gang of Pick Pocketers in 2019 and was convicted to 6 months imprisonment, Mr Adejobi said in the statement. READ ALSO: Police arrest suspected traffic robbers in Lagos In another operation, police operatives attached to Apapa Division arrested one Ibrahim Abiodun, 26, at Agbomalu, Apapa, on Wednesday. The police spokesperson said he was arrested with two locally-made pistols, two live cartridges, assorted charms and weeds suspected to be Indian hemp. Mr Odumosu directed that the suspect be transferred to the Commands Special Squad, Ikeja, for proper investigation and possible prosecution. He reiterated the commands zero tolerance for crimes, adding that the police tactical units will redouble their efforts in securing the state. There was pandemonium around Iwo Road area of Ibadan, Oyo State capital, on Wednesday evening as some park managers allegedly clashed with some cell phone retailers. A witness said that one of the cell phone dealers had challenged the park managers, who are also members of the proscribed National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), for blocking the main entrance of the shopping complex. This was said to have allegedly angered the park managers, who hurriedly mobilised themselves, brandishing dangerous weapons, and unleashed mayhem on the cell phone retailers. There is another account of what caused the violence witnesses had told PREMIUM TIMES that a phone buyer who was allegedly duped and harassed by the dealers went away and returned with thugs. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a shopping complex was vandalised, while cell phones and their accessories, among other valuables, were destroyed in the process. A witness, who requested not to be named, told NAN that one person was left dead, while many others sustained injuries. NAN also reports that the crisis disrupted business activities in the area. The shop owners hurriedly closed their shops to avoid looting of their goods, while others scampered for safety for fear of being attacked. The crisis led to a chaotic traffic situation in the area, stretching from Iwo Road to Gbagi and Airport Road, as well as Agodi Gate and the Governors Office at the State Secretariat. Some youth, aggrieved by the alleged unruly behaviour of the park managers later marched to the Government House, Agodi Gate, and the governors office with the body of one of the victims allegedly killed in the crisis. The angry youth, who are mostly phone retailers, later in the evening stormed the governors office and blocked the main gate to his office. All efforts made by some aides of Governor Seyi Makinde to pacify the youth were unsuccessful as they, in their hundreds, insisted that they would not leave the entrance gate. The Executive Assistant to the Governor on Security Matters, Sunday Odukoya; Chief Press Secretary, Taiwo Adisa; the Commissioner of Health, Bashir Bello and the Executive Secretary, Oyo State Health Insurance Scheme, Olushola Akande, made efforts to pacify the youth. The youth vowed that they would not leave unless they meet with the governor to brief him on what transpired at the Iwo Road area of Ibadan, which led to death of one of them. As the governor could not attend to them, they were shouting the name of Mukaila Lamidi, Chairman of the Park Management System Disciplinary Committee, accusing him of responsible for the killing. They later left the gate when it was discovered that the governor had left the office through another gate. The governors aides later provided an ambulance that conveyed the lifeless body to the Ring Road State Hospitals morgue. None of the governors aides was ready to comment on the incident. ADVERTISEMENT However, the deployment of security personnel to the Iwo Road was said to have restored relative peace to the area. In another development, NAN recalls that no fewer than two persons allegedly lost their lives on Monday night, at Oremeji-Agugu area of Ibadan when members of the proscribed NURTW clashed. When contacted, Olusegun Oluwole, the Public Relations Officer of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), confirmed that there was crisis at Iwo Road area of the state capital. Mr Oluwole said the cause of the crisis could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report. However, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Adewale Osifeso, denied the report in a phone interview. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT A High Court in Ado Ekiti on Thursday sentenced a 22-year-old man, Kehinde Olajide, 22 to death by hanging for armed robbery. Delivering judgment, Lekan Ogunmoye, the judge, held that the prosection had proven ingredients of armed robbery against Mr Olajide, without any reasonable doubt. Also charged with Mr Olajide are Kareem Azeez, 24, Bamisile Lateef, 28, and Adebayo Basiru, 25. Mr Ogunmoye, however, discharged Messrs Azeez, Lateef and Basiru of all charges. Olajide is hereby sentenced to death by hanging. May God almighty have mercy upon his soul. The prosecution said the offence is contrary to section 6(b), 3(1) and 1(b)(a) of robbery and firearms (Special provision) Act, Cap.R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. The prosecution said the convict and others at various times in Ado Ekiti, armed with dangerous weapons, robbed Dayo Folorunsho, Saka Yusuf, Adeoye Oluwatosin, Adeola Oluwatobi, Olayemi Aremu, Hambali Ojo and Ayodele Oluwafemi of their belongings. The prosecution said the convict and others stole Mobile phones, Lexus E5 350, recharge cards, Bajaj motorcycle, wrist watches, ZDX Acura and cash of N205,500. To prove its case, the prosecution counsel, H.A Adeyemi, called five witnesses while exhibit tendered include statements of the accused, locally made pistols, two live cartridges, black mask, among others. (NAN). In an effort to decongest correctional centres, the Lagos State Ministry of Justice on Thursday held a plea bargain session for some inmates at the Kirikiri Maximum Correctional Centre. The plea bargain session was the first of its kind to be held at a correctional centre in Lagos State. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the previous practice was for counsel to incarcerated inmates to write to the Attorney-General of the state to consider plea bargain agreements for their clients. A total of 27 inmates 16 males and 11 females were beneficiaries of Thursdays plea bargain session. The Lagos State Attorney-General, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), the state Solicitor-General, Titilayo Shitta-Bey, and some of the ministry of justice staff kick-started the initiative. The state Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), Office of the Public Defender (OPD), Legal Aid Council, and The Citizens Mediation Center (CMC), were represented at the session. Others in the justice sector such as the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) and International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) partnered in the project. Addressing participants, Mr Onigbanjo said one of the problems facing correctional facilities in the state was overcrowding. He said Lagos State Government had designed many programmes to decongest prisons in the state. According to him, plea bargain agreement is one of the programmes. He said the ministry of justice was rendering an invaluable service by bringing the plea bargain initiative to the doorstep of the prisons for the first time. We have today, judges who are waiting to take the matters virtually/online and any plea bargain we make today will be taken as the judgment of the court. For inmates that do not have lawyers here, there are lawyers from FIDA, AWLA, NBA, OPD and the Legal Aid Council to represent you, he said. The A-G gave the assurance that the ministry of justice and other stakeholders would not coerce innocent inmates to admit to crimes. If indeed you have committed an offence, Lagos State Government is telling you to plead guilty to a lesser charge so you can serve your sentence and go on to live a reasonable law-abiding life. We urge you to take advantage of this exercise and to spread the good news to your brothers and sisters who are not here with us. This is an opportunity for a second chance, grab it with both hands, Mr Onigbanjo said. In her speech, Ms Shitta-Bey said the exercise was the demystifying of the myth that the option of plea bargain is for wealthy and influential offenders. ADVERTISEMENT She said the ministry of justice had made the process free and accessible to eligible inmates. The solicitor-general, however, noted that plea bargain option was for individuals who committed non-capital offences. I urge you to consider and make use of the opportunity presented to you today. Plea bargain is not for someone who is not guilty or who did not commit the offence they are accused of. You do not need to pressure yourself to partake in it if you believe you are innocent, she said. NAN reports that some judges from the state judiciary including Justices Sedotan Ogunsanya, Oluwatoyin Ipaye, and Yetunde Adesanya held virtual sessions and sentenced some inmates who participated in the plea bargain agreement. Sedotan Ogunsanya virtually sentenced one Opeyemi Adejuyigbe to seven years imprisonment following his guilty plea to illegal possession of firearms. He had been awaiting trial since 2015. Mr Adejuyigbes sentence would run from 2015 when he was incarcerated. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT Two persons were, on Thursday, feared killed in a clash among the youth of Inalende, Abebi and Oopo areas of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the clash had started since Wednesday when a group of youth from Inalende were said to have killed two people in Oopo, allegedly with the support of their counterparts from Abebi. The incident came barely 24 hours after people were reportedly killed during a clash between phone dealers at Iwo Road and transport workers. NAN also reports that Oopo, Abebi and Inalende are neighbouring areas in the heart of Ibadan, the state capital. A witness, who requested not to be named, told NAN that clashes among the youth in the affected areas had become rampant recently. The witness said that the youth in the area were still threatening to retaliate the killing of their members, notwithstanding the heavy presence of security agencies. He said: I am confirming it. I am a newspaper vendor in this area but I dont want you to mention my name. The two boys are already down (killed) as I speak with you. Although the police and NSCDC personnel were here to maintain peace, those guys were still threatening to retaliate the killing of their two members. I wish the police can still send more reinforcement to our area to ensure that more lives are not lost. Another witness said: They have killed two people already. We have yet to know those behind the attack. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview with NAN. Mr Osifeso, however, said that no life was lost in the incident. Yes, there was a little bit of violence in the area and we have deployed adequate tactical operatives to maintain law and order. The divisional police officer (DPO) of that area is there; no live was lost, the police spokesman said. (NAN) Plattsburgh, NY (12901) Today Rain showers early will evolve into a more steady rain for the afternoon. High near 65F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Considerable cloudiness with occasional rain showers. Low 57F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Plattsburgh, NY (12901) Today Occasional rain. High around 65F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.. Tonight Considerable cloudiness with occasional rain showers. Low 57F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. - Rapid infrastructure development in developing economies will accelerate the compressor oil market demand. DUBAI, UAE, June 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The global compressor oil market is expected to reach a valuation of US$ 26.7 Bn in 2021, according to a study by Future Market Insights (FMI). The overall compressor oil market is expected to follow positive growth trajectory, expanding at a CAGR of 4.6% for forecast period of 2021- 2031. Spike in consumer power requirements and increasing focus on sustainable electricity production have fueled the demand for compressors in oil & gas and other industries. Rapid urbanization and growing middle class population around the world will create novel growth opportunities for compressor oil market. Growing investments towards developing environment friendly compressor oil which has high sustainability will propel the compressor oil market growth, finds ESOMAR-certified consulting firm Future Market Insights in this study. Industrial compressors require oil lubed pimps which need frequent oil changes and good lubrication. Oil compressors have long life and oil plays an important role in improving the life of compressor. Extensive research and development initiatives and heavy investment from leading market players have led to emergence of oil free compressors. This new range has a working life of 2000 hours thus giving more returns to both manufacturers and industrialists. Rising adoption of such products will negatively influence the market growth of compressor oils. Despite this, the demand of synthetic oil is predicted to increase throughout the forecast period owing to its versatility in terms of use in wide range of compressors. World is transitioning from mineral oil based compressor oils to organic and bio-based compressor oils. Bio-based compressor oils produce low carbon emission and amidst strict environmental regulations and policies, it is experiencing tremendous growth across wide range of industries. The demand for bio-based compressor oils is expected to remain consistent in upcoming years on the backs of constant innovation and sustainable development. "Increasing demand for consumer applications like refrigerators and air conditioners due to improved standard of living will directly fuel the compressor oil market demand throughout the forecast period," said FMI analyst. Request a report sample with 300 pages to gain comprehensive insights at https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-4871 Key Takeaways About one-sixth of global demand of compressor oil comes from the U.S. Increasing demand of compressor in automobile, oil & gas, and power industry will fuel the compressor oil market demand in the U.S. Rapid industrialization and thriving chemical, power, and automotive and transportation industry will drive the compressor oil market demand in China . . Presence of automotive giants in Germany and thriving end use industries will accelerate the compressor oil market growth in the country. and thriving end use industries will accelerate the compressor oil market growth in the country. Growing electrification to accommodate the growing economy of India along with booming mining industry in the country has accelerated the compressor oil market demand. along with booming mining industry in the country has accelerated the compressor oil market demand. Rising popularity of electric cars to reduce the environment pollution and uneven oil demands on global level will negatively influence the market growth in GCC countries. Increasing production of automotives in U.K. will directly elevate the demand for compressors, leading to 6% y-o-y growth of compressor oil market in 2021. Prominent Drivers Increasing demand of compressor in wide range of applications like power and energy sector is driving the compressor oil market growth. Growing investment in research and development of eco-friendly compressor oil is further fuelling the market growth. Elevated demand of uninterrupted and reliable electricity supply will magnify the compressor oil market demand. Key Restraints Introduction of oil free compressors which provides better returns than oil based compressors is restricting the market growth. High cost of bio-based and synthetic compressor oils hinders the market demand. Stringent environment policies regarding manufacturing of mineral oil based compressor oil hampers market growth. Discover more about the compressor oil market with figures and data tables, along with the table of contents. You will also find detailed market segmentation Buy [email protected] https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ask-question/rep-gb-4871 Competitive Landscape According to FMI, market players are working towards finding ways to produce high quality products are cheaper price and sustainable supply over long duration of time. Such approach will assist manufacturers to carry out their operations effectively. Smaller market players are signing long term agreements with manufacturers to supply custom products at competitive pricing especially for end-use applications. Leading players profiled by FMI operating in compressor oil market include: Exxon Mobil Corporation Total S.A. Sinopec group Royal Dutch Shell plc plc Atlas Copco Group BASF SE British Petroleum plc Dow Croda International Sasol Limited FUCHS Chevron Corporation More Insights On FMI's Compressor Oil Market The latest market study on global compressor oil market by Future Market Insights gives a detailed segmentation for the forecast period of 2021-2031. In order to gain a better perspective of the global market potential, its growth, trends, and opportunities, the market is segmented on the basis of By Oil Type Synthetic Oil Mineral Oil Semi Synthetic Oil Bio Based Oil By Compressor Reciprocating Compressors Sliding Vane Compressors Centrifugal Compressors Screw Compressors Rotary Compressors By End Use Oil & Gas Automotive Power Manufacturing and Others By Sales Channel OEM Aftermarket Region North America Latin America Europe East Asia South Asia & Pacific & Pacific Middle East and Africa (MEA) Get Access to Research Methodology Prepared by Experts https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ask-question/rep-gb-4871 Explore FMI's Extensive Coverage on Chemicals and materials Domain Hydro fluorocarbon market: The global hydro fluorocarbon market report by FMI gives an in-depth insight on the future expansion prospects, trends and challenges that market is likely to face in the upcoming decade. Key statistics regarding key segments have been presented across prominent geographies, along with a detailed assessment of the market's competitive landscape. Hydrotalcite market: The hydrotalcite market study published by FMI offers a comprehensive analysis and focused views on major trends expected to provide shape to future growth prospects. The report provides detailed analysis of the significant drivers, trends, challenges and opportunities prevailing for the forthcoming decade across key geographies along with competitive landscape of the upcoming decade. Hydroxyapatite market: Future Market Insights gives a detailed segmentation on the global hydroxyapatite market with upcoming market trends, challenges and future growth dynamics across key geographies and prominent segments. The report provides a holistic approach, mapping the competitive landscape with detailed analysis on established players, new entrants, and opportunities likely to prevail across the 2021-2031 decade. About Future Market Insights (FMI) Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in Dubai, and has delivery centers in the UK, U.S. and India. FMI's latest market research reports and industry analysis help businesses navigate challenges and make critical decisions with confidence and clarity amidst breakneck competition. Our customized and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. A team of expert-led analysts at FMI continuously tracks emerging trends and events in a broad range of industries to ensure that our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers. Contact: Abhishek Budholiya Future Market Insights, 1602-6 Jumeirah Bay X2 Tower, Plot No: JLT-PH2-X2A, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates For Sales Enquiries: [email protected] For Media Enquiries: [email protected] Website: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ Report: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/compressor-oil-market Press Release Source: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/press-release/compressor-oil-market Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1197648/FMI_Logo.jpg SOURCE Future Market Insights OTTAWA, ON, June 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, today issued the following statement: "We are very pleased that the Senate has passed Bill C-15, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. We now eagerly await Royal Assent. "Today represents a critical step in recognizing, promoting, protecting and upholding the human rights of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. It marks another important move forward in the evolving history of the Crown-Indigenous relationship, one that will help forge stronger relationships and support the path to self-determination for First Nations, Inuit and Metis while taking action to advance reconciliation, together. "The implementation of the Declaration through Bill C-15 is part of the government's commitment to addressing injustices, combating prejudice and eliminating all forms of violence, racism and discrimination, including systemic racism and discrimination, against Indigenous Peoples. "This legislation will require the Government of Canada to examine federal laws, policies, and practices and to take all measures, in consultation and cooperation with Indigenous Peoples, to ensure consistency with the Declaration. It provides the foundation for transformational change in Canada's relationships with Indigenous Peoples. "The legislation will complement other initiatives underway across Canada with Indigenous partners to close socio-economic gaps, advance reconciliation and renew relationships based on the affirmation of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership. "The work to undo centuries of colonial policies could not be more urgent. The horrific finding of unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, as well as other possible graves, are yet another reminder of that truth. The harms experienced by First Nations, Inuit and Metis families and communities are real and ongoing and must be confronted. "Through Calls to Action 43 and 44, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission called on all levels of government to implement the Declaration as the framework for reconciliation, and develop an action plan, strategies and other concrete measures to achieve its goals. "Together, we must continue to walk the path of reconciliation to ensure that the rights, languages, cultures, and identities of all Indigenous Peoples are recognized, honoured, and respected. Bill C-15 provides a framework for the federal government to move forward in partnership with Indigenous Peoples for the benefit of all Canadians." Associated Links For further information, media may contact: Chantalle Aubertin, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, 613-992-6568; Media Relations: Department of Justice Canada, 613-957-4207, [email protected]; Ani Dergalstanian, Press Secretary and Communications Advisor, Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, 819-997-0002; Media Relations: Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, 819-934-2302, [email protected] Related Links http://www.justice.gc.ca SOURCE Department of Justice Canada WASHINGTON, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- America First Political Committee today announced the successful completion of the Wyoming Congressional Candidate Forum which was held Saturday, June 12, 2021 in Casper, Wyoming. Wyoming is ground zero for taking the Republican Party back from liberals and RINO's in 2022. Six (6) of the declared Congressional Candidates were in attendance including Denton Knapp, Marissa Selvig, Chuck Gray, Bryan Miller, Robyn Belinskey and Darrin Smith Wyoming Congressional Forum Wyoming GOP Chairman Frank Eathorn and KW Miller The Candidates were asked the tough questions by moderators about their platform and vision for the State of Wyoming and the broader economic policies to 'Keep America First'. Incumbent Liz Cheney and embattled controversial candidate Anthony Bouchard did not attend, choosing to hide from the Wyoming Voters and openly avoid the tough media questions. K.W. Miller, Chairman of the America First Political Committee addressed the audience and made the following statement, "Mark my words: any candidate that is not in the room tonight is not getting elected in 2022." "We will be announcing a follow on Wyoming Congressional Debate very shortly," Miller added. The Wyoming Congressional Forum video can be watched in its entirety at the following website link: https://youtu.be/yX-LSRCFCBg About America First: Our mission is to promote conservative political candidates and policy that puts America First. We are dedicated to advancing policies that improve the quality of life for all Americans. As Citizens, we have to take charge of our future through direct action. America First is dedicated to promoting conservative political candidates across the U.S.A. Conservatism in the United States is a broad combination of political beliefs that is characterized by respect for American traditions, gun rights, pro-business, individualism, less big government, and advocacy of American exceptionalism internationally. America First Contact: Contact: Alex Smith Email: [email protected] Website: www.americafirstpc.org Phone: 202.495.1505 SOURCE America First Political Committee PARK RIDGE, Ill., June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) is celebrating its 90th anniversary today. The vision of pioneer nurse anesthetist Agatha Hodgins who, in Cleveland, Ohio, founded the National Association of Nurse Anesthetists (NANA), sought to assemble her peers to advance the science of nurse anesthesiology. NANA became the AANA, which today serves as the largest national association that champions Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists (SRNAs), who dedicate their careers to saving lives and easing suffering. "Our vision has remained unchanged for the past 90 years to advocate for our members, our growing profession, and, most importantly, our patients," AANA President Steven M. Sertich, CRNA, MAE, JD, Esquire, said. "CRNAs and SRNAs practice in every setting across the country, employing the latest technology and evidence-based knowledge to care for the whole patient." CRNAs are advanced practice registered nurses who administer more than 50 million anesthetists to patients each year in the United States. They are among the nation's most trusted professions according to Gallup. And, because of their extensive experience in critical care and expertise in airway and ventilation management, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, CRNAs and SRNAs cared for the sickest patients with compassion and creativity, becoming a highly sought-after class of healthcare providers. To commemorate the 90th anniversary Ohio's governor, House of Representatives, Senate and the Mayor of Cleveland have issued resolutions and proclamations. View a video greeting from Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson. The AANA and Ohio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists (OSANA) hosts a special anniversary commemoration today at Lakeside Hospital, where Agatha Hodgins opened the nation's first formal postgraduate program in anesthesia. The event will stream live on OSANA's Facebook page. Speakers included Ohio State Senator Sandra R. Williams (D-21), who presented the Ohio State resolution to OSANA President Kellie Deeter, MSN, CRNA, NP-C; Jeffrey Molter, MBA, MSN, CNRA, member of the AANA Board of Directors; Sonya Moore, DNP, CRNA, director, Nurse Anesthesia Program, Case Western Reserve University; and University Hospitals (UH) CEO Cliff A. Megerian, MD, FACS. Lakeside is now part of the UH's healthcare system. SOURCE American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Related Links www.aana.com HOUSTON, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading factoring company Charter Capital is urging business owners to explore their funding options carefully as they ramp up post-pandemic recovery operations. With the return of customers and S&P 500 gains leading to greater optimism, it's easy for still-vulnerable businesses to put themselves in a precarious position, company representatives say. Those considering rapid funding options are encouraged to read "Important Questions to Ask Before Signing a Factoring Agreement," which is now available at CharterCapitalUSA.com. Business owners should explore their funding options carefully as they ramp up post-pandemic recovery operations. Gregory Brown, co-founder and executive manager of Charter Capital, notes that small businesses, in particular, often need working capital injections to ramp up for a busy season. Coming out of the pandemic is similar, though the need is much greater due to the extended closures and economic uncertainty. "Businesses are stocking up, purchasing equipment, and hiring again, which is a very promising sign," Brown says. "However, they need cash to do it. Some feel like they don't have options and, unfortunately, take the first offer they're given, while others miss critical details in their agreements that will impact their recovery in the long run." Brown says business owners seeking funding should be on the lookout for hidden fees and odd fee structures that make it difficult to identify what the final cost will be. Long-term contracts and funding delays can also be problematic. "Invoice factoring is a no-debt solution, which can give businesses a leg up during the recovery," Brown explains. "But, even within the industry, there is a wide variety of terms, and the benefits will differ, too." Factoring, which is akin to getting an advance on a B2B invoice, is sometimes paired with perks like fuel cards for transportation companies or same-day payment options for businesses across the board. By evaluating these types of benefits alongside traditional considerations such as fees, business owners will get more growth potential from their partnership, Brown notes. Those interested in exploring factoring or obtaining a free rate quote may do so at CharterCapitalUSA.com. About Charter Capital Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Charter Capital has been a leading provider of flexible funding solutions for the B2B sector for more than 20 years. Competitive rates, a fast approval process, and same-day funding help businesses across various industries secure the working capital necessary to manage daily needs and grow. To learn more, visit CharterCapitalUSA.com. Related Images amid-factoring-boom-industry.jpeg Amid Factoring Boom, Industry Leader Reminds Business Owners to Examine Funding Offers Carefully Business owners should explore their funding options carefully as they ramp up post-pandemic recovery operations. SOURCE Charter Capital MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ARS/Rescue Rooter, the nation's largest provider of residential heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), and plumbing services, will celebrate National HVAC Tech Day on Tuesday, June 22. National HVAC Tech Day recognizes the dedicated service professionals who provide home comfort day and night, rain or shine. Established in 2016 by ARS/Rescue Rooter, National HVAC Tech Day honors the men and women who brave extreme conditions, including sweltering heat, numbing cold, and awkward spaces, to help keep our customer's homes operating smoothly. Their knowledge and commitment to finding solutions for our valued customers are just a few of the many reasons we depend on the installation and repair teams across the ARS/Rescue Rooter Network. "This past year brought increased attention to ventilation systems and the value of skilled technicians. Now, more than ever, homeowners want to ensure their homes and work environments are safe and healthy," said Scott Boose, Chief Executive Officer, ARS. "We hope customers and other HVAC service providers will join us in recognizing these extraordinary industry professionals who help restore our comfort every day. They continue to provide the highest quality service while maintaining enhanced safety protocols, which gives everyone peace of mind." The current supply chain demands have been affected by COVID, including HVAC equipment. Therefore, homeowners need to select a business with experienced technicians to choose the right equipment, provide regular maintenance that keeps HVAC systems running at peak efficiency and use a national company with access to a significant range of suppliers. To extend the life of your HVAC system, follow these helpful energy-saving tips from our team of HVAC professionals: Replace your filters every three months Close your windows Upgrade to a programmable thermostat Seal your home's heating and cooling ducts Keep the area surrounding your exterior unit clean Contact your local HVAC service provider to schedule regular preventative maintenance Please join us in celebrating National HVAC Tech Day by sharing photos and stories of appreciation on social media with the hashtag #NationalHVACTechDay. ABOUT AMERICAN RESIDENTIAL SERVICES (ARS): Based in Memphis, Tenn., privately-owned ARS operates a network of more than 70 locally-managed service centers in 24 states, with approximately 6,000 employees. ARS serves residential and light commercial customers by providing heating, cooling, indoor air quality, plumbing, drain cleaning, sewer line, radiant barrier, insulation, and ventilation services. The ARS Network features industry-leading brands including, A.J. Perri, Aksarben ARS, Allgood, Andy's Statewide, ARS, Aspen Air Conditioning, Atlas Trillo, Beutler, Blue Apple Electric, Blue Dot Services, Blue Flame, Bob Hamilton, Brothers, Columbus Worthington Air, Comfort Heating & Air, Conway Services, DM Select Services, Efficient Attic Systems (EAS), Florida Home Air Conditioning, Greenstar Home Services, Hauser Heating & Air Conditioning, McCarthy Services, Rapid Repair Experts, Rescue Rooter, Rescue Rooter / Jack Howk, RighTime Home Services, Roger the Plumber, RS Andrews, The Irish Plumber, Unique Services, "Will" Fix It, and Yes! Air Conditioning and Plumbing. Providing exceptional service and ensuring the highest standards of quality, ARS has the experience to do any job right the first time, with all work fully guaranteed. ARS: "Making it work. Making it right." For more information, visit www.ars.com. SOURCE American Residential Services Related Links http://www.ars.com NEW YORK, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Avon, the iconic beauty brand and direct sales pioneer, has announced nutrition and health expert Frances Largeman-Roth as its new Nutrition and Wellness Brand Ambassador. In her new role, Frances will represent Avon's new re:tune Inner Beauty collection consisting of key supplements delivering nutritional support to help maintain a healthy, radiant appearance. Avon welcomes Frances on board as the brand celebrates its 135th year in business. Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN, is a New York Times best-selling author and nationally recognized health expert. Frances was the Food and Nutrition Director at Health Magazine for nearly eight years. Currently Frances writes and develops recipes for numerous media outlets and provides private nutrition counseling to clients. Her latest book is Smoothies & Juices: Prevention Healing Kitchen. "I am thrilled to be working with such a legendary brand like Avon," said Frances. "Avon has always been a trusted go-to for many women's beauty needs for years. I am so proud to partner with Avon as I strive to work with brands that I believe in, where I truly value their products and business philosophy. I am honored to connect with all the amazing Avon Representatives and be a part of their health and wellness journeys." "We are excited that Frances has chosen to work with us," said Avon CEO Paul Yi. "She has seen first-hand how important it is to have quality nutritional supplements for women. We are pleased Frances will be representing Avon, sharing our products and educating our Representatives and their customers with her expertise." Avon's re:tune Inner Beauty collection was developed to help you feel good on the inside so you look great on the outside. The supplements include clinically proven ingredients and give an inner and outer approach to health, skin care and beauty. Hero products include re:tune Inner Beauty Collagen Booster, a powdered mix of collagen peptides that support healthy collagen production for firmer-looking skin., and re:tune Inner Beauty Hair, Skin & Nail Health, tablets with antioxidants and nutritional building blocks that help enhance skin firmness and luminance and build healthier hair and nails.. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. ABOUT THE AVON COMPANY The Avon Company is a leading social selling beauty company in North America, with independent sales Representatives throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Avon's portfolio includes award-winning skincare, color cosmetics, fragrance, personal care, and health and wellness products featuring brands such as ANEW, Skin So Soft, belif, CHI, and The Face Shop, as well as home essentials, fashion and accessories. Avon has a 135-year history of empowering women through economic opportunity, and supporting the causes that matter most to women. Avon philanthropy has contributed over $800 million to breast cancer and other important causes. Learn more about Avon and its products at www.avon.com . For more information, please contact Susan Small [email protected], 212-282-6066 Related Links http://avon.com SOURCE The Avon Company SEOUL, South Korea, June 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- BCcard (CEO Choi Won-Seok), the biggest card payment acquirer in South Korea announced that it has acquired a 100% stake in Vietnamese POS terminal distributor Wirecard Vietnam1 securing a strong foothold in Vietnam's card payments market. Wirecard Vietnam, which had been acquired by BCcard, has the largest market share in the country, supplying payment terminals to more than 40 major Vietnamese banks and electronic payment companies. This company is not only engaged in the distribution business, but also possesses exceptional software development capabilities. The company achieves higher level of client satisfaction than other POS distributors operating in Vietnam as it develops and supplies customized POS solutions catering to clients' specific needs. Through the acquisition, BCcard plans to improve the competitiveness of Wirecard Vietnam services, provide integrated terminals that can accommodate various payment methods, and reduce costs through remote upgrading of the terminals. In addition, by utilizing its vast know-hows and exceptional technology, BCcard plans to gradually enhance its service in order to provide various and convenient payment services to partners (banks and electronic payment operators) and customers in Vietnam. President of BCcard Choi Won-Seok said, "In order to directly enter the Vietnamese market and secure stable business operations, we decided to acquire a 100% stake in Wirecard Vietnam." He also said, "We will strive to generate profits in various fields by diversifying our business structure, such as by entering overseas markets." Meanwhile, BCcard has been collaborating with various payment institutions such as NAPAS2, LienVietPostBank3, and Sacombank4 to digitize the Vietnamese payments market since 2017. Also, BCcard has affiliated its payment network with numerous national payment companies to allow each nation can use their domestic-only card or payment service at the other country without any international brand. 1 Seller: Wirecard Singapore Pte Ltd., 100% ownership of Wirecard Vietnam 2 National Payment Corporation of Vietnam: Payment intermediary network operator under the State Bank of Vietnam 3 LienVietPostBank: Owns the largest number of bank branches in Vietnam and has an exclusive post office network. 4 Sacombank: Bank with the largest share of the credit card market in Vietnam SOURCE BCcard EAGAN, Minn., June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) today announced three new officer appointments within its Government Markets team. Victoria Losinski has been promoted to vice president, Center of Excellence for Star, Quality and Risk Adjustment. Jeff Snegosky has been named vice president of Medicare and Individual. John Warren, who joined the company in 2020, will step into a new role as vice president of business development, product and innovation. "These leaders are integral members of the government markets team and embody our member-first approach," said Monica Engel, senior vice president and president of government markets for Blue Cross. "I am confident the depth of this team places us in a strong position to foster additional growth an innovation while serving the needs of our members as a top priority." Victoria Losinski, Pharm.D. Ph.D., Vice President, Center of Excellence for Star, Quality and Risk Adjustment As vice president of the Medicare Stars Center of Excellence, Victoria Losinski leads strategy for Star, quality and risk adjustment that integrates best-in-class capabilities across a number of functions that are designed to deliver optimal health outcomes for members. In 2015, Blue Cross established an internal Medicare Stars Center of Excellence to ensure optimal performance in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Five-Star Quality Star Rating System. The Stars program scores Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug (Part D) plans on a series of performance and clinical measures, including quality of care, member experience, health plan administration and customer service. In her previous role as director of portfolio strategy and implementation, Losinski developed innovative programming that improved member health though expanded pharmacy services to ensure members received the right care at the right time with the right experience. Jeff Snegosky, Vice President of Medicare and Individual Jeff Snegosky is responsible for the management and expansion of all Medicare and Individual lines of business, including Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, Group Retiree Products, Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D), Special Needs Plans and Individual Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans. Snegosky will also continue to provide the strategic direction for distribution, retail operations and the execution of sales strategies, including all direct and indirect sales channels. In his previous role as senior director of the Individual market and government sales, Snegosky had P&L responsibility for Individual market products under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), as well as the sales and distribution strategy for both Medicare and Individual. John Warren, Vice President of Business Development, Product and Innovation In the newly created role of vice president of business development, product and innovation, John Warren leads business and market development for all government products. Warren leads a team of product management and business development professionals and provides business innovation design support for all government programs. Warren previously served as vice president of Medicare providing strategic oversight and direction for all Medicare lines of business, including Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, Group Retiree Products, Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D) and Special Needs Plans. About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota For nearly 90 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (bluecrossmn.com) has supported the health, wellbeing and peace of mind of our members by striving to ensure equitable access to high quality care at an affordable price. We are on a mission to inspire change, transform care and improve health for the people and communities we serve by reinventing both ourselves and the broader system. Our 2.5 million members can be found in every Minnesota county, all 50 states and on four continents. As a proud nonprofit organization, we believe working to advance wellness for all Minnesotans is the greatest investment we can make. Our goal is nothing less than for everyone to be able to achieve their full health potential, regardless of race or other socially defined circumstances. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, which serves more than 107 million members across the U.S. SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Related Links https://www.bluecrossmn.com Accelerated disciplined growth and diversification initiatives MONTREAL, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Boralex Inc. ("Boralex" or the "Company") (TSX: BLX) today unveiled its updated strategic plan and introduced new corporate objectives for 2025 at its 2021 Investor Day. The Company continues to build on the four key strategic directions of the plan launched in 2019: growth, diversification, customers, and optimization. The strategic plan also integrates Boralex's corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy. Focusing on these key areas will allow for accelerated development of the wind and solar portfolios in the high-potential markets already targeted by the Company and in new markets in Europe and the United States, while also creating the opportunity to introduce energy storage in regions where renewable energy networks are the most developed. Highlights of the strategic plan Significantly increase the share of solar power in the asset and project portfolio and make a breakthrough in storage Position the United States as our primary market for development and diversify our geographic presence in Europe and other U.S. states as our primary market for development and diversify our geographic presence in and other U.S. states Accelerate the wind power development in Canada Optimize capital structure with a greater share of corporate financing, including sustainable financing Expand our existing customer base to directly supply electricity consuming industries interested in improving their climate and societal footprint Integrate our corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy, including environmental, social and governance (ESG) priorities, into Boralex's strategic directions Present 2025 corporate objectives including organic and inorganic growth (see details on page 2) The 2025 Strategic Plan presented describes the rapid and significant changes in renewable energy development policies and greenhouse gas emission reduction targets in some countries and provinces, including Quebec, several U.S. states, and some European countries. Boralex's management has also reported strong demand for renewable energy from environmentally conscious companies. These factors have created a business environment that offers numerous opportunities for growth, both organic and through acquisitions. In this highly favourable context and supported by a strong balance sheet, Boralex has announced its goal to double its installed capacity under management and achieve a combined EBITDA(A) of $800850 million and discretionary cash flows of $240260 million by 2025, representing compound annual growth rates ranging from 915% for all three performance measures. "We are proud of the work our team has accomplished in preparing this ambitious plan that will allow Boralex to accelerate its development initiatives in the high-growth renewable energy sector. This development will be carried out in a disciplined manner and with the utmost respect for environmental, social and corporate governance criteria, as our strategic plan integrates our corporate social responsibility strategy. Our goal is to become the leading CSR reference for our partners over the next few years by going beyond renewable energy," said Patrick Decostre, President and CEO of Boralex. "Over the past 30 years, Boralex has developed a strong corporate brand and significant competitive advantages, including optimizing access to power grids, securing land sites, developing large project portfolios and exercising strong financial discipline. As our most recent internal survey indicates, our employees are highly engaged, despite the pandemic. We will build on all these strengths in deploying our plan and aim to achieve "Employer of Choice" recognition during this period," added Patrick Decostre. "We will continue to pursue disciplined growth through projects, acquisitions and partnerships that meet specific criteria for an improved asset portfolio with a return that meets the expectations of our shareholders," explained Bruno Guilmette, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Boralex's strategic directions 1. Growth Accelerate organic growth to maximize future value creation across our markets Make the United States our priority market and extend our European presence by targeting a few additional growth markets our priority market and extend our European presence by targeting a few additional growth markets Complement our organic growth with targeted acquisitions 2. Diversification Increase our presence in the solar energy sector and participate in the development of the storage markets Accelerate the development of our power marketing skills to optimize our contract portfolio 3. Customers Develop and expand our existing customer base to directly supply electricity-consuming industries interested in reducing their carbon footprint Modify our business practices to focus on customer needs based on geographical location 4. Optimization Optimize our assets and promote our organization's sustainable performance culture Use corporate financing, including sustainable financing, and partnerships to promote our growth Increase the efficiency of corporate services through simplification, digitalization, and automation Corporate objectives for 2025 Double the installed capacity under management from 2.2 GW at the end of 2020 to 4.4 GW by 2025 and reach 1012 GW by 2030 Be the leading CSR reference for our partners by going beyond renewable energy Achieve $800850 million in combined EBITDA(A) by 2025, an annual increase of 911%, or 1012% when normalizing for exceptionally strong wind conditions in 2020 Achieve $240260 million in discretionary cash flows by 2025, an annual increase of 1012%, or 1416% when normalizing for exceptionally strong wind conditions in 2020 Increase the portion of corporate financing, including sustainable financing, and obtain an Investment Grade credit rating for Boralex Inc. credit rating for Boralex Inc. Reinvest 5070% of discretionary cash flows in growth. The Company currently anticipates that the quarterly dividend amount per share will be maintained at $0.165 and that additional cash flows from the Company's growth will be allocated primarily to its growth initiatives. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy Boralex took advantage of Investor Day to update its most recent accomplishments and ongoing initiatives with respect to CSR. As mentioned in the corporate objectives, Boralex aims to be the leading CSR reference for its partners by going beyond renewable energy. The Company intends to accelerate its Beyond Renewable Energy approach, which includes ten environmental, social and governance priorities, starting in 2021. Key achievements and ongoing initiatives mentioned at the Investor Day include the following: Recent achievements Historic partnership with the Innu Nation in the 200 MW Apuiat wind project in Quebec Implementation of new technologies to protect birds and bats near certain wind farms Unconscious bias training in diversity and inclusion and a webcast on mental health Significant progress in employee engagement based on the results of the most recent annual survey Improved disclosure of executive compensation and increased shareholding requirements for members of the management team Signing of the Solar Energy Industry Association Pledge, a formal commitment against the use of forced labour in the solar industry Ongoing initiatives Production of the Company's carbon footprint report Analysis of the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) Review of health and safety targets and reporting Complete review of the procurement policy Implementation of various initiatives identified in the action plans for all ten CSR priority issues For more information on Boralex's strategic plan, visit the "Investors" section at www.boralex.com. About Boralex At Boralex, we have been providing affordable renewable energy accessible to everyone for over 30 years. As a leader in the Canadian market and France's largest independent producer of onshore wind power, we also have facilities in the United States and development projects in the United Kingdom. Over the past five years, our installed capacity has more than doubled to 2.5 GW. We are developing a portfolio of wind, solar and storage projects of more than 2.7 GW, guided by our values and our corporate social responsibility (CSR) approach. Through profitable and sustainable growth, Boralex is actively participating in the fight against global warming. Thanks to our fearlessness, our discipline, our expertise and our diversity, we continue to be an industry leader. Boralex's shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BLX. For more information, visit www.boralex.com or www.sedar.com. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Disclaimer regarding forward-looking statements Certain statements contained in this release, including those related to results and performance for future periods, installed capacity targets, EBITDA(A) and discretionary cash flows, the Company's strategic plan, business model and growth strategy, organic growth and growth through mergers and acquisitions, obtaining an investment grade credit rating by 2025, maintaining a quarterly dividend of $0.165 per share, financial targets and corporate social responsibility (CSR) objectives are forward-looking statements based on current forecasts, as defined by securities legislation. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "expect," "anticipate," "evaluate," "estimate," "believe" or variations (including negative variations) of such words, or by the use of words such as "towards," "about," "of the opinion," "expected," "intended for," "potential," "plan," "continue" or similar words, including in their negative form, or other comparable terms, or by the use of the future or conditional tense. Forward-looking statements are based on major assumptions, including those about the Company's return on its projects, as projected by management with respect to wind and other factors, opportunities that may be available in the various sectors targeted for growth or diversification, assumptions made about EBITDA(A) margins, assumptions made about the sector realities and general economic conditions, competition, exchange rates as well as the availability of funding and partners. While the Company considers these factors and assumptions to be reasonable, based on the information currently available to the Company, they may prove to be inaccurate. Boralex wishes to clarify that, by their very nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and that its results, or measures it adopts, could be significantly different from those indicated or underlying those statements, or could affect the degree to which a given forwardlooking statement is achieved. The main factors that may result in any significant discrepancy between the Company's actual results and the forward-looking financial information or expectations expressed in forward-looking statements include the general impact of economic conditions, fluctuations in various currencies, fluctuations in energy prices, the Company's financing capacity, competition, changes in general market conditions, industry regulations, litigation and other regulatory issues related to projects in operation or under development, as well as other factors listed in the Company's filings with the various securities commissions. Unless otherwise specified by the Company, forward-looking statements do not take into account the effect that transactions, non-recurring items or other exceptional items announced or occurring after such statements have been made may have on the Company's activities. There is no guarantee that the results, performance or accomplishments, as expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, will materialize. Readers are therefore urged not to rely unduly on these forward-looking statements. Unless required by applicable securities legislation, Boralex's management assumes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements in light of new information, future events or other changes. Non-IFRS measures EBITDA(A) represents earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation, adjusted to exclude other items such as acquisition costs, net loss on financial instruments and foreign exchange loss (gain). EBITDA(A) is a non-IFRS measure and does not have a standardized meaning under IFRS; accordingly, it may not be comparable to similarly named measures used by other companies. Discretionary cash flows are defined as net cash flows related to operating activities before changes in "non-cash items related to operating activities," less (i) distributions paid to noncontrolling interests (ii) additions to property, plant and equipment (maintaining operations), and (iii) repayments on non-current debt (projects); plus (iv) development costs (from the statement of earnings (loss)). Discretionary cash flows are a non-IFRS measure and do not have a standardized meaning under IFRS; accordingly, they may not be comparable to similarly named measures used by other companies. For more information on EBITDA(A) and discretionary cash flows, please refer to the "Non-IFRS measures" section of Boralex's 2020 annual report, available on Boralex's website (boralex.com) and on SEDAR (sedar.com) SOURCE Boralex Inc. Related Links www.boralex.com CHICAGO, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- C.A. Fortune, the leading national consumer brands agency, announces its latest infrastructure and resource enhancement with the opening of its newest office in Boise, Idaho. This investment comes in conjunction with Albertsons' recently announced go-to-market strategy shift within their category buying structure. With last week's announcement of C.A. Carlin and C.A. Ferolie uniting under the company's banner, C.A. Fortune will now set themselves apart in a leadership position servicing Albertsons Companies nationally. "Following a very successful build out of our west coast capabilities within our sales agency vertical, fueled by five regional acquisitions between the years of 2015-2017, we're proud to continue investing in our people and processes to further support our customers headquartered in this region," says Tyler Lowell, CEO and Managing Partner of C.A. Fortune. "We see this as more than just a new office for C.A., but rather enhancing our reach and further aligning ourselves to support our clients at a very important customer in the grocery class of trade." With this announcement, C.A. Fortune will be expanding teams within several business units of the organization, all to elevate their partnership with Albertsons both in Boise and across their regional banners. The business units receiving significant investments will include headquarter sales management, sales support, insights and analytics, and retail activation. "This expansion in the west provides ample opportunity for us to drive incremental support for our clients and provide even more dynamic solutions and sales results," says Jaime Frye, Chief Sales Officer of C.A. Fortune. "We continue to remain nimble and flexible in our growth investments to adjust alongside our customers' evolving business models. Opening this Boise office will allow us to align our resources further to meet our client's needs, in addition to being a stronger value-add partner for all customers in the Boise market." About C.A. Fortune Originally founded in 1983 and subsequently expanded under current ownership, C.A. Fortune has grown into a leading, privately-held, full-service consumer brands agency. With nationwide coverage, the company offers clients a comprehensive solution including sales management, a sales accelerator, marketing and branding, insights, retail activation, and digital and e-commerce services. C.A. Fortune is headquartered in Chicago and has regional offices across the country. To learn more, visit CAFortune.com. Media Contact: Kait Benetz [email protected] 312.442.7223 SOURCE C.A. Fortune GLENDALE, Calif., June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- California Credit Union has awarded $5,000 to fund innovative school projects through its Spring 2021 Teacher Grant initiative. Through the program, the credit union provides 10 grants of $500 each to local teachers to underwrite a diverse range of original learning projects for their students. The Spring 2021 California Credit Union Teacher Grant recipients include teachers across Los Angeles county: California Credit Union Grant Recipient School City Cynthia Abbott Washington STEAM Multi-Lingual Academy Pasadena Keegria Banks Phineas Banning High School Wilmington Megan Cai Glen Alta Span School Los Angeles Patricia Chavez Chatsworth Charter High School Chatsworth Jeanine Flier Mount Gleason Middle School Sunland Jessica Garcia California Elementary School La Puente Ralph Gomez Academic Leadership Community, Miguel Contreras Learning Complex Los Angeles Jenna Lederer Panorama High School Panorama City Kathleen Pickard Badillo Elementary School Covina Potina Yi St. Francis Xavier School Burbank Photos of all recipients can be found here. "California Credit Union was founded to support the education community, and our grant program is one way we are continuing to assist teachers as they work to engage and inspire their students," said California Credit Union CEO Steve O'Connell. "We congratulate these educators who are going above and beyond to create exciting new programs for their students and families. We hope these grants will help our teachers bring learning to life for their students in creative and innovative ways." The California Credit Union grants will help fund a wide variety of programs illustrating the creativity and commitment teachers bring to their classrooms and communities. Projects receiving grants include art expression programs focused on social change, anti-racism, diversity & inclusion, a cooking channel for special needs students, a mobile library, ASL instructional videos for families, coding & robotics programs, and a volunteer student reading program in assisted living facilities, among others. Since the creation of the program in 2012, California Credit Union has awarded $135,000 in teacher grants to support innovative learning projects. Up to 20 grants are awarded bi-annually in the spring and fall. Any full-time classroom teacher in Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, and Riverside County can apply for a grant for a program that has clearly defined learning objectives tied to students' academic needs, displays creativity in education, and targets a significant number of students. More information is available at ccu.com. About California Credit Union California Credit Union is a federally insured, state chartered credit union founded in 1933 that serves public or private school employees, community members and businesses across California. With more than 165,000 members and assets of over $4 billion, California Credit Union has 25 branches throughout Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties. The credit union operates in San Diego County as North Island Credit Union, a division of California Credit Union. California Credit Union offers a full suite of consumer, business and investment products and services, including comprehensive consumer checking and loan options, personalized financial planning, business banking, and leading-edge online and mobile banking. Visit ccu.com for more information, or follow the credit union on Instagram or Facebook @CaliforniaCreditUnion. SOURCE California Credit Union Related Links http://www.ccu.com ATLANTA, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicken Salad Chick, the nation's only Southern inspired, fast casual chicken salad restaurant concept, announced today the opening of its newest franchised location in Slidell, Louisiana. Following the brand's opening in Gonzales two months earlier, the Slidell restaurant continues Chicken Salad Chick's Louisiana development and marks the concept's second location in the New Orleans market. Located at 1522 Gause Boulevard just off I-10 at exit 266 on Hwy 190, the Slidell restaurant will celebrate its grand opening on Tuesday, June 29, by offering free chicken salad for a year to 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 Louisiana's state and local guidelines for COVID-19 procedures and will open the Slidell restaurant with social distancing measures in place. All employees will be wearing masks, as well as practicing proper handwashing and food safety protocol. The Slidell restaurant will also feature a drive-thru and patio seating for added convenience as well as a sampling station at the order pick-up area for guests to try out the 12 different varieties of chicken salad from savory to sweet and fruity to nutty. During grand opening week, guests will experience the Southern hospitality that Chicken Salad Chick is known for, with giveaways and specials that include: Tuesday, June 29 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. 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 for grand opening day only. Wednesday, June 30 The first 50 guests to purchase a Chick Trio will receive a free Chick tumbler. The first 50 guests to purchase a Chick Trio will receive a free Chick tumbler. Thursday, July 1 The first 50 guests to purchase a Chick Trio will receive a free Chick tote bag. The first 50 guests to purchase a Chick Trio will receive a free Chick tote bag. Friday, July 2 All guests who purchase The Chick will receive a free small Quick Chick redeemable on their next visit. All guests who purchase The Chick will receive a free small Quick Chick redeemable on their next visit. Saturday, July 3 The first 50 guests to purchase two large Quick Chicks will receive either a free Chick picnic blanket or large Chick cooler. The Slidell restaurant is owned and operated by multi-unit franchise owners Ashley Keever, Krista Rhymes, and Matthew Miller of 2 Chicks and a Magnet, Inc. partnered with Richard Nickelson to form Crescent City Chicks, LLC. Prior to franchising, Richard has been a Franchise Business Consultant with Chicken Salad Chick for the past seven years, helping other franchise owners make their business ownership dreams a reality. Now, it is Richard's turn to leverage his invaluable experience and become a franchise owner alongside the 2 Chicks and a Magnet team, who combined have over two decades of experience managing retail and restaurant spaces, and currently operate Chicken Salad Chick restaurants across Monroe and Ruston. "I have been in the foodservice industry for quite some time and, when I came across Chicken Salad Chick, was immediately impressed with the concept living and breathing their motto to spread joy, enrich lives, and serve others. From there on, I joined the team and have been able to watch the company grow from a small regional business to a multi-state enterprise over the past few years," said Richard Nickelson. "I am thrilled to be on the other side of that growth now, opening up my very own restaurant with Ashley, Krista, and Matthew, who have proven to be incredible owners across Louisiana. Slidell has such a vibrant food culture and our team is excited to join the ranks and share the brand with the community that has eagerly awaited our arrival." Chicken Salad Chick in Slidell will be open Monday Saturday from 10:30 a.m. 8 p.m. For more information, visit www.chickensaladchick.com. Follow Chicken Salad Chick on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest news and trends. *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 9:45-11:30am. Upon return, guests will make a purchase of the "Chick Special" 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 7/5/21. For more information on giveaways and specials, visit https://www.facebook.com/ChickenSaladChickSlidellLA 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: Shana Rosenthal Fish Consulting 954-893-9150 [email protected] SOURCE Chicken Salad Chick Related Links http://www.chickensaladchick.com NEW YORK, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT) today announced that its Real Estate Finance business provided $42.8 million in financing for the acquisition of a recently built apartment complex in Tampa, Florida. The 264-unit multifamily complex known as the Lola Apartments was completed in 2018. Amenities include elevators, a 24-hour fitness facility, clubhouse, game room and resort-style pool. The buyer is an affiliate of Asia Capital Real Estate (ACRE), an experienced owner-operator of multifamily residential properties. "The Greater Tampa market is experiencing strong demand for rental housing and Lola Apartments is well-positioned to meet that demand," said ACRE Founding Partner Michael Van Der Poel. "We appreciated CIT's expertise and agility in arranging financing for this acquisition." "We have worked with Asia Capital Real Estate before and are pleased to support their acquisition of this Class-A property with the right financing," said Chris Niederpruem, managing director and group head for CIT's Real Estate Finance business. CIT's Real Estate Finance business, part of the Commercial Finance division, originates and underwrites senior secured real estate transactions. With deep market expertise, underwriting experience and industry relationships, the group provides financing for single properties, property portfolios and loan portfolios. About CIT CIT is a leading national bank focused on empowering businesses and personal savers with the financial agility to navigate their goals. CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT) is a financial holding company with over a century of experience and operates a principal bank subsidiary, CIT Bank, N.A. (Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender). The company's commercial banking segment includes commercial financing, community association banking, middle market banking, equipment and vendor financing, factoring, railcar financing, treasury and payments services, and capital markets and asset management. CIT's consumer banking segment includes a national direct bank and regional branch network. Discover more at cit.com/about. MEDIA RELATIONS: John M. Moran 212-461-5507 [email protected] SOURCE CIT Group Inc. Related Links www.cit.com Confluence works with the world's leading asset managers and service providers to automate business processes across the front, middle and back office. The Company's investments in the latest technology and expertise allow it to deliver innovative portfolio analytics, regulatory and financial reporting solutions for its clients. Founded in 1991, Confluence has offices in 10 countries supporting approximately 400 clients globally. "As asset managers and their service providers around the world work to meet unprecedented data challenges and regulatory demands, Confluence remains an invaluable partner," said Mark Evans, Confluence CEO. "This investment is a testament to our remarkable growth, innovative solutions, and incredible team. The 2019 acquisition of StatPro exponentially broadened and deepened our platform to offer an extensive set of solutions across the investment lifecycle. With the support of our new equity investor Clearlake, we will further accelerate our ongoing global expansion as we continue to work with our clients to achieve their goals." "Data management is critical for investment managers, which have come to rely on Confluence's advanced software and data suite. We see an opportunity in this fragmented market to execute on our buy-and-build strategy and deliver value to customers and stakeholders," said Behdad Eghbali, Founder and Managing Partner, and James Pade, Partner and Managing Director, at Clearlake. "We believe with the backing of Clearlake and our O.P.S. framework, the Company can achieve further success through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions. We look forward to working with Mark, the leadership team, and TA as we execute on the next phase of growth for the Company." "We believe Confluence is the market standard for performance, financial and regulatory reporting in the investment management industry, delivering significant operational value to its clients," said Jonathan Meeks and Ken Schiciano, Managing Directors at TA. "It has been gratifying to partner with Confluence management over the past three years, leveraging TA's experience and global resources to help accelerate the Company's growth. We are very excited to continue the journey with Confluence and our new partner Clearlake." The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2021 pending customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC acted as financial advisor to Confluence, with K&L Gates LLP serving as legal advisor. Raymond James acted as financial advisor to Clearlake, with Sidley Austin LLP serving as legal advisor. About Confluence As a leading global technology solutions provider to the investment management industry, Confluence helps clients solve complex investment data challenges across the front, middle and back office. From innovative portfolio analytics to regulatory and financial reporting solutions, Confluence invests in the latest technology and data and in its team of industry experts to meet the evolving needs of asset managers and service providers. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, Confluence services over 400 clients in 40 countries, with locations across Europe, North America, South Africa, Australia and Asia. For more information, visit www.confluence.com. About Clearlake Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. is an investment firm founded in 2006 operating integrated businesses across private equity, credit and other related strategies. With a sector-focused approach, the firm seeks to partner with experienced management teams by providing patient, long-term capital to dynamic businesses that can benefit from Clearlake's operational improvement approach, O.P.S. The firm's core target sectors are technology, industrials and consumer. Clearlake currently has approximately $39 billion of assets under management and its senior investment principals have led or co-led over 300 investments. The firm has offices in Santa Monica and Dallas. More information is available at www.clearlake.com and on Twitter @ClearlakeCap. About TA Associates TA is a leading global growth private equity firm. Focused on targeted sectors within five industries technology, healthcare, financial services, consumer and business services the firm invests in profitable, growing companies with opportunities for sustained growth, and has invested in more than 535 companies around the world. Investing as either a majority or minority investor, TA employs a long-term approach, utilizing its strategic resources to help management teams build lasting value in high quality growth companies. TA has raised $47.5 billion in capital since its founding in 1968 and is committing to new investments at the pace of over $3 billion per year. The firm's more than 100 investment professionals are based in Boston, Menlo Park, London, Mumbai and Hong Kong. More information about TA can be found at www.ta.com. Media contacts: For Confluence: Michael Kingsley [email protected] For Clearlake: Jennifer Hurson Lambert & Co. 845-507-0571 [email protected] For TA Associates: Marcia O'Carroll TA Associates 617-574-6796 [email protected] SOURCE Confluence Technologies, Inc.; Clearlake Capital Group Related Links https://www.confluence.com/ SANTA BARBARA, Calif., June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Emergency rental assistance funds are helping Connecticut residents maintain housing thanks to a successful launch of the UniteCT program. UniteCT is administered by the State of Connecticut Department of Housing and runs on technology from Yardi called Rent Relief. UniteCT is funded by $420 million in grants for rent and electricity payments for households impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Fifteen state, county and city government agencies use Rent Relief to administer more than $1 billion in emergency rental assistance funds. Over 156,000 thousand users are registered on Rent Relief and have submitted more than 156,000 applications. With Yardi Rent Relief, UniteCT accepts applications for assistance from residents and landlords using an online portal that is accessible from computers and mobile devices. The flexibility of Rent Relief paired with the efforts of the UniteCT team delivers assistance in areas that would have been otherwise been underserved. "The UniteCT bus is an exciting new solution to combat the digital divide in communities who need additional support with technology. We are reimagining the rent relief application process by going to the individual and setting the precedent for other programs to come," said Marina Marmolejo, program manager. The success of Rent Relief's implementation of UniteCT can be measured by how fast Yardi launched the online application portals and how quickly case review team members became trained to begin vetting fully submitted applications. Other signs of success include how many applicants have used Rent Relief thus far without major interruptions in service. Users created more than 10,000 accounts within the first few days of the applicant portal going live. "We continue to do a lot of multi-media outreach including radio, newspaper articles and social media. We have created sixteen UniteCT Resource Centers throughout the state to assist applicants with their application and other housing stability services offered by nonprofit partners. The feedback we are getting is that the Rent Relief platform is stable and relatively simple to use," said Dawn Parker, director UniteCT. A participant of UniteCT recently expressed gratitude for program assistance. "Like many others, I had moments of deep concern this past year. Just in time, UniteCT staff stepped in like superheroes to help. Thank you for all that you've done to help those facing financial hardship during the pandemic," said the participant. "Programs like UniteCT are among the most important tools available to assisting renters and landlords to maintain solvency and prevent costly social problems down the road. Yardi is pleased to be part of economic recovery efforts with Rent Relief, the latest example of Yardi's nearly four decades of developing full-service technology," said Chris Voss, vice president of affordable housing at Yardi. Learn more by visiting RentRelief.com. State and local housing agencies seeking to expedite and streamline emergency rental assistance programs can contact Yardi at (800) 866-1144 to set up a demonstration. Mortgage Relief is also available for assistance to homeowners. About Yardi Yardi develops and supports industry-leading investment and property management software for all types and sizes of real estate companies. Established in 1984, Yardi is based in Santa Barbara, California, and serves clients worldwide. For more information on how Yardi is Energized for Tomorrow, visit yardi.com . SOURCE Yardi PHOENIX, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Creative Medical Technology Holdings, Inc. (OTC - CELZ), announced that the company will virtually present at the Investor Forum at the World Stem Cell Summit today Thursday, June 17, 2021 at 12:00pm Eastern Standard Time and will consist of a 20-minute formal description of the Company followed by a 20-minute Q&A session moderated by a Noble Capital Markets equity research representative. The presentation can be accessed in two ways, by registering for the full World Stem Cell Summit www.worldstemcellsummit.com, or by registering (at no cost) for the Investor Forum only at www.channelchek.com. The video webcast will be later archived on Channelchek as part of its C-Suite Series www.channelchek.com/c-suite, and on its YouTube channel. www.youtube.com/channelchek. "Presenting at The World Stem Cell Summit is an honor and we are grateful for the opportunity to showcase our ImmCelz subsidiary." said Timothy Warbington, CEO of Creative Medical Technology Holdings Inc. About Creative Medical Technology Holdings Creative Medical Technology Holdings, Inc. (www.CreativeMedicalTechnology.com) is a commercial stage biotechnology company specializing in regenerative medicine/stem cell technology in the fields of immunotherapy (www.ImmCelz.com), urology (www.CaverStem.com and www.FemCelz.com) and orthopedics (www.StemSpine.com). About The World Stem Cell Summit Produced by the nonprofit Regenerative Medicine Foundation (RMF), the 2021 Summit is the most inclusive and expansive interdisciplinary networking and partnering meeting in the stem cell translation and regenerative medicine field. With the overarching purpose of fostering biomedical research, funding and investments targeting cures, the Summit is the single conference serving the diverse ecosystem of regenerative medicine stakeholders. Combined with the WFIRM & RMF Regenerative Medicine Essentials Course, the Summit provides distinctive educational and futuristic experiences through which all participants collect opportunities, become inspired and flourish. About Noble Capital Markets, Inc. Noble Capital Markets ("Noble") is a research driven boutique investment bank that has supported small & microcap companies since 1984. As a FINRA and SEC licensed broker dealer Noble provides institutional-quality equity research, merchant and investment banking, wealth management and order execution services. In 2005, Noble established NobleCon, an investor conference that has grown substantially over the last decade. In 2018 Noble launched www.channelchek.com - a new investment community dedicated exclusively to small and micro-cap companies and their industries. Channelchek is tailored to meet the needs of self-directed investors and financial professionals. Channelchek is the first service to offer institutional-quality research to the public, for FREE at every level without a subscription. More than 6,000 emerging growth companies are listed on the site, with growing content including webcasts, podcasts, and balanced news. Forward Looking Statements OTC Markets has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming clinical trials and laboratory results, marketing efforts, funding, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and, therefore, involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. See the periodic and other reports filed by Creative Medical Technology Holdings, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on the Commission's website at www.sec.gov . SOURCE Creative Medical Technology Holdings, Inc. Related Links http://creativemedicaltechnology.com EL PASO, Texas, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- DATAMARK, a preferred business process outsourcing (BPO) company, will participate in a webinar hosted by the Sourcing Industry Group (SIG) and free to all attendees on June 24, 2021, at 12 p.m. ET entitled Procurement for the Long-Term: Keys to Success. The webinar will dive deep into the flexible contracting, governance structure, and core values needed to establish, nurture, and grow DATAMARK's business relationship for over three decades. Other significant findings and benefits of the long-term relationship will also be explored. DATAMARK "Long-term business relationships are built on trust and shared values," says DATAMARK President Bill Randag. "Done right, they yield benefits far beyond just quality and cost savings." Dawn Tiura, President of SIG, will be moderating the event and will be joined by Bill Randag, President of DATAMARK, who will discuss how the business journey began, adapted, and evolved throughout the years. They will also be discussing the key factors, strategies, and values needed for a proactive and successful long-term business relationship. "This is a must-attend Power Hour webcast. The incredible ability of DATAMARK to deliver efficiency and help to control risk while reducing costs will be shared during this Power Hour," says SIG President Dawn Tiura. "Learn how they can become a long-term partner to your company through their on-site, onshore, and offshore processing capabilities. I know I am impressed, so join us so you can be also." People interested in attending the live event and learning about leveraging long-term business relationships to avoid the expensive and time-consuming process of constantly changing business vendors can register for the free webinar here. Founded in 1989, DATAMARK, Inc. is a preferred Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) company headquartered in El Paso, Texas. DATAMARK serves Fortune 1000 companies, government agencies, and other large enterprises at its delivery centers worldwide, including the U.S., Mexico, and India. DATAMARK offers a wide range of BPO services, including call center services, document lifecycle management, and finance & accounting outsourcing. CONTACT: Thom Mead 123 W. Mills Ave., Suite #400 El Paso, TX 79901 915-275-0264 [email protected] Related Images image1.jpg SOURCE DATAMARK FRISCO, Texas, June 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Gov. Greg Abbott today signed into law a bill to make teledentistry services available in Texas. DialCare is proud to have been a major proponent for the bill, which expands accessibility of telehealth services to include virtual dentistry. DialCare is the telemedicine affiliate company of Careington International Corporation, a leader in the non-insured health care benefits space based in Texas since its founding in 1979. Today, Careington serves more than 20 million members across all Careington companies, brands, products and services. DialCare worked closely with Sen. Charles Perry (R Lubbock), Rep. Stephanie Klick (R Fort Worth) and lobbyist Andrea McWilliams of McWilliams Governmental Affairs Consultants to help see HB 2056 through a challenging, gridlocked legislative session that had one of the lowest bill passage rates in Texas history. DialCare started working with Senator Perry before the session began and gave significant input for each bill draft, even before the bill was filed. Representative Klick, who also serves as Chair of the House Public Health Committee said, "I appreciate the stakeholders, including DialCare, coming together to find common ground to support the passage of this important legislation to move Texas forward." DialCare's teledentistry program offers 24/7/365 virtual access to licensed dentists via phone or video consultation for advice and guidance on oral health concerns and second opinions. In the pandemic era, it is now more important than ever to provide access to care from the safety of home. DialCare has been offering its teledentistry program since the fall of 2020 throughout the nation, and is excited to now expand into Texas. With the passage of this law, Texas will become the 49th state in which DialCare Teledentistry can operate. "DialCare saw the importance of changing Texas law to allow Texans to access remote dentistry services, so we began working with the Legislature to address this issue more than a year ago," said Barbara Fasola, DialCare CEO. "We are excited that teledentistry will now be available to everyone in the state which we so proudly call our home." DialCare was at the forefront of this legislative effort. DialCare President Jeremy Hedrick testified in support of the bill, attended stakeholder meetings and met with legislators and staff. He worked closely with Senator Perry to work through contentious issues and to convey the importance of the bill up until its passage. "DialCare truly appreciates the opportunity to be involved in the passing of the teledentistry bill into law," said Hedrick. "Now, Texans will be able to connect with dentists by phone or video consultation for advice on their oral health concerns, conveniently and affordably." "Throughout the COVID-19 shutdowns, patient access to telehealth services became essential," said Senator Perry. "The Legislature responded by adding dentistry to the Texas telehealth statute. Teledentistry better connects patients with their dentists by allowing them to offer services beyond the brick and mortar office. By passing this law, more underserved Texans will have better access to preventative dental care and be able to live a healthier life through the care they will receive." "It was an honor to work closely with the legislators who shepherded this bill through the arduous process of becoming law," said McWilliams. "I personally want to congratulate Senator Perry and Representative Klick on this tremendous accomplishment." Beyond the innovative teledentistry program, DialCare also offers comprehensive telemedicine and telebehavioral health programs, and plans to launch a virtual veterinarian program by the end of 2021. DialCare provides more than 6 million members with access to its telehealth programs and expects membership to grow to over 10 million by the end of the year. DialCare Teledentistry is available nationally to organizations of any size or industry, employees of any status and individual consumers throughout the nation. About DialCare DialCare offers a telemedicine solution that provides 24/7/365 access to non-emergency care from a national network of U.S.-based, fully credentialed physicians, a mental wellness program for virtual counseling sessions with mental health professionals and a teledentistry program for 24/7/365 access to consultations with licensed dentists via phone or video. Additionally, DialCare plans to launch a virtual veterinarian program by the end of 2021. DialCare is available nationally to individual consumers and to groups of any size. DialCare Physician Access, Mental Wellness and Teledentistry programs are available as standalone products or as part of a bundled offering. For more information on DialCare, please visit www.dialcare.com. Contacts: Jeremy Hedrick President [email protected] (833) 640-3425 ext. 5000 Jamie Saunders Vice President of Marketing & Communications [email protected] (833) 640-3425 ext. 2902 SOURCE DialCare LOS ANGELES, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In a new research paper, Bill Campbell, Portfolio Manager for the DoubleLine Global Bond Strategy, argues the explosion in cryptocurrency "money supply" could ultimately debase crypto coinage itself as well as sovereign fiat currencies, threatening consumer, credit and securities markets. Central banks and other financial authorities have recently begun to address these risks, but Mr. Campbell argues they might fail to take effective action in time to save their control over the money supply. Posted June 15, 2021, on DoubleLine.com, the paper is titled "Are Central Banks Whistling Past the Crypto Graveyard?"; it can be found at this link: https://doubleline.com/wp-content/uploads/Campbell-on-Crypto-Graveyard_June-2021.pdf Mr. Campbell joined DoubleLine in 2013. He is a Portfolio Manager for the DoubleLine Global Bond Strategy and is a permanent member of the Fixed Income Asset Allocation Committee. He covers developed markets, Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA) and China. Prior to DoubleLine, Mr. Campbell worked for Peridiem Global Investors as a Global Fixed Income Research Analyst and Portfolio Manager. Prior to Peridiem, he spent over five years with Nuveen Investment Management Co., first as a Quantitative Analyst in its Risk Management and Portfolio Construction Group, then as a Vice President in its Taxable Fixed Income Group. Mr. Campbell also worked at John Hancock Financial as an Investment Analyst. He holds a B.S. in Business Economics and International Business, and a B.A. in English from Pennsylvania State University. Mr. Campbell holds an M.A. in Mathematics with a focus on Mathematical Finance from Boston University. About DoubleLine Capital LP DoubleLine Capital LP is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. DoubleLine's offices can be reached by telephone at (213) 633-8200 or by e-mail at [email protected]. As of the March 31 close of the first quarter of 2021, DoubleLine Capital LP and its related entities managed $135 billion in assets across all vehicles, including open-end mutual funds, collective investment trusts, closed-end funds, exchange-traded funds, hedge funds, variable annuities, UCITS and separate accounts. News media can reach DoubleLine by e-mail at [email protected]. DoubleLine is a registered trademark of DoubleLine Capital LP. SOURCE DoubleLine Related Links www.doubleline.com POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y., June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Randy Pardell, Medical Director of the TMS Center of Hudson Valley, has been announced President of the Clinical TMS Society. Dr. Pardell's appointment was confirmed at the Clinical TMS Annual Meeting currently being held in West Palm Beach, Florida. He will assume the role of President immediately as the term of the current President, Kimberley Cress, ended over the weekend at the Annual Meeting. The Clinical TMS Society is an international professional association dedicated to optimizing clinical practice, awareness, and accessibility of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation therapy. TMS uses non-invasive magnetic energy to stimulate areas of the brain with a chemical imbalance which is evident in cases of severe depression. In the treatment of depression, the magnetic field is targeted over the prefrontal cortex and the connected areas of the brain, the cingulate, amygdala, hypothalamus, and thalamus. Dr. Pardell has served on the Board of Directors of the Clinical TMS Society and as the Vice President 2020-21. A long-time advocate of the benefits of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Dr. Pardell established the TMS Center of Hudson Valley with the goal of providing an innovative scientifically-based psychiatric treatment option for residents of the Hudson Valley. He has previously spoken of the role of TMS in psychiatry, saying, "We address both the physiological and psychological aspects of each patient to create the optimal individualized treatment plan including medication management, genetic testing, psychotherapy, nutritional and bioidentical hormone supplementation and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)." Dr. Pardell is a board-certified psychiatrist and Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, having graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Pennsylvania and with honors from the New York University School of Medicine, before completing his psychiatric training at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center. He was a post-graduate doctoral fellow at Columbia University School of Medicine. After achieving a distinction in The Master in Pharmacology Program sponsored by Neuroscience Educational Institute, Dr. Pardell completed mini fellowships in transcranial magnetic stimulation from Harvard Medical School at the Berenson-Allen Brain Stimulation Center and Duke University School of Medicine as a visiting fellow. Recognized since 2010 by Castle Connolly as a Top Doctor in the Hudson Valley in the Hudson Valley Magazine and Top Doctor in Castle-Connolly/ US and News and World Report, Dr. Pardell has also been recognized by his patients with the Patient Choice Award and Compassionate Doctor Recognition. Media Contact: Connor Pardell [email protected] (845) 394-2669 www.tmshudsonvalley.com SOURCE TMS Center of the Hudson Valley Related Links https://www.tmshudsonvalley.com PITTSBURGH, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of World Refugee Day on June 20, Duolingo today announced two new partnerships to help provide better access to education for refugees around the world. Duolingo will partner with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to provide free access to language learning and English testing. Duolingo will also be entering a new partnership with the United Nations' High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR) to create a new university counselor position at UNHCR focused on advising refugees through the university admissions and financial aid processes. As one of the most downloaded education apps in the world, Duolingo has learners in nearly every country. By observing the data of millions of language learners, Duolingo is able to spot trends , like the movement of immigrants and refugees around the world. In 2018 the company produced a documentary, Something Like Home , about the impact of language learning on Syrian refugees. "We've always believed that free access to high-quality education has the power to change lives," said Sam Dalsimer, global head of communications at Duolingo. "While our reach is global, the real work of helping refugees is local and requires specialized expertise and dedication. This is why we're partnering with IRC and UNHCR: to help support their existing work, to increase access to education through our technology, and to improve the lives of refugees around the world." IRC works with recently resettled refugees, asylum seekers, asylees, and victims of trafficking across the US. Through a pilot program with Duolingo, they have begun providing those the IRC serves with access to Duolingo Plus. With the new partnership announced today, Duolingo and the IRC will expand this program to provide thousands of additional Duolingo Plus subscriptions to more of the IRC's clients including those from the Northern Triangle region . Additionally, the partnership will expand access to fee waivers for the Duolingo English Test, to help reduce the barriers to higher education for refugees and those who are newly arrived to the US. "Refugees and asylum-seekers coming to the US need trustworthy information and expert help to make a success of integration into American life," said David Miliband, president & CEO of the International Rescue Committee. "That is what the IRC provides: essential services from legal help to employment training and education opportunities for their children. Learning English is crucial to success and that's why we are pleased to announce our partnership with Duolingo, making it possible for the IRC's clients to access top-tier English-language services through their innovative platform, and helping us provide a pathway for them to take back control of their futures and thrive in their new communities." In a separate partnership announced today, Duolingo will hire a new university counselor to support UNHCR and work with refugees to advise them through the university admissions and financial aid process. Applying for university is a complex and stressful process for everyone but for refugees, it is almost impossible. Only 3% of all refugees worldwide ever enroll at a university. Refugees are particularly underserved and underrepresented in higher education in part because they lack university counseling support. "An experienced university counselor is a game changer for refugees enrolling in university study. Refugees must navigate an already complicated application process -- made significantly more complex due to incomplete documentation," said Jennifer Dewar, director of strategic engagement for the Duolingo English Test. "Our goal is to reduce the barriers to higher education and this new position we are creating with UNHCR will provide refugees a new level of guidance and support on the college admissions process." "Higher education turns students into leaders, amplifying their voices and enabling rapid generational change. Yet only 3% of the 80 million forcibly displaced persons around the world have access to it," said Matt Reynolds, UNHCR Regional Representative for the United States and the Caribbean. "We are proud to partner with Duolingo to reduce barriers to higher education for some of the world's most vulnerable people." For more information about the partnerships, visit the Duolingo Blog: https://blog.duolingo.com/our-commitments-to-helping-refugees/ About Duolingo Duolingo is the most popular language-learning platform and the most downloaded education app worldwide. The company's mission is to develop the best education in the world and make it universally available. Duolingo offers over 100 total courses across 40 distinct languages, and is available on iOS, Android, and Web at www.duolingo.com . About IRC The International Rescue Committee responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is at work in over 40 countries and over 20 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future, and strengthen their communities. Learn more at www.rescue.org and follow the IRC on Twitter & Facebook. About UNHCR UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization working to save lives, protect rights and build a better future for refugees, internally displaced communities, and stateless people. We work to ensure that everybody has the right to seek asylum and find refuge from violence or persecution. During times of displacement, UNHCR staff in 134 countries work diligently to ensure the protection of people forced to flee, strengthen access to education and livelihoods, and provide life-saving support like shelter, water, food, and health care. UNHCR partners with governments, non-profit organizations, and private-sector companies to support forcibly displaced people and the communities hosting them. Media Contacts: Sam Dalsimer for Duolingo [email protected] Matt Amaral for IRC [email protected] Andrea Mucino-Sanchez for UNHCR [email protected] SOURCE Duolingo Related Links https://www.duolingo.com/ GREAT NECK, N.Y., June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Dynamic Infrastructure is pleased to announce the addition of Ben Kochman, who previously worked for former U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Elaine L. Chao, to its leadership team. "As we grow and scale among DOTs, in parallel to the G7 leaders supporting global infrastructure needs, Ben's deep expertise in U.S. federal transportation policy will help us to further expand our value proposition to other vital areas within the realm of civil infrastructure," said Saar Dickman, Chief Executive Officer of Dynamic Infrastructure. Ben Kochman joins Dynamic Infrastructure Commenting further on the addition to the team, Mr. Dickman stated: "Ben's experience serving as Senior Congressional Affairs Officer to former DOT Secretary Chao, leading government and public affairs for the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, and working for almost a decade in Congress will be instrumental in executing our long and short-term growth plans." Proper maintenance and management decisions affect millions of lives across the globe. The need to digitalize civil infrastructure assets is crucial for aging or complex systems. The digitalization of existing asset inventories is key to reduced costs and increased effectiveness. Dynamic Infrastructure has embraced the goal of affordable and accurate digitization of civil infrastructure inventories to support operation and maintenance engineers with executing day-to-day decisions. "Dynamic Infrastructure invented game-changing technology to help infrastructure asset owners quickly digitize their asset inventories and assist them with identifying critical repairs," said Mr. Kochman. "I am looking forward to helping Dynamic Infrastructure provide its incredible Artificial Intelligence platform to more assets across the world." Dynamic Infrastructure is leading the digitalization of existing civil infrastructure through the power of Artificial Intelligence. With over 1,000 analyzed assets in the U.S., Europe and Australia, Dynamic Infrastructure assists Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and DOTs digitalize and analyze asset inventories based on existing visual information. Founded by industry professionals with decades of operation and maintenance experience for PPPs and DOTs, Dynamic Infrastructure has become an industry leader and key driver of a data revolution in decision-making processes related to bridge and tunnel operations and maintenance. Headquartered in Great Neck, NY, with offices in Germany and Israel, Dynamic Infrastructure maintains a close relationship with its clients. Media Contact: PR Dynamic Infrastructure [email protected] Tel: +1(646) 233-1481 www.diglobal.tech SOURCE Dynamic Infrastructure Autonomy Institute, a cooperative research consortium focused on advancing and accelerating Autonomy and AI at the edge, recently announced, in partnership with EDJX, plans to launch the Public Infrastructure Network Node (PINN) Pilot in Austin, Texas. Autonomy Institute Launches Intelligent Infrastructure Pilot with Texas Military Department to Enable Autonomous Vehicles, Smart Cities, and Connected Things . Edgevana, an intuitive online B2B marketplace platform that facilitates optimized transactions between data center operators, co-location providers, network providers, and end-user customers, will discuss partnership and customer engagement in the context of an infrastructure rethink and the vast returns on edge computing . The PINN is the first unified open standard to incorporate 5G wireless, Edge Computing, Radar, Lidar, Enhanced GPS, and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) as a single unified system. Combining edge computing and IoT to unlock autonomous and intelligent applications . EDJX is aligned with Autonomy Institute as a key technology partner to deliver solutions at the edge for PINN pilot users, including Transportation and Defense customers. PINNs are designed to rapidly deliver a multitude of advanced edge sensors, communication protocols and computing capabilities urgently needed to support autonomy and IoT to empower cities into the future. The first PINNs are set to go live in summer 2021. EDJX has solved the challenges and complexities of low latency, high performance edge apps at planet scale by delivering multi-tenant cloud services at the far edge of any network, where and when they are needed by the developer ecosystem. The PINN infrastructure, enabled by the EDJX platform, will reduce latency for developer ecosystems by more than 10x. This new capability will power the next wave of applications such as predictive analytics, autonomous machines, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence, all of which will feature prominently on the path to Vision Zero, whose network is committed to eliminating all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safety, healthy and equitable mobility for all. Critical digital infrastructure needed to enable autonomy, autonomous vehicles, the future of smart cities and connected things holds short- and long-term implications for Miami as one of the first major US cities to adopt autonomous driving pilot projects. Call to Action US city planning officials and IoT developers, with an application or solution that should leverage the PINN, can apply to take part in the limited PINN Beta program here . Register here to attend this year's IoT Evolution Expo in person, with the EDJX-Autonomy Institute Partnership Use Case panel Thursday, June 24. Also visit EDJX at Booth #439 in the conference exhibition hall. About EDJX EDJX is an edge computing platform that makes it easy to write edge and IoT applications using serverless computing, accelerate content delivery, increase the responsiveness of edge applications, and secure edge data at the source. EDJX helps businesses handle the explosive demand for data processing to serve real-world edge computing applications, including industrial IoT, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and robotics. Led by cloud industry veterans John Cowan and James Thomason, EDJX is a privately held company based in Raleigh, NC. Visit EDJX and follow EDJX on LinkedIn and Twitter . About Autonomy Institute Autonomy Institute is a cooperative research consortium focused on advancing and accelerating Autonomy and AI at the edge. Autonomy Institute aligns government, industry, academia, and the public to create the policies, industry, jobs, and community benefits of autonomy, starting with Intelligent and Autonomous Infrastructure. Investment in a twenty-first century Intelligent and Autonomous infrastructure is among the highest priorities for stimulating economic and job growth. Autonomy Institute's deployment of the Public Infrastructure Network Node (PINN) will be as critical to a city as roads, power, telecommunications, and water infrastructure. Learn more about PINN at Autonomy.institute and follow Autonomy Institute on LinkedIn and Twitter . About Edgevana Edgevana is an intuitive online B2B marketplace platform that facilitates optimized transactions between data center operators, colocation providers, network providers, and end-user customers. Founders Mark Thiele and Subhan Jahromi launched Edgevana in 2019 with the express intent of disrupting the existing processes for selling and buying colocation and data center services. Edgevana's member data centers are the backbone of IT delivery globally. Individually they represent a city, region, or country, but as a global resource, they are often invisible to the modern buyer. Federating the access to these facilities and delivering competitive differentiation in new, more cost-effective services enables Edgevana to make each location part of a greater whole, delivering value to the owner and global buyers. For our customers who might need a global partner in the data center space, whether for transformation, market-entry, or edge computing, Edgevana is making adaptations daily to improve the identification, contracting, procurement, and deployment easier. To learn more about Edgevana, please visit www.edgevana.com and follow Edgevana on LinkedIn and Twitter . Media contact: Laura Roman [email protected] SOURCE EDJX, Inc. Related Links https://edjx.io STOCKHOLM, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Aldevron is a leader in manufacturing high-quality plasmid DNA, mRNA and recombinant proteins Aldevron's products empower biotech companies to achieve scientific and medical breakthroughs During EQT's ownership, Aldevron has experienced strong organic growth and made significant investments to position itself for further expansion EQT is pleased to announce that the EQT VIII fund ("EQT Private Equity") has agreed to sell Aldevron to Danaher Corporation for an enterprise value of USD 9.6 billion. EQT Private Equity acquired a majority interest in Aldevron in 2019, investing alongside TA Associates, founders, and management. Founded in 1998 by Michael Chambers and John Ballantyne, Aldevron is a leading global provider of high-quality plasmid DNA, mRNA and recombinant proteins used in vaccines, gene and cell therapy, gene editing and diagnostic applications. Aldevron employs approximately 600 people, and is headquartered in Fargo, North Dakota, with additional operations in Madison, Wisconsin. Together with the founders and management team, EQT supported Aldevron in its mission to develop and manufacture high quality biologics that help make meaningful changes in people's lives worldwide. Aldevron's custom manufacturing capabilities enable scientists and biotech companies to develop and supply new breakthrough genetic medicine, and Aldevron has played an important role in combating COVID-19 by supplying plasmid DNA used to manufacture mRNA vaccines. Under EQT's ownership, Aldevron has experienced strong organic growth, expanded its management team and made significant investments to position the business for continued expansion. Aldevron recently completed the construction and validation of a new, state-of-the-art 189,000 sq ft facility on its 14-acre Breakthrough Campus in Fargo, adding significant GMP manufacturing capacity. Kevin Ballinger, CEO of Aldevron, commented, "Genetic medicine is the future and our field is expanding rapidly. EQT has been a great partner to us and played an important role in supporting our company as we scale. Danaher is an excellent strategic fit and new home for Aldevron, and we look forward to working with them." Michael Chambers, Founder and Executive Chairman of Aldevron, commented, "Aldevron helps advance breakthrough science, and is a critical player in the medical community. We are grateful for EQT's support over the past few years, and I am excited for Aldevron to partner with Danaher as we continue our journey." Eric Liu, Partner and Global Co-Head of Healthcare at EQT, commented, "Aldevron is integral to the development and supply of new types of therapies that address previously uncurable medical conditions. We are proud to have supported Aldevron and its mission to deliver the highest quality products that help improve patient lives across the world. It has been a pleasure partnering with Michael, Kevin, and the entire team, and we look forward to following the next phase of Aldevron's growth." The transaction is subject to customary conditions, including receipt of applicable regulatory approvals. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC acted as exclusive financial advisor to Aldevron, and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP provided legal counsel. Contact US inquiries: Stephanie Greengarten, +1 646 687 6810, [email protected] International inquiries: EQT Press Office, [email protected], +46 8 506 55 334 About EQT EQT is a purpose-driven global investment organization with more than EUR 67 billion in assets under management across 26 active funds. EQT funds have portfolio companies in Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas with total sales of approximately EUR 29 billion and more than 175,000 employees. EQT works with portfolio companies to achieve sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership. More info: www.eqtgroup.com Follow EQT on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram About Aldevron Aldevron is a premier manufacturing partner in the global genetic medicine field. Founded in 1998 by Michael Chambers and John Ballantyne, the company provides critical nucleic acids and proteins used to make gene and cell therapies, DNA and RNA vaccines, and gene editing technologies. Aldevron's 600 employees support thousands of scientists who are developing revolutionary treatments for millions of people. More info: www.aldevron.com This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/eqt/r/eqt-private-equity-to-sell-aldevron-to-danaher-corporation-for-enterprise-value-of-usd-9-6-billion,c3369788 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/87/3369788/1433650.pdf Aldevron Press Release_06.17.21 SOURCE EQT CHICAGO, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Path to Purchase Institute -- the leading brand marketing insights, intelligence, education and networking source for product manufacturers, retailers, agencies and solution providers for nearly two decades -- is bringing together consumer product marketing and retail leaders live-in-person for the first time in two years with an all-new, highly-interactive education and networking event including a diverse program showcasing winning 2021 success stories and unveiling timely spend trend research. Path to Purchase Institute Path to Purchase Live -- an event featuring leading industry experts who will present new strategies that attendees can activate now to drive sales following two years of unprecedented changes in how consumers discover, consider and make purchase decisions--will take place the evening of Monday, Nov. 1 through midday Wednesday, Nov. 3 at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando, Florida. "Path to Purchase Live will provide industry-leading educational and networking experiences to reconnect the community," said Eric Savitch, Vice President and Brand Director of the Path to Purchase Institute. "It will be a great opportunity for the industry to share what they have learned about changes in shopper behavior over the past 18 months." The emerging event program includes a keynote speaker delivering new insights into "How Will the World Shop Next?" -- plus sessions on sustainability, driving purchases online and in-store, pandemic leadership lessons from Institute Hall of Fame inductees, facilitated roundtable discussions of critical industry issues, and a retail executive panel sharing what retailers want from brand partnerships. Path to Purchase Live will also provide an educational Adult Beverage Marketing Forum, with a keynote session on navigating the new omnichannel landscape, an online and in-store spending mix best practices session, and a breakdown of delivery capabilities and strategies. There will be opportunities for agencies and solution providers to present case studies and research in partnership with brands and retailers--and to demonstrate their capabilities at digital "Activation Stations." The entire community will be provided with ample opportunities to network in person through an opening night welcome reception, breakfast and lunch gatherings, and the all-new Institute Omnishopper Awards dinner--immediately followed by a celebration afterparty. On day two, case studies of select successful 2021 activations will be presented by brands, retailers, agencies and solution providers through a "Creative Marketing Showcase." The event will conclude on day three with a presentation of original research, based on a survey of industry executives, benchmarking spending by marketing activity, sizing the overall market and exploring spending by tactic. Event registration IS NOW OPEN AT www.PATHTOPURCHASELIVE.com All Access admission packages include meals, access to all education, networking events, receptions, attendee only hotel room rate and key digital content enabling attendees to better apply their learning upon returning. e Path to Purchase Institute is a brand marketing insights, intelligence and networking provider and member community serving product manufacturers, retailers, agencies and the entire ecosystem of solution providers throughout the path to purchase. For more information about the event and partnership opportunities, contact Eric Savitch, Brand Leader, Path to Purchase Institute, [email protected]. The Institute is a part of EnsembleIQ, a premier business intelligence resource for retailers, consumer goods manufacturers, technology providers, hospitality and healthcare professionals, marketing agencies and retail service providers. EnsembleIQ provides an integrated network of information and media information resources, that inform, connect and deliver actionable marketplace intelligence. Media Contact: Eric Savitch [email protected] 856.296.6357 SOURCE Path to Purchase Institute Related Links https://www.pathtopurchaselive.com/ AKRON, Ohio, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) today announced that Michael Montaque has been named vice president, Internal Audit, effective July 12. In this role, he will be responsible for developing and executing an audit plan that reflects FirstEnergy's core values and behaviors; establishing standards and implementing robust procedures to ensure that company audits identify and prevent business risks; and providing independent and objective assurance services regarding the effectiveness and efficiency of the company's governance, risk management, compliance, and control processes. Montaque will assume the responsibilities for Internal Audit formerly held by Kevin Burgess, who retired in April after 21 years with the company. He will report to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and Hyun Park, senior vice president and chief legal officer. Montaque joins other new members of FirstEnergy's leadership team that have been added in recent months, including Park and Antonio Fernandez, vice president and chief ethics and compliance officer. "We are thrilled to have a respected finance leader with deep industry experience like Mike play a critical role in bolstering our audit function and supporting our unwavering commitment to integrity and ethical behavior," said Steven E. Strah, president and chief executive officer. "The addition of Mike to our leadership team represents another important step toward strengthening FirstEnergy's key internal functions and restoring trust with the company's stakeholders." Montaque is a highly experienced finance professional, having served in executive roles leading internal controls and risk management functions for over 30 years, with a focus on the energy and utility space. He most recently served as Chief Audit Executive at Alliant Energy since 2012, where he oversaw the internal audit and enterprise risk management functions and led culture transformation initiatives for the finance organization. During his extensive career, Montaque has held various audit and controls positions at leading organizations across industries, including Vice President of Financial Controls at Career Education Corporation, Director of Internal Audit Services at Exelon Corporation, and Vice President of Internal Audit at Washington Mutual Bank. He started his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Montaque graduated from Howard University, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Accounting. He received his Master of Business Administration and Finance from Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Business. He holds various professional certifications, including Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA). FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter: @FirstEnergyCorp. Editor's Note: A professional photo of Michael Montaque is available for download on Flickr. Forward-Looking Statements: This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 based on information currently available to management. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These statements include declarations regarding management's intents, beliefs and current expectations. These statements typically contain, but are not limited to, the terms "anticipate," "potential," "expect," "forecast," "target," "will," "intend," "believe," "project," "estimate," "plan" and similar words. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, assumptions, 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 such forward-looking statements, which may include the following: the effectiveness of our ongoing discussions with the U.S. Attorney's Office of the S.D. Ohio to resolve its investigation with respect to us; the results of the internal investigation and evaluation of our controls framework and remediation of our material weakness in internal control over financial reporting; the risks and uncertainties associated with government investigations regarding Ohio House Bill 6 and related matters including potential adverse impacts on federal or state regulatory matters including, but not limited to, matters relating to rates; the potential of non-compliance with debt covenants in our credit facilities due to matters associated with the government investigations regarding Ohio House Bill 6 and related matters; the risks and uncertainties associated with litigation, arbitration, mediation and similar proceedings; legislative and regulatory developments, including, but not limited to, matters related to rates, compliance and enforcement activity; the ability to accomplish or realize anticipated benefits from strategic and financial goals, including, but not limited to, maintaining financial flexibility, overcoming current uncertainties and challenges associated with the ongoing government investigations, executing our transmission and distribution investment plans, greenhouse gas reduction goals, controlling costs, improving our credit metrics, strengthening our balance sheet and growing earnings; economic and weather conditions affecting future operating results, such as a recession, significant weather events and other natural disasters, and associated regulatory events or actions in response to such conditions; mitigating exposure for remedial activities associated with retired and formerly owned electric generation assets; the ability to access the public securities and other capital and credit markets in accordance with our financial plans, the cost of such capital and overall condition of the capital and credit markets affecting us, including the increasing number of financial institutions evaluating the impact of climate change on their investment decisions; the extent and duration of COVID-19 and the impacts to our business, operations and financial condition resulting from the outbreak of COVID-19 including, but not limited to, disruption of businesses in our territories, volatile capital and credit markets, legislative and regulatory actions, including the vaccine's efficacy and the effectiveness of its distribution; the effectiveness of our pandemic and business continuity plans, the precautionary measures we are taking on behalf of our customers, contractors and employees, our customers' ability to make their utility payment and the potential for supply-chain disruptions; actions that may be taken by credit rating agencies that could negatively affect either our access to or terms of financing or our financial condition and liquidity; changes in assumptions regarding economic conditions within our territories, the reliability of our transmission and distribution system, or the availability of capital or other resources supporting identified transmission and distribution investment opportunities; changes in customers' demand for power, including, but not limited to, the impact of climate change or energy efficiency and peak demand reduction mandates; changes in national and regional economic conditions affecting us and/or our major industrial and commercial customers or others with which we do business; the risks associated with cyber-attacks and other disruptions to our information technology system, which may compromise our operations, and data security breaches of sensitive data, intellectual property and proprietary or personally identifiable information; the ability to comply with applicable reliability standards and energy efficiency and peak demand reduction mandates; changes to environmental laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, those related to climate change; changing market conditions affecting the measurement of certain liabilities and the value of assets held in our pension trusts and other trust funds, or causing us to make contributions sooner, or in amounts that are larger, than currently anticipated; labor disruptions by our unionized workforce; changes to significant accounting policies; any changes in tax laws or regulations, or adverse tax audit results or rulings; and the risks and other factors discussed from time to time in our SEC filings. Dividends declared from time to time on FirstEnergy Corp.'s common stock during any period may in the aggregate vary from prior periods due to circumstances considered by FirstEnergy Corp.'s Board of Directors at the time of the actual declarations. A security rating is not a recommendation to buy or hold securities and is subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating agency. Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. These forward-looking statements are also qualified by, and should be read together with, the risk factors included in FirstEnergy Corp.'s filings with the SEC, including but not limited to the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The foregoing review of factors also should not be construed as exhaustive. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors, nor assess the impact of any such factor on FirstEnergy Corp.'s business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. FirstEnergy Corp. expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise, except as required by law, any forward-looking statements contained herein or in the information incorporated by reference as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp. Related Links http://www.firstenergycorp.com PRAGUE and LONDON and EMERYVILLE, Calif., June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Avast today announced that its former CEO, Vince Steckler, passed away in a tragic car accident in Irvine, California, on June 15, 2021, at the age of 62. Vince Steckler joined as CEO of the Czech company in 2009 and stayed for over a decade at the helm during which time he led the transformation of the business into a global cybersecurity leader serving over 435 million customers around the world. He was the architect of Avast's rapid growth during his tenure, driving strategic M&A for growth, most notably with the $1.3 billion acquisition of close competitor, AVG Technologies. Under his leadership, Avast grew from a company with under $20 million in revenue to over $800 million. In 2018, he took the company public with a listing on the London Stock Exchange FTSE index. He will be missed and remembered by the many Avast employees who have worked with him over the years. Known for his dedication to Avast and rigorous focus on innovation and results, Vince Steckler was also a strong believer in an inclusive world, both at Avast and more widely. After he left Avast, through the charity he and his wife established, he continued to contribute through philanthropy, including support for the Magical Bridge Foundation initiative and helping to establish the Center for Responsible, Ethical, and Accessible Technology at his Alma mater, University of California, Irvine. Ondrej Vlcek, CEO, Avast, said, "The news of Vince's sudden passing is devastating and words cannot express the loss this is to all of us at Avast. Vince was a role model, sharing wisdom from a long career in technology and security and setting the pace by always demanding the best from himself and others. He was a leader, a mentor, and a friend with a unique sense of humor that we loved about him. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife and children at this difficult time. He will never be forgotten." Before joining Avast, Vince Steckler was the Senior Vice President of Worldwide Consumer Sales at Symantec Corporation, where he was in charge of worldwide multi-channel consumer sales valued at $2.0 billion. Prior to this, he had 20 years of experience in software development, systems analysis and engineering, and business development. Vince Steckler was an alumnus of the University of California, Irvine, from which he held two B.S. degrees, one in Mathematics and the other in Information and Computer Science. John Schwarz, Chairman of Avast's Board, said, "I am deeply saddened by Vince's passing. Vince was an extraordinary personality, passionate about his work, and achieving exceptional levels of success in his career. He was a distinguished leader within the cybersecurity industry and how he shaped Avast continues to influence the company. Vince was also a valued colleague and friend to me, and we worked closely together over many years. My thoughts are with his family." Vince Steckler is survived by his wife, Amanda, and children. Condolences can be sent by post to Avast headquarters at Pikrtova 1737, 140 00 Praha 4-Nusle, Czech Republic, or via email [email protected] . About Avast: Avast (LSE:AVST), a FTSE 100 company, is a global leader in digital security and privacy. With over 435 million users online, Avast offers products under the Avast and AVG brands that protect people from threats on the internet and the evolving IoT threat landscape. The company's threat detection network is among the most advanced in the world, using machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies to detect and stop threats in real time. Avast digital security products for Mobile, PC or Mac are top-ranked and certified by VB100, AV-Comparatives, AV-Test, SE Labs and others. Avast is a member of Coalition Against Stalkerware, No More Ransom and Internet Watch Foundation. Visit: www.avast.com. Avast Communications: [email protected] SOURCE Avast Related Links www.avast.com BOCA RATON, Fla., June 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Freedom Mortgage, one of the nation's largest full-service mortgage companies, has been ranked by The Indianapolis Star as a Top Workplace in Central Indiana for the sixth year in a row. The Indianapolis Star recognized 89 companies and organizations in Central Indiana as Top Workplaces for 2021. Freedom Mortgage was ranked third in the "Large Business" category. Winners were chosen based solely on employee feedback gathered through an employee engagement survey, issued by Energage. Earlier this year, Freedom was honored with the 2021 National Top Workplaces USA Award. "The Top Workplace award is a terrific recognition that underscores Freedom Mortgage's commitment to offering our team members learning and development programs, opportunities for advancement, and an inclusive culture," said Stanley C. Middleman, Freedom Mortgage founder and CEO. "It's rewarding that employees in our Fishers office ranked the company so favorably and that they enjoy working at Freedom Mortgage." Eric Rubino, Energage CEO, said, "I commend Freedom Mortgage for being a Top Workplace in Central Indiana and for providing a thriving environment to grow one's career. When companies focus on their employees, everyone comes together to navigate challenges and shape the company's path forward." Freedom Mortgage was also recognized with the Direction specialty award, where employees believe in the company's direction and vision for not only the company itself, but for their careers. In addition to providing home financing to enable consumers to realize the dream of homeownership, Freedom Mortgage is an active supporter of communities in need as well as active-duty military service members, veterans, and their families through Team Freedom Cares, the company's employee engagement and philanthropic program. Freedom Mortgage continues to grow and is hiring across the country. Job seekers are encouraged to visit the company's careers website at careers.freedommortgage.com to see the latest job postings, company benefits, profiles of employees, videos, and more. About Freedom Mortgage Corporation Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, Freedom Mortgage is a full-service mortgage company that provides mortgage loans through retail, wholesale, and correspondent channels. One of the nation's largest loan originators and servicers, the company is licensed in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Freedom Mortgage is the #1 VA and #1 FHA (government-insured) lender in the U.S. (Inside Mortgage Finance, 2020) and one of the mortgage industry's largest philanthropic supporters of the USO of Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey. The company is also renowned for its vibrant work environment where its team members can thrive. The company's mission is to foster homeownership for all consumers across America. For more information, please visit FreedomMortgage.com. FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION CONTACTS: Audrey Shapiro 856-380-9073 [email protected] Ellen Longo 609-678-0968 [email protected] PRESS CONTACT: Henry Drennan, Strategic Vantage (615) 497-8358 [email protected] SOURCE Freedom Mortgage Related Links https://www.freedommortgage.com In 2020, Growatt continued to be the top Chinese supplier of residential inverters, ranking third globally. "For distributed solar energy, especially residential, Growatt has very strong competitive advantages over other brands. Our products and solutions are highly trusted and are extremely popular in mature solar markets like Europe and Australia as well as emerging markets like Brazil," commented Lisa Zhang, Marketing Director at Growatt. The company also ranked among the world's top 5 suppliers of three-phase string inverters for commercial and industrial solar PV projects. Zhang attributed these achievements to the company's continuous product innovations and localization strategy adopted since its establishment. "We have established an extensive service network with 20 offices and warehouses worldwide, enabling our team to deliver efficient technical support and service to our customers. With such dedicated local teams, we have been able to weather the impact of COVID-19 and continue to expand our business globally," Zhang continued. By the end of 2020, Growatt had shipped over 2.6 million inverters to more than 100 countries. The company has also developed the new X inverter series that feature sleek and compact design as well as safer and smarter functionalities. "We're very glad to see the growing popularity of our new generation of products across global solar markets. It's great recognition of our dedication to product innovation for our customers," said Zhang. To meet surging demand, the company has built a new factory in Huizhou, China to boost production capacity. The new facility, covering an area of 200,000 square meters, features advanced production lines, a stringent quality control system, automated transfer and storage systems. "With 20GW annual output, we are now able to meet the growing global demand for our products and make sure customers can have clear access to clean and smart energy," Zhang concluded. Contact: Whiskey Lu, [email protected] SOURCE Growatt Related Links www.growatt.com BEIJING, June 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- InnoCare (HKEX: 09969), a leading biopharmaceutical company focusing on cancer and autoimmune diseases, announced today that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) to its pan-FGFR inhibitor gunagratinib (ICP-192) for the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma. InnoCare's ICP-192 is a highly selective pan-FGFR inhibitor targeting multiple solid tumors with FGFR gene aberrations. Currently, several clinical studies are ongoing in China and the United States. According to the latest clinical data presented at the 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting, as of February 2021, a total of 30 patients had received treatment of gunagratinib. Gunagratinib performed well in safety and tolerance, and the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) had not been reached. Among the 12 patients with FGF/FGFR gene aberrations who have completed at least one tumor assessment, the overall response rate (ORR) was 33.3%, including 1 patient (8.3%) of cholangiocarcinoma with complete response (CR), 3 patients (25%) with partial response (PR) and 7 patients having achieved stable disease (SD). The disease control rate (DCR) was 91.7%. Dr. Jasmine Cui, the Co-founder, Chairwoman and CEO of InnoCare, said, "We are very proud that our solid tumor drug has been granted ODD by the FDA following that for our blood cancer drug. Gunagratinib demonstrated anti-tumor activity for multiple tumor types, including cholangiocarcinoma, in patients with FGF/FGFR gene aberrations. We will rapidly advance the multi-center, multi-indication clinical trials in both the US and China in order to benefit patients early." The Orphan Drug Designation by the US FDA originates from the Orphan Drug Act, which was enacted in 1983 to encourage the development of innovative drugs to treat rare diseases with a target patient population of less than 200,000 in the US. Upon marketing approval, drugs with ODD qualify for seven-year market exclusivity. In addition, US FDA also rewards ODD drugs with comprehensive incentives including tax credit for clinical trial cost, waiver of marketing registration application fee, waiver or reduced annual product fee, and other benefits, such as clinical protocol assistance and qualification for expedited development programs. Last December, FDA granted ODD to InnoCare's Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor orelabrutinib for the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). About InnoCare InnoCare is a commercial stage biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering, developing, and commercializing first-in-class and/or best-in-class drugs for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. We strategically focus on lymphomas, solid tumors, and autoimmune diseases with high unmet medical needs in China and worldwide. InnoCare has branches in Beijing, Nanjing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, New Jersey and Boston. Contact Media Investors Chunhua Lu 86-10-66609879 86-10-66609999 [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE InnoCare Pharma Related Links www.innocarepharma.com C$ unless otherwise stated TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC SEHK: 945 TORONTO, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - For the second year in a row, Manulife is giving its entire global workforce, a "Thank You Day" off this Friday, June 18, 2021. In addition, Manulife is dedicating the afternoon of the day before for everyone on its global team to learn more about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), in a first-ever Global Afternoon of Reflection and Learning. The Global Afternoon of Reflection and Learning on June 17 will feature a range of learning activities, including allyship and how to become better advocates for change. Sessions include keynote speeches, fireside chats, and webinars hosted by leaders and various Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). These include an interactive session with business leader Kimberly Blackwell, hosted by Manulife Global CHRO Pam Kimmet in North America; a Pride and Prejudice research presentation by The Economist in Asia; and various webinars hosted by senior leadership and ERGs across the organization. "We care deeply about the well-being of everyone on our team, and we know that starts with having an inclusive workplace," said Pam Kimmet, Chief Human Resources Officer, Manulife. "Having expanded our DEI commitments last year, these two important events allow us to take stock of our progress and devote time to gaining a greater appreciation of the many dimensions of diversity. They also support our team in observing two important days, with Juneteenth in the US and Indigenous People's Day in Canada." One year ago, Manulife declared its five-year Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) recruitment and leadership goals in North America. Since that time, the company: Achieved fifty-two per cent of new graduate hiring as BIPOC talent in 2020, double the goal set a year earlier. Launched a new bursary program for Indigenous Students at Wilfrid Laurier University as well as at Seneca College which also offers internships for Indigenous students. Joined the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business. Created Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) interview guides for hiring managers. Hired 36 high school students through John Hancock's (a subsidiary of Manulife) Dr. Martin Luther King (MLK) Scholars Program for summer 2021. Six former MLK Scholars are also returning to the company as college interns and an additional 570 roles were facilitated at nonprofits. Expanded school recruitment, with a focus on diverse colleges and universities, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the US. Launched two new partnerships specific to its new grad hiring, ICON Talent Partners and ONYX Initiative, with whom it will be welcoming new graduate hires for summer 2021. Partnered with Accenture to launch two learning platforms Inclusive Leadership and All Against Racism globally for 3,500 leaders. Additionally, members of the executive leadership team currently have performance goals linked to diversity, equity, and inclusion, employee engagement, and leadership accountability. "I'm excited about the progress Manulife has made on its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts," said Michelle Taylor-Jones, Vice President, Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Manulife. "While there is still more to be done, our accomplishments in this first year demonstrate that we are taking action and holding ourselves accountable in both the short-term, as well as over the long-term. As a global organization, Manulife is committed to fostering an environment where all employees can truly thrive and feel a strong sense of belonging." Stay updated on DEI at Manulife by visiting: manulife.com/en/careers/diversity-equity-inclusion About Manulife Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider that helps people make their decisions easier and lives better. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we operate as Manulife across our offices in Canada, Asia, and Europe, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States. We provide financial advice, insurance, and our global wealth and asset management segment, Manulife Investment Management, serves individuals, institutions and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2020, we had more than 37,000 employees, over 118,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 30 million customers. As of March 31, 2021, we had CAD$1.3 trillion (US$1.0 trillion) in assets under management and administration, and in the previous 12 months we made $31.3 billion in payments to our customers. Our principal operations are in Asia, Canada and the United States where we have served customers for more than 155 years. We trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges and under '945' in Hong Kong. SOURCE Manulife Financial Corporation Related Links http://www.manulife.com C$ unless otherwise stated TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC SEHK: 945 TORONTO, June 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - As a leading global real estate asset manager, Manulife Investment Management recognizes its unique position to help lead the transition to a low-carbon economy1. Manulife Investment Management released its 2021 Real Estate Sustainability report, which focuses on how the firm is driving leadership in sustainable real estate across our global organization, and includes details on the greenhouse gas (GHG) model developed for real estate assets, which sets a reduction target of 80% by 20502. "We are very proud of this responsible move, which represents a step forward in our commitment to climate change mitigation and our role in the transition to a healthier planet," said Steve Blewitt, Global Head of Private Markets. "Manulife Investment Management's real estate team has been measuring and reporting on greenhouse gas emissions in our sustainability reports since 2017. Setting this realistic target demonstrates our commitment to holding ourselves accountable and achieving high standards across climate-related considerations." To actively demonstrate efforts in carbon reduction, Manulife Investment Management has started initiatives to identify ways to reduce GHG emissions across its global real estate portfolio. Over the past year, the firm conducted a deep carbon retrofit study at its buildings, in addition to updating the leasing process, with a greater focus on sustainability. This is part of a strategic approach focused on four pillars: Efficiency measures conventional, cost-effective, incremental energy improvements through on-going building commissioning and efficient operations. conventional, cost-effective, incremental energy improvements through on-going building commissioning and efficient operations. Fuel switching switching from high to low carbon intensity infrastructure through infrastructure renewal (delivering immediate emissions reduction where the electrical grid is less carbon intensive today, and additional emissions reduction as the grid improves). switching from high to low carbon intensity infrastructure through infrastructure renewal (delivering immediate emissions reduction where the electrical grid is less carbon intensive today, and additional emissions reduction as the grid improves). Onsite renewables and storage installing items, such as rooftop solar panels, especially in regions with carbon-intensive electrical grids. installing items, such as rooftop solar panels, especially in regions with carbon-intensive electrical grids. Carbon offsets and Power Purchasing Agreements (PPAs) purchasing carbon offsets and power purchasing agreements (PPAs) to address energy/carbon that remains after the above actions are completed. ________________________________________ 1 The IPE Real Assets top 100 ranking of some of the world's largest real estate investors, has captured more than $1.44trn (1.3trn) in infrastructure assets held by pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, insurers and other institutional capital owners. To be included, investors need to be owners, not third-party managers of assets. It was based on IPE Research survey data, Rainmaker information and publicly available information, predominantly in the form of annual reports. Where accurate numbers were not available, estimates have been made. Some investors have not been included due to a lack of information. Source: IPE Real Assets, as of 12/31/2020. 2 Target is an intensity-based reduction of Scope 1 and 2 emissions for the properties that are within our operational control. To support these initiatives and better understand its current standing, Manulife Investment Management's real estate team will work to implement this overarching strategy, identifying regional and asset-level opportunities where energy and associated emissions can be reduced. All projects will also be evaluated in terms of their carbon-based returns and how they will assist with the reduction in emissions. "Our approach to sustainability in real estate incorporates ESG considerations into all our practices and investment management. Through carbon emission reduction, Manulife Investment Management aims to be a key player in the transition to a low carbon economy," said Regan Smith, Global Head of Real Estate Sustainability. "It is with that in mind that we designed a strategy informed by climate science to reduce our carbon output across our real estate portfolio." Manulife Investment Management's targeted reduction commitment to its real estate portfolio is just one segment of Manulife's global Climate Action Plan, which also commits to a 35% reduction of Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2035, in line with the Paris Climate Agreement. For more information, please read Manulife Announces Journey to Net Zero. About Manulife Investment Management, Private Markets Manulife Investment Management's comprehensive private markets capabilities include real estate, private equity and credit, infrastructure, timber and agriculture. Through its real estate group, Manulife Investment Management develops and manages commercial real estate for thousands of customers around the globe. As of March 31, 2021, the real estate portfolio totals 63 million square feet of office, industrial, and retail space and over 6,500 multifamily units strategically located in markets across Canada, the U.S., and Asia. The group leverages its global platform and local expertise to provide market-leading solutions for its tenants and deliver results for its partners. Additional information about our Real Estate group can be found at www.manulifeim.com/realestate. About Manulife Investment Management Manulife Investment Management is the global wealth and asset management segment of Manulife Financial Corporation. We draw on more than a century of financial stewardship and the full resources of our parent company to serve individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. Headquartered in Toronto, our leading capabilities in public and private markets are strengthened by an investment footprint that spans 17 countries and territories. We complement these capabilities by providing access to a network of unaffiliated asset managers from around the world. We're committed to investing responsibly across our businesses. We develop innovative global frameworks for sustainable investing, collaboratively engage with companies in our securities portfolios, and maintain a high standard of stewardship where we own and operate assets, and we believe in supporting financial well-being through our workplace retirement plans. Today, plan sponsors around the world rely on our retirement plan administration and investment expertise to help their employees plan for, save for, and live a better retirement. As of March 31, 2021, Manulife Investment Management had CAD $764.1 billion (US $607.6 billion) in assets under management and administration. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulifeim.com. SOURCE Manulife Investment Management Related Links https://www.manulifeim.com/ Patriarca recently graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a bachelor's degree double major in supply chain and business information systems and a minor in economics. "Really looking forward to growing with the Federal Equipment Company team! They are increasingly focusing on supporting their customers with liquidations, auctions, and other cash-generating opportunities for surplus equipment. I am excited to work with such a well-established team," said Hillseth. "I couldn't be happier with my choice for a first job out of college. I'm excited to learn from a dynamic team that leads the industry in innovation," said Patriarca. Before joining Federal Equipment Company, Hillseth served as an operations specialist at Star Industries. He holds a Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture from Claremont Graduate University and a Bachelor of Arts in Fine/Studio Arts, Sculpture from California State University-San Bernadino. He will be establishing Federal Equipment Company's first office in the state of California. Company President, Adam Covitt, "Matt has profound experience working within our industry. We plan to plug him into our inventory, auction, buying, and selling teams right away. Vince will make an impact immediately as we continue to grow our inventory and auction businesses." Matt Hillseth can be reached at: +1 626-501-0246 [email protected] Vince Patriarca can be reached at: +1 216-310-5310 [email protected] Federal Equipment Company is a reliable resource for all processing and packaging equipment needs, with over 60 years of expertise buying and selling used equipment in pharmaceutical, chemical, plastics, rubber, and food processing industries. We optimize the value you recoup for surplus equipment and ensure you get the equipment you need quickly from our broad, on-hand inventory of reliable used machines. For more information about Federal Equipment Company: https://fedequip.com/ +1 216-271-3500 [email protected] SOURCE Federal Equipment Company Related Links https://fedequip.com Brett Heath, President & CEO of Metalla, commented, "This transaction provides extraordinary value for Metalla shareholders. The royalty covers a portion of the near term producing World-Class Cote Gold Project. Cote will be one of Canada's largest gold mines which is currently being constructed by IAMGOLD and Sumitomo. Metalla shareholders will also gain exposure to the full extent of the expected 3-5Moz Gosselin Zone 1.5km northeast of the Cote deposit which has the potential to materially enhance the production profile at Cote in the future." COTE/GOSSELIN ZONE (1.35% NSR)(2)(3)(4)(8) Cote is poised to become one of Canada's largest gold mines with an expected annual output of 493Koz and total cash costs of US$600/oz in the first five years of operation. Construction of the US$1.3 billion mine commenced in the fall of 2020 and is expected to ramp up to commercial production in the second half of 2023. Cote currently boasts a 7.2Moz reserve, a measured and indicated resource of 10.2Moz and an inferred resource of 3.8Moz making it one of the largest gold resources in Canada. The royalty covers a portion of the northern and north-eastern part of the Cote pit and all of the Gosselin-Young-Shannon gold project ("Gosselin"). Gosselin is located ~1.5km to the northeast of the Cote deposit which IAMGOLD estimates to host an exploration target of 3-5Moz of gold. Gosselin was discovered in 2019 and is part of the Cote joint venture between IAMGOLD & Sumitomo. The Gosselin zones exhibit similar geology and metallurgical characteristics, indicating potential for similar gold recoveries to the Cote gold deposit. IAMGOLD expects to complete a 13,000 16,000 metre diamond drill program including 12,000 14,000 metres of delineation drilling in the Cote district to support the maiden resource estimate for the Gosselin project that IAMGOLD expects to be announced in the second half of 2021. According to IAMGOLD, Gosselin & Young-Shannon have the potential to support production levels of ~500koz per year at the Cote operation beyond the first 5 years where production at Cote is expected to drop towards the 367Koz per year average. Notable intercepts from the recent Gosselin exploration program include 1.28 g/t gold over 412 metres, 0.98 g/t gold over 342.5 metres and 0.94 g/t gold over 264.5 metres. The Gosselin deposit remains open at depth to the northwest and along strike to the east and southwest. COTE/GOSSELIN ROYALTY MAP(8) GOSSELIN EXPLORATION UPSIDE (1)(2)(4)(5)(6)(7) Exploration Upside Tonnes Gold (Millions) (g/t) (Moz) Gosselin Zone 130 - 133 0.7 1.2 3.0 5.0 COTE RESERVE & RESOURCE ESTIMATE (1)(2)(5)(6) Reserve & Resource Estimate Tonnes Gold (000's) (g/t) (Koz) Proven Reserves 139,253 1.0 4,640 Probable Reserves 93,747 0.9 2,644 Proven & Probable Reserves 233,000 1.0 7,284 Measured Resources 152,100 1.0 4,720 Indicated Resources 213,400 0.8 5,480 Measured & Indicated Resources 365,500 0.9 10,200 Inferred Resources 189,600 0.6 3,820 AT THE MARKET EQUITY PROGRAM UPDATE The Company is also pleased to provide an update on its at-the-market equity program. As of the date of this news release, Metalla has sold 510,532 Common Shares under the ATM Program for gross proceeds of US$5.1 million. As a result of these proceeds and cash held on the balance sheet, the Company was fully funded to close the royalty acquisition on Cote. QUALIFIED PERSON The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Charles Beaudry, geologist M.Sc., member of the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario and the Ordre des Geologues du Quebec and a consultant to Metalla. Mr. Beaudry is a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of disclosure for mineral projects. ABOUT METALLA Metalla was created for the purpose of providing shareholders with leveraged precious metal exposure by acquiring royalties and streams. Our goal is to increase share value by accumulating a diversified portfolio of royalties and streams with attractive returns. Our strong foundation of current and future cash-generating asset base, combined with an experienced team, gives Metalla a path to become one of the leading gold and silver companies for the next commodities cycle. For further information, please visit our website at www.metallaroyalty.com. ON BEHALF OF METALLA ROYALTY & STREAMING LTD. signed "Brett Heath" Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Notes: (1) For details on the estimation of mineral resources and reserves, including the key assumptions, parameters and methods used to estimate the Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves and technical data on the project, Canadian investors should refer to the NI 43-101 Technical Reports for the Cote Gold Project titled "Cote Gold Project NI 43-101 Technical Report on Feasibility Study" dated November 1, 2018 (the "2018 Technical Report") and on file at www.sedar.com and the IAMGOLD June 2020 Cote Project Update from July 21, 2020. (2) See IAMGOLD Corporate Presentation March 2021 pg. 10 & pg. 37 and IAMGOLD Presentation titled: "The time is now: Cote Gold" dated July 21, 2020. (3) See IAMGOLD News Release dated March 8, 2021 ("IAMGOLD Reports Additional Positive Results from Its 2020 Resource Delineation Drilling on the Gosselin Gold Zone - Cote Gold Joint Venture Project") and IAMGOLD News Release Dated January 21, 2021 ("IAMGOLD Reports Additional Positive Results from Its Resource Delineation Drilling Program on the Gosselin Zone - Cote Gold Project, Ontario"). (4) IAMGOLD disclosure: "Exploration Target Potential: The potential quantity and grade of the exploration targets referred to are conceptual in nature and insufficient exploration work has been completed to define a Mineral Resource. The property will require significant future exploration to advance to a resource stage and there can be no certainty that the exploration target will result in a Mineral Resource being delineated. The exploration targets are consistent with similar deposits in the area, deposit models or derived from initial drilling results." (5) Numbers may not add due to rounding. (6) Mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. (7) Total tonnage was back-calculated using the following formula: (sum of ounces * 31.1035 / grade). (8) The royalty covers Zone 4 and Zone 6 in the 2018 Technical Report royalty zones, which together cover the northern portion of the Cote reserve pit and the full extent of Gosselin development project. The Cote/Gosselin royalty applies to the Chester 2 patented mineral claims. (9) Metalla was also granted a Right of First Refusal on the sale of the remaining 0.15% NSR held by one of the sellers. TECHNICAL AND THIRD-PARTY INFORMATION Except where otherwise stated, the disclosure in this press release relating to the Cote & Gosselin property is based on information publicly disclosed by the owners or operators of this property and information/data available in the public domain as at the date hereof and none of this information has been independently verified by Metalla. Specifically, as a royalty holder, Metalla has limited, if any, access to the property subject to the royalty. Although Metalla does not have any knowledge that such information may not be accurate, there can be no assurance that such third-party information is complete or accurate. Some information publicly reported by the operator may relate to a larger property than the area covered by Metalla's royalty interests. Metalla's royalty interests often cover less than 100% and sometimes only a portion of the publicly reported mineral reserves, mineral resources and production of a property. Unless otherwise indicated, the technical and scientific disclosure contained or referenced in this press release, including any references to mineral resources or mineral reserves, was prepared in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101"), which differs significantly from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") applicable to U.S. domestic issuers. Accordingly, the scientific and technical information contained or referenced in this press release may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the SEC. "Inferred mineral resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Historical results or feasibility models presented herein are not guarantees or expectations of future performance. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budgets", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "projects", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements and information include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to expected construction and production at the Cote project, the accretive nature of and value to be derived from the transactions, future exploration, development, production, recoveries, cash flow, the profitability margins that are expected to be achieved, current and potential future estimates of mineral reserves and resources on the Cote project, the Company's potential to become a leading gold and silver company, and anticipated or possible future developments at the Cote and Gosselin project. 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 Metalla to control or predict, that may cause Metalla'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 risk that the parties may be unable to satisfy the closing conditions for the contemplated transactions or that the transactions may not be completed; risks associated with the impact of general business and economic conditions; the absence of control over mining operations from which Metalla will purchase precious metals or from which it will receive stream or royalty payments and risks related to those mining operations, including risks related to international operations, government and environmental regulation, delays in mine construction and operations, actual results of mining and current exploration activities, conclusions of economic evaluations and changes in project parameters as plans are refined; problems related to the ability to market precious metals or other metals; industry conditions, including commodity price fluctuations, interest and exchange rate fluctuations; interpretation by government entities of tax laws or the implementation of new tax laws; regulatory, political or economic developments in any of the countries where properties in which Metalla holds a royalty, stream or other interest are located or through which they are held; risks related to the operators of the properties in which Metalla holds a royalty or stream or other interest, including changes in the ownership and control of such operators; risks related to global pandemics, including the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global health pandemic, and the spread of other viruses or pathogens; influence of macroeconomic developments; business opportunities that become available to, or are pursued by Metalla; reduced access to debt and equity capital; litigation; title, permit or license disputes related to interests on any of the properties in which Metalla holds a royalty, stream or other interest; the volatility of the stock market; competition; future sales or issuances of debt or equity securities; use of proceeds; dividend policy and future payment of dividends; liquidity; market for securities; enforcement of civil judgments; and risks relating to Metalla potentially being a passive foreign investment company within the meaning of U.S. federal tax laws; and the other risks and uncertainties disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent annual information form, annual report on Form 40-F and other documents filed with or submitted to the Canadian securities regulatory authorities on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on the EDGAR website at www.sec.gov. Metalla undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking information represents management's best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. SOURCE Metalla Royalty and Streaming Ltd. Related Links http://www.metallaroyalty.com/ Regarding his appointment, Michael Li said, "I am so honored to be joining the Human Horizons team. This is an innovative company that is not only leading the way in the automotive industry, but also understands what consumers really want, and how to give it to them. Under the guidance of Ding Lei and the current management team, the company has achieved some very impressive results within a short period of time. I look forward to continuing their work, forging closer relationships with users and providing genuinely great quality products and services." Human Horizons founder and CEO, Ding Lei noted, "Michael's appointment is a crucial step in the next stage of our journey at Human Horizons. He brings with him much experience and knowledge in marketing and brand operations whilst also being a forward-thinking visionary. At this moment in time, the on-schedule delivery of the HiPhi X is an important milestone for the company, marking the beginning of a new stage of co-creation with our users to create genuine value together." Michael Li holds a bachelor's degree in Engineering from Hefei University of Technology and a master's degree in Power Engineering from Dalian University of Technology; he was also awarded an EMBA from the China Europe International Business School. Michael has won numerous awards and was named a notable figure in China's automotive industry during the 30th and 40th anniversary of China's reforms. Michael Li has accumulated in-depth experience in the automotive industry, and driven innovative sales and marketing strategies that bolstered brand market share. His previous roles include board member, Deputy General Manager, and Sales Manager at Chery Automobile as well as board member and Deputy Manager of Operations at Hyundai Motors (Beijing). Prior to these positions, Michael also served as Sales Director of Mercedes-Benz (China), CEO of Qoros Auto, Vice President of Hyundai Motor Group (China), and General Manager of Dongfeng Yueda Kia Motor Co., Ltd. In other associated changes, Human Horizons Co-Founder Kevin Chen will step down as CMO but continue to serve as COO. In this role, Kevin will support Ding Lei in overall business management, daily operations, and product planning, as well as supporting product center management, driving overseas business planning and facility construction. Kevin will also work with the company's management team to focus on brand-building. About HiPhi HiPhi is a premium brand created by Human Horizons and enhanced by its users. HiPhi X is an EV with a lightweight hybrid aluminum-steel construction and sustainable vegan leathers and recyclable materials which add to the sustainable nature of Human Horizons' EV products. About Human Horizons Human Horizons was established for R&D in innovative and leading intelligent mobility technologies as well as the industrialization of future-oriented smart vehicles. Furthermore, Human Horizons builds smart transportation technologies and contributes to the development of smart cities, which will redefine human mobility. Forward-Looking Statement This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminologies such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "aims," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "likely to," and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Human Horizons' beliefs, plans, and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Human Horizons' strategies, future business development, and financial condition and results of operations; Human Horizons' limited operating history; risks associated with electric vehicles; Human Horizons' ability to develop, manufacture, and deliver vehicles of high quality and appeal to customers on schedule and on a large scale; Human Horizons' ability to grow manufacturing in its joint venture plant; product defects or any other failure of vehicles to perform as expected; Human Horizons' ability to build the Human Horizons and HiPhi brands; Human Horizons' ability to compete successfully; Human Horizons' ability to secure sufficient reservations of orders; changes in consumer demand and government incentives, subsidies, or other favorable government policies; general economic and business conditions globally and in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Human Horizons does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. SOURCE Human Horizons SAN DIEGO, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Mitchell, a leading provider of technology, connectivity and information solutions to the Property & Casualty (P&C) claims and Collision Repair industries, today announced that Mitchell Cloud Estimating now surfaces VIN-specific recall notices on Toyota vehicles. This gives collision repairers timely access to safety recall information as the estimate is written, helping to improve safety recall completions. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently reported that safety recalls affected more than 53 million vehicles and items of motor vehicle equipment in the US. To help ensure this data is easily accessible to collision repairers, Mitchell Cloud Estimating alerts users to active safety and emissions recalls from Toyota. U.S. and Canadian repairers can then share this important information with vehicle owners and incorporate it into their blueprinting process. With the addition of Toyota, Mitchell now provides recall data in Mitchell Cloud Estimating for multiple OEMs. "Through our collaboration with Mitchell, collision repairers have quick and timely access to important recall notifications which they can use to alert consumers," said Jason Kistner, Senior Manager of Toyota Motor North America. "Our hope is that this collaboration can help lead to increased recall completions meant to improve safety for Toyota owners." Mitchell's close collaboration with Toyota began in 2015 with the launch of Toyota Recommended Repair Procedures. Also available in Mitchell Cloud Estimating, this OEM repair process automatically surfaces a pre-configured list of all Toyota parts and labor operations associated with the selected repair. This is designed to reduce appraisal time and support technicians in the delivery of repairs that are consistent with Toyota procedures. Additionally, estimators can easily access service and collision repair information bulletins associated with a repair operation directly from Toyota's Technical Information System (TIS). Clicking a link at the line-item level of the estimate eliminates the appraiser's need to reference multiple sources and can improve cycle time. "Mitchell and Toyota have a long history of working together to support collision repairers and the safe return of vehicle owners to the road," said Jack Rozint, Senior Vice President of Repair Sales at Mitchell. "By providing real-time access to Toyota recall and vehicle data, we can help ensure that this information gets into the hands of those who need it most." For collision repair and property casualty updates and perspectives, follow Mitchell on Twitter @MitchellRepair and @MitchellClaims . About Mitchell International Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., Mitchell International, Inc. delivers smart technology solutions and services to the auto insurance, collision repair, disability and workers' compensation markets. Through deep industry expertise, connections throughout the insurance ecosystem and advanced technology such as artificial intelligence, extended reality and cloud-based solutions, Mitchell enables its customers and clients to succeed in today's ever-changing environment. Each month, Mitchell processes tens of millions of transactions for more than 300 insurance providers, 20,000 collision repair facilities and 70,000 pharmacies. Its comprehensive solution and service portfolio empowers clients to restore lives after a challenging event. Mitchell, Genex and Coventry have recently aligned their joint industry expertise and advanced technology solutions into a combined organization of more than 6,000 associates committed to simplifying and optimizing property, casualty and disability claims processes and services. For more information, please visit www.mitchell.com. SOURCE Mitchell International Related Links http://www.mitchell.com HONG KONG, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited ("NetDragon" or the "Company"; Hong Kong Stock Code: 777), a global leader in building internet communities, is pleased to announce that the Company has recently signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding with the Teacher Education Faculty, University of Belgrade (the "Teacher Education Faculty") and the Institute for Improvement of Education in Serbia to promote and implement the "Serbia National Teacher Training Program" (the "Program"). The Program aims to train quality teachers in the digital era, to improve teachers' capabilities in basic education and to promote smart education through research and teachers' training in Serbia. This follows the visit of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in June 2020 to the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Education Center, Belgrade (the "CRAIE"), which was jointly established by NetDragon. The partnership is another recognition of the Company by the Ministry for Education, Science and Technological Development (the "MoESTD") of Serbia, and marks the progress on the country-level education collaboration between the two sides. The Program is guided by the MoESTD of Serbia, and implemented by the Teacher Education Faculty and the Institute for Improvement of Education in Serbia. As a technical support provider and participating course developer of the Program, NetDragon is responsible for the construction of training facilities and platforms, the production of some training courses, assisting in training assessment and certification as well as promoting the application of information technology into everyday teaching. All these will support the implementation of informatization training for Serbia's secondary and primary school teachers. The Program targets all Serbia's secondary and primary school teachers and education administrators. Through the combination of online and offline trainings, the Program aims to improve information literacy and ability to apply information technology of school teachers, as well as the informatization leadership of education administrators. In the first phase of the Program, education informatization training will be offered for 4,000 teachers across Serbia at the CRAIE. In the second phase, online training will be provided to teachers all over Serbia, and selected schools will serve as pilot training centres which will then promote teachers' training at more schools in their respective regions. NetDragon's global online learning community Edmodo and distance education platform E-learning will serve as a choice of teaching tools to support teacher-parent and teachers-student communication, as well as the remote real-time teaching. In addition, NetDragon plans to adopt technologies such as instant messaging (IM), video on demand (VOD) to provide a one-stop training platform which combines training, research, management and other functions. In the smart classrooms, NetDragon will empower teachers with its smart education software and hardware such as Promethean ActivPanel and Edmodo classroom. These products will help teachers start informatized education and provide better teaching for students. During his visit to the CRAIE in June 2020, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic's said, "We are grateful to our Chinese friends and NetDragon. The collaboration is fruitful. In the near future, 4,000 teachers across Serbia will receive training at this centre and this would be important to our country." The Program has made rapid progress under President Vucic's supervision. It is expected to considerably assist the building of Serbian teachers' capability and improve their quality. Speaking on the strategic collaboration, Liu Dejian, Founder and Chairman of the Board of NetDragon said, "NetDragon is honoured to take part in the Program. With our experience in digital education, we believe that we could help promote Serbia's national education informatization, enable more teachers to equip with advanced pedagogy and thus foster Serbia's smart education. The Company will help accelerate the education development in countries along the 'Belt and Road'." About NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited (HKSE: 0777) is a global leader in building internet communities with a long track record of developing and scaling multiple internet and mobile platforms that impact hundreds of millions of users, including previous establishments of China's first online gaming portal, 17173.com, and China's most influential smartphone app store platform, 91 Wireless. Established in 1999, NetDragon is one of the most reputable and well-known online game developers in China with a history of successful game titles including Eudemons Online, Heroes Evolved and Conquer Online. In recent years, NetDragon has also started to scale its online education business on the back of management's vision to create the largest global online learning community, and to bring the "classroom of the future" to every school around the world. For more information, please visit www.netdragon.com. For investor enquiries, please contact: NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited Ms. Maggie Zhou Senior Director of Investor Relations Tel.: +852 2850 7266 / +86 591 8390 2825 Email: [email protected] Website: ir.netdragon.com SOURCE NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited Related Links http://www.netdragon.com LONDON, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CEO, Andrew Lane signed the constitution for Acuity Analytics in early June. The new Spanish company is Acuity Trading's latest expansion into Europe as part of a strategic growth plan. The centre will be dedicated to bringing together deep expertise in data science and machine learning to improve existing, tech-based capabilities and to develop emerging technologies that will power the future fintech industry. Acuity Trading's CEO Andrew Lane signs the constitution for Acuity Analytics in Barcelona, Spain Acuity Trading's research and development hub opens in Barcelona, Spain Andrew Lane, CEO said, "We continue to lead the fintech market with alpha generating alternative data and highly engaging trading tools using the latest in AI research and technology. To maintain this momentum and meet the need for new, future focused technologies to support the evolving fintech market it is essential to invest and create a R&D collaborative hub that will enable us to fast track the development of successful technologies". The new company will serve as a hub to foster collaboration between Acuity's fintech industry experts and its team of academics who are based at the Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC). The incorporation of the company is another example of Acuity Trading's sustained investment in R&D and commitment to greater collaboration across academic and commercial sectors. The hub is designed to provide an advanced working environment bringing together Acuity's UPC partners to enable the swift transition of R&D innovations from academia to market. The facility will enable Acuity Trading to develop new and cutting-edge technologies which in turn will benefit the wider global fintech market. The Barcelona location means that the advances in AI and NLP technology developed by Acuity's UPC academics can be directly passed to Acuity's Spain-based product and commercial team and then efficiently and effectively rolled out to drive innovation and better support the banking and investment sectors. Professor Argimiro, heads up a team of Acuity Trading academics who work out of UPC Barcelona. "Establishing Acuity's R&D hub in Spain fulfills a long-term personal goal of having an industrial lab associated with our faculty where we can apply our research in Computational Finance and witness our ideas turning into tangible, commercial products. "We are very excited about the impact that this hub will have on our future prospects as we continue to strengthen our research with the assistance of our best Engineering and Mathematics graduates," adds Argimiro. The gap between quantitative data advances, NLP, AI and academic research is seamlessly bridged by Ariel Lopez and Gustavo Avalos, two members of the Acuity Trading commercial team who began their careers in data academia. Acuity chose Spain as the location for its new hub for both its talent and its potential. Spain's Start-Up Act, unveiled in December 2020 by the Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, is accompanied by a 10-year strategic plan to turn the country into an 'Entrepreneurial Nation' by 2030. According to TechCrunch, the broad-brush goals for the strategy are to increase growth in startup investments; attract and retain talent; promote scalability; and inject innovation into the public sector so it can bolster and support Spain's digital development. Media Contact: Meredyth Grant +447496725286 [email protected] SOURCE Acuity Trading FORT WORTH, Texas, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A Fort Worth couple has filed suit against major corporations, Syngenta and Chevron, alleging the husband, with ties to Wise County, suffers from Parkinson's disease as a result of his exposure to the corporations' herbicide Paraquat. Paraquat was first produced for commercial purposes in 1961. It is primarily used agriculturally and by the railroads, and sales were exclusively limited to commercial use. David Tackel began using Paraquat while working for Rock Island Railroad in 1970. As part of his work, he was exposed to Paraquat when he regularly broadcast and sprayed around the railroad bridges. Mr. Tackel also served as Water Engineer for the railroad and officed in a 10'x 12' room where the Paraquat was stored. The lawsuit alleges the manufacturers and sellers of Paraquat deliberately concealed the known dangers of Paraquat for at least four decades, hid evidence of the dangers from government safety agencies, and, knowingly, unleashed a product that causes Parkinson's disease. In 2011, an epidemiological study of U.S. farmers revealed that people exposed to Paraquat were twice as likely to develop Parkinson's disease than people who were not exposed to it. In the book, Ending Parkinson's Disease: A Prescription for Action, Ray Dorsey, M.D writes, "These chemicals were introduced worldwide after World War II, and many are still used today on our fields," he said. "For this reason, farmers are at a markedly increased risk of developing Parkinson's. If you feed a mouse Paraquat which is banned in China but not the U.S. it will kill the dopamine-producing cells in the brain. These chemicals are tremendously toxic to the brain and have even been detected in milk, in supermarkets." Mr. and Mrs. Tackel seek recovery for Mr. Tackel's injuries. They want a strong message sent to Syngenta and Chevron that no amount of corporate profit is worth damaging a life. The suit will become part of Multidistrict Litigation joining related, but separate, cases of others diagnosed with Parkinson's from Paraquat exposure. If you or a loved one were exposed to Paraquat and later developed Parkinson's, renal, or lung disease, please contact one of the firms. Mr. Simpson and Mr. Carse hold nearly 70 years of combined legal experience. Mr. Simpson has represented thousands of clients across the US in mass tort litigation to include L-tryptophan, breast implants, Zantac, Zofran, and Roundup. Contacts: Simpson, Simpson & Tuegel 940-683-4098 Carse Law Firm 877-865-2580 SOURCE The Carse Law Firm NEW YORK, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- NS Solutions, a leading IT services provider of Nippon Steel group, today announced that they've hired Amelia's 1Desk solution platform to deliver existing and new services to their clients in a more integrated and automated manner. Amelia is a leader in automation and Conversational AI, and Amelia's next-generation IT solution, 1Desk, unifies existing IT operations into a single autonomic backbone, which can drastically slash both inefficiencies and overhead costs. This centralized approach empowers NS Solutions to automate high-volume IT tasks across departments, tap into Machine Learning to automatically create new automations, and open access to all users through Amelia's conversational interface. NS Solutions previously used IPcenter, an antecedent of 1Desk. Amelia's new deployment with NS Solutions will focus on migrating NS Solutions over to 1Desk and automate all of their IT operation services. "We are thrilled to embark on a new stage of our partnership with Amelia," said Satoshi Kitazawa, Executive Officer of NS Solutions Corporation. "This deployment will prime our company to provide our new and existing services to upwards of fifty of our client organizations in an integrated and automated manner. We look forward to increased productivity, better customer service, and best-in-class IT operations services." "So many IT teams are burdened with high-volume support requests, especially during the pandemic," said Chetan Dube, CEO at Amelia, an IPsoft company. "Automation by AI is an excellent solution and frees up experienced and knowledgeable staff to address more complex issues. We are excited to partner with NS Solutions and look forward to seeing the great impact and business value Amelia brings to their operations." About Amelia Amelia is a leading Enterprise AI software company with a long history of innovation in automation and Conversational AI. We create fulfilling human experiences through groundbreaking AI solutions, as we enable conversational experiences, streamline IT operations, and automate processes. In 2014, we launched Amelia, the Most Human AI. In 2018, we introduced true end-to-end, enterprise-wide automation with the Amelia HyperAutomation Platform, originally named 1Desk. In 2019, we introduced DigitalWorkforce.ai, the world's first marketplace for cloud-sourced Digital Employees. Headquartered in New York City with offices in 15 countries, Amelia's roster of client success stories speaks for itself: Our technology impacts more than 500 of the world's leading brands, including global leaders in banking, insurance, telecommunications, and other industries. See how Amelia is powering the future of work at amelia.ai . About NS Solutions NS Solutions is an affiliated company of Nippon Steel, a leading global steel producer. NS Solutions provides digital innovation solutions for enterprises based on cutting-edge IT expertise. They bring outstanding integration capability to the table and are always at the forefront of system development as well as operation and consulting services. NS Solutions has created a track record of successful tailor-made solutions for a wide range of clients, and are building even more intricate, long-lasting partnerships, helping clients to address complex management challenges and facilitating the discovery and development of new markets. www.nssol.nipponsteel.com/en/ CONTACT: [email protected] SOURCE Amelia AI Related Links https://amelia.com REDMOND, Wash., June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Ossia Inc. ("Ossia"), the company that created Cota Real Wireless Power, today announced that Jerry Goade has joined the team as Chief Financial Officer. Goade brings decades of financial leadership experience within leading-edge, emerging industries and markets, including technology, wireless internet, telecommunications, SaaS, digital media, cybersecurity, professional service, health and wellness, cleantech, and retail. "After doing my own due diligence, it's clear to me that Ossia has the best wireless power transfer technology available and is changing the way we live by making true wireless power delivery available, unlocking the full potential of IoT and providing infinite possibilities for innovators to leverage their technology," Goade commented. "With potential this high, Ossia is the ideal place for me to join an impressive team that is focused on delivering disruptive technology, increased opportunities and value for our partners and customers, and provide that extra push for Cota to be firmly established as the prevalent wireless power technology of choice, globally." Most recently the CFO at Upgrade Labs, Goade has a successful track record of leading and assisting early-stage, public and private companies with financial management, strategy, capital raising and implementation of financial and operational infrastructure necessary for rapid growth and exit. Goade was also CFO at several other startup and emerging-growth companies including Avalara, Loudeye, Imperium Renewables, Changepoint, IOActive and Tippr, all of which became global leaders in their fields. Goade is also a personal financial investor in over 20 technology startups, which makes him uniquely qualified to bring Ossia to the next level of its development and maturity. "I'm thrilled to have someone with such extensive finance leadership experience in a broad range of industries join us at Ossia," said Ossia CEO Doug Stovall. "Ossia's patented, FCC-certified wireless power technology, Cota, can be leveraged within a wide range of applications, including commercial, retail, industrial, and medical. With Jerry's track record of success in taking growth companies to the next level and insight to the markets we are entering, Ossia is well positioned for additional strategic partnerships and successes." Ossia is currently working with several partners to bring Cota products to market. Goade's skills and experiences will provide Ossia an advantage to advancing these strategic partnerships and projects and ensuring all parties realize value in the short and long term. Goade began his career at the public accounting firm of Deloitte. He is a CPA-inactive certificate holder in the State of Washington and received his bachelor's degree in Business Administration with honors from Seattle University. He is a member of the Washington State Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs. Most recently, Ossia announced the launch of a Cota Real Wireless Power asset tracking system that can save distribution centers millions of dollars while improving safety. The company has also recently appointed tech-sector veteran Jim Cottrell to lead additional regulatory compliance efforts as Ossia builds on previous FCC certification wins. Find out more at www.ossia.com . About Ossia Ossia Inc. is leading the world on what is possible with wireless power. Ossia's flagship Cota technology redefines wireless power by safely delivering remote, targeted energy to devices at a distance. Ossia's Cota technology is a patented smart antenna technology that automatically keeps multiple devices charged without any user intervention and enables an efficient and truly wire-free, powered-up world that is always on and always connected. Ossia is headquartered in Redmond, Washington. Visit our website at www.ossia.com . Press Contact: Nicole Paleologus Next PR [email protected] SOURCE Ossia Related Links http://www.ossia.com DUBLIN, Ohio, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's request that business leaders help increase vaccination rates, four Ohio Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) are partnering with Outcomes to leverage the expertise and trusted status of local pharmacists for vaccine consultation and administration, particularly in underserved communities. On behalf of Buckeye Health Plan, Molina, Paramount and UnitedHealthcare, Outcomes, recently launched by Cardinal Health (NYSE: CAH), created a Needs Immunization service on the Connect platform to engage local pharmacists in personal outreach to Ohio Medicaid members who have not yet received a COVID-19 vaccination. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have stated that COVID-19 vaccines have been rigorously evaluated for safety and effectiveness and recommends that all people 12 years and older be vaccinated for prevention of COVID-19 as soon as possible. In this proactive consultation, the pharmacist connects with a Medicaid member to address any specific concerns or questions the patient may have about the vaccine, explain how to receive the vaccine and if possible, administer the vaccine on the spot. "A personalized conversation with a healthcare provider offers an opening for Medicaid members to share any fears about the COVID-19 vaccine and understand how the vaccine can benefit them," said Jessica Frank, PharmD, Vice President of Payer Solutions for Outcomes. "In our service, their pharmacist reaches out to the member directly to discuss their specific concerns." "Encouraging Ohio's hesitant Medicaid and MyCare Ohio members to get vaccinated requires both accuracy and immediacy along with deep knowledge of our members and their needs," says Meera Patel-Zook, Buckeye Health Plan Vice President Pharmacy Operations. "Our members know and trust their local pharmacist, so the Outcomes platform is a natural fit to enable pharmacists to proactively engage in COVID-19 vaccination interventions." The Needs Immunization service also provides pharmacists access to best practices for addressing vaccine hesitancy. Participating pharmacies earn a medication therapy management (MTM) service fee for completing the intervention and documenting the consultation in the Outcomes platform, including vaccine administration date. If the vaccine is not administered at their pharmacy, the pharmacist follows up with the patient after their consultation to confirm they received the vaccine elsewhere. "Molina is committed to increasing vaccination rates among its Medicaid members through partnerships with providers and local health departments," said Ami Cole, plan president of Molina Healthcare of Ohio. "Our partnership with Outcomes will leverage contact that Ohio pharmacists have with Molina members and help increase vaccinations." More than 350,000 Ohio Medicaid members are expected to be eligible for the Needs Immunization consultation. The MCOs are reporting results of this initiative to the Ohio Department of Medicaid to provide visibility into the impact. "Paramount Advantage is proud to partner with our providers, pharmacies, health departments and community agencies to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates in Medicaid members across the state," said Lori Johnston, President of Paramount Insurance. "Our goal is to work in coordination with the other managed care plans, the Ohio Department of Medicaid and the Governor's office to reduce barriers and incentivize more Ohioans to get vaccinated." The state of Ohio has applied several inventive strategies, such as turning event centers and fairgrounds into mass-vaccination centers and a lottery drawing with $1 million in prize money to increase vaccination rates and combat vaccine hesitancy. "We are grateful for the opportunity to support the state's creative solutions to motivate people to get vaccinations," said Mike Roaldi, CEO of UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Ohio. "We know that hearing accurate information from a trusted local source, like a local pharmacist, is important to getting more people vaccinated against COVID-19." For more information on participating in MTM programs with Outcomes, pharmacies can visit outcomesmtm.com or call (877) 237-0050. About Outcomes Outcomes is a digital ecosystem connecting pharmacists, payers and pharmaceutical companies. The company delivers personalized medication therapy management, digital patient engagement and telepharmacy solutions to a network of 60,000+ pharmacy practices and reaches more than 23 million patients to help improve medication adherence, drive better health outcomes and lower the cost of care. Visit getoutcomes.com for more information. About Cardinal Health Cardinal Health is a distributor of pharmaceuticals, a global manufacturer and distributor of medical and laboratory products, and a provider of performance and data solutions for healthcare facilities. With 50 years in business, operations in more than 40 countries and approximately 48,000 employees globally, Cardinal Health is essential to care. Information about Cardinal Health is available at cardinalhealth.com. Media Contact: Andrew Stern 614-339-4678 [email protected] Investor Contact: Kevin Moran 614-757-7942 [email protected] SOURCE Cardinal Health Related Links http://www.cardinalhealth.com RESTON, Va., June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- QTC Medical Services, Inc. (QTC), a Leidos company (NYSE: LDOS), was awarded a new prime contract by the U.S. Army Contracting Command-New Jersey to provide commercial health services to all U.S. military reserve component forces. The single award, firm-fixed-price, cost-no-fee contract has a one-year base period of performance followed by four one-year options. The contract, known as the Reserve Health Readiness Program III (RHRP-3), holds a total estimated value of approximately $999 million if all options are exercised. Work will primarily be performed at the Department of Defense's reserve components and medical contractor facilities nationwide. "We are excited to begin this contract and expand our health care offerings for all U.S. military reservists," said Liz Porter, Leidos Health Group president. "This work builds on our robust health delivery solutions, which are leading the industry in innovative care for active duty, reserve and veteran service members. America's reserve component personnel stand ready to support and defend our nation when called upon. It's our honor to support them." "We are humbled by this opportunity to provide world class health services for the U.S. military," said Larry Schaefer, QTC chief executive officer. "Our team is dedicated to providing unmatched levels of customer service, innovation and efficiency. We look forward to this important work on behalf of our service members throughout their career." Leidos will work with the Defense Health Agency program office to help ensure service members meet health requirements before, during and after deployment. Services will include group event medical, in-clinic medical, laboratory, customer service, IT infrastructure and security. Components to receive services include: Army Reserve and Army National Guard, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard, Navy Reserve, Marine Forces Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Active Components in remote areas and Department of Defense Service Civilians. About QTC Management QTC Management, Inc. (QTC), acquired by Leidos in 2016, partners with each customer to identify existing and forecasted program needs and delivers a full complement of disability-focused medical examination and diagnostic testing services. Since 2000, QTC has provided more than 9 million physical examinations and diagnostic tests. For more information, visit www.qtcm.com. About Leidos Leidos is a Fortune 500 information technology, engineering, and science solutions and services leader working to solve the world's toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets. The company's 40,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Va., Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $12.30 billion for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2021. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com. Statements in this announcement, other than historical data and information, constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause our actual results, performance, achievements, or industry results to be very different from the results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Some of these factors include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set forth in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 1, 2021, and other such filings that Leidos makes with the SEC from time to time. Due to such uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. SOURCE Leidos Related Links http://www.leidos.com U.S. Short-term rentals are seeing their 12th consecutive month of growth in revenue per rental Tweet this "Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 20% gains in demand each year had been the norm." said Scott Shatford, CEO of AirDNA. "Combining pent-up demand driving occupancy levels this spring with a hot vacation season in summer and increased flexibility for travel this fall, it's going to be an epic year for the industry." State Level Demand Shows Widespread Recovery throughout the U.S Of the 50 states, Puerto Rico , and Washington D.C. , 44 have exceeded 2019 demand levels as of May 2021, while eight states have yet to recover. West Virginia (+109%), Arkansas (+108%), and Oklahoma (+102%) have all more than doubled the demand for short-term rentals in their state over the past two years. New York (-32%), Massachusetts (-33%) and Washington D.C. (-51%), which rely heavily on urban markets, have yet to recover. "The wide-spread demand recovery across the U.S. demonstrates the strength of the short-term rental sector and how broadly it appeals to a wide range of potential travelers,'' said Jamie Lane, VP of Research at AirDNA. States with a significant portion of supply in leisure coastal markets achieved the highest occupancy levels in May. Puerto Rico led all states in May with 76.6% occupancy followed by Hawaii (76.0%), Alabama (70.5%), South Carolina (70.3%), and Florida (69.7%). Puerto Rico also had the highest market level occupancies in May with San Juan (83.8%) and Rio Grande/Fajardo (82.4%) the only markets in the U.S. to exceed 80% occupancy for the month. Click to read the full Monthly Review CONTACT: [email protected] +1 720 372 2318 SOURCE AirDNA Related Links http://www.airdna.co HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo., June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A report released today by Arcadis reveals a significant increase in the cost of construction disputes in 2020, while the time taken to resolve disputes decreased. The average value of disputes globally rose from $30.7 million in 2019 to $54.26 million in 2020, while the length of disputes fell from 15 months in 2019 to 13.4 months. The data, featured in Arcadis' 11th annual "Global Construction Disputes Report 2021: The road to early resolution," illustrates industry-wide ripple effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. While trends in the value and length of disputes varied from region to region, all regions surveyed saw an increase in "mega disputes" related to bigger capital programs and private projects. Notably, more than 60% of survey respondents encountered project impacts due to COVID-19. Owners, contractors, or subcontractors failing to understand and/or comply with their contractual obligations became the leading cause of construction disputes in 2020, followed by owner-directed changes and third-party or force-majeure changes as the second and third-leading causes, respectively. Highlights from the report include: Proper contract administration was a theme across the globe for the successful and early resolution of disputes. Most disputes were settled through party-to-party negotiation, and a willingness to compromise played a key role in early resolution. Among regions surveyed, the buildings (education, healthcare, retail/commercial, government) sector saw the most disputes. In North America , construction dispute value rose from $18.8 million in 2019 to $37.9 million in 2020, while the length of disputes shortened from 17.6 to 14.2 months. While cost and length have changed since 2019, risk management was still seen as the most effective claims avoidance tactic, while owner/contractor willingness to compromise was once again the top-ranked factor for the mitigation/early resolution of disputes. "COVID-19 irrevocably changed every industry," said Roy Cooper, head of contract solutions for Arcadis North America. "Construction disputes experts will have to continue to adapt, even post-pandemic, as workforce expectations, climate events and government infrastructure funding change how projects are designed and contracted in the future." The research presented in the report was compiled by Arcadis based on survey responses, global construction disputes the team handled in 2020 and contributions from industry experts. ABOUT ARCADIS Arcadis is the leading global design & consultancy organization for natural and built assets. We maximize impact for our clients and the communities they serve by providing effective solutions through sustainable outcomes, focus and scale, and digitalization. We are over 27,000 people, active in more than 70 countries that generate 3.3 billion in revenues. We support UN-Habitat with knowledge and expertise to improve the quality of life in rapidly growing cities around the world. www.arcadis.com SOURCE Arcadis Related Links https://www.arcadis.com Ritual Rum Alternative boasts all the warm vanilla, toasted spice and velvety decadence of dark rum, minus the alcohol or calories. Ideal for today's more health-conscious consumer, Ritual is the answer if you're sober, dieting, driving, training for a marathon, raising kids or just want to keep the party going this summer to make up for lost time. Ritual Zero Proof does what consumers want a spirit alternative to do: provide the familiar taste they know and love, so the only thing they're sacrificing is the side effects. "Ritual is the true liquor replacement. It is to spirits what the Impossible burger is to meat; what Oatly is to milk," said Marcus Sakey, founding partner of Ritual Zero Proof. "Most people who buy those products aren't vegetarian they just want a little balance, without sacrificing flavor. Ritual has cracked that code and consumers have noticed." Noticed they have. Thanks to a superior product, consumers have propelled Ritual from an unknown startup to the top player in the U.S. non-alcoholic spirits sector in less than two years. Despite a global pandemic, Ritual saw a staggering 241% growth in revenue from Q1-Q4 in 2020 and is on track to demolish that record this year. An exclusive pre-sale of Rum Alternative only available on the brand's website netted their best single day sales to date, moving a stunning 38% more bottles in one day than the previous record a testament to brand loyalty and a thirst for a Rum Alternative that can finally be quenched. Ever seeking to better the consumer experience, the team also took the opportunity to tweak and improve the recipes for their beloved Gin, Whiskey and Tequila Alternatives, incorporating expert and consumer feedback to make them taste even more like their alcoholic counterparts. "The Beverage Testing Institute, gold-standard for the industry, named Ritual the best non-alcoholic spirit in the world," said Sakey. "But the latest iteration of our products are better than ever, and the new Rum Alternative is just delicious." Ritual Zero Proof Gin, Whiskey, Tequila and now Rum Alternatives are available at select retailers nationwide, ritualzeroproof.com and Amazon for $28.99 per bottle. About Ritual Zero Proof Ritual Zero Proof is the first American-made true liquor replacement to use all-natural botanicals to echo the flavor and burn of liquor without the alcohol or calories. Headquartered in Chicago, Ritual Beverage Company is a labor of love founded by three longtime friends. Artists and entrepreneurs, foodies who work out and parents who drink, they developed Ritual as a new way to mark a moment. After experimenting with hundreds of recipes and in consultation with bartenders, chefs and beverage professionals, in September of 2019 Ritual launched two flagship products, a Gin Alternative and Whiskey Alternative. In January 2020, Ritual received a minority investment from global beverage alcohol leader Diageo via Distill Ventures. The brand expanded its portfolio with the launch of a Tequila Alternative in April 2020. In June 2021, the brand added a Rum Alternative to its portfolio. Ritual products are award-winning, with tastemakers across the country placing their stamp of approval on Ritual spirit alternatives. Among its accolades, the Beverage Testing Institute, gold-standard for the industry, named Ritual the best non-alcoholic spirit in the world. They lead the direct spirit replacement category in America by a wide sales margin. Ritual is currently available for purchase online at RitualZeroProof.com and Amazon, as well as retailers nationwide. To learn more about Ritual Zero Proof, visit our website and follow along with @RitualZeroProof on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. SOURCE Ritual Zero Proof SANTA CRUZ, Calif., June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Santa Cruz Software , a global leader in software development for cross media content publishing, today announced a freemium version of LinkrUI, which significantly streamlines design team workflows and ensures version control a $300 annual value. Visit here to learn more and sign up. LinkrUI is a best-in-class extension to Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign that enables direct searching, opening, placing and synchronizing of assets stored in a Digital Asset Manager (DAM) system or other storage services, such as Box and Dropbox. Santa Cruz Software is now offering LinkrUI completely free - guaranteed version control at no cost. Typically offered at a $300 value, LinkrUI automatically synchronizes assets between Adobe Creative Cloud products within the DAM or storage service to ensure that everyone in an organization can find and is working on the latest version. Further, as a Premium feature, if an embedded asset is changed in any of the Adobe applications, and updated in the DAM or storage system, team members will be notified the next time the host asset is opened. LinkrUI helps manage asset versions to improve designers' workflow. This works by eliminating the need for designers and creatives to hassle with version control since the DAM interface is integrated into their favorite Adobe apps. It also has a unique client-side license management interface so you can administer all your users. Working from home has made asset management increasingly difficult: over the course of a week, 83% of respondents said they have to spend time finding a lost asset, up from 74% in 2020 according to a study commissioned by Santa Cruz Software that surveyed over 500 design professionals to better understand their experiences. In fact, 11% do it hourly. In some cases the productivity losses are enormous. Over half of designers spend at least 3 hours per week managing versions and a staggering 15% are spending over 6 hours. LinkrUI solves this problem by automatically syncing the current asset with the DAM. "LinkrUI creates a more profitable and productive workflow within companies by managing creative asset versions, resulting in multi-media professionals having access to files within Adobe apps," said Mark Hilton, CEO of Santa Cruz Software. "We are so excited about the value of our premium features that we've decided to offer the standard version of LinkrUI for free. The premium features we've added: Cross application asset linking (between Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign) and support for Adobe Premiere and After Effects and the premium features in the pipeline (Microsoft Word and PowerPoint support, Slack integration, and complex Metadata searching and input) will enable creatives to be significantly more efficient with their work, benefiting everyone involved." About Santa Cruz Software Santa Cruz Software offers a suite of tools to connect Adobe applications to other Cloud Services, enabling teams to collaborate seamlessly on projects without ever leaving their applications. Enjoy simplified version control, easy asset search, and seamless connection between your shared team assets. Santa Cruz Software features are designed to streamline brand compliance, empower collaboration between teams, and increase productivity. Solutions range from integratable Dynamic Templates based upon Adobe InDesign (PrintUI), DAM connectors for Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator,Adobe InDesign, Adobe Premiere and Adobe After Effects (LinkrUI), and turnkey collateral/campaign portals (BrandingUI). For more information, visit the Santa Cruz Software website . All trademarks and product names are the property of their respective companies. Media Contact David Haefele FortyThree, Inc. [email protected] 831.401.3175 SOURCE Santa Cruz Software While chronic migraine is defined as having 15 or more headache days per month, at least eight of them with migraine features, Dr. Ishii's study found that patients with 8-14 headache days a month had similar levels of disability as patients with 15-23 headache days a month. Patients with 24 headache days a month had the highest level of disability. This research will facilitate more appropriate access to and selection of treatments for those who are significantly impacted by this disease. "Until we are able to biologically classify each person, the results from this research will be very important in helping clinicians more accurately identify those patients who have severe disease burden and personalize treatment for different subgroups of patients,"said Dr. David Dodick, Professor of Neurology at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and co-principal investigator of ARMR. "This study will also facilitate a change in the way patients with migraine are currently classified and remove barriers to the most appropriate and best available treatments for patients who are severely impacted by their disease." Data for this study came from the AMF's American Registry for Migraine Research (ARMR), which collected information and biospecimens from patients living with migraine and other headache disorders. ARMR was used to help healthcare providers and scientists better understand the causes, characteristics, and management of migraine and other headache types. "I think the strength of ARMR is the deep phenotyping of each patient, the wealth of patient reported outcomes that are collected, and the prospective design. It is a treasure box of a database that can be used for various research purposes," said Dr. Ishii. The recognition of Dr. Ishii's research underlines the importance of databases like ARMR and the importance of patients participating in such registries. "Patient participation in registries like ARMR is critical. Collecting information directly from patients with migraine allows researchers to truly understand the nuances of migraine and the impact that it has on the lives of those with migraine," said Dr. Todd Schwedt, Professor of Neurology at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, and co-principal investigator of ARMR. "This can help researchers analyze this data and create personalized treatment plans that were never before possible." The analysis of that data can lead to more effective treatments for migraine. "Having large numbers of patient information available, all of whom have been questioned in the same way, allows research to be conducted that answers the most pressing questions, with the most accurate and consistent data available," said Dr. Lawrence Newman, Chair of AMF and professor of neurology at NYU Langone Health. "These registries will allow doctors to refine diagnoses, observe treatment responses, and ultimately allow for personalized treatment-avoiding the current trial-and-error approach that is both time consuming and frustrating." Ultimately, both the recognition of the study's finding by AHS and the existence of large patient registries give hope to the migraine community. "Migraine impacts everyone differently, and this research into the classification of migraine further reinforces the work the American Migraine Foundation has done to allow for the personalization of migraine care," said Nim Lalvani, AMF Executive Director. Dr. Ishii's study is just one example of the kind of research that ARMR data is being used for. Other Studies that Have Used ARMR Data include: The American Registry for Migraine Research: Research Methods and Baseline Data for an Initial Patient Cohort Sensory Hypersensitivity Symptoms in Migraine With vs Without Aura: Results From the American Registry for Migraine Research Impact of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms on PatientReported Outcomes in Patients With Migraine: Results From the American Registry for Migraine Research (ARMR) Effect of Migraine on Pregnancy Planning: Insights From the American Registry for Migraine Research Impact of abuse on migrainerelated sensory hypersensitivity symptoms: Results from the American Registry for Migraine Research About the American Migraine Foundation The American Migraine Foundation provides education, support and resources for the millions of men, women and children living with migraine. Our mission is to advance migraine research, promote patient advocacy and expand access to care for patients worldwide. Migraine and other disabling diseases that cause severe head pain impact more than 39 million people in the United States alone. By educating caregivers and giving patients the tools to advocate for themselves, we have cultivated a movement that gives a collective voice to the migraine community. Working closely with migraine and headache experts at our partner organization, the American Headache Society, we educate caregivers and give patients the tools to advocate for themselves, cultivating a movement that gives a collective voice to the migraine community. For more information, please visit www.americanmigrainefoundation.org. Media Contact: Ashley Logan [email protected] SOURCE American Migraine Foundation SINGAPORE, June 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Decentralized derivatives exchange SynFutures (www.synfutures.com) today announced the close of a $14 million Series A round of financing led by Polychain Capital with participation from Framework, Pantera Capital, Bybit, Wintermute, CMS, Kronos, and IOSG Ventures. The oversubscribed round follows a $1.4 million seed round raised in January 2021 from Standard Crypto and Dragonfly Capitalbringing SynFutures' total funding to $15.4 million. As the DeFi space continues to bring new users to the crypto ecosystem, decentralized exchanges (DEXs) have seen explosive growth this year, with decentralized spot exchanges like Uniswap reaching more than $1.6 billion in 24h trading volume. Inspired by this shift in DeFi, SynFutures focuses its platform on derivatives, which are financial instruments such as futures contracts or options based on the values of their underlying assets. SynFutures aims to lower the entry barrier for investors that want to enter the derivatives market by giving them the tools to freely trade what and how they want, whether it be large-cap cryptocurrencies, altcoins, traditional equities, gold, indices, or any other asset they desire. SynFutures allows anyone to add arbitrary trading pairs with any maturity date and list their own futures contracts with just a few clicks. "We're aiming to level the playing field for the average investor by cultivating a free and open market for derivatives trading," said Rachel Lin, founder and CEO at SynFutures. "We believe SynFutures will ultimately democratize the futures market by empowering users to trade anything at any time as we embark on this next era of accessibility in investing." Designed as an open and trustless derivatives market, SynFutures supports a large variety of assets, including ERC-20 tokens, cross-chain assets, and anything else with a price feed. Users can take leveraged long or short positions based on assets such as BTC, gold, hash rate, and real-world assets. To protect users' positions and avoid unintended price volatility that is often seen in the cryptocurrency market, such as the manipulation of oracle index prices, SynFutures employs a rigid modeling and risk management system that introduces the best practices of traditional finance to the DeFi space. SynFutures also has an Automated Liquidator (ALQ) smart contract that performs liquidations automatically, enabling any user to use ALQ to trim undercollateralized positions. "In traditional financial markets, derivatives trading volume far eclipses that of spot trading and we're now seeing a similar shift in crypto, especially in centralized exchanges. As DEXs increasingly gain market share, we see a unique opportunity for SynFutures to become the leading futures marketplace of the decentralized economy," said Olaf Carlson-Wee, Founder and CEO of Polychain Capital. "We look forward to supporting such a strong founding team with extensive experience spanning both traditional finance and blockchain technology, a rarity in the industry, as they bring synthetic derivatives to new users across the globe." SynFutures was developed by a team with an extensive background in both traditional and digital asset management. Prior to starting SynFutures, Lin was one of the founding partners of Matrixport, one of Asia's largest digital asset neobanks, and ran structured derivatives sales at Deutsche Bank. Other founding members come from a diverse range of global financial institutions and blockchain technology companies such as Credit Suisse, Nomura Securities, Ant Financial, and Bitmain. Coinciding with the new funding, SynFutures is onboarding users in closed alpha, with plans to open up its platform to all users next month as part of its mainnet launch. SynFutures is also planning to release a series of innovative new products aimed at providing users with a more robust trading experience, including Hash Rate Futures, the world's first fully decentralized hash rate derivative allowing users to hedge or speculate on the mining difficulty of bitcoin; Auto-Hedger, a one-click solution for hedging the "impermanent loss" risk for staking in a variety of DeFi AMM trading platforms; and cross margining, a way of offsetting positions to spread and reduce margin requirements. About SynFutures SynFutures is a next generation synthetic assets derivatives exchange focused on creating an open and trustless derivatives market by enabling trading on anything with a price feed. By cultivating a free market and maximizing the variety of tradable assets, SynFutures is lowering the barrier to entry in the derivatives market, creating a more equitable digital assets exchange market. For more information on SynFutures, visit their website. SOURCE SynFutures SAN FRANCISCO and BOSTON, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- TA Associates, a leading global growth private equity firm, announced today a significant minority investment in global financial services provider Apex Group Ltd. ("Apex" or "The Group"). Apex is majority-owned by Genstar Capital, a leading private equity firm focused on investments in targeted segments of the financial services, healthcare, industrials, and software industries. The investment reinforces Apex's strength as a leading financial services provider to investors, financial institutions and corporates. Founded in Bermuda in 2003 by CEO Peter Hughes, Apex Group is a global financial services provider to asset managers, financial institutions, family offices and corporates. Apex has continually improved and evolved its capabilities to offer a single-source solution through a broad range of products including fund services, digital banking, depositary, custody, super ManCo services, compliance solutions, corporate services, and a pioneering ESG Ratings and Advisory service for private companies. The Group's single-source solution is delivered by 4,500 employees across 47 offices worldwide. Following an investment from Genstar in 2017, the Group has grown both organically and via strategic acquisition, increasing its assets under administration from $80bn, to $1.1 trillion in assets serviced across administration, custody, depositary and under management. Peter Hughes, Founder and CEO of Apex Group, "Apex was founded with clients at the heart of its strategy. Since 2003 we have been focused on evolving our business to deliver more and better services to clients, no matter where they are in the world. We are very proud of the progress we have achieved together with Genstar's support, building an unparalleled breadth of product and scaling our geographic footprint while maintaining exceptional levels of client service and retention. With TA Associates as a new partner, we look forward to continuing on our growth trajectory and further enhancing our capabilities, while driving innovation and progress in the industry." Tony Salewski, Managing Director of Genstar, commented, "Through the leadership of Peter Hughes, Apex has experienced extraordinary growth and transformation by pursuing a relentless focus on their clients and capabilities. Since Genstar's investment four years ago, Apex has achieved significant scale by meeting and exceeding clients' service expectations. We have supported Apex through investment and acquisition capital to add complementary services and geographies, and we believe the company is well positioned for continued success. Apex is now one of the leading independent providers of outsourced financial and corporate solutions, as well as a key consolidator in the market - we look forward to our new partnership with TA to drive further growth." Roy Burns, Managing Director of TA Associates, said, "We have been extremely impressed by Peter Hughes, his team, and the principles they champion. They have achieved a global leadership position for Apex and continually build on the partnership they maintain with their clients. We are aligned with Apex management's vision for the future and look forward to pursuing their global business model with Genstar and being a key partner in supporting Apex's platform as they develop new services and strengthen their tech-enabled services." Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Macquarie Capital served as financial advisors to Genstar. Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP provided legal advice to Genstar and Goodwin Procter LLP provided legal advice to TA Associates. About Apex Group Apex Group Ltd., established in Bermuda in 2003, is a global financial services provider. With 47 offices worldwide and over 4,500 employees, Apex delivers a full suite of services to asset managers, capital markets, family offices and corporates. The Group has continually improved and evolved its capabilities to offer a single-source solution through a broad range of solution including fund services, digital banking, depositary, custody, super ManCo services, compliance solutions, corporate services, business services including HR and Payroll and a pioneering ESG Ratings and Advisory service for private companies. www.theapexgroup.com About TA Associates TA is a leading global growth private equity firm. Focused on targeted sectors within five industries technology, healthcare, financial services, consumer and business services the firm invests in profitable, growing companies with opportunities for sustained growth, and has invested in more than 535 companies around the world. Investing as either a majority or minority investor, TA employs a long-term approach, utilizing its strategic resources to help management teams build lasting value in high quality growth companies. TA has raised $47.5 billion in capital since its founding in 1968 and is committing to new investments at the pace of over $3 billion per year. The firm's more than 100 investment professionals are based in Boston, Menlo Park, London, Mumbai and Hong Kong. More information about TA can be found at www.ta.com. About Genstar Capital Genstar Capital (www.gencap.com) is a leading private equity firm that has been actively investing in high quality companies for over 30 years. Based in San Francisco, Genstar works in partnership with its management teams and its network of strategic advisors to transform its portfolio companies into industry-leading businesses. Together with Genstar X and all active funds, Genstar currently has approximately $33 billion of assets under management and targets investments focused on targeted segments of the financial services, healthcare, industrials, and software industries. Media Contacts: For Apex Group: Rosie Guest Chief Marketing Officer [email protected] +44 (0) 203 961 1436 For Genstar: Chris Tofalli Chris Tofalli Public Relations [email protected] 914-834-4334 For TA Associates: Marcia O'Carroll Director of Marketing, TA Associates 617.852.1345 [email protected] SOURCE Genstar Capital WINDSOR, ON, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of Windsor (UWindsor) today unveiled a partnership with Rocket Innovation Studio, an innovative downtown Windsor-based technology leader, to create a pipeline of highly trained professionals who will thrive for years to come in the region's tech careers. Rocket Innovation Studio will deliver a series of workshops, beginning this month, for students in the Master of Applied Computing (MAC) program. The workshops will focus exclusively on financial technology (FinTech), a rapidly growing field in Ontario. "This is an exceptional opportunity for our students," said Ziad Kobti, director of UWindsor's School of Computer Science. "We are creating a connection with the FinTech industry. Rocket Innovation Studio is looking for tremendous talent, and we are training our students to match industry's needs." The first of four online workshops begins tomorrow, June 18. The for-credit programs are mandatory for UWindsor MAC students, but others in the University's computer science program can also enroll. "With our growing presence in the Windsor tech community, Rocket Innovation Studio is playing a key role in preparing students for a successful future," said Jasen Sams, vice president of Rocket Innovation Studio. "Students will see real-life examples of the concepts they are learning in the classroom and experience first-hand how technology can improve experiences for consumers across North America." Rocket Innovation Studio opened in 2019, contributing to Windsor's downtown revitalization when it moved into the former Fish Market building on Chatham Street. The company provides tech solutions to the businesses it serves, including back-end and front-end development, data science and product development. Rocket Innovation Studio is a member of Rocket Companies (NYSE: RKT) and serves the tech needs of other FinTech enterprises on the Rocket Companies platform. These include Rocket Mortgage the largest mortgage lender in the United States along with tech-driven real estate brokerage Rocket Homes and online vehicle sales company Rocket Auto. "The partnership with Rocket is important," said Dean of Science Chris Houser, whose faculty houses the School of Computer Science. "This provides an exciting opportunity for our students, supports economic growth and enhances the diversification of the Windsor-Essex region." UWindsor's School of Computer Science has been cited in past years by Maclean's magazine as one of the top computer programs in the country. The University's MAC program has also been named one of the best computer science programs in Canada, attracting students from around the world. The MAC program, which offers a specialization in artificial intelligence, helps address a national shortage of skilled workers in computing and data science. It also offers paid internships of four to eight months. More than 94 per cent of students in the program earn paid internships and 100 per cent find employment upon graduation. "This is an elite program that arms students with the advanced computing skills that are in demand by industry," Kobti added. Last year, UWindsor partnered with Blackberry on a 10-week online course. The mandatory course for MAC students was dubbed Blackberry Bootcamp and focused on cybersecurity. "Our MAC students have a very high rate of finding permanent employment following graduation," said Johanna Beneteau, business development co-ordinator in the UWindsor's department of Co-operative Education and Workplace Partnerships. "These industry-partnership courses will only enhance that." About University of Windsor The University of Windsor is a progressive, student-centred university, where the challenges of communities and of a world in transition inform the education we provide, the research we do, and the creative endeavours we pursue. For more information, visit UWindsor.ca About Rocket Innovation Studio Headquartered in downtown Windsor, Ontario, Rocket Innovation Studio builds customized IT solutions to meet its clients' business needs by using and developing the most advanced technology on the market today. Rocket Innovation Studio serves, and is a part of, Rocket Companies (NYSE: RKT) helping drive some of North America's most innovative companies. For more information and company news visit RocketInnovationStudio.ca SOURCE Rocket Innovation Studio Related Links https://rocketinnovationstudio.ca SHANGHAI, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- From June 2nd to 5th, the 15th (2021) International Photovoltaic Power Generation and Smart Energy Conference & Exhibition ("SNEC") was held at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. TUV Rheinland Group ("TUV Rheinland"), an international independent third-party testing, inspection, and certification organization, exhibited at the event and delivered a speech at the Global Advanced PV Technology Conference, presenting a comprehensive demonstration of its one-stop solutions across the upstream and downstream links of the PV industry chain. Backed by nearly 40 years of experience and technical expertise in the PV industry, TUV Rheinland remains committed to upholding industry quality and promoting the progress of the industry toward the goals of achieving peak carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutrality. To implement the new "Four Revolutions, One Cooperation" national energy security strategy and achieve the dual carbon goals, renewable energy will be the primary source of energy consumption incremental increase during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period. As one of the annual events for the global PV industry, SNEC provides a platform for domestic and overseas companies to showcase themselves and present their leading-edge ideas. TUV Rheinland Shares Cutting-edge Technology in LETID Testing for c-Si PV Modules The sub-forum "c-Si PV Modules and Quality Assurance" at the 15th Global Advanced PV Technology Conference was held on June 4th. Dr. Jason Gao, a technical expert with TUV Rheinland Greater China Solar & Commercial Products, was invited to give a presentation titled "LETID Testing Method and Procedures for c-Si Photovoltaic (PV) Modules." Dr. Gao introduced TUV Rheinland's 2 PfG LETID testing standards and methodology for c-Si PV modules. The test method applies 2 times the current injection of Isc-Impp to fasten the testing period. As well, dark voltage monitoring is applied in the test to record the degradation trend during the LETID, which can be used to accurately assess the LETID state of PV modules. With the environmental data and kinetics simulation, the energy yield and degradation of PV modules in regard to the LETID can be estimated. TUV Rheinland Signs Multiple Collaboration Agreements and Issues Certificates to Help Companies Improve Quality and Technical Levels During the event, TUV Rheinland signed strategic collaboration agreements respectively with Solargiga Energy, Concord New Energy, Yingli Solar, Trina Solar, Huitian New Material, JA Solar, and Ruipu Energy. These alliances will strengthen collaborative efforts between the parties in product testing and certification, laboratory accreditation, international market access, and personnel capacity building. Additionally, TUV Rheinland and Sungrow jointly released the Technical White Paper on Intelligent Operation and Maintenance Systems for PV Power Plants. TUV Rheinland also issued corresponding product certificates to more than 20 PV and energy storage companies at the exhibition, fully demonstrating its service capabilities covering the upstream and downstream sectors of the industry chain. SOURCE TUV Rheinland Greater China KYIV, Ukraine, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, announced today at a joint press briefing alongside the Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center (BYHMC), that an official state event to mark the eightieth anniversary of the Babyn Yar massacre will take place on 6 October, 2021 in Kyiv. Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, at the new symbolic synagogue at Babyn Yar (PRNewsfoto/Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center) The Crystal Wall of Crying, by conceptual and performance artist, Marina Abramovic will be one of the biggest art installations constructed in Europe during the last decade (PRNewsfoto/Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center) 33,771 Jewish victims were shot at Babyn Yar by the Nazis during just two days, 29 and 30 September 1941. Tens of thousands of Ukrainians, Roma, mentally ill and others were shot thereafter at Babyn Yar throughout the Nazi occupation of Kyiv. The estimated number of victims murdered at Babyn Yar is around 100,000, making it Europe's largest mass grave. Babyn Yar has become a powerful symbol of the 'Holocaust by Bullets,' the estimated 2.5 million Jews who were murdered near their homes in similar Nazi mass shootings across Eastern Europe, 1.5 million of them in Ukraine alone. The Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center announced earlier this year for the development of a museum complex, which will stretch over an area of 150 hectares, making it one of the world's largest Holocaust memorial centers. A dozen buildings will eventually be erected as part of the complex, including a symbolic synagogue, which was recently completed. Two additional structures, both memorial installations, will be unveiled to coincide with the state commemoration on 6 October. The "Crystal Wall of Crying," by conceptual and performance artist, Marina Abramovic will be one of the biggest art installations constructed in Europe during the last decade. "Kurgan of Memory" will be the first museum building on the site. The architecture takes the shape of a kurgan, a type of tumulus or burial mound raised over a final resting ground, significant to the history of Ukraine. Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak noted that the state is preparing a significant action plan regarding the 80th anniversary of the Babyn Yar tragedy. "It is very important for us that after 80 years since this deplorable tragedy took place, and on the 30th year of Ukraine's Independence, President Volodymyr Zelensky has become the one who has finally taken personal control over this issue. And we have really started building the Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center, the first stage of which will be opened this year." Yermak said that President Zelensky has established a task force to complete the entire memorial within a few years and start operating as a museum complex. "Historical justice and historical memory, without which humanity cannot develop, are really very important for Ukraine. This is a global event to emphasize once again that such tragedies should not be repeated. On the other hand, it will once again demonstrate that Ukraine is a country of tolerance, a peaceful country." Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that the Cabinet of Ministers plans to approve an action plan for the 80th anniversary of the Babyn Yar tragedy as soon as possible. He commented, "Implementation and support of the initiatives to commemorate the events at Babyn Yar is testament to our sadness and awareness of the greatest tragedy on the European continent during the last century." Human rights activist Natan Sharansky, Chair of the supervisory board of the Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center, told today's briefing, The 80th anniversary of this dreadful massacre is the ideal opportunity to right an historic wrong, for the sake of Ukraine, the Jewish People and indeed the world. It is a chance to tell the stories of those who were murdered, to honor their memories and to learn the lessons of this terrible tragedy." Ilya Khrzhanovsky, BYHMC's Artistic Director, who is developing the museum complex along with an international artistic board comprising world renowned architects and artists said, "Our goal is to create a space that makes the history of Babyn Yar close and relevant to anyone, no matter the nation, gender, age or religion. We want people to feel and understand that the story of Babyn Yar is their story, the story of their neighbours, their city, their nation, their world. Babyn Yar is a place of death for many victims - Jews, Roma, Soviet prisoners, psychiatric patients, Ukrainian nationalists, communists. All those who died there must be remembered and commemorated. All of them deserve to have a voice to tell the story of Babyn Yar. In this way, Babyn Yar is a polyphonic story, made up of the many stories of the people who died there, witnesses and survivors, of the tangible, cultural and natural objects that call this history." Photos Courtesy, Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center About the Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center The Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Centre https://babynyar.org/en is a non-governmental charity whose purpose is to preserve and cultivate the memory of the Holocaust and the Babyn Yar tragedy in Ukraine by turning the Babyn Yar area into a place of remembrance. The Foundation's mission is to worthily honour the memory of the victims of the tragedy and to contribute to the humanization of society through preserving and studying the history of the Holocaust. In September 2020, Ukraine's government represented by the Minister of Culture Oleksandr Tkachenko, under the auspices of the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, signed a memorandum of understanding and cooperation with BYHMC, represented by Supervisory Board member Ronald S. Lauder, to promote the construction of a fitting memorial to the Babyn Yar tragedy. A series of commemorations during 2021 will mark the eightieth anniversary of the Babyn Yar tragedy. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1535679/Crystal_Wall_of_Crying.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1535680/Babyn_Yar_Andriy_Yermak.jpg SOURCE Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center Here are some of the new and innovative solutions USAA has worked on or launched amid the pandemic: Safety and Savings in the Members' Hands Telematics Following increased member demand for more personalized auto insurance, USAA recently announced it plans to acquire insurtech company Noblr, Inc. to offer usage-based insurance to its members. Additionally, USAA's behavior-based app SafePilot will launch in the majority of states in 2021, enabling more members to save up to 30% off their auto insurance policies through safe driving. SafePilot provides members more control over their cost of insurance by creating personalized pricing and more opportunity for savings. Enrollments grew over 200% in 2020 and in May 2021, for the third consecutive month, over half of new policyholders enrolled in SafePilot. Check SafePilot eligibility here. HOVER USAA recently began utilizing HOVER, an app that enables smartphones to capture exterior measurements and derive 3D models of a home from a series of images. The traditional inspection process can take hours for a trained adjuster but with HOVER technology can be completed in minutes. For example, aerial roof measurements can take up to four hours to receive; HOVER can deliver roof measurement reports within 30 minutes. Eventually, this technology will be placed directly in the hands of members for self-service if desired. Connected Home: Water Loss Detection Non-catastrophe water claims are the most filed property insurance claims. USAA is working with Resideo to offer member discounts to those who use the company's Wi-Fi Water Leak Detector in their home. These devices can be installed near appliances and if a leak is detected, the user is alerted. New and Improved Services Telematics Enabled Auto ClaimsTM: Crash Detection In 2020, USAA announced the launch of telematics enabled auto claims (TEACTM). TEAC utilizes SafePilot telematics data to expedite the claims process, allowing for a more seamless member experience and faster resolution of claims. Auto claims levels are still currently below pre-pandemic levels, but it is anticipated this will change over the coming months and into the new school year. While fewer minor accidents are occurring than in the past, severity has also increased, accelerating the next phase of TEAC, proactive crash detection. USAA plans to launch the crash detection experience in app this year. Augmented Reality Ride Along In 2019, USAA completed a pilot where field adjusters were given augmented reality (AR)-enabled glasses that enabled their managers to see what the adjusters were seeing and give real-time feedback during physical inspections. The pilot eliminated 160 hours of travel time for four adjusters over the course of three months. USAA is now entering a production-level test period with 250 pairs of AR-enabled glasses distributed to adjusters. Machine Learning-Enabled Life Insurance Underwriting USAA is now utilizing machine learning to digitize paper medical records and build summaries for applicable life insurance underwriting. This results in a significant reduction in time; where manual summaries took up to five days, machine learning has reduced to one day with improved accuracy. Additionally, USAA continues to move forward on its blockchain subrogation solution alongside State Farm and vehicle claims machine learning solution alongside Google Cloud to improve the claims experience. To learn more about USAA, visit www.usaa.com. USAA Founded in 1922 by a group of military officers, USAA is among the leading providers of insurance, banking and investment and retirement solutions to more than 13 million members of the U.S. military, veterans who have honorably served and their families. Headquartered in San Antonio, USAA has offices in seven U.S. cities and three overseas locations and employs approximately 36,000 people worldwide. Each year, the company contributes to national and local nonprofits in support of military families and communities where employees live and work. For more information about USAA, follow us on Facebook or Twitter (@USAA), or visit usaa.com. Contact: USAA Media Relations [email protected] 210-498-0940 USAA on Twitter: @usaa SOURCE USAA Related Links http://www.usaa.com CHICAGO, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- VillageMD announced it is launching new Village Medical practices in Indiana this month. The Village Medical practices are located in Indianapolis and Kokomo, Ind., with experienced primary care providers including physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Currently, Village Medical practices serve the communities and patients of Austin, Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Murray, Ky., Northfield, N.J., Phoenix, Rhode Island and Westland, Mich. Village Medical offers comprehensive primary care services, along with virtual care, in-home care, and telehealth. "We're excited to open new Village Medical practices in Indiana and welcome these experienced care providers to our team. VillageMD has a strong local history as we've partnered with primary care physicians in Indianapolis and Northern Indiana since 2015. Now, we're able to serve more patients in these communities by opening new Village Medical locations to offer high-quality, accessible healthcare," said Tim Barry, CEO and chairman of VillageMD. "As Village Medical care providers, these Indiana physicians are able to benefit from our high-tech, high-touch primary care model to help provide exceptional care to their patients." Village Medical offers a comprehensive suite of primary care services including preventative care, treatment for illness and injury, and management of chronic conditions such as diabetes, congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and kidney disease. Indiana patients can learn more about the services at Village Medical here. "I'm thrilled to join Village Medical and I'm looking forward to serving our existing patients and welcoming new ones. We will continue to offer high-quality care, with additional capabilities like population health insights and a more robust technology platform," said Baikadi Ravindra, M.D., who has practiced primary care in Kokomo for more than 20 years. "Our practice is experienced in handling complex diagnostic challenges and managing chronic conditions." The new Village Medical practices are located at the following locations or visit here to learn more: 950 N Alabama Street, Indianapolis, Ind. , opening June 2021 . , opening . 3505 S. Reed Road, Kokomo, Ind. , opening June 2021 . Village Medical patients will have access to same-day appointments and virtual health visits with a Village Medical provider. Additionally, Village Medical patients can take advantage of Village Medical at Home, which provides in-home primary care visits with experienced providers. Village Medical patients also benefit from VillageMD's patent-pending docOS operating platform, which integrates data and technology to give physicians a 360-degree view of their patients' health profiles and can help identify gaps in care. To learn more, make an appointment or view all Village Medical locations, please visit www.villagemedical.com. About VillageMD VillageMD, through its subsidiary Village Medical, is a leading, national provider of value-based primary care services. VillageMD partners with physicians to provide the tools, technology, operations, staffing support and industry relationships to deliver high-quality clinical care and better patient outcomes, while reducing the total cost of care. The Village Medical brand provides primary care for patients at traditional free-standing clinics, Village Medical at Walgreens clinics, at home and via virtual visits. VillageMD and Village Medical have grown to 12 markets and are responsible for more than 1.6 million patients. VillageMD is also the largest participating sponsor of CMS' new Direct Contracting program and estimates it serves more than 56,000 patients. To learn more, please visit www.villageMD.com. SOURCE VillageMD Related Links http://www.villageMD.com Whittemore is an admired gaming executive, and in addition to her role at Wynn Resorts, she is Chair of the Nevada Resorts Association, member of the Executive Committee of the American Gaming Association, an officer of the International Association of Gaming Advisors, and a member of the Board of Directors of Global Gaming Women. A giant on the gaming industry's legal scene, in the episode Whittemore talks with series host and GLI CEO James Maida about gaming's legal history, present, and future. She also gives her take on her landmark work that changed how the global industry considered RNGs and the fairness of gaming devices, her current work Wynn Resorts, and her view on the future of gaming's legal landscape. Further, Whittemore discusses her work and larger goals in the areas of leadership, mentoring, diversity, charitable activities, and how her personal north star guides her daily. "Figure out what it is you want to do, and then find the position that helps you do that," she says. GLI's Illuminating Conversations is an on-demand monthly series of thought-provoking interviews. The series is one more way GLI helps regulators, suppliers, and operators navigate unchartered territory by providing insights from worldwide experts, empowering them to meet any challenge and get to the finish line. Binge-watch previous Illuminating Conversations episodes featuring Eilers & Krejcik's Gaming Principal Todd Eilers; Jamaica Betting, Gaming Lottery Commission Executive Director Vitus Evans; Managing Director of Gaming Consultants International Neil Spencer; and NIGA Chairman Ernest Stevens, Jr. Be the first to know when new Illuminating Conversations episodes are available by following GLI on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. About Gaming Laboratories International Gaming Laboratories International, LLC is committed to delivering the highest quality land-based, lottery, and iGaming testing and assessment services around the world. GLI provides suppliers, operators, and regulators with expert guidance for navigating the future of gaming and ensuring gaming innovations meet regulatory standards with confidence. Since 1989, GLI has certified nearly 2 million items and has tested equipment for more than 480 jurisdictions. GLI has a global network of laboratory locations across six continents, with U.S. and international accreditations for compliance with ISO/IEC standards for technical competence in the gaming, wagering and lottery industries. GLI was named "Best Laboratory" in the SAGSE Europe, LatAm, and USA Awards 2020, "Best Test Lab in the Baltics," and "Best Test Lab in the Nordics" in the Baltic and Scandinavian Gaming Awards 2020. For more information, visit gaminglabs.com. Contact: Christie Eickelman, Vice President of Global Marketing +1 702-914-2220 or [email protected] SOURCE Gaming Laboratories International Related Links gaminglabs.com Bill Corbett, currently CEO of Zamora Company USA, will now also assume responsibility for The Zamora Americas and for Houston-based Yellow Rose Distilling which specializes in handmade, blended and bottled premium whiskey and bourbon (and the first legal whiskey distillery in Houston). Corbett will continue to report to Thomas Clamens, International Managing Director at Madrid-based Zamora Company. "Three years ago, we opened the doors at Zamora Company USA with a dozen people and two brands. In that short time, we've now proudly grown to more than 50 people and a portfolio of 10 world-class spirits and wines," said Corbett. "I'm especially honored for the privilege of leading the exceptionally talented team at Yellow Rose Distilling, truly the top craft distillery in the U.S. Together, consolidating under one umbrella reinforces our global mission of 'One Company with One Vision.'" Included in the organizational changes, Zamora Americas Finance Director Edward Johnmeyer has also assumed responsibility for all back-office operations (finance, IT, and supply chain), and Lauren Wollin-Ramirez has been promoted to HR Director, for all three U.S. entities. Michael Langan will continue as Head of Distillery/Plant Manager at Yellow Rose. Johnmeyer, Wollin-Ramirez, and Langan will all report to Bill Corbett. About Zamora Company USA: Zamora Company USA, based in Dallas, Texas, brings together a collection of unique luxury brands along with an experienced, passionate, and dedicated team of over 50 people. The organization manages sales, distribution, execution, and marketing of the following brands: Licor 43, Double Cross Vodka, Yellow Rose Whiskey, Don Papa Rum, Martin Miller's Gin, Lolea Sangria, Villa Massa Limoncello, plus Spanish wines Ramon Bilbao, Cruz De Alba, and Mar de Frades. For more information, please visit zamoracompany.com/usa SOURCE Zamora Company USA SAN DIEGO, June 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Zempleo, a certified Minority Owned Business (MBE), is pleased to announce their new strategic partnership with EPG Group (EPG), a leading global provider of Payroll, HR and Workforce Management services. Zempleo The new partnership will expand Zempleo's global payroll service presence through the integration of EPG's world-class HCM platform, Expedo. The actionable, cost-effective and scalable technology platform provides the rapid deployment of staff with continuous workforce recommendations to optimize human capital management programs. Delivering a first-class user experience, the globally consistent workflows and processes provide a seamless journey from recruitment and onboarding to Payroll Service. This new partnership provides Zempleo with the ability to connect HR and payroll functions and offers a large range of solutions from workforce management to hiring functions and talent management services on an international scale. Steve Mann, Executive Vice President at Zempleo explains, "We're truly excited to expand our payrolling footprint. By growing our presence internationally, with EPG Group, we are able to flex with our clients and provide them with a global network and HR expertise to manage contractors throughout the world." Zempleo clients can maximize efficiencies with full visibility into their workforce programs while relying on HR and Legal expertise to remain compliant in local, state, country and global markets. "We're thrilled to work with Zempleo to help broaden their services globally," stated Amy Diehl, EPG's Chief Operating Officer, AMER. "We have been working with Zempleo to combine our solutions in order to deliver global professional staffing services through our intelligent Human Capital Management technology platform." EPG's integration capabilities allow Zempleo's programs to use technology that will ease global hiring concerns and create a seamless journey to make better strategic decisions while managing day-to-day HR functions. Whether companies need a Managed Service Provider (MSP) or Staffing, Payroll, IC Compliance services, EPG and Zempleo's integrated technology can provide it. About Zempleo Headquartered in San Diego with office locations throughout the U.S., Zempleo, a certified minority-owned business is a leading provider of human capital management that specializes in creating customized offerings for Payroll, IC Compliance, Managed Services and Staffing Solutions. For more information, please call 888.508.0015 or visit https://www.zempleo.com About EPG Group EPG Group is headquartered in Sydney, Australia with offices throughout APAC, EMEA, and the U.S. EPG offers global HR and Payroll Services, Staffing solutions, both permanent and contingent, and Migration Services, all powered by the Expedo HCM technology platform. With local processing bureaus, in-country expertise and leading technology, EPG assures employment compliance across multiple jurisdictions, position types, industries and pay regime complexities. For more information, please visit www.epggroup.co. Related Images global-payroll.jpg Global Payroll SOURCE Zempleo Making its public debut, the turbocharged 2022 MDX Type S will tow one of the TLX Type S race cars from the team's shop in Raymond, OH to Pikes Peak, CO and support the Acura team during competition. A high-performance version of Acura's new flagship SUV, the turbocharged MDX Type S is the first Acura SUV to wear the Type S badge and will be the brand's quickest and most powerful SUV ever when it goes on sale later this year. In addition, Acura's new 2021 TLX Type S will pace the field of the prestigious motorsports event driven by television personality and self-proclaimed car nut Ant Anstead, former host of enthusiast programs like "Wheeler Dealers," "Master Mechanic" and co-founder of Radford Motors. Motorsports are a key proof point of Acura's commitment to Precision Crafted Performance, and its Pikes Peak efforts are a pure expression of this ethos. For the 11th year in a row the Acura race team consists of Acura R&D engineers who compete in the world-famous hill climb to grow their skills and test future performance technologies for Acura production vehicles. The all-volunteer team is responsible for every aspect of the brand's involvement, including the development of the race vehicles, race prep, crew support and of course driving duties. Since first competing at the event in 2011, this volunteer effort has chalked up numerous race records and podium finishes. Acura currently holds the Hybrid class record set by James Robinson last year in the "Time Attack" Acura NSX (10:01.913), and the front-wheel drive record set in 2018 by Nick Robinson behind the wheel of a first-generation Acura TLX (10:48.094). Acura also holds the Pikes Peak Open division record of 9:24.433 set by Peter Cunningham behind the wheel of the Acura TLX GT race car. Vehicle Driver Division Best Result Acura TLX Type S Jordan Guitar Exhibition New Vehicle Entry Acura TLX Type S Justin Lumbard Pikes Peak Open New Vehicle Entry Acura NSX "Time Attack" James Robinson Time Attack 1 10:01.913 (2020) 3rd in Class, New Hybrid Record Acura NSX Nick Robinson Exhibition 10:28.820 (2016) Time Attack 2 Class win Acura 2021 Pikes Peak Entries: 2021 Acura TLX Type S, Pikes Peak Open Division Driver: Justin Lumbard Acura engineer Justin Lumbard will be piloting a modified all-wheel drive TLX Type S in the highly competitive Pikes Peak Open division, where Acura currently holds the record. Lumbard's TLX Type S has been prepped for competition with a larger turbo designed to deliver consistent boost at the exceptionally high altitudes of Pikes Peak, which reach more than 14,000 feet at the summit. The engine also features additional cooling, and the engine, transmission and SH-AWD system software have all been retuned for race duty. Chassis modifications include a race-prepped suspension with a 1-inch drop in ride height, race-compound brake pads with additional brake cooling and temperature monitoring and lightweight HRE 19 x 9.5-inch race wheels with Pirelli slicks. More than 600 pounds of weight have been eliminated by removing the sedan's interior and the use of lightweight components including a carbon fiber hood. On the exterior, the aerodynamic benefits of its composite front splitter, rear wing and dive planes have been tuned using Acura's R&D computer aided design simulations. Lumbard joined the Acura Pikes Peak team in 2017, became co-leader in 2018, and assumed the leadership role last year. The 2020 competition also was his first year driving in the race, taking the wheel of a 2021 TLX 2.0T in the Exhibition division, where he finished sixth in the group. 2021 Acura TLX Type S, Exhibition Division Driver: Jordan Guitar Jordan Guitar is a member of the company's Chassis Development Group, and made his Pikes Peak debut in 2018 driving a third-generation Acura RDX, and returned in 2019 piloting an Acura MDX Sport Hybrid. Last year, Guitar drove a 2021 Acura TLX 2.0T SH-AWD to a fifth-place finish in the Exhibition division. This year, Guitar's 2021 Acura TLX Type S has been modified with a race-tuned active suspension that includes a 1-inch ride height drop, lightweight HRE 19 x 9-inch race wheels and Pirelli race slicks. Approximately 300 pounds have been stripped from the car, the sedan's engine management system has been re-tuned for race duty and a rear wing helps optimize its aerodynamics. Acura NSX, Time Attack 1 Division Driver: James Robinson James Robinson will again drive the "Time Attack" NSX, which returns to the Peak for the fifth consecutive year. This is Robinson's 11th time at Pikes Peak, with his past successes including the Hybrid production car record set with an NSX in 2020 (10:01.913), as well as podium finishes in the Exhibition, Open and Time Attack 1 divisions. The "Time Attack" NSX features improved aerodynamics by way of a larger rear wing and aggressive front splitter. Larger turbochargers and enhanced engine management software increase total system output to around 625 horsepower. Various weight reduction measures, including a stripped interior, reduce the supercar's weight by more than 200 lbs. Its lightweight HRE forged wheels are wrapped in high-grip Pirelli R-compound tires. Acura NSX, Exhibition Division Driver: Nick Robinson Like his brother James, Nick Robinson has successfully competed at Pikes Peak multiple times, winning the PP250 class on a Honda motorcycle in 2015, securing a Time Attack 2 Production Class win in an NSX in 2016, winning Exhibition class in 2017 and establishing a front-wheel-drive record of 10:48.094 in 2018. This year, the R&D engineer will be driving a near-stock Acura NSX in a declared Time Attack 2 production record attempt. Modifications to the production-spec supercar include OMP safety equipment and the use of DOT-approved Hoosier race tires per class rules. 2022 Acura MDX Type S Powered by the brand's all-new Type S Turbo V6 the 2022 MDX Type S delivers 355-horsepower, 354 ft.-lbs. of peak torque and a max towing rating of 5,000 lbs[1]. Exclusive to Acura Type S models, this new engine was developed by some of the company's most experienced powertrain engineers, including members of the team that developed the bespoke twin-turbocharged V6 for the NSX supercar. The high-performance SUVs also features Acura's advanced Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) with true torque-vectoring, a quick-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission, Brembo front brakes and double-wishbone front suspension, along with a Type S-exclusive Sport+ driving mode that sharpens responses for even greater performance and driver enjoyment. More details about MDX Type S will be available closer to its on-sale date later this year. About Acura Acura is a leading automotive nameplate that delivers Precision Crafted Performance a commitment to expressive styling, high-performance and innovative engineering, all built on a foundation of quality and reliability. The Acura lineup features five distinctive models the ILX and TLX sport sedans, the RDX and MDX sport-utility vehicles, high-performance Type S variants and the electrified NSX supercar. All 2021 model year and newer Acura vehicles sold in America are made in the U.S., using domestic and globally sourced parts. 1 Requires optional towing package. Maximum towing capacity is 5,000 lbs. SOURCE Acura Related Links http://www.acura.com EIGHTY FOUR, Pa., June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- 84 Lumber, the nation's largest privately held building materials supplier, is launching a recruitment effort to fill immediate openings at retail and door shop locations in the Columbus, OH, region. The company will host a Hiring Event on June 22nd from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at its Etna door shop (10501 Columbus Parkway, Etna, OH). At the event, job seekers will learn more about the company culture and get the opportunity to be interviewed for open positions in the area, particularly for the company's manager trainee program. Qualified job seekers may receive an offer of employment during the event. "84 Lumber is growing here in Columbus and across the nation. We have nearly 20 open positions at our Columbus area locations, including a door shop and retail stores in Columbus, Pataskala, and Etna," said Phil Garuccio, divisional vice president at 84 Lumber. "We are searching for the company's next generation of leaders through our manager trainee program, a great opportunity for people who want to build a career with us. In fact, 95% of our store managers started in our manager trainee program." Manager trainees hired by 84 Lumber enter an intensive, one-on-one, on-the-job training program that teaches them about the company's business and puts them on a path to become a future leader within the enterprise. Starting compensation for manager trainees is $40,000 with overtime and bonuses. The company is also recruiting for positions that include engineered wood and door manufacturers, warehouse supervisors and workers, and window technicians. In many cases, these positions require no prior experience and pay a competitive hourly wage. "We are a family-owned company, which means we are committed to helping our employees build and cultivate a career with us," Garuccio said. "As we see it, 84 Lumber recruits individuals with a can-do attitude, a willingness to work hard, and a desire to learn. Once we find these people and they join the company, we teach and train them and find ways for them to grow with us." Garuccio added that 84 Lumber expects it might find the right fit from all types of candidates an individual with no construction experience, military veterans ready to embark on their next career challenge, or people with some previous work experience who seek to redirect their career. Candidates interested in participating in the Hiring Event are asked to pre-register. To sign up, go to our Hiring Page and complete the form. Once you are registered, you will receive an email from 84 Lumber with the link to apply for the desired position. To save time, candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for positions online before they attend the event. NOTE: 84 Lumber requires all attendees to wear a mask at the event. Recruits will also be asked to practice social distancing during the Hiring Event. In addition, candidates will be required to undergo a background check and drug screening prior to receiving an offer of employment. To learn more about 84 Lumber, follow the company on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. ABOUT 84 LUMBER Founded in 1956 and headquartered in Eighty Four, Pennsylvania, 84 Lumber Company is the nation's largest privately held supplier of building materials, manufactured components and industry-leading services for single- and multi-family residences and commercial buildings. The company operates nearly 250 stores, component manufacturing plants, custom door shops, custom millwork shops and engineered wood product centers in more than 30 states. 84 Lumber also offers turnkey installation services for a variety of products, including framing, insulation, siding, windows, roofing, decking and drywall. A certified national women's business enterprise owned by Maggie Hardy Knox, 84 Lumber was named by Forbes as one of America's Largest Private Companies in 2018 and one of America's Best Large Employers in 2019. For more information, visit 84lumber.com or join us at Facebook.com/84lumber and linkedin.com/company/84-lumber . Contact: Jeff Donaldson, BLD Marketing Email: [email protected] Phone: (412) 347-8039 Photos: http://www.bldpressroom.com/84lumber/columbus-hiring-event SOURCE 84 Lumber Related Links https://www.84lumber.com/ We are proud to share this positive message about the tremendous contributions that NPs make in people's lives Tweet this In AANP's latest television commercial, which began airing nationally the week of June 14, four patients talk about the lifesaving care they received from their NPs. A young girl named Sophie, whose NP diagnosed her Kawasaki's Disease, says, "My NP saved me from a life-long heart condition." A woman named Sasha, whose NP manages her life-threatening diabetes, says, "She prescribed the right medicine I will always be grateful." A patient named Robert, whose NP identified his blocked arteries, says, "She saved my life." And Roun McNeal, a former Mississippi state legislator, appears in the ad to say, "I'm alive, thanks to my nurse practitioner." Roun's NP diagnosed him with multi-organ failure, and he affirms that his NP saved his life twice. The nation's more than 325,000 licensed NPs provide advanced primary, acute and specialty care for patients of all ages. In every state, NPs assess patients, order and interpret tests, make diagnoses and provide treatment, including prescribing medications. NPs can be found in clinics, hospitals, emergency rooms, urgent care centers, nursing homes and private practices nationwide. Millions of Americans choose an NP as their health care provider. As clinicians who blend clinical expertise with an added emphasis on disease prevention and health management, NPs bring a comprehensive perspective to health care. The new AANP television commercial will air on ABC, NBC, CNN, MSNBC and FOX, with radio and digital advertising running in select markets nationwide. To learn why millions of people choose NPs and to find an NP in your area, visit WeChooseNPs.org The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) is the largest professional membership organization for nurse practitioners (NPs) of all specialties. It represents the interests of the more than 325,000 licensed NPs in the U.S. AANP provides legislative leadership at the local, state and national levels, advancing health policy; promoting excellence in practice, education and research; and establishing standards that best serve NPs' patients and other health care consumers. As The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner, AANP represents the interests of NPs as providers of high-quality, cost-effective, comprehensive, patient-centered health care. To locate an NP in your community, visit npfinder.com. For more information about NPs, visit aanp.org. For COVID-19 information from AANP, visit aanp.org/COVID19. SOURCE American Association of Nurse Practitioners Related Links http://www.aanp.org PHILADELPHIA, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Aberdeen Income Credit Strategies Fund (NYSE: ACP) (the "Fund"), a closed-end fund, announced today the successful completion of its transferable rights offering (the "Offer"). The Offer commenced on May 20, 2021 and expired on June 16, 2021 (the "Expiration Date"). The Offer entitled rights holders to subscribe for up to an aggregate of 5,812,247 of the Fund's common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.001 per share ("Common Shares"). The final subscription price was $10.20 per Common Share and was determined based upon a formula equal to 92.5% of the average of the last reported sales price of a Common Share on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") on the Expiration Date and each of the four (4) preceding trading days The Offer was over-subscribed. The gross proceeds of the Offer are expected to be approximately $60 million (including oversubscription requests and notices of guaranteed delivery). Approximately 64% of the Common Shares were subscribed for in the primary subscription and the remaining shares were subscribed for pursuant to the over-subscription privilege. The over-subscription requests exceeded the over-subscription shares available. As a result, the available oversubscription shares will be allocated pro rata among those fully exercising record date shareholders who oversubscribed based on the number of Rights originally issued to them by the Fund. The Fund will return to those investors that submitted over-subscription requests the full amount of their excess payments. The Common Shares subscribed for will be issued after completion of the pro rata allocation of the over-subscription shares and receipt of all shareholder payments. The Common Shares are expected to be issued on or about June 23, 2021. This communication is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities, in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is not permitted. The Fund is managed and advised by Aberdeen Asset Managers Limited. The Fund's Common Shares trade on the NYSE under the symbol "ACP". 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. If you wish to receive this information electronically, please contact [email protected] aberdeenacp.com SOURCE Aberdeen Income Credit Strategies Fund Related Links https://www.aberdeenacp.com SAN DIEGO, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- San Diego-based Ad Astra Ventures is launching a new form of venture capital support for women entrepreneurs. In contrast to traditional venture funds, the Venture Builder model offers diverse founders a highly customized level of support from the gender-lens investment fund. Three female-led companies, Lilu, Sekr and The Sash Bag, will benefit from Ad Astra's inaugural Venture Builder, which applies the best of Ad Astra's business accelerator and bootcamp curriculum and leverages its leaders' decades of experience as early-stage investors. Female-led companies Lilu, The Sash Bag and Sekr chosen to participate in Ad Astra's new Venture Builder model which offers diverse founders a highly customized level of support in their growth and funding journey. In this highly personalized program, Ad Astra's partners, advisors and investor-mentors walk alongside founders and engage in active conversations to deeply understand each leader's unique strengths and to assess the company's core value proposition, product-market fit, marketing and sales plans and funding approach. The partners use their detailed analysis to deliver a strategic assessment that highlights areas where they're able to actively partner and support the founder and her company. "We don't start with capital, we end with it," says Vidya Dinamani, who is a co-founder of Ad Astra Ventures alongside Allison Long Pettine and Silvia Mah. "Together with Ad Astra's carefully selected network of mentors, we roll up our sleeves to understand the specific areas where founders need support, then engage our curated network of industry and subject-matter experts to guide the founder to success." The boutique approach of the Venture Builder model aims at long-term success through active participation resulting in stronger, more confident leadership and a foundation for thriving, resilient companies. The following diverse companies have been selected for the first Venture Builder cohort, all female founded, two BIPOC-founded and one LGBTQ+-founded: Lilu (www.wearlilu.com) is developing a suite of innovative, tech-enabled products for nursing moms. The company's first product, the Lilu Massage Bra, is an FDA Class I device that addresses the notorious inefficiencies of breast pumps. It uses their patented pneumatic massage technology to mimic a baby's natural motions, accelerating milk output and alleviating discomfort and pain. Lilu customers "love this bra" and have called it a "life saver" and "breastfeeding savior." The company was co-founded by Adriana C. Vazquez, CEO, and Sujay Suresh , COO. , COO. Sekr (www.sekr.com) is making outdoor travel easier, safer and more connected with a social plus app where people find campsite destinations, amenities and community in the outdoors. Co-founded by Breanne Acio , CEO, and Jessica Shisler , Ph.D., COO, the company was launched from their campervans and serves a range of customers, from full time travelers to the occasional camper. (Previously, The Vanlife App). , CEO, and , Ph.D., COO, the company was launched from their campervans and serves a range of customers, from full time travelers to the occasional camper. (Previously, The Vanlife App). The Sash Bag (www.thesashbag.com) produces a sleek and innovative alternative to traditional handbags. Sash Bags wrap around your torso and have four exterior and six interior (zippered) pockets and a built-in wallet to hold all your personal belongings. Nicknamed "The fanny pack of the 21st Century," the Sash Bag is a solution for women to be hands-free and organized on-the-go when carrying a purse just isn't practical. The founder and CEO is Nichole MacDonald . "Women entrepreneurs intuitively approach business fundamentals, such as risk, differently than men and our Venture Builder empowers this difference," said Long Pettine. "We look past established norms and treat each founder as an individual, which equips women leaders to show up differently with an assurance in who they are." Through Venture Builder and the Ad Astra Fund, a community of female founders is growing, and it looks very different from the traditional models. This is especially important today as the coronavirus pandemic has hit female-run businesses harder than most, which contributes to an existing disadvantage when it comes to raising capital and establishing work-life balance. In fact, the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on women extends beyond layoffs and women leaving the workforce, to the venture capital funding of female entrepreneurs. Startups with all-female founding teams drew an all-time-high of 3.4% of all venture capital dollars in the U.S. in 2019, according to Crunchbase. That declined to 2.4% in 2020 and that percentage stayed consistent through the first two months of 2021. "There is nothing cookie cutter about our approach to VC funding," said Mah. "We are championing a new way of investing and encourage others to adopt this approach, not just because it's the right thing to do in support of women entrepreneurs, but because it's the smart thing to do." About Ad Astra Ventures: Founded in 2018 by Vidya Dinamani, Allison Long Pettine and Silvia Mah, Ad Astra is dedicated to growing and building female leaders through thoughtful programming and investment opportunities. Among the organization's programming is a 12-week business accelerator for high-growth startups led by one or more females. With a thriving portfolio of 13 companies to-date, Ad Astra is building a global community of founders, investors, executives and philanthropists who are putting more women in leadership positions. Learn more at adastra.ventures/. Media contact: April Enriquez [email protected] 805-816-4833 SOURCE Ad Astra Ventures MEXICO CITY, June 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Aerodrome Infrastructure S.a r.l. ("Aerodrome") along with its affiliates Servicios de Tecnologia Aeroportuaria, S.A. de C.V. ("SETA"), Bagual S.a r.l. ("Bagual"), Grenadier S.a r.l. ("Grenadier"), Pequod S.a r.l. ("Pequod"), Harpoon S.a r.l. ("Harpoon"), Expanse S.a r.l. ("Expanse"), Fintech Holdings Inc. ("FH"), and David Martinez ("Mr. Martinez" and, together with Aerodrome, SETA, Bagual, Grenadier, Pequod, Harpoon, Expanse and FH, the "Offerors"), announced today in connection with their previously announced U.S. offer to purchase for cash (the "U.S. Offer") up to 97,527,888 outstanding series B shares ("Series B Shares"), including Series B Shares represented by American depositary shares ("ADS," each ADS representing eight Series B Shares, and, together with the Series B Shares, the "Securities") of Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte, S.A.B. de C.V. ("OMA"), that the Offerors expect to be unable to consummate a financing transaction yielding net proceeds sufficient to fund the aggregate cash consideration to be paid in the U.S. Offer and, therefore, the Offerors expect that the financing condition relating to the U.S. Offer will not be satisfied on or prior to 8:00 a.m., New York City time on June 22, 2021, the original expiration date of the U.S. Offer (the "Original Expiration Date"). As a result, the Offerors have decided to effect certain changes to the terms of the U.S. Offer and the terms of the concurrent offer by Aerodrome in Mexico directed to holders of Series B Shares, but not holders of ADSs (the "Mexican Offer" and, together with the U.S. Offer, the "Offers") as follows: reduce the aggregate amount of Series B Shares, including Series B Shares represented by ADSs, that the Offerors are offering to purchase in the Offers from 97,527,888 outstanding Series B Shares to 60,155,201 Series B Shares. If the Offers are fully subscribed, the Offerors will beneficially own approximately 30.1% of OMA's outstanding capital stock upon completion of the Offers; waive any financing condition that must be satisfied on or prior to the expiration of the Offers. The Offerors expect to fund the aggregate cash consideration to be paid in the Offers with cash on hand and the proceeds of intercompany loans from related parties of the Offerors; waive any minimum tender condition that must be satisfied on or prior to the expiration of the Offers; and as a result of the changes described above, the Offerors are: extending the Original Expiration Date of the Offers to 8:00 a.m. , New York City time on June 30, 2021 (the "New Expiration Date") to allow a minimum 10 (ten) business-day period from the date of this announcement to the New Expiration Date for adequate dissemination of this announcement to holders of Securities and investor response; and , time on (the "New Expiration Date") to allow a minimum 10 (ten) business-day period from the date of this announcement to the New Expiration Date for adequate dissemination of this announcement to holders of Securities and investor response; and extending the period for holders of Securities to exercise withdrawal rights to the New Expiration Date. Any Securities previously tendered and to be tendered prior to the New Expiration Date may be withdrawn at any time at or prior to the New Expiration Date but not thereafter, unless withdrawal rights are required to be reinstated in accordance with applicable law, including in the event tendered Securities have not been accepted for purchase by July 22, 2021 (the day that is 60 days after the commencement date of the Offers). As a result of these changes, the Offerors expect to settle the Offers and pay for tendered and accepted Securities promptly after the New Expiration Date, expected to be 6 (six) business days after the New Expiration Date. American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, the ADS receiving agent, and J.P. Morgan Casa de Bolsa, S.A. de C.V., J.P. Morgan Grupo Financiero, the Series B Shares receiving agent, have advised the Offerors that, as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time on June 16, 2021, 52,930 Series B Shares and 273,479 ADSs (representing 2,187,832 Series B Shares) have been tendered pursuant to the Offers. The U.S. Offer is being made upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the U.S. offer to purchase, dated May 24, 2021 (as amended and restated from time to time, the "U.S. Offer to Purchase"), and the related ADS letter of transmittal, the Series B acceptance letter and related documents filed by the Offerors with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "U.S. Tender Offer Materials"). Other than as described herein, all other terms and conditions of the Offers as described in the U.S. Tender Offer Materials remain unchanged and are in full force and effect. Holders are advised to check with any bank, securities broker or other intermediary through which they hold Securities as to when such intermediary would need to receive instructions from such holder in order for that holder to be able to participate in, or withdraw their instruction to participate in, the U.S. Offer, before the deadlines specified herein and in the U.S. Tender Offer Materials. The deadlines set by any such intermediary and the relevant clearing systems for the submission and withdrawal of tender instructions will also be earlier than the relevant deadlines specified herein and in the U.S. Tender Offer Materials. This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to buy or a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities of OMA. Complete terms and conditions of the U.S. Offer are set forth in the U.S. Tender Offer Materials. Holders of Securities are urged to carefully read the U.S. Tender Offer Materials, as well as any amendments and supplements to those documents, because they contain important information. This announcement is not for publication, release or distribution in or into or from any jurisdiction where it would otherwise be prohibited. Copies of the U.S. Tender Offer Materials are available free of charge from D.F. King & Co., Inc., the U.S. information agent for the U.S. Offer. The U.S. information agent may be contacted at, for bankers and brokers call collect: (212) 269 5550, all others call toll free: (800) 488-8035, email: [email protected]. The ADS receiving agent for the U.S. Offer is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC. The ADS receiving agent may be contacted at: (877) 248-6417 or (718) 921-8317, fax (718) 234-5001. The Series B receiving agent for the U.S. Offer is J.P. Morgan Casa de Bolsa, S.A. de C.V., J.P. Morgan Grupo Financiero. The Series B receiving agent may be contacted at: +(52 55) 5540-9317. Forward-Looking Statements This announcement contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are information of a non-historical nature or which relate to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. No assurance can be given that the transactions described herein will be consummated or as to the ultimate terms of any such transactions. The Offerors undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events or for any other reason. Media Contact: D.F. King & Co., Inc. 48 Wall Street, 22nd Floor, New York, NY 10005 Attention: Geoffrey Weinberg (917) 473-2984 Bankers and Brokers Call Collect: (212) 2695550 All Others Call TollFree: (800) 488-8035 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Aerodrome Infrastructure S.a r.l KIGALI, Rwanda, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- African Entrepreneur Collective (AEC), a network of business accelerators, is celebrating World Refugee Day by highlighting the value of investing in refugee and host community businesses. With offices in 8 refugee camps in East Africa, AEC is the largest lender to refugee businesses in Africa and boasts a 98% repayment rate. They have worked with almost 30,000 entrepreneurs and invested nearly $4.1M in refugee communities. This year for World Refugee Day, which takes place annually on June 20th, AEC has released data about the impact of investing in entrepreneurs and businesses in refugee communities globally. Their impact data shows that business development support and 2,000 loans to refugees has now yielded 15,000 new jobs and generated $27M in new revenue. "Investing in refugee communities is a key component of investing in an integrated Africa. AEC's new data has shown the power of businesses in refugee communities to flourish and make significant economic impact with the host community. With added digital and tech access, AEC is now also increasing pathways to the digital economy, a key element of financial inclusion for refugee communities," says Isaac Kwaku Fokuo, Jr., Founder of Botho Emerging Markets Group. With this track record of financial inclusion, AEC vows to expand its impact even more in honor of World Refugee Day: launching a new office in Garissa County, Kenya, home to the Dadaab Refugee Complex, and rolling out a new digital loan app that will increase access to finance for refugee communities. These two offerings will help AEC exponentially reach more people, diversify access points and introduce digital accessibility. "AEC's work with entrepreneurs has consistently shown that investing in refugee businesses is catalytic for economic development in refugee and host communities. By bringing new investment opportunities to refugee-hosting businesses in Garissa and a digital solution for access to finance for refugees in Rwanda, we're able to leverage AEC's investment thesis into new growth options, starting this week," says Julienne Oyler, CEO of AEC. AEC Kenya, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, celebrated the launch of the new Garissa office by welcoming their first cohort of 250 entrepreneurs last week, just ahead of World Refugee Day. The cohort is composed of 61% women participants and a variety of business types. The new office will feature access to AEC's new app for finance and is part of AEC Kenya's strategy to support 9,000 businesses in Kenya by 2022. AEC's new app and increased digital accessibility is a continuation of AEC's larger pivot towards digital solutions for their entrepreneur clients. "During COVID-19, movement restrictions limited how we could provide services in refugee communities. Like most businesses, it forced us to quickly develop digital offerings that would work for our population. Because we were able to make expedient implementations and because 39% of our AEC staff are refugees ourselves, we were able to continuously serve refugee host communities through the COVID crisis, despite movement restrictions," says Olive Ashimwe, Regional Refugee Director at AEC. The new AEC loan app is available for AEC entrepreneurs and offers an option of five languages: English, French Kinyarwanda, Swahili and Somali. Once users have created a profile, they can apply for financing, check the status of their application, and will soon be able to track their repayments. In order to increase accessibility of the app to entrepreneurs, Inkomoko Entrepreneur Development (AEC's Rwanda affiliate) will distribute 500 smartphones, beginning in Rwanda's Gihembe refugee community later this month. Initiated by MTN Rwanda, in partnership with the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, the #ConnectRwanda campaign was launched in December 2019, with the objective of providing smartphones to unconnected households across Rwanda to leverage the digital economy. Inkomoko's distribution will be the first one focused on refugees. In the coming years, AEC pledges to continue this work in Rwanda, providing investments to 75% of refugee households in Rwanda, reaching 25,000 families. "As a small business owner, I have done the best I can to grow my shop into a sustainable revenue stream. With AEC Kenya's program, I hope to learn the skills to take my business to the next level. I am also very thankful that AEC Kenya offers Sharia-compliant products so I can access investment opportunities," said Shukri Muhumed, a business owner in AEC's first Garissa cohort. AEC will release more on refugee investments on their social media channels beginning Thursday, 17th June. Please follow AEC and its local affiliates on social media: SOCIAL MEDIA: AEC Twitter/Facebook: @AfricaLead AEC KENYA Twitter/Facebook: @AfricaLeadKenya Instagram: @aec.kenya INKOMOKO (Rwanda) Twitter/Instagram/Facebook: @Inkomoko #With Refugees #WRD2021 About African Entrepreneur Collective African Entrepreneur Collective is a network of business accelerators and loan funds with a social mission to create jobs and improve lives. AEC has worked with entrepreneurs in Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania since 2012. At the UNHCR Global Refugee Forum in 2019, AEC made a private sector pledge to support 35,000 refugees and host community entrepreneurs in 5 countries by 2024, one of the largest entrepreneurship pledges to date. With 160 staff in 12 offices across East Africa, African Entrepreneur Collective has helped more than 30,000 entrepreneurs run their operations more efficiently and strategically, generating a combined new revenue of $48M USD. AEC is the largest lender to refugee entrepreneurs in Africa. For more information please visit www.AfricanEntrepreneurCollective.org Media Contact: Autumn Marie Faraj [email protected] SOURCE African Entrepreneur Collective (AEC) CHICAGO, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --According to the new market research report "Aircraft Filters Market by Aircraft Type (Fixed Wing, Rotary Wing, UAV), Sales Channel (OEM, Aftermarket), Type (Fluid, Air), Application (Engine, Hydraulic System, Avionics, Cabin, Pneumatic system), Material, Region - Global Forecast to 2026", published by MarketsandMarkets, the global Aircraft Filters Market size is projected to grow from USD 823 million in 2021 to USD 1,002 million by 2026, at a CAGR of 4.0% from 2021 to 2026. The market is driven by various factors, such as increase in aircraft renewals and aircraft deliveries. Ask for PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=263556495 The aircraft filters market includes major players Parker Hannifin Corporation (US), Donaldson Inc. (US), Safran (France), Porvair PLC (UK), and Freudenberg & Co.KG (Germany). These players have spread their business across various countries includes North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. COVID-19 has impacted their businesses as well. Industry experts believe that COVID-19 has affected aircraft filters production and services by 710% globally in 2020. Importance of hydraulic fluids in lubrication system will drive the demand for hydraulic system segment The hydraulic system segment is expected to be the largest market by value. Hydraulic fluids play a crucial role in aircraft systems for lubrication, creating an energy transmission channel as well as providing a means for heat transfer. Most hydraulic system failures are caused due to contamination within the systems. These systems cannot perform if any of their functions are compromised. Contamination can lead to losses by way of high maintenance costs, increased downtime, and high replacement costs. The purpose of hydraulic filters is twofold: to keep the oil clean and to reduce on-going maintenance costs. Hydraulic filters will always play a crucial role in aircraft and aircraft systems since they are required in all functions like landing and takeoff gear systems, braking systems, wings, etc. Hence, even when electric aircraft become prominent, hydraulics would be a necessary part of their aircraft systems. The future of the aircraft filters market is based on the performance of this segment. The air filter segment is projected to witness a higher CAGR during the forecast period Based on type, the air filter segment is projected to be the highest CAGR rate for the aircraft filters market during the forecast period. The growth of the air filter segment of the aircraft filters market can be attributed to 2 major purposes. Passenger/crew cabin air supply - Cabin air supply is an artificially controlled supply of air that ensures that air pressure and air composition inside the cabin/aircraft fuselage is maintained within the required limits. The filters inside the aircraft cabin play an important role in the recirculation of air and its filtering. Aircraft engine intake air supply - These filters filter the intake air necessary for aircraft engines, whether reciprocating engines or jet engines, to purify the air and remove debris, dust, or other contaminants. The Unmanned Aerial Vehicles segment is projected to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period Based on the platform, the unmanned aerial vehicles segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR rate for the aircraft filters market during the forecast period. UAVs are a relatively newer concept in the field of aviation and are a hybrid version of fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft. These aircraft have a wide range of applications ranging from civilian purposes like goods delivery and military purposes like surveillance and reconnaissance to research purposes like studying the relief features and vegetation cover of a region. Browse in-depth TOC on "Aircraft Filters Market" 603 Tables 52 Figures 331 Pages Inquiry Before Buying: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=263556495 The OEM segment is projected to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period Based on the sales channel, the OEM segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR rate for the aircraft filters market during the forecast period. OEMs procure aircraft filters from their manufacturers. The restructuring of fleets by airlines as well as their expansion are anticipated to boost new aircraft sales, in turn driving the OEM demand for filters. The aluminium and plastic segments are projected to witness the highest CAGRs during the forecast period Based on the material, the aluminium and plastic segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR rates for the aircraft filters market during the forecast period. There are two major types of aluminum air filters: Temporary use air filters Lifetime air filters Plastic fuel filters are manufactured for pipeline fuel distribution systems inside aircraft. These filters inhibit the ability of water particles to coalesce in a fuel filter/separator system. They also act as biofilters that remove microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi, which have the ability to flourish in jet fuel. Their growth may result in solids that plug fuel filters. The North America market is projected to contribute the largest share from 2021 to 2026 North America is projected to be the largest regional share of the aircraft filters market during the forecast period. The market is in the growing stage in North America, with leading aircraft manufacturers, aircraft filter manufacturers, and distributors present in the region. The countries considered for market analysis in this region are the US and Canada. The manufacturing operations of raw materials, components, and assembly lines of aircraft filters have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Aircraft systems, which include aircraft filters, are of prime importance due to their use in the commercial and defense sectors. The general & business aviation industry in North America is one of the most developed in the world. Further expansion of this industry and the increasing demand for light aircraft and business jets are set to boost the aircraft filters market in the region. As the pandemic recedes and businesses & tourism return to normal levels, the aircraft filters market in North America is expected to grow steadily. Related Reports: 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 Aerospace Bearings Market by Type (Ball Bearing, Roller Bearing, Plain Bearing), Material (Metal, Metal Polymer & Engineered Plastic, Fiber Reinforced Plastic, Ceramic), Application, Platform, Sales Channel, Region - Global Forecast to 2026 About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve. MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/aerospace-filters-market.asp Visit Our Web Site: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/aerospace-filters.asp SOURCE MarketsandMarkets "Our guests are showing us how excited they are about our new service to Chicago and Austin from Boise with strong bookings throughout the summer months," said Brett Catlin, vice president of network and alliances at Alaska Airlines. "Our new year-round route bridging Boise and Pullman-Moscow will offer a crucial link to that area's two major universities, and the seasonal nonstop to Phoenix is another terrific way to quickly escape to sunshine and warmth in the desert this winter." As vaccination rates rise, so does the quest to travel again. Families and friends want to see each other face-to-face and share a hug not another video call. We're adding new routes and more flights to make those connections easier. This winter, we'll have up to 30 daily nonstop departures from Boise to 14 destinations on Alaska and our sister carrier Horizon Air. We already have more nonstop destinations and more daily departures from Boise than any other airline. Our commitment to Boise Airport and our guests only becomes stronger. Tickets are available for purchase now on alaskaair.com. Newly added flights Start Date End Date City Pair Departs Arrives Frequency Aircraft Aug. 17 --- Boise Pullman-Moscow 11:10 a.m. 11:15 a.m. 5x/Weekly Q400 Aug. 17 --- Pullman-Moscow Boise 11:55 a.m. 1:34 p.m. 5x/Weekly Q400 Nov. 19 April 18 Boise Phoenix 10:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Daily E175 Nov. 19 April 18 Phoenix Boise 1:10 p.m. 4:15 p.m. Daily E175 Flight times based on local times. "The Boise Airport is grateful that Alaska Airlines continues to improve connectivity for residents of the Treasure Valley," said Boise Airport Director Rebecca Hupp. "With Idaho's vast rural geography, regional flights are an important link in our transportation system. I'm confident the nonstop service to Pullman-Moscow matches the needs of our community, and I'm thrilled Alaska is connecting two important regions of the state again." "Nonstop air service between Moscow and Boise improves access for our Vandal families to engage in the quality education offered at our residential campus," said University of Idaho President Scott Green. "It's our goal to break down barriers to access and do our part to improve the go-on rate of our state. This flight is also vital to all of Idaho's residents to participate most fully in government and business." With more people flying again, Alaska remains committed to Next-Level Care for its guests and employees by implementing more than 100 ways to maintain the highest standard of safety from clean planes to clean air in the cabin (with hospital-grade air filtration systems). For everyone's safety on board, Alaska continues to enforce the federally mandated mask policy, even for those who are fully vaccinated. Alaska is the newest member of the oneworld global alliance. With oneworld and our additional airline partners, guests can fly to as many as 1,000 destinations around the world. Flyers can also earn and redeem miles with our highly-acclaimed Mileage Plan program to fly on more than 20 oneworld and airline partners. About Alaska Airlines Alaska Airlines and its regional partners serve more than 120 destinations across the United States and to Mexico, Canada and Costa Rica. The airline emphasizes Next-Level Care for its guests, along with providing low fares, award-winning customer service and sustainability efforts. Alaska is a member of oneworld. With the global alliance and the airline's additional partners, guests can travel to more than 1,000 destinations on more than 20 airlines while earning and redeeming miles on flights to locations around the world. Learn more about Alaska at newsroom.alaskaair.com and blog.alaskaair.com. Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK). SOURCE Alaska Airlines Related Links http://www.alaskaair.com "On behalf of the Albanian people, I am most grateful for Avital Leibovich's contributions to enhancing the Albanian nation in the State of Israel and in the United States of America, and for standing out as a powerful voice in support of Albania and Kosovo," said President Meta, who presented the award at the presidential palace. Senior Albanian political and foreign affairs officials, as well as the Israeli ambassador to Albania, attended the ceremony. "Madame Leibovich has made an outstanding contribution to the forging of ties between the Albanian nation and the Israeli people," said the president, and she "has particularly promoted the Albanian model of religious cooperation and tolerance as a model and instrument of global peace." Thanking the president for the award, Leibovich said, "The relationship between Albania and the Jewish people has existed for centuries. During World War II, Muslim Albanians saved many Jews. We cherish those brave acts, thank the Albanian people, and we, AJC and I personally, will continue to promote and develop the ties between Albania and Israel." Leibovich, who has headed AJC Jerusalem since 2014, has actively promoted relations between Israel and Albania. She has arranged dozens of meetings connecting Albanian, Israeli, and American officials, promoted agreements in various fields, including academia, culture, business, and diplomacy, and worked to bring the Albanian and Jewish communities closer. Albanian officials have visited Israel as part of AJC Project Interchange delegations. Following the November 2019 earthquake in Albania, AJC provided humanitarian assistance to help rebuild damaged areas. Previous recipients of the Gjergj Kastrioti Scanderbeg Order knighthood include Hans Joachim Falenski of the German CDU/CSD party and Riccardo Migliori, former President of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly. SOURCE American Jewish Committee Related Links http://www.ajc.org "Our goal is to not only honor displaced individuals around the world, but create a global movement that celebrates humanity while also offering insight into the human-centered work that our teams do on a daily basis," said Alight Global Activations Lead, Alissa Jordan. "As we all take a moment to reflect and find inner peace whichever way we choose, we do it together, as a community with shared goals and dreams." The virtual program welcomes all to share a communal space while hearing reflections from the refugee community as well as individuals who have incorporated meditation and mindfulness into their daily lives. Hosted by UNIFY Communications Director, Zamir Dhanji and Alight Global Connections Director, Nadia Siddiqui, the event will feature: Deusdedit Kiwanuka , Alight Global Protection Advisor, who has worked for more than 15 years as an advocate for social, political, legal and economic rights for women and girls, will speak about the humanitarian work that is done in order to help others heal in times when healing may seem impossible. , Alight Global Protection Advisor, who has worked for more than 15 years as an advocate for social, political, legal and economic rights for women and girls, will speak about the humanitarian work that is done in order to help others heal in times when healing may seem impossible. Zaynab Abdi , a Black, Muslim, Asian (Middle Eastern), Immigrant and Refugee Ambassador at Green Card Voices, and Civic Engagement Coordinator with Reviving Islaming Sisterhood and Empowerment, will share her passion for social justice and advocacy on behalf of refugees and immigrants. , a Black, Muslim, Asian (Middle Eastern), Immigrant and Refugee Ambassador at Green Card Voices, and Civic Engagement Coordinator with Reviving Islaming Sisterhood and Empowerment, will share her passion for social justice and advocacy on behalf of refugees and immigrants. Aubin Rwankuba, a current resident of the Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Uganda and founder of "Join the Moves," a program bringing different communities and nationalities in the settlement together through physical expression, will close the event with a mindful meditation. "There was such a natural synergy in collaborating with Alight to create an event that celebrates humanity and shows respect for all people, no matter what their circumstances," adds Adil Kassam, UNIFY Ventures CEO. "We invite people to join in our practice for the day and set an intention that unleashes abundance for vulnerable people all over the world, while also raising awareness about the powerful and uplifting energy that meditation can provide." The World Refugee Day Live Broadcast begins at 9AM PST (11AM CST, 7PM EDT) and will be hosted on Facebook @ fb.com/unify. To join, register here . For those not able to attend the event, participation throughout the day on social media is highly encouraged. Simply share your intention for the day and utilize the hashtag #unify4wrd to show your support. All throughout the world, individuals and organizations are standing together to acknowledge World Refugee Day. UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency, is also honoring displaced people everywhere promoting that together we heal, learn and shine. To learn more about Alight's work and Unify For World Refugee Day, visit www.wearealight.org . ABOUT ALIGHT Established in 1978 by founder Neal Ball, Alight , formerly known as American Refugee Committee, provides health care, clean water, shelter, protection and economic opportunities to more than 3.5 million people in 19 countries each year. Alight believes in the incredible creativity, potential and ingenuity of the displaced and works to shine a light on their humanity, the tremendous amount of good that's already happening and the possibilities to do more. In 2020, Alight received the prestigious 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator for the tenth consecutive year, celebrating a decade of impactful work. The organization exists to see and help every person make meaningful change in the world from displaced and marginalized communities in Africa, Asia and the Americas to...anyone, anywhere. ABOUT UNIFY Established in 2012, UNIFY orchestrates Global Synchronized Events and Meditations that inspire community-driven action campaigns for World Peace. During these events, we invite people of all backgrounds to meditate, host local ceremonies, pray, and contribute to a more loving, peaceful world in their own way. By unifying at these times we create a living example of a fundamental truth--we are all one. Together, we can give rise to an emerging planetary culture that embraces the interdependence and well-being of all. UNIFY set a Guinness World Record for largest Global Meditation in human history in 2014 and reaches 25M people per month worldwide through social media. SOURCE Alight Related Links https://wearealight.org LONDON, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- alva, the stakeholder intelligence company, has been announced as the winner of the Most Innovative Machine Learning Solution at the 2021 AI & Machine Learning Awards. This award recognises alva's ESG Intelligence as a machine learning solution that brings something genuinely new to its users, that demonstrates an outstanding understanding of the field, and that shows clear evidence of success, leadership and adoption. alva's ESG Intelligence uses a core proprietary technology based on 10 years of Natural Language Processing (NLP) development to draw insights from enormous data sets. This provides business leaders with a real-time understanding of what stakeholders think about their company, its executives, products, actions, and words, with relation to the specific ESG issues affecting their sector. Through machine learning, AI and NLP, alva's technology analyses more than 25 million pieces of content from print, online, broadcast and social media sources, regulatory disclosures, NGO communications, ESG ratings and many more. Each piece of content is analysed by the technology based on a combination of Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing, and given a score based on sentiment and materiality, ranging from -100 to +100. Organised by Incisive's Computing magazine, the AI & Machine Learning Awards recognise the best companies, individuals, and projects in the AI space today. The process covers every corner of the industry: security, ethics, data analysis, innovation and more, as well as showcasing the movers and shakers: the technology heroes and projects that deserve industry-wide praise. Tom Allen, Delta Site Editor, Computing, said: "alva's ESG Intelligence solution is clearly a very sophisticated ML-based sentiment-analysis engine using a wide range of data sources, which allows large organisations to swiftly identify ESG issues early and realise opportunity." Alberto Lopez-Valenzuela, Founder & CEO, alva, said: "A febrile social media environment, a shift in investors increasingly focusing on ESG credentials, and consumers making purchasing decisions based on company behaviour - these societal developments mean that ESG is now a major board/exco priority. It is critical to really understand how businesses are performing against such issues. "This need inspired us to create an entirely new approach to ESG Intelligence, which equips business leaders with the means to make immediate decisions based on a complete picture of their ESG-related health, risks and opportunities. We're very proud to win this award in recognition of the strength of our vision and our unique technological approach." About alva We support our clients to make better decisions with Stakeholder Intelligence. We analyse millions of alternative data, including media, regulator, investor, government, public and NGO sources to help our clients better understand and connect with their stakeholders. We combine AI technology with sector expertise to provide a fully integrated intelligence solution to corporations, the investment industry and advisory firms covering ESG, risk, reputation, media and board intelligence. Contact Matt Cartmell Carta Communications +44 (0)7930485333 [email protected] Related Images image1.jpg SOURCE alva SAN DIEGO, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Generali Global Assistance ("GGA") today announced the United States findings of 2021 Holiday Barometer the twentieth anniversary of the annual poll sponsored by its parent company, Europ Assistance, and conducted by the consumer research firm Ipsos. The survey was conducted between May 5th and May 20th, 2021. Based on the survey of 1000 Americans, the pandemic is still making Americans weary of travel. There is a noticeable drop in summer travel plans with only 50% of respondents indicating they will be taking a summer vacation in 2021 an 18-point drop from 2019 pre-pandemic levels. Americans indicated they expect travel to return to normal, with no masks or other COVID-19 related precautions, in 2022. Chris Carnicelli, CEO of Generali Global Assistance, commented on the findings, "Given the lingering impacts of the pandemic, it is reassuring that Americans are optimistic for travel normalizing in 2022. While travel numbers are down for this summer, budgets are remaining very close to pre-pandemic numbers and there is an optimism that the future is bright for Americans traveling both domestically and abroad. Americans are increasingly seeing travel as a lifestyle investment and as they would other investments like their home or car, they are looking to help protect it with insurance." Upcoming Travel Plans 50% of respondents are planning to travel during the months of July through September coinciding with summer vacation in the US. Travel budgets slipped slightly in the United States . Americans expected to spend $2,319 this year which is a scant 2% drop from the $2,373 budgeted in 2019. . Americans expected to spend this year which is a scant 2% drop from the budgeted in 2019. While almost half of Americans surveyed have not decided on a summer destination, those who have are favoring domestic travel over international travel. Regardless of location Americans have indicated they are heading to the beach indicating it as their top destination across all age groups. Americans who are traveling are among most organized in the world as they have already booked at least part of their upcoming trip trailing only Thailand and considerably ahead of Europe. Ian Scott, President of Aventura World and Tewfik Ghattas, an Executive Board Member of Central Holidays, both members of the SGI family of travel brands, noted, "After a year-plus indoors, our tours are already filling up and people are looking for a new experience. With almost 80% of those surveyed saying they will not be working on their vacations we're excited for the remainder of 2021 and really looking forward to 2022." Travel Protection American's interest in travel insurance is increasing, now at 37%, compared to previous and similar EA/Ipsos surveys - but still lagging behind other markets. Americans heading overseas are much more likely to purchase a policy than those traveling domestically. Parents are showing an increased desire for travel insurance when compared with those without children. The Holiday Barometer also shows that the likelihood of purchasing travel insurance has a regional component among US respondents. Residents in the Northeast and the West are more likely to purchase travel insurance than those who identified as living in the Midwest and the South. Anna Gladman, CEO at World Nomads, concluded, "We are seeing more interest in travel insurance as we emerge from the pandemic. In the 2020 poll, only 25% of respondents said they bought travel insurance previously in 2019 compared with 37% of this year's respondents saying they were likely to purchase travel insurance now." Survey Methodology The 2021 edition of the Holiday Barometer from Europ Assistance and Ipsos was conducted in 14 countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Portugal, Belgium, Poland, the Czech Republic, China and Thailand. In each country, 1,000 consumers aged 18 years and older took part in an online questionnaire. The survey was conducted between May 5th and May 20th and investigated consumer holiday plans and travel preferences. About Generali Global Assistance Generali Global Assistance (GGA) is a leading brand comprised of Travel Insurance & Assistance, Medical Risk & Home Care Management, Identity & Cyber Protection, as well as other care services. GGA is part of the Generali Group, which for over 190 years has provided peace of mind to its clients and their customers and is now supported by more than 72,000 employees worldwide. Our success has been built on establishing trust by putting the customer at the core of everything we do, offering assistance and protection during our customer's most difficult and stressful situations. To learn more, please visit: https://us.generaliglobalassistance.com/ GGA Media Contact Jay A. Morakis M Group Strategic Communications (for Generali Global Assistance North America) +1 646.859.5951 [email protected] SOURCE Generali Global Assistance SAN FRANCISCO, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- There are classical recipes that never change, cutting-edge recipes that are trendy, and then there are family recipes, says chef and author Michael Sabella. Family recipes are handed down from generation to generation, but do they remain the same? Not always, as he explains in his newly released book, RECIPES CHANGE: A Culinary Journey Through 5 Generations, https://www.amazon.com/Recipes-Change-culinary-journey-generations/dp/1662435770. Michael Sabella Follow five generations of a Sicilian family through over 100 years of cooking. Mostly truth with a few fun tall tales and a little pure fiction mixed in. Their story begins as fishermen in Sciacca, Sicily, during a time of turmoil. Luciano and his brothers took the 12 dollar journey in the unsanitary steerage class aboard the Iniziativa which left Naples in January 1890 bound for New York and crossed the states to San Francisco. It did not take Luciano long to learn that the streets were not "paved with gold," but he worked hard and fished the San Francisco Bay and eventually helped his son Antonino open one of the first restaurants on Fisherman's wharf. Recipes evolved over generations due to the availability of ingredients, social events, nutritional awareness, trends, and culinary tools. What was delicious in 1950 might be considered too calorie-dense in 1980. Over 150 family recipes through five generations reflect those changes while respecting the original heart and soul of each one. Michael Sabella is a fourth-generation San Franciscan restaurateur who started peeling prawns at his family restaurant when he was 8. It was a skill developed from his great grandfather Luciano, who first arrived in San Francisco from Sicily in 1887. He honed his skills with honors at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, and became the executive chef and operating partner at A. Sabella's seafood restaurant on Fisherman's Wharf. He has appeared on ABC, NBC, The Discovery Channel, CNN, and several local television and radio stations, and was a chef instructor for William's Sonoma, the JobCorp's advanced culinary training on Treasure Island, and the Cordon Bleu program at the California Culinary Academy. He is currently a Hospitality Consultant and Subject Matter Expert with the National Restaurant Association. For additional information about the book, or to schedule an interview, contact Chef Sabella at [email protected] Related Files Sabella Book.pdf Related Images image1.jpg SOURCE Michael Sabella LINCOLNTON, N.C., June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Annihilare Medical Systems Incorporated (AMS) announced today that the company has formed a partnership with DRM MedTec (DRM) in the healthcare space. DRM has exclusive rights to distribute the AMS Healthcare Infection Prevention System (HIPS). The patent pending (US and UK) HIPS technology is a method using a practical approach, applying both chemistry and technology for complete facility disinfection. Annihilare CEO Marty Paris explains "our system provides unmatched results in disinfection by using the most effective fluids with the most effective cleaning protocol technology. DRM has a wide reach in the healthcare space, and we have a lot of confidence with this partnership." HIPS is the most innovative solution on the market today for dealing with Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs) in all healthcare environments. The system, which produces 500ppm Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) that has an efficacy rate of up to 99.9999% for all current environmental contributing HAIs. HOCl is made from naturally occurring elements, is generated at a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0, and is Green Seal certified. DRM President, George Morrison, said "HIPS is the most innovative solution that we have found. HIPS is an industry disruptor, and we are very excited about this partnership." At Annihilare, we are ushering in a new generation of clean. We promote healthy environments for all people with our cutting-edge technology, and our EPA registered and Green Seal certified cleaners and disinfectants. We provide a comprehensive approach in fighting germs, while improving indoor air quality. In these challenging times, being able to clean and disinfect safely and more often has never been more important. Visit https://www.annihilare.com to learn more about this unique approach to the sustainable infection prevention . DRM MedTec Solutions is a Houston-based Texas corporation that specializes in Healthcare and Technology. With over 100 years of combined healthcare experience, the DRM team is ready to assist you with your product development and deployment needs. Media Contacts: Bill Bath Annihilare 855-545-5677 George Morrison DRM MedTec 855-959-3955 SOURCE Annihilare Related Links https://www.annihilare.com Potency tests assure doctors that a medicine has good quality and will be effective for treatment. Although potency tests are common for drug medicines, developing them for stem cell treatments has been difficult. For stem cell treatments, no reliable potency tests have been available. At the June 21-26, 2021 Annual Meeting of the International Society for Stem Cell Research, stem cell biotechnology company Asymmetrex will present data and examples for a new test for evaluation of the potency of tissue stem cell treatments. The technology, called kinetic stem cell (KSC) counting, can tell doctors the number of live tissue-renewing stem cells in a treatment sample. The President & CEO of Asymmetrex, James L. Sherley, M.D., Ph.D., explains, "Stem cell medicine has needed a quality and effectiveness index like drug specific activity for pharmaceuticals. What could work better than knowing the number of live tissue stem cells that can restore other tissue cells? That's what our KSC counting TORTOISE TestTM platform can tell doctors: the number of live stem cells in a treatment that can renew an organ or tissue." Asymmetrex is currently focused on conducting preclinical and clinical evaluations of how well its tissue stem cell-specific data indicate the effectiveness of stem cell treatments in different patients. In his company's presentations at ISSCR 2021, Sherley says that he will also introduce the immediate benefits of KSC counting to stem cell scientists for their tissue stem cell research. "It's a no brainer that now knowing how many tissue stem cells are in experiments will greatly improve stem cell researchand, as a consequence, stem cell medicine." About Asymmetrex Asymmetrex, LLC is a Massachusetts life sciences company with a focus on developing technologies to advance stem cell medicine. Asymmetrex is a member company of the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute BioFabUSA (ARMI) and the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MassBio). Media Contact: James L Sherley, [email protected] SOURCE Asymmetrex, LLC Related Links asymmetrex.com NEW YORK, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- With wide application in the food processing industry and increasing use in nutraceuticals, the global banana flakes market is set to experience growth of value CAGR of 5.5% and reach US$ 780 Mn by 2031. Banana flakes are associated with several health benefits; they are gluten-free and come with health benefits such as reduction in chronic inflammation and are beneficial for digestive concerns. Banana flakes also have a longer shelf life and are used in various food products for texture, flavoring, and to increase their nutritional content. Key Takeaways from Market Study The banana flakes market in East Asia is expected to surge in countries such as China and Japan at CAGRs of 7% and 5%, respectively, with China covering a market value share of around 75%. is expected to surge in countries such as and at CAGRs of 7% and 5%, respectively, with covering a market value share of around 75%. In Asia Pacific , banana flakes are used in the food processing industry, growing at a value CAGR of 6.5%. Manufacturers are also offering banana flakes in the nutraceutical segment, which is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of close to 8%. , banana flakes are used in the food processing industry, growing at a value CAGR of 6.5%. Manufacturers are also offering banana flakes in the nutraceutical segment, which is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of close to 8%. The food processing industry covers a major share of the market, along with application in bakery, confectionery, and dairy products, and is expected to show significant value CAGR of over 5%, owing to growing awareness among consumers about the nutritional value of banana flakes. The market in the U.S. is projected to expand at a value CAGR of over 4% and account for almost 90% of North America . . France , Nordic, and BENELUX countries are expected to expand at significant value CAGRs of 6.7%, 7.2%, and 7.6%, respectively. , Nordic, and BENELUX countries are expected to expand at significant value CAGRs of 6.7%, 7.2%, and 7.6%, respectively. Efficient supply chain and distribution channels of banana flakes are facilitating easy availability. Online distribution of the business to consumer segment is expected to witness over 6% CAGR through 2031. The outbreak of COVID-19 disrupted the supply chain of banana flakes in the international market, impacting imports. However, with increasing demand for healthy and nutritional products, demand for banana flakes is expected to recover over the next two to three quarters. Request for sample PDF of report: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/20980 "Manufacturers should focus on offering banana flakes in the food processing as well as nutraceutical industry for heightened profits," says a Persistence Market Research analyst. Competitive Landscape Players manufacturing and distributing banana flakes are focusing on increasing their supply capacity to respond to growing demand from food processing companies. Manufacturers are also constantly making efforts to offer banana flakes for end use in various industries, such as nutraceuticals. For any other query ask an expert: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/ask-an-expert/20980 In 2019, Symrise established an innovation lab at the Unilever Foods Innovation Centre in the Wageningen Campus. In the partnership, Symrise will work together with scientists of the internationally renowned Wageningen University & Research. In 2019, Orchard Valley Foods Group acquired a majority share in The Ingredients Co, Australia to create Orchard Valley Foods Australia Ltd., as part of the company's continued expansion into the Australian foodservice and bakery markets. The company has an exclusive agreement to distribute Orchard Valley's product ranges in Australia and New Zealand . Get full access of report: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/20980 Explore More Valuable Insights Persistence Market Research, in its new report, offers an impartial analysis of the global banana flakes market, presenting historical data (2016-2020) and estimation statistics for the forecast period of 2021-2031. The study offers compelling insights on the basis of nature (organic and conventional), end use (food processing industry, nutraceuticals, retail/household, foodservice industry, and others), and distribution channel (business to business and business to consumer), across seven major regions of the world. Browse Research Release at: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-reports.asp Browse End-to-end Market: Food and Beverages Related Reports: Banana Puree Market: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/banana-puree-market.asp Banana Flour Market: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/banana-flour-market.asp About Persistence Market Research Overview: Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance. To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes. Contact Rajendra Singh Persistence Market Research U.S. Sales Office: 305 Broadway, 7th Floor New York City, NY 10007 +1-646-568-7751 United States USA - Canada Toll-Free: 800-961-0353 Email: [email protected] Visit Our Website: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com SOURCE Persistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd. PHILADELPHIA, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Benchworks, a leading creative agency that helps pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies successfully bring new products to market, today announced that it has been named to the MM&M 2021 Agency 100. The Agency 100 recognizes the top agencies, from boutique to multinational, in medical marketing and communications, putting Benchworks among the industry elite. Agency 100 nominees are selected based on their annual revenue. Each agency is highlighted in an individual, staff-written profile in MM&M's June "Agency 100" issue that allows them to showcase their uniqueness and differentiate themselves from their competitors. "Benchworks constantly strives to be better than it was the previous day for our employees, our clients, and for the patients we ultimately work for," said Will Reese, Benchworks President. "Our commitment and passion to this goal is what made recognition by MM&Mfor the sixth year in a rowpossible." Since its founding in 1991, Benchworks' team of creatives, industry leaders, strategists, and tech innovators has built and supported successful healthcare brands. With more than 50 employees based in offices in Philadelphia and Chestertown, Maryland, Benchworks has developed a thoughtful, integrated, 360 approach to brand challenges that is built for an increasingly complex business environment. About Benchworks A continuously evolving enterprise for more than 30 years, Benchworks is a hybrid model of consultancy and brand-building creative agency. Powered by a diverse mix of agency and industry talent, Benchworks blends brand and business strategies to deliver flexible, scalable solutions that answer and anticipate the challenges of a complicated life sciences marketplace. Benchworks is part of BW Health Group, a family of interconnected companies dedicated to supporting and building partnerships with the life sciences industry. For more information, visit benchworks.com or call 800-536-4670. Contact: Michelle Garvey 410-810-8862 [email protected] Related Images benchworks.png Benchworks Benchworks logo SOURCE Benchworks June 28, BCBSIL 's Blue Door Neighborhood Center(BDNC) locations are hosting a virtual webinar, "Pride Month: The Fight Continues", from noon until 1pm. This community discussion features BCBSIL's Pride Alliance an HCSC business resource group - and the Potocsnak Family Division of Adolescent & Young Adult Medicine at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. June 29, the Blue Door Neighborhood Centers are joining with Above & Beyond for "Taking Pride: Mental Health within the LGBTQ+ Community". This virtual discussion will examine the relationship between stress, mental health and substance use disorders within the LGBTQ+ community. Additionally, our employee volunteerism program, Blue Corps, has curated opportunities for employees to support Pride-month activities such as a Pride Month Senior Food and Greeting Card Drive with the Center on Halsted and Pride Month Tie-Dye project with Ignite. June is recognized as Pride month in commemoration of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City, a series of demonstrations by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning community. "PRIDE month activities are a great way to demonstrate our supports for LGTBQ+ communities, but PRIDE is more than a month," said Krishna Ramachandran, vice president, provider performance for BCBSIL. "Year-round we support our employees, our members and our families and work to ensure we are promoting a culture of commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion." Through our grant and sponsorship programs, BCBSIL has provided nearly $750,000 in funding over the last 10 years to organizations focused on supporting LGBTQ+ communities and causes, including: Springfield PrideFest, AIDS Foundation Run & Walk Chicago, Peoria Proud's River City Pride Fest and Howard Brown Health Center's 63rd Street location, serving Chicago's Englewood neighborhood. Employee Empowerment Our Business Resource Group, Pride Alliance, is a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and allies group that fosters diversity through educational seminars, an open membership policy, networking, mentoring, community outreach efforts and employee cultural awareness activities. In addition to partnering on the June 28th BDNC webinar with the Blue Door Neighborhood Center, Pride Alliance is hosting a series of educational employee seminars this month on topics such as Transgender Programs and Resources, LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Healthcare as well as a webinar sponsored by Diversity Best Practices, one of BCBSIL's diversity and inclusion partners. BCBSIL has been a longtime sponsor and participant in Chicago's annual PRIDE parade, usually held in June. This year, the parade has been postponed until October giving our employees another opportunity to celebrate PRIDE and honor the contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals in their fight for equality. SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Related Links http://www.bcbsil.com EAGAN, Minn., June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Center for Prevention at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) has awarded $325,000 in funding to four Black, Indigenous, East African, and multiracial led organizations as part of the Community Voice Funding Initiative. Community Voice Funding is designed to support Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) leaders and communities in creating equitable food systems and advancing food justice. BIPOC voices have historically been marginalized or omitted when it comes to decision-making about food systems, public policy, or coalition building. This erasure perpetuates health inequities and limits opportunities for growth. Amplifying community voices and supporting greater participation and leadership in decision making on policies related to healthy food access is critical to advancing health equity and racial justice. "Time and time again we have seen that communities most impacted by health inequities are the best equipped to lead work to overcome the systemic barriers faced in accessing healthy food," said Sarah Senseman, Director, Tobacco Settlement Operations & Community Funding at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. "Health inequities are not simply a biproduct of individual choices. They are the result of systemic racism, historical trauma, and decades of inequality. By investing in community-led solutions we can create a healthier future," she added. The following 4 organizations have been awarded Community Voice funding: Appetite for Change The Metro Food Justice Coalition American Indian Community Housing Organization Central Minnesota Community Empowerment Organization The Cultural Wellness Center About the Center for Prevention The Center for Prevention at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota delivers on Blue Cross' long-term commitment to improve the health of all Minnesotans by tackling the leading root causes of preventable disease: tobacco use, lack of physical activity and unhealthy eating. Funded through proceeds from Blue Cross' historic lawsuit against the tobacco industry, we collaborate with organizations statewide to increase health equity, transform communities and create a healthier state. Visit www.centerforpreventionmn.com for more information. About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota For nearly 90 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (bluecrossmn.com) has supported the health, wellbeing and peace of mind of our members by striving to ensure equitable access to high quality care at an affordable price. We are on a mission to inspire change, transform care and improve health for the people and communities we serve by reinventing both ourselves and the broader system. Our more than 2.5 million members can be found in every Minnesota county, all 50 states and on four continents. As a proud nonprofit organization, we believe working to advance wellness for all Minnesotans is the greatest investment we can make. Our goal is nothing less than for everyone to be able to achieve their full health potential, regardless of race or other socially defined circumstances. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, which serves more than 107 million members across the U.S. SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Related Links https://www.bluecrossmn.com WASHINGTON, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association President and CEO Kim Keck issued the following statement on the United States Supreme Court's ruling in California vs. Texas, the lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). "We are pleased with today's decision dismissing the challenge to the Affordable Care Act. The ACA has made health care more accessible by providing 31 million people health care coverage. Right now, 90% of Americans have health coverage through their jobs, the individual market, Medicare and Medicaid. Today's decision now gives the nation an opportunity to meaningfully tackle the underlying cost of health care one of the most critical challenges in the health care system. As we've seen throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, it's more important than ever that everyone has access to affordable health care, no matter who you are, where you live or what your health condition may be. It's time to build on what we have to make our health care system more affordable and equitable to work better for everyone." Learn more about BCBSA recommendations on ways to reduce health care costs. About Blue Cross Blue Shield Association The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 35 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide healthcare coverage for one in three Americans. BCBSA provides healthcare insights through The Health of America Report series and the national BCBS Health IndexSM. For more information on BCBSA and its member companies, please visit BCBS.com. We also encourage you to connect with us on Facebook, check out our videos on YouTube and follow us on Twitter and Instagram. You can read our Pledge to Make Meaningful Change here. To learn more about our National Health Equity Strategy and our Maternal Health Program, visit BlueHealthEquity.com. SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield Association SAO PAULO, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Braskem Netherlands Finance B.V. ("Braskem Netherlands Finance") today announces the consideration to purchase for cash any and all of the outstanding 3.500% Notes due 2023 (the "2023 Notes") issued by Braskem Finance Netherlands (the "2023 Notes Offer"). Braskem America Finance Company ("Braskem America Finance" and, together with Braskem Netherlands Finance, the "Offerors" and each, an "Offeror") today announces the consideration to purchase for cash any and all of the outstanding 7.125% Notes due 2041 (the "2041 Notes" and, together with the 2023 Notes, the "Notes") issued by Braskem America Finance Company (the "2041 Notes Offer" and, together with the 2023 Notes Offer, the "Offers"). The Offers are being made upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the offer to purchase dated June 11, 2021 (the "Offer to Purchase"). The following table sets forth certain information relating to the Offers, including the applicable Consideration (the "Consideration") payable for Notes accepted for purchase in the Offers for each series of Notes validly tendered and accepted in the Offers and the offer yield for each series of Notes, in each case as calculated at 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) today. Title of Security Security Identifiers Principal Amount Outstanding(1) Reference U.S. Treasury Security Bloomberg Reference Page Fixed Spread (bps) Offer Yield Consideration(2) 3.500% Notes due 2023(3) CUSIP: 10554T AA3 / N15516 AA0 ISIN: US10554TAA34 / USN15516AA01 US$206,895,000 0.125% due May 31, 2023 "FIT1" 60 0.807% US$1,039.18 7.125% Notes due 2041(4) CUSIP: 10554CAA0 / U1065PAA9 ISIN: US10554CAA09 / USU1065PAA94 US$750,000,000 2.25% due May 15, 2041 "FIT1" 304 5.121% US$1,245.89 (1) As of March 31, 2021. (2) Per US$1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase, based on the Fixed Spread (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) for the applicable series of Notes plus the yield calculated to the par call date for such series, based on the bid-side price of the Reference U.S. Treasury Security (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) for that series as of 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) today. The applicable Consideration does not include Accrued Interest (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) on the Notes, which will be payable in cash. (3) The par call date for the 2023 Notes is December 10, 2022, which is the date that is one month prior to the maturity of the 2023 Notes. (4) The par call date for the 2041 Notes is January 22, 2041, which is the date that is six months prior to the maturity of the 2041 Notes. Each Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) today, unless earlier terminated or extended by the applicable Offeror (such time and date, as the same may be extended, the "Expiration Date"). The applicable Consideration payable for Notes accepted for purchase in the Offers for each series of Notes was determined in the manner described in the Offer to Purchase by reference to the applicable Fixed Spread set forth in the table above plus the yield calculated to the par call date for such series, based on the bid-side price of the Reference U.S. Treasury Security for that series as of 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) today. Notes validly tendered may be withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time), on June 17, 2021, unless extended with respect to an Offer, but not thereafter. The settlement date of the Offers will occur promptly following the Expiration Date, and is expected to be no later than three business days following the Expiration Date, on June 22, 2021 (the "Settlement Date"), subject to extension by the Offerors. Holders of Notes who (1) validly tender and do not validly withdraw their Notes of a series on or prior to the Expiration Date or (2) deliver a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) and follow the Guaranteed Delivery Procedures (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) on or prior to the Expiration Date, and tender their Notes on or prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time), on the second business day after the Expiration Date, which is expected to be June 21, 2021, will be eligible to receive the Consideration applicable to such series as described in the Offer to Purchase. Validly tendered Notes may be withdrawn in accordance with the terms of the Offers, at any time prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on June 17, 2021, unless extended, but not thereafter, except as described in the Offer to Purchase or as required by applicable law. In addition to the applicable Consideration, holders whose Notes are tendered and accepted for purchase in the Offers will also receive Accrued Interest (as defined in the Offer to Purchase). For the avoidance of doubt, Accrued Interest on Notes tendered using the Guaranteed Delivery Procedures will cease to accrue on the Settlement Date. Completion of the Offers is conditioned on the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions described in the Offer to Purchase. Braskem Netherlands Finance has the right, in its sole discretion, to amend or terminate the 2023 Notes Offer at any time, subject to applicable law. Braskem America Finance has the right, in its sole discretion, to amend or terminate the 2041 Notes Offer at any time, subject to applicable law. * * * The Offerors have retained Credit Agricole Securities (USA) Inc. and Santander Investment Securities Inc. to serve as dealer managers and D.F. King & Co., Inc. to serve as information and tender agent for the Offers. The Offer to Purchase, the related Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and any related supplements are available at the D.F. King & Co., Inc. website at www.dfking.com/braskem . The full details of the Offers, including complete instructions on how to tender Notes, are included in the Offer to Purchase. Holders of Notes are strongly encouraged to carefully read the Offer to Purchase, including materials incorporated by reference therein, because they contain important information. Requests for the Offer to Purchase and any related supplements may also be directed to D.F. King & Co., Inc. by telephone at +1 (212) 269-5550 or +1 (888) 644-6071 (US toll free) or in writing at [email protected] . Documents relating to the Offers, including the Offer to Purchase and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, are also available at www.dfking.com/braskem . Questions about the Offers may be directed to Credit Agricole Securities (USA) Inc. by telephone at +1 (866) 807-6030 (toll free) or +1 (212) 261-7802 (collect); and Santander Investment Securities Inc. by telephone at +1 (855) 404-3636 (toll free) or +1 (212) 940-1442 (collect). This press release shall not constitute an offer to purchase or a solicitation of acceptance of the offer to purchase, which are being made only pursuant to the terms and conditions contained in the Offer to Purchase. The Offers are not being made to, nor will the Offerors accept tenders of Notes from, holders in any jurisdiction in which the Offers or the acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdiction. In any jurisdiction where the laws require the Offers to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Offers will be made by the dealer managers on behalf of the Offerors. None of the Offerors, the information and tender agent, the dealer managers or the trustee with respect to the Notes, nor any of their respective affiliates, makes any recommendation as to whether holders should tender or refrain from tendering all or any portion of their Notes in response to the Offers. None of the Offerors, the information and tender agent, the dealer managers or the trustee with respect to the Notes, nor any of their respective affiliates, has authorized any person to give any information or to make any representation in connection with the Offers other than the information and representations contained in the Offer to Purchase. Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, any U.S. state securities commission nor any regulatory authority of any other country has approved or disapproved of the Offers, passed upon the merits or fairness of the Offers or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of the disclosure in the Offer to Purchase. About Braskem Netherlands Finance, Braskem America Finance and Braskem Braskem Netherlands Finance, a private company with limited liability (besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid) incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Braskem Netherlands B.V., which, in turn, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Braskem S.A. ("Braskem"). Braskem Netherlands Finance was established primarily to act as a finance subsidiary of Braskem. Braskem America Finance, a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Braskem America, which, in turn, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Braskem. Braskem America Finance was established primarily to act as a finance subsidiary of Braskem. Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this press release may be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Other than statements of historical fact, information regarding activities, events and developments that Braskem expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements based on management's estimates, assumptions and projections. Many forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe, "estimate" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are predictions only and actual results could differ materially from management's expectations due to a variety of factors, including those described the section titled "Risk Factors" in Braskem's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2020. All forward-looking statements attributable to Braskem or the Offerors are expressly qualified in their entirety by such risk factors. The forward-looking statements that the Offerors make in this press release are based on management's current views and assumptions regarding future events and speak only as of their dates. The Offerors assume no obligation to update developments of these risk factors or to announce publicly any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements that the Offerors make, or to make corrections to reflect future events or developments, except as required by the U.S. federal securities laws. DISCLAIMER This press release must be read in conjunction with the Offer to Purchase. This announcement and the Offer to Purchase contain important information which must be read carefully before any decision is made with respect to the Offers. If any holder of Notes is in any doubt as to the action it should take, it is recommended to seek its own legal, tax, accounting and financial advice, including as to any tax consequences, immediately from its stockbroker, bank manager, attorney, accountant or other independent financial or legal adviser. Any individual or company whose Notes are held on its behalf by a broker, dealer, bank, custodian, trust company or other nominee or intermediary must contact such entity if it wishes to participate in the Offers. None of the Offerors, the dealer managers, the information and tender agent and any person who controls, or is a director, officer, employee or agent of such persons, or any affiliate of such persons, makes any recommendation as to whether holders of Notes should participate in the Offers. SOURCE Braskem Netherlands Finance B.V. The distinctive flag used by Helen Cumming of Cardhu's founding family one of whisky's most famous female pioneers - to warn illicit distillers of the approaching 'excise man' in the 1800s now flies proudly above the distillery once again. This is the latest move in a journey across the Johnnie Walker 'four corners' distilleries of Glenkinchie in the Lowlands and the Highland distillery of Clynelish, which opened their doors to the public after being transformed into world-leading tourism destinations. The new visitor experience celebrates the distillery's 200-year history and legacy as a pivotal part of the Johnnie Walker story, it was sold by the Cummings' family to Johnnie Walker and Sons in 1893 and became integral to the Johnnie Walker success story over the coming decades. The state-of-the-art space includes a re-designed immersive story-telling experience with a projection story room, whisky tasting kitchen and updated whisky experience tours. Cristina Diezhandino, Diageo Chief Marketing Officer, said: "We are delighted to be raising the flag at Cardhu to mark the opening of the new visitor experience just as our distilling pioneer Helen Cumming did two centuries ago. When Helen raised her flag, it was to warn her neighbours and the local community, but today we raise the flag in a symbol of confidence and ambition for the future of Scotch whisky and tourism in Speyside and throughout Scotland. "Cardhu is a special whisky, a special distillery with a special history and heritage, and the investment we have made creates an exciting and engaging experience that will surprise and delight visitors whether they are local staycationers in the UK or tourists from around the globe when they are able to travel." Cardhu is the third of the 'Four Corner' Johnnie Walker distillery experiences - which are single malt distilleries that represent Scotland's four whisky making regions and contribute to the world's number one Scotch whisky - to be transformed as part of Diageo's Scotch whisky investment. Following on from the launch of Johnnie Walker Princes Street later this Summer, Caol Ila Distillery on Islay will be next to reopen in 2022 after its own reimagining, to complete the 'four corners' story. Most recently, the iconic "ghost" distillery of Brora was also reawakened after 38 years and is producing whisky once again as part of the Diageo investment. Ewan Andrew, President of Global Supply Chain and Procurement, said: "Cardhu is the latest step in our 185million investment journey to transform Scotch whisky tourism and to create truly world-class visitor experiences at our distilleries, and at Johnnie Walker Princes Street when it opens later this summer. "Everyone involved in this project is incredibly proud of the visitor attractions we are creating, and of the contribution they will make to the economic recovery of Scotland. This is not just an investment in Scotch whisky tourism, but an investment in the future growth of Scotch whisky by engaging new generations of whisky consumers both at home and around the world." At Cardhu visitors will be invited to discover the incredible story of Cardhu in the brand home's new story room where guests can watch a captivating animation retelling of the whisky's origins by Scottish production studio Eyebolls. The projected film will tell the story of the distillery's beginnings and how the tale of Helen Cumming waving the now iconic red flag to warn fellow distillers of approaching tax collectors has gone on to be one of the most acclaimed stories in whisky. Guests will also be able to explore the distillation and maturation process of Cardhu's signature whisky, bursting with notes of orchard fruits and freshly cut grass, as part of a selection of updated interactive tours and experiences, and enjoy a dram or delicious highball at the brand home's new modern Tasting Kitchen. Cardhu Distillery will initially welcome UK visitors in accordance with the latest safety guidelines and look to host international tourists when it is deemed safe to travel by the Scottish Government. Diageo has worked closely with Euan's Guide, a Scottish Charity that works to improve accessibility at all visitor attractions, to make the brand home more accessible for visitors. Diageo has also introduced new sustainability measures as part of its redevelopment to help drive its ambitious Society 2030: Spirit of Progress action plan, such as reducing overall light pollution, conserving water with landscaping and site implementations systems and safeguarding local pollinators and wildlife with a new biodiversity protection programme. Recently the Lowland and Highland homes of Johnnie Walker, Glenkinchie and Clynelish, received Scotland's most prestigious Green Tourism Gold award and Cardhu will open as a Green Tourism Gold accredited site. Green Tourism's certification programme provides a framework to achieve a sustainable tourism business and recognises the commitment of businesses which are actively working to become more sustainable. With the award recognising the full breadth of each distillery's green operating credentials - from sending zero-waste to landfill, to the sustainability of its distillation process and the high standards of water efficiency and stewardship. For more information and to book a tour at Cardhu Distillery, please visit https://www.malts.com/en-row/distilleries Full details of the distilleries and Johnnie Walker Princes Street redevelopment can be found in this downloadable press pack. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1534862/Cardhu_Distillery.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1534863/Cardhu_Distillery.jpg SOURCE Diageo NEW YORK, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Claroty, the industrial cybersecurity company, today announced it has secured $140 million in a Series D financial round. The round marks the largest investment ever made within the industrial cybersecurity sector, establishing Claroty's market leadership as the world grapples with an uptick in cyber attacks on critical infrastructure in recent months. The new funding will be used to accelerate the company's expansion into new verticals and regions, as well as to further enhance its best-in-class product portfolio. The round is co-led by Bessemer Venture Partners' Century II fund, which is specifically designed for growth-stage market leading companies that will define the next century, and 40 North, the related investment arm of privately-held global industrial company Standard Industries. Additional strategic investors include LG, the global innovator in technology and manufacturing, and I Squared Capital's ISQ Global InfraTech Fund. All previous investors, including Temasek, Team8 and long-time customers and partners Rockwell Automation, Siemens, and Schneider Electric, have also participated. The round brings the company's total funding to $235 million. "Our mission is to drive visibility, continuity, and resiliency in the industrial economy by delivering the most comprehensive solutions that secure all connected devices within the four walls of an industrial site, including all operational technology (OT), Internet of Things (IoT), and industrial IoT (IIoT) assets," said Yaniv Vardi, CEO of Claroty. "With this new investment from the most prestigious firms in the world, we have the financial runway to execute on our proven product strategy in a hyper-growth market, with a world-class leadership team and a strong ecosystem of partners to take us there." There has been a clear and distinct shift since 2020 in the frequency and impact of cyber attacks against organizations that underpin the world's critical infrastructure and supply chains. According to Cybersecurity Ventures, global ransomware damage costs are predicted to exceed $265 billion by 2031, up from $20 billion in 2021. As these incidents show no signs of slowing, Claroty's new investment has firmly positioned the company at the forefront of the market with the resources, experience, and capabilities needed to shore up industrial cyber defenses for the future. Claroty is trusted by the world's leading organizations to protect their industrial assets, connections, and processes, with deployments in thousands of locations and facilities across all seven continents. For example, the company has worked closely with Pfizer to secure its COVID-19 vaccine supply chain in its race to meet unprecedented global demand. The round is the latest in a series of milestones for the compay, including: 133% expected year-over-year (YoY) growth in new annual recurring revenue from 1H 2020 to 1H 2021 110% YoY net new logo growth and 100% customer retention, including Coca-Cola EuroPacific Partners ( Australia , Pacific, Indonesia ) and IRPC Public Company Limited , Pacific, ) and IRPC Public Company Limited 80 new employees hired in the Americas, EMEA, and APAC in 2021; on track to grow headcount by nearly 50% by end of year Expanded partner coverage by 50% in 2020 with the addition of Deloitte, KPMG, PwC, CrowdStrike, Atos, Yokogawa, and others to its new FOCUS Partner Program Released Claroty Edge , a new, patent-pending addition to The Claroty Platform and the industry's first zero-infrastructure industrial cybersecurity solution , a new, patent-pending addition to The Claroty Platform and the industry's first zero-infrastructure industrial cybersecurity solution Named winner of 'Best IOT/IIOT Security Solution' in SC Awards Europe 2021 With over 120 ICS vulnerability disclosures to date, the Claroty Research Team leads the ICS threat research industry by far, helping Claroty's strategic partners to deliver more secure products Claroty will use the funds to meet rapidly accelerating global demand for The Claroty Platform's visibility, threat detection, risk and vulnerability management, and secure remote access capabilities by expanding into new verticals and regions, growing global headcount, bolstering its commitment to securing IoT devices, and further empowering customers' journey to the cloud. "We launched Bessemer's growth fund to invest specifically in clear market leaders," said David Cowan, partner at Bessemer Venture Partners. "We are focused on helping the next generation of category-defining companies that have standout product-market fit, scalability, and a strong executive team. Since our first investment in Claroty in 2016, the company has continued to demonstrate that it has the best vision, team, and technology to address the unique challenges in the critical infrastructure security sector." "David Winter and I are passionate about investing in high-potential companies, especially those focused on building the industrial future," said David Millstone, co-CEO of Standard Industries and co-CIO of 40 North. "Cybersecurity is a crucial component of that effort, and Claroty has proven itself as the most experienced, innovative, and visionary company in this industry. We look forward to working with its top-notch team to secure the new industrial revolution." About Claroty Claroty is the industrial cybersecurity company. Trusted by the world's largest enterprises, Claroty helps customers reveal, protect, and manage their OT, IoT, and IIoT assets. The company's comprehensive platform connects seamlessly with customers' existing infrastructure and programs while providing a full range of industrial cybersecurity controls for visibility, threat detection, risk and vulnerability management, and secure remote accessall with a significantly reduced total cost of ownership. Claroty is backed and adopted by leading industrial automation vendors, with an expansive partner ecosystem and award-winning research team. The company is headquartered in New York City and has a presence in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America, and deployments on all seven continents. To learn more, visit www.claroty.com . 1 Source: Internal company analysis of Crunchbase data. Shift Communications for Claroty [email protected] SOURCE Claroty Related Links https://www.claroty.com/ Lubbock TX surgical center joins select dozen in US to merit MBSAQIP accreditation for excellence in weight loss surgery Tweet this The MBSAQIP Standards, Optimal Resources for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, ensure that metabolic and bariatric patients receive multidisciplinary medical care, which improves patient outcomes and long-term success. MBSAQIP-Accredited surgery centers offer preoperative and postoperative care designed specifically for patients with obesity. "We are excited about the opportunity to offer Lubbock and the West Texas community an excellent Bariatric surgery experience in the only MBSAQIP-accredited ambulatory surgery center in the region," said Dr. Purtell. "Our fellowship-trained Bariatric surgeons can offer tremendous quality and outcomes at affordable cost. The accreditation also allows many insured patients with Bariatric benefits the opportunity to change their lives as well, with long term weight loss and improvement of medical conditions." CHPSC's commitment to quality care begins with its expertly trained staff and the leadership of an experienced bariatric surgeon. The program is tasked with continuous review of surgical data as they continue improving the structure and outcomes expertise necessary to provide safe, efficacious, and high-quality care to all metabolic and bariatric patients. To earn MBSAQIP Accreditation, CHPSC met essential criteria for staffing, training, facility infrastructure and patient care pathways, ensuring its ability to support patients with obesity. The center also participates in a national data registry that yields semiannual reports on the quality of its surgical outcomes and identifying opportunities for quality improvement. The MBSAQIP Standards, Optimal Resources for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, are published by the ACS and the ASMBS. "For the first time, patients in West Texas have the option to experience this level of care in an ambulatory surgery center," stated CHPSC Administrator Alfonso del Granado. "ASCs are known for being a convenient, less-expensive alternative to hospitals overall, but the MBSAQIP Accreditation lets the bariatric patient know that we meet the highest standards of quality in healthcare." After applying for MBSAQIP Accreditation, centers undergo an extensive site visit by an experienced bariatric surgeon who reviews the center's structure, processes, and clinical outcomes data. Centers that earn accreditation are awarded a specific designation level, depending on how many patients it serves annually, critical care capabilities, the types of procedures provided, and whether it provides care to patients under the age of 18. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates about 93 million adults in the United States are affected by obesity and that number continues to increase. The disease of obesity increases the risks of morbidity and mortality because of the diseases and conditions that are commonly associated with it, such as type II diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, among other health risks. Metabolic and bariatric surgery has proven to be effective in the reduction of comorbid conditions related to obesity.* Working together, the ACS and the ASMBS have developed accreditation standards for metabolic and bariatric surgery to assist patients with obesity in identifying centers that provide optimal patient care. A bariatric patient himself, del Granado supports his organization's commitment to excellence. "Too many patients have not been able to afford the treatment options available at large hospital programs, or had to compromise by seeking care at non-accredited centers. With this accreditation, we are demonstrating our commitment to offer patients the highest standards of care in West Texas." *Buchwald H, Avidor Y, Braunwald E, et al. Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA. 2004;292(14):1724-1737. DOI:10.1001/jama.292.14.1724. About Covenant High Plains Surgery Center, LLC Covenant High Plains Surgery Center (CHPSC) operates two freestanding, independent multispecialty ambulatory surgery centers in Lubbock, Texas. Fully accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, and now by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, CHPSC was created by the 2015 merger of Covenant Surgical Center (est. 1986) and High Plains Surgery Center (est. 2006). With 13 operating and procedure rooms and more than a hundred physicians on staff, CHPSC offers the latest treatment options in dermatology, ENT, general surgery, GI, gynecology, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, orthopedics, pain, plastic & reconstructive surgery, podiatry, and urology to serve the needs of ambulatory surgery patients from Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. About the American College of Surgeons The American College of Surgeons (ACS) is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical education and practice and to improve the quality of care for surgical patients. Its achievements have placed it at the forefront of American surgery and have made the College an important advocate for all surgical patients. The College has more than 82,000 members and is the largest organization of surgeons in the world. About the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) is the largest organization for metabolic and bariatric surgeons in the world, with more than 4,200 members. It is a not-for-profit organization that works to advance the science of metabolic and bariatric surgery. The ASMBS is committed to educating medical professionals and the lay public about metabolic and bariatric surgery, including the associated risks and benefits, as a treatment option for obesity. SOURCE Covenant High Plains Surgery Center Related Links www.chpsurgery.com WASHINGTON, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Democracy Forward announced today that it has named prominent advocate and lawyer Skye Perryman as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. The move is a return to Democracy Forward for Perryman, who was a founding litigator of the organization in 2017. Perryman's appointment comes as the organization enters a new phase of growth, reaching beyond the executive branch and building on its success in confronting unlawful threats to democracy and social progress. "As we continue to see the basic values of our democracy under attack, Skye Perryman is the right leader at the right time for Democracy Forward," said Marc Elias, head of the Political Law practice at Perkins Coie and Chair of the Board of Democracy Forward. "She is a successful litigator, effective strategist, and a coalition builder who is committed to taking on critical fights to advance social progress and democratic values. We are all thrilled to welcome Skye back to Democracy Forward to lead its next phase at a time when the stakes for our nation's future could not be higher." Perryman brings a wealth of experience in both the private and nonprofit sectors, most recently serving as Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the nation's premier organization of physicians dedicated to the health care of women, where she led a number of legal and policy initiatives to enhance access and equity in women's health care. "We must use all tools at our disposal to fight for the promise of democracy at this crucial moment. It is an honor to be rejoining the team at Democracy Forward as we expand the scope and reach of our work," said Perryman. Democracy Forward was founded in 2017 to combat corruption in executive branch policy making and to fight vigorously in court on behalf of those harmed. The organization has used the law to successfully challenge bad actors and their abuses of power, shut down unlawful committees created for special interests, and expose unfair, unreasonable regulations that strip individuals and communities of crucial protections. Democracy Forward's efforts helped disband unlawful government advisory groups (including one that sought to collect private information on individual American voters), reversed the rollback of healthier school nutrition standards for 30 million children, compelled collection of equal pay data, helped reinstate more than $200 million in evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention grant funding, helped preserve the Affordable Care Act, and secured a first-of-its kind court ruling that a Trump administration official had been unlawfully appointed, leading to the invalidation of policies harmful to asylum seekers, among many other successes . Under Perryman's leadership, the organization will continue to use the law to challenge abuses of power and threats to the nation's future, including by expanding its legal work in the states and amplifying the voices of communities and individuals most affected by governmental action at all levels. Perryman began her legal career at Covington & Burling LLP and later practiced at WilmerHale where she handled complex, high-stakes matters at the intersection of law and policy. Earlier in her career, she led programs to provide educational enhancements for underserved youth in central Texas public schools and was part of initial efforts to build coalitions between labor and environmental stakeholders supporting investment in renewable energy infrastructure. Perryman holds a Juris Doctor with honors from the Georgetown University Law Center and a Bachelor of Arts magna cum laude from Baylor University, where she is a member of the Board of Advocates for the College of Arts and Sciences. She has received numerous accolades, including being named a Washington Rising Star by SuperLawyers for four consecutive years, a Top 40 Under 40 Trailblazer by the Leadership Center for Excellence, a Harry S. Truman Scholar, and receiving the Chuck F. C. Ruff Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year Award. Her work has been covered widely in the media, including by The New York Times, National Public Radio (NPR), National Broadcast Corporation (NBC), The Washington Post, The Houston Chronicle, and Teen Vogue. Perryman succeeds Anne Harkavy, the organization's founding executive director. "Under Anne Harkavy's leadership, Democracy Forward was a critical force in upholding the rule of law. We are all grateful for Anne's leadership and proud of the legacy that she leaves," said Elias. About Democracy Forward Democracy Forward is a nonprofit legal organization founded in 2017 to litigate challenges to unlawful executive branch action on behalf of organizations, individuals, and municipalities. The organization has taken 650 legal actions and reversed dozens of harmful policies. Democracy Forward is expanding its work, building on its success to confront unlawful threats to democracy and social progress. SOURCE Democracy Forward Related Links https://democracyforward.org/ RICHMOND, Va., June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sixty students from diverse backgrounds make up the first class of Dominion Energy Educational Equity Scholars and will receive over $500,0000 to help pay for educational expenses as part of Dominion Energy's larger commitment to African American and other underrepresented minority students. These scholarships are the first in a six-year, $10 million initiative to provide assistance with higher education expenses. "A college education is one key path to a successful career. This will help reduce the financial hurdle," said Robert M. Blue, Dominion Energy's chair, president and chief executive officer. "All students should have access to a quality education and the many doors a college degree opens." The inaugural class is comprised of students hailing from eight states. Seventeen students enrolled in two-year schools will receive $5,000 each. Forty-three students enrolled in four-year schools will receive $10,000 each. Scholarship recipients will be able to renew scholarships as they progress in school, provided they meet certain criteria, such as GPA requirements and residence in an eligible state. The program is administered by Scholarship America, a nonprofit that specializes in management of scholarship and tuition assistance programs. Another $9.5 million in Dominion Energy Educational Equity Scholarships will be awarded over the next five years. Dominion Energy also committed $25 million to 11 historically black colleges and universities in Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina and South Carolina. The six-year HBCU PromiseSM program will support endowments, capital projects, operating expenses and educational programs in clean energy. NOTE: Photos and biographies of this year's awardees are available at https://news.dominionenergy.com/scholars About Dominion Energy More than 7 million customers in 16 states energize their homes and businesses with electricity or natural gas from Dominion Energy (NYSE: D), headquartered in Richmond, Va. The company is committed to sustainable, reliable, affordable and safe energy and to achieving net zero carbon dioxide and methane emissions from its power generation and gas infrastructure operations by 2050. Please visit DominionEnergy.com to learn more. SOURCE Dominion Energy Related Links http://www.dominionenergy.com SEATTLE, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On July 1, Seattle Uber and Lyft drivers will become the first gig workers in the nation to benefit from legal protections against unwarranted termination when the City's groundbreaking Deactivation Rights Ordinance is implemented. On the same day, Drivers Union will launch new support services to help drivers appeal unwarranted deactivations, know their rights under the law, and receive additional job supports. These services will be provided under a contract announced by the City of Seattle Office of Labor Standards, following a competitive bidding process. "I am so proud that Uber and Lyft drivers in Seattle are leading the way on groundbreaking labor standards that set an example for the rest of the country," said Peter Kuel, President of Drivers Union , who started driving for Uber and Lyft in 2014. "Starting July 1st, if a driver is terminated without cause, they will have legal appeal rights and a strong advocate at their side." Initially, Drivers Union will offer support services through in-person outreach where drivers congregate and on virtual communication platforms, with plans to open a support center as pandemic restrictions are phased out. Drivers Union support services for Uber/Lyft drivers will include: Consultation and support services to drivers facing deactivation; Direct legal representation to drivers in deactivation arbitration proceedings; Outreach, education, and support to drivers about their rights; and Culturally and language-specific services to drivers in the primary languages that drivers speak. "I lost my job after I was the victim of being hit by an uninsured driver," said Nurayne Fofana, a ride-hail driver who was deactivated by Uber in 2018 . "Even though investigations by both the police and Uber's own insurance company found that I was not at fault, I still lost my job. I am so glad that moving forward other drivers will not have to experience what my family went through." Drivers Union and Teamsters Local 117 led the organizing campaign to win groundbreaking deactivation protections, paid sick days during the pandemic, and a minimum wage under the City's Fare Share Plan. "Courageous immigrant workers have led an eight-year campaign for fair pay, fair working conditions, and a voice at work," said John Scearcy, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 117 . "July 1st marks a major milestone in that ongoing work establishing groundbreaking labor standards and a support center for workers to be supported in their jobs and treated with dignity and respect. Around the country, other workers who have been denied justice will surely look to learn from the success of Seattle's Uber and Lyft drivers and their union." Contact: Joshua Welter, 206-383-1857 [email protected] SOURCE Teamsters Local 117 MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- El Camino Health today announced it has launched an initiative to bring COVID-19 vaccines where they are needed most in Santa Clara County using a new mobile vaccination van. Anyone 12 years and older is eligible for a free vaccine at any of the mobile events. "Santa Clara County already ranks highly in California for COVID-19 vaccination rates, but we know it's our job to support public health by making sure every single eligible person has easy and free access to this life-saving vaccine," said Dan Woods, chief executive officer of El Camino Health. "By getting out and meeting community members in more convenient settings, we're continuing to push through barriers that might prevent someone from getting vaccinated." El Camino Health's new specialized vaccination van safely stores and transports vaccines, supplies and the IT equipment required for vaccine clinics. Appointments are not necessary for mobile vaccination events, and the van will hold two events in each location to ensure first and second doses are properly distributed. The new vaccination effort is supported in part thanks to funding from Google.org . "We're proud to support El Camino Health's efforts in increasing access to COVID-19 vaccines throughout Santa Clara County," said Javier Gonzalez, Google's head of California local government affairs. "Throughout the pandemic, we've been working to support our community; initiatives like this are crucial to ending the pandemic and helping us recover more quickly." Following are details for all upcoming mobile vaccination events open to anyone eligible for the vaccine: Egan Junior High School Address: 100 W. Portola Avenue, Los Altos, CA 94022 94022 First doses: Completed on June 8 Second doses: June 29 , from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. , from Community Services Agency in Mountain View Address: 204 Stierlin Road, Mountain View, CA 94043 94043 First doses: Completed on June 15 Second doses: July 6 , from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. , from Monta Loma Elementary School Address: 460 Thompson Avenue, Mountain View, CA 94043 94043 First doses: June 17 , from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. , from Second doses: July 8 , from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. , from West Valley Community Services 10104 Vista Dr, Cupertino , 95014 , 95014 First doses: June 18 , from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. , from Second doses: July 9 , from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. , from Mountain View Los Altos Union High School District Address: 1299 Bryant Avenue, Mountain View, CA 94040 94040 First doses: June 22 , from noon to 4 p.m. , from Second doses: July 13 , from noon to 4 p.m. , from Jose Antonio Vargas Elementary School Address: 220 N. Whisman Road, Mountain View, CA 94043 94043 First doses: June 24 , from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. , from Second doses: July 15 , from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. More vaccination dates and locations will be announced as they are confirmed. At the same time, El Camino Health will use the mobile COVID-19 vaccination van to help vaccinate business essential service workers in Santa Clara County on June 25 and 26 at a Google campus in Sunnyvale. This is a special vaccination clinic being organized by SEIU-United Service Workers West in collaboration with El Camino Health and Google. To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and other options for scheduling an appointment for free vaccine at an El Camino Health clinic, visit www.elcaminohealth.org/getvax . About El Camino Health El Camino Health provides a personalized healthcare experience at two non-profit acute care hospitals in Los Gatos and Mountain View and at primary care, multi-specialty care, and urgent care locations across Santa Clara County. For nearly sixty years, the organization has grown to meet the needs of individuals and communities it serves. Bringing together the best in new technology and advanced medicine, the network of nationally recognized physicians and care teams deliver high-quality, compassionate care. Key medical specialties include heart and vascular, cancer and lifestyle medicine. The hospitals have earned numerous awards for clinical excellence, such as a 5-Star Overall Hospital Quality Rating from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and nursing care, including four consecutive American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet Recognitions for Nursing Care. Visit elcaminohealth.org to learn more. Media Contact Christopher Brown, director of communications, El Camino Health [email protected] 650-694-3891 SOURCE El Camino Health Related Links https://www.elcaminohealth.org Surely, more than one kind reader who delves into the reading of this nonsense of life, that is Baltasar Castreno, will be surprised (or maybe not!) of the experiences that are presented and happen here. For others, on the other hand, the environment and development of the protagonist will be very familiar; either because these experiences in America were heard from others or, simply, because the occasional reader is also part of the emigrant diaspora who one day decided to cross the sea, to 'look beyond', to see what there was to the other side of the shore of the vast ocean. This story, to be clear, is not fictional and everything that happens and develops here are real events, just as the protagonist told this humble writer. The author of this book knows from experience that lives like that of Baltasar and among the emigrant community, Spaniard in this case, similar stories could be told to hundreds, and to which more fascinating. The fact that the author in "Baltasar es Nombre de Rey," he has also been a vividor and adventurer in American lands, corroborates the fact that the existence of an emigrant is at any moment a grotesque exposition, an authentic string of nonsense, of grandeur human, heroic, happiness and conquest and also tragedy and death. Spaniard blood is sown and spilled from end to end of the American continent. That is why the life of Baltasar Castreno and as far as the author of the book is concerned, is presented as a tribute, as a real show of admiration for thousands of Spaniards who, for centuries, arrived, and continue to arrive, to lands. American lands where a race like the Spaniards has contributed, not with its grain of sand, but with mountains, with tons of sand, to the aggrandizement of America from one border to another, although they try to overshadow it, the ignorant, self-conscious and poisoned by the black legend concocted by England, against their hated and admired Spain, no matter how bad they are. Baltasar Castreno, fictitious name of a real character, is a sample of the courage and virtues, previously mentioned. Published by Page Publishing, Emilio Renero's realistic depiction of the Spaniard immigrants who bravely crossed the vastness of the ocean and experienced a new world in the lands beyond their reach. This opus magnificently showed the significant addition of the immigrants in the American lands. Readers who wish to experience this awe-inspiring work can purchase "Baltasar es Nombre de Rey" online at the Apple iTunes store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708. About Page Publishing: Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors' books, including distribution in the world's largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Page's accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at www.pagepublishing.com. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1531027/Emilio_Renero_Baltasar_es_Nombre_de_Rey.jpg SOURCE Page Publishing Related Links https://www.pagepublishing.com "With PartialCAD 3.0 Galway , we give dental experts more flexibility in their design workflow," said Tillmann Steinbrecher, CEO and cofounder of exocad. "Custom partial dentures can be created and used quickly, helping those who require or request partials to smile brighter and improve their quality of life." The PartialCAD 3.0 Galway release includes a range of new tools and benefits that empower dental professionals through more design freedom. Highlights of the new module include: Accurate fits from attachment-based partial framework designs without needing to scan the attachment itself or the accessory parts Smooth interaction of the crown-and-bridge workflow and partial-framework workflow allows comfortable reverse planning of the whole restoration Integration of partial framework design with DentalCAD enables the design of multiple separate elements like framework, teeth and gingiva enables the design of multiple separate elements like framework, teeth and gingiva Reverse planning with exportable teeth and gingiva and the possibility to seamlessly combine secondary telescopic crowns with partial frameworks PartialCAD 3.0 Galway is available immediately worldwide as an add-on module or standalone module and can be accessed by all users with a valid upgrade contract. exocad names its releases after current "European Capitals of Culture" and selected the Irish city of Galway for this release. Additional information is available at exocad.com/partialcad About exocad GmbH exocad GmbH, an Align Technology, Inc. company, is one of the leading dental CAD software providers worldwide. exocad vigorously pushes the boundaries of digital dentistry, providing flexible, reliable, and easy-to-use CAD/CAM software for dental labs and dental practices. More than 40,000 valued customers plan implants and create functional and refined restorations with exocad's DentalCAD, ChairsideCAD and exoplan software. For more information and a list of exocad reseller partners, please visit exocad.com. SOURCE exocad GmbH Related Links http://www.exocad.com HOUSTON, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Texas-based CPA and advisory firm Calvetti Ferguson is relocating its Dallas office from Lincoln Centre to Chase Tower and more than doubling its footprint in the process. The firm will occupy more than 11,000 square feet on the 38th floor of Chase Tower. They are one of the largest regional accounting firms based in Texas and were named a Forbes Top Recommended Tax and Accounting Firm two years in a row. Calvetti Ferguson provides services to industries including construction, real estate, manufacturing, distribution, technology, energy, healthcare, and private equity. "Not only have we added two practice areas since opening our original Dallas office, but we've grown our team by 340% in Dallas since 2015. Our new space will allow us to quadruple in size, which shows the growth trajectory we are expecting," said Jason Ferguson, the firm's Managing Partner. The firm, already a Top 200 U.S. accounting firm based on revenue, has no plans to slow down its growth and continues to look for opportunities to expand services and office locations. Dallas Office Managing Partner Brad Cummings commented that, "We couldn't be more excited to move into Chase Tower, especially since the larger space will allow us to better serve our clients and give our employees access to all that downtown Dallas has to offer." The firm's employees will move into the new office on Monday, June 21. About Calvetti Ferguson Calvetti Ferguson is a CPA and advisory firm based in Texas and provides accounting, advisory, assurance, and tax services to private and public companies, private equity funds, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals. We advise beyond accounting to eliminate hurdles, identify opportunities, and ensure the best for our clients and their businesses. Recognized by Forbes as one of America's Top Recommended Tax and Accounting Firms, Calvetti Ferguson is also an INSIDE Public Accounting Top 200 and Fastest Growing Firm. Calvetti Ferguson is an independent member firm of PrimeGlobal, the fourth largest association of independent accounting firms with over 300 member firms in more than 90 countries. Media contact: Emily Martin Director of Marketing [email protected] 713-726-5723 SOURCE Calvetti Ferguson Related Links http://www.calvettiferguson.com FQHCs choose InteliChart to stay connected with their patients between medical visits and encourage healthy behaviors. Tweet this "Community Health Centers are vital to our nation's healthcare system, and we are pleased to help them efficiently manage the health of their patients with our innovative, user-friendly solutions," said Gary Hamilton, InteliChart CEO. "Providers who establish relationships with and understand their patients can help them adhere to their care plan and make other positive health choices to overcome potential care obstacles." Why FQHCs select InteliChart The primary drivers FQHCs cite for selecting InteliChart's Healthy Outcomes include: System affordability InteliChart delivers superior technology at an affordable price. FQHCs continually keep an eye on their bottom line while addressing barriers to care in their communities. The solutions on the Healthy Outcomes platform overcome those barriers by giving patients easy access to their medical information, all within a health center's budget. InteliChart delivers superior technology at an affordable price. FQHCs continually keep an eye on their bottom line while addressing barriers to care in their communities. The solutions on the Healthy Outcomes platform overcome those barriers by giving patients easy access to their medical information, all within a health center's budget. Immediately available integration InteliChart maintains complete integration with your system today. No additional technical requirements needed to integrate with your system. InteliChart maintains complete integration with your system today. No additional technical requirements needed to integrate with your system. InteliChart's proven record of success Numerous FQHCs, industry-leading EHR vendors, hospitals, health systems and physician practices have selected InteliChart as their patient engagement platform, collectively representing over 50 million patients. Numerous FQHCs, industry-leading EHR vendors, hospitals, health systems and physician practices have selected InteliChart as their patient engagement platform, collectively representing over 50 million patients. Patients control interaction with their health record InteliChart empowers patients to have better control over how they interact with their health record from viewing test results and requesting medication refills to completing forms and scheduling their own appointments. Patients are also able to select their preferred mode of communication and providers can automate outreach based on those preferences. Population Health Management Health centers reduce health disparities by emphasizing care management of patients with multiple health care needs and the use of key quality improvement practices, including health information technology. This is where patient engagement has the power to elevate population health management, from identification of high-risk populations to activation of those populations. Tracking and managing patients in accordance with quality payment programs and value-based care initiatives is often a manual, inefficient workflow. Patient Activate, the population health management solution on the Healthy Outcomes platform, automates that process to reduce care management stress and deliver positive outcomes for patients and staff. Whether managing a very specific group of patients or several large populations, Patient Activate gives health centers simple yet powerful tools to define parameters that precisely identify patients to manage, monitor and intervene with. Grants Funds Available for Community Health Centers Most health centers receive Health Center Program federal grant funding to improve the health of underserved and vulnerable populations. On March 25, 2021, the White House and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that HHS's Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) would be awarding $6.1 billion in supplemental funding grants to the nation's 1,376 FQHCs. The funds were allocated from the $7.6 billion for FQHCs that was included in the recent $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act law. As described in the American Rescue Plan Act and detailed by HRSA in its award release, the funds are intended to be used "to respond to and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and enhance health care services and infrastructure." It is important to note that the funds do not have to be used solely on activities related to the pandemic. To the contrary, funds may be used to support a range of activities during the two-year performance period running from April 2021 through March 2023, as well as pre-award costs dating back to January 31, 2020. This link details allowable uses of funding: https://bphc.hrsa.gov/program-opportunities/american-rescue-plan/allowable-uses-funding. Below are select categories that speak directly to the use of grant funds for engagement-related tools such as patient portals and solutions for self-scheduling, notifications, and population health management. COVID-19 Response and Treatment Capacity Develop and Deploy Digital Tools: Develop and/or enhance websites, patient portals, digital applications, and other tools to support scheduling, show rates, and follow up for COVID-related services including screening, vaccination, testing, and contact tracing. Develop and Deploy Digital Tools: Develop and/or enhance websites, patient portals, digital applications, and other tools to support scheduling, show rates, and follow up for COVID-related services including screening, vaccination, testing, and contact tracing. Recovery and Stabilization Population Health and Social Determinants: Enhance or update patient population and community needs assessments; update strategic plans, policies, and procedures to reduce disparities in access, care delivery, and clinical quality measures; expand or develop new partnerships with social services organizations that can address identified social determinants of health; and develop or enhance the data infrastructure necessary to track and close social service referral loops. Patient Engagement: Enhance patient activation and engagement, including through virtual and in-person outreach and education, self-management programs and techniques, partnerships with families and caregivers, patient-centered care coordination, and other evidence-based interventions to support self-care. "While consistent patient engagement is important during times of crisis such as a pandemic, it's even more so when it's business as usual," asserts Hamilton. "When patients are communicated with regularly and encouraged to take a more active role in improving their outcomes, the result is lower costs and greater value-based care payments for Community Health Centers." About InteliChart InteliChart delivers Healthy Outcomes, the market-leading, patient-engagement platform that helps providers attain superior patient outcomes. The Healthy Outcomes solution suite consists of Patient Portal, Patient Intake, Patient Notify, Patient Survey, Patient Schedule, Patient Activate, and Patient eVisit. Located in Charlotte, NC, InteliChart was founded in 2010. Industry-leading EHR vendors, hospitals, health systems and physician practices have selected InteliChart as their patient engagement platform, collectively representing over 50 million patients. We integrate with 35-plus EHR products and a single integration accesses all the solutions in our Healthy Outcomes suite. For more information, visit www.intelichart.com. Contact: Wendy Bartlett, [email protected] SOURCE InteliChart, LLC Related Links intelichart.com TULSA, Okla., June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Francis Energy, a developer of direct current fast charger (DCFC) networks with a focus on building electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the heartland, announced today that it has named Alisa Perkins as its Chief Financial Officer. Perkins joins Francis Energy with 20 years of experience as a senior financial executive in the energy industry with robust finance and accounting experience. "Francis Energy is poised for significant and sustained growth, and Alisa is a great addition to our leadership team and will help guide our strategic expansion into new markets," said David Jankowsky, founder and president of Francis Energy. "Her breadth of experience will be invaluable in helping shape and plan the future of Francis Energy." "I am honored to join Francis Energy and play a role in advancing the strategic plan to develop a contiguous EV charging infrastructure," said Perkins. "EV adoption is dependent on the development of this infrastructure, and I am excited to work with the Francis Energy team given its position and leading role in shaping this growing industry." Perkins most recently served as the CFO of American Cementing, LLC, where she oversaw all aspects of financial operations and human resources. Prior to that, Perkins spent 18 years at SemGroup Corporation, an energy infrastructure company, where she most recently served as the Vice President of Corporate Finance, Treasurer, and Chief Risk Officer. About Francis Energy Francis Energy's mission is to create comprehensive regional networks of public access fast charging stations that facilitate the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, ensuring that no community is left behind. Francis develops, constructs, and operates EV charging infrastructure projects in under-served rural areas to connect them with urban markets throughout the Mid-Continent region. Francis has more than 500 chargers in operation, and its achievements including building and operating one of the largest EV charging networks in the USA. Read more at www.francis.energy. SOURCE Francis Energy Related Links http://www.francis.energy DUBLIN, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Site Remediation Consulting Services Global Market Report 2021: COVID-19 Impact and Recovery to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global site remediation consulting services market is expected to grow from $9.85 billion in 2020 to $10.59 billion in 2021 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5%. Site Remediation Consulting Services 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 site remediation consulting services market as it emerges from the COVID-19 shut down. Major players in the site remediation consulting services market are Tetra Tech Inc, Environmental Resources Management, AECOM, CH2M Hill, Arcadis, Clean Harbors, and Veolia Environmental Services. 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 $12.76 billion in 2025 at a CAGR of 4.8%. Transformation from traditional consulting to cloud based consulting is one of the key trends shaping the market growth of the site remediation consulting services market during the forecast period. Most of the remediation services companies will use mobile devices to handle work orders and is expected to transform from traditional consulting to software-as-a-service based consulting. The software-as-a-service platforms are delivered in the form of EHS compliance, industrial environmental compliance management, carbon reporting, water quality management, and QHSE (quality, environmental, health & safety) management. Cloud based consulting provides an easy approach for consulting services and needs renewal after a certain period of time. The site remediation consulting services market covered in the report is segmented by type into bioremediation; pump & treat; in situ vitrification; thermal treatment; chemical treatment; excavation; soil washing; others and by application into waste disposal sites; oil & gas; mining; chemical & petrochemical; manufacturing; agriculture; construction; others. In 2019, Tetra Tech Inc., a US-based, global provider of high-end consulting and engineering services for concerns associated with water, environment, infrastructure, resource management, energy, and international development acquired WYG plc for 43 million. The acquisition of WYG plc will place Tetra Tech Inc., as one of the leading global consulting, engineering, and program management firm focused on water, environment, and infrastructure. WYG plc is a UK-based, provider of technical expertise and commercial insight to property, asset, and infrastructure projects. The rapid rise in air and water pollution levels over the last decade and the increase in natural calamities such as floods, earthquakes, and landslides globally is driving the demand for site remediation consulting services. There has been an increase in the scope for ecological restoration and site remediation consulting services due to the rise in natural calamities such as Tsunamis, hurricanes, and earthquakes. For instance, 19 floods stuck in the USA in 2016, and the Louisiana floods disaster cost was estimated at around $10 billion. In 2018, nearly 1808 earthquakes were recorded globally of magnitudes ranging from 5-8 and a significant amount was invested in site remediation services. Key Topics Covered: 1. Executive Summary 2. Site Remediation Consulting Services Market Characteristics 3. Site Remediation Consulting Services Market Trends and Strategies 4. Impact of COVID-19 on Site Remediation Consulting Services 5. Site Remediation Consulting Services Market Size and Growth 5.1. Global Site Remediation Consulting Services Historic Market, 2015-2020, $ Billion 5.1.1. Drivers of the Market 5.1.2. Restraints on the Market 5.2. Global Site Remediation Consulting Services Forecast Market, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion 5.2.1. Drivers of the Market 5.2.2. Restraints on the Market 6. Site Remediation Consulting Services Market Segmentation 6.1. Global Site Remediation Consulting Services Market, Segmentation by Type, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion Bioremediation Pump & treat in situ vitrification Thermal treatment Chemical treatment Excavation Soil washing Others 6.2. Global Site Remediation Consulting Services Market, Segmentation by Application, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion Waste disposal sites Oil & gas Mining Chemical & Petrochemical Manufacturing Agriculture Construction Others 6.3. Global Site Remediation Consulting Services Market, Segmentation by Service, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion Remediation Services Soil Remediation Services Water Remediation Services 7. Site Remediation Consulting Services Market Regional and Country Analysis 7.1. Global Site Remediation Consulting Services Market, Split by Region, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion 7.2. Global Site Remediation Consulting Services Market, Split by Country, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion Companies Mentioned Tetra Tech Inc Environmental Resources Management AECOM CH2M Hill Arcadis Clean Harbors Veolia Environmental Services For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/g6dr5 Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com DUBLIN, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Autoimmune Disease Diagnostics Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2021 - 2026)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The autoimmune disease diagnostics market is expected to register a CAGR of nearly 8.3% during the forecast period. The rising awareness about autoimmune diseases through programs of research, education, support, and advocacy is a key factor boosting the usage rates of autoimmune disease diagnostics, globally. The United States has the highest incidence of autoimmune diseases, wherein about 50 million patients suffer from autoimmune diseases. According to Arthritis Foundation, in 2017 about 54.4 million adults in the United States suffer from diagnosed arthritis. Furthermore, according to the 2017 report of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), approximately 425 million adults (20-79 years) were suffering from diabetes, and by 2045 this number may rise to 629 million, globally. Government organizations and NGOs aims to increase awareness about the socioeconomic impact of autoimmunity through fostering and facilitating collaboration in the areas of education, public awareness, research, and patient services in an effective, ethical, and efficient manner. The other factors, such as improved laboratory automation, partnerships with physicians and clinical laboratories, and technological advancements, are driving the autoimmune disease diagnostics market. However, the slow turnaround time of the diagnosis and high frequency of false results are hindering the growth of the autoimmune disease diagnostics market. Key Market Trends Rheumatoid Arthritis Segment is Expected to Hold a Major Market Share in the Autoimmune Disease Diagnostics Market Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that mainly attacks the synovial tissues within the joints. The disease predominantly affects elderly patients. The aging population coupled with technological advancements in immunofluorescence and proteomics technologies will further enhance the rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis influencing the segment growth. The rising prevalence of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and the presence of favorable government regulations will render a significant impact on the autoimmune disease diagnostics market growth. As per the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, around 50 million Americans currently suffer from autoimmune-related disorders. Moreover, the numbers are expected to escalate over the forecast period. The demand for better and precise diagnostic methods, along with the increasing prevalence, is expected to increase over the forecast period. Asia-Pacific is the Fastest Growing Region in the Autoimmune Disease Diagnostics Market Asia-Pacific is anticipated to exhibit extensive market growth over the forecast period, owing to the presence of rising disposable income and increasing patient pool in emerging countries. Furthermore, growing awareness regarding the benefits of early and accurate diagnosis of autoimmune diseases to seek right treatment, rising development of healthcare infrastructure, and growing healthcare expenditure are likely to boost the growth of the autoimmune disease diagnostics market in the Asia-Pacific region. Growth strategies adopted by the local and international players in the Asia-Pacific region is also propelling the growth of the autoimmune disease diagnostics market. In 2017, ImmunArray, a privately-held molecular device diagnostic company, and Kindstar Global Co. Ltd, a speciality clinical testing company based in Wuhan, forged a partnership to undertake joint clinical testing for lupus, due to the growing prevalence of the disease in China. Competitive Landscape The Autoimmune Disease Diagnostics Market is fragmented competitive. The market comprises of major market players, and these players are focusing on R&D activities and significant growth strategies. Recently, a few diagnostic companies entered into strategic partnerships with hospitals. This trend is expected to continue over the next few years, in order to meet the high volume of patient needs, across different regions. In July 2017, AARDA, in partnership with the Relapsing Polychondritis Awareness & Support Foundation (RPASF), hosted the first Bowling Green Autoimmune Walk and Warriors 5K Fun Run to raise awareness and funding for innovative research. In May 2017, Thermo Fisher Scientific acquired Patheon. In June 2017, Bio-Rad signed an agreement with VISIA imaging for fully-automated IFA Slide Processing and Reading System. Thus, the market has been witnessing technological developments on a large scale for the past couple of years. Key Topics Covered: 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Study Deliverables 1.2 Study Assumptions 1.3 Scope of the Study 2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4 MARKET DYNAMICS 4.1 Market Overview 4.2 Market Drivers 4.2.1 Growing Burden of Autoimmune Diseases and Rising Public Awareness? 4.2.2 Technological Advancements and Improved Laboratory Automation? 4.3 Market Restraints 4.3.1 Slow Turnaround Time of Results and Need for Multiple Diagnostic Tests 4.3.2 High Cost and Reimbursement Issues Coupled with Regulatory Uncertainties 4.4 Porter's Five Forces Analysis 4.4.1 Threat of New Entrants 4.4.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers/Consumers 4.4.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers 4.4.4 Threat of Substitute Products 4.4.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry 5 MARKET SEGMENTATION 5.1 Disease Type 5.1.1 Systemic Autoimmune Disease 5.1.1.1 Rheumatoid Arthritis 5.1.1.2 Psoriasis 5.1.1.3 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) 5.1.1.4 Multiple Sclerosis 5.1.1.5 Other Systemic Autoimmune Diseases 5.1.2 Localized Autoimmune Disease 5.1.2.1 Inflammatory Bowel Disease 5.1.2.2 Type 1 Diabetes 5.1.2.3 Thyroid 5.1.2.4 Other Localized Autoimmune Diseases 5.2 By Diagnosis 5.2.1 Antinuclear Antibody Tests? 5.2.2 Autoantibody Tests? 5.2.3 Complete Blood Count (CBC)? 5.2.4 C-reactive Protein (CRP)? 5.2.5 Urinalysis? 5.2.6 Others tests 5.3 Geography 5.3.1 North America 5.3.1.1 United States 5.3.1.2 Canada 5.3.1.3 Mexico 5.3.2 Europe 5.3.2.1 Germany 5.3.2.2 United Kingdom 5.3.2.3 France 5.3.2.4 Italy 5.3.2.5 Spain 5.3.2.6 Rest of Europe 5.3.3 Asia-Pacific 5.3.3.1 China 5.3.3.2 Japan 5.3.3.3 India 5.3.3.4 Australia 5.3.3.5 South Korea 5.3.3.6 Rest of Asia-Pacific 5.3.4 Middle-East & Africa 5.3.4.1 GCC 5.3.4.2 South Africa 5.3.4.3 Rest of Middle-East & Africa 5.3.5 South America 5.3.5.1 Brazil 5.3.5.2 Argentina 5.3.5.3 Rest of South America 6 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE 6.1 Company Profiles 6.1.1 Abbott Laboratories 6.1.2 Biomerieux 6.1.3 Bio-rad Laboratories 6.1.4 Euroimmun AG 6.1.5 F. Hoffmann-la Roche 6.1.6 Inova Diagnostics Inc. 6.1.7 Myriad Genetics 6.1.8 Siemens Healthineers Inc. 6.1.9 Thermo Fisher Scientific 6.1.10 Trinity Biotech 7 MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS Companies Mentioned Abbott Laboratories Biomerieux Bio-rad Laboratories Euroimmun AG F. Hoffmann-la Roche Inova Diagnostics Inc. Myriad Genetics Siemens Healthineers Inc. Thermo Fisher Scientific Trinity Biotech For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ozphfr Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com DUBLIN, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Therapeutics Market Size, Market Share, Application Analysis, Regional Outlook, Growth Trends, Key Players, Competitive Strategies and Forecasts, 2021 to 2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Therapeutics Market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5% for the forecast period of 2021 to 2029. The increase has been primarily due to increase in violence incidents, accidents and occupational hazards. This report covers all the quantitative aspects of the Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder Therapeutics market and also talks about its key drivers, the challenges it faces, the growth opportunities present in the market, and its future prospects. Antidepressants including SSRIs are among the first line of treatment for PTSD, dominated the global market in 2019 and projected to retain its dominance during the forecast period. North America dominated the PTSD therapeutics market with more than 50% of market share for the year 2019. Higher awareness about healthcare and treatment among the general population, better rate of self-reporting are some macro factors contributing to the dominance of North America in the global market. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a vastly prevalent disorder but a rarely recognized syndrome that is characterized by some serious reactions such as fear, helplessness, and horror. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, PTSD is categorized as acute if symptoms are within three months of the trauma, and chronic if symptoms occur between three to six months of the trauma. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Therapeutics Market: Overview The market has been categorized and sub-categorized on the basis of Stage, Age-Specific, Products, End Users and geography. On basis of age- specific bifurcation, Post- traumatic stress disorder is fairly common in adolescents and young adults. According to estimates, 30-40% of children who have experienced sexual or physical abuse develop PTSD. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Therapeutics Market: Drivers and Challenges The rising prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder is the primary driver of the global market for post-traumatic stress disorder medications. The rising prevalence of PTSD has been attributed to an increase in events such as wars, combats, and interpersonal violence. Also factor in the increase in demand for PTSD therapeutics was the emphasis on rehabilitation initiatives by government for treating their war veterans. This market has faced challenges, primarily in developing newer treatments as well as developing appropriate support systems for patients. The severity of post-traumatic stress disorder is difficult to assess in the early stages, which creates a barrier to the widespread awareness of illness and the high cost of therapy is another important impediment to the expansion of the market for post-traumatic stress disorder treatment. For example, the cost of treating PTSD varies from US$ 1.622 to US$4.552 a year in the US, according to the report published in the 2014 journal of Clinical Psychiatry. As a result, these factors are projected to limit the worldwide post-traumatic stress disorder treatment market's growth. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Therapeutics Market: Markets and Key Player The global Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder Therapeutics market was dominated by the United States. Furthermore, the presence of prominent players in the region, as well as the rapid approval of drugs, ensures North America's dominance. Europe has been identified as the second largest market due to a growing patient pool, increased awareness about therapeutic availability and efficacy, and initiatives from government and non-government organizations to strengthen and develop healthcare infrastructure, as well as a favorable reimbursement system. Because of the lack of diagnosis and the seriousness of mental problems in the general public, PTSD awareness in Asia Pacific is lower than in North America and Europe. Major players of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Therapeutics Market are Novartis AG, Pfizer, Bionomics Ltd., Apotex Inc., GlaxoSmithKline plc, and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. Industry leaders are targeting on developing Research and Development activities, new product launches. Historical & Forecast Period This research report presents the analysis of each segment from 2019 to 2029 considering 2020 as the base year for the research. Compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) for each respective segment are calculated for the forecast period from 2021 to 2029. Report Scope by Segments Market revenues and CAGR were derived from primary and secondary research. Both quantitative and qualitative trends were considered for extrapolation of market revenues. The derived market estimates were further validated from top down, bottom strategies and primary research. The scope of the market is limited to the following segments of product categories and region. Key questions answered in this report What are the current market trends in the post-traumatic stress disorder therapeutics market and valued opportunities for the players? How the regulatory framework affects the global as well as the regional markets? Which is the prominent drug class in PTSD treatment market? How does the FDA approval of products affect the global market? What are the trend and market size in emerging markets such as Japan , Mexico , and Brazil ? , , and ? Which is the largest and fastest growing regional market? Which is the largest segment by drug class in the post-traumatic stress disorder therapeutics market? Which is the fastest growing segment by drug class in the post-traumatic stress disorder therapeutics market? Market assessment in terms of value. Analysis of market strategies and competitive landscapes. Key Topics Covered: Chapter 1.Preface Chapter 2.Executive Summary Chapter 3. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Therapeutics Market: Market Dynamics and Future Outlook 3.1. Market Overview 3.2. Current Scenario: New Product Launches, Increase in Animal Free Testing 3.3. Drivers 3.4. Challenges 3.5. Opportunities 3.7. Attractive Investment Proposition, by Geography, 2020 3.7. Competitive Landscape (Key Players) Chapter 4. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Therapeutics Market, By Stage, 2019 - 2029 (US$ Mn) 4.1. Overview 4.2. Impact or Emergency Stage 4.3. Denial Stage 4.4. Short Term Recovery Stage 4.5. Long Term Recovery Stage Chapter 5. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Therapeutics Market, By Age Specific, 2019 - 2029 (US$ Mn) 5.1. Overview 5.2. Adults 5.3. Children Chapter 6. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Therapeutics Market, By Product, 2019 - 2029 (US$ Mn) 6.1. Overview 6.2. Antidepressants 6.3. Anti-anxiety Drugs 6.4. Other Drug Classes 6.5. Pipeline Candidates (Qualitative Information) Chapter 7. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Therapeutics Market, By Type of End User, 2019 - 2029 (US$ Mn) 7.1. Overview 7.2. Hospitals 7.3. Clinics 7.4. Others Chapter 8. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Therapeutics Market, By Geography, 2019 - 2029 (US$ Mn) 8.1. Overview Chapter 9. Company Profiles For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/5befey Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com "These revolutionary cardiovascular procedures demonstrate lifesaving innovations improving the quality of life and keep patients from coming back to the hospital. It's really a remarkable ray of optimism surrounding the therapies now available to patients and their families. Patients who watch this will have a better idea of what their treatment options are, should they ever be confronted with cardiovascular challenges. It's not only interesting to watch but it is educational for our patients and our community." Dr. David Rizik, MD, MSCAI, FACC Many of these patients were formerly only open-heart surgery bound. Today, it is possible for those same patients to undergo a transcatheter stent placement and go home the same day. Dr. Rizik will walk viewers through the clearing of a blockage and placement of a stent to regain blood flow in a coronary artery without having to open the chest, utilizing a small opening in the patient's wrist. Viewers will get to watch the procedure with the doctors via cardiac ultrasound and specialized X-ray machines. "Being in the operating room again with Dr Rizik and his team is an honor and seeing this life saving procedure first hand is amazing. To be able to share this ground-breaking procedure on air is another way to help to educate and fight heart disease." Brad Perry, Host, AZTV's The Arizona Daily Mix To learn more about The Procedure, visit www.aztv.com/procedure About David Rizik, MD, MSCAI, FACC Dr. Rizik is an interventional cardiologist, scientist, and medical educator. He is Medical Director of the HonorHealth Heart Group; Chief Scientific Officer, Director of Structural & Coronary Interventions at the HonorHealth Medical Center in Scottsdale, Arizona. He works on the treatment of cardiovascular disease, and has been instrumental in advancing cutting edge stent technology and stenting procedures. He has also been active in new device research for transcatheter technologies in the treatment of structural/valvular heart disease. Other areas of primary research interest include the treatment of patients who suffer "out-of-hospital" cardiac arrest and cardiogenic shock. For more information, visit: www.honorhealth.com About AZTV7: AZTV7 is the only locally owned and operated broadcast station in the Phoenix (Prescott) DMA. KAZT LLC, the parent company of AZTV7 (KAZT-TV), is licensed to broadcast across Phoenix and Northern Arizona with studio locations in both Phoenix and Prescott. AZTV7 (Ch. 7.1) is home to the locally produced morning show, The Arizona Daily Mix, as well as broadcasting today's top programs including: Family Feud, The Goldbergs, Rachael Ray, The Doctors, Access Hollywood and more! AZTV is also home to MeTV (Ch. 7.2) America's #1 all classic television network with timeless and memorable television programs. AZTV also broadcasts the Home Shopping Network - HSN (Ch. 7.3) and Charge! Network (Ch. 7.4) Visit www.aztv.com About HonorHealth: HonorHealth is a non-profit, local community healthcare system serving an area of 1.6 million people in the greater Phoenix area. The network encompasses six acute-care hospitals, an extensive medical group, outpatient surgery centers, a cancer care network, clinical research, medical education, a foundation and community services with approximately 12,800 employees, 3,500 affiliated providers and 3,100 volunteers. HonorHealth was formed by a merger between Scottsdale Healthcare and John C. Lincoln Health Network. HonorHealth's mission is to improve the health and well-being of those we serve. Learn more at www.HonorHealth.com Contact: Stephanie Leisa Gallo Community Outreach AZTV7 602.977.7700 [email protected] aztv.com SOURCE AZTV Related Links aztv.com Outside Date definition in Restructuring Support Agreement Amended iAnthus Announces Postponement of Annual General Meeting NEW YORK and TORONTO, June 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - iAnthus Capital Holdings, Inc. ("iAnthus" or the "Company") (CSE: IAN) (OTCPK: ITHUF), which owns, operates and partners with regulated cannabis operations across the United States provides an update on its recapitalization transaction (the "Recapitalization Transaction"). As previously disclosed, securityholder approval and Court approval were two of the primary conditions for closing the Recapitalization Transaction, both of which conditions have been satisfied. The closing of the Recapitalization Transaction remains subject to certain closing conditions as set forth in the Restructuring Support Agreement dated July 10, 2020 (the "RSA"). Specifically, certain of the transactions contemplated by the Recapitalization Transaction have triggered the requirement for an approval by state-level regulators in certain U.S. states with jurisdiction over the licensed cannabis operations of entities owned, in whole or in part or controlled directly or indirectly, by iAnthus in such states. On February 23, 2021, the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board approved the proposed change of ownership and control of the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, GreenMart of Nevada NLV, LLC, contemplated by the Recapitalization Transaction. Similar state-level regulatory approvals are being sought in Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, and Vermont. The Company continues to work with the Lenders and Consenting Debenture Holders (as such terms are defined in the RSA) towards obtaining the required regulatory approvals. As the Company closely monitors regulatory approval developments, the Company, the Lenders and the Consenting Debenture Holders have agreed to amend the date of 'June 30, 2021' to "August 31, 2021' in the definition of "Outside Date" as that term is defined in the RSA. In the interim, the Lenders and Consenting Debenture Holders have agreed to provide the Company with enhanced disclosure as to their ongoing discussions and correspondence with state-level regulators necessary for regulatory approvals to be granted, The parties have also agreed to cooperate and work in good faith to settle the terms of a long-term incentive plan for certain essential employees of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries. A copy of the RSA is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and was filed on July 20, 2020. Annual General Meeting As disclosed in the Company's news release dated November 12, 2020, the BC Registrar of Companies (the "BC Registrar") granted the Company a six-month extension extending the deadline to hold the Company's Annual General Meeting for the year 2020 (the "2020 AGM") from December 31, 2020 to June 30, 2021. The BC Registrar has granted the Company a further four-month extension extending the deadline to hold the 2020 AGM from June 30, 2021 to October 31, 2021. About iAnthus iAnthus owns and operates licensed cannabis cultivation, processing and dispensary facilities throughout the United States. For more information, visit www.iAnthus.com. COVID-19 Risk Factor The Company may be impacted by business interruptions resulting from pandemics and public health emergencies, including those related to COVID-19. An outbreak of infectious disease, a pandemic, or a similar public health threat, such as the recent outbreak of COVID-19, or a fear of any of the foregoing could adversely impact the Company by causing operating, manufacturing, supply chain, and project development delays and disruptions, labor shortages, travel, and shipping disruption and shutdowns (including as a result of government regulation and prevention measures). It is unknown whether and how the Company may be affected if such a pandemic persists for an extended period of time, including as a result of the waiver of regulatory requirements or the implementation of emergency regulations to which the Company is subject. Although the Company has been deemed essential and/or has been permitted to continue operating its facilities in the states in which it cultivates, processes, manufactures, and sells cannabis during the pendency of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no assurance that the Company's operations will continue to be deemed essential and/or will continue to be permitted to operate. The Company may incur expenses or delays relating to such events outside of its control, which could have a material adverse impact on its business, operating results, financial condition, and the trading price of the Company's common shares. Forward Looking Statements Statements in this news release contain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made on the basis of the current beliefs, expectations and assumptions of management, are not guarantees of performance and are subject to significant risks and uncertainty. These forward-looking statements should, therefore, be considered in light of various important factors, including those set forth in Company's reports that it files from time to time with the SEC and the Canadian securities regulators which you should review including, but not limited to, the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. When used in this news release, words such as "will," could," plan," estimate," expect," intend," may," potential," believe, "should" and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements relating to the Company's financial performance, business development and results of operations and the timing and outcome of the closing of the Recapitalization Transaction. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as predictions of future events, and the Company cannot assure you that the events or circumstances discussed or reflected in these statements will be achieved or will occur. If such forward-looking statements prove to be inaccurate, the inaccuracy may be material. You should not regard these statements as a representation or warranty by the Company or any other person that it will achieve its objectives and plans in any specified timeframe, or at all. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company disclaims any obligation to publicly update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this news release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the content of this news release. SOURCE iAnthus Capital Holdings, Inc. Related Links https://www.ianthus.com/ RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif., June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Inland Empire Health Plan's (IEHP) Director of Community Health, Dr. Gabriel Uribe, recently joined more than 30 student leaders participating in the Puente Project Program for a panel discussion called "Activism Now." This event provided open dialogue about community needs and the issues and personal experiences of today's LGBTQ+ youth. The panel discussion was part of a virtual, two-day leadership development program for students from 17 middle and high schools throughout California. The Puente Project The Puente Project is a national award-winning program in California that began in 1981. Co-sponsored by the University of California and the California Community College Chancellors Office, the Puente Project has increased enrollment of underrepresented students into four-year colleges and has helped them return to the community as mentors and leaders for future generations. Dr. Uribe highlighted the interconnectedness of all students and how they can better support LGBTQ+ youth in their community. "Health plans across the country are now focusing on key social determinants of health," said Dr. Uribe. "Forty percent of homeless youth in America are members of the LGBTQ+ community. By educating Puente students, we can create awareness and opportunities to collectively and systemically address these challenges." The Puente Project is a national award-winning program in California that began in 1981. Co-sponsored by the University of California and the California Community College Chancellor's Office, the Puente Project has increased enrollment of underrepresented students into four-year colleges and has helped them return to the community as mentors and leaders for future generations. "The Puente Project is an incredible example of positive change through collaboration," said Dr. Uribe. "As California's future leaders, Puente students can lead the way for a more inclusive and responsive environment for our LGBTQ+ youth." To learn more about the Puente Project, visit thepuenteproject.org About IEHP IEHP, Inland Empire Health Plan, is one of the top 10 largest Medicaid health plans and the largest not-for-profit Medicare-Medicaid plan in the country. With a network of more than 6,400 providers and 2,500 employees, IEHP serves over 1.4 million residents in Riverside and San Bernardino counties who are enrolled in Medicaid or Cal MediConnect Plan (Medicare-Medicaid Plan). Through a dynamic partnership with Providers and community, award-winning service and innovative products, IEHP is fully committed to advocating for our Members and providing them with quality, accessible and wellness-based health care services. For more information, visit www.iehp.org. SOURCE Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) Related Links http://www.iehp.org LOS ANGELES, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Black Money Builder holds the future of crowdfunding in its hands for investing and rebuilding Black communities' health and wellness. Justin Shaw, CEO and founder announced today the platform launch on June 19th, 2021, or Juneteenth, a date to celebrate emancipation in the United States. "The mission behind is to empower your community and empower yourself." - Justin Shaw Start Funding Your Ideas Now Black Money Builder's ultimate goal is not only to help Black communities rebound from COVID-19 by providing financial relief but also to bring awareness to current issues that affect Black communities worldwide and provide a sense of urgency with potential solutions. The crowdfunding platform provides Black entrepreneurs a space to build capital and help seed Black visionaries from artists, designers, musicians, and more. Black Money Builder aims to help creatives directly connect with their communities and invest in other initiatives, including their personal endeavors. Black Money Builder will reinvest back into Black communities with 8.46% of their annual revenue, which will be donated back to organizations, ideas, and initiatives that empower, educate, and motivate Black communities. The donation percentage was chosen as a representation of the police brutality inflicted on George Floyd, a name never to be forgotten. The company originated when Justin Shaw's wife raised enough funds from a crowdfunding platform herself to supplement all of their medical bills when Shaw was diagnosed with stage four cancer in 2019. Justin's continued support and gratitude from the community stimulated the idea of launching Black Money Builder. Black Money Builder allows the community to support projects, people, and campaigns by seeding visionaries and transforming their ideas into market opportunities. Black Money Builder is the future of crowdfunding and highlights the kindness of family, friends, and even strangers through generosity. If you know someone in need of medical assistance, support, financial relief, or personal endeavors start a campaign with Black Money Builder at https://www.blackmoneybuilder.com/ Contact Info Justin Shaw 3232514120 [email protected] SOURCE Black Money Builder LONDON, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Interprete LLC is pleased to announce the beginning of a new adventure in Africa for their agency with their first signing with Chelsea Tauyi - Crowned Miss Universe Ghana in 2020. Chelsea is no stranger to the spotlight, the 25 years old is a communication executive graduate with years of philanthropic work under her belt. Motivated by her undeniable drive to transform false narratives, Chelsea has done a multitude of work with the autistic community in Ghana in an attempt to transform the stigmas surrounding mental health and she is not stopping there. If she's not advocating for and spreading awareness about autism she can be found preaching on podcasts, interviews and on her Instagram. This is a lesson she holds dear to her heart after she herself defied the odds and demonstrated to a traditional African household that there were more career paths for her 3.7 GPA than a gold collar job. Whilst beauty queens aren't historically known for their passion for academics, Chelsea is determined to change that stereotype and exemplify how multifaceted women can be. "As a company who understands the power of culture as well as the deep significance a leading woman can have especially from Ghana, being the first country in Africa to gain independence, we are thrilled to announce that Interprete LLC we will be supporting and amplifying Chelsea on her endeavours. This is only the beginning for us in the region as we intend to substantially invest in the region over the next few years" says David Bellegarde-Smeralda, Founder at Interprete LLC. With a warm bubbly aura and a clear appetite to interview some of the biggest tastemakers as well as a deep desire to introduce global brands to the fastest growing and arguably the largest emerging market it is fair to assume that this partnership will have a tangible influence on the culture globally. For any further information, please get in touch at [email protected] and/or call on +1 (708) 710-5207 SOURCE Interprete LLC BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich., June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Best Life Brands, LLC ("Best Life Brands") today announced the addition of Jennifer LoBianco as senior vice president of marketing. LoBianco will lead the Best Life Brands marketing team to support the growth of the company's senior care brands as well as future acquisitions. "Jennifer comes to us with an extensive background in marketing and franchising," said J.J. Sorrenti, CEO of Best Life Brands. "She has successfully led brands across a variety of industries and is well-versed in driving marketing strategies, innovative campaigns, developing teams that impact results and engaging franchisees. With her background and leadership and our desire to continue to grow our portfolio of brands, it's an ideal fit." Prior to joining Best Life Brands, LoBianco served in several executive roles, including chief marketing officer for Huntington Learning Center, a national education franchise, where she directed brand, franchise development and franchisee marketing programs. Before that, she was the chief marketing officer for American Financial Resources and VP client strategy for a franchise focused marketing firm. "I'm honored to be part of Best Life Brands and have a deep appreciation for their mission to serve seniors and their families on the continuum of care," LoBianco said. "Joining a multi-brand franchise company that continues to evolve is exciting and I look forward to creating new opportunities to expand our offerings, position each brand, increase demand, and engage customers." To learn more about Best Life Brands, visit www.bestlifebrands.com . About Best Life Brands, LLC Based in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., Best Life Brands, LLC is a holding company that includes ComForCare and At Your Side , premier franchised providers of home care; CarePatrol , the nation's largest franchised senior placement organization; Blue Moon Estate Sales , the leading estate sale franchise in the U.S., and PROHealth Home Care, dedicated to providing superior in-home nursing, therapy, and home care services, which together include more than 400 franchise locations across the U.S. and Canada. With a private equity investment from The Riverside Company, Best Life Brands is a platform of award-winning complementary businesses that serve people along the continuum of care. SOURCE Best Life Brands LOS ANGELES, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Judith L. Wood is being recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Top Immigration Attorney for her exemplary contributions in the legal community and her unwavering devotion to her clients around the world. Immigration Attorney Judith L. Wood is renowned for her professional excellence in the legal community and her victories in advocating for the rights of refugees around the world. Among her vast repertoire of expertise in immigration law, she specializes in political asylum. She is currently leading a thriving practice that has garnered a commendable reputation for championing immigrants' rights for families and persecuted individuals throughout the world. Ms. Wood is most proud of her landmark victory in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, Nasseri v. Moschorak, which opened the door for women fleeing violence to seek refuge in the United States. As a result of the decision, she was the subject of a motion picture titled "Saint Judy," starring Michelle Monaghan and Alfred Molina. Deeply passionate about social justice for the past 35 years, Ms. Wood is tireless and consistent in her fight through the Human Rights Project, a non-profit that provides assistance and protects the rights of immigrants and refugees who have been the victims of torture and violence. A graduate of City College of New York, Ms. Wood received her Bachelor of Science in Political Science and her Bachelor of Arts degree from the Institute for International Human Rights Law in France. Her legal career began soon after obtaining her Doctor of Jurisprudence from the Pepperdine University School of Law. She became a lawyer and public defender specializing in Immigration Federal Litigation, Human Rights, Immigration Law, and Federal Litigation. Ms. Wood practices in the state of California in the Ninth and Tenth circuits and in the Fifth, Fourth, Third, Second, and Eighth District Courts. An active member in her field, Ms. Wood maintains affiliations with the Federal Bar Association, Chair of Human Rights Section Of International Human Right Section, Los Angeles County Bar Association Member, Executive Committee, Immigration Section American Bar Association, International Bar Associate State Bar of New Mexico, American Immigration Lawyers Association, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and National Lawyers Guild. She serves on the Board of Directors of the California State Bar. Ms. Wood has been awarded a stipend from the AILA for North Korean Defense, and was awarded "Woman of the Year" from Los Angeles Councilman David Ryu. Having led a remarkable career in immigration law, political asylum, and human rights, Ms. Wood offered her expertise to the field as the author of numerous articles to professional journals: she has been published six times in AILA Journals, twice in ABA International Law Journal, twice in Los Angeles Lawyer, and twice in Federal Bar Magazine. Ms. Wood would like to dedicate this honorable recognition to her son, Pablo, daughter in law Elizabeth, and to her mentors, Hiram Kwan, Linton Juaquin, Judge Lauren Mathon, Judge Bruce Einhorn, and Judge Federici. To learn more, please visit https://www.lawofficesofjudithlwood.com/. Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE Continental Who's Who Related Links http://www.continentalwhoswho.com LOS ANGELES, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The LA Art Show, the most comprehensive international contemporary art show in America, is honored to officially kick-off the city's 2021 art season at the Los Angeles Convention Center on July 29, 2021. This special Summer Edition takes a closer look at some of the latest technological trends in the art world including AR, VR, and NFTs, while still offering a traditional lens from art around the globe. LA Art Show Floor Image 2020 Capital with Blue & Red Gan Painting - Vellum LA - Marjan Moghaddam Sitting among the exciting additions we have the return of DIVERSEartLA, an important and highly-anticipated part of the show curated by Marisa Caichiolo. This part of the show will focus on the presence, research, and documentation of women and non-binary artists at the forefront of work at the intersection of art, science, and technology, represented by guest museums and institutions. The most unconventional contribution to the section is Tiffany Trenda, a multidisciplinary performance artist working with DIVERSEartLA to bring live performance to the art fair, coordinating a viewing experience for attendees via QR code. The LA Art Show is also diving into the NFT world by showcasing Vellum LA, the first physical gallery for NFT-backed digital art in Los Angeles. They are presenting Sea Change, a physical NFT exhibition partnering with SuperRare, the show's official marketplace partner. The 2021 roster would not be complete without the return of some of the LA Art Show's favorite galleries including Arcadia Contemporary, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, Simard Bilodeau Contemporary, and Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery from London for the lineup of Modern + Contemporary. The show will once again have an international presence with the Pigment Gallery returning from Spain, In The Gallery returning from Denmark, and work from Gallery KITAI in Japan. For the past six years, LA Art Show has been a strong and unwavering supporter of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital as it leads the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. In 2021 St. Jude Children's Research Hospital remains the beneficiary by donating 15% of ALL ticket proceeds to its life saving mission. With the draw of a long-awaited in-person event, a carefully curated group of artists, a focus on women and technology, and the charitable component, tickets for this event are likely to sell quickly. Please visit www.LAArtShow.com to learn more. JULY 29, 2021 - AUG 1, 2021 Opening Night Premiere Thursday, July 29, 2021 6pm-7pm (followed by Premiere Benefit) VIP Red Card Show Hours Friday, July 30 - Sunday, Aug 1, 2021 10am-12pm General Admission Friday, July 30 - Saturday, July 31, 2021 12pm-8pm Sunday, Aug 1, 2021 12pm-6pm TICKETS https://tinyurl.com/3wsm3dsa About the LA Art Show The LA Art Show creates one of the largest international art fairs in the United States, providing an exciting, immersive, insider art experience to sponsors, their select guests and VIP clients. Attendees are trendsetters, acclaimed artists, influencers and alpha consumers, design professionals, along with discerning collectors who seek and demand the newest and the best in all areas of their livesart, design, food, technology and travel being specific passion points. www.LAArtShow.com About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Its purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children. Visit St. Jude Inspire to discover powerful St. Jude stories of hope, strength, love and kindness. Media Inquiries Heidi Johnson HIJINX Arts [email protected] 323.204.7246 SOURCE LA Art Show Related Links http://www.LAArtShow.com "Tony has an excellent reputation as a leader in this fast evolving space," said Matthew Brill, Global Chair of the CPI Practice. "As innovation continues to outpace the regulatory environment amidst accelerating global scrutiny, Tony's experience will help clients anticipate critical business risks and needs across data privacy and security issues." Kim represents clients in regulatory investigations and enforcement actions by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state Attorneys General, as well as international regulators, in matters involving cyberattacks and data breach incidents, the privacy implications of innovative data use cases, and consumer protection issues relating to digital sales, marketing, and advertising practices. He also counsels clients, from start-ups to publicly listed multinationals, on various governance, compliance and risk mitigation strategies. Daniel Lennon, Washington, D.C. Office Managing Partner, noted: "Tony is a very exciting addition to our Washington, D.C. office. His substantial experience in matters before the FTC and state Attorneys General on complex investigations and cross-border regulatory and private enforcement matters will be of great benefit to clients here in DC, as well as across the US and around the globe." "Tony is an immensely talented lawyer," added Michele Johnson, Global Chair of the Litigation & Trial Department. "His arrival bolsters our Connectivity, Privacy & Information Group and he will complement our thriving practice by providing clients with guidance on a diverse range of deals and disputes that touch on cyber and privacy issues including in bet-the-company matters for major companies." "I am thrilled to join my friends at Latham and the firm's innovative CPI Practice," said Kim. "The CPI team, like the firm, is laser focused on helping clients see around corners and does so by leveraging experience across an unparalleled global platform. Our shared objective is simple: we will deliver excellent results for clients, wherever and whenever the need arises." Kim joins Latham from Orrick in Washington, D.C. He received his JD from the Georgetown University Law Center and his undergraduate degree from Yale University. About Latham & Watkins (lw.com) Latham & Watkins delivers innovative solutions to complex legal and business challenges around the world. From a global platform, our lawyers advise clients on market-shaping transactions, high-stakes litigation and trials, and sophisticated regulatory matters. Latham is one of the world's largest providers of pro bono services, steadfastly supports initiatives designed to advance diversity within the firm and the legal profession, and is committed to exploring and promoting environmental sustainability. Notes to Editors 1 Latham & Watkins operates worldwide as a limited liability partnership organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (USA) with affiliated limited liability partnerships conducting the practice in France, Hong Kong, Italy, Singapore, and the United Kingdom and as an affiliated partnership conducting the practice in Japan. Latham & Watkins operates in South Korea as a Foreign Legal Consultant Office. Latham & Watkins works in cooperation with the Law Office of Salman M. Al-Sudairi in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Contacts Matthew Brill, Global Chair, Connectivity, Information & Privacy Practice, +1.202.637.1095 Michele Johnson, Global Chair, Litigation & Trial Department, +1.714.540.1235 Daniel Lennon, Washington, D.C. Office Managing Partner, +1.202.637.2347 SOURCE Latham & Watkins Related Links www.lw.com DENVER, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The fifth Global Positioning System III (GPS III) satellite designed and built by Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is now headed to its orbit 12,550 miles above earth. This marks another step in supporting the U.S. Space Force's GPS satellite constellation modernization efforts. Launched earlier today, GPS III Space Vehicle 05 (GPS III SV05) is the latest next-generation GPS III satellite, a warfighting system owned and operated by the Space Force. GPS III SV05 will be the 24th Military Code (M-Code) signal-enabled GPS space vehicle on orbit, completing the constellation's baseline requirement to provide our military forces a more-secure, harder-to-jam and spoof GPS signal. GPS III satellites provide significant capability advancements over earlier-designed GPS satellites on orbit, including: Three times better accuracy; Up to eight times improved anti-jamming capabilities; and A new L1C civil signal, which is compatible with international global navigation satellite systems, like Europe's Galileo, to improve civilian user connectivity. "With GPS III SV05, we continue our focus on rapidly fielding innovative capabilities for the Space Force's Positioning, Navigation and Timing Mission," said Tonya Ladwig, Lockheed Martin vice president for Navigation Systems. "With each satellite we bring to orbit, we help the U.S. Space Force to modernize the GPS constellation's technology and to imagine future capability. Our next three satellites, GPS III SV06, SV07 and SV08, are already complete and just waiting for a launch date." About 90 minutes after a 12:09 p.m. ET liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, in Florida, U.S. Space Force and Lockheed Martin engineers at the company's Denver GPS III Launch & Checkout Operations Center declared GPS III SV05 separated from its SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and "flying" under their control. In the coming days, GPS III SV05's onboard liquid apogee engine will continue to propel the satellite towards its operational orbit. After it arrives, engineers will send the satellite commands to deploy its solar arrays and antennas, and prepare GPS III SV05 for handover to Space Operations Command. Part of U.S. critical national infrastructure, GPS drives an estimated $300 billion in annual economic benefits and is responsible for $1.4 trillion since its inception. Globally, more than 4 billion military, civil and commercial users depend on GPS' positioning, navigation and timing signals. Lockheed Martin is part of the GPS III team led by the Space Production Corps Medium Earth Orbit Division at the U.S. Space Force's Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base. The GPS Operational Control Segment sustainment is managed by the Enterprise Corps, GPS Sustainment Division at Peterson Air Force Base. The 2nd Space Operations Squadron, at Schriever Air Force Base, manages and operates the GPS constellation for both civil and military users. For additional GPS III information, photos and video visit: www.lockheedmartin.com/gps. About Lockheed Martin Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin 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. For additional information, visit our website: www.lockheedmartin.com. Please follow @LMNews on Twitter for the latest announcements and news across the corporation. SOURCE Lockheed Martin Related Links http://www.lockheedmartin.com SACRAMENTO, Calif., June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Louis Marinelli, an American political activist and California governor candidate, released a short film exploring the issue of Vrbetice explosions in the light of the first Biden - Putin meeting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ny0Na-P3_9k Louis Marinelli The film was made in collaboration with Adam Kokesh, a libertarian activist who ran for USA presidency in 2020 and was aimed to present a perspective that is not widespread in the media today and discuss an alternative vision of the explosions in Czech Republic, sanctions against Russia and the current state of international relations prior to Putin - Biden meeting. In 2014, a series of explosions destroyed an arms depot in the Czech Republic, causing two deaths. At the time, Czech authorities blamed the explosions on human error. But now, in the months leading up to the Biden-Putin meeting set for Geneva, the explosions have resurfaced as a topic of international concern - except now NATO allies and EU members are blaming Russia - and placing sanctions on Russia as a result, even though they lack any direct evidence of Russian involvement. Louis Marinelli unravels the story and presents an alternative theory - is Europe's renewed interest in the 2014 explosions in Vrbetice really just a pretext to place sanctions on Russia and tarnish Russia's reputation before Putin's meeting with Biden? Or maybe the explosions are simply the result of a rivalry between two arms dealers - Emelian Gebrev, and Boyko Borissov, who, until recently, was also the Prime Minister of Bulgaria? Additional information: Louis J. Marinelli (born March 28, 1986) is an American political activist of the California independence movement organized under the Yes California Independence Campaign, an umbrella organization representing the coalition of parties and organizations supporting the proposed California independence referendum. Marinelli is the former president of Yes California and the former interim chairman of the California National Party, under which he also ran for California State Assembly in California's 80th State Assembly district representing south San Diego, National City, Chula Vista, San Ysidro, and the surrounding communities. Adam Charles Kokesh (born February 1, 1982) is an American libertarian political activist, radio host, and author. Kokesh was a U.S. 2020 Libertarian presidential candidate running on the single-issue platform of an "orderly dissolution of the federal government." Kokesh is a former U.S. Marine Corps sergeant, serving in the Iraq War in 2004. Upon his return from Iraq, he became an anti-war activist and an advocate for Iraq Veterans Against the War. Media contact: Louis Marinelli [email protected] +79859426240 SOURCE Louis Marinelli CHICAGO, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- MoneyAge named Mesirow as Currency Manager of the Year at its 2021 Asset Management Awards for the second year in a row. "In the eyes of the judges, Mesirow's Currency Management Team was selected for this award based on their positive annual performance from the alpha strategies, expanded research library of published papers on neural network models and ESG risk factors, and for the custom risk management strategies they provide for their clients," said Adam Cadle, Editor, MoneyAge. With over 30 years' experience in providing custom FX solutions, Mesirow Currency Management's depth and quality of investment professionals is of the highest caliber in the currency management industry, and this longevity continues to allow us to establish long-term, strategic partnerships with our institutional clients around the globe. "We're thrilled to receive this award again this year," said Joe Hoffman, CEO, Mesirow Currency Management. "2020 was challenging, but the Currency Team did an exceptional job delivering great research, performance, and service to our clients. This is a wonderful honor, and we share it with our partners and clients." About Mesirow With more than $113B in currency assets,* Mesirow Currency Management has been delivering innovative, customized currency solutions to institutional clients globally since 1990. Being a private, employee owned firm, Mesirow is free from many conflicts of interest associated with bank-affiliated organizations or publicly held firms and is fully aligned with the interests of its clients. Mesirow is an independent, employee-owned financial services firm founded in 1937. Headquartered in Chicago, with offices around the world, we serve clients through a personal, custom approach to reaching financial goals and acting as a force for social good. With capabilities spanning Global Investment Management, Capital Markets & Investment Banking, and Advisory Services, we invest in what matters: our clients, our communities and our culture. To learn more, visit mesirow.com and follow us on LinkedIn. Mesirow was recently named one of the Best Places to Work in Chicago by Crain's Chicago Business and one of the Top Workplaces by the Chicago Tribune. About MoneyAge MoneyAge provides IFAs and the financial services sector with timely news and in-depth analysis to help guide their advice and decisions. The brand comprises a mixture of financial advisers, investment platforms, and other wholesale investment providers and financial intermediaries from across every sector of the financial services industry. Media [email protected] Michael Herley | 203.308.1409 *As of 3.31.21. Mesirow Currency Management AUM reflects assets under management for both currency risk management products (passive and active management) and alpha and macro products. Risk management product AUM reflects the total foreign currency portfolio exposure of passive and active clients' underlying portfolios allocated to the Currency Division of Mesirow Financial. Alpha and macro product AUM reflect the client's total investment amount in the alpha and macro strategies of the Currency Division of Mesirow Financial, which is calculated based on an annualized 2% volatility target. Past performance is no indicator of future results. SOURCE Mesirow Related Links https://www.mesirow.com Many dignitaries such as Governor Jim Justice, Senator Michael Romano, representatives of Senator Manchin, Senator Capito and Representative McKinley, David Hinckle, Harrison County Commissioner, and Sean Hill, Director, West Virginia Aeronautics Commission, Department of Transport attended the event. MHIRJ Executives and several hundred shop floor employees were also present at the ceremony. The groundbreaking ceremony also included the unveiling of the site expansion mockup. "This is a significant milestone for MHIRJ as it reinforces the growth of our business. As the largest MRO serving the CRJ Series platform, we aim at creating continued value for our customers by exploring opportunities that will allow us to elevate our service offering, diversify our capabilities and expand our infrastructure," said Ismail Mokabel, Senior Vice President, Head of Aftermarket. "Today's launch of MHIRJ's site expansion at North Central Regional Airport is truly exciting and again proves that West Virginia is the best place to grow a business," Governor Jim Justice said. "When a company is able to keep growing as MHIRJ has done over the past couple years adding hundreds of new jobs, expanding its operations, and building out its facilities it's the sign of great company leadership and puts a spotlight on the profitable business environment we have built in West Virginia. The economic ripple effects of this continued growth are going to bring all kinds of goodness to north central West Virginia, and I could not be prouder that MHIRJ continues to deepen its roots in our great state." "Mitsubishi's expansion at the North Central Regional Airport Aerotech Business Park is another round of fantastic news for the North Central Regional Airport and our entire state," said Senator Manchin. "Work to expand Mitsubishi's hangars will begin soon and will create more than 300 new jobs in the process. I applaud everyone who has worked hard to ensure this process was completed quickly. I am excited for Mitsubishi's investment in the new Aerotech Business Park and the growth it will bring for our regional economy and workforce." "Today's announcement of further investment by Mitsubishi in West Virginia means more jobs and more growth for our state," Senator Capito said. "The local leadership of the Benedum Airport Authority, particularly Airport Director Rick Rock, Commissioner David Hinkle, and Mayor Andy Lang, has been steadfast in their dedication to growing the aerospace economy in north central West Virginia, and I appreciate their efforts in helping make this happen. Today marks another milestone in this strong partnership that will continue to drive economic growth and commercial investments for years to come." "Having MHIRJ with us at the airport is something we are immensely proud of. This expansion is significant for the region; it means more jobs, a wave of opportunity for development for CKB and MHIRJ that both will be able to ride on. We look forward to maintaining and evolving this partnership for many years to come," said Rick Rock, Director of the North Central West Virginia Airport. At the moment, MHIRJ's combined Service Centers can offer maintenance to up to thirty aircraft simultaneously, making MHIRJ's Regional MRO infrastructure the biggest in the world. This expansion comes in concert with other initiatives on MHIRJ's side, such expanding Component Repair Capabilities, diversifying MRO activities to other aircraft types and launching a consulting service (MHIRJ Aero Advisory Services) and projects to expand MRO activities once again to other aircraft types after 2023. About MHI RJ Aviation Group MHI RJ Aviation Group (MHIRJ) provides comprehensive critical operational, engineering and customer support solutions including maintenance, refurbishment, technical publications, marketing and sales activities for the global regional aircraft industry. Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, and bolstered by an Aerospace Engineering Centre, MHIRJ's network of service centres, support offices and parts depots are positioned in important aviation hubs in the U.S., Canada and Germany. MHI RJ Aviation Group is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. For more information about MHI RJ Aviation Group, please visit: www.mhirj.com About MHI Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), headquartered in Tokyo, is one of the world's leading industrial firms with 80,000 group employees and annual consolidated revenues of around US$38 billion. For more than 130 years, the company has channeled big thinking into innovative and integrated solutions that move the world forward. MHI owns a unique business portfolio covering land, sea, sky and even space. MHI delivers innovative and integrated solutions across a wide range of industries from commercial aviation and transportation to power plants and gas turbines, and from machinery and infrastructure to integrated defense and space systems. For more information, please visit MHI's website: www.mhi.com/index.html *CRJ, CRJ Series and MHIRJ are trademarks of MHI RJ Aviation ULC or its affiliates. SOURCE MHI RJ Aviation Group The report also offers information on the upcoming trends and challenges that will influence market growth. Download Our Free Sample Report Mortgage Processing Services Market in India: Key Price Trends According to the Mortgage Processing Services price trends, higher anti-dumping duties imposed by the governments in countries such as China , the US, France , Germany , and India will increase the price of exported Mortgage Processing Services. , the US, , , and will increase the price of exported Mortgage Processing Services. The steady increase in crude oil prices will drive the prices of raw materials such as optical fiber, PE, PVC, steel, and aluminum. This will propel Mortgage Processing Services suppliers' manufacturing costs. Insights Offered in this Mortgage Processing Services Market Report Top Mortgage Processing Services suppliers and their cost structures Top Mortgage Processing Services suppliers in the US and their cost structures Mortgage Processing Services market spend analysis in the US Mortgage Processing Services price trends, and forecasts Cost drivers influencing the Mortgage Processing Services prices Some of the top Mortgage Processing Services suppliers listed in this report: This Mortgage Processing Services procurement intelligence report has enlisted the top suppliers and their cost structures, SLA terms, best selection criteria, and negotiation strategies. Genpact Ltd. Firstsource Solutions Ltd. ExlService Holdings Inc. Invensis Technologies Pvt. Ltd. Rely Services Inc. OURS GLOBAL Regional Analysis Further breakdown of the market segmentation at requested regions. Market Player Information Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players, vendor segmentation, and vendor offerings. Know the strategies adopted by vendors during the COVID-19 Recovery Phase. Speak to our Analyst for a Customized Report: www.spendedge.com/report/mortgage-processing-services-sourcing-and-procurement-intelligence-report Related Reports on Financial Services Market: Mortgage Processing - Forecast and Analysis : The mortgage processing services will grow at a CAGR of 5.09% during 2021-2025. Prices will increase by 5%-8% during the forecast period and suppliers will have a moderate in this market. The mortgage processing services will grow at a CAGR of 5.09% during 2021-2025. Prices will increase by 5%-8% during the forecast period and suppliers will have a moderate in this market. Tax Accounting Services Sourcing and Procurement Report : This report offers key advisory and intelligence to help buyers identify and shortlist the most suitable suppliers for their tax accounting services requirements. Some of the leading tax accounting services suppliers profiled are extensively in this report. This report offers key advisory and intelligence to help buyers identify and shortlist the most suitable suppliers for their tax accounting services requirements. Some of the leading tax accounting services suppliers profiled are extensively in this report. Account Reconciliation - Sourcing and Procurement Intelligence Report: This report evaluates suppliers based on extent of implementation and training support offered, flexibility in SLA terms, customization capability, and support for multiple data sources. To access the definite purchasing guide on the Mortgage Processing Services that answers all your key questions on price trends and analysis: Am I paying/getting the right prices? Is my Mortgage Processing Services TCO (total cost of ownership) favorable? How is the price forecast expected to change? What is driving the current and future price changes? Which pricing models offer the most rewarding opportunities? Table of Content Executive Summary Market Insights Category Pricing Insights Cost-saving Opportunities Best Practices Category Ecosystem Category Management Strategy Category Management Enablers Suppliers Selection Suppliers under Coverage US Market Insights Category scope Appendix About SpendEdge: SpendEdge shares your passion for driving sourcing and procurement excellence. We are the preferred procurement market intelligence partner for 120+ Fortune 500 firms and other leading companies across numerous industries. Our strength lies in delivering robust, real-time procurement market intelligence reports and solutions. Contact SpendEdge Anirban Choudhury Marketing Manager Ph No: +1 (872) 206-9340 https://www.spendedge.com/contact-us SOURCE SpendEdge Related Links https://procurement.spendedge.com/?utm_source=PRnewswire&utm_medium=Pressrelease&utm_campaign=T4_Week24_rfs6&utm_content=IRCMSTR22350 PHOENIX, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- MyLand Company LLC ("MyLand") announced today the appointment of Dr. Pradeep Monga, former Deputy Executive Secretary, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) to the Board of Directors. This appointment elevates the company as a global leader in soil health and regenerative agriculture and positions them at the forefront of the conversation around the impact of investing in land and soil health on decarbonization, climate resilience, water efficiency, food security, nature-based health solutions, eco-restoration and the economic security of farmers and local communities around the world. Board of Directors of MyLand "As we position MyLand as the leader in soil health, connecting with global leaders such as Dr. Monga is instrumental to ensure that steps we are taking locally will have a direct impact globally," said Robert Thompson, Co-Founder and Chairman at MyLand. "Our entire focus is laying the foundation through healthy soil, so farmers can provide healthier food to ensure the health of all of us and our planet." At UNCCD, Dr. Monga focused on global efforts to reverse and prevent desertification and land degradation and to mitigate the effects of drought in affected countries in order to support poverty reduction and environmental sustainability. Previously, Dr. Monga served as Director of Energy and Climate Change at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and as Sustainable Development Advisor and Assistant Resident Representative (Energy and Environment) at United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), India. Dr. Monga has also worked on specific assignments with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Bank and other international organizations including World Resources Institute (WRI) and The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI). A Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow, Dr. Monga holds a certificate in the Executive Leadership Programme from Harvard Business School. "My passion lies in making a difference in the lives of people through the implementation of innovative ideas and nature-based solutions in the field of landscape restoration, regenerative agriculture, clean energy and sustainable investments. I strongly believe in MyLand's mission whereby focusing on soil health, we will be able to demonstrate how a nature-based solution is scalable and can help tackle climate change on a global level," said Dr. Monga. "Implementation of the MyLand System will also have a direct and meaningful impact in terms of enhanced food security, sustainable value chains and the economic improvement of farmers and the local communities around the globe." Shelley Baugh, MyLand Senior Director of Marketing [email protected] Related Images dr-pradeep-monga.jpg Dr. Pradeep Monga Board of Directors of MyLand SOURCE MyLand All In includes useful tools, strategies, and practices to embed inclusion into every stage of a campaign. NCOA was able to leverage our experience of more than seventy years to review and provide detailed feedback on Google's audience guide on age to help the advertising industry portray people of all ages in a positive nuanced way. "Ageism hurts all of us by diminishing the incredible value of our lived experiences. It's time for marketers to treat it the same as every other form of bias." said NCOA President and CEO Ramsey Alwin . "We applaud Google for providing practical tips to communicate with older adults with dignity. NCOA was proud to review the guidelines, and we encourage every savvy marketer to use them in their messaging." Ageism hurts all of us by diminishing the incredible value of our lived experiences. We applaud Google for All In These are a starting point for creating work that is authentic and void of stereotypes. These resources are being shared to help drive wider changes across the industry because meaningful progress will come faster if everyone works together. The site covers a host of valuable topics at every stage of an advertising campaign including building diverse teams that include older adults, crafting inclusive strategies from planning to media buying, developing advertising creative that is inclusive, and, finally, insights for how to measure progress. "Advertising shapes culture. By addressing how people are portrayed in all forms of marketing, we can foster a more respectful and accurate representation of everyone, especially older adults." said Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer, Ken Bracht. "These resources will further improve as research and insights evolve." About NCOA The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is the national voice for every person's right to age well. We believe that how we age should not be determined by gender, color, sexuality, income, or zip code. Working with thousands of national and local partners, we provide resources, tools, best practices, and advocacy to ensure every person can age with health and financial security. Founded in 1950, we are the oldest national organization focused on older adults. Learn more at www.ncoa.org and @NCOAging. SOURCE National Council on Aging Related Links www.ncoa.org SAN DIEGO, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- North Island Credit Union has announced the recipients of its Spring 2021 Teacher Grants to assist educators in funding innovative learning opportunities for their students. Through the program, the credit union will provide 10 grants of $500 each to directly support classroom projects in San Diego County. The Spring 2021 North Island Credit Union San Diego County Teacher Grant recipients include teachers across San Diego county: North Island Credit Union Grant Recipient School City Steven Aldridge Martin Luther King Middle School Oceanside Shawna Benge Empower Academy El Cajon Michael Flores Emerald Middle School El Cajon Teagan Keyser Aseltine School San Diego Michele Kmak La Mesa Arts Academy La Mesa Maura Leonard Diegueno Middle School Encinitas Roel Mislan Feaster Charter School Chula Vista John Oly Norris San Dieguito High School Academy Encinitas Ryan Odegard School for Entrepreneurship and Technology San Diego Margaret Schlomer Rosebank Elementary School Chula Vista Photos of all recipients can be found here. "We are deeply committed to supporting the education community, and our grant program is one way we are continuing to assist teachers as they work to engage and inspire their students," said North Island Credit Union CEO Steve O'Connell. "We congratulate these educators who are going above and beyond to create exciting new programs for their students and families. We hope these grants will help our teachers bring learning to life for their students in creative and innovative ways." The credit union grants will help fund a wide variety of programs illustrating the creativity and commitment teachers bring to their classrooms and communities. Projects receiving grants include teaching the socio-political history of rock & roll, 3D printers to support science & history learning, recorded cultural history programs, coding & computing curriculums, team art projects for at-risk youth, and play-based therapy to address student trauma, among others. Since the creation of the program in 2012, the credit union has awarded $135,000 in teacher grants to support classroom programs. Up to 20 grants are awarded bi-annually in the spring and fall. Any full-time classroom teacher in San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside County can apply for a grant for a program that has clearly defined learning objectives tied to students' academic needs, displays creativity in education, and targets a significant number of students. More information is available at northisland.ccu.com. About North Island Credit Union, a division of California Credit Union California Credit Union is a federally insured, state chartered credit union founded in 1933 that serves public or private school employees, community members and businesses across California. With more than 165,000 members and assets of over $4 billion, California Credit Union has 25 branches throughout Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties. The credit union operates in San Diego County as North Island Credit Union, a division of California Credit Union. California Credit Union offers a full suite of consumer, business and investment products and services, including comprehensive consumer checking and loan options, personalized financial planning, business banking, and leading-edge online and mobile banking. Please visit northisland.ccu.com for more information or follow the credit union on Instagram or Facebook @northislandcu. SOURCE North Island Credit Union The May report continues a steady climb in passenger volumes heading into the summer travel season. Ontario officials anticipate more than 1.4 million passengers from the beginning of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, recovering nearly 88% of the 1,657,185 passengers who arrived and departed ONT during the comparable period in 2019. That represents one of the fastest recovery rates in the United States. "We continue to be enthusiastic about the pace of recovery at Ontario International and we are equally optimistic about volumes over the summer as air travelers rediscover the many advantages of arriving and departing our airport." said Mark Thorpe, OIAA chief executive officer. "ONT continues to set the pace for recovery among California airports in rebounding from the severe downturn in air travel following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic." Today, airlines serving ONT offer nonstop service to 25 destinations including six new ones Charlotte, Chicago (O'Hare International Airport), Honolulu, Houston (William P. Hobby Airport), Mexico City and San Salvador. Passenger Totals May 2021 May 2020 Change YTD 2021 YTD 2020 Change Domestic 355,648 70,296 405.93% 1,203,328 1,143,422 5.2% International 11,289 0 N/A 26,037 64,060 -59.4% Total 366,937 70,296 421.99% 1,229,365 1,207,482 1.8% Passenger Totals May 2021 May 2019 Change YTD 2021 YTD 2019 Change Domestic 355,648 449,092 -20.81% 1,203,328 1,994,713 -39.7% International 11,289 26,308 -57.09% 26,037 121,968 -78.7% Total 366,937 475,400 -22.82% 1,229,365 2,116,681 -41.9% Air freight shipments declined 20% in May to 65,000 tons compared to May last year but were flat at 343,000 tons from January through May compared to last year. However, freight was 18% higher over the first five months of the year compared to the same period in 2019. Air cargo (tonnage) May 2021 May 2020 Change YTD 2021 YTD 2020 Change Freight 65,124 82,039 -20.62 343,266 343,488 -0.1% Mail 3,955 1,484 166.49 18,338 7,518 143.9% Total 69,078 83,523 -17.29 361,605 351,006 3.0% Air cargo (tonnage) May 2021 May 2019 Change YTD 2021 YTD 2019 Change Freight 65,124 65,559 -0.66% 343,266 289,905 18.4% Mail 3,955 2,616 51.20% 18,338 11,808 55.3% Total 69,078 68,174 1.33% 361,605 301,713 19.9% About Ontario International Airport Ontario International Airport (ONT) is the fastest growing airport in the United States, according to Global Traveler, a leading publication for frequent fliers. Located in the Inland Empire, ONT is approximately 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the center of Southern California. It is a full-service airport which, before the coronavirus pandemic, offered nonstop commercial jet service to 26 major airports in the U.S., Mexico and Taiwan. More information is available at www.flyOntario.com. Follow @flyONT on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram About the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) The OIAA was formed in August 2012 by a Joint Powers Agreement between the City of Ontario and the County of San Bernardino to provide overall direction for the management, operations, development and marketing of ONT for the benefit of the Southern California economy and the residents of the airport's four-county catchment area. OIAA Commissioners are Ontario Mayor Pro Tem Alan D. Wapner (President), Retired Riverside Mayor Ronald O. Loveridge (Vice President), Ontario City Council Member Jim W. Bowman (Secretary), San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman (Commissioner) and retired business executive Julia Gouw (Commissioner). OIAA Media Contact: Steve Lambert, (909) 841-7527 [email protected] SOURCE Ontario International Airport Related Links www.flyontario.com MIAMI, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Internationally-known pastor, apostolic leader and author, Guillermo Maldonado, will lead two major events this summer outside of Salt Lake City, Utah and in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, called "Revival USA," with musical by New Wine, the acclaimed bilingual worship band. As senior pastor of King Jesus International Ministries, one of the world's largest and fastest-growing multicultural ministries, Guillermo Maldonado has spent decades drawing tens of thousands to stadium-sized evangelistic events throughout Central and South America and other Spanish-speaking nations, with a focus on the supernatural power of God to heal, deliver and save. He now aims to help usher in spiritual revival across the United States. "The Lord spoke to me about bringing revival in America," said Maldonado. "The purpose of this revival is to bring a spiritual awakening for so many, and prepare them for the second coming of Jesus. Revival comes with miracles, salvation, deliverance and transformation of the heart, creating great impact on each person who attends Revival USA." The events are free, and will be featured in Spanish and English. For more information, visit www.revivalusa.com. "REVIVAL USA" Event Details: WHEN: July 16-17, 2021 WHERE: Davis Conference Center 1651 N 700 W, Layton Utah 84041 COST: FREE Tickets available HERE WHEN: August 13-14 WHERE: Evangel Cathedral 13901 Central Avenue Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 COST: FREE Tickets available HERE King Jesus International Ministry is one of the largest and fastest-growing multicultural churches in the United States, with more than 20,000 weekly attendance at their flagship Miami location. King Jesus International Ministry senior pastor, Guillermo Maldonado, gives spiritual coverage to 500 churches in 70 countries, which form the Supernatural Global Network. For more information on King Jesus International Ministry, visit: www.kingjesus.org. Media Contact: [email protected] SOURCE King Jesus International Ministry Related Links http://www.kingjesus.org CHICAGO, June 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Peakstone served as exclusive financial advisor to Nocturne Villa Rentals ("Nocturne") on its partnership with Gladstone Investment Corporation and Aureus Capital to establish Nocturne as a platform for acquiring and integrating luxury villa rental management ("VRM") companies. Nocturne was founded by CEO Scott Simmons and president Marshall Calder, bringing with them decades of experience in the luxury hospitality industry. At closing, Nocturne completed the acquisition of Exceptional Stays, LLC, a leading VRM with approximately 90 luxury properties, primarily in Telluride, Colorado. Exceptional Stays operates exclusively managed properties and provides best-in-class hospitality and property management services to its rental guests and property owners alike. "We're very excited to partner with Gladstone and Aureus Capital and the talented team at Exceptional Stays. Exceptional Stays is the ideal first step for us as we seek to create the leading portfolio of luxury villa rental properties under the Nocturne brand," said Scott Simmons. "Peakstone formed the deal with two great partners in Gladstone and Aureus. Launching during a pandemic was challenging. Peakstone did a great job persevering and delivering a great outcome, enabling us to execute on our vision of a highly differentiated model in the global travel industry," said Marshall Calder. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. For additional information please contact: Eric Zampol, Managing Director, 415-706-1175, [email protected] Patrick Sandercock, Managing Director, 312-505-6938, [email protected] About Peakstone Peakstone is a leading investment bank that specializes in mergers and acquisitions, advisory, and capital raising for middle market clients. Our team is comprised of senior investment banking professionals who have decades of experience and have executed hundreds of transactions totaling billions of dollars. For additional information, visit www.peakstone.com. To receive investment and proprietary acquisition opportunities, please register at www.peakzone.com. SOURCE Peakstone Related Links http://www.peakstone.com DALLAS, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Simmons Bank, as Trustee of the Permian Basin Royalty Trust (NYSE: PBT) ("Permian") today declared a cash distribution to the holders of its units of beneficial interest of $0.017630 per unit, payable on July 15, 2021, to unit holders of record on June 30, 2021. This month's distribution decreased from the previous month as the result of decreased production of oil offset by an increase in gas production for the Texas Royalty Properties. Also, the pricing for both oil and gas for the Texas Royalty Properties increased for the month April. Currently, only the Texas Royalty Properties are contributing to the monthly distribution Since the Waddell Ranch is in current deficit for the foreseeable future, any increase or decrease of the distribution by revenues received, will be only reflective of the activity of the Texas Royalty Properties. The activity of the Waddell Ranch will be discussed with following narrative until it contributes back to the distribution. This reflects the production month of April. WADDELL RANCH In reporting April production of the Underlying Properties for this month's press release, production for oil volumes was 80,362 bbls (gross) and was priced at about $59.93 per bbl. Production for gas volumes (including gas liquids) was 259,608 mcf (gross) and was priced at about $1.91 per mcf. Net revenue for the underlying properties of the Waddell ranch was $5,643,271 (gross) for April. Lease Operating Expenses were $1,997,744 (gross) and Capital Expenditures were $5,811,165 (gross) for April. This would put the Trust's proceeds as a deficit of $(1,624,228) (net) for the month of April, leaving an excess cost deficit cumulative of $9.9 million (net). Resulting well count relating to activity on the Waddell Ranch properties for the first quarter reflects 27 recompletion wells with additional 12 recompletion wells for the month of April. New drill well count for the first quarter was 8 new drill wells with additional 6 new drill wells in the month of April. Both the recompletions and new drill wells are currently receiving revenue on new production, as reflected by the increasing volumes as stated. Blackbeard Operating has advised the Trust of the 2021 capital budget of $86.6 million (gross), ($32.5 million net to the Trust) for the Waddell Ranch proposing 91 (gross) drill wells, with 24 (gross) recompletions. TEXAS ROYALTY PROPERTIES Production for the underlying properties at the Texas Royalties was 16,339 of oil and 12,869 Mcf of gas. The production for the Trust's allocated portion of the Texas Royalties was 14,344 barrels of oil and 11,276 of gas. The average price for oil was $60.65 per bbl and for gas was $8.34 per Mcf. This would primarily reflect production and pricing for the month of April for oil and the month of March for gas. These allocated volumes were impacted by the pricing of both oil and gas. This production and pricing for the underlying properties resulted in revenues for the Texas Royalties of $1,098,379. Deducted from these were taxes of $126,829 resulting in a Net Profit of $971,550 for the month of April. With the Trust's Net Profit Interest (NPI) of 95% of the Underlying Properties, this would result in net contribution by the Texas Royalties of $922,973 to this month's distribution. Underlying Properties Net to Trust Sales Volumes Volumes Average Price Oil (bbls) Gas (Mcf) Oil (bbls) Gas (Mcf) Oil (per bbl) Gas (per Mcf) Current Month Waddell Ranch 80,362 259,608 60,272 194,706* $59.93 $1.91** Texas Royalties 16,339 12,869 14,344 11,276* $60.65 $8.34** Prior Month Waddell Ranch 74,075 157,614 55,556 118,211* $61.36 $3.38** Texas Royalties 17,920 12,115 15,902 10,598* $58.09 $6.86** * These volumes are the net to the trust, after allocation of expenses to Trust's net profit interest, including any prior period adjustments. ** This pricing includes sales of gas liquid products. General and Administrative Expenses deducted for the month were $101,659 resulting in a distribution of $821,755 to 46,608,796 units outstanding, or $0.017630 per unit. The worldwide market conditions continue to affect the pricing for domestic production. It is difficult to predict what effect these conditions will have on future distributions. The 2020 Annual Report with Form 10-K and the January 1, 2021 Reserve Summary are now available on Permian's website. Permian's cash distribution history, current and prior year financial reports, tax information booklets, and a link to filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission, all can be found on Permian's website at http://www.pbt-permian.com/. Additionally, printed reports can be requested and are mailed free of charge. SOURCE Permian Basin Royalty Trust Related Links pbt-permian.com PITTSBURGH, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS) is expanding access to its No. 1 ranked Doctor of Physical Therapy program and its Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies by offering each program in a hybrid online/in-person format. Pitt is among the first higher education institutions to bring these degree options online, which will allow students from across the U.S. to study and train in their own communities and to benefit from a lower cost of attendance. "While educational excellence has always been an integral part of our school's success, we are now finding innovative ways to make our programs more accessible and more affordable," said Anthony Delitto, dean of SHRS. These new programs mark the third and fourth that the school has launched in collaboration with Noodle, an online learning network. Previously, SHRS worked with Noodle to develop its online Master of Science in Health Informatics and the Doctor of Clinical Science in Occupational Therapy programs. "These two hybrid programs further demonstrate Pitt SHRS' commitment to increasing access to its high-quality health care programs. Noodle and SHRS share the belief that online and hybrid learning is a powerful tool in bringing education to more people in more ways," said Noodle CEO John Katzman. "This is exactly how innovative universities must educate the next generation of leaders." About the programs The new Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) hybrid option is an expansion of SHRS' long-standing residential program, currently ranked No. 1 by U.S. News & World Report. "The DPT hybrid option will allow students from diverse backgrounds and geographic areas to take advantage of the education offered by Pitt's top-ranked DPT program," said Kim Nixon-Cave, director of the DPT hybrid offering. "One of the goals of developing the hybrid option is to offer DPT education to students who might be limited by financial costs, an inability to relocate or family commitments." Students will complete 42 weeks of full-time clinical experiences in or near their home communities which, Cave noted, will hopefully encourage graduates from the program to stay in these areas and increase access to PT services in regions that are typically underserved. Hybrid students will also be required to travel to the University of Pittsburgh each term for several immersive laboratory sessions. Additionally, the length of the entire DPT program has been shortened to seven terms, or a little over two years, providing students further time and cost savings. Students in the two-year Physician Assistant Studies (PAS) Hybrid Program will have the opportunity for clinical placements within a network of more than 2,000 health care settings located throughout the country. The PAS-Hybrid program will soon be applying for provisional accreditation from the ARC-PA, and it will only commence if accredited. Students may now apply for the DPT program. Pitt will accept 30 students into the DPT hybrid format this fall and up to 90 hybrid students each fall, starting with the 2022 cohort. The PAS Hybrid Program is currently accepting applications for the fall 2022 semester. One hundred students will be accepted into the initial cohort. "We aim to provide access to our high-quality PA training for students who want to continue to live in and support their local communities," said David Beck, director of the PAS Hybrid Program and chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies. "Our program will provide clinical training near our students' homes so their professional advancement can benefit their neighbors, especially those in need of health care, during their training and after graduation." Pitt PT's hybrid offering will make use of the same curriculum and plan of study as the residential DPT program. Hybrid students will participate in asynchronous and synchronous online learning activities and will come to Pittsburgh twice per term to learn and practice the hands-on and clinical decision-making skills required of physical therapists. "Upon graduation, we expect hybrid students to achieve the same exceptional educational outcomes for which our program is known," said James Irrgang, chair of the Department of Physical Therapy. About the University of Pittsburgh: The University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS) is a nationally renowned leader in the field of health care education, research and clinical practice preparation. With 13 different disciplines related to health and rehabilitative care, SHRS shapes future generations of health care professionalstherapists, counselors, advocates, scientists, providers and practitionerstrained to serve the needs of all people regardless of background, levels of health or mobility. Pitt's Department of Physical Therapy, established in 1927, is one of the oldest physical therapist educational programs in the United States. About Noodle: Noodle is a certified B-Corp. that creates excellent online and agile programs that elevate campus-wide teaching and technology. Since January 2019, Noodle has launched as many online programs with elite US universities as have all of our competitors combined. Our network of universities, higher education leaders, providers and students fuel innovation and efficiency in learning design, marketing, recruitment, technology, student and faculty support, and clinical placement. For more information, visit partners.noodle.com and follow us on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/noodleeducation and Twitter @NoodleEducation. MEDIA CONTACT: Renee Young Noodle 914-523-5320 [email protected] Natalie Baney University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences 412-383-4138 [email protected] SOURCE Noodle Related Links https://www.noodlepartners.com Project showcases technology that stores energy in water underground to compliment renewable energy projects EDMONTON, Alberta, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Taking a step towards reliable renewable energy in Alberta, Quidnet Energy and Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA), with funding from the Government of Alberta, launched an ambitious project to develop an ultra-low-cost, multi-gigawatt (GW) geologic energy storage resource in Alberta, utilizing Quidnet's modular pumped hydro storage technology. This project taps into the tremendous talent of Albertans who will continue to build long-lasting careers in the energy industry. The Alberta project is a key part of Quidnet's mission to accelerate decarbonization by developing and deploying similar-scaled geologic storage resources in major wholesale electricity markets throughout North America. The project has received $5 million in funding from ERA and will take place at Quidnet's geologic test site in Brooks, AB. Quidnet's Geomechanical Pumped Storage (GPS) technology stores energy in the form of water compressed between layers of shale and enables renewable energy projects to store excess energy for extended periods of time, to be released when the grid needs power. Quidnet's technology provides balance to the grid and optimizes utilization of transmission infrastructure for delivering renewable generation to load centers for grid decarbonization. "Alberta is seizing the opportunity to invest in reliable renewable energy projects that will continue to support long-lasting careers in the energy sector. Energy storage solutions like the one developed by Quidnet Energy, store excess energy from renewables in geological formations and dispatch it when demand increases on the power grid. By unleashing further private sector investments in clean energy solutions, Albertans can continue to build careers in this dynamic industry that is helping to grow and diversify our provincial economy." Jason Nixon, Minister of Environment and Parks, Government of Alberta "Renewable power resources, such as solar projects, work best when their output can be stored until the grid needs it. Quidnet Energy's modular pumped storage technology provides the long-duration energy storage that can make widespread use of renewable resources reliable and effective. We are proud to be working with visionary partners like Emission Reductions Alberta to demonstrate the ways Quidnet's technology can enable solar and other renewable resources to supply emission-free electricity to Alberta and the electric system across North America." Joe Zhou, Quidnet Energy CEO "Quidnet's technology is building on the innovation and technical expertise of Alberta's oil and gas industry to help solve a key challenge with renewable energy: the need for reliable and long-term energy storage. This project is another example of Alberta taking action to develop the solutions the world needs to achieve its emissions reduction goals." Steve MacDonald, ERA CEO. "This innovative energy storage project with Quidnet Energyalong with Alberta's other investments in carbon lowering technologies--is establishing the province as an international leader in the energy transition and a beacon for others to follow." Mike Biddle, Evok Innovations Managing Director and Quidnet Board Member Quidnet is developing energy storage projects in Texas, Ohio, and New York State, demonstrating GPS technology's cost-efficiency, terrain-variable deployment, and modular, long-duration capabilities. With per-kilowatt installed costs projected at less than 50 percent of batteries and traditional pumped storage, the Quidnet Energy systems can be configured for applications with 10-hours or more of storage duration. The modular design allows it to be scaled to the needs of specific projects and built on a diverse array of terrain. Because Quidnet's technology is built around subsurface technology and processes, it is seizing the opportunity of the tremendous talent of Alberta's oil and gas workers who will continue to build long-lasting careers in the energy industry. "Quidnet's GPS technology is a novel form of hydroelectric energy storage. It uses time-tested well-drilling and construction technologies to pump water under pressure into subsurface geologic formations to store energy. When the stored energy is needed, the water is released to drive hydroelectric turbines to power the electric grid," Zhou explained. With successful completion of the project, Quidnet would look to deploy GPS facilities across the Alberta power grid, including near solar and wind power facilities. For more information contact: Emissions Reduction Alberta Kevin Duncan 403.431.2859 [email protected] Quidnet Energy Steven C. Sullivan 518-441-7272 [email protected] ABOUT EMISSIONS REDUCTION ALBERTA (ERA): For more than 10 years, ERA has been investing the revenues from the carbon price paid by large final emitters to accelerate the development and adoption of innovative clean technology solutions. Since ERA was established in 2009, they have committed $646 million toward 204 projects worth $4.5 billion that are helping to reduce GHGs, create competitive industries and are leading to new business opportunities in Alberta. These projects are estimated to deliver cumulative reductions of 37.7 million tonnes of COe by 2030. Please visit https://eralberta.ca. ABOUT QUIDNET ENERGY Based in Houston, Texas with offices in San Francisco and Saratoga Springs, Quidnet's patented GPS technology utilizes excess renewable energy to store water beneath ground under pressure. When renewable energy is not producing this pressurized water drives hydroelectric turbines producing electricity to support the grid at a fraction of the cost of Li-ion and for much longer duration. Quidnet's technology is an adaptation of centuries-old gravity-powered "pumped storage," but without the massive land requirements and reliance on elevated terrain. Please visit www.quidnetenergy.com. SOURCE Quidnet Energy Related Links http://www.quidnetenergy.com AUSTIN, Texas, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today RapidDeploy, the industry's leading cloud-native emergency response platform , announced a long-term strategic agreement to integrate AutoReturn's industry-leading cloud-based law enforcement towing solution as a feature of the RapidDeploy Nimbus Cloud Aided Dispatch platform. "AutoReturn is thrilled to partner with RapidDeploy, a like-minded, tech-driven company that shares our vision of keeping citizens and law enforcement officers safe," said Carl Bane, AutoReturn's Vice President of Strategic Partnerships. "Both of our solutions drastically reduce the response times to send critically needed services to officers in the field. We are excited to offer our technology and services to RapidDeploy's Nimbus customers and work with RapidDeploy on further enhancing public safety's ability to dispatch in a more efficient manner, saving precious time and resources needed for higher priority police work." Under the agreement, RapidDeploy customers can utilize AutoReturn's tow rotation platform (AutoReturn Integrated Enterprise System ARIES) as part of the Nimbus product. Additionally, citizens can easily locate their towed and impounded vehicle using AutoReturn's web-based portal. Customers can expand their capabilities to include AutoReturn's industry-leading technology and managed services offering for the full life cycle of towing and impound operations. AutoReturn is the leader in transforming towing and impoundment for city, county and state agencies with a goal to foster safer communities by keeping roadways moving to create a better citizen experience. AutoReturn works in a consultative mode with each stakeholder of the towing process: law enforcement agencies, dispatch communications, city towing management, tow companies and tow truck operators. AutoReturn has enabled over 35 city, county and states to reduce the administration and complexity of towing management and dispatched over 3.5 million tows on its platform. AutoReturn joins RapidDeploy's Ecosystem of cloud-native solutions for public safety and will be included as part of the Lightning Partner Network. Lightning Partners share with RapidDeploy a vision of how public safety can leverage data when we work together to break down the silos between technologies and create a unified platform to share data and collaborate together for the benefit of public safety. RapidDeploy does not charge for integrations or interfaces that serve public safety customers, and Lightning Partners have made a similar commitment to not charge for integrations to the RapidDeploy platform. "When evaluating potential partners RapidDeploy seeks to identify leaders in cloud-based services delivering substantial value and capability to Public Safety," said Todd Komentsky, Vice President of Partnerships Strategy of RapidDeploy. "By partnering with AutoReturn, RapidDeploy customers get industry-leading towing management capabilities and a path to future services and capabilities that supports the digital transformation of modern public safety." To learn more about RapidDeploy's public safety ecosystem, visit www.rapiddeploy.com . About AutoReturn Since 2004, AutoReturn has been helping communities by connecting law enforcement, towers and citizens to keep traffic safely moving across the globe. AutoReturn's solution is a technology platform and managed services offering that transforms law enforcement towing into an efficient, transparent and cost-effective operation. AutoReturn manages the towing process from dispatch-to-impound so law enforcement staff can focus on higher-priority police work. Its unique combination of state-of-the-art technology, industry-leading expertise and long-standing partnerships is the key to optimizing towing operations. To learn more visit autoreturn.com . About RapidDeploy RapidDeploy is the industry's only truly open and integrated emergency response platform, transforming 9-1-1 communications centers of any size into data-centric organizations. RapidDeploy achieves new levels of situational awareness and reduces 9-1-1 response time by seamlessly integrating third-party data ensuring it is available when, where, and how Telecommunicators and First Responders need it. The company's cloud-based platform includes analytics, mapping, dispatch, and first responder applications. Learn more visit www.RapidDeploy.com. Media Contact Joel Weyrauch BLASTmedia for RapidDeploy [email protected] 317.806.1900 ext. 117 SOURCE RapidDeploy BOSTON, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Redgate, a strategic real estate advisory and investment firm, announced today the expansion of its senior executive team with the appointment of Leif A. Dormsjo as Executive Vice President and Market Director for the Mid-Atlantic region, and Kristi M. Dowd as a Senior Vice President in Boston. Dormsjo will oversee expansion of the Redgate footprint to meet growing client needs in the Mid-Atlantic. He will also focus on business development, partnerships, talent acquisition and overall corporate strategy. Dowd joins the team at Redgate's headquarters in Boston and brings more than 20 years' experience overseeing large-scale developments in New England to the company's project-management infrastructure. She will lead planning and project management for Redgate's institutional clients, including those in the healthcare, higher education and public sectors. "Redgate is growing rapidly in the Mid-Atlantic market and expanding the scope and reach of our long-established practice in the Boston area and New England," said Ralph Cox, a Principal and co-founder of Redgate. "These additions to our team of professionals will further enable us to expand the Redgate platform and deliver tremendous expertise and ROI to project owners, investors and clients requiring advisory services. We are thrilled to have Leif and Kristi on board as we move into a new phase of company growth." Dormsjo brings significant public and private sector executive management experience in social and transportation infrastructure with a special emphasis on urban development, public private partnerships (P3) and community engagement. He joins Redgate after leading the infrastructure asset management practice at Louis Berger Services in Washington, DC. In the course of his 20-year career, he has led numerous inter-disciplinary teams responsible for delivering complex infrastructure programs in Maryland and the District of Columbia. "Redgate has established the highest level of excellence delivering projects within urban campuses, revitalizing areas and transit hubs in Greater Boston," said Dormsjo. "I'm excited to join this wicked smart team and help execute the mission goals of institutions and stakeholders in the Mid-Atlantic region." Dormsjo's project leadership includes the $2.1 billion Purple Line Transit P3, the $245 million Baltimore Seagirt Marine Terminal Expansion, the $56 million Maryland Travel Plazas Renovation, and the $450 million Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge. Previously, he served on the boards of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, the Union Station Redevelopment Corp, and the District of Columbia Public Library. In 2017, he received the DC Building Industry Association's Public Sector Award for his transit-oriented development focus. He lives in Bethesda, MD. Dowd's career spans two decades of development and master planning for major projects totaling over $2 billion across the sectors of higher education, healthcare, retail, and multi-family residential. She comes to Redgate from her former role as New England Regional Director for Program and Project Management at Stantec Consulting Services in Boston where she focused on guiding large institutional clients through complex master plans, feasibility analyses and capital project implementation. "I am thrilled to join the Redgate team and lead the expansion of their project management capacity for top-tier institutional clients," said Dowd. "I look forward to complementing Redgate's strength in real estate advisory services with the tools and controls to support delivery of institutional capital projects." Among the many projects Dowd has overseen: master planning for a 120-building campus energy conversion at Dartmouth College; design and construction of the Joan & Edgar Booth Theater and College of Fine Arts Production Center at Boston University; a 10-year master plan and design and construction projects utilizing Integrated Project Delivery at Boston Medical Center; and strategic planning and advisory on numerous Massachusetts state facility projects for the Division of Capital Asset Management & Maintenance. She lives in Medford, MA. Redgate's advisory services include project and development management, planning and permitting strategy, strategic advisory, and asset management. The company's investment management practice also provides full permitting and entitlement services, project development and delivery, identification of off-market opportunities and risk management. Redgate together with clients, investors and asset owners has created an iconic and market-defining brand of premium multi-family residential communities that offer residents a dynamic urban lifestyle in revitalized communities outside Boston. Redgate is also an active participant in the creation of new R&D, lab and office space serving the life sciences sector in Massachusetts, and a provider of advisory and other services to the City of College Park, Maryland on a new City Hall complex and National Children's Hospital at the former Walter Reed campus in the District of Columbia. About Redgate Redgate is a strategic real estate advisory and investment firm headquartered in Boston with offices in Baltimore and New York City. Through our advisory platform we offer project management, development management, asset management, planning and permitting strategy, and strategic advisory real estate services for corporations, institutions, and investors. Through our investment platform we are owners/operators in mixed-use, commercial, and residential property development, delivering attractive risk-adjusted returns to our equity investors. We believe that every real estate endeavor is unique and deserves a highly-tailored approach managed with interpersonal precision. Our professionals live an owner and occupier mindset which benefits every client. Redgate believes in a purpose-built approach that adheres to a common vision, is managed thoughtfully in real-time and delivers in both experience and outcomes. Redgate is intensely focused on delivering returns as defined by the opportunity, and ensures the right return on real estate. SOURCE Redgate Related Links https://www.redgate-re.com/ "Being indoors will help shelter you from the high temperatures, but using your air conditioner constantly can hurt your wallet," said Michael Petri, owner of Petri Plumbing & Heating. "With a little prep, though, homeowners can minimize the impact on their energy bills throughout the summer." With summer just a few weeks away and temperatures already on the rise, Petri offers some tips to help save money. Seal windows: Poorly sealed windows can allow cold air to leak outside of a home making it harder to cool down. By sealing cracks with caulk or weather stripping, homeowners are keeping the cold air inside and reducing the amount of energy needed to cool down the house. Poorly sealed windows can allow cold air to leak outside of a home making it harder to cool down. By sealing cracks with caulk or weather stripping, homeowners are keeping the cold air inside and reducing the amount of energy needed to cool down the house. Use ceiling fans: While using an air conditioning unit will help cool down areas in a home, a ceiling fan will help circulate the conditioned air. With the cool air circulating, it reduces the burden on your A/C unit by increasing its efficiency. While using an air conditioning unit will help cool down areas in a home, a ceiling fan will help circulate the conditioned air. With the cool air circulating, it reduces the burden on your A/C unit by increasing its efficiency. Replace air filters: Clean air filters allow air conditioning units to run smoothly. If filters are not replaced, dust and other particles will make it more difficult for the unit to cycle air. Clean air filters allow air conditioning units to run smoothly. If filters are not replaced, dust and other particles will make it more difficult for the unit to cycle air. Install a programmable thermostat: By using a programmable thermostat, homeowners can cut energy bills by adjusting temperatures while they are away from home. Some programmable thermostats can even adapt to homeowner preferences, increasing the efficiency of the unit. "Summer should be an enjoyable time for New Yorkers," Petri said. "We hope homeowners will use these simple tips to keep a few extra dollars in their pockets to spend on their families instead of high utility bills." For more information about Petri Plumbing & Heating, or to schedule a service call, visit https://www.petriplumbing.com/ or call (718) 748-1254. About Petri Plumbing & Heating, Inc. Petri Plumbing & Heating, Inc. is a family owned and operated business serving Brooklyn and the New York City area. Founded in 1906, the company offers a 100 percent guarantee on all services, upfront pricing, and friendly and knowledgeable Service Experts for all kinds of home and business plumbing and heating needs. Services offered include water and gas pipe leak repair and installation, fixture installations, inspections, boiler repair, water heater installation, complete bathroom, kitchen, laundry & utility room remodeling and more. Petri is also licensed and certified by Green Plumbers USA, the first in New York City to receive this designation. For more information, please visit www.petriplumbing.com or call 718-748-1254. MEDIA CONTACT: Heather Ripley Ripley PR 865-977-1973 [email protected] SOURCE Petri Plumbing & Heating, Inc. Related Links https://www.petriplumbing.com NEW YORK, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- From the grassroots to the C-suite, the past decade has seen a growing focus on the stubborn racial disparities that persist in the US economycontributing to the mass protests of 2020. Yet a new report from The Conference Board finds that wage gaps have only widened between Black and White workers, even those of otherwise comparable backgrounds and qualifications. In 2010, for instance, Black men with a bachelor's degree or higher earned 18 percent less than White men. By 2019, that gap had grown to 24 percent, driven by the striking underrepresentation of Black workers in high-paying industries and occupations. Mind the Gap: Factors Driving Racial Wage Gaps and the Solutions to Close Them identifies several factors that are leading to growing racial wage gaps at the same time US companies are elevating diversity and inclusion as a cornerstone of their brands and business strategies. If the trends of the last decade continue, today's wage gaps are poised to grow as Black workers are severely underrepresented in fields and job markets likely to see the fastest growth in high-paying jobs. Yet the report also reveals how innovations like remote work can counteract these forces in the years ahead. "As Americans mark Juneteenth, business leaders and policymakers alike must recognize the recent trends in racial disparities in the twenty-first century economy," said Gad Levanon, Vice President, Labor Markets at The Conference Board. "Differences in educational attainment, lack of access to professional networks, and legacies of bias continue to play key roles in White-Black earning gaps. But increasingly, reversing these trends will require addressing deeply rooted labor market segmentation and geographical segregation in restricting access to high-growth fields." Among the report's key findings: The rise of the tech sectorwhere Black workers are especially underrepresentedhas been a key driver of racial wage gaps over the past decade, especially among college graduates: Technology jobs have seen a remarkable increase in the number of high earners in recent years. However, only 4% of top earners in this group are Black, compared to 6% in other industries. Among software developerswhich have seen the highest income growth of allBlack representation stands at just 3.3%. have seen a remarkable increase in the number of high earners in recent years. However, only 4% of top earners in this group are Black, compared to 6% in other industries. Among software developerswhich have seen the highest income growth of allBlack representation stands at just 3.3%. Black workers are similarly underrepresented in other booming fields for top earners, accounting for just 2.8% of top-earning CEOs and 3.8% of top earners in marketing management . and 3.8% of top earners in . Meanwhile, some industries and jobs with a large concentration of Black workers among top earnersincluding government , health , and education are shrinking. , , and are shrinking. As a result of this labor market segmentation, Black college graduatesand, to a lesser extent, White women as wellhave seen their wage gaps widen compared to White men. Geography is partly responsible for the low representation of Black workers in the tech sectorand opens avenues for addressing the problem: The issue of Black underrepresentation in the tech sector is not new, and previous efforts to address the gap have yielded little. But since 2020, a critical mass of CEOs and human capital managers have publicly pledged to diversify their ranks and build more inclusive culturesa critical first step in acknowledging the issue. is not new, and previous efforts to address the gap have yielded little. But since 2020, a critical mass of CEOs and human capital managers have publicly pledged to diversify their ranks and build more inclusive culturesa critical first step in acknowledging the issue. A heretofore difficult barrier is the mismatched geography of tech hubs and Black population centers . In cities that have seen the fastest growth in high-wage tech jobsincluding San Francisco , Seattle , Austin , and San JoseBlack workers represent less than 2% of top earners. . In cities that have seen the fastest growth in high-wage tech jobsincluding , , , and San JoseBlack workers represent less than 2% of top earners. Meanwhile, more diverse citiesincluding Washington, DC , Philadelphia, New York , Houstonhave seen the share of high-wage tech workers shrink or stagnate. , , Houstonhave seen the share of high-wage tech workers shrink or stagnate. Metro Areas with the largest overall Black populations also see the highest Black representation among top earners in tech12% in Atlanta and nearly 20% in Virginia BeachNorfolk. Tech companies can consider satellite offices in these locations to attract Black tech talent. and nearly 20% in Virginia BeachNorfolk. Tech companies can consider to attract Black tech talent. Finally, the embrace of remote work can bolster diversity post-pandemic by opening positions to qualified Black talent unable or reluctant to relocate to heavily White West Coast tech hubs. About The Conference Board The Conference Board is the member-driven think tank that delivers trusted insights for what's ahead. Founded in 1916, we are a non-partisan, not-for-profit entity holding 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status in the United States. www.conference-board.org SOURCE The Conference Board Related Links http://www.conference-board.org PHOENIX, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE: RSG) today announced that it will release its second quarter 2021 financial results on Thursday, July 29, 2021, after the market closes, and will host an investor conference call at 5 p.m. ET. A live audio webcast of the conference call can be accessed by logging onto the Company's Investor Relations page on republicservices.com, or listeners may access the call by dialing 844-890-1789 or 412-717-9598, passcode "Republic Services." The Company encourages participants who will be dialing in to pre-register for the conference call using the following link: https://dpregister.com/sreg/10157446/e964c54900. Callers who pre-register will be given a conference passcode and PIN to gain immediate access to the call and bypass the live operator on the day of the call. Participants may pre-register at any time, including up to and after the call start time. A replay of the call will be available one hour after the end of the conference through August 5, 2021, by calling 877-344-7529 or 412-317-0088, passcode 10157446. The conference call will also be archived on the Company's website at republicservices.com. About Republic Services Republic Services, Inc. is a leader in the U.S. environmental services industry. Through its subsidiaries, the Company provides superior customer experience while fostering a sustainable Blue Planet for future generations to enjoy a cleaner, safer and healthier world. For more information, visit RepublicServices.com, or follow us at Facebook.com/RepublicServices, @RepublicService on Twitter or Republic Services on LinkedIn. The Company participates in investor presentations and conferences throughout the year. Interested parties can find a schedule of these conferences at republicservices.com. SOURCE Republic Services, Inc. Related Links http://www.republicservices.com NEW YORK, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Rhino, the New York City-based insurtech company that pioneered security deposit insurance, today announced a major expansion of its Enterprise Sales, Success, and Support teams. The company's first step under SVP of Revenue, Andrew Delbridge, is to add four key members to its team including Cheri Barber, Enterprise Senior Sales Manager. Rhino will continue to expand its focus on enterprise partners after the company announced its $95 million funding round earlier this year. The insurance solution for renters that increases leasing velocity for property owners is currently offered in over 1.3 million homes across the U.S. Rhino's core Enterprise team led by Barber, former Sales Manager at Assurant Specialty Property, also welcomed Enterprise Account Executives Trevor Hill from Entrata, Jay Stoltz from Realpage, and Sean Fox from Datadog. Each brings extensive experience from the multifamily and insurance industry. "The addition of Cheri and team not only marks the beginning of a major investment in our Enterprise Sales department but our investment in our partners across Rhino," said Andrew Delbridge, SVP of Revenue. "We're expanding both our Success and Support teams to better serve properties throughout our partnership and to champion the NOI benefits of replacing cash security deposits with low-cost insurance for renters." Rhino's security deposit insurance acts as a direct replacement for a cash security deposit. Instead of a large upfront cash deposit, renters pay Rhino a small monthly fee that can be as little as $5 per month, and Rhino insures the property owner for damages that might occur and lost rent. "I've never seen a product in the multifamily industry with such a high upside for properties at no cost to their bottom line, while benefiting the renter experience," said Barber. "The opportunity to maintain protection while cutting administrative costs, reduce bad debt, and fill vacancies faster is unprecedented." Rhino's extensive network of partners includes Highmark Residential, UDR, Brookfield, Peak Living, Towne Properties, and Real Property Management. About Rhino: Rhino was founded to give renters everywhere greater financial freedom to plan and enjoy their lives. We eliminate the need for traditional security deposits by replacing them with smart, affordable insurance so renters can maintain control of their cash. Instead of a large upfront cash security deposit, renters pay Rhino a small monthly fee, and Rhino insures the property owner for damages that might occur and lost rent. To date, we are offered in over 1 million homes, and we have saved renters over $300 million in cash. Media Contact: Lauren Hovey [email protected] SOURCE Rhino Amazon Store eCommerce Launch to Elevate the Rritual Brand and Expand Customer Reach Nationwide VANCOUVER, BC, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Rritual Superfoods Inc. ("Rritual" or the "Company") (CSE: RSF) (FSE: 0RW) (OTC: RRSFF) is excited to announce the full line of Rritual products have passed the approval process for listing on the Company's Amazon Store in the USA, planned for the end of June. The Company has partnered with Orca Pacific ("Orca"), a full-service Amazon agency, for the build and optimization of the Rritual Amazon store and to execute the Company's digital marketing strategy. Engaging with Orca and launching on Amazon will strongly support Rritual's corporate mission for products to be within an arm's length of consumer desire and be available for convenient purchase. In partnership with Orca the Company will work towards a listing on Amazon Prime. "Rritual's Amazon launch represents a significant milestone for the Company," said Mr. David Kerbel, Rritual CEO. "Rritual's multi-stage targeted launch is focused primarily on 'being where the customers are,' and no storefront in our world can help us more than Amazon to achieve that objective." 'Based on a survey done by Feedvisor on 2000+ customers in the U.S., 89% of the buyers are more likely to purchase from Amazon than any other eCommerce website.'1 Since winning the ECRM Buyers Choice Award in late 2020, Rritual and Amazon have been in discussions, and actively engaged in the effort to launch the Rritual Amazon store. Rritual is building a Superfood Platform focused on wide distribution and modern innovation. At the forefront of innovation in the space, Rritual is driven to be the premium brand in the emerging functional mushroom and adaptogenic superfood market. Providing consumers with access to Rritual's product line on Amazon is essential to the Company's ambition to help lead and define the superfoods category. "Once Rritual goes live on Amazon, it instantly becomes the focal point for our digital strategy, introducing the brand to many more customers and providing us with data and insights that will inform our leadership team in the ways we can be even more effective in serving customers and maximizing our opportunities for growth in every facet of our marketing program," added Peter Palarchio, Director of Marketing for Rritual. Rritual product offerings are all USDA-certified organic and are a caffeine-free option that can be mixed with other beverages or enjoyed by itself. Rritual's proprietary Immune-Synergy Six Mushroom Blend is the only functional health product on the market that contains a daily prebiotic blend which nourishes a healthy gut microbiome and facilitates balanced digestive function. About Rritual Rritual is a fast-growing functional superfood company that creates natural wellness products which support a holistic approach to a healthy lifestyle. The company is poised to dominate a segment where demand and sales are growing exponentially. Under the executive leadership with over 100 years of CPG pedigree, Rritual has launched distribution to major retailers and is positioning itself as a leader in the functional health and wellness industry as a superfood platform. Rritual markets organic wellness products in the United States through initial retail rollout which includes over 10,000 points of sale and through www.rritual.com. Follow Rritual on Twitter , LinkedIn , Facebook , and Instagram . Functional Foods Market According to Grandview Research*, it is estimated that the global functional food market is projected to reach $275 billion by 2025, growing at 7.9% each year with consumers putting more emphasis on health and wellness. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements") that relate to Rritual's current expectations and views of future events. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as "will likely result", "are expected to", "expects", "will continue", "is anticipated", "anticipates", "believes", "estimated", "intends", "plans", "forecast", "projection", "strategy", "objective" and "outlook") are not historical facts and may be forward-looking statements and may involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. In particular and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the Company's plans to leverage third party manufacturing and logistics, the Company's broader retail distribution plans and the Company's other plans, focus and objectives. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Rritual's control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the impact and progression of the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors set forth under "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in the final long form prospectus of the Company dated February 26, 2021 and available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Rritual undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Rritual to predict all of them or assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Any forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. SOURCE Rritual Superfoods Inc. DENVER, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Service King Collision recently repaired and donated a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe to Roy Edwand Manville Jr., a local Centennial resident, through the National Auto Body Council's (NABC) Recycled Rides program. Service King Donates Car to Centennial Resident Through NABC Recycled Rides Program Recycled Rides is a unique community action initiative through which members of the NABC and others in the auto body repair industry unite with local nonprofit organizations to provide deserving individuals and families with the gift of a fully restored vehicle. Service King has consistently donated vehicles through the Recycled Rides program for more than 10 years. For this donation, Travelers Auto Insurance provided the car that Service King repaired. Manville, an Air Force Veteran, was nominated by Colorado Veterans Project, a nonprofit organization that hosts special events in order to raise awareness and funds for local Veterans and Veteran organizations. Manville is 100% disabled with Veterans Affairs (VA) and has mobility issues and arthritis that affect his employment. Diagnosed with PTSD from his time serving and type 2 diabetes, Manville has biweekly doctor appointments. For the past two months, he has been renting a car weekly to get back and forth to his chiropractic and doctor appointments at the VA. Service King's donation will provide increased independence and financial stability for Manville. "Our team is honored and excited to prepare this vehicle for Air Force Veteran Roy Manville," said Director of Operations Andy Haydusky. "Our company is dedicated to supporting our nation's heroes, and we strive to show continuous support through current and future initiatives like this. Participating in the Recycled Rides program allows us to see firsthand how we can make a difference in someone's life through collision repair. We are thrilled for Roy to gain reliable transportation and increased independence to support his medical needs through this donation." This is the third vehicle that Service King has joined hands with the NABC to restore this year, with additional donations planned for the remainder of 2021. To learn more about Service King, visit serviceking.com. About Service King Collision Service King Collision, which is now celebrating 45 years of experience in the automotive repair industry, is a leading national operator of comprehensive, high-quality auto body collision repair facilities. The organization is consistently recognized for its commitment to customer satisfaction, quality workmanship and giving back to the industry through innovative training and recruiting initiatives. Service King traces its roots back to Dallas, Texas and founder Eddie Lennox who opened the very first Service King in 1976. Today, Service King operates locations in 24 states and the District of Columbia across the U.S. For more information and to find a local Service King, visit serviceking.com and follow Service King on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Contact: Emily Ashmun, Service King Collision [email protected] 469-426-7657 SOURCE Service King Related Links http://serviceking.com MCLEAN, Va., June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ServicePower, a leading field service management software company focused on transforming service experiences, today announced it is expanding its partnership program with technology and services organizations to deliver advanced solutions and strategies for its valued clients. The ServicePower partner program is a network of companies that enables field service organizations working with ServicePower to plan, implement and operate best of breed field-based workforce solutions. The company partners with both technology organizations and top global and specialist consulting, advisory and implementation firms to enhance its value and ensure deep expertise and industry knowledge is delivered in client engagements. "We know that having strategic partners can deliver real value to our clients, which is why we are thrilled to have developed such a strong partner program," said Frank Gelbart, chief executive officer, ServicePower. "We look forward to continuing to grow this program and enhancing our offerings that we bring to market." ServicePower has partnered with leading technology firms, focused on enhancing its vertical solution capabilities, as well as deliver advanced technology functionality such as augmented reality. Technology partnerships include: Procit, empowering field technicians with on-demand knowledge management and parts look up functionality. Guidewire and Duck Creek, enabling ServicePower to cover the entire claims lifecycle to deliver a seamless field service experience to its insurance clients. Streem and Help Lightening, supporting the remote virtual assistance, augmented reality landscape and allowing technicians to interact with end-consumers virtually and troubleshoot repairs from the palm of their hands. "Streem is proud to partner with ServicePower as it supports field organizations with technology, tools, and data that are vital to help them stay ahead of the curve," said Ryan Fink, co-founder, chief executive officer of Streem. "Through the use of Streem's integrated virtual capabilities, in-field technicians will have the ability to improve customer experience and transform their business through innovation." TRUCE Software, offering mobility safety and productivity features for field technicians. "Mobile use is an essential part of the daily work of field services teams and ensuring the safest most productive mobile experience is critical," said Pete Plotas, global vice president, alliances at TRUCE Software. "We're proud to partner with ServicePower, giving their customers the ability to enable the right mobile access to the right employee at the right time, by enforcing company policy automatically. This supports a culture of safety and enhances service delivery and the overall efficiency of organizations." In addition to technology partners, ServicePower works with advisory and consulting services organizations to bring added industry expertise to its client strategy and engagements. Services partners include: PwC, delivering a joint field service management offering to manufacturing organizations across Europe. In a continued effort to improve efficiency, reduce cost and enhance customer satisfaction, ServicePower and PwC bring together software and services capabilities for a complete people, process, and technology solution for field service management. Field Service in Motion, offering field service management advisory services across European markets. DRK Resources Tech, offering extended warranty and contract services. Blumberg Advisory Group, providing industry trends and advanced strategies. For more information on ServicePower's partner program visit www.servicepower.com/partners. About ServicePower: ServicePower is a leading field service management software company focused on providing an exceptional customer experience, while delivering significant operational efficiencies. Trusted by field service organizations around the world such as GE Appliances, LG, AIG, Allstate, and Siemens, ServicePower offers the only SaaS platform that helps companies efficiently manage both employed and contracted workforces. ServicePower also offers a fully managed network of contracted service providers to enable on-demand field service delivery in urban and hard-to-reach locations across North America and Europe. Media Contact ServicePower Heather Mills Sr. Director, Corporate Marketing [email protected] SOURCE ServicePower TSX: SIL | NYSE American: SILV VANCOUVER, BC, June 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - SilverCrest Metals Inc. ("SilverCrest" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders ("AGM") held in Vancouver, BC on June 15, 2021. A total of 78,955,084 votes were represented at the AGM amounting to 54.66% of the issued common shares as of the record date. Shareholders approved the fixing of the number of directors at seven. The following is the tabulation of proxy votes in the election of the seven directors: Directors Tabulation of Votes in Favour submitted by Proxy Tabulation of Votes Withheld submitted by Proxy N. Eric Fier 58,077,796 (99.71%) 168,161 (0.29%) Laura Diaz 58,168,394 (99.87%) 77,564 (0.13%) Ross O. Glanville 54,283,976 (93.20%) 3,961,981 (6.80%) Ani Markova 57,895,061 (99.40%) 350,897 (0.60%) Hannes P. Portmann 57,723,288 (99.10%) 522,669 (0.90%) Graham C. Thody 51,647,789 (88.67%) 6,598,168 (11.33%) John H. Wright 50,521,903 (86.74%) 7,721,454 (13.26%) The shareholders also approved the reappointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as auditor of SilverCrest. In addition, further to the Company's news release dated June 4, 2021, the shareholders approved the adoption of a new "rolling 1.5%" Equity Share Unit Plan for the Company. ABOUT SILVERCREST METALS INC. SilverCrest is a Canadian precious metals exploration and development company headquartered in Vancouver, BC, that is focused on new discoveries, value-added acquisitions and targeting production in Mexico's historic precious metal districts. The Company's top priority is on the high-grade, historic Las Chispas mining district in Sonora, Mexico, where it has completed a feasibility study on the Las Chispas Project and is proceeding with mine construction. Startup of production at the Las Chispas Mine is targeted for mid-2022. SilverCrest is the first company to successfully drill-test the historic Las Chispas Property resulting in numerous high-grade precious metal discoveries. The Company is led by a proven management team in all aspects of the precious metal mining sector, including taking projects through discovery, finance, on time and on budget construction, and production. N. Eric Fier, CPG, P.Eng Chief Executive Officer SilverCrest Metals Inc. SOURCE SilverCrest Metals Inc. Related Links www.silvercrestmetals.com PHOENIX, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SinglePoint Inc. (OTC: SING) ("SinglePoint" or the "Company"), a company focused on providing renewable energy solutions and energy-efficient applications to drive better health and living, today provided a business update. Since recently being appointed CEO, Wil Ralston is focused on improvements to the Company's operations, analyzing the current business and assets, and executing strategic directives and initiatives designed to improve the current and future outlook for SinglePoint and its shareholders. SinglePoint has taken catalytic steps and necessary actions designed to transform the traditional solar energy model and to drive accelerated growth of its national footprint. With the completed acquisitions of Direct Solar America, EnergyWyze, LLC and Box PureAir, LLC, SinglePoint is driving its vision of creating a National network of renewable energy services and products that promote a cleaner sustainable lifestyle while minimizing the impact on the environment and expects to generate continued growth. Recent Business Highlights SinglePoint is in ongoing discussions with multiple renewable energy operators for potential transaction(s). The Company has initially targeted profitable EPC providers installing a minimum of $7,500,000 to well over $10,000,000 a year in solar panels to companies advancing the future of renewable energy and providing services internationally. SinglePoint will continue to search for companies that align with its growth strategy to firmly position the Company as a leader in the space. to well over a year in solar panels to companies advancing the future of renewable energy and providing services internationally. SinglePoint will continue to search for companies that align with its growth strategy to firmly position the Company as a leader in the space. SinglePoint continues to drive the success of its business through the strengthening of its balance sheet. The Company has implemented ongoing efforts to eliminate debt liabilities over the course of the year. Throughout the past quarter, SinglePoint has significantly decreased its liabilities again continuing to improve the fundamentals. With a continued focus on creating positive shareholder equity, the Company believes it will be positioned to expeditiously achieve listed exchange requirements and eliminate hurdles moving forward. The Company's subsidiaries, Box PureAir and Energy Wyze continue to drive business. May 2021 , Box PureAir announced the opening of its office and sales center and its initiatives to establish Charleston, South Carolina as "America's first clean air city." Box PureAir has commitments from franchisees representing three of the top ten fast food chain restaurants in the United States to install units to protect their customers and employees by improving indoor air quality by creating a safe air zone as local and regional restrictions for indoor dining are lessened or eliminated. , Box PureAir announced the opening of its office and sales center and its initiatives to establish as "America's first clean air city." Box PureAir has commitments from franchisees representing three of the top ten fast food chain restaurants in to install units to protect their customers and employees by improving indoor air quality by creating a safe air zone as local and regional restrictions for indoor dining are lessened or eliminated. Since its acquisition, Energy Wyze has onboarded new clients and systems and has begun working with many of the solar industry's top tier companies. In its first month following the acquisition, Energy Wyze achieved significant strides and currently sells multiple hundreds of leads and appointments to some of the nation's leading solar providers who are looking to increase their residential solar sales and installation rates. Additionally, Energy Wyze has expanded its service to include Home Energy efficiency and additional markets that complement the healthy living and renewable energy industries. "SinglePoint is diligently working to build a profitable, sustainable business that has the potential to drive significant growth opportunities. Our ultimate goal is to increase value for shareholders, our partners and acquired companies, and we have continued to implement and execute the strategies we believe are needed in order to do that," stated Wil Ralston, incoming Chief Executive Officer of SinglePoint. Adding "We recently launched a strategic review process as we believe there are opportunities to unlock additional significant value and optimize our business plan and establish SinglePoint as a leader in the industry. We look forward to the rollout of our strategic plan this summer. We have built a strong team that is focused on execution within our business segments. Our team, myself and the partners with whom we are working, are committed to driving a bright future consisting of performance and delivering significant progress in building out valuable, profitable business segments." Strategic Review to Ensure Near- and Long-Term Value SinglePoint remains focused on efforts to analyze, improve, and expand its existing solar businesses while exploring additional accretive opportunities and partnerships in healthy living and renewable energy applications. The Company will continue to look for accretive prospects in an effort to create a national network in the sector. Wil Ralston, in his recently appointed role as Chief Executive Officer, has launched a strategic review of the Company's business to ensure optimization and growth opportunities. The Company expects to provide updates regarding its strategic review in early third quarter of 2021. About SinglePoint Inc. SinglePoint Inc. is a renewable energy and sustainable lifestyle company focused on providing environmentally friendly energy efficiencies and healthy living solutions. SinglePoint is initially focused on building the largest network of renewable energy solutions and modernizing the traditional solar and energy storage model. The Company is also actively exploring future growth opportunities in air purification, electric vehicle charging, solar as a subscription service, and additional energy efficiencies and appliances that enhance sustainability and a healthier life. For more information, visit the Company's website (www.singlepoint.com) and connect on LinkedIn and Twitter. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Rule 175 under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 3b-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are subject to the safe harbor created by those rules. All statements, other than statements of fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential plans and objectives of the Company, the use of proceed, anticipated growth and future expansion, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. 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. Technical complications, which may arise, could prevent the prompt implementation of any strategically significant plan(s) outlined above. The Company undertakes no duty to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release. Investor Contact: JTC Team, LLC Jenene Thomas 833-475-8247 [email protected] SOURCE SinglePoint Inc. Related Links singlepoint.com GAITHERSBURG, Md. and SUZHOU BIOBAY, China, June 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sirnaomics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of RNAi therapeutics against cancer, fibrotic diseases, and other unmet clinical indications, today announced that the China National Medical Product Administration (NMPA) has accepted its Investigational New Drug (IND) application for the company's lead candidate, STP705, for the treatment of skin squamous cell carcinoma in situ (isSCC). The randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study, as part of a global multicenter clinical Phase 2b program, will evaluate the safety and efficacy of an intralesional injection of STP705 in 100 adult patients with isSCC in five to seven clinical sites in the U.S. and China. This is a two-part dose escalation trial with the first part (the run-in period) further evaluating the 30 ug and 60 ug dosing regimens from the Phase 2a study of STP705 in addition to a third new dose level. The second part of the trial is designed to evaluate the two most efficacious dosing regimens. The primary endpoint of this trial is the proportion of participants with histological clearance of treated isSCC lesions at the end of treatment. Histological clearance will be defined as the absence of detectable evidence of isSCC tumor cell nests as determined by central pathology review. The study protocol for this China IND filing is following an initial protocol submitted to the U.S. FDA earlier this year. "After the conclusion of a Phase 2a clinical trial of STP705 for the successful treatment of squamous cell carcinoma in situ, with a high rate of patients achieving histological clearance in a dose dependent manner, we have already started a Phase 2b study with a green light from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This China IND filing reflects Sirnaomics' long-term strategy to advance novel siRNA therapeutics in a synchronized schedule in both the U.S. and China," said Patrick Lu, Ph.D., the founder, President and CEO of Sirnaomics. "In this first global multicenter 2b study of STP705, we will not only obtain clinical study readouts covering broader patient populations with different ethnic backgrounds, but also gain experience in conducting such trials that potentially offer significant insight into addressing a great unmet medical need in these two large markets." "Sirnaomics is excited to start our clinical programs in China as it aligns with our mission of codeveloping drugs in the two largest markets in the world. By leveraging our strong presence in both China and the U.S., we anticipate this will aide in recruitment of patients to our studies and potentially benefit our development timelines," said Michael Molyneaux M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Sirnaomics. "isSCC continues to be a disease with a high unmet therapeutic need for non-surgical treatment alternatives that can avoid scarring and achieve high clearance rates. We hope to build on the success seen in the Phase 2a study, where we achieved 90% histological clearance rates in the 30 ug and 60 ug dosing groups and achieved an improved appearance of the skin, as demonstrated by objective scoring scales such as the Cutaneous Response Scores. We anticipate that using a similar clinical design for our Phase 2b clinical study in China will enable us to learn more about STP705's safety and efficacy profile with a much broader patient population." About Non-melanoma Skin Cancer and Squamous Cell Carcinoma In Situ Skin cancer is the most common type of all cancers diagnosed each year in the United States. It is estimated that nearly half of cancers diagnosed every year will be skin cancers. Over the past decade, the incidence of skin cancers has increased dramatically. According to the JAMA Dermatology paper (Rogers, et. al. JAMA Dermatol. 2015151(10):1081-1086), an estimated 3.3 million people in the US suffer from non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) along with 5.43 million people that are currently living with cancer lesions. Data on specific types of NMSC were 2.55 million cases for basal cell carcinoma (47%): 2.57 million cases for squamous cell carcinoma including squamous cell carcinoma in situ (46.7%), plus another 332,000 cases of unspecified type of skin cancers. A World Health Organization authorized report from the "International Agency for Research on Cancer" (2019) indicated that the number of deaths in 2018 globally for both men and women from NMSC is 65,155, where the mortality of Asia NMSC patients represents 41.9% of the global total, significantly more than other individual areas. Squamous cell carcinoma in situ, also called Bowen disease, is the earliest form of squamous cell skin cancer (SCC). Along with basal cell carcinoma, SCC is one of two major subtypes of NMSC. The key driver for development of SCC is ultraviolet rays from the sun. It is believed that development of SCC is linked closely to genomic perturbations, genetic mutations, and altered expression of key molecules (e.g., overexpression of TGF-1 and COX-2) that impacts squamous cell lineage commitment and terminal differentiation. Surgery is the currently the most common treatment option for the treatment of NMSC. The various forms of surgical modalities carry significant cutaneous adverse events, risk of scar, infection and bleeding. Surgery can also have a significant recurrence rate. As a result, there is a high unmet need for an FDA-approved local injection therapy that is safe and effective. About STP705 Sirnaomics' leading product candidate, STP705, is a siRNA (small interfering RNA) therapeutic that takes advantage of a dual-targeted inhibitory property and polypeptide nanoparticle (PNP)-enhanced delivery to directly knock down both TGF-1 and COX-2 gene expression. The product candidate has received multiple IND approvals from both the U.S. FDA and Chinese NMPA, including treatments of cholangiocarcinoma, non-melanoma skin cancer and hypertrophic scar. STP705 has also received Orphan Drug Designation for treatment of cholangiocarcinoma and primary sclerosing cholangitis. A Phase 2a study of STP705 for treatment of squamous cell skin cancer (isSCC) in adult patients demonstrated positive efficacy and safety results, with 76% of all patients (19/25) achieving complete histologically clearance and the two optimal dosing ranges achieving 90% (9/10) histological clearance of tumor cell in the lesion. No significant or serious adverse events, including no significant cutaneous skin reactions, were reported in the study, and the company was able to define a clear therapeutic window in advance of later stage studies. About Sirnaomics, Inc. Sirnaomics, Inc., a leading privately held biopharmaceutical company for discovery and development of RNAi therapeutics, is a Delaware corporation headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA, with subsidiaries in Suzhou and Guangzhou, China. The company's mission is to develop novel therapeutics to alleviate human suffering and advance patient care in areas of high unmet medical need. The guiding principles of the company are: Innovation, Global Vision with a Patient Centered focus. Members of the senior management team have a combined experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, spanning clinical development, regulatory, financial and business management in both the USA and China. The company is supported by funding from institutional investors, corporate partnerships and government grants. Sirnaomics has developed a strong portfolio of intellectual property with an enriched product pipeline. The therapeutic areas of focus include oncology, anti-fibrotic, anti-viral and metabolic therapeutics. Learn more at www.sirnaomics.com. Contact: Sirnaomics: Michael Molyneaux, MD, MBA Chief Medical Officer Email: [email protected] Investors: Stephanie Carrington Tel: +1 646 277 1282 Email : [email protected] Media: Mark Corbae Tel: +1 203 682 8288 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Sirnaomics, Inc. Related Links http://www.sirnaomics.com "SKYMINT Big Rapids represents the culmination of our promise to create a vibe-enhanced retail experience that brings consumers into our world and inspires them to want to stay and explore," says SKYMINT's President of Retail Summer Ransom-Cleveland , who until 2017 was the North America Visual Director for Urban Outfitters. "SKYMINT doesn't just sell the best cannabis Michigan has to offer; we sell and curate a lifestyle that elevates the way people think and talk about cannabis. Beginning in Fall 2021, we look forward to hosting in-store community events that bring together the worlds of cannabis, fashion, food and music." Featuring more than 60 brands including the exclusive SKYMINT X DNA Genetics collection, North Cannabis gummies, as well as other curated lines such as Flower by Edie Parker , Lil Wayne's break-out Gkua , and Crude Boys - SKYMINT Big Rapids welcomes customers to sit and relax in its high-end SMOKE SHOP, enjoy vinyl records of beloved bands and music with historical ties to cannabis, and shop for vintage apparel. For those needing to grab and go, a SKYMINT EXPRESS fast-track check-out lane opens in August of 2021. "We believe that happy plants make happy people and, to that end, we look forward to inspiring joy among the Big Rapids community by providing the largest selection available anywhere in Michigan of high-quality, sustainably harvested, and award-winning cannabis flower and pre-rolls. SKYMINT Big Rapids also carries a generously curated assortment of select edibles, concentrates, CBD products, vapes, and infusions. It's our goal to feature something for everyone as they continue on their journey towards a more joyful, health-forward life," says Laurie Gregory, SKYMINT Brands' Chief Brand and Product Officer. Opening during Pride Month, SKYMINT Big Rapids joins the rest of the SKYMINT family in supporting the critical work of Fair and Equal Michigan , a nonprofit devoted to ensuring that every person in Michigan's LGBTQIA+ community has an equal chance at success. "Our mission is to change people's lives for the better," Gregory says, "and supporting the civil rights of all people in our community is a key component of that. We celebrate inclusivity and positivity and appreciate the opportunity to donate to nonprofits that are similarly aligned." Throughout June, SKYMINT customers can give back to Fair and Equal Michigan by taking selfies against the in-store Pride backdrops at select SKYMINT locations; for every selfie posted to social media with the hashtag #skymintpride, SKYMINT will donate $2 to Fair and Equal Michigan. SKYMINT Big Rapids has slated a ribbon cutting and preview event for dignitaries and members of the press on Thursday, June 17 at 9:30am; the grand opening takes place the following week on Saturday, June 26, and features discounts, surprises, and treats for all who attend. SKYMINT Big Rapids 840 Clark St., Big Rapids, MI. 49307 Phone: +1 231 598 8940 Hours of Operation: Sunday: 11am - 8pm Monday - Wednesday: 10am - 8pm Thursday - Saturday: 9am - 9pm Online orders may be placed outside of normal business hours, to be picked up in store, curbside, or delivered during normal hours of operation. Delivery available in August. ABOUT SKYMINT Beginning operations in Fall 2018 and headquartered in Ann Arbor, SKYMINT is Michigan's leading vertically integrated cannabis company and the state's largest medical and recreational license holder. With two state-of-the-art indoor grow facilities as well as SKYMINT Farms, a 200-acre sungrown, sustainable farm, the company cultivates, processes, markets, distributes and sells a full range of branded cannabis products, including SKYMINT , North Cannabis , Jolly Edibles , the Two Joints brand, which benefits the Last Prisoner Project , and SKYMINT X DNA GENETICS. Just as SKYMINT treats its plants like people - tending to and caring for them by hand, and even playing them music - each and every product is handcrafted to ensure the safest, cleanest, highest quality products at the best value. SKYMINT products can be found at the company's 13 SKYMINT retail centers. As purveyors of premium-crafted cannabis, SKYMINT has developed a portfolio of the finest cannabis brands available for daily wellness, healing, or just getting high on life. Happy Plants. Happy People. Visit www.skymintbrands.com HIGH RES IMAGES PRESS CONTACTS: Ally Galanty, 313.575.0361, [email protected] Holly Aubry, 646.943.0541, [email protected] SOURCE SKYMINT LOS ANGELES, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The SoCal Venture Pipeline is bridging a key funding gap for Southern California (SoCal) entrepreneurs by connecting high-potential startups to venture capital, enabling growth for companies and for the region. The program, a partnership between The Alliance for Southern California Innovation (Alliance) and Silicon Valley Bank, vet's companies that have demonstrated clear market traction and provides targeted introductions to venture funds from a vast national network to help high-potential start-ups take the next step in their growth trajectory. Additional program support provided by Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati and KPPB, LP . "Increasing access to venture capital was Boston Consulting Group's #1 recommendation to enable SoCal to become a top tech ecosystem," said Andy Wilson, Executive Director of the Alliance, referring to a strategic assessment conducted by the management consulting firm in 2019. "With the proliferation of seed-stage funds in SoCal, access to Series A capital has become a limiting factor. The SoCal Venture Pipeline hits the bull's eye in addressing this challenge; we provide great entrepreneurs with enhanced access to capital while the SoCal VC community continues to develop." Added Wilson, "entrepreneurship is everywhere, but funding is not, and we aim to bridge the gap." SoCal founders continue to struggle to raise growth capital despite a wealth of talent and potential -- this is especially the case for entrepreneurs who are people of color, women, or from other underrepresented groups. But diversity is the SoCal region's greatest strength; in order to realize the true impact of this superpower, it is vital to extend capital access to all entrepreneurs. Without access to enough capital to grow and scale to their fullest potential, early-stage founders are often forced to take sub-optimal paths, which negatively impacts the entire region. Through SoCal Venture Pipeline, more startups in Southern California will be able to break through the Series-A funding barrier and create economic opportunities for their communities, including more high-paying jobs and talent attraction and retention. "As the leading financial services partner for venture-backed startups, Silicon Valley Bank wants to help more entrepreneurs access capital, and Series A dollars serve as foundational capital for startups to build upon," said L.A.-based Rob Freelen, Head of VC Relationships for SVB. "The SoCal Venture Pipeline program is designed to do just that strengthen the region's innovation ecosystem by attracting more early stage investments." The SoCal Venture Pipeline builds on the successful model established by Mike Krenn of Connect. Since 2015, Krenn's efforts have helped San Diego area founders raise $650M in Series A funding. Krenn is a key partner in the SoCal Venture Pipeline, enabling the Alliance to extend the model to founders in Santa Barbara, Ventura, L.A., Orange and Riverside counties. To hear from program leaders and past participants about how SoCal Venture Pipeline significantly accelerated their fundraising efforts, join the virtual launch event on Tuesday, June 22nd from 2:00 - 3:30 PM PST. To learn more about the program visit the SoCal Venture Pipeline website. About The Alliance for Southern California Innovation The Alliance for Southern California Innovation (the "Alliance") is a not for profit formed in 2017 that has successfully brought together the heft of Southern California's top research institutions, local business leaders, and world-class advisors to focus on bridging critical gaps in the SoCal innovation ecosystem. The goal of the Alliance is to engage and unify SoCal's compelling diversity of talent, ideas, and perspectives in order to optimize the conditions for the region's innovators to bring breakthroughs to the world. Learn more at AllianceSoCal.org About Silicon Valley Bank For nearly 40 years, Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) has helped innovative companies and their investors move bold ideas forward, fast. SVB provides targeted financial services and expertise through its offices in innovation centers around the world, including offices in Santa Monica, Irvine and San Diego. With commercial, international and private banking services, SVB helps address the unique needs of innovators. Learn more at svb.com . CONTACT: Raychel Espiritu 818-414-8148 [email protected] SOURCE Alliance for SoCal Innovation Related Links www.alliancesocal.org Trading to Start on Monday June 21, 2021 TORONTO, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- (TSXV: SEV) Spectra7 Microsystems Inc. ("Spectra7" or the "Company"), a leading provider of high-performance analog semiconductor products for broadband connectivity markets, today announced that its application for a listing to the OTCQB Venture Market ("OTCQB") has been approved and it will begin trading on June 21, 2021. The Company's shares will trade in the United States on the OTCQB under the symbol "SPVNF". The Company has also been approved by the Depository Trust Company ("DTC") for DTC eligibility, which greatly simplifies the process of trading the Company's common shares. The Company will continue to trade on the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") under its existing symbol "TSX: SEV". Raouf Halim, CEO of the Company commented, "We are pleased to now have our common shares trading on the OTCQB. This move allows Spectra7 to access a broader range of institutional and retail investors in the U.S. as we expand our business in the second half of 2021 driven by success in the data center market. " About OTC Markets Group Inc. OTC Markets Group Inc. operates the OTCQX Best Market, the OTCQB Venture Market and the Pink Open Market for 11,000 U.S. and global securities. Through OTC Link ATS and OTC Link ECN, PTC Market Group Inc. connects a diverse network of broker-dealers that provide liquidity and execution services. The company enables investors to easily trade through the broker of their choice and empower companies to improve the quality of information available for investors. To learn more about how OTC Markets Group Inc. creates better informed and more efficient markets, visit www.otcmarkets.com. ABOUT SPECTRA7 MICROSYSTEMS INC. Spectra7 Microsystems Inc. is a high performance analog semiconductor company delivering unprecedented bandwidth, speed and resolution to enable disruptive industrial design for leading electronics manufacturers in virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, data centers and other connectivity markets. Spectra7 is based in San Jose, California with a design center in Cork, Ireland and technical support location in Dongguan, China. For more information, please visit www.spectra7.com . Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provided (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. CAUTIONARY NOTES Certain statements contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements". All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including, without limitation, those regarding the Company's application to list on the OTCQB, and the Company's strategy, plans, objectives, goals and targets, and any statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words "believe", "expect", "aim", "intend", "plan", "continue", "will", "may", "would", "anticipate", "estimate", "forecast", "predict", "project", "seek", "should" or similar expressions or the negative thereof, are forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts but instead represent only the Company's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Additional factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially include, but are not limited to the risk factors discussed in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2019. Management provides forward-looking statements because it believes they provide useful information to investors when considering their investment objectives and cautions investors not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and other cautionary statements or factors contained herein, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect subsequent information, events or circumstances or otherwise, except as required by law. For more information, please contact: Spectra7 Microsystems Inc. Justin Leighton Investor Relations 647-578-7996 [email protected] Spectra7 Microsystems Inc. David Mier Chief Financial Officer 925-858-7011 [email protected] SOURCE Spectra7 Microsystems Inc. "Beaumont Health and Spectrum Health are leaders in our respective markets, and by bringing together our organizations to create a new system, we have the opportunity to deliver greater value in high-quality and affordable health care to our communities," Spectrum Health President & CEO Tina Freese Decker said. "Together, we can provide a more personalized experience that prioritizes individuals' health while also attracting and retaining great talent to our vibrant communities." Beaumont Health Board Chair Julie Fream said, "As health care continues to evolve, there are a number of factors that proactive health systems must consider as they plan for the future. Beaumont Health has found a great Michigan partner in Spectrum Health, and together, we are uniquely positioned for success. As a new organization, we will provide Michiganders an enhanced, high-quality health care and coverage network built for them." The organizations have shared goals for the new system, including: Improving health and health equity: Providing exceptional, equitable care and service to all patients and health plan members will always be at the center of the system's work. Providing exceptional, equitable care and service to all patients and health plan members will always be at the center of the system's work. Enhancing the consumer experience: Making the experience easier for patients and members will include investing in new digital technologies and providing services in more convenient ways such as virtual and in-home care. Making the experience easier for patients and members will include investing in new digital technologies and providing services in more convenient ways such as virtual and in-home care. Improving health care quality, value and outcomes: Creating a new health system, which includes the nation's third-largest provider-sponsored health plan, Priority Health, will allow for the development of and investment in innovative solutions that improve health care and coverage for all Michiganders. Creating a new health system, which includes the nation's third-largest provider-sponsored health plan, Priority Health, will allow for the development of and investment in innovative solutions that improve health care and coverage for all Michiganders. Making health care more affordable for the communities we serve: Bringing together the strengths of Spectrum Health and Beaumont Health will improve efficiency and deliver affordable, high-quality care and coverage across the state. Bringing together the strengths of Spectrum Health and Beaumont Health will improve efficiency and deliver affordable, high-quality care and coverage across the state. Ensuring the voices of team members and physicians are heard: Gathering the input of physicians, nurses and other team members who are closest to patients will be critical to realizing the mission and vision of the new organization. The new organization will also foster a culture that attracts and retains top health professionals to live and work in Michigan . Spectrum Health and Beaumont Health have also developed five guiding principles that will guide the creation of the new organization. The principles are outlined in a letter to the community. The new organization will be governed by a new systemwide Board of Directors. The 16-member Board will include: seven seats appointed by Beaumont Health, seven seats appointed by Spectrum Health, the President & CEO of the new system, and a new Board member to be appointed following the creation of the new system. The Board will include at least three physicians. The temporary legal name of the new organization will be "BHSH System." The new health system will be led by Tina Freese Decker, the President & CEO of Spectrum Health. The first Board Chair will be Julie Fream, the Board Chair of Beaumont Health. John Fox, President & CEO of Beaumont Health, will help ensure a successful transition to the new health system. Following this transition, he plans to leave the organization. A thorough process will be developed to identify and select the BHSH Beaumont Health president. The new organization will operate 22 hospitals and 305 outpatient locations, with more than 64,000 team members, including more than 7,500 affiliated, independent and employed physicians, more than 3,000 affiliated, independent and employed Advanced Practice Providers, and more than 15,000 nurses. The new system will operate dual headquarters in Grand Rapids and Southfield, and the President & CEO and senior executive leadership team will spend time on both sides of the state. Beaumont Health and Spectrum Health are strong brands in their respective markets. There will be no immediate changes to the legacy brands. Those names will remain in their local markets pending adoption of the overall branding plan by the System Board. The new BHSH System will work together to determine a path forward that honors both legacy brands and will engage physicians, team members, donors and the community in that process. Local fiduciary boards with committed community board members will remain in place to provide governance and leadership to the BHSH Beaumont Health, BHSH Spectrum Health West Michigan, BHSH Spectrum Health Lakeland and Priority Health divisions. Each board will retain local governance oversight over key areas unique to the communities they serve. "Our organizations share complementary strengths in areas such as quality and have similar missions, visions and values," Beaumont Health President & CEO John Fox said. "We also both have deep relationships in our communities that are built upon providing excellent care and service. Together, we can leverage both of our strengths to further our focus on providing exceptional care for our communities." Spectrum Health Board Chair Robert Roth added, "Spectrum Health has a proven track record of successful integrations and partnerships that improve quality and access to care and coverage, while maintaining important local relationships with physicians, donors and community members. Our ultimate focus is ensuring high-quality care for patients and members that is sustainable for today and tomorrow, and we are confident that creating a new system with Beaumont Health will achieve that goal." As this process continues to evolve, Spectrum Health and Beaumont Health patients, members and communities will continue to receive exceptional care from physicians and teams they know and trust. Beaumont Health and Spectrum Health hope to complete this process, which is subject to the execution of an integration agreement and applicable regulatory reviews, this fall. A letter to the Beaumont Health and Spectrum Health communities, as well as updates on this process, is available here: www.formichiganbymichigan.org. About Beaumont Health Beaumont Health is Michigan's largest health care system and is most preferred for health care in Southeast Michigan, according to NRC Health survey data. The not-for-profit organization's more than 33,000 employees share a mission to provide compassionate, extraordinary care, every day. The system includes eight hospitals with 3,375 beds, 155 outpatient sites, nearly 5,000 affiliated physicians, 1,800 advanced practice providers, 9,000 nurses and 2,000 volunteers. Beaumont's total annual net patient revenue is $4.6 billion. In 2019, the health system had 179,600 inpatient discharges, 17,600 births and 577,000 emergency visits. For more information, visit beaumont.org. About Spectrum Health Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system that provides care and coverage, comprising 31,000+ team members, 14 hospitals (including Helen DeVos Children's Hospital), a robust network of care facilities, teams of nationally recognized doctors and providers, and the nation's third-largest provider-sponsored health plan, Priority Health, currently serving over 1 million members across the state of Michigan. People are at the heart of everything we do. Locally governed and headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, our $8.3 billion organization is focused on our mission: to improve health, inspire hope and save lives. Spectrum Health has a legacy of strong community partnerships, philanthropy and transparency. Through experience, innovation and collaboration, we are reimagining a better, more equitable model of health and wellness. SOURCE Beaumont Health; Spectrum Health Related Links http://www.formichiganbymichigan.org In his new role at Spring Health, Shah will be responsible for overseeing software engineering, information security and information technology. Shah joins Spring Health with 20 years of experience specialized in software engineering and has led multi-disciplinary teams in engineering, product, user experience, business development and technical marketing. His deep understanding of high-growth technologies will support Spring Health's growth by scaling its enterprise software as a service (SaaS) engineering teams to deliver on new capabilities for customers, members and caregivers. "We're excited to welcome Harshit to our executive team and know his experience in software development and engineering leadership will be invaluable to Spring Health and our customers," said April Koh, co-founder and chief executive officer at Spring Health. "Harshit has proven he's ready to lead Spring Health into its next stage of growth." Shah joins Spring Health from Amazon Web Services (AWS) where he served as head of engineering. In this role, he was responsible for leading the engineering and product development for AWS IoT Services and AWS Business Productivity Suite. Before AWS, Shah spent a decade at Microsoft in several software management roles and contributed towards Microsoft Azure and Bing Search. In his previous roles, Shah was able to deliver products from their original concept and bring them to scale while building geo-distributed, diverse and high-performing teams. "The social, political and health factors in the last year have affected every single individual in one way or another. Our psychological, emotional and social well-being is directly connected to mental health and mindfulness. I'm honored to have the opportunity to increase access to behavioral health services," said Shah. "I've seen a clear need for better mental health care in the world and am excited to join Spring Health in its mission to eliminate every barrier to mental health." Earlier this year, Spring Health announced the appointment of Brad Lande-Shannon to chief people and marketing officer. He is responsible for building the next generation of the organization's people and marketing programs. The company also recently launched Candela , its new system for measuring the quality of care delivered by its network of providers. The system ensures Spring Heath offers the highest-quality and most affordable patient care. For more information on Spring Health, visit https://www.springhealth.com/ . About Spring Health Spring Health offers personalized mental health benefits. Spring Health's solution combines clinically proven technology with high-touch care navigation to give every employee fast and easy access to the right care, at the right time. Members receive their own personalized care plan, made up of solutions ranging from therapy to digital cognitive behavioral therapy programs, coaching, medication, and more. Industry-leading, people-first employers rely on Spring Health to elevate their behavioral health benefits and transform their company culture. SOURCE Spring Health HOUSTON, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas (SSEK Law Firm at investorlawyers.com) is continuing to speak with investors of Northstar Financial Services (Bermuda) who suffered significant losses because their broker failed to conduct the proper due diligence when they recommended these products. Already, we have filed a number of Financial Industry Regulatory Arbitration (FINRA) claims against many of the broker-dealers whose registered representatives sold these offshore investments. List of Firms That Sold Northstar Financial Services (Bermuda) Products: Our team of experienced securities fraud attorneys is concentrating their attention and resources on fighting for our clients, including those who live abroad, that were unsuitably recommended these investments by US-based firms. Northstar Financial Services (Bermuda) has declared bankruptcy and was recently ordered into liquidation by the Bermuda government. Its owner Greg Lindberg is in prison and likely misappropriated funds from this company and funneled them into his other companies. However, the broker-dealers and their registered representatives that sold these products from this obscure entity in Bermuda can be held liable. Northstar (Bermuda) products have proved to be the opposite of secure even though financial advisors touted these fixed- and variable-rate annuity and investment products as CD-like and stable. Clearly, there were misrepresentations and omissions made. Many of those who invested in Northstar Financial Services (Bermuda) are seniors and retirees that took six-figure sums out of their savings and retirement funds to participate. They are now grappling with significant financial losses. Meanwhile, brokers and their firms earned high commissions and fees from marketing and selling these offshore investments. Our Northstar Financial Services (Bermuda) investment fraud law firm has spent more than 30 years fighting for investors to recover their damages. We have successfully pursued FINRA arbitration claims and lawsuits against the largest firms on Wall Street, as well as broker-dealers and investment advisors throughout the country. SSEK Law Firm has recovered many millions of dollars on behalf of thousands of clients. For more information visit our Northstar Financial Services (Bermuda) FAQs page. Contact: Kirk Smith [email protected] US Toll Free: (800) 259-9010 Internationally via WhatsApp (Text only): 713-227-2400 Mexico Toll Free: (800)-283-3403 SOURCE Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas LLP Related Links http://www.investorlawyers.com NEW BRITAIN, Conn., June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE:SWK) announced today that the company will honor Juneteenth as a company holiday for all U.S. employees starting in 2022. Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, celebrates the emancipation of the last enslaved people after the Civil War. Today, President Biden signed a U.S. bill, the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, that marks June 19 a federal holiday to honor Freedom Day. In unity at Stanley Black & Decker, the company has made the same commitment to honor that day. "Juneteenth is a symbolic date for racial equity for Black Americans," said Jim Loree, Chief Executive Officer of Stanley Black & Decker. "Naming Juneteenth as a company holiday is part of our continued commitment to building a foundation of diversity and inclusion. Today, we are taking another step toward advancing this goal by standing with Black employees and communities to take a stance for lasting change around racial justice and equality." Last year, Stanley Black & Decker issued a statement of solidarity and worked with employees of all levels to establish thoughtful, deliberate steps and commitments to drive progress and confront racism and social injustice. This year, employees will have a company-wide day off on Friday, June 18, as a "Day of Hope & Healing" that leads into Juneteenth and honors George Floyd and those who have lost their lives or have been victims of violence. The company encourages employees to use the day to reflect on the hard work that lies ahead to make our society a better, safer and more just place to live. The addition of Juneteenth as an ongoing, company holiday starting in 2022 continues Stanley Black & Decker's efforts to confront racism and social injustice throughout our communities and across the world. About Stanley Black & Decker Stanley Black & Decker, an S&P 500 company, is a leading $14.5 billion global diversified industrial with 53,000 employees in more than 60 countries who make the tools, products and solutions to deliver on its Purpose, For Those Who Make The World. The Company operates the world's largest tools and storage business featuring iconic brands such as DEWALT, STANLEY, BLACK+DECKER and CRAFTSMAN; the world's second largest commercial electronic security company; and is a global industrial leader of highly engineered solutions within its engineered fastening and infrastructure businesses. Learn more at www.stanleyblackanddecker.com. SOURCE Stanley Black & Decker Related Links www.stanleyblackanddecker.com INDIANAPOLIS, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- An ongoing study by the University of Colorado Boulder demonstrated that Carrier air purifiers are able to sustain significantly reduced levels of airborne particles between 42 - 67% lower on average in occupied K-12 classrooms with older, outdated HVAC equipment. According to the EPA, exposure to airborne particles, also known as particulate matter (PM), can have a negative effect on health, particularly to the lungs and heart. These findings are especially notable for school districts with aging infrastructure that are aiming to improve classroom air quality without replacing or modifying existing systems. The results are based on independent testing at a public school located in Denver, Colorado. Carrier is a part of Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE: CARR), the leading global provider of healthy, safe and sustainable building and cold chain solutions. The study took place in two buildings with significantly different ages and HVAC equipment at Cheltenham Elementary School, in cooperation with the Denver Public School District. Particulate matter exposure comparisons were taken from an aged 1960 classroom building and an adjacent, newer building fitted with modern air handlers installed in 2004 and upgraded in 2019. University of Colorado Boulder engineering teams measured how often air was being exchanged in the rooms in both wings and then placed Carrier air purifier XL models in multiple classrooms in the "old wing." Prior to deployment of the Carrier air purifiers, classrooms in the "old wing" had markedly higher PM loads than their counterparts in the "new wing," regardless of air exchange rate most notably in particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, which can pose the greatest risk to health. Carrier air purifiers respectively set to provide air flows of 500, 750 or 1,000 cubic feet per minute (CFM) were placed in three "old wing" classrooms. The units were found to effectively increase air exchange rate, or the rate at which the air purifiers returned purified air to the space, and brought the aerosol levels in older classrooms to levels at or below those observed in newer classrooms. In addition, the air purifiers' sound emissions during operation were sustained at or below World Health Organization guidelines for classroom instruction. "As part of the layered strategy for improving classroom air quality, the technology deployed in Carrier air purifiers is highly effective and remarkably quiet," said Justin Keppy, President, NA Residential & Light Commercial, Carrier. "This independent study proves that the addition of Carrier air purifiers can significantly improve the air quality in classrooms and provide a healthier environment for students, teachers and staff." The Carrier air purifier, a product offered through Carrier's Healthy Buildings Program, combines three different filtration technologies to create healthier indoor air. First, a pre-filter removes large airborne particles like dust and dirt. Then, an advanced high-efficiency filter captures over 99% of particles across a broad range of sizes. Finally, an activated carbon filter removes odors from the air. And with a simple plug-in set-up process, consumers can immediately begin to filter and monitor their air. For larger classrooms or spaces such as cafeterias and auditoriums, Carrier offers the OptiClean air scrubber, which uses a long-life HEPA filter to remove 99.97% of airborne particles size 0.3 microns to provide cleaner indoor air. An easy way to supplement an HVAC system without replacing or modifying existing equipment, the OptiClean air scrubber plugs into a standard outlet and comes in two sizes with a maximum 600 CFM or maximum 1500 CFM. More information on the science behind the Carrier air purifier and the testing is available here. To learn more about Carrier's Healthy Buildings Program, visit: Corporate.Carrier.com/HealthyBuildings. About Carrier Founded by the inventor of modern air conditioning, Carrier is a world leader in high-technology heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions. Carrier experts provide sustainable solutions, integrating energy-efficient products, building controls and energy services for residential, commercial, retail, transport and food service customers. Carrier is a part of Carrier Global Corporation, the leading global provider of innovative healthy, safe and sustainable building and cold chain solutions. For more information, visit carrier.com or follow @Carrier on Twitter. SOURCE Carrier Related Links https://www.carrier.com ORRVILLE, Ohio, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The J.M. Smucker Co. (NYSE: SJM) leadership team has shared insights on the work shaping the Company's delivery of a successful fiscal year 2022 with the launch of the Leadership Perspectives video series on jmsmucker.com. "As a leadership team, we're focused on sustaining the growth of our business while positively impacting constituents, and it's important we regularly communicate our efforts to deliver on this commitment," said Mark Smucker, President and CEO. "In this spirit, I'm pleased to share the Leadership Perspectives video series, which takes a closer look at the initiatives my leadership team is driving in support of our near-term objectives and continued progress toward our vision." The Leadership Perspectives series features: Mark Smucker discussing how the Company's continued commitment to delivering for all constituents drives its ability to realize key business objectives. Chief Financial Officer Tucker Marshall explaining how a commitment to financial discipline and productivity will support top- and bottom-line growth. John Brase , Chief Operating Officer, sharing his approach to value creation and why it will be a key focus this year. Chief Strategy and International Officer Amy Held reviewing the Company's approach to evolving its portfolio in fiscal year 2022 and how that aligns with its long-term growth strategy. Geoff Tanner , Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer, providing an update on the Company's commercial transformation, including results to date. Chief People and Administrative Officer Jill Penrose offering the Company's vision for the workplace of the future and why she is confident in its progressive approach. Jeannette Knudsen , Chief Legal and Compliance Officer and Secretary, examining the different ways the Responsible Sourcing program is having a positive impact internally and externally. About The J.M. Smucker Co. Each generation of consumers leaves their mark on culture by establishing new expectations for food and the companies that make it. At The J.M. Smucker Co., it is our privilege to be at the heart of this dynamic with a diverse portfolio that appeals to each generation of people and pets and is found in nearly 90 percent of U.S. homes and countless restaurants. This includes a mix of iconic brands consumers have always loved such as Folgers, Jif and Milk-Bone and new favorites like Cafe Bustelo, Smucker's Uncrustables and Rachael Ray Nutrish. By continuing to immerse ourselves in consumer preferences and acting responsibly, we will continue growing our business and the positive impact we have on society. For more information, please visit jmsmucker.com. The J.M. Smucker Co. is the owner of all trademarks referenced herein except for Rachael Ray, a registered trademark of Ray Marks II LLC, which is used under license. SOURCE The J.M. Smucker Co. DUBLIN, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Pulse Oximeters Market: Global Industry Analysis, Trends, Market Size, and Forecasts up to 2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The report on the global pulse oximeters market provides qualitative and quantitative analysis for the period from 2018 to 2026. The report predicts the global pulse oximeters market to grow with a CAGR of 6.65% over the forecast period from 2020-2026. The study on pulse oximeters market covers the analysis of the leading geographies such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW for the period of 2018 to 2026. The report on pulse oximeters market is a comprehensive study and presentation of drivers, restraints, opportunities, demand factors, market size, forecasts, and trends in the global pulse oximeters market over the period of 2018 to 2026. Moreover, the report is a collective presentation of primary and secondary research findings. Porter's five forces model in the report provides insights into the competitive rivalry, supplier and buyer positions in the market and opportunities for the new entrants in the global pulse oximeters market over the period of 2018 to 2026. Further, Growth Matrix gave in the report brings an insight into the investment areas that existing or new market players can consider. Report Findings 1) Drivers Increasing prevalence of chronic diseases to drive the demand for pulse oximeters in the hospitals Growing acceptance of home health care 2) Restraints Low awareness in low-income economies 3) Opportunities Growing research for the development of all-day wearable pulse oximeters Segment Covered The global pulse oximeters market is segmented on the basis of type, and end-user. The Global Pulse Oximeters Market by Type Fingertip Pulse Oximeters Hand-Held Pulse Oximeters Other Pulse Oximeters The Global Pulse Oximeters Market by End-User Hospitals and Other Healthcare Facilities Homecare Company Profiles The companies covered in the report include Nihon Kohden Corporation Medtronic Plc Smiths Medical Nonin Meditech Equipment Co, Ltd. GE Healthcare Masimo Corporation Contec Medical Systems Co., Ltd. Spacelabs Healthcare Koninklijke Philips N.V. What does this Report Deliver? 1. Comprehensive analysis of the global as well as regional markets of the pulse oximeters market. 2. Complete coverage of all the segments in the pulse oximeters market to analyze the trends, developments in the global market and forecast of market size up to 2026. 3. Comprehensive analysis of the companies operating in the global pulse oximeters market. The company profile includes analysis of product portfolio, revenue, SWOT analysis and latest developments of the company. 4. Growth Matrix presents an analysis of the product segments and geographies that market players should focus to invest, consolidate, expand and/or diversify. Key Topics Covered: 1. Preface 1.1. Report Description 1.2. Research Methods 1.3. Research Approaches 2. Executive Summary 2.1. Pulse Oximeters Market Highlights 2.2. Pulse Oximeters Market Projection 2.3. Pulse Oximeters Market Regional Highlights 3. Global Pulse Oximeters Market Overview 3.1. Introduction 3.2. Market Dynamics 3.2.1. Drivers 3.2.2. Restraints 3.2.3. Opportunities 3.3. Analysis of COVID-19 impact on the Pulse Oximeters Market 3.4. Porter's Five Forces Analysis 3.5. Growth Matrix Analysis 3.5.1. Growth Matrix Analysis by Type 3.5.2. Growth Matrix Analysis by End-user 3.5.3. Growth Matrix Analysis by Region 3.6. Value Chain Analysis of Pulse Oximeters Market 4. Pulse Oximeters Market Macro Indicator Analysis 5. Global Pulse Oximeters Market by Type 5.1. Fingertip Pulse Oximeters 5.2. Hand-Held Pulse Oximeters 5.3. Other Pulse Oximeters 6. Global Pulse Oximeters Market by End-user 6.1. Hospitals and Other Healthcare Facilities 6.2. Homecare 7. Global Pulse Oximeters Market by Region 2020-2026 7.1. North America 7.1.1. North America Pulse Oximeters Market by Type 7.1.2. North America Pulse Oximeters Market by End-user 7.1.3. North America Pulse Oximeters Market by Country 7.2. Europe 7.2.1. Europe Pulse Oximeters Market by Type 7.2.2. Europe Pulse Oximeters Market by End-user 7.2.3. Europe Pulse Oximeters Market by Country 7.3. Asia-Pacific 7.3.1. Asia-Pacific Pulse Oximeters Market by Type 7.3.2. Asia-Pacific Pulse Oximeters Market by End-user 7.3.3. Asia-Pacific Pulse Oximeters Market by Country 7.4. RoW 7.4.1. RoW Pulse Oximeters Market by Type 7.4.2. RoW Pulse Oximeters Market by End-user 7.4.3. RoW Pulse Oximeters Market by Sub-region 8. Company Profiles and Competitive Landscape 8.1. Competitive Landscape in the Global Pulse Oximeters Market 8.2. Companies Profiled 8.2.1. Nihon Kohden Corporation 8.2.2. Medtronic Plc 8.2.3. Smiths Medical 8.2.4. Nonin 8.2.5. Meditech Equipment Co, Ltd. 8.2.6. GE Healthcare 8.2.7. Masimo Corporation 8.2.8. Contec Medical Systems Co., Ltd. 8.2.9. Spacelabs Healthcare 8.2.10. Koninklijke Philips N.V. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ttwfof Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com The name Sana is a derivation of Sanara - one of its sister companies, a wellness-forward hotel and kitchen in Tulum, Mexico run by company founder, Daniella Hunter. Sanara, meaning to heal or regain health in Spanish, embodies the brand's ethos of putting health and wellness first by choosing clean, organic ingredients that are easy to digest and sourcing those ingredients through a conscious supply chain. While the current products are all coconut based, the name change also reflects the company's ongoing evolution and plans to expand beyond coconut as a base for future products. "Four years ago when we began offering this new approach to packaged food, we could only hope we would make a global impact," said Daniella Hunter, Founder of Real Coconut Kitchen and Sana. "Global food demand is increasing at an alarming rate and we must achieve a sustainable food future that meets these demands while also preserving and restoring land. We are humbled that so many people are awakening to this new reality and demanding more sustainable food options. Sana is the next step on this journey, and we can't wait to take everyone with us." Mirroring the name change, Sana Foods is also revealing new packaging. The brand has spent years innovating the grain free market to make clean, organic-certified tortilla wraps and chips that are unmatched in function and taste appeal, and needed a look that delivered the same excitement. Sana's logo is bright and inviting with the packaging dressed in an array of pinks, greens and blues. The brand hopes the new look will create more shelf appeal and get consumers thinking about plant-based foods in a more mainstream way. "Over the last few years we have learned that 1 in 3 Americans said they want to reduce or eliminate gluten consumption, 82% of U.S. households buy organic-certified foods, and grain-free was the fastest growing wellness claim," said Camille Gibson, CEO of Sana Foods. "Sana checks all of these boxes, and has quickly advanced from an entry level one category food company to a rapidly growing organization. The rebrand was an obvious next step to embrace our forward momentum and make a larger impact on people's health and the planet." The rebrand comes on the heels of two big announcements earlier this year with the appointment of longtime General Mills Exec Camille Gibson as CEO and an entry into foodservice with the industry's first functional, gluten and grain free tortilla wrap in Tocaya Organica . The brand is currently on track to double its sales, continue growth in the foodservice channel, increase distribution, and expand into other market categories. To learn more about Sana Foods, please visit www.sanafoods.com , follow us on Instagram @eatsanafoods. ABOUT SANA FOODS Sana Foods is a USA Food CPG brand under The Real Coconut Products, LLC that includes a collective of grain, gluten and dairy-free chip and tortilla products that are sold in over 5,000 stores across the USA and Canada including Whole Foods Market , Publix , and Sprouts Farmers Market . Sana products are dedicated to digestive wellbeing and provide a philosophy of health and eating as a regimen for sustainable living, both personally and for the planet. All Sana products are Certified Organic, Gluten Free Certified, and are vegan and paleo friendly. They are made with ingredients derived from low-impact crops like coconut, yucca, and plantain that require a relatively low amount of irrigated water. Founded by holistic food innovator Daniella Hunter in 2016, Sana Foods is the sister brand of Real Coconut Kitchen, a conscious eatery and market committed to nourishing its customers, while nurturing the world. For more information, please visit www.sanafoods.com , follow us on Instagram @eatsanafoods. Contact: Sophia Morton, [email protected] SOURCE Sana Foods Related Links http://www.sanafoods.com "When our nation was attacked on 9/11, a generation of Americans volunteered to serve in our country's response. We at Tunnel to Towers believe that it is our responsibility and our honor to make sure those that made the ultimate sacrifice are never forgotten," said Siller. Siller was joined by Gold Star widows and catastrophically injured veterans, as well as veterans Congressman Brian Mast, (FL-18) Congressman Lee Zeldin (NY-1) and Congressman Michael Waltz (FL-6). "War can be distant... but for those families that lost somebody, it is anything but distant. The way that sacrifice is made whole, is to never forget what that sacrifice was for," said Congressman Mast. "This isn't just to honor those who are fallen, but also their families and their friends and all those they served with, now and for generations in the future to learn about their sacrifice," said Congressman Zeldin. "My brothers and sisters who have fought for this country will not be forgotten and we will fight for what they sacrificed for," said Congressman Waltz. Speaking at today's ceremony was Carmela Raguso wife to Master Sergeant Christopher Raguso and Rebecca Briggs wife of Technical Sergeant Dashan Briggs. The two Air National Guardsmen were killed on March 15, 2018, when their helicopter crashed in Iraq. Emceeing the event was Nancy Gass Gold Star spouse of Staff Sergeant Girard "Jerry" Gass Jr., a Green Beret, who died on August 3, 2014, while on a combat operation in Afghanistan. Shannon Slutman lost her Husband USMC Staff Sergeant Christopher Slutman on April 8, 2019. He was killed in Afghanistan when his convoy was hit by an IED. "America, we need you to remember. For a Gold Star spouse, every single day is Memorial Day," said Shannon. USMC Sgt Rob Jones was deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. In July of that year, Sgt Jones triggered a landmine. The blast resulted in an above-knee amputation of his legs. "I'm thankful that I live in a country that has millions of people in it that are willing to sacrifice their lives for their country. I'm thankful that I live in a country that recognizes the gravity of that sacrifice and is thankful for it. I believe that all Americans should strive every day to live a life that is worthy of that sacrifice. And the first part of that is remembering them," said Jones. USMC Cpl Larry Bailey was serving in Afghanistan when his unit was ambushed in 2011, an attack that killed a fellow Marine. While trying to repel the assault, Larry triggered an IED that resulted in the loss of both his legs and his left arm. The Foundation is looking for Gold Star families to join us in honoring the memories of those they lost. Go to T2T.org/20-Anniversary for more information on the ceremony or to sign up to be a reader at the Washington D.C. ceremony on Veterans Day. Additional assets are available upon request. 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 nation's 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 T2T.org. Follow Tunnel to Towers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @Tunnel2Towers. MEDIA CONTACT: Trevor Tamsen - Tunnel to Towers Foundation [email protected] 916-524-0941 Kerry Rom - Targeted Victory [email protected] 919-741-7314 SOURCE Tunnel to Towers Foundation TORONTO, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- BenchSci, an emerging global leader in machine learning applications for novel medicine development, announces Steve Hitchcock, Philip Larsen, and Philip Tagari have joined its science advisory board. They join existing technology advisors Milind Kamkolkar and Richard Zemel. Hitchock, Larsen, and Tagari's vast and valuable expertise in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries will be instrumental as BenchSci advances towards its vision of bringing novel medicines to patients 50% faster by 2025. "We're honored to have Steve, Philip, and Philip join our advisory board," says Liran Belenzon, CEO, BenchSci. "Each of them brings a wealth of global industry experience, invaluable leadership perspectives, and a deep understanding of the challenges facing life science research that our platform is addressing. We look forward to implementing their strategic guidance as we focus on exponentially increasing the speed and quality of life-saving research." Steve Hitchcock is the Global Head of Research at Takeda Pharmaceuticals. He is responsible for the global research organization at Takeda across the four therapeutic areas of neuroscience, oncology, gastrointestinal diseases, and rare diseases. "I'm delighted to be able to work with the outstanding team at BenchSci who are broadly applying cutting-edge AI technologies to accelerate the discovery of new therapeutics," says Hitchcock. Philip Larsen is the Senior Vice President and Global Head of Research at Bayer Pharmaceuticals. He has 27 years of pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry experience in diabetes and obesity, with 20 years of experience leading research divisions. "The frontier of innovation for the life science industry is defined by those who can bring sense to the overwhelming amount of data points generated every day," says Larsen. "I am impressed by BenchSci's ability and vision to do exactly that as it will not only improve research efficiencies but also bring the scientific community novel insights to complex biologic systems." Philip Tagari is Vice President of Research (Therapeutic Discovery) at Amgen Inc. His global laboratories are responsible for multi-modality platforms resulting in the successful progression of over 30 innovative molecules into clinical development in recent years. The expertise of these new science advisors complements the counsel provided by existing technology advisors Kamkolkar, CDO at Cellarity, and Zemel, Research Director at Vector Institute, who guide BenchSci on using big data and machine learning to drive drug discovery. For more information on BenchSci's Advisors: www.benchsci.com/advisors. About BenchSci BenchSci's vision is to bring medicine to patients 50% faster by 2025. We're doing this by empowering scientists with the world's most advanced biomedical artificial intelligence to run more successful experiments. Backed by F-Prime, Gradient Ventures (Google's AI fund), and Inovia Capital, our platform accelerates science at 15 top-20 pharmaceutical companies and over 4,300 leading research centers worldwide. We're a CIX Top 10 Growth company, certified Great Place to Work, and top-ranked company on Glassdoor. Learn more at www.benchsci.com. For more information, please contact Marie Cook at [email protected]. SOURCE BenchSci SUISUN CITY, Calif., June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Timothy Wayne Finney is being recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Top Professional for his outstanding military service in the U.S. Air Force. Having dedicated 26 years to serving his country, Timothy Wayne Finney joined the U.S. Air Force in 1977 and served in various positions worldwide. He began as a medical service specialist at the Sheppard Air Force Base before moving to the Royal Air Force's obstetrics department in Lakenheath in 1979. In 1981, he became an instructor at the Lowry Air Force Base at the shaving clinic, where he instructed privates on proper shaving techniques to prevent bumps and razor burns, common issue soldiers faced upon entering the military. Later in his career, Mr. Finney managed a surgical and orthopedic ward in Turkey and England and a family health clinic at the Eglin Air Force Base. He held responsibilities at the immunization clinic, maintaining a 95 percent compliant rate for anthrax shots. Then he served as a master sergeant at the Osan Air Force Base in Korea before retiring in 2003. In his current capacity, Mr. Finney is situated at the 60th Air Mobility Command Travis Air Force Base. He is serving as the Program Manager at the Travis Drug Demand Reduction Program, which received the American Red Cross Hero Community Service Award for its drug education and youth programs. While active in the military, Mr. Finney pursued his education. He earned an Associate of Arts in Allied Health Care from the community College of Air Force in 1988 and an Associate of Arts in General Education from the Maryland University College in 2002. To learn more, please visit https://www.travis.af.mil/. Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE Continental Who's Who Related Links http://www.continentalwhoswho.com MILWAUKEE, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- For more than 25 years, Circa has connected organizations with the employees they need to thrive. Since then, Circa evolved in step with emerging business needs and a fast-changing workforce to solve diversity recruiting and compliance challenges for some of the country's most innovative companies. "We are not all the same. We bring our own experiences, backgrounds and thinking to our work. These differences are valuable assets. Difference works." Circa's manifesto But Circa doesn't just recommend diversity recruiting programs for others it has taken a careful, holistic approach to bring inclusive, equitable practices home, to all aspects of its business. "We believe diverse teams have the power to transform business," said Roselle Rogers, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Circa. Companies that invest in diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) practices often see significant growth and financial gains. But beyond the numbers lies a much greater benefit. When you recognize and value the contribution of people with different backgrounds, experiences, capabilities, and perspectives, you attract top talent and innovation soars. Example According to McKinsey & Company 35% of racially diverse companies are more likely to have greater revenues 15% of gender diverse companies are more likely to have better financial returns 80% of inclusive teams outperform their peers And Harvard Business Review research indicates 70% of diverse companies are more likely to capture new markets Circa is taking a six-prong approach to elevate diversity, equity and inclusion in its own ranks and has already found great success. One: Talent Acquisition To diversify Circa's talent pipeline and make sure the people hired are reflective of the available represented talent pool, Circa looked inward to make the hiring process more inclusive. The Circa hiring team leveraged their candidate matching software product and leveraged relationships with community partners in Circa's Outreach Management System. Circa also developed hiring relationships with new organizations such as i.c.stars that works with low-income young adults, providing them with employment opportunities. "We've partnered with several organizations for our own recruiting, and it has started to pay off. We're definitely seeing an increase in the number of diverse candidates self-identifying while applying to open positions within our pipeline," said Rogers. As part of the process to make selection and hiring more inclusive, Circa revamped disposition codes, revisited minimum qualifications and updated job descriptions to remove bias. So far, this has been a success. The number of minority and women applicants has risen significantly. In fact, 50 percent of women and 45 percent of people of color interviewed this year received job offers. "We're diversifying our applicant pipeline and confident we will see this yield even more hires by the end of the year," said Rogers. Two: Training & Development Increasing the diversity of Circa's employee base is the beginning. Creating an inclusive work environment meant stepping up training and development. The company ramped up training by rolling out foundational courses such as Building an Inclusive Workforce and Inclusive Hiring to all managers and employees. The company celebrated awareness events such as Black History Month, Women's History Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Hispanic Heritage Month. But this went deeper than just celebrations. Circa conducted small-group discussions to delve into racial equity and relevant, urgent topics. "These discussions are the perfect opportunity to educate employees on race and racial inequity," said Rogers. As part of Black History Month, Roselle Rogers set up for all employees a private screening and after-show talkback session on the documentary Growing Up Milwaukee, filmed in Circa's hometown. The film documents the challenges of three Black Milwaukee youths to help viewers build empathy and see the world from their eyes. After the showing, Circa employees joined an interactive virtual discussion with the film's producer, Tyshun Wardlaw, and Marquell Jenkins, who was featured in the film. Not only did employees have the chance to learn why Wardlaw made the documentary and the issues facing the youths, one of Circa's employees ended up connecting Jenkins with a meaningful job at a family member business in Milwaukee. "Amazed and inspired to action," said a Circa employee during the talk-back session, echoing responses from many others. Three: Community Investment "We identified multiple avenues where we can impact the community positively," said Rogers. "We're targeting diverse populations and organizations that can benefit and providing ways for our employees to get involved." One of Circa's community partners is the United Way. Circa employees raise funds for and volunteer their time with the United Way, including at a recent event where employees compiled card decks with racial equity messaging meant to inspire dialogue and then distributed them to organizations such as schools. Four: Supplier Diversity Ensuring supplier diversity is an important part of a diverse organization. Circa is actively working to increase the number of diverse suppliers and percentage of dollars spent with diverse suppliers. The company established a Supplier Diversity Code of Ethics, which is now a signatory requirement to do business with Circa. "A significant number of our existing suppliers have already signed our Supplier Code," said Rogers. Five: Employee Experience Creating an environment where all employees can be their authentic selves and thrive doing so starts at the top. Circa's CEO and President Patrick Sheahan signed the CEO Action Pledge for Diversity & Inclusion, committing to advance diversity and inclusion within the workplace. A unique coalition of nearly 2,000 CEOs have signed on to this commitment, agreeing to take action to cultivate environments where diverse experiences and perspectives are welcomed. Circa also joined the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) Region of Choice initiative, committing to increase workplace diversity in metro Milwaukee. At the same time, Circa has changed its benefits to be more inclusive and family friendly. This includes paid parental leave for both men and women, along with unlimited paid time off (PTO) and flexible work schedules. Six: A Customer and Employer Brand Leader Circa is committed to being a thought leader in diversity and inclusion. It regularly issues position statements on racial justice and social equality workplace topics. Examples include supporting the HR Policy Association's position on Executive Order 13950, which opposed and called for the withdrawal of Executive Order 13950 combating race and sex stereotyping. Hours after the Derek Chauvin verdict, the company welcomed the guilty verdict in George Floyd's murder trial and commends the 12 Minnesota jurors who upheld the rule of law. As a company that believes in the transformative power of diversity, Circa is steadfast in its belief that people are all created equal and that all employees should be treated equitably. Through this six-pronged approach, Circa is building a more competitive, innovative and high-performing workforce and simultaneously being more successful helping its clients do the same. "We're not just talking the talk for our clients. We're walking the walk with them as well. We're all at different points on this journey of building and growing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. As fellow travelers, we share a kinship with other companies on this path and learn from each other's experiences," said Cathy Hill, Vice President of Marketing, Product Management. About Circa Circa is a catalyst for 21st century organizations to build high-performing diverse teams based on research that shows companies want to shift from diversity as a program to diversity as a business strategy. Circa's robust portfolio of software solutions and unparalleled industry expertise give employers the tools and knowledge they need to radically change how they approach talent acquisition and management. The company was founded in 1994, has 4,500+ customers, 15,500 community partner relationships and in 2020 posted 5M+ jobs through its network of 600+ online employment websites. Media Contact Angel Fischer Product Marketing Manager [email protected] 212.495.9800 Circaworks.com SOURCE Circa Related Links www.circaworks.com BERWYN, Pa., June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Triumph Group [NYSE:TGI] announced today that its Actuation Products & Services operating company will provide hydraulic utility actuation valves (HUAVs) to Lockheed Martin to support F-35 fleet readiness at the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point. The Clemmons, North Carolina based Triumph facility will provide engineering and material support for the program over the next five years, bolstering the company's efforts to grow defense contract programs. Triumph has provided original equipment and aftermarket HUAV parts for the F-35 program since 2014. The company began working with Lockheed Martin to provide HUAV aftermarket parts for military depot operations last year. The engineering and logistics agreement in support of sustainment efforts at the MCAS Cherry Point will further showcase Triumph's technical capability in high demand depot settings. "We are excited to expand our support of the F-35 program and support MCAS Cherry Point and the U.S. fighters who expect and demand fleet readiness," said Scott Ledbetter, President of Triumph Actuation Product & Services operating company. "Our Clemmons team will provide exceptional service to Lockheed Martin and their Marine Corps customers over the next five years. We look forward to expanding our relationship with Lockheed Martin to support future depot opportunities." The Triumph Actuation Products & Services operating company offers a wide variety of actuation, hydraulic and landing gear systems as well as MRO services to aerospace and defense customers. Its Clemmons, North Carolina site is an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and a certified repair station with full engineering development and support on site. The site's products include actuation, pumps and motors for commercial and military aircraft. Triumph Actuation Products & Services has additional sites in Valencia, California, Redmond, Washington and Yakima, Washington. Triumph Group, Inc., headquartered in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, designs, engineers, manufactures, repairs and overhauls a broad portfolio of aerospace and defense systems, components and structures. The company serves the global aviation industry, including original equipment manufacturers and the full spectrum of military and commercial aircraft operators. More information about Triumph can be found on the company's website at www.triumphgroup.com. SOURCE Triumph Group Related Links www.triumphgroup.com Multi-state cannabis leader highlights events, partnerships, and activities to coincide with Juneteenth holiday TALLAHASSEE, Fla., June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Trulieve Cannabis Corp. (CSE: TRUL) (OTCQX: TCNNF), a leading and top-performing cannabis company in the United States and its dispensary group Solevo Wellness, today announced the sponsorship of expungement clinics in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as well as additional initiatives celebrating the Juneteenth holiday. The clinics will be hosted by Minorities for Medical Marijuana (M4MM), a long-standing partner of Trulieve, whose mission is focused on providing advocacy, outreach, research, and training as it relates to the business, social reform, public policy, and health and wellness in the cannabis industry. Trulieve's sponsorship of these clinics is part of the Company's commitment to social justice and addressing the impact of the war on drugs in minority communities. M4MM will be at the Solevo Wellness tables at the WPA Juneteenth Freedom Days Festival in Pittsburgh throughout the month of June: When: June 18-20, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. What: Expungement Clinics at Solevo Wellness table at 2021 WPA Juneteenth Freedom Days Festival Where: The Vendor Plaza at Point State Park, 601 Commonwealth Pl, Pittsburgh, PA When: June 24-27, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. What: Expungement Clinics at Solevo Wellness table at Pittsburg Black Music Festival Where: The Vendor Plaza at Point State Park, 601 Commonwealth Pl, Pittsburgh, PA "It's important to recognize, especially on the Juneteenth holiday, the history of disenfranchisement and racism associated with cannabis prohibition and enforcement, and as a leader in the legal cannabis industry we have a responsibility to take steps to address that past," said Kim Rivers, CEO of Trulieve. "Trulieve takes pride in our efforts to acknowledge and ensure the equity of all Trulieve patients, customers and employees, and provide support to our communities however possible." "M4MM is proud to have a great corporate partner in Trulieve as we continue to provide support to those who have been disproportionately affected by by the 'War on Drugs' era," said Roz McCarthy, founder and CEO of Minorities for Medical Marijuana. "At M4MM we aim to repair the harm through our best-in-class expungement program and a variety of education, training, and outreach programs. Our partnership with Trulieve is significant and it truly helps us to deliver on our promise to serve with excellence." Trulieve will also be hosting and sponsoring additional events in celebration of Juneteenth. These events include: Sponsoring the Georgia Greater Black Chamber of Commerce's virtual event "Freedom and Free Enterprise: What that means for your business and community" on Saturday, June 19, 2021 from 12:00 2:00 p.m. "Freedom and Free Enterprise: What that means for your business and community" on from 12:00 Hosting a 'TruTalk' with Valda Coryat , Trulieve's chief marketing officer, and Ronda Sheffield , Ph.D., Trulieve's chief human resources officer, on Friday, June 18, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. , which will stream live on Trulieve's Facebook page. Additionally, a percentage of proceeds from sales at Trulieve stores across the country on Saturday, June 19, 2021 will be donated to the Last Prisoner Project , an organization fighting against long-standing criminal convictions that are no longer illegal through intervention, advocacy, and awareness campaigns. To find out more about Trulieve's initiatives supporting diversity and social justice, visit the Company's website . About Trulieve Trulieve is primarily a vertically integrated "seed-to-sale" company in the U.S. and is the first and largest fully licensed medical cannabis company in the State of Florida. Trulieve cultivates and produces all of its products in-house and distributes those products to Trulieve-branded stores (dispensaries) throughout the State of Florida, as well as directly to patients via home delivery. Trulieve also holds licenses to operate in California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and West Virginia. Trulieve is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol TRUL and trades on the OTCQX market under the symbol TCNNF. To learn more about Trulieve, visit www.Trulieve.com . SOURCE Trulieve Cannabis Corp. Scott was twice nominated by the president and unanimously confirmed by the Senate to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District, from 2001 to 2009 and from 2017 to 2021. As U.S. Attorney, he oversaw federal prosecutions and civil litigation from 34 counties and supervised 100 attorneys. In between those stints, he was a partner at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, where he vice chaired its White Collar Defense and Corporate Investigations Practice Group. An experienced trial lawyer, Scott has represented major companies across multiple industriesincluding health care, retail and constructionthat faced government investigations. He also has deep experience on matters involving consumer protection, construction accidents, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the False Claims Act. "Greg is a natural leader with exceptional talent and energy," said Zach Fardon, who leads King & Spalding's Government Matters practice, which includes the Special Matters and Government Investigations team. "He will be a force multiplier for King & Spalding in his ability to provide clients with representation on both criminal as well as civil/regulatory governmental investigations." Prior to his federal government post, Scott was twice elected District Attorney of Shasta County, and prior to that was a deputy district attorney in Contra Costa County. "With a stellar runway of experience and deep connections in the DOJ and California legal community, Greg is well-positioned to further expand our investigations and litigation work on the West Coast, nationally and globally," said San Francisco office managing partner Charles Correll. "He also has a reputation for working in a collaborative and pragmatic fashion. He'll be a formidable asset to the firm." Scott retired in 2008 as a lieutenant colonel from the U.S. Army Reserve after 23 years of service as an infantry officer. He earned his JD from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, and his undergraduate degree from Santa Clara University. "I had the privilege of working directly with several King & Spalding lawyers in two previous presidential administrations, persons for whom I have the greatest personal and professional respect," said Scott. "I believe great results will be created for clients when my network across the nation in general and in California in particular is added to King & Spalding's exemplary client base and legal firepower. I could not be more pleased to be joining this great law firm." Also joining King & Spalding as counsel from the U.S. Attorney's office is Amy Schuller Hitchcock who most recently served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Special Prosecutions Unit. Hitchcock prosecuted criminal offenses including fraud, tax violations, public corruption, cybercrime, identity theft, and child exploitation. She has conducted complex criminal investigations in partnership with federal and local agencies. Hitchcock joined the U.S. Attorney's office from private practice, where she worked directly with Scott for several years. She earned her JD from the University of Virginia School of Law and her undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College. About King & Spalding Celebrating more than 130 years of service, King & Spalding is an international law firm that represents a broad array of clients, including half of the Fortune Global 100, with over 1,200 lawyers in 22 offices in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The firm has handled matters in over 160 countries on six continents and is consistently recognized for the results it obtains, uncompromising commitment to quality, and dedication to understanding the business and culture of its clients. More information is available at www.kslaw.com. SOURCE K&S Related Links www.kslaw.com MUNICH, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The European Patent Office (EPO) today honored two U.S. researchers with the European Inventor Award 2021. Indian-American chemist Sumita Mitra won the innovation prize in the "Non-EPO countries" category for her invention that successfully integrated nanotechnology into dental materials. Serbian-American biomedical engineer and university professor Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic won the Award's Popular Prize, having received the most votes from the public in an online poll. Vunjak-Novakovic, who had been nominated in the "Lifetime achievement" category, opened new horizons in regenerative medicine by developing a way of growing new tissue ex vivo (outside the body) using the patient's own cells. Download press material on Sumita Mitra Download press material on Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic EPO President Antonio Campinos said: "Sumita Mitra took an entirely new path in her field, and demonstrated how technological innovation, protected by patents, can transform a sector, and in this case bring benefits to millions of dental patients. Her invention remains commercially successful nearly 20 years after its launch another reason why she is an inspiration to the next generation of scientists." Commenting on the Popular Prize, EPO President Antonio Campinos said: "This Award underlines how innovation touches the lives of people everywhere in the world. After an incredibly challenging year, public enthusiasm for Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic's invention also reflects a firm optimism that human creativity, passion for innovation and ingenuity will help us move towards a brighter future." The 2021 European Inventor Award ceremony was held digitally for the first time and was open to the public who tuned in to the event from around the world. The Award, one of Europe's most prestigious innovation prizes, is presented annually by the EPO to distinguish outstanding inventors from Europe and beyond who have made an exceptional contribution to society, technological progress and economic growth. The finalists and winners in five categories (Industry, Research, SMEs, Non-EPO countries and Lifetime achievement) were selected by an independent international jury. The Popular Prize is decided by the public, who select their favourite inventor from among the 15 finalists. SOURCE The European Patent Office WASHINGTON, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- United Chinese Americans (UCA) calls for Federal prosecutors to stop prosecuting Dr. Anming Hu, the first trial under Department of Justice's China Initiative, after the jurors are deadlocked in a hung jury. This deadlocked jury, assembled in Knoxville, Tennessee, exposed serious flaws and a shaky foundation of prosecutions against Chinese American scholars under the DOJ's controversial China Initiative. Given the troubling new exposure throughout the trial of how the government has conducted itself in this case and several other similar cases, UCA calls for an immediate investigation into any violation of Chinese American scholars' civil rights by the inspector general of the Department of Justice and Congressional oversight committees. UCA furthermore calls for a moratorium on the prosecution of Chinese American scholars until a White House review of the DOJ's China Initiative is completed. "This trial has literally put the federal government's China Initiative on trial. I believe the government must fully investigate the whole range of disturbing problems by our own law enforcement agencies revealed throughout this trial," says Jinliang Cai, chairman of UCA, who is also a local Tennessee resident. Haipei Shue, president of UCA, echoed, "Once again we have come to a crossroads: to continue with the China Initiative or change course. Our government must stop racial profiling Chinese American scholars, stop overzealous prosecution of them and stop weaponizing our whole justice system for routine paperwork mistakes or omissions." With fanfare, the Trump Administration launched the China Initiative under DOJ in 2018 with the expressed goal of catching Chinese spies and perpetrators who steal US trade secrets and intellectual properties and that threaten US industrial competitiveness and national security. Nearly three years into it, after a sweeping dragnet searching for Chinese spies and perpetrators in US universities and other research facilities, the China Initiative has brought charges to about a dozen Chinese American professors and scholars, among others, who are neither spies for China nor have shared or stolen any trade secrets. Instead, Federal charges against them have been mostly based on incompletion or omissions in paperwork filled by those charged, such as a university's routine conflict of interest disclosure forms. United Chinese Americans (UCA) has advocated for the civil rights of Chinese Americans ever since its founding four years ago in Washington DC. It has defended the civil rights of Sherry Chen and Xiaoxing Xi who had been wronged by the US government. UCA calls for a White House review of the DOJ's China Initiative, a moratorium on China Initiative until a White House review is completed, and investigation into government conduct by inspector general of DOJ and Congressional oversight committees. SOURCE United Chinese Americans (UCA) Related Links https://ucausa.org MESA, Ariz., June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Residents in the East Valley will have improved access to post-secondary educational opportunities with UEI College opening its second Arizona campus location in Mesa this summer. UEI College has been serving the community in Phoenix since 2015. The new Mesa campus, located in the Fiesta Plaza at W. Southern Ave and S. Alma School Rd. (1420 W. Southern Ave, Mesa, AZ 85202), is a 30,000 square-foot facility that includes training labs for the dental, medical, electrician, automotive and HVAC programs, as well as computer labs, lounge areas and a student resource center. UEI College "We have been serving the Valley for six years with our Phoenix campus. The economic impact of the pandemic really demonstrated the need for additional access to career and vocational training programs," said Kristen Torres, Vice President of Strategic Development. "We are thrilled to be opening our beautiful new East Valley location in Mesa. At UEI College, we are training essential workers. Many students who recently graduated from our Phoenix campus turned to UEI College after pandemic-related job losses, allowing them to find new careers." "Extending our reach in the greater Phoenix area with this new location is a result of the growing need that local employers have for well-trained professionals in health care, business and the skilled trades," said Fardad Fateri, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Since we started serving the Phoenix area in 2015, UEI College has helped change the lives of hundreds of successful graduates. We look forward to fulfilling our mission as a contributing member of the Mesa community, helping students achieve their education and career goals, and providing employers with the essential workers they need to meet today's challenges." The first cohort of students at the Mesa campus will start on July 28, pending final regulatory and accreditor approval. Originally known as United Education Institute (UEI), the group of schools has evolved over the past four decades to expand its vocational training offerings. It was renamed UEI College in the 1990s and now operates 17 campus locations in California, Arizona, Nevada and Georgia. The new Mesa campus will serve about 500 students with room for growth and planned expansion of offerings over the next few years. "In our own way, we are contributing to the economic growth of the East Valley following the pandemic," said Julia Denniston, Executive Director at UEI Mesa. "UEI is creating some 50 new professional jobs with our new location that include campus administration staff, support staff and instructor positions. We have a number of open positions to fill for the new Mesa campus. There are open positions at the Phoenix campus, as well, which has about 90 employees and continues to grow." Initial programs being offered at the new Mesa campus include Electrician Technician, Automotive Technician, Medical Assistant, Medical Billing and Coding, Dental Assistant, and Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Technician. Day, evening and weekend classes are available to accommodate students who are working full time while pursuing their education. "UEI is a viable option for students who are not able to put their lives on hold for four years and attend a university," Denniston said. "In as few as 10 months, you can learn the skills you need to start a career. We offer hands-on training from instructors who have a wealth of experience in the industries they teach. Some programs include an externship with local employers, and UEI offers career services and job placement resources. If you are an employer looking to hire skilled workers, we invite you to come and tour the new campus and talk with us about your needs." Like all other UEI College locations, the new Mesa campus will welcome students with modified operations that include comprehensive COVID-19 prevention protocols. "The health, safety and well-being of our students and colleagues is the top priority. UEI is training essential workers, particularly in our health care programs, and students will see the types of precautionary protocols that they can expect when entering the workforce after they graduate," Denniston said. About UEI College Founded in 1982, UEI College is an employee-owned, accredited institution that provides students with post-secondary career education programs in high-demand sectors such as healthcare, skilled trades, business and criminal justice. Each of the hands-on training programs offered at UEI are designed to provide students with the skills, knowledge and training they need to be successful in their futures. Students can train for entry-level careers and start building their future in as few as 10 months at campus locations throughout Arizona, California, Nevada and Georgia. For more information, visit www.uei.edu. UEI College is part of the International Education Corporation (IEC) family of schools. To see a list of current employment opportunities at our schools, visit the IEC career site at bepartofagreatteam.com. Media Contact: Joe Cockrell 949.812.7749 [email protected] SOURCE UEI College Related Links http://www.uei.edu OMAHA, Neb., June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Union Pacific today announced a "We Are One" summer tour that features a new commemorative locomotive dedicated to diversity and togetherness. The brightly colored locomotive will start its 2021 journey in Houston, Texas, on Juneteenth, the holiday that celebrates freedom and marks the end of slavery in the U.S. Union Pacific Announces DEI Giving Goals and "We Are One" Tour UP No. 1979 is only Union Pacific's 18th commemorative locomotive. It honors the company's nine Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and the work they do supporting diversity, inclusion and equality. The unit commemorates the year Union Pacific's first ERG - the Black Employee Network - was established in 1979. "This locomotive is an opportunity for us to celebrate our shared humanity and embrace our sense of community," said Debbie Schrampfer, Assistant Vice President - Diversity and Inclusion at Union Pacific. "It is a vibrant reminder that we are stronger together and that every person deserves to be treated equally and with dignity." Union Pacific believes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is critical to its success and that we have a role to play in advancing the interests of underrepresented or underserved populations. As part of this effort, Union Pacific is asking every program or organization that it supports financially through its Community Ties Giving Program to demonstrate a commitment to DEI principles by 2023. The company views its goal of reaching 100% of DEI-aligned grants as a multi-year journey. "This is what Union Pacific and America is all about, lifting up our neighbors and brightening our collective futures. All of us benefit when we embrace our cultural differences and our diversity of thought, life experiences and opinions," said Schrampfer. The "We Are One" commemorative locomotive will be traveling across numerous states this summer, passing through Houston, Fort Worth, and San Antonio, Texas; Los Angeles and Roseville, California; Portland, Oregon; North Little Rock, Arkansas; Chicago, Illinois; Ogden, Utah; Denver, Colorado; North Platte, Nebraska; Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri; New Orleans and Shreveport, Louisiana; and Omaha, Nebraska. If you spot this multi-colored locomotive on the rails, give it a shout #WeAreOneUP. ABOUT UNION PACIFIC Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) delivers the goods families and businesses use every day with safe, reliable and efficient service. Operating in 23 western states, the company connects its customers and communities to the global economy. Trains are the most environmentally responsible way to move freight, helping Union Pacific protect future generations. More information about Union Pacific is available at www.up.com . www.up.com www.facebook.com/unionpacific www.twitter.com/unionpacific SOURCE Union Pacific Corporation Related Links http://www.up.com PROSPER, Texas, Jun 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- United Advisors America (UAA), a Texas-based registered investment adviser serving clients in 22 states, has announced the recent appointment of two key executives. Aubrey Paganelli has been promoted to UAA's Chief Operating Officer and Senior Advisor, and Price B. Peddicord has been promoted to Chief Compliance Officer and In-House Counsel. They both serve on UAA's Investment Committee. "UAA has seen tremendous growth the past few years, necessitating a strong leadership team to serve our clients. Aubrey has played a key role in our growth, and her experience, leadership and passion for working with clients will continue to be vital going forward. Price has quickly become a key part of the UAA team, and his background and work ethic have allowed him to immediately make an impact on our firm," said Rich Follett, President and CEO. Paganelli, in her role as COO and Senior Advisor, oversees the day-to-day operations of the firm, supervises a team of advisors and works closely with her clients. She has been involved at every level of the firm since joining in 2013, serving as an Investment Advisor, Deputy Compliance Officer and the Chief Compliance Officer. Before joining UAA, she worked with Alliance America, an affiliate of UAA. Paganelli earned her BBA with a focus on Marketing in 2009 and an MBA in 2010 from Tarleton State University. Since joining the firm, she has also earned her Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP) designation from The American College. As CCO, Price manages the firm's compliance program, ensuring that both the firm and its advisors abide by rules and regulations of regulatory agencies, company policies and procedures, and the firm's code of ethics. In his role as In-House Counsel, he is responsible for managing the firm's legal affairs. He joined the firm in 2020 as a Deputy Compliance Officer, working closely with the CEO and CCO to assist in managing the compliance program of the firm. He also brings experience working back office for Fidelity Investments prior to attending law school. Peddicord earned his BBA with a focus in Finance from The University of Texas at Arlington, graduating with honors in 2014. He earned his Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law in 2019 and is a licensed attorney in the state of Texas. About United Advisors America United Advisors America (UAA) is an SEC-registered, fee-only investment adviser with its principal place of business in Texas. UAA currently has advisors working with clients across 22 states and is continually expanding. UAA provides a range of wealth and investment management services for individuals and families as well as their businesses. UAA's advisors, as fiduciaries, are committed to serving in the best interests of their clients in providing investment and retirement solutions that are tailored to their individual financial and lifestyle goals. Press Contact: Price B. Peddicord Chief Compliance Officer and In-House Counsel unitedadvisors.com Phone: (877) 443-0610 Related Images united-advisors-america-logo.jpg United Advisors America Logo SOURCE United Advisors America WASHINGTON, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. press leaders strongly criticized on Thursday the latest assault on press freedom in Hong Kong--a police raid on the offices of the Apple Daily newspaper. National Press Club President Lisa Nicole Matthews and NPC Journalism Institute President Angela Greiling Keane issued the following statement: "The people of Hong Kong are well acquainted with freedom of the press and understand its value in making society more efficient and just. They should not have to stand for this attack on journalism and journalists. We stand with our brothers and sisters in Hong Kong and call for an end to this campaign of terror against truth." More than 100 police officers raided Apple Daily's offices on Thursday and arrested five executives and editors at the paper and its parent company, Next Digital, according to news reports. The police cited "collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security." Authorities also froze the company's accounts and cautioned readers not to repost some of the Apple Daily's articles online. Next Digital and Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai is currently in prison and on trial for alleged violations of a draconian national security law imposed by China in 2020. Lai was sentenced earlier this year to 14 months in prison under a separate charge: for allegedly organizing and participating in illegal demonstrations in 2019. Thursday's raid was the latest in an escalating series of attempts to rein in Hong Kong's decades-long tradition of free expression--a campaign of repression that grew after enactment of the 2020 national security law. In recent months, authorities in Hong Kong have cracked down on a public broadcaster, warned journalists against publishing "fake news," and convicted a journalist for false statements after a report that was critical of police. Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world's leading professional organization for journalists. The Club has 3,000 members representing nearly every major news organization and is a leading voice for press freedom in the United States and around the world. The National Press Club Journalism Institute, the Club's non-profit affiliate, promotes an engaged global citizenry through an independent and free press and equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire civic engagement. Contact: John Donnelly, NPC Press Freedom Team Chairman: [email protected] 202-650-6738. SOURCE National Press Club Related Links http://press.org "This lab, right here in South Carolina, is testing variants for the entire country, and they are one of the first labs to invest heavily in variant testing to make sure that if there is a second comeback of the virus, we will get ahead of it." Senator Graham stated alongside Kevin Murdock, CEO and Michael Conroy, VP of Compliance of PMLS. Senator Graham went on to speak about the new and emerging variants including the Delta strain, saying that, "Viruses try to survive. They will replicate. They will try to penetrate the vaccines. This is a war between science and the virus, and the virus is very clever." According to Dr. Fauci, the Delta variant may be associated with a higher risk of hospitalization and is more contagious than the original COVID-19 strain Approximately 40% more contagious, but scientists are still trying to pin down the exact number, with estimates ranging from 30% to 100%, as reported by UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock. Recent NIH studies have shown that while two doses of the Pfizer vaccine were 88% effective against the Delta variant, two doses of the AstraZeneca shot were only 60% effective against the strain. With just under half of the American population having not been vaccinated, as of June 3, Next Generation Sequencing is vital in continued efforts to contain the virus and to keep hospitalization rates low. Senator Graham expressed that that PMLS has both provided tremendous capability to the public sector for the nation's COVID response and that it allowed the population to get on with their lives, as the more testing that is conducted, the more is understood about the nature of the illness. Along these same lines, to help the US continue in its progress made against the COVID-19 virus, Premier Medical Laboratory Services plans to provide the data on the new variants that is now needed with their expansive Next Generation Sequencing initiative. For more information, please visit https://premedinc.com/next-generation-covid-19-sequencing/ or call 866-387-2909. Sources: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2021/06/03/press-briefing-by-white-house-covid-19-response-team-and-public-health-officials-40/ https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/08/fauci-says-us-must-vaccinate-more-people-before-delta-becomes-dominant-covid-variant-in-america.html About PMLS Premier Medical Laboratory Services (PMLS), based in Greenville, South Carolina, is an advanced molecular diagnostics lab fully certified by top laboratory accrediting organizations, including Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) and COLA. PMLS prides itself on providing high complexity testing with unmatched turnaround times of results and one of the highest testing capacities in the nation. Their testing menu includes pharmacogenomics, COVID-19 testing, advanced cardiovascular testing, diabetes panels, women's wellness panels, allergen specific Ige blood testing, toxicology, and a first of its kind predictive genetic test for type II diabetes, DiabetesPredict. PMLS also offers Virtual Lab, an infrastructure limitation solution allowing other laboratories to utilize PMLS' fully-automated robotic workflow and team of 360 employees. With this, labs can largely increase their testing capacity and efficiency while bypassing the need to purchase new equipment or endure waiting time of weeks or more for shipping, installation, and validation. For more information, please visit www.PreMedInc.com or call 855-501-1023. SOURCE Premier Medical Laboratory Services Related Links http://www.PreMedInc.com Leading global suppliers can assist buyers in realizing high-cost savings through their efforts on areas such as forward integration, reducing total ownership cost, manage ad hoc spend, negotiate on pricing and contractual terms, conference participation, managing labor price volatility, level of automation, quality management, and reduction in ad-hoc spend. Collaborations with global suppliers will also help buyers in cost-saving and ensure high-quality procurement in the dynamic market. The report also offers information on the upcoming trends and challenges that will influence market growth. Download Our Free Sample Report Some of the top Asset Recovery Services suppliers listed in this report: This Asset Recovery Services procurement intelligence report has enlisted the top suppliers and their cost structures, SLA terms, best selection criteria, and negotiation strategies. Dell Technologies Inc. Avnet Inc. Sims Ltd. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. Nokia Corp. Regional Analysis Further breakdown of the market segmentation at requested regions. Market Player Information Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players, vendor segmentation, and vendor offerings. Know the strategies adopted by vendors during the COVID-19 Recovery Phase. The Asset Recovery Services Market report explains key category management objectives that should form the base for sourcing strategy, including: Top-line growth Scalability of inputs Green initiatives Category innovations Supply base rationalization Demand forecasting and governance Minimalization of ad hoc purchases Adherence to regulatory nuances Cost savings Customer retention Reduction of TCO Supply assurance Speak to our Analyst for a Customized Report: www.spendedge.com/report/asset-recovery-services-sourcing-and-procurement-intelligence-report Related Reports on Information Technology Market: Fleet Vehicle Leasing - Sourcing and Procurement Market Intelligence Report: The fleet vehicle leasing will grow at a CAGR of 4.92% during 2021-2025 . Prices will increase by 4%-6% during the forecast period and suppliers will have a moderate bargaining power in this market. . during the forecast period and suppliers will have a moderate bargaining power in this market. Catering - Sourcing and Procurement Market Intelligence Report : This report evaluates suppliers based on previous experience, established operations management process, number of suppliers staff, and professional competency, geographical presence, and width of product and service portfolio. : This report evaluates suppliers based on previous experience, established operations management process, number of suppliers staff, and professional competency, geographical presence, and width of product and service portfolio. Integrated Facility Management - Sourcing and Procurement Intelligence Report: Dell Technologies Inc., Avnet Inc., Sims Ltd., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co., Nokia Corp., International Business Machines Corp., NorthStar Group Services Inc., Asia Asset Recovery Pte Ltd., TES-Amm Singapore Pte Ltd., and Iron Mountain Inc. are among the prominent suppliers in asset recovery services market. To access the definite purchasing guide on the Asset Recovery Services that answers all your key questions on price trends and analysis: Am I paying/getting the right prices? Is my Asset Recovery Services TCO (total cost of ownership) favorable? How is the price forecast expected to change? What is driving the current and future price changes? Which pricing models offer the most rewarding opportunities? Table of Content Executive Summary Market Insights Category Pricing Insights Cost-saving Opportunities Best Practices Category Ecosystem Category Management Strategy Category Management Enablers Suppliers Selection Suppliers under Coverage US Market Insights Category scope Appendix About SpendEdge: SpendEdge shares your passion for driving sourcing and procurement excellence. We are the preferred procurement market intelligence partner for 120+ Fortune 500 firms and other leading companies across numerous industries. Our strength lies in delivering robust, real-time procurement market intelligence reports and solutions. Contact SpendEdge Anirban Choudhury Marketing Manager Ph No: +1 (872) 206-9340 https://www.spendedge.com/contact-us SOURCE SpendEdge Chief Judge Laurel M. Isicoff sided with Van Horn Law Group, its founding partner Chad Van Horn, and attorney Melissa Goolsarran Ramnauth who argued the matter for the firm in a case alleging the firm violated federal bankruptcy law by offering two-contract legal agreements in Chapter 7 cases. These bifurcated agreements an initial contract and fee for filing bankruptcy and a second contract to complete the bankruptcy process with the fee paid over time with no interest enables low-income individuals to access the bankruptcy process. "The legal system should be open to everyone in need, not just those who can afford it," said Van Horn. "We structure our agreements to help those in dire financial need many of whom are already facing wage garnishments and barely making ends meet when they come to us. Requiring full payment before filing bankruptcy shuts out low-income communities and denies them access to quality representation for their bankruptcy filing. Our firm is committed to serving individuals and families of every economic stratum, particularly those who struggle the most." While Van Horn's two-contract business model enables the company to fight for low-income clients having used this process for more than 2,000 cases since inception it also increases costs to the firm. For example, the firm has had to build and manage an infrastructure to accommodate taking payments. In addition, those payments are not necessarily guaranteed compared to requiring full payments prior to filing. "We do whatever we can to champion the underdog because we believe it's unconscionable to shut people out of the bankruptcy process that needs the help the most," said Van Horn. "We implemented this process because it's in the best interest of our community and provides an avenue for people struggling with debt to access the powerful bankruptcy system." This issue speaks to the mission of Van Horn Law Group: to restore peace of mind to individuals in financial distress by providing first-rate, affordable legal services with compassion, understanding, and respect. Its larger vision is to establish Van Horn Law Group as a relentless advocate for debtors' rights in the State of Florida and across the country to dispel the stigma associated with bankruptcy, empowering citizens with the knowledge of their rights and providing access to the legal system. Van Horn Law Group, P.A. Van Horn Law Group, founded in 2009 by Chad Van Horn, 37, is the largest bankruptcy law firm in Broward County, Florida, based on cases filed, according to Pacer.gov, and practices in the areas of personal and corporate bankruptcy, student loan consolidation and litigation, estate planning/asset protection, LGBT estate planning/asset protection, foreclosure defense, corporate representation, debt consolidation, civil litigation, debt relief, and consumer law. The firm was ranked among the top 5,000 fastest-growing, privately held companies in the United States in 2019 and 2020 by Inc. magazine. Van Horn, who graduated from Pittsburgh's Robert Morris University with a B.S. in Business Management, discovered his niche in bankruptcy while working as a clerk for a bankruptcy law firm during the day and pursuing a law degree at night. He received his Juris Doctor from Nova Southeastern University's Shepard Broad Law Center in 2009 and founded his bankruptcy firm shortly after that. Van Horn authored two books, The Debt Life, an Amazon bestseller within 24 hours, and Everything You Need to Know About Bankruptcy in Florida. He holds certifications in consumer and business bankruptcy by the American Board of Certification (ABC), a non-profit organization for legal professionals that grants formal certification in specific areas of law. Van Horn Law Group, P.A. is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. For more information, call (954) 765-3166 or visit www.vanhornlawgroup.com. SOURCE Van Horn Law Group, P.A. Related Links https://www.vanhornlawgroup.com LOS ANGELES, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Viking (www.viking.com) announced today new details about its upcoming Welcome Back voyages in the Mediterranean that launch in July 2021. Over the course of summer and early fall, Viking will homeport three sister shipsthe Viking Star, the Viking Sea and the company's newest ship, the Viking Venusfor three different 11-day itineraries that explore the Mediterranean, roundtrip from the Maltese capital city of Valletta, a cultural UNESCO World Heritage Site. Viking also announced today that it has partnered with Lufthansa to offer non-stop flights from Newark Liberty International Airport to Malta, exclusively for Viking guests. Viking's announcement comes as the Maltese Government has eased rules for the arrival of international travelers, including Americans. Like many countries, Malta has developed a traffic light system for arriving travelers. Beginning today, June 17, Malta has added most U.S. states and territories covering the vast majority of the population to its "Amber List." Travelers from the Amber List may arrive in Malta with proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test having been conducted at least 72 hours prior to arrival. Full details of Malta's Traffic Light System for travelers can be found on Visit Malta's website here. Yesterday, the European Union recommended that its member countries begin lifting restrictions on American travelers, with a formal announcement expected on Friday. Additionally, on June 7, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced it has eased travel recommendations for 110 countries and territories. As part of the new recommendations, the CDC specifically ranked Malta as "Level 1" or the lowest for risk of COVID-19. "Now that we have successfully restarted operations, welcoming guests back on board in England and in Bermuda, we look forward to launching our new voyages from Malta. We applaud the government of Malta for being such a supportive destination partner and for making the arrival and embarkation process even easier for our guests," said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. "With its rich history and stunning natural beauty, Malta is truly a gem in the Mediterranean that many American travelers have yet to discover. With our new Welcome Back voyages, combined with Lufthansa flights from Newark exclusively for Viking guests, there has never been a better opportunity to explore the Mediterranean from Malta." Viking successfully restarted operations in May and has been sailing in England with British guests since May 22. Nearly 100 percent of guests on these sailings provided exceptionally high ratings. Yesterday, the company welcomed its first American guests back on board in Bermuda for the first of eight sailings of Bermuda Escape. Later this month, Viking will launch Welcome Back sailings around Iceland. With space selling fast, there are limited dates still available in summer and early fall 2021 for Viking's Welcome Back voyages in the Mediterranean, which include: Mediterranean Voyages Beginning in July 2021 Malta & Adriatic Jewels (11 days; Valletta to Valletta ; Croatia , Montenegro & Malta ) Discover Malta's millennia of history and visit ancient UNESCO sites. Explore Croatia's captivating coastline and some of the great iconic cities of antiquity. Stroll the majestic city walls of Dubrovnik and visit Diocletian's Palace. Or immerse yourself in nature and the great outdoors during a visit to Krka National Park. Join us for a fascinating journey as you witness rolling landscapes and ancient architectural treasures along Adriatic shores. Multiple sailing dates July through October 2021 . Discover millennia of history and visit ancient UNESCO sites. Explore captivating coastline and some of the great iconic cities of antiquity. Stroll the majestic city walls of Dubrovnik and visit Diocletian's Palace. Or immerse yourself in nature and the great outdoors during a visit to Krka National Park. Join us for a fascinating journey as you witness rolling landscapes and ancient architectural treasures along Adriatic shores. Multiple sailing dates July through . Malta & the Western Mediterranean (11 days; Valletta to Valletta ; Italy , Spain & Malta ) Traverse the historic and heritage-rich waters of the Western Mediterranean during a 10-night roundtrip voyage from Valletta , a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will discover the magnificent Amalfi Coast from elegant Naples , gateway to Pompeii, and visit Messina, Sicily's cultural crossroad. See the storied sites of ancient Rome and immerse in Tuscan Florence and Catalonian Barcelona's art and architecture during your unforgettable journey. Multiple sailing dates in September and October 2021 . Traverse the historic and heritage-rich waters of the Western Mediterranean during a 10-night roundtrip voyage from , a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will discover the magnificent from elegant , gateway to Pompeii, and visit cultural crossroad. See the storied sites of ancient and immerse in Tuscan Florence and Catalonian Barcelona's art and architecture during your unforgettable journey. Multiple sailing dates in September and . Malta & Greek Isles Discovery (11 days; Valletta to Valletta ; Greece & Malta ) Immerse in the ancient world as you discover the early empires of the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas. Visit historic UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the Maltese capital of Valletta and Rhodes' Palace of the Grand Masters. Enjoy dramatic views of the Parthenon in Athens , uncover the mysteries of the Minoans on Crete and admire the white facades and azure domes of the clifftop villages of Santorini during this enchanting voyage through the centuries. Multiple sailing dates July through September 2021 . Those who sail Welcome Back voyages will also experience Viking's industry-leading health and safety program. Grounded in scientific research, the Viking Health & Safety Program was developed in partnership with an international team of medical advisors, including Raquel C. Bono, M.D., Viking's Chief Health Officer. Dr. Bono is a board-certified trauma surgeon and retired Vice Admiral of the United States Navy Medical Corpsand most recently led Washington State's medical and healthcare systems response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing a full-scale laboratory installed on every Viking ocean shipand a strong network of dedicated shoreside labs for Viking river ships in Europeall guests and crew will receive frequent quick and easy non-invasive saliva PCR tests. New air purification technology has also been installed on all Viking ships, which have always featured independent air handling units for all guest staterooms. And additional health checks, sanitization and physical distancing measures will provide further protection for Viking guests and crew at all points of the journey. A complete overview of the Viking Health & Safety Program can be found at: www.viking.com/health-safety. Booking Details Limited space is still available on 2021 summer sailings. Non-stop Lufthansa flights from Newark to Malta, exclusively for Viking guests, are now available. Space and departure dates for flights are limited. Call Viking toll free at 1-855-8-VIKING (1-855-884-5464) or contact a travel agent for details. About Viking Viking was founded in 1997 and provides destination-focused journeys on rivers, oceans and lakes around the world. Designed for experienced travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers guests The Thinking Person's Cruise in contrast to mainstream cruises. In its first five years of operation, Viking has been rated the #1 ocean cruise line in Travel + Leisure's 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 "World's Best" Awards. In addition to the Travel + Leisure honors, Viking has also been honored multiple times on Conde Nast Traveler's "Gold List" as well as recognized by Cruise Critic as "Best Overall" Small-Mid size ship in the 2018 Cruisers' Choice Awards, "Best River Cruise Line" and "Best River Itineraries," with the entire Viking Longships fleet being named "Best New River Ships" in the website's Editors' Picks Awards. For additional information, contact Viking at 1-800-2-VIKING (1-800-284-5464) or visit www.viking.com. For Viking's award-winning enrichment channel, visit www.viking.tv. SOURCE Viking Related Links www.viking.com PORTLAND, Ore., June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- VisCardia Inc., a privately held medical device developer, announced today it has been selected to participate in MedTech Innovator's Annual Showcase and Accelerator Program. The selection process reduced 1,100 applicants from over 50 countries to 195 candidate companies that presented their technology to teams of senior industry leaders. From these 195 presentations, 50 companies (25 early-stage and 25 mid-stage) were selected to compete in the MedTech Conference powered by the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) in September. VisCardia's advancement is based on its VisONE SDS technology, which is an innovative approach to the treatment of advanced chronic heart failure. VisONE SDS has completed a European First-in-Human study with very encouraging results which led to the granting of Breakthrough Device Designation by the U.S. FDA. The therapy utilizes a diaphragmatic stimulator to modulate the pressure in the chest cavity and make it easier for a weakened heart to fill and pump. The European study demonstrated that patients' hearts improved in performance, patients improved their exercise tolerance and the patients felt better (improved Quality of Life) over a one-year trial. Gregg Harris, VP of Clinical & Regulatory Affairs, stated, "Through the Breakthrough Device program, we have begun a collaborative relationship with the FDA to start clinical studies in the U.S. with the goal to make our technology available to U.S. patients in the most timely manner possible." VisCardia plans to begin the study in early 2022 after the recruitment of top medical centers in the country. The Scientific Advisory Board is comprised of leading cardiologists from three of the top 40 hospitals for heart failure as ranked by U.S. News & World Reports for 2020-2021. Peter Bauer, Ph.D., CEO of VisCardia, said, "We are proud to see our presentations at international meetings, such as MedTech Conference powered by AdvaMed (Sept. 27-29, 2021) and the Heart Failure Society of America (Sept. 10-13, 2021), gain recognition and attention of both the scientific communities as well as industry leaders. We believe our technology has an important role in the treatment of heart failure." About VisONE SDS Therapy The VisONE implantable system delivers VisCardia's proprietary Synchronized Diaphragmatic Stimulation (SDS) therapy for improving cardiac function in heart failure patients. By electrically stimulating the diaphragm in an imperceptible manner, transient intrathoracic pressures synchronized to cardiac activity are modulated, improving both cardiac filling and output. The therapy is non-invasively adjusted and programmed using an external programmer to improve hemodynamic benefit and optimize stimulation parameters. Media Contact: Gregg Harris Phone: 503-744-2375 Email: [email protected] Related Images viscardia-inc.png VisCardia Inc. SOURCE VisCardia Inc. DETROIT, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Christopher Rivers, CEO of Visionz Group LLC, announced that starting this July 2021 the company will be providing workforce development and other services for parolees in tandem with Health Management Systems of America (HMSA). Since its inception Visionz Group has been at the forefront of soft skills research and curriculum development for youth and young adults. Its robust and interactive College, Career and Life Skills Readiness curriculum has been used by youth groups, colleges, churches, corporations and more to improve the soft or "life" skills of their participants. The Visionz evidenced based, culturally responsive programming was recently introduced into the juvenile detention and prison systems for adult inmates, to help them to re-integrate into their local communities and reduce the risks of recidivism. Under this new contract with HMSA, Visionz Group will be assisting ex-offenders in the state of Michigan by implementing Employment Readiness Workshops, Job Search Assistance Programs, and Vocational/Occupational Assessments. Studies have shown that teaching evidence-based life skills to offenders who are at-risk will reduce recidivism by 40%. By helping these offenders strengthen their job readiness and life skills, the program aims to build their assets and thereby reduce the likelihood of future delinquent behavior. Health Management Systems of America (HMSA) provides Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and Work/Life and Wellness services to managers, employees, and the families of over 2,000 companies nationwide. The company has grown from a regional provider of behavioral health services to a nationally recognized leader providing best-in-class behavioral health management, training and organizational development services. HMSA works with Fortune 500 corporations, government agencies, top universities, and hospital systems. Dennis Rice, President of HMSA said, "We are proud of the services that we provide to returning citizens and the quality partnerships like Visionz that we have forged in the community." Visionz Group has developed the winning formula for accelerating positive change in the Juvenile Justice system and detention centers. To broaden its program helping youth and adults in the justice system, Visionz recently introduced its "Let It Go, So You Can Grow" curriculum that provides Social and Emotional Learning centered in Anger Management, Conflict Resolution and Growth Mindset Grit, Resiliency and Ethics. "We are actively working on expanding our programming in Michigan and also introducing it into other state systems such as Georgia, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Texas" said Chris Rivers . "Having grown up in the Detroit area, I am very excited to see these programs created by Visionz being implemented to help people become successful learners and earners as they progress through life. We look forward to seeing this curriculum becoming a model of consistency throughout the country." To learn more about Visionz Group and its emerging educational technology platform check out the Visionz Automated Learning Series titled "First Impressions" by clicking the link below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Chxd53degjI About Visionz Group Visionz Group provides young people and adults with the critical life skills they need to succeed and excel in life through cutting-edge tools, a nurturing learning environment, climate, and culture. Learn more at: www.visionzgroup.com Media Contact: Preston Howell , Visionz Group, LLC - (800) 617-0093 [email protected] SOURCE Visionz Group, LLC Related Links http://www.visionzgroup.com BEIJING, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Waterdrop Inc. ("Waterdrop", the "Company" or "we") (NYSE: WDH), a leading technology platform dedicated to insurance and healthcare service with a positive social impact, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021. Financial and Operational Highlights for the First Quarter of 2021 We achieved solid business growth in the first quarter of 2021. The first-year premiums ("FYP") generated through our Waterdrop Insurance Marketplace reached RMB4,469 million ( US$682.1 million ), representing an increase of 42.7% year-over-year. ( ), representing an increase of 42.7% year-over-year. The number of insurance customers and FYP per customer both grew rapidly. Our cumulative paying insurance customers reached 21.9 million as of March 31, 2021 . The FYP per customer increased to RMB1,165 , or by 32.1% year-over-year. . The FYP per customer increased to , or by 32.1% year-over-year. We continued to expand our product offerings. As of March 31, 2021 , we offered 240 insurance products on our platform, as compared with 200 as of December 31, 2020 . Over 90% of our FYP was contributed by our exclusive customized insurance products. In terms of product mix, the FYP of critical illness insurance, increased by 131.8% in the first quarter of 2021, primarily contributed by the design and sales of products under the new regulatory definition of critical illness. , we offered 240 insurance products on our platform, as compared with 200 as of . Over 90% of our FYP was contributed by our exclusive customized insurance products. In terms of product mix, the FYP of critical illness insurance, increased by 131.8% in the first quarter of 2021, primarily contributed by the design and sales of products under the new regulatory definition of critical illness. Our consumer acquisition channels achieved a balanced growth. The FYP generated from internal traffic (excluding mutual aid channel), third-party traffic, and natural traffic and repeat purchases increased by 65.2%, 51.6% and 48.4% year-over-year, respectively. Net operating revenue increased by 35.1% to RMB883.4 million ( US$134.8 million ) year-over-year. Excluding the impact from the cessation of our mutual aid business in March 2021 , the adjusted net operating revenue increased by 43.2% year-over-year. ( ) year-over-year. Excluding the impact from the cessation of our mutual aid business in , the adjusted net operating revenue increased by 43.2% year-over-year. As of March 31, 2021 , approximately 360 million people donated an aggregate of over RMB40 billion to nearly 1.9 million patients through our Waterdrop Medical Crowdfunding. Waterdrop Medical Crowdfunding charges zero service fees and we do not generate any revenues from Waterdrop Medical Crowdfunding. Mr. Peng Shen, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Waterdrop, commented, "We are pleased to report strong financial and operational growth for the first quarter of 2021 in our first earnings release as a public company. Since our inception in 2016, we have benefited from robust industry development and achieved above-industry growth, and our unique business model has allowed us to become a leading integrated technology platform for insurance and healthcare service in China. Our business model, strong data insights, and technical capabilities have contributed to improving the overall efficiencies of the broader industry, while also empowering our insurance carrier partners. Moving forward, we are going to continue playing a positive role in advancing the diversified medical payment system in China and partake in the rapid growth of the massive Chinese insurance and healthcare market." Mr. Guang Yang, Co-founder, Director and General Manager of Insurance Marketplace, commented, "On the product side, we continued to develop customized products through deeper collaborations with our partner insurance companies. Among all products we offer to customers and by FYP contribution, over 90% are customized and co-designed by us and insurance carriers. In light of the introduction of the new regulatory definition of critical illness, we shifted our product offerings to adapt to the new definition and requirements to better cater to customer needs, and ensure our sustainable growth. In addition, we consistently diversify our customer acquisition channels, and the contribution from natural traffic and repeat purchases as a percentage of total FYP continued its upward trend." Mr. Kangping Shi, Chief Financial Officer of Waterdrop, added, "We had a solid first quarter starting the year with both FYP and net operating revenues up 42.7% and 35.1%, respectively, from the same period of last year. The increase in operating costs and expenses were mainly attributable to expenses related with the cessation of mutual aid business. For 2021, we expect our FYP and top line to grow rapidly, and we will continue to improve our unit economics performance by optimizing our customer acquisition strategy." Financial Results for the First Quarter of 2021 Operating revenue, net Net operating revenue for the first quarter of 2021 increased by 35.1% to RMB883.4 million (US$134.8 million) from RMB653.8 million for the same period of 2020, which was primarily due to the growth of insurance brokerage income and technical service income. Net operating revenue from management fee income decreased from RMB38.9 million for the first quarter of 2020 to RMB2.7 million ( US$0.4 million ) for the first quarter of 2021, which was mainly due to the cessation of the mutual aid business at the end of March 2021 . Excluding management fee income from mutual aid business, the Company generated adjusted net operating revenue of RMB880.6 million ( US$134.4 million ) for the first quarter of 2021, representing an increase of 43.2% compared with the same period of 2020. for the first quarter of 2020 to ( ) for the first quarter of 2021, which was mainly due to the cessation of the mutual aid business at the end of . Excluding management fee income from mutual aid business, the Company generated adjusted net operating revenue of ( ) for the first quarter of 2021, representing an increase of 43.2% compared with the same period of 2020. On March 26, 2021 , the Company announced the cessation of the Waterdrop Mutual Aid business by the end of March 2021 . In connection with this, the Company voluntarily covered mutual aid participants' medical expenses arising from medical conditions diagnosed before March 31, 2021 that would have formerly been covered by the ceased mutual aid plan, subject to certain procedural requirements and eligibility criteria. Following this adjustment, the Company upgraded its services and offered a one-year complementary health insurance policy to each participant with a similar coverage as the participant's original mutual aid plan. Starting from the end of March 2021 , with the cessation of the Waterdrop Mutual Aid operation, the corresponding management fee income is no longer a revenue stream for the Company. The estimated cost of medical expense coverage is RMB15.0 million ( US$2.3 million ) and the estimated cost of one-year health insurance coverage is RMB81.7 million ( US$12.5 million ). RMB19.9 million ( US$3.0 million ) was accounted for as a reduction of management fee revenue previously recognized for each participant to the extent of the cumulative amount earned until March 26, 2021 . RMB76.8 million ( US$11.8 million ) was recorded as operating costs. Operating costs and expenses Operating costs and expenses increased by RMB579.1 million, or 75.7%, to RMB1,343.9 million (US$205.1 million) for the first quarter of 2021 from RMB764.9 million for the same period of 2020. Operating costs increased by 125.5% year-over-year to RMB300.6 million ( US$45.9 million ) for the first quarter of 2021, compared with RMB133.3 million for the first quarter of 2020, which was mainly due to (i) the cost of RMB76.8 million that incurred in relation to the cessation of the Waterdrop Mutual Aid business, (ii) RMB30.8 million increase in personnel cost as our consultants and insurance agents team rapidly expanded to support the business growth, and (iii) RMB44.3 million increase in professional and outsourced customer service fees. ( ) for the first quarter of 2021, compared with for the first quarter of 2020, which was mainly due to (i) the cost of that incurred in relation to the cessation of the Waterdrop Mutual Aid business, (ii) increase in personnel cost as our consultants and insurance agents team rapidly expanded to support the business growth, and (iii) increase in professional and outsourced customer service fees. Sales and marketing expenses increased by 67.7% year-over-year to RMB837.2 million ( US$127.8 million ) for the first quarter of 2021, compared with RMB499.2 million for the first quarter of 2020. The increase was primarily due to (i) a RMB247.8 million increase in marketing expenses to third-party traffic channels as a result of our business expansion and branding promotions, and (ii) a RMB100.7 million increase in outsourced sales and marketing service fees to third parties. ( ) for the first quarter of 2021, compared with for the first quarter of 2020. The increase was primarily due to (i) a increase in marketing expenses to third-party traffic channels as a result of our business expansion and branding promotions, and (ii) a increase in outsourced sales and marketing service fees to third parties. General and administrative expenses increased by 87.2% year-over-year to RMB121.3 million ( US$18.5 million ) for the first quarter of 2021, compared with RMB64.8 million for the first quarter of 2020. The increase was primarily due to (i) a RMB44.6 million increase in share-based compensation expenses, and (ii) an increase of RMB11.5 million in professional fees and personnel cost. ( ) for the first quarter of 2021, compared with for the first quarter of 2020. The increase was primarily due to (i) a increase in share-based compensation expenses, and (ii) an increase of in professional fees and personnel cost. Research and development expenses increased by 25.6% year-over-year to RMB84.9 million ( US$13.0 million ) for the first quarter of 2021, compared with RMB67.6 million for the first quarter of 2020. The increase was primarily due to a RMB16.2 million increase in research and development personnel cost and related expenses, as our research and development team continued to expand to enhance our competitive capabilities in technology. Operating loss for the first quarter of 2021 was RMB460.6 million (US$70.3 million), compared with operating loss of RMB111.1 million for the same period of 2020. Interest income for the first quarter of 2021 was RMB13.2 million (US$2.0 million), compared with RMB5.3 million for the same period of 2020. The increase was primarily due to the increase in cash balance as a result of the receipt of proceeds from private equity financings and interest income from short-term investment. The Company does not generate interest income from the crowdfunding business. Income tax benefit for the first quarter of 2021 was RMB74.3 million (US$11.3 million), compared with income tax expense of RMB21.8 million for the same period of 2020. Net loss attributable to Waterdrop for the first quarter of 2021 was RMB370.2 million (US$56.5 million), compared with net loss of RMB120.7 million for the same period of 2020. Adjusted net loss attributable to Waterdrop for the first quarter of 2021 was RMB203.1 million (US$31.0 million), compared with RMB106.5 million for the same period of 2020. Adjusted net margin was negative 23.0% for the first quarter of 2021, compared with negative 16.3% for the first quarter of 2020. Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash As of March 31, 2021, the Company had combined cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash of RMB1,705.4 million (US$260.3 million), as compared with RMB1,323.3 million as of December 31, 2020. Business Outlook The Company expects the FYP generated through Waterdrop Insurance Marketplace to grow more than 50% year-over-year for the second quarter of 2021. This forecast is based on the current market conditions and reflects the Company's preliminary view and estimates, which are all subject to changes. Exchange Rate This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars ("USD") at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise stated, all translations from RMB to USD were made at the rate of RMB6.5518 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on March 31, 2021 in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. The Company makes no representation that the RMB or USD amounts referred could be converted into USD or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all. For analytical presentation, all percentages are calculated using the numbers presented in the financial statements contained in this earnings release. Non-GAAP Financial Measures The Company use non-GAAP financial measures, such as adjusted net operating revenue and adjusted net loss, in evaluating the Company's operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes. Adjusted net operating revenue represents net operating revenue excluding management fee income from mutual aid business. Adjusted net loss represents net loss excluding share-based compensation expense, impact of terminating the mutual aid plan, foreign currency exchange gain or losses, and share of results of equity method investee. Such adjustments have no impact on income tax. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or construed as an alternative to net loss or any other measure of performance or as an indicator of our operating performance. Investors are encouraged to review the Company's historical non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures. Adjusted net operating revenue and adjusted net loss 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 encourage investors and others to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "aims," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "likely to" and similar statements. Among other things, quotations in this announcement, contain forward-looking statements. Waterdrop 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. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Waterdrop's beliefs, plans and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Waterdrop's mission, goals and strategies; Waterdrop's future business development, financial condition and results of operations; the expected growth of the insurance and online healthcare industry in China; Waterdrop's expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of our products and services; Waterdrop's expectations regarding its relationships with consumers, insurance carriers and other partners; competition in the industry and relevant government policies and regulations relating to insurance and online healthcare industry. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Waterdrop's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Waterdrop does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. Conference Call Information Waterdrop's management team will hold a conference call on June 17, 2021 at 8:00 AM U.S. Eastern Time (8:00 PM Beijing/Hong Kong Time on the same day) to discuss the financial results. Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows: United States: 1-888-317-6003 Hong Kong: 852-580-81995 Mainland China: 4001-206115 International: 1-412-317-6061 Elite Entry Number: 8371404 # Please dial in 15 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin and provide the Elite Entry Number to join the call. A telephone replay will be accessible through June 24, 2021 by dialing the following numbers: United States: 1- 877-344-7529 International: 1-412-317-0088 Access Code: 10157332 # A live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available at the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.waterdrop-inc.com/. About Waterdrop Inc. Waterdrop Inc. (NYSE: WDH) is a leading technology platform dedicated to insurance and healthcare service with a positive social impact. Founded in 2016, with the comprehensive coverage of Waterdrop Insurance Marketplace and Medical Crowdfunding, Waterdrop aims to bring insurance and healthcare service to billions through technology. For more information, please visit www.waterdrop-inc.com. For investor inquiries, please contact Waterdrop Inc. Xiaojiao Cui [email protected] Christensen In China Mr. Eric Yuan Phone: +86-1380-111-0739 E-mail: [email protected] In US Ms. Linda Bergkamp Phone: +1-480-614-3004 Email: [email protected] WATERDROP INC. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (All amounts in thousands, unless otherwise noted) As of December 31, 2020 March 31, 2021 RMB RMB USD Assets Current assets Cash and cash equivalents 1,061,962 1,107,394 169,021 Restricted cash 261,387 598,027 91,277 Short-term investments 1,193,160 519,661 79,316 Accounts receivable 539,791 645,463 98,517 Current contract assets 824,544 820,264 125,197 Amount due from related parties 813 439 67 Prepaid expense and other assets 651,080 499,674 76,263 Total current assets 4,532,737 4,190,922 639,658 Non-current assets Non-current contract assets 24,006 24,215 3,696 Property, equipment and software, net 28,724 36,873 5,628 Intangible assets, net 53,034 56,806 8,670 Long-term investments 2,741 2,749 420 Right of use assets, net 60,694 57,001 8,700 Goodwill 3,119 3,119 476 Total non-current assets 172,318 180,763 27,590 Total assets 4,705,055 4,371,685 667,248 Liabilities, Mezzanine Equity and Shareholders' Deficit Current liabilities Amount due to related parties 9,789 12,295 1,877 Insurance premium payables 607,326 602,608 91,976 Deferred revenue 22,017 11,374 1,736 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 595,606 702,597 107,237 Current lease liabilities 36,551 37,497 5,723 Total current liabilities 1,271,289 1,366,371 208,549 Non-current liabilities Non-current lease liabilities 27,709 23,150 3,533 Deferred tax liabilities 225,745 151,969 23,195 Total non-current liabilities 253,454 175,119 26,728 Total liabilities 1,524,743 1,541,490 235,277 Total mezzanine equity 4,837,336 4,947,623 755,154 Shareholders' deficit Ordinary shares 41 41 6 Additional paid-in capital - - - Accumulated other comprehensive income 14,956 13,241 2,021 Accumulated deficit (1,672,021) (2,130,710) (325,210) Total shareholders' deficit (1,657,024) (2,117,428) (323,183) Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and shareholders' deficit 4,705,055 4,371,685 667,248 WATERDROP INC. UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted) For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 2021 RMB RMB USD Operating revenue, net 653,795 883,367 134,828 Operating costs and expenses(i) Operating costs (133,288) (300,608) (45,882) Sales and marketing expenses (499,201) (837,153) (127,775) General and administrative expenses (64,765) (121,287) (18,512) Research and development expenses (67,610) (84,875) (12,954) Total operating costs and expenses (764,864) (1,343,923) (205,123) Operating loss (111,069) (460,556) (70,295) Other income Interest income 5,312 13,215 2,017 Foreign currency exchange gain 5,235 784 120 Others, net 1,632 2,101 321 Loss before income tax, and share of loss in equity method investee (98,890) (444,456) (67,837) Income tax (expense)/benefit (21,838) 74,300 11,340 Share of loss in equity method investee (3) - - Net loss attributable to Waterdrop Inc. (120,731) (370,156) (56,497) Preferred shares redemption value accretion (53,636) (110,287) (16,833) Net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders (174,367) (480,443) (73,330) Net loss (120,731) (370,156) (56,497) Other comprehensive (income)/loss: Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax 61 (2,782) (425) Unrealized gains on available for sale investments, net of tax 25 1,067 163 Comprehensive loss (120,645) (371,871) (56,759) Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in computing net loss per share 1,193,727,557 1,191,599,014 1,191,599,014 Basic and diluted Net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders Basic and diluted (0.15) (0.40) (0.06) (i) Share-based compensation expenses are included in the operating costs and expenses as follows: For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 2021 RMB RMB USD Sales and marketing expenses (322) (2,981) (455) General and administrative expenses (17,389) (62,021) (9,466) Research and development expenses (1,722) (6,176) (943) Total (19,433) (71,178) (10,864) WATERDROP INC. Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results (All amounts in thousands, unless otherwise noted) For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 2021 RMB RMB USD Net operating revenue 653,795 883,367 134,828 Less: Management fee income 38,886 2,745(ii) 419 Adjusted net operating revenue 614,909 880,622 134,409 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 2021 RMB RMB USD Net loss (120,731) (370,156) (56,497) Add: Share-based compensation expense 19,433 71,178 10,864 Foreign currency exchange gain (5,235) (784) (120) Impact of terminating the mutual aid plan (iii) - 96,697 14,759 Share of results of equity method investee 3 - - Adjusted net loss (106,530) (203,065) (30,994) (ii) This represents management fee revenue related to the mutual aid business for the first quarter of 2021 after recording the RMB19.9 million reduction of management fee revenue previously recognized for each participant to the extent of the cumulative amount earned until March 26, 2021. (iii) This represents the estimated cost of medical expenses and cost of one-year health insurance coverage. RMB19.9 million (US$3.0 million) was accounted for as a reduction of management fee revenue previously recognized for each participant to the extent of the cumulative amount earned until March 26, 2021. RMB76.8 million (US$11.8 million) was recorded as operating costs. SOURCE Waterdrop Inc. ALBANY, N.Y., June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Immersive Technologies Market: Growth Summary Immersive technologies have made a permanent place among a large chunk of the global populace over the years. The rising popularity of these technologies among many individuals and the changing needs and preferences of modern consumers have expanded their popularity of to a considerable extent. The accelerated adoption of real-time technologies due to their overwhelming popularity will invite fruitful growth. Transparency Market Research (TMR) has conducted extensive analysis on all aspects related to the growth of the immersive technologies market. The immersive technologies market, according to the TMR experts, is projected to record a whopping ~38 percent CAGR during the assessment period of 2021-2031. The global immersive technologies market was valued at US$ 81.82 bn in 2020 and is extrapolated to surpass US$ 2.6 Trn by 2031, the end year of the forecast period. Immersive technologies develop or create rich experiences by blending the physical world with simulation. The main types of immersive technologies are virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). While AR compiles computer-generated information onto the user's real environment, VR uses the same information to offer full immersion. The growing use of immersive technologies in a large number of applications around the globe will prove to be a prominent growth-contributing factor. Request the Covid19 Impact Analysis at https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=covid19&rep_id=82360 Immersive technologies are observing considerable traction across many regions. The growing demand for immersive technologies among many end-users will accelerate the growth prospects of the immersive technologies market to a considerable extent. Furthermore, the expanding usage of VR in treating COVID-19 patients will profoundly impact the growth of the immersive technologies market. Key Findings of the Report AI-Driven Conversational Interfaces to Bring Good Growth Opportunities The utilization of AI along with immersive technologies will bring considerable growth. The improving speech-to-text and natural language aspects are helping in the development of advanced conversational interfaces. A humanlike interaction by the chat systems across various businesses with the humans is gaining traction. Thus, all these factors will help in boosting the growth of the immersive technologies market. Download PDF Brochure https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=82360 Remote Collaboration to Add Extra Stars of Growth As the COVID-19 pandemic hit the globe, physical interaction decreased extensively. Remote working and virtual interactions became the new norm. With the change in the culture, many companies responded by leveraging immersive technologies. For instance, Volkswagen launched its first-ever virtual motor show to display new models. Similarly, Siemens has developed a virtual simulation lab allowing customers and employees to continue collaborating in VR by using a digital twin of their physical lab. Such developments bode well for the growth of the immersive technologies market. View Detailed Table of Contents at https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/report-toc/82360 Immersive Advertising Strategies to Form the Crux of Growth The advertising industry is observing a phase of a major technological shift in the industry. Immersive ads are becoming commonplace for providing an excellent experience to the targeted consumers and attract maximum revenues. These ads are helping many companies garner extreme popularity. The IKEA virtual kitchen is a classic instance of immersive advertising. It is built on VR and offers a rich experience to the consumers. Such developments will invite exponential growth opportunities for the immersive technologies market. Purchase Premium Research Report on Immersive Technologies Market @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=82360